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Malaysia said today it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesn't voluntarily cooperate with the police.Earlier this week, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state.Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, "compelling" them to appear before the investigation team."And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters.It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity.Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia.Police are trying to locate the eight suspect, another North Korean, Ri Ji U, whose whereabouts are unknown, Samah said on Saturday.Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday.Two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have also been detained. Police had said on Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting.Indonesian embassy officials met with their national Siti Aishah on Saturday and said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in what she believed was a prank."She only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity...She said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil," Indonesian deputy ambassador Andreano Erwin told reporters after meeting Aishah, adding that no charges have been brought against her yet.Vietnamese officials also met with their national but declined to comment.Footage released earlier this week by Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV appears to show two women lunge at the victim as he prepared to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau.They are seen grabbing at his face and then quickly walking away in different directions. Later clips show the victim asking airport officials for medical help.Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards.Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing.Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added.Authorities are also sweeping locations that the suspects may have visited for chemicals, Samah said.REUTERS SV RAI1313 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164781.Xml Akbar's visit to Mali will be from February 28 to March 4 March and to Congo from March 5-6. a release said. During his visit to Mali, Akbar would meet President Ibrahim Boubacar Keta and Prime Minister Modibo Keita. He will co-chairing the first India-Mali Joint Commission meeting along with Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop. "The Joint Commission will include wide ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest of India and Mali. Minister will also visit Timbuktu and present a cheque of US$ 0.5 million as India's support to Mali towards restoration of its heritage in Timbuktu," said a release from the Ministry of External Affairs. In 2012, Islamic fundamentalists destroyed many of the heritage sites of Timbuktu, an ancient city famous for its historical libraries and shrines of early Islamic era. In the Congo leg of his trip, Akbar will meet President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso and discuss various areas of engagement between the two countries, including strengthening cooperation in the fertilizer sector, the release said. He will also interact with Indian diaspora in both countries. --IANS rs/pgh/vm ( 228 Words) 2017-02-26-03:26:08 (IANS) Staff members of Sichuan Entry-Exit Inspection and Quarantine Bureau check the condition of giant panda Bao Bao at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Chengdu, capital of southwest China's Sichuan Province, Feb. 22, 2017. A charter flight carrying Bao Bao, a giant panda born in the United States, landed in Chengdu, after a 16 and a half hour flight. (Xinhua/Liu Kun) Related: Photos>> U.S.-born panda Bao Bao arrives in China's Sichuan Backgrounder: Why giant pandas around world have to return to China? NEW YORK, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Born and raised in the United States, Bao Bao, a 3-year-old giant panda, fails to become a U.S. citizen and has arrived in China on Wednesday. Unlike the U.S. citizenship policy for people, which stipulates that one becomes a U.S. citizen if he/she is born on the U.S. territory, the citizenship of giant pandas observes another policy. Full Story China welcomes U.S.-born panda home CHENGDU, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- After a 16-hour flight, American-born panda celebrity Bao Bao arrived home in southwest China Wednesday night, apparently looking well. The FedEx Boeing 777 Freighter, painted with picture of a giant bamboo-eating panda, landed at Chengdu Shuangliu International Airport in Sichuan Province at 7:10 p.m. local time. Full Story China Focus: Life ahead of overseas-born panda back home CHENGDU, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- American-born giant panda Bao Bao will arrive in southwest China's Sichuan Province Wednesday night (Beijing time). DUBLIN, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Bank of Ireland made an underlying profit of 1.07 billion euros (1.13 billion U.S. dollars) last year, down 11 percent from the 1.2-billion-euro profit of the previous year, according to the bank's annual results published on Friday. The bank, which is 14 percent owned by the government, said it would not pay shareholders a dividend until 2018. The Bank of Ireland is a commercial bank in Ireland and one of the traditional "Big Four" Irish banks. Richie Boucher, the bank's CEO, said the bank remained the largest lender to the Irish economy, providing 6.7 billion euros of new credit to customers in Ireland. He said the bank had continued to reduce its non-performing loans by 4.1 billion euros or 34 percent since December 2015 and that its impairment charges had continued to fall. "Our business is performing in line with the strategic objectives we have set ourselves. All trading divisions are profitable and have contributed to our strong financial performance during the period," Boucher said. But he admitted political events, in particular the British decision to leave the European Union, may bring impact on the banks's customers and business growth in the coming years. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars) BRUSSELS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Friday hesitated to lap up U.S. President Donald Trump's sudden turnaround from his previous position towards the bloc. In an interview with Reuters on Thursday, Trump voiced his support for the EU, saying he is "totally in favour of" the EU. "I think it's wonderful. If they're happy, I'm in favour of it," said Trump, days after U.S. Vice President Mike Pence paid his first diplomatic visit to Brussels. The remarks were in stark contrast to Trump's erstwhile disdain towards the 28-nation bloc, including dubbing the EU as a " vehicle for Germany" and hailing the Brexit as a great thing. Trump even predicted that other countries would follow Britain's lead in leaving the EU. Asked by a reporter in a press briefing, an European Commission spokesperson said:" We are interested to see what he said." "You will wait further before we take a position." the spokesperson added. Pence on Monday reaffirmed "strong commitment" to the EU, in a bid to allay the bloc's doubts on the new U.S. administration's stance towards it. European Council President Donald Tusk said he raised "three key matters," namely international order, security and the attitude of the new U.S. administration towards the European Union, during his meeting with Pence, and got all positive answers from his guest. Syria's main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) leader Nasr al-Hariri (C) speaks during a press conference after a meeting with United Nations' Syria envoy, on February 24, 2017 in Geneva, on the second day of a new round of Syria peace talks . (Xinhua/AFP Photo) DAMASCUS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Syrians have experienced six years of war and have suffered lots of woes and calamities and they pin high hopes on the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva and eager to see tangible results. As a fourth round of Geneva intra-Syrian talks is taking place, Syrians in the capital Damascus were all but optimistic. They strongly urged the Syrian delegations of the government and opposition to put the interests of Syrians before any political calculations or affiliations. They said it's enough of war, enough of the killing, and enough of the torn apart social fabric and falling economy. "It has been six years, I reached to the point that I can't watch the delegations staying in the best cities of the world, sitting on a fantasy tables, and discussing our miserable fate and that of this country," Samer Ahmad, an accountant, told Xinhua. Samer reflected the opinion of the vast majorities in the Syrian streets, who have become fed up with the lack of progress in each round of talks in Geneva. Muhammad Mukhtar, a university student, urged the government and the opposition in Geneva to try to reach to a common ground to figure out a solution to the long-standing conflict, which left hundreds of people killed, half of the country's population displaced, and last but not least the huge destruction that has befallen Syria. "I have spent much of my youth in this crisis, knowing nothing but to go to the university and return home. There are no activities, no trips, only school and home and all of this is depressing when you realize that once graduated, you will find no jobs," he said. In Geneva, the opposition and government delegations sat face to face for the first time in three years, during the welcoming session headed by UN Special Envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura on Thursday. This round of talk will focus on UN Security Council resolution 2254 which calls for a new constitution, UN-supervised elections and transparent and accountable governance. "I ask you to work together. I know it's not going to be easy to end this horrible conflict and lay the foundation for a country at peace with itself, sovereign and unified," Mistura told the delegates. De Mistura told the government and opposition representatives that they had a joint responsibility to end a conflict. "The Syrian people desperately all want an end to this conflict and you all know it," he said. People in Damascus are following the news in Geneva, trying to get a sense of what this round would produce. Ammar Kheir, a political science student, told Xinhua that the first day of the talks in Geneva seemed "cold." "I haven't sensed any enthusiasm in the faces of the delegations," Kheir said. He cited the remarks of Mistura when he said he didn't expect the new round of talks to make a breakthrough. Meanwhile, a Syrian journalist covering the Geneva talks told Xinhua that ambiguity overshadows the first two days of the talks, in terms of the lack of information emerging about the possible path of the negotiations. He said the media teams in Geneva are also sharing little to no optimism about this round of talks. "We are pretty sure that no breakthrough will be made during this meeting, but still, we would like see at lease a prelude to the hoped for breakthrough," the journalist said, asked not to be named. He said that Mistura handed a paper to the Syrian delegation on Friday, which includes three items, the shape of the future rule in Syria, the constitution and elections. The head of the Syrian government delegation, Bashar al-Jafaari, said his delegation will study the paper and will respond to it in the next session. DAMASCUS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- At least 73 people, mostly rebels, were killed on Friday when the Islamic State (IS) group carried out a suicide car bombing against a group of Turkish-backed rebels in Syria's al-Bab near the Turkish borders, activists said. The IS bombing targeted a security compound of the rebels in the town of Susian behind the defense lines of the Turkey-backed rebels, some eight kilometers northwest of al-Bab, which was the largest IS-held city near the Turkish borders. The bombing came as a retaliation against the Ankara-backed militants, who succeeded, along with the Turkish forces, to dislodge IS from al-Bab on Thursday. The withdrawal of the IS from al-Bab came after 100 days of battles against the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels fighting in an operation called the Euphrates Shield. The IS claimed it had killed 400 Turkish soldiers and rebel fighters. For the Turks, capturing the northern part of the city cut the way in the face of the growing Kurdish influence in northern Syria, a red line drawn by Turkey. The Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters to withdraw toward other stronghold in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group. Observers said the attacks on al-Bab were coordinated between the Russians and the Turks. Meanwhile, Turkish officials announced the liberation of al-Bab, expressing readiness to move toward the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS in Syria. The Turkish army also issued a statement on Friday, saying that al-Bab has been fully seized from terrorist control by Turkish forces and the Syrian rebels fighting under the campaign of the Euphrates Shield. "As of February 24, 2017, full control has been established over all districts of Al-Bab," the military statement said, adding that "Work is still ongoing to clear the area of mines, IEDs and unexploded ordnances." The announcement came hours after the deadly blast in the city. The Syrian government has yet to comment on the Turkish forces' capture of al-Bab, but previously accused Ankara of encroaching upon the Syrian sovereignty. Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that the Turkish forces would continue their advance to Islamic State's Syrian capital, Raqqa, once they seize al-Bab. "The ultimate goal is to cleanse a 5,000-square-kilometer area," Erdogan said. According to Turkish estimates, the Turkish army now controls 1,925 square kilometers of territories in northern Syria. ALGIERS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Algerian energy giant Sonatrach has earmarked 70 billion U.S. dollars for its investments between 2017 and 2021, the state run company's CEO Amine Maazouzi said Friday. "This 70 billion dollars worth of investment plan aims at reinforcing the position of Sonatrach in the global oil and gas markets, as well as meeting the constantly growing local demand," Maazouzi was quoted as saying by APS news agency on the sidelines of Algeria's 46th anniversary of hydrocarbons nationalization. Maazouzi specified that this mega budget would enable Sonatrach to maintain the development of its output and deposit capacities, as well as consolidating its capacities in terms of hydrocarbon transport and storage. He added that the energy giant also aim at modernizing its refining facilities and tools, while respecting compliance with the output cap decided by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). At a meeting chaired by the head of state Abdelaziz Bouteflika in Algiers in Oct. 4, 2016, the Council of Ministers adopted a Presidential decree allowing Sonatrach to accelerate research operations in six new areas which potentially contain oil and gas deposits. The price drop that hit the global market in 2016 and 2015 heavily affected Algeria's revenues, forcing the government to adopt an austerity plan, while leading at the same time intensive talks with OPEC and non-OPEC countries to persuade them to reduce global outputs and therefore restore balance to the market. A historic agreement was reached in Algiers late 2016 by OPEC members and then confirmed in a full meeting in Vienna, stipulating reducing the cartel's global outputs by 1.3 billion barrels a day. This decision has largely contributed in boosting prices to around 55 dollars a barrel. Algeria says an oil barrel between 50 and 60 dollars would be favorable for both consumers and producers, as it would help producers to maintain investments and exploration of new fields, and therefore assure the availability of this key energy product on the long term. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- An estimated 366 migrants died at sea during their Mediterranean journey to Europe in the first 53 days of 2017, down from 425 of the comparable period of last year, the United Nations migration agency said Friday. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 13,924 migrants entered Europe by sea this year through Feb. 22, sharply down from 105,427 a year earlier. These data include the death toll reported this week from a boat with as many as 133 passengers on board that foundered off Az Zawiyah, near Tripoli, the Libyan capital, last Sunday. According to an IOM source at the scene, the human smugglers stole the craft's engine and left the vessel drifting, telling passengers that authorities were en route to rescue them. "This is becoming a common tactic," said IOM Rome spokesman Flavio Di Giacomo. "But when you take an engine from a boat like this, you can no longer treat it as an 'incident'. It is homicide," Giacomo said. This year so far, Italy accounted for 10,701 arrivals, Greece 2,223 and Spain 1,000. In the comparable period last year, Greece recorded 97,325 arrivals and Italy 8,102. PARIS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said Friday that the French capital remains dynamic and open despite high terror alert, striking back at U.S. President Donald Trump who said "Paris is no longer Paris". "To Donald Trump and his friend Jim, in the Eiffel Tower, we celebrate the dynamism and the spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie," Hidalgo tweeted. She also uploaded a photo showing she posed with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, main characters of American cartoons and the official mascot of Walt Disney, in a ceremony at the Eiffel Tower to launch a new tourism campaign. "In the first quarter of 2017, reservations by American tourists were up by 30 percent compared to 2016," she said in another tweet. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also hit back at Trump by tweeting, "3.5 million American tourists visited France in 2016, they will be always welcome." Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor in Maryland on Friday, Trump told a story of a friend named "Jim" -- "a very, very substantial guy" -- who was once a regular visitor to the French capital. "I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris," Trump quoted Jim as saying. Trump made the comments to endorse his claim that "national security begins with border security" and defend his order to ban travellers from some Muslims from entering the United States for security reasons. Paris has been stunned by a series of terrorist attacks which left 130 victims on Nov. 2015. Other assaults targeting several symbolic site in the vibrant city have been foiled. At the moment the situation is relatively calm in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, Artsrun Hovhannisyan Spokesman of Armenias Defense Ministry, writes on Facebook. February 25, 2017, 13:33 Situation relatively calm in border, almost no shots Armenias Defense Ministry Spokesman says by Matthew Rusling WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The war of words between U.S. President Donald Trump and the U.S. media has been raging on since he took office last month, which could hurt his presidency, experts said. The billionaire-turned president has received more media coverage, much of it being negative, than any other president in recent memory. Since its inauguration last month, the new administration has been under intense scrutiny by U.S. media, with many news outlets disapproving of Trump's actions in his first weeks in office. Trump has over the months attacked U.S. media for putting out "fake news," citing that his administration is unfairly treated by the media. The tsunami of negative coverage could hurt Trump as he pushes his policies, experts said. The media pressure could hurt Trump, especially if he doesn't deliver on his promises to spark a major economic boost, they said. "It is unparalleled in history the amount of coverage that has been given to President Trump and his administration both positive and negative," Dan Mahaffee, an analyst with the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress, told Xinhua. The negative coverage has made it difficult for Trump to move in some areas where there was consensus for his policies -- tax reform, infrastructure -- though the slow movement on those policies also reflects the pace of Washington, Mahaffee said. However, the negative coverage has also shored up support among Trump's base, as well as consolidating support among some conservatives, who see the negative coverage and begin to sympathize with some of the statements from the administration complaining about the media as the "opposition," Mahaffee said. If Trump is able to accomplish outcomes that are widely beneficial, there may be more nuanced coverage from mass media. But in today's polarized political and media environment, the partisan coverage from these smaller, left-leaning and right-leaning outlets is likely to remain either negative or positive, Mahaffee said. Darrell West, vice president and director of governance studies of the Brookings Institution, said that Trump has been experiencing a large amount of negative coverage because he ran a divisive campaign and did little to reach out to opponents. When people are upset and protesting administrative policies, that leads to critical news coverage, which has hurt Trump by raising doubts about his administration and overall vision, West said. Trump's election was very much a result of poor economic conditions in many forgotten parts of the country. That means the success of Trump's presidency depends a great deal on his ability to boost the economy and bring back robust growth, which has been missing since the 2007-2008 economic nose dive. While most prior recessions have seen the economy come roaring back, many have pointed to an avalanche of government regulations and taxes that have kept large and small businesses from hiring. Trump has been trying to cut the regulations and reduce taxes to create more jobs. "If (Trump) raises the economy's growth above three percent, the way he promised, his poor start won't matter. People will cheer the economic success," West said, adding that otherwise it would undermine his claim of special expertise on economic issues. Some experts said the negative media coverage has already hurt the new president, even a month into his presidency. Christopher Galdieri, assistant professor at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire, told Xinhua that the negative media coverage, fueled by both leaks and protests and an absence of both trust in administration spokespersons and support from Republicans in Congress, "is keeping people talking about disorganization in theWhite House, court rivalries within the administration, and the like, rather than on Trump's own initiatives." "He has said, generally, that he'd like to do tax reform, repeal Obamacare, and pass a major infrastructure bill. But without anything solid to talk about on those fronts, he's got very little to say to counter the terrible press he's been getting," Galdieri said. Sorry, this news has been deleted. Displaced Iraqis flee their homes during a battle with Islamic State militants, in the district of Maamoun in western Mosul, Iraq, February 23, 2017. (REUTERS/Alaa Al-Marjani) UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- More Iraqi people flee their homes amid military operations in western Mosul, a city in north Iraq, after the Iraqi government liberated the eastern part of the city in late January, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters here Friday. "In Iraq, with military operations to retake western Mosul progressing, displacement has increased from front-line areas," Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here. On Thursday, some 350 people arrived at a screening site in Hammam al Alil, some 30 km southeast of Mosul, having left their homes in Abu Saif village and surrounding areas near Mosul city airport. "Displacement has also continued from eastern parts of the city, alongside return movements back into some east Mosul neighborhoods, and to surrounding areas," he said. Almost 162,000 people are currently internally displaced as a result of fighting in Mosul, he said, adding that cumulatively, since Mosul operations began on Oct. 17, more than 218,000 people have been displaced. The troops' advance toward Mosul came after the Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced on Feb. 19 the start of an offensive to drive the extremist militants out of the western side of Mosul, locally known as the right bank of Tigris River which bisects the city. Late in January, Abadi declared the liberation of the eastern side of Mosul, or the left bank of Tigris, after more than 100 days of fighting against the Islamic State (IS) militants. However, the western side of Mosul, with its narrow streets and a heavy population of between 750,000 and 800,000, appears to be a bigger challenge to the Iraqi forces, according to the United Nations estimates. Mosul, 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. SYDNEY, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo arrived in Sydney on Saturday with First Lady Iriana Widodo for a two-day visit. Relations between Australia and Indonesia have been strained following a high-profile incident in early 2015 when two Australians were executed in Indonesia for drug trafficking. Following the deaths, the Australian government removed its embassy staff from the country, but since then moves have been made by both sides to repair ties and boost trade. "I look forward to my talks with President Widodo and returning the warm hospitality I enjoyed during my visit to Jakarta in 2015," Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said. High on President Widodo's agenda will be discussion on free trade. He will will meet with the New South Wales State Premier Gladys Berejiklian to discuss business and also converse with representatives for Macquarie Bank, BlueScope Steel and Blackmores. HAVANA, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Cuba and Angola agreed on Friday to strengthen ties in strategic areas after a four-day bilateral government meeting. "It is in the interests of our countries to strengthen cooperation in areas of vital interest to our economies," said Manuel da Cruz, minister of the Civil House of the Presidency of Angola. According to da Cruz, cooperative emphasis will be placed on health, education, agriculture, fishing, geology and mining, telecommunications and energy. Da Cruz and the Cuban vice president of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas signed the final act of the bilateral government conference. "We have checked on existing accords and committed to review areas of cooperation where collaboration has not developed with the required speed," said Cabrisas. Both sides agreed that health and education have had the greatest impact on bilateral ties, and there is potential for further cooperation in areas such as energy, mining and telecommunications. Havana and Luanda joined hands five years ago to search for oil in the deep water in Cuba's Exclusive Economic Zone in the Gulf of Mexico. According to government sources, Cuba has dispatched over 4,000 doctors and service personnel to Angola, which pays those services back in cash and oil shipments. Cuba had helped Angola in the latter's fight for independence from an apartheid regime with military aid. by Alessandra Cardone ROME, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Italian President Sergio Mattarella's ongoing state visit to China is aimed at strengthening long-term Sino-Italian relations, said an Italian analyst. Mattarella is on a state visit in China on Feb. 21-26, along with Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, Infrastructures and Transport Minister Graziano Delrio, Economic Development Undersecretary Ivan Scalfarotto, and a substantial business delegation. From the Italian perspective, the event would mark a relevant moment in the long-standing relationship with China, with which diplomatic ties were established 47 years ago. "President Mattarella, and Italy overall, are deeply interested in the dynamics of China and the Asia-Pacific region, and not only from a business point of view," Andrea Margellini, president of Rome-based Center for International Studies (CeSI), told Xinhua in an interview. "Undoubtedly, Asia is where the destiny of the world is going to be decided in the next years, and Italy has been aware of it for a long time," he added. "The key goal of Mattarella's visit goes far beyond cooperation agreements, however important they might be: it is to interlace a long-term relationship with the Chinese leadership," he said. This would become even more relevant considering the Chinese approach, which is that of planning its policies according to long-term perspectives and objectives. The analyst also stressed that China has been "entering Europe" increasingly in recent years, also through major infrastructural projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, and Italy was unquestionably interested in the chances such growing presence might provide. "Beside infrastructural projects, another possible source of interest from our side might be the ties China has developed with the countries in the Horn of Africa, which are historically relevant for Italy," Margelletti added. Before Mattarella, the last Italian president to pay an official visit to China had been his predecessor, Giorgio Napolitano, in 2010. Since then, the two countries exchanged several visits at the ministerial level, and the Sino-Italian ties have thrived, nurtured by their comprehensive strategic partnership established in 2004. Yet, the global environment in which the current visit occurred is marked by uncertainties, and key events are scheduled in the forthcoming months, including the G7 summit that will take place in Taormina, Italy, in late May. In this scenario, the Italian president's trip to China would be even more strategic, the expert suggested. "In this perspective, I do believe the current visit of President Mattarella may have relevant repercussion on the future developments, and mark a new beginning in the bilateral ties," Margellini said. UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council strongly condemned the recent violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday, calling for a "credible and impartial investigation." The 15-nation UN body expressed grave concern at the recent reports of serious violations of international humanitarian law committed by local militia in the central Kasai region, including unlawful recruitment and use of child soldiers, and of killings of civilians by members of the security forces of the DRC, all of which might constitute war crimes under international law. In a press statement, the council members said the DRC government "bears the primary responsibility to protect civilians within its territory" and urged the government to "constantly exercise maximum restraint and proportionate lawful use of force in its efforts to restore order." "They called on the government of DRC to immediately dispatch a credible and impartial investigation and to bring to justice and hold accountable all those responsible," said the statement. On Feb. 11, the UN Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) expressed its concern about the persistent conflict in the Kasai provinces where violent atrocities are being committed by the Kamuina Nsapu militia. The militia is recruiting and using child soldiers while targeting symbols and institutions of State authority, according to a news release issued by MONUSCO, which also cited the disproportionate use of force by government security forces known as FARDC in their response to the situation. MADRID, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- Argentinean President Mauricio Marci received the Nueva Economia Forum prize on Friday from Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy in Madrid. During an award ceremony at the Royal Theatre, Macri talked about fears in the current world, saying the best way to face them is by working together. "There are fears that rule many decisions...But facing these doubts, I am here saying that...we will find the answers easier, better and faster if we work together, the Spanish people and the Argentinean people," said Marci, who is on a three-day state visit to Spain. Nueva Economia Forum is Spain's leading debating organization, and the award recognizes the historical ties between the Latin-American country and Spain. Marci also stressed that fighting against poverty is the priority of his government. Both Rajoy and Macri highlighted the importance of making good use of the Spanish companies operating in Argentina, which they believe will give a helping hand to the country in its efforts to combat poverty. "In this labor of reform and openness to the world, Argentina has the sympathy and, as far as possible, the support of Spain," Rajoy said. Argentina and Spain are "brother countries and we will continue working to strengthen bilateral relations to benefit all of our citizens," Rajoy has said Thursday after a meeting with Marci at his official residence at the Palacio del Moncloa. The two leaders also signed an agreement on Thursday to continue strategic ties between their nations. Spain is the main European investor in Argentina. The country's exports to Argentina are worth more than 850 million euros (about 899 million U.S. dollars) a year, while imports are worth over 1.5 billion euros (about 1.59 billion dollars) annually. CANBERRA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Australia welcomes the entry into force of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation, as it will make exporting easier for Australian businesses and drive job creation, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Steven Ciobo said on Saturday. "The Agreement frees up the movement of goods across international borders by reducing red tape and the burden of administrative costs associated with trade," Ciobo said in a statement. "It minimizes and streamlines customs processes, and improves transparency about rules affecting international trade, making it easier for Australian businesses to export." He quoted the Peterson Institute for International Economics in the United States as saying that it is estimated the agreement could increase global GDP by 1 trillion U.S. dollars per annum and create 21 million jobs. The agreement will ensure Australia's exports spend less time being held up in inefficient customs procedures overseas. It will complement the gains Australia has made through its free trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has estimated that full implementation of the agreement could reduce trade costs by more than 10 percent for OECD countries, of which Australia is a member, and globally by between 12.5 percent and 17.5 percent. It's no secret that the multilateral negotiations under the WTO have encountered difficulties, which makes the entry into force of the agreement on trade facilitation even more valuable. The agreement is the first new agreement among all WTO members in more than 20 years. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo announced Wednesday that the trade facilitation agreement has entered into force after two thirds of members completed their domestic ratification process. MEHTARLAM, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- At least two pupils have confirmed dead and two others sustained injuries in a mortar mine attack on a school in the eastern Laghman province on Saturday. The mortar mine was fired by anti-government militants, spokesman for the provincial government Sarhadi Zawak told reporters. It hit the school outside provincial capital Mehtarlam, killing two innocent students on the spot and injuring two others including a student and a teacher, he said. The gruesome incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. local time and those injured have been taken to hospital for medical treatment, the official added without giving more details. Taliban militants who are active in parts of the Laghman province have yet to claim responsibility. "I was honoured to be invited to perform this function, as My Walk to Equality, a book of nearly 300 pages, is a landmark anthology in a country where the lot of women has been particularly difficult, Cr Jackson said. The books editor, Rashmii Amoah Bell, asked Cr Jackson to represent her at the launch as she cannot attend. She has travelled privately to Papua New Guinea for International Women's Day on Wednesday, 8 March, to launch My Walk to Equality, the first collection of writing by Papua New Guinean women. "In published reviews, it has been described as 'outstanding, inspiring and ground-breaking' and 'a remarkable achievement'. "The celebrated PNG politician, Dame Carol Kidu, who has a close association with the Sunshine Coast, says it 'embraces and challenges traditional perspectives of equality' - a considerable compliment from a woman who has not always found political life easy in PNG. Cr Jackson's husband Keith has a long association with PNG and during the past five years has been working with Papua New Guinean writers to revive a local written literature, a project which has resulted in the publication of nearly 40 books. "My Walk to Equality is an anthology of more than 80 poems, essays and short stories by 45 authors, Cr Jackson said. "The book celebrates the contribution of women to Papua New Guinean society and also articulates the struggles confronting women in their daily lives. "It shines a light on their courage, wisdom and focus on building a better society. My Walk to Equality is published by Pukpuk Publications and available online from Amazon Books. by Xinhua Writer Wang Bowen BEIJING/TOKYO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- On 21 Oct., 1944, a Japanese suicide bomber deliberately crashed into the foremast of the heavy cruiser HMAS Australia in the battle of Leyte Gulf, killing 30 and injuring 64 others. That was the beginning of Japan's cold-blooded Kamikaze suicide attack campaign, and the end of the road for the Japanese military aggression in the Second World War. Yet, more than seven decades later, "Cherry Blossoms of the Same Year," the song adored by Kamikaze pilots and an incarnation of Japan' s imperialist ambitions, is still performed by kindergartners in the Japanese city of Osaka. PATRIOTISM OR MILITARISM? Osaka's Trukamoto Kindergarten aims to instill in its students a sense of so-called patriotism. It imposes a curriculum intended to promote a militaristic education from World War II. In an online-video, uniformed kids of the kindergarten were singing the Kamikaze song at the Osaka gokoku Shrine, a local branch of the Yasukuni Shrine that honors Japan's 14 class-A war criminals. The three- to five year olds were also reciting in stilted Japanese the prewar Imperial Rescript on Education, an 1890 edict meant for nurturing "ideal" citizens that would sacrifice for the emperor and the country. "Should emergencies arise, offer yourself to the state," they chanted. What's more worrisome is that Japan's senior leadership believes that such pre-war style education is what the country needs. Yasunori Kagoike, kindergarten chief, also heads the Osaka branch of Nippon Kaigi, or Japan Conference, a nationalist lobby group with close ties to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his cabinet. During her visit to the nursery school in April, 2014, Akie Abe, wife of Shinzo Abe, said her husband highly approved what the kids were learning there. "My husband also thinks that the education policy here is excellent," she told the students' parents. She also expressed her worry that the efforts to raise a new generation of Japanese nationalists could be dampened once these kids finish kindergarten and go on to other public schools that offer no such right-wing education. In that case, Moritomo Gakuen, an Osaka school company that also owns the Trukamoto kindergarten, is going to open a primary school this April to continue its ultra-nationalistic brainwashing. LAND SCANDAL While endorsing the school, Akie Abe also served as the "honorary principal" of the private elementary school though she resigned Friday amid an escalating controversy over the low price the school paid for government land. Moritomo Gakuen has recently come under public scrutiny over the purchase of a plot of land owned by the government in Toyonaka, Osaka, at a price significantly lower than the appraised amount. The entity bought the 8,770-square-meter plot for 134 million yen (1.18 million U.S. dollars) last June, about one tenth the cost of land the same size in the same area. Notably, the organization had spent 132 million yen (1.16 million U.S. dollars) to clean up waste on the land, which means it spent little for the land itself. Michael Cucek, an adjunct professor at Temple University's Tokyo campus, said Abe's wife is often seen as a proxy for the prime minister, who during his first term in 2006-2007 oversaw the revision of education laws to put patriotism back in school curricula. Abe denied any involvement in the land purchase, yet at Friday's parliamentary questioning session, opposition lawmakers summoned finance and education ministry officials to clarify how the school obtained such a massive discount. SEEDS OF HATRED The kindergarten is also known to inspire hatred of Koreans and Chinese among its students. During a field day in 2015, the school allegedly made students take an oath blaming Korea and China for making Japan a malevolent nation. The school eventually sparked widespread controversy when it sent out fliers in December 2016, criticizing Korean residents in Japan. "Korean residents in Japan and Chinese people are devious," read the flier, which also called Chinese people "shinajin," a derogatory term. "The problem is that people, who are Korean at heart, reside in Japan as Japanese," read the flier. The school, though warned by the local government as having violated the "Anti-hate Speech Bill" passed in June 2016 and later apologized, did not show real remorse, with the principal's wife writing an explanation to parents saying, "it's not discrimination. I just hate Koreans and Chinese." In fact, criticizing Korean and Chinese residents is a tactic used by right-wing conservatives for whom maintaining ethnic homogeneity is a source of pride. FURIOUS PARENTS Many parents have long been furious about the kindergarten, not only for its militaristic orientation but also for its unbecoming staff. "The teacher is not even willing to take time to know a child's disposition but was quick to criticize a mere four-year-old," said a mother who asked not to be named. She recalled how one day when she picked up her daughter from school, the teacher asked, "Did your daughter even have breakfast in the morning? Why does she speak so softly?" She was embarrassed and angry all at once, saying the little girl was just very shy and it would take time to adapt. A few more days past and her girl took home a letter written by the vice principal, saying she developed a "nasty" habit of looking askance at people. "My daughter never exhibited anything like that at home. She must have been terrified at school," she said. Another parent had a similar experience with school officials. "The deputy principal called and lashed out at me, saying my son wouldn't stop crying and I should be responsible," said another mother on condition of anonymity. Within the next week, the deputy chief called a few times complaining about her son. "She even said 'He smelled as stinky as a dog.'" She was forced to withdraw her son from the kindergarten a few days later. Another parent received a handwritten letter from the deputy principal in February last year that bluntly said, "I hate Koreans and Chinese." The woman, who is ethnically Korean but a naturalized Japanese, pulled her child out of the kindergarten soon after. Enditem (Xinhua reporters Lan Jianzhong in Tokyo, Zhong Ya in Beijing contributed to the report.) ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal expressed Saturday his hope that Pakistan could partially open the two countries' border for Afghan sick, women, elders as well as Afghans who are stranded in Pakistan with valid visas later the day. Zakhilwal posted a statement on his official Facebook page Saturday and advised Afghan nationals to "avoid travel to Pakistan even if the border is opened." Pakistan closed Pak-Afghan border on Feb. 16 for "security reasons" as it insists militants who have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan operate from the Afghan side of the border. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Nafees Zakaria has said that a decision regarding reopening of Pak-Afghan border will be taken in due course of time. "Pakistan has continued to maintain and emphasize that effective border management is vital for preventing cross border movement of terrorists. Pakistan is ready to work with Afghanistan on those issues in a spirit of mutual respect, trust and cooperation," the spokesman said at his weekly briefing Thursday. The spokesman said issues between Pakistan and Afghanistan need to be addressed through constructive and positive engagements. Security officials in Pakistan claim that several alleged training camps and hideouts of the terrorist groups in the Afghan side of the border were destroyed in recent days. RIYADH, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia has arrested a religious clerk for financing Islamic State (IS) militant group related terrorism, Sabq online local news reported on Saturday. The religious clerk mentioned as (A.A.) was wanted for a terrorism case and arrested on Friday. The suspect was questioned by the police before and he was expected his arrest after learning that the case against him will be referred to court. He was arrested at the desert while trying to flee the country to Iraq or Syria. Besides the security operations to tackle terrorism, Saudi Arabia has been taking serious steps to control terrorism-related money-raising activities. The Interior Ministry even controlled late last year the collection of blood money, as such fundraisings should be collected through official bank accounts. In Saudi Arabia, convicts who face death penalty for accidently causing the death of others, such as traffic accidents or fights could be spared from the sentence if blood money will be given to the victims' families. Some families ask huge amounts that is difficult for convicts to pay, so nationwide campaigns are usually held to raise the amounts. DAMASCUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Six suicide bombers detonated themselves in two security headquarters in Syria's central province of Homs on Saturday, killing at least 42 people, a monitor group and state TV reported. Three of the suicide bombers went to the al-Ghouta area, and three others to the Mahata, to detonate themselves in the two security compounds, said the state-owned TV. The TV added that the suicide attack was coupled with clashes in the targeted areas. While the state TV said tens were killed, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 42 people were killed in the deadly explosion. It's the first deadly bombing in a while in Homs, as the Syrian army became in control of the city, with efforts ongoing to dislodge the rebels from the countryside of that key province. A Syrian soldier drives a pickup-truck at a battlefield in the countryside of Homs province, central Syria, on March 19, 2016. (Source: Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Six suicide bombers detonated themselves in two security headquarters in Syria's central province of Homs on Saturday, killing at least 42 people, a monitor group and state TV reported. Three of the suicide bombers went to the al-Ghouta area, and three others to the Mahata, to detonate themselves in the two security compounds, said the state-owned TV. The TV added that the suicide attack was coupled with clashes in the targeted areas. The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said most of the deaths were from the Syrian security personnel, adding that the head of the Military Intelligence Branch in Homs, Colonel Sharaf Hasan Daboul, was killed in the blast as well as the chief of the State Security branch of Homs, Colonel Darwish. Barazi said the death toll is over 30 killed and 34 wounded, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said 42 people were killed in the deadly explosions. It's the first deadly bombing in a while in Homs, as the Syrian army became in control of the city, with efforts ongoing to dislodge the rebels from the countryside of that key province. The governor said the wounded are receiving treatment in Homs hospitals, adding that the bombings came as a retaliation to the victories of the Syrian army on ground, and the "political victories" the Syrian delegation to the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva are making. "Such escalations by the terrorists are not new to the Syrian people," he said. Meanwhile, the state TV said that the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility of the series of the deadly bombings that rocked Homs. It's worth noting that the Nusra Front was excluded, along with the Islamic State (IS) group, from a recent nationwide cease-fire that went into force in Syria on Dec. 30, and the group was also separated from other rebel groups during the Syrian talks in Astana. Related: Syrian army pushes near IS-held city of Palmyra DAMASCUS, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian forces have become 10 kilometers away from the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, as part of an operation to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Friday. Syrian government forces advance towards the strategic Jihar oil fields on the eastern outskirts of Homs on February 7, 2017.(AFP Photo) DAMASCUS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Six suicide bombers detonated themselves in two security headquarters in Syria's central province of Homs on Saturday, killing at least 42 people, a monitor group and state TV reported. Three of the suicide bombers went to the al-Ghouta area, and three others to the Mahata, to detonate themselves in the two security compounds, said the state-owned TV. The TV added that the suicide attack was coupled with clashes in the targeted areas. The governor of Homs, Talal Barazi, said most of the deaths were from the Syrian security personnel, adding that the head of the Military Intelligence Branch in Homs, Colonel Sharaf Hasan Daboul, was killed in the blast as well as the chief of the State Security branch of Homs, Colonel Darwish. Barazi said the death toll is over 30 killed and 34 wounded, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said 42 people were killed in the deadly explosions. It's the first deadly bombing in a while in Homs, as the Syrian army became in control of the city, with efforts ongoing to dislodge the rebels from the countryside of that key province. The governor said the wounded are receiving treatment in Homs hospitals, adding that the bombings came as a retaliation to the victories of the Syrian army on ground, and the "political victories" the Syrian delegation to the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva are making. "Such escalations by the terrorists are not new to the Syrian people," he said. Meanwhile, the state TV said that the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility of the series of the deadly bombings that rocked Homs. It's worth noting that the Nusra Front was excluded, along with the Islamic State (IS) group, from a recent nationwide cease-fire that went into force in Syria on Dec. 30, and the group was also separated from other rebel groups during the Syrian talks in Astana. SHIBERGHAN, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A total of 10 people including five police have been killed as a clash erupted in Darzab district of the northern Jawzjan province, provincial police chief Rahmatullah Turkistani said Saturday. "The clash flared up early today after Taliban rebels attacked local police checkpoints in Sardara village of Darzab district and police retaliated; as a result, five police, a woman and four Taliban insurgents have been killed," Turkistani told reporters here. Three Taliban fighters and four police have been injured in firefight which has been continuing, the official asserted. Taliban militants are yet to make comments on the report. Parts of Jawzjan province have been the scene of Taliban and Islamic State (IS) group activities over the past couple of years. LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The directors of all five Oscar-nominated foreign-language films made a statement Friday to express their "emphatic disapproval" of nationalism in the United States and other countries. "On behalf of all nominees, we would like to express our unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the United States and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, most unfortunately of all, among leading politicians," said the statement, issued two days before the Academy Awards ceremony. The statement, though not mentioning any politician by name, is widely viewed as targeting U.S. President Donald Trump. "Regardless of who wins the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film on Sunday, we refuse to think in terms of borders. We believe there is no best country, best gender, best religion or best color," the directors said. They want the award to be "a symbol of unity between nations and the freedom of arts," according to the statement, signed by Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi ("The Salesman"), Denmark's Martin Zandvliet ("Land of Mine"), Sweden's Hannes Holm ("A Man Called Ove"), Germany's Maren Ade ("Toni Erdmann"), and Australia's Martin Butler and Bentley Dean ("Tanna"). Due to Trump's decision to temporarily ban citizens of seven Muslim countries from entering the United States, Farhadi, who won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012 with his film "A Separation," will not be able to attend the Oscars. Nevertheless, he said earlier that he would not attend this year's Oscar even if exceptions were made for him. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, also criticized Trump's travel ban earlier, saying it has "made academy artists (into) activists." BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Rising bad loans were the main worry of Chinese bankers last year, according to an industry report. About 90 percent of 1,794 bankers surveyed regarded risk management from bad loan pressure as the biggest challenge in 2016, according to a report by the China Banking Association and PwC. Bad loans by commercial banks totaled 1.5 trillion yuan (220 billion U.S. dollars) at the end of 2016, 18.3 billion yuan more at the end of Q3. Accordingly, about 78 percent of the bankers put improving risk management as key task, with about 61 percent choosing to adjust business pattern. The biggest borrower is urban infrastructure projects, followed by the medical sector. Chinese banks also conduct off-balance-sheet businesses such as asset management and investment banking. High net worth individuals, small businesses and government departments are the top three client groups. DHAKA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese language proficiency competition for varsity students was held in Bangladesh's Dhaka University on Saturday. Dozens of students applied to attend the competition from a number of leading institutions including Dhaka University, Bangladesh Open University, CRI-SMF Confucius Classroom and North-South University. Zhou Mingdong, director at Dhaka University Confucius Institute, told Xinhua that about 20 of the applicants were selected through initial processes to join the competition. The winners were awarded prizes and certificates according to their individual results, she said. Zhou said Dhaka University Confucius Institute and the Institute of Modern Languages in Dhaka University, in association with the Chinese Embassy in Dhaka, organized the 2nd Chinese Poetry Recitation Competition and the 3rd Chinese Knowledge Contest on Saturday. She said the events are aimed at further inspiring Bangladeshi students who are learning Chinese language and building further bridges of relationship between the peoples of the two countries through more cultural exchanges. All the contestants competed in two segments featuring speeches and artistic performances, she added. The Dhaka University Confucius Institute, established at the University of Dhaka in cooperation with China's Yunnan University, has already emerged as a prime destination for Chinese language learners in Bangladesh through various activities for promotion of Chinese language in Bangladesh. A former 40 year Atheist analyzes Atheism, without resorting to theism, deism, or fantasy. *** If You Don't Value Truth, Then What DO You Value? *** If we say that the sane can be coaxed and persuaded to rationality, and we say that rationality presupposes logic, then what can we say of those who actively reject logic? *** Atheists have an obligation to give reasons in the form of logic and evidence for rejecting Theist theories. BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- China Development Bank said it has provided 984 billion yuan (about 143 billion U.S. dollars) of loans in 2016 to support the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The state-owned policy bank said nearly 13 billion yuan was put into renovation projects in the town of Lucheng in eastern part of Beijing last year. Lucheng locates in east Beijing's Tongzhou district, which will be built into a "subsidiary administrative center" for the capital city. In 2016, the bank granted 73.4 billion yuan in total to fund poverty relief in Hebei Province. From 2014 to 2016, the bank's loans to Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei added up to 1.54 trillion yuan, 18.6 percent of its total loans. A guideline for coordinated development of the region was approved by the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee in April 2015. Coordination will be established in administration, infrastructure construction, environmental protection, industrial development and innovation. Beijing will become "the national center of political, cultural, and international exchange activities" as well as a technological innovation center. Tianjin municipality will be a national research and development base for advanced manufacturing industry, a shipping hub for north China, a demonstration area for financial innovation, and an experimental area for further reform and opening up. Hebei province will be an important national base for trade and logistics, an experimental area for industrial transition and upgrading, a demonstration area of modern urbanization and coordinated development of urban and rural areas, and an ecological buffer zone. KUNDUZ, Afghanistan, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Up to 18 militants have been killed in government forces' operations in the northern Kunduz province over the past 24 hours, an army spokesman said Saturday. The government forces' aircraft targeted Taliban hideouts in Dasht-e-Archi district of the province over the past 24 hours, the army spokesman in the province, Ghulam Hazrat Karimi, said. According to the official, the air attacks which began Friday has been continuing; five more militants sustained injuries. He also noted that the military operations from the ground and air would continue to target anti-government militants in Kunduz and the neighboring Takhar and Baghlan provinces until lasting peace returns to the area. Taliban militants haven't commented on the situation yet. By Xinhua writer Zhang Zhongkai HANGZHOU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) - French digital marketing professional Chloe Goncalves never expected that her work in China would make her an online celebrity. Her post on LinkedIn half a year ago announcing her trip to China to work for Alibaba received over 31,000 likes, 2,900 comments and found her 1,600 new followers worldwide, inspiring her to blog monthly on her adventures. In the past four months, she has been to Alibaba's annual cloud computing conference, joined in the Nov.11 Global Shopping Festival, visited Taobao villages, talked with Jack Ma, taken Tai-chi classes and been busy trying to learn Chinese. "Things in China are changing so fast and the market and people seem ready to adopt new technology much faster than back home," she said. Goncalves is one of 32 associates from 14 countries chosen by the Alibaba Global Leadership Academy (AGLA) for one year of training before becoming the company's global ambassadors. Many Chinese firms are expanding overseas and Alibaba hopes that half of its revenue will come from international business soon. "A big challenge for expansion is lack of understanding between China and other countries," said Brian Wong, vice president of the Alibaba Group in charge of global initiatives. Many foreigners still regard China as an exporter of cheap products, even though the country has a thriving domestic consumer market where international products are in high demand. "As an ecosystem which enables cross border trade, we want to share this story of new China and the new economy, which is more about the rising middle class, millennials, innovation and globalization," he said. Consumption and services will dominate China's economic landscape by 2030, with the private consumer market reaching 9.6 trillion U.S. dollars and accounting for 47 percent of GDP. The future Chinese consumer will be richer, older and online, according to a report by Morgan Stanley. Wong pointed out that foreign staff with expertise will not only help identify and navigate new markets, but more importantly, "help bridge China and international markets and enable local companies big and small to use internet technology to trade globally." China is a significant opportunity for the rest of the world, not a threat, because it offers such a large market for their products and services, he said. Some of China's established practices can be applied overseas to share the benefits of economic growth across all sections of the society, according to Wong. Alibaba's Ant Financial invested in India's largest payment platform Paytm in 2015 and helped it grow from 20 million users to 120 million in just one year, helping India link those under-served, particularly the unbanked population, and provide them access to more financial services. More Chinese firms are recruiting international employees. Global talent with wide connections and strong cross-cultural skills will translate into core competitiveness during globalization, according to David Yu, vice president of LinkedIn China, which helped find about half of the 6,000-plus AGLA applicants. Talent and innovation are crucial for economic globalization and China should look for talented people not only among its own 1.3 billion people, but in the global pool of 7 billion, said Wang Huiyao, head of the Center for China and Globalization, a think tank. A new round of recruitment for AGLA is underway and Alibaba expects to train about 100 ambassadors annually for the next ten years. Besides introducing foreign personnel, Alibaba plans to send local employees for over a year abroad. "For a Chinese company, these are uncharted waters, but nevertheless, a very meaningful goal to ensure that we can bring the vision for inclusive trade and economic growth to the world," said Brian Wong. A visitor studies the brochure of China at the 39th International Tourism Fair in Belgrade, Serbia on Feb. 23, 2017. The fair took place with the slogan "Enjoy in time" from Feb. 23 to 26, with 1,100 exhibitors from 56 countries. (Xinhua/Nemanja Cabric) BELGRADE, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- For the first time, China took part in the International Tourism Fair in Belgrade which opened here on Thursday. Serbian officials and tour operators saw this as another signal, along with visa liberalization and possible direct flights, that the number of Chinese tourists to Serbia could soon increase notably. Tourism fair takes place for the 39th time at the Belgrade fair under the slogan "Enjoy in time" with 1.100 exhibitors, local, regional and international tour operators, tourist associations and organizations, hotels, tourist centers and airliners from 56 countries from February 23 to 26. It was officially opened by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Rasim Ljajic, minister of trade, tourism and telecommunications. Speaking at the opening of the fair Vucic said that last year Serbia profited more than 1 billion euros (1.06 billion U.S. dollars) from tourism because it managed to realize that it had underestimated its potentials in the past and decided to change this. One of the strategies, according to him, is to attract more visitors from China. CHINESE TOURISTS "In 2016 the number of Chinese tourists increased by 29 percent. We expect more of them because I expect that one Chinese airliner will soon establish a direct flight from Belgrade to Beijing. "This will mean, along with the visa-free regime, a huge number of tourists," Vucic said. Vucic said Serbia plans to make arrangements with neighboring countries such as Montenegro and Hungary to present a joint tourist offer to Chinese tour operators. Ljajic noted that the Belgrade International Tourism Fair has grown into the biggest tourism fair in the region and stressed the importance of having China and Russia for the first time as participants. "For the first time at this fair, we have China and Russia presenting their tourist offers which will significantly contribute to better cooperation and attracting tourists from these great markets to Serbia," Ljajic said. In an interview for Xinhua, Liu Cheng, director of the Budapest branch of the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), said that the branch was founded in March last year in Budapest to promote China as a tourist destination among central and eastern European countries, and to establish tourist connections between China and CEE countries, including Serbia. "These years we have seen a rapid growth of Chinese outbound tourists to CEE countries, with an annual number of 800,000 tourists," Liu said. "Among these countries, Czech Republic is the most popular one. Well, we don't see many Chinese tourists in Serbia, However, it grows by 20 percent to 30 percent every year," Liu said, reminding that Serbia and China implemented visa liberalization in January, which is really good news. "A problem remains that Chinese people don't know much about Serbia. They may know Belgrade or former Yugoslavia, but they don't know what to see, what to do or what to buy here. "I think it's important that Serbia promote itself in China so that Chinese people will get to know more about this country and, gradually Serbia will become a popular tourist destination," he concluded. PREPARING FOR MORE TOURISTS BIljana Radulovic, director of "Top Tours" tour operator, says that her company made the first attempt to cooperate with Chinese tour operators on bringing tourists to Serbia, by printing a brochure which was presented for the first time at the international tourism fair in Shanghai last November. "In the brochure made for our potential business partners, we presented Serbia and its capital Belgrade, but also regional countries and established two guaranteed routes (that will operate even if a single passenger is present) -- 'Memory of the Balkans' and 'Balkans without Borders'. We proposed our Chinese partners to visit all of our neighboring countries," she said. Radulovic explained that the company analyzed the market to study preferences of Chinese tourists before it decided to present its offer to Chinese tour operators, and that the key motivation for that was the liberalization of visa regime between two countries. "We made the first attempt to attract Chinese tourists five years ago, but at that point procedures for Chinese tourists to get visas were too demanding so we put the project on hold until recently when visa liberalization between China and Serbia gave us a new motivation," she recalled. "We expect results. Serbia is a new destination, and we have the support of the business environment as well as the ministry in charge of tourism," Radulovic said, adding that she expects to establish cooperation with partners from China. Rasim Ljajic, minister of trade, tourism and telecommunications, visits the stand of Air China at the International Tourism Fair on Feb. 23, 2017. (Xinhua/Nemanja Cabric) MEETING CHINESE REQUIREMENTS Milica Cubrilo, secretary for tourism in the Serbia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry said that Serbia has to offer a lot to tourists. These include capital Belgrade with its surroundings, mountain resorts, spas, numerous festivals and a tradition worth getting to know. Cubrilo said that hotels, restaurants and tour guides as well as others engaged in tourism have gradually started to adapt to the requirements of Chinese tourists. "Having in mind that China is very far away from here, we made joint programs with our neighbors that have a complementary offer with Serbia, which is Montenegro, as the beginning. "Our tour operators made a brochure with seven joint programs focusing on active vacation in nature together with Montenegrin tour operators and these will be offered to Chinese tour operators so they could include them in their offer at the upcoming tourism fair in Shanghai," she told Xinhua. In 2016, some 43,000 Chinese tourists came to Serbia which is not a big number having in mind the size of China, but for Serbia this is encouraging because in 2011 only 12,000 tourists from China visited Serbia, she said. "We hope that the visa free regime, possible establishment of a direct flight, joint presentation with our neighbors as well as strengthening of regional cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe will have an influence on Chinese tourists to perceive this region as more attractive than in the past," Cubrilo said. Miodrag Popovic, Director of the Tourist Organization of the City of Belgrade, told Xinhua that Chinese tourists are just as any other international visitors when it comes to the presentation of tourist destination, but in order for them to be satisfied, some special attention is still required. There are differences when it comes to Chinese tourists only when it comes to some cultural aspects, he said. "A research has provided us with information about what interests Chinese guests most, how they need to be treated -- from the most banal such as to avoid everything connected to the number four, to more serious issues, such as that one needs to have Chinese food for guests who stay longer, together with domestic specialties that they may wish to taste. "Chinese guests also like to take photos and we need to provide them with enough places to capture their memories on photos," he said. "Preparations are ongoing in Belgrade hotels, restaurant and all those related to the sector of services and other sectors related to the tourist offer -- for the arrival of Chinese guests," Popovic said. BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three famous Chinese tourist spots were warned by the industry regulator Saturday for deteriorating quality. The Old Town of Lijiang in southwestern China's Yunnan Province was required by the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) to improve management within six months. As a 5A-level national tourist attraction, or the top level, the Old Town of Lijiang was subject to rising complaints and poor security, the CNTA pointed out after inspecting 5A-licensed tourism spots. China has recently delisted three 5A tourist attractions and warned 19 others, while 20 attractions were added to the 5A category. China has a tourism-rating classification system which rates a tourist attraction from one A to 5A for its overall tourism quality. File photo shows Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) wait to be airlifted to the South Sudanese Northern State of Eastern Nile, in Juba, capital of South Sudan, Jan. 7, 2017. (Xinhua/Gale Julius) ADJUMANI, Uganda, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Over three years of gun fire and now famine are pushing South Sudanese to the edge, leaving them with no option but to flee their motherland. At several refugee reception centers in northern Uganda, thousands of South Sudanese queue to be registered as refugees. According to the UN refugee agency, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), an average of about 4,000 South Sudanese cross the border into Uganda seeking refuge. "If famine continues, we should expect more people to come. More and more people are reporting that famine is one of the reasons they are leaving," Ajit Fernando, Deputy Representative UNHCR Uganda told Xinhua in an interview on Thursday. At least here, according to humanitarian agencies, the refugees are assured of a regular meal as compared to back home where they were left to eating leaves in order to survive. The UN last week announced that famine had broken out in South Sudan, warning that war and a collapsing economy have left some 100,000 people facing starvation and a further 1 million people are classified as being on the brink of famine. According to the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization, many families have exhausted every means they have to survive. Many people who are predominantly farmers have lost their livestock, even their farming tools. According to relief agencies, this situation is the worst hunger catastrophe since fighting erupted more than three years ago between rival forces -- the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing former First Vice-President Riek Machar. Escaping the hunger pangs and fleeing to Uganda can only be a temporary measure. Humanitarian agencies in Uganda argue that their resources are stretched to the limit and are just struggling to fend for the swelling number of refugees in the country. The country, according to UN figures, hosts over 1 million refugees mostly from neighboring South Sudan where fighting has persisted since late 2013. The UN World Food Program (WFP) says while it is able to provide food and nutrition assistance to any number of refugees, there must be the necessary funding. "Right now we have a funding shortfall of 60 million dollars through July, and needs have been rising quickly -- we now require around 14 million dollars per month to meet the food needs of refugees in Uganda, which is double the monthly requirement of six months ago," Lydia Wamala, Public Information Officer WFP Uganda told Xinhua on Wednesday. Because of the funding shortages, since August last year, the food aid agency reduced the size of food rations for refugees who arrived in the country before mid-2015, a reduction that affects about 200,000 people. "So far we have managed to avoid needing to make further cuts since then, but just barely, and we cannot rule out having to make additional reductions unless we receive significant new funding," Wamala said. The refugees are now at the mercy of the international community to come to their rescue. Recent appeals to the community have not yet yielded the desired results. Last year humanitarian agencies and Uganda appealed for 1 billion U.S. dollars to enable them cater for the rising number of refuges. However since then, only 36 percent of the required money has been raised and yet the need is rising day by day. Fernando argues that as funds for catering for the refugees are being sought, there should be patience noting that there is a massive refugee crisis in the world. "We will not be able to do everything overnight but it is gradual. What we want to do is not lose what we have gained," he said. The European Union (EU) on Thursday announced an additional 10 million euros to help address the refugee crisis in Uganda. The money which is channeled through a project European Union Trust Fund will be used to improve the livelihood of the refugees in the long run. The three-year project had already received 10 million euros. "Uganda is not alone. Uganda can continue counting on the EU's support to such a challenging endeavor," Michelle Labeeu, an official at the EU office here, said. KUALA LUMPUR, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian woman suspect believed to be the one carrying out the deadly attack on a man from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) at the Kuala Lumpur airport told Indonesian officials Saturday that she thought she was doing a prank using "baby oil". Siti Aisyah, a 25-year-old girl from Indonesia's Serang, was allowed to meet Indonesian diplomats for the first time on Saturday at a detention center in Cyberjaya. Andriano Erwin, Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia, told reporters after the meeting that Siti said she did not know any kind of plans involving an attack or an assassination of the DPRK man. Siti also said she was paid 400 ringgit (90 U.S. dollars) to join a reality show, Andriano told the press. The Indonesian deputy ambassador said Siti did not know the Vietnamese suspect, and was only introduced by someone to some Korean or Japanese guys by the name of "James" and "Chang". Andriano said the date of March 1 should be the last day when the police will decide to prosecute her or release her if no evidence proves her involvement, noting the Indonesian side has arranged a team of lawyers to help its citizen. According to a statement from the Indonesian embassy, embassy staff used a mobile device to scan Siti's fingerprints before they can verify the passport information. They also checked Siti's health status which seemed fine as "she can answer all questions well". Malaysian police said on Friday they had found on the body of the DPRK man VX nerve agents, a lethal chemical weapon banned by the United Nations. The police also said one of the two female suspects had shown symptoms like "vomitting". As a highly stable substance, VX nerve agents is very difficult to evaporate, causing concerns that the Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2, where the attack was carried out, could pose dangers to passengers and tourists. In a statement, the Malaysia Airports said there had been no anomalies on the medical cases reported at the clinic since the incident. It said the customer service staff who attended the DPRK man had been sent for a medical check-up and she was fine. Yet safety concerns still remain. Malaysian police said on Saturday night that a joint clearn-up operation, involving a team from the police in charge of chemical, biological and radiological nuclear explosives, a team from the fire and rescue department tasked with handling hazardous materials and a team from the Atomic Energy Licencing Board, will be carried out on Sunday morning. Malaysian police are now holding three suspects in custody, the Indonesian Siti Aisyah, a woman from Vietnam and a DPRK man who holds a Malaysian working permit at a local anti-cancer company. They also want to interview seven others, four of them are believed to have arrived in Pyongyang. Abdul Samah Mat, the Selangor police chief, told reporters on Saturday that they are still tracing the suspect nicknamed "James" to help with the investigation. He said no next-of-kin has come to claim the body. YANGON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar's Yangon regional government said on Saturday that it had ordered the striking workers to move out from the Chinese-invested garment factory they occupied. The Hangzhou Hundred-Tex Garment (Myanmar) Co Ltd in Shwe Lin Pan Industrial Zone in Yangon's Hlaingtharyar township was assaulted and destroyed by hundreds of striking workers and non-factory personnel on Thursday, during which seven Chinese citizen workers were trapped in the factory for nine hours before they were allowed by the striking workers to leave the factory. However, the factory was still occupied by the striking workers. The Chinese Embassy in Yangon said in a circular Friday that the Myanmar police authorities had detained five perpetrators and the embassy continued to lodged solemn representations to the Myanmar authorities, demanding the Myanmar side to take effective action to restore the work order and production of the factory as soon as possible and punish the perpetrators to protect the legal rights of Chinese nationals and the legal interest of the Chinese enterprise. According to the Yangon regional government Saturday , the authorities had assigned U Zaw Aye Maung, minister of Rakhine Ethnic Affairs, to lead in addressing the case. U Zaw Aye Maung told Xinhua that he had met with the factory administration and representatives of the Myanmar Workers Federation on Thursday, requesting the federation to warn the striking side that such strike by sealing the factory is illegal and having impact on the image of the country and they should stop immediately such illegal acts and move out from the factory or will be dealt with in accordance with law. U Zaw Aye Maung added that the federation had done accordingly, noting that the loss of the factory due to destruction and the case of individuals beaten will be investigated under a legal case opened with them and be dealt with under law. U Aung Kyaw Tun Naing Oo, central executive member of the Workers Federation and workers' representative of Yangon Region Labor Arbitration Organization, also told Xinhua that through negotiation, the final development was that the labor side had been brought to calm and they would also leave the factory and resume work. However, workers on strike did not leave the factory untill Saturday morning but still sealing the entrance of the factory, the factory administration said. In the latest development, there was not a single worker remained in the factory after 01:00 p.m. local time on Saturday , U Aung Kyaw confirmed with Xinhua. The Hangzhou Hundred-Tex Garment (Myanmar) Co Ltd has registered in Myanmar for three years which has 10 Chinese and about 500 Myanmar-national employees. The factory had experienced workers' strike twice in December 2016 and January 2017. BEIJING, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- For years, Cai Jinlian had envied her sister Cai Jinrong who lived a much better life than her, just 1 km away: Jinlian is in Hebei province and Jinrong in Beijing. The two sisters grew up in a mountain village named Lishuigou in Hebei. Jinrong married a farmer some 30 years ago and moved to a village that is within walking distance from Lishuigou but administered by Beijing. Jinrong has been enjoying clean tap water and lives in a two-storey villa. Jinlian, who never leaves Lishuigou, was still drinking well water even two years ago and the road to her rundown bungalow was badly pot-holed. She even had to pay long-distance call charges to ring her sister. But the gap is narrowing. Jinlian now has running water, and long-distance fees for calls within Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei have been canceled. Her road will be upgraded soon. "I had heard talk about integrated development for years. To my surprise, real changes have begun to take place in recent years," said Jinlian. A NATIONAL CURE FOR LOCAL ILLS Sandwiched between Beijing and Tianjin geographically, Hebei lags far behind in terms of its economy and public services. In 2013, per-capita GDP was around 40 percent of those of the two municipalities. Since central authorities ordered coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei(BTH) region in February 2014, obvious progress has been made in transportation, industry and the environment. The national strategy for regional development addresses unbalanced development, tackles pollution and seeks a new means of growth. It demands local authorities abandon their old selfish mindset and see the bigger picture. Hebei has extended and repaired 12 highways connecting the province with Beijing and Tianjin in the past three years, said Zhao Kezhi, Communist Party chief of Hebei. These bottlenecks were a major obstacle to economic integration. In December 2015, a rail link opened between Tianjin and Baoding in Hebei so passengers no longer had to pass through Beijing. There are plans for at least 20 more intercity railways. Hebei has been struggling to cut excess industrial capacity in steel, concrete and glass. From 2014 to 2016, it attracted 1.1 trillion yuan (160 billion U.S. dollars) of investment from Beijing and Tianjin, more than half of its total inflow. Last year, 1,300 high-tech firms from the two cities opened up in Hebei. Value added from equipment manufacturing accounted for 26 percent of Hebei's industrial total last year, outdoing iron and steel industry to become the biggest industry, according to the provincial statistics bureau. High-tech companies from Beijing have now set up more than 3,000 subsidiaries or branches in Hebei and Tianjin. To control its population and address congestion, Beijing has closed 1,300 factories and moved more than 300 markets from downtown to the outskirts or neighboring areas. "Shijiazhuang has good transportation and logistics. Property is cheap and labor costs are low," said Hui Jihua, a tea seller who closed her shops in Beijing last year and moved to the Hebei capital. With plenty of government support she is confident that her business will flourish in its new home. CLEARING THE AIR A concerted attack on pollution has also proved effective. PM2.5 density is down by about 33 percent from the 2013 level, but the air pollution is still seriously bad and smog is frequent. The Ministry of Environmental Protection has demanded that capacity cuts in some cities are accelerated and heating plants are made to run more cleanly. All coal in and out of Tianjin, the largest port in northern China, will be carried by rail from September, drastically cutting diesel fumes from road haulage. "Tianjin port will focus on container services while Hebei's will develop bulk cargo business such as steel and coal, in line with environmental standards," Zhao Mingkui, vice president of the port. Coordinated development has contributed to poverty reduction in Hebei, whose counties bordering on Beijing and Tianjin were once described as a "poverty belt." One million people emerged from poverty last year in Hebei, but about 2 million remain in miserable conditions. Another 700,000 should be freed from their shackles this year through supplying agricultural products to those two rich neighbors. There are plans for a number of resorts to accommodate city residents keen to spend their weekends in the mountains. FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH "Clearly, Hebei is the weak link, but it has the most potential, too, " said Party chief Zhao Kezhi. Closing the gap involves farming out Beijing's non-capital functions including manufacturing, logistics and wholesale markets, transforming the BTH region into a new growth pole, he said. "The past three years have been a good start,"said Wu Hequan of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and deputy head of a committee of expert consultants on BTH coordination. If concerted efforts continue to lead to tangible results,the region may outdo the Yangtze and Pearl river deltas in overall economic strength by 2030, he said. Integrated customs clearance has increased efficiency and Tianjin's free trade zone has helped regional opening-up. Beijing's new satellite-center in Tongzhou District, close to the Hebei border, will become home to the municipal government, and a new international mega-airport will be closer to Hebei than the capital's downtown. Beijing and Hebei's Zhangjiakou are to jointly host the 2022 Winter Olympics. As for her personal hopes, Cai Jinlian wants the same as all people everywhere - better health services and better education. These things will come in time, now sooner rather than later. WINDHOEK, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- In the heart of overlapping shack dwellings in Havana informal settlement on the outskirts of Namibian capital Windhoek, Matheus Kambonde sells commodities ranging from fresh meat to tin products. Kambonde employs eight people and plans to expand his business, but unstable power supply from the illegal electricity connections is proving to be a stumbling block to his dream. "The unstable power supply leads to financial losses as goods are often left to rot," he said. This is a common tale for entrepreneurs in the shanty area. "Last week, I had to dispose spoiled horse mackerel. But we have no choice, we have to earn a living," said Herman Shetu, another trader in Havana. Residents too are thwarted by the illegal electricity connections in the informal settlement. Paulina Puleni said that the electrical cables are often visible and may spark flames, which can be very dangerous. "The illegal electricity connections are a safety risk that leads to death and fire, especially for children, who are playful and unaware of the dangers," said Puleni. As more people settle in shanty areas, more dwellers resort to illegal connections of electricity. Statistics from the Namibia Statistics Agency indicated that an estimated 113,000 people of the total Windhoek population of 326,000 reside in informal settlements. For electricity theft, fines could range from 4,000 to 12,000 Namibian dollars (310 to 930 U.S. dollars), an amount to big for the residents to pay, given their socio-economic situation. There is now a growing call among the residents on government to connect the informal settlement to the national power grid. "We are pleading with government to provide us with electricity, because we have a major challenge of access to electricity, especially for us business people. We are trying to contribute to the country's economic growth but it is a big challenge," said Kambonde. The increase of electricity theft in informal settlement prompted the decision by City of Windhoek to install sub-stations. Also, plans are underway to respond to the needs for power supply to the informal settlements such as Havana. City of Windhoek spokesperson Lydia Amutenya said that they will in due course start with the surveying of these areas before the actual installation electrification process starts. "Electricity will definitely come to them. It's just a matter of finalizing the preparatory process. It involves a lot of ground work in terms of mapping out and surveying the areas," she said. Amutenya added that similar sub-stations will be also installed in other informal settlements namely, Otjomuise's Agste laan, Ongulumbashe, Okahandja Park and Kilimanjaro. This has rekindled Kambonde's hope of expanding his business venture and better business prospective. "This will bring an end to my food items getting spoiled, and will translate to improved profit margins," he said. BAGHDAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi Prime Minister Hadier al-Abadi on Saturday met with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister, who paid an official visit to Baghdad, to discuss boosting bilateral ties and to support Iraq in its fighting against Islamic State (IS) group in the northern city of Mosul, The Iraqi government said. In a statement by his office, Abadi received in his office the Saudi Minister Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir and the two sides "discussed means to enhance bilateral relations in all fields, in addition to the fight against terrorist gang of Daesh (IS group) and recent push of the Iraqi forces into the right side (western bank) of Mosul." For his part, Jubeir confirmed his country's "support to the Iraq in fighting against terrorism and expressed the readiness of Saudi Arabia to support restoring stability in the liberated areas," according to the statement. The visiting Saudi minister also met with his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari and discussed "cooperation between the two countries, who are trying to resolve the problems that the whole region is suffering from," the Iraqi Foreign Ministry said in a separate statement. Jubeir said that his visit to Baghdad comes "to restore the bilateral ties between the two countries back on track," asserting that his country "stands at the same distance from all the Iraqi factions, and supports the unity and stability of Iraq," the ministry statement said. Jubeir's visit also came as the Iraqi security forces backed by anti-IS international coalition are carrying out a major offensive to drive out the IS militants from their major stronghold in the western side of Mosul in northern Iraq. His visit is the first for a Saudi official on his level to the Iraqi capital in decades, as the relations between the two countries deteriorated since 1991 when the former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait. Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad early in 2016 after 25 years, but months later the Iraqi government asked for the Saudi ambassador Thamer al-Sabhan to be replaced. Baghdad's request came after Sabhan made comments on his Twitter account, in which he accused Iraq of being too close to Shiite Iran, in addition to his comments about a "terrorist plot" to assassinate him by powerful Shiite militia, led by Aws al-Khafaji. But Baghdad denied his accusations. The request to replace Sabhan reflects the deep sectarian division between the Sunni regional power, led by Saudi Arabia, and the Shiite regional power, led by Iran, amid increasing bloody conflicts such as in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. URUMQI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A freight train on Saturday left a major logistics center in northwestern Chinese city of Urumqi for Kazakhstan's Almaty on a new route. Carrying auto parts, clothing, and household goods, the train crossed the China-Kazakhstan border at Xinjiang Autonomous Region's Horgos instead of Alataw Pass on the old route. Travel time between Urumqi and Almaty is shortened by almost 25 percent to 30 hours. Nan Jun, a manager with Urumqi Railway Bureau's international logistics company, said the new route also links countries like Iran and Turkey, beyond Central Asia. Westbound trains from Urumqi have been able to reach Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Poland, and Germany. Nan said the operation of a logistics hub in Urumqi offers "one-stop" services for freight trains heading westwards from across China. Xinjiang, bordering Central Asia, is strategically positioned as the country's transport hub on the Silk Road Economic Belt -- as part of the Belt and Road Initiative Chinese leadership proposed in 2013. Xinjiang handled the passage of 223 freight trains from China to Europe last year and aims to more than double that figure to 500 in 2017. by Shen Chenchen, Gao Shan LOS ANGELES, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The countdown has started for the final grand ceremony of this Hollywood's awards season in the era of new U.S. President Donald Trump. The 89th Academy Awards, which is to be presented on Sunday, will attract millions of audience worldwide. Given the tone set by Hollywood stars at the previous shows, speeches against Trump were widely expected, while Trump's supports were also ready to defend their leader. During the presidential campaign last year, the Democratic-leaning Hollywood tried its best to help Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. Many celebrities, including Madonna, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, have campaigned for Clinton. After Trump's winning of the election, Hollywood's anti-Trump sentiments have not quieted down. Meryl Streep, a three-time Oscar winner, rebuked the new president while giving a lifetime achievement acceptance speech at the Golden Globe awards in January. "Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence incites violence. And when the powerful use their position to bully others, we all lose," the veteran actress said. Trump fought back the next day on Twitter by calling Streep "one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood." On Jan. 29, days after Trump's inauguration, some winners of the 23rd Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards criticized Trump's executive orders regarding immigration, climate change and other issues, at the award ceremony in Los Angeles. "We're in a really tricky time in our country, and things are very inexcusable and scary and need action," said Emma Stone, who won the best leading actress award at the SAG for her performance in "La La Land". As both Streep and Stone were Oscar nominees this year, some daring speeches might be expected at the award ceremony. Soon after taking office, Trump issued an executive order temporarily banning all entry to the United States from seven Muslim-majority nations. The order, which was blocked by an appeals court later, has sparked protest at home and abroad. Iranian director Asghar Farhadi, whose film "The Salesman" has been nominated for the best foreign-language film, said last month that he would not travel to Los Angeles to represent the film because of Trump's ban, even if he was exempted. Cheryl Boone Isaacs, president of the Academy of Motion Pictures, Arts and Sciences, said that barriers to artistic freedom have "made Academy artists activists." Jimmy Kimmel, who will preside over the Oscar this year, pointed out that some of the best Oscar speeches were political, while sometimes they were just annoying. "I think it depends on what's said, and who's saying it," the Hollywood Comedian told USA Today. Although the White House has already said that Trump will likely be too busy to watch the Oscar ceremony, there's still a chance that the former producer and host of a popular reality show will have some sort of reaction to it. The Hollywood Reporter has found out that Trump tweeted many times about the Oscars since 2012, with very strong opinions. He called the 2014 Oscars "terrible", tweeting "Was President Obama in charge of this years Academy Awards?""I should host the Oscars just to shake things up." Meanwhile, Trump also has supporters among Hollywood celebrities. Clint Eastwood, the 86-year-old four-time Oscar winner, was one of them. "He (Trump) is onto something because secretly everybody's getting tired of political correctness," the actor said. Many audiences also showed their loyalty to the new U.S. leader. Members of the Association of Mature American Citizens, a group that represents conservative seniors, even threatened a theater boycott if the Oscars "turn into a Trump bashing affair." "The Oscars are an international show," Richard Anderson, an Oscar winner and member of the Academy, told Xinhua, "it is supposed to be about art." HANOI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia on Saturday visited a suspect who holds Vietnamese passport in Malaysia. According to a statement by the Vietnamese foreign ministry on Saturday, on the sidelines of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, after a meeting between Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman, the Malaysian side agreed to allow Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia to visit a suspect who carries Vietnamese passport related to the killing of a Democratic People Republic of Korea (DPRK) citizen. During the visit on Saturday, the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia confirmed that the suspect is a Vietnamese citizen whose name is Doan Thi Huong, born in 1988, from Vietnam's northern Nam Dinh province. Huong is in stable health condition. During the contact, officials from the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia believed that Huong was made use of and she thought she was acting in a humor video clip, said the statement. The Vietnamese foreign ministry has instructed the embassy in Malaysia to urge Malaysia side to handle the case following Malaysian law, international law and convention, as well as to learn about procedures to provide legal assistance and respect the legitimate rights of its citizen The Vietnamese foreign ministry and relevant agencies will closely coordinate with Malaysian relevant agencies in the investigation of the case, said the statement. ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Pakistan Army said Saturday that four terrorists have been killed while 600 suspects arrested during the ongoing major anti-terrorism operation. The military announced on Wednesday the start of the countrywide operation codenamed "Radd-ul-Fasaad," or reject discord in English, after a series of terrorist attacks that killed over 100 people recently. Paramilitary troops are now leading the new operation along with other law enforcing agencies across the country, focusing on the country's biggest province of Punjab. A military statement said that material promoting violent extremism and weapons were recovered while few facilitators of the Pakistani Taliban-linked Jamat-ul-Ahrar group were also arrested. Pakistan's military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor earlier said that the new operation is aimed at "indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders." ISLAMABAD, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani Foreign Affairs Advisor to Prime Minister Sartaj Aziz said Saturday that the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) summit will focus on connectivity and other issues including trade, energy, tourism, investment, industry, economic growth, productivity, social welfare and environment. The summit, which is planned to be held here on March 1, is under the theme of "Connectivity for Regional Prosperity." Most of the members have confirmed participation in the regional economic forum, Aziz said. "The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is an outstanding example of the summit's theme of connectivity. It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for our peoples," the Pakistani adviser said at a news conference. He said the theme of connectivity would help foster road, rail, air, energy, cyber and knowledge based connectivity, adding the significance of CPEC as catalyst for regional connectivity and integration would be further highlighted. The ECO, which was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan, now also groups Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The summit is expected to issue the "Islamabad Declaration" that would focus on the regional connectivity and make it as a dynamic concept that encompasses multiple dimensions including transit transport such as rail, road, ports and shipping and cyber linkages. The adviser said the summit would provide a platform to ECO members to enhance regional integration through preferential tariffs, activation of established ECO institutions and finalizing an effective transport strategy aiming to boost cross-border connectivity, enhancing trade and strengthening regional economic cooperation in the region. The summit will be preceded by a senior official's meeting from Feb. 26 to 27 and council of foreign minister's meeting on Feb. 28. KATHMANDU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the national flag carrier of the country, on Saturday conducted the first scheduled flight of newly arrived Chinese plane--MA60 from capital Kathmandu to Bhairahawa in southwestern Nepal. After formal handover of two new Chinese planes, one 56-seater MA60 and another Y-12e on Feb. 8, NAC took approval from the regulator Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) and then operated one of the new plane on Saturday. The Nepalese national flag carrier received its second MA60 and Y12e on Jan. 26 and Feb. 1 respectively, two years after receiving the first batch of two aircraft from China as grant. "We will be operating newly arrived Y-12e too soon as we are arranging the pilot to fly this plane," said Rabindra Shrestha, spokesperson of the national flag carrier. Currently, there is only one pilot with NAC to operate the Y-12e and the NAC has also requested the Chinese supplier to make arrangement of pilot to operate plane smoothly. The NAC on Tuesday made public the flight schedule for both MA60 and Y-12e after the arrival of new planes. According to the national flag carrier, they will be operated in the existing routes where the market has been largely dominated by the private sector carriers. The NAC said there will be more flights in the same routes after the arrival of new planes from China. With the expansion of domestic fleet following the arrival of new Chinese aircraft, the NAC expects to increase its domestic market share to 20 percent from current around six percent. With the addition of two new planes from China, the NAC has now majority of its planes made in China. Of the total seven planes in its domestic fleet, four are China-made while three are Canadian Twin Otters. MOSCOW, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Russia will upgrade five military airports in the country's southwest and the Far East in the coming three years, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Viktor Bondarev said Saturday. The infrastructure overhaul comes amid increased military presence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization near Russian borders and renewed Pacific islands disputes with Japan. "We plan to conduct research this year and start to renovate the Ukrainka airfield in the Amur region next year," Bondarev was quoted by RIA Novosti news agency as saying. Overhaul is already underway at the Step airfield in Zabaikalsky, at Mozdok in Northern Ossetia and at Baltimor in Voronezh, said the commander, adding that the reconstruction of the Engels airbase near Saratov is already in its second phase. All the upgrade work will be completed by the end of 2019, he added. The airfields modernization is part of a large-scale rearmament program between 2010 to 2020, which is expected to cost Russia enormous funds. The Eiffel Tower is lit with the blue, white and red colours of the French flag in Paris, France, Nov. 16, 2015, to pay tribute to the victims of the terror attacks on Friday in the French capital. (Xinhua/Xu Jinquan) PARIS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- In response to unfavorable comments over Paris, French President Francois Hollande on Saturday warned his American counterpart Donald Trump over showing "defiance towards an allied country." "There is terrorism and we must fight it together. I think that it is never good to show the smallest defiance toward an allied country. I wouldn't do it with the United States and I'm urging the U.S. president not to do it with France," Hollande said on the sidelines of the Paris agriculture fair. "I won't make comparisons but here, people don't have access to guns. Here, you don't have people with guns opening fire on the crowd simply for the satisfaction of causing drama and tragedy," he added. Hollande called on Trump to show more solidarity after he told the story of a friend named "Jim" who thought that "Paris is no longer Paris" after a series of attacks which rocked the French capital. "I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris," Trump quoted as saying Jim "a very, very substantial guy" -- who was once a regular visitor to the French capital. At the annual Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbor in Maryland on Friday, Trump made the comments to endorse his claim that "national security begins with border security" and defend his order to ban travellers from some Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States for security reasons. Paris was stunned by a series of terrorist attacks which left 130 victims in November 2015. Other assaults targeting several symbolic sites in the vibrant city have been foiled. WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- While U.S. President Donald Trump calls the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) a horrible deal, Americans are almost equally split on whether the deal has been good or bad for the country, found a latest Gallup poll. Forty-eight percent of Americans say it has been good for the country, while 46 percent say it is has been bad, according to a Gallup poll released on Friday. Only 22 percent of Republicans say NAFTA is a good deal, down from 40 percent in 2004 and 46 percent in 2000. In contrast, 67 percent of Democrats now say NAFTA has been good for the country, up from 39 percent in 2004 and 49 percent in 2000, according to Gallup. The trajectory of independents' views has been similar to Democrats, with their support increasing from 37 percent in 2004 to 53 percent now. The poll comes as Trump is threatening to scrap or tweak the agreement that has guided U.S.-Canada-Mexico trade for over two decades, and it remains unknown precisely what the outcome will be. NAFTA is a complex trade agreement that many Americans may not understand, and even top economists still disagree on whether it has been effective. Trump has promised to forge bilateral trade agreements with nations across the globe, but it remains to be seen whether he will establish separate agreements with both Canada and Mexico, Gallup noted. NAFTA has been contentious since its inception in 1994. When Gallup first asked about its effects in 1997, 37 percent of Americans said it was good, 47 percent said it was bad and 16 percent had no opinion. The good and bad figures essentially reversed in the next reading in 2000 and then flipped back again in 2004 -- the last measurement until this year, Gallup said. A Buffalo native who recently served as labor secretary under President Barack Obama has been elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Tom Perez received 235 votes on the second ballot to win the chairmanship during the party's winter meeting in Atlanta Saturday. His closest competitor, U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, received 200 votes. In his first action as Democratic chairman, Perez moved to nominate Ellison as the party's deputy chair. Ellison was backed by several prominent progressives, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, who ran for president in 2016. Perez takes the reins of a party still reeling from a surprise election night loss to now-President Donald Trump. Polls showed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton was leading in key states, but Trump used wins in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin three traditionally blue states to win the Electoral College vote. "We are at a turning point for our party and for all Americans," Perez said. "As I often say, this is a 'Where were ya?' moment. Years for now our children and grandchildren will ask, 'Where were you when Donald Trump and his fellow Republicans attacked our values as a party and a country?' I want to be able to say I did everything in my power to fight back." Perez, 55, was born in Buffalo and attended Brown University, where he earned his bachelor's degree. He also attended the Kennedy School of Government and earned his law degree at Harvard University. He worked as a law clerk and a federal prosecutor before becoming an aide to the late U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. In 2002, he was elected to the Montgomery County Council in Maryland. He held his seat until 2006. Perez was appointed secretary of labor by Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley in 2007. He held that post until 2009, when President Barack Obama named him assistant attorney general for civil rights. In 2013, Obama tapped Perez to serve as U.S. secretary of labor. He was confirmed by the Senate that same year. With Obama's second presidential term winding down, Perez's name was floated as a potential candidate to lead the Democratic National Committee. The party was dealing with the aftermath of the email hacking scandal which led to the resignation of U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the former chair. Donna Brazile, who was named chair after Wasserman Schultz stepped down, called Perez, her successor, a "dynamic leader." "We are Democrats because we believe that every American deserves access to a good job with good pay, affordable health care, a secure retirement and a quality education for their children," Brazile said. "We are Democrats because we believe in the values of equality, opportunity and justice for all Americans, no matter their background. "I know that Tom Perez believes in these things, and I look forward to watching our party grown under his leadership. I am confident that together, we will be able to unify Americans around our shared values and elect Democrats up-and-down the ballot who will fight for those values and resist the harmful Trump-GOP agenda." Perez will have a tall task ahead of him. Not only are Democrats looking to build their bench for 2020 when Trump will likely run for re-election, but there are House and Senate seats up for grabs in 2018 that the party is either looking to retain or win back from the GOP. Republicans currently hold majorities in both houses of Congress. The GOP also controls 31 state houses across the country. "By getting back to basics, we can turn the Democratic Party around, take the fight to Donald Trump and win elections from school board to the Senate," Perez said. ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Peace and Security Council of the African Union (AU-PSC) has called for necessary measures to promote free movement of people and goods in Africa. The Council has reiterated that free movement of people, goods and services facilitates Africa's regional and continental integration, according to an AU statement on Saturday. Chaired by Louise Mushikiwabo, Rwanda's foreign minister, the latest meeting of the AU-PSC on Thursday deliberated and passed decisions on free movement of people and goods and its implications on peace and security in Africa. The meeting at the headquarters of the pan-African bloc in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa recalled that the AU summit in Kigali, Rwanda, in July 2016 passed decision on the free movement of persons and on the African passport. The summit in Kigali urged all member states to adopt the African passport and to work closely with the AU Commission to facilitate the process towards the issuance at national level based on international, continental and national policies and continental design and specifications. Commending AU member states that have signed and ratified all relevant AU instruments on free movement of people and goods, the Council called on other member states to do the same. The Council urged member states to address all institutional and regulatory capacity gaps to have a common policy on free movement of people and goods. It has stressed the need for AU member states to further enhance mutual trust, cooperation and collaboration in addressing related security challenges to prevent terrorist and criminal groups from taking advantages. AU member states including, Benin, Ghana, Mauritius, Rwanda and Seychelles have already started to issue visas on arrival to fellow African citizens. Commending these member states, the Council has urged others to also put in place measures to ensure the issuance of visas on arrival for African citizens while taking necessary security precautions. It underlines the need to ensure a phased approach in implementing AU policy decisions on free movement of people and goods, mindful of the variances in the legitimate security concerns of member states. TEHRAN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Iran's Atomic Energy Organization (AEOI) said on Saturday that Russia and Iran have reached an agreement to jointly produce nuclear fuel, semi-official ISNA news agency reported. A preliminary agreement with Russia on the joint production of nuclear fuel was reached during the nuclear negotiations between Iran and the major world powers in 2015, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of AEOI, told ISNA. "We need Russia's assistance in this sphere," Salehi said, adding that the roadmap has been developed for the joint production, which will take two years to be implemented. Saleh also announced a Tehran-Astana deal to buy 950 tons of yellow cake from Kazakhstan, which is part of Iran's international nuclear deal known as Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "The deal (on yellow cake) is expected to be implemented in three years," he said, as 650 tons of the yellow cake shipment will arrive in Tehran in two batches in two years and the remaining 300 tons will arrive in the third year. The JCPOA is an international agreement reached in Vienna on July 14, 2015 between Iran, the P5+1 (the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council: China, France, Russia, United Kingdom, United States plus Germany) and the European Union. Based on the agreement, Iran agreed to scale back its nuclear activities to a considerable degree in return for the lift of international sanctions. BAKU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A new wave of fighting broke out in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Saturday. According to Azerbaijan's defence ministry, early morning on Feb. 25 the Armenian armed forces made an attempt to penetrate into the positions of Azerbaijani army in different directions. The Armenian side broke a cease-fire to implement a large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand and Fuzuli directions, the Azeri Ministry said in a statement released on Feb. 25. The ex-Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s, with thousands killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands displaced. Armenian forces also occupied several Azerbaijani areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani troops identified the actions of Armenian side in advance and conducted retaliatory military actions against the separatist forces to prevent their penetration deep into Azeri defense area, the statement said. Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in a ceasefire violation, the country's Defence ministry said without specifying the exact number of casualties. "Failing to move forward in various areas, the enemy using heavy artillery continues to fire the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces," it said. It added that in accordance with situation, the Azerbaijani army takes appropriate counter measures against the positions and staging areas of the enemy. However, according to the report of the state news agency of Armenia, Armenpress, citing the spokesman of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the Azerbaijani side conducted the attack attempt near the village of Baghnis, Artsrun Hovhannisyan at the contact line of the Nagorno-Karabakh, causing material damage to the civilians on Feb 25. The war ended with a truce in 1994, but the conflict is far from a peaceful resolution. Clashes around the region have fuelled worries of a widening conflict breaking out in the region, which is crossed by oil and natural gas pipelines. The last heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region broke out on April. 2, 2016. The clash lasted several days and left more than 70 soldiers dead on both sides before a ceasefire was agreed in Moscow on April.5. by Maria Spiliopoulou ATHENS, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The majority of Greek citizens want the imminent conclusion of the bailout review which has been delayed for a year and no longer see Grexit risk on the horizon, two surveys released on Saturday in Athens showed. The current Left-led government should strike a deal with Greece's international lenders and close the pending second review of the Greek third bailout, said the 61.5 percent of respondents in the opinion poll conducted by Kappa research polling firm for Vima (Tribune) daily. Only 27 percent of Greeks preferred snap elections and the conclusion of the assessment under a new government, even though 57.5 percent believes that the government's negotiation tactics were negative. Seventy percent of respondents believe that there was no more risk of Grexit. Some 64.5 percent said that Greece should remain a member of the eurozone, while 27 percent opted for return to its national currency. The survey was conducted nationwide in the period Feb. 21-23. Similar were the results of another survey carried out throughout Greece by Alco polling firm in the same period for news portal "news247". Should the conservative main opposition New Democracy be in office negotiating the terms to close the review the outcome would be the same, said the 40 percent of respondents. Some 24 percent of participants believe that the result would be better, while 23 percent worse. The surveys were held following the Eurogroup's meeting in Brussels on Monday which decided the resumption of negotiations in Athens next week with the aim to conclude as soon as possible the review and continue the implementation of the bailout program which will expire in 2018. by Ben Ochieng NAIROBI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's mango farmers will soon be able to export their produce to China to prevent a price slump amid abundant harvest, a chamber of commerce official said Saturday. Chairman of Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce Zhuo Wu said during the Chinese Mango Festival held in Nairobi that they will soon start exporting Kenyan-grown mangoes to China in order to boost local farmers' income. "We will work together with Kenyan mango growers to assist them to source for market for their products in order to absorb their bumper harvest," Zhuo said. Zhuo said the Kenyan farmers from Machakos County, one of Kenya's drought-stricken areas, approached the trade federation to help find market for their produce to prevent the perishable fruits from going bad and hence incurring losses. "We responded to their appeal and were able to purchase 15 tonnes of mangoes and in the process putting money in their pockets," Zhuo said. East African Legislative Assembly Member Of Parliament Peter Mathuki said the event created awareness and visibility for the products and expanded the farmers' pool of potential buyers. "The Chinese have shown true friendship especially by buying the mangoes at almost three times the market price in order to assist their Kenyan brothers so that their farm products do not go bad," the lawmaker said. He welcomed Chinese investors to build factories in the area to take advantage of the abundant mangoes grown in the county. The region is more densely populated with mango trees than anywhere in the country. However, farmers have found it difficult to profit from the local mangoes, which fruit at the same time of the year, resulting in lower prices and wastage, with so many unsold mangoes left to rot. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim (C) throws flowers to supporters during Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s "Yes" campaign for the April 16 constitutional referendum in Ankara, capital of Turkey, on Feb. 25, 2017. Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) kicked off its "Yes" campaign for the April 16 constitutional referendum on Saturday, local media reported. (Xinhua/Mustafa Kaya) ANKARA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) kicked off its "Yes" campaign for the April 16 constitutional referendum on Saturday, local media reported. "Our choice for a strong Turkey and permanent stability is 'yes'," Prime Minister Yildirim said at Arena Stadium in the Turkish capital Ankara, noting that the new system will strengthen the country's economy, boost investment and productivity. Yildirim underscored that the new system will reduce bureaucracy, and put an end to terrorism, private channel NTV reported. The strong leadership would prevent Turkey from facing any repeat of last July's coup attempt, he added. With the attendance of around 40,000 people from all over Turkey, the details of the "Yes" campaign, including its slogans and songs, were revealed during the event. Yildirim also said the new bill would enable around 7.5 million Turkish young people to seek seats in parliament. The stadium was decorated with Turkish flags and pictures of Turkey's founding leader Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Yildirim. About 6,500 police officers secured the stadium and nearby streets. The "Yes" campaign is backed by the AKP and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Constitutional referendum will be held on April 16, which will bring drastic changes to the country's political system, including a shift to an executive presidential system from the current parliamentary system. The referendum will ask the electorate to vote yes or no to the changes proposed in an 18-article bill. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan launched his "Yes" campaign on Feb. 17 in southern Kahramanmaras. The Republican People's Party (CHP), main opposition began its "No" campaign on Monday in major cities in Turkey. The constitutional change will bring a shift of regime change in Turkey with a strong partisan presidential system that will take over all authorities of the prime minister and cabinet. On Dec. 30, 2016, a constitutional committee of deputies from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) submitted a proposed bill to Parliament for ratification. The parliament passed the constitutional amendment on Jan. 21 in two-round of voting for 18 articles. A total of 339 deputies voted in favor of the amendment, exceeding the 330-vote threshold to bring it to a referendum. SKOPJE, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Social Democratic Union (SDSM) led by Zoran Zaev has managed to secure the support of the ethnic Albanian party, Democratic Union for Integration (DUI), thus paving the way the formation of a new government in Macedonia, local media reported Saturday. On Friday night, the spokesperson of DUI Bujar Osmani told reporters that the party supported the formation of a SDSM-led government although DUI might not be part of it. Earlier, SDSM and DUI had agreed on a law guaranteeing broader use of the Albanian language across Macedonia. During the last weeks, Zoran Zaev of SDSM has been trying to secure the signatures of the majority of parliamentary seats. SDSM garnered 49 seats in the snap general elections of Dec. 11, 2016 while the party needed 61 votes to be mandated for the creation of a new government. Now that he has secured the ten signatures of DUI, he is expected to make a move forward towards asking the president Gjorge Ivanov to give him the mandate to form a government. Although the officials of both parties declared Saturday that the talks are still underway in terms of the government formation, it is seems that it is more likely to have a SDSM-led government soon. Zaev declared two days ago that he would be able to form the government in two weeks. The fact that the ethnic Albanian party run by Ali Ahmeti agreed to support Zaev spurred strong reactions Saturday from the VMRO-DPMNE camp. The leader of VMRO-DPMNE Nikola Gruevski warned Saturday that Macedonia was at risk while he vowed to protect national interests. The situation seems critical as the party militants of VMRO-DPMNE warned that Macedonia could go again through a period of instability. According to Gruevski, SDSM and DUI have broken the "Winner-Winner" agreement established in 2007. According to this deal, there is a political consensus in Macedonia under which the first party of majority Slavic speaking voters is expected to form the governing coalition with the first party of minority Albanian speaking voters, which make up more than 30 percent of the population. In this regard, VMRO-DPMNE winning 51 seats was the one that should form coalition with DUI winning 10 seats, according to VMRO-DPMNE. Albanian parties' platform and attempts to make the Albanian language official redefined Macedonia against all principles of a multi-ethnic state, VMRO-DPMNE said Saturday in a statement. According to the statement, the SDSM proposal to make Macedonia bilingual was unacceptable, dangerous and damaging to national interests. BERLIN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Three people were injured on Saturday in the scenic German city of Heidelberg when an unidentified man drove a car into a pedestrian area. "A man drove into pedestrians, three injured, the suspect arrested and wounded," police said on Twitter. The suspect, reportedly armed with a knife, fled the scene after the attack. But he was later shot and injured by police in a brief standoff. The motives for the attack remained unknown. Police did not indicate whether the attack was intentional or by accident. On Dec.19, 2016, an attacker drove a truck into a Christmas market near the iconic Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, leaving 12 killed and more than 50 others injured. The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. The perpetrator, identified as Anis Amri, turned out to be a Tunisian failed asylum seeker and was killed four days later in a shootout with police near Milan in Italy. Heidelberg is a culture and university city and famous tourist destination situated on the river Neckar in southwest Germany. Located about 80 kilometers south of Frankfurt, Heidelberg is the fifth-largest city in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. A house damaged in conflicts is seen in Azerbaijan's Gapanli village bordering Nagorno-Karabakh region, on April 5, 2016.(Xinhua/Tofik Babayev) BAKU, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A new wave of fighting broke out in the Nagorno-Karabakh region on Saturday. According to Azerbaijan's defence ministry, early morning on Feb. 25 the Armenian armed forces made an attempt to penetrate into the positions of Azerbaijani army in different directions. The Armenian side broke a cease-fire to implement a large-scale provocation on the frontline and to seize advantageous positions in Khojavand and Fuzuli directions, the Azeri Ministry said in a statement released on Feb. 25. The ex-Soviet states of Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a war over the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh in the early 1990s, with thousands killed on both sides and hundreds of thousands displaced. Armenian forces also occupied several Azerbaijani areas outside Nagorno-Karabakh. The Azerbaijani troops identified the actions of Armenian side in advance and conducted retaliatory military actions against the separatist forces to prevent their penetration deep into Azeri defense area, the statement said. Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in a ceasefire violation, the country's Defence ministry said without specifying the exact number of casualties. "Failing to move forward in various areas, the enemy using heavy artillery continues to fire the positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces," it said. It added that in accordance with situation, the Azerbaijani army takes appropriate counter measures against the positions and staging areas of the enemy. However, according to the report of the state news agency of Armenia, Armenpress, citing the spokesman of the Defense Ministry of Armenia, the Azerbaijani side conducted the attack attempt near the village of Baghnis, Artsrun Hovhannisyan at the contact line of the Nagorno-Karabakh, causing material damage to the civilians on Feb 25. The war ended with a truce in 1994, but the conflict is far from a peaceful resolution. Clashes around the region have fuelled worries of a widening conflict breaking out in the region, which is crossed by oil and natural gas pipelines. The last heavy fighting between Armenian and Azerbaijani forces over the Nagorno-Karabakh region broke out on April. 2, 2016. The clash lasted several days and left more than 70 soldiers dead on both sides before a ceasefire was agreed in Moscow on April 5. Wells College has announced the winner of its 2017 Chapbook Contest: Annie Lighthart, for her manuscript, "Lantern." Lighthart will receive 20 letterpress-printed copies of the chapbook, read at the Aurora college, and receive a $500 honorarium plus room and board. The chapbook will be published in an edition of 150 signed and numbered copies. Lighthart has a master's degree in poetry from Vermont College of Fine Arts and has taught at Boston College. Her poetry has been read by Garrison Keillor on "The Writer's Almanac" and chosen by Naomi Shihab Nye for inclusion in the Poems for Patience project at Galway University Hospitals in Ireland. The competition drew 160 entries. Finalists were "Lyrebird Keeps the Peace" by Kelli Allen, "Creating a Chain Reacting" by Declan Gould and "The Hatchet and the Hammer" by Caitlin Scarano. For more information, visit annielighthart.com. PANAMA CITY, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Latin America needs to improve aviation infrastructure and relax regulations that limit the industry's growth, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Peter Cerda, the IATA's regional vice president for the Americas, spoke with Xinhua in Panama City, where the association of more than 260 airlines worldwide this week opened a new area office to attend to carriers in seven Central American countries. The IATA believes the aviation industry in Central America is not developing as fast as it should, though Panama is considered to be "a model of air transport excellence," and Costa Rica and Nicaragua have made some infrastructure improvements. "It is always important to have governments ensure airport services, air traffic and infrastructure, not just for today, but for the growth in coming few years," said Cerda. While security regulations need to be firm and robust, regulations governing the way airlines do business should be brought more in line with rules that apply to other types of enterprise, he said. Panama will soon unveil a new terminal (T2) to relieve traffic congestion at the Tocumen International Airport serving the capital. The president of Panama's Copa Airlines, Pedro Heilbron, recently told reporters the expansion work is key to increasing the carrier's capacity. Air traffic in Panama is expected to grow some 8.5 percent in the next few years. In a statement on the inauguration of its new area office on Wednesday, the IATA said, "Panama City has developed into one of the most important aviation hubs in Latin America. The connectivity that it generates supports the country's strong GDP growth and spreads economic and social benefits across Central America." The office, supported by the Americas regional office in Miami, will serve Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua, as well as Panama. CHICAGO, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) grains futures close lower over the week which ended Feb. 24, mostly on favorable South American growing conditions. CBOT corn futures settled lower for a second consecutive week. New bullish fundamental input remains lacking, and this week's trade was plagued by both the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and ongoing favorable South American growing conditions. The USDA's Outlook Forum this week featured US new crop acreage at 90 million, below expectations but unchanged from the baseline release, but end stocks will remain in excess of 2,000 million bushels assuming trend yield. Analysts hold that the loss of world market share beginning in mid-2017 is just as important as US acreage, and indeed South American crop size estimates suggest a massive rebound in South American exports beginning in Jun/Jul. Argentine crop estimates have been inching higher, and rainfall across the heart of Brazil's safrinha corn belt will be near double that of a year ago. All indications point toward a South American exportable surplus some 22 million tonnes higher than in 16/17, and it'll be difficult for the US to compete. Note that Gulf basis for May/Jun is at a multi-year low, yet Argentine offers are still 0 .10 dollar per bushel cheaper. Most analysts' strategy remains to use rallies (whether due to weather hiccups or fund inspired) to advance forward cash sales. Wheat followed corn lower this week and aside from ongoing concern over dryness across the Southern and Western US Plains, fresh news is lacking. Most importantly, the multi-week rally in Black Sea cash prices seems to have paused, and interior Russian values are again weaker. Even in U.S. dollar terms, domestic Russian wheat in key areas of the south are down 3-4 dollars per tonne on the week, and down 5 dollars per tonne from a peak in early February. Without firm cash markets, the US market is left to trade massive end stocks and a lack of needed demand. Recall the Australian crop was raised last week, and Argentina's Agriculture Ministry this week suggested their crop could be as high as 18 million tonnes, vs. the USDA's projected 15 million tonnes. Southern Hemisphere exports through spring/summer will be record large, and as stock estimates continue to rise in Russia, analysts expect rallies through summer to be limited to periodic short covering events. A close eye will be kept on world weather, and it' s April and May that are the key 2 months in determining world wheat yields, and whether another record large crop is developing? World wheat farmers will be shedding old crop supplies into spring. Soybeans slipped lower through the holiday shortened trading week, with the market under pressure rising yield expectations in Brazil and then larger than expected new crop acreage estimates from the USDA. Fundamentally, US soybean stocks are record large while export demand is now quickly being shifted down to Brazil. The Jan-Feb Brazilian soybean export pace will be record large, and shipment totals look to gains speed into April. Technically, spot futures fell back to trend-line support, with May soybeans dropping back to the contract's 200 day moving average. Analysts' view has turned more bearish as the Brazilian harvest advances and yields exceed expectations. The USDA estimates that US farmers will raise their soy acreage by 4.6 million acres to a record large 88 million. Spot futures need to hold against 10.00 dollars or risk a deeper decline to 9.50 dollars. HAVANA, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Cuba has launched a new application (app) for mobile phones and tablets offering information about its political and electoral systems, local media reported Saturday. The app, named XCuba and offered on the Android platform, was developed by professors and students at the Martha Abreu Central University, in the province of Villa Clara, and was released to mark the 41st anniversary of the country's constitution, according to official daily, Granma. The new system brings together "in a single space information on various systems...to provide better knowledge on these topics." Yanet Rodriguez, dean of the faculty of mathematics, physics and computing at the university, told Granma that XCuba seeks to boost awareness about the country's political system, and is mainly aimed at young people. The app includes infographics, images, quotes, recordings and documents, including the Cuban Constitution, the electoral law, and "History Will Absolve Me," a speech pronounced by former president Fidel Castro during his trial for leading the attack on the Moncada Barracks in 1953. The app will also soon be available for download on the website of the Cuban Parliament, with authorities keen on "making it available to download in all possible spaces." BERLIN, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- A 73-year-old man died from his injury on Saturday after being attacked by a man who rammed his car into a group of pedestrians in the German city of Heidelberg. The identity of the attacker was not disclosed and the police said the man had no indication of terrorist background. The man also injured the other two, a 32-year-old Austrian national and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to Deutsche Presse Agentur. The suspect, reportedly armed with a knife, fled the scene after the attack. But he was later shot and injured by police in a brief standoff. Local police has now blocked the roads nearby and helicopters were dispatched to take aerial photos of the scene. German police have been tightening up security after the Dec. 19 attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, which killed 12 people and wounded some 50 others. Earlier this month, the police carried out a series of raids in Goettingen and arrested two men suspected of planning a terror attack. Heidelberg is a culture and university city and famous tourist destination situated on the river Neckar in southwest Germany. Located about 80 kilometers south of Frankfurt, Heidelberg is the fifth-largest city in the German state of Baden-Wurttemberg. By the day's end, an estimated 144 people in the United States will be dead from drug overdoses. That is how many lives former DEA agent Robert Stutman said are lost from overdoses in America every day. Stutman and Judge Jodi Switalski will present "Welcome to Americas Worst Drug Epidemic: The Undeniable Truth about the Drug Epidemic of the 21st Century," to middle school and high school students and staff in Dana L. West Junior/Senior High School on Tuesday, Cato-Meridian Middle School on Wednesday and Moravia High School students and staff on Thursday. Public presentations will also be held in Port Byron on Wednesday and Moravia on Thursday. Stutman and Switalski have been speaking out together against drug abuse with their anti-drug organization, the Stutman Switalski group, for three years. Stutman who spent 25 years with the DEA, six of which included serving as the head of the DEA's New York office said 2016 to 2017 has been the biggest drug epidemic he has ever witnessed, and believes it is the worst the country has faced. Stutman who has been speaking about the dangers of drug abuse for about 23 years said it is not uncommon for children to start using around the age of 12 or 13, when are they more likely to build a dependency. "If they're that young, they've got a higher chance of being addicted, or being dependent on drugs," Stutman said. Prescription drugs often serve as a gateway for people to use other drugs, Stutman said. Stutman said some of the topics discussed at the presentations will include how parents can spot signs of drug abuse in their children and the most commonly used drugs. The duo will present to the faculty, staff and students of the three schools on different mornings and students in certain grades who volunteer will be able to speak with them without any school faculty or staff around that particular day. At other schools, the students often spoke frankly with them about drug abuse issues they might be going through, Stutman said. "If they perceive that you're honest and you're not judgmental and you know more than they do, you can have an honest, open conversation with them," Stutman said. Switalski, who spent several years as a felony prosecutor, two years as a magistrate in Berkley, Mich., and five and a half years as a district court judge in Waterford, Mich., fought against drug abuse in the court room and in her own life, as she said she has family members who suffer from drug addiction. She also learned about drug abuse while studying at the University of Missouri. "I've come at this from every possible angle except for using myself," Switalski said. Switalski who resigned from her judge position last year and currently works for a Michigan law firm said students often talk about their struggles with speaking with her and Stutman. "The one thing they say without fail is that, 'Our parents have no idea and they don't how bad the problem is,'" Switalski said. She also noted that students always say they have problems refusing drugs. Switalski said parents need to know that drug abuse knows no limits. "There's no age, race or demographic that isn't affected," Switalski said. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy More than 50 civilians have been killed or injured by landmines since Friday night as they fled a village about 9 miles west of Mosul, Iraq's Federal Police said in a tweet Saturday. Residents in the village of Sahaji were trying to escape the fighting as Iraqi forces advance on western Mosul. ISIS is in control of hills between Sahaji and Mosul, Iraq's second city. Iraqi Federal Police units have gained more ground as they lead the charge to force ISIS from western Mosul, Lt. Gen. Raid Shakir Jaudat said Saturday. Police including rapid response forces have liberated the Hawi al-Jawsaq area, an open agricultural expanse, and are now advancing into al-Jawsaq neighborhood, which sits next to the Tigris River. East and west Mosul are divided by the Tigris, and US-led coalition airstrikes have damaged all five bridges connecting the two sides in an effort to contain the militants in the west. Federal Police elite units are also clearing the remaining pockets of resistance in western Mosul's al-Tayaran neighborhood, just north of the Mosul International Airport runway. Iraqi forces seized control of the airport overnight Thursday. Resistance from ISIS fighters continues. Residents in Mosul's southwestern al-Jawsaq and Dawasa neighborhoods told CNN late Friday night that ISIS militants were setting fire to shops there as they battled Iraqi forces. Eyewitnesses also described ISIS fighters seizing civilian vehicles, a pattern the terror group has used in the battle for Mosul. The fighters took smaller vehicles to block roads against advancing Iraqi forces, while using larger SUV-type ones for themselves, residents said. Reporter killed Private Kurdish TV channel Rudaw said one of its top reporters, Shifa Gardi, was killed Saturday afternoon in a bomb attack while covering clashes in Mosul. Her cameraman, Younis Mustafa, was also injured, the channel said in a statement. More than 1,500 Iraqi civilians were evacuated from the newly liberated al-Mamoun neighborhood in southwestern Mosul after ISIS had been "holding them as human shields," said Jasem Mohammad al-Jaff, Iraq's minister of migration and displacement. They were taken to a refugee camp and to al-Qayyara airfield south of Mosul, he said. Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rasheed Yarallah, commander of Iraqi forces in Nineveh province, said counterterrorism forces continued to clear al-Mamoun and were storming the Wadi Hajjar neighborhood. Iraqi forces launched their bid to retake the western parts of the city on Sunday after declaring the east had been liberated last month. Mohammed Al Mawsily, manager of a radio station that broadcasts exclusively to Mosul from Irbil, told CNN that listeners who'd called in from the embattled city since the offensive began had expressed some cautious optimism. However, it had become harder for them to call Alghad FM because of the worsening conditions, he said. A lack of power is making it difficult to charge cell phones, with many people relying on generators for electricity at the same time fuel prices are rising. Mosul residents also complain that food is in short supply and what little can be found is prohibitively expensive, he said. 'Most dangerous phase' The International Rescue Committee warned Friday that this second stage of the Mosul operation could be the "most dangerous phase" for civilians as Iraqi troops seek to secure densely populated areas amid ISIS resistance. "This will be a terrifying moment for the 750,000 people still in the west of the city, and there is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come," said Jason Kajer, the Iraq acting country director for the humanitarian group. "Everything must be done to keep civilians out of the firing line, and as Iraqi forces reach individual neighborhoods, people must be given the opportunity to escape the city safely." Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Friday promised that Iraqi forces would do all they could to keep civilians safe. "We will exert the utmost effort to rescue the civilians and protect them, provide safe corridors for their exit, receive and (transfer) them to the safe camps," he said in a statement from his media office. He also congratulated the armed forces on their victories against "defeated Daesh terrorist gangs," using an Arabic name for ISIS. Police: Bombs, weapons seized The Iraqi Joint Operations Command said Friday that Mosul International Airport and the nearby Ghazlani military camp on the outskirts of southwestern Mosul had been fully liberated. More than 50 ISIS militants were killed and scores wounded in Friday's operation, Jaudat said. Iraqi forces also destroyed 25 improvised explosive devices and seized several weapons as they liberated the first residential neighborhood in western Mosul, he said. Meanwhile, Iraq's Shiite-led Popular Mobilization Units liberated two villages west of Tal Afar, a town to the west of Mosul. The militia evacuated 1,200 civilians from the villages, the PMU's directorate said Saturday. CNN's Kareem Khadder and Ingrid Formanek reported from Irbil, while Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London. CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali contributed to this report. WASHINGTON Gov. Doug Ducey joined other Republican governors who told an appreciative crowd of conservatives Thursday that the Trump administration presents a chance for state and local officials to take the reins back from the federal government. Ducey joined Republican Govs. Matt Bevin of Kentucky, Sam Brownback of Kansas and Scott Walker of Wisconsin to tell thousands of excited patriots at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference how states are reclaiming Americas promise. We can really make a difference at the state level, Ducey said during the morning session, then proceeded to explain his success in reducing taxes and balancing the state budget a theme echoed by most of the others on the panel. All four governors also said that states need to be the laboratories of government innovation, something they hope will happen under the Trump administration, which they expect will put more control in the hands of state and local governments. That is where federalism was intended to be in the first place, Bevin said. Many of the governors also encouraged conservatives to continue advocating for their beliefs and communicating with their governments. Theyre (Republican lawmakers) going to hear from the left, they need to hear from you, Walker said. The crowd appeared energized by the Trump administration, which was represented at CPAC by a number of high-ranking White House and Cabinet officials Thursday with appearances by President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence scheduled for Friday and Saturday, respectively. Its exciting to see so many young people engaged and want to be a part of the cause of a more limited government, a free-market economy and supporting policies and personal responsibility around the country, Ducey said. He said he is waiting to see how things shape up under the Trump administration after the tumult of the first weeks settles down. But he is encouraged by the presence of Pence, the former governor of Indiana, who Ducey said understands the impact that too much regulation and red tape can have on states. In wide-ranging comments during and after the event, Ducey also echoed other speakers call for smaller, less-intrusive government. You cant change the world unless you can pay your rent, the government has to live within its means, Ducey said. All of our citizens have to do that, all of our small businesses have to do that, theres no reason government cant do that. When questioned by the session moderator, Ducey briefly discussed redtape.az.gov, an Arizona initiative that invites local business owners to voice their opinions regarding current state regulations that govern their businesses. Ducey explained later that Arizona is looking to reduce and eliminate 500 regulations that are unnecessary or do not protect consumer safety. These things (regulations) are all over government, at the state level and certainly at the federal level, Ducey said. Arizona wants to be the leading state, most innovative state, in getting rid of whats unnecessary in terms of regulation. Ducey and several of the governors said welfare would be better handled by the states. He said that Arizona has thousands of people out of work, but that there are also thousands of jobs within the state that need to be filled. The federal government has created a poverty trap: Theyre incenting people not to work rather than putting together programs to get them back into the workforce, Ducey said after the event. I know we can do a better job of that at the state level. Karim: OJTs firing, sign of things to come In a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Karim said, I have been advised that staff at the MIC Institute of Technology are being sent home. Staff at YTEPP are being sent .home. Staff at UTT have already been sent home. NESC has drastically reduced its programmes as a gradual slow down seems to have gripped all sectors of the country. The Chaguanas East MP said the firing of the 60 OJT staff members was nothing more than victimisation and not one of restructuring as was being claimed by the ruling PNM administration. It is a crying shame that the PNM is hoodwinking the population into believing that the firing of these OJT staff is linked to the economy and financial constraints. Over $580 million has been allocated to the OJT Programme in the last two years. Where has all that money gone? What does it cost to retain 60 staff members relative to $580 million? This is a clear strategy of cleaning house to rehire party hacks and perpetuate the typical PNM nepotism, cronyism and discriminatory practices, Karim said. With respect to the OJT staff to be sent home, we are yet to be told how they were determined. On what basis those who will remain on their jobs do so? And, who exactly comprise this transition team, he asked. Where will these staff find alternative employment to take care of themselves and their families? Many have loans to service, young children to send to school and some have medical bills for chronic diseases, Karim said. Karim said the OJT Programme had been established as a pre-employment programme for graduates to be inducted into the world of work as a means of gaining the required occupational skills. He also noted that the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development had not stated how many workers had been retrenched, displaced, terminated or contracts not renewed by the Government in the public sector since September 2015. Yet it is the same PNM Government that impressed upon the business community to be responsible and not send home employees. Deception and hypocrisy at its best, he charged. Man in court for shooting The first read that on February 9, at Lawrence Street, San Fernando Jeremiah had in his possession an illegal firearm. Another charge alleged that also on the same day, Jeremiah had in his possession a firearm with intent to endanger lives. A third charge alleged he had in his unlawful possession ammunition. Jeremiah was charged with possession of ammunition to endanger lives. The magistrate read a fifth charge that Jeremiah shot Akeil Crawford with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Another charge alleged that Jeremiah shot Joseph Edmond with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. All charges were laid indictably and Jeremiah was not called upon to enter any plea. Court prosecutor Cleyon Seedan produced the accused mans record to the magistrate. Attorney Sasha Singh, who held for Cedric Neptune, said her client has two previous convictions in 2008 and 2013. Singh told the magistrate that Jeremiah also has two pending matters for trafficking marijuana and possession of cocaine. Singh said her client is employed as a mason and driver. Magistrate Ford-John granted the accused man bail in the sum of $175,000 to be approved by a Clerk of the Peace or $25,000 cash alternative. The matter was adjourned to March 24. Gay rights advocate takes TT to court Jones, on Thursday, filed his constitutional claim in the High Court at the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain, in which he is challenging Sections 13 and 16 of the Sexual Offences Act, which criminalises buggery and serious indecency. The very existence of these sections continuously and directly affects the claimants private life by forcing him to either respect the law and refrain from engaging - even in private with consenting male partners - in prohibited sexual acts to which he is disposed by reason of his homosexual orientation, or to commit the prohibited acts and thereby become liable to criminal prosecution, Jones lawsuit claims. Speaking to the media prior to filing his claim, Jones said the laws encourage a culture of homophobia. He said he has been subjected to discrimination because of his sexuality, even from his family. Jones said what a person chose to do with their partner should be no ones business, including the government. He pointed to Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowleys recent comments regarding domestic violence. The Prime Minister made a comment recently about domestic violence that women should choose their men right and that he is not in peoples bedrooms. But he is in my bedroom, said Jones. This law is in my bedroom, he said. He added that the laws were originally British colonial laws. Gypsy takes 10th extempo title The competition, part of Thursday nights Kaisorama, was held at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA) in Port of Spain. Gypsy faced several challengers including Myron Bruce (Myron B) - who incidentally won the Humourous Calypso category, Joseph Vautor-LaPlaceliere also known as Lingo, and Leslie-Ann Bristow (Lady Africa). Also in winners row was Maria Bhola who sang My First Lady and took home the Best Political Commentary title. President Anthony Carmona was a very avid spectator, at least for the first half, and wholeheartedly applauded Bholas selection in which he was portrayed. Giving a very impressive performance was Terri Lyons whose song The Phrase took her to the top of the Social Commentary category beating back National Womens Action Committee (NWAC) 2017 Calypso Queen, Sasha Ann Moses who sang Main Witness and Lornette Nedd-Reid, also known as Fya Empress who mere hours before she appeared on stage was at the San Fernando High Court fighting to be allowed to compete in tomorrow nights National Calypso Monarch. Fya Empress, singing Guilty, qualified as a finalist but was eventually disqualified after semi-finalist Lynette Lady Gypsy Steele, who was left out, challenged Fya Empress inclusion as a competitor in the Dimanche Gras show on the ground that she was not a Trinidad and Tobago national. A decision was taken by the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organisation (TUCO) to drop Fya Empress and replace her with Lady Gypsy. However, Fya Empress found herself back in the finals after High Court Judge Frank Seepersad ruled that she was entitled to compete. La Horquetta grooves to Small Band crown Dressed in all-white and carrying enough energy to move the crowd to their feet, Pan Grooves electrifying performance of Winston De Original De Fosto Himself Scarboroughs In De Minor earned them first place with 277 points, maintaining their position at the top of the table from the semi-final round. Laventille Serenaders and Arima Golden Symphony tied for second with 274 points. Still basking in the glory of the bands first ever victory since competing in this category for the past six years, arranger Kion Robinson said, Most importantly, it feels really good to bring some hope to the community and youths. It was the first time we brought home victory and the feeling is great, Robinson said. Apart from Tobago Pan-Thers who placed sixth with 271 points, every other band shared their place with at least one other. Pan Trinbago President Keith Diaz said, It is the first time I have seen this happen. You know what caused that? When a judge is finished, he doesnt see the points anywhere, that is put in an envelope and sent to be scored. No judge sees no score sheet after he sends through the scores, so that is why you have ties. Nobody not rubbing off nothing and putting back on points. It is very professionally done. As all competitions tend to go, not everyone was pleased with the results. Petrotrin Siparia Deltones brought an entourage of over dozens of people that, in conjunction with the bands fiery performance of Leroy Black Stalin Callistes Bun Dem roused the passion of the crowd more than any other band. The audience groaned when it was announced that they tied with Tamana Pioneers for seventh place. The nuts man say we win, the police say we win, the spectators say we win, the gate man say we win, the sound man and all say we win, said a peeved band captain Akinola Sennon. Diaz congratulated Pan Groove on their win and said he was very proud of all the young players, arrangers, and pan tuners who prove that the future of the national instrument remains bright. Pan Trinbago demands more money People are only studying negatives coming out of pan and not the positives. I see they are spending money on crime but not on the development of steelbands in their communities. A lot of steelbands are having programmes to help young people which curbs crime in communities and they are not getting any help, but no discussion is being held with Pan Trinbago. They are putting millions of dollars in buying more police car and they wouldnt spend a cent in the development of steelbands in the country. But we like it so, Diaz said. One of the negatives coming out of pan in the lead up to Panorama 2017 were accusations that Pan Trinbago used money some of which were State funds to purchase luxury, high-end vehicles. The organisation was also accused of financial mismanagement after cheques pan players received for having played in Panorama 2016, were not honoured by the bank. To the allegations of buying vehicles with State money, Diaz said All I am saying is that we never ordered any two vehicles. He declined further comment saying the issue is before the courts. On claims of financial mismanagement, he said: I want to state very clearly, Pan Trinbago for the past few years has submitted audited financial statements to government. We have done so because through the years there are a lot of things happening that should be discussed at the level of the Minister but she dont want to listen to nothing we have to say. Diaz said line Minister (Community, Culture and the Arts) Nyan Gadsby Dolly has refused to meet with Pan Trinbago for six months despite numerous calls for a meeting. The last time she met with us was last August. This is 2017. This is not a communist country, this is a democratic country. You cant listen on one side and not listen to what other people have to say. If you feel something and you ask a question to hear from us, then you will be able to analyse, Diaz said. He added that Pan Trinbago wrote six letters to the Minister and received no response. He called for Government and the public not to pay attention to fake news on the internet and to give him and his organisation an opportunity to be heard. Remove this child Justice Nadia Kangaloo, presiding in the Hall of Justice, Port-of-Spain yesterday ordered the girl be placed in a licensed Community Residence, in accordance with the Childrens Authority Act of 2012. As there are no licensed Community Residences, the child will be housed at the Childrens Authority. Lawyers for the teen, Anand Ramlogan SC, Ganesh Saroop and Alvin Pariagsingh approached the courts with an emergency application for an administrative order to have the girl from the home. The teenager complained that after the High Court and Court of Appeal last year ordered that she be granted immediate access to her lawyers, she became the victim of extreme harassment at the home. She said was victimised, abused, ridiculed and became fearful for her safety and life. Her lawsuit contends that she is in great distress, and has become depressed because she dared to take her complaint to court. Unable to withstand the pressure, the girl ran away from the home and does not want to return as she fears she will be attacked for snitching on the home. In her claim before the court, the teenager provided the report of independent child psychologist Dr Natalie Humphrey who recommended that she be immediately removed from the home. I strongly recommend that (name withheld) be immediately removed from the custody, care and control of the St Marys Childrens Home and be placed in the care of some alternative suitably, qualified and competent institution, Humphrey said in her affidavit. The lawsuit also pointed out that the psychologist also confirmed that during her interview with the teenager, two staff members of the home interrupted and insisted they be present, contrary to the order of the Court of Appeal which granted the teenager access to her legal advisers. State attorney Josephina Baptiste appeared for the Attorney General while Sharlene Jaggernauth appeared for the Childrens Authority Riot in Port-of-Spain The crowd was entertained by the sounds of drums, steelpan music, and a production show about the origins of the festival. Minister of Community Development, Culture and the Arts, Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, said the crowd was much bigger than last year and she felt proud of the production. I enjoyed the production very much, Gadsby-Dolly said. I felt proud of the reaction of the large crowd. It was a little bit bigger than last year. I think the seating was a little bit organised so I am really glad to see how much people came out today. Before the scheduled 4am start of the re-enactment, people packed the bleachers to get a closer view while some cluttered the streets at the sides of the stage area to view the performance. Gadsby-Dolly said Canboulay is an important part of TTs cultural tourism product and is something which can be marketed for export as part of this countrys Carnival product. I think we do a lot for culture and there is always room for improvement. Tourism Minister Shamfa Cudjoe said it was her first Canboulay celebration and she was very excited about what she had seen. It reminds me very much of the Heritage Festival in Tobago, Cudjoe said. I am very pleased to see so many young people involved in the celebration. As you know, Carnival is the major tourist product for Trinidad and Tobago. I think this is something every tourist should have the opportunity to see and I actually feel this is something I should pay to see. We have come a long way in developing the culture and we have a long way to go as to how to monetise it and to make it trickle down to the communities. Port-of-Spain Mayor Joel Martinez was accompanied by soca artist Machel Machel. Martinez said the production was exciting and was a very nice production, I just realise that it was 1881 that this thing started and that means 135 years of Carnival and I think we have come a long way and this was a fantastic production this morning. I never expected to see so many people. Teenager missing Baptiste, a student of the Laventille Junior Life Centre was seen at her home by her aunt Whitney Durham before she disappeared. Baptiste was described as being five foot, two inches tall and brown in complexion. She also has a short hair cut that is dyed blue. She is of African descent. Anyone with information is asked to call 800-TIPS or the any police station. PHOENIX -- A man convicted of killing two people outside a party in 2013 did not get a fair trial because the judge would not let jurors consider his claim of self defense, the Arizona Court of Appeals ruled Friday. The judges said there was more than enough evidence to conclude that Antajuan S. Carson Jr. feared for his life when he shot and killed Stanford Bell, 18, and Javone Milne, 20, in the 7900 block of Senate Street in Tucson. Judge Michael Miller, writing for the unanimous court, said the record shows that Carson was being violently assaulted by a group of people before the shooting. But the appellate court was split on whether the same could be said about Carson's decision to shoot a third man, not identified in the court ruling, who was not involved in the assault and did not die. Miller and Judge Garye Vasquez said the evidence showed that this man was not involved in the assault on Carson. By contrast, Judge Peter Eckerstrom said the events that night were "fast moving'' and that Carson "could have reasonably perceived all those within his immediate vicinity to be assailants.'' The ruling, unless overturned by the Supreme Court, puts the Pima County Attorney's Office in the position of deciding whether to retry him on the two counts of second-degree murder which resulted in concurrent terms of 13 years in prison. Prosecutors said they are reviewing the ruling and will decide within a week or so what action to take next. Police reports and court records show about 50 people were attending a party at the house. Carson, who was attending, was carrying a gun. A confrontation between Carson and others that started in the house and eventually spilled into the front yard. The third victim testified that when he came out of the house he saw Carson on the ground surrounded by the same four men with whom he was arguing, including the two murder victims. At some point when the fighting let up, a witness said Carson pulled out his gun and "started shooting.'' Police found the bodies about one-and-a-half to two blocks apart, in opposite directions from the party house. Milne had been shot twice in the back; Bell had been shot once in the side of his chest and one in the bottom of his foot. Carson was apprehended about 10 days later in Detroit. Several eyewitnesses identified him as the shooter but several did not. He was convicted after the trial judge rebuffed his bid have jurors instructed on the elements of self-defense. That, Miller wrote in Friday's ruling, was a legal error. Miller said Arizona law permits use of physical force when a reasonable person would believe it is "immediately necessary to protect himself against the other's use or attempted use of unlawful physical force.'' More to the point, he said Arizona courts have ruled that a defendant is entitled to have a jury consider a claim if self-defense is there is "the slightest evidence'' that is the case. And once there is such evidence, it then becomes the burden of prosecutors to prove that the defendant's conduct was not justified. "The evidence showed that four men, including Milne and Bell, had surrounded Carson and were punching and kicking him while he was on the ground,'' Miller wrote. "Bell also had a knife on his person during the assault and another was found near his body,'' the judge continued. "Such a hostile demonstration could be reasonably regarded as placing Carson in imminent danger of sustaining great bodily harm or losing his life.'' Miller acknowledged that there is other evidence to show the shooting was not self defense, including that Milne was shot in the back and Bell was shot in the foot. Then there is the fact that the bodies were found some distance from the scene of the fight, in opposite directions. And Arizona courts have ruled that once a fight has stopped, an individual cannot pursue and kill merely because he once feared for his life. But Miller said that, based on witness testimony, the jury could find they were shot in relative close proximity and ran in different directions before dying. Musical send-off for Claudette Blackman Among those on the altar paying tribute in song was her grand daughter Nailah Blackman, a finalist in last nights International Soca Monarch competition at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain. Last Sunday, Claudette, who mothered 14 of Shorty Is many children, lost her long battle with ovarian cancer. Daughter Nehilet Blackman said their mother would have wanted it no other way since it was always mandatory at all family gatherings, the children sang. She loved singing and before Claudette passed away, Nehilet said her mother urged her to keep singing until she got old like Calypso Rose. So infectious was the music, that not even the officiating pastors on the altar could resist the beat of Jamoo music which was created by Shorty I in the Piparo forest where he had taken his family to live after leaving the world. The gospel ministers kept with the beat by nodding and tapping their feet. Reverend Mark David said it was the kind of send-off he had expected from the talented family. According to the children, their mother never lived in their fathers shadow but was his partner and co-wrote many of his songs. But it was calypsonian Luta (Morel Peters) who brought the church down when he aptly eulogised her with Jamoo Woman a song Luta had written in Claudettes honour back in 2001. Luta sang: Behind every successful man, there is a woman/ and on this occasion, a woman of substance/ when things get rough and things get tough/ she could leave saying enough is enough/instead she decide to stay right dey /hold on to the family and pray, everyday, everyday/Oh what a woman, she is, what a woman she is... His strong lyrics summed up the life of the woman who they said endured many challenges as the wife of the popular calypsonian Lord Shorty who was once described as the sexiest calypsonian. After his conversion, he changed his name to Ras Shorty I and, together with Claudette and the children, began a new life in rural Piparo. During the two-hour service, the church was told of a Claudette who was very forgiving in spite of her husbands infidelity and the number of children he fathered outside their marriage. Claudette was described as a strong woman and the glue that held the family and her marriage together. Following Ras Shorty Is death, Claudette and some members of the family moved out of Piparo. An emotional Winston Gypsy Peters said Claudette deserves an award. I think if they have to give an award for mothers of all time and wife of all wives, Claudette deserves it, the newly crowned National Extempo champion said between his tears. Gypsy admitted that life was never easy for Claudette. I know that people like myself and Shorty, when you have wives, it is a bit hard on them sometimes, its a bit hard on them. Also speaking was close family friend Steve Rabathally who broke down in tears as he recalled how Shorty, when he returned from Canada a broken man he told him he would teach his (Shorty) children to sing. Today I witnessed the fruits of his efforts and that of Claudette, he said. Not all of the siblings were able to attend their mothers funeral. Dr Joseph Abraham and his wife Pastor Teresa La Borde-Abraham delivered the sermon. Claudette was later laid to rest at Paradise Cemetery, San Fernando. Another crisis for NP stations Eight service stations reported fuel being delivered with contamination of water. This is a very serious issue with major implications. The Government-owned and operated National Petroleum Company Ltd (NP) appears to be at fault. Petroleum dealers are already suffering from a meagre profit margin because of the imposition of a punitive 200 percent increase in the Green Fund and Business Levy. Apart from this, these dealers also must contend with problems such as a lack of pump attendants, dilapidated service stations and competition from Unipet, a private entity. The Minister of Energy (anyone knows who that is now?) and Finance Minister Colm Imbert have ignored repeated calls from the Petroleum Dealers Association for a revision of the current slim profit margin. Now they may be held liable for damaging citizens vehicles because safety procedures and checks may have been ignored elsewhere. The trust of the motoring public in the ability of the Government to operate service industries like NP properly and effectively is being questioned seriously. This issue will have a further negative impact on operators and will create a crisis of confidence among the motoring public. It could well result in a switch to Unipet, resulting in the loss of jobs at NP. In addition, there is the real risk of several service station operators being forced out of business because of the inability to earn a profit in the face of growing operating costs. The dramatic rollback on the achievements of the previous administration and board of directors is extremely unsettling and typifies a Government that may be red but certainly not ready. The Government seems to have dropped the ball on this issue. On February 20 in the House of Representatives, in response to a direct question from the Opposition, the acting Minister of Energy was unable to provide any explanation for the contaminated fuel being sold at NP service stations. Not only is this a critical threat facing the service station industry, but it is also one that can have serious legal consequences for both State-owned NP and the Government. The independent retailers receive their supplies from NP and, therefore, being the end of the custody chain, are not culpable for any contaminated products. The Minister of Energy needs to immediately demand a full report from NP on this issue and ensure that all steps are taken to prevent any such reoccurrence. Neil Gosine former chairman National Petroleum Co Ltd East African Community is becoming an Economical and Political reality New Delhi, Sat, 25 Feb 2017 NI Wire The Vice President of India, M. Hamid Ansari has said that the East African Community is taking shape as an Economical and Political Community and many of our programmes and initiatives in the region will no longer be purely bilateral but will have to be adapted to work for the entire community. He was addressing the Media Onboard Air India One aircraft while returning back from a 5-day visit to Rwanda and Uganda, today. The Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Vijay Sampla and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. The Vice President said that there had been a gap in high level visits to both of these countries and this visit filled that gap. He further said that the level of discussions in both the countries were extremely warm and cordial, adding that his meetings went beyond pro-forma. The meeting with the President of Uganda was substantive and productive and reinforced our long standing ties, he said. The Vice President said that India's approach, as long standing friends, has been to give our African partners assistance in their developmental programmes in those areas where they want and it is them to convert that into specific requests. He further said that the broader issues of India's approach to cooperation with African Countries are well known and well appreciated. One issue of concern to both I diamond and Africa is scourge of terrorism and there was a total meeting of minds in condemning terrorism in all shapes and forms, he added. The Vice President said that the visit of Kigali Genocide Memorial was a tribute to the determination of the people of Rwanda and that he was glad that they were able to overcome that heart-rending disaster and re-build their country. Reacting to a question on trade imbalance, the Vice President said that there was trade imbalance with Uganda as India exports a lot of things to them and their export basket to India was presently limited. He further said that there are two ways to address this; one by increasing the products in their export basket and two; instead of exporting finished goods from India to Uganda, some Indian manufacturers could set up their manufacturing units in Uganda. Responding to a question on Parliamentary cooperation with both countries, the Vice President said that there is a need for having more Parliamentary interactions. He further said that a Parliamentary visit from Rwanda and Uganda will expose them to what is happening in India and witness our developmental programmes. Reacting to a question on India sustaining engagements with Africa, the Vice President said that it was a part of Government's policy and that the India-Africa summit and various other initiatives make this evident. He further said that the sheer size of Africa with 54 countries and one billion people, create enormous chances of cooperation and of sharing our experience and skills which are useful to them. Africa also has enormous resources which can be useful as India's development requirements come up, he added. Source: PIB Vidyut Jammwal- The Action Star Of This Generation Bollywood, Sat, 25 Feb 2017 NI Wire null We've all seen action packed Bollywood films with high octane and death-defying stunts that are executed by stunt doubles most of the times. But the only actor who is a trained martial artist since before he became an actor and does all his stunts is Vidyut Jammwal. His role models being Sylvester Stallone and Jackie Chan, Vidyut has paved his way as an action star without any Bollywood influences and roots. He doesn't follow a pattern in films or even stick to certain roles and habits. As he says himself, Out of the comfort zone is the comfort zone. Apart from being effortlessly sexy, fit and amazing at his job, Vidyut is an intelligent man who thinks women should not change their bodies to look good for anybody. Being quite the fitness fanatic, Vidyut thinks giving up certain foods to lose weight and getting fit is a myth. He also thinks to be disciplined in training doesn't mean to workout at 4 am, he thinks discipline is working out daily at whatever time possible. Inspiring millions with the kinds of stunts he executes and just being himself, Vidyut has become the action star of this generation. null Emma Watson looks like a real Disney Princess at London Premiere! hollywood, Sat, 25 Feb 2017 NI Wire Emma Watson and her Beauty and the Beast co-stars kicked off their worldwide promotional tour in Paris earlier in the week, amidst much fanfare and celebrations! The 26-year-old actress looked like a real-life Disney princess at Spencer House in London, wearing a bespoke, eco-conscious Emilia Wickstead dress. Joining her in all smiles and joy were Dan Stevens, Emma Thompson, Luke Evans, Sir Ian McKellen and more! The Hollywood Reporter predicted that the live-action movie musical could reach $120 million in its North American debut next month. The current record holder is Warner Bros.' Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice ($166.1 million). Beauty And The Beast release son 17th March Nick Herringer claps along with a metronome. He draws lines on a big screen, repeating patterns drawn by the computer. He identifies icons of cars when they flash before his eyes. This is the 22-year-olds speech and cognitive therapy, which he has been doing at least twice a week. Every wee Morocco urged the United Nations to take necessary measures to avert the serious violations of the ceasefire agreement by the Polisario in the southernmost tip of the Sahara. In a telephone conversation, King Mohammed VI drew the attention of the UN Secreatry General to the gravity of the recurrent incursions by the Polisario armed men in the Guergarat region and warned of the repercussions of such ceasefire violations on regional peace and security, said the Royal Office in a statement. The same source added that prior to Moroccos return to the African Union, the Algerian-backed separatists attempted in vain to stir instability and sap Moroccos legitimate ambition to regain its place within Africas institutional family. Morocco had on multiple occasions complained of the Polisario violations before the UNs mission in the Sahara, the MINURSO, the statement recalled. Last August, Morocco launched a security operation led by the police and customs authorities against smugglers who turned the area of Guergarat to a venue for engaging in all sorts of illegal cross-border commercial activities. Moroccos crackdown on smugglers came after reports of a potential trafficking by separatists of an arms cargo into the southern provinces where they intended to undermine public order. Hence the fury of the Polisario leaders who have been accused by several international reports of connivance with trafficking networks and terrorist organizations in the region as well as embezzling humanitarian aid. MINURSO was established in 1991 after a ceasefire ended a war that broke out in a Cold War context when Morocco retrieved the southern provinces from Spanish colonialism in 1975. A number of communist countries supported the separatist Polisario front, which has been using Algerian territories as a rear base for its guerilla warfare against Morocco. In 2007, Morocco put forward the autonomy initiative after the organization of a referendum proved to be unfeasible in view of disagreements over who is eligible to vote. Morocco offers the autonomy initiative, which has been internationally endorsed as a credible solution, as a basis for negotiations. The autonomy plan offers the Sahara exclusive powers with regards to managing local affairs within the framework of Moroccos sovereignty and territorial integrity. Morocco has officially requested membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), a sub-regional grouping that has been steadily forging ahead on path of regional economic integration. In the context of the Royal tour in Africa- notably in some west African countries- and following directives from King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco informed the President of Liberia, who takes the Presidency of the ECOWAS, of its willingness to join this regional grouping as a fully-fledged member, the Moroccan foreign ministry announced in a statement. This request is in conformity with the provisions of the ECOWAS founding treaty and meets the membership criteria, added the statement. Moroccos bid to join ECOWAS builds on close political, human, historical, religious and economic ties with West African countries, the statement said, noting that during the last few years King Mohammed VI paid 23 visits to 11 countries in the region. In his landmark speech on the occasion of Moroccos return to the African Union in Addis Ababa, King Mohammed VI expressed disappointment with the standoff in the Maghreb Union, which remains one of the least integrated regions in the world. He contrasted the state of paralysis in the Maghreb with the dynamism marking the integration efforts in the ECOWAS. Today, we regret to see that the Maghreb Union is the least integrated region in the African continent, if not in the whole world. Intra-regional trade has reached 10% between ECOWAS countries and 19% between SADC countries, while it is still stagnating at less than 3% between Maghreb countries, King Mohammed VI said in his speech before the AU member states attending the 28th African summit. The King deplored the stalemate plaguing integration between Maghreb countries and contrasted it with the freedom of movement prevailing in the ECOWAS. ECOWAS is offering a reliable space for free movement of persons, goods and capital, economic cooperation between Maghreb countries is at a low level, said the King. Before submitting the bid to join the ECOWAS, King Mohammed VI visited several countries in the region where Morocco is one of the largest investors. Recently Morocco gave further substance to its south-south cooperation approach in the continent and sealed an agreement with Nigeria to build the Africa Atlantic Pipeline. The pipeline will transport natural gas from gas-producing countries in west Africa to Europe and will benefit the whole of West Africa. The agreement was signed last December during a visit by King Mohammed VI to the Nigerian capital Abuja. The two countries sovereign wealth funds will jointly develop the pipeline to run about 4,000 km along the West African coast from Nigeria to Morocco on a route yet to be decided. Coastal ECOWAS countries that will benefit from this project include Benin, Togo, Ghana, Cote dIvoire, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania. Strengthening the friendship ties and economic partnership existing between Morocco and Cote dIvoire is on top of the agenda of the current visit King Mohammed VI is paying to Abidjan. Commenting on the visit, Ivoirian President Alassane Ouattara said the visit is a new sign of confidence and friendship towards his country. He expressed delight to welcome the Moroccan King for a new visit, underscoring that relations between the two countries are very close. This visit, the sovereigns 4th to Cote dIvoire in five years, will be marked by talks between the two African leaders and the signing of several cooperation agreements. The two Heads of State are expected to dedicate an emergency medicine training center at the University Hospital of Yopougon and visit a fishing project in Locodjoro, meant to upgrade traditional fishing and improve working conditions of small-scale fishermen. The King will also visit the Cocody Bay, rehabilitated in the context of bilateral cooperation. The Moroccan company Marchica Med has been entrusted in 2015 with working out a master plan for the safeguard and development of Cocody Bay, which was highly polluted and was suffering from repeated flooding and accelerated silting because of massive urbanization of the Gourou basin. This ambitious project was developed in close collaboration with the Ivoirians and financed by the Moroccan Attijariwafa Bank and its Ivoirian subsidiary. The joint project illustrates the partnership binding the two African countries, which share the same vision for African development As Abidjan was readying to welcome King Mohammed VI on Friday, the two countries business communities held their third forum to survey the progress of their partnership and explore new prospects for its expansion. Head of the Ivoirian Economic Impulse Group (EIG) Jean-Marie Ackah and President of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Morocco (CGEM), Miriem Bensaleh Chaqroun, have both described economic partnership between the two countries as excellent and exemplary. Since 2011, Morocco has considerably accelerated the pace of its investments in Cote dIvoire to top the list of foreign investors in the country. Morocco was outpaced by France in 2016, but is now coming back in the race, exploring new partnership and investment opportunities. And Moroccos economic offensive is not directed at Cote dIvoire only. Large Moroccan companies, both public and private, have set foot in several African countries, operating in the sectors of telecommunications, banking, insurance and reinsurance, real estate, cement and pharmaceutical industries, NIT, etc. Sunday's snow has ended in Flagstaff, to be followed by a sunny, warm Presidents Day on Monday and unseasonably warm weather through Wednesday. Highs in Flagstaff will range in the low to mid-50s through Wednesday -- about 5 to 15 degrees above normal -- before falling to 38 degrees Thursday as a strong cold front moves through the region. About two inches of snow fell at Flagstaff's Pulliam Airport over the weekend, nearly 4 inches in Munds Park and 8 inches on the North Rim of Grand Canyon. Streams in Yavapai and Gila counties are expected to crest Monday below flood stage after 1 to 2 inches of rain fell over the weekend, then subside Tuesday. Arizona Snowbowl and Arizona Nordic Village will be open for Presidents Day, but a dearth of snow at Wing Mountain and Flagstaff Snow Park have closed those facilities. Following is the latest National Weather Service forecast for Flagstaff: Washington's Birthday Partly sunny, with a high near 49. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 29. West wind 7 to 9 mph. Tuesday Sunny, with a high near 57. West wind 6 to 9 mph. Tuesday Night Partly cloudy, with a low around 36. Southwest wind 9 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Wednesday Mostly sunny, with a high near 53. Breezy, with a southwest wind 10 to 15 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 39 mph. Wednesday Night A slight chance of rain showers before 11pm, then a slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 29. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Thursday A 20 percent chance of snow showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 38. Thursday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 21. Friday Sunny, with a high near 41. Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 26. Saturday Sunny, with a high near 43. Saturday Night A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy. Sunday A chance of snow showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. 9:15 a.m. Sunday: Winter weather advisory still in effect through 5 p.m. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect today for the Mogollon Rim from the Flagstaff area southeast to the White Mountains. Expect periods of winter driving conditions above 6,000 feet due to icy, snow-packed roads or low visibility. Flagstaff received 2 inches of snow overnight at Pulliam Airport, and an additional 1 to 2 inches are in today's forecast. Munds Park reported 3.5 inches of snow and Prescott Valley received nearly an inch of rain. 6:15 p.m. Saturday: Snow up to 5 inches for Flagstaff through Sunday afternoon Periods of rain and snow are expected through Sunday. Snow levels will remain in the 7,000 to 7,500 foot range through mid evening today with mostly a rain snow mix in the Flagstaff area and little accumulation. Snow levels will drop to 6,000 to 6,500 feet by mid to late evening, with heavier snow and the best chance for significant accumulations continuing through Sunday afternoon. A flash flood watch continues through Sunday for areas below the Mogollon Rim, where between 1 and 2 inches of precipitation is expected from the storm. Skies will clear at midweek before another storm with light snow and colder weather arrives in the region Thursday. Snow accumulations: 1 to 6 inches of snow between 6,000 and 8,000 feet. 6 to 10 inches of snow above 8,000 feet and along certain south facing slopes of the Mogollon Rim. See details below or consult point specific forecasts at: weather.gov/flagstaff Snowfall forecast in inches: Doney Park 1 to 3 Flagstaff 3 to 5 Williams 1 to 3 Alpine 4 to 6 Forest Lakes 4 to 8 Heber-Overgaard 1 to 3 Pinetop-Lkside 3 to 5 Show Low 1 to 2 10 a.m. Saturday: Flash flood watch south of Mogollon Rim A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Yavapai and northern Gila counties, southwest of the Mogollon Rim, through 2 pm Sunday. The watch includes locations such as Congress, Sedona, Black Canyon City, Prescott, Payson, and the Tonto Basin. Localized flooding may occur in low-lying areas and near washes during the day on Saturday in association with periods of heavy rainfall. Though rainfall will decrease late in the weekend, expect the flow in most major streams such as Oak Creek, Wet and Dry Beaver Creek, the Verde River, and Tonto Creek to peak on Sunday. Following is the National Weather Service forecast for Flagstaff: Today Rain and snow likely before 11am, then rain. High near 40. Breezy, with a south wind 22 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tonight Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 11pm. Low around 30. South southeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Sunday Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 36. West southwest wind 13 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of snow showers before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 29. West wind 8 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Washington's Birthday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48. West southwest wind around 7 mph. 9 a.m. Friday: Snowfall totals hiked for storm moving into Flagstaff Saturday Snowfall of up to 5 inches could accumulate in Flagstaff by Sunday as a strong storm starts off with heavy rain in the region Saturday. The National Weather Service is predicting up to 2 inches of precipitation could fall in Yavapai, Gila and southern Coconino counties over the weekend, with an inch or more farther north. Snow levels on Saturday will remain above 7,500 feet Saturday before lowering to 6,500 feet Saturday night and Sunday morning, when Flagstaff could receive 2 to 5 inches of snow. Higher elevations will see heavier amounts. The Weather Service is warning of stream rises and possible flooding below the Mogollon Rim in heavy rain Saturday. Presidents Day on Monday will be sunny and unseasonably warm, with a high of 48 degrees in Flagstaff. Another storm front is due to arrive in Flagstaff late next week. Following is a detailed weekend Weather Service forecast for Flagstaff: Today Rain and snow showers likely before 11am, then a slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 45. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 17 to 22 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Tonight Rain and snow showers likely after 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy, with a south southwest wind 17 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Saturday Rain and snow likely before 11am, then rain. High near 40. Breezy, with a south wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Saturday Night Rain and snow, becoming all snow after 11pm. Low around 32. South southwest wind 9 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible. Sunday Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a high near 36. West southwest wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 3 inches possible. Sunday Night A 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly before 11pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible. Washington's Birthday Mostly sunny, with a high near 48 Thursday 6 p.m.: Light snow brings light snowplay for holiday weekend Light snowfall this weekend could cause disappointment for prospective sledders in Flagstaff. The National Weather Service projects just 1 to 3 inches of snow over the holiday weekend, with most of the accumulation in Flagstaff occurring on Sunday. It seems pretty possible on Friday and Saturday to see periods of rain and snow, but we expect those days to result in low amounts of accumulation, National Weather Service Meteorologist Robert Rickey said. The best chance for Flagstaff to see a couple of inches is on Sunday, but those projections could go up or down when the weekend arrives. Popular snowplay site Flagstaff Snow Park at Fort Tuthill will not be open this weekend due to a lack of snowfall. Wing Mountain was closed Thursday but the trails at Arizona Nordic Village were open. Arizona Snowbowl is expected to receive 9-15 inches of snow throughout the weekend; however, the ski and snowboarding area does not allow sledding and snowplay in the ski area. Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray said slope employees will be checking to make sure visitors do not bring sleds. On holidays and weekends we have staff at the bottom of Snowbowl Road screening all vehicle passengers, ensuring that only skiers and snowboarders are allowed to proceed to the ski area, Murray said. If we have available parking at midday we will allow tourist and sightseers but no sledders or snowplayers since there is no snowplay allowed at the ski area. Arizona Department of Transportation has not currently put up any road or snowplay advisory warnings. Please Donate In order to maintain this blog I have to pay for its upkeep including a hosting company, support services, virus and other malicious hackers. If you appreciate what I write please make a donation. Racist PayPal Tries to Close Down My Blog As you can see from this article PayPal have removed my blog. I would therefore ask people to make any future donations to the following: Name of Account: Brighton and Hove Unemployed Workers Centre Account No: 04094107 Sort Code: 09-01-50 Reference: Web donations Winter in New York City. Photo: Drew Angerer/Getty Images Unseasonably high temperatures continued to make February feel more like May on Friday, with new record highs seen across the Midwest and into the Northeast. All told there are more than 50 possible record highs today, CNN reports. Some cities are already there. Boston hit 72 today, its highest February temperature since record keeping began. Albany got up to 73, the highest winter temperature of all time in the capital. Further south, Youngstown hit 74, Cincinnati reached 77, and Louisville got up to 81, all of which set February records. Locally, JFK Airport set a record by pushing past 60 today and Newark got up to 74, also a record. Central Park reached a very nice 69 today, which was still six degrees below the 75 recorded there in 1985. Undoubtedly, there are many more cities across across New England, the Ohio Valley, and the Atlantic Coast shattering heat records today, as temperatures reached as much as 40 degrees above normal. Temperatures up to 40 degF (22 degC) above normal today across the East. The warmest February day for 100+ years (since records begin). pic.twitter.com/nBLfL1twg9 Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) February 24, 2017 Todays warm weather follows a trend that has seen February deliver above-average temperatures to nearly every part of the country, with only Maine and Washington registering below-average numbers. Since the start of the month, there have been more than 4,400 record highs set across the country. And record lows? A whole 29. Maine and Washington only states with any below-average (blue) temperatures for February. Rest of Lower 48 el fuego pic.twitter.com/JmXXrnUNt0 Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) February 23, 2017 If youre the worrying type who sees trees blossoming before March and begins feeling the creeping dread of melting polar ice caps, this weekend will provide some much needed relief. A cold front will sweep across the eastern part of the country this weekend before the springlike temperatures return next week, just in time for the start of March, or as we will soon refer to it, summer. The former Kentucky governor has a good story to tell about the success of Obamacare in his state. Democrats hope its good enough to satisfy their angry base. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images On Tuesday, February 28, Donald Trump will address a joint session of Congress. It is, functionally, a State of the Union Address, though by custom (and the wording of the constitutional mandate for this big speech) presidents dont give SOTUs immediately after taking office. So its a big deal, which all major and many minor media will cover live. Aside from its value to Trump and to the Republicans who will cheer him, the event offers Democrats an opportunity to show a unified and vigorous response. Who, then, will the donkey party, newly energized by a consensus favoring maximum opposition to the new GOP trifecta regime and its frightening leader, offer up to rally the troops? Elizabeth Warren? Bernie Sanders? Al Franken? Maybe a gubernatorial symbol of resistance like Jerry Brown? And if not a well-known political veteran perhaps a rising star like Kirsten Gillibrand or Cory Booker? How about even a baptism by fire for whomever wins the DNC chairmanship this weekend? Nope. The Democratic response will be given by former Kentucky governor Steve Beshear. Hes been out of office for over a year, and is a 72-year-old politician who first won public office during the Nixon administration. And far from having a reputation as a masterful stem-winding speaker, he once delivered an address in the middle of a reelection campaign at a site where red meat is the only thing ever on the menu, and instead did one of those tribute to our troops speeches more suited for a VFW conference. Choosing Beshear invokes a questionable tradition. Remember the last official Democratic response to a GOP presidential address? Me either. I had to look it up: It was delivered in 2008 by another Democratic governor, Kathleen Sebelius, and was later rated one of the five worst State of the Union responses ever. I did remember Tim Kaines snoozer of a response to George W. Bush two years earlier, which is one reason I described him as boring when he was chosen as Hillary Clintons running-mate last year (though I thought, erroneously it seems, that excitement was not what the ticket needed for victory). Sandwiched between these two gubernatorial efforts was Jim Webbs passionate response to W. in 2007, which strikes me as a pretty good template for the tone Democrats want right now. Like fellow centrists Kaine and Sebelius, Beshear has some credibility issues with progressives. In his case, its a retrograde defense of Kentuckys same-sex marriage ban just three months before the Supreme Court made it irrelevant (Beshear did adjust quickly, unlike certain other Kentuckians). There is, of course, a logic to Beshears selection, as explained by Matt Yglesias: The selection of former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear is a sign that Democrats are making a clear choice. Whatever it is that Trump talks about, they are going to talk about health care about how Republicans want to deregulate the insurance industry and jeopardize insurance that millions of people currently enjoy, while Democrats do not want to do that. Obamacare is enjoying an upsurge of support right now, and no matter what the erratic Trump decides to talk about, touting the success of Obamacare in Kentucky one of its brightest spots, even though the Bluegrass State is quite conservative and went easily for Trump is something that is relevant in almost any event. By talking about what the people of his state gained by fully complying with Obamacare, and what they could lose if Trump and his party ever get their act together to repeal it, Beshear is well-equipped to put Republicans on the spot and cast some doubt on the triumphalist gloating that will surely characterize the presidents address no matter where he ultimately veers. It is worth remembering, additionally, that a lot of the passionate rhetoric of resistance to Trump, especially at congressional town hall meetings, is precisely about GOP efforts to throw people off of their health insurance. But still, unless hes very loud and proud, Beshear could disappoint Democrats expecting righteous anger, not just good health-care policy and some telling anecdotes. I dont know what sort of thing would really infuriate Steve Beshear and put him in an appropriate mood to take on Trump. Maybe his handlers could tell him the 45th president has called his Kentucky Wildcats (Beshear has two degrees from the university, and was once student body president) losers. Donald Trump, Paul Ryan, and Mike Pence. Photo: Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call via AP The Republican Partys efforts to pass a huge tax cut are currently tied up in knots over whether the plan will include a border adjustment tax that would make imports more expensive relative to exports. Paul Ryan is attached to the idea. Business is deeply split. Nobody knows what Donald Trump thinks, or even if thinks is the applicable term to describe his position on the matter. Several weeks ago, Trump came out against the tax. (Anytime I hear border adjustment, I dont love it.) Yesterday, he made favorable noises about it. (It could lead to a lot more jobs in the United States.) This morning, his chief economic adviser, Gary Cohn, told reporters Trump does not favor the tax, and then this afternoon the White House disavowed Cohns comments. (There is no daylight between Gary Cohn and the President. His comment was taken out of context as it was part of a broader conversation about the proposals that are connected to border adjustability. At no point during this conversation did Gary make a statement of support or opposition to the House border adjustability plan.) The border adjustment tax is an incredibly complex idea that even well-informed economists have trouble wrapping their heads around, so the idea that Donald Trump has a position on it is a weird fiction that his fellow partisans are being forced to humor. In the meantime, even if the spinning wheel of Trumps position on the border adjustment tax lands on yes, the odds that such a plan can be passed into law are low. Republicans require near-unanimity to pass their tax plan, since they have only 52 Republican senators. A plan that deeply threatens certain businesses like Walmart, among others is either not going to pass or it will pass only if its filled with loopholes. If its filled with loopholes, its useless, since the reason Republicans like Ryan want it is to raise revenue that can be used to offset the lost revenue from cutting taxes for the rich. (I explain the dynamic here.) Ryans plan is to design a tax cut that can be scored as revenue-neutral after ten years, which would allow Republicans to make it permanent, rather than having it expire after a decade, like the Bush tax cuts did. But Ryans strategy is collapsing. It requires repealing Obamacare first to lower the baseline of tax revenue, and create a lower target to hit and then to include a border adjustment fee. Obamacare repeal is on life support, and the border adjustment fee is hardly in better shape. Stephen Moore and James Wallner from the Heritage Foundation propose an audacious strategy to get around this problem. They advise Republicans give up on the border tax and also give up on a revenue neutral plan. Revenue neutrality is a trap, they write. It requires that one mans tax cut be offset dollar-for-dollar by anothers tax increase. This is correct. Moore and Wallner then propose, fancifully, that Republicans get around the ten-year-sunset problem by enticing Democrats to support a gigantic tax cut for the rich. Our reading is that many Democrats understand the imperative of business tax cuts, they write. If the entire business community is unified behind this measure, this would be a very tough no vote for Senate Democrats, especially in Trump-carried states. In reality, the prospects of finding at least eight Senate Democrats to vote for a gigantic tax cut for the rich are essentially zero. Moore and Wallner concede that it might not work, in which case, Republicans could then just pass their big tax cut with 50 Senate votes and let it sunset after a decade. This is very likely where the party is going to land. In the meantime, theyre chewing up a lot of precious time and effort on a Plan A that stands little chance. Republicans continue to test the waters for the substantively complex and politically dangerous task of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act. Photo: Luke Sharrett/Getty Images It is not clear whether its a trial balloon, a diversionary gesture, or a sign of things to come, but Politico has gotten hold of a discussion draft of House provisions repealing (on a staggered timetable) and partially replacing Obamacare, a chore Congress must take on sooner rather than later as part of a budget plan put into motion a week before Donald Trump took office. Heres Politicos own summary of its find: The legislation would take down the foundation of Obamacare, including the unpopular individual mandate, subsidies based on peoples income, and all of the laws taxes. It would significantly roll back Medicaid spending and give states money to create high-risk pools for some people with preexisting conditions. Some elements would be effective right away; others not until 2020. The leaked draft was dated February 10, so it may have already been superseded. But it is more detailed than previous publicly available material on what Republicans were up to. Much of what is in the draft reflects immediate changes in the Affordable Care Act that have long been expected: substitution of an incentive for continuous coverage for Obamacares purchasing mandate, and money for states to set up high-risk pools to help the otherwise uninsurable. As Sarah Cliff points out in her take on the draft, theres a lot more money for high-risk pools, and steeper penalties for letting coverage lapse, than in past GOP schemes. A ban on the use of federal funds by abortion providers like Planned Parenthood would apparently take effect immediately, too. Many of the other provisions would be phased in or delayed until the beginning of 2020. Those include the elimination of Obamacares minimum benefit package; cancellation of the higher federal dollar match offered in the ACA for expanding Medicaid; and replacement of Obamacares means-tested purchasing subsidies with new tax credits ranging in value strictly based on age, which is treated as an acceptable indicator of health needs. Also repealed is Obamacares limits on insurance company price discrimination against old folks. So when its all phased in, older people not yet eligible for Medicare could face sharply higher premiums, but receive some tax subsidies not limited by their own incomes. The Medicaid provisions are very complicated, but it looks like states that expanded Medicaid under ACA will have until 2020 to keep their higher federal-match payments but then they are gone. And then all states will have to cope with a per capita cap on the total amount of dollars they receive from Washington for the Medicaid population. That big fiscal hit (bigger in the out years) will presumably be matched with flexibility for states to run Medicaid as they wish, with little or no guarantees of coverage for any specific individuals in other words, it will no longer be an entitlement. Another big feature of the draft is that Obamacares various taxes are repealed and then replaced with the long-standing GOP idea of limiting the tax deductions businesses receive for providing employee health insurance. Like Obamacares highly controversial and congressionally delayed Cadillac tax, the new provision would expose high-cost employer-sponsored premiums to taxation. When GOP presidential nominee John McCain proposed that in 2008, Barack Obama very effectively accused him of favoring a tax increase. The inclusion of this potentially toxic provision may help explain some of the plans omissions, too, like money for that perennial conservative favorite, Health Savings Accounts to cover routine medical expenses. It could be this draft was really aimed at testing the revenue, spending, and health-coverage consequences the Congressional Budget Office will deduce when the actual bill is sent to CBO for scoring. HSAs could be held back temporarily to address (at least theoretically) some big hole in coverage. Or maybe this draft is already ancient history. We will know soon enough, but in the meantime, its interesting to see all the loose talk about Obamacare repeal and replacement reflected in legislative language. Issa led the ultimately fruitless investigation into the Obama administrations response to the deadly 2012 attack on a U.S. facility in Benghazi, Libya. Photo: Mark Wilson/Getty Images Republican congressmember Darrell Issa is calling for a special prosecutor to investigate the possible connections between Trump officials and Russia. Appearing on HBOs Real Time With Bill Maher on Friday night, the California Republican said that it would be inappropriate for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to handle the investigation: You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine Jeff Sessions, who was on the [Trump] campaign and who is an appointee. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office to take not just to recuse. You cant just give it to your deputy. Thats another political appointee. Issa, the former chair of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, was also asked by Maher if he was going to let the Russia controversy slide, and the congressman insisted that he and his colleagues would not. Were going to ask the intelligence committees of the House and Senate to investigate within the special areas they oversee, he replied, though Issa did not go so far as to agree that Trump officials should be subpoenaed. Issa, who supported Trump during the presidential election, almost lost his November reelection bid in a district that voted overwhelmingly for Hillary Clinton. James OKeefe goes Hawaiian. Photo: Olivia Nuzzi Nigel Farage, Dog the Bounty Hunter, and James OKeefe walk onto a boat. But not just any boat. Specifically, the Spirit of Mount Vernon, a three-story monstrosity of casino-style carpeting and damp furniture floating in the Potomac River, just a few yards from the Gaylord International Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland. They were onboard Friday evening for the Breitbart luau, held in celebration of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference which, in 2017, is 44 years old. Hawaiian attire optional but encouraged, the invitation, decorated with an illustration of a dead pig branded with the Breitbart logo, read. Mahalo! The boat had been set to depart at 8 p.m. sharp but, due to an overwhelming number of invitees who expressed worry about being trapped on a boat for an extended period of time with the people who invented Milo Yiannopoulos, the plan changed. The boat would stay docked from 7:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., and all who entered would be given a lei of fuchsia flowers and be encouraged to purchase a tropical beverage made with blue curacao from the cash bar. CPAC is the most famous conservative confab in America. Ronald Reagan, its attendees are eager to inform, spoke here 13 times. And in recent years, its been the place where fringe right-wing figures were laundered into the mainstream: Its where Donald Trump gave his first major political speech, as well as a frequent stop for Ted Cruz, Sarah Palin, Ben Carson, Michele Bachmann, Mike Huckabee, Rand and Ron Paul, and virtually every other modern conservative politician youve ever heard of (hell, even the ones you havent heard of: Jim Gilmore was next to me at the bar here earlier). In the years leading up to a presidential election, CPAC is where the Republican primary field takes shape; its difficult to run without developing a name for yourself among the thousands of conservatives who spend between $150 and $5,000 to be here, and the strategists, pundits, and journalists who come to watch. But the speeches and panels about guns, abortion, and the stealth start of World War III (a real panel that took place this week, in two parts over two days; the conceit being that the war has begun but few people have noticed) are not the main event. The parties are, ranging from your standard D.C. cocktail fare to the utterly deranged. In previous years, there was former Texas congressman Steve Stockmans hot-tub party, or any number of parties at the Breitbart Embassy (the name for Steve Bannons townhouse) featuring live music and Louie Gohmert and countless frat-style hotel parties involving elaborate ice luges. The Breitbart party had always been the hottest ticket in town, with politicians, strategists, pundits, and reporters all vying to get an invite, or figure out how best to sneak in these guys did seem to be having the most fun, after all. But this year, the year that Breitbart achieved its ultimate electoral triumph, something was off. Although word around CPAC was that security would be tight, the crowd in the Spirit of Mount Vernon was so patchy that party crashers seemed a welcome presence. CPAC in 2017 was in some ways defined by Breitbart. It was Breitbart, not establishment conservatives, who supported Trump throughout the Republican primary, long before it seemed possible he could be president. In the main hallway, the website had a sedan-sized booth where its well-known writers, like the spherical Matthew Boyle, lingered and shook hands with readers. And Bannon, who departed the website to join the Trump administration as the presidents chief strategist, spoke on a panel with White House chief of staff Reince Priebus, an event moderated and granted legitimacy by Matt Schlapp, the president of the American Conservative Union, CPACs host. This was a departure from years past, when Breitbart was the scrappy outsider and it wasnt yet evident that the fringe right had any real power. In 2013 and 2014, Breitbart hosted off-site events called The Uninvited for those not welcome on the premises, like Ann Coulter, who was, it seems unbelievable now, deemed too controversial. I didnt like The Uninvited, Schlapp said, while introducing Bannon and Priebus onstage. Everybodys part of our conservative family. But like a family, not everyone gets along. With a controversial Republican in the White House, conservatism finds itself in the midst of an identity crisis. Establishment figures like Schlapp have been rendered irrelevant while Breitbart, with its newfound influence and staffers joining the administration, is attempting to mainstream itself by poaching from places like The Wall Street Journal. And the new fringe? Well, the big debate this week was whether its poster boy, Yiannopoulos, had in fact advocated for pederasty. The various CPAC parties on Friday night, then, were like a boozy tour through this perilous terrain. God has his hand on America, the land of plenty, Dog the Bounty Hunter told me, and nobody is getting in American leadership right now that Gods not allowing. He was standing in the back of the boat, leaning on an intricate wooden cane, his sunburned chest bursting through a shirt he barely attempted to button. His wife, Beth Chapman, a Hillary Clinton donor turned Trump supporter with a shockingly beautiful face, held court nearby. While Dog dispensed compliments to passersby (he told me I have bright eyes and ran his hands through Jezebel reporter Prachi Guptas hair), Beth attempted to convince a young woman working for Project Veritas, James OKeefes undercover video outfit, to investigate something. Earlier in the evening, the couple had hosted a cocktail hour in the Gaylords Chesapeake suite in honor of Milwaukee sheriff David Clarke, a Trump booster who some are attempting to draft for the Senate in 2018. Dog holds court. Photo: Olivia Nuzzi Not far away, Nigel Farage, the British populist politician who campaigned for Brexit, was dutifully posing for selfies and smoking a cigarette. OKeefe, meanwhile, sipped his blue cocktail and walked around the boat with his camera crew for what he said was a documentary. At one point, he agreed to pose for a photo wearing a lei and holding a pineapple. Was this the party everybody had been trying to crash all those years? Guests began to stream out early in search of the next fun thing. A number of members of what was described to me as the new right congregated in Shellys Back Room, a cigar bar on F Street back in D.C. There was the host, Mike Cernovich, a social-media personality who was instrumental in spreading rumors about Clintons failing health during the election, and Michael Flynn Jr., the conspiracy-minded son of recently departed National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Before long, OKeefe was at this party, too, sans herbaceous perennial. The scene here, Cernovich correctly assessed, was lit. Cernovich once proudly identified with the alt-right, but he said those days were over. The movement had been ruined, he complained, by neo-Nazis like Richard Spencer, who was kicked out of CPAC on Thursday. Richard and the alt-right can have their little sandbox, he said. Im new right its different. He sees himself in this group, he said, with Alex Jones, the conspiracy-theorist radio host and founder of Infowars; Paul Joseph Watson, the Infowars editor; Tucker Carlson, the Fox News host, a choice that might surprise some; and Yiannopoulos, whom he continues to believe in despite his recent controversy. He was almost in the majors, he said of Yiannopoulos, but hell be back in a year. These were not, he was careful to clarify, members of the alt-right. That group, he complained, only had his initial support due to a misunderstanding. I didnt realize it was, like, a white, ethno-nationalist thing, he said. They lost it with the Nazi salute. Asked if he would punch Spencer in the face, as some had taken to doing upon seeing him in public, Cernovich said no. Hes a cake boy, he explained. What did that mean? Soft like a cupcake. Donald Trump blocked CNN and the New York Times from attending a White House gaggle Friday. A gaggle is a variation on a scrum, reporters gathered in a gang to hear from a politician or someone else who has something to say. He shouldnt have done it. This is not because democracy will live or die because of it. But kicking out reporters you dont like is petty and, in the end, self-defeating. It does not, as some claim, stop anyone from questioning Trumps message. Related she needs to dress herself better Reply Thread Link Ally said that was edited and that in her actual audition the music continued to play. Randomish but Ally also said that Simon told them that Dinah was gonna make it as a soloist but was put in a band cause she forgot some lyrics to Stronger. Reply Parent Thread Link I'm confused with this group. Are they working on music together but also doing their own stuff or are they on hiatus? Reply Thread Link This comment encapsulates exactly why this group isn't going to make it. Reply Parent Thread Link because they're idiots Reply Parent Thread Link They've all been doing the solo hustle since Camila got OK to do it, but they are working on their 3rd album too. Reply Parent Thread Link Why are the girls doing all their own solo stuff? (Ally w/ this, Normani w/ DWTS, Lauren & Aoki) I've never heard of girl groups doing stuff like this in between albums dddd like are they over or not #whatisthetruth Reply Thread Link A lot of girl groups have, you just didn't really hear about it because social media wasn't a thing the last time there was a US girl group. Reply Parent Thread Link if i were a celeb i'd be sure to go to brazil and treat my fans there so well. they're a loyal fanbase. Reply Thread Link Wait what is she going to be singing? Reply Thread Link Lol she will always be irrelevant. Reply Thread Link it'd be nice if they do solos while also doing group music but they should confirm that that's the plan if it is. Reply Thread Link they confirmed in their kkkamila departure letter that they will stay together as 5h, release music as 5h, but work on solo stuff also Reply Parent Thread Link oh i forgot that was in the leter. ty. Reply Parent Thread Link I have so many questions. What is she going to sing? Is she going to have backup dancers to fill in the space around her? What is the point? Reply Thread Link is there like a Chrome extension where i can block posts (not just ONTD) about fifth harmony? Reply Thread Link I never heard of this festival but it's weird that she is going to headline it when she has 0 songs out. Reply Thread Link They all going solo Reply Thread Link This episode of Black Mirror is in at least the top three for me, I loved it. Reply Parent Thread Link really? this was my first ever episode of black mirror and i totally didn't understand why people liked it. all i had were questions about how they ended up in their world and why....and none of them were answered at all. it just didn't make any sense Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I didn't know why he looked familiar, now I do! Reply Parent Thread Link he was GREAT in this but I'll never be able to think of him as anything but Posh Kenneth lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Ugh this scene (this whole episode actually) was so good. Reply Parent Thread Link I knew him first as Posh Kenneth, then in Black Mirror, but ia he does a really good American accent! I can't rewatch 15 Million Merits too much because it's SUCH a downer :( Reply Parent Thread Link I'm so stoked for him to get the recognition he deserves. He's so great. Also I can't wait to see this movie like this is the first interesting horror movie to come out in ages Reply Thread Link i've been rooting for him for so LONG Reply Thread Link "If you think this, if this offends you, why does this offend you? If that offends you and a Black kid getting shot by police doesn't, something's not real" Ugh YES. I need to watch Get Out. Also hurrah to him joining Widows, that cast is shaping up so amazing between the women, him and Andre Holland Reply Thread Link omg noooo i was excited for you to see it Reply Parent Thread Link hes really cute Reply Thread Link i was watching a video review that made a good point about how white people like films about racism when it involves shit like slavery or overtly racist caricatures because they think they're "above" that type of racism so a film like this that shows a more insidious form of racism is gonna make white people who recognise that type of behaviour in themselves all kinds of upset which i am here for Reply Thread Link Ooh, do you have a link to this bb? Reply Parent Thread Link i do! i usually love this guy's reviews: https://youtu.be/16PdkaYKPUQ Reply Parent Thread Expand Link And shit like Hidden Figures (which was a great movie) but had some white saviour-y shit going on Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I knew you were talking about MovieBob, I was just watching his review a bit earlier. The film doesn't come out here until May and I don't normally watch horror, but I'll probably go see this. Hopefully I can stay spoiler free. Reply Parent Thread Link Sounds right. When racism is something else than lynching, it means you have to acknowledge shit. Reply Parent Thread Link Good point! That's a fun line to trot out on other movie forums... Reply Parent Thread Link Yeah and even then I still saw some white ppl get genuinely upset over 12 Years a Slave They're a trip Reply Parent Thread Link They shook Reply Parent Thread Link I'm lmao @ your icon Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Absolutely. Oftentimes things that triggers white guilt simultaneously trigger white anger. Reply Parent Thread Link Just got back from seeing it! Such a wild ride but honestly I was impressed at how well they balanced the dark comedy with the horror edge. The last 20 minutes were so intense but it all came together. Reply Thread Link the last 20 minutes were perfect. my entire theater was cheering/laughing/gasping in tandem at several points, lol. Reply Parent Thread Link Yesss, get those roles Daniel! Reply Thread Link Omg I loved him in Black Mirror and loved Get Out and I just realized he was posh Kenneth !!!! Reply Parent Thread Link he was the best thing about his black mirror episode. also - get out was so great! all of the positive reviews are well deserved. Reply Thread Link The fact that he even has to spell this out for clueless people is so frustrating. I'll see this tomorrow, and good for him. His episode of Black Mirror was one of my faves Reply Thread Link i need to see this Reply Thread Link Such a good, stand-out movie btw [ Spoiler (click to open) ] And now I really want to rewatch it so I can fully appreciate all the foreshadowing. The cop, the deer, their talk at the table outside and the grandma etc. I kind of suspected something about the girlfriend with the way she just seemed all too... fakely supportive idk how to word it. But damn, when he found those photos. Messed up! So many satisfying moments, the earplugs, breaking the teacup, TS-muthafuckin-A As another actor who was on Skins, I'm really hoping he makes it big like Dev Patel. He did a great job, and very nice to look at.Such a good, stand-out movie btw Reply Thread Link [ click ] i can't remember exactly what moment i pieced together the bit about the grandparents, but i figured that out before the actual reveal. our audience yelled out loud a few times. someone went "oooohhhhh shhhiiiiiiiiiiiiit" when he sees the pics, and someone shouted "noooo don't take them out!!!" after the earplugs lol. so many subtle things made perfect sense by the end. i really really loved it. Edited at 2017-02-25 04:54 pm (UTC) yes can't wait to rewatch. Reply Parent Thread Link His episode of black mirror seriously fucked with me. Reply Thread Link Me too. Reply Parent Thread Link - Oil traders saw more of the same this week with range bound flat price, strong brent and WTI spreads, weak gasoline spreads and option implied volatility at multi year lows. In terms of physical trading flows we also saw more impact from OPEC supply cuts as US crude exports increased by 200k bpd w/w to 1.2m bpd with trading groups moving American crude to Asia and Lat Am, US crude imports decreased to 7.3m bpd (lower by 2m bpd over the last two weeks) as OPEC allocations to US customers have been cut and mid-east tanker rates dropped on decreased OPEC demand for floating storage and shipments. The market has responded to this bullish progress by pushing deferred WTI and Brent spreads comfortably into backwardation while hedge funds have built record high net length positions in NYMEX WTI and ICE Brent. - While OPEC is making progress on reorganizing trade flows and moving time spreads into backwardation, two factors persist in keeping current rallies in check and moderating the potential for longer term flat price strength. In the near term, gasoline stocks in NY Harbor and Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp remain extremely bloated. Despite this weeks modest inventory draw gasoline stocks in the US mid Atlantic are higher y/y by 15% over the last four weeks. Gasoline stocks in ARA currently stand at a small y/y deficit, but are +24% y/y against their 5yr average. The oversupply continues to put pressure on RBOB structure with the m1-m2 spread trading 22 cents contango this week. On a longer horizon activity from US and Canadian producers continues to exceed expectations and dampen the prospects of longer term oil market strength. In the US, COT data shows producer/merchants holding their largest gross short position since 2007 at more than 750k contracts, the rig count is over 600 for the first time in 16 months and production is now over 9m bpd for the first time in 20 months. Further north, Canadian production has jumped from 3.7m bpd in October to 4m bpd in January and rigs have increased from 52 in December to 194 as of last week. - Looking forward we still expect WTI to move into a $56-$61 range in the near term as high levels of compliance with OPEC cuts accelerate US inventory draws in 2Q. We also expect to see some US-lead demand improvement in the coming months thinking gasoline consumption will reconnect with broadly positive US economic data. Despite their weekly volatility (which has shown some curiously bearish prints) on a YTD basis US refiner inputs are +1% y/y, gasoline consumption is flat y/y and distillate demand is +5% y/y. Gasoline, crude oil spreads tell different stories WTI spreads moved sharply higher this week with help from Cushings largest draw (1.5m bbls) since October. Heightened exports and decreased imports helped bring stocks in the hub to their lowest since November and WTI J17/K17 matched its highest print since October at -26 for a 50-cent rally over the last 6 weeks. Gasoline spreads, however, continued to trend negatively with H17/J17 trading 22 cents contango due to the glut of product in New York harbor. In diff markets OPEC cuts and news related to the WH border tax plan helped push the M17 arb lower -2.00. Not all product spreads trended negatively this week, however, and in Europe the prompt 1-month gasoil spread traded -2.25 on Friday to maintain a $1.25/t rally over the last month. Gasoil inventories in the ARA hub are bullishly -11% y/y. Prompt brent spreads were highly erratic with H17/J17 trading up to -5 cents for a 15-month high aggressive selling in cash markets and profit taking from trade groups sent the spread back to -35. Dated vs. Frontline Brent traded similarly corrected lower moving from a 6-month high of -46 on Wednesday to -71 on Friday. Related: Gasoline Glut Remains The Biggest Red Flag For Oil Markets US producer data continued to strengthen this week beginning with a modest increase in output to over 9m bpd for this first time since April 16. Production has increased more than 550k bpd since its low in July 16 and the gains dont appear to be at risk with producer/merchant gross shorts at a 10yr high of 756k contracts while the US rig count has jumped to a 16 month high at 597 and has nearly doubled since its low in May 16. In option markets we saw more producer hedging in Cal 18 on the $50 line this week for modest size. US producers still feeling the OPEC love Option values descend into the gutter The pain continued for option owners this week with implied vol for WTI J17 moving down to just 24% which was justified by a drop in realized volatility to 18.5%. The drop in both metrics has them printing at their lowest levels since 2014 with implied vol lower by about 4 vols on the month while realized vol is about lower by about 10 vols on the month. In terms of trading flows vol arb players have been content to wait for some sort of realized vol justification to begin buying options again rather than attempt to bottom-pick at the currently low levels. Funds resume buying spree, cut short positions Hedge funds were net buyers of NYMEX WTI and ICE Brent last week for the fourth time in the last five weeks. In NYMEX WTI funds were buyers of 12k contracts and also cut short positions by about 30% resulting in a net buy effort of 31k contracts. In ICE Brent funds also bought 12k contracts while selling 16k contracts. Combined net length between the two contracts has more than doubled since November jumping from 417k to more than 870k. COT data for refined products was less exciting last week and showed a modest increase in RBOB net length while net length in Heating Oil fell by about 9%. In ETF flows the USO saw net selling of $85 million for the week ended February 17th and has seen net outflows of $140 million YTD. EIA data takes bullish turn This weeks stats showed a much smaller than expected build in crude oil stocks while gasoline and distillates showed much larger than expected draws Moderating PADD III imports and elevated exports helped generate a 1.5m bbl draw in Cushing US crude stocks increased by 564k bbls w/w bring overall stocks to a 9% y/y surplus. PADD I inventories fell by 242k bbls and are +2% y/y, PADD II inventories added 73k bbls w.w and are flat y/y while PADD III stocks are higher y/y by 17% following a 887k bbl weekly build. Trade flows were critical to this weeks stronger than expected data beginning with record high crude exports of 1.2m bpd while imports dropped by 1.2m bpd. Together the two factors helped create a Cushing draw of 1.5m bbls which brought stocks in the hub to their lowest level since November at 63m bbls. (Click to enlarge) US refiner inputs fell sharply w/w and for mid February are at their lowest y/y level since 2014. Over the last four weeks inputs have averaged 15.6m bpd which is lower y/y by 0.1%. PADD I inputs continue to be the regional laggard with demand in the region -4% y/y. Refining margins were mixed this week with the WTI 321 crack moving to $17/bbl while RBOB/Brent for east coast refiners moved slightly lower to $17/bbl. In Europe, gasoil/brent yielded $11/bbl. Related: Statoil Sues Researcher For Allegedly Stealing Secret Frack Tech Refined product data was the true leader of this weeks EIA report beginning with a surprisingly bullish 2.6m bbl draw in gasoline stocks. Overall US gasoline stocks are now flat y/y but stocks in PADD IB remains +15% y/y despite a modest w/w draw in the region. PADD II inventories are flat y/y while PADD III stocks are lower y/y by 1%. Domestic gasoline demand and exports continued to look erratic with a sharp w/w jump and are flat y/y YTD in 2017. Distillate data was also surprisingly strong beginning with a 4.9m bbl draw. Overall distillate stocks are higher y/y by 2.7% over the last four weeks and PADD IB stocks remain bearishly high at a +7% y/y surplus. PADD II stocks are +4.5% y/y following a 295k bbl build this week and PADD III stocks are lower y/y by nearly 2% following a 2.1m bbl draw. Domestic distillate demand jumped sharply higher w/w bringing exports + domestic consumption to +5% y/y YTD for 2017. Meanwhile product data in Europe and Asia continues to look tight to us and re, ARA gasoil stocks fell by 117k mt w/w and are lower y/y by 11% over the last four weeks. Fuel oil stocks in the ARA hub had a modest w/w increase but look bullish at a y/y deficit of more than 30%. Further east, distillate inventories in Singapore jumped by nearly 2m bbls w/w but are lower y/y by 1%. By SCS Commodities Corp. More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: 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. The deadline to sign up for this free community event that is open to all is Nov. 16. Kennebunk Post "We need to invest in our kids," said resident Brenda Robinson. "That's how we keep graffiti out of Waterhouse Center and mischief out of the downtown on Saturday night." University of Nebraska Extension will be hosting twenty-four chemigation certification classes across Nebraska in March for applicators applying fertilizer or any pesticide product through an irrigation system. The Nebraska Chemical Act requires anyone that applies chemicals through an irrigation system, to attend a meeting and become certified. Certifications are good for four years. Applicators have an option to complete an online course and take the exam at a testing location or simply attend training, and pass the written exam. The training is for initial or recertification and there is no charge. Especially for new applicants, it is recommended to contact the host Extension Office to receive chemigation materials prior to coming to the class. If you need certification for the 2017 crop year, pre-register with the extension educator hosting the session you plan to attend by phone or using the following registration link: http://go.unl.edu/chemreg To pre-register for the Wilber, Bruning and Tecumseh locations, contact the University of Nebraska Extension office in Saline County at 402-821-2151 or http://go.unl.edu/chemreg You will be asked if you want to receive the training manual and calibration workbook to review prior to the training session. You can also find these materials online at the bottom of this website link at: http://go.unl.edu/chemigation For more information contact your local Extension Office or host educator in charge of the trainings. Locations in Southeast Nebraska include: March 6, 2017 1:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Bruning Opera House, 141 Main Street, Bruning, NE March 8, 2017 9:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, 204 South School Street, Wilber, NE March 10, 2017 9:00 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Nemaha NRD District Office Meeting Room, 62161 US Highway 136, Tecumseh, NE For other locations go to: https://go.unl.edu/chemtraining2017 Three prison inmates, including a man convicted of killing a Culbertson couple and dumping their dismembered remains in a southwestern Nebraska lake, died in the past week. Harold Nokes was 88 and serving two life sentences at the Nebraska State Penitentiary for killing Edwin and Wilma Hoyt in 1973 in Red Willow County. He admitted to killing the Hoyts and dumping their body parts into Harry Strunk Lake near Cambridge. It can be easy to allow the frequent Iranian diatribes against Israel to become cliche. Especially when headlines such as Irans Supreme Leader Backs Holy Intifada to Destroy Cancer Israel or Israel Is a Cancerous Tumor, Fake Nation appear so regularly in the news, as they did this week. This type of rhetoric from the Iranian regime has been used so often and for so long that we might be lulled into believing they are mere words. After all, after years of such hateful threats, Israel still exists. However, every so often, its good to remember: This is not just rhetoric: the Iranians really do believe what they say. This is not mere hyperbole; the regime does believe in the destruction of the Jewish state. It really does believe that Israel is a cancerous tumor that it must literally remove from the Middle East. It really does believe that Israel needs to be wiped off the map. The only reason this has not happened already is not because Tehran lacks the will, it only lacks the means. Here is what Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in the opening speech to the sixth international conference in support of the Palestinian intifada, an event that began on Tuesday in Tehran. Bear in mind that this isnt just a regular conference giving support to Palestinian statehood in some future peace deal with the Israelis, but rather a conference that specifically promotes the intifada, an unambiguously violent Palestinian uprising against the Jewish state, after which Israel would cease to exist. This isnt a peace conference, but a literal DEATH-TO- I SRAEL CONFERENCE , and one whose speakers included all the top brass in Iran, including its three most powerful men: moderate Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani, and the aforementioned supreme leader. Khamenei then called on all Muslims across the Middle East to refocus on Jerusalem as the unifying factor between them all. He also noted the international community is moving toward a confrontation with Israel. In concluding his speech, Khamenei called upon Allah to help those supporting the violent uprising against the Jews: I ask God the Benevolent to help all you succeed in serving the issue of Palestine as the most important issue in the world of Islam and as the pivot of unity for all Muslims and all liberated individuals in the world. Again, Jerusalem and the Jews are the real targets of the current Iranian regime. And given the dedicated majority support Khamenei receives at home, as well as the loyalty of the armed services, there will be no regime change any time soon in Tehran. This Islamic kingdom is marching across the Middle East and has its eye on taking Jerusalem from the Jews, whose nation was also prophesied in the Bible. This regime is dedicated to the cause described above by its leader. Even though its hard for Western minds to fathom, Iran really will not stop until it has conquered Jerusalem. It may shock readers to learn that the UN Human Rights Council has passed more anti-Israel resolutions than it has passed against all other countries combined? Take a look around at the rest of the world. The Syrian civil war has been raging since 2011 with close to 500,000 deaths by various estimates. Hizballah has built up an arsenal of 150,000 rockets in Southern Lebanon, which is in flagrant violations of UN resolution 1701 . ISIS is terrorizing and murdering people in the Middle East and is responsible for numerous terror attacks in Europe and elsewhere. North Korea continues its rogue behavior, with numerous provocative missile launches. Iran is a threat to the entire Middle East, especially Israel. It launches missiles with Israel must be wiped out painted on them. Its also the single largest state sponsor of terrorism. In perspective, these are but a few of the highly significant issues plaguing much of the world. Yet the UN seems to have a permanent case of tunnel vision when it comes to Israel. Keep in mind that Israel is a mere 8,000 square miles in size, or roughly the size of New Jersey. Its total population, including over 1 million Arabs, is just over 8,000,000. The Jewish population of Israel is approximately 6.5 million. Contrast that against the world population of 7.5 billion, Jewish Israel represents less than one tenth of one percent of the entire world. For example lets take a close look at most anti-Israel body within the organization -- the UN Human Rights Council. Since 2006 when the United Nations Commission on Human Rights changed its name to the United Nations Human Rights Council, it has passed no less than 60 resolutions against Israel. Thats a sustained average of almost one every other month during the past 10 years. In 2016 alone, no less than 20 were passed, including an Incredible 10 on a single day ! A total of four were passed against the rest of the world in 2016. This seems almost absurd, until you break down the UNHRC. There are 47 member nations that comprise the UNHRC. Keep in mind the focus of it is human rights. Yet look at some of its members -- China, Cuba, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Qatar, Burundi, Bangladesh, UAE, etc. Shouldnt members be beacons of protecting human rights? Yet these countries are some of its worst offenders. Back to the question of why the UNHRC has been so ardently anti-Israel for many years; once you understand how the UNHRC is structured with the Muslim nations in control, it becomes clear why they ignore many other obvious problematic areas, and devote so much attention to Israel. It sits smack dab in the heart of the Middle East, and has been a thorn in the side of the Arab Muslim world since the moment it was reborn in 1948. The existence of a sovereign Jewish state on land which most of the Muslim world considers holy, especially Jerusalem, represents a huge obstacle to their goal of liberating all of Israel in favor of Palestine. Keep in mind another body of the UN, UNESCO, is in the business of revising history by passing resolutions calling obvious Jewish holy sites such as the Cave of the Patriarchs, the Temple Mount, and the Western Wall Muslim holy sites. Recently the UN Security Council passed a resolution naming Israeli settlements as the main obstacle to peace. The United Nations as an organization is charged with upholding dignity and security for all the nations of the world. Yet, is it acting with equal vigilance enforcing these noble principle when it comes to Israel? The answer is a resounding no! Since the U.S. has a mere one vote in a small region of the UNHRC, it seems theres little hope for change in its obsession with condemning Israel. A vicious wave of anti-Semitism is hitting the United States Just since the first of the year, nearly 70 Jewish Community Centers (JCCs) have received bomb threats. Jewish cemeteries have been vandalized around the country in St. Louis alone in recent days, more than 100 headstones in a Jewish cemetery were destroyed. in a Jewish cemetery were destroyed. Anti-Semitic attacks on American college campuses have nearly doubled, according to ADL. Jewish, Christian and Muslim leaders are speaking out, as they should. So are the President , senior administration officials and Members of Congress, denouncing these attacks and calling for action to protect the Jewish people. Over the weekend, in a show of solidarity with the suffering of the Jewish people, Vice President Mike Pence a devout Evangelical Christian took his family and advisors to the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Today, 11 Jewish community centers received phoned-in bomb threats, reported the JCC Association of North America. This comes in the aftermath of three waves of bomb threats in January (Jan. 9, Jan. 18, and Jan. 31), resulting in, through today, 69 incidents at 54 JCCs in 27 states and one Canadian province in total , the JCCANA reported. Such hate-driven attacks against Jewish people (or Muslims, or Christians, or atheists or anyone else) are ugly and despicable. Lets be faithful in praying for them to stop, but lets also look for ways to take a stand against such hatred, and stand with and care for thos e who are suffering right now. Vice President Mike Pence assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work tirelessly on foreign and domestic issues important to the group, such as enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel, Pence told the group Friday night. The Republican administration is assessing whether to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, he said, and has put Iran on notice. Liberal protesters became enraged when a Louisiana town hall with Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy opened with a prayer earlier this week, screaming at the chaplain as he tried to lead the crowd in prayer. The protesters, who were there with a local chapter of anti-Trump group Indivisible, can be heard groaning and shouting as the chaplain says, In God we trust. One man can be heard saying, Pray on your own time! Others shouted incredulously, Prayer? Prayer? Video of the event, first reported by The Washington Free Beacon, reveals one woman shouting the name Lucifer while the chaplain invokes Gods name. Other, non-protesting attendees can be heard trying to shush the protesters. Protesters can be heard shouting about separation of church and state throughout the prayer. They became especially furious when the chaplain closed the prayer in Jesuss name. WASHINGTON D.C. -- Remember when conservatism meant deep thinkers and big ideas? Get over it. Today, conservatism means get your Miley (Cyrus) on and show us your tongue, shout Trump to the rafters, if you can pony up the privilege of "free speech," and young -- very young -- "love." Or so it would seem judging by this year's lead-up to the annual CPAC (Conservative Political Action Conference) that began here Wednesday. If young conservatives came looking for mentors and for values confirmation, they may have wasted their ticket. A variety of false starts and weird moments suggests that American conservatism is reinventing itself along lines that stray far from original intent. R.I.P., if you can, Bill Buckley. An ad on the CPAC webpage prominently features nouvelle conservative vamp Dana Loesch, a conservative radio host in Dallas and yet another protege of Breitbart News. In the photo, Loesch is doing her best imitation of the "Miley," tongue super-extended and is making the sign of the devil with her hand -- two middle fingers tucked into the palm, pinkie and pointer extended like two horns. Presumably, this is considered cool to a certain demographic, though Loesch, at 38, might be considered post-cool. Her message, if I may dare an interpretation: It's safe for the cool and hip to attend a convention dominated by gnarly grown-ups, although, fair warning, President Trump is also planning to attend. In another sign of conservative disruption, the speaker lineup is missing many of conservatism's most interesting voices. Sometimes getting a turn at the lectern depends on one's willingness to contribute to the CPAC's parent organization, the American Conservative Union (ACU). Oftentimes, sponsors want to speak and/or direct the agenda. Also necessary is one's ringing support of Trump. Those who entertain subversive thinking, also known as thinking, aren't invited. Finally, the straw that broke the elephant's back was CPAC's intended keynote speaker, Milo Yiannopoulos, or just Milo for ease of spelling. For the uninitiated, Milo is a provocateur infamous for saying anything. He makes Trump seem like a paragon of restraint by comparison. Think of him as a British hybrid of Howard Stern and Ann Coulter. His penchant for the outrageous backfired on him when a video from last year surfaced in which Milo praised sex between 13-year-old boys and adult men as "life-affirming" in the gay community. Ruminating on his own sexual prowess, he boasted that he wouldn't be nearly as good were it not for his own alleged childhood molestation at the hands of a Catholic priest. Milo denies that this constitutes pedophilia or pederasty. Did CPAC officialdom not know whom they were inviting? Milo's record is hardly obscure. He, too, was a Breitbart fellow. Are you noting a trend here? On Monday, Milo's CPAC invitation was rescinded following loud protests. Then on Tuesday, Milo resigned as tech editor for Breitbart News. His utterly bizarre selection fairly yawns with Republican irony. Recall that in 2015, the gay Log Cabin Republicans weren't allowed to participate in CPAC. Apparently eager to show that conservatives aren't anti-gay, this year the organization invited an alt-righter who happens to be gay. Matt Schlapp, CPAC organizer and ACU chair (as well as lobbyist and political commentator), defended the invitation, saying Milo could talk about his recent experience at the University of California at Berkeley, where he was canceled as a speaker following student protests. It seems no one outside of a comedy club wants to hear what Milo has to say. Yes, suppression of unwelcome speech and all the attendant snowflakery on college campuses deserves a passionate challenge, but there are plenty of others who could make the case for intellectual diversity without engaging the perverse. Clearly, Schlapp wanted a glitzy headliner to draw a crowd. This isn't a criminal offense, but it might be craven. This year's CPAC suggests a certain desperation to be relevant and the unwinding of core conservative principles, which can't be separated from the imperative to seek out and exercise our better angels. If the brilliance of your ideas won't draw a crowd, then maybe you need better ideas. Meanwhile, the ACU, the oldest conservative lobbying organization in the country, has betrayed the greats of conservative thought and tradition and become just another political party, trading its heraldic mission for money, fame and power. It's an old story -- still and always sad. Welcome Guest! You Are Here: The light bulb is truly one of the most important inventions that has ever been created. An invention that is taken for granted but has truly enhanced personal safety and lives by making it possible to light up everything from the smallest community to the largest city through all hours of the night. It also made it possible for people to work hours of their choosing or enjoy hobbies or favorite pastimes without regard to time of day. However, most people are not familiar with the long and interesting history behind this invention that we use every day. Lets take a look at the history of the light bulb, how the modern bulb came to be, and where it might be going. Although Thomas Edison was the most important figure in commercializing and popularizing the light bulb, he was not the first to create a light bulb. Dozens of inventors were working on the same concept around the same time Edison made his 1879 patent application. They, in turn, had been inspired by British inventor Humphry Davy, who invented a charcoal-based lamp in 1809. In 1878, a fellow Briton, Joseph Swan, held a public demonstration of an early incandescent light bulb. An incandescent light bulb, is one that generates light using a wire filament heated by electricity. Swan had been tinkering with the concept since 1850, but it was Edison who made it practical. By the time Thomas Edison came onto the scene, there were engineers hard at work on making a long-lasting incandescent bulb in Europe, the United Kingdom, and Canada perhaps other places, too! However, Edison was the one who conquered the biggest initial challenge of the light bulb: The discovery of a filament that would allow bulbs to burn over a long period of time. The secret was a carbonized filament made of bamboo, one of several thousand different materials Edison tested for the purpose. By 1880, the Edison Electric Light Company was born and the case for municipal electric utilities that could power light bulbs was being made. Although Edison had developed a light bulb that was commercially viable, there were no tools or techniques in his time that could address the next major problem: energy efficiency. Even to this very day, only about 10% of the electrical energy supplied to an incandescent bulb is converted into light, resulting in tremendous waste and unnecessary heat output. In the early 2000s, many countries around the world mandated a gradual phase-out of incandescent bulbs in favor of more efficient light sources. This pushed lighting companies to bring forth the compact fluorescent light (CFL). In these, an electrical current excites argon gas and mercury vapor, creating invisible ultraviolet rays that, in turn, interact with the bulbs phosphor coating to generate visible light. CFLs use about 75% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, but they are not the only efficient option. LED bulbs, which are becoming very popular, contain light-emitting diodes a kind of semiconductor that can be even more efficient than CFLs. Plus, new types of bulbs tend to burn much longer on average than incandescent bulbs. Just as in Edisons time, it seems likely that scientists and engineers will continue to work hard to find new and better ways to generate light using electrical principles. Whatever happens, the future is bright! Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Home Regional News East I was a bit disappointed when I realized the Nebraska 150 Express wasnt going to be an opportunity for regular Nebraskans to take a once-in-a-lifetime train trip across the state to celebrate the Sesquicentennial. I think that would be a great idea and could easily be a sold-out excursion. But no, it is to be a celebrity event featuring some state officials and assorted celebrities in a style reminiscent of the whistle-stop tours of the early 19th Century. Invitations have been sent to a select group of Nebraska native celebrities and notable figures, according to a news release from Governor Pete Ricketts office. The release says the individuals will disembark to give speeches, take photos, and/or sign autographs for audiences. Research indicates that a whistle-stop tour is a style of political campaigning where the politician makes a series of brief appearances or speeches at a number of small towns over a short period of time. Originally, such appearances were made from the open platform of an observation car or a private railroad car. The event is scheduled for August 4-6. Promoters say the train will start in Omaha and travel to Columbus, North Platte, Ogallala, Sidney, Gering, Kearney and Grand Island where each community will host a rally or festival to welcome the passengers. Theyll be traveling in cars pulled by a Union Pacific Streamliner locomotive. Yes, this will be a grand opportunity for each community to show off for the governor and his friends. No doubt there will be some really special events and Ricketts and his invitees will have a chance to be impressed by and perhaps impress folks in those cities. One has to wonder if the governor will take advantage of this throwback political activity to announce his 2018 re-election campaign. Or maybe hell dub this the Property Tax Express and continue his promise of lowering every Nebraskans property taxes. I cant see him letting this opportunity go to waste. I cant be too jealous of those folks who get to ride the train. One of the opportunities of being a first-year Baby Boomer is that I am old enough to have traveled across the state by train. I was five when my mother took my older sister and me from Gering to Chicago on the Union Pacific. I have vivid memories of the mailbags dangling from posts alongside the tracks where they were snagged by workers on the train. The same with occasional stops to pick up or drop off cream cans. My freshman year at the University of Nebraska started with an all-night train ride from Scottsbluff to Alliance to Lincoln. I repeated that trip several times, both ways, at holidays and once when the snow was so heavy that roads were closed. But the train was running. A lot of people dont get that experience any more. Yes, there are short excursion train rides offered in conjunction with festivals in some Nebraska communities and adults in Lincoln can ride the train at the Childrens Zoo as long as they have a child or grandchild with them. But train travel for the masses unless they are brave enough to try the loosely scheduled AMTRAK service that goes from Omaha to McCook and points beyond in either direction is a thing of the past. And thats a shame. Railroading has a grand history in Nebraska. My grandpa worked in the Havelock (Burlington) shops and at the Hastings (Burlington) round house. My father-in-law and two brothers-in-law worked for the Union Pacific. As a little girl, my wife used to ride the train from North Platte to Chapman to spend time with her grandma. When we lived in Illinois, she rode AMTRAK from Peoria to Lincoln to defend her masters thesis at the University of Nebraska. The Union Pacific main line has a rich history in Nebraska. In addition to the hanging mailbags I mentioned earlier, legend has it that there was another hanging attraction at Sidney. The gallows were right next to the tracks and often times the executed were left to hang until the next train came to town, apparently so anyone with criminal intent would know the city took its law enforcement seriously. Well pray that folks on the Nebraska 150 Express will be spared such a spectacle, but Im sure there will be other treats in store. Lets hope that the whistle-stop tour is a positive aspect of this 150th celebration and isnt politicized. Happy March 1 Birthday, Nebraska. The so-called two and 20 compensation structure for fund managers "borders on obscene," Buffett said on Monday in an interview on CNBC. He's referring to funds that typically charge a 2% management fee, and are entitled to 20% of profits once performance has hit a certain threshold."You don't get better when you charge a lot," Buffett told CNBC, adding that only a few managers have returned stellar profits for their clients. "When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients," Buffett said in his annual shareholder letter published on February 25. In his letter, Buffett said investors have wasted roughly $100 billion over the past decade in the search for superior performance. His contention is two-fold: active hedge fund managers' fees crimp returns for their clients, and the promise of outperformance falls short when stacked against the S&P 500. In fact, the Berkshire Hathaway chairman is on track to win a $1 million bet he made in 2008 with Protege Partners that the S&P 500 index would outperform a portfolio of funds of hedge funds. In the nine years since, the best-performing fund of funds has gained 62.8%, less than the 85.4% return that the S&P 500 index fund has earned. Buffett's position on this is somewhat paradoxical, since Berkshire's success is largely a result of Buffett and his team's ability to pick stocks. In the letter, Buffett said his favorite recommendation for investing is a low-cost S&P 500 index fund. He also said Jack Bogle, the Vanguard Group founder considered to be the father of indexing, has done the most for American investors. "I estimate that over the nine-year period roughly 60% gulp! of all gains achieved by the five funds-of-funds were diverted to the two levels of managers," Buffett said. "That was their misbegotten reward for accomplishing something far short of what their many hundreds of limited partners could have effortlessly and with virtually no cost achieved on their own." Buffett added that if passive investors in the index are destined to achieve average results, before accounting for costs, so too would active, more expensive managers. However, it's the group with the lower costs that will win in the end, and the side with higher costs would see a more substantial shortfall. He said, Over two days, the pair hammered away at the news media, touted economic nationalism, and decried the forces they said they believe are in favor of a global world order. Bannon, who was the head of Breitbart News an unabashedly pro-Trump outlet before joining the campaign in August, is widely viewed as the strategic brain behind Trump's populist message. Taking aim specifically at the media, Trump repeated his attack from a tweet last week that "the fake news media" is "the enemy of the people." "And they are," he said. "They are the enemy of the people. "They're very dishonest people," he added. "In fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people. The fake news. They dropped off the word 'fake.' And all of a sudden, the story became the media is the enemy. They take the word 'fake' out. And now I'm saying, 'Oh, no, this is no good.' But that's the way they are. So I'm not against the media, I'm not against the press. I don't mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories." He decried the use of anonymous sourcing, a stance on which his administration has doubled down as a tactic to sow doubt in reporting from major news organizations that has painted his White House in a negative light. Some of that reporting led to Trump asking Michael Flynn to resign as national security adviser last week. The White House also took issue with a Thursday report from CNN that relied on anonymous law-enforcement sources to paint a picture of a conversation between White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and a top FBI official. "They should put the name of the person," he said. "You will see stories dry up like you've never seen before. So you have no idea how bad it is, because if you are not part of the story and I put myself in your position sometimes because many of you, you're not part of the story. And if you're not part of the story, you know, then you sort of know if you are part of the story, you know what they're saying is true or not." Bannon repeatedly referred to the news media as "the opposition party" during his appearance alongside Priebus at CPAC Thursday. He said it's "always wrong" and addressed some of the stories of discord in the administration. "Just like they were dead wrong on the chaos of the campaign, and just like they were dead wrong in the chaos of the transition, they are absolutely dead wrong about what's going on today because we have a team that's just grinding it through on [what] President Donald Trump promised the American people," he said. "And the mainstream media better understand something: All of those promises are going to be implemented." Later in his interview with American Conservative Union President Matt Schlapp, Bannon said the critical coverage "makes sense" because news outlets are "corporatist, globalist media that are adamantly opposed adamantly opposed to an economic nationalist agenda like Donald Trump has." Trump repeated a similar claim in his Friday address after saying he loved the First Amendment, which includes freedom of the press. "But the First Amendment gives all of us it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives it to all Americans the right to speak our minds freely," he said. "It gives you the right and me the right to criticize fake news, and criticize it strongly. "And many of these groups are part of the large media corporations that have their own agenda, and it's not your agenda, and it's not the country's agenda it's their own agenda," he continued. "They have a professional obligation as members of the press to report honestly. But as you saw throughout the entire campaign and even now, the fake news doesn't tell the truth. Doesn't tell the truth. So just in finishing, I say it doesn't represent the people, it doesn't tell the never will represent the people, and we're going to do something about it because we have to go out and have to speak our minds, and we have to be honest." Bannon on Thursday said the Trump administration's agenda can be broken up into "three buckets": its economic-nationalist and trade-reform platform, a push for "national security and sovereignty," and the "deconstruction of the administrative state" a targeting of the federal regulatory system. All of that, he said, is the backbone of what he considers a "new political order" that is being formed. "The center core of what we believe, that we're a nation with an economy, not an economy just in some global marketplace with open borders, but we are a nation with a culture and a and a reason for being," he said. "And I think that is what unites us, and I think that is what is going to unite this movement going forward." Trump spoke on this point extensively in his Friday speech, touting his new immigration policies and withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement as proof that his agenda was coming to fruition. "I'm here today to tell you what this movement means for the future of the Republican Party and for the future of America," Trump said. "First we need to define what this great, great unprecedented movement is and what it actually represents. The core conviction of our movement is that we are a nation that put and will put its own citizens first." The crowd began chanting, "USA! USA! USA!" "For too long, we've traded away our jobs to other countries," he said. "So terrible. We've defended other nations' borders while leaving ours wide open, anybody can come in. ... We've spent trillions of dollars overseas while allowing our own infrastructure to fall into total disrepair and decay. In the Middle East, we've spent, as of four weeks ago, $6 trillion. Think of it. "Global cooperation, dealing with other countries, getting along with other countries is good. It's very important," he continued. "But there is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency, or a global flag. This is the United States of America that I'm representing. I'm not representing the globe. I'm representing your country." The chants continued: "USA! USA! USA!" McMaster delivered his remarks on Thursday, nearly one week after Trump appointed him, replacing Gen. Michael Flynn, who frequently echoed Trump's use of the controversial term. McMaster said "Muslims who commit terrorist acts are perverting their religion," The Times reported. He added that terrorists are fundamentally "un-Islamic." His speech indicated a softened tone compared to Flynn, a three-star Army general who resigned earlier this month after allegedly misleading Vice President Mike Pence about phone calls he had with Russia before the inauguration Trump has also used "radical Islamic terrorism" liberally before and after the election. Although the term draws ire from all sides of the political spectrum, scholars well-versed in its nuances also expressed their worries that the phrase could stigmatize Muslims or the religion of Islam. Why would you feel such a need to use this particular combination of words, when the vast majority of us agree that this is terrorism and that it should be stopped or countered, asked Shadi Hamid from the Brookings Institution in another New York Times report last year. Having used the term multiple times, even as recently as Friday morning at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Trump berated his former rival Hillary Clinton for her refusal to say the phrase during the presidential race. "These are radical Islamic terrorists and she won't even mention the word, and nor will President Obama," said Trump during a debate in October. "This is very much a repudiation of his new boss lexicon and worldview, said William McCants, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution in an interview with The Times. McMaster, like Obama, is someone who was in positions of leadership and thought the United States should not play into the jihadist propaganda that this is a religious war. McMaster is widely respected in the military for his many different qualities and has been called a "warrior-scholar," similar to Defense Secretary James Mattis. He's also no stranger to speaking up against leadership or openly expressing dissenting opinions. Most of its success has been built with a single product: soft leggings, which cost about $25. The company releases a limited number of leggings in unique patterns it distributes them through a network of "consultants" who sell to their friends at parties held in homes and customers seem to go nuts trying to get their hands on the latest styles. But in recent months, complaints about the quality of the leggings have started piling up. Women are sharing photos on social media of LuLaRoe leggings with large holes in the fabric or, in some cases, dozens of tiny holes and many say the damage appeared after the leggings were worn once or twice. There's a Facebook group with more than 1,400 members devoted to sharing stories about the damage, a guide for how to put the leggings on without tearing them being passed around, and even a theory about which leggings are more likely to wind up damaged. "These pants rip like wet toilet paper," said Valerie Williams, 35, of Syracuse, New York. Williams has bought five pairs of LuLaRoe leggings. She says two of them tore as soon as she put them on. "This must be a widespread issue," she told Business Insider. Maintaining quality is a challenge for any fast-growing brand, but for a company like LuLaRoe, the backlash is particularly serious because it is taking place in the same forums that helped create buzz for the leggings in the first place. LuLaRoe's customers say they're having a hard time returning the damaged goods because the company's sales consultants, who buy directly from the company at wholesale prices, are barriers. Some consultants, meanwhile, say they're saddled with the damaged merchandise. A LuLaRoe spokeswoman, Shana Frahm, said an internal audit showed that damages were 0.061% of shipped merchandise per month. She said this is well below the industry average. "As you know, we are a new brand, and we have been working diligently to ensure that our customer experience is highly satisfactory," she said. Frahm declined to answer questions about whether the company was aware of problems with holes in the leggings. But one LuLaRoe consultant said on Facebook in early February that the company was aware of the issue. "LuLaRoe is working super hard to reinvent the process a bit, to stop holes from happening yay!" Nichole Ramirez wrote on February 2. Advice for buyers LuLaRoe sellers are also widely sharing a diagram with tips on how to avoid holes, including advice like "Pull just a tad or you'll be sad!" Still, customers have complained through social media and the Better Business Bureau's website. "Second pair of LuLaRoe leggings to get a hole. ... Safe to say, I'm done wasting my money," one person wrote on Twitter on January 31. Another customer wrote on Facebook: "What am I doing wrong with LuLaRoe leggings? I hand wash them, basically treat them like newborn infants without a fully formed skull, and still only have 1 pair left without holes all over." On January 30, someone wrote in a review on the Better Business Bureau's website that three pairs of their leggings developed large holes within hours of putting them on. "In November I put on a brand new pair of leggings," they wrote. "By lunch the whole rear end had just disintegrated. "That ends my years long relationship with your consultants," they wrote. "No more Lula for me. Sick of paying twice what I should for clothes that disappear. THREE pairs in two months is three too many." The bureau's website has 170 reviews of LuLaRoe and 210 customer complaints, mostly about quality issues primarily holes in the leggings. On Facebook, more than 50 complaints in the last two weeks have cited holes in the leggings. On Twitter, more than 100 complaints since September refer specifically to holes. Vietnam connection? One theory among LuLaRoe customers is that the holes are more common with leggings that are manufactured in Vietnam as opposed to in China or other countries. In Facebook groups where LuLaRoe is sold, customers are inquiring about where the leggings are made before purchasing them, according to Williams, who is a member of many of these groups. There's no place to review LuLaRoe's products on its website because it doesn't sell any clothes on it. LuLaRoe sells products only through the consultants, which the company refers to as "independent retailers." The consultants many of whom are millennial moms buy the clothes at wholesale prices and then sell them at marked-up prices to friends in their living rooms and in online forums. The consultants can earn money not only from their direct sales, but also from the sales of a team of recruits. This strategy is called multilevel marketing, and it's also used by companies like Mary Kay, Beachbody, and The Pampered Chef. For some LuLaRoe customers, this setup has made it difficult to get refunds or credit for damaged goods. Customers have said in reviews that when they tried to get in touch with the company about damaged goods, either they couldn't get through to anyone or were told to contact their consultant. "The quality of the clothing is extremely poor!" one customer wrote on the Better Business Bureau website on January 13. "I have had several leggings arrive with holes OR disintegrate upon first wear. Wrote customer service who basically blew me off and told me to find a consultant to replace them." Some customers say their consultants won't do anything to replace the damage goods. Others say they can get only a credit or exchange, not a refund. "In regard to returns, our direction to our independent retailers is that we stand behind our product," Frahm said. "The retailers can take those damages back and replace or issue refunds, and in turn, we credit their accounts as well." She also highlighted LuLaRoe's limited control over how consultants conduct business. "With the independent nature of our retail structure, complaints to the BBB are sometimes regarding customer interactions with our independent retailers," she said. "We try not to interfere with how they run their businesses, aside from providing guidelines and internal policies to help shape great customer service and cultural transference." Sellers complain People who say they are current and former consultants have also complained that they can't get in touch with anyone at the company to resolve issues. "I'm a former [LuLaRoe] representative and am still waiting to be refunded for the damaged items I submitted on May 19," one person wrote on the Better Business Bureau website in late October. "It's been over five months since these damages were submitted and I'm still waiting for money. Very frustrating. ... Also very happy I stopped selling it." Another person who said they were a consultant said they also had trouble getting a response from the company. "I am still waiting on five backordered shirts they will not refund or send me," the person wrote in a review. "Then, when the products arrived, they would have holes, look worn, etc." One person who said they stopped selling LuLaRoe said in December that the company delayed refunding them for unsold products. "After some product would not sell we were given the option to send it back and pay a restocking fee," the reviewer wrote. "After following the process word for word on filling out the forms, paying money to UPS to send the product back, we have not received our refund or credit for that matter. You cannot talk to anyone on the phone and we have also sent numerous emails inquiring. Three weeks ago we were sent one email saying it would be process but that was it. ... As of right now we are out $1100 with no way of speaking to someone to try and resolve." Despite these seller complaints, some women say they are getting rich by selling LuLaRoe. As Business Insider reported last year, LuLaRoe's top sellers say they make six-figure salaries by selling the brand's clothes and managing teams of other sellers. Some have posted rave reviews on Glassdoor, a website where employees can anonymously review the companies they work for although the company has an overall rating of 2.5 stars out of five. "I have been a consultant for seven months and it has been life changing," one review says. "I didn't have two dimes to rub together and I am making more money in a month than I used to make in a year." As with most multilevel-marketing companies, employees' experiences appear to be wide-ranging, based on the success they have had in selling products. But achieving that success could be increasingly challenging if the company's quality issues erode brand loyalty. Williams says she isn't ready to give up LuLaRoe just yet, even after purchasing two pairs of leggings that ripped open on the first wear. This was at an award ceremony held in Accra to honour staff and stakeholders of the GRA. A citation presented to Newmont Ghana Gold Limited read: Your total contribution to total domestic tax Revenue in Ghana was very impressive across all tax types in the face of the economic hardship. In fact, your compliance level in the 2016 year of assessment was overwhelming. You were always on time in terms of payment of taxes and filing of returns. READ ALSO: Dangote is the highest taxpayer The GRA lauded the company for its tremendous contribution to national development over the years. Chief Financial Officer - Newmont Africa, Kwame Addo-Kufuor, said they will continue to play their expected role in Ghanas socio-economic development. We recognise our role as partners in Ghanas socio-economic development and its always a great pleasure to contribute our quota in that regard. We have collaborated over the years with our communities and other stakeholders to pursue this purpose and its great to know that our collective efforts are helping to increase the overall revenue of the country. In 2016, Newmont Ghana paid about $90M in taxes and royalties to the Government of Ghana through the GRA. The payments were made up of $13M in Withholding Tax, $18M in Pay As You Earn, $24M in Corporate Income Tax, $31M in Mineral Royalty and $4M in Forestry Levy. Since 2004, Newmont Ghana has invested more than $2.9 billion in the country, including over $970 million paid to the Government in taxes, royalties and other levies. Apart from these financial contributions, the company also supports the nations socio-economic development through employment opportunities and other social investments. Citizens United, or Citizens United v. FEC , is a 2010 case in which the Supreme Court struck down limits to independent political expenditures on First Amendment freedom of speech grounds. The ruling didn't affect lobbying activities and direct contributions to political parties and candidates that continue to be subject to regulation. It allowed individuals, corporations, and labor unions to spend what they wanted to enter the public debate about politics and policy that inevitably surrounds elections and their campaigns. It gave rise to what has become a household term - "super PAC".The decision led to a torrent of criticism, mainly from the left. The essence was Citizens United enhanced political inequality by amplifying the voices of corporations and the rich. President Obama said at the time "this ruling strikes at the heart of democracy. Indeed, the amount of such independent spending skyrocketed - "outside group" expenditures associated with presidential elections tripled from 2008 to 2012 - much of it advocating conservative-type policies and candidates. The presidential election saw an interesting decline, a "Trump effect," if you will. The First Amendment says nothing about equal speech, just that you can't prohibit it. The Constitution surely places a larger burden on the opponents of the decision than its supporters. But let's assume Citizens United poses a challenge to our democracy. Certain people and groups, by dint of their wealth, can make greater contributions to public debate than others. They join what John Adams called a "natural aristocracy," a class of people distinguished by their ability to influence others' votes - a class already populated by educators and media, which are dominated by the left.But it's critical to remember the behavior permitted by Citizens United - like other forms of salutary free speech - takes the form of persuasion, not coercion. It allows individuals to make a case to large numbers of people. There's no cost to rejecting the appeal. Surely political action designed to compel others to take a public position on a matter of policy or cast a vote for a particular candidate is considerably more harmful. Democracies should embrace advocacy but reject force.Yet force is everywhere in politics today much of it designed to exert economic pressure. Liberals across the country have organized efforts to make North Carolinians who support House Bill 2 change their views or face economic harm. Businesses connected with Trump are threatened if they don't disassociate from his administration. Those who ran Super Bowl ads implicitly critical of his agenda face reprisals from the other side. The aim is to punish and constrain freedom. Economic and political liberties are inextricable. As Milton Friedman noted, free commerce allows humans to enjoy social and financial gains from exchange without letting political differences get in the way. Using economics as a political tool leads us down the road to authoritarianism.Groups use intimidation in ways other than economic boycotts. The ostensible goal of the new left-wing anti-Trump "Indivisible" movement is to execute, like the Tea Party before it, a full-court press on members of Congress. But its greatest wish is to embarrass and harass non-conforming citizens - who we perhaps might call "deplorables" - into silence.The target isn't always people with whom they disagree. Such groups also attack their own. Those who reject orthodoxy become pariahs. Pro-life women were barred from the marches immediately following the Trump inauguration because the organizers, as self-proclaimed definers of female identity, believed they weren't "woman" enough. Alexis de Tocqueville warned Americans of such "tyranny" nearly 200 years ago. He saw a tendency to evangelize and bully. All of this seems fresh and particularly intense again. We are deeply divided, in a kind of political "war." For many who profess to embrace free speech, there's no longer room for broad and reasoned debate, for independence of thought.Although they constitute a naked effort to compel subjects to behave in a particular way, these kinds of politics are surely protected under the Constitution. Besides, in practice, how would effective regulation work? The left therefore turns gleefully to advocacy and the ability of its opponents to make their case - something conservatives must do directly because the media, education establishment, and other "privileged" citizens with state-funded or protected megaphones won't. Citizens' United facilitates broad public discussion of parties, candidates, and policies. But in the logic of the new left's morality, it's more harmful than efforts to force Americans how to think and act. The Nollywood movie producer was arrested alongside one Oyekan Ayomide, for defrauding some operatives of Bureau De Change of over N40.647m, between 2016 and February 2017. The justice who presided over the case at the Federal High Court in Lagos, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo granted Egbegbe bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties each in a sum of N2.5m. ALSO READ: Police confirms filmmaker tried stealing N10million Oguntoyibo ruled that Egbegbe should be released upon meeting the conditions for his bail. According to Punch, one of the sureties must be a civil servant who has attained level 16 and the other surety must be a land owner in any part of Lagos metropolis. The landowner is to submit Certificate of Ownership of the landed property, while the civil servant must submit his international passport to the court. The sureties are also to swear an affidavit while the house and office addresses and telephone number will be verified by the court. Egbegbe was remanded in prison custody pending completion of bail conditions. This is the second time in the last couple of months that the filmmaker has been arraigned in court over some form of fraud. Egbegbe was arrested for stealing 9 iPhone's from a shop in Computer Village back in November 2016 and was subsequently charged to court. ALSO READ: Seun Egbegbe speaks on alleged theft Egbegbe was later granted N1 million bail for his crime, after which he fled the country for Malaysia. The lady in a video posted on Facebook said in Twi that she has video evidence to back her allegations. KDeis accuser is demanding a new Range Rover Evoque from him to keep her mouth shut. From my investigations, Bisa Kdei went to Belgium and bonked his fellow musicians wife, she said in the video." She continued: I have evidence. Rosina, Bisa KDei came to Belgium and chewed you like khebab. [sic] I have all the evidence. When you were Snap-Chatting in the car and all. I have all the evidence. Bisa, your fellow artist who is still struggling to find his feet in the industry; because you have found your feet, you used your stardom to go bonk his wife in Belgium. I have evidence. Come and find a Range Rover Evoque for me to ride or you will hear of me. But in a swift response on Accra-based Happy FM, the Mansa hitmaker disputed the ladys claims. He said: The lady doesnt know what she is talking about. After my show in Belgium, I took photos with lots of fans and some chased me in the car I was in just to get selfies and get me on their snap. The lady she is talking about in the snap is a little girl and I dont even understand her. If she claims she has the videos she should have just put it out there and not come and say things she doesnt know anything about. Even I dont have a Range Rover and she wants me to buy her a Range. Im not going to compensate her, I am going to take her on. The people she saw in my Snap are people who chased me in the car to take the photos. I dont know this lady till I saw her in the video making the allegations. What she did is so annoying because I dont know where all her hostility is coming from. Im a humble person and I think she is trying to use my calmness against me. The Times newspaper reported that contraceptives could be concealed in chocolate spread and would reduce numbers by more than 90 percent from 3.5 million. The decline of the red squirrel population, which is now largely confined to parts of northern England, Scotland and Ireland and numbers around 140,000, has been an issue in Britain for many years. Grey squirrels, which are native to North America, were first introduced in Britain in the Victorian era but quickly gained the upper hand. The particular danger of grey squirrels is that they spread the squirrelpox virus, which does not affect them but quickly kills off red squirrels. Even heir to the throne Prince Charles, a well-known environmentalist, has taken up the cause with passion, heading up the Red Squirrel Survival Trust. The prince hosted a reception at his Clarence House residence on Monday for the United Kingdom Squirrel Accord, a grouping of woodland, timber industry and conservation organisations set up in 2014. "The Prince of Wales is committed to protecting the red squirrel across the UK and created the Squirrel Accord in order to address this issue," a spokeswoman for Clarence House said. "However, the grey squirrel fertility control research and its funding is not something the Prince of Wales or his charities are directly involved in," she said. Lekan, who faced a three-count charge of conspiracy, burglary and theft, admitted guilt and was promptly handed the jail term. The prosecutor, Insp. Olakunle Shonibare, had told the court that the convict and others, still at large, committed the crime on Feb. 2, at No. 39, Kinito Olugeshin St., Sabo in Abeokuta Shonibare explained that the accused, and his accomplices, broke into the compound of Mr Muhammed Umaru, the complainant, and stole his motorcycle with registration no OGUN WAD 785. According to the prosecutor, Umaru had parked the motorcycle inside his compound, when the accused and his accomplices came and stole it. Shonibare told the court that the accused person was an ex-convict, who was released on compassionate grounds in 2016. When the complainant was searching for his motorcycle, neighbours suspected the accused, because he was seen around the area with two men during the day. Based on that suspicion, the suspect was arrested and he confessed that two of his friends took the motorcycle to Lagos for sale. Shonibare said that the offences contravened Sections 410, 411, and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Ogun 2006. The accused, Afeez Olaiya, 23, and Rasheed Adetola, 23, who reside in Ajegunle area of Apapa, are facing a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing. They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. The prosecutor, Sgt. Olusegun Kokoye, told the court that the accused committed the offences on Jan. 19, at City of Hope Car Wash situated at No.72, Bale Aiyetoro St., Ajegunle, Apapa. He said that the duo stole the wristwatch from one Mr Tunji Makindes car while they were washing it. According to him, the complainant said he took his car to the car wash and left it with them for about 30 minutes. Makinde said that by the time he got back to the car wash, the accused persons had finished washing his car, so he decided to inspect it to see if they washed it well. The complainant said that when he checked inside the car, he noticed that his wristwatch was no longer there. Makinde alleged that when he confronted the car wash attendants about the missing wristwatch, they denied taking it. The complainant reported the case to the police and the duo were arrested for further questioning, Kokoye said. The offences contravened Sections 285 and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 285 prescribes a three-year jail term for stealing, while Section 409 stipulates two years imprisonment for conspiracy. The Magistrate, Mr M.A. Etti, admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum of N50,000 each, with one surety each in like sum. Etti said that the surety must be gainfully employed and also should show evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State Government. Omosexy who is an Ambassador for One in Africa visited the house to educate the housemates on giving the girl child equal education rights and she definitely left them inspired. In case you missed some of the interesting moments of Friday, February 24, 2017, check out five things that happened on the show. 1) The housemates had a brilliant discussion on empowering young girls in our communities following a visit from the One in Africa Ambassador, Omosexy, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her speech on giving young girls equal access to education. 2) Bisola and Jon had TBoss smitten with a duet that had her face splitting in two with a gorgeous smile. 3) Things get heated up between TBoss and Ese, as it seems TBoss has had enough of her 'classless and mannerless' behavior in the house. 4) TTT comes out ahead of the arena games once again, after his loss to Kemen last Friday and he chooses to share his reward with Ese. READ MORE: 22 suspects granted police enquiry bail He said: Pockets of security challenges in the form of robbery, petty selling, avoidable road clashes, communal clashes and recent upsurge in mob action still undermines our effort to provide safe environment for all. Jungle justice must not have a place in our society. I want to assure that those who perpetrate these act of lawlessness will be conceived and smoked out to face the full rigors of the law. My strategic direction will accelerate our quest to translate our vision of becoming a world class police service capable of delivering one democratic, protective and peaceful service up to the standard of international best practices." READ MORE: Nana Oye Lithur condemns mob justice on lady stripped naked The KNUST Police District Commander, DSP Boakye Ansah, told Kumasi-based Nhyira FM that one of the roommates of the deceased, who first spotted her, has been invited for interrogation. READ MORE: KNUST student commits suicide over exam results The student was the first to have spotted Adwoa Agyarkwa Anyimadu- Antwi hanging on a rope in their room on return from a lecture. According to the police, the student was stranded for a while because their room was locked although an official at the porters' lodge told her one of her colleagues had picked the key. The student used a different door key to open the door only to discover Ms Anyimadu's body dangling from the ceiling with a rope fastened to her neck. Ms Anyimadu is the first daughter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akim central constituency of the Ashanti region, Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi. READ ALSO: Ghanaian awarded CBE by the Queen of England The 18-year-old first-year student was found dead on Friday morning in her hostel room with a rope fastened to her neck and hanging from the ceiling. It is unclear what might have triggered the suicide but some students close to her say that she failed one of her courses and was scolded by her parents. She left a note behind which read am sorry to disappoint you mummy and daddy for not being the girl you want me to be. Her family has been informed about the incident. He said it is inimical for the police to tie its wellbeing to the fortune of the ruling party of the day because governments have term limits in a multi-party democracy. The president pledged to help the police carry out its duties without interference from the powers that be. The president made the comments when he participated in the annual West Africa Security Services Association (WASSA) get-together in Accra. It is in everybodys interest that the police service retains the neutrality and professionalism guaranteed under the constitution. Governments have term limits. In a multi-party democracy, parties win and lose power. It is good for the nation that this is so. And this why the police should not be made to tie their wellbeing or otherwise to the fortune of the ruling party of the day. As president, and together with the leadership of the police service, we will ensure that you are left to focus on you core mandate and not be an appendage of my government." I envisage a police service that goes about its duty of protecting the ordinary citizen, confidence that there that there will not be interference from the powers that be. Professor Edmund Delle, National Chairman and leader of the CPP, at a media press conference Friday recalled that: Traitors from the Ghana Police Force, the Ghana Armed Forces together with elements of the erstwhile United Party collaborated with their foreign paymasters; the CIA, MI6 and other intelligence agencies to derail and overthrow the Ghana project and subvert the Africa revolution which as lead by Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah. He added: On that tragic day, many patriots were killed by Kotoka, Afrifa, Harlley and their henchmen when they stormed the Flagstaff House in the absence of Osagyefo. With the betrayal of General Ocran, Major-General Bawa was murdered in the cold blood together with some of his guards and home employees at his residence by General Afrifa on the accounts of his daughter, Ms. Abiba Bawa. The CIA had cut communication lines which prevented the TUC from mobilising. The Presidents own guard detachments at the Shai Hills were stopped from intervening. Despite the heroic effort of Colonel Zanlerigu and others, the progressive forces had to give up the fight, to halt further bloodshed. On the day of the coup, Dr Nkurmah had travelled to Vietnam to join other world leaders to broker peace in the Vietnam War. Following coup, he sought refuge in Guinea until he died of cancer. Surrounded by other party executives and leading members of the party, Prof. Delle noted that the dark days the 1966 coup ushered still hangs our heads, even till this day. Real Industrialization, free quality universal education, mass infrastructure development, a progressive and dynamic planned economic development with ownership of our resources was stopped on the pretext that they were prestigious projects. Prof Delle also thanked Ghanaians, especially the youth, who voted for the party in the 2016 elections. He charged them never to stop believing in the party. You are the ones we will re-build the party with. Your true loyalty and continuous support to the CPP is well acknowledged. Very soon, we will be reaching out to you. This would be done in the shortest possible time. To the teaming YOUTHS out there, I say ayeeeekoooo! To the strong CPP WOMEN out there, I say thank you for your continuous support, he said. All his other colleagues on the Appointments Committee, apart from the Minority Leader, assert that the money he brought them is bribe, how can he turn round and take money from Hon. Agyarko who at his vetting described President Mahama as a corrupt person? he quizzed in an interview Accra-based Kasapa FM. But in a sharp rebuttal, the Ashanti Regional Chairman of the NDC, Yaw Owusu Bimpeh, said the Asawase Constituency MP will not relinquish his role as Minority Chief Whip over the alleged bribery scandal in Parliament. In a statement, Mr Bimpeh said calls for the resignation over a bribery allegation levelled by colleague MP for Bawku Central, Mr Ayariga against the leadership of the Appointments Committee of parliament and Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko are premature. He further added: In our urgent pursuit of party cohesion and reorganisation, we urge members to be circumspect in their public pronouncements on this sensitive subject matter. Also, we humbly encourage members to temporarily shelf or defer their public opinions until the committees findings are made public. This is to avoid possible irreparable damage that our less informed positions might cause one of our own. In the wake of the bribery allegation, Muntaka swore in Allahs name that he never took money to influence the NDC MPs on the Appointments Committee. But Mr Ayariga insisted that Muntaka offered him a bribe and his position has been corroborated by two other NDC MPs. READ MORE: Richard Quashigah fights minority leader imposition The president has separated Aviation Ministry and Railway Ministry from the Roads, Transport and Highway Ministry. He also created the Sanitation and Water Resources from the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources. It appears to me that because the President was in so much of a hurry he breached the rules, the laws of our countries in appointing ministers of state and especially the creation of ministries and realignment of ministries, Mr Quashigah said in parliament, quoting the Civil Service amendments act (2001). According to him, the act mandates the president to create a new ministry or designate a ministry through an Executive Instrument published in a gazette. But the Majority leader and Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu, pushed back against the criticism, insisting that there is an official publication to effect the creation and realignment of the said ministry. The MP for Asawase Constituency in the Ashanti Region said in parliament that since the xenophobic attacks of African nationals in South Africa two years ago, he resolved not to patronise South African products. The minority chief whip made the comments in Parliament Friday when the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, briefed parliament on the safety of Ghanaians in South Africa in Thursdays xenophobic attacks. Can all Africans avoid any product from South Africa as a way of showing them that we depend on each other? he quizzed. He continued: Since the xenophobic attacks in 2015, I have not bought anything in South Africa apart from the food and water that I drink and I said it in the Pan Africa parliament because that was my protest as an individual to show that Ill never go to their market to buy anything and I have stuck to that up to date. Mr Speaker, yes, we need to be diplomatic but the only way that a blind man can see that the eye of the sighted is really red is for him to give him/her a knock. I think the time has come for African people to unite around this and at least not to also violently attack their properties in our country and not to violently attack their citizens in our country but to boycott their products. If we begin to boycott any South African product, theyll begin to feel the heat and that will let them know that well not countenance this. Ms Botchwey told MPS that no Ghanaian national or their businesses have been affected by the recent attacks. Starting off by sharing a story of how a call from China informing her of HOT products being counterfeited almost sent her out cold she called on the federal government to help take a stand to protect against intellectual property theft. Launching an emotional video directed by Kemi Adetiba to address the issue of piracy in Nigeria featuring Tara Fela-Durotoye herself, Oke Maduewesi of Zaron Cosmetics, Nollywood actor and producer Funke Akindele-Bello, Temitayo Eyitayo of 24 Apparel, Uzo Uzeoke of Emzor Pharmaceuticals and Chude Jideonwo all stood as parts of the collective to take a stand. "I got a call from the founder of Zaron Cosmetics, Oke Maduewesi, she said Tara this is what I'm facing and I know you're facing the same as well and I think we should work together to address this issue because if we address it individually we may not make as much impact and the minute she said that I understood and agreed"; Tara Fela-Durotoye revealed how she got inspired to start off the campaign. Pulling all resources together, the collective initially launched a viral tease addressing this on social media with short videos before the campaign was launched. Stressing the need for the Federal Government to put stricter policies in place to protect indigenous brands Fela-Durotoye revealed piracy cuts across the music industry, movie industry, fashion industry, the pharmaceutical industry, food and beverage and so on. Hon. Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Hajiya Aisha Abubakar gave a keynote address where earlier a panel of experts and entrepreneurs including Music entrepreneur Obi Asika, Medical practitioner/seasoned dermatologist Dr Vivian Oputa, founder of Okada BooksOkechukwu Ofili, Product Manager at Flour Mills Babatunde Adenaike and lawyer Obafemi Agaba all spoke about the effects piracy has on businesses and human welfare with Oputa revealing the side effects of using counterfeited products on the skin. The campaign was formally launched with people charged to march against the scourge relentlessly till a policies are put in place. "[M]y view is that this actually does not create jobs," she said when asked about the proposal during an interview with CNBC's David Faber. " She added that she is working with Congress to make sure that this point of view is well understood. Her comments follow Trump's favorable comments about the proposal in an interview with Reuters on Thursday. "I certainly support a form of tax on the border," he added. "What is going to happen is companies are going to come back here, they're going to build their factories and they're going to create a lot of jobs and there's no tax." Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Since his election in November, Trump has largely maintained his hardline policies toward Mexico, with US-Mexico relations ever more strained as a result. The Mexican government is reportedly weighing economic and trade measures to counter Trump's aggressive posture. But should President Enrique Pena Nieto decide to strike back through other means, there are a number of avenues he could pursue. US cooperation with Mexico on security matters has played an important role in Mexico's efforts to fight crime. Plan Merida, enacted in 2008, has provided the Mexican government $2.5 billion in funding, as well as training and equipment like Black Hawk helicopters (Those resources are thought to have facilitated abuses as well). Mexico, however, has played an essential role in a number of initiatives vital to US interests. This includes not only drug interdiction and pursuit of organized-crime suspects, but intercepting and deporting the significant number of migrants from Central America who cross Mexico heading for the US. Mexico is unlikely to halt its own fight against drugs and crime, but it could reduce or halt cooperation with the US on these programs. Vigil stressed that friendships between Mexican and US officials may keep cooperation alive, but slights and insults from Trump may accumulate in the minds of Mexican security personnel until some have little motivation to act on tips or intelligence offered by the US. As Vigil explained: Amid Trump's looming crackdown on illegal immigration no matter its origin Mexican officials have identified the movement of people as an issue on which to counter the US's hardline toward Mexico, specifically on trade. Since 2014, the Mexican government at the urging of and with the assistance of the US government has stepped up its apprehension and deportation of migrants from Central America. By mid-2015, Mexico was deporting more of those migrants than the US. The 153,295 people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that Mexico stopped at its southern border in fiscal year 2016 were the second-most apprehended over the previous nine years. "Mexico should stop doing the United States' dirty work on our southern border and stopping Central American minors or refugees or people fleeing the violence in Central America from going to the United States," Castenada, the former foreign minister, told CNN this week. "If they want to go to the United States, let them go," he said. "We should just let them through." Though his time in office has been short, Trump's posture toward Mexico has inflamed much of the country. In a poll of Mexicans conducted in late January by Mexican newspaper El Economista, 81.2% of respondents said they had a "bad" opinion of Trump just one in 25 Mexicans said they had a good opinion of the US president. The personal, business, and political ties between the two countries are many, and some people in Mexico are quite worried about the strain on the relationship, but Mexicans among whom a sense of nationalism endures may not accept the status quo indefinitely. "I think that Mexico has been a good-faith partner to the United States up until the present, and Mexico needs the United States, and the United States needs Mexico," Shirk, who directs the Justice in Mexico program at USD, told Business Insider. An order to suppress drug evidence seized by a Tribal Highway Safety officer is being appealed to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Joshua James Cooley, 32, was charged in U.S. District Court with possession of meth with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Montana U.S. Attorneys based the charges on evidence seized by a Tribal Highway Safety officer on the Crow Indian Reservation. U.S. District Court Judge Susan Watters ordered the evidence suppressed after determining the tribal officer had exceeded his authority to investigate a non-Indian, according to the judge's order. The Montana U.S. Attorneys office has requested the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals review Watters' decision. At about 1 a.m. on Feb. 26, 2016, Cooley was parked on the side of U.S. Highway 212 within the Crow Reservation when the tribal officer stopped to ask if Cooley was all right. Cooley did not smell of alcohol and told the officer he was stopped because he had gotten tired while driving, according to the motion. This is common for that stretch of highway, according to the officer's experience. A child was present in the car with Cooley. Cooley rolled down the window of his pickup truck a few more inches at the officer's request. The officer saw two semiautomatic rifles in the car. Cooley was asked for his identification. As Cooley pulled out wads of cash from his pocket, the officer drew a pistol. The officer told Cooley to move his hands only at the officer's direction, the record states. The investigation concluded with Cooley and the child being placed in the back of the tribal officer's patrol car. A Bureau of Indian Affairs officer and a Big Horn County sheriff's deputy arrived and Cooley was arrested. The guns and meth found in the truck were seized by the tribal officer, according to Watters' order. U.S. Highway 212 is a public right of way that crosses the Crow Indian Reservation. While tribal officers have the authority to arrest and investigate non-Indians on tribal land, they do not have that authority on a public right of way, according to Watters' order to suppress. Tribal officers can detain non-Indians if it is apparent the person has broken a state or federal law. In the order to suppress, Watters wrote the tribal officer had gone out of the bounds of his authority in the investigation of Cooley. Cooley's case is on hold in Billings Federal Court as the appeal goes forward. He is being held at the Yellowstone County Detention Facility. "I was deeply disappointed to hear the White House Press Secretary's comments today regarding marijuana legalization by states like Washington," Bob Ferguson, Washington state's attorney general said in a statement on Thursday. "... I will also be very clear with AG Sessions that I will defend the will of Washington voters," Ferguson added. Spicer said in yesterday's press briefing that there will be greater enforcement" of federal marijuana laws. Marijuana is illegal at the federal level it's a Schedule 1 drug though a number of states have legalized and regulated it for both recreational and medical use, posing a conflict between state and federal laws. "My office will use every tool at our disposal to ensure that the federal government does not undermine Washington's successful, unified system for regulating recreational and medical marijuana," Ferguson added. Ferguson, and Washington Gov. Jay Inslee, wrote a letter to Attorney General Jeff Sessions earlier this month requesting that the DOJ "engage" with Washington and other states that have legalized marijuana before reviewing and changing the federal government's policies. The DOJ's policy towards state-regulated marijuana is governed by the "Cole Memorandum" implemented under the Obama Administration which stipulates that the DOJ place "low priority" on enforcing marijuana laws against businesses and organizations that comply with state laws. Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), called on the federal government to "respect the decisions of Oregon voters." " Nevada's Senate majority leader, The intervention was spearheaded by the secretary of state at the time, Hillary Clinton, who persuaded President Barack Obama, wary of war with yet another Muslim country, to join a NATO-led coalition in ousting Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. At the time of the Libyan intervention, Putin was Russia's prime minister, and Dmitry Medvedev, widely considered Putin's protege, was Russia's president with whom the Clinton-led State Department was attempting to "reset" relations. After Medvedev decided not to veto a US-backed UN Security Council resolution in favor of military intervention in Libya, Putin voiced his disagreement publicly, comparing the resolution to a "medieval call to the crusades." Putin saw the move as "a case study in Western intervention: stir up protests, give them rhetorical support and diplomatic cover, and, if that doesnt work, send in the fighter jets," according to The New Yorker. Several months later, Gaddafi was captured by Libyan rebels, dragged into the street, and killed. A video of the event circulated around the world, while Libya collapsed into chaos. In a now notorious reaction to news of Gaddafi's death, Clinton joked to a reporter, "We came, we saw, he died!" Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar has written that Putin saw the takedown of Gaddafi, who had negotiated with the West at various points throughout his rule, as a lesson for Russia. Thanks for signing up for our daily insight on the African economy. We bring you daily editor picks from the best Business Insider news content so you can stay updated on the latest topics and conversations on the African market, leaders, careers and lifestyle. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! And Iraqi forces in recent days have advanced on the western half of the city, the last part of Mosul still held by the terrorist group. A coalition of more than 60 countries, led by the US, has assisted the Iraqi government's efforts since the beginning of the Mosul campaign in October, targeting ISIS weaponry, equipment, and infrastructure across northern Iraq. In a January 9 strike, show below in footage released by the US Defense Department, an airstrike levels a building believed to be an ISIS headquarters near Mosul. The January 9 strike was one of 11 conducted in Iraq that day. A total of seven strikes took place near Mosul, targeting ISIS tactical units, fighting positions, ISIS-held buildings weapons, tunnels, and several vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices and a facility producing them. The terrorist group has relied heavily on VBIEDs through the fighting in Mosul, using them with deadly effectiveness in the cramped confines of the city's historic neighborhoods and narrow streets. Some 750,000 civilians are believed to still be in western Mosul, and tens of thousands have already fled the city amid the fighting. The Iraqi offensive against western Mosul started on Sunday, and government forces have since retaken several villages and desert areas near that section of the city. On Friday, Lt. Gen. Sami al-Aridhi, of the country's elite Counter-Terrorism Service, said his forces had captured a military base and village southwest of the city and had entered a residential neighborhood in western Mosul for the first time since the campaign started in October. While ISIS is expected to put up fierce resistance in the tight confines of western Mosul's ancient neighborhoods, coalition commanders have expressed optimism about how the fighting in the city will progress. But even if the city is quickly retaken, the fight with ISIS and its remnants will drag on elsewhere. Gen. Joseph Dunford, the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, has said he plans to develop a plan to address violent extremism "in the broadest sense" and speed up the fight against not only ISIS in Iraq and Syria but other groups, like Al Qaeda, as well. In other places in Iraq, the specter of ISIS has reappeared, as members of the group seep back into areas it once controlled, abetted by weak institutions and corrupt security forces. Clandestine ISIS members are not the only lingering threat. During the bombing campaign of the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, US aircraft deployed at least 116,000 kilograms of radioactive depleted-uranium ammunition. Logs released in 2013 showed that DU ammunition was used against cars, trucks, and many buildings. Since then, cancer-related illness has been common in the country, particularly in Fallujah, where the rate of children born with birth defects and the incidence of radiation-related illness was much higher than in Hiroshima and Nagasaki after 1945. The Cable reports that while the OAP was hosting a meet & greet for her best-selling memoir, "On Becoming" in London, after being asked to seize all promotions of the book by Ayida's lawyer, she was served the lawsuit. It is easy to deduce that Ayida's lawyer's, Carter-Ruck, a top UK firm that specializes in defamation and Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) of Pinheiro LP, representing him in Nigeria, made the move as Makinwa has continued to promote and sell her book. As earlier reported, Ayida revealed his intentions to take legal actions against his ex-wife over the content of her memoir which his lawyers described as containing defamatory words. According to them, On Becoming is an exaggerated fabrication. The Cable also reports that Ayida through his lawyers, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) of Pinheiro LP, initiated the proceedings on February 7 at the Lagos judicial division of the high court, Lagos state. The fitness guru is also reportedly suing the publishers of the book, Kachifo Limited. The legal documents also revealed that Ayida has asked the courts to donate the proceeds to four charities which will be nominated by him. Last weekend, Ayida told Saturday Beats, that Makinwa's memoir hurt his brand as people tend to believe what they read about you. Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Welcome to the Pulse Community! We will now be sending you a daily newsletter on news, entertainment and more. Also join us across all of our other channels - we love to be connected! Magistrate Bose Awosan, who gave the order, also refused to take the accuseds plea for innocence. Awosan said that this would make the accused to learn his lesson. The magistrate then adjourned the case till Feb 27, for hearing. Earlier, the prosecutor, Sgt Ona Glory, had told the court that the accused committed the offences on Feb. 12, 2017, around 1: p.m., at Ayanlere Compound Area, Modakeke in Ife North-East Local Government Area. Glory said that the accused was alleged to have forcefully entered into the apartments of Taofeek Oseni, Idiat Yofo and Ganiyat Oladejo with intent to commit felony. He added that the accused also stole N2, 605.00 from Oladejos apartment. Victims of sexual assault will no longer be able to get a forensic exam done at the Sidney Health Center. Sidney Health Center has told local advocacy organizations that the hospital's nurses will no longer perform sexual assault exams, said Helen Schmitt, program director at Richland County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The hospital will continue to treat victims for any injuries sustained during a sexual assault, but will then refer them to a nearby hospital for a forensic exam, Schmitt said. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are trained to gather evidence off a victim following a sexual assault. The evidence may include DNA, pictures of injuries and statements from the victim. The evidence may be used in court to identify possible assailants and corroborate a victim's statement. Representatives from Sidney Health Center said the hospital would not comment on its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program because of ongoing litigation. Both Glendive Health Center and CHI Mercy Medical Center in Williston, North Dakota have SANE services and are about an hour from Sidney. Victims, especially child victims, may go to Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, Schmitt said. Billings Clinic is also an option since flights out of Sidney to Billings are inexpensive, Schmitt said. Richland County Sheriff John Dynneson said his office will continue to seek out providers who will perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims. Resources are often limited in Eastern Montana, so it isn't unusual to have to find alternatives, Dynneson said. The Sidney Health Center is being sued by a Yellowstone County woman who said hospital staff refused to conduct a forensic examination for her after she was sexually assaulted in November 2015. The lawsuit, filed in Billings U.S. District Court, states that on Nov. 3, 2015, the woman was assaulted by unknown assailants in Sidney. The Sidney Police Department took the woman to the Sidney Health Center so a forensic examination could be done. At the time, the hospital had two trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners working at the hospital, according to the lawsuit. Hospital staff did not perform the exam, for unknown reasons, according to the lawsuit. A victim and witness advocate from the local prosecutors office was present. The womans sexual assault exam was performed at another hospital about 250 miles away. The woman is asking for undisclosed amount in damages, according to the lawsuit. The hospital filed a response to the woman on Feb. 14. The hospital confirmed the woman was taken there by police on Nov. 3, 2015. The hospital did employ two nurses trained in sexual assault examinations, but neither was available when the victim arrived, according to the response. Schmitt has never had a problem with the Sidney Health Center performing exams, she said. During the peak of the Bakken oil boom in 2012, Schmitt remembers the hospital going above and beyond to examine victims of sexual assault. She hopes the program will return to Sidney. While there were calls for the actress to return to her husband, every bit of hope that might ever happen has now been blown to bits by the actress bomb revelation yesterday, February 24, 2017. Youve probably seen that; but in case you missed this tiny detail, she referred to Oladunni as her ex-husband before proceeding to say that all the expensive gifts she once posted on her Instagram page were not bought by him and that he undefined and gave her numerous STIs. So thats that about that. No more Mr. and Mrs. Oladunni and Tonto Churchill. This separation brings many lessons to the fore; especially showing that filtered Instagram selfies and cute captions hardly tell the right story about marriages/relationships. And sadly, it seems to further validate the Yoruba demon theory. [I say 'sadly' because Im a guy, and as you can guess, Im Yoruba] Yoruba demon is an emerging pop-culture tag placed on men from South-western Nigeria. Men from this region are believed to be sweet-mouthed, not always good-looking but almost always regally-dressed, highly promiscuous, very irresponsible both to their women and their [numerous] kids and very concerned about their public image. Tontos revelation seems to have firmly placed Oladunni Churchill in this category. Apparently while we were out here thinking Mr. Churchill was living a blissful life with the actress, getting her numerous gifts and trying to use enjoyment to kill her, it appears baba was just steadily sharing STIs with her. This STI gist sounds quite logical, if you consider the fact that Oladunni Churchill was once rumoured to have a sidechick [a very important trait of a Yoruba demon]. The alleged chick is his secretary, Rose Meurer, who still appears to be working for him even at the time of publishing this piece. This might appear to be just one random, unconnected story that hardly proves or establishes anything about Yoruba demons, but you only need to look around you to know that this is not random. Evidence abounds in real life, accusations are unlimited online, the belief is continuously being strengthened, and the legend is spreading about the wind of disappointment and heartbreak sweeping across the nation by the male demons from the southwest. Even people in the abroad seem to have felt this demonic wave. If you need something else to convince you about Yoruba demons, recall the circumstances surrounding Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz separation in 2016. We only got to know after that Tiwas tell-all interview that her husband was living the charmed, baby boy life, getting a haircut twice a week but wasnt performing most of his marital responsibilities and was not providing for his son [another Yoruba demon trait] Of course, like Tontos ex-husband and many Yoruba demons, Teebillz was also accused of having a sidechick [remember Edible catering.] However, unlike in 2016 when both TeeBillz and Tiwa took turns to reveal their marriage secrets, Oladunni Churchill has not, at the time of publishing this story, responded to the damaging claims made by Tonto Dikeh. And just as opinions swiftly changed after Tiwa granted that emotional interview in response to TeeBillz ill-advised rant on Instagram, there is still a chance that Oladunnis version of events could put Tontos story in perspective, maybe even turn everything around. Whether or not Oladunni Churchill changes the narrative surrounding his failed marriage though, one gets the feeling that too many hearts have been broken by agbada-wearing men and the legend of Yoruba demons has spread too far for these opinions about Yoruba men to change now or ever. The Information Officer of the council, Alhaji Ali Safiyanu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Dutse. He said the council had received enough doses of Oral Polio Vaccines (OPVs) to cover the targeted number of children during the five-day exercise. The spokesperson added that 250 ad-hoc staff would be engaged to conduct the exercise in the area. Lawal made the call in Owerri on Friday, at the 5th convocation of Imo State Polytechnic, Umuaghor. Lawal said the current administration was working round the clock to fix the economy. He asked for patience on the part of citizens. He said the president inherited a parlous economy from the past regime of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP. Lawal who was conferred with the award of Fellow of the Polytechnic, said Buharis administration has recorded huge success. We have laid a solid foundation for the future and everybody must be ready to move the nation further. We have recovered billions of naira through the anti-corruption fight of the present administration, he said. According to the SGF, Nigerias economy should have been one of the strongest in the world, but blamed bad leadership and corruption for the setback. Corruption has eaten deep into our system, especially in the education and health care delivery, he said. He said if the economy must be revived as quickly as the public wants it to be, everybody must play a role toward the achievement of the goal. Nigerians have no option than to support us through our whistleblower policy to expose all corrupt leaders and public servants, he said. Lawal said youths of the country will soon smile as the Buhari administration has made provisions for them. The 2017 budget will settle some of these challenges because more money was allocated to capital development which will help in job creation, he said. While commending the management of Imo Poly for honouring him with the fellowship award, he also commended Gov. Rochas Okorocha on his achievements in the state. Gov. Rochas Okorocha said this is not the appropriate time for Nigerians to blame the central government for the economic crisis of the country. On the contrary, he urged Nigerians to think of how they could contribute to the growth of the economy. What we are facing today is a problem caused by our leaders and it is good that those who caused the problems are still facing the wrath of the problem they caused. President Buhari is a God send and we should all support him now that he is with us because there are just few Nigerians like him, he said. According to the governor, agriculture still remains the solution to Nigerias problem. I tell all of you graduands today that there is no vacancy anywhere in the ministry, but there are vacancies in the agricultural sector. So the youths should go back to agriculture, he said. "Spoke with PMB a short while ago. Glad to hear his voice. Told me he was resting, but no cause for worry. Said I should greet my family," he tweeted. The President's aide also disclosed that Buhari thanked him for holding out against mischief makers in the country. "Thanks for holding out against mischief makers, PMB tells me during a phone call today. Said he would call again soon. Gave him best wishes," he wrote. Dogara expressed his pleasure when donors pledged $672 to tackle food crisis in the north east for the next three years. With the return of about one million internally displaced people since August 2015 and refugee returnees from neighbouring countries under way in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, the need to ensure their protection and access to them by aid agencies is critical. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) co-presented with the Federal Government led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Geoffrey Onyeama, a paper in Oslo on Friday outlining a vision for ensuring protection, access and lasting solutions for them, a UN statement said on Friday. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region was organized by Norway jointly with Nigeria, Germany and the UN. The two strategies of protection and solutions should go hand in hand. To do this we need access and this is a very big challenge, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, said at the conference. The paper also noted that many protection issues in areas of displacement and potential return can contribute to violence and instability, and advocated for prioritizing measures to ensure physical security, freedom of movement and humanitarian access. The document also proposed strengthened response to sexual and gender-based violence as well as protection of children from violence exploitation and abuse. The donors forum also agreed on the need to address longer-term development requirements and to seek durable solutions for the crisis-hit countries in the vast region covering Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. According to UN estimates, about 17 million people are living in the most affected areas across the four countries. The leader of the team, ACP Abba Kyari, confirmed the arrest to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday. NAN recalls that some gunmen had on Jan. 13 invaded the NTIS, abducting five students and three teachers. The victims had since regained their freedom, with some of the suspects arrested. Kyari said that the latest suspect arrested, who is part of an eight-man kidnapping gang, also participated in the abduction of the Secretary of the Isheri Estate GRA Landlords Association in Lagos State. On Feb. 23, sequel to the arrest of seven Turkish School and Isheri kidnappers by our men in Ogun, Lagos, Ondo and Delta states, another key member of the group, Peter Ajanapo, 32, a.k.a. General Osari, was arrested. The suspect, a native of Afiesere town, Ughelli North LGA of Delta, was arrested by IRT operatives in Ughelli. He was arrested with the aid of Technical Intelligence Support from the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU), based in Delta. The suspect confessed to the Turkish School girls and Isheri secretary kidnappings. He claimed he got N2m and N150, 000 respectively from the two operations, Kyari said. The ACP said that the suspect also confessed to have used his share of the ransoms to rent and furnish an apartment in Ughelli town. He added that the suspect was subsequently granted bail on the condition that he would pack out from the community immediately. He, however, relocated to a hotel where we arrested him for participating in kidnappings in Lagos and Ogun, he said. The clear aim, it seems, is to give the impression of business as usual while President Muhammadu Buhari is nearly 5,000 kilometres (3,000 miles) away in London on medical leave. The government appears keen to avoid the impression of a political vacuum, as happened in 2010 when president Umaru YarAdua fell ill and later died while being treated abroad. His consensual style and short stature have stood in marked contrast to the rangy Buhari, an uncompromising former army general who headed a military government in the 1980s. The vice-president has toured the oil-rich Niger delta something Buhari has yet to do and held talks to end militant attacks that have wreaked havoc on the oil and gas infrastructure. He has met ambassadors and delegations, and chaired cabinet meetings in Abuja with an ease, professionalism and visibility. Even the unannounced visit to Murtala Muhammed International Airport on Thursday was a media event. But in it, he stressed an important point, given the parlous state of Nigerias economy. There was a need to ensure that facilities are working and that things are being run properly, he said in a statement, which noted the need to fix lifts and faulty baggage carousels. First impressions counted if Nigeria was to attract foreign firms, added Osinbajo, a trained lawyer and former university professor, who is also a pentecostal church pastor. Policy decisions Buhari and his government have seen Nigerias economy nose-dive since they came to power in May 2015, on the back of a slump in global oil prices. The country has been in recession since August. But there are indications the weakened naira currency could be showing small signs of recovery after the central bank this week moved to ease some foreign exchange restrictions. In the last few days, the naira has strengthened to about 480 to the US dollar on the black market after being 520 or higher in recent weeks. Fitchs BMI Research said the policy could be a precursor to a more meaningful move in the exchange rate given the yawning gulf between parallel rates and the official inter-bank rate of 305. That could pave the way for a further devaluation which Buhari has likened to murder to encourage wary investors bring their money back to Nigeria. Some analysts have seen it as significant that the measure was introduced while Buhari was away. Osinbajo has also reportedly vetoed four parliamentary bills. Buhari has long been known for deferring economic matters to the London School of Economics graduate. But how far the latters powers stretch in taking individual decisions is unclear. Political realities Political analyst Chris Ngwodo said despite Osinbajos high visibility and apparent competence he was limited as acting president because of Nigerian political realities. In Nigeria, powers are vested in persons rather than in the office they occupy. The acting president is in office, not in power, he told AFP. He may have been taking some decisions which I see as mere palliatives: for instance, the adjustment in the foreign exchange policy which flows from a broader consensus of the people. He would not be able to take unilateral decisions and was restricted in his reach as he is not the executive president Nigerians voted for, added Ngwodo. Osinbajo, a former justice commissioner in Lagos state, comes from the southwestern state of Ogun and was appointed to be vice-president as a counter-balance to Buhari, a northern Muslim. Identity politics play an important role in Nigeria, as does the expectation that the presidency alternates between north and south even if it is not enshrined in the constitution. As such, Yinka Odumakin, spokesman for Afenifere, representing the ethnic Yoruba people of the southwest, said Buharis inner circle would always try to keep him in check. We are not going to see much from Osinbajo apart from symbolic movements and gestures here and there because his powers are limited, he added. They are also looking for the remains of his queen, Joan Beaufort, and of Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII of England and wife of James IV of Scotland, who was also buried there a century later. The team has been inspired by the discovery of King Richard III of England beneath a car park in Leicester. "It's like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Outlander' all rolled into one -- except this story is real," said Paul Wilson, who is leading the digital visualisation project at Glasgow School of Art (GSA). James I was assassinated on February 21, 1437, by supporters of a rival claimant to the throne, an act which historians say brought an end to his ambition to make Perth the capital of Scotland. "That day changed Scotland forever," Wilson said. The king's mausoleum lay at the heart of a Carthusian priory called the Charterhouse, which was modelled on the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps. Fayose, a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said this in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Idowu Adelusi, in Ado-Ekiti. He said that he could not have done otherwise because the unity of Yoruba people was too important for anybody to play politics with. I see nothing wrong in attending the inauguration of an APC person in neigbouring Ondo State. Being a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) should not stop me from attending the inauguration of an All Progressives Congress (APC) governor. According to him, such an occasion is a national one that well-meaning people should identify with.This is a Nigerian affair; when a governor is sworn in, we have to support him; we are talking of regional integration and unity here; Akeredolu is already one of us by virtue of his new position. We have to support him since electioneering has come and gone and a winner has emerged, and we have to work together in the spirit of the people of our region. We cannot play politics with the welfare of the people of our region; we have to support Akeredolu to make the difference. This is a matter of the Yoruba nation and after Nigeria, Yoruba nation comes first; we dont need to play politics with the welfare of Yoruba people. He advised that his actions in recent times should not be mistaken for an attempt by him to dump his party, the PDP, insisting that nothing of such was in the offing. How can I join the APC? As you already know, I am the main issue of the APC. In a statement issued by the APC caretaker committee chairman, Idi Barde Gubana on Saturday, February 25, 2017, the parties alleged that the process was characterised by various irregularities. They noted that while the process had been taken as People Democratic Party (PDP) affairs alone, election materials were massed up at the various Gombe State Independent Commission (GOSIEC) local government offices across the state. The statement reads: "You recall that the Gombe State Independent Electoral Commission (GOSIEC) fixed the election for today, for which the people of the state had looked forward to with hope that at last freedom is knocking at their door steps. "Recall also that in the history of the state, the people had never had it so bad; not with administration that inept, not focused and with the sole purpose of milking the state dry. The people had therefore put their hope in the Local Government election. "what is the situation on ground now? If anyone will deluge us that any genuine election is going on in the state, then we would rather go back to sleep believing we are day dreaming. ALSO READ: Gombe Gov presents N85.6 billion budget for 2017 "There are 11 Local Government Area spread across 3 Senatorial Districts of Gombe South, North and Central. "In two Senatorial Zones of Gombe South and Central, no election is going on; and this is authoritative. As I speak to you now, election materials are still massed up at the various GOSIEC Local Government Offices. As I speak, our agents are still keeping vigil at those offices with the excuse from the scanty GOSIEC Officials on the ground that they were still waiting for result sheets. "Again in Gombe which is in the Northern Senatorial Zone, while agents are still waiting at the GOSIEC Office to collect materials, information reached us that election is on-going in some Polling Units to our utter dismay. "In fact it is confirmed that the Governor voted at his Herwagana ward, Shehu Manzo 1 Unit this morning. Where the materials emanated from is a mystery to us. Our members had to be cautioned not to take laws into their hands. "We issued this statement to alert the people of the sham of an election that we believe the government of the day will announce as being successful. HELENA A Yellowstone County contingent of state lawmakers hopes to give Montana State University Billings' lagging science building fundraiser a jump-start from the Capitol. Twenty-seven representatives and senators signed a letter this week pledging an effort to put $5 million into the state budget for the Yellowstone Allied Health and Science Building. It was sent to Billings Chamber of Commerce President John Brewer and Big Sky Economic Development Authority Executive Director Steve Arveschoug. Completion of the science building has come to represent a campus revitalization among MSUB backers, though its languishing fundraising drive mirrors how many see the current state of the university. "The reality is that MSUB right now is kind of a wasting asset in the community of Billings," said Rep. Jeff Essmann, R-Billings. "The enrollment has been dwindling. Theres been five chancellors, five provosts, five deans of business in the last 10 years. 'On again, off again' The Yellowstone Allied Health and Science building is a planned renovation of the current science building, as well as a 30,000-square-foot expansion. The Montana Legislature approved $10 million for the project during the 2013 session, but the money won't be released until MSUB raises $5 million to match. Fundraising has been led by the MSUB Foundation, which has been led by three presidents during that period. Current Foundation President Bill Kennedy said they've raised about $1.5 million toward its share, which is little more than the $1.3 million reported in September 2015. Kennedy said it's been an "on again, off again" funding drive and said he's been talking with legislators about the project since he took over in August. Its great to see that weve had so much support from the Billings delegation, and everyone understands how important the project is, he said. It's unclear how lawmakers will insert the $5 million into the state budget. Essmann said there are drafts circulating that could utilize the bonding proposal or the long-range building plan. Because fundraising for the Yellowstone building was originally taken up by the MSUB Foundation, the project hasn't appeared on biennial long-range building plan proposals approved by the Board of Regents. The school's top priorities through the Regents and Legislature include demolitions for two campus buildings and renovations for others not the Yellowstone building. But that doesn't mean the Legislature couldn't approve the funding proposed by the Yellowstone County delegation. The letter to Billings economic development groups was meant to drum up more active support. We wanted to convey the message to our Billings Chamber and to the Big Sky EDA our economic development arm that we would like their support and their energy to focus on that high priority, said Rep. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings. A 'neglected stepchild' If funding for the Yellowstone building was placed in the state bonding bill, it would sit alongside a major project for Montana State University in Bozeman. The $25 million project received the endorsement of Gov. Steve Bullock this year in his budget proposal. The flagship institution in Bozeman oversees MSUB in the university system structure, which has been the subject of some criticism among boosters in Billings. Some have called for MSUB to break away to increase autonomy. Essmann said Friday that MSUB remains a "neglected stepchild" in the university system, despite having community assets like a large medical corridor. State Sen. Mary McNally, D-Billings, who used to teach at MSUB, said that financial support has waned more quickly for the university under the current system. I know the quality of the institution. I also know that it's not really working up to its capacity. There are a lot of reasons for that. Part of it, I believe, is its role or its place in the MSU system. Thats been a frustration for a number of years. McNally and others said the letter was not just about the building project, but an attempt to create a stronger coalition of community leaders to take an active role reviving the campus. Funding bills remain in committee hearings as the Legislature nears its mid-term break. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the boys were seen sitting on the ground on Saturday, surrounded by some military and policemen. They were alleged to have been arrested from different units of the Ward. Reacting to the incident, the Resident Electoral Commissioner in charge of Rivers, Mr Ikoiwak Aniedi urged the media to focus more on electoral violence in Nigeria. He said that while the Commission was saddled with the responsibility of conducting elections, the issue of electoral violence should equally be considered. Aniedi stressed the need for journalists to report exactly what they witnessed during elections. This, he noted would go a long in checking some of the violence perpetrated during elections. He, however, said that the police would brief the commission officially on the situation on ground. The electoral official, who declined to disclose her name, informed NAN that the election was peaceful in the unit except for the incident. She said that when the result was about to be counted, we saw some thugs rushing to us, we quickly packed all the materials in a bag. But they struggled the bag with us and took it; fortunately, the police intervened and rescued the bag from them, gave it back to us and escorted us to INEC office in the area. The Police Spokesman in Rivers, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said that the police had not made any arrest yet, and so could not comment on what other security agents had done. The election is the conclusion of the 2015 general elections to fill up Etche state Constituency II and Etche/Omuma Federal Constituency seats. Oseni, who lectures at the Mechanical Engineering Department, Kwara State University, Malete made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ilorin on Friday. According to him, the use of google search has turned students to lazy researchers. He said students now relied mainly on their phone and computer set to solve simple questions as they did not want to stress their brain thinking. It is becoming a worrisome issue as students now run to their computer sets before they can answer simple arithmetic. Even assignments are being uploaded from google search just to earn marks. Students become lazy everyday as they dont want to go to the library and get books that will improve them, instead they stick to their phone to get every information needed. They are not ready to try things on their own as they believe there is short cut somewhere on the internet. They dont disturb their brain anymore to do anything, Oseni said. He said that over reliance on google was a common thing at all levels of education in the country, adding at primary, secondary and higher institutions, students believed in short cut to their assignments. Oseni advised students to read books and use their brain in attempting questions as google search alone would not aid their academic development. "An attempt by the president to seek a fourth term in office under the current circumstances would risk intensifying the crisis and undermining collective efforts to find a sustainable solution," wrote Guterres in the report sent to the Security Council on Thursday. Hundreds have died in violence in Burundi triggered by the president's decision in April 2015 to stand in elections for a third term in office, which he went on to win. Some 387,000 people have fled the country, and that figure is expected to surpass 500,000 in 2017, according to the UN refugee agency. Guterres expressed concern over the growing role of the ruling party's youth militia, known as the Imbonerakure, and said more than 200 cases of enforced disappearances since October were "of particular concern." The youth militia "is contributing to a sense of insecurity and a climate of fear" and is reportedly implicated in many cases of killings, arrests, disappearances, and some cases of sexual violence, he said. The report was sent to council members following the adoption of a resolution in July authorizing the deployment of up to 228 UN police to monitor security and human rights in Burundi. The government in Bujumbura has rejected the resolution and is still stonewalling the United Nations over the proposed police deployment, the report confirmed. Burundi's Ambassador Albert Shingiro described the report as "biased" and driven by UN envoy Jamal Benomar, whom he accused of "seeking revenge" after his government asked that he be replaced. The ambassador told AFP that it was "very surprising" that Guterres raised concerns about term limits for Nkurunziza "when many presidents in Africa and elsewhere are serving their fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh term without any concern being raised." Burundi this week again sent a letter to Guterres asking that a new envoy be named to replace Benomar. Baldetti and Lopez were indicted in US federal court in Washington on Wednesday on charges of conspiring to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine from January 2010 to May 2015, knowing it would ultimately be imported illegally into the United States. "The US Department of Justice has not yet forwarded an extradition request to the US embassy," a statement from the mission in Guatemala City read. The Guatemalan Foreign Ministry responded on Twitter by saying it was not aware of the charges against the pair, who served in the government of former president Otto Perez (2012-2015) and had not yet received an extradition request. Baldetti is already in prison in Guatemala, serving time on tax fraud and other corruption charges, along with Lopez, who is accused of embezzlement. The ex-vice president was arrested in August 2015, three months after resigning her post. The Guatemalan prosecutor's office has identified her as the alleged leader of a customs fraud network, for which Perez is also being tried and detained. Lopez has also been accused of giving lavish gifts, including a helicopter bought with illicit funds, to Perez. Guatemalan politics have been upended by a string of scandals that culminated in Perez's resignation and arrest in September 2015. Among other charges, he is accused of money laundering, illegal campaign financing and masterminding a massive customs fraud scheme. The charges have stoked outrage in a country where more than half the 15.8 million people live on less than $1.50 a day. In October 2015, angry Guatemalans elected a political outsider, TV comedian Jimmy Morales, to replace Perez. Guterres asked member-states in the letter sent this week to notify the United Nations by March 6 whether they intend to pledge aid to Haiti, where more than 9,000 people died of cholera in a 2010 epidemic. The United Nations is hoping to raise $400 million over two years to reduce the current cholera caseload of 30,000 to 10,000 by the end of 2018 and provide clean water and sanitation. Only 25 percent of Haitians have access to toilets. Cholera causes severe diarrhea and can be spread through contaminated food and water. So far, South Korea, France, Liechtenstein, India and Chile have together contributed about $2 million to the UN fund, while Canada and Japan have separately granted about $7 million to help Haiti. "The voluntary contributions that have been received are not yet sufficient to cover what is required," wrote Guterres in the letter, adding that the amount received so far was "approximately two percent" of the $400 million. "Should resources not materialize, a multi-funded solution would have to be explored," Guterres said in the letter obtained by AFP on Friday, suggesting new sources of aid would have to be tapped. Former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon was forced to apologize to the Haitian people after tests showed that cholera was introduced by infected Nepalese UN peacekeepers sent to Haiti after a devastating 2010 earthquake. Ban appointed British doctor David Nabarro to lead fund-raising efforts. From goats and rabbits to yarn to scarf, or hat, or sweater, Ann Bartley of Amargosa Bar Ranch, said, This is the life I dreamed of. From goats and rabbits to yarn to scarf, or hat, or sweater, Ann Bartley of Amargosa Bar Ranch, said, This is the life I dreamed of. On her farm baby goats are for sale as are eggs, organic homemade soaps and hand-spun yarns. Bartley also makes goat cheese and yogurt for her family. Until 2005, Bartley was a dog-groomer in Las Vegas with three employees and making over $7,000 a week. Now, with sales slower than she had foreseen, and the price of livestock feed going up, Bartley said, Its easy to get discouraged. It costs over $150 round-trip for a veterinarian to come to the ranch so Bartley does most of her own doctoring with natural herbal medicines. Bar Ranch feeds 35 goats, 12 of which are babies, 30 ducks, about 20 rabbits and with the 100 chickens the daily costs of feeding shock even Bartley when she figures it up every month. Hay is $22.50 a day; dairy goat grain, $20 a day; rabbit food, $2.50 a day; chicken and duck food is $5.50 a day. Then fuel and labor costs added into the total mean sales have to go up. Bartley had plans to offer organic raw goats milk and cheese as well. However, the Nevada Governors recent veto of the raw milk bill, after it had been approved in the state legislature, is a great disappointment to Bartley. According to her, all other struggling dairy farm owners are disappointed as well. Bartley said, What we know is there is a huge raw milk market in California and Nevada. There are enough of us that fighting for it could become a very big movement in this area. Since raw milk from Nye Countys Amargosa Valley is not going to be a reality for entire state sales, raw milk dairies can continue to sell in their local area, meaning anywhere in the county where it was produced. AB209 was generally approved by the legislature thinking it would bring new entrepreneurial farms and goods and help boost dairy sales. Governor Sandoval, however, said he had received input from the Food and Drug Administration that unpasturized products could be a health risk. Raw dairy providers argue they have equal and better proof that raw milk is as safe pasteurized milk without added hormones fed to cows on non-organic farms. Bartley said that sales of her exotic fibers, yarn, soaps, chickens, ducks and their eggs, goats and the educational seminars she teaches help make ends meet. Bartley teaches groups cheese-making, soap making and spinning by appointment and although she can break even, she has also added dog-grooming by appointment to help make ends meet. Bartley said it takes a large grocery bag stuffed with fleece to make about two hundred yards of finished yarn, or enough for a small project such as hat or scarf. To get from goat or rabbit to finished product is labor-intensive with one product taking full-time days. Bartley doesnt knit or crochet but readies the yarn for those who do. Yarn is sold by the yard and runs about $1 a yard, but is occasionally sold for less with large orders. Bartley advertises on ESTY Store, KSL, Yahoo Group, Craigslist, and through the Amargosa newsletter. Most sales come from word of mouth connections and local advertising. All natural soap bars are $4.50 each. After a full day of maintaining nearly 100 animals health and welfare, theres yarn and soaps to make, classes to teach, advertising to maintain, milking goats and other chores a small business requires until, usually, according to Bartley, around 2 a.m. For information on BAR Ranch products, call 702-498-8913. Whos a Jew? Attend a class to learn more A seven-week series of classes, Judaism in a Nutshell, will begin Tuesday at Temple Emanual, Davenport. The teacher is Rabbi Henry Jay Karp, and the classes run 7-8:30 p.m. Tuesday's class, Whos a Jew? Issues of Jewish Identity, will be followed by instruction on Jewish theology, how Jews behave, the different types of Judaism and much more. The sessions are free and open to the public. They are sponsored by the temple and its adult education committee. For information, call the office, 563-326-4419. Movie Club to discuss Field of Dreams The new Movie Club at Gethsemane Lutheran Church in Davenport will meet 6:45-7:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Brooke Room of the Davenport Public Library, 3000 N. Fairmount St. Participants are asked to watch the movie "Field of Dreams" and come prepared to discuss it. Some questions could include: How do the different characters view the world? The afterlife? The public is welcome. University hosts Human Thread program Attacking Trafficking, with the St. Ambrose University Campus Ministry, will host a presentation by Christopher Cox, campaign manager of The Human Thread, at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Rogalski Center. Cox will speak on the effects of globalization on the clothing supply chain, and facilitate understanding of the publics relationship with clothes. The Human Thread is a campaign to raise consciousness and empower all people to advocate for the plight of garment workers, in the world. The movement was inspired by the 2013 collapse of the Rana Plaza factory, which killed 1,133 workers and exposed the wide range of abuses connected to clothing sources. For more information, go to: attackingtrafficking.com, or e-mail a question to: attackingtrafficking@gmail.com. Registration is preferred. Nuns: Choose kindness, and make it a habit In an increasingly harsh world, Catholic sisters will work to spread the message of making kindness a habit. The Catholic Sisters of the Upper Mississippi River Valley will launch the new Kindness: Get in the Habit campaign in March. Among several events is one at the Rave Cinemas Davenport 53, 2601 E. 53rd St. The Kindness Welcome is noon to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 4, at the west theater entrance. In addition, the kindness campaign will be posted on billboards in six locations, including Davenport and Clinton, and be part of the curriculum in the Catholic schools of the area. The largest billboard will be located at 402 E. 4th St., Davenport, after March 1. March Healing Service to be at St. John's in Davenport Those in need of some comfort in their lives may be interested in the Healing Service, sponsored by St. Johns United Methodist Church, Davenport. The next event is 6:30 p.m. Sunday, March 5, at the church, 109 E. 14th St., Davenport. Holy Communion will be offered, along with healing prayers and reflection. The public is welcome, with family and friends. For information contact the office at St. Johns: 563-324-5278. Chili Cook-Off at Metro Community Church Metro Community Church will host its annual Chili Cook-Off and Cookie Contest from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, March 5. The church is located at 2930 W. Locust St., Davenport. Entry fee is $10, and guests will be treated to tables filled with pots of chili, some of the best around, according to organizers. A team of celebrity judges will decide the top awards. Doors open at 4 p.m. and judging is at 5 p.m. Cookies are also part of the event; sweet-treat bakers are invited to enter their goods, and these will be judged, too. For more information, contact the Rev. Rich Hendricks, 563-32408281, or by e-mail: richhendricks@msn.com RI church kicks off Lent with favorite hymns Lenten services, with a twist, will be offered March 8 to April 5 at Church of Peace United Church of Christ, Rock Island. Each Sunday service is 10:30 a.m., and there is a Ash Wednesday service at 7 p.m. Wednesday. During Lent, followers are invited to focus on a favorite hymn, with a weekly program, To Pray Twice. For more information or to arrange child care, contact the Rev. Mariah Marlin-Warfield, at 309-788-6357, or at pastor@churchofpeaceucc.org Do you have a new, or interesting event going on at your place of worship? If so, please contact Deirdre Baker, who each week prepares news items for Saturday's Beliefs page. Send a message to: dbaker@qctimes.com, or call, 563-383-2492. The third trial for accused murderer Stanley Liggins will not be in Scott County. Scott County Chief District Judge Marlita Greve ruled Friday that the case will be moved to Black Hawk County. Greve said in her written ruling that Black Hawk County court administration confirmed they are willing and able to accommodate a three-week trial beginning May 22 in Waterloo. In her ruling, Greve said that she was presented with 100 news stories associated with the case during the past 20 years. Of those 100 stories, 33 have been published since 2010. Greve also pointed out that there has been heavy media coverage during hearings on the case that took place this week. Liggins attorneys also presented Greve with a survey done by Personal Marketing Research. The survey, conducted by phone between Feb. 6 and 17, found that even after 27 years, the Scott County population is still aware of the names of Stanley Liggins and Jennifer Ann Lewis. Prosecutors say Liggins, now 55, strangled the 9-year-old Rock Island girl and burned her remains on a Davenport school playground on Sept. 17, 1990. She also was sexually abused, according to prosecutors. He was tried twice in the girl's death in the 1990s, once in Scott County and the second in Dubuque after he was granted a change of venue. 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. CMG Construction Inc., a Billings-based construction company whose former president has been convicted of federal corruption charges, has sold to a private equity firm, company officials announced on Friday. Oroco Capital, based in Bethesda, Maryland, purchased CMG Construction for an undisclosed price in a deal that was completed on Friday, said Don Meyer, president of Westfourth Communications of Virginia. Oroco Capital management and CMG also announced Justin Peterson, CMGs estimator and project manager for civil construction, as its new general manager. Were keeping all our employees, Peterson said in an interview Friday afternoon. CMG employees 150 people. CMG also will keep its headquarters in Billings. Its name will be CMG Construction LLC, Peterson said. Peterson, who joined CMG in 2013, grew up in Roberts and has a bachelors degree in construction engineering technology from Montana State University. He has been in the construction industry for 14 years. Acknowledging the legal problems of former president Kevin McGovern, Peterson said employees have focused on their work. I do think we need to get out and talk with people and clients around town and let them know we still have our same group here and plan on delivering quality products, Peterson said. Were looking forward to continuing to be a strong company and to grow, he said. I am excited by this new opportunity and the chance to lead a talented team and a great Montana company that continues to work on important projects for our clients throughout the region, Peterson said in a news release. The new owners are committed to Billings, our clients and employees, Peterson continued. The timing of this transition provides a firm foundation for stability and growth as we look forward to the busy summer construction season, he added. Oroco Capital management also announced improvements planned for the company, including ongoing investments in people, technology and equipment and strengthened regulatory compliance and oversight. Formed in 2004, CMG was privately owned with McGovern as its president and sole principal. The company began with commercial site development and municipal construction in Billings. The company has three divisions and serves clients nationwide. The civil division serves Montana, northern Wyoming and North Dakota and specializes in site development, subdivisions, municipal work, concrete and asphalt projects and other civil activities. The structural and drilling division specializes in concrete and pier foundation projects, including transmission lines, winds and solar farms, building and bridge foundations and pump stations. The third division is Johnson Lane Enterprises, which provides custom aggregate products. Locally, CMG was a subcontractor on the new James F. Battin Federal Courthouse in Billings and is the general contractor for a major construction project underway at Rocky Mountain College. Other Montana and local projects include the Yellowstone Club in Big Sky, Dehler Park in Billings, Tippet Rise Art Center in Fishtail and the Shiloh Conservation Area in Billings. The sale comes as McGovern, CMG and another of his companies reached an agreement with federal prosecutors to admit to crimes in a corruption investigation involving the Chippewa Cree Tribe in northcentral Montana. In court documents unsealed this week by U.S. District Judge Brian Morris in Great Falls, McGovern and CMG are expected to plead guilty on March 1 to various crimes in which prosecutors accused them of defrauding federal programs and the tribe. McGovern, who was convicted in November of conspiracy and bribery charges, faced more charges in two separate indictments. The plea agreements are expected to settle all charges. Court records also indicated that McGovern was selling CMG and that the buyers, who were unidentified, had been informed about the criminal cases. WASHINGTON The White House on Friday defended chief of staff Reince Priebus against accusations he breached a government firewall when he asked FBI Director James Comey to publicly dispute media reports that Trump campaign advisers had been frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents. President Donald Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comey's assistance in rebutting what Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last year's presidential campaign. The FBI did not issue the statement requested by Priebus and has given no sign one is forthcoming. "I don't know what else we were supposed to do," Spicer said. The Justice Department has policies in place to limit communications between the White House and the FBI about pending investigations. Trump officials on Friday not only confirmed contacts between Priebus and the FBI, but engaged in an extraordinary public airing of those private conversations. Spicer said it was the FBI that first approached the White House about the veracity of a New York Times story asserting that Trump advisers had contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. Spicer said Priebus then asked both FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe if they would condemn the story publicly, which they declined to do. "The chief of staff said, well, you've put us in a very difficult situation," Spicer said. "You've told us that a story that made some fairly significant accusations was not true. And now you want us to just sit out there." The FBI would not comment on the matter or verify the White House account. Friday's revelations were the latest wrinkle in Trump's already complicated relationship with the FBI and other intelligence agencies. He's accused intelligence officials of releasing classified information about him to the media, declaring in a tweet Friday morning that the FBI was "totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time." House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Priebus of "an outrageous breach of the FBI's independence" and called on the Justice Department's inspector general to look into all conversations Priebus and other White House officials have held with the FBI on ongoing investigations. "The rule of law depends on the FBI's complete independence, free from political pressure from the targets of its investigations," Pelosi said. A 2009 memo from then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department is to advise the White House on pending criminal or civil investigations "only when it is important for the performance of the president's duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective." Ron Hosko, a retired FBI assistant director who oversaw criminal investigations, said the discussions between the FBI and the Trump White House were inadvisable. "It is a very slippery slope," Hosko said. "Do I get in the position of where I'm updating the White House on my priority criminal cases? The answer is no, I should not be doing that." Other FBI veterans said the interactions between Priebus and the FBI were not unprecedented. Robert Anderson, a retired executive assistant director who served under Comey and oversaw counterintelligence investigations, said contacts between the bureau and White House are "usually very-well documented" in order to avoid the perception of inappropriate contacts. CNN first reported that Priebus had asked the FBI for help, and a White House official confirmed the matter to The Associated Press Thursday night. On Friday morning, two other senior White House officials summoned reporters to a briefing to expand on the timeline of events. The White House officials would only discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity. Two hours later, Trump panned news stories that rely on anonymous sources, telling a conservative conference that reporters "shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name." Spicer later briefed some reporters on the record. The Associated Press declined to participate in that briefing because some major news organizations were not invited, but audio of the briefing was later circulated by reporters who attended. Trump has been shadowed by questions about potential ties to Russia since winning the election. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in the campaign in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. On Feb. 14, The New York Times reported that intelligence agencies had collected phone records and call intercepts showing frequent communication between Trump advisers and Russian intelligence agents during the campaign. Trump has said he is not aware of such contacts. The White House says Priebus was holding a previously scheduled meeting with McCabe the morning after the Times story was published. According to Spicer, McCabe told Priebus in "very colorful terms" that the report was inaccurate, prompting the chief of staff to ask if the FBI would make its view known publicly. Spicer said McCabe told the White House the bureau did not want to be in the practice of rebutting news stories. A similar message was conveyed to Priebus later in the day by Comey, according to the White House spokesman. The White House said McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. Priebus alluded to his contacts with the FBI over the weekend, telling Fox News that "the top levels of the intelligence community" had assured him that the allegations of campaign contacts with Russia were "not only grossly overstated but also wrong." During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans strongly criticized a meeting between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, husband of Trump's general election opponent. The meeting came as the FBI which is overseen by the Justice Department was investigating Hillary Clinton's use of a private email address and personal internet server. Spicer said he was not aware of an FBI investigation into Trump campaign advisers' contacts with Russia. Administration officials have acknowledged that the FBI interviewed ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn about his communications with Russia's ambassador to the U.S. during the transition. Flynn was fired after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about the content of those conversations. ___ Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Vivian Salama, Jill Colvin and Ken Thomas contributed to this report. ___ Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC One of the most startling allegations in a January report by U.S. intelligence agencies about Russian hacking was this sentence: "Russia has sought to influence elections across Europe." This warning of a campaign far broader than the U.S. got little attention in America. We may be missing the forest for the trees in the Russia story: The Kremlin's attempt to meddle in the 2016 U.S. presidential election is part of a much bigger tale of Russian covert action -- in which Donald Trump's campaign was perhaps a tool, witting or unwitting. This secret manipulation, if unchecked, could pose an "existential threat" to Western democracy, argues Gerard Araud, France's ambassador to Washington. The investigations begun by the FBI and Congress hopefully will reveal or debunk any connections between the Trump team and Russia's hidden manipulators. A larger benefit is that these inquiries will bolster trans-Atlantic efforts to reclaim the political space the Kremlin is trying to infiltrate. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said last weekend in Munich that the world is entering the "post-West" era. Unless the U.S. stands solidly with its allies, Lavrov's claim may prove accurate. The Russians are masters of what they call "active measures" in the "information space." Their intelligence services have been using "fake news" and stolen information for more than a century to try to manipulate Europe and America. What's different now is that the power of digital technology allows intelligence agencies to alter the very landscape of fact. The assault on America's elections signaled a "new normal" in Russian influence operations, warned the U.S. intelligence community on Jan. 6. "We assess Moscow will apply lessons learned from its campaign aimed at the U.S. presidential election to future influence efforts in the United States and worldwide, including against U.S. allies and their election processes." Let's look at Germany, which faces parliamentary elections in September. The German government told the Bundestag in a Dec. 22 report that German computer networks were hit once a week last year by foreign intelligence services. The German government warned "there might be a Russian cyberattack on the federal election in Germany" this fall, based on the U.S. 2016 campaign, and cautioned that the Bundestag itself was "the focus of Russian intelligence interest." The report found a direct Russian role in attacks last May and August on the Bundestag and German political parties, which it attributed to malware known as "APT 28," identified by the FBI as a Russian hacking tool. Bruno Kahl, the head of Germany's intelligence service, was blunt about the foreign hackers' aim. "The perpetrators have an interest in delegitimizing the democratic process," he told the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung in late November. Hans-Georg Maassen, head of Germany's FBI equivalent, told the paper: "Recently, we see the willingness of Russian intelligence to carry out sabotage." And beyond these cyberattacks, Russia has a vast array of business supporters and fixers in Germany who regularly press Moscow's case, according to a November report by the Atlantic Council. France offers a similar opportunity for Russian political manipulation in its presidential election this spring. A Moscow-based bank loaned money to the party of right-wing candidate Marine Le Pen in 2014, according to the Atlantic Council. Le Pen is openly pro-Russia in her policies. Russia was apparently behind a devastating April 2015 hack against cable news channel TV5 Monde that was linked to the APT 28 software. And last October, the French intelligence service briefed political parties about hacking threats, according to Le Monde. French journalists suspect a Kremlin hand in recent rumor-mongering about Emmanuel Macron, the leading anti-Russian candidate in the presidential election. Macron's top aide claims attacks on the campaign's website "are coming from the Russian border," but he didn't offer direct evidence. Russian propaganda outlets have published stories suggesting that Macron is gay. The trans-Atlantic alliance has survived nearly 70 years of Russian manipulation, but it's fragile these days. That's why Americans should care if a shady Ukrainian parliamentarian tried to use Trump business associates to deliver a pro-Russian peace plan to the White House last month, or if Trump boasted in 2013 about meeting "almost all of the oligarchs" at a dinner in Moscow that year, or about news reports alleging Russian contacts last year with Trump's campaign. So pay attention: The hacking issue isn't a "ruse," as Trump claimed last week. This is how Russia tries to subvert politics -- boldly, secretly, and often corruptly. They're good at it. If America and its allies don't resist, a post-West era may indeed be next. SIOUX FALLS | U.S. senators from South Dakota, Minnesota and Montana are pushing a bill that would address the problem of dropped rural cellphone calls. Carrie Johnson of SDN Communications told the Argus Leader that about 80 percent of South Dakota's land area is impacted by the issue. "If you're a rural business and you lost a business opportunity, sometimes you don't even know it," Johnson said. She said more resources are needed to operate networks without the customer base to support it. Now, Republican Sen. John Thune, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Democratic Sen. John Tester have reintroduced a bipartisan bill that failed to make the floor before the end of last year's session. "For most Americans, grabbing the phone, dialing a number, and waiting for someone to pick up on the other end is a task as routine as they come," Thune said. "But believe it or not, for a lot of folks who live in rural states like South Dakota, call completion and reliability can still be a challenge today." The bill would require the Federal Communications Commission to establish minimum standards for quality in voice call transmission. It would also require least cost routers to register with the commission and ban telecom companies from using unregistered intermediaries. Last month, the proposed bill passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee, and companion legislation has passed through the House of Representatives. It's unclear when the bill could appear for debate on the Senate floor. Ellsworth Air Force Base is in a much better position to survive what have become almost annual calls by defense officials to convene a new Base Realignment and Closure commission, called BRAC. Its been 12 years since the base near Box Elder home to 3,500 active duty airmen and 800 civilian employees worth as much as $350 million to the state's economy annually avoided closure in the last round of BRAC. One of the lessons we learned in 2005 is that the asset we have with Ellsworth in our state is something we always have to be working on, whether its facing a BRAC or a new mission opportunity," said Scott Landguth, executive director of the Ellsworth Development Authority. It's a group charged with maintaining and improving conditions around the base near Box Elder. By law, Congress would need to approve funding for any round of closings. U.S. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., introduced House Bill 753 late in January, seeking approval for a new round of BRAC. Republican Sens. John McCain of Arizona and Jack Reed of Rhode Island have indicated interest in at least discussing the possibility of base closings with new Defense Secretary James Mattis. However, South Dakotas congressional delegation remains firmly opposed to any new closings. A spokeswoman for Sen. Mike Rounds said no companion legislation to fund a new BRAC has been filed in the Senate. Ellsworth Air Force Base is an important part of a long-term defense strategy, Rounds, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. "Because of the critical role it plays in protecting our nation, I want to make sure the Pentagon is using the best possible information should there be another BRAC round." U.S. Rep. Kristi Noem said she has consistently opposed any new base closures. There are no expectations that will change, she said. Rounds also said President Donald Trumps call for a stronger military means he is unlikely to support closing bases. But others say the new presidents aims of cutting wasteful government spending could mean Trump might look favorably toward a more efficient use of current bases. Its a little bit unclear what the position of the Trump administration might be, Landguth said. In the 2005 BRAC, Ellsworth was targeted for closure, with its 28th Bomb Wing B1-Bombers designated to be combined with another B1 bomb wing at a base in Texas. South Dakotas congressional delegation at the time Republican Sen. John Thune and former Rep. Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and former Sen. Tim Johnson, both Democrats and then-Gov. Rounds worked with other state and local officials to get the base removed from the list. Since that close call, the Ellsworth Development Authority has worked with state and local officials to eliminate incompatible land use around the base, including closing or moving homes and businesses and moving an Interstae 90 interchange a mile to the east, farther from aircraft flight paths. The base has also added missions, including becoming home to the Air Forces Financial Services Center and has also added the MQ-9 Reaper drone squadron. In 2015, Congress approved expansion of the Powder River Training Complex, millions of acres of sparsely populated training space in eastern Wyoming, southeastern Montana and southwestern North Dakota. Landguth said previous BRAC rounds have cut deeply into the nations military infrastructure. Critics of the process claim because of the high costs of closing a base, estimated in the billions of dollars, realizing savings can take decades. We should always look for efficient and effective ways to restore and modernize our military, but once you give up assets like military bases they are nearly impossible to recover, Thune said. Landguth said Ellsworth, first opened as Rapid City Army Air Base in 1942, is in a stronger position to remain a viable military installation for decades to come. Were in a much different place than we were in 2005, he said, "but we have to remain vigilant and work to get better." Within 15 years, maybe even within 10, there could be six lanes of Interstate 90 between Rapid City and Sturgis instead of four. Construction slated to begin on the interstate between mile markers 40 and 44 in a couple of weeks will prepare the road for that eventuality. We dont know when they would pave three lanes (in each direction between) Rapid City and Sturgis. It could be 10, 15, even 20 years down the road, but we want to be proactive, said Jason Baker, project engineer for the South Dakota Department of Transportation. The project consists of the complete reconstruction of the interstate between Tilford and Piedmont. Reconstruction includes grading, box culvert extensions, new bridges, lighting, signing, pavement markings and new concrete surfacing. Work on box culvert extensions along the westbound lanes has already begun. The box culvert extension work is being accomplished with shoulder closures and periodic daytime lane closures. Work on the westbound lanes is hoped to begin March 6, meaning two-way traffic will be maintained in the eastbound lanes. This is the first phase of the project. We will be widening the footprint of the interstate and grading for three lanes, although we are only going to be paving two back, Baker said. Just as has been done on other sections of I-90 across the state, workers will tear up the current roadway down to dirt. Baker believes this section of the interstate was built in the 1960s. Its definitely met its service life, he said. The project is expected to be built this year and next year, with all work being completed by mid-June 2019. Work in 2017 will be focused on the westbound lanes. The focus in 2018 will be on the eastbound lanes. Heavy Constructors Inc. of Rapid City is the prime contractor for the $28.8 million project. The first work will be done from Exit 44 to the west for 1-1/2 to two miles. We will be open east- and westbound for the (annual Sturgis motorcyle) rally, Baker said. Crews will start up again Aug. 14. We will work as weather allows during the winter then start again on March 5 of 2018, Baker said. We hope to complete the westbound lanes this year and the eastbound next year. Also included in the plan is a new interchange at Exit 44. It will include a new bridge over the interstate and longer on- and off-ramps. In total, there will be seven new box culverts and two new bridges in the project. The bridges will span both Little Elk Creek and Elk Creek. Beginning next week, demolition will begin on the rest areas at Tilford. The demolition was one of the recommendations of the DOTs statewide study on rest areas. The state determined the facilities at both the eastbound and westbound rest areas should be demolished but that a parking area should remain. This project calls for demolition of the buildings, picnic shelters and other features at the rest areas between Piedmont and Tilford. Baker said crews plan to begin demolition Monday and finish by May 5. RCS Construction of Rapid City is the prime contractor on this $112,000 project. 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 A bill to name a six-mile stretch of Interstate 90 through Billings in honor of a Yellowstone County sheriffs deputy killed in a car crash in 2006 won unanimous approval in the House Transportation Committee Friday. House Bill 509, introduced by Rep. Jimmy Patelis, R-Billings, would name the stretch between mile markers 445 and 451 to honor Deputy David L. Briese Jr., killed in the line of duty Nov. 3, 2006, while responding to another deputys call for assistance with a combative suspect. Brieses colleagues offered the committee moving testimony in support of the bill. He was a hard-working, kind, soft-hearted soul, courageous beyond his size, said Deputy Valerie Juhl. Its been 10 years since his death, and I can barely speak now without being emotional. "I dont want new recruits to forget the great sacrifice he made and all he gave," she said. "We would appreciate it if you would honor our brother. Briese was an avid body-builder, she noted. I never saw him use force on anybody. It never came to that, said Deputy Clay Hackbarth. I urge you to pass this bill for his boys, Justin and Josh, who were 6 and 7 at the time. Yellowstone County Deputy Coroner Cliff Mahoney, who described himself as a close friend of Briese, said he wants passersby "to realize that somebody gave his life, and to let people passing on the interstate know that somebody cares. Montana Highway Patrol Operations Major Robert Armstrong called the tribute a respectful, silent reminder of Deputy Brieses ultimate sacrifice. Montana Department of Transportation Director Mike Tooley, who is retired from the Montana Highway Patrol, said he has several friends and co-workers with (memorial) signs, unfortunately. This means more than you can ever know, Tooley told the committee. We are proud to support this. When it comes time to erect the memorial signs should the House and Senate approve the bill we will work with the sheriffs office, Tooley said, to make sure this doesnt go unnoticed. According to the bills fiscal note, erecting signs to honor the fallen deputy will cost $1,419. Patelis, the bill sponsor, retired after almost 30 years in law enforcement. I strongly recommend we do this, because it means something, he said. This is not a tough decision. Its the right thing to do. My partners in law enforcement have my back, said the committees chairman, Rep. Steve Lavin, R-Kalispell, an MHP captain, and we have yours. Two senior administration officials on Friday vehemently argued that White House officials acted appropriately in asking the FBI to publicly knock down media reports about communications between President Donald Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence. The White House was reacting to CNN's exclusive reporting that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked the FBI to say the reports were wrong after Deputy Director Andrew McCabe told Priebus some of the coverage was inaccurate. The White House Friday said both McCabe and FBI Director James Comey in a separate conversation rejected that request, multiple US officials briefed on the matter told CNN. The senior administration officials who gathered reporters Friday morning to defend the White House request to the FBI confirmed that Priebus spoke with both McCabe and Comey about the reports of contacts between Trump campaign advisers and Russians known to US intelligence. But the officials said Priebus didn't initiate the conversation with McCabe that sparked the request to knock down the story. Rather, the officials said McCabe "asked for five minutes alone" and called the reports "BS." The senior administration officials said Priebus expressed his concern to McCabe that Priebus was "getting crushed" on the story and asked him, "What am I supposed to do?" McCabe then called Priebus to say the FBI could not comment on the reports. The officials said that Comey later called Priebus to echo McCabe's message, that he believed the story to be inaccurate, but that the FBI could not "get into the position of making statements on every story." A source close to Trump said Friday there is consternation within the White House about the conversations between Priebus and the FBI. "This is the type of distraction the President doesn't need right now," the source said, adding that Trump is trying to focus on his agenda items and has grown frustrated by all of the staff stories. The timeline the White House officials offered Friday did not differ substantially from the account an official offered Thursday night. The direct communications between the White House and the FBI were unusual because of decade-old restrictions on such contacts. Such a request from the White House is a violation of procedures that limit communications with the FBI on pending investigations. "We didn't try to knock the story down. We asked them to tell the truth," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told CNN late Thursday night, objecting to CNN's characterization of the White House's request. The senior administration officials denied that the White House was attempting to exert pressure on the FBI, insisting the White House was not discussing a pending investigation, simply the news story. The White House's pushback raised questions about its criticism of the leaks that have plagued President Donald Trump's administration. Trump and top White House officials have condemned the use of anonymous sources in a slew of damaging reports about the Trump administration. Trump on Friday morning tweeted that "the FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time" and said leaks of classified information "could have a devastating effect on US." But in pushing back on CNN's reporting Friday morning, two senior administration officials said Priebus had asked top FBI officials to brief reporters on background, or anonymously, after the FBI refused requests to publicly knock down the reports of contacts between Trump advisers and Russians known to US intelligence. And when that request was also denied, Priebus asked if he could cite "senior intelligence officials" in pushing back on the story himself in TV interviews last Sunday -- which he did. Comey and McCabe both agreed to that request, telling Priebus he could say he was briefed by officials. The senior administration officials on Friday revealed the identity of those officials as McCabe and Comey, claiming that both privately called the reports about contacts inaccurate. This story has been updated. CNN's Sara Murray contributed to this report. For the past two years, I had the opportunity to chair a subcommittee in the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee focusing on regulatory oversight, providing reviews of the regulatory processes at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Army Corps and other agencies. It was recently announced that I will have the opportunity to again be the chairman of the Subcommittee on Superfund, Waste Management and Regulatory Oversight during this next session of Congress. Our subcommittee is tasked with overseeing the rule-making processes at agencies like the EPA and Army Corps. We will continue to hold hearings to make sure these agencies are using sound science and taking into account economic, state and local concerns when issuing new regulations. Under the Obama administration, we too often saw regulatory agencies fail to adequately consult with local units of government and other stakeholders before issuing regulations. We will also continue to oversee the Army Corps management of the Missouri River and work with them to avoid another devastating event like the flood of 2011. We held a field hearing on the 2011 flood during the last Congress where it was revealed that there is room for improvement within the Army Corps to make certain they manage the Missouri River in a responsible manner. At a subcommittee field hearing during the last Congress, we heard from South Dakotans about the negative impact of the Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, which would give the EPA unprecedented authority over significant water bodies that it currently does not have jurisdiction over. The rule would create new barriers for not just the ag community but landowners and local leaders who simply want to keep weeds from growing along roads and ditches. Yet, our committee found that EPA continuously ignored the concerns of farmers, ranchers, agriculture groups, governors, attorneys general and the Small Business Administration before moving ahead with the WOTUS rule. Fortunately, President Trumps EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt intends to turn a new page. Pruitt is committed to working diligently to restore order at the agency, promising to consult with state and local leaders when making decisions, using only the most current sound science and working with Congress before making sweeping regulatory changes. The success of the U.S. economy and the creation of jobs depends on Congress reigning in the rule-making process. The EPW oversight subcommittee will continue to conduct a thorough review of the regulatory process at the EPA, Army Corps and other agencies. And when we see areas that need fixing, we will work to find solutions that take both our economy and the environment into consideration. We all want clean air and water. I believe we can achieve that without imposing excessive regulations on the American people. I look forward to working with EPW Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), other subcommittee members and the new administration to explore further ways to hold regulatory agencies accountable to the public. A man with a felony warrant in Yellowstone County was arrested on Thursday night after crashing his motorcycle in a Billings park, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Daniel Kenneth Sherman, 31, was wanted on a felony contempt warrant in Yellowstone County for endangering the welfare of children and criminal possession of dangerous drugs, said Rod Ostermiller, chief deputy of the U.S. Marshals Service. Sherman jumped a curb and crashed at Rose Park on Thursday night before he was arrested by the Montana Violent Offender Task Force and the Billings Police Department. In December 2016 Sherman walked away from a Billings prerelease center. Professionals and scientists with interesting careers and routes to success attended a workshop by spectrUM, University of Montana, in Hamilton, Thursday. The workshop taught how to present to young students and inspire them for careers in science, technology, entrepreneurship and math (STEM) related fields. Hannah Gimpel, associate director of SpectrUM, said the mentor approach makes connections and improves lives. Research shows that students who have role models and hear personal stories about how professionals overcame obstacles have more success, Gimpel said. The goal is to build a data base of people willing to share about their careers in classrooms, after-school clubs, organizations and community events. The Role Models Matter workshop was presented by the UMs We Are Montana in the Classroom initiative. Key presenter Amada Duley, PhD, had previously worked at Rocky Mountain Lab in Hamilton. The curriculum was developed by Techbridge and focused on STEM. It was presented to professionals from Rocky Mountain Laboratories, GSK, Bitterroot National Forest, Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital, Ravalli County and other Bitterroot businesses and organizations. Gimpel said the funding for the workshop came to the spectrUM foundation from the Martin Family Foundation. That funding has allowed us to continue and broaden a lot of the programming we do in the valley but also allows us to build a Bitterroot community advisory group that works with Hamilton and Corvallis schools creating learning experiences that align with real workforce needs and strengths in the Bitterroot, she said. Our hope for this group is full spectrum to steer our science programming down here. Gimpel said the advisory group has been focusing on collective impact and role models. The reason we are focusing on role models is that research shows that often times when it comes to succeeding in higher education and the workforce students attribute it to having a role model even if it is just one person, Gimpel said. She praised all workshop attendees. The Bitterroot advisory group said you have great stories, interesting career pathways and would be wonderful people to share your success stories with students, Gimpel said. Well offer opportunities, but never feel obligated. Rod Daniel, Ravalli County Environmental Health Specialist, said he attended the workshop to be more involved in his daughters school. The Corvallis Middle School principal said this group was looking for people whose jobs involved in science to help mentor kids, he said. I think it is important to help mentor kids, volunteer and be involved. I think this is bigger that just Corvallis Middle School but includes valley-wide mentoring. Duley offered tips on how to introduce yourself and briefly talk about your career and journey to success in a middle school friendly way. Professionals participated with enthusiasm asking youth-appropriate and engaging questions. Duley explained how tell your role model story, prepare a brief lesson, plan props and create a beneficial classroom presentation. She shared how to give directions and engage students. According to Holly Truitt, Broader Impacts Group and spectrUM Director, We Are Montana in the Classroom uses role models from the university and local communities to engage over 10,000 Montana students each year. Truitt said the level of dedication that professional business people and scientists have for sharing their stories and mentoring youth is inspiring. Everyone comes out of the woods to volunteer when asked to share with youth, Truitt said. BIG is excited to be linking arms with K-12 schools, businesses, community organizations and private foundations such as the Martin Family Foundation and the Jane S. Heman Foundation to do powerful, collective-impact work designed to close opportunity and achievement gaps for Bitterroot children. Building community capacity for role-model engagement is a crucial step in inspiring the next generation about the bright futures that await them in the work force, she said. Gimpel said the group would host a second training later in the spring. If you know other people interested in being role models let us know and well invite them, she said. Katie White the spectrUM Vista will coordinate and schedule interested presenters in classrooms in Corvallis and Hamilton and for Career Day with Bitterroot College. For more information call Truitt at 406-243-4872 or email holly.truitt@umontana.edu. Comments and links to reports on science, and its applications. America must return to conservative principles of less government,reduced taxes, less spending and a balanced budget! Cut,cap and balance! BEIRUT: Twin attacks on two Syrian security offices in the central city of Homs Saturday killed at least 32 people, including a senior security official who heads the feared Military Intelligence services, state media and officials reported. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also left another high-ranking officer seriously wounded. In a statement on their Telegram channel, the group said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, told The Associated Press there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometres (1.2 miles) apart. Syrian State News Agency SANA said Major Gen Hassan Daeboul, head of the local Military Intelligence branch, was killed by one of the suicide bombers. According to state TV and state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the State Security Branch, was also critically wounded in the attacks. According to Ikhbariya, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests, killing 32 people. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said at least 42 security officers were killed in the attacks on the offices of the State Security and the Military Intelligence services. The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled. Such discrepancies are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Homs is Syrias third-largest city and largely in the control of the government. The attacks are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year old conflict a coordinated operation against two heavily secured government buildings using a combination of armed assault and suicide bombing. In early days of the conflict, bombings targeting state security institutions were frequent, usually against military intelligence branches in Damascus and other cities. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top regime officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defense minister. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great powers and operates independently of the military and with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for some of the more shadowy crimes committed during the conflict, including mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the militarys Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the states four main security branches, including the Military Intelligence. KATHMANDU, Feb 25: Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has reiterated the government's commitment to end the caste-based discrimination and the practice of 'untouchability' from Nepal at the earliest possible. Inaugurating the South Asian Dalit and non-Dalit MPs' Conference organised by the Asian Dalit Roghts Forum here today, he said the government is committed to banish the practice of 'untouchability' that the dalits have been suffering from since it was not only their problem but the problem of the entire country. "The dalits of other South Asian countries are also suffering from the problem of caste discrimination that the Nepali dalits have been subjected to at present. Therefore, unity among the countries of South Asia is necessary for ending this ill practice from the whole region,' Minister Mahat stressed. He also underlined the need of bringing the dalits, women, indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Muslims and other oppressed communities into the mainstream of the State and providing them their rights through implementation of the constitution. Indian lawmaker Dr Narendra Jadahav spoke of the need of ending all forms of discriminations found in the world and not only the caste discrimination practiced within the South Asia region. German parliamentarian Omid Nauripur stressed on the educational, economic, social and cultural development of the dalit community for their uplift. Lawmakers from Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Germany, Malaysia and other countries are taking part in the two-day conference that will deliberate on the racial discrimination against the dalits based on their profession and caste. The conference will conclude tomorrow issuing the Kathmandu Declaration. RSS As police made their long-anticipated march into the nearly empty Oceti Sakowin camp on Thursday, one grandmother stood waiting for them. In her eyes, no one with treaty authority had negotiated for the police or the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enter. So she was not relieved from her stand. Despite a young womans efforts to convince her to leave, she stood, shoulder to shoulder with fellow veterans, waiting. Not for the government to evict her, she said. But rather, for the Dakota Access Pipeline to stop. Since the treaty was involved, it wasnt a matter of waiting for them to take us out. No, it was a matter of just staying until this pipeline stopped, said 76-year-old Regina Brave, the Oglala Sioux woman from South Dakota, whose face is now across the Internet and appeared on national newspaper front pages Friday. Police finally came around 11 a.m., first with machinery, then with men. They arrested 46 people who remained within the camp for obstruction of a government function. The whole cavalry was there, she said. She watched as the police handcuffed people who stood in a line by their camp, some pulled by police after they refused to walk up the hill. Then police cuffed her -- in front, and fairly loose, she acknowledged -- and put her in a Jeep up the hill and then in a van to Morton County Correctional Center. There, the vans pulled up to garages where protesters were held in fenced cages before booking. I expected they would put me in there with them, Brave said. I think they were trying to kiss my and make brownie points. Officials brought her into an office, cut the ties off her wrists and called Scott Davis, the director of the Indian Affairs Commission. She was given some food and met with a Morton County commissioner while she waited. She faces no criminal charges. Bruce Strinden, the Morton County commissioner who met with Brave, said law enforcement felt they had to take her out of the camp, but did not want to file charges, as she was a respected elder. "Law enforcement certainly could not leave her there," Strinden said. "It was cold. It was wet. It felt that at that point the best thing to do was to bring her to the law enforcement center, which they did." Davis called representatives of the camp-affiliated womens society, which was arranging humanitarian help for women, children and elders leaving the camps, and they took her to a hotel where she stayed on Friday. Pretty much all of us on this side knew she wasnt going to leave, Davis said. We just wanted to get her out of there. The Thursday eviction came after a widely publicized notice from the corps to campers who remained on the land near the Missouri River where a camp set up in protest of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The camp once housed thousands of people. The land is owned by the corps, but many Sioux people say it still belongs to them by treaty. In recent weeks, state officials have expressed concerns about possible spring flooding and the corps made clear it would enforce an eviction deadline in order to allow for contractors to clean up. During this last round here we went through, we made a concerted effort to announce that there were resources for them to leave, humanitarian and voluntary and so forth, Davis said. It just didnt work out that way. For Brave, it just wasnt an option. A Navy veteran, she guarded a bunker at Wounded Knee in 1973. This eviction reminded her of centuries of native history and current battles around the world. In the winter eviction, she thought of the poor relations between Native Americans and the Army that led to hunger, the Dakota War of 1862 and the execution of 38 native men at Mankato, Minn. She recalls how natural resources were taken from treaty territories and her frustration with poverty-stricken reservations and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She sees possibility in cooperation with developing nations and other indigenous communities to fight back. Technology, she noted, helped to connect people and show the world. For 140 years, we have been prisoners of war, until Standing Rock happened, and it gave us unity to protect the water, she said. All India Forum Right To Education February 25, 2017 AIFRTE condemns in strongest terms the violent assault on the academic community by RSS student wing ABVP at Ramjas College (Delhi University) and Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur. What is even more disturbing in both the cases is abject surrender amounting to connivance of the university/college authorities to the rowdy tactics of ABVP as clearly visible in suspension of Dr Rajshree Ranawat by the Jodhpur University administration. Dr Ranawat, an assistant professor in English department of the university was reportedly the key organizer of a seminar earlier in February in which Prof Nivedita Menon of JNU was invited as a speaker. The ABVP, which has little stomach for independent and critical academic discourse, has since then carried a malicious propaganda against Prof Menon and Dr Ranawat. Unfortunately, the university authorities, instead of defending these academicians, has filed police complaint against Prof Menon and suspended Dr Ranawat and has also reportedly set up a committee to deliberate upon possibility of terminating her. Not only this, the university failed to provide any security to Dr Ranawat who has been threatened by the ABVP hooligans agitating around her residence. Similarly, in Ramjas College, the ABVP indulged in violence to stall a seminar organized on 21st Feb on the ground that aanti-nationala JNU students Omar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited as speaker! It also attacked students as well as teachers who protested against this the next day. As expected, instead of stopping and arresting the violent ABVP gang, the Delhi police preferred to play the role of its protector and facilitator while students and faculty were being attacked. In both the cases, ABVP hooligans have raised the bogey of anationalisma to thwart academic discourse not by any counter discourse but by violence and force that is characteristic of this gang. In doing so, it is imposing the fascist brahmanical-hindutva agenda of RSS in universities across the country crushing every voice of dissent and criticism. AIFRTE appeals to all democratic sections of the country, especially the student, youth, teachers and non-academic staffs of universities and colleges to take a serious note of this systematic pattern of attacks and resist this with all their united might. The space for critical thought in our universities is already too little and too precarious to let it easily destroyed by RSS gang. The larger battle of democratizing our universities and implementing social justice agenda in the campuses cannot be won at all without fighting the RSS which represents the most reactionary section of the brahmanical forces. Expressing our solidarity with Dr Ranawat and the academic community of Ramjas College, AIFRTE demands that, 1) Jai Narayan Vyas University, Jodhpur administration should immediately revoke suspension of Dr Rajshree Ranawat and withdraw the police complaint against Prof Nivedita Menon. 2) The university should also take stern disciplinary action against ABVP cadre threatening Dr Ranawat. 3) Appropriate action should also be taken against the university authorities who failed to provide security to Dr Ranawat and also initiated a malafide inquiry against her. 4) In case of Ramjas college, strict disciplinary action must be taken against ABVP cadres who indulged in violence. 5) Action should also be taken against concerned senior Delhi Police officials who failed to protect students and teachers from ABVP attacks. 6) Considering the recent history of violent activities by ABVP, a high-level inquiry should be initiated to consider debarring it from university campuses for a definite period of time. 7) The union minster of human resource development and union home minster should ensure that the Constitutional Right of teachers and students to engage in free discourse is protected and stern action is taken against ABVP cadre for its criminal acts. The same applies to Rajasthan state government, especially the state home minister and higher education minister. The concerned ministers should resign in case they are unable to discharge this fundamental constitutional obligation. AIFRTE Presidium Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. NASA needs your help naming geography on Pluto and its moons I went to EVOLVE in Joppa last night with Childs in the new weird thing where I had a baby and am now going to live wrestling a lot. Matt Riddle v. Anthony Henry I didn't really care for this. It had it's moments, Riddle is always going to do some cool stuff, I liked the early amateur takedowns, and the finish combo of fisherman's buster into tombstone into twister was very cool. Most of this though I didn't like, I thought Henry was pretty good in the Style Battle Yehi match, but he was working as a Dixie Davey Richards in this, lots of stiff kicks to the chest and grimacing. There wasn't much selling, a terrible looking New Japan forearm and stare exchange (which has infected the indies like Noro virus). Riddle is getting less interesting to me as he gets more experience, he has sanded away a bunch of the rough edges which made him interesting, and is working more like an indy workrate dude, I am concerned his is developing Kurt Angleitis. Austin Theory v. Darby Allin Crossfit has really ruined wrestling, now even your guy working a Kidman in the flock junky gimmick has super well developed abs. Allin's crazy face tattoo is a nice step, but he needs to stop with the wall jumps if he really wants to live the gimmick. This match was pretty great, Allin is a nutso bumper, but here he was mostly doing cool springboard rana's and armdrags, Allin basically works like a US version of Freelance or Dinamic Black. Theroy has a dumb name, and goofy gear (he has Unproven on his tights, works as a 19 year old, but he is going to have to buy new tights in a year or so, can't really push a guy who's tights say Unproven) but I really dug him as a base for Allin's fun flips. Theory also does a nutso top rope moonsault to the floor where he nukes his ribs on the guardrail, I was really worried because Allin seems like a guy unwilling to be outbumped but he kept it in his pants. Really liked the finish, with Allin flubbing a springboard briefly, but enough to get caught. Ethan Page v. Jason Kincaid Ethan Page matches are always a chore, but I minded this less then usual. Page is as his best as kind of a put upon stooge and he was amusing being flummoxed by Kincaid's goofus shtick. I like Kincaid 's spots but he doesn't always land his offense cleanly and there was things from both guys which didn't look good, especially when Page started taking more of the match. Still this was basically fine which is all I can hope for with a Page match. Chris Dickinson/Jaka v. The Gatekeepers It is odd that Jaka is working a tiny ethnic guy who yells things in a weird voice on the same show where Yehi is fighting for the title. B. Brian Blair wasn't cupping his ear and dropping a leg on MSG undercards. Match had its moments, Dickinson and Jaka really laid it in especially on the bigger of the Gatekeepers (who is legit big and muscular, he would have had a career in a different age). ACH v. Tracey Williams I had pretty low expectations for this coming in, but it ended up maybe my MOTN. Both guys really laced into each other, in a fed and a show where you have a lot of stiff workers this felt a step above. Williams especially was landing these really nasty elbows and chops to the sides of ACH's neck and his throat he also landed a really uncalled for lariat. ACH got in some of his trademark spots, but mostly went at Williams too. Not sure if this will come off on tape as good as it came off live, but live, it made us both wince multiple times. Drew Galloway v. Jeff Cobb You don't usually see this kind of heavyweight scrap on Indy shows. Cobb's strength stuff is alway impressive and it is even more impressive to watch him throw around a beast like Galloway. I also loved Galloway doing a slingshot beneath the ring, catching Cobb's neck on a metal poll, I remember Drew McIntyre doing a bunch of Finlayesque use of the ring spots during his WWE run, so I am glad he still has that arrow. Loved the finish with Cobb powering out of a backslide which I have never seen before, only to have Galloway flip over him and hit his DDT, really cool stuff. Still waiting for Cobb to have a real classic, but he is a pretty low floor guy, he is always at a minimum worth watching. Keith Lee v. Zach Sabre Jr. Lee is huge live, so crazy that out of these two the skinny british guy doing Johnny Saint spots was the one with a big WWE push. Worked exactly how it should have been with Lee throwing around ZSJ using his strength, and Sabre trying to catch him in submissions. Sabre also used Lee's size as an excuse to unload on him, his Penalty kick usually looks kind of shitty, but he booted the fuck out of Lee, I also liked that he used him as a jungle gym, climbing all around him and putting on weird abdominal stretch variations. Lee as a indy Mark Henry is great, surprising bursts of agility along with big throws and good shit talking. Timothy Thatcher v. Fred Yehi So am I the only guy who has noticed that Thatcher seems to be working a subtle Alt-Right gimmick? I made a joke to Childs about his new Richard Spenser haircut, but then I notice he has Ring Kampf written on his jacket and shorts, and the ring jacket is lined with plaid just like every Skinhead punk I punched in college. Also going to study in the Snake Pit with Billy Robinson and adhering to a technical European style of wrestling seems like exactly how a white nationalist indy wrestler would behave. I am not sure why Gabe put him with a Black manager, but it would be just like a Jew promoter to promote @White Genocide. Although it was hard to unnotice that, the match itself was pretty damn great. At this point Thatcher isn't going to deviate from his style, he is going to work a Thatcher match even if that isn't what the crowd wants. I admire that, fuck pandering to the jerks who populate indy wrestling shows, do your thing. This was a really good example of a Thatcher match, Yehi is very capable of working that style and looking good doing it, and he will also deliver a lot of the flash needed. Thatcher's shots don't sound sharp but they thud, and they were thudding. I loved Yehi's ground and pound, and Thatchers choke throw is a hell of a finish. Could have maybe used one Yehi rope break at the end, but otherwise no complaints. Overall a really good show that delivered four great matches to close out EVOLVE 79 Live Blog I am home with Baby Zach so I figured I would check this out ACH v. Jason Kincaid I enjoyed some of Kincaid's stuff again, especially his leaping off the stage to dropkick ACH in the ring, he definitely brings a different vibe to these shows. After loving the ACH match the night before, this was a little more generically juniorish. Fine stuff, enjoyed it fine, but relatively forgettable. Chris Dickinson v. Fred Yehi v. Austin Theory v. Anthony Henry This was pretty good when the catch point boys were involved a little less so with the pretty boys. Dickinson especially was fired up, throwing big kicks and throws. Kept moving at a nice pace, and I liked the finish with Dickinson stealing the win by getting a pin before Fred could get the tap out. I think the Catch Point explodes tag will be really good. Jaka v. Jeff Cobb I was excited to see these guys face off last night, and this was a great little scrap. A pair of Islanders pounding on each other (Jaka is Samoan? Puerto Rican? Dominican? I am guessing he is from some island). There was one German suplex no sell section which I didn't love, but everything else was awesome. Jaka was throwing shots, and Cobb was snatching him out of the air with some huge throws including the best tour of the islands I have seen. Wouldn't mind seeing them run this back. Ethan Page v. Darby Allin Great match, easily the best I have seen from either guy. Allin is truly insane, he gets presslamed from the stage into a post, and then gets his hands handcuffed behind and takes multiple bumps on his handcuffed wrists. Page has been trying to do Franchise Shane Douglas and this is the first time I though he got there (not that I love Shane Douglas, but Shane was way more effective at his stuff then Page has been so far), he came off as such as a hatable prick and laid in the kind of beating you need to get this match over. Allin's comeback was insane, he is hitting rana's and dropkicks with his hands cuffed one of the craziest wrestling moments I can remember, like something out of a Jackie Chan movie. Keith Lee v. Tracy Williams Another good Keith Lee match, unlike Sabre last night, Williams tried to stand toe to toe with Lee hitting him with hard shots, but standing in front of a bigger puncher is never a good idea, and he gets smashed. Williams really bounced on Lee powermoves, huge powerbomb and got smashed with the firemans carry jackhammer. Lee is not working as a heavyweight with highspots in EVOLVE, he is working as a smashing machine and that works better. Matt Riddle v. Drew Galloway I thought this had some good ideas, but never really got out of second gear, the blows were solid, but I felt it was a bit repetitive, and needed to be more violent. I liked the finish, although a ref stop on body blows is a little weird, Galloway should have at least sold broken ribs or something Timothy Thatcher v. Zach Sabre Jr. Really great match with Sabre trying to finally be the guy to solve Thatcher, and a rabid crowd wanting Thatcher to go down. Really great early grappling leading to a super hot finish, with Thatcher pulling out counters to counters, before finally falling to a crazy abdominal stretch version. The announcer mentioned Thatcher watching Johnny Valentine, and I see his title reign almost like Johnny Valentine as he trained the crowd to respect and loathe his style, Thatcher had more real heel heat then anyone I can remember seeing in EVOLVE, and he did it all with a sneer and an armbar. Really exiting match, that I especially loved watching live not knowing about the title change. (Thatcher Pepe watch: Lenny Leanord mentions that he is spending all of his free time in Germany, and makes a weird sarcastic reference about him partying with Jill Scott, also post match ZSJ gives a speech about accepting all people as equal, and loving everyone which I am reading as a subtweet) Labels: ACH, Anthony Henry, Chris Dickinson, Darby Allin, Drew Galloway, Ethan Page, EVOLVE 78, EVOLVE 79, Fred Yehi, Jaka, Jason Kincaid, Jeff Cobb, Keith Lee, Matt Riddle, Timothy Thatcher, Tracy Williams, Zack Sabre Jr. As one of a 24-member North Dakota House freshman class, District 30 Republican Rep. Glenn Bosch said one key part to the sharp learning curve is the ability to shift between topics while doing the peoples work. Bosch said its been inspiring to watch the pace at which the Legislature works. Its also been eye-opening to witness how nimble he and his peers need to be. You might be talking about the plumbing board one moment and then the lights on a wind tower the next," said Bosch of the challenge in matching the pace in which different topics must be addressed. Bosch, a lifelong resident of Bismarck, said the adjustment was made quickly and hes been able to settle in fairly well. Bosch is executive vice president for Bismarck-based AVI Systems, an audio-visual electronics systems contractor. Hes worked with the company for more than 30 years. So far, his routine has consisted of spending time each evening reviewing bills coming up in committee and those that are expected to come onto the House floor the following day. You cant just walk in there and understand it, Bosch said of daily preparation. Bosch serves on the House Industry, Business and Labor Committee as well as the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Work in the latter committee has thus far yielded one of his proudest actions of the session. Bosch was on a subcommittee that worked to amend House Bill 1310, a bill that would permit schools to allow trained staff to have a concealed carry firearm. I think on that bill we did a really good job, Bosch said. Amendments to HB1310 included limiting the number of schools that can apply to 10, reporting requirements, requiring 80 hours of training for those who can conceal carry and removed liability provisions. HB1310 passed the House by a 73-19 vote. It heads to the Senate, where similar bills have failed in past sessions. Bosch is a cosponsor on seven bills this session but didnt introduce any bills as a primary sponsor. He said he wanted to better learn the process before introducing any legislation. Bosch said hes been in touch with constituents on multiple ideas for the next session, but declined to say what topics the bills cover. House Majority Leader Al Carlson, R-Fargo, joked that, in meeting with the large freshman class, theyre all good listeners and, when it comes to floor sessions, theyre also real good talkers, a reference to at-times lengthy floor debates. The first half of the session has gone by quickly, and Bosch said the experience has been overwhelmingly positive. He said its been an honor and privilege to walk into the Capitol each morning. You feel like youre in a special place each day, Bosch said. Disconcerting review of modern America highlighting impacts of opioid epidemic and mass criminal enforcement | Main | SCOTUS considering cases involving sentencing and collateral consequences in coming days February 25, 2017 "Conservative Criminal Justice Advocates Try To Change The System Even In The Trump Era" The title of this post is the title of this new BuzzFeed News piece which follows up with this subheadline: "Conservative groups pushing for changes to the criminal justice system flooded this years conservative confab known as CPAC hoping to convince more people on the right to embrace their cause." Here are excerpts: Groups, like the American Conservative Union Foundation, an arm of the ACU, which hosts CPAC, hope to convince more people on the political right to embrace the cause as a conservative one by leveraging their recent successes at the state level and reminding lawmakers that its an issue with support from multiple conservative groups. I do feel that letting politicians know that we are large in numbers and we do support this, and we are present at all of these events, were not going to go away; its something thats important and its [] a part of the conservative movement, says Christina Delgado, a spokesperson for the conservative group FreedomWorks.... But some, especially members of the Republican conference in Congress, have expressed concerns over whether reforms which aim to reduce mass incarceration, rising prison costs, and recidivism rates represent a soft-on-crime approach to the criminal justice system that could jeopardize public safety. You do have people that have a bit more of a reactionary tough-on-crime approach that have come up to the booth and talked to us about it, says Derek Cohen, deputy director of Texas-based Right on Crime, which is also attending CPAC. But once you start talking to them about, you know, the practicalities of running a criminal justice system, they actually get it very quickly.... Delgado says the issue came up in questions during a Thursday event hosted by FreedomWorks that featured Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin, a Republican who recently signed an order to try to help ex-offenders land jobs after their sentence is up. Delgado says Bevin noted its not about going softer on crime, its about just making sure that were addressing the more important aspects of crime, and that is the actual danger, the actual criminals, the actual problem. Cohen says different types of conservatives social, fiscal, libertarian all have their own reasons for actually being interested in the reform campaign. For many libertarians, its issues such as civil asset forfeiture that make the case for criminal justice reform. For fiscal conservatives, its about cutting rising corrections costs.... But even with progress happening in Republican-leaning states, it remains to be seen where exactly the new Trump administration will fall on specific federal criminal justice issues. Trump said he wanted to bring back law and order during the election campaign, but has not detailed what that will mean. Though not all are convinced Trump will be swayed by the arguments for criminal justice reform his attorney general, Jeff Sessions, was a vocal opponent during his time in the Senate pro-reform groups are hoping state successes appeal to Trump. As President Trump considers how best to reduce crime and restore public safety, we hope that he can learn from reform champions in states like Oklahoma, Louisiana and Kentucky to chart a new path for America, Steve Hawkins, president of the Coalition for Public Safety another CPAC attendee said in a statement to BuzzFeed News. Cohen says Right on Crime, which has attended the last five CPACs, has met with members of Congress recently, and that there seems to be renewed energy in passing reform legislation. Judiciary Committee members Sens. Dick Durbin and Chuck Grassley have said they plan on re-introducing the bill in the current sessions of Congress. Now, what shape that reforms going to be in, I think is a bit premature to say, Cohen said, but there definitely is the same appetite if not a greater one. Recent prior related post: February 25, 2017 at 12:14 PM | Permalink Comments "State success"? A 3% decarceration resulted in a 15% increase in murders in 20 big cities, immediately. Then there are millions if not hundreds of millions of crimes not being counted. I do not mean, people smoking dope in public. I mean, people taking $5000 from a hacked account. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 25, 2017 12:30:00 PM From Wikipedia. American_Conservative_Union Location 1331 H Street NW Washington, D.C. 20005 A front organization for Lawyers, living in Babylon, gayer and more depraved than San Fran. Rent seeking, Washington mortal enemies of crime victims. Pray they walk one block in the wrong direction in Washington DC, and encounter one of the criminals they loosed on the public. Dismissed. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 25, 2017 4:06:15 PM Prediction: The liar-in-chief, birther-in-chief, conman-in-chief, groper-in-chief will not sign any bill that creates even the possibility of a convicted person receiving a lower sentence than he is currently eligible to receive. Posted by: anon2 | Feb 26, 2017 1:43:45 PM Regretfully, I agree with anon2. Posted by: Dave from Texas | Feb 26, 2017 3:38:33 PM Mr. Behar, under your philosophy of sentencing, no criminal would ever be released from prison for any reason. It follows that every crime should carry a mandatory penalty of death or life imprisonment without possibility of parole. I suppose we could have a society like that. North Korea comes to mind. Posted by: Dave from Texas | Feb 26, 2017 3:42:17 PM Dave. You must solve the problem of 15000 murders and 5 million violent crimes a year. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 26, 2017 4:12:02 PM Mr. Behar, the solution to the murder and crime rate? Start with the following two steps: First, Decriminalize possession and distribution of all drugs, yes, all. Second, ban the manufacture and importation of all firearms (except for military and law enforcement )and offer $5,000 for turning in of every firearm, no questions asked. Posted by: anon14 | Feb 26, 2017 5:50:14 PM You forgot the most powerful factor. I have proposed changing welfare policy from forcing single mothers to go to work. You would not want them at your work site, anyway. Instead of jobs or training for jobs, make them go on Match.com. Every week, you check on them, ask, how many dates have you been on this week? The chances for each of your proposals in our real world is close to nil. Their effectiveness is also open to question. Without any social engineering, nor long term solutions, nor unlikely proposal, the simplest, most reliable, and also already proven one is public self help. Have the public kill the criminals. Crime ends in a month. That is the one factor that unifies all jurisdictions with low crime rates. The criminals are more afraid of the neighbors than of the police. An executive policy change can make it happen, by using discretion to immunize self help. It does not even require legislation. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 26, 2017 6:24:10 PM Post a comment Interesting commentary on Prez Obama's Harvard Law Review article and his criminal justice legacy | Main | "Conservative Criminal Justice Advocates Try To Change The System Even In The Trump Era" A helpful reader highlighted to me this extended article from Commentary by Nicholas Eberstadt that covers a lot of (depressing) ground about modern realities in the United States. The full title of the piece highlights its themes: "Our Miserable 21st Century: From work to income to health to social mobility, the year 2000 marked the beginning of what has become a distressing era for the United States." I recommend the full article for lots of reasons (especially for those still struggling to figure out why so many folks were inclined to vote for Prez Trump), and here snippets of passages that struck me as particularly interesting for those concerned with modern opioid problem and broader criminal justice realities: The opioid epidemic of pain pills and heroin that has been ravaging and shortening lives from coast to coast is a new plague for our new century. The terrifying novelty of this particular drug epidemic, of course, is that it has gone (so to speak) mainstream this time, effecting breakout from disadvantaged minority communities to Main Street White America. By 2013, according to a 2015 report by the Drug Enforcement Administration, more Americans died from drug overdoses (largely but not wholly opioid abuse) than from either traffic fatalities or guns. The dimensions of the opioid epidemic in the real America are still not fully appreciated within the bubble, where drug use tends to be more carefully limited and recreational. In Dreamland, his harrowing and magisterial account of modern Americas opioid explosion, the journalist Sam Quinones notes in passing that in one three-month period just a few years ago, according to the Ohio Department of Health, fully 11 percent of all Ohioans were prescribed opiates. And of course many Americans self-medicate with licit or illicit painkillers without doctors orders. In the fall of 2016, Alan Krueger, former chairman of the Presidents Council of Economic Advisers, released a study that further refined the picture of the real existing opioid epidemic in America: According to his work, nearly half of all prime working-age male labor-force dropouts an army now totaling roughly 7 million men currently take pain medication on a daily basis.... But how did so many millions of un-working men, whose incomes are limited, manage en masse to afford a constant supply of pain medication? Oxycontin is not cheap. As Dreamland carefully explains, one main mechanism today has been the welfare state: more specifically, Medicaid, Uncle Sams means-tested health-benefits program.... In 21st-century America, dependence on government has thus come to take on an entirely new meaning.... The drop in crime over the past generation has done great things for the general quality of life in much of America. There is one complication from this drama, however, that inhabitants of the bubble may not be aware of, even though it is all too well known to a great many residents of the real America. This is the extraordinary expansion of what some have termed Americas criminal class the population sentenced to prison or convicted of felony offenses in recent decades. This trend did not begin in our century, but it has taken on breathtaking enormity since the year 2000. Most well-informed readers know that the U.S. currently has a higher share of its populace in jail or prison than almost any other country on earth, that Barack Obama and others talk of our criminal-justice process as mass incarceration, and know that well over 2 million men were in prison or jail in recent years. But only a tiny fraction of all living Americans ever convicted of a felony is actually incarcerated at this very moment. Quite the contrary: Maybe 90 percent of all sentenced felons today are out of confinement and living more or less among us. The reason: the basic arithmetic of sentencing and incarceration in America today. Correctional release and sentenced community supervision (probation and parole) guarantee a steady annual flow of convicted felons back into society to augment the very considerable stock of felons and ex-felons already there. And this stock is by now truly enormous. One forthcoming demographic study by Sarah Shannon and five other researchers estimates that the cohort of current and former felons in America very nearly reached 20 million by the year 2010. If its estimates are roughly accurate, and if Americas felon population has continued to grow at more or less the same tempo traced out for the years leading up to 2010, we would expect it to surpass 23 million persons by the end of 2016 at the latest. Very rough calculations might therefore suggest that at this writing, Americas population of non-institutionalized adults with a felony conviction somewhere in their past has almost certainly broken the 20 million mark by the end of 2016. A little more rough arithmetic suggests that about 17 million men in our general population have a felony conviction somewhere in their CV. That works out to one of every eight adult males in America today. We have to use rough estimates here, rather than precise official numbers, because the government does not collect any data at all on the size or socioeconomic circumstances of this population of 20 million, and never has. Amazing as this may sound and scandalous though it may be, America has, at least to date, effectively banished this huge groupa group roughly twice the total size of our illegal-immigrant population and an adult population larger than that in any state but Californiato a near-total and seemingly unending statistical invisibility. Our ex-cons are, so to speak, statistical outcasts who live in a darkness our polity does not care enough to illuminatebeyond the scope or interest of public policy, unless and until they next run afoul of the law. Thus we cannot describe with any precision or certainty what has become of those who make up our criminal class after their (latest) sentencing or release. In the most stylized terms, however, we might guess that their odds in the real America are not all that favorable. And when we consider some of the other trends we have already mentioned employment, health, addiction, welfare dependence we can see the emergence of a malign new nationwide undertow, pulling downward against social mobility. AG Sessions, reversing recent decision made during Obama Administration, signals DOJ return to reliance on private prisons | Main | Disconcerting review of modern America highlighting impacts of opioid epidemic and mass criminal enforcement February 24, 2017 Interesting commentary on Prez Obama's Harvard Law Review article and his criminal justice legacy As noted in this prior post, last month the Harvard Law Review published this lengthy article authored by Barack Obama titled "The Presidents Role in Advancing Criminal Justice Reform." Today I saw at the interesting new site Carceral Complex this pair of follow-up commentaries: President Obamas Criminal Justice Legacy: What Went Wrong by Dustin Palmer Commentary on President Obamas Criminal Justice Legacy: What Went Wrong by Brett Diehl The themes of the potent and extended first piece by Dustin Palmer are summarized toward its conclusion: Law reviews are an excellent place for professorial musings, but the weight of the law (and its failures) is borne by the people. After combing through the legalese, it is important to evaluate actions, not words. Obamas rhetoric fits comfortably within the narrative of what supporters might have hoped would happen when a young former community organizer and constitutional law professor was elected president. The article itself, and its length, surely attempts to function as a final word on his justice reform efforts. Anecdotes about taking clemency participants to lunch or visiting a federal prison paint images of the compassionate, hopeful campaigner. His actual record on fundamental, defining aspects of the justice system is much to the contrary. Failures to reform the War on Drugs, immigration abuse, police militarization, civil asset forfeiture, and the surveillance state left the criminal justice system not smarter, fairer, and more effective but undeniably worse. They are a national tragedy, and this failure will define his legacy. The second shorter piece by Brett Diehl is somewhat less harsh, but not really less damning: One is left with a sense that the HLR article may represent more of an attempt to construct an individual legacy than to empower actual reform. It was clear by January 2017 that many of the gains in rethinking criminal justice policy of the previous eight years would be rolled back under Trump and his Attorney General Jefferson Beauregard Sessions. Yet Obamas piece ends, like most of his speeches, with an optimistic declaration that, I remain hopeful that together, we are moving in the right direction. Ever an optimist, not once does he mention the incoming administration. Yes, Obamas administration made important gains in specific geographic and policy areas. But overall, it failed to shift the paradigm around criminal justice in our nation. In writing to the audience of the HLR, this failure was perpetuated. While it may reach the occasional lay reader, the pieces formatting, length, and density surely scared off many potential readers (myself included). In this, Obamas presidency proves to be more words over actions: rhetorical power, fit for us to remember fondly, without bold progress. February 24, 2017 at 02:59 PM | Permalink Comments The ivory tower folks take Obama to task. The first writes, "His actual record on fundamental, defining aspects of the justice system is much to the contrary. Failures to reform the War on Drugs, immigration abuse, police militarization, civil asset forfeiture, and the surveillance state left the criminal justice system not smarter, fairer, and more effective but undeniably worse. They are a national tragedy, and this failure will define his legacy." Plenty to fault Obama for, but not for failing to advance this agenda. Do the authors believe that Republicans would have gone along with any of the this? Give me a break Posted by: Dave from Texas | Feb 24, 2017 7:13:04 PM He could have done more by executive order/fiat, which he certainly was not shy about using. There was (and still is) Republican/bipartisan sentencing reform legislation pending that he could have exerted more leadership on, but he squandered that ability with the ACA disaster, among other things. Overall, I have this impression that Obama was more about being "right," or on the right side of issues as he and his constituency saw them, than actually getting much done. Posted by: Fat Bastard | Feb 24, 2017 7:40:31 PM "the ACA disaster" Not clear by actual facts, including voluntary (after SCOTUS made it so) expansion of Medicaid in many red states. Actual health experts have looked at things and shown how things improved in various respects. Even now, with Republicans in control of both the White House and Congress, how much this "disaster" will be ended in unclear. Because it isn't one tbh, putting aside how popular chunks are. I'm unsure what great acts he was supposed to do to help pass stuff in the REPUBLICAN Congress. If anything, given partisanship these days, the REPUBLICAN Congress would find the whole thing tainted if OBAMA of all people was for it. The second thumbnail summary notes "Obamas administration made important gains in specific geographic and policy areas" but "failed to shift the paradigm around criminal justice in our nation." Fine. While helping to pass health insurance after decades of it not occurring, significantly moving the line in GLTB issues, helping move the courts (thanks in part to change in the filibuster rules), dealing with grave economic issues in the beginning of his administration etc. AND dealing with a level of Republican obstructionism of historical nature, yes, on crime he didn't "shift the paradigm" from decades of tough on crime rhetoric. But, EVEN THERE, some improvements (cited in his piece) were made. Posted by: Joe | Feb 24, 2017 8:05:35 PM I would note that as with economic issues and his education policy (which got some strong pushback from the left), Obama's efforts here underlines his overall centrism. It would be grand if he did more, and it's something this blog would be particularly be concerned about, but especially with so many things on his plate, Obama was willing to be moderate here. The 'fiat' is somewhat exaggerated, especially outside of military issues and trying to apply PPACA in the face of Republican intransigence (fine) btw. Posted by: Joe | Feb 24, 2017 8:10:51 PM He could have exerted more leadership to accomplish Criminal Justice Reform. Sometimes it felt like it was a photo-op rather than an initiative for reform. The lack of co-operation by Congress became a mantra for everything. There was some very solid support for sentencing reform from republicans in both houses that seemed to be treated casually. Sentencing reform had much more bi-partisan support than the ACA, yet it was left to languish. Posted by: beth | Feb 24, 2017 10:06:00 PM Obama had other priorities, namely to crush our economy with big government quack regulation. Posted by: David Behar | Feb 24, 2017 10:29:50 PM "Failures to reform the War on Drugs, immigration abuse, police militarization, civil asset forfeiture, and the surveillance state left the criminal justice system not smarter, fairer, and more effective but undeniably worse. They are a national tragedy, and this failure will define his legacy." I agree. Hope we hold the current president to the same standard of reform, with the same frequency of posts about his failure, in the same biting tones. Posted by: Paul | Feb 25, 2017 11:06:37 AM Paul, to paraphrase another commentator, don't expect anything from the birther-in-chief, groper-in-chief, conman-in-chief. Posted by: anon14 | Feb 27, 2017 12:06:58 PM Obama is 100% responsible for this murder. He should lose his immunity, and be sued for his carelessness. http://undergroundnewsreport.com/the-truth/man-pardoned-obama-2-months-ago-rapes-kills/ Posted by: David Behar | Mar 1, 2017 7:19:09 AM Post a comment This week, SFist covered the Mill's expanding pizza night, the debut of Shiba Ramen in Oakland, and a cool delivery robot spotted "studying" the sidewalks of the Mission District. We also rounded up the 18 best places for an expertly roasted chicken, and posed the age-old question of whether using your laptop at a restaurant was a bad idea, or a really rude and bad idea. Elsewhere, there were more morsels from the food world: Caffe Sociale in Presidio Heights suffered water damage, its roof reportedly caving in last Friday. According to a note from staff obtained by Eater, the business hopes to open after repairs to begin ASAP sometime in mid-March. Long live L'Olivier, which will shutter after nearly 39 years in business in the Financial District. Hoodline read the writing on the wall, or the note on the door, as it were, reporting that the shutter will go down some time in April and that there are discounts in place for the fine French cuisine until they close. Doughnut Dolly is closing its West Berkeley location over a rent dispute, Berkeleyside reports. It's been in the Gilman district since 2014, but owner Hannah Hoffman says that negotiations with her landlord broke down. Her locations in Temescal and at The Market on Market Street will remain. After four years of renovations, the new French Laundry kitchen is open, Eater reports. The Snhetta-designed facility cost $10 million, and next up, chef Thomas Keller has shared that he hopes to build a French Laundry hotel. Ooh la la. The Chronicle's Jonathan Kauffman revisited pop-ups nearly a decade in to a craze that's here, he says, to stay. Some interesting observations: "Its almost expected that every pop-up will include dishes that taste like first drafts," Kauffman writes. "But the rawness, and the promise it seems to hold, is also part of the appeal." Also, he's got a definitive timeline of pop-ups, from Saison to Mission Chinese to Kronnerburger. Pink Onion is firing up its oven for Sicilian pizza as soon as next week in the Missionaccording Tablehopper. The venture, in, on 14th near Folsom, is a westward expansion from Le Coco's restaurants in Oakland and Berkeley, offering a pared-down version of their menus, which are well-liked for their salads, housemade bread, and of course those handmade pizzas. Old Bus Tavern, the Bernal Heights brewpub that turned heads with upscale gastropub fare aimed at the gourmand set, is changing gears and temporarily closing to do so. According to Inside Scoop, after losing their opening chef, they're now parting ways with his replacement, current executive chef David Zboray, and scaling back from the fine dining food he's known for. The cheeseburger, chili, cornbread and more items will stay, but Zboray dishes like octopus and white grits are leaving the menu on February 25, when the place shuts down for two weeks to regroup. The bell tolls for the Taco Bell naked chicken chalupa, which the chain is no longer offering according to Inside Scoop. Sad news for Chronicle food critic Michael Bauer, who penned a love letter to the food item just last month. One hopes he'll provide the chalupa, whose shell was actually a piece of fried chicken, the proper eulogy. The team behind FiDi wine bar The Barrel Room is staying relatively on-brand with designs for a Marina District wine bar. Eater reports that's unnamed as of now, and bound for the former Scotland Yard space. Barrel Room executive chef Manny Hewitt is developing a menu with Michael Mina Group alum Danny Murcia, and the outside bar patio is getting a raw bar, because duh, says wine director Sarah Trubnick. After the chain's owner passed away, Bistro Burger's last remaining location has closed, Hoodline learns. The owner, Adrian Bonnar, actually died in 2015, but the last member of the 1993-founded group of casual restaurants, in the Westfield Centre, is no more. Pie pop-up Revenge Pies, previously at Duboce Triangle bar the Residence, can now by found at the 9th Avenue San Franpsycho storefront. Proprietor Elizabeth Simons reveals to Hoodline that she's now offering homemade ice cream, which can be served mixed up with pie in a dish she calls "pice cream." A grand opening occurs Saturday: Expect music and art including its most refined form, which is pie. Chinese-food megalopolis China Live is opening to the public next week, at least in part, and threw a big opening preview bash last night. The Chronicle sets the scene as the 30,000 square foot food emporium was setting up for that, making all the last-minute preparations. This Week In Reviews For the Chronicle, Bauer took a break from fawning over Taco Bell to convince us he's a regular guy and examined Onsen, the Japanese bath, tea and sake bar, and restaurant that's an unexpected wonder in the tenderloin. At the restaurant Bauer skipped the bath "Chef George Meza, who worked at Oro and Ame, rivals his former boss, Hiro Sone, on the soft custard ($8) topped with crab and shiitake mushrooms." The mushroom dumplings deserve their spot as a staple on the menu, and the critic hopes the udon sticks around too. A charred carrot dish and a smoked trout preparation are also noteworthy, though truly, "every plate is carefully considered but simply and artfully presented." Three stars from Bauer, who ends his review with a joke about the dessert being "the best kind of happy ending," which is something an editor thought was fine. Bauer also took a tour of Napa, as he does, and went on a little trend-spotting trip. Stops are Morimoto, Miminashi, Kenzo, and Two Birds/One Stone, all places that "are turning to Japan, rather than Europe, for inspiration." The Weekly's Pete Kane popped in to Almanac Taproom, where the beer company has set up shop way down 24th Street. Get the nectarine cobbler sour, says Kane, and in general, be a fan of sours in order to enjoy yourself. Of the space, Kane observes that it's too loud, and he "was legitimately shouting across a two-top. A corollary to this high-intensity atmosphere is that I get the sense people treat table boundaries and personal space more like they would in a bar." Kane also scouted out Fireside Lounge in Alameda, where Monday night is "surprisingly wacky." Writes Kane: "With trivia night, rockabilly acts, and karaoke, Fireside embodies the soul of a true neighborhood dive but its a respectable cocktail bar, too." And talk about lively: the critic observed "a garrulous party of middle-aged Elks Lodge members celebrating a birthday," at 10 p.m. on Monday. Chronicle beverage writer Esther Mobley was poppin' bottles at The Riddler, which has embraced Champagne's feminist legacy Veuve Cliquot, as Mobley remembers, translates to "the widow" Cliquot and indeed "the very methode champenoise is indebted to her." Writes Mobley: "The Riddler is not only San Franciscos most Champagne-centric bar, but also its most woman-centric," its proprietors in fact, are all women, although the staff isn't all female. Addressing, however, the nearly all female clientele, Mobley writes that "Ill admit I was suspicious. Such conspicuous gender marketing often strikes me as garish, as if adopting the women-only ethos precludes a project from seriousness. Call it the Skinnygirl Margarita syndrome." Fortunately, "Im happy to report thats not the case with the Riddler," she writes," where the bottle list and half bottle and glass options aren't the cities best, but are good enough for a solid neighborhood bar. Do make note that there's a Champagne, or rather a Prosecco bong, called a Chambong. That's true class. SIOUX CITY | Briar Cliff University held its "Swimming with the Sharks" competition where local entrepreneurs pitch business ideas to judges, and a snack product took the top prize Friday. Modeled after ABC's television show, Shark Tank, the contestants had five minutes to present their ideas to a panel of local business experts and then answered questions from them. Sara Gotch won $1,950 for her "Gnarly Pepper" product, a powder that mixes with Greek yogurt to make healthy dips and spreads. A total of $4,000 was awarded in the competition. Second place was given to Ryan Allen and Meghan Nelson for "Lumin Therapy," that provides local yoga-based outreach and community workshops. The two won $950. Three ideas got third place and took home a prize of $500 each. The competition was part of "Entrepalooza 2017" a 10-day event that focused on entrepreneurial spirit in Siouxland, and is coordinated by Briar Cliff. MOVILLE, Iowa | When the blizzard conditions got to be too much, some motorists pulled over Thursday evening to wait out the storm at truck stops and other spots in Siouxland. In Moville, Iowa, 15 miles east of Sioux City along U.S. Highway, five travelers stayed at the Motel 20 Thursday night. It was because the visibility was very difficult. They could not drive because of the visibilities, motel owner Yolanda Salte said. With up to a foot of snow and high winds creating whiteout conditions, driving was treacherous in places. Woodbury County Sheriffs Office Maj. Todd Wieck said people seemed to show discretion. A lot of times, people will stop and wait it out. I dont think that is (necessarily being) stranded, Wieck said. Salte spoke in the early afternoon Friday, right near the time the snow stopped, with roughly 10 inches over two days in Sioux City. She said Motel 20 typically draw people off the highway during major storms, recalling one night when nine of the 13 rooms were booked that night. Salte said motel patrons Thursday night were from within a 50-mile radius of Moville. Salte said the business comes with some melancholy for her, because she recognizes many of the people were interrupted from their family life. I feel sorry for the people. They may have children who want their parents to come home, she said. The Super 8 hotel in North Sioux City, South Dakota, reported one person stopped Thursday night due to the snow. Some truckers also pulled off at the Pilot Travel Center, a popular spot for over-the-road truckers, in the Singing Hills portion of Sioux City. Our lot is full every night. But when it snows, they pull in a lot earlier and are double- and triple-parked, Pilot Travel Center manager Kassi Schwier said. Clay County (Iowa) Sheriff Chris Raveling said people often recognize it is time to get a hotel in Spencer when conditions turn really bad. Raveling said others who live in rural Clay County will bring extra sets of clothes, so they can stay with friends in Spencer. His impression was there was little of that with this blizzard. People are just staying home, Raveling said. Gov. Doug Burgum has rejected a plea by North Dakotas American Indian tribes to give them exclusive rights to host internet gambling and sports betting in the state. But Burgum did endorse the tribes appeal to lower the legal gambling age from 21 to 19 at American Indian casinos and to allow use of credit or debit cards to bet. The tribes asked Burgum to approve the gambling expansion under tribal-state agreements. The tribes wanted gamblers using mobile devices to place bets that would be funneled through computer servers on tribal land. Burgum says state law doesn't allow that. PARKERSBURG, Iowa | Waterloos Miriam Tyson admitted her bias up front. Shes an active Democrat. But Tyson, a former longtime Waterloo labor leader, and one-time congressional primary candidate, also offered strong praise for U.S. Sen. Charles Grassleys service in Iowa over the years during a town hall with him Friday morning at Parkersburg Civic Center. You really do your job, Tyson said, to a scattering of applause and one vocal supporter who cheered Amen Grassley. Yes, Grassley. But Tyson wasnt finished. Tyson said she marked the turning point in her support for Grassley back to when he held up former President Barack Obamas Supreme Court nominee for a year ahead of the election. But she still wants to see a return of the Grassley she had grown accustomed to. Im asking you to be that role model that we look to, to our legislator, that we have respected for years. I want you to push back on Republican President Donald Trump, Tyson concluded to a more rousing round of applause from the more than 250 people in the crowd. Ms. Tyson, thank you for your thoughtful comments, Grassley said to her, and then ended his meeting on time, after a raucous hour of taking questions and comments, and occasionally trying to quiet a crowd so he could hear or talk without a microphone. The comments Tyson offered were on par with several questions throughout the town hall, on topics ranging from government oversight to immigration. Waterloo immigration attorney Miryam Antunez de Mayolo said that Grassley had personally helped many of her clients over the years regardless of their status. Then, Antunez de Mayolo asked what had changed. Grassley said he hadnt read the most recent executive order on stepping up deportation efforts of people here illegally. Antunez de Mayolo started to explain the orders and then moved on to immigration more generally to ask Grassley why he didnt support a comprehensive reform effort. I think you should do the most 'Iowa' thing, which is to do what is right, Antunez de Mayolo said. John Mullen, of La Porte City, tried a similar tack as Tyson, telling Grassley he thought he was someone with high moral and ethical standards. He wanted Grassley to speak up on Trump's more questionable comments -- like insulting a physically handicapped person, a prisoner of war and a Gold Star family, and admitting to groping women without their permission. Mullen's brother, Michael Mullen, was killed by friendly fire in Vietnam in 1970 and his story was made into a book and a television movie. Grassley moved on from that particular question without answering. While Grassley answered many questions, he also took some as rhetorical and didnt address them. He asked at the outset the topics people wanted to address and took questions on a good number of them. Grassley had also asked for people who just wanted to comment, without getting a response to speak up, for the first few minutes. Though some asked questions, Grassley didnt answer them either. Grassley pushed back on the idea that he had changed in an interview with the media after the town hall. I presume most of this audience come from the 36 percent of people that voted for my opponent. And so you might expect that from them, Grassley said, adding he doesnt like to hear he has changed from fellow Republicans. The bottom line of it is Chuck Grassley hasnt changed. Though the crowd did not often self-identify their party as Tyson did, they did mostly have concerns about impending Republican actions. Several made a point of saying they were not paid protesters, particularly after the Butler County Sheriff Jason Johnson had opened with the house rules, saying whether paid to be here or not and the crowd booed and jeered. Grassley compared the town halls hes had this week to ones in 2009 when active conservative tea party groups had similarly flooded public meetings to raise concerns about the health care reform debate at the time. He said at those he was more likely to get praise from Democrats and concerns from Republicans. He said this week's meetings have been less raucous than those in 2009, and less so than meetings he held immediately after the death of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia in 2015 when Republicans said they would not hold a hearing on Obamas nominee. These are relatively quiet town meetings, Grassley said after Friday's town hall. "It's like it's fallen off a cliff. When the bridge was shut off, the numbers just plummeted." Standing Rock Sioux Tribe CFO Jerome Long Bottom, on what happened to Prairie Knights Casino when the Backwater Bridge was closed. q q q "I told people I was going to sell cars until I could find a new career. I'm still looking." Bob Kupper, owner of Kupper Chevrolet and Bismarck Motor Co. q q q "I might become a police officer one day. Because they get to wear cool gadgets, and they save the day like Batman." Sophia Holmes, after visiting with police officers Monday during the Coffee with a Cop event in Bismarck. q q q "Falls on ice are typically after a big storm, and then it tapers off. What has been unique about it it's just been every morning there is a solid sheet of ice on everything." Dr. Jeffrey Rundio, an emergency room physician at Sanford Health, on the sometimes dangerous winter conditions in the area. q q q "I'm not sure that any sentence I can impose will make any difference in this case, but, on the other hand, I think the sentence needs to reflect what a terrible, terrible offense this was. And I'm saving my sympathy for the victim's family." South Central District Judge Gail Hagerty, on sentencing Ryan Riveland, 36, for criminal vehicular homicide, one count of possession of a schedule II controlled substance and two counts of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was sentenced to 20 years, with five years suspended for a period of three years supervised probation. q q q "As a high school teacher, I am particularly excited about the opportunities we have to redefine the senior year, to reduce our focus on standardized tests, and really look at educating our kids more holistically." Sen. Nicole Poolman, R-Bismarck, an English teacher at Century High School and primary sponsor of SB2186. The bill would allow school districts to adopt innovative learning techniques. q q q "To find a school that has a business center is unusual, so we like the unusual. I think this is a bold step in the future to providing a very dynamic business curriculum, but not just for high schools students, throughout the system." Gerald Vetter, president of Light of Christ schools, on plans by Choice Financial to build a financial education center at the new St. Marys Central High School. q q q "Government efficiency is not always combining things. Sometimes, it's splitting things up. This will not change the department's mission one bit." Sen. Kelly Armstrong, R-Dickinson, on a bill to create the Department of Environmental Quality, pulling its responsibilities from the North Dakota Department of Health. The Senate approved the bill, 27-17. q q q "We did not come to get into conflict with law enforcement. We do not advocate nonviolent direct action. There's a lot of trash at the camp, and we want to help clean up. There are so many homeless and stranded veterans still there from December. We're feeding them, and we've already evacuated about 12 of them to a retreat center in Wisconsin." Mark Sanderson, executive director for VeteransRespond, on his groups role with the pipeline protest camps. More than 50 civilians have been killed or injured by landmines since Friday night as they fled a village about 9 miles west of Mosul, Iraq's Federal Police said in a tweet Saturday. 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. Canada February 25, 2017 Pierre Beaudet In September 2015, a fine document emerged from Canadian progressives around the Leap Manifesto . It expresses a broad will to transform the land around a wide platform of social, democratic and environmental transformation, away from the neoliberal model that we endure and fight. The Manifesto started by identifying violence against the Indigenous Peoples and the non-response from the Canadian State facing climate change as a crime. The priority is to build an alternative to the profit-gouging of private companies and the remote bureaucracy of some centralized state, along the lines of a left-green project that resembles those of Quebec Solidaire or the green-red alliances in Northern Europe. When the Manifesto came out, it generated lots of excitement and support. The hypothesis was that it could neutralize some of the divisions that have segmented peoples movements and resistance and diminish the cynicism that many people, especially the younger generation, have about a pseudo Canadian democracy. Although the Manifesto did not respond to all the questions, it was a good start. Now, it remains to be seen how it can, on the long term, affect Canadian politics and bring together popular movements. However, there is a blind spot. Much like in the tradition of the Canadian left, the Leapists have ignored the fact that the Canadian state, from its creation till now, is not and cannot be the terrain of emancipation. This state is illegitimate. Its foundations are rotten, since it was erected on class and national oppression, whereas the First Nations on the one side, and the Quebecois on the other side, have been dispossessed.[1] To put it bluntly, this state has to be broken and eventually reinvented. Speaking about reforming Canada on the left does not make sense if unless that, from the onset, there is clear and explicit commitment to work with the First Nations and the Quebecois by recognizing their right to self-determination and their nationhood. The Missed Republican Moment This problem for those who know a bit of the history is not new. For decades, it has poisoned the relations between the Canadian and the Quebecois left. It has also created a situation where the bourgeois parties are able to rule steadily in this capitalist country, playing the infamous divide-and-rule game inherited from colonial times. Was it pre-determined to evolve like that? I dont think so. Indeed, in the 1830s, there was a window of opportunity. An uprising in Lower Canada and important turbulences in Upper Canada raised the banner of independence and republicanism. This movement had the potential to bring together the different nations inhabiting the land and oppose British rule. While the rebellion took the form of a mass insurrection in Lower Canada, it could have eventually broken down the colonial hegemony over the whole land, including in Upper Canada, inhabited mostly by settlers from the British Empire. But at the end, the colonial regime weakened the republican aspirations in Upper Canada by nourishing the fear of an alleged French-Catholic conspiracy. Militarily, the British Empire was at this point too strong, while the insurrection in Lower Canada had very little strategy. So it was a major defeat, out of which the present-day Canada was born. The National-Democratic Revolution The republican movement in Lower Canada attracted tens of thousands of people. In fact the majority of the people, throughout the 1830s, participated in marches and petitions, liberated many villages by creating alternative institutions, and elected a majority of pro-republican representatives in the assembly. The Patriotes included reformist personalities like Louis-Joseph Papineau, while the masses mobilized around the project were peasants and urban poor. Initially, their demand was moderate, for representative government (the elected chamber was deprived of any real power). But when the colonial regime refused any concession, the movement became insurrectionary. The goal was to impose an independent republic with full civil rights for all inhabitants. It included the First Nations, as it is stated in the Declaration of independence: the People of Lower Canada is exonerated from any allegiance to Great Britain. Under the free government of Lower Canada, all citizens shall have the same rights; the Indians will cease to be subject to any kind of civil disqualification, and will enjoy the same rights as the other citizens of the state.[2] In Upper Canada, the republican movement was led by the popular mayor of Toronto, William Lyon Mackenzie, who confronted the colonial regime. In 1837, the reformers (the radical wing of the movement in Toronto) called to make common cause with their fellow-citizens of Upper Canada, whose successful coercion would doubtless be in time visited upon us.[3] At the end, various disturbances and riots in and around Toronto were put down by the army. After crushing the rebellion, British rule was consolidated. In 1840, it forced the unification of the two colonies, creating the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with the explicit purpose of transforming the French-speaking majority of Lower Canada into a minority. On that basis, the colonial regime, in collaboration with an English Canadian elite and their collaborators in Quebec (supported by the reactionary Catholic church), imposed in 1867 the British North American Act (falsely presented as a constitution). A centralized federal state left residual power to the province of Quebec then put in a position of subalternity.[4] French Canadians were subjected to a regime of harsh assimilation and control. Basically, the centralized unitary federation of 1867 bore the imprint of inequality: the British-monarchical configuration of the colonial dominion proclaimed a British (and Anglo-Canadian) ascendency and a permanent minority position for the French Canadians.[5] It transformed the French-Canadian into a cultural minority and denied any political recognition as a national entity. In parallel, the new regime imposed the infamous Indian act, stealing 98 per cent of the First Nations lands and creating a system of apartheid. In 1885, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald ordered the execution of Louis Riel, the French-speaking Metis leader who led an uprising in Manitoba. 50,000 people demonstrated against this criminal act in Montreal, but Macdonald said, He will be hanged, even if all the Quebecois dogs bark for him. The Gap While a new state was put in place to plunder, oppress and enrich a corrupted political and economic elite, a new peoples movement, by the turn of the century, slowly emerged. It was mostly built by radical trade unions who fought tremendous battles and inspired a first generation of socialists.[6] In 1910, the Socialist Party of Canada wrote in their manifesto that by political force, the working class must wrest from the capitalist class the reins of government.[7] In Montreal, the SPC tried to rally immigrant workers, with much less success, however, with French-speaking workers and even less so, with the rural population (the vast majority of the people then). It did not prevent French-Canadians from participating in radical trade-unions and republican and anti-imperialist actions, but it was a serious gap in the attempt to create a genuine and mass socialist movement. There were several reasons behind the fact that French-Canadians were not attracted to Canadian socialism. The reactionary elites in the province of Quebec, linked to an ultra-conservative Catholic Church, were allowed to build a cultural wall isolating (mostly rural) French-Canadian communities. Canadian socialists, on the other hand, ignored Quebecs history of class and national struggles. At this early stage, Canadian socialists tended to adopt the European view and reject the idea of national emancipation as a reactionary utopia.[8] For the Second International, Canada was a democratic country where there was no national question, since French Canadians were allowed to use their own laws and their own language as completely as if they had never been annexed.[9] Peoples Without History European socialism remained unable to understand the national question. No one else than Frederick Engels expressed his contempt for small nations. Back in 1848, he applauded the conquest of Mexico by the United States, since the lazy Mexicans had to give way to the energetic Yankees who will open the Pacific Ocean to civilization.[10] He also thought that the greater European nations had to civilize Southern Slavs (Czechs, Croats, Slovenes, Serbs, etc.) and untie these small, stunted and impotent little nations into a single big state and thereby enabling them to take part in a historical development! Engels and to a lesser extent, Marx, were even more off track regarding colonialism.[11] When France conquered North Africa, Engels said it was regretful that the colonized peoples lost their freedom, but one had to consider that the Bedouins were a nation of robbers.[12] Marx explained that British colonialism in India had a double mission: one destructive, the other regenerating the annihilation of old Asiatic society.[13] After a while, Marx and Engels toned down. Observing Irish resistance, they understood that Englands first colony was miserable not because the people were backward, but because colonization meant systemic starvation and humiliation. They concluded that the antagonism between the English and the Irish worker is the secret of the impotence of the English working class.[14] In that sense, socialists, added Marx and Engels, had to support the struggle in Ireland as a necessary step so that socialism could advance. Nonetheless, apart from a few special cases (like Ireland and Poland), they remained broadly convinced that socialists should not be associated with national emancipation demands and movements. Engels in Montreal In a short passage to Canada in 1888, Engels made private remarks in his inimitable style: Canada is richer in ruined houses than any other country but Ireland. We are trying here to understand the Canadian French that language beats Yankee English hollow. Here one sees how necessary the feverish speculative spirit of the Americans is for the rapid development of a new country. In ten years this sleepy Canada will be ripe for annexation even the farmers in Manitoba will demand it themselves. The economic necessity of an infusion of Yankee blood will have its way and abolish this ridiculous boundary line.[15] In brief, like the lazy Mexicans, Canadians had to give way. Engelss remarks could be considered anecdotal, but in fact, it was an indicator of a much deeper philosophy. In the 1880s, he reiterated that he had no sympathy whatever for the small Slavic peoples, and remnants of peoples. For Engels, these nations were dwarfs of peoples. He conceded that in certain contexts, socialists had to let them take their fate in their own hands, even if, six months of independence will suffice for most Austro-Hungarian Slavs to bring them to a point where they will beg to be readmitted![16] In the colonial territories, Engels thought that the countries inhabited by a native population, which are simply subjugated should be taken over for the time being by the proletariat. Once Europe is reorganized, the semi-civilised countries will follow in their wake of their own accord.[17] This approach percolated deeply into the European dominant socialist culture at that time. Eduard Bernstein, one of the foremost socialist leaders, said bluntly that colonies are here to stay (because) civilised peoples have to exercise a certain guardianship over uncivilised peoples.[18] Even left-wing socialists such as Rosa Luxemburg thought that national demands were not to be supported: today our national identity cannot be defended by national separatism; it can only be secured through the struggle to overthrow despotism.[19] In Russia however, the events changed that course. More than 57 per cent of the population was not Russian in a state composed of over 200 nationalities and where the regime was practicing, according to Lenin, grand-Russianism and oppression. The Russian socialists demanded equality between nations and even the right to self-determination. When the tsarist state broke up, many oppressed nations supported the revolution especially that the project was to create a federation of independent states. Toward the colonial situation, the Soviets also went far ahead by promoting anti-imperialist revolts, and imposing on socialists in the colonial countries to side against their own state. Canadian Communism By the end of the 1910s, impressed by the rise of the Soviets, many Canadian socialists leaned toward the Third International (19191943) founded in Moscow. An embryonic Communist Party was set up in 1921, after preventing the new International to recognize a French-Canadian Communist Party.[20] According to the International, Canadian communists had to support national-democratic and anti-imperialist movements. But Jack Cavanagh, one of the Canadian communist leaders at that time, did not see any relation between Quebecois demands for self-determination and liberation movements. In its 1921 Manifesto, Communists had nothing to say about the national question.[21] On the social-democrat side, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF, 1932-1961) did not acknowledge the national issue in Canada except to say that a new constitutional arrangement was required so that the national government should be given more power over the provinces to control national economic development.[22] Indeed, both Communists and Social Democrats advocated a strong central Federal state, which confronted Quebecs aspiration to a certain degree of autonomy. The Quebec question was then seen, strictly, as a question of language. There was a partial shift later, however. The Labour-Progressive Party (LPP, 1943-1959),[23] under the influence of Stanley Brehaut Ryerson, called for the full national equality of French and English-speaking Canadians: Our party is pledged to fight for the wiping out of the conditions of extreme poverty which weigh upon French Canada as a heritage of the dark past.[24] Beyond that, Communists remained committed to strengthen the federal state, placing responsibility upon the Dominion government for social legislation and labor standards, legislation regulating corporations and trade and commerce.[25] In the meantime, Ryerson continued to argue that the Quebecois were a nation, and not a national minority or an ethnic group.[26] The Communist Party accepted that in 1950, but it was too little, too late. More than half of the Communists in Quebec had left the Party,[27] complaining that it pretended to promote Quebecois rights on the one hand, but advocated for a stronger Canada on the other.[28] The New Left By the 1960s, the vast inflow of young Quebecois into the left by-passed the Communist Party, as well as the social-democrats (the NDP). This new left was by and large independendist, creating its own utopia in sync with national liberations and new Marxist explorations in the wake of the student and workers rebellions of 1968. Since then, the political architecture of the left in Quebec has been largely isolated from Canada, and vice-versa.[29] Apart from radical groups, like those working in the tradition of the Fourth International, the Canadian left did not catch on. There were exceptions, however, like the NDP-left, the Waffle, as well as the progressive magazine Canadian Dimension , who advocated earlier on that Canadians should explicitly support Quebec rights. The Waffle wanted Quebec and Canada to join their struggles: So long as the federal government refuses to protect the country from economic and cultural domination, English Canada is bound to appear to French Canadians simply as part of the United States. An English Canada concerned with its own national survival would create common aspirations that would help to tie the two nations together once more.[30] Other left voices supported what became the Quebecois left perspective of merging socialism and independence. They were willing to recognize the Quebecois nation while preferring that Quebec would come along into some sort of asymmetrical federalism. Revolutionary groups like the League for Socialist Action went further: we support the decision of the majority for the simple reason that it is the right of the oppressed nation to decide its fate a basic democratic right. We emphasize this side of the question above all in our work among the workers in the oppressor nation, defending the decision of the masses and their right to make such a decision. And we do so without posing any preconditions.[31] The Turbulent 1970s In 1970, the Pierre Trudeau government violated rights by imposing the war measures act (October 1970). Hundreds of peoples were detained, but instead of crushing the national-social movement, the repression launched a new wave of resistance. In 1976, the election of the Parti Quebecois (PQ) triggered a new round of political crises rocking the State. Four years later, Trudeau defeated the sovereignty referendum of 1980 by lying to Quebec and imposing a consensus of absolute opposition to Quebecois nationalism, which included, by the way, the NDP. During the referendum, the vast majority of the Quebec left campaigned for the Yes with a critical angle, keeping away from the PQ which was perceived as a bourgeois pro-capitalist party.[32] After the defeat, the federal state went into an offensive to impose, against Quebec opposition, a new constitution. Trudeau manoeuvered with the direct support of provincial NDP governments in isolating Quebec and so was another step toward federal centralization and denial of national rights. At the end of the decade, the neoliberal Progressive Conservative Party led by a corrupt politician thought that it could reintegrate Quebec through a mild decentralization conceding more residual rights. The rejection of that soft compromise by many Canadian political actors was a surprise and a slap in the face of Quebec, which triggered a second Quebec referendum in 1995. This time, the federal government with the unanimous support of the Canadian elite illegally entered into the process by injecting illegally vast amounts of resources to derail the process. Confronting that, Quebec trade unions, community organizations, the womens movement and almost every sector of the left came in the Yes campaign that was beaten at the finishing line by a tiny margin. In Canada, a trickle of trade unions (the Postal Workers for one) had the courage to support the right of the Quebecois to self-determination, along with the radical left and a few personalities like Margaret Atwood. Some Canadians on the political left, justified their stand because the PQ was not enough on the left. The defeat of the second referendum was the beginning of the end of that political cycle. To prevent another possible breakdown, the federal government invested in a major corruption scheme to bring around the Quebecois elites. They also imposed a law blocking even further the right of self-determination (the so-called Clarity Act of 2000), which was supported by the NDP. In 2011, Jack Layton tried to repair that damage, accepting finally that Quebec had the right to choose its destiny. For a while, the NDP increased its support in Quebec, until, after the take-over by Tom Mulcair (a former minister in the Quebec Liberal government), it came back to its traditional federalist policies. Outside the NDP, the Canadian labour movement and other civil entities have remained silent on the Quebec question. In 2012, Quebec was the scene of one of the biggest social upheavals in modern times, with hundreds of thousands of citizens rallying behind the student strike. Le movement est etudiant, mais la lutte est populaire and indeed it was. While the battle was about student fees, it confronted explicitly the neoliberal policies of merchandizing education and public services, destroying the environment and manipulating governance through a corrupt system established since the 1867 swindle. After the end of the strike, the PQ came back (shortly) in power and the left-independantist Quebec Solidaire tripled its popular vote. While the movement caught the attention of some of the left in Canada, it did not generate massive support. In Lieu of a Conclusion The split between the Quebecois and the Canadian left has never been, on both sides, empowering. At the primary level of coordinating struggles, popular movements have gone their separate ways. At the political level, the distinct objectives and methods were unable to build convergences, which would have required a clear rupture with the Canadian state and much more than rhetorical support to Quebecois rights. This mutual weakening was the result of a non-dialogue that had started in the early phase of the left, as we have seen before. This situation inherited an historical construct whereas the Canadian left, by and large, did not break with the Engelsian tradition and fell into the trap of the centralized state which would lead the unified nation to progress and prosperity. Again and again, a recurrent argument on the Canadian left is that Quebec national aspirations cannot be totally supported because they are not enough left. Some would say that Quebecois and Canadian are equally despondent in front of the First Nations demands, so that the battle of Quebec is, at the end of the day, between equally repulsive settler projects, which is not the battleground of the left. Today, this multitude has decided, wisely, to link up social and national emancipation, breaking up with the old traditions, and fighting very hard for an independence and socialism. For sure, this scepticism is founded, but at the same time, it is not legitimate. Canadians will not save Quebec from a rightist independence (which is not an impossibility), no more than the British Chartists (and later Labourites) could save Ireland. Nor the French socialists could civilize, modernize and socialize the Algerians. Today, the Spanish State, even if it turns to the left, will not resolve the internal contradictions in Catalonia or the Basque country because Catalans and Basques have to do it themselves. In Quebec. A turn toward the left, which is not unthinkable, depends on the Quebec social and progressive movements, no one else. Today, this multitude has decided, wisely, to link up social and national emancipation, breaking up with the old traditions, and fighting very hard for an independence and socialism. Is victory inevitable? Certainly not! If this struggle goes ahead, the Canadian elites, the dispositif of power, will be very much weakened and this is why they defend strongly the Canadian state. And so, Quebecs independence would open new possibilities for the Canadian left. ANNAPOLIS (Feb. 25, 2017)A Democrat-backed earned-leave bill is headed to the House floor after being given a favorable report from the House Economic Matters Committee. The bill had failed last year, after dying in a Senate committee. Gov. Larry Hogan's related measure, which would require paid leave for larger companies than the Democrats' bill, is not likely to advance out of the committee. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act was passed by a 14-9 vote Thursday by the committee after lead sponsor Delegate Luke Clippinger, D-Baltimore, added some amendments. One amendment ensures that an employee must work an average of eight hours per week, rather than every few weeks, to be allowed to earn the leave. The other requires that caregivers for the developmentally disabled ensure substitute help is available when they take foreseeable leave. Last year's bill failed to make it out of the Senate Finance Committee, however Clippinger said the bill should reach the Senate much sooner than it did last session. Additionally, he said, they have seen "real substantive movement in the Senate," regarding the legislation. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act mandates that businesses with 15 or more employees provide paid sick leave and businesses with fewer than 15 provide unpaid sick leave. Employees can accrue a maximum of 56 hours of leave annually. The bill would not supercede leave set in collective bargaining agreements signed before 2017. It will maintain Montgomery County's earned leave policy, but does not allow for any other jurisdiction to pass their own version of earned sick leave. Employers may provide an alternative form of leave, provided that it meets the bill's minimum requirement of one hour earned for 30 hours of work. Employers may either count the earned leave throughout the year, or award it all to an employee at the beginning of the year. The bill's detractors contend that it would place too much of a burden on small businesses. Small-business owner Misty Schulze, of Pasadena, Maryland, testified during a hearing on Feb. 9 that the bill would have "dire consequences" for her company. "We simply cannot afford to offer benefits such as paid sick leave," she said. Schulze argued that her company, a cleaning service called Misty Cleans, of roughly 15 employees, receives at least one to two callouts per week. "Some of the employees also receive state assistance, so if you ask me this is nothing more than a bonus at my expense," she said. "This type of watch-dog mentality from the state will only stifle business growth." Schulze added she would "decrease sales and stop growing to avoid this penalty." Delegate Seth Howard, R-Anne Arundel, and Delegate Warren Miller, R-Carroll and Howard, both described the bill as "a lot of stick" with "a little carrot" for businesses before voting to give the bill an unfavorable recommendation. Howard, a small business owner, said the bill left him "speechless." Delegate Benjamin Brooks Sr., D-Baltimore County, also a small-business owner, argued that the cost was being exaggerated. "If we really look at the actual expense, you're talking about 56 hours a year," he said before the vote. "If you're talking about minimum wage that's 490 bucks. Divide that by 263 days a year. That's $1.86. That's a cup of coffee from McDonald's." Brooks added that the cost is an expense, which can be written off. "So really I don't think it's going to hurt the employer as much as we're saying," he said. "What we've got to do, we've got to look at both sides of that equation." Hogan's bill mandates that employers with more than 50 employees at each location provide "paid time off"for whatever circumstances they chooseto those employees. Employers with fewer than 50 employees at each location who choose to provide the leave are given a tax break. Hogan's plan does not cover employees who do not work full time. We believe our bill is "flexible, consistent and fair," said Chris Shank, a legislative director for the governor. "A key component of the (governor's) bill is that it provides paid leave for any reason," said Phillip Ligon, the administrative accountant for Baltimore utility contractor Ligon & Ligon Inc., who testified against the Democrats' bill on Feb. 10. "In reality, (Hogan's bill) is much more liberal as it relieves businesses from having to dissect the exact reasoning behind an employee taking time off." According to analysis from the state, businesses in the accommodations and food service industries would be the most affected by the Democrats' bill. Only 31 percent of employees in these sectors have paid sick leave. "We don't think the (governor's Commonsense Paid Leave Act) goes far enough," Stephen Shaff, the founding executive director of the Chesapeake Sustainable Business Council, told the University of Maryland's Capital News Service. " It really doesn't cover as many people that should be covered." The state's analysis found that both bills would cost the state an estimated amount of just above $400,000 in the 2018 fiscal year to implement. The Maryland Healthy Working Families Act could cost the government over $10 million annually to provide sick leave for state employees and an estimated $8.1 million annually for the University System of Maryland, according to the bill's fiscal note. Republican Gov. Larry Hogan's competing Commonsense Paid Leave Act was not voted on by the committee and no vote was scheduled as of Thursday. A committee vote on the Senate version of the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act is expected for next week. LA PLATA, Md. (Feb. 25, 2017)The Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) redistricting committee plans to present two comprehensive elementary school rezoning options to the Board of Education and Superintendent Kimberly Hill at the Board's April 4 meeting.Elementary school redistricting will create an attendance zone for a new elementary school, scheduled to open in September 2018 and located off Billingsley Road in White Plains. Additionally, it will expand the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School attendance zone and balance student enrollment across the county as needed at all other elementary schools. Dr. Mudd is scheduled to undergo a complete renovation and expansion, starting next school year.The Board has scheduled two public hearings to allow residents to comment on the proposals. Public hearings on the committee's proposals are set for 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 24, 2017, at Westlake High School and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at St. Charles High School. CCPS will provide elementary school students' parents with a fact sheet containing a synopsis of the proposals prior to the April 4 Board meeting. Additional redistricting information is available at www.ccboe.com/redistricting.The redistricting committee's task was to develop and evaluate potential elementary school attendance zones for consideration by the Superintendent and Board. The Board selected the redistricting committee members at random from names of volunteers. Board policy requires the committee to submit two different proposals.The following is the timeline for redistricting.March 2017 Redistricting committee completes work and prepares report. CCPS staff will review and finalize the alternatives by the end of March. In late March, CCPS will distribute the second of four redistricting fact sheets. This fact sheet will contain a synopsis of the redistricting committee's two recommendations.April 2017 The Board will receive a report on the committee's recommendations at the April 4 meeting. The redistricting committee's report will be available to the public. Public hearings on the redistricting alternatives are 6:30 p.m., Monday, April 24, 2017, at Westlake High School and 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 25, 2017, at St. Charles High School.May 2017 The Superintendent will present a redistricting recommendation to the Board at the May 9, 2017, meeting; CCPS will send a third fact sheet to parents. Tentatively, the Board has scheduled two public hearings to receive comment on the Superintendent's recommendation. Dates are Monday, May 15, 2017, and Monday May 22, 2017. Time and locations to be determined.June 2017 The Board will take action on the Superintendent's recommendation. The Board is making the redistricting decision one year prior to the opening of Elementary 22 and two years before the reopening of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School in order to provide parents ample notice of the change. The communications office will prepare and distribute a final fact sheet with the Board's decision.August 27, 2018 Redistricting takes effect. Students affected by the elementary school redistricting move to their new schools starting with the 2018-19 school year. Students affected by redistricting involving Dr. Samuel A. Mudd Elementary School will move to the transition school starting with the 2018-19 school year and to the renovated building in the 2019-20 school year.The Board of Education believes community input is essential to a successful redistricting.There are several ways for residents to share ideas about the upcoming redistricting: Email ideas and comments to redistrict@ccboe.com. Emails will be forwarded to all Board members. Hold a neighborhood information meeting with Charles County Public Schools staff. If you have a smaller group, such as a community or neighborhood association, that would like to meet with staff members to learn more about the redistricting process, why it is needed or to provide ideas, please email Brad Snow, director of transportation and redistricting facilitator, at bsnow@ccboe.com. Participate in public hearings.There are a number of ways parents and the community can keep up-to-date on redistricting. CCPS continually posts information on the school system website at www.ccboe.com/redistricting , including time lines, meeting notices, publications and parent notifications, maps, fact sheets and more. Additionally, all parents receive four informational fact sheetsan introduction to redistricting, committee proposals, the Superintendent's recommendation to the Board of Education and the accepted redistricting plan. Board meetings include updates on the process and are televised live and aired on Comcast Channel 96 and Verizon FiOS Channel 12. The meetings also stream live on the school system website at www.ccboe.com. Broward and Miami-Dade School Boards will continue to include gender identity in protections. Wednesday the Trump administration announced its decision to rescind Title IX protections against discrimination for transgender students in public schools. Previous Title IX guidelines, issued by the Obama administration, included gender identity as a protected status. The Trump administration decision is drawing criticism from civil rights activists, and some members of the Republican Party. This lamentable decision can lead to hostile treatment of transgender students and studies have shown that bullying and harassment can be detrimental to the emotional and physical well-being of teenagers, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Miami Republican Rep. said in a statement. Ros-Lehtinen and Colorado Democratic Rep. Jared Polis introduced the Student Non Discrimination Act, prohibiting schools from discriminating against students based on sexual orientation or gender identity, in 2015. Ros-Lehtinen, her husband Dexter Lehtinen, a former U.S. attorney, and their transgender son Rodrigo launched a bilingual campaign for transgender rights, Family is Everything, with LGBT rights group SAVE Miami in May 2016. Rodrigo, 30 came out as transgender while in college. See the campaign PSAs here: English Spanish Broward County public schools do allow students to use public accommodations corresponding to a student's gender identity. Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie said the school board will continue to uphold this policy, in a briefing on Thursday. We have a moral obligation and a responsibility to protect all students from discrimination, bullying and harassment, Runcie said. Le Collectif Cheikh Yassine a organise un certain nombre dactivites et de festivites pour les enfants de Gaza sous le theme La joie des enfants de Gaza pour lAid . Ces activites ont commence le premier jour de lAid et continue jusquau 4eme jour de lAid dans la bande de Gaza. Plusieurs activites, ont ete organisees parmi lesquelles : des competitions recompensees par des prix, des jeux, des animations et des chants presentes par un groupe ainsi que des distributions de cadeaux et daides financieres. Brief facts are that the Reliance Utilities Private Limited, the assessee, is a private limited company filed its return of income for the assessment year 2008-09 on 29.09.2008 declaring a total income of Rs. 1,69,52,9 19. The assessment was completed by an assessment order u/s. 143(3) of the Act dated 27.12.20 10.The assessee during the previous year relevant to the assessment year 2008-09 had credited a transaction in its books for the receipt of Rs. 700 crores from Biometrix Marketing Private Limited, Singapore (in short Biometrix) towards subscription of Compulsorily Convertible Preference Shares (in short CCPS) against which the assessee had allotted seven crores CCPS of Rs. 10 each at a premium of Rs. 90 per share to Biometrix. This transaction was investigated by the Investigation Wing of the Income Tax Department, Mumbai upon receipt of commercial intelligence report dated 10.08.2012 from the High Commission of India, Singapore. The AO has summarized the observations in the said report that the source of funds of Biometrix, which invested Rs 700 crores in the CCPS issued by the assessee and also in other group companies (in all aggregating to USD 1627.24 millions),needs further investigation considering that the said company incorporated under the laws of Singapore had a paid-up capital of Singapore Dollars 1,10,000 only and its shares were held by two corporate entities, of which one entity in Singapore held 91% of the shares. The ultimate owner of the two companies in Singapore i.e. Biometrix and its shareholder entity is an individual based in Mumbai holding 100% of the capital. The quantum of investment made by Biometrix which was the largest FDI from Singapore to India, given its small capital base and other facts such as a single room office in Singapore remaining closed most of the time which reinforced that Biometrix is a small company, made it highly probable that Biometrix may have raised loans from Singapore or from other countries mostly tax havens and hence the report stated that the ultimate source needs to be ascertained. The investigation wing of the Income Tax Department, Mumbai carried out the investigation in the matter and the findings in its report dated 10.07.20 12 are extracted by the AO in para 10 of the assessment order. It was ascertained that the investment made by Biometrix in the CCPS of the assessee through the Foreign Direct Investment route was not out of equity capital of Biometrix but was out of a loan of USD 1700 million taken by Biometrix from ICICI Bank, Singapore. The said loan was secured by contractually binding a group company of the assessee to purchase the CCPS upon exercise of option to sell those shares by Biometrix. The investigation wing had also obtained copies of acknowledgements of the income tax returns and goods & services tax returns filed by Biometrix with the authorities in Singapore. It was also observed that Biometrix subsequently repaid the loan to ICICI Bank, Singapore by selling the investments it made in the CCPS to other group companies of the assessee and the said group companies which purchased the CCPS from Biometrix have provided the details and explained the sources for the monetary consideration paid to Biometrix. Upon receipt of the above investigation report from DGIT (Inv.), Mumbai, the AO recorded the reasons, which essentially are the findings in the reports of the High Commission of India, Singapore and the Investigation Wing mentioned hereinabove. Stating that the new information received clearly cast a doubt on the creditworthiness of Biometrix as well as the ultimate source of Rs 700 crores, based on the said information, the AO issued the notice u/s 148 dated 04.01.2013 with the reason to believe that income to the tune of Rs. 700 crores has escaped assessment for the assessment year under consideration. The assessee requested that the original return filed on 29.09.2008 be treated as the return filed in response to the notice u/s 148 of the Act. The AO provided a copy of reasons recorded as requested by the assessee on 19.08.2013. The assessment was taken up by issuing a notice u/s. 143(2) of the Act on 20.09.20 13. The Investigation Wing in Mumbai vide letter dated 10.09.20 13 requested that the assessment be kept in abeyance till further communication is issued to the AO. The Investigation Wing forwarded another report dated 05.02.20 14 to the AO, which apart from the findings in its first report dated 10.07.20 12, carried the details of the subsequent transactions of the purchase of CCPS from Biometrix by the group companies of the assessee and that the purchasers of CCPS have explained that the consideration was paid out of the proceeds from sale of units of mutual funds. The report stated that Biometrix had entered into separate Investment Agreement with the assessee and other group companies. It also stated that a Put & Call Option Agreement was entered into by Biometrix with a group company of the assessee, which gave Biometrix the right to sell the CCPS and that the loan from ICICI Bank was secured by assigning the rights in the Investment Agreement, the Put and Call Option Agreement and the charge was filed with the authority in Singapore. The report also stated how ICICI bank had sanctioned a loan of USD 1.2 billion on 28.06.2007 and a further sum USD 0.5 billion on 07.11.2007 and as per the documents filed by ICICI Bank, actual borrower was to be a SPY in a tax efficient jurisdiction. After reviewing the financial statements of Biometrix, the report also drew an inference that Biometrix is essentially a shell company. Further, Biometrix paid interest and loan repayment to ICICI Bank where as it received a lower consideration from the sale of CCPS it held in various group companies. There is also information gathered from Singapore regarding the identity of the shareholders of Biometrix, which are corporate entities, the individuals who had invested in one such shareholder entity in Singapore and the mode used for such investment. The report also states that the bank account statement of Biometrix, its financial accounts and KYC documents could not be obtained from the investee companies, which include the assessee. The report also narrated the failed attempts to obtain information about the identity of current shareholders and directors in the corporate entity in Singapore, which held substantial shares in Biometrix. These information and efforts of the Investigation Wing are outlined by the AO in the order in Para 16 to 32 of the Assessment Order. Accordingly, assessment proceedings were conducted in view of the aforesaid information in the possession of the AO. The notice dated 09.06.20 14 had a questionnaire calling for complete details / supporting evidences in respect of receipt of investments amounting to Rs 700 crores from Biometrix and thus the assessee was required to prove the identity and creditworthiness of the investor and the genuineness of the aforesaid transaction. The assessee filed a reply on 24.11.2014 explaining that the assessee issued 7 crores CCPS of Rs. 10/- each at a premium of Rs. 90/- each to Biometrix. An Investment Agreement between the assessee, Biometrix and persons named as promoters dated 3 1.08.2007 was furnished. Copies of the share certificates issued to Biometrix for the CCPS allotted were also furnished. It was stated that the investment made by Biometrix fell under the automatic route of Foreign Direct Investment under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA) and it was not necessary to obtain the approval of Foreign Investment Promotion Board. The assessee also submitted the form filed with Reserve Bank of India on the issue of CCPS along with the acknowledgment for filing the same. The terms of the issue of CCPS were explained and the valuation report of S.R. Batliboi & Co was furnished. The assessee explained its understanding that Biometrix had obtained a loan from ICICI Bank, Singapore for making the investment in the CCPS and stated that it is not in possession of any correspondence in this regard. The bank statements of the assessee were furnished and credit entries for the receipt of Rs. 700 crores from Biometrix were identified in the bank statements. The AO also made reference through FT & TR Division of the CBDT to Inland Revenue Authority in Singapore (IRAS) on 13.03.2014. The reference was made as per requirement for exchange of information in relation to investments made by Biometrix in four reliance group companies including assessee. IRAS provided information pertaining to Biometrix, viz, the tax residency certificate, List of Directors and employees, Financial Statements and Income Tax Returns, Directors resolutions/KYC documents, ICICI bank statements with details of inward credits, disbursement related documents, loan principal and interest related documents, credit appraisal note and facility documents. On finding that complete information as sought was not provided by IRAS including the bank statement of Biometrix tracing the receipt of loan amounts and the repayment of interest & principal. The AO made another reference through FT & TR Division to IRAS. IRAS provided further information that loan was disbursed by ICICI Bank, Singapore Branch to the bank account of Biometrix held in Overseas Chinese Corporation Bank, Singapore (OCBC). Following this a fresh reference was made to IRAS through the Competent Authority on 16.09.20 14. The bank statement of the account held by Biometrix in OCBC sent by IRAS contained entries only from 01.0 1.2008. It was not possible to obtain the bank statement pertaining to earlier period as per the India Singapore Exchange of Information Protocol. The AO made enquiries from assessee and issued summons under section 131 of the Act to directors of Biometrix who were resident in India, the shareholders of the parent entity of Biometrix and officials of ICICI Bank Limited. While the directors and shareholders of Biometrix omitted to attend and ICICI Bank Limited expressed inability to divulge information on account of restrictions imposed by Banking Secrecy Act of Singapore in respect of bank account statements and KYC documents of Biometrix. The AO also found that the receipt of share application money by the assessee for the issue of CCPS is an international transaction between two associated enterprises which the assessee failed to report in the prescribed form and with the prior approval of the CIT, the AO referred the transaction to Transfer Pricing Officer for determination of arms length price. The TPO issued an Order u/s 92CA of the Act dated 29.01.2015 confirming that the transaction has been done at arms length price. The TPO also suggested that the source of the loan has to be examined by the AO. The AO analysed the material gathered from ICICI Bank, the other group companies of the assessee and information received from IRAS through FT & TR division confirmed that loan amounts aggregating to USD 1700,000,000 were remitted by ICICI Bank, Singapore Branch on various dates between 18.09.2007 to 12.12.2007 to the bank account of Biometrix with OCBC. The audited financial statements of Biometrix as at 30th September 2008 showed entries for Secured Term Loan of USD 1700,000,000 obtained for financing its long term investments and the Long Term Investments available for sale amounting to USD 1650,125,325. From the Facility Agreement entered into between Biometrix and ICICI Bank, the AO inferred that the loan has been advanced to Biometrix by ICICI Bank Limited through its overseas branches and ICICI Bank, Singapore Branch had also acted as an agent for facilitating the loan. In other words, ICICI Bank, Singapore Branch handled the disbursements, collection of interest and principal repayments. After examining various documents in relation to the loan, the AO found that ICICI Bank, Singapore Branch had not monitored the loan it granted to Biometrix strictly as per the terms of the contract. Hence, the AO added the amount of Rs. 700 crores received by the assessee and invested by Biometrix in the CCPS issued by the assessee as income of the assessee as unexplained cash credit u/s. 68 of the Act. According to the AO the nature and genuineness of the transaction of investment in the CCPS of the assessee was not explained as required in Section 68 of the Act. The AO has stated that the assessee, the investor i.e. Biometrix, shareholders and directors of the investor, ICICI Bank, Singapore and other group companies of the assessee have not provided information to his satisfaction. Aggrieved, assessee preferred appeal before CIT(A). HELD BY ITAT To sum up the whole issue in the present appeal by Revenue, is about the source, nature and genuineness of the transaction to determine whether the addition made by the AO under section 68 of the Act is sustainable. Admittedly, in this case, there is no dispute that the assessee issued Compulsory Convertible Preference Shares (CCPS) and the same was subscribed by Biometrix Marketing Private limited, Singapore (Biometrix). It is also not in dispute that for making this investment Biometrix borrowed the money from ICICI Bank, Singapore. All the documents relating to Biometrix were procured by the AO from Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and ICICI Bank. At every stage, the conclusions reached by the Revenue and CIT(A) are based on these materials on record. We are now required to re-appreciate the very same materials on record. The authenticity of these materials on record is not in dispute before us. No new materials were relied upon either by the Revenue or by the assessee before us. The assessee argued before us and filed detailed submissions and brought out various aspects of the case based on the very same materials on record which stands undisputed during the entire proceedings viz., a) That Biometrix invested in the CCPS issued by the assessee; b) That Biometrix borrowed from ICICI bank, Singapore; c) That Biometrix secured the loan given by ICICI Bank, Singapore by assigning the investment agreement and put and call option agreement entered into with the investee companies and option obligors respectively; d) That Biometrix has repaid the loan to ICICI Bank out of remittance from Mukesh Ambani group; e) That the transaction in question can never be construed as bogus transaction; f) That complete financial flow commencing from ICICI Bank finding its way to the assessee disclose the nature source and genuineness of the transaction; g) That contemporaneous transactional documents also disclose the nature source and genuineness of the transaction; h) That Biometrix genuinely existed in Singapore and was not a shell/conduit company; i) That Biometrix maintained adequate debt cover ratio and fulfilled the various covenants under the Facility Agreement; and j) That the assessee made all the filings with the relevant regulators viz., Registrar of Companies and Reserve Bank of India. With this, we proceed to deal with the grounds of appeal raised by the Revenue. We will deal with the second and fourth ground of appeal first. The Revenues ground is that Biometrix is a shell/conduit company. The ld. DR argued before us that Biometrix was incorporated just few months before this investment transaction and was liquidated in 2011 and therefore Biometrix is a shell entity. The ld. Counsel for the assessee argued that Biometrix was a tax resident of Singapore and to ascertain whether an entity is a shell/ conduit company in Singapore, the various tests laid down in India Singapore DTAA is the only relevant factor and that all the positive and negative tests laid down therein is fulfilled by Biometrix during every year of its existence. The Revenue has not contested this position. The CIT (A) has upheld that Biometrix is not a shell/ conduit company. We concur with the finding of the CIT(A) though we are of the considered view, that that this issue is not at all relevant for the purpose of section 68 of the Act in the facts and circumstances of the case, since it is abundantly clear from the materials on record that Biometrix was to be an SPY. Next, we will deal with the fifth and sixth ground of appeal by the Revenue. It concerns as to how Biometrix sold the CCPS at lower than the market value disclosed by them to ICICI Bank. The CIT(A) has dealt with these and observed that the debt-cover ratio at all times was more than that prescribed in the Facility Agreement based on the higher of two different valuation reports furnished using different methods of valuation and that the loan has been repaid by Biometrix to ICICI Bank and hence these issues are not relevant for the purpose of section 68 of the Act. We are unable to fathom as to how these events that relate to periods post the investment are relevant for ascertaining the source nature and genuineness of the investment transaction under section 68 of the Act and hence concur with the finding of the CIT(A). The third ground of appeal which was vehemently argued by the ld. DR is non-availability of bank statement of Biometrix from ICICI Bank was actually invested in the CCPS issued by the assessee. The ld. Counsel for the assessee on the other hand furnished a chart showing the flow of funds from ICICI Bank, Singapore to Biometrix and from Biometrix to the assessee based on evidence in the form of utilization requests, disbursal certificate, swift messages and foreign inward remittance certificate. It was also brought to our notice the AO in the assessment order has recorded reasons for the non-availability of bank statements of Biometrix viz., ICICI Bank has not furnished the statements due to banking secrecy laws under the Banking Act of Singapore and Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore has not furnished the bank statements since the exchange of information protocol was effective only for periods staring 01-01-2008 and not for earlier periods. The ld. CIT(A) has also linked the flow of funds from ICICI Bank, Singapore to the bankers of Biometrix viz., OCBC Bank, Singapore and from OCBC Bank, Singapore to the bankers of the assessee viz., HDFC Bank, India based on the swift messages and held that what can be ascertained by bank statements can as well be satisfactorily ascertained from the swift messages. It was also argued by the Revenue that due to non-availability of bank statement there is a possibility that monies other than the monies borrowed by Biometrix from ICICI Bank having been invested in the CCPS issued by the assessee. The ld. Counsel for the assessee brought to our notice the audited financial statements of Biometrix which is on record to prove that only one credit entry is found in the books of Biometrix proving the fact only once money entered Biometrix in the form of loan from ICICI Bank and the same borrowed money stands invested in the CCPS issued by the assessee. In our considered view, the bank statement of the assessee and the foreign inward remittance certificate issued by HDFC Bank, Mumbai showing the receipt of money from Biometrix is on record. What is not on record is the bank statement of Biometrix. However, the other materials on record viz., the swift messages and audited financial statements of Biometrix clearly prove that Biometrix borrowed from ICICI Bank and invested the same money in the CCPS issued by the assessee. We are convinced from the materials available on record that Biometrix borrowed from ICICI Bank and invested the same in the CCPS invested by the assessee. Regarding the first ground of appeal questioning the deletion of the addition made under section 68 of the Act, we hold that on review of the materials available on record, we are satisfied that the requirements of section 68 of the Act viz., nature, source and genuineness of the transaction including the identity and the creditworthiness of the investor, are fulfilled. Few questions of law raised by the Revenue are not dealt with for the reasons stated below: a) The initial onus is upon the assessee to establish three things to obviate the mischief of section 68 of the Act viz., identity of investors; creditworthiness of investors and genuineness of the transaction. The assessee is in agreement with this proposition and has not contested the same. So, we do not find it necessary to record a finding on this. b) The onus is on the assessee to prove the source of the source in case of receipt of share subscription to the satisfaction of the AO. The assessee has shown with the materials available on record the source of the source obviating the necessity to dwell on this question of law as well. Now, we will go through precedents cited before us. We find that the burden of proving the source of cash credit is on the assessee. When a cash credit entry appears in the assessees books of accounts, it is assessees legal obligation to explain the source of such credit entry. This has been clearly held by Honble Supreme Court in the case Sreelekha Banerjee vs. CIT (1963) 49 ITR 112 (SC). But, if the assessee offers an explanation about the cash credit, the department can put the assessee to proof of his explanation and if assessee fails to tender evidence or brukes an enquiry, then the AO is justified in the rejecting the explanation and holding the income from undisclosed sources or unexplained cash credit. But, Honble Supreme Court in the case Parimisetti Seetharamanna vs. CIT (1965) 57 ITR 532 (SC) has held that the burden of proof casted upon the assessee to prove the source, the nature and the character and the credit would apply to a case where the source of receipt is disclosed by the assessee and there is no dispute about the truth of that disclosure and, in such event, the revenue would not be entitled to raise any inference that the receipt is assessable to tax as undisclosed income or unexplained cash credit on the ground that the assessee failed to lead all the evidences in support of his contention that it is not within the taxing provision. Similarly, Honble Guwahati High Court in the case Nemi Chand Kothari vs. CIT (2003) 264 ITR 254 (GAUH) held that the assessee where established the identity of the creditor and also shown, in accordance with the burden, which rested on him u/s 106 of the Evidence Act, 1872 that the amounts had been received by him by way cheques from the creditors which was not in dispute. Once the assessee had established these facts, the assessee must have taken to have proved that the creditor had the credibility to advance the loan. Thereafter the burden shifted to AO to the contrary. The failure on the part of the creditor to show that their sub-creditor had credit worthiness to advance the said loan amount to the assessee, could not, under the law be treated as income from undisclosed sources particularly, when there was neither direct or circumstantial evidence on record that the said loan amount actually belong to, or were owned by, the assessee. Further, Honble Supreme Court in the case Sreelekha Banerjee (supra) has also held that if the explanation given by the assessee shows that the receipt was not of an income nature, the department cannot act unreasonably and reject the explanation to hold that it was income. If, however, the explanation is unconvincing one which deserved to be rejected, the revenue can reject it and draw inference that the amount represents income either from sources already disclosed by assessee or from some undisclosed sources. But in the present case before us the assessee has directly established the nexus of loan taken by Biometrix from ICICI Bank, Singapore and this was invested in the CCPS issued by assessee and this is proved by the swift messages (above reproduced) that the money has actually travelled to assessee. Here the assessee is able to prove the source of the source despite the fact the assessee cannot be presumed to have special knowledge about the source of source or the origin of origin. It is to be mentioned that the case is discussed in the above were almost all decided under the provisions of 1922 Act. But, we find that it was held in every case, where a person is sought to be taxed for something which, he claims, does not belong to him, the findings of fact and the material on record must support the claim of the revenue. Moreover there should be some direct nexus between the confusion of fact arrived at by the revenue and the primary facts upon which that conclusion is based. This view is taken by Honble Supreme Court in the case CIT vs. Daulat Ram Rawatmull (1973) 87 ITR 349 (SC). But in the present case this is not the case of revenue rather the assessee able to prove conclusively that the CCPS issued by it to Biometrix is directly financed by ICICI Bank, Singapore. In view of these facts and circumstance and precedents cited above, we are of the considered view that the Assessing Officer has made this addition of unexplained cash credit without any basis and CIT (A) has rightly deleted the same on the basis of evidences and facts. We confirm the order of CIT(A) and the appeal of Revenue is dismissed. An elderly Rainier woman is bedridden from severe injuries tied to her alleged abuse, Columbia County officials said Friday. The womans caregivers, her daughter and her daughters sister-in-law, were arrested as the suspects in the elder abuse case. Betty Newell, 89, suffered from severe injuries from lack of care, according to the Columbia County Sheriffs Office. Newell was taken by ambulance to St. John Medical Center Thursday and released the same day, according to the hospital. Oregon Department of Humans Services now is responsible for her care, said Jeff Dickerson, Columbia County Sheriff. A DHS spokesperson said she could not release details about the victim, but she confirmed that law enforcement and Adult Protective Services are investigating the case. Further details about Newells condition were unavailable Friday. Newell was living in Rainer with her caregivers daughter Sandra Anderson, 61, and Nettie Anderson, 69, sister-in-law to Sandra, according to the sheriffs office. There was another person living at the residence too, but Dickerson declined to release the name of that individual, who has not been officially tied to the investigation. Sandra and Nettie Anderson had been providing care to Newell for an undetermined length of time, perhaps years, Dickerson said. There is some paperwork indicating Netties status as the official caregiver as of at least summer 2016. Deputies served a warrant on 72000 block of Beaver Springs Rd at 10:40 a.m. Thursday after a complaint of potential elder abuse was reported by the Department of Human Services. The department suspected that the victim did not appear to be receiving the necessary and legally required care from her caretakers, according to the press release. Both suspects were taken to the Columbia County Jail, but each posted $1,500 bail and were released Thursday with a court date. Oregon DHS encourages people to report any suspected elder or child abuse and neglect by calling 1-855-503-SAFE. tech2 News Staff At an event in IIT Delhi, WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, revealed that WhatsApp is not just keen about its business platform, but that it plans to start a pilot in India and then take it forward to other markets like Brazil and Indonesia. Talking to Livemint, the co-founder revealed that the company has been working on what he called, WhatsApp for Business for long. He said that while Facebook for Work is targeted at larger businesses or multinationals like IBM, WhatsApp for Business will look at the millions of smaller businesses, starting with India. WhatsApp is after very small businesses that employ 10 people or less and are looking for a mobile client that will help them manage their business. This would apply for both agents and customers. These small businesses would include everyone from doctors to grocery stores owners, most of whom are already using WhatsApp to reach out to customers and bring in business. The new platform that Acton calls WhatsApp for Business will just make it easier for them to communicate since WhatsApp already is a more personal platform, and a lot better than a formal email. Commenting on how the company will make money off this new platform, Acton said that they currently have no plans and that it would be too early to think about this right now. He confirmed that it would be similar to what WhatsApp is already doing, which is "no ads, no games and no gimmicks". WhatsApp on its eight birthday announced that it had reached a milestone when it comes to user base and that it also had over 200 million active users in India alone. In all this about 15 percent of the service's global user base this year, which is a big deal. WhatsApp for Business is expected to be a separate app that business owners will have to download. It will give them access and better control over their conversations and engage with a larger groups of users. The app as of now is still in the design and testing phase as per the report. tech2 News Staff Mobile messaging service WhatsApp on Friday announced that it has 200 million monthly active users in India. Brian Acton, the co-founder of WhatsApp, along with Neeraj Arora, Head of Business, WhatsApp, on Friday visited Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi to interact with the students. The discussion focused on the ways WhatsApp can contribute to India as it is invested in building a service with high utility for millions of Indians, the company said in a statement. WhatsApp CEO and Co-founder also tweeted out telling the world about the company's new milestone. Happy 8th Birthday @WhatsApp! New improved status now available for 1.2B users and weve hit a new milestone in India 200M monthly users. jan koum (@jankoum) February 24, 2017 WhatsApp has been rolling out updates and features to make the app more secure for its users. The new "Status" feature lets users share photos, GIFs or videos overlaid with drawings, emojis and a caption that will be visible to selected friends for 24 hours, before disappearing. Users can also see who has viewed their Status update by tapping the eye icon at the bottom of any Status update. The new feature is now available to all users across the globe on iPhone, Android and Windows devices. IANS Sufferings of Hajj pilgrims feared Reza Mahmud : The Hajj pilgrims fear sufferings, as the government has not yet approved third carrier for their transportations to and from Saudi Arabia. The pilgrims said, if the government does not approve third carrier besides Biman Bangladesh Airlines and Saudia Airlines to carry them, it will simply breed indiscipline and sufferings during the Hajj. "The Supreme Court has ordered the government to approve third carrier to carry Hajj pilgrims before three months. But the government has not taken decision as yet," said Ibrahim Bahar, the President of the Hajj Agencies Association of Bangladesh (HAAB) yesterday. "After three months of the order, the government has not yet decided whether they will approve it or not. We are frequently asking the Ministry of Religious Affairs about the matter, but got no answers," he said. The HAAB President quoted the Religious Affairs Minister Principal Matiur Rahman to have said that the government would resolve the problem after sitting with the Civil Aviation and Tourism Affairs Minister soon. HAAB officials and stakeholders said, if the government does not approve the third carrier, it might jeopardise he Hajj management system. Not only that, possible schedule crisis of Hajj flights would lead the pilgrims to bear extra costs as house rents and other charges in Saudi Arabia. Official sources said, 117,198 Bangladeshis will perform Hajj under the private management and 10,000 under the government management this year. The pre-registration of Hajj pilgrims started from February 19. The pilgrims have been told to deposit the total amount in the Religious Affairs Ministry or the HAAB-approved banks or with the Hajj agents by March 30. But those who are keen to go to Saudi Arabia for Hajj this year, said, if the carriers do not cooperate, there will be chaos and indiscipline. HAAB officials said, agreeing that the Biman Bangladesh Airlines and the Saudi Airlines are enough for all pilgrims of Bangladesh, yet without third carrier, there may be schedule crisis. "The dishonest agents form syndicates to control ticketing systems when flight shortages are seen. The pilgrims will suffer for want of flight schedules before Hajj and will not be able to return home in time," said Ibrahim Bahar. "If any flight is delayed, all the passengers of that flight have to bear extra costs," he said. 9 injured in gas cylinder explosion in Old Dhaka At least nine people, including employees of a restaurant, and pedestrians sustained burn injuries when an explosion occurred from a gas cylinder at a restaurant-cum-sweetmeat shop near Lalbagh crossing in Old Dhaka on Saturday afternoon. Wearhouse Inspector of Fire Service Nafsin Sultana said the fire occurred due to gas cylinder explosion at " Mithai Ghar", a sweetmeat shop-cum-restaurant at around 4:30 pm injuring at least nine people. The injured people were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH), she said. Local people doused the flame before several fire fighters' units went to the spot, she added. Sub-Inspector Bachhu Miah, in charge of the DMCH police camp said nine people, including Sajib, Makbul, Sabuj, Maruf, Panna Akhter, Abul Bashar and Hazrat Ali were admitted to the hospital. Among them, condition of several people were stated to be critical, SI Bachhu said quoting physicians of the hospital. Dhaka, Feb 25 (UNB) Trump's Russia reset on hold as White House adds anti-Moscow hawks US Vice President Mike Pence (L) with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, has gone to great lengths to reassure European leaders, Washington is not giving up on its allies. AFP, Washington : President Donald Trump came to the White House promising a radical reset of US-Russia relations after years of rising tensions under his predecessor. But barely one month into office, that plan appears to be on hold, and Trump's White House team has taken on an increasingly Russophobic face. After he repeatedly pledged to reach "a deal" with Vladimir Putin while hinting at downgraded relations with NATO and the European Union, Trump has yet to set a meeting with the Russian leader. Meanwhile Vice President Mike Pence and top cabinet security and defense officials have gone to great lengths to reassure European leaders that Washington is not giving up on its allies. While Trump still holds out the idea of striking up an amicable relationship with Putin, the administration took a distinct turn away from that stance last week with the replacement of pro-Moscow national security advisor Michael Flynn with Lieutenant General HR McMaster, a hawkish army veteran who sees Russia as the primary threat to US interests and global stability. And next week the Senate is expected to approve the appointment of Senator Dan Coats as Director of National Intelligence, adding another Putin skeptic to the president's defense and national security team. "There has been a major shift," said Bruce Jones, vice president and director for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. "My sense is at least we've seen an evolution to an approach that is more sensitive to the threat Russia poses to Europe and the US." Jake Sullivan, the former national security advisor to vice president Joe Biden, said the White House policy situation is "still unsettled." However, he said, McMaster's arrival in Flynn's place "could tip the balance." Trump has long expressed admiration for Putin and other hard-as-nails Russian autocrats. But his hope of launching into the presidency with a new approach to Russia has been set back by scandals that have allowed critics to paint him as suspiciously soft on Moscow: the intelligence conclusion that Russia interfered in the US election to hurt Trump's rival Hillary Clinton; alleged links between some of his campaign advisors and Russian intelligence; and the need to fire Flynn over his private discussions on sanctions with Russia's ambassador. Iraqi forces enter western Mosul, launch air strikes in Syria Iraqi troops advance towards Mosul\'s southern neighbourhood of Jawasaq on Friday during an ongoing offensive to retake the city from IS. Reuters, Mosul : US-backed Iraqi forces pushed into western Mosul on Friday after retaking the city's airport from the militant Islamic State group. Aid agencies warned the most dangerous phase of the offensive was about to begin for hundreds of thousands of civilians. Troops disarmed booby traps planted by retreating militant fighters in the airport, which the army plans to use as a base from which to drive Islamic State from Mosul's western districts and deal a decisive blow to the group. As they did, Iraqi fighter jets dropped bombs on IS positions inside Syria on Friday. It was the first time the Iraqi government publicly acknowledged striking militant targets inside Syria. The new offensive comes after government forces and their allies finished clearing IS from eastern Mosul last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector of the city, which is bisected by the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts there. The International Rescue Committee said the most dangerous phase of the battle was about to begin for the 750,000 civilians believed to be trapped inside Mosul. "There is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come," said acting country director Jason Kajer. The United Nations has warned up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the new offensive amid food and fuel shortages. Iraqi forces launched attacks on several fronts. Counter-terrorism forces clashed with IS inside the southwestern district of Al Mamoun and took full control of the Ghozlani military base on Friday, Maj Gen Sami al Aridi, a senior commander, said. Separately, federal police and an elite Interior Ministry unit known as Rapid Response advanced into the Hawi al-Josaq and al-Danadan districts after breaching a berm and a trench set up by IS north of the airport, a spokesman said. Early raids in the city's west have so far been restricted to thinly-populated areas. The government encouraged civilians to stay in their homes, but some were caught in the crossfire. Jamal Abdelnasser, 14, was shot in the leg by IS when the militants stormed his home to take up sniper positions. After crossing the frontline, soldiers unwrapped the blood-soaked bandages around his leg and poured iodine on the bullet wound. In another incident, a correspondent saw civilians fleeing towards Iraqi security forces from the outskirts of Mamoun. Defeat in Mosul would likely deal a hammer blow to IS's self-styled caliphate in areas it seized in 2014. But the group still controls swathes of territory in neighbouring Syria and patches in northern and western Iraq from where it could fight a guerilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plot attacks on the West. DigitalVision/Thinkstock(NEW YORK) -- Travel website TripAdvisor has released its 2017 Travelers' Choice award for the best beaches in the U.S. and around the world. According to the site's press release, the list is determined based on "the quantity and quality of traveler reviews and ratings for beaches on TripAdvisor, gathered over a 12-month period." 1. Baia do Sancho, Brazil TripAdvisor says that this beach is beautiful to visit year-round, and lists it as the top attraction in the Fernando de Noronha area of Brazil. 2. Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos From snorkeling to parasailing to private fishing trips, Grace Bay has plenty to do, and is listed as the No. 1 place to visit on the Providenciales island of the Turks and Caicos. 3. Eagle Beach, Aruba Beautiful sunsets and white sand are frequently mentioned in the nearly 6,000 TripAdvisor reviews of this beach, located on Aruba's northern coast. 4. Playa Paraiso, Cuba One TripAdvisor reviewer described this beach, located on the southern coast of Cayo Largo, as "picture perfect in every way." 5. Siesta Beach, Florida Running nearly the length of Florida's Siesta Key, reviewers say this beach is perfect for long walks or bike rides, or simply lounging under an umbrella. 6. La Concha Beach, Spain In the busy resort town of San Sebastian, visitors can escape to La Concha Beach and relax by the sea while still remaining close to the hustle and bustle. 7. Playa Norte, Mexico Located on Isla Mujeres off the coast of Mexico, one reviewer said this serene beach has "water so blue, it makes the sky look pale." 8. Radhanager Beach, India "Mesmerizing," "superb" and "breathtaking" are all words TripAdvisor reviewers used to describe Radhanager Beach. Located on Havelock Island, this beach has waters perfect for swimming. 9. Elafonissi Beach A trip to Greece wouldn't be complete without a stroll along the ocean, and Elafonissi Beach is an ideal choice. One reviewer even called it "the best beach in Europe." 10. Galapagos Beach at Tortuga Bay This Ecuador beach gives visitors a perfect glimpse of the Galapagos Islands with abundant wildlife and untouched nature, along with activities like kayaking and snorkeling. Copyright 2017, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Democrats elect new leader to lead campaign against Trump, Republicans AP, Washington : Democrats have tapped former Gov. Steve Beshear to deliver the party's response to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, highlighting the Kentucky Democrat's efforts to expand health care coverage under the law Republicans are determined to repeal and replace. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made the announcement on Friday in which they also turned to immigration activist Astrid Silva to give the Spanish language response to Trump's speech. Silva is a so-called Dreamer who came to the country at the age of five as an illegal immigrant. Silva spoke at the Democratic convention and her selection is a reminder of Trump's initial policies on immigration. While the Trump administration has cracked down on immigrants living in the country illegally, Trump has said he wants to spare the children. Democrats' choice of Beshear as Tuesday's counterpoint to Trump underscored their desire to stress their support for former President Barack Obama's health care overhaul, which recent polling suggests is increasingly popular among Americans. It also comes as Republican leaders labor to craft a plan for replacing that law they can push through Congress - a problem that may have only intensified after GOP lawmakers held town hall meetings this week attended by boisterous backers of Obama's statute. Too much talk on TU but little about product price: Tofail UNB, Dhaka : Apparently indicating the USA, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Saturday expressed displeasure for talking too much about trade unions instead of saying anything about the raising the prices of Bangladesh apparel products. He wondered why only Bangladesh will be in discussion when it comes to trade union and why not such talk about Vietnam, China, India, Pakistan and other countries. "Only Bangladesh, why?," Minister Tofail said in presence of US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat and global apparel partners at a session of Dhaka Apparel Summit 2017. The Commerce Minister posed a couple of questions to the audience saying can anybody talk about trade union of Vietnam, China and any other country of the world? "No," the minister said adding that because the head of trade union in Vietnam is no one other than a minister. Tofail said the government, immediately after the Rana Plaza disaster, ratified the Bangladesh Labour Law in 45 days. "Nobody could do that," he said mentioning that there was an accident in the USA in 1926 and it took 30 years to amend their labour law. "But we did within one month and 15 days." After the Rana Plaza collapse, the minister said Bangladeshi exporters invested a huge amount of money but not a single penny was increased to help Bangladesh's export sustain. "Nobody talks about that. Nobody talks about price, nobody talks about expense." Amid huge applause from the floor, Tofail continued saying lots of money had to be spent but the price has been decreased. "This is the position today." In an emotional voice, Tofail said, "Bangladesh is a country of heroes. We got this country with the sacrifice of lives of 3 million people. It's Bangladesh's Prime Minister who could say sitting on parliament floor that I won't take money from the World Bank... I'll build Padma Bridge with our own resources. She did it." Citing his conversation in a conference back in 2014 in the USA, the Commerce Minister said only 7 percent of public sector industries in the USA have trade unions while 37 percent in the private sector. "We want trade unions," he said adding that they do not want to see outsiders as leaders of trade unions. On investment facilities in Bangladesh, the Commerce Minister said Bangladesh has an excellent investment policy in place. "We've introduced a liberal investment policy and the current government is a business-friendly government." Expressing dissatisfaction over not getting duty-free market access to the US market, he said Bangladesh is ahead of many developing countries as far as the export is concerned. Minister Tofail also mentioned that the US has suspended GSP benefit for Bangladeshi products though RMG is not under the special trade benefit. Bangladesh's export is $34.2 billion and it will be $ 37 billion this year, he mentioned. Regarding the infrastructure challenge Bangladesh faces, he said he has a hope that many of the problems will be addressed by 2018. The Commerce Minister, through the US Ambassador, thanked US President Donald Trump as he signed an executive order formally withdrawing the country from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal acting on the promise he made during his presidential campaign. Senior research fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) Dr Nazneen Ahmed presented the keynote paper in the session. US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Managing Director of Apex Footwear Ltd Syed Nasim Manzur and Country Head, Marks and Spencer Shwapna Bhowmick and BGMEA vice president Mohammed Nasir spoke at the session held with FBCCI first vice president Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin moderating it. Boalkhali FFs demand real fighter to head review committee Chittagong Bureau : The Freedom Fighters of Boalkhali upazila demanded to make a freedom fighter president of the review committee of freedom fighters' list. They also demanded the termination of Mainuddin Khan Badol MP from the post of president of the review committee of freedom fighters list of Boalkhali claiming that he was not directly associated with liberation war. The commanders of Liberation War of 1971 of Boalkhali held a press conference at Chittagong Press Club yesterday morning and placed the demands to the concerned authority. Commander Abul Bashar read out the written statement at the press conference. He said in the statement that the freedom fighters became very much surprised to observe that the so-called freedom fighter Mainuddin Khan Badol, who never joined front fight and stayed in India during the liberation war, chaired the meeting of review committee of freedom fighters list of Boalkhali. "It is fact that there are many questions about the role of Mainuddin Khan Badol during our liberation war. So, we demanded his termination from the post of president of the review committee of freedom fighters list of Boalkhali," Abul Bashar added. Bashar also said that only actual freedom fighters who joined in front fight can claim the self as actual freedom fighters. Those who became freedom fighter after liberation war, cannot identify themselves as the actual freedom fighters." BNP demands white paper on BDR mutiny Staff Reporter : The BNP on Saturday demanded white paper on the BDR mutiny in which 57 Army officers were killed on February 25 and 26 in 2009 at Pilkhana, Dhaka. "We demand white paper on the mutiny. The nation wants to know who were behind the killing of 57 dexterous and patriotic officers," said BNP Standing Committee Member Lieutenant General (rtd) Mahbubur Rahman after placing wreaths at the grave of those officers in the Banani graveyard.He assured the journalists of publishing white paper on the issue if they return to power. BNP Vice-Chairman Major General (rtd) Ruhul Alam Chowdhury, Major (rtd) Hanif and other leaders of the party also present. Meanwhile, BNP Standing Committee Member Barrister Moudud Ahmed said that the main culprit behind that tragic killing at the Pilkhana has not been brought to justice. If they are tried, then the souls of those Martyrs will live in peace. He said it at a discussion meeting in Dhaka Reporters' Unity. BNP Senior Joint-Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said that the 'so-called' mutiny was a conspiracy of the government. "It was a conspiracy of the government. They wanted to oppress the BNP on the issue. BNP leader Nasir Uddin Pintu's arrest made it clear to all," Rizvi said. Stop enrolling students 39 varsities asked to shift campus first M M Jasim : The Education Ministry is going to take stern action, including stoppage of enrollment of new students, against 39 private universities as they are yet to move to their permanent campuses. The ministry asked the University Grants Commission (UGC) to fix a date for an emergency meeting to decide the next steps. The meeting between the ministry and the UGC may impose a ban on curriculum of the universities and publish warning letter in the newspapers. According to the official sources, the ministry has recently sent a letter to the UGC in this regard. They said, Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid is in rigid stance and he would not negotiate with any owner of the private universities. Already he has rejected a request of the owners to meet him and told them that he is now firm to take action against the irregular private varsities. Recently, Nurul Islam Nahid in different programmes had said that the ministry would not give more time to the universities to move to their permanent campuses. "The irregular private universities will be shut down soon," he said. "We have given five more times to move to the permanent campuses. But they ignored our direction. Now we have nothing to do but shut down the campuses," the minister said. On January 24, the ministry asked all the private universities to operate their academic activities on their permanent campuses. The government has bifurcated the private universities into three categories. First category- those universities who have lands and started constructions work, second category- those have land only, and third category- those have no land and run their activities in rented building. There are at least 39 private universities who are yet to fulfill all these conditions. Now the ministry will take punitive action against them. UGC Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan told The New Nation yesterday that the UGC received the ministry's letter and directed the concerned department to take initiative in this regard. "We will never support the universities who directly violated the ministry's direction. The ministry has the power to take any action against the universities who did not move to the permanent campuses," the UGC chairman said. According to the Private University Act-2010, the ministry can take stern action against the private universities who did not go to the permanent campuses even after seven years of their establishment. The ministry gave ultimatum to the universities to move to their permanent campuses for five times (2011, 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2017). Democrats invite immigrants to Trump`s Congress speech Al Jazeera News : Democrats have invited immigrants and foreigners to attend President Donald Trump's first address to the US Congress, in an effort to put a face on those they say could be hurt by the Republican's policies. To send a message to Trump, lawmakers are inviting people like an Iraqi-born doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan. They also invited a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who helps people like her family resettle in the US. "I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees," said Luis V Gutierrez, whose guest on Tuesday will be Fidaa Rashid, a Chicago immigration lawyer. Lawmakers typically get one guest ticket apiece for presidential addresses, as they will for Tuesday's prime-time speech. A group of Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to colleagues earlier this month urging them to invite guests who have, despite discrimination, made positive impacts on their communities. The focus on welcoming immigrants will also extend to the response that Democratic leaders plan for Trump's speech. Astrid Silva, who was brought into the US as a young child, will provide the rebuttal in Spanish, the AP news agency reported. Soon after taking office, Trump issued an executive order temporarily banning all entry to the US from seven Muslim-majority nations and pausing the entire US refugee programme. As a result, thousands protested what was referred to as the Muslim Ban and confusion reigned at US airports. An appeals court blocked the order. Under the Trump administration, there has also been an increase in deportations of undocumented immigrants living in the country. The president has argued that these steps are necessary to protect the nation. Road crashes kill 12 in 7 districts Twelve people, including a student and two teachers, were killed and 17 other people injured in accidents in Cox's Bazar, Dhaka, Dinajpur, Jhenidah, Tangail , Rajshahi, Panchagarh and Chuadanga districts on Saturday. In Cox's Bazar, four people, including two siblings, were killed and seven others were injured as a microbus hit a tree beside the Chittagong-Cox's Bazar highway in Chakaria upazila in the morning. The deceased were identified as microbus driver Amir Hossain, 35, a resident of Basabo in the capital of Dhaka, Ayesha Akter Shilpi, 20, wife of Mohammad Ziku of Manda upazila in Bogra, and her sister Kulsuma Akter, 25, wife of Asaduzzaman Bappi of Louhajong upazila in Munshiganj and Golam Kibria, 40.The accident took place around 8.30am while they were going to Cox's Bazar from Dhaka, leaving two people dead on the spot and nine others injured, said Mohammad Farhad, assistant superintendent of police of Chittagong Zone Highway. The injured were taken to Chakaria upazila health complex where doctors declared two of them dead. In Dhaka, Dhaka National Medical College student Sadia, 22, daughter of Mohammad Hasanuzzaman of Rajshahi district, suffered injuries as a private car hit a CNG-run auto-rickshaw carrying her at Nayabazar in the city's Bangshal area around 6am while she was going to her college, said sub-inspector of Bangshal Police Station Enamul. Sadia was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) where doctors declared her dead around 7.50am, said sub-inspector Bachchu Miah, also in-charge of the DMCH police camp. In Dinajpur, Rafiqul Islam, an assistant teacher of Nashipur School and College, was killed and another person was injured as a bus hit their motorcycle on Dinajpur-Rangpur highway in Noshipur area of Sadar upazila around 8:30am. The accident took place when Rafiqul along with another teacher Majibur Rahman was going to school. After the accident, teachers and students of the school took to the streets and blocked the highway for two hours demanding a speed-breaker in front of the school. In Jhenidah, a college teacher was killed and another teacher was injured as their motorcycle hit a roadside tree on Jhenidah-Chuadanga highway in Atharo Mile area of Sadar upazila around 10.30am. The deceased was Ehetashamul Haque Natun, 48, an associate professor of Economics Department of Chuadanga Government College while the injured was Jahangir Alam, an associate professor of Political Science Department of the college. In Tangail, Sathi Akhter, 20, wife of Md Rajib of Korotia of Sadar upazila, and her seven-month old son Shakhawat were killed and three people, including her husband, were injured as a truck hit a scooter in Ashekmor area of the district town around 11:45am. Police arrested the truck driver Sohel. In Rajshahi, a bicyclist was killed as a truck hit his vehicle on Rajshahi-Chapainawabganj highway in Sluice gate area of Godagari upazila around 11am. The deceased was identified as Rezaul Karim, 56, resident of Somaspur village of the upazila. In Panchagarh, microbus passenger Monwar Hossain, 35, son of Sabir Ali of Nilphamari district, died on the spot and four other passengers of the vehicle suffered injuries as it hit a roadside tree in Sakoa patrol pump area of Boda upazila here around 5am after its driver lost control of the steering, said officer-in-charge of Boda Police Station AKM Nurul Islam. The injured were taken to Rangpur Medical College Hospital. In Chuadanga, a speeding truck hit a motorcycle at Dosto village in Sadar upazila in the afternoon, leaving biker Arif Hossain, 25, son of late Azibar Mandal of Khajura village in Jhedidah district, injured. He was taken to Sadar Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Coordinated city bus service can ease public sufferings DNCC initiatives fruitless, DSCC takes none Sagar Biswas : There would be specific colour bus for specific city route with certain colour ticket for different route passengers. The buses would leave the station whether there is any passenger or not. The flyovers will play vital role to keep continuing faster speed of the traffic. Keeping adjustment with the bus service, the metro rails will ply one after another. Articulated [trolleybus] or double-decker buses will be plied through the separate lanes. Besides, the circular riverine and rail routes around the city will allow the city dwellers to choose alternate mood of their transport. Like the world's mega cities, the commuters of capital Dhaka could go one end to the other end without entering the city during the busy business hours. It should be the real scenario of Dhaka to get rid of nagging traffic jam! But unfortunately, it is still a far reaching dream for us. Although the government has taken a mega project with an approximated cost of Tk 159,000crore to build up a coordinate transport system for Dhaka city by 2035, the efforts are apparently going in vain due to farsightedness, poor planning and widespread corruption. It is fact that, the buses are the main player of the mass transit system in Dhaka city. In contrary, the total road length of bus operating route is around 200 km including 22 east-west links which is covering only around one third of the city. It doesn't need to mention that the condition of public transport service, especially public bus operation, is very troublesome and unpleasant. The authorities concerned have failed to bring any discipline in this sector. The poor bus service is unable to meet the public demands. The much-publicized special air-conditioned bus service Dhaka Chaka for the commuters in the posh diplomatic enclave Gulshan has become burden due to unplanned route and high fare. Especially, the state-run operator Bangladesh Road Transport Corporation [BRTC] has failed to meet the public demand mainly due to corruption and administrative incapability. At present, BRTC is a "white elephant" for the government. The public bus operating remains under one command in major cities across the world to provide best service. But in Bangladesh, the public bus operation is running in a haphazard way. There is widespread allegation that most of the BTRC buses are being used for different purposes other than regular public transportation. It is seen that the BRTC plays no role in easing public sufferings when private operators used to put their buses off the streets during any government drive against unfit buses. It is astonishing that 1,052 of the 1,532 busses of BRTC fleet are now in operation, including 481 in the capital, and the rest are at workshops for repairing. In Dhaka, 263 are running as city services, while 124 are running as staff busses of different organisations, 70 as students buses for different educational institutions, 16 as women bus services, four as school busses and four as training buses. Most strangely, the BRTC officials openly said they could not operate city services other cities except Dhaka being opposed by the private transport owners. The Dhaka North City Corporation [DNCC] authorities last year had planned to bring down the number of the bus operating companies to five from 300 to improve the public transport system in the city. It was also decided to introduce 3,000 new buses to be run by five operators. The plan has yet not executed the reasons best known to the DNCC Mayor Annisul Huq. The Mayor, however, did not elaborate the problems. On the other hand, the Dhaka South City Corporation [DSCC] Mayor Syeed Khokan has not such a plan to ease public sufferings by introducing comfortable bus service. Apart from ease bus service, there is another big problem for the good transportation. That is traffic jam. Experts say, there is a very few scope to expand the city roads without destroying the road-side infrastructures. But actually it is very difficult. Besides, it would be huge burden of the fragile economy. So, this scarcity of the road length or road area would be sustaining until the such mood of city remains. Pointing the issue, urban expert Professor Nazrul Islam had said it is necessary to implement all the mass transit related projects recommended in Strategic Transport Plan [STP] for capital with a high priority. He said: "We'll have to focus on better traffic management by reducing small vehicles like car, microbus, auto-rickshaw and rickshaw with proper law enforcement. There're clear outlines in the STP to get rid of traffic jams. If the STP can be implemented alongside the Detailed Area Plan [DAP], traffic congestions will be reduced." "The government needs to take some drastic actions to resolve the traffic congestions instead of building flyovers. The long-term solution is to decentralise so that people do not need to come to Dhaka. In short term, we have to take radical measures to control the use of cars and land in Dhaka and we have to introduce Bus Rapid Transit [BRT] and promote non-motorised transport," Dr Mohammad Shakil Akther, professor of Buet, said recently. According to a Buet study, the Dhaka city experiences rapid growth of scattered and unplanned development [73% fully unplanned] without appropriate guidance resulting in immense land use and transport problems. Meanwhile, the continuous focus on road based transport system has weakened the potentialities and attractiveness of other types of transportation system. There has no integration between different modes and sub-modes, whereas one is depriving others. The interchange or interface facilities between different modes and sub modes are also very poor and at present condition it is almost very difficult to introduce well defined fully functional multi-modal transport system in the city. Unplanned and uncontrolled exposition of the city also induce around 4000 indiscriminate and unexpected road side garments industries with more than 1 millions employee which is generating almost 2.5 millions trips per day. Almost 75 percent of those industries are located along the primary roads and the rest are along the secondary roads and creating mammoth adverse impact on the city, the experts said. Gas price hike Death blow to exports: EAB Staff Reporter : The Exporters Association of Bangladesh (EAB) has expressed deep concern over the latest hike in gas tariffs saying it would directly affect the country's export-oriented industries. The trade body, in a statement on Saturday, cautioned that the gas price-hike would increase manufacturing cost of the export-oriented industries and erode their competitiveness in the global market. "The new gas rate will directly affect the edge of the export-oriented industries like ready-made garments, frozen food and fish and plastics. Earlier, these industries were progressing despite the burden of additional production cost, increasing wages, utility prices and rising transportation cost. The hike in gas prices afresh would add further woes to the export sector," said the statement. The trade body also said that the fresh gas price hike is 'unjustified' when the export sector is passing a bad time in the face of economic recession in western markets, falling shipments as a result of Brexit vote and rising cost of doing business at home. "The country's export sector has already fallen into the risk of losing export market due to rising cost of production. At this moment, an increase in gas rates will pose further challenge to the sector. Now they have to survive by facing tough competition in the world market," it added. The trade body also pointed out that energy cost is decreasing everywhere in the world following significant drop in global crude oil prices. India, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines have already revised fuel oil prices downward to pass on the benefit to their manufacturing sectors and consumers. "But the situation is different in Bangladesh as the government is yet to readjust the fuel oil prices rationally in line with global oil prices. Even, the government is frequently raising domestic energy and utility prices pushing local export sector into tough competition to its global peers," it observed. Terming the gas price hike as "death blow" to the export sector, the EAB urged the government to review the decision considering the interest of the country's industrial sector, consumers and the economy as a whole. Not just only the free media; the idea of America is under threat The White House barred several news organizations from an off-camera press briefing on Friday, handpicking a select group of reporters that included a number of conservative outlets friendly toward President Donald Trump. The "gaggle" with Sean Spicer, the White House Press Secretary, took place in lieu of his daily briefing and was originally scheduled as an on-camera event. But the White House Press Office announced later in the day that the Q&A session would take place off camera before only an "expanded pool" of journalists, and in Spicer's West Wing Office as opposed to the James S Brady press briefing room where it is typically held. Outlets seeking to gain entry whose requests were denied included the Guardian, the New York Times, Politico, CNN, BuzzFeed, the BBC, the Daily Mail and others. Conservative publications such as Breitbart News, the One America News Network and the Washington Times were allowed into the meeting, as well as TV networks CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC. The Associated Press and Time were invited but boycotted the briefing. The decision to limit access to Spicer, hours after Trump once again declared that much of the media was "the enemy of the American people" while speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, marked a dramatic shift. While prior administrations have occasionally held background briefings with smaller groups of reporters, it is highly unusual for the White House to cherry-pick which media outlets can participate in what would have otherwise been the Press Secretary's televised daily briefing. The briefing has become indispensable viewing for journalists trying to interpret the often contradictory statements coming out of the Trump administration, and Spicer's aggressive handling of the press and delivery of false or misleading statements have already been memorably mocked on NBC's Saturday Night Live. "Gaggles" - more informal briefings - with the Press Secretary are traditionally only limited to the pool when they conflict with the President's travel, in which case they often take place aboard Air Force One. At times, impromptu 'gaggles' form with reporters who spend their days in the White House, but denying outlets wishing to participate is extremely uncommon. Earlier on Friday, Trump continued his assault on the press in a speech before the nation's largest gathering of conservative activists. He said the press should not be allowed to use anonymous sources, a restriction on free speech he has not suggested before. "You will see stories dry up like you have never seen before," Trump predicted. This sort of sustained attack on the free press by the leader of the USA is unprecedented and completely uncalled for. President Trump is incapable of constructing a positive idea for the good of America. He is negative all the way, and all that he is capable of doing is to destroy the values that make America great. The USA has now a Russian Putin in American guise within. The American people have to restrain him before it is too late. The Senate must prepare itself to do what is best for America and too soon. CARRINGTON Three children died in a mobile home fire in Carrington early Saturday authorities said. Carrington Fire Chief Ken Wangen said three adults and three children were in the mobile home fire, but declined to identify the victims or survivors. It is not clear how badly the survivors were injured, he said. According to a GoFundMe page, Brandon and Dawn Tufte lived in the home and their three children died in the fire. The Foster County Sheriffs Office confirmed that three children were killed in the fire. The GoFundMe page is raising money for the family, and can be found at http://bit.ly/2lW6fb8. The cause of the fire hasnt been determined, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the state fire marshal are investigating the fire. The bodies will be taken to the medical examiners office in Grand Forks, Wangen said. The burned home at 420 17th Ave. N in Westside Trailer Court was a total loss, Wangen said. He said the fire department determined the fire started in the front bedroom. Wangen said Carringtons volunteer firefighters were called to the scene at about 4:30 a.m. The mobile home was completely involved in the fire when they arrived, he said. He said firefighters were able to prevent the fire from spreading because the first truck got water on the blaze right away. The last truck returned to the fire station at 12:20 p.m., almost eight hours after first arriving at the fire. About 20 to 24 Carrington and New Rockford firefighters assisted in putting out the fire, Wangen said. Six Carrington firefighters who were at the State Fire School in Minot arrived at about 9 a.m. and took over, which allowed firefighters who had been there since 4:30 a.m. to return to the station, he said. The American Red Cross responded to the fire, and will be helping survivors with their immediate needs, said Gretchen Hjelmstad, regional communications officer. Since the home was a total loss, the Red Cross will provide comfort kits to the survivors and offer them emergency shelter, she said. Brittany Overby lives two trailers from the location of the fire, and she said she could see the fire from her kitchen window. She and other neighbors were evacuated from their homes while firefighters fought the fire. Overby said she is proud of the fire department for keeping the fire contained. Its one of those things that you dont think can happen to you until it happens close to home, Overby said. I dont know how to feel yet; its too soon. GRAND CHAIN A case has moved closer to trial for a United Methodist conference's lawsuit against a church. The case involved lawsuit brought by the Illinois Great Rivers Conference Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church against Ohio Chapel Church in Grand Chain in August 2015. The church, which had sought to become independent of the conference, announced its plans to "leave the United Methodist denomination" in March 2015. Back then, an Ohio Chapel representative said the church wanted to leave the association because of "self-governance" concerns. In turn, the conference said the members of the renamed Ohio Chapel the Illinois Great Rivers Conference leadership dropped the "United" from its name were trespassing. The lawsuit complained the church was "converting it and IGRC's assets to its own purposes and diverting said property and assets from their intended purpose." The leader of the church at that time, the Rev. Tammy Horn, had indicated that she planned to stop leading the church, effective June 30, 2015; this lead the conference to name the Rev. Alan Milligan as pastor. When Milligan showed up for his first Sunday as pastor, he was denied entry. When he showed up the second Sunday, a Pulaski County sheriff's deputy told him he was trespassing. Two weeks ago, Pulaski County Circuit Judge William J. Thurston approved the conference's claim to the real estate property, if it could prove it based on the points of the case. The judge also ruled that the Conference had not established its claims to such personal property equipment, bank accounts and other items and gave the conference 28 days to file another amended complaint. Thurston also denied a motion from the Ohio Chapel Church, seeking to dismiss the amended complaint. In 2015, a trustee said Ohio Chapel had about 50 to 60 members. CARBONDALE In the best interest of working through such issues as reforming the Affordable Care Act, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost said he met this week with representatives from local hospitals and smaller groups of constituents in order to gain insight on that issue and others. Bost said he wanted to sidestep the verbal discord that had marred some other legislators' public sessions and town hall meetings across the country. "The in-person ones going on around the United States right now are out of control, which means you don't actually get to talk to people and listen, and we're looking for ways to do that," Bost said in a Friday morning meeting with The Southern Illinoisan editorial board. One way he is doing that is meeting with groups of two to four people, like those he met with in Belleville earlier this week who were initially part of protests of possible changes to the ACA, Bost said. After that meeting, in which he said the individuals said they agreed with some parts and disagreed with other parts of what he'd said, they asked whether he'd be hosting the in-person, public town hall meetings. "I'm not going to have the public town hall meetings, in that respect, because I am busy trying to work on the issue," he said. "If all you want to do is stand and yell at me ... we're not going back and forth." On Tuesday, protesters met outside Bost's Carbondale office to share their concerns about his support of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and then again on Thursday, to request an in-person town hall meeting. This week, Bost met with staff at three hospitals in his district: Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, Pinckneyville Community Hospital and St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville. He also spoke to students at Murphysboro High School, hosted an Agriculture Advisory Board meeting in Red Bud, and held 12 individual meetings with his constituents. Bost's staff shared the representative's schedule on Wednesday afternoon. In the meeting at The Southern, Bost said anyone wanting to talk to him should visit his website to request a meeting. People can also sign up to join Bost's next telephone town hall meeting on his website at bost.house.gov/telephone-town-hall-sign. He has been in the district this week, and plans to head back to Washington, D.C., on Monday morning. Smokestacks rise up through a swipe of naked trees under a gray sky. Nestled between two coal-fired power plants, Manchester is a mass of closed storefronts, a smattering of broken windows and a couple of restaurants and one bar along the Ohio River. Residents in the southern Ohio town of 2,000 rely heavily on the plants -- directly and indirectly -- to provide jobs and keep the local economy afloat. Now, like a number of other coal-fired power plants across the country, both could close sometime in 2018. In email to CNN, Dayton Power & Light Co., co-owner of the Stuart and Killen plants, says it's responding to "market-driven financial challenges." The coal industry is facing an uncertain future, with the threat of cheaper natural gas, stricter carbon restrictions and new environmental regulations. News of the possible closures broke shortly after the election, leaving the already down-on-its-luck town worried about its future. Manchester is in Adams County, which went for Donald Trump decisively in November. Supporters here remain hopeful that the new President can play a role in keeping their paychecks steady and their families secure. Manchester Mayor Robert Hilderbrand says his father helped build one of the plants. "Have you ever in your life seen two power plants like this with a town in between?" he asks. The impact of not one but two closing would be tremendous, he says. Working at one of the plants is the best job in the county, says Chuck Shelton, a longtime employee at the Killen power plant. "You get to go outdoors, work by the river," he says. "What else could you want?" He was surprised to hear about the expected closing of both plants next year. "I didn't think it would happen in our lifetime, and now people at my plant will be out of a job," he laments. What's worse, Shelton adds, the next closest town with available work is an hour away. However, Will Richards, an employee at the Stuart power plant, says he remains hopeful despite hundreds of jobs being at risk. "President Trump has a very positive attitude toward coal, and it felt a bit safer voting for him. It felt more secure for my future." In the town's only bar, Bottoms Up, retired and out-of-work plant workers crowd the counters on an early midweek afternoon. Between sipping $1 Miller Lights and playing pool, a conversation about the potential closing of the plants collides into one about the election. Some said they voted for Trump, while others went for Hillary Clinton. Still, some didn't even bother to vote at all. A retired veteran who later became a construction worker at one of the plants doesn't have many nice things to say about Trump. "Don't talk to me about that man!" Marvin Floyd huffs, rolling his eyes and setting up a shot at the pool table. "He is going to be no good for this town, and none of these people get it." Bar manager Deanna Dryden adds she didn't vote in the election because it was "like choosing between two evils so my vote wasn't worth it." DP&L told CNN in a written statement the closures are proposals and not certain at this point. Many coal-fired plants are expected to close in the coming years, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. "Coal plant communities are faced with potentially long-term job and tax revenue loss, legacy environmental contamination and the need for new economic opportunities," one EPA fact sheet says. But much more is at stake than just work for those whose livelihoods and histories are ingrained in this tiny town. "You have to live here to understand. You drink the water and it gets in your blood. I could live anywhere in the world, but my heart is here," says Jane Wilson, a local business owner and fifth generation Manchester native. Both Richards and Shelton point to Trump's deal with Carrier to keep jobs at a plant in Indiana just after the election. "If he could get someone to buy the plants, it would mean I get to keep my family farm," Richards says. If he had 15 minutes of the President's time, Shelton says he would make a plea for the town. "I'd like to see Trump get with our governor, get with the EPA, get with the owners of the plant and see if it can be put up for sale and give the option to people to buy them," he says. Closure of the plants, the mayor says, will affect his small town hard because it not only relies heavily on them for jobs but also for tax dollars. A large portion of the taxes the plants generate go toward schools in Manchester. Without the revenue and tax dollars, the school district will lose nearly two-thirds of its budget, the mayor estimates. The possible closure weighs heavily on Shelton, who has five children to care for. "Education is the future," he says. "Without the schools, what can I give my kids?" Manchester might as well shut down as well if the plants close, everyone who spoke with CNN agrees. Richards says the town would face a downward trajectory without action. "If (Trump) can't deliver and we close, my life is going to dramatically change," he says. "You're going to see a lot of people it's going to be hard on. You'll see people stop making their car payments, their house payments, go broke, doing drugs; it's going to be a domino effect. It's sad." Hilderbrand, the mayor, says he remains hopeful the town will make a comeback. "It could be something one day," he says. "It's the men in overalls who built this country, but men in suits destroyed the country." He counts Trump as one of those men in overalls. Shelton doesn't want to put too much pressure on the new President but give him some time. "I don't think it's 100% up to Trump. He has to report to other people. It's poor business decisions," " he says, although whose he can't say. Richards has one thing he'd like to say to the man he voted for: "Help. We need your help." The 2011 Natures Best Photography Windland Smith Rice International Awards Exhibit opened at the Natural History Museum on March 30, 2012. We all know that photography is a strikingly compelling means of experiencing natures majesty. This concept is the driving force behind the Natures Best Photography competition, which operates under the mission to celebrate the beauty and diversity of nature through the art of photography. The museums exhibit features the winners in each award category, as well as a collection of some of the highly honored photographs submitted to the competition this year. Not surprisingly, the species featured in the award-winning photographs from the Natures Best Exhibit can also be found illustrated within the BHL collection. To celebrate the exhibit, were highlighting some of the featured photographs and sharing more about the species captured in each snapshot through illustrations and scientific descriptions found in the BHL. You can also learn more about the species starring in the exhibit by visiting the Encyclopedia of Life Collection. Polar Bear (Ursus maritimus) Winner: Wildlife. Polar Bear Cub, Barents Sea, Norway. Florian Schulz. Constantine John Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave, was the first to describe the polar bear, which he encountered during his 1773 expedition to the North Pole. He published the account in the 1774 publication A Voyage Towards the North Pole, and four years later in Die Saugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur featured an illustration of Ursus maritimus (below). Lion (Panthera leo) Highly Honored: African Wildlife. African Lions, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Federico Veronesi. The lion was first described by Carl Linnaeus, a famous Swedish botanist and zoologist who developed the schema of identifying organisms by genus and species names a system known as binomial nomenclature. He is therefore referred to as the Father of Modern Taxonomy. The tenth edition of his revolutionary work, Systema Naturae, represents the birth of zoological nomenclature (using binomial nomenclature for animals). The Lion was scientifically described for the first time in this work. In 1909, Frank Finns work Wild Beasts of the World was published, containing 100 reproduced illustrations of nature drawings by Louis Sargent, Cuthbert E. Swan, and Winifred Austin. One of the drawings contained within the first volume was Lion and Lioness, by Louis Sargent (above). Stag Beetle (Lucanus cervus) Highly Honored: Small World. Stag Beetles, Irun, Spain. Jose Grandio The Stag Beetle was also first described by Carl Linnaeus in his tenth edition of Systema Naturae. The beetles common name comes from the resemblance of the species large mandibles to a deers antlers. Furthermore, male deer use their antlers when battling over territory and mates. The Stag Beetle uses its mandibles for the same purposes. In 1792, Edward Donovan, an Anglo-Irish writer, illustrator and amateur zoologist, published the first volume of his sixteen volume work entitled The Natural History of British Insects. The series, published over a period of twenty-one years, contained 576 plates, 568 of which were colored. His depiction of the Stag Beetle, wings extended in flight, is particularly memorable (above). If you happen to be in Washington, D.C., be sure to visit the Natures Best Photography Exhibit at the Natural History Museum, running March 30, 2012-January 6, 2013. You can find out more about the animals in the photographs by searching on the species name in BHL and visiting the Encyclopedia of Life Collection. See more illustrations of these species from BHL in our Flickr collection. Orangeburg Consolidated School District Four is moving ahead with plans to offer students training for a career in aerospace engineering. Superintendent Dr. Tim Newman reported at the February board of trustees meeting that the district is in the initial planning stages for an aerospace engineering and manufacturing magnet school at Edisto High School. There are two aerospace suppliers in Orangeburg County, Newman said following the meeting. A lot of jobs in the aerospace industry start workers off at salaries ranging from $30,000 to $60,000, he said. What were trying to do is to address the needs of our county and community, Newman said. The district is holding discussions with local manufacturers so it can provide students with the training they need to get good jobs when they leave school, he said. We are trying to find a way to build those skills for the students, embed the terminology for the aerospace manufacturing sector, embed soft skills and try to react to the needs that theyre asking for, Newman said. The district has gotten a commitment from the S.C. Department of Education to help fund a new aerospace content teacher, the superintendent said. The magnet school will not only prepare students to go on to work in the aerospace field after high school, but it will also lay a foundation for students who want to go on to four-year colleges for a degree in areas like engineering. The district will be working on budgets and the application process as well as going to other magnet schools across the state to see how they do things, Newman said. Edisto High was selected to house the magnet school because of its proximity to the Cope Area Career Center, he said. Newman said he hopes to bring the new curriculum back to the board for approval in time to get the magnet school off the ground by this fall. In other business, trustees approved an out-of-state trip for the Lockett Elementary School Junior Beta Club. The students will be competing at the National Junior Beta Club Convention in Orlando in June. They qualified to participate in the event by winning the following awards at the state convention in January: first place in Advertising Design Division I, first place in Quiz Bowl Division I, second place in Science Division I and second place in Book Battle Division II. Trustees also unanimously approved second and final reading of the 2017-18 school calendar. Classes will begin for students on Aug. 22, 2017. The final day of the school year will be June 9. Three makeup days for inclement weather were built into the calendar: Jan. 2, March 30 and June 11. Newman recognized Bethany Jameson, an Edisto High School student, who won the districts annual Christmas card contest. He also recognized members of the Branchville High School Lady Jackets volleyball team who were recently named the S.C. High School League Class A champions. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking Accept, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. By Trend President of CJSC Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) Jahangir Asgarov received the delegation headed by Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Djibouti, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf on February 24. At the meeting the sides discussed bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Djibouti, as well as prospects for trade relations between the two countries. Following the meeting, Jahangir Asgarov and Mahmoud Ali Youssouf signed a bilateral intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in civil aviation. The signed agreement will allow regular passenger and cargo transportation between the two countries, which, in turn, will contribute to the economic and cultural development of international relations. Regular cargo flights from Baku to Djibouti are scheduled to start in late March - early April. Jahangir Asgarov said that according to the agreement reached earlier at the meeting with President of Djibouti, Ismail Omar Guelleh, up to 30 tons of Azerbaijani manufacturers' products under the "Made in Azerbaijan" brand will be transported on the first flight. Presentation of Azerbaijani products to the new market will be a great stimulus for the start of mutual trade relations and increase of trade turnover between the two countries. By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated prime minister of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah Feb. 24. Your Highness, I extend my most sincere congratulations to you and your people on the occasion of the public holiday of the State of Kuwait, the president said in a congratulatory letter. I believe that the development of friendly relations and cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kuwait will further serve the best interests of our nations, he said. On this remarkable day, I extend my best regards to you, and wish the friendly people of Kuwait lasting peace and prosperity, the president said. Al Ansari Exchange, the UAE-based foreign exchange and worldwide money transfer company, said it has signed an agreement with SriLankan Airlines, the country's national carrier, to facilitate ticket payments. As per the terms of the agreement, SriLankan Airlines customers will now be able to make payments through more than 170 UAE-wide Al Ansari Exchange branches. The service will be available during the second quarter of this year onwards. Rashed Ali Al Ansari, the general manager of Al Ansari Exchange, said: "In line with our efforts to enter into corporate partnerships that add value to our clients, we have recently collaborated with the SriLankan Airlines." "The deal will enable all customers of the airline to process their payments for tickets booked over the phone or via the airlines website from any of the Al Ansari Exchange branches across the UAE. The extended convenience will also save time and effort for SriLankan passengers," he stated. The signing follows the continuous growth enjoyed by SriLankan Airlines, which is attributed to its equally vibrant tourism industry - ably positioning Sri Lanka as a key tourist destination. Aside from the Sri Lankan travelers, recent figures show that the national carrier has serviced more than 45,000 Indian passengers per year, followed by 36,000 Bangladeshis and around 15,000 British, European and Americans. SriLankan Airlines also ferry around 10,000 UAE nationals and 8,000 Indonesian and Filipino passengers per annum. "SriLankan Airlines is pleased to seal a partnership deal with a reputed foreign exchange service provider such as Al Ansari Exchange, allowing us to serve our customers in the UAE with enhanced convenience," remarked Siva Ramachandran, the chief commercial officer. "We always strive to ensure a seamless and hassle-free travel experience for our passengers and we will continue to enter into strategic partnerships through which we can reach to a wider customer base across the world," he added. SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier of Sri Lanka and a member of the oneworld airline alliance, currently operates over 50 weekly flights to nine Middle Eastern destinations. It provides daily services from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to Colombo, rendering onward connectivity to the Indian Sub-Continent, South East Asia, and the Far East. Desiree Premachandra, the manager (UAE) SriLankan Airlines, said: "With Al Ansari Exchange as a partner, we have taken another progressive step to make our services more reachable to our customers in the emirates." "As the national carrier, while offering our passengers the trademark Sri Lankan warmth and hospitality, we will continue to explore new avenues that will enhance the passenger journey," she added.-TradeArabia News Service The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has signed an agreement with Emirates Hospital Group to boost cooperation in the field of rehabilitation and provide quality intensive rehab care to the patients. The MoU was signed by Humaid Al Qatami, the chairman of the board and director general of the DHA and Pramod Balakrishnan, the CEO of Emirates Hospital Group. The authority strives to strengthen its partnership with the private sector in order to provide the public with international health care services, he stated. He added that the DHA considers the private sector as a strategic partner that can aid the authority in achieving its goal of elevating the quality of medical services provided by the authority. Balakrishnan said the MOU was testimony to the huge encouragement and support provided by the DHA to promote the private sector in the UAE and meet healthcare needs of the population. Emirates Hospitals Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the KBBO Group focused on creating a healthcare network around the GCC of global quality standards. "The KBBO Group is currently focussed on meeting gaps in the healthcare sector, contributing to the medical tourism plans of the country and establishing a high quality healthcare network of hospitals and clinics, adopting cutting edge mobility and home monitoring technology designed to enhance the quality of care and make it more cost effective," stated Balakrishnan. Emirates Rehab has invested in Adeli with a view to providing access to high quality intensive Rehab to the UAE population. The plans are to roll out this intensive Rehab services in the Emirates Rehab facilities across the UAE in due course, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Dubai Wholesale City, a global integrated wholesale trading hub and member of Tecom Group, will be showcasing the light industrial units and refrigerated warehouses located at its dedicated industrial hub Dubai Industrial Park, during the Gulfood 2017 expo in Dubai. A premier global annual food industry event, Gulfood 2017 will kick off tomorrow (February 26) and run until March 2 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Dubai Industrial Park is strategically located next to Al Maktoum Airport and in close proximity to the Jebel Ali Port. The city provides a traffic free environment with direct connections to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road and the Emirates Road, providing easy and convenient access to global transportation points via road, air and sea. Visitors at the Gulfood 2017 can view a cross-sectional scale model of the 1.5 million sq ft complex of light industrial units and refrigerated warehouses ranging from 5,000 to 11,000 sq ft that cater to the demands of corporates from the food and halal sector with a focus on small and medium enterprises (SMEs), said the company in a statement. Furthermore, an interactive screen will highlight the industrial hubs comprehensive portfolio of solutions that support investors and manufacturers in the food industry. These include industrial land, warehousing facilities, open storage yards, labor villages, offices, and showrooms, it stated. Saud Abu Al Shawareb, the chief operating officer of Dubai Industrial Park, said: "The food industry is witnessing a strong growth in the GCC region with consumption levels expected to increase by 57 per cent between 2014 and 2030 due to economic and population growth as well as a surge in tourist numbers." "The food industry is one of the main pillars of the Dubai Industrial Strategy 2030 that we are working on implementing in collaboration with our partners. We are confident that our offering will help consolidate the status of Dubai and the UAE as a leading hub for the industry," he noted. Gulfood is widely regarded as a gateway to vast business opportunities within the GCC region and international markets, valued at more than Dh5 trillion ($1.36 trillion) globally. With 120,000 sq m of exhibition space, this years edition features more than 5,000 exhibitors and expects to attract over 95,000 visitors from around the world. "The light industrial units and refrigerated warehouses have been designed to suit the requirements of SMEs that play an important role in driving the growth of the food industry," stated Al Shawareb. "In line with Dubais efforts to become a global hub for halal products and in view of the 20 percent annual growth of the halal sector, we aim to meet the demands of investors, startups, and SMEs active in this sector. Dubai Industrial Park is keen to support the growth of its partners and contribute to achieving Dubais vision to become the capital of Islamic economy," he added.-TradeArabia News Service The changing face of the regional leisure marine industry and the future of the superyacht business will be put under the spotlight at the upcoming Middle East Yachting Conference to be held in Dubai. The annual Middle East Yachting Conference brings together global experts and industry authorities, as well as boating enthusiasts, to address the latest trends, technologies, plans and regulations affecting the marine leisure sector in Dubai and beyond. The event, which has the backing of Dubai Maritime City Authority (DMCA), is being organised on February 27 at the Westin Mina-Seyahi, ahead of the 25th Dubai International Boat Show. Leading experts from the yacht manufacturing industry assembling for the day-long conference will examine hot topics from all corners of the sector, including the means to deliver marinas across the region which meet the modern demands of yacht and boat owners. This years theme, Honouring the past, treasuring the present, shaping the future, is particularly appropriate in view of the role played by the Dubai International Boat Show in driving the development of the regional leisure marine industry over the last 25 years. Yachting is an increasingly important element in Middle East luxury lifestyle, which is particularly evident here in Dubai through the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors as well as the spectacular waterfront developments now under way, remarked Trixie LohMirmand, senior VP, Events Management, Dubai World Trade Centre, the conference and show organisers. The conference is designed as a platform for meaningful discussion and to create opportunities for the sharing of experience and expertise, and this years theme will be underlined by sessions reflecting on where we have come from as an industry in the region, examining where we are today, and looking at the course ahead, she stated. The conference will kick off with a keynote address on the history of the Dubai maritime sector by Nawfal Al Jourani, the chief officer, Dubai Marine Cluster Office, DMCA. The event is taking place against a backdrop of extensive marina expansion across the Middle East. UAE-based Gulf Craft, one of the worlds top ten superyacht manufacturers, has a unique view of a region in transition. Erwin Bamps, CEO of Gulf Craft, which is marking its 35th anniversary this year, will give delegates insights into what luxury means in the Middle East where, according to the Superyacht Builders Association (SYBAss), there were 628 HNWIs - households with a minimum of $US250 million bankable assets at the last count. Moderating a session on the future of Middle East Marinas will be Bruno Meier, chief operating officer of UAE-based Art Marine which is currently looking to expand its marina operation and management business by forging partnerships to enter the F&B sector. Art Marine says that current marina development and expansion projects in the region will add another 12,180 berths, 9,200 of these in the UAE, including 1,400 at the recently announced Dubai Harbour project. Also giving insights into the future for marinas will be Wayne Shepherd, General Manager, Lusail Marina in Qatar, Captain Munis Momani, Marina Manager, Ayla Marina in Jordan, Toby Haws, Head of Marinas, Al Zorah - Emirates Palace - Al Bander - Marsa Al Bateen, UAE, Cedric Lerest, General Manager, YAS Marina in Abu Dhabi and Tony Dye CMM, Assessor with The Yacht Harbour Association in the UK. Addressing how the superyacht business has changed over last few decades, an afternoon session moderated by Nabil Farhat, Editor of The World of Yachts & Boats, will address the question - what is the next big thing for the industry. Influential speakers will include Farouk Nefzi, Brand & Marketing Director, Feadship, the Dutch manufacturers, a senior representative from Benetti, Olivier Blanchet, Head of Jet & Yacht Finance, BNP Paribas, France and Captain Roger Towner, Chief Examiner from the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency (MCA) in the UK. On top of discussions centred on the marine industry, Rob Dalla Costa, Director at KPMG will deliver an exclusive presentation on the regions introduction of new VAT regulations and what these changes will mean for marine business within the UAE. The conference will conclude with a keynote address on the spending and needs of UHNWIs by David Awit, director Middle East, Wealth-X, UK.-TradeArabia News Service Zain, a leading telecom operator across the Middle East and Africa region, has signed up Verscom Solutions, a key systems integrator and an innovative cloud PaaS/SaaS service provider, to efficiently manage the wholesale business. Under the agreement, Turkish group Verscom Solutions will deploy Odine, a suite of intelligent wholesale voice business management applications that enable operators to more efficiently and effectively manage their wholesale interconnect voice business. "In order for us to succeed in the competitive wholesale voice business, we needed a geographically resilient intelligent B/OSS that could scale to meet our expanding business," remarked Henri Kassab, the managing director, (International, Wholesale and Roaming) at Zain Group. "We chose Verscom Solutions' Odine due to its dynamic routing policy and its integrated approach, which greatly simplifies enforcing our operational control," he stated. Odine provides flexible policy driven routing, route optimization, offer management, rating, billing, number portability, technical and business reporting & analytics, as well as dispute management. On the deal, Alper Tunga Burak, the managing partner of Verscom Solutions, said co-operating with Zain Group was a phenomenal opportunity for mutual growth. "We're delighted to be chosen by Zain and look forward to many years of working together," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza), a DP World Company and the UAEs flagship trade and logistics hub for the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region, has posted a 22.5 per cent growth in foreign companies from the Food and Beverage Sector (F&B) rising from 480 companies in 2015 to 588 last year. Jafza said it will be at the Gulfood Exhibition meeting some of the leading companies from the F&B sector who are planning to locate in the region. Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World and Chairman of Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation underlined the increasing role of the F&B industry in the UAE in driving economic growth and in addressing the food requirements of regional markets. "The vision of our wise leadership to make Dubai as the Global Islamic Economic Capital provides a major boost to our economy by attracting foreign investment, especially those that are Halal food related. The Dubai Industrial Strategy complements the competiveness of the food industry where local companies can partner global counterparts to increase the emirates exports," remarked Bin Sulayem. "We are also focused on research and development in the industry to develop new products and commodities that will suit different tastes and attract consumers," he stated. Bin Sulayem pointed out that of the F&B companies based in Jafza, 57 per cent were from the Middle East region, 18 per cent from Asia-Pacific, 13 per cent from Europe, eight per cent from the Americas and four per cent from Africa. "The importance of Jafza as a preferred destination is apparent from the high occupancy rate in facilities, ranging from plots of land and warehouses top showrooms and offices dedicated to the F&B industry, spread over 1.67 million sq m," he stated. Bin Sulayem, said Gulfood is an annual event that brings together local and international leaders of the F&B industry under one roof and is a vital platform to meet and discuss cooperation and the investment plans of companies in the UAE, Middle East and Africa. "Jafza is keen to meet manufacturers, wholesalers, packaging and logistics companies that are looking to reach out to new and emerging markets and benefit from our modern infrastructure and the highly efficient logistics network that will help enable the support and supply process," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Senior Stompers meet Mondays Free only for Seniors 60+ who like to have fun, love music and like to dance, tapping and stomping to the beat. Join Joyces Senior Stompers on Monday mornings at 10:50 a.m. and exercise your mind and body. Call Joyce for more information 237-4908. Fun month at Mountain Plaza Mountain Plaza Assisted Living, 4154 Talon Dr., has a packed month of February planned for residents, guests and those interested. Feb. 28: Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Lively music and masquerade costumes or masks. Music will be provided by the Twang Gang. For more information, call 232-0100. Craftastic Saturday The Natrona County Library will host an adult crafting program at 2 p.m., on Saturday, March 4. Join us as we break out some corkboard and nails to craft string art. A simple and creative craft, pick a pattern, push in the nails, and start wrapping. Make a childs name, gift it to a loved one, or hang it as wall decor. All supplies provided. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Monthly vets ceremony Feb. 28 The Natrona County United Veterans Council and the staff of the Oregon Trail Wyoming State Veterans Cemetery conduct a monthly memorial service for those know Wyoming Veterans who have died since the last memorial service which was held on Jan. 31, when 83 Wyoming veterans were honored. This months memorial service is at noon, Tuesday, Feb. 28, in the Tom Walsh Chapel at The Oregon Trail Veterans Cemetery. All are welcome to attend. This memorial service is provided on behalf of a grateful state and nation as an expression of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service rendered by each of these veterans. The veterans name, Wyoming community and branch of service is read at roll call. There is a rifle salute, taps, and the folding of a flag. Trails hosts opening reception Join the National Historic Trails Center for an evening reception with the unveiling of original and print artwork by western artist Minerva Teichert from 5 to 8 p.m., on Friday, March 3. The exhibit will highlight Teicherts many years as a professionally trained and accomplished artist. Teichert was born in Ogden, Utah in 1888 and was a descendant of Mormon Pioneer Trail emigrants. Teichert was raised on the family homestead near Fort Hall, Idaho. About her artwork, Teichert remarked, I must paint. Its a disease. The reception is free of charge and open to the public. Events at Art 321 You still have time to visit Art 321, 321 W. Midwest Ave., to see the February exhibits works by new members, art faculty from Wyoming colleges, and paintings by Susan Simon. March will feature exhibits by the Pastel Group, as well as works by Ellen Black and Friends, and the All High School Show. There is a Bead Weaving and Braiding workshop, instructed by Lori Wormus, Saturday and Sunday, March 4 and 5, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fee is $100 for members and $140 for non-members. When visiting Art 321 to see the current exhibits, be sure to stop by the reception desk and pick up a 2017 brochure with a schedule of exhibits, workshops, and informal groups for the whole year. Its is a good way to plan ahead for any workshops and exhibits of interest and to find out about the benefits of becoming a member. There are also many new offerings by Wyoming artists to browse through in the beautiful Gift Shop. Offerings include all sizes of art in many varied media, including fiber work, jewelry, and glass, in all price ranges. The gift shop changes merchandise frequently, so there is always something new. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Opening receptions are held the first Thursday of each month from 5 to 8 p.m. Apply for Mrs. Casper The Mrs. Wyoming Pageant is seeking applicants for the title of Mrs. Casper. Once selected, the successful applicant will advance to represent her community in the 2017 Mrs. Wyoming Pageant to be held on May 6 in Cheyenne. Local titleholders will compete to win a prize package valued at over $8,000 including an all expense paid trip to the national Mrs. America Pageant. Applicants must be at least 18 years old (no age limit), married at the time of competition and a Wyoming resident, no performing talent required. Celebrating its 41st year, the Mrs. America pageant is the only competition to recognize Americas married woman. To request the official application or for information, call Sheree Cooke, Wyomings state director, at 720-549-0440 or visit www.mrswyomingamerica.com. Nostalgic display at Senior Services The Senior Center, 1831 E. 4th St., is featuring a display that features nostalgic items back to the late 1800s. The display will be up through February and March. Items include baby plates and cups, antique dolls, Steiff collectibles, and many other items, thanks to Tom and Lida Volin. For more information, call 265-4678. Help Yourself Learn selling on Etsy The Natrona County Library will offer a Selling on Etsy class from 10 to 11 a.m., on Monday, Feb. 27. Learn about selling, shipping, feedback and how to handle transactions effectively and safely using Etsy. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. FAFSA assistance Monday If you're planning to attend college next year and need financial aid, then it's time to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A representative from the University of Wyoming at Casper Educational Opportunity Center will provide FAFSA assistance at the Natrona County Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. Please bring social security numbers, driver's license numbers, and 2015 tax information for both the student and parents; a list of the schools the student is interested in attending; and records of untaxed income and any other financial assets. Call 577-READ ext. 101 for more information. St. Mark's hosts Financial Peace St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 7th and Wolcott, will have classes on money management, using the Financial Peace plan, starting Feb. 28. The classes will run from to April 25, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on Tuesdays at the church. To register, please contact Dorothy Brown at 377-3508 or via e-mail Wyo_nana@yahoo.com, or call the church at 234-0831. Wednesday Writers Would you like to leave a legacy by sharing your memories with the world? Practice writing, share your work and receive constructive feedback from fellow writers at 10 a.m., on Wednesday, March 1, on the main floor of the Natrona County Library. Call 577-READ ext. 2 or email reference@natronacountylibrary.org for more information. Saturday watercolor sessions The schedule for the Saturday Morning Watercolor Sessions from 10 a.m. to noon for March and April at Art 321 is below. These are coordinated by Ellen Black, 265-6783. $10 per session. March 4, practice session; March 11, painting fruits and vegetables; March 18, practice session; March 25, using acrylic inks, Bev Mathisen. April 1, practice session; April 8, practice session; April 15, painting on Yupo; April 22, practice session; April 29, building perspective, Dave Sneesby. Teen Challenge spring groups Smart Step Families: Putting two families together is never easy. Challenges arise with parenting, working with co-parents, resistance to the new marriage and having the time and energy to deal with all the challenges that may arise. The Smart Step Families, led by a Christian couple, will give answers and encouragement. Thursday evenings starting in March. Call Pastor Mark or Linda at 259-1081. Insight: Discovering the path to Christian character, especially in the midst of stress. For more information, call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397. There are nine sessions to the class. Professionals in Recovery: An ongoing Christian recovery group. For more information, call Gary at 267-7777. Free to Grow: Helping people overcome disappointments and setbacks that have arrested or are presently hindering their emotional and spiritual development. Starts in February and meets on Thursdays. For more information, call Jane at 797-7271 or Judy at 251-5644. There are 12 sessions to the class. Peacemaking: In this world of division and conflict, its important for Christians to stay grounded in what the bible teaches about resolving differences with others in a God- honoring way. Sunday at 4 p.m. For more information, call Teen Challenge Wyoming at 258-5397. There are 12 sessions to the class. Stepping into Freedom: A Christ-centered 12-step program that offers support for anyone struggling with a life controlling problem like drug addiction, alcoholism, sexual addiction, gambling or workaholism. There are 12 sessions to the class. New ministry at HPCC Family Life Ministry (FLM) at Highland Park Community Church is offering premarital, marriage enrichment, and parenting workshops, seminars, retreats and conferences, empowering families to thrive through Gods love. Please visit the website for more information or to register, http://hpcc.church/FLM. Free tax help The Natrona County VITA Program, a United Way of Natrona County initiative, is open through April 12, for free tax return assistance. This is a first come, first serve program, no appointments will be scheduled. Individuals must bring their Social Security card, photo identification and the appropriate paperwork with them. For a complete listing of required paperwork, please visit the website www.wyomingfreetaxservice.org Hours are Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Aspen Creek Building, 800 Werner Ct., Ste. 206. Closed Sunday and Monday. For more information, call (307) 333-5588 during hours of operation or look on Facebook. The initiative is supported by funding from the Wyoming Free Tax Service and local United Way. Parenting class available Mercer Family Resource Center offers a class in March designed to help parents become more effective. Make Parenting a Pleasure is for parents and caregivers with children ages 0 to 8. Class meets March 1, 8, 15, and 22 and April 5, 12, and 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. Onsite childcare available, meets once a week for seven weeks. Cost is $35 individuals and $50 a couple. For more information or to enroll, call Lisa Brown at 233-4276. Job, career fair March 14 The Department of Workforce Services will be hosting a Job and Career Fair at the Casper Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center on Tuesday, March 14. The event will be open from 9 to 10 a.m. to veterans seeking employment, then open from 10 a.m. to noon for all general public job seekers. There will be many different businesses and career opportunities including representatives from the energy, construction, transportation, medical and government fields. Don't miss this chance to talk with many local businesses about their job openings or get information about other career opportunities. Questions? Please call the Casper Workforce Center at 234-4591 for more information. ARTCORE music deadline March 15 The deadline for the ARTCORE New Music Competition is March 15. Entrants must be Wyoming residents. The purpose of the competition is to find serious composers in the state; to provide an ongoing program for encouraging new music by these same composers; to give exposure to musical works of merit and to stimulate an interest in contemporary music in Wyoming audiences. Performance time shall be limited to 20 minutes. Compositions shall not have been performed previously. Compositions shall be limited to no more than eight performers. Compositions may be for any combination of voice and/or instrument. Three copies of the manuscript must be submitted. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Submit manuscripts to ARTCORE, P.O. Box 874, Casper, WY 82602. Entry fee is $15. Manuscripts must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2017. Seedling trees, shrubs and perennials on sale Premium quality seedling trees, shrubs and perennials are available for windbreaks and wildlife habitat enhancement from the UW/Natrona County Extension. Order forms are available at the Ag Resource and Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Rd. There are 41 species available. Order now for best selection with May 2017 delivery. For more information, call Rose Jones at 235-9400. Dementia caregiver support Wyoming Dementia Care offers five Alzheimers Caregiver Support groups each month. Caregivers of those with dementia-related illnesses and the loved ones they care for are welcome at any of the group sessions. Professional staff from Intermountain Home Companions will be on hand to offer separate activities and snacks for those who need care. There is no charge for Wyoming Dementia Cares support groups or for the respite care provided during the approximately one hour long sessions. The morning support group sessions meet on the first and third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Central Wyoming Senior Services, 1831 E. 4th St. The afternoon support groups meet at 1 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Life Care Center of Casper, 4041 S. Poplar. The evening groups meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Meadow Wind Assisted Living, 3955 E. 12th St. For information, email wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or call Dani Guerttman at 265-4678. Family continues suicide support Good Grief, Support will continue at 5:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the 12-24 Club, 500 S. Wolcott, by request of attendees. Anyone who is grieving a suicide, death, or considering suicide is encouraged to attend. Attendance at the meeting, as well as the content, will be strictly confidential. The Fresh Start Cafe will be open, and you can eat during the meetings. This meeting place was offered by Dan Cantine of the 12-24 Club. You need not be a member to attend. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. New depression group begins J.R.s Hunt for Life is offering See it Clearly, a free peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. The group is led by like-minded peers wishing to offer support in these struggles. Anonymity and confidentiality is offered to all attending. Meetings are at 6:45 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at 500 South Wolcott in the conference room on the second floor, (12-24 Club). Those who have considered or attempted taking their life or are struggling are welcome. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Family offers faith-based groups The family of J.R. Hunter, who committed suicide, now has two additional support groups, these faith-based, in addition to the groups they run on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at the 12-24 Club. Those continue. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. "J.R.s Hunt; for life" presents two faith-based grief and depression peer to peer support groups at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. at Restoration Church, 411 S. Walsh. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Grief Support Group, "Good Grief:" A faith-based grief support group that the family hosts on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 5:30 p.m. at Restoration Church. The family's loss has moved them to offer this to anyone grieving. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Depression Support Group, "See It Clearly:" A faith-based free peer to peer support group for persons suffering from depression and other mental conditions that may lead to suicidal thoughts and actions. The group is led by like-minded peers wishing to offer support in these struggles. Anonymity and confidentiality is offered to all attending. Meetings are at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at Restoration Church. Those who have considered or attempted taking their life or are struggling are welcome. For more information, email jlh35@hotmailcom. Parkinson's exercise Rocky Mountain Therapy is offering a Parkinson's exercise program. Join us from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays at Rocky Mountain Therapy, 2546 E. Second St., Building 500. These classes are open to anyone with Parkinson's or caring for someone with Parkinson's. Thursday's class is tailored for the individual with more advanced Parkinson's and focuses on improving endurance, safety and managing symptoms. We are open to all ages and can tailor the class to meet varying exercise needs. The cost of the class is $5. To RSVP, call 577-5204 and ask for Jerri or Shannon. Celebrate Recovery every Friday Celebrate Recovery meets at 5:30 p.m. every Friday at Highland Park Community Church, just south of Elkhorn Valley Rehabilitation Hospital on East Second Street. We start with a family meal, followed by praise and worship. At 7 p.m., there's either a lesson from Celebrate Recovery's planned curriculum or a testimony by a person who has found recovery through Christ. Then, people go to gender-specific small groups until 8:30 p.m., when dessert and fellowship conclude the evening. Child care is available at no cost. For more information, contact Chris at 265-4073. Here and Now: Dementia-focused monthly art class Classes are every third Tuesday of the month from 1 to 3 p.m. There is no charge. Here and Now is a program made possible through a collaboration between Wyoming Dementia Care and the Nicolaysen Art Museum. It is designed to provide a supportive environment for people with dementia and Alzheimers and their loved ones. To register, contact Dani with Wyoming Dementia Care 265-4678, ext. 106, or at wyodementia@casperseniorcenter.com or Zhanna Gallegos at 235-5247 or at zgallegos@thenic.org. Latin Club meets Latin Study Club language enthusiasts welcome anyone who wishes they had taken Latin in school or paid better attention when they did. The group meets at 7 p.m., on Tuesday nights at Mount Hope Lutheran School, 2300 Hickory. There is no charge. The textbook used is Wheelocks Latin, 7th edition. Noli timere! CHEYENNE Ridesharing services could start doing business in Wyoming as soon as early March, after the Legislature approved a bill legalizing the business model used by Lyft and Uber. House Bill 80, known informally as the Uber bill, was passed unanimously Friday afternoon by the state Senate. The bill legalizes the business model of ridesharing services, which are legally known as transportation network companies in Wyoming. State law does not currently address the issue. Ridesharing services use smartphone apps to connect passengers with drivers. Drivers use their own vehicles and are paid for the ride, with the ridesharing service receiving a commission. The entire transaction is cashless, with the app charging the ride to a preloaded credit card or through other payment methods. With the passage of HB 80 by the Senate, the bill goes back to the House, where that body must agree to Senate amendments. The Senate made slight changes to the bill, including one amendment allowing larger airports to require an operating agreement for Uber to access the airport and another amendment that identifies ridesharing companies as not subject to workers compensation laws. Once that happens, the bill will go to Gov. Matt Mead for his signature. Brian Gebhardt, Ubers general manager for its Frontier States division, said if the bill continues to progress as expected, Uber could roll out its service in Wyoming as soon as March 4 or 5. We want to hit the ground running as fast as we can, he said. While the service will be available statewide, drivers, and thus rides, may not be available everywhere. Gebhardt said Uber has been allowing drivers to register for the service in anticipation of the law passing. Wyoming is one of a handful of states in which Uber does not yet have a presence, and Uber has been lobbying the Legislature to pass HB 80. Gebhardt said the company was pleased with the reception it received in the Legislature. The Senate passed the bill with 26 in favor, none against and four excused. The bill passed the House in January on a 52-6 vote with two excused. Many highways and portions of Interstate 80 were closed in central and southeastern Wyoming on Friday morning due to a February storm that brought blizzard-like conditions. Sections of I-80 had been closed since Thursday morning. Other closed highways include U.S. 30 around Rawlins and Medicine Bow, U.S. 287 between Rock River and Lander, and Highway 220 between Muddy Gap and Casper. Natrona County schools, which dismissed early Thursday, were open Friday. Most of central and southeastern Wyoming remained under a winter storm warning until midday Friday. Wind chill values in the Casper area reached as low as zero. Editor: In trying to replace the Affordable Care Act, Wyoming senators Mike Enzi and John Barrasso are proposing a greater reliance on individual Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This is a red herring. HSAs are accounts into which people put their own money for use on medical expenses. The money put into such savings isnt subject to income tax -- which sounds great, but most people on the ACA insurance earn so little they dont pay income tax, and certainly dont have the extra cash to contribute to an HSA (max allowed contribution in 2017 for a family is $6,750). Even if people had lower premiums, diverting a $300/month premium payment to an HSA only amounts to $3,600, not nearly sufficient to cover, say, a night in the hospital for a bad flu. In short, the diversion from lower deductible, higher premium health insurance plans into HSAs means that we are being asked to use our own money to cover our medical expenses. We would pay out of our savings for prescription drugs, broken bones, chemotherapy, evaluation and treatment of prostate cancer or ovarian cysts. For most people, that level of savings is way out of reach. For the more financially secure, it means diverting money away from saving for first-time home purchases, college education, and retirement. In other words, diverting money into HSAs undermines the security of and financial opportunities for middle-class and working families. Finally, HSAs would increase actual health care costs. Because of their large number of subscribers, health insurance companies can often negotiate health care rates with doctors and hospitals. Individuals paying out of HSAs do not have this advantage. For us to be on equal footing, the government would have to regulate the health care costs allowed by providers -- a plan that both providers and small-government advocates dislike. Please ask our senators to work to improve the ACA by opening up the market across state lines and allowing rural states with lower populations to purchase in larger group plans with more choices -- not by making us pay for health care on our own. Improve, dont repeal the ACA. Are the senators afraid to answer questions about the positions they have taken on topics that affect their constituents during the recent legislative session? I contacted Senator Enzi and Senator Barrasso's offices last week and on Tuesday, inquiring about public appearances. Last week I was told that no town hall meetings had been scheduled yet. I heard through friends that Senator Barrasso had a "private meeting" scheduled Tuesday with high school students, and then a "closed mic" interview on the radio. However, no one at either office was answering the phones. Last week I was also told that a Chamber of Commerce Coffee was planned this week for Wednesday, but the staffer there was "unsure as to whether the senator would speak on anything as the Chamber Coffee events are more of a social gathering than a formal presentation. A "social gathering" would not address the many questions I and other constituents have for the Senator. It is certainly difficult to represent constituents whom you do not make yourself available to meet. NOGALES, Sonora Vendors have adopted the streets as their workplace, selling to those at border crossing lines as drivers inch their way back to the U.S. For most, it is their sole source of income. The streets are full of local businesses that attract newcomers, but dozens of independent vendors go car to car to their clients rather than waiting for clients to come to them. The vendors sell merchandise that ranges from traditional Mexican candies to ornate shot glasses to large ceramic figures of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Fausto Perez has made a living selling candy and food at the border crossing for more than 20 years. With a small basket hanging from his neck, Perez arrives at the border inspection station at 10 every morning, he said. He offers his customers a variety of traditional Mexican candies which he buys in neighboring Hermosillo. Perez is well-known among locals who regularly cross the international border. Alfonso Leon from Rio Rico, Ariz., 15 miles from Nogales, is one of Perezs regular customers. As different street vendors pass by, Leon asks for Perez. Ive been crossing for a few years now to visit my family and Fausto is always here, said Leon, who works in Arizona but has family in Nogales. Juan Gonzalez is another long-time vendor who is known for selling fresh nopales, or cactus. Gonzalez has been going to the port of entry to sell bags of nopales for more than 25 years. He arrives early in the morning and sets his tools and ingredients by the Plaza de las Palomas, located in front of the port of entry. There, he arranges his wares, places his wood-cutting board, and prepares the nopales. Gonzalez puts them in small bags and then sells them for 122 pesos, equivalent to about $6. Although we all sell our separate products, were all partners and weve known each other for a very long time, Gonzalez said in Spanish as he prepared to head toward prospective customers waiting in the long lines. Every day, he and fellow vendors like Jorge Machaca Gil also a full-time vendor, famous for selling fresh machaca meat gather by the plaza. They meet to talk and take breaks from their long shifts at the border. According to Gonzalez, the street vendors chose the location because it guarantees customers. Theres always going to be a line here, Gonzalez said. Each day, more than 9,000 people cross the Nogales Port of Entry, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation. Other vendors like Perez agreed customers are always available, but he said sales can be inconsistent. This challenges vendors reliability on sales at the checkpoint. Some days, Ill have more sales than others. You never really know how your day will go, which is why I come here every day, Perez said in Spanish. Each vendor must have a street permit approved by the Department of License and Inspections Office in the City of Nogales, Sonora. The license must be renewed monthly. Fees vary depending on the product being sold. According to officials, monthly fees range from 85 pesos ($4.27) to 168 pesos ($8.43). The Nogales Port of Entry is the busiest of the six non-commercial crossing stations in the region. In 2015, it accounted for 40 percent of Arizonas total border crossing to and from Mexico, according to the Bureau of Transportations most recent report. Joe Coughlin is a front-row kind of guy. In fact, thats one of his big rules when it comes to school. Studies show theres a one-letter grade difference between the front and back, he says. In front, there are no distractions. Youre right in front of the teacher. Hes also always the first to queue up for POL 150C2: What is Politics? (Yes, theres a line to get into class.) This is even more impressive when you know about Coughlins complicated commute to take the University of Arizonas general education course: He hops a bus and then rides a train from Bakersfield, California. Thats 2 hours on the bus, 9 hours on Amtraks Sunset Limited. Total travel time: 12 hours. Twice a week. Its kind of an adventure to me, says Coughlin, 63, the married father of three who owns Coconut Joes, a beach-themed restaurant thats been a Bakersfield landmark for nearly 30 years. Its the kind of place where servers have the regulars orders into the kitchen as soon as they walk in the door. Coughlin knew he had to take the course after his son a recent UA Eller College of Management grad told him renowned linguist and political activist Noam Chomsky was teaching a seven-week politics course that started Jan. 12. The Tuesday/Thursday lecture class, co-taught with Professor Emeritus Marv Waterstone, explores climate change, nuclear weapons, militarism, globalization and capitalisms impact on social inequality. I immediately got on the phone, says Coughlin, whos read many of Chomskys books and considers the man his hero. I didnt know if outsiders could get into the class. I was going to talk my way in. Turns out, community members even if theyre from a community 598.4 miles away are more than welcome and account for 278 of those enrolled in the class, according to the UA. Another 232 are matriculated students. People start lining up at 4 p.m. for the 5 p.m. lecture. No one waltzes in late. Its an honor to be in the class, says Coughlin, who has two daughters in college. We treat it as such. Coughlin, who has always preferred road and rails to planes, has pretty much the same weekly travel itinerary. He leaves Sunday night to drive from his home on a bamboo-studded acre in Bakersfield for Los Angeles Union Station. He folds his 6-foot-1 frame into a sleeping car which costs more, $200-ish versus $47 to spend the night upright in a seat and snoozes his way across state lines. Then, he hightails it over to Prince of Tucson RV Park. Yeah, one day he skipped the bus and train and drove his RV over after finding out the hard way that February is high season here. The gem show ate up every hotel room in town, Coughlin says, forcing him to once take refuge all the way in Casa Grande and another time at a motel so skeevy that check-in and check-out happened pretty much simultaneously. Ive had umpty-umpteen problems, but its been fun, he insists. This experience has taught me to not have to be in control of everything. I tend to plan things out. Ive become more easygoing. Like, not flinching when his RV engine blew up on Grant Road. Or, the time he trekked all the way to Bakersfield, only to turn around and then drive 10 hours round trip to San Francisco. As part of his treatment for chronic myelogenous leukemia, he must head up there to get his blood drawn once a month. Now that, he says, was a commute. Coughlin, who regularly speaks at schools and in seminars about life lessons through what he calls Coconut College, figures the $225 course is probably costing him around $4,000. He hasnt yet tired of the grind because he gets so much out of the class. Its just eye-opening, he says. Its so mentally stimulating. This is a dude who really values education. Not that youd guess from his high school transcripts. A solid C-minus student, college wasnt in the cards. His parents didnt encourage their three kids to go. The youngest, Coughlin says he crashed and burned as a young adult. He was stocking green-bean cans in a grocery store in Virginia without much of a future when he joined the Navy Reserve at 24. Two years later, armed with a top-recruit award, Coughlin talked his way into a meeting with the dean of Virginia Commonwealth University, promising if he didnt earn straight As, the dean could kick him out. Coughlin had a 3.9 GPA when he transferred to Arizona State University the following year. Dont hold his Sun Devilness against him, though. Coughlin who met his wife, Leah, there says he often thought about transferring to the University of Arizona. He much prefers the campus and vibe in Tucson. Between lectures, Coughlin bides his time doing homework, shopping Urban Outfitters book section and dining at La Cocina or Frog & Firkin. Youll spot him on campus toting a black backpack and Takamine guitar, which he taught himself to play by watching YouTube videos. Because of Coughlins always-hunker-down-in-the-front-row rule, hes actually sat next to Chomsky, who joins the students in the audience for Waterstones Tuesday lectures. I dont know of anybody I more respect, Coughlin says. He has no agenda, no ideology hes pushing. Hes coming from the perspective of making the world a better place. While hes talked to Waterstone, Coughlin has yet to chat up Chomsky. What Id really like, Coughlin grins sheepishly, is to get a picture with him. Spoken like someone whos a card-carrying member of the Noam Chomsky Fan Club, which, he is. In a way. Coughlin has a blue plastic card with his name printed on it in white letters that must be scanned to prevent crashers from sneaking into the popular class. Coughlin smiles. It would be easier to get into Fort Knox. We've collected a few front pages from newspapers.com to give you a look at some Feb. 25 papers in history. With a subscription to newspapers.com you can search the Arizona Daily Star and many other newspapers using keywords or dates, and download articles or pages. New federal directives aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration and border-related crime may appear straightforward, but how they are received by local law enforcement is far from simple. The sheriffs of Cochise, Pima and Yuma counties generally support the Trump administrations evolving border policy, which took a leap forward last week with a memorandum from Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly. The sheriff of Santa Cruz County, on the other hand, has a more critical view of the policy. Although all four sheriffs support Kellys plan to fight cross-border criminal networks, they all balk at the idea of enforcing immigration laws. And various directives in the memo give the border sheriffs pause. Kelly ordered the hiring of 5,000 more Border Patrol agents, spurring Santa Cruz County Sheriff Antonio Estrada to ask: Why isnt the federal government hiring more customs officers to catch hard drugs smuggled through ports of entry? Kelly also ordered the expansion of a program that allows local officers to enforce immigration laws and act as a force multiplier for federal agencies. But Pima County Sheriff Mark Napier said his department doesnt have the resources to enforce immigration laws, and he considers immigration a federal responsibility. Kellys directive to increase detention facilities near the U.S.-Mexico border to the greatest extent possible is part of a larger effort to end the Border Patrols practice of catch and release. Meanwhile, Yuma County Sheriff Leon Wilmot wants the federal government to reimburse Arizona border counties for housing inmates in county jails who are in the country illegally a cost that he said created a $30 million annual deficit in recent years. Cochise County Sheriff Mark Dannels questioned why arrests made by federal agents in cases of cross-border crime about one-third of the roughly 200 inmates at the county jail at any one time are handled by county prosecutors, rather than the U.S. Attorneys Office. Dannels also questioned the foundation of the federal governments policy since the 1990s, which pushes illegal border crossings into rural areas and makes Cochise a flow-through county for criminal activity. President Trumps proposed wall couldnt hurt, Dannels said, but he noted there are many kinds of barriers, including the barrier created by law enforcement officers. These are the waters the Trump administration dipped into last week as it seeks to fulfill an executive order issued by the president on Jan. 25. Little will change in the near future in border counties, the sheriffs said. For the time being, they are waiting to see what else comes down from the federal government. Napier said he is happy Trump is applying more resources to the border. Wilmot said the memo shows Kelly is paying attention to the boots on the ground. Dannels said he likes that Trump has shown the will to do something on the border. Estrada, the lone Democrat among the Arizona border sheriffs, said the new policies are terrorizing border residents. The policies are spreading fear and panic in people, and thats not what this country is about, Estrada said. In the meantime, all four sheriffs lauded the Border Patrols efforts in their counties and said they looked forward to cooperating with federal authorities on border issues. However, they said they had no intention of conducting immigration raids. Enforcing immigration laws In his memo, Kelly directed federal agencies to expand partnerships with local law enforcement to stem illegal immigration and cross-border crime. Specifically, Kelly pointed to the 287(g) program, which is named after a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allows local officers to be trained by federal agencies to identify people in the country illegally and process them for removal from the United States. None of the four border counties take part in the 287(g) program that Kelly directed federal agencies to expand immediately. The Arizona Department of Corrections, Mesa Police Department, Pinal County Sheriffs Office and Yavapai County Sheriffs Office signed agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2016 to alert ICE when detention officers come across an inmate who is in the country illegally. Nationwide, 37 agencies signed similar agreements with ICE. All of those are jail-based programs. The Pinal County Sheriffs Office declined a request for an interview, but spokeswoman Navideh Forghani said the Sheriffs Office will continue to run the 287(g) program in its jail as it has done for years and notify federal agencies when deputies come across violations of immigration law. Along the border, sheriffs see little need for the program as long as thousands of Border Patrol agents work in their counties. The 287(g) program is not something that fits here, Estrada said, adding one reason for the expansion of the program is that state warrants are easier to get than federal warrants. Wilmot and Dannels said the program could be effective in non-border states where local agencies cant count on support from the Border Patrol. Wilmot said his office doesnt have the manpower to enforce immigration laws, but he regularly lets ICE agents into the jail to check for inmates who are in the country illegally. Secure Communities Kelly also ordered the resurrection of the Secure Communities program, which began in 2008 under the Bush administration and was canceled in 2014 by the Obama administration. Both programs involved sending fingerprints taken at local jails to the FBI and then to the Department of Homeland Security, where they were run through a database of immigration violators. ICE would then request a detainer to hold inmates beyond the release date and take custody of them. However, under the Obama administrations Priority Enforcement Program, ICE would only request detainers if the inmate was convicted of specific crimes, such as gang activity. Napier said he wasnt familiar with the programs, but under his departments policy, when ICE agents request a detainer on an inmate, they are notified when detention officers start the process of releasing the inmate. That gives ICE a few hours to pick up the inmate at the jail. If they dont, the inmate is released. However, such a policy would violate state law if a bill that passed the Arizona House Thursday is approved by the state Senate and signed into law. The bill orders public officials to comply with detainers requested by federal immigration officials or face daily fines ranging from $500 to $5,000. Wilmot said he is glad Secure Communities is back. It worked, he said. He called the Obama administrations program a total failure that let dangerous criminals out into the community, a thought echoed by Dannels. Gov. Doug Ducey is backing a legislative proposal to end a longstanding ban on giving food stamps to drug felons. Advocates, including Ducey, say it will give much-needed help to people recently released from prison and jail. The change would not cost the state any money, as food stamps are federally funded. The Pima County Attorneys Office in Tucson instigated the effort to lift the ban, which has long been criticized as unfair for singling out drug offenses. It does not apply to people convicted of other kinds of crimes. We now know that substance-abuse disorder is a health issue that we need to treat as such, said Christina Corieri, senior policy adviser to the Republican governor. When people leave prison, violent offenders are automatically eligible and must be, by federal law, for these benefits. But people who have had a drug charge are not. Ducey expects the change to save the state money in the long run by reducing the chances that drug offenders will be locked up again. People who leave prison already have a difficult time getting a job. We dont want people to resort to subsistence crime, Corieri said. The ban is the result of a federal law passed in the mid-1990s during the so-called War on Drugs. The law always allowed states to opt out, and Arizona is now one of a handful of states still enforcing it. That means anyone in Arizona convicted of a felony drug offense after Aug. 22, 1996, is banned for life from enrolling in the states Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. SNAP, which is for low-income people, is still often informally referred to by its former name, food stamps. Just four states still have such a lifetime ban in place, an August 2016 Congressional Research Service report says: Arizona, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia. Lifting the ban embraces the Republican philosophy of personal responsibility, Corieri said. It is requiring something on their behalf. They need to engage in treatment if that is something that is medically necessary for them, she said. And it does have the authority for DES (the Arizona Department of Economic Security) to verify that through drug testing as well. Legislative support The measure is part of House Bill 2372, which includes several changes to public assistance in Arizona, including restoring some cuts to Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), also known as welfare. The changes to welfare have received most of the attention and public discussion about the bill. The House passed the bill 31-29 Thursday night. Similar legislation is expected to be considered in the Senate. Theres no estimate of how many people would be added to the SNAP program if the measure to lift the drug-felon ban becomes law. In the last state fiscal year, 3,758 people applied for food stamps through Arizonas SNAP program but were denied because of felony drug convictions, the Governors Office says. But Corieri said its possible that the ban affected more people than the numbers reflect some just dont apply because they are aware of the ban. The program is entirely funded through federal dollars and in January covered 941,321 Arizonans, including 450,654 children, at a monthly cost of $113,285 million. The average family receives $269 per month or about $3.20 per meal and is enrolled in the program for 23 months. The House bills language calls for people convicted of drug felonies to meet some conditions before they could qualify for food stamps, including agreeing to random drug testing and substance-abuse treatment unless a medical provider says its not necessary. I think that the message overall of the governors State of the State (speech) and his agenda moving forward is creating more opportunity for people, and the people who need help the most are those, in many cases, struggling to get back on their feet, Ducey spokesman Daniel Scarpinato said. He sees these reforms as pretty common sense and also rewarding good behavior. ... If people are trying to get their life back together, going through drug treatment, that is the kind of behavior that we want because its going to make our state a better place and its going to improve those peoples lives and their families lives. Food bank support Though she would rather see the ban on drug offenders lifted with no conditions or strings attached, it is a step in the right direction, said Angie Rodgers, president and CEO of the Association of Arizona Food Banks. For an individual who made a mistake in their life, banning them from ever receiving assistance makes it difficult to get back on your feet, Rodgers said. Having a second sentence of not being able to receive help seemed excessive. The Pima County Attorneys Office also wanted the ban to be lifted without any conditions like drug testing attached, said Kathleen Mayer, the offices chief legislative liaison. But the measure is certainly better than what we had before, which was nothing, Mayer said. We are really trying to encourage people to break the cycle of addiction and reintegrate into society. ... Whatever we can do to keep them from sliding back, she said. It is very difficult for folks to essentially start all over. Danny Howe operates two Tucson transitional homes for men who have been released from jail or prison. Food is not covered and getting it can be a roadblock, said Howe, who is a member of the local Second Chance Coalition, which aims to help former inmates reintegrate into society. Howe, 33, spent three years in prison, and a drug conviction prevented him from getting food stamps. He was working two low-paying jobs, typically working 12 hours per day busing tables and assisting a cabinetmaker to support his family, which includes two children. My family struggled, he said. In the transitional housing he operates, he now tries to ease the struggles for others. He charges them $100 per week to live in one of the houses. Utilities are included in that price, but food isnt. Some of the men can go to the local food bank or get free meals from churches and other charities. But time and transportation problems can make that logistically difficult for people trying to get back on their feet, said Calynn Wrenn Forrest, 30, who lives in one of Howes homes. When I got out of jail I was terrified Id be homeless again, said Forrest, who was released from jail in October after being convicted of burglary and a drug offense. Forrest says hes fortunate his drug conviction was reduced to a misdemeanor, rather than a felony. That means hes now able to get food stamps to defray his expenses. Hes working as a restaurant server across town from where he lives. On weekends it takes him three hours by bus and bicycle to get to his early shift at work. He loves to bake and often shares the groceries he buys with his food stamps with the other men in the house. Because you were a drug addict, why should you not be able to eat? he asked. Highly political Officials with the County Attorneys Office estimate that at any given time there are about 300 people going through Pima County Superior Court for first- or second-time felony drug offenses. Right now the county is able to offer people in its Drug Treatment Alternative to Prison program short-term food vouchers through a federal grant. But the grant money is set to run out Sept. 30, Chief Deputy County Attorney Amelia Cramer said. This is to get people over the hump to being clean and sober, to help them to succeed, Cramer said. The way to make this perpetual for those participants is not two- or three-year grants, but to have this exemption to make them eligible. Our fear is if they are hungry and have no legal form of income, they are going to steal things to buy food. There is a gap time when they get out of jail or residential treatment and they dont always have a job right away. Arizona is one of 10 states that doesnt allow people with felony drug convictions to get Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Congressional Research Service report says. Theres no proposal to change that restriction at the moment. We would like to see all sorts of public benefits available to people with felony drug convictions, Cramer said. Its highly political. Well take it one step at a time. The children of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos the Phoenix woman whose deportation this month attracted national attention will have good seats when President Donald Trump addresses Congress next week. Rep. Raul Grijalva and his congressional colleague from Arizona, Ruben Gallego have invited them as official guests, just two weeks after their mother was deported. It will be the first time Trump addresses Congress. Garcia de Rayos had been in the United States for over twenty years, and was detained after voluntarily checking in with local ICE officers an appointment she has kept annually for years without incident. I am pleased to welcome Jacqueline Garcia de Rayos as my guest for the presidents joint session address next week, Grijalva said. Two weeks ago, our nation was appalled to see the Trump administration target Jacquelines mom, Guadalupe a wife, breadwinner, mother of two and longtime member of the Phoenix community with deportation while she met voluntarily with ICE officials. Several members of the House have invited immigrants and foreigners to attend Trumps address to Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28. Among them: an Iraqi-born doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care in Rhode Island; and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who helps families like hers. Grijalva said the Garcia de Rayos family has shown courage in speaking out against Trumps immigration policies. Their example is a bright light of hope for immigrant communities across this country who are fearful that Trump will come for them next. Their fight is all of our fight, and I am proud to stand side by side with them in opposition to these atrocious policies, he said. In February, in a headline, the New York Times said, Crackdown on immigration faces logistical hurdles. Logistics appearing in a headline in the New York Times? Were coming up in the world. The lead in the article read, President Trumps efforts to secure the nations borders and get tough on illegal immigrants, announced just days after he took office, now face serious logistical problems along with the legal challenges that threaten his ability to make good on a central campaign promise. So how should the nation approach the issue? There is a logistical problem, just like the article asserts, but it isnt at all clear that the article is tackling the right one. It would make sense to think about it just as we would look warehouse performance - a cornerstone in any logistics network. Inventory control 101 says that the first thing to do is compare policy and practice. If the published rules dont match the practice, then something needs to change. Either change the rules or discipline the process. Its pretty simple: if policy and practice dont match, the system doesnt perform as well as it could. Thats the situation we find with immigration in the United States. We have developed a set of shadow immigration practices at odds with the law. We either need to bring the immigration processes into compliance with the law, or change the laws. Unless we do that, we are going to face continuing dysfunction and confusion. Back in the days when I ran distribution networks, no matter how much I loved my customers and my employees, we had locks on the facility doors and gates protecting the stockrooms. The analogy is clear. Secure the domain to control access and maintain integrity, or not. It is a clear choice for most businesses. This may be simple minded, but there just dont seem to be any reason why the nations borders should be any different. Now, before people flood my email with screaming diatribes, Im not saying I agree with the policy the President is executing or the laws he is following. It just seems to me that he is trying to follow the rules that are on the books. The United States is supposed to be a nation of laws and the President is applying the law, not ignoring it. So, heres an approach, the same as it should be for anyone who doesnt like inventory policies in a warehouse. Dont complain about the policy to the people who are responsible for executing the policy on the warehouse floor. If you dont like a policy, or in this situation if you dont like the current law, then take it up with the people who write the laws. Call or write your representatives in Congress, the place where legislation gets written. Im sure they would love to hear from you, but do all of us a favor, dont just criticize, offer a recommendation for a solution to your concerns. Responding to a surge in cases and inconsistent reporting practices, a California assemblyman introduced legislation last week that would allocate millions of dollars to valley fever vaccine research and streamline information sharing. The bills introduction comes in response to the Center for Health Journalism Collaboratives years-long reporting series Just One Breath, which has exposed inconsistencies in how valley fever cases are tallied among local, state and federal health care agencies and highlighted the lack of attention and funding the disease receives compared to others. The Arizona Daily Star contributed to the series as part of the reporting group. Assembly Bill 1279, sponsored by Bakersfield Democrat Rudy Salas, would bring $2 million to a California fund for valley fever vaccine research and create guidelines for how local, state and federal agencies report cases. Its unclear whether the $2 million could be spent on the development of treatments as well as vaccine projects, or if the funding could cross state lines. Nikkomycin Z, for example, has shown promise in treating lab mice with valley fever, but has not attracted funding for human trials. The delta-CPS1 vaccine project is being developed for dogs and could lead to a human vaccine. Both are being developed in Arizona. The reporting group has found that lag times and disparities in reporting of cases are so great that the U.S. Centers for Disease Control would not know the full extent of a valley fever outbreak until months after it occurred. Valley fever is an infectious respiratory disease found mainly in dusty areas of Arizona and California. When the soil is disturbed, coccidioidal fungal spores are swept into the air, and if inhaled can lead to valley fever. Most who are infected dont present symptoms, but others become severely ill, developing flu-like conditions and extreme fatigue. In rare cases it is fatal. State authorities say they are still pursuing legal action against a San Simon farmer whose fallowed fields were blamed for blowing dust that obscured Interstate 10 on multiple occasions in April and May last year resulting in crashes and closures. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality referred the issue to the Attorney Generals Office on Oct. 6. Timothy Franquist, director of the agencys air quality division, said his department is still pursing formal enforcement. We are still determining the depth and breadth of the violation, Franquist said. Because it is with the AGs office, were not allowed to talk about the details. Mia Garcia, spokeswoman for Attorney General Mark Brnovich, said there is nothing we can say at this time. The interstate was closed eight times in April and May for crashes or detours when dust reduced visibility adjacent to David R. Turners Agrigold Farms near San Simon east of Tucson. The Department of Environmental Quality ordered Turner to stabilize the dust on his land and then joined with the state Department of Transportation to begin that process. State agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, reported spending a combined $600,000 on emergency response to three multiple-vehicle accidents, interstate detours and mitigation of Turners fields. Recovering those costs remains an issue, Franquist said. Were looking at all expenses outlaid by the state and any appropriate penalties, he said. Franquist said his department has continued to inspect conditions on Turners orchards and has uncovered no problems since the state took action to stabilize the soil in May. Its a combination of a few things: Yes, the (soil stabilizer) Gorilla Snot does seem to be holding up, the farmer is vegetating some of the area and Mother Nature helped. We had some good winter rains, Franquist said. He said ADEQ is now working to address other areas of the state where blowing dust is a chronic problem. I think the Turner situation, in and of itself, is an isolated issue. It elucidated a larger issue along the I-10 corridor in places like Picacho Peak, northwest of Tucson, Franquist said. If nothing else, its been a launch pad to light a fire for all the agencies. That it is an issue statewide that we really need to address. In some ways, President Donald Trump's new national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, is a lot like the man he is replacing, Michael Flynn. Both rose to the rank of three-star generals in the Army. Their worldviews were formed during the war in Iraq. At key points in their careers, the two generals were withering critics of the groupthink endemic to the strategic class. For Flynn this was he published in 2010 critiquing intelligence collection in Afghanistan. For McMaster this was on the failures of the military leadership to speak truth to power during the Vietnam War. But McMaster and Flynn are very different in their assessment of America's relationship with Islam and how this influences the long war on terror. In recent years, Flynn has focused on defeating the ideology of radical Islam. McMaster, on the other hand, has focused on getting radical Muslims to turn on al Qaeda and other terrorists. Let's start with Flynn. Like the president he served, the retired general believes America should wage a political war against radical Islam. In his more heated moments, Flynn spoke about Islam itself as a political ideology, and one that is at war with Western values. Radical Islam's threat to the West was a key theme in "Field of Fight," which he co-wrote with historian Michael Ledeen. In interviews with me over the years, Flynn has taken a more nuanced view on this than . Nonetheless, his approach, like Trump's, broke with George W. Bush and Barack Obama in between political Islam and Western values. McMaster has taken a different approach. He helped rewrite the Army's counterinsurgency doctrine during the Iraq war, to apply the lessons of this kind of asymmetric warfare to the Muslim world. This meant in practice that he learned how to make allies out of Muslim fighters who had killed Americans, to turn the local population against al Qaeda. In McMaster's war, ideological purity was a hindrance to an effective campaign for the hearts and minds of pious Muslims. Iraqis and Muslims won't see him as someone who hates Islam, even if the Trump administration is perceived that way. I have never heard him say anything against Islam," Jensen said. "Being respectful is one of his defining characteristics." Privately, some of McMaster's allies worry that he will not have the power and influence of other political aides to Trump, like chief strategist Steve Bannon. Bannon Federal Judge Stops Texas From Blocking Medicaid Funding for Planned Parenthood Although Planned Parenthood is no stranger to controversy, their 30 health centers in the Texas are likely breathing a collective sigh of relief this week, as are the individuals they serve. A federal judge put a temporary halt to the Medicaid funding termination notice issued to Texas Planned Parenthood, because the state claimed that the organization was unqualified. Ruling on the Preliminary Injunction In the ruling on the preliminary injunction, the federal court explained that the state did not present any actual evidence to support their contention that Planned Parenthood is unqualified to perform the services they offer. This claim of not being qualified was based on unsupported allegations that Planned Parenthood profited from procuring fetal tissue for scientific researchers, as well as more unsupported allegations that abortions procedures were altered to benefit fetal tissue collection for researchers. These claims were the result of activist espionage, which were later determined to be completely false. Best-Selling Novel, Not a Legal Case Notably, none of the funding that was threatened, which was all Medicaid funding, could be used for abortion services. Under the Hyde Amendment, federal funds cannot be used for abortions unless the health of the mother is at risk, or the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. The court lambasted the state's position, and actually stated the following in the ruling: A secretly recorded video, fake names, a grand jury indictment, congressional investigations -- these are the building blocks of a best-selling novel rather than a case concerning the interplay of federal and state authority through the Medicaid program The court goes on to analogize the state of Texas's effort to oust Planned Parenthood with a "villain plotting to take over the world." Similarly to the case in Utah, which Planned Parenthood also won, Texas had based their funding denial on a video made by activists who were later indicted on criminal charges for making the video. Related Resources: Brazil Carnival kicks off with parades, street parties RIO DE JANEIRO Revelers all over Brazil were getting Carnival celebrations started Friday, taking to the streets to dance samba, drink beer and other spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal. In Rio, home to the worlds most famous Carnival bash, several block parties were underway by the afternoon. Thousands danced amid 90-degree heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the Camelitas block party, revelers dressed up as nuns in Rios bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Many carried signs with statements ranging from insults against politicians to calls for the legalization of drugs. Guatemala US to seek extradition of ex-Guatemalan VP GUATEMALA CITY The United States government will seek the extradition of former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti and ex-Interior Minister Hector Mauricio Lopez Bonilla on drug trafficking charges, the U.S. embassy said in a statement Friday. Baldetti and Lopez Bonilla were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday, according to the statement. Each faces a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and knowing that it would be imported to the United States. France Paris mayor fires back at Trump after insult PARIS Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed back at U.S. President Trump for insulting the City of Light in a speech. Trump evoked his friend Jim, a very, very substantial guy, in an address Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Jim used to be a regular visitor to Paris, Trump said, but hasnt made the trip in four or five years because Paris is no longer Paris. Hidalgo tweeted a photo of herself alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie and said: To Donald and his friend Jim, from the Eiffel Tower, were celebrating the attractiveness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie. Germany Report: Agency targets reporters phones BERLIN The German weekly Der Spiegel reported the countrys spy agency had at least 50 numbers and email addresses of journalists among its surveillance targets. Spiegel reported Friday that a list seen by the magazine contained more than a dozen numbers belonging to the BBC in Afghanistan and London. It said a New York Times phone number in Afghanistan and several cell and satellite phone numbers for the Reuters news agency in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria were also on the list. Help India! By TCN News On the occasion of the 15th anniversary of the massacre of over 1,000 Muslims in Gujarat in the week of February 27, 2002, the Washington DC-based Indian-American Muslim NGO, Association of Indian Muslims of America (AIM) has issued an appeal to the Chief Justice of Indias Supreme Court to help expedite criminal cases against the culprits responsible for the massacre. Support TwoCircles AIM reminded the head of Indias judiciary that 15 long years after the well organized brutal attack by some sectarian organizations on a large number of innocent Muslim men, women, and children in Ahmedabad and other cities in central Gujarat, only very few of the hundreds of culprits have been sentenced to jail. The Gujarat state government legal authorities are continuing to delay criminal proceedings in courts of law against the many culprits despite clear instructions by the Supreme Court of India. Also, several people who were convicted of leading this massacre have since been released on the excuse of being in poor health. Some convicted police officers have similarly been released from jail. In the years since the violence, in several instances, the Gujarat state government legal authorities destroyed critical evidence against the culprits, who in various instances were ministers, senior police officials and officials of the Gujarat government. The inquiries conducted by the inquiry commissions appointed by Gujarat government were a sham and committed many irregularities. Several reputed Indian and International human rights organizations including the United Nations Human Rights body have made categorical statements asking the Indian government and courts to speed up the cases against the culprits. Yet the courts in Gujarat state are either dropping the cases claiming that there is not sufficient evidence or are causing extreme delays. Speaking on behalf of the many families of the victims of the February 2002 Gujarat massacre, Kaleem Kawaja, Executive Director of AIM also made an appeal to the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India to take steps to correct the malafides and corruption in the lower level justice system in Gujarat that is continuing to prevent bringing the many culprits to justice in the above sectarian violence. Humans give off a lot of heat throughout a day, it is estimated that Men give off 120w worth of Energy and women, 97w of energy, in heat alone. What if there was a way to harness this energy? EU researchers are coming up with innovative solutions to health devices that could be as small as a plaster and have no power source, except what heat humans produce. The material in question is called Thermoelectrics and it could harness waste heat. This exploits the Seebeck effect, which an electrical current is generated whenever the material exposed to a change in temperature. Who is leading the project the EU-funded project NanoCaTe (Nano-Carbon for versatile power supply modules) is led by Aljocha Roch, the Fraunhofer Institute for Material and Beam Technology (IWS). His pan-European team includes researchers from 12 different organisations hope to create devices that can be powered from the heat our bodies emit. The project is targeting environmentally friendly materials, which are carbon-based, flexible, printable and can harness the energy from the Seebeck effect. The idea shows the innovation within the EU at the highest level. Roch said that he hopes the project can develop new materials based on nanotechnology for thermoelectric and energy storage applications. The idea offers a great potential because of the heat that is wasted that could be applied to areas other than medical devices. It is estimated that 50% of all available energy in Europe is wasted through heat. Roch states that thermoelectrics offer a great opportunity for gaining back part of this. Energy storage and generation developments Society needs to further develop energy storage solutions with issues arising in the future when the world needs to have transitioned onto renewable energies. Thermoelectrics is an opportunity to push forward and advance innovation in energy storage. Whilst the aim of the project is to create maintenance-free, autonomous sensor platform for health monitoring, it presents opportunities to develop other applications in energy generation. Due to large problems of storing energy and reducing waste heat if the development of thermoelectrics is successful, it could lead to improved energy generation and storage devices. Roch states that they are using nanotechnologies to create more efficient, flexible and environmentally friendly materials that would be used for the devices. Current achievements within the pproject consist of development of a chip for power management that works well for low-powered applications. Plus, the development of new storage materials. But the next step with the project is to reduce the amount of rare earth elements that are typically used within thermoelectric generators. They are currently working on flexible material based on polymers, which are made from readily available materials. The impact of such technology The impact of the project could be varying in the grand to the minor, it could lead to better energy storage solutions that will benefit society and ease energy worries with environmentally friendly technology. But it could also allow the creation of small devices that could stick on an individual like a plaster and monitor blood pressure and sugar levels without being invasive. T he benefits are that the device is autonomous and doesnt require any energy storage technology, such as batteries, or require any maintenance. The idea presents an opportunity to advance technology further and develop nanotechnology, as well as possibly creating better energy solutions and innovate the way we monitor personal health. Just a few hours after Republican President Donald Trump spoke at the Republican Party leadership conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the home of U.S. democracy, British Prime Minister Theresa May took the same podium to speak to those attending the Republican Party leader's retreat. In her address, she talked about shared conservative values and what the United States and the United Kingdom had done together to create the modern world we live in. Although they did not meet today in Philadelphia, this is the first state visit and involves formal protocols. Prime Minister May came to the US to meet with the new President and she is scheduled to meet with President Trump tomorrow at The White House. But the PM wasn't going entirely easy on the Trump Administration because she talked about a number of international organizations which President Trump has severely criticized and gently reminded him that between them the UK and US had helped create many of these and they had changed the world we live in. UN World Bank, and more Saying the United Nations was in need of reform but still vital, Prime Minister May reminded listeners and TV viewers on CNN that the basis of the UN Charter was written jointly by PM Churchill and President Roosevelt. The Prime Minister also pointed out to the cheering crowd that the founding charter was signed in Washington, D.C. The United Nations is based in New York City. Prime Minister May went on to tell the Republican Party Leaders the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom was responsible for the creation of The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund. The United States and the United Kingdom working together were vital movers in the creation of the European defense organization, NATO, which was formed so the US did not have to take the entire burden of defending with the recently freed countries in Western Europe as well as Great Britain from the U.S.S.R.'s aggression which quickly ate up Eastern Europe in the immediate wake of WWII. PM points to communism's defeat The Prime Minister also said that working together the US/UK partnership along with Western Europe had also demonstrated to the world the value of a free open democratic societies and eventually defeated Communism not by armed might but by showing how much better is was to live and work in an open society governed not by an elite, but by the people themselves. Communism was defeated not with military might but "by ideas." The new Prime Minister also called on the new US Trump administration to join with the UK in again picking up the mantle of freedom and helping to spread it around the world once again. PM on terrorism On terrorism, which has caused so much carnage and fear in the UK and Europe as well as in the United States, the Prime Minister said that until we kill the ideology behind it merely killing the fighters themselves wont end terrorism around the world. Today British and American governments are today working together to defeat this evil ideology. Ultimately we must employ all avenues from military solutions to Syria to the ideological battle. All of this is just days after world-wide demonstrations calling on the new President to rethink some of his announced priorities. In France, the group of voters in the background of numerous scandals accompanying the presidential race made an unusual proposal - put forward the candidacy of Barack Obama in the upcoming elections. More than 30 thousand French have signed a petition. Organizers said that in such way they will provide an alternative to voting for candidates. The initiative group of French voters 'Obama17' launched a campaign invoking citizens to sign a petition in which they asked Barack Obama to become the candidate for the French presidency. Organizers of the project, who wished to remain anonymous, picked such a move because of the frustration with candidates, which is accompanied by a whole list of corruption scandals. "It arose from a conversation with friends. We decided that we didn't want to vote for any of the candidates in this election and that it has been the same for the last few elections. We are fed up of voting against people rather than for someone we actually support every time. So we thought it would be ingenious to give the power to Obama since he's now available"- quoted the British newspaper "The Independent". The power of Mass Media Earlier, representatives of the French anti-corruption department questioned two staff members at the electoral headquarters of Marine Le Pen - the head of the party's office, Catherine Griset and bodyguard Thierry Lezhe. Before that case, the headquarters of the party "National Front" was inquired into. The reason for such actions from law enforcement bodies were French media reports about Le Pen who illegally got paid assistants from governmental funds of the European Union. Relatively related charges by French media were put forward in relation to the wife of the candidate from the Republicans - Francois Fillon. The article publication "Le Canard Enchaine" claimed that the wife of the former prime minister for eight years - from 1992 to 2002 - received a salary from public funds as a dummy Assistant Member of Parliament and allegedly earned 500 thousand. After publication of this material, the French financial Prosecutor's Office initiated inspection and therefore the rating of Fillon fell abruptly. The former US president himself, in turn, has denied all the accusations and called the incident "an attempt at an institutional coup." The Website of the 'Obama17; campaign announces the imminent failure of the forthcoming elections and calls on voters to sign a petition to "cheer up" France. Despite the fact that the organizers have not announced their political preferences, they told the newspaper they just will not vote for Marine Le Pen. The site says that Obama's resume is better for this position. 'It is ultimately a joke' However, the project organizers themselves say that their idea does not have a very serious nature. It is ultimately a joke. We want people to wake up in the morning and, rather than have to see our usual candidates, rejoice in seeing Obama's face on the 500 posters we put up on the streets of Paris, and get away from the repeated scandals we are hearing about..." - concluded the initiators of the campaign. What Is Freedom of the Press? The First Amendment states plainly that "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." But without more details, that leaves a lot of scenarios unaccounted for. Does the press have unfettered access to anywhere or anyone? How do we define who "the press" is? And can they say whatever they want? Many of these questions are being asked today, as the Trump Administration barred reporters from the New York Times, BuzzFeed News, CNN, the Los Angeles Times, and Politico from the West Wing for the scheduled briefing with press secretary Sean Spicer. Restricted Access The new president and his administration haven't exactly been coy about their distaste for the media in general and certain media outlets. Trump has attacked certain publications via his Twitter account and called the media "the opposition party." Trump's chief strategist, Stephen Bannon, went even further last month, saying, "The media should be embarrassed and humiliated and keep its mouth shut and just listen for a while." This back and forth with the press culminated in several outlets being prohibited from attending today's briefing. Reporters from Time, the Associated Press, and other outlets who were allowed in chose not to attend out of protest. And while banning certain members of the press (especially those who've been critical of the new administration) while talking to others is certainly a bad look, it is necessarily illegal? Press Freedom The administration's actions, while perhaps punitive or retaliatory, are probably not illegal, per se. The First Amendment's protection of the press applies primarily to congressional action, and while laws that affect the ability of the press to gather and publish news are suspect, they are not automatically unconstitutional. Even so, there is no statute at issue here, merely restricted access for certain media outlets. While you could argue this amounts to government restriction on the freedom to gather, publish, and distribute information and ideas, government liability for violating First Amendment rights of the press has been normally limited to cases of prior restraint or censorship. In general, the press has the same rights as ordinary citizens when it comes to freedom of speech, and the White House can certainly limit where and when citizens are granted access. A long-term ban on specific media outlets could be seen as censorship or state sponsorship of other publications. But, as executive editor of the New York Times Dean Baquet said, "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties." Therefore, continuing denials of media access would be a new topic for courts to consider, if it comes to that. Related Resources: A recent study has found that young girls as young as six associate ineffable character traits like brilliance, talent and giftedness with males. The U.S. based study found that girls, unlike boys, dont think that good grades are the result of innate ability. Harmful stereotypes The author of the paper published by the journal for science, Andrei Cimpain, stated that the study irrevocably illustrates that young children are receptive to harmful Gender stereotypes subconsciously that are taught at School and in the media. Cimpain said: As these ideas are present during the early stages of socialisation in the media, books, television shows and even at home, they can influence the trajectory of boys and girls education. For example, a young boy that perceives he is not innately talented is likely to become disillusioned with education rather than working hard to improve grades. Three universities tested 400 children-half girls and half boys- to investigate the influence of coarsening gender Stereotypes on education. In the first test, 96 children were read a story about a highly intelligent person. The children were then asked to match objects and traits such as being intelligent with pictures of men and women. Young girls don't connect academic success with brilliance The results revealed that girls younger than five are likely to associate brilliance and intelligence with men. The study also explored which gender the children perceived would achieve more academically. Girls aged five to seven were the most likely to associate their gender with academic excellence, but they didnt connect academic achievement with brilliance. Andrei Cimpain said that he hopes that his study will help schools change the way that they teach young children. Christia Brown, psychology professor at Kent University, said that the study confirms earlier beliefs in the field which found that teachers attribute good grades to hard work for girls but natural ability for boys. Brown said: 'It is incumbent on parents, teachers and the media to work harder to eradicate harmful gender stereotypes'. Jeremy Corbyn has challenged Theresa May to confront President Donald Trump on his record of stereotyping women. A-list stars have gathered outside the Beverly Hills headquarters of talent agency UTA to protest President Donald Trump, specifically his unconstitutional travel ban of seven Muslim-majority nations. Among the A-listers was Back to the Future and Doc Hollywood star Michael J. Fox, who suffers from Parkinsons disease and actively campaigns for a cure. Foxs emotional plea for the refugees Fox gave an emotional speech about the difficulties facing the refugees that Trump is disallowing entry to the United States. He said that they have given up everything and lost everything they have. He said the refugees are struggling to keep their families alive and struggling to keep food in their mouths and disease away from their bodies, and pointing out the tremendous risk involved with getting their families to the US. And we say no? Fox asked rhetorically as America is turning down refugees who desperately need a place to call home. He said that the American people are the lucky ones who should be grateful for where they live and what they have, a luxury the refugees are being denied by the bigoted, prejudiced, ignorant President. Donald Trump starts another war, this time with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Donald Trump has criticized FBI Friiday, saying that the agency couldn`t stop people from disclosing information to the press and demanding that the guilty be found "now," reports Reuters. 'Find now' "The FBI is completely unable to stop 'the informers' who broke our government for a long time. They can`t even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW", Trump wrote on Twitter. His accusations come because the press announced that the FBI refused a request from the White House to publicly censure some press articles exposing controversial discussions between the President Donald Trump`s associates and the representatives of Russia. FBI hasn`t commented the information These controversial discussions started just a day after the first information was published in the press, in a meeting between the chief of staff of the White House, Reince Priebus and the FBI deputy director, Andrew McCabe. The White House initially disputed the veracity of the information published in the press and Priebus said to McCabe that NY Times journalists overestimate the information they hold about these FBI contacts. Subsequently, Reince Priebus got in touch with Andrew McCabe and James Comey, urging them to speak with the reporters for disputing these materials in the press in the United States. The FBI Director immediately rejected the request because there is an investigation underway about alleged links between Trump`s associations and Russia. Such a request is unusual because it violates the restrictions on such contacts between the White House and Federal Bureau of Investigation. New York Times and CNN reported earlier this month that Trump`s staff, including former chief campaign Paul Manafort, had 'repeated contact' 'with senior officials of the Russian services in the year before the surprise election victory of Donald Trump. One of the reasons why Donald Trump was able to get enough support to win the Election was due to his constant campaign rallies. After just a month into his first term as president, Trump is already gearing up for re-election. Trump rally It was just a month ago that President Donald Trump took the oath of office and was sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Since that time, Trump has been dealing with constant criticism from the media and his political opponents, as well as his first major scandal dealing with the resignation of former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn. Over the last week, the billionaire real estate mogul has increased his war of words against the mainstream news media, which appeared to reach its peak last week during a press conference at the White House. As reported by CBS News on February 18, Trump amped up his media attacks during what appeared to be his first re-election rally. "They have become a big part of the problem. They are part of the corrupt system," Pres. Trump says of the media https://t.co/HsED0oSg8e pic.twitter.com/aatg7khU9A CBS News (@CBSNews) February 18, 2017 Joining thousands of supporters in Melbourne, Florida on Saturday night, President Donald Trump celebrated his first month in office. Strategically placed behind him were African-American and female supporters, who were holding up re-election signs for 2020. "I'm here because I want to be among my friends and among the people," Trump said to a thunderous applause. Pres. Trump continues to critique news media, adds, "We will continue to win, win, win." https://t.co/rNhHmJ1m0h pic.twitter.com/seiZ70TGBH ABC News (@ABC) February 18, 2017 The president then turned his attention to "fake news" and the "dishonest media," stating, "They have become a big part of the problem. They are part of the corrupt system." "When the media lies to people, I will never ever let them get away with it," Donald Trump went on to say. "I will do whatever I can," he noted, before later adding, "They have their own agenda, and their agenda is not your agenda." Federal judge's halt of Pres. Trump's immigration order draws boos from Florida rally crowd https://t.co/XuF6fEjQbJ pic.twitter.com/bcg9D2iVMB ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 18, 2017 Trump celebrates As the rally continued, Donald Trump went on to list some aspects of his first month in office that he was proud of, which went over well with the cheering crowd. While the next election is still nearly four years away, it appears that the former host of "The Apprentice" is getting an early start. A new immigration policy established by the trump administration seeks to deport many Undocumented Immigrants who crossed the Southern Border "back" to Mexico, regardless of their nationality. This policy was discovered last weekend when several Memos designed for circulation inside the Trump administration were leaked. John Kelly, The Secretary of Homeland Security, and Rex Tillerson, The Secretary of State are in Mexico this week and it is likely this controversial policy will be strongly debated. US/Mexican relations have deteriorated, and continue to deteriorate, indeed things were soured further two days ago when President Trump referred to the current spike of mass deportations to Mexico as a military operation against really bad dudes. This is on top of the administrations insistence on building the border wall which may cost as much as $10.5 billion. The legality? It is likely that this policy will be extremely difficult to implement if it is even possible. Already the legality of this policy has been contested, and it is highly likely that Mexico will resist this policy at every level. Indeed for this to even go ahead Mexico would need to agree to it on some level which is extremely doubtful. Furthermore, as CSNBC journalist Jake Novac noted, the successful implementation of this policy will be hugely expensive and logistically complicated. As many new deportation centers will need to be constructed both in the US and in Mexico. With no initial US attention to discover which undocumented immigrant is from what country, Mexico would need to create a titanic infrastructure simply to determine the country of origin of each person, even if that person turns out to Mexican. The View from Mexico The Mexican foreign minister Luis Videgaray has criticized this policy by stating that a country cannot accept unilateral decisions imposed by one country on another. Mexico also expressed that it would debate the issue in the United Nations if necessary. This reaction from Mexico could stop the policy in its tracks as mentioned before, Mexico would need to support it for it to go ahead. However, it seems possible that a version of the policy could be created. Indeed it is believed that the leaked memos were not in a fully finished state. North Korean media has criticized China through a state-run news agency by comparing it to the United States, in what is believed to be the first time in the nations history it has criticized its ally in a public manner. A post from President Trump may have inspired the comparison The North Korean KCNA news agency, which is state run, had made the criticism, comparing China to the United States. Reportedly, the country had not been identified directly by name, but was referred to as having once been a "friendly neighbor." That said, experts believe it is referring to China. It is likely that the criticism came out of recent current events, with China publicly supporting United Nations sanctions against North Korea's nuclear program, which has in turn, lead to China banning North Korean coal imports. It has been speculated that this comparison was intended as Kim Jong Un's governments way of sending a message to the Chinese government to halt such protest. The reason North Korea had targeted the United States directly may be tied to an incident involving current President Donald Trump, who had criticized China on social media for not doing enough to contain Pyongyang. In the post, President Trump had particularly highlighted the fact that China was willing to trade "money and wealth" from the United States in spite of a refusal to help against North Korea. The incident happened shortly before Trump had taken office. There are many reasons the two countries want a stable relationship Professor Hu Xingdou, who serves as a political affairs commentator and is based at the Beijing Institute of Technology, maintained that this is not the first time that North Korea has been critical of its ally, but what is significant is that this is likely the first time it had been done in public. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang also released a statement, repeating the sentiment that the countries are friendly neighbors and hopes for stability in the future. For many reasons, China risks a lot with its relationship to North Korea. According to experts, North Korea may have enough fuel to produce around twenty bombs, with an additional half dozen each year, and can still pose a potential threat to China. According to Hu, China should take this response seriously. Added to that, bilateral trade is a necessity for both countries. Likewise, a unified Korea with South Korea as the main government would not be in the best interest for China, as such an establishment would have both the presence of American troops and foreign policy supporting a stable relationship with the United States. When President Donald Trump came into Office on January 20th the focus of attention was basically on the Middle East, the Russian interference and also on Asia. Yet the continent that could well be a source of more problems in the future is Africa which presents a number of differing problems for the worlds superpowers. Libya After the fall of Muammar Ghedaffi in 2011 after an international intervention the country has still to find a stable government. The Islamic State attempted to use the opportunity to set up a forward base in Derna and Sirte, but failed. In the meantime Western countries are considering once more intervening in the country as it is a major source disruption of Europe. Criminal gangs in Libya are the major source of the refugees that reach the Old Continent through Italy which cause innumerable deaths every week. Until the internal situation is settled Libya will continue to be a thorn in the side of Western countries, particularly in Europe. Zimbabwe The former British colony once known as Rhodesia has been under the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe since 1980 and his rule has been one of controversy and death. Unlike South Africas Nelson Mandela, his eleven years as a political prisoner did not change his fighting character and he does not hide his hatred for white people, nor his intolerance for any form of opposition in the country. Yet, like all dictators, time is slowly defeating him and Mugabe will soon celebrate his 93rd birthday. In all probability the opposition will await his death in order to give the country a new face, but at all too often happens in Africa, the passing of a strong leader will draw the hyenas and Zimbabwe will undoubtedly once more suffer violence and death. South Sudan On Tuesday the United Nations declared that famine had struck large areas of South Sudan and add to the death toll created in the course of the current round of fighting between the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing First Vice-President Riek Machar. This situation is a result of the split which occurred when South Sudan broke away from the rest of Sudan in 2011. These conflicts had already added to the waves of migrants from Africa and the Middle East that have caused such disruption to Europe in recent years. As with Libya, the world had to decide what action it can take to bring lasting peace to this troubled region of Africa. To these countries we must also add Burundi and the Central African Republic whose crises are contributing to the refugee crisis in Africa. The ghosts from the past It would be possible to go on with other cases from Africa, but these are sufficient to make us understand that the continent is a complex tapestry of rivalries and conflict. Yet, it is also the proof that the West has still to front up to many ghosts that still haunt the continent. Libya, Zimbabwe and Sudan are only three of the former European colonies that make up the continent's political map. The ghosts of the many years of exploitation and division by the former masters are still being felt and will continue to do so for well into the future. The national borders were not drawn up according to traditional tribal areas and in addition the important mineral resources in many countries are often owned by European and other foreign powers, so the continent is not allowed to find its own solutions to problems. International interventions in Libya, Ruanda, Chad and other African countries show that the former masters do not want to lose their influence, or the sources of important products for their industries. When World Leaders such as Donald Trump, Russias Vladimir Putin and Germanys Angela Merkel meet, they should not only consider their own economic positions but look to finding a solution that will allow Africans to finally truly govern themselves. Until this happens, African refugees and migrants will continue to be an international problem. Donald trump when on the election trail was clear that Russia was not an enemy. He advocated out of book solutions in relations with Russia. He even talked of joint operations against the ISIS. For this, he appointed General Flynn as the security advisor. But Donald had not anticipated the deep-rooted antagonism against Russia and he had to let general Fynn go to save his chair. This was when an innocuous conversation with the Russian ambassador was made out to be a big issue. Donald has now appointed General McMaster in place of Flynn. This general is a hardboiled professional who has all along had an anti-Russia bias. The general sees Russia through a prism as " a hostile revisionist power that annexes territory, intimidate our allies, develops nuclear weapons and uses proxies under cover of modernized conventional militaries." This is the thinking of general McMaster and Trump willy nilly has to appoint him Trump has realized that the intelligence organizations wield immense power and he cannot fight them. He has made his peace with them by appointing McMaster. With another general in charge -Mattis as secretary defense another hawk on Russia, Donald has effectively backtracked on his Russian policy. Mattis recently stated that the time had not come for joint military operations with Russia, despite Donald stating that he would like a joint military action against the ISIS. Hawkish agenda The two generals will now formulate a hawkish policy. Donald 's roar has become cats meows as he goes about trying to save his chair. The result could be more troops on the ground in Syria and creation of a Sunni-led alliance with the Saudi's . It does not matter even if it leads to war. The hawkish agenda will remain supreme. Future policy Donald has compromised on his policy on Russia. Don't expect any more overtures as long as these 2 generals call the shots. Generals are pretty bad at formulating policy and the 20th century has shown that generals generally are a failure in the political arena. The deep-rooted animus against Russia has won and Donald has to play ball. This will not be good for America as a confrontation policy will equally harm America economically. Donald plans to save trillions may not bear fruit as the hawks gain the upper hand. The first that many in the United States and other western countries understood that even unsuspected African countries had problems with Moslem fanatics was when 200 school girls from Chibok town were kidnapped by members of the fanatical Boko Haram in 2014. Western influenc Boko Haram had been formed in 2002 with the aim of refusing any form of Western teachings in the country and like ISIS in the Middle East the intention was to revive a former caliphate in the region. Its original name was in Arabic name, Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad, means "People Committed to the Propagation of the Prophet's Teachings and Jihad". While the name shows the fundamentalist leaning of the group its adopted name of Boko Haram in the language of the western region of #Nigeria makes its intentions even clearer; Western education is forbidden. Such was the wave of attacks and killings that followed the foundation the group was declared a terrorist group by the United States in 2013. Tribes The members of Boko Haram are clearly recognizable from their facial marks which clearly identify them as members of the Kanuri ethnic group and their accents in the local language further reinforce that fact that their battles are as much based on their ethnic origins as they are in their religions. The kidnapping of the Chibok schoolgirls was simply and tragically a continuation of the centuries of struggles between the groups. At one stage the Nigerian fanatics had tried to tie their activities to those of ISIS in Syria, but the wave of defeats that the presumptive Middle East Caliphate has suffered means that Boko Haram is now acting within its own ambitions rather than a wider Islamic fanatic plan. In a strange twist to developments, the BBC reported this week that a Nigerian Moslem leader plans to issue a fatwa, an Islamic order, banning multiple marriages by members of the countrys Moslem population. Polygamy in the country is not unusual, even amongst some Christians, but the Emir of Hano, Muhammad Sanusi wants the practice banned amongst those who do not have enough money to afford keeping the wives and children. Often the disaffected children of these familial arrangements have been providing recruits to Boko Haram, but to other disruptive forces in the country. Sick President While Nigeria is potentially a rich country with many natural resources, particularly oil, the countrys politics is dominated by ethnic and territorial divisions. This situation has deteriorated recently due to the bad health of national President Muhammadu Buhari has had an unsettling effect on the country in the light of its Presidential elections. Although the country is now being governed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, his decision making powers are limited by the countrys Constitution and thus is unable to make more than routine decisions and is certainly unable to act should an emergency arise. The inherent political uncertainty caused by the mystery surrounding the Presidents health and the jockeying for position for the Presidential elections scheduled for 2019 mean that the country faces even more difficulties. When dealing with foreign policy matters President Donald Trump would do well to bear in mind that countries such as Nigeria are potential traps for the unwary. The consequences of any missteps could well be violence that will not only cause deaths, but also add to the refugees and migrants seeking new lives in Europe, the United States and other advanced countries. Simple slogans and solutions are not true answers to the uncertainties in these countries, only programmed assistance in helping the citizens find the right path to forming stable democracies. Any other solution would be a failure. Ariana Madix just shared a message from a Twitter user who congratulated her and her boyfriend, Tom Sandoval, on their engagement and now, many fans are convinced the "Vanderpump Rules" couple is engaged. While Madix has yet to confirm the speculation, sharing only a smiling emoji with her post, her followers have been flooding her with engagement questions ever since the post was tweeted. "Congrats on your engagement [Ariana Madix] and [Tom Sandoval]," a fan page announced on January 26, along with a photo of a pair of rings. Right away, without taking notice of the ring's message, which read "Taco Bell," congratulatory messages began flooding in. As fans spoke of their excitement over the news, the fan page further claimed their announcement was true, but neither of Madix's fast food- inspired rings were on her ring finger. Instead, one was on her index finger while the other was on her middle finger. Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval have been dating since 'Vanderpump Rules' season three Following his split from Kristen Doute, Sandoval embarked on a romance with Madix and ever since, they have been going strong. They also live and work together at SUR Restaurant in West Hollywood, California, where "Vanderpump Rules" is filmed. They are back and forth with the idea of marriage Despite the online "announcement" of Madix and Sandoval's engagement, it is unclear whether or not the couple is even on the same page when it comes to getting married. In the past, Sandoval has expressed interest in tying the knot, but Madix seems less on board with the idea. Instead, she's hinted that she and Sandoval will first buy a home together. While Madix and Sandoval may not be getting married quite yet, fans have a major moment to look forward to on "Vanderpump Rules." Later this season, as the new episodes continue, Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz will be seen walking down the aisle. To see more of Ariana Madix and Tom Sandoval, tune in to "Vanderpump Rules" season five on Monday evenings at 9 p.m. on Bravo TV. Mel Gibson might have the best formula for getting Hollywood to change its mind about someone. The director and actor went from being hated by Hollywood to being nominated for an Academy Award. How did that happen? First of all, what happened to make Hollywood dislike the talented actor/movie director? Gibson's past mel gibson was well liked at one time in Hollywood until he fell from grace. As an actor, he had starring roles in such films such as Mad Max, and the Lethal Weapon franchise. As a director, he has five Oscars for Braveheart. He also made lots of money for directing The Passion of the Christ. Then Gibson made some wrong choices that caused Hollywood to turn against him. Therefore, the actor and director spent many years away from Hollywood following an arrest for DUI in 2006 and for making anti-Semitic and racist remarks to police officers. Gibson later apologized to the Jewish community. Four years later he was heard on tape threatening his ex-girlfriend with physical abuse, including rape and using the N-word. He would later plead no contest to a misdemeanor battery charge. At the time, Hollywood was unforgiving. Gibson probably thought he would never work again. The public also believed Gibson would disappear and never be heard from again. Gibson's present Mel Gibson was nominated for an Oscar this year for the first time in 20 years. He is in line to receive an Oscar at the Academy Awards on Sunday, February 26 for Best Director for his work on Hacksaw Ridge." His last Oscar was back in 1996 for directing Braveheart. Not that the public condones Gibson for the wrong choices of his past, but people can't help but acknowledge his talent. That was evident after the screening of his film, "Hacksaw Ridge" when viewers gave him a 10-minute standing ovation. People love Gibson's World War II drama about a Seventh Day Adventist and pacifist whose faith was tested. That was Gibson's comeback movie. Gibson, who used to have a drinking problem says hes sober now and his life is back in order. Will Gibson win an Oscar for "Hacksaw Ridge" that has nominations in six categories, including best picture, best director, best actor, film editing, sound mixing, and sound editing? Whether he wins an Oscar or not, Gibson should consider himself a winner. He is back in Hollywood where redemption seems to have taken place. Following the news that Vx Nerve Agent was the cause of Kim Jong-nams death, authorities in Malaysia have made the decision to thoroughly sweep Kuala Lumpur international airport for any possible toxic chemicals. While the airport terminal will not be closed, search areas are to be cordoned off on Saturday while police make their search. Authorities told Reuters that they will also be sweeping other locations in the city the murder suspects may have visited. According to the New Indian Express, a combined team consisting of the police forensics officers, the fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board will reportedly be conducting the sweep. According to Abdul Samah Mat, the state police chief, earlier in the week authorities raided an apartment in a Kuala Lumpur suburb in connection with the murder and had been checking the apartment for any traces of the chemical weapon. VX nerve agent is a weapon of mass destruction VX nerve agent is a deadly chemical, classified by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction. It is considered to be one of the deadliest, man-made chemical weapons and according to experts, just 10 milligrams of VX nerve agent, or even a single drop, will kill the victim within minutes. Reportedly Kim Jong-nam had been waiting in the departure hall when two women approached him, splashing the liquid into his face. He immediately sought medical attention, but passed away while en route to hospital. One Indonesian and one Vietnamese woman were arrested, together with a North Korean man. However, seven other North Korean nationals are being sought for questioning, including a North Korean diplomat. As reported by Blasting News, one of the women had been suffering from the effects of the nerve agent and had been vomiting. Indonesia: Suspect paid $90 to kill Kim Jong Nam https://t.co/lwajXGy1Vt pic.twitter.com/RqrciCrPED The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) February 25, 2017 Authorities met with the women who killed Kim Jong-nam Indonesian embassy officials reportedly met with one of the female suspects on Saturday, a national named Siti Aishah, in connection with the murder and her arrest. Aishah told them that she had believed she was participating in a reality television show, which required her to throw what she thought was baby oil into the victims face. Reportedly the woman was paid the equivalent of $90 for her participation. The woman will be held in custody until March 1, when police will then decide whether to prosecute her or release her. Officials from Vietnam met with their country woman, the other suspect in the woman, but reportedly declined to comment. According to Malaysian police, the two women had rehearsed the attack prior to the assassination and had been told to wash their hands immediately afterwards. Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong province, speaks at the two sessions in Beijing, Mar 23, 2015. [Photo/VCG] Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong province, was appointed chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission on Friday. He replaced Shang Fulin, 65, who has served as CBRC chairman since October 2011 and reached retirement age. Born in August 1956, the 60-year-old Guo had rich experience in the financial sector before he went to Shandong. He was named vice-president of the People's Bank of China, the central bank, and head of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2001. He became chairman of China Construction Bank Corp in 2005 and chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 2011. Some analysts said the appointment is a prelude for China to push forward reforms of the current financial regulation system, which is divided into the banking, securities and insurance sectors. Headed by the People's Bank of China, the power of regulation is scattered among different regulators by sectors. With the rapid growth of cross-sector financial services and products, many academics are calling for integration of the financial regulation system to put all these products under unified regulations and prevent regulatory arbitrage. BELGRADEFor the first time, China took part in the Belgrade International Tourism Fair that opened on Thursday. Serbian officials and tour operators saw this as another signalalong with visa liberalization and possible direct flightsthat the number of Chinese tourists to Serbia may soon increase notably. The annual fair took place from Feb 23 to 26, with 1,100 exhibitors, local, regional and international tour operators, tourism associations, hotels and airline companies from 56 countries participating. It was officially opened by Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic and Rasim Ljajic, the country's minister of trade, tourism and telecommunications. Speaking at the fair, Vucic said Serbia made over 1 billion euros ($1.06 billion) in profit from tourism last year because it realized it had underestimated its potential in the past and decided to act. One of the strategies, he added, was to attract more visitors from China. "In 2016, the number of Chinese tourists increased by 29 percent. We expect more of them because I expect that one Chinese airliner will soon establish a direct flight from Belgrade to Beijing," he said. "This will meanalong with the visa-free regimea huge number of tourists." Vucic said Serbia plans to make arrangements with neighboring countries, such as Montenegro and Hungary, to present a joint offer to Chinese tour operators. Ljajic noted the Belgrade fair has grown into the biggest tourism fair in the region and stressed the importance of having China and Russia as first-time participants. In an interview, Liu Cheng, director of the Budapest branch of the China National Tourism Administration, said the branch was founded last March in Budapest to promote China as a tourist destination among central and eastern European countries, and to establish tourism connections between China and these countries, including Serbia. "These years we have seen a rapid growth of Chinese outbound tourists to CEE countries, with an annual number of 800,000 tourists," Liu said. "Among these countries, the Czech Republic is the most popular." Liu said that although not many Chinese tourists visit Serbia, the number is growing by 20 to 30 percent every year. Serbia and China implemented a visa-liberalization program in January. "I think it's important that Serbia promotes itself in China so that Chinese people will get to know more about this country and, gradually, Serbia will become a popular destination," he said. Milica Cubrilo, secretary of tourism in Serbia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that Serbia has a lot to offer tourists. These include Belgrade and its surroundings, mountain resorts, spas, numerous festivals and traditions. The hotels, restaurants and tour guides have gradually started to adapt to the requirements of Chinese tourists, she said. Almost 43,000 Chinese tourists visited last year. While the number isn't big for a population of China's size, it is encouraging for Siberia. Only 12,000 Chinese arrived in 2011, she added. Biljana Radulovic, director of Top Tours, said her company made the first attempt to cooperate with Chinese tour operators on bringing tourists to Serbia by printing a brochure that was presented at an international tourism fair in Shanghai last year. Ken Woo works on a large gold gilded cross, fabricated and painted for Saint Joseph's church in Rutherford, New Jersey in 2015. The cross is approximately 8 feet by 6 feet and was inspired by the 12th Century San Damiano Cross. PROVIDED TO CHINA DAILY Through the artworks he presented and the stories he told, Ken Woo brought the audience with him on his personal journey as a Chinese-born American artist on the evening of Feb 17 at the FORUM Arlington in Virginia. "Ken was invited because he not only is one of the best artists working in both the secular and sacred worlds, but also has a fascinating personal story given his Eastern and Western infl uences and his journey as an artist," said Terry McKeegan, director of FORUM Arlington and a personal friend of Woo. Currently teaching at Berkeley College in New York, Woo gained a reputation through his project at Our Savior Church at Park Avenue and 38th in New York, which was reportedly one of the largest icons in the US and won the award for Best Renovation in NY City 2006. His recent project is a large commission for the Oratory Church in Toronto. Born in Shanghai, Woo followed his family to the states at the age of 4. With his grandmother and mother both being classicaltrained French School artists, Woo grew up in a household surrounded by artwork and free teachers. "At a young age, I was in the studios learning how to draw,"he told the audience. "Painting is a direct representation of the artist. Every stroke you made really expresses what you are thinking it's very hard to fake." Ever since high school, Woo wanted to learn the traditions of painting and to share it with the future generations. A believer that "good artists are trained very well," he went to college anxious to learn more painting and drawing techniques through intensive training. "I was a little disappointed because I wanted to learn the craft but couldn't find anywhere that allowed me to do so," he said. He thus had to start self-learning. "I was really interested in specifi cally American art of the 19th century. American artists, back in 19th century, went to Europe and brought back all the knowledge," he said. He took an opportunity after college to study abroad in Florence, where he learned all the traditional techniques gold gilding, stained glass, mosaic and mirror painting before he could start to create for architects in New York. He later went to graduate school at the New York Academy of Art. This blog is looking for wisdom, to have and to share. It is also looking for other rare character traits like good humor, courage, and honor. It is not an easy road, because all of us fall short. But God is love, forgiveness and grace. Those who believe in Him and repent of their sins have the promise of His Holy Spirit to guide us and show us the Way. Famous Chinese television director and actor Ying Da pleaded guilty to violating US requirements on financial transactions when he split a large cash deposit into many smaller ones at banks in Connecticut to avoid the reporting requirements. Ying, 56, pleaded guilty on Feb 16 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. US District Judge Underhill scheduled sentencing for May 11. Ying faces a maximum prison term of 10 years and a fine of up to $500,000. He was released pending sentencing. Ying, whose wife and children live in the US, made 50 cash deposits in amounts less than $10,000.01 into his and his wife's six accounts at four Connecticut banks between April 2011 and March 2012, according to the local newspaper,the Connecticut Post. The cash deposits, which totaled $464,400, were frequently made on the same day at different banks. Ying knew that banks were required to issue a report for a currency transaction of more than $10,000, and his structuring activity was intended to evade the reporting requirements, according to a press release issued on Feb 16 by Deirdre M. Daly, US attorney for the District of Connecticut. The press release did not mention the source of the money. Ying is known in China as a director and actor and for his TV series, I Love My Family (1993), The Suite Life of Fei & Fan (2015) and Farewell My Concubine, and his previous marriage to Chinese actress Song Dandan. Daly said in that even if the deposited funds are derived from a legitimate means, financial transactions conducted in this manner still violate federal criminal law. As part of the resolution of the case, Ying agreed to forfeit $175,938 of the money he deposited. He also agreed to pay the Internal Revenue Service $113,195 in unpaid federal taxes, plus penalties and interest for 2009, 2010 and 2011. People close to the matter who asked not to be identified by name said he is heading back to China on Feb 28. Ying's attorney, Nathan Silverstein, did not respond to a China Daily request forcomment. hezijiang@chinadailyusa.com ATLANTA, Feb 25 - After a brutal election loss in November, Democrats will choose a new leader on Saturday to begin the daunting task of rebuilding the party and heading the political opposition to Republican President Donald Trump. The 447 members of the Democratic National Committee, the administrative and fundraising arm of the party, will gather in Atlanta to pick a new chairman in one of the most crowded and competitive party leadership elections in decades. The stakes are high for a party still struggling to recover from the surprising Nov. 8 loss of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and anxious to channel the growing grassroots resistance to Trump into political support for Democrats at all levels of government across the country. Seven candidates are vying for the chairmanship, led by former Labor Secretary Tom Perez, a favorite of former Obama administration officials, and US Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota, backed by liberal leaders such as US Senators Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts. Perez is the son of Dominican immigrants, while Ellison was the first Muslim elected to the US Congress. The clash between candidates representing the establishment and progressive wings of the party echoes the bitter 2016 primary between Clinton and Sanders, a rift Democrats hope to put behind them as they turn their focus to fighting Trump. The election also offers the DNC a fresh start after last year's forced resignation of chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who stepped aside after the release of hacked emails that appeared to show DNC officials trying to help Clinton defeat Sanders in the primaries. Other contenders are Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown, election lawyer Peter Peckarsky, and activists Jehmu Greene and Sam Ronan. All of the candidates have pledged to focus on a bottom-up reconstruction of the party, which has lost hundreds of statehouse seats under Obama and faces an uphill task in trying to reclaim majorities in Congress in next year's midterm elections. Ellison has pledged to start building Democratic organizations in each US county. "We can actually help Democrats win all over the country so that we can get rid of Donald Trump," Ellison said at a candidates' debate on CNN earlier this week. "That means we focus on turnout, and that is how we succeed." Perez also has promised to confront Trump as Democrats try to harness the energy of the anti-Trump resistance. "The Democratic Party needs to take the fight to Donald Trump. When we lead with our values, when we lead with our conviction, that's how we succeed," Perez said at the debate. But Buttigieg warned Democrats it is "not all about Donald Trump," calling him a computer virus in the political system. "We can't let him dominate our imagination, because it's our values and our candidates that matter most," he said. Perez and Ellison are considered to be running neck-and-neck in the race to win a majority of the 447 DNC members, who include state party officials, donors and activists from all 50 states. But if no candidate wins a majority on the first ballot - a strong possibility given the large field - additional rounds of voting will be held. After two rounds, the candidate with the lowest vote total is eliminated. That could lead to plenty of deal-making and turn some of the contenders into potential kingmakers. 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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. Some artworks at the exhibition called Dau Dome 2017: Ke tu by painter Pham Tran Quan. A work on Do paper by Nguyen Quang Thieu. An oil painting by Nguyen Quang Thieu. Artworks not only reflect the image of roosters, but also refer to the culture and customs of Vietnamese people in the past. A rooster painting by Nguyen Dinh Vu on acrylic. A lacquer artwork by Nguyen Hong Phuong. A delicate lacquer artwork. Dinh Dau Welcomes Spring by Nguyen Quoc Thang. A work by Nguyen Quoc Thang. Happiness by Vu Tuyen. A painting on silk by Nguyen Viet Anh. Rooster by Le Thiet Cuong. Hen and Chicks by Hoang Thi Phuong Lien. Some rooster artworks on pottery products of Bat Trang and Huong Canh villages by the G39 artist group. A work on Do paper by Nguyen Quang Thieu.An oil painting by Nguyen Quang Thieu.Artworks not only reflect the image of roosters, but also referto the culture and customs of Vietnamese people in the past.A rooster painting by Nguyen Dinh Vu on acrylic.A lacquer artwork by Nguyen Hong Phuong.A delicate lacquer artwork.Dinh Dau Welcomes Spring by Nguyen Quoc Thang.A work by Nguyen Quoc Thang.Happiness by Vu Tuyen.A painting on silk by Nguyen Viet Anh.Rooster by Le Thiet Cuong.Hen and Chicks by Hoang Thi Phuong Lien.Some rooster artworks on pottery products of Bat Trang and Huong Canh villages by the G39 artist group. HCM CITY HCM City has asked relevant organisations to accelerate social housing development following Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs directive to build homes for low-income earners. The task has become urgent as the southern city faces a shortage of affordable homes. Demand for affordable homes in the southern city might amount up to one million units within the next decade, according to Le Hoang Chau, president of HCM City Real Estate Association. Chau estimated the citys population had reached nearly 13 million while the official figure was just 8.3 million. I think demand for affordable homes in HCM City is being underestimated. More than 20 per cent of the citys population are immigrants, plus more than 400,000 students and 50,000 newly-married couples every year, according to Chau. Chau cited statistics of the HCM City Institute for Development Studies that 500,000 families in the city did not own houses and 81,000 would be in need of social housing units from 2016-20. The market was short of apartments priced below VN1 billion (US$44,500) per unit, Chau said. Under the municipal Department of Constructions social housing development plan, by 2020, the city plans to develop 39 projects with a total of 45,000 apartments, two thirds of which would be completed and put into operation within the next four years. In 2017, four social housing projects with a total 1,654 apartments are expected to be completed. VN100 million apartment: feasible? According to Chau, HCM City could build apartments with area of 30 sq.m each at selling prices of VN100 million ($4,500) per unit like those in southern Binh Duong Province. Low-cost apartments should be developed in areas with traffic and social infrastructure and near to industrial zones. The association recommended that those projects be built in Linh Trung Processing Zones, Quang Trung Software Park, and HCM City National University, with about 10,000 apartments in total. Previously, HCM City asked the municipal Department of Construction to study the feasibility of VN100 million apartments in the city. These apartments were developed successfully by Binh Duong Province where there was high demand for affordable homes for workers. Tran Trong Tuan, Deputy Director of HCM Citys construction department said that the city could build VN100 million apartments if there was available land and infrastructure. However, this is not the best solution for the city, Tuan said, adding that this apartment model was only suitable for industrial zones. In addition, these apartments could affect the citys urban development, Tuan said. There should be various types of affordable homes to match demand, he said, adding that the prices could vary from VN500 million, VN600 million, VN800 million and to more than VN1 billion. Not every low-income earner wants a VN100 million apartment, he said. At the end of January, PM Phuc issued a directive to boost social housing development to fulfill a goal set in the National Housing Development Strategy to 2020 with a vision to 2030. The national housing development strategy aims to build 250,000 apartments for poor, low-income earners. However, by the end of 2016, 179 social housing projects were completed, only 28 per cent of the goal. In the directive, Phuc asked agencies to improve housing quality while lowering prices and encouraging investment in social housing development. Nguyen Van Lam, president of Ha Noi Urban Planning Association, said that the Government should bear land-related costs for social housing developers to lower home prices. Samsung Display officially received an investment licence Friday for its US$2.5 billion expansion project in Bac Ninh Provinces Yen Phong Industrial Par. Photo baodautu.vn HA NOI Samsung Display officially received an investment licence Friday for its US$2.5 billion expansion project in Bac Ninh Provinces Yen Phong Industrial Park. The Government announced its principle approval for the expansion project, giving it the preferential treatment of a large-scale project. Through the expansion, Samsung Display will officially increase its investment in Viet Nam to $6.5 billion. It is also the first billion dollar project in the country this year. Samsung Display started construction of display panel production facilities in late 2014 on unused land at Samsung Electronics plant in the province, with initial investment of $1 billion. It began production in March 2015 and increased its investment to $4 billion. The organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display modules produced in the province are used to supply Samsung Electronics manufacturing plants located in the provinces of Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen. Industry insiders said the move is in response to growing demand for smart phone display panels, the biggest growth segment in the display business, especially the smart phone segment. They believe that the expansion is related to Apples plan to shift into active matrix OLED (AMOLED) displays, even without Samsungs official confirmation. Samsung is the only group in the world with the exclusive technologies and adequate capacity for AMOLED production. The South Korean firm holds up to 95 per cent of the global AMOLED display market share, with an average capacity of around 200 million products a year. With the new investment, Samsung continues its role as the largest foreign investors in the country. The expansion also dispelled concerns that Samsung would halt investment plans in Viet Nam after its recent incidents, the au tu (Investment) Newspaper reported. Samsung has committed to invest more than $17.3 billion in Viet Nam: including $6.5 billion Samsung Display, $9.5 billion Samsung Electronics Complex in Thai Nguyen, Bac Ninh ($2.5 billion) and HCM City ($2 billion). In addition, the group also has the $1.2 billion Samsung Electro-Mechanics project in Thai Nguyen. VNS Box: The 110kV transformer station in Yen Phong Industrial Park (IP) in the northern Bac Ninh Province is expected to become operational on February 27, said Electricity of Viet Nam (EVN). EVN said the transformer station construction aims to meet the high quality and stable power demand of the Samsung Complex in the province as Samsung Display increases its investment. The station started construction in October, with a total investment of VN132 billion. Its equipment has been provided by leading producers in the world such as Siemens, ABB and Emerson. It has more outstanding functions than traditional models, thus maximizing costs while reducing the number of staff. The station will ensure enough power for the Samsung Complex, as well as other businesses in the IP and neighbouring areas. VNS HA NOI Military-run telecom group, Viettel and national carrier Vietnam Airlines (VNA) signed a strategic co-operation agreement in Ha Noi yesterday. Under the agreement, Viettel would provide telecommunication and information products and services for VNAs operations and management as well as solutions to ensure information security. VNA would provide aviation transport services and other commercial services as per Viettels requirements. Specifically, Viettel would supply ICT products and services such as fixed phones, switchboards, mobile phones, data transmission channels both inside and outside the country, TV conferencing systems, payment solutions, ticket booking and selling through bankplus and payment gate. The group would also offer management and special software supporting VNAs operations, professional services, disaster recovery, big data storage, cloud computing and postal services. In addition, the two sides also signed a memorandum of understanding on ICT security co-operation with an aim to prevent ICT risks and deal with attacks. Speaking at the signing ceremony, VNAs representative said the co-operation aimed to ensure investment effectiveness and renewing technologies as well as improving services quality, reducing costs and ensuring information security. The agreement, which follows successes in operations since 2013, has realised VNAs targets to renew and apply ICT into our operation, he said. As one of the groups building ICT security solutions to protect customers, Viettel has implemented its solutions with ministries, agencies, groups and corporations nationwide. Viettel has invested in ICT human resources with more 5,000 high quality people, creating solutions in payments, e-office, transportation, education and healthcare sectors. Viettel expects to contribute to the development of Viet Nams aviation industry in the future. VNS HA NOI Pragmatic policies are needed for the Government to realise its goal of promoting start-ups in the agriculture sector. During an online discussion held by the Government portal on Friday afternoon, au Anh Tuan, head of Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Legal Affairs Department, said that the Government should consider lifting the land limit which was hampering successful agricultural business. Successful agricultural businesses require large-scale production, he said. Collecting products from multiple sources makes it difficult to ensure stable quality, trace origins and to guarantee the food safety. The Law on Land introduced in 2013 set the land limit for agriculture by individuals or households from two to three hectares and from 10 to 30 hectares for industrial plants like rubber, coffee beans or tea trees. Such land limits increase production costs and erode motivation to expand business, he said. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MoARD) was considering loosening agricultural land limits, which was a positive signal, Tuan said, hoping that it was a step towards complete elimination. He also suggested that the Government discard so-called production quotas. Citing examples of production quotas the MoARD set for tra fish (catfish) and lobster in 2020 which are hoped to reach some 1.9 million and 1,940 tonnes respectively, Tuan believed what the Government was doing was market intervention. The Government is amending the Law on Planning and I hope that the regulations regarding production planning will be tossed out. The Government should only do macro-planning and let the market decide product supply. A report titled Enabling the Business for Agriculture from the World Bank last year ranked Viet Nams agricultural business environment in the lower half of Southeast Asia. The country was positioned only above Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Plant businesses in Viet Nam scored 62.5 points on the scale from a possible 100, lower than Cambodias 68.8 and Bangladeshs 70.8, while the country ranked 37th out of 40 countries in the report for the business environment for agricultural machinery with 24.4 points. The financial market for agriculture, meanwhile, was considered average with 45.3 points. Former Science and Technology Minister Tran Quoc Thang agreed one of the key challenges for agricultural start-ups was accessing capital. There is currently a shortage of investors and venture capital funds to provide finance for start-ups, he said. In the long-term, the Government should set up venture capital funds and credit guarantee funds. How to do high-tech? What the Government was encouraging was start-ups based on creativity and high-tech application, in which connectivity between those having business ideas and those having necessary technology played a vital role for successful start-ups, Thang said. The Government, in this regard, should lay out an even playing field for the three parties involved. They are the Government with business policies, the start-ups and the science players like researchers, institutes and universities. The connectivity between them creates what we call the start-up eco-system, he said. If that national eco-system of creativity is established and develops, high-tech agriculture businesses will prosper. Start-up company Hoa Anh aos Management Board Chair Tran Le agreed, noting that some business ideologies failed to understand the real meaning of high-tech business and were threatening the environment. He cited the increase of plastic film made-greenhouses in Lam ong Provinces a Lat City which was dubbed an agricultural high-tech city. The film is a cheap way to build greenhouses, which led to mass construction of such greenhouses in a Lat. Yet it resulted in a loss of rainwater absorbed in surface soil and to nearby streams and rivers. High-tech agriculture was not supposed to be like that. It should be innovative and not affect the environment, he said. By and large, the definition of high-tech agriculture in Viet Nam is still understood very vaguely. VNS Vietnamese IT giant FPT Corporation has been selected by Myanmar to implement a US$11.3 million project that is part of a programme to modernise the nations public finance system. Photo FPT HA NOI Vietnamese IT giant FPT Corporation has been selected by Myanmar to implement a US$11.3 million project that is part of a programme to modernise the nations public finance system. FPT beat 12 competitors from China, India, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar to bag the biggest IT project of the Myanmar government thus far. The project is also the biggest World Bank funded IT project in the country, FPT officials said. FPTs success in a highly competitive market reflects the rising capabilities and recognition of Vietnamese IT companies. It opens the door for the company to future co-operation projects in public finance. The project will be implemented by two FPT members, FPT Information System and FPT Myanmar. The Vietnamese firm will be in charge of supply, installation and commissioning of pre-fabricated data center facilities in Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon for Myanmars Ministry of Planning and Finance. FPT Myanmar chairman Duong Dung Trieu said: FPT understands the importance of applying experiences gained from successful implementation in Viet Nam to help customers in other developing countries address their similar problems. In fact, a number of million dollar projects in Bangladesh and Myanmar are being undertaken and successfully carried out by us. Winning this contract once again proves that FPTs globalisation strategy for developing markets is on the right track. We are determined that all FPT members will have a presence in Myanmar by 2020 so that all made-by-FPT solutions can be used by our Myanmar customers. Earlier, FPT had implemented several of key projects in Myanmar, including the national financial switching system for Myanmar Payment Union, the National Portal, and the ERP system for United Paints Group, a leading paint manufacturer in the country. FPT is also the first foreign firm licensed to operate in the Network Facilities Service segment in Myanmar. The latest contract firmly establishes FPT Myanmar as a leading IT enterprise in the country. Myanmar, with a population of more than 54 million people, and a policy of pursuing robust economic integration, is ranked second in the top developing markets for FPT, next to Bangladesh. - VNS The APEC Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting (FCBDM) ended in Nha Trang City yesterday with agreement on action plans in four priority areas including long-term financing for infrastructure. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan KHANH HOA The APEC Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting (FCBDM) ended in Nha Trang City yesterday with agreement on action plans in four priority areas including long-term financing for infrastructure. The other three areas were: Base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS); disaster risk financing and insurance; and financial inclusion. The two-day meeting was co-chaired by Vice Minister of Finance Tran Xuan Ha and Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Hong. They said hosting the FCBDM was an important milestone in the Viet Nams chairmanship of the APEC Finance Ministers Process in particular and APEC Viet Nam 2017 in general. APEC 2017 SOM1 (Senior Officials Meeting) Chair Bui Thanh Son said the APEC Finance Ministers Process (FMP) played a crucial and indispensable role in APEC co-operation. "The Cebu Action Plan goal of building an APEC community that is more financially integrated, transparent, resilient, and connected, is vital to support strong, sustainable, inclusive and balanced growth in the region," he said. He noted that the APEC SOM1 and SFOM (Senior Finance Officials Meeting) were also mutually supportive and complementary as both address several areas including infrastructure, infrastructure investment for food security, financial services, womens economic empowerment, finance for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), human resources development and disaster risk reduction. Delegates discussed recent economic and financial developments in the region so as to identify appropriate policy responses for APEC economies to cope with the global economic volatilities and set co-operation priorities for the 2017 APEC FMP. The Finance and Central Bank Deputies also agreed on implementing and reviewing the Cebu Action Plan and reforming the APEC FMP. They concurred that financial co-operation among APEC members should focus more on practical and efficient activities besides meetings and seminars. They also set a tentative date of May, 2017 for the APEC senior finance officials to meet.-VNS Sand art comes to Phan Thiet People called sculptors, who make shapes in the sand called sculptures, have been using their art to tell stories. They have made shapes of characters in fairy tales and other stories in Phan Thiet city. Some of the sculptors come from other countries. It is hoped that tourists from other countries will come to in Phan Thiet city to see these interesting shapes in the sand. Gia Loc & Nguyen Thanh BINH THUAN The talent and skilled hands of foreign sculptors have turned a two-hectare empty lot into a wonderful sand sculpture park in Phan Thiet citys Phu Hai Ward in the south central coastal province of Binh Thuan. The park is expected to become one of the landmarks in Binh Thuan Province, one that tourists, especially children, should not miss when visiting the region best known for beautiful beaches and sand dunes. Tourists will be brought back to their childhoods as they are told famous fairy tales at the Forgotten Land sand sculpture park, featuring 22 lively and interesting sculptures based on fairy tales of Viet Nam and the world. Fourteen sculptors from Japan, Singapore, the US and other countries came to the province to use the local red sand and water to create sculptures with different shapes including a castle, huge dragon, rooster (which is zodiac symbol for this lunar year) and many known characters, such as Cinderella and Aurora from the story of Sleeping Beauty. Moreover, sculptors of ancient architectural works, such as Thien Mu pagoda in the central city of Hue, Po Nagar Cham tower in the south central province of Khanh Hoas Nha Trang, are featured. Each of 22 sculptures average 10 metres in length, five metres in width and 3.5 metres in height. Red sand for the sculptors is taken from the provinces large dunes which cover thousands of hectares, reach heights of forty to fifty metres and are created by frequent sand-storms blowing inland from the coast. Strong winds will not blow sand from sculptures thanks to techniques of the sculptors. Sculptor Marielle Heessels from Holland said that this was the first time she had come to Viet Nam. The people and nature of Viet Nam inspired her for sculpturing, Heessels said, adding that she wanted to tell many fairy tales via sculptures. She said she hoped that the sculptures would be liked by local and foreign tourists. Sculptor Leonardo Ugolinin from Belgium said he came to Viet Nam for the second time to sculpt sand. He was very happy to perform the art in beautiful Phan Thiet city. The sand in Phan Thiet is stickier than sand in other places and makes it easy to sculpt, he said. Sculptures will last about one year under normal weather conditions. Nguyen uc Hoa, vice chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, said that the park was expected to help the province attract more foreign and local tourists. "Sand sculpture is a popular art in the world, and colourful sand is an advantage of the province for sand sculpture,"Hoa said. Like Australia and Japan, more and more festivals of sand sculpture would be held in the province, he added. The Forgotten Land sand sculpture park has been posted on Facebook by many people including local residents in the province to invite their friends to go with them to the park. Nguyen Nhat Cuong, from the provinces Bac Binh District, brought his whole family to visit the park and said that the sculptures were very impressive. Hoang Nhu Hue, also in Binh Thuan, said that the sculptures were very beautiful. Through the talent of sculptors, they seem to have soul. I like the huge dragon at the entrance, Hue said. Le Anh Tuan, CEO of Vietsandart Company, said that since the park opened on January 29, around 1,000 tourists visited it every day. The entrance fee for adults is VN100,000 and VN70,000 for kids. The company continues to make new statues. During the upcoming April 30 and May 1 holiday, a contest for sand sculptures by female sculptors will be organised. The park plans to change the theme of its sculptures later this year.VNS GLOSSARY The talent and skilled hands of foreign sculptors have turned a two-hectare empty lot into a wonderful sand sculpture park in Phan Thiet citys Phu Hai Ward in the south central coastal province of Binh Thuan. Talent means natural skill. The park is expected to become one of the landmarks in Binh Thuan Province, one that tourists, especially children, should not miss when visiting the region best known for beautiful beaches and sand dunes. A landmark is something that can be seen from a distance that gives you an idea of where you are. Moreover, sculptors of ancient architectural works, such as Thien Mu pagoda in the central city of Hue, Po Nagar Cham tower in the south central province of Khanh Hoas Nha Trang, are featured. If certain sculptures are featured, they are on display. Strong winds will not blow sand from sculptures thanks to techniques of the sculptors. Techniques are ways of doing things. The people and nature of Viet Nam inspired her for sculpturing, Heessels said, adding that she wanted to tell many fairy tales via sculptures. If something inspires you it makes you want to go out and do something positive. The park plans to change the theme of its sculptures later this year. A theme is a topic or a subject. WORKSHEET State whether the following sentences are true, or false: Tourists will be able to remember their childhoods when they see the same sculptures in the park in in Phan Thiet city. The sculpture park in Phan Thiet city cover five hectares. Phan Thiet city is in Binh Thuan Province. Sculptor Leonardo Ugolinin is from Holland. Leonardo Ugolinin has been to Viet Nam twice to sculpt sand. ANSWERS: Duncan Guy/Learn the News/ Viet Nam News 2017 1. True; 2. False; 3. True; 4. False; 5. True. CA MAU Hundred metres of land along rivers and coastlines have been destroyed by unusually strong winds and waves, combined with rising tides in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. According to the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department, waves and rising tides have caused severe land erosion at 25 sites in three districts of Nam Can, Ngoc Hien and am Doi. Additionally, the increasing use of high capacity waterway vehicles on rivers has contributed to the problem. Nguyen Long Hoai, chief of office of the Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Search and Rescue said earlier this week that at least 132 households were living in dangerous areas, with the appearance of cracks and at a high risk of erosion. A lack of funds was blamed for the failure of local authorities to build resettlement housing areas for residents, away from danger hotspots in order to ensure the safety of people and property, Hoai said. Unusually strong winds and waves had damaged a number of areas in Nam Can District, said Nguyen Van Nhien, deputy chairman of the Peoples Committee of Tam Giang ong Commune. The situation had worsened over the week, and strong waves destroyed over a kilometre of coastal land along Ho Gui Hamlet, according to Nhien. Dozens of metres of protective forest and shrimp farms also suffered damage due to erosion. There are no firm statistics about the damage yet. Erosion will continue to threaten the lives of local people if no solutions are forthcoming, and the situation is set to get worse. The total coastal length of the key protective forests located in Tam Giang Commune is about 13 kilometres. Between 2007 and 2014, over 260ha of coastal land suffered erosion, according to a report by the local Protective Forest Management Board. At the moment, there is only about 500ha left. The crucial protective forest area would be wiped out if measures were not taken soon, the deputy chairman said. Le Chi Hang, a resident in Ngoc Hien Districts Rach Goc Town, said: "Over the years, I have always lived in fear. The risk of erosion keeps me up at night. To prevent damage caused by landslides ahead of the rainy season this year, the province warned local residents living near and along rivers and dykes at high risk of erosion to heighten vigilance. "People need to actively prevent land erosion, especially at night," Hoai said. Local residents should inform the nearest local authorities of cracks so that measures can be taken to reinforce the land or move people out of danger, he said. The committee would continue to cooperate with local authorities on reviewing waterway systems and installing traffic signals in order to restrict high-capacity vehicles on rivers and canals, Hoai added. Over the next few days, the region is likely to suffer more erosion because of surging tides and strong waves. - VNS Around a month after Tet has for long been a time for many Vietnamese youth to bid farewell to their families and friends and sign up to serve the nation as members of the armed forces. Across the country, thousands of young people leave their ordinary lives behind to don the soldiers garb. For the next twenty-four months, they will receive training at various boot camps and later serve in the army, air force of navy. This year, 4,700 youngsters from HCM City joined the armed services. Of these, 3,900 will receive training under Ministry of Defence and the remaining under the Ministry of Public Security. More than 75% of this years trainees hold university, college and vocational degrees. Notably, five women from HCM City enlisted this year. Military service in Viet Nam is compulsory for Vietnamese males between 18 and 25 (extended to 27 for those who applied for a delay to obtain higher education degrees) years of age. The revised Law on Military Service that took effect on January 1 2016 opened the doors for Vietnamese women to join military service on a voluntary basis. VNS Ho uc Phoc, Auditor General of the State Audit Office of Viet Nam, spoke to Thoi bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (Viet Nam Economic Times) newspaper about controlling and managing public finances and assets Some have said 2016 was a successful year for the State Audit Office of Viet Nam (SAV). What were some of your agencys achievements? In 2016, the SAV asked the National Assembly to revise or abolish 110 legal documents, aiming to protect the State budget from misuse and waste. One of the key missions of the SAV is to ensure State assets are used properly. Regarding our work in financial settlement in 2016, according to incomplete statistics, in 2016, the SAV revoked some VN36 trillion ($1.56 billion) an increase of VN13trillion ($570million) compared with 2015. In 2016, our auditing mission expanded to new areas, including Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) projects, the value of enterprises after equitisation, public financial management and State budget collection and expenditure. Those successes were thanks to the great efforts of all employees of the SAV, including senior management officers nationwide. In 2016, the SAV issued an instruction on improving the quality of auditing work and anti-corruption activities through auditing. What are the SAVs plans for this year? In 2017, the SAV aims to conduct 234 auditing missions. We plan to focus our missions on checking the use of the Central budget and local budgets. The results will help the National Assembly and Peoples Councils at different levels during the approval of their annual budget plans. During our auditing missions, well focus on auditing the work of management and usage of public money and assets; particularly the use of the State budget and assets. This year, the SAV will conduct a special auditing mission on urban land and State owned enterprises land and the value of enterprises. At grass roots levels, well conduct an audit on salary funds and the employment of full time staff. Well also audit all BOT projects, government bonds, public debt and the restructuring of State owned enterprises. Lastly, commercial banks and general corporations are also part of our auditing missions. How will you audit BOT projects? As we all know, BOT is a form of public-private partnership. Most BOT projects have focused on infrastructure development. Many BOT projects have shown their limitations and insufficiency during implementation. In many projects, investor selection was not performed properly; this led to unfair competition and a lack of transparency. In addition, the percentage of disbursement of capital contributions in BOT projects is generally lower than investors commitments. Coupled with that, during our missions, we have detected many shortcomings in writing project documents, designs, budget estimation, final budget settlement and others. In some projects, the time for capital recovery following our auditing missions has reduced considerably, for example the project to upgrade the Ho Chi Minh Road, the construction time was slashed from 22 years to 12 years. What problems does the SAV face? The biggest challenge at present is the auditing policy and mechanism. For example, the 2015 Auditing Law came into force on January 1, 2016 but many articles in the law are too vague. This has caused problems for us in implementation, particularly the article on the use of electronic data as many offices did not allow us to access their data. We have already asked the National Assembly Standing Committee to issue a legal document compelling all agencies to provide documents/data, including electronic data, as requested by the SAV. We have also asked the NA Standing Committee to develop a legal document on sanctioning offices/ agencies ignoring requests filed by SAV missions. Im confident if these two core problems are settled, it will help us a lot in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of our work.VNS The theme of universal health coverage and sustainable development as well as five priority areas for discussion and action set by Viet Nam were praised by APEC delegates yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan KHANH HOA The theme of universal health coverage and sustainable development as well as five priority areas for discussion and action set by Viet Nam were praised by APEC delegates yesterday. The Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Health Working Group is meeting in n Nha Trang City, Khanh Hoa Province. Nguyen Thi Giang Huong, Director of the Health Ministrys International Co-operation Department and Vice President of the APEC Health Working Group 2017, said the five areas prioritised by hosts Viet Nam were: updating progress made towards universal health coverage; intensifying the fight against emerging epidemics and antibiotic resistance; strengthening prevention of non-communicable diseases and paying due attention to the health of senior citizens; ensuring sustainable financial mechanisms to develop healthcare; and inserting healthcare into every development policy while reinforcing multi-sectoral co-operation to achieve goals. A series of forums on policies for the elderly and prevention of non-communicable diseases and antibiotic resistance were highly valued by other APEC members. The visiting delegates also spoke highly of Viet Nams success in preventing and controlling emerging epidemic diseases like SARS, avian flu A-H5N1 and A-H1N1 and Ebola. This affirmed the important role played by the countrys health sector in the region, they said. Viet Nam used the forum to learn from other members experiences in launching policies and programmes on aging population, antibiotic resistance and non-communicable diseases. Yesterdays forum was held within the framework of the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting and related meetings underway in Nha Trang. VNS The Government Cipher Commission of Viet Nam and the Cipher Department under Cubas Ministry of Home Affairs should bolster co-operation, especially in exchange of visits, training, and scientific research. Photo tienphong.vn HA NOI The Government Cipher Commission of Viet Nam and the Cipher Department under Cubas Ministry of Home Affairs should bolster co-operation, especially in exchange of visits, training, and scientific research. Defence Minister General Ngo Xuan Lich made the suggestion during a reception in Ha Noi yesterday for Colonel Otto Dalcourt Cesar from the Cuban department, who is visiting Viet Nam. General Lich spoke highly of defence ties between Viet Nam and Cuba, expressing his belief that the visit will contribute to strengthening bilateral relations as well as the friendship between the two countries peoples and armies. For his part, Otto Dalcourt Cesar informed the host of the outcomes of his delegations working session with Viet Nams Government Cipher Commission and co-ordination between the two agencies in 2014-2016. The two sides worked together to implement co-operation agreements between the two Parties and States in fields such as the exchange of delegations and experts, equipment provision and technical support, he said. Such collaboration lays a foundation for stronger cooperation between the two agencies in 2017-19, he added. VNS National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) receives Japanese Ambassadors Umeda Kunio in Ha Noi yesterday. VNA/VNS Photo Trong uc HA NOI National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted separate receptions in Ha Noi yesterday for Japanese and Thai Ambassadors Umeda Kunio and Manopchai Vongphakdi. Receiving the Japanese diplomat, Ngan expressed her wish that relations between the legislative bodies of Viet Nam and Japan will be strengthened in the coming time, especially among young deputies. Viet Nam attached great importance to the upcoming visit to Viet Nam by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Ngan said. Kunio also said the upcoming visit by the Japanese royalty will bolster mutual understanding between the two countries people and strengthen their Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia. Thai envoy Receiving Thai Ambassador Vongphakdi, Ngan expressed her happiness at the fruitful development of the Viet Nam-Thailand strategic partnership. She said Viet Nam was willing to create favourable conditions in terms of policy and laws for foreign firms, including those from Thailand, to invest in Viet Nam. She called on Thailand to increase the import of products from Viet Nam to address the imbalance in bilateral trade. Ambassador Vongphakdi said the Thai Government stood ready to support Thai firms to invest and do business in Viet Nam. -- VNS HA NOI The national immunisation programme will give supplemental vaccinations against Japanese encephalitis to children between six and 15 years old, who did not receive the vaccine, or were not sure about their vaccination schedule previously, in districts facing high risks of the disease. The plan will be carried out in 2017-18. The information was released by associate professor Tran Nhu Duong, deputy director of the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology. Duong said that Viet Nam saw about 1,000 cases of encephalitis per year, and 10 per cent of them were Japanese encephalitis. Nearly 60 per cent of the cases were in northern provinces. Most patients are between one and 10 years old and were unsure if they had received the vaccination or not. Under the plan, children between six and 15 years old will receive three doses of the vaccine. The plan will cover several districts in Son La, ien Bien, Lang Son and Bac Kan northern provinces, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam and Quang Ngai central provinces. The districts had at least one problem related to the disease, including the rate of vaccination against Japanese encephalitis being under 80 per cent, the rate of Japanese encephalitis equal to or more than 1/100,000 residents, and fatalities caused by Japanese encephalitis in two consecutive years. The national programme will provide vaccinations for about 3.4 million children, who are from one to two years old, per year nationwide. Experts from the Preventive Medicines Department under the Ministry of Health said that Japanese encephalitis could occur year-round, and the epidemic often occurs in summer months, because mosquitoes can develop during those months. Anyone who is not vaccinated can suffer from the disease. Experts warned that to prevent the disease, people should ensure environmental hygiene, clean accommodation, use mosquito nets while sleeping and not let children go near animals. Experts said that vaccinations were the most effective preventive measure. But only one dose of the vaccine was not strong enough, so children should receive three basic doses. The first dose is when they are one year old, the second one or two weeks later, and the third one year later. Children should also receive booster injections every four years until they are 15 years old. VNS A NANG Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc yesterday asked all stakeholders to find solutions to problems that have bedevilled the a Nang University Village project for the last 20 years. On a working visit to the a Nang University, the PM told the Ministry of Education and Training, a Nang City and Quang Nam Province, as also other agencies to clearly lay out all difficulties so that the Government can take final decisions to end the long delay. He urged ministries and two localities to speed up land clearance so that construction can recommence soon. We should put an end to the delay. Ive agreed that mid-term loans must be given for land clearance in order to build the University Village as an urban hub for the Central and Central Highlands regions, Phuc said. Local administrations should play their role in speeding up the land clearance process and resettlement project for local residents, he said. He also asked ministries and local administrations to affix responsibilities of related agencies that have delayed the project. The PM said a Nang University should develop as one of the top 50 universities in ASEAN, and a key human resource centre for the central and Central Highlands regions. He advised the university to build up a strategy that will enhance its contribution to national socio-economic development and make it a forerunner in innovation and reform. The university should overcome all challenges to become a leading, reputed centre for international scientific research and a favoured rendezvous for scholars worldwide, boosting international co-operation. The PM agreed with the university establishing a teachers training college for engineering as well as the Viet Nam-United Kingdom University. Phuc also visited the a Nang Technology College yesterday and presented 110 scholarships to poor students. 20-year stalemate Work on the VN1.7 trillion (US$75.2 million) a Nang University Village project, which covers 300ha in Quang Nams ien Ban Town and a Nangs Ngu Hanh Son District, began in 1997, but only two hostels, two lecture halls, some sections of a wall and inner traffic roads have been built. The project had completed a resettlement area on one hectare, but only two of 100 households were relocated. In total, about 2,000 households in the area have to be resettlement. Director of a Nang University, Tran Van Nam said the project owner the Ministry of Education and Training Centre lacked funds while commencing the project. He also said the project delay has led to unstable lives for local residents, not to mention time and money wasted on land clearance. Chairman of the citys Peoples Committee, Huynh uc Tho, said the project needs VN165 billion ($7.3 million) for land clearance for 71ha in the a Nang area. inh Van Thu, chairman of the Quang Nam Peoples committee, said the province had cleared 130ha of land, and needed VN5 billion ($221,000) for the remaining 60ha. He also said local residents in the area have been suffering poor living conditions for the last 20 years and the project should be completed soon. Deputy Minister of Investment and Planning, am Van Thu asked a Nang University to complete legal investment procedures as well as a detailed list of buildings for expedited approval. The university should function on its own finances after five years of being subsidised by the State Budget, said Deputy Prime Minister Vu uc am. He hoped the a Nang University would take the lead in innovation and reform in Viet Nam, succeeding in becoming financially self-sufficient. The university, which has developed 12 college-level education centres in the last 20 years, trains 90,000 students in technology, engineering, science, economics, trade, finance, foreign languages, medicine, culture, tourism and media studies per year. VNS HCM CITY Viet Nams new developmental model will not sacrifice environmental standards and social equality for growth goals, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong inh Hue said at the 2017 Spring Forum held by the Asia Business Council on Thursday in HCM City. Accepting high standards on the environment shows that Viet Nam wants to have sustainable elements in economic development, Hue said at the forum. which attracted many leaders of industry, IT and financial corporations in Asia. After many years of growth based on natural resource exploitation and cheap human resources, the countrys growth has slowed down and is falling into the middle-income trap, he said. Viet Nam has reformed its growth model from being dependent on natural resources and cheap labour to focusing on creativity, productivity, quality and effectiveness, Hue said. It has carried out many activities to reform public investment, state enterprises, the financial system and budget expenditures. Its doors are open to foreign investors, but the country will refuse projects that adversly affect the environment. Providing electricity and the internet to rural areas and islands in the country shows that the government is determined to have equitable growth, Hue said. Viet Nam had signed many global and regional free trade agreements, Hue said, adding that, through these agreements, the country had increased its global and regional integration, becoming a trusted partner of other countries. He said that Viet Nam accepts competition because it inspires Viet Nam to be creative and prosperous. Lubna Olayan, chairwoman of the Asia Business Council, said the council was impressed with the countrys recovery from the global economic recession as well as high growth in the last five years. The council also praised Viet Nams strategy to speed up sustainable and equitable economic development, she added. Last year, Viet Nams exports rose by 9 per cent and foreign direct investment reached a record-high, with more than 110,000 new FDI enterprises. VNS HA NOI Low-quality and fake cosmetics have continued to flood the Vietnamese market, making it hard for consumers to determine the quality of products despite agencies efforts to tackle the issue. Tran Minh Trang, in Ha Nois Kham Thien Street said she bought a hair gel product from a well-known cosmetics brand in a shop on Bach Mai Street. She did not know the product was low-quality until she opened it. It looked exactly the same as the one I was presented, Trang said, its impossible to tell the difference. Only when I sprayed it into my hair and it quickly became oily instead of smooth did I realise it was fake. Trangs story is common. On social media, many victims of fake cosmetics have shared their stories, listed products that can be imitated, and given warnings of shops that stock the fake products. Although the Ministry of Health issued Circular 06/2011/TT-BYT regulating that individuals and enterprises trading cosmetics must have a business registration licence and must ensure that goods meet regulations set by the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive, few have followed the regulation, especially online shops. By simply googling my pham xach tay (imported cosmetics) hundreds of online shops show up with thousands of different beauty products. However, few post evidence to prove that their products are genuine. ao My Nhung, a cosmetics seller said that many beauty goods such as lipstick, eyeliner, face powders and body lotions of well-known brands such as MAC, Lancome, LOreal, Givenchy and Dior have been counterfeited with cheaper prices. Although she has sold cosmetics for five years, Nhung admitted that she sometimes found it hard to tell between fake and the real products, even some barcodes and labeling were made the same as genuine products. She said she received complaints from consumers about fake products when she gave them tips to distinguish which were low-quality products. She even was accused of selling fake products by some consumers. Its easy to understand them. They were cheated many times, she said. Last week, the Ministry of Healths Department of Medicine Management has decided to suspend the distribution of and revoke 30 kinds of beauty goods nationwide. Of which, 19 were from Kim Quan Commercial Production Enterprise in southern Hau Giang Province. The enterprise failed to meet requirements set by the ASEAN Cosmetics Directive. Six other products were from Lulanjina Co.,Ltd in HCM City, three products from Pan Viet Nam Joint Venture in HCM City and two products from Gia Viet Co.,Ltd in Ha Noi. These products had the unregistered ingredients. The department also revoked five products from Tung Anh Cosmetic Co.,Ltd in Ha Noi for inaccurate labelling Dr Nguyen Quoc Hung, director of Ha Noi Dermatology Hospital said that consumers should not put their trust in the labels of products and expensive products with well-known trademarks as they could be faked within one week of the launch of new beauty products. Hung suggested that consumers purchase beauty products from official agencies with clear origin and consult dermatologists before purchasing products to make sure the products are suited to their skin. VNS As host of the APEC 2017, Viet Nam has initiated a round-table conference on sustainable tourism development policy in the face of climate change challenges. VNA/VNS Photo Doan Tan KHANH HOA As host of the APEC 2017, Viet Nam has initiated a round-table conference on sustainable tourism development policy in the face of climate change challenges. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy General Director of the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism, said the conference would be held in June. He spoke to Vietnam News Agency reporters on the sidelines of a workshop on sustainable tourism hosted by the Tourism Working Group (TWG) as part of the first APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM 1) in Khanh Hoa Province on Thursday. The conference would make recommendations on policies and commitments required of APEC members to realise sustainable tourism development goals set for 2017 by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), he said. According to UNWTO, tourism is both the mastermind and victim of climate change. Tourism development causes many negative impacts on the environment and climate change as the industry accounts for five per cent greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, it is vulnerable because climate change impacts affects destinations, tourism seasons and operating expenses. "APEC tourism will also have negative impacts on the environment and the global climate. Therefore, developing sustainable tourism has been identified as an important target for member economies," Sieu said. He said Viet Nams tourism sector had actively formulated policies and action programmes to deal with climate change, focusing on improved investment planning and forecasting. Vietnams master plan on tourism development is part of the nations efforts to effectively cope with issues related to climate change and environmental pollution. Sieu said hosting APEC Year 2017 offered Viet Nam a chance to promote the countrys tourism potential to international friends, especially APEC members. In 2015, the APEC members welcomed over 396 million visitors, accounting for 33 per cent of total global tourist arrivals. Revenue from tourism activities was US$59 billion, making up 44.5 per cent of global tourism revenue. The tourism sector generated 47.9 million direct jobs. APEC tourism ministers have set a target of welcoming 800 million international visitors in 2025. VNS HA NOI Representatives from the Vietnamese embassy in Malaysia today met the suspect in the murder case of a North Korean citizen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13, who was ealier confirmed to be a Vietnamese citizen. Doan Thi Huong, 28, from the northern province of Nam Dinh, was arrested on February 15 at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport following the death of the North Korean citizen Kim Chol two days earlier. Huong is in good health conditions, according to the embassy. Huong said she thought she was taking part in a comedy prank video. The Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has ordered its embassy in Malaysia to closely co-operate with local authorities and strictly follow international laws regarding the case, while also seeking for proper procedures to legally support its citizen.VNS News / Local by Alice Dube Independent newspaper, the Daily News was spied on by the Germany's foreign intelligence agency, the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Bulawayo24.com can report.According to a report by Germany's leading publication SPIEGEL, Daily News was under the watchful eye of the spy agency before it was shut down by President Robert Mugabe's regime.The publication said countless international journalists and publications including the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC),Reuters and the New York Times were also spied on.It said the spy agency tapped into the phones of correspondents and also targeted telephone and fax numbers."The German spies also conducted surveillance on the independent Zimbabwean newspaper Daily News before dictator Robert Mugabe banned it for seven years in 2003" reads part of the report seen by Bulawayo24.com.It was not immediately clear as to why the Daily News was targeted by a foreign spy agency.Added the report, "Other numbers on the list belonged to news agencies from Kuwait, Lebanon and India in addition to journalist associations in Nepal and Indonesia". WATERLOO The U.S. Highway 63 project goes well beyond repairing a road. Local leaders view the undertaking as a way to spark new business development and rebuild depressed residential areas from downtown through the citys north end. The Highway 63 project is part of a new chapter in development for the community spanning from city limit to city limit and from neighborhood to neighborhood, said Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart. The Iowa Department of Transportation has already rebuilt U.S. 63 from Newell Street north to Donald Street. Contractors are set to return this spring to resume replacing the highway from Newell Street south to U.S. Highway 218 downtown. While the DOTs focus is to fix the crumbling pavement, city officials are partnering to ensure the project reverses the negative impact of carving a major highway through once-thriving neighborhoods and provides amenities to promote new investment. Signs of success are already evident at both ends of the project, with Logan Plaza being redeveloped and UnityPoint Health investing at the north end and a downtown anchor with Grand Crossing, the Cedar Valley TechWorks and a planned Hawkeye Community College adult learning center. I believe that highway project was the tipping point for getting this thing done, said Ben Stroh, whos redeveloping Logan Plaza as North Crossing. Hawkeye Community College President Linda Allen said the highway work was a factor in the colleges decision to locate its adult learning center on the former Waterloo Bowl-in site. The $12 million, 45,000-square-foot building will be on Jefferson Street between West First Street and Mullan Avenue, which are the northbound and southbound lanes of U.S. 63. Someone said we would be, in a sense, the southern jewel in the crown of the Highway 63 project, Allen said. It wasnt our words, but we really like that. HCC is already in the neighborhood with a 3D design lab at the Cedar Valley TechWorks, and sees synergies with nearby amenities like the Cedar Valley SportsPlex and developer Brent Dahlstroms Grand Crossing, which will include new rental housing units and retail stores. The adult learning center will provide a variety of educational programming, including a nursing program, CNC training, English language learning, childcare and a clinic as well as a third-floor event center and art gallery. Its such a unique facility, Allen said. Not only will it be a wonderful asset to that amazing part of Waterloo, but it will also be an asset to the community for the next 50 years or more. Community Planning and Development Director Noel Anderson said hes also excited about the opportunities for neighborhood development between the North Crossing and downtown hubs. When the highway was originally built, engineers did not consider environmental justice and developed a road literally abutting front porches and lacking safe pedestrian crossings. The first phase of the reconstruction removed 26 homes and two businesses and added recreational trails, tree plantings, neighborhood markers, crossings and other features to truly make this a new front door to Waterloo from the north, Anderson said. We were able to create a livable neighborhood for the homes that remained while creating some good positive green space and corridor aesthetics for the roadway, he added. The city and DOT have a $33 million cost-sharing agreement in place to finish the project, and bids were opened in December on the first portion of that work. While no homes or businesses are expected to be removed during the next phase of construction, the city has included trails, decorative features and amenities. Storm and sanitary sewer work also is planned to help alleviate flooding issues that have plagued the downtown portion of U.S. 63. Another key change will replace the flood-prone Canadian National Railway underpass on U.S. 63 between Dane and Newell streets with an overpass. The railroad tracks and an existing pedestrian highway crossing would become tunnels through the new mechanically stabilized earthen walls of the overpass. Work on the project is expected to occur during the 2017 and 2018 construction seasons. Forever Young EVANSDALE Applications are being accepted through April 1 for the Forever Young Memorial Scholarship Fund, which memorializes Kelsey Lee and Lindsay Nichols. This scholarship fund has been established to assist at least two students annually in a health science field. There will be two $1,000 scholarships awarded this year to students residing in Black Hawk or Buchanan counties. Graduates must be full-time students at an accredited public or private university, college, vocational, technical or post-secondary institution in Iowa for the 2016-17 school years. Priority will be given to individuals with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must exhibit leadership qualities through involvement in extracurricular and volunteer activities in school, community or church. To apply, complete the scholarship application and submit transcript, essay and three letters of recommendation. Winners will be notified in May. Application materials may be obtained at local high schools. Send completed scholarship packet to Forever Young Memorial Scholarship, 616 Grand Blvd., Evansdale 50707. Friends of Covenant and Sartori WATERLOO The Friends of Covenant Medical Center and Friends of Sartori Memorial Hospital will jointly award scholarships to area students in 2017. In conjunction with funds donated by McElroy Trust, the scholarship committee is able to award seven $2,000 scholarships this year. Qualified applicants must be graduating high-school students planning to pursue a career in a health-related program or post-secondary students currently enrolled in a health-related program. Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of academics, financial need and citizenship. Application materials are available online at WheatonIowa.org/Scholarship and in area school counselor offices. Materials also can be picked up from the Covenant Foundation office, 3421 W. Ninth St., Waterloo 50702, and the Sartori Health Care Foundation office, 515 College St., Cedar Falls. Submissions must be completed and returned to the Covenant Foundation office by March 10. Waterloo Center for the Arts WATERLOO The Friends of the Waterloo Center for the Arts are now accepting applications for the Raymond T. Forsberg Scholarship, Marilyn S. Hurley Memorial Scholarship and the Preceptor Beta Lambda Scholarship, all in the amount of $1,000. These art scholarships are available to graduating seniors attending high school within a 35-mile radius of Waterloo who are interested in pursuing a post-secondary degree in the visual arts. A panel of art professionals will select the scholarship winners based on students application, essay, portfolio, transcript, SAT/ACT scores and letters of recommendation. All application materials are due by April 14. Three scholarship winners will be notified by mail the first week in May, with an honors reception following later that month. Students can download an application at waterloocenterforthearts.org, pick up an application in person at the center or request one by calling 291-4490. WATERLOO A Waterloo man has been arrested in connection with break-ins at a meat shop and two bars, including a burglary where an ATM was stolen. Authorities allege Gavin Dale James Eastman, 21, helped take items from businesses in Raymond and rural Cedar Falls in January, and investigators found items taken from an Urbana bar when searching an home that same month. Eastman is currently charged with second-degree theft, second-degree burglary and third-degree burglary, and he remains in the Black Hawk County Jail. One of the break-ins was discovered Jan. 18 at Tipsyz Bar and Grill, 309 W. Third St., in Raymond. Someone had pried open a window, and an ATM machine, liquor and snacks had been removed. Footage from a security video showed two men loading property from the bar into a 2005 Ford Escape. Then on Jan. 25, authorities were sent to investigate a burglary at Steeges Meat Market, 9502 W. First St., Cedar Falls. Missing items included a Remington .22-caliber rifle, a laptop computer and a drill. That same night, someone had attempted to pry open the door to a bar in New Hartford and had entered T&L Pizza in Parkersburg through a window and stole quarters from a gumball machine. Shoe prints at both scenes were similar to those left in the Tipsys and Steeges crimes, records state. Deputies with the Black Hawk County found the Escape at a home at 2018 Lafayette St. on Jan. 26, and witnesses told police Eastman and another person had unloaded a 55-inch TV, liquor bottles, snacks, pool league paperwork and other items at the residence and then left. The property --- about $1,437 worth --- corresponded with items that had been taken during a recent burglary to the O-Zone bar on Wood Street in Urbana, court records state. On Jan. 30, deputies searched a home at 1286 St. Andrews Ave. in Waterloo where Eastman had been staying and found the drill and lap top from the meat shop, court records state. Also located were several bottles of alcohol. Deputies also found numerous bottles of alcohol and broken ATM parts in the apartment. The rest of the ATM was discovered in a ditch in the same neighborhood as the apartment, court records state. Witnesses told investigators that Eastman had been seen in an Escape during the timeframe of the Raymond burglary, and his shoes matched prints found at scene of the Raymond and Cedar Falls break-ins, court records state. WATERLOO One person pleaded guilty to reduced charges in the July shooting death of a Waterloo man. Jacques Dominique Williamson, 25, had been charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder for his alleged role in the Logan Avenue drive-by shooting that killed 21-year-old Otavious Brown and injured Dewon Campbell Jr. and Aundrey Roberts Jr. on July 17. Murder carries a mandatory life sentence without parole under Iowa law. On Friday, Williamson pleaded guilty to a single count of intimidation with a dangerous weapon and faces up to 10 years in prison. Assistant County Attorney James Katcher said the plea is based on allegations Williamson helped others in the shooting. The defendant aided and abetted another in threatening to shoot or discharge a dangerous weapon within an assembly of people, Katcher said. Under the agreement, Williamson will be sentenced to 10 years in prison and will have the option of requesting a reconsideration, Katcher said. Sentencing will be at a later date. Others arrested in the case include Shavondes Martin, 20, Armand Isavia Anthony Rollins, 17, and Doncorrion Deangelo Spates, 15. Court records describe Williamson as the driver, and defense attorney Christopher Kragnes said he had explored possible defenses for Williamson, who was allegedly threatened during the incident. He was himself placed in fear by threat of being shot, having a weapon brandished, put in his face, and he was told to drive to this location, Kragnes said. He said he recommended Williamson accept the plea bargain. Trial for the other defendants is tentatively scheduled for April. Court records show after the fatal shooting, Williamson had reported his Chevrolet Tahoe stolen, but police obtained a surveillance video showing him and the others entering into the vehicle moments before the shooting. WATERLOO A Denver man has been arrested after authorities allegedly found loot from at least three Bremer County burglaries in his storage unit. Aaron Michael Thurm, 29, was arrested Thursday night for two counts each of first- and second-degree theft. He was also arrested on weapons and prescription drug charges. He was taken to the Black Hawk County Jail, and his bond was set at $35,000. The theft charges stem from burglaries and thefts in Bremer County earlier this month. On Feb. 3, a Polaris Ranger vehicle valued at $12,000 was stolen from an address on 275th Street in Janesville. Also taken were numerous tools and a power washer. Then on Feb. 5 deputies began investigating a burglary on Midway Avenue in Tripoli where a John Deere power washer, tools and a grain moisture tester were taken. The loss was estimated at $50,000, court records state. Finally on Feb. 9, a John Deere riding mower valued at $11,000 and other equipment was stolen from a Denver address on 270th Street. The Ranger was initially found in a wooded area off of Airline Highway and U.S. Highway 63 in Waterloo, and the person who found the vehicle notified the owner. But when they returned, the vehicle was gone. Further investigation led deputies to a home at 2814 Logan Ave., which was less than a mile from where the Ranger had been seen. On Feb. 10, deputies searched the home and a storage unit that Thurm had rented on Diagonal Drive in Waterloo. Investigators found the Ranger, power washers and numerous tools at the storage unit, court records state. Court records allege Thurm had been to some of the Bremer County properties as part of construction jobs. The drug and weapons charges stem from a stun gun and other items found when he was detained Thursday at the Cedar Falls Wal-Mart. CEDAR FALLS Some say they are colorblind when it comes to issues of race. But in the era of Black Lives Matter, Rasheed Ali Cromwell questions if anyone can truly claim they dont notice or arent influenced by the color of another persons skin. The fact that we have to say black lives matter in and of itself means that its an issue, he told the audience at the African-American Children & Families Conference Friday. Cromwell was the keynote speaker during the day-long conference at the University of Northern Iowa. The founder and president of the The Harbor Institute, an educational consulting firm with offices in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, earned a law degree from Texas Southern University. In the past, he was an attorney with the Washington law firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett and Dunner and a law clerk with the U.S. District Court in the Southern District of Texas in Houston. Black Lives Matter is a movement that emerged during recent years in response to the deaths of a number of African-American men across the U.S., often at the hand of police officers. The increased racial tensions seen since that time strain the idea of a colorblind society, in Cromwells view. They dont see color. Thats an interesting concept, he said. By saying I dont see color, youre saying I dont see a part of you and where youre coming from. He believes the colorblind concept is a misunderstanding of the Martin Luther King Jr. quote expressing hope that black people like the civil rights leaders then-young children would someday not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. Its about what you relate to what you see, said Cromwell, rather than not noticing skin color. Everyone has their own prejudices. Whats most important is how people deal with them, he added. After slavery ended in the U.S., racism was institutionalized through segregationist policies that were reinforced by the courts, in some cases until the 1950s and 60s. Cromwell showed some examples of how that bias has been reflected in media and advertising during the past century. Those included a montage of clips from D.W. Griffiths racist 1915 silent movie The Birth of a Nation and various offensive depictions of black people in product advertising through the decades. For Cromwell, that all points back to the need for the movement around Black Lives Matter. Its an issue because for so long American society said they dont, he contended. CEDAR FALLS At a legislative forum two weeks ago, Iowa State Education Association member and teacher Jeff Orvis came armed with questions about the unintended consequences that could result from changes to the states collective bargaining laws. With that bill now law, Orvis was back at Fridays legislative forum in Cedar Falls. He did not speak against the law none of the Democratic lawmakers at the forum supported the bill. But Orvis had more questions, this time about another piece of proposed legislation, Senate File 29, that could impact public schools and educators like himself. If I understand the bill correctly, among other things it wants to eliminate the Iowa Department of Education, if I read this correctly. The summary didnt help a whole lot in this one. Its 40 pages long, Orvis said of the bill that deals with education savings accounts, or vouchers. Orvis then listed another nine things he wanted clarified. He wanted to know whether the schools that might benefit from an education savings account had to make accommodations for people with disabilities, whether they had required tests, what teacher qualifications would be and other things. Your questions that you asked are really pretty much answered, in my view, in the bill already. No, no, no, to all of those questions, said Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo. I dont know when the Republicans got on the crazy train, but they got on it. The meetings public comment period was full of similar questions and responses. As the Legislature approaches its first funnel a self-imposed Friday deadline that winnows the list of eligible bills for discussion to those that have passed one committee the audience was concerned about several bills that could remain alive next week. They and some of the lawmakers listed among their concerns the following bills: House Study Bill 138, which would eliminate licensing requirements for occupations and several other licensing requirements, like the states certificate of need process. Senate Study Bill 1145, which would change the process for project labor agreements. Senate File 254, which would prohibit health care professionals from inquiring about a patients possession of firearms and applying penalties for those who do. House Study Bill 133, which expands gun rights, including a stand-your-ground provision that allows use of deadly force for self-defense anywhere a gun owner can lawfully carry. House File 295, which prevents cities and counties from adopting a separate minimum wage than the state and other restrictions. Rep. Timi Brown- Powers, D-Waterloo, brought up other measures she said deserve attention, such as bills on womens health and voter identification requirements. She also noted proposals she supports to keep track of, like banning texting while driving and a bill by Rep. Ras Smith, D-Waterloo, to change the language on adoption from husband and wife to spouse. Because of the impending first funnel deadline, Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Waterloo, encouraged the audience of about 100 people to be on alert this week. I have not seen a majority party try to squeeze so many bills through in one week than youre going to see next week, Danielson said. If youve got an issue you care about, youre going to have to be on your game next week. He said the modus operandi of the Republican majority this session has been to introduce a bill early in the week and get it through committee within the week without a lot of discussion. Even though the speakers did not bring up the recently passed collective bargaining bill the main focus on a forum two weeks ago lawmakers regularly criticized both the process of passing it and the impact it will have. They earned applause for their criticisms. News / Local by Staff Reporter Bulawayo and surrounding areas are virtually under lock down as security has been tightened to quash any anti-President Robert Mugabe protests planned ahead of his lavish 93rd birthday celebrations scheduled for today in Matobo.Protest movement Tajamuka/Sesjikile spokesperson, Promise Mkwananzi said the unusual security in Bulawayo would not deter them from demonstrating."We will not chicken out. We are determined to show our unhappiness with this senseless birthday tomorrow (today). Our message will be very clear though we are not disclosing too much for now," he is quoted saying.About 100 000 people from all over the country are expected to attend.Civil society groups accused the government and Zanu PF of abusing power and office by forcing schools to close and citizens to donate towards Mugabe's birthday celebrations."Transparency International Zimbabwe (TI-Z), Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, Tajamuka/Sesijikile and Zimbabwe National Students' Union collectively questioned the evident abuse of power and office to secure resources from schools and companies towards the 21st February Movement celebrations," they said in a statement.However, Zanu PF secretary for youth affairs, Kudzi Chipanga scoffed off the criticism saying the youths attached so much importance to the birthday, as much as Christians do to Christmas celebrations."We value our President's birthday in a big way just like many Christians value the birth of Jesus Christ." We, in Zanu PF, value the birth of our President highly such that we cannot afford to see the day just passing, hence, we also want it to be declared a national holiday". 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. Today we are faced less with a crisis of immigration than a crisis for immigrants. The Trump administration continues to aggressively ramp up its war on undocumented immigrants, as it seeks to expand the federal governments ability to use police as man hunters and to build new detention facilities. Refugees have been repeatedly scapegoated as terrorists as the president and his allies seek to block them from finding asylum in the United States. Shortly after the election, a Trump surrogate cited Americas Japanese-American internment camps during World War II as precedent for a national registry of Muslim immigrants. At the end of January, President Trump signed an executive order aiming to build more detention centers for arrested immigrants whose deportation is pending. Also at the close of last month, the president signed an order temporarily closing the borders to those from seven mainly Muslim countries, even as he repeatedly made statements that Muslim refugees fleeing extreme violence are not welcome in the United States. However, he also suggested that the much smaller numbers of Christians from the same regions must be welcomed, given help, and their persecution stopped. This made it very difficult to pretend that America doesnt discriminate on the basis of religion. As a nation, are we willing to repeat the national embarrassment of the Japanese-American internment camps? Between 1942 and 1946, approximately 120,000 people of Japanese descent were incarcerated in concentration camps set up by an executive order signed by President Roosevelt. Men, women, and children were seen as threats to national security solely due to their ancestry. They were forbidden to keep any more than they could carry, and many lost their property and businesses. After being released, the former internees faced attacks on their places of worship, defacing of their graves, and vandalism of their homes. We now seem to be rushing headlong into the same horror, with the same actions being taken. Are we also willing to once again act with the shameful disregard for humanity that led to the St. Louis being turned away from the U.S. shore in 1939? The transatlantic liner carried 937 passengers from Germany, nearly every one a Jew seeking to escape Nazi persecution. American public opinion stood behind immigration restrictions in an era when widespread unemployment led to xenophobia and antisemitism. President Roosevelt bowed to the spirit of the age and took no action as the ship was sent back to Europe. Although some passengers found safety in Great Britain, 532 were trapped in Nazi-controlled Europe, and 254 died during the Holocaust. With a similar national mood prevailing today, we are turning away refugee families fleeing the devastation of Syria. Given my own family history, I find all of this is especially horrifying and heartbreaking. A German village far from Germany My father grew up in Karavukovo, now part of Serbia. The villages name means place of the black wolf in Serbian. It was also known in German as Wolfingen and in Hungarian as Bacsordas. German settlers from Swabia in southwestern Germany had floated down the Danube River in the 1700s to settle the village. They and others like them are known as Donauschwaben (Danube Swabians). In the 1930s, the German villagers still spoke the same dialect they had two centuries earlier. Their contact with Germany was minimal, and teachers were sent down from Austria. A farming community didnt have much need for advanced education, in any case. My grandmother only attended elementary school. Older folkways persisted in the Catholic village. Our family had a tradition of women with second sight, and there were incidents of suicide by hanging in the village. Those who know historical heathenry will see something familiar here. Given my fathers later stance against nationalism of any kind, its interesting that my great-grandfather was one of the village figures calling for Magyarization for accepting that, after being in the village for two hundred years, the community was Hungarian and shouldnt hold on to some notion of eternal German-ness. A tall and imposing one-eyed man, his wandering after the war led him across Europe and the United States to find his final home in Milwaukee. Those who know Norse mythology will also see a parallel here. When the war started, some villagers supported the German war effort. A local group began to force men to volunteer by coercion and shaming, powerful forces in a traditional peasant village. My grandfather would hide out in his fields whenever the gang of thugs went on a recruitment rampage. The third time he did so, his best friend betrayed him and he was forced into the German military. He was appointed watch over the horses they still used warhorses in World War II and was soon captured by the Russians, marched across Europe on foot, and locked up in a prisoner-of-war camp in Siberia. He was not reunited with his family until long after the war was over. After the conflict ended, who cared about German prisoners deep in Russian territory? Years later, the Red Cross negotiated their release. Soon after my grandfather was sent off to the war, the Russians came through the village on their way to battle. My father, still a young child, was forced to drive the familys horse-drawn cart with a heavy machine gun in the back for the Russian soldiers. He escaped from the fighting at the front by riding one of the two horses and fiercely holding on as they careened back to the village. After the Russians left, Marshall Titos Yugoslavian Partisans came to the village. They shot the combat-age men that were left and rounded up the women, children, and elderly. As in so many other places and times, their homes and property was confiscated and they were led off to a camp. Escape from the extermination camp Old women died in their own vomit. People were happy to find maggots to eat. Guards beat inmates with rifle butts. Such was the setting where my father spent his later childhood years. Growing up in this horror show, my father would sneak out of the camp to beg for food from the people who lived nearby. When he was given food by sympathetic people, he would creep back into the compound and bring it back to the prisoners. My father and his younger brother were beaten and tortured when caught. Once, to have some fun, the guards locked my father in an abandoned Red Cross metal van in the hot sun with a bottle of Slivovitz. Desperately thirsty, he drank the plum brandy and nearly died from alcohol poisoning while they laughed outside. Increasingly adept at getting into and out of the camp, my father went with older kids who were helping prisoners escape so he could learn the way across Yugoslavia. Before crossing the Hungarian border, the escapees would give the kids some valuable item they had managed to hide, an item that could be traded for food before the kids returned to the camp. He did this over and over again, often narrowly escaping capture and death. Eventually, he knew well which way to go and how to avoid the guard posts along the path. When he felt the time was right, he led his own family out of the camp, across Yugoslavia, and up to the Hungarian border. After many hours walking with his mother, sister, and two brothers, he told them to wait while he scouted ahead. When he didnt return, they feared he had been captured or killed. He had been completely exhausted and fallen asleep on the ground. He woke up as dawn was breaking and saw two soldiers silhouetted against the sky, standing up and stretching directly in front of him. He had nearly tripped over them in the dark before collapsing. Shaken by the close call, he crawled back to his family and led them over the border. At the first house they found, a friendly woman invited them in and offered them food. They were unaware that she had sent for her husband, a border guard. He arrived and arrested them. The next morning, the guards took them and others who had been captured trying to escape back to the border. They were told to walk back to where they had come from while the border guards pointed their weapons at them. My father told his family members to walk a short way then drop down flat in the tall grass. He instructed them to make no sound, even if the other would-be escapees walked over them. The others, he said, would be too scared for themselves give them away. They lay there until nightfall, then recrossed the border, making a wide circle around the house of the seemingly friendly woman. When they were finally safely across, my father was sent by his mother back down into partisan territory to rescue his grandparents, who had been sent to a work farm. He made the journey one more time. After rescuing his grandparents, my father led the entire family on the long trek across Hungary and all the way to the British zone of Ally-occupied Austria. There they were welcomed by the British soldiers as refugees, and settled into a displaced persons camp. My father was 12 years old. From refugee to philosophy His youngest brother, after surviving this time of terror and finally escaping to safety, was hit by his grandfather for some childish infraction and hit his head on the edge of an iron bed. He died of the injury in the displaced persons camp. We visited his grave fifty years later, but he was afterwards disinterred. In some parts of the old country, your family pays a fee for your grave spot. When they stop paying, your body is removed to make way for newer dead. My father started school with much younger children and worked to catch up to where he should have been. After attending Gymnasium (like an American high school), entered the Society of the Divine Word monastery near Vienna. After all he had experienced, he wanted to understand how good Christian people could have committed these atrocities against other good Christian people. Why did civic and religious institutions fail to stand up to the oppression? He thought that there might be some saving grace in the religious worldview. Although he never desired to do missionary work, the SVD missionary order was the only one that accepted late vocations: young men who hadnt entered a clergy program during their teenage years by attending preparatory Gymnasiums within the orders. Studying the history of the church from the inside isnt necessarily good for ones faith. Moving on to studying the literary history of the Bibles construction is even worse. By the time my father moved on to philosophy, that was really it for his belief. Although it was forbidden for the seminarians to read Nietzsche, he sneaked his texts out of a special section of the library where books had to be handed over by the librarian. He spent many late nights arguing philosophy (and drinking wine) with a close circle of friends, each of whom studied a particular forbidden thinker and adopted his positions. He and all of his friends eventually left not only the order, but they left the church and religion itself. The order was a missionary one, and most of them went on to became major anthropologists, including Johannes Fabian, author of Time and the Other, the great challenge to the discipline of anthropology itself. After leaving the monastery, my father went to the University of Bonn to study Germanistik (German language and literature), law, and philosophy. Unlike the American system with its outrageously high education costs, the university is tuition-free, so someone with my fathers violently disrupted upbringing was able to study at the very highest level. A dedication to human rights After holding postdoctoral fellowships at Yale University and the University of Texas at Austin, my father joined the philosophy department at Loyola University Chicago. Even when he became a senior professor, he insisted on teaching the freshman introduction to philosophy course that fulfilled a requirement for all students. Most professors avoided teaching classes like this, preferring to teach small graduate seminars on advanced topics. My father always insisted that he wanted to work with the youngest students and help them to confront their own prejudices and assumptions. By the time they were upperclassmen, he always said, they were set in their ways. Adamantly opposed to nationalism, he spoke of becoming a citizen of the United Nations. During the Reagan years, he finally did become an American citizen, in part so that he could speak freely on political issues without fear of deportation. As part of the process, he was asked if he had ever committed adultery. He answered, Isnt that the national pastime? It seems like presidents enjoy practicing it. Christian moral posturing has always been mixed in with our political system. He was also told he would have to swear to take up arms and fight to defend the Constitution of the United States. His objection that he would never pick up arms and that he was far too old to be drafted didnt matter to the administrators and was almost a deal-breaker. When he was finally sworn in, the judge told the group of new citizens they could simply skip that part of the oath. Kudos to the judicial system for respecting individual conscience, at least sometimes. The administrators had strongly pushed all new citizens to abandon their birth names and to take on fabricated American names. In the 1980s, this practice still survived from much earlier waves of immigration, when the surnames of new arrivals were changed to make them sound less foreign. My dads response was that he would take on a real American name by adopting the original Nez Perce name of Chief Joseph and become Hans Hinmatoowyalahtqit Seigfried. In the end, his feminism won out, and he adopted my mothers maiden name to become Hans Haddock Seigfried. Throughout his career, he taught human rights in his courses. As a small child, I learned about the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights as he taught it to his college students. The trauma of his childhood experiences was never far from his mind, and it drove him to passionately teach the subject. He was sometimes a guest speaker at Holocaust Memorial events, and he often shocked audiences with his two main points. First, he insisted that it is actions that matter, not intentions. He pushed back at the idea that German culture was inherently evil and that the Nazis were deviant monsters who set out to destroy the world. To the contrary, he showed that in their own minds they were utopians who believed they were creating a perfect world and just had to get rid of some undesirables first. That was the true horror, he argued. Those who insist they are here to help are fully capable of committing the absolutely worst atrocities. Pretty language often covers terrible actions. Heathens will, of course, recognize the principle he was forwarding: we are our deeds. Second, he argued that memorializing must lead to action. Yes, it is important to understand the causes and uniquely horrific nature of each specific tragedy and to respect the memory of the victims. Yet the study of a specific atrocity in the past must lead to action in the present to fight todays violence, no matter which peoples it is directed against. We must recognize when similar acts are happening right now, whether they are called by the name of ethnic cleansing or any other euphemism. We should not wall off each horror of the past as a museum piece completely divorced from our lives today. We must let the memory drive us to act. Words about the past must lead to deeds in the present. He was especially adamant on the issue of resisting authority. He strongly believed that we will only be able to escape the horrors of totalitarianism when each person acts out of conviction and does not do things simply because they are told to do so. The torture memo Less than four years before he died, my father was horrified by the revelation of the George W. Bush administrations torture memos. My father had always told me that he came to this country because in Europe, you cant take a step without tripping over history. In America, you can write your own. Now, he saw that the country he loved his home for forty years willfully choose to violate human rights and embrace torture. He saw basic rights suspended for the prisoners held in the concentration camp at Guantanamo Bay. He saw the disgusting photographs of American soldiers gleefully grinning as they tortured Muslim prisoners in Iraq. For someone who had survived the extermination camp and experienced repeated torture by laughing guards, for someone who with full understanding of its own faults and dark history had chosen to live in the United States as a place where such horrors could be openly confronted and denounced, this evil turn by postmodern America was more than heartbreaking. I wonder how much witnessing this public replaying of his childhood horrors contributed to the growth of his stomach cancer. I do believe that, if he had survived another decade, witnessing what is happening now would have killed him. He would have viewed everyone in the Trump administration as belligerent know-nothings, as people who embrace their own ignorance and see it as a virtue. The presence of a radical racist and anti-Semite like Bannon behind the throne would have made him absolutely sick. The continuing Trump rallies with their maniacal leader and fanatical crowds would have convinced him that many Americans deeply embrace fascist dictatorship. The headlong charge to destroy American schools, to trash the environment, and to provoke hate crimes would have deeply shaken his faith in any sort of human progress. However, he would have celebrated the journalists who have finally stood up to fight. He would have loved that The Washington Post has changed its official slogan to Democracy Dies in Darkness. He would have celebrated and joined the academics who have stepped down from their ivory towers to speak out against the Muslim ban and other atrocities promoted by the administration. He would have denounced Bannon and Miller and stripped away their rhetoric to show the racist hearts beating beneath. We are always our deeds But hes not here. However, his life shows us the reality of refugees and immigrants. When we welcome those who come to us in need, they celebrate our commitment to human rights. When we practice the ancient virtue of hospitality, we build allies and citizens who will work for positive change and bring out the best in American culture. Refugees seek to escape the violence of their homelands. They leave the lands they love, the places in which they grew up, the cities where their children were born, the homes they built, all to travel great and difficult distances to find safety for themselves and their loved ones. My father sometimes joked that if the war hadnt happened, he would have long ago have been a grandfather with an elementary school education, smoking a clay pipe on a chair by the front door of a thatch-roofed house, watching the carts drive to and from the fields. Life often takes us far away from where we expect to be, but for refugees from war and destruction, the choice is made for them under terrifying circumstances. Immigrants come to America because they believe there is a better life here. They believe the American myths of making ones own way, of liberty and justice for all. Of course, the United States has never lived up to its own ideals. The nations treatment of Native Americans, African-Americans, Japanese-Americans, Jews, women, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and many other demographics has produced a long history of shame. Yet the dream is alive. Or is it? How long can the Trump-Bannon project continue before we have surpassed the past atrocities of the United States? How long before we commit acts that future presidents will have to formally apologize for while paying restitution to the victims? Im pretty sure were already there, and its only been five weeks. For my entire life, Ive heard loudmouth Americans talk about what they would have done if they had been citizens in Nazi Germany, how they would have fought the Nazis, how they would never have let themselves be taken to the camps. Of course, this is nonsense. We now see firsthand how citizens act under a racist and xenophobic government consolidating power and eliminating racial and religious minorities that they resolutely scapegoat. How many of the former loudmouths who grew up watching Nazi documentaries on the History Channel are taking action? How many of those obsessed with Nazi Germany as the Great Evil are cheering for Trump? What will you tell your grandchildren you did when action was needed? Will you take action, or will you be interviewed in twenty years by some historian trying to understand why the average person let it all happen? Nows the time. We are our deeds. I would like to thank my mother, the philosopher Charlene Haddock Seigfried, for helping me with the facts of my fathers story for this article. * * * The views and opinions expressed by our diverse panel of columnists and guest writers represent the many diverging perspectives held within the global Pagan, Heathen and polytheist communities, but do not necessarily reflect the views of The Wild Hunt Inc. or its management. News / Local by Staff Reporter Zimbabweans have been called upon not to use condoms or any birth control method as that negatively affects population growth, several Senators have said.The Senators joined Registrar-General Tobaiwa Mudede who is advocating for a ban on contraceptives.At least 110 million condoms were distributed in 2016 alone a figure which ministry of Health officials say shows that Zimbabweans are now playing it safe.This follows 2015 figures which indicated that 115 million condoms were distributed with 110 male and five million female condoms.However, Zanu PF'S Mashonaland West Senator, Mike Byton Musaka sparked a debate in the Senate this week when he moved the population motion."We have only about 14 million people and even that 14 million may actually be a political figure, we could be less than that. The country is vast with many resources but empty."We have no people. We should be serious about development. The issue here is a very serious one. Let us take development alone which investor would come to Zimbabwe to invest seriously for 14 million people?" he said as quoted by the state controlled Chronicle.Manicaland Senator Monica Mutsvangwa said she lived in China for five years when her husband Mr Chris Mutsvangwa was the ambassador there and they found it very difficult to attract big Chinese corporations to invest in Zimbabwe because of its population."They have taken advantage of their population. In our efforts as diplomats in China to try and bring a lot of companies to Zimbabwe, the first question they would ask is what the population of Zimbabwe is."The moment you tell them we are about 14 million; they will all look around and say ah, I do not know how I can continue. What we have done as a country in China, we came together as a Sadc group, so that when we spoke to these companies, we gave them a population of 250 million which is the population of Sadc and that is when they got interested. I am talking about the big businesses," said Senator Mutsvangwa.MDC-T Midlands Senator Morgen Komichi described the motion as very good and said the decision to have fewer children was due to colonialism."If you go to Britain, Germany or any other country, there are a lot of families that give birth to many children because they know that you cannot separate the population and economic development. If you look at countries like Britain, they have a population of nearly 70 million and yet it is a small country."They did that because of economic development and also to have a good army for defence," he said. Ibram X. Kindi in The New York Times: Many Americans might not know the more polemical side of race writing in our history. The canon of African-American literature is well established. Zora Neale Hurston, Richard Wright, James Baldwin are familiar figures. Far less so is Samuel Morton (champion of the obsolete theory of polygenesis) or Thomas Dixon (author of novels romanticizing Klan violence). It is tempting to think that the influence of those dusty polemics ebbed as the dust accumulated. But their legacy persists, freshly shaping much of our racial discourse. On the occasion of Black History Month, Ive selected the most influential books on race and the black experience published in the United States for each decade of the nations existence a history of race through ideas, arranged chronologically on the shelf. (In many cases, Ive added a complementary work, noted with an asterisk.) Each of these books was either published first in the United States or widely read by Americans. They inspired and sometimes ended the fiercest debates of their times: debates over slavery, segregation, mass incarceration. They offered racist explanations for inequities, and antiracist correctives. Some the poems of Phillis Wheatley, the memoir of Frederick Douglass stand literatures test of time. Others have been roundly debunked by science, by data, by human experience. No list can ever be comprehensive, and most influential by no means signifies best. But I would argue that together, these works tell the history of anti-black racism in the United States as painfully, as eloquently, as disturbingly as words can. In many ways, they also tell its present. 1771-1780 Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, by Phillis Wheatley (1773) No book during the Revolutionary era stirred more debates over slavery than this first-ever book by an African-American woman. Assimilationists and abolitionists exhibited Wheatley and her poetry as proof that an uncultivated barbarian from Africa could be civilized, that enslaved Africans may be refind, and join th angelic train of European civilization and human freedom. Enslavers disagreed, and lashed out at Wheatleys Poems. More here. (Note: At least one post throughout February will be in honor of Black History Month) Rumana Ahmed in The Atlantic: In 2011, I was hired, straight out of college, to work at the White House and eventually the National Security Council. My job there was to promote and protect the best of what my country stands for. I am a hijab-wearing Muslim womanI was the only hijabi in the West Wingand the Obama administration always made me feel welcome and included. Like most of my fellow American Muslims, I spent much of 2016 watching with consternation as Donald Trump vilified our community. Despite thisor because of itI thought I should try to stay on the NSC staff during the Trump Administration, in order to give the new president and his aides a more nuanced view of Islam, and of America's Muslim citizens. I lasted eight days. When Trump issued a ban on travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries and all Syrian refugees, I knew I could no longer stay and work for an administration that saw me and people like me not as fellow citizens, but as a threat. The evening before I left, bidding farewell to some of my colleagues, many of whom have also since left, I notified Trumps senior NSC communications adviser, Michael Anton, of my departure, since we shared an office. His initial surprise, asking whether I was leaving government entirely, was followed by silencealmost in caution, not asking why. I told him anyway. More here. Given our current political climate, I guess I shouldnt be surprised by how different people react to that clip in different ways. Some viewers have told us that they see the ad as an endorsement of President Trump. Others suggest that were criticizing him. In fact, were doing neither. Were simply reminding you and members of Congress what our president said. Heres what you should know about AARP: We are a nonpartisan organization. Our 38 million members come from across the political spectrum and hold a wide range of views. As an association that represents all those people equally, we never endorse candidates or political appointees. We dont have a political action committee, and we dont contribute to candidates or campaigns. We have a long history of working with elected officials on both sides of the aisle. What we do is take positions on issues that are important to our members, and safeguarding the health of older Americans has been one of our biggest issues since we were founded almost 60 years ago. Protecting Medicare is a cornerstone of that goal. We commend those who stand with us on this, and we criticize those who dont. President Trump consistently said throughout the campaign that he is committed to protecting Medicare. Thats why our criticisms are aimed squarely at Congress, where certain leaders have been quietly working on a plan to dismantle our current Medicare system and turn it into a voucher program. Despite how they might try to spin it, our research shows that changing Medicare like that would cut benefits and raise costs for current and future beneficiaries. And were not going to let that happen. While many of you have seen our ad, whats less visible and just as vital are the many people working behind the scenes, fighting to protect Medicare. Our leaders and our staff are meeting with members of Congress and the administration to remind them of AARPs clout. Through our state offices, were mobilizing armies of volunteers to collect petitions and make phone calls to galvanize support. Were tweeting. Were posting on Facebook. Were working hard for you in every way we can. This month, I participated in a tele-town hall a real-time phone conversation with thousands of AARP members and volunteers around the country. The level of energy and passion that I heard encouraged me. The efforts of state offices are clearly paying off: Since we began our campaign to protect Medicare just about a month ago, weve delivered almost 270,000 signatures to Congress (in the form of letters and petitions) and about 220,000 to President Trump. If you think thats impressive, consider this: Our reach on social media is far greater. In fact, we recently used a new social media tool called Thunderclap to help our online followers engage with us on the issue of Medicare. (Thunderclap is a tool that allows people to sign up ahead of time to participate in a mass social media action, such as a simultaneous, prescheduled Tweet). Thanks to our Thunderclap campaign, our message to Congress was delivered on more than 6 million Facebook and Twitter accounts. But theres nothing like face-to-face meetings to drive the message home. And thanks to the efforts of AARP staff, members and volunteers across each of our states, our elected leaders have been made fully aware of just how serious we are about these important issues, and of the powerful megaphone that our 38 million-member-strong organization wields. We will not stop until our message is heard. What county auditors want voters to know ahead of the midterm election Forty-one South Dakota county auditors spoke with the Argus Leader about the sanctity of elections in the state. News / Local by Mary Charamba Zimbabwe's veteran ruler, 93 year old President Robert Mugabe has hinted on his Zanu PF party holding an extra-ordinary congress to pick his replacement.Mugabe who has on several occasions ruled out retiring said he cannot pick either of his two deputies Phelekezela Mphoko and Emmerson Mnangagwa to take over him as that would be tantamount to imposition."We can have an extraordinary congress if the President retires but you are saying l should stay, so we will be together' said Mugabe during his birthday address in Matopo on Saturday."Some in Zanu PF are saying Mugabe must go and l am also asking where should l go."Let the people judge if you are fit for this or that post. No imposition of candidates, we don't want it at all"Others are saying now that you're retiring appoint your successor, but that's imposition, you want me to impose someone?."If Zanu-PF says I should go I'll sit down. For your own information I never canvassed for any position, I rose up to my position".He said party members must follow the dictates of the ZanuPF Constitution if they desire to get appointed to any position.Mugabe says those establishing factions to support their agenda to get into power will never succeed in ZanuPF. News / National by Staff reporter IN Mbembesi there's a man who loves beer more than his wife.Deputy Bulala is of the view that his wife takes second place after alcohol as he gave her away to a "fluid" Andrew Mali who had money to buy him drinks.Mali (money in English) soon grabbed the offer.It's reported Mali became too generous as he bought his newly acquired "lover" and Bulala, supposedly a "sbare" (brother-in-law), a lot of opaque beer.It is said they went on a drinking spree from around 4pm up to 7pm when it was time for an upgrade.They left for Mbembesi police canteen and when the canteen closed, the big spender decided to take his crew to Bulawayo.It is said when they were about to reach the bus stop, Mali began caresing his given lover's buttocks. That did not go down well with Bulala.It seems Bulala wanted to live up to his surname which means "murder" and he stabbed Mali with a broken beer bottle in the face.As if that was not enough he stabbed him all over the body. As a result of the savage attack, Mali bled profusely and passed out.Bulala and his wife left him and went back to their homestead.Police details on patrol stumbled on Mali's lifeless body. They rushed him to United Bulawayo Hospitals (UBH) where he regained consciousness.A cashier informed the police investigators that Bulala was last seen with Mali and that led to Bulala's arrest.To further nail Bulala, Mali told the police about his drinking spree with Bulala and the woman.Bulala appeared before magistrate on circuit Sheunesu Matova. Bulala pleaded not guilty to attempted murder.Matova remanded him in custody to 27 February.He advised him to apply for bail at the High Court. February 25, 2017 Wisconsin Residents Are "Protected" From Delicious Kerrygold Butter Cognitive linguist and metaphor theorist George Lakoff, who is pretty far left, advises reframing regulations as "protections." Lakoff writes: President Trump has said that he intends to get rid of 75% of government regulations. What is a "regulation"? The term "regulation" is framed from the viewpoint of corporations and other businesses. From their viewpoint, "regulations" are limitations on their freedom to do whatever they want no matter who it harms. But from the public's viewpoint, a regulation is a protection against harm done by unscrupulous corporations seeking to maximize profit at the cost of harm to the public. Imagine our minority President saying out loud that he intends to get rid of 75% of public protections. Imagine the press reporting that. Imagine the NY Times, or even the USA Today headline: Trump to Eliminate 75% of Public Protections. Imagine the media listing, day after day, the protections to be eliminated and the harms to be faced by the public. Lakoff: Key Takeaways: Take the Public's viewpoint instead of the corporate viewpoint. Shift the frame: always say "protections" instead of "regulations." "Protections" is a more simple and accurate description. Remember that "regulations" represent the corporate viewpoint. It is not a neutral term, and it does not represent the public viewpoint. Of course, the people being "protected" in Wisconsin are those in the dairy business in the state -- those whose cows make butter that a number of people aren't as interested in buying. By the way, we eat only Kerrygold butter, which Gregg buys at Trader Joe's. It's from grassfed cows, and it's delicious. Sorry, Wisconsinites! None for you! Not without a big-ass trip! From Fox News, Wisconsinites are trekking across state lines to get the butter that is now illegal to sell within their state: According to a Wisconsin law enacted in the 1970s, the state only allows Grade A milk products to be distributed within its borders, reports Milwaukee Magazine. But Kerrygold, the number-one imported butter brand in the U.S., isn't issued a letter grade like American-made dairy products. Wisconsin has since banned the sale of the gold-and-silver foiled butter but Kerrygold is legal in all other states. "Under Wisconsin legislation, retail butter for sale in Wisconsin must bear either a Wisconsin or federal grade mark," explained Kerrygold's parent company, Ornua North America, in a statement issued to the Irish Farmers Journal. "This effectively excludes Kerrygold butter being sold in Wisconsin because Kerrygold butter is graded, produced and packaged in Ireland." Lisa Miller, the marketing director at Ornua, adds that while Kerrygold's inspection process is a "little bit different from the process here, the standards are universally very high." Still, Wisconsin dairy distributors who violate the law could face fines of $1000 or more-- and up to six months in jail. Yes, grass-fed butter is now a "controlled substance" (of sorts) in Wisconsin. Maybe a little less "protection" and a little more buttery deliciousness would be a good idea? * China overtook the United States and France as Germany's most important trading partner in 2016, data from the Germany's Federal Statistics Office showed on Friday. Trading volumes between Germany and China amounted to 170 billion euros ($180 billion) last year, according to the German statistics agency. Xue Rongjiu, deputy director of the Beijing-based China Society for WTO Studies, said he expected the Sino-German bilateral trade relationship to be further strengthened in the future, should the US administration pursue trade protectionism that might shake the confidence of a majority of Chinese exporters. "The Trump administration has been pressing both China and Germany to appreciate their currency exchange rates to maintain the competitiveness for its manufacturing sectors," Xue said. "As it raised its currency value over the past several months, both China and Germany therefore are expected to forge closer business and political ties to tackle the challenge from the US under the current global business setting," Xue added. Prior to this, China had become Germany's largest trading partner in Asia, and Germany has also ranked as China's largest trading partner among the European Union members for years. China's trade volumes with Germany exceeded 999.1 billion yuan ($144 billion) in 2016, up 2.6 percent from a year earlier, according to statistics released by China's General Administration of Customs. Germany mainly exports mechanical and electrical products, transport equipment, and chemical products to China. It imports machinery, textiles, furniture and toys from China. In terms of two-way investments, the accelerated growth has become an "important pillar" of economic and trade relations between the two countries, said Sun Jiwen, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, at a news conference earlier this month. At the end of 2016, China gave green light to 9,394 German projects to invest in the country, with a total worth of $28.18 billion, according to the ministry. News / National by Staff reporter Villagers in Gwanda received a donation of 15 kgs rotten meat stashed in a pet food bag.Martin Simmons, a safari farmer from West Nicholson had pledged to donate game meat for the community to feast on at the official opening of a classroom block at Mabheka Secondary school last Wednesday.His Jonsyl ranch is situated about 20 kilometers from the school."He promised to give us meat, only to receive a sack of rotten meat from him," said Danile Mabanda a villager.The councillor for the area, Anna Choeni said the issue became a spectacle."I called villagers who live close to the farmer to come and witness this rotten meat," Choeni said.A Mr Chauke who spoke to B-Metro on behalf of Simmons said it was a mistake."Martin went hunting with one member of the community hoping to shoot an animal for the community event, this was done all in the spirit of hunting but unfortunately they didn't get anything from their expedition and decided to get some meat that we had reserved for the guys that were repairing our fence without checking its condition."When I got wind of the information that the meat was rotten and I called Martin and he was very apologetic. We usually make donations to the community for such gatherings and in the event we fail to get game meat we usually give them a goat or sheep but on this occasion we couldn't do that because the animals are in a bad state and we had just dosed them. We regret the turn of events but it wasn't done deliberately," said Chauke. Aiken, SC (29801) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. High 78F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.. Tonight A few clouds. Low 62F. Winds light and variable. News / National by Staff reporter A pensive Robert Mugabe in a cowboy hat has told revellers at his 93rd birthday party that he thanks God for the "long long journey" of his life, News24.com reported.Speaking to thousands of ruling party supporters gathered on a muddy school rugby pitch near the second city of Bulawayo, Mugabe said: "it's a long, long journey to have walked: a journey with its own joys, its own.... displeasures, its own sorrows."Youths from his Zanu-PF party sourced buses, 150 cattle and tens of thousands of US dollars to stage this controversial party in the Matopos district. It was held as Zimbabwe's economic and social crisis worsens. Hundreds of people have lost their homes in recent days due to floods.Partygoers in red scarves were largely silent as Mugabe mused on members of his family who had died, telling his listeners he had "just one sister left".The president's tired, slow words were in contrast to the vigour of his wife Grace, who earlier led party-goers in singing Happy Birthday to her husband."You mean everything to me and the family," the 51-year-old first lady said. She too was wearing a black cowboy hat.There's much speculation that Grace may be angling for Zimbabwe's top spot in the event her increasingly frail husband dies, though she will face tough competition from a faction of Zanu-PF led by Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa.An array of birthday cakes was spread out at the party. One was a particularly eye-catching replica of Zimbabwe's famous balancing rocks.The opposition has been fiercely critical of the party, with former finance minister Tendai Biti on Saturday slamming on Twitter "cultish parasites... gather[ed] in Matobo to pay homage to a geriatric occult deity while the citizen drowns in pain & poverty." February 24, 2017 When he was only 18, Raed Andoni was arrested near his Beit Sahour home, south of Bethlehem. Twenty-eight years later, Andoni was in Germany at the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) being celebrated for producing a documentary about what happened during those days to him and to other Palestinian prisoners. Istiad Ashbah ("Ghost Hunting") is a documentary about attempts by Palestinian prisoners to conquer their ghosts and rebuild their lives. A co-production between Palestine, France, Switzerland and Qatar, Ghost Hunting premiered at the 67th Berlinale in February, where the film won on Feb. 18 the main documentary prize and one of three audience awards. Andoni was arrested in 1985. Since then, many Palestinians have been arrested and repressed, especially after the 1987 Palestinian protests that introduced to the world a new term, intifada. Andoni spent a year in various Israeli jails, but the trauma stayed with him for years. As is customary, the detained Palestinian was blindfolded and after some time in the back of a military jeep, he was dumped at the Mascobia jail in Jerusalem. The dreaded Israeli prison, named after the Russian Orthodox Church that is across the street, has been the place where many Palestinians, including Andoni, were held, tortured and abused. Since the 1967 occupation, some 800,000 Palestinians have been detained by Israel, roughly 20% of the total population and 40% of the total Palestinian male population. Speaking to Al-Monitor, Andoni explained the long gap between his arrest and the production of the documentary. I needed nearly 30 years to be mature enough to be able to produce this film. I needed the self-confidence, the courage, and to have developed enough experience of a cinematic language that allowed me to be involved in this collective production. Andoni started his career in the film industry in 1997 as an independent producer. He co-founded Dar Films in Palestine and Les Films de Zayna in Paris. His first documentary as a director, Improvisation (2005), is an appealing insight into the lives of three Palestinian musicians. For his first feature length film, Fix Me (2009), Andoni filmed 20 sessions of his own therapy in Ramallah. Andoni travels extensively, especially between Palestine and France. It was during the 20th therapy session that Andoni came to the idea of the new film. I first started writing it as a fiction film, but then realized that what was needed was something much more complicated. Andoni decided he needed a more comprehensive psychological approach. I decided to search for a plan that would allow me to go all the way emotionally in my search for closure. In his search, Andoni came up with a plan that combined this emotional search through a new cinematic language. Andoni spoke to Al-Monitor by phone from France about the unique emotional and cinematic plan that he devised. In September 2015, he rented a 600-square-meter (6,500-square-foot) empty yard in the city of Ramallah and published an ad calling on former prisoners who were held in Mascobia prison to join him in the experiment. The only condition was that I was looking for former prisoners who had experience in construction. The idea was that former prisoners who never saw the prisons they were held in because of the blindfolds were going to be tasked with rebuilding a new prison on that empty lot in Ramallah by digging deep in their memory to what they imagined the prison looked like. Before actually beginning the building and filming process, Andoni sought the advice of Dr. Fathi Fleifel, the head of mental health at the Red Crescent Society. I wanted to be sure I wasnt doing something that could cause more harm than help. But Fleifel was very helpful. He gave me advice, nominated one of his staff to be with us and visited us regularly, said Andoni. One of the strongest pieces of advice that Fleifel gave Andoni was that he should not oppose any of his builders' requests to leave the project. He was adamant that if I forced them to stay, they will have permanent damage. Andoni agreed and made that announcement before filming started. Only one former prisoner couldnt handle the emotions and asked to be relieved after two weeks. All other participants stayed on till the end. As the former prisoners began building what they could remember as the physical structure of their prison, cameraman Camille Cottagnoud began filming interviews with the participants. By the time the prison building was completed, many of the former prisoners brought their families to the site and relived with them what had happened to them when they were held and tortured. It was such a moving time full of energy and happiness despite the fact that the stories were very emotional. The angry emotion was replaced with emotional relief, Andoni said. Andoni conducted the interviews and was also the subject of the interviews in some clips. Palestinian actor Ramzi Maqdisi was tasked with re-enacting some of the stories that the prisoner/builders remembered. In post-production, Denmark animator Luc Perez was hired to create some animation inserts to help tell the stories of the prisoners. But the biggest problem facing the Palestinian filmmaker was in the editing process. I worked with Arabic-speaking Lebanese editor Gladys Joujou to review and edit more than 120 hours of filmed interviews and re-enactments, he told Al-Monitor. After finalizing the film and before showing it internationally, Andoni brought the film to Ramallah to share it with those who helped make it possible. We expected about a hundred people to attend, but were surprised that more than 400 people came and they stayed for hours talking after the film and reflecting on their experiences as they conquered their own ghosts. In addition to participation in major festivals, Andoni said he would like to have Istiad Ashbah tour throughout Palestinian towns and villages, allowing the hundreds of thousands of Palestinian prisoners to use this cinematic experiment to search and hopefully conquer their own ghosts. February 24, 2017 For hundreds of years, since the 1639 Qasr-e Shirin Treaty, Turkey and Iran have maintained a pretty peaceful coexistence, not letting occasional political spats and regional rivalry affect their economic relations. Both sides have become masters of not crossing critical thresholds in their relations. But political tensions arising from the Syrian civil war have eroded that mastery, and economic relations are now threatened. Sometimes, Turkey just can't seem to help itself. Other times, its diplomatic lapses seem intentional. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu both managed to insult Iran recently in high-profile venues, resulting in high-profile economic damage. In a statement last week in Bahrain, Erdogan accused Iran of trying to split Iraq and Syria by resorting to Persian nationalism, which he said had to be prevented. Cavusoglu, speaking Feb. 19 at the Munich conference, said, Iran is trying to create two Shiite states in Syria and Iraq. This is very dangerous. It must be stopped. Not surprisingly, Tehran was angry. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi replied strongly, saying those who support terror organizations, who cause bloodshed, who lead the way to tensions and instability in the region cannot escape from their responsibility by accusing others. We are acting patiently, but there is a limit to that. If our Turkish friends repeat these type of remarks, we will have to respond. The tension cast a shadow over the Turkey-Iran Business Forum scheduled for Feb. 25 in Tehran. Turkey was going to be represented by Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, and Iran by Minister of Industry, Mining and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh. Because of the polemics between the two countries, Zeybekci canceled his trip. The forum was then postponed. It's not known if new dates are being set. This was major. The Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) had arranged for executives from about a hundred Turkish companies to attend. Officials also had planned during the forum to inaugurate the Turkish Trade Center in Tehran. Turkish businessmen had been waiting for such a forum, hoping to find lucrative opportunities in energy, petrochemicals, mining, construction, retailing, logistics and tourism as some sanctions on Iran are being lifted. DEIK issued a statement saying that the meeting could have been instrumental in increasing the volume of trade to the desired level of $30 billion in two years. Turkish companies that had not already prepared to go to Tehran soon after the sanctions started being lifted aren't sure if they can manage their projects in Iran. None of them have pulled out, but they are taking their time to engage, worried that doing business in Iran might not be as easy as before. For example, the Iranian Civil Aviation Department has been delaying the issuance of permits for charter flights to Turkey. This began before the current tension arose, but it contributes to economic uncertainty and caused severe disappointment in Turkeys tourism sector, which hosts an average of 1.5-2 million Iranians every year. Organizers felt the Turkey-Iran Business Forum could have gone a long way toward facilitating trade. It is important to understand the background of the tension between Ankara and Tehran. No doubt, Turkey is trying to find someone to blame for the disaster in Syria and for Ankara losing its influence in Iraq. Turkish officials try to explain their situation by saying they could succeed were it not for Iranian interference. But there are three other important factors. First is Turkeys desperate need for hot money from the Gulf to ease its shortage of market funds. Ankara hopes that by adopting an anti-Iran stance, relations with Shiite-phobic Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries will be smoother and profitable. Second, while looking for markets for its all-important defense industry, Turkey has noted that Gulf countries spend generously on armaments. The political masterminds in Ankara are trying to promote an exaggerated sense of the "Iranian threat" to encourage Gulf countries to buy Turkish weapons. Turkeys pro-Islamic daily, Yeni Safak, a virulently anti-Iran newspaper, has run headlines such as Before missiles hit Mecca and Before Mecca wars begin, before tanks surround Kaaba that reflect the Turkish governments motivation. Ibrahim Karagul, the dailys editor-in-chief, wrote Feb. 16, "Though the United States and Europe largely supply the region's defense needs, and billion-dollar arms agreements are being made with these countries," Turkey's defense industry will see new opportunities, partly because of rising security threats. "It is no longer speculation that the Gulf funds that were directed toward different sectors until now are going to create a new wave in Turkey's relations with the region," he wrote. Joint defense agreements also breed rapport, though "the situation is beyond economy for Saudi Arabia and Gulf countries like Qatar and Bahrain; these countries are under serious threat. He added, There is concern about an Iranian expansion that would target the entire Arab world, which it feels no need to hide, with plans to take over Mecca. The Iranian missiles sent through Yemen to Jeddah and Riyadh have revealed Tehran's intentions." The third factor is a desire to grab a partnership opportunity with the new US administration. Gulf countries are delighted that President Donald Trump has again made Iran a target. This is the concept Erdogan has his eyes on. In 2013 in the midst of a personal crisis, Tena King had an idea. As her mother was recovering from a liver transplant, King learned about the health benefits of olive oil while at a store in North Georgia. She had the idea to open her own store in Gadsden. More than three years later, King's Olive Oil does a steady business both from its storefront and online. That's a far cry from the weird looks friends gave her when she first pitched the idea for the store. Just last year, King's Olive Oil won the Small Business of the Year award in its size category from the Business Council of Alabama and the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama. Her business partner and husband Thomas Morgan explained. "You don't see a store like this in a town the size of Gadsden that isn't some kind of resort or tourist town," he said. "That's due to the support of our customers and the work Tena puts in educating people." At the front of their business on Broad Street in downtown Gadsden is an assortment of 50 to 60 flavors in olive oils and vinegars, a selection of wines, as well as other food and health products. The inventory is a mix of the local and flavors from Italy, Spain, Greece, Tunisia, Chile, and Australia, among others. Customers can sample the products and get free recipes. In the back is a charming bar area where one can sip a glass of wine and enjoy some cheese, or just a cup of coffee. Some nights, there's a local musician performing light jazz or acoustic music. The bar area also hosts bridal showers, business meetings and private events. Prior to opening the business, King had a background in education while Morgan came from wholesale building supplies and construction. To get started, King and Morgan took a three-day course in California on olive oil, and opened the business in October 2013 during one of Gadsden's First Fridays. Oh, and they got married shortly after. The act was in keeping with who they are, the couple said: Forward moving. In that spirit, they didn't wait for business to come to them. "Our business model is different," King said. "We focus on educating people. I spoke to about 38 different groups last year - church groups, women's groups, book clubs. We go out and seek people and bring them in." One of those customers is Felicia Williams of Wellington, who began using olive oil and balsamic vinegar while undergoing chemotherapy last year. She still uses them for the health benefits, she said. They also work with local caterers and restaurants, and extol the benefits of pure extra-virgin olive oils and vinegars. Now their Internet sales are some days better than their storefront business. The 5 millionth engine rolled off the assembly line Friday at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama in Huntsville. That's enough engines to stretch from Huntsville to Los Angeles, and to supply just about every registered vehicle in Alabama. "It's absolutely amazing to me to see us achieve 5 million engines in really less than 16 years," said David Fernandes, who replaced former TMMAL President Jim Bolte in January. "For me personally, here in Alabama, to see these team members and their dedication to this achievement is unbelievable." The Huntsville operation is the only Toyota plant in the world to house V6, V8 and 4-cylinder lines under one roof. The 5 millionth engine, a V6, was the result of a $230 million investment in 2014. The plant, which averages about 3,000 engines each day, produced 702,014 engines last year, a record number for the facility. It was an 11 percent increase over 2015, when the plant pumped out more than 631,000 engines. Looking forward, Fernandes said the operation must prepare itself for changes in the industry, such as electric and fuel cell vehicles. "That means in the future our product may drastically change also," he said. "The engine is the heart of the vehicle. With those changes, we have to get our Alabama team here ready to take on those challenges." Toyota Alabama makes engines for six vehicles, including the Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia. The engines are shipped from Huntsville to three assembly operations in Indiana, Kentucky and Texas. Toyota has invested $864 million in its Huntsville facility, which has expanded four times and increased employment from 300 to nearly 1,500. The Japanese manufacturer plans to invest an additional $10 billion in its U.S. operations over the next five years. Ann Pettus, a Toyota team member for 11 years, travels 68 miles from Tennessee to the Huntsville plant each day. Seeing the 5 millionth engine come off the line was a career milestone for her. "This is a big thing for us," she said. "I'm proud that I'm part of it." Toyota celebrated the milestone by donating $50,000 to the Huntsville Library Foundation for the North Huntsville Library project. Mt. Joy.JPG Mt. Joy Baptist Church in Trussville celebrates its 160th anniversary on Feb. 26, 2017. (Photo by Greg Garrison/AL.com) The Rev. Larry Hollman, pastor of Mt. Joy Baptist Church, stands in the pulpit on the 160th anniversary of the church, Feb. 26, 2017. Mt. Joy Baptist Church in Trussville, the only church in Jefferson County founded by slaves and still active, has been worshiping since 1857. That history remains important to the 200-member congregation, said the Rev. Larry Hollman, pastor since 1992. "We call ourselves a contemporary church with a very old tradition," Hollman said. "Our ministries are growing." The church sits on 2.5 acres it has owned since the Civil War and has average weekly attendance of about 120. It's in the midst of a booming area. Trussville's Pinnacle mall is nearby. Historian Wilson Fallin Jr. has documented the history of Mt. Joy Baptist Church in his books published by the University of Alabama Press. He's shown here Feb. 21, 2017, in front of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham. Mt. Joy was founded in 1857 when slaves who attended First Baptist Church of Trussville were allowed to start their own church. Before that, the slaves sat in the back of the white church and had no voice in the services. They received permission to worship in a log cabin on the Sam Latham Plantation in Trussville, and it was initially called Latham's Baptist Church, according to the Rev. Wilson Fallin, author of ''Uplifting the People: Three Centuries of Black Baptists in Alabama," published by the University of Alabama Press. Worship during slavery Interracial services at pre-Civil War churches usually had barriers or seating arrangements based on race. In Ruhama Baptist Church, slaves worshiped behind a rail; at Canaan Baptist Church in Bessemer, slaves sat in the balcony; and Mt. Hebron Baptist Church in Leeds built an annex for slaves to worship in. Blacks seldom were allowed to start churches during slavery because of the fear of slave revolts. Their worship services were usually supervised by whites who made sure that the sermon topics were not controversial. ''It' s very unusual that slave owners gave slaves a building to worship in,'' Fallin said. In some cases, slaves' tendency toward a more vocal worship style was viewed as disruptive by white members, Fallin said. The white pastor of First Baptist preached for the black congregation until after the Civil War. ''After slavery, they were able to have their own minister,'' Hollman said. Hard times Mt. Joy has battled through hard times to stay alive since its plantation beginnings. Fires destroyed the church's historical records in 1914 and the church building in 1942. By the 1970s, membership was dwindling steadily. Hollman knew he had much work to do when he arrived as pastor and there were only 12 members. The building was in disrepair and had an outdoor bathroom. He recommended buying a larger building in Roebuck. But the congregation wanted to stay on the lot donated for the church after the Civil War. ''Under no circumstances would they leave from that plot of land,'' Hollman said. ''They wouldn't even move to another part of Trussville. They want to be right there. That's non-negotiable.'' In 2008, the congregation built a $1.1 million, 400-seat sanctuary. Mt. Joy's advantages include its history and its convenient location at 4200 Valley Road, along the east side of Interstate 59 near Trussville's busy exit 141. In 1998, Mt. Canaan Baptist Church in Trussville, which had split from Mt. Joy 84 years before and was down to 15 members, voted to merge with Mt. Joy. The merged congregation met at Mt. Canaan's building for eight months while the dilapidated Mt. Joy building was torn down and a new one built. In 2000, New Bethel Baptist, also made up of about 25 former Mt. Joy members, merged into Mt. Joy. Mother church On Sunday, Feb. 26, Mt. Joy Baptist Church celebrates its 160th anniversary. The Rev. Buddy Champion, pastor of First Baptist Church of Trussville, spoke at the 9 a.m. service. Hollman preached at the 10:30 a.m. service. Hollman said the two churches have been working together for several years, with joint worship and service projects spearheaded by Sunday school classes at both congregations. They have worked together to serve the needy. "During Christmas and Thanksgiving, we give families food and supplies," Hollman said. "That's been a great success." Mt. Joy expects many guests from First Baptist on Sunday. "We're very excited at having them come," Hollman said. The Rev. Larry Hollman leads the 2007 celebration of the 150th anniversary of Mt. Joy Baptist Church. It's a renewal of a relationship that started 160 years ago. "Our mother church is First Baptist Church of Trussville," Hollman said. "The slaves went to First Baptist Church of Trussville. In 1857, they said it was no longer convenient for the slaves to worship with their masters. They gave them a building and the white minister would come and preach to them after he preached to the white congregation." The mother church and the daughter church need to have an ongoing relationship, working together for racial harmony and to serve the community, he said. "She wasn't whole without us and we're not whole without her," Hollman said. A makeshift memorial for a young Birmingham boy killed when an SUV plowed into a dentist office Thursday morning grew by three more balloons Friday afternoon when his mother made her first trip to the place where her son died. Flanked by family members, a grieving Gelinda Lee looked fondly on the teddy bears, stuffed animals, cards and balloons left in memory of 6-year-old Camlyn Lee outside of Vital Smiles in Midfield. She said Camlyn would have been pleased by the memorial for him. "He would be delighted,'' Lee said. It was just a little over three months ago that Camlyn's classmate at Central Park Elementary was killed on Bessemer Road on her way to school with a group of other children. Patricia Ann Moore, 6, was crossing the busy roadway when she was struck, and pronounced dead on the scene. "We were just talking about that little girl and how they had left balloons for her,'' Lee said, recalling a conversation she had with Camlyn after Patricia's death. "He was very sad and liked that people left balloons for her. That was his schoolmate and he liked that everyone supported her." In other developments Friday, Midfield police said the driver of the SUV that struck Camlyn remains jailed on a 48-hour hold pending the ongoing investigation. Detectives, said Sgt. Jesse Bell, have ruled out rumors that the driver was arguing with her passenger at another nearby business shortly before the crash. "Those rumors are just that,'' he said. Now, Bell said, they are still trying to determine whether it was a mechanical malfunction or human error that caused the Mercedes SUV to drive through the plate glass windows. Thought the SUV had Georgia plates, Bell said the driver - a woman in her early 30s - lives in the Birmingham area. It's too soon, he said, to determine whether any charges will be filed in connection with the deadly crash. "We're still trying to piece everything back together,'' Bell said. He said they have not yet confirmed the ages and conditions of the other six victims taken to the hospital, but all are expected to be OK. Lee said her mother, Camlyn's grandmother who had taken the boy and his older brother to Vital Smiles on Thursday, is wearing a neck brace but is about to be released from the hospital. "We'd like to thank everyone for all your many prayers,'' Lee said. Camlyn's uncle, Mike Eubanks, agreed. "We thank God and we want to thank everybody for their love and support,'' he said. The crash happened about 9:30 a.m. at the dental facility on B.Y. Williams Road. Camlyn was in the front lobby about to go back for a dental cleaning when the SUV barreled into the building. He was pronounced dead on the scene at 9:36 a.m., according to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. Authorities said the motorist, who had two other passengers in her SUV, including a 10-year-old boy, said she was trying to put the car in park when all of the sudden it accelerated. The parking spaces are only feet from the plate glass windows, and Midfield Mayor Gary Richardson said Friday the city will now require Vital Smiles to put up concrete barriers before it can re-open. The only time city officials can mandate such a change to building codes is during construction or renovations, he said, and since the dental office is now having to go under renovation, they will require the barriers. "That is to prevent cars from running into the building,'' Richards said. "Our building inspector is going to make sure that is enforced." Repeated efforts to get a statement from Vital Smiles have been unsuccessful. Also on Friday, Birmingham City Schools released a statement about the tragic incident. Grief counselors were at Central Park Elementary School Friday to assist staff and students. "He was a wonderful child, full of life. Kind to everyone and friendly,'' said Central Park Elementary Principal Andra Walls. "He loved everyone at Central Park and everyone at Central Park loved him." "The family has our deepest sympathy,'' Walls said in a prepared statement. "And our hearts and prayers are with them." A teen was shot and his uncle was charged with attempted murder after an argument between the two relatives escalated into a shooting Friday afternoon, authorities said. Tuscaloosa police said the 18-year-old nephew was shot one time by the uncle at Highlands Apartments located at 3819 21st Street W. at 1:15 p.m. The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment. His condition is unknown, but investigators were initially told the wound was non-life threatening. The uncle, 33-year-old Timothy Tyrone Hunter, has been taken into custody. He was placed in Tuscaloosa County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Investigators believe the shooting stemmed from an ongoing problem between the relatives. Oak Hill School, which is located across the street from the scene, was placed on a lockdown. It has since been lifted, authorities said. News / National by Dr Mpiyesizwe Churchill Guduza Dear Mr Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena,Re: Your Open letter In Defence of Dr Joshua Mqabuko Kanyongolo Nkomo1. Mthwakazi Restoration Greetings.For the first time in a few days of continuous rainfall, we finally have sunlight shining over the horizon and I can indeed hear the birds singing again in my part of the world. In terms of which I am indeed honoured to receive an open letter from you Sir in your defence of the late Dr Joshua Mqabuku Nkomo. Without further ado, let me respond as best l can.2. Divergent ViewsTo begin with, there is no question that although we hold divergent political views, we do indeed come a long way as members of the human race who one way or the other have continuously engaged in the struggle for freedom. We have indeed accorded each other equal respect of human dignity throughout the years within the context of the struggle for freedom.But again, there is no doubt that your interpretation of what the struggle for freedom entails is fundamentally different from the views I hold, yet it is the recognition of this dichotomy that has enabled us to respect each other. This of course is natural; we do not have to agree to respect each other. It is in this regard therefore that I view your open letter as beneficial for us to continuously engage regarding the political discourse that affects our people (I mean Mthwakazi people by the way) locally, regionally and internationally.You have stated in your open letter that you find what you have termed our 'characterisation of' Dr Nkomo 'shocking'. It is difficult from where we stand to see what is shocking about our stance (and not what you refer to as 'insinuation') that had Dr Nkomo put the interests of his people, the people from Mthwakazi first before anybody else, as well as heeded the advice not only from Chief Khayisa Ndiweni but from others within Mthwakazi, we would not have indeed found ourselves in this quagmire of suffering, whichever way one looks at it, politically, economically, socially, culturally and so on.3. What constitutes a Restoration Agenda for Mthwakazi?Unfortunately, history constitutes facts in terms of how a series of events unfolded or transpired; under what circumstances in relation to what, where and why. What we do today in terms of our own actions or otherwise undoubtedly will constitute history tomorrow. We cannot wish away historical facts because they do not suit us. And as such, there is no way here on earth or in any other planet any person can or could argue that if we had fought for and liberated Mthwakazi that we would not have gone through hell inflicted by Zimbabwe and its regime on us. Not in a million years. That would not have happened.It is in that regard that we did not insinuate anything but stated facts as they are. Added to that, we did not write what you have referred to as a 'long article to the MRP'. Rather we wrote an article stating the reasons why we as the MLF had no business in participating in an election of another country called Zimbabwe. Our article had nothing of interest to do with any political formation of Zimbabwe, but against any formation that seeks to identify with Mthwakazi but at the same time stating that it would participate in an election of Zimbabwe.It was in that light that we vehemently denounced the activities of the so-called MRP, in that it purported to be pursuing a restoration agenda of Mthwakazi, but at the same time being a Zimbabwean political party. This by the way is a raging debate about what constitutes Mthwakazi and its restoration agenda. Therefore, it cannot be reduced to anything that it is not, but a contestation of a body of ideas and setting out the direction that the restoration agenda must take to liberate Mthwakazi.We have observed, for example, that the so-called MRP started by claiming that it was campaigning against Shona teachers in Mthwakazi, but today they are bowing down (as they prepare to take part in that country's elections) before the very system that is deploying the same Shona teachers. To us that is hypocrisy, and this is not personal, neither is it anything else, but based on facts as they stand. This, in a nutshell, smacks of double standards; they appear not to know what it is they want. That submission therefore needs to be understood as comprising a series of debating and contestation points against any movement that employs double standards, instead of a of firm and clear position. Hence, we have said why don't they stop confusing people and come out in the open as the Zimbabwe Republic Party, which of course they really are.4. Your defence of Dr Joshua Mqabuko NkomoRegarding Dr Joshua Nkomo; we have stated clearly that he preferred advice from the people who were not part of the fabric of Mthwakazi; the people who did not either share a similar history of a brutal annexation with Mthwakazi; the people who did not share the same cultural history with the people of Mthwakazi; and the people whose political outlook was clear from the outset in defining what kind of state they envisaged from which Zimbabwe derives its meaning.5. The treaty of VersaillesRegarding the formation of states, it is noteworthy that the State of Mthwakazi predated the advent of European colonialism. What the Treaty of Versailles did in 1884 was to carve up Africa and its spoils among the white powers involving Britain, Germany, Belgium, Portuguese and so forth (during the scramble for Africa). These new boundaries were carved up arbitrarily to suit the interests of these European colonial powers and in so doing violated with impunity the existing boundaries of the African states. It does not mean therefore that they are acceptable and that they cannot be challenged with the specific purpose of reverting back to what they were before colonial penetration and conquest. To do so would render the whole struggle for freedom and justice irrelevant. As a matter of fact, it is the failure to address these imposed colonial boundaries that is at the heart of all conflict in Africa.I am aware that any challenge to colonial boundaries now usually means either extending these boundaries by encroaching on neighbouring countries or bifurcating the existing unitary state into more than one new state. The pursuit of some form of a political structure that changes the form and structure of an existing unitary state is fraught with difficulties. In most instances, the groups that challenge the ruling regime usually arrive at such a juncture after genocide had been committed and demonstrable ethnic cleansing policies pursued by the ruling regimes, are seen and perceived to be inimical to the survival life chances of marginalised groups and nationalities such as Mthwakazi, in areas such as language preservation, education, access to employment and contracts, distribution of land, and the like.I am also aware that the pressure to re-arrange the unitary state invariably has been met with strong arm tactics from the former European colonial powers, regional and the international community with vested interests. It is also met with plain rigid political thuggery from within the ruling regime of the country concerned that normally characterises long-serving dictatorships, aided by a compliant army and political party that is dependent on political patronage. However, for the people of Mthwakazi, the post European colonial years have been anything but daily contact with various forms of genocide, ethnic cleansing and various forms of internal colonialism.What Dr Nkomo therefore failed to recognise Mr Mabhena, something which you have also failed to recognise as well, but which Chief Khayisa recognised was that:- A nation comprises a strong widespread feeling of identity and solidarity within a political community which equally embodies a sense of wellbeing,- Nationalism is characterised by widespread positive and negative perception of other political communities, and- Several states in Africa lack obamacare Former President Barack Obama signs the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act in the East Room of the White House on March 23, 2010. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press) Members of Congress may lack the courage to vote to repeal Obamacare, U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks said Friday. If that's the case, it would be a significant blow to President Trump and Republicans who campaigned on the promise of repealing and replacing Obamacare. Brooks said protests taking place across the country have made some members of Congress less eager to take down the landmark universal healthcare system established by former President Barack Obama. Though he mentioned no members of Congress by name, Brooks harshly criticized though backing away from repealing Obamacare. "In my opinion, the massive obstructionist nature of the protests, particularly the disruption of town hall meetings, is having an effect on a good number of our more liberal, big government, weak-kneed, squishy-spined Republican senators and House members," Brooks said. "In the absence of a counter force, the protests will likely be successful in preventing an outright repeal of Obamacare." Brooks said that in his mind, a repeal of Obamacare would strip away 100 percent of the healthcare law. Some members of Congress, he said, consider amending parts of Obamacare as a repeal. "If we had had the votes to repeal Obamacare, we probably would have done it the first week we were sworn in way back around Jan. 4," Brooks said. "And that's almost two months ago. The very fact that we did not vote to repeal Obamacare back then is a very strong indicator that there are not 218 Republicans in the House, certainly not 51 votes in the Senate, to repeal Obamacare. "There are enough liberal, big government Republicans to block our repeal efforts." The repeal dilemma, Brooks said, lands at the feet of President Trump. "There is still a small chance that the House and the Senate will repeal Obamacare," Brooks said. "But for that to happen, Donald Trump has to take a very strong lead and twist enough arms and give enough spines and steel they need to get us to 218 votes we need in the House of Representatives and the 51 votes we need in the Senate to pass the Obamacare repeal. "Donald Trump is the key. I don't know what he will do. He's never held public office before and you never know what a candidate will do if they have no voting track record. So we'll have to wait and see. Hopefully, he will keep his campaign promises. He's been pretty good at that so far and I hope he will insist on a complete repeal of Obamacare." Drinkard Thumb 3.jpg Gary Drinkard on Feb. 23, 2017 (Ian Hoppe/ihoppe@al.com) Writing "silly little poems" and living life through his pen pals saved Gary Drinkard's sanity while he was on death row. Drinkard spent five years on Alabama's death row for the 1993 robbery and capital murder of a Decatur junkyard dealer. He was released from prison in 2001 after being acquitted at retrial. "I had to live in a fantasy land through a pen pal," the now-61-year-old told the audience during a speech at the University of North Alabama Friday evening. His pen pals lived in the Netherlands, England and Australia. "I would be living their lives with them through pictures and words." Many of Alabama's death row inmates, Drinkard said, suffer from mental illness and some die by suicide. But, he found a way to let go of the emotions and mental anguish as he sat in a small cell at Holman Correctional Facility for a crime he has maintained he did not commit. "When I'd write those silly little poems, the anger and depression would go away," Drinkard said. You can read his poems, including his favorite, "Execution Day," here. That anger and depression, he said, was heavily fueled by losing his marriage and missing out on five years of his children's lives. When he was sentenced to death, Drinkard told his wife to find someone else who could help her care for their children who then were 6, 9 and 16. The crime In August 1993, the body of 65-year-old Dalton Pace was found at his Decatur home, where he ran an automotive junkyard. About $2,000 was taken during the robbery and murder. Drinkard was convicted in 1995 of the murder and robbery, based primarily on testimony by his half-sister and her common-law husband, who were facing unrelated charges. In exchange for their testimony, the charges were dropped against the half-sister and her husband. Drinkard had been unable to afford an attorney. The ones appointed to him had little experience, particularly with capital cases, he said. Once on death row, Drinkard said, he began "writing to everybody he could get an address for and begging for help." That help finally came when a defense team from the Southern Center for Human Rights began handling his appeal. In 2001, Drinkard was granted a new trial. He was acquitted at retrial when the defense team presented evidence that Drinkard was home at the time of the killing and that a back injury he sustained would have prevented him from physically struggling with the victim. Life before and after death row Just before Drinkard's arrest, he signed up at Calhoun Community College to study sleep disorders, he said. Formerly a construction worker, he recently had won a workman's compensation claim because of injuries to his back and knee. It was time for a change of profession. He lived a typical life -- three kids, a dog and cat, he said. But, he was an ex-convict, even before the death sentence. He also wasn't opposed to the death penalty before he was sentenced to die. But now, he travels around the country speaking against the death penalty and other aspects of the criminal justice system that he perceives as failures. He's on the board of directors for the Witness to Innocence organization. Shortly after his release, Drinkard began studying respiratory therapy in college. He completed prerequisites and was working his way through clinicals when he realized a man who previously had been to death row for capital murder would never get a job in a hospital. He ended up "working with little old ladies in flower beds," performing landscaping work, he said. "I would've studied horticulture if I knew that would happen." Eventually his nightmares about death row became so bad, he said, that he got on disability because he couldn't sleep at night to work during the day. He has not been compensated by Alabama for his time on death row. He believes Alabama's system of electing judges and district attorneys contributes to the conviction and sentencing of innocent people to death. Elected officials, he said, want to appear "tough on crime" to obtain re-election. Drinkard's comments mirrored those of Anthony Ray Hinton, another former death row inmate who spoke at UNA earlier this week. Both men spoke at the Alabama Regional Graduate Conference hosted by UNA because its focus this year is on confinement. Graduate students have studied prison literature as part of their focus on American literature. Asked by a member of the UNA audience how the public can prevent wrongful convictions and sentences, Drinkard replied, "Don't vote for them idiots." About the inmates he met on death row, Drinkard said, "Sure, most of them are guilty. "But death row changes people," he continued. "I seen people down there that would never harm another person in their life. The organization, Witness to Innocence, we're trying to abolish the death penalty. But we're not asking nobody to turn them free because there's sick puppies there that needs to be there for the rest of their life." Drinkard's issue with the death penalty, he said, is that execution doesn't really bring closure to victims' families. Executions bring "vengeance," he said, while prison sentences bring "justice." Tom Hendrix, who spent 30 years building a stone wall in Lauderdale County to honor his Native American great-great-grandmother, died on Friday, according to reports. "It is with a heavy heart that we heard of the passing of Mr. Tom Hendrix, the builder and keeper of Tom's Wall," stated a post on the Florence-Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau's Facebook page. It is with a heavy heart that we heard of the passing of Mr. Tom Hendrix, the builder and keeper of Tom's Wall. We are... Posted by Visit Florence, AL on Saturday, February 25, 2017 "We are so lucky that our community has had the opportunity to talk with him and listen to his wonderful stories," the post continued. "Rest in Peace, Mr. Tom. We know you will have a beautiful reunion in the sky with your great-great grandmother and other ancestors." The Colbert County Tourism and Convention Bureau also confirmed Hendrix's passing through a Facebook post. In 1988, Hendrix felt the urge to honor his great-great-grandmother by building a memorial wall. Stories of her being forced from her home in north Alabama to Oklahoma along the Trail of Tears in 1839, and her eventual return to Alabama, inspired him as a child, he said. The wall required 8.5 million pounds of stone and "wore out three trucks, 22 wheelbarrows, 3,800 pairs of gloves, three dogs and one 80-year-old man," Hendrix said in a previous interview with AL.com. The winding rock wall on his property off the Natchez Trace Parkway is known as the largest non-mortared rock wall in the United States and the largest memorial to a Native American woman," Hendrix said. "She was one of the very few who came back. I decided to build her a memorial and I decided to do it out of stones," he said. His grandmother told him, "We all shall pass this earth; only the stones will remain." The wall can be seen from Natchez Trace Parkway at 13890 Lauderdale County Road 8. Hendrix said from the parkway, visitors can turn at mile marker 338 and, "there it is." In 2000, Hendrix wrote a book about his great-great-grandmother's journey and the wall called "If the Legends Fade." Funeral arrangements have yet to be released. The group that represents journalists who cover the White House on Friday protested the exclusion of some news outlets from an on-the-record briefing that replaced the normal on-camera briefing open to all members of the news media. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," wrote Jeff Mason, president of the White House Correspondents' Association, in a statement. "The board will be discussing this further with White House staff." More than a dozen journalists attended the informal 40-minute briefing, called a gaggle, in White House press secretary Sean Spicer's West Wing office, including McClatchy, The Wall Street Journal, ABC, CBS, Bloomberg, and Fox News. But reporters from CNN, The New York Times, Politico and BuzzFeed were not allowed into Spicer's office. The exclusion set off an explosion of outrage, coming just hours after President Donald Trump used a speech to continue his denunciation of the news media, including calling journalists "the enemy of the people." "Many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda and it's not your agenda and it's not the country's agenda, it's their own agenda," Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. "They have a professional obligation as members of the press to report honestly. But as you saw throughout the entire campaign, and even now, the fake news doesn't tell the truth. Doesn't tell the truth." His criticism has been particularly harsh on some of the outlets excluded from the briefing. He referred to CNN on Friday as the "Clinton News Network" and he has repeatedly referred to The New York Times as "failing," while some of the outlets included in the briefing are considered friendly to Trump, including Breitbart News, the website once led by Trump adviser Stephen Bannon. "It's a sign of dangerous things to come," said Lucy Dalglish, former executive director of the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press who's now dean of the journalism school at the University of Maryland. "Presidents have always shown favoritism to one media outlet or another by granting interviews to some and not others. But this is different." Spicer said he understands the concerns some media outlets have about not being invited, but said that not everyone can attend everything. "We've actually gone above and beyond with making ourselves, our team, and our briefing room more accessible than probably any either administration," he said. "I think you can take that to the bank." McClatchy was unaware that other outlets had not been invited when it attended the briefing. "McClatchy opposes any effort by the White House to ban news organizations from coverage," said Kristin Roberts, the executive editor of McClatchy's Washington bureau, in a statement. "Had we known that news organizations were banned from today's gaggle, we would not have participated. We will not participate again if that practice continues." The Associated Press was invited but chose not to attend. "AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," said Lauren Easton, a spokeswoman for AP. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." White House officials during the administrations of Barack Obama and George W. Bush regularly gave background briefings for small groups of invited reporters, generally from larger media outlets, but those briefings did not replace the daily press briefing. The WHCA generally did not lodge complaints in those cases. During the presidential campaign, Trump spent considerable time on the campaign trail ranting at what he called a "totally dishonest press" that he blamed for negative coverage and failure to show the true size of his crowds. He banned various newspapers from his rallies. Since he was sworn into office, Trump has selected reporters from conservative or friendly media outlets to ask him questions at his news conferences, a pattern that appears aimed at least in part at avoiding touchy subjects. "There are plenty who want to get in for every event," Spicer said. "We do what we can to be accessible, and if there is a problem with that, I understand it, we do what we can to accommodate the press. We go above and beyond when it comes to accessibility and openness and getting folks to our officials and our team." Spicer was not scheduled to have his usual on-camera press briefing Friday. The White House announced late Thursday that Spicer would hold a more informal gaggle without cameras in the briefing room instead. Then on Friday morning, the White House press staff changed that plan, saying that the gaggle coverage would be limited to two dozen reporters who are part of what is called an expanded pool for coverage. Then Spicer invited several outlets that do not fit into that group. "We want to make sure we answer your questions, but we don't need to do everything on camera every day," he said. The White House Correspondents' Association encouraged organizations that were allowed into Friday's briefing to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. Reporters immediately distributed audio and a transcript after the briefing. Article by McClatchy Washington Bureau reporter Anita Kumar. Bentley Pence Garner .jpg Gov. Robert Bentley took selfies with Jennifer Garner and Vice President Mike Pence during the National Governors Association winter conference in Washington D.C. on Friday, Feb. 24. (Governor Bentley/Twitter) Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley met with actress and early education advocate Jennifer Garner on Friday during the National Governors Association winter conference in Washington D.C. The governor shared pictures with Garner on social media. Garner is actively involved with the children's education nonprofit organization Save the Children. Appreciate the kind welcome from my friend & former Gov colleague Vice President Pence. Excited about states' role in #MAGA #WeTheStates pic.twitter.com/uU1lR6OoDd Governor Robert Bentley (@GovRBentley) February 24, 2017 Bentley also shared a selfie with Vice President Mike Pence. Bentley wrote that he was "thrilled to share" the success of Alabama's Pre-K program with Garner. During this weekend's conference, Bentley is serving as chair of the NGA Education and Workforce Committee. "Throughout my term as governor, I have advocated for a strong foundation for children with Alabama's high quality First Class Pre-K program," Bentley said in a statement. "Every child deserves the opportunity to have a high quality education. I am looking forward to working with other governors as we make early childhood education a priority and continue to advocate for state control and federal support in education decisions, so that all our students can achieve their goals and prosper as adult citizens," he continued. During the conference, Bentley will share the results of Alabama's Pre-K program, and his plan to continue to expand the reach of the program. The governor will also discuss integrating successful components of the Pre-K model through the third grade. Bentley will meet with other state governors to discuss best practices around thwarting cyber-attacks as part of NGA Chair Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe's initiative, Meet the Threat: States Confront the Cyber Challenge. Governors will also meet on critical infrastructure and natural resource conservation as well as on health care reform. President Donald Trump will meet with the governors on Monday morning. Collins Bentley Hall.jpg If Gov. Robert Bentley's impeachment goes to the Alabama House, two lawmakers could find themselves in a pickle. Rep. Terri Collins (left) and Rep. Laura Hall (right) both accepted money outside the campaign finance widow, just like the governor. A campaign account is not like any other bank account. Spending is restricted. Deposits, too. They are meant to be used for just what the name implies, but too often officials just don't treat them that way, but use them as slush funds, instead. Take, as we have before, Gov. Robert Bentley. Last year, the governor, three staff members and his senior political advisor/love interest, Rebekah Caldwell Mason, attended the Republican Governors Association meeting in Las Vegas where, among other things, they had a blast at a Celine Dion concert. All sexy stuff made for good headlines, but the real problem for the governor was how the whole thing got paid for. First, the state paid for use of the state plane, potentially a problem, as using state resources for a personal purpose is illegal. Third, the governor reimbursed the state from his campaign account. Problem solved, perhaps. And, yes, there's a step missing there, because it was the second thing that could land the governor in trouble. In between when he reimbursed the state for the trip, the Republican Governors Association reimbursed him for the trip, and he put that money into his campaign account. The problem with that is that Alabama's Fair Campaign Practices Act is strict and clear about when candidates can take money, even for something like a travel reimbursement -- 12 months before an election in which they are a candidate and, if they have campaign debt, for 120 days after the election. The only real exception, according to Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, is a campaign loan made by the candidate his or herself. "What we tell folks when they call, we tell them what it says in the law," Merrill said. "It's not my opinion. It's what's permissible by what the law says." "You follow the law," he added. "And if you go outside, then you're on your own." Arguably, the governor could have gotten back on the right side of the law by returning the money within 10 days of realizing he'd made a mistake, like when folks like me wrote about it on the internet and in the newspaper. He didn't, which can be ground for proving intent. Intentionally breaking this law is a Class B felony. If the Alabama Legislature is looking for an easy way to impeach the governor, this is the fattest target and his biggest weakness. Last week, Rep. Corey Harbison and Rep. Randall Shedd included the campaign finance violation among the charges in a new impeachment resolution they submitted in the Alabama House. There's just one problem. The governor isn't the only person who has used his account this way. There have been others. Last year, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, accepted a $175.04 payment from the National Conference of State Legislatures and $871.38 from the Southern Regional Educational Board. Rep. Laura Hall, D-Huntsville, accepted a total $11,690.96 in reimbursements for expenses, including $3,141.39 from the Huntsville Space and Rocket Center and $7,344.17 from the Women in Government Foundation. All those receipts were outside the legal window. On Friday, Hall said she thought she had been in compliance with the law and she would return the money if that was what she needed to do. Collins said that she didn't see anything wrong with how she had deposited those reimbursements into her account and that someone from the Alabama Department of State had told her that's how it was done "years ago." "I felt like that was the cleanest way to do it," she said. Collins also said she did not consider reimbursements to be campaign contributions. The Alabama Code defines as campaign donation as "Any transfer of anything of value received by a political committee from another political committee, political party, or other source." But if the latest impeachment resolution ever moves to the House floor, Collins and Hall could be in a pickle. If they vote against the governor, they could be voting against themselves. The chambers of the Alabama State House are a dark and claustrophobic place, with no windows to the outside world. But it's still a house made of glass. Opinion / Columnist Following the announcement by Tobacco Industry and Marketing Board (TIMB) that tobacco auction floors will open doors on 15 March 2017, pick pocketers and sex workers have obviously started rehearsing, perfecting old and new tricks of their trade in preparation to welcome tobacco farmers, especially new comers in the tobacco industry.Year in year out, unsuspecting tobacco farmers, both new and seasoned, have fallen pray to these predators and have lost their hard earned cash as well as valuables worth thousands of dollars.Many have turned to life of crime to survive due to the sanctioned-induced economic hardships and the tobacco farmer has unfortunately been one of the major targets due to large sums of money involved in the golden leaf transactions. Muggings, bag snatching, car jacking and pick pocketing occur frequently, particularly at the auction floors and in the Central Business District (CBD) where farmers do their shopping.At times one is tempted to suspect that these merciless thugs use juju to fleece these farmers as some are repeatedly conned using same old tricks, or is it because they are so creative and sweet tongued that the prey becomes confused, weak and stop thinking?It is, therefore, important that farmers always be vigilant wherever they are. If possible, they should move in pairs or more and always secure their luggage particularly in public places like the auction floors and bus stations, making sure that there is someone looking after their goods. Their motto should always be 'never attend to a stranger regardless of the nature of their problem or offer, whether male or female.'It may seem hard to do constantly, but know your surroundings and keep an eye for anyone lurking and always use public transport to avoid robberies. There is need therefore for Police and Auction floors to beef up security measures to deal with perpetrators. Some of the thieves operate in groups and have become desperate to the extent of targeting churches setting their eyes on the tithes and offerings collected.Prostitutes have also not spared the farmer, exposing him not only to poverty but to sexually transmitted infections. Despite the scourge of HIV/AIDS, young girls and ladies have surrendered themselves to the pitfalls of sex work and have accepted that whatever befalls them is part and parcel of leading such a life. Modern prostitutes have become a threat to their clients as they have transformed into real robbers capable of killing for money.To minimize the risk of theft, farmers should consider use of plastic money as a security measure and efficient way of conducting transactions. They should make use of grocery, furniture and hardware shops that have Point of Sales (POS) to avoid risks that are associated with moving around with large sums of money.The opening of the tobacco floors will boost the country's foreign exchange earnings and this is expected to go a long way in improving the liquidity challenges in the market.Tobacco farmers who delivered their crop last season received a 5% export incentive from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ). This was aimed at motivating farmers to increase the crop's output as well as promote financial inclusion as the country's over dependence on the crop's earnings became more apparent.TIMB has advised tobacco farmers with outstanding 5% export incentive payments to approach their respective banks or any of the TIMB offices if the incentive has not been deposited into their accounts. A small number of farmers who sold their tobacco in the 2016 marketing season have not yet received their export incentive due to banking details and other logistical challenges. Fighting back against Israels incursions has become second nature for residents of the West Bank village. Ramallah, occupied West Bank When Israeli military jeeps approached the village of Budrus last month, every resident was notified within minutes. Through the speakers of the villages mosque, a warning was issued: Israeli forces had entered the area and were preparing to demolish a house. Men, women and children rushed towards the site of the impending demolition. The villages women were the first on the scene. There was no organising meeting or discussion beforehand. We knew right when we arrived exactly what we had to do to stop them, resident Najia Awad told Al Jazeera. Najia and several other women pushed past Israels forces and inside the house slated for demolition, until Israeli soldiers and border police began to block other women doing the same. We descended from the house and began screaming at the soldiers and trying to distract them, she recalled. At the same time, other women surrounded the Israelis and pulled women from their grip, allowing more women to rush inside the house. The women formed a line at the entrance and along the roof of the house, standing firm and silently. The Israeli soldiers, all strapped with M16s, quickly retreated. This was not the first time that the women of Budrus have claimed victory against Israeli incursions on their lands. They led the villages resistance movement against Israels separation barrier in 2003, and say that they have successfully defended 95 percent of their land from Israeli confiscations. Today, more than a decade since their non-violent protests first gained headlines, resistance in the village has become second nature. When I hear about the Israeli forces on our land, I don't run to collect my children and husband to prepare for the resistance. I know once I arrive at the site, I will see them there. by Najia Awad, Budrus resident The first thing all of us do when we wake up in the morning is check the community Facebook page, Najia said. The page includes posts about all activities in the village, including sightings of Israeli forces. Details of such incidents are then broadcasted to all residents via the local mosque. We dont hold formal meetings or design a plan before an action any more, Najia said. When I hear about the Israeli forces on our land, I dont run to collect my children and husband to prepare for the resistance. I know once I arrive at the site, I will see them there. Resident Nasser Morrar told Al Jazeera that unlike resistance movements in a few surrounding villages heavily dependent on weekly marches, international support and media presence the resistance in Budrus has evolved into spontaneous community action and self-defence. When the Israelis are not here constructing the barrier wall or detaining residents, then we dont react or plan marches. But when they come, we force them to leave, he said. Muna Morrar, Nassers wife and a mother of four, said that the communitys resistance was a natural response, noting that their daughters and sons were literally born into the resistance. Munas daughter, now 15, was just 18 months old when she was first brought to the frontlines of resistance, strapped to her mothers hip as Muna raced to confront Israeli soldiers with the rest of her village. Every resident in Budrus is involved in the resistance, Muna told Al Jazeera. I have to be with my community to help defend our lands. And if I were to leave my daughter at home when the Israelis come, there would be no one left in the village to watch her. Muna even participated in the resistance while pregnant with her son, now 12. During one incident, Israeli forces fired a significant amount of tear gas, and Muna was forced to give birth during her eighth month of pregnancy after undergoing surgery. Doctors said the premature birth was due to the effects of the tear gas. The community has successfully prevented many residents from being detained by Israeli forces. Muna recalled one such incident several years ago, when Israeli soldiers raided her home and attempted to detain her cousin. They handcuffed him and began dragging him out to the Israeli military jeep, she said. I began to feel so angry, and without even thinking, I opened the back door of the jeep and started dragging him out. Although the soldiers beat her and attempted to pull her away from the jeep, she said, Muna refused to let go of her cousin. Her screams travelled throughout the village, until everyone had poured out of their homes and arrived at the scene. READ MORE: How Palestinian women defy Israels occupation The soldiers were so overwhelmed by all these villagers confronting them that they took my cousin from the jeep, unlocked his handcuffs, and handed him back to us, Muna said. The women of Budrus note that resistance is more difficult at night, when Israeli forces typically stage raids as residents are sleeping, making it more difficult for news to spread. No mother in the world would accept soldiers coming to their home in the night to detain their sleeping son, said Najia, whose 22-year-old son was recently detained during an overnight raid. But, we still try to prevent the detentions, even if its just to delay the soldiers in time for our children to escape. Amira Awad, a soft-spoken mother of seven, experienced every mothers nightmare when one of her children, 21-year-old Lafee, was fatally shot by Israeli forces during a non-violent protest in 2015. Our resistance has always been non-violent, Amira told Al Jazeera from her home in Budrus, where posters and framed portraits of Lafee decorate the walls and shelves. But even though we are unarmed, they still kill us. They still made my son a martyr. According to Amira, Lafee had stayed behind after a protest against the separation barrier, when clashes broke out with Israeli forces. He was ambushed by a group of soldiers who attempted to detain him, but he resisted and wriggled out of their grasp. As he began running towards his home, an Israeli sniper positioned nearby shot him with a live bullet in his back. He was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. OPINION: When Palestinian women take up arms They killed an innocent person, Amira said, slowly shaking her head. When something like this happens, you want revenge. But revenge for us is continuing our resistance, stopping this occupation, and forcing these soldiers back where they came from. The death of her son has strengthened Amiras commitment to the resistance. I used to be really afraid of these soldiers, but after they killed Lafee; I have no more fear, she said. Every time they come on our land, I face them with the rest of my community, and I remind them of how they killed my son. The women in Budrus encourage others throughout the occupied Palestinian territories to lead similar resistance efforts in their own communities. We want other communities to face these soldiers, because they can be stopped, Najia said. Whatever these Israelis do to you, when you stand up to them, [it] will not destroy you. You can beat them. And each time you win, your resistance will become stronger. Additional reporting by Soud Hefawi Demonstrators in Geneva have called for an end to the practice of enforced disappearances in war-torn Syria. Geneva In a blustery square across the street from the United Nations headquarters in Geneva, five Syrian women stood silent and still, each holding an elegantly framed photograph. Just minutes earlier, a scattered group of activists and journalists had watched as the women exited the fortified UN compound and solemnly proceeded into the adjacent square. They had managed to secure a midday meeting with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura, despite the chaos surrounding the first day of the latest round of Syria peace talks. Their goal was to pressure de Mistura into bringing the issue of Syrian detainees to the forefront of his discussions with the government and opposition. Each woman held up the image of a loved one disappeared by Syrian government forces over the course of the six-year war. Bracing herself against the strong winter wind, Amina Kholani, a former prisoner herself, eventually broke the silence. We are Families for Freedom, she said. We are Syrian families demanding freedom for all the countrys sons and daughters. Our position is against enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention by the Syrian regime and all parties to the conflict. Kholani, a mother of three from the Damascus suburb of Daraya once the heart of the uprising in the capital has not seen or heard from her three brothers since they were arrested by government forces in July 2011. The last rumour she heard, in 2013, was that they were being held in the governments Saydnaya prison, notorious for the use of torture and systematic executions. Her group has asked de Mistura to pressure the Syrian government and opposition to immediately release a list of names of all detainees, along with their current location and status, and to immediately stop the practice of torture and mistreatment. They also called for the release of death certificates and reports detailing the causes of death for those who died while in detention. There is no estimate available on the number of those killed while in government or opposition detention during Syrias six-year war, which has killed nearly half a million people overall and displaced nearly half the country. After by Fadwa should be the first issue on the table.] But rights groups have long attempted to detail the organised and widespread nature of state-sponsored abductions. As of 2015, more than 65,000 people had been forcibly disappeared by members of the state security apparatus in an organised and systematic campaign to silence dissent, according to a report by Amnesty International Enforced disappearance refers to the abduction of a person by state agents, who then conceal the persons whereabouts and deny them legal protection. Both Amnesty and the UN have said the scope and scale of the practice in Syria amounts to a crime against humanity. This is a group of mothers, of sisters, of wives We all have someone in detention, said Fadwa Mahmoud, a life-long political dissident and former detainee who has not heard from her husband or her eldest son in four years. Her husband, political activist Abdel Aziz al-Khayer, was held more than four years ago along with her son, Maher, on their way home from the airport. At about three in the afternoon on September 20, 2012, Maher called his mother to let her know that they were en route home. After five minutes Ill never forget that day but I felt I needed to call him again, just to make sure he was okay, Mahmoud told reporters in Geneva. When I tried again, the phone was off and from that day, Ive heard nothing about where they were taken or what happened to them. She believes that members of the Syrian Air Force Intelligence abducted her family members, noting that she has spoken with officials from the UN, the Red Cross and the European Union in an effort to find out more information, but to no avail. Ive met de Mistura several times, and I met Brahimi before him. Neither of them could tell me anything, Mahmoud said, referring to Lakhdar Brahimi, the UNs previous Syria envoy. Even after years of fruitless searching, the 63-year-old refuses to quit: Were only a group of five women here, but we have thousands supporting us in Syria. Its different when politicians claim to speak on our behalf. We are the ones that represent the real people, not the politicians. Mahmoud, who also serves as an adviser to the oppositions High Negotiations Committee, is hopeful that collective pressure could bring matters to a head. We want an accumulated effort that includes the largest possible number of families, irrespective of their loyalties. If they have someone detained, we want them to stand with us and to be part of our group, she said, noting that the families can support each other, as they have experienced the same trauma. De Mistura, who participated in a brief moment of silence with the women on Thursday inside the UN compound, later told reporters that you can be sure that we will be constantly raising detainees, abducted and missing people during the talks. There are thousands and thousands of mothers, wives, daughters who are hoping that at least this aspect will be one of the benefits of any negotiations, de Mistura said. At the same time, Mahmoud acknowledged the slipping ceasefire in Syria and the low expectations of forging any substantive agreement in Geneva. [The politicians] speak about the case of detainees as if its a side issue but after putting an end to the spilling of blood in Syria, it should be the first issue on the table, she said. Theres no question about it. The risk of proliferation of nerve agents to non-state actors is perhaps the most startling concern. In an episode that evokes memories of Cold War era spy sagas, Kim Jong Nam the half-brother of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un appears to have been assassinated on February 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport in Malaysia. Reports indicate that two female agents, with probable connections to North Koreas security services, poisoned the estranged sibling with lethal toxins. Malaysian authorities are also holding a North Korean suspect and have released the names of several North Korean suspects thought to have fled the country after the killing. Meanwhile, there has been a diplomatic standoff between Kuala Lumpur and Pyongyang with both sides accusing the other of interference in the investigation. Game-changer: Nerve agent There are a host of potential reasons why Kim Jong-un wanted to eliminate his seemingly harmless brother but the most probable was his paranoia and ruthless pursuit of political legitimacy at home. Kim Jong-nams murder follows a host of purges over the past few years, including the killing of Kim Jong-uns uncle and top adviser Jang Song-thaek in 2013. The purges also fall in line with his marked up-tick in provocations aimed at enhancing the regimes nuclear and missile capabilities. This week, the plot has deepened as Malaysian authorities have indicated that Kim Jong-nam appeared to have been killed by the highly lethal VX nerve agent, a substance that is banned as a chemical weapon by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). This attack if confirmed that it was conducted with a VX nerve agent would be a game-changer. VX is a lethal agent that effectively shuts down your muscle system in a short period and causing muscle clenching, convulsions and eventually death. Stockpiles of the substance, which used to be held by some states including the United States and the Soviet Union for potential military use, have been mostly eliminated as the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) bans the agent. This incident raises a host of questions on how to deal with the incident as the assassination is not only an attack of terrorism but could be an act using WMDs- one of the deepest fears of the international community. by Despite this, North Korea which is not party to the CWC maintains as much as 5,000 tonnes of lethal agents including: VX, sarin, mustard, tabun and hydrogen cyanid. VX nerve agents have never been knowingly used by states during combat, but there have been some cases of non-state actors using them such as an attack by the Japanese cult Aum Shinrikyo in 1994-5 (although different from the sarin gas used in the large scale Tokyo subway attack). VX agents are not simply lying around research facilitates and are illicit and deadly nerve agents, which North Korea is known to possess almost eliminating any doubt that this attack was committed by some group outside of one ordered by Pyongyang. China out? The Norths chemical programme has kind of fallen under the radar in most analysis about the threat perceptions emanating from the North, as most concerns rightfully so focus on its conventional forces and nuclear programme. That said, intelligence communities in the West and South Korea have warned for years about the dangers of the Norths chemical and biological weapons programme and their potential use in asymmetric ways should the Kim regime feel threatened. This incident raises a host of questions on how to deal with the incident as the assassination is not only an attack of terrorism, but could be an act using weapons of mass destruction (WMD) and the materials may have crossed borders raising serious questions about horizontal WMD proliferation from the North one of the deepest fears of the international community. READ MORE: Meet the Kims Whos who in North Koreas first family The risk of proliferation to non-state actors is perhaps the most startling concern, especially as sanctions continue to bite down on the income flows into the North. Indeed, earlier this month, Chinas Ministry of Commerce and Customs Administration made a highly visible joint announcement that it would ban coal imports from North Korea, effectively immediately, for the rest of this year. Last year, North Korea exported 22 million metric tonnes of coal to China, netting nearly $1.2bn in cash for the Kim regime. Beijing is by far the Norths largest export market for coal, and Pyongyang depends on China as a trading lifeline, with nearly 90 percent of trade going through Beijing. OPINION: Will there be a Korean war under Trumps presidency? Despite the concerns on ratcheting up the pressure on North Korea, some integral international norms and laws such as the moratorium on the use of chemical weapons should be adhered to. Malaysia, a state that has traditionally had good ties with the North, should move to sever diplomatic ties with Pyongyang if it is sufficiently proved that there is a link between the killing and state security organs. Meanwhile, the Trump administration in the US faces tough options as it reviews its North Korea policy but it must look at taking immediate steps such as moving towards reinstating Pyongyang on the list of state sponsors of terrorism. J Berkshire Miller is the director of the Council on International Policy and is a fellow on East Asia for the EastWest Institute. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. Donald Trump and his chief adviser Stephen Bannon signalled a total rebranding of conservatives at the CPAC. Even though US President Donald Trump has been criticised by true conservatives for his past liberal positions on social issues and his denunciations of trade pacts, his February 24 speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) was widely applauded. His comments, and those of his chief adviser, Stephen Bannon, suggest that he aims to take the Republican Party in a more populist and nationalist direction, and believe that traditional conservatives will be forced to fall in line. Although Trump did mention some orthodox conservative positions, such as cutting taxes and regulations on business, much of his speech was aimed at showing the conservative rank and file that the popularity he gained during the election campaign means that he, not the traditional conservative movement, is setting the agenda a concentration on militarism, economic nationalism, and populism. Trump promised a large boost in defence spending so that their adversaries would not think of challenging the United States. He coupled this message with a pledge (again) to destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) and implement a restrictive immigration policy aimed at what he said was preventing radical Islamic terrorists from entering the US. How Trump plans to increase defence spending dramatically while cutting taxes and not ballooning the deficit (long a conservative pillar) was not mentioned. He may believe that more business activity and job growth in the US will, in the end, generate a larger tax pool, but the math right now simply does not add up. America only Regardless, these all fit into Trumps America first ideology that he enunciated during the campaign. His speech at CPAC has taken this ideology one step further. One can now call it America only. He emphasised to the CPAC audience that he is president of the US, not a president representing the globe, and was going to make sure that his economic policies only benefit American business and American workers. Such comments were also emphasised by Bannon, a self-described American nationalist who founded the right-wing media outlet, Breitbart. At the same CPAC conference, Bannon said Trumps first line of work is economic nationalism which he defined as renegotiating trade deals to benefit the US and bring back high value-added manufacturing jobs. OPINION: Donald Trumps presidential diplomacy deal? This messaging on jobs for Americans only is also unorthodox for traditional conservatives who have long favoured free trade and have been loathe to put restrictions on American businesses wishing to move overseas. Reinforcing populism By contrast, Trump stated that the Republican Party should now be the party of workers. This appeal to populism is not only aimed at weakening the Democrats who have long had ties to the trade unions, but also in steering the Republican Party to working class constituents who believe they have lost out to globalisation. Trump also spoke about his meetings with unions, as well as business leaders, suggesting that the former would continue to have a link to the White House despite the fact that his cabinet is dominated by millionaires. READ MORE: Samuel Ronan Democrats ignored working class for years Finally, he saved special wrath for the media, which he denounced for propagating fake news and described some of them as enemies of the American people. These comments came on the heels of Bannons remarks a day earlier in which he accused the corporatist, globalist media of adamantly opposing Trumps economic nationalist agenda. Soon after Trumps denunciation of the media at CPAC, several prominent American news organisations, such as CNN, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times were barred from a White House press briefing. Not surprisingly, such media lambasted the Trump administration for infringement on freedom of the press, considered sacrosanct in American law and culture. Although this is not the first time Trump has denounced the media, it does represent his first punitive action as president against them. OPINION: For Europe, questions remain as to US foreign policy Prominent Republican Senator John McCain Trumps nemesis in the US Senate warned several days earlier that restrictions on the press are how dictatorships start. Although McCain prefaced his remarks by stating that he was not saying Trump was trying to be a dictator, the political class in Washington read his comments as a comparison to a dark era of the 1930s in Europe. Indeed, when one adds up Trumps appeal to populism, his stoking fear of the other (in the case, Muslims), his infatuation with militarism, his economic nationalism, and his relishing of a fight (Bannon warned CPAC, if you think theyre going to give your country back without a fight, youre sadly mistaken), all of this points to elements of fascism. The key question for the Republican Party is whether they want to throw their lot in with a president who seems to have contempt for the Constitution, is alienating millions of Americans, and is relying on an ultra-nationalist ideologue for guidance or do they want to stick with principles that McCain and others hold dear. Gregory Aftandilian is a lecturer in the Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University and is a former US State Department Middle East analyst. The views expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial policy. General Hassan Daabul among dozens of victims of a series of suicide attacks on military installations, says state TV. The Syrian military intelligence chief is among at least 32 people killed in a series of suicide attacks on military installations in the government-held western city of Homs. The death of General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, in Saturdays bombings was reported by the Syrian state television. A witness was quoted as saying a suicide bomber actually made it into Daabuls office and detonated the explosives. Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the State Security Branch, was also critically wounded, state-affiliated Al Ikhbariya TV reported. READ MORE: Suicide bombers kill dozens near Al Bab The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said air raids by government forces killed another 13 people across the country, including at least three in al-Waer, a rebel enclave of Homs. The violence comes as negotiators continue talks for the second day in Geneva, Switzerland, over Syrias six-year-old civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people. Speaking to Al Jazeera in Geneva, Issam al-Reis, spokesperson for the Southern Front branch of the Free Syrian Army (FSA), accused the Assad government of staging the attacks to influence the Geneva talks. During the last Geneva talks an explosion happened in the government area of Sayyda Zeinab, but now were talking about military and security branches, which is a military zone inside the [Homs] Green Zone. No one is allowed to enter these areas not even close, he said. So, obviously, this order is coming from the same branch to make these explosions because the pressure the regime is getting from Russia to be in the ceasefire may have pushed the regime to find an excuse to launch an attack. Talal Barzani, the Homs provincial governor, said there were three blasts in total, killing 32 people and wounding more than 20 others. Explosions and gunfire The SOHR, which put the Homs toll at 42, said loud explosions and gunfire were heard following the assault. There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence, Rami Abdel Rahman, SOHRs director, told AFP news agency. Bombers engaged in prolonged gun battles with intelligence officers before detonating their explosive vests. Steffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, said he suspected spoilers were trying to derail the negotiations. Im expecting during these talks, unfortunately, spoilers, he said. Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it we were expecting that. READ MORE: Syrias Civil War Explained Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the city centre under a UN-brokered truce. But it has seen repeated bombings since then: a double bombing killed 64 people early last year. Today, the Syrian government responded to a brutal terrorist attack in Homs by indiscriminately bombing innocent men and women in besieged al-Waer, Mazen Kewara, of the Syrian American Medical Society, told Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the conference. Targeting innocent women and children in retribution for terrorist attacks for which they bear no responsibility is barbaric and a gross violation of international humanitarian law. If these indiscriminate attacks dont stop, they will delegitimise the peace talks in the eyes of ordinary Syrians. Kewaras views were echoed by Mutasem Alsyofi of The Day After, a collection of civil society activists, in an interview with Al Jazeera in Geneva. Parties with blood on their hands cannot be trusted to monitor their own war crimes, he said. We want the Geneva process to succeed, but success starts by upholding international law and stopping the violence. As long as barrel bombs and chemical weapons are met with impunity, prospects for peace will remain dim. Heavily guarded areas Saturdays attacks hit the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods, prompting security forces to lock down Homs city centre. Al Jazeeras Andrew Simmons, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkey-Syria border, said it was unclear how the assailants could have pulled off Saturdays attacks in Homs. Both areas are heavily guarded by the state police and the military, so it was a really big and organised twin attack, he said. Bashar al-Jaafari, who leads the Syrian government delegation to the talks in Geneva, said Saturdays attacks, would not go unanswered. He said they were a message to Geneva from the sponsors of terrorism. The message has been delivered. An anti-government alliance known as Tahrir al-Sham is believed to have carried out the Homs attacks. It was formed earlier this year from several groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, which was al-Qaedas Syrian branch until it broke formal allegiance in 2016. Since it was formed, Tahrir al-Sham has fought other rebel groups, including some that fight under the banner of the FSA, as well as a faction linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, in northwest Syria. Like its rival ISIL, also known as ISIS, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham is not party to a ceasefire between government forces and opposition groups taking part in the Geneva talks. Democratic National Committee to hold as many rounds of voting as it takes in Atlanta for new chairman to emerge. The Democratic Party is set to elect a new chairman who analysts say would be crucial to helping the party regain federal power, which has been lost to a great degree to the Republican Party. The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has converged on the US city of Atlanta and is expected to elect their new leader after multiple rounds of votes on Saturday. Tom Perez, who had served as labour secretary under Barack Obamas administration, and Keith Ellison, a popular congressman, are seen as the main front-runners in the vote that includes seven other candidates. The election for the Democrats new leader involves 442 eligible members of the national party committee. The winner must capture a majority of votes cast. The DNC will have as many rounds of voting as it takes for a new chairman to emerge. READ MORE: Americas flawed democracy Perez, Ellison and other Democrats agree on the need to rebuild the party at the state and local levels. They say those organisations then can capitalise on the widespread opposition to US President Donald Trump by getting frustrated voters to elect more Democrats. In a phone interview from Atlanta, Jason Johnson, a political analyst, told Al Jazeera the election is key to determining a figure that could rebuild the Democratic Party, which is one of only two parties largely capable of being elected in the US, that has been decimated at the state level. With Obama out of office, Joe Biden largely out of the political arena and the Clintons no longer being an effective brand, the Democrats really need a leader to rebuild the party at a state level, he said. Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Atlanta, said that one major difference between Perez and Ellison was that the latter had support from people who not only protested against US President Donald Trump, but also against the Democratic Party who they feel allowed Trump to win. Officials and rebels spar over attacks targeting government positions as UN envoy suspects spoilers behind violence. Geneva, Switzerland Deadly suicide attacks in the Syrian government-held city of Homs threaten to derail talks in Geneva, with government and opposition delegates in the Swiss city sparring over the violence. General Hassan Daabul, an army intelligence chief and close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, was among the dozens killed on Saturday in blasts targeting two security service bases in Homs. Hayet Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, claimed the attack. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 42 people were killed, but the provincial governor put the figure at 30 dead. At a press conference in Geneva late on Saturday, Bashar al-Jaafari, the lead government negotiator, demanded that the opposition delegation officially condemn the attacks in Homs. If they failed to do so, the government would consider them terrorists, he said. Today, the test is that we expect that the [opposition] platforms [in Geneva] condemn this terrorist attack If anyone refuses to condemn this terrorist attack then he is an accomplice of terrorism and we will deal with them accordingly. Jaafari focused nearly the entire 45-minute press conference on the need to combat terrorism. Rebels respond Later, at a separate press conference, leaders of Syrias main opposition camp condemned the attacks in Homs as terrorism, but it was unclear which group they blamed for the attacks. Our positions are clear in condemning terrorism and terrorists, said Nasr al-Hariri, the chief negotiator for the opposition High Negotiations Committee. He singled out groups the opposition condemns including the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group and former al-Qaeda affiliate al-Nusra Front. Al-Nusra Front became Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, which is the group that created Hayet Tahrir al-Sham. In addition, he condemned the Syrian government itself and its affiliated Iran-backed militias. However, in a follow-up question, Fateh Hassoun, a Free Syrian Army (FSA) colonel, implied that the attacks were facilitated by the Syrian government. The region where the security branches are is very secure and no operation could reach it unless it was facilitated by the security forces, he said. What happened today could be counted as liquidation by the regime of [detainees] who are wanted by international courts. Hassoun said he used to be an officer in state security. I know how the regime can use events to serve its purposes and I know how they can twist things to effect the Geneva negotiations, he said. Almost all of Homs has been under government control since May 2014, when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since, including twin attacks last year that killed 64. Al-Waer attacks The Syrian Observatory said that Syrian army air strikes on Saturday also killed 13 civilians across the country, including three in the last government-besieged rebel enclave of Homs, the al-Waer neighbourhood. Speaking to Al Jazeera in Geneva, Issam al-Reis, spokesman for the Southern Front branch of the FSA, accused the Assad government of staging Saturdays attacks in Homs to influence the Geneva talks. During the last Geneva talks, an explosion happened in the government area of Sayyida Zeinab, he said. READ MORE: Syrias Civil War Explained But now, were talking about military and security branches, which is a military zone inside the [Homs] Green Zone. No one is allowed to enter these areas, not even close. This order is coming from the same branch because the pressure the regime is getting from Russia to be in the ceasefire may have pushed the regime to find an excuse to launch an attack. In a statement released on Saturday evening, Staffan de Mistura, the UN special envoy for Syria, said the horrific terrorist attack in Homs was an attempt to derail the peace talks. Spoilers were always expected, and should continue to be expected, to try to influence the proceedings of the talks, the statement said. It is in the interest of all parties who are against terrorism and are committed to a political process in Syria not to allow these attempts to succeed. Follow Dylan Collins on Twitter: @collinsdyl Democrats have elected a former labour secretary in Barack Obamas administration as their new leader a role analysts say would be crucial to helping the Democratic Party regain federal power, which has been lost to a great degree to the rival Republican Party. Members of the Democratic National Committee, the partys administrative and fund-raising arm, chose Tom Perez over Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Congress member, following two rounds of voting on Saturday. Perez will face challenges in trying to unify and rejuvenate a party still reeling from the November 8 loss of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and anxious to channel the growing grassroots resistance to Republican President Donald Trump into political support for Democrats across the country. READ MORE: Americas flawed democracy We are suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance, Perez, a favourite of former Obama administration officials, told DNC members. He promised to lead the fight against Trump and change the DNCs culture to make it a more grassroots operation. Perez beat Ellison, who was backed by Democratic senator Bernie Sanders, 235-200 in the second round. Rebuilding challenge Perez is the son of Dominican immigrants, while Ellison is the first Muslim elected to the US Congress. Perez, Ellison and other Democrats agree on the need to rebuild the party at the state and local levels. They say that those organisations can then capitalise on the widespread opposition to Trump by getting frustrated voters to elect more Democrats. Al Jazeeras Shihab Rattansi, reporting from Atlanta, said that one major difference between Perez and Ellison was that the latter had support from people who not only protested against Trump, but also against the Democratic Party, who they feel allowed Trump to win. In a phone interview from Atlanta, Jason Johnson, a political analyst, told Al Jazeera that the election was key to determining a figure who could rebuild the Democratic Party, which is one of only two parties largely capable of being elected in the US, that has been decimated at the state level. With Obama out of office, Joe Biden largely out of the political arena and the Clintons no longer being an effective brand, the Democrats really need a leader to rebuild the party at a state level, he said. Ten police officers and the wife of a commander have been killed in an ambush outside a mosque by Taliban fighters in northern Afghanistan. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Jowzjan provincial governor, said on Saturday the police officers were attacked on Friday as they were coming out of the mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed in Sardar village of Darzab district, Ghafori said. Officials blamed the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) for the deadly attack. However, Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for Taliban, said on Twitter his group killed the policemen and captured the village. It was not possible to independently confirm either claim. ISIL-linked fighters have been active in Afghanistans eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. In Jowzjan province earlier this month, ISIL was blamed for killing at least six Afghan employees of the International Committee of the Red Cross who were carrying supplies to areas hit by deadly snowstorms. Another two staff remain unaccounted for. International flight of Pakistans national carrier with seven passengers on board without seats comes under scrutiny. Pakistans national carrier is investigating how a major safety breach was made aboard one of its international flights last month, when seven passengers spent a four-hour flight standing in the planes aisles. The Dawn newspaper reported on Saturday that Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight PK-743 carried 416 passengers on a flight from Karachi to the Saudi city of Medina on January 20, despite having a capacity of 409 including jump seats. Our CEO ordered the investigation into this incident soon after details emerged, which was much earlier than it was reported in the media, Danyal Gilani, PIAs spokesman, told Al Jazeera. Soon after the incident was reported, Anwer Adil, the flights captain, released a statement denying any wrongdoing on his part and said that by the time he was informed about the extra passengers, the plane had already taken off. OPINION: Pakistans violent cyberspace No place for dissent After takeoff, when I came out of the cockpit, the senior purser informed me that there were some extra people who were boarded by traffic staff, Adil was quoted as saying. I also noticed that some of them were people whom I had categorically refused jump seats at the check-in counter before the flight when they approached me for grant of the jump seat. Adil said that since the plane had already taken off, returning to the airport to offload the extra passengers was not possible as it required lot of fuel dumping, which was not in the interest of the airline. Pilot blames purser Adil went on to lay the blame on the senior purser by saying it was her responsibility to ensure that the number of passengers tallied with the trim sheet [airline document] and that if there were any extra passengers, she should not have accepted them. According to the Dawn report, the boarding passes issued to the extra passengers were handwritten and not computer generated, and did not tally with the official flight manifest. An aviation safety and regulations handbook released by the US Federal Aviation Administration underlines the importance overloading an aircraft, whether with passengers or luggage. ANALYSIS: Pakistans electronic media face ethics question The pilot should always be aware of the consequences of overloading. An overloaded aircraft may not be able to leave the ground, or if it does become airborne, it may exhibit unexpected and unusually poor flight characteristics, according to the handbook. PIAs Gilani said he was unable to confirm the number of officials being probed or how long it would take to complete the investigation, but said the carrier will punish anyone found guilty. He said that this incident of overloading a plane was the first of its kind. However, the national airline has previously been accused of carrying two extra passengers in a planes toilet over a domestic route. Over the past few years, the Pakistani national carrier has incurred heavy losses, reportedly exceeding $3bn, prompting the government to discuss the option of privatising the airline despite protests from airline staff. Palestinians from 50 countries gather in Istanbul to discuss forming new political entity to represent their views. Istanbul, Turkey Thousands of Palestinians representing diaspora communities from 50 countries have gathered in the Turkish city of Istanbul to discuss establishing a political structure that will represent them better. The Palestine Abroad Conference, whose opening events were attended by more than 5,000 people on Saturday, is the first of its kind in terms of inclusivity. Many of the speakers and attendees said they no longer have faith in the Palestinian leadership in the occupied territories because of their failure to deliver tangible outcomes as a result of decades of peace negotiations with Israel. The conference was held amid a spat between its organisers and the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), which was formed in 1964 as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. READ MORE: How factionalism is killing the Palestinian struggle PLO has accused the organisers of trying to undermine and replace it. While registering his opposition to the Istanbul conference, Tayseer Khaled, the PLO head of expatriate affairs in Ramallah, told Al Jazeera the organisation had neglected diaspora Palestinians after it signed the Oslo accords with Israel. He said, though, that his department was now working with diaspora communities in Europe and the US to resist Israels policies in the occupied territories. The conference was boycotted and criticised by supporters of the PLO who argued that the organisers were motivated by factional interests, not the interests of the Palestinian people. Currently, the diaspora has no representation within any organisational structure related to the PLO or the Palestinian Authority a governing body formed in 1994. Previously, the now defunct Palestinian National Council [the parliament in exile] included representatives of the diaspora. Majed al-Zeer, deputy chairman of the Istanbul conference, said the conference was in itself not an attempt to replace the PLO, but rather to reinvigorate it and make it a home to all Palestinians as it once was. Others stated that they wished to drop the PLO as the only representative of the Palestinian people, accusing it of becoming an empty shell of its former self. They argued the PLO gave birth to the Oslo accords which compromised Palestinian historic rights. We, Palestinians, must stand up to those who abandoned the Palestinian national project and replaced it with the Oslo agreement that ended up protecting and prolonging the Israeli occupation, said Anis al-Qasem, an expert on international law and one of the founders of the former Palestinian National Council. They accused the leaders of the Palestinian Authority of squandering Palestinian national rights and becoming a protectorate of the Israeli military and its functionaries. Daniel Jadue, a Chilean-Palestinian leader, said in his statement that this was not the first time the Palestinian Authority rejected similar gatherings. This is because it is afraid it will further undermine its weak legitimacy, he said. WATCH: Is the PA helping or hurting the Palestinians? (2:27) He added that this was not first time his community participated in an attempt to organise and give a role to Palestinian diaspora in the struggle for the realisation of our inalienable national rights, the right of return, and establishment statehood with Jerusalem as its capital. Chile is home to a 400,000-strong Palestinian community, the largest outside the Arab world. According to the Ramallah-based Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, there are more than 12 million Palestinians in the world. Half of them live within historic Palestine and the remaining six million live in the surrounding Arab countries and Europe, as well as South and North America. The Palestinian Authority came into existence as a result of the Oslo accords between Israel and the PLO in 1994. For many Palestinians the gathering under the Palestinian and Turkish flags with the national anthems of both nations playing was rich in meaning and symbolism. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in its Arab provinces and the subsequent occupation of Jerusalem by the British army in 1917. Palestinians view Turkey as a supporter and an ally in their struggle to regain their national rights and the establishment of their future state. The organisers told Al Jazeera that the gathering was entirely financed by wealthy Palestinian individuals and businesses. With reporting from Al Jazeeras Ali Younes. Follow him on Twitter @Ali_reports Malaysian police probe origin of weapon of mass destruction used to kill North Korean leaders half brother. Malaysian police have launched an investigation into how the killers of Kim Jong-nam obtained the highly toxic nerve agent allegedly used in the assassination of the North Korean leaders half brother. Police have detained and are questioning a North Korean national suspected of producing the chemical, VX, Al Jazeeras Florence Looi reported. Investigators are trying to establish whether the man, who has a background in science, had the training and expertise to manufacture the chemical, possibly in a laboratory in Kuala Lumpur, Looi said from the Malaysian capital on Saturday. READ MORE: Meet the Kims Whos who in North Koreas first family The big question is how these two women get hold of the toxic substance, she said. How did this highly toxic substance come into this country? VX is a fast-acting toxin that sparks respiratory collapse and heart failure. Tiny amounts of the poison are enough to kill an adult, whether it is inhaled or absorbed through the skin. A leading regional security expert told AFP it would not have been difficult to get VX into Malaysia in a diplomatic pouch, which would not be subject to regular customs checks. North Korea has previously used the pouches to smuggle items including contraband and items that would be subjected to scrutiny if regular travel channels were used, said Rohan Gunaratna, the head of the Singapore-based International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research. On Friday, officials confirmed that during autopsy they found the chemical on the face of Kim, who died on February 13 after he was attacked inside Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Two women were seen on CCTV footage shoving something in his face. He later suffered a seizure and was dead before he reached the hospital. Authorities are now looking into decontaminating the airport, as the VX chemical could linger on equipment and in airport facilities, Al Jazeeras Looi said. North Korea is not a signatory to the international convention banning the production and use of the odourless, tasteless, and highly toxic chemical, which is considered a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations. The revelation that VX was used in the killing brought swift condemnation from South Korea, which slammed its use as a blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms. Outrage in Malaysia Experts in the South said on Friday that North Korea had up to 5,000 tonnes of chemical weapons stockpiled, including a supply of VX. I am outraged that the criminals used such a dangerous chemical in a public area, Malaysias Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said. It could have caused mass injuries or even death to other people. One of the two women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, police said, adding she had been vomiting. National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar previously said the woman who attacked Kim from behind clearly knew she was carrying out an attack, dismissing claims that she thought she was taking part in a TV prank. Malaysian detectives are holding three people women from Indonesia and Vietnam, and a North Korean man but want to speak to seven others, four of whom are believed to have fled to Pyongyang. One man wanted for questioning, who is believed to be still in Malaysia, is senior North Korean embassy official Hyon Kwang-song. Police have acknowledged that his diplomatic status prevents them from questioning him unless he surrenders himself. North Korea, which has not acknowledged the dead mans identity, has vehemently protested the investigation, saying Malaysia is in cahoots with its enemies. For thousands of years, parts of northwestern Europe have enjoyed temperatures as much as 5 degrees Celsius above those of similar latitudes elsewhere in the northern hemisphere. Now, a study by a British and French team of climate scientists has challenged the previously held notion that any significant change in temperatures here was unlikely before the end of the century. Writing in Nature Communications journal the team judged the chance of a significant change in the region as being as high as 50 percent. They reanalysed data from 40 climate change predictions, used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2013, which had concluded that any rapid cooling in the North Atlantic was unlikely before 2100. An algorithm, developed by the team, was able to detect fluctuations in sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Using it, they found that seven out of 40 climate models predicted a complete shutdown in ocean convection in the Labrador Sea between Canadas Labrador Peninsula and Greenland. They predicted that this could result in a drop in SSTs by as much as 2 to 4C in fewer than 10 years. The breakdown in the oceanic circulation is thought to be the result of a warming atmosphere caused by an increase in greenhouse gases during the last century. Much of the heat energy from this process has been absorbed by the ocean, producing a significant rise in SSTs. In turn, this has enhanced the hydrological cycle, making subtropical waters saltier and subpolar waters fresher. It is this change in salinity which could result in the sudden change predicted by the team. Rudaw channel says roadside bomb explosion kills its reporter Shifa Gardi and wounds cameraman Younis Mustafa. A female reporter working for an Iraqi Kurdish channel has been killed in a roadside bomb attack while covering clashes between Iraqi government forces and ISIL in Mosul. Killed on Saturday, 30-year-old Shifa Gardi was a presenter and chief of output at Rudaw, a media group in Iraqs autonomous Kurdistan region funded by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP). Prominent Rudaw war reporter and journalist Shifa Gardi has been killed in Mosul as she covered clashes, Rudaw said on social media. Rudaw loses one of its most prominent journalists in Mosul today. [She] was killed on Saturday in a roadside bomb explosion in Mosul, a statement posted to Rudaws website said. Gardi was one of Rudaws most daring journalists. Her cameraman, Younis Mustafa, was wounded in the attack. He was transferred to Erbil, the capital of Kurdistan region, where Rudaw is headquartered. Gardi was presenting a daily special programme on the Mosul offensive. On February 21, Gardi saved a wounded rabbit in the village of Albu Saif, Rudaw said, citing the moment she returned to the newsroom with the animal in her arms. The military operation to retake Iraqs second-largest city from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group was officially launched in October last year, and in January its eastern half was declared fully liberated. A number of journalists have been injured in the Mosul operation. In October, an Iraqi television journalist was killed covering the battle. Mosul is ISILs last major urban stronghold in Iraq, but the battle to retake its western half is expected to be the most challenging yet, since the streets are older, narrower and it is densely populated with an estimated 750,000 civilians trapped in the area. Adel al-Jubeir, kingdoms first foreign minister to visit since 1990, promises to build ties and install new ambassador. Saudi Arabias foreign minister has made a rare visit to Baghdad in an attempt to mend the kingdoms tense relations with Iraq. Adel al-Jubeirs surprise trip on Saturday marked the first official visit by a Saudi foreign minister since 1990, and the first high-level visit since the 2003 US-led invasion. Its the hope of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build excellent relations between the two brotherly countries, said Jubeir. There are also many shared interests, from fighting extremism and terrorism [to] opportunities for investment and trade between the two countries. Jubeir, who met his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, also announced Saudi plans to appoint a new ambassador to Iraq. An Iraqi foreign ministry official said the kingdom supported the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. READ MORE: Can Iraq survive the Iran-Saudi row? Abadi, who has been in power since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties, but the road to normalisation has been rocky. Ambassador spat Thamer al-Sabhan, Saudi Arabias previous ambassador to Iraq, was removed in August. Sabhans comments about Irans involvement in Iraqi affairs and the alleged persecution of Sunni Muslims had angered Iraqs local Shia politicians and militia leaders. Sabhan had also called on Iraq to exclude Shia paramilitary groups from its military campaign against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS), in order to avoid abuses against Sunnis in the country. Sabhan was the first ambassador appointed by Saudi Arabia after it reopened its embassy in Baghdad in 2015, following a 25-year break. Saudi has long accused Iraq of being too close to Iran, its main regional rival, and of encouraging sectarian discrimination against the Sunnis, a charge the Shia-led government in Baghdad denies. Previously, Jubeir himself accused the Hashd al-Shaabi militia, a main partner of the Iraqi army in its fight against ISIL, of being a proxy force for Iran, prompting Baghdad to accuse him of meddling in Iraqi affairs. READ MORE: Iran accused of undermining Middle East security Since the fall of Saddam Husseins government in 2003, Iran has advanced its influence in Iraq, which has further strained relations with Saudi Arabia. Iran has helped Iraq in the fight against ISIL, while supporting the powerful Shia militias in the country. In turn, Iraq has often suffered from being turned into a battlefield where the rivalry of its neighbours are played out. Ali Khedery, the former special assistant to five US ambassadors to Iraq, told Al Jazeera that Iran was likely to be suspicious of Jubeirs visit. [Iran] will possibly move to guard the gains they consolidated in [Iraq], which might lead to outbursts of additional violence that target Arab Gulf states interests in the country, Khedery said. Cooperation against ISIL Jubeirs visit comes amid a major Iraqi offensive to recapture the ISIL-held city of Mosul. During Saturdays meetings, both sides discussed cooperating in the fight against ISIL. Jubeir expressed his countrys support for an ongoing US-backed Iraqi campaign aimed at dislodging the group from Iraq, according to Abadis official statement. A day earlier, Iraqi forces punched through the defences of the last ISIL stronghold in Mosul. Defeating ISIL in Mosul would roll back the self-styled caliphate it declared in Iraq and Syria in 2014 after seizing large parts of both countries. About 100,000 Iraqi soldiers, security forces, Kurdish Peshmerga fighters, and mainly Shia paramilitary forces are participating in the Mosul campaign that began on October 17. Indians demand protection after US gunman shoots dead one and wounds another as FBI investigates possible hate crime. The wife of an Indian man shot dead in a bar in a Kansas town says she had expressed concern about the targeting of immigrants in the United States before the attack, but her husband told her not to worry. Speaking in Kansas on Friday, Sunayana Dumala, wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, said she had questioned whether it was safe to live in the US after other shooting incidents. We always wondered how safe it was to stay in the United States of America, but he always assured me that only good things happen to good people, said Dumala. He did not deserve a death like this. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani also 32 and from India wounded in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe on Wednesday night. American Ian Grillot, 24, was shot but survived after he chased down the attacker. READ MORE: White House reacts to killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star newspaper the assailant shouted: Get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. The FBI is investigating whether the attack was a hate crime the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington DC, said India had requested a thorough and speedy investigation by US authorities. The shooting triggered outrage on social media with people voicing concern that Trumps America First position on immigration and jobs has fuelled a climate of intolerance. Sean Spicer, White House spokesman, said on Friday any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trumps rhetoric. Mindset of hate The suspect fled and was arrested five hours later at a restaurant in Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. At Kuchibhotlas family home near the Indian tech hub of Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the US. The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there, the victims brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. READ MORE: Srinivas Kuchibhotla US murder possible hate crime Madhav said the US government under Trump seems to be cultivating the mindset to hate Asians and Middle East people. Dozens of people attended a candlelight vigil Friday evening in Olathe at a church across the road from the bar where Kuchibhotla was murdered. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. When we peel the layer, then we realise, oh, gun violence was actually somebody killing people because they are different Thats when it became really hard to really make sense of this, said Olathe resident Shabina Kavimandan. Trumps immigration restrictions could target skilled Indian workers as the government considers curbing the H-1B visa programme, worrying both Indias $150bn IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. READ MORE: US anti-fascists: We can make racists afraid again Social media lit up with responses to the Kansas attack. Dont be shocked! Be angry! Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers. Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla. At least 32 people killed including armys top spy after attacks on security offices in third-largest city. A series of suicide attacks on military installations in Syrias government-held city of Homs are reported to have killed 32 people, including the armys intelligence chief a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad. Syrian state television said the armys intelligence chief General Hassan Daabul died and it paid tribute to the martyrs in Saturdays bombings. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said loud explosions and gunfire were heard following the assault in the western Syrian city. There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence, Rami Abdel Rahman, SOHRs director, told AFP news agency. Bombers engaged in prolonged gun battles with intelligence officers before detonating their explosive vests. Talal Barzani, the governor of Homs province, said there were three blasts in total killing 32 people and wounding more than 20 others. The SOHR, which put the Homs toll at 42, said air raids by government forces killed another 13 people across the country, including at least three in al-Waer, a rebel enclave of Homs. Geneva talks The violence comes as officials from the Assad government and the opposition meet for a fourth round in Switzerland to end Syrias six-year-old civil war that has killed hundreds of thousands of people. Today, the Syrian government responded to a brutal terrorist attack in Homs by indiscriminately bombing innocent men and women in besieged al-Waer, Mazen Kewara, of the Syrian American Medical Society, told Al Jazeera on the sidelines of the conference. Targeting innocent women and children in retribution for terrorist attacks for which they bear no responsibility is barbaric and a gross violation of international humanitarian law. If these indiscriminate attacks dont stop, they will delegitimise the peace talks in the eyes of ordinary Syrians. READ MORE: Suicide bombers kill dozens near Al Bab Kewaras views were echoed by Mutasem Alsyofi of The Day After, a collection of civil society activists, in an interview to Al Jazeera in Geneva. Parties with blood on their hands cannot be trusted to monitor their own war crimes, he said. We want the Geneva process to succeed, but success starts by upholding international law and stopping the violence. As long as barrel bombs and chemical weapons are met with impunity, prospects for peace will remain dim. Steffan de Mistura, the UN envoy for Syria, said he suspected spoilers were trying to derail the negotiations. Im expecting during these talks, unfortunately, spoilers, he said. Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it we were expecting that. Big and organised attack Saturdays attacks in Homs hit the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods, prompting security forces to lock down the city centre. A witness was quoted as saying a suicide bomber actually made it into Daabuls office and detonated his vest. Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the State Security Branch, was also critically wounded, state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV reported. Al Jazeeras Andrew Simmons, reporting from Gaziantep on the Turkey-Syria border, said it was unclear how the assailants could have pulled off such an assault. Both areas are heavily guarded by the state police and also military so it was a really big and organised twin attack, said Simmons. Bashar al-Jaafari, who leads the Syrian government delegation to the talks in Geneva, said Saturdays attacks would not go unanswered. He said they were a message to Geneva from the sponsors of terrorism. The message has been delivered. A rebel alliance known as Tahrir al-Sham is believed to have carried out the attack. It was formed earlier this year from several groups including Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, formerly known as al-Nusra Front, which was al-Qaedas Syrian branch until it broke formal allegiance in 2016. Since it was formed, Tahrir al-Sham has fought other rebel groups, including some that fight under the banner of the Free Syrian Army, as well as a faction linked to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, in northwest Syria. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the city centre under a UN-brokered truce. But the city has seen repeated bombings since then. Double bombings killed 64 people early last year. Like its rival ISIL, also known as ISIS, Jabhat Fateh al-Sham is not party to a ceasefire between government forces and opposition groups taking part in the Geneva talks. US bars Syrian cameraman from entering to attend Oscars after documentary nomination on emergency rescuers. A Syrian cinematographer who worked on an Oscar-nominated documentary has been barred from entering the United States to attend Sundays Academy Awards ceremony. Despite being granted a US visa, Khaled Khatib, 21 who documented Syrias civil war in the film The White Helmets was scheduled to depart from the Turkish capital Istanbul on Saturday before US officials reportedly discovered derogatory information about him. The US Department of Homeland Security at the last minute blocked Khatib from travelling to Los Angeles, saying he now needed a new passport waiver, according to documents seen by The Associated Press news agency. Derogatory information is a broad term that includes a variety of allegations, ranging from connections to attacks to passport irregularities. According to the Department of Homeland Security correspondence, Khatib was detained by Turkish authorities in Istanbul last week, which led to the US barring him. A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States, Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen told AP. It was unclear why he was arrested by Turkish authorities, and his current whereabouts are unknown. Calls and emails to Khatib by Al Jazeera were not answered. FEATURE: White Helmet We called Khaled the child rescuer The incident took place less than a month following President Donald Trumps now suspended temporary travel ban, which restricted entry of people from seven Muslim-majority countries, including Syria. Khatib along with fellow rescue worker Raed al-Saleh were both granted visas earlier this month to attend the Oscars on Sunday. In a Twitter post, Saleh said on Friday they would not be attending the event because they are busy helping people caught in the conflict. Regretfully we won't be at the OSCARS due to intensity of work, our priority continues to be helping civilians & rescue operations in #Syria Raed Al Saleh ( ) (@RaedAlSaleh3) February 24, 2017 The White Helmets is a 40-minute Netflix documentary nominated in the Oscars short documentary category. It gives a glimpse of the daily lives of the group also known as Syria Civil Defence whose members volunteer as emergency rescue workers in rebel-held parts of Syria. Among the films harrowing scenes are images of people digging through demolished homes searching for potential survivors after air strikes or artillery barrages. Volunteer medical workers are at risk of being killed in double tap attacks that target first-responders arriving at the scene and many have died. The group was also nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize last year. Since the start of the Syrian war that erupted in March 2011, the United Nations estimates nearly 400,000 people have been killed and more than half the population has been forced to flee the country. Turkeys ruling party has formally launched a campaign urging a yes vote in a referendum to amend the constitution, eliminating the position of prime minister and extending the powers of the president. Prime Minister Binali Yildirim waved and threw flowers to his supporters, among an estimated 40,000 flag-waving members of the Justice and Development Party in Ankara on Saturday, to push for the approval of the bill on April 16. For a strong Turkey, lasting stability, our choice is yes. This is our wish, it will come, said Yildirim. READ MORE: Turkeys constitutional reform All you need to know Al Jazeeras Paul Brennan, reporting from Turkeys capital, said the party, known by its Turkish acronym AKP, was trying to project unity amid political divisions in the country. But the irony of Yildirims position is that he will be strongly arguing for the abolition of his own post, Brennan said. The referendum comes less than a year after a failed coup attempt against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Erdogan has said the changes will prevent a return to fragile parliamentary coalitions of the past, and provide stability at a time of turmoil. There have been 140,000 people arrested, detained or suspended from public sector posts since the coup attempt failed in July 2016. Test of patriotism Erdogan also called the vote a test of patriotism. He has referred to voters opposing the bill as terrorists. But critics fear a slide towards what they call authoritarianism. Al Jazeeras Brennan said there are concerns that too much power rests with the president. He said the main challenge for Erdogan and his allies was to assure voters that there are safeguards put into the proposal to make sure the president does not wield too much power. If the changes are passed in the referendum, Turkey would head to general and presidential elections in November 2019 and the proposed powers would be granted to whoever is elected president. The bill indicates a person can be elected president for two five-year terms. Erdogans existing time as president will not be counted, meaning that, if the legislation is approved, he could stay in office until 2029. News organisations criticised by President Trump among those blocked from gaggle with Press Secretary Sean Spicer. The White House has blocked a number of news outlets from covering a question-and-answer session with spokesman Sean Spicer held in place of the daily press briefing. Media organisations including The New York Times, CNN, Politico and Al Jazeera were blocked from joining the informal, on-the-record, off-camera press briefing on Friday, referred to as a gaggle. Some of the blocked outlets, including CNN, have been singled out by President Donald Trump as sources of fake news. Spicer invited only a pool of news organisations that represents and shares reporting with the larger press corps. Journalists from several right-leaning outlets were also allowed into Spicers office, including the website Breitbart News, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is Trumps chief strategist. When additional news organisations attempted to gain access, they were not allowed to enter. Al Jazeeras Kimberly Halkett, reporting from the White House, was among those asked to leave. This is really the latest in an ongoing media war with this White House, she said. Some of those who are concerned about this are outlets that have been accused by the White House of reporting unfavourably, namely that they reported that the White House recently tried to deploy the FBI to counter some negative reporting with regard to whether or not there had been contact between the White House and Russian officials. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organisations credentialed to cover the White House. The Associated Press and Time magazine chose not to participate in the gaggle after Spicer restricted the number of journalists present. Dont need everything on camera Spicer said the White House held a gaggle rather than an open briefing because Trump made a major speech earlier in the day. Our job is to make sure that were responsive to folks in the media, he said during the briefing. We want to make sure we answer your questions, but we dont need to do everything on camera every day. READ MORE: Trump declares media the enemy of the American people In a statement, White House Correspondents Association President Jeff Mason said the group was protesting strongly against how the gaggle was handled by the White House and that the issue would be discussed further with officials. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Mason added that press access to the White House since Trump took office in January has been good. Theres some irony to that statement because the tone set by President Trump about the media, of course, has been very negative, he said, but we have had many opportunities to ask questions, both of the president and Sean Spicer, his press secretary, and to see and take pictures basically of how this White House governs. That is a positive thing and a trend we hope will continue. After The New York Times was barred from attending the gaggle, its executive editor, Dean Baquet, said that nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. CNN described the move as an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless, the broadcaster said in a statement. The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the move by the White House. We are concerned by the decision to bar reporters from a press secretary briefing, CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. The US should be promoting press freedom and access to information. The ocean is essential to the livelihoods and food security of billions of people around the globe. Shipping, tourism, transport, fisheries, oil and gas, renewable energy all depend on the sea. Two years ago, economists put a dollar value on what our oceans are worth and came up with $24 trillion. If it were a country, the sea would be the seventh-largest economy on the planet. When you look at the blue economy, it has an asset value of $24 trillion and thats delivering something between $4-500bn each year in terms of the dividend to humanity, says Professor Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, director of the Global Change Institute. Marine resources are being degraded by human activity throughout the world that comes down to things like pollution, plastics, degradation of coastal mangroves, climate change, etc. But even with the amount of degradation thats going on, were still deriving great benefits. The real interesting issue is that if we can reverse the tide of degradation, then we should be able to build the $24 trillion asset. In Indonesia, 70 percent of the population lives along its coastline and depends upon the ocean. But Indonesia is also the second largest plastic waste producer after China. Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen reports on how ocean waste is making its way into our food. Also exploring the blue economy, Jacob Ward reports on how commercial fishermen are dealing with the effects of overfishing. Also on this episode of Counting the Cost: Brazil coffee: A fight is brewing in Brazils coffee industry. Severe drought has hit the countrys robusta harvest. Brazils instant coffee roasters use this grade of bean and theyve lobbied the government to allow imports for the first time in its history. The government, however, is faced with strong opposition from coffee farmers who dont want lower prices for their product. Robot tax: Its something you may hear more about in the future and Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates is all for it. The thinking is as follows: Greater automation is cutting human jobs, so a tax can even the score. Gates may have to convince the Europeans though. The EU parliament says its preparing a Robot Law. But it wont be dealing with tax, instead what kind of rights to give robots. Uber sexism: Taxi app company Uber is battling allegations of a sexist work culture. This is the worlds most valuable, private company. And that $70b valuation is based on people wanting to use its services in the future, and on its public image, something CEO Travis Kalanick is acutely aware of. Hes apologised for the toxic culture at the company after a blog post from a former female employee went viral. Mobile money market: In Africa, using your phone to send cash is nothing new. Mobile money is something that has helped people who dont have access to a traditional bank account. M-Pesa, which launched in Kenya a decade ago, was one of the pioneers in this space. Last year, it processed about $6bn in transactions. It is now used in 10 countries including Afghanistan, India and Romania. Vodafone director of mobile money Michael Joseph, the former CEO of telecommunications organisation Safaricom, joins us from Johannesburg. Tesla cars: Teslas annual report was released this week and it failed to deliver an annual profit. But this company is all about the future. In 2017, it plans to transform into a volume car manufacturer with the hopes of rolling out the Model 3 electric car off the production line in September. Tesla also plans to send a driverless car on a road trip across the US by the end of the year. Tesla CEO Elon Musk also heads SpaceX, which aims to colonise Mars. Musk is also on US President Donald Trumps business advisory council. Mega mergers: Plenty of ambition was evidenced when the owner of Heinz Tomato Ketchup attempted to buy the owner of Helmans Mayonnaise. US food multinational Kraft Heinzs was willing to pay $143bn for Anglo-Dutch consumer giant Unilever. The takeover would have been the third-biggest in history. But the 17 percent fall in Sterling, since the UKs decision to leave the EU, played a part in the deals spectacular collapse. Unilever said $143bn wasnt enough. Kraft would be getting some of the worlds most recognisable brands on the cheap. Political resistance over UK jobs also meant Heinz was ultimately forced to walk away. President Donald Trump says he wants the US to expand its nuclear arsenal. President Donald Trump has reiterated his call for the United States to be top of the pack when it comes to nuclear weapons. His latest comments echo a tweet sent following his November election win in which he pledged to increase US firepower. Speaking to journalists at the White House, Trump said he would like to see a world with no nuclear weapons, but is concerned that the US has fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity. Critics say the US and Russia already have more than enough warheads to deter any nuclear attack. What is behind the presidents latest thinking and could it provoke a new arms race? Presenter: Hazem Sika Guests: Barry Pavel former National Security Council adviser to President Barack Obama and President George Bush Pavel Felgenhauer Russian security and defence analyst Christian Ruge arms control expert The case against Assange is as political as it is legal; where does it go from here? Plus, Kenyas election influencers. In December 2016, former secretary-general of the United Nations, Kofi Annan, visited Myanmar for talks with State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, regarding simmering tensions between Buddhists and Muslims in Rakhine State, on the western coast of the country. The by Abdul development.] Rakhine is home to over one million displaced people, most belonging to the Rohingya community. It is one of the largest stateless populations in the world, in spite of their belief that they are indigenous to Rakhine. The Rohingya have been called the most persecuted people in the world at this moment in time and are denied Myanmarese citizenship. Physical violence against them is common, with hundreds killed and thousands of houses belonging to them burned down since 2012. Reports of sexual abuse by the police and even the army have also been rife, with many Rohingya denied access to healthcare, means of employment and food. One hundred thousand people, Buddhists and Muslims, are estimated to be displaced as a result of the violence between the two groups. Both sides talk to Al Jazeera about potentially finding a peaceful resolution to a conflict in one of the most ethnically complex countries in the world. The Rohingya believe they have as much right to Rakhine as the Buddhist community does. Rohingya are not illegal immigrants because the Rohingya did not come to this country after its independence. We are the indigenous citizens of this country, says Abdul Rasheed, Chairman of the Rohingya Foundation. Historians debate whether the Rohingya were living in Myanmar pre-independence when it was still known as Burma in 1948. However, they have always lived primarily in Rakhine. But unlike many other ethnic groups and there are hundreds of them, they were never considered part of the Myanmars population. They were frequently denied the right to participate in elections and many considered them to be from neighbouring Bangladesh, migrating to Myanmar after the Bangladesh liberation war of 1971. The sentiment is echoed by U Wara Thara, a monk from Sittwe in Rakhine: This land is owned by us, the Buddhists, the people of Rakhine. We are only seven percent of the population here. As their population is getting bigger, they shouldnt be here any more. If they live here honestly, it doesnt matter to us, but they are now appropriating our lands. You can talk to Al Jazeera, too. Join our Twitter conversation as we talk to world leaders and alternative voices shaping our times. You can also share your views and keep up to date with our latest interviews on Facebook. English News Chinese diplomat calls for joint efforts to secure substantial progress in Syria peace talks Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Fevrier 2017 Chinese President Xi Jinping, while delivering a recent keynote speech at the UN's Geneva headquarters, announced that China will provide 200 million yuan ($29.18 million) of humanitarian assistance to help refugees and the homeless in the Syrian crisis. By Zhao Cheng from Peoples Daily A senior Chinese diplomat called on the Syrian government, the opposition, as well as factions of the opposition to join their efforts to realize national reconciliation by prioritizing the interests of the whole country and its people on Friday, one day after the new round of peace talks on Syria kicked off in Geneva. In a bid to secure substantial progress from this round of peace talks, all stakeholders should make more compromise, seek cooperation, and beat their swords into plowshares, Xie Xiaoyan, Chinese governments special envoy on Syria, wrote in a signed article published in Peoples Daily. In the article titled A restart of Syrian political agenda, Xie said that the war can never put the conflicts into an end, while military fight will never bring peace either. Relevant regional countries must abandon their private interests and endeavor for a parallel progress in ceasefire, political negotiation, humanitarian assistance as well as concerted efforts in combating terrorism, the diplomat added. The role of UN as major mediation channel should be brought into full play to defuse the Syrian crisis, he suggested, adding that the UN has abundant advantages and experiences in solving such international and regional hotspot challenges. All stakeholders should pool a consensus to inject positive energy for the dialogues and reconciliation by rendering support to the unremitting efforts made by UN Secretary General and UNs special envoy to Syria, the envoy added. Chinese President Xi Jinping, while delivering a recent keynote speech at the UN's Geneva headquarters, announced that China will provide 200 million yuan ($29.18 million) of humanitarian assistance to help refugees and the homeless in the Syrian crisis. Xie believed that such efforts revealed that China has been contributing its wisdom and strength to the political resolution of Syrian crisis. China never seeks self-interest in Syria, and what China pursues is the interests of the Syrian people, he stressed in the article. Three rounds of indirect peace talks on Syria were held in Geneva last year thanks to the mediation efforts of UN special envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura. In the last days of 2016, Syrian government and the opposition, mediated by Russia and other sides, reached a ceasefire agreement. The ceasefire documents also included measures to monitor the ceasefire deal and a statement on the readiness to start peace talks to settle the Syrian crisis. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up China will make more glorious achievements under leadership of CPC: Mongolian politician China enhances efforts to promote biodiversity conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) English News Resorting to protectionism for political gains short-sighted: Peoples Daily Alwihda Info | Par peoplesdaily - 25 Fevrier 2017 Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room. While wind and rain may be kept outside, that dark room will also block light and air. No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war, Xi stressed. By Hu Zexi from Peoples Daily The recent rising tide of trade protectionism in Europe and the US has triggered economic challenges, but at the same time exposed their myopic political vision, said a commentary published by the Peoples Daily Friday. The article, titled Petty tricks of protectionism should be abandoned, comes as more European and US politicians resort to protectionism for political gains. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, for instance, labeled her economic policies as intelligent protectionism. As a presidential candidate of the National Front (FN), Le Pen envisioned restoring the glory of Made in France by tightening border control. In the US, the Republicans are now considering a border adjustment tax in Congress as a way to boost exports and reduce imports. The plan would in effect impose a tax on American imports while exempting American made exports from income tax calculations. Meanwhile, the Chinese government, in recent years, has voiced its opposition against trade protectionism on many occasions, the article pointed out. Chinese President Xi Jinping, while addressing the opening plenary of the 2017 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 17, told the world that we must remain committed to developing global free trade and investment, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation through opening-up and say no to protectionism. Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room. While wind and rain may be kept outside, that dark room will also block light and air. No one will emerge as a winner in a trade war, Xi stressed. Politicians that back protectionism for political gains are sacrificing their countries long-term interests, the paper pointed out. Although protectionism policies will bring a country deadweight loss, they meet urgent appeals that can be turned into votes or political donations, read the commentary. This conclusion echoes the findings of Italian economists who studied the changing attitudes of US policymakers towards protectionism in relation to their terms in office. Economists Paola Conconi, Giovanni Facchini and Maurizio Zanardi found that senators serving out the final two years of their terms were significantly more protectionist after examining 29 final roll-call votes on trade liberalization between 1973 and 2005. In a second study, Italian economists found that US presidents are more likely to initiate WTO disputes during the last year of their first term. But they did not find such a pattern during Presidents second terms, when they no longer were eligible for reelection. Dans la meme rubrique : < > Chongqing drives high-quality development with high-level opening up China will make more glorious achievements under leadership of CPC: Mongolian politician China enhances efforts to promote biodiversity conservation Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena) As the Canadian Parliament prepares to adopt a motion condemning "Islamophobia," the Canadian media have shifted into high-gear propaganda mode to smear all opposition to this anti-free speech measure as hysterical. Leading the charge in the Toronto Star is Faisal Kutty, who teaches law at Valparaiso University Law School in Indiana and Osgoode Hall Law School in Toronto and has numerous ties to groups linked to Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Kutty leads off by scapegoating me as the "lunatic fringe" opposing this thought-crushing measure: "Canadian PM, Justin Trudeau, Smears all Canadians with Islamophobia Lie to Create a Sharia State," tweeted notorious American Islamophobe Pamela Geller, in reference to M103, a motion debated in Parliament this week. Unfortunately, such views are not restricted to the lunatic fringe. Several Conservative leadership hopefuls have bought into the "moral panic," only confirming the importance of the motion. Kellie Leitch, Chris Alexander, Brad Trost and Pierre Lemieux even spoke at a Rebel Media event, which according to organizers, was to oppose "Islamic blasphemy laws" in Canada. Speakers warned that the government planned to silence critics of Islam. That is obviously exactly what the government plans to do. Interim Conservative leader Rona Ambrose said she was concerned that charges of "Islamophobia" would be used "to intimidate rather than to inform." Ambrose added: "I do worry that some of my work trying to empower women and girls in Muslim communities could be branded as 'Islamophobic' if I criticize practices that I believe are oppressive." Ambrose was absolutely right. That is exactly what happened to me when I placed ads on buses in Edmonton offering help to Canadian girls in danger of honor killing. And that was by no means the only time the Canadian government has moved to silence critics not only of Islam, but of particular Islamic practices, even before this measure was proposed: its passage can only have a chilling effect on the freedom of speech, making Canadians even more afraid than they are now of speaking out against jihad terror and the aspects of sharia that contradict Canadian values. Just weeks ago, a Montreal man was arrested for "online hate speech targeting Muslims." What he wrote was not released, but if he wasn't calling for violence against innocent people, then this was a stunning example of how sharia blasphemy restrictions are already being adopted by foolish and shortsighted authorities in Canada. And this week, protesters outside a Toronto mosque where the imam prayed for killing of unbelievers could face hate crime charges. That's right: the protesters, not the imam, face such charges. These things have happened before the anti-Islamophobia motion becomes law. When it does, are Canadians more likely or less likely to stand up to jihad terror and sharia oppression? Kutty also tries to lull Canadians into complacency when he falsely claims: "There is no monolithic understanding of the Sharia. Like any world view it can be used and abused by people with varying agendas. Developed over 1,424 years in diverse societies, it has manifested itself in a range of views. In fact, the inherent diversity and pluralism of the Sharia may be the best tool we have to counter the violent and antimodern narratives of extremists." This is downright false: if there is any system that is not characterized by "diversity and pluralism," it is sharia. Look around the world: everywhere sharia is fully implemented, it looks the same, with stonings, amputations, oppression of women and non-Muslims, and denial of the freedom of speech. "Diversity and pluralism"? In Saudi Arabia, Iran, Sudan, and Pakistan? If sharia is so diverse, why do those countries look so drearily similar to one another in their societal mores and legal structures? Kutty also lies outright when he says: "Respectful criticism of Islam and even Muslim practices is done daily by many, including Muslims. Yet the Islamophobia label is not used, because it is not done with loathing and contempt. Diversity of opinions are a recognized forte of Islamic jurisprudence." In reality, Islamic law mandates death for anyone who criticizes Allah, Muhammad, the Qur'an, or Islam. And anyone and everyone who dares say the slightest critical word about Islam or Muslim practices is immediately smeared as an "Islamophobe." Notice that Kutty doesn't give even a single example of this "respectful criticism of Islam and even Muslim practices." He doesn't because he can't. What Kutty is trying to prevent from knowing is that Canada's M103 anti-Islamophobia motion would make that "respectful criticism" even harder and bring sharia blasphemy laws that much closer to being implemented in Canada. Considering that he is, according to the excellent Canadian news site Point de Bascule, "one of many North American Muslim scholars recommended by the Saudi Muslim World League," and has ties to Hamas- and Muslim Brotherhood-linked groups including CAIR and ISNA, that may be exactly what he wants. Pamela Geller is the president of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), publisher of PamelaGeller.com, and author of The Post-American Presidency: The Obama Administration's War on America and Stop the Islamization of America: A Practical Guide to the Resistance. Follow her on Twitter here. Like her on Facebook here. Following a rocky first month in Trump-Iran relations, its significant that Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has chosen to maintain a substantially low profile. Comprehending the threat of vast changes in Washington, Khamenei also knows he cannot show weakness to his dwindling social base already terrified of major changes in the new U.S. administrations policies vis-a-vis Iran following Obamas eight years of appeasement. In recent remarks, Khamenei even said there is no difference between the Obama and Trump administrations (!) and the real war is the economic war, the sanctions war. These are interesting observations from Khamenei, and they should be considered deceptive, because he understands fully well that with Obama gone, so are the concessions the previous White House provided to his regime. Khameneis own change in reactions is further proof, as he is seen choosing his words quite carefully. To pass this stage, Iran has two options ahead. First, to strongly counter-react in areas in which the United States has vital interests, and the second is for Iran to act within the frameworks laid out by the United States in order to continue to have a role in the region and get out of the harnessed state. No doubt, the second option would ensure more strategic advantages for Iran. (Jahan-e-Sanat, February 20) During the Obama years, Khamenei himself used strong terms in threatening American interests across the globe. He went as far as saying that his regime would raze Haifa and Tel Aviv to the ground, wasting no time in lashing out at any threats. This also showed how Obamas appeasement policy failed miserably. Now that Khamenei is receiving on notice level warnings from Washington, he is in fact completely terrified to use any strong terms. However, he is resorting to a new tactic of claiming there being no difference between the Obama and Trump administrations. From January 20th onward, Khamenei has repeatedly made such remarks about the two administrations. This comes at a time when the supreme leader and his inner circle used believed sanctions could have no impact. Such a shift in tone seen in Khamenei is the index that a policy of firm language against Iran, parallel to economic pressures through sanctions, can bring this regime to its knees. On the other hand, we are witnessing that Tehrans lobbies, and those who capitalized on massive economic gains rendered through the appeasement policy, are desperately speaking out against any sanctions, and especially the possible designation of the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) as a foreign terrorist organization. The IRGC controls much of Irans economy, and yet Tehrans lobbies have gone the distance in claiming its blacklisting will threaten Americas interests in Iraq and other countries hosting U.S. bases, and also endangering so-called moderates in the face of hardliners. This is nothing but fake news, signaling that not only officials in Tehran, but their decreasing number of international correspondents, are concerned about Obamas appeasement policy coming to an end. A firm policy against Iran goes far further than only containing this regimes nuclear ambitions and foreign meddling. Such a shift can also fuel the Iranian peoples increasing protests against this regime. The exact opposite of Obama turning his back to the 2009 uprising in Iran. Recent protests in Ahvaz and other cities resembles the Iranian peoples hatred of this regime and their thirst for change. Ended Sunday, February 20, the Munich Security Conference condemned the Iranian regime for disrupting security and stability in the region. The delegations in the conference had one sentence in common when speaking against the Iranian regime: the Iranian regime is the biggest state sponsor of terrorism in the world, said by U.S. Vice President Mike Pence as well as Saudi FM Adel al-Jubeir. Also, Turkish finance minister Mevlut Chavushoghlu put this same issue another way while pointing to the regimes interventions in Syria and Iraq. Iranian regime is seeking sectarianism in the region, he said. The new alliance of Arab nations, and especially the participation of Turkey, has raised major concerns among senior officials in Tehran as a strong front against its terrorism and meddling in other countries is formed. The formation of such a front is a sign of significant policy changes in Washington. This appears to be a step in the direction of regaining the trust lost amongst U.S. allies during the Obama tenure to confront Irans terrorism and meddling in the Middle East. Etemad, for instance, writes on February 21: the leaders and elite in Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Turkey had this vision in recent years that with Barack Obama as President, the US administration wouldnt take any specific measure against Iran in order to put Tehran under pressure. Military drills and hollow saber rattling by IRGC commanders during the past few days shed light on Irans fear and severe weakness of developments in the makings with the incoming policy alterations in Washington. What needs to be understood is that we are already at the beginning of a new era where the regime in Iran will no longer benefit from an appeasement policy that allows it to both increase its domestic crackdown and foreign warmongering, such as Irans involvement in Syria, and continuously threaten to abandon ship on the accord aimed at curbing the Iran nuclear program. This provides a golden opportunity for the international community to begin standing shoulder to shoulder with the Iranian people and its organized resistance under the leadership of Maryam Rajavi, a Muslim woman who represents a tolerant and democratic Islam against a fundamentalist version of Islam advocated by the mullahs regime. Bringing an end to the appeasement policy and, as being recently weighed by the Trump administration, designating Irans Revolutionary Guards as a foreign terrorist designation are necessary steps in a long overdue roadmap. Shahriar Kia is a political analyst writing on Iran and the Middle East. He is the member of the Iranian opposition, the Peoples Mujahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI, also known as the MEK). He graduated from North Texas University. Despite access to new cash in the wake of President Obama's Iran Deal, the mullahs aren't using it to aid Iran's storm-ravaged provinces. They're busy shelling out for missiles. In recent weeks, disastrous flash floods, avalanches, and dust storms have gripped the country's south, including the provinces of Fars, Bushehr and 11 others. The catastrophes coincided with Irans Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) launching sophisticated missiles during a three-day military exercise which began on Monday, Feb. 21, in Iran's central desert. This missile launch was the fifth of its kind, and conducted in defiance of the United Nations resolution. The launches also came a day after it was revealed that U.S. senators were planning to introduce legislation imposing additional economic sanctions on Iran, proving that the mullahs could care less about the effects of their behavior. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke of these plans during a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference, according to Reuters. I think it is now time for the Congress to take Iran on directly in terms of what theyve done outside the nuclear program,.Graham said. The events reveal that the Iranian regime, despite having access to a vast new cash stream as a result of President Obama's Iran Deal, nevertheless continues to prioritize illegal military activity over serving the needs of its people. Its refusal to render aid to its stricken provinces after devastating storms shows in stark terms how the Deal has been an unmitigated failure. The natural disasters in the south are no ordinary storm aftermath. Heavy flooding has cut electricity supplies and water to thousands of people, destroying streets and houses. It has also ravaged roads, opened sinkholes, and collapsed bridges. Some 10,000 people have been left homeless. The torrential rain caused flooding across the south, from Khuzestan province on the Iraqi border, to Sistan-Baluchistan province on the border with Pakistan. Thousands fled villages downstream from dams, fearing collapses like (that) in Jiroft in the north, where at least five people (were) killed in avalanches over the past two weeks as up to two meters (more than six feet) of snow fell in the Zagros and Alborz mountains, one news agency reported. The flood has damaged more than 1,000 residential units, with 250 structures sustaining major damage. Residents have been severely exposed to contaminated water. The earthen dam of Bardsir collapsed and water ran into villages downstream. Despite a decade-long oil earnings bonanza, these disasters show that the government has neither constructed nor maintained necessary building infrastructure, which are in poor condition. Nor has civil defense been up to snuff: Flood advisories, watches, and patrol groups have not been present at the scene, either. The River Engineering and Flood Control Bureau held glossy meetings for public relations purposes, but did nothing of practical value to either prevent the disaster or render assistance afterward. What's more, they have done all they can to keep citizens in the dark about it. The government has broadcast plenty of news about the regime's defiant missile launch, but either reduced or blacked out local news describing the extent of the storm damage, and in some cases censored news. A favored technique the regime has been to reduce Internet speeds to ensure that public exposure to the news is limited, and cannot spread. Iranian residents in the heavily damaged areas have since told the opposition press that they feel ignored by the authorities, with a dreadful sense that theirs is a government that does not care what happens to them or their flooded province. And make no mistake, this is is an area that has suffered horrifically from natural disasters since the advent of the mullahs. These floods came just a year after a similar torrent in the same area left 280 people dead and caused millions of dollars in damage, with no precautionary plan in place. To view this from the eyes of the survivors still awaiting help, a look at the recent history they are aware of is important: From January 5, 1987 through July 22, 2001, floods in different parts of Iran killed 1120 people, destroyed 10,000 homes, 10,000 miles of roads, 1,300 bridges and ruined 2,470 acres of agricultural land, at a cost of $1.7 billion in damage. The UN Development Program (UNDP) office in Tehran has warned officials, repeatedl y, that floods will continue to wreak havoc in the country, unless effective preparedness and preventive measures are undertaken soon. But no such measures have been taken by the government. The fate of the provinces will be little different from that of Tehrans iconic 17-story Plasco tower, which collapsed into rubble last Jan. 19 as a deadly fire consumed it. According to an Iranian opposition (PMOI/MEK) report, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Hassan Rouhani, have neglected the poor economic conditions and quality of life of the people, yet they have poured billions of dollars into three wars in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen and now are steering billions more from in newly-released assets from President Obama's Iran Deal into new military spending for missiles, rockets, ammunition and bombs. They also are using it in a massive exercise and drill now by the IRGC which pursues state-sponsored terrorism. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) offered enormous benefits for Irans economy and, as a result, provided substantial additional resources to the government of Iran. Now the question is, what did Tehran do with the money? Did they use it for protection from floods? They didn't. It demonstrates conclusively that the plunder of Irans wealth by the mullahs, who claim to be Muslim leaders, and who have hijacked the Iranian Revolution three decades ago have left almost nothing for the Iranian people. The tiny rich section of Tehran, which consists of mullahs and their families, have usurped the entire wealth of Iran. Many of them, such as the IRGC, have illegally expropriated the nation's collective wealth for their personal benefit. For example, IRGC commanders have built dams on Irans rivers to direct water to their private plantations. Lake Urmia, in northwestern Iran, used to be the largest lake in the Middle East, and the sixth-largest saltwater lake on Earth before they appropriated it. It was once a major tourist attraction and a home to migratory birds but has since shrunk substantially and has fallen into a dramatic decline for some years after the IRGC got hold of it. The dried lakes and rivers that remain have caused substantial destructive changes to the environment since. Poor air, land, and water quality all have serious health effects including respiratory and eye diseases in the country. Meanwhile, MEK reported that, residents of Ahvaz, in the capital of the oil-rich fields of Khuzestan province, have been protesting for six consecutive days in increasingly larger gatherings. These Iranian citizen protests are over dust storms, power failures and government mismanagement despite security forces declaring all demonstrations illegal. President Rohani's one-day visit to Ahvaz on Feb. 23 followed days of protests by residents blaming power cuts, dust pollution, and water-supply problems on government mismanagement. Rohani's visit did not satisfy the protestors, they said Rohani's promises, like the others, were hollow promises aiming to cool citizen anger. Considering the powder-keg nature of Iran's society, his only concern was for his regime, worrying that the people's exasperation and scattered protests may merge into a mass uprising similar to that of 2009. That's little comfort to those afflicted by the natural disasters and the indifferent response. For average Iranians, what, again, was good about this much-touted Iran Deal? Hassan Mahmoudi is a human rights advocate and social media journalist seeking democracy for Iran and peace for the region. Editor's note: This post has been updated with the paragraph on President Rohani. People frequently write about academic political bias but rarely about the degradation of academic scientific capacities. Nevertheless, the signs of this degradation are everywhere. One example is embracing the pseudo-science of climate alarmism. The degree of enthusiasm has varied from Caltechs tacit approval to the full-throat fervor of Harvard University president Dr. Drew Gilpin Faust. Another sign is a chronic failure of the $300 billion-dollar-a-year post-secondary educational system to produce enough computer specialists. Lastly, theres the academias failure to distance itself from the Union of Concerned Scientists (Disclosure: the author has a pending lawsuit against the Union of Concerned Scientists, the Ford Foundation and other defendants.) and the ongoing Bill Nye the Science Guy media hoax. In hindsight, over the period from the late 1980s to 2016, many factors had contributed to the downfall of the academic integrity and scientific capacity. The major factors were: 1. Unnatural, politically-spurred growth of college enrollment without regard to the economic or social demand for the increasing number of college graduates and even the supply of sufficiently prepared and motivated college applicants. This quantity instead of quality approach has been known to be harmful, and it was. 2. The takeover of the universities and colleges by the New Left. Apparently, many radicals of the 60s hadnt learned from the fall of the Soviet Union and continued to think of the U.S. as an evil system that needed to be overthrown. By trusting the good will of its faculty, the university system presented the New Left an excellent opportunity to sabotage scientific development. Not all radicals went into social disciplines to poison the minds of the new generation. Some of them went into science, and corrupted scientific institutions through environmental studies and other means. Their impact was amplified by big money from the Ford Foundation and its ilk. 3. Foreign influence. Science, as a pursuit of knowledge, is international. But scientific recognition can be influenced by politics. Environmental politics of the European Union in the 1990s heavily impacted scientific processes in the U.S. One of the most important things for a scientist is the ability to publish in peer-reviewed journals. Consequently, editors of the prestigious scientific journals wield enormous power. But most English-language scientific journals have international editorial boards. Furthermore, most scientific journals are owned by foreign publishers. The three largest scientific publishers are: Reed-Elsevier (UK), Springer (Germany), and Holtzbrinck (Germany). The latter two merged in 2015. EU-centric scientific publishing has allowed EU politics to infringe on American science without people noticing. American academia also corruptly promoted scientists for collaboration with the International Panel on Climate Change and other UN agencies. 4. The rise of "studies" with predetermined results, as opposed to the normative sciences, valued for their understanding of the laws of nature. Certain political developments caused this. Then confrontational environmentalism and tort litigation requested scientists to back their claims, no matter what, and generously paid. This went against all norms. Science starts with empirical facts (observations or experimental results) and arrives to conclusions based on them. Post-normal science starts with conclusions (provided by politicians or activists) and contorts itself accordingly to justify these conclusions. Demand for such science came from many places. The Environmental Protection Agency was one of them, while increasingly wealthy environmental organizations were another. During the 1980s to the 1990s, we saw the plaintiff bar tearing apart manufacturing industries using tort and product liability laws. Asbestos litigation alone yielded tens of billions of dollars. Some of the loot went to Democratic Party politicians who created and expanded those laws. Even more money was paid to expert witnesses. This money incentivized academics to advance scientifically unsound theories, supporting dubious plaintiff claims. 5. Al Gore! Bill Clinton had an unusual arrangement with his vice president, where he granted Al Gore full responsibility for some functions of the government. Clinton used to say that his VP Gore was the most powerful VP in the history of the country. In fact, Al Gore received an absolute power in science. But Al Gore was incapable of understanding physics and had an almost religious hostility toward modern science and technology. From Rupert Darwall, The Age of Global Warming: A History: Gore argued, Bacon and the scientific method thereby contributing to the extreme evils perpetrated by Hitler and Stalin. Gores accusation against science shows an extraordinary misreading of history. Yet Gores assault on the Scientific Revolution met with silence from leading academies and societies. (Kindle Locations 5278-5279, 5283-5285). 6. Affirmative action and diversity policies have come into deadly synergy with environmentalist agendas, successfully tearing down American science. In the 1990s, affirmative action appointees didnt need any qualifications and bore loyalty to nobody but those who appointed them. Thus, they could be used to carry out any policies, no matter how extreme. For example, Al Gore fired eminent physicist Will Happer from the position of the Director of Research in the Department of Energy for merely proposing measuring effects of postulated ozone layer depletion. Martha Krebs, a Ph.D. without any scientific jobs on her CV, was appointed in his place. 7. Academic scientists blindness to these developments seems amazing in hindsight. One explanation is that they supported Democrats and were conditioned to believe that a danger to scientific research and academic freedom comes from conservatives and Republicans. They were further desensitized because the changes were additive; environmental studies and other nonsense were added as the universities grew, until their influence drowned out that of the hard sciences. If biology professors were fired to let environmental activists take their place, the response would be quite different. In academia, fake scientists prevailed over real scientists and speak on behalf of science now. Fake news media believe them or act as if they do. 8. Suppression of the independent science. The Left and then mainstream Democrats have been ranting about since the 1990s, calling it corporate science. The combined litigation and legislation campaign painted as a fight against Big Tobacco is still not sufficiently recognized for what it became. It targeted a highly unpopular and, possibly, evil industry to set the precedent that the Democrats might silence independent scientists by going after the businesses that make them independent. 9. Universities abrogation of their duty to prepare new generations of American scientists and engineers. Whether driven by their elitist contempt of preparing specialists demanded by productive economics or by ideological preference, the universities have been churning out radicals in place of skilled graduates able to live in mutual harmony with society. Feminism played its role by demanding a decrease of male faculty and students in science and engineering. And there was also market dynamics at play. Successful graduates in economically demanded fields have found jobs outside academia, while unemployable studies majors stayed in the system and outside nincompoops entered it, staying true to the saying, Those who can, do. Those who cannot, teach. This was a recipe for disaster -- more useless faculty generated more useless graduates, many of whom stayed in academia, inflating size of the departments producing more of their kind, and so on. The politics of the National Scientific Foundation also caused exodus of the best scientific minds. The remaining vacuum has been filled by immigration. More than half of faculty in science and engineering departments of most universities are foreign-born and raised, mostly not from Western countries. I dont doubt their qualifications, ethics, and loyalty. But, there is one thing they are totally incapable of doing (with few exceptions) -- defending the academic freedom of scientists and the integrity of science. Almost by definition, this means a successful integration of an immigrant working in a university means an acceptance of the Leftist oppression as a norm. Academia seems to have been allowed to employ an immigration policy of its own. Nearly one million foreign students currently study in the U.S.; the top countries are China, India, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia. Unlike their American counterparts, most foreign students study sciences, math, and engineering. I know that thousands of outstanding scientists work and teach in academia. Academic institutions are to blame for suppressing or ignoring their contributions. Thanks to H.J. for collaboration in writing this article. Leo Goldstein researches and writes about climate alarmism, and its interconnection with other social ills. Until recently, Leo Goldstein wrote under the pen name Ari Halperin. In Miami, and other Cuban American communities across the U.S., we will remember this weekend the anniversary of the shooting of four Cuban-Americans over the Florida Straits. It happened in 1996: Two small planes operated by a Cuban-American group were shot down by Cuban fighters over the waters north of Havana and the four people on board were missing, President Clinton and the U.S. Coast Guard said Saturday. Clinton said he had been briefed on "the shooting down Saturday in broad daylight of two American civilian airplanes by Cuban military aircraft." "I condemn this action in the strongest possible terms," Clinton told reporters in Seattle, Washington. The two planes with four people on board were twin-engine Cessna aircraft operated by the group "Brothers to the Rescue," a Miami-based group of Cuban exiles funded by private donations. The group has flown hundreds of missions to spot Cuban rafters attempting to flee their island nations. Group founder Jose Basulto was on a third plane that escaped the gunfire and returned to Miami. Basulto said all three planes had radioed Cuban air traffic controllers to identify themselves and report their intentions to search international waters for Cuban refugees who may be on rafts. Basulto described seeing two Cuban MiG fighters approach them while they were at least 20 miles north of the Cuban coast, 8 miles into international waters. Shortly after that, he lost radio contact with the other two Cessnas. "I kept calling them both and heard no answer," Basulto said. "At that time we decided to proceed north and go into the clouds for cover, because we feared that something dreadful had happened." In response, President Clinton: ... pledged Monday to work with Congress to pass the so-called Helms-Burton legislation which would tighten the existing U.S. embargo against Cuba. The president said he would ask Congress to permit him to use some of the approximately $100 million in frozen Cuban assets in the U.S. to compensate the families of the four missing Cuban-American pilots and crew members. Clinton also announced additional punitive measures, among them: tighter restrictions on the movement of Cuban officials in the United States; efforts to increase funding to help the U.S. government's Radio Marti overcome Cuba's jamming of its broadcasts; suspension of all commercial charter flights between the U.S. and Cuba. The retired bishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal Joseph Zen, is warning Pope Francis not to forge an agreement between the Vatican and the Chinese Communist government that would allow Beijing to exercise control over the underground Catholic Church. Currently, Chinese Catholics can exercise their faith only within the confines of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association (CPA), the officially recognized catholic authority in China. The government tells Catholics where they can build churches and prevents the "official" church from speaking out against issues like abortion and birth control pills. But millions of Chinese Catholics worship at "underground" churches, out of sight of the prying eyes of Chinese authorities. Some Chinese Catholics believe that in order to forge an agreement with the Chinese government, Pope Francis might agree to place all Chinese Catholics under governnment control. Christian Post: Cardinal Zen has explained that priests and bishops in the so-called underground church have been thrown in jail for submitting to the Holy See rather than the state-overseen church. If a deal is approved between the Chinese government and the Catholic authorities in Rome, it is feared that the agreement would amount to an official recognition by the Vatican of the government-controlled Church. The deal would grant the government the power to nominate bishops, although Beijing would have to submit its nominees to the Pope for ultimate acceptance or rejection. Cardinal Zen has expressed concern that Pope Francis may be misinformed about the true situation for Catholics in China. "We are very much worried because it seems that the Vatican is going to make a very bad agreement with China. And I can understand that the pope is really naive. He doesn't know the Chinese communists," he told LifeSiteNews. "Unfortunately, the people around him are not good at all. They have very wrong ideas. And I'm afraid that they may sell out our underground Church. That would be very sad," he added. In its desire for total control of the Church, Zen said Beijing is painting a negative picture of the underground faithful as "troublemakers." Zen ultimately fears the deal would "give too much decision power to the government," endangering Catholics in the country who do not want to submit to state oversight in their worship. However, the current Catholic Archbishop of Hong Kong, Cardinal John Tong Hon, has defended the new deal proposals. He has said the agreement would mean China would be put in a position where it must now recognize the Pope as the supreme head of the Church, as the deal would mean the pontiff, not the Chinese state, would have final authority on who was appointed as a bishop in the country. Zen though, disagrees, and believes granting Bejing the power to choose nominees for Church leaders in the country would be a betrayal of those currently forced to worship in secret in China. The Vatican must operate in two different worlds the world of faith and the "real" world, where some governments and societies are more oppressive than others. In fact, there are many times the Vatican must walk a tightrope between its beliefs and its desire to protect the Church in hostile environments. The outcome is rarely satisfactory to all and is sometimes seen as caving in to godless authority. Pope Francis is not under a great deal of pressure to reach a deal with the Chinese Communists, although underground clergy continue to be harassed and jailed for not toeing the party line. But that may change. Instead of loosening restrictions on state-run religions, Beijing has recently passed laws that make it harder for independent Christian churches to practice their faith. The Chinese Communists may force Francis's hand in negotiations, at which point he may compromise on the issue of underground churches to save the rest of his flock from persecution. The media... ...didn't give a darn when IRS targeted Obama's political opponents, clearly violating their free speech and political speech rights. ...have never cared when Congress, especially Democrats, have sought to limit political speech in violation of the 1st amendment. ...didn't care as the Justice Dept. and Democrat state A.G.s clearly threatened legal action against people who dared say the climate changes naturally, which obviously violated their free speech rights. ...had no concern at all when the Obama admin sued the Little Sisters of the Poor for daring to exercise their religious freedom. But now they are concerned about the 1st Amendment when they are asked to tell the truth. Maybe it would be easier to care about the media's 1st Amendment rights if they ever cared about those who disagreed with the Democrats' agenda. As many of us are all too aware, a young female member of the Revolutionary Communist Party named Sunsara Taylor faced off with Tucker Carlson the other night over the question of whether or not the president of the United States is a Nazi, a Fascist, and an advocate of nuclear war, a bad hairpiece, liar, and a misogynist, but principally a Nazi. An actual Nazi. Tucker, the epitome of sangfroid, suggested that if Trump's administration were really a Nazi one, she and her friends would be wearing striped pajamas behind barbed wire instead of saying whatever they want to on national TV. But I don't believe she heard him. She certainly didn't respond. All her neurons were too busy firing downrange. Two points. First her name? I've never heard of it before. Were Sunsara's parents Commies themselves and going for the Sanskrit word Samsara, which means the cycle of death and rebirth (but which also may mean "Revolution"), only to have some hospital clerk's typo leave her Christian name spelled the same as the Chinese hair straightening corporation? It's amusing to think so. But I wouldn't dare ask, because I'd probably get stomped into a mud puddle on the way home by masked and raging left-wing Berkeley blackshirts determined to enforce the same love and tolerance they showed Milo. Because the lefties don't have much of a sense of humor left. Not after November 8, anyway. But my second point is an important question. Why do this? The Sunsaras of this world are one-act shows. Angry one-act shows. Boring one-act shows. PETA fanatics fuming about fur, global warming zealots about ocean rise, or those fundamentally insane amateur health nuts who keep thundering on and on about the benefits of kale. Are they really good TV? I don't know about anybody else, but the longer some program wags a finger in my face, the more I'm inclined to are to switch to American Pickers or The Weather Channel's latest tornado footage. And boy, was Sunsara wagging her finger. She's a committed atheist and a can kicking herself down the road with the likes of Bill Ayers, Howard Zinn, Cynthia McKinney, and Lynne Stewart. Here she just wouldn't shut up about Trump being Hitler. Tasteless. Beyond the fact that George Orwell told us never to employ previously used metaphors, the Nazis distinguished themselves by herding screaming little boys and girls into gas chambers and so labeling anybody this side of Pol Pot a National Socialist only trivializes that horror. Worse, it trivializes the memory of those children and their similarly murdered parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Something we shouldn't ever allow. Which means that no TV host should ever permit a guest to call someone a Nazi. Please. 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. There have been calls on the left for an "independent" investigation into charges that President Trump colluded with Russian president Vladimir Putin to get elected and has been plotting with him ever since. To what end this cooperation will lead is a little fuzzy. Apparently, the goal is to suggest that Trump is a traitor to America and a Russian mole. This Walter Russell Meade essay destroys that narrative with devastating logic: A Trump administration is going to be four years of hell for Russia: a massive American doubling down on shale production along with a major military buildup. Trump is, in other words, a nightmare for Putin and a much, much bigger threat to Putins goals than President Obama ever was or wanted to be. If Trump were the Manchurian candidate that people keep wanting to believe that he is, here are some of the things hed be doing: Limiting fracking as much as he possibly could Blocking oil and gas pipelines Opening negotiations for major nuclear arms reductions Cutting U.S. military spending Trying to tamp down tensions with Russias ally Iran That Trump is planning to do precisely the opposite of these things may or may not be good policy for the United States, but anybody who thinks this is a Russia appeasement policy has been drinking way too much joy juice. Obama actually did all of these things, and none of the liberal media now up in arms about Trump ever called Obama a Russian puppet; instead, they preferred to see a brave, farsighted and courageous statesman. Trump does none of these things and has embarked on a course that will inexorably weaken Russias position in the world, and the media, suddenly flushing eight years of Russia dovishness down the memory hole, now sounds the warning that Trumps Russia policy is treasonously soft. This foolishness is best understood as an unreasoning panic attack. The liberal media hate Trump more than they have hated any American politician in a generation, and they do not understand his supporters or the sources of his appeal. They are frantically picking up every available stick to beat him, in the hopes that something, somehow, will Miloize him. Trump's realpolitik approach to Russia has unnerved the left. You could make a sound argument that his policy is shortsighted and fraught with uncertainty (Will Putin respond positively to the U.S. approach?). But only an idiot would make the case that Trump is some kind of Russian mole about to betray U.S. vital interests. Meade points out the political danger for the left in building a narrative of Trump as traitor: So blind does hatred make them that they cannot understand how their own behavior is driving American public opinion in directions that bode ill for liberals in the future. In the first place, suppose Donald Trump does not in fact turn out to be the second coming of Benedict Arnold. Suppose instead, as is much more likely, that he turns out to be a very hawkish president, one who quite possibly will make George W. Bush look like Jimmy Carter. The media and Democratic Party leaders will have staked huge amounts of credibility on a position that turns out to be laughably untrue. Six months or a year from now, they will have to flip from calling Trump an anti-American traitor and Russian plant to calling him a dangerous, fascistic ultranationalist whose relentless hawkishness is bringing us closer to World War Three. Trump has chosen national security advisers with a far more realistic outlook on the world than President Obama's "soft power" advocates and "don't be beastly to the Arabs" strategists. Whether this approach will yield the results the president seeks remains to be seen. "We make war that we may live in peace." --Aristotle "I exhort you never to debase the moral currency or to lower the standard of rectitude, but to try others by the final maxim that governs your own lives, and to suffer no man and no cause to escape the undying penalty which history has the power to inflict on wrong." --Lord Acton "Liberty is not a means to a higher political end. It is itself the highest political end...liberty is the only object which benefits all alike, and provokes no sincere opposition...The danger is not that a particular class is unfit to govern. Every class is unfit to govern... Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." --Lord Acton "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!" --Patrick Henry "These are the times that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph." --Thomas Paine "The way to secure liberty is to place it in the people's hands, that is, to give them the power at all times to defend it in the legislature and in the courts of justice" --John Adams "Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual." --Thomas Jefferson "No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is all from which the laws ought to restrain hima?the idea is quite unfounded that on entering into society we give up any natural rights." --Thomas Jefferson "An honest man can feel no pleasure in the exercise of power over his fellow citizens." --Thomas Jefferson "The protection of our citizens, the spirit and honor of our country, require that force should be interposed to a certain degree." --Thomas Jefferson "To draw around the whole nation the strength of the General Government as a barrier against foreign foes... is [one of the] functions of the General Government on which [our citizens] have a right to call." --Thomas Jefferson "It is our duty still to endeavor to avoid war; but if it shall actually take place, no matter by whom brought on, we must defend ourselves. If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it was fired from within or without, we must try to extinguish it." --Thomas Jefferson "I am ever unwilling that [peace] should be disturbed as long as the rights and interests of the nations can be preserved. But whensoever hostile aggressions on these require a resort to war, we must meet our duty and convince the world that we are just friends and brave enemies." --Thomas Jefferson "By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy." --Thomas Jefferson "I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." --Thomas Jefferson "Our duty to ourselves, to posterity, and to mankind, call on us by every motive which is sacred or honorable, to watch over the safety of our beloved country during the troubles which agitate and convulse the residue of the world, and to sacrifice to that all personal and local considerations." --Thomas Jefferson "It is an essential attribute of the jurisdiction of every country to preserve peace, to punish acts in breach of it, and to restore property taken by force within its limits." --Thomas Jefferson "By nature's law, man is at peace with man till some aggression is committed, which, by the same law, authorizes one to destroy another as his enemy." --Thomas Jefferson "Peace and friendship with all mankind is our wisest policy, and I wish we may be permitted to pursue it. But the temper and folly of our enemies may not leave this in our choice." --Thomas Jefferson "We must indeed all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately." --Benjamin Franklin "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." --James Madison "Public sentiment is everything. With public sentiment, nothing can fail; without it nothing can succeed." --Abraham Lincoln "At what point shall we expect the approach of danger? By what means shall we fortify against it? Shall we expect some transatlantic military giant, to step the Ocean, and crush us at a blow? Never! All the armies of Europe, Asia and Africa combined, with all the treasure of the earth (our own excepted) in their military chest; with a Buonaparte for a commander, could not by force, take a drink from the Ohio, or make a track on the Blue Ridge, in a trial of a thousand years. At what point, then, is the approach of danger to be expected? I answer, if it ever reach us it must spring up amongst us. It cannot come from abroad. If destruction be our lot, we must ourselves be its author and finisher. As a nation of freemen, we must live through all time, or die by suicide." --Abraham Lincoln "The probability that we may fall in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just; it shall not deter me." --Abraham Lincoln "Property is the fruit of labor...property is desirable...is a positive good in the world. That some should be rich shows that others may become rich, and hence is just encouragement to industry and enterprise. Let not him who is houseless pull down the house of another; but let him labor diligently and build one for himself, thus by example assuring that his own shall be safe from violence when built." --Abraham Lincoln "We all declare for liberty; but in using the same word we do not all mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word many mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men's labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name - liberty. And it follows that each of the things is, by the respective parties, called by two different and incompatible names - liberty and tyranny." --Abraham Lincoln "If all do not join now to save the good old ship of the Union this voyage nobody will have a chance to pilot her on another voyage." --Abraham Lincoln "It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat." --Theodore Roosevelt "The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group." --Franklin D. Roosevelt "War has been waged against us by stealth and deceit and murder. This nation is peaceful, but fierce when stirred to anger. This conflict was begun on the timing and terms of others. It will end in a way, and at an hour, of our choosing." --George W. Bush "When the conduct of men is designed to be influenced, persuasion, kind unassuming persuasion, should ever be adopted. It is an old and true maxim that 'a drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gall.' So with men. If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend. Therein is a drop of honey that catches his heart, which, say what he will, is the great highroad to his reason, and which, once gained, you will find but little trouble in convincing him of the justice of your cause, if indeed that cause is really a good one." --Abraham Lincoln "To arrive at a just estimate of a renowned man's character one must judge it by the standards of his time, not ours." --Mark Twain "It is with trifles and when he is off guard that a man best reveals his character." --Arthur Schopenhauer "When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them." --Plato "He that has light within his own clear breast may sit in the center, and enjoy bright day: But he that hides a dark soul and foul thoughts benighted walks under the mid-day sun." --John Milton "Character consists of what you do on the third and fourth tries." --James A. Michener "We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it." --Abraham Lincoln "I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." --Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. "A man's character is his guardian divinity." --Heraclitus "Character develops itself in the stream of life." --Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe "Do what you know and perception is converted into character." --Ralph Waldo Emerson "Of all the properties which belong to honorable men, not one is so highly prized as that of character." --Henry Clay The Chattanooga Heart Institute announced it is expanding to better serve the heart and lung needs of people in the Chattanooga area. James Zellner, M.D., and Wilson Clements, M.D., are joining The Chattanooga Heart Institutes team of 23 board-certified cardiologists to focus on advanced heart surgery and minimally invasive procedures. Rob Headrick, M.D. will focus on thoracic, or lung, care offering an even closer collaboration between specialists. We want to build on the legacy of quality care The Chattanooga Heart Institute has provided this community for decades, said Larry Schumacher, CEO, CHI Memorial and SVP, Operations, Southeast Division, Catholic Health Initiatives. Collaboration between specialists is what makes The Chattanooga Heart Institute different, said James Zellner, M.D., cardiothoracic surgeon. As a team, we work to get answers more quickly and offer our patients a level of care thats not available at other hospitals in this region. Officials said, "Revolutionary heart care is high-tech, but it must also be focused on you, the patient. This kind of heart care is only available at The Chattanooga Heart Institute and pushes us to be better every single day." Dr. Zellner received a bachelors degree in chemistry from Kenyon College in Ohio. He completed his internship and surgical residency in the Department of Surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina where he was also chief administrative resident. During his time there, Dr. Zellner was also a research fellow and cardiothoracic resident, both in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery. Dr. Zellner was on faculty at the Medical University of South Carolina as an assistant professor of surgery for four years before moving to Chattanooga. He is currently a clinical assistant professor of surgery with the University of Tennessee, College of Medicine. Dr. Zellner is board certified in both general and thoracic surgery. Dr. Clements received his medical degree from the University of Tennessee. He completed a surgical residency in the Department of Surgery at the University Hospital at the University of Cincinnati. During his time in Cincinnati, he was also a post-doctoral fellow at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Cincinnati Department of Surgery, and Department of Molecular Genetics, Biochemistry, and Microbiology. After Cincinnati, Dr. Clements completed a residency in thoracic surgery at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He then went on for advanced training in robotic and minimally invasive cardiac surgery at East Carolina University in the Department of Cardiac Surgery. After successfully starting and maintaining a robotic cardiac surgery practice in Cincinnati, he returned to his hometown to practice in 2015. Dr. Clements is board certified in thoracic surgery. Dr. Headrick completed his undergraduate degree in biomedical engineering from Vanderbilt University. He went on to medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis. Dr. Headrick returned to his hometown of Chattanooga for his general surgery residency at the UT College of Medicine, Chattanooga Unit. He then completed a fellowship in thoracic and cardiovascular surgery from the Mayo Graduate School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota. He again returned to his Chattanooga roots to begin his cardiothoracic career in 2000. Dr. Headrick is board certified in both general and thoracic surgery. In 2014, he completed an MBA from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Drs. Zellner, Clements and Headrick will continue to see patients at their 2108 East 3rd Street office. For more information, call 423 624-5200. Anhui Huangmei Opera Theater Poems of the Tang Dynasty and Verses of the Song Dynasty Vocal Concert Date: Feb 25 - 7:30 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 100-480 yuan Poetry of the Tang and Song Dynasties is a treasure of Chinese culture. Running in the lifeblood of the nation, it tells the world in unparalleled beauty of language that our dignity has never been away. It is noble for its freedom of voice to face and embrace the nature, for its understanding and observation of the whole universe, and for its cultural character to life and the world. It is full of understanding and emotion. It chants, recites, or even calls and cries with its own language rhythm. It brightens the beauty of language and solemnly passes the attitude of life. NCPA Opera Commission The Ballad of Canal Date: March 3-6 - 7:30 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 100-880 yuan Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal with the history of over 2500 years is an artificial miracle on par with the Great Wall created by ancient Chinese. The original opera The Ballad of Canal is the first national opera presented by NCPA, in the style of folk singing. It describes the ups and downs of the characters on the canal and their vicissitudes including joys and sorrows, good and evil, life and death, as well as righteousness witnessed by the canal. The show integrates the cream of Chinese cultural essence like opera, folk songs and folk customs, showing the unique artistic texture and charisma of folk operas. China NCPA Chorus Concert Date: Feb 25 - 7:30 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 100-200 yuan NCPA Chorus was established on December 8th, 2009, whose members were carefully selected from famous music schools in and out of China. Now the Chorus invites WU Lingfen as the conductor, with many artists well-known in China and abroad giving instructions. Affiliated to NCPA, the highest palace of performing arts in China, the Chorus adheres to NCPA's guiding principles of "for the people, for the arts, and for the world". The Chorus mainly stages operas and concerts, and also takes part in kinds of cultural communication and arts outreach events. NCPA Drama Hamlet Date: Feb 25-26 - 7 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 80-500 yuan "To be or not to be, that is a question." For more than 400 years, Hamlet, the protagonist of William Shakespeare's tragedy of the same name, has enthralled countless dramatists and scholars. The play tells a tale about how Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, revenged his dead father, thus unfolding a real-life picture of England and Europe. It truly is a profound tragedy teeming with vivid characters through superb artistry as the highest achievement of Renaissance literature. Hamlet, Macbeth, King Lear and Othello form the so-called "Four Tragedies of Shakespeare." On the 400th anniversary of his death, NCPA drama A Midsummer Night's Dream and opera Macbeth have been put on show. To explore the quintessence of this drama maestro, NCPA would bring us his other plays as well, especially much-expected Hamlet. Chen Xinyi's Historical Drama Shang Yang Date: March 15-18 - 7:30 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 100-500 yuan Large-scale historical drama Shang Yang is authored by the national-class level-A playwright Yao Yuan and directed by the stage director Chen Xinyi. This drama is adapted on the basis of historical figure Shang Yang. It not only tells the story of an ancient struggle for reform, but also conveys the masculine courage and uprightness at the cost of life in the pursuit of grand ideal and indomitable fighting spirit of breaking through the encirclement of obsolete culture. Huangmei Opera The Drunken Poet Li Bai Date: Feb 28-March 1 - 7:30 pm Venue: National Center for the Performing Arts Price: 100-480 yuan The young poet Li Bai went to Dangtu in Anhui province to hold a memorial ceremony for the poet Xie Tiao. He made the acquaintance with local restaurant owner Mr. Ji and the reclusive Princess Yuzhen, and forged a deep friendship with them. To realize the ideal of serving his country, Li Bai resolutely headed for Chang'an. Years later, he felt frustrated and came back to Dangtu, but he was shocked by the people's suffering from the war. Ignoring Princess Yuzhen's detainment, he left again, went to the front to fight against the enemy and served under the prince Li Lin. After the rebellion of Li Lin, Li Bai was implicated, incriminated and in extreme danger. With the sacrifice of Princess Yuzhen, he was absolved. At his old age, Li Bai once again returned to Dangtu and intended to drink and recite poems with friends for the rest of his life. However, out of the blue, both Princess Yuzhen and Mr Ji died. Li Bai cried to the moon along the Caishiji, mourned his friends, demanded answers from the gods, reflected on his whole life and finally drowned himself in the river. Partnership for Families, Children and Adults is appreciative to be the recipient of a $3,000 donation from Morning Pointe Senior Living to continue the work of an elder food pantry. The pantry is accessible to seniors and disabled individuals who are either working with Partnership FCA case managers or enrolled in the Homemakers program. In the three years since the pantry opened, it has served more than 60 senior citizens who may not normally have access to food. All individuals served by the pantry either live in a food desert or are food insecure, meaning they live more than a mile away from a healthy food vendor or are unable to go to a grocery store regularly, if at all. Until two years ago, the food pantry was primarily funded by a grant. However, once the grant ran out, virtually all funding was lost. Since then, help from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank and generous donations such as this one from Morning Pointe Senior Living keep the pantrys doors open to serve seniors in the community. We are so appreciative and relieved to know we will be able to continue providing nutritious meals to our elderly clients said Elder Services Director Christina St.Germaine. This program serves some of the most vulnerable members of our community. Ensuring they are properly fed and not living with food insecurity is paramount to our clients health, stabilization and overall success. Without this donation and continued donations in the future, Partnership FCA would not be able to keep the pantry open. Continued donations are critical to keeping the pantry open to serve and provide nutritious food to local senior citizens in need. CBL & Associates Properties, Inc. on Friday announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend for the companys Common Stock of $0.265 per share for the quarter ending March 31. The dividend is payable on April 17 to shareholders of record as of March 30. The Board also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.4609375 per depositary share for the quarter ending March 31 for the companys 7.375 percent Series D Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The dividend, which equates to an annual dividend payment of $1.84375 per depositary share, is payable on March 30 to shareholders of record as of March 15. The Board also declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.4140625 per depositary share for the quarter ending March 31 for the companys 6.625 percent Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. The dividend, which equates to an annual dividend payment of $1.65625 per depositary share, is payable on March 30 to shareholders of record as of March 15. Morning Pointes senior living and memory care campuses across five southeastern states hosted events to honor the 20th anniversary of Independent Healthcare Properties (IHP) and Morning Pointe Senior Living. From homecoming-themed festivities featuring familiar faces, to an antique car show and taste of the town, each Morning Pointe Senior Living community celebrated in its own way, inviting family, friends, volunteers, partners and government officials to commemorate a 20-year legacy serving seniors and their families. Relatives of Morning Pointe residents shared heartfelt stories and expressed their gratitude for the quality of life and peace of mind received by their loved ones. City, county and state officials congratulated the senior healthcare provider for its milestone, highlighting its many contributions to the communities it serves and sending well wishes for 20 more years and beyond. Founded in 1996, the Chattanooga-based healthcare services company started with its two co-founders Greg A. Vital and Franklin Farrow, who share one vision to change the senior care industry. The company has since expanded to 27 Morning Pointe Senior Living and The Lantern at Morning Pointe Alzheimers Center of Excellence communities in Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee, with three additional communities scheduled to open within the year. With a mission to serve seniors through a positive corporate culture that reflects Judeo-Christian values, Morning Pointe is committed to providing services that enhance the wellness, lifestyle and enjoyment of senior living in a secure environment that promotes hospitality, dignity, independence and quality of life. To celebrate two decades of being a premier choice for senior care, Morning Pointe has launched Make Your Mark a yearlong community service campaign with a goal of giving back 20,000 hours through volunteer efforts and philanthropic projects during 2017. The companys website will also feature a Memory Wall, showcasing memories and community service activities shared by Morning Pointe residents, families, associates, volunteers and partners. Each community kicked off the campaign during the 20th anniversary celebration, announcing plans to make their mark through volunteerism. Morning Pointe has become what it is today because of the trust families have placed in us, our compassionate associates, and countless volunteers that help us exceed expectations in providing exceptional senior living and Alzheimers memory care, said Greg Vital, president and CEO of Morning Pointe. We are giving back in a big way to extend our gratitude to the people who have been a part of our legacy for 20 years and counting. Near the top of the hillside of the Chattanooga National Cemetery just down from the flagpole on the Bailey Avenue side sits a gravestone that during a recent visit had coins sitting on top of it.The grave is that of Desmond Doss Sr., the Medal of Honor recipient who helped rescue about 75 soldiers during the World War II Battle of Okinawa as a medic who did not even carry a weapon due to his personal and religious beliefs.As many Chattanoogans are aware, the story of his life and heroism has come to the forefront even more in recent weeks with the release of the critically acclaimed and mostly accurate movie, Hacksaw Ridge.The film, too, now enjoys a place near the top of the hillside of cinema annals with its multiple Academy Award nominations leading up to Sunday nights Oscar ceremonies.Similar to the results on the battlefield where Mr. Doss served, some have said that the movie about the younger period of the soldiers life is helping save and revive Mr. Gibsons career.It has certainly brought the story of this man of unusual bravery back to the forefront.While about everyone likely calls Mr. Doss a hero, a few Chattanooga area residents also considered him a friend before his death on March 23, 2006, at the age of 87.Former Chattanooga city treasurer and Hamilton County trustee Carl Levi is one.He was a very humble Christian man, said Mr. Levi, an Army veteran who became acquainted with Mr. Doss through the Summers-Whitehead American Legion Post No. 14. I knew Desmond really well. Ive been a member (of the post) for 62 years and he was there before me.Retired State Farm insurance agent Bob Lahiere, also an Army veteran, became acquainted with Mr. Doss through the post, too, and his involvement with the Armed Forces Parade in Chattanooga every May. He also has memories of a soft-spoken man.He was very quiet, very reserved, Mr. Lahiere recalled. He didnt boast about his military days. He was a very humble man. And he never talked against anybody else. He didnt even talk about the (wartime) enemy negatively.Born in Lynchburg, Va., and reared in Fairview Heights, Va., along the West Virginia border as the son of a carpenter and as a devout member of the Seventh-day Adventist church, he did lumber and shipyard work before entering the Army in 1942.Later that year, he married sweetheart Dorothy Schutte.A childhood incident in which his father and uncle had an argument and his mother gave a gun to then-young Mr. Doss for temporary safekeeping and to prevent violence made him never want to touch a gun.His strong belief in the Biblical commandment, Thou shalt not kill, as part of his Christian and Seventh-day Adventist upbringing also made him refuse to carry a weapon. This refusal initially made him an outcast in his Army training.He was protected as a conscientious objector by federal law, but he still distinguished himself through bravery by helping rescue and treat servicemen on the battlefield as a medic. As the Allies tried to take the island of Okinawa from the Japanese in 1945, his infantry division was tasked with trying to secure an escarpment nicknamed Hacksaw Ridge.Against a Japanese counterattack, he helped rescue dozens of men from the battlefield and helped rappel them down a cliff to safety. The effort led to his receiving the Medal of Honor, which was presented personally by President Harry Truman.Despite the wars conclusion, Mr. Doss battles with adversity unfortunately did not end.Don Lockhart of Lookout Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church off Highway 157 on the more rural end of Lookout Mountain in Georgia said that the Dosses ended up in Rising Fawn in sort of a roundabout manner related to his health. He was recuperating from tuberculosis in a North Carolina hospital when Mr. Lockhart said his wife, Dorothy, who became a nurse, suffered nervous exhaustion.They had heard about what is now the Wildwood Lifestyle Center in Dade County while there, so she came over for a stay of rest. The area ended up interesting them, so they moved down to Rising Fawn and acquired some property, Mr. Lockhart said. Their only child, a son, Desmond Tommy Doss Jr., who now lives in Washington state, had been born in 1946.They became active in Lookout Mountain Seventh-day Adventist Church, while Mr. Doss did such work over the years as cabinet making, growing food on their land, door-to-door sales, maintenance work and raising tropical fish.In contrast to some former Medal of Honor recipients, like longtime Chattanoogan Charles Coolidge, who has gladly shared his wartime memories to the media and the public over the years, getting Mr. Doss to share was not easy.But it was due to his health situation rather than any desire for privacy, although, as mentioned, he was modest. Due to all the medical treatments he had to receive for his injuries after the war, he was eventually left basically deaf. As a result, interviewing or talking with Mr. Doss was not easy. A 1988 cochlear implant he received did help the situation slightly.Despite the physical impairments, he gladly attended countless veterans salutes and other events around the Chattanooga area with his outgoing first wife, Dorothy, and later his second wife, Frances.He couldnt hear very well, Mr. Levi recalled. He would take a pad and Frances would write down a question and he would answer you.However, his disabilities did not keep him from maintaining a positive or upbeat manner around people in his later years. Mr. Lahiere said that he and some of the other veterans at the post knew to approach him loudly enough, and he would gladly answer their questions.He was really friendly, Mr. Lahiere said. He would talk to you about a lot of stuff. I remember he talked about his war situation and he spoke how he got the Medal of Honor.Mr. Lahiere said that Mr. Doss was usually so congenial that a listener would never realize he had gone through such a horrific experience during the war.Mr. Levi recalled this same amicable and accommodating nature of Mr. Doss in his later years, saying he would not bring up his wartime experiences on his own or talk about them much, but would answer questions if you asked him.Mr. Levi also remembers Mr. Doss gladly attending an Army band performance at the Southern Adventist University gym in Collegedale and being kind to accommodate and meet people interested in him.While Mr. Levi was the Hamilton County trustee, Mr. Doss would visit him some. On one occasion, Mr. Levi invited some friends whom he knew would like to meet the war hero.Mr. Lockhart said that, over the years, Mr. Doss gladly spoke at schools and other places and would sell writings or other items about his life to raise money for his personal missionary outreach fund.The longtime Rising Fawn resident also remembered hearing the story of when Mr. Doss appeared on the once-popular NBC TV program, This Is Your Life, with Ralph Edwards in February 1959. Knowing he would not care for the attention, Mr. Doss was not told he was actually appearing on the show until the last minute, Mr. Lockhart said. His family was later given such surprise gifts as several thousand dollars and a new Edsel automobile after appearing, Mr. Lockhart added.Someone who did not know Mr. Doss and might see him and observe his slender physique and humble manner in later years when he was not wearing his Medal of Honor at a veterans gathering would likely have no idea of his heroic past, those who remember him say.Mr. Doss had one other fate of misfortunate later in life. He was driving his wife, Dorothy, who by then had breast cancer, to the hospital on Nov. 17, 1991, in the Rising Fawn area when an accident occurred in wet conditions and she died.After marrying his second wife, Frances, in 1993 after a period of loneliness following his first wifes death, he eventually moved with her down to Piedmont, Ala., where Frances son, Michael Duman, lived. The Dosses became active in Piedmont Seventh-day Adventist Church near the Anniston area.Mr. Doss died on March 23, 2006, in Piedmont.But he was certainly not forgotten. When his funeral service was held that April 1 at Collegedale Seventh-day Adventist Church after being arranged by Heritage Funeral Home and Crematory on Battlefield Parkway in North Georgia, more than 1,600 people attended. Speakers included then-Congressman Zach Wamp and church elder John Swafford.The documentary, The Conscientious Objector, was shown after the service at the church.Mr. Levi, who was admittedly honored to serve as a pallbearer, said that Mr. Doss was already aware of plans to make a Hollywood movie about his life and was fine with it.The producer met him at the Collegedale Market and he convinced him to share his faith and love of God in the movie, he said.Mr. Lockhart said that he heard that the area around Rising Fawn was visited in preparation for the movie.The burial for Mr. Doss was held on April 3, 2006, at Chattanoogas National Cemetery where his first wife is also buried. Frances Doss died on Feb. 3, 2009, in Piedmont and was also buried in the Chattanooga National Cemetery by him.All three are buried in Section P and at grave location 6399-A.A cemetery official said recently over the phone that Mr. Doss grave location has received more inquiries from cemetery visitors since the movie was released.The film has also made the story of heroism by this man who could not hear well easy to see for those well beyond the Chattanooga area.Jcshearer2@comcast.net Fake, 'Not Bona Fide' Bomb Threat Called Into Trump Tower Friday, 1 Arrested By Rachel Cromidas in News on Feb 24, 2017 9:45PM Getty Images / Photo: Scott Olson Police arrested one man Friday afternoon after a fake bomb threat was called into Trump Tower. The threat made to the riverfront North Wabash Avenue tower was deemed "not bona fide" by police. Chicago police officers responded to a bomb threat at the hotel and residential tower around 1:22 p.m., but determined the incident was all clear. They took one man into custody. [H/T Tribune] YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The US must cooperate with Russia for the settlement of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict, Kerry Kavano Professor, Expert on Foreign Affairs at New York-based Council, former OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair, said in an interview with TASS, reports Armenpress. He stated that an outbreak of new violence in South Caucasus may endanger Washingtons relations with Moscow, Ankara and Tehran. US President Donald Trump has already announced cooperating with Russia. The joint actions towards the Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement can be a starting point for the further efforts of the two countries in other fields, Kavano said. It can be stated that the Minsk process didnt give any results. However the fact that in recently there had not been a large-scale conflict speaks in itself, he said. The expert says it is necessary to practically implement the steps on strengthening trust and security in the region which were agreed earlier, as well as including the increase of the number of OSCE observers and installing independent mechanism for investigating the incidents in the line of contact which will enable to reduce the ceasefire violation cases. The settlement of this conflict derives from the interests of all, he said. Honda has an assembly line each in Greater Noida near Delhi and Tapukura in Rajasthan Mumbai: Honda Cars has acquired 380 acres in Gujarat to set up a new assembly line, though its two existing plants are running at half the installed capacity of 2.40 lakh units as its sales fell over 25 per cent last year. Honda has an assembly line each in Greater Noida near Delhi and Tapukura in Rajasthan with a combined capacity of 2.40 units. But in 2016, its sales plunged to 1,58,658, a steep 25.3 per cent decline from 2015 level when it had sold 2,12,372 units. Accordingly, its market share fell to seventh slot from fourth. With this running rate, it is highly unlikely that Honda will be able it to meet its earlier target of selling 3,00,000 lakh cars in the country in 2017. "We have just completed acquisition of around 400 acres, to be precise 380 acres, at Vithalapur in Gujarat, though we have no immediate plans to set up a plant there. We have bought the land so that as and when we finalise the third plant, we have the land ready," Honda Cars India chief executive Yoichiro Ueno said. He said this is done as they are confident of the long-term potential of India and are committed to this market. With GDP clipping at 7 per cent, there isn't any reason to be otherwise, and they want to participate in this growth story. Ueno, however, refused to offer the price they have paid for the land parcel. But the company sources said they have paid around Rs 1,000 crore for the land parcel. Honda Cars India director and senior vice-president Raman Kumar Sharma told PTI that excluding this latest investment, the company has pumped Rs 8,000 crore into the country since its entry in the 1990s. Sharma said they bought the land from individuals and completed transactions earlier this month only and bought the land considering the challenges of land acquisition in the country coupled with rising realty prices, it is way of derisking future volatilities. Vithalapur is about 80 km northwest of Ahmedabad, where Honda's two-wheeler subsidiary Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India runs the world's largest scooters only plant with a 1.2 million annual capacity, opened last February. Honda expanded capacity to more than 2,40,000 units from 60,000 in a short span. A large part of the additional capacity was in diesel during the peak of diesel demand a couple of years ago. But Ueno said they will go slow on diesel now as customer preference have already shifted back to petrol following narrowing of the fuel price differences. Italian actress Monica Belucci arrives at the opening of the International Film Festival FEST 2017 in Belgrade, Serbia, on Feb. 24, 2017. International film festival FEST 2017 opened on Friday in Belgrade's "Sava Centre" by famous Italian actress Monica Belucci, star of the latest movie by Serbian director Emir Kusturica "On the Milky Road". (Xinhua/Nemanja Cabric) International film festival FEST 2017 opened on Friday in Belgrade's "Sava Centre" by famous Italian actress Monica Belucci, star of the latest movie by Serbian director Emir Kusturica "On the Milky Road". Serbia's biggest film festival gathered numerous local and regional movie stars such as Vojin Cetkovic and Sloboda Micalovic and filmmakers such as Spanish veteran Carlos Saura. One of the most awaited persons by some several hundred people in front of the Sava Center in Belgrade was Belucci. In her brief speech to several thousand people in the audience, Belucci said that she spent wonderful time in Serbia while shooting the movie and appreciated its natural beauties. "I spent long time here because we worked on this movie for three years and I met great people. It is also a great honor because our film opens such an important festival such as Fest," Belucci said at the opening. The official opening ceremony was followed by the screening of movie starring Kusturica and Belucci who participated at Venice International Film Festival and the BFI in London last year. In the movie, Kusturica, besides being the director, plays the main character, a lucky milkman who spends war days with a woman he loves, played by Belucci, that later becomes a monk looking back at his and his country's past. The fest will close on March 5 with the screening of "Silence" the 2016 movie by Martin Scorsese about a young Portuguese Jesuit missionary who travels to seventeenth century Japan which banned almost all foreign contact and persecuted Japanese Christians. The main competition program includes 15 movies -- "The Dark Wind" by Hussein Hassan from Iraq, "Eva" by Haim Tabakman from Israel, "Heartstone" by Gudmundur Arnar Gudmunsson from Island, and "Inversion" by Benham Behzadi and "Malaria" by Parviz Shabazi from Iran. "The international competition program this year presents movies of different topics -- from those that deal with the current evil of terrorism to the nostalgic comedy that brings us to the times of the blue school uniforms from the times of socialism," art director of Fest, Pantelic said in his opening statement. The main program of the 45th Fest includes 16 movies from Mexico, Britain, the U.S., Germany, and Canada among which are "American Pastoral" by Ewan McGregor, "Rules Do Not Apply" by Warren Beatty, "It's Only the End of the World" by Warner Herzog and others. Power Minister's remarks come in backdrop of industry chambers asking for zero or 5 per cent tax under GST regime. New Delhi: The government can lower tax rates if people pay their dues sincerely, Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal said today. "We can lower tax rates of GST, income tax and others if everybody pays taxes," Goyal said while addressing businesses at the 'EY Entrepreneur of the Year Awards' here. On the demand of businesses to lower tax rates, he said industry chambers ask for zero or five per cent tax under the proposed GST regime. "I wonder what revenue neutral rate it would be, if we will put every thing in zero or low rates. Do we have to make profit at the cost of the nation?," the minister said. Goyal also appealed to the charter accountants to suggest their clients to pay their taxes. Talking about the wind power tariff touching an all-time low of Rs 3.46 per unit without sops like accelerated depreciation, generation-based incentives and tax holidays, he said this auction was just for 1,000 MW and many more will come. He also rubbished the advisory issued by an industry body to bidders to avoid bold bids in the wind power auction. Speaking at the function, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government wants the businesses and investors to feel at home so that they can create a vibrancy in the economy and expand their business activities. "We are ready to receive your thoughts on how the government can move forward and what all we can do," she said. Under the PMGKY, declarants also have to park a quarter of the total sum in a non-interest bearing deposit scheme for four years. In a notice to banks, the ministry said that they should make necessary changes in their system/software to accept the tax. New Delhi: The finance ministry has warned banks not to refuse to accept taxes from people under the new black money amnesty scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY). Any bank refusing to accept taxes will face de-authorisation of those branches, it warned. The Narendra Modi government had announced the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana after the November 8 demonetisation, to offer a last chance to people having unaccounted cash to come clean by paying 50 per cent tax on bank deposits of junk currencies. Under the PMGKY, declarants also have to park a quarter of the total sum in a non-interest bearing deposit scheme (PMGKDS) for four years. In a notice to banks, the ministry said that they should make necessary changes in their system/software to accept the tax. Non-compliance of this order may be viewed seriously and may lead to de-authorisation of that branch in case of refusal to accept taxes, the ministry said. The scheme opened on December 1. There have been complaints that many banks were not accepting payments of tax under PMGKY due to lack of awareness of the prescribed challan and certain technical reasons. Accordingly, the matter was referred to the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, who issued an order directing banks to accept taxes under the PMGKY or face action. As per the scheme, taxes will have to be paid first and then the scheme can be availed of on production of the tax receipt, unlike the recent Income Disclosure Scheme and other such plans wherein disclosures were made first and taxes were recovered later. Also, as the disclosures will be kept confidential, the holder of unaccounted cash need not disclose it in his/her I-T Returns form. Those who don't declare their black money and are caught by the tax department will have to now pay tax between 77 per cent to 100 per cent and will also be liable for prosecution. Madhya Pradesh unit of All India Muslim Tehwar Committee condemned the film and asked CBFC not to clear it. A still from 'Lipstick Under My Burkha.' Bhopal: A Muslim organisation here has asked the censor board not to clear the Prakash Jha-produced film 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. The film, directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, has already run into trouble as the Central Board of Film Certification has denied it clearance for being "lady-oriented" and containing "abusive words". "Advisory panel of Madhya Pradesh unit of All India Muslim Tehwar Committee at its meeting here yesterday condemned the movie," the organisation's state unit chairman Ausaf Shahmeeri Khurram said. He alleged that the film was "against the dignity of our women and tenets of Islam" and said the AIMTC had requested the CBFC not to clear it. The film was shot in Bhopal. 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' has won the Spirit of Asia Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. It features Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthaku. The actress reached the country on February 21 and also attended the Sun festival amid a shoot for a magazine. Mumbai: While visiting beautiful places abroad with your hard-earned money is fun, getting the opportunity to experience overseas locations as part of a work assignment is all the more enjoyable. Parineeti Chopra, who took off to Egypt on February 21 for a magazine shoot, has been taking in the sights as her work trip has doubled up as a break too. A source close to the actress says, "Parineeti returns to Mumbai on Saturday from Luxor, Aswan and Cairo where she has been shooting in the freezing cold. She stayed on a cruise ship for the first two days. On Wednesday, along with her entourage, she attended the Sun festival in Abu Simbel." The Sun festival is a biannual event in Egypt, held at the temple of Ramesses II which dates back to the 13th century BC. Every year on February 22 and October 22, the first rays of the sun sweep the corridor of the temple, striking a statue of the ruler. It attracts millions of tourists from across the world. Parineeti has been posting pictures from her trip and she even recently shared a video where she is excitedly dancing in front of the famous Pyramids of Egypt. Once back in the Bay, the 28-year-old actress will begin prep for the fourth installment of Rohit Shetty's comedy franchise, 'Golmaal Again', which also features Ajay Devgn and kicks off on March 9. The film will be shot at Hyderabads Ramoji Film City, Ooty, Goa and in Mumbais Film City. The film, which released on Friday, also features Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut says she is happy that her performance in 'Rangoon' is being appreciated despite some of her "favourite scenes" from the film not making it to the final cut. When asked how she felt about people noticing her performance, Kangana said her hopes were shattered when director Vishal Bharadwaj had to explain to her why certain scenes couldn't be a part of the film. "I didn't think (I'll be appreciated this much) because many of my favourite scenes, which were important for my graph, were chopped off. I prepare my character's graph in a linear pattern and when I saw the film, Vishal sir explained why he cut those scenes," Kangana told reporters. "Of course, it was a very legitimate thing to do. But when I got to know several top-notch scenes of my graph have been cut, all my hopes were shattered. I thought now my work will be so-so, it won't be appreciated that much. But despite that people are loving it. I am very happy," she added. The film, which released on Friday, also features Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The 'Tanu Weds Manu' star said expecting every film to do a certain-crore business is "vulgar". "This is a business proposition, so all you want is that the investments should be recovered. The idea of business has become a little vulgar. With every film there is this expectation of doing Rs 100 crore. But it should be a beneficial business proposition for everyone." The 29-year-old actress was speaking at a special event, where she introduced Insignia auditorium at INOX. Madasani and Kuchibhotla had studied in the United States and were working in Kansas legally. One of the two Indian engineers who survived the shooting at a bar in Olathe city, Kansas, this week has said the shooter had asked them about their visas before opening fire at them. He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally, Alok Madasani told The New York Times. We didnt react, Madasani said, adding, People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla was killed when Adam W Purinton, a US Navy veteran, opened fire at them at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene, was also shot in the hand and the chest. Madasani and Kuchibhotla had studied in the United States and were working in Kansas legally. After Kuchibhotlas death, his wife Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government... What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Married about four years ago, Kuchibhotla and his wife were planning to have a baby this year. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Minister Nitin Gadkari, however, said the two parties have Mumbai: With the elections to the BMC throwing up a fractured verdict, all eyes are on Shiv Sena and BJP, each of which notched up over 80 seats in the 227-member council, whose leaders are yet to spell out their next move. The Sena on Friday put up a brave front despite the results falling far short of its expectations, indicating that it will not agree to a post-poll pact giving up its claim for the coveted post of Mayor in the country's richest civic body. Senior BJP leader and Union Minister Minister Nitin Gadkari, however, said the two parties have "no option" other than a coming together. "The situation now is that both parties have no option but to come together again," Gadkari told a Marathi channel, adding "The final decision on this issue has to be taken by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Sena president Uddhav Thackeray." Fadnavis, the architect of the BJP's stunning performance in BMC and other city bodies across the state, had on Thursday said his party's "core committee" comprising him and the state unit chief will take the next step. Meanwhile, the Sena received a boost on Friday with three Independent corporators joining the party, raising its total tally in the BMC to 87, still way below the half-way mark of 114. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, after admitting the corporators in the party, told reporters that he had not thought about an alliance with any party to wrest power in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) yet, but maintained that the coveted Mayor's post will be held by Sena only. According to Sena sources, Thackeray will hold a meeting of senior leaders and newly-elected corporators on Saturday to decide future course of action. Meanwhile, senior leaders from both parties claimed the support of the remaining two independent corporators. BJP's core committee meeting is expected to be held in two to three days, where the party's course will be charted out. In the bitterly fought BMC elections, Shiv Sena won 84 seats, BJP secured 82, Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the NCP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS finished with nine and seven seats respectively. Unfazed by the giant stride made by the BJP, Sena kept up its attack on the estranged ally, with which it shares power in the state and central government. An editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana said the party's fight with the BJP will continue, regardless of the consequences. It also accused the BJP of having used the state machinery and all its might of central leadership to score an unprecedented result in the BMC polls and other local bodies. "The Sena has been ruling the BMC from the last 25 years. They (the BJP) used deceitful means to destabilise our rule. This has never happened before when the Congress ruled the state," it charged. "Our fight (with the BJP) will continue. The war that had started was not only for power but for 'dharma', ideals and the integrity of Maharashtra," the Sena said. Meanwhile, Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar said his party won't enter into any "secret alliance" with anyone. "Whatever (alliance) will happen will be discussed in the core committee," Shelar said, ahead of the BJP core committee meeting here tonight. "It is a matter of analysis as to how our party, which had 32 corporators in the outgoing BMC, rose to 82 in the latest election," he added. The Congress finished third in the race with 31 seats in the 227-member House. Mumbai: Differences in the Congress over considering the option of enabling a Shiv Sena candidate to become mayor of Mumbai on Saturday came to the fore as a senior party leader strongly opposed the idea. "I take strong objection to any discussion even of having any tie up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC," party's former city chief Gurudas Kamat said, adding he has informed Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi of his opinion. With the bitterly fought elections to BMC resulting in a fractured verdict, thinking is strong in the Maharashstra Congress that it should consider the option of enabling the Shiv Sena to foist its candidate as mayor of the city, as a tactical move to sharpen the rift in the saffron camp. The Congress strategists who mooted the idea are also of the view that this move could push the Devendra Fadnavis government into a deep crisis as Sena would be forced to break out of the alliance in such a scenario. Playing it safe, MPCC president Ashok Chavan on Friday signalled Sena to first pull out of the BJP-led government and his party would take a call after that. Kamat, who crossed swords with city Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam ahead of the campaign for the civic polls, said the party had fought against both the Sena and the BJP all along for their divisive policies and attempts to align with them will backfire. The Congress, which finished third in the race with 31 seats in the 227-member House, is unlikely to rush to a decision, preferring to wait till the ongoing state elections are over, where the party is campaigning on a strong secular pitch. The stand off between Sena and the BJP, who fought the polls separately, has prompted sections in the Congress to play a tactical game against its arch rival the BJP. "Party workers feel Sena is a lesser evil than the BJP," said a Congress state office-bearer who did not wish to be identified. The party, however, would refrain from any open discussion or statement about this until the results of UP and other state Assembly polls are out, considering the political implications of such a move could have on its prospects. The tally of Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after the counting on Thursday, has risen to 87 corporators with three party rebels who won as Independent nominees returning to its fold yesterday. Though this give a slight push to Uddhav Thackeray's efforts to cobble up numbers, reaching the magic figure of 114 needed to rule the crucial civic body is still a far cry. Sena, however, continued to maintain that the coveted Mayor's post will be held by it only, discounting the chances of a post-poll pact with the BJP. Sena is likely to spell out stance on the fluid situation after the meeting of senior leaders and corporators called by Thackeray this evening. Sounding sceptical about the idea of propping up a Sena candidate as mayor, senior leader Prithviraj Chavan said this was a matter of serious implications and only the party high command could take a call on that. "There is no discussion in the state unit regarding support to the Sena for the mayor's post. It is a serious matter.. has serious implications," he said. "If we take a decision to support (Sena), we (can) stop the BJP from installing its mayor, but for how long? If we don't support, BJP will have its mayor," the former chief minister told PTI. Even the proponents of the idea of backing Sena, said a final call will be taken by the central leadership after considering the pros and cons of entering into overt or covert trucks with the saffron party, known for its aggressive stand on several issues, which is diametrically opposed to the secular plank of the Congress. On the other hand, BJP which notched up 82 seats in the Mumbai civic polls after fighting separately under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has said it would not compromise on the issue of transparency in the BMC administration, which was the party's poll plank. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, who met Fadnavis with city unit functionaries and the people's representatives before the BJP core committee held , yesterday ruled out any tie up with Congress in BMC. The BMC elections saw Shiv Sena emerging as a single largest party bagging 84 seats (now 87 with three independents joining it), BJP secured 82, Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the NCP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS finished with nine and seven seats respectively. Besides, AIMIM got two seats, Samajwadi Party 6, Akhil Bhartiya Sena 1 and Independents 5 (of which 3 have now joined the Sena). However, the resurgent BJP breached the Sena citadel of Mumbai and bagged 82 seats, just two less than Sena's tally of initial 84. Shiv Sena party workers celebrate outside party office as initial trends indicate their lead. (Photo: Twitter | ANI) Mumbai: A day after the BMC polls threw up a hung verdict, Shiv Sena's tally of corporators rose to 87 on Saturday with three party rebels who won as Independent nominees returning to its fold. This gave a slight push to Uddhav Thackeray's efforts to cobble up numbers but reaching the magic figure of 114 seats needed to rule the cash-rich civic body is still a far cry. The development came at a time when both the Sena and its estranged ally BJP which has won 82 seats, are keeping cards close to their chest on the prospects of coming together again to attain power or otherwise. While Snehal More (Vikhroli) and Tulsiram Shinde (Dindoshi) arrived at 'Matoshree', the Bandra residence of Thackeray, in morning where they were reinducted, Changez Multani (Andheri) extended his support in evening. The Sena, which has been in power in the BMC for last 20 years with the BJP being a junior partner, is looking forward for another term. It contested the BMC polls separately by dumping the BJP. Sena is a junior partner of the BJP in Centre and Maharashtra governments. However, the resurgent BJP breached the Sena citadel of Mumbai and bagged 82 seats, just two less than Sena's yesterday's tally of 84. It remains unclear whether the saffron siblings will join the hands again or new combinations will emerge to secure 114 seats. BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari on Saturday said the final decision pertaining to the BMC will be taken by core committee of the party, which is meeting here tonight. With the fractured verdict restricting their options, Sena and BJP are trying hard to enlist support of as many corporators as possible to stack up numbers ahead of the Mayoral election scheduled next month. Meanwhile, Thackeray reiterated that Sena will install the next Mayor and said he has not yet thought about alliance. According to sources in the Sena, Thackeray will hold a meeting of all senior party leaders and newly-elected corporators at the Shiv Sena Bhavan tomorrow to decide on the future course of action. Meanwhile, a BJP leader has claimed three Independent corporators are willing to give support to BJP in the coming days. The BJP's core committee meeting is currently underway in the city to decide its future strategy. In the counting of votes held on Thursday, Sena won 84 seats, BJP 82, Congress 31, NCP 9, MNS 7, AIMIM 3, Samajwadi Party 6, Akhil Bhartiya Sena 1 and Independents 4. The alleged juvenile accused was allegedly planning to bury the girls body when another boy from the locality saw him. The 16-year-old boy saw her playing and lured her to an under-construction building on the pretext of giving her a chocolate. (Representational image) New Delhi: In a shocking case of crime against minors, a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered allegedly by her 16-year-old neighbour in Outer Delhis Narela on Thursday afternoon. The alleged juvenile accused was allegedly planning to bury the girls body when another boy from the locality saw him and raised an alarm. The locals caught the teenager, thrashed him and then handed him over to the police. M.N. Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police (Rohini), said that a case of murder and rape under relevant sections of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and protection of children from sexual offences (Pocso) Act was registered against the teenager at the Narela police station. The boy was apprehended and produced before the juvenile justice board. A senior police officer said that the girl lived with her parents and one-year-old brother at Narela area. Her parents work as labourers at building construction sites in the locality. On Thursday morning, the parents left for work at a nearby construction site, leaving behind their two children at home. Around noon, the girl went out to play with her friends. The 16-year-old boy saw her playing and lured her to an under-construction building on the pretext of giving her a chocolate. The teenager took the girl in the bathroom and raped her. When the girl started crying, the teenager panicked and strangled her. He then picked up a brick and smashed her face, not only to hide her identity but also his gruesome crime. Police sources said that the boy was planning to bury her body in the ground outside the under-construction building. However, a local boy who was playing with the girl before her kidnapping saw him and raised an alarm. He alerted the locals, who in turn caught the boy. They informed the girls parents, who were already searching for her in the locality after they found her missing from home. A local informed the police. A police team arrived and apprehended the boy. The boy has been sent him to a correction home. The investigation is going on, said the officer. The girls body was handed over to her family after autopsy. You are here: Home The top insurance regulator on Friday barred Yao Zhenhua, chairman of Foresea Life Insurance, from the insurance industry for 10 years for irregular market operations. China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC) said in a statement that Foresea Life violated insurance regulations and provided false information during its capital increase. Foresea Life, a subsidiary of financial conglomerate Baoneng, was suspended from selling its questionable high-return insurance service in December, after speculative stake buyouts in listed companies by heavyweight insurers caused concern. To contain possible financial risks, the CIRC sent investigation teams to insurance companies, including Foresea Life, to review their management, financial sheets, insurance product services and capital use. CIRC chairman Xiang Junbo warned earlier this week that using insurance funds for short-term speculation and hostile takeovers in listed firms would be addressed without mercy. The CIRC said it will help the insurer improve the way it is run. The mohalla clinic project is aimed at providing free health-care facility to the city residents closer to their home. New Delhi: Union minister and Lok Sabha member from the city, Dr Harsh Vardhan, on Friday attacked the Delhi government over its mohalla clinic project, calling it a scam after the vigilance department sought details on complaints of alleged irregularities in it. Referring to media reports, Lok Sabha member from Chandni Chowk Dr Vardhan, himself a doctor, said that the initiative could have been one which Delhi could be proud of. He alleged that doctors in mohalla clinics made false entries of patients to ensure good income. Taking a jibe at the Arvind Kejriwal dispensation, Dr Vardhan said treating two patients in a minute is truly record breaking. Treating one patient in a minute is impressive, but to treat two is truly record breaking. Mohalla Clinics, a scam! Doctors in AAP government-run mohalla clinics make false entries of patients, giving them useless medication to ens-ure revisits, and their inc-ome. Mohalla clinic was one initiative Delhi coul-dve been proud of, but alas these greedy frauds couldnt stay fair even in healthcare services (sic), said Dr Vardhan in a series of tweets. His comments assume significance as Dr Vardhan, a former Delhi BJP president, prefers not to say much on the city politics after he became a minister in the Union Cabinet. Delhi heath minister Satyendar Jain on Friday said that mohalla clinics are working fine and alleged that the Opposition parties are blowing the issue out of proportion. Earlier, in response to the alleged irregularities in the functioning of mohalla clinics, Mr Jain had retweeted a news clipping on ghost employees receiving NDMC pension. The Delhi governments health department officials, meanwhile, are conducting surprise inspections on mohalla clinics after reports of irregularities, an official said. Chief district medical officer (northeast Delhi) on Thu-rsday sent a team to various clinics the area to figure out how many patients are visiting these primary healthcare centres each day. The team of medical officers also took stalk of medicines and diagnostic tests provided by these facilities. The vigilance department early this week sought details from the chief district medical officers on the functioning of mohalla clinics, following complaints on issues like amount of money being paid to the consultant doctors and rent for a few of the clinics. The mohalla clinic project is aimed at providing free health-care facility to the city residents closer to their home. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this, she said. Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed shock over the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas City in the USA and said she did not support the politics of hate. Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We dont support the politics of hate, she said in a statement. The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this, she said. A 32-year-old Indian engineer was killed and his Indian colleague injured after a Navy veteran yelling get out of my country and terrorist fired at them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. An American who tried to save the victims was also injured. The Shiv Senas tally has reached to 87 against BJPs 83. Mumbai: In order to achieve majority and appoint a Sena mayor, the Shiv Sena has embraced two party rebels, who got elected in the Brihanmumbai municipal corporation (BMC) polls. Snehal More from Vikroli and Tulshidas Shinde from Dindoshi joined Sena on Friday in the presence of Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray at Matoshree, Bandra (east). Another independent Changez Multani from Andheri also extended his support to the Sena. With the development, the Sena tally has reached to 87 against BJPs 83. So far, the Sena was hinting to claim the mayors post without taking help from the BJP. While accepting congratulations from the party workers and newly elected corporators, Mr Thackeray refused to speak on joining hands with the BJP. Let me enjoy my success. Getting elected for the fifth time is a big thing for us. I have not thought of going along with any party, he said. While joining the party back, Mr Shinde said that there was some misunderstanding while giving tickets. There was some misunderstanding but I had decided then that I would go back to the party after winning the seat, Mr Shinde said. The party had refused him ticket after which he conducted independently. Sources said that the Sena is try to get maximum number of corporators so that it can have its mayor for five years. We are trying various permutation combinations to get a majority over the BJP. We want our mayor for five years and wont share power with anyone, a senior Sena leader said, hinting that the party might not go with BJP. The former ally of Sena, BJP won 82 seats and one independent has extended support to it. Another possibility would be seeking help from MNS chief Raj Thackeray whose seven corporators got elected, the sources said. The MNS chief had asked for pre-poll alliance earlier, which was refused by the Sena. Recalling the behaviour of the monkey, Ruia alleged, I saw the monkey in a compromising position with the watchman. Mumbai: An adult female monkey has been rescued by the Forest Department in Vile Parle (east) after it was alleged sexually assaulted by a watchman, who had kept it tied for almost two years. The monkey was rescued after Sangeeta Ruia, an Animal Welfare Officer (AWO), contacted the departments 1926 call centre number on Thursday. The department sent a team on the same evening to rescue the monkey. Locals said the monkey was kept tied to a tree. Forest department officials have taken the monkey into their custody. No action has been taken against the watchman as results of the medical tests on the monkey are awaited. Recalling the behaviour of the monkey, Ruia alleged, I saw the monkey in a compromising position with the watchman. When the team arrived, she made the officials understand the seriousness of the situation. Ruia alleged that despite saying she wanted to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the watchman, the team of officials turned her down. The officials told me that they would take the monkey along with them and take necessary action according to their rules. I had asked them to update me as soon as medical tests on the monkey are done. However, Im yet to hear from them, alleged Ruia. Santosh Kank, range forest officer of Thane Forest Department, was not available for comment. If proven, the watchman will be booked under sections 9 and 51 of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972, section 11 of Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals (PFA) and section 377 of Indian Penal Code, which has either lifetime imprisonment or punishment that can extend to 10 years (Bestiality- sexual relations between a human being and a lower animal). Pawan Sharma, founder of Resqink Association of Wildlife Welfare (RAWW) who closely works with the department, said, Monkeys are the most exploited and ignored species when it comes to their management and welfare tasks. We are working on these issues with the forest department to ensure that they are immediately addressed. We are looking out for alternatives till an independent rescue facility of the forest department for the city is ready. Shakuntala Mazumdar, President of Thane Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (TSPCA), said, Such cases are rare to find in cities. I have seen such six cases till now however, none of them could be proved medically and hence couldnt be pursued further. State BJP minister Chandrakant Patil had also expressed a similar view after the poll results. Mumbai: With the Shiv Sena and BJP locked in a tussle for the prestigious mayors post in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the countrys richest civic body, senior BJP leader and Union minister Nitin Gadkari said Friday that there was no option for his party than to join hands with the Sena to control the BMC. State BJP minister Chandrakant Patil had also expressed a similar view after the poll results. The situation now is that both parties have no option but to come together again. The final decision on this issue has to be taken by Devendra Fadnavis and Uddhav Thackeray. Both are mature and I am sure they will take the right decision. I feel the leaders of both parties have to take a decision, showing sujh bujh (understanding) and maturity, Mr Gadkari told a Marathi TV channel. He singled out Sena mouthpiece Saamana for targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah. If there has to be friendship with us (BJP), then there has to be a check on the writings in Saamana. How will there be friendship when Saamana, on a daily basis, writes insulting things about the PM and our party president? How much leeway the new administration will give the gun lobby is the more frightening thought. Young Hyderabad techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla was extremely unlucky to be at the wrong place at the wrong time while his friend Alok Madasani and brave onlooker Ian Grillot, who tried to block US Navy veteran Adam W. Purinton, were fortunate to survive an obvious hate crime in Kansas City earlier this week. Its a terrible irony that the victim of the first such senseless shooting in the Donald Trump era should be an H-1B visa holder from India. Touching aspects have been lent to the tragedy with an unknown American rising to defend a couple of Indians, mistaken for West Asians, and who were under attack from a man who came back to the pub deliberately with his gun to fire on aliens. It may be too early to say that Mr Trumps immigration policy tilt or the climate of animosity against migrants in a divisive White House campaign led to the incident that, however, is not an unknown phenomenon in a land with liberal gun laws. In fact, the first such hate crime may be portentous as Alt-right and such movements spawned or encouraged by Mr Trumps rise would probably feel emboldened. How much leeway the new administration will give the gun lobby is the more frightening thought. With a right-wing government firmly in place, its only likely that gun ownership will be seen as macho support of the Make America Great Again agenda. We must fear for innocent people who have to cope with the unpredictability of living in an agitated and anxious country in these conflicted times. The MoU will see both NASSCOM and ITAC, collaborating to address digital technology shifts. The organisations will collaborate for various activities like exchanging statistics and dynamic practices related to the respective IoT industries and will look at facilitating exchange programs for association members. Focusing on the need to create and develop the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem in India, The National Association of Software and Services Companies (NASSCOM) has signed an MoU with the IoT Acceleration Consortium (ITAC) - Japan. The MoU will see both NASSCOM and ITAC, collaborating to address digital technology shifts and accelerate IoT adoption at a global level across the industry. The organisations will collaborate for various activities like exchanging statistics and dynamic practices related to the respective IoT industries and will look at facilitating exchange programs for association members. Further, both NASSCOM and ITAC will share information on the ecosystem, new practices and technological developments. The IoT market in India is expected to reach USD 15 billion by 2020 accounting for nearly 5 per cent of the total global market and the worldwide IoT market is poised to be a USD 328 billion market by 2020. Emerging trends in digitalization aim to bring about innovations in the industry and in order to allow a fast acceptance of the IoT, imperative matters like identification, confidentiality and security need to be undertaken. As part of its continued efforts in the domain, NASSCOM had also inaugurated the Internet of Things (CoE- IoT) at the Nasscom Startups Warehouse in Bengaluru. The centre was inaugurated by Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law, Government of India and aims to focus on leveraging IT strengths and creating a new age industry with the support of IoT based ideas. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. In an earlier photo, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, poses with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Las Vegas. (Photo: AP) Houston: The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that good things happen in America. Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government... What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Married about four years ago, Kuchibhotla and his wife were planning to have a baby this year. Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that good things happen in America. Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul RD Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment, Ray said. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting by a US Navy veteran Adam Purinton on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family, she said in a tweet on Friday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted get out of my country, terrorist before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued on Friday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the companys aviation systems. Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital, Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a masters degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelors degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. The death penalty was banned in Turkey in 2004. Moscow: Turkey may seek to reinstate death penalty on grounds of public demand, country's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said. According to Sputnik News, Erdogan said the government has been seeking to bring back capital punishment since the July 2015 coup attempt. The death penalty was banned in Turkey in 2004. The European Union officials, however, slammed the possible move, citing it would undermine Turkey's accession bid to the union. by Santosh Digal Sister Mary Mukta Kindo has worked at the Mother Veronica Social Centre for Women of Barrackpure since 2001. The centre makes garments like uniforms and tunics as well as church linen. Some 200 women have been trained allowing them to be independent and help their families. Kolkata (AsiaNews) Sister Mary Mukta Kindo belongs to the order of the Discalced Carmelites of the Apostolic Carmel. She works at the Mother Veronica Social Centre for Women in Barrackpure, near Kolkata (West Bengal) where serving the poor means welcoming everyone, regardless of their religious convictions." Speaking to AsiaNews, she explained the reason for her apostolate, dedicated in particular to women in need. For her, "Working with and for the poor allows me to spread the love of Jesus." Since 2001, Sister Mary works with the centre to make items of clothing like uniforms and tunics as well as church linen. "In our centre, everyone is welcome. We make no differences in religion. We work only for the good of the poor." The Carmelite nun runs sewing, knitting and embroidery classes that enable poor women to gain more confidence in themselves and be economically independent. Since it was opened, the centre has trained more than 200 women. Currently, 40 students from various religious backgrounds are registered. "Our goal, Sister Mary noted, is to train these women to be social agents of change in their families and society through the values of the Gospel and a stronger character. They learn to understand the value of their role in the family and earn a living by making the most of their talents and abilities." The centre "has created a melting pot of religions, in which solidarity grows and peace and harmony is promoted in society, thanks to women taking leadership roles. All this happens because they learn to take care of themselves." "For me, it is a source of great satisfaction to see that these women, who were poor before, can lead a dignified life and help their families. I will continue to be at the service of the poor and spread God's compassion and Jesus love for the most disadvantaged." A foreign cargo ship is seen at Qingdao Port in east China's Shandong Province, December 8, 2016. China's exports in yuan terms ended previous drops to rise 5.9 percent year on year in November, while imports continued to pick up steam by increasing 13 percent, customs data showed on December 29, 2016 (XINHUA) With its outbound direct non-financial investment reaching a record high of US$145.67 billion in 2015, China's accumulated outbound direct investment, for the first time, stood above US$1 trillion by the end of 2015. In 2016, several major deals were announced, including Midea Group acquiring German robot maker Kuka for more than 4 billion euros, and ChemChina's US$43 billion takeover of Swiss group Syngenta. Such direct Chinese investment in foreign countries has expanded almost ten times in the past decade, and the fields of investment and destinations of companies that go overseas have become more diversified. China is a large beneficiary of globalization. It became the world's second largest economy in 2010 and the world's largest trading nation in 2013. But the world's globalization process seems to have decelerated since the financial crisis in 2008. Official data shows that global trade increased only 2.8 percent year-on-year in 2014, marking the first time that the trade growth rate was lower than that of GDP. The number of protectionist measures introduced by G20 countries skyrocketed from 381 items in 2010 to 1441 in late 2015. And after the shocking exit from the EU by Britain, most of the presidential candidates and later the president-elect of the United States opposed the Trans Pacific Partnership, which was believed to be a facilitator of freer trade in the Asia Pacific. But in my opinion, these are only temporary phenomena in the economic cycle and do not represent long-term global trends. There are three factors in globalization. First, the rapid development of science and technology; second, international investment and trade by multinational companies; and third, industrial structural adjustment around the world. So long as these factors are still in full swing, the process of globalization will not be stopped. Chinese firms are now in the period of globalization. Though they are sometimes believed to have little core technology and low profit, they are bound to develop further and show the following trends. First, Chinese companies that "go global" will see rapid growth. China's outbound direct investment will double to between US$250 billion and US$300 billion by the end of 2020, and total outbound direct investment during the 2016-2020 period is expected to reach US$1.1 trillion. Second, the globalization of Chinese firms will help upgrade Chinese industries. Since its entry into the WTO, China has made a lot of effort in increasing the technology and additional value of its exported goods. High-tech goods contributed 17.5 percent of the worth of all exported goods in 2001, and the figure climbed to about 30 percent in 2016. Midea's acquisition of Kuka in May last year was aiming at increasing its own productive efficiency and upgrading its manufacturing ability by using Kuka's advanced technology in industrial robots and automation. Cases like this prove that Chinese firms are trying to acquire patented and core technologies in the process of globalization, which will also help China become a manufacturing powerhouse. Third, Chinese firms are becoming more diversified in their global expansion. After gaining a foothold in some of the world's most popular investment destinations in the past one or two decades, Chinese companies are now exploring emerging destinations and are thus more diversified than they used to be. For example, since first going overseas in 1997, Huawei now has branches or offices in more than 160 countries. Fourth, Chinese firms will move up the value chain in the process of globalization. Many Chinese companies used to rely on their advantages in labor and land, but now that these advantages are shrinking they choose to go overseas and bring home outstanding technology and brands. Fifth, Chinese firms will improve their management and become more aware of their due social responsibility. Chinese companies paid dearly for their neglect of local culture in the early days of their globalization processes. Now more and more companies are paying increasing amounts of attention to local operation and social responsibility. Fuyao Group kept the workers' union after acquiring a factory in the state of Illinois in 2014, though the agreement allowed it to shut it down. In 2015, the company donated 7 million dollars to a local university after investing in the state of Ohio. In summary, I am optimistic about the globalization of Chinese companies. Though it is a daunting process for companies to reach out to foreign countries, I believe the trend of globalization will not be reversed. Long Yongtu is chairman of the CCG (Center for China and Globalization) Advisory Board. He was China's chief negotiator when the country sought to enter into WTO. The article was translated by Zhang Lulu. Its original unabridged version was published in Chinese. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. by Christopher Sharma During the festival, Hindu holy men sell drugs and invite young people to smoke hashish and cannabis. Hundreds of young people have become addicts. The Hindu festival accused of driving many to crime. Attendance at the Pashupatinath Temple drops from 500,000 to 200,000. Kathmandu (AsiaNews) Few young people attended yesterdays Mahashivaratri celebration to honour the Lord Shiva. Many parents kept their children away because of the presence of many Hindu Babas, holy men (sadhus) from India and elsewhere, who encourage young people to use drugs like hashish and cannabis. "Drug addiction of many young people begins in this place, said Rijan Kafle, 18, in reference to the Shiva temple of Pashupatinath in Kathmandu. Although we are Hindus, our parents are opposed to it and do not want their children to take part in Shivaratri celebrations. Many ascetics encourage us to smoke in the name of this deity. Many of them sell hashish and cannabis and say that these are gifts from Shiva." During the Shivaratri festival, which lasts several days, Hindus go on pilgrimage to various Shiva temples, praying, chanting hymns, and dancing. Siddhartha Gautam, 52, from Gaushala, forbade his children from taking part in the celebrations. "I have two high school kids and saw some sadhus selling drugs and inviting young people to smoke. So I forbade my children to come here and participate in Shivaratri in the Pashupati temple. I know hundreds of young people who started smoking and using drugs on the feast day of Shiva and later became addicts for life." Rameshwor Dhakal, from Chabahil district (Kathmandu), has a son who began using drugs at the feast of Shiva. "This is a bad habit, he said, which ruins young lives in the name of this Hindu celebration. My son started smoking hashish with friends seven years ago during Shivaratri, he explained. Babas can use drugs, and sell it to kids and teach them how to smoke it. Many begin at this time to smoke and gradually become addicted." "Now my son is a total addict. This has ruined his life, and he has turned to crime. Thus, Shivaratri has become a cause of delinquency," he lamented. Govinda Tondon, a Hindu expert and director of the Pashupatinath temple, said that temple has appealed many times to the faithful to stay away from "bad things" during the Shivaratri. "We asked Hindu Babas from India and elsewhere not to sell or compel drug use. But young people and parents should also be on guard." Meanwhile, the Hindu festivity seems to be losing popularity as bad habits associated with Hinduism spread cross the country. Last year, about 500,000 people visited Pashupatinath Temple for Shivaratri. This year that number is down to 200,000. by Mathias Hariyadi On 1 March, King Salman will arrive in Jakarta on an official visit. Breaking with Protocol, President Widodo will welcome him in person at the airport. The Saudi monarch will travel with an entourage of about 1,500 people, including government ministers and princes. The visit includes a short vacation in Bali. Jakarta (AsiaNews) Saudi King Salman will meet with Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo during his official visit to the Southeast Asian country set to start on 1 March. The two leaders will discuss, among other things, Saudi investments in Indonesia, particularly in the oil sector, permits for the Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah and the promotion of a moderate Islam to counter extremist and jihadist movements at the local and international levels. The Saudi king will be accompanied by a large delegation: 1,500 people, including ten government ministers and 15 princes. After a few days in Jakarta, where he will meet with the countrys highest civil and religious authorities, King Salman will travel to the island of Bali for a short period of vacation and relaxation. The main topic of discussion for Saudi Arabia will be its largescale investments in the construction of fuel storage depots in Celica, central Java. For Indonesia, hajj permits will top the list. For some time, the latter have been a source of friction with the Saudis. Every year thousands of people are excluded from the quota reserved for Indonesians who want to go on the annual pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the five pillars of Islam. Pilgrims can wait up to five and even ten years before they can make the trip, despite completing all the formalities and paying the fees to visit Islams most sacred site. The importance of King Salmans visit and the special attention given by Jakarta to the Saudi monarch is evidenced by the fact that, breaking with protocol, President Widodo will personally welcome the distinguished guest at an Indonesian Air Force base in East Jakarta. One advance Saudi party is already in Jakarta and another one is in Bali to work out the last details for King Salmans arrival and accommodations. A special elevator will be used to allow the king to leave the plane on his arrival in Indonesia. Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim nation, has long maintained close ties with Saudi Arabia. The countrys version of Islam is moderate, despite some episodes of sectarian intolerance and violence. However, a more radical version of Islam is emerging in some parts of the country, in many cases thanks to Saudi funding for Wahhabi-inspired schools. For Foreign Ministry spokesperson Armanatha Nasir, the type of reception reserved for the Saudi king is normal, including the presence of President Widodo at the airport. "We are the most populous Muslim nation in the world and Saudi Arabia is the holy land for Muslims around the world, including Indonesian Muslims," he explained. The promotion of moderate Islam will be one of the most important issues at the centre of talks between the two sides, coupled with the problem of migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and related residence permits. The official visit, which follows Widodos visit to Saudi Arabia in September 2015, will include an address by King Salman to the Indonesian parliament. This is the first time that a Saudi monarch visits Indonesia in almost 50 years. The last time was in 1970 when Suharto was president. Approximately 25,000 sterilisations and 60,000 forced abortions were performed under the Eugenic Protection Act, which was abolished in 1996. Some call for an official apology and compensation for the victims. Japans grave demographic crisis requires new policies to promote life. Tokyo (AsiaNews) The Japan Federation of Bar Associations issued a written statement on Wednesday challenging the now abolished Eugenic Protection Act, which allowed abortions and sterilisations for people with disabilities and hereditary illnesses. Adopted in 1948, the Eugenic Protection Act set out to "prevent the birth of imperfect descendants". The Federation wants the government to conduct a full investigation into the damage caused by the law as well as issue an official apology for it and pay compensation to those who were forced to undergo the aforementioned procedures. According to the records available to the Federation, approximately 25,000 sterilisations and 60,000 abortions were performed during the period in which the Act was in force. Following criticism for the violation of the reproductive rights of disabled persons, the law was amended in 1949, but some local authorities continued to enforce it because of legalised discrimination against people with physical and mental handicaps. Under the current Maternal Health Act passed in 1996, eugenics provisions were removed. Decisions concerning reproduction should be made freely based on the intentions of those involved," the statement said. Sterilisation and abortions performed on people with disabilities and hereditary diseases "trampled on their dignity and infringed on their individual reproductive rights, and are unconstitutional," it went on to say. In March 2016, the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women recommended that the Japanese government carry out an investigation into the damage caused by the law and offer compensation to those affected. The government responded saying that the Eugenic Protection Act was "implemented legitimately and compensation would be difficult." In recent decades, Japan, a nation with a long history of eugenics laws, has been facing a major demographic crisis. Its aging population and low birth rate, among the worst in the world, are currently the countrys most urgent problem and might lead to the collapse of its pension and welfare systems. The government has called on people to have more babies and tried to address the problem with policies designed to boost the birth rate. However, it is difficult to ascertain whether these efforts will lead to substantial results on the short run. Once a land of eugenics, forced abortions and sterilisations, Japan today sees its destiny tied to the protection and promotion of life. Rules For Mixing Shirt & Tie Patterns Three Fail-Safe Rules For Matching Your Shirt And Tie Like A True Gentleman The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. During the 17th century, King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries who wore a piece of cloth around the top of their jackets, and before long, the humble necktie was born into mainstream fashion. Mr. Louis liked them so much, that the necktie even became a mandatory accessory worn at Royal gatherings. In fact, to honor the Croatian soldiers, he went on to call the neckties of his time La Cravat, the French word for necktie. Over time, the cravat morphed from an often complicated and flouncy neck piece into a streamlined design that is the modern tie. Today cravats are mostly worn at formal events or special occasions, like weddings or business lunches, which merit a statement accessory. Some fashion-forward gentlemen, however, manage to pull off the tie as a style staple for daily wear. Alas, to each his own. RELATED: How To Tie A Tie The modern tie is a long, thin ribbon of fabric thats tied around the neck, over the collar of a dress shirt. Ties and shirts go hand-in-hand, and just as the necktie has its own history, the dress shirt also has a story to tell. While they're ubiquitous nowadays, dress shirts came to be during the Victorian era, their style-cred going back about 200 years. A crisp white dress shirt was thought of as a symbol of distinction and power since only wealthy men could afford to clean or replace them. As a matter of fact, it wasnt until the 19th century that proper shirts became affordable and widely available enough to take its place as an essential component of menswear, defined not only by color, but fit, fabric and detailing too. Fast-forward to today and you only need to look to the phrases white collar and blue collar to understand the value of shirts in our daily wardrobes, and the lasting impression they can leave on colleagues, acquaintances and other members of society. But while shirts and ties used to be limited to a specific sphere of menswear, the unspoken rules and formalities of this strong combination are much more relaxed today, leaving you plenty of room to experiment with classic looks and your personal style. Now, without further ado, follow these three rules to learn about pairing your shirts and ties. Rule 1: Picking The Perfect Color Matching a shirt and tie is not a complicated affair, but there are a few rules you should play by if you want to get the look right. The first rule relies on color theory; there are as many shirt and tie colors as there are colors of the rainbow. Choosing the right color may seem arbitrary, but you will want to pick the right hues for your complexion (warm or cool), and pair your choice of shirt and tie colors so they work in harmony. Complementary Colors: If you like to wear shirts and ties casually, complementary colors are a great place to start. These are best used in social settings, as their boldness may appear a bit out of place at the office. For example, a bright orange tie and light blue shirt are complementary, but create a much too playful look for most workplaces. But choose complementary colors on the weekend, and you wont go wrong with this dynamic look. Monochrome Color Scheme: The easiest way to step up your game is to create a monochromatic look by layering different shades of one color, such as black, tan and gray. This is a conservative choice that can become playful if you choose to step outside the box and layer more vibrant shades, such as blue you can do this by pairing a light blue dress shirt and dark blue tie in a low key blue pattern. This option will add depth to your outfit and creates a relaxed, everyday look appropriate for work or play. Adjacent Color Scheme: The next rung on the ladder is an adjacent color scheme. This is often the option you end up with if youve ever bought a shirt and tie set. Rather than pairing the same colors on top of one another, this look takes color from opposite sides of the color wheel to create an interesting juxtaposition (for example, a blue shirt with a purple tie). Adjacent color schemes work because while the colors are different, the combo features both warm and cool notes. Triadic Color Scheme: Finally, we have the triadic color scheme, which follows an adjacent color scheme but adds a third color to the mix. This means that rather than picking two colors that oppose each other, you can have three colors to create a triangle shape within the color wheel. Triadic colors are more formal and tend to be reserved for weddings, business events, and formal social gatherings. For example, this look could be made up of a purple dress shirt, burgundy tie, and navy handkerchief. Now that you have a color scheme in mind, it is time to learn how to match the colors and patterns with the appropriate shirt and tie. Rule 2: Layering The Right Pattern Choosing patterns are a fun way to build complexity within an outfit. The first option is a no-pattern look, which creates a bold statement. Times you want to wear a plain dress shirt and a plain tie include interviews, weddings, and funerals. In most cases, you will choose a monochromatic or complementary color scheme, effectively color blocking your tie and dress shirt (i.e. a black shirt with a black tie). Use this look sparingly, as it will get boring quickly. Instead, turn to a patterned tie to create a casual everyday look. Adding a patterned tie or shirt (or a combination of both) to your outfit is straightforward and functional, but proceed carefully. Patterns can quickly overwhelm an outfit, so try to choose complementary patterns. Once you feel more confident in mixing your shirt and tie patterns, you can advance to the dapper level, which is where patterns are coordinated in very unexpected and aesthetically refreshing ways. The most common look out there is the large-scale patterned shirt with a tie featuring a smaller pattern. There is nothing wrong with this classic approach to pairing, but it doesnt display the most personality. This is a look most grad students lean on for work, interviews, and yes, even dates. As we get older, having the confidence to mix and match patterns is a great way to show off your maturity, which hopefully evolves with your style. Below are three looks that I personally depend on: Look 1: Proportions Of A Pattern This first option is a great way to create a signature look without much effort. Using the same pattern in the tie and dress shirt adds layers of visual interest, and is not difficult to get right. Mixing a striped tie and striped shirt works, especially if you use the same colors. When mixing patterns this way, use a smaller stripe on the dress shirt and a larger stripe in your tie to add dimension. You dont want to lose the tie on the shirt, so to speak. Stock Up: Classic Stripe Dress Shirt, $24.75 at Nordstrom.com Stock Up: Boss Stripe Silk Tie, $115.00 at Nordstrom.com Look 2: Contrasting Patterns A contrasting combination takes a little more flair but its worth it. Wearing a striped shirt with a spotted tie, for example, enables both designs to stand out. The trick to making this combination work is to keep patterns small. A thin striped shirt with a discretely dotted tie will blend in together and keep the look crisp. Stock Up: Kenneth Cole Crimson Printed Shirt, $34.99 at Amazon.com Stock Up: Express Plaid Panel Narrow Silk Tie, $49.90 at Express.com Look 3: Patterned Shirt With Plain Ties This is perhaps my favorite look. Choosing a patterned shirt with a striking plain tie is surprisingly dapper, and creates a clean-cut look perfect for stylish gents. If you want to up this look, opt for a versatile solid silk tie. You can wear this combination in almost any setting and always feel confident you made the right choice. Stock Up: Theory Sylvain Piran Shirt, $225.00 at Amazon.com Stock Up: Nordstrom Solid Silk Tie, $49.50 at Nordstrom.com Rule 3: Introducing Texture So you have your dress shirt, tie, color scheme, and a pattern system that works for you. Next, you may be wondering, What else could there be? For those who like to stand out from the crowd, I have one more style hack that is always a hit. Adding texture to your shirt and tie combination is a fun way to go the extra mile, and always pays dividends. The texture could be in a chunky wool statement tie, in a high gloss dress shirt or in the addition of a handkerchief to your top right-hand pocket. Either way, the purpose of texture is to compliment your outfit to add a stylish dimension to round off the overall look. Below are some variations you can incorporate into your look. Silk Ties: These are often colorful or highly patterned ties that are commonly found in higher-end department stores. They are best paired with understated, matte colors, like navy blue or charcoal. Stock Up: Ermenegildo Zegna Quindici Paisley Silk Tie, $285.00 at Nordstrom.com Linen And Cotton Ties: Linen and cotton are the ideal candidates for summer events, like beach weddings or VIP terrace hangs, since they are lightweight and more breathable than synthetic alternatives. Stock Up: Original Penguin Coco Chambray Tie, $24.99 at Amazon.com Wool Ties: These interesting ties make for great winter accessories, and tend to come in wider shapes ideal for formal gatherings. Stock Up: Pocket Square Clothing The Colin Tie, $56.00 at BespokePost.com Knit Ties: Less common, these ties can be worn year-round and add an exciting dimension to your tie (although this may not be a look for all men). Stock Up: Tommy Hilfiger Donegal Knit Slim Tie, $26.99 at Amazon.com Its easy to see why dress shirts and ties have remained in fashion for as long as they have; there are endless variations of colors, patterns, and textures to choose from, and you are only ever limited by your imagination. If you stick with my key rules, Im confident you will always pick the right shirt and tie for any occasion. My only request is that you decide to try something new once in a while, to shake things up and see how you feel. Related reading AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service. To find out more, please read our complete terms of use. You are here: Home Flash China's foreign ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang. [Photo: fmprc.gov.cn] China has lodged representations to the Japanese side and urged Japan to be cautious in its words and deeds regarding Taiwan-related issues, a foreign ministry spokesperson said Friday in Beijing. Spokesperson Geng Shuang's remarks came after a Japanese Defense Ministry think tank released a report on China's security, in which Taiwan was put in parallel with the Chinese mainland as a political entity. "We have lodged solemn representations to the Japanese side," Geng said, stressing that the Taiwan-related issue, part of the country's domestic affairs, concerned China's core interests. He urged the Japanese side to abide by the principles set in the 1972 Sino-Japanese Joint Statement, stick to the one-China principle and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently. According to the joint statement, the Japanese government fully understands and respects the Chinese government's position on Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory. "Japan should refrain from sending the wrong messages to 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces, undermining regional peace and stability, or causing new disturbances to China-Japan relations," Geng said. Hey Tom, Glad to see you embrace a new area you may not be so familiar with, managing to combine your life-long experience in the field and passion for bricklaying with IT. If I may make a couple of suggestions: the header image needs to be resized. If you want to keep it that big on the homepage, you need to change its resolution, use one with a higher resolution i.e. as the one you have appears pixelated. My personal opinion is that it's way too big and takes up almost the entire page once someone arrives on your website. I'd also change its content, maybe use a better framed/composition picture, as the current one has a bit of a 'too close for comfort' zoom. The rest of the website is clean and looks good. The animations for each post are just right, not too fast and not too slow, while the pictures behind them seem to have decent resolutions so you don't have any of the previously mentioned issues. However, the header image you use once the user reaches the blog post also suffers from the low-res syndrome. You should change it with a higher-res version. Internet speeds have come a long way and if you're worried about loading times and traffic you shouldn't. Your cross links seem good and the articles are definitely written with a lot of passion and knowledge. Any reader can tell and the text is nicely formatted with an easy to read layout on the pages. You could consider making the text column narrower as it does look a bit too wide at the moment but it's not terribly disturbing! Good luck and keep writing! JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Hi, I'm going to apply for the ACS skill assessment. I'm a Sri Lankan passport holder, working in Singapore for the time being. Let me list down my questions clearly. 1. If I submit Statutory Declarations to cover my company service letter for my work at Singapore, who is eligible for verifying the declaration done by my manager at work? 2. Can I get my documents related to Sri Lankan work verified at Singapore? Or does it always have to be verified by the country of origin( Origin of the document). 3. If my manager lives overseas at the moment, any procedure you suggest to get verification done by him.? Your assistance in this highly appreciated. Perth Reviews A O Lang Pho | Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam Australia has undoubtedly been embroiled in a love affair with Vietnam over the past decade. From the huge demand for travel to the area, to its popularisation through media figures such as Anh Do, Luke Nguyen and the Top Gear lads, through to the myriad of banh mi outlets gracing our cities, it appears that Aussies have an appetite for all things Vietnamese. Perhaps continuing this trend, or perhaps because of it, the Nouveau Cirque du Vietnams production of A O Lang Pho finds itself as part of this years Perth International Arts Festival, playing at the Regal Theatre from Thursday 16th February to Sunday the 25th of February. A O Lang Pho, loosely translated, refers to the concepts of Village and City. For those who have visited Vietnam it is a central theme that rings true, as avoiding traffic in bustling centres like Ho Chi Minh City is offset by the serenity of pastoral life, and the simplicity of beautiful countryside, good food and a hard days work. In the 70-minute performance, Nouveau Cirque de Vietnam weaves together theatre, dance, music and acrobatics to explore this dichotomy, using a range of props such as woven baskets and bamboo poles to explore the industrialisation and urbanisation of Vietnam, and its consequences for the country. The technical aspects of the show are near perfect. The props, while simple, are used on a scale that impresses. Woven baskets large enough to conceal a performer or be used as a springboard, 20-foot bamboo poles used for juggling and balancing, and an immense number of smaller, hand held props give the impression of complexity and colour while remaining true to some very ancient traditions. Lighting, sound and costume, similarly, are thoughtfully considered and beautifully measured, providing an effective canvas on which the performers paint. And paint they do. The show features a cast of fifteen acrobats and five musicians, all of whom invest their performance with an energy and charisma impossible not to be won over by. From the energetic opening sequence involving a seemingly endless cascade of tumbles and flips, through to humorous theatrical vignettes of modern Vietnamese urban life, the performers maintain exceptional focus and humanity in their work, connecting with their audience despite the lack of a common language. Scenes include such diverse content as interactions between frogs and insects, busy markets, and hip hop dance battles, but the performers move effortlessly between each, transitioning artfully from character to character, emotion to emotion. The music in this show deserves special mention. In the absence of a connection through language, it is vital that the emotional contents of each scene are transmitted fully, and the live performances on a mixture of modern and traditional Vietnamese instruments do this beautifully. The music is at once foreign and familiar, in the here and now and of centuries past, and expertly captures the mood and energy of the dramatic action. Theres not a note out of place, and the artistic choice to give musical performers stage space as recognition is subtle, but important. Of all the artistic elements occurring here (and there are many to choose from), the final round of applause must go to the shows artistic director, Tuan Le. As a cultural experience, or a display of acrobatics, or a contemporary dance piece, A O Lang Pho would hold up against the competition. Its genius is in how these elements are brought together, and offered up as a cohesive and utterly immersive whole. Quieter moments are given the chance to breathe. Technical choices serve as an additional character, providing energy and conflict to the performers. Every step, leap, throw and tumble has been carefully positioned and skilfully mastered. The result is reminiscent of a catch-up with a good friend, where hours pass and the moments wash over you, until departing leaves you simultaneously grateful for the time spent and sad that it is over. There are many good reasons to see A O Lang Pho. See it because youre sad that La Soiree is over for another year. See it because youre trying to decide between Hanoi and Sapa for the last leg of your trip. See it because theres lessons to be learned about growing too quickly, becoming too fast-paced, and losing the things that made your home what it was. Or see it because it is an intelligent, endearing and beautiful production, performed with absolute conviction and immense skill, and because you would be crazy to miss it. 2017 Perth International Arts Festival A O Lang Pho Nouveau Cirque du Vietnam Venue: Regal Theatre | 474 Hay Street, Subiaco WA Dates: 16 25 Feb 2017 Tickets: $66.30 $25.50 Bookings: perthfestival.com.au Margot Robbie aka Harley Quinn is the newest ambassador of the top-notch Japanese auto brand for the new Nissan Electric BladeGlider. She was officially introduced as their new brand ambassador and this popular member of the Suicide Squad definitely ready to jumpstart on Nissan's popularity. It's not surprising that automobile makers tap many popular actors and actresses to endorse their vehicle and Nissan is definitely no exception. Margot Robbie, the Aussie actress well-known to have played Harley Quinn in "Suicide Squad" and the recent movie "The Wolf of Wall Street," is set to ride and become the brand ambassador of Nissan's electric vehicle, according to Maxims. Kicking off the event, Robbie rode the Nissan All-electric BladeGlider at a closed circuit in Monaco at the historic Fairmont Hairpin. The launch became like a mini movie where Robbie apparently raced with another BladeGlider and simply breeze through the streets. The car raced through the tunnels and out-ran one another until it finally ended at the Casino Square. "It's a really exciting time for electric vehicles," Margot Robbie said. "More people are choosing to go electric, leading the way to a more sustainable future and the Nissan BladeGlider hints at the future of smarter performance cars." Car buzz mentioned that many are now becoming interested in using electric cars because it is environment-friendly and some think it is more efficient and saves energy. The all new Nissan BladeGlider demonstrates a 268 hp which accelerates to about 62 mph in just a mere 5 seconds. Aside from its electric driving system, it also features a narrow front track with central driver seat enclosed with a pair of passenger seats and reverse butterfly doors. The engine features a 200kW electric motor with rear-wheel drive transmission. The all new Nissan BladeGlider was first developed as a concept car in 2013 and was revealed in Tokyo, Japan. It will be seen during the 87th Geneva International Motor Show in March. Unfortunately, though, Margot Robbie will not be present during the show. AOPA has suggested a way to ease the impact of President Donald Trumps frequent visits to his Palm Beach resort. AOPA President Mark Baker has written Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly asking that security screening capabilities and gateway operations be established at Palm Beach County Park/Lantana Airport to allow relatively normal GA operations to carry on when Trump is at Mar-a-Lago. The airport is a reliever to Palm Beach International and home to a host of aviation-related businesses and based aircraft. As we reported last week, the TFRs that result from Trumps visits to the southern White House cost operators at Lantana about $30,000 and its devastating their businesses. There are five flight schools and about 20 other businesses at the busy field. AOPA originally pressed for a cutout in the presidential TFR but the TSA did not authorize it. Lantana is within the inner 10-NM ring no-fly-zone established for presidential TFRs and the Secret Service insists that nobody be allowed to fly in that ring without TSA screening. A fixed base operator, Stellar Aviation at Lantana Airport, has a 300-square-foot office that is available for passenger and luggage screening and is ready to work with the TSA to implement gateway operations, Baker wrote. AOPA has also asked Florida senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson and Rep. Lois Frankel to have a word with the TSA. A couple of hunters from a small northern Canada village are being called the luckiest two guys in the Arctic after an RCAF patrol aircraft happened on them purely by accident and flew them to safety after a tricky landing on sea ice. Eugene Gibbons and Tyler Amarualik, of Hall Beach, a hamlet of 750 people on the 68th parallel in Nunavut, were hunting caribou last Wednesday with Lloyd Satuqsi when their snowmobile broke down. While Satuqsi started walking the 25 miles back to Hall Beach for help, the other two hunkered down in temperatures that reached -40 overnight. Meanwhile, the next day an RCAF Twin Otter, which is normally based at 440 Squadron in Yellowknife, was taking part in a patrol mission as part of a military exercise when one of the crew members spotted one of the men. The aircraft commander, Capt. Thom Doelman, told the CBC that given the vast open spaces of the Canadian Arctic, the odds of the encounter are incalculable. You could probably go crazy trying think of all the things that had to line up for us to see these guys out there, he told the TV network.Because the exercise was based out of Hall Beach Airport, the Twin Otter wasnt equipped with the skis it uses for off-airport operations and Doelman had to land on the ice with wheels. To ensure the ice could carry the weight of the plane, he checked the strength by setting the aircraft down on the main wheels with the nosegear elevated, ready to add power and take off instantly if it showed signs of cracking. The ice held and Doelman was able to taxi up to the hunters makeshift camp. They were back in the air a few minutes later where they alerted the local Royal Canadian Mounted Police about the third hunter on foot. He was found in a ground search early the following morning. He was hospitalized with hypothermia and frostbite but the two men rescued by the plane had only minor frostbite. Flash Turkish voters will go to polls on April 16 for a constitutional referendum on the powers of the president, a move that would turn the country from parliamentary to presidential system. The government and president Erdogan argue that the reform would make decision taking easier especially against terrorism and extremism that have killed more than 500 people since 2015. Fragile parliamentary coalition can thus be avoided, says Erdogan. "In its actual form the parliament has become a burden for the safety of the country. This system has become obsolete and has to change," said Erdogan in a televised speech in capital Ankara on Wednesday. The proposed changes are also backed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Its veteran leader Devlet Bahceli was once one of the fiercest opponents of president Erdogan, who argues that the changes would bring Turkey in line with political systems such as France or the United States. The 18 changes foreseen in the reform scrapes the role of prime minister and the president would become the head of the executive and also retain ties to a political party. In this case president Erdogan will return at the helm of the Justice and Development Party (AKP) that he founded in 2002 and lead until he was elected as head of state in 2014 after three terms of prime minister. The president alone would also be able to announce a state of emergency, appoint ministers and senior judges. It can also permit Erdogan to stay in power until 2029. The main opposition centre-left Republican People's Party (CHP) and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) decry Erdogan's slide to authoritarianism and argue that an all-powerful head of state will harm democracy. For CHP this controversial reform will even bring "dictatorship" in Turkey. "These changes would downgrade Turkey from the first division of civilised states to the third one just like in the line of rogue states" said Yildrim Kaya, an influential CHP official. He added "the amendments if adopted will abolish 140 years of parliamentary regime in Turkey." Ilter Turan, professor of political science at Istanbul Bilgi University, told Xinhua that its difficult to make predictions of the outcome of the vote but fears that it would shatter what is left of checks and balances in the country. "Checks and balances would weaken even more ... this kind of system doesn't exist in European countries," he said, as Turkey is still trying to join the European Union, a multi decade's long and arduous ambition. The referendum campaign has evolved into a fiercely fought battle pitting secularist against the government and its supporters. Turan regrets that the campaign has divided Turkey even more and urged both camps to reflect on ways unifying the country. "Supporters of changes treat the 'No camp' of being traitors, this is politically unhealthy," Turan said. Advocates of the reform say that the current system is holding back Turkey's progress in a very difficult geostrategical sphere when the war is raging on in neighbouring Syria and iraq and in the aftermath of the failed coup last year after which more than 100,000 people have been arrested, dismissed or suspended. Turkey is also threatened by attacks stemming from the Islamic State and Kurdish rebels. Mehmet Akif Okur, professor of political studies at Gazi University told Xinhua that the current political system is untenable because both the president and the prime minister are elected by popular vote. "The actual system is double-headed and in terms of governing the country is a terrible mess being really neither a viable parliamentary nor a presidential regime. The proposed reform aims to correct it in order to make governing more effective," he said. Experts also said that the amendments, despite the ideological rifts in the country, would also strengthen Turkey's investment atmosphere in order to consolidate its important position in his region. Okur said the fact that Turkish parliament is politically and ideologically very fragmented makes decision taking difficult in a country of 80 millions. "The ideological rivalry raging on in politics reflects deeply in Turkish society. If we were to hold a referendum on which colour the public buses should be, the polarisation a cross the country will be as bad as it is with this constitutional reform," he said. Erdogan is adored by his many supporters who cherish a leader perceived to represent the lower-class and religiously conservative sections of society, but he is disliked by his numerous critics making him the main focus of this popular vote. For Okur demonizing the proposed changes because of Erdogan himself and his political belief are irrelevant and uncalled for while he is convinced that in the future it would also benefit the opposition in a better functioning governance. "They can also see one of them at the top post," he said. NASAs Quiet Supersonic Technology (QueSST) preliminary design model is entering an eight-week testing phase at NASAs Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, the agency reports. The Glenn Research Center wind tunnel will simulate speeds from Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.6 to ensure smooth airflow into the engine during all phases of flight and to confirm that lift, drag and side forces on the airframe at various angles of attack, sideslip and Mach number are within expected ranges. Supersonic flight by civil aircraft in the United States is prohibited due to the disruptive sonic boom created by existing supersonic aircraft designs. Limitation of supersonic travel to oceanic airspace is thought to be a major factor in the absence of a market for supersonic business aircraft. Our unique aircraft design is shaped to separate the shocks and expansions associated with supersonic flight, dramatically reducing the aircrafts loudness, said Peter Losifidis, QueSST program manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works. Our design reduces the airplanes noise signature to more of a heartbeat instead of the traditional sonic boom thats associated with current supersonic aircraft in flight today. Lockheed Martin won a contract to design the QueSST model in February 2016 as the first phase of a supersonic quiet flight demonstrator. If additional funding for the project is approved, NASA says they expect to award an additional contract for final design, build and testing of a flying low-boom demonstration aircraft. NASA hopes to see a QueSST X-plane take flight around 2020. Photo Credit: NASA 25 February 2017 11:56 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, said the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Feb. 25. The Armenian side attempted to seize favorable positions on the Khojavand-Fuzuli part of the frontline, said the ministry, adding heavy battles took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. The Armenian sides large-scale provocation attempt was timely detected and resolutely prevented, said the ministry. Azerbaijani military units courageously prevented the attacks and the Armenian side was forced to retreat, according to the Defense Ministry. Azerbaijan has casualties as a result of the battles, said the ministry. The Armenian side, which didnt succeed in moving forward, continues heavy artillery shelling of Azerbaijani positions. The ministry added that adequate response measures are being taken against the Armenian fire positions and force concentration zones. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 13:27 (UTC+04:00) Azerbaijan and Iran have signed two memorandums of understanding as part of a joint business forum in Ardabil, Azertac reported. The memorandums were signed by Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), Azerbaijani National Confederation of Entrepreneurs (Employers') Organizations and Ardabil Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture. Azerbaijani businessmen from the fields of light and food industries, agriculture, finance, ICT, construction took part in the forum. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 15:39 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Iran intends to expand investments in the non-oil sector of Azerbaijans economy, said Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev Feb. 25. Azerbaijani side is also interested in this, he told a press conference dedicated to results of an Azerbaijani delegations visit to Iran. As you know, Iran has invested $2.7 billion in the Azerbaijani economy, but most of this investments account for the oil sector. They amount to $2.6 billion, and Iranian companies have already received a $1.7-billion income from these investments, Mustafayev said. Investments in Azerbaijans non-oil sector from Iran amounted to only about $150 million, which does not satisfy either of the sides. Therefore, we both the Iranian and the Azerbaijani sides aim at increasing investments in the non-oil sector. The two countries have already created several joint ventures and their number will increase in the future, according to the minister. On the other hand, the last business forums in Ardabil and Urmia showed that Azerbaijani companies are also interested in operating in Iran, Mustafayev said. Azerbaijani delegation headed by Minister of Economy Shahin Mustafayev visited Iran on Feb. 22-23. The parties discussed expansion of cooperation in various areas. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 16:03 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijan and Iran are to expand bilateral air service, said Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev Feb. 25. He made the remarks at a press conference dedicated to the results of an Azerbaijani delegations visit to Iran. It is planned to open direct flights between Gabala and Urmia in the near future, he said. "We have well established air links with Iran. Ten flights are carried out to Tehran, six flights to Tabriz and six flights to Mashhad in a week. Currently, work is underway to establish air service between Gabala and Urmia. All economic and technical aspects on this issue have already been discussed, Mustafayev said. The minister added that the flights will be carried out by the Azerbaijani and Iranian companies on the basis of the principle of parity. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 10:25 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev congratulated Emir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on February 24. Your Highness, on my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and through you to all the people of your country on the occasion of the public holiday of the State of Kuwait, said the president in a congratulatory letter. I am confident that friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Kuwait, our cooperation in bilateral and multilateral formats will continue to develop and expand. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health and happiness, and the friendly people of Kuwait lasting peace and prosperity, added President Aliyev. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 13:18 (UTC+04:00) Speaker of Azerbaijan`s Parliament Ogtay Asadov has met Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Djibouti Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Azertac reported. The Speaker said reciprocal visits contribute to further deepening relations between the two countries. Azerbaijan is interested in developing relations with Djibouti. Parliamentary delegation of both countries support each other`s position in international arena, said Mr. Asadov. The Speaker also praised a resolution adopted by Djibouti National Assembly on recognition of Khojaly massacre. Mr. Asadov invited the Speaker of the Parliament of Djibouti to a visit to Azerbaijan. Saying that there are many similarities between Azerbaijan and Djibouti, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf noted that both countries are situated in volatile regions. Noting that a part of Azerbaijan`s territory was occupied, the FM said they closely follow the ongoing processes to find a peaceful solution to the conflict and stressed the importance of diplomatic achievements in this sphere gained at an international level. The FM also praised declaration of year 2017 by President Ilham Aliyev as a year of Islamic Solidarity. During the conversation, they exchanged views over the issues on development of inter-parliamentary, political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 15:11 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Mehriban Aliyeva has expressed gratitude to those who congratulated her on the appointment as the First Vice-President of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Dear friends! These days, I have been receiving numerous congratulations from various corners of both my country and the world on my appointment to the office of First Vice-President of Azerbaijan by an order of Mr. President. I have been reading your remarks, your wishes full of support in my new position with the feeling of gratitude, Mrs. Aliyeva said in an address. This appointment is a great confidence in me and an honor for me. Throughout my career, I have always given first priority to the interests of our country and people. So far, the Heydar Aliyev Foundation has implemented a number of significant projects, and I am proud of this. During these years, we could manage to make our contributions to positive changes occurring in Azerbaijans life, Mehriban Aliyeva said. The new appointment has set new tasks before me, which, on the other side, opens new possibilities, she added. I am optimistic about the future, as Azerbaijan is a mighty state, which has proved itself to be so. We have great potential for growth, with the human capital being the most important one. Dear friends, I have confidence in our country, you and our creative energy. We all are responsible for our countrys future, its development and prosperity. Your sincere wishes and support are very important to me. I have always felt this support in all stages of my activity. I think true gratitude should be expressed not only in words, but also in concrete deeds, Mrs. Aliyeva said. I want to assure you that I will remain loyal to those principles that I have attached significance to date serving our Homeland and people, benevolence and justice, tolerance and universal values. I wish each of you success, sound health and prosperity, and peace and development to our Homeland! --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz 25 February 2017 10:45 (UTC+04:00) By Trend Baku hosted discussions on funding the Southern Gas Corridor (SGC), Azerbaijans Energy Ministry said in a message Feb. 24. Azerbaijani Energy Minister Natig Aliyev, Director of Central and South Eastern Europe Department at the European Investment Bank (EIB) Flavia Palanza, Director General of Southern Gas Corridor CJSC Afgan Isayev, Head of the Energy Security Division at the EIB Rajan Sanjoy, his deputy Peter Jeffreys, as well as Senior Loan Officer at the EIB Tekin Cotuk took part in the discussions. During the meeting, the Azerbaijani minister said that despite the economic difficulties in the world, there are no problems related to financing and attracting credit sources to the SGC project. In one year, it was possible to get financial support for SGC from the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, as well as attract the attention of the EIB, he said. In turn, Flavia Palanza said Azerbaijans priorities are also the goals for Europe. She said the EIB plans to finance TANAP and TAP projects. Sufficient awareness plays a special role when making financial decisions on any project, added Palanza. She also inquired about gas reserves, export opportunities and domestic demand in Azerbaijan and noted that regular exchange of information will affect the banks involvement in the projects. The sides also discussed the prospects for financing renewable energy projects. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz February 22, 2017 CAIRO Despite the strain in Egyptian-Saudi ties since last October, on Jan. 26, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud 's $1.5 billion development plan for the Sinai Peninsula. On Jan. 21, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed quoted an Egyptian diplomatic source as saying that Egypt asked Saudi diplomats to mediate to end Sudanese demands for direct talks on the annexation of the disputed Halayeb and Shalateen areas. The Egyptian-Saudi tension ramped up Oct. 9 after Egypt voted at the UN Security Council in favor of a Russian draft resolution to end the war in Syria, and Saudi Arabia's permanent representative to the UN Abdullah al-Mouallimi expressed resentment. Matters escalated Oct. 10 as Saudi Aramco informed the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation that oil shipments to Egypt were suspended. Aramco told Egypt Nov. 8 that the halt was indefinite, which observers perceived as a Saudi sanction on Egypt for its vote. On Jan. 16, the Supreme Administrative Court invalidated the maritime border demarcation agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia, denying Saudi Arabia sovereignty over the islands of Tiran and Sanafir in the Red Sea. Signs of a breakthrough appeared in January, with Sisi signing an agreement for a $1.5 billion loan from Saudi Arabia to fund development projects in Sinai. The agreement is known as Salman's development plan for Sinai, the most prominent of which is the establishment of King Salman University. The memorandum of understanding concerning the Sinai development, among others such as the maritime border demarcation agreement and the Aramco oil products supply deal, had been signed on April 9, 2016, during the Saudi monarchs visit to Egypt. Mohammed Saeed Idris, the head of the Arab and regional studies unit at Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies, told Al-Monitor, Egyptian-Saudi relations are not limited to just political tension regarding the situation in Syria, such as when Egypt voted in favor of the Russian draft resolution, or regarding the border demarcation agreement or the oil import and export agreement. The two countries have many issues and goals in common. He added, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the two largest and most key actors for Middle East stability. The past few years have probably revealed how dangerous the situation in Sinai is and how important development projects are in countering terrorism in the arid area. Despite their differences on the Syrian and border demarcation issues, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are well-aware of how dangerous terrorism is. I believe that the development project is a part of these countries efforts to combat terrorism in all areas, most notably in Sinai, because of the danger of terrorism to the entire Arab region. But what about the Halayeb and Shalateen areas? On Jan. 17, the Sudan News Agency quoted a Sudanese diplomatic source that it did not name as saying that his government had renewed demands to restore the Halayeb and Shalateen triangle at the UN Security Council. The statement came the day after the maritime border demarcation agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia was invalidated. The Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry responded in an official statement Jan. 18 to the Sudanese news agency, saying that the Halayeb and Shalateen areas belong to Egypt and are under Egyptian sovereignty. It added that in April 2016, Egypt denied the request that Sudan has been repeating for decades. Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported Jan. 21 that Egyptian officials asked their Saudi counterparts to mediate to halt Sudanese demands that Halayeb and Shalateen be annexed to Sudan, and that during undeclared deliberations the Egyptian and Saudi sides paved the way for the resurrection of the maritime border demarcation agreement. The report went on that Egyptian officials confirmed that it would be difficult to take any concrete steps in the maritime border demarcation dossier while the Sudanese demands continued, as doing so would further anger the Egyptian street and forces opposing the agreement. Ahmed Abdel Halim, the former head of Egyptian Geological Survey, told Al-Monitor that the goal behind the maritime border demarcation agreement is to enable oil and gas exploration activities in the Red Sea waters, which are rich in oil and gas resources. He dismissed the possibility that Egypt sought Saudi mediation to put an end to the Sudanese demands, saying, The passing of the maritime border agreement is in favor of Saudi Arabia, as it facilitates the oil and gas drilling activities. The Sudanese demands regarding Halayeb and Shalateen contradict the agreement. He explained, The agreement is an implicit Saudi recognition of the Egyptian ownership of Halayeb and Shalateen. Under the agreement, the maritime border between Egypt and Saudi Arabia along the Egyptian coast on the Red Sea are determined. This area also includes the Halayeb and Shalateen coasts along the Red Sea. Thus, the Sudanese claim regarding its ownership of that territory is a challenge to the agreement. The Egyptian-Saudi interests are deep and complex, and their ongoing tension will not be a reason for a complete rupture between two countries that have many interests in common. The crowd of family and friends formed a circle at Union Cemetery. Inside the circle, beneath the shade of an old oak tree lay the grave of We Raising a pet requires a lot of financial responsibility. You need to make sure that you can meet your pets every need and, depending on the pet, that can cost a lot of money. According to a breakdown [...] 4 min read Aug 14, 2018 A woman was arrested and charged Thursday, Feb. 23, after lying to police about a robbery she was part of. Woman claims car stolen, charged in robbery Alexandria Seletos knew victim, planned robbery, officials said Detectives said Alexandria Seletos claimed her car was stolen by two men who robbed a patron outside the bar, Drynk, where she worked. Detectives determined that the robbery on Feb. 16 was not random, that the victim is known to Seletos and likely known by the suspects who are still at large. During the investigation it was revealed that Seletos was involved in the planning of the robbery. Detectives said Seletos' blue 2007 Lexus ES was used as the getaway car for the suspects. Tampa police are still looking for the Lexus with a tag number FL-BIJB03. Seletos is charged with robbery, kidnapping, and providing false information to law enforcement. WASHINGTON Over the past week, we have seen two responses from the Trump administration to the spike in anti-Semitism that has accompanied Donald Trumps rise to power. One was presidential: moving and admirable. The other was by the president. The two responses tell us much about President Trump and about the man who would allow millions of Americans to sleep more soundly at night if he were in charge: Vice President Pence. Trumps first month in office has come with dozens of bomb threats to Jewish organizations, a further unleashing of anti-Semitism in social media and, in St. Louis over the weekend, the toppling of some 200 tombstones at a Jewish cemetery. No surprise here: Trump fanned anti-Semitism through his campaigns well-documented use of anti-Jewish imagery and stereotypes, topped by his hiring of an ally of the white-nationalist alt-right movement as his chief strategist and the White Houses decision to edit out any reference to Jews in its statement recalling the Holocaust. Pence did exactly what a president should do. On his visit to Europe over the weekend, he stopped at Dachau, the Nazi concentration camp, hearing of the nightmarish existence there from an Israeli survivor. Pence had visited Dachau before, but, he later told NATO ministers in Brussels, I wanted my daughter to see it. Then, in St. Louis on Wednesday giving a speech about the economy, he paused to condemn the vile act of vandalism at the cemetery and praised Missourians for rallying around the Jewish community. Finally, Pence made an unannounced stop at the cemetery, symbolically joining in the cleanup and grabbing a bullhorn to proclaim: There is no place in America for hatred, prejudice or acts of violence or anti-Semitism. And Pences boss, the president? Twice last week at news conferences, he was invited to condemn the surge in anti-Semitism and twice he failed to do so. The first time he boasted about his electoral victory and the second time he said it was an insulting question. Finally, on Tuesday, Trump managed to denounce the ugliness. Anti-Semitism is horrible, and its going to stop, and it has to stop, he told MSNBCs Craig Melvin. Trump later added, without mentioning the St. Louis incident specifically, that threats against Jewish targets are painful and a very sad reminder of the work that still must be done. When asked about complaints that Trump hadnt gone far enough, White House press secretary Sean Spicer retorted: No matter how many times he talks about this, its never good enough. No, heres whats not good enough: that Trumps belated and perfunctory response to the threats and violence against Jews used the same hollow formula he has used to condemn a long list of ills, from currency manipulation to the decline in coal employment. Anti-Semitism is horrible, and its going to stop, and it has to stop, he said Tuesday. We are going to stop the drugs from pouring in, he declared Saturday. Were going to stop crime, he said Friday. All of it. Even speeding. On Feb. 9, Trump decreed an immediate and total end to violence against police: Thats going to stop as of today. A database search finds that in recent months Trump has announced that all of the following are going to stop: Foreign interventions. Ridiculous trade deals. Terrorism. Nation building. Outsourcing. Illegal immigration. Drugs (all of them). Refugees. Currency manipulation. Corruption. Gangs. Tax havens. Tax loopholes. The media. The decline of coal. Foreign aid. Trade deficits. Regime change. Job loss. Heroin deaths. Repatriating terrorists. Bullying. Lobbying. Unspecified things. And poop. Were going to stop that crap from coming into our country, he has ordered. Furthermore: We are going to stop all of the problems that you have because you have them and were going to stop them, okay? Okay. Anti-Semitism isnt going to stop on Trumps say-so, any more than crime or drugs will cease because Trump decrees it. Unlike crime and drugs, the surge in anti-Semitism is at least partly Trumps doing. If he were concerned, he could do something about it, by dismissing Steve Bannon. At the very least, he could act a bit more, well, vice presidential. In St. Louis on Wednesday, Pence spoke of his Dachau tour with the 93-year-old Israeli who as a boy endured the hellish life in that camp. By the grace of God, he survived, and now he tells his story so that the world will never forget, Pence said. Never forget. Pences genuine response is what heals not more banalities from a man who wont stop anything.Follow Dana Milbank on Twitter, @Milbank. As if on cue, riots broke out in a heavily immigrant suburb of Stockholm as soon as the media mocked President Donald Trump for a vague warning about immigration-related problems in Sweden. At a campaign rally over the weekend, Trump issued forth with a mystifyingly ominous statement. You look, he declared, at whats happening last night in Sweden. What? Had the president invented a nonexistent terror attack? As it turned out, the reference was to a segment on Sweden he had watched on the Fox News show Tucker Carlson Tonight the previous night rather than to any specific event in the Nordic country. The ensuing discussion quickly took on the character of much of the debate in the early Trump years a blunderbuss president matched against a snotty and hyperventilating press, with a legitimate issue lurking underneath. By welcoming a historic number of asylum-seekers proportionate to its population, Sweden has indeed embarked on a vast social experiment that wasnt well thought out and isnt going very well. The unrest in the Stockholm suburb of Rinkeby after police made an arrest the other night underscored the problems inherent in Swedens immigration surge. Swedens admirable humanitarianism is outstripping its capacity to absorb newcomers. Nothing if not an earnest and well-meaning society, Sweden has always accepted more than its share of refugees. Immigration was already at elevated levels before the latest influx into Europe from the Middle East, which prompted Sweden to try to see and raise the reckless open-borders policy of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Sweden welcomed more than 160,000 asylum-seekers in 2015, and nearly 40,000 in October of that year alone. For a country of fewer than 10 million, this was almost equal to 2 percent of the population in one year. The flow doubled the number of asylum-seekers at the height of the Balkans crisis in 1992. The foreign-born proportion of the Swedish population was 18 percent in 2016, double that of 1990. As of 2015, the most common country of origin for the foreign born was Finland, which makes sense as it is a neighboring Scandinavian country. Next are Iraq and Syria. Predictably, it isnt easy to integrate people who dont know the language, arent highly skilled and come from a foreign culture. Swedens economic polices dont help. As a report of the Migration Policy Institute put it politely, Sweden is an interesting case because the state is committed to fostering large-scale immigration despite huge integration challenges in the labor market. There is a stark gap in the labor-force-participation rate between the native born (82 percent) and the foreign born, (57 percent). As the Migration Policy Institute points out, Sweden is an advanced economy with relatively few low-skills jobs to begin with. On top of this, high minimum wages and stringent labor protections make it harder for marginal workers to find employment, while social assistance discourages the unemployed from getting work. None of this is a formula for assimilation or social tranquility. In a piece for The Spectator, Swedish journalist Tove Lifvendahl writes, A parallel society is emerging where the states monopoly on law and order is being challenged. And the fiscal cost is high. According to Swedish economist Tino Sanandaji, the country spends 1.5 percent of its GDP on the asylum-seekers, more than on its defense budget. Sweden is spending twice of the entire budget of the United Nations High Commissioner responsible for refugees worldwide. Pressed for housing, Sweden has spent as much on sheltering 3,000 people in tents as it would cost to care for 100,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan. It is little wonder that Sweden, where so recently it was forbidden to question the openhanded orthodoxy on immigration, has now clamped down on its borders. Sweden is a unique case, but clearly one of the lessons of its recent experience is, Dont try this at home.Rich Lowry can be reached via e-mail: comments.lowry@nationalreview.com. Rare, Ghostly Shipwreck Emerges Again on Oregon Coast Published 02/25/2017 at 3:49 AM PDT - Updated 02/25/2017 at 3:51 AM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Rockaway, Oregon) Recent storm action this winter has been especially severe, perhaps even more so on the north Oregon coast. Indeed, you can spot bedrock, ghost forests and all sorts of other oddities in places like Arch Cape and Hug Point near Cannon Beach, but the ancient tree stands (some 4,000 years old) are also visible around Seal Rock and just north of Newport. (Above: shipwreck photo courtesy Rachel Sip). Rockaway Beach had some unusually destructive waves earlier this winter, which knocked around cars and even broke into a condo unit. So it's no surprise an old and ghostly sight has returned to this north Oregon coast town: the rarely-seen wreck of the Emily G. Reed. Rockaway Beach resident Rachel Sip spotted the ancient and elusive wreck this week, sending in these recent photos. It's appeared from beneath the sands here only three times since the '70s. Once was was briefly in 2007, the next was a longer stint in 2010 where about 100 feet of it was visible, and then now. Sip said she was able to count 23 wooden boards of its ribcage. Comparing these current pictures to those of 2010, much less is visible now. Most likely even this will disappear soon as storm season closes out and the tidal action wanes in severity. The Emily G. Reed crashed into the mouth of the Nehalem River back in 1908 as it struggled to look for the Tillamook Rock Lighthouse near Cannon Beach. It was still operational back then, but it was about 30 miles to the north. The Reed had set sail from New Castle, South Wales, and was at sea 102 days before it wrecked here on Valentines Day, February 14. Photo courtesy Don Best: the Emily G. Reed in its early days Rockaway Beach historian Don Best talked to Oregon Coast Beach Connection back in 2010, and he said the ship snapped in half. Pieces scattered all over, and back in those early pioneer days its goodies were raided fairly quickly. Some of those raiders included his own ancestors, Best said. The ship stayed visible for a few decades, finally mostly disappearing by the '50s. It made a few cameos until 1975, after which it stopped showing through the grains. Best, who was born in 1943, remembers playing in the wreckage as a young child. The Reed came from a family of Reeds quite literally. A New England clan had numerous ships named Reed with the first names of relatives, including Mary. After the ship ran aground, Best said that historical accounts are varied. One tale has seven or eight that died after getting swept out to sea, but apparently the captain and his wife were able to cling to a chunk of wreckage and made it to land. Another account says crew and captain were stuck in a lifeboat that was carried back out by the tides, and one died from drinking seawater before they made landfall in Washington. You can find this mysterious shipwreck near the bottom of 2nd Street. Other smaller pieces do exist in other spots, including in Nedonna Creek, but these are mostly known by locals. It is illegal in Oregon to take any piece of an historical object such as this. More details on the Emily G. Reed and its 2010 appearance. More of the Rockaway wreck from 2010 below. Manzanita Hotels for this - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours More About Manzanita, Rockaway, Wheeler Lodging..... More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining..... Coastal Spotlight LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles Back to Oregon Coast Contact Advertise on BeachConnection.net All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright BeachConnection.net Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted Daniel Ozane, who filed an application to run for Beaumont ISD's Board of Trustees, has withdrawn from the race, he announced in a Facebook video Friday afternoon. "I'm going in there to do what needs to be done because I didn't meet the constitutional guidelines, therefore by law, it is what it is and I'm a very law-abiding citizen," Ozane said in the video, shot outside the BISD administration building. Beaumont ISD confirmed that Ozane, who was running to represent Trustee District 2, withdrew his name from the ballot. David Mendez, BISD's attorney, said Tuesday that Ozane was ineligible to run due to a felony conviction from 1995. The deadline to voluntarily withdraw from the race was Friday at 5 p.m. Another candidate, Treva Whiting Smith, withdrew from the race Wednesday, leaving 15 candidates on the ballot. Three candidates will now compete for District 2: Zenobia Bush, a member of the board of trustees ousted in the 2014 state takeover, Kathy Bell-Schexnaider, and Ozane's wife, La'Toyya Twine Ozane. Daniel encouraged voters to support La'Toyya in the video. "I'm off the ballot, but my wife is still there, so you all, still vote for my wife," he said. "Because we're all about change, we're all about moving the district forward, and taking care of our kids, and holding everybody accountable for their actions." The May 6, 2017 election will be the district's first since 2011, before the state installed an appointed board of managers in 2014. The managers announced in July that they plan to resign by the end of May; the Texas Education Agency closed applications for new managers on Monday. Eighteen people applied for the positions, TEA said. LTeitz@BeaumontEnterprise.com Twitter.com/LizTeitz In secret, behind locked gates, our Nation's Oldest City dumped a landfill in a lake (Old City Reservoir), while emitting sewage in our rivers and salt marsh. Organized citizens exposed and defeated pollution, racism and cronyism. We elected a new Mayor. We're transforming our City -- advanced citizenship. Ask questions. Make disclosures. Demand answers. Be involved. Expect democracy. Report and expose corruption. Smile! Help enact a St. Augustine National Park and Seashore. We shall overcome! The following hospital and health system rating and outlook changes and affirmations took place in the last week, beginning with the most recent. 1. Moody's affirms 'A2' rating on Southeast Georgia Health System's bonds Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "A2" rating on Brunswick-based Southeast Georgia Health System's revenue bonds, affecting approximately $142 million of debt. 2. Moody's affirms 'Aa1' rating on Children's Hospital & Medical Center's LOC-backed bonds Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "Aa1" long-term joint support letter of credit-backed rating of Omaha, Neb.-based Children's Hospital & Medical Center's series 2008A revenue refunding bonds. 3. Moody's affirms 'A1' rating on Mosaic Life Care's bonds Moody's Investors Service affirmed St. Joseph, Mo.-based Mosaic Life Care's "A1" rating, affecting approximately $119 million of rated debt. 4. Fitch revises ratings watch on Tulare Regional Medical Center's 'BB-' rated bonds to negative Fitch Ratings revised the rating watch on Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center's "BB-" rated $13,650,000 of series 2007 fixed-rate bonds to negative from positive. 5. S&P lowers rating on Ryder Memorial Hospital's bonds to 'B+' S&P Global Ratings lowered Humacao, Puerto Rico-based Ryder Memorial Hospital's rating on $7.8 million of series 1994A bonds to "B+" from "BB-." 6. Moody's assigns 'Ba2' rating to Reliant Medical Group's bonds Moody's Investors Service assigned a "Ba2" rating to Worcester, Mass.-based Reliant Medical Group's proposed $142 million of series 2017 bonds. 7. Moody's assigns 'A3' rating to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's bonds Moody's Investors Service assigned an "A3" rating to Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's proposed bonds. 8. S&P assigns 'A' rating to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's bonds S&P Global Ratings assigned and affirmed the "A" rating on Seattle-based Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center's bonds. 9. S&P places MetroHealth System's 'A-' bonds on CreditWatch S&P Global Ratings placed the "A-" long-term rating on Cleveland-based MetroHealth System's series 2009B taxable hospital revenue bonds on CreditWatch with negative implications. 10. Fitch assigns 'AA-' rating to University Medical Center of El Paso's bonds Fitch Ratings assigned an "AA-" rating to the University Medical Center of El Paso (Texas)'s $102.475 million of series 2017 general obligation refunding bonds. 11. Moody's affirms 'Aa3' rating on Tarrant County Hospital District's bonds Moody's Investors Service affirmed the "Aa3" rating on Fort Worth, Texas-based Tarrant County Hospital District's bonds, affecting $20 million of rated revenue bond debt. 12. Fitch affirms 'A-' rating on Mon Health System's bonds Fitch Global Ratings affirmed the "A-" rating on Morgantown, W.Va.-based Mon Health System bonds. 13. Moody's affirms 'Baa3' rating to South County Hospital Moody's Investors Service affirmed Wakefield, R.I.-based South County Hospital's "Baa3" issuer rating. 14. Moody's assigns 'A2' rating to West Virginia University Medicine's bonds Moody's Investors Service assigned an "A2" rating to Morgantown-based West Virginia University Medicine's proposed $180 million of series 2017A hospital revenue improvement bonds. The Vancouver Island Health Authority has stopped using its Cerner EHR system for the time being due to complaints from physicians, according to CBC News. In 2013, Island Health in British Columbia, Canada, signed a 10-year, $50 million deal with Cerner to implement the EHR, called IHealth, across the system, which includes Nanaimo (British Columbia) Regional Hospital; Nanaimo, British Columbia-based Dufferin Place; and Parksville, British Columbia-based Oceanside Health Centre. The IHealth system went live on March 19, 2016. But shortly thereafter, physicians at Nanaimo Regional Hospital reverted to using pen and paper to complete orders, claiming Cerner's EHR system randomly lost, buried or changed orders for drugs and diagnostic tests. Although physicians signed a petition asking Island Health to suspend further implementation, Island officials decided to move forward with the process. As time went on, physicians continued to complain about the IHealth system. Last summer, Island Health offered select physicians extra money to keep using Cerner's system. On-call physicians were offered $260 per day and emergency room physicians were offered up to $780 per day, though it was not reported whether those amounts were for each physician or for a collective group of physicians. Due to these continued issues, Island Health will temporarily stop using the IHealth software. "The deeper learnings that we've had is that these systems fundamentally change the way that our physicians and nurses and other practitioners do their work," said Island Health CEO Brendan Carr, according to the report. A leaked draft of a House Republican ACA repeal bill is the first glimpse of how Republicans plan to finance their replacement plan. The bill was expected Feb. 27 after a congressional recess, but was leaked to Politico and published Friday. Most of the reconciliation bill is simply a more detailed version of the policy brief revealed last week it would repeal Medicaid expansion, a host of taxes and dismantle current cost-sharing subsidies under the ACA and replace those items with a number of proposals that have been popular with Republicans. Here are the five most important details to know about the proposal, as reported by Politico. 1. The main revenue generator behind the bill is a cap on tax exclusion for employer-sponsored health insurance. The bill repeals a number of taxes and tax increases installed under the ACA including the medical device tax and health insurance tax, among others. In place of these taxes, the bill caps the amount employers can contribute tax-free to employees' health plans. Benefits that exceed the 90th percentile of current premiums would be taxed, according to Politico. If that sounds familiar, that's because the cap is similar to the ACA's Cadillac tax on luxury employer-sponsored health plans, which was a 40 percent excise tax paid for by insurers. The unpopular tax was delayed due to opposition from companies and labor unions that would have had the costs passed down to them. "Capping the exclusion is the same thing [as the Cadillac tax], but it's a much more direct hit on companies and consumers," Russell Sullivan, a partner at McGuireWoods and one of the principal drafters of the Cadillac tax, told Becker's Hospital Review. Both the cap on employer exclusion and the Cadillac tax would put downward pressure on prices by discouraging overuse of healthcare services, which is common with generous health plans. Also similar to the Cadillac tax, the proposal will likely face opposition from businesses and labor unions, according to Mr. Sullivan. "This expands the battlefield," he said. 2. The bill would roll back Medicaid expansion. Of course, states would have the option to continue with the expansion, but they would no longer receive enhanced federal funding to do so, which could make the option impossible financially. The bill lays out a proposal to instead cap federal Medicaid funding based on how many people qualify by state. However, to help offset the repeal of Medicaid expansion, the bill would restore cuts made to Medicare disproportionate share hospital payments under the ACA. The healthcare reform law reduced DSH payments presuming coverage would increase and the need for uncompensated care would decrease, particularly with Medicaid expansion. 3. The bill would also repeal the individual mandate and the premium subsidies.. Instead of tying subsidies to income, they would be linked to age. Tax credits would start at $2,000 for people under age 30. They increase in steps of $500 per decade of life, reaching $4,000 for people over age 60. In the absence of the mandates, the bill would encourage people to maintain coverage by allowing payers to penalize beneficiaries for any lapses in coverage by increasing future premiums by 30 percent. It would also encourage more young, healthy people to buy health plans by increasing the age rating band tied to insurance plans from 3:1 to 5:1, according to Politico. This means insurers can charge older beneficiaries up to five times as much as younger beneficiaries for the same plan. Currently this ratio is limited at 3:1 under the ACA. 4. The bill also offers more detail on plans to help subsidize the cost of covering more expensive enrollees, such as those with pre-existing conditions. It would allot $100 billion in state innovation grants, which can be used in a number of ways at a state's discretion to help offset the costs of high-cost patients. One option is the money could be used to reinstate high-risk pools for people with pre-existing conditions. 5. This bill is not finalized. The leaked version is still unnamed and unnumbered and considered a discussion draft. A number of issues are still disputed among Republicans. Representatives who held town halls about the ACA are finding their views are not as simple as for or against, The New York Times reported earlier this week. Leadership may also oppose certain elements. For example, Politico reported HHS Secretary Tom Price, MD, would want the subsidies to be lowered from the current proposal. Congress plans to take up discussion again next week when they return from recess. More articles on leadership and management: Trump administration committed to 'orderly transition' with ACA replacement, VP Pence says CMS' ACA market stabilization rule: What the public thinks More than 130 mayors urge Congress to preserve ACA Wichita, Kan.-based Via Christi Health said it is laying off employees as it transitions parts of its billing cycle to national vendor R1 RCM, The Wichita Eagle reports. Billing employees affected by the layoffs are in Wichita, Manhattan and Pittsburg, Kan. Last summer, the hospital informed approximately 70 billing employees they would lose their jobs this year with the R1 transition, according to the report. Via Christi now says fewer than 25 people may lose their jobs, according to the report. A hospital spokesperson told The Wichita Eagle that's partly because some of those employees have taken other jobs at Via Christi or somewhere else. More than 220 additional employees were previously told they could continue working at Via Christi as employees of R1, Via Christi CFO Carol Karp told the publication via email. Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe on Thursday signed four bills into law crafted to reduce the human cost of the opioid epidemic in Virginia. The new laws will collectively allow community organizations to retain and dispense the opioid overdose drug naloxone to those trained to use it; allow local health departments in parts of the state with high rates of HIV and hepatitis C to engage in harm reduction initiatives like syringe exchanges; allow social services to initiate a care plan for families with a child exposed to opioids in utero; and mandate that all opioid prescriptions be transmitted to pharmacies electronically by 2020. "Abuse of opioids continues to kill Virginians," said Gov. McAuliffe. "We recognize that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing, and our proposals for this General Assembly session focused on preventing addiction and providing treatment for those who suffer from it. While our overdose death statistics, sadly, continue to rise, each number represents a family that is suffering. We will use every tool we can get to continue this fight." More articles on opioids: Amid proposal to axe national drug policy office, advocates scramble to save it Heroin overdose deaths increase fourfold from 2010 to 2015 Minnesota lawmakers introduce 5 bills to combat opioid epidemic South Dakota represents the 22nd state to pass a law giving nurse practitioners full practice authority. Here are five notes: 1. South Dakota Governor Daugaard signed Senate Bill 61 on Feb. 23, 2017. 2. Under the law, NPs are able to offer all services in which they are educated and clinically prepared to offer. 3. The law overrides the mandate that NPs have "collaborative agreements" with physicians to practice as well as Board of Nursing and Board of Medicine oversight. 4. The regulatory changes may result in state savings of more than $71,000 annually in regulatory costs. 5. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners applauds South Dakota for its new legislation. To continue following the latest news and information for Bedfordshire and surrounding areas, simply enter your full postcode below Jodie Foster spoke to demonstrators outside the Beverly Hills headquarters of United Talent Agency, which cancelled its Oscars party to stage the protest (So TV/PA) Oscar-winning actress Jodie Foster told demonstrators it is "our time to resist" as she joined a rally opposing US president Donald Trump's proposed travel ban, two days before the Academy Awards. She spoke to demonstrators gathered outside the Beverly Hills headquarters of United Talent Agency (UTA), which cancelled its Oscars party to stage the protest. Addressing hundreds of people, The Silence Of The Lambs star said: "I'm not somebody who feels very comfortable using my public face for activism. "This year is a very different year and it's time to show up. "It's the singular time in history. It's time to engage. "We know the first attack on democracy is an assault on free expression and civil liberties and this relentless war on truth. "Unfortunately it's too familiar because history repeats itself. "No matter where you're born and no matter who you voted for, red or blue, whether you're white, black or brown and all the colours of the identity rainbow - this is our time to resist. "It's our time to show up and demand answers. It's our time to tell our elected officials to do their job. "We will not tolerate chaos, ineptitude and war-mongering." Oscar-nominated Iranian director Asghar Farhadi sent a video message to the rally after he decided to boycott the awards ceremony over the travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries. Farhadi, nominated for best foreign language film for The Salesman, told the crowd: "It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a common show of unity to show its opposition. "I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices. Film-makers can break stereotypes around the world by turning their cameras to capture shared human qualities." Actors Michael J Fox and Keegan-Michael Key and former foreign secretary David Miliband, who is chief executive of the International Rescue Committee (IRC), also addressed the rally. Mr Miliband said: "We are living in the midst of a refugee crisis the likes of which has never been seen before. "The executive order that was published in Washington three weeks ago was one story of America. "Today this rally in Hollywood is telling another story. It's a story of humanity, a story of reason, a story of patriotism that is founded in values, not in ethnicity." Fox told the crowd: " You have people who have given up everything, who have lost everything they have. They are struggling to keep their families alive and keep food in their mouths and disease away from their bodies and took tremendous risk to get to this country, and we say no?" "We are the lucky ones." UTA said the rally, United Voices, was organised to "express the creative community's support for freedom of speech and artistic expression and stand against policies of exclusion and division". The talent agency is donating more than 320,000 dollars (258,000) to the American Civil Liberties Union and the IRC. After the rally it was reported a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on an Oscar-nominated film had been denied entry to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security blockled Khaled Khateeb from travelling to Los Angeles after officials reported finding "derogatory information" against him, according to correspondence seen by The Associated Press news agency. Khateeb worked on The White Helmets, a harrowing film about the Syrian civil war that has been nominated for the best documentary (short form) Oscar. Actress Michelle Keegan has quashed rumours her marriage to radio DJ Mark Wright is in trouble. The former Coronation Street star was the subject of reports her relationship was on the rocks while she filmed BBC programme Our Girl in South Africa last year, and according to the Sunday People, she is worried the stories will resurface when filming for the third series of the military drama begins. She said: " Why can't a woman work away and have a separate career from her husband and still have a good marriage? "That's the frustrating thing. What do people think goes on? Everything is fine with us. "We have separate careers. Why is it a bad thing? I speak my mind and it gets me into trouble. "It's so negative these days, it's bollocks. I'm just a normal girl. I'm just doing my job." Keegan, 29, went on: "I am married but I don't have to sit at home. "That's the frustrating thing and it is going to happen again. Me and Mark know that. "I've got to go away for work. But we know what to expect now. He will come visit me and it will be fine." But she said that she would never exchange intimate pictures with her husband while they are apart. She explained: "Oh for God's sake, no. No we wouldn't do that. People hack the iCloud." Babies are not on the cards for her and Wright yet, Keegan added. She said: "I've thought about kids and we always say we want them but not yet. "We are loving life. I'm 30 in June and I want to do something to celebrate it. "Mark had about three parties, it lasted a month." The ex-soap actress said she thought her Corrie alter ego Tina McIntyre would never leave her, despite having quit the ITV series in 2014. She said: "I would love to be on Downton (Abbey) and a period drama. "People will always think of me as Tina in Corrie. I'll never move away from that. "But now people are starting to see me in other dramas and everyone is really positive." Director Mike Leigh has said he expected his hit play Abigail's Party to "sink without trace". The film and theatre writer spoke to The Guardian to mark the 40th anniversary of his classic 1977 tale that enjoyed huge success after making the crossover to television. He recounted how he had been convinced to write what he thought would be a quick turnaround production, despite wanting to start a family with his then-wife Alison Steadman. Leigh, 74, told how he had been out for lunch with the artistic director of north London's Hampstead theatre who had wanted him to create something for the venue. He said: "I'll do it and get it out of the way, I told Alison. It'll just be a stopgap. It'll sink without trace. Then we'll be able to concentrate on the things that matter. "Then I suggested that Alison be in it. She hesitated. She really wanted to devote time to domesticity. But as it was to be a quick, forgettable job, she relented." Abigail's Party, a satire about the new middle class of 1970s Britain, became a huge hit with Steadman as lead character Beverly Moss. Theatre bosses clamoured to secure it for a West End run, but Leigh explained how it came to be featured on the BBC instead. He said: "But we had hit a snag. The nuisance was Alison's and my other project. She was pregnant. No way could she do a West End run, and naturally I wouldn't contemplate her being replaced. "Our doctor said she could do four weeks, no more. But this was plainly no use to a commercial producer." Leigh said that he had originally thought that theatre and television should be kept separate and so was reluctant about the adaptation, adding that he had had to make what he considered to be some serious compromises with the screenplay. He said: "For byzantine copyright reasons, the BBC insisted I change some of the live music integral to the action. Thus Elvis was replaced by Tom Jones, and Jose Feliciano by Demis Roussos. "This was of course a colossal compromise. Tom Jones just isn't the same thing as Elvis Presley. (Elvis, incidentally, died during the Hampstead run, resulting in our having to rewrite the references to him.) "But, replacement though he was, Demis Roussos became, after the TV broadcast, so inextricably associated with the play that I now allow stage revivals to feature him. (If you're doing so, replace Laurence's "that blind Spaniard" with "that fat Greek".)" Leigh said that he was glad to have been proved wrong about Abigail's Party being instantly forgettable. He said: "Forty years on, I reflect on this unintended 'stopgap', in which I had no interest, and which I was sure would sink without trace. "Had I pondered it longer and more seriously, I might perhaps have attempted that 'state of the nation' play. "But good fortune intervened, and the world was mercifully saved from that unquestionably dreadful fate." Upper Bann never was a constituency for the faint-hearted and, as relentless rain and wind sweep across its streets, it's clear not much has changed. But even Storm Doris can't compete with DUP candidate Carla Lockhart, who powers through Lurgan like a force of nature. "Cyclone Carla, there's no stopping you," a man in the town centre shouts as she shoots by. Lockhart broke records to become Craigavon's youngest mayor. Although the DUP Assembly newcomer last year, she topped the poll with a spectacular 8,000 votes. Her career has been built on her ferocious constituency work and infectious energy for the job. Now, she relies on both those qualities in a constituency where there is anger over 'Cash for Ash'. In Market Street, she is greeted by an old friend, Charlie. "I love Carla and she's a grafter, but I'd struggle to vote for her party," he says. "The RHI scandal has shown the arrogance at the top of the DUP. Arlene Foster is taking the country backwards. People want to move out of this Green and Orange tribalism." Lockhart takes it in her stride. "You better vote for me, Charlie. You'll get a dig in the bake if you don't," she jokes. In Sen Play, a multi-sensory play centre for children with special needs, young mother-of-four Leanne Gray can't praise Lockhart enough. "Carla helped secure funding for this facility and it's changed my life. My wee boy, Christian, has microcephaly. We used to drive around in the car, with nowhere suitable to take him to play. "This place is a glimpse of light on a dark road for my family. I don't follow the big political picture. All I know is that this woman helped me." In the Mourneview estate, the candidate is invited into the Wilsons' home for a game of darts with eight-year-old Dylan. His mum, Julie, tells how Lockhart got fencing erected to stop anti-social behaviour on the site of the old Bairds factory. "If I phone, or text, Carla about a problem, she always gets back to me," Julie says. "She works her backside off. She's trying to get a motocross track for Lurgan, which Dylan is really excited about." Next door, Philip Hanna will reluctantly vote DUP. "I'm not happy about RHI. That money could have gone to better things, but I'll stick with you, Carla," he says. In the Avenue Road estate, 77-year-old Mary Magee ushers Lockhart into her living room for a cup of tea before a roaring fire. "You must be foundered out there, Carla," she says. RHI isn't an issue for Mary. "I'm from Fermanagh and I know Arlene Foster's family. It's terrible the way so many people are attacking her. The girl was doing her best. She made a mistake. We're all human," she says. Mary's living room walls overflow with photos of her six children, 15 grandchildren, and great-grandson. Lockhart rhymes off their names like they were her own family. Mary explains her loyalty to Lockhart: "My husband, Billy, was on a long waiting list for a hip operation and she worked her magic to help him get surgery. That girl runs around here like a gazelle. I've never seen the like of it. I'm praying she gets re-elected." Outside, Lockhart munches Jelly Tots - "my power food". She admits the challenges her party face on the ground. "I've a very positive campaign based on my work ethic," she says. "When I go to people's doors, they recognise that I deliver for them. But I'm not pretending that all is rosy in the garden. There are people who are cross and angry. I'm just asking them to stick with me." Up the road in Portadown's Huntingdale Lodge, Ulster Unionist Doug Beattie is fighting for his political life. There are three guaranteed unionist seats and he believes he'll be battling for the last with the DUP's second candidate, Jonathan Buckley. "I was a soldier for 35 years and I've had my back against the wall many times," he says. "I don't run scared of a scrap." At the home of Ted and Lorraine Hunniford, he secures two votes. "I've been told I could be waiting 15 months for an MRI scan," says Ted. "If I ring my GP, I'm lucky to get a call back, let alone an appointment. "The money squandered on RHI could have been spent on the NHS. Had anyone else made the mistakes Arlene Foster has, they'd have been sacked on the spot." The Hunnifords don't accept the DUP's warning that unionists must vote for that party to stop a united Ireland. "We know that the Union is safe with Doug," Lorraine says. A few doors away, Tim Quinn, who is about to take his young son to karate lessons, is less sure. "I'm not happy about RHI, but the DUP's warning that, if we don't vote for them, Sinn Fein will be the biggest party, is playing on my mind," he says. But teacher and mother-of-three Diane Toal is voting for Beattie. "I'm angry that money needed for schools and hospitals is being wasted on RHI," she says. "The DUP and Sinn Fein have never got on. I think the UUP and SDLP might be able to." Beattie claims that fury over 'Cash for Ash' is widespread. "Over 60% of older people here live in fuel poverty. It would cost just 100 a month to heat a pensioner's home, yet we're burning 85,000 a day with RHI. "The DUP have lost the common touch. They've put party before country and the pound before the people." Beattie takes the afternoon off canvassing to mark what would be the second birthday of his grandson, Cameron, who died just hours before polling day in last year's election. The family visit his grave to release balloons, each with a message attached for him. "Whatever the election result next week, it will pale into insignificance compared to losing Cameron," the UUP man says. After a morning canvassing in Lurgan's Conor Park and Mansfield, the SDLP's Dolores Kelly and her team head to the Ashburn Hotel for hearty bowls of vegetable soup. Kelly lost her Assembly seat by 168 votes to Sinn Fein's John O'Dowd (below) 10 months ago. Given a bigger share of the constituency this time round, he seems set to be re-elected. But the SDLP believes that the second SF candidate, newcomer Nuala Toman, is vulnerable. Yet, the SF machine is impressive and that party's decision to leave the Executive has strongly resonated with its grassroots. Kelly hopes that the SDLP's "vote for change" message will strike a chord. "Nationalists are highly engaged with this election," she says. The main issue has been more Arlene than RHI. "We hear on every doorstep that she's a disgrace. People hoped she'd be a more generous DUP leader and they feel let down." Kelly says on her two visits to Banbridge electoral office locals were queuing out the door to register for a vote. "Normally, we're having to arrange postal and proxy votes. This time, we find that people have already done it themselves." SDLP veteran Brid Rodgers is working tirelessly for Kelly. "I spent my 82nd birthday last Monday out canvassing," she says. "Last May, I told everybody it would be my last election, because in 2021 I'd be on a Zimmer frame. I never thought I'd be back on the streets a few months later. "The SDLP has the most articulate young team at Stormont, but we need Dolores' experience up there, as well." Kelly admits that losing her seat was phenomenally hard. "It was like a bereavement," she says. "I started working in Wellworths in Lurgan when I was 15 and, since then, I'd always had a job. For the first time in over 40 years, I was without one. "You go from doing 14-hour days and being on call 24/7 to a phone that doesn't ring and an empty inbox." One vote Kelly can be sure of is barmaid's Patricia McCaughley. "Dolores and I grew up together in Aghagallon. We spent many's the night in the Rockpit Disco - although we were both more interested in earning a few pounds working for the farmers puling peas and beans than we were in pulling boys," she laughs. "I'd love to see Dolores back in the Assembly. You won't find a more decent woman. She does what it says on the tin." East Belfast ... where there is a sense of a shift in thinking, but perhaps not enough for a shift in party loyalties, writes Malachi O'Doherty One of the surprising things about the East Belfast constituency is how many of the really big names in the history of Northern Irish politics were elected there. There was William Craig, the former minister of Home Affairs (what we now call Justice), who confronted the Civil Rights Association by banning their marches and, when order collapsed, founded the Ulster Vanguard movement. Another was David Bleakley, of the Northern Ireland Labour Party and later Alliance. He was once co-opted as Minister of Community Relations by Brian Faulkner, though he had no seat in Stormont at the time. Another historic figure who represented East Belfast was, of course, David Ervine of the Progressive Unionist Party, formerly of the UVF. And there was Peter Robinson of the DUP. And Eileen Paisley. Her husband, though they lived in the constituency, fought his electoral battles elsewhere. And some who lived and were elected there have moved on, like Sammy Wilson. So, it is a constituency that, more than most, has been represented by big, loud personalities and people who have made their ways into the history books. It is currently the seat of the most vivid personality in politics here, Naomi Long. It would be hard to put together a theory for why more eloquent and tempestuous orators come out of East Belfast than, say, Foyle, or Fermanagh South Tyrone, but they do. And always have done. Maybe it's something to do with people having had to shout as children to be heard above the clanging of the shipyard, the traffic past the ends of narrow streets. Perhaps it takes something from the tradition of personal testimony in evangelical religion. The constituency is broad and diverse. It covers the working-class area around the shipyard at the lower end of the Newtownards Road, the Little Hampstead of Ballyhackamore, with its trendy bars and lush restaurants. There is Campbell College and the Turas Irish language project. The area has been depicted in the republican lore as a huge Protestant ghetto that might, any day, unleash hordes of rampaging loyalists over plucky little Catholic Short Strand, but you have only to pass through once to see that it is nothing of the kind. Much of it was virtually untouched by the Troubles, because people with mortgages don't throw stones. The big political challenge here is between the DUP and the Alliance Party. Nationalism and republicanism have little prospect of registering a presence. I met David Douglas, who was out canvassing for the DUP on a stormy Thursday afternoon. David is fighting for the seat vacated by his father, Sammy Douglas. Sammy had been invited to stand by Peter Robinson. He stood on his record of community work and David developed his political skills supporting him. David claims he has knocked on 12,000 doors. His party members had been out that morning repairing posters that had been damaged by Storm Doris. He says he has heard few complaints about the RHI scheme, or criticism of his party leader, Arlene Foster. "There is frustration with some and I realise that. People just want to see it work. And they want it to work, so that services will improve." He says: "It's the bread-and-butter issues that people are interested in." And his point seems affirmed when we talk to one of those he calls on, Johnny Harvey, off the Newtownards Road. Johnny's house is the only one in the street with flags up, but he says that he will be voting DUP primarily out of respect for David Douglas and the work he does. "For me, it is not necessarily about the party, but for the person that I think is going to make a difference for my community and my area," he says. But he says he is fully aware of anger at the DUP. "There are a lot of questions that need to be answered, so, hopefully, the inquiry will do that. "It's just a pity that it is not before the election." And he thinks that Arlene Foster should have stood aside; that, if she had done, we would not be having an election now. "In all honesty, if Arlene had followed Peter Robinson's lead, she should have stepped aside while the investigation was happening. However, she didn't get a chance to do that. Sinn Fein didn't let it happen. Sinn Fein are playing this for their own advantage. But that's politics." Further down the list, he says, he will vote for unionists. He will not be giving a vote to the Alliance Party. Out on the main Newtownards Road, I meet a woman who is furious, but doesn't want to be named, or photographed. "My friend's cancer treatment is on hold because of them. I think the country is in a mess because they just can't get their act together and it's disgusting. And they are blaming each other, when they are all culpable for the mess." And she says this is an opinion she hears widely expressed. Andy Allen is out canvassing for the Ulster Unionist Party. He says: "People are frustrated that we have no Assembly. They are angry that this election has the potential to cost 5m, which could be invested in key frontline services. And there is the major disruption that this election has caused, the lack of a budget and the uncertainty for groups about their ongoing funding." He claims that there is a change of mood in East Belfast. Last year, more people accepted the argument that a vote for the Ulster Unionists risked the possibility of Sinn Fein taking the First Minister's role. "People would say, 'Andy, I would love to vote for you, but we need to keep themmuns out. I would say I have only heard that a handful of times in this election." Born and raised in East Belfast, Allen joined the armed forces and was horrifically injured in Afghanistan 2008. He lost both legs and damaged his vision, but found his way into politics through supporting services personnel. He claims he has knocked more than 10,000 doors. If his party did overtake the DUP, wouldn't it be likely to end up sharing power with Sinn Fein? He says: "Don't rule anything out." Naomi Long was nursing a cold and saving herself for an appearance on BBC Northern Ireland's The View. But Chris Lyttle was out doing the doors, he says, and he impressed Curtis McAleese as a hard worker. Curtis says he will vote only for the Alliance Party and will give Lyttle his number one, "because he seems to do a lot more for us". Ryan Hamilton (right) says he will go down the list and give a vote to every party - except the DUP. "Because of RHI, Red Sky, Nama ... the lot. They don't fit my politics, anyway, so even without that, I would be unlikely to vote for them." And Nathan Surgenor says he will probably vote Alliance. "I would definitely give preferences to the UUP and SDLP. I would definitely vote for them before I would vote for the DUP, or Sinn Fein, because of the debacle," he says. His Hungarian wife, Esther, will not be voting, though she is anxious about Brexit. Nathan says, "We have three different passports. Mine's British, Esther's is Hungarian and the baby's is Irish." A lot of people on the Newtownards Road, when asked how they would vote, said they would have to think about it. And yet, after giving it some thought, said they would vote as they did before. So, there is a sense in East Belfast that something has shifted in politics here; it maybe just hasn't shifted enough to change their party loyalties. The row over Alliance's plot to "hijack" a BBC Talkback phone-in has shattered its image as the "nice party" of Northern Ireland politics, a UUP peer has claimed. Lord Empey said a series of recent controversies, including the Belfast Telegraph's revelations about the secret bid to target the Radio Ulster show with fake callers, had revealed its "true colours". His comments also follow accusations of "ageism and racism" from former long-serving party members and insulting comments made by David Honeyford. Mr Honeyford resigned from his role on the party's ruling executive after sparking outrage when he made the claim that unionists were "bred to hate" Catholics. Lord Empey said: "All these events serve as a sobering lesson to those who thought that Alliance was a 'nice', middle of the road party that was fully committed to reconciliation. "Instead, it has been shown to contain individuals who are prepared to attempt to subvert the normal election process with a combination of lies and deception." On Tuesday the Belfast Telegraph exposed the plot by Alliance to encourage grassroots supporters to field "tricky" on-air questions to political opponents and "softballs" to party leader Naomi Long. The party's head of communications Scott Jamison co-ordinated the plan on a secret Facebook group and boasted that a similar plan to target William Crawley's Talkback show was successful in last year's election when David Ford was leader. Lord Empey added: "This, from an organisation that has often adopted a holier than thou attitude towards other parties over many years, is deeply shocking and they should apologise to all those people they have deliberately tried to mislead. "This behaviour is particularly ironic, given that the Alliance Assembly manifesto talks of 'open, honest and transparent politics that delivers'." Lord Empey said the mask began to slip in January when two long-serving Alliance members - Geraldine Rice and Vasundhara Kamble - left the party, accusing it of ageism and racism. They claimed it had become "distant, cold and unfriendly and guilty of snobbery, with a tight clique of elitist individuals" - allegations Alliance denied. This week it emerged that Mrs Long had used the secret Facebook group to describe the party veterans as "two complete balloons". Ms Rice said she was reduced to tears and described the comments as "hateful", but Mrs Long refused to apologise and instead insisted she could have gone further. Mr Empey said he had "no sympathy" for the Alliance leader, who "revealed what she really thought of her colleagues". Lord Empey also highlighted the comments made by Mr Honeyford, who posted a tweet saying "unfortunately unionists have been breed (sic) to hate Catholics more than corruption. Pathetic really..." He later apologised and subsequently resigned from the party executive. Lord Empey said: "I would urge electors to consider whether they should invest their votes and confidence in a party that has a deeply cynical approach to public life, a party that is openly encouraging its members to tell lies." He added: "How can this help to bring Northern Ireland to a position of stability and progress." Emergency teams help rescue the woman on the banks of the River Lagan. Pic Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Emergency teams help rescue the woman on the banks of the River Lagan. Pic Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Emergency teams help rescue the woman on the banks of the River Lagan. Pic Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX A woman has been saved from the banks of River Lagan amid a dramatic rescue operation. Fire crews, coast guard, police and ambulance crews as well as the volunteer organisation Lagan Search & Rescue were called to help the woman, who had fallen down from the quay on to the bank. The alarm was raised shortly after noon, by a reporter from the Sunday Life, after hearing calls from across the harbour. Emergency services were then contacted, and police arrived on the scene a short time later. It's understood she suffered injuries to her head, arms and legs after falling off the quayside. She was then rescued by the Lagan Search & Rescue boat, and taken away from the scene. A total of eight vehicles attended the scene, including three fire engines. A PSNI spokesman said: "Tactical Support Group, police search advisors, local policing teams and Belfast Harbour Police have been working with our partner agencies in a missing person investigation. "Thankfully through team work the missing person was rescued from the water in Victoria Channel earlier today. We would like to thank Lagan Search and Rescue, NIFRS, HM Coastguard, NIAS, for their assistance today." Cold Feet star James Nesbitt has opened up about his loss of faith and claimed his new hair transplant, which was motivated by his own vanity, has also helped his career. The actor revealed that his mother, May, had originally wanted him to be a missionary. "I suppose I became a missionary of a different sort, [Mum] was pretty happy [with my acting career] in the end," he said. The Co Antrim man, who lost his mum four years ago, disclosed that witnessing her "terrible old journey" with Alzheimer's is one of the reasons why he no longer believes in God. "I'm not a believer in God now, it's increasingly hard with, on a grand scale, what goes on in the world and, on a personal scale, with what happens to one's loved ones," he told a national newspaper. Nesbitt was back on our screens this week, as Sky 1's Lucky Man returned for a second series. The house on Culdee Street where the fire took place (Philip Magowan / PressEye) A man is in a critical condition after being rescued from a fire in a flat in Armagh. Fire and rescue crews were alerted to the fire at the property on Culdee Street around 4.30pm on Friday. Three Fire Appliances from Armagh and Portadown Fire Stations attended the incident and on arrival it was discovered a fire in the living room. A spokesperson from the Belfast Health Trust confirmed the man was in a critical condition, and was being treated in intensive care at the Royal Victoria Hospital. A Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Spokesperson said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the fire and rescued a single occupant. "The occupant was treated at the scene by Fire and Rescue personnel before being taken to hospital by Northern Ireland Ambulance Service. A fire investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing by NIFRS and PSNI officers." Police say the children were unharmed during the incident. A man stole a car with two young children inside and drove off near the Boucher Road in Belfast on Saturday afternoon. The incident happened in the Boucher Crescent area shortly before 5.30pm. The man jumped into the driver seat of the car after a woman had gotten out of the vehicle. He drove off with the children inside. Police say members of the public managed to stop the car and the man made off on foot. A PSNI spokesman said the children were unharmed. A male aged in his 30s, who was arrested shortly after the incident, is being questioned by detectives. Police have asked witnesses to come forward. A Northern Ireland expat has told how his wife was brutally tortured before being shot and fatally wounded in a horror robbery at their isolated farm in South Africa. Susan Howarth and Robert Lynn were attacked by masked raiders on their property in Dullstroom in Mpumalanga province in the east of the country. After being burnt with a blowtorch, the couple were put in the back of a pick-up truck, shot and left for dead in a ditch. Ms Howarth, who was aged in her 60s, died from her injuries earlier this week. Her Belfast-born husband survived despite hours of torture and having a bullet lodged in his head. He described how his wife was burnt with the blowtorch and suffocated with a plastic bag before being shot. Mr Lynn, who is understood to be aged in his late 60s, survived despite being burnt, stabbed, suffocated and shot. He is an engineer who is originally from Belfast, The Times reported. He said: I have to come to terms with losing my best friend. Mr Lynn said the trauma of seeing his wife tortured and left dying by the roadside will haunt him for ever. We dont have any enemies, as such, and she dies in a ditch, he added. And when they find them, and hopefully they do, I want to see one of them and I want to just ask him: What did they get out of this? Police have reportedly arrested five suspects in connection with the attack which took place in the early hours of last Sunday morning, February 19. While Mr Lynn survived the attack, Ms Howarth died of her injuries on Tuesday morning. Speaking to ITV News last night, Mr Lynn added: The curtains burst open and two men came through the window. One of them fired two shots there were two loud bangs and two flashes. As Ms Howarth lay mortally wounded, Mr Lynn suffered hours of torture. He was bound, burnt with his own blowtorch, stabbed, suffocated and shot, but miraculously survived. He was released from hospital on Wednesday with a bullet still lodged in the base of his skull that surgeons have decided is too dangerous to remove. Pointing to horrific wounds on his lower left leg, he recalled: They started down here and they started burning me. (They said) wheres the money? wheres the money? South African police said they were put through an horrific ordeal lasting several hours. Eventually, three men bundled the couple into their own pickup truck. They were driven to a mountain pass where Ms Howarth was shot twice in the head and Mr Lynn once in the neck. Despite being left for dead, he survived, managed to free himself and found his terribly injured wife nearby. Mr Lynn added: I crossed the road, crawling most of the way. On the other side I saw Susan, lying in a ditch. Her hands tied behind her back. She was bleeding from her head. Mr Lynn flagged down a car and the pair were rushed to Midmed Hospital. However, Ms Howarth died 48 hours later after slipping into a coma. Police said she was unrecognisable from her injuries. Mr Lynn has since returned to the UK. He told the Middleburg Observer, he had to face the demons. Susan was a great girl. She had a great life just to end up in a ditch with her hands tied behind her back, he added. The brutal killing has rocked South Africa. Ms Howarth is reported to be the fourth British expat killed in the country in the past week. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said it was supporting Ms Howarths family. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time. We are in contact with the local authorities, he added Malaysian police are to carry out a sweep of the terminal at Kuala Lumpur's airport where North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half-brother was killed to check for possible traces of the toxic chemical suspected to have been used in the attack. A police statement on Saturday said the operation will start at 1am on Sunday. The check will involve officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the hazardous materials unit under the fire department and the atomic energy board. Since the attack on Kim Jong Nam on February 13, tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpur's airport. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken, though officials announced on Friday that the facility would be decontaminated. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the death of Kim Jong Nam. On Friday, Malaysian police said the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill him. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities at the time acknowledged that he has diplomatic immunity and that they could not compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysia's tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat "reasonable" time to come forward. If he does not, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so, though diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia said the Indonesian suspect in the death of Kim Jong Nam was paid 90 dollars (72) to help carry out the attack involving VX nerve agent. But Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin repeated Siti Aisyah's previous claim that she was duped into the plot, thinking she was taking part in a prank. Mr Erwin met Aisyah on Saturday in Malaysia, where the 25-year-old is in custody. Another alleged attacker, a Vietnamese woman, also has been arrested. According to police, Aisyah rubbed VX nerve agent on the face of Kim Jong Nam amid crowds of travellers. Kim was the older half brother of North Korea's ruler. Kim Jong Nam, who had been living abroad for years, was approached by the two women as he waited for a flight home to Macau. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to rub something onto his face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said they had been trained to go immediately to the washroom and clean their hands. Both women seen in the video are in custody. AP The Vietnamese woman under arrest in Malaysia for allegedly helping to carry out the attack also said she thought she was taking part in a prank. Vietnam's foreign ministry said a representative from the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia met Doan Thi Huong on Saturday. In a statement, they said Huong said she was tricked and thought she was playing a prank. AP Shutterstock.com An important Hindu festival, Maha Shivaratri means great night of Shiva, and is celebrated the 13th night and 14th day of the new moon during the dark half of the month of Phalgunathis falls within either February or March. This solemn holiday venerates Lord Shiva, one of the most important deities in Hindu culture. "Shivas purpose is to destroy creation so that it can be recreated." In Hinduism, Shiva is the third god in the Hindu triumvirate who are responsible for creation, the other two of which are Brahma and Vishnu. Brahma is the creator, while Vishnu is the preserver of the world. Shivas purpose is to destroy creation so that it can be recreated. When Shiva is depicted as a man, he has a blue throat and face, and a white body. He has a third eye set in his forehead that represents wisdom and insight, a cobra necklace that signifies his power, a trident, which represents the Hindu triumvirate, and the vibhuti, which are three lines on his forehead that represent Shivas all-powerful nature. Hindu believers feel that Shivas power of destruction is used to destroy not only matter, but illusions as well, thereby lending Maha Shivaratri a spirit of celebration from the darkness of ignorance. The originthe most prominent of severalof Shivratri lies in the story of how Shiva saved the world. According to the PuranasSanskrit writings containing Hindu legendsa container of terrifying poison rose up inthe mythical churning ocean called Samudra Manthan. Demons and gods alike were terrified at this poisons powerit was said to hold the power to destroy all creation. These beings went to Shiva for help, and help he did. Shiva, in order to protect all creation, drank the poison, holding it in his throat rather than swallowing it. This caused his throat to become blue, giving him the alternate name of Nilkantha, the blue-throated one. Maha Shivaratri celebrates Shivas brave actions that ultimately saved the world. Another legend tells of a hunter who climbed into a woodapple tree while hunting, and began throwing the leaves to the ground to attract deer, unaware that there was a Shiva Lingama symbol representative of Shivabeneath the tree. Pleased with the offering of woodapple leaves, Shiva appeared to the hunter and blessed him with wisdom. The simplest legend simply states that this day is considered Shivas because, when the Goddess Parvati asked Shiva about his favorite day, he claimed the date that is now Shivaratri. The Rituals of Shivaratri It all begins on a moonless night, when Hindus offer up prayers to Shiva, the lord of destruction. This is the night when Shiva is said to have performed the Tandava Nrityathe divine dance that is the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. Celebrating devotees remain awake all through the night of the 13th, visiting their local Shiva temple or embarking on a pilgrimage to Jyotirlingamsobjects representing Shiva, of which there are 12 in India and 5 in Maharashtra. For the remainder of the night, adherents remain awake, visiting one of the Shiva temples and going on pilgrimages to Jyotirlingamsa handful of devotional places representing Shiva. Throughout the next day, these devotees fast, and chant the sacred Panchakshara mantra, Om Namah Shivaya, which translates to salutations to Shiva, and toss offerings of grain into the fire. On the day of Shivaratri, a platform with three levels is built around a fire, with the top level representing heaven, the middle representing peace, and the bottom representing earth. Eleven urns are kept on the heaven plank, which symbolize the 11 manifestations of the destructive form of Shiva. These urns are decorated with leaves and mango placed atop a coconut, which represents the head of Shiva. One of the most solemn and important rituals of the day is the bathing of the lingamthe symbol of Shiva. This symbol resembles male genitalia, and has female genitalia at the base, representing the union of both organs. Adherents worship the lingam through the night, bathing it every few hours in the offerings of the cowmilk, sour milk, butter, dung, and urine. The five foods of immortality are also placed before the lingamthese are clarified butter, milk, curd, honey, and sugar. There is a reason why Shiva is worshiped in this particular form. The gods Brahma, the creator, and Vishnu, the preserver, were in conflict concerning who was supreme, each declaring their superiority. But as they argued, an enormous lingam appeared before them, covered in flames. Both gods were struck by its seemingly infinite size, and left their quarrel, endeavoring to measure it. Vishnu took the form of a boar, travelling downward to the netherworld. Meanwhile, Brahma became a swan, and flew upward to measure the lingam. Both, however, failed in their task. Upon their failure, Shiva appeared out of the lingam and proclaimed that he was the creator of them both, and should, thereafter, be worshiped in phallic form rather than in bodily form. Shivratri is also especially important for women, as married women use this day to pray for their sons and husbands. Unmarried women pray that they might receive a husband who is as like Shiva as possible. The Most Important Hindu Festival The Maha Shivratri festival is well-attended by hundreds of thousands of people each year, and, for many, it is the most sacred of all Hindu festivals, with devotees who perform sincere acts of worship for Shiva being absolved of all sins, attaining mokshathe escape from the cycle of death and rebirth. This, for Hindus, moksha is one of the four primary goals of human life, alongside virtue, prosperity, and fulfillment, and so we can see why Maha Shivratri is so widely celebrated and revered. Above all, this is the night and day when darkness is cast out of the human mind and heart, and illusions are destroyed by the cleaving sword of Lord Shiva, driving humanity out of its blindness and into the light. Wesley Baines is a graduate student at Regent University's School of Divinity, and a freelance writer working in the fields of spirituality, self-help, and religion. He is also a former editor at Beliefnet.com. You can catch more of his work at www.wesleybaines.com. Thailands 4th Army Region commander flew in a helicopter Friday to pick up an alleged Muslim insurgent in the Deep South who was turning himself in after eight years in hiding. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Nakwanich made the trip after Ahama Duere called to say he wished to surrender. Piyawat flew from Sena Narong military camp in Songkhla province to Yala province to capture the rebel personally. Ahama, 38, is a suspected Deep South separatist who had four arrest warrants in Muang and Krong Pinang districts in Yala province, and Rueso district in nearby Narathiwat province, the lieutenant general told reporters. For nearly a decade, Ahama hid out in Raman district in Yala. Ahama said he called authorities to surrender because his separatist group was disorganized and he and other members lacked confidence in their leaders. There are still many members who wanted to come out and turn themselves in, although they do not because they are not assured they will be safe. I think its better than staying inside. I had been in a hideout during the past eight years and I was tired of that life, Ahama told reporters. The army commander had released his phone number and announced that he would pick up any separatist who called to turn himself in, setting Fridays events into motion. After Ahamas relative gave him the phone number, he called twice, leading to the helicopter flight and capture. Ahama expressed confidence that he would be treated fairly. The Internal Security Operations Command Region 4 (ISOC4), the military command that covers Thailands Deep South, will be involved with Ahama until the prosecution is completed, according to officials. Later, ISOC4 members will help him find a job, allowing him to peacefully return to a normal life, officials said. Lt. Gen. Piyawat Nakwanich, the 4th Army Region commander (third from left) takes separatist Ahama Duere to board a military helicopter in Yala province, Feb. 24, 2017. (Courtesy of ISOC4) 12 years on the run In November 2016, a man accused of leading an insurgent squad in Thailands Deep South for 12 years said he was tired of hiding from the authorities and turned himself in. Sakariya had led a squad of Runda Kumpulan Kecil, a combat unit of Barisan Revolusi Nasional (BRN), the largest and most heavily armed of separatist groups fighting Thai security forces in the predominantly Muslim and Malay-speaking Deep South. I have to hide all the time since the authorities issued an arrest warrant on me. Officials were always looking for me, so I fled from my neighborhood and stayed with my friends, Sakariya told reporters at Yala police station after he surrendered. It had been a hardship, I was starving, so my family members consulted with each other and they agreed to contact the headman of Tambon Laba to inform the police, he said, referring to the name of a village cluster. 10-year-old project Beginning in 2007, the ISOC regional branch began a counter-insurgency campaign aimed at encouraging Deep South separatists to lay down their arms. The latest effort is known as the Bring People Home Project. ISOC regional spokesman Col. Pramote Prom-in said the project aimed to rehabilitate and return to normal life those facing criminal charges and others who fear arbitrary prosecution, even if they did not commit a crime. About 4,000 people have joined the project, Pramote said in November when Sakariya surrendered. Authorities said they had targeted about 9,000 BRN militants to re-integrate into society. Nearly 7,000 people have been killed since 2004 in violence associated with the decades-old separatist conflict in Thailands southern border region, which is predominantly Muslim and Malay speaking. February 23, 2017 Iran may see its first female presidential candidate in the May 19 elections. After a period of silence, Marzieh Vahid Dastjerdi, the Islamic Republics first and only female minister, has in recent days and weeks made headlines once again. Dastjerdi headed the Ministry of Health and Medical Education between 2009 and 2012 after being one of three women proposed as ministers by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad during his second term (2009-13). The other two nominees were Susan Keshavarz for the post of education minister and Fatemeh Ajorlu for welfare and social security minister. Of the three, only Dastjerdi succeeded in securing a vote of confidence from Irans parliament and was confirmed on Sept. 3, 2009. Although Dastjerdi is the Islamic Republics first female minister, she is not the first Iranian woman to hold such office. Farrokhroo Parsa and Mahnaz Afkhami served as education minister and minister of women's affairs, respectively, under former ruler Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi (1941-1979). Just as with many others who worked with Ahmadinejad, Dastjerdi did not last until the end of his presidency. On Sept. 27, 2012 following differences between the two he dismissed Dastjerdi. It is believed that her dismissal was due to her insistence on keeping Bagher Larijani, her deputy at the Ministry of Health, in his post. Bagher Larijani is one of the powerful Larijani brothers, including Ali and Sadegh, the respective chiefs of the legislative and judiciary branches of the government. In this vein, factional conflicts between the Larijanis, who were opponents of Ahmadinejad, notably intensified in the days leading to Dastjerdis dismissal. Following her removal, Dastjerdi returned to the medical profession. In April 2015, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appointed her as a member of the Imam Khomeini Relief Foundations board of trustees. More recently, Dastjerdi ran in the February 2016 parliamentary elections as a member of the Grand Principlist Alliance or Principlist List. When the election results were announced, she found herself among the 29 other Principlist candidates who ran in Tehran and did not stand much of a chance against the rival Reformist-moderate List of Hope. Securing 860,000 votes, Dastjerdi came in 35th. By comparison, the 30th and final parliament member elected from Tehran got over 1.7 million votes. Yet in recent days and weeks there has been ever-increasing speculation about her potential candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections a race for which she first needs to pass through the Guardian Councils filter. The council, which is in charge of vetting candidates, has so far refused to approve female candidates. Article 115 of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Constitution states the conditions for presidential candidates to include coming from among the religious and political rijal [statesmen] and [being] Iranian, a manager and a thinker. The key point of debate is how to interpret the term "rijal," an Arabic word that can mean both "men" and "personalities." While some have preferred to use the literal and Arabic translation of the term to mean "men," many legal experts and even members of the Guardian Council itself have rejected this interpretation and see no problem with the candidacy of female nominees. Indeed, on Dec. 31, Guardian Council spokesman Abbas Ali Kadkhodaei told reporters, There are no obstacles for women to register as presidential candidates. As such, Iranian law does not ban women from running for the presidency. The question is thus whether Dastjerdi will be able to set a precedent. In a press conference in early January, Mohammad Reza Bahonar, a theoretician of the Principlist movement, said that the Guardian Councils norm to date has been to not include women among "rijal" and that he doubted any changes will be made in this regard. A week earlier, on Dec. 25, Dastjerdi, along with 10 figures from the Principlist movement, established the Popular Front of the Forces of the Islamic Revolution in an effort to unite conservatives and get them to agree on a single candidate to challenge incumbent President Hassan Rouhani. However, speculation about Dastjerdis potential candidacy in Iran have become ever more serious. In an interview with KhabarOnline on Jan. 15, Ajorlu a conservative who serves in parliament said, With the green light of the Guardian Council, the presence of a female candidate and Mrs. Dastjerdi in the next [presidential] elections can become a reality. Notably, the Reformists seem to have embraced Dastjerdis potential candidacy even more than her own Principlist camp. Parvaneh Salahshoori, a Reformist parliament member from Tehran and head of the womens faction in parliament, welcomed the potential candidacy of Dastjerdi on Jan. 16, saying, Her presence [in the election race] is a good idea to split Rouhanis vote. However, she does not have the necessary charisma and cannot defeat Rouhani. In this vein, media outlets close to the Rouhani administration have written about the reasons behind Dastjerdis potential candidacy and the benefits it would have. Indeed, it cannot be denied that the Reformists are interested in having Dastjerdi as Rouhanis main rival because it's taboo-breaking, but also to improve Irans international image and also because she will not be a dangerous challenger. Meanwhile, reactions among Principlists have been mixed, with some media outlets not being welcoming of Dastjerdis potential candidacy. The conservative Tabnak, close to Mohsen Rezaei, on Jan. 19 ran a commentary saying, "Which aims are behind the spread of rumors of Dastjerdis candidacy? Although there is no doubt of Dastjerdis suitability, it seems as if this is a pre-planned scenario being spread by the Reformists to confuse the Principlist camp. In a Jan. 19 press conference, Dastjerdi herself was quoted as saying that she has no plans to run in the May 19 election. However, anyone familiar with Iranian politics knows that it is common for politicians to withhold announcements of their candidacies until the final hours and days before the registration deadline. As such, only time will tell whether Iran will see its first female presidential candidate come May. 1982219 15875107769 11 Healthy Tips On How To Prevent Swine Flu Wellness oi-Shivangi Karn Swine flu is the name given to H1N1 swine influenza which is the common infection found in pigs around the world. It is a communicable viral disease that transmits from pigs to humans, and then from humans to humans causing symptoms such as respiratory tract infections, fever, chills, sore throat, decreased appetite, diarrhoea and headache. In 2009, flu caused due to H1N1 virus has infected humans worldwide which is why the World Health Organization declared it a pandemic. Also, in the year 1918, the world had experienced a deadly influenza pandemic called 'Spanish flu' which was caused due to the H1N1 influenza virus. Swine influenza infects humans who stay in close contact with pigs like pork producers or veterinarians. The cross-species transmission of the virus from pigs to humans usually spreads in a particular area not worldwide. The spread of the virus becomes pandemic due to the genetic variation of the swine flu virus. When this new strain of virus infects humans, due to the unavailability of the antibodies in humans for the new strains, they start showing symptoms at a faster rate, and also infect others through to human-to-human transmission. How To Prevent Swine Flu Our immune system is wired in such a way that it starts producing antibodies as soon as it experienced any type of antigen. Therefore, the best way to prevent swine flu is by maintaining a good immune system so that it can efficiently fight against all the antigens entering our body. Take a look at a few tips that help prevent swine flu. 1. Drink Plenty Of Water Loss of water from the body can cause serious health complications such as dehydration and loss of electrolytes. This may further lead to kidney diseases, headaches, loss of urination and others. Drinking plenty of water helps our body in completing a series of mechanisms efficiently and helps the vital organs to function well, thus boosting our immune system.[1] 2. Maintain Cleanliness & Good Hygiene To minimize the risk of seasonal or pandemic influenza, the best way is to maintain cleanliness around your living environment and practice good hygiene. Most of the pandemics like swine flu and coronavirus are known to spread by infected air droplets. Therefore, by keeping our house clean and washing hands with alcohol-based handwash can minimize the risk of swine flu to a large extent.[2] 3. Healthy Diet A well-balanced diet is among the best ways to keep our immune system strong. It contributes to better protection against the virus. Medical experts say that including foods rich in vitamin D, C, magnesium and zinc in our daily diet help boost our immune system and keep all the pathogens at bay. 4. Physical Health Performing regular exercises or any sort of physical activity helps strengthen our immune system. Physical exercises activate our immune cells which help fight diseases and infections entering our body. A study says that even 30 minutes of daily exercise help reduce the risk of chronic diseases by boosting our immune system.[4] 5. Good Sleep A study suggests that sleep deprivation or poor sleeping habits can expose humans to many infectious agents. It is because proper sleep helps in the regulation of multiple essential hormones in our body that keep our immune system strong. When the sleep pattern is hampered, the systematic circulation of helpful hormones and the production of white blood cells deteriorate, leading to a decline in the body's immune power.[5] 6. Avoid Alcohol Increased consumption of alcohol is linked to decreased frequency of white blood cells and increased risk of diseases and infections (both bacterial and viral). Avoiding alcohol helps in the proper functioning of the immune system that helps defend our body against various infectious agents.[6] 7. Vitamin C Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that helps to boost immune or defence system of our body and support multiple cellular functions. Several studies say that foods that are rich in vitamin C work as a barrier to pathogens. It also helps enhance the functions of B and T cells which are involved in immunity.[7] 8. Reduce Stress Acute stress tends to suppress the immunity of our body making it vulnerable to various viral and microbial infections. A study suggests that stress is highly immunosuppressive and a decrease in it can cause increased production of white blood cells and proper hormonal responses leading to a strong immune system.[8] 9. Proper Rest During Illness Rest during illness is very necessary as it helps in the release of a protein called cytokines by the immune cells. Cytokines help regulate the immune response and produce enough antibodies to fight off infections and make a person ready for the next day. 10. Change Clothes After Work There's not much evidence to prove how changing clothes to clean ones after work helps in boosting the immune system and fight off infectious agents, but it is precisely a good habit to include in your daily life. This helps to ward off all the dirt, infections, pathogens and foreign agents that we have picked up during working and travelling. 11. Routine Check-up A routine checkup should be a part of every human life to keep a note of their general health and prevent any bigger issues in the future. Visiting a medical expert at least twice a month helps them evaluate your wellbeing, risk of any chronic diseases and detect any health issues at an early stage for a longer and healthier life. PR Newswire NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2017 NEW YORK, Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today the 4A's, the leading trade association representing the advertising agency business, announced that Marla Kaplowitz has been selected as the organization's new president and chief executive officer. Kaplowitz, CEO of MEC North America, who has also worked at Ammirati Puris Lintas and DMB&B, was chosen unanimously by a 10-person selection committee comprised of 4A's board members, led by 4A's board chair Bill Koenigsberg. Her deep experience at media and creative agencies, her stellar track record for innovation and leadership, and her unrivaled commitment to advancing the industry is what drove the selection. "As president and CEO for nearly nine years, Nancy Hill primed the 4A's for transformative growth. Now, with Marla at the helm, our evolution will be significantly accelerated at a time when our industry is moving at lightning speed," said Koenigsberg, president, CEO and founder of Horizon Media. "Marla is a dynamic force for change; she is an innovator and truly understands our top priorities for the coming years." In 2011, Kaplowitz was named CEO of MEC North America, where she was tasked with the development and execution of the agency's strategic growth initiatives, maintaining oversight of North American operations. With more than 29 years of media and communications experience, she built an integrated digital and data offering and a unique client-centric partnership model. Under her leadership, MEC North America grew in both size and scope. Before joining MEC, Kaplowitz spent 12 years at MediaVest, where she led the Procter & Gamble communications planning assignment for North America and earlier managed a multi-client team that included Avon, Denny's, Heineken and Norelco. Kaplowitz began her career at DMB&B, working across clients including Burger King, Merck and Procter & Gamble, before moving to Ammirati Puris Lintas, where she oversaw the Labatt, Nickelodeon Networks and Unilever businesses. She is a member of the 4A's Media Leadership Council and She Runs It (formerly Advertising Women of New York) and was recognized by Advertising Age as a Woman to Watch in 2012. "As a passionate member of this industry for nearly 30 years, I'm thrilled to join the 4A's at this exciting and pivotal time for marketing and communications," said Kaplowitz. "I look forward to working with the team at the 4A's, including the board, as well as partnering with industry leaders to ensure a thriving future." Kaplowitz, whom Koenigsberg described as "curious and inventive," will be filling the role following Hill's departure in June. Since 2008, Hill has guided the transformation of the 4A's into a more dynamic and relevant provider of leadership, advocacy and guidance for the advertising community. She has been directly responsible for the association's work on issues such as patent trolling, online privacy, talent development and media buying guidelines, as well as her personal passions of diversity and gender equality. Hill is a veteran of advertising agencies across the country including Doner, TBWA\Chiat\Day, Goldberg Moser O'Neill (which merged with Hill, Holliday in 2000) and BBDO. After her departure from the 4A's, she will focus on consulting and will spend more time in Ecuador, where she volunteers and teaches. "The past nine years have been an incredible experience. I've been proud to represent and lead the industry I love through such a transformative time and advocate for issues such as transparency and diversity within advertising," said Hill. "I have known Marla for a long time, and her passion is evident and infectious, which is critical to doing this job well. I think leading this organization will come naturally to her." Kaplowitz will attend the 4A's Transformation conference in Los Angeles this April; her official start date is yet to be finalized. MediaLink handled the search. About the 4A'sThe 4A's is the catalyst for bringing together the right people in the right places at the right time to address the advertising industry's most critical business issues. It provides leadership, advocacy, guidance and community to its members and the industry at large, with proprietary access to the people, information and tools needed to make smarter management decisions. Its mission is to help agencies become more successful. Visit the 4A's at www.aaaa.org. PR Contact:Samantha WolfHavas [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/4as-announces-agency-veteran-marla-kaplowitz-as-new-chief-executive-officer-300413559.html SOURCE 4A's Reciba en su email: noticias de ultima hora, analisis tecnicos o el cierre de mercado Email no valido Nombre requerido Recibira las informaciones mas relevantes del dia en tiempo real Que informacion desea recibir? Noticias de Ultima hora Boletin Cierre de Mercado Boletin analisis tecnico Boletin Fundsnews Debe seleccionar un tipo de boletin Acepto la Politica de privacidad Debe aceptar la politica de privacidad Responsable EMPRESAS DEL GRUPO WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Finalidad La remision de informacion, novedades y promociones Establecimiento o mantenimiento de Relaciones Comerciales. Legitimacion Consentimiento del interesado. Interes legitimo en el desarrollo de la relacion comercial Destinatario Empresas del Grupo WEB FINANCIAL GROUP Derechos Acceso, rectificacion, supresion, limitacion, oposicion y portabilidad Informacion adicional Politica de Privacidad de nuestra pagina Web + INFORMACION Canada NewsWire VANCOUVER, Feb. 24, 2017 VANCOUVER, Feb. 24, 2017 /CNW/ - TSX VENTURES COMPANIES ALASKA HYDRO CORPORATION ("AKH")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced October 27, 2016: Number of Shares: 500,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.055 per share Number of Placees: 1 Placee Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / ProGroup=P # of Shares Cliff Grandison Y 500,000 Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.11(d), the Company issued a closing news release announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s). ________________________________________ ALTO VENTURES LTD. ("ATV")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: Feb 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced Feb 02, 2017: Number of Shares: 2,385,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.07 per share Number of Placees: 2 Placees Finder's Fee: GRAVITAS SECURITIES INC. $8,347.50 cash The above information is a summary only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Readers should consult the issuer's continuous disclosure record for complete details of the transaction. ________________________________________ ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS INC. ("ATE")BULLETIN TYPE: HaltBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 7:01 a.m. PST, February 24, 2017, trading in the shares of the Company was halted at the request of the Company, pending news. This regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ ANTIBE THERAPEUTICS INC. ("ATE")BULLETIN TYPE: Resume TradingBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 8:30 a.m. PST, February 24, 2017, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made. ________________________________________ BELMONT RESOURCES INC. ("BEA")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered, Correction BULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Further to the TSX Venture Exchange bulletin dated February 23, 2017, the private placement should have been "Non-Brokered" for 4,210,000 units at $0.05 per unit, not 4,120,000 units at $0.05 per unit. _____________________________________ BRAVEHEART RESOURCES INC. ("BHT")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced December 30, 2017: Number of Shares: 2,100,000 flow through shares 2,100,000 non flow through shares Purchase Price: $0.06 per share (flow through and non-flow through) Warrants: 3,150,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,150,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.12 for a two year period Number of Placees: 5 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / ProGroup=P # of Shares Aaron Matlock Y 100,000 Finder's Fee: $9,600, plus 160,000 finder warrants, each exercisable into one share at a price of $0.12 for a period of two years, payable to 2242257 Ontario Inc. Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.11(d), the Company has issued a news release announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s). Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ CHATHAM ROCK PHOSPHATE LIMITED ("NZP")[formerly ANTIPODES GOLD LTD. ("AXG")]BULLETIN TYPE: Resume TradingBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 5:00 a.m. PST, February 24, 2017, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made. ________________________________________ CHATHAM ROCK PHOSPHATE LIMITED ("NZP")BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for DebtBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 278,359 post-consolidated shares at $0.573646 per share to settle outstanding debt for $159,680. Number of Creditors: 5 Creditors Insider / Pro Group Participation: Creditor Insider=Y / Progroup=P AmountOwing Deemed Priceper Share # of Shares Peter Liddle Y $64,294.00 $0.573646 112,079 Justin Cochrane Y $15,000.00 $0.573646 26,148 Simon Henderson Y $41,091.00 $0.573646 71,631 Adrian Fleming Y $18,750.00 $0.573646 32,686 The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished. ________________________________________ DARELLE ONLINE SOLUTIONS INC. ("DAR")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced February 22, 2017: Number of Shares: 2,570,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.05 per share Warrants: 2,570,000 share purchase warrants to purchase 2,570,000 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.075 for a three year period Number of Placees: 10 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / ProGroup=P # of Shares Aggregate Pro Group Involvement P 300,000 [3 Placees] Pursuant to Corporate Finance Policy 4.1, Section 1.11(d), the Company must issue a news release announcing the closing of the private placement and setting out the expiry dates of the hold period(s). The Company must also issue a news release if the private placement does not close promptly. Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. ________________________________________ ELCORA ADVANCED MATERIALS CORP ("ERA")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement: Number of Shares: 473,250 common shares Purchase Price: $0.27 per common share Warrants: 473,250 warrants to purchase 473,250 common shares Warrants Exercise Price: $0.34 per share until February 23, 2019 Number of Placees: 6 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Nil Finders' Fee: Altus Securities Inc. received $2,770 in cash The Company has confirmed the closing of the above-mentioned Private Placement by way of news release dated February 23, 2017. _______________________________________ FRONSAC REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST ("GAZ.UN")BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for ServicesBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 50,000 units at a deemed price of $0.59 per unit, to settle $29,500 debt owed to an officer for services rendered. Number of Creditors: 1 Creditor Creditor Insider = Y /Pro Group = P AmountOwing Deemed Priceper Share Number of Sharesissued to creditor Jason Parravano Y $29,500 $0.59 50,000 The Company issued a news release dated February 16, 2017 in connection with that transaction. FIDUCIE DE PLACEMENT IMMOBILIER FRONSAC ("GAZ.UN")TYPE DE BULLETIN : Emission d'actions en reglement de services rendusDATE DU BULLETIN : Le 24 fevrier 2017Societe du groupe 2 de TSX Croissance Bourse de croissance TSX a accepte le depot de la documentation de la societe en vertu de l'emission proposee de 50 000 unites au prix de 0,59 $ l'unite, en paiement de services rendus par un dirigeant totalisant 29 500 $. Nombre de creanciers : 1 creancier Creancier Initie = Y / Groupe Pro = P Montant du Prix par action Nombre d'actionsemises au creancier Jason Parravano Y 29 500 $ 0,59 $ 50 000 La societe a emis un communique de presse date du 16 fevrier 2017 relativement a la transaction. ____________________________________ GOLDEN DAWN MINERALS INC. ("GOM")BULLETIN TYPE: Resume TradingBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Effective at 5:00 a.m. PST, February 24, 2017, shares of the Company resumed trading, an announcement having been made. ________________________________________ GOLDEN DAWN MINERALS INC. ("GOM")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-Brokered, Convertible Debenture/sBULLETIN DATE: Feb 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced Feb 06, 2017: Convertible Debenture $1,302,700.00 Initial Conversion Price: $0.29 per common share Term of Maturity: 3 Years Interest Rate: 0 Warrants: 4,202,258 share purchase warrants to purchase 4,202,258 shares Initial Exercise Price: $0.29 Term to Expiry: 3 Years Number of Placees: 1 Placee Note that in certain circumstances the Exchange may later extend the expiry date of the warrants, if they are less than the maximum permitted term. The above information is a summary only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this document. Readers should consult the issuer's continuous disclosure record for complete details of the transaction. ________________________________________ OSPREY GOLD DEVELOPMENT LTD. ("OS")[formerly Gonzaga Resources Ltd. ("GN")]BULLETIN TYPE: Name ChangeBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Pursuant to a resolution passed by the directors on January 9, 2017, the Company has changed its name as follows. There is no consolidation of capital. Effective at the opening February 27, 2017, the common shares of Osprey Gold Development Ltd. will commence trading on TSX Venture Exchange, and the common shares of Gonzaga Resources Ltd. will be delisted. The Company is classified as a 'Mineral Exploration/Development' company. Capitalization: unlimited shares with no par value of which 13,292,333 shares are issued and outstanding Escrow: nil shares subject to escrow Transfer Agent: TSX Trust Company Trading Symbol: OS (new) CUSIP Number: 688401108 (new) ________________________________________ RENOWORKS SOFTWARE INC. ("RW")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced November 26, 2018: Number of Securities: 3,876,766 common share units ("Units")Each unit comprises one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Purchase Price: $0.30 per Unit Warrants: 3,876,766 share purchase warrants to purchase 3,876,766 shares Warrant Exercise Price: $0.50 for up to 18 months following the closing date. Number of Placees: 57 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / ProGroup=P # of Units Aggregate Pro Group Involvement P 136,000 [3 Placee(s)] Finder's Fee: $5,250 cash and 17,500 warrants ("Broker Warrants") payable to Mackie Research Capital Corporation $2,694 cash and 8,981 Broker Warrants payable to Raymond James Ltd. 191,800 Units and 191,800 Broker Warrants payable to Canaccord Genuity Corp. ________________________________________ RHC CAPITAL CORPORATION ("RHC.H")[formerly RHC CAPITAL CORPORATION ("RHC")]BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Disposition Agreement, Transfer and New Addition to NEX, Symbol ChangeBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company Property-Asset or Share Disposition Agreement TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation pursuant to a sale and purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with an arms length party (the "Purchaser") whereby the purchaser would acquire the Company's interests in certain oil and gas properties, including nine producing wells, located in Robertson county, Texas, and known as the Halo project. In consideration, the Company received US$1,225,000 cash. Insider / Pro Group Participation: None Transfer and New Addition to NEX, Symbol ChangeIn accordance with TSX Venture Policy 2.5, the Company has not maintained the requirements for a TSX Venture Tier 2 company. Therefore, effective Monday, February 27, 2017, the Company's listing will transfer to NEX, the Company's Tier classification will change from Tier 2 to NEX, and the Filing and Service Office will change from Calgary to NEX. As of Monday, February 27, 2017, the Company is subject to restrictions on share issuances and certain types of payments as set out in the NEX policies. The trading symbol for the Company will change from RHC to RHC.H. There is no change in the Company's name, no change in its CUSIP number and no consolidation of capital. The symbol extension differentiates NEX symbols from Tier 1 or Tier 2 symbols within the TSX Venture market. The Company is classified as an 'Oil and Gas Services company. ________________________________________ SCIENTIFIC METALS CORP. ("STM")BULLETIN TYPE: Shares for DebtBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the Company's proposal to issue 519,480 common shares at a price of $0.385 per share to settle outstanding debt for $200,000 owed to a Non-Arms Length Party for services rendered but unpaid. Number of Creditors: 1 Creditor Insider / Pro Group Participation: Creditor Insider=Y /Progroup=P AmountOwing Deemed Priceper Share # of Shares Carsonby Enterprises Inc. (Michelle Gahagan ) Y $200,000 $0.385 519,480 Warrants: None The Company shall issue a news release when the shares are issued and the debt extinguished. ________________________________________ STRIA LITHIUM INC. ("SRA") BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing the documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement: Number of Shares: 8,880,000 common shares Purchase Price: $0.05 per common share Warrants: 8,880,000 warrants to purchase 8,880,000 common shares Warrants Exercise Price: $0.05 during a period of 60 months following the closing date Number of Placees: 6 Placees Finders' Fees: Finders collectively received $32,000 in cash and 640,000 common share purchase warrants at $0.05 for 60 months The Company confirmed the closing of that Private Placement by way of a press release dated January 27, 2017. __________________________________________ TWYFORD VENTURES INC. ("TWY")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced February 23, 2017: Number of Shares: 1,219,512 shares Purchase Price: $0.205 per share Number of Placees: 1 Placee Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y /ProGroup=P Aziz Shariff Y ________________________________________ UNITY ENERGY CORP. ("UTY")BULLETIN TYPE: Private Placement-Non-BrokeredBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to a Non-Brokered Private Placement announced February 16, 2017: FIRST TRANCHE Number of Shares: 2,500,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.05 per share Number of Placees: 4 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y /ProGroup=P # of Shares Anita Algie Y 800,000 SECOND TRANCHE Number of Shares: 3,500,000 shares Purchase Price: $0.05 per share Number of Placees: 4 Placees Insider / Pro Group Participation: Name Insider=Y / ProGroup=P # of Shares Anita Algie Y 1,000,000 Peter Born Y 900,000 ________________________________________ WEST KIRKLAND MINING INC. ("WKM")BULLETIN TYPE: Property-Asset or Share Purchase AgreementBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017TSX Venture Tier 2 Company TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation relating to an agreement for lease of water rights dated February 14, 2017 between WK Mining (USA) Ltd. ('WK') a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and Liberty Moly LLC whereby WK has leased certain water rights in Nevada in consideration of 1,454,778 common shares payable now and US$50,000 in cash or common shares payable over five years. ________________________________________ NEX COMPANIES AXIOS MOBILE ASSETS CORP ("AXA.H")BULLETIN TYPE: HaltBULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017NEX Company Effective at 4:54 a.m. PST, February 24, 2017, trading in the shares of the Company was halted at the request of the Company, pending news. This regulatory halt is imposed by Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, the Market Regulator of the Exchange pursuant to the provisions of Section 10.9(1) of the Universal Market Integrity Rules. ________________________________________ ONE WORLD INVESTMENTS INC. ("OWI.H")BULLETIN TYPE: Delist BULLETIN DATE: February 24, 2017NEX Company Effective at the close of business February 27, 2017, the common shares of One World Investments Inc. will be delisted from the TSX Venture Exchange at the request of the company and listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange at open of market on February 28, 2017. ________________________________________ SOURCE TSX Venture Exchange Columbus Women's Club COLUMBUS -- The Columbus Women's Club met Feb. 13 at the library auditorium with 18 members present. Guest speaker Kelly Feehan gave an interesting presentation on backyard pollinators and plants. President Deb Hamling presided over the meeting. Plans are being made for a social with husbands sometime in March. Columbus Arts Council representative Sue McClure reported that the Quick display is still open for viewing through Feb. 20. On Feb. 21, there will be a program on the music and arts of the Lakota Indian Tribe. Coming up on April 11 will be a bus trip to Grand Island to the Stuhr Museum for a program featuring a ukulele orchestra. President Deb encouraged members to step up and volunteer for leadership positions for the 2017 Festival of Trees. Randi Williams verified that applications for the scholarships we give have been delivered to the local high schools. Hostesses for the day's dessert were Mike Pilakowski, Sue Scott, Diane Retzlaff and Connie Codling. Next month's meeting will be at noon at the library auditorium on March 13. Guests are welcome. Dale Alumni Association Columbus Chapter COLUMBUS -- The Dale Alumni Association met in November at Pizza Ranch with 25 members present. In December, we held our Christmas dinner at the VFW Club. Dinner was enjoyed by all as usual. The group played bingo and gift cards were the prizes. We also had two door prizes; one went to Bonnie Willets and the other went to Marilyn Bartholomew. In February, we met for our regular meeting with 19 members present. On March 14, we will meet at Valentino's at noon. RSVP by March 9. Our next meeting will be at Hy-Vee on April 11 for breakfast. RSVP by April 6. The meeting adjourned. Daughters of Union Veterans BELLWOOD -- Daughters of Union Veterans met at the Bellwood Auditorium Feb. 6. Louise Moran conducted the meeting with eight members present. The meeting opened with prayer by Chaplain Pat Mick. Patriotic Instructor Jackie Mahlin led everyone in repeating the Pledge of Allegiance followed by singing the national anthem remembering both President Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. President Louise advised a meeting had been held in Lincoln regarding the Department Convention. The convention will be hosted by Sarah D. Gillespie Tent 7 in Lincoln April 28-29. Patriotic Instructor Jackie Mahlin reported she will be giving flags to the kindergartners at Bellwood Elementary School on President's Day or Lincoln's birthday. It was reported that our tent is being assessed $10 to help with the convention fund. The treasurer will forward $10 to the department treasurer. For Good of the Order, Louise read "Law allows , doesn't fund expansion of battlefield." A climactic site in the collapse of the Confederacy in the Civil War has been cleared for a huge expansion under a new law that would authorize it to become the nation's largest protected battlefield. The park commemorates sites in the war's longest battlefield conflict marked by bursts of bloody warfare spanning 10 months between 1861-1865. Legislation signed days ago by President Obama authorizes but does not pay for the addition of more than 7,000 aces to the existing 2,700 acres of rolling hills, earthwork and siege line already under protection at Petersburg. As for the funding, the word there is creativity, it was said. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned. VFW Auxiliary 3704 COLUMBUS -- The VFW Auxiliary met Feb. 14 at the VFW Club. The meeting was opened with the opening prayer and the flag salute. The minutes from the Jan. 10 meeting and the treasurers reports were presented. Reports of the committees were given: Courtesy by Mary Hefti and Community Service by Mary Lou Stamm. Geanne Chlopek reported the winner in the state Voice of Democracy contest held recently was Thomas Hosford of Albion. Bingo lunches were discussed and suggestions for were considered. The charter was draped in memory Orpha Helfrich, Marcella Henry, Mary Ann Vanderloop, Marilyn Schuckman, Marie Zimmer and Sharon Herout. The meeting concluded with the closing ceremonies. The next meeting will be held at 5 p.m. March 14 at the VFW Club. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Brandon School Divisions Angela McGuire-Holder doesnt just have one boss she has 600 of them. As the community drug and alcohol education co-ordinator, she oversees the Youth Revolution program, an initiative that spans all the schools in Brandon, and is such a success its catching the attention of divisions not only throughout Manitoba, but across Canada. The evolution from what YR started as to what it is today has been completely student-driven. Submitted All 600 Youth Revolution students from schools across the Brandon School Division gather for a kickoff event every year. Some schools are even starting a junior YR group due to demand. In 2011, we were looking at the drug and alcohol rates and risky behaviour and we wanted something different alongside regular teaching regarding drug and alcohol awareness, McGuire-Holder said. We really wanted a group that would give kids a sense of belonging and really help reduce those risk behaviours by making them feel like a part of the school and the community. The kids took the idea and ran with it. The YR group is now rooted in volunteerism and philanthropy, with the students bringing forward ideas and deciding with the guidance of McGuire-Holder and other volunteering teachers where they want to go. (The kids) are very much global citizens. We make sure that everything fits into education while listening to what the students think are important in their schooling and in their community, McGuire-Holder said. Thats the success of this program. The kids truly feel like they have an ownership piece to it, and they really do. Every school has a team that kids can choose to join, McGuire-Holder said. They have 600 kids from grades 5 through 12 participating in various initiatives throughout the year. Some schools are in the process of starting a junior YR group, because the demand from students in grades 3 and 4 has been so high. The little kids look up to the big kids and they want to be like them because theyre great role models, said McGuire-Holder. Its very much a peer connected program, and, if you empower them, its amazing the things they can do. Multiple students have told McGuire-Holder that the program makes them better at public speaking, more confident, and it teaches them to be team players, she said. I was a super shy kid I couldnt talk to anyone. Now I can go up in front of 600 kids and Im fine, Gillian Black, a YR student at Crocus Plains Regional Secondary High School, said with a laugh. Ive seen it with other kids, too. It brings out the leadership skills in people. It has given me the power to make a difference. Black said she joined when she was about 12 or 13 years old because she enjoyed volunteering. Now about to graduate, she said she stayed in the program because the community is almost like family. Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Youth Revolution members meet for a days conference on Pink Shirt Day, as students take a stand against bullying, at the Riverbank Discovery Centre on Wednesday. It was a really good way to escape some of the other things that were going on at school middle school kids can be kind of vicious sometimes, so it was nice to find a place where you can just be yourself. YRs youth ambassador, Micayla Krahn, who got involved right before graduating in 2012 and has continued to volunteer ever since, also found solace in the community after being bullied. I had lost a lot of confidence in myself, I didnt really speak out in class anymore, and I didnt really have a very strong friend group. I didnt feel like I belonged, really, Krahn said. It was quite by accident that I joined YR in the first place, but after my first meeting, it was quite apparent that it didnt matter my background, where I was from, I was accepted and my voice would be heard. It was very supportive Its amazing how inclusive and accepting this group really is. Krahn said YR is letting kids shape a new world filled with new technology, social media and a greater, global reach. Were doing good, were revolutionizing the way the community views what our kids are doing and I think its amazing, Krahn said. Because of the extensive volunteer work YR has done throughout Brandon, the community has become a huge support system. Community members have really got on board to see a place for these kids, because some of these volunteers are eight and nine (years old). Theyre little, McGuire-Holder said. Theres so much learning that happens with that connection with the community. And when (the kids) come in with the blue shirts, the community just treats them like stars. The work these students are doing in the community, as well as their global initiatives, are getting noticed on a larger scale. Every year, schools across the province work to earn tickets to the annual We Day event held in Winnipeg, by volunteering or doing some sort of global action. BSD takes more kids than any other single school division across the province we take 400 to 500 kids, McGuire-Holder said. Every year they call me up, astonished, saying, What are you guys doing over there? But the kids report all the cool things theyre doing and they earn the tickets to go. Colin Corneau/The Brandon Sun Youth Revolution members meet for a days conference on Pink Shirt Day, as students take a stand against bullying, at the Riverbank Discovery Centre on Wednesday. Other school divisions from as far away as Nova Scotia have been looking at YR as an example of something to replicate, McGuire-Holder said. Weve kind of been the best kept secret over the last couple of years, but theres lots of buzz in the community and I get calls from (divisions) across Canada interested in how it works, McGuire-Holder said. People see the advantage to their kids being involved in something that teaches them good skills. McGuire-Holder said she is proud of YR and what theyve been able to accomplish, and would love to see it adopted by other divisions. It would be great to see Brandon as a model, and I truly do think were a model for what you can do. Were a fairly large division, and were doing it on shoestring dollars and with volunteer teachers. Its doable, McGuire-Holder said. Theres a place for it in education. Kids really want to connect and I think as a society we really want our kids to be connected we dont want them disengaged. We want them to know that volunteering is an important part of the community. edebooy@brandonsun.com Twitter: @erindebooy Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Pro Series premiere of the Manitoba Trombone Collective will take place on Tuesday at Brandon Universitys Lorne Watson Recital Hall. Comprised of top-notch trombonists, the group will present a programme of chamber music in a range of styles and genres. It will be a lot of fun for the audience and it will provide something different than what is typically offered by the Brandon University Pro Series, said Aaron Wilson, a BU faculty member and one of the trombonists involved. The concert will be full of powerful and lyrical brass music. Submitted Brandon University's Aaron Wilson is one of the trombonists involved in the Manitoba Trombone Collective which will take place on Feb. 28 at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. The ensemble is a fluid entity, with trombonists from throughout the province often gathering to rehearse and perform in Winnipeg for various occasions, and six of them will represent the group for this event. Along with Wilson, the other musicians lined up will be Keith Dydra, Steven Dyer, Francois Godere, Julia McIntyre and the ensembles director, Joel Green. The idea to leave Winnipeg and venture further afield was born from a gathering of more than 60 trombonists to premiere a composition by Winnipeg-based composer Kenley Kristofferson. Inspired by that exhilarating event, the trombonists planned this concert at BU and another at the University of North Dakota next month. The collective is now considering similar collaborative performances for a greater number of trombonists to perform music created or arranged for their instrument. When I proposed this idea, it was suggested we try to keep the group somewhat small, Wilson said. Chris Lalonde, the manager and founder of the Manitoba Trombone Collective, proposed the idea of putting together a chamber concert filled with some of Manitobas finest trombonists. This particular group of trombonists has never performed in this setting before, but we all know each other and have performed together many times. Tuesdays concert will begin at 8 p.m. at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall, located in the Queen Elizabeth II Music Building at BU. Tickets will be available at the door prior to the performance or in advance at the School of Music main office. They are $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, students and BU alumni, and $10 for Conservatory students. The following Pro Series presentation will be the Brandon University New Music Festival, featuring three evening performances from March 26-28 at the Lorne Watson Recital Hall. The soloists will be pianist Megumi Masaki, electric guitarist Tim Brady, and violinist/violist Pamela Attariwala, this years Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professor at BU. The School of Music gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Canada Council for the Arts, and the Province of Manitoba, through a Consolidated Arts Programming Grant through Culture, Heritage and Tourism. Submitted Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. They grab our attention, but sometimes the headlines just dont do justice to the facts of the story, or so I found perusing The National Post this week. The headline? Ontario High School Teacher Who Pushed Anti-Vaccination Views Found Guilty Of Professional Misconduct. On its face, this sounds like a story about a teacher who was pushing his politically incorrect views in class to such a degree that the powers that be stepped in, denied his freedom of expression and imposed their authority. When he pushed back, things got ugly and he was disciplined. Thats what the headline might lead a reasonable person to believe. The facts reported in the story tell us something far different. In fact, Ontario high school teacher Timothy Sullivan confronted the nurses who were administering the vaccines, left his classroom three times over the course of two days to do so and yelled at students and nurses. A nurse complained about Sullivans behaviour, citing his comments, including Are you aware one of the side-effects in the manufacturers insert is death? Sullivan was punished for this behaviour by receiving a one-day suspension with pay. The Ontario College of Teachers subsequently took up the case. Sullivan represented himself in front of a tribunal. The National Post story would reasonably lead one to believe his defence was not particularly cogent or effective. Given such a background, this columnist is led to ponder if the story has anything to do with Sullivan being an anti-vaxxer, or is it just about an angry man who was clearly excited about something and lost his temper? Its being hyped in the headline as something to do with anti-vaccine philosophy, an issue that is currently in the press due to U.S. President Donald Trumps comments. The science that backed up Trumps claims, and Sullivans for that matter, was long about proven to be faulty. The National Post is not a left-wing newspaper, and can arguably be accused of supporting some dubious right-wing causes. The anti-vaccine lobby feels very conspiratorial to this columnist, leaving one to wonder aloud if Sullivan is simply being the useful idiot in a case of the Post seeking to make the facts fit their agenda. Again, read the headline Ontario High School Teacher Who Pushed Anti-Vaccination Views Found Guilty Of Professional Misconduct. The heart of the story is about professional misconduct, thats true, but because of the teachers behaviour in class, with students, and in verbally accosting the nurses. The anti-vaccine element makes the story more sexy, but does little to help the reader understand the underlying issues. The role of mainstream media should not to be affirm the views of its readers, but rather to inform them. The National Post is a great newspaper, but I fear it got it wrong with this headline. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Do more with less. It seems 2017 is a time of mantras and this is one that is sure to be heard frequently in Manitoba for the foreseeable future. And while I have my reservations about the effectiveness of this particular mantra as a driver of change, in higher education there exists a golden opportunity to do more, and better, with the same. Earlier this month, Higher Education Strategy Associates (HESA) released a paper titled Post-Secondary Education in Manitoba: A Blueprint for Opportunity and Growth. Its president, Alex Usher, argues that Manitoba could achieve better results for the money it spends on higher education and thus do much more with the same. Colin Corneau Randi Roulette smiles as she and her Assiniboine Community College classmates prepare to host Harvest on the Hill on the North Hill campus last October. A report released this month by Higher Education Strategy Associates says the province could achieve better post-secondary results by redirecting tax credit spending into five areas, including to create more student spaces outside Winnipeg. The challenges faced by Manitoba are well documented by HESA. Manitoba has the lowest post-secondary attainment rate in the country. Only 15 per cent of the provinces resources for colleges and universities go to institutions outside Winnipeg. Manitoba has the third-lowest percentage of college seats in the country (only Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador are lower). This situation compromises our ability to support economic growth. It does, however, present an opportunity to achieve against a mantra of the current provincial government: Most Improved Province. And this is where Mr. Usher has identified the opportunity. Manitoba currently spends about $67 million per year on two tax credits linked to higher education. About $12 million goes to the education tax credit one that can actually be claimed by people other than students. It has long been criticized as inefficient and in the past year the federal government, Ontario and New Brunswick have eliminated the credit in favour of providing greater levels of student assistance. The second tax credit is a graduate tax rebate that was first implemented in 2006 and costs about $55 million a year. Similar systems were set up in some other provinces (eg. Saskatchewan) around the same time. The thinking was that the tax rebate for graduates would help keep young people from moving to other provinces after graduation. Unfortunately, it doesnt work. Both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick have recently eliminated these credits. Survey work with young people indicates that salary has more influence than tax credits on labour mobility. Interlude for the shameless plug: just six months after graduation from Assiniboine Community College, 93 per cent of grads still live in Manitoba and earn an average of almost $46,000 per year. Consequently, HESA suggests that Manitoba could get a much better bang for its buck if it reallocated the $67 million in tax credit spending to a more productive purpose. Usher outlines five places for investment. Enhanced assistance for students ($14 million) Some additional investment, combined with reform of the Manitoba Bursary program, could result in net-zero tuition for all students from families with incomes under $70,000. Manitoba institutions would effectively be tuition-free for students from this income background. A similar approach has recently been taken in Ontario and has generally been well regarded from all quarters. Increasing supports for indigenous students ($12 million) Manitobas indigenous post-secondary attainment rate is 43 per cent, the lowest in the country. There is a 15 per cent gap with the non-indigenous population. Closing this gap must be a major priority for reconciliation and indigenous prosperity. Increasing work-integrated learning ($15 million) Usher recommends that an investment be made to strengthen the opportunities for work-integrated learning for students and employers alike in Manitoba. More seats outside Winnipeg ($15 million) At the heart of the problem with attainment rates is program availability. Many programs, at colleges in particular, fill quickly and have wait lists. Meanwhile, there are vacant jobs in the labour market for people with those skills. This mismatch needs to be addressed by making more programs available outside Winnipeg. Quick response training fund ($11 million) Last year, both the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce adopted policy which urged the province to consider greater flexibility in the training system. From my perspective, this would be a welcome change and fit well with another current government mantra reducing red tape. Colleges are well positioned to respond quickly to emerging opportunities in communities and with employers, but they require a flexible regulatory environment and funding regime to do so. This is especially true for shorter programs where there are clear and present labour market opportunities. While I dont endorse every detail the HESA report outlines for spending priorities, in general I think it represents an excellent direction. I might be tempted to invest more in additional college seats and a little less in work integrated learning, for example. However, the paper serves as a great blueprint for a government that wants to get better value for money. It would also require making explicit choices. Ones that address the problems of education attainment, the current imbalance of college seats in the province, issues of access affected by geography, etc. Simply cancelling tax credits and redistributing the resources across the board in the same pattern as the last two decades would be a wasted opportunity and produce suboptimal results. Manitoba has a golden opportunity in post-secondary education to do much more with the same. Hopefully, we seize the day. Mark Frison is president of Assiniboine Community College. Twitter: @markfrison Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. The Brandon Sun has long been a downtown booster. As a company, we have been located at 501 Rosser Ave. since the mid-1960s, so the fate of Brandons downtown core holds perhaps a certain significance to our business. Its historic buildings make this small Prairie city unique and its remarkable that so many architecturally interesting period structures still stand, given the movement by previous councils and business owners to tear down some of our architectural heritage for more contemporary structures. And as our city celebrates its 135th year, we are glad to see that there remain citizens of Brandon homegrown or otherwise who see value in heritage preservation. Such persons entrepreneurs are Robyn and Jason Sneath, who the Sun profiles today in our business page. The couple has purchased six properties in the downtown core area, for the express purpose of transforming the heritage buildings into viable businesses. As many Brandonites already know, the Sneaths recently opened Fraser Sneath Coffee and SKIN Clinics at 1031 Rosser Ave., and work continues on their other properties currently they are in the process of renovating the upstairs apartments in buildings they purchased in the 800 block of Rosser. This is exactly the kind of forward-thinking business spirit that our downtown has been in need of, and as Renaissance Brandon executive director Elisabeth Saftiuk told the Sun this past week, the Sneaths should be commended for their commitment to the downtown. Of course, not everything theyre doing has been met with cheers. On Friday, the Sun reported that the Sneaths have also purchased the grain elevator on Pacific Avenue with the intent of tearing it down to put up a parking lot for their businesses. Local history buff Bill McGuire told us that this final elevator has a particularly unique history that dates back to 1905. It was one of a few elevators that the McCabe Grain Co. built along a stretch of a now-defunct Great Northern Railway branch line between St. John, N.D., and Brandon. It was originally located in the nearby community of Roseland, where it operated for about 30 years. The building was sold and relocated to its present Pacific Avenue location in the fall of 1936. It was last owned by Cargill, which shut the elevators operations down a few years ago, and it has remained empty ever since and growing ever more dilapidated. Wooden grain elevators have indeed become an endangered species not just in Manitoba, but across the Prairies. As Winnipeg Free Press columnist Brent Bellamy wrote in 2015, the grain elevator remains a lasting part of Canadas national identity. Elevators have featured prominently in Canadian art and literature, on currency, postage stamps and even on government advertising used to lure European settlers west a century ago, he wrote. The cultural value of Canadas grain elevators is embedded deep within our collective national story. Once purely functional structures, they are today a symbolic part of the Prairie narrative, representing the transformation of Canada into a modern nation, connected to the world. Even Brandons nickname, The Wheat City, comes as a direct result of the connection between the railway, Westmans agricultural base, and those tall wooden sentries that used to line Pacific Avenue from First Street to 18th. The demolition of this last Prairie sentinel in Brandon will be a loss to the community, but the unfortunate reality is that we cant save everything. We have seen what happened to the Strand Theatre, and how a lack of movement in efforts to renovate the structure has forced the hand of Brandon University its new owners to tear it down and build something new. A sour engineering study, and a number of offers to purchase the former Prince Edward Hotel that never panned out or were refused by the city council of the day, doomed that historic structure to the wrecking ball in 1980, too. Brandons downtown has several other worthy structures that deserve preservation, but they also require a business proposal to ensure their viability. Simply preserving a building without some future financial plan to sustain the structure while simultaneously grow a business is no opportunity at all. It took a concerted community effort, for example, to save Plum Coulees community elevator, which has been preserved and turned into a town museum, which operates all summer. But that required a large amount of cash, a willing group of dedicated citizens, and the germ of an idea. Brandons last elevator has stood empty for years, and there seems to have been little to no interest in keeping it intact. If its destruction ensures that five other historic structures in downtown Brandon get a new lease on life, then perhaps its a just, though bittersweet price to pay. Buoyant and Rambling At some point during the progression of meta- ultra- postmodernism, it was only natural that a band covering Rat Pack tunes revisioned as rambling ska paeans or blisteringly buoyant punk anthems based on the imbibing and love-making habits of dudes like Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin would rise from the rocanrol cauldron. Well it's 2017 and such has indeed come to pass. The name of the band is Franks & Deans. They've succeeded by inflecting the sweepingly romantic, sometimes melancholy and nearly always self-referential ditties of these post-war, pre-rock vocal heroes with good-natured rhythms and danceable guitar leadsas well as an updated fashion sense that seems to borrow more from ZZ Top's summer style guide than from Robin and the 7 Hoodsthat adds affable nuance to legendary, mid-century American popular music. Band members Rob DeTie, Mike "Pip" Ullemeyer, Hoss and Sampson await your indulgence at Low Spirits on Thursday, Feb. 23, and the admission price of $5 sure as heck beats dropping Three Coins in the Fountain. (August March) Courtesy of the Artist Ex-Beer-imental Ever wonder what it would be like to tour Willy Wonka's factory? I imagine it's a little like Explora's Science of Beer night on Friday, Feb. 24. Maybe after the beer tasting, you'll suddenly be lifted off the ground. Or maybe you'll just be tipsy. Either way, it's guaranteed to be a good time. For this 21 and over event, you get free run of the whole museum plus beer-related experiments and Marble Brewery tastings. Move over Charlie Bucket, there's a new sheriff in town. Just beware of the chocolate river and stick to the bubble table, and you should make it out in one piece. Tickets are $8 for Explora members, $10 for non-members. (Taylor Grabowsky) A Heavenly Pleasure Leading experts in the fields of Catholic theology, philosophy and ethics are interviewed for the documentary The Secret History of Sex, Choice and Catholicswhich attempts to root out the truth behind the Catholic hierarchy's opposition to contraception, abortion, and other reproductive and sexual health issues beginning at 6pm. A free screening of the film will be shown at Harwood Art Center, sponsored by Catholics for Choice, ACLU of New Mexico and the NM Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, will be followed by a discussion. (Devin D. O'Leary) Party Like it's the End of the World It's still pre-Lent and pre-apocalypse, so get your party outfit on and head over to Aliento: Carnaval 2017 this Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, beginning at 7:30pm. The National Hispanic Cultural Center's Albuquerque Journal Theatre will be transformed into a television dance show of the past with musical acts from PANdemonium and the Odara Dance Ensemble. Celebrate and partake in the Carnival traditions of Cuba, Trinidad, Brazil and New Orleans. Unlike prior performances, the audience will be able to participate and join the show. Tickets only cost $17-$27, and are likely to sell out by the day of the show so get 'em while they're hot! Laissez les bons temps rouler! (Megan Reneau) With the Charleton Tribunal set to begin on Monday, there have been renewed calls for the Garda Commissioner to consider her position. The inquiry is set to investigate whether a smear campaign was orchestrated by senior Gardai against whistleblower Maurice McCabe. A Canberra family whose bid to obtain permanent Australian residency was derailed when the mother, Jacqueline Ingram, was diagnosed with a kidney disease in 2013 has thanked the city for supporting their attempt to stay. The Ingrams left Sydney for South Africa on Wednesday after repeated attempts to have their case reviewed by the Immigration Minister, Peter Dutton, were unsuccessful. News Clive and Jacqui and their daughter Caitlin Ingram are from South Africa and have been living in Australia since 2011. The Canberra Times Date: 14 April 2016 Photo Jay Cronan Credit:Jay Cronan Mrs Ingram, her husband Clive, and their two children, Brett and Caitlin, came to Australia from Port Elizabeth on the Cape Coast in 2011. The couple were employed by LEAD, an ACT-based care provider, in 2013. Mr Ingram, a lawyer in South Africa, worked as a disability support worker. Mrs Ingram, a university lecturer in business management in South Africa, worked as a pre-employment specialist. A former timber treatment site in Bungendore has been approved for residential development despite it being contaminated with cancer-causing substances. Despite the contamination, it has been 11 years since the Environment Protection Authority tested the site at 65 Forster Street, after deeming it unnecessary in 2006 because it was left undisturbed. A generic 'Keep Out - contaminated site' sign. Credit:Peter Stoop In 2013, a Fairfax investigation revealed the multinational company Koppers had contaminated groundwater with hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen made infamous by environmental activist Erin Brockovich, at their Hume site in the ACT. Koppers had moved operations from the Bungendore site in 1982. The Bungendore site has remained vacant since. The outcome had been that the funding allocations to the three sectors independent, Catholic systemic and government were arrived at without any agreed and common system of assessing real need at the level of each individual school. Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard's education reforms were 'politically gutless'. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen School funding has been "essentially based on a political settlement, sector-based and largely needs-blind", whereas the Gonski report proposed that it be determined on an educational, not political basis, be sector-blind and entirely needs-based, as well as being bottom up, not top down. But Gillard rejected Gonski's recommendations and stuck with the old, religion-based arrangements. Ken Boston was an architect of the Gonski reforms but has blasted attempts to implement the policies. Credit:Edwina Pickles "We concluded that an additional $5 billion might be needed on top of the $39 billion being spent annually by the state and federal governments, because of the commitment given by the federal government [Gillard], after the review had started, that no school would lose a dollar as a result of the review. "This was an albatross around our necks," Boston said. Christopher Pyne may have been right when he coined the phrase 'Conski'. Credit:Latika Bourke State deals To disguise the true cost of Labor's politically gutless, bastardised version of Gonski, it was to be phased in over six years. The second common misunderstanding was that the Gillard and second Rudd governments, having adopted Gonski's approach, then reached "Gonski agreements" with the states, promising additional "Gonski funding" over six years. Nothing Gonski about it. Gonski recommended that the loading for non-government schools as a proportion of "average government school recurrent costs" a biased formula that meant public funding for new places for children in disadvantaged government schools automatically increased the federal government grants to non-government schools, without any consideration of disadvantage should cease. Gillard, supposedly that great champion of needs-based funding, kept the biased formula alive. Gonski recommended that the basis for general recurrent funding for all students in all sectors be a "schooling resource standard" for each school, set at a level comparable with schools with minimal educational disadvantage. To this should be added loadings for schools according to their social disadvantage low socioeconomic status, English language proficiency, school size and location, and indigeneity. Calculation of the resource standard and the size of the loadings should be done by a "national schools resourcing body", similar to the former Schools Commission. Gillard wouldn't touch it. "Like the Coalition government, Labor has ducked the fundamental issue of the relationship between aggregated social disadvantage and poor educational outcomes, and has turned its back on the development of an enduring funding system that is fair, transparent, financially sustainable and effective in promoting excellent outcomes for all Australian students," Boston said. 'Politically gutless' The third misunderstanding which Boston labels "the Fairfax view" (not this time, Ken) is that most of the problems facing Australian education would be solved if we got the last two years of "Gonski funding". It true that, so as to disguise the true cost of Labor's politically gutless, bastardised version of Gonski, it was to be phased in over six calendar years, with the bulk of the cost loaded into the last two years, 2018 and 2019. This was $4.5 billion, which the Turnbull government has cut to $1.2 billion over the four years to 2021. Even so, "providing the so-called 'last two years of Gonski funding' will not deal with the fundamental problem facing Australian education. Neither side of politics is talking about the strategic redistribution of available funding to the things that matter in the schools that need it, on the basis of measuring the need of each individual school," Boston said. Seeing eye to eye The fourth common misconception is that the two sides of politics are poles apart. At one level, yes. What they have in common, however, is that neither is genuinely interested in moving to needs-based funding. "The government and opposition are fluffing around the margins of the issue, and neither appears to understand the magnitude of the reform that is needed, or if they do to have the capacity to tackle it," Boston said. COLUMBUS Columbus City Council members can see the potential benefits to consolidating 911 dispatch services with Platte County. Sharing equipment and other resources could save both entities money over time and position Columbus to be selected as one of the regional public serving answering points (PSAP) to be created by the state. But combining the services is easier said than done. City and county officials have been discussing the proposal for several years and made little progress to this point. Council members would like to see that change. Lets get everybody on board and get this thing going, Councilman Prent Roth said during Tuesday nights meeting while pushing for the consolidation of 911 services between the city and as many other players as possible. Roth believes combining with other communities and counties now will give Columbus a better shot at keeping a 911 dispatch center once the state follows through with its plan to consolidate those services into a few regional locations scattered across Nebraska. Councilman Charlie Bahr agrees. Weve seen it work in the other communities, said Bahr, who is also a member of the E911 Technical Committee that visited joint dispatch centers already operating in Dodge, Douglas, Buffalo, Hall and Sarpy counties. I would say were way behind the curve, Bahr added. Currently, local 911 calls are answered by employees inside the police department who dispatch city officers, ambulances and fire trucks throughout the county. Calls for county deputies and Humphrey Police Department are routed to a second dispatch center at the sheriffs office. Bahr said merging those centers could lead to cost savings down the line by splitting equipment and software costs. Forming a regional dispatch center would also benefit area counties that struggle to find and keep people tasked with answering the calls, he said. Nobody voiced opposition to the plan Tuesday night, but Columbus Police Capt. Todd Thalken made it clear there are two major questions that must be answered before the plan can move forward. Who will be in charge of the joint dispatch center and how will it be funded? Those are probably the two hardest questions to answer. The rest will fall in place if you can get those questions answered, said Thalken, who is also part of the E911 Technical Committee along with Bahr, Platte County Supervisor Jim Scow, Columbus Police Chief William Gumm, Columbus Fire Chief Dean Hefti and Platte County Sheriff Ed Wemhoff. City council members voted Tuesday night to form a committee that will continue investigating the joint dispatch center proposal with hopes of moving it forward as fast as possible. That committee will include the E911 members plus an additional representative each from the city and county. A study presented in late 2012 by Minnesota-based GeoComm Inc. recommended establishing a 911 dispatch center that serves all of Platte County and is operated independently from the sheriffs office or police department. The Platte County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution in May 2015 expressing support for a consolidated 911 dispatch center that would be located inside the Nebraska Public Power District building and operated by an independent body consisting of elected and administrative representatives from the city and county. However, city council members decided in September of that year that more research was needed before they felt comfortable voting on the plan. The city is also currently studying the feasibility of creating a public safety building that would house the police and fire departments, and possibly the 911 dispatch center. Other potential locations for a shared dispatch center include Columbus Municipal Airport, the Platte County Courthouse and undeveloped property near the dog park along Monastery Road. Thalken told the council the citys dispatch equipment is good for another six years, and he doesnt expect the state to have its regional PSAP plan finalized by then. But there is some urgency to move the plan forward so other communities and counties can join the local agreement before that happens. We may have to take a deep breath and make some decisions without having all the answers, Mayor Jim Bulkley said. A woman has been charged with shoplifting after she posed as a security guard while removing bags of clothing from a warehouse sale of the popular Sydney kaftan label Camilla. The 43-year-old woman entered the sale at the Paddington Town Hall on Oxford Street shortly before 1pm on Friday, claiming to be a security guard.Police were told the woman, allegedly made herself known to staff at the sale, before she was noticed leaving and entering the premises repeatedly. Kaftan designer Camilla Franks. Credit:Getty Images The woman was stopped by security staff shortly before 3pm, when she was seen placing clothing in plastic bags. It is alleged 17 items of clothing worth thousands of dollars were located. "We encourage companies to publicly address the concerns raised," said Greg Yanco, the senior executive leader for market supervision at the Australian Securities & Investments Commission. 'Follies, frauds and fads' For Aandahl, who made his name covering Chinese companies listed in the US, the move is the next step after targeting its first Japan short in July. The 36-year-old director of research at Glaucus, who says his team spends as much as 700 hours researching one idea, is also active in Hong Kong, where he tends to highlight stocks he expects to lose most or all of their value. Glaucus plans to publish a report on at least one Australian company this month or early next month, Aandahl said, declining to identify the targets. He said shorting the country's banks wouldn't be attractive. "If you look at our track record, for the most part we are industry agnostic," he said in an interview earlier this month. "We short follies, frauds and fads -- that's what we look for." The perception from foreigners is that the market is a little dopey and that the corporate regulator is a little soft. John Hempton, Bronte Capital Management In April 2012, Universal Travel Group voluntarily delisted from the US sharemarket, a year after Glaucus issued a report questioning the Chinese company's financial statements and advising investors sell the stock. In 2013 UTG settled a lawsuit with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. More recent successful bets include Tech Pro Technology Development, whose shares fell 86 per cent in one day after Glaucus questioned the company's accounting. Tech Pro vigorously denied the claims in the report. Aandahl's foray into Japan has been tough. Itochu Corp., a trading company, has risen about 30 per cent since Glaucus issued a "strong sell" rating. Itochu strongly denied the criticisms of its accounting. Shorting Westpac Guennouni, also 36, set up Meridian Investment Management Advisory last year to make long and short bets on stocks. After starting his career at Goldman Sachs helping companies to manage risk using derivatives, he moved to Boussard & Gavaudan Asset Management in 2007 and rose to partner at the hedge fund. From 2012 he worked for Occitan Capital Partners designing options strategies. One of Guennouni's first shorts at Meridian is Westpac. Australian lenders stand to suffer more than global peers as expected changes to regulations on risk-weighted assets dampen profitability, Guennouni wrote in a 46-page short report published last month. The trade doesn't depend on a hard landing in China or a commodities rout, he wrote. Shares of Westpac, which he sees as the lender most exposed to this risk, may fall from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, he said, without specifying a time frame. Westpac declined to comment. Widow maker Betting against the local banks has been so unsuccessful that the trade has been nicknamed the "widow maker." Expectations for a local housing-market crash or a sharp deceleration in China's economy have failed to materialise for bearish investors waiting for lenders' stock prices to slump. "Most people have been shorting Australian banks as a part of a macro short on China and the economies linked to it," Guennouni said. Ours is "a bottom-up trade, not macro-driven." Short interest for companies in Australia's S&P/ASX 200 Index on average accounts for 3.7 per cent of the shares freely traded, compared with 1.8 per cent for stocks on Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, according to IHS Markit data. That's also higher than the 2.1 per cent on Japan's Nikkei 225 Stock Average and 2.7 per cent for the S&P 500 Index in the US. For Chad Slater, co-founder of Morphic Asset Management, Australia "is one of the best places in the world to short -- hands down." It doesn't have transaction taxes like in the UK and Taiwan, and it's easy to find stocks to borrow, he said, a crucial part of the short-selling process. "It ticks every box," he said. Despite targeting companies in Australia for the first time, neither Aandahl nor Guennouni see broader issues with the market itself. Well might he say that, for Best, 76, pleaded guilty in the County Court of Victoria to the sexual abuse of 20 children between 1968 and 1988 at schools in Ballarat, Box Hill, Geelong and Moonee Ponds. With withering understatement, Judge Chettle said he was struggling to contain his emotion at the gravity and extent of Best's abuse. "It's hard not to get angry, and I'm trying." A lot of Best's victims have died by suicide. Many others have experienced mental ill-health, substance abuse, addiction and difficulty maintaining professional and personal relationships. And although it beggars belief, such despicable betrayal of natural justice and of the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth continues. Also last week, County Court Judge Geoffrey Chettle declared that evidence the Catholic Church continued to pay taking the total to as much as $1.5 million for the defence of one of Australia's worst paedophiles, Robert Charles Best, "just blows me away". In Australia, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, launched in 2013, has heard much harrowing evidence that for decades child rapists have been protected by the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. Only a few days ago, the Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, told the commission the response of leaders of his church to allegations of child sexual abuse amounted to "criminal negligence". Illsutration: Matt Davidson. Child rape and other sexual crimes are a devastating abuse of power and trust. Lives are destroyed. Most of Best's victims were boys aged between eight and 11. And yet, in 2015, the Christian Brothers said they would welcome the paedophile back into their ranks upon his release from prison, where he was serving a sentence for earlier sexual abuse. The commission has spent the past few weeks yet again focusing on Catholic Church authorities. Child sexual abuse has been committed by people in other religions and institutions, but the Catholic Church is clearly the most egregious offender, and has so far been the focus of 16 of the commission's 50 hearings. Here are some chilling numbers that indicate why. More than one in five members of some Catholic religious orders were allegedly perpetrators of abuse, counsel assisting the commission Gail Furness revealed earlier this month. Of orders with only religious brother members, the highest proportion of alleged perpetrators were members of St John of God (40.4 per cent), the Christian Brothers (22 per cent), the Salesians of Don Bosco (21.9 per cent), Marist Brothers (20.4 per cent) and the De La Salle Brothers (13.4 per cent). Almost 4500 people have made claims of child sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church over the past 35 years. It is ridiculous to think any institution, let alone one that has been shown to not only cover up such crimes but to spend more on avoiding justice than compensating victims, can adequately investigate and police itself. Yet in recent days the commission heard that a new body, Catholic Professional Standards (CPS) Ltd, will be pivotal to the church eradicating child rape by priests and other members of the church because it will have the power to name religious orders and-or dioceses that fail to meet its standards. Maybe the church really thinks that might work, but this move by an institution with such an abysmal record can reasonably be seen with much scepticism. Far better that law and the lay justice system protect children. This returns us to the notion there are avenues for pursuing the Catholic Church for crimes against humanity in the International Criminal Court. The Catholic Church's widespread protection of paedophiles, and the crimes that were committed, can be seen to fit the definition of a crime against humanity, and the New York-based Centre for Constitutional Rights is testing the law in the International Criminal Court. These are eggshell days for global diplomacy. With Twitter-in-Chief Donald Trump resident in the White House, no nation can be assured its carefully cultivated ties with Washington won't be upended by the late-night barrage of a president fired up on a binge session of cable television. Witness the shabby treatment of Sweden in the past fortnight, unwillingly dragged by Mr Trump into his culture war against immigrants. Mr Trump could have simply apologised for mistakenly implying an attack had taken place in the country in one of his alternative-fact rants, but instead doubled-down to compound the offence. At least George W. Bush would not have "misunderestimated" the outrage. Mr Trump appears to revel in it. Australia has a challenge to find the voices of reason inside Donald Trump's White House. Credit:Bloomberg So it was with understandable caution that Foreign Minister Julie Bishop ventured to Washington last week for meetings with Vice President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Australia's relationship with the United States has already been buffeted by Mr Trump's intemperate attitudes during a phone call with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull an extraordinary moment in what is a long-standing alliance so the wider circle of his administration offered a soothing hand. Plainly, there is plenty to talk about with America, although Ms Bishop's boast that her meeting with Mr Pence ran overtime did sound a little twee. The Turnbull government has a challenge to find and support the voices of reason inside the White House that can at least try and moderate Mr Trump's excesses. Ms Bishop, rightly enough, went with a message to emphasise Australia's attitude as an open, liberal trading nation. This happens to be the antithesis of the Trump approach, with his America-first dogma about economic protectionism and unfunded promises, repeated again last week, for one of the "greatest military build-ups in American history". Labor hopes to neuter the Fair Work Commission's planned cut to penalty rates, by introducing legislation which would prevent its decision from taking effect. The Opposition will give notice to introduce the bill on Monday, with the legislation seeking to stop the commission's draft decision from coming into force, as well as ensuring penalty rates could not be cut in the future, if it results in a cut in take home pay. The government holds a one seat majority in the lower house, meaning the legislation would likely fail, unless Labor can lure coalition MPs to cross the floor, along with support from the crossbench. But the legislation forms part of Labor's planned attack on the government over the issue, as data reveals workers in coalition electorates will be among the hardest hit by the changes to Sunday penalty rates, with employees in some of the most marginal seats in the nation also bearing the brunt. Who needs a job when you can sit in a makeshift jungle in South Africa raking in the cash? The key to beating the Centrelink queue and earning more than depleted penalty rates? Become a D-list celebrity. Tziporah Malkah is on I'm a Celebrity to raise funds for a homeless woman's shelter, where she also hopes to lose 20 kilograms. Credit:Ten The cast of the latest season of Ten's I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here have a range of talents spanning singing, home cooking and being dumped by a real-life Ken doll on national television. But the wily ones lined up how they could line their pockets before changing into their khakis. Eman Sharobeem's life story reads like an inspiring tale of overcoming the odds: forced into an arranged marriage to her first cousin as a teenager, then widowed at 29 with two young sons, having endured a violent 14-year marriage. After emigrating from Egypt, she gained PhDs in psychology, management and organisational leadership, rising to become chief executive of the Immigrant Women's Health Service and earning a list of community honours for her work giving a voice to the underprivileged. But now the prominent women's refugee advocate, domestic violence campaigner and Australian of the Year finalist has had her assets frozen by the powerful NSW Crime Commission following an investigation into "serious crime related activity" and her "unexplained wealth". The Crime Commission has secured a restraining order in the NSW Supreme Court that requires Ms Sharobeem not to dispose of three Sydney properties it believes she owns and to disclose her financial interests. A man grabbed the steering wheel of his ex-partner's car while she was driving and deliberately drove them head on into a ute, a court has heard. The 23-year-old passenger then also allegedly tried to attack a female doctor and an off-duty ambulance officer who tried to help. The woman was forced into the path of a ute when her ex-partner grabbing the steering wheel, the court heard. His 22-year-old ex-partner remains in hospital with serious injuries, while the driver of the ute also received minor injuries. The man, who was not injured in the crash, faced the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday morning on a string of charges relating to the traffic incident at Stafford on February 19. A prison guard has been taken to hospital after being assaulted at Malmsbury Youth Justice Centre on Saturday night, just hours after a female youth worker was inappropiately fondled by a young inmate. A source at the youth correctional facility said the guard was taken to Kyneton hospital with a facial cut, after he was struck with a table-tennis bat at about 8pm in the Latrobe unit. He was taken to Kyneton hospital in a stable condition. A Department of Health and Human Services spokesman confirmed a police investigation was under way. Victorian child sex abuse victims who receive a capped payout from the Catholic Church should no longer be forced to sign away their rights to future legal claims, a redacted report has recommended. An independent review into the church's controversial Melbourne Response scheme was announced by Archbishop Denis Hart in August 2014, but has been suppressed by the church for more than a year. Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, ordered a review into the Melbourne Response. Credit:Joe Armao A heavily edited version was finally submitted to the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Friday, containing 24 pages of the 176-page document. It included 17 recommendations from the report's author, retired Federal Court judge Donnell Ryan, QC, including that victims no longer be obliged to sign a deed of release in order to access monetary payments. COLUMBUS Steve Martin admits it's difficult to pinpoint much of an impact the "Livestock Friendly County" designation actually has. Since the voluntary program offered through the Nebraska Department of Agriculture started in 2003, a total of 41 counties have received the label. The intention of the program is to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and let the public know the county is welcoming for these types of businesses. Martin, ag promotion coordinator with the state department, said the designation's benefits for a county can be hard to define. Mainly its because it is stuff that is not necessarily measurable, he said. The title can be used as a promotional piece to entice new businesses and industries to the area. Martin said Wayne County did that to draw in dairies and Morrill County used it to attract an ethanol plant. A study conducted by researchers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Oklahoma State University published last year found that, on average, counties with the designation gained more cattle farms and lost fewer hog farms than counties without it. What the study does not show is if the designation leads to livestock expansion. The main impact the program can have, though, is getting a conversation started about how important livestock production is in Nebraska, Martin said. Most of our counties really revolve around agriculture, and livestock is a big part of that, he said. Platte County is considering applying for the designation. A public hearing on the issue will be held 10 a.m. March 7 at the Platte County Courthouse. The public hearing is a necessary step in the application process and one that was barely reached by a 4-3 vote from the Platte County Board of Supervisors. Members who rejected the idea said the county is already livestock friendly, especially because it doesnt have zoning. Board members questioned how time-consuming the application process and future annual reports would be. Because there is no zoning in Platte County, Martin said the application process will be a lot simpler. A resolution and narrative that includes a summary of why Platte County is livestock friendly would have to be submitted. Overall, he said the application would probably take less than an hour to complete and the annual reporting just a few minutes. There is also no cost to the county to be part of the program. The only cost would be if a paid staff member was asked to do the application, Martin said, adding that most counties have an Extension educator, producer or farmer do that work. Each county with the designation also gets a sign installed. We pay for the signs and the state road crew puts them up, Martin said. The program is comparable to Tree City USA through The Arbor Day Foundation. Thousands of communities across the country, including Columbus, are part of that program, which promotes managing and expanding public trees. Cities get the label through an application process and have signs installed denoting the designation. Martin said many people might not know what Tree City USA is, but when they see the sign they think that city values trees and public parks. That is similar to the Livestock Friendly program. Seeing the sign indicates the county is supportive of agriculture and livestock. Platte County is ranked as the No. 1 producer in the state for the number of hogs and pigs and ninth for the number of cattle and calves, according to the 2012 Census of Agriculture. Also, livestock, along with poultry and related products, brings in more than $415 million a year to the county, which ranks Platte sixth in the state. Despite those numbers, Martin said the county shouldnt rest on its laurels. Its great to be No. 1 on the number of animals and in the top in dollars, but its not a competition with other counties. If you can bring in more livestock and additional businesses, then that is creating further opportunities and moving things forward rather than standing still or going backward, he said. A new batch of highly toxic party drugs found in Canberra may have made their way to Melbourne this weekend, health authorities warn. The distinctive pink-and-clear capsules containing brown granules are being sold as MDMA, or ecstasy, in Canberra, but contain no MDMA. Emergency medicine specialist Dr David Caldicott said the notorious Chapel St overdoses in Melbourne last month were due to similar capsules - but they did contain small amounts of MDMA. The drug is being sold in Canberra in pink and clear capsules, containing brown granular material. These capsules - which Dr Caldicott's drug investigation service analysed - were found to have a potent combination of fluoroamphetamine (or 4FA) and 25CNBOMe. They were analysed after a young Canberra woman was admitted to hospital during the week with seizures and convulsions. She had some of the capsules with her. Flouroamphetamine has effects that mimic those of amphetamine and MDMA, and was responsible for two deaths in the Netherlands last year "Many patients are still in possession of the drugs when they come into hospital," he said. The woman may have died if she did not seek medical help, he added. Victoria's speaker and deputy speaker have sensationally quit on the eve of a forensic audit into whether they abused their parliamentary entitlements, plunging the Andrews Government into a fresh crisis. Days after Fairfax Media revealed that the former speaker, Telmo Languiller, had claimed almost $40,000 on a "second residence" allowance to live in Queenscliff while representing a western suburbs electorate, the Labor MP announced he would step down and return to the backbench. Hours later, Labor's deputy speaker Don Nardella - who had claimed more than $100,000 using the same taxpayer-funded allowance - also announced he would quit his post. Washington: By the measure of his spokesman Sean Spicer, Donald Trump is tracking towards dictatorship how else to explain Spicer barring "enemy" reporters from a White House media briefing, just weeks after he said open media access was "what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship". The unprecedented exclusion of CNN and The New York Times, among others, marked an escalation in Trump's war on the media and on a particular government agency that has provided sensational leaks on his presidency the FBI. On a day when the White House press office was corralling reporters on the basis of who were friends and who were not, Trump resorted to Twitter to slam the FBI and to issue what seemed like a presidential order for the agency to silence the media's secret sources in its ranks. Fired off in two bites, Trump's tweeted reprimand read: "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Paris: French President Francois Hollande fired back at Donald Trump on Saturday after the US president told a conservative conference that a friend thought "Paris is no longer Paris" after attacks by Islamist militants. Mr Hollande said Mr Trump should have more respect and support for US allies. "There is terrorism and we must fight it together," he said. "I think that it is never good to show the smallest defiance toward an allied country. I wouldn't do it with the United States and I'm urging the US president not to do it with France. An Indonesian suspect in the assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half-brother says she was paid the equivalent of $117 to help apply a baby oil-like liquid to his face. Siti Aisyah insisted to an Indonesian diplomat who met her in jail that she believed she was taking part in a prank. Malaysian police have revealed that nerve agent, which is classified as a chemical weapon under international laws, was dabbed on the eyes of 46-year-old Kim Jong-nam. He sought medical help after the attack at Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13 but died shortly afterwards on the way to hospital. Last week police rejected reports that 25-year-old Ms Siti and 28 year-old Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong believed they were taking part in the television show, Just for Laughs, and said they repeatedly trained for the act. Fort Lauderdale: The son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was reportedly detained by immigration officials at a Florida airport and questioned about being Muslim. Lawyer Chris Mancini has told Louisville's Courier-Journal 44-year-old Muhammad Ali Jr and his mother Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the second wife of Muhammad Ali, arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on February 7 after returning from Jamaica. Boxer Muhammad Ali's son has been detained at US airport. Credit:AP Mancini said officials questioned Ali Jr for nearly two hours, repeatedly asking him, "Where did you get your name from?" and "Are you Muslim?" Officials continued questioning Ali Jr after acknowledging he was Muslim, he said. Scientists are criticising the Australian government for its $11 million plan to unleash herpes on its carp population. The plan could lead to "catastrophic ecosystem crashes" and "constitutes a serious risk to global food security", researchers Jackie Lighten and Cock van Oosterhout warned in a letter published in the Nature Ecology and Evolution Journal. Australia has a serious carp problem. European carp were imported for fish farming in the 1850s, but some were accidentally released into the wild in the 1960s. Since then, their population has exploded and now millions are clogging key river arteries. The fish now constitute about 80 per cent of the aquatic biomass in the Murray River and the Murray-Darling Basin. They're destroying the ecosystem and starving out native wildlife in the process, costing an estimated $500 million a year in economic impact. Last year, the Turnbull government announced a new strategy to eliminate the fishy pest: releasing a strain of carp herpes into the wild to let the virus thin out the population. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Want the top crime stories from Bristol? Sign up for our new email updates on Crime & Punishment Three men have been charged with slavery offences after police discovered a cannabis farm in an underground nuclear bunker. Martin Fillery, 45, Plamen Nguyen, 27, and Ross Winter, 30, will appear in court on Saturday accused of conspiracy to produce the Class B drug, Wiltshire Police said. Police made the discovery of the plants, which they believe could have been worth more than 1 million, during a midnight raid this week at RGHQ Chilmark, a 1980s' bunker in Wiltshire. Nguyen and Winter, both of Bristol, and Fillery, of Pedwell, near Bridgwater in Somerset, were charged with conspiring to hold another person in slavery/servitude and abstracting electricity without authority. They will appear in custody at Swindon Magistrates' Court. Wiltshire Police added that three other men, all aged over 18, would be released without charge. Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up to our daily newsletter for the latest local and breaking news in Bristol. A man from Bristol ingested plastic after mistaking fragments found in a Tesco cheesecake for "really crunchy crumble". The disgruntled customer, who has asked not to be named, claims he mistook the small plastic pieces for the biscuit base of his Finest range strawberry and white chocolate cheesecake. The 31-year-old, from south Bristol, made the shocking discovery after purchasing the dessert from Callington Road's Tesco Extra in Brislington on January 12. "I got to the bottom of the cheesecake and, at first, I just thought it was really crunchy crumble," he told the Bristol Post. "But then I cut my gum on it and realised it was bits of plastic. I approached Tesco and they confirmed it was a manufacturing fault. "It was about the size of a penny and the shape of a triangle." The customer later received a full refund of 1.60 for the dodgy cheesecake as well as a complimentary 15 voucher to spend in-store. But this has not been enough to restore the customer's faith in Tesco, after he vowed to never again buy the supermarket's own-brand range. "They gave me a 15 voucher and an apology," he added, "but there could be other [faulty products] out there. "I will not get Tesco's own-brand again, no way. Their branded stuff I will buy but their own range? Not a chance. "I'd rather pop down to the local Co-op and pay an extra 50p for it." In a letter sent to the customer by Tesco on February 9, the fragments which were confirmed as plastic were found to have broken off from the cheesecake's container. The report, carried out by the supplier of the dessert, stated: "We have informed all staff to be vigilant when using these pots regarding potential contamination from any broken plastic pots or broken pieces of pot." A Tesco spokesperson added: "We have robust food quality processes in place during the preparation and packaging of this product, so we were concerned to hear about this incident. "Our suppliers have been informed and we are in contact with the customer." We have more newsletters Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Get the latest news from Bristol Courts straight to your inbox A 20-year-old who was caught using fake 50 notes to buy expensive phones through an online selling site has narrowly avoided jail. Bernard Lawrence was 19 when he used the fake cash to swindle two sellers on Gumtree out of the mobile phones, Bristol Crown Court heard. He had already been punished by magistrates for one offence, but it later emerged Lawrence had also carried out another, almost identical scam, which resulted in his second sentence today. The court heard Lawrence, of Kingsway, Little Stoke, bought a wad of fake 50 notes in Swindon and used them to buy phones listed for sale online. On two occasions he met with the sellers and handed over the fake cash in exchange for the phones but he was caught after police linked his mobile number to the offences. Lawrence was handed a nine month term in a youth detention facility, suspended for 12 months, for the unsophisticated scam. But Judge Michael Longman told Lawrence, who has learning difficulties, culprits involved in fake cash scams usually face jail. Offences related to counterfeit currency are serious not simply because of the loss to individuals, as there has been here, but because of the potential for undermining the economy, the judge said. They are almost always met with immediate custodial sentences. Prosecutor Alexander Small said Lawrences second victim had advertised an iPhone on Gumtree on January 21, 2016 and was contacted by Lawrence the following day. An agreement was reached to sell the phone for 300 and they would meet at The Bulldog pub, in Filton Avenue, said Mr Small. It was the victims brother who went to meet Lawrence and the phone was exchanged for the fake notes. The victim didnt realise until the cash, all in 50 notes, was taken to the bank one week later and the cashier said the money was counterfeit. The incident was reported to police and detectives linked the mobile number Lawrence used to contact the seller to a similar scam. It then emerged Lawrence had carried out a near-identical purchase using fake notes just days before. Judge Longman was told Lawrence had already been handed an exceptionally lenient sentence by magistrates for the first offence, when he was given a community order. Defending, Timothy Rose said: He is a man of limited intelligence, reference has been made to me about learning difficulties. He was 19 at the time and has been extremely naive. Mr Rose said the scam was completely unsophisticated. He added that Lawrence is a carer for two family members, including his disabled wife, and a custodial sentence would affect those. Judge Longman also ordered Lawrence to pay 300 in compensation. COLUMBUS A 23-year-old employee of a Columbus cellphone business is accused of leaving a back door unlocked and rigging a locking mechanism on an emergency exit at the companys building to allow an accomplice to slip inside after hours and raid the cash register. Taylor Krzycki is set for a felony first appearance hearing March 29 in Platte County Court stemming from his arrest for conspiracy to commit burglary in a Feb. 9 break-in at the U.S. Cellular location at 2280 33rd Ave., Suite 100. An undisclosed amount of cash was stolen in the break-in that was recorded by the buildings video surveillance system. Krzycki was freed from custody Feb. 17 after posting a $25,000 bond, 10 percent allowed for release. The defendant had not been formally charged by the county attorneys office as of Thursday. A Columbus Police investigation revealed no apparent pry marks or signs of forced entry on the cellphone business' back door, Officer Heath Haynes wrote in his probable cause arrest statement. Haynes wrote that the store manager reported that on Feb. 9 one of his employees, Krzycki, locked the rear door of the business when he took the trash out while personnel were getting ready to close for the night. Surveillance video footage revealed Krzycki removed what appeared to be a large piece of tape from a dispenser near the back door and placed it in his hand, Haynes wrote in his statement. The suspect then picked up the trash bag and exited through the back door. The suspect spends more than a minute outside disposing of the trash bag, more than three times the span of time it should have taken to walk outside to the trash dumpster and back, the officer wrote. Krzycki had plenty of time to tape the exit door open, Haynes wrote. It appears from the surveillance video that Krzycki is not the male subject that enters the business after hours and takes the money. Krzycki used his employment position to leave the back door to the business unlocked and used tape to manipulate the emergency exit door, the officer wrote. HS Football: North Penn upsets Pennsbury in instant playoff classic With the game on the line, North Penn coach Dick Beck opted to go for the win with a two-point conversion attempt against Pennsbury. LINCOLN -- Mark McHargue spent Tuesday morning inside a blue New Holland tractor pulling discs across corn fields and making phone calls to Washington, D.C., to plan a trip for next week. Next week when the weather isnt quite as nice, I probably wont be on the farm," he said. "Ill probably be on The Hill doing a little lobbying to help our representatives understand the importance of trade. We need to keep the new administration aware of how their decisions will be affecting agriculture, especially the agriculture of Nebraska. Agriculture is taking President Donald Trump at his word when he says he wants to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, a 1994 accord that lifted tariffs on most products moving between the United States, Canada and Mexico. And its making farmers and ranchers, who polls show overwhelmingly supported Trump during the campaign, nervous. If the administration is hell-bent on doing that (opening NAFTA), agriculture needs to have a seat at the table. We want to try to make sure any of the gains weve been able to achieve are protected, said Jordan Dux, director of national affairs for the Nebraska Farm Bureau, which wants Trump to leave NAFTA alone. We need to be very careful that any proposal that comes out does not harm the relationships and gains weve already made. Any time you throw around the word tariff, youre going to see us in distinct opposition. Even supporters of NAFTA admit the 20-year-old agreement isnt perfect and could use some updating. They just dont want to see the baby thrown out with the bath water. In fiscal 2016, the United States exported $134.8 billion in goods to the top three markets -- Canada, China and Mexico respectively -- according to the USDAs Foreign Agricultural Service. Far more often than not, U.S. agriculture has benefited from free trade agreements. Were very defensive of trying to ensure they stay in place, Dux said. Sen. Ben Sasse, a Nebraska Republican, wrote a letter to Trumps National Trade Council last week, warning about troubling developments that threaten U.S. corn exports to Mexico. "This administration should take careful steps not to threaten the gains achieved by Nebraska corn growers. This includes helping our trade partners understand the benefits of a strong relationship with the United States," Sasse wrote. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, also urged top Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro to remember agriculture. Bilateral agreements have to go through Congress, too. If the president can negotiate better deals for the United States, Im all for it, but I dont want to see anything that hurts major sectors of the economy, like agriculture, Grassley said in a statement on his website. Mexico is the top buyer of U.S. corn. In the 2015-16 marketing year, Mexico purchased 27 percent of all corn exported from the United States. The second largest buyer was Japan, at 23 percent. Mexico also is the second largest volume market for U.S. beef, although Canada spends more because it buys more expensive cuts. Japan is the biggest export market for U.S. beef. U.S. pork exports to Mexico and Canada have gone up steadily in the 20 years since NAFTA was signed, from less than $190 million in 1994 to more than $2 billion in 2013, according to the U.S. Meat Export Federation. Trump press secretary Sean Spicer has told reporters the administration is considering a 20 percent tariff on all goods shipped from Mexico to the U.S. to pay for a border wall between the two countries. In response, Mexican Sen. Armando Rios Piter pledged earlier this month to produce a bill to stop Mexico from buying U.S.-grown corn and buy from Brazilian and Argentinean suppliers instead. Trumps NAFTA-bashing got a warm welcome from free-trade critics who lament lost Rust Belt jobs and Americas trade deficit hitting a four-year high of $502.3 billion in 2016. But lost in those numbers is the fact that American agriculture has produced a trade surplus since the 1960s. USDA number crunchers reported the surplus at $16.6 billion last year and forecast it will grow to $21.5 billion for this year. Farmers and agribusinesses are urging both sides to tone down the rhetoric. Politicians say a lot of things, whether theyre in Mexico or the United States or any other country," said Dux. "This more controversial president has continued to raise the blood pressure of a lot of folks. Well have to wait and see what happens. "Rhetoric is one thing. Action is another. Norm Krug, a farmer in south-central Nebraska and CEO of Chapman-based Preferred Popcorn, spent last week in Cancun and Mexico City trying to calm and reassure buyers there. Nebraska is America's largest popcorn grower, and 45 percent of all U.S. popcorn is picked here. Mexico is by far the largest export market for the fluffy snack. They needed to hear from me that we value their business, Krug said. There are a lot of other countries that will happily take that business, if we dont. Krug said he received a warm welcome from his customers in Mexico, although they are concerned about talk of trade wars and newspapers there were filled with editorials encouraging people not to buy products from the United States. Yardley Friends Meeting at 65 N. Main Street in Yardley will host the documentary Organic Roots on Friday, November 18 at 7 p.m. Join director Al Johnson for a showing of this film followed by a discussion of the last 50 years of this movement. Organic foods are part of our life today and a tool in our concern for... Everything you need to know for MLS Cup 2022 In the 1994 Tamil film Kadhalan, Prabhudeva gyrated on top of a moving bus to the tune of AR Rahmans peppy composition Urvasi Urvasi. Cut to the Oscar-nominated drama Lion 22 years later. Saroo (Dev Patel) and his girlfriend Lucy (Rooney Mara) are on their way to their friends house for a lunch party in Melbourne when the song Urvasi Urvasi begins to play in the background. They do a little jig before they step into the house. The song continues to play inside. Their friends are watching Prabhudeva on television and trying to copy his rubbery moves even as the hook words Take it easy Urvasi urge them to relax. Funskool, a toy manufacturing company and part of MRF Ltd, is looking at expanding its presence to the Latin American and the erstwhile USSR market to increase its exports. The company, which is expected to clock in a revenue of Rs 220 crore this year, is also looking at acquisitions in the international market with the help of KPMG. The company aims to increase the share of exports in its business to 50 per cent a year, from 20 per cent currently. It exports toys to Europe, UK, US and Australia. Even though BJP and Shiv Sena are non committal about joining hands together in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), the Congress party internally has started deliberations weighing an option of extending support from outside to the Shiv Sena. The Congress party, which won 31 seats down from 52 in 2012 poll, hinted that the proposed arrangement may work on the one factor of opposition to the BJP. Foreign tourism boards and film commissions are stepping up their efforts to woo Indian production houses to film in their countries by offering tax incentives and free hotel stays. 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. Days after a scuffle broke between the ABVP and a group of protesting students of JNU at the Delhi University's north campus on Wednesday, a social media campaign criticising the ABVP for spreading violence in the university campus became popular. Ministry of Road Transport and and National Authority of India (NHAI) have achieved some traction as far as transfer of defence land for constructing highway projects is concerned. Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari today met Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to discuss pending issues of transfer of defence land for and shipping projects. No action will be taken against hospitals under the scanner for overcharging on if they refund the money to patients before receiving a demand notice, drug price regulator NPPA said. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) said the matter would end there for such hospitals if there were no further complaints. "If the hospitals under the scanner refund money to patients before NPPA issues 'demand notice', the matter ends till there is no new complaint," the regulator tweeted. If the hospitals under the scanner refund money to patients before NPPA issues 'demand notice', matter ends till there is no new complaint NPPAindia (@nppa_india) February 24, 2017 Explaining that a 'show cause notice' (SCN) is issued for seeking an explanation from the hospital or company, it added that a 'Demand Notice' (DN) is issued when a violation is proved. 'Show Cause Notice' (SCN) is for taking the explanation of the hospital/company while 'Demand Notice' (DN) issued when violation proved NPPAindia (@nppa_india) February 24, 2017 The regulator also said that "it would ensure complete audit of their angioplasty bills in the near future" but did not share details citing "request of patients who have got refunds and their concerns of follow-up need in the same hospitals". The NPPA had on Friday said that its helpline has received complaints against Oxygen Hospital in Rohtak, Haryana and Bharat Heart Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand for overcharging on . The regulator had earlier issued show cause notices to Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi and Nidaan Multispeciality Hospital, Sonepat, Haryana. It had also said it was investigating overpricing complaints against hospitals such as Lilavati Hospital (Mumbai), Max Saket (New Delhi), Metro Hospital (Faridabad), PGI Chandigarh, Ram Murti Hospital (Bareilly), and has alerted the concerned State Drug Controllers. However, Max Healthcare and Lilavati Hospital have said they are in compliance with NPPA guidelines and have not overcharged patients for . In a major relief to patients, the NPPA last week slashed prices of coronary stents by up to 85 per cent, capping them at Rs 7,260 for bare metal ones and Rs 29,600 for the drug-eluting variety. ALSO READ: Coronary stents get cheaper by up to 85% Malaysia will sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur airport for toxic chemicals after was murdered there with a nerve agent last week, as authorities said they would issue an arrest warrant if a North Korean diplomat wanted over the death did not come forward. on Saturday dismissed a British report that measures taken by it against pro-independence forces in last year's legislative elections in Hong Kong dented the confidence in the city's autonomy guaranteed during the transfer of power of the former British colony. "Hong Kong is China's Special Administrative Region. Hong Kong affairs are China's domestic affairs in which no foreign country has the right to interfere," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said in a statement here. He was reacting to the UK's report which stated that developments in Hong Kong have affected confidence in the city's autonomy, though its rule of law remained robust "despite challenges". The UK has been issuing periodically official reports to British Parliament over Hong Kong after Britain handed the former colony back to in 1997 with guarantees that it would retain extensive autonomy, an independent legal system and broad personal and commercial freedoms under a deal known as "one country, two systems". Hong Kong witnessed a series of pro-democracy protests with large participation of people over the past couple of years, with some group of people pushing for independence. "Over the past 20 years since the return of Hong Kong, the Chinese central government has been comprehensively implementing the principles of 'one country, two systems', 'Hong Kong people governing Hong Kong', Geng said. is strictly following the Constitution as well as the Basic Law, and fully supporting the Chief Executive and the Hong Kong government in administering law-based governance, he said, adding that Hong Kong continues enjoying prosperity and stability, and its residents enjoy every right and freedom they are entitled to in accordance with the law. "The British government has been releasing the so-called Six-Monthly Report to Parliament on Hong Kong on a regular basis since the return of Hong Kong, which we consistently and firmly oppose. We ask the British side not to release the relevant report and not to interfere in Hong Kong affairs," Geng said. The UK report said the events surrounding the last Legislative Council elections and the subsequent oath-taking saga have shaken people's confidence in the implementation of "one country, two systems" policy. While arguing the "one country, two systems" model continued to function well in the vast majority of areas, the British government urged the central and local authorities as well as all elected politicians to take steps to restore people's full confidence in them. "The period under review in this report nevertheless saw a number of developments which caused concern in Hong Kong and internationally with respect to the implementation of 'one country, two systems'," UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson wrote in the foreword to the latest biannual report on the former British colony. "These include the events surrounding the Legislative Council elections and the subsequent oath-taking by elected legislators; and continuing concerns about the exercise of rights and freedoms guaranteed by the Joint Declaration including freedom of expression and the freedom of the press," the report said. Johnson was referring to the months-long oath controversy triggered by pro-independence lawmakers-elect Sixtus Baggio Leung Chung-hang and Yau Wai-ching last year, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. The democratically elected pair were disqualified by a court after the government filed a legal bid over their anti- Beijing stance during a swearing-in ceremony including one of them displaying a banner "Hong Kong is not China". In response, China's Parliament the National People's Congress in a resolution interpreting the Basic Law agreed during the transfer of power stated that the city's lawmakers should be sworn in properly and only be given one chance to do so. The ruling effectively led to their disqualification. The UK Report said: "we did not question the right of the Standing Committee to issue this interpretation but were concerned about the timing of its release". Prior to that, six localist candidates were barred from running in the Legco elections because of questions over their commitment to the declaration that Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China. The UK report has also not satisfied the Hong Kong democracy activists who said it is inadequate. "The British government's claim in its Six-Monthly Report on HK that the 1Country2Systems continued to function well is out of reality," Joshua Wong Chi-fung, prominent pro-democracy activist, said. The substance that could be responsible for the death Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was the VX nerve agent, according to preliminary reports from Malaysian police. While being questioned for allegedly bribing South Koreas president, Samsung Groups is locked up at a prison notorious for housing convicted billionaires, a serial killer and the hangmans noose. That doesnt mean hes given up being the boss. An Indian couple working in a 24-hour grocery store in North Shore in the New York City borough of Staten Island cowered in the back of the store room, petrified. Their hearts raced as federal agents stormed homes in the New York City area rounding up illegal immigrants. Donald Trump has admitted that he "likes" Bernie Sanders, however, the feeling is clearly not mutual as the Senator lashed out at the President for his repeated attacks on the media saying that the former did not understand the core of democracy, "A president who attacks media that makes critical remarks about him does not understand what democracy is about," Bernie said taking to Twitter. This comes hours after Trump's speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he said, "A lot of Bernie people voted for Trump. You know why? Because he's right about one issue: trade. Our country is being absolutely devastated with bad trade deals. So, he was right about that. But we got a lot of Bernie support. So, actually, I like Bernie." Sanders, who has been particularly critical of Trump, had recently referred to the President as a "pathological" liar. The White House on Friday barred several media organizations from covering spokesman Sean Spicer's off-camera question-and-answer session. The list of organizations not allowed to attend included CNN, The New York Times, The Hill, Politico, BuzzFeed, the Daily Mail, BBC, the Los Angeles Times and the New York Daily News. Earlier on Friday, Trump reiterated his continued criticism of the media, saying that fake news is "the enemy of the people." "A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are - they are the enemy of the people," Trump said. Later in the day, the President took to Twitter to project the press as "a great danger" to America. "FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesn't tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad!," the President tweeted. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has asked the BJD and the Congress to apologise for failing to usher in development, rather than criticising Prime Minister Modi's remark on the state. "Some political parties are misleading over Prime Minister's remark made yesterday and the media has raised questions. It was natural for the ruling party to react as the Prime Minister had pointed out that Odisha was known for many years for poverty, illiteracy and unemployment, and now, its people have started fighting for their rights," said Pradhan. "BJD should realise that it has failed to improve the condition of the people during its 17 years of rule and that the Rajan Committee Report of 2013, when the BJP was not in power at the Centre, had placed Odisha as the least developed and most backward state, added Pradhan. The panchayat election outcome is "the beginning of a bigger change", Pradhan said, adding that the people have voted for BJP in a big way as they are fed up with the "inert, inefficient and corrupt" BJD government in the state. Panchayat elections will be held to 853 seats in the zilla parishads, 6665 seats in the panchayat samitis, 6801 sarpanches and 92,029 wards. Fifty per cent of the seats are reserved for women. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condemning Congress leader Digvijay Singh for his 'derogatory' tweet against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday demanded strict action against the former, while asserting that he should be suspended from the grand old party. "We strongly condemn Digvijay Singh's remark. It is unfortunate that Congress has such kind of leaders. The party on which Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru used to feel proud once, has a leader like Digvijay Singh now who uses derogatory language for the Prime Minister," BJP leader Siddharthnath Singh told ANI. Singh also demanded an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi over the same. Escalating the controversy over the 'donkey' barb, Digvijay Singh said that the Prime Minister has indeed worked like a donkey. "Modi ji, you very rightly said that you indeed work like a donkey," he tweeted. Digvijay Singh's remark came on the backdrop of Prime Minister Modi's assertion that he takes inspiration from loyal and hard working donkey. "The people of this country are my masters, I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night...donkeys are loyal to their master," Prime Minister had said while addressing rally in Bahraich. The Prime Minister made the statement targeting Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, who had ridiculed tourism advertisement for Gujarat that features donkey. "There comes an advertisement on Television that features donkeys. I will ask the megastar of this century (Amitabh Bachchan) to stop campaigning for donkeys," Akhilesh Yadav had said while addressing a poll rally in Rae Bareli. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday ruled out an alliance with the Congress Party to achieve a majority in the Brihanmumbai Municipality Corporation (BMC). "BJP won't ally with Congress at any point or at any cost. Whoever wants to go with them, can go, we won't say a single word," Fadnavis said. The chief minister also hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his transparent brand of politics. Meanwhile, Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, leader Sanjay Nirupam also declined to join hands with the Shiv Sena for control of the country's richest civic body. "We have decided that the Congress party is not going to align with the Shiv Sena for the BMC polls," Nirupam media here. Nirupam said that the some Shiv Sena leaders approached there party, but the Congress has categorically declined, saying that they can't ally with a communal party that does politics based on caste and religion. "We are in talks with other political parties whose ideology matches with us. We will be present as a strong opposition in the BMC," he said. On the other hand, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut dismissed reports of a possible amalgamation with the Congress party saying, "Mayor will be from Shiv Sena only, wait till March 9; We haven't approached Congress for alliance, reports are false." Speculation is rife over the Sena (84 seats) teaming up with the Congress (31 seats) to reach the majority figure of 114 in the 227-member civic body. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 82 of the council's 227 seats and eight out of the ten major municipalities, while the Shiv Sena at 84 is marginally ahead. None of the parties could get near the majority mark of 114 in the mayoral polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Reacting to the controversy over the certification of the upcoming movie 'Lipstick Under My Burkha,' veteran director Shayam Benegal has reckoned that banning a film is totally unacceptable. "I am totally against the fact that CBFC should ban a movie or ask the filmmaker to cut some scenes. I have always stood up for classification of films, not censoring them," Benegal told ANI here. He also shared how the Information and Broadcasting Ministry, formed a committee to look at all the aspects of classification and censorship of films. "Information and Broadcasting Ministry formed a committee and I was a part of that committee. We did a report in two parts and looked at all the aspects of classification and censorship of films. The first part of the report was submitted in April 2016 and the concluding report in October 2016. Till this date, no comment has been made by them. But there were reports that the government is going to adopt most of the recommendations, " Benegal added. The 82 year-old asserted that the reasons given by the CBFC in this case make no sense and expressed shock at hearing such things. "What are they even trying to say? Are they saying women's fantasies are worse than men's fantasies? I cannot understand. I don't think CBFC is there to tell the public, what they should see and what they should not see." 'Lipstick Under My Burkha,' won the Spirit of Asia Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Patiala House Court on Saturday extended three days remand of 1988 batch IAS B.L. Agrawal and two others in connection with the Chhattisgarh bribery case. Agarwal along-with the other accused, namely Bhagwan Singh and Anand Agarwal has already spent five days in Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) custody. According to the CBI, the fourth accused Syed Burhanuddin, who was caught in Hyderabad is yet to be questioned in presence of the others accused. CBI has alleged that prime accused B.L. Agarwal was trying to escape the investigation through certain mediators with monetary favours. The mediators have not yet been identified. As of now, the CBI is conducting an operation for recovering several hawala transactions worth lakhs of rupees. Two cases were previously registered against Agarwal and a chargesheet has been filed against him regarding the same. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China has seconded the recently launch military operation Raddul Fasaad by Pakistan as a counter-terrorism measure, after a series of bloody terrorist assaults across the country. "China understands and supports Pakistan in taking necessary measures to cement its counter-terrorism achievements, maintain domestic security and stability, and protect people's life and property. We believe that with the joint efforts of the Pakistani government, military and people, Pakistan will surely claim the final victory in its counter-terrorism endeavour," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at a regular press conference on Friday. Pakistan Army on Wednesday launched its anti-terrorist offensive following a surge in recent terror attacks in the country, the latest being the the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine suicide attack that claimed the lives of more than 100 people. According to the Army, the operation aims at indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Clearing the air over the possible alliance between the Shiv Sena and the Congress in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary and former union minister Gurudas Kamat on Saturday refuted the coalition between both the parties. "I take strong objection to any discussion even of having any tie up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC," said Kamat in a statement. He further said that the Congress has fought against both the saffron parties all along for their divisive policies and people would not spare them if they even attempt to align with Shiv Sena. "Let them sort out their problems by themselves and in the process expose themselves and their lust for power," Kamat added. Kamat also said that he had informed party vice president Rahul Gandhi of his opinion. Speculation over Shiv Sena-Congress BMC pact has been rife as reports emerged that Sena (84 members) would team up with the Congress (31 members) to reach the majority mark of 114 in the 227-member civic body. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 82 of the council's 227 seats and eight out of the ten major municipalities, while the Shiv Sena at 84 is marginally ahead. None of the parties could get near the majority mark of 114 in the mayoral polls. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the Congress party is dividing people by spreading lies about the Centre compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur by signing an accord with the Socialist Council of Nagaland -- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) insurgent group. "People have been talking about the accord with the Nagas. I want to ask the CM, were you sleeping for 1.5 years? You never wrote a letter to Centre seeking details. I alone revealed everything about the accord to the Congress. They are dividing the people of Manipur by spreading lies," Prime Minister Modi said at a rally in Imphal. He said the Congress has made Manipur their political battle ground where they have been pitting one community against another for personal gain. "In order to win elections and they are making people fight against each other. They pitted one brother ageist another. They don't care about the people of Manipur, all they care about grabbing power. They don't deserve to be in the government," Prime Minister Modi said. The Prime Minster assured the people that the Naga accord would not jeopardise the territorial integrity of the state. "Whom would you believe, the Chief Minister who has been spreading lies for the last 15 years or Prime Minister who has been working diligently for 2.5 years, I leave that to you. I want to assure you that we are not jeopardizing the territorial integrity of the Manipur," he said. The Prime Minister also said that if the BJP comes to power the people would not have to face the brunt of month long economic blockade. "I urge you to let the BJP serve the people of Manipur. Just give us 5 years. You gave Congress 15 years. In 15 months, we'll do what they haven't achieved," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condemning the statement made by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Panthers Party leader Bhim Singh said Abdullah should apologise to the people of Jammu and Kashmir whom he has looted. "I want Farooq Abdullah to express his apology to Jammu and Kashmir and to people whom he served as a Central Minister. Especially those whom he looted all his life. Only after that the locals pick up arms in Kashmir, will he be neutralised," said Bhim Singh. "I have the same reaction as the country is giving now, and he (Farooq Abdullah ) should be condemned for all the wrong doings. His family has earned lot through corruption and has also built houses from that money. He is nothing more than a traitor, Bhim Singh added. Farooq Abdullah, had on Friday told the workers of the Nawa-e-Subh party that the Kashmiri youth were sacrificing their lives to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners," Abdullah said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Embassy of India in the United States has assured that it is closely monitoring the tragic incident, wherein an Indian engineer was shot dead and another was injured in Kansas. The Indian Consulate in Houston, in a statement, on Saturday also said that it was in close contact with the family of the deceased - Srinivas Kuchibhotla. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," it added. The government officials have also met with the injured victim - Alok Madasani. The statement added, "The Government of India has also taken up the matter with the U.S. authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. The U.S. Government, while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter." The United States Embassy had also strongly condemned the shooting in Kansas and assured that justice will be delivered and the federal authorities are investigating the case. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kuchibhotla. We share their grief, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured. We have reached out to Indian consular officials to offer full support as they assist the victims," the Embassy said in a statement. Expressing full faith in the U.S. legal authorities for bringing the case to justice, the Embassy further informed that the shooter is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. According to the local U.S. media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51, who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after he allegedly blasted off several rounds of fire on Thursday. The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. At least one witness has claimed that Purtinton yelled 'get out of my country' and also heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) File photo of supporters of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf rallying against Altaf Hussain, leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement Interpol has refused to issue a red warrant against Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain, saying it does not intervene in political and religious matters of a state. According to senior official of the Interior Ministry Interpol had sought a clarification from the Pakistan government over the request for issuance of the red warrant against Hussain, besides asking for details of the sedition charges against him, reports the Dawn. The official said the Interpol communication was being examined at the highest level and would be responded to over the next two weeks. Interpol notices are issued to police in 190 different countries to help track fugitives and share information about wanted criminals. There are eight types of notices, seven of which are colour-coded by their function: red, blue, green, yellow, black, orange and purple. The most well-known is the red notice which is the closest instrument to an arrest warrant in use today. The eighth - special notice - is issued at the request of the United Nations Security Council. The Federal Investigation Agency recently sent a written request to Interpol for issuance of the red warrant against the MQM founder living in self-exile in London. The documents annexed with the request included a copy of the FIR registered against Hussain for delivering a hate speech on August 22 last year through a video link inciting the party workers on hunger strike outside the Karachi Press Club to attack some media houses, and documents pertaining to subsequent investigations into the matter, besides a court order declaring Hussain a fugitive. The JD (U) on Saturday defended Farooq Abdullah's controversial remark that the youth joining militant ranks are 'sacrificing their lives for freedom of the valley', saying that the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir knew the happenings of the state much better than anyone else and there was no reason to doubt his nationalism. "Farooq Abdullah knows Jammu and Kashmir well and his intention was that the youth in Kashmir are not part of conventional politics, they are alienated from it and are misguided in seeking Azadi which is wrong," JD (U) leader Pavan Varma told ANI here. He further noted that the youth in the Valley need to be brought back into the mainstream through a process of reaching out, which goes beyond merely the use of force. Calling on both the state and central government to step up their efforts in helping the troubled youth in the state, Varma added that there was nothing wrong with Abdullah's intentions. However, taking a jibe at Abdullah, Union Minster M Venkaiah Naidu said that after losing power in the state, Abdullah had changed his 'tone and tune'. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah while addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar said," Today, when our boys are reading sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners." His statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In what may spark a fresh controversy, Hindu Samhati president, Tapan Ghosh on Saturday said that women should wear 'bindi' and Hindu men should sport 'tilak' on their forehead to avoid incidents like Kansas shooting. "I am not much interested about 'tika' and all but today due to radical Muslims, the atmosphere is volatile. To save oneself from this, one must wear 'tika' and 'bindi'. Although terrorism do not belongs to any particular religion, I want Hindus to be safe and secure," Ghosh told ANI. Ghosh's statement comes on the backdrop of Kansas shooting that took place yesterday claiming the life of an Indian engineer and wounding another. Two Indian engineers- Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani- were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed while Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman. The accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his "America first" agenda. However, the White House has attempted to downplay notions that there was any correlation between the incident and President Donald Trump's stance on immigrants. Noting that the incident was tragic indeed, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer asserted that it was "absurd" to draw parallels between with the President's rhetoric. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the special screening for 'Rangoon' held at the Yash Raj Film, actress Kriti Sanon was all praise from producer Sajid Nadiadwala and the work done by its lead actors. The 'Heropanti' star looks up to Sajid as her mentor and hence, took to Twitter to share her words of praises for him. The actress tweeted, "Love the way you support such different kinds & genres of cinema @NGEMovies!! #Sajid sir ? @WardaNadiadwala." Sajid has made films of different genres such as 'Highway', 'Housefull', '2 States', 'Dishoom' and even 'Heropanti'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minsiter Nirmal Singh on Saturday said laders like Conference president Farooq Abdullah responsible for the prevailing crisis in the state. over his recent statement that the are 'sacrificing their lives for freedom of the valley and said that this kind of attitude of certain leaders has led to the crisis in J-K. Singh told ANI that Abdullah's remark of youth joining the ranks of militants for freedom needs to be condemned strongly. Jammu and Kashmir said that the Abdullah's remark is highly condemnable and his support to the terrorist and the separatist is very 'unfortunate'. Singh accused Abdullah of double standards and not speaking in one voice to resolve the crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. "This is an attempt of the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister to spiked the confused minds of kashmiri youths,"Singh said. Information and Broadcast Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that Abdullah keeps changing his 'tone and tune'. On Friday, Farooq Abdullah told workers of Nawa-e-Subh party," Today, when our boys are reading sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners." His statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Minister of State for External Affairs, M. J. Akbar will pay an official visit to Mali from February 28 to March 4, and to Congo from March 5 and 6. During his visit to Mali, Akbar will call on President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Modibo Keita. He will also co-chair the first India-Mali Joint Commission meeting along with the Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop. The Joint Commission will include wide ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest to India and Mali. The minister will also visit Timbuktu and present a cheque of USD 0.5 million as India's support to Mali towards restoration of its heritage. In Congo, Akbar will call on President Denis Sassou Nguesso and meet with Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso. Discussions will focus on issue of mutual threat to the two countries. Akbar will also be interacting with the Indian community in both countries. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took a dig at Ibobi Okram Singh, stating the Manipur Chief Minister was infamous for taking 10 percent commission as bribe. "Have you ever heard a 10 percent chief minister? At first I did not understand what it meant. When I asked the people, they said told me that I would not understand," Prime Minister Modi said during a rally in Imphal. He said for 15 years the Congress-led government in the state denied development in the state. Asserting that the people need a corruption free government, the Prime Minister said, "No we need a zero percent chief minister, we need a zero percent government only then the people would be benefitted." Prime Minister Modi also slammed Singh for failing to resolve month long economic blockade despite getting assistance from the Centre. "The Indian constitution dictates that the responsibility falls on the state government. The state government has the responsibility to provide essential commodities to the people. Isn't it the state government's responsibility to provide essential commodities such as sugar and salt, medicines and pulses? Still there are protests on the streets. People don't have grains. What kind of a government is that? This is a clear example of their failure," he said. He also stated that for the past 40 years, no Prime Minister of the country has come to northeast for the North East Council meeting. "When Morarji Desai was the Prime Minister, he came for an NSC meeting. I was the first prime minister after 40 years who came here for the meeting," he said. He said that the youth of Manipur are unable to secure jobs on the basis of merit. "Jobs have been categorized according to different rates. If you want to be a teacher - pay a certain amount; same for being a cop or a chef at a minister's house. How is this allowed to go on?" He also urged the people to let the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) serve people of Manipur and assured developmental works would be undertaken within 15 months. "I urge you to let the BJP serve the people of Manipur. Just give us 5 years. You gave them 15 years. In 15 months, we'll do what they haven't," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has condemned the 'senseless violence' in Kansas that claimed life of an Indian engineer and wounded another. "There's no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella, who was born in India and later moved to the US, tweeted on Saturday. Two Indian engineers- Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani- were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. The accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his "America first" agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administration's sharp language about immigration. Earlier, Nadella was also vocal against the controversial executive order on immigration and travel ban by President Trump. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Condemning statements made by former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Nalin Kohli said locals picking up arms in Kashmir will be neutralized. "Mr. Farooq Abdullah's statement is condemnable for many reasons. He has held office both at the centre and at the state, he has sworn by the constitution and what he is saying is trying to create a justification for terrorism. Militants or terrorist who pick up the gun and kill innocent people will be neutralized or will be arrested as per the security forces and their mandate," said Kohli. "Anyone who finds a justification for violence or justification for terrorism is directly or indirectly contributing to that thinking, and is also on the side of inhumanity, because terrorism and violence is not on the side of humanity," he added. Farooq Abdullah, while addressing the workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar had said that the Kashmiri youth were sacrificing their lives to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners," Abdullah said. Kohli also shunned Congress leader P. Chidambaram's statement regarding the centre's policies towards curbing dissent in the Kashmir valley. "When in office, they (Congress) have one stand, when out of office they speak in an exactly diametrically opposite manner. Is this a correct approach for issues, is this the correct approach for issues that are of critical security importance. Is this an approach that should be expected from a party?" he asked. Chidambaram had yesterday said that the Kashmir valley was nearly lost because of the brutal use of force by the central government for curbing dissent. "Seven million persons of Kashmir valley felt alienated by the oppressive methods of the Indian government, which was a terrible mistake," Chidambaram said while addressing a meeting organised by Manthan-a public discourse platform in Hyderabad. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) British journalist Piers Morgan, who has never shied away from showing support for U.S. President Donald Trump, has once again batted for the latter. Morgan on Friday tweeted in agreement with the White House barring a few media organisations from attending a meeting, held by White House press secretary Sean Spicer. "No President in US history attacked freedom of the press more than Obama.... Worth remembering that as this Trump/media hysteria rages," he posted on Twitter. Instituting scathing attacks on former US president Barack Obama one after the other, Morgan replied to a few, who commented on the previous tweet, and held Obama responsible for Trump's nerve to target the media. Morgan's defence of Trump came hours after the White House blocked several news organisations - CNN, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and BuzzFeed - from an off-camera press briefing. The administration, however, defended its move, citing they had 'the pool there, so, everyone would be respresented and get an update'. Earlier, Trump had mocked the news media at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). He said that much of the press represents "the enemy of the people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Branding Conference President Farooq Abdullah 'opportunist' for criticising BJP-PDP coalition, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday said the former has changed his tone because he has lost the power. "This is wrong. Just because he is out of power he has changed his tone and tune. Farooq Abdullah says people are unhappy because Mufti Mohammad Sayeed party PDP has joined hands with communal elements. You joined hands with BJP and became chief minister during Atal Bihari Vajpaye period. So BJP was secular when you joined hands with us and make you and your son the chief minister. Now Mufti and his daughter became chief minister then it becomes communal," Union Minister for Information and broadcasting Venkaiah Naidu told the media here. Hitting out at Abdullah for his 'opportunistic' and 'double talk', Naidu further said the former has been thoroughly exposed. Abdullah yesterday slammed Jammu and Kashmir's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for allying with BJP while saying that people would not tolerate it as late chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had promised that they would not side with 'communal forces'. "People of the valley are disgruntled with state government allying with 'communal forces", Abdullah said while addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has warned that delay in the settlement of the Kashmir dispute could 'spell disaster for regional peace'. "The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir," Pakistan daily Dawn quoted Hussain who was speaking at a function held for the birth anniversary of Pakistan's founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Hussain also called upon the international community to assist with the Kashmir dispute. The statement comes a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed desire to have cordial relations with India. "We [Pakistan and India] should maintain good relations and avoid involving in conspiracies against each other," Sharif was quoted by Pakistan media, as saying . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan has been made functional and the government has allowed its holy water to be exported. "The water from this well is like what Aab-i-Zamzam is to Muslims. Now, the well has been shaped and a filtration plant has been set up over it so that Sikh devotees can drink the water," The Dawn quoted Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq, as saying to a Senate committee on Friday. Farooq said that three ancient gurdwaras visited by the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak, have also been reopened. "The doors of these gurdwaras - one in Peshawar and two in the Nankana Sahib district - were closed after partition, and now they have been handed over to the Sikh community after renovation," he said adding, "the most considerable achievement is the opening of the holy well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Its water is called Amrit Jal by the Sikhs, and the government has allowed for the water to be exported all over the ." He said Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Nankana Sahib is where Baba Guru Nanak is believed to have spent the final years of his life. The committee was informed that the government is in the process of allowing the printing of the Sikh religious text the Gurugranth Sahib. Committee chairman Senator Hafiz Hamdullah asked during the ETPB official's briefing why the gurdwaras and the holy well had been closed for so many years. Instead of addressing the question, officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, Secretary Khalid Masood and ETPB officials remained silent. To this, Hamdullah said it was not the right path to keep anyone from following their religion. "We need to be considerate and facilitate, as much as possible, the members of other religious to worship at their temples or gurdwaras or churches. Whatever the reason for their closure, we should try to maintain them and hand them over to the concerned community," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trump administration officials have downplayed an intelligence report by the Homeland Security Department (DHS) that contradicts the White House's main argument for implementing a travel ban on seven predominantly Muslim countries. According to Fox News, the report that was viwed by some media outlets determined that the "country of citizenship is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity." The Trump administration has taken the position that immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries should be blocked from the U.S. due to their terror risk. Trump used terrorism a primary justification when he announced the now court-blocked travel ban in late January. The intelligence report found that in the past six years, foreign-born individuals who were "inspired" to strike in the U.S. came from 26 different countries. A senior administration official told The Wall Street Journal that the DHS report's assessment overlooked key information and the finished product that the White House requested has not been completed. The White House called the report politically motivated. Officials said it overlooked some information that supported the ban. The draft report determined that few people from the countries Trump listed in his travel ban have carried out attacks or been involved in terrorism-related activities in the U.S. since Syria's civil war started in 2011. Gillian Christensen, a DHS spokeswoman, does not dispute the report's authenticity, but says it was not a final comprehensive review of the government's intelligence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Still under fire for his "enemies of the people" barb directed towards certain sections of the U.S. media, President Donald Trump has done it again by projecting the press as "a great danger" to America. "FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesn't tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad!," the President said taking to Twitter. This comes after the President had earlier repeated his controversial "enemies of the people" taunt for the press at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), where he continued to lash out at the "dishonest media" and made an ominous promise saying that "we're going to do something about it." Trump released some of his intense wrath for the media, repeating his description of them as "enemies of the people". "A few days ago, I called the fake news 'the enemy of the people', and they are. They are the enemy of the people," he said. "Because they have no sources. They just make them up where there are none." However, he claimed he was not against all the press, just "the fake news media or press". In particular, Trump complained about the use of anonymous sources and accused news outlets of making up sources for damaging reports about his administration. "I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources," he said. "The fake news doesn't tell the truth. It doesn't represent the people. It will never represent the people and we're going to do something about it," the President said, however, not explaining what that might be. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deputy Election Officer Mahendra Kumar on Saturday said that the Election Commission is investigating a case registered against Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya. "We are investigating the issue whether voting slip is being distributed or not . On the day of voting Keshav Prasad Maurya voted with party symbol. Orders are given to investigate the issue," he said. Maurya landed himself in trouble for displaying the party's poll symbol 'lotus' at the time of exercising his franchise at a booth in Allahabad. According to reports, Maurya was wearing a 'lotus' printed jacket when he arrived at the booth to cast his vote. The leader proceeded to the EVM machine wearing the same jacket and exercised his franchise. When the matter was brought to the administration's notice, Allahabad DM Sanjay Kumar ordered a Magistrate level enquiry and sought a detailed report. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 42 persons were killed as six suicide bombers detonated themselves at two security headquarters in Syria's central province of Homs on Saturday, a monitor group said. Three of the suicide bombers blew themselves up in al-Ghouta area and the other three in Mahata, Xinhua news agency reported. The suicide attacks were coupled with clashes in the areas. Homs Governor Talal Barazi said most of the dead were security personnel. He said Colonel Sharaf Hasan Daboul, the head of military intelligence branch in Homs, and Colonel Darwish, the chief of state security branch, were also killed. Barazi said the death toll was over 30 and 34 persons were injured. But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitor group said 42 persons were killed in the ghastly attacks. It is the first deadly bombing in a while in Homs, as the Syrian Army took control of the city, with efforts ongoing to dislodge rebels from the countryside of that key province. The Governor said the bombings came in retaliation to the victories of the Syrian Army on "ground", and the "political victories" the Syrian delegation to the intra-Syrian talks in Geneva were making. Meanwhile, the state TV said Al Qaeda linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility of the bombings. The Nusra Front was excluded, along with the Islamic State (IS) group, from a recent nationwide ceasefire that went into force in Syria on December 30. --IANS py/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A majority of Americans disapprove of the way President Donald Trump is handling his job after a month in office, according to a poll. The poll by NBC News and SurveyMonkey suggests that 53 per cent of people are not satisfied by his actions, compared to 43 per cent who approve, NBC News reported. More than 30 per cent were angry by the way the federal government was performing. The survey also found that nearly two-thirds of Americans were worried the country will become engaged in a major war in the next four years. Of those, 36 per cent said they were "very worried" about the US becoming involved in a conflict during Trump's term. The findings of the poll, suggested that Americans were largely split on Trump's executive order on immigration and ObamaCare, which he has pledged to repeal and replace. Half approved of Trump's temporary ban on travellers from seven Muslim-majority nations, while 47 per cent disapproved. Fifty-two per cent of those surveyed had a favourable view of the Affordable Care Act, while 45 per cent saw it unfavourably. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The AIIMS resident doctors on Saturday said "infrastructure lacunae" in the maternity operation theatre (OT) was the main reason behind a staff nurse's death during an operation. The doctors' reaction comes days after AIIMS terminated one of its resident doctors following the nurse's death during caesarean operation. The resident doctors of anesthesia department have written to Health Minister J.P. Nadda to reconsider the decision. Calling the final report by AIIMS administration as inappropriate, the doctors have said that there was an infrastructure lacunae in the back table of the maternity OT, where the staff nurse Rajbir Kaur was operated, leading to her death. "We have found a number of infrastructure lacunae in the back table of the maternity OT, where Kaur was operated which directly contributed to poor outcome in her case," says the letter written to Nadda, also the president of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). According to the resident doctors, the back table in the maternity OT is never meant for general anesthesia practice as it lacks basic life saving facilities. N. Nisa -- a senior resident doctor at anaesthesia department of AIIMS -- was terminated by the AIIMS committee on February 21. A committee was constituted to investigate the alleged negligence by doctors. Kaur had suffered a cardiac arrest during the surgery on February 4, leading to her death. The resident doctors from the anaesthesia department have also raised questions on the inclusion of Head of Gynaecology and Obstetrics department Alka Kriplani in the committee to investigate the incident. Resident doctors said that Nisa had clearly denied Kaur's case initially, considering the maternal safety issues for conducting anaesthesia in back table. The doctors from the anesthesia department have also said that the conclusion of the committee, which had found Nisa not to be present during the caeserian section, was based on the testimony of witness working directly under the control of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and under the influence of head of the department Alka Kriplani. --IANS rup/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actor Anupam Kher has wrapped up shooting for the TV series "The Indian Detective" here. Anupam took to Twitter to share the news with his fans and thanked the cast and crew for their love. "And it is a wrap for the series 'The Indian Detective' in Cape Town. Thank you cast and entire crew for your love and warmth. Russell Peters," Anupam tweeted on Friday night. The 61-year-old,who will be seen as actor-comedian Russell Peters's father in "The Indian Detective", added that shooting for the series in Cape Town was a joy. "Thank you for the beautiful city and the people of Cape Town for making my stay memorable. Shooting our series 'The Indian Detective' here was a joy," he added. Anupam also shared few photographs from the set. In one photograph, he can be seen posing alongside Peters. In another image, he is seen with the entire cast and crew of the series. --IANS dc/sas/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The West Bengal government on Saturday summoned authorities of a city based private hospital for allegedly having refused to release a patient over money and even taking possession of his fixed deposit certificates. Against the backdrop of a series of complaints of "unethical moneymaking" and "negligence" against private hospitals that even prompted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to give their managements an unprecedented public tongue lashing earlier this week, the government said it would look into the latest incident involving the Apollo Gleneagles Hospital in "greater details". "We are not completely satisfied with the explanation given by the hospital officials. The case would be looked into in greater detail. The state government is disappointed and disturbed over the incident. If these kind of things keep happening where would the common people go," state Health Secretary R.S. Shukla said after meeting three top executives of the hospital. Sanjoy Roy, 30, a resident of Dankuni in Hooghly district, who was critically injured in a road accident, died on Thursday night at the state-run SSKM Hospital where he was shifted from Apollo hours back. Roy's relatives and friends accused Apollo of "inadequate treatment" even while raising a huge bill and refusing to allow him to be shifted to SSKM unless they paid up the full amount. They alleged that the hospital delayed his discharge and relented only after they deposited fixed deposit certificates. "A hospital should focus more on saving a patient's life than worrying about the bills. If a poor family like them could pay Rs 7, 60,000 to the hospital and deposit a fixed deposit of more than Rs 3 lakh, why could such a big hospital not release the patient and take the payment later by cheque?" Shukla asked. "This issue is more shocking as the incident happened just a day after the Chief Minister held a meeting with the hospital authorities and urged them to address issues like this. I think the hospital did not show a humane approach in this case that the Chief Minister was talking about," he said. The Health Secretary also said that preliminary documents submitted by the hospital shows that they did not follow the Supreme Court's order about admitting accident victims. "According to the Supreme Court's order, any hospital, whether public or private, should admit critical patients like accident victims, rape victims or acid attack victims immediately without taking money but the receipt shows, the patient party had to pay Rs 30,000 immediately after patient's admission," he said. "According to specialists, the treatment of this patient could have been simplified to make it less expensive but that was not done. Steps would be taken if any discrepancy is found in the medical bills," he added. --IANS mgr/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday hit back at allegations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that his government was patronising copy mafia in the state, and said it was in fact the BJP which was a master in copying. Addressing an election rally in Siddharthanagar, the Chief Minister accused the BJP of "copying" the manifesto of the Samajwadi Party, including poll promises like free laptops to students. He however also went on to justify copying during the exams and said "Who does not cheat a little bit to pass in exams." Asking the people to respond to whether they had copied in their childhood or not, the Chief Minister said that there was almost none who did not cheat during exams in school life. "We are talking of laptops, smartphones and development and the BJP is talking of graveyards and crematoriums," the 43-year-old SP national president said. He was referring to Modi's speech on Sunday during an election rally, where he said: "If a village receives funds for a graveyard, then it should also get for a cremation ground... If you provide uninterrupted power supply for Eid, then you should also do it for Holi." Akhilesh Yadav said the SP was a party of the youth, farmers and the poor. He took on Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief and arch rival Mayawati and said that people dozed off in her rallies and she read out long speeches. Warning the people against the BSP, which he claimed had entered into a secret pact with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Akhilesh Yadav said nobody wants a government which was only busy building parks and installing statues - referring to Mayawati's stint as Chief Minister when she had built parks and installed statues of BSP leaders and the party symbol of elephant. --IANS md/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to make a state visit to India later this year, India's High Commissioner-designate to Canada Vikas Swarup said here on Saturday. "We expect the Canadian Prime Minister to visit India sometime later this year," Swarup, who served as the spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry, said on the occasion of his farewell party. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Canada in April 2015 during which India inked a multi-million-dollar deal for uranium to power its civilian nuclear programme for five years and also inked 13 agreements, including on skill development, following talks with then Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Modi's was the first Indian prime ministerial visit to Canada in 42 years. Justin Trudeau, the son of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, assumed office in November 2015. Of Canada's population of over 35 million, around 1.3 million people are of Indian origin. --IANS ab/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Looking for a sparkling pool for a refreshing mental swim? Head Downtown to the Sanitary Tortilla Factory on Friday, March 3 , from 6-9pm to experience Deep Waters, Thin Places . SCA Contemporary is presenting new art by Erin Fussell in which she transforms Embudo Dam in the Sandia Foothills. Works include video, performance, sound, lithography and sculpture. All ages are welcome and the event is free . And if you're especially intrigued by the artwork, make sure not to miss the artist talk on Thursday, March 23, from 6-7pm. (Renee Chavez) An immersive installation of video, performance, sound, lithography and sculpture. Artist Erin Fussell transforms an urban desert flood control dam into a creative site. Runs through 3/31. By Erin Fussell March 3-31, 2017 Opening, First Friday, March 3, 6-9pm Artist Talk, Thursday, March 23, 6-7pm Fussell looks at the space conceptually as a reflection of a possible internal state of being. Culturally, we build flood control systems" within ourselves as well to live in the world. The artist's work poses an important question, when should we control it and when should we let it flood? In one video, performers interpret visual scores inspired by engineering plans of Embudo Dam on the dam in the Sandia Foothills. Water rushes uncontrolled in another. Wooden sculptures that mimic elements of the concrete dam structure recall the materiality of the site versus the gallery, point to the relationship between the natural and build environment. The work affords the viewer the ability to reinterpret everyday landscape and experience space, both internally and externally. The Sanitary Tortilla Factory is pleased to present Deep Waters, Thin Places, new work by Erin Fussell as the first of two exhibitions in the 2017 Exceptional Visual Artist Scholar Series. The Exceptional Scholar Series offers professional space for the culminating exhibition that defines the students launch into their profession as an artist. The series hopes to underscore exceptional artists attending regional institutions while highlighting Albuquerques historic connection to contemporary art practice. Supported in part by Albuquerque Public Art and celebrating Marchs regional Women in Creativity. Sanitary Tortilla Factory, 401 2nd St. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87102 Gallery Hours: Thursdays and Fridays 12-5pm, or by appointment Ph. 505-228-3749 About the artist: Erin Fussell is an interdisciplinary artist working in New Mexico. After growing up in watery Portland, Oregon and traveling extensively, Fussell draws inspiration from the desert landscape. She is currently the John Gaw Meem Architecture and Design Fellow at the Center for Southwest Research and an alumni SITE Santa Fe Scholar. Deep Waters, Thin Places is her MFA thesis show for the Art and Ecology program at the University of New Mexico and part of Albuquerques Women in Creativity 2017. www.erinfussell.com Contact: Sheri Crider, Sanitary Tortilla Factory, sherilcrider@gmail.com , 505-228-3749 Erin Fussell, erinfussell@gmail.com Tens of thousands of children at over 800 schools, nurseries and colleges in London are being exposed to illegal levels of air pollution that risk causing lifelong health problems, a media report said on Saturday. A study identified 802 educational institutions where pupils as young as three are being exposed to levels of nitrogen dioxide that breach European Union (EU) legal limits and which the government accepts are harmful to health, the Guardian said in the report. The study, commissioned by London Mayor Sadiq Khan, suggests thousands more children and young people are at risk from toxic air than previously thought. Khan said the results were devastating and warned that it was the capital's poorest children who were bearing the brunt of the air pollution crisis. "It is an outrage that more than 800 schools, nurseries and other educational institutions are in areas breaching legal air pollution limits," he said. "This is an environmental challenge, a public health challenge but also - and no one talks about this - it is fundamentally an issue of social justice. If you are a poor Londoner you are more likely to suffer from illegal air." Khan called for the government to introduce a clean air act and for a diesel scrappage scheme to take polluting cars off the road quickly, the Guardian report added. The study shows 802 out of 3,261 nurseries, primary and secondary schools and higher education colleges, are within 150 metres of nitrogen dioxide pollution levels that exceed the EU legal limit of 40 micrograms per cubic metre of air. A third of state nursery schools in the capital (27), nearly 20 per cent of primaries (360) and 18 per cent of secondary schools (79) are in areas where toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide threaten children's health. Of the further education colleges in the capital, 43 per cent (30) were in areas of illegally toxic levels of nitrogen dioxide. The study, based on modelling of data from 2013, was carried out by experts from the environmental research group at King's College London and Aether, the environmental data analysts. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The China Insurance Regulatory Commission has barred Yao Zhenhua, the fourth-richest man in the country, for 10 years for irregularities in the purchase of shares of a real estate firm, the media reported on Saturday. Yao, founder of the financial conglomerate Baoneng, provided false information for the authorisation to increase the capital of its subsidiary insurance company Foresea Life, an operation that financed the acquisition of Vanke shares. Following an investigation, the Chinese regulator concluded that Foresea Life did not use funds from its shareholders, as it had stated at the time, for the November 2015 capital increase, which allowed him to become majority shareholder in Vanke, unleashing a power struggle to control the real estate company, Efe news reported. The Commission held Yao directly responsible for the erroneous information and decided to remove him from the presidency of Foresea Life and barred him from participating in the insurance industry over the next decade. The insurance regulator also announced that from now on it will provide advice to improve the management of Foresea Life, a company that was already sanctioned in December for its involvement in the dispute over Vanke's control. The suspension of Yao from the insurance industry puts a brake on the rapid rise in the Chinese corporate world of a virtually unknown businessman and who in a few months clinched the fourth position in the Hurun (local equivalent of Forbes) list of China's richest. In addition, it also closes a chapter in the Vanke case, a long-standing dispute involving several major Chinese real estate companies which seemed to have been settled in January with the entry of the state group Shenzhen Metro Group as its second largest shareholder. Chinese regulators are also looking into Vanke shares bought by Evergrande real estate in late 2016, making it the third largest shareholder, following methods similar to that of Baoneng's and also through a subsidiary insurance company. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Slamming the Congress party for "ruining" Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said if the BJP comes to power in the state it will "do in 15 months what the Congress did not in the last 15 years". He also assured there will be no economic blockade in the state. "What Congress did not do in the last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months. Wherever, Congress is in power there is no development, there is only corruption," said Modi at a public rally here. "There will never be an economic blockade when BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this," he added. The Manipur assembly elections will be held in two phases - March 4 and 8 - to elect 60 members of the state legislative assembly. "Unity of Manipur, welfare of its people and development of the state is our only goal. You gave them (Congress) 15 years, give us five years. I assure you we'll complete the pending work in 15 months," said Modi. "Manipur has been ruined in 15 years. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?" Modi asked. He added: "The corruption that took place in Manipur in last the 15 years will be exposed by our government." "If northeast India does not progress, the country's progress will not be complete. When Atalji formed the government, he made policies for overall development of the region. But Congress did not carry forward the good work," said Modi. "Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. They made brothers fight each other in the state," he added. The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) on Saturday instituted an inquiry into the alleged manhandling of women protesters by the Delhi Police personnel during Wednesday's demonstration at the Ramjas College. DCW chief Swati Maliwal asked the Delhi Police's Joint Commissioner, Central Range, to inform the Commission by March 4, how many male and female police personnel were deployed that day and the details of the officials seen manhandling women protesters. Maliwal has also asked what action was taken against those officers seen on camera "beating and punching" the women protesters at Ramjas College. The DCW has sought details (name and designations) of each and every officer responsible for every action taken by police to control the protest, including lathi charge. "The Commission is of the view that these attacks on women protesters by policemen may also amount to molestation and need to be severely punished," DCW's notice to Delhi Police read. The Commission had also asked about the steps to be taken by the police force to ensure that such incidents never occur in the future. "A similar incident occurred in Delhi last year when peaceful women protesters during the protest over missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed were manhandled by Delhi Police. It is a matter of great shame that to date an FIR has not been registered against the police officer... "The erstwhile Delhi Police Commissioner, despite requests of the Commission, chose to turn a blind eye to the incident," it said. On Wednesday, members of the right-wing ABVP student organisation and Left-oriented AISA clashed over invitation to controversial JNU student Umar Khalid to speak at a seminar at Ramjas College in the Delhi University's North Campus. Several women protesters were allegedly manhandled by the Delhi Police officers. --IANS kd-am/nir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Defence Security Corps (DSC), responsible for providing security to sensitive defence and civil installations, on Saturday celebrated its 70th Raising Day, said an official. The DSC, made up of superannuated defence personnel, was raised on February 25, 1947 as the "Defence Department Constabulary". Congratulating all ranks of the force, Lieutenant General J.S. Cheema, Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Information Systems and Training) and Colonel Commandant of the DSC, complimented them for their efforts in guarding sensitive establishments of the nation, a press release from the Ministry of Defence said. Lt. Gen. Cheema also remembered the supreme sacrifices made by the Corps personnel and exhorted all ranks to seek inspiration from their valour. He felicitated eight Junior Commissioned Officers and other ranks for their distinguished services. After the Pathankot air base terror attack, the force came under criticism for failing to secure a sensitive air base with high-value air assets. In 70 years of its existence, the DSC has received three Vir Chakras, one Kirti Chakra, four Shaurya Chakras and various other medals and commendation cards. --IANS rs/nir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BSP supremo Mayawati on Saturday warned the people of Uttar Pradesh from falling for the promises made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, alleging that they were dreaming of harming the state after winning the elections. The BJP only shows big dreams to people and delivers on none, she said at a rally in this eastern UP town, and asked the Bharatiya Janata Party leaders to explain where were the "rivers of milk flowing" in Uttar Pradesh. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief also said that the two will however not succeed in their efforts to come to power in UP as the state's people were wise enough to reject their divisive . "This time, the people have seen through their game plan and will not let them succeed," she said while referring to the Lok Sabha polls where the BJP had stunned everyone by winning 71 seats out of the total 80. Targeting Modi, the four-time Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused him of not delivering on the promises made by the BJP in the 2014 general elections. "They (the BJP) should tell the people what they have done in the past three years," she said while claiming that the people of UP had made up their mind to hand over the reins of the state to "apni beti" (their own daughter). --IANS md/vd (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.) Actor Ranveer Singh, who is the Indian ambassador for Switzerland Tourism, is travelling to the country and says he is really excited to explore it again. "I can never get enough of Switzerland! I am so excited to explore this gorgeous country again; this time as its brand ambassador. It's the best place to relax after a tight schedule and get re-energised," Ranveer said in a statement. On his maiden tour, Ranveer had tried activities right from paragliding and skydiving to wakeboarding and even chocolate making. This time he will be heading to Switzerland for the first time in his official capacity as brand ambassador and will be taking with him a few close friends. "On my last trip, I tried a variety of things which I had earlier only heard of, but have now crossed off my bucket list. I can barely wait to reach Switzerland and see what adventures the Swiss winter has in store for me," he added. On the work front, Ranveer is currently busy with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Padmavati", which also stars Deepika Padukone and Shahid Kapoor. Ranveer has also been roped in for director Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy". --IANS dc/sas/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Continuing his battle with mainstream outlets, US President Donald Trump slammed "fake news" and said journalists should not be allowed to publish stories based on anonymous sources. "A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are - they are the enemy of the people," USA Today quoted Trump as saying at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference here. Trump claimed that "the fake news doesn't tell the truth", adding that reporters should not be allowed to use anonymous sources, and "we're going to do something about it". He also said major outlets made up polls during the campaign to give the impression that he had no chance. "Take a look at some of these polls. That were so bad, so inaccurate. And what that does is it creates a false narrative. It creates this narrative that it's just like we're not going to win," the President added. --IANS vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A French photographer is set to hold an exhibition to highlight a prejudice known as "Gingerism", the country's ginger or red-haired people face, a media report said. "It's a form of racism that has persisted for centuries," photographer Pascal Sacleux, a red-head himself, said on Friday whose series of portraits of 30 ginger-haired people has caught the attention of French people. The English name for the exhibition is "Brittany: Freckles Rock" and the portraits aim to show the beauty of red-heads in the historically Celtic region of western France where many if not most of the country's flame-haired citizens live, The Local news portal reported. Sacleux wants to promote "la roussitude" (ginger-ness, or ginger-pride), encouraging those born with the world's rarest hair colour to feel proud to be different. "Many red-heads have really been hurt growing up, and some are destroyed socially," said Sacleux. So much so that it was too painful a subject for some of the those he tried to photograph, the news portal said. "Some people refused to meet with me, saying that it would be pointless to rub salt in the wound," explained Sacleux. Luckily, lots of people saw the point in his exhibition, and the project has been crowd-funded 40 per cent to get the portraits printed onto large canvasses . The exhibition will be displayed at Rennes airport from the May 1 to June 15. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Manipuri model-turned-actress Lin Laishram, who features in Vishal Bhardwaj's "Rangoon", says human rights activist Irom Sharmila is a "superwoman" and she totally supports the 'Iron Lady' in her political career. "I support her fully. No matter what she does, I support her full on. She has come a long way. No human has ever done that... she is a superwoman," Mumbai-based Lin told IANS here on Friday during a special screening of "Rangoon". Irom Sharmila's People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRAJA) on Thursday released its manifesto for the upcoming state assembly elections in March. Sharmila, who ended her 16-year-long fast demanding the revocation of the AFSPA last year, has joined saying she aims to repeal the act after becoming the Chief Minister. Hailing from Khurai Assembly constituency, Sharmila is taking on three-time Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh in the Thoubal Assembly constituency. Lin, who plays the role of Mema in "Rangoon", which released on Friday, has no doubt that Sharmila will be a "good ruler" (if she is elected). "She will be a brilliant ruler. She will be the best politician we can ever have. Her is a mind so beautiful and so giving," Lin said. The actress met Irom Sharmila two years ago while she was still on her record-breaking fast. "She is brilliant. I met her in Imphal with Vishal sir when his team was there as he wanted to make a film on her. We had to meet her in jail as she was still on fast. She does not want any film on her life because she thinks it's a spiritual journey," explained Lin, who has worked as a fashion model in New York and also studied acting there. Would she like to play Sharmila if any film is ever made on her? "I would love to play her and I like challenging roles and she is from my hometown," gushed Lin. Asked on the frequent protests and blockades in her state, the actress expressed faith in humanity. "I dont believe in any protesting or anything. I think people need to understand that it's time you spread love. World War II has gone, we are much ahead, we need to love each other rather than fighting," she added. Insurgent groups in Manipur called for a shutdown in the state on Saturday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign in the state for the assembly election. --IANS sgh/sas/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Gujarat Police on Saturday arrested four sharp-shooters reportedly close to the Dawood Ibrahim gang from the outskirts of Rajkot city who were allegedly on their way to eliminate a Jamnagar-based businessman. Police sources claimed they were on the assignment on the instructions of the Pakistan-based underworld don's brother Anees Ibrahim, who too is in the neighbouring country. Anees had contracted them to kill Jamnagar businessman Ashfaq Khatri, who is into shipping trade. Rajkot Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) S.R. Odedara said one Ramdas Rahane and three others were to be paid Rs 10 lakh for the killing. He said Rahane and his accomplices were coming to Rajkot in a private bus on their way to Jamnagar when they were intercepted. "We kept a close vigil near Kuvadava town on Rajkot-Ahmedabad national highway, as we had received inputs that four suspicious persons are travelling in a private bus from Maharashtra," he told reporters here. Police found them in the bus behaving in a suspicious manner. On searching their bags, a pistol, six live cartridges, two knives and fake number plates bearing vehicle registration numbers of GJ (Gujarat) and MH (Maharashtra) series were found. "During the initial interrogation we learnt that Anees Ibrahim had given a contract to kill the businessman to Ramdas for a payment of Rs 10 lakh," Odedara said, adding that Rahane was a contract killer of the Dawood gang and facing several criminal charges in Maharashtra. "It was also revealed during interrogation that they had planned to steal a vehicle after reaching Jamnagar, change the number plates with fake ones which they were carrying and execute the crime, before returning to Maharashtra," Rajkot Police Commissioner Anupamsinh Gehlot, who oversaw the entire operation, said. The names of three others, arrested with Rahane, were not disclosed. Police sources the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad would also interrogate the four. --IANA desai/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said that India aspires to be a more open economy and stay away from protectionism. "An aspirational India poised to be more open and less protectionist," Jaitley said in his lecture on 'Transforming India: Vision for the Next Decade' at the London School of Economics, adding that country's "emphasis is on infrastructure and rural sectors." The Finance Minister is on a five-day visit to Britain, during which he will meet his British counterpart, the Chancellor of Exchequer, interaction with over 100 business leaders from the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) and roundtable with prospective issuers, leading investors and fintech leaders, among others. On Sunday, Jaitley will attend a reception being organised by Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci), the British Council and Indian High Commission. On February 27, he will perform market opening ceremony at London Stock Exchange followed by the roundtable meeting with prospective issuers and leading investors and fintech leaders among others. Later in the day, he will have interact with over 100 senior business leaders from the UKIBC followed by meeting with British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson. He will also attend a reception being hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in the evening on that day. On February 28, Jaitley will meet the Chancellor of Exchequer. Thereafter, the Finance Minister will meet the CEOs at a meeting being organised by the Confederation of British Industry before leaving back for home in the evening on the same day and arriving in the national capital early morning on March 1. --IANS mm/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indian embassy in Washington said it is closely monitoring the tragic shooting incident in Kansas and providing all help and assistance to the family of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime. In a statement, embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said the Indian Consulate in Houston is in close contact with the family of Kuchibhotla. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India." He said that government officials had also met with the injured Indian -- Alok Madasani -- and are ensuring his well-being. The Indian government has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express its deep concern and has asked for a speedy investigation. The US Government while condemning the attack, has assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, the statement said. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. In a statement, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District, said the shooting incident appeared to be "an act of hatred". "We must address the tide of hate in our nation to prevent more of the attacks we have witnessed, including yesterday's shooting in Kansas," he said. US Senator from Kansas and a member of the Republican Party Jerry Moran said he strongly condemns violence of any kind, "especially if it is motivated by prejudice and xenophobia". Moran termed the shooting of Kuchibhotla a "senseless and terrible loss". --IANS rn/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Iraqi Shia militias on Saturday recaptured four villages from the Islamic State (IS) terror group and killed 35 of its members in western Mosul. The Popular Mobilisation militias said in a statement that the liberated villages were Tel al-Zalat, Umm al-Masayid, al-Zaytoun and al-Aziziya, Efe news reported. IS casualties included three snipers and seven suicide bombers, according to the statement. The militias also destroyed seven car bombs and seized equipment and several weapons from IS fighters, who fled the area. The Shia forces added that IS combatants started their retreat due to a lack of reinforcements. On February 19, Iraqi forces, including the Popular Mobilisation militias, launched an offensive to regain the western part of Mosul from IS combatants. The eastern half of the city which has been an IS stronghold since 2014, was liberated in January. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actress Jodie Foster was among the "United Voices" that spoke up against US President Donald Trump at United Talent Agencys (UTA) rally outside its Beverly Hills office here. The rally took place on Friday, reports variety.com. According to the Beverly Hills Police Department, more than 1,500 people, including agents, clients, and supporters, gathered in the plaza to protest the Trump administration's policies, including its recent travel restrictions on seven Muslim-majority countries. The agency cancelled its annual Academy Awards party in protest of the ban and organised this event in its place. "This is exactly the way to celebrate our industry and our commitment to humanity on and off screen," Foster said. "I don't do this very often, but this year is a different year, this is a singular time -- it's time to show up, time to engage. As the very dead Frederick Douglass once said, 'any time is a good time for illumination.'" "It's time to resist and demand answers, to tell our elected officials to do their job. We will not tolerate chaos and ineptitude and war-mongering," Foster added. UTA will be donating $250,000 to the American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee. The event was a reflection of the political tone of this awards season and Oscar week. --IANS sas/dc/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal expressed hope that border points between Pakistan and Afghanistan will partially reopen on Saturday. According to Zakhilwal, Afghan authorities are hopeful that the travel routes will completely reopen in coming three or four days, Khaama Press reported. He said elder men, patients and children would travel on Saturday and those in Pakistan would be able to return to Afghanistan. He urged the Afghan people to travel with full documents including visas once the travel routes are fully reopened. Pakistan closed the Torkham and Chaman crossing point with Afghanistan due to security concerns hours after the February 15 terror attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town of Sindh province in which 88 persons died. Pakistan blamed the attack on militants operating from Afghanistan. Pakistani Taliban's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction claimed responsibility for the attacks. The wave of terror continued in Pakistan despite the routes remained closed for nearly ten days. --IANS py/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla has come as yet another blow to the Telugu community in the US and has focused attention on a series of tragedies that have struck immigrants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in recent times. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana was injured in a shooting in a bar in Olathe, Kansas. In what is suspected to be the first incident of its nature after Donald Trump assumed office, a former Navy serviceman opened fire as he reportedly yelled "Middle Easterners, get out of my country" in what is seen as a case of mistaken identity. The two engineers were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, a MNC. Kuchibhotla, 32, is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. These are not isolated incidents. More than 30 techies and students from the two Telugu states have died since 2008, victims of crime or accidents. Young dreams were cut short by the disasters that hit one of the largest groups among the Indian community in the US. In December last year, Chunduri Sai Tejaswi, a 23-year-old student from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, was killed after she was hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road in Fremont's Niles District. Earlier, in July, Sankeerth, 25, of Hyderabad was murdered by his roommate, also an Indian, in Austin, Texas. In June 2016, Hyderabad's Namboori Sridatta (25), who was working with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Arizona, drowned while picnicking with friends at a waterfall. Early last year, Shiva Karan, a 23-year-old student from Hyderabad, committed suicide, reportedly due to depression. He was pursuing a master's programme in Raleigh of North Carolina State University. In June 2015, Sai Kiran, 23, of Hyderabad was shot dead by a robber in Florida after he refused to part with his mobile phone. Sai Kiran was pursuing his MS from Atlantic University and had left India only a month and a half back. In a similar case in 2014, Elaprolu Jayachandra, 22, was shot dead during a robbery at a convenience store in Pasadena, Texas, where he was working. The spate of killings between in 2008 and 2009 was attributed by some to the economic meltdown and massive job losses in the US. Indian Americans who have spent considerable time in the US point out that among various ethnic communities in the US, the Indians are doing well and among Indians, Telugus have excelled in various fields. More than 600,000 Telugus are estimated to be living in the US. Many youngsters are pursuing advanced degrees and have become successful software professionals, engineers, doctors and business managers. There is also a feeling that the youth are not taking enough precautions for their safety and thus becoming victims of crimes. While bodies like the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) have drafted safety guidelines, there have been demands that Indian authorities guide the citizens, especially students, on dos and don'ts. Students are more vulnerable to attacks as they take up part-time jobs in areas with high crime rates as they are offered more money than in other areas. While the US mission in India issued 60,000 student visas in 2015, the US consulate general in Hyderabad issued the largest number. According to US officials, the Consulate General in Hyderabad issued the fifth largest number of student visas in the world. Hillary Clinton rallied the opposition on Twitter with a videotaped message urging "resistance plus persistence". "The challenges we face as a party and a country are real," Clinton said in the video message posted on Twitter on Friday. "So now more than ever, we need to stay engaged in the field and online, reaching out to new voters, young people and everyone who wants a better, stronger, fairer America." Addressing Democrats still rattled by Trump's unexpected victory in November, Clinton urged them to "move forward with courage, confidence and optimism". "And stay focused on the elections we must win this year and next," said Clinton, whose video was also shown at the Democratic National Committee meeting in Atlanta. "Let resistance plus persistence equal progress for our party and our country." It was a rare appearance from Clinton, who has kept a relatively low profile since her defeat and has said virtually nothing about the turbulence that has marked the start of the Trump administration or the anger that has exploded nationwide as the President puts his stamp on the country, the NBC News reported. "From the women's march to airports where communities are welcoming immigrants, refugees and people of every faith, to town hall meetings where people are speaking up for health care, the environment, good jobs and all the other issues that deserve our passionate support," she said. While Clinton did not mention Trump by name, she got in a dig by saying that "nearly 66 million votes are fuelling grassroots energy and activism". That's how many votes Clinton won in the election. And it is a sore spot for Trump who won the Electoral College but lost the popular vote by three million and has repeatedly made the bogus claim that millions of people voted illegally. --IANS py/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday approved around 37 per cent hike in the minimum wages and termed it a "Holi gift" for the city's labour class. It now needs to be cleared by Lt. Governor Anil Baijal. Revision in the minimum wages are done on the recommendation of a committee formed after former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung returned the file of a proposal to hike minimum wages by about 50 per cent last September. A special tripartite committee -- comprising five members each from the government, labour unions and industry associations -- was formed with approval from the LG to remove the discrepancies. This committee held several meetings in this regard. The final committee meeting was held on February 16. The Delhi Cabinet approved the recommendation of the new committee to revise minimum wages in the national capital on Saturday. "This is a very big and historic decision. With this, we are directly putting money into the pocket of poor people," Kejriwal said. Addressing a press conference here, Kejriwal said the Cabinet decision would be put before the LG on Monday for clearance. "We are sending this file to LG sir (Anil Baijal) and are very hopeful about its approval. I will personally go and meet him in this connection. If LG approves this proposal, then it will be a Holi gift to the labourers in Delhi," Kejriwal said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Convener said the special committee constituted by the Delhi Labour Department recommended a hike in minimum wages by about 37 per cent. "The minimum wages for unskilled labour in Delhi currently stands at Rs 9,724 per month, which has been increased to Rs 13,350," Kejriwal said. "For semi-skilled and skilled persons, the minimum wage would be increased from Rs 10,764 to Rs 14,698 and from Rs 11,830 to Rs 16,182, respectively," he said. Kejriwal said this is the second attempt by the AAP government within months to revise minimum wages after former LG Jung turned down the previous decision to revises wages on procedural grounds. The AAP government had earlier proposed minimum monthly wages for unskilled workers to be increased from Rs 9,000 to Rs 14,052, for semi-skilled workers from Rs 10,582 to Rs 15,471, and for skilled workers from Rs 11,622 to Rs 17,033. "The revised minimum wage figures are Rs 600 to Rs 700 less than the last year's proposal," Kejriwal said. He said if the government had stuck to the old recommendations of hiking minimum wages by about 50 per cent then it would have invited unnecessary litigation. "So we decided to go by the latest recommendations of the new committee after analysing the latest data," Kejriwal added. Labour Minister Gopal Rai said that the committee decided the minimum wages after assessing five points, recommended by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the Supreme Court, which are housing, clothing, food, education, electricity and fuel, taking into consideration their market prices. --IANS am-kd/nir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) To strengthen Indias bilateral relations with Mali and Congo, Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar will be visiting the two countries next week, an official said on Saturday. Akbar's visit to Mali will be from February 28 to March 4 March and to Congo from March 5-6. a release said. During his visit to Mali, Akbar would meet President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita and Prime Minister Modibo Keita. He will co-chairing the first India-Mali Joint Commission meeting along with Foreign Minister of Mali Abdoulaye Diop. "The Joint Commission will include wide ranging discussions on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest of India and Mali. Minister will also visit Timbuktu and present a cheque of US$ 0.5 million as India's support to Mali towards restoration of its heritage in Timbuktu," said a release from the Ministry of External Affairs. In 2012, Islamic fundamentalists destroyed many of the heritage sites of Timbuktu, an ancient city famous for its historical libraries and shrines of early Islamic era. In the Congo leg of his trip, Akbar will meet President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso and discuss various areas of engagement between the two countries, including strengthening cooperation in the fertilizer sector, the release said. He will also interact with Indian diaspora in both countries. --IANS rs/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday expressed grief over the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime in the US. The Trinamool Congress supremo said she does not support the " of hate." "Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the of hate," she said on Twitter. She said: "The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this." Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. --IANS sgh/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Mexico has warned the US against imposing a unilateral tax on Mexican imports to finance a border wall, saying it could respond in kind. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said the government could place tariffs on selected goods from US states reliant on exports to Mexico, BBC reported on Saturday. Earlier, US President Donald Trump vowed to start building the wall "soon, way ahead of schedule". The US government said it will start accepting design proposals in March. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency said it will ask companies to submit proposals "for the design and build of several prototype wall structures" on or around March 6. A shortlist of the best designs will be drawn up by March 20, after which bidders will be asked to cost their ideas, the report said. Addressing the Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC) in Maryland on Friday, Trump vowed to always put American citizens first and build a "great, great border wall". "We're building the wall," he said. "In fact it's going to start very soon. Way ahead of schedule. It's way, way, way ahead of schedule." Trump had pledged that Mexico will pay for the wall, which could cost up to $21.5 billion, according to media reports citing a Department of Homeland Security internal report. Trump had also proposed to levy a 20 per cent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a border wall. In a radio interview on Friday, the Mexican Foreign Minister said that "Mexico believes in free trade", but "would have to respond" if the US tried to fund a border wall by imposing a tax on Mexican imports. "What we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," he said. "Mexico will face this as a reality and not just as a rhetorical threat because we have realised that rhetorical threats come and go." According to reports, the foreign minister had previously identified US states including Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as possible targets for retaliatory tariffs. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Muhammad Ali Jr., son of the late legendary boxer, was reportedly detained for several hours by immigration officials at an airport in Florida, a media report said. According to the report on Friday by the Courier-Journal daily, Ali Jr. and his mother Khalilah Camacho-Ali were arriving at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport from a Black History Month event in Jamaica on February 7 when they were pulled aside by customs and asked if they were Muslims. Ali's lawyer Chris Mancini told the Courier-Journal that while Camacho-Ali was let go, her son was questioned for almost two hours about his origin, where he was born and his religion. Ali is a Muslim born in Philadelphia and holds a US passport. "To the Ali family, it's crystal clear that this is directly linked to Trump's efforts to ban Muslims from the United States," Mancini said, referring to President Donald Trump's executive order banning citizens from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. The order was put on hold by a federal judge on February 3, The Hill magazine reported. Camacho-Ali and Ali Jr. live 20 minutes from the airport in Florida. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who will be seen portraying Saadat Hasan Manto in filmmaker Nandita Das' film "Manto", says he is quite excited to work with her as she is an "able director". "Nandita Das is an able director and I am looking forward to working with her," Nawazuddin said at the Central Excise Day Celebration on Friday. "'Manto' was one of the great writers of his time. Currently, I am preparing myself to play him. We have just released my look as Manto, the poster of the film will be coming soon," added the "Raees" actor, who had shared the first look of the movie on Twitter, showing a striking resemblance to the late writer. In her second directorial venture, Nandita will be tracing the life of Manto, while also focusing on the time of partition. Das will start filming on March 15. Besides Nawazuddin, the film also feature Tahir Raj Bhasin as late actor Sunder Shyam Chadda, who was Manto's friend. --IANS iv/sas/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A National Art Conclave-cum-Exhibition opened at the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath here on Saturday where artists from across the country interacted and discussed their works. "The conclave has provided the artists a platform to interact and deliberate over their works with slide shows, lectures and demonstrations," Parishath President B.L. Shankar told reporters. The day-long conclave coincided with the 58th National Exhibition of Art at the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) where a rich collection of 111 exhibits eminent artistes, including painters, sculptors, graphic artists and photographers from across the country are on display for the next one month. Organised by the Lalit Kala Akademi, the conclave and the exhibition have diverse themes spanning the "Bhopal gas tragedy's 33 years", "Poke Park", "Civil War", "The Face" and "Journey". "The twin events are meant to uphold and steer the great tradition of giving art its due importance and view into the future trends in Indian art," said Akademi Administrator C.S. Krishna Setty. Terming the events historic, as they are being held in the city after 16 years, Setty said the Akademi was in talks with the state's Kannada and Culture Department for setting up a regional centre of the Akademi. "The art works are on a wide range of subjects, expressing creative abilities, emerging trends and influences that have pivoted the art movement," said Setty. Governor Vajubhai Vala conferred the National Academy of Award to 15 artists -- Aisharjya Paramita Konar, Akhil Mohan, Ananya Dalal, Anil Kumar Bodwal, D. Saravana Deivasegamani, Gukanraj Kothandaraman, Harish Kumar Ojha, Kavita Mehrotra, Lakshman Prasad, Madan Lal, Nilmoni Raha, Sajeesh PA, Satish Hanumanthappa, Suresh K and Vijay Bhagat. The 111 exhibits were chosen from 6,000 works through a competitive process and 15 of them were conferred with the Academy's national award. "The National Exhibition of Art is held in various cities across the country to reflect its national character and offer art lovers an opportunity to saviour quality production," added Setty. The works for the month-long expo were chosen on artistic merit and to reflect innovative use of mediums, diversity and relevance of subject matter. --IANS fb/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Indian Navy chief Sunil Lanba will on Sunday begin a five day official visit to United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman, an official release said. "The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations with UAE and Oman, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation," said a release of Ministry of Defence. Admiral Lanba will commence his visit from UAE on February 26, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister of State for Defence of UAE Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi. During his visit, he will meet senior military officers and will also visit the Ghantoot Naval Base where he will briefed on the latest Baynunah Class Corvette. From March 1, Lamba will be in Oman, where he will hold bilateral discussions with Omani Defence Minister Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi and the three Service Chiefs. He is expected to visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy, and the Said Bin Naval Base, where he will visist the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh. Indian Navy has multifaceted relations with the navies of UAE and Oman, which include training, operational interactions and exchange of maritime information through Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks with both countries, and also through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) with UAE and Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman. The Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise "Naseem Al Bahr" since 1993. Ten editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa in January 16. --IANS rs/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday publicly announced that he and his government are against the central government's proposed Allahabad-Haldia national inland waterways project on the river Ganga via the state. "We are against the national inland waterways project and would oppose it if the central government goes ahead with it," Nitish Kumar said at an international conference on "Incessant Ganga" here, attended by water, river and environment experts from India and abroad. He said: "We will not accept national inland waterways project because it is not in the interest of Bihar and the country, as it will pose serious danger to the river Ganga, which is already fighting for its survival." The Chief Minister said the upstream of the river is already in bad shape and now the central government's plan will destroy its downstream as well. For the proposed project, a series of barrages would have to be constructed, which will be a big hurdle for an incessant Ganga, he said. "If dredging is done for the national inland waterways project, it is bound to destroy this river. I strongly fear that the river Ganga will become extinct for such moves, as it will create more problems for an incessant Ganga," Nitish Kumar said. He also flayed the idea of constructing riverine ports along the river. Speaking before the Chief Minister, Bihar Water Resources Minister Lalan Singh said the state government will not approve the inland waterways plan. "We have made it clear that Bihar will oppose it and will not allow it," he said. The construction of waterways would create huge siltation in the river due to the construction of ports, which would increase the chances of various Bihar cities getting affected with floods, the minister said. Nitish Kumar was backed by the "Water Man of India", Rajendra Singh. "Union Minister Nitin Gadkari's plan of dredging of the river Ganga for national inland waterways project is a dangerous one. I appeal to Nitish Kumar not to give clearance for such project in Bihar." When constructed, the proposed Allahabad to Haldia national waterways will be the longest one in the country, with a distance of 1,620 km. The project will not only prove good for transportation of goods but also for river cruises. The project envisages construction of permanent and floating terminals at various places in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. Gadkari has repeatedly claimed that Bihar will benefit from the inland waterways project that will facilitate transportation of cargo between Haldia and Allahabad via Patna. --IANS ik/nir/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Days after fake notes of Rs 2,000 were dispensed from a State Bank of India TM in the national capital, an ATM in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur gave out a scanned copy of the high-denomination note, police said on Saturday. The incident came to light when Puneet Gupta sought to withdraw Rs 10,000 from the ATM. Of the five Rs 2,000 notes that were dispensed, one was a scanned copy of the new currency, he told police. As soon as the counterfeit currency was discovered, angry people in the queue outside the bank brought it to the notice of the bank officials. Gupta has since filed a police complaint and an official said a probe was underway on how a scanned copy of the high denomination note found way into the ATM. --IANS md/vd/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Odisha has registered a gross state domestic product (GSDP) growth rate of 7.94 per cent in 2016-17 against the national average rate of 7.1 per cent, the state government announced on Saturday. According to the Economic Survey-2016-17, which was tabled in the state Assembly on Saturday, the major highlight of accelerated growth was the modest pick up in the agriculture production due to improved monsoon. The state has recovered from its 6.1 per cent growth rate in 2015-16 triggered by an erratic monsoon. "This can be attributed to sustained development initiatives and prudent marco management of economy. The economy has been witnessing structural transformation from an agriculture-based economy to services and industry driven economy," said the report. It said that the economy of the state has been on a high-growth trajectory in recent years after lagging the national average in several decades. From 2003, the state registered a robust growth of above eight per cent as against the national average of 7.5 per cent, thus becoming a major state in terms of economy, it said. The report said that per capita income reached Rs 61,678 in 2016-17 against Rs 57,616 during 2015-16, a 7.05 per cent rise. Over the same period, India's per capita income grew 6.5 per cent to Rs 81,805 from Rs 77,524. "The per capita income of India appeared to be 1.3 times higher than Odisha," said the report, but noted that the per capita income has affected as 62 per cent of total workforce depends on agriculture even though its share has come down to a level of around 18 per cent. Odisha's real GSDP has reached Rs 3.14 lakh crore in 2016-17, with the largest share of the services sector with 43.5 3 per cent while industry contributed 36.56 per cent. Manufacturing's share declined from 19.19 per cent in 2015-16 to 18.27 per cent in 2016-17. --IANS cd/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 600,000 devotees offered prayers to Lord Shiva till Saturday morning at the Pashupatinath Temple in Nepal on the occasion of the Mahashivaratri festival, media reports said. The visitors from within and outside the country started pouring into the temple premises from 3.30 a.m. on Friday, myrepublica said. Govinda Tandon, member secretary of the Pashupati Area Development Trust (PADT), informed that there were around 600,000 devotees who had offered puja at the temple by 6 p.m. on Friday. As the main theme of the festival is to stay up all night reciting hymns, the temple remained open till Saturday morning, he added. He claimed that around 1.2 million people arrived in the Pashupati area to observe the festival on Friday. This time, the PADT ended the practice of issuing paid tickets to visitors for prompt access to the temple. Sadhus (ascetics) visiting Pashupatinath from India and elsewhere were happy with the festival arrangement, Tandon claimed. There were around 150 Indian sadhus in Pashupatinath on the occasion, he said. --IANS in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan has returned 252 Afghan nationals to their home country in a goodwill gesture even as it kept the border entry points with Afghanistan shut for the ninth day for security reasons in the wake of a series of bombings. The Afghan nationals, who were returned on Friday, spent a week under the open sky as the Torkham border crossing point between two nations remained closed for nearly 10 days, Geo Tv reported. Trade between Islamabad and Kabul has come to a halt as Pakistani authorities closed the Torkham and Chaman crossing points with Afghanistan due to security concerns in the wake of series of terror attacks across the country. People with valid travel documents are allowed to cross the border on foot, a Pakistani official said. However, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal said the border crossings will partially be opened on Saturday. He said elderly persons, patients and children would be allowed to travel and those in Pakistan would be able to return to Afghanistan on Saturday. The border crossings were closed following a terror attack at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan town of Sindh province which left 88 persons dead earlier this month. Pakistan has blamed militants operating in Afghanistan for the attacks. The Islamic State affiliated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Pakistan Army last week pounded militant hideouts across the border in Afghanistan and killed militants belonging to the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. --IANS py/rn (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo hit back at US President Donald Trump for his comment "Paris is no longer Paris", saying the French capital remains dynamic and open despite high terror alert. "To Trump and his friend Jim, in the Eiffel Tower, we celebrate the dynamism and the spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie," Hidalgo tweeted on Friday. She also uploaded a photo posing with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, main characters of American cartoons and the official mascot of Walt Disney, in a ceremony at the Eiffel Tower to launch a new tourism campaign. "In the first quarter of 2017, reservations by American tourists were up by 30 per cent compared to 2016," she said. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also tweeted: "3.5 million American tourists visited France in 2016, they will be always welcome." Speaking at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference at National Harbour in Maryland on Friday, Trump told a story of a friend named "Jim" -- "a very, very substantial guy" -- who was once a regular visitor to the French capital. "I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris," Trump quoted Jim as saying. Trump made the comments to endorse his claim that "national security begins with border security" and defended his order to ban citizens from seven Muslim majority countries from entering the US. Paris has been stunned by a series of terrorist attacks. At least 130 persons died in an attack in the French capital on November 13, 2015. Other assaults targeting several symbolic sites in the vibrant city have been foiled. --IANS py/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Deploring the killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in the US, CPI-M General Secretary Sitaram Yechury on Saturday called for pressurising the Donald Trump administration for quick action. "We urge our government to put the strongest pressure on the authorities in the US to act upon this at the earliest, to ensure this is never repeated," said Yechury. Kuchibhotla, and two others were shot at by US Navy veteran Adam W. Purinton in a bar in Olathe in Kansas on Wednesday night. While the 32-year-old engineer was killed, his friend Alok Madasani, also 32, and an American Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to save them, were injured. Purinton mistook them for "Middle Easterners" and yelled "Get out of my country" before shooting them. Referring to the 2015 lynching of Mohammed Akhlaq in Uttar Pradesh's Dadri over rumours of beef eating, Yechury warned about jingoistic causing the tragedy. He also referred to the hanging of two cattle traders in Jharkhand's Latehar in 2016. The hate-crime where two Indians in the US were told to leave the country is utterly deplorable and very sad, the Left leader said. "We hope the other Indian injured in the attack, Alok Reddy Madasani gets well soon," he added. "It again brings to light the hurt that irresponsible and jingoistic causes. Such thrives on going after minorities and smaller groups based on identity, skin colour or faith," Yechury said on social media platforms. "There are no winners here," he said. --IANS and/in/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Protests erupted in a Pakistani village along the border with India after Indian border forces shot dead a mentally-ill woman who had crossed over, the media reported. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, from Sialkot district's Diawara village was killed by India's Border Security Force after she lost her way and crossed into the Indian side of border. Bibi belonged to Bajwat area in Punjab province. Protests erupted in her village upon news that she had been shot dead by the BSF personnel who mistook her for an intruder, Dawn reported. Indian border authorities later on Friday handed over Bibi's body to her family. Similar incidents have also occurred in the past in the light of heightened border tension between India and Pakistan. A Pakistani boy was in August last year was shot dead by the BSF after he entered the Indian territory by mistake. Ijaz, 17, from Kasur, was grazing cattle near the border when the incident took place. --IANS py/rn/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A CPI-M leader on Saturday said that the clashes between activists of the party's student wing SFI and RSS-affiliated ABVP in the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus were not related to the ongoing controversy in Delhi's Ramjas College. "This was an unrelated issue pertaining to the threats issued last week by Education Minister Vinod Tawde on plans to shut down the Solapur Government Polytechnic by upgrading it to an engineering college," Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) state committee member Shubha Shamim told IANS. She said the activists of Students Federation of India (SFI)were putting up posters condemning Tawde's threats to lodge police complaints against two students after he received mass SMSs protesting the move. "The ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) activists objected to these posters flaying Tawde and attacked the SFI activists on the university campus. All left organizations including SFI, DYFI and others will protest against the ABVP's brutality all over Maharashtra on Monday," Shamim said. The issue started when ABVP led a protest on Friday morning condemning Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, who was arrested and slapped with sedition charges last year. Ramjas College in Delhi is currently gripped in a tiff between ABVP and the leftist student body AISA which had invited Khalid for a lecture event. In the evening, the SFI's Pune unit put up retaliatory anti-Tawde posters which culminated in the clashes, leading to a tense atmosphere and a strong police presence on the varsity campus. Later on Friday, SFI and ABVP activists clashed in the university campus and later police arrested nine activists, four from SFI and five from ABVP. Both groups have lodged counter-complaints against each other with the Chatushringi Police Station. Some of the arrested activists secured bail on Saturday. In a statement on Saturday, CPI-M-affiliated Democratic Youth Federation of Indias' (DYFI) Maharashtra unit said: "We strongly condemn the brutal attack on SFI students in the Pune University by ABVP goons. DYFI and SFI state committee calls for joint protest action across Maharashtra condemning the attacks on Monday (February 27)." --IANS qn/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The de facto leader of the Samsung Group was called into the special prosecutor's office on Saturday for additional questioning over his alleged involvement in a high-profile corruption scandal that has rocked the country for the past several months. This marks Lee Jae-yong's fourth appearance before the special prosecutor since he was arrested for bribery charges on February 17. He has since been behind bars, Yonhap News Agency reported. Prosecutors believe Lee gave or promised some 43 billion won ($36 million) worth of bribes to President Park Geun-hye's jailed friend Choi Soon-sil in return for the government's backing of a merger of two Samsung affiliates in 2015. The merger was seen as critical for the smooth management succession of the group from ailing Samsung Electronics Chairman Lee Kun-hee to his only son, Jae-yong. Choi, the central figure in the scandal, is accused of using her close ties with Park to strong-arm Samsung and other local conglomerates to offer large "donations" to non-profit foundations, which she allegedly used for personal gain. The investigation team has been accelerating the probe as its deadline is slated for February 28. The special counsel has asked Acting President and Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn to extend the period by a month, but it is unclear whether he will approve the request. Prosecutors plan to indict Lee on bribery charges within this month if the request was not accepted. Also on Saturday, prosecutors called in Choi to question her over allegations that she amassed illicit wealth and was illegally involved in personal affairs of a private bank in return for favours. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Saturday condemned the incident where an Indian engineer was killed and another injured by an American who mistook them for "Middle Easterners" and yelled "Get out of my country" before shooting them at a bar. "There's no place for senseless violence and bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims and families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," the Indian-born CEO tweeted. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran opened fire, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and injuring Alok Madasani, also 32, and an American in a bar in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday night. The attacker identified as Adam Purinton mistook the Indians for "Middle Easterners" and reportedly yelled "get out of my country". Ian Grillot, 24, was injured when he tried to intervene to save the Indians. Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer. The family of Kuchibhotla was shocked over the incident and has sought help from the state and central governments in bringing his body back home. --IANS qd/na/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) South Korea has decided to raise its voice against North Korea's possession of biochemical weapons in international meetings, Foreign Ministry officials said Saturday. "The government will bring up the issue of North Korea's biochemical weapons programmes when top nuclear envoys from South Korea, the US and Japan meet in Washington on Monday (February 27), as well as during various multilateral talks based in Geneva and other locations," one official said. The decision come in the wake of Kim Jong-nam, the eldest son of late former leader Kim Jong-il, death on Feb. 13 at an airport in Kuala Lumpur after apparently being poisoned by two Asian women. Malaysian police named eight North Koreans, including a diplomat, as suspects, though Pyongyang denies its involvement. On Friday, the police announced that Kim Jong-nam was killed with a VX nerve agent. VX is listed as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN and its use is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), to which North Korea is not a signatory. "The government plans to take a tough stance on the killing of Kim Jong-nam," the official said, adding "Things went out of control as the use of a chemical weapon was unveiled... The government is currently on the stage of trying to find the truth behind the case on the one hand and considering many different countermeasures on the other." The South Korean officials forecast that security threats from North Korea's biochemical weapons programmes will likely be discussed during Monday's talks along with its main topic, the country's nuclear and missile programmes. Seoul will also call for relisting Pyongyang as state sponsor of terrorism during the meeting, the officials added. The South Korean military believes North Korea has up to 5,000 tonnes of chemical weapons stockpiled, the third largest after the US and Russia. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit taking an U-turn on her earlier remark on party Vice President Rahul Gandhi has clarified that he has "the sensitivity of a mature leader". Party veteran Dikshit in a newspaper interview on Thursday said Gandhi was "still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature". Her comments were quickly lapped on by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, who ridiculed Gandhi saying "immature Rahul should be kept at home" instead of being sent to Uttar Pradesh. With "Don't twist my words" hashtag, Dikshit on Friday took to twitter to clarify her comment. "Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man," Dikshit said. The Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO) on Saturday demanded a judicial probe into the disappearance of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Najeeb Ahmed. Ahmed has been missing for the past four months after a scuffle with the members of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). "The SIO has submitted a memorandum to Ministry of Human Resource Development, demanding immediate enquiry into the matter and every possible effort to search this missing student and send a message of safety and security for students in education institutions," SIO President Nahas Mala said in a statement. The SIO has also demanded that the JNU authorities and Delhi Police should be more responsive and should raise the hope of his mother regarding his comeback and ensure justice to him. "We also demand a Judicial probe into the matter must be initiated and give immediate relief to Najeeb's ailing mother Fathima Nafees," said Mala. "Delay in the case and denying information could institute things to make the case lose its steam, is a perception of his mother and students," he said. Mala also said that the counsel appearing in the case is being labelled as Fundamentalist supporter, who is wrongly supporting the cause. "Various ridiculed and discriminated attempts are being done with Muslim students, which must be curbed by strong means," he added. The SIO has collected almost 2.5 million signatures from across the nation that they will submit to the National Commission for Minorities, he said. --IANS mg/pgh/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Delhi Police arrested six youths in connection with gang raped with a third year student of Delhi University in Faridabad. Police said on Saturday that the incident came to light on February 18 after the victim, 20, a student of PGDAV collage here in Nehru Nagar filed a complaint against six of her friends, who allegedly gangraped her in Faridabad. The victim in her complaint to police has stated that on February 3, two of her friends, Gaurav and Sunny, took her to Faridabad on a bike for partying after a college function. The bike belonged to another friend, Sachin. "They took her to another friend Rohtash's house where Gaurav, Sunny, Sachin and Rohtash gangraped her. They also threatened her with dire consequences if she approaches police," Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Banniya told IANS. Banniya said, another friend Vinod, who dropped her to Delhi had also raped her in his car after parking it in an isolated place . "Since the incident started in Delhi, a case of rape was registered against all the accused youths. The police on Saturday arrested six students, including one Bunty, who was a co-conspirator" The DCP said. --IANS sp/vgu/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The body of Hyderabad engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in what appears to be a hate crime, will arrive here on Monday. Telangana Minister for NRI Affairs K.T. Rama Rao said the body will arrive by Air India flight at 9.45 p.m. After consoling the parents of Srinivas, he told reporters that the slain engineer's wife Sunayana Dumala and other relatives will accompany the body. The Minister visited the house of Srinivas in Bachupally here and consoled his parents and other family members. He spoke to Sinivas' father K. Madhusudhana Sastry and mother Parvata Vardhini, who was inconsolable. The Minister later told reporters that Srinivas' parents said while no government can bring back their son, all efforts should be made to prevent such incidents in future so that parents of others are saved of this agony. Rama Rao said that such incidents do raise concern among parents and relatives of those who have gone to the US for jobs or higher education. Rama Rao, who is son of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said he will discuss with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, the security concern among students and professionals working in US who want an assurance that this kind of incidents will not recur. The Minister said immediately after learning about the incident, he contacted the officer on special duty on Sushma Swaraj's office and called for immediate steps to bring home of the body of the slain engineer at the earliest. Rama Rao earlier expressed shock and anguish over the spate of attacks the US, the latest being the killing of.Srinivas. "Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," he tweeted on Saturday. Rama Rao said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC. Kuchibhotla is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indonesian woman suspect in the murder of Kim Jong-nam said she was "hired" by two men to carry out a "prank" on the North Korean and was paid 400 Malaysian ringgits ($90) for it. Siti Aisyah claimed that the men, whom she named as James and Chan, "looked like Korean or Japanese", Indonesian deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said. Andreano, who was allowed to meet the Indonesian for half an hour at the lockup in Cyberjaya police station on Saturday, said she was paid 400 Malaysian ringgits ($90) to carry out the prank for a reality show in Malaysia, reported the Star newspaper reported. Siti claimed she did not know that the liquid she was given to swab on face of the half-brother of the North Korean leader was poisonous as she thought it was baby oil, said Andreano. Tests showed that Kim was killed with the highly-toxic nerve agent VX, which is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN. On her connection to Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong in the case, Andreano said that Siti did not know her. "Siti Aisyah is in healthy condition," Andreano told reporters, adding that they were waiting for developments in the police investigations. Officials from the Vietnam embassy were also seen at the police station. However, they did not make any comments. Kim Jong-nam was killed last week after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Syrian Foreign Ministry on Saturday urged the UN Security Council to condemn the deadly suicide bombings that rocked the country's central province of Homs and killed 42 people. The foreign ministry condemned as "barbaric" the bombings that rocked two intelligence headquarters in Homs, urging the UN to condemn it as well and to double the efforts to eradicate terrorism, state news agency SANA reported. It stressed that such terrorist acts would not dissuade the Syrian army from carrying on with its campaign against the terror groups in Syria, which, it said, poses a threat not only to Syria, but undermines the security and peace in the region and the world as well. Earlier in the day, six suicide bombers detonated themselves in two security headquarters in Homs, killing at least 42 people, mostly security personnel. Meanwhile, the state TV said that the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front claimed responsibility of the series of the deadly bombings that rocked Homs. --IANS ahm/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A man suspected to be involved in the 2002 terror attack on the American Centre in Kolkata has been arrested in Bihar's Gaya district, police said on Saturday. Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Garima Malik said Mohammad Sarwar, the suspect, was arrested late Friday night by the joint team of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat, Jharkhand and local police. "Sarwar was taken by the ATS team to Gujarat after arresting," she said. Before taking him to Gujarat, Sarwar was questioned by Jharkhand police in Hazaribagh on Saturday. According to police officials, ATS Gujarat along with Jharkhand and local police raided a house in Neemchak Bathani area following information provided about the suspect by another arrested terror suspect during questioning. Sarwar is considered an operative of the banned group Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Sarwar is also an accused in the 2002 Hazaribagh terror attack, in which one Pakistani terrorist was killed. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Centre on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002, killing six of them and injuring 14 others. --IANS ik-ns/pgh/vm (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.) US President Donald Trump turned the power of the White House against the news media, escalating his attacks on journalists as "the enemy of the people" while his press secretary barred several news outlets from his briefing. In a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, Trump criticised as "fake news" organisations that publish anonymously sourced reports that reflect poorly on him. The President also berated members of his own Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as "leakers" who he said were putting the nation at risk, the New York Times reported. And in a series of Twitter posts, he assailed the FBI as a dangerously porous agency, condemning unauthorized revelations of classified information from within its ranks. Hours after Trump's speech, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer barred journalists from The New York Times and several other news organisations from attending his daily briefing. Trump's barrage against the news continued well into Friday night. "FAKE NEWS knowingly doesn't tell the truth," he wrote on Twitter, singling out The Times and CNN. "A great danger to our country." Trump's attacks on the press came as the White House pushed back on a report by CNN that a White House official had asked the FBI to rebut a New York Times article last week detailing contacts between Trump's associates and Russian intelligence officials. The report asserted that a senior White House official had called top leaders at the FBI to request that they contact reporters to dispute the Times's account. Trump repeated his assertion that the "fake" news is the "enemy of the American people" during the conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Centre, just south of Washington. "It doesn't and never will represent the people, and we're going to do something about it." Trump also zeroed in on the use of unnamed sources. "I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources." "They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there," he said. Meanwhile, Spicer during a briefing at his office said that the White House would relentlessly counter coverage it considered inaccurate. "We're just not going to sit back and let, you know, false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there," he said, according to reports. The Times, CNN, BuzzFeed News, The Los Angeles Times, Politico, the BBC, The Huffington Post and the Guardian were shut out of the briefing. Conservative organisations like Breitbart News, The Washington Times and One America News Network were allowed to attend the conference. Journalists from ABC, CBS, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg and Fox News also attended. However, reporters from The Associated Press and Time magazine chose not to attend the briefing in protest of the White House's actions. The Washington Post did not send a reporter to the session. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, the executive editor of The Times, said. Marty Baron, the Post's editor, called Spicer's decision "appalling." "Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like," CNN said. Asked during the gaggle whether CNN and The New York Times were blocked because the administration was unhappy with their reporting, Spicer responded: "We had it as pool, and then we expanded it, and we added some folks to come cover it. It was my decision to expand the pool." "The Wall Street Journal strongly objects to the White House's decision to bar certain media outlets from today's gaggle," a Journal spokesman said. Politico editor-in-chief John Harris said that "selectively excluding news organizations from White House briefings is misguided." The White House Correspondents' Association, which represents the press corps, also protested the decision. --IANS soni/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The allies are upset. Bad hombres are scared. Millions of illegal immigrants, over 300,000 desis among them, have slipped into the shadows. And 'fake media' is hopping mad. But there is no stopping the trundling Trump train. "Now you finally have a President. Finally!" Donald Trump told a raucous crowd of supporters at an annual gathering of conservatives as he ticked off a dizzying list of actions he has taken with his executive pen in the five weeks he has been in office. He has pulled the US out of a major trade deal, rebooted two major oil pipelines, ordered reduction in regulations and initiated a huge "military operation" to get "really bad dudes out of this country at a rate nobody has ever seen before." Now he promised a "brand new action" to ban travel from seven terror prone nations to replace the one derailed by the courts and vowed one of the greatest military build ups in American history" and to "totally obliterate" the Islamic State. Trump also could not resist the temptation of taking a dig at his Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton for calling his supporters "irredeemable deplorables" amid familiar chants of "Lock her up" and railing against the "dishonest" and "fake news" media. Even as he vowed afresh to repeal and replace "the disaster known as Obamacare," as he called former President Barack Obama's signature health care law, Republican lawmakers faced tough questions at town halls about this that and all things Trump. But Trump dismissed "the so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans" as "actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!" His top cabinet picks, however, were singing a slightly different tune abroad. If days after taking over as President, Trump had again lamented not taking the Iraqi oil as "spoils of war," his Defence Secretary James Mattis assured worried Iraqis, "We're not in Iraq to seize anybody's oil." And if the President had called NATO "obsolete," his vice President Mike Pence assured nervous European allies that Washington "strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in its commitment to our trans-Atlantic alliance." And his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly hopped over to Mexico to assure "there will be no use of military forces in immigration. And there will be no mass deportation." As Mexico baulked at reported US plans to deport even OTMs - Other than Mexicans - to Mexico instead of their home countries as previously, they also sought to soothe concerns over Trump's plan to build a wall on the border and make Mexico pay for it. Is the Trump team playing the "good cop, bad cop" routine as a "maniacally focused" President hits "his agenda every single day" as his reclusive strategic advisor Stephen Bannon asserted in a rare public appearance? Calling the press as the "opposition party," Steve Bannon, the controversial "brain" behind the President declared an unending battle with "corporatist media and other globalist forces to deconstruct the administration state" -- a system of taxes, regulations and trade pacts. And escalating his war with what Trump again called "fake news" media and "the enemy of the people", the White House barred several news outlets, including "Clinton News Network" and the "failing New York Times" from an off-camera press briefing. The move came as CNN reported that the FBI had rejected a White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even... find the leakers within the FBI itself," Trump fumed in a tweet. Meanwhile, as Trump detractors chanting "Dump Trump" marked the "Presidents Day" as "Not My Presidents Day" across the country, his die-hard supporters voiced frustration that critics unable to digest his success were too quick to protest. The Office of Special Counsel, an obscure federal watchdog, too has been flooded with inquiries from bureaucrats about what they can and can't do in office. And some others are taking their from the streets to the couch as a 'Post-election stress disorder' sweeps the nation, CNN reported citing mental health professionals "especially those working in Democratic strongholds." (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) --IANS ak/tb (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Britains Labour Party is to reaffirm its strongest possible support for the Sri Lankan Tamils at a Parliamentary event next week, a media report said on Saturday. Leading figures from the UK Labour Party, including Leader of OppositionJeremy Corbyn, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, will attend the "Tamils for Labour" event at the UK Parliament on February 28 to express their solidarity with the Tamil people, both in Britain and in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Gazette daily said in the report. Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, said he was delighted Corbyn and so many Shadow Cabinet members and Labour MPs will attend the event. Kandiah said Labour has always stood alongside and spoken up for the Tamil people. "With a crucial UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Session about to commence, the Party has a vital role to play in helping to highlight the on-going cases of human rights abuses committed against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and in supporting our people's legitimate demands for truth, justice, accountability and self-determination on the island," he added. --IANS ksk/vm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP high command is viewing with disfavour the remarks of Sultanpur member of Parliament Varun Gandhi, who has kept himself aloof from the ongoing Assembly elections. At a function in Indore, Gandhi spoke about the large number of farmers, who have committed suicide in the last two years, about the circumstances in which Vijay Mallya was allowed to leave India and then, on the suicide of Rohith Vemula. All these are not events that have covered the BJP in glory. The question then is, why would Gandhi choose to raise these issues that, too, in the middle of an election that will be crucial for the party? In a democracy, the way politicians communicate on contentious issues is crucial as it helps build public opinion. Of late, though, the kind of language heard from our leaders is not just deeply divisive, but also in poor taste. Personal jibes and contempt have crept into daily discourse. Uttar Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadavs comments about an advertisement promoting wild donkeys in Gujarat is the latest example of such contemptuous public speech. JAGDEEP CHHOKAR, founder-member of the Association for Democratic Reforms and a former professor at Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, speaks to Manavi Kapur about a new era in political discourse and what it says about our politicians and society. Union Minister Smriti Irani on Saturday cited a media report to claim that diaries seized during an IT raid on a Congress leader in Karnataka had mention of 'RG' and sought to know whom it refers to. "There is a man in Karnataka who can get anything done in Congress governments through money. During an Income Tax raid at his place it was found that crores of rupees were sent to Congress headquarters and leadership," she said. "The (TV) channel says that in the papers recovered from his place there is also the name of 'RG'... We should know who this 'RG' is," Irani said at an election rally here in the Lok Sabha Constituency of Congress vice president . Media reports had earlier said that the diaries purportedly belonging to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's Parliamentary Secretary K Govindaraju had a few acronyms that find similarities with names of some Congress leaders and the amount in crores of rupees against them which was supposedly paid or received. The Income Tax Department had in March 2016 conducted searches at the residence of Govindaraju, an MLC, and seized several documents. Irani, while addressing the election meeting, accused of double speak on farmers' issues and slammed the SP-Congress alliance, saying those who "looted" people at the Centre and state have come together this time. "This is the height of double speak that you (Gandhi) come here and comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi... If you had the strength, you would have made arrangement for fertiliser for the farmers here," she said. "Even a child in Amethi Lok Sabha constituency knows how farmers had to face baton charge while standing in long queues for urea," the Union minister claimed. Hitting out at the Congress vice-president, she alleged, "He could not develop his constituency when his party was in power at the Centre. Even today, if you bring court orders for returning farmers' land here, district officials say that they have received a phone call from Lucknow and they will not be able to implement the order." The Union minister alleged that the land of 'Samrat Cycles' factory was grabbed through the Rajiv Gandhi foundation and claimed even though Rahul talks about food park, the Congress-led UPA government did not provide necessary facilities for setting it up. On SP candidate from Amethi, Gayatri Prajapati, she said, "One who used to come on a bicycle today has big cars... Whose money is it, which has been looted?" A total of 12 activists belonging to Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) were today arrested in connection with the clash on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). They were later released on bail, police said. Activists of ABVP and SFI clashed following verbal spat and altercation over putting up of posters on the varsity campus last evening. "We have arrested seven activists from ABVP and five from SFI under relevant sections of Maharashtra Police Act. All were produced before the court and were released on bail," said an official with Chatushringi police station under whose jurisdiction the University campus falls. In their complaint, ABVP alleged that SFI members were putting up posters on the campus which read 'ABVP Murdabad' and when ABVP members went to seek an explanation from them (activists), they were intimidated and beaten up with belt. On the other hand, SFI alleged that to protest against Solapur MLC Prashant Paricharak's remarks about soldiers, violence at Rajmas College in Delhi and recent threats by Education Minister Vinod Tawde to the students of Polytechnic College in Solapur, they were distributing handbills and had organised a meet near varsity canteen. "All of a sudden 15 to 25 ABVP activists came to the venue and threatened the SFI members. They started beating them with wooden plank, belt and stones," said an SFI activist. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of SPPU, Wasudev Gade termed the incident as "unfortunate" and said that an inquiry at varsity level has been initiated. "I appeal to students not to resort to violence and show respect to each others views and opinions," said Gade. He said that the views expressed by the any group or person should be within the framework of the Constitution. To condemn the AVBP's "highhandedness" members of SFI today organised a 'silent agitation' on the campus. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thirteen crew members have gone missing while seven others have been rescued after a fishing boat sank off the Zhejiangcoast in eastern China. The local maritime authorities were informed about the sinking last morning and requested the Donghai Fleet of Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy to assist them in the rescue operations, the state-run Xinhua agency reported today. The steel-hull boat, 42.6 meters-long and 7.6 meters-wide, sank 130 sea miles to the east of Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province. Three naval frigates were sent to the shipwreck site. Another naval vessel carrying a rescue helicopter later joined the rescue. Forty-one nearby fishing boats were also mobilised, it said. The search continued till late Friday night, the report said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Six suspected terrorists of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) terror group were shot dead in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said today. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab police got a tip-off about the presence of LeJ terrorist Yasin in Muzaffargarh's Patti Sultan, some 350 kms from here. Yasin along with his accomplices was planning to target offices of the law enforcement agencies in south Punjab, a senior officer said. A CTD team along with police raided the hideout of the terrorists yesterday and challenged them to surrender. The terrorists opened fire on the raiding team which returned the fire, killing six terrorists including Yasin, he said, adding that hand grenades and other weapons were recovered from the site. Last week, the CTD had shot dead 11 terrorists of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in south Punjab. The CTD said the terrorists were planning to target shrines and law enforcement personnel. More than 100 people have been killed in a series of bombing in Lahore and other parts of the country carried out by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar during the last two weeks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Senior BJP leader L K Advani arrived today for a three-day stay at the Isha Yoga Centre here. During his stay, the former Deputy Prime Minister will visit the mammoth 112 feet Shiva bust, unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Isha Foundation yesterday. Advani will stay at the centre, about 25 kms from here, till February 27, sources from the foundation said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Afghan official says that 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander have been killed by Islamic State militants in northern Zawzjan province. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said today that the police officers were ambushed yesterday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US Customs and Border Protection has said that it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall with Mexico, signaling that he is aggressively pursuing plans to erect "a great wall" along the 2,000-mile border. The agency said it will request bids on or around March 6 and that companies would have to submit "concept papers" to design and build prototypes by March 10, according to a website for federal contractors. The field of candidates will be narrowed by March 20 and finalists must submit offers with their proposed costs by March 24. The president told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that construction will start "very soon" and is "way, way, way ahead of schedule." The agency's notice gave no details on where the wall would be built first and how many miles would be covered initially. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has sought employees' opinions during border tours of California, Arizona and Texas. It's unclear how soon Congress would provide funding and how much. The Government Accountability Office estimates a wall would cost on average USD 6.5 million a mile for a fence to keep out people who try to enter on foot and USD 1.8 million a mile for vehicle barriers. There are currently 354 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers. Republican leaders in Congress have said Trump's wall would cost between USD 12-15 billion. Trump has suggested USD 12 billion. An internal Homeland Security Department report prepared for Kelly estimates the cost of extending the wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border at about USD 21 billion. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A suspect in the 2002 terror attack on American Centre in Kolkata was arrested from Bihar's Gaya district, police said today. A team of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, Jharkhand Police and Bihar Police arrested Mohammad Sarwar from Neemchak Bathani police station area late last night, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Magadh, Saurabh Kumar said. He is also a suspect in an attack on a CBI team and Jharkhand Police in Hazaribagh in the same year. In that incident two attackers were killed but Sarwar had managed to escape. The DIG said the suspect has been taken to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after his arrest. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Center on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002 killing six of them and injuring 14 others. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The tomb of a medieval king whose murder changed the course of Scottish history in a real-life "Game of Thrones" could be unearthed in a new hi-tech project launched today. Archaeologists and virtual reality artists want to digitally recreate the court of King James I of Scotland in Perth, around 64 kilometres from Edinburgh, and try to find the king's tomb buried beneath the modern-day city. They are also looking for the remains of his queen, Joan Beaufort, and of Margaret Tudor, sister of Henry VIII of England and wife of James IV of Scotland, who was also buried there a century later. The team has been inspired by the discovery of King Richard III of England beneath a car park in Leicester. "It's like 'Game of Thrones' and 'Outlander' all rolled into one -- except this story is real," said Paul Wilson, who is leading the digital visualisation project at Glasgow School of Art (GSA). James I was assassinated on February 21, 1437, by supporters of a rival claimant to the throne, an act which historians say brought an end to his ambition to make Perth the capital of Scotland. "That day changed Scotland forever," Wilson said. The king's mausoleum lay at the heart of a Carthusian priory called the Charterhouse, which was modelled on the Grande Chartreuse in the French Alps. The team is planning archaeological digs over the next two years to map out the Charterhouse boundaries and recover artefacts, which will then be used to create a virtual reality tour. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In a case of road rage, a 29-year-old man was allegedly attacked by three men who not only thrashed him but one of them also bit off his nose in north Delhi's Lahori Gate area. The incident happened on February 23 when Aman, a businessman had left his shop located hear SPM Marg around 9 PM for his home in his Innova car, said a senior police officer. Aman is a resident of Surya Vihar in Ghazibad and is in the business of food colours. He will soon be getting married on March 4. In his complaint, he told police that he took a u-turn towards Novelty Cinema since there was heavy traffic near Pul Mithai. When he took a u-turn towards Novelty Cinema, three men Vishal Pandey, Dheeraj and Vipin Mehra allegedly stopped his vehicle and told him that he was driving on the wrong side, said the officer. They allegedly started abusing and thrashing him and amid all this, Dheeraj allegedly bit off the right portion of Aman's nose, he said. They allegedly threatened to kill him if he reported the matter to anybody, he added. After they fled from the spot, Aman called up his brother Pankaj and was first admitted to Sant Parmanand Hospital and later to Fortis Hospital, said the officer. A case under sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC was registered and the accused were arrested yesterday but they later got bail, said the officer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LINCOLN It's not the first time Noemi Martinez has spoken up about a bill that would help ensure the man who sexually assaulted her has no parental rights to the child conceived during that crime. And, frankly, if this bill doesn't advance for debate or get passed by the Nebraska Legislature, she'll keep telling her story until it does, she said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee. The snowy weather Friday kept her from testifying in person. The bill (LB188) introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard would ensure victims of sexual assault have a pathway to protect their parental rights and the best interests of children conceived as a result of the crimes. A co-worker in Norfolk sexually assaulted Martinez after she went to his apartment on his invitation when she was 18. She doesn't have clear memories of the night, but she does remember telling him she did not want to have sex. The rape ended in a pregnancy. She pressed charges, and the man pleaded down from first-degree to third-degree sexual assault, spent 16 days in jail and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. When Martinez' daughter was born, she applied for Medicaid benefits and the state contacted the father to request child support payments. He, in turn, requested visitation. Because he is the biological father, and there are no protections in Nebraska law, the court ordered Martinez to allow him visits, which he retains today. "I was told it is in the best interest of my child to have a father in her life," she said. But what makes a rapist safe to be a father, she asked. How can he be trusted with a child? He has never apologized and has been a bully, she said, like he was when she was pregnant and he told her to punch herself in the stomach or fall down a flight of stairs. The bill would allow a victim to ask a court to terminate parental rights of a perpetrator, if it is in the best interest of the child. If the person is convicted of sexual assault, he or she would not be considered part of the family for reunification purposes or granted custody or visits without the consent of a custodian or guardian. Twenty-two states allow for termination of parental rights in such cases. Emma Eaton, a high school senior, also testified in favor of the bill. She said it is an injustice that a person must maintain contact, even form a relationship with her rapist. "Like so many others, I was a victim of sexual assault," Eaton said. "What happened to me in middle school has now empowered me through my recovery to be a vigilant survivor and not to allow my perpetrator to victimize me, although I continue to see him in my community." She decided to use her experience to fight for justice for others and to join the fight against sexual assault. "We must stop allowing perpetrators to win," Eaton said. "The actions and behaviors of these people are repeatable. After committing this action once, what will stop them from terrorizing their victim again or, worse, harming the child?" No one testified in opposition to the bill. Bangladesh garment workers arrested last year over wage strikes are being released, global union IndustriALL said today, adding that international fashion brands have agreed not to boycott a key industry conference in capital Dhaka. A strike by tens of thousands of workers in December demanding higher pay was quashed after around two weeks, with 1,600 employees sacked and 34 workers and union leaders arrested. Cases alleging such things as burglary, arson, vandalism and extortion were also filed against more than 1,500 others, while authorities dismissed the workers' demands saying that no pay hike would be made before 2019. Global fashion companies including H&M and Zara-owner Inditex -- top clients of Bangladesh's USD 30-billion garment industry -- later said they would pull out of a key conference in support of the workers. The Dhaka Apparel Summit, scheduled for this weekend, is the signature annual event in the global textile hub with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina designated as keynote speaker. But in a statement today global garment union IndustriALL, who led a campaign against the Bangladesh government's crackdown on the movement, said most of the workers had been released and the rest would be freed shortly. "This is an important victory for garment workers in Bangladesh, sending a strong message to the country's industry to enter into a constructive dialogue with the trade unions," spokesman Valter Sanches said. IndustriALL said it had entered into an agreement with the government and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) -- a body representing 4,500 clothing factories -- allowing for the release of the workers. The BGMEA had previously labelled the strikes illegal and warned that salary rises would drive retailers in Europe and the US to competitor markets like Myanmar. "We will continue to support the fight for higher wages and will closely monitor the situation until all charges are dropped," IndustriALL's Bangladesh Council (IBC) spokesman Kutubuddin Ahmed told AFP. "We have informed the brands who earlier pulled out from Dhaka Apparel Summit about the agreement and release of the workers and unionists. Following our confirmation, they have decided to join the summit." A senior BGMEA official also said that the fashion companies would be joining the conference while H&M confirmed in an email to AFP that it had decided to participate. Bangladesh's garment industry accounts for 80 per cent of its annual exports, but it has a woeful history of poor pay and conditions for its four million workers. Protests over wages, benefits and working conditions are common but gained intensity after the collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex in April 2013, which killed 1,138 people. Workers in the industrial town of Ashualia staged mass protests in December to demand a three-fold hike in pay, which can typically run as low as USD 68 a month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Five Bangladeshi boys, who had been abducted and rescued in 2015, were today handed over to the Bangladesh Border Guards (BGB) at Hili border of South Dinajpur district. The five Bangladeshis, aged between 13 and 15 years, had been brought to India illegally by child abductors, said Chairman of Child Welfare Committee (CWC), North Dinajpur district, Ashim Roy. The police rescued them on October 27, 2015 at Karandighi in North Dinajpur district. However, the abductors could not be found. The boys were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and as per its order, the CWC handed the boys over to the border guards of the neighbouring country at Hili border, Roy said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The German government today denounced Turkey's detention on terrorism-related charges of a journalist, adding its voice to a growing chorus calling for his release. German daily Die Welt said its correspondent Deniz Yucel, 43, was detained on February 18 and his apartment searched in connection with reports on an attack by hackers on the email account of Turkey's energy minister. The minister, Berat Albayrak, is a son-in-law of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In an interview published today by Die Welt, German foreign minister Sigmar Gabriel said it was "neither necessary nor just to deprive Deniz Yucel of his freedom for this long". While Gabriel said Turkey had a right to enforce such detention measures under its current state of emergency, he added; "it is now time for the Turkish justice system to make a decision". Under Turkey's state of emergency, Yucel can be held in police custody for up to 14 days without facing a judge, and prosecutors can then apply for him to be remanded in custody. "We continue to do all we can to find a solution," Gabriel added. The foreign minister's statement come a day after 166 lawmakers in the Bundestag, the lower house of Germany's parliament, wrote an open letter to Turkish Ambassador Ali Kemal Aydin calling for Yucel's release. "Intellectual debate is the best instrument against terrorism, which paradoxically is what he is being accused of," the group wrote. According to a Die Welt statement at the time of Yucel's detention, the journalist reported on emails the leftist Turkish hacker collective RedHack had acquired from Albayrak's private email account. "The emails concerned control of Turkish media groups and influencing the public by means of fake users on the messaging service Twitter," it added. The paper says Yucel, who presented himself at the Istanbul police headquarters for questioning on February 14, is accused of "being a member of a terrorist organisation, misuse of data and terrorist propaganda". The relationship between Berlin and Ankara has been battered in recent months by a series of rows in the wake of the July 2016 failed coup aimed at ousting Erdogan. Since that coup attempt, Turkey has clamped down on the press, arresting hundreds of journalists without trial. About 170 media outlets have been closed and nearly 800 press cards cancelled, according to journalists' associations. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thirteen people were killed and 34 injured when two buses collided head-on in eastern Argentina, the emergency services have said. The buses were full of passengers when they collided and crashed yesterday into a ditch near the city of Rosario, civil defense official Marcos Escajadillo told television channel C5N. He said investigators had yet to establish the cause of the crash, which occurred on a level road and under good weather conditions. Two young women were hospitalized in critical condition, a hospital director said. The bus company Monticas said in a statement that both drivers were killed in the accident and that the two buses, model year 2012, were routinely inspected, had daily maintenance and were in excellent condition. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's bad loans totalled a whopping USD 220 billion last year and its rising trend was a major worry for Chinese bankers last year, an industry report said today. About 90 per cent of 1,794 bankers surveyed regarded risk management from bad loan pressure as the biggest challenge last year, state-run Xinhua agency quoted a report by the China Banking Association and PwC as saying. Bad loans by commercial banks totalled 1.5 trillion yuan (USD 220 billion) at the end of last year, 18.3 billion yuan more at the end of quarter three (Q3). Accordingly, about 78 per cent of the bankers put improving risk management as key task, with about 61 per cent choosing to adjust business pattern, the report said. The biggest borrower is urban infrastructure projects, followed by the medical sector, it said. Most of the bad loans were reported to have been caused by provincial governments who in the past went for infrastructure overdrive to showcase their progress while sitting on bad loans. Chinese banks also conduct off-balance-sheet businesses such as asset management and investment banking. High net worth individuals, small businesses and government departments are the top three client groups, the report said. Last year, a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked China to take immediate steps to tackle rising corporate debt to avoid new "debt bubble". "Corporate debt remains a serious - and growing - problem that must be addressed immediately and with a commitment to serious reforms," IMF's first deputy managing director David Lipton had said at a conference in Shenzhen in June last year. He had estimated the total debt at 225 per cent of GDP and corporate debt at 145 per cent of GDP, "which is very high by any measure". China's corporate debt was a serious and growing problem, Lipton had said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Congress party today demanded a thorough probe into the Kanpur train tragedy and it accused the Prime Minister of doing "low-level politicking" by using such sensitive matters to attack political opponents. The opposition party's attack comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at a poll rally in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda that the Kanpur railway accident, in which 150 people lost their lives in November last year, was a conspiracy which was hatched across the border. "It does not suit the stature of the PM to comment on an ongoing investigation and influence it while speaking in an election rally. By making this a political tool to attack his opponents, Modi has again stooped to extremely low level of politicking," Congress' senior spokesperson C P Joshi said. "We demand that a firm, proper and fair investigation take place in this incident and the guilty (whosoever it may be) must be brought to book," he said. Accusing Modi of trying to divide the society in Uttar Pradesh on communal lines, he said people of the state will not take such language lying down and will give a united and a befitting reply to the BJP. The Congress leader also predicted an electoral defeat of the BJP in the state and claimed that Modi had "lost his political balance". "The Prime Minister has lost his political balance in the wake of a definite electoral defeat staring at him. Not only has he brought down the dignity of the prime ministerial chair, he continuously brings insult to the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India," he claimed. "Staring at imminent defeat in Uttar Pradesh, Modi's sheer desperation is clearly visible. The Prime Miinister made no bones about the fact that he wants to flaunt the polarisation card," he claimed. The Congress leader also posed five questions to Modi, saying if he is telling the nation that the train tragedy is a terror attack, "then isn't it the second biggest terror attack after Mumbai 26/11 terror attack?" He said the then Home Minister Shivraj Patil had resigned, accepting responsibility of 26/11 attack, "Will the PM ensure the accountability and responsibility of present Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu by making them resign?" "Or is it that Rajnath is only being used in UP elections for political benefits and is going to be dropped afterwards," he asked. "Is it not a fact that 191 jawans have been martyred in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir in the last two and a half years? Will the Prime Minister take responsibility for it," he asked. The Congress leader said it was the Modi government that invited "the rogue Pakistan based ISI" to investigate the Pathankot terror attack. "Since the PM is now stating its involvement in the Kanpur train accident, the nation would like to know why did the PM invite ISI to investigate Pathankot," he claimed. "It is a fact that the JIT (Joint Investigation Team) probing the Pathankot attack went back to Pakistan and in return blamed India for carrying out such an attack," he said. Joshi also claimed that the Prime Minister's Saree-Shawl diplomacy viz-a-viz Pakistan was "a complete failure". Alleging that the recent arrests by Madhya Pradesh ATS in connection with the ISI-run spy racket have "completely exposed" the "'Chaal Charitra and Chehra' of the Bharatiya Janata Party". He asked if it was true that atleast four persons out of 11 arrested are BJP-VHP-Bajrang Dal members and have active connections with the Sangh Parivar. "Is it not true that they teamed up with the ISI to spy on the Indian Army? What action will the PM and BJP chief Amit Shah take on such elements in their own party," he said. Addressing an election meeting yesterday in Gonda district, which is close to the Indo-Nepal border, Modi touched upon the derailment of 14 coaches of Indore-Patna Express near Pukhraya in Kanpur Dehat district on November 20 and said the findings showed it was a "conspiracy". "The Kanpur rail accident in which hundreds of people were killed was a conspiracy and conspirators carried it out sitting across the border...Gonda is adjoining Nepal,"he said. "If the cross-border foes want to carry out their work, is it not necessary that more vigil is maintained in Gonda," Modi asked people as he exhorted them to vote for the BJP. Bloody clashes erupted today between Azerbaijani forces and Armenian separatists over the breakaway Nagorny Karabakh region, claiming the lives of several Azerbaijani servicemen, Baku and rebel officials said. Ex-Soviet Azerbaijan and Armenia are locked in a protracted conflict over the disputed region, and frequent exchanges of fire nearly spiralled into all-out war last year. Azerbaijan's defence ministry said "Armenian forces attempted an intrusion into Azerbaijani territory along the Karabakh frontline" in the early hours of Saturday. "Fierce clashes erupted at the frontline's Khojavend-Fizuli sector," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Azerbaijani military "suffered losses in manpower as they courageously repelled the enemy's attack." "The enemy continues shelling Azerbaijani positions from heavy artillery," it said. Armenia's defence ministry, for its part, accused Baku of attacking Karabakh army positions along the south-eastern and eastern sectors of the frontline. "Azerbaijan's political and military leadership is increasing tensions at the frontline and spreads disinformation," the ministry said. "Armenia is committed to the ceasefire and calls on the Azerbaijani side to refrain from steps that would further escalate the situation." The rebel defence ministry in Karabakh said its forces have "repelled the enemy who suffered losses. Several corpses of Azerbaijani soldiers remain at the neutral territory." The latest clash came after three Armenian soldiers were killed in fighting with Azerbaijani troops on December 29. In April last year, at least 110 people from both sides were killed as simmering violence flared into the worst clashes in decades over the region. A Russian-brokered ceasefire ended the four days of fierce fighting in April but attempts to relaunch the stalled peace process since then have failed. Baku and Yerevan have feuded over the Nagorny Karabakh region since Armenian separatists seized the territory in a war that claimed some 30,000 lives in the early 1990s and ended in a fragile 1994 truce. The two sides never signed a firm peace deal. Energy-rich Azerbaijan, whose military spending exceeds Armenia's entire state budget, has repeatedly threatened to take back the breakaway region by force. But Moscow-allied Armenia has vowed to crush any military offensive. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Basking in BJP's success in the civic and Zilla Parishad polls, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today paid floral tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at the Raigad fort this morning. He was accompanied by Revenue Minister Chandrakant Patil, Finance Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar, Education Minister Vinod Tawde, State BJP president Raosaheb Danve and Mumbai party president Ashish Shelar. The leaders garlanded the statue of the warrior king situated at the fort in Raigad district, which was his capital in 1674 when he was crowned King of the Maratha Kingdom. A statue of the Maratha warrior and his samadhi are situated at this fort, nearly 170 kms from here. During the 2014 Maharashtra Assembly elections after registering a thumping victory in the Lok Sabha polls, BJP had launched the its campaign for Assembly polls with a call 'Chhatrapati Shivaji ka ashirwad, chalo chale Modi ke saath'. Till then, Shiv Sena considered Shivaji Maharaj as its icon. "Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj ki Jai! Jai Bhavani, Jai Shivaji!. Feeling blessed," Fadanvis tweeted after his visit. (REOPENS BES 7) Fadnavis said 'transparency' and 'good governance' is the mantra given by Shivaji Maharaj and that his party is marching ahead following this mantra. "People from all across the state have shown faith on us, our party and on the agenda we are taking ahead. We reiterate our commitment to follow the path shown by our great king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and assure development of every citizen," he said. Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said the fight over Mahanadi river water and Polavaram issue is for safeguarding the interests and rights of the people of the state. "Our fight for Mahanadi and Polavaram is beyond political or electoral gains. Since it is a fight for the rights of our people, the Government has stood firmly with the people to ensure our due share of water from Mahanadi river," Patnaik said in the state Assembly. The chief minister was replying to the motion of thanks to the Governor for his address to the House on the opening day of the budget session on February 21. To prevent unauthorised construction by Chhattisgarh on upstream of river Mahanadi and to safeguard interest of people of Odisha for whom Mahanadi is the lifeline, we have moved Government of India to constitute a tribunal to resolve the issue and have also moved the Apex court," he said. "The Government will leave no stone unturned to protect the interests of the people of the state on Mahanadi and Polavaram issue," Patnaik asserted. Stating that the Government has made significant achievements in all key areas of governance, the chief minister said financial position has improved significantly and the state is able to undertake various developmental activities from its own resources. "By extending the scope of ongoing state schemes like Gopabandhu Gramin Yojana to the whole of Odisha, in view of the closure of important schemes by the Central Government, we have fulfilled many of our promises and are proud of our achievements in placing Odisha in the forefront of economic and social prosperity," he said. Poverty eradication programmes are being implemented on a mission mode to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural households, Patnaik said adding the thrust is to provide proper road connectivity, electricity, safe drinking water, sanitation and other infrastructure facilities to holistically develop the rural areas. Stating that the Government is sensitive to the needs of farmers, Patnaik said a separate budget is prepared for agriculture sector and the state is among the few states to have constituted an exclusive Agriculture Cabinet to look into issues relating to the welfare of farming community. Farm income has doubled in last 10 years, he said adding foodgrain production has touched an all time high of 118.24 lakh metric tonne in 2014-15, registering a growth of 22.7 per cent over 96.36 lakh tonne during 2013-14. During last two years, 2.94 lakh hectares of additional irrigation potential has been created through all sources, Patnaik said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) LINCOLN The Legislature on Friday soundly rejected a proposal designed to increase keno gambling activity in Nebraska by authorizing participation on mobile devices, including smartphones, within licensed areas of the state. The bill (LB470) was killed on a 24-9 vote with a substantial number of senators choosing not to cast a vote on the motion offered by Sen. Ernie Chambers of Omaha. Sen. Tyson Larson of O'Neill, sponsor of the bill, said keno revenue helps cities and counties "build parks and maintain good things," taking pressure off local property taxes. Expanded keno gambling would result in nearly $500,000 in additional revenue for the state, Larson said. Chambers said the proposal would "prey upon the weaknesses of your neighbors." Keno gambling losses hurt Nebraska families, he said, plunging them into debt. Chambers told the Legislature he would be prepared to engage in a time-consuming filibuster at all three stages of floor consideration to bottle up the bill if it survived his kill motion. Provisions in the bill would also speed up gambling activity by reducing the required five-minute time interval between games at keno sites. "People should be spending that money on shoes and kids," Sen. Paul Schumacher of Columbus said. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn said, "I don't think that's right" to encourage more gambling so that government can benefit from more revenue. "People become addicted to gambling and their families suffer," said Sen. Roy Baker of Lincoln said. Larson suggested that rich people also gamble "and it's called the stock market." Keno revenue is directed to "community betterment" purposes under provisions of current law. In Lincoln, most of that revenue has been allocated to parks, recreation activities like swimming pools and city libraries. Keno was authorized in Lincoln by a vote of the people in 1992 and approved by the City Council in 1993. David Geier, executive director of the state's gamblers assistance program, told a legislative study committee in December that "it's predictable that rates of gambling disorder will increase" if keno gambling activity were to speed up by reducing the interval between games or by allowing participation on electronic devices. An unidentified person hurled a footwear at the car of AIADMK MLA and film actor Karunas when he visited his constituency Thiruvadanai in the district. Karunas, who has recently come in for flak on social media for supporting AIADMK chief V K Sasikala, arrived to garland a statue of freedom fighter Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar when the incident occurred, police said. The footwear fell on the car, police said adding they were investigating to trace the culprit. There were reports that a section of the people in his constituency was not happy with his decision to support the Sasikala camp after former chief minister O Pannerselvam revolted against the leadership. Karunas heading the "Mukulathor Puratchi Padai', a political out-fit, contested from the constituency in the last year assembly election on the AIADMK's Two leaves symbol and won. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Four persons, including a child, were murdered in separate incidents in the district in the last 48 hours, police said today. In Mahagaon, a four-year-old boy was allegedly strangled to death by his father Kishore Jadhav (30). In another incident, Pankaj Madkam (24), a resident of Ram Mandir Road of Pandharkawda, was attacked by three persons, resulting into his death while his friend was injured. Police are investigating the motive. In Ghatanji, Akshay Bhore (24) died after he was attacked with iron rods by three persons, police said. In the fourth incident, Vijay Bhimrao Chavan (23) of Ramgaon Haru village was stabbed to death allegedly by Vijay Pawar (50). Police have arrested seven accused in all from various places, said the district SP M Raj Kumar. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal health secretary R S Shukla today said the department was not satisfied with the reply of Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, which has courted controversy for allegedly refusing to release a patient without settling his dues. "We are not satisfied with the reply of the hospital. We feel that the case could have been handled in a better way," Shukla told reporters after his meeting with the officials of the hospital, who were summoned. Sanjoy Roy, who was admitted to the hospital on February 16 after a road accident died at the state-run SSKM hospital where he was shifted. "The incident could have been avoided with more appropriate steps," he said adding "We have asked them (hospital officials) to appear before us with more documents in support of their explanations." Shukla also criticised the hospital authority for taking fixed deposit papers from the patient party. "The hospital authority can't take FD papers from patient party." The hospital authority had yesterday said the patient's relatives had given the FD papers to it. "We never asked for it." State Health Services Director Biswaranjan Satpathy said "Comparatively much less expensive and simple method of treament could have saved the youth's life." The Health Department officials later submitted their report to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The issue has sparked controversies following death of the patient. Family members of Roy, who was admitted to the hospital on February 16 after a road accident, have alleged that the hospital authorities refused to release him unless dues were settled and the delay to shift him caused his death. "The bill for his treatment ran into nearly Rs eight lakh and we wanted to shift him to the state-run SSKM hospital as we managed to get a bed there. We pleaded with the (private) hospital authorities to release the patient but they had insisted on the payment first," a family member had said. The hospital authority, however, denied the allegation and said the patient's relatives confirmed at 7 p.M that they have got a bed in the government hospital. "We had agreed (to release Roy). Subsequently, we had taken the patient in our ambulence with doctors and continued his treatment till he was put in that hospital's bed." Banerjee had on Wednesday warned private hospitals against over-charging patients and negligence in treatment and announced setting up of a regulatory commission to monitor their functioning. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Guatemala's Volcano of Fire erupted today, spewing lava and sending up ash plumes that rained down ashes on nearby communities and could reach the capital, the civil protection authorities said. The Volcan de Fuego, one of the country's three active volcanoes, is located about 45 kilometres southwest of the capital Guatemala City. It was the volcano's second eruption this year. "The variable wind from the south could carry ash toward the south of the capital," David de Leon, spokesman for the National Coordinator for Disaster Reduction, told AFP. The rumbling 3,763-metre-high (12,345-feet) volcano was pumping out a series of moderate and strong explosions, according to the National Institute of Seismology, Volcanology, Meteorology and Hydrology. In addition to Fuego, the Central American country has two other active volcanoes: Santiaguito in the west and Pacaya in the south, just 30 kilometres from the capital. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Haryana Assembly's Budget session starting here on Monday is likely to be stormy with the opposition set to train guns on the BJP government over various issues, including the ongoing Jat stir and SYL canal. The session will commence with the address of Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, an official spokesman said today. The budget for 2017-2018 is likely to be presented on March 6 and the session is to continue till March 10, officials sources said. However, the Business Advisory Committee of the Haryana Assembly will take the final call in this regard. The Jat reservation issue is set to figure prominently in the forthcoming session as the community members have been agitating for nearly a month in support of their various demands. Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) category, their demands include the release of those jailed during last year's stir, withdrawal of cases and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured. The INLD, the main opposition party in Haryana, and the Congress have come out in support of the agitating Jats this time and have asked the government to meet their demands. While senior INLD leader Abhay Singh Chautala recently addressed sit-ins being staged by the Jats at several places in the state, former Chief Minister and senior Congress leader Bhupinder Singh Hooda said the Khattar government should fulfill the promises made to the community last year. "The government should fulfil the promises it made to them (the Jats)," Hooda said, accusing the BJP government of "again mishandling the whole issue". Both the Congress and the INLD are drawing up strategies to take on the ruling benches on the issue. Haryana was on the boil for nearly a fortnight in February last year due to the Jat agitation, during which 30 people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was destroyed at many places by miscreants. The opposition is also set to raise the SYL canal issue. On Thursday, a group of INLD leaders and workers led by Chautala tried to march into neighbouring Punjab to dig its portion of the SYL canal. However, the march was foiled by the Punjab Police. The INLD leaders have maintained that the Supreme Court has given the order in favour of Haryana on the construction of SYL and have accused the BJP governments at the Centre and in Haryana of not doing anything to implement the decision. Besides, both the Congress and the INLD would seek reply from the government on other crucial issues like the state's law and order situation and farmers. Recently, Chautala along with 15 MLAs of INLD were in judicial custody in Patiala jail for violating section 144 during their protest to dig the SYL canal. Opposition parties are also going to target the government on controversy related to 464 acres of prime land in Gwal Pahari in Gurugram district. The BJP MLA from Gurugram Umesh Aggarwal has attacked the state government, raising questions about the ownership of Gwal Pahari land in Gurugram. Hooda said while the government often talks about showing zero tolerance towards corruption, its own legislators were pointing fingers. Notably, recently the MC Gurugram had sent notices to individuals to vacate its over 450 acres of land in Gwal Pahari. The land is currently in the hands of various individuals, private developers and farmhouse owners. The entitlement of the land in question and the mutation has been in dispute for over three decades. Gwal Pahari is part of the Aravali range with Gurugram- Faridabad road passing through it. Due to its prime location and scope for development, it is highly sought after by developers and realtors. Meanwhile, the Assembly is also likely to pay tributes to the sons-of-the-soil who sacrificed their lives for their motherland while fighting militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, among others. Among the latest casualty is a young officer hailing from Mahendergarh district Major Satish Dahiya who was killed while fighting militants at Kralgund in Kupwara district on February 15. The Haryana government today provided a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh to the family of a jawan who lost his life in a ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir. Mandeep Singh, 30, a jawan in 17th Sikh regiment, was killed in a ceasefire violation along the LoC in Machhal Sector in Jammu and Kashmir in October last year. The government gave a cheque of Rs 25 lakh to his wife, a head constable with Haryana police, an official spokesman said, adding that two Rs 12.50 lakh cheques were handed over to Mandeep's mother Nirmala and father Phool Singh. The cheques were given to the family members after Mandeep's wife Prerna and brother Sandeep Singh took up the matter with the Prime Minister Office in Delhi earlier in the day. A native of Antehri village of Kurukshetra district, Mandeep's body was mutilated after being killed.. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India is America's "greatest" strategic partner which has been "instrumental" in helping the US build technology and medical professions, a top US Governor has said. "We clearly understand the strategic importance of India, of India-US relations. As we grow our 21st century economy, India has been so instrumental in helping us build our technology, medical professions," Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, who is also the chair of the powerful National Governors Association, told PTI. "We recognise a country that has been such a close strategic ally of the US. That's why we the Governors are here tonight," McAuliffe said at a reception hosted by Navtej Sarna, the Indian Ambassador to the US, at his residence in honour of members of the National Governors Association (NGA). Governors along with their spouses from a record number of 25 states attended the reception, which is one of the largest such gatherings at the Ambassador's residence in recent years and reflective of the strong partnership that India over the years has been able to build with each of these states. The event, the first-of-its-nature held in recent years, among others was attended by Governors of Virginia, Nevada, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Guam, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah, Virgin Islands, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Senior representatives of Governors of California, Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania were also in the audience. "India is America's greatest strategic partner," McAuliffe said, explaining the reasons for the NGA agreeing to have this reception at the residence of Indian Ambassador despite a tough competition from other countries. The reception coincided with the Winter Meeting of the NGA which is currently underway in Washington. "This is a great opportunity for Governors. India is so large, with so many people and so many opportunities. But you cannot build relationship with India unless you visit the country," said McAuliffe, as he urged other Governors to visit India and take trade delegations there. He himself has been to India as many as 15 times, the last time he took a trade delegation to India. Addressing the largest-ever crowd of US Governors at his residence, Sarna said India-US relationship today is a "very major" global strategic partnership. Urging the Governors to increase their interaction with Indian states, Sarna said India today is at the edge of another set of economic reforms. "There are major plans for the development of our infrastructure, we have major plans on innovation front, for startups, for skilling people. So there are huge opportunities," Sarna said. Asking US companies to be part of the Indian success story, Sarna said that India's booming economy creates strong demand for US goods, helping to create jobs and prosperity. Indian companies operate in most US states and are present in diverse sectors like IT and telecommunications, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and life sciences, education, financial service and manufacturing. The relationship, he said, enjoys a bipartisan support. Sarna said that US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have had very warm and constructive conversations. "Prime Minister, who has himself been the Chief Minister of a State for more than a decade, is a strong believer in 'cooperative federalism'. This platform of cooperation between the Indian Embassy and NGA thus provides us with fertile ground for fruitful and active cooperation between State level authorities of our two countries," he said. Iraqi forces backed by jets and helicopters battled jihadists inside west Mosul today but still faced a tough and potentially protracted battle to retake the Islamic State group's bastion. Almost a week into a major push on the city's west bank, they were gaining significant ground, taking on IS on several fronts in one of the most intense phases of the four-month-old operation to retake Mosul. Elite forces from the interior ministry's Rapid Response units that retook Mosul airport pressed north towards the city centre but their advance was expected to slow as they moved deeper. "Right now we're heading towards the Mosul governorate building, we're now about one kilometre from the fourth bridge," the city's southernmost bridge across the Tigris River, Lieutenant Colonel Abdulamir al-Mohammadawi told AFP on the front line. "We're heading towards the centre and also the Turkish consulate, which we're about 500 metres from," he said, as attack helicopters fired rockets at targets in the Jawsaq neighbourhood. As they pushed deeper from the outer edges of the city into more densely populated areas, resistance appeared to stiffen. "Daesh is using houses full of residents as human shields," Mohammadawi said, as tanks and troops rained fire on suspected IS snipers. Moments later, Rapid Response fighters helped two wounded comrades back to the rear for treatment. They moaned in pain and one wore a tourniquet above his knee after being shot in the leg by a sniper. An Iraqi female reporter, Shifa Gardi, was killed today when a roadside bomb exploded as she was covering the clashes in west Mosul, her channel said. The 30-year-old journalist for Kurdish network Rudaw became the second reporter to die since the Mosul offensive began four months ago. In areas now rid of the jihadists, residents told of their lives under IS rule and celebrated their recovered freedom. "They made us wear short trousers and beards, cigarettes were forbidden. The women had to cover even their eyes, it was forbidden even for their eyes to appear," said 20-year-old Othman Raad outside his home in Jawsaq. "Now we feel relaxed, our children are safe, we are safe," he said, even as fighting raged blocks away. Iraqi forces launched a fresh push from the south on February 19, nearly a month after the eastern side of Mosul was declared "fully liberated". The west bank of Mosul is where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance as IS leader in July 2014 and proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan today said right wing organisations, including the RSS, had been trying to divide the country for the last several years. Addressing a "communal harmony rally" organised by CPI(M) here, he said it was unfortunate that such organisations were tryingto disrupt peace in the country. Vijayan said it was now imperative to protect communal harmony. He said the RSS had "adopted the organisational structure of Mussolini and the ideology of Hitler. The two dictators had terrorised the world", he said. The RSS had absolutely norole in India's independence struggle, but actually took sideswith the British during the period, while all other parties jointly supported the fight against the British despite differences among them on several matters", he said. He said Nathuram Godse, who assassinated MahatmaGandhi with a revolver, himself was a weapon in the hands ofRSS. The assassination was the result of a conspiracy, he alleged. "In India, the RSS had now identified Muslims, Christians and Communists as their internal enemies and were carrying out attacks to eliminate them", Vijayan said, adding they were instigating communal violence to destroy unity among the people. Earlier, inaugurating the office construction of Kannada daily 'Vartha Bharathi' he said it was not wrong on the part of a daily to take sides, but they should be with the common man. Commending 'Vartha Bharathi' for upholding secular ideals and fighting communal elements, he said the daily had stood for the cause of the poor and depressed sections of society while many other media groups were now being influenced by capitalist and corporate forces. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar today appealed to the leaders of Opposition parties not to politicise the SYL issue, saying everyone had fought together for the construction of the canal. He expressed the hope that the Supreme Court would deliver its judgement in favour of Haryana on March 2. Satluj Yamuna Link (SYL) is a proposed 214-km long canal to connect Sutlej and Yamuna rivers. Since it relates to water sharing between Punjab and Haryana, the two states have been fighting over it and the matter is now before the Supreme Court. The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering at the Regional Agricultural Research Station, Bawal in Rewari district, after inaugurating the College of Agriculture and laying the foundation stones of nine projects. ' The projects relate to education, technical education, skill development, health, drinking water and railway overbridge and these will be completed at a total cost of Rs 257 crore. Reiterating the state government's commitment towards supplying water to the tail-ends in southern Haryana, he said work was underway on the Rs 143-crore project to enhance the capacity of JLN Lift Irrigation Project to ensure adequate availability of water in canals. On completion, the project is expected to ensure availability of water in Nangal Chaudhary and the surrounding areas, he added. Listing the various steps taken for the welfare of farmers, including the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, he said while the previous governments had failed to adequately compensate the farmers for their losses, the present government had provided relief to them by disbursing Rs 2,400 crore as compensation during its two-year tenure. Asking the farmers to take up organic farming, he said the College of Agriculture would assist them in the surrounding areas to improve their income level and production by developing better seeds and providing technical know-how. The Chief Minister said that 3,500 announcements had so far been made throughout the state, and work on these would be completed this year. Pucca roads would be built from Kaulana to Bohka, Bhatsana to Nikhri and Kishanpur to Alawalpur, besides establishing veterinary hospital in Kaulana village. He also announced Rs 10 crore for development works in the rural areas of Bawal Assembly constituency and Rs 5 crore for Bawal city. Lauding the Khattar government for successful appeal of the Presidential Reference on the construction of SYL Canal, Union Minister of State for Urban Development Rao Inderjit Singh advised the Chief Minister to pursue the possibility of getting water from Dohan and Krishnawati rivers in Rajasthan. He said he, along with MPs from Haryana, would meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in this regard after March 11. He also urged the Chief Minister to appeal for establishing a branch of AIIMS at Manethi in the next Budget, besides preparing a scheme for providing drinking water in villages of Rewari area. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Moonlight" actor Mahershala Ali and his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, have welcomed their first child. Ali, 43, shared a sweet snap of his wife cuddling their newborn on Instagram, which he captioned: "Bari (Bar-ee) Najma Ali 2/22/17 #pisces." The Oscar-nominated star and Sami-Karim, who wed in 2003, first announced they were expecting in December. The actor is in the running for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Moonlight" at the Oscars. Ali, who plays a drug dealer mentor in the critically acclaimed film, gave a moving speech about his conversion to Islam and called for tolerance amid the current political climate when he won the SAG Award for Best Supporting Actor in Los Angeles last month. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today visited two schools in the city where Madhyamik examination conducted by West Bengal Board of Secondary Education was on. The chief minister first went to Beltala Girls School in south Kolkata and reviewed the entire arrangement. She also spoke to the school authority about the examination arrangement. Later, she also talked to guardians outside the exam centre to know their views. She then visited United Missionaries School for Girls, also in south Kolkata before leaving for the state secretariat. Madhyamik Examination under West Bengal Board of Secondary Education began on February 22 this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised to end the crippling economic blockade in Manipur if the BJP comes to power in the state and said what the Congress could not do in 15 years, the BJP will do in 15 months. He also launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, accusing him of "running the most corrupt government" and "taking 10 per cent commission". Addressing an election meeting in poll-bound Manipur, the Prime Minister said, "Manipur's development was stalled under the Congress government". "What the Congress government could not do in 15 years our (BJP) government will do it in 15 months," he said, lashing out at the Congress government for "failing" to provide jobs, infrastructure, and proper drinking water to the people. Modi also accused the Ibobi government of spreading "false campaign and misleading the people" on the Naga Accord. "I assure you that there is no single reference to ditching the Manipur people or its interests in the Naga Accord", he said. Ridiculing the Congress government, Modi said, "Naga accord was done one-and-half years back. What were you doing ? Were you in a deep sleep? And all of a sudden you have woken up before elections. You are making false claims to mislead the people," Modi said. On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. "There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required. "BJP will form the next government in Manipur and no blockade will be allowed then. We will show how a government is run," he said. The Congress wants to reap benefits by letting Manipur "burn" and by "pitting one tribe against another for the sake of the chair," he said. "What kind of cheap politics is this where you make brothers fight against each other". Attacking the chief minister, he charged "I heard that the state chief minister who has been ruling for the last 15 years is known as 10 per cent chief minister. It is for the people of the state to decide whether they want a 100 per cent honest chief minister or one who takes 10 per cent commission. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The assassination of a prominent legal adviser to Myanmar's government was the result of a personal political grudge and not part of a bigger conspiracy by the military, senior security officials said today. Police and Home Ministry officials said at a conference that they have arrested three men for the January 29 shooting of lawyer Ko Ni and are seeking a fourth. Ko Ni had advised Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on constitutional law, including how to wrest power from the army and put it in the hands of her elected civilian government. His actions raised suspicion of vengeful military involvement in his killing. Military or military-dominated governments ruled Myanmar from 1962 until Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy party took power in 2016 after an overwhelming election victory. But a constitution passed during army rule ensures that the military retains great power in government, including a virtual veto over constitutional change. Home Affairs Minister Lt Gen Kyaw Swe acknowledged that many aspects of the Ko Ni murder case still need investigation, but that the authorities now believed that it was personal reasons and extreme nationalism that led the suspects to carry out the assassination. In their briefing to the press, police said the murder plot was hatched around April last year, when its alleged planners were talking at a tea shop. Senior Police Officer Zaw Win said they expressed their personal dissatisfaction with Ko Ni's activities, and that the conclusion of the police investigation was that "the murder was because of their own personal reasons." They allegedly hired an ex-convict, Kyi Lin, to be the gunman, reportedly paying him almost USD 60,000. He was captured right after shooting Ko Ni at Yangon's airport. The officials at the conference sought to quell speculation that the army was involved in Ko Ni's murder, saying that was a misimpression fostered by several of the suspects being retired officers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) on Saturday said that it is considering putting astronauts on an upcoming test flight of the agency's deep space Orion spacecraft as it aims to orbit the Moon. The US space agency is building new deep space capabilities to take humans farther into the solar system than we have ever travelled, and ultimately to Mars. is assessing the feasibility of adding a crew to the first integrated flight of Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, Exploration Mission-1 (EM-1). A study is already underway to review the technical feasibility, risks, benefits, additional work required, resources needed and any associated schedule impacts to add crew to the first mission. "Our priority is to ensure the safe and effective execution of all our planned exploration missions with the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket," said William Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. "This is an assessment and not a decision as the primary mission for EM-1 remains an uncrewed flight test," said Gerstenmaier. The assessment is evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of this concept with regards to short- and long-term goals of achieving deep space exploration capabilities, said. It will assume launching two crew members in mid-2019, and consider adjustments to the current EM-1 mission profile. During the first mission of SLS and Orion, NASA plans to send the spacecraft into a distant lunar retrograde orbit, which will require additional propulsion moves, a flyby of the Moon and return trajectory burns. The mission is planned as a challenging trajectory to test manoeuvres and the environment of space expected on future missions to deep space. If the agency decides to put crew on the first flight, the mission profile for Exploration Mission-2 would likely replace it, which is an approximately eight-day mission with a multi-translunar injection with a free return trajectory. NASA is investigating hardware changes associated with the system that will be needed if crew are to be added to EM-1. As a starting condition, NASA would maintain the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion stage for the first flight. The agency will also consider moving up the ascent abort test for Orion before the mission. Regardless of the outcome for the study, the feasibility assessment does not conflict with NASA's ongoing work schedules for the first two missions. Hardware for the first flight has already started arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, where the missions will launch from the agency's historic Pad 39B. Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba will embark on a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman tomorrow with an aim to consolidate naval ties with the two key Gulf nations and to explore new avenues for cooperation. Admiral Lanba's first destination will be the UAE where he will hold talks with Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces Lt General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, and Commander of UAE Naval Forces Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh. In UAE, he will visit the Ghantoot Naval Base as well as National Defence College where he will interact with the student officers. He will also tour the training facilities at the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College. "The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations with UAE and Oman, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation," the Defence Ministry said. On the second leg of his trip, he will visit Oman from March 1-2 where he will hold bilateral talks Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, as also with the three service chiefs. The Admiral will visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy, and the Said Bin Naval Base where he will also visit the Fleet Maintenance Facility and the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh. The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of UAE and Oman on many fronts, which include training and operational interactions. It cooperates with UAE's navy through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and through the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman, the ministry said. In addition, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' since 1993. 10 editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa on January 16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed grave concern over receding water flow in river Ganga and highlighted the growing silt deposit due to Farakka barrage causing floods in the state every year. Kumar also raised concern over proposed construction of reservoir at Buxar and some others in Uttar Pradesh enroute Allahabad-Haldia National waterway. He was speaking after inaugurating an International Seminar on Ganga here. The two-day seminar organised by state's Water Resources department titled "Incessant Ganga" is attended by a host of people working for environment and water management in the country and also abroad. They include Magsaysay award winner "Waterman" Rajendra Singh, Environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhat, Punjab's environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay. Some experts from Germany, Nepal and Bangladesh are also participating in the seminar. Kumar highlighted the problems due Farakka barrage which is causing floods in Bihar every year due to heavy silt deposits. Kumar has in the past demanded decommission of Farakka barrage which he said has little utility and responsible for flood in Bihar annually. He, however, made it clear that the present seminar was not meant to push the demand for decommission of Farakka Dam. "This seminar is not meant to push demand for decommission of Farakka barrage but to discuss in length how to remove impediments in Ganga to ensure incessant flow of water," Kumar said. Kumar, who is also JD(U) National President, also raised the issue of proposed construction of barrage at Buxar and some others in UP as part of development of Inland Waterways from Allahabad to Haldia in West Bengal and reiterated that the state would not allow any such construction. In an oblique dig at rival BJP leaders who citing some "unauthenticated" papers of Inland Waterways Authority to say that there is no proposal to construct any barrage between Varanasi to Farakka, he asked "do they mean to say that barrage would be built in between Allahabad to Varanasi?" Kumar said he has read statement of Union Surface Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on proposed barrage at Buxar and on some locations in UP as part of Inland Waterway I. "These (BJP leaders) are quoting a senior official of the Waterways Authority who is spreading confusion through false assertions," he added. Kumar reminded of PM Narendra Modi famous statement during 2014 general elections in Varanasi, "Maa Ganga ne mujhe Bulaya hai" (Mother Ganga has called me). "When I recently visited Varanasi people told me that mother Ganga is searching for her son," he said. Kumar said his concern for Ganga was not political but personal and from Environmental point of view. "I have grown in an area (Bakhtiyarpur) on bank of Ganga and studied in Institute (NIT now in Patna) also near Ganga and have grown watching the mighty river and thats why I have been raising concern for it at every platform," he said. Kumar said he has been raising concerns for Ganga and drawing attention of the Centre on problems from Farakka dam to both UPA and present one of BJP-led NDA but to no avail. "During UPA rule of Manmohan Singh, the state government had facilitated an aerial survey of the then Water Resources minister Pawan Bansal from Buxar to other parts of Bihar to show him bad in condition of Ganga...But after this he (Bansal) said suggest any other option than doing away with Farakka barrier," he said narrating past experience. "After current PM talked to me over flood in Bihar last year I met him later and drew his attention that the Farakka dam is causing heavy siltation in river Ganga which is a major reason for heavy floods every year in Bihar," he said. "But, our concerns have not yielded any results so far. We hope the present seminar would pave way for a national debate on Ganga to protect the holy river," he added. "Sone river has already lost its water flow and I am afraid that Ganga do not meet the same fate," he said. Kumar laughed away arguments coming from some rival parties that silt deposits in Ganga from Bhagalpur to Farakka was due to banana cultivation on its shore. West Bengal is also affected by Farakka barrier, he said. "The West Bengal origin engineer Kapil Bhattacharya involved in construction of Farakka barrage had opposed it and after facing all sorts of abuse like being dubbed a 'Pakistan agent' he left the job," he said adding "but today his concerns are found true seeing poor condition of Ganga." He said the Union government's famed "Namami Gange" programme focuses on cleanliness leaving the question to ensure incessant flow of water in the mighty river. Kumar stressed on national silt management policy without affecting environment and delta basin. Bihar Water Resources minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan drew attention towards ills of silt deposit due to Farakka. "Waterman" Rajendra Singh opposed construction of barriers enroute Allahabad-Haldia Waterways and urged Kumar not to allow this in Bihar. Microsoft's India-born chief on Saturday asserted that there is no place for "senseless violence" and bigotry in the society as he condemned the killing of an Indian techie in a shooting incident in the US. "There's no place for senseless violence and bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims and families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella tweeted. 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed after he was shot by a navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. Kuchibhotla's Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Earlier this month, Hyderabad-born Nadella during an interaction with students here had underlined the importance of "diversity and inclusion" amid an environment of divisiveness. Also during an employee Q&A on January 30, Nadella had addressed President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, saying there is no place for bias or bigotry in any society. Nadella's comments come against the backdrop of a divisive and anti-immigrant rhetoric engulfing the US under the presidency of Trump. Former US President Barack Obama discreetly attended a Broadway show here with his eldest daughter, leaving the audience pleasantly surprised. Obama accompanied by Malia and his former senior adviser Valerie Jarrett, attended the Broadway show Arthur Miller's 'The Price' here last night. The three took their seats several rows back from the stage shortly after the lights went down at the theater for the show, starring Mark Ruffalo and Danny DeVito. A report in the New York Times said a woman sitting nearby let out a small yelp on realising the Obamas were sitting next to her but most of the audience did not realise they were watching a Broadway show with someone who had been the most powerful person in the world. "Well, I actually didn't know he was sitting in the row," said Queens resident Laralyn Mowers, 37, who was sitting five seats to the right of Obama and did not realise he was there until a friend told her at intermission. "I had a really bad day and it all just changed". Mowers said she was initially irritated when the trio first came in, not knowing it was the former president and his daughter. "Who is so rude to come in after the show starts with the flashlights and everything?" she said. The NYT report said Obama wore glasses during the show and at one point during the second act, he and his daughter sat in identical poses: right hands pressed to their chins while intently observing the drama before them. Just before intermission, again in darkness, Obama, his daughter and Jarrett were escorted backstage to greet the cast and to take pictures with the crew. This time too, most of the crowd was oblivious to his presence. After the play ended, the Obamas and Jarrett joined the crowd in a standing ovation for the cast, the most visible they had been all night and then soon left the venue. The audience members who managed to see the former president were heard expressing surprise that he had been there. The Obamas have kept a low profile since Donald Trump took office. The former First Couple enjoyed a much-needed vacation at the British Virgin Islands at the invitation of Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group. During the performance of 'The Price', a line from DeVito's character, a furniture dealer, about the federal government being unreliable drew the biggest laugh of the night but Obama sat stone-faced, the report said. "He said that he was happy that it was while he was not in office," Ruffalo said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) One person was killed and two injured when a man rammed a car into pedestrians in the southern German city of Heidelberg, said police, adding that it did not appear to be a terror attack. After the crash, the driver, a 35-year-old German man, fled on foot armed with a knife on a busy city centre street but was shot and wounded by police. Police said a 73-three-year-old German man who suffered serious injuries died later in hospital. A statement said a 32-year-old Austrian and a Bosnian woman aged 29 were injured by the car. "At the current stage of the investigation there is nothing to suggest that it was a terrorist" act, the police said. Officers had tracked down the driver with help from witnesses and opened fire on the suspect who was "seriously wounded", police said. They said there was "no additional information on the state of health" of the driver. German daily Bild reported that the suspect was suffering from psychiatric troubles, but authorities have made no comment on that claim. The police cordoned off the area and a helicopter hovered overhead yesterday evening. Germany has been on high alert since a Tunisian allegedly rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin in December, killing 12 people, before being shot dead days later by police in Italy. The Berlin carnage evoked memories of the July truck assault in the French Riviera city of Nice, where 86 people were killed by a Tunisian Islamic State group-sympathiser. According to German security services, there are about 10,000 radical Islamists in the country of whom 1,600 have suspected links to terror groups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Pakistan will host a multi-nation regional economic summit on March 1 aimed at increasing cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism and economic growth, the country's top diplomat said today. "Pakistan is hosting the 13th Economic Cooperation Organisation Summit in Islamabad on March 1. The Summit will be preceded by the Senior Official's Meeting on 26-27 February and Council of Foreign Minister's Meeting on 28 February," PM's Adviser on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz told reporters. Most member states have confirmed their participation in the Summit whose theme is 'Connectivity for Regional Prosperity', he said. The leaders would deliberate and decide on ways and means to augment cooperation in the areas of connectivity, trade, energy, tourism, investment, industry, economic growth, productivity, social welfare and environment, he said. Initiatives for furtherance of education and scientific linkages, cultural and people-to-people contacts within the ECO would also be deliberated upon during the Summit, he said. The Summit would end with a declaration which would focus on the Summit theme of Connectivity as a dynamic concept that encompasses multiple dimensions including transit transport such as rail, road, ports and shipping and cyber linkages. "The Summit would act as a catalyst to integrate these initiatives into a comprehensive connectivity apparatus of the ECO," said Aziz. It is for the first time that Pakistan is hosting the ECO summit since it last hosted the 3rd ECO Summit at Islamabad in May 1995. ECO was established in 1985 by Iran, Turkey and Pakistan. It succeeded Regional Cooperation for Development, which was founded in 1964 to promote cooperation among the three states. In 1992, the Organisation welcomed in its fold seven new Members, including Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Afghanistan. The ECO aims at promoting sustainable economic development of member states through trade and economic cooperation as well as mutual assistance in social, cultural, technical and scientific fields. The Headquarters of ECO are located in Tehran. Ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca from Turkey is the current Secretary General of ECO. The 12th and last Summit was held in Azerbaijan in 2012. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An FIR was registered against a policeman today for allegedly raping a minor girl in Bihar's Katihar district. The alleged rape took place yesterday at Balrampur village the district and the policeman is absconding, Katihar additional superintendent of police Vishal Sharma said. The policeman is posted in Patna at present and was in the village on vacation. The FIR under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was registered on the basis of statements by the victim and her mother, Amdabad police station officer-in-charge Ajit Kumar said. The complainant said she was duped by a woman of the village to go to the house of the policeman, who she was told would help her prepare better for coming matriculation examination. The woman then left the house talking over her mobile phone and the minor girl was then allegedly raped by the policeman. The policeman in a bid to silence the girl promised to marry her. But she narrated her woes to mother following which the family with the help of villagers lodged the complain at the police station. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Actor Rana Daggubatti says he is inspired by American filmmaker and "Star Wars" franchises creator George Lucas. Daggubatti is part of a web series "Where the heart is", which presents home stories of the much loved celebrities who have houses that truly personify their identity. When asked which celebrity house he would like to see, "I have always been tremendously inspired by George Lucas and Star Wars. I would definitely like to see his home and comprehend what makes the man so incredibly ingenious," Rana told PTI. After long shooting hours, Rana says he loves going home to his family and friends. The "Bahubali" actor said he was closely involved in designing his house. "I have been very much involved in designing my house, especially my den and my office. I spend most of my time there and wanted to personalise it as much as I could," he added. The Telugu star said he likes to spend most of his time reading and watching films in his home. "I have friends come over sometimes and we hang out around the bar. I have a beautiful view overlooking the lake, where I would ideally spend a quiet evening reading," he said. The series by Asian Paints, gives a sneak peek into the homes of celebrities. Rana will next be seen in "Baahubali 2", releasing in April this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Tamil Nadu government has informed the Madras High Court that it has paid a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to 141 families of deceased manual scavengers in the state. The government also stated that it was committed towards expeditious payment of compensation to dependentsof sewer/septic tank death victims in all eligible cases. The government's position was submitted in court yesterday by Joint Secretary, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department before the bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice R Mahadevan. The Joint Secretary also submitted that the department had identified families of 13 more victims and the formalities for paying compensation to them was under process. The court had in October last year directed the government to file a report regarding disbursement of compensation to families of manual scavengers who had died since 1993 while cleaning sewers in public places in the state, while hearing a PIL by Change India, an NGO, seeking an order to prevent manual scavenging and awarding compensation to families of the deceased involved in manual scavenging. The Joint Secretary also submitted that all district collectors were requested to take action regarding allotment of residential plot and financial assistance for building houses to manual scavengers of their districts, subject to their eligibility and willingness. Recording the submissions, the bench posted further hearing in the case to March 28. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was in Baghdad for talks today, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom in years, Iraqi officials said. He met his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a foreign ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Another government official said it was the first visit to Baghdad by a Saudi foreign minister since 2003, marking a key step in efforts to mend frosty bilateral relations. "This visit is to reestablish relations in a more stable way than previously," a senior government official said. "It's the first visit of its kind." Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who has been at the helm since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties. Thamer al-Sabhan, whose credentials were received in January 2016, became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter century, after relations were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. But he left the same year after Baghdad demanded he be removed following remarks he made to the press about an alleged plot to assassinate him and criticism he voiced of the Hashed al-Shaabi. Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces, which have played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State group, are a paramilitary umbrella dominated by Shiite militia and seen by Riyadh as a proxy for arch-rival Iran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least a dozen students today suffered minor injuries after their school bus fell into a roadside ditch while overtaking another vehicle at Sarsawa area in the district. The children were rescued from the overturned bus by a truck full of BSF jawans who were fortituously passing by at that moment, Additional Superintendent of Police Sanjay Singh said. A police team and parents of the children reached the spot as soon as they got wind of the incident. There were 28 students on board when the accident occurred, he said, adding that the injured kids were taken to a primary health centre for treatment. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suicide attacks on two security service bases in the heart of Syria's government-held third city of Homs killed 42 people on Saturday, overshadowing peace talks in Geneva, state television and a monitor said. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. He said a senior intelligence officer was among the dead in the twin attacks in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Security forces locked down the city centre. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. State television paid tribute to the "martyrs" in the latest bombings. There was no immediate claim for the bombings but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which controls swathes of the largely desert countryside east of Homs. Government forces retook the oasis city of Palmyra and its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins in a much heralded Russian-backed offensive in March last year but were then pushed out by IS in December. Since then, the focus of government efforts has been further north, on second city Aleppo, which they fully retook after a rebel withdrawal in December, and areas to its east and west. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Indonesian woman who is one of the suspects in the killing of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother said she was paid USD 90 for what she believed was a prank, an Indonesian official said today. Siti Aisyah also told authorities she did not want her parents to see her in custody, Andriano Erwin, Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia, said one day after Malaysia revealed that VX nerve agent was used in the bizarre killing at Kuala Lumpur's airport. "She doesn't want her family get sad to see her condition," Erwin said after a 30-minute meeting with Aisyah. "She only delivered a message through us to her father and mother not to be worried and take care of their health." The public poisoning of Kim Jong Nam, which took place Feb. 13 amid crowds of travelers at the airport, appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim was dead within hours of the attack, in which two women went up behind him and appeared to smear something onto his face. Aisyah, 25, has said previously that she was duped into the attack, but Malaysian police say she and the other female suspect, a Vietnamese woman who also is in custody, knew what they were doing. The revelation that VX nerve agent killed Kim has boosted speculation that North Korea had dispatched a hit squad to Malaysia to kill Kim, whose younger half brother is Kim Jong Un. The thick, oily poison was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, experts say, and is banned under international treaties. North Korea, a prime suspect in the case, never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons programme. Though Kim Jong Nam was not an obvious political threat to his sibling, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the country's dynastic dictatorship. Malaysia hasn't directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided the two women with poison. The four fled Malaysia shortly after the killing. Today, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Senior police official Abdul Samah Mat, who is handling the investigation, did not specify what authorities found there, but said the items were being tested for traces of any chemicals. Kim Jong Nam, who had been living abroad for years, was approached by the two women on Feb. 13 as he waited for a flight home to Macau. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to rub something onto his face before walking away in separate directions. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Scientist Dr Kota Harinarayana, who is credited with developing India's first home-grown light combat aircraft 'Tajas', was today conferred honorary Doctor of Science degree by Ravenshaw University here. Governor and University Chancellor Dr S C Jamir honoured Dr Harinarayana, born at Berhampur in Ganjam district, at the eighth Convocation of the University. Dr Kota Harinarayana has worked with HAL and DRDO and has been the driving force behind developing 'Tejas'. He was awarded Padmashri in 2002. 'Tejas' is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class. It is a single engine, Compound-Delta-Wing, Tailless Aircraft. Along with Harinarayana, two other distinguished scholars of the state, Prof Jitendra Nath Mohanty and Prof Gour Kishore Das, were also honoured on the occasion by the University with honoris causa. At least 90 students of the University were awarded with PhD degrees on the day, while 30 postgraduate students and 32 undergraduate students were given gold medals. The University Chancellor in his address called upon the graduates to be the flag-bearer of the emerging knowledge society. "Be ethical and transparent in whatever career you choose and contribute to the development of the State and the nation," Dr Jamir said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ex-Philippine leader Benigno Aquino joined thousands of people on the streets of Manila today as protests broke out against President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs. Demonstrators amassed near the national police headquarters, with some warning the Duterte crackdown foreshadowed a repeat of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship, which was toppled in a bloodless "People Power" revolution 31 years ago. "We are taking the matter seriously. We are warning our people about the threat of rising fascism," protest leader Bonifacio Ilagan told AFP after leading more than 1,000 protesters at a morning rally. Ilagan, a playwright who was tortured over two years in a police prison under Marcos' martial rule in the 1970s, cited the "culture of impunity" arising from Duterte's crackdown. Duterte, 71, won the presidential election last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. He launched the crackdown after taking office in June and police have reported killing 2,555 drug suspects since then, with about 4,000 other people murdered in unexplained circumstances. He has not ruled out using martial law to prevent what he describes as the country's slide to narco-state status. Duterte, who ranks Marcos as one of the country's best-ever presidents, last year allowed the Marcos family to bury the former leader's remains at Manila's Cemetery for Heroes, leading to large street protests. Wearing a black shirt Duterte's predecessor Aquino marched alongside political allies and around 2,000 other protesters. Aquino denounced the government's treatment of Senator Leila de Lima, the top critic of the Duterte drug war, who was arrested yesterday and faces life in prison if convicted of drugs charges. De Lima, Aquino's former justice minister, said the arrest was an act of revenge for her decade-long efforts to expose Duterte as the leader of death squads during his time as mayor of the southern city of Davao. Aquino today also rejected allegations by Duterte spokesmen that people associated with the previous government were plotting to destabilise the new administration. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) PLEASE NOTE! Due to the March 23, 2020 NM DOH Public Health Order, These Event Listings Are Not Accurate! All non-essential businesses are closed, public gatherings are prohibited! (One day some of these events will be rescheduled or will resume, but they are not happening now!) UN efforts to launch a new round of Syria peace talks sputtered today as suicide attacks killed dozens of people, with the death toll from two days of violence nearing 100 and the Damascus regime vowing retaliation. The blasts targeting two security service bases in Homs, Syria's third city, killed a top intelligence chief and close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, and were claimed by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in all, 42 people were killed, but the provincial governor put the figure at 30 dead. Bashar al-Jaafari, the regime's envoy to the talks in Geneva, said Syria would retaliate following the deadly assault. "The terrorist attacks that targeted Homs today were a clear message from the sponsors of terrorism to Geneva," he said. "This message has been received...And we won't allow for it to pass without retaliation." United Nations envoy Staffan de Mistura said today's suicide attacks were designed to "spoil" the peace talks. The Homs attacks came a day after 77 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group in Al-Bab, said the Observatory. The jihadists were ousted from the northern town this week by Turkish-backed rebels. In Geneva, Syrian government and opposition negotiators were to continue meetings with de Mistura through the weekend despite little hope for a breakthrough. After meeting de Mistura yesterday, the Syrian regime envoy Jaafari said he would study a UN paper on the "format" of the talks, but gave no indication that the negotiations had any momentum. The main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) described its meeting with de Mistura as "positive", without elaborating on a possible path forward. During three previous rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the rivals never sat down at the same table, instead leaving de Mistura to shuttle between them. The HNC has said it wants to meet the government face-to-face this time. At the end of yesterday's negotiations, de Mistura's acting chief of staff Michael Contet signalled there was no immediate prospect of direct talks. Today's Homs attack saw bombers targeting the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in a spectacular assault that killed General Hassan Daabul, a top military intelligence official. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Fateh al-Sham Front said just five militants took part in the assault, the latest atrocity in a six-year war which has killed more than 310,000 people. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Tamil Nadu Congress Committee chief Su Thirunavukkarasar today sacked a party functionary from a key post, days after the man was arrested in connection with a gold smuggling case. "Good Luck Rajendran is being removed as the President of Ramanathapuram District Congress Committee for bringing disrepute to the party," he said in a statement. Rajendran was being replaced by M Deivendran, he added. Thirunavukkarasar said the announcement on Rajednran's sacking was being made "with the approval" of AICC President Sonia Gandhi, her deputy Rahul Gandhi and the party's Tamil Nadu in-charge, Mukul Wasnik. Rajendran and his car driver K Gandhi were arrested two day ago by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence in connection with the alleged smuggling of 11.9 kg of gold bars, valued at Rs 3.58 crore, from Sri Lanka. "Gandhi admitted that he was carrying the gold to Chennai as instructed by S Rajendran also known as Goodluck Rajendran, who has been his employer for nearly 20 years", DRI had said. The seizure was made on the Pudukottai highway. DRI officers had also recovered "incriminating evidence" from the residence of Rajendran, who was earlier arrested in connection with another case under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, here. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Family and friends of the Indian engineer who was shot dead at a Kansas city pub in an apparent hate crime held a vigil in his memory as they slowly came to terms with the spine-chilling incident. "Love each other" was the overarching theme as mourners filled the First Baptist Church of Olathe, Kansas. Visitors were greeted with solemn and spirit-filled musical numbers and prayers were offered by the families of 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, another Indian man and an American who were injured after a navy veteran man yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them in an apparent racially-motivated hate crime. Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. Kuchibhotla's Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Srinivas and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. There has been an outpouring of support for the victims of the Austin's Bar & Grill shooting and fundraising too. Volunteers handed out candles as visitors stoically made their way into the church's sanctuary. A group of employees gathered in front of bar after the vigil to offer moment of silence. None were ready to speak about the incident. Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathewas charged Thursdaywith first-degree murder in the death of Kuchibhotla. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot. Three separate'gofundme' campaignswere set up for the victims of the shooting. The first fund for Kuchibhotla, has raised approximately USD 402,000 from 11,000 donors in just one day. A joint fund for Kuchibhotla and his colleague, Alok Madasani, who was wounded in the attack has raised USD 60,000. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the US government to "consider filing hate crime charges in order to send a strong message that violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities will not be tolerated," the Times reported. Purinton is scheduled to appear in court Monday and the bar is slated to reopen today. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today exprssed shock over the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas City in the USA and said she did not support the 'politics of hate'. "Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the politics of hate", she said in a statement. "The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this", she said. A 32-year-old Indian engineer was killed and his Indian colleague injured after a Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" fired at them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. An American who tried to save the victims was also injured. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The grieving wife of the Indian engineer shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a navy veteran in Kansas City has demanded an answer from the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against the minorities. Sunayana Dumala, wife of 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was killed by Adam Purinton at a city bar on Wednesday night, said reports of bias against minorities in the US make them afraid and wondered whether "do we belong here". At a conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin, the company where Srinivas worked, Sunayana asked what the US government of Donald Trump would do to stop hate crimes against minorities such as the one happened to her husband. Although she did not mention Trump by name, Sunayana did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country." Sunayana was concerned over shooting incidents and doubted whether her family should stay in the US. But, she said, her husband assured her saying "good things happen in America." The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Trump's plans to ban travelers from some countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of puttting "America first." Trump's proposed travel ban against certain countries has been termed divisive by many and provoked criticism from several quarters, including his own Republican Party. Sunayana said Srinivas came to the US in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked for six years in Iowa before moving to Kansas City. "He did not deserve a death like this," Sunayana said. "I don't know what to say. We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening somewhere. I was always concerned, 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the US or America?' But he always assured me good things happen in America." Consul-General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, is monitoring the situation and providing possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Since the tragedy, they have been with the Srinivas family and have assured Sunayana of all possible help, Ray added. Joshi met shocked community members in Olathe and enquired Alok Madasani, another Indian injured in the shooting, about his health. Alok has now been discharged from hospital. A third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at the bar. He, too, is in fair condition, a University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed shock on Twitter after the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family." Witnesses said the shooter, Purinton, reportedly got into a racial argument with the victims and shouted "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before opening fire at them. He reportedly provoked them asking about their presence and work in the US, and how they were better than him. Then, Purintonleft the bar and returned with a gun and shot the three men, according to police. He was arrested five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the shooter, although police said they were investigating the case with the FBI, which is looking at whether it was a hate crime. The incident happened when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in the US after Trump's inuguration on January 20, following his campaign heavy on anti-immigration rhetoric. According to the comany Garmin, Srinivas and Alok worked in the company's aviation systems. "We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," it said before Alok was discharged. Srinivas and and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Srinivas posted on LinkedIn in 2014 he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree from Hyderabad's Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Alok was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a Navy veteran at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America". Speaking at a conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumalasaid reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned "do we belong here". She said she now wonders what will the US government do to stop hate crimes against minorities. Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that "good things happen in America." Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet yesterday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purintonleft the bar after the argument and thenreturned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued yesterday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems. "Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said "not a single drop of water" will be shared with any of the neighbouring states. Speaking about the Sutlej Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue, after paying obeisance at the Golden Temple here along with his wife and Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, he said, "Not a single drop of water will be shared with the neighbouring states." To a question on the 'warm relations' between the Chautala family of Haryana and the Badal family, he said, "There is no alliance between the SAD and the Haryana-based INLD. The political alliance was broken long ago." He also made it cleared that Punjab can never afford to share even a drop of water with Haryana. Several INLD leaders of Haryana, including Abhay Chautala, were stopped on Thursday from marching into Punjab to undertake the digging of the SYL canal and arrested for breaching the prohibitory orders. About the Delhi Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (DSGMC) elections tomorrow, Sukhbir claimed that it will be won by the ruling SAD. Hitting out at Amarinder Singh, he claimed, after Punjab polls, the state Congress chief is in "depression and shock" as he is going be defeated "badly". "The people of Punjab will never prefer Congress since the party was responsible for mass killing during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in Delhi," Sukhbir claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) All the three key players in Uttar Pradesh politics, BJP, Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance and Bahujan Samaj Party are eyeing significant gains in the region often dubbed as Poorvanchal as the player who scores high here gets to govern the state. Big names in UP politics like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav, SP veteran Mulayam Singh, BSP chief Mayawati and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi may not be contesting the assembly elections but are trying hard to maximise their influence in the crucial eastern region which goes to polls in the last two phases on March 4 and 8, respectively. Path mera alokit kardo, naval prath ki naval rashmiyon se, mere ur ka tam har do, Saidun Ahmed, 8, recited a Hindi poem by Dwarika Prasad Maheshwari, a twentieth-century poet, at top speed. Light up my path, with the morning sunlight light of the new sun, overcome the darkness within my heart. But when asked to read some lines on the opposite page, the fourth grader, dressed in a button-up full-sleeved brown shirt and skirt the school uniform of all government schools in Uttar Pradesh said she had memorised the poem and couldnt read well. Children dont learn much in the government school, said 37-year-old Iklakh Ahmed, her father, a driver by profession. I will enroll her in the private school next year. Saiduns family lives in Fattepur, a village in the eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) district of Mirzapur. Like more than half (50.4%) of all primary school-age children in UP, Saidun attends a government primary school (providing free education to children between 6 and 14 years), and like many children in the state, she cannot read at grade level. TO READ THE FULL STORY, SUBSCRIBE NOW NOW AT JUST RS 249 A MONTH. Already a premium subscriber? Key stories on business-standard.com are available to premium subscribers only.Already a premium subscriber? 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Please include '@' in the email address Insightful news, sharp views, newsletters, e-paper, and more! Unlock incisive commentary only on Business Standard. Download the Business Standard App for latest Business News and Market News . Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday accused Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav of shattering the dreams of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav by forging a poll alliance with the Congress. "Akhilesh has shattered the dreams of his father by entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, against whom his father fought throughout his life," he said addressing an election rally here. Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath said the Congress vice-president used to deliver speeches through KhaatSabhas "but the moment he got an opportunity, he jumped and sat on the bicycle". "Now, Mulayam has punctured the bicycle, while (Akhilesh's uncle) Shivpal Singh Yadav has broken the chain of the bicycle," the Union Minister said. On the BSP, he claimed, "The health of the elephant (BSP's poll symbol) has deteriorated. The main fodder of the elephant is sugarcane but it's health has gone down, as it has been fed with currency notes." He claimed that the SP, the BSP and the Congress have created muddy ponds throughout the state. "And it is on these muddy ponds that the lotus would eventually bloom. Goddess Lakshmi visits the household of her devotees while sitting on a lotus itself," he said. The Home Minister also mentioned the surgical strikes by carried out by India and said people from Pakistan want a good relationship with the country but Pakistani terrorists are the enemy of humanity. The Government has warned banks of "de-authorisation" of branches if they refuse to accept taxes under the amnesty scheme PMGKY, which ends on March 31. The Finance Ministry, in a communication to heads of banks which are authorised to accept deposits under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), asked them to issue directions to all branches for making necessary changes in their system/software to accept the tax. "Non-compliance of this order may be viewed seriously and may lead to de-authorisation of that branch in case of refusal to accept taxes," the ministry said. Post demonetisation, the government came out with PMGKY under which people holding unaccounted cash can deposit them in bank accounts till March 31 by paying 50 per cent tax plus penalty. A quarter of the total sum will have to be parked in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years. The scheme opened on December 1. There have been complaints that many banks were not accepting payments of tax under PMGKY due to lack of awareness of prescribed challan and certain technical reasons. Accordingly, the matter was referred to Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, who issued an order directing banks to accept taxes under PMGKY or face action. China has made a "mistake" of ignoring science and technology experts from India, Chinese official media said, underlining that the Communist giant should attract high-tech Indian talent for maintaining its innovation ability. "China has made the mistake of ignoring Indian talent, and instead has attached a greater importance to talent coming from the US and Europe," an article in state-run Global Times said. "China has perhaps not been working hard enough to attract science and technology talent from India to work in the country," the tabloid daily from the group of ruling Communist Party of China which has been carrying articles critical of India almost on daily basis in recent months said in a rare positive write-up. "Over the past few years, China witnessed an unprecedented boom in tech jobs as the country became an attractive destination for foreign research and development centres." "However, now some high-tech firms are turning their attention from China to India due to the latter's relatively low labour costs. Attracting high-tech talent from India could be one of China's options for maintaining its innovation ability," it said. Referring to reports that US-based software firm CA Technologies has disbanded its almost 300-person research and development team in China while setting up a team in India with some 2,000 scientific and technical professionals over the past few years, it said, "with a sufficient young talent pool, India is becoming increasingly attractive." "China cannot afford to risk a decline in its attractiveness for high-tech investors. The nation is among the third echelon in cutting-edge technology fields and is working to catch up with the US and the result of its efforts will decide whether China will maintain its status as an emerging global economic power," it said. China in recent year boosted the budget for technological innovation by allocating billions of dollars of incentives for start-ups and research firms as it witnessed decline of its labour force due to rapid increase in old age population. China has carried out a lot of measures, including increasing research spending and creating a favourable investment environment for high-tech firms, to enhance its innovation capability. "However, one issue has become increasingly prominent: The talent pool in China is not large and flexible enough to meet demand for the rapid expansion of innovation capability," the article said. "In Silicon Valley, a considerable number of software developers working there are born outside the US. China should also strive to attract more foreign talent into the country as it aims to build itself into a world-class research hub," it said. "A total of 1,576 foreigners were granted Chinese permanent residence in 2016, registering an increase of 163 per cent from the previous year. It seems that China is aware of the importance of tapping into international talent," it said. "Some reports claim that the cost of employing an Indian engineer is just half the cost of hiring a Chinese worker, which means Indians could see their revenue more than double if they came to work in China," it said. "Some enterprises in Southwest China's Guizhou Province provide convenience for Indian talent in terms of housing, insurance and transportation and could enjoy a much betterstandard of living in Guizhou cities than in Bangalore," it said. Brian Acton, co-founder of popular messaging app WhatsApp, called on IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad to discuss ways in which the company can contribute to Indias vision for digital commerce. Highlighting the countrys importance, Acton said WhatsApp hopes to contribute more to "Indias vision for digital commerce in future". "India is a very important country to us, and were proud to have 200 million people who use WhatsApp to connect with their friends, family and communities. We build every WhatsApp feature to be simple, reliable, and secure, and this vision is in line with what Digital India promises to achieve," he added. Acton said the company will continue to invest to help more people across India connect to its platform. "Brian Acton, the co-founder of @WhatsApp and a fine mind in the field of information technology met me today," the Minister tweeted along with a photograph of the two after his meeting. "I also appreciated the good role of platforms like @facebook, @WhatsApp are playing in the field of digital empowerment," Prasad added. Earlier this week, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella was also in town to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prasad to discuss the companys digital inclusion programme that leverages technology for improving rural healthcare and education. Acton, who is on a one-day trip to India, is slated to address students at IIT-Delhi, along with WhatsApp Head of Business, Neeraj Arora, later this evening. Facebook-owned WhatsApp has almost become the default messaging application for people in countries like India and Brazil. In India, it competes with the likes of Hike, Snapchat and Viber. India is also the biggest market for WhatsApp. Of its over one billion users, about 200 million are here. WhatsApp had said it would focus on rolling out commercial messaging this year for businesses as it looks to tap into enterprises for monetising its platform. Last year, WhatsApp had stopped charging USD 1 per year subscription fee to go completely free for its users across the world. While WhatsApp does not intend to introduce any third- party ads for monetisation, it has said the company will test tools that allow users to communicate with businesses and organisations like banks and airlines through its platform. WhatsApp has just rolled out a new update, introducing SnapChat-like features to turn its platform into a sort of social media app. Similar to Facebook, the app now features Status, which appears as a separate tab within the app. This allows users to share GIF, videos and photos with their friends for 24 hours after which the content vanishes. The family of 14-year-old Deserae Turner, who was critically injured in a Smithfield shooting last week, has issued an update this afternoon about the Amalga girls condition. The prepared statement was released by Jill Parker, who has been serving as the familys spokesperson, and identifies Deserae as a fighter with a strong will to live. According to the statement, Deserae remains in critical condition, but is no longer in a medically-induced coma. Deseraes parents express gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they continue to receive and also applaud the efforts of their daughters medical team. The road to her recovery has been described as very long. The kindness our family has been shown is beyond measure, they write. We are in awe of the number of people who have reached out to us, thought of us, and included our family in their prayers. The statement reads in its entirety: We would like to express our sincere gratitude to family, friends, community members, and all of those we may not have met. The kindness our family has been shown is beyond measure. We are in awe of the number of people who have reached out to us, thought of us, and included our family in their prayers. We are especially grateful for the medical staff who have gone above and beyond to care tirelessly for Deserae. While Deserae remains in critical conditions she is no longer in a medically induced coma. Our daughter is a fighter with a strong will to live. We are grateful for everyday and know that there is a very long road ahead for her and our family. -The Turner Family As the Turners focus on Deseraes continued needs, community members interested in fundraising efforts are being asked not to contact the family directly at this time. Inquiries are instead being directed to the Cache County Attorneys Victims Advocate Office, which will assure that funds being raised reach the family in a streamlined manner. The office may be reached by email at turnerfamilycache@gmail.com or by phone at 435-755-1835. Contributions to the Deserae Turner Charity Fund may be made at any branch of America First Credit Union. A GoFundMe page, https://www.gofundme.com/fight-for-deserae-turner, has also been established to support the Turner family. A community fundraiser, Fighting for Deserae, will take place at Bounce 4 Kids in Logan tomorrow evening from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 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. This is the blog of Dr Caitlin Green FSA. It features posts on my main academic research foci alongside other topics that I'm currently working on, including drafts of papers, ideas and similarthese are usually identifiable by the presence of footnotes. You're free to cite these drafts if they are of interest, and are reminded that academic blogs are indeed citable under most citation systems. In addition, the current site also houses posts relating to my personal interests, including long-distance trade, migration and contacts; landscape and coastal history; early literature and legends; and the history, archaeology, place-names and legends of Lincolnshire and Cornwall. For further details of this website & how to contact me, please see the ' About ' page or @caitlinrgreen on Twitter. The O'Connor environmental consultant was able to notice the difference to his senses as soon as the implant was switched on, even though he was in a soundproof room in silence at the time. For a few hundred dollars a truck can be fitted with an electric winder to wind up the hose and get going again, he said. Another example was the implementation of an electric roller door, so firies could get away quickly under lights and sirens, and not have to heave a big chain to open the shed door when they returned, already exhausted. "When a child wears them it draws attention to the child, they get more attention from the teacher and probably shows some improvements but there is no scientific evidence that the tinted lenses do any good at all." The cable company is working with the Angolan government to boost the countrys network capabilities, and has signed in to NAPAfrica, which has over 240 connected networks, peering across Sub-Saharan Africa. NAPAfrica is co-located in all Teraco data centre facilities, offering 140Gbps of peering traffic. The partnership was first announced at AfricaCom 2016 in November, when Angola Cables unveiled Teraco as its co-location partner for its first direct point-of-presence in South Africa. Michele McCann, business development manager, Teraco, said: This is not simply about peering, the collaboration will impact Internet connectivity across several countries and improve the services of Angola Cables as well as create a platform for the country to compete on a global stage. Through our peering exchange and neutral platform we can link Angola and its neighbouring countries, as well as connecting South and North America with the hub in South Africa. This project proves that peering is not just about connectivity, it is about growing networks and enhancing business across the continent. It boosts business in Africa and that is what it is all about for the team. Angola Cables, which is involved in building the South Atlantic Cable System, the first subsea cable to run between South America and Africa, is also looking to enable super-fast connectivity between Europe and South Africa. This will run through its main hub in Lisbon, according to reports from Data Economy. Darwin Costa, IP Product Manager, Angola Cables, said: It is vital to ensure that the African traffic remains within the continent, and at the same time customers are guaranteed improved Internet connectivity. We believe that by combining strengths, Angola Cables, a growing telecommunications hub, will be able to provide links to and from South Africa from Angola, as well as to Brazil and the USA, once the South Atlantic Cable System (SACS) is in operation. 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 ... 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United Arab Emirates United Kingdom of Great Britain & N. Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe 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. Associate Circuit Judge Joseph L. Goff Jr. was named St. Francois Countys 2016 Citizen of the Year at the 26th Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night held Thursday evening at the Mineral Area Community Elks Lodge in Desloge. Goff's selection was announced by lodge member and event coordinator Roland Seal, who introduced the honoree, saying, Judge Goff was appointed to the bench in 2015 by Gov. Jay Nixon. Prior to being appointed, Judge Goff served as an assistant prosecuting attorney for St. Francois County and also served the state of Missouri as an assistant attorney general in the office of Chris Koster. "Judge Goff received his law degree from Saint Louis University in 2011. Prior to law school, he attended Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau and graduated with a bachelor of science in 2007. Judge Goff is from the Farmington area and graduated from Farmington High School in 2004." Earlier in the program, Judge Goff who was unaware of his selection as Citizen of the Year spoke to the standing room only crowd about the importance of those who work in the law enforcement field. He began with a story about his first up close encounter with a police officer when he was four years old. "I was in the church nursery at the church where my parents went to in St. Louis," he said. "There was a police officer who went to church with us and he was dropping his child off in the nursery. Do you remember those little half-height doors that all the nurseries have? I was peeking over the top of that and I saw the officer. I remember having this kind of awe, this quiet respect, and getting a little bit worried about misbehaving or acting up in the nursery. "The kids around me were all talking loudly and being rambunctious. I remember turning around and saying, 'Guys! Be cool! There's a cop here! We could go to jail for this!' I think the nursery teacher might have even told us, 'You guys better shape up! Officer so-and-so is here and he can take you to jail if you act up!' "I legitimately believed that and it was only recently that I found out it would have taken a lot of paperwork before I would have actually been able to go to jail as a four year old. It was at that time that I really remember having this awesome respect for the folks that wear the badge who go out everyday and protect us in our society." Goff also admitted that as a child he had loved the show "Cops." "I would bounce around on the couch singing, 'Bad boys, whatcha' gonna' do?'" he said. "I was so proud that I learned the Miranda Warning as a little kid and I used to run around and 'Mirandize' my little brother. I would tell him he had the right to remain silent. Any of you who know my brother, know that this is not a right he chooses to exercise very often. At that time I never would have imagined that I would ever be in a position, in a profession where it would be something I have day-to-day interaction with or that I would have studied it extensively in law school." According to Goff, his first constitutional law professors were police officers. "They were the first people who helped me really understand the Bill of Rights ... the rights that we all have," he said. "You all are the embodiment of the law, of the government and of the system that protects everything that we hold dear as Americans. Our liberty, our freedoms, everything that we enjoy in a free society is only possible because of the people willing to put on the badge, put on the uniform and go out and risk their lives to protect those freedoms." In addition to the Citizen of the Year award, St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney Jerrod Mahurin, who was selected 2013 Citizen of the Year, was presented the first Law Enforcement Appreciation Award "for outstanding and dedicated service to the criminal justice system of St. Francois County, Missouri.' A special presentation was made to three firefighters who rescued an elderly woman from a Bonne Terre house fire in August. Presenting the awards to Bonne Terre firefighters Jesse Johnson and Kyle Isgrig was Bonne Terre Fire Chief Matt Barton. Desloge firefighter Vernon Henson was presented his award by Desloge Fire Chief Larry Gremminger. Those honored as St. Francois County Law Enforcement Officers of the Year were Trooper Alex J. Shibley of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Officer John Washburn of the Leadington Police Department, Deputy Steve Rion of the St. Francois County Sheriff's Department, Patrolman Jeff Womble of the Desloge Police Department, Patrolman D.J. McCarty of the Bonne Terre Police Department and Officer Clint Boyd of the Farmington Police Department. Also recognized were Bryanna Jones as 2017 Dispatcher of the Year, James Easter as Paramedic of the Year, and Todd Shearrer as Park Ranger of the Year. A federal jury in Manhattan has ordered the government return a number of luxury vehicles which were seized from a Tennessee company in 2013. Four years ago, cars including Mercedes-Benzes, Land Rovers and BMWs were seized by the government from Efans Trading Corporation, a company founded by Chinese immigrants who exported vehicles to their home country. The company took advantage of the huge demand for luxury vehicles in China and directly exported them. This unsettled automakers who claimed they were violating standard business practices and using deception to buy the vehicles in the United States, forcing federal prosecutors to get involved, reports The New York Times. At the conclusion of the trial, the jury said that federal prosecutors didnt have enough evidence to support the civil forfeiture lawsuit filed. Alongside ordering that the government return the seized luxury cars, the jury also ordered $3 million in cash seized from a company bank account to be returned. In a statement, a partner from law firm Covington & Burling that was representing Efans said We are grateful that the jury saw this case for the government overreach that it was. Even with the victory they deserved, this case took a tremendous toll on our client. PHOTO GALLERY After Uber and its fleet of self-driving Volvos were kicked off the streets of California in December, the company has announced its self-driving pilot program has been officially moved to Arizona. Set to hit the states streets immediately, the self-driving XC90s will operate within Arizonas large fleet of Uber vehicles and have been happily welcomed by Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. Duceys support of the program comes despite the fact that Ubers trial in California failed miserably after just a matter of days. In December, Uber rolled out its fleet of autonomous Volvo XC90s in San Francisco without securing a permit from the DMV. One of the vehicles was swiftly captured on dashcam running a red light and the program was almost immediately shrouded in controversy. Uber initially claimed that it didnt need a special permit for the tests but the DMV disagreed and demanded the ride-sharing company halt the program. It initially refused to do so but was eventually forced to when the registrations of its 16 XC90s were stripped by the DMV. Immediately after, the vehicles were loaded onto a number of trucks and taken to Arizona. Self-driving Ubers are hitting the road in the Grand Canyon State. pic.twitter.com/tOgiw4GD1d Uber (@Uber) February 21, 2017 PHOTO GALLERY You could have the missing piece of the puzzle that will help the RCMP put someone behind bars. Here are some recent crimes that Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers hope you can help solve by calling our anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown. CRIME: THEFT OF U-HAUL TRUCK DATE: February 14, 2017 RCMP FILE: 2017-7260 West Kelowna RCMP were called by the owner of a business located on the 1600 block of Ross Road who is a contract U-HAUL dealer. At 3:50 a.m. on February 14th a light-coloured Ford Econoline van pulled into the parking lot. Two men, one wearing a blue fleece jacket and toque and the other in a high-visibility yellow jacket and toque, approached the business and fished out a set of keys from an overnight drop slot. One man jumps into a 2008 GMC U-Haul cube truck with Arizona licence plate number AD71606, the other into the Econoline van, and they both turn east onto Ross Road heading toward Kelowna. The VIN of the stolen GMC TG33 cargo truck is 1GDGG31C981914639. Photo: Crime Stoppers If you know anything about this crime, or any other crime, call the Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net. Your information will be kept confidential and could lead to a reward of up to $2000.00. CRIME: THEFT FROM SHED DATE: February 17, 2017 RCMP FILE: 2017-7854 There have been a few complaints recently of suspects entering yards and stealing articles from backyard sheds. One such complaint occurred on February 17th when the owner of a home on the 2400 block of Bering Road in West Kelowna called RCMP to report that sometime between 10:00 the evening before and 8:00 in the morning an unknown person entered the side yard and broke into the wooden shed and made off with approximately $800 worth of tools. Missing items include: DeWalt drill with 2 batteries and a charger DeWalt radio Makita hammer drill including all bits and accessories bird seed bells still in boxes You can help catch these suspects and qualify for a reward by calling Crime Stoppers anonymous tips line at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit our website at www.crimestoppers.net or text to CRIMES (274637), keyword Ktown. This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet. Photo: Google Street View There will be some short-term pain for long-term gain on Highway 6 this summer as two projects will make the road safer. Todd Stone, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure said close to $3 million in resurfacing improvements are on the way for Highway 6. The projects begin approximately 35 kilometres east of Lumby. "The improvements to Highway 6 will help keep our local, commercial and tourist traffic safe as they travel along B.C.'s interior." said Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster. Under the first project, O.K. Industries Ltd. has been awarded a $1.5-million contract to seal-coat an 11-kilometre section of highway from Creighton Valley Road to the Gold Pan Cafe and a 20-kilometre section from West Kettle Forest Service Road to Lightning Peak Road. A $1.3-million contract has been awarded to Okanagan Aggregates Ltd. for the second project, which involves paving approximately nine kilometres of highway between the Gold Pan Cafe and West Kettle Forest Service Road. The letter to the editor below is in response to letters from residents about the Tourism Kelowna Visitor Centre public hearing correspondence: For the record Correspondence included in Public Hearing minutes In response to recent letters to the editor, regarding the Jan. 24, 2017 Public Hearing minutes for the Tourism Kelowna application, we would like to provide some clarification and corrections about the correspondence received by Council. Correspondence identified at the public hearing, and subsequently included in the minutes, represented items received during the statutory "notification period" only and not everything that was received in the weeks and months prior to the meeting. In the case of the Visitor Centre, this notification period was between Jan. 11 and 4 p.m. on Jan. 23. The City Clerk will identify at all public hearings, and for all items, the correspondence that is received by the Office of the City Clerk during an official notification period. During this time, statutory notices are delivered and advertising of the Public Hearing is placed in the newspaper, as required under the legislation. Our practice is to include all written correspondence received by our office during the official notification period in the meeting minutes. Correspondence related to Tourism Kelowna sent to City Council through City channels in the weeks and months prior to and after the meeting was circulated as per normal procedure. Stephen Fleming, City Clerk City of Kelowna I am a proud Canadian and I am an immigrant. I came to Canada to seek a better life for myself and my family. Sure we have traditions that we have brought with us from our old countries and still celebrate them here in Canada. Robbie Burns Birthday, St Andrews Day, the Irish St Patrick's day, English celebrate St Georges day, and we assimilated into the Canadian way of life. Most all Canadians celebrate Christmas, Easter, New Year, and some other equally important days of celebration. I agree with Mr. Langhorns view that we should be tolerant because that's the Canadian way, but we should also have the rights and freedoms to speak up if we think something is not right, without the fear of being called a racist. The big difference now is that the immigrants coming here to Canada at present, and I do not want to brand any particular migrant group, but it does seem like it is the migrants coming in from the Middle Eastern countries, that are bringing to Canada, their religion and traditions, and demand and insist that we have to conform with there religions and traditions. That we have to change our traditions, religions, culture and way of life to theirs. There the problem lies, because if we say no then we are branded as racists, which is totally wrong as Mr. Langhorn states. They have rights. Well so do we and we should be allowed to express our rights and fears, without being branded a racist. Racism is a word being used far too often these days. When a Canadian has a difference of opinion from an immigrant, he is called a racist just because he has an opinion that is different from theirs and it should be stopped . Thomas James McLuskey Photo: Contributed Photo: Contributed Two Okanagan businesses took home top honours last night at the 14th annual Small Business BC Awards. Pentictons WineCrush and Kelownas Central Kitchen + Bar both won in their categories - WineCrush for Best Concept and Central for Best Employer. Four other Okanagan businesses were also finalists at this years awards, which were chosen from 699 nominees across 72 communities in the province. Businesses named to the Top 5 in their categories were asked to face a Dragons Den style panel of judges, whom they had ten minutes to pitch their business to. That panel selected the best in each category, based on those pitches, and announced the winners at a special ceremony Feb. 23. More than 500 from the business community attended the awards ceremonies of provinces largest small business awards competition, which aims to recognize the outstanding achievements of British Columbia's entrepreneurs and celebrate their contributions to the province. George Hunter the CEO of Small Business BC, said the awards saw an incredible level of participation this year. We're proud to acknowledge all the companies who participated and would like to congratulate all those who came out on top as winners in this year's competition, he said. These entrepreneurs are helping build a vibrant economy in our province and the Small Business BC Awards are the best way to celebrate and acknowledge their success and contribution." For the full list of finalists and award winners, visit Small Business BCs website. Photo: File photo Crime is on the rise in Vernon. According to a report from Vernon RCMP that will be presented to city council on Monday, the Vernon detachment recorded a 14.93 per cent increase in criminal cases in the last three months of 2016. The statistics are based on October to December and are compared to 2015 numbers. Property crimes were up a whopping 27.58 per cent in 2016, with theft from vehicles almost doubling from 2015 stats. Local police were also busier than ever. A jump of 5.39 per cent in calls for the last three months of 2016 had RCMP responding to 30,164 calls compared to 28,621 in 2015. However, impaired driving investigations have decreased by 9.09 per cent over the same time in 2015. ** U.S. Representative Jason Smith, R-8th District, files a weekly column each week the legislature is in session. This week, the United States House of Representatives will play host for President Trumps first formal address to the Joint Session of Congress. It is anticipated that the President will outline the many steps he and Congress will be taking in the coming months to help get millions of Americans back into the workforce. While investments in our nations crumbling infrastructure will be discussed, along with a lowering of the crushing tax burden felt by families and farmers, some steps like reducing the regulatory red tape stifling growth in this country - have already begun. In the days surrounding the Presidents formal address, the House of Representatives will simultaneously take up and advance legislation I have authored known as the Searching for and Cutting Regulations that are Unnecessarily Burdensome Act or SCRUB Act for short. This law would help compliment and codify much of the work President Trump has already taken in his first 30 days in office to reduce the impact unelected Washington bureaucrats are having on the lives of everyday Americans. During his first full week in office, on January 30th President Trump authored Executive Order, Reducing Regulation and Controlling Agency Regulatory Costs. Among other things, a key component of that order was a calling for the removal of two regulations for every new one proposed. The SCRUB Act sets up a commission of those directly impacted by Washington regulations to help the White House identify those regulations which should be removed giving the President the tools to reduce regulations which are duplicative, burdensome and holding back innovation, entrepreneurism and growth in this country. The facts we know are indisputable regulations are costing the American economy close to $2 trillion, or $15,000 per household with farmers and small business owners across the country citing regulations as a major impactor on their business and bottom line. We know that with bipartisan support the SCRUB Act passed the House of Representatives already last year. And finally, we know that if the liberal leader of the Senate, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, would simply let his Democrat colleagues vote their conscience, policies which reduce the headache Washington regulations are causing for millions of American families, like the SCRUB Act, would be on President Trumps desk before summer. Unfortunately obstructing the progress and advancement of policies which shrink the size of Washington and get our economy moving again has been the playbook of the liberals in Washington since the day Donald Trump stepped into office. With an eye already to the 2020 elections, Senators like Elizabeth Warren have joined with Schumer to make this one of the slowest presidential cabinet confirmation processes in recent history. They have objected to common sense policies like the REINS Act which would require congressional approval for any regulation costing more than $100 million. Simply put, they are more interested in playing political games than in working with our newly elected President to change the course in Washington which millions of Americans supported, called for, and voted for this past November. I am hopeful that after Tuesday night, those Washington insiders and Senators bent on obstruction will re-evaluate why their districts and states sent them to Washington. I am hopeful they will consider supporting the legislation, policies, laws, and nominations which will help alleviate the burden of an oversized federal government which taxes, regulates and spends too much. I know in the House of Representatives, with the passage of policies like the SCRUB Act, we are committed to giving President Trump the tools and resources he needs to enact the change in Washington that myself and millions of Americans have been overwhelmingly calling for. Photo: The Canadian Press In a major break for Bill Cosby, a judge ruled Friday that just one of the comedian's multitude of other accusers can testify at his trial to bolster charges he drugged and violated a woman more than a decade ago. The 79-year-old TV star is set to go on trial in June, accused of sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Prosecutors wanted to put 13 more women on the stand to show that his alleged conduct was part of a distinct pattern of behaviour. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill disallowed all but one of those women, saying in a one-page ruling that he carefully weighed the possible value of their testimony against the potential prejudice to Cosby. The one witness who can testify says the comic drugged and assaulted her in 1996 at a Los Angeles hotel. Cosby's lawyer had no immediate comment, but the actor himself re-tweeted news stories on the ruling, adding the hashtags "#KeepWatching" and "#PayAttention." The judge's decision is a setback for prosecutors and means the case will now rest more heavily on Constand's credibility. "There is an obvious value to the prosecution when you have numerous accusers. That alone adds tremendous weight to the case," said lawyer Joseph McGettigan, a prosecutor in the Penn State sex abuse scandal. The ruling could also shave weeks off the trial. Cosby, who is free on $1 million bail, could get 10 years in prison if convicted. He is expected in court again Monday to ask that the jurors be selected from another county because of the heavy publicity. Prosecutors compiled the list of 13 potential witnesses from the nearly 50 women who have come forward in recent years to say they were drugged and molested a barrage that destroyed Cosby's good-guy reputation as the star of TV's "Cosby Show" in the 1980s. His lawyers objected to the testimony about "prior bad acts," saying that in some cases the sex was consensual, while others involved models and actresses falsely accusing Cosby to gain money or attention. His attorneys also argued that some of the allegations were so vague with some of the women unsure of when the alleged encounters even took place that it would be impossible for Cosby to defend himself. While the ruling is a big victory for Cosby at his trial, it could deprive him of grounds for appeal if he is convicted. In 2015, a Pennsylvania appeals court threw out a Roman Catholic Church official's conviction because the jury was allowed to hear from 23 priest-abuse victims who were not directly part of the case. "It's the best of times and the worst of times for Cosby. It gives the defendant the opportunity to try the case that should be tried, the lone accuser," said defence lawyer William J. Brennan, who was involved in the church case. "If it doesn't go his way, he probably is limited on appellate issues. However, I'd take this, hands down, over the alternative." Photo: Facebook The couple that had their dream vacation turn into a nightmare, may be waking up from their bad dream soon. "We received Juttas PR card a few hours ago, so Tuesday we will be on a flight home", Martin told Castanet. The couple is thankful to be headed home. "We are feeling much better now, it's a breath of fresh air knowing that Jutta can now come home with me. Our stress level has dropped nearly to zero, and we can smile once again." Martin mentioned about how difficult it can be to get the proper documents in situations like his. "One would think that there would be a better set of safeguards for situations such as this. Whether a person forgets, loses, has their documents stolen or just plain didn't know it was required." We most definitely will be carrying her p.r. card when traveling from this point on.... lesson learned," he said. Photo: The Canadian Press U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday that it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall with Mexico, signalling that he is aggressively pursuing plans to erect "a great wall" along the 2,000-mile border. The agency said it will request bids on or around March 6 and that companies would have to submit "concept papers" to design and build prototypes by March 10, according to FedBizOpps.gov, a website for federal contractors. The field of candidates will be narrowed by March 20, and finalists must submit offers with their proposed costs by March 24. The president told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that construction will start "very soon" and is "way, way, way ahead of schedule." The agency's notice gave no details on where the wall would be built first and how many miles would be covered initially. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has sought employees' opinions during border tours of California, Arizona and Texas. It's unclear how soon Congress would provide funding and how much. The Government Accountability Office estimates it would cost on average $6.5 million a mile for a fence to keep out people who try to enter on foot and $1.8 million a mile for vehicle barriers. There are currently 354 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, much of it built during President George W. Bush's second term. Republican leaders in Congress have said Trump's wall would cost between $12 billion and $15 billion. Trump has suggested $12 billion. An internal Homeland Security Department report prepared for Kelly estimates the cost of extending the wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border at about $21 billion, according to a U.S. government official who is involved in border issues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been made public. The Homeland Security report proposes an initial phase that would extend fences 26 miles and a second wave that would add 151 miles, plus 272 "replacement" miles where fences are already installed, according to the official. Those two phases would cost $5 billion. The price tag will depend largely on the height, materials and other specifications that have not yet been defined. Granite Construction Inc., Vulcan Materials Co. and Martin Marrieta Materials Inc. are seen as potential bidders. Kiewit Corp. built one of the more expensive stretches of fencing so far at a cost of about $16 million a mile, a project in San Diego that involved filling a deep canyon known as Smuggler's Gulch. Cement maker Cemex SAB is also seen as a potential beneficiary even though it is based in Mexico. Photo: The Canadian Press TRURO, Mass. - A Jeep buried in sand in Massachusetts 40 years ago has finally been dug out. Work crews early Friday pulled out the rusted remnants of what John Munsnuff says was once his family's "beach buggy" at the home they've long owned near Ballston Beach in Cape Cod. The Jeep had once been painted white with a green interior. It had been stored in a garage that was long ago buried by shifting sand dunes. Munsnuff says the family was unable to remove the Jeep or dismantle the now-collapsed garage all these years because of environmental regulations around the dunes, which also have swallowed up parts of a nearby town beach parking lot. Munsnuff says he snagged a few souvenirs from the barely recognizable wreckage, including the Jeep's hub caps and door handles. A multiple-vehicle crash happened at Highway 97 and Dilworth Drive in Kelowna just before 10 p.m. Friday. Multiple emergency crews were called to the scene. One car smashed into a sign by Orchard Park Mall. The other car involved was in the middle of the highway, also with serious damage. At this time, it is unclear how many people were involved in the accident, but several were rushed to hospital. The police were unable to provide Castanet with any information at the time of the crash. Castanet will continue to update as more information becomes available. Madison Erhardt Photo: File photo At least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by Islamic States group militants in northern Zawzjan province, a provincial official said. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said in a statement that around 38 militants, including 23 IS fighters, were killed in separate operations conducted by Afghan security forces in the eastern and southern regions of the country over the past two days. Eight other militants were wounded and six arrested in the operations, which were conducted in districts across the Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, the statement added. In another report form eastern Laghman province, two students were killed when a mortar struck a school's classroom, a news release from the Education ministry said. The statement added that five other students were wounded inside the classroom in Mihterlam, the province's capital. There were unconfirmed reports the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces and missed its target and hit the school. The report could not immediately be verified by provincial or government officials. In a separate report form northern Faryab province at least one police officer was killed when a remotely controlled bomb went off inside a bazaar, said Karim Yuresh, the spokesman for the provincial police chief. He said that 16 others including 15 innocent civilians and a policeman were wounded in the blast. "The blast took place inside a market where innocent civilians were busy with their daily businesses," said Yuresh. He added that the intended target were the two policemen in the market. No group has claimed responsibility for the Faryab attackn, but Taliban insurgents usually use roadside bombs and suicide attacks to target Afghan security forces as well as government officials across the country. Photo: File photo Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul Saturday amid stiff resistance from entrenched Islamic State fighters, a commander on the scene said. Special forces Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi said that his troops are "moving very slowly" and that IS fighters are responding with car bombs, snipers and dozens of armed drones. Hundreds of civilian have fled the conflict zone, he said. The drones have caused relatively few deaths, but have inflicted dozens of light injuries that have disrupted the pace of ground operations. Al-Saadi said he expects the pace to increase after Iraqi forces retake territory and infrastructure on Mosul's southwestern edge which will allow them to shorten supply lines and link up with forces in the city's east. On the edge of a small village south of Mosul, dozens of families gathered against a crude cinderblock wall. Many said they were from villages outside Mosul and had been forced to march to the city more than four months ago to serve as human shields. "We've been through terrible times," said Juri Fathi, a mother of six who was forced to live in a school in Mosul for three months. "I had to burn my children's clothing just for warmth." Groups of men were screened at the site against a database of IS suspects and two prisoners were dragged past the crowd and into an abandoned building. "We brought them directly from inside Mosul," said an Iraqi special forces solider from inside the Humvee that delivered the detainees. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. "They were shooting at us, I saw them with my own eyes," he said. Iraqi forces declared eastern Mosul "fully liberated" in January after officially launching the operation to retake the city in October. A former Iraqi army lieutenant colonel and specialist in land-attack missiles, who used the nickname Abu Karim fearing for the safety of his family, spoke to The Associated Press by phone, describing a "deteriorating security and humanitarian situation" inside western Mosul. "I'm hiding in my house, and my wife lives in constant fear of Daesh raiding our home," said Abu Karim, using the Arabic acronym for the extremist group. Abu Karim said IS fighters have been setting up checkpoints and storming homes to crack down on informants, meting out punishments for anyone carrying a mobile phone or found with an internet connection that include flogging, jail time, and fines. Photo: File photo Israel's military fired tear gas across the border into Lebanon on Saturday, breaking up a small Lebanese protest against cameras installed there, Lebanon's National News agency reported. Israel's military said the protesters crossed the international border, prompting the dispersal. The U.N. peacekeeping force, known by the acronym UNIFIL, said it is investigating the various claims and that the situation later calmed. UNIFIL is closely co-ordinating with the Lebanese army and troops are still on the ground to ensure there is "no violation" of the U.N. demarcated borders, said spokesman Andrea Tenenti. Tenenti said there are no Israeli cameras that violate the U.N. demarcated borders. He said the UNIFIL is in touch with both parties to ensure calm. The protest by residents of Meiss el-Jabal, near the border with Israel, was led by a Lebanese lawmaker. The protesters were objecting to Israel's installation of security cameras and a solar panel along the U.N. demarcated border which they call "contested." Lawmaker Qassim Hashim told reporters at the borders that U.N. demarcated borders are a "withdrawal line," and not Israeli territories. Another protester said in remarks carried by al-Manar TV that the cameras are used to spy on Lebanon. The Israel-Lebanon border has remained mostly quiet since 2006, when Israel and Hezbollah fought for a month-long war that left some 1,200 Lebanese and 160 Israelis dead, and ended in a stalemate. Israel's army said the dozens protesters crossed the international border, prompting troops to fire tear gas to disperse the crowd "and prevent further infiltrations into Israeli territory." Al-Manar TV, affiliated with Lebanon's militant group Hezbollah, said the t some people suffered shortness of breath because of the tear gas. 1:30 p.m. update: Three men have now been charged in the death of Jonathon Bacon. They have also been charged for attempted murder for wounding four others during the shootout on Aug. 14, 2011 in front of the Grand Hotel in Kelowna. Those charged are: Jujhur Khun-Khun, 25 of Surrey Michael Kerry Hunter Jones, 25 of Gibsons Jason Thomas McBride, 37 of North Vancouver, but recently living in Toronto Full story and video to follow. 10:45 p.m. update Castanet will be broadcasting the police press conference live today starting at 1 p.m. in our main viewer on our front page. Photo: Contributed Notorious gangster Jonathan Bacon was killed during a shooting in front of the Delta Grand hotel on Aug. 14, 2011. 7:45 a.m.: A special media conference has been called in Vancouver to announce a significant development in a gang murder investigation. It is believed the news, to be released by the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit will have something to do with the murder of Jonathon Bacon, who was gunned down in Kelowna in August 2011. There have been unconfirmed reports that a number of arrests were made over the weekend with ties to Sukh Dhak, a gangster who was gunned down at a Burnaby hotel in November 2012. The press conference is set for 1 p.m. Pacific Time. The Japanese government will provide a grant of Rs 453 million to Pakistan for installing a 'face recognition system' at major international airports in the country. According to the Dawn, the aid is designed to support security and counterterrorism by providing advanced face recognition systems to the airports. An agreement to this effect was signed on Friday by Japanese Ambassador Takashi Kurai and Economic Affairs Secretary Tariq Mahmood Pasha. The system is equipped with advanced Japanese technology, aiming at improving security measures taken by airport staff to protect passengers. Japan has also been assisting Pakistan with the implementation of various other projects in the field of security. X-ray scanning deviAes have been installed at the airports in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, and the same project for the Karachi and Bin Qasim ports is in progress. In 2015, the country handed over 123 Japanese hybrid vehicles to the ministry of interior and the national highway police for patrolling. Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Kurai condemned recent terrorist attacks in Lahore, Peshawar and other places. He emphasised the importance of improvement of the security situation for socio-economic development in the country and renewed his commitment to continuing to support and cooperate with Pakistan. -ANI ** Missouri 115th District State Representative Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, files a report every other week while the state legislature is in session. Weve been in session two months already, and we have already gotten so much accomplished! Before we know it, Spring Break will be here! Check out below some of what we worked on this week. House Approves Unemployment System Reforms (HB 288) The Missouri House recently approved legislation meant to keep the states system of unemployment financially stable. The bill would link unemployment benefits to the rate of unemployment, and ensure the state keeps more money in the unemployment trust fund. The bill is identical to legislation that was put into law in 2015. After being approved by the House and Senate, the bill was vetoed by Governor Jay Nixon. The House then took immediate action to override the governors veto. The Senate, which was at a standstill in the final days of session because of a filibuster, did not complete the override motion until the annual Veto Session in September. Because of the timing of the veto override motions, the Missouri Supreme Court later struck down the law. The legislation approved this session by the House is meant to put the law back into effect. It is designed to make sure the state has enough money in its unemployment trust fund so that businesses dont have to pay a penalty. Specifically, it will increase the minimum amount of money in the fund before employers contribution rates decrease. The bill also ties unemployment benefits to the average unemployment rate so that more benefits are available when unemployment is high. If the state were in a position of high unemployment (9 percent or higher) benefits would be available for 20 weeks. House Gives Preliminary Approval to Legislation to Allow Missourians to Obtain REAL ID-Compliant Photo Identification (HB 151) The Missouri House of Representatives has given first-round approval to legislation that would give Missourians the option to obtain photo identification that complies with the federal REAL ID Act. After lengthy discussion, the House gave initial approval to a bill that would require the state revenue department to issue Real ID-compliant drivers licenses and identification cards to those who want them. Passed by the U.S. Congress in 2005, The REAL ID Act was designed to enhance security procedures by establishing new minimum standards for drivers licenses. Missouri responded to the requirements by passing a state law in 2009 to protect the private information of Missouri citizens by prohibiting the Missouri Department of Revenue from complying with the federal act. Because the state has not complied with the requirements, Missouri licenses are no longer a valid form of identification at federal facilities and military bases, and will no longer be valid at airports as proof of identity for domestic flights beginning in 2018. For Missourians who do not want to comply with the REAL ID requirements because of privacy concerns, the legislation would allow them to request the existing style of Missouri identification that is not compliant with the federal act. For those who want or need the federally compliant drivers license, the bill would establish safeguards so that any additional data gathered is used only for purposes of issuing the identification. House Approves Legislation to Stop Illegal Use of Herbicides (HB 662) The members of the Missouri House approved legislation that is meant to stop the illegal use of herbicides that have caused widespread damage to crops in the Southeast Missouri. According to experts from the University of Missouri, many farmers in that region lost an average of 35 percent of their crops when neighboring farmers used an outdated Dicamba product. Wind and temperature changes caused that product to spread onto nearby fields. Because the product was drifting onto fields not planted with seeds resistant to it, those crops were damaged. At least 150 farmers were impacted by the illegal use of the product. The legislation approved by the House would allow the Department of Agriculture to issue a fine to any individual who knowingly applies a herbicide to a crop for which the herbicide is not labeled for use. The department could issue a fine of up to $1,000 per acre on which a product is spread illegally. The per-acre fine would be doubled for those who repeatedly violate the new law. Under current law, the fine is a flat $1,000, which the sponsor of the bill said is not a strong enough deterrent. The money collected in fines would go to the local school district in which the violation occurred. The bill would also give the Department of Agriculture additional powers to investigate claims of illegal uses. The department would be able to subpoena witnesses and compel the production of certain records related to the misuse of herbicides. Farmers penalized for illegal use would be liable to the department for its expenses and for personal property affected. Expanding Virtual School Options for Missouri Students (HB 138) The Missouri House has approved legislation meant to expand course options and access for K-12 students. The bill would change the Missouri Virtual Instruction Program (MOVIP) to "The Missouri Course Access Program" (MCAP) and allows any K-12 student to enroll in MCAP courses. The Missouri Virtual Instruction Program was established in 2007 to offer online courses to public, private, and home school students. The program allows students to take advanced courses that are not currently offered by their local school districts. As the sponsor of the legislation pointed out, there are 255 school districts in Missouri that have no students in calculus; 213 that have no students in physics, 105 that have none in chemistry; and there are 110 school districts that have ended their gifted programs. In order to give students in all parts of the state access to advanced coursework, the legislation would allow students to take online courses that would be paid by the school district or charter school. Students would be eligible if they have attended the school for at least one semester, and the course is not available in the school district. The bill requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to review the online courses to ensure they meet state standards. Missouri House Approves Perinatal Care Legislation (HB 58) Members of the Missouri House gave bipartisan support this week to legislation meant to help reduce the incidence of preterm births and infant mortality in Missouri. The House approved legislation that would require the Department of Health and Senior Services to establish levels of neonatal and maternal care available at each birthing center in the state. The bill is meant to provide a referral system that would ensure high risk and other at-risk newborns receive consultation and access to risk-appropriate care. In effect, it would ensure moms and babies receive the right care at the right place. Supporters note that approximately 25 percent of at-risk newborns in Missouri are born at a facility that is not equipped to meet their needs. They say enacting the legislation will allow complex care to be delivered in a more timely fashion to babies and mothers in need. The House approved similar legislation during the 2016 legislative session, but the Senate failed to send the bill to the governors desk before time ran out. Observing Missouri Memory Day House members and visitors to the Capitol wore purple on Wednesday, Feb. 22 in honor of Missouri Memory Day. The annual event saw hundreds of advocates make their way to Jefferson City to educate elected officials about Alzheimers disease and the need to enhance access to care, support and services for people with dementia and their families. According to the Alzheimers Association, Alzheimers is the most expensive disease in America. Right now, there are 5.4 million Americans with Alzheimer's. By 2050, the number of people age 65 and older with Alzheimer's disease may increase dramatically to a projected 13.8 million. Over the next 40 years, caring for people with Alzheimers will cost the United States $20 trillion, with nearly 60 percent of that borne by Medicare. Advocates say that the development of a treatment that delayed onset of Alzheimers by just five years would reduce Medicare spending on those with the disease by 45 percent in 2050. House Members Recognize the Achievements of Eagle Scouts House members took time this week to honor the hard work and success of Eagle Scouts from around the state. The young Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout during 2016 were on hand at the Capitol for Missouri Eagle Scout Recognition Day on Monday, Feb. 20. Several of the scouts made their way to the House Chamber where they were recognized for reaching the highest achievement of any Scout. The Scouts also participated in a recognition program in the Capitol Rotunda that was highlighted by a keynote address from Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is himself an Eagle Scout. The Eagle Scout award is a performance-based achievement. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, which is the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor skills. Research has demonstrated the significant, positive impact Eagle Scouts have on society from holding leadership positions in their workplaces and neighborhoods to voting and volunteering, and from protecting the environment to being prepared for emergencies. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has condemned the 'senseless violence' in Kansas that claimed life of an Indian engineer and wounded another. "There's no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella, who was born in India and later moved to the US, tweeted on Saturday. Two Indian engineers- Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani- were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. The accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his "America first" agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administration's sharp language about immigration. Earlier, Nadella was also vocal against the controversial executive order on immigration and travel ban by President Trump. -ANI ** Missouri 116th District State Representative Kevin Engler, R-Farmington, files his Capital Report at the end of each week the state legislature is in session. HB 151 created a lot of discussion this week. This bill requires the Department of Revenue to provide Missourians with the option to obtain a REAL ID compliant drivers license. Without compliant licenses in the state right now, we cannot go on military bases and in 2018 we will be required to have another form of identification to ride on a plane. Its important to note the bill still allows anyone concerned with sharing their personal information to obtain the regular non-compliant license. The bill received first-round approval this week and needs another vote in the House before moving to the Senate. My bill, HB655 relating to tax credits for contributions to maternity homes and pregnancy resource centers, received first-round approval with 121 yes votes. I was visited by Ellen Masulit-Fischer and Lana, one of the Pregnancy Resource Centers clients, this week when speaking on my bill. As a result of Pregnancy Resource Center funding we were able to welcome Nolan, Lanas 2-week-old baby, as our newest constituent to our district. The budget committee continues to work hard to find ways to wisely invest our tax dollars. They received some good news this week as the Governor announced the state will receive another $52 million in funding as the result of a legal settlement. The Governor said the money will be used to restore previously made cuts to home and community-based services ($41 million) and K-12 transportation ($11 million). Thank you to the various organizations that traveled to the State Capitol this week. It was my honor to meet with the group from BJC Health Services, SE Missouri Health Center, Stacey Wright and Tim Azinger who represent the L.I.F.E. Center. Thank you for making the trip to Jefferson City to share your thoughts and very real concerns with me. Candidate Donald Trump set off a furious controversy when he said NATO countries should pay their "fair share" of mutual defense costs and, later, that the treaty organization was "obsolete" because not enough of its efforts were directed against radical Islamic terrorism. On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence took the Trump message to NATO headquarters in Brussels. And after all the controversy and complaining, NATO's response could be boiled down to a single sentence: Yes sir, Mr. Trump. News reports from Pence's news conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg focused on Pence's effort to "reassure" nervous NATO officials that the U.S. will stand behind its treaty commitments. "It is my privilege here at the NATO headquarters to express the strong support of President Trump and the United States of America for NATO and our transatlantic alliance," Pence said. "I can say with confidence, America will do our part." But at least as newsworthy was what happened next. Pence dropped the hammer of Trump's demands, and NATO quickly went along. "Europe's defense requires Europe's commitment as much as ours," Pence said. He reminded the group that in 2014 all 28 members of NATO promised to try to spend two percent of their GDP on defense by 2024. Only four countries, in addition to the U.S., are now meeting that standard. As a candidate, Trump repeatedly called for NATO to pay more, Pence noted. And now Trump is president. "So let me say again what I said this last weekend in Munich," Pence said "The president of the United States and the American people expect our allies to keep their word and to do more in our common defense, and the president expects real progress by the end of 2017. ... It is time for actions, not words." Just in case anyone missed the message, Pence encouraged the NATO countries that don't spend two percent on defense to accelerate their plans to get there. "And if you don't have a plan," Pence said, "get one." To which NATO quickly acceded. "I fully support what has been underlined by President Trump and by Vice President Pence today, the importance of burden sharing," Stoltenberg said. "I expect all allies to make good on the promise that we made in 2014 to increase defense spending and to make sure to have a fairer burden of sharing." On the issue of terrorism, Stoltenberg said yes again. First, he noted that NATO is helping train security forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and is contributing surveillance planes to the fight against the Islamic State. Then he added what Pence wanted to hear: "But we agree that the alliance can, and should do more, in the fight against terrorism." It's hard to overstate the near-hysteria that met Trump's "fair share" and "obsolete" comments. But the fact is, burden sharing is an old idea, and a non-controversial one. Modernizing NATO's approach in the age of the Islamic State is also eminently reasonable. And now NATO, facing the reality of a Trump presidency, has little choice but to go along. The bottom line is that Donald Trump moved the NATO debate. After much fretting, and complaining, and denouncing, NATO did the simplest thing: It went along. Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner. 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Great movies can transport you to another world. Filmgoers can escape to Middle Earth in the Lord of the Rings, experience the romance of wartime Morocco in Casablanca, or immerse themselves in the life of a Mafia family in The Godfather. But cinematic journeys dont have to be restricted to the screen. Travelers can bring their favorite movies to life when they visit the places where famous films were filmed or set. Weve combed through the long list of Oscar-winning movies to put together these suggestions for 10 film-inspired vacations you can take. 1. Moonlight Destination: Miami Oscar audiences were shocked when it turned out Moonlight, Barry Jenkins universally acclaimed film about a young gay man growing up in a rough neighborhood in Miami in the 1980s, was the real Best Picture winner, not La La Land as originally announced. Moonlight shows a side of the Florida city that tourists rarely see and makes great use of Miamis vivid colors to build a dreamlike atmosphere, Calvin Iverson, the PR manager for Travel Pirates, a site that helps people find the best travel deals, told The Cheat Sheet To get a birds-eye view of the Miami skyline and palm trees, Iverson suggests hopping on the Metrorail, which makes a brief appearance in the film. Then, head to Virginia Key Beach, where several pivotal scenes in the movie were filmed. Finish your tour with a meal at Jimmys Eastside Diner in the Little River neighborhood, where the films third act is set. 2. La La Land Destination: Los Angeles Despite a Best Picture fake-out, La La Land still managed to take home six of the 14 awards for which it was nominated, including Best Director for Damien Chazelle and Best Actress for Emma Stone. Los Angeles is a character itself in this romantic ode to Hollywoods golden age, and many key scenes were filmed at famous spots around the city. Griffith Observatory is the site of one of the movies most memorable dance sequences. (Film buffs will also recognize the 1935 building from Rebel Without a Cause). But its not the only stop of your La La Land tour of Los Angeles. While youre in the area, catch a great view of the city from Cathys Corner, [pictured above] just off Mt. Hollywood Drive in Griffith Park, where Mia and Sebastian tap dance and sing A Lovely Night, Iverson said. Then head over to Hermosa Beach for another two-for-one: stroll down Hermosa Pier, where Sebastian sings City of Stars, and catch a jazz show at The Lighthouse Cafe, where Sebastian introduces Mia to his favorite music. 3. The Last Emperor Destination: The Forbidden City Bernardo Bertoluccis The Last Emperor swept the Oscars in 1987, winning all nine awards for which it was nominated, including Best Picture and Best Director. The movie tells the story of Puyi, the last emperor of China, from his ascension to the throne as a small child to his death during Chinas Cultural Revolution. Bertolucci was the first Western director allowed to film in the Forbidden City, the home of Chinas rulers for centuries and completely off-limits to most outsiders for most of its history. Today, Beijings Forbidden City is one of the worlds most-visited tourist attractions, and its a must-see for any first-time visitor to China. Youll need at least a day to explore the entire sprawling complex, according to Lonely Planet, and might want to make multiple visits if youre a real history buff. 4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest Destination: Dominica Yes, the second installment of the long-running Pirates of the Caribbean franchise is an Oscar-winning film. It took home the statuette for Best Visual Effects at the 79th Academy Awards and was nominated in three other categories. Many scenes in the film were filmed on the Caribbean island of Dominica. The island is less developed than many of its neighbors, making it the perfect destination for someone who doesnt want to spend their vacation cloistered in a resort. You can visit Hampstead Beach on the islands north coast, where some scenes were shot, as well as the Indian River and Titou Gorge. The Guardian has a rundown of the islands history and Pirates filming locations. 5. March of the Penguins Destination: Antarctica March of the Penguins won the 2005 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. The movie depicts the journey of a colony of emperor penguins from the ocean to their winter breeding ground and back again. The family-friendly flick was a huge hit upon its release and is the second-highest-grossing documentary of all time. If you want to get a glimpse of emperor penguins in the wild, youll need to book a polar cruise or tour. Several companies offer tours, including Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, which has two penguin-focused trips. The nine-day Emperors and Explorers tour flies you to the Gould Bay Emperor Penguin Colony and lets you march with the penguins yourself. Youll camp on the ice and have plenty of opportunities for up-close bird watching. This once-in-a-lifetime trip costs $73,500 and the next departure is in November 2017. 6. The Lord of the Rings Destination: New Zealand The three films in Peter Jacksons The Lord of the Rings garnered 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for The Return of the King. But New Zealand may have been an even bigger winner. Tourism to the island country spiked as Hobbit-obsessed fans clamored to get a glimpse of the spots that played Middle Earth on screen. Lord of the Rings tourism is still going strong in New Zealand. While you can book single- or multi-day tours that will take you to various filming locations, self-guided tours to the Hobbiton village set and other key sites are another option. Matamata, a town in the Waikato Region of New Zealands North Island, is where Hobbiton was created, Iverson explained. The volcanic region of Mt Ruapehu became Mount Doom, where Sauron forged The Ring. Queenstown, a town renowned for its adventure sports, was the setting for several scenes including the Eregion Hills and the Pillars of Argonath. New Zealand Tourism has outlined several other potential itineraries for your trip to Middle Earth. 7. Lost in Translation Destination: Tokyo Sofia Coppola won Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Lost In Translation, her moody, stylish look at Americans staying in a Tokyo hotel. (The movie was nominated in three other categories, including Best Picture.) Provided budget isnt an object, its easy enough for fans of the film to recreate Bob (Bill Murray) and Charlottes (Scarlett Johansson) visit to Japan, though hopefully with a bit less ennui. The first step is to book a room at the luxury Park Hyatt Toyko, where much of the move takes place, though with rooms costing as much as $1,000 a night, its not for the budget-conscious. Fortunately, anyone can visit the top-floor New York Bar, which has stunning views of the Tokyo skyline. Round out your visit by taking in the masses of pedestrians at Shibuya Crossing and then head to the nearby Karaoke-Kan, where Bill Murrays character belted out a version of Roxy Musics More Than This. 8. Spotlight Destination: Boston Toronto stood in for Boston in many scenes in 2016s Best Picture winner Spotlight. But a few Boston landmarks did make an appearance in the movie, which tells the story of the real-life Boston Globe journalists who exposed numerous cases of child sex abuse committed by Catholic priests and the Archdioceses efforts to cover up the crimes. Fenway Park, the Boston Public Library, and the Old State House all make appearances in the film, and are essential stops on any Boston tour. You can also visit Union Park in the South End neighborhood, where journalist Sacha Pfeiffer (Rachel McAdams) has an important conversation with a source. Then, stop into the South End Buttery, the site of another meeting between Pfeiffer and a source. Make sure to pick up a copy of the Boston Globe to read along with your coffee. Boston is a great place to visit at any time of year, but youll find the best deals during the winter months, Iverson said. 9. Casablanca Destination: Casablanca Casablanca, which won three Academy Awards, including Best Picture, often tops lists of the best films ever made. But the story of the love triangle between jaded American bar owner Rick, resistance leader Victor, and his wife Ilsa, wasnt actually filmed in Morocco. Most of the movie was shot at the Warner Brothers Studio in Burbank, California. Still, film enthusiasts can recreate some of the magic of the movie on a trip to the actual city of Casablanca. On top of the art deco architecture and old stone medina alleys, travelers can find museums, palaces, and the second largest mosque in the world, Hassan II Mosque, Iverson said. Great dining and nightlife are other big draws in this North African metropolis. Even better, airfares to Morocco can be surprisingly affordable, with round-trip flights from East Coast cities available for as little as $531, Iverson said. 10. Mutiny on the Bounty Destination: Pitcairn Island In the 1935 Best Picture winner Mutiny on the Bounty, Clark Gable plays Fletcher Christian, who led a famous insurrection on a British Naval ship in 1789 and eventually took refuge on a remote island in the Pacific. Its a swashbuckling story from another time, but the past lives on at Pitcairn Island, which is still inhabited by a few dozen of Christians descendants. Getting to the remote Pitcairn Island is an adventure in itself. Its inaccessible by air, so youll have to book passage on the shipping vessel that occasionally serves the island, take one of the cruises that sometimes call at Pitcairn, or sail there yourself. The island isnt exactly rich with tourist amenities, but its isolation is part of the charm, aside from taking in the stunning landscape and ocean views, you can dive to see the wreck of the Bounty, check out ancient petroglyphs, and swim in a tidal pool. Film Major Paul Lurie uses his graduation cap to help his job search at the Wang Center during Emerson College's 124th commencement ceremony. It reads, "Will write for food." (Lane Turner / Boston Globe via Getty Images) The college graduate underemployment epidemic is easing. And the stereotypical image of young people stuck in parents' basements, working as baristas at Starbucks and wondering why they burdened themselves with $30,000 in student loan debt is becoming outdated. Advertisement There are still too many recent graduates in jobs that didn't require them to go to college, but the situation is improving. A highly cited report several years ago found 53.6 percent of recent college graduates were out of work or underemployed in 2011. But recently released data from a separate source shows that in 2014 only about 33 percent of people fresh out of college didn't have jobs that required college educations and after age 22 their career paths were much improved. The latest figures were released by Stephen Rose of the Urban Institute, who analyzed the American Consumer Survey of 2014. That 33 percent number is clearly not reassuring for those who went to college and expected more, but the general trend into more opportunity for college graduates is encouraging. Generally, people straight out of college are most likely to have problems finding good jobs during a recession, but as they move through their 20s and 30s they get into jobs that are a better match for their educational background, Rose said. Advertisement By their prime earning years, between 35 and 55, they may not even recall that they struggled to get ahead when young, he said. Rose analyzed data from 167 occupations, responsibilities within those occupations and earnings. He compared the experience of recent college graduates against recent grads of years past and found that people who entered jobs shortly after the 2008 recession did worse than previous generations, but not as badly as commonly thought. According to the data, about 33 percent of recent college graduates in 2014 started their working years with jobs that didn't require their degrees. By comparison, in 1980, 29 percent of recent graduates settled for less than what their degrees called for. Although 1980 was followed by strong years of opportunity, the initial experience of college graduates wasn't easy. They were coming into a job market flooded with waves of new baby boomers with fresh bachelor's degrees. In contrast, 2000 was among the best of times, until the economy went into a recession after the technology stock bubble burst. Amid that peak in employment, there was still a substantial group of young graduates who didn't find jobs that met their qualifications. About 24 percent of young graduates took jobs that didn't require their degrees. Now there are signs that recent graduates are finding a more comfortable path than appeared likely right after the 2008 recession. A poll by the Pew Research Center in 2014 found significant optimism. About 86 percent of college grads between 25 and 32 said they were either in a "career job" or in "a stepping stone to a career job." Rose's data provide encouragement for today's high school students considering college, or those in jobs who are thinking about going to college. In a nutshell, it shows that college typically is worth it. But it's not a guarantee. Coming out of college in tough economic times does not provide the initial opportunity people expected to have upon graduation. And certain fields, such as teaching, social work, art and writing, don't pay well despite being geared toward people with college degrees, Rose notes. In addition, certain minority groups can't count on college to provide as much opportunity as students might imagine. After graduating from college, Hispanics and African-Americans were significantly more likely to end up overqualified for jobs in 2014 and 1980, said Rose. "These findings underscore the importance of a strong macroeconomy for these underrepresented minorities," Rose said. Advertisement His findings also carry another warning: Although with time the outlook for college-level jobs has improved for the recession generation of college graduates, Rose found trouble for those who haven't been able to make it into jobs suited for their educations. Pay is much higher for people who are in jobs geared toward people with college educations than those that don't require college. But people who finished college with degrees and then ended up settling into positions that weren't geared toward college educations paid a steep price. In 2014, college graduates who did not find good-fitting occupations earned just half of what their peers did in jobs fit for college grads, noted Rose. And the price is much steeper now than for people a few decades ago. In 1980, if a person with a degree settled for a job that didn't require college, the individual sacrificed just a third of the pay he would have had in a job with higher qualifications. gmarksjarvis@chicagotribune.com Twitter @gailmarksjarvis Aurora's mayoral race has accounted for more money raised than any other local campaign in the state so far, according to a political advocacy and research group. As of Friday afternoon, the four candidates on the ballot had raised $412,086 far ahead of the second-place figure, the $177,827 raised by two candidates in the Berwyn mayor's race. Advertisement State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia; Ald. Richard Irvin, at large; Ald. Michael Saville, 6th; and Rick Guzman, assistant chief of staff in the mayor's office, face off Tuesday in a primary that will whittle the four-candidate field down to two for the April 4 general consolidated election. According to figures from Illinois Sunshine, the website for the Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, and from the Illinois State Board of Elections website, Chapa LaVia has outdistanced her opponents with $209,990 raised, $113,500 of which came after the beginning of the year. Advertisement Guzman shows a balance of $95,044 raised, Irvin $83,168 and Saville $23,882. There are also five candidates registered as write-ins at the Aurora Election Commission, but the State Board of Elections shows no money raised on their behalf. One of the write-ins has not even filed paperwork for a campaign organization. The money raised is a snapshot of their current balances, not counting any outstanding debts they might have. All four candidates have spent money on a flurry of fliers that have been landing in Aurorans' mailboxes, particularly in the past week, as well as phone calls. Three pieces that target Chapa LaVia carry the general message that she was the pawn of state House Speaker Michael Madigan during her time in Springfield. Two of the mailers were sent by the Economic Freedom Alliance, a group formed in 2014. While the group only had $262 in its coffers at the end of 2016, it raised $18,000 between Feb. 10 and Feb. 16, $10,000 of which came from one donor, John Patrick Bryan, a Sugar Grove resident who owns Aurora-based Geneva Construction. Bryan also has contributed several times through the years to Irvin's campaign including this year and also gave to Guzman's campaign. For this reason, Chapa LaVia has been characterizing the mailers as being funded by "supporters of her opponents." The state representative even sent out a robocall to Aurora voters reinforcing that and referring to the Economic Freedom Alliance as a "far right-wing group." Advertisement Irvin, Guzman and Saville all emphatically denied they had anything to do with the mailers. On the bottom of the mailers themselves it says, "Not authorized by any candidate or campaign; No candidate is responsible for the activities of the committee." A third mailer came to Aurora houses Friday, this time funded by a group called Concerned Citizens of Aurora. It appears that organization failed to comply with election law because it did not file any information with the State Board of Elections. While those pieces garnered much attention, Aurorans were deluged with mailers from all the candidates, including one from Guzman, which contained some words of praise from former Mayor Tom Weisner. Weisner has stayed out of the primary campaign publicly, declining to issue any endorsement, even though he recruited Guzman to work at City Hall, which Guzman has done for five years. slord@tribpub.com The sashimi omakase is presented beautifully, the fish pieces arranged in a bowl with bamboo-spike identifiers. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune) Gene Katos excellent Sumi Robata Bar might have been ahead of his time, but luckily for Chicago, when Sumi closed, Kato wound up in Fulton Market, maintaining and even elevating Momotaros status as the most complete Japanese restaurant in the city. Excellent sushi and hot dishes continue to delight, and Katos superb robata work has been incorporated into the menu as well. Do not overlook the downstairs Izakaya, an intimate and dark space with menu delights of its own. Read Phil Vettels full review of Momotaro here. Restaurant details Tribune rating: | Address: 820 W. Lake St. | Phone: 312-733-4818 | Website: momotarochicago.com | Open: Dinner Monday-Sunday | Prices: Sushi pieces $6 to $12, main courses $16-$75 | Reservations: Available here Advertisement Ratings key: outstanding; excellent; very good; good; no stars: unsatisfactory. The reviewer makes every effort to remain anonymous. Meals are paid for by the Tribune. The red carpet isnt actually red, and other secrets underfoot at the Oscars Installers maneuver a carpet roll in front of the Dolby Theatre. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) In Aeschylus play Agamemnon, the titular kings homecoming from the Trojan War is marked by his vengeful wife Clytemnestra, who offers him a red carpet on which to walk. Now my beloved, step down from your chariot, and let not your foot, my lord, touch the Earth, she says. But Agamemnon is dubious, noting that only gods are permitted to walk on such a "crimson pathway. (The king was right to be concerned: his wife soon murders him in a bathtub.) The Greek tragedy was written in 458 BC and marks the first historical reference to a red carpet. Roughly 2,500 years later, gods of a different sort Hollywood idols seem to have little issue with treading on the carpets. And there is perhaps no more famous a red carpet in show business and the world than the one unfurled in front of the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood for the Academy Awards. Signature Systems Group, a flooring company with offices in Santa Fe Springs, is responsible for making sure that the 50,000-square-foot carpet not only shines, but also doesnt trip up any starlets during Sundays awards show. The company has handled the painstaking task of installing the Oscars carpet since 2008, when it acquired American Turf & Carpet, a local outfit and longtime show vendor. The Texas company is a key cog among dozens of businesses (think: florists, chauffeurs and caterers) who work behind the scenes in Los Angeles County's multimillion-dollar Oscar economy. We are dealing with a lot of different events, but there is none other like this one, said Moises Arteaga, national distribution manager of Signature Systems. 92635105 Installers from Signature Systems Group talk about what it takes to lay down the red carpet at the Academy Awards. The unique nature of the Academy Awards extends to its carpet: It isnt even a traditional red. Instead, the carpet is closer to burgundy and has been for the last 15 years. The exclusive shade called Academy Red is supposed to flatter the A-list actors who are photographed and filmed walking on it. Its a secret color, one whose precise specifications the shows organizers wont reveal for fear of copycats. Listen, there is only one Academy Awards, said Joe Lewis , an associate producer of the arrivals and pre-show portion of the Oscars. Some things that make the Academy Awards the Academy Awards should be proprietary. The secrecy surrounding the carpet illustrates the exacting nature of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the organization behind the annual awards show. And its just one quirk of the custom carpet. A crew of about 18 workers began installing the red carpet along Hollywood Boulevard in front of the Dolby on Feb. 21. It will take them nearly 900 man-hours to install the carpet, and the work wont be finished until just before the stars begin arriving Sunday afternoon as throngs of foreign tourists, street performers in superhero costumes and edgy security guards look on. There are road closures, there is heavy security there is definitely a buzz in the air, said Lynn Nichols, West Coast regional sales manager for Signature Systems. We just block everything out just do our job. Installers carry the red carpet down Hollywood Boulevard. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The rolls of the red carpet are unloaded in Hollywood. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The red carpets arrive by truck on Hollywood Boulevard on Tuesday. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Installers unload rolls of red carpets and carry them down Hollywood Boulevard. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Signature Systems wont say how much its making on the Academy Awards job or discuss its finances, but executives say business is growing and that the company sold more than 15 million square feet of carpet and turf in 2016. The Oscars job isnt the companys biggest a recent Super Bowl assignment called for about 650,000 square feet of carpet. Signature Systems has also worked on the Golden Globe Awards and the Grammy Awards, but the Oscars are special. This is a highlight for us, Nichols said. Hollywood can trace its red carpet history back to theater impresario Sid Grauman. He first deployed one for the 1922 premiere of Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. The reasons for the carpets use are manifold, said Hollywood historian Marc Wanamaker. The first purpose is that it would be an obvious guideline of where people would walk, he said. The other reason is that they didnt want anyone slipping or falling going into the theater. The third reason is that it is glamorous. A carpet installer at Signature Systems Group walks across the red carpet in Santa Fe Springs. (Christina House / For The Times) A red carpet made its debut at the Oscars in 1961 and has since become an integral part of the spectacle, whose pre-show extravaganza is widely viewed by fans tuning in to check out stars fashion hits and misses. Red carpets, of course, were used long before Grauman popularized them and the Oscars made them a cultural focal point. Over the last several centuries, theyve become popular extravagances for monarchs, religious leaders and other dignitaries. Apparently, Agamemnons gruesome fate foreshadowed by his wifes red carpet has scared no one away. Even if the race for Oscar gold can seem like it verges on bloodsport or a Greek tragedy, depending on your perspective the Academy Awards red carpet has far more benign origins. It is fabricated from nylon at a mill in Dalton, Ga., known as the Carpet Capital of the World. (The name of the mill, like the color specifications, is a secret.) Earlier this month, Signature Systems took delivery of the carpet at its Santa Fe Springs offices. On Feb. 13, workers in the facilitys cavernous warehouse unrolled a 12-foot-by-150-foot portion of the carpet, straining as they kicked and pushed the 630-pound roll down a wide walkway. A warehouse worker dropped to his knees and began trimming the edge with a carpet knife. He and four others spent several days making precision cuts, using paper templates placed on top of the carpet to guide their incisions. This prepared the carpet for the zigs and zags it must make as it inches down Hollywood Boulevard and up into the forecourt of the Dolby at the Hollywood & Highland complex. Moises Arteaga and Lynn Nichols of Signature Systems Group at the company's Santa Fe Springs warehouse. (Christina House / For The Times) Eyeing the unrolled swath, warehouse associate Angel Luis said he was a little nervous it was his first time working on the Academy Awards red carpet. He doesnt typically watch the Oscars, but this year, he plans to tune in. This type of stuff just takes so much time, Arteaga said. We try to get a head start on this type of work that is intricate and detailed. The carpet was trucked to Hollywood on Tuesday afternoon as an off-and-on rainstorm pelted L.A. Upon arrival, a worker with tattooed knuckles used a forklift to pull roughly 30 carpet rolls from the truck, which was parked in a closed section of Hollywood Boulevard in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. As he worked under a sky thick with the threat of rain, a few tourists watched the spectacle from behind a chain-link fence. Thats the official red carpet from the swap meet! joked a man working for another vendor. A cameraman films workers rolling out the red carpet. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) A worker unrolls the red carpet. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Installation will take nearly 900 man-hours, and the work won't be finished until just before the pre-show arrivals begin on Sunday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) A cameraman films workers rolling out the red carpet, which will take nearly 900 man-hours to install. The work won't be finished until just before the pre-show arrivals on Sunday afternoon. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) Four workers loaded the rolls onto a wooden dolly and pushed them down Hollywood Boulevard toward the Dolby. An installer hopped onto one of the rolls and straddled it like a cowboy atop a wild stallion. They lugged a roll inside the Dolbys busy forecourt, which is lined with shops including a Louis Vuitton outpost. As workers unrolled the carpet and affixed it to the floor with double-sided tape, shoppers stopped to gawk. A uniformed security guard eyed tourists and shouted keep off the carpet. Lewis, who is contracted by the academy to arrange the pre-show portion of the Oscars, said that security is in place to deter people from snatching a swatch of the carpet, which could be used to fabricate a copy or even be sold as a collectors item. I know that people have taken hunks out of the carpet in the past, Lewis said. You could put it on EBay. Alvarado Contreras, from left, Rene Palma and Edgar Ochoa cut into place a roll of red carpet in the Dolby Theatre's forecourt. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) But of greater concern than thieves is the weather. Rain, of course, is the scourge of Oscars red carpet professionals. In 2014, Jennifer Lawrence took an apparently rain-assisted spill on the shows carpet. To make certain that everything goes smoothly Sunday, Signature Systems employees will be on hand to ensure any weather-related issue is resolved quickly. A tuxedoed installer will be prepared to vacuum the carpet as needed. (The carpet is only used once and destroyed, in an undisclosed manner, after the show.) Perhaps surprisingly, none of the professionals responsible for the red carpet who were interviewed by The Times had heard of the tale of Agamemnon an origins story of sorts for their line of work. Still, that doesnt mean they arent grateful. We can thank King Agamemnon for the volume of work he provides us, Lewis said. Lead photo: Installers maneuver a carpet roll in front of the Dolby Theatre. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) daniel.miller@latimes.com @DanielNMiller Four kinds of locally raised catfish are served at Larry's Fish House. The whole fried fish, upper right, is the one owner Larry Kelly encourages visitors to try. (Jay Jones / Chicago Tribune) ITTA BENA, Miss. The place doesn't open until 11:30 a.m., but a good 10 minutes before then, there's a long line at the cash register at Larry's Fish House. Folks are hungry, and they're eager to hand over $15 for the all-you-can-eat buffet. Regardless of whether it's the fish-heavy Lenten season, which starts March 1, the restaurant is busy every Friday. That's the one day a week Larry Kelly serves lunch. The parking lot quickly overflows with cars and pickup trucks, and it seems as if everybody in Itta Bena (population 2,000) has arrived at the same time. Advertisement The big draw is Kelly's catfish, which he serves both baked and fried. The fish is a year-round favorite here in the Mississippi Delta not surprising since catfish farming is the lifeblood of this economically depressed region in the northwest part of the state. Visitors drive past hundreds of artificial ponds dotting the flat landscape where cotton was once king. Roughly 30 miles away in Belzoni, dozens of colorful catfish sculptures sit along the streets, a tribute to the whiskered fish that Mark Twain once described as "a plenty good enough fish for anyone." Advertisement No one in these parts is disputing that, especially not Kelly. "My catfish are the best in the world," Kelly boldly stated about the food served at his eatery, which he described as "a family restaurant with no alcohol." As customers open Kelly's front door, they spot a Bible-quoting sticker in opposition to same-sex marriage. "That's my personal belief," Kelly said. "If it offends someone, they don't have to eat here. But I won't turn them away because of their lifestyle." Patrons pay first and then grab their trays. The buffet's first pan, full of fried fillets, speaks to their popularity. Beside it is a pan containing whole catfish (also fried) plus barbecue and lemon-pepper varieties that Kelly cooks in the oven "for the health-conscious." Among the other options, some are healthier than others. The french fries, hush puppies and chicken wings sit near veggies such as green beans, okra and turnip greens. "I use top-of-the-line catfish," Kelly said. "I'd rather feed more people and make a little bit less per person than cut the grade of my fish. "I cook the catfish in separate cookers from anything else," he added. "I don't cook french fries with them. I don't cook chicken with them, (so) you're just picking up the taste of the catfish." Advertisement For the finest flavor, Kelly urges people to try the whole fish. "Only the head is cut off," he explained. The bones remain, but they're apparently a nuisance only to the uninitiated. "A person that knows how to eat that can eat it as fast as they eat fillets," Kelly said. "You take a fork and run up them bones, and it peels off. That meat coming from the bone has got a different taste." The catfish come from a processor, America's Catch, just a few miles down the road. That, Kelly said, assures freshness. "What my customers ate last night was swimming yesterday morning," he proudly pointed out. As diners work their way through piled-high plates, waitresses make regular passes carrying trays heaped with fish, and pitchers filled with sweet tea. A wall hanging describes the ubiquitous beverage as the "house wine of the South." Advertisement While many menus offer fried catfish, some restaurants get more creative with their preparations. In Greenwood, a town famous for the blues, Giardina's serves Delta catfish cakes with "comeback sauce," the Mississippi version of Louisiana's remoulade (www.giardinas.com). At Fat Baby's Catfish House in Cleveland, catfish bread is the signature dish. Folks rave about the crunchy French bread that's smeared with a creamy blend containing cheese, olives and, of course, catfish (www.fatbabyscatfishhouse.com). The Crown in Indianola features Catfish Allison, fillets cooked in a sauce of butter, green onions and Parmesan cheese (www.thecrownrestaurant.com). The restaurant, not so coincidentally, is just a few streets away from the headquarters of the Catfish Farmers of America. All of the eateries make a point of serving only U.S. farm-raised catfish. That's not only a source of pride, but a boon for the local economy, where supermarkets sell frozen fillets from Asia for considerably less. "We are pushing for good, clean, wholesome fish grown in the U.S.," said Turner Arant, who has been farming catfish near Sunflower, Miss., since 1962. He and others would like the government to level the economic playing field between imports and locally raised fish. Advertisement At the USDA's Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit in Stoneville, Miss., scientists are taking a different approach. They're developing fast-spawning, disease-resistant catfish in 350 ponds. Research leader Craig Tucker, who loves talking with visitors, said sustainability is "the dream and the hope" of aquaculture. "Catfish was always a favored, local food," he said, "but the rivers couldn't provide a predictable supply. Our overall goal here is to increase the competitiveness of U.S. catfish." Jay Jones is a freelance writer. If you go Larry's Fish House: 4238 Highway 7 S., Itta Bena, Miss. Open for lunch 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, and for dinner 5-9 p.m. Thursday to Saturday; 662-254-6001, www.larrysfishhouse.com. Advertisement Belzoni: Home to 42 oversize, cleverly painted fish sculptures, the town will host the 42nd World Catfish Festival (www.belzonims.com/catfishfest.htm) 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 1. Events include a catfish-eating contest and a Miss Catfish pageant. Warmwater Aquaculture Research Unit: Visitors are welcome to drop by for a chat with Craig Tucker and to see the myriad fish ponds. Email (craig.tucker@ars.usda.gov), or call (662-686-3597) to arrange an appointment. Fish Fridays The Chicago-based food delivery service GrubHub says fish orders spike during Lent, the six-week period leading up to Easter. During Lent, many Catholics forgo meat for fish on Fridays. According to GrubHub, haddock was the front-running fish for Lent in 2016, with orders up 41 percent compared with the rest of the year. Requests for cod and for tilapia climbed 19 percent, while catfish consumption went up 11 percent. Care to cook catfish at home? You'll find recipes for everything from bacon potato catfish casserole to catfish pizza at The Catfish Institute's website, www.uscatfish.com/recipes. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Austin, the dynamic home to SXSW, is weird and wonderful Chicago hotel offers $20.16 rate for Cubs home opener Saratoga Springs venue where a young Bob Dylan played reopens All call takers and dispatchers in the city's 911 police operations center have completed mental health awareness and de-escalation training as the department works to improve the way it responds to crisis situations. Training for the frontline civilian employees included how to best communicate with callers who may be having a mental health crisis, techniques to calm a situation before officers arrive and how to recognize situations that may need a response from officers specially trained in crisis intervention. Advertisement All 911 center employees, 488 total including supervisors, completed an eight-hour training course, including information from the National Alliance on Mental Illness Chicago. "Since the training, their awareness has been heightened, and they know what to look for," Dionne Tate, deputy director of 911 operations, said in an interview. Advertisement The wide-ranging training was announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in January 2016 on the heels of the fatal shootings of 19-year-old college student Quintonio LeGrier and neighbor Bettie Jones outside a West Side home a month earlier. Two 911 dispatchers were suspended without pay for failing to send police to the residence when LeGrier called for help, saying someone was threatening his life. When LeGrier called a third time, police were dispatched, and one of the officers shot and killed a bat-wielding LeGrier and by mistake Jones. In its scathing report released last month, the U.S. Department of Justice said the incident "laid bare failures in CPD's crisis response systems," including dispatchers who didn't recognize that LeGrier might be mentally ill and officers who did not use crisis intervention techniques. Tate said call takers and dispatchers know how to insert "triage questions" into conversations with callers to better identify signs of mental illness, whether there is a mentally ill person at the scene, or whether someone involved is off medication. Information gleaned from calls is entered into the computer system used by officers on their way to the scene, so responding police can be prepared and crisis-intervention officers deployed. Dr. Julie Morita, Chicago public health commissioner, said additional training for dispatchers and police officers can end up helping those with mental or behavioral health problems receive the treatment and services they need. By identifying people who need help, Morita said, first responders can better connect those in crisis with service providers, including a new community triage center in Roseland, as opposed to sending them into the criminal justice system. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > "This is one piece of the whole process," Morita told the Tribune. "This is really a coordinated effort." The mayor announced plans for the added training for 911 operators and also police officers after LeGrier and Jones were killed and as the department faced intense scrutiny in the aftermath of the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video in November 2015. A committee, including experts and city officials, was established to study mental health issues and proposed reforms. As a result of increased training and awareness, the Office of Emergency Management and Communications identified 25,691 CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) events in 2016, nearly five times more than were classified as such during the previous year. CIT officers responded to more than 16,000 events last year. The Police Department also announced that Lt. Antoinette Ursitti, a 16-year veteran and licensed professional counselor, will lead the Crisis Response Unit. Police also are continuing to develop a uniform crisis intervention strategy across the entire department. The plan calls for all officers to attend mental health awareness and de-escalation training to teach officers how to defuse tension and reduce the need to use force. Advertisement The call center employees, Tate said, will undergo yearly refresher mental health and de-escalation training. The Police Department, OEMC and Fire Department this spring will start a new pilot training program to help improve collaboration for recognizing and treating someone experiencing a mental health emergency. poconnell@chicagotribune.com Twitter @pmocwriter Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, continuing the drumbeat for tougher laws for repeat gun offenders, grew frustrated and then angry Friday as he lamented the slow-moving legislation in the works. "Listen, they promised me they would have something done in January," he said while responding to a reporter's question at a news conference on the arrests of 81 people on narcotics and weapons charges in overnight raids. "We're at the end of February." Advertisement Johnson, under pressure as Chicago's seemingly runaway violence draws repeated comments from President Donald Trump, raised his voice in frustration and then anger as he spoke about officers on the street needing help from legislators and the criminal justice system. "That's why we call these guys repeat gun offenders," said Johnson, emphasizing the word "repeat." "They're not new to us. They're not new to us. But the simple fact is we need the judicial system and our legislators to help us with this." Advertisement While it's important to address the economic woes of impoverished, crime-ridden neighborhoods, he said grieving families who have lost loved ones to violence want answers now. "Right now, when I go into homes on the South and West sides of Chicago, those mothers aren't asking me about long-term solutions," he said. "They want to know 'how come that guy killed my son and is still out there? And you all know who it is.'" Johnson's remarks come as Chicago continues to be embattled in the national spotlight for its seemingly nonstop violence, mostly on the South and West sides. Wednesday alone saw seven people fatally shot in Chicago, making it the deadliest day in Chicago so far this year and putting the start of 2017 on a par with last year, when the city recorded the most killings in two decades. Trump took note, tweeting, "Seven people shot and killed yesterday in Chicago. What is going on there - totally out of control. Chicago needs help!" Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Through Wednesday, the Police Department counted 91 homicides, just two less than during the same period last year. But Tribune data which include expressway killings and fatal shootings by police as well as those ruled justified by police put homicides at 99, up from 97. Even by the department's own numbers, shooting incidents have risen to 379 through Wednesday, up slightly from 365 a year earlier. Friday's announcement of the 81 people arrested 79 on felony charges over the past two days was part of an effort by the Police Department to tamp down violence in the city's most dangerous neighborhoods. Nineteen had past weapons charges, and 14 were on parole, according to the officials. Advertisement Anthony Riccio, chief of the department's Bureau of Organized Crime, said about 40 suspects were still being sought. It is a strategy the department used last year on a number of occasions, each time making scores of drug and gun arrests over a few days. jgorner@chicagotribune.com Twitter @JeremyGorner Police were called to the 1300 block of South Kedzie Avenue about 10:45 a.m. for a report of shots fired. They found a 23-year-old man who had been fatally shot. (Michael Tercha / Chicago Tribune) A man was killed and at least seven other people were wounded in shootings from Saturday morning to early Sunday, police said. Three people, including a 15-year-old girl, were wounded after a shootout in the South Shore neighborhood. Advertisement The three were traveling with others in a black Toyota van about 8:05 a.m. Saturday when they began to exchange gunfire with a nearby Chevrolet Tahoe. The Toyota van was found in the 7400 block of South Baldwin Avenue, where emergency crews arrived to discover that three of its occupants had been shot by someone in the Tahoe. A 15-year-old girl was shot in the left buttock and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Her condition was stabilized. Advertisement A 20-year-old man was grazed in the cheek and listed in good condition. Police did not release information about the hospital where he was being treated. A 39-year-old man was shot in the right arm and taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition. Daywatch Weekdays Start each day with Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox. > Soon after, police squeezed their vehicles into the 7400 block of Baldwin, in an alley lined with garages and garbage bins. They taped off the area around the Toyota, which sat near 75th Street, its back window shattered and hollowed out. Snowflakes drifted to the ground as police investigated the scene. "There are two or three guns down there," an officer said, pointing to the area near the minivan. "And one down here." He pointed toward the property of a home near 74th, about four houses down from the minivan. One person was in custody in connection with the shooting. In the fatal shooting, an 18-year-old man was killed in the East Side neighborhood at 1:20 a.m. Sunday, police said. He and another man were about to get into a parked car in the 10900 block of South Mackinaw Avenue when someone in a passing silver Chevrolet Malibu fired shots toward them. The man was shot in the back and taken to Advocate Christ Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Advertisement Other shootings: WASHINGTON Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.'s six-figure federal benefits package should be investigated by the U.S. Labor Department's inspector general, a government ethics expert said Friday. Craig Holman, of the watchdog group Public Citizen, said he found the fact Jackson receives about $138,000 a year from the federal government "troubling." Advertisement "The amount of money is breathtaking," said Holman, who for 40 years has examined government ethics and money in politics. Jackson, 51, who got out of federal prison in 2015 after pleading guilty to looting his campaign fund, receives about $100,000 a year in tax-free workers' compensation benefits because he has bipolar disorder and depression, the Tribune reported. Advertisement Jackson also receives about $38,400 a year in Social Security Disability Insurance benefits, which fall under the purview of the Social Security Administration. Jackson's conditions have been worsened by his contentious divorce from former Chicago Ald. Sandi Jackson, according to his Chicago divorce attorney, Barry Schatz, who could not explain how Jackson's job as a congressman might have contributed to his issues. "I can't imagine in any way that his bipolar disorder would have been caused in any way by his congressional duties," Holman said. "It's really troubling to see someone who goes to prison for corruption coming out of prison" collecting that much money from the government, he said. Jackson, a Chicago Democrat, was in Congress for 17 years before quitting in 2012 amid an FBI probe that led to his conviction for misusing about $750,000 in campaign money. He spent the money on vacations, furs, celebrity memorabilia and other goods. The federal workers' compensation program has sparked controversy, but reform efforts in recent years have stalled. At a 2015 House hearing, Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., expressed a concern that benefits were so generous they can "discourage an employee's return to work." A Labor Department official at the hearing, however, said that while an annual average of 119,000 new injury and illness claims had been filed over the previous five years, recipients were getting benefits two years after their date of injury in less than 2 percent of those cases. Jackson is considered temporarily totally disabled. In such cases, benefits are payable until it is determined an employee is no longer totally disabled. The checks can continue until the employee's death, although 15 states and the District of Columbia limit the duration of benefits, a 2016 Congressional Research Service report said. Advertisement In the year ending June 30, 2015, the federal workers' compensation program paid out $3.1 billion in benefits, the report said. Payouts included almost $1.9 billion in disability benefits, more than $1 billion in medical benefits and $156 million to the survivors of federal employees killed on the job. Federal workers' compensation can be more lucrative than a federal pension, so some recipients skip the pension and pocket workers' compensation long after the usual age for retirement, the report said. The CRS report cited a 2013 study by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General, which found workers' compensation rolls included 10,240 postal workers aged 55 or older, including 1,892 who were 80 or older and two who were over 100. Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 15 Jesse Jackson Jr. and his wife, Sandi, depart after their sentencing hearing Aug. 14, 2013, in Washington. (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune) One of Jackson's workers' compensation benefit statements emerged in the Washington, D.C., divorce case brought by his wife, who served prison time for failing to report much of Jesse Jackson Jr.'s haul on the couple's tax returns. The benefit statement gave June 1, 2012, as Jesse Jackson's "date of injury," even though he cast 72 roll-call votes in the House of Representatives from June 1 to 8, 2012. Labor Department spokeswoman Amy Louviere and others at the department had no response to Holman's call for a probe of Jackson's benefits. Advertisement kskiba@chicagotribune.com Twitter @KatherineSkiba Kathy Watson sits outside her home in Lake City, Fla. The former business owner, who relies on the Affordable Care Act for health coverage, voted for Trump believing he wouldn't really repeal the healthcare law. (Noam N. Levey / Los Angeles Times) Reporting from Lake City, Fla. Kathy Watson was anxious about her health coverage even before she woke up gasping for breath last month and drove herself to the emergency room with a flare-up in her heart condition. After struggling for years without insurance, the 55-year-old former small-business owner who has battled diabetes, high blood pressure and two cancers credits Obamacare with saving her life. Advertisement Watson also voted for Donald Trump, believing the businessman would bring change. She dismissed his campaign pledges to scrap the Affordable Care Act as bluster. Now, as she watches the new president push to kill the law that provided her with a critical lifeline, Watson finds herself among many Trump supporters who must reconcile their votes with worries about the future of their healthcare. Advertisement Watson, a proud, salty woman who was uninsurable a few years ago, isn't ready to renounce Trump. But she's increasingly frustrated by his vague promises to replace Obamacare with something better. "I've been through enough," Watson said recently, sitting on the patio outside her mobile home, down a sandy road in a rural corner of northern Florida. "I don't want to go back." As one of millions of Americans who depend on the healthcare law's protections, Watson embodies the political challenge Republicans face as they scramble to fulfill their pledge to repeal Obamacare without harming people like Watson, who helped fuel Trump's unexpected victory. Her story is also a cautionary tale for GOP leaders, whose promise to cut healthcare costs by scaling back insurance rules threatens to reopen the gaps that once left nearly 50 million Americans without coverage. Watson knows those gaps better than anyone. Like some 150 million Americans, she for years had a health plan offered by an employer, in her case, a mobile home manufacturer where her husband worked. But in 2001, Watson's husband had to quit after he was injured. The law office where she worked as a paralegal, like many small businesses, didn't offer a health plan. "That's when my nightmare began," she said. Advertisement For a while, the couple scraped together the money to keep his plan, an option known as COBRA coverage. After 18 months, the plan offered under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act expired. Watson tried to buy a health plan on her own. But before Obamacare, insurers routinely screened out sick and potentially costly customers. Trump has voiced support for keeping that protection, but other Republican plans would allow insurers in some cases to charge sick patients more. Watson had unusually high white blood cell counts and years earlier had part of her colon removed. "Nobody was going to go near me with a 10-foot pole," she said. Watson next tried to get a health plan by starting her own business. Insurers were sometimes willing to cover a group of employees, which are a better risk than a single person. In 2003, Watson opened a debt-collection service for small companies. Business was good, she said, and she hired three employees. But she still couldn't convince an insurer to sell her a plan. By then, Watson and her husband were getting increasingly desperate. He still had high medical bills from his injury. Watson was feeling increasingly ill herself, with periodic fevers and swollen glands that made it hard to work. Advertisement A local doctor helped with basic medical care in exchange for her help collecting his bills. But Watson couldn't afford more extensive medical tests to find out what was making her sick until 2009, when she was diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a form of blood cancer. "We went through everything we had," Watson said, including selling off her retirement accounts and mortgaging their home. Friends helped her navigate hospitals where one noted that Watson often was treated like a "second-class citizen" because she lacked insurance. Watson's aging parents helped with many medical bills. For a short time, Watson thought she'd found relief when an insurance company agreed to provide coverage. But when she tried to use the plan, she discovered it didn't cover major medical costs, a trap many consumers fell into when insurers were subject to less oversight. Insurers now must cover a basic set of benefits, though GOP leaders are calling for such mandates to be scaled back. Watson estimates she and her husband ultimately ran up more than $100,000 in medical debt. "Kathy is a smart person, but she sure didn't have the luck of the Irish," said Anne Lebrecht, Watson's 74-year-old mother. Advertisement Passage of the Affordable Care Act finally offered some relief, thanks to a small temporary program created in 2011 for people like Watson who had been denied coverage. She was able to get on a plan that ultimately cost $363 a month and is now cancer free. "I would have lost everything without that," Watson said. Before Obamacare, many states ran similar programs, known as high-risk pools. Republicans are now exploring ways to reopen them. But many of these state plans ended up being very expensive because they covered only sick patients. Many had to cap enrollment. The Obamacare plan that helped Watson stopped enrolling people because of costs in early 2013. Advertisement By then, Watson was well enough to get a job at a company that trained customer support staff for DirecTV. It offered a health plan for $123.50 a month. "It was good coverage," Watson said. She quit the job at the end of last year after hurting herself working in her yard. This time, thanks to Obamacare, there was no gap for her to fall into. After seeing a television ad by Florida Blue, the state's largest insurer, Watson called the company, and in less than half an hour, she enrolled in an HMO plan, despite her long medical history. The plan normally cost $664 a month. But because Obamacare offers subsidies to help low- and moderate-income Americans afford premiums and deductibles, Watson pays nothing. "I still can't believe I can get this coverage," she said. Advertisement Today, Watson is upbeat, despite dealing with two failing valves in her heart as well as chronic arthritis and diabetes. She's taking classes to get a real estate license so she can go back to work and get off government-subsidized insurance. But Watson is getting irritated by what she hears from the new president. "I'll give it a little more time," she said. "But I'm not really sure about Trump anymore." She said she's ready to go to Washington to tell lawmakers not to roll back Obamacare. "Walk a mile in my shoes," Watson said. "I never thought I'd have to go through all of this. I was working for an attorney. I was making good money. I'm not here to get something for nothing. I just want to be healthy, pay my bills and go about my life. After a string of televised debates, four party-sponsored "future forums" and three months of person-to-person lobbying, the race to lead the Democratic National Committee is coming to an end - with a vote on Saturday that might leave Democrats with new divisions. According to multiple campaigns, former labor secretary Thomas Perez has the largest share of the DNC's 447 voting members ready to support him. Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., was running behind him. In the last week, both were endorsed by rivals who were seen to have a few dozen votes between them; before that, Perez claimed to be just 44 votes away from victory. Advertisement "We're bringing that black and brown coalition together, y'all," said South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison on Friday morning during a Black History Month breakfast event where he reiterated his endorsement of Perez. The next DNC chairman will take over a party financially drained by the 2016 election but cheered by protests galvanized on a near-daily basis by an unpopular Republican president. The chairman needs to rebuild a bench that was decimated by the 2010 and 2014 midterms, with races in 2017 and 2018 giving the party its last chance, for a decade, to take power in states where gerrymandering of House district boundaries has built a powerful House GOP majority. There is also, of course, the 2020 presidential election and the lack of a clear field to challenge Trump. Advertisement Some Democrats, who increasingly see Perez as the next chairman, are bracing for protests no matter who wins. Progressive news outlets have attacked Perez as a stalking horse for the party's establishment; some prominent donors have said that Ellison, who would be the first Muslim chairman of a major political party, has been too critical of Israel. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., one of Ellison's earliest backers, said in a letter distributed by the Ellison campaign that he trusts the congressman on Israel and as a fighter against anti-Semitism. But a race that began with multiple Democratic leaders endorsing Ellison, who was encouraged to run by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., has revealed the limits of "Berniecrats" inside the party structure. Supporters of Ellison and Perez have acknowledged that a victory for Perez would come with a backlash from the left. "It would be a challenge, especially in states where Bernie did well," said Brandon Dillon, the chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party and an Ellison supporter. "It would definitely lead to some conversations with people who are just now getting involved with the party," said Deborah Langhoff, a DNC member from Louisiana who endorsed Perez. On policy and on their prescriptions for the party, Perez and Ellison have few substantive differences. Ellison has taken pains in public forums to say that Perez was "an ally" in former President Barack Obama's administration; both men have promised to pour resources into state and territorial Democratic parties, reversing what was seen as a trend toward centralization during the Obama years. But outside of the DNC, progressive writers and organizers have begun to ring alarms about an Ellison defeat. On Friday morning, a number of groups that had endorsed Ellison, including MoveOn.org, 350 Action and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, asked DNC members "to be heroes" and back the congressman's campaign. "If Keith Ellison is DNC Chair, we can hit the ground running - and because of the pre-existing trust that exists between Keith and the grassroots, every state party would have a head start harnessing the power of the resistance," they wrote. On Thursday and Friday, The New Republic and The Intercept published long pieces asking why Perez needed to run in the first place, highlighting the criticism of Ellison from donors. "If the plan to sink Ellison succeeds, the message that will be heard - fairly or not - is that the Democratic Party continues to venerate loyalty to its oligarchical donors above all else," wrote The Intercept's Glenn Greenwald. Advertisement Ellison himself has avoided that tone - and has discouraged supporters from lobbying DNC members. In 2016, many DNC members, who enjoyed superdelegate status at the party's convention, were deluged by Sanders supporters. While Sanders has called some DNC members on Ellison's behalf, the senator has warned supporters - sometimes in vain - not to repeat the unsuccessful email and phone-call lobbying of 2016. "When I see some of the emails, I just ignore them," Tony Coelho, a former California congressman who was one of the party's best high-dollar fundraisers, and who is now a Perez-supporting DNC member. "When they call, you know who it is, because they don't leave voice mail." While Sanders supporters have won party leadership positions since the senator's campaign ended, most of the DNC's membership backed Hillary Clinton for president. There were cheers on Friday morning when the former secretary of state appeared in a video message, saying that "ideas we championed are now inspiring leaders and activists across our country." "Whoever wins - and I really hope it's Keith - will have a huge responsibility of healing, motivating and activating people," said American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, who backed Clinton for president. A third DNC candidate, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, spent Friday hoping that Democrats would dodge a backlash by deadlocking and then giving him a chance. At a lunch for supporters, Buttigieg estimated that he had around 30 votes, and told reporters that scores of DNC members have told him he was their second choice if the race dragged on. That assessment was echoed by Buttigieg's highest-profile supporter - former presidential candidate and DNC chairman Howard Dean. At the lunch, Dean described Buttigieg as the candidate who could lead a "50-year strategy" for the party (a contrast with Dean's own "50-state strategy"), and went further than any candidate in criticizing party leadership. Advertisement "I don't want to say anything bad about the other candidates, because I like them all, but I think Chuck Schumer's endorsement is the kiss of death," Dean said. "I had to say no to Chuck Schumer when he demanded $5 million. I said, 'Chuck, you're not getting it for the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee]' - I'm putting it into local races in Maryland, and South Carolina, and Michigan!" Dean shouted the last words, making a joke out of the infamous speech he gave after losing the 2004 Iowa caucuses. Asked about the remarks, spokesmen for Schumer and Ellison declined to comment. And in the hallway outside of the lunch, Dean's brother Jim, who led the progressive group Democracy for America, was offering green "Keith for DNC" shirts to anyone who walked by. Ohio Gov. John Kasich yells to reporters as he arrives at the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017, for a meeting with President Donald Trump. Kasich discussed health-care reform with Trump in the Oval Office. (Evan Vucci / AP) WASHINGTON Congressional Republicans have been struggling for months to resolve one of the most vexing problems in their tortuous effort to replace the Affordable Care Act: What to do about the generous federal funding for states that broadened their Medicaid programs under the law, while not shortchanging the 19 states that balked at expansion? Now, as the House begins to finalize details of its legislative proposal, a possible compromise has emerged. It would temporarily keep federal dollars flowing to cover almost the entire cost of the roughly 11 million Americans who have gained Medicaid coverage but would block that enhanced funding for any new participants. Advertisement At the same time, the GOP approach would open a fresh spigot of aid for the states - all but one Republican-led - that eschewed the additional Medicaid money because of their elected officials' antipathy to the law. This extra aid would probably go to hospitals with a large share of poor and uninsured patients. The Solomon-like strategy is an attempt to calm fears of Republican governors in expansion states that abolishing the 2010 law would cost them hugely, while also satisfying new demands for equity from other GOP governors who opposed the expansion. Details of how the plan's dual elements would be implemented, including their specific time frames and funding totals, are still coming together in the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Advertisement Within the context of the GOP's broader repeal effort - and this week's tumultuous town hall meetings around the country, at which lawmakers have been confronted by constituents scared of losing their health coverage - Republicans' ideas for Medicaid's future have drawn less public attention. Yet their proposals would significantly remake one of the nation's largest entitlement programs, serving more than 74 million lower-income Americans and accounting for half the insurance gains that the ACA has brought about. A similar approach is under consideration in the Senate. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, who is working toward a compromise to protect the roughly 700,000 Ohioans with Medicaid coverage under the ACA, said he is open to either a temporary extension or another way to subsidize their health insurance. "It's necessary to figure out how to provide coverage, and that's going to cost money," he said Thursday. The House committee also is moving forward with a plan to convert the rest of Medicaid to a system in which states would get a fixed sum of federal money for every resident who is enrolled. Such per-capita funding, outlined by the chamber's Republican leaders earlier this month, would be more restrictive than the way Medicaid has functioned since its birth as part of the Great Society legislation of the 1960s. However, the allotments would be less rigid than block grants, which have been advocated for years by many conservatives and decried by liberals for their potential to reduce spending over time, prompting states to cut benefits or eligibility or both. (Block grants might still emerge from Congress as an alternative that states could choose.) This picture of the House's behind-the-scenes work is based on interviews with several people familiar with the thinking of the Republican leadership. All spoke on condition of anonymity since no plans have been announced. The deliberations on Medicaid expansion are further along than other components of the lawmakers' thinking about how to shift government health policies in a more conservative direction, according to these individuals. The basic outline emerging from Energy and Commerce would "grandfather in" the adults currently on Medicaid-expansion rolls in 31 states and the District of Columbia. Still to be decided is whether the extra dollars for their coverage would last a specific length of time or continue as long as a beneficiary remained eligible. As for non-expansion states, the extra money they would receive might come through an increase in "disproportionate share" payments the federal government has long given hospitals that treat a lot of poor patients. Or the government could increase its payments for Medicaid's very poorest patients - a boost to Republican-led states across the South with large low-income populations. The only Democrat-led state that has not expanded its Medicaid program is Virginia, because Gov. Terry McAuliffe has been unable to overcome resistance of the GOP-controlled legislature. Advertisement It's unclear whether the plan would accomplish its goal of satisfying a range of the 35 GOP governors now in office, no matter the stance each has taken on expansion. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, who chairs the Republican Governors Association, said at an event at The Washington Post on Friday that GOP governors are working closely with both lawmakers and the administration to determine how to transition those living above the poverty line off the expanded Medicaid rolls. "Maybe I'm foolish, but I thought Medicaid is for people living in poverty," said Walker, who did not broaden his state's program. But Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R), who discussed health-care reform Friday with President Trump in the Oval Office, said in an interview that he considered the current compromise inadequate. "I don't think that paying hospitals for uncompensated care results with a healthier population," he said, adding that expansion has provided resources for those struggling with addiction and mental illness. "Where are they supposed to go?" The Ways and Means Committee is doing parallel work on overall ACA replacement. But according to the several people familiar with House leadership's approach, a central idea under consideration there - new health-care tax credits - hit a snag this week when congressional budget analysts reported privately to the committee that they would cost the government a lot of money and would enable relatively few additional Americans to get insurance. Advertisement Those tax credits would replace subsidies the ACA provides people with incomes of up to 400 percent of the poverty level to help them afford health plans through marketplaces created under the law. The credits would be available to everyone who buys coverage on their own, wealthy or poor. But the Congressional Budget Office has concluded that the credits, as conceived at the moment, would be too small to help low-income people afford health plans. They also wouldn't make much difference to affluent people, according to the CBO, since most of them already are insured. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., an influential member of the Budget and Appropriations committees, said that while Congressional Budget Office models are not precise indicators of a bill's actual fiscal impact, the new estimate should remind Republicans that they "should err on the side of being cautious, rather than make grandiose claims." Democrats fell into that trap when passing the ACA, he said. "We should not be overselling." When the ACA passed a polarized Congress in 2010, the idea was that about half the Americans who would gain health coverage would do so through the law's insurance marketplaces. The other half would come through Medicaid, which was to grow nationwide to include adults earning up to 138 percent of poverty. The federal government would pay the full cost of expansion coverage for the first three years, then a decreasing amount before settling at 90 percent by 2020. In 2012, though, in a case brought by ACA critics who unsuccessfully challenged the law's constitutionality, the Supreme Court ruled that each state had the latitude to choose whether to expand Medicaid. Nearly all Democratic-led states said yes; most with Republican governors opted out. The latest polling by the Kaiser Family Foundation, released Friday morning, shows that Medicaid expansion enjoys strong public support these days. Nationally, 84 percent of respondents - and 87 percent in the 16 expansion states with GOP governors - said it is important to preserve the greater federal funding provided by the ACA. Ross Lathrop served just one term as alderman in Chicago's traditionally independent 5th Ward, but it was a turbulent time for the city that included the death of Mayor Richard J. Daley. "Ross was an important part of the independent bloc (on the council) after (5th Ward) Ald. Leon Despres decided not to seek re-election in 1975," said University of Illinois at Chicago political science professor and former Ald. Dick Simpson. "It took a while to get his sea legs on the council, but once he did, he was a good colleague and I thought he made a good contribution, even though his time on the council was short." Advertisement Lathrop, 84, died Feb. 9 of complications from dementia at his home, said his wife of 57 years, Carol. He had been a Wheaton resident since 2001 after previously living in the Hyde Park neighborhood for four decades. Born in Janesville, Wis., Lathrop grew up in Beloit, Wis., and after high school joined the Air Force. He was stationed in Greenland as a radio repairman, his wife said. Advertisement Lathrop earned a bachelor's degree from Ripon College in Wisconsin and worked briefly in a Chrysler factory in Belvidere, Ill., before moving to Hyde Park and pursuing graduate studies in educational psychology. He took a job as a management specialist at the University of Chicago's Industrial Relations Center, where he worked from 1961 until 1975. Lathrop's local community involvement involved coordinating Project Whistle Stop in 1972, a program that the Hyde Park-Kenwood Community Conference developed to mass-distribute whistles to residents as a signal system for trouble on the street. From there, Lathrop decided to run in the 1975 5th Ward aldermanic race. He and community organizer Al Raby were the two top vote-getters and proceeded to a runoff, which Lathrop won by fewer than 300 votes. Once in office, Lathrop joined forces with other independents, including Simpson and Ald. Martin Oberman, to push Daley to allow a fair hearing on all proposed legislation, not just legislation promoted by the mayor. After Daley's death in December 1976, Lathrop tried to nominate Ald. Wilson Frost as mayor, but at the last minute, Frost withdrew to take the city government's No. 2 post, as chairman of the council's Finance Committee. In early 1979, Lathrop also was sharply critical of former Deputy Mayor Kenneth Sain, who once out of office began consulting with the city. Lathrop sued, asking Sain to disclose how he and his firm earned consultant fees. A judge ultimately dismissed the suit, ruling that Lathrop failed to allege fraud in the contract awards and failed to show that he had suffered personal injury as a result of them. "I've not only proposed my share of legislation and supported the other independents, I've tried to develop some pragmatic solutions to open up the process," Lathrop told the Tribune in 1979. He was defeated that year in his race for re-election by Larry Bloom, who would go on to serve 16 years as the self-appointed conscience of the City Council. During the race, Bloom, whose council career ended with a guilty plea to a tax fraud charge and a prison term, attacked Lathrop for not being sufficiently outspoken on the council floor when it came to the independent agenda. "Lathrop was one of these guys who probably would have looked liberal and independent if he had lived on the Northwest Side, but he represented, in effect, the right wing of Hyde Park," said longtime Chicago political consultant Don Rose. "He didn't make much of an impact, and he didn't vote independent all the time, and in Hyde Park, you have to vote independent all the time." Advertisement After leaving office, Lathrop worked as a developer and landlord in Hyde Park for more than two decades. Seeking more green space, he and his wife moved to Wheaton in 2001, after looking at 34 houses in order to find their dream home, his wife said with a laugh. Lathrop also is survived by four daughters, Tanya Arcos, Kira, Lisa and Pala Jarecki; 10 grandchildren; and a sister, Nancy Christianson. A memorial service will take place at 2 p.m. March 19 in the Medill Room at Cantigny, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton, Ill. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. Bob Goldsborough is a freelance reporter. When John Novak was named assistant principal of student activities at John Hersey High School in 2003, he took the reins from a mentor and friend who had died suddenly, leaving many students and staff saddened by the loss of the longtime administrator. This week, Novak, 52, shared his journey at the Arlington Heights high school, where he graduated as a student in 1982 and later worked as a teacher and administrator for nearly three decades. Advertisement Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your history at Hersey? A: I grew up in Mount Prospect and went to River Trails Middle School, and after I graduated from Hersey, I went to the University of Illinois as an engineering major. But after I started my classes there, I took a long look at the profession and I didn't think it was a good fit for my personality, so I decided to switch to education. I worked as a sub for a couple of years and in 1988, I was hired at Hersey as a full-time math teacher. Advertisement Q: Was it a difficult transition moving from a classroom teacher to administrator? A: It was unfortunate to get this job after R.J. Hannon's death because he was a big reason why I'm doing what I'm doing today. He was a strong mentor when I was a student here, and a mentor and friend when I was a colleague, so it was a really melancholy experience at first to be sitting in his chair. It also was a very humbling experience and a very difficult time for me. My own kids were very young, so I didn't think it was good time for this job. But I was encouraged by my colleagues and when the opportunity presented itself, I took the jump and realized I was fortunate to be named to the position. Q: You have been working with high school students for nearly 30 years. Have teenagers changed over the decades? A: No, I really don't think the kids have changed over the years, but the society around them has, like their exposure today to social media. Kids have always found a way to push the envelope, and they will continue to do so. I also think the expectations and time commitments for academics and activities have gotten so much more rigorous over the years, and there is so much more stress on the kids to perform well so they can get into a certain college. Years ago, we would apply to two or three schools but now, so many of the kids I talk to are applying to 12 colleges and taking all these college visits with their parents. There's a lot of pressure to succeed, which can be really hard on kids. Q: Did working with teenagers every day make it easier to raise your own kids? A: I have two boys who are in college at Michigan State, and a wonderful wife, and they've all been unbelievably supportive of my work here at Hersey. When the kids were little, they were always hanging out with me here. I think in some ways, it's been an advantage for me as a parent because you're attuned to what's going on in the teenage world. The biggest thing for me was that I always told my boys, you don't do anything that would embarrass you or your family, you treat others with respect, and make sure you make good decisions. I think as a parent, it's also about what you do when they stumble. Q: As the assistant principal of student activities, do you get a lot of kids visiting your office after they stumble? A: Anybody who is involved in a co-curricular activity, like a sport or fine arts and that's about 70 percent of the students here if they go out and get in trouble, they have to come and see me, and we deal with the issues. It can be hard for me because I'm trying to get as many kids as possible involved in activities here and if they've done something wrong, sometimes, I have to suspend them. But I take a two-pronged approach. The first part is, they need to learn that their actions have consequences and that they're held responsible. And the second part is understanding that we all make mistakes, and they have consequences, but after that, you have a chance to earn our trust back. Good people can make bad choices. But if they keep making bad choices, everyone will start to wonder about them being good people. Advertisement Shout Out is a weekly feature in which we introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago. kcullotta@tribpub.com Twitter @kcullotta Aurora police are looking for information on crimes at two East Side businesses that were each vandalized twice within a short amount of time earlier this month. The police department posted a Facebook message about the vandalism, asking anyone with information about what happened to come forward. Advertisement Windows were smashed out at a sporting goods store in the first block of East Downer Place between 3:25 a.m. and 4:25 a.m. Feb. 20 and again between 11:20 p.m. Feb. 20 and 6 a.m. Feb. 21, according to police. At an automotive repair shop in the 2900 block of Weber Drive, BBs or pellets damaged a window between 7:15 p.m. Feb. 17 and 9 a.m. Feb. 18, and a different window was smashed out about 11:40 p.m. Feb. 21, according to police. Advertisement Police said they don't know if all the incidents are related and there is no suspect information. Police estimated the total loss between the two businesses at $1,600. Police said they have no suspects and ask anyone with information to call Aurora police investigators at 630-256-5500 or Aurora Area Crime Stoppers at 630-892-1000. Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain anonymous and qualify for a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to any arrests. People also can submit tips through the Aurora Police Department's free My PD mobile app. hleone@tribpub.com Twitter @hannahmleone Kurt Madridejos is charged with felony burglary in connection with a break-in at a downtown Aurora restaurant. (Aurora Police Department / Handout) Bond was set Friday for a 21-year-old Lisle man accused of breaking into a downtown Aurora restaurant early Thursday morning in a failed attempt to recover money he lost gambling. Bail was set at $10,000 for Kurt Madridejos, 21, of Lisle, meaning he must post $1,000 in order to be released from custody, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email. Advertisement Madridejos, charged with class 2 felony burglary, is next to appear at 9 a.m. March 10 before Judge John A. Barsanti. Court records currently list the Kane County public defender's office as his lead attorney. Officers were dispatched after a key holder at La Quinta, 36 E. New York St., called police at 12:49 a.m. Thursday to report the break-in, which occurred after the restaurant had closed, said Aurora police Investigator Dave Brian, who responded to the scene. Advertisement The caller reported seeing someone breaking into the restaurant, Brian said. Madridejos allegedly smashed a window and tried to get money out of the cash register, but it was empty, Brian said. Although the caller believed the burglar was still inside, the suspect apparently got out before police surrounded the restaurant, Brian said. Officers found Madridejos a short distance away with a bloody hand, and he was taken into custody without incident, Brian said. Madridejos told police he had just been "hard on his luck" at the nearby Hollywood Casino and was attempting to replenish money he lost, Brian said. Police believe the burglary was an isolated incident, Brian said. One of the windows on the side of the restaurant had been shattered with a rock, Brian said. The total loss estimate is $400 in damage to the window and cash register, he said. hleone@tribpub.com Twitter @hannahmleone A teenage boy was charged with a handful of felonies after Aurora police said they found a loaded handgun in the path he took when running away from investigators Wednesday afternoon. Investigators saw two teenage boys, ages 15 and 16, walking near the intersection of Elmwood Drive and Colorado Avenue about 5:45 p.m. Wednesday, police spokesman Dan Ferrelli said in an email. Advertisement The investigators knew the boys to be on gang-specific probation and, therefore, should not have been together, Ferrelli said. When the investigators turned their squad car around to question the boys, the 15-year-old took off running, holding his waistband, while the 16-year-old was apprehended, Ferrelli aid. Advertisement The 15-year-old was seen running into a home on the 900 block of Elmwood, where police took him into custody, Ferrelli said. Backup officers, including the K-9 unit, searched the 15-year-old's path and found a loaded 9 mm handgun on a back porch in the 900 block of Colorado, Ferrelli said. The 15-year-old was charged with five counts of aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, all felonies; no FOID card, also a felony; and two misdemeanors, unlawful contact with a street gang member and resisting police, Ferrelli said. He was taken to the youth home, Ferrelli said. The 16-year-old was charged with unlawful contact with a street gang member, Ferrelli said. hleone@tribpub.com Twitter @hannahmleone Newer segments of the Riverwalk, such as along the bank by the Waubonsee Community College campus in downtown Aurora, opened up new vistas, local officials said. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News) It was 30 years ago that Aurora adopted two of the most important changes to downtown the Riverwalk ordinance, and the Foxwalk Overlay District. The changes were not splashy, and certainly not overnight. In fact, there are only nine blocks of the Riverwalk actually built. Advertisement But the combination of the Riverwalk plan and the Foxwalk Overlay District have changed how downtown looks, made it more walkable and laid the groundwork for other development. One of the main things the overlay district did was create a cohesive design for future development downtown, instead of the mish-mash of designs that had built up over years. For instance, at the time the overlay district was created, downtown had seven different styles of street lamp poles. Advertisement The overlay district created a unified design for benches, bicycle racks, bollards, civic banners, decorative lighting, railings, hanging floral baskets, traffic light poles, parking lot poles, historic street light poles, kiosks, litter receptacles, news racks, pocket parks, public art, street planters, tree grates and wayfinding and destination signs. As things re-developed downtown, haphazard items were replaced to create consistent design. "There've been a lot of good improvements to the face of downtown," said Ed Sieben, Aurora's zoning administrator. "It is just amazing a lot of physical changes brought a uniformity of design." The history of the Fox River and the history of Aurora are undeniably intertwined. The city was founded on the river's banks, with some of its first business, such as mills, breweries and icehouses, taking advantage of the river's water. A section of the Aurora Riverwalk goes behind the River Street condos. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News) The core of downtown is actually on an island in the middle of the river. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Aurora, as many cities along the Fox and rivers like it, treated the river poorly. They used it as a sewer, and built many of the buildings up to the water's edge, with the backs of the buildings to the river itself. Attitudes change, and they did in many river towns. Cities such as Naperville, Elgin and Aurora began turning to the river as an asset. Advertisement "People were sick and tired of treating the river as a sewer, or an afterthought," said Charlie Zine, a long-time member of the Riverwalk Commission. "Everyone now agrees the river is a large asset to the downtown." In 1986, the Kane County Forest Preserve District was in the beginning stages of developing former railroad right-of-way into bike trails along the river, and the Fox Valley Park District was picking up the trails in Aurora, including a long-range plan to extend the trails through Aurora and beyond. But the logjam to connecting the trails south of the city was the downtown. "I thought, how do you connect the downtown?" said Alderman Mike Saville, 6th Ward, who proposed the original Riverwalk Ordinance in 1986. "I proposed (the Riverwalk ordinance) because nobody was talking about it it was the hardest part to do. I thought, we have to start talking about it now." This Tivoli Plaza section of the riverwalk in downtown Aurora was built in part by Hollywood Casino. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News) With the construction last year of the half-mile of green bike trail along River Street, that connection is now complete. The Riverwalk ordinance was adopted in late 1986, and the Foxwalk Overlay District shortly after in 1987. Advertisement "You can see how they have changed things in a dramatic way," said Saville, who is now a candidate for mayor. "Downtown looks the best it has since the 1970s." Sieben said the overlay district is an extra layer of guidelines for downtown that dovetails with the regular zoning to "help guide any redevelopment of buildings." "It really deals mostly with the exterior of buildings, signage, things like that," Sieben said. After the Riverwalk ordinance was passed, it created the Riverwalk Commission, which had a design competition between landscape architecture and engineering firms. The winners were the local firm, Green & Associates, a more national firm, Perkins & Will, and Al Groves, who designed the famous San Antonio, Texas, riverwalk. Saville said the plan included more than just building the riverwalk. "It was to develop and redevelop downtown, including the streetscape," he said. "It was a very thorough plan the Riverwalk Commission came up with and the City Council unanimously adopted." Advertisement With the pedestrian bridge over the river in the background, railings and historic markers match the rest of downtown on the Tivoli Plaza in downtown Aurora. (Steve Lord / The Beacon-News) Having the Riverwalk plan and the FoxWalk Overlay District in place, the downtown was ready for many things to fall into place. Things such as: the North Island Civic Center Plaza in the 1980s; Fountain Plaza, in 1992; the Stolp parking deck, in 1992; Hollywood Casino, in 1993, which helped build the Civic Center section of the riverwalk and the Tivoli Riverwalk, in 1993, as well as the pedestrian bridge, in 1995; the canoe chute, in 1993; Millennium Plaza, in 2000; Rotary Park, in 2001; removal of the North Avenue Dam, early 2005; the Waubonsee Community College section of the riverwalk, upper and lower, in 2011; the River Street Plaza, dedicated in 2013; and RiverEdge Park, in 2013. "The impact has been relatively dramatic," said Zine. "It opened up vistas a lot." As for the future, officials know there will not be riverwalk along every square inch of the shoreline downtown. Saville said everyone knew the buildings that are built right up to the water's edge "were a physical problem from day one." But with the ordinances in place, development in other places downtown will include riverwalk, such as the Shodeen property south of Benton Street. "The goal is to get as much of it as possible," Sieben said. Advertisement slord@tribpub.com Aurora Mayor Robert J. O'Connor had just one word Thursday night when asked about an event he and many others attended at the Piper's Banquet Hall in Aurora. "Phenomenal," O'Connor said as gathered his thoughts. "That's the way this program has worked, and the progress that has been made shows what can happen when people stick with it." Advertisement Boys II Men, a non-profit developmental organization for young males presented its 10th annual Phenomenal Man Awards Thursday, recognizing 125 recipients that were said to range from "preschoolers to people with PhDs." Co-sponsored by 7th Ward Alderman Scheketa Hart-Burns, the three-hour ceremony was described by the city of Aurora's director of communication Clayton Muhammad as "a party with a purpose." Advertisement "This organization began in 2002, and ever since then, we have used that number in our events, which is why our starting time tonight was 6:02," Muhammad explained. "This is about promoting something positive in light of all the negativity we see today and having these people shine people who are focused and have changed the narrative." This year's program included honoring more than 100 young men for their achievements in academics as well as community service with the Thomas J. Weisner Phenomenal Man Achievement award, which was renamed in honor of the former mayor. "It's humbling and an honor to have this award named after me and is something I never expected," Weisner said before the ceremony. "I've seen first-hand the impact Boys II Men has had on the level of achievement and success, as some of these kids are challenged in many ways. These kids have made a commitment to excellence at any early age, which is an important lesson, and you can see their self-esteem and commitment has gotten even stronger." Local business owner Larry Byers said he, too, was honored to have the Larry Byers 180 Degrees Award established in his honor and that he credited being turned around by a mentor just as he is now. "I grew up very confused, racially speaking, as a kid, and got sent back to school at the age of 32 where I met a black teacher named Charles Atlas, who really turned me this white kid around," Byers said. "He taught me the value of education and actually wound up hiring me. I've told my story to many people and he changed my life - big time." Congressman Bill Foster (D-Naperville) sat next to Weisner during the ceremony and called Boys II Men "an impressive organization." "They have engaged many over the past decade and have been nationally recognized for good reason," Foster said. "The young men here tonight will eventually blaze a trail for thousands of others." The nearly full Piper Banquet facility was packed with young men, parents and other family members who seemed on the edge of their seats, anxious to hear every word. Advertisement Alfred Vidrio, of Aurora, who was to be honored Thursday night, enjoyed a few congratulatory moments with his buddy Hector Velazquez of North Aurora, who was honored back in 2015. Vidrio said he learned he would be honored about six weeks ago and humbly said he didn't deserve it. A graduate of East Aurora High School, Vidrio earned a degree in criminal justice from Aurora University and is a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army. "I've been involved in Boys II Men for about nine years now and have mentored guys in the program," Vidrio said. "I still get random texts from guys I've worked with, and I realized a while ago it's not about me but giving back to the community." Velazquez said being involved in the organization "has been motivational" and that it has been "good for Aurora and good for the nation." "We work with guys here, and the message is to give back and get involved," he said. One of the night's more unique recipients was New York resident Felix Abreu, who is president of the student association at the University at Albany. Abreu said he took a 14-hour train trip overnight to come to the event, arriving at 9:45 a.m. and was leaving to return at 9:50 p.m. after the ceremonies. Advertisement "Clayton Muhammad reached out to me some time ago regarding my achievements in New York and helped me come here," Abreu explained. "This is about developing leaders and someone for people to look up to." Parents like Larry and Jean Shepard of Aurora were excited about their son Mandela Shepard, 26, who was one of 10 to receive the Phenomenal Man of the Year Award. "He's a wonderful boy and our fifth child," Jean Shepard said proudly. "We heard about this award less than a week ago, and we're just ecstatic." David Sharos is a freelance reporter. Amid a debate on the location of a Community Unit School District 308 special education program, an attorney who said he is representing residents of the neighborhood in which the program is located sent a letter urging the Oswego-based district to move the program. In the letter, sent to the district Thursday, attorney Kevin Drendel said board members had made "insensitive and inflammatory" comments about residents and that the district violated zoning code when it moved the district's transition program into a neighborhood home. Advertisement "(The residents) feel they have been falsely accused of being intolerant, and their serious concerns for the welfare of their families, the safety of the children and the value of their properties has been dismissed and disregarded," Drendel wrote. "While some individuals have taken the issues to heart and have responded fairly, the general tenor of the direction of the School District is concerning." District 308's transition program, designed to help special education students between 18 and 22 move to options beyond high school, moved into a house on Brock Court in Oswego after the board moved in June to purchase the neighborhood home as part of a larger plan to relocate several other district programs. It had been housed, with other special education programs, in a district building that officials have said needs large-scale improvements. Advertisement Since then, residents have expressed concerns about safety, school buses, traffic and other issues, sparking a debate about the interests of students and those of the residents. School board President Matt Bauman said the district has tried to address Brock Court residents' concerns as they were raised. He declined to comment beyond that until board members had a chance to talk to their attorney, he said. School district spokesman Brian Graves said the district had no comment on the letter Thursday evening. At a school board meeting earlier this month, some officials highlighted efforts to alleviate residents' concerns and described a tense situation that they said was distressing students. Program staff said housing the transition program in a home teaches students daily living skills in a natural setting, and students have made the home their own, but acknowledged challenges with the Brock Court home. Board members had been prepared to discuss other options for the program, including selling the current neighborhood home and purchasing a new house, until some program representatives spoke up during the meeting. The board has not yet voted on an option for the program. Among the concerns raised in Drendel's letter were comments from some at the meeting who he said called residents "intolerant" and "jerks." During that discussion, board member Mike McDowell, while saying special education students shouldn't be shielded, referenced "jerks out there." "We'd love to protect (the students) and give them the rainbows and butterflies life," he said. "But it does give them the opportunity to show them that there are jerks out there that don't have any social graces, and this gives them the chance to be the better person and understand that this is what we have to live with and to rise above it." Drendel wrote that "painting all the residents with a broad brush like this" makes them unsure if their concerns have been taken seriously. Advertisement The home is located on a cul-de-sac, which is not appropriate for a school facility and has caused "continuous" bus traffic, staff coming and going and using the cul-de-sac as a parking lot, he wrote in the letter. Residents choose to live in cul-de-sacs for their lower level of traffic, quiet and safety, he wrote. The residents were not informed that the district would be operating a program out of a neighborhood home before the plan was in place, he wrote. "The issue at hand is not a moral one," he wrote. "The Brock Court families have a right to the quiet enjoyment of their homes." He also raised concerns about whether the district is violating zoning code, specifically off-street parking requirements and minimum requirements for the size of the lot. Residents sought in the letter a commitment from the school board to relocate the program before next school year, and will otherwise "pursue other options." Drendel said by phone one of those options could include a complaint that zoning rules were violated. "They are not willing to put up with daily disturbance and safety concerns for their small children for another school year," the letter said. Advertisement sfreishtat@tribpub.com Twitter @srfreish Beth Guerrero of Naperville held a sign that read, Town Hall Meeting or Bust that prompted motorists to honk their horns. (Linda Girardi / The Beacon-News) A group demonstrated outside U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren's district office in Campton Hills and demanded the Republican hold a town hall meeting. In response, the congressman said he is looking for opportunities to engage, though some opponents are following a "playbook" intended to disrupt. The protesters stood on the parkway of La Fox Road Thursday holding signs that read "Hultgren MIA" and "We the People will never go back." Some said they were regulars, while others said it was their first time. Some carried American flags and chanted "town hall meeting." Advertisement Gerry Becker's sign had the disclaimer, "I'm not paid!" as a reference to President Trump's criticism that demonstrations across the country were paid professionals. Becker said she has called her congressman's office repeatedly and sent emails requesting that he hold a town hall meeting. Advertisement "I have done everything that I can," the Aurora woman said. "It's his job to have town hall meetings. It's our voices that should be heard in Washington, D.C.," Becker said. Marlene Petersen said she has called Hultgren's office weekly to find out when he will hold a town hall meeting. "We are his constituents and he has an obligation to answer to us," she said. Petersen, along with many others, said the Affordable Care Act is on her mind. "We have heard the Republicans say they would replace the ACA with something better, but nothing's been done in the past six years. I don't want the ACA repealed. I want it fixed," the Crystal Lake woman said. Hultgren, a Plano Republican, said he is always appreciative of getting input from constituents about their concerns, challenges and solutions. Via email, Hultgren said he regularly invites people to speak with him by hosting coffees with the congressman, constituent 1-1 meetings, congressional conference calls and hundreds of meetings with local small businesses, hospitals, churches, municipalities, county governments, schools and nonprofit organizations. Advertisement "We are still fortunate in the 14th District in that we haven't forgotten that in the end we are all neighbors," the congressman said in an emailed statement. Hultgren said he met with some constituents Feb. 10 at his office. "While some constituents have communicated a frustration about their demands for a particular format of meeting, I have met individually with many of these same constituents one-on-one who have provided valuable input on various aspects of how best to repair the ACA," Hultgren said in an email. "Unfortunately, there is an element of this group who are following a well-publicized 'playbook' on how best to disrupt and prevent a civil dialogue on important issues such as health care and veterans issues. That's not fair to all 14th District residents who deserve a respectful discussion," Hultgren said. "In the coming weeks, I will continue to look for new ways to engage constituents in important civil dialogue that is necessary to cover these critical issues," Hultgren wrote. At Thursday's protest, Petersen said she is worried Trump has a relationship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. "We need an independent investigation," she said. Advertisement Hollis Apida said she was willing to stand in the plummeting cold temperatures and rain if it meant her voice would be heard, even if only by the passing motorists. "No pain, no gain," the St. Charles woman said. Apida held a placard with the image of Hultgren and a heading that read "Missing. Have you seen him?" Apida's sign said that Hultgren was "wanted" for a town hall meeting and if anybody does see him they are asked to approach the congressman. "How can the congressman represent us if he won't meet with us," she said. "I think he is afraid to talk with us because he doesn't have the answers that will satisfy his constituents." Rose Ann Porucznik of Naperville had a sign with a check list of Hultgren's voting record. Porucznik said she is upset that the House supported a resolution to eliminate extended background checks for gun purchases by disabled Social Security recipients identified as being incapable to manage their own finances. Advertisement "I worked for the Social Security Administration for more than 40 years, and part of my job was to review cases and determine whether people were capable of handling their own affairs. Some of them could easily be talked out of their money or were severely in need of mental health care. Neither needs guns," she said. "I do not understand the compulsion of the Republican Party to push that through so quickly," the Naperville woman said. Beth Guerrero of Naperville held a sign that read, "Town Hall Meeting or Bust" that prompted motorists to honk their horns. "I am angry that Hultgren works for us and refuses to meet with us," Guerrero said. Guerrero said she is worried about her 31-year old daughter who has multiple sclerosis, a disease of the central nervous system. "If Republicans repeal the ACA my daughter will be without health care. It isn't enough to have access to health care - we need affordability," she said. "I am not trying to berate the congressman. I would be respectful at a town hall meeting. I just want him to hear our concerns and know that we are watching his voting record," she said. Advertisement Susan Styer, who said this was her first time demonstrating, held a sign that read, "Putin No!" "I am concerned that Putin has some involvement with our president," Styer said. "The thought of it keeps me up at night," the Geneva woman said. "I can't believe the direction our country has taken. I would ask Hultgren to support an independent investigation into Putin," she said. Jeannie Scown said some of constituents have received letters and acknowledged the congressmen met one-on-one with 10 constituents. But she would still prefer a town hall meeting. "A person could come with a spouse but an individual could not bring a friend to meet with the congressman. Some constituents felt intimidated about having to meet with him alone," she said. Scown said the call for a town hall meeting has been growing. "It's not the same core of people at these demonstrations, and that tells me there are a lot of people out there with us," she said. Advertisement "We do not want a town hall meeting that would turn into a screaming match - nothing would get done. We would take people out if we have to," she said. Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter. It may not be the most profound summary of the four leading candidates running for mayor of Aurora. But it does seem to sum up a general consensus of them: There's not a knucklehead in the bunch. Which isn't necessarily true of a fair number of elections, mayoral or otherwise, we've been subjected to over the years. Advertisement Politics aside if only that were possible, right? all four candidates have strong qualities and are more than capable of leading the state's second largest city. So now it comes down to which is able to turn out the most of the historically low number of registered voters likely to show up at the primary polls come Tuesday. If going by name recognition and campaign coffers alone, you would have to put your money on Linda Chapa LaVia who, as state representative for 14 years, has the Democratic party's well-oiled machine helping her get-out-the votes that are especially critical in a local primary. Advertisement Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 20 Aurora mayoral candidate Richard Irvin greets his supporters at Gaslight Manor in Aurora Tuesday night. (Sean King / The Beacon-News) But, as you know if you've been paying even a little attention to this race, those Springfield ties have also been the bane of her campaign. A hard-working and experienced lawmaker who has the ability to connect with the powers that be as well as her many constituents, Chapa LaVia not only comes with Illinois Speaker Michael Madigan's bucks and blessings, she also comes with his baggage. If you are voting strictly for municipal experience, you can't go wrong with 6th Ward Alderman Mike Saville, who I've referred to as the dark horse in this race. Although he doesn't come across as aggressive or charismatic as some of his opponents, the popular alderman who's been in office an astounding 32 years has a loyal following who know first-hand how much he's done for this city, including his visionary ideas about the Fox River, that have helped shape this community. This is Alderman Richard Irvin's third time running for mayor, so no one can doubt his determination, his passion or his increase in confidence this time around. And, as a kid from the projects who went on to face combat in Iraq and become a successful attorney and alderman at large, he's definitely got the most compelling back story; and one that seems to back up the picture he paints of himself as a strong and visionary leader. Rick Guzman, who I think of as the John Kasich of the group because of his likeability and focus on collaboration, is the only one of the four who has never run for political office. But as the assistant chief of staff to former Mayor Tom Weisner and interim Mayor Bob O'Connor, he comes with plenty of administrative experience and a track record think old St. Charles hospital and downtown Arts Center of getting projects over the finish line. And, if you are a fan of the former mayor, he would come across as the candidate most likely to carry on the Weisner legacy I don't live in the city so I can't vote. And even though I've only attended three of the seven mayoral forms held since January, I've heard enough to believe that, while they all possess different traits, all are quality candidates who are convinced Aurora is on the cusp of greatness if led by the right man or woman. Speaking of nothing against Saville, but with a Hispanic woman, an African-American man and Filipino man on the ballot, it's worth noting we have a 75 percent chance of this election being a historical first for Aurora. Advertisement Up until now, the campaign has been fairly ho-hum. They've all volleyed shots at each other with Chapa LaVia, considered the candidate to beat from the get-go, taking the most hits. Back in May, when the only election on the radar was the crazy presidential race, Guzman accused the state rep of "cut throat" tactics after her campaign snatched up his domain name. Three months later, all three of her opponents blasted Chapa LaVia for a Madigan-backed fundraiser. And in December she accused Guzman of fraud for helping a fifth candidate, who subsequently dropped out, get on the ballot. And yet, despite those accusatory headlines, these candidates to their credit and our surprise have been mostly respectful of each other, especially as they engaged in that long series of debates across the city. I suspect that once this primary is over and we have our two contenders in the general election, the gloves will come off and things will get more interesting. Which is not a bad thing. There's a lot at stake. The race doesn't seem to have a clear front-runner. And if you've not already decided on your man or woman, I suggest you check out all four candidates' websites. Or re-read the many stories that reporter Steve Lord, who did sit through all seven forums, has written. Then get out and vote on Tuesday. The candidate you chose could just be your next mayor. Dcrosby@tribpub.com Perhaps there should be Election Day door prizes. Show proof that you have voted, and take a spin on the City Service Wheel. You could win free garbage pickup for a year! Or win a snowplow for a day! Amaze your friends when you pull up to their driveways with your big, belching machine to remove their snow free of charge! Maybe you will win the Staycation, which includes two free nights at the village hall cots included and passes for free admission at the local aquatic center! If you land on "Take That, You Rat!" you can make the most awful public official in town stand on his or her head in the local landfill. A variety of Tupperware, spa baskets and cheese wedges from around the world would be consolation prizes. While we're not seriously suggesting any of the above be done to encourage people to vote, surely something could be done to increase the historically dismal voter turnout in local elections. In the April 2015 local contests, 81 percent of eligible voters in Illinois avoided the polling places, according to the Illinois Policy Institute. Now, 81 percent is a pretty decent score on a school exam, a B perhaps. But when it's used to grade civic duty, it's a big F. Advertisement Yet, that 19 percent turnout in 2015 is to be applauded in contrast to the miserably meager 4.5 percent of Aurora voters who cast a ballot in the 2013 Aurora primary. It was slightly better two years later, when just under 10 percent of eligible voters participated in a City Council primary. Hopefully those numbers will look a lot better on Tuesday, when voters will get the chance to winnow the field for mayor of Aurora. The candidates in this primary are state Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia; Aldermen Michael Saville, 6th Ward, and Richard Irvin, at large; Rick Guzman, Aurora assistant chief of staff and write-in candidates Daniel Hoffman, Jeffrey Houghtaling, Thomas Benedetto, Eva Rodgers and David J. Howard. Advertisement There is so much wrong with a handful of people deciding who is going to be mayor, or serve in any other elected office. The will of the majority which is the way things are supposed to work in a democracy is hardly expressed when a minority show up to vote. Special interests thrive in a low voter turnout environment. It's that much easier to carry the day with their favorite candidate or cause, even if such an outcome turns out disastrous to taxpayers who demand quality, affordable government. But even if the opposite is true that lower voter turnout indicates great satisfaction with the way a community is being managed why not register this contentment with a vote? How hard is that? It is usually only a couple of right turns out of the driveway to the local polling place. If you are among those who believe their vote doesn't matter so why bother casting one, then you're stuck with what you get. If that didn't work out so well, you still have the right to complain along with second-guessing your apathy. Even boredom with the local political scene can't be used as an excuse not to vote. For the first time in many years, Aurora will have a new leader at the top. Longtime Mayor Tom Weisner stepped down last year, just short of completing his third term, due in large measure to his battle with cancer. Voters have lots of choices among candidates with diverse backgrounds and views on the critical issues facing Aurora, such as economic development downtown and elsewhere, how to retain businesses and entice new enterprises, public safety, taxes, quality of city services, maintaining the character of neighborhoods, and the quality of accountability, communications and human relations. Who will be the key leader in shaping the future of Aurora is in the hands of voters. The more hands filling out a ballot, the better. Tinley Park police say thieves broke into Bettenhausen Automotive on 159th Street Friday night and stole five vehicles. (Frank Vaisvilas / Daily Southtown) Five vehicles were stolen from the Bettenhausen Automotive car dealership in Tinley Park Friday night, the thieves breaking a window to get into the building and the police giving chase all the way to Interstate 57, Tinley Park police said. The incident occurred about 11:20 p.m. when five people broke into the 8355 W. 159th St. business and each left in a car or SUV, police said in a news release. Advertisement Officers were able to recover one vehicle when the driver abandoned it on 159th Street and got into one of the other stolen vehicles, the release said. They attempted to pull the other cars over near 159th Street and Pulaski Road, but the drivers refused and were last seen driving northbound on Interstate 57, the release said. The stolen vehicles were a blue 2013 Dodge Charger, a blue 2015 Dodge Charger, a white 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and a black 2015 Chrysler 200. Advertisement The incident is similar to car thefts that have been occurring in recent weeks in Chicago and all over the suburbs, including Naperville, Libertyville and Evanston. Anyone with information on the theft is asked to call the Tinley Park Police Department at 708-532-9111. The struggling Our Lady of the Ridge school in Chicago Ridge has met its financial and enrollment targets and will remain open next year, officials announced Friday. In December, the Chicago Archdiocese told school officials they had until the end of February to come up with $250,000 and guarantee 114 registered students for next school year, officials said. Advertisement Last month, the school board shared a plan to keep its doors open, which included fundraising and raising tuition $1,000 for the 2017-2018 school year. Community members told the Daily Southtown last month that losing the elementary school, which opened in 1954, would be a tragedy for Chicago Ridge. "We're very happy," said Anne Maselli, director of communications and marketing at Archdiocese of Chicago Catholic Schools. "We never want to close a school so we're happy that they were able to meet their financial and enrollment goals. It's really a testament to their community and their support group." Advertisement School officials could not be reached for comment Friday. St. Alphonsus/ St. Patrick School in Lemont also will remain open next year after raising $350,000 to cover the school's operating deficit to avoid closure. Principal Renee Payne told the Southtown last month that the fundraising goal was reached with the help of parents, parishioners, residents and local businesses. Early last month, the archdiocese announced two Southland catholic schools, St. Joseph School in Homewood and St. Louis de Montfort School in Oak Lawn, would close at the end of the school year, despite efforts to improve enrollment and finances. mmccall@tribpub.com During the New Lenox State-of-the-Village speech, Mayor Tim Baldermann's otherwise optimistic tone stopped cold as he railed against Springfieldis bipartisan politics. (Erin Gallagher / Daily Southtown) During the New Lenox State-of-the-Village speech, Mayor Tim Baldermann's otherwise optimistic tone stopped cold as he railed against Springfield's politics. During the 45 minute speech on Feb. 17, the village's fiscal strength was touted, such as it's higher-than-promised funds in cash reserves, as well as another property tax refund were among a list of achievements, Baldermann said. But he minced no words when his message turned toward state legislators. Advertisement "The bipartisan politics taking place in Springfield are ruining communities, ruining schools, having a major impact on the people who need the services the most and it's disgusting and it needs to stop, and it's impacting each and every one of us," Baldermann said. "So, let me tell you, I don't care Republican or Democrat, I care about government service." The mayor was vocally protective of government distributive funds, which are state-collected dollars given to municipalities in order to provide services. He applauded state Sen. Anthony DeLuca (D-Chicago Heights) who proposed legislation that protects government distributive funds. Advertisement Baldermann was careful to point out that the state legislators who represent New Lenox were not the subject of his attack, mentioning them all by name. The mayor's job in New Lenox is non-partisan but Baldermann, himself, is Republican. "It's no secret what is happening down there (in Springfield). It's unconscionable, it's irresponsible," he said. "We don't have that problem with our local representatives, they work hard for us. We have Republicans and Democrats who represent our area." His lecture continued for seven minutes. When talking about the accomplishments of the village, however, his voice was upbeat, even jovial at times, such as making a joke about the 36-foot Santa that took a nose dive from high winds, destroying the focal point of the $327,000 illuminated holiday display in the Commons. Concerning the development along U.S. 30 and Cedar Road, he revealed the proposed elevation drawing for the first time. The village expects "within two years we will recoup all the money" spent on four parcels that were reorganized into two lots, the first earmarked for CVS Pharmacy on the corner northeast corner of Cedar Road and U.S. 30, and the second for Heidner Properties, Inc. building to feature Fleckenstein's Bakery, Durbin's restaurant, and Zembar Jewelers, the mayor said. After the speech, New Lenox assistant village Administrator Robin Ellis said that the village expects CVS to submit final plans early March, skipping the preliminary plan stage, in order to proceed to the public hearing at the planning commission before going to the full board for approval. That is expecting to happen in March and April, with a groundbreaking to follow late spring. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "CVS is trying to work with the other developer to see if the timelines, if there could be one (plan) or two, but that has not been determined," she said. Advertisement Revenues received from the sales, as well as sales tax generated by the business will fund a new Metra station, which will be located east of the existing station, which is a historical site, the mayor said. Relocating it further east will also prevent parked trains from blocking Cedar Road, he said. Dunkin Donuts will be added to the area, by demolishing the old Sanctuary building, located east of New Lenox Fire Protection District Station One, and building a new structure, he said. Also, the mayor did not gloss over the increase in water bills due to expensive repairs needed at three waste water treatment plants. He called the village board's decision to improve the infrastructure taking "a tough hit." "We made the tough decision that everyone needs to participate," he said. "I would rather not get reelected and leave the community in good shape." After the speech, State Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Tinley Park), said that Baldermann "has a vision" and is "on the right track" for the village, and the attack against partisan politics playing out in Springfield were justified. "By election day 2018, if we (state legislators) fail to act, it will be $22 billion in back bills (unpaid)," Hastings said. "That's a lot of money." Erin Gallagher is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown. Vehicle stickers tend to be fairly non-controversial and innocuous, but the new windshield decal that will be going on sale in Orland Park in a few months has prompted a debate among some residents. It features a black and white American flag with a blue stripe running horizontally just below the field of stars, and the words "Orland Park Supports Police" at the top. Often referred to as the "thin blue line" flag, it has more recently been associated with the Blue Lives Matter pro-police movement formed in late 2014. Advertisement Most of the comments posted on the village's Facebook page are supportive and congratulate the village on the design, while some question whether the village, via the decals, is compelling vehicle owners to subscribe to a message they don't fully agree with and that Orland Park should offer them an alternative sticker. The stickers are on vehicles for two years, and the new sticker will go on sale after Memorial Day. Advertisement The village's current sticker denotes Orland Park's involvement as a commemorative partner in the Department of Defense's observance of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, while the 2013-15 sticker recognized the village's Lions Club on its 50th anniversary. In unveiling the new sticker, Orland Park Mayor Dan McLaughlin said a number of village residents had requested Orland Park do something to support law enforcement. "We want our local police and law enforcement across the country to know that Orland Park supports them," the mayor said in a news release about the sticker. "Police officers on all levels have had a hard time these past few years and it's time for people to thank them for their service." Police Chief Tim McCarthy, a former Secret Service agent who took a bullet for the late President Ronald Reagan, also is serving as interim village manager. On the thin blue line flag, one "black bar below represents the criminal element in society. One black bar above represents the innocent citizens. What stands in the middle is a thin blue line of committed police," Blue Lives Matter explains on its website. Reactions such as "awesome," "excellent" and "way to go, Orland Park" represented the tone of many commenters at the village's Facebook page, although one resident said it is "wrong and I deeply resent being forced by a civil authority to 'take a side' in such a hot button issue," and that the village needed to offer "an alternative for those who have concerns." Others said they feared having their windshield shattered and one woman said the sticker design was akin to the village thumbing its nose at the Black Lives Matter movement and "demonstrating once again that there is a clear hierarchy and that Black people are ... less important." Those who expressed concerns about the sticker noted their dissent wasn't because they did not support law enforcement. One man cited the Supreme Court decision in Wooley v. Maynard, and paraphrased the court's ruling that "government cannot force individuals to act as mobile billboards for its ideological message." Advertisement In that New Hampshire case, a Jehovah's Witness, George Maynard, objected to the display of the state's motto, "Live Free or Die," on the state's license plate. The motto was contrary to his religious and political beliefs and Maynard cut the "or Die" section from his plate, and he was convicted of violating state law, fined and even given a jail sentence, according to a synopsis of the case from the IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law's website. The court's 1977 ruling found that the state's law regarding the display of the plates effectively required individuals to "use their private property as a 'mobile billboard' for the State's ideological message." It also found that "where the State's interest is to disseminate an ideology, no matter how acceptable to some, such interest cannot outweigh an individual's First Amendment right to avoid becoming the courier for such message." Parallels to court ruling Officials with the Citizen Advocacy Center and the Illinois chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union said Orland Park's vehicle sticker has parallels to the Wooley v. Maynard decision. "In both cases, it is government-compelled speech," Maryam Judar, executive director of the Citizen Advocacy Center, an Elmhurst-based nonprofit public interest law firm that promotes government accountability, said. "It's terrific that they (the village) want to honor law enforcement, but can they choose a different symbol that's not so divisive?" or offer an alternative sticker to drivers, she said. Advertisement Because not displaying the vehicle sticker puts a driver at risk of being ticketed, Orland Park should offer residents an alternative to ease any concerns, suggested Ed Yohnka, director of communications and public policy for the ACLU of Illinois. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "There are workarounds to this," he said. He said the sticker issue mirrors the First Amendment rights of residents taken up in the Supreme Court decision, and there is "a penalty that attaches (in the form of a ticket and fine) for not engaging in the speech" being promoted. Any debate over the vehicle sticker comes at a time when "we're in a very important discussion in our country about just what kind of policing we want" and "how we want them to behave in our communities," he said. What has happened is that people are being forced to take sides, and "either you support the police or you support Black Lives Matter." Noting he has "an enormous amount of respect for the police and what they do," Yohnka points out that Black Lives Matter is calling for law enforcement reforms. "It's about scrutiny, it's about reform, making sure it works right across the board and in every community," he said. Advertisement The village's vehicle sticker grew out of requests from residents about how the village could recognize the work of Orland Park police, with many residents suggesting the village distribute blue lights to residents for the front of their homes or possibly blue ribbons for front yard trees, according to Joe La Margo, assistant village manager. Although the Village Board would not typically vote on a design for the vehicle sticker, it was not clear what the vetting process for the new decal might have been, or whether other designs along the same theme were considered. mnolan@tribpub.com Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart speaks to a man at the Prayer Center of Orland Park on Feb. 24, 2017, where he visited to promote his discrimination hotline and answer questions from mosque-goers concerned about their place in Trump's America. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown) Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart visited the Prayer Center of Orland Park Friday to promote his "discrimination hotline" and answer questions from mosque-goers concerned about their place in the nation's current political environment. Dart spoke briefly about the hotline, launched on Dec. 1 after consultation with his Tolerance Council, and urged people to contact it if they felt they'd been discriminated against because of their religion or ethnicity. Advertisement "If people are sensing something there that is in any way being focused on them because of their faith, because of who they are, they need to let us know," he said. "Because that's not the county, that's not the country that we have and we're not going to have, and we're not going to sit back and just say, 'That's OK. We're going to accept this.' We're not going to accept this." As of early February, the 24/7 hotline had received 37 calls reporting allegations of discrimination of varying types, according to Sheriff's office data. Advertisement Reports of racial discrimination have been by far the most prevalent, accounting for more than half of the calls to date, followed by reports of religious discrimination. Other calls have included allegations of discrimination on the basis of employment, disability, housing, immigration and sexual orientation or identity. "We're just seeing numbers go up," Dart said in addressing a man's question about the types of hate crimes being reported. "They seem to have gone up in all the categories right now." Dart's public appearance Friday comes on the heels of a summit held Thursday in Chicago at which local civil rights leaders reported an uptick in hate crimes locally in the wake of President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement policies. The Southern Poverty Law Center, which has been collecting reports of bias incidents since the election, had tallied 1,372 such reports across the country, as of Feb. 7. Instances of anti-immigrant and anti-black discrimination account for nearly half of reported bias incidents since the election, according to SPLC data. "The numbers are going up around the country and the individuals I've worked with for years, they've told me categorically that things are different now and they feel it," Dart said in an interview earlier this month. "The way they've been treated by some people has changed. Objectively there are different dynamics now." The sheriff said he launched his hotline after being contacted by Muslim members of his Tolerance Council, who reported heightened concerns following the presidential election in November. "Everyone is afraid and concerned," said Kifah Mustapha, imam and director of the Prayer Center of Orland Park, citing the executive order restricting travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. "We feel that we are being dealt with as a security issue, and this is a very negative rhetoric for our kids to grow and be free from extremism and engage properly as committed citizens who are proudly Muslim." Mustapha said he'd requested that the sheriff speak to his mosque because he wanted to reassure his concerned congregants that their civil rights would not be violated as a result of Trump Administration policies. Advertisement "We thought that this is the time for law enforcement agencies and politicians to be present in front of the community to assure and confirm what America is all about justice, equality, freedom, safety, security," he said, noting that Rep. Dan Lipinski had addressed the mosque a couple weeks ago. "Unfortunately, we have been hearing a different rhetoric at some levels of the government." Mustapha said he'd stepped up security at the mosque since the election and changed the programming it provides members to reflect their newfound concerns. The Prayer Center's programming has been revised to focus on mental wellness to address the stress and depression many members are experiencing reinforcing Muslims' legal rights as American citizens and attempting to build relationships with law enforcement agencies and other religious groups to work together for the well being of all, he said. Dart said his hotline, which is permanent, is just the first step in trying to give local Muslims and members of other minority communities the peace of mind that everyone deserves and is owed. He hopes to expand the initiative going forward to include an education component that does work in schools. The sheriff said that anyone who feels threatened or targeted because of his or her identity or status should call the hotline at 773-674-4357. If the call pertains to a criminal incident in progress, the sheriff's office either will respond or call a local law enforcement agency to respond to the call, Dart said. If the reported discrimination is not criminal in nature, the caller will be directed to any number of local advocacy agencies or organizations that can assist them with their issue. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "We always tell people on the phone that if you're not happy with the response, call us back and we'll take it further," he said. Advertisement For his part, Mustapha said he's trying to remain optimistic about the country's future and its continued protection of citizens' civil rights, even as he continues to see troubling signs. "Optimism is the only thing we can hold now," he said. Dart, when asked by Mustapha whether he was optimistic about the future, offered a less-than-reassuring response. "It's been getting harder and harder to be optimistic," the sheriff said. "I've maintained a high level of optimism throughout (my tenure) because I keep seeing progress, but right now, I just don't know." zkoeske@tribpub.com Twitter @ZakKoeske Lincoln-Way High School District officials seem to be acknowledging the history of secretive and ethically questionable business practices that have plagued the district, led to a fiscal crisis and landed it on the state's financial watch list. The school board has decided to hire an inspector general to investigate complaints of fiscal mismanagement or fraud filed by the public or district employees. Superintendent Scott Tingley is expected to present the school board with a list of candidates for the post with the intent of having an inspector general in place by July 1. Advertisement The plan is to hire for a two-year term an individual with at least 20 years' experience as a lawyer or judge who has a background investigating fraud or conspiracy, according to a newly adopted school board policy. The inspector general, who would work on an as-needed basis, will have wide access to school records and personnel. The new policy also seeks to ensure that the inspector general will be free of business or personal connections to sitting school board members. Hopefully that provision will guarantee independence from the superintendent and other administrators as well. Advertisement This proposal represents a step forward for the school district and the community. But if the school board is serious about restoring public confidence it needs to reconsider provisions in the new policy that would make any of the inspector general's investigations and reports confidential. Such reports need to be made public. Period. The school district is on the financial watch list in part because previous school boards failed to monitor Tingley's predecessor as superintendent, allowing him to move public money from fund to fund without public approval by the board. The district overspent and overbuilt and as a result had to close a school, Lincoln-Way North. Meanwhile, the board approved a retirement package for the previous superintendent of more than $300,000 a year, reportedly the largest for any former school official in the state. In recent months the school board has been embarrassed by a series of news stories about district employees being used to perform private work for the former superintendent, some of it on public time, and about a secret arrangement with a dog training enterprise that benefited from public funding but had no educational benefit to the district. Most recently the board has had to take bids in an effort to sell millions of dollars' worth of vacant land purchased over the last 20 years supposedly as the site of future school expansions. The FBI and the Securities and Exchange Commission last year launched separate investigations regarding the district's financial practices. So clearly, creation of an independent inspector general for Lincoln-Way District 210 is a fine idea. The Lincoln-Way community needs to be assured that district finances are being conducted on the up-and-up, and that there are no secret deals and private arrangements being made with public money in the public's name. But just as clearly, the new inspector general's work should not be yet another secret operation hidden from the taxpayers of the Lincoln-Way school district. Calumet City taxpayers are on the hook for mounting legal costs related to a political feud between the mayor and an alderman. Thaddeus Jones, longtime third ward alderman who also serves as a Democratic state representative, told me Friday he thinks taxpayer costs related to the litigation are a million dollars or more. Advertisement "The mayor and city attorney have spent a million dollars of taxpayer money to kick me off the ballot," Jones said. I also spoke Friday with Calumet City Mayor Michelle Markiewicz Qualkinbush, who cited City Attorney Burt Odelson's estimate the dispute has cost taxpayers about $100,000 so far in legal expenses, not a million dollars. Advertisement "Maybe Alderman Jones is having a bad week," and is confused or mistaken about the extent of legal costs, the mayor told me. She's correct that in the past week Jones has been roundly criticized for proposing legislation to bring back legislator-sponsored scholarships. Newspaper editorials across Illinois have condemned the idea of reinstating the legislative scholarship program. The program was abolished in 2012 because of rampant abuse. "What a joke," the Effingham Daily News editorialized. "Legislative scholarships were a scam before and they would be again." Under the old program, state House and Senate members could each grant a couple tuition waivers every year to allow recipients to attend state universities for free. An investigation found that many legislators were awarding the perks to campaign donors, relatives and other politically connected friends. But Jones said his legislation includes protections to prevent abuse if the program is reinstated. "This was a great program that produced doctors, lawyers and engineers," Jones said of the legislative scholarships. "The measures I propose are so strong, they will make this a better program." Jones has faced criticism before, most often for simultaneously serving as both a state legislator and an elected municipal official in Calumet City. This type of double dipping is legal, but critics raise ethical concerns. Advertisement In 2013, the Better Government Association criticized Jones for traveling to Florida multiple times to attend an annual film festival at taxpayer expense. The BGA found Jones at the time was paid $64,717 a year by the state and his total compensation was more than $56,000 for serving as alderman. Jones has also faced repeated criticism for spending thousands of dollars in campaign funds over the years at a Hooters restaurant in Lansing. Last month, a Chicago election law attorney filed a formal complaint with the Illinois State Board of Elections, claiming Jones misused campaign funds. "The spending as reported is severe and outrageous," attorney Ross Secler told CBS2 Chicago in January. "This isn't just bad reporting or bad bookkeeping." Jones told me the state dismissed the complaint on Wednesday. "The State Board of Elections found me not guilty," he said. "I was cleared of all that. There was no evidence." The state board could not be reached for comment Friday. Advertisement Jones is serving his fourth term as state legislator. Since 2011 he's represented the 29th District, which is shaped like a backward "L." The district stretches from near 119th Street in Dolton and runs south through parts of South Holland, Homewood, Chicago Heights and Steger before jogging west toward Crete and Monee. He also runs a charity the Jones Foundation which has raised moneyto benefit local teens through scholarships and also provides counseling services, according to the organization's website. His biography on the foundation's website says Jones formerly served as president of Thornton Township Young Democrats, as a student trustee of South Suburban College and as a board member of the Calumet City Library Board. He's been third ward alderman in Calumet City since 1997. The feud with Qualkinbush began heating up last summer. The legal dispute has centered on term limits and the number of referendum questions appearing on ballots. In June, Steven Grant and Calumet City Concerned Citizens sought to add a question to the November ballot asking whether mayors should be limited to three terms. If approved, the incumbent Qualkinbush would have been ineligible to run for re-election this spring. The Calumet City council, however, moved to place three other referendum questions on the November ballot. Back in August, the council also voted to place three referendum questions on the Feb. 28 primary ballot. Advertisement In September, Jones sued the mayor and five other aldermen, saying the questions clogging the ballots were a politically motivated attempt to prevent him from challenging Qualkinbush for mayor. A federal district court rejected his case. Jones appealed, and in December, a panel of Seventh Circuit judges upheld dismissal of his claims. "The city's new ballot initiatives appeared to target specifically Thaddeus Jones, an alderman who had announced he was running for mayor," the court said in its ruling. Nonetheless, it upheld the "Rule of Three" law that no more than three referendum questions may appear at one time on a municipal ballot. Meanwhile, in November, Calumet City voters approved a referendum saying anyone who has served as mayor or alderman for four consecutive terms is ineligible to run for or serve as mayor. Qualkinbush, a Democrat, began serving as mayor in 2003 and has won three elections to full terms. If she wins a fourth, full, consecutive term in April she'll be ineligible to serve past 2021. She's facing a ballot challenge from Larry Young of the Public Safety Party. Grant, the petitioner who sought to place on ballots the term-limit referendum that led to a lawsuit, also is running a write-in campaign for mayor. Advertisement In January, Jones filed nominating petitions to run for mayor. He was challenged, and a Cook County electoral board ruled that because of the term-limit referendum voters approved in November he was ineligible to run for mayor. He was barred from both the February primary and April consolidated election ballots. Because of his plans to run for mayor, Jones didn't circulate petitions to run again for alderman. He is, however, running a write-in campaign for third ward alderman for the April 4 election. Also in January, Jones again sued the city regarding documents he sought through the Freedom of Information Act related to the term-limit referendum dispute. He sought copies of legal bills, email correspondence and phone records between Qualkinbush and Odelson. Odelson could not be reached for comment Friday. "This fight is not over. This is like round two of a 10-round fight," Jones told me. "I want to protect the taxpayers of Calumet City" from efforts to deny him the opportunity to run for mayor. I asked Qualkinbush about Jones' depiction that he's fighting for taxpayers. She said Jones is the one responsible for the legal costs to taxpayers. Advertisement "He filed the action in court. He initiated all the litigation. This is all his doing and to suggest otherwise is irresponsible," she said. She also responded to Jones' contention that voters are being denied the chance to elect him mayor. She said people indicated their wishes when they decided the term-limit referendum in November. Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday > "That was the will of the voters," she said. "The voters voted, and the state has ruled in our favor." Another referendum question Calumet City voters decided in November said no elected official shall be able to receive two pensions by participating in both the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund and the Illinois General Assembly Retirement System. On Tuesday, they'll decide three additional questions. One asks, "Shall any Calumet City elected official be permitted to hold more than one paid public office?" I think Jones has a point that several referendum questions seem to target him specifically and his dual roles as alderman and state representative. Advertisement Voters in Calumet City's third ward have a choice in April. They can write in Jones and re-elect him to a seat he's held for 20 years, or they can decide he should give up one of the two elected offices he holds. tslowik@tribpub.com Twitter @tedslowik The Elgin History Museum is presenting a Russian Tea on March 5 that will feature tea, fresh baked pastries and savory bites. (Elgin Symphony Orchestra / HANDOUT) Russian Tea at Elgin History Museum The Elgin History Museum, 360 Park St, Elgin, is presenting a Russian Tea from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 5. Tickets are $20. Advertisement The event will feature tea, fresh baked pastries, savory bites, vodka samples and guest speakers Chef Douglas Yeomans, discussing Russian cuisine, and Music Historian Jim Kendros, sharing his insights about Tchaikovsky's Fourth Symphony, to be performed by the Elgin Symphony Orchestra later that day at the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin, according to a news release. Souvenirs from Russian trips to Elgin's former sister city, Belgorod, will be on display courtesy of Steve Stroud. Advertisement Chef Yeomans, of Tarragon Catering, will create a menu that includes vodka dill house-cured salmon on toasted Rubschlager rye garnished with quick pickled cucumber onion salad and horseradish-infused creme fraiche; slow braised traditional borscht shooters with cabbage and roasted beets and garnished with creme fraiche and dill; classic Russian lemon poppy tea cake and lemon honey infused farmer's cheese stuffed Moldovan flatbreads garnished with a homemade black currant compote and sweet cream. The event is a program of Passport to Russia, a collaboration of the Gail Borden Public Library and the Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Music Director Andrew Grams and others from the ESO and the Library will be in attendance. For information or to purchase tickets, go to elginhistory.org, email museum@elginhistory.org or call 847-742-4248. YWCA Elgin's Cinderella's Closet event The YWCA Elgin will hold its thirteenth annual Cinderella's Closet event, a formalwear boutique where high school girls can shop for dresses, jewelry, purses, shoes and make-up for a $15 suggested donation, according to a news release. Cinderella's Closet Prom Event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at the YWCA Elgin, 220 East Chicago Street. At the event, girls are greeted by "Fairy Godmothers" who serve as their personal shoppers as they select from hundreds of dresses all current styles, many new with tags, in sizes ranging from petites to plus sizes. Once each girl has found her dress, she can select jewelry and other accessories to complete her outfit. To be eligible for entry, girls need to be a current high school student with proof of enrollment. Any girl currently enrolled in high school is welcome to attend Cinderella's Closet. Advertisement Donations of new or gently-used dresses especially in sizes 16 and up, new jewelry and new wrapped make-up are currently being accepted. Students who donate a recently-worn prom dress are eligible to receive a coupon for $5 off their next purchase. For information about the Cinderella's Closet event or volunteer opportunities, go to www.ywcaelgin.org/CC2017 or call the YWCA Elgin at 847-742-7930. Elgin police host Coffee with a Cop Residents can meet with Elgin officers from 6 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28 at Starbucks, 2480 N. Randall Road, Elgin. The mission of Coffee with a Cop is to break down the barrier between police officers and the citizens they serve, according to a news release. This is achieved by removing agendas and allowing opportunity to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know officers in the neighborhood, the release said. Hanover Township Spring Break Open Gym Advertisement Hanover Township will offer open gym during spring break. Youth ages 5-18 can participate in a variety of recreational, educational, and social activities in School District U46 gyms. The Spring Break schedule for Open Gym is: Monday, March 27 at Bartlett Elementary School, 111 East North Avenue in Bartlett for ages 5-14. There will be an ice cream eating contest where kids will have the opportunity to try and eat a bowl of ice cream without using their hands. Tuesday, March 28 at Parkwood Elementary School, 2150 Laurel Street in Hanover Park for ages 5-14. Kids can enjoy a 60-minute educational "Mad Science" show. Wednesday, March 29 at Huff Elementary School, 801 Hastings Street in Elgin for ages 5-14. There will be cooking demonstrations and face painting. Thursday, March 30 at Tefft Middle School, 1100 Shirley Avenue in Streamwood for ages 5-18. DJ Reggie will be the special guest and will have the kids on the dance floor and singing songs. Advertisement All Open Gym times are from noon to 4 p.m. There is no cost to participate in Spring Break Open Gym. For more information on Open Gym and to inquire about volunteering, contact James Mix at Hanover Township Youth and Family Services at 630-483-5799. Gary Bennett's attorney spent much of Friday cross examining Joan Sebastian Vado-Bonilla, working to discredit his testimony to police where he accused Bennett of shooting a Bartlett man in the head. Bennett, 38, a former Algonquin resident, has pleaded not guilty to the Aug. 10, 2014, murder, armed robbery and concealment of a homicide charges in the death of Keith Crawford. Advertisement Crawford was last seen Aug. 9 at a large house party on Lathrop Lane off of Route 31 near Lake in the Hills, prosecutors said. Joan Sebastian Vado-Bonilla, an immigrant from Nicaragua who is living in the U.S. illegally, told the jury Thursday that he was driving a Chrysler Pacifica early the next morning when Bennett, sitting behind Crawford, shot the man in the head. Advertisement According to Vado's testimony, Bennett owed Crawford money for past drug buys and Crawford had refused to sell him more the night before. Police announced on Aug. 14, 2014, that Crawford was missing and interviewed Vado at that time. He didn't tell police about the alleged murder until his own criminal history and problems he was having with Bennett began to emerge. But his story to police changed, and according to defense attorney Stephen Richards, was filled with lies. When Vado first took police on what he called the route the two had taken from the northern Kane County party to a Valley View residence and then to an Elgin apartment complex to dispose of the body he didn't take police on the correct route. While Vado said on the stand Thursday that they had gone onto Interstate 90 and exited on Route 25 on their way to Valley View, Vado instead took police down Route 31 and crossed Elgin on Chicago Street. But, Richards said, police had records showing the Pacifica had a toll violation that indicated the Interstate 90 route. Neither did Vado drive away when they stopped on the Route 25 exit ramp to move Crawford's body into the back seat, or any other time during the night, Richards noted during cross examination. He also questioned Vado's immigration status and the plea deal he took in exchange for his testimony. Advertisement Vado plead guilty to concealment of a homicide a class 3 felony that can carry a 2-to-5 year prison term. Vado instead served three months of a six-month sentence and is on probation. As he is married to a U.S. citizen and has a child with the woman, Richards accused Vado of not being concerned about deportment. Vado said that no, he was not concerned. West Dundee police also got a waiver from Immigration and Customs Enforcement to allow Vado to remain in the U.S., legally, while the murder case was pending. Prosecutors on Friday also brought witnesses to testify on Bennett's past criminal history. Two Roselle officers were brought in to testify on a 2010 incident where Bennett is accused of firing a gun in that community. The second officer, however, did not identify Bennett from the stand, and instead identified one of Bennett's attorneys. Another man, Garrett Meyer, testified that he went to Bennett's Algonquin house for an after hours party in the early morning hours of Aug. 9, 2014. He knocked in the garage door as the party was happening there, Meyer said. Although Bennett had invited the man via text message, Bennett did not immediately recognize him and held a pistol to Meyers head and made him kneel on the ground. Once he determined who Meyer was, Bennett let him get up, Meyer said. Advertisement The trial is set to pick up again Monday and is expected to last an additional two weeks. Janelle Walker is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. The FBI rejected a recent White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Donald Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign, multiple US officials briefed on the matter tell CNN. But a White House official said late Thursday that the request was only made after the FBI indicated to the White House it did not believe the reporting to be accurate. White House officials had sought the help of the bureau and other agencies investigating the Russia matter to say that the reports were wrong and that there had been no contacts, the officials said. The reports of the contacts were first published by The New York Times and CNN on February 14. The direct communications between the White House and the FBI were unusual because of decade-old restrictions on such contacts. Such a request from the White House is a violation of procedures that limit communications with the FBI on pending investigations. A woman called "the face of Carpentersville" was honored this week by village officials. Lifelong resident Terri Wilde was appointed village clerk in August of 2004. She resigned at the end of January. Advertisement At Tuesday's meeting, board members paid tribute to her by issuing a proclamation recognizing Feb. 20 as Terri Wilde Day. "This is a very difficult time for all of us because Terri was such an integral part of the village. We were sad to see her retire. Of course you know we all we wish her the very best for her future," said Village President Ed Ritter. Advertisement He added the former clerk was the first face people saw when they walked in the door. "For many people, Terri was the face of the village," Ritter said. "People sometimes just stopped in to visit with her. A lot of senior citizens came in to talk to Terri because they always knew she'd be friendly, greet them and treat them with respect. All the business people had to get their licenses from her. She's probably better known in the village than anyone else here I would say." Wilde was unable to attend the meeting. However, her husband, Bob, accepted a plaque for her years of service as well as a bouquet of flowers from the village on her behalf. "One day isn't enough," Ritter said. "This is Terry Wilde Year as far as I'm concerned." Bob Wilde then read a letter from his wife to village officials where she expressed her gratefulness for the experience and offered well wishes to the staff and board members. "Terri was very, very humbled and very honored by this and sorry she couldn't be here," he said. "As most of you know it was more than just a job. She, being a resident all her life, volunteered for whatever she could to help out and thought of it as more than a job. So she will miss it dearly." Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. Carpentersville native Lucy Schaufer recently won two Grammy awards and the Carpentersville Village Board issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 21 as Lucy Schaufer Day. (Lucy Schaufer) February is proving to be an incredible month for one Carpentersville native. Lucy Schaufer, who now resides in England, recently won two Grammy awards for "best opera recording" and "best engineered album, classical." Both were for her work on "Corigliano: The Ghosts of Versailles" by the L.A. Opera Chorus and Orchestra. Advertisement And while that was exciting enough, she also learned Wednesday the Carpentersville Village Board issued a proclamation recognizing Feb. 21 as Lucy Schaufer Day. Her thoughts on the latter? Advertisement "Well, complete shock, really," Schaufer said. "Proclamations are for huge contributions to our community and if this affirms for a single person in Carpentersville that music and the arts are valuable, then I will be very proud." The former resident began her singing career as a teen, performing in District 300 choirs and at Santa's Village, according to the proclamation. She was also in the last graduating class at Irving Crown High School, now Dundee-Crown High School, in 1983 prior to studying music at Northwestern University. Her first solo recording, "Carpentersville," named for her hometown, was released in 2013. Schaufer, who paid a visit to the village last year, has lived in England for nearly 23 years but keeps an apartment in Chicago. "So it's still home," she said. Some of her family members reside in the area, including suburbs such as Pingree Grove, St Charles and Elgin. At Tuesday's board meeting, village officials said they plan to mail her the plaque commemorating Lucy Schaufer Day. "It's pretty interesting, a double Grammy winner in Carpentersville," Village President Ed Ritter said at Tuesday's meeting. "I don't think we've ever even had a single Grammy winner that I remember in all that time." Advertisement Schaufer calls those wins "unbelievably exciting." "I only get one but to know our team took both awards is just fabulous," she said. "There were so many projects of incredible quality so it could have gone to any one of the CDs nominated. I adore the great John Corigliano and I'm thrilled for him. Huge kudos must go to James Conlon, Christopher Koelsch and LA Opera who had the tenacity to know the importance of producing the opera and making sure it was recorded." Erin Sauder is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. Riverside Drive Promenade and the Hemmens Cultural Center will become canvases for two new art pieces the city of Elgin's Cultural Arts Commission plans to purchase as part of its revamped Public Art Plan. "We are very, very excited," said Amanda Harris, liaison for the Cultural Arts Commission. Advertisement Three-dimensional artwork will be placed on pedestals on Riverside Drive Promenade made to display art, and a two-dimensional work will be on a south wall of the Hemmens Cultural Center, Harris said. The Cultural Arts Commission will issue a "call" for art in February of each year, and applications will be accepted for 30 days, Harris said. Three types of art themed, nonthemed and site-specific will be considered, she said. Advertisement "We want that call to go far and wide," Harris said. "The call will be worldwide. We are not just talking about people in Elgin. There is some great talent both from Elgin and outside Elgin." City officials budgeted $11,000 for two new pieces of art in 2017 and $15,000 for two pieces in 2018, she said. Harris made the announcement of the locations for the new art at a public forum about the Public Art Plan. The city of Elgin and the Cultural Arts Commission have been revamping the plan since last May, when a controversy over a mural erupted. The mural, "American Nocturne," by Elgin artist David Powers, depicted a scene of a crowd at a lynching in the 1930s. The Cultural Arts Commission held a forum to discuss the mural and its Public Art Plan. The mural was later removed and stored at Hemmens. Harris said the site where "American Nocturne" was located may be considered in the future for a new artwork. Commissioners and Harris have gotten ideas for the Public Art Plan from the community and through research and have identified different types that could be included as public art. One idea is a temporary graffiti wall where artists could put their art, Harris said. The idea came from a graffiti wall erected at Nightmare on Chicago Street, she said. "This is done in several places around the country, and it really speaks to that genre of art and how (artists) communicate," Harris said. Other ideas include privately sponsored public art, neighborhood public art grants where neighborhood associations could apply for money to purchase or commission works, and a utility works program where utility boxes would be used as canvases, she said. Advertisement The Cultural Arts Commission wants to hear from artists and the community about where people want to see public art and what type of art they would like to see, Harris said. Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. A new sticker is placed on the door at the ceremonial opening of a gender neutral bathroom at Hale High School in Seattle on May 17, 2016. (Elaine Thompson / AP) The reversal of federal guidelines regarding transgender student rights will not change how local school districts address the issue, officials emphasized this week, with many saying they will work with families to protect students in each situation. "Part of that work is to ensure that a student isn't bullied, harassed or discriminated against," said Louis Lee, Indian Prairie School District 204 assistant superintendent for teaching and learning. Advertisement The announcement Wednesday that the Trump administration would no longer protect transgender students' rights to use public school locker rooms and bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity triggered responses from critics and supporters. However, among school districts and colleges in the Fox Valley, the change to the Obama-era guidelines did little to sway their views of existing policies. "At this time we will continue to follow our transgender guidelines and allow access to students based on their identification," School District U46 spokeswoman Mary Fergus said. Advertisement Last summer and fall, Elgin-based U46 dealt with its own controversy regarding transgender student rights when critics and proponents spoke out over the district's guidelines on locker room and bathroom access. The district later published its guidelines to better clarify students' rights, such as being able to access the locker room or bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. The district's efforts to accommodate transgender students align with federal and state rules on anti-discrimination, and the board's policies reflect it, Fergus said. St. Charles School District 303 determines a student's access to locker room and bathroom facilities on a case-by-case basis, spokesman Jim Blaney said. The White House announcement will not change that, and the district will continue to determine situations based on what best accommodates the student and the family, he said. Indian Prairie school board President Lori Price said nothing has changed in District 204, which draws students from Naperville and Aurora. While District 204 policies don't specifically address the use of bathrooms or locker rooms, the district does prohibit denying students access to programs and services or limiting the exercising of their rights based on sex, sexual orientation or gender identity. Lee said administrators will continue to work closely with families on an individual basis when they come forward asking for help in meeting their child's needs. Naperville School District 203 always has worked with students and families on what is best for students based on their needs, said Michelle Fregoso, the district's director of communications. "The school district has been able to meet student and family needs while complying with the law and our own Board of Education policy," she said. That will continue, she added. Advertisement Vincent Cascio, a wellness professional with Elgin Community College, said transgender students will continue to be welcomed fully at the college. ECC adheres to the federal Title IX policy of not discriminating based on a student's gender identity or sexual orientation. "Our transgender students will continue to be allowed to utilize the bathroom of their conformed gender identity," Cascio said. "Wellness Services will continue to educate our staff, faculty, administrators and students through the Safe Zone LGBTQ Project. This spring semester, we are offering five training sessions for them to register at their convenience. ECC remains dedicated to diversity and student success." Aurora school officials say the rescinding of the Obama-era directive won't change much in area schools. Spokesmen in both East Aurora School District 131 and West Aurora School District 129 said their districts made no policy changes after the first federal directive on transgender students. West Aurora spokesman Tony Martinez said the district has no policies specifically guiding transgender students' access to locker rooms or bathrooms and handles requests on a case-by-case basis. The district has not received requests recently regarding transgender students' bathroom access, but if it does receive a request, it would seek a variety of solutions to accommodate students, Martinez said. He said the district has unisex bathrooms at the high school and other "alternative spaces" that could be provided to transgender students for changing or other needs. In East Aurora, spokesman Tom Jackson said the district also would address requests on a case-by-case basis. The district does not track whether it has gotten requests for transgender bathroom or locker room accommodations. Advertisement "We have policies required by law to protect the health, safety and well-being of all students, including policies prohibiting any form of discrimination," he said. East Aurora has faced controversy regarding transgender students' locker room access in the past. In late 2012, school board members passed a policy that allowed, in most cases, access for transgender students to the locker room that matched their gender identity and granted other rights. The policy was met with approval and backlash nationally, and the board rescinded it days after it was approved. Not every school official believes enough has been done. In U46, board member Jeanette Ward whose criticism of district policy on transgender student rights led to the lengthy discussions in U46 earlier in the school year reiterated her support of transgender students using separate, single-occupancy bathrooms in a post on her Facebook page. She wrote that she's in support of crafting a policy that "protects the privacy and safety of all students." "I would like to see the privacy and safety of the rest of the student body protected by allowing them to use restrooms and locker rooms that correspond to their biological sex," Ward wrote. East Aurora board member John Laesch, meanwhile, said both President Barack Obama's and President Donald Trump's announcements have failed to address both equality and safety. Laesch said he recalls how during his high school days it was awkward for an LGBT classmate to use the showers. He said he believes creating "separate and equal facilities" would make all parties involved feel more comfortable in school. Advertisement "Our current, unwritten policy is to allow LGBT students to use separate but not equal facilities," Laesch wrote in an email. "In my opinion, this is a human rights issue that leaves us open to litigation." Beacon-News reporter Sarah Freishtat, Naperville Sun reporter Suzanne Baker and freelance reporter Denise Moran contributed. raguerrero@tribpub.com Residents of Sun City neighborhood 14 appeared before the Huntley Village Board to voice concerns about a recent incident at Del Webb Boulevard and Hemmer Drive involving a vehicle that crashed into a home on Feb. 4. According to resident Sunnie Ferro, who said she was next door when the accident occurred, the car crashed into the living room and struck a woman in her recliner. Advertisement "She was shoved all the way across the room. They took her to Centegra and she was airlifted to Lutheran General," Ferro said. Ferro, who was accompanied by about a half dozen other residents, asked the village board for assistance to make the road and intersection safer for residents and their guests. Advertisement "This is the second time an automobile has raced up Hemmer and ended up on that property. The first time the car took down two 30-foot arborvitae and crashed through the back yard," Ferro said of an incident that took place about ten years ago. Ferro said she would like to see speed bumps added to the road near the intersection and requested that a barrier be added along the property lines to protect residents. Village President Charles Sass said that something will be done to help make the intersection safer. "We take it very serious and it is important to us," he said. Ferro said she and her fellow residents spoke out at the recent Del Webb Association board meeting as well. "We feel nothing will be done unless we say something to make this known," she said. Jeanie Mayer is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, speaking to more than 300 people at his first town hall meeting Friday night, put out a call to action to help him let their voices be heard in Washington, D.C. "Now is not a time to agonize. It's a time to organize around these issues, forming and joining advocacy groups," said Krishnamoorthi, D-Hoffman Estates, speaking at Roosevelt University in Schaumburg. "In all of the challenges, a ray of hope is how people have gotten together and thrown sand in the gears of the excesses of the administration." Advertisement He called on constituents to step up and work with organizations and his office to make phone calls, develop forums, and send personal letters and postcards to share their concerns with their representatives. "They hear you. They see you. I talk to colleagues privately on the other side of the aisle, and they're getting nervous," Krishnamoorthi said amid cheers and claps. "Keep doing what you're doing. It's essential that all of us have to speak up at this point." Advertisement Krishnamoorthi opened the town hall with his imitation of White House press secretary Sean Spicer, "Bring it on," and responded to more than a dozen questions from a crowd he later described as prepared and engaged during the 90-minute session. Questions touched on issues that ranged from the repeal of the Affordable Care Act to education vouchers, the Trump administration's alleged ties to the Kremlin and how the administration's immigration ban is undermining the country's national security. "This issue," he said, then paused, getting teary-eyed and his voice cracking with his response. "I'm an immigrant. I came here when I was 3 months old. I think it's so important we're a nation of laws but also a nation of immigrants." "On a lighter note, the Navajos were not immigrants, and they granted us all amnesty six months ago," he said, adding a little levity that drew chuckles from the crowd. "We need comprehensive immigration reform," he said. "But we can't fan the flames of fear, bigotry and hatred that have engulfed us right now. We have to stand strong, and I hope you'll stand with us in this fight." Sue Isaacson, 47, of Hoffman Estates, had asked the congressman what the Democrats were going to do because people like her are doing exactly what he's asking them to do, attending town halls, going to marches, and calling and mailing letters with their concerns to their representatives. "He's very personable, and he's very open," Isaacson said, noting she is a former Republican who voted for Krishnamoorthi. "I was shocked at the questions from nuclear fusion to education and he knew it all. He answered all of our questions, and he was able to validate what we're feeling." His emotion over a very personal subject of immigration, she said, demonstrates his humanity. "He's an immigrant, and he is the epitome of what America is," she said of the small-business owner, who is raising a young family and whose children attend the same school as hers. "I was so angry this afternoon. If (President Donald) Trump takes away the First Amendment, what's next? But now I feel very hopeful. Advertisement "Everybody should go to a town hall." Krishnamoorthi's district consists of parts of Cook, Kane, and DuPage counties, including Addison, Barrington Hills, Carol Stream, Carpentersville, East Dundee, Elgin, Elk Grove Village, Glendale Heights, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Lombard, Palatine, Roselle, Schaumburg, South Elgin, Streamwood, Villa Park and Wood Dale. He serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he has called for an investigation into the Trump administration's ties to Russia, and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, where he said he is working to increase the minimum wage, establish parental leave and expand technical education. He's also the ranking member and the top Democrat on the Subcommittee on Health Care, Benefits, and Administrative Rules for the Oversight Committee, where he said he is working to prevent the appeal of the Affordable Care Act. He said, "without a meaningful replacement, it would strip 20 million people of their health care. It would be an economic catastrophe for our country." Other major issues he touched on during the town hall: Medicaid block grants: "I'm totally opposed to it, and it's a crazy idea," Krishnamoorthi said. Advertisement Education Secretary Betsy DeVos: "I don't know if she will give your school more funding, but she may allow guns at your school in case of grizzly bear attacks," he said. "I'm a product of public schools. They are resource-challenged, and when you take those dollars away from public schools and send them to private schools, you're further starving the system," he said of his opposition to vouchers. Global warming: "China is eating our lunch with regard to renewable energy," said Krishnamoorthi, who sold solar technology in his business. Career education: "A K-12 education is no longer enough. It needs to be K-12-plus," he said. Private employers are coming together with community colleges, high schools, students and families, he said, to have students graduate not only with a degree or certification but also with an offer letter for a new job. Attacks on the credibility of major news media outlets: He called it "wrong" and "a serious breach of protocol that we have to advocate against." He said he was encouraged by the few "brave" people speaking out from inside the administration. The Russians: "The issue goes beyond politics. I feel that certain members are compromised, especially if there were talks with Russians and a quid pro quo. That theory is not completely crazy," Krishnamoorthi said. "It's time the House oversight committee do its job. I want all of you to write a letter to (U.S. Rep.) Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah, chairman of the House oversight committee). It has to be from your heart. He needs to hear from you." Affordable Care Act: "A lot of you in this room are leaders in your community, organizations, corporate sector. Ask your leadership to take a stand," he said. "When corporations take a stand on important issues, it provides cover for a lot of people on the other side of the aisle. If they take a stand, it would help." Advertisement Minimum wage: He called the hourly wage "abominably low" and said he wants to see it gradually raised to $15 an hour. Repeal of the Johnson amendment, which prohibits tax-exempt organizations, such as churches, from engaging in political activity, including making endorsements: He is against its repeal and said, "I am evangelical American. I preach the value of America. It doesn't matter the color of your skin, how you pray, who you love, how you dress or how many letters are in your name there are 18 in mine." Jennifer Tani, assistant vice president of community engagement at Roosevelt University, said she was pleased with the results of the town hall. "I thought it went really well. It was a really engaged and exciting audience," said Tani, who offered the venue to the congressman during his swearing-in ceremony. "We like to see that type of exchange of ideas at Roosevelt University." Elizabeth Owens-Schiele is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News. A West Dundee trustee who has decided not to seek re-election will have his name taken off the ballot after all. Carol Grom, a member of the Rutland-Dundee Township Committee of the Elgin Area League of Women Voters, said Thursday incumbent Billy Pflanz had withdrawn from the race. Advertisement Initially, it was thought the deadline had passed to have Pflanz's name taken off the ballot. However, West Dundee was told by Kane County Elections Office officials they will remove his name from the ballot. Four people were vying for three open trustee seats. But because the race is now uncontested, the candidate's forum scheduled for March 2 is canceled. Advertisement Those running for the trustee seats include incumbents Dan Wilbrandt and Patrick Hanley, and newcomer Cheryl Anderley. Village officials said they will notifying the community about both Pflanz's withdrawal and the cancellation of the forum. justoneman said: I'm a conservative and I am now officially disappointed in the Republican legislators. The time to act on major legislation is now. Repeal and replace of Obamacare should already be moving through the process. I am sick and tired of Neocons. did they not get the message sent in the last election? Click to expand... When you change it from "Repeal", which is possible, but creates a terrible mess, to "Repeal and Replace" it becomes even more difficult, and when you make it "Repeal and Replace with something better" it becomes nearly impossible.Because ObamaCare is the conservative Republican version of health care.The one that preserves the market, and is pro business.The "Better" versions, Single Payer and National Health Service, are the Liberal Democratic goals.Think about it, it's been 8 years, there is no Republican Health Plan, there are proposals, but all of the proposals suck. They cost more, they insure less, if they get enacted millions of Trump voters will lose their insurance.See the problem."Repeal ObamaCare" is like "outlaw abortion", it sounds good to the moron fringe, but no rational politician wants to actually do it.It's what you shout when you expect to be in the minority, it gets people excited but you'll never be called on to actually deliver it.It's a wedge issue, it gets you more votes than it costs you.Actually doing it though, will cost you more votes than you get, because it will result in a disaster that will mobilize the opposition, and sweep you from power, and that puts the real goal, further enriching the already wealthy at the expense of the middle class, in jeopardy. James Walter Myrick, 28, of Albany, was sentenced to 100 days in jail (20 days per charge, consecutive sentences) and three years probation after he pleaded guilty to five of seven counts in a sex abuse case that involved two West Albany High School girls. Myrick, who was a teacher at the school, was arrested in July of last year after a six-month investigation into reports he was trying to convince 17-year-old girls to have sex with him. Later investigations revealed he in fact had relations with two underage girls. He pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree sexual abuse, third-degree attempted sexual abuse, and two counts of first-degree official misconduct, meaning he'd used his status as a teacher to take advantage of the girls. At his sentencing, Myrick's attorney, Jason Short, told Judge Daniel Delsman that Myrick, who served an 18-month deployment in Afghanistan with the 173rd Airborne Brigade, is a disabled combat veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder, and that he also received physical combat wounds. Short told the court that Myrick's veteran status is "not an excuse by any means" for his behavior. "It just gives context for the struggles that he has," Short said. Short also read two letters from community members who offered support for Myrick and declared that Myrick would be "living with the collateral consequences for the rest of his life." Myrick also spoke, offering an apology to the victims and taking full responsibility for his actions. "I have no intention of wasting your time with excuses," he said. Myrick described his combat experience, explaining how he had to watch people close to him die, and that he engaged enemies in close quarter small arms action. "The war had a profound impact on my life," he said, adding later that he is a "good man who made a great mistake." "I humbly accept the sentence your honor hands down," said Myrick. County prosecutor Jonathon Crow asked the court to put Myrick's combat experience in context with "what he did to the students." He also said the District Attorney's office does not have any evidence that shows Myrick is telling the truth about his combat experiences. "And this was not just a mistake, like a DUII or something," said Crow, who described a 360-page report that shows a pattern of behavior that involved trading good grades for favors. Judge Delsman, before rendering his sentence, said the criminal charges represent an ongoing pattern of abuse. "The damage is pretty difficult to measure," he said. Myrick was also ordered to register as a sex offender, is prohibited from maintaining any social media accounts, and must pay each victim $1,000 in reparations. June 1, 1927 Feb. 20, 2017 Longtime Corvallis resident Robert Bob Frenkel, 89, died in Portland on Feb. 20, 2017. Bob is survived by his wife, Elizabeth Liz (Mills) Frenkel; son Stephen Frenkel and wife Judy Walton; and daughter Ann Frenkel and husband Gwido Zlatkes. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Pachner. Bob was born in New York City in 1927 to Leo and Helen (Wolff) Frenkel. He discovered his lifelong love for the natural world in Central Park his backyard. He attended Kenyon College in the late 1940s. At Kenyon he survived a jump from a burning dormitory but broke so many bones he was told hed never walk again. Undaunted, Bob recovered within a year and graduated. He went on to obtain a masters in metallurgy from UC Berkeley, where he hiked and climbed at every opportunity throughout the Sierras and Cascades. After working as a metallurgist at Stanford Research Institute (SRI), Bob returned to UC Berkeley in 1959 to follow a career path more closely aligned with his interest in the outdoors. He received a PhD in geography, specializing in ruderal vegetation along California roadsides. While at SRI Bob met and married Liz, who became a strong partner in his passions for mountains, hiking, environmental activism, international travel, good food and wine, music (particularly chamber music and the Oregon Bach Festival) and family. Bob and Liz moved to Corvallis in 1965 where Bob joined the geography faculty at Oregon State. His specialty areas were biogeography and plant ecology, particularly in salt marshes. After retiring in the 1990s, he continued to conduct research as an emeritus professor. Among Bobs more notable achievements were his seminal work on salt marsh restoration at Oregons Cascade Head and his fight to protect the Jackson-Frazier Wetland north of Corvallis in Benton County. The county honored Bob by dedicating the wetlands boardwalk which Bob planned, raised money for and even helped build as the Bob Frenkel Boardwalk in 2005. Bob had a long history of environmental activism, particularly with the Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy. His Sierra Club involvement began with the Mills Tower Conservation Committee, and included building and maintaining ski huts in the Sierra Nevada, becoming an active member of the Pacific Northwest Chapter, and serving as the first Chair of the Marys Peak Group and later as Oregon Chapter Chair. In 1982 Bob received the Oak Leaf Award from The Nature Conservancy for his outstanding service for land conservation in Oregon, and in 1997 he received the George B. Fell Award for exceptional accomplishments from the Natural Areas Association. Bob loved to share stories and slideshows of his adventures, from climbing Mt. Orizaba in Mexico, to a six-month bicycle trip through Europe in the early 1950s, to hikes, backpacks, ski tours, and international trips with his family. Though Bobs memory was cruelly robbed by Alzheimer's, these memories live on. A memorial celebration in Corvallis is being planned for late spring. Pueblo state Senate candidates dispute claims made in 'dark money' ads Incumbent Nick Hinrichsen and GOP challenger Stephen Varela have denied claims made by outside groups spending big money on competitive races Chinese director Ying Da [File photo] Chinese director Ying Da has pleaded guilty to currency violations in Connecticut, U.S., and could face up to 10-year imprisonment and a maximum penalty of USD 500,000. According to court documents, Ying structured 50 cash deposits into his and his wife's six accounts at four banks in Connecticut between April 2011 and March 2012. The cash, amounting to USD 464,400, was split to make each deposit less than USD 10,000.01, as Ying knew banks are required by federal law to report currency transactions of more than USD 10,000. Officials said his structuring activity was intended to evade the transaction reporting requirements. Even though the deposited money was legitimately earned, Ying's financial transactions still violated the US federal criminal law, Attorney Deirdre M. Daly said in a press statement. Ying was released pending sentencing. As part of the resolution, he agreed to forfeit USD 175,938 of the funds he structured in Connecticut, and pay the Internal Revenue Service USD 113,195 in unpaid federal taxes, plus penalties and interest for 2009, 2010 and 2011. You are here: Home A promotion event for Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei industrial coordination development was held in Beijing on Feb. 21, with orders worth US$4.5 billion in total signed by 30 industrial parks from Tianjin and Hebei and more than 200 enterprises from Beijing. Beijing Software and Information Services Exchange Co., Ltd signed a contract worth US$ 290 million with Handan government to build a smart city. Hu Caiyong, president of Beijing Software and Information Services Exchange, said that the industrial coordination is meant to develop the whole Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region instead of moving low-end capacitie out of Beijing. We will bring our advanced technologies and services to the less developed region, and send talents from Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Handan, said by Hu. Designed by Beijing and Handan, the smart traffic system is aimed at addressing the traffic issue in cities. If this smart city program is successful in Handan, it will be applied to Beijing. More State-owned enterprises will join industrial coordination in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. The China Electronics North Industry Base was built by a State-owned enterprise China Electronics System Technology Co., Ltd. The area was a bleak land in Handan in 2016, and it will become a new landmark in Handan in 2017, said Liu Jie, the investment manager of China Electronics North Industry Base. The base is focused on business of new energy, intelligent manufacturing, intelligent medical service, electronics information, energy conservation and environmental protection. The project will bring in technology enterprises from Europe to upgrade the hi-tech industry in Hebei Province. With huge advantages in funding, technology and talent, more State-owned enterprises will leave Beijing for Tianjin and Hebei. The coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region is not just designed to move enterprises out of Beijing, but also to create opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises. Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi announced on Feb. 20 that it would expand into Pakistan. [File photo] Chinese smartphone maker Xiaomi announced on Feb. 20 that it would expand into Pakistan, the sixth most populated market in the world. This is just one month after its international "face" Hugo Barra left. Emerging markets like Southeast Asia, India, Africa and Brazil and the more lucrative markets in the Western hemisphere are the apple of the eye of Chinese smartphone makers, who have seen the growth of the domestic market shrinking over recent years. "In general, the smartphone market will be relatively steady in 2017," said Wang Yanjun (alias Laoyao), a tech industry commentator. "The business landscape is almost settled down in the mainland market, but the competition has just begun for Chinese brands in overseas markets." Xiaomi's international adventure Xiaomi, one of China's largest smartphone manufacturers, has attempted entry into India, Indonesia, Brazil and the United States in recent years, but the road to these markets has been a bumpy one. It encountered lawsuits from "patent troll" companies in the U.S. in late 2015, and decided in mid 2016 to cease its manufacturing activity in Brazil because of the stringent taxation there. It was banned for a while in India due to patent issues in 2014, but managed to resolve the issues and is now among the top three smartphone brands in the world's second most populated country. Xiaomi's domestic shipment declined by 36 percent in 2016, trailing behind Huawei, OPPO and VIVO, according to IDC, a market data provider. But its sales in India topped 1 billion dollars last year, and its shipment more than doubled to 6.5 million. Now the phone maker is eyeing Pakistan, a country with 180 million people and only 40 million smartphones. Pakistan is in the midst of replacing regular phones with smartphones, with a sales ratio of about 6:4. The smartphone shipment in Pakistan was 13 million in 2016, according to IDC. Chinese phone makers see plenty of room in the market, which higher-end companies like Apple and Samsung have had difficulties to tapping into. Xiaomi chose to work with Pakistan's Smart Link Technologies, the first time it chose to work with a distribution partner to enter a new market. But some insiders have expressed doubts, saying that similar to many developing countries, people in Pakistan prefer brick-and-mortar stores over online stores, through which Xiaomi made its initial success in China and India. Competition in overseas markets Xiaomi is not the only Chinese smartphone maker that has set its sights on foreign markets. In 2016, the shipment of China's top five smartphone makers reached 465 million, accounting for one third of the world's total. Huawei, OPPO and VIVO were ranked third to fifth, respectively, in the global market, with much higher growth rates than Samsung and Apple. The competition between OPPO and Huawei will largely be decided by their performances in overseas markets, Wang Yanjun asserted. OPPO's business has spread to the South Asian countries of Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, and African countries like Morocco and Egypt in recent months, expanding its foothold from 22 countries in 2016 to 27 countries now. Wu Qiang, the company's VP, previously told reporters it would focus on India and Southeast Asia instead of eyeing the entire global market. Huawei, on the other hand, has made breakthroughs in European markets. Its smartphones account for more than 15 percent and 10 percent of the market share in Northeast Europe and West Europe, respectively. Currently, Huawei has more than 15 percent of the market share in 33 countries and regions, and 20 percent market in 18 countries and regions, half of which are European countries. With its signature products such as P9 and Mate 9, the brand has narrowed down the gap with Apple and Samsung. Other smartphone manufacturers are also broadening their reach. Gionee, which grew by 21 percent last year, is aimed at India and African countries, especially Nigeria. ZTE has overtaken Apple to become the second largest smartphone maker in Russia. In addition, some Chinese phone makers are aiming at overseas markets only. Shenzhen-based Transsion, which has been in African market for more than ten years, is reportedly one of the top three phone makers in Africa with its star product Tecno phone. "The next ten years will be the golden decade for Chinese brands to go to the overseas market. It remains to be seen whether there will be any (Chinese-made) phone makers that emerge as internationally recognized," said Wang. You are here: Home The appointments of new heads for three posts that are key to China's economy were announced on Friday. China's top legislature appointed He Lifeng, 62, as the new head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic regulatory body, on Friday. He replaced Xu Shaoshi, 65, who is due to retire. The commission is one of the most powerful decision-making bodies, responsible for drafting development plans and supervising pricing and key industries. He has been vice-minister of the commission since 2014 and was in charge of regional economic development. Before joining the NDRC, He was deputy Party secretary of Tianjin municipality from 2009 to 2012. One of his focuses was development of the Binhai New Area, the first national innovative zone approved by the State Council. He holds a PhD in economics from Xiamen University in Fujian province. Meanwhile , Zhong Shan has been appointed as the new commerce minister. Zhong, 61, former China international trade representative and vice-minister of commerce, will replace 66-year-old Gao Hucheng. Before serving in the ministry, Zhong was vice-governor of Zhejiang province and head of a number of State-owned trading companies. Unlike his predecessor, who has a strong background in finance, Zhong has rich experience in making trade and investment policies, according to the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing think tank. Li Gang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said, "As China faces a complex global political and economic situation ... Zhong's main job will be to ensure that China will continue to promote a multilateral global trade system." The Party also announced that Shandong Governor Guo Shuqing has resigned from his position to become head of the China Banking Regulatory Commission. He replaces Shang Fulin, who has been CBRC chairman since October 2011. Flash Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation is signed at the launching ceremony of the China-Denmark Tourism Year on Feb. 24. [Photo provided to China.org.cn] The China-Denmark Tourism Year was launched in a grand fashion in Beijing on Friday as the two countries will try to market themselves as tourist destinations to each other's population throughout 2017. The year-round engagement will feature more high-level mutual visits as well as various activities like concerts, exhibitions and workshops that introduce each other's culture to people of a distant land. In a congratulatory letter to the launching event, Chinese President Xi Jinping hoped that the two countries will make good use of the opportunity provided by the Year of Tourism to strengthen friendship, deepen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and bring vigor and vitality to China-Denmark comprehensive strategic partnership. Speaking of the time-honored bilateral relationship, Brian Mikkelsen, Denmark's Minister for Industry, Business and Financial Affairs said that "the country is honored to become the first EU member state to celebrate the Year of Tourism with China," and hoped that the engagement can get people to experience each other's culture, lifestyle, scenery and cuisine. Denmark took the top spot on the United Nation's World Happiness Report in 2013, 2014 and 2016 and came in third in the 2015 happiness measurement. It has become more of a desirable destination for China's outbound tourists. The amount of Chinese bed nights in Denmark tripled from 2008 to 2014, and in 2016, Chinese stayed 218,000 nights in Denmark, according to Flemming Brunh, director at the national Danish tourism organization, VisitDenmark. The event also witnessed the signing of the MOU regarding tourism cooperation as well as several commercial projects. According to a blue paper on tourism economy issued by China Tourism Academy, Chinese people are expected to make 127 million outbound trips this year. Apart from Denmark, China is also celebrating tourism year with Australia, Kazakhstan, ASEAN countries and Switzerland. Flash A host of major U.S. news outlets were barred from participating in a White House press gaggle Friday, underscoring the escalating tension between U.S. President Donald Trump and the media. Cable News Network, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Politico were excluded from a off-camera press gaggle, an informal press briefing, given by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Other press that were blocked included British Broadcasting Company, Buzzfeed, the Hill, the Huffington Post, Daily Mail, New York Daily News and most of the foreign press, according to a report from Axios. The White House press office said in an email that "the pool was there, so various media mediums were represented." The White House Correspondent's Associated lashed at the decision, saying in a statement that it is "protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House." The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted the gaggle in response to the incident. The move was considered very rare and many senior White House correspondents don't recall something similar has had happened before. Earlier in the day, Trump chastised U.S. mainstream media for inaccurately reporting on his administration, saying during a speech at the Conservative Policial Action Convention. "Many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda and it's not your agenda and it's not the country's agenda, it's their own agenda...as you saw throughout the entire campaign, and even now, the fake news doesn't tell the truth," he said. Trump has previously named five U.S. media outlets, including CNN and New York Times, as "enemy of the American people." The bumpy relationship between Trump and the media sank to a new low this week after several news media reported that the White House had asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to knock down reports about communications between the Trump campaign and Russia during the election. Spicer told members of the press in a early morning briefing Friday that the reports were "indefensible and inaccurate." Flash The Syrian forces have become 10 kilometers away from the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria, as part of an operation to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group, a monitor group reported Friday. Intense battles are raging between the Syrian army and IS militants in the western countryside of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of the central province of Homs, and the Syrian army and allied fighters are fighting to make more progress toward the city, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The UK-based monitor group said the Syrian army's battles to recapture that historic city have been raging for 42 days. It added that the military forces are 10 kilometers from the al-Maqasem areas west of Palmyra in tandem with an attack the military forces unleashed in the surrounding mountains. Hundreds of airstrikes and hundreds of artillery shelling targeted the IS positions, said the Observatory, adding that the IS terrorists also carried out several bombings against the Syrian forces. Tens of causalities were reported on both sides. The IS recaptured Palmyra last December after bringing in reinforcements. It also retook the gas and oil fields around. The Syrian forces have so far succeeded in capturing the key Hayan gas field, the largest gas production facility in Syria. They are advancing toward the Jazel oil field, reaching the outskirts of it. In its second attempt to invade the city, the IS blew up the facade of the historical amphitheater as well as other relics and monuments in Palmyra, in addition to other key temples destroyed in their first invasion. Syrian Culture Minister Muhammad Ahmad recently said the bombing of the historical heritage in the ancient oasis city of Palmyra by the IS group is a "war crime." "These monuments are not only the property of Syria, but the whole world," Ahmad said, urging the international community to shoulder its responsibility in protecting Syria's world heritages. Flash U.S. President Donald Trump said he would settle for a widely-discouraged one-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict but also could support the long-favored two-state solution, whichever both sides like. However, his new UN envoy Nikki Haley said the United States unequivocally supports a two-state solution. Is this signaling a rift between the envoy and the White House or the beginning of a major change in U.S. foreign policy? On Thursday, Trump said in an interview with the Reuters news agency, "I like the two-state solution." "People have been talking about it for so many years now," he said, but added, "It so far hasn't worked." Then, he said, "I am satisfied with whatever both parties agree with." The two-state solution calls for two states of Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace. "I'm looking at two-state and one-state, and I like the one that both parties like," Trump told reporters during a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Feb. 15. "I thought for a while the two-state looked like it may be the easier of the two," the president said, adding that he would accept "the one they like the best." However, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said there is "no alternative" to the two-state solution, which is widely backed by the international community. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Haley on Feb. 16 told reporters at UN Headquarters that "We absolutely support a two-state solution." But, she added, "We are thinking out of the box as well, which is, what does it take to bring these two sides to the table? What do we need to have them agree on?" Haley was governor of the U.S. state of South Carolina for six years with no foreign relations experience other than leading state economic delegations abroad before taking up her new post. In an unusual move, Trump named Haley as UN envoy before Texas businessman Rex Tillerson was sworn in as U.S. Secretary of State Feb. 1. Both are cabinet members. When Haley arrived here on Jan. 27 to present her credentials to Guterres, the new diplomat sounded more like a new sheriff in town. She said part of her mission would be to take a look at the world organization, see where she can change old in effective ways, make it leaner and look out for the United States. Observers at the UN, watching to see her signal any major turn-around in Trump's foreign policy from previous U.S. policy, have been disappointed so far, a reason for parsing every word she says as well as what Trump says. Russian President Vladimir Putin was praised by Trump during his campaign, but any hopes the Russian leader may have had for improved relations between Moscow and Washington were dashed early. Haley told members of the UN Security Council that Washington was not about to seek to lift sanctions on Russia for its action in Ukraine, particularly for taking Crimea back. The Washington envoy emerged from her first Security Council Middle East briefing telling reporters, "It's the first meeting like that that I've attended, and I have to say it was a bit strange. The Security Council is supposed to discuss how to maintain international peace and security." "At our meeting on the Middle East, the discussion was not about Hezbollah's illegal build-up of rockets in Lebanon," Haley said. "It was not about the money and weapons Iran provides to terrorists. It was not about how we defeat ISIS (Islamic State). It was not about how we hold (Syrian President) Bashar al-Assad accountable for the slaughter of hundreds and thousands of civilians." "No. Instead, the meeting focused on criticizing Israel, the one true democracy in the Middle East," she said. "I am new around here, but I understand that's how the Council has operated, month after month, for decades." Actually, the monthly briefings have occurred for only the last several years and have traditionally been focused on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. "I'm here to say the United States will not turn a blind eye to this anymore," she said. "I am here to underscore the ironclad support of the United States for Israel. I'm here to emphasize the United States is determined to stand up to the UN's anti-Israel bias." The world organization has a lot more Arab and Muslim state members than Israel supporters, allowing for many bashings of the Jewish state. "But outside of the UN, there is some good news," Haley said. "Israel's place in the world is changing. Israel is building up new diplomatic relationships. More and more countries recognize how much Israel contributes to the world. They are recognizing that Israel is a beacon of stability in a troubled region, and that Israel is at the forefront of innovation, entrepreneurship, and technological discovery." "The United States does not currently recognize a Palestinian state or support the signal this appointment would send within the United Nations," she said. "Going forward the United States will act, not just talk, in support of our allies," concluded the new Washington envoy. Flash People transfer an injured man in a suicide bombing near Syria's northern city of al-Bab to a hospital in Kilis, Turkey, on Feb. 24, 2017. (Xinhua) At least 73 people, mostly rebels, were killed on Friday when the Islamic State (IS) group carried out a suicide car bombing against a group of Turkish-backed rebels in Syria's al-Bab near the Turkish borders, activists said. The IS bombing targeted a security compound of the rebels in the town of Susian behind the defense lines of the Turkey-backed rebels, some eight kilometers northwest of al-Bab, which was the largest IS-held city near the Turkish borders. The bombing came as a retaliation against the Ankara-backed militants, who succeeded, along with the Turkish forces, to dislodge IS from al-Bab on Thursday. The withdrawal of the IS from al-Bab came after 100 days of battles against the Turkish forces and allied Syrian rebels fighting in an operation called the Euphrates Shield. The IS claimed it had killed 400 Turkish soldiers and rebel fighters. For the Turks, capturing the northern part of the city cut the way in the face of the growing Kurdish influence in northern Syria, a red line drawn by Turkey. The Syrian army succeeded recently to besiege al-Bab from its southern edge, a move to prevent IS fighters to withdraw toward other stronghold in the eastern province of Deir al-Zour, or the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of the terror-designated group. Observers said the attacks on al-Bab were coordinated between the Russians and the Turks. Meanwhile, Turkish officials announced the liberation of al-Bab, expressing readiness to move toward the northern city of al-Raqqa, the de facto capital of IS in Syria. The Turkish army also issued a statement on Friday, saying that al-Bab has been fully seized from terrorist control by Turkish forces and the Syrian rebels fighting under the campaign of the Euphrates Shield. "As of February 24, 2017, full control has been established over all districts of Al-Bab," the military statement said, adding that "Work is still ongoing to clear the area of mines, IEDs and unexploded ordnances." The announcement came hours after the deadly blast in the city. The Syrian government has yet to comment on the Turkish forces' capture of al-Bab, but previously accused Ankara of encroaching upon the Syrian sovereignty. Recently, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed that the Turkish forces would continue their advance to Islamic State's Syrian capital, Raqqa, once they seize al-Bab. "The ultimate goal is to cleanse a 5,000-square-kilometer area," Erdogan said. According to Turkish estimates, the Turkish army now controls 1,925 square kilometers of territories in northern Syria. You are here: Home Flash At least two pupils have confirmed dead and two others sustained injuries in a mortar mine attack on a school in the eastern Laghman province on Saturday. The mortar mine was fired by anti-government militants, spokesman for the provincial government Sarhadi Zawak told reporters. It hit the school outside provincial capital Mehtarlam, killing two innocent students on the spot and injuring two others including a student and a teacher, he said. The gruesome incident occurred at around 11:00 a.m. local time and those injured have been taken to hospital for medical treatment, the official added without giving more details. Taliban militants who are active in parts of the Laghman province have yet to claim responsibility. Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong province, was appointed as chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission on Feb 24, 2017. [Photo/China Daily] Experts see reforms veteran aiding regulatory coordination The appointment of Guo Shuqing, governor of Shandong province, as chairman of the China Banking Regulatory Commission on Friday, will benefit the financial services sector in terms of reform, risk control and coordination with regulators of related industries, said researchers and economists. Guo, 60, replaces the retiring Shang Fulin, 65, who has been CBRC chairman since October 2011. Born in August 1956, Guo gathered rich experience in economic and financial sectors before his appointment as Shandong governor. He helped design the country's economic reform system in the 1980s and 1990s. He was later named vice-president of the People's Bank of China, the central bank, and administrator of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in 2001. He went on to become chairman of China Construction Bank Corp in 2005 and chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 2011. Wu Qing, a banking research fellow with the Development Research Center of the State Council, who received academic guidance from Guo, said as a high-ranking official and a long-term expert on Chinese economic reform and financial regulation, Guo had shown strong administrative skills, which would now strengthen the financial sector. "China still has a long way to go in terms of financial reform, which requires a leader such as Guo, who has courage and insight to take tough decisions based on his knowledge and experience. I believe he is a man with lofty goals who can get the job done," Wu said. Zhou Jingtong, a senior economist with the Institute of International Finance at Bank of China Ltd, said: "Guo's experience as a banker, a provincial governor and head of China's top securities regulator, combined with his deep understanding of macroeconomics, will help him fight against major financial risks, many of which are associated with banks and local governments." Guo's appointment has raised positive market expectations, said Qu Tianshi, an economist at ANZ Group. "His experience at the central bank and the China Securities Regulatory Commission enabled him to strengthen communication with other financial regulators. It will further help improve regulatory coordination among the central bank and the other three financial regulators," Qu said. Yang Tao, assistant director of the Institute of Finance and Banking under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the post of CBRC chairman requires the incumbent to enhance financial regulatory coordination, as financial risks often surface in areas not clearly marked to be under the purview of any sectoral regulator. Li Xiang contributed to the story. Yao Zhenhua, former chairman of Foresea Life Insurance Co. [Photo/China Daily] Illegal action results in heavy penalties, severe ban on chairman China's insurance regulator on Friday imposed heavy penalties on Foresea Life Insurance Co and several executives including its chairman Yao Zhenhua for illegal investment. The move came after Xiang Junbo, chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission, pledged to punish speculative and illegal activities by the insurers as the regulator seeks to prevent the buildup of systemic risk in the industry. Yao, the business tycoon and owner of private conglomerate Baoneng Group, was barred from the insurance industry for 10 years by the regulator. The CIRC also stripped Yao of his title as the chairman of Foresea Life, a subsidiary of Baoneng. In addition, the regulator imposed a combined fine of 1.36 million yuan ($198,000) on Foresea Life and six of its executives. The regulator said in a statement that Foresea Life had provided fake documents and broke the rules capping the maximum investment in equities including publicly traded stocks at 30 percent of insurers' total assets. The CIRC said in a statement: "The regulator will closely monitor the company's operation and urge it to adopt effective measures to keep its operation intact." On Friday, Yao pleaded for lighter punishment and argued that he was not directly responsible for the malpractice at Foresea Life. Yao gained prominence and drew the regulator's attention for a string of high-profile and hostile investments for the stakes in listed companies, including property developer China Vanke Co Ltd. Zhu Junsheng, an insurance researcher at the Development Research Center of the State Council, said that the punishment by the CIRC reflected the regulator's determination to clean up illegal practices and to prevent the accumulation of risks in the market. He said: "The rapid growth of the insurers and their aggressive investments have exposed serious risks in the system. It is reasonable for the regulator to take such actions and to contain risks." Wang Wei (right), chairman and founder of SF Holding, rings the bell at the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, at the delivery giant's listing ceremony on Friday in Guangdong province. [Photo by Yu Ge/For China Daily] China's courier industry is expected to enter a new stage in its development with the listing of SF Express, China's largest courier, according to analysts. On Friday, Maanshan Dingtai Rare Earth & New Materials Co was officially renamed as SF Holding Co Ltd, marking the delivery giant's successful backdoor listing on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Its stock rallied by the 10 percent limit to 55.21 yuan ($8), taking its total value to 230 billion yuan, the most valuable company on the exchange and driving up the stock of other courier companies. Founded in 1993, SF Holding's service covers more than 200 countries and regions with 34 airplanes and about 15,000 vehicles. The listing also makes its chairman and founder, Wang Wei, worth more than 140 billion yuan, the richest man in the private delivery industry. The entrepreneur said the biggest aim of SF Express' listing was to raise more funds in order to improve its service for more clients. SF Holding has raised approximately 8 billion yuan though the listing and plans to invest it in aviation materials and other transport equipment, information platforms and logistic technology. On Wednesday, the company announced that the net profit attributable to its shareholders was 4.18 billion yuan in 2016, more than the total of other three industry leadersSTO Express, Yunda Express and YTO Express, who were all listed last year. Wang Guowen, director of the center for logistics and supply chain management at the Shenzhen-based think tank China Development Institute, said the listing can promote healthy competition. He said: "The listing of SF Holding, in particular, puts more pressure on other courier companies and the possibility of acquisition and reorganization increases." Although in China the courier industry generated a revenue of 400 billion yuan last year, the gross profit rate has declined from 30 percent in 2007 to five to 10 percent currently, according to a report by China International Capital Corp Ltd. The industry faces many difficulties in infrastructure, service quality, management and employee welfare, said Gao Hongfeng, head of the China Express Association. He believes the listing of SF Holding means the industry has entered a new development stage. Senior BRICS country diplomats voiced support on Friday for China's call for boosting free trade and opposing protectionism as emerging markets work together to inject power into economic growth. More than 100 diplomats, officials and bankers from BRICS countriesBrazil, Russia, India, China and South Africagathered on Thursday and Friday at the 2017 First BRICS Sherpa Meeting in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, to discuss preparations for this year's summit in Xiamen, Fujian province. State Councilor Yang Jiechi said at the opening ceremony that BRICS countries have to work together to maintain the openness of global economies. Ary Norton De Murat Quintella, director of the Department of Central and South Asia and Oceania at Brazil's Foreign Ministry, said there are trade problems that need to be addressed and the BRICS summit is a proper forum for the countries to discuss these issues. Brazil opposes all forms of protectionism, he said. Sergey A. Ryabkov, Russian deputy minister of foreign affairs, said that China, which holds the BRICS rotating presidency this year, is taking "the right approach" in working to "present BRICS as an association with a global reach". Russia advocates setting up an action plan "that would allow for better contacts between entrepreneurs without artificial obstacles, without attempts to divide the world's trade system", he said. Alok A. Dimri, joint secretary of multilateral economic relations at India's Ministry of External Affairs, said the BRICS members look forward to establishing their own mechanisms in areas such as finance, commerce, people-to-people exchanges and education. "Commodities, products, markets and consumersthey must remain connected. If this connection is broken at any point, there will be reactions to it. So protectionism is a challenge to open global trade and open global order," he said. Anil Sooklal, director-general for Asia and the Middle East at South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, predicted that BRICS countries' economic growth this year would exceed 5 percent. "Given the very poor economic environment we have, this is a positive messagethe BRICS countries are an engine for growth," he said. By Fan Feifei in Beijing and Xie Chuanjiao in Qingdao | China Daily | Updated: 2017-02-25 09:33 The stand of Hisense mobile phone at an industry expo in Shanghai. [Photo by Shen Jingwei/For China Daily] Chinese home appliance manufacturer Hisense Group launched its first dual-screen smartphone A2, aimed at young consumers and e-book enthusiasts. The smartphone has a 5.5-inch AMOLED display on the front and a 5.2-inch Kindle-like electronic paper display on the back, on which users can read and browse news. Priced 2,999 yuan ($436), the smartphone is equipped with some reading apps that provide a large number of e-books and learning material for book-lovers and students for free. "We expect an over 60 percent growth in overall sales this year, and the sales of medium- and high-end smartphones will take up 81 percent of sales of all types of our smartphones," said Fang Xueyu, general manager of Hisense's communication unit. Fang said Hisense hopes to maintain its dominant position in the dual-screen smartphone sector, targeting third- and fourth-tier cities, with a focus on Chengdu, Guangzhou and Hefei, as well as Shandong province. "We will increase expenditure on advertising and marketing in 2017. Advertising spend will increase more than 100 percent." Hisense's dual-display smartphone. [Photo/hisense.com] Sales of Hisense smartphones in overseas markets have shown strong momentum. Some 30 percent of its orders come from overseas. As a product, the dual-screen smartphone is not a novelty. In November 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin presented YotaPhone 2, a dual-screen smartphone made by Yota Devices, a Russian startup, to President Xi Jinping as a state gift. Six months later, the company introduced the device into the Chinese market by cooperating with local distribution channels. Jin Di, research manager of IDC China, said Hisense is now hoping to attract consumers who like reading e-books. Roger Sheng, research director at consultancy Gartner Inc, said: "It is a good try for Hisense to launch a dual-screen device as it is very eye-catching, which could enhance the brand awareness. However, there is a niche market for this kind of smartphone and shipments are not high." President says 'harmonious' capital must tend to people's pressing needs Beijing should improve city planning and construction to build a "harmonious, world-class capital city" and better meet the demands of its residents, said President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, on Friday. The city should take comprehensive measures to tackle problems that people care about most, such as air pollution, traffic jams, surging housing prices and too large a population, he said at a meeting after a two-day inspection. Beijing should improve people's livelihoods and provide better public services for the people, he said while presiding over a high-profile meeting in the Great Hall of the People to discuss how to improve Beijing's city management and preparation work for the 2022 Winter Olympics. "Whether its city planning and construction are good should be measured by how satisfied people are," he was quoted by China Central Television as saying. During the two-day inspection tour, Xi visited the construction site of Beijing's new airport in the southern suburban district of Daxing and major stadiums that are to host Winter Olympics events. He also visited Tongzhou district, the administrative sub-center of Beijing. At the airport construction site, Xi urged workers and managers to adopt the strictest standards to ensure building quality. Xi also stressed city planning and urged officials to study and devise effective policies to ensure Beijing's sustainable development. Beijing should stick to improving its core functions as the capital and move its non-capital functions out of the city to ease its population and environmental pressures, he said at the meeting. On Thursday, Xi listened to a report by municipal departments on the traffic integration of Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei province. The government put forward a national strategy in 2014 to promote coordinated development of the three regional economies so that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region will grow into a major growth engine for the national economy. Zhang Liqun, an economist of the State Council's Development Research Center, said, "The government now emphasizes development of city clusters, and megacities must help neighboring regions develop. "In the next stage, integration of traffic and water and power supply systems will pick up speed." The appointments of new heads for three posts that are key to China's economy were announced on Friday. China's top legislature appointed He Lifeng, 62, as the new head of the National Development and Reform Commission, the top economic regulatory body, on Friday. He replaced Xu Shaoshi, 65, who is due to retire. The commission is one of the most powerful decision-making bodies, responsible for drafting development plans and supervising pricing and key industries. He has been vice-minister of the commission since 2014 and was in charge of regional economic development. Before joining the NDRC, He was deputy Party secretary of Tianjin municipality from 2009 to 2012. One of his focuses was development of the Binhai New Area, the first national innovative zone approved by the State Council. Heholds a PhD in economics from Xiamen University in Fujian province. Meanwhile , Zhong Shan has been appointed as the new commerce minister. Zhong, 61, former China international trade representative and vice-minister of commerce, will replace 66-year-old Gao Hucheng. Before serving in the ministry, Zhong was vice-governor of Zhejiang province and head of a number of State-owned trading companies. Unlike his predecessor, who has a strong background in finance, Zhong has rich experience in making trade and investment policies, according to the Center for China and Globalization, a Beijing think tank. Li Gang, vice-president of the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said, "As China faces a complex global political and economic situation ... Zhong's main job will be to ensure that China will continue to promote a multilateral global trade system." The Party also announced that Shandong Governor Guo Shuqing has resigned from his position to become head of the China Banking Regulatory Commission. He replaces Shang Fulin, who has been CBRC chairman since October 2011. Contact the writers at wangyanfei@chinadaily.com.cn Professor Ren Xiaobing said he was pleased to have made the right choice in 2009, when he decided to return from Japan to join Xi'an Jiaotong University in Northwest China's Shaanxi province. In January, he and his scientific team were awarded the 2016 National Science and Technology Award. "Now is the best time for scientific research in China. China has a bigger stage, more opportunities and a much larger space for growth and development," he said. "Under such circumstances, we overseas returnees can make our mark on the world." Xinhua News Agency reported that more than 40,000 high-end professionals have been recruited under the "1,000 Talent Plan" that China adopted in 2008. The number of recruited professors or others with equivalent titles has jumped 20 times compared with the period from 1978 to 2008. This is the largest influx of returnees since 1949. Such an influx of talent has had a positive impact on development. So far, China has more than 300 entrepreneurial parks for students returned from overseas. More than 24,500 enterprises have been set up in the parks by over 67,000 overseas returnees. "China is now closer than ever to attaining its dream of national rejuvenation and China is now more eager than ever to attract more talented people," President Xi Jinping said on the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Western Returned Scholars Association in October 2013. Yue Wenhou, deputy secretary-general of the China Overseas-Educated Scholars Development Foundation, said this is a sincere invitation to talent around the world. Tang Yonggang, a senior official from the Organization Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the reasons for the influx of returnees are the great attention paid to the matter by the Party, national development, the advantage of Chinese socialism, and patriotism among overseas Chinese students. Wu Ning, who graduated from the Imperial College London in 2003, returned to Shanghai and founded a company that researches immune cell therapy. He said he felt very honored to connect his own dream with the country's dream. suzhou@chinadaily.com.cn Many traditional and social media outlets published articles on Feb 19 to highlight a speech delivered by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping for the media a year ago. And their consensus on the speech is a testimony to the universal value of what Xi said. In his speech for editors and reporters, Xi emphasized that the media must defend China's "territorial integrity" and urged the traditional media outlets to integrate with platforms based on smaller-screen technology. The media played an important role in China's revolution, economic development and reform, and State leaders have worked out a series of theories for media operations. Xi's speech is a development of those theories, and can be seen as the leadership's response to the new challenges facing the media. The media are defenders of China's right to have a greater say in world affairs and the messengers between government and society. During certain periods - in times of difficult reforms, for instance - these roles become even more important, because successful reforms entail effective communication between different social groups. Xi's speech has been widely lauded because it is pertinent to China's contemporary challenges. China today needs more powerful media outlets that match its global status. Although China's media industry is one of the largest in the world - in terms of market value - its media are still relatively weak as far as communicating with the outside world is concerned. For example, the Chinese media are found wanting when it comes to setting an agenda, compared with their Western counterparts. That's why Xi has said that editors and reporters must raise their awareness of the responsibility to defend national interests, and they should improve their ability to communicate China's stance to the international community and have the utmost confidence in China's economic and political path, culture and theories. Last year, the Chinese media handled very well such topics as the South China Sea disputes and the G20 Summit in Hangzhou, East China's Zhejiang province. Their role in spreading Xi's message at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January was also praiseworthy. Chinese people today feel the need to communicate their country's stances on different issues has never been so deeply related to their own interests. For instance, if the shared benefits of the Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road) are better communicated to the rest of the world, China and other countries along the route can cooperate better in a range of sectors such as infrastructure and industrial capacity. Climate change is another area where the media can play a greater role. If the Chinese media cannot help the world better understand the rationale behind China's stance on emission reduction, it will be very difficult for the country to win the world's support for its development rights. China also needs effective communication between the leadership and the people to promote constructive discussions on reforms. Given that there are about 740 million netizens in China, the media outlets have to make good use of information technology, or else they cannot influence public opinion. China launched its reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, when many public debates on key issues of reform were conducted by the traditional media in an orderly manner. But in this age of social media, public opinions are diverse. That's why the convergence of media outlets is important. What Xi actually expects the media to facilitate is social consensus on reform, unity in public opinion on the choices China makes, and a constructive public sphere to make these come true. Media have their role cut out. The author is a writer with China Daily. liyang@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 02/25/2017 page5) Italian President Sergio Mattarella and French Prime Minister Bernard Cazeneuve this week became the latest European leaders to beat a path to Beijing, carrying messages in support of globalization and against a protectionist revival favored by "certain populists". More are expected to follow this year when President Xi Jinping hosts a forum on the China-led Belt and Road Initiative (the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road). Although no guest list has been issued, there are reports that British Prime Minister Theresa May will be among those invited. And State Councilor Yang Jiechi told China Daily this month that leaders from about 20 economies in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America had confirmed they will attend the gathering in May. Xi announced the forum in his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos on Jan 17. Coming just days ahead of the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, his address was widely praised in Europe as a robust defense of globalization in the face of the potentially isolationist stance of the incoming US administration. Both China and Europe are worried about the economic blowback from a more protectionist US and the potential threat it would pose to future trade. These concerns have provided a focus for the latest contacts between Chinese and European officials. Europe, however, is not immune to the populist, anti-globalization trend. It was a factor in the United Kingdom's "Brexit" vote and will figure in a series of elections across the continent this year. This helps explain why mainstream European politicians are stressing the need for equal treatment and reciprocity in trade relations with China. "If we want to prevent the growth of protectionism in the international sphere, our great countries must be able to establish balanced trade relations," Cazeneuve told an audience in Beijing. "There is still a lot to be done." There was a similar message from Michael Clauss, Germany's ambassador to China, who last month told a Chinese newspaper: "Opposing protectionism begins at home. That is why Germany will stay open for Chinese investment, and why we ask for more reciprocity from the Chinese side." The prevailing rhetoric from Europe is that, while it welcomes large-scale Chinese investment, it would like to see greater access for European capital into the Chinese market. With anti-globalization populists snapping at the heels of mainstream politicians this year in France, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy, elected representatives have to persuade a sometimes skeptical public that ever closer trade ties with China truly represent a "win-win" opportunity for both sides. There will be inevitable tensions along the way. European officials have expressed unease over Beijing's growing bilateral ties with Eastern Europe, as it extends rail links through the Balkans. The European Commission was this week reported to be investigating the Chinese-backed Belgrade-to-Budapest high-speed rail link, a key element of the Belt and Road Initiative, to ensure its financing is in line with European Union laws. From China's perspective, one positive outcome of the Beijing forum in May would be to bring the Belt and Road concept to a wider European public and to present it as an opportunity. The initiative, at the moment, begs for more understanding and debate among European voters. A paper published by Singapore's S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies last March asked whether the EU had already missed the Belt and Road train. It cited different perspectives and viewpoints among European capitals and the lack of a common EU voice on China's plans. "The EU population is still not well aware of the OBOR (One Belt, One Road) initiative," according to the authors of the paper. They also criticized the European media for being too focused on Chinese mergers and acquisitions, rather than analyzing the benefits of a long-term relationship based on a better understanding of reciprocal values and interests. The paper also suggested China needed to update its public diplomacy on the Belt and Road Initiative to help build confidence among Europeans. The May forum should provide a platform for China's leaders to do just that. The writer is a senior media consultant for China Daily UK. editor@mail.chinadailyuk.com (China Daily 02/25/2017 page5) Lugu Lake in Ninglang county on the border of Sichuan and Yunnan. [Photo by Xu Xiaomin / China Daily] A region of incredulous beauty regardless of the time of the year, Yunnan province is one of the best places to seek reprieve from the bitter cold of winter To escape the cold and dreary weather in Shanghai during winter, there was no other destination in my mind other than Yunnan province. From peaceful lakes to fields of bright yellow rapeseed to snow-covered mountains and ancient towns, the contrasts make for breathtaking scenes of nature. Even in January, the coldest month in China, the region is constantly bathed in sunshine, something which was most welcomed following two and a half days of driving from Shanghai. During our journey to Yunnan - the trip took us through Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan and Guizhou provinces - all we ever saw was rain and fog. Here in Dali of Yunnan, the colors of the landscape rejuvenated the senses. The sky was a deep blue, the plants were so green it seemed as if winter never arrived, and the rooftops of residential buildings looked as if they were adorned with carpets made of red and yellow flowers. Dali's ancient town was one of our first stops and it proved to be an ideal place for a nice meal after a long journey. I even managed to get my hands on a good cup of coffee, which was very comforting especially after all the soft drinks I had drank in the service stations on the way to Yunnan. We spent the night at The One, an idyllic boutique hotel in the ancient town that offers a high quality buffet spread for breakfast and comfortable room with modern facilities. The next day, we headed to Erhai, a beautiful lake with sapphire blue water that is located some 2,000 meters above sea level. Measuring 256 square kilometers, the lake would take most people at least a day to cycle around. I soon discover that many people from Beijing and Shanghai have purchased villas alongside Erhai solely because of the beautiful lake and the fresh air. China has asked Myanmar to take effective measures to protect Chinese citizens and investors after a Chinese garment factory in Yangon was targeted on Thursday by strikers who damaged property, stole personal belongings and prevented some workers from leaving. Police have arrested five suspects who allegedly instigated the incident, the Chinese embassy said, adding that Chinese workers, who were inside the besieged factory, have been freed. Hundreds of striking workers from the factory, as well as others, attacked the factory on Thursday morning, damaging the plant, taking away Chinese staff's possessions and restricting their movement, Xinhua News Agency reported. Seven Chinese workers were trapped during the incident, according to reports. The Chinese embassy and police worked together to secure their release in the afternoon, the embassy said on Friday. The embassy also said it is negotiating with Myanmar and has requested that it take effective measures to restore factory operations, hold perpetrators to account and safeguard the legal rights of Chinese citizens and Chinese companies. The factory, owned by a company in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, had been operating for three years and has more than 500 local workers and 10 Chinese workers, according to reports. Photos posted online showed smashed windows and damaged furniture in the factory as well as striking workers wearing red headbands. The Chinese embassy said it lodged solemn representations to Myanmar's Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Home Affairs and leading Yangon officials on Thursday, requesting Myanmar act immediately to guarantee the Chinese workers' safety and ensure the protection of property. Myanmar promised to handle the incident in a proper manner as soon as possible. China is the largest investor in Myanmar. According to China's Economic and Commercial Counselor's Office in Myanmar, China's nonfinancial foreign investment in the Southeast Asian country in 2016 reached $308.6 million, up about 50 percent year-on-year. (Photo : IDEX 2017) Silent Hunter laser weapon on display at IDEX 2017 (left) and the damage it caused to 2 mm-thick steel plates. Advertisement A new Chinese laser weapon designed to shoot down aerial drone swarms made by Poly Technologies, a firm founded and owned by the People's Liberation Army (PLA), is drawing inordinate attention at the ongoing IDEX 2017 arms show in Dubai. The laser weapon is called "Silent Hunter," a fiber-optic laser air defense system also known as the "Low Altitude Laser Defending System" (LASS). The laser weapon on display at IDEX 2017 was designed to be mounted on a special truck, and is the first mobile version of Silent Hunter seen at IDEX. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Silent Hunter was first revealed at the African Aerospace and Defense Expo 2016. Poly Technologies, one of China's three leading arms exporters, said Silent Hunter can generate a standard output of 30 kilowatts and can fire its lasers out to 4,000 meters. It claims Silent Hunter was first deployed to protect delegates to the Hangzhou G20 Summit from Sept. 4-5, 2016. Silent Hunter is designed mainly to shoot down large numbers of low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Poly Technologies said the laser is powerful enough to pierce five layers of 2 mm-thick steel plates at a distance of 800 meters, or 5 mm-thick steel plate from 1,000 meters distant. Poly Technologies was unable to deploy the full-size truck mounted version of Silent Hunter due to size and weight limitations of the transport aircraft. A full model of the laser weapon is on display at IDEX 2017, instead. Poly Technologies said Silent Hunter is highly responsive; features a high interception rate and multi-target strike capability and can shift and aim at a new target within six seconds. In addition, the weapon is cost-effective with each shot costing less than $1. It inflicts minimal collateral damage and doesn't generate a lot of fragments after the laser beam strikes a UAV. Silent Hunter's power output can be varied to 5kW, 10kW, 20kW and 30kW. It can track and shoot down aerial targets with the diameter of less than 2 meters that fly at a speed of less than 60 meters per second. Silent Hunter has two versions: a truck-borne mobile version and a fixed version. Advertisement Tagschina, Laser Weapon, People's Liberation Army, IDEX 2017, Silent Hunter, "Low Altitude Laser Defending System, African Aerospace and Defense Expo 2016, Poly Technologies (Photo : AMTI) Woody Island in the South China Sea showing locations of illegal Chinese air defense weapons, including surface-to-air missiles. Advertisement The United States should stop making trouble in the South China Sea since the situation in this disputed body of water that might one day ignite a United States-China war has become "peaceful and stable," according to the People's Liberation Army (PLA). Speaking through its official spokesman, the PLA said countries outside of the South China Sea region -- an indirect reference to the U.S. -- to stop stirring threats of war and tension in the region. China said it is monitoring the carrier strike group of the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), which entered the South China Sea on Feb. 18. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement It is the first patrol of the South China Sea by a U.S. aircraft carrier since Donald Trump took office as U.S. president on Jan. 20. "We hope the U.S. can sincerely respect the sovereignty and security interests of countries in the region, as well as the efforts they have made toward regional peace and stability," said the PLA through its spokesman. "We will also respect other nations' freedom of passage and flight through the region so long as they adhere to international law." The PLA claims the situation in the South China Sea is becoming "peaceful and stable." "Countries outside of the region shouldn't purposefully stir threats of war or tension, but should inject positive energy into this good development." The PLA also believes "healthy Sino-U.S. military relation adheres to the basic interests of the two nations' people, as well as being beneficial for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world." "It needs China and the US to jointly maintain it. We hope both sides can work together; strengthen communication; avoid misunderstandings and push forward military relations on the right track." Chinese military pundits said China should "calmly observe and respond carefully" to the situation in the South China Sea. Others believe the U.S. is reinstating its military presence in South China Sea as a bargaining chip to use against China. They argue the U.S. will continue its Pivot to Asia and, therefore, "China has to be ready for anything." Advertisement Tagschina, United States, South China Sea, People's Liberation Army, USS Carl Vinson (Photo : Youtube.com) A huge fire broke out at HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in Nanchang city on Saturday morning. Three people have so far been killed and several people are critically injured, with number of casualties likely to increase. Advertisement A huge fire broke out at the luxury HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in China's Nanchang city on Saturday morning killing three people and leaving 14 people critically injured, Chinese state media reported. The casualties are likely to increase as several people are reportedly still trapped inside the hotel. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The fire has reportedly now been completely extinguished, and the rescue operation is underway. The fire was first reported at 8:00 a.m. at the second floor of the hotel, which is adjacent to a 24 storey apartment, where several people are reportedly trapped. There is still no information about what caused the fire, but reports suggest that construction activities going on in the hotel may have been the source. One eyewitness said that nearly 10 laborers were working on a decoration project when the fire erupted. Hotel authorities and local police are likely to conduct a full investigation once the fire is doused. No one from HNA Platinum Mix Hotel has so far commented on the fire accident. Meanwhile, dramatic footages of thick fire blazes coming out of the HNA Platinum have gone viral on Chinese social media. The footages show several emergency services like ambulances and fire service trucks surrounding the scene. Major fire accidents have occurred across China in past couple of years, but most of these accidents have happened at industrial sites. One of the deadliest fire accidents in China's history occurred at the Port of Tianjin in August 2015, killing almost 180 people and leaving nearly 1,000 people injured. Advertisement TagsNanchang Hotel, China Hotel, Fire Accidents in China, China Hotel Fire, china (Photo : USAF) F-35s Advertisement The U.S. Air Force will conduct a large scale deployment of its Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters to the Middle East over the next five years to battle ISIL, and to keep the peace once ISIL is finally beaten. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement With over half of Mosul (the last Iraqi city under ISIL control) falling to Iraqi government control, and with Raqqa, the de facto capital of ISIL's caliphate under attack, the final military victory over ISIL is reckoned to occur before 2020. This will mean the F-35s, which will be assigned to United States Central Command based in Qatar, will have no worthwhile ISIL targets after the fall of the ISIL caliphate. The F-35s will be left to contend with the unsettled military situation in the Syrian Civil War, and the continuing aggressiveness of Iran and its support for Shia-led uprisings such as those in Yemen and Palestine. Then there's Russia's military in Syria. The unpredictability of the hawkish Trump administration might also lead to a deeper U.S. involvement in the Syrian Civil War. Only last week, there was talk of deploying up to 30,000 U.S. combat troops to Syria to speed-up the final victory over ISIL. U.S. media said the deployment might occur as early as March. They also said the Pentagon is crafting plans that will send an unspecified number of regular U.S. Army combat troops and their supporting personnel into Syria to bump-up the force of 500 combat advisers in country coordinating efforts to destroy the ISIL. They report Trump has directed the Pentagon to accelerate plans for defeating ISIL. Trump was also reported to have expressed a willingness to expand the United States' military presence in Syria. Some sources claim the army is considering deploying up to 30,000 men in Syria to attain Trump's campaign promise of speeding-up the prosecution of the fight against ISIL, and to protect safe zones for the 11 million Syrian refugees who have fled the fighting. Other political observers said such a massive commitment of U.S. ground troops not seen since the surge in U.S. ground troops committed to the Iraq War by former U.S. president George Bush in 2007 will be deeply unpopular with the war-weary American public. The F-35s are expected to deploy to the Middle East in the "not too distant future," said Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, Commander, Air Combat Command based at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. "The Middle East deployment isn't imminent. It's planned for a few years out." He did reveal the Air Force plans to send small numbers of F-35s to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region first, maybe as soon as this spring. Advertisement TagsU.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, Middle East, ISIL, Syria, Iraq, Syrian Civil War, Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, United States Central Command (Photo : Russian Army) Satellite dish in use by the Russian Armed Forces. Advertisement The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (VSRF) has organized a new service branch apparently called the Russian Information Warfare Troops, revealed Russian Defense Minister and General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. If this branch is indeed a new service branch, its addition will bring to six the number of service branches in the VSRF. The other services are the Russian Ground Forces; Russian Aerospace Forces; Russian Navy; Strategic Missile Troops and Russian Airborne Troops. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Gen. Shoigu's admission the Russian Information Warfare Troops do exist is the first official acknowledgement of this unit. He made this disclosure during a speech before the Federal Assembly, Russia's version of a parliament, but one under the iron control of Vladimir Putin. Gen. Shoigu didn't reveal the precise mission of the Information Warfare Troops, only saying that Russian propaganda "needs to be clever, smart and efficient." A ranking member of the lower house of the Federal Assembly did confess, however, that the Information Warfare Troops' task is to "protect the national defense interests and engage in information warfare" and to repel enemy cyberattacks. The information troops are also expected to protect Russia's data systems from enemy attacks. Unbelievably, one source in Parliament said the information troops are not allowed to initiate hacking attacks on foreign countries. Sources in the VSRF said that some influential generals are arguing that Russia should rely on information warfare troops to fight against Western propaganda. "We must stop offering excuses and force the West into the defensive by conducting operations to expose its lies," said retired Col. Gen. Leonid Ivashov, former head of the Defense Ministry's international cooperation department. Besides confirming the existence of the Information Warfare Troops, Gen. Shoigu also divulged the VSRF received large numbers of new and refurbished equipment in 2016, including 41 intercontinental ballistic missiles.New equipment is in the pipeline, as well. He said the air force will receive 170 new aircraft this year, while the ground forces will receive 905 upgraded tanks and other armored vehicles. The navy will receive 17 new ships, mostly smaller vessels. Advertisement TagsArmed Forces of the Russian Federation, ussian Defense Minister and General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, Russian Information Warfare Troops, VSRF (Photo : Getty Images. ) The data issued by Germany's Federal Statistical Office, which was reviewed by Reuters, shows German imports from and exports to China climbed to 170 billion euros ($180 billion) in 2016. Advertisement China for the first time has overtaken the U.S to emerge as Germany's most valuable trading partner in 2016, according to the latest data released by the German government. The critical data comes at a time when Germany is trying to forge deep trading ties with Asian countries, especially in the wake of President Donald Trump's open support for trade protectionism. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement The data issued by Germany's Federal Statistical Office, which was reviewed by Reuters, shows German imports from and exports to China climbed to 170 billion euros ($180 billion) in 2016. The data also showed that France is Germany's second biggest trading partner while the U.S. slipped to the third position on account of a fall in trade deals. However, analysts have cautioned against reading too much into this data, claiming that China's leap to the top may have been due to a temporary surge in demand for German good in the Chinese market. The argument possibly points out that China's accession to the top may not continue for a long time. Nonetheless, there seems to be at least some consensus in the German government that developing trade ties with Asian countries is necessary. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel recently advised that Germany must respond to Trump's protectionism policies by strengthening its trade ties with China. However, he concluded that this will "not be easy" since right now "no other countries right now have the same size and purchasing power as the US." Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel paid a visit to China in July last year, signifying Beijing's growing importance as a diplomatic and trade ally. A host of trade agreements were signed between the two countries, with Merkel especially urging its Asian counterpart to open up its market to German companies. Last year, Berlin's economic ties with Beijing also came under considerable strain due to a controversy over the acquisition of Kuka AG by Chinese company Midea Group. Many German politicians raised questions that the acquisition of Kuka AG, a leading robotic company, by a Chinese company could evoke serious security concerns for the country in the long. However, Merkel's government dismissed these concerns to give a green signal to this high-profile deal and also gave assurance to Beijing that China-German trade relations were heading in the right direction Advertisement Tagschina, China and Germany, China and Germany Trade Ties, Germany (Photo : USAF) MQ-1 Predator with Hellfires. Advertisement The U.S. Air Force will begin inactivating its fleet of General Atomics MQ-1 Predator aerial drones in 2018. This ubiquitous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been in service with the air force since 1995. It will be replaced in the many roles it currently performs by the more versatile and more heavily armed General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper aerial drone. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement During its service, the MQ-1 first performed intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) missions for the air force, and later became an aerial assassin armed with four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles that took out Al Qaeda and ISIL militants, among others. "Right now the plan is to stop flying the MQ-1 in 2018, and that means we need to get transitioned this year," said the air force in a statement. The MQ-1 Predator is a remotely piloted aircraft system capable of 24-hour missions. The aircraft can loft a 204 kg payload; has a flight ceiling of 7,600 meters and can reach cruising speeds of 135 km/h. On the other hand, the MQ-9 Reaper has a 1,700 kg payload capacity; a flight ceiling of 15,000 meters and a cruising speed of 370 km/h. The air force also said the more modern MQ-9 is better equipped, and has superior operational capabilities overall. Since its first flight in July 1994, the MQ-1 series has accumulated over 1,000,000 flight hours. Together, the Reaper and the Predator remotely piloted aircraft reached 2,000,000 flight hours in October 2013. The first overseas combat deployment for the Predator took place in the Balkans and lasted from July to November 1995 under the name Nomad Vigil. Since that time, the Predator has seen combat in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the NATO intervention in Bosnia, Serbia, the Iraq War, Yemen, the Libyan civil war, the intervention in Syria and the intervention in Somalia. The air force took delivery of its last MQ-1 Predator in March 2011. Advertisement TagsU.S. Air Force, General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, unmanned aerial vehicle, UAV, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles t, MQ-9 reaper (Photo : Getty Images. ) Singapores Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will arrive in China on Sunday to attend the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting. The high level annual meeting was not held last year. Advertisement Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean will start a three day official visit to China from Sunday to participate in the 13th Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) meeting, the highest bilateral forum between the two Asian countries. Mr Teo will co-chair the high-level meeting with China's Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, with both leaders expected to discuss host of important trade and diplomatic issues. China and Singapore have held JCBC every year since 2004 with the exception of last year. Like Us on Facebook Advertisement Apart from attending JCBC, leaders of both countries will co-chair meetings to supervise the progress made in the three flagship Government-to-Government projects, namely Suzhou Industrial Park, Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city and Chongqing connectivity project. China and Singapore are expected to sign host of important agreements during Mr Teo's visit. Apparently, the Deputy Prime Minister will be accompanied by host of important ministers, including Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang. Mr Teo will also meet other Chinese leaders during his three day visit. But it is not known a meeting with President Xi Jingping and Prime Minister Li Keqiang is included in his itinerary. The diplomatic relationship between China and Singapore has gone through difficult period in recent times. The seizure of Singapore's armoured vehicles in Hong Kong marked a new low point in their bilateral relationship. Besides, Singapore's confrontational position on South China Sea and its proximity with U.S and Taiwan have made Beijing considerably uncomfortable. Despite these challenges, trade and economic relation between the two Asian countries continues to remain robust. China is the largest foreign investor in Singapore, while the latter is one of the largest trading partners of the Asian giant. Advertisement TagsSingapore, Singapore and China, china, Joint Council for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) Pastor Daevid Yoon's passion for the Korean immigrant church is not just about an attachment to the Korean culture - it's a passion to see the faith being passed down through the generations. "I'm just an 'apostle to the Jews.' I'm not going to be the savvy church planting missionary guy," he said. Yoon came to Southern California to lead the English ministry (EM) at Inland Church last August after a 10-year stint as the EM pastor at New York Presbyterian Church. "The kingdom work is expansive enough that you don't have to do everything. There's enough work to be done in each specific area. For me, the multi-generational component is what clicked. I strongly believe in passing on the faith from generation to generation." Yoon himself is a product of a generational passing on of the gospel: he came to faith through the model of his parents. As both his father and mother were the first Christians of their respective families, he said he understood how precious the gospel is from the way his parents lived out their faith. (Photo : Christianity Daily) Daevid Yoon currently serves as the English ministry (EM) lead pastor at Inland Church, located in Pomona, CA. Some might have argued that the high, rigid standards set by his parents were too "legalistic." But Yoon says he personally didn't find fault with the rigidness because of the way they exemplified how much they cherished the gospel in their own lives as they persevered through the persecution they faced amongst their relatives. "Sure, there might've been a rigidness to the way they passed on the faith in terms of the standards they have. But it was because the persecution they experienced from their families allowed them to cherish their faith to the point of saying to us, 'You need to know this too. I'm not just getting yelled at because it's fun, but I really want you to know the value of this.' Regardless of whether it's legalistic or not at that moment, I don't think anyone can deny the preciousness of Christ in their life. It's the preciousness of Christ that needs to be passed on, and we need to be able to properly balance that - the rigidness, and the gospel grace." It's been Yoon's hope throughout his years in ministry to see this modeling of faith within the church, from parents to children, and from older brothers and sisters of the faith to the younger. He believes it's a biblical way to carry out ministry. For instance, in the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians, Yoon noted, he addresses the children as well in chapter six, which signifies that children were just as much present in the gathering of believers as the adults were. Yoon also believes having the entire family worship together - what he calls the covenantal worship model - also fosters spiritual conversations amongst parents and their children. He recalled a moment during one of his Sunday sermons at NYPC, when he was preaching on the sovereignty of God. He said that very phrase emphatically during his sermon - "the sovereignty of God" - and then gave a short pause, during which a four-year-old in the congregation said out loud, "Mommy, what does sovereignty mean?" "That's what this is about," Yoon said. "It's the interactions that result from worshipping together. At the drive home, when the kids ask parents about what the sermon was about, for example. It keeps them inquisitive and informed," Yoon said. Having all ages worship together also cultivates a sense of ownership amongst the older generation to do their part to pass on the spiritual legacy to the younger members, according to Yoon. He cited the famous adage, "It takes a village to raise a child," to note that the spiritual influences on young people range beyond that of their immediate family. It takes the small group leaders, retreat organizers, and mentors in the church to raise up a child in the faith, too. Yoon's ideal conception of small groups for children and youth would be to have leaders in their thirties and forties, rather than those in college, he said. It allows children and teens to be aware that church will still be "relevant" when they grow older - that even after they graduate from college, there is a place for them to serve. For the Korean immigrant church in particular, being exposed to both Korean speaking and English speaking older brothers and sisters in the faith also grants a "fuller dimension of what the faith could look like," said Yoon. Though, as a relative newcomer to Inland's EM, Yoon is refraining from making drastic changes to the church for now, he says that he and the leaders are working on cultivating a family mindset and a sense of commitment amongst the church members. Having that covenantal mindset and commitment to the local church is where that passing on of the faith begins. "The church is a covenantal community and it is a household of God," Yoon said. "Inasmuch as you don't get to pick your siblings, you don't get to pick your church members. You're dealt with these cards, and that's an opportunity for you to practice the gospel." press@cdaily.co.kr - Copyright , #PastorDaevidYoon'spassion Transcription 1 African Population and Health Research Center Policy Brief Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya No. 20, 2010 Who is this policy brief for? Policymakers, program managers, their support staff, doctors, researchers and other professionals dealing with reproductive health, people interested in gender issues and women affairs, educationists, school principals, teachers, parents and those with an interest in education outcomes in sub-saharan Africa. Why was this policy brief prepared? To summarize the best available locallygenerated knowledge for a better understanding of issues of menstruation and associated practices of adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, including their experiences, attitudes and other problems that they encounter. It aims at encouraging the formulation and implementation of policies that promote the reproductive health and education rights of adolescent girls and women by tackling problems associated with menstruation and by improving access to appropriate menstrual products. What does this evidence-based policy brief include? Menstruation is a significant stage in the development and maturity of adolescent girls The Situation Many adolescent girls and women in Kenya experience problems with menstruation due to limited knowledge and poor access to safe and affordable methods and materials, with consequences in terms of poor self-esteem and infrequent school attendance, among others. This policy brief is based on a field research and feasibility study to explore menstrual practices and investigate the suitability of the menstrual cup in Kenya. It shows that many of the adolescent girls and women who participated in the study approved the use of menstrual cups and would like to continue using it because it is safe, economical, convenient, and easy to use. Its use can contribute to the promotion of reproductive health and education rights of young girls and women. November, 2010 African Population Health Research Center African Population andand Health Research Center A summary of the study methods, findings, implications for wider use of the menstrual cups. There are also suggestions as to what can be done to address the health implications that may arise from the wider use of the menstrual cup. Full report and references The evidence that is summarized in this policy brief is described in more detail in the report entitled Research and Feasibility Study To Explore Menstrual Practices and Investigate The Suitability of Menstrual Cups for Adolescent Girls and Women in Kenya Phase 1: Research on Menstrual Attitudes/Perceptions, Practices and Problems By Dr Josephine Kibaru, Joanna Crichton, Dr Caroline Kabiru, Dr Chi-Chi Undie, Dr Eliya Zulu, and Dr Lucy Musyoka. The report is available on request. APHRC, 2010 This policy brief was written by Chaacha Mwita, the Policy Engagement Manager, in collaboration with the Menstrual Cups Project Team within the Population Dynamics and Reproductive Health Team, APHRC. 1 2 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya The Problem Limited access to safe, affordable, convenient and culturally-appropriate methods for dealing with menstruation has far-reaching implications for the rights and physical, social and mental well-being of many women and adolescent girls in Kenya. It undermines sexual and reproductive health and well-being and has been shown to restrict girls access to education. In collaboration with the Division of Reproductive Health (DRH) of the Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK, and with funding from UK s Department for International Development (DFID), the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) carried out a research on menstruation with adolescent girls and women in Kenya. The project entitled Research and Feasibility Study to Explore Menstrual Practices and Investigate the Suitability of Menstrual Cups for Adolescent Girls and Women in Kenya sought to provide policymakers and program managers with a better understanding of menstruation and associated practices of adolescent girls and young women in Kenya, including their experiences and attitudes as well as the problems they encounter. The ultimate goal of the project was to promote the reproductive health and education rights of adolescent girls and women by tackling problems associated with menstruation and by improving access to appropriate menstrual products. The research was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved qualitative research to explore beliefs, attitudes, practices and problems associated with menstruation among women and girls in informal settlements of Nairobi. Based on the results from Phase 1, the second phase was designed as a pilot study to assess the cultural, practical and health-related appropriateness and feasibility of menstrual cups as a method for managing menstrual flow. The menstrual cup (cup made of medical silicone rubber that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood) may be an appropriate new technology for women and girls in Kenya. The menstrual cup has been used since the 1930s in Europe and North America and is manufactured commercially in those regions. The Mooncup, one of the manufacturers of the menstrual cup, has received regulatory acceptance from the Food and Drug Agency (US), which regulates menstrual flow management products ( For more information about the menstrual cup, refer to the document Menstrual Cup: Frequently Asked Questions (available upon request). The study explored beliefs, attitudes, practices and problems associated with menstruation among women and girls in informal settlements and other urban areas of Nairobi. Activities carried out in Phase 1 included: i) Qualitative research among women and in- and out-of-school girls aged 12 years and over living in urban informal settlements in Nairobi, to explore menstrual experiences, problems and needs, personal and social practices, norms, attitudes and beliefs, and the impacts on adolescent girls and women. ii) Methodology Qualitative research with key informants on menstrual practices and problems and the implications of the institutional, socioeconomic and cultural context for menstrual well-being. iii) Semi-structured telephone interviews with relevant experts about appropriate and hygienic methods for cleaning menstrual cups in contexts with limited access to clean water. This policy brief is based on Phase 1, which was completed in May A scientific review working group and an Advisory Group of experts on new technologies in reproductive health, adolescent health and feasibility study methodologies provided input into the design of the study. Clearance was obtained from the Pharmacy and Poisons Board s Expert Committee on Clinical Trials, the Kenya Medical Research Institute s Ethical Review Committee and the National Council for Science and Technology. Data collection was carried out in May and June Participants were selected using purposive quota sampling, and informed consent was obtained from participants prior to data collection. Twenty-nine in-depth interviews, 18 focus group discussions and five key informant interviews were conducted. Key informant interviews were carried out with primary school teachers and a nurse (see Table 1). Table 1: Description of in-depth interviews (IDIs), focus group discussion (FGDs) and key informant interviews (KIIs) Sample group IDIs FGDs KIIs Adult Women aged Girls aged in school 8 6 Girls aged out of school 1 2 Girls aged out of school 1 2 School teachers and Nurse A desk-based literature review was carried out on existing research on menstrual practices and attitudes, the institutional management of menstruation, and the menstrual cup. The researchers also carried out interviews with medical practitioners and experts in trials of intra-vaginal products to provide information about how to minimize health risks involved in such trials. 5 2 African Population and Health Research Center 3 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya SHARING EXPERIENCES: Rhoune Ochako, a Research Officer working with the menstrual cup project, listens to schoolgirls. Schools should initiate guiding and counseling clubs that act as forums for girls to meet and discuss issues on menstruation and how to overcome them. Key Findings 2. Attitudes and taboos concerning menstruation Below are the key findings of the study presented along five thematic areas. 1. Knowledge about menstruation There was limited knowledge of the biological aspects of menstruation among both girls and adult women living in Korogocho. Only a minority of the participants were able to describe what menstrual blood is in biological terms. People are not taught what menstrual blood is, and all of us don t know what it is. Why can t you tell us what it is so that we also know what it is? said an FGD participant. Perception was that menstruation is a time during which women are most likely to become pregnant. This misconception appears to be linked to the tendency to inform girls that once they start menstruating they should no longer play with boys. They say when the blood comes out you can give birth anytime and the baby s house is already being made. And if you have sex with a man you get pregnant immediately, said an FGD participant in a group of girls aged A MENSTRUAL CUP: Cup made of medical silicone rubber that is inserted into the vagina to collect menstrual blood may be an appropriate new technology for poor women and girls in Kenya. African Population and Health Research Center Taboos about discussing menstruation limit many women and girls access to information and support. Almost all research participants, including women and girls of all ages, described menstrual blood as unclean, and many said that they perceived it to be a harmful substance. I have never gone to church and I know it is not right to go to church when you are menstruating. Even if it is my third day and the pain is no longer there, I cannot take dirt to church, said a woman during an in-depth interview. Girls in school stated that some teachers support them by providing information, often informal, based on the general knowledge and worldview of the teacher rather than on the official curriculum. Information tended to focus on advising girls about keeping clean and avoiding boys rather than emphasizing knowledge about the biological aspects of menstruation. However, taboos around menstruation may also limit the amount of support that teachers provide to girls, as demonstrated in the following quotation: When a girl starts to menstruate, as I told you, they don t know what a period is. So most of them take a cloth or even paper, and you know paper cannot hold that thing, especially when that girl has a heavy flow. When a girl stands and [...] she has that thing on the dress, all the other girls go mocking her, talking about her and even the teachers are ashamed, said a teacher during a key informant interview. 3. Menstrual practices Sanitary towels (pads) were described by almost all participants as their preferred method for managing menstruation. Because pads are not always available, many participants said that people in their community use cotton wool, cloths (including socks), tampons, tissue paper, pages torn from school exercise books, 3 4 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya and pieces of sponge torn from mattresses. From the in-depth interviews, 28 out of 29 participants had ever used pads, 18 had used cloths and 2 had used cotton wool. Eighteen participants (out of 29) reported using pads as the sole means of managing menstrual flow during their last three periods. This shows that use of pads is widespread to some extent among the residents of Korogocho. However, 18 participants reported that they have experienced problems accessing pads and 13 of them used either cloths or a combination of cloths and pads during their last three periods. Sometimes you are at home and your mother has no money at all, there are no rags in the house and all the things that are there are useful, it becomes difficult for the girl to manage her periods. You end up using pieces of paper. Such a person has more than enough problems because she has no one to help her at all, said a schoolgirl during a focus group discussion. 4. The impacts of lack of access to menstrual management products on health Lack of access to menstrual products was described as a source of embarrassment, anxiety and shame by many participants. Staining one s clothes was regarded by many as stigmatizing: Once tissue paper gets wet and gets into contact with the fresh air, it will definitely smell. And that makes the girl more uncomfortable because when she stands up from her sitting position, she will smell badly. She develops fear, said a key informant. Some participants explained that problems with menstruation inhibit their behavior and activities. If you are employed but somehow you did not plan well, you are forced to stay at home and the boss will not understand why you couldn t manage your affairs in time and report to work. The problem is that you will not tell him/her that you were down because of menstruation. You can easily lose your job. You just say you were ill, said one woman during a focus group discussion. Some schoolgirls described feeling anxious and uncomfortable about menstruation during school, and some said that this affects their concentration in class as the following quotation from an in-depth interview with a schoolgirl shows. Interviewer: When you can t afford or get these pads and you love them so much, how do you feel? Respondent: I feel uncomfortable and worse when it is on a school day. That is the time I wish I could be at home so that I don t have to worry about my clothes being stained and other people laughing at me. Because pads are not always available, many participants said that people in their community use cotton wool, cloths (including socks), tampons, tissue paper, pages torn from school exercise books, and pieces of sponge torn from mattresses. 5. Reactions to the menstrual cup and perceptions about its expected advantages or disadvantages At the end of focus groups and indepth interviews, the interviewer/ facilitator introduced menstrual cups to participants and showed them a sample. Participants were invited to ask questions about the cup, which were answered by the interviewer/facilitator. The interviewer/facilitator then asked a series of questions about participant s first impressions of the device, their concerns about it, and perceptions about its advantages and disadvantages, and appropriateness for the community. Concerns included the idea that it is too big to be inserted in the vagina; that the blood would leak when the user bends, sits or walks; and that the cup was not large enough to deal with the flow of blood. There was considerable interest from participants about the prospect of a new, reusable menstrual product. The change in body language was noticeable when the menstrual cup was introduced, with participants leaning forward in their seats and with focus group participants speaking animatedly about the practicalities of the cup in their community. Most participants thought that the cost-effectiveness of reusing the menstrual cup for many years was a great advantage because they would no longer need to look for money to buy sanitary pads each month. It will save you money to go and buy pads for the girls, and time to clean those cloths daily when the periods are on. Since it is not something that will get the blood stuck on it like the cloth; whereby you have to scrub it thoroughly for it to be clean, and you only have to keep it inside your body until the periods are over, then it is the right thing to use, said a woman during an in-depth interview. There were concerns about how to use the menstrual cup discreetly, for example how to empty, store and boil the menstrual cup without others noticing it. However, a few participants thought that an advantage of the menstrual cup is that it is more discreet than other methods, for example, it is more reliable than cloths, or more easily portable than sanitary pads. A few participants raised concerns that the cups could be messy when removing and emptying. The advice sheets from the manufacturer acknowledge that until they are used to the menstrual cup, users may find the 4 African Population and Health Research Center 5 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya cup messy, and this may affect the cup s acceptability, as seen by a respondent s concern below: Will it not spill when you change it from the house? asked a woman during a focus group discussion. Challenges and Implications for Wider use of Menstrual Cups If used according to the menstrual cup use guide, menstrual cups do not involve health risks to users. However, the findings from Phase 1 reveal that a number of potential areas where participants may fail to follow the protocol may pose some risks. Some of these risks are more likely than others and some would have greater impact in the event that they occurred. Failure to wash menstrual cups: The manufacturers of menstrual cups state that the cups must be washed with unscented soap and rinsed in clean water or wiped with tissue each time they are emptied and reinserted. Failure to sterilize menstrual cups once per month: The manufacturer Mooncup recommends that menstrual cups can be sterilized once per month either by boiling or immersing in sterilizing solution. Participants will, therefore, be presented with a choice of sterilization methods, and encouraged to think about which method is best for them. Poor hand hygiene: Both the intravaginal product trial specialists and the nurse adviser at Mooncup emphasized that good hand hygiene when inserting and removing the menstrual cup is the most important requirement for safe use. Participants who have limited access to bathing facilities, and those with very heavy flow may find this particularly difficult. Existing vaginal cleaning practices: Some participants mentioned that women in their community use soap, fizzy drinks or lemon to clean the vagina. The presence of soap or fizzy drinks in the vagina can affect ph levels, which could reduce levels of vaginal flora and lead to fungal infections such as candida. Risk of sharing menstrual cups: The menstrual cup is for individual use. However, there is risk that participants could share the menstrual cup with someone else. Cultural factors such as concern about virginity and insertion of menstrual cups and concern about coming into contact with menstrual blood could lead to anxiety among participants in the menstrual cup trial. There was considerable interest from participants about the prospect of a new, reusable menstrual product. Also, there was fear that the menstrual cup would encourage teenage sex or lesbianism. Since inserting the menstrual cup involved touching the genitals, it was feared that if young girls became used to touching their bodies, they would likely arouse sexual feelings which is bound to encourage them to experiment or practice teenage sex or even lesbianism. Privacy: Findings from this study showed that privacy is limited for many women and girls in Korogocho due to overcrowded housing, and inadequate toilet and sanitation facilities. Using menstrual cups with active infections: There is a risk that the menstrual cup could interact with any existing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), reproductive tract infections (RTIs) or urinary tract infections (UTIs). Policy Options Using the menstrual cup with contraceptive devices: The Mooncup company states that there should be no problem with an Inter- Uterine Contraceptive device (I.U.D) as long as you remember to place it low down in the vagina and take care to release the seal properly when removing the Mooncup. Findings from this study have a number of policy implications at the school, community and national levels. 1. Provide education and open up discussions about menstruation Information about menstruation is very important. Several participants said that it would be good to provide more education in schools about menstruation to help students get similar information or have someone give this knowledge. There should be more lessons in school related to menstruation so that everyone can be educated on the same to stop being embarrassed about it and treat it as normal. Menstruation should not stop girls from going to school. They should also be taught on how to manage the periods with the different methods available, said a schoolgirl, 17, from Korogocho. Opening up discussions on menstruation would allow women and young girls to openly talk about menstruation. Discussions on menstruation would also remove the stigma associated with it. Menstruation would be normalized and girls would see no reason to miss school. The various methods of managing the menstrual flow would be mentioned and this would provide information on a range of choices to pick from and thus enable girls to make informed decisions on their personal health. African Population and Health Research Center 5 6 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya Participants also proposed that schools should offer more sessions on counseling related to menstruation. The counselor could explore issues further with the girls. This would be an opportunity to answer difficult sex-related questions normally left for girls to discover on their own. According to participants, awareness campaigns targeting schoolgirls should be done. They should include information on how to deal with pain and discomfort during menstruation. Cultural factors such as concern about virginity and insertion of menstrual cups and concern about coming into contact with menstrual blood could lead to anxiety among participants in the menstrual cup trial. Awareness campaigns and education on how to solve nausea, vomiting and personal hygiene issues related to menstruation should be conducted countrywide, said another schoolgirl, 19, from Korogocho. It was also mentioned that schools should initiate guiding and counseling clubs that act as forums for girls to meet and discuss issues on menstruation and how to overcome them. There should be a guiding and counseling group to educate girls on what to do and what not to do during periods because there are things that one might do out of ignorance, said a 17-year-old schoolgirl from Jericho. 2. Provide sanitary pads and other menstrual management methods and information to schoolgirls Some participants expressed the opinion that schoolgirls should be provided with pads. It was noted that menstruation is a stressful period for many girls and that the provision of menstrual management commodities and information would alleviate some of the difficulties attendant to menstruation. These would also help girls use the more effective methods and reduce the use of the less effective, and often dangerous ones like tissue, cloth and socks. Provide menstrual cups, sanitary towels and other methods so that girls can participate fully in their activities and stay in class, an 18-year-old schoolgirl from Korogocho said. The cost-benefit and portability elements of the menstrual cups were also noted. If the cup comes to the market, it can make things easier because some of us do not know the dates of our cycle and when you have the cup ready with you at all times, you will be prepared, said a 19-year-old girl from Korogocho. Some participants proposed that active groups and nongovernmental organizations should lobby the government for reduction of the price of sanitary pads and other menstrual flow commodities to make them more affordable to schoolgirls. Lobbying should also be extended to the manufacturing and retail companies to increase the number of pads found in a packet so that one packet lasts for a longer time. I can say that the government should try and make the price of the pads a bit cheap because not all girls can afford them. Girls who are maturing specially those of 9 years and above can benefit if the government introduced cheap pads to schools for those who cannot afford; I would like that they increase the number of pads in the cheapest packet such that one can use one packet for two months or more. They should range from about 50 to 60 shillings per packet such that if one is able to save up to two shillings per day, one will be able to afford at least a packet by the end of the month and they should be more than 10 pads in the packet, say 15 or 20 of them, said a 17-year-old schoolgirl from Jericho. Both the intravaginal product trial specialists and the nurse adviser at Mooncup emphasized that good hand hygiene when inserting and removing the menstrual cup is the most important requirement for safe use. 6 African Population and Health Research Center 7 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya DISSEMINATION MEETING: Some of the study participants during a community meeting in Korogocho, Nairobi. Participants proposed that active groups and non-governmental organizations should lobby the government for reduction of the price of sanitary pads and other menstrual flow commodities to make them more affordable to schoolgirls There was also a suggestion for schools to pool resources together by asking students to contribute some money to a kitty which could be used to purchase sanitary pads for students who are not able to afford them. 3. Improve infrastructure in schools Some participants proposed to have toilets with taps so that one is able to clean the menstrual cups well while in the toilet. The tap should be inside the toilet so that when you remove your menstrual cup or pad, you can wash your hands, a 17-year-old schoolgirl from Korogocho said. This, participants suggested, should go hand-in-hand with the separation of toilet facilities so that the girls toilets are made more private. This was felt to have the potential to prevent embarrassment when girls are changing pads or menstrual cups. When it comes to the toilets, they should make them more private for the girls because it is embarrassing when it comes to changing, said a Jericho schoolgirl aged 17. If the cup comes to the market, it can make things easier because some of us do not know the dates of our cycle and when you have the cup ready with you at all times, you will be prepared. Participants also expressed that toilets in schools should be clean and sanitary disposal bins provided. It was mentioned that many schools did not have disposal bins for sanitary pads and this was stressful for girls who were having menstruation. The toilets should be kept clean and there should be kits in the toilets where they can dispose the pads, a Jericho schoolgirl, 16, said. African Population and Health Research Center 7 8 Experiences and problems with menstruation among poor women and schoolgirls in Nairobi, Kenya Opening up discussions on menstruation would allow women and young girls to openly talk about menstruation. Discussions on menstruation would also remove the stigma associated with it. EXPAND CHOICE AND ACCESS: Study participants during a group discussion meeting. Should menstrual cups be found to be appropriate, they have the potential to expand choice and access to the latest reproductive technologies for Kenyan women and girls. Conclusion Should menstrual cups be found to be appropriate, they have the potential to expand choice and access to the latest reproductive technologies for Kenyan women and girls. Distribution methods that could be considered include social marketing and distribution through youth-friendly services. Other interventions include the provision of information on menstrual flow management, production and distribution of cheaper menstrual flow commodities and guidance and counseling programs for young girls. In the context of the study, useful information has come to light some of which requires further research to increase evidence about menstrual practices and preferences of women and girls in urban informal settlements in Kenya. We are grateful to the Department of International Development (DFID), UK for funding this study. For further information, contact: The African Population and Health Research Center, Shelter Afrique Center, Longonot Road, Upper Hill, P.O. Box 10787, GPO, Nairobi, Kenya. Tel: /1/2 Cell: / Fax:Health , Website: Research Center 8 African Population and Use of information in this publication, wholly or in part, is permitted provided due credit is given. Compared to Franklin Grahams evangelistic rallies in far-off countries, his upcoming event in Vancouver is relatively close to home. But the diverse, mostly secular Canadian city is culturally a world away from the Bible Belt. Thats partly why a group of fellow evangelicals has joined local Christian leaders asking him not to speak at the Festival of Hope, a Billy Graham Evangelistic Association event scheduled to take place next week in the Vancouver Canucks arena. For months, a group of Vancouver pastors have raised concerns about Grahams contentious and confrontational political and social rhetoric, particularly his characterizations of the LGBT community, Muslims, and immigrants. Context matters for evangelism, and they worry that a figure who has made such controversial remarks wont be a good fit to share the Good News with the more progressive people of Vancouver. Especially not right now. Given that the express goal of this event ... 1 6-Year-Old Girl Leaves Hundreds Of Notes Telling Her Family How Much She Loved Them Before Dying Of Cancer She lived for just six years, but Elena Desserich left behind hundreds of reminders of her love for her family that will last for a lifetime. After Elena died of brain cancer in August 2007, her parents, Keith and Brooke Desserich, and little sister, Grace, found hundreds of notes she had written and hidden all over their home in the Cincinnati suburb of Wyoming, Ohio. The notes all contained messages telling her family how much she loved them, The Gospel Herald reported. The notes consisted of drawings and messages, which she secretly tucked away all over the house before they were discovered days after her death. The Desserich couple said they didn't tell Elena that she was dying after she was diagnosed with an inoperable rare form of brain cancer in 2006. But even though her parents didn't tell her that she had less than a year to live, they believe that she knew it. That's why she left behind the hundreds of notes to comfort her family. "I think the notes were her way of telling us that everything would be OK. It feels like a hug from her every time we find one," Brooke said. In 2009, the Desserich family decided to use all of the notes written by Elena to create a book called "Notes Left Behind." It quickly became a New York Times bestseller. The book earned critical praise. New York Times bestselling author James Patterson was profoundly moved by Elena's story and her "Notes Left Behind," calling it, "a stunning story that teaches us how precious children, family, and life are, and that the sacrifices we make are worth it. I won't forget the Desserich family, and neither will you." "Elena has left behind a story of resilience, hope and most of all, love. We can't help but take her into our hearts, and carry the best of her into our own lives," wrote Jeffrey Zaslow, co-author of "The Last Lecture." The Cincinnati Art Museum even displayed one of Elena's paintings, which she titled "I Love You," beside a work done by the great painter Pablo Picasso. The hundreds of love notes left behind by their daughter also inspired the Desserich couple to create a foundation to raise money to find a cure for paediatric brain cancer. Keith serves as the Chairman of the Board for the foundation called The Cure Starts Now. Christian Family Of ISIS Suicide Bomber Believe He Was 'Brainwashed' British citizen Jamal al-Harith stunned his Christian family when he blew himself up in a suicide bombing mission carried out in behalf of the Islamic State (ISIS) earlier this month against Iraqi forces near Mosul. Harith grew up as a Christian in Jamaica, but converted to Islam when he left his family. Harith's name was changed to Abu-Zakariya al-Britani when he joined ISIS. Harith's cousin, Trevor Fiddler, told The Guardian that they never really understood Harith's conversion to Islam because they were a "normal Jamaican family" who believed in the "church of God." Initially, they believed Harith was innocent, but now they are not so sure. "I was surprised when he went that way as the rest of us are all Christians," he said. "He was just a bit of a silly boy. There was never anything mentally wrong with him the only thing I can think is that he was brainwashed," he said. "We never thought he should have been in America in the first place. We all believed him and thought he was telling the truth to us. But now we think he must have been lying and must have been training the whole time for this. It was all a lie," Fiddler added. Harith was born Ronald Fiddler in Manchester back in 1966. His parents are from Jamaica, and they are devout, churchgoing people. However, he converted to Islam in his 20s. According to his sister, he left Christianity in search of peace of mind after going through a difficult childhood. After doing so, he began to travel to Muslim countries. Somehow, he was found by U.S. special forces in a jail in Kandahar, Afghanistan back in January 2002. Harith claimed he was an innocent victim who viewed Americans as his saviours. He was then brought to Guantanamo Bay in Cuba for further questioning. He stayed there for over two years but was later released. Harith returned to Britain, and was paid 60,000 for a joint interview with the Mirror and ITV where he recounted his ordeal as a Guantanamo prisoner. He even made a compensation claim against the British government, which reportedly netted him up to 1m. After a decade, Harith went back to an ISIS-controlled region in Syria in 2014. His wife, Shukee Begum, tried in vain to convince him to go home to be with their children. But he refused. Fiddler said they could not understand Harith's actions, and they have no clue what happened to his money. "We've no idea what he did with the money I mean most of us didn't even know about it. We think he lied and now we will have to come to terms with what he has done," he said. Fiddler and his family might be puzzled by Harith's actions, but other converts to Islam told CNN how they were convinced by ISIS militants to join their cause. Akram Ahmed, 22, said he was simply working in his cell phone repair shop when an ISIS member approached him to carry out a job. Ahmed admitted he felt flattered to be chosen to carry out a task for a nation ruled by the laws of Islam. "The Caliphate persuaded us with religion. I am a student of sharia law in university. So these ideas are convincing to me," Ahmed said. He was tasked to use his mobile phone to film key government and security buildings and find weak points that ISIS militants could exploit to enter the city. Ahmed said he regretted his actions, and it's something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. "I hope there will still be a place for me in my community one day. Now if I walk in my street people will say I killed their children. If I go to the mosque people will say he killed my children. If I come to get married, people will say he killed our children," he said. Church Comes Out Fighting For Conservative Bishop In Row Over Women's Ordination The Archbishop of York and top women clergy are coming out fighting for a conservative bishop in a new row over female ordination. Rt Rev Philip North faces calls to step down as future Bishop of Sheffield over his membership of a controversial group that hands out 'identity cards' only for male clergy who have not been ordained by a woman. But the CofE's number two Archbishop John Sentamu and two women bishops are defending Bishop North, saying his promotion from his current role as Bishop of Burnley showed the Church allowed 'people who disagree on fundamental issues to continue to remain together'. Sentamu insisted there was 'no contradiction' in North's appointment to a diocese where a third of clergy are women. 'This is about people of different traditions called to put Christ first, for the sake of God's mission in the world.' In an article for the Yorkshire Post on Saturday he writes: 'This is not a 'winner takes all' approach but rather one that seeks as the Lambeth resolution said to recognise that those who dissent as well as those who assent to particular propositions are both treated as loyal members of the Church. 'It's a lesson that we need to hear in times where fractious disagreement can threaten to boil over into unwise actions.' It comes after senior Oxford academic and prominent Anglican figure Very Rev Martyn Percy accused North of 'fogeyish sacralised sexism' over his links to a traditionalist body known as The Society. The Anglo-Catholic grouping supports those who refuse to receive the ministry of women as bishops and priests, or that of male priests ordained by female bishops. Percy, who is Dean of Christ Church, Oxford, claims a 'substantial amount of resistance building up' to North's appointment in Sheffield. In article for the website Modern Church he adds he couldn't see how a senior bishop could be 'an ambassador for gender-based discrimination, and an advocate of inequality'. But two senior women, the Bishop of Repton and the Bishop of Dorking, are coming out in defence of North, describing him as 'caring' and 'profound'. The Rt Revd Dr Jo Bailey Wells, Bishop of Dorking, said: 'I regard his appointment to a diocesan post as the sign of a healthy church, one that is learning to live in unity amid diversity, even in a situation where one member's convictions are a source of pain to another.' The Rt Revd Jan McFarlane Bishop of Repton added: 'If the church can't witness to an ability to live together with difference, and be determined to look first for the flourishing of those with whom we disagree, then who can? 'Bishop Philip's appointment is a perfect opportunity for the Church of England to say that what matters first and foremost is our faith in Jesus Christ.' A Church of England spokesman also attacked Percy for his article, saying all his arguments had already been rejected when the CofE's ruling body had allowed women bishops and 'favoured a position of mutual flourishing for all'. The spokesman added North has 'stated in a meeting to women clergy in the diocese that he is favour of women's leadership and would actively promote it'. He said: 'The beauty of the Church of England is its theological breadth and its ability to hold together disparate views across a range of issues whilst still finding unity in Jesus Christ. 'The Church of England supports all orders of ministry being open equally, irrespective of gender, and remains committed to enabling all people to flourish within its life and structures.' Drive-Through Ash Wednesday Blessings To Be Given Out At This Irish Church Catholics in a rush in Ireland on Ash Wednesday will be able to receive the traditional blessing with the sign of the cross in ash on their foreheads in a drive-through after an innovation by a church. St. Patrick's church in Glenamaddy, County Galway is planning a modern approach for those who do not have time to attend Mass. As reported in the Irish Catholic, the church will allow parishioners to drive up to its front door, receive the traditional blessing and drive away again. The church, which conveniently has a lane that leads up to the door, is overseen by Fr Paddy Mooney, who agreed the strategy with the church's pastoral council. 'We looked at the situation on the ground. People and families are on the move all the time,' he told the Irish Catholic. 'It's about meeting people where they are,' Fr Paddy explained, adding that this was also the thinking behind the Lenten Petition box, which will stand in the church grounds and allow for people to pull in and submit prayer requests throughout Lent. 'We're just putting [the initiative] in front of people to help them think of Lent, as a reminder of it,' Fr Paddy said, adding that he was confident that in Glenamady, 'a great parish with very active people always thinking of new things for the church'. Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and this year is on Wednesday 1 March. Films About Faith: Christian Today's Alternative Oscars 2017 There's a prize which every Hollywood star covets above any other. A prize so prestigious it can launch careers and add zeros to contracts. Welcome then, to the biggest weekend of the cinematic year. Yet while shiny statuettes and glamorous award ceremonies are one thing, it's recognition in the really big categories that really drives the movie business. So move over Academy Awards here are the second annual Christian Today Alternative Oscars! To qualify for one of our entirely virtual awards (which come complete with a fictitious goodie bag and an imaginary Rolex), films must have in some way either constructively challenged or affirmed the Christian faith. You don't have to have made The Passion of the Christ to win, but you do need to have included themes or characters which recognise faith in some way. It's a pretty broad gate then, but it does keep out the likes of Office Christmas Party. And the winners are... Best depiction of the Christian faith There are two main contenders for this category: Martin Scorsese's Silence, which follows two Jesuit priests into the depths of the persecuted church, and Hacksaw Ridge, Mel Gibson's wilderness comeback about war hero Desmond T Doss. Both films are unashamedly faith-based, but like the Academy, I think the latter is the better film. While Silence probably has a two hour masterpiece hiding within its gruelling 161-minute runtime, it's not quite as gripping as it thinks it is, especially to the non-believing viewer. Hacksaw on the other hand is practically an evangelistic film, demonstrating a compelling vision of the Christian life which makes the most sense in humanity's darkest hour. Most challenging depiction of faith ...All that having been said, Silence is still a remarkable film, which forces us to engage with the still-relevant horrors of Christian persecution, albeit through a historical lens. Andrew Garfield (who also plays the lead in Hacksaw) took on the exercises of St Ignatius to prepare for the role, and perhaps as a result offers a hugely sympathetic and rich portrayal of a priest clinging to his faith when all he can hear around him are the screams of his fellow believers. The scene when the silence of the title is broken is one of the most spine-tingling moments of modern cinema. Best parable Jeff Nichols' brilliant, understated Loving is the heartbreakingly true story of Richard and Mildred Loving, the inter-racial couple who found themselves jailed and then driven out of their state for flouting rules around race and marriage. Their nine-year battle to have their relationship legally recognised was a turning point in the history of the US constitution, but the incredible perseverance demonstrated, especially by Mildred (played by Oscar nominee Ruth Negga), is a fine illustration of the importance of perseverance in the face of injustice. Her ultimately successful journey brings to mind Jesus' story of the 'persistent widow' in Luke 18: 1-8, in which another woman faces a long-running battle to petition a similarly 'unjust judge.' Best explicitly Christian film 2016 saw the release of a number of films which were unashamedly promoting rather than just positive about a Christian worldview. Jennifer Garner added some serious gravitas to the heart-warming Miracles from Heaven, which was actually much more nuanced than many might give it credit for, and of course, there was a second God's Not Dead movie... Best of the bunch though was Risen, the relatively star-studded biblical epic in which a Roman tribune witnesses the Resurrection first-hand. It's also Joseph Fiennes' best work since Shakespeare in Love. Best illustration of a biblical theme Two very different films explored the concept of unconditional love, illustrating it through the flawed but very relatable form of human parents. The first, Midnight Special, was an exceptional under-the-radar sci-fi about a man who realises his son is destined for greater-than-mortal things, and risks everything to help him fulfil his destiny. But the award here goes to Lionfor Nicole Kidman's moving performance as Sue Brierley, the real-life adoptive mother who encouraged son Saroo to find his real family, putting aside her own feelings in the process. Lion is a tremendous film, and also makes a strong case for the invisible hand of God without ever actually mentioning him. Best redemption narrative It's one of the darkest kid-friendly movie you'll ever see and unfortunately no-one rises from the dead, but no film in 2016 did redemption better than Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. The first of the sci-fi series' anthology movies takes a series of characters who've made bad choices and gives them an opportunity to save the universe by giving up their own lives. There's no suggestion that this was a Christian film, but as a thought-provoking illustration of Jesus's words that 'greater love hath no man than this: that he lay down his life for his friends' (John 15:13) it certainly hits the spot. Best Christian character In a year with more than its fair share of faith-filled movie characters, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. To end where we began, Andrew Garfield's portrayal of Desmond T Doss in Hacksaw Ridge is an incredibly sympathetic and powerful performance which makes total sense of a man with an extremely unorthodox worldview. The moment where Doss' entire platoon is waiting silently while he prays for them isn't just monumentally affirming to Christians, it also makes total sense in a story where a man is using his beliefs to bring sanity into the chaos of war. It might not do so well at that little Awards' ceremony on Sunday night, but Hacksaw Ridge is Hollywood's biggest gift to the Church in years and Doss is a hero whose story every evangelist should know and talk about. Martin Saunders is a Contributing Editor for Christian Today and the Deputy CEO of Youthscape. Follow him on Twitter @martinsaunders. Iraqi Forces Push Into Western Mosul And Launch Airstrikes In Syria US-backed Iraqi forces pushed into western Mosul last night after retaking the city's airport from Islamic State, as aid agencies warned the most dangerous phase of the offensive was about to begin for hundreds of thousands of civilians. Troops disarmed booby traps planted by retreating militant fighters in the airport, which the army plans to use as a base from which to drive Islamic State from Mosul's western districts and deal a decisive blow to the group. As they did, Iraqi fighter jets dropped bombs on Islamic State positions inside Syria on Friday. It was the first time the Iraqi government publicly acknowledged striking militant targets inside Syria. The new offensive comes after government forces and their allies finished clearing Islamic State from eastern Mosul last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector of the city, which is bisected by the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts there. The International Rescue Committee said the most dangerous phase of the battle was about to begin for the 750,000 civilians believed to be trapped inside Mosul. 'There is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come,' said acting country director Jason Kajer. The United Nations has warned up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the new offensive amid food and fuel shortages. Iraqi forces launched attacks on several fronts. Counter-terrorism forces clashed with Islamic State inside the southwestern district of al-Mamoun and took full control of the Ghozlani military base on Friday, Major General Sami al-Aridi, a senior commander, told Reuters. Separately, federal police and an elite Interior Ministry unit known as Rapid Response advanced into the Hawi al-Josaq and al-Danadan districts after breaching a berm and a trench set up by Islamic State north of the airport, a spokesman said. Early raids in the city's west have so far been restricted to thinly-populated areas. The government encouraged civilians to stay in their homes, but some were caught in the crossfire. Jamal Abdelnasser, 14, was shot in the leg by Islamic State when the militants stormed his home to take up sniper positions. After crossing the frontline, soldiers unwrapped the blood-soaked bandages around his leg and poured iodine on the bullet wound. In another incident, a Reuters correspondent saw a dozen civilians fleeing towards Iraqi security forces from the outskirts of Mamoun. Defeat in Mosul would likely deal a hammer blow to Islamic State's self-styled caliphate in areas it seized in 2014. But the group still controls swathes of territory in neighbouring Syria and patches in northern and western Iraq from where it could fight a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plot attacks on the West. Meanwhile, Iraqi air strikes targeted Islamic State sites in Syria on Friday, including a factory for making car bombs, said a colonel in Iraq's military intelligence. 'We gave orders to the air force command to strike Islamic State positions in Hosaiba and Albu Kamal inside Syrian territory as they were responsible for recent bombings in Baghdad,' Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi said in a statement. A source close to Syria's foreign ministry said the raid had been carried out in 'complete coordination' with the Damascus government. On the ground in Mosul, Western advisors are increasingly present close to the frontline, helping coordinate air strikes and advising Iraqi forces as the battle unfolds. Islamic State fought back on Friday with suicide car bombs and drones carrying explosives. Aridi, the CTS commander, said the drones were 'particularly annoying today'. The campaign involves a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Shi'ite militias and Sunni tribal fighters. It is backed by an international coalition that provides vital air support as well as on-the-ground guidance and training. Transcription 1 Protest button SECTION 4 Antiwar demonstrators march in Washington, D.C. WITNESS HISTORY AUDIO Antiwar Protests Spread As Richard Nixon entered the White House in January 1969, students across the country continued to protest the war. And their words were starting to reach ordinary Americans, not just long-haired radicals. In late 1969, antiwar protesters organized a series of peaceful demonstrations called moratoriums. On October 15, the mayor of New York City addressed a crowd of these protesters: We cannot [accept] the charge from Washington that this peaceful protest is unpatriotic. We heard that charge five years ago and three years ago... The fact is that this dissent is the highest form of patriotism. It is the peaceful American way to turn the nation away from a self-defeating course. New York mayor John Lindsay, 1969 The War s End and Impact Objectives Assess Nixon s new approach to the war, and explain why protests continued. Explain what led to the Paris Peace Accords and why South Vietnam eventually fell to the communists. Evaluate the impact of the Vietnam War on the United States. Terms and People Vietnamization My Lai Pentagon Papers Paris Peace Accords War Powers Act Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast Note the similarities and differences between Nixon s Vietnam policy and that of Lyndon Johnson. Johnson Americanization and total victory Nixon Vietnamization and peace with honor Why It Matters As a presidential candidate, Richard Nixon promised peace with honor and an end to a war that had fractured American society. Nixon did indeed withdraw American troops, and the Vietnam War finally ended. But the impact of the war endured. As the nation recovered from war, Americans reexamined the struggle against communism, the power of the presidency, and America s role in the world. Section Focus Question: How did the Vietnam War end, and what were its lasting effects? Nixon Starts the Pullout Nixon s defenders argued that he was a hard-working patriot with a new vision for America. His critics charged that he was a deceitful politician bent on acquiring power and punishing his enemies. There were elements of truth to both views. But defenders and critics alike agreed that Richard Nixon was a determined man with abundant political talent. From his first day in office, the new President realized that ending the Vietnam War was the key to everything else he hoped to achieve. Peace Talks Stall Though formal peace talks between the warring parties had begun in May 1968, they were bogged down from the outset by disagreements and a lack of compromise. When Richard Nixon took office in January 1969, his peace delegation firmly believed they could break the impasse. The Americans and South Vietnamese wanted all communist troops out of South Vietnam. 2 They also wanted prisoners of war (POWs) returned. Meanwhile, the North Vietnamese demanded an immediate American withdrawal from Vietnam and the formation of a coalition government in South Vietnam that would include representatives from the Vietcong. Still hoping to win the war in the field, North Vietnam refused to budge from its initial position. And South Vietnam refused to sign any agreement that compromised its security. Nixon s Plan: Vietnamization and Peace With Honor President Nixon refused to accept the North Vietnamese peace terms. He was committed to a policy of peace with honor and believed that there were still military options. He continued a gradual pullout of American troops, and expressed faith in the ability of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam to assume the burden of war. He called his approach Vietnamization U.S. forces would withdraw as ARVN troops assumed more combat duties. The hope was that with continued American aid behind the front lines, the ARVN would fight its own battles to secure South Vietnam. To reduce the flow of communist supplies to the Vietcong, Nixon ordered the secret bombing of the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Cambodia. This was a controversial move because it widened the scope of the war and helped to undermine the neutral government in Cambodia. In the end, neither Vietnamization nor secret bombings dramatically improved South Vietnam s chances of winning a war against the communists. How did Vietnamization differ from the war policies of Nixon s predecessors? Troubles on the Home Front Intensify Nixon inherited two things from Lyndon Johnson: an unpopular war and a vocal American opposition to it. The new President wanted peace with honor, security for America s ally South Vietnam, and international respect for U.S. foreign policy. Antiwar activists wanted the war ended and American troops out of Vietnam on any terms. Nixon found it increasingly difficult to achieve his goals and satisfy the snowballing antiwar movement. American Troops in Cambodia More than a year into office, Nixon had grown impatient with the snail s pace of the peace negotiations. In 1970, he attempted to break the stalemate by ordering a ground attack on North Vietnamese Army and Vietcong bases in Cambodia. Nixon also hoped to aid the pro-american Cambodian government in its fight against the Khmer Rouge, a communist movement supported by North Vietnam. On the evening of April 30, Nixon addressed the American people, informing them of his decision to carry the war into Cambodia. He stressed that the war had become a measure of how committed the United States was to preserving freedom around the world: If, when the chips are down, the world s most powerful nation, the United States of America, acts like a pitiful, helpless giant, the forces of totalitarianism and anarchy will threaten free nations... throughout the world. President Richard Nixon, 1970 U.S. Military Personnel in Vietnam SOURCE: National Archives and Records Administration Troops (in thousands) Vietnamizing the War The United States scaled back its commitment of ground troops to Vietnam after However, while more American troops left for home, U.S. air forces dropped more bombs on communist targets in North Vietnam and along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. How did the shift in American tactics ensure Nixons peace with honor? 3 The next morning, U.S. and ARVN forces crossed the border into Cambodia. These soldiers captured large stockpiles of weapons and supplies, but they did not break the stalemate. North Vietnam remained determined to have peace on its terms or no peace at all. Protest and Death in Ohio A student photographer at Kent State snapped this photograph moments after the Ohio National Guard opened fire on student protesters on May 4, How do you think people reacted to seeing this photograph in the newspaper? Violence Erupts at Kent State The Cambodian incursion had a profound impact on the peace movement at home. It stirred antiwar activists, who argued that Nixon had widened the war and made the world a more dangerous place. Throughout the country, college campuses erupted with protests. Several demonstrations prompted the police and National Guard to step in to preserve order. On two campuses, confrontations between students and armed authorities led to deaths. Four days after Nixon s speech, demonstrators at Kent State University in Ohio threw rocks and bottles at members of the National Guard. When one guardsman thought he heard a sniper s shot, he fired his rifle. The shot prompted other National Guardsmen to discharge a volley of gunfire into a group of protesters, killing four youths. The Kent State killings led to demonstrations on other campuses. At Jackson State University, a traditionally African American college in Mississippi, a confrontation between students and police ended with two students dead. College demonstrations against the war sometimes prompted counterprotests by Americans who supported the President. In response to a May 8, 1970, antiwar rally in downtown New York City, construction workers decided to demonstrate, carrying American flags and chanting All the Way USA. Believing that some anti- 4 war demonstrators had spit on the American flag, they pushed into the crowd and started hitting protesters. The clash drew national attention. Days later, thousands of construction workers, businessmen, secretaries, and housewives marched peacefully through Manhattan s streets in support of Nixon and the war effort. One man expressed his feelings about the march: I m very proud to be an American, and I know my boy that was killed in Vietnam would be here today if he was alive, marching with us.... I know he died for the right cause, because in his letters he wrote to me he knew what he was fighting for: to keep America free... Robert Geary, May 20, 1970 As the fighting continued in Vietnam, the American home front became its own physical and emotional battlefield. American Soldiers Kill Civilians at My Lai In 1971, two events increased the pressure on Nixon to pull U.S. troops out of Vietnam. The first event had roots in a U.S. action in South Vietnam three years earlier. On March 16, 1968, American forces searching for enemy troops in an area with a strong Vietcong presence came upon the village of My Lai. By this point in the war, many American troops had been injured and killed by Vietcong fighters posing as civilians. It was a recipe for disaster at My Lai, where Lieutenant William Calley s unit began shooting and killing unarmed civilians. During the assault, U.S. soldiers killed between four and five hundred Vietnamese. Lt. Calley later maintained that he was following orders, but many of the soldiers present did not participate in the massacre. At least one risked his own life to stop it. The tragedy was made even worse by an inadequate military investigation of the incident. Life magazine eventually published photos taken during the event, and in March 1971, a military court convicted Lt. Calley of his participation in the attack. News of the My Lai massacre, the coverup, and Calley s trial shocked many Americans and added fuel to the burning antiwar fire. Pentagon Papers Undermine Public Trust On the heels of My Lai came the 1971 publication of the Pentagon Papers in The New York Times. The term referred to a classified government history of America s involvement in Vietnam. The study was leaked to The Times by one of its coauthors, Daniel Ellsberg. Nixon tried to block the full publication, but in New York Times v. United States, the Supreme Court ruled against the administration. The study revealed that American leaders involved the U.S. in Vietnam without fully informing the American people and occasionally even lied to Congress. 1970? What happened at Kent State and Jackson State universities in The War Finally Ends The failings of Vietnamization and growing dissent at home forced President Nixon to search for some final way out of the conflict. A 1971 public-opinion poll revealed that two thirds of Americans favored withdrawing American troops, even if it meant a communist takeover of South Vietnam. Sensitive to the public mood, Congress pressed Nixon to bring the troops home. Many believed that to win reelection in 1972, he had to end the war. Slaughter and Coverup in South Vietnam A photographer captured the terror in the village of My Lai as American troops were killing hundreds of civilians. The massacre was followed by a military investigation, but only Lt. William Calley was convicted. Why were many Americans dissatisfied with the result of the military investigation? 5 Vocabulary Builder induce (ihn DOOS) v. to bring about; cause A Purple Heart is awarded to members of the U.S. armed forces who are wounded or killed by an enemy in combat. American Troops Leave Vietnam In October 1972, the United States and North Vietnam came to terms on a peace settlement. One month later, with lasting peace almost at hand, Nixon easily defeated the antiwar Democrat George McGovern for reelection. But Nixon s triumph was short-lived. The Vietnamese peace fell apart when North Vietnam refused to sign the agreement. Talks broke off, but renewed American bombing in North Vietnam finally induced the North Vietnamese to resume negotiations. At last, in January 1973, the United States, South Vietnam, North Vietnam, and the Vietcong signed the Paris Peace Accords. The parties agreed to a cease-fire and a U.S. troop withdrawal from South Vietnam. POWs would be exchanged, but North Vietnamese troops would remain in South Vietnam. The National Liberation Front would become a legitimate political party in South Vietnam, and South Vietnam s noncommunist government would remain in power pending a political settlement. With the war ended, the last American troops came home. Among the returning soldiers were more than 550 POWs, most of whom were pilots shot down during the war. Saigon Falls For the United States, the war in Vietnam was over. For the Vietnamese, however, it continued. Neither North nor South Vietnam honored the cease-fire or worked toward a diplomatic settlement of their differences. In the spring of 1975, minor fighting escalated when North Vietnam launched an offensive against the South. Without American aid and ground support, the ARVN was no match for the Soviet-supplied North Vietnamese Army. By the end of April, the communists had taken Saigon. After decades of fighting and millions of deaths, Vietnam was unified under one flag. Accords? What did the signing parties agree to in the Paris Peace INFOGRAPHIC In April 1973, a plane carrying the last American prisoners of war from Vietnam touched down in Hawaii. The flight marked the end of an era that had seen hundreds of thousands of American troops deployed to fight in the Vietnam War. The homecoming for many of these soldiers had been bittersweet. While some came home to exuberant family reunions and community parades, many Vietnam veterans received little or no public acknowledgment of their sacrifices. It was not until nearly a decade later that the nation dedicated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (see photo at far right) to honor these brave Americans. A Vietnam veteran takes part in a 1973 parade in New York City to honor those who served in the war. Some veterans, like this man in San Francisco in 1994, faced hard times after they reentered American society. 6 The Vietnam War Has a Lasting Impact More than 58,000 American soldiers gave their lives serving their country in Vietnam; another 300,000 were wounded. Although figures are not exact, the Vietnamese death toll most likely exceeded 2 million. Peace, however, did not mean the end of pain and hardship. The end of the war created other problems in Southeast Asia. The war also affected American attitudes toward world affairs. Southeast Asia Suffers Further Turmoil Many foreign-policy experts in the United States had predicted that if North Vietnam won the Vietnamese civil war, communism would spread to other nations in Southeast Asia. In a limited sense, they were right. Communist regimes eventually came to power in both Laos and Cambodia. In Cambodia, the ruling Khmer Rouge unleashed a genocide on the populace, killing everyone who had ties to the West or previous Cambodian governments. Between 1975 and 1979, upwards of 2 million Cambodians were executed or died in labor camps. In an expanded sense, however, many American foreign-policy strategists misjudged the spread of communism. They concluded it was a monolithic global movement controlled by Moscow and Beijing. However, as the war s aftermath would attest, communist movements in Southeast Asia were nationalistic and intolerant of outside influences. After the Vietnam War ended, Vietnamese communists went to war against the Khmer Rouge, who in turn received help from Chinese communists to battle the Vietnamese. In this conflict, the United States supported the Chinese. Veterans Return Home to Mixed Reactions The war and the peace divided Americans. Some argued that the United States should never have entered the war and that their leaders had lied to them. Others countered that the war was part of an ongoing struggle against communism and that in the The families of Americans still missing after the Vietnam War hope that those prisoners and missing will one day be returned to them. Released POW Lt. Col. Robert Stirm is eagerly greeted by his family at a California air base upon his return home from Vietnam. Called the wall that heals, the memorial has provided a place for veterans to reflect, remember lost friends, and heal wounds. Thinking Critically 1. Synthesize Information Why did returning U.S. soldiers face a mixed reaction? 2. Draw Conclusions Why was the Vietnam Veterans Memorial built many years after the war? 7 end, the United States betrayed South Vietnam. An unfortunate result of the controversy was that the nation never fully expressed its appreciation to the returning veterans. Overwhelmingly, the 2.5 million enlisted men who served in Vietnam did so with honor and distinction. Yet, unlike the soldiers that returned to the United States after World Wars I and II the famed Doughboys and G.I. Joes few Vietnam vets enjoyed the warmth and adulation of victory parades. In addition to the indifference that some veterans encountered, some also suffered from physical and psychological ailments for years when they returned home. Not until almost a decade after the end of the war did Americans begin to fully honor the courage and sacrifice of these veterans. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, dedicated in Washington, D.C., in 1982, stands as an eloquent testament to the men and women who served and died in Vietnam. Reading Skill: Recognize Effects As you read, use a concept web to identify the effects of the Vietnam War. Congress passes War Powers Act Effects of the War Vietnam Changes American Policies The war was costly both monetarily and in the human toll of shattered lives. The war also altered American domestic and foreign policies. Lyndon Johnson s Great Society campaign against poverty and racism fell victim to the conflict. Increasingly, between 1964 and 1968, Johnson could not pay for both the Vietnam War and the Great Society. Paying for more guns left less money to pay for textbooks, school lunches, and prenatal care. Additionally, the war undermined Americans trust in their leaders and fragmented the Cold War consensus on foreign affairs. In 1973, Congress passed the War Powers Act. The act restricted the President s war-making powers by requiring him to consult with Congress within 48 hours of committing American forces to a foreign conflict. The act was a congressional attempt to check the unilateral formation of American foreign policy and stop the growth of the imperial presidency. Finally, the Vietnam War made Americans more suspicious of foreign commitments and less likely to intervene in the affairs of other countries. For the next 30 years, many Americans would view conflicts in Central America, Africa, the Balkans, and the Middle East through a lens tinted by the Vietnamese quagmire. The fear of another Vietnam had profound effects on American foreign policy in the postwar world. What did the War Powers Act do? 4 SECTION Assessment Progress Monitoring Online For: Self-test with vocabulary practice Web Code: nea-1610 Comprehension 1. Terms and People For each term below, write a sentence explaining its significance. Vietnamization Paris Peace Accords War Powers Act 2. Reading Skill: Compare and Contrast Use your Venn diagram to answer the Section Focus Question: How did the Vietnam War end, and what were its lasting effects? Writing About History 3. Quick Write: Choose Strongest Argument Consider this thesis statement: Richard Nixon won the Vietnam War. List possible arguments for a persuasive essay that supports this thesis. Review each argument and choose the strongest one. Make sure that factual points from the text support your argument. Critical Thinking 4. Synthesize Information How did Nixon redirect the peace process when he became President? Did his plan have the desired result? 5. Explain Effects What impact did the events of 1970 and 1971 have on Nixon s actions in Vietnam? 6. Draw Conclusions Which two effects of the Vietnam War do you think had the biggest long-term impact? Explain. Opposition To Philippine's President Duterte Turn Historic Event Into Protest March Political opponents of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday turned a traditional celebration of a 'People Power' uprising against dictatorship three decades ago into a protest march condemning his war on drugs. The small political opposition and left-wing activists held separate commemorative events at the historic highway where more than a million Filipinos gathered in 1986, forcing Ferdinand Marcos and his family to flee to Hawaii after a 20-year rule. Supporters of Duterte were due to hold a counter rally later on Saturday at a big Manila park, including a vigil backing the anti-drugs crackdown. Similar actions were planned in key cities across the country and in some capitals abroad. The opposition warned of a possible return to authoritarian rule under Duterte, calling on Filipinos to stand up for truth and justice and demand a stop to the extrajudicial killings, which have claimed more than 7,700 lives in seven months. 'There is a president who is threatening to re-impose martial law and openly support the killings of thousand of people,' staunch Duterte critic Senator Leila de Lima said in a message from her detention cell, a day after she was arrested for drug offences that she described as a vendetta. 'The grim truth: in the last seven months under Duterte, there were more deaths compared to the 14 years of martial law under the Marcos regime.' Rights groups and a US senator criticised Duterte for the arrest of de lima, describing it as 'politically motivated' to silence his critic. 'President Duterte is effectively expanding his drug war from the urban poor to the legislative branch of government,' Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said in a statement. Thousands of left-wing activists marched on the main highway in Manila to demand 'genuine change' promised by Duterte, calling for the resumption of peace talks with Maoist-led rebels and release of more than 400 political prisoners. 'This is particularly dangerous today when there are real efforts to rehabilitate the Marcoses and pave the way for their eventual return to Malacanang,' Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary-general, said in a statement, referring to the presidential palace. Former President Fidel Ramos and former senator Juan Ponce Enrile, hailed as the heroes of the 1986 revolt against Marcos, attended a mass at the main army base in Manila to mark the anniversary, which Duterte skipped. Interior Minister Ismael Sueno had asked local officials to encourage supporters to join candlelight events organised by a pro-administration political movement. Some cabinet members feared anti-Duterte protests might be used as a staging point to call for the president's ouster, although top security officials have made firm assurance about the loyalty of the army and police. Trump Administration Withdraws Transgender Students' Use Of Restrooms Based On Gender Identity The Trump administration has decided to withdraw earlier policies set by the Obama administration with regard to transgender students' use of school facilities, reports say. In a Dear Colleague letter released Wednesday to be sent to all public schools nationwide, officials from the Education Department and the Department of Justice said they are rescinding earlier guidance documents from the Obama administration allowing transgender students to use restrooms specific to their gender identity. Both departments gave several reasons for the decision to withdraw the policy contained in the documents, issued on January 7, 2015 and May 13, 2016. First, the officials said both documents fail to present "extensive legal analysis" or an explanation as to how the guidance aims to comply or abide with Title IX, the law that protects people from discrimination based on sex. Second, the documents led to several legal actions. While the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that "sex" can be defined ambiguously and interpreted according to one's gender identity, another federal district court in Texas ruled that "sex" simply refers to one's biological sex, the sex assigned at birth. The Texas court added that formal rule-making should be done before enforcing any policy. Third, both departments agree that the documents did not undergo the formal public process of enforcing policies. They said the role of the States and district schools in establishing educational policies should be given due respect. Betsy DeVos, current Education Secretary, told the Washington Post that this issue is "best solved at the state and local level." She said schools, families, and communities can find solutions that benefit all students. Both departments explicitly note that the withdrawal of transgender students' permission to use restrooms according to the gender they identify with does not mean anybody can discriminate, bully, or harass them. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights said it will continue to protect all students, including LGBT students, from discrimination, bullying, and harassment. Dear Abby: I am a new mom to a sweet baby boy. I will have to return to work shortly, and I'm really struggling. I have a hard time putting my little one in day care, but I don't have a choice. I have no idea where to begin, how to select the right day care or what questions to ask. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. New Mom in California Dear New Mom: Start by talking to your friends and family, asking if they know of a day care that's good, then make sure that any facility you're considering is licensed. Spend time there to see how the caregivers interact with the children. Go to babycenter.com. You will find a section on day care centers that will give you the information you need. You also should check with your state's department of social services to be sure no complaints have been filed. Good luck. Dear Abby: Over the years the people closest to me have given me every reason not to trust anyone much. About a year ago I found the courage to date again and met a man who gives me every reason to trust him to the fullest. The problem is, because of my past, I'm having problems doing it. How do I move past my issues and give the relationship I'm in a fair chance? Gun-Shy in Maine Dear Gun-Shy: Allow the relationship more time to develop. Don't be afraid to talk things out with him rather than react by jumping to conclusions and/or making accusations. Listen to what he says and watch what he does. If the two don't match, regard it as a red flag. However, if they do match, then count your blessings because you may have finally found a winner. Dear Abby: For years I've gone to a neighborhood bar every Friday night for a few hours during cocktail hour. I have recently started using oxygen due to COPD from smoking. My doctor says I can do anything I feel I'm up to. Well, I'm up to going out to the bar like I used to do. Trouble is, I'm self-conscious about the carrier. It doesn't bother me to go out to stores, etc., but this does. Should I stay home, bored out of my mind, or get on with the life I used to have? Wants to get on With Life Dear Wants: Your doctor has said you can do what you want. I see nothing to be gained by sitting home alone and becoming depressed. My concern is that your regular bar may be smoky and be problematic for your already-damaged lungs. If the bar is smoke-free, go. But if it isn't, then I'm suggesting you find one that is. DearAbby.comDear AbbyP.O. Box 69440Los Angeles, CA 90069Universal Press Syndicate This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate In his mission to bring a curated line-up for discerning music audiences to his renovated theater-turned-music venue, Edwin Cabaniss is staying true to his word by hosting Son Volt at the Heights Theater March 5. The group, fronted by Jay Farrar, one of the founding members of Uncle Tupelo that also spawned Wilco from its co-founder Jeff Tweedy when the band broke up in 1994, is touring in support of their new album "Notes of Blue." Farrar is an alt-country icon, often cited as a progenitor of the genre, yet not as widely celebrated as Tweedy who reaped more commercial success (some say by harvesting most of Uncle Tupelo's band members into Wilco). But success means different things to different people not to dismiss Tweedy who has made beautiful, voluminous albums with Wilco yet Farrar continues to mine the depths of his life for inspiration as well mixed genres of music and instrumentation as he marches forward with Son Volt into their second decade. The latest release from Son Volt is a 10-track, tightly-knit assortment of gifts to the entire style of music known as the blues and all its tributaries from a songwriter who managed to do so despite opening the album with a decidedly non-blues track. "Promise the World" is, on the surface, more 1970s-California rock, but the guitar feels like feet across a dusty dance hall during a lazy two-step, and the backing strings and melodic vocals are an uplifting sermon about getting up after dark lows. He moves on with "Back Against the Wall" and the guidance of someone who's seen some heartbreak and disappointment. "What survives the long, cold winter will be stronger and can't be undone. With this back against the wall all will soon be revealed," he says. There are digressions into garage rock, folk, alt-country that will satisfy the indie, mid-90s longing in the right demographic and an Americana-inspired, "Kaw-Liga"reminiscent tune called "Cherokee St.," which is the name of an actual street in Farrar's hometown of St. Louis, Mo. He dives head-first into American blues with "The Storm" and "Cairo and Southern" without landing anywhere near too on the nose. "Been in this storm so long...Spent all my money on whiskey and women, when I get to California I'll be fine," he sings on top of acoustic guitars in "The Storm." Son Volt could make an impression in almost any venue, but The Heights Theater with its hand-picked showcases, small standing room and slim balcony supplies the reverential atmosphere Farrar has created on "Notes of Blue." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A study conducted by Humble ISD places it as one of the top 10 fastest growing districts in Texas. Superintendent Elizabeth Fagen said a demographic study shows Humble Independent School District would possibly be serving thousands more students. "The district commissioned a demographic study in the early 2000s that showed that thousands of new students would be enrolling," Fagen said. The district noticed the growth with the new subdivision developments along Beltway 8 and West Houston Parkway, which led to more school openings. HOUSTON-AREA HISTORY: How 21 suburban cities got their names "The district has opened nine schools in the past 10 years and constantly monitors growth to ensure that resources will be in place for students," Fagen said. Fagen believes the district's track record for their academic and extracurricular excellence is definitely a strong defining factor for projected growth, but that there's more to it. "Our community is known for its commitment to maintaining a high quality of life that is both child-centered and familyfocused," Fagen said. Humble ISD is the fastest growing for a number of reasons, but Fagen there's a recipe for their success. "The community's engagement and support for education is second to none. It is because of this community support that the district succeeds in meeting student needs," Fagen said. Guy Sconzo, former superintendent of Humble ISD and executive director of the Fast Growth School Coalition, said this news comes as no surprise to him. Sconzo said Humble ISD has always focused on providing the best for their students. "From my perspective, the school board in Humble really forever is a school board that (has) consistently focused on trying and wanting to do best possible for all children being served," he said. Humble ISD currently has two new schools being built in The Groves. Elementary 28 that is planned to open in August of 2017, and the district's ninth middle school is scheduled to open in 2018. Plans to build more schools will depend on the district's needs and growth. Libraries have been vital in communities for ages. Now, in the era of digital media and instant information, more people are doing research and other traditional library tasks digitally. With so many people receiving information "on the go," local Cypress and Klein libraries are working to evolve in the digital times. Social media platforms are one of the main avenues libraries are connecting with others digitally. "The Harris County Library System and my branch create content on a variety of social media platforms," Gavin Sheaffer said, branch manager of the Northwest Branch Library. "A short list of social media services that I use almost daily are Facebook, Flickr, and Nextdoor.com, but Harris County Library System has a presence on all of the major social media platforms." It is now common for public libraries to offer access to public computers with wifi. Other library amenities usually include some or all of the following: computer classes, e-book assistance, exhibits, outreach services, and proctored distance learning exams. The Northwest Branch Library has a circulation of approximately 459,000. The American Community Survey, which is conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, reported that 85.1 percent of American homes have some sort of computer. The library's staff do still find it important to implement ways to appeal to millennials and other age groups who prefer to receive information on the internet or through apps on their phones or tablets. "One way our library engages with this demographic is by providing several app based library services. Public library apps like Overdrive and HOOPLA greatly appeal to our customers who are hungry for digital content," Sheaffer said. "Through services such as Overdrive, our customers have ready access to ebooks, e-audiobooks, and other digital library content for free. Our digital services are readily available, are fine free and play well with both Android and Apple devices." According to the Pew Research Center, the vast majority of Americans 95 percent now own a cellphone of some kind. The share of Americans that own smartphones is now 77 percent. Library representatives still believe they can support and attract people who prefer their phone or other devices for their information. The library staff engages with people who prefer digital information from person devices through outreach within their communities. The library representatives will go out in to the community on a regular basis to inform others about the library resources and services. Outreach take place in community spaces such as farmers markets, convention centers, or area school. The changes of technology and meeting the needs of the majority of people using digital devices is making public community libraries shift and re-focus being a vital attraction for the community. For those who work and volunteer in the public library system, they feel that libraries are still needed and can evolve with the digital times. "A public library is the de facto heart of each community. A library will provide services to everybody. It's the one place in town were you will regularly interact with members of your community that you may not encounter on a daily basis," Sheaffer said. "Library programs and services for the most part are free to use by the general public. More so, libraries are accommodating by nature and are responsive to the needs of each individual community that they serve, we listen." Staff of the Barbara Bush Branch Library of the Harris County Public Library System (HCPL) believe that they are keeping up with the age of new technology. Resources at the library include audiotapes, CDs, videos, DVDs, and more than 130 public computers. "Libraries have always kept up on the cutting edge of technology. In the old days, that meant we had microfilm and computers when other agencies did not," Clara Maynard said, branch manager of the Barbara Bush Branch Library. "Now it means we teach classes on robotics, coding and 3D printing. We used to have newsletters, now we blog, tweet, chat, etc. on all the social media sites. We are always evolving to meet the needs of our users." The library, which first opened its doors in 1976 as the Cypress Creek Branch Library of the Harris County Library System, now circulates more than 1.2 million items annually. Through the library's app, people have access to streaming video, digital magazines, ebooks, music, and audio books. The library staff also go out into the community events to promote its services. Last year, the Harris County Public Library System even implemented a digital challenge for the community. "In 2016, Harris County Public Library challenged the community to check out a million digital items in OverDrive in one calendar year through a campaign called Project Mill-E. The community responded by checking out 1,172,621 digital items," Linda Stevens said, division manager, programs, partnerships & outreach of HCPL. "In November of 2016 Harris County Commissioners Court and OverDrive recognized Harris County Public Library as the first library system in the state of Texas to check out a million digital items in a calendar year." Libraries are still seen to many people as places where others can come to learn and interact with one another. Some people might wonder if the libraries will become obsolete in time or if the information centers will continue to adapt to the changing world of technology. "Technology may change, but people won't. We may offer material in different formats, but people will still need a place to come, to learn, to connect," Maynard said. "We'll be in the community of the future, even if it's a different venue." Library representatives believe there will always be a place for libraries in the community because the center serves as such a strong information source for the people in the community. Resources, amenities, and socialization are welcomed in libraries which serve as an incubator for the community to learn and grow. "With all of the information and experiences that are shared through technology, libraries are a primary resource in the knowledge ecosystem and play a key role in stimulating thought, action, and learning," Edward Melton said, Harris County Public Library director. "Public Libraries level the playing field by providing free access to a wealth of information and resources that may not be accessible in other places of the community." For community members who utilize and work in their area libraries, they do believe the library will always serve as a major resource. Staff of libraries across various communities also believe the centers for information have the ability to continue to evolve. "I believe libraries will continue doing what they do best, evolving. Libraries do a very good job at adapting to change, whether its demographic or technological and are not afraid to embrace the challenges that come with change," Sheaffer said. "Our leaders will do whatever is necessary to make sure our communities and our customers have a library that is responsive to their needs and that's why I believe libraries will continue to have a future." Northwest Branch Library 11355 Regency Green Drive Cypress, TX 77429 Phone: 281-890-2665 Web: www.hcpl.net/location/northwest-branch-library Facebook: www.facebook.com/northwestlibrary/ Twitter: @northwestlib Barbara Bush Branch Library 6817 Cypresswood Drive Spring, TX 77379 Phone: 281-376-4610 Web: www.hcpl.net/location/barbara-bush-branch-library-cypress-creek Facebook: www.facebook.com/barbarabushlibrary/ Twitter: @barbarabushlib The lies weren't the worst part of Senor Trumpanzee's CPAC speech yesterday. It was the fascist tone, eagerly devoured by his collaborators, that got to me. Anyone who has familiarized themselves with the World War II era and the rise of Naziism would have heard the signals loud and clear, likely inserted, very consciously, into Trump's speech by one of the neo-Nazis around him-- either Bannon, Gorka or Miller The media is avoiding the topic. It's bizarre to talk about it. It's easier to discuss how many lies he told. Not that it's so easy since he lied in nearly every paragraph of the speech the little fascist shits rotifer him. The Washington Post's fact checkers, Glenn Kessler and Michelle Ye Hee Lee, noted that the speech "was littered with some of the presidents favorite and frequently cited falsehoods" and picked out 13 whoppers. Here are some of them: I saw one story recently where they said, Nine people have confirmed. There are no nine people. I dont believe there was one or two people. Nine people . They make up sources. Trump is referring to a Washington Post article that disclosed that then-national security adviser Michael Flynn privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that countrys ambassador to the United States during the month before Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials. The Post report prompted a firestorm that led to Flynns firing by Trump, because it turned out that Flynn had misled Vice President Pence and other administration officials about whether he had discussed sanctions. The article cited information provided by nine current and former officials, who were in senior positions at multiple agencies at the time of the calls. (Calls by the Russian ambassador are monitored by intelligence agencies.) No White House official has disputed the accuracy of the article-- and indeed, it resulted in Flynns departure from the administration. The dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people. The fake news. They dropped off the word fake. And all of a sudden the story became the media is the enemy. Trump is making a distinction without a difference. This is the tweet in question: Trump listed five mainstream media organizations-- the New York Times, NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN-- as the fake news media and declared that they are the enemy of the American people. By listing major media organizations as the enemy, Trump was clearly making a statement about the broader news media. These are bad dudes. Were getting the bad ones out, okay? Were getting the bad-- if you watch these people, its like gee, thats so sad. Were getting bad people out of this country, people that shouldnt be whether its drugs or murder or other things. Were getting bad ones out, those are the ones that go first and I said it from day one. Basically all Ive done is keep my promise. Trump is referring to the recent arrests of undocumented immigrants convicted of crimes, or the bad dudes. Trump takes credit for fulfilling his campaign promise of cracking down on illegal immigration, but these arrests are routine. ICE has always targeted dangerous criminals in enforcement priorities. The recent arrests, however, did include people who would not have fallen under narrowed enforcement priorities under Obama. Still, 25 percent of the arrests were of people who had lesser charges and noncriminal convictions. According to anecdotes of recent arrests, undocumented people with traffic violations were subject to arrest. They are not the bad dudes, like drug dealers or murderers, that he describes. In the Middle East, weve spent as of four weeks ago, $6 trillion. Think of it. Trump is lumping together the wars in Iraq (in the Middle East) and Afghanistan (in South Asia), which together cost about $1.6 trillion from 2001 to 2014. He is also adding in estimates of future spending, such as interest on the debt and veterans care for the next three decades. Obamacare covers very few people-- and remember, deduct from the number all of the people that had great health care that they loved that was taken away from them-- it was taken away from them. Trump essentially repeats a false GOP talking point that previously earned Four Pinocchios. The Obama administration calculated that about 20 million people have gained health coverage as a result of the ACA, a figure that seems reasonable. Meanwhile, the number of plans that were canceled is far lower, though there appears to be no research that has determined exactly how many people had their policies canceled because the health insurance did not comply with the Affordable Care Act. An estimated 2.6 million people received notices of cancellations, but there was such an outcry over reports of cancellations that the Obama administration rushed to issue waivers that would allow people to keep their plans. Forty states accepted the waiver policy-- which in most cases remains in effect until December 2017. So a vast majority of the people who might have received notices actually were able to keep their plans, even up until today. Its important to remember that the individual insurance market has a lot of ebb and flow, with people moving in and out of it as they change jobs, so the odds are many people who might have been affected by plan terminations would have already switched plans. One study found that in the 2008-2011 period, only 42 percent of policyholders in the non-group market retained that coverage after 12 months, with many moving to an employer-provided plan when obtaining a new job. ICE came and endorsed me. They never endorsed a presidential candidate before, they might not even be allowed to. This is one of Trumps favorite claims. Federal agencies cant endorse political candidates. The unions representing Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and Border Patrol agents did endorse Trump. Both groups said Trump was their first-ever endorsement. But they did not do so unanimously. The National Border Patrol Council endorsement was based just on the vote of 11 union leaders, which sparked controversy among union members. Agents in El Paso, in a 14 to 13 vote, narrowly failed to have the local union disavow the endorsement. Im also working with the Department of Justice to begin reducing violent crime. I mean, can you believe whats happening in Chicago as an example? Two days ago, seven people were shot and I believe killed. Seven people, seven people, Chicago, a great American city, seven people shot and killed. We will support the incredible men and women of law enforcement. Seven people were shot and killed in Chicago on Feb. 22, the deadliest day in the city so far this year. Homicides in Chicago so far are on track with the same period in 2016, when Chicago recorded the most homicides in two decades, the Chicago Tribune reported. Overall, violent crime is on a decades-long decline since the height of the crack cocaine epidemic in the early 1990s. In 2016, there was an uptick in the homicide rate in the 30 largest cities. Its too early to say whether this uptick indicates the return of a crime wave. One outlier city, Chicago, was responsible for 43.7 percent of the total increase in homicide rates in 2016. Trump continues to focus on one outlier city, whose violence-- while a growing concern for local officials-- is not representative of overall national trends. Ford and Fiat Chrysler, General Motors, Sprint, Intel, and so many others are now, because of the election result, making major investments in the United States, expanding production and hiring more workers. And theyre going back to Michigan and theyre going back to Ohio and theyre going back to Pennsylvania and theyre going back to North Carolina and to Florida. Trump keeps giving himself credit for business decisions made before he became president. For instance, Fords decision has more to do with the companys long-term goal-- particularly its plans to invest in electric vehicles-- than with the administration. Heres what Ford chief executive Mark Fields said about the companys decision to abandon plans to open a factory in Mexico: The reason that we are not building the new plant, the primary reason, is just demand has gone down for small cars. Meanwhile, the January jobs report, showing 230,000 jobs were created, reflects the last month of the Obama administration. The data was collected in early January, when Obama was still president. Its time for all Americans to get off of welfare and get back to work, youre going to love it, youre going to love it, youre going to love it. Welfare is a broad term and can apply to people who are working but receiving some government assistance. If someone is receiving means-tested assistance, it doesnt necessarily mean they are not working. Not all people eligible for welfare collect benefits. When they do, many of the benefits are contingent on the recipients working or actively searching for jobs, as a result of an overhaul of welfare signed into law by Clinton in 1996. And even low-income families receive some level of public assistance. Trump is apparently unaware that participation has declined in means-tested programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps). I took a lot of heat on Sweden. And then a day later, I said has anybody reported whats going on? And it turned out that they didnt-- not too many of them did. Take a look at what happened in Sweden. I love Sweden, great country, great people, I love Sweden. But they understand. The people over there understand Im right. Trump had referred to rising crime rates in Sweden, but the countrys overall rate has fallen in recent years. Sweden has welcomed refugees and immigrants, but Swedish crime experts do not agree that the countrys immigration policies are linked to crime. Just two days after Trump made his false claim, riots broke out in a predominantly immigrant neighborhood in Stockholm, the countrys capital. That neighborhood was the scene of riots in 2010 and 2013, stemming from anger directed at the influx of refugees and migrants into the country. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Jose Escobar, a Houston husband and father of three, has been caught up in the tightening enforcement of U.S. immigration laws. After 16 years of productive life in this country, Escobar has just learned that he is about to be deported. During a required check-in at the local immigration office, an agent told his wife, "We're just doing what President Trump wants us to do with the new rules." Escobar, 31, arrived in Houston in 2001 as a teenager from El Salvador. That's when he met Rose, a classmate who later became his wife. This week, Rose Escobar explained the family's situation to Houston Chronicle reporter Lomi Kriel. You can read the full story about their struggle on HoustonChronicle.com. CUTTING TIES: Sheriff ends Harris County partnership with federal immigration program Jose's mother, who had come to the United States several years before he did, sent for him when he was 15 and eligible for temporary protected status due to the situation in his home country. His mother thought his residency permit would automatically renew when hers did, but that was not the case. Also, the family moved and didn't get the notice that Jose had missed the deadline for renewal. Aside from the botched paperwork, Jose has not violated any U.S. law. By the time he realized his tenuous status, the government had started deportation proceedings, but fortunately no one seemed to be actively looking for him. That is, not until June 6, 2011, when immigration agents stopped Jose as he pulled out of his driveway to go to work. 'SENSITIVE LOCATIONS': Proposed Texas bill would prevent immigration enforcement in hospitals, churches, other public places Rose, a U.S. citizen and a receptionist at Texas Children's Hospital, said she "went into panic mode" and consulted everyone she could think of, including lawyers and elected officials. It apparently helped, because he was released in January 2012 and told to check in with immigration agents once a year. The check-ins went smoothly until Wednesday, when he reported for his annual visit. After he and Rose spent the entire day waiting in the office, agents told the couple to say their goodbyes because Jose was being returned to El Salvador under executive orders signed last month by President Donald Trump. A statement Thursday from Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed that Jose is being processed for deportation. The statement said he was released in 2012 "so he could get his affairs in order prior to his removal to El Salvador." A spokesman for U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, said her office is working with the immigration agency to "come to some sort of resolution." This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate There's a new sheriff in town in Hillsboro and he's pledging a new look for a man last seen nearly three years ago. Hill County Sheriff Rodney Watson, who took office in January, said he's moving the case of John Terry high on the priority list. Along with a fresh search on Feb. 25, 2017, the sixth such search in recent weeks,, investigators sent evidence to the state crime lab that had not previously been tested. VANISHED: She left work 25 years ago and hasn't been seen since "We're really at a loss," Watson told WFAA-TV. "We really don't know. We're trying to find any possible leads we can get." Terry was last seen Oct. 17, 2014 driving away from the Wal-Mart in Hillsboro. Deputies found his abandoned pickup truck the next day on Hill County Road 2346 with the windows down and the keys still inside. In a puzzling twist, deputies also found blood and other evidence they've declined to discuss in Terry's home. ISLAND MYSTERY: Woman's disappearance from South Padre Island puzzles investigators Hill County Sheriffs officials believe that John Terry was the victim of foul play. Cody Terry also believes his brother is dead. It hurts really bad even two and half years after, he told the TV station. Family and friends have raised a $10,000 reward for information about his whereabouts. Anyone with information about the case can contact the Hill County Sheriffs Office at 254-582-5313. >>>Scroll through the gallery to see more information about missing persons cases in Texas As the nation basks in some of the warmest February weather it's seen in decades, the U.S. Geological Survey has been quick to point out that the early spring conditions are just another symptom of climate change. On Thursday, the USGS shared a new analysis just released by the USA-National Phenology Network, which the agency helps to fund, showing that an early spring has already swept through the Southeast and is continuing to work its way across the country. As the agency points out, the new analysis reaffirms a fact scientists have known for at least a decade now -- that "climate change is variably advancing the onset of spring across the United States." The analysis relies on a special "spring index," which defines the start of spring as the point when temperatures allow for certain early-season events in plants, such as the emergence of leaves and blooms. The index was created using data that's been collected for a citizen science project over the past few decades, according to Jake Weltzin, executive director of the USA-National Phenology Network and an ecologist with the USGS, which helped fund the project. Since the 1950s, volunteers have been collecting information about the leafing and blooming of certain plants, such as lilacs and honeysuckle, Weltzin said. More recently, climatologist Mark Schwartz of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee used this information to develop an algorithm that can now be used with national temperature data to determine where and when "spring" has arrived across the country. By comparing this year's temperatures with data from previous years, the scientists are able to determine which locations are seeing an unusually early spring compared to the average. Washington, D.C., for instance, saw its spring arrive a whopping 22 days early, according to the analysis. In general, the new season has already made its appearance throughout most of the Southeast and as far north as southern Illinois and Indiana. It's now starting to show up scattered locations across the Western states, including in parts of Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona, and has even begun to creep into California. The same index was also used in a recent study which demonstrated that spring is arriving earlier and earlier in many national parks throughout the United States. Looking at data spanning the past 112 years, the study found that spring has been advancing in 76 percent of the nation's national parks. And more than half of all parks are experiencing extreme early springs compared to 95 percent of the historical record. These findings, along with the newly released maps of this year's springs, are all just another way of pointing to the progression of climate change, Weltzin noted. He also noted that, while the balmy conditions this February may seem nice on the surface, an early spring can come with all kinds of downsides. For one thing, the onset of warm weather is also associated with the reemergence of disease-carrying parasites and insects, such as ticks and mosquitoes. It can also carry serious agricultural risks. Early springs are sometimes followed by sudden frosts or droughts later in the summer, which can be devastating for crops that have already begun to grow. It's happened several times in the recent past, Weltzin pointed out -- in 2012, the grape harvest in Southwestern Michigan was ravaged by a sudden cold snap following an early spring, and a similar incident hammered the tree nut harvest in the Southeast in 2007, he said. As far as the latest climate news goes, there are other indicators of the long-term climatic changes that are happening in the U.S., Weltzin noted. But the onset of spring remains one of the more dramatic red flags. "There's actually some evidence that suggests that the timing of fall is changing as well," he said. "That's a more complicated season, we don't have as much data, but we are seeing some changes, and we are trying to better understand and describe what those are." But he added, "Spring is really the big one -- it comes in with a bang." Getting the Facts By: David Henderson In the late 1990s and early 2000s, in one standard part of an optimistic speech I gave about the modern economy and the effect of the Internet, I told a story from a 1977 Woody Allen movie, Annie Hall, that I could reasonably assume about half of my audience had seen. Its the scene in which Woody Allen gets in an argument in a movie line about what Marshall McLuhan believed. Woody cinches the argument. Heres the dialogue: Woody: I happen to have Mr. McLuhan right here. So here, let me, come over here for a second (pulling the real Marshall McLuhan out from behind a poster.) Tell him. McLuhan (to guy Woody is arguing with): I heard what youre saying. You know nothing of my work. You mean my whole fallacy is wrong. How you ever got to teach a course in anything is totally amazing. Woody (staring at the camera): Boy, if life were only like this. I told the story briefly and then pointed out that, indeed, the Internet means that life is like this. You sometimes have to dig a little but you can find facts quickly. We all, I said, can bring into the discussion our own version of Marshall McLuhan. Sometimes you might have to email someone who knows, but emailing is so much faster than sending a letter, both in the sending and in the work the other person has to do to respond. I should have added, in my talk, that life is like this if you want it to be. What I have found, unfortunately, is that people typically go with their priors and arent willing to ask tough questions when the apparent facts support their priors. Which brings me to something that happened yesterday. A friend on Facebook (I put friend in quotation marks because its someone I dont know who friended meif we met, he might indeed be a friend) had a link to this video of something that happened on the floor of the California State Senate. In the video, State Senator Janet Nguyen, a Republican from Orange County went after the late Senator Tom Hayden for his support of the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam war. After she switched from speaking Vietnamese to speaking English, two of the Democratic Senators tried to shut her down and she ended up being forcefully removed from the Senate floor. This was awful, I thought. How could they justify making her stop when all she was doing was expressing her opinion about somebody? One of the two Senators who tried to shut her down was my Senator, Bill Monning, who is also Majority Leader of the Senate. Bill and I first met when we were on a panel at Robert Louis Stevenson school in which the topic was the Iraq War. The U.S. government had invaded Iraq the previous month and RLS held a forum. Morning, then a professor at the Monterey (now Middlebury) Institute of International Studies, Richard Hoffman, a military faculty member and an Army officer from the Naval Postgraduate School, Kip Hawley, a local Republican who later became head of the TSA, and I were invited. I dont think Bill or I surprised anyone because our antiwar views were well-known locally. The big surprise was Richard Hoffman, who was very critical of the war. Hawley was the only supporter. A few years later, Bill and I both spoke at an antiwar rally during the Bush administration. In both cases we hit it off. I had one run-in with him in a restaurant around that time in which he made a false accusation. But when I persisted in challenging him, he apologized. So my bottom line was that he was a fair-minded man. So I thought I would write him about this latest incident. Heres my letter that I wrote to him late Friday afternoon: Dear Bill, It has been a long time since weve spoken. I hope this finds you well. I saw a segment on line today in which you, on the Senate floor, objected to the state senator from Orange County criticizing Tom Hayden. Im not familiar with Senate rules. Is it not allowed for someone on the Senate floor to criticize a fellow Senator even if that Senator is no longer a Senator? Best, David P.S. My best to your wife and daughter. Less than 4 hours later he responded: Hi David, The situation was unfortunate, but the member did not follow Senate rules The Adjourn in Memory for Hayden was on Tuesday with tributes from colleagues, etc. Sen. Nguyen wanted to offer criticism of Sen Hayden on Thursday when the Adjourn in Memory motion was not on the floor. She asked to do so as matter of personal privilege but that is reserved for a member to defend him/herself if attacked by another member. That was not the case. I sought to make a Point of Order which would have allowed for us to discuss her desire to speak and determine the parliamentary procedure that would apply. I was not allowed to make the point of order as Sen Nguyen continued to talk without pause. When she refused to acknowledge the request of the presiding officer to stop talking so that the point of order could be discussed, he asked sergeants to remove her from the chamber. . . . There were many other options available to her as we pointed out to the minority leader She could have submitted a letter to the file (an official procedural option) and could have released that to the media or held a press conference to share it. She could have spoken to the media and/or issued her own press statement. Instead she chose to make her statement on the floor and refused to listen to the presiding officer who had a motion before him. . . . Hope you and your family are all doing well. Thanks for your outreach and for the opportunity to offer a perspective from the lens of someone who sought to bring some order to this situation. Warmly, Bill I replied: Dear Bill, I very much appreciate your getting back to me so quickly. I have always thought you are a fair-minded person and its nice to see that I have no reason to revise that view. We are doing well. Thanks. Best, David I got his permission to quote from his letter. 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. AVON, Ohio -- St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception School in Avon prides itself on being an innovative Catholic school. As it continues to grow its academic credentials, the school is working to earn an official Ohio STEM designation from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). If approved, the school will be the first STEM designated school in Lorain County. STEM -- the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math -- emphasizes the use of critical thinking skills using these key subject areas. Over the past six years, under the direction of Principal, Colleen Schager, St. Mary has invested in numerous programs to support STEM education, ranging from Lego Robotics and Science Fusion lab series, to Makey-Makey Innovation Creation and 3D printing. Students have experienced hands-on how to approach tasks using STEM subjects to support thoughtful and thorough solutions to multiple areas of their education. "Our students love our STEM programs and they're having so much fun completing them," said Schager. "I have heard numerous positive remarks from our parents about our current STEM programs, as well as [from] prospective families choosing to attend St. Mary's school due to our STEM programs being offered." Once the application is submitted to the ODE, Schager, along with Bart Chatfield, head of computers and technology at St. Mary, will travel to meet with ODE officials to discuss the school's intended focus on Health and Wellness and Agricultural Bio-Engineering. The school has plans to partner with both businesses and institutions of higher learning, including The Cleveland Clinic, Shearer Equipment - a John Deere Supplier, St. Edward High School, Lorain County Community College, and Cleveland State University. Through these partnerships, students will be challenged to use problem solving skills and integrate religious curriculum and Catholic values to solve real-world problems within our community. The school also plans to begin integrating Problem/Project-Based Learning to curriculum during the 2017-2018 school year. AVON Safety Town registration open: The City of Avon Parks and Recreation Department and the Avon Police Department offer a Safety Town program designed for children entering kindergarten (it is not a requirement to enter kindergarten). The week-long sessions take place at the Avon Board of Education Office, 36600 Detroit Road, and in the Avon Safety Town behind the board office. Each day focuses on a different topic such as fire safety, riding the bus and healthy living. The program is open to Avon residents/students. Cost is $25. To register, go to cityofavon.com and click on the Parks and Recreation tab. Kids Kloset resale: Time to start cleaning out the kids' closets and drawers. Tables are now available for the Avon Early Childhood PTA Kid's Kloset resale event. The sale will be held from 7 a.m. to noon April 1 at Avon Middle School, 3445 Long Road. The cost to rent a table is $35, or $65 for two spaces and are available on a first come basis. Don't miss this opportunity to sell gently used infant and children's clothes, toys, furniture, baby equipment, and maternity clothes. Vendor set up will be in the evening March 31. For more information, email KidsKloset@AvonECPTA.Org or go to avonecpta.org. Library art show: The Friends of the Avon Library are holding their annual art show featuring works by local adult artists at Lorain Public Library System's Avon Branch. The art will be on display now through March 31 during regular library hours. For more information, call the library at 440-934-4743. Puppy pals story time: Volunteers from Therapy Dogs International, along with their animals, will participate in a story time from 2 to 3 p.m. March 4 at the Lorain Public Library System's Avon Branch. Pre-K and school-age children will learn about the jobs of different therapy and service dogs, take part in a puppy read along and make doggy crafts. Preregistration is required and is available online at LorainPublicLibrary.org or by calling the library at 440-934-4743. Tech help: Having trouble working your iPhone, iPad, tablet, Kindle, computer, or any other device? Seniors citizens or anyone needing a little help with technology are invited to attend a free monthly Tech Connect event led by the Avon High School Key Club and held at St. Mary's of the Woods Retirement Community, 35755 Detroit Road. Need help with email, Facebook, apps or just getting on the internet? Stop in the first Monday of every month from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for one-on-one help with all your devices. The next event is March 6. Manage photos from cloud: Learn how to upload photos and videos to the cloud from your computer, and how to transfer pictures and videos from your cell phone or tablet from 6 to 8 p.m. March 6 at the Lorain Public Library System's Avon Branch. Preregistration is required and is available online at LorainPublicLibrary.org or by calling the library at 440-934-4743. Coding with pizza: Presented by the Avon High School Tech Club, pizza is key at a free hands-on workshop for students in grades 7-12 to learn the basics of Python programming from ordering pizza. The event takes place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. March 8 at the Lorain Public Library System's Avon Branch. Students will write code and discover resources to help continue developing skills. Pizza will be provided. Preregistration is required and is available online at LorainPublicLibrary.org or by calling the library at 440-934-4743. Lenten mission: The Lenten season is here. Father John Misenko and Holy Trinity Parish invite the public to attend "Christian Discipleship," featuring Father Damian Ference, from 7 to 8 p.m. March 12-14 at Holy Trinity Church, 33601 Detroit Road. The evenings will focus on the topics of God and Creation; Sin and Redemption; and Sacraments and Mission. Father Ference has been part of the formation faculty at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe since 2009. He writes writes for a variety of periodicals, and regularly conducts parish retreats and missions. High school musical: Avon High School's Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 3229 present, "RENT School Edition" at 7 p.m. March 17-18 and at 2 p.m. March 19. Presale tickets are $8 student/senior and $10 adults. At the door tickets are $10 student/senior and $12 adults. To purchase tickets, go to seatyourself.biz/avonhs. There is a parental advisory for the show due to mature themes and subject matter. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent School Edition is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. AVON LAKE Photographer showcased: Avon Lake resident and University of Findlay student, Hope Chisar, recently participated in the ArtSpace/Lima Photography Club's 2017 Juried Photography Exhibit. Beginning beekeeping: Learn what it takes to be a beekeeper at 7 p.m. March 6 at the Avon Lake Public Library as Kristopher and Evona Gaughan, of Gaughan Bee Dancin', share information geared toward beginners. Guests will learn where to place a hive, how to install and feed bees, and how to conduct a hive inspection. The presentation will include a beehive and the tools used to care for them. Registration is required at the Information desk or online at alpl.org. NORTH RIDGEVILLE Cemeteries clean up: The North Ridgeville Cemetery Department is requesting the public assist in clearing all plastic and artificial flowers and any other weathered decorations by Friday at city-owned cemeteries. All items left will be disposed of beginning March 6 and will not be able to be retrieved thereafter. For questions concerning cemetery rules and regulations, contact Gary Teel, cemetery sexton/grounds maintenance supervisor, at 440-353-0819. Tax prep: R.I.T.A. agents will be at city hall to answer questions and assist with R.I.T.A. municipal income tax return preparation from 1 to 7 p.m. March 7 on a first come, first serve basis. To receive assistance preparing tax returns, residents are requested to bring the following: Social Security numbers for yourself and your spouse (if applicable); W2(s) from all employers and Form 1099s; Federal Schedule(s) C, E, and F, Federal forms K-1, 2106, 3903, and 1040; and addresses and dates for each location in which you resided during 2016. For more information, call R.I.T.A. Customer Services at 800-860-7482. Character building: North Ridgeville City Schools have implemented a district-wide character building initiative for students. Led by Wilcox Elementary School staff, students from across the district collaborated to kick off the initiative and created a music video. Singing Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror," students demonstrated how to learn from others, build tolerance and acceptance, and build a sense of awareness for our school community. To view the video, go to bit.ly/2lunBuJ. Jazz music performance: Enjoy a jazz music trio playing the sounds of early jazz and sharing the history of jazz music from 3 to 4:30 p.m. March 12 at the Lorain Public Library System's North Ridgeville Branch. The event is sponsored by The Friends of the North Ridgeville Branch Library, Inc. For more information, call the library at 440-327-8326. Career Tech workshops: Third, fourth and fifth-grade students throughout Lorain County can experience various career tech areas during the Lorain County JVS Career Tech Saturday hands-on workshops for elementary students from 10 a.m. to noon March 11 at the Lorain County JVS, 15181 OH-58, Oberlin. Students will have the opportunity to plant seeds, transplant and harvest vegetables, construct a lightening circuit board or even learn how to make ice cream. Parents/guardians can also observe students in these environments and will be able to see firsthand all that Lorain County JVS has to offer. There will also be services and demonstrations available to the parents/guardians, such as flower arranging, cooking demos and salon services; as well as free Wi-Fi. To register, go to lcjvs.com. Students must be registered to attend the event. Business competition qualifiers: Several Lorain County JVS student members of the BPA Organization (Business Professionals of America) recently competed at the regional competition and earned a trip to compete at the BPA state competition in Columbus later this month. BPA is a student organization that contributes to the preparation of global professionals through the advancement of leadership, citizenship, academic and technological skills for students. Students from the Marketing and Management, Network Communications Technology and Web and Graphic Design programs competed in numerous events during the competition. Those advancing include: Nicholas Safos, Web and Graphic Design senior from Avon, took first place in Broadcast News Production Team; Tristan Hansen, Web and Graphic Design junior from Avon Lake, took second place in Fundamental Desktop Publishing; Sidney Coleman, Web and Graphic Design junior from North Ridgeville, took first place in Digital Publishing; Brandon Dotson, Web and Graphic Design junior from North Ridgeville, took first place in Video Production Team; Austin Jackson, Web and Graphic Design senior from North Ridgeville, took frirst place in Website Design Team; Tyler Prevett, Web and Graphic Design senior from North Ridgeville, took first place in Website Design Team; Abigail Reye, Web and Graphic Design junior from North Ridgeville, took second place in Fundamentals of Web Design; and Benjamin Ward, Network Communications Technology junior from North Ridgeville, took first place in Computer Network Technology and second place in PC Servicing and Troubleshooting. If you have news to share regarding an event, award or other interesting tidbit happening in Avon or Avon Lake, and North Ridgeville send me an email at jshortavon@aol.com. The column's online version is at Cleveland.com/Avon, which offers direct links for many of the news items listed. PEPPER PIKE, Ohio -- Damage to property (civil matter), Park Pointe Court: A North Ridgeville woman came to the police station late on Feb. 19 to report that her boyfriend, 41, had damaged her car after they got into an argument. She had returned to his house around 8 p.m. with some food she had picked up, but he was upset with the amount of time she took, and the argument escalated after she accused him of cheating on her. As she was leaving, she said he threw the food into her car and then punched out one of her taillights, leaving him with a gash on his hand that required eight stitches after she drove him to Ahuja Medical Center. But the argument resumed afterward and she stopped at the police station on her way home to document the incident. Disturbance, runaways, Chagrin Boulevard: Staff at the New Directions drug treatment facility had their hands full over a three-day period beginning on Feb. 18, when police were initially called in on a report of an out-of-control boy, 16. The boy had calmed down by the time police arrived and was trying to contact his parents to come get him. Then on Feb. 19, police were called shortly before 2 p.m. about two boys, 17 and 14, who had walked off from the center. They returned within about three hours. Finally, on Feb. 20, all three boys took off shortly after 10 a.m. Around 4:30 p.m. Cleveland police called to report they had one of them in custody on a shoplifting charge, with at least one of the other two also located. Identity theft, Shaker Boulevard: A resident reported Feb. 17 that he had been contacted by a bank and informed that someone had used his personal information to try to obtain a credit card, although the bank nixed it after the suspect could not answer additional questions correctly. Defective brake lights, distracted driving, expired license, warrant (out of range); Red Raven and Brainard roads: A Mayfield Heights man, 25, told police he was unaware that his driving status had expired in 2012 after they pulled him over Feb. 17 for only having one working brake light. He was also cited for the use of wireless communications while driving, and was informed that he had a misdemeanor warrant out of Stow, but they weren't going to pick him up. His car was eventually turned over to a valid driver who arrived on the scene. Expired license plates, auto towed: Route 87 and Brainard Road: A Cleveland man, 27, had his car towed on Feb. 18 after a random check showed that his license registration had expired last August. If you would like to discuss the police blotter, please visit our crime and courts comments page. Screen Shot 2017-01-31 at 12.07.48 PM.png Several cars were vandalized between Wednesday night and Thursday morning. (File photo) LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Lakewood police are investigating a vandalism spree that left several cars with broken windows between Wednesday night and early Thursday. No arrests have been made in the vandalism that happened between 6 p.m. and 7:30 a.m. along the streets near Harrison Elementary School. Police said that some of the damage was done with a BB gun, and are investigating the possibility that the incidents are connected, Lakewood police Capt. Gary Stone said. "Don't leave valuables visible in the car that the perpetrator can come down the driveway or street and look and see them," Stone said. "Keep your car locked, make sure it's in a driveway where it's well lit." The incidents happened: WASHINGTON - Ohio Gov. John Kasich and President Donald Trump met at the White House Friday to discuss an array of issues, but reforms to the Affordable Care Act appeared to dominate the meeting. Whether Kasich gets what he wants is an open question, as Congress is working on repealing the 2010 health insurance act, known as Obamacare, with some ideas counter to Kasich's. Kasich said Friday he considers one congressional proposal "not acceptable." Although Kasich says he wants the act "reformed" in a way that does no harm, even his ideas could result in a cut in the number of Ohioans with health coverage unless Congress becomes more generous with tax credits than it seems intent on now. We'll explain. The context: Kasich, fresh off a trip to Germany and England to meet with world leaders and businesses, spent an hour in the White House with Trump and several top aides. It has been unclear who invited whom; the governor's office said the president asked Kasich to come. The White House said Kasich asked for the meeting. Regardless, Kasich said it was a productive meeting that will continue with discussions Saturday with Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price and White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus - a meeting the president suggested, Kasich said. Kasich is staying in Washington for meetings of the National Governors Association and Republican Governors Association. Kasich said he discussed a number of topics with Trump, from drug abuse to human trafficking to the need for the White House to speak to world leaders "with one voice." But addressing reporters outside the West Wing after the meeting, the governor focused on health care. He said he discussed his ideas with Trump for reforming the Affordable Care Act and, within it, Medicaid, the joint federal-state program that insures the poor. The act allowed states to expand Medicaid so it covered people with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty limit, or $16,243 a year for an individual. With the federal government paying the full cost until 2020, Ohio took advantage of that allowance, adding about 700,000 people to its Medicaid rolls. What Kasich wants: Kasich has long been a critic of the act, although not all parts. He said Friday he discussed ideas "for ways in which we reform it, save money and make sure that people aren't left behind." Asked to elaborate, he mentioned ideas to: Roll back the Medicaid expansion so it only covers people up to the poverty level and not beyond. That would be $11,880 for a single person today or $24,300 for a family of four. That would still leave more people on Medicaid than before Obamacare, because the program used to exclude many adults who didn't have dependent children. Allow everyone else without health insurance coverage to purchase their own policies through the Obamacare "exchanges" or marketplaces. Stabilize that marketplace by giving insurers more flexibility in what conditions they must cover -- and buyers more choice in what they want. For example, Obamacare requires maternity coverage and other coverages that some people will never use, although Kasich has not singled that out in particular. Find ways to bring down high prescription drug prices. Overall, Kasich said, the federal government should "get its nose out of the insurance business where it created disruptions." What Congress wants: Republicans in Congress are shaping what once was described as an Obamacare repeal, then a repeal-and-replace plan and now a repeal-and-repair plan. Two of the challenges concern what to do about the people who get taxpayer subsidies to help pay for private insurance, and what to do about those who were able to get Medicaid after Obamacare allowed states to expand eligibility. Congress has not yet formally presented any Obamare replacement bills. But according to reports of proposals being considered, Ohio and other states that expanded Medicaid might be able to keep their residents enrolled, at least for a time. Congress might change the manner in which the program is funded, however. Medicaid currently pays for the cost of care, no matter how high or low, although Ohio under Kasich uses select healthcare companies to manage care and watch costs. The roadmap to fixing Obamacare must address both cost and coverage. READ MORE: https://t.co/l42PHd1sYe pic.twitter.com/0WWphs4DPN John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 24, 2017 House of Representatives Republicans are discussing a different way to dole out the federal share: provide a lump sum and let each state decide how to spend it. That might mean cuts. But another idea being floated would pay a fixed share for each Medicaid enrollee - what's known as a per capita rate - rather than linking payments to the actual costs of each beneficiary's care. Kasich has not shown objections to these ideas in theory, but he has indicated concern for keeping Ohio's payments for care in check. His recent budget proposal modified a previous request that the federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services turned down in 2016. In the proposal's new form, Ohio would charge childless, able-bodied adults about $20 a month for their care, with the money going in health savings accounts the enrollees could use. Kasich's administration says this would save Ohio about $100 million a year. The Ohio legislature must approve this before Kasich submits it to Washington. Where Kasich and Congress are at odds: Republicans in Congress want to change the way the government helps Americans buy health insurance they otherwise could not afford. The Affordable Care Act provides taxpayer subsidies for those with incomes under 400 percent of the poverty level. The subsidy gets smaller as incomes grow. Congress could change this to a flat tax credit based on age rather than income. People with higher incomes would benefit more, regardless of need. In theory, these credits could help the very people Kasich wants moved off Medicaid. They could use tax credits to pay for their own health insurance policies. But there's a problem: He says the proposed tax credits, currently proposed to start at $2,000 for the youngest insurance buyers and $4,000 for those 60 and over, are way too low. People could still have to come up with thousands of their own dollars to buy insurance if they could not get Medicaid. "I think it's totally inadequate," Kasich told reporters outside the White House. He disagrees with the sum "completely," he said, calling it "not acceptable." John Kasich called the House GOP health care plan "inadequate." https://t.co/HektFItT2f pic.twitter.com/6tIGfnzWQF Axios (@axios) February 24, 2017 "I don't know what they can jam through, but the fact of the matter is that I don't agree with that, and I've been clear about that and I'll continue to." Where Kasich and Trump are at odds: Trump has not articulated this level of detail on what he wants. But he and Kasich have been at odds on a number of issueS, particularly those of style, since they were opponents in the 2016 Republican presidential primaries. Kasich skipped the GOP nominating convention, even though it was in his home state. When Trump recently called the media an "enemy of the American people," Kasich made clear that whatever spats he may have with the press, he does not consider it his enemy. A free & independent press is a protected cornerstone of our Republic. https://t.co/2wfeah5BRv John Kasich (@JohnKasich) February 19, 2017 He said Friday that he reminded the president and his staff that he speaks his mind, and he said he got no dispute from the White House. But he added when talking with the press that he had disagreements with other Republican presidents, too, including Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush. Asked if his opinion of the president has changed, he said, "Look, the man is president of the United States. It's sort of like being an airplane. You want to root for the pilot if you're on the airplane with the pilot. You don't want the pilot to screw up." "I can have my opinion," Kasich added. "Now it's time to be constructive. And sometimes being constructive is to not be positive, to make your point. I'm very glad that I've been able to make my point on this whole business (of) Obamacare and the Affordable Care Act, and I'm going to continue to make it. If it upsets the Republicans in the Congress, that's life." sandusky.jpg In this 2003 file photo, Michael Will, Sandusky's economic development specialist at the time, looks out at Sandusky harbor from the third floor of a building targeted for lakeside condominiums as part of a $132 million waterfront development in Sandusky. On April 4, Gov. John Kasich will give his 2017 State of the State address in the city on Lake Erie, west of Cleveland, that's best known as the home of Cedar Point. (Scott Shaw, The Plain Dealer, File, 2003) About 1:15 p.m. Thursday, Lt. Gov. Mary Taylor, a suburban Akron Republican, announced she'd formed a Mary Taylor for Governor Committee. Around 4:15 p.m., the Ohio Democratic Party issued a statement knocking Taylor's "clueless campaign announcement." (Democrats' beef: The world of hurt Ohio supposedly is in because of Taylor's 2010 and 2014 running mate, Republican Gov. John Kasich.) That's how the Lazy Susan turns in what passes for politicking in the years between state legislative elections. Point, counter-point. Politician X "mentioned for" governor, Politician Y "mentioned for" the Senate. The daily volleys can remind bystanders of what someone said of Jerry Seinfeld's sitcom - "a show about nothing." Good example of minor-league bickering: the opposition to Kasich's plan to deliver this year's State of the State speech in Sandusky April 4. Like earlier governors, Kasich gave his 2011 State of the State to a joint Senate-House session at the Statehouse. Then, in a shrewd move, Kasich decided to give the speech outside Columbus: Steubenville (2012); Lima (2013); Medina (2014); Wilmington (2015); Marietta (2016). Earlier this week, two Senate Democrats, 26 House Democrats and 12 (some of the usual suspects) House Republicans opposed the resolution authorizing the joint session in Sandusky. (It passed the Senate 31-2, the House, 59-38.) If a Democrat were governor, House Democrats would ooh and ah over a Sandusky session. Maybe voting "no" helped some of them forget that their caucus's membership is at a 50-year low. Symbolic politics don't put food on anyone's table, except maybe on the TV trays of political consultants. Whether the legislature meets in Columbus or Sandusky - that's a sideshow. It's what the legislature does or doesn't do when it does meet - that's the main event. Ohio Consumers' Counsel vs. utility lobbyists Electric utilities field more than 50 Columbus lobbyists. As of earlier this week, 17 represented FirstEnergy Corp., including Franklin County Republican Chair Douglas J. Preisse; seven represented American Electric Power, with five more representing AEP's Ohio Power unit (among Ohio Power's lobbyists: Kasich's former congressional chief of staff, Donald Thibaut); nine lobbyists represented Dayton Power and Light; and 13 represented Duke Energy. The David facing Goliath is the Office of the Consumers' Counsel, which speaks for residential ratepayers in Ohio. Counsel Bruce Weston said in testimony prepared for an Ohio House Finance subcommittee that his agency "provides [Ohio's] residential utility consumers with a voice in cases where they otherwise would have little or none." The office isn't funded by taxes but by a fee utilities pay "equivalent to less than a dollar a year for a typical residential customer." Ohioans need all the help they can get. Ohio "regulators" are utility-friendly. Weston said in this testimony that "33 states are identified with lower average residential electric rates than Ohio" and that, "since 2008, Ohioans have experienced the second greatest increase in their electric rates compared to their counterparts in other ... (deregulated) states." He also noted that Ohio electric utilities "have been authorized to collect" $14.7 billion in subsidies from consumers since 2000. A 2011 Republican budget rider forbids the Office of Consumers' Counsel from operating a call center to take consumer complaints, and requires the Counsel to forward any complaint calls it does get to a Public Utilities Commission of Ohio call center. (In case you've forgotten, the PUCO approves utility rates.) That's ridiculous - unless you aim to frustrate time-squeezed Ohioans. Weston wants legislators to let the Counsel's office assist consumers who call with complaints, or refer them to the PUCO. Especially in House districts with higher-than-statewide poverty rates -- such as Speaker Cliff Rosenberger's district in southwest Ohio and Finance Chair Ryan Smith's in southeast Ohio -- letting the Consumers' Counsel have a call center would help Ohioans protect their wallets, if home folks, not big utilities, are a legislative priority. Thomas Suddes, a member of the editorial board, writes from Athens. To reach Thomas Suddes: tsuddes@gmail.com, 216-999-4689 Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Donald Trump,John Kasich Republican Gov. John Kasich of Ohio walks out of the White House to speak with reporters after meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday. With a possible gubernatorial-congressional deal among Republicans on Obamacare in the offing as the National Governors Association meets in Washington, D.C., this weekend, the editorial board calls on Kasich to stand firm in defending Medicaid expansion in Ohio. (Evan Vucci, Associated Press) Gov. John Kasich must stand fast in protecting Ohio's Medicaid expansion, which provides health care to 700,000 Ohioans - about 100,000 of them in Cuyahoga County, 77,000 in adjoining counties. A test of his resolve could come as early as this weekend. Kasich is in Washington, D.C., for the National Governors Association's midwinter conclave -- a round of meetings that could spawn some kind of congressional-gubernatorial Medicaid deal among Republicans. If so, Ohio needs to get the only possible deal for Ohio -- Medicaid expansion packaged and delivered as it is now. Kasich can't go wobbly on any part of that. That Kasich, who was the one who made sure Medicaid expansion happened in Ohio, might be going wobbly is suggested by two things. First, was Kasich's private meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday, widely perceived to be part of an effort by Republican governors to derail an abrupt repeal of Obamacare that could leave their states on the hook for millions of dollars, strand many of their citizens without health care and harm their hospitals. Kasich later told the Associated Press that the president "listened very carefully to what I had to say about [Ohio's Medicaid expansion] and had a very positive response." That's as clear as mud, but suggests that no commitments were made. Second were Kasich's comments Friday, as quoted by cleveland.com's Stephen Koff, supporting an eventual rollback of eligibility for Medicaid expansion. Also suggesting that Kasich is open to a deal that could limit or reverse Medicaid expansion was his commentary posted Friday on Forbes.com that appeared to advocate such a move, but that hedged by saying that, "before making this transition and moving residents off Medicaid, which is stable, the alternative needs to be just as stable." About our editorials Editorials express the view of the of cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer -- the senior leadership and editorial-writing staff. As is traditional, editorials are unsigned and intended to be seen as the voice of the news organization. * Talk about the topic of this editorial in the comments below. * Send a letter to the editor, which will be considered for print publication. * Email general questions or comments about the editorial board to Elizabeth Sullivan, opinion director for cleveland.com. But what does that mean? How would Ohioans now covered by Medicaid expansion, who are, by definition, without sufficient means to afford private-market coverage, be "transitioned" into private-market coverage? This is all coming amid intensifying horse-trading on what some are now calling "repeal and repair" of Obamacare. None of the options being discussed would be good for Ohio's Medicaid expansion. The Washington Post reported Friday that one plan being considered by U.S. House Republicans "would 'grandfather in' the roughly 11 million Americans currently on Medicaid-expansion rolls in 31 states," including Ohio. In other words, new recipients would be out of luck. And still at issue, the Post added: "Whether the extra dollars [for Medicaid expansion] coverage would last a specific length of time or continue as long as a beneficiary remained eligible." Kasich must oppose this and other efforts to starve Medicaid expansion out of existence. That includes any federal scheme purporting to give Ohio and other states "block grants" in place of Medicaid expansion's current funding setup, by which the federal cost share slowly declines until it reaches 90 percent in 2020 and then remains there. On Friday, Politico reported on another leaked plan U.S. House Republicans are considering that would "eliminate Obamacare's Medicaid expansion in 2020. States could still cover those people if they chose but they'd get a lot less federal money to do so." In plain English, if such a plan became law, some of Ohio's most vulnerable citizens would almost certainly lose Medicaid coverage. Morally, that would be wrong. Economically, it would be disastrous for Ohio's hospitals and the state's allied health-care providers. Some fellow Republicans will undoubtedly pressure Kasich to get with the Trump administration's program, whatever it is. But "repeal and repair" is really mostly about repeal -- and about walking away from those in Ohio who are counting on Kasich to stand firm. John Kasich must not agree to such a proposal. Given Ohioans' needs, he simply cannot. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Strongsville Pulte Protesters 1.JPG Strongsville resident Rachel Petrick voiced her concerns to City Council regarding a planned 24-cluster-home development off Pearl Road, just north of Boston Road. Other residents lined up to speak after Petrick. (Bob Sandrick, special to cleveland.com) STRONGSVILLE, Ohio - An Atlanta-based developer will build 24 cluster houses off the west side of Pearl Road, just north of Boston Road, despite the protests of residents already living in the area. Pulte Homes, which has several Greater Cleveland offices, will construct the homes on 11 acres in an existing subdivision, The Enclave of Fieldstone Preserve. The new homes are the third phase of the Fieldstone development. The Strongsville Planning Commission voted 6-0 to approve the cluster homes Thursday night. Two days earlier, about 100 residents from Fieldstone - plus two neighboring subdivisions, The Woods of Strongsville and Waterford Crossing - filled City Council chambers and asked the city to slam the brakes on the 24-home project. Residents worried that more construction, and the accompanying removal of trees, would worsen flooding in their neighborhoods, lower property values and hurt wildlife. Residents also objected to Pulte's plan to connect Ledgestone Drive in Fieldstone - which now has just one entrance off Pearl - with Martins and Whitemarsh lanes in the Woods. All three streets now end in cul-de-sacs. Residents said connecting the streets would create a short-cut for speeding drivers wanting to avoid Pearl and Boston, along with Drake Road to the north and Prospect Road to the south. At least five residents said Pulte representatives previously promised the firm would not build additional homes on the site now slated for the 24 cluster houses. Further, residents said they paid premiums of up to $30,000 - in addition to the cost of their lots and homes - to keep out more construction. "They (Pulte) lied to us, but not only us, but other homeowners, too," the Rev. Igor Bagirov, a Fieldstone resident, told council. Bagirov, who used the word "fraud" when referring to Pulte, said he and other Fieldstone residents have hired attorneys and may take legal action. When asked about Bagirov's comments, Greg Modica - who represented Pulte at Tuesday's council meeting - said he was not involved in the sales process and didn't know what Pulte salespeople might have told Fieldstone home buyers. He said he hadn't had time to look into the matter. Premiums for promises At Tuesday's meeting, Modica told council that Pulte has always worked "hand-in-hand" with the city to build high-quality developments. He said he has lived in Strongsville since 1987 and takes pride in his work here. Modica said he received letters from several residents in the Fieldstone area and takes their concerns seriously. However, he said their objections to the 24 cluster houses were "opinion-based." Modica said Pulte's storm-water management plan for the new development exceeds city requirements. He added that some flooding occurred prior to Fieldstone's initial construction. "All of the residents' concerns have already been addressed by sound engineering and planning," Modica told council. But Paul Cirino, a Martins resident, said merely following city code won't necessarily prevent additional flooding. He said storm water is always a worry because the Fieldstone-Woods-Waterford area is downhill from Boston Road. "Just meeting the requirements, I don't think is good enough anymore," Cirino said. "I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting greatness in our community." Resident Chris Dewes said Pulte is squeezing too many homes in too small an area. He said the cluster homes, valued at about $250,000, would bring down the values of existing homes, which cost $350,000 and more. Mike Galloway, of Lyon Lane in the Woods, said his subdivision has already lost "tons" of trees over the past 15-20 years. He said residents moved into the Woods because it was forested. Henry Durica, of Martins, said he relocated from Parma to Strongsville so he could have more space. "Give me five positives - just five - to sway me to even think that this (Pulte plan) is a good idea," Durica said. Bagirov - pastor of Beth-El Messianic Ministries & Congregation in Lyndhurst - said his house is the last on Ledgestone and abuts the woods that Pulte wants to chop down. He said he moved his family there in July because one of his children is ill and needs a quiet area. Bagirov said he paid a premium of between $24,000-$30,000 for the lot. He said Pulte representatives promised they would never build in the woods next door. Jason Heckman, of North Greystone Drive in Fieldstone, said he paid a $7,000 premium for his lot, believing he would have privacy and a wooded area nearby. "Are you going to reward that type of business practice?" Heckman asked council. "I don't think you should." Plan in compliance Residents vented at Tuesday's meeting even though council has no vote on the subdivision. The Planning Commission has the final say, but the commission normally doesn't allow public comments, unless a formal public hearing is scheduled. About 50 Fieldstone-area residents attended Thursday's commission meeting, where city Design Engineer Lori Daley said Pulte's 24-home plan complied with Strongsville code in every respect. She confirmed that Pulte's storm-water-management plan exceeded city requirements. As for the street connections, Councilman Gordon Short said the city's master street plan calls for such linkups as developments grow, so that police and firefighters have easy access to the homes. To address concerns about speeding drivers, Pulte agreed to build two traffic-calming concrete islands where Ledgestone in Fieldstone will connect with Martins and White Marsh in the Woods. Assistant Law Director Dan Kolick said the developer also agreed to add landscaping and screening at the city's request. However, because the plan meets code requirements, the city can't stop construction or the removal of trees, since developers, like anyone, have property rights. "We don't have the authority to do it," Kolick said. Short, speaking for his constituents, asked the commission to delay Fieldstone's third phase so that residents would have time to work with the developer and improve the plan. After the commission's vote, disappointed residents walked out of council chambers. They lingered in the hallway and outside the building, considering their next move. California Gov. Jerry Brown said Friday he wants to spend about $450 million for flood control but concedes billions more in water infrastructure spending is needed over the longer term. The heavy winter storms in California have stressed the state's aging flood-control systems, ranging from significant erosion damage to spillways at Oroville Dam to flooding in major cities such as San Jose. Brown estimated "nearly $50 billion" of needs still remain in the state's flood management infrastructure. "What's required is to take some immediate action, which we're doing," Brown said during a press conference announcing his four-point plan, which is designed "to bolster dam safety and flood protection." As part of near-term flood control and emergency response actions, Brown asked the state legislature to immediately approve $387 million from the state's Proposition One money, or water bond funds, authorized by voters in 2014. He also requested the state redirect $50 million from its general fund to address the challenges. Brown also reached out to the federal government for assistance on the regulation and funding of dams and flood control projects in the state. As part of the effort, Brown sent a letter Friday to President Donald Trump seeking an "expedited environmental review" of 10 "high-priority projects," including the urgent repairs at Oroville Dam. The governor wants the feds to "expand inspection and review of all federally-owned dams." Moreover, Brown wants assistance to update the federal operating manuals for key California reservoirs and asked Washington to help share the burden of spending money on flood control projects. Shasta Dam the largest reservoir in the state is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. Brown also ordered emergency action plans and flood inundation maps be available for all dams in the state. Many of the state's dams are more than 40 years old and have not updated emergency plans on a regular basis. In the case of Northern California's Oroville Dam, the emergency action plan is updated annually, according to Ted Thomas, a spokesman for the California Department of Water Resources. However, he said the state isn't authorized to release it since the document is considered "classified" and what's known as "confidential energy infrastructure information." Oroville Dam, completed in the late 1960s, suffered significant erosion damage to its primary and emergency spillways earlier this month. Fears of a catastrophic failure to the emergency spillway, which was activated for the first time on Feb. 11, ultimately led to the mandatory evacuation of more than 100,000 residents downstream. Earlier this week, the governor visited Oroville Dam the nation's tallest earthen dam and spoke to experts about progress to fix the erosion. Work continued Friday to place rock, aggregate and cement slurry into areas of the emergency spillway affected by erosion. The 2016 National Inventory of Dams shows there are nearly 300 "high-hazard potential dams" in California without an emergency action plan. In percentage terms, that translates into about 35 percent of state's high-risk dams without such plans; nationally that figure is about 20 percent. Pete Pierce, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said the definition of dams at "high-hazard potential" applies to those "where failure or misoperation will probably cause loss of human life." Meantime, the governor indicated that the recent storms have not just damaged the state's flood control system but also impacted California's transportation infrastructure, including local streets, highways as well as bridges. Indeed, torrential rains this month resulted in a sinkhole swallowing two cars in the L.A. area and the collapse of a portion of a major freeway in Southern California. There also were significant cracks discovered along bridges in Northern California from the storms, including a section of a bridge along a busy highway in Big Sur. According to Brown, emergency declarations he previously signed have enabled the state to begin spending money on transportation-related repairs. He said more than $595 million is expected to be spent in repairs to the state's roads and bridges due to the flooding, erosion, sinkholes and debris problems. Even so, the governor said more money is needed for the state's transportation infrastructure challenges. He said there's about $59 billion alone in deferred maintenance on highways as well as another $78 billion on local streets and roads. Warren Buffett taught Jim Cramer, and many other investors, that the stock market is made up of stocks and not completely tied to politics or the averages. That's why when the market pulled back from its remarkable run on Friday, Cramer wasn't calling for a top. Instead, he will be watching the moves that individual companies make next week. "If individual companies report good numbers, they can buck the top calling trend provided the economy remains as strong as we have seen since the year began," the "Mad Money" host said. With this in mind, he outlined the stocks and events he will be watching next week. Monday: Warren Buffett, Priceline Buffett: Cramer's eyes will be glued to the screen with Buffett's interview on CNBC on Monday. In particular, Cramer said to watch for Buffett's response to some of the biggest underperformers in his portfolio, like American Express, Coca-Cola, IBM and Wells Fargo. Priceline : This stock tends to be counted out over fears of travel, terrorism, Ebola or changes in U.S. immigration law. Each time, Priceline tends to overcome these concerns. Cramer thinks it will continue to do so. Tuesday: Domino's Pizza, Valeant Domino's Pizza : Cramer was concerned when Papa John's reported this week and discussed a pizza price war that is putting pressure on margins. The problem? Domino's was highlighted as the company that was most aggressive, and a price war is typically only good for short-sellers that could take the stock down when it reports. Valeant : If CEO Joe Papa has anything good to say, Cramer expects Valeant could join the recent pharmaceutical rally as investors are looking for a reason to buy the stock. For those investors looking to initiate a position, Cramer recommended to play Valeant with options to protect your downside. Wednesday: Best Buy, Dollar Tree Best Buy : Cramer is concerned its winning streak could be coming to an end with no new real games or hardware to keep the company afloat. Dollar Tree : Cramer openly admitted he's warming up to Dollar Tree. It is sourced almost 100 percent overseas and there isn't a tax on its merchandise. Again, Cramer recommended going with call options to protect the downside in case a border tax comes along one day. Thursday: Burlington Stores, Autodesk, Marvell Technology Burlington : The retail cohort is struggling, but not the off-price retail. After TJX reported a strong quarter and Burlington could deliver one, too. Autodesk , Marvell Technology : Cramer called these two stocks to own when they report on Thursday. Even if Marvell takes a breather after a big run, he thinks it could win either on a takeout or with earnings. Friday: Janet Yellen speaks Yellen is expected to speak about economic growth. Cramer needs to hear her make it clear that March is in play for a rate hike, as many investors now believe the economy is gaining steam in both the U.S. and abroad. "The Fed should still hike short-term rates to stay ahead of a potential burst of economic strength," Cramer said. Warren Buffett joins CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Monday, February 27, to answer your questions following the release of his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. Post your questions on Twitter or Facebook using #AskWarren. Watch the full segment here: A QWERTY keyboard with a fingerprint sensor built into the spacebar. The keyboard also responds to touch gestures which mimics the old BlackBerry trackpad; At the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, TCL took the wraps off the BlackBerry KEYone, which will be available in April. It's key features that include: e technology company's name for new smartphones, while the Toronto-based technology giant refocuses its business on software rather than devices. Chinese firm TCL Communications launched a new device under the diminished BlackBerry brand on Saturday, a sleek $549 smartphone that runs on Google's Android mobile operating system and features BlackBerry's signature physical keyboard. TCL's president of North America, Steve Cistulli, told CNBC that the company's plan is to market this device to the enterprise market, as part of a broader strategy to recapture the hearts of consumers, and challenge mobile behemoths Samsung and Apple. "We can compete with Apple and Samsung directly in the enterprise market," Cistulli said in an interview on Saturday. "We are going to use this device, to break the armor and it's our way in, once you have a way in you can get the mind share and hearts of those people." BlackBerry was once one of the most dominant brands in the mobile phone world, but quickly fell from the top of the heap shortly after Apple introduced the iPhone. The latter quickly seized the imagination of gadget geeks and devoured market share, leaving BlackBerry in the dust. The Canadian firm lost more ground once Samsung also bulldozed its way into the smartphone market, but tried to stage a comeback as its market share languished in the single digits. BlackBerry's efforts included releasing new units like the Leap and Android-powered PRIV, all of which fell flat as smartphone users flocked to iPhones and Galaxy devices. After licensing its brand to TCL to make devices with the BlackBerry name, BlackBerry has increased its focus on software. Meanwhile TCL is hoping that it can use BlackBerry's once strong brand to win back consumers that have since moved on. The TCL executive also revealed that there will be more BlackBerry products coming to target the consumer market. But with Apple, Samsung and Huawei dominating the high-end smartphone market, analysts said it could be a tough time for TCL's BlackBerry devices. "TCL will be hoping that by licensing the BlackBerry brand it can extend its market reach beyond the low margin consumer segment (which it currently targets via the Alcatel brand) to the higher margin enterprise devices space," Ben Wood, chief of research at CCS Insight, told CNBC by email. "However, the jury is out on how relevant the BlackBerry brand remains to that segment," he added. In recent years, BlackBerry's operating system struggled to compete against Android and Apple's iOS, both of which dominate the market. However, Cistulli said this time it is different and is setting ambitious goals for TCL. The executive said the company, which also makes the Alcatel brand of mobile phones, is aiming to be the number three player in North America by 2020, and near the top five globally. watch now The Conservative Political Action Conference was consumed last year by one burning question: Is Donald Trump a conservative? This year, attendees have found an answer: Who cares? He's doing what we want. "Trump is not traditional anything, but the proof is in the pudding," Mark Skogerboe, a 71-year-old pastor from South Dakota, told NBC News. "He's a Johnny-come-lately on social issues, but he's surrounding himself with traditional people." Skogerboe says Trump gave him "the willies" during the primaries. He was drawn to Ben Carson, who he believed embodied a core trait he saw in George Washington and Abraham Lincoln: Humility. More from NBC News: Bannon touts Trump's 'economic nationalist agenda' White nationalist Spencer removed from CPAC White House excludes several outlets from press gaggle Trump did not. But Skogerboe says he's "thrilled" by Trump's early moves and is convinced that the president's cabinet will keep him on the right track. William Temple, a tea party activist best-known for attending CPAC in a Revolutionary War uniform, helped lead a planned walkout from Trump's 2016 speech. "We don't want to associate with a man that makes fun of Carly Fiorina's face, or denigrates women, or is rude and crude," he told the media at the time. Today, Temple counts himself an enthusiastic supporter. "I have no reservations now," he said. "He's proved to me he's going to follow a conservative agenda." 'Fighting for conservative values' For Trump, who addressed the event Friday, it was a triumphant return. He credited CPAC with helping launch his rebirth as a politician by giving him for a speaking slot in 2011. But he also dropped out of a planned speech last year and scored just 15 percent in a presidential straw poll amid a bitter primary race in which prominent conservative activists promised to oppose him under any circumstances. Trump's speech loudly reiterated campaign pledges to ditch multilateral trade agreements (he even praised Sen. Bernie Sanders' stance) and to spend big on infrastructure, crack down on illegal immigration, and reduce America's military commitments abroad all of which remain highly controversial on the right. President Donald Trump Nicholas Kamm | AFP | Getty Images "We're all part of this very historic movement," Trump said. "A movement the likes of which actually the world has never seen before." If the audience had misgivings about his agenda, they didn't show it: Trump received spirited applause throughout. "They'll have his back as long as he's fighting for conservative values," Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, told NBC News. "There will be some rocky days ahead I'm sure, there always are. But what he's doing, which is wise, is building those relationships that'll get him through those tough times." Criticism of the media Trump also helped smooth over differences by devoting much of his speech to bashing the media an easy applause line at CPAC. He baselessly accused the Washington Post of fabricating sources in a story alleging former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn discussed sanctions with Russia's ambassador before the inauguration. It was an odd choice of target: Not only has the White House since confirmed the newspaper's report, Trump said he fired Flynn over comments he made to Vice President Mike Pence about the calls. The CPAC schedule geared hard towards Trump and his agenda. White House counselor Kellyanne Conway dubbed the conference "TPAC" in a discussion on the main stage Thursday, one of several appearances by top administration officials. The message I am conveying to President Trump, to the Cabinet, to leaders in both houses, is real simple: Let's do what we promised. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and senior adviser Steve Bannon, who rarely speaks in public, participated in a joint Q&A in which Bannon touted Trump's "economic nationalist agenda." While some attendees expressed reservations about Trump's conservative credentials and personal qualities, nearly everyone who spoke to NBC News found reasons to root for his success. Even some activists who voted third party in November stressed that they were keeping an open mind. "He says whatever is popular but he has some good things to say," Christian Henderson, an Ohio student who, like many young CPAC activists, was drawn into politics by Ron Paul and voted for Gary Johnson in November. Henderson said he's encouraged by Trump's criticism of military intervention abroad, which the president repeated in his speech on Friday morning. "A conversion to conservatism" Jordan Evans, a transgender Republican from Massachusetts, held a sign in the hall outside protesting Trump's decision to reverse President Barack Obama's order allowing transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice. Asked what she thought of Trump, though, and she was quick to add there were things she liked about president's first month, starting with his plan to remove regulations whenever new ones are submitted. "I don't want to write him off," she said. Taking a transactional approach, attendees cited a recurring set of moves by Trump that had helped keep their spirits up. Many brought up Vice President Mike Pence, who they hoped would have a strong hand in guiding policy, as key to their support. "I wish it just said Pence," one student in a Trump/Pence hat told NBC News. Trump's nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court earned uniform praise. Some cited individual cabinet choices, like Education Secretary Betsy DeVos or Health Secretary Tom Price, as a signaled a turn toward conservatism. "Obviously he had a conversion to conservatism at some point," Ronald Wilcox, an organizer with the Northern Virginia tea party who supported Trump in the primaries, said. "Pence, Gorsuch: That's a real track record." That record will be tested in the coming months. Trump has yet to produce a specific plan on health care, tax reform, or infrastructure spending, among other issues, all of which have the potential to divide conservatives depending on where he comes down. Sen. Ted Cruz, who delivered a CPAC speech mocking Trump's conservative credentials in 2016, urged activists to trust, but verify, when it came to the new administration's agenda. "The message I am conveying to President Trump, to the Cabinet, to leaders in both houses, is real simple: Let's do what we promised," Cruz said. Jim DeMint, president of the Heritage Foundation, called the election results "wonderful" but suggested in his remarks that conservatives need to keep a close eye on the new Republican government. "All the guardians of the swamp are already whispering in the ear of Republicans in the Congress and in the White House telling them not to keep their promises," DeMint said. Some reservations remain President Donald Trump said on Saturday he would not attend the White House Correspondent's Association Dinner, an annual parade of celebrities, journalists and politicians that in recent years has drawn fire for being too opulent and self-indulgent. Amid tensions between the White House and the national media about whether reporters are covering the president objectively, Trump said in a tweet that he would not attend the functionderisively referred to as "Nerd Prom"on April 29. Trump tweet In recent days, a debate has erupted over whether the WHCA should altogether cancel its event, widely regarded as elbow-rubbing between Hollywood, media and political elites. On Friday, the acrimonious relationship between Trump and the media reached a crescendo when the White House press office selectively chose certain outlets for an informal on-the-record briefing, yet barred othersincluding CNN, The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times. The president's decision to skip the WHCA dinner arrives at a time when even journalists have questioned whether the event has become too insular and self-congratulatory. Each year, reporters co-mingle with celebrities in a display of celebrity-soaked pageantry, featuring lots of sponsored parties and related events. However, some media critics say the dinner raises questions about whether beat reporters should rub shoulders with the politicians they cover frequently, or allow themselves to be too closely associated with Hollywood. In a statement earlier this month, the WHCA said the dinner would "celebrate the First Amendment and the role an independent press plays in a healthy republic," among other things. However, the association added that it would continue to "pursue its core mission of advocating for journalists' ability to ask questions of government officials, push for transparency from the presidency, and help Americans hold the powerful to account. This is a responsibility that we have taken seriously for more than 100 years and will continue to uphold," WHCA president Jeff Mason added. UTICA, N.Y. Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) plans to offer an associate degree in health-information technology this fall. Both the New York State Education Department and the State University of New York (SUNY) approved the degree program, MVCC said in a news release. Enrollees can complete the program entirely online, the school said. Health-information technology core courses are available only online, but students may take general-education courses, such as human anatomy and physiology, English, and math, on campus. About the program The Chicago, Illinoisbased Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education has accredited MVCCs health-information technology program, the school said. The program prepares students to enter a quickly growing field in a variety of health-care settings. Health-information technicians are responsible for organizing and managing health-information data, along with ensuring the information is accurate, accessible, and secure in both paper files and electronic systems. Theyre also responsible for using various classification systems to code and categorize patient information for insurance-reimbursement purposes, databases and registries; and maintaining patients medical and treatment histories. Students learn about topics such as accreditation and regulation; coding and reimbursement; data collection and analytics; information management and computer technology; and legal and ethical aspects, including privacy and security. During their last semester of study, students can practice what theyve learned in a nonpaid professional-practice experience at a health-care facility. Students can also pursue transfer options if theyd prefer to further their education. When students complete their degrees, theyll be eligible to take the national registered health-information technician certification exam, MVCC said. With experience, this credential holds potential for advancement to management positions, especially when combined with a bachelors degree. Most registered health-information technicians work in hospitals, but many are also employed in a variety of other health-care agencies, MVCC contends. Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com ALBANY, N.Y. New York realtors completed the sale of nearly 8,500 previously owned homes in January, up 4.1 percent from January 2016. The 8,472 closed sales in January represented a new record for the month, the New York State Association of Realtors (NYSAR) said in releasing its monthly housing-market report on Wednesday. Homebuyer demand remained strong at the start of the new year, continuing the four-year sales growth trend and driving January sales to a new record level, Duncan MacKenzie, CEO of NYSAR, said in the release. Historically, home sales are slower during the winter months. We believe the combination of rising mortgage rates and the continued decline in the number of homes available has caused buyers to remain actively engaged in the market and ready to make offers when they find the home that meets their needs, said MacKenzie. He also contends that for sellers, it continues to be a good time to list their homes. Selling prices are continuing to grow and competition remains low in many areas. During January, sellers received 96.3 percent of their asking price at closing. We anticipate these trends to continue as the inventory of homes for sale hovers around the five-month supply level, said MacKenzie. Sales data The January statewide median sales price was $250,000, up 8.7 percent from the January 2016 median of $230,000, NYSAR said. Pending sales from the years first month increased 8.5 percent from a year ago, to 8,513. The months supply of homes for sale dropped 26.4 percent at the end of January to 5.3 months supply. It stood at 7.2 months at the end of January 2016. A 6 month to 6.5-month supply is considered to be a balanced market, NYSAR says. Inventory stood at 59,771, a decrease of 19.3 percent compared to January 2016. Central New York data Realtors in Broome County sold 111 existing homes in January, up more than 13 percent from 98 a year ago, according to the NYSAR report. The median sales price fell more than 17 percent to nearly $85,000 from $103,000 a year ago. In Jefferson County, realtors closed on 69 homes in January, up more than 32 percent from 52 a year ago, and the median sales price fell more than 15 percent to $119,000 from $141,000 in January 2016, per the NYSAR data. NYSAR also reports that realtors sold 135 homes in Oneida County last month, up from 134 in January 2016. The median sales price fell more than 9 percent to $100,000 from $110,000 a year ago. Sales of previously owned homes fell to 327 in Onondaga County in January from 328 a year earlier, and the median sales price fell to more than $128,000 from $130,000 a year ago, per the NYSAR report. All home-sales data is compiled from multiple-listing services in New York state and it includes townhomes and condominiums in addition to existing single-family homes, according to NYSAR. Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com What the 2017 Swiss shooting taler medals look like Switzerlands annual shooting taler medals, marking the 2017 festival in the canton of Glarus, are now available from the American distributor. A distributor in the United States is offering medals celebrating a tradition from Switzerland. The Swiss tradition of marksmanship was established during the Old Swiss Confederacy, in the 15th century, when festival participants used crossbows in shooting contests. In modern times, every five years a federal shooting festival draws more than 50,000 sharpshooters to demonstrate their shooting skills. Smaller, annual, festivals are also held. This years annual shooting festival will be held in Glarus, the capital city of the similarly named Swiss Canton of Glarus, deep in the Swiss Alps in east-central Switzerland. Connect with Coin World: Sign up for our free eNewsletter Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter The 2017 silver and gold medals (they are not coins) share common obverse and reverse designs, save for a redeemable value indication on the reverse. The obverse bears a German legend indicating the event honored. The reverse features the traditional wreath, composed of oak leaves at left and laurel at right, surrounding the redemption value of 50 FR (for francs) for the silver piece and 5000 FR for the gold medal. Beneath the wreath, a marksmans powder horn and bandolier hang from a pair of crossed firearms. The legend indicates (in both French and German, two Switzerlands four official languages) that the piece is redeemable during the shooting festival. The Proof .900 fine silver taler medal weighs 25 grams, measures 37 millimeters in diameter and has a mintage limit of 1,200 pieces. It retails for $99.95, with quantity discounts available. The Proof .999 fine gold taler medal weighs 15.567 grams, measures 33 millimeters in diameter and has a mintage limit of 200 pieces, offered at $1,499.95 each. To order, visit the Talisman Coins website. The firm also offers medals from earlier years, at various prices and with limited quantities in some instances. EquipmentShare officially celebrates expansion EquipmentShare will expand its corporate office footprint in Columbia following the success of its application for a 10-year property tax abatement. U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (left) and Jeanne Shaheen address the crowd during a town hall meeting at NHTI on Friday. Maggie OaNeill of Newmarket asks a question during the Town Hall at NHTI with Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan Friday. GEOFF FORESTERMonitor staff A town hall with Sens. Shaheen and Hassan participant holds up a sign at the overflow house at NHTI Friday. GEOFF FORESTERMonitor staff Maggie ONeill of Newmarket applaudes Senators Maggie Hassan and Jeanne Shaheen as they end their Town Hall at NHTI Friday morning. GEOFF FORESTERMonitor staff Compared to some Republican members of Congress enduring angry crowds of constituents this week, U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan had it easy at their town hall at New Hampshire Technical Institute on Friday. After both senators spent the first moments of the hour criticizing the new Republican president to a room full of cheers Concord resident Wayne Fuller put some pressure on the Democratic party. At least Republicans, he said, have a core set of values that drive the partys policies and opposition: limiting government to allow creativity to thrive and people to make their own opportunities. We may not agree with those values, Fuller said. But, he added, the Democratic party seems like it lost its set of core beliefs in the 90s. What is the why of our existence? Fuller asked. What is the driving set of beliefs thats going to drive us not to oppose things, but to be for things? Hassan responded with her guiding principle, which she sourced from the U.S. Constitution: Every single person counts. In order to put voice to that value, both senators repeatedly told the audience at New Hampshire Technical Institute that they, as citizens, would have to be more involved both at the federal and state levels. James Madison made sure that we had a government of, by and for the people, Hassan said. ...the people, through the democratic process, decide that there are things they want to do to together to improve their government that they control. Thats what most people in the audience seemed interested in, anyway: what exactly they could do. Maggie ONeill from Newmarket wanted to know how she could personally ensure protected access to reproductive health care at the state level, if things go awry at the federal level. Its very clear Congress is already trying to defund Planned Parenthood, Shaheen said. Hassan said in New Hampshire in the past, it has come down to then-executive councilors Chris Sununus vote whether the organization received funds. Now that Sununu is governor, Hassan suggested ONeill reach out to and pay attention to New Hampshires new executive councilors. They not only approve funding decisions but also accept or reject judicial nominations. More people asked what grassroots work they could take on to support Democrats. After thanking Hassan for her tough question of the new federal education secretary Betsy DeVos, a man in an argyle sweater wondered, Do I waste my time if Im writing a senator from another state? Hassan let the man know he should maybe find some friends in that state to write instead. One woman floated the idea that the American people, as the employers of the U.S. President, could subsequently fire him. We have a system that requires, in order to be president, to win the most electoral votes, Shaheen said. Now, I would like to change that system. But I cant change it on my own. Some in the room Friday saw their chance to play citizen by asking their elected representatives to protect what was important. In response, both senators promised to fight for protecting education and healthcare funds as well as mainstays of the American democracy: voting rights and a free press. Shaheen suggested an independent commission be formed to investigate the Trump administrations ties to Russia that garnered the loudest applause of the morning. Hassan added, The new attorney general should be recusing himself. Those ideas were welcomed by the crowd, but not everyone was thrilled at the senators plans for President Trumps U.S. Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch. Shaheen said Democrats should allow him a Senate hearing, a courtesy not extended by Republicans to President Obamas nominee, Merrick Garland. Speaking through some scattered boos, Shaheen said, Im not going to go out and say its wrong for (the GOP) and right for us. Near the very end of the event, both Shaheen and Hassan also said they would do all they could to address climate change. Some in the room werent impressed one man shouted that the two women werent even using reusable water bottles, but plastic ones. Shaheen and Hassan told town hall-goers, more than once, to email, call or write their offices. The way we will continue to stand for Granite State values and American values, is to continue what so many of you have already been doing: to speak up, Hassan said. The room seemed ready to act. After the senators exited the stage and the final applause died out, one woman lingered and held up a sign from her seat. It read, Never give up. (Elodie Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @elodie_reed.) It was a stunning and decisive by-election victory for the Conservatives in what had been regarded as a safe Labour seat. I refer, of course, to the result in Nelson and Colne in 1968 where the victorious Conservative candidate was a young man called David Waddington who died yesterday. Decades of public service were to follow as the MP for Clitheroe and Ribble Valley, as Employment Minister, Home Office Minister, Chief Whip, Home Secretary, Leader of the House of Lords and Governor of Bermuda. This last appointment required him to wear a splendid plumed hat on official occasions but he was not a natural attention seeker. His self-deprecation and relatively low profile despite the high offices he held might lead some to underestimate the importance of his contribution to Government. He was a quiet loyalist to Margaret Thatcher helping to sustain her when loyalty was a scarce commodity. It was a signal of Waddingtons persistence that he was prepared to fight three safe Labour seats before his by-election victory, and doggedly continue despite the defeats. Theresa May has paid tribute to Waddingtons long and distinguished career adding that: He combined the sharp intelligence of a Queens Counsel with the wit of a proud Lancastrian. As a lawyer he had an important role at the Department of Employment in assisting Norman Tebbit with reform of the trade unions. Some thought he was the model for Francis Urquhart as Chief Whip. He was certainly a principle source of background material according to The Times obituary. Waddington was certainly effective in the role taking the trouble to personally thank MPs who stayed on for late votes. When he served as Home Secretary he faced many of the challenges of disorder that often go with the post, but he also managed to cut red tape which had caused delays in the deportation of illegal immigrants. In Bermuda there was a three to one vote to stay British in a referendum in 1995 a strong vindication for him. Even in later years Waddington was a tireless champion for Conservative causes including the vital cause of freedom of speech. In 2008, when the Labour Government was introducing a hate speech law, he warned that it threatened to criminalise criticism of homosexual acts. He secured the Waddington amendment to protect free speech to ensure that discussion or criticism of sexual conduct or practices were not covered by the new offence. The following year he spoke to The Christian Institute and stressed the importance of Christians standing up for free speech and religious liberty. His own right to free speech had been challenged at Manchester University. The Daily Telegraph obituary of Waddington says: In 1985 he was punched and spat on when he tried to speak at Manchester University. Subjected to chants of Racist! and Deport Waddington! he told the demonstrators: As long as Ive got breath in my body I will defend freedom of speech against people like you. He told one: You are scum, and declared: If I was a parent of any one of those children, I would put them across my knee and flog them. I found his memoirs, Despatches from Margaret Thatchers Last Home Secretary, published in 2012, made for very entertaining reading. He recalls speaking to Baroness Thatcher within hours of the Brighton bomb and writes: The Prime Minister turned to me and said: Three bishops came to see me this morning wanting to pray for me, and they had me down on my knees. She then added crossly: As if I had nothing better to do! The 1987 election campaign was a triumph for the Conservatives but it did not go without the odd mishap. Waddington writes: There was a misfortune suffered by Dr Alan (later Sir Alan) Glyn at Windsor. He asked a group of Young Conservatives to come to his hotel in the morning to go canvassing with him. They duly turned up but there was no Dr Glyn. Eventually a search party went up to his room. There was no immediate sign of him, but there was an old-fashioned wardrobe lying face down on the floor and the team set about restoring it to an upright position. Underneath it they discovered the good doctor. In the middle of the night he had set off to go to the lavatory but instead of going through the door in to the bathroom he had found his way in to the cupboard. The cupboard had fallen over trapping him inside and he had spent the rest of the night there. Usually Prime Ministers tour the Commons tea room to schmooze. But Waddington recounted in his memoirs that Thatcher would use the occasion to tell her MPs to smarten up. One night I was in the House of Commons dining room when the Prime Minister, who was at the next table, called over to me: Whats that new member doing in the dining room without his jacket on? Go and have a word with him. And I got up and gave Tony Marlow appropriate advice. The then Prime Minister also made it very plain that she did not like ministers on the front bench putting their feet up on the Table, even though it was an old custom of the House. You would not treat the furniture in your own home like that. But tradition proved a lot stronger than her objections and this was one battle the PM lost. Waddington told the House magazine: I would like to be remembered as a decent local buffer who wasnt all that clever, but in his own way tried to do his best. Many in the Conservative Party will remember him rather more generously. CORNWALL, Ontario For the past two months, the Cornwall Community Hospital has been sitting at over 100 percent capacity, with the highest recorded occupancy at 136 percent. At the start of 2017, the hospital announced that they were sitting at 138 percent capacity due to a spike in gastroenteritis, influenza and pneumonia, which caused an increase in Emergency Room visits during the holidays. The average occupancy for the last month is 116 percent with the lowest being 107 percent, and the highest at 127 percent. Cornwall hospital is fortunate to have staff working extra hours and shifts to ensure the patients needs are met, but the strain on our financial and human resources is impactful, said Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer, Heather Arthur. Arthur says that high levels of ALC patients (Alternate level of care patients) are partially to blame for the hospitals skyrocketing numbers. These patients required Acute care, and the hospital has provided it, said Arthur. Now they are waiting (at the hospital) to be discharged to either a long-term care facility or other level of care facility. The situation becomes further compromised when other hospitals are at capacity, and patients cannot be transferred to the hospital closest to the patients home. Another key concern among healthcare workers is facility outbreak, which is common during this season. The Eastern Ontario Health Unit works with the hospital and other facilities that are in outbreak, and there are instances when a resident cannot be returned to a long term care facility due to the increased risk it may pose to the resident. As usual, the hospital urges public to avoid visiting loved ones in the hospital if you are feeling unwell, and only visit the Emergency Room for true emergencies. Close The Jolie-Pitt family has been keeping a low profile since Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt announced that they are getting divorced. However, the Brangelina kids have finally returned to the limelight during a trip to Cambodia. Interestingly, it looks like the children prefer being with their mother as there is no sign of Brad. The kids even got to meet the Cambodian king during their stay. There is little doubt that the Brangelina kids are the ones who are most affected by Angelina Jolie's divorce from Brad Pitt. Nevertheless, Maddox, Shiloh, Zahara, Pax, Vivienne and Knox still managed to find some fun during their trip to Cambodia. A video shows the youngest of the Jolie-Pitts getting help from their mother as they prepare a spider for consumption (via Twitter). Could the daring move be one of the reasons why the children would rather stay with Angelina Jolie instead of Brad Pitt? Angelina Jolie and her kids make first public appearance since her split from Brad Pitt https://t.co/ezT26Md9IB pic.twitter.com/13uqfluklk Huffington Post (@HuffingtonPost) February 19, 2017 Devouring bugs isn't the only family fun that the Brangelina kids had on their trip to Cambodia. Angelina Jolie also took her children to meet King Norodom Sihamoni, the King of Cambodia (via Twitter). According to Yahoo AU, Shiloh Jolie-Pitt even made a speech in Khmer as she expressed love for Maddox's home country. But is there any chance that the Jolie-Pitt children will choose to go with father Brad Pitt when they get home? Angelina Jolie Takes All Six Kids to Meet the King of Cambodia pic.twitter.com/24dYFTCylj Angelina Jolie Fans (@angelinajolie03) February 19, 2017 Back in September, Angelina Jolie filed for divorce where she asked for full custody of the Brangelina kids. All details about Jolie's custody battle with Brad Pitt are being kept private for the sake of the children. However, there is a possibility that the couple will manage to settle amicably, as Jolie has stated that the Jolie-Pitts will remain "a family." See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare Close Researchers may have found a new treatment for anorexia. Deep brain stimulation has also lead to subjects reducing level of depression and anxiety. A Canadian study looked into 16 people with severe anorexia, all women aged between 21 to 57 years old. They had been suffering for anorexia for an average of 18 years. All other anorexia treatment have been tried but failed. Now, they implanted electrodes deep in the brain, a process called deep brain stimulation. The participants' anorexia was considered severe. They are severely underweight and some are even at risk of dying. The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD) said that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental health disorders. There are 24 million adults in the United States suffering from eating disorders, while 70 million are affected worldwide, mostly women aging 12 to 25 years old. At the start of the study, electrodes were placed in areas of the brain thought to be linked to anorexia. Few months after the treatment, the participants' depression and anxiety were reduced. After 12 months, some patients gained weight. The body mass index has amazingly increased from 13.8 to 17.3. When researchers looked into the brain scan of the participants, before and after the deep brain stimulation, they found that there are persistent changes in the brain linked to anorexia. According to Dr. Nir Lipsman, a neurosurgeon at the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Center, there are no effective treatment for people who has long standing anorexia. They are often the sickest and at high risk of dying. Lipsman is hopeful with the trial because it is one of the first brain-based treatments for anorexia. It will also help validate that anorexia is not a personality or lifestyle choice. However, researchers say that they need to expand the study for the results to be considered. See Now: What Republicans Don't Want You To Know About Obamacare About a decade and a half ago, exit consents were a big deal in sovereign debt restructuring. At the time, sovereign bonds governed by New York law required unanimous bondholder approval before any modification to the payment terms of the bonds. The result was that creditors could easily hold out from a restructuring. Needing to mitigate the holdout problem in Ecuador in 2000, sovereign debt guru Lee Buchheit borrowed a technique from corporate bond restructuring practice in the United States. There, the Trust Indenture Act forbids out-of-court bond exchanges that modify "the right of any holder ... to receive payment ... or to institute suit" without the consent of each affected bondholder. To oversimplify, Buchheit leveraged the fact that other terms of the bonds could be amended with a lesser vote, often a simple majority or 66.67% of the bonds. This meant that potential holdouts risked having key protections stripped from their bonds in a restructuring that won the approval of a majority of bondholders. Ecuador used this exit consent technique in 2000, as did Uruguay in 2003 and the Dominican Republic in 2006. Yet later developments seemed to relegate exit consents to the historical dustbin. First, virtually all foreign-law sovereign bonds issued after 2003 included collective action clauses (CACs), which allowed a super-majority of bondholders to modify even payment terms. Second, a number of judicial opinions appeared to rein in the use of exit consents, viewing the technique as potentially coercive. Thus, after a key English case, Anna Gelpern queried: " Exit Consents Killed in England ?" Recent cases pending before federal courts in New York raised the possibility that the exit consent technique would be limited even further. About a month ago, the Second Circuit issued an opinion in one of these cases: Marblegate. The case has attracted a lot of attention, and the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times have good background. In a nutshell, the issue in Marblegate was whether a bond exchange can be so coercive that it functionally impairs the right "to receive payment ... or to institute suit," even though, as a formal matter, the exchange leaves those rights intact. Marblegate implies that the answer is "no," although the court did not say this in such explicit terms. It did, however, interpret the TIA's prohibition as limited to "formal indenture amendments to core payment terms" (and modifications that prevent bondholders from "initiating suit"). If taken literally, this view gives issuers a great deal of freedom to play hardball in structuring a bond exchange. The issuers most likely to value this freedom are sovereign governments (e.g., Venezuela) and their instrumentalities (e.g., PDVSA). Venezuela's bonds are not subject to the TIA (and do not even involve a trust indenture). Nevertheless, some of its older bonds require the consent of each bondholder to modify core payment terms (and a few other terms, which we'll call "Reserved Matters"). The bonds thus replicate the TIA's prohibition, but as a matter of contract rather than statute. Moreover, while Venezuela's newer bonds have collective action clauses allowing holders of a super-majority of the outstanding debt (either 75% or 85%) to impose restructuring terms on dissenters, these CACs operate series-by-series, which makes it relatively easy for dissenters to block a restructuring vote. All Venezuelan bonds, however, allow modifications to non-Reserved Matters at a lower voting threshold. In any Venezuelan restructuring, then, exit consents will likely play a prominent role, given the country's inability to rely on CACs. As noted earlier, in 2000 Ecuador conducted an exchange in which participating bondholders voted to remove cross-default and negative pledge clauses, and to delist the old bonds. (Venezuela's case is complicated by the fact that its newer bonds expand the list of Reserved Matters to require super-majority approval to change some non-payment terms, such as clauses specifying the governing law.) Although instrumentalities such as PDVSA sometimes issue debt with CACs, PDVSA's bonds likewise incorporate the TIA's prohibition, requiring each bondholder to consent to any modification that impairs the right "to receive payment ... or to institute suit." Thus, it too may turn to exit consents as a restructuring tool. The question is what lessons Marblegate teaches about the use of exit consents in the context of bonds issued by foreign governments and their instrumentalities. The TIA imposes no limits whatsoever on Venezuela's use of exit consents. Those limits, whatever they are, stem from the bond contract and from New York law (which governs the bonds). Our sense, however, is that a foreign sovereign should have more rather than less freedom to use exit consents, even if it presents bondholders with a choice that is somewhat coercive. After all, in the domestic corporate debt context, the alternative to exit consents is bankruptcy. The TIA represents a policy in favor of conducting collectively-binding workouts under the supervision of a bankruptcy court. But of course there is no bankruptcy fallback for sovereigns. If a sovereign is to implement a collectively-binding restructuring, contractual tools are its only option. We don't doubt that New York law imposes some limits on the ability to conduct a coercive debt exchange--whether under the duty of good faith or under some other doctrine--but we do not see why those limits should be more draconian than those imposed by the TIA. For PDVSA the question is a bit more complicated. Whether or not it was required to comply with the TIA (section 304 exempts securities "issued or guaranteed by a foreign government or ... instrumentality thereof," though we gather that some lawyers interpret this exemption narrowly), PDVSA incorporated the TIA's precise language into its bonds. Thus, in examining the legality of any PDVSA exchange offer, one might expect a court to look to Marblegate for guidance. The Second Circuit's reasoning may not prove very helpful, as the court based its ruling on an extensive inquiry into the TIA's legislative history. To the extent the limits on PDVSA's right to conduct exchange offers stem from contract law, discussion of the TIA's legislative history isn't all that relevant. But the result in Marblegate certainly suggests PDVSA will have substantial freedom to conduct a debt exchange, so long as it does not amend "core payment rights" or bar bondholders from "initiating suit." It does not take too much imagination to envision an exchange offer that forces PDVSA bondholders to choose between (a) accepting new bonds with less favorable payment terms and (b) retaining old bonds that have been stripped of many of their protections and that represent claims against an entity that has been stripped of its right to exploit Venezuela's oil reserves. While not exactly an appealing choice, we suspect many bondholders would agree to restructure. In any event, Marblegate is not the last word on these questions. It was a 2-1 decision, with a robust dissent. Other cases will shed further light on the utility of the exit consent technique. But for now, sovereign borrowers and their financial advisors may be breathing a sigh of relief. D.H. Lawrence in Studies in Classic American Literature. Never trust the artist. Trust the tale. The proper function of the critic is to save the tale from the artist who created it. Security News Solution Providers: Cloudflare Software Bug Shows Need For Better Business Data Security Measures Sarah Kuranda Share this Solution providers said a software bug found at Internet service provider Cloudflare highlights the need for companies to step up their game when it comes to data security. The bug, discovered by Google security researcher Tavis Ormandy, led to the leakage of encryption keys, PII data, HTTP cookies, passwords, HTTP POST bodies, and HTTPS requests. The leakage was caused by edge servers running past their buffer and returning memory containing the sensitive data, which was then cached by search engine. Cloudflare said customer SSL private keys were not leaked. Cloudflare is an Internet service provider that hosts more than 5 million websites, including popular sites such as OKCupid, AgileBits, 1Password, and more. [Related: Study: Cybersecurity Skills Gap To Widen To A Massive 1.8 Million Worker Shortfall By 2022] Cloudflare said in a blog post that the greatest period of impact from the bug was between Feb. 13 and Feb. 18, where around 1 in every 3.3 million requests could have been leaked. That amounts to around 120,000 pages a day. Cloudflare said in a blog post there is no evidence that hackers have exploited the data leakage. Cloudflare said it turned off three Cloudflare features (email obfuscation, server-side excludes and automatic HTTPs rewrites) to halt the leak. It also launched a cross-functional team to better understand the issue and work with Google and other search engines to remove cached HTTP responses. "We are very grateful to our colleagues at Google for contacting us about the problem and working closely with us through its resolution. All of which occurred without any reports that outside parties had identified the issue or exploited it," Cloudflare said in a blog post. The bug is just the latest event to hit an Internet service provider, including a distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Dyn last fall, which leveraged distributed IoT devices infected by the Mirai botnet to take down more than 1,200 websites. The events are unrelated and the Cloudflare event is a data leakage bug, not a DDoS attack. Jack Koons, director for global security solutions at Blue Bell, Pa.-based Unisys, said that, while Cloudflare was quick to resolve the problem at its source, businesses should still be concerned about data that leaked that has now been cached on a server, leaving it out in the wild. He said businesses who are concerned they might be affected should do basic security triage, changing passwords, notifying the IT department and taking inventory of the type of data that may have been compromised and if it has any business or regulatory implications. Going forward, Koons said businesses should take steps to secure their critical data and assets before they reach the Internet, comparing it to putting on a coat before leaving the house in the winter. He said that includes security steps such as identifying critical data assets, segmentation and encryption. "If we don't want to catch a cold, we dont try and change the weather we just put a jacket on. That same analogy has to be used for the companies that are transiting Cloudflare. You have to put the jacket on by putting basic protections on data," Koons said. "Thats really the conversation that you want to have. The sad part, though, is right now is a lot of organizations arent doing it." Koons said there is also a role for government organizations to step up around this issue, instituting regulations like Europe has with the GDDR around data protections. He compared it to the German Autobahn, which has unlimited speed limits, similar to Cloudflare, but puts strict requirements on car safety and maintenance before cars can drive on the highway. "That analogy has to be used for the internet. The organization has to provide the security and safety for vehicle so if there's a crash on the high speed network, you're protected. You can't blame the Autobahn," Koons said. Koons said he hopes incidents like the Cloudflare software bug and the Dyn attack last fall call attention to the need for companies to invest in data security solutions sooner, rather than later. Portability And Flexibility Lenovo popularized the idea of a convertible laptop with its Yoga series, and Microsoft did the same for the convertible tablet with the Surface Pro. The two devices are variations on the same theme. Namely: a highly portable, large-screened touch device with flexibility around whether you use the keyboard or not. Those who want their keyboard to stay attached (but be able to fold all the way back) may favor something from the Yoga line perhaps a soon-to-be-released premium model, the second-generation X1 Yoga. Meanwhile, the most-recent Surface Pro, the Surface Pro 4, is probably a better fit if you want the option to detach the keyboard. But what if you aren't deciding on those criteria alone? The CRN Test Center has the breakdown on how the Lenovo X1 Yoga for 2017 compares to the Microsoft Surface Pro 4 on specs and price. A carder forum is advertising a special deal to VIP members. The website claims to possess more than 150 million logins, from a number of services including Netflix and Uber. The source of this data collection are the accounts exposed due to a recent problem on Cloudflare's infrastructure. CloudBleed is the name given to a flaw created by a faulty HTML parser chain that's responsible for dumping sensitive information from a number of Cloudflare customers across the web. The flaw was accidentally discovered last week by Google researcher Tavis Ormandy. The incident impacted several large brands, including Uber, OKCupid, and Fitbit. However, a Canadian researcher compiled a larger list on GitHub, which includes a number of possible affected websites such as 23andMe, Coinbase, Patreon, Yelp, Fiverr, and Change.org. The full list contains more than 4 million domains. Update: 23andMe sent over the following earlier this morning: "We were notified by CloudFlare that our website was not affected, which is consistent with our internal investigation thus far. We will continue to investigate and update our customers accordingly." Salted Hash covered the story on Thursday evening, as well as updated it on Friday, but even with all the coverage and a detailed explanation by Cloudflare, the full scope of the incident isn't exactly clear. According to Cloudflare, the impact includes "HTTP cookies, authentication tokens, HTTP POST bodies, and other sensitive data." It's the 'other sensitive data' part that has people guessing. On Friday evening, or early Saturday morning depending on where one is in the world, someone emailed Salted Hash a screenshot of a carder forum operating in the open. The image below was collected by us and cropped. The forum, CVV2Finder, boasts a large collection of compromised cards and accounts, but it was the latest news post on the website that caught our tipster's eye. The message is as follows (with no editing or alterations): "Dear DeepWeb Users of cvv2finder, After the success of the latest attack (cloudbleed) to cloudflare servers, More than 150 Million Fresh Logins Avaliable for Uber , Netflix ... and many more. After hours these data will be avaliable into a database and would sell it for 250k$. This offer only for VIP users." If true, that would mean the impact of CloudBleed was much larger than first expected, and it shines some light on the data that's been exposed. This could be really bad, not just for Cloudflare, but for anyone who uses a website maintained by one of their customers. However, Netflix isn't a CloudFlare customer they are their own CDN, so their inclusion in the list of offered accounts is suspect. Also, the post hinges on 'many more', without naming any company that wasn't previously disclosed by Mr. Ormandy. CVV2Finder lists Netflix, Dominos, several "People Meet" dating websites, Tidal, CBS, Bitdefender, Origin, Dell, UPS, HBO Now, Spotify, and DirecTV accounts in their database as available to purchase. However, there are only 2,300 accounts, a far cry from the 150 million they are promising. Again, if the offer is legit, that's bad news for a lot of people and several big brands. But from the looks of things, this is likely a hoax, or a website boasting in order to get more users. We'll update this article if there is more information. Google's Project Zero team has disclosed a potential arbitrary code execution vulnerability in Internet Explorer because Microsoft has not acted within Google's 90-day disclosure deadline. This is the second flaw in Microsoft products made public by Google Project Zero since the Redmond giant decided to skip this month's Patch Tuesday and postpone its previously planned security fixes until March. Microsoft blamed the unprecedented decision to push back scheduled security updates by a month on a "last minute issue" that could have had an impact on customers, but the company hasn't clarified the nature of the problem. Some people have speculated that the problem might be related to the Windows Update infrastructure and not a particular fix, but the company pushed out a Flash Player security update on Tuesday, which suggests that if there was an infrastructure problem, it is now resolved. The newly disclosed vulnerability is a so-called type confusion flaw that affects Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer and can potentially allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the underlying system. "No exploit is available, but a PoC [proof-of-concept] demonstrating a crash is," Carsten Eiram, chief research officer at vulnerability intelligence firm Risk Based Security, said via email. "This PoC may provide a good starting point for anyone who wants to develop a working exploit. Google [Project Zero] even includes some comments on how to possibly achieve code execution." The Risk Based Security researchers have confirmed the potentially exploitable crash for IE11 on a fully patched Windows 10 system and have assigned a CVSS severity score of 6.8 to it, treating its impact as potential code execution. On Feb. 14, after Microsoft announced its decision to postpone the February patches, Google Project Zero disclosed a memory disclosure vulnerability in Windows' GDI library. Another vulnerability that has yet to be patched was publicly disclosed three weeks ago by an independent researcher. The flaw is located in Microsoft's implementation of the SMB network file-sharing protocol and can be exploited to crash Windows computers if attackers trick them into connecting to rogue SMB servers. The researcher who disclosed the vulnerability claimed Microsoft intended to patch it in February. So, at the moment there are three zero-day vulnerabilities in Microsoft products that the company might have planned to patch on Feb. 14 but didn't. Some security researchers, including Eiram, believe Microsoft should release the patches it has now instead of waiting. "Even if no exploits are currently available, Microsoft is gambling with their users' security," Eiram said. "If exploits do suddenly surface, Microsoft would likely have to release out-of-band security updates anyway, forcing customers to scramble to apply these fixes. It makes more sense to handle it in a proactive manner." Software vendors' commitment to monthly patch cycles is understandable as it serves their customers' need to have some predictability about when security updates will need to be applied. However, Eiram believes that sticking to these cycles should never have a higher priority than getting security fixes out in a timely manner. "Microsoft has always reserved the right to release out-of-band security updates when necessary, and even with no exploits available it is necessary now," he said. "There are three known, unpatched vulnerabilities and at least one of them has code execution potential." HARTFORD Recreational marijuana was always a long shot in the 2017 Connecticut General Assembly. With near-parity among Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, more contentious bills seem destined for failure. And few are more controversial than those that would legalize the cultivation and sale of marijuana to adults over 21 for non-medical use. Still, in a tough fiscal year with a projected $1.7 billion deficit in the state budget set to take effect on July 1, lawmakers led by Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, saw the potential for progressive legislation that could bring in tens of millions of dollars in sales tax revenue. U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has threatened, though, to clamp down on states with retail sales. So while the states medical marijuana program is attracting more patients and participating physicians, Connecticut is unlikely for now to follow regional neighbors Massachusetts and Maine and approve recreational use. Looney said Friday that Sessions criticism has little effect. The issue is still going to be around, he said in the Capitol. Other states are moving in that direction. We are contemplating that at some point it could be up to a $60 million-a-year revenue source for us. So I think the issue is going to be with us, this year or in the future. More Information Pending marijuana bills include: Exempting veterans from paying fees for participating in the medical marijuana program. Requiring the DMV to be notified of marijuana-related infractions by juveniles. Allowing those convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana before October, 2015, to apply for pistol permits from which they are currently banned. Republican and Democratic versions of the retail sale and taxation of recreational marijuana. A bill to remove previous marijuana-related convictions as barriers to obtaining marijuana-related business licenses. Two Republican bills on blood testing for drivers suspected of marijuana intoxication. Establishing a 6 percent tax on ales of medical marijuana. Another would allow patients from out-of-state medical-marijuana programs to visit marijuana dispensaries here while visiting. See More Collapse Several marijuana bills There are a variety of marijuana-related bills pending among several committees. One would create a 6 percent tax on sales of medical cannabis. A bill that would waive registration and licensure fees for veterans applying for the medical marijuana program has a public hearing on Tuesday before the legislative Veterans Committee. Another proposal, in the Judiciary Committee, would allow those convicted of possessing small amounts of marijuana before October 1, 2015 when state drug laws were relaxed to apply for pistol permits, from which they are currently prohibited. A bill filed by Rep. Tom ODea, R-New Canaan, an opponent of marijuana legalization, would establish a threshold minimum amount of marijuanas active chemicals to obtain a motor vehicle conviction for operating under the influence. That and a related proposal by House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, are also pending in the law-writing Judiciary Committee. All roads lead to the Judiciary Committee In fact, the 41-member Judiciary Committee is likely to be the burying ground of most marijuana bills this session, with the three co-chairmen on the record against recreational marijuana. The vote count is what it is, but we will have a public hearing and each member will make his or her own determination as to how they feel about it, Rep. William Tong, D-Stamford, one of the three committee chairmen, said in a Friday interview between meetings in the Legislative Office Building. But we dont have a bill yet. We just really have a concept. I think there are some people who feel very strongly about it either way, and there are some people who are reserving judgment until it plays out. Sen. John A. Kissel, R-Enfield, co-chairman of the panel, said Friday he doesnt believe there is enough support to successfully get the legalization bill out committee. But we havent had the public hearing, so lets see if the public hearing changes peoples minds, Kissel said. I am absolutely opposed to it. Sen. Michael A. McLachlan, R-Danbury, vice chairman of the committee, said Friday he remains an opponent. Its against federal law, he said. I have cousins who live in Denver and they have seen marijuana tourism ruin their city. Its a disaster. But I was a no on medical, because its a federal law. In 2012, in preparation of the medical cannabis program, the General Assembly voted to downgrade marijuana to a Schedule II drug. Federally, it is still considered an addictive Schedule I drug with no medical uses. Sen. Paul Doyle, D-Wethersfield, the third Judiciary Committee co-chairman, said Friday that he may vote in favor of the retails-sales bill in committee. Im opposed to it on the floor, he said Friday. I would help to get it out of committee, but definitely in the Senate, I would definitely vote no. Doyle has been an active opponent. Last year, as ranking member of the Regulation Review Committee, Doyle worked against the expansion of the medical marijuana program, which now has 16,580 patients and eight dispensaries. I support the bill, said Rep. Steve Stafstrom, D-Bridgeport, one of 18 co-sponsors of the House version of the retail-sales legislation. Looney is the chief sponsor of the Senate bill. A potential cash cow or gateway drug? Tong and Sen. L. Scott Frantz, R-Greenwich, co-chairman of the tax-writing Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, said that if the chief selling point for recreational marijuana is the potential tax revenue, its just another motive to reject it. Theyre doing this for all the wrong reasons, Frantz said Friday. Theyre trying to raise revenue. Theyre ignoring the social costs of what I consider to be a gateway drug. Im pretty convinced that its a drug thats a lot more evil than people think it is. With the change of the chemical make up of that drug today as compared to 25 and 35 years ago, its more addictive, I imagine, and it also raises ones curiosity about other forms of drugs that might be even more dangerous. The money is the wrong reason to do it, Tong said. I feel very strongly about that. If you want to have a substantive discussion about the merits of whether it makes sense for us as a policy of the state, lets do that, which I think were going to do. But I think the money is the wrong reason to do it. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate BRIDGEPORT A day after she was wounded and her friend was killed, the surviving victim of a brutal knife attack was not well enough to talk on Saturday. Bridgeport Police Chief Armando Perez said detectives were hoping to get a statement from the woman, who was in stable condition at St. Vincents Medical Center something to help explain what led to 26-year-old Nidia Gonzalezs death and a manhunt for the slain womans boyfriend. Oscar Hernandez, 39, wound up being captured late Friday morning in Pennsylvania, where police said he had been on the run with the couples 6-year-old daughter. Authorities said the girl was unhurt. Charged with a number of offenses in Centre Hall. Pa., Hernandez will have a choice Monday of accepting or challenging extradition to Connecticut. Here, he is expected to face unspecified charges related to the death of his girlfriend, the stabbing of her friend and abduction of the young girl on Friday morning. The surviving womans name has not been released. The capture of Hernandez, a once-deported felon with a history of domestic violence, came amid jousting between President Donald Trumps White House and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy over the role of states in enforcing federal immigration law. Last week, Malloy advised Connecticut municipalities and law-enforcement agencies they were under no obligation to assist federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer responded to Malloys stance by saying the governor was turning a blind eye to immigration violations. The idea that you can decide which laws to agree or not to agree with or to follow or not follow undermines our entire rule of law, Spicer said during a press briefing on Thursday. ICE officials said Friday Hernandez, a citizen of El Salvador, was deported in the fall of 2013, after he had been convicted of assaulting a former girlfriend in Stamford, where he worked at a deli. He was back in the country illegally, and it was unclear how, or when, he had returned. As Hernandez was being held Pennsylvania in connection with Gonzalezs death, the Malloy administration defended its position. Our local laws are designed to protect our residents and also ensure that those in harms way feel safe seeking help from law enforcement, Malloy spokeswoman Kelly Donnelly said Friday. Thats why convicted violent felons are detained for deportation under our state laws that the governor has consistently and strongly supported. In Centre Hall, Hernandez was charged Saturday with multiple violations connected to the chase, including endangering the welfare of a child, fleeing a police officer and following too closely. Pennsylvania state troopers said Hernandez admitted he had engaged in reckless driving Friday afternoon, including driving too fast and that he struck a tractor-trailer after a high-speed chase, according to a criminal complaint filed in district court. According to the troopers affidavit, they kept an eye out for Hernandezs gray 2017 Hyndai Sonata after receiving an Amber Alert that was triggered by a report from the Bridgeport Police Department. Troopers spotted him traveling north on Interstate 99, followed him for a while, and then pulled him over when he signaled as if to exit the highway. (Hernandez) turned off the ignition but would not exit the vehicle, Trooper Jeffrey Ebeck said in the affidavit. He ultimately closed the driver door and fled northbound. With his daughter in the back seat, Oscar Hernandez led troopers on a chase that at times climbed to 125 mph, according to Ebeck. Finally, Hernandez hit a patch of slow traffic, and was unable to brake fast enough to avoid a tractor-trailer in front of him, causing a chain reaction crash with other vehicles, according to the affidavit. Still Standing: Four the Moments legacy honoured at Nova Scotia Music Week When a quartet of Halifax women began singing together a cappella in the name of social justice in 1982, there was little in the way of a music industry at play in Atlantic Canada. And even if there had been, its likely that Four the Moment would ... We must rethink the U.S. response to infectious disease. Here's why. As I predicted, Thursdays by-elections have given Theresa May unchallenged domination of the domestic political landscape. Her win in Cumbria puts her in a position of strength which recalls Margaret Thatcher at the height of her powers in the early Eighties. Meanwhile, Ukips failure to win Stoke-on-Trent, the Brexit capital of Britain, means the party is probably finished. Labour is also in crisis after its failure to hold the Cumbrian seat of Copeland. No wonder the knives are being sharpened at Westminster amid calls for party leaders Paul Nuttall and Jeremy Corbyn to be replaced. No wonder the knives are being sharpened at Westminster amid calls for party leaders Paul Nuttall and Jeremy Corbyn to be replaced But today I want to look beyond those leadership battles and explore the deeper meaning of the results on Thursday night. This is because I am convinced the two by-election outcomes are evidence of seismic changes of a kind that take place only once in a generation in British politics. Though politicians are too hidebound, slow and self-interested to acknowledge it, the tectonic plates have already shifted significantly. And we are moving towards an utterly new political landscape in the wake of last Junes referendum vote. The collapse of Ukip is one sign of this new world, and it is important to grasp that the obvious inadequacy of fantasist Paul Nuttall wasnt the real reason it lost. The brutal fact is that there has been no point to Ukip since June 23 last year. Brexit would not have happened but for Ukip pressure but now the referendum is won, there is no justification for its existence. As a result, it is starting to break up. Its leadership is out of control and voters are drifting away. Whatever you think of Nigel Farage, he is a big personality whose resilience and charisma did much to secure the nearly 4 million votes his party polled at the last General Election. But Ukip still has only one MP and three peers. I am starting to wonder if it will ever get any more. The result in Stoke this week (where 70 per cent of voters supported Brexit) shows that in the North of England some voters are going back to Labour. But even more are returning to the Conservatives. The Tory victory in Copeland counts among the greatest and most significant Tory by-election victories of all time. Whatever you think of Nigel Farage, he is a big personality whose resilience and charisma did much to secure the nearly 4 million votes his party polled at the last General Election This is because Copeland proves that Theresa May has abandoned David Cameron and George Osbornes strategy of appealing to metropolitan voters in fashionable areas. To her enormous credit, she has gone after the blue-collar workers in the North. Not since Maggie Thatcher has any Tory leader been capable of achieving this, and she can now become a major force in this new political landscape. Yet the return of the one-nation Tory party to its provincial roots is creating a vacuum at the centre of politics. Ten years ago, I published a book called The Triumph Of The Political Class. It described how a tiny coterie of careerist politicians had seized control of our main parties, to the virtual exclusion of ordinary voters. Their views were centrist and invariably almost identical, yet they seemed to understand little of the hopes and dreams of the working classes, or the aspirations of the lower-middle classes. When I wrote the book, it seemed this elitist class was invincible yet this weeks by-elections show it has been defeated. It is now in exile and has no presence at all in either Theresa Mays Conservatives or Jeremy Corbyns Labour. The members of this elite are figures who have governed Britain for the past two decades Peter Mandelson, Tony Blair, Nick Clegg, David Cameron and George Osborne all among them. Now they are conspiring together to form a second force in British politics, and over time are likely to form a breakaway political movement in an attempt to capture the centre ground. I now come to the third force in British politics: Mr Corbyns Labour Left. He was under attack yesterday for the Copeland result. This is not completely fair As long as the present leaders of the Tory and Labour parties remain in post, such a movement could attract significant figures from the backbenches of both parties whose instincts are more modernising than those of either Mrs May or Jeremy Corbyn. These might well include people such as Ken Clarke and Anna Soubry from the Tories, and Chuka Umunna and Liz Kendall from Labour. I now come to the third force in British politics: Mr Corbyns Labour Left. He was under attack yesterday for the Copeland result. This is not completely fair. He surely deserves credit for turning the Labour Party into a movement with more than 500,000 members. The defeat of Ukip in Stoke shows Labour can still play a powerful role in speaking up on great issues on behalf of working-class voters. What is clear is that our two great parties now express profoundly different visions of how Britain should be governed. And that at least means British democracy is more vibrant and stronger than it has been for decades. For that we should all be thankful. Royal Bank of Scotland has become a scandal. Its time to shut it down Imagine the public outcry against any nationalised industry that had clocked up losses of more than 50 billion over the past seven years. Lets also suppose it was dreadfully mismanaged by inept executives who paid themselves salaries of millions of pounds a year. It is easy to imagine the uproar. There would be massive and wholly justified pressure to close down a business that was clearly doing so much damage to the British economy at the expense of the ordinary taxpayer. Yet this is exactly the state of affairs at Royal Bank of Scotland, which yesterday announced further losses of 7 billion repeat, 7 billion. This is more than half as much as Britain spends every year on overseas aid. It is not just shocking but utterly immoral. RBS is based in Scotland, where ministers appear terrified of upsetting the Scottish National Party This winter there is a crisis in the Health Service. Elderly people are dying for lack of decent care because the Government cannot afford it. The unemployed are having their welfare payments slashed and our military capacity has been slashed to the bone again and again. Yet the taxpayer continues to pour unimaginable sums into the RBS black hole. I believe there are two reasons for this insanity. The first is that RBS is based in Scotland, where ministers appear terrified of upsetting the Scottish National Party (though Ive never heard the Scottish First Minister utter a word of acknowledgement, let alone thanks, to the Exchequer for keeping the Scottish financial sector afloat on a sea of government subsidies). Secondly, I suspect ministers are afraid of writing down the value of many of RBSs useless businesses, as this would add to the size of the national debt. Yet this situation has become intolerable, which is why I believe now is the moment to close down RBS. It has some decent businesses, such as the NatWest Bank, which can be sold off as a going concern. But the non-profitable parts must be shut. No more public money should be pumped into worthless businesses just to keep pampered bankers in lavish salaries. RBS chief executive Ross McEwan told the Today programmes Justin Webb his strategy was working At a time of financial crisis, it is simply an insult to taxpayers that the Government has wasted tens of billions keeping RBS afloat. If you listened to Radio 4 yesterday morning, however, you would not have received the impression that this is a monumental scandal. RBS chief executive Ross McEwan told the Today programmes Justin Webb his strategy was working. Mr Webb did not challenge this, accepting McEwans claim that RBS would return to profit next year. This was a failing, given that RBS had just announced it had lost the equivalent of a fifth of the national defence budget. The BBC man also failed to ask McEwan to justify the 3.8 million financial package he received in 2015. Nor did he query the fact that top executives at RBS were given a 17.4 million future shares bonus last year. McEwan actually praised the Government as a very good shareholder and from the point of view of the grotesquely overpaid RBS senior management, I have no doubt that is the case. But from the point of view of most taxpayers listening to the Today programme yesterday, the Governments management of RBS has been calamitous. Ultimately, it is ministers, not employees such as McEwan, who should be held to account for this appalling mismanagement of public resources. For the past few years, most of us have known that the Labour leadership lived on a different planet. But it was not until yesterday morning, a few hours after the shocking results from Copeland and Stoke Central had rolled in, that I realised they actually inhabited a parallel universe. In the real world, Thursday nights results were one of the greatest humiliations in Labours long history. The last time Copeland returned a Conservative MP was in 1931. For the Government to win here was almost inconceivable Oppositions almost always pile up votes in mid-term by-elections. Governments never win them. Yet in Stoke Central, a safe Labour seat ever since its creation, the party polled fewer votes than the Conservatives and Ukip combined, and saw its overall share actually drop by 2 per cent. As for Copeland, the Conservative victory was such a shock it is virtually off the scale. To put it into some sort of context, the last time a sitting Government overturned a decent Opposition majority at a by-election, without some sort of defection or split or local peculiarity, was in 1878 A largely working-class seat on the remote north-western edge of England, Copeland is as Labour as they come. The last time it returned a Conservative MP was in 1931. For the Government to win here was almost inconceivable. To put it into some sort of context, the last time a sitting Government overturned a decent Opposition majority at a by-election, without some sort of defection or split or local peculiarity, was in 1878, when Benjamin Disraelis Conservatives won in Worcester, overturning a large Liberal majority of nearly 8 percent. Back then, of course, the Labour Party did not even exist. And if Copelands result is repeated nationwide, it may not exist in the future. So what did the Labour leadership and their allies make of all this? Funny that you should ask. In his press conference yesterday, Jeremy Corbyn banged on about Stoke as though Copeland did not even exist, while his IRA-supporting Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell claimed it was all Tony Blairs fault. Astonishingly, though, their courtiers seemed in tremendous spirits. To push the Tories to within 2,000 votes [in Copeland], said Mr Corbyns political handmaiden Cat Smith, is an incredible achievement. The Tories may have taken Copeland, said a statement for the pro-Corbyn pressure group Momentum, but weve seen everything we need to win across the country right here in Stoke these last few weeks. As for Mr Corbyn himself, comfortably the worst major party leader in modern times, I have become a little weary of writing about him I dont know what world these characters inhabit, but unless they are away with the fairies, which is, I concede, perfectly possible, they cannot seriously believe that Thursday night was anything other than an utter disgrace. As for Mr Corbyn himself, comfortably the worst major party leader in modern times, I have become a little weary of writing about him. He is so inept, so stupid, so naive, extreme and out of touch, that there is no longer really anything to say. It is getting to the stage where I feel almost sorry for him. What the results from Stoke and Copeland show, though, is that Labours problems go far deeper than Mr Corbyn. Trapped in a bubble of smug metropolitan self-regard, utterly out of touch with its own voters, the party has been haemorrhaging working-class support for years. Indeed, Copeland suggests that Labours core working-class vote is weaker than at any time in the partys 117-year history. The truth, therefore, is that the party does not just need to get rid of Mr Corbyn. It also needs to get rid of all those deluded enough to vote for him. It wasnt really Mr Corbyn, after all, who lost Copeland. It was all those self-indulgent, second-rate university lecturers, schoolteachers and social workers who put him there. As a former academic, I know the type only too well. By and large, the Corbynistas have three distinguishing features. They know nothing about the Labour Party, they know nothing about politics and they know nothing about Britain. In Stoke Central, a safe Labour seat ever since its creation, the party polled fewer votes than the Conservatives and Ukip combined, and saw its overall share actually drop by 2 per cent They love to condemn Tony Blair who, for all his faults, won three elections as a traitor. But to identify Labours real traitors, the betrayers of the people the party purports to represent, they should take a look in the mirror. In the meantime, the Conservatives must think themselves in political nirvana. Theresa May was reportedly woken by text to tell her the good news about Copeland, and I imagine she can rarely have been so pleased to be roused from her slumbers. She is probably tired of being compared with Margaret Thatcher, but in one crucial respect the parallel is irresistible. What distinguished Mrs Thatcher was her extraordinary ability to reach out to aspirational working-class voters, the famous C2s of political jargon. With his air of Old Etonian privilege, David Cameron could never repeat the trick. But by emphasising her moral conservatism, appealing to voters patriotism and talking so openly about aspiration and social justice, the vicars daughter Mrs May has carried her partys flag into areas that have not voted Conservative for decades. In particular, her Brexit strategy is clearly doing her a lot of good. Surveys show that the Tory lead among the C2s is higher than at any time since the 1980s, while Labours lead among the unskilled working class the absolute core of the Labour vote, unless you count university common rooms is down to just one percentage point. In the meantime, the Conservatives must think themselves in political nirvana. Theresa May was reportedly woken by text to tell her the good news about Copeland, and I imagine she can rarely have been so pleased to be roused from her slumbers These are stunning figures. And my guess is that if Ukip continues to implode for if it cannot win in Stoke, the city with the highest proportion of Leave voters, then where on earth can it win? then Mrs May could hoover up working-class votes in 2020. If that transpires, vast swathes of the Midlands and perhaps even the North will turn into Conservative strongholds. There is, however, an obvious caveat. With Labour in such humiliating disarray, the Prime Minister now has no effective opposition. But far from resting on her laurels, she should use her stunning vindication in Copeland to spur her to greater efforts. There is a vacuum at the heart of British politics where the Labour Party used to be. If she is canny, Mrs May should seek to fill it. With her work ethic and moral seriousness, she seems well placed to appeal to voters who have never voted Tory in the past and if she makes a success of Brexit, she could define the course of our political life for the next generation. Most people like their politicians to be patriotic. They want them to believe in Britain, to be serious, competent and pragmatic The biggest lesson of all this, though, is very clear. For all the torrents of ink poured out by historians and commentators like me, British politics is really a very simple business. Most people, in Copeland, Stoke or somewhere else, whether they are natural Tories or dyed-in-the wool Labour, are pretty conservative. They like their politicians to be patriotic. They want them to believe in Britain, to be serious, competent and pragmatic. By contrast, they dont want them to talk about scrapping our nuclear deterrent, or introducing a national wage cap for high earners. They dont want them to grovel to Vladimir Putin, to fawn over Fidel Castro or to talk about copying the socialist basket case that is Venezuela. And they certainly dont want them to be unpatriotic, naive, extreme and inept. The most successful election-winners of the past century the Conservatives Stanley Baldwin and Margaret Thatcher, say, or Labours Clement Attlee and Tony Blair knew all this perfectly well. Mrs May seems to know it, too. To Corbyn and his supporters, however, it appears a complete mystery. And when you get down to it, that is all you need to know about Labours utter humiliation. A golden rule of politics is to be wary of reading too much into by-elections. But the Tory victory in Copeland was so remarkable it is surely reasonable to suggest we may be witnessing a dramatic change in our political landscape. To give some idea of its significance, this was the first seizure of an Opposition seat by a governing party for 35 years. Furthermore, Copeland in Cumbria is in Labours once impregnable northern heartlands. Indeed, before Thursday nights upheaval it had been held by the party since the 1930s. Yes, the Tories were blessed with an impressive local candidate in Trudy Harrison. But unmistakably, this was also a resounding vote of confidence in both Brexit and Theresa May. It shows people like and trust the Prime Minister. Theresa May made a surprise visit to Cumbria to celebrate landmark Tory win in the Copeland by-election The Tories were blessed with an impressive local candidate in Trudy Harrison, pictured following her triumph There was more comfort for the Tories (though much work still to be done) in the rock-solid Labour stronghold of Stoke. Here, too, they increased their share of the vote, coming a strong third just a whisker behind Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, who had been widely fancied. Meanwhile, Labours success in holding the seat killed off for the moment at least any chance of ditching the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn. In that respect, the two results combined were the worst possible outcome for those who believe in a healthy Opposition. Indeed, on Thursday night, we could almost feel the political ground shifting beneath our feet. In Mr Nuttalls defeat, we saw the growing perception that Ukips work ended with the Brexit vote a triumph for which huge credit is due to the partys tireless campaigning over the years. The truth is, however, that winning the referendum destroyed its raison detre. In Mr Nuttalls defeat, we saw the growing perception that Ukips work ended with the Brexit vote The question is who will benefit as Ukip fades. Clearly, voters who defected from the Tories are likely to return to the fold. But arent there also signs that many who switched to Ukip from Labour, exasperated by Mr Corbyns loony-Left incompetence and the arrogant eurofanaticism of Tony Blair and Lord Mandelson, may now make the journey to the Conservatives? The answer lies in Mrs Mays hands. Speaking outside No10 on Day One, she said she wanted to address her remarks directly to ordinary working-class families and those just managing to get by. The Government I lead will be driven, not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours, she said. If she makes good that pledge, everything will become possible. We could even see the Tories establishing strongholds in swathes of the country they havent won for decades. Labours success in holding the Stoke Central seat killed off for the moment at least any chance of ditching the disastrous Jeremy Corbyn But this doesnt mean sliding to the Left with tried and failed tax-and-spend. It means following Margaret Thatchers example of pursuing down-to-earth, true blue policies that help all aspirational workers and their families. Above all, it must mean injecting new life and enterprise into areas such as Stoke, neglected for far too long by the metropolitan elite, and easing the shockingly divisive disparities of wealth between North and South. Mrs May has a magnificent chance to redefine British politics for a generation. She must seize it. Cut our RBS losses As RBS losses more than trebled to 7billion, how much longer must taxpayers go on picking up the bills before the Government admits civil servants havent a clue how to run a bank? Indeed, these disastrous figures bring this single firms losses since the 2008 bailout to an eye-popping 58billion more than a third of Scotlands entire annual GDP. This cant be allowed to continue. The public stake must be sold whatever the price. Back in the 18th century, political reformer Henry Fox was advocating giving the vote to more people. But only, he insisted, to what he called the better sort. Not the mob or the mere dregs of the people. Heaven forbid! Now, in the 21st century, such derogatory sentiments about the people are dangerously back in fashion ever since they dared vote for Brexit in Britain, and for Donald Trump in the United States. Questions are being asked in high places about whether ordinary voters are fit to make decisions on major issues. 'Back in the 18th century, political reformer Henry Fox was advocating giving the vote to more people. But only, he insisted, to what he called the better sort. Not the mob or the mere dregs of the people. Heaven forbid!' As a result, democracy the cornerstone of our way of life is being undermined, its very survival put at risk. Its modern enemies are mustering from all corners but most worryingly from the Left, the very area where its stoutest defenders should be. As a long-standing person of the Left, I fear that democratic freedoms are now in danger of being abandoned as elitists in our midst attempt to restrict them. Every serious politician and thinker declares his or her belief in democracy. Yet, in practice, they seek to separate power from the people. The mantra has become Im a democrat, of course, but Over Brexit, this profoundly insidious attitude was exemplified by John Major, former Tory prime minister, who denied the referendum result was binding and declared: The tyranny of the majority has never applied in a democracy. Some of us might naively have imagined that majority rule was the very essence of democracy. But not, it seems, when millions vote against the wishes of a tiny political elite. 'Now, in the 21st century, such derogatory sentiments about the people are dangerously back in fashion ever since they dared vote for Brexit in Britain, and for Donald Trump in the United States' It was, of course, George Orwell in his 1945 novel Animal Farm, who described how All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others. Fast-forward to today and we find many Remainers similarly convinced that anyone who voted to leave the EU is too stupid to have the vote. The response was the same in America when voters failed to elect Hillary Clinton. Trumps victory, one U.S. professor declared, was the dance of the dunces, the result of uneducated, low-information white people being given the vote. He added: Democracy is supposed to enact the will of the people. But what if the people have no clue what theyre doing? The fury against the 17.4 million UK voters who dared to back Brexit and the 62 million Americans who had the temerity to vote for Trump brings frightening anti-democratic poisons bubbling to the surface of our societies. The sheer bile that erupted from political and cultural elites in Britain after the Brexit vote revealed a deep-seated contempt for the people and for democracy. The Establishment reacted as if the ground had disappeared from beneath their feet. How could this have happened? After all, the Remain campaign had marshalled every authority in the Western world to warn that a Leave vote would lead to economic ruination, a descent into barbarism, world war and, worse, falling house prices. The people had been told to vote Remain by leaders of all Britains mainstream political parties, the governor of the Bank of England, the Chancellor of Germany, the then President of the U.S., and every celebrity from David Beckham to Johnny Rotten. Yet a majority of voters actually disobeyed! In the eyes of the Establishment, the only possible explanation was that those millions were simply too ignorant, uneducated, gullible, bigoted or emotional to understand what they were being told. What is curious is that those from the liberal and Left wings the ones who claim to be most in favour of change in the UK were most upset. 'As a result, democracy the cornerstone of our way of life is being undermined, its very survival put at risk' But instead of trying to understand, the response of many was to dismiss the result as merely a howl of rage by voters who must have taken leave of their senses and to find ways to block it. The Guardian paper, alleged voice of liberal Britain, produced an official post-referendum T-shirt that declares: Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large numbers. Its columnist Polly Toynbee, grande dame of British liberalism, demanded that 231 Labour MPs 70 per cent of whose constituencies voted for Brexit must save us from the referendum result. In the name of democracy, of course. Such responses let slip the mask and revealed the ugly fact that this countrys political elite believes that matters of government are far too complex and sophisticated to let the governed decide. For the record, I voted Leave with passion, but my attack is not aimed at the 16.1 million who voted to Remain. They made a rational choice, just as the Leavers did. The difference is that most Remainers now accept the result, unlike elitists such as Tony Blair or Richard Branson or their poster girl Gina Miller, the City financier who led the court challenge, declaring that the revolting voters verdict made her physically ill. The reaction from those on the Left was the same when the American electorate handed Trump the keys to the White House. 'The fury against the 17.4 million UK voters who dared to back Brexit and the 62 million Americans who had the temerity to vote for Trump brings frightening anti-democratic poisons bubbling to the surface of our societies' He had been denounced as a disgrace to U.S. politics not only by the political establishment and the media but also by alpha intellectuals Beyonce and Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and Madonna, Jon Bon Jovi and Bruce Springsteen. How could Americans resist being dazzled by such a star-studded appeal, you might think? Yet more than 62 million Americans did just that. They voted Trump in to the consternation of every liberal voice in the land. On campuses, students held protests and college authorities offered counselling and time off to grieve, as if they were victims of a tragic disaster. Personally, I have no truck with the illiberal, free-speech-stomping, narrow-minded Trump. But what I dont get is their astonishment and hysteria at what happened. After the election, everybody suddenly started asking: How could they vote for him? But it should not have been difficult to get a sense beforehand of the growing anger against the political elite among the voters Clinton branded deplorables. It was just that nobody had ever bothered to ask those deplorables what they thought. The underlying problem in the UK, the U.S. and other Western societies is that politics and public life have increasingly become the preserve of a self-regarding elite of officials, opinion formers, intellectuals and so-called experts. They treat ordinary people, the masses, as outside of politics and beyond the pale, their concerns marginalised and ignored. 'After all, the Remain campaign had marshalled every authority in the Western world to warn that a Leave vote would lead to economic ruination, a descent into barbarism, world war and, worse, falling house prices' The Brexit vote marked a revolt against the enforced conformity preached by this elite. That it came as such a shock to them was a sign of how little contact they had with the real world. And still many of them dont get it. In the Left-wing New Statesman magazine, Professor Richard Dawkins, the leading evolutionary biologist and renowned humanist was unable to suppress his true feelings that the large slice of humanity who voted Leave were stupid, ignorant people. He protested that it is unfair to thrust on to unqualified simpletons the responsibility to take historic decisions of great complexity and sophistication. Presumably such decisions would be better left to highly intellectual minds such as his own. Great atheist that he is, he appears to think the rest of us should have blind faith in people like him. Meanwhile, the normally unflappable leading man of the Left, philosophy professor A.C. Grayling, wrote to every MP (apparently in the name of his students), demanding that they vote to ignore the result which he said was driven by mere demagoguery and sentiment and remain in the European Union. His extraordinary contention was that the majority of people are what he called System One thinkers, who make decisions on impulse and that what we need is to pay more heed to System Two thinkers, who seek information, analyse it, and weigh arguments in order to come to decisions. People similar to him, presumably. 'The Brexit vote marked a revolt against the enforced conformity preached by this elite. That it came as such a shock to them was a sign of how little contact they had with the real world. And still many of them dont get it' Thankfully, not all clever people took this anti-democratic line. Wolf Hall author Hilary Mantel observed how: As soon as the result was in, millions signed a petition to rub it out and do it again. The bien-pensants suggested the result was not binding, but advisory an opinion they would hardly have offered had the vote gone the other way. Mantel compared the bitter Remain lobby to the army of erasers she had encountered in Saudi Arabia, who dealt with things they didnt like pork, Israel, womens equality by simply removing mention of them from public life. Interestingly, Mervyn King, the former governor of the Bank of England, observed that the disdain the Establishment showed for those worried about the EU had probably encouraged many to vote Leave and attacked those who claimed if you even contemplate voting for Brexit, you must be either ignorant, uneducated, stupid or racist. The emphasis of many critics of the referendum was on the lies of the Leave campaign and how they had led gullible voters astray. Yet research by the Electoral Reform Society leads to the opposite conclusion that the majority declined to be swayed or bullied into submission. The emphasis of many critics of the referendum was on the lies of the Leave campaign and how they had led gullible voters astray. Yet research by the Electoral Reform Society leads to the opposite conclusion that the majority declined to be swayed or bullied into submission They kept their eyes on the bigger issues and voted Leave because they wanted more control over their own lives, UK politics and the countrys borders. Millions made the entirely rational calculation that these reasons were important enough to support Leave, even if the immediate economic impact was uncertain and might prove adverse. A fall in the pound could be a price worth paying for an increase in democracy and sovereignty. Yet still their motives are impugned. One of the nastiest tricks of those who lost the referendum was to claim that those who voted for Brexit (and Trump) were racists and xenophobes. In which case their votes should be seen as morally illegitimate. But the small-minded prejudices actually on display here were those of leading Remainers towards working-class voters. The sad truth is that to the elite, such people are far more alien than suave Brussels bureaucrats. Significantly, almost immediately after the referendum result, a new scare started over a reported spree of hate crimes against immigrants in the UK. The political elite seized upon these allegations as proof that the Brexit vote had been a demonstration of British racism. But does anybody seriously believe that 17.4 million UK voters backed Leave for racist motives? (stock image) But does anybody seriously believe that 17.4 million UK voters backed Leave for racist motives? The truth is that Britain today is a more tolerant and anti-racist society than ever before. Yes, immigration was an important factor for many Leave voters. But it was far from the over-riding obsession it has been made out to be: a post-referendum poll found 34 per cent said immigration was their main concern but 53 per cent prioritised the ability of Britain to make its own laws. The vast majority wanted EU migrants living and working in the UK to be allowed to stay. Still the attempts went on to subvert the referendum result, with the intervention of the courts. First the Law Lords and then the Supreme Court saw fit to overrule the express wishes of 17.4 million Leave voters and tell the elected government it could not trigger Brexit without the permission of MPs and Lords in Parliament. The same Parliament they had allowed to be overridden by Brussels for the previous 40 years. Then there was the four-million-strong online petition calling on Parliament to hold another referendum that would require a larger margin of victory. In similar vein was the letter signed by a thousand top lawyers, demanding that Parliament must decide (ie, vote for Remain). The QC behind this initiative explained: In times of crisis people often turn to lawyers to ask them how we should behave in society. 'The arrogance of the notion that the opinions of 1,000 lawyers whose fees are an affront to civilised society could outweigh those of 17.4 million voters summed up the Remainers some are more equal than others outlook' The arrogance of the notion that the opinions of 1,000 lawyers whose fees are an affront to civilised society could outweigh those of 17.4 million voters summed up the Remainers some are more equal than others outlook. Even now, the attempts continue to put Brexit back in its box, fuelled by a sense that too much democracy is dangerous. The Brexit referendum vote opened up the opportunity for a new kind of political debate about the future of our society, engaging many who have previously felt excluded from public life. Time and again, according to the Electoral Reform Society, its researchers heard people say the EU referendum was the first time their vote had truly counted. They decided for themselves what the truth was about the EU, and made their own choice in defiance of whatever was flung at them by the political class. But the plain fact is that the elite in this country do not trust the mass of voters, believing we are too unintelligent, misinformed and emotional to make the right decisions on important issues. Whichever side you took in June in the UK or November in the United States, we need to resist this with all our might. The real issue should be to defend democratic principles against those who would tell us that some voters are more equal than others. Aux armes, citoyens! Adapted from Revolting! by Mick Hume, published by William Collins at 6.99. Mick Hume 2017. To order a copy for 5.24 (offer valid to March 4) visit www.mail bookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. P&P free on orders over 15. From prom and anniversary shoots to pre-wedding photos and engagements it would appear that no milestone has been left unturned when it comes to couples photography. But a 22-year-old student from Michigan has added a new relationship landmark to document - the breakup. High school sweethearts Harrison Bach and ex-girlfriend Jackie, 20, were together for three-and-a-half-years but they split up in 2015 after they struggled to make it work as a long distance relationship when they went to college. Emotional: Harrison Bach, 22, and ex-girlfriend Jackie, 20, pictured, posed for a moody break-up photo shoot to document the end of their relationship Unusual: The student from Michigan was inspired by friends who have professional couples photographs done when they are together A year later, on New Year's Eve, Harrison, a student at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, suggested they reunite for a commemorative breakup photo shoot. The result was a moody darkly lit series of photographs featuring hand-holding, kissing and kneeling. Inspired by his friends who have had professional photographs taken with their boyfriend or girlfriend, he came up with the idea of doing a 'post-relationship' version. He told Daily Mail Online: 'I got the idea from seeing other friends post happy relationship photos in the woods and wanted to do the same setting, but this time display entirely opposite emotion from the people in the photo. 'It wasnt too difficult to do the shoot at all, we actually were joking around quite a bit in between the photos.' Although the shoot was a success Harrison said he would not try the experiment with other ex-girlfriends. He added: 'Not because the idea would be dead by then but because I never had a connection with anyone else that would make a project like this so cool for me. 'Jackie and I have been pretty OK at communication, this whole uprising has made it more fun for us to talk, but even now our conversations arent being consumed by the photos.' He said they started the photo shoot 'faking' their feelings but after a while they both got emotional. Parting ways: The high school sweethearts split up in 2015 after it became a long distance relationship when they went to college Friends? They reunited on New Year's Eve to take the photographs and said they found the experience emotional 'It was actually kind of funny, we were getting along extremely well, he told Mashable. He added: 'It ended up being really real emotions and we got kind of sad.' Jackie said the process took her back to how she felt while they were together. 'Taking those pictures felt like slipping right back into our relationship the good and bad. 'Looking at them now, I am reminded of everything about him I fell in love with,' she said. Harrison posted the pictures on Facebook and people were soon sharing them on Twitter where they attracted the attention of thousands. William Depew tweeted: 'My buddy from WMU took "break up photos" ?? Like they broke up. And took photos.' Jamie Furlong, from Ocean, New Jersey, compared it to 'the Instagram equivalent to break-up sex'. Another Twitter user, 'Bre', added: 'Can we do this?' Once upon a time Prosecco was simply a sparkling wine to be enjoyed on a hot summers day or special occasion. But after a boom in recent years it has spilled beyond beverages to become the permeating flavour in foods and even cosmetics. As well as guzzling gallons of the Italian fizz each year, Britons can now buy Prosecco flavoured popcorn, crisps, sweets and lip balm. Prosecco flavoured pancakes are set to be the Shrove Tuesday trend this year. The recipe includes the sparkling wine in the batter and the syrup And now the latest incarnation of Prosecco - once seen as Champagnes vastly inferior sister - has arrived in the form of pancakes. Proving that Britains love of the fizzy wine is yet to wane, Veeno wine cafe chain has launched a recipe for a fizzy, battery treat. In a timely concept to mark the start of the holy season of Lent, it suggests a boozy mix of Prosecco with the pancake batter. It also created a sweet, bubbly syrup to serve with the pancakes, topped with decadent strawberries and cream. Nino Caruso, co-founder of Veeno wine cafe, said: This is something we tried for fun because the Prosecco market is still huge. We have a huge demand from our customers who want anything in a Prosecco form. Mr Caruso said the chain was working on a Prosecco wine tasting menu, as well as using the beverage in other recipes such as tiramisu. He added: People love Prosecco and the quality has increased. They want to know more and more about it. We want to explain and educate the customers, but Prosecco pancakes are also about having fun and an experience you can recreate at home. Prosecco pancakes are among several alternatives to the traditional honey and lemon or syrup toppings. Other outlandish recipes touted for Shrove Tuesday this Tuesday include beer and brown sugar, tawny port and banana, or gingerbread. Some suggest Expresso pancakes or topping them with mango slices and lime syrup. Pancake Day, as its also known, marks the start of the Catholic season of Lent. Nino Caruso, co-founder of Veeno wine cafe, said: We want to explain and educate the customers, but Prosecco pancakes are also about having fun and an experience you can recreate at home Before abstaining from treats and giving up sweet things for Lent, Christians would traditionally use up all the leftover and sinful ingredients in the form of pancakes. The Prosecco trend gained pace around four years ago and has showed no signs of slowing. Recipe: Serves One For the pancakes: 225g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 284ml buttermilk 2 eggs 4 tbsp prosecco For the syrup: 150g sugar 150ml prosecco For decoration: Clotted cream Strawberries Method 1. Add the pancake ingredients to a bowl and beat until smooth. 2. Rest for one hour then pour an ice-cream scoopful into a hot frying pan and cook both sides. 3. Add the ingredients for the syrup to a saucepan and bubble for three minutes. 4. Stack the pancakes, add clotted cream and strawberries, then pour over the syrup. Add sparklers for an extra flourish. Advertisement A Prosecco drought in the Italian region in 2015 even led to consumers stockpiling bottles for summer. And at Christmas some supermarkets imposed a maximum number of bottles per customer. Several food and drinks retailers rushed to capitalise on the thirst for Prosecco flavoured products. Last summer Ocado launched a range of Prosecco ice pops while in winter Aldi sold Prosecco flavoured tea. And as well as an abundance of fizzy chocolates, sweets, and popcorn, there are also several Prosecco flavoured lip balms, soaps and perfumed oils. The drink is now spilling its way into everyday recipes, such as one for Chicken casserole with Prosecco and shallots. The UK export manager of Prosecco producer Ca di Rajo, said in 2015 that he expected the Prosecco trent to surge for at least another ten years. Veeno wine cafe has ten outlets in cities in the UK, offering four types of Prosecco on its wine menu. The chain sells Italian wines produced in the Sicilian family vineyard of Mr Caruso. Gin exports have soared to almost 500million as the thirst for the quintessentially British spirit shows no sign of drying out. More than 139 countries bulk-buy British gin making it a more valuable export than beef. Figures from Her Majestys Revenue and Customs show gin exports in 2016 were worth 474million, up 12 per cent on 2015, versus 446million for beef. Gin exports have soared to almost 500million as the thirst for the quintessentially British spirit shows no sign of drying out (file photo) The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said it expected gin exports to hit the 500million mark before the end of this year. Chief executive Miles Beale said: Britain is by far the biggest exporter of spirits in the world. WSTA said the achievement was even more impressive as the UK has the fourth-highest excise duty rate on spirits in the EU. Although the juniper-based spirit originated in Holland, gin or mothers ruin as it is sometimes called has a long association with Britain. Its popularity here has soared in recent years, so much so that it inspired a storyline in BBCs The Archers, when Toby set up a distillery. New distilleries are opening regularly, with 56 setting up in the last year. Dozens of bars and pubs selling only gin have also opened. More than 41million bottles were sold in the UK last year, up 12 per cent on 2015. Figures from Her Majestys Revenue and Customs show gin exports in 2016 were worth 474million, up 12 per cent on 2015, versus 446million for beef (file photo) Both Tesco and Sainsburys each stock more than 40 different gin products. And the love of gin has spilled out into gin related products, with online gift store, Not on the High Street, reporting sales of gin products were up by 51% in 2016, compared to the previous year. Neil Everitt, who co-founded Brockmans gin in 2008, explained: Drinking habits have changed dramatically in the past five years and the premium gin market has been one of the biggest winners. Australian mummy blogger Laura Mazza has revealed how she was abandoned by her mother as a teenager and how angry she felt. Ms Mazza, who is based in Melbourne, wrote an emotional piece about how her own mum fled to another country from Australia when she was only 16. The 30-year-old, who writes about her experiences at Mum On The Run, said while her mother had a hard childhood, she still was hurt by the abandonment. Heartbreaking: Mummy blogger Laura Mazza (right) has revealed her mother abandoned her when she was a teenager 'We hardly saw her': The 30-year-old said her mother (right) left their family to start a life in a new country 'She was only 16 when she married my father. She had a strict up bringing and I guess marriage was her escape,' Ms Mazza explained. 'Four kids later and they had been together for 25 years. When I was 16 she left. She moved to a different country and started a life there. 'The calls became less and less, the visits infrequent, eventually we hardly heard from her.' The mum-of-two said when she first had children, her anger got worse because she could not comprehend her mother's decision. 'Tough': The mum-of-two (pictured as a child) said her childhood experiences left her with anxiety and depression 'I resented her': Ms Mazza said when she had children of her own, she got even angrier at her mother 'I was so mad at her. So mad,' Ms Mazza said. 'I held it all in until I had children. Then everything came out. All of the emotions.' 'I resented her. I thought how could you feel all this love for a tiny human being and just leave them? Spend years getting to know their existence and then just pack up and leave?' For years the mum said that she was angry and upset, but recently a moment of clarity hit her when silently wished she could run away. 'My childhood left me with anxiety and depression. The same anxiety and depression my mother had gifted to me, that her mother had gifted to her,' Ms Maza wrote. 'I wish I could go live in a city where no one knows me and start fresh. 'Where I could be free as a bird and be surrounded by the beauty of outside instead of laundry piling up all around me.' 'All the emotions cam out': The mum said she couldn't understand how someone could leave their children and couldn't imagine abandoning her own 'Free as a bird': But the mum said some years later she had a moment of wanting to run away herself, and finally understood why her mother left She said she felt like she was The Little Mermaid, trapped under the sea and she finally had a connection with her mother. 'I now understand that's how my mother felt. I understand why she ran away. I no longer feel that angry anymore,' Ms Mazza said. 'And the fact that I understand why she did means I won't. I won't because I know how much it hurt me to not have my mum, and I know that my children need me.' 'I no longer feel angry anymore': Ms Mazza said while she understands, she will never leaver her two children (pictured) 'I think as mothers we forget ourselves': She encouraged mums to remember their identities and remember they deserve a little freedom She ended the heart wrenching piece by encouraging mothers to not lose their identities and ensure they enjoy their everyday lives. 'I understand that my mother lost her identity, and that's what she was looking for,' the mum-of-two wrote. 'She didn't know how to find it so she thought by creating a new one that would fulfil the void she was missing, but she won't. 'I think as mothers we sometimes forget ourselves. We just want a little freedom now and then, and we should always remember we deserve it.' John Schmidt, age 58, of Elko, Nevada passed away February 12th, 2017 after a long illness. He was born in Lansing, Michigan on October 18th, 1958. After graduating High School in 1978 he headed for Phoenix, Arizona for a career as a Journeyman Painter. In 1988 he became a Horse Groomer and Trainer at Turf Paradise Race Track. There he met a retired veterinarian and moved to a ranch in Prescott Valley, Arizona to help run the ranch, care for and breed retired race horses. In 2000, John moved to Elko, Nevada to be closer to his family. He went to work at the Oak Tree Inn as a Maintenance Person for many years. Teaching assistant Anna Rowe (pictured) who was duped on Tinder, called on the Government to pass laws against catfishing It was an error of judgment that cost Suzanne Hardman dearly. Not only did the wealthy divorcee lose a huge amount of money but, by the time the fraudsters who scammed her were finally caught, it had stripped her of her confidence and self-respect. For Suzanne, 58, a mother of grown-up daughters, had turned to online dating for a last chance at romance, ending up as the unsuspecting victim of professional conmen hiding behind fake but convincingly elaborate internet profiles. An office manager who had recently lost her mother, Suzanne was lured by the attentions of an attractive, middle-aged widower. Or so she thought. Lonely and vulnerable, she believed his hard luck stories and within weeks she had foolishly, she now acknowledges handed over 174,000 of her hard-earned savings. Sadly, Suzanne is far from being alone. Last week, the fiance of childrens author Helen Bailey, whose body was found dumped in a cesspit, was jailed for more than 30 years after killing the 51-year-old for her multi-million pound inheritance. The two had met on a Facebook dating group. Then another victim, teaching assistant Anna Rowe, 44, who was duped on Tinder, called on the Government to pass laws against catfishing as it is known the practice of using a fake profile to start an online romance. Yet only now is the true scale of this new and bewildering fraud emerging. Staggering new figures show that reports of online dating fraud increased by 32 per cent in just three years between January 2013 and December 2015, with an additional 3,889 online dating crimes reported in the last year alone. The latest statistics, from Action Fraud, the UKs national fraud and cyber-crime reporting centre within the City of London Police, show seven cases are reported every day. Last year, the cost was tallied at 40 million, with each victim losing, on average, 10,000 to scammers. Indeed, Action Fraud believes the true number of cases is much higher as many victims are simply too embarrassed to report the crimes. It is not just a financial cost which devastated victims must pay; the majority are women, who face the agony of rebuilding their confidence following the often humiliating revelation they had become emotionally involved in a romance which did not exist. Most of those falling prey are in their middle years the average age is 49. Certainly, that feeling of humiliation is something Suzanne Hardman understands only too well. I know now I was an absolute fool, she says. I feel so ashamed and embarrassed. I look at the internet messages and I cant believe how I was taken in. Thanks to my stupidity Ive thrown away my future. Suzanne Hardman (left) lost a huge amount of money to an internet dating conman. Anna Rowe (right) only discovered her long-term boyfriend was actually a married father when she hired a private detective Suzanne, from Hampshire, was reeled in by the profile on Match.com of university educated James Richards, someone she believed was a prosperous 49-year-old American living in Portsmouth and working in construction. They began exchanging increasingly passionate messages as it became clear how much they had in common. They were both only children and, coincidentally, both had just lost their parents. In one message, he wrote: You make me feel loved. You make me feel safe. But most important of all, you make me feel wanted. Neither of us could begin to imagine the love we both feel, neither exploding nor thundering into our hearts but just slowly growing into a beautiful relationship. Suzanne now admits they were a bit gushy but adds: Which woman doesnt like that sometimes? He told Suzanne that his late father had 895,567.32 in a frozen account that he couldnt access. Once that was sorted, they could meet if Suzanne could transfer the 700 he needed to gain access to the account. Thinking it was a one off, Suzanne sent the money but, won over by his affection, she soon sent additional sums totalling 174,000. The men behind this particular scam were eventually caught and in late 2014 were convicted of fraud having conned not just Suzanne, but eight other women, too. But most get away with it, according to Neil Masters of the charity Victim Support. Many appear to be part of organised gangs in West Africa or Eastern Europe. They are so successful that even highly intelligent professionals have fallen victim. Lawyer Annemarie Fletcher, 44, found herself duped by a criminal only recently released from prison for defrauding his employer of 50,000. The single mother of two met Kris Lyndsay, who claimed to be a successful businessman, on Tinder, but says that she let her hope of a loving relationship cloud her normally clear judgment. Lyndsay had changed his name to conceal his past, boasted of buying a luxury home and drove a Land Rover which later turned out to be hired. He also claimed to own a water bottling plant, several car parks and a phone app, and so Annemarie was persuaded to meet him within a month in nearby Portishead. A carefully constructed tragedy at the centre of his life only reeled Annemarie in further: he claimed his wife and daughter had been killed by a drunk driver. Within weeks, however, he had asked her for a short term loan, promising in return to pay her daughters 15,000 school fees. She handed over 7,000 in borrowed cash and 40,000 of jewellery before the terrible truth emerged. I viewed Kris as an alpha male, she says. I ask myself how I was taken in, but Id never encountered a criminal before and he seemed so plausible. He took me to see a 950,000 house in Somerset that he said he was buying. I even imagined a future living there with him. Hospital doctor Liz Todd (left) was manipulated by a serial conman she met on the Plenty Of Fish website. Publicist Amanda Stocks (right) only discovered her perfect new partner Matthew was a fraud when her suspicious mother hired a private detective Hospital doctor Liz Todd, 31, found herself manipulated by a serial conman she met on the Plenty Of Fish website a criminal who spent her cash on strippers and prostitutes. Christopher Smith claimed to be a barrister and appeared so charming that Liz fell head over heels after just one coffee date. She helped him secure the lease on a manor house apartment after he claimed being self-employed could make things complicated. But he had reams of paperwork to back up his claims that he enjoyed a six-figure salary, a multi-million-pound rental portfolio and an investment of 300,000 which was set to mature. Smith also carried files which suggested he was a barrister, made calls to clients when Liz was there, and had Liz ferry him around to court dates across the North East. But it was when Liz found a newspaper article about him from 2008 that she realised he was a fraud, with 17 different aliases, 133 previous convictions for fraud and a string of jail sentences. He had even been hosting stripper parties at her flat while she worked night shifts. By then, he had quietly fleeced her out of 168,000. His cruel actions left Liz penniless and forced her to sell her home. The thought that I was once in love with him or the person I thought he was makes me physically sick, she later said. He was later jailed for nine and a half years. Professor Monica Whitty, a cyber-psychologist from Warwick University, points out that intelligence is no protection. The strategies these fraudsters use are highly sophisticated. From the outside, its difficult to see how anyone can be taken in, but from the inside, the techniques are incredibly hard to resist. In her 2008 book Truth, Lies And Trust On The Internet, Prof Whitty explains that online romances can be hyper-personal more strong and intimate than physical relationships. Older people are hardest hit because, she says, theres evidence that the ability to detect deception declines with age. Certain personality types, more common among women, are particularly vulnerable those who are romantics and risk-takers, believers in fate and destiny. Lawyer Annemarie Fletcher (pictured) was duped by a criminal only recently released from prison for defrauding his employer of 50,000 Susan Tollefsen would certainly describe herself as the latter. She lost nearly 160,000 after African fraudsters posed as Glenn Vanslyke, an Italian diamond dealer whose wife had died of cancer. The retired teacher, 66, who became Britains oldest first-time mum after having daughter Freya in 2008 following IVF, was lonely and flattered by Glenns attention after they met on Plenty of Fish. He showered her with gifts and flowers, and called her daughter my angel during lengthy phone calls. He said he had friends in common with my ex-husband, who was also Italian. We seemed so alike he was very devoted to his family and sent me pictures of his mother. They spoke for hours most days so when, within six months, Glenn confessed he was in financial difficulties Susan did not hesitate to send money. She even borrowed 32,000 from friends, convinced the investment would secure Freyas future. Glenn had not only promised to buy a neighbours property and put it in Freyas name, but also insisted she would see a healthy return on her money. But her suspicions grew after he failed to turn up to meetings in Brussels, and did not board flights to London which she paid for. I had to sell my house and Im now renting it back. Id never go back on these websites now. Publicist Amanda Stocks, 47, only discovered her perfect new partner Matthew was a fraud when her suspicious mother hired a private detective. The couple met in a Croydon cafe just a week after first chatting on Match.com. Matthew, 36, who was pleasingly tall and good-looking in person, claimed to be a finance manager for the Princess Royal University Hospital in Farnborough, Kent, who was looking for a serious relationship. He told me he was financially secure and owned a house as well as a flat he once shared with a girlfriend, Amanda recalled. He painted the picture of an honest man who was offering security and a future. Basically, he told me everything that I wanted to hear. After the first date he started to woo me in earnest through messages on my Blackberry. He told me how lovely I was, how much he liked me. He was so persuasive that I was reeled in very quickly. But without realising it, Amanda was almost entirely footing the bill for the couples lifestyle, including meals at Claridges and a 10,000 holiday to the Maldives. I didnt even realise that in the nearly four months we were together I was paying every time we went out. He would either have forgotten his wallet or his cards. I was never introduced to his family or friends. He promised he would but always found an excuse to cancel. That should have been a red flag, but I was so in love with the idea of having found the perfect man, that I had left my brains in a box somewhere. Last week, the fiance of childrens author Helen Bailey (pictured together), whose body was found dumped in a cesspit, was jailed for more than 30 years after killing the 51-year-old for her multi-million pound inheritance. The two had met on a Facebook dating group There were clues he was a manager on a big salary but didnt have a car. When I asked why he said it was because of a drink driving ban. I suppose I just wanted it all to be real. A detective hired by her mother discovered he changed out of his suit after leaving their home every day, and into a care workers uniform. The property portfolio simply did not exist. There was grief and anger and bewilderment that I had been so gullible. I was heartbroken. The emotional scars meant that it took four years before I would even think of trusting another man. Just last week, teaching assistant Anna Rowe, 44, also revealed how she only discovered her long-term boyfriend was actually a married father when she hired a private detective. Anna, 44, met Anthony Ray on Tinder and the pair had enjoyed a 14-month relationship and talked of marrying before she discovered, to her horror, that his name and the photograph he used on the app was fake. A detective found he was really a London-based legal executive who spent weekends with his wife and children in the North. She is determined to make it illegal to pose as someone else online. As she points out: The problem is that legislation is not keeping up with technology. Amanda Stocks can only agree. I would never recommend internet dating, she concludes, but if you are going that route you should take care. Trust your instincts and dont get swept away by your dreams. In a matter of weeks cigarette companies make their packaging indistinguishable. A government-backed health drive has succeeded in stripping individual design from tobacco products in a bid to bolster the nation's well-being. However, although there's no way to predict the move's long-term effectiveness, officials are now hoping to roll-out the initiative for other vices, including alcohol and sugar. But will this really make a significant difference to booze Britain's drinking culture - or is simply a case of the nanny state policing our fun? Scroll down for video The future? Famous brands could become indistinguishable if health experts get their way In December 2016 the government advisory board Public Health England, who brought in the smoking changes, proposed extending plain packaging to alcohol. They said there was strong evidence in support of 'a range of policies' to reduce excessive consumption, including higher taxes with minimum unit pricing (MUP). 'Reducing the affordability of alcohol is the cost effective way of reducing alcohol harm,' they wrote. Shortly after, a University of Liverpool study also recommended warning labels on the front of bottles to emphasise the dangers of excessive drinking. 'We call for further studies exploring the effects of label design and content on consumers attention to them' the authors noted. 'The noticeability of warning labels could be achieved through plain packaging, graphic warnings and front of pack labeling which have all been shown to be effective in food and tobacco research.' Booze Britain: The UK's drinking culture is thought to cost the NHS 3.5 billion each year Ron Cregan, a designer and brand consultant who's worked in the industry for over 25 years, is so alarmed that he has got together with like-minded professionals from the British Design Industry to form a group called Endangered Species, who'll respond to the challenges that may lie ahead. 'This has been on my radar for the last 15 years. Were trying to create a forum so that when it comes to the table we can have a debate. We need to gather our best brains,' he told MailOnline. 'I want to live in a world thats culturally and socially rich. Theres a kind of semi-religious tone to this. Its highly sanctimonious. What would a beautiful bar look like if the back bar was all plain packaging? Would the iconic shape of the champagne bottle have to change?' Mike Ridgway, Director of the Consumer Packaging Manufacturers Alliance, seems to agree. He urged consumers to fight back against the so-called health lobby. Ridgway told Packaging News: 'Following the legal restrictions on tobacco packaging which comes fully into force on the 20th May this year, what could follow could be a future ban on advertising, restrictions on the sponsoring of sporting and other events leading to a curtailment of brand design and development an area in which the UK are world specialists. 'Brands need to be protected and intellectual property rights maintained in the globalised trading environment in which we operate'. Jared Brown, founder of gin brand Sipsmith, is equally unimpressed b y the idea. He told The Guardian: 'Are they considering similar labels for bacon? Fish and chips? Crisps? 'Its an absurdity. It will crush the craft side of the industry. It will shift the business back to the industrial producers, who will be very happy to move people back to mass-produced drinks. If something like this comes through we wont be able to weather it.' Ironically, there is some talk of this. Changes: After plain cigarette packaging was first implemented in Australia in 2012, the number of daily smokers dropped from 15.1 to 12.8 per cent A number of confectionery companies, including Cadbury, aim to put health advice on its chocolate, sweets and fizzy drinks in an attempt to quell a backlash against companies accused of feeding obesity. Around the world, companies selling junk food are moving to protect themselves against damages claims from those seeking compensation for weight gain and associated ill-health. It has echoes of how tobacco giants were forced to put health warnings on packets, while facing multimillion pound law suits. ALCOHOL: THE FACTS The unpalatable truth is that alcohol contributes to more than 60 medical conditions, including many cancers, high blood pressure, liver cirrhosis and depression. Hospital admissions due to alcohol have doubled in the past decade and it directly causes around 9,000 deaths a year in the UK. And of course what we often forget is alcohol can also pile on the calories, which contributes to soaring obesity levels, with all the health issues that brings. Between four and 30 per cent of cancer deaths worldwide could come down to alcohol use - eight per cent for the commonest of these, breast cancer. Source: Public Health England Advertisement Interestingly, the smoking statistics speak for themselves. After plain cigarette packaging was first implemented in Australia in 2012, the number of daily smokers dropped from 15.1 to 12.8 per cent. The volume of people telephoning stop-smoking helplines also increased by almost 80 per cent, showing a cultural shift. This, experts say, is because stripping famous brands of their visual identity encourages consumers to be less loyal - and ultimately quit the habit. The findings, which were published in the Addictive Behaviors Reports journal, came after researchers at the Australian National University in Canberra analysed 178 smokers before and after the policy change. 'We typically think that the primary drivers for why people smoke are individual personality traits or biological factors,' says lead author Hugh Webb. 'But this understates the symbolic power of brand identities and brand stereotypes in maintaining smoking behaviour.' However, this research is widely disputed, and figures suggest that youth smoking has since gone up. Smoking rates among 12-24 year olds were slowly reducing before the initiative was introduced in 2012, from around 16 per cent to 12 per cent. But this rate quickly returned to the former mark when the plain packaging were being sold across the country in 2013. When I began sharing my advice over social networking sites on the internet, answering real-life questions on Twitter and Facebook, I did not anticipate the response an outpouring of emotion from countless strangers. As a Zen monk and former professor at a small arts college in Massachusetts, U.S., I am used to being asked for advice on dealing with lifes challenges. I like to talk about the value of slowing down in our busy lives, and sometimes I write notes to myself that I then share, too. It makes me profoundly happy that my simple messages can inspire people and help them. I still remember a young mother who had lost her husband in a car accident and who sent me a heartfelt thank-you note for saving her from committing suicide: she said she had never thought before about loving herself, because love for her always meant giving it to someone else. And a graduate, discouraged after not finding a job, read my supportive words and gave the search another try, finally landing a job. When I read his news, I was overjoyed for two days, as if I had landed the job myself. Above all, slow down and take the time to savour your thoughts. Remember, it isnt the outside world that is a whirlwind; it is only your mind. The world has never complained about how busy it is... I hope there will be something in among these sayings and reflections that will help you, too. Above all, slow down and take the time to savour your thoughts. Remember, it isnt the outside world that is a whirlwind; it is only your mind. The world has never complained about how busy it is... None of us can know, or want to know, every single thing that happens in the world. If we did, we would go crazy with the overload of information. The advice in this section is about slowing down and being selective, to enable your mind to cope. When you are so busy that you begin to feel overwhelmed, remember that you are not powerless: when your mind rests, the world also rests. TEACHER WHO INSPIRED ME By all measures, I was an average kid. I was of average height, from a middle-class family, not the brightest student nor a troublemaker. But my elementary school teacher, Mrs Lee, predicted great things about my future. I was scared of her, until I visited her house to play with her son, who was my age, and discovered she was a kind and loving person, who only appeared strict when she was in the classroom. You are going to be a good student and a role model for your friends, she said. You will become a great person who brings wisdom and happiness to a lot of people. My young heart was moved beyond words. From that day, I studied very hard and was determined not to disappoint Mrs Lee. I think I have become who I am today thanks to what she said that afternoon. If you are raising a child, remember it is OK for your child to do well in one area and not so well in others. Are you a controlling parent? Are you devoting too much attention to your child? If the answer is yes, then turn some of that attention toward your parents. If you are good to your parents, your child will learn how to treat you in the future. Some say they dont really know what they are looking for in life. This might be because instead of getting in touch with how they feel, they have led their lives according to other peoples expectations. Live your life not to satisfy others, but to fulfil what your heart desires. Establish a goal for the week. Theres a big difference between having a goal and not. Even if you have just a modest dream, dont keep it to yourself. Talk to others about it. By the time you tell ten people, it is more likely to come true. Advertisement To get food unstuck from a frying pan, just pour water in the pan and wait. After a while the food loosens on its own. Dont struggle to heal your wounds. Just pour time into your heart and wait. When your wounds are ready, they will heal on their own. When trust is shattered, when a hope is dashed, when a loved one leaves you, before doing anything, pause your life and rest. If you can, surround yourself with friends and share food and drink while slowly letting out the bottled-up stories of betrayal, disappointment and hurt. A VERY modern dilemma: There are countless television channels but nothing interesting to watch. Too many choices make people unhappy. There is a famous Buddhist saying that everyone appears as buddhas in the eyes of the Buddha and everyone appears as pigs in the eyes of a pig. It suggests the world is experienced according to the state of ones mind. When your mind is joyful and compassionate, the world is, too. When your mind is filled with negative thoughts, the world appears negative, too. Things I liked when I was young but now couldnt care less about: aeroplane journeys, all-you-can-eat buffets, horror movies, staying up all night. Things I enjoy now I am older: Mozart, brown rice, meditation, spending time alone, regular exercise. We change without realising it. We are in the midst of change now. When you have to make an important decision, dont lose sleep over it. Just take the special medicine called time and wait. Your subconscious will search for the answer. Two days later, or three, the answer will dawn on you as you are waking up, taking a shower, or talking to a friend. Put faith in your subconscious mind and give yourself time. When I first became a professor, my heart pounded at the thought of meeting my new students. I was filled with eager anticipation, like a teenager about to go on a date. I gave my students a little more homework than the other professors, as I felt the urge to teach them as much as I could. Then I began to realise that my eagerness was creating some problems. A few appeared tired and seemed to lose interest. Students began coming to class without having done their assignments. I began to feel disappointed and hurt. When I examined the situation more clearly, I realised how unskillfully I had been conducting myself. The class was just one of four the students were taking. Important as the subject was to me, the other courses were equally important to them. After this realisation, I altered the class to find an appropriate balance between my passion for teaching and my students capacity to learn. To my amazement, the students noticed the difference almost immediately and began to respond positively. Buddhist monk Haemin Sunim says the secret of happiness is to live life in the slow lane Only when we know how to control our passion can we work harmoniously and effectively with others. The most dangerous people are those who have passion but lack wisdom. If you want to predict how a politician will act after winning an election, look at how he lives currently and how he has behaved in the past. A person does not live the way he says he would. He lives the way he has been living. Trying to convince someone to adopt our views is largely the work of our ego. Even if we turn out to be right, our ego knows no satisfaction and seeks a new argument to engage in. Being right isnt nearly as important as being happy together. If you shove others aside on the way to success, you will be pulled under once the tide changes. LOVE IS THE BEST REVENGE Even if we possess our dream house, a luxury car and a perfect body, we will be deeply unhappy if there are problems in our relationships. In my 20s, I went on a backpacking trip round Europe with a close friend from my monastery. The sights were wonderful, and we appreciated each others company. But after seven days of spending every moment together, wed run out of things to talk about and both became irritable. So the following morning I suggested we take different routes and meet up at the hostel that night. At first, setting off alone, I felt free but I soon missed my friend. Eating alone was a chore, and I didnt bother to take pictures of any landmarks. When we met again that evening, though, we had lots to talk about and were delighted to see each other. This experience taught me how easy it is to take our relationships for granted. If you want a friend to remember your birthday, remember hers first. If you want your husband to give you a massage, give him a massage first. If you want your children to watch less TV, turn off your TV first. Dont just wait for what you want to happen. Act first. The flaw that you immediately notice in someone you meet is probably a flaw of yours, too. The reason that what bothers you about someone is the first thing you notice is that you share the same flaw. Do you often feel lonely at work or in school? Perhaps your heart is closed off to those around you. I dont get her. Im better than her. Were on different wavelengths. If you think this way, how could you not be lonely? Open your heart and have a cup of coffee with her. You will soon see she is not that different from you. When you are disappointed, dont wait too long to say so. When you bottle up your feelings, the river of emotion swells, making it difficult to cross over and speak calmly. The best way to get even with someone who has left you is to meet someone new and become happy again. Plotting for revenge and remaining jealous after many years is a formula for endless misery. The best revenge is love. When we hate someone, we think about him a lot. Unable to let him go, we begin to act like him. Dont let him become a long-term tenant of the heart. Evict him right away with a notice of forgiveness. Advertisement Many conflicts in our lives can be resolved if we put ourselves in the other persons shoes. Try to look at things from their point of view. If you consider only your side, you are no different from a child. There are only those who know their shortcomings and those who do not. Nobody is perfect. If someone looks perfect, that is because you dont know the person very well. Are you moving up? Are you doing well? Then see whether you are succeeding at the expense of others, or along with others. It is embarrassing for a monk to talk about his first love, but she was an American missionary whom I met by chance on the streets of Seoul in South Korea, where I was born. She taught me English, and I made her mixtapes of the music we both loved. But this love was fated to be one-sided: she was due to return to the U.S. and her boyfriend after six months, and as the hour for her to leave approached, I felt unbearable sorrow. Love was happiness and acute pain at the same time. Five years later, I was living in America and on a road trip with a friend. We drove through her town, and I stopped in for coffee. To my delight, I met her husband: he was a kind-hearted person, like her. Today, when I think of my first love, I no longer feel sorrow, only a deep gratitude to the universe for introducing me to such emotions, that made me feel truly alive. To cook something delicious, you need time for the ingredients to marinate. To build a lasting relationship, you need time for trust to develop. We can determine how close we are to someone by asking: Can I act like a little kid in front of that person? When we love someone, we feel like a little kid in our heart. In elementary school, I met a tall girl who made fun of me. Later I learned she was doing it to get my attention. That was my first insight into the complexities of human psychology. A casting director auditions many actors but recognises the right one as soon as he walks in. It can be the same with a new house, a diamond ring, a future spouse. If you are hesitant, you might not have found the right one. When I walk around New York City in my grey monastic robes, I often encounter young boys who expect me to be a Kung Fu master like Bruce Lee. The playful side of me wants to strike martial arts poses, slowly raising my arms and right leg. The more serious side reflects that these boys have a lesson for me never to judge anybody by their appearance. By the same token, I must not allow myself to become too concerned with how I look to the world. After all, if I meet a friend for lunch, I will probably not remember what she was wearing a week later, or what her hair was like. So why would she commit trivial details about me to memory? Life is like a slice of pizza. It looks delicious in an advertisement, but when we actually have it, it is not as good as we imagined. If you envy someones life, remember the pizza in the ad. It always looks better than it is. There are many more ordinary hours in life than extraordinary ones. We wait in line at the supermarket. We spend hours commuting to work. We water our plants and feed our pets. Happiness means finding a moment of joy in those ordinary hours. Have you ever selected a cheaper dish from a menu than the one you really wanted, only to regret your choice when it arrives? Always go with your first choice if you can afford it. It is better than a life filled with regrets. Wherever you go, cultivate a sense of ownership. If you see litter in a church, library, or park, pick it up. As you take ownership, your life will have more purpose, and people will notice your good example. Wear confidence. It is the height of fashion. Not everyone has to like me. After all, I do not like everyone. Certainly for all of us, there are politicians, co-workers, clients, and family members we simply cannot stand. So why should everyone like me? There is no need to torment yourself because someone dislikes you. Accept it as a fact of life; you cannot control how others feel about you. This is a problem only if you let it bother you. Dream big but start small. A small adjustment can have a big effect on your life. For example, if you want to be happier, start by going to bed half an hour earlier. If you want to lose weight, drink water instead of soda. If you have an important project, then start by getting your desk organised. Knowledge wants to talk. Wisdom wants to listen. Adapted from The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down by Haemin Sunim, published by Penguin Books at 9.99. Haemin Sunim 2017. To order a copy for 7.49 (offer valid until March 4), visit mailbook shop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. P&P free on orders over 15. The Royle Family star on watching the other Royal Family, memories of the Cavern Club and why she couldnt stop crying in front of Arthur Miller My movie magic I was, and still am, a huge Robert De Niro fan, and for me his very best role so my favourite all-time film is Once Upon A Time in America. The cinematography is astonishing and the score by Ennio Morricone is also truly affecting. As a Bafta judge I am fortunate enough to get to see most new releases and the stand-out for me this year is Lion, an extraordinarily beautiful film. I was, and still am, a huge Robert De Niro fan, and for me his very best role so my favourite all-time film is Once Upon A Time in America Music to my ears I was fortunate to be a teenager in Liverpool just as the Sixties music scene was taking off. I got a job in the city centre working as a PA at Brian Epsteins company, so every lunchtime and evening Id be in the Cavern Club, watching live bands. I became good friends with Paul McCartney that way. Now I tend to spend more time listening to classical music but I havent given up on pop. I think Ed Sheerans latest album, Divide, is wonderful. My TV gold When I was ten we got our first TV set, specifically to see the Queens Coronation. It was hugely exciting. Sunday evening childrens dramas like Pride And Prejudice also made a huge impression and helped me with my English O level. The Crown on Netflix is beautifully done, with breathtaking scripts and design. Being based on our history makes it all the more fascinating. The Crown on Netflix is beautifully done, with breathtaking scripts and design. Being based on our history makes it all the more fascinating Words of wonder My father was a huge reader, and he passed the bug on to me. He used to read Robinson Crusoe to me when I was a child. I still have a very well-thumbed copy of Heidi and I adored Enid Blytons Famous Five and Secret Seven books. As I grew older I got into poetry and Oscar Wildes work. The Ballad Of Reading Gaol stands out. My most recent discoveries include Henning Mankells Quicksand, which is a wonderfully sad book, which he wrote when he was diagnosed with cancer. My father was a huge reader, and he passed the bug on to me. He used to read Robinson Crusoe to me when I was a child The art in my heart Adorning my walls at home are the paintings of Christian Hook. I first met him when he painted me for a documentary a few years ago. The colour, movement and mood of his work is phenomenal. I took my son to a Monet exhibition of water lilies in London some years ago and his canvases steal your breath. Adorning my walls at home are the paintings of Christian Hook. I first met him when he painted me for a documentary a few years ago Dont touch the dial The radio was on all the time in our house. Wed listen to Two-Way Family Favourites, which was the Forces requesting records for loved ones, and Round The Horne and The Goons. Now I am a huge Archers fan, so every Sunday morning is spent with The Archers Omnibus. The radio was on all the time in our house. Wed listen to Two-Way Family Favourites, and Round The Horne and The Goons (above) The plays the thing As a child, I was taken to see Calamity Jane at the Liverpool Empire, which was a real lightbulb moment for me. I was fortunate because every birthday my godmother Lavinia would take me to Liverpool Playhouse to see a show. We would have lunch at Lewiss cafe and go to the matinee in the afternoon. I adored Arthur Millers Broken Glass at the National Theatre a few years ago and actually met Miller afterwards. I was so overcome with emotion that I couldnt stop crying I adored Arthur Millers Broken Glass at the National Theatre a few years ago and actually met Miller afterwards. I was so overcome with emotion that I couldnt stop crying. We went for dinner and I had to keep pinching myself as I sat opposite him. It was surreal. Sue Johnston appears in the radio comedy drama Love In Recovery written by Pete Jackson. Series 1 & 2 are available now on BBC Audio (CD 22.50, iTunes audiobook 8) The Girls Phoenix Theatre, London Until July 15 2hrs 40mins Rating: If ever there was a story crying out to have a song and dance made of it, it is surely the one about the gutsy gang of Yorkshire Women Instituters who dared to disrobe, and raise eyebrows and money, for a new settee for the cancer ward of their local hospital. The true story hit the headlines and filled newspapers in 1999. Then came the 2003 film with Helen Mirren strategically holding the fruit bowl and announcing, unforgettably: Were going to need considerably bigger buns. But the middle-aged spread continued to, well, spread. When Tim Firth wrote the stage play in 2008, practically every actress in the land displayed their solidarity and often a spare tyre or two, culminating most recently with Sian Phillips stripping off invisibly on the radio in a one-off Archers Christmas special. In The Girls, the characters are nicely fleshed out and plumped up by Firth, and there are some simple, catchy songs, specially written by his old mate Gary Barlow You could, if you were feeling a bit soft and dont come from Yorkshire, call it the story that just keeps on giving. In The Girls, the characters are nicely fleshed out and plumped up by Firth, and there are some simple, catchy songs, specially written by his old mate Gary Barlow, which express, and even tentatively explore, the womens emotional responses. Two songs, in particular, sung by Annie (movingly played by Joanna Riding), the wife of dying John, capture her dread. Its the ordinariness of the images in the song Scarborough that makes it so poignant: The duvet we bought in the New Year sales/Its patterned and bright and the size of Wales/Who holds the tops while Im folding the tails/If you dont? Kilimanjaro reveals her terror of loneliness: Yeah, go battle with piranhas in the jungles of Peru/Or harder cook a meal for one you used to cook for two. Two songs, in particular, sung by Annie, the wife of dying John, capture her dread. Its the ordinariness of the images in the song Scarborough that makes it so poignant The delightfully homespun production has the hills of Englands green and pleasant land supported by dozens of pine kitchen cabinets in Robert Joness design. And there are plenty of laughs. A visiting speakers lecture on the fascinating world of broccoli falls hilariously flat; mercifully, little is shared in the discussion about the most creative thing done with a fir cone. Claire Machins struggling single mum Cora, who takes the choir carol-singing through the village, has the joint jumping with a raunchy Who Wants A Silent Night? and announces that If Jesus had had teenage kids, the Bible would have been very different! Chris (lovely Claire Moore), the woman who cant make jam or knit to save her life and has to explain her prize-winning cake recipe, still gets the showstopping line: My mam always said, when you need something special, Go to Marks & Spencer. Its not groundbreaking, just proud-making, heartwarming and wholesome. Travesties Apollo Theatre, London 2hrs 30mins Until April 29 Rating: The wit and larky intellectualism on display in Tom Stoppards 1974 play will have you smirking with pleasure. Tom Hollander (above) is pitch perfect as the amnesiac Carr. Clare Foster is a joy as a revolutionary librarian and Freddie Fox is fullon as Tzara Set in Zurich in 1917, the action involves Lenin, the Dada-ist artist Tristan Tzara, and Henry Carr, a fusty British diplomat who is suing James Joyce for the cost of a pair of trousers worn by Carr in an amateur version of Oscar Wildes The Importance Of Being Earnest. Sounds mad? It is and the cast act it up a treat. Tom Hollander is pitch perfect as the amnesiac Carr. Clare Foster is a joy as a revolutionary librarian and Freddie Fox is fullon as Tzara. Expect puns, limericks and sentences of baroque brilliance. Theres even a butler who can explain dialectical materialism while gliding with a tray. Dazzling is the word. Robert Gore-Langton Fiddler On The Roof Everyman Theatre, Liverpool Until March 11 Rating: Fiddler On The Roof, set in a Russian village in 1905, is the story of impoverished Jewish dairyman Tevyes travails with three daughters who fall in love with men they are not supposed to. When it first opened, on Broadway in 1964, there were 46 cast members; the 1971 film version had 75. The Everymans production has just 14 the members of the theatres first repertory company in 25 years. Fiddler On The Roof, set in a Russian village in 1905, is the story of impoverished Jewish dairyman Tevyes travails with three daughters who fall in love with unsuitable men A musical that features a pogrom, an exuberant Jewish wedding and a dream sequence in which the dead rise from their graves presents considerable challenges when performed in the round with few props and virtually no stage dressing. It is testament to the energy, skill and sheer chutzpah of this band of actors that nothing about their uplifting, funny, moving Fiddler feels scaled down. Four excellent musicians, doubtless in demand at weddings and bar mitzvahs, bring the score to life, and the famous numbers Tradition, If I Were A Rich Man, Sunrise, Sunset among them are performed with real passion. It is testament to the energy, skill and sheer chutzpah of this band of actors that nothing about their uplifting, funny, moving Fiddler feels scaled down The mesmerising and poignant final scene, which arrives all too quickly, despite the shows near three-hour length, underlines Fiddler On The Roofs contemporary resonance. With this first production in a season of five, the new company prove themselves a tough act to follow. It is fortunate for them that they are the act that follows. Neil Armstrong The Inkblots Damion Searls Simon & Schuster 20 Rating: In the aftermath of the Second World War, the 24 most prominent surviving Nazis awaiting trial at Nuremberg were assessed by a psychiatrist called Douglas Kelley. Over a period of five months, Kelley would visit them daily, talking to them at length, often for three or four hours at a time. He had, he said, never had such an easy lot of patients to interview. For the most part, they were bored and tense, and welcomed the chance to talk about themselves. They also relished taking part in all sorts of tests. Given IQ tests, they became very competitive, determined to outdo each other. Albert Speer recalled that each of them strove to do the best he could and see his abilities confirmed. Hitlers former vice-chancellor, Franz von Papen, bragged that his IQ test had placed him third among the defendants, when in fact he had come fifth. By and large, they all scored very well: out of 21 tested, all but three achieved IQ scores above 120, making them Superior or Very superior. In the aftermath of the Second World War, the 24 most prominent surviving Nazis awaiting trial at Nuremberg were assessed by a psychiatrist called Douglas Kelley Of all of them, it was Hermann Goring who most enjoyed the tests. When he was told he had a high IQ, he could hardly contain himself for joy and swelled with pride. Defeat and imprisonment had done nothing to curb his self-satisfaction. When the examiner said that perhaps he should have become a professor rather than a politician, he replied: Im convinced that I would have done better than the average man no matter what I went into. Kelley happened to be a specialist in the famous Rorschach inkblots psychological test, in which patients are shown ten coloured pictures that look like inkblots and are asked what they see. Proponents of the test felt it offered valuable clues to the psychology of each individual. As the inventor of the test once pointed out, it made a difference whether a patient interprets the red part of a card as an open wound or sees it as rose petals, syrup, or slices of ham. Kelley and another, less experienced, psychologist called Gustave Gilbert administered the inkblot tests. Goring particularly enjoyed his test, laughing, snapping his fingers in excitement, and concluding that it was regrettable that the Luftwaffe had not had available such excellent testing techniques. How did Goring do? The two examiners came to very different conclusions. To the disappointment of many of his peers, who had hoped that the defendants would share a peculiarly repellent personality type, Kelley believed they were essentially sane, and not out of the ordinary. There was, he concluded, no Nazi personality. Men like Goring, he said, had strong, dominant, aggressive egocentric personalities of a type that abounds in senior management. They can be found anywhere in the country behind big desks, deciding big affairs as businessmen, politicians and racketeers. Gilbert, on the other hand, claimed to have detected something deeper and more resonant. After Goring was found guilty, he visited him in his death cell. Goring asked him what the inkblot test had shown about his personality. I told him: Frankly, they showed that while you have an active, aggressive mind, you lack the guts to really face responsibility. You betrayed yourself with a little gesture on the inkblot test. Do you remember the card with the red spot? Well, morbid neurotics often hesitate over that card and then say theres blood on it. You hesitated, but you didnt call it blood. You tried to flick it off with your finger, as though you thought you could wipe away the blood with a little gesture. Youve been doing the same thing all through the trial taking off your earphones in the courtroom, whenever the evidence of your guilt became too unbearable. And you did the same thing during the war, too, drugging the atrocities out of your mind. You didnt have the courage to face it. That is your guilt... You are a moral coward. According to Gilbert, Goring glared at him, paused, and then declared that the test was meaningless. Which of these interpretations was right? Was Goring a coward, unable to face up to his own guilt? Or was he just an averagely aggressive executive high-flier? Were the other experts right in suspecting that, for all its worth, the inkblot test had failed to uncover the most repellent aspects of the Nazis? Or was Goring right in believing it to be meaningless? This book can be loosely divided into two halves. The first is a fairly straightforward plod through the life of Hermann Rorschach, the inventor of the inkblots, the second a slightly more jaunty look at their influence through the years. Born in Switzerland in 1884, Hermann was nicknamed inkblot at school. Other authors have suggested that this was because playing imaginative games with inkblots was all the rage among Swiss schoolboys back then, but Damion Searls argues that it was more of a coincidence. The young Hermann was extremely bright, with many hobbies and talents. Not only was he good at sketching and cutting out silhouettes, but he could do a trick with his eyes, making his pupils dilate and expand at will. He was also, as it happens, rather good-looking. If you think he looks like Brad Pitt, maybe with a little Robert Redford thrown in, you are not the first, coos the author, optimistically. At times like these, you start to wonder whether he has become infected by his subject, and is rather too prone to making inkblot-style leaps of the imagination. To me, the young Hermann looks much more like his namesake Herman from the Sixties pop group Hermans Hermits. At the University of Zurich, Rorschach studied under Eugen Bleuler, the psychologist best known for inventing the terms schizophrenia and autism. In the early years of the 20th century, Zurich was a touchy hotbed of competing theories about mental illness: Bleuler fell out with Carl Jung, and they both fell out with Freud. Attached to the pleasingly named Munsterlingen Clinic on the shores of Lake Constance, Rorschach was able to study a colourful selection of patients, including a man who couldnt see a church spire without thinking that a similarly sharp object was stuck in his own body and a woman who would look at someone mowing the lawn and immediately feel the scythes attacking her own neck. Rorschach also came into contact with a cult leader called Johannes Binggeli, whose followers believed he could pass red, blue or green urine at will, and were happy to drink it as communion wine. Happy days! Rorschach was an amiable character, good with patients, and soon found that an excellent way of diagnosing schizophrenia was to show them his inkblots and ask them what they saw. In 1921, he published Psychodiagnostics, a title his publishers had insisted upon in preference to his own, notably less snappy, Method And Results Of An Experiment In Perception-Diagnosis (Interpretation of Chance Forms). A year later, he died of peritonitis, aged just 37, but his playful contribution to the expanding world of psychology was to live on, reaching its peak of popularity in Forties America. Twenty million Americans underwent the Rorschach test in 1944 alone, and by the Fifties the inkblots were being featured in advertisements for perfumes and clothes, and had been adapted for a board game called Personalysis, which promised to give players hilarious, exciting, intimate and revealing peeks into the private lives of friends and family. These days, the Rorschach test remains popular in Japan and Argentina, but is on the wane in America, and shunned by psychologists in the UK, who suspect it of being airy-fairy and subjective. For his part, Searls remains a fan, insisting its rag-bag of slapdash interpreters are more at fault than the test itself. Nevertheless, as the book ended, I was left thinking of the newly sceptical Goring, and wondering if he might not have a point. SS-GB Sunday, BBC1 Rating: Inside No 9 Tuesday, BBC2 Rating: Well, my dears, what did we think of SS-GB? Your poor old, tired TV critic had to watch it twice as she could make neither head nor tail of it the first time. What was it that Scottish fella just said? What was it Sylvia just said about John? What, your poor old, tired TV critic wondered, are we meant to take away from this? That if the Nazis had occupied Britain theyd have made everyone whisper? And mumble? And, ideally, mumble-whisper? Would this have been better called SHHHHHH-GB? So your poor old, tired TV critic had to re-watch with the subtitles on, and then your poor old, tired TV critic rather wished she hadnt, as its unsparingly wooden, the characters arent interesting and, for a thriller, it was resolutely unthrilling. Our hero is Detective Sergeant Douglas Archer, of Scotland Yard, played by Sam Riley as one of those hatted, noir-ish, Bogart-ian gumshoes, yawn, yawn Your poor old, tired TV critic has had more thrills pairing socks, which at least always presents her with a mystery she can actually care about: where is the odd sock to match this one? Where can it have gone? Your poor old, tired TV critic was rather looking forward to this series. World War II has been done to death as a TV trope in recent years. Foyles War, Home Fires, The Halcyon, Close To The Enemy, and it is constantly employed as a backdrop to continuing dramas, like Mr Selfridge, and while Call The Midwife has moved on, it was the Blitz for at least 692 episodes. Or so it seemed. (Chummy: Its the Blitz! Duck, you silly nun!) But this, as based on Len Deightons 1978 novel, asks: what if Germany had won the Battle of Britain, and the Gestapo and SS were now running the show? What if we were all working for the Fuhrer now? How would that play out? So its an alternative scenario, for once. It opened well and chillingly enough with a German piloted Spitfire landing in The Mall, in front of a bomb-damaged Buckingham Palace draped in swastikas. A radio bulletin told us this was German-Soviet friendship week and, to celebrate, the curfew would be lifted. The radio bulletin was in delicious, clear RP showing the BBC was, at least, holding out against the mumble-whisper directive at this point, but after that, it was downhill all the way. Our hero is Detective Sergeant Douglas Archer, of Scotland Yard, played by Sam Riley as one of those hatted, noir-ish, Bogart-ian gumshoes, yawn, yawn. He spoke not in a mumble- whisper, but in a mumble-whisper-growl, which did not improve matters, and as for his Scottish assistant, he made no sense at all until the subtitles were employed, and it wasnt a matter of accent. It was entirely a matter of pitch. And articulation. And sound editing. Anyway, Archer is called upon to investigate the murder of some fella with milky eyes and its a case that, it turns out, may have political repercussions, as one of Himmlers men is immediately flown in to supervise. The case is now top secret Nuzing must go from zis room! but I ask you: if this murder is so important to the Nazis, would you put someone like Archer on to it? Someone from the occupied country whose wife had been killed in the war? Would you trust that person? Meanwhile, Archer must ask himself who he is working for. The Gestapo. Or the resistance? Thats his moral quandary although, I have to say, I was much more interested in what was happening around the edges: the tank guards in the streets, that box of Jewish stars. However, at least this didnt involve a sexy femme fatale, ha ha, because of course it did, in the form of Kate Bosworth, who plays the American journalist who may not be all she seems. Still, it wasnt a complete waste of time for your poor old, tired TV critic as she has thought of a new slogan that would have suited the times: Keep Calm And Speak UP, FFS! This is now the third series of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pembertons Inside No 9 and every time its on, my editor implores me to watch but I resist. I fear it in the way I fear the books people say you must read, and the films they say you must see, because if youre not impressed where does that leave you, conversationally? How are you going to mumble-whisper your way out of that one? But this week I did watch and thankfully Thank you, God! Thank you, God! its terrific. After a game of badminton, four friends (Shearsmith, Pemberton, Jason Watkins, Philip Glenister) go for a meal where an argument over the bill erupts. That twist at the end? Did you see it coming? I confess I did not. But more than that this was also beautifully performed, beautifully funny, beautifully observant about male behaviour and also quite bloody. I will now listen to every word my editor says, although not before noon, but you know that, right? Mark? Michael Flynn lasted 25 days as President Donald Trump's National Security Advisor before resigning last week, making his tenure the shortest in NSA history. His ouster comes as a growing cloud of scandal envelopes the White House over its reported ties to the Kremlin. The former three-star general leaves after a series of stories were published in the US media outlining his communications with Russia's ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, and as his story changed as to what those conversations entailed. Anticipating North Korean provocations, President Trump had already ordered a national review of policy options for dealing with Pyongyang Resignation In his resignation letter, Flynn explained: 'Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. 'I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice-president, and they have accepted my apology.' But if Trump thought that Flynn's departure would close the topic, he was wrong. The US intelligence seems to have collected phone records and intercepted calls showing that people surrounding Trump had been in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election. There is a full-on war between Trump and American intelligence establishment. Flynn became the second top Trump official to resign over linkages to the Kremlin. In August, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort stepped down amid questions over his work for pro- Russian Ukrainian oligarchs. Rather unhelpfully, Russian lawmakers mounted a fierce defence of Flynn from Moscow. Flynn is also being investigated by the army, which is looking into whether he received money from the Russian government during a trip he took to Moscow in 2015. Any payment could violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits former military officers from accepting money from a foreign government without an approval from Congress. President Donald Trump speaks with the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud in the Oval Office of the White House surrounded by Senior Adviser to the President Jared Kushner Last year, Flynn had suggested that he was paid by RT - a Kremlin-funded mouthpiece - to appear at the event, in which he was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was the Washington Post, which reported that just after Trump's January 20 inauguration, acting attorney general Sally Q Yates informed the White House that she believed Flynn had misled senior administration officials about the nature of his communications with Kislyak. Yates would later be fired by Trump for refusing to carry out his executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. Yates argued to the administration that Flynn's evasions could make him a blackmail risk. Sanction Flynn had initially denied that sanctions came up in his conversations, but later said he couldn't recall if the subject came up or not. Vice-President Mike Pence was reportedly furious that Flynn had misled him on the issue, causing Pence to defend Flynn on national television in the days before the inauguration. There has been widespread chaos at the National Security Council (NSC) with many NSC staffers reportedly deciding to go back to their home agencies rather than work for Flynn. The front-runner to take over the NSC was retired US Navy Vice Admiral Bob Harward, who served as Defence Secretary Jim Mattis' deputy at the US Central Command. But he turned down Trump's offer after he was denied the authority to select his own NSC staff. The US intelligence community is so convinced that Trump and his administration have been compromised by Russia that they're no longer giving the White House all of their most sensitive information, lest it end up in Putin's hands Trump finally selected Gen HR McMaster as his new NDA, whose book, Dereliction of Duty, about the failure of American generals to push back against civilian leaders during the Vietnam War, earned him a reputation as a both a talented academic and a general inclined to speak truth to power. Administration Trump, who had claimed to be a great manager during his campaign, is now looking at a leader completely out of depth in his new job. The US intelligence community is so convinced that Trump and his administration have been compromised by Russia that they're no longer giving the White House all of their most sensitive information, lest it end up in Putin's hands. After getting Flynn, Trump's detractors will be hoping to target Trump himself. During the campaign, Trump publicly called on Russia to hack Hillary Clinton's emails. Since becoming president, his statements on Russia have been all over the place. His UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, condemned Russia and insisted sanctions imposed over the seizure of Crimea are here to stay. But when Trump was asked about Putin being a 'killer,' he suggested the US government has no moral standing to criticise him. That the Flynn scandal erupted at a time when North Korea decided to test the Trump administration by test-firing a nuclear-capable missile into the Sea of Japan further complicates decision-making in Washington. Anticipating North Korean provocations, President Trump had already ordered a national review of policy options for dealing with Pyongyang. But it had now become imperative for Trump to get a grip on governance and policy-making. How he manages these initial few months will, in more ways than one, determine the long-term sustainability of his presidency. The writer is professor of international relations, King's College London Amit Trivedi takes his time before answering a question. It's almost as if he likes letting the query grow on himself for a bit, before deciding the reply. The trait is perhaps in sync with the music he creates. Trivedi's songs are, after all, known to grow on listeners. You tend to grow fond of his creations a bit more with each fresh hearing. Amit Trivedi quietly crept into the Bollywood music scene from jingles and theatre work Trivedi candidly admits he never trained in music. Yet, the man who quietly crept into the Bollywood scene from jingles and theatre work, is today regarded the most exciting harbinger of new sounds in Hindi film music since AR Rahman. 'I love listening a lot and I listen to all sorts of songs, old and new. But the real inspiration has to come from within,' explains Trivedi, about his creative process. 'My music is born from instinct. I react to situations a script may provide while creating a song,' he adds. He rocked Delhi recently at the Riders Music Festival with a pulsating live gig. The Capital, he says, is a place he loves to return for live shows, although 'Pune and Bangalore have the best crowds'. 'I love everything about Delhi, mostly the fact that people here never fail to react to music. The Capital is a big market for Bollywood music although there is scope for other genres, too. 'The city has the right sort of energy too, which makes performing here a fun experience every time,' he says. Unlike film assignments, he is not choosy about live shows. 'I sign up whatever live shows I get simply because every gig is a chance to reach out directly to the audience. 'When it comes to gigs, I try mixing personal picks with what the audience demands. Songs that never became popular on release get noticed if they are played live in between hits,' he says. Trivedi, though, is an extremely private person, which explains his slant towards studio work over live performances. 'I would pitch my preference at 70:30 in favour of recording jobs over live gigs. That is because I am basically a studio person. I love the creative process of making a song more than anything else,' he says. The six-odd years since Dev.D have been eventful, with exciting offers, awards galore and fame coming his way. Trivedi would insist life has not changed. 'I am into this business because I love music. I enjoy my work. Hits and flops are not all-important because they depend on various factors. Things work out at times, at other time they don't.' Trivedi, who made a quiet Bollywood debut with Aamir in 2008, shot to the A-league with his National Award for Dev.D a year later. Almost every year since then has seen him get nominated and win at sundry awards nights. He surprises you, therefore, with a cynical stance on awards. 'When I was growing up awards meant a lot. 'I would be mesmerised watching people walk up to collect trophies. Now there are too many of them. It's a khichdi of sorts. Awards have lost their charm,' he feels. For Trivedi, the charm is important - whether it is a trophy he steps up to collect, or a film assignment he signs up. He explains his by-now well-known tendency of being uber choosy with projects. 'The script of a film matters but the vibes I share with a filmmaker are important,' he explains. 'I share a certain spirit with Anurag (Kashyap) and Vikram (Motwane),' he adds. Trivedi is happy to be part of an exciting phase in Bollywood's music scene. He disagrees with the line of thought that songs have become less important lately. 'Songs will never go away from Hindi films. Bollywood music not being formulaic anymore but even today it is rare to come across a Hindi film that does not have songs,' he says. He does not buy the line either that songs today lack longevity. 'It's just that the output has gone up. Out of 500-odd songs that Bollywood churns out every year, at least 10 stay on in minds. 'People still hum the songs of Roja and Dil Chahta Hai, don't they, just as the classics?' he points out. What does bug him is the growing fad of remixes. Trivedi, who has himself been forced give his nod for remixes in soundtracks such as Queen and Bombay Velvet admits not being too comfortable with the idea. 'Remixes reveal a lack of faith on the part of producers on their product as well as music composers, which is not really a happy thing,' says Trivedi, who loves listening to AR Rahman among Indian musicians and also counts Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Sting and the Beatles among his favourites. The all-encompassing character of Bollywood music is a blessing in disguise, he insists. 'Bollywood consumes the entire music market, which is why we never had a proper pop music scene. Unlike the West, in India film and music are fused in one industry. That's one more reason why film music will continue flourishing,' he sums up. WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton met information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday and said the popular messaging app wants to contribute to India's vision for digital commerce. India is the largest market for WhatsApp, contributing 200 million people to its over billion users. 'India is a very important country to us, and we're proud to have 200 million people who use WhatsApp to connect with their friends, family and communities. Brian Acton said the company will continue to invest to help more people across India connect to its platform 'We build every WhatsApp feature to be simple, reliable, and secure, and this vision is in line with what Digital India promises to achieve,' he added. Acton said the company will continue to invest to help more people across India connect to its platform. Facebook-owned WhatsApp has almost become the default messaging application for people in countries like India and Brazil. In India, it competes with the likes of Hike, Snapchat and Viber. Facebook-owned WhatsApp has almost become the default messaging application for people in countries like India and Brazil 'Brian Acton, the co-founder of @WhatsApp and a fine mind in the field of information technology met me today,' the minister tweeted along with a photograph of the two after his meeting. 'I also appreciated the good role of platforms like @facebook, @WhatsApp are playing in the field of digital empowerment,' Prasad added. Earlier this week, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella was also in town to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prasad to discuss the company's digital inclusion programme for improving rural services. History records that on Wednesday, September 19, 1900, the First National Bank of Winnemucca at the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Bridge Street was held up by three unmasked men. The estimated amount taken in the holdup was $32,640. Most of this was in the form of gold coin. One of the robbers held a gun on part owner and cashier at the bank, George S. Nixon. He told Nixon to open the safe and give them the gold coins. When Nixon refused, the robber produced a large knife and threatened to cut the cashiers throat. The second member of the gang held a carbine on the bystanders. There were three other employees and a visitor in the bank at the time but none of these people were harmed. Nixon complied with the demands of the bandit leader and turned over an estimated $32,640 in gold coins, which the third robber placed in a canvas bag. The three men who committed the daring mid-day robbery were never apprehended and the money was never recovered. In fact, the identity of the robbers was never confirmed beyond a reasonable doubt. Months after the robbery was committed, the Pinkertons group was still conducting their investigation of the robbery for the American Bankers Association. Having made no progress, they sent a copy of a photograph that appeared in Fort Worth Texas to Winnemucca Banker George Nixon to see if he could identify any of the people in the photo. The photo was of five members of the notorious Wild Bunch and included Robert Leroy Parker (Butch Cassidy) and Harry Longbaugh (Sundance Kid). After the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid came out in 1969, it became a cool thing to celebrate the notoriety of these bandits. Winnemucca celebrated Butch Cassidy Days every year for several years in remembrance of the now infamous men who they believed committed the Great Bank Robbery. This was more of a tourist attraction than anything else. The Sundance Kid and perhaps two of the other members of the Wild Bunch may have participated in the robbery. Butch Cassidy may have even known about it, but he could not have been there, since he was was planning a train robbery in Tipton, Wyoming. When the gold was secured, the robbers forced the four employees and the visitor out the back door into a fenced enclosure so no one from the front street could see what was happening. They then escaped over the fence and into the alley where they had horses waiting so they could make their getaway. George Nixon went back into the bank and came out with a revolver as did bank stenographer Calhoun. Shots were exchanged, but there were no injuries on either side. Bystanders at the Reception Saloon heard the shooting and fired a few shots at the escaping bandits but missed. The robbers circled around toward the east and when they crossed the Whites Creek Bridge, they dropped a sack of gold and lost some time retrieving it. The bandits continued on, making their way toward Golconda where they had fresh horses waiting. Citizens in Winnemucca quickly organized a posse and even fired up a yard locomotive to follow along in an attempt to capture the group. The robbers were able to stay ahead of the posse since they had staged fresh horses about every 10 miles in order to make a speedy departure. The road they traveled veered away from the railroad track, so the locomotive proved useless to the chase. They were followed as far as Clover Valley, where they had another set of fresh mounts, then on to Tuscarora. Along the way, the citizen posse gave up the chase. The robbers made a clean getaway and no one even sustained a scratch in the robbery or the following shootout. George Nixon quickly sent out an alarm and contacted the Pinkerton group to help apprehend the persons who robbed the bank. He later was elected a United States Senator and kept a complete file of all the events surrounding the bank robbery. This documentation was used to confirm that Butch Cassidy could not have been one of the people who robbed the Winnemucca Bank on September 19, 1900. There is a still bronze plaque by the utility pole in front of the old bank building that proclaims that the bank was robbed by Butch Cassidy on September 19, 1900. Old legends never die. Troubles are mounting for embattled businessman Vijay Mallya as the Central Information Commission (CIC) has asked the Oriental Bank of Commerce and several probe agencies to explain a loan extended to his now-defunct Kingfisher Airlines. The one-time billionaire, who moved to Britain last March, is wanted in India in connection with loan defaults of Rs 9,000 crore. The decision of the CIC, dated February 10, came against the backdrop of an RTI application in which the petitioner had asked from OBC the 'total outstanding of M/s Kingfisher Airlines' towards the bank as also 'details of security/collateral held by your bank', apart from 'third-party audit conducted' by the bank to 'verify the value of the collateral of M/s Kingfisher Airlines'. Vijay Mallya has been mired in a growing series of legal battles following the collapse of his carrier and was last month charged with conspiracy and fraud by the CBI The petitioner, Gurugram-based information activist Harinder Dhingra, had also asked what the bank had done to recover the loan, the names of officials who had processed it and the noting on the file of the loan. M/s Kingfisher did not respond to Mail Today's queries despite repeated attempts till the filing of the story. Dhingra has accused the OBC of having lent the once premier air carrier Rs 54.52 crore without any collateral as guarantee for the loan. 'It is strange that such innocuous information that pertains to public money be denied in the name of hampering investigation,' he said. 'It is also strange that the bank does not know of what happened to the money it lent to the company: it doesn't know if the company has been declared a defaulter. 'There is at this moment not even the preliminary investigation has been launched and yet we can't get information.' The bank, however, did not furnish any information apart from how much the airlines owed it, stonewalling behind Section 8 (1) h of the RTI Act, arguing that 'the matter was pending investigation before different investigating agencies and disclosure of the information could hamper the investigation process.' Mallya, once called the King of Good Times for cavorting with celebrities and publishing a much-sought-after swimsuit calendar, has been mired in a growing series of legal battles following the collapse of his carrier and was last month charged with conspiracy and fraud by the CBI. In another revelation, the CIC order also noted that the bank did not even know whether it had declared Kingfisher Airlines a 'willful defaulter'. 'the representative of the Respondents (OBC) was unable to state whether the borrower had been declared a willful defaulter by the Respondent Bank or not'. The commission, however, took strong exception to the bank's denial to furnish information sought by the RTI application by simply invoking the stonewalling clause of the RTI Act. 'It is clear from the above (CIC quotes from Delhi High Court judgment of 2007) that information cannot be denied by the CPIO by merely invoking Section 8 (1) h, without giving adequate justification as to how disclosure of the information would impeded the process of investigation,' it said. 'The representative of the Respondents did not make any submissions to provide such a justification' Unsatisfied with the answer received, the commission has asked the three investigation agencies - CBI, ED and SFIO - to put their submissions regarding why and how, if at all, the information could be detrimental to the investigation, before the next hearing of the case, on April 3. The commission also asked that M/s Kingfisher Airlines also be represented at the next hearing, in case they want to make any submission. While the bank might have denied releasing the details to the petitioner, the commission asked the Central Public Information Officer (CPIO) of the bank to 'file to the commission a report regarding the current status of the loan, the amount outstanding and whether the borrower has been declared a willful defaulter or not.' The report is to be filed by March 20. Even as Delhi University is still reeling from a rash of violence that engulfed students and teachers of Ramjas College this week, another top institute of the varsity has set off a snowballing controversy. Sources confirmed to Mail Today that the governing body of the prestigious St Stephen's College 'has called an emergency meeting on Saturday, a holiday, to discuss an autonomy plan, which has started giving students and faculty the jitters.' Parents are on edge as the move may push their kids' fees up to Rs 1.67 lakh a year from about Rs 26,000 now. Delhi University this month formed a committee for its colleges that are seeking autonomy or university status to St Stephen's college Delhi University this month formed a committee for its colleges that are seeking autonomy or university status after the central government announced such provisions for educational institutions across the country in the annual budget. Principal John Varghese couldn't be contacted and he did not respond to messages sent to his cellphone on Friday. However, the 'sudden autonomy call' evoked strong reactions from the faculty. The decision of going from a constituent institution under DU Act to a self-financed autonomous body in itself will change the character of St Stephen's significantly. Moreover, the cost to run the institution on its own would be the primary concern for the management. The immediate fallout - covering cost - may be borne by students, who have already started discussing a possible fee hike. 'It requires a participatory and consultative discussion with all the stakeholders. If there's any haste behind this decision, it could prove to be a disaster and a futile exercise. 'We have no historical records to certify the excellence of institutions that have gone autonomous. We need to study what was wrong about their project and process,' said NP Ashley, assistant professor of the English department. The buzz about a possible fee hike had been picked up by everyone this reporter met on the college campus. 'Currently, the average fees for students across wide spectrum of courses St Stephen's offers is between Rs 26,000-27,000 a year. 'But the financial autonomy will result in sharing the Rs 20-crore funding provided by the University Grants Commission for the 1,200 college students. Students are worried about the mounting financial pressure. (File picture) If that has to be paid on own, it will be approximately Rs 1,67,000 per student every year,' said a professor, requesting anonymity. Nandita Narain, president of the Delhi University Teachers' Association, told Mail Today that a looming fear of this move mounting financial pressure on students coming from different sectors remains the biggest concern of the college faculty. 'If the college wants financial autonomy, then we will have to look at charging higher fees from students. St Stephen's is for ordinary students and a destructive decision of picking autonomy will invite troubles,' she said. 'Even UGC guidelines recommend consultation with stakeholders, of which there is no indication so far.' Yavnika Chopra, a student in the English department, said: 'Even though the college maintains autonomy in admission process and enjoys an exclusive system of students' governance, to go fully autonomous without any consultation will be an arbitrary decision.' Other top colleges such as SRCC, Ramjas, Hansraj too have approached the university and human resource development ministry officials, seeking greater autonomy and decision-making powers. Stephenians are worried over the degree offered by an independent college. (Picture for representation) 'I would be tremendously worried about the college's decision to go autonomous,' said Joseph Roy, an ex-Stephenian. 'We want to go abroad for further studies but we do not know how the foreign institutions will treat an independent degree from St Stephen's. 'It can potentially affect the light in which my application will be viewed.' Students are questioning the hurried manner in which the Saturday meeting has been called, in a way 'violating any deliberative process before such a big decision'. 'We want to know the intentions for going autonomous as this decision affects us all,' said a student. 'We haven't even discussed or are in the know of what autonomy is being proposed - financial or academic.' Two firemen in their late 40s were killed and two of their colleagues received critical burn injuries as they were trying to douse a fire in a restaurant in West Delhi's Vikaspuri early on Friday. At around 5.30 am, the fire department received a call of smoke billowing from Chatkora Food and Snacks Corner in Lal Market. Three fire tenders, along with 10 firemen from Janakpuri fire station, were rushed to the spot. The impact of the blast was such that one of the firemen, Hari Singh Meena, was flung into the air with fire blazing all over him at the snack shop To find whether anyone was trapped inside, the firemen started cutting the restaurant's shutter. Soon after they cut it open, a cylinder set off. The impact of the blast was such that one of the firemen, Hari Singh Meena, was flung into the air with fire blazing all over him. His colleague Hari Om started to run as fire engulfed his whole body too. The other firemen, Naveen and Ravinder Singh, were also cutting open the shutter, but escaped the maximum impact as they were standing a few metres away. Hari Om, 49, was rushed to the hospital where he succumbed to injuries They too received critical burn injuries. Hari Om (49), a resident of Dwarka, was rushed to Deen Dayal Upadhyay hospital where he succumbed to injuries. Meena (48), who was rushed to Park Hospital in Khyala, was declared brought dead. Hari Om's cousin Baljeet Dahiya, a firefighter himself, said Om joined the service 26 years ago. He is survived by his father, wife and two children - a son in class XI and a daughter who is pursuing B.Tech from a private institute. Meena, who hailed from Rajasthan, is survived by his wife, two daughters and a four-year-old son. Hari Singh Meena was killed while rescuing the workers His family is in a state of shock as they lost the sole bread earner of the family. During investigation, it was learnt that there were four gas cylinders - two commercial and two domestic - at the restaurant. 'One of them may have exploded due to gas leak. The exact reason is yet to be ascertained,' a fire official said. Naveen (32) and Ravinder (33) were admitted to BLK hospital where they are undergoing treatment. Naveen has a two-month-old son. 'A case of deaths due to negligence has been registered and a probe initiated,' said Vijay Kumar, DCP (West). Noida and Greater Noida, in the National Capital Region, have emerged as the favourite hubs for mobile phone manufacturers and accessory makers. Around 30 per cent of India's mobile phone makers that have opened in the last two years have a presence in Noida. Ashok Agarwal, general manager of Intex Technologies, explains the phenomenon: 'There are two reasons why Noida and Greater Noida are becoming attractive for mobile manufacturers. Noida and Greater Noida, in the National Capital Region, have emerged as the favourite hubs for mobile phone manufacturers and accessory makers (Lava Mobile Manufacturing) 'One is proximity to Delhi, which gives easy access to the government. 'Two, most of the companies have their corporate offices in Delhi-NCR. So, transit, distribution and ware housing are easy.' The manufacturer of Intex brand of mobile phones has two mobile manufacturing units in Noida, set up in 2014 and 2015 respectively. Together, they produce 30 million phones a year out of which 35 per cent are smartphones. Manufacturers highlight the prevailing ecosystem of the region as incentives in attracting new companies. Karbon, Vivo Mobile, GTN, Labanyo Electronics and Million Club Manufacturing are some of the few companies that have set up shop in the area. 'Availability of skilled manpower is a big plus in the area. Thanks to bigger units like Samsung and LG, Noida has a strong component ecosystem. In future, a lot of localisation will take place here,' says Sunil Vachani, chairman and managing director, Dixon Technologies. Dixon's subsidiary Padget invested Rs 30 crore last year, to set up a mobile manufacturing unit where they assemble components of Chinese brand Gionee and Japan's Panasonic. 'India is the fastest growing smartphone market,' says Vachani. 'It is going to be the largest market by 2020. Just the sheer scale of it was enough for us to look at the area,' he says. The domestic production of mobile handsets in the country almost doubled to 110 million units in 2015-16, from 60 million the previous year, according to government data. The revenue also tripled from Rs 18,900 crore to Rs 54,000 crore during the period. Noida produces 30 million phones a year out of which 35 per cent are smartphones The 70 units that have opened shop in the country in the last two years have generated 36,700 jobs both directly and indirectly, according to official data. The cumulative capacity of these units is about 20 million phones per month. Most of the workers are diploma holders, or class XII or ITI graduates. So what accounts for this mobile manufacturing rush? The government's 'Make in India' initiative has been a driver for growth, manufacturers claim. According to Aruna Sundararajan, secretary, ministry of electronics and information and technology, mobile manufacturing takes place in three to four places in the country - Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh, Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Noida and Greater Noida. 'Noida and Greater Noida enjoy the advantage of excellent connectivity because they are very close to the airport,' she says. 'Manufacturers can fly in the imported components and there is enough talent pool to work on them,' says Sundararajan. But for India, to truly become a mobile manufacturing hub, a component ecosystem has to be developed, say manufacturers. 'We are going to support them (manufacturers) through what is called the Phased Manufacturing Programme (PMP),' assures Sundararajan. 'The idea behind PMP is to develop local capability, so that it becomes cheaper and more advantageous to manufacture here, than to import,' she says. More than a year has passed since London Stock Exchange Group chairman Donald Brydon took tea with his opposite number from Frankfurt Joachim Faber and cooked up the idea of a 20 billion merger of equals between Europes two largest share markets. The trouble is that it was never a merger of equals, since Deutsche Boerse would control the larger share in the unified exchange, the German chief executive of the Frankfurt market Carsten Kengeter would be chief executive of the enlarged group and income would be reported in euros rather than sterling. There was a solemn promise that the headquarters would be in London but as regulatory scrutiny moves to its final stages, and a pure Brexit becomes more likely, predatory noises from Germany become louder. Deutsche Boerse wants to buy LSE for 21billion, which critics say is against the UK's interest German politicians in Deutsche Boerses home state of Hesse are understandably demanding the HQ is in Frankfurt. As always with takeovers, those with most to gain are advisers and top executives. The chief executive of LSE Xavier Rolet has the chance to cash in his shares and options, collect at the very least 10 million and retire to his vineyard. As for Kengeter, his bit of local trouble with German investigators over unwise share dealings should instantly disqualify him from becoming chief executive of the merged exchange. It comes as something of relief that the estimable former chancellor, Lord Lawson, together with 40 other bigwigs at this late stage, have decided to join the fight against the deal. They want it postponed until at least Britains future relationship with the European Union has been settled. We might well ask why it has taken so long for this valiant group to emerge? Among the reasons is the round-the-clock lobbying of politicians in the Commons in an effort to suppress any incipient opposition. Deutsches controversial boss Carsten Kengeter has a powerful role in the negotiations It is shameful that when Parliament had its first chance to be heard earlier this week, at the instigation of veteran Eurosceptic Bill Cash, only a handful of MPs turned up. Even more disturbing is the fact the over-active Commons treasury committee has failed to hold hearings and pass judgement on a deal which could end centuries of independence for one of the Citys key institutions. That has been a clear act of dereliction. There has been an equally rigorous lobbying campaign in Brussels. The admirably independent EU Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, one of the few officials who dared to take on the might of Apple, is under intense pressure from European politicians to approve the transaction, despite negative effects on competition. The concern in France and Germany is if Frankfurt does not secure control of the LSE and its clearing arm LCH Clearnet, hopes of wrestling the lucrative euro-clearing operation away from the City are crushed. There is a peculiar view in Brussels that all euro trading should be on the Continent rather than in the deepest and most liquid foreign exchange markets in London. It is this inflexible, rule-based approach that has contributed to the EUs troubles since the Greek crisis flared up in 2009-10. It is utterly spineless of the Government to suggest there is no way it can stop the merger. Earlier this week the deputy governor of the Bank of England Sir Jon Cunliffe made a powerful case for keeping euro denominated clearing in London, rejecting the notion it could somehow be damaging to stability. The bully pulpit of Downing Street is powerful. Strong words from the Prime Minister or the Chancellor, threat of regulatory intervention or a lengthy probe on the merits of the deal could still kill it stone dead. Rosss struggle Hard to claim life is getting better when your company has just declared a loss of 6.94 billion and run up an accumulated deficit of 58 billion of losses. But that is essentially the message of Royal Bank of Scotland chief executive Ross McEwan. The difficulty is that so much of RBSs future is out of his hands, ranging from the fines still to be imposed by the US over mortgage securities to permission from the European Union to abort the Williams & Glyn experiment. Amid all of this, RBSs success in colonising the mortgage market and re-establishing itself as the corporate and small business bank of choice is lost. Lloyds and Barclays have shown there is life after crisis. RBS is blocked by nervous ninnies at Westminster unwilling to start placing shares in the market, re-establishing the banks ability to stand alone. The boss of British Airways has fought back after a barrage of complaints over a decision to scrap free in-flight sandwiches. Willie Walsh, chief executive of BA-owner International Airlines Group, has faced claims the carrier is no better than its budget competitors Ryanair and EasyJet after it decided to charge for meals on short-haul economy flights. BA sells a range of Marks & Spencer sandwiches, and travellers also have to pay for tea, coffee and alcohol. British Airways has scrapped free meals on short haul flights in economy class, instead offering a selection of Marks & Spencer salads and sandwiches It has caused customers to moan that it is no longer worth paying a premium for a BA flight compared to a budget rival. Research by the Mail found a return flight to Malaga from Gatwick with British Airways with a cabin bag, gin and tonic, sandwich and a coffee in the first week of April will cost 260.65 according to yesterdays prices. By comparison, a similar journey but from Stansted, would cost 224.58 with EasyJet and 188.58 with Ryanair. But as he unveiled the annual results yesterday, Walsh, 55, said: You only need to travel with Ryanair and British Airways to appreciate the difference. The boss of British Airways has fought back after a barrage of complaints over the decision to scrap free in-flight sandwiches Consumers value what they get from BA. If they didnt, you wouldnt have customers or see the numbers growing. Sales on board have been well in excess of what we expected. 'Its a greater, better choice of food. Consumers value what they get from BA. If they didnt, you wouldnt have customers or see the numbers growing BA announced it was going to scrap free food on short-haul flights in September last year. It replaced them with a selection of sandwiches from M&S, with the service being introduced from January. At the time, a Ryanair spokesman joked: We welcome BAs conversion to the Ryanair way. The changes come as BA faces the prospect of an inter-continental fares war with trans-Atlantic rivals such as American Airlines promising to reduce fares, and newer carriers such as Norweigian offering to fly travellers to the US for as little as 69. SO, WHO'S THE CHEAPEST? A price comparison of all the airlines showed that gin and tonics were the cheapest on EasyJet, while BA offered the best value cup of coffee. IAG reported higher profits in the year to December 31, up more than 30 per cent to 2 billion. But revenue slid 1.3 per cent to 16.8 billion, and it warned the fall in the pound since Britains Brexit vote had delivered a 389 million hit. YOU'LL PAY MORE IN DUTY FREE TOO... Sandwiches available on BA flights are more expensive than on the High Street. The same Marks & Spencer sandwich could have three different prices one on the flight, one in the airport terminal and one in supermarkets. A bacon roll costs 4.75 on BA flights, but if travellers were to pick it up at the airport terminal before boarding the plane they could get it for 4. If they were to buy it in a supermarket it would cost just 3.25. A cheese ploughmans is 3 on flights, 2.60 in the terminal and 2.25 in stores. Crisps cost 1 on flights, 85p in the airport and 70p on the High Street. Walsh insisted he was relaxed about Brexit. People talk about this in the context of the UK and Europe but BA flies all around the world, he said. IAG has benefited from reduced cost thanks to the low oil price. Walsh, who is due to be paid 2.4 million for 2016, said: It was a good performance in a challenging environment. In 2016, we carried more than 100 million passengers double the number British Airways and Iberia carried in 2010, a year before IAG was created. The group has been under pressure to offer low prices to compete with budget rivals and amid economic uncertainty. Revenue per passenger fell 5.4 per cent over the year. George Salmon, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown, said: Despite holding a premium position in the sector, IAG has been caught up in the trend for lower fares as increasing supply squeezes prices. However, with much of the supply coming in to the bottom of the pricing scale, there is an argument to say the group has a degree of insulation that more value-focused rivals lack. It announced a full year dividend of 23.5 euro cents per share, up 17.5 per cent on last year. IAG shares rose yesterday 4.5 per cent or 22.5p to 527p. Standard Life has been forced to set aside 175 million for mis-selling pension annuities after a probe by the City watchdog. The Financial Conduct Authority found a string of large companies had sold annuities - which provide an income for life - to 90,000 people in poor health without telling them they could shop around for a better deal. Those who bought the products are entitled to compensation ranging from 120 to 240 for each year they held them. Red card: Standard Life has been forced to set aside 175 million for mis-selling pension annuities after a probe by the City watchdog Standard Life has launched a review to see how many of its customers were affected and will use the cash to pay them. But the insurer unveiled a 9 per cent rise in profits to 723 million, largely driven by a rise in investment profits and stronger performance in India and China. Bosses bumped up the total annual dividend by 8 per cent to 19.82p per share. Investors, however, pulled 2.6 billion of cash out of the Standard Life as turmoil gripped markets. Prudential also announced it was examining the mis-selling claims yesterday. British tonic and mixer brand Franklin & Sons has entered its 30th market less than two years after exports began in October 2015. The firm has reported a four-digit percentage rise in sales in the past year and invested in further facilities in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, to cater for growth. Established in London in 1886, the company had been mothballed but was acquired by independent drinks firm Global Brands and revived in 2015. Success: British tonic and mixer brand Franklin & Sons has entered its 30th market From this month, the range will be sold in six new territories, including the UAE, Norway, and Colombia. The company expects to add eight new products across its range of mixers and soft drinks this year and beyond. Steven Perez, chairman of Global Brands, said: The export arm of our business already accounts for 30 per cent of total sales and is growing rapidly. This is due to the global premium spirits and gin renaissance, the rise in popularity of artisanal, natural mixers and the Franklin & Sons ranges UK positioning. A wealthy former CEO who fled to Africa with a $50million nest egg to avoid fraud charges was sentenced Thursday in Brooklyn federal court to 30 months in prison. The New York City judge called Jacob 'Kobi' Alexander 'foolish' for hatching his scheme and fleeing justice for so long. The sentence for Alexander, an Israeli citizen and permanent US resident, was the longest for any US defendant convicted of manipulating stock options, though far less than the maximum 10-year term. Of Alexander's two co-defendants, one received time served and the other one year. Alexander, 64, is a former Israeli military officer who made his fortune at the helm of Comverse, a once-thriving voicemail software firm with offices in Woodbury, New York. Jacob 'Kobi' Alexander, who dodged securities fraud charges by spending a decade in Africa with a $50million nest egg, was sentenced Thursday to 30 months in prison The sentence for Alexander, an Israeli citizen and permanent US resident, was the longest for any US defendant convicted of manipulating stock options. Here he attends a fundraising dinner in New York in 2005 Alexander is a former Israeli military officer who made his fortune at the helm of Comverse, a once-thriving voicemail software firm with offices in Woodbury, New York (above) 'I really don't understand how someone as brilliant and accomplished and focused and respected as you, could be so incredibly, abjectly foolish to make some of the decisions you made,' US District Judge Nicholas G Garaufis said in federal court in Brooklyn. The sentence was meant to send a message to other wealthy defendants that they 'cannot buy a new life to escape justice', Garaufis added. In a muted voice, Alexander told the judge: 'I have nobody to blame but myself for those bad decisions. I acted without honor.' Alexander's prison sentence underscored the difficulties US authorities sometimes face in winning the extradition of defendants accused of financial and white-collar crimes. The US often faces obstacles when seeking the extradition of defendants suspected of financial wrongdoing, legal experts say. Foreign courts frequently place a higher priority on violent and drug-related charges. US District Judge Nicholas G Garaufis blasted Alexander as 'foolish' for hatching his scheme and fleeing justice for so long. Here Alexander sits with his wife Hanna as he awaits the start of his extradition hearing in Windhoek, Namibia, on September 17, 2008 The sentence on Thursday was meant to send a message to other wealthy defendants that they 'cannot buy a new life to escape justice', said judge Garaufis. Alexander (left) talks with his legal team, Anton Katz (center) and Peter Hodes inside the magistrates court in Windhoek on July 9, 2007 Alexander vanished in 2006 while his lawyers were negotiating a possible surrender in an investigation for backdating stock options. Court papers alleged that from 1991 through 2005 he exercised options and sold stocks worth about $150 million, making a $138 million profit. Of that, about $6.4 million was generated by backdating options, the papers said. The company also awarded thousands of stock options to fictional employees and then transferred the awards to a secret slush fund under the name IM Fanton, which stood for phantom. The scheme allowed Alexander to award those options to real 'favored employees' and to himself without board of directors approval, court papers said. Alexander vanished in 2006 while his lawyers were negotiating a possible surrender in an investigation for backdating stock options. Here Alexander and his wife Hana listen during the start of the hearing at the magistrates court in Windhoek on November 12, 2007 In addition to his sentence, Alexander agreed to pay $60million in settlements. Here Alexander leaves the court in Windhoek on October 3, 2006 After Alexander went into hiding, he transferred $50million to Israel, fueling speculation he may have been hiding there, authorities said. He later turned up in the Republic of Namibia, where he was allowed to freely live with his family while fighting extradition. Over the years, Alexander bought a home in Namibia and invested in local businesses. There were reports that he flew in hundreds of people for his son's bar mitzvah and took up charitable causes in the capital city of Windhoek. In addition to his sentence, Alexander agreed to pay $60million in forfeiture and civil settlements, which authorities are using to compensate Comverse and its shareholders. Boeing is to open its first European factory in Sheffield, delivering a significant vote of confidence in post-Brexit Britain. The 20million plant will manufacture parts and systems used on wings for the American aerospace giants best-selling 737 and 777 passenger planes. Boeings UK boss said the company was drawn to Sheffield by its world class workforce and its links to the citys Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, where it will launch a programme to develop new manufacturing techniques. Boeing's proposed 2,300 sq m factory is to be built in Sheffield It comes two weeks after the supercar manufacturer McLaren announced it is planning to build a 50million chassis factory in the same area of Sheffield, creating 200 jobs. Other multi-national firms including Nissan, Apple, Honda, Amazon and Airbus have also announced expansion plans since the referendum last June, confounding warnings that Brexit would scare off big business. Boeings proposed 2,300 square metre factory will be built alongside the AMRC, between Sheffield and Rotherham. The Seattle-based firm is expected to begin hiring new employees next year. The facility, to be named Boeing Sheffield, will manufacture key high-tech components and systems for the companys new line of planes. It is hoped that the first components will roll off the production lines late next year, with an initial staff of 30. Boeing, which employs around 2,300 staff in the UK in its civil and military arms, typically uses other firms to make these components. But Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing UK, said: We are ramping up production of our aircraft and want to have more control over key systems in our aeroplanes. We need the right quality and want to do it ourselves. He added: The area has very high skills, particularly in advanced manufacturing technology, which we think is world class. We, as a company, want to start making these sophisticated components actuation systems, the gearing systems on wings and Sheffield is a good place to come. Last night Boeings expansion plans were hailed as fresh evidence that big businesses are confident in Britains future outside the EU. Tory MP John Redwood said: This is more great news that big companies want to make things in Britain as we have a super-competitive, highly skilled workforce. Tory MP John Redwood said: This is more great news that big companies want to make things in Britain as we have a super-competitive, highly skilled workforce. He added: So much for the gloomy spectre of Brexit. The leave vote seems to have done us good. David Buik, a veteran City commentator who works for the stockbroker Panmure Gordon, said: After the referendum, Boeing said they saw no reason to weaken their relationship with the UK. They have been true to their word. This shows that Project Fear had no substance to it. We have seen the likes of Nissan, Honda, Amazon and Apple all fall into line in support of post-Brexit Britain. Boeing recently won two massive contracts for the British military: Supplying the P-8 Poseidon spy plane for the RAF and upgrading the Armys fleet of Apache helicopters. Together these deals were worth about 5billion but very little of the work will be carried out in the UK. A Nigerian grandmother kept her starving grandchild alive by breastfeeding while on the run from deadly insurgents. Aisha Modu's daughter died a few months ago when her baby was just 40 days old. Aisha, thought to be in her 50s, faced months of hell after her grandchild's father was abducted by insurgents, forcing her to flee on foot with the baby in her arms. Aisha Modu, thought to be in her 50s, has been breastfeeding her granddaughter to keep her alive after they fled insurgents Aisha, who is now at a Save the Children clinic in north-east Nigeria, said: 'I was sleeping at the time but a neighbor woke me and told me to take what I could and run. 'The bullets were the size of my finger and they were firing them everywhere. 'I am old so I tried to run with a group of men but we were captured by the insurgents. They slaughtered one of the men in front of me.' When Aisha first arrived the little girl was less than 2 kilos, dangerously underweight for a three-month-old child Aisha had no food or money, so did the only thing she could to keep the little girl alive, and breastfed her. No milk was produced straight away as it is decades since Aisha had a child, and the baby's weight plummeted to about 4lbs (1.9kg). Eventually Aisha managed to get to charity staff with her three-month-old and was referred to a clinic where she is being helped by Dr Isaac Bot. Dr Bot said: 'Aisha came in with her granddaughter and was very anxious about where she was. Being from such a remote part of the country she was not familiar with hospitals. 'She was jittery about the environment and was confused and apprehensive. 'I asked if she was getting support from anywhere else and she said she had nobody. She broke down and cried when she told us this. It was very emotional.' Staff helped her to cope and managed to help her breastfeed the infant. Dr Bot added: 'The milk was just beginning to flow but it was not sufficient. 'We started a process called Supplementary Suckling Technique where we put a little tube into the baby's mouth beside the nipple and so when the baby suckles it is rewarded with milk. This suckling also sends a message to Aisha's brain to stimulate milk production.' Thanks to the help of a doctor from the Save the Children clinic in Nigeria, the little girl is much healthier The grandmother faced tragedy when she lost her only daughter and then was forced to flee when the little girl's father was captured by insurgents Save the Children says there are many women in remote villages in Nigeria who breastfeed other women's babies because of the high numbers of mothers who die. The doctor said: 'Maternal mortality is quite high so we often see sisters suckling the children of their deceased sisters. 'These support systems are very important. Any woman can breastfeed even if she has never had a child or hasn't breastfed in many years as long as she regularly puts the baby to the breast. It's free and anyone can do it.' According to Save the Children, breastfeeding is the single most effective intervention to save children's lives and could prevent 13 per cent of all under-five deaths if practiced properly. A Brazilian lawyer claims she has found job satisfaction, and a better salary, after quitting her job and starting a new career - as a prostitute. Respected attorney Claudia de Marchi, an expert in constitutional law, stunned clients and colleagues last year when she suddenly decided to leave her high-powered position in a law firm, and began to advertise her services as a 'high luxury courtesan'. The 34-year-old moved to the country's capital Brasilia, where, instead of furthering her knowledge of Brazil's laws and government, she started providing sexual services to wealthy businessmen and politicians for 150 an hour. Claudia de Marchi, 34, gave up her job with a high-powered law firm to become a prostitute She said one of biggest reasons for the career move was to get away from the masculine selfishness of the legal world Although she now spends time in bed with men, she said that she has been liberated from them. She also now orgasms at work Ironically, one of the reasons for her drastic change of direction was that she could no longer tolerate the 'masculine selfishness and self-indulgence' she had encountered in the legal world. Instead, the self-proclaimed feminist decided she would deal only with men willing to pay for her company, claiming she much prefers to 'orgasm, get paid, and that's all' than having to put up with living with 'male flaws' all day long. Now, she claims the move was the 'best decision she ever made' after finding 'liberation' from men, as well making nearly 100,000 in the last year - far more than her lawyer's salary. And while most prostitutes use a pseudonym to protect their true identity, unabashed Claudia has insisted she is proud of what she has achieved - and even writes a tell-all blog, using her real name, about her sexual encounters which now gets over 8,000 hits a day. The blog includes tutorials for men on subjects such as how they should behave with women, how to be a 'real man' and how to 'mature correctly', as well as tips on how to perform oral sex on a woman. Moreover, her 64-year-old mother is so supportive of her new profession she recently moved away from her own home town to the capital, and now lives with her daughter at her home close to Brazil's parliament. Claudia, from Sorriso in central Brazil, graduated in law in 2005 and worked as a lawyer in the town for 11 years, specialising in the interpretation of Brazil's complex constitution after completing post-graduate studies. She later started lecturing on constitutional law at the local Unic Sorriso university. While still a lawyer, Claudia shared pictures of a very different life. While she looked glamorous, her photos were about life as a lecturer and working with students Far from being private about her profession, Claudia runs a tell-all blog that gets 8,000 hits every day and uses her real name. She also shares pictures of her life Claudia moved to Brazil's capital when she decided to give up her job in law, and her mother ended up moving closer too, to support the career She now charges around 150 an hour and 650 a night for her services as a luxury courtesan But she claims she grew tired of working in 'a man's world', as well as a succession of failed relationships, including a marriage which lasted just a year, and when she was dismissed from her university position 'because of someone's ego' in February last year, Claudia decided to rethink how she wanted to live her life. Two months later, on April 11, she did her first night's work earning 125 as a prostitute after moving to Brasilia and advertising her services with the words: 'Discover that elegance, beauty, finesse, culture and intelligence can coexist in one woman. Claudia de Marchi, I am your greatest pleasure!' In her blog, she described herself as 'a feminist with a disgust of functional illiterates and people who open their mouths without ever opening their brains to new writings, information and knowledge.' She continues: 'Claudia loves anal sex, she's multi-orgasmic, but only does what she likes. Great option for smart, selective and tastful men who are sexually insatiable, but who also want intelligent and cultured conversation and quality company.' Explaining her radical change in career, Claudia said: 'I cannot stand having to conform, the daily repetitive routine, or the laziness men have to reconquer us women every day. 'I'd already decided not to be a mother. So my decision had to do with frustrations I had accumulated over the years. 'From the beginning, I found that the legal world is very macho, with men relying on their daddies to help them up the ladder. Neither my father or my mother are lawyers, so I had to get on on my own. But with the passage of time, I became more unhappy and frustrated.' And Claudia, an only child, revealed that it was her own mother who gave her the idea of making money by selling her body. The legal world left her frustrated as she saw male colleagues get ahead with help from their parents, but with no one else in law in her family, she had to go it alone Claudia captioned this picture with the message: 'Dr. Joaquim, whose lecture, in addition to helpful was great' after a good day at University She said: 'One day my mother was watching a programme on TV interviewing luxury escort girls and was captivated by what they were saying. She encouraged me and when I took that decision, she supported me all the way. 'She said it was the most sensible decision that I've ever made in my life.' Charging 150 an hour, or 650 a night, Claudia claims she goes with two to three clients a day. Justifying her price on her website, and warning men not to try to bargain it down, she writes: 'The amount charged is very small compared with what I know my company is worth.' But she refuses to call herself a prostitute, claiming she chooses to have sex because he enjoys it, and that she is classier and pickier than common call girls. She said: 'A prostitute will do everything for money. Not me. I only have sex with educated men. I try to forget about the money. My encounter isn't that mechanical thing, it's very affectionate. 'The payment is only something I don't even think about until the very end. I don't demand payment up front, because the guys I go with are always good people, and obviously I'm not a moron. 'I also adore sex. I wouldn't be in this profession if I didn't like it. So, I found a way to make money doing something that I like, marketting my sexual talent and my libido. On her blog, Claudia gives people a glimpse into her life and shares images of her and her family Claudia said she doesn't call herself a prostitute because she is not willing to do anything or sleep with anyone - including people who don't have her political views 'Both in my marriage and my relationships, the sex was always what was most special, so I decided to leave the cake and just have the cherry on the top.' Claudia also claims she refuses to go with clients who have bad grammar and who don't share her political views - and will only accept a second encounter with a man she enjoyed being with. She said: 'I do not attend men who speak or write wrongly and those who approach me as if I were an object. And I won't have sex with anybody who doesn't want to kiss me. 'I'm not too keen on politicians, that's not the reason I came to Brasilia. But I also allow myself the luxury of not accepting certain people whose political persuasions don't go with mine. 'As much as I love sex, I cannot bring myself to get intimate with a fascist. You don't have to talk about politics to have sex, but just to think about the nonsense they defend, the foolish things they say, I get turned off. I don't have the stomach. Her clients must 'please her first' she says, and she refuses to see the same person twice if they don't concern themselves with her pleasure She said her blog helps women to demand the best for themselves, in and out of bed and calls herself a feminist for her career choice 'I also only accept back the men who please me on the first time, who are concerned about my own pleasure, my orgasm, who are affectionate towards me.' On her blog she often posts Whatsapp conversations with would-be clients she has rejected. Others who use terms which suggest a purely financial transaction, such as 'programme', common in Brazil for a sexual encounter with a prostitute, are promptly blocked. In one message, a man says he only has 280 reals (70). Claudia replies: 'Use it well. This doesn't even pay for a drop of my perfume. Kisses!' Another man who begins his message 'Good night. How much?' is immediately blocked. Claiming her decision to make money from her body is a form of liberation, as opposed to the male oppression she experienced as a lawyer, Claudia said she started her blog to try to help other women 'demand the best for themselves, both in and out of bed.' She said: 'I believe that feminism is a liberation, not an obligation. It is being able to do, exclusively, what you desire. That's what I did, I made a decision thinking in my pleasure and in my sustenance. 'In a extremely rational way, there is no contradiction between you offering sexual pleasure to a man, and being a feminist. I want woman to unite and truly value themselves, instead of attacking each other, because when women spend their time fighting with each other, that is also a form of chauvinism.' Mr Kaba (left), 24, was allegedly part of a group of five men who went to a Notting Hill Carnival after-party (inset) in east London in the early hours of August 30. They are suspected of conspiring to murder a 23-year-old rival who was shot on the dance floor at the Oval Space nightclub in Cambridge Heath. The victim was chased out of the nightclub and shot twice by a gunman before being taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel. He was treated for gunshot wounds to both legs, but survived the attack. The four men appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on October 28 charged with conspiracy to murder. The newspaper reported that the prosecution will allege Mr Kaba helped plot the attack and was present at the incident. Mr Kaba, who died in Streatham Hill (right), south London, on September 5, was being followed by an unmarked police car with no lights or sirens turned on in the minutes before the shooting, Inner South London Coroner's Court was told last month. A newborn boy was comforted by his twin brother who held his hand in his incubator as he was being treated for multiple brain bleeds. Cooper and Lucas Keen were just hours old when nurses moved Cooper into the neonatal unit as he had low glucose levels. Mother Kerrie, 36, from Clackmannan, Scotland, had the twins in an emergency c-section and was horrified when her son had seizures overnight and his oxygen levels dipped. Newborn Cooper Keen (left) is comforted by twin Lucas in his incubator in a neonatal ward as doctors battled to save him from multiple brain bleeds When he was seven months old, Cooper (left) was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, where fluid builds up in the brain. Lucas was often placed in his incubator, so he could be close to his brother Cooper spent five weeks in hospital as doctors desperately tried to diagnose him. Kerrie said: We didnt know what was wrong. We were told he had suffered multiple brain bleeds. We didnt have a clue what to think about it, it was awful.' They didnt know what the issue was with Cooper, what caused the bleed on the brain. Now three, Cooper goes to the same nursery as Lucas and is looking forward to going to primary school One theory was that he possibly had a stroke in the womb. They think there was possibly a problem with the placenta and Cooper wasnt getting enough nutrients. When Cooper was in intensive care in Yorkhill Childrens hospital in Glasgow, twin Lucas was also admitted to hospital in Larbert, 25 miles away. Kerrie said: After a week, babies are supposed to lose 10 per cent of their weight but Lucas had lost about 13 per cent. The problem was because I was trying to breastfeed and pump for Cooper. I thought he was getting enough but he wasnt. Kerrie had to travel between Larbert and Glasgow for around five days to visit both twins. When Lucas had recovered, he visited Cooper with Kerrie. She said: 'They used to set up a little cot next to Coopers incubator and theyd have there for him to lie. I thought it was important. We used to put Lucas into the incubator with Cooper and theyd hold hands we have pictures of the whole family around the incubator. At five weeks old, Cooper was allowed to go home. Kerrie said: To see them separated, we never imagined that. It was amazing when they were both home, I remember feeling so happy to have them there. It was scary because we still didnt know what we were doing. Cooper had a shunt fitted in 2013 to drain the fluid from his brain (pictured right). Before they operated, Kerrie said Cooper's head measured 60 cm in circumferance The twins are now inseparable. Kerrie said: They are brilliant together, Lucas is such a lad but when it comes to Cooper hes really good' In November 2013, Cooper was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and hydrocephalus, a build-up of fluids in the brain. Kerrie said: It had been mentioned when he was in the neonatal unit and they spoke about shunts. My husband and I didnt know what a shunt was. They were measuring the circumference of his head. It kept growing, I think it was around 60 centimetres. It was getting noticeably bigger so they referred us to hospital. I remember the surgeon was a bit shocked. Cooper uses a walker at home to help encourage his legs to bear weight. He is also being fitted for an electric wheelchair, which Kerrie hopes he will be able to use when he goes to school 10 months after Cooper's shunt was fitted, it stopped working and he had to be taken to hospital again. Kerrie said: His eyes were rolling around in his head and he was close to being in a coma.' Pictured, Cooper and Lucas with parents Kerrie and Owen (left) and big brother Jayden (right) He came in with two colleagues and I remember him saying you wont see this often. Cooper was fitted with a shunt, a thin tube, to drain the excess fluid out. Kerrie said: 'We noticed a difference as soon as Cooper came out of surgery. His right side is much weaker and his fist was usually tight. What is hydrocephalus? Hydrocephalus is a condition where excess fluid builds up in the brain. Sufferers' symptoms include feeling sick, headaches and blurred vision. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal. The fluid can be trained from the brain by putting in a shunt, a thin tube. Hydrocephalus used to be known as 'water on the brain' Advertisement I gave him a bottle and and his right hand was much more open his fingers were trying to hold onto the bottle.' 10 months later, the shunt stopped working and Cooper had to be taken back into hospital. Kerrie said: He started being sick and three or four days later, we started to get concerned. His eyes were rolling around in his head and he was close to being in a coma. With his new shunt, he is a completely different child. After his operation he was giggling away, it was amazing. Even though Cooper cannot walk, the twins are inseparable. Kerrie said: They are brilliant together, Lucas is such a lad but when it comes to Cooper hes really good. He totally understands Cooper and he really tries to help him. Pictured, the toddlers with dad Owen. Even tough Cooper can't walk, he has learned to roll in both directions Kerrie said: Cooper is quite fun loving but hes got a serious side to him'. Cooper's right side of his body is weaker, because of his brain bleeds at birth Kerrie said: 'Lucas (left) is so boisterous, hes your typical lad. Cooper thinks its funny when hes naughty. When Lucas was about a week old, he had lost too much weight and had to be admitted to hospital in Larbert. At the time, Cooper was transferred to Yorkhill Children's Hospital in Glasgow, 25 miles away Cooper is quite fun loving but hes got a serious side to him and Lucas is so boisterous, hes your typical lad. Cooper thinks its funny when hes naughty. The pair, now three, attend the same nursery and Kerrie said Cooper is already aware that he is different to the other children. She said: He loves watching what other kids doing things but you can see him getting frustrated. Hes looking and thinking why cant I do that because hes such a sociable boy. He loves being in the thick of it and he would love to run about. Hopefully we can get that. Cooper's parents have to carry him up and down the stairs at home. His disability is only physical and mother Kerrie said he is a 'bright' boy' Kerrie said: He (Cooper) loves being in the thick of it and he would love to run about. Hopefully we can get that. Kerrie has to carry Cooper upstairs and the toddler has learned to roll to get around the house. She said: He cant sit up on his own and he can roll in both directions. Now you leave him somewhere and you think how did you get over there? Cooper is currently being fitted for an electric wheelchair, which the family hope he will be able to use by the time he goes to primary school. Kerrie said: Cooper is a bright boy. He can do his counting and everything. The disability is just physical. Its been difficult and every day is a battle but you have to do it because you love them. Baroness Jenny Tonge, who was suspended after an anti-Semitism row, has been slammed by MPs for saying Britain's leading charity fighting hate speech against Jews should be stripped of its charitable status A former Lib Dem peer suspended after a row over alleged anti-Semitic comments has been slammed by MPs for saying Britain's leading group fighting hate speech against Jews should be stripped of its charitable status. Baroness Jenny Tonge was suspended and then quit her party after hosting an event where an audience member said Jews were responsible for the Holocaust. Now she has signed a petition calling the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) - a group praised by Prime Minister Theresa May and numerous community leaders - a 'Zionist propaganda organisation'. The charity, which works closely with the Crown Prosecution Service to punish anti-Jewish bigots, was attacked in a petition created by blogger Tony Greenstein. Mr Greenstein has previously stated online that 'Zionists collaborated with the Nazis' and helped 'round up' Jews to send to Auschwitz. MPs and a peer told MailOnline the petition was an attempt to 'stifle' those fighting bigotry and accused Baroness Tonge of promoting 'hate speech'. And the charity's chairman, Gideon Falter, called the document 'absurd' and said it resembled 'far-right slurs' now taken up by those on the 'far left'. She denies being anti-Semitic and says she thinks there should be assurance that the organisation meets charity criteria. Bob Blackman, Tory MP for Harrow East, said: 'This web page is just the sort of abject nonsense that has got no place in public life. 'The CAA and other groups are doing a first class job of identifying anti-Semitism. This sounds to me to be an attempt to stifle those who are speaking out against it.' Mr Greenstein was barred from the Labour Party in 2015 after failing vetting but rejoined after Jeremy Corbyn became leader. The petition called the Campaign Against Antisemitism - a group praised by Prime Minister Theresa May - a 'Zionist propaganda organisation' Its author, Tony Greenstein, has previously stated online that 'Zionists collaborated with the Nazis' and helped 'round up' Jews to send to Auschwitz Labour MP John Mann, chairman of the all-party committee on anti-Semitism, told The Telegraph at the time Mr Greenstein's admission was 'hugely inappropriate'. When contacted by MailOnline, the Labour Party said Mr Greenstein - who denies being anti-Semitic - had been suspended as a member 'pending an investigation'. A spokesman declined to say whether he had been suspended before or after the petition came to light. Mr Greenstein's petition claimed the Campaign Against Antisemitism used accusations of hatred against Jews to 'smear and libel' opponents of Israel. It compared the charity to Joseph McCarthy, an American senator who led a discredited witch hunt against supposed communists in the US government. The petition also claimed the CAA targeted Labour MPs including Jeremy Corbyn with unfair 'smears' over comments they had made about Israel. In response, Mr Blackman said anti-Semitism was a 'huge problem within Labour', adding: 'Jewish members find life very hard'. Mike Freer, Tory MP for Finchley & Golders Green, called Mr Greenstein's petition 'a nonsense'. Petition author Mr Greenstein was barred from the Labour Party in 2015 after failing vetting but rejoined after Jeremy Corbyn became leader. He has since been suspended again 'pending an investigation' He said: 'This is a ridiculous attempt to close down an organisation fighting anti-Semitism, which is on the increase. 'I have never found the group trying to stifle legitimate comment on Israel but the CAA are vigilant in exposing anti-Semitism that dresses itself up as anti-Israel comment. 'If Tonge et al are confident they are not being anti-Semitic then they have nothing to fear. Trying to close down a legitimate organisation suggests they do!' Matthew Offord, MP for Hendon, said: 'This petition is most concerning as the Campaign Against Antisemitism is an important charity that works tirelessly to raise awareness of anti-Jewish racism across the UK. The rise in anti-Semitic sentiment on the Left in the past year is extremely disturbing to myself and many of my constituents. 'Once again we appear to see the opponents of the State of Israel conflating their opposition to a country with those of the Jewish faith. 'Whilst criticism of a government's policies is one thing, we must not allow that to spread into hatred of Judaism. This is why the Campaign Against Antisemitism is currently so vital.' Baroness Deech, a crossbench member of the Lord Of Lords, said the CAA deserved 'every support' and attacked the petition. 'This is a ridiculous attempt to close down an organisation fighting anti-Semitism, which is on the increase. Mike Freer MP She said: 'It is a sad comment on the rise of hate speech in the UK today that anyone would wish to close down a leading organisation dedicated to fighting the oldest hatred of all. 'It is no coincidence that the protesters have themselves, at various stages, been accused of anti-Semitism. 'The protesters are conflating Judaism and Zionism by claiming that hate speech against Israel and Zionists is merely political.' Gideon Falter, Chairman of Campaign Against Antisemitism said: 'This absurd petition aims to close down our charity on the basis that anti-Semitism is not a real problem and we are just trying to stifle debate about Israel. 'We back and successfully campaigned for the government to formally adopt the International Definition of Antisemitism which states that 'criticism of Israel similar to that levelled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic'. 'This petition is an attempt to stop Jews from calling out anti-Semitism by smearing them as Israeli agents trying to stifle dissent against their supposed power. Mike Freer,(left) Tory MP for Finchley & Golders Green, called Mr Greenstein's petition 'a nonsense' and Bob Blackman (right) said it 'had no place in public life' 'It is extremely similar to the sorts of slurs that we regularly see from the far-right, but this time it comes from those on the far-left who still believe that they can get away with making antisemitic statements by swapping the word 'Jew' for 'Zionist'. 'That Tony Greenstein has managed to muster support from other disgraced far-left figures like Baroness Tonge only goes to prove that our campaign is one of the most effective initiatives against anti-Semitism in years, and they are doing everything they can to avoid the label they so richly deserve.' Baroness Tonge told the MailOnline: 'My criticisms over the years have been about the actions of the government of Israel. 'The meeting which I chaired in October is being investigated by the Commissioner for Standards of the House of Lords. 'I would like reassurance from the Charity Commission that CAA fulfills the criteria for charities. I would have thought they would welcome that.' A spokesman for the Charity Commission told MailOnline: 'Concerns have been raised with the Charity Commission in regards to a registered charity, the Campaign against Antisemitism, and its ability to meet its charitable objectives. 'SHAMEFUL' EVENT BARONESS TONGE HELD IN THE LORDS Jenny Tonge was suspended and then resigned from the Lib Dems after chairing a meeting where it was claimed Jews were responsible for the Holocaust. The event was called 'shameful' by Israel after an audience member suggested Hitler decided to kill six million Jews because he was 'antagonised' by a Rabbi in New York who urged people to boycott German goods. And Cabinet minister David Lidington said he was 'genuinely horrified' that the event was allowed to be held in Parliament. The male audience member, described as an ultra-orthodox Jew, said Hitler was antagonised 'over the edge' by the American Zionist Rabbi Stephen Wise, who caused the Nazi leader to 'systematically kill Jews wherever he could find them'. Footage of the hugely controversial meeting chaired by Baroness Tonge also showed the male audience member referring to a famous quote regularly used by Holocaust deniers to suggest the figure of six million Jews killed by the Nazis was a hoax. The male audience member, described as an ultra-orthodox Jew, said Hitler was antagonised 'over the edge' by the American Zionist Rabbi Stephen Wise (pictured) He won more applause after telling the meeting: 'If anybody is antisemitic, it's the Israelis themselves.' And he compared Israel to ISIS, saying: 'Isis is a perversion of Islam just as Zionism is a perversion of Judaism.' Baroness Tonge was forced to resign the Lib Dem whip in 2012 after claiming the state of Israel was 'not going to be there forever'. But until today she remained a member of the Lib Dems. Later she defended her actions, insisting she did not hear the full 'rant' by the audience member. She said: 'I was chairing, I did not make any speeches, I introduced the speakers and in the course of that meeting there was a great rant. The Palestinian Return Centre said after the event it does not tolerate any type or form of anti-Semitism and refuses to associate the Jewish people with the actions of the Israeli occupation. Advertisement 'We are evaluating these concerns to decide if there is a regulatory role for the commission. As this case is still ongoing, we cannot comment further at this time.' When contacted by MailOnline Mr Greenstein sent a lengthy email repeating claims Zionists aided the Nazis. He added: 'The petition is not aimed at preventing Jews calling out anti-Semitism. I am after all Jewish. 'I organised the fight against the real anti-Semites of the National Front and BNP in Brighton for many years. 'What the petition is aimed at is stopping Mr Falter and co. from accusing supporters of the Palestinians and anti-Zionists of anti-Semitism.' A man who lives around the corner from where murdered Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski's body was found has revealed he noticed an awful smell just 50 metres from where she was discovered. Ian Flannery, 61, spoke exclusively with Daily Mail Australia after reporting his information to police. The man, who has lived in Salisbury Road for eight years describes the area where the murdered mother's body was found as 'generally deserted'. 'I could count on two hands the amount of people I have seen down there since I moved here,' he said. 'Sometimes I come across someone in a 4WD or horse riders. But I don't recall anyone in a van or looking suspicious.' A man who lives around the corner from where murdered Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski's body was found has revealed he noticed an awful smell just 50 metres from where she was hidden Ian Flannery, 61, cycled past the area a few weeks ago and could smell something bad The keen cyclist, who rides four times a week, documented his adventures in a diary which he later gave to police to assist with the investigation The keen cyclist, who rides four times a week, documented his adventures in a diary. 'A few weeks ago I rode past there and could smell something bad. 'Sometimes you will come across a rotting kangaroo or something and that's what it smelt like.' Now Mr Flannery wishes he had done something about the smell which he believes was probably coming from where Ms Ristevski's body was found beneath a log - just 50 metres from where he cycled. 'I really thought the smell was a kangaroo even though I could never see anything. 'I wish I had got off my bike and had a look around, but then I don't know how I would have reacted if I had found her.' Ms Ristevski's 'badly decomposed' body was discovered in bushland (pictured) on Tuesday, eight months after she disappeared on June 29 Mr Flannery wishes he had done something about the smell which he believes was probably coming from where Ms Ristevski's body was discovered between two logs (pictured) The fallen tree trunks (pictured) where Ms Ristevski's body was hidden under were so big it was not possible to see her body unless you were standing directly above them Borce Ristevski has always maintained his innocence in his wife's disappearance and death (they are pictured together) Mr Flannery handed his diary into police and told officers about the smell which was documented in a number of entries over a few weeks. 'They checked the diary and asked me to describe the smell. 'But I guess because in my mind I thought it was an animal carcass and because I have never smelt a decomposing human body before I can't describe it any other way.' Since Ms Ristevski's body was found there has been an 'eerie' feeling in the area Mr Flannery said. 'I have only been down there on my bike once since and I kept looking over my shoulder thinking someone was there or watching me but I didn't see anything. 'I guess it is going to take a while to get back to normal.' Mr Ristevski on Wednesday visited his lawyer, who said his client was the number one suspect (Mr Ristevski is pictured arriving at the building and ignoring questions from media) Since Ms Ristevski's body was found there has been an 'eerie' feeling in the area Mr Flannery said A bushwalker found Ms Ristevski's body under a large log on Mt Macedon, about 52 kilometres from her Melbourne home Ms Ristevski's 'badly decomposed' body was discovered in bushland on Tuesday, eight months after she disappeared on June 29. A bushwalker found the body under a large log on Mt Macedon, about 52 kilometres from her Melbourne home, and contacted police about 12.30pm on Monday. The fallen tree trunks she was wedged between were so big it was not possible to see her body unless you were standing directly above them. Her phone reportedly pinged a tower in Gisborne - about 11 kilometres from the site - on the day she went missing. Ms Ristevski's phone reportedly pinged a tower in Gisborne - about 11 kilometres from the site - on the day she went missing Borce Ristevski (centre right) the husband of missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski and their daughter Sarah, 21 Ms Ristevski was last seen leaving her home on Oakley Drive in Avondale Heights in Melbourne's north-west (pictured) following an argument with her husband, Borce Ms Ristevski was last seen leaving her home on Oakley Drive in Avondale Heights in Melbourne's north-west following an argument with her husband, Borce. He said she left their family home after a fight, and went for a walk to 'clear her head'. Mr Ristevski was questioned by police immediately after his wife's disappearance, but was released a short time later pending further inquiries. No one has yet been charged in relation to her body's discovery. A woman has faced her attacker in court, three years after he dragged her down a suburban Sydney street with his car. Samantha Giufre, who was 19 when the attack took place on September 7, 2014, suffered the loss of sight in one eye, hearing loss and needed titanium plates inserted to hold her jaw together, reported the Sydney Morning Herald. Bashar Hawchar, 20, appeared in Campbelltown District Court on Friday, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and failing to render assistance after the incident. Scroll down for video Samantha Giufre (pictured) has faced her attacker in court, three years after she was dragged down a Sydney street by a car and left with life-changing injuries, including being deaf in one ear and visually impaired in one eye Ms Giufre (pictured in hospital after the incident) read a witness impact statement to the court and her attacker Bashar Hawchar. She told Mr Hawchar he had shown no remorse at the trial and his actions had ruined both hers and her family's life Ms Giufre stood up to read her victim impact statement and told Mr Hawchar he had both hers and her family's life. 'You showed no remorse at trial,' she said. 'You looked me straight in the eyes and saw what you had done and smiled.' Ms Giufre was meeting friends in Casuala, in the city's western suburbs, on Father's Day in 2014 when the incident took place. Mr Hawchar (pictured) has pleaded guilty to to dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm and failing to render assistance after the incident CCTV footage played in court shows Ms Giufre holding onto the side of the car as it travelled down the road, with her body and legs hanging from an open window Her cousin reportedly gave her a lift about 5pm, and at 6.30pm her parents heard she was in the emergency department. Ms Giufre was on Myall Road near Casula High School with friends after they agreed to buy cannabis. According to a statement of facts, Mr Hawchar said his friend spoke with Ms Giufre before it turned into an argument, and Mr Hawchar's friend told him to 'go'. Ms Giufre pictured before the incident in September 2014 that left her with life-changing injuries Mr Hawchar then reportedly drove off in a hurry. In CCTV footage played in court, Ms Giufre is seen holding onto the side of the car as it travelled down the road, with her body and legs hanging from an open window. When the car reached an intersection, Ms Giufre was thrown from the car and rolled into the gutter. Mr Hawchar told the court he would be forever haunted by what had happened. He said: 'I feel sorry will never mend the hole in your and your family's hearts. If I could go back and change what happened I would.' The case has been adjourned to April 7. The aunt of Utah teenager Sarah Dunsey wrote an emotional post on the 'Help Us Find Sarah Dunsey' Facebook page on Friday, lashing out at the 'cruel' response the family is receiving for maintaining that the teen was kidnapped. Dunsey's unidentified aunt wrote: 'This is Sarah's aunt. It has been very difficult for our family to stay silent, especially the last few days. People can be incredibly cruel. 'Our number one priority is to protect Sarah and the ongoing investigation. 'We cannot share any details, however, we do wish to publicly say that Sarah is a victim, despite other claims.' Scroll down for video Sarah Dunsey's aunt wrote an emotional post on the 'Help Us Find Sarah Dunsey' Facebook page, lashing out at the 'cruel' response the family is receiving for maintaining that the teen was kidnapped Officer Michael Rodriguez of the Las Vegas Police Department told DailyMail.com Sarah Dunsey's mother (left) Amie Ellis 'told us that she was taken by sex traffickers. We found that not to be true.' Ellis was reunited with her daughter at a California hospital. The two are pictured before her alleged abduction Dunsey 'was not kidnapped' and there is 'no evidence any crime has occurred' in Las Vegas, police disclosed to DailyMail.com. The 17-year-old is thought to have left the MGM Grand hotel with two men 'willingly' and without putting up any sort of struggle. Further, sources at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said they were not notified about the case until January 30 a full two weeks after the high school student disappeared. Dailymail.com has also learned that a missing persons report was filed to police the day after the teenager's alleged kidnapping not by her mother in St George, as it was believed, but in Logan, where Sarah lives with her father Michael, 40, and his wife Terri, 39. Sarah was reunited with her father Michael and stepmother Terri (above) on Saturday after being rescued from 'human traffickers' A vigil for Sarah took place on February 18. She was feared to have been abducted in Las Vegas Captain Curtis Hooley of the Logan Police Department told DailyMail.com that Sarah was reported missing on January 16. But she was due to return to Logan on January 3 after a holiday a visit to her mother's home in St George. It is unclear why Sarah's parents did not discuss her whereabouts between January 3 and January 16. Captain Hooley told DailyMail.com that he is 'unsure' of the warmth of the relationship between the two. Further inquiries made in Logan revealed that Sarah had spent time with her mother in St George before traveling to Las Vegas with 'a male acquaintance' on or around January 14. The powder blue apartment complex where Sarah Dunsey was found by the Los Angeles Police Department after having been reported missing from a Las Vegas hotel is pictured Street sign near the powder blue apartment complex where Sarah was found by LAPD On January 15, Sarah visited the casino at the MGM Grand and, according to Logan police who spoke to her male friend, she was seen by her friend leaving with two others. Pressed on whether the teenager appeared to be putting up a fight or unwilling, Captain Hooley said: 'She left with a couple of other males. She did not appear to be struggling. She didn't seem unwilling at all.' Officer Michael Rodriguez, of the Las Vegas Police Department, said: 'Her mother told us that she was taken by sex traffickers. We found that not to be true.' He added: 'There was no kidnap. She was not kidnapped in Las Vegas and as far as we are concerned, there is no evidence that any crime has occurred. 'Just because someone claims they were kidnapped, it doesn't necessarily mean that it's true. We did not find that she was [kidnapped], although it still could be true.' Officer Michael Rodriguez (pictured), of the Las Vegas Police Department, said: 'There was no kidnap. She was not kidnapped in Las Vegas and as far as we are concerned, there is no evidence that any crime has occurred' Sources at the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said they were not notified about the case until January 30 two weeks after the high school student disappeared Officer Rodriguez did confirm that Sarah had been seen at the MGM Grand 'with three friends' but said the police department had been unable to review security footage from the MGM Grand because of the gap between Sarah's visit to Vegas and their receipt of a missing person's report. According to the officer, security footage taken at the hotel is automatically deleted after two weeks unless there is cause for concern. Stan Chmielewski, a security supervisor at the MGM Grand, confirmed this to be the case and told DailyMail.com that footage is dumped after two weeks unless there is a specific police request. Sarah, who was until last year a student at Snow Canyon High School in St George, Utah, vanished in Las Vegas on January 15 and was said by her mother Amie Ellis, 36, to have been taken by sex traffickers. The teenager disappeared from the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on January 15 Sarah left her home in Utah to go to Vegas with her boyfriend. She was finally rescued a month later in Venice, California Todd Ellis (left) told DailyMail.com his stepdaughter had been spending the weekend with her boyfriend in Las Vegas when she was snatched Sarah's mother Amie (above with her stepfather Todd) appeared in the video to urge her daughter to 'fight' her kidnappers The FBI have yet to comment on the case, despite being repeatedly approached by this website. Officer Rodriguez told DailyMail.com that Sarah's case was turned over to the FBI 'almost as soon as we opened it' because it took place in three different states. Captain Hooley, of the Logan Police Department, says Utah officers are also working with the FBI on the case and have turned over what information they have. Danny Dyer's daughter, Dani, threatened a fan who revealed her father's sex texts, telling her, 'If I see you I'll f***ing hurt ya'. The pair are seen at a private screening in London in 2014 Danny Dyer's daughter threatened a fan who revealed her father's sex texts, telling her, 'If I see you I'll f***ing hurt ya'. Dani Dyer, 20, sent the abusive messages after it was revealed the actor had sent the woman a photo of his manhood. Danny exchanged the series of lewd messages with the fan just weeks before he married Jo Mas, the mother of his children, in September 2016. After finding the woman on social media Dani fired off a series of vile comments including, 'karma is a b**** you vile ugly disgusting human being'. And she branded the woman an 'ugly dirty skank' and threatened: 'If I see you i'll f*****g hurt ya.' A friend of the fan told The Sun's Rachel Dale she had been left 'shaken' by Dani's messages and would not be responding to them. Dani also sent the woman a message asking: 'What you think you are some sort of a f****** cool person trying to make yourself famous for 5 minutes?' She later added: 'Slag slag slag that's what you were made to be now bend over you dirty whore.' Dyer is currently on an extended break in South Africa to recover from his party lifestyle and the pressure of starring in the soap, in which he plays pub landlord Mick Carter. After finding the the woman on social media Dani - seen with her father in London - fired off a series of vile comments including, 'karma is a b**** you vile ugly disgusting human being' One of the messages that Dani sent to the woman. Her father is currently on an extended break in South Africa According to the young mother, who he met at an Essex book signing event the previous year, Dyer told her 'bend over and show me that bottle' - cockney rhyming slang for her backside. And on June 27, just nine weeks before his wedding to Ms Mas, he sent the woman a picture of his privates poking out of his boxer shorts. Despite the texts, a source close to Dyer told Mark Jefferies ofThe Mirror that Ms Mas is not planning to break up with her husband. The couple have another daughter, Sunnie, and a son, Arty. The source said: 'This was a bit of fun between Danny and a girl that has got a bit out of hand. 'There was no relationship, it was nothing serious and Jo is not about to split up with the love of her life over a few messages. 'Everything we have heard suggests Jo will stand by her man.' Jo, who met Dyer in 1995, is said to have kicked him out of their house after he went out drinking with Lilly Allen. The same thing is reported to have happened when he was linked with Billie Piper in 2011. Dani branded the woman a 'slag' and added: 'that's what your [sic] were made to be now bend over you dirty whore' Dani Dyer, 20, sent the abusive messages after it was revealed the actor had sent the woman a photo of his manhood in a series of texts (pictured) Along with Dani (pictured) the couple have another daughter, Sunnie, and a son, Arty Dani, seen with Danny in Hyde Park, London, in 2011, also sent the woman a message asking: 'What you think you are some sort of a f****** cool person trying to make yourself famous for 5 minutes?' There have also been reports Dyer's family fear he may develop a sex addiction. An Eastenders source told The Sun: 'A number of people close to Danny, including members of his family, close friends and people here, realised he was on the wrong track sexually. 'Obviously he has battled issues with drink and drugs but they don't want him to be heading down path towards sex addiction. 'There has been incident after incident involving other women and it's impacting his life and could cause damage to his career in the future if he doesn't sort it out.' Dyer has not commented on his break from the show, remaining silent on social media, but it has also been alleged that Danny became embroiled in a backstage feud with co-star Steve McFadden prior to his sudden departure from the soap. Last month, he was seen being led out by security following the National Television Awards in London. Last month, Dyer was seen being led out by security following the National Television Awards in London Dyer pictured with his wife Joanne Mas - who he has been accused of cheating on again - at a Dynamo show in March 2016 A friend of the starstruck fan embroiled in sex texts scandal told The Sun: 'She's heartbroken. She genuinely thought something might happen with him.' It is far from the only time the actor has been led astray by another woman during his 20-year relationship, but it is the first incident to emerge since he tied the knot. It June 2014, it was reported he had 'spent the night' with a 21-year-old student after meeting her in a club and was allegedly pictured naked on her mobile phone. Earlier that year, Cara Chamberlain, 29, came forward after a night out she reportedly spend with the actor in 2010, which involved partying in a nightclub, and then going back to his hotel room. But he vowed to change and in 2015 said: 'I don't want to go there again. I have cheated in the past and I suffered the consequences quite badly. 'Jo's always been the girl for me. Those things happened a long time ago and what we've got together is much more important than that.' MailOnline has contacted Dyer's representatives for comment. Buying property in the increasingly-unaffordable Sydney market will 'set you up for life', the NSW Government insists. Despite average prices rising at $222 a day and doubling in the past eight years, Planning Minister Anthony Roberts said everyone should get their foot in the door. 'Once you are in the Sydney housing market you are pretty well set then for the rest of your life,' he told reporters at a new apartment development in Olympic Park. Experts blamed the city's housing crisis on investors gobbling up houses and immigration forcing up demand. Buying property in the increasingly-unaffordable Sydney market will 'set you up for life', NSW Planning Minister Anthony Roberts insists The new government declared affordable housing its 'number one' priority, as Mirvac's upcoming apartment development (right) set aside 60 of 690 flats for first home buyers Part of that policy will likely involve encouraging developments like Mirvac's new high-rise project in Olympic Park (above) But Mr Roberts insisted there was no bubble in the Sydney market and urged young first-time buyers to get a foothold to take advantage of the upward trend. 'There is no bubble here. There might be a slowing down of growth. But the way the population is moving, and the population trending, which is upwards, you will find house prices will continue to rise,' he told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'What I want to do is to get people into the market place and then they can be beneficiaries of the increase in the value of their property.' The new government headed by Premier Gladys Berejiklian declared housing affordability its 'number one' priority, but is yet to announce a plan to tackle it. Mr Roberts said he was putting together a policy that would be announced in the 'very near future'. Part of that policy will likely involve encouraging developments like Mirvac's new high-rise project in Olympic Park. The three tower blocks will include 690 flats, with the first 60 priced a $575,000 to $749,000 and set aside for first home buyers for only a five per cent deposit. Mirvac's three tower block development will include 690 flats, with the first 60 priced a $575,000 to $749,000 and set aside for first home buyers for only a five per cent deposit. Sydney's market is so overpriced, more than 200 people lined the streets in 35C heat to inspect a rental property in Stanmore last month A housing affordability survey last month ranked Sydney as the second more unaffordable city in the world behind only Hong Kong But only three per cent of the 10,000 new homes slated for the Western Sydney suburb in the next decade are set to be affordable homes priced below market rates. Mr Roberts also ruled out changes to negative gearing, saying Sydney was an 'international city' and therefore paid 'international prices'. He flatly opposed the Federal Government changing the rules either, claiming watering down or abolishing negative gearing would affect states where 'quite frankly, housing affordability is not a problem'. The median house price now stands at $1.1 million, 12.2 times the average annual wage, and dropping to $850,000 when units were included A housing affordability survey last month ranked Sydney as the second more unaffordable city in the world behind only Hong Kong. The median house price now stands at $1.1 million, 12.2 times the average annual wage, and dropping to $850,000 when units were included. It doubled since 2009, increasing 16 per cent in the past year alone, with the most sought-after suburbs rising by more than $1,000 a day. Did Elkos one and only bookstore have to close? We wish the answer was no. Saturday is your last chance to visit the shop, which has served residents well for the past quarter-century. The family business was a welcome addition to our isolated city. Back when it opened, residents looking for a particular book would head to the Rancho Plaza and place their order, which was cheerfully filled within a week or so. As the years progressed, more people started ordering their own books through online stores such as Amazon. Even more recently, shoppers could tap a few keys on their computer or tablet to instantly receive an electronic book, at less than the cover price. Those are pretty big changes for any business to survive. Business magazines have run dozens of articles in recent years about how bookstores have been struggling to compete, as more and more fell victim to the Amazon Effect. The phenomenon of online shopping has cut deep into not only bookstores but all sorts of general merchandise. Walmart has even had to close some of its stores in smaller markets because it cant compete with Amazon. The latest casualty in Elko is Kings, the Idaho-based variety store that has served Spring Creek for many years. With the advent of large-box retail stores and the internet, anyone with a computer can buy from millions of vendors around the world, stated the company, which is closing after more than a century of serving the region. The closure of Elkos Bookstore has been in the works for several weeks, and the owner said no one was interested in purchasing it. An antique shop in the mall plans to move into the location. Is Elko just too small to support a bookstore? In Twin Falls, where the market is nearly three times the size of Elkos, there are three book stores a Barnes & Noble,Deseret Books, and a mom-and-pop store. Our city has seen the arrival of several stores in recent years that many residents never expected to come here. Books may be different, but even the retail book business was showing signs of a resurgence in some places. Printed book sales rise for first time in four years as ebooks decline, declared one headline in May 2016. According to a report from the American Booksellers Association in February 2016, the number of independent bookstores in the United States had increased 27 percent since 2009. Digital continues to be an incredibly important part of the industry, but it would appear there remains a special place in the consumers heart for aesthetic pleasure that printed books can bring, Publishers Association chief executive Stephen Lotinga told The Guardian newspaper. Even Amazon itself started opening physical bookstores in select cities over the past year. For a bookstore to remain successful, it must improve the experience of buying books, said a 2013 article in The Economist, quoting architect Alex Lifschutz. The atmosphere is vital, he adds. Exteriors must buzz with activity, entrances must be full of eye-catching presentations and a bar and cafe is essential. Elkos Bookstore tried adding a cafe. Physical bookstores still serve a vital role as showcases for books, Alexandra Petri stated in the Washington Post. Their ability to bring us into contact with hundreds of things we did not know we wanted is not to be underestimated. Elkos Bookstore did that, too, but many customers would then go home and order what they had seen from Amazon. The store put as much emphasis on used books as new ones. Customers could bring in their old books and receive a credit toward purchase of other used books all they had to pay was the sales tax. It was a good deal, but not the kind of deal that could pay the rent. We plan to stop by one more time before they close, if only to say thank you for serving us for the past 26 years. We wish them luck in their future endeavors, and hope that one day real books make enough of a comeback to support a retail bookstore in Elko again. Liz Truss in her role as Lord Chancellor Some of the countrys most senior judges have been awarded sweeping pay rises of 11 per cent in a deal quietly approved by ministers, it was revealed yesterday. The salary hikes, which follow a loud and public campaign by leading judicial figures, will add nearly 20,000 to the pay of a High Court judge this year, and more than 22,500 to that of an Appeal judge. They have been granted by Justice Secretary Liz Truss despite a continuing pay cap for other public sector workers which means that most are held down to rises of 1 per cent a year. The decision to give some of the highest-ranking judges a pay boost was said by Miss Trusss officials to be necessary to make sure we attract the very brightest talent and help stop our exceptional judges from leaving early. But critics questioned the evidence that judges are quitting the bench and said the judiciary has been singled out for special favours that should not have been granted. Those who have been pressing for more pay include the countrys most senior judge, Lord Chief Justice Lord Thomas, who published a survey two weeks ago in which the most senior judges agreed their 200,000-plus salaries are not reasonable. Lord Thomas said that judges could not make as much money as barristers, from whose ranks most judges are drawn, and who in some cases earn millions in a year. In the light of the substantially greater remuneration available to the most able practitioners in private practice, these matters are vital to our ability to attract candidates and retain judges of the highest calibre, the Lord Chief Justice said. Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, also joined the chorus of complaint. Lord Neuberger, who earlier this month declared that some press criticism was undermining the judiciary for no good reason, said in a speech this week that there is no doubt that the heavy workload of a judge coupled with the increasing gap between judicial pay and the rewards of successful private practice means that appointment to the High Court is significantly less attractive than it was. The pay rises have been styled by Miss Truss as a temporary recruitment and retention allowance. They will go to an unknown number of the 25 Appeal Court judges and 100-plus High Court judges who are calculated to have lost out in reforms of the judicial pension scheme pushed through by David Camerons government in 2015. Lord Neuberger said there is no doubt that the heavy workload of a judge coupled with the increasing gap between judicial pay and the rewards of successful private practice means that appointment to the High Court is significantly less attractive than it was Other public sector workers have seen their pensions made less generous in recent years as ministers have tried to reduce high and rising costs to the taxpayer, and very few private sector employees have escaped major pension reductions over the past decade. But only judges have won any compensation for reductions to their pensions. Last autumn more than 200 judges took their pension complaints to an employment tribunal, with some represented by the controversial law firm Leigh Day, where a founder and another partner face misconduct charges over discredited claims of abuse by British troops in Iraq. An employment judge ruled in January that the reforms discriminated against younger judges. Miss Truss pay hikes will apply to judges who were affected by the pension changes, including those appointed to judicial posts since April 2012, or those who were in their jobs in April 2012 but aged under 51 years and six months at the time. High Court judges are now on 179,768, so with the new 19,774 allowance those who qualify will earn 199,542 this year. Court of Appeal judges get 204,695, so with the temporary allowance of 22,516 and they will if they meet the right criteria get 227,211 this year. The allowances will be paid up to June next year, when the Senior Salaries Review Board will publish a review of judicial pay, which is widely expected to be sympathetic to the judges claims. The increases were announced to judges by Chancellor of the High Court Lord Justice Vos, who circulated his colleagues with a message which said that Miss Truss recognised that a fair and effective remuneration scheme was critical to the continued attraction and retention of high calibre judges, and that she fully understood the current concerns around pay and pensions. A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: It is absolutely paramount that we get the right people into the High Court, which also offers a crucial pipeline into the higher judiciary. We are introducing a temporary, targeted allowance to make sure we attract the very brightest talent and help stop our exceptional judges from leaving early. But criminologist Dr David Green, director of the Civitas think tank, asked: Is there any evidence that judges are quitting. I have not seen any. Strict rules designed to prevent corruption say that judges who step down cannot return to the courts to work as barristers or solicitors. Dr Green said: The proper principle is simple. Pay restraints which apply to everyone else in the public sector should be applied to senior judges. The Government appears to be making an exception and it shouldnt. I do not oppose proper pay for judges pay is a mark of respect and also makes corruption a lot less likely. But when there are pay constraints for others they should not get an increase. To All Whom Are Concerned, As many if not all of you are aware from news reports a beautiful fourteen year old Kanata girl passed away this week as a result of a drug overdose. What hasn't been reported as of yet is that Chloe Kotval was the third Kanata teenager to die of a drug overdose in the last eight weeks. Many of you that are receiving this initial email are aware of this. Sean O'Leary wrote the letter after learning about the death of Chloe Kotval (pictured) who died from an apparent drug overdose The two other children that have died were a 17 year old girl and a 16 year old boy. At this time the families of these two other children do not want the publicity of having their children's names and causes of death known and unless I am told otherwise I will respect their wishes. If I know of three in Kanata you can be assured there are many more. My sixteen year old daughter Paige is also a drug addict/abuser. I feel so sad for the parents of the children that have died. But even worse than the sadness I have for them is the fear I/we and many others live with every day that is so real. My first thought every morning is to check that Paige is alive. It is a nightmare of a way to live life especially when you have other children and have to try to make their lives as normal as possible. Paige has been an addict/abuser for about 20 months. Our family dealt with it the best we could with the limited resources that are available to families in situations like ours. The nightmare that we have lived for 18 months was nothing compared to the nightmare our lives turned into starting on December 31 at 1030PM. At that moment I arrived home to find a 17 year old boy dead in my garage. Thankfully I arrived when I did and that one kid was not high and she had called 911, we performed CPR, eventually got his heart going and then the paramedics arrived. I put a post on 'Bell's Let Talk'. Since then I can't even to begin to explain what we have been through. I personally know the names of eight Kanata teens whom have overdosed in the last two months Sadly the deaths that have occurred are only the beginning. If you look at statistics from any other communities where the kids started getting hooked on counterfeit opioids the prognosis for our community and our children does not look promising. The point of this letter is not to discuss my families problems and/or the problem in general. Most of us know there is a problem. We have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars on psychologists, counsellors etc. etc. Our daughter has spent 10 weeks at the Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre. I have locked her at home, chased her around, grabbed her off the streets, walked in to people's homes uninvited to take my daughter out of there, we have had paramedics and police to our home numerous times. O'Leary's daughter, Paige (pictured) has gone to counselors, psychologists and spent time at a youth treatment center for her addiction But here we sit not knowing day to day whether our beautiful little girl will be alive tomorrow. I have talked to a few parents of other addict/abusers in Kanata and their stories are all the same. I do not know the answer nor am I any closer to finding the answer than when I first started seeking it. I do know that when any of us have questions or need help having 2 families asking is better than one. Having 10 families is better than 2 and so on. The only people that really know what is going on are the kids and they need help. My goal is not to try and solve the drug problem. It has been going on for many decades but never before right now have the drugs been indiscriminately taking our children's lives. I do not know how many families are suffering the same fate as us right now but I know there are many. The first thing I would like to do is have a meeting with as many parents of addicts/abusers as I can find. We have all experienced the futility of dealing with this scourge on our own. We the parents of these kids and future kids need to unite for ourselves and for our kids. Please forward this to as many people you know whom have teenage kids. I will keep all reply's confidential unless permission is granted otherwise. If they want to come to the meeting great or I can send them notes after our discussion. Primary focus will be making sure everyone is aware of what resources are available, what treatments are available, use of Soboxone and if it is working. Ottawa Health will give us full support and supply Naloxone Kits, Training etc.. Then we can have an open discussion of ideas, questions to be asked etc The days of the saying 'They need to hit rock bottom before getting better.' are over. Sadly in most cases today rock bottom is a slab at the morgue. Sean O'Leary An 18-year-old is accused of brutally raping and killing his 20-year-old roommate before abusing her corpse. Austin Lance Grammer was arrested in Siloam Springs, Arkansas on Wednesday after police found Leslie Perry's dead body inside the home where they were lived last week. The teenager now faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, rape, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Leslie Perry, 20, was found dead inside a home in Siloam Springs, Arkansas last Friday Her 18-year-old roommate Austin Grammer was arrested on Wednesday over her death He is currently being held at Benton County Jail where his bond has been set at $150,000. Authorities were called to the home following reports of a death on late on February 17. Police arrested Grammer five days later following an investigation into the victim's death. The pair are believed to have worked together at a local cafe. Grammer, who was born and raised in Arkansas, moved to the Siloam Springs area three years ago. His father, stepmother, sister and brother-in-law live nearby, the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports. Authorities were called to the home where they lived following reports of a death on late on February 17. Police found Perry's body inside Friends and family described Perry as a 'beautiful, sweet' girl following news of her death Grammer now faces multiple charges, including manslaughter, rape, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. His bond was set at $150,000 His alleged victim had attended school in Siloam Springs after moving with her family from Tifton, Georgia where she was born. Friends described her as a 'beautiful, sweet' girl who was always willing to lend a hand. 'Leslie Perry you where a beautiful young sweet girl who never deserved this. We all love you and justice will be pursued,' a friend wrote on Facebook. Perry was an avid horse rider since the age of two and had competed in various horse shows, according to her obituary. 'She had a special way with horses and enjoyed spending time with them in the pasture,' it read. The 20-year-old had also played softball for many years. Grammer is scheduled to face court on April 3. Two grenades dating back to the Second World war were found in a suburban New York nursing home. They were discovered in the refrigerator of a nursing home resident, and prompted an immediate evacuation of the facility. The Tappan Zee Manor Nursing Home in Clarkstown, New York, was evacuated on Friday afternoon while police searched the facility, but residents were allowed to return within hours. Two grenades dating back to the Second World war (pictured) were found in the refridgerator of a resident at a suburban New York nursing home Police searched the property for additional explosives, and also searched the 91-year-old resident's car, reported the Journal News. The Journal News reports the Tappan Zee Manor Nursing Home was evacuated Friday afternoon while police searched the facility and the 91-year-old resident's car for any additional explosives. The Tappan Zee Manor Nursing Home in Clarkstown, New York (pictured), was evacuated on Friday afternoon while police searched the facility, but residents were allowed to return within hours Clarkstown police say no other devices were found during the search. The two grenades were removed by the Rockland County sheriff's bomb squad, who will X-ray them to see if they're live. Residents were allowed to return within hours. Authorities say the man who owned the grenades, who has not been identified, was out of the nursing home for medical treatment at the time. A police department in Kentucky removed 'Blue Lives Matter' decals featuring the Marvel comic character The Punisher from their patrol cars after public outcry. Catlettsburg Police Chief Cameron Logan, who helped create the decals as a way to 'give back to the police officers', said both the city council and mayor approved of the design, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. While many locals were supportive of the decals, others said the message was dismissive to the Black Lives Matter movement. Critics also pointed out that the Punisher is a vigilante who fights crime through brutal means like torture, murder and extortion - making the association with a police force a disturbing one. Catlettsburg Police Chief Cameron Logan (left) helped create the decals for the patrol cars (left), which featured a Punisher skull design with the words 'Blue Lives Matter' Logan enlisted a decal business in Louisiana and the large design, featuring the Punisher skull with 'Blues Lives Matter' emblazoned over it, was added to the patrol cars in December. The police chief defended his decision to the Lexington Herald-Leader, saying: 'That design is basically to give back to the police officers. Our lives matter just as much as anybodys. 'Im not racist or anything like that, Im not trying to stir anything up like that. I consider it to be a 'warrior logo'. 'Just 'cause it has 'Blue Lives Matter' on the hood, all lives matter. That decal represents that we will take any means necessary to keep our community safe.' Logan added that the city council consisting of six people, along with Mayor Randall Peterman, had approved the designs. When images of the patrol cars were posted on Kentucky Going Blue, a Facebook page dedicated to supporting law enforcement officers, the response was enthusiastic. While many locals were supportive of the decals, others said the message was dismissive to the Black Lives Matter movement Critics also pointed out that the Punisher character (left) fights crime through brutal means like torture, murder and extortion. But the logo has been used widely among law enforcement and servicemen (right) But critics wondered how much the decals cost, while others said it was dismissive to those who had suffered at the hands of the police. Richard Brown, who was elected to the city council after the decals were approved, questioned why the police department would waste money on the decals. He added: 'Theyre risking their lives and I understand that. I just think its a little bit strange. Theres been a lot of people mistreated by police, and their lives matter, too, like that guy in North Carolina.' Brown was referring to Keith Lamont Scott, who was shot dead in September by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer in North Carolina. Scott's death prompted protests around the country, and Officer Brentley Vinson was been cleared of criminal charges. Other critics of the decal said the Punisher skull, which has been used widely among servicemen. One Reddit user wrote: 'Channeling the Punisher seems like a really poorly thought out message for a law enforcement agency to be putting out there.' Wendi Deng skipped town on Friday morning and made her way down to Washington DC for a weekend visit with best friend Ivanka Trump. She was spotted entering the First Daughter's $5.5million Kalorama in the middle of the afternoon, with a $8,500 Hermes Kelly bag on her shoulder, an overnight bag in her hands and a pair of $995 Proenza Schouler boots on her feet. Wendi was quickly whisked inside and did not emerge before the sun want down on Friday, suggesting she will be at the home spending Shabbat dinner with Ivanka, 35, her husband Jared Kushner and their three children. It has been over a month since Wendi last saw Ivanka during the inauguration, and the timing of this visit could not have been better for the 48-year-old ex-wife billionaire Rupert Murdoch to sneak away for a few days. Her daughters Grace and Chloe have been away in Europe all week while on their school vacation, and her 21-year-old boytoy Bertold Zahoran is busy working in Spain. Company: Wendi Deng traveled down to Washington DC on Friday afternoon to visit her friend Ivanka Trump (Debg above on Friday) Reunited: Rupert Murdoch's 48-year-old ex-wife had not seen Ivanka since the inauguration over a month ago Anticipation: Ivanka was not seen leaving the house at all on Friday, with Arabella appearing to be off from school and the arrival of Wendi (above) Strike a pose: Ivanka and Wendi were all smiles the last time they were together at an event in January (above) Ivanka seemed to be pretty excited about the visit, as she was not pictured leaving the house on Friday. Her husband Jared was up and out the door early that morning to head to the White House for another day at the office, while Ivanka stayed with the couple's three young children. Ivanka's daughter Arabella is on vacation from school this week it appears, and she got to take a field trip to the Supreme Court earlier in the week to sit in on oral arguments in a case alongside her mother. Wendi and Ivanka have had to make some big adjustments over the past five weeks as they have gone from seeing one another every few days when they were in New York City to not being able to meet up for over a month. The last time the two ladies were seen together was at a pre-inaugural ball the night before President Trump's swearing-in ceremony on January 19, with both women posting photos from the evening on their social media accounts. Wendi was one of the select few incited to attend the dinner and reception in honor of President Trump just hours before he was sworn into office. Her attendance at the event came as no surprise given her close relationship with Ivanka Trump, who Deng hosted a dinner for at her $34m New York City penthouse apartment before she headed off to DC in January. Wendi was spotted chatting with Ivanka throughout the evening and also posing for a few photos with the nation's newest first daughter, who attended the event with husband Jared. Unfortunately for Deng however, her boyfriend Bertold was unable to join her on that trip as well, with the Hungarian-born model busy walking the runways in Milan and Paris for Men's Fashion Week Fall/Winter 2017. Halfway through the night, Wendi posted a photo of herself on Instagram with her head laying on Ivanka's shoulder, writing: 'Congratulations @IvankaTrump.' Up and at it: Jared Kushner was photographed on Friday morning as he headed in to work at the White House (above) Pricey pick: Wendi Deng carried an $8,500 Hermes Kelly bag with her on Friday (above) Style star: Deng added some flair to her outfit with a pair of $995 Proenza Schouler boots on her feet (above waiting at the door) It was another busy week for Ivanka In Washington DC, who after initially stressing the fact that she would not seek a role in her father's administration has proved herself to be an unofficial proxy of sorts for the billionaire businessman. On Monday, she made a very public plea for tolerance after an astonishing 11 Jewish centers received bomb threats, writing on Twitter: 'America is a nation built on the principle of religious tolerance. We must protect our houses of worship & religious centers.' Tuesday it was off to the Smithsonian National Museum of African-American History and Culture for a tour of the facility alongside Ben Carson and her father in his first ever visit to the location. He had previously said he would visit on Martin Luther King Jr. Day last month, but then cancelled the visit around the same time he engaged in a feud with civil rights leader John Lewis. Ivanka stopped by another landmark on Wednesday when she and daughter Arabella, 5, sat in on a hearing at the Supreme Court. White party: Ivanka was one of the select guests who attended the girls' 2010 baptism ceremony in the River Jordan (front row l to r: Ava Jackman, Anneka Mudoch, Grace Murdoch, Chloe Murdoch, Rupert Murdoch. second row l to r: Deborah Lee Furness, Wendi Deng, Queen Rania of Jordan, Nicole Kidman. third row l to r: Bert Sugarman, Kathy Freston. fourth row l to r: Ivanka Trump, Hugh Jackman. fifth row l to r: Jared Kushner, Larry Page, Tom Freston) Making it work: Wendi posted a photo of herself and Ivanka at a pre-inaugural ball in January (above), the last time the two were together Field trip: Ivanka Trump visited the Supreme Court of the United States with daughter Arabella in Washington DC on Wednesday (above) Quill, girl: 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach her about the judicial system in our country firsthand,' wrote Ivanka, who also added '#ImportantLessons' She later posted a photo of her visit to the Supreme Court with Arabella, who was carrying a goose-feather quill, and wrote about how exciting it was to give her daughter a firsthand look at the branch of government her grandfather is least fond of these days. 'Arabella and I visited the Supreme Court this morning and attended a hearing,' wrote Ivanka on the post. 'I'm grateful for the opportunity to teach her about the judicial system in our country firsthand. #SCOTUS #SupremeCourt #ImportantLessons #MotherDaughter' The tone of Ivanka's tweet was markedly different than the ones President Trump has been sending out over the past few weeks, including one in which he declared: 'Our legal system is broken!' On Thursday Ivanka met with local business owners at the Greater Baltimore Urban League in the morning. Earlier in the day, Ivanka also sat in on a meeting for her father, who has kept a low profile in the wake of his administration's decision on Wednesday night to revoke protections for transgender students in schools. Ivanka was part of the Workforce of the Future meeting and discussion, joining Vice President Mike Pence, small business administrator Linda McMahon, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and several CEOs from the manufacturing industry. What could it mean: An architect was seen leaving the home on Friday morning with new renderings for the home Busy at work: prepoerations got underway on Friday for what looked like an event later that day at the home (employee carrying in flowers above) Stnading guard: Ivanka's Secret Service agent was also stationed outside for most of the day (above spaking with an employee), suggesting she was indoors with the children and not at the White House Chef: A man in an apron was also seen entering the home later that day (above) The close bond between Wendi and Ivanka was revealed one again earlier this month when news broke that Ivanka was one of five people on a board tasked with overseeing the trusts of Grace and Chloe Murdoch, Wendi and Rupert's two daughters. A rep for Ivanka later confirmed the Financial Times report, stating that she was a part of the trustee board both during and after the election, stepping down from her role at the end of December. Iavnka and husband Jared Kushner were also part of the select group invited to Jordan in 2010 for Chloe and Grace's baptism, who are now 13 and 15 respectively. They attended the event alongside Queen Rania and the girls' godparents Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. The two girls were baptized in the River Jordan at the same site where Jesus Christ is said to have undergone the sacred ceremony. Others who attended the baptism ceremony included Google co-founder Larry page and his wife, Lucy; former Viacom head Tom Freston and his then-wife Kathy; and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair. Blair, another of the of the godparents to the girls, was not featured in a Hello spread of the baptism. Guests at the event all wore white for the ceremony. Six University of Connecticut students have been charged with alcohol-related offenses in relation to the death of a student who was run over by a fire truck after leaving a party last year. The male students had been hosting an off-campus party at a fraternity-affiliated house on October 16, which 19-year-old Jeffny Pally had attended. Police say Pally, a sophomore from West Hartford, had been sitting with her back against the garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex at around 1am after leaving the party. Scroll down for video Jeffny Pally, 19, died when she was run over by a fire vehicle after attending an off-campus party thrown by six male students from the University of Connecticut in October She was then run over by a fire vehicle responding to a call that turned out to be a false alarm. Pally's body wasn't found until about 30 minutes later when firefighters returned. The teenager died from injuries to her head and torso, the medical examiner's office determined. Her blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit in Connecticut when she died. The driver of the vehicle wasn't charged and the tragedy was ruled an accident. Patrick Callahan, Matthew Moll, Dylan Morose, Austin Custodio, Dominic Godi and Jonathan Polansky were charged on Friday. Patrick Callahan, Jonathan Polansky and Dylan Morose were three of the six charged on Friday in relation to Pally's death in October Matthew Moll, Dominic Godi and Austin Custodio range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts The charged students range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Callahan, Moll, Morose and Polansky were charged with permitting a minor to illegally possess alcohol. Custodio is accused of buying the beer and vodka for the party, while Godi allegedly took it to the venue. Two additional students have been charged in connection with the false alarm. They were all released pending their arraignment in Superior Court in Rockville on March 8. It couldn't be immediately determined if they had lawyers. Pally's blood alcohol content was more than three times the legal limit in Connecticut when she died on October 16 Pally, a sophomore from West Hartford, had been sitting with her back against the garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex (above) at about 1am after leaving the party The teenager died from injuries to her head and torso after being struck by the fire vehicle, the medical examiner's office determined A university spokeswoman confirmed the students are still enrolled at UConn but said federal student privacy law prevents the university from saying whether any of them face discipline by the school. The university noted the Kappa Sigma fraternity recently lost its recognition and housing due to off-campus incidents in September and October unrelated to Pally's death. The fraternity's national office also has revoked the local group's charter. 'Jeffny Pally was a talented, ambitious, promising young woman and her death was a terrible tragedy,' the university said. 'The entire university community joins her family and friends in continuing to mourn her loss.' Advertisement Amal Clooney and her baby bump may have outshone her husband on the red carpet at the 42nd Annual Cesar Awards in France on Friday night, but when George Clooney got on stage to accept his honorary award he stole the spotlight back. Clooney, 55, was honored with the prestigious Cesar dHonneur Award for his services to film. He took the opportunity to criticize President Donald Trump, without directly calling him out by name. In his nearly seven-minute acceptance speech, Clooney addressed the political climate in the US that's already affecting the world. Scroll down for video Its not often that Clooney is overshadowed, but the veteran star was eclipsed on the red carpet by pregnant wife Amal, 39, at the Cesar Awards on Friday night in Paris George Clooney, 55, was honored with the prestigious Cesar dHonneur Award for his services to film at the 42nd Annual Cesar Awards in France on Friday night. Clooney used the opportunity to criticize President Donald Trump In his nearly seven-minute acceptance speech, Clooney addressed the political climate in the US that's already affecting the world French actor Jean Dujardin, who was onstage with Clooney in order to translate his speech for the French audience, added his own dig: 'Donald Trump is dangerous for the world' Clooney said in his speech: 'As we stand here today the world is going through some pretty momentous changes, not all for the best. As citizens of the world were going to have to work harder and harder not to let hate win' 'As we stand here today the world is going through some pretty momentous changes, not all for the best, 'Clooney said. 'As citizens of the world were going to have to work harder and harder not to let hate win. 'Love trumps hate, courage trumps fear and always right trumps wrongs.' French actor Jean Dujardin, who was onstage with Clooney in order to translate his speech for the French audience, added his own dig: 'Donald Trump is dangerous for the world.' Clooney and Dujardin previously starred alongside each another in the 2014 movie The Monuments Men. This is the latest example of Clooney speaking out against Trump. In a February 22 interview with The Daily Beast, Clooney called Trump a 'Hollywood elitist' due to his numerous TV and film credits. 'Donald Trump has 22 acting credits in television... He collects $120,000 a year in his Screen Actors Guild pension fund. Uhh? He is a Hollywood elitist,' he said. But at least Trump was relatively successful in the industry, he said, unlike his chief strategist, Steve Bannon, who Clooney called a 'failed film writer and director'. 'He wrote a Shakespearean rap musical about the LA riots that he couldnt get made. He made a lot of money off of Seinfeld. Hes elitist Hollywood, I mean thats the reality,' Clooney said. And Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo and France's foreign minister pushed back at Trump for insulting the City of Light on Friday in a speech. Trump evoked his friend Jim, 'a very, very substantial guy,' in an address at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Jim used to be a regular visitor to Paris, Trump said, but hasn't made the trip in four or five years because 'Paris is no longer Paris'. 'Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris,' the president said in an apparent reference to last year's Bastille Day attack in Nice and the 2015 Paris attacks. He said Jim used to visit Paris each summer. 'It was automatic... He wouldn't miss it for anything.' 'Now he doesn't even think in terms of going there. Take a look at what's happening to our world folks and we have to be smart. We have to be smart. We can't let it happen to us,' Trump said. Pregnant Amal Clooney struggled to contain her emotions as she watched from her vantage point in the audience Hidalgo tweeted a photo of herself alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie and said: 'To @readDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTour Effel we celebrate the dynamism and spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie.' In another tweet, with the hashtag #Donald&Jim, Hidalgo said American tourist reservations are up 30 per cent in 2017 so far compared to last year. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault offered his own proof that Americans like not just Paris but all of France: '3.5 million Americans visited France in 2016,' he tweeted. 'They will always be welcome.' Clooney used the red carpet to speak up for Paris as he headed into the awards ceremony. 'Yes, no one wants to go to Paris anymore because it's horrible here, apparently,' he said as he entered the theater. 'We have some things to work on in the United States,' he said, without ever naming Trump. In a veiled illusion to France far-right presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen, Clooney added: 'I think you guys have some of the same issues here so... good luck.' Clooney's Cesar speech wasn't all political. He also paid an emotional tribute to his wife, who is pregnant with twins, adding: 'To my wife Amal, there isnt a day that goes by that Im not proud to be your husband. 'And I am excited about the years to come, and particularly the months to come. I love you very much.' Amal's growing baby bump was evident as she posed for photos alongside her husband Clooney's mother, Nina, recently revealed the couple are expecting a boy and girl. In an interview with RadarOnline, the 77-year-old former city councilwoman shared her excitement over the expected June arrival for Clooney and his glamorous wife. 'It will be one of each! Yes, a boy and a girl. Thats what Ive been told,' she said from her Kentucky home. 'How marvelous! My husband and I are extremely excited.' Clooney recently spoke for the first time of his 'excitement' at the news that he and Amal, 39, will be welcoming twins this summer. The actor said: 'We are really happy and really excited. It's going to be an adventure. We've sort of embraced it all with arms wide open.' Speaking to French program Rencontres de Cinema, Clooney said his friends were 'very supportive' of the news, despite having given him a hard time at first. 'Then it got really quiet,' he said. 'And they all just started making baby crying noises, and the whole table just busted up laughing.' Parenthood has been a long time coming for George, who will be 56 by the time his twins are born. Clooney, who once swore he'd never remarry or have children of his own, met the Beirut-born human rights lawyer in 2013. He traded in his bachelor status after proposing to Amal in April 2014. Brenda Lin was on a tropical school holiday to New Caledonia, completely unaware her whole family had been brutally murdered. Then 15 years old, she only discovered the horror when a friend sent her a link to a news article on Facebook that included a photo of her two-storey house in Sydney. 'Thats my house,' she recalled in an upcoming Sunday Night interview, of when she read the coverage of the July 18, 2009, killing that left her an orphan. 'It was such a surreal sort of feeling, I think I was in so much shock. I didnt believe it.' Scroll down for video Brenda Lin found out her whole family was brutally murdered via a link to a news article sent to her on Facebook that showed her house in Sydney But she wouldn't know for two years it was her uncle Robert Xie (pictured), whom she went to lived with, who beat her parent, brothers and aunt to death with a hammer on July 18, 2009 Ms Lin got the first flight home and was met by her aunt and uncle Kathy and Robert Xie who tried to comfort her. 'As soon as I saw my aunt she gave me this massive hug. She was crying as well and I think thats when I knew it was all real,' she said. What she didn't know, was that it was her uncle Robert who bashed her parents Min and Yun, her brothers Henry and Terry, and aunt Irene to death with a hammer. For almost two years the teenager lived with Xie until he was arrested in May 2011 and charged with the five shocking murders - finally jailed for life two weeks ago. Her parents Min, 45, and Lily, 43 were killed after being bludgeoned with a 'hammer-like object' by Robert Xie A furious struggle took place in the bedroom of her two young brothers Henry (L) , 12, and Terry (R), 9 - but both were killed by their sinister uncle 'He was someone that I trusted... He was definitely not a murderer in my eyes. He was just an uncle,' she said. 'I'd give anything to have my family back.' During that time, police saw Xie 'uncomfortably' touch his niece and she has since accused him of sexual assaulting her multiple times, though no charges were laid. Ms Lin, who is now in her 20s, will reportedly break her silence and reveal the 'sexual motive' behind his horrific crimes in the tell-all interview on Sunday. Prosecutors argued Xie killed Ms Lin's parents, brothers and aunt so that he could have unfettered access to the teenage girl. The court heard during his that trial Xie touched her inappropriately and the assaults became more frequent when she had to move into his home after the killings. Ms Lin gave a powerful speech to the court at Xie's sentencing, detailing her grief and betrayal, and how she didn't get to say goodbye to her parents. Irene - Brenda Lin's aunt - was the fifth member of the family to suffer a horrendous fate at Xie's hands Ms Lin, who is now in her 20s, will reportedly break her silence and reveal the 'sexual motive' behind his horrific crimes in the tell-all interview on Sunday 'I do not even know how to begin to express how the murder of my immediate family have impacted my life there are not enough words to describe the pain and suffering caused me and those around me,' she said. 'Being a prideful teenager I did not say anything to my father, I just stood there awkwardly and thought to myself "it is just going to be a week, I am going to see them again really soon". 'To this day, my biggest regret was not hugging (my father) and telling him I loved him, to say thank you for being an amazingly loving and caring parent. 'It has been seven-and-a-half years since I have lost my family. That's seven-and-a-half years without a loving mother, seven-and-a-half years without a loving father. Ms Lin gave a powerful speech to the court at Xie's sentencing, detailing her grief and betrayal, and how she didn't get to say goodbye to her parents Xie was two weeks ago sentenced to five lifetimes in prison for the murders 'Seven-and-a-half years without two exuberant brothers who were my best and closest friends and seven-and-a-half years without an extremely kind aunt. 'In this time I have finished my HSC, was accepted into uni, got my first part-time job and learnt to drive. But I have achieved all these things without my family beside me. 'These inherently happy moments are now at most bittersweet, they have now become a painful reminder of the family I have lost and I will never see again.' Xie was sentenced to five lifetimes in prison for the murders of Min and Lily, aged 45 and 43, her two younger brothers Henry, 12, and Terry, 9, and her auntie Irene, 39. Sunday Night airs at 8.30pm on February 26 It was the act of public generosity that highlighted the need to preserve Englands green and pleasant land. But nearly a century after the citizens of Eastbourne clubbed together to stump up 100,000 for a public subscription to buy the farmland around Beachy Head, the council is now planning to sell off the 3,000 acres in a bid to boost its finances. The farmland, which has been owned by the public since 1929, is being considered for sale for 25 million by Eastbourne Borough Council and has prompted cries of betrayal from the plans opponents. Beachy Head could be sold to developers in a 25 million deal, despite the council saying it would never do so At the time of the purchase, the council had said it would preserve in perpetuity the rolling chalk downland and continue to allow public access to it. Arguments made by the outraged opponents of the councils plan have claimed that the move could lead to the farmland being earmarked for development and that despite the 3,000 acres being part of the South Downs National Park it would be difficult to stop potential owners from building on the land. Brenda Pollack, of the Keep Our Downs (KODP) public campaign, told the Telegraph: The coastal area around Beachy Head is one of the most beautiful landscapes in England. While the council proposes to retain this narrow coastal strip, the four farms it is proposing to sell, form a highly accessible and important backdrop to this area. At the time of the purchase, the council had said it would preserve in perpetuity the rolling chalk downland and continue to allow public access to it Although this is farmland, there is a deep concern that remaining fragments of chalk grassland - an internationally rare habitat - will decline. Under public ownership there has been a linking up of chalk grassland areas, safeguarding of archaeological treasures and management which has improved public access. Once in private hands there will be no guarantees on how the land is managed. Despite being in the National Park, piecemeal damage - such as conversion of farm buildings, ploughing grassland, temporary shelters, new fences and farm roads can all work to change the landscape and dont always require planning permission. If residents back the land sale, then it will be offered to local landowners as well as the Chatsworth Estate, and four tenant farmers in the vicinity. The Belle Tout lighthouse at Beachy Head But some campaigners have voiced concern that the council may try and bully residents into backing the sale. Simon Boyle, an environmental lawyer and member of KODP, said: They are deliberately using scaremongering tactics by saying that it is a choice between the downs or vital public services. believe that there are alternatives. The council has already raised 5m for Devonshire Park. The private sector should be willing to partner with the council. In response the outcry, the council is to hold a public poll and give the residents an opportunity to express their views on the potential sale. Residents will have until March 3 to make their decisions. In a statement the council told the Telegraph: Contrary to some reports, the farms will remain farms, access across them will remain unchanged, as will the strict protection and controls that are enforced by the South Downs National Park Authority. CARSON CITY The third week of the 79th session of the Nevada Legislature brought forth another lengthy list of bills, including a hearing for SB106, which would raise the minimum wage. Lengthy comment was heard and multiple exhibits were submitted to the committee. This bill is the first of a few that Republicans in both houses have marked as a line in the sand that they plan on battling. Additionally, AB99 went to committee, which would require foster homes, juvenile detention facilities, child care facilities and mental health facilities to treat children in accordance with their gender identity. The ACLU and several social justice organizations were present to join alumni of the Nevada foster care system in supporting the bill. Tuesday began with a press meeting held by the Hispanic leaders of the Legislature. Leaders discussed a federal memorandum sent to Immigration and Customs Enforcement that could indicate local law enforcement will be utilized for immigration enforcement. When asked if the Hispanic caucus might be able to count on the support of the already spread out rural law enforcement agencies, Assemblyman Nelson Araujo stated that he had hopes of obtaining their support, citing several agencies in Nevada that are staffed with fewer than 30 full-time officers. In the Assembly Natural Resources Committee, the Predator Fund bill was heard, as was a proposed ban on fracking. Opponents of the ban cited safe practices being developed and effectively implemented at the states only current fracking site in Elko County. Wednesday saw the committee hearing on Assembly Joint Resolution 2, which begins the process for amending the Nevada Constitution to come into compliance with the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. On the other side of Carson City, members of the Carson City Working Families Party held a protest against Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., and Rep. Mark Amodei, R-Nev. Protesters were standing against a variety of issues ranging from Hellers support of President Trumps cabinet nominees to the proposed de-funding of Planned Parenthood. Thursday featured hearings on a variety of legislative actions. Lawmakers discussed Senate Joint Resolution 17, a proposed crime victims bill of rights featuring measures to ensure the safety and privacy of crime victims. If passed, the measure will begin its five-year journey to becoming a part of the State Constitution. Additionally, lawmakers heard testimony on a bill that would require public schools statewide to have a library and a librarian. Early session Fridays are characteristically quiet in the Nevada Legislature, and this week was no exception. The Assembly Committee on Commerce and Labor heard testimony on AB105, which requires medical professionals to take a full three hours of suicide prevention training. Emotional testimony was heard from veterans, military family members, and many other concerned citizens in favor of the bill, which has the potential to reduce the suicide rate in Nevada by teaching how to tell the early signs and what to do about them. Las Vegas Republican John Hambricks bill reducing mandatory sentences for instances in which a juvenile is charged and convicted as an adult went before the Assembly Judiciary Committee. Controller Ron Knecht, R-NV, went before the Assembly Government Affairs Committee to speak to a bill which will remove debt collection abilities from the purview of his office. Lastly, the Assembly Health and Human Services Committee heard AB200, under which schools would be required to notify parents if other students are not receiving the required vaccinations for religious or health reasons. Argument against the bill largely centered on the privacy of families who elect not to have their children vaccinated. The Senate Government Affairs Committee held a work session on Eureka Republican Sen. Pete Goicoecheas bill, which would allow county commissions to fill vacant seats and appoint members of certain local governing bodies. The bill was passed through committee, and will return to the Senate floor for a vote next week. A teenage girl has fallen in love with a young man 10,000 miles away in Australia - after accepting his random Facebook friend request. Rebecca Luff, 18, embarked on the long distance relationship after stranger Michael Young, 25, contacted her on social media. The pair grew close and would chat every day but just one thing stood in the way of their fledgling relationship; she lived in the UK but he was residing in Adelaide, Australia. Rebecca Luff, 18, embarked on the long distance relationship after stranger Michael Young, 25, contacted her on social media But despite the 20 hour plus flight time to see each other, the couple said they are determined to make things work. After chatting online for more than a year, they finally met when Michael came to Rebecca's home in Plymouth, Devon, in September 2016. They spent three weeks in each other's company and travelled for a mini-break to Amsterdam. And Rebecca is now taking a three month sabbatical from her job with insurance company TH March to fly out to Australia to meet her Michael's friends and family. But despite the 20 hour plus flight time to see each other, the couple said they are determined to make things work She said: 'When we first met it was like I had known him my whole life, it wasn't awkward at all. We just clicked. 'When we first started talking, I never thought it would be this serious. 'Nobody took us seriously for a long time; I think everyone thought it was all a bit bizarre.' Rebecca said it all started when she casually accepted the friend request two years ago. The pair had been speaking online for months via Facebook and Skype before eventually making things official in December 2015. The couple, who have not seen each other since October 3, have now been dating for a year and a half. After almost five months apart, Rebecca says she can't wait to be reunited with Michael. She said: 'I'm so excited to finally be able to go and visit the places he regularly tells me about, and of course finally get to meet his family and friends properly. 'It's strange because I already feel like I know them, we're Facebook friends and I regularly speak to them when we're on Skype to each other. 'His Nan is letting me borrow her car whilst I'm there so I can travel around whilst Michael is at work, which is lovely. 'The best part is, everyone is so supportive, and my Dad always tells me to do these crazy things whilst I'm young.' After chatting online for more than a year, they finally met when Michael came to Rebecca's home in Plymouth, Devon, in September 2016 The couple plan on travelling around Australia as Rebecca really wants to visit Bondi Beach. 'It would be rude not to, since as I've gone all the way there,' she said. 'I need to tick it off my bucket list'. As for their future, they both know the day is going to come when one of them is going to have to take the plunge and move half way across the world so they can be together for everyday life. Rebecca added: 'It sounds incredibly cheesy, but if it's meant to be we will find a way to make it work'. Gangs of smugglers are offering package deals on Facebook to lure migrants into paying thousands of pounds to reach Europe. Europol said traffickers targeted vulnerable migrants with attractive and unrealistic offers on social media, including sea crossings, fake passports, sham marriages and false work permits. They were even attempting to bribe consular officials from European embassies in Asia and Africa for help slipping people illegally into Europe, said the EUs crime-fighting agency. This is one of a growing number of Facebook pages which offer to smuggle desperate Syrians and Iraqis to mainland Europe for thousands of pounds The traffickers are seeking to cash in on the thousands of middle-class families who are willing to risk their life savings on the promise of a safe passage The shocking scale of people trafficking was identified by Europols European Migrant Smuggling Centre (EMSC), which was established in February last year to tackle the crisis engulfing the EU. In just a year the EMSC said it had gathered information on 17,400 new migrant smugglers on top of the countless number already operating inside Europe. Fastest growing criminal sector And it revealed that a staggering nine out of ten migrants reaching Europe had paid gangs. It reiterated warnings that terror groups were using migrant smuggling networks to sneak jihadists into the EU. Islamic State fanatics have posed as refugees fleeing war and persecution. The report will spark fresh concerns that Islamist extremists are lurking undetected in the passport-free Schengen travel zone. Rob Wainwright, the agencys British boss, said the 3billion trade was the fastest growing criminal sector. A people smuggler uses an image of a luxury liner to advertise services on Facebook Investigators discovered 1,150 social media accounts suspected of being used to recruit migrants a huge rise on the 148 accounts identified in 2015. Their dossier said: Various social media platforms are increasingly used and abused by criminal groups almost without impunity, to openly advertise smuggling services. The majority of smuggling services advertised come under several key categories, with transportation into Europe and false documentation topping the list. Nevertheless, the variety of these services has greatly expanded and nowadays includes offers that suggest criminal groups are also attempting to corrupt embassy and consular officials from European embassies located mostly outside the EU. The men behind the Facebook page, who do not give their names, insist their boats are 100 per cent safe and suggest their customers carry digital cameras and laptops to help them look like tourists and evade capture Bogus passports and other travel documents were delivered to customers across Europe via fast parcel companies before being handed to refugees, the report said. Armies of criminal gangs were helping thousands of migrants make their way through Europe by supplying fake documents. Mr Wainwright said: Over 90 per cent of all migrants that reach the EU have used the facilitation services of a migrant smuggling network. These crime networks are taking mass profits from mass migration.' A Melbourne grandfather 'played dead' after he was shot multiple times in a random attack while bike riding. Kelvin Tennant, 72, was hit with multiple bullets while riding the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail in Everton in the state's northeast about midday last Saturday. Mr Tennant, a retired schoolteacher, speaking for the first time since the frightening ordeal said that he thought he was going to die. 'I knew I was being fired at and I just pretended to be dead so that my attacker might go away,' he told The Border Mail. Melbourne grandfather Kelvin Tennant, 72, 'played dead' after he was shot multiple times in a random attack while bike riding 'I thought I was finished, without a doubt.' Mr Tennant was hit with between four to six .22 rounds with the pellets lodging in his head near his eyes and a number in his chest. He was rushed to The Alfred Hospital where surgeons operated on him on Monday. Mr Tenant said that considering what he had been through he was feeling 'really great' and that he would like to continue riding in the future but wouldn't return to the trail. Speaking on Monday, Mr Tennant's son Nick, said his father believed he was 'about to ride past something the gunman didn't want him to see' . The retired teacher was hit with multiple bullets while riding the Myrtleford-Everton Rail Trail in Everton in the state's northeast about midday last Saturday 'Dad just observed a dark coloured car in an unusual place and before he knew it, a person jumped out and fired shots at him,' Nick told reporters outside The Alfred Hospital. 'The person was behind a bush and they walked towards him.' Daughter Natalie Knox said there was no reason for anyone to target him and he didn't get a good look at the gunman. 'He heard the gunshots but doesn't remember seeing anyone, only a figure,' Ms Knox said. 'He feels blessed and lucky and happy to be here. It was very close.' Susan Carland has compared the campaign against author Yassmin Abdel-Magied to how suspected witches were treated during the Middle Ages. The academic wrote an article for The Saturday Paper examining the treatment of Ms Abdel-Magied after her recent appearance as a panelist on the ABC's Q&A. Ms Carland likened the response to swimming trials - a test used to determine if women were witches which involved them being tied up and thrown into lakes or rivers. Academic Susan Carland (right with her husband, Waleed Aly) has compared the campaign against author Yassmin Abdel-Magied to how suspected witches were treated during the Middle Ages Ms Carland wrote an article for The Saturday Paper about the media's treatment of Ms Abdel-Magied after her appearance on Q&A 'If they floated, they were found to be witches and were executed. If they sank, their innocence was proved but they also generally drowned,' she wrote. Ms Carland wryly referenced the test 'did a brilliant job of keeping people in line' and that it rid society of any individuals that were not liked or trusted. Ms Abdel-Magied, 25, was met with criticism recently when she told Q&A she regarded Islam to be 'the most feminist religion', during a fiery exchange with Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie. A petition calling for her to be sacked from the national broadcaster amassed more than 26,500 signatures by Tuesday afternoon, but the ABC said they would not fire the Sudanese-born writer. During her recent appearance on Q&A Ms Abdel-Magied (left) said she regarded Islam to be one of the most feminist religions, prompting a fiery exchange between her and Tasmaniam senator Jacquie Lambie (right) Ms Carland said Ms Abdel-Magied was being treated by the media as Public Enemy No. 1, commenting that when no evidence of guilt was present, it was created. 'Yassmin's crime was to say that she found Islam feminist. She also said she believed sharia taught adherence to the laws of the land, that culture and faith were often conflated, that killing gay people was against her religion, and that she'd travelled the world telling people how much she loved Australia,' she wrote. 'The response in certain parts of the press was a frenzied, paranoid witch-hunt that saw culpability everywhere.' A petition calling for her to be sacked from the national broadcaster amassed more than 26,500 signatures by Tuesday afternoon, but the ABC said they would not fire the Sudanese-born writer Ms Carland argued that Ms Abdel-Magied is the type of role model Australians need. 'By any measure, Yassmin is the kind of Muslim that people from across the political spectrum claim to want in Australia: 'modern', 'moderate', 'feminist', 'patriotic', 'tolerant', 'liberal'.' She also pointed out the way Sharia law is interpreted and implemented varies in countries around the world. 'The different treatment of women in Morocco or Indonesia the latter the worlds most populous Muslim nation compared with that in Saudi Arabia and Iran, despite all these nations claiming some degree of inspiration from Islamic law, demonstrates that the way sharia is interpreted and implemented is by no means uniform.' Praying for a miracle? Jeremy Corbyn in Stoke yesterday A union baron yesterday gave Jeremy Corbyn a final warning following Labours disastrous defeat by the Conservatives in the Copeland by-election. Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison which has handed Labour 3.5million since the general election, said the party was sliding towards irrelevance under Mr Corbyns brand of hard-Left leadership. Most Labour figures remained silent, although one shadow cabinet member bizarrely claimed the by-election defeat was an incredible achievement. But in an ominous intervention Mr Prentis said his friendship with Mr Corbyn should never stand in the way of candour. He wrote on the New Statesman website: True friends dont let friends lose lifelong Labour seats and pretend everything is okay. Corbyn is the leader of the Labour Party, so while he should not be held solely responsible for Labours downturn, he must now take responsibility for turning things around. Mr Corbyn vowed to carry on despite becoming the first Opposition leader to take his party to a by-election defeat against a sitting government since Michael Foot in 1982. He acknowledged the crushing defeat in Copeland was disappointing but insisted it was not his fault. Veteran Labour MP David Winnick called on Mr Corbyn to consider his position, saying he was an obstacle to the partys hopes of winning at the next election. Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison which has handed Labour 3.5million since the general election, said Labour was sliding towards irrelevance under Mr Corbyns brand of hard-Left leadership Fellow Labour MP John Woodcock, who represents the neighbouring constituency in Cumbria, described the Copeland result as a disaster and warned Mr Corbyn was on course to lead the party to a historic and catastrophic defeat at the next election. Most leading Labour moderates were silent, preferring to stick to their strategy of not allowing Mr Corbyn to use internal division as an excuse for his own failures. One former member of the shadow cabinet said: Its a disaster and its his fault. But we need to give his supporters time to reach the same conclusion. Their inaction prompted former Tory chancellor George Osborne to take to Twitter and say: How much longer is the Labour movement going to put up with its utterly useless, shambolic and frankly embarrassing leadership? Mr Corbyns allies mounted a bizarre attempt to deflect criticism of his hapless leadership. Mr Corbyn vowed to carry on despite becoming the first Opposition leader to take his party to a by-election defeat against a sitting government since Michael Foot in 1982 Shadow cabinet member Cat Smith said: To be 15-18 points behind in the polls and to push the Tories to within 2,000 votes is an incredible achievement. Labours campaigns chief Ian Lavery said: Jeremy Corbyn is one of the most popular politicians in the country. This wasnt in any way an election on the leadership of the Labour Party. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell blamed recent calls by Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson for a second referendum on Europe for fuelling a sense of division in the party. In Copeland, Conservative candidate Trudy Harrison (right) polled 13,748 votes to 11,601 for Labours Gillian Troughton, (left) increasing the Tory vote share by more than 8 per cent as Labours dropped by nearly 5 per cent Former BBC journalist Paul Mason, who is now a close ally of Mr Corbyn, blamed former Copeland MP Jamie Reed, a Labour moderate who quit politics to take up a job in the nuclear industry. Nobody can claim losing Copeland was Jeremy Corbyns fault, he said. The fault lies with the careerist right-winger who abandoned the seat in mid-session to take a better job. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell blamed recent calls by Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson for a second referendum on Europe for fuelling a sense of division in the party Mr Corbyn himself blamed the political establishment, saying it had let down Copeland. The Labour leader comforted himself with the fact that Labour had held off a challenge from Ukip leader Paul Nuttall in the Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, also held on Thursday. During a whirlwind visit to Stoke he said the result had demonstrated that hope triumphs over fear. But the victory was cold comfort for most Labour MPs. Campaigns marred by dirtiest of tricks A leaflet released on behalf of Labours Copeland candidate Gillian Troughton claimed babies will die if the Tories won. In Stoke, Paul Nuttall had to apologise over false claims - blamed on a press officer - that he had lost close friends in the Hillsborough disaster. Mr Nuttall claimed that he had made umpteen complaints to police about activists being assaulted. Mr Nuttall was reported to police over accusations he had committed an electoral offence by listing as his home a property in the constituency which he was not living in. Labour candidate Gareth Snell demanded Mr Nuttall sod off back to where he came from. Mr Snell was forced to apologise for Twitter jibes at women TV personalities several years ago. It emerged Mr Snell had described Jeremy Corbyn as an IRA supporting friend of Hamas who had never had a proper job. CCTV footage was released showing a Ukip canvasser urinating against an elderly great grandmothers fence. Advertisement Making a stop-off in Stoke lasting less than five minutes, Mr Corbyn joined winning Labour candidate Gareth Snell but refused to answer any questions about the partys performance or his leadership. In Copeland, Conservative candidate Trudy Harrison polled 13,748 votes to 11,601 for Labours Gillian Troughton, increasing the Tory vote share by more than 8 per cent as Labours dropped by nearly 5 per cent. It was only the third time since the Second World War that a governing party has taken a seat from the official opposition at a by-election. Millionaire Labour donor John Mills last night urged the party to embrace Brexit or risk further alienating traditional supporters. He said: The big numbers of lost Labour votes are not among metropolitan Remainers but among disaffected Leavers in the 70 per cent of seats held by Labour which had Leave majorities. Two years after race-faker Rachel Dolezal was exposed for living secretly as a black woman, she insists in her new memoir that she did nothing wrong. The 39-year-old made international headlines after her parents, Larry and Ruthanne, revealed she was a white woman pretending to be black. She resigned from her post as the Spokane, Washington, NAACP leader and also lost her job as an adjunct instructor at Eastern Washington University. Dolezal later conceded that she 'was biologically born white to white parents', and compared herself to Caitlyn Jenner, claiming race is 'not coded in your DNA' and should be viewed like gender or religion. Last year, she announced the release of her memoir, In Full Color, on Instagram. The book is set to be published next month. Two years after race-faker Rachel Dolezal (pictured) was exposed for living secretly as a black woman, she insists in her new memoir that she did nothing wrong Her book proposal was shopped to more than 30 publishers before she landed a deal with independent publisher BenBella. In an interview with The Guardian, Dolezal said: 'This is obviously an issue a lot of people want to say things about. And it needs to be talked about, so it's kind of helpful to create a punching bag. 'There's nobody saying, 'Well, that's racist if you say that about Rachel', or 'That's sexist if you say that about Rachel.' In Full Color: Her book proposal was shopped to more than 30 publishers before she landed a deal with independent publisher BenBella 'There's no protected class for me. I'm this generic, ambiguous scapegoat for white people to call me a race traitor and take out their hostility on. And I'm a target for anger and pain about white people from the black community. It's like I am the worst of all these worlds,' Dolezal told the Guardian. Dolezal told the newspaper that she is currently jobless and feeding her family with food stamps. Her friend reportedly helped her pay two months worth of rent and she said she expects to be homeless. Dolezal said she has applied for more than 100 jobs, including a position at the university where she used to teach, but no one will hire her. The only work she has been offered is reality TV, and porn. 'Right now the only place that I feel understood and completely accepted is with my kids and my sister,' Dolezal told the Guardian. She says she has very few friends and despite changing her name on her legal documents, she is still recognized wherever she goes. But her memoir, In Full Color: Finding My Place In A Black And White World will be published in March. Dolezal said she wrote the book because she wanted to 'set the record straight' to both the black and white communities that felt as if she had wronged them. Dolezal said she wrote the book because she wanted to 'set the record straight' to both the black and white communities. She also said she wanted to 'open up this dialogue about race and identity, and to just encourage people to be exactly who they are' The book is described as the story of Dolezal's (center) path from being a child of white Evangelical parents to 'an NAACP chapter president and respected educator and activist who identified as black' She also said she wanted to 'open up this dialogue about race and identity, and to just encourage people to be exactly who they are'. The book is described as the story of Dolezal's path from being a child of white Evangelical parents to 'an NAACP chapter president and respected educator and activist who identified as black'. Dolezal will explore the 'deep emotional bond' she developed with her four adopted black siblings and the 'sense of belonging she felt while living in black communities', according to the synopsis. The $15 hardcover book, which is 256 pages, will also discuss 'the discrimination' Dolezal claims to have suffered 'while living as a black woman'. 'Her story is nuanced and complex, and in the process of telling it, she forces us to consider race in an entirely new light,' the synopsis concludes. 'Not as a biological imperative, but as a function of the experience we have, the culture we embrace, and, ultimately, the identity we choose.' Since the scandal, Dolezal has given birth to her third child, a boy named Langston Attickus Dolezal. Universities will have to declare how many ethnic minority and working class students are awarded top-class degrees, it was revealed yesterday. They will be forced to reveal more detailed information about the attainment levels of different groups under government plans. This will include figures on how many ethnic minorities and disadvantaged undergraduates achieve first or upper second class degrees. Universities will have to declare how many ethnic minority and working class students are awarded top-class degrees, it was revealed yesterday But critics warn that the Government could be compromising degree standards because institutions could look more favourably on some students when awarding degrees. Ministers have previously announced plans to double the proportion of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and increase the number of BME (black and minority ethnic) students entering higher education by 20 per cent with both targets set for 2020. The Governments Higher Education and Research Bill already requires institutions to publish application, offer, acceptance and completion rates broken down by gender, ethnicity and socioeconomic background. But ministers yesterday tabled a series of amendments to their own Bill, including extending this duty to the whole student lifecycle, forcing universities to publish details of students final attainment. A document explaining the amendments said the rules will spur action by institutions. It added: There is a difference between the proportion of white students and BME students obtaining a degree award of a first or a 2.1, which cannot be explained by factors such as prior educational attainment. Universities Minister Jo Johnson said the Government aims to strengthen the opportunities for those students from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds to fulfil their potential' Universities Minister Jo Johnson yesterday told a Universities UK conference in London that the Government aims to strengthen the opportunities for those students from disadvantaged or non-traditional backgrounds to fulfil their potential. But Professor Alan Smithers, who directs the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, warned it was vital that students should be admitted and graduate from university on merit. He said: In essence, universities will be looking over their shoulders to make sure that the black students and white working class students are actually doing well. An 18-stone jazz fan who sued Ronnie Scotts after falling down the stairs was simply fat, drunk and careless in her platform heel shoes, a judge found yesterday. Eren Hussein, 53, blamed dim lighting at the famous Soho club after breaking her wrist and elbow in her fall. She had sought thousands in damages, but after a civil trial a judge threw out her claim, saying the fall was not the clubs fault. Overweight reveller, Eren Hussein, 53, who broke her wrist and elbow falling down stairs at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in Soho, London, was fat, drunk and careless according to a judge overseeing her damages claim Judge Heather Baucher QC said Mrs Hussein, a company director, did not bother to take care by holding a bannister as she went down the stairs. In her inebriated, obese state on 3in platforms, that would be an obvious, simple step for anyone presented with what they saw as a hazard, she added. Mrs Hussein said in the High Court last week she had been at a birthday party with her pregnant daughter-in-law when she fell at the jazz club in March 2012. She missed a step outside an upstairs lounge, then tumbled down one flight, round a corner and down another, she said. It was dark, it was dim and I didnt see my step as I was going down, she added. I tumbled over and over and over and I injured myself very badly. I recall landing on my neck and the back of my head as well. The mother, who has since shed five stone, said she was walking down the left side of the stairs, while the bannister was on the right. But Judge Baucher said this would not have prevented her using the rail as the stairs were just a metre wide. Mrs Hussein, at 115kg (18 stone), must have taken up much of the width of the stairway, but for some inexplicable reason, she did not use the handrail, she added. Earlier, Mrs Hussein said she had drunk no more than a glass and a half of champagne and a glass of red wine, and was not tipsy. Mrs Hussein blamed the dim lights inside the club for the fall however the club's barrister Catharine Foster said medical records from her arrival at hospital proved she was drunk But the clubs barrister Catherine Foster said medical records from her arrival at hospital described her as obviously drunk and intoxicated. In her ruling, Judge Baucher found Mrs Hussein was under the influence, but said she may have been affected by painkillers and the fact that she had not had alcohol for six months before the accident. There was nothing wrong with the stairwell lighting, added Judge Baucher, who visited the scene during the trial. Mrs Hussein fell because she had missed her step, something for which Ronnie Scotts could not be blamed, she ruled. Whether due to one or more of the factors painkillers, weight, shoes, drink she simply missed her footing. I find she did so through no fault on the part of Ronnie Scotts. Ronnie Scotts declined to comment. Mrs Hussein did not respond to requests for comment. Former federal MP Ross Cameron has been sin-binned from the the NSW Liberal Party. 'The state executive of Liberal NSW wishes to suspend my membership for 4.5 years,' Mr Cameron tweeted, vowing to respond on Sky News on Sunday. Mr Cameron's suspension followed his scathing attack on NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian last year. Former federal MP Ross Cameron has been sin-binned from the the NSW Liberal Party A NSW Liberal Party spokeswoman said the state executive met on Friday night to consider a motion to suspend Mr Cameron for a breach of the media code in October last year. 'The code is part of the party's constitution, and has been in place for many years,' she told AAP. Cameron, last year accused Berejiklian of sabotaging the prospects of reform because she was either committed to 'authoritarian rule' inside the Liberals or manoeuvring to replace Baird as premier. 'That's either because that's her genuine personal view that she wants to retain an authoritarian party or because she thinks that she will be able to replace Mike Baird with the benefit of factional numbers in a secret backroom deal,' Mr Cameron said. London Stock Exchange bosses have held talks with Ministers five times since its controversial takeover by a German rival was announced. Top brass from the exchange have met prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, as well as chancellors George Osborne and Philip Hammond over the past year. The revelation came as 40 City grandees signed a letter addressed to the Prime Minister and Bank of England governor Mark Carney calling for them to delay the deal. Top brass from the exchange have met prime ministers David Cameron and Theresa May in the past year In the letter, leading figures including former chancellor Lord Lawson of Blaby, Tory party grandee Lord Flight, former Tory party treasurer and founder of CMC markets Peter Cruddas, and deal-maker Luke Johnson, warn of the risk to the UK if the merger is not delayed until after Brexit. City experts believe that London will lose control of the 216-year-old LSE, if the deal is allowed to go ahead. The exchange held a string of meetings with elected officials weeks before the 21bn acquisition by Deutsche Boerse was made public, including one with Treasury minister Harriet Baldwin just days before formal talks began over the controversial deal. It raises questions over what was being discussed at these meetings about the merger. The details of the meetings between the LSE pile fresh pressure on those involved in the deal. They come just days after Treasury officials said they were powerless to stop the takeover. Tory MP Sir Bill Cash said: In light of the contact between ministers and LSE officials, and as Brexit approaches, its essential we have full disclosure about what was discussed. Philip Hammond has met with figures from the London Stock Exchange over the past year We must know the extent to which the Government committed itself to this deal in advance. Since the planned merger was revealed in February last year the deal has been mired in difficulties. It is described as a merger of equals, but Deutsche Boerse boss Carsten Kengeter will take control of the new group, although he has promised to keep the headquarters in London. However, politicians in Frankfurt are angered by this pledge and have demanded the deal be changed. The merger also faces a European competition probe. Meanwhile, Mr Kengeter is being investigated by German prosecutors over 3.8m of Deutsche shares he bought days before formal talks began on the tie-up after which share prices went up. Despite all these concerns, UK Government officials have so far failed to launch an investigation of their own. Yesterday, 40 City grandees demanded the deal be delayed. In an open letter they called for a decision on the merger to be stalled until April 2019. Critics have called for the deal to be delayed until April 2019 amid concerns about the impact of Brexit The letter said: We are free marketeers and welcome foreign direct investment. However, the exchange is a national asset and in the wake of the merger would be majority owned by Deutsche Boerse. The commercial logic would be for the new owners to build on Londons reputation, but the political risk is that the UK is forced to cede control to Frankfurt. That would be bad for London. An analysis of ministerial diaries reveals a string of meetings between LSE bosses and the most powerful politicians in the land. It is understood that City spinners employed by the LSE have been approaching politicians - including Treasury committee members - outside Government to urge them not to challenge the deal. Despite rising concerns about the deal, few in the City have been willing to speak out. The LSE and Deutsche have recruited 12 major investment banks to work on the proposal and win support in the Square Mile and they will pocket a share of fees worth up to 305m if it goes ahead. The LSE has also recruited veteran banker Sir Simon Robey to champion the merger, through his investment house Robey Warshaw. He is seen as one of Londons most influential figures with a bulging contacts book. Meanwhile, former City minister Mark Hoban is a non-executive director of the exchange. LSE staff met ministers no fewer than ten times between October 2015 and September last year. Former City minister Harriett Baldwin joined them on three occasions in October alone as part of a Government drive to strengthen ties with China. She then held a private meeting with bosses in December days before formal talks on the takeover began although it is not thought to have been on the agenda, with the focus instead on business in Singapore. LSE officials held private talks with ex-Chancellor George Osborne in May. It is not clear if this meeting featured discussions of the takeover It is claimed the tie-up was not discussed on any of these occasions. In January 2016, a business advisory group whose members include LSE chief executive Xavier Rolet met then-Prime Minister David Cameron. The deal was made public the following month. LSE officials then held private talks with ex-Chancellor George Osborne in May. It is not clear if this meeting featured discussions of the takeover. There was another business advisory group session with Mr Cameron in June. A month later, Mr Rolet met both Chancellor Philip Hammond and Prime Minister Theresa May as part of a team of financial services chiefs seeking to influence the Brexit negotiations. This team met Mr Hammond again in September. Although it is unclear whether the takeover was discussed at any of these meetings, they show the cosy relationship between top officials and the business. Earlier this week, MPs demanded more public scrutiny of the tie-up in a Westminster Hall debate. Tory MP Anne Marie Morris said: We are putting at risk one of our most valuable assets. Whatever we think of the merger, this is not the right time. We will cause instability in the market if we carry on with it. Fellow Conservative MP Anne Main said: The merger should not proceed in such a febrile and shifting period as a result of our Brexit negotiations. Two of the MPs who spoke in support of the LSE takeover have previous links with the organisation. SNP politician Kirsty Blackman, who said the deal was not about trying to write Britain out, has invited LSE officials to her constituency next month to talk to small businesses about accessing finance. And Tory Stephen Hammond praised the savings which would stem from the takeover. Four years ago, he was invited to open the exchange while serving as shipping minister. One MP said LSE spinners had been leaning on politicians to encourage them not to speak out against the deal. Theres been a huge lobbying effort on this theyve been speaking to everyone and reminding them about the work the stock exchange does, he said. It suggests to me that they want to prevent a major debate in Westminster. 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'He has never shot his weapon in the line of duty,' said attorney Larry Hanna, representing the LAPD cop who went into hiding yesterday after an angry mob smashed windows and vandalized vehicles at his Anaheim home the night following the shooting incident. Hanna - who refused to reveal his client cop's name - said that he is a patrolman who has been with the Los Angeles Police Department for about five years. During that time, Hanna told Dailymail.com, 'There is nothing significant in his record with LAPD that is bad or negative in any way. He has never been disciplined and I don't know if he's had any commendations.' The off-duty LA police officer who fired his gun during a confrontation with teenagers has never used his gun in the line of duty, his lawyer said. Pictured, a damaged car on the cop's property Protests broke out after video footage of the confrontation between the police officer and a group of teenagers went viral. Pictured, a scratched pickup truck at the cop's home Attorney Larry Hanna claimed the cop 'took a serious blow to the head that made him dizzy and almost caused him to pass out' The off-duty cop could be seen grabbing onto 13-year-old Christian Dorscht by his sweater and trying to drag him through the hedges before he pulled out his gun The police officer's tranquil life off duty at the quiet suburban home he shares with his elderly parents was turned upside down February 21. He got into a pushing and shoving battle with a group of youths - which ended with him pulling his gun from his waistband and firing it into the ground. During the melee with the teens - which was caught on video - the officer 'was bleeding and took a serious blow to the head that made him dizzy and almost caused him to pass out,' Hanna told Dailymail.com. 'The paramedics looked at him but he declined to go to the hospital.' Hanna added: 'What led to the incident in the first place was one of the teens said to him, "I'm going to shoot you." That's why he grabbed that boy, intending to detain him until local police arrived.' In a video of the altercation, the cop can be heard claiming the 13-year-old said he was going to shoot him. But the teen quickly responds: 'I didn't say that. Why you lying? I said, 'I'm going to sue you'.' Hanna claims the teen threatened the cop by saying he was going to 'shoot' him, but the 13-year-old can be heard clarifying in the video that he said he was going to 'sue' him Moments later in the clip, another boy charges the off-duty cop and knocks him over in an attempt to free his friend. But the cop does not let go, and instead reaches into his waistband and pulls out his weapon. Seconds later, a shot rings out and the group of teens quickly run away from the house. The LA officer's 69-year-old father - who has a muscular disease and was on crutches watching his son battling the teenagers - called 911 and Anaheim cops showed up to arrest a 13 year-old and 15 year-old. Video footage of the incident, which quickly went viral on YouTube and Facebook, caused a protest with 300 people, some of whom showed up on the LAPD officer's street - West Palais Road in Anaheim - smashing windows and daubing ugly graffiti on his home and neighboring properties. Protesters marched through the main shopping district of of Anaheim along Euclid Street after the video footage went viral The dramatic scene was documented by many on social media who posted pictures of the police and protesters Two lawsuits have already been filed against the LAPD and Anaheim police. Some prominent locals have condemned the cop's decision to fire his gun. Others have called for him to be fired. Anaheim Mayor Tom Tait was one of those who criticized the cop saying, he was 'deeply disturbed and frankly, angered.. it should never have happened.' But his reaction brought an angry response from the officer's lawyer, Larry Hanna, who told Dailymail.com: 'The mayor has no right saying this officer made a mistake. 'It's wrong for the mayor to pass judgement before the investigation into this incident is even finished. The mayor is just fomenting the crowd of protesters. Let the investigators do their job before you start speaking out. 'Instead of doing that the mayor should be doing something about the increase in crime in the area of Anaheim where this happened. 'I have had people calling me up saying they're leaving the area because of vandalism and other crime that the mayor is doing nothing about.' The Mayor of Anaheim, Tom Tait (pictured, center), said he was 'deeply disturbed' by the incident There are two ongoing investigations into the incident, one by Anaheim police and the other by Los Angeles police from whom the involved officer is on paid leave, added Hanna - who declined to say where his client is now. The cop and his parents have since fled in fear of vandals who smashed windows and spray-painted garage doors in protest over the footage on Wednesday night. Edie Gulrich, 74, the cop's neighbor, said 'obnoxious' teenagers often walk across the grass in front of the cop's home in Anaheim, Caifornia, where he lives with his elderly parents. 'He was just trying to get those kids to stay off his lawn and they just ganged up on him. Hes the nicest guy you could ever meet, always very polite and low key. I didnt even know he was a police officer till two nights ago when this happened.' Neighbor Edie Gulrich, 74, defended the cop, and said: 'Hes the nicest guy you could ever meet' She said the cop had been living at the house for the past three years caring for his elderly parents. 'I feel really sorry for him (the officer) but even more so for his parents. Theyre both in their 70s. Hes on crutches and not well. It must be very frightening for them. They dont deserve this. During the scuffle on Tuesday, she poked her head out her front door after hearing raised voices but he told her to stay indoors. 'It was one of the scariest experiences of my life. I heard shouting outside and when I opened the door to find out what was going on, I saw him (the cop) involved with a bunch of kids. 'He wasnt screaming abuse or yelling - it was the kids who were yelling. In fact, when he saw me, he said, very calmly, "Go back in the house."' Edie said that the officers lawn in front of his house, since its on a corner, is often used as a shortcut by teens leaving the nearby high school and skate park. Tiger Air have launched a tantalising flash sale with flights from as low as $19. Travellers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Sydney can fly to Brisbane for just $19 one way in their Saturday flight fever. TigerAir are also offering the reverse flight from Brisbane to Sydney for $19. TigerAir's insane flash sale ends at 4pm on February 25 Sydneysiders looking to go further north can fly to Cairns for just $39, but both wild fares are only on sale today ending at 4pm on February 25. If the Gold Coast is your destination of choice travellers from Sydney can jet off for only $59 one way. Melbournians looking to travel across Bass Straight to Hobart can fly for $39 one way. The budget airline is allowing travellers who purchase the flash sale deals to fly between August 15 - September 6. Leslie Jones faced backlash after making a joke about white people who claim to support Black Lives Matter during her stand-up routine in New York. Jones, 49, said: 'If I see another 45-year-old white woman from Williamsburg saying "black lives matter," I'm going to punch you in the mouth.' Williamsburg is a neighborhood in Brooklyn, New York known for being an epicenter of American hipster culture. The Ghostbusters star and Saturday Night Live cast member added: 'Stop doing that.' Scroll down for video Leslie Jones made joke about white people who claim to support Black Lives Matter during her stand-up routine in New York. The Ghostbusters star said: 'If I see another 45-year-old white woman from Williamsburg saying "black lives matter," I'm going to punch you in the mouth' The Ghostbusters star and Saturday Night Live cast member added: 'Stop doing that.' Some people took to social media to question her joke The joke was part of her routine at Carolines Comedy Club in New York City, the New York Times reported. Other jokes she covered included the hacking of her personal website last summer and protests following the inauguration of Donald Trump. Hackers briefly took over her website last summer, posting a photo of the deceased gorilla Harambe and nude photos of Jones on her website. Jokes Jones covered included the hacking of her personal website last summer and protests following the inauguration of Donald Trump. Some people took to Twitter to blast Jones for what they saw as her criticizing white involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. One user, 'Jewhadi,' wrote: 'Racist. Leslie Jones makes fun of white women supporting Black Lives Matter under the guise of "comedy."' Last year, Jones was trolled by the recently disgraced Milo Yiannopoulous. Others blasted Jones on Twitter for what they saw as her criticizing white involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement. She was compared to an ape and was sent pornography by users. She wrote on Twitter following the controversy: 'I feel like I'm in a personal hell. I didn't do anything to deserve this. It's just too much. It shouldn't be like this. So hurt right now.' Shortly after, Twitter banned Milo Yiannopoulos, the inflammatory right-wing commentator who had been a ringleader of those attacks. Mexican takeaway franchise Guzman y Gomez is creating a virtual drive-thru option for their Australian customers. The company, which launched in Australia in 2005, is now worth more than $180 million and has since expanded to Singapore and Tokyo, with plans to expand into the US in the near future. Guzman y Gomez founder Steve Marks told news.com.au the virtual drive-through was being developed with Google's Zoo team. Mexican takeaway franchise Guzman y Gomez is creating a virtual drive-thru option for their Australian customers 'Say we built our own virtual drive-through, what do we want the guest experience to look like? Were reinventing drive-throughs, critically challenging every step of the process,' Mr Marks said. The virtual drive-through would mean customers order their food via mobile and on tablets instore, and their orders are sent straight to the kitchen. Mr Marks said more than 20 per cent of the company's current orders came through on the app, and one day he hoped it would be 100 per cent. 'I want people to walk into GyG and its like an Apple Store, our salespeople are on their phones, everybodys ordering on the app.' The company, which launched in Australia in 2005, is now worth more than $180 million and has since expanded to Singapore and Tokyo, with plans to expand into the US in the future Mr Marks said he couldn't disclose too much information at this stage of the project. 'I dont know how deep I can get into it,' Mr Marks said. 'We've been talking to them for the past year but everythings been starting to ramp up over the past few months.' Mr Marks said 70 per cent of business comes from drive-through for traditional fast food businesses but it hasn't changed much for the past 40 years. The first physical drive-through stores opened in 2015 with their service times reportedly on par with McDonalds. Guzman y Gomez founder Steve Marks said the virtual drive-through was being developed with Google's Zoo team Mr Marks said more than 20 per cent of the company's current orders came through on the app, and one day he hoped it would be 100 per cent Guzman y Gomez is opening another eight drive-through stores in Australia this year at Acacia Ridge, Maroochydore, Springfield, Capalaba, Burleigh Heads in Queensland, Hoxton Park and Coffs Harbour in NSW, and Bendigo in Victoria. Mr Marks said when the company expands into the US, he anticipates the drive-throughs will be a big hit. He said at the moment there are only a couple of Mexican chains that have drive-through options and they are on the cheaper scale. He said: 'I want people to walk into GyG and its like an Apple Store, our salespeople are on their phones, everybodys ordering on the app' The wife of an Indian man who was killed in what may have been a racially motivated attack said he loved America and 'did not deserve a death like this'. Sunayana Dumala held a press conference just two days after her husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead in Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas. She remembered her husband as a hardworking and 'lovable soul' and said: 'I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?' Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old Navy veteran, is charged with murder and attempted murder charges in the attack that also wounded Kuchibhotla's colleague Alok Madasani, along with Ian Grillot, who tried to intervene. At least one witness said Purinton yelled 'get out of my country' and claimed he heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire, according to the Kansas City Star. He has not been charged with a hate crime. Sunayana Dumala held a press conference just two days after her husband Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was shot dead in Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas She remembered her husband as a hardworking and 'lovable soul' and said: 'I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Pictured, Kuchibhotla (left), with colleague Alok Madasani (center), who was also wounded in the attack, and Dumala (right) Dumala said her husband came to the U.S. in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked in Iowa for six years before moving to the Kansas City area. During a press conference at Garmin on Friday, where her husband worked as an aviation systems engineer, Dumala recounted her concerns about shootings in the US. She would turn to her husband and question their safety in the country, only for Kuchibhotla to reassure her by saying: 'Good things happen in America.' Dumala, who described her husband as 'a very lovable soul', will fly to India for his funeral before returning to Olathe in hopes of fulfilling Kuchibhotla's American dream. But she questioned whether she was really welcome in her adopted home, and asked why someone would target her husband for the color of his skin. Dumala said: 'I have a question in my mind: Do we belong?' Adam Purinton, 51, is charged with murder and attempted murder charges On Wednesday night, Purinton was at the bar of an Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, when he reportedly told an employee that he had just shot 'Middle Eastern' men and needed a place to hide. The employee called 911 at 11.37pm, and Purinton was arrested about 75 miles away from the scene of the crime. Hours earlier, Purinton yelled 'get out of my country' and screamed racial slurs, according to a witness who spoke to theKansas City Star. 'He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally,' Madasani told the New York Times. Purinton was thrown out of the bar before he returned and opened fire at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, police said. Purinton shot and killed Kuchibhotla, police said. Madasani was wounded. Grillot hid under a table until nine shots had been fired. Believing the suspect's magazine was empty, he chased the gunman in hopes of subduing him. A bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, fracturing a vertebra in Grillot's neck although it did miss a major artery. Kuchibhotla died at an area hospital. The other two victims were hospitalized, and Madasani was released on Thursday morning. At least one witness said the gunman yelled 'get out of my country' and claimed he screamed racial slurs before opening fire. Both Madasani and Grillot were wounded Grillot hid under a table before he chased the gunman in hopes of subduing him The 51-year-old veteran reportedly told the Applebee's employee he shot two Middle Eastern men, even though Kuchibhotla and Madasani are of Indian decent. In India, Madasani's father called Wednesday's attack in the Kansas City suburbs a hate crime, but authorities on Friday declined to discuss a motive as they investigated. The shooting swiftly stoked fears about the treatment of immigrants, who feel targeted by President Donald Trump's promises to ban certain travelers, build a wall along the Mexico border and put 'America first.' The president has been especially vocal about the threat posed by Islamic terrorist groups. Local police were working with the FBI. Spokeswoman Bridget Patton said the federal agency's role is to help determine if a civil rights violation occurred. The 51-year-old veteran reportedly told the Applebee's employee he shot two Middle Eastern men, even though Kuchibhotla and Madasani are of Indian decent Pictured, flags at half mast at Garmin, where two of the victims worked Purinton, who is being held on $2 million bond, was moved Friday from Missouri to Kansas. Because he has not yet appeared in court, he did not have an attorney formally assigned to his case. Beverly Morris, who has lived next door to Purinton in Olathe for about 20 years, said he never made her feel unsafe. 'He seemed like a good guy,' Morris said, but 'anybody who knew him knew he had a drinking problem.' Purinton was a veteran, and FAA records from the 1990s indicate that Purinton went on to work as a pilot. He was also licensed as an air traffic controller, although agency spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory says Purinton left the FAA in 2000. A scene of unrest outside one of Melbourne's largest mosques has been captured on camera, as conflict rises over treatment of banned Sheikh Mohamad Abou Eid. The sheikh had been accused of inappropriate behaviour and banned from Preston Mosque, where a large group of men came to blows on Friday, pushing, shoving and shouting at each other. Sheikh Eid was suspended before standing down from his role - he had been told the claims against him could not be proven, The Age reports. Sheikh Mohamad Abou Eid has been accused of inappropriate behaviour and banned from Preston Mosque, where a large group of men came to blows on Friday The video begins as a group of men make their way towards the mosque, one barging into an older gentleman in a blue shirt, who expresses his shock before walking into the group of people. The blue-shirted gentleman appears to be addressing the group surrounding the sheikh, or perhaps the sheikh himself - who can be seen wearing black clothing and dark glasses. The sound of shouting grows and the group press on, past the gates and into the area outside the mosque. The appears to be pushing and shoving between the two groups, with a few men being restrained by their peers. The aggressive exchanges continue until one point where a man climbs onto a car where he and others attempt to subdue the crowd. Eventually the crowds dissipates and the shouting quietens. Sheikh Abou Eid (pictured) told worshippers about his concerns over how the mosque was managed to hundreds of worshippers on the street outside last Friday The appears to be pushing and shoving between the two groups, with a few men being restrained from becoming more violent by their peers Sheikh Abou Eid told worshippers about his concerns over how the mosque was managed to hundreds of worshippers on the street outside last Friday. He said he feared the mosque may have misappropriated donations, and fees paid for burial and school services, The Age reports. 'The Islamic Society of Victoria and some members of the Board of Imams are involved in something bigger than me and bigger than you,' he said. The Islamic Society of Victoria reported allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the sheikh to the Board of Imams. It is alleged he had acted inappropriately with female worshippers, however he has since been informed that the allegations made against him were baseless. The aggressive exchanges continue until one point where a man climbs onto a car where he and others attempt to subdue the crowd A Victoria Police spokeswoman told Daily Mail Australia that they are aware of a number of allegations and are in the process of making further enquiries. 'However no formal report has been made at this time. 'Police are also aware of a dispute taking place between members of senior management of the Preston mosque. 'We hold no immediate concerns for community safety. As this matter is ongoing, it would not be appropriate to provide further detail at this time.' Multiple people used chairs to viciously beat one another at a Bronx, New York, family restaurant, according to police and video footage of the incident. Video captured the chaos at Seafood City on City Island Avenue. The fight kicked off at 9:45pm on Thursday night, police said. People can be seen tossing and using chairs as shields in the restaurant's large dining room. Video courtesy of A1shizz Official Multiple people used chairs to beat one another at Seafood City in the Bronx on Thursday night Video captured people tossing and using chairs as shields in the restaurant's large dining room Some people hurled chairs across the room while others smashed them down onto heads The video emerged Friday on social media with the phrase, 'Dont go to City Island if you cant fight.' Viewers compared it to a WWE pro-wrestling match. By the time police arrived the people involved in the fight were gone. There was no police report filed. It's unclear what started the fight, but Seafood City's management said they believe alcohol was a factor. Seafood City stopped serving alcohol when it closed until further notice at 6pm on Friday, according to signs posted by restaurant management. The fight kicked off at 9:45pm on Thursday night, police said A 49-second clip of the brawl emerged on social media Friday Viewers compared it to a WWE pro-wrestling match Patrons of the typically sleepy restaurant said this fight is the latest in a long string of violent outbursts brought on by a lack of proper security at larger restaurants that line City Island Avenue. John Doyle, a member of the City Island Civic Association, told the New York Daily News that the community has been 'addressing issues at Seafood City for some time now'. 'This is very concerning, but the thing to keep in mind is that this is not a reflection on the community overall.' By the time police arrived the people involved in the fight were gone Patrons of Seafood City said this fight is the latest in a long string of violent outbursts brought on by a lack of proper security at larger restaurants that line City Island Avenue Seafood City closed until further notice at 6pm on Friday Doyle told the New York Daily News that he plans to contact the state liquor authority and has asked the New York Police Department about the use of uniformed, off-duty police officers as security at these businesses. 'If theyre going to bring that volume in they are responsible', he said. 'We need to come up with a systematic approach here, because if were playing whack-a-mole no one wins.' Plans for the first contact between North Korea and the United States after President Donald Trump took office were cancelled after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The talks, between senior North Korean foreign ministry envoy Choe Son Hui and former U.S. officials, were scheduled to take place on March 1 and 2 in New York but were called off after Choe was denied a visa, the Journal said. It was not clear what led the State Department to deny the visa but North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile on February 12 and the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother in Malaysia may have played a role, the report said. Plans for the first contact between North Korea and the United States after President Trump (seen Friday) took office were cancelled after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang The talks were called off after senior North Korean foreign ministry envoy Choe Son Hui (pictured center in June 2016) was denied a visa, it's been reported South Korean and U.S. officials have said they believe North Korean agents assassinated Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of Kim Jong Un, on February 13. A South Korean foreign ministry official declined to comment on the report of the cancelled meeting in New York, saying the reported plan did not involve the U.S. or South Korean government. The U.S. Embassy in Seoul did not have comment. The meeting in New York would have been the first time a senior North Korean envoy would visit the United States since 2011 and the first contact between U.S. and North Korean representatives since Trump took office. It wasn't clear what led to the visa being denied but the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother Kim Jong Nam (seen in 2010) may have played a role, it was reported Choe, director general for North American affairs at the North's foreign ministry, has previously met former U.s. officials and academics, the last time in November in Geneva for informal discussions. Trump said in a Reuters interview on Thursday that he was concerned about North Korea's ballistic missile tests and 'it's a very dangerous situation'. Trump did not ruling out meeting Kim at some point in the future under certain circumstances but suggested it might be too late. North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile this month may also have played a role in the visa being denied, the report said. Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are seen at a press conference responding to the missile launch An elderly U.S. Army veteran will go on trial next month for hanging two American flags at a Veterans Affairs facility. Robert Rosebrock, 74, faces a criminal charge for displaying an American flag without permission outside the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs facility. He also faces a charge for taking unauthorized photos of VA officers. Robert Rosebrock, 74, faces a criminal charge for displaying an American flag without permission outside the Greater Los Angeles Veterans Affairs facility. He placed the flags on a fence during a protest last May of Veterans Affairs's treatment of homeless veterans. Rosebrock served in the Army from 1965 to 1967 and has protested VA treatment of homeless vets every Sunday since March 2008. He and other veterans began to attract some controversy after hanging flag upside-down in 2009, but they stopped doing so in 2010 If convicted, Rosebrock could serve up to six months in prison, Fox News reported. Rosebrock, who has pleaded not guilty, placed the flags on a fence during a protest last May of Veterans Affairs's treatment of homeless veterans. A 1973 VA edict states that individuals may only place materials on VA property with permission. Rosebrock served in the Army from 1965 to 1967 and has protested the VA's treatment of homeless vets every Sunday since March 2008. The charges were filed under the Obama Administration and Rosebrock's legal counsel hopes the Trump administration, and in particular attorney general Jeff Sessions, will see his actions differently He and other veterans began to attract some controversy when they started hanging the flag upside-down in 2009, but stopped doing so in 2010, a representative for Rosebrock said. The charges were filed under the Obama Administration and Rosebrock's legal counsel hopes the Trump administration, and in particular attorney general Jeff Sessions, will see his actions differently. Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told Fox: 'Frankly, President Trump should ask why the VA and his Justice Department are trying to jail this American patriot.' Muslim Imam Shaikh Mohammad Tawhidi has warned that an independent state within Australia is the agenda of radicals, according to an upcoming interview on Today Tonight. The Muslim leader, who has openly spoken out against ISIS and extremists, is interviewed on Seven's Today Tonight and claimed radicals would 'create a country within your country'. 'The agenda is to create a country within your country,' Imam Tawhidi told Today Tonight. Scroll down for video Muslim Imam Shaikh Mohammad Tawhidi said radicals are looking to create an independent state within Australia, according to an upcoming interview on Today Tonight He goes on to claim his religion is suffering at the moment. 'Sadly in my religion, in the current situation, is an absolute mess.' The episode, on Monday night, will reveal the shocking plan for a Muslim state in Australia, funded by taxpayers and foreign fanatics the show's preview reads. Muslim community leader Jamal Daoud, a Sunni Muslim and human rights activist, will appear on the episode. Jamal Daoud has spoken out against women wearing the burqa in the past (Stock Image) Muslim community leader Jamal Daoud, a Sunni Muslim and human rights activist, will appear on the episode Mr Daoud has spoken out against Muslim women wearing the burqa in the past, claiming the move would help with security. 'This will help with security, national security, and preventing terrorist attacks,' he said. 'We support such a move.' The show will air on Monday night at 6.30pm. 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 Forget about traditional burials or cremation the sky's literally the limit when it comes to what people are choosing to do with their remains after they die. More and more people are requesting exotic options including being turned into fireworks, diamonds, snow globes and even vinyl records. According to View Legal director Matthew Burgess the requests for unconventional body disposal options are surging. According to View Legal director Matthew Burgess the requests for unconventional body disposal options are surging, cryonics, pictured, is one of the newer options for Australians Other people are opting to be turned into their favourite records 'There is a significant and growing interest in alternative disposal approaches,' Mr Burgess told news.com.au. The new trends are relating to big bucks for a number of businesses who specialise in the 'body disposal' business. Heart In Diamond who create 'stunningly beautiful diamonds from your loved one's hair or ashes' offer their services from $3,100 for a budget 0.10 carat yellow - orange diamond with prices exceeding $30,000 for their one carat plus diamonds. Another method becoming more popular is cryonic freezing which was made famous in 1967 when Dr. James Bedford, a psych professor at the University of California became the first person to ever be cryonically preserved. Some want to help their loved ones go out with a bang in the form of a firework Southern Cryonics Holbrook in southern NSW is now set to be only the second cryonics plant outside of the US. The estimated cost for people to become frozen will be an estimated $90,000 per person. Mr Burgess said there are up to five requests a year for people to be turned into snow globes post-death. Vinyl records are a popular request among departing baby boomers. Another company, Ashes to Ashes, specialises in making fireworks to spread the ashes of loved ones. But there are many more ways the human body can be laid to rest including mummification and being taken out to sea. Hunter S Thompson's ashes were reportedly 'shot out of a cannon'; Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards who claimed to have 'snorted' his father's ashes; and rap artist Tupac Shakur's whose former Outlawz band members revealed they smoked his ashes after the funeral. Vice President Mike Pence assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work 'tirelessly' on enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. 'If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel,' Pence told the group on Friday night. The Republican administration is 'assessing' whether to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, he said, and has put Iran 'on notice'. Pence's words served as evidence of the fruits of years of the politically active group's labors. Vice President Mike Pence (above) assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will support Israel during the organization's annual leadership meeting at The Venetian Las Vegas on Friday night The Republican Jewish Coalition is funded by billionaire donor Sheldon Adelson and was staged at his casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip, which has become a de facto campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates over the past few years. Speaking before a Shabbat dinner, Pence pledged to keep Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon and to combat the 'endless bias' of the United Nations. 'We're going to keep our end of the bargain', said Pence. 'If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel.' Although Pence reaffirmed that the US would support Israels national security he declined to say whether any agreement would necessitate the creation of a Palestinian state. 'President Trump is personally invested in forging a lasting peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict', said Pence. 'Under President Trump, let me assure you: America will support the negotiation process, but as the president said, any agreement must be reached by both sides. 'While there will undoubtedly have to be compromises, know this: The Trump administration will never compromise the safety and security of the Jewish state of Israel,' he added. The Republican Jewish Coalition's annual conference took place at billionaire donor Sheldon Adelson's (left) casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip The RJC also drew the entire GOP presidential field to its December 2015 forum in Washington. Now, with the first Republican White House in eight years, the group of Republican donors and Jewish leaders was among the first to hear from the new vice president. Pence told the roughly 500 attendees that America's bonds with Israel had already grown stronger under the young administration. President Barack Obama did not have a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many Republican Jews saw the Obama administration as insufficiently supportive of Israel. Pence also ticked through Trump's domestic agenda, saying the president had already brought back American jobs. 'This White House is in the promise-keeping business,' Pence said. Pence's speech to the group of Republican Jewish leaders and donors follows his trip last week to Germany where he visited the former Dachau concentration camp and a surprise stop on Wednesday at a Jewish cemetery in Missouri that had been vandalized The vice president shared stories from his trip to Germany last weekend his first abroad as vice president. He'd paid a visit to the former Dachau concentration camp, where thousands of Austrian and German Jews were among those imprisoned and killed. He was joined on the tour by a survivor of the Holocaust who was at Dachau when it was liberated by American soldiers at the end of World War II. Pence also talked about how this week he had made a surprise visit to a Jewish cemetery in Missouri where more than 150 gravestones had been toppled and vandalized. Speaking through a bullhorn at the site, he said there was 'no place in America for hatred or acts of prejudice or violence or anti-Semitism' and then picked up a rake and helped clean up the cemetery. In Las Vegas, the vice president effusively praised the Adelsons from the stage, saying that they 'in so many ways have given America a second chance' through their political work in the US and Israel. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave more than $20 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, making them among Trump's most generous benefactors, campaign records show. 'Rest assured we're going to keep our end of the bargain, too,' Pence said, thanking the Adelsons and RJC for 'steadfast support' throughout the campaign. The roughly 500 attendees were among the first to hear from the new vice president, who told them that America's bonds with Israel had already grown stronger under the Trump administration Yet, like so many staples of party politics including the conservative activist conference taking place this week near Washington the RJC has fit uneasily with Trump. Adelson, who helps finance the RJC, didn't openly support Trump until the final weeks of the presidential campaign. The wariness was mutual. Trump had called his GOP rivals 'puppets' of Adelson and prompted major heartburn among Republican Jews with his freewheeling comments at the 2015 RJC forum. Trump has been appreciative. At one of his final campaign stops, in Las Vegas, he called the couple 'really incredible people' who have been 'so supportive'. The Adelsons also were front and center for Trump's swearing-in last month, and Sheldon Adelson was one of Trump's first dinner guests at the White House. And Trump picked the leader of the super PAC that landed Adelson's money, Chicago businessman Todd Ricketts, as deputy commerce secretary. Former President Barack Obama and his daughter Malia caught the star-studded new Broadway revival of Arthur Millers The Price. They attended the play, starring Danny DeVito, John Turturro, Tony Shalhoub and Jessica Hecht at the American Airlines Theatre on Friday night. In The Price, a police officer named Victor Franz feels that life has passed him by while he took care of his now-dead father. Franz and his estranged brother must reunite to sell off dad's possessions. Malia Obama and her father, former President Barack Obama, pose backstage at The Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Arthur Miller's The Price on Broadway at The American Airlines Theatre on Friday (L-R) Malia, Barack, Danny DeVito, Mark Ruffalo, Jessica Hecht and Tony Shalhoub pose backstage. Ruffalo plays police officer Victor Franz in The Price (L-R) Barack Obama, Danny DeVito, Mark Ruffalo and Jessica Hecht chat backstage. In The Price, Ruffalo's character feels that life has passed him by while he took care of his now-dead father (L-R) Obama, Mark Ruffalo, and Jessica Hecht talk backstage at the American Airlines Theatre. The Obamas were big supporters of Broadway during his presidency Former President Obama poses with the crew backstage at the American Airlines Theatre. Members of the Obama family have attended numerous Broadway shows Director Terry Kinney and Obama pose backstage at the American Airlines Theatre The Obamas were big supporters of Broadway during his presidency, especially Hamilton, A Raisin in the Sun and Joe Turners Come and Gone. Members of the Obama family also attended Memphis, Kinky Boots, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Sister Act, The Trip to Bountiful, Motown the Musica and The Addams Family. Obama was spotted in Manhattan earlier on Friday, marking the first time the former president has been seen since he took his wife on a post-White House vacation to the Caribbean. Former President Obama was spotted in Manhattan on Friday, leaving an office building in the Flatiron District Hundreds gathered outside the building and cheered Obama on as he got into his car The former president was treated like a rock star, with a crowd of hundreds cheering him on as he left a meeting at an office building in the Flatiron District. He looked to be in full retirement mode, forgoing a tie with his black suit. Photos surfaced last night, showing Obama having dinner with Malia at Emilio's Ballato, an Italian restaurant in Soho. Malia is currently living in the city while she interns at the Weinstein Company. The restaurant, known for its club-like feel, is a hot spot for celebrities, such as Rihanna and Billy Joel. On Thursday night, Obama (third left) was spotted getting dinner with his daughter Malia (second right), at an Italian restaurant in Soho The eldest Obama daughter is currently living in the city while she interns at the Weinstein Co. Above, another picture from the daddy-daughter dinner Thursday night Malia looked to be in good spirits when she showed up to her internship on Friday morning On Thursday, Michelle Obama was seen leaving a SoulCycle class in Washington, DC Michelle Obama does not appear to have joined her husband for this trip. On Thursday, the former first lady was pictured leaving a Soul Cycle class in Washington, DC. The Obama family have chosen to remain in DC so that their youngest daughter Sasha can finish high school. Malia, 18, is set to start at Harvard this fall. She has spent the past year on a gap year, traveling South America and taking on this new internship. Last weekend, she was spotted partying in Aspen with a cohort of fellow rich kids. Accepting an honor from an Irish university on Friday, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese said events today mirror the build-up to World War II. He told an audience at Trinity College, Dublin, where he was made an honorary patron by the University Philosophical Society, that events today seem eerily similar to the late 1920s and early 1930s. He said: 'It's a scary time.' Scroll down for video Accepting an honor from Trinity College, Dublin on Friday, acclaimed director Martin Scorsese said events today mirror the build-up to World War II. He said that 'it's a scary time' Scorsese said that the aftermath of the Iraq War 'had created thousands and thousands of Travis Bickles.' He was in Dublin to accept the award of Honorary Patron from TCD's University Philosophical Society He added that the aftermath of the Iraq War 'had created thousands and thousands of Travis Bickles' who 'have nothing to lose,' the Belfast Telegraph reported. Travis Bickle is the protagonist of Scorsese's 1976 Palme d'Or-winning film Taxi Driver. Bickle, played by Robert De Niro, is a Vietnam War veteran and loner living in New York City who violently lashes out at the world around him. Scorsese will also receive the Irish Film and Television Academy's John Ford award to be presented by Ireland's president, Michael D Higgins. Pictured: Scorsese speaking to students at Trinity College, Dublin He later spoke to a crowd of hundreds of students, some of whom had lined up for six hours. He joins Joe Biden, Al Pacino and Helen Mirren among the few to have received the university's honor. Scorsese will also receive the Irish Film and Television Academy's John Ford award to be presented by Ireland's president, Michael D Higgins. Scorsese has been making films since the 1960s and her oeuvre includes Raging Bull, Goodfellas and The Departed, for which he won the 2006 Oscar for Best Director. His most recent film, Silence, was released in December 2016. Former Labor Secretary and newly elected Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez has already had a scuffle with President Donald Trump. Perez was elected the new chairman after he beat Keith Ellison of Minnesota on a 235-200 vote on the second round. Trump tweeted at him: 'Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!' Trump seemed to imply that Perez would be a failure, thereby helping the Republican Party. Scroll down for video Former Labor Secretary and newly elected Democratic National Committee chair Tom Perez, left, has already had a scuffle with President Donald Trump Trump tweeted at him: 'Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!' Trump seemed to imply that Perez would be a failure, thereby helping the Republican Party But Perez responded with his own cheekiness. He wrote : 'Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. Keith Ellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare' But Perez responded with his own cheekiness. He wrote: 'Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. Keith Ellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare.' Perez, a veteran of the Obama administration, will lead the daunting task of rebuilding the party and heading the opposition to Trump. Members of the Democratic National Committee picked Perez on the second round of voting after one of the most crowded and competitive party leadership elections in decades. Ellison was backed by liberal leader US Senator Bernie Sanders on a 235-200 vote. After he was named chair, Perez picked runner-up Ellison to be deputy chairman in a show of unity. Interim chair Donna Brazile (L) hands the gavel to newly-elected DNC Chair Tom Perez during the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Winter Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia 'We are suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance,' Perez told DNC members before the vote. He promised to lead the fight against Trump and change the DNC's culture to make it a more grassroots operation. Trump was quick to congratulate him, tweeting: 'Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!' During the gathering, Ellison stressed the need for a unified party despite the divisions between establishment Democrats who backed Perez and the liberal wing that favored Ellison. Perez is the son of Dominican immigrants, while Ellison is the first Muslim elected to the US Congress. Hillary Clinton congratulated Tom Perez on his win saying she is excited for a 'strong, unified party.' Perez endorsed Clinton during the 2016 presidential election Senator Bernie Sanders, who had previously backed Ellison, congratulated Perez in a tweet after his win The new DNC chair had been mentioned as Hillary Clinton's possible running mate during the 2016 presidential election. The 55-year-old Democratic leader later campaigned for Clinton and Kaine in the 2016 election. Hillary Clinton tweeted: 'Congrats to [DNC chair Tom Perez] & deputy [Keith Ellison]. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future.' Senator Bernie Sanders also congratulated Perez on Twitter shortly after his win along with former President Barack Obama. 'I congratulate Tom Perez on his election as chairman of the Democratic National Committee and look forward to working with him,' Sanders tweeted. On Saturday Ellison stressed the need for a unified party despite the divisions between establishment Democrats who backed Perez and the liberal wing that favored Ellison In a statement Obama said: 'Congratulations to my friend Tom Perez on his election to lead the Democratic Party, and on his choice of Keith Ellison to help him lead it. 'Im proud of all the candidates who ran, and who make this great party what it is. 'What unites our party is a belief in opportunity the idea that however you started out, whatever you look like, or whomever you love, America is the place where you can make it if you try. 'Over the past eight years, our party continued its track record of delivering on that promise: growing the economy, creating new jobs, keeping our people safe with a tough, smart foreign policy, and expanding the rights of our founding to every American including the right to quality, affordable health insurance. 'Thats a legacy the Democratic Party will always carry forward. I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much.' Earlier today, Democrats were still deadlocked over who should lead their party in the era of President Donald Trump, and headed to the second ballot. Perez fell within two votes of winning the party chairmanship during the first round. Keith Ellison was about a dozen votes behind, leaving the race still undecided with 427 eligible party members set to vote again. Earlier today, Democrats were still deadlocked over who should lead their party. Perez is seen celebrating above The election of chairman of the Democratic National Committee has animated the hundreds of party officials, donors and activists who convened in Atlanta. The unusually competitive race highlights the intensity of Democratic soul-searching after Hillary Clinton's presidential loss, which capped a pronounced slide in the party's fortunes from Washington to statehouses around the country. The third-place finisher, Sally Boynton Brown of Idaho, dropped out but made no endorsement to suggest how her 12 supporters should vote. Neither did Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, who dropped out just ahead of the first round of voting. Three other candidates remained on the ballot. 'We need a chair who cannot only take the fight to Donald Trump but make sure that we talk about our positive message of inclusion and opportunity and talk to that big tent of the Democratic Party,' Perez said. DNC Chair Tom Perez (L) and newly-selected vice-chair Keith Ellison (R) reacts during the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Winter Meeting in Atlanta Ellison told party faithful that they 'are the ones who are going to stand up, rise up and protect the American people.' Both men promised aggressive rebuilding efforts for state and local Democratic parties. The chair campaign has been uncharted territory as Democrats face a power deficit not seen in nine decades. Republicans control the White House, Congress and about two-thirds of US statehouses. The GOP is one Senate confirmation fight away from a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. With Democrats in agreement in their opposition to Trump, the race is likely to turn on who convinces enough DNC members to believe in his or her promises of rebuilding party infrastructure that withered under Obama despite his personal electoral success. Ellison told voting members he has signatures from 750,000 rank-and-file Democrats who support his chairmanship bid. He promised to 'convert them from demonstration energy to electoral energy.' He pledged to prioritize small donations to finance the party, while working to 'organize this whole country.' Perez said he would 'rebuild strong parties' and 'organize, organize, organize' so Democratic nominees could win 'from the school to the Senate in all the states.' As he withdrew from the race, Buttigieg suggested that Democrats already have options for those races. 'There's nothing wrong with our bench,' said the 35-year-old mayor, pegged as a likely statewide candidate in Indiana. 'We just haven't called enough people on the bench ... and asked them to get out on the field.' Perez got into the race at Obama's urging, but he has pushed back on the notion that represents the same 'establishment' label that dogged Clinton's presidential campaign. Ellison has endorsements from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who challenged Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and also from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. For their parts, Ellison and Perez have praised each other and promised unity regardless of the outcome. The winner will succeed outgoing Chairwoman Donna Brazile, who led the party as interim chief in the fallout from disclosure that internal party communications were stolen by hackers and leaked during the 2016 presidential campaign. The most popular dish on any greasy spoon menu could have been the engraving on the money to pay with it, the Royal Mint's chief engraver has said. The classic full English breakfast was considered as an engraving for the new 1 coin, after it was one of the most popular entries in a nationwide competition to design the tails side of the coin. People also suggested David and Victoria Beckham. Gordon Summers told The Times: 'You would be surprised at how many representations of the full English we had. The classic full English fry-up was suggested by many people who gave their ideas to the Royal Mint for the tails side of the coin 'We only really had 30 to 40 distinct ideas and great British breakfasts featured prominently. 'The breakfast designs were ruled out because the coin had to feature something that represented the four home nations and it had to be appropriate.' The competition was instead won by 15-year-old David Pearce, from Walsall, whose design featured a rose, leek, thistle and shamrock emerging from a Royal Coronet. While the Royal Mint averted any questions about the breakfast appearing on the opposite side of the coin to the Queen, the Bank of England came under fire for using traces of animal fat to produce the new 5 note. The old 1 will be phased out from March 28 and replaced with a new 12-sided 1 coin - and the round version will not be legal tender from October 15. David Pearce with his winning design. Of the other ideas, many of them featured the great British breakfasts, like a full English, but the breakfast doesn't represent all the home nations The decision to kill off the round pound, first launched to replace the 1 note on April 21, 1983, is because the Treasury believes one in every 30 on the streets is now fake. At the time the new 1 arrives other new coin designs will start appearing in the shops, including a Jane Austen 2 and a 50p celebrating Sir Isaac Newton. The new 1 coin, which resembles the old threepenny bit, has been hailed as 'the most secure coin in the world', with features including a hologram. Some of the round 1 coins returned by the public will be melted down and reused to make the new 1 coin, which was announced in the 2014 Budget. Beloved Australian author Mem Fox has received an apology after she was left 'sobbing like a baby' after she was detained by immigration officials in the US. Fox was questioned for two hours by customs officers at Los Angeles Airport earlier this month - and said she'd never been 'treated with such disdain.' 'I felt like I had been physically assaulted which is why, when I got to my hotel room, I completely collapsed and sobbed like a baby. And I'm 70 years old,' she told the ABC. Fox received an apology after lodging complaints with the Australian embassy in Washington and the United States embassy in Canberra. Beloved Australian author Mem Fox (pictured) has received an apology after she was left 'sobbing like a baby' after she was detained by immigration officials in the US However, she says she is unlikely to return to America after the experience. She said the customs officers appeared to have been given 'turbocharged power' by President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration. 'I have never in my life been spoken to with such insolence, treated with such disdain, with so many insults and with so much gratuitous impoliteness,' she said. She had been travelling to Milwaukee for a conference on February 9 when she was led into an airport holding room - and accused of having the wrong visa. Fox said the customs officers appeared to have been given 'turbocharged power' by President Donald Trump's (above) executive order on immigration Fox, who has traveled to the US more than 100 times over the past three decades, said she felt like a 'prisoner at Guantanamo Bay.' 'I am old and white, innocent and educated, and I speak English fluently,' she told the Adelaide Advertiser. Fox is the author of several best-selling children's books including Possum Magic 'Imagine what happened to the others in the room, including an old Iranian woman in her 80s, in a wheelchair.' She added: 'The way I was treated would have made any decent American shocked to the core, because that's not America as a whole, it really isn't.' Fox is the author of several best-selling children's books including Possum Magic, Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, Wombat Divine and Where is the Green Sheep? She said her experience has only made her see how important her latest book is. Fox wrote I'm Australian Too, Indian-born Australian, Ronojoy Ghosh, in response to the rising hostility towards immigrants and refugees. 'And its got worse since then,' she said. The 'last hope' antibiotic could be useless within a decade as the use of the drug to fight hospital superbugs soars. Figures show prescriptions of colistin, which is used on patients when infections have become resistant to all other drugs, rose by 40 per cent from 2014 to 2015. Experts fear increasing use will spark a crisis that will see superbugs developing resistance to the antibiotic considered to be the last resort. The 'last hope' antibiotic could be useless within a decade as the use of the drug to fight hospital superbugs soars Dr Michael Weinbren, a consultant in infectious diseases at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, told The Telegraph: 'The one thing you can be sure of is that the organisms will develop resistance.' 'When you're down to one class of antibiotic, you've got to be worried. You've got to be terrified and we need to be doing something about this.' The first case in the US involving a bug that was resistant to colistin was reported in May last year. Concerns over resistance has already led to the tightening of regulations over the use of the drug in farming. The antibiotic, used to promote growth and protect animals from diseases, has been banned from being used in animal feed in China. Figures show prescriptions of colistin, which is used on patients when superbugs have become resistant to all other drugs, rose by 40 per cent from 2014 to 2015. The European Commission has also recommended that overall use of the drug in agriculture should be cut by two thirds. Despite the guidelines, the Bureau of Investigative found three new colistin products had been approved by the government last year. WHAT IS THE 'LAST HOPE' ANTIBIOTIC? Colistin is a type of polymyxin drug used as a last resort on patients when infections have become resistant to all other drugs. A major problem is that polymyxins are widely used in farming. If bugs in animals become resistant to the drugs, they could be transferred to humans who eat the meat. The mcr-1 gene has been identified as a cause of resistance to the antibiotic colistin. Advertisement A 49-year-old woman in Pennsylvania became the first case in the US of a patient with a bug that was resistant to colistin. Experts at the time warned at the time of the risk of it becoming 'the end of the road' for antibiotics. Dr Tom Frieden, director of the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said: 'It is the end of the road for antibiotics unless we act urgently. We risk being in a post-antibiotic world.' In the UK, Public Health England (PHE) has also reported testing samples and finding resistance to colistin. Professor Alan Johnson, head of the Department of Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) and Antibiotic Resistance at PHE, said at the time: 'The mcr-1 gene, recently identified as a cause of resistance to the antibiotic colistin, has been found in a very small number of samples of bacteria - 15 out of 24,000, from humans and food tested in the UK.' Parents are becoming increasingly concerned that their children, who grow up shouting orders at voice-activated gadgets, could be growing up to be spoilt and entitled. Households across the UK are increasingly using virtual servants, such as Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa, on their smartphones and tablets. The obedient programmes are able to understand and respond to orders using artificial intelligence. Parents are becoming increasingly concerned that submissive voice-activated devices are having a detrimental effect on their children's manners They have had a large impact on how people use their gadgets and can be used used to search the web, check the weather, run apps or set alarms. Amazon uses Alexa on its smart Echo speaker system to respond to orders on what songs to play. But as such programmes become the norm in the family home, more and more parents are complaining that the submissive search assistants are having a detrimental effect on their children's manners. They fear their youngsters are being taught that merely speaking clearly is enough to get them what they want without any need for asking politely. Even former Google executive Hunter Walk said in a blog post last year that the Amazon Echo was turning his daughter into a brat. He added: 'The prompt command to activate the Echo is "Alexa" not "Alexa, please". And Alexa doesn't require a 'thank you' before it's ready to perform another task. Amazon uses the Alexa programme on its Echo smart speaker system 'Learning at a young age is often about repetitive norms and cause/effect. 'Cognitively I'm not sure a kid gets why you can boss Alexa around but not a person.' Paul Howard-Jones, professor of neuroscience and education at Bristol University, told The Times that the 'the risk only arises if the technology becomes a substitute for human interaction'. Programmes such as Apple's Siri can be used to set alarms, search the web or check the weather forecast And Lucy Hume, at etiquette authority Debrett's, also believes a child's manners are dictated by observing how people speak to each other in the real world. She said: 'Children learn by example, so if they hear their parents speaking politely to a digital assistant theyll pick up on that. 'However, I think children can tell the difference between a robot and a human being and act accordingly.' A man who attacked his Tinder date after 'she had been ignoring his messages for several days' has been jailed for six months following the sexually charged assault. Townsville man Mitchell Douglas Walter Bowman, 30, was outside the woman's house when she came home from work on July 7, 2014. A court heard the woman asked him to leave but he followed her inside her house instead, the Townsville Bulletin reports. Townsville man Mitchell Douglas Walter Bowman, 30, attacked a woman he met on Tinder Bowman was sentenced to two years jail after appearing before a judge at the Townsville courthouse - he will spend at leas six months behind bars The man then tried to hug the woman, who he had met twice for dates and had previously had sex with. When she tried to push him away he forced her against a wall, touched her sexually, and punched her in the face. She started screaming then Bowman left the house. 'She was telling you that she didn't want you and she could have not been plainer, but you refused to accept it, you kept saying ''I know you want to f--- me'',' the judge Leanne Clare said before the court. His lawyer Gregory Lynham told the court meeting the woman outside her home was a coincidence. The man had been on two dates with his victim before turning up to her house to ask why she had been ignoring him 'for several days' 'He pulled up outside of her house and began talking to her, asking her why it was that she had ceased all contact with him, given the nature of their previous relationship,' he said. The court heard the woman had not replied to the man's texts for 'several days' before the attack. The judge handed down a two-year sentence for burglary and assault both of which Bowman plead guilty to. He will have to spend a minimum of six months behind bars. BBC war reporter Caroline Wyatt has described how her life has changed for the better after having stem-cell treatment for her multiple sclerosis. The journalist, 49, flew to Mexico for groundbreaking therapy for her crippling neurological condition. And she spent 61,000 on her treatment and drugs after being taken off the list at the last minute for an NHS trial in the UK in January. Scroll down for video Miss Wyatt has suffered from multiple sclerosis for decades but was only diagnosed in 2015 She was able to raise the money through crowdsourcing and her family and friends. Following her treatment Miss Wyatt told The Times newspaper: 'Already I feel that the fog within my brain is lifting. 'I am less stiff when I wake up in the morning. My eyes hurt less. 'I am relishing this second chance of life.' MS, which affects the brain and the spinal cord, makes it hard for victims to balance, gives them double vision and even affects their ability to swallow and to think. Miss Wyatt who spent seven years as the BBCs defence correspondent, risking her life as she reported from war zones suffered from the condition for decades but was misdiagnosed until 2015. By that point, she was BBC religious affairs correspondent, but she was forced to give the post up last summer when her symptoms became too severe. Miss Wyatt travelled to a private hospital in Puebla, two hours south of Mexico City, and started treatment in January Her vision was blurred in one eye and she had such difficulty walking, she sometimes fell over and found it impossible to travel. The only glimmer of hope was the possibility that she could benefit from a haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The treatment was trialled in Chicago in the mid-1990s, and is now offered in London, Sheffield, Russia and Mexico. Doctors say it is the biggest breakthrough in the treatment of MS for years, helping around three quarters of those who try it. HSCT treatment involves several rounds of chemotherapy to kill off harmful cells before replacing them with cells harvested from a patient's bone marrow. Miss Wyatt travelled to a private hospital in Puebla, two hours south of Mexico City, and started treatment in January. The treatment cost her 55,000 plus a further 6,000 for a specialist drug. The process robbed Miss Wyatt of her hair, and left her feeling exhausted, nauseous, and as vulnerable as a newborn. But she returned to London at the end of January and says the results so far have given her a new lease of life. She is still employed by the BBC and has begun work on two radio documentaries, one of which explores the process of cell transplants. Disturbing footage has emerged of gang of thugs armed with bats fighting a pitched battle near Leicester city centre. Dashcam video from a taxi shows a white van and a black sedan driving along Tigers Way, near the University of Leicester. Suddenly both cars stop suddenly, and two men get out and square up to each other. The passenger of the white van can be seen reaching down to grab something that looks like a club or workman's tool. He then smashes the rear window of the black sedan while the driver of the white van pulls up next to him. But then three other men, at least two armed with bats, pile out of the black car and give chase. The incident starts as the van appears to bump into the sedan, and both drivers square up The passenger of the white van quickly hops back in as the four men chase him up the street. The bizarre clip was first posted on the Facebook group Idiot UK Drivers Exposed last Sunday and has been viewed nearly 200,000 times since it was uploaded last Sunday. There's some debate as to whether the incident was road rage or gang related. The van passenger smashes the black sedan's window, causing the passengers to pile out They chase the van down the street armed with tools and bats but it manages to get away Austin France commented: 'Who drives round with four people in a car each carrying batons just in case they need to road rage?' A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman asked anyone with information to call 101. A young couple died after their car crashed into a power pole moments after they left the mans 21st birthday party. Driver Sarah Mitchell, 20, and her boyfriend Jordan Whittle, who would have turned 21 on Monday, both died at the scene. The car slammed into a power pole on Park Road near the intersection of Bayview Terrace in Deception Bay, Queensland, just before 3.30am on Saturday. The impact left the car completely mangled and its engine was found 30m away. Scroll down for video Sarah Mitchell and her boyfriend Jordan Whittle died at the scene of the crash on Saturday Police said they believe it was the only vehicle involved in the crash, but the Forensic Crash Unit is investigating. The speed limit at the spot where the crash happened is 60km/h but motorists are warned to go at 50km/h although residents claim even thats too fast to manoeuvre around the bend. Friends said the couple had been drinking at a party nearby but argued before getting into the car. Its not something they normally would do, friend Samantha Cottle told 9News. The car slammed into a power pole on Park Road near the intersection of Bayview Terrace in Deception Bay, Queensland, just before 3.30am on Saturday We heard them screaming out, he didnt want his girlfriend to drive. Others have paid tribute to the young couple on Facebook. Darren Matthiesson: Two beautiful souls gone too soon. I cant stop crying as my heart aches. Thanks for the fun memories and great friendship although there was so much more to be had. Police said they believe it was the only vehicle involved in the crash, but they are investigating The impact left the car completely mangled and its engine was found around 30m away Noah Ngatipa added: RIP Jordan Whittle and his partner! Very shocked to see a school friend depart at such a young age. He was a person with such life in him and always made anyone laugh. My prayers and love go out to the family. Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink on 131 444, use the online form or Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or at crimestoppersqld.com.au This is the shocking moment a driver had a miracle escape when a giant tree pierced her windscreen during Storm Doris. Sarah Robb, 40, had just left her home when a 30ft-long branch crashed into her BMW 3 series estate - missing her by inches. Dramatic footage captured on her dashcam shows her turning a corner before the tree suddenly comes flying towards the six-month-old car. Sarah Robb had just left her home when a 30ft-long branch crashed into her BMW in Syston, Leicestershire during Storm Doris Ms Robb said the branch pierced through her windshield, missing her by inches The windscreen then shatters as the camera shakes wildly from the impact before the 15-second video ends. Ms Robb said she was left shaken after the incident which happened at 1.30pm on Thursday as Storm Doris battered Britain. Speaking on Saturday, the marketing manager added: 'I had just got on to the road when I heard a massive bang. The driver was left shaken by the incident and was left trapped in her car by the incident The BMW 3 series estate has been taken to the garage but is expected to be a write-off The marketing manager captured the terrifying moment on her dashcam 'For a split second I thought I had hit a parked car but then looked and saw a very large section of tree right across my car. 'The impact had caved part of the roof and bonnet in and a large branch had come through the windscreen and ended up embedded in the steering column just inches from my body. 'When they removed the tree the large branch had speared through the steering column so if I had left two seconds later it would have been through me. 'It was a miracle it did not hit me. I know I am very lucky to be alive but I don't think it has quite sunk in yet.' Sarah said she was left trapped in her BMW after the 2ft-thick branch fell on the car near her home in Syston, Leicestershire. The vehicle has now been sent to the garage but is expected to be a write-off. Ms Robb with her partner, Tony Hall, who was working in Chesterfield when the incident took place Ms Robb praised her BMW and said its sturdiness kept her safe The driver had to seek help from passers-by, who managed to move enough of the tree so that she could get out of the passenger door She added: 'The driver's door would not open so I lowered the window and shouted out for help. 'Some passing women and a couple of builders who were working nearby came to my aid.' The passers-by managed to move enough of the tree so that Ms Robb could inch her way out of the car through the passenger door with their help. She added: 'When I got out and saw the size of the tree on my car I could not believe I had got out alive. 'The section of tree was about 30-feet long and about two feet in diameter at its thickest. When she saw how big the tree was Ms Robb said she could not believe she had escaped with her life Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said they had now put a safety cordon around the tree to secure the area 'The police were wonderful. They took me for a check-up at Leicester Royal Infirmary. 'It has gone to the garage but I would be shocked if I got it back. 'Most of the panels have been damaged and the power steering had gone. 'Thank goodness for German engineering. I will never drive any other car than a BMW. 'I think its sturdiness helped save my life.' Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to the scene Ms Robb's partner Tony Hall, 47 , was at work in Chesterfield when he got a Facetime request from her. He said: 'She said, "I am OK but look at the car.." She panned to show me the tree on the car. 'Another second and the branch through the windscreen would have hit her. It does not bear thinking about. 'The dashcam footage is shocking.' Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service crews from Birstall and Melton were called to the incident. A spokesman said: 'A large tree had fallen on a car due to the storm winds. 'We put a safety cordon round the tree and helped make the area safe.' A body has been pulled from the River Thames near to Vauxhall this morning. The Metropolitan Police's Marine Policing Unit said on Twitter on Saturday that they had officers dealing with the 'delicate job' of removing a body from the water. The body is believed to be that of a man, according to the police. Formal identification and a post-mortem examination will follow. The Marine Policing Unit sent this message this morning to say they had recovered a body from the Thames The body was pulled from the water at the River Thames near to Vauxhall this morning. File image The Marine unit tweeted: 'Marine 2 and @TowerRNLI are currently undertaking the delicate task of a body recovery near Vauxhall.' The gruesome discovery appears to have been made around 10.45am. It is not clear who spotted the body. Pope Francis has been slammed by church officials and sex abuse survivors for cutting penalties for paedophile priests. The Pope is said to be applying his vision of a 'merciful church' to sex offenders by reducing punishments to weaker sentences, such as a lifetime of prayer and penance. It has been revealed by church officials that Pope Francis overruled advice given to him by the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith about two priests - allowing them to be punished by a lifetime of prayer. Pope Francis has been slammed by church officials and sex abuse survivors for giving softer sentences to paedophile priests He overruled two sentences given by the Vatican to paedophil priests, including Reverend Mauro Inzoli, who was later convicted by an Italian criminal court One of the priests was the Reverend Mauro Inzoli, who was found guilty of abusing young boys by the Vatican in 2012 and was ordered to be defrocked. However, he appealed, and in 2014 Francis reduced the penalty to a lifetime of prayer, prohibiting him from celebrating Mass in public or being near children, barring him from his diocese and ordering five years of psychotherapy. Rev Inzoli was then convicted by an Italian criminal court for his sex crimes against five children as young as 12. He is now facing a second church trial after new evidence emerged against him. His predecessor Pope Benedict XVI defrocked 800 priests during his eight-year papacy A church official has said some paedophile priests and their high-ranking friends appealed to Pope Francis by citing the pope's own words about mercy in their petitions. They said: 'With all this emphasis on mercy ... he is creating the environment for such initiatives.' Marie Collins, an abuse survivor and founding member of Francis' sex-abuse advisory commission, expressed dismay that the congregation's recommended penalties were being weakened. She said: 'All who abuse have made a conscious decision to do so. Even those who are paedophiles, experts will tell you, are still responsible for their actions. They can resist their inclinations.' Many canon lawyers and church authorities argue that defrocking paedophiles can put society at greater risk because the church no longer exerts control over them. They argue that keeping the men in restricted ministry, away from children, enables superiors to exert some degree of supervision. But Ms Collins said the church must also take into account the message that reduced canonical sentences sends to both survivors and abusers. 'While mercy is important, justice for all parties is equally important,' she said. 'If there is seen to be any weakness about proper penalties, then it might well send the wrong message to those who would abuse.' Comparatively, his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, rarely granted clemency petitions and defrocked 800 priests, who had raped and molested children, during his eight-year papacy. According to the church official, Pope Francis also ordered three staffers to be dismissed two of whom worked for the discipline section that handles sex abuse cases. Marie Collins, an abuse survivor and founding member of Francis' sex-abuse advisory commission, expressed dismay that the congregation's recommended penalties were being weakened But Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said they will be replaced and staffing is set to be strengthened after the Pope approved hiring more officials. He said: 'The speed with which cases are handled is a serious matter and the Holy Father continues to encourage improvements in this area.' He also dispelled rumours that sex-abuse cases would no longer be handled by the congregation, saying the strengthened office would handle all submitted cases. Mr Burke added the Pope's emphasis on mercy applied to 'even those who are guilty of heinous crimes' and priests who are found to be abusers are permanently removed from the ministry but are not necessarily defrocked. He said: 'The Holy Father understands that many victims and survivors can find any sign of mercy in this area difficult, but he knows that the Gospel message of mercy is ultimately a source of powerful healing and of grace.' A video posted on Twitter shows part of an altercation between police officers and a man in Washington, DC, police say. Shots were fired during a criminal investigation at an intersection in a neighborhood in the nation's capital, leaving 47-year-old Timothy Williams dead and two police officers wounded, authorities said. Uniformed officers with a crime-suppression team were in the neighborhood Thursday night responding to shots that had been fired there earlier, acting Police Chief Peter Newsham said. The video seems to show an officer standing over Williams as gunshots are heard. Another officer appears to try and get up in the footage, before he seems to collapse to the ground. Later, other officers are seen rushing to the scene. Scroll down for video A video posted on Twitter shows part of an altercation between police officers and a man in Washington, DC, police say Shots were fired during a criminal investigation at an intersection in a neighborhood in the nation's capital, leaving one man dead and two police officers wounded, authorities said Uniformed officers with a crime-suppression team were in the neighborhood Thursday night responding to shots that had been fired there earlier, acting Police Chief Peter Newsham said An officer can be seen standing during the altercation in a part of the video Newsham said Friday concerning the video: 'That's one angle of the incident. I think that that particular individual was also interviewed. 'And he suggested during the course of that interview that that was one partial view of the incident after the incident had already began. 'We of course will locate that individual and get his version of events and compile that with the other information that we have.' Newsham said that police 'have other additional witnesses who have come forward'. The officers tried to stop Williams, who had run from them, the chief said. A struggle ensued, shots were fired and the officers were struck in their lower bodies. One of the officers fired a weapon and Williams was pronounced dead of gunshot wounds on the way to the hospital, Newsham said. An officer is seen apparently trying to get up (left) before he seems to collapse to the ground (right) The officers tried to stop Williams, who had run from them, the chief said. A struggle ensued, shots were fired and the officers were struck in their lower bodies Acting Police Chief Peter Newsham said: 'There is an indication that the weapon we recovered that we believe to be the suspect's was fired' Williams had no known address, according to the chief. Newsham said the officers' injuries didn't appear to be life-threatening, and one officer had been released from the hospital. 'The prognosis for both of them is excellent,' he said. Newsham said: 'The suspect's gun was recovered from the scene.' He said police are trying to determine if Williams fired at the police officers. Williams said: 'There is an indication that the weapon we recovered that we believe to be the suspect's was fired.' Newsham said police will have to determine if the officers were struck by friendly fire, saying: 'We don't know at this point.' Both officers were wearing and had activated body cameras, he said. Newsham said Friday concerning the video: 'That's one angle of the incident. I think that that particular individual was also interviewed' The shootout happened at the corner of Holbrook and Morse Streets (pictured) The footage must be reviewed by the U.S. Attorney's Office; ultimately Mayor Muriel Bowser will decide when the recordings can be released. The officers were placed on administrative leave, according to Newsham. He said they are three-year veterans assigned to the fifth district. The chief said: 'Whatever you have seen so far is incomplete so to draw any conclusions about exactly what happened is just - I don't recommend doing that because I can't say, from everything I've seen and everything that I know exactly what happened.' Fellow officers took the wounded officers to a hospital in their cruisers, something Newsham called 'not the best practice'. He said it would be reviewed but it was a 'tough call'. 'When one of your colleagues has been shot, they're facing a potentially life-threatening injury, your first instinct is really to try to get them help and that's what they did,' Newsham said. The Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser, visited the injured officers in hospital. They have not yet been named. The son of former Beatle Jimmie Nicol has said his father would be horrified if a book about his time in the band would be turned into a film. Mr Nicol became a temporary member of The Beatles in 1964 after Ringo Starr was rushed to hospital with tonisilitus. In his new role, the drummer embarked on a tour around the world to Denmark, Holland, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Jimmie Nicol (centre) filled in for Ringo Starr in the 60s when the drummer fell ill with tonsilitus. He was in The Beatles for 13 days Mr Nicol (above) later became a recluse and has apparently not seen his son in 13 years. Above is Jimmie in 1996 But after a 13-day stint, Ringo returned and Mr Nicol was paid 500, presented with a watch and dropped off at the airport, according to Billboard. His time in the band was chronicled in the book 'The Beatle Who Vanished' by Jim Berkenstadt, and the film rights have been purchased by Alex Orbison, son of Roy Orbison, and Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton and actress Alana Stewart. Now his son, Howie, 58, said his father would hate for a book depicting his time in the band to be turned into a film. Howie, who works as a sound mixer, has not seen his father in 13 years. Speaking to The Times, Howie said: 'He will be mortified if there is a film which will define him, that will be terrible. 'It is just two weeks in a person's life. I can understand why historians and fans are interested and I am interested myself but it is an enormous thing to cope with.' His son, Howie, said his father would hate for a book depicting his time in the band to be turned into a film His time in the band was chronicled in the book 'The Beatle Who Vanished' by Jim Berkenstadt, and the film rights have been purchased by Alex Orbison, son of Roy Orbison, and Ashley Hamilton, son of actor George Hamilton and actress Alana Stewart On the book's blurb, it is described as a story of 'blacklisting, betrayal, drugs, divorce, bankruptcy and an eventual disappearance that led many to question whether he (Jimmie Nicol) is dead or alive'. It is thought that Mr Nicol, who is about 77, is now living in Mexico with his wife Josefina after his former neighbours in London said the pair left four years ago and emigrated. He was previously seen in his later years working in construction. Jim Berkenstadt told the MailOnline: 'Jimmie Nicols story is fascinating and mysterious. I would love to hear from Mr Nicol himself as to what he thinks about The Beatle Who Vanished. 'However, no one has seen him since the mid 2000s. I dont believe his son has seen or heard from him in over a decade. So really, we dont know what Jimmie would think about The Beatle Who Vanished being turned into a film or TV series. 'I spent six years researching his profession (before, during and after The Beatles) across eight countries; reading through archives, listening to his recordings, talking to musicians, friends, and family members, all in order to build an accurate profile of Nicols remarkable career. 'I believe the producers of the film or TV series based upon my book intend to make a beautiful, respectful movie about his fascinating, mysterious and enigmatic life, which is hardly "mortifying".' An Italian chef has been labelled a hero after he was stabbed in the stomach as he tried to protect a woman who was being attacked in the street. When Luigi Spina, 24, left work just before midnight on Friday he saw a woman being attacked by a man on Melbourne's Yarra Promenade, outside Crown Casino. Mr Spina intervened, the attacker stabbed him in the torso and ran from the scene, police said. Luigi Spina, 24, is recovering from a stab wound after stepping in to stop a woman being attacked in a Melbourne Street The attacker had been trying to start fights with people on the Yarra Promenade before he stabbed Mr Spina just before midnight, police said 'It's obviously a heroic act, he's seen a female who was obviously in distress,' Detective Senior Constable Jon Amore told Nine News. 'But we encourage people to not step in when these things occur.' Mr Spina approached a parking attendant for help after the brutal attack and was taken to hospital. Police believe Mr Spina's attacker had been walking along the Promenade earlier in the evening trying to start a fight and had already assaulted two men. The offender is described as being about 180cm tall and wearing a black and white cap, white t-shirt and white runners. Police are urging the female victim to come forward. Two Florida police officers were shot and injured and the gunman was left dead after a shootout occurred as cops responded to a domestic violence call. Casselberry Police Chief Larry Krantz told reporters the two officers responded to a reported disturbance at a home in the 700 block of Crestview Drive just before 4am Saturday. When they arrived, the man came outside with a shotgun and fired. The officers returned fire and the suspect went back inside his house. Police went into the home where he was found dead, Krantz said. Casselberry police were called to the 700 block of Crestview Drive around 4am on Saturday in response to a domestic disturbance Police Chief Larry Krantz told reporters the man came out of his home and fired at two officers who shot back before the suspect returned inside the house He said it is unclear if the officers shot the man dead or if he killed himself. The man's name has not been released. 'My officers acted admirably when faced with this situation,' Krantz said. One of the officers was hit in the face, while the other was shot in the leg, WESH reported. The police chief said the wife of the suspect left before the shootout could occur. She is now being interviewed by police, The Orlando Sentinel reported. Authorities evacuated residents in the nearby homes and called in SWAT teams and other agencies from central Florida. Neighbor Billy Raye Carson Jr., 30, told the paper he was awoken by the sounds of the gunshots and witnessed when the officers were shot. Carson Jr opened his front door to see what had been going on and said he heard about 60 gunshots. 'They were just blindly shooting at the house and started shouting for me to get back inside,' he told the Sentinel. He added that his trailer had been shot twice. The neighbor also said the gunman was a World War II vet who didn't cause problems. The two officers were treated at a hospital for pellet wounds and released. Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted earlier this morning that he and his wife 'are praying for a speedy recovery for the two [Casselberry] officers injured this morning.' The man was found dead in his home after police entered, but his name has not be released Some candidates withdraw from campaign Today the issues of registration of electoral lists presented by the parties and alliances for participation in April 2 parliamentary elections as well as issues of provision of numbers to the parties and alliances have been discussed at the CEC session in the RA Central Electoral Commission. First the issue of Free Democrats Party lists was discussed and it was noted that all the necessary documents had been presented, there were few technical problems, but there were no objections. Without voting the lists of the parties were registered. Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), Republican Party of Armenia (HHK), Communist Party of Armenia (HKK), Armenian Renaissance Party (HVK), Yelk (Way out) alliance, Congress-HZhK alliance, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance, Tsarukyan alliance were also registered. By the way, one candidate from Tsarukyan alliance, Saribek Hovoyan, has presented a withdrawal from the campaign, and his documents were withdrawn from the list. Norayr Poghosyan, Hamlet Hayrapetyan, from the HHK have also presented withdrawals from the campaign, and with regard to Hovik Asatryan, the CEC received a death certificate. Their documents were also withdrawn from the list. Anahit Sefilyan from the HVK has also presented a withdrawal. The registration of Vladimir Arakelyan, Samvel Melikyan from Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance was rejected, as they didnt have relevant references demanded by the law. Vahagn Hovakimyan from Yelk (Way out) alliance as an authorized representative noted that he has a right to an advisory vote and presented a proposal, During the recent week news has been circulated that some of the candidates, who are also employers, demand from their employees to temporarily change their registration place in order to vote for the particular employer. I ask the CEC to clarify for the voters how they can defend their rights, as that phenomenon is a criminally liable action. I voice the illegalities of those candidates and call on you to release a statement. The CEC Chairman Tigran Mukuchyan announced that the session was underway and after the end of the session such a question could be discussed, You should follow the agenda. What you said was taken into notice, sit down! Then by the CEC draw the numbers of the political forces participating in the upcoming elections were decided- Free Democrats-2, Yelk-1, Tsarukyan alliance-4, Congress-HZhK alliance-5, Dashnaktsutyun-9, HKK-7, HHK-6, Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance-8, HVK-3. A new podcast probes fitness guru Richard Simmons' whereabouts and delves into his relationship with his housekeeper who is accused of abusing him. Simmons' friend and former Daily Show producer Dan Taberski is hunting for answers with his podcast, titled 'Missing Richard Simmons' in which he investigates the star's disappearance, and interviews those who knew him. Simmons, 68, has not been seen in public since 2014 and last year he was forced to respond to reports that he was a victim of elder abuse at the hands of his housekeeper, Teresa Reveles. Reveles was seen Friday collecting a newspaper from his California home. Scroll down for video In this photo taken on Friday Richard Simmons' housekeeper Teresa Reveles is seen emerging from his house to collect a newspaper. She has been accused of abusing him Throwback: Simmons is seen in this 2013 photo. he has not been seen in public for three years Friend of Richard Simmons and former Daily Show producer Dan Taberski is seeking answers with a new podcast in which he investigates the star's disappearance, and interviews those who knew him well In 2014 Simmons completely dropped off the map - he stopped returning phone calls, closed his fitness studio, and became a recluse. The podcast, which is being compared to Serial, aims to humanize the eccentric icon, and shed light on what he's been doing behind the closed curtain all these years. The first episode 'Where's Richard?' discusses Taberski's budding relationship with the fitness fanatic, after he attended many of Simmons' exercise classes at his one-room studio in Beverly Hills, Slimmons, where he taught for 40 years. He tells of how he immediately became obsessed with the classes because of Simmons' uniquely outlandish personality for which he is famed. This makes his retreat from the public eye even more markedly out of character. Taberski just hopes to give some peace of mind to his fellow friends and devoted supporters. 'This is about hopefully recontextualizing him a bit,' he said. 'People laugh at him now, they've lost perspective on who he is. I want to make him three-dimensional again.' In the second episode Taberski goes to Simmons' home to see if he can find him but there is no sign of him. The description of the podcast says: 'In February 15, 2014, fitness guru Richard Simmons disappeared. 'He stopped teaching his regular exercise class at Slimmons, cut off his closest friends, and removed himself from the public eye after decades as one of the most accessible celebrities in the world. Nobody has heard from him and no one knows why he left. 'Filmmaker Dan Taberski was a Slimmons regular and a friend of Richards. Missing Richard Simmons is Dans search for Richard and the deeper he digs, the stranger it gets.' Taberski plans on releasing six podcasts exploring his disappearance. Rumors have circulated wildly about the possible reason for his absence from the public eye, including that his housekeeper, pictured left, was holding him hostage Rumors have circulated wildly about the possible reason for his reclusiveness. Some have speculated that he is transitioning into a woman, depressed over the death of his prized dalmatian, or marred by knee injuries, Chron reported. After elder abuse was reported by an anonymous friend of Simmons last year, Los Angeles Police visited his home and reportedly were satisfied with his condition - but friends remain unsure. His housekeeper Reveles is the only person that's been seen emerging from Simmons house in recent years. His former assistant Mauro Oliveira, left, told Daily Mail Online last year that Simmons' housekeeper was controlling him with black magic - and it was Richard himself who confided to his friend that he was under her thumb His former assistant Mauro Oliveira, told Daily Mail Online last year that Simmons' housekeeper was controlling him with black magic - and it was Simmons himself who confided to his friend that he was under her thumb. 'Yes, that's what he told me [about Teresa],' said Oliveira. 'He told me last time we spoke. I asked him, does she control your life? He said 'Yes.' Oliveira expressed concern that the way Simmons spoke during his last interview - where he assured reporters he was OK - didn't sound 'right'. He thinks that Reveles believes she is Simmons' unofficial 'wife', and doesn't want any other people around to compete for his affection. Advertisement Smiling into the camera as she interviewed Iraqi soldiers today, journalist Shifa Gardi had no idea this would be her last report. Just one hour later the 30-year-old was killed by a roadside bomb on the outskirts of Mosul, while covering the fight against ISIS for Iraqi Kurdish channel Rudaw. Meanwhile, in neighbouring Syria 42 security officers and personnel were killed in synchronised suicide bombings in the country's third city, Homs. Smiling into the camera as she interviewed Iraqi soldiers, journalist Shifa Gardi had no idea this would be her last report Her editors said: 'Journalism remains male-dominated - Shifa Gardi broke those perceptions and stereotypes - we pay tribute to her courageous journalism.' The bomb also wounded her cameraman Younis Mustafa who was transferred to Arbil, the nearby capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region where the channel is headquartered. Iraqi forces entered neighbourhoods of the west bank of Mosul on Friday for the first time since the start on October 17 in a huge offensive to retake the city from ISIS. Special forces Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi said that his troops are 'moving very slowly' and that IS fighters are responding with car bombs, snipers and dozens of armed drones. Hundreds of civilians have fled the conflict zone. Shifa Gardi was covering the fight against Islamic State in Mosul for Iraqi Kurdish channel Rudaw The channel said: 'Prominent Rudaw war reporter and journalist Shifa Gardi has been killed in Mosul as she covered clashes.' Rudaw editors said she was killed by an explosive device on a road in west Mosul which wounded her cameraman Rudwaw said: 'Journalism remains male-dominated - Shifa Gardi broke those perceptions and stereotypes - we pay tribute to her courageous journalism.' The drones have caused relatively few deaths, but have inflicted dozens of light injuries that have disrupted the pace of ground operations. Al-Saadi said he expects the pace to increase after Iraqi forces retake territory and infrastructure on Mosul's southwestern edge - which will allow them to shorten supply lines and link up with forces in the city's east. On the edge of a small village south of Mosul, dozens of families gathered against a crude cinderblock wall. Many said they were from villages outside Mosul and had been forced to march to the city more than four months ago to serve as human shields. Smoke rises in the background as members of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division hold position in Mosul An injured member of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division is aided by his fellow troops A member of the Iraqi Federal Police runs for cover in the northern city of Mosul Iraqi security forces help their injured comrade during a battle with Islamic State militants A member of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division carries a rocket launcher as he takes cover behind an armoured vehicle Members of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division carry a wounded comrade in Mosul The west bank of Mosul is where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance as IS leader in July 2014 A member of the Iraqi Federal Police runs for cover in the northern city of Mosul Iraqi forces' armoured vehicles hold position as they aim to drive ISIS out of the city 'We've been through terrible times,' said Juri Fathi, a mother of six who was forced to live in a school in Mosul for three months. 'I had to burn my children's clothing just for warmth.' Groups of men were screened at the site against a database of IS suspects and two prisoners were dragged past the crowd and into an abandoned building. 'We brought them directly from inside Mosul,' said an Iraqi special forces solider from inside the Humvee that delivered the detainees. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. 'They were shooting at us, I saw them with my own eyes,' he said. Iraqi forces declared eastern Mosul 'fully liberated' in January after officially launching the operation to retake the city in October. Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Minister was in Baghdad on Saturday - the first high level visit of a Saudi official to the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion - to meet with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, al-Jaafari said the visit was to discuss cooperation in combating terrorism, adding: 'The ties that bind are many, and the visit comes to restore bilateral relations to their correct course.' Security forces member holds a rabbit as he jokes with his comrade during a battle with Islamic State's militants in Mosul The animal was found by troops in the middle of the battle zone. A soldier is seen here holding the bunny and sharing a joke with a colleague An explosion hits near a vehicle belonging to Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division A member of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division tries to shield himself during the explosion A member of Iraq's elite Rapid Response Division carries a rocket launcher as Iraqi forces advance An Iraqi tank holds position in the northern city of Mosul, as Iraqi forces continue the offensive to retake the city's western half from Islamic State Members of the Iraqi army launch a rocket towards Islamic State militants during battle An Iraqi woman takes shelter with her children inside a house in Hawi Al-Josaq after Iraqi forces retook it from Islamic State's militants The body of an Islamic State militant lies next to a mosque in Hawi Al- Josaq after Iraqi forces retook it in west Mosul, Iraq Iraqis stand at the entrance of their house in Hawi Al- Josaq after Iraqi forces retook the area from Islamic State militants An Iraqi Airforce helicopter deploys flares during a battle with Islamic State fighters Smoke rises during a battle between Islamic State fighters and Iraqi troops at an outskirts of Mosul A displaced Iraqi child whose family fled their home is pictured in the district of Maamoun in western Mosul About a thousand civilians, mostly women and children, walked out of southwestern parts of Mosul on Saturday The statement also called on Saudi Arabia to reiterate its position against Turkish ground troops in Iraq. About a thousand civilians, mostly women and children, walked out of southwestern parts of Mosul on Saturday and climbed into military trucks taking them to camps further south. The United Nations says up to 400,000 people may have to leave their homes during the new offensive as food and fuel runs out in western Mosul. Aid groups warned on Friday that the most dangerous phase of the offensive was about to begin. Some of the people fleeing the Mamoun area said they were originally from Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, but were forced to move as Islamic State retreated north into the city four months ago. 'They began shelling us arbitrarily, so we hid in the bathrooms. When the security forces came, they yelled to us so we fled to them,' said civilian Mahmoud Nawwaf. Members of the rapid response forces fire a heavy machine gun during a battle with Islamic State militants Iraqi security forces help their injured comrade during a battle with Islamic State militants in west Mosul A member of Iraq's Rapid Response Division drags the body of an alleged ISIS fighter during an ongoing offensive by Iraqi troops Sorrow: A member of Iraq's Rapid Response Division during an ongoing offensive by Iraqi troops Members of the rapid response forces help their injured comrade during a battle with Islamic State militants A medic from the Iraqi security forces carries an injured girl during a battle The government is encouraging residents to stay in their homes whenever possible, as they did in eastern Mosul where fewer people fled than expected. Some families said Islamic State had forced them to move from Samarra, 160 miles south of Mosul. Abu Naba, 37, said he was surprised at how quickly the militants had been driven out. 'We could hear their voices outside and 15 minutes later they were gone,' he said. A woman with a baby wrapped in a blanket on her lap said she had given birth in the house 22 days ago because it was too dangerous to reach a hospital. The new push in Mosul comes after government forces and their allies finished clearing Islamic State from the east of the northern Iraqi city last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector on the other side of the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts there. Iraqi Federal police members take cover as smoke billows from a big explosion during fighting Iraqi security forces member are pictured during a battle with Islamic State's militants in west Mosul, Iraq Iraqi security forces advance forward positions after they retook the Mosul International Airport Iraqi special forces members rests during a battle with Islamic State fighters on the outskirts of Mosul But Iraqi forces have so far made quick advances on multiple fronts, capturing the northern city's airport on Thursday, which they plan to use as a support zone, and breaching a three-metre high berm and trench set up by Islamic State. The advancing forces are less than three kilometres (two miles) from the mosque in the old city where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria in 2014, sparking an international military campaign to defeat the group. Losing Mosul would likely deal a hammer blow to the militants' dream of statehood, but they still control swathes of territory in Syria and patches of northern and western Iraq from where they could fight a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plot attacks on the West. Federal police and an elite Interior Ministry unit known as Rapid Response have recaptured Hawi al-Josaq along the river and begun clearing the Tayyaran district north of the airport, said Brigadier General Hisham Abdul Kadhim. Members of the Iraqi army launch a rocket towards Islamic State militants during a battle with the IS in western Mosul, Iraq Iraqi special forces arrest a fighter with Islamic State militia in Mosul, Iraq A door of an Iraqi special forces vehicle is seen during a battle with Islamic State fighters at an outskirts of Mosul Iraqi security forces advance forward positions after they retook the Mosul International Airport Iraqi security forces member plays with a child in Hawi Al-Josaq after Iraqi forces took the area from Islamic States militants In Syria, the Assad regime continued to bombard rebel-held areas, including the cities of Daraa and Douma. Dramatic pictures showed huge plumes of smoke billowing up, while children were pictured in hospital after being caught up in the onslaught. And synchronized attacks saw al-Qaeda-linked insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in the central city of Homs, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, state media and officials reported. The swift, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria's most powerful, were claimed by an insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee. A Syrian lawmaker on a state-affiliated TV station called it a "heavy blow" to Syria's security apparatuses. The attacks came as Syrian government and opposition delegates meet in Geneva in U.N. -mediated talks aimed at building momentum toward peace despite low expectations of a breakthrough. The U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura called the attacks "tragic." "Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it. We were expecting that," he said. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Ja'afari, who leads Damascus' delegation to the peace talks in Geneva, said the attacks were a message from the "sponsors of terrorism" to the peace talks. Huge plumes of smoke billow up after warcrafts belonging to Assad Rrgime forces carried out airstrikes in Daraa, Syria More bombs rain down on Daraa as government forces continue their siege on rebel-held areas Activists said the city was on high alert after the attacks, with government troops blocking roads and forcing shops to close. The government responded with an intense airstrike campaign against the only neighborhood on the city's outskirts still under opposition control and other parts of rural Homs. In 2015, the government regained control of the city of Homs, which was one of the first to rise against President Bashar Assad. But the al-Waer neighborhood remained in the hands of rebels and settlement negotiations to evacuate it have repeatedly faltered. The attack early Saturday was the most high-profile in a city that has been the scene of repeated suicide attacks since the government regained control. The head of Military Intelligence services Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturday's attack, had been transferred from the capital to Homs last year to address security failures in the city, according to local media reports at the time. Syrian State News Agency SANA said Daeboul was killed by one of the suicide bombers. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, said there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometers (1.2 miles) apart, and according to activists from the city they are heavily guarded, including security cameras. Wounded Syrian girls wait to receive treatment at a make-shift hospital following reported government airstrike on the rebel-held town of Douma The girls cry as they wait to receive treatment following the vicious bombing campaign by President Bashar al-Assad All of the young girls' faces are covered in dust and blood, as the wait to be seen following the bombing by their President According to state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs' adjacent al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdurrahman said the synchronized attacks killed at least 42 security officers and personnel. The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled and are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Abdurrahman said the attacks started with clashes at the checkpoints. Then, three suicide bombers blew themselves up consecutively inside the courtyard of the Military Intelligence Services building as troops gathered. The attack briefly undermined the troops' control of the building, said Abdurrahman. That attack killed at least 30, the Observatory said. In the meantime, a similar scenario was playing out at the State Security branch, where at least 12 were killed. Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the agency, was also critically wounded, according to al-Ikhbariya. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition, the Levant Liberation Committee, said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties, according to a statement on their Telegram channel. A Homs-based opposition activist Bebars al-Talawy said the attackers used gun-silencers in their initial attack, enabling them to enter the premise and surprise their target. The Al-Ikhbariya Al-Souriya TV channel shows the aftermath of a suicide attack on two security service headquarters in Syria's third city, Homs According to state-affiliated channel, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs' adjacent al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods The swift, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria's most powerful, were claimed by an insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee, which is like to al-Qaeda The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdurrahman said the synchronized attacks killed at least 42 security officers and personnel "This is the biggest breach of security agencies in Homs," al-Talawy said, speaking in a Skype interview. "They were almost inside the offices." Al-Talawy said Daeboul was in charge of negotiating surrender deals with the rebel holdouts in al-Waer and other rebel-held areas in rural Homs. The coordinated attacks, using a combination of armed assault and suicide bombing, are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year old conflict. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top regime officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defense minister. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great power and operates with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the military's Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the state's four main security branches, including Military Intelligence. After the attacks, Syrian opposition activists took to social media to recount stories of torture and abuse for which Daeboul was allegedly responsible when he managed a military intelligence unit believed responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses. Meanwhile, government supporters hailed him as one of the country's best security officers, who "broke the back of the terrorists," a pro-government Facebook page posted. The government refers to all opposition as "terrorists." A great grandfather missing since Thursday has been found dead north of Perth. Police had been searching for 88-year-old Colin Halliday, who was last seen on Thursday at St John of God Hospital in Midland, Perthnow reported. A body, believed to be that of Mr Halliday was found in Melaleuca on Saturday. Police are yet to make a formal identification. A body, believed to be that of 88-year-old Colin Halliday was found in Melaleuca on Saturday Mr Halliday's family held grave fears for him after he went missing without his medication and temperatures rose to 39 degrees over the weekend (granddaughter Elke Halliday pictured) Mr Halliday's family held grave fears for him after he went missing without his medication and temperatures rose to 39 degrees over the weekend. Its getting very hot outside he doesnt have water were very concerned, his granddaughter Elke Halliday previously told 7 News. His car was found abandoned in a pine plantation on Saturday. Police believe he tried to dig it out after becoming bogged. It is not yet known why he was in the area. Mr Halliday and his wife were due to celebrate their 67th anniversary next week. His car was found abandoned in a pine plantation on Saturday. Police believe he tried to dig it out after becoming bogged A British tourist sent a series of chilling messages about 'all these guys wanting to kill me' before he was found dead. Andrew Apperley, 38, from Eastbourne, Sussex, was reported missing on February 16, four days after he failed to return from the Full Moon party on February 12 on the Thai island of Ko Phangan. Andrew Apperley, 38, was reported missing after failing to return to his hotel four days after going to the party In an alarming development it's emerged that the father-of-one sent a series of messages to his friends telling them he was in danger. The Mirror reported he sent one friend a message about a 'scary guy with the face mask.' In the message Andrew also said: 'Omg had a mad night all the guys wanting to kill me' He messaged another friend: 'I'm tripping out. Think I've been spiked'. The messages suggest Andrew had taken magic mushrooms - a powerful psychedelic drug which produces hallucinations - along with prescription medication Ritalin and ecstasy. Thai police, who are investigating the disappearance, found a body on Tuesday. A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: 'Following inquiries with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) we can confirm that a body has been found in the search for Andrew Apperley. 'Our thoughts are with Andrew's friends and family.' His bank told Andrew's family his cards had not been used since going to the Full Moon party The cause of death is currently unknown. His brother Richard Apperley said he checked in on the morning of the party and left his passport and driving licence with the hotel reception. Richard, 41, believes that there are signs of foul-play and wants Thai police to investigate the case thoroughly. He added that his brother knew his limits and had been to Thailand well around 10 times. Mr Apperley, from Eastbourne, was staying at the Hotel ibis Samui Bophut (pictured) in Bophut and went to the Full Moon party in Ko Phangan on February 12 Andrew told his mum Linda in a message he would be returning the day after the Full Moon Party but the hotel reported him missing four days later. His bank told his family his cards had not been used since going to the party, it is understood. A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman said they are in contact with local authorities. Oscar Hernandez, 39, a suspect in an Amber Alert on Friday had been previously deported An Amber Alert suspect who was involved in a high-speed police crash after he 'kidnapped his six-year-old daughter and stabbed her mother to death' had been previously deported. Oscar Hernandez, 39, was arrested following a high-speed police chase and crash after he fatally stabbed Nadia Gonzalez, 29, and kidnapped their child Aylin Sofia Hernandez, six, on Friday morning, according to police. Hernandez, a citizen of El Salvador, had previously been deported in November of 2013. He was convicted on charges of assault and threatening, among several misdemeanor convictions, said federal immigration officials. Aylin Sofia was taken from her home in Bridgeport, Connecticut, after Hernandez allegedly got into a fight with Gonzalez, following her return home from a local club, early Friday morning, reported WMTW. Hernandez was taken into custody following a police pursuit in Pennsylvania that ended in a car crash (left). He is accused of kidnapping his daughter Aylin Sofia Hernandez, six, (right) from her home in Bridgeport, CT., on Friday. She was safely rescued following later that day He then stabbed Gonzalez to death and also attacked another woman in the home, who is believed to be a friend of Gonzalez, who suffered 'many, many stab wounds', the Bridgeport Police Chief said. Police responded to the small one-story basement apartment after a neighbor placed a 911 call. They found a bloody scene that showed the 'ugly side of domestic violence', reported NBC New York. Shortly after law enforcement's response to the address, an Amber Alert was issued for the missing little girl. A Pennsylvania police officer recognized Hernandez's Hyundai and signaled for him to pull over on Interstate 99 in Benner Township, which he refused to do, inciting the pursuit. The convicted El Salvador felon (left, right) reportedly fatally stabbed the child's (left and right) mother Nadia Gonzalez, 29, (far left) following an argument early Friday morning Hernandez then struck a tractor trailer, causing the police car to rear-end him, and he was taken into custody and brought to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Two state troopers also suffered minor injuries. Benner Township is about 300 miles from Bridgeport. It was not clear why Hernandez was traveling in Pennsylvania. Scores of Barclays customers were left unable to withdraw money after the bank's servers crashed on Saturday afternoon. Customers found their cards were being declined in stores and in cash points around the country for approximately 90 minutes. Some were even told the problem would not be rectified until Monday, but Barclays said the issue was fixed by 4.20pm the same day. Barclay's customers could not pay by card or withdraw cash for around 90 minutes on Saturday afternoon A simple and cheap fruit snack caused embarrassment for one customer who couldn't pay when her card was declined for just 17p Several customers tweeted their frustration at the lack of working ATMs and at having their cards declined in stores A status message on the bank's website said: 'We're sorry, you can't withdraw money from our cash machines right now we're working to fix this. If you'd like to make a withdrawal, you can use any other cash machine showing the LINK logo or visit one of our branches.' On Saturday afternoon, the message that customers could not withdraw money from the bank's ATMs appeared on the website The bank tweeted to say they were trying to get the problem fixed and later said it had been sorted out About the same time, there were issues with their phone systems, and the message read: 'We're sorry, you won't be able to reach us right now we're working to fix a problem with this service.' Customers also couldn't make payments in branch. The website's status checker continued to tell customers the ATMs were down after the MailOnline was told everything was running as normal. For one customer, her card being declined in France meant her shopping trip for her daughter's wedding went from a success to a failure in a few minutes. Unable to pay, she had to leave empty handed. Ash Sharma said: 'It's my Mrs birthday...I was buying a car for her, all paper work signed. card declined!embarrassed is an understatement!' One woman tweeted that she had been declined for a 17p banana when she tried to pay by card and 'embarrassed' wasn't the word. Another said he couldn't pay for his round in the pub during the Six Nations because his card would not work. Fatos Berisha complained about the lack of information from the bank. For some customers the problem meant they couldn't get their round in at the pub, but for others, key discounts with limited time offers were being missed when they couldn't pay One woman was stuck in London Paddington because she couldn't withdraw money, and another said the problem would lead them to switch banks He said: 'I get many useless texts from Barclays almost daily, but 0 info when their payment systems pack up & I can't use my card, not a peep!' Several customers said the incident meant they would switch banks. In a tweet, the bank said: 'We're still experiencing issues affecting Barclays Debit Card and ATM transactions. Our teams are working to get this restored.' At the Ealing branch, in London, a sign told customers about the outage and apologised, explaining it was a national issue. The UK help Twitter account retweeted one mother who wrote: 'Pretty embarrassing when u try 2 pay for ur shopping to be told card is declined get it sorted i have a child to feed'. [sic] Some customers tweeted to say that they had been able to access their funds, with Barclay's admitting they weren't sure how many customers had been affected. A Barclays spokesman said 'We're aware some customers may have had issues with some digital services today. We can confirm everything is now back up and running and customers can get money out of ATMs and card payments are going through. 'We apologise to any customers that were impacted.' More than 40 firefighters battled a severe blaze that tore through an apartment block in a busy shopping area this afternoon. Eyewitnesses saw smoke billowing from a fourth floor flat above the Tesco Express store in the Gunwharf Quays area of Portsmouth, Hants. A spokesman for Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said that nine fire engines were in attendance at the height of the incident, with around 45 firefighters attempting to put out the flames. Blaze: Firefighters tackle the fire that started above a Tesco Express store Evacuate: All residents in the building were forced out of the building while the blaze was tackled The spokesman added: 'We got called at 12.58pm. The fire is on the fourth floor and is believed to have started in a kitchen.' All residents were evacuated from the building by fire crews as they fought the blaze using specialist equipment. The fire was extinguished just after 2.30pm and all residents of the building are accounted for, with no injuries reported. Dangerous: Smoke wraps around the apartment block as the blaze in the flat is clearly visible Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, writing on their official Twitter account, said: 'Blaze put out and thankfully everyone safe.' A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that one casualty received treatment at the scene, but did not require any further medical assistance and was not taken to hospital. During the incident, police officers cordoned off many of the roads around Gunwharf Quays, but the shopping centre remained accessible to pedestrians. The people on the roof were advised to wait until the smoke had dispersed to come down. The fire service warned residents from nearby to remain indoors while they were tackling the blaze, ensuring that all windows and doors were kept shut. A Syrian cameraman and rescue worker whose documentary about the White Helmets has been nominated for an Oscar will not attend the awards ceremony because Damascus has cancelled his passport, the civil defense group said Sunday. Khaled Khatib was given a visa by the US to visit the country for the Oscars' ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday night, and he was to be joined by fellow rescue worker and group leader Raed Saleh. However, in a statement early on Sunday, the White Helmets, also known as the Syrian Civil Defence, said that Saleh would not be able to leave his work because of the high intensity of air strikes while Khatib could not attend because Syria's government had cancelled his passport. Khaled Khatib, 21, was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday to attend the Oscars, where his film is nominated for Best Documentary Short Khatib updated the news of his travel plans on Saturday. He said he was at an airport for three days because his passport was not accepted, despite having a U.S. visa 'The Syrian Civil Defence are grateful for the platform the film 'The White Helmets' is providing for their humanitarian message to reach around the world,' the statement said. The White Helmets operate a rescue service in rebel-held parts of Syria, which have been subjected to fierce bombardment by the government and Russia's air force during the country's civil war that has leveled whole city districts. Their harrowing 40-minute Netflix documentary gives a glimpse into the daily lives of the volunteers. Syria's government under President Bashar al-Assad has accused the group of being a front for al Qaeda and of faking footage of the aftermath of air strikes for propaganda purposes, charges the White Helmets deny. It was initially believed Khatib had been barred from entering the US by immigration authorities. The 21-year-old was preparing to make his way to Los Angeles when there was a last-minute decision to block him from traveling because officials found 'derogatory information' on the young Syrian. The White Helmets' harrowing 40-minute Netflix documentary gives a glimpse into the daily lives of the volunteers The White Helmets has been nominated for Best Documentary Short. If the film wins the Oscar, the award would go to director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara According to internal Trump administration correspondence, the Department of Homeland Security decided at the last minute to block Khatib from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khatib was scheduled to arrive Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended because of the 'derogatory information'. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include anything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Khatib updated the news of his travel plans to his Twitter followers on Saturday. He said he was at an airport for three days because his passport was not accepted, despite having a U.S. visa. He said in a previous interview with CNN: 'If I cannot enter the US, I will not give up: we know that we have many friends in US, that there are people that share our humanitarian values. I look forward to meeting them all one day.' It was initially believed Khatib had been barred from entering the US by immigration authorities The White Helmets has been nominated for Best Documentary Short. If the film wins the Oscar, the award would go to director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara. Khatib is one of three people credited for cinematography; Franklin Dow is the film's director of photography. The film focuses on the rescue workers who risk their lives to save Syrians affected by civil war. Many of the group's members have been killed by Assad's air forces. The group also was nominated for last year's Nobel Peace Prize. 'The White Helmets' includes emblematic scenes of the deadly 6-year-old conflict: people digging through destroyed homes looking for survivors, at constant risk of 'double tap' attacks that target first responders after they've arrived at the scene of a strike. Khatib tweeted in late January his excitement to have worked on the Netflix documentary The White Helmets, which was nominated for an Academy Award Bill Maher defended alt-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulis on Friday as a 'provocateur' and bashed liberals for being oversensitive. Critics have also gone after Maher for what they believe was giving Yiannopoulis a bullhorn when he interviewed him last week. The 'Real Time' host has faced criticism in the past for making light of pedophilia, and is now under fire for seemingly doing it again. Within days of appearing on 'Real Time' with Bill Maher, Yiannopoulos lost his $250,000 book deal, was barred from speaking at CPAC, and stepped down as editor of Breitbart news after video was leaked that appeared to show him defending pedophilia. Scroll down for video Bill Maher defended alt-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulis on Friday as a 'provocateur' and bashed liberals for being oversensitive During his show on Friday, Maher attempted to save face by claiming that his viewers are being oversensitive and overreacting to his decision to speak with Yiannopoulis, reported the New York Daily News. Referring to Yiannopoulis as 'this poor guy' he said: 'This week [he] lost more jobs than Ohio during the recession.' Milo Yiannopoulos lost his $250,000 book deal on Monday in light of his comments that appear to defend pedofiles Maher was interviewing author Fran Lebowitz, who tried to bring up why Yiannopoulis got the boot, but Maher avoided the subject. 'Let's not get into it,' he said. '[Yiannopoulis] crossed a line.' Last week a video came out that Yiannopoulos's lewd comments saying relationships in which 'older men help those young boys to discover who they are' seemed to have pushed the company to back out. Earlier this week, it was brought up that Maher was widely rebuked in 1998 after he once publicly defended pedophilia on his 'Politically Incorrect' talk show, discussing the case of 34-year-old teacher Mary Letorneau. Defending her, he said: '[Letorneau] is in jail because she is in love. That's how I view it. Raped? C'mon, how can a woman rape a man?' The Washington woman was sentenced to jail after pleading guilty to raping a 12-year-old male student, according to the Daily News. Maher further defended his decision to host Yiannopoulis on Friday by saying: 'He's just a provocateur, he's just the little brother who puts the spider in his big sister's tent... That's all he is and this is hurting us, this is why liberals lose elections.' When the show concluded, Maher took to Twitter and began bashing the mainstream media for focusing too much time on unnecessary stories, even using President Trump's favorite new catchphrase - #FakeNews. When the show concluded, Maher took to Twitter and began bashing the mainsteam media for focusing too much time on unnecessary stories, even using President Trump's favorite new catchphrase - #FakeNews During his show on Friday, Maher attempted to save face by claiming that his viewers are being oversensitive and overreacting to his decision to speak with Yiannopoulis Last week, a video emerged that showed Beitbart's Technology Editor taking part in a debate between several American men, one of whom was wearing a superhero-style mask, when he defended 'coming of age' relationships. A five-minute edited tape of the discussion was posted online forcing the controversial media star to clarify his comments. In the tape, he made lewd comments saying relationships in which older 'older men help those young boys to discover who they are.' Yiannopoulos was due to address the annual Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, but after the footage was released, conservatives called for him to be banned. Additionally Simon & Schuster announced they have cancelled his book deal. Publisher Simon & Schuster said: 'After careful consideration, Simon & Schuster and its Threshold Editions imprint have canceled publication of Dangerous by Milo Yiannopoulos.' 'Dangerous' was set to be published under Threshold Editions, the conservative branch of the publisher according to USA Today. The book deal received backlash since the announcement in January, with many on social media threatening to boycott the publisher. Yiannopoulis is pictured as he makes his announcement that he has decided to step down as an editor from Breitbart news, the decision came after a five-minute edited tape of the discussion was posted online forcing the controversial media star to clarify his comments Just six days prior to the announcement, Yiannopoulos wrote on Instagram: 'I asked my publisher, Threshold Editions, for more time to submit the manuscript for DANGEROUS so I could include material about the craziness and rioting at UC Berkeley, UC Davis and UW Seattle.' 'Dangerous' was set to be released on March 14 but was pushed back to June 13. When the book hit number one on Amazon's best sellers last month, Yiannopoulos posted on Instagram: 'I only know how to win.' Yiannopoulos was also uninvited from the the Conservative Political Action Committee conference because of his comments on gay relationships between boys and older men. The conservative firebrand was told he will not be able to attend the event this weekend by Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union. Milo Yiannopoulos claimed he was not defending pedophilia when he said some younger boys could benefit by coming involved in a consensual relationship with an older man. He has now been banned from speaking at the Conservative Political Action Committee conference He released a statement on Monday saying his invite was 'rescinded' after the 'offensive' video surfaced. 'We realize that Mr Yiannopoulos has responded on Facebook, but it is insufficient, he added. 'It is up to him to answer the tough questions and we urge him to immediately further address these disturbing comments.' On Monday, Yiannopoulis wrote on Facebook: 'I'm partly to blame. My own experiences as a victim led me to believe I could say anything I wanted to on this subject, no matter how outrageous. 'But I understand that my usual blend of British sarcasm, provocation and gallows humor might have come across as flippancy, a lack of care for other victims or, worse, "advocacy." I deeply regret that. People deal with things from their past in different ways.' The conservative-leaning Reagan Battalion released footage of the online discussion The conservative firebrand was told he will not be able to attend the event this weekend by Matt Schlapp, chairman of the American Conservative Union. He released a statement on Monday saying his invite was 'rescinded' after the 'offensive' video surfaced During the online discussion, Yiannopoulos said: 'This is a controversial view, I accept. But we get caught up in this whole child abuse thing even to the extent we are policing consensual relationships between consenting adults, such as grad students and professors at universities. 'The whole consent thing is not as black and white as people try and paint it.' Yiannopoulos agreed that the age of consent was 'roughly' at the right age. Yiannopoulos wrote a second apology on Facebook on Monday. He said that he was abused as a child and felt he could speak freely on the topic He continued: 'There are certainly people who are capable of giving consent at a younger age. I would certainly consider myself to be one of them, people who are sexually active younger. 'I think it particularly happens in the gay world, by the way. In many cases actually, those relationships this is one of the reasons I hate the left. This one-size-fits-all policing of culture. This arbitrary and oppressive idea of consent, which totally destroys, you know, the understanding that many of us have, of the complexities, subtleties and complicated nature of many relationships. People are messy and complex, particularly in the homosexual world. Some of those relationships between younger boys and older men, the sort of coming of age relationships, the relationships in which those older men help those young boys to discover who they are, and give them security and safety and provide them with love and a reliable rock where they cant speak to their parents.' Yiannopoulos said: 'Pedophilia is not a sexual attraction to somebody 13 years old who is sexually mature. Pedophilia is attraction to children who have not reached puberty. Pedophilia is an attraction to people who dont have functioning sex organs yet, who have not gone through puberty, who are too young to understand about the bodies. That is not what we are talking about. You dont understand what pedophilia is if you thing Im defending it, because Im certainly not.' Yiannopoulos suggested a relationship between 'younger boys and older men' can be 'hugely positive experiences for the young boys' saving them from possible 'suicide and drugs' Yiannopouloswrote an 'apology' titled a 'note for idiots' on Sunday. He insisted he does not support pedophilia and mentioned sex criminals he had 'outed' during his career Yiannopoulos claimed some teenagers could find a relationship with an older man quite beneficial. He added: 'In the gay world, some of the most enriching and incredibly life-affirming and shaping relationships, very often between younger boys and older men, can be hugely positive experiences for those young boys. They can save those young boys from desolation, suicide and drug addiction, all sorts of things, providing theyre consensual.' Later, Yiannopoulos wrote on Facebook blaming deceptive editing and his own 'sloppy phrasing' for any indication he supported pedophilia. He said he spoke of his own relationship when he was 17 with a man who was 29. The age of consent in the UK is 16. It's unclear who edited the videos. The video was published by the Reagan Battalion, a blog that describes itself as 'news, information, commentary, from a conservative perspective'. According to a Facebook post, Yiannopoulos insisted he should have used the term young men as opposed to young boys. A German man, 35, drove a car into a group of people outside a city centre bakery and fled the scene before being shot by police. The man hit the three pedestrians, one of whom died of his injuries, in Heidelberg, near Stuttgart, at around 4pm then ran away carrying a knife. Dramatic video footage shows the suspect cornered by a police patrol, with a single gunshot heard before the officers rush towards him on the pavement. Police say they believe the incident is not terror related, but have not yet identified a motive. The first image of the suspect shows him brandishing a knife with his arms outstretched. This is the first picture of the suspect, who is seen brandishing a knife on a pavement near a swimming pool A German man, 35, drove a car into a group of people outside a city centre bakery and fled the scene before being shot by police. Pictured is the suspect Video footage shows there was a short stand-off before the man was shot by police and then taken to hospital A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries this evening at a local hospital. Pictured: The stand-off between the suspected driver and officers Police cornered him and an officer could be heard shouting 'knife gone' after he was shot, according to local media reports. Pictured: Officers next to the car on Bismarckplatz Forensic police were pictured after the shooting examining the car, which was black with three doors The vehicle is thought to be a rental car, and had Hamburg license plates. A police spokesman said there was 'no indication' the man had a terrorist background After police shot the man near a swimming pool, one of the officers shouted 'knife gone', according to local media. The suspect, a 35-year-old German whose identity has not been released, was taken to a hospital and underwent an operation. A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries this evening at a local hospital. A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia were lightly injured. A police spokesman said there was 'no indication' the man had a terrorist background. He added: 'We are continuing to investigate. As soon as we know more we will inform the public.' German daily Bild reported that the suspect was suffering from psychiatric problems, but authorities have made no comment on that claim. Forensic officers are seen examining the front of the car, which was placed behind a cordon Police officers stand around the vehicle, which remained at the spot where a man ploughed into the crowd of people Officers stand guard behind a cordon around the scene on Bismarckplatz, Heidelberg's main square Regional newspaper Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung said the suspect was not fit to be questioned Regional newspaper Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung said the suspect was not fit to be questioned. Forensics officers were pictured after the shooting examining the car, a black three-door vehicle which had Hamburg license plates. A cordon was been put in place to prevent the public accessing the scene. Investigations by the public prosecutors' office in Heidelberg and the town's criminal police were continuing, police said. Germany has been on high alert since a terrorist rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin in December, killing 12 people. Pictured: Emergency services in Heidelberg The Berlin carnage evoked memories of the July truck assault in Nice, where 86 people were killed by a Tunisian Islamic State group-sympathiser. Pictured: An armed officer in Heidelberg Police stand next to a car outside a business building in Heidelberg. There is an increased police presence in the city following the incident A local newspaper said the suspect had stopped at a red traffic light and when it turned green put his foot down before hitting the group of people at high speed and smashing into a pillar. Germany has been on high alert since a terrorist rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin in December, killing 12 people. He was shot dead days later by police in Italy. The Berlin carnage evoked memories of the July truck assault in Nice, where 86 people were killed by a Tunisian Islamic State group-sympathiser. 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 Starbucks' image has taken a hit since CEO Howard Schultz (above) vowed to hire 10,000 refugees in 75 countries over the next five years Starbucks pledge to hire refugees in response to President Donald Trumps travel ban may end up hitting the companys pockets. The Seattle-based coffee chains brand perception has slipped dramatically since CEO Howard Schultz vowed to hire 10,000 migrants in 75 countries over the next five years, according to the YouGov BrandIndex. Schultz made the pledge after Trumps executive order banning entry into the US of nationals from seven predominantly Muslim countries - Somalia, Iran, Iraq, Sudan, Syria, Libya, and Yemen. Since then, Trump supporters vowed to boycott Starbucks. The YouGov BrandIndex is a perception tracker that asks consumers if they heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth that was either positive or negative. The index found that Starbucks rating has dropped by two-thirds since late January, when Schultz announced his new policy. The YouGov BrandIndex is a perception tracker that asks consumers if they heard anything about the brand in the last two weeks, through advertising, news or word of mouth that was either positive or negative. The index found that Starbucks rating has dropped by two-thirds It should be noted that overall, Starbucks has a positive perception. It just isnt as positive as it was before the end of January. Two days before the announcement, 30 percent of consumers said they would consider buying from Starbucks the next time they wanted coffee. Since the announcement, that number has dropped to 24 percent. We are in business to inspire and nurture the human spirit, one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time - whether that neighborhood is in a Red State or a Blue State; a Christian country or a Muslim country; a divided nation or a united nation, Schultz wrote in a letter to his employees on January 20. That will not change. You have my word on that. Starbucks isnt the only company that has pledged to hire refugees and absorbed criticism as a result. Chobani, the Greek yogurt manufacturer, employs 300 refugees in its factories. The company's CEO, Hamdi Ulukaya, who himself immigrated from Turkey, has embraced a policy of hiring refugees. As a result, he has received death threats from xenophobic extremists, according to The New York Times. Other companies have also expressed a readiness to help resettle refugees. TripAdvisor, Inc. has set aside $5million over the next three years to helping refugees, according to The Wall Street Journal. Two days before Schultz's announcement, 30 percent of consumers said they would consider buying from Starbucks the next time they wanted coffee. Since the announcement, that number has dropped to 24 percent Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya (above) has received death threats Airbnb announced plans to offer free short-term housing for 100,000 refugees and other displaced people in the next four years. It has also pledged $4million to refugee resettlement agencies. Since the Obama administration reached out to the private sector last year and asked them to do more to provide opportunities for migrants, companies have been hiring them. Walmart, Tyson Foods, Perdue Farms, Hilton, and others have hired dozens of refugees, according to Time. Other companies in the food, farming, hotel, and house-cleaning industry have also hired refugees. Walmart has hired 79 refugees since last year, when the Obama administration urged the private sector to provide opportunities for newly arrived migrants The announcement on North Korean state radio could not have been more blood curdling. The announcer decreed that Park Sang-hak, a fugitive from Kim Jong-uns pariah state, must go to hell and added a chilling warning: the regime would ruthlessly eliminate this maniac. Lest there be any doubt as to Parks fate, the announcer ended with a promise that it would bleed him out and gut his intestines. Park Sang-hak lives under a permanent shadow of death, branded public enemy number one by the despotic state he once served so loyally. Scroll down for video Vietnamese woman Doan Thi Huong (pictured) was arrested by Malaysian police over the murder of Kim Jong Nam Shocking pictures show Kim Jong-Nam slumped in a chair after a cloth infused with poison was wiped on his face by two women in a Malaysian airport The brazen assassination was captured on airport cameras. Police arrested the women, one of whom was vomiting This diminutive dissident, dedicated to overthrowing the repressive regime, has cheated hit squads sent to assassinate him armed with poisoned needles hidden in pens, and endured numerous death threats including a decapitated rat sent to his home with the note we will kill you like this rat. It is stressful but this has been going on for years, he told me last week. I cant stress with every threat but I get angry about death threats to my family and when they threaten to kill my son. Like other prominent defectors, he lives with permanent bodyguards. Two sat beside us when we met in a Seoul cafe, carefully watching customers and checking the door each time it opened. Park Sang-hak (pictured) lives under a permanent shadow of death, branded public enemy number one by the despotic state since he defected Such security has been stepped up after the mysterious murder of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Koreas leader who was killed with a lethal nerve agent in a Malaysian airport earlier this month. Kim Jong-nam, once favourite to succeed his father running the hermit kingdom, died quickly after a cloth infused with poison was wiped on his face by two women. The brazen assassination was captured on airport cameras. It has since emerged the substance used was VX, an odourless chemical weapon so potent it is classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. Tiny amounts can kill a person, whether inhaled or absorbed through skin. Police arrested the women, one of whom was vomiting. They turned out to be from Vietnam and Indonesia, claiming to have been persuaded to carry out a prank. Alleged aassasin Doan Thi Huong had a Facebook account under the name Ruby Ruby and posted a number of modeling shots Suspected assassin Doan Thi Huong is pictured wearing a shirt with 'LOL' emblazoned on the front Yesterday it emerged one of the women claimed she was paid 100,000 won (about 70) to rub baby oil on Kim Jong-nams face. A North Korean national was also arrested, while four others escaped back over the border to Pyongyang. Two more members of the plot are believed to be hiding in their Kuala Lumpur embassy. Intelligence figures in South Korea said the assassination was a long-term standing order from the North Korean regime and warned ministers the next target might be a prominent defector. Few people are more aware of these risks than Park. The son of a senior North Korean spy, he has been called both First Target and Enemy Zero by the state he used to serve as a trusted party worker. Since defecting 18 years ago and seeing the lies he was fed by the regime, he has infuriated his former masters by flying homemade balloons over the border loaded with subversive items from Hollywood films to human rights information. Last year alone Park despatched two million leaflets attacking the cruel dictatorship that beat his fiancee to pulp after he escaped its clutches. I joined him and his wife to watch one nocturnal stealth launch last summer. Kim Jong Nam was the half brother of leader Kim Jong Un (pictured). Long estranged from North Korea's leadership, Kim Jong Nam had lived outside the country for years Such actions have led to missiles fired back in return from North Korea and a series of assassination attempts by agents. Pyongyang vowed to eliminate him in 2008 after he went to the White House to highlight the regimes atrocities. Three years later Park received a call from businessmen asking to sponsor his efforts. They told me they wanted to meet to discuss my activities with balloons, he recalled last week. So we arranged to meet at a subway station in Gangnam. Seoul intelligence was suspicious, however, and warned him not to go. Agents went in Parks place, arresting a fellow defector who turned out to be a former member of North Koreas special forces armed with an array of James Bond-style weapons. They had a ballpoint pen which when you pressed the top had a poisoned needle in it, another small gun that fired a poisoned bullet and a vial of poison, said Park. The toxins, if injected into his body, would have caused instant muscle paralysis leading to death by suffocation. Kim Jong Nam (pictured) died on February 13. An autopsy revealed a nerve agent was found on his face The assassin was also found with an adapted torch that could fire three bullets over a 30-foot range. The arrested man was a defector recruited by Pyongyang during a business trip to Mongolia the previous year. Bizarrely he told South Korean spooks of the plot and offered to work for them, but after being brushed off decided to carry out the action. Park told me he originally thought the intelligence warning was fake since South Korea dislikes his activities. It is ironic I did not believe them at first and thought it was a government plot to stop me raising money, he said. But I do not fear death. Since then he has faced more attempts on his life. The following year, for instance, a female assassin was sent to kill him under cover of defection, but was caught when put through the security vetting confronting all arrivals from the north. They picked up something weird about her and she ended up confessing they had sent her to kill me. She was meant to receive a gun from someone else who was helping her, said Park. He also endures repeated threats, such as a fake bomb left for the traitor, his wife and son in a hotel two years ago, and dead animals in the post. I have been sent packages containing decapitated rats with a note saying we will kill you like this rat. Park says his computer and phone are constantly hacked by North Korean agents. They have sent out documents declaring his supposed allegiance to the Supreme Leader and fake text messages from South Korean intelligence services. Nerve agent VX is odorless, tasteless and highly toxic, and is manufactured for chemical warfare. It is classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction They claim I have been put under investigation. What is really scary is when you look at the contact of the person who sent it their details are all correct. But I have learned to get used to these tricks. Park believes the death of Kim Jong-uns half-brother reminds the world of North Koreas savagery. The fact that he killed his own family with a poison banned by the international community shows he is capable of crimes against humanity. The airport murder is reported to have been masterminded by Division 19 of the Reconnaissance General Bureau, linked to Parks own attempted assassination. It recruits and trains foreign nationals to assist special operations and spy missions. The targeting of Park in September 2011 was one of three assassination attempts in quick succession, exposing a belligerent regime determined to silence enemies. Just weeks earlier Patrick Kim, a 46-year-old South Korean pastor who secretly aided defectors, collapsed by a taxi stand in the Chinese border town of Dandong with flecks of foam on his mouth. He was dead by the time he reached hospital. The following day, another South Korean religious activist felt something prick his back shortly after leaving a safe house for refugees. He collapsed, but survived the poison attack. These hit squads were linked to the rise of Kim Jong-un. The portly young despot has since succeeded his father as third generation ruler in the dynasty that controls every aspect of life in North Korea, sealing its 25 million citizens from the wider world. The ruthless 33-year-old has consolidated power in his hands by killing 300 senior officials, including his own uncle. Police want to question the North Korean embassy's second secretary, Hyon Kwang Song (left), as well as a North Korean airline employee called Kim Uk Il (right) Five other pallbearers at his fathers state funeral in December 2011 have been brutally executed or internally banished. One minister was said to have been blown apart with an anti-aircraft gun in front of hundreds of officials for the crime of falling asleep in a meeting with his leader. A UN inquiry concluded the regime was guilty of abuses against its own people with a savagery that echoed the Nazis. It heard evidence of torture, death camps and corpses used for fertiliser. Last year South Korea disclosed that Pyongyang had ordered the killing of seven other prominent defectors. This followed the murder of another activist priest helping North Koreans escape, lured to his death by a young female agent. Targets included Choi Jung-hoon, commander of the North Korean Peoples Liberation Front, a quasi-military group of defectors from the armed forces that wears uniforms and wages information war on the North. Its terrifying but all I need to do is keep a clear head, said Choi, an impressive character who served as an officer in North Koreas military cyber-hacking unit for almost two decades. He has survived a previous abduction attempt. One prominent female dissident admitted she was scared after the murders. Trips around south-east Asia are pretty much impossible but we must be careful even in the US and Europe, she said. Im nervous arriving at airports and in public places. Reports in Seoul say Thae Yong-ho, the deputy envoy to London who fled last year, curtailed all public activities after the assassination. One of the most senior defectors, he was called scum and accused of awful deeds by the regime. Malaysian police said the two women allegedly involved in the assassination - Siti Aisyah (left) and Doan Thi Huong (right) - knew the poisoning wasn't a 'TV prank' Such threats can revive painful memories for defectors. Since I defected to a free society I am furious whenever we get threats, said Kang Chol-hwan, founder of the North Korea Strategy Centre in Seoul, a human rights group. It makes me feel like we are still living under the influence of the rigged country. Kang spent ten years in a slave labour camp after his grandfather was convicted of high treason under policies imposing re-education on three generations of state enemies. He had to watch executions, bury bodies of those who had died from hunger and even stone the corpses of those hanged after being caught trying to flee. His group is often hacked, the last time just two months ago, and sent threatening packages. North Korea justifies its deadly actions with a distorted version of history, claiming to be under threat of imminent attack from the South and United States to stifle dissent. The peninsula is still technically in a state of war after the 1953 armistice. The regime uses repression and remorseless propaganda to retain its grip. It is propped up by China, determined to restrain American influence and desperate to prevent a collapse that might lead to a refugee crisis, although last week there were significant ructions in this relationship. Security forces routinely send highly-trained female spies over the border to seduce military officers in the South, along with using hit squads to kill and kidnap foes. Often they pose as defectors, such as the pair sent seven years ago to kill a former confidant of Kim Jong-uns father with orders to slit the betrayers throat. Similar instructions were given to a 1968 team despatched to kill South Koreas president. An Chan-il, a former North Korean commando who defected to the South in 1979, said female assassins armed with good looks and hidden weapons are increasingly used for hit squads and honey traps. They can easily hide mini poison injectors made of plastic, either in lipsticks, cosmetics or under their clothes, he said, adding that such devices go undetected by airport security. The nerve agent VX, which has the consistency of motor oil, can take days or even weeks to evaporate. Tiny amounts can kill a person, whether inhaled or absorbed through skin The women, often from elite backgrounds and university educated, go through intensive training that includes building strength, combat skills, language lessons, surveillance and weapons use. Lee Jong-hoon, South Koreas ambassador for human rights, told me it was mind-boggling North Korea still carries out such attacks. It is like an old-fashioned criminal organisation, eliminating what it does not like, he said. Its leaders see themselves as untouchable. There was also fury from the Human Rights Foundation, a New York-based group that works closely with North Korean dissidents. Theyve tried to kill our associates repeatedly, said its president Thor Halvorssen. It is time to rein in their activities. Halvorssen said the latest assassination was like a scene from a gangster film. It was designed to sow terror in adversaries with a simple message: it doesnt matter where you are or who you are we will find you and kill you. Advertisement The recent military rhetoric coming from the Kremlin seems to have been embraced in Moscow. A sleigh festival held in the Russian capital today saw patriotic citizens hurtling down slopes in makeshift contraptions - many of them fashioned to look like tanks. Weeks after President Vladimir Putin ordered his air force to prepare for a 'state of war', the large crowds in Moscow's Sokolniki Park showed off military-style vehicles of their own. The festival is now in its fifth year, and saw hundreds of people to turn up in the snow to reach high speeds at the colourful event. Many carried Russian flags, and one man was pictured gripping onto his pet dog as he plummeted to the bottom of the slope. Scroll down for video Military fervour: A man and woman descend the slope in a tank-inspired sleigh at the festival in Moscow today High speed: Patriotic Muscovites took part in the event, with many careering down the hill in military-looking contraptions Scary: Large numbers came to the Sokolniki Park in the Russian capital to take part in the Battle Sani festival It saw hundreds join in the fun and reach high speeds as they descended through the snow Terrifying: One man holds a dog as he takes part in an enamel bowl sliding event during the Battle Sami event in Moscow today Tumble: The man carrying the dog goes flying though the snow after losing control of the enamel bowl he was careering down the slope in Man in the mask: A participant slides down a snow-covered slope in the Moscow park today A man and woman have fun in the snow at the fifth Battle Sani unusual sleigh festival in Sokolniki Park today Colourful: A man in a bright outfit slides at high speed down the hill at the festival today A man and child sliding down the slope in an enamel bowl at the unusual sleigh festival in Moscow today Falling with flare: A man holds a flare aloft as he glides down the slope in a makeshift sleigh in Moscow's Sokolniki Park today Bernie Sanders mocked Donald Trump on Twitter and reminded the outspoken president that his inauguration crowd was still smaller than Obama's. In light of the multiple protests held against Trump and his administration, the president said if the millions of voters who helped 'make America great again' had their own rally it 'would be the biggest of them all', in a tweet on Saturday. Sanders disagreed and in a simple comeback he posted comparative photos of the crowds at Trump's inauguration and Obama's ceremony and said: 'They did. It wasn't'. Bernie Sanders shut down Trump on Twitter after the president claimed that if his supporters had a rally 'it would be the biggest of them all' on Saturday Sanders shared a photo of the crowd at Trump's inauguration next to Obama's 2009 inauguration and simply said: 'They did. It wasn't' Trump previously boasted of his large inauguration crowd size (left) but experts quickly rushed to confirm that Obama's 2009 inauguration (right) of 1.8 million people beat Trump's figures of less than 600,000 people The epic dig from Sanders was met with waves of praise from supporters and since has reignited the senator's election campaign rally cry of #FeelTheBern. Twitter users have retweeted the response, which has now gone viral, and one user chimed in, asking if Trump 'needed some ice' from Sander's burn. In the past, Trump has made his disapproval of the crowd size comparisons be known and even suspended the Interior Department's digital team shortly after the National Park Service retweeted the contrasting photos. The billionaire had previously boasted of his historic inauguration crowd size, but his claims were quickly dispelled after Obama's 2009 inauguration was proven to be much larger. Trump took office in January and his administration has since issued several controversial measures, causing protests and disapproving comments from other politicians, including Sanders (right) Experts have estimated that between 300,000 and 600,000 people came to Trump's inauguration, compared to Obama's 1.8 million. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters during a press conference that 720,000 people appeared to have been present. Washington DC's Metro also gave numbers that suggest fewer people came to Trump's inauguration than both of Obama's ceremonies. As of 11am on Trump's Inauguration Day, 193,000 trips had been taken this year, compared to 513,000 in 2009 and 317,000 in 2013. On the day of George W. Bush's second inauguration, 197,000 trips had been taken by 11am. Since Trump took office his administration has issued several controversial measures, causing weeks of protest in the United States and internationally. Not only have ordinary citizens picked up protest signs, but Hollywood stars have also joined in to denounce Trump. The epic dig from Sanders was met with praise from supporters and since has reignited the senator's election campaign rally cry of #FeelTheBern Sander's simple comeback has went viral and has more than 70,000 retweets With the Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday, A-listers such as Jodie Foster, Michael J. Fox and Keegan Michael Key have headlined a protest over Trump's recent immigration orders. The stars were among 1,200 people to take part in the rally organized by the United Talent Agency on Friday outside its headquarters in Beverly Hills. UTA, one of the world's largest talent agencies, chose to scrap its annual pre-Oscars party in protest at Trump's immigration travel ban and to show its support for freedom of speech and artistic expression. With the Academy Awards scheduled for Sunday, Hollywood has also waded into the political dispute. Jodie Foster (left) and Michael J. Fox (right) headlined a protest over Trump's recent immigration orders in Los Angeles on Friday Taking to the rally stage, Foster said she's never been comfortable using her public face for activism and has always found the small ways to serve, but that this year is different. 'It's time to show up,' she said. 'It's a singular time in history. It's time to engage. And as the very, very dead Frederick Douglass once said 'any time is a good time for illumination'.' 'It doesn't matter where you born, who you voted for... All the colors in the identity rainbow - this is our time to resist,' she said. 'It is the time to show up and demand answers. It's all of us trying to tell our elected officials to do their job.' Tiny and fragile, little Renat was frogmarched into the waiting room by two determined Russian women and stripped of all his clothes. It was minus 30C outside but waiting for Renat in the room was Glenn Hammet, a teacher from London, who quickly handed over a brand-new outfit he had been told to bring. The clothes totally swamped him, Glenn recalls. He was three but so malnourished, with terrible skin, he looked half that age. In 1998, Glenn Hammet (left) and Keith Millay adopted Renat (right) from an orphanage in Ulyanovsk, 550 miles east of Moscow. Two years later, they adopted Max from the same place Despite the forbidding atmosphere, it was a moment of unbridled joy that Glenn had dreamed of for as long as he could remember one that, as a gay man, he never believed was possible. On November 12, 1998, in the unlikely surroundings of a Russian orphanage in Ulyanovsk, a frozen wasteland 550 miles east of Moscow, he had finally become a father. Once the formalities were completed, Glenn rang his architect partner Keith Millay to tell him the good news. Keith had remained at home, allowing the couple to dodge Russian laws which banned gay adoption but allowed it for single men. Two years later their little family was completed when they adopted three-year-old Max who was not related to Renat from the same orphanage. And so, with a beagle called Buddy as a family pet, their new life in London began. At first, Glenn and Keith relished their new-found family life. But their hopes of a fairytale ending have turned into a living hell. They have been left penniless, and emotionally and physically shattered. Their kindness has even put their lives in danger. Over the past six years Renat, who is now 21, has tried to strangle Glenn, 59, with a dog lead, and assaulted both men. Renat, now 21, (left) has tried to strangle Glenn, 59, with a dog lead and assaulted both men. The couple have taken out a restraining order, which he largely ignores He tried to suffocate his brother, threatened all three with knives and screwdrivers, hacked into their bank accounts and went on spending sprees with their credit cards. He has punched huge holes in the walls of their London home and repeatedly smashed furniture, computers and TVs causing tens of thousands of pounds of damage. In desperation, Keith and Glenn eventually called the police and a restraining order was issued to stop Renat turning up at their East London home. He largely ignores the order, leaving the men fearful for their safety. Glenn admits: Our lives have turned into a nightmare. We are physically, emotionally and financially destroyed. Neither parent imagined that life would turn out like this for them torn between feelings of love and responsibility on one hand and intolerable reality on the other. They are speaking now to highlight the risk every adoptive parent takes when they take a child from an orphanage into their home a child who may already be damaged beyond repair, and who may find it particularly hard to adjust to life with gay parents. We knew we took a risk taking toddlers from an orphanage, says Glenn. Their dormitory had 40 small beds crammed together, each one with a red number on the headboard. No adult slept with them and I dont know if anyone would have heard them cry. The babies were left in their cots for much of the day. Older children were left to their own devices. We were aware that both of them could have been abused, physically, mentally or sexually. And when a child has been neglected, their ability to make relationships or trust people is affected. They can be prone to learning and emotional difficulties. But we were willing to take the risk with toddlers because thats the age group I teach. All they were able to discover about the boys history is that Renat was dropped off at the orphanage by his 20-year-old mother the day he was born and Max had been looked after by his grandmother for nine months after his mother abandoned him, until she could no longer manage Glenn adds: I thought the critical time would be when the boys were little. Keith was more aware that toddlers become teenagers. He was right. It has been much worse than I imagined. All they were able to discover about the boys history is that Renat was dropped off at the orphanage by his 20-year-old mother the day he was born and Max had been looked after by his grandmother for nine months after his mother abandoned him, until she could no longer manage. They hoped to give the boys a better future, but their lives in Britain were difficult from the start. Max, who was tiny, struggled to speak. He had been so undernourished that his tongue hadnt grown properly. Glenn and Keith paid for speech therapy for several years until he spoke perfectly. As a child, Max would place a crocheted Chinese lantern carefully on his bedside table, explaining: Its to catch all my nightmares, because they are very scary. Renat was moody and occasionally aggressive, but articulate and extremely bright. Both boys were often withdrawn, but Glenn and Keith put it down to their traumatic experiences and difficulties with adapting to their new language and surroundings. When Max was eight, he was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, which Glenn calls institutional autism. He qualified for a Statement of Special Needs which meant, among other things, that the council paid his fees at a specialist school, Fairley House. Max believes the diagnosis saved his life. It meant I could stay in a school for children with learning difficulties which had very small classes, he said. It was a safe environment for me, and I made decent friends. I doubt I would have coped in a state school and its probably why I am here now and not insane. He is currently flourishing at Portsmouth University, where he is doing a degree in biology. Keith, 64, says proudly: Max has aims, is organised and very driven. As a child, Max would place a crocheted Chinese lantern carefully on his bedside table, explaining: Its to catch all my nightmares, because they are very scary However, a request for Renat to be statemented when he was a schoolboy was rejected on the grounds that he didnt need one. Ever since, his life has taken a different and far darker path to his adoptive brothers. Keith says: Renat has become a danger to his parents, his younger brother and himself. Even the dog is terrified of him after he broke his tail. Unable to afford to send Renat to Fairley House, Glenn and Keith sent him instead to a less expensive private school in London. Both boys admit they had difficulties at school dealing with their fathers sexuality, and at the peak of his disruptive behaviour Renat would even resort to hurling homophobic abuse at his parents. Some of the children bullied me because I had two dads and no mum so I used violence against their words, Renat recalls. I also took it out on Glenn and Keith because I felt it was their fault. I went through a homophobic phase. I think gay parents need to be very sensitive when they adopt because of how other children may react. Renat was asked to leave his school and went next to a boys comprehensive in North London, where his behaviour deteriorated still further and he began to mix with a local street gang. Renat was asked to leave his school and went next to a boys comprehensive in North London, where his behaviour deteriorated still further and he began to mix with a local street gang Glenn and Keith had paid for private mental care and therapy, but were told that full mental health assessments were not available for boys over 14. Social workers were assigned, but appeared to take little action about the damage to their home. At 15 he would sometimes be out all night and we were worried sick, said Keith. After a few months he dropped out of school altogether, then refused to leave the house for six months. He became incredibly violent and we couldnt cope. Finally the violence got so bad, they had no choice but to call the police and apply for the banning order. Keith was devastated. The only thing left was to criminalise him, which is terrible. He has spent more than ten nights in a police cell since he was 15. After a period spent sleeping on park benches or sheltering in 24-hour McDonalds restaurants, Renat has now found a job in a pub and is preparing to move into a flatshare in March. He admits he is still violent, though he says his parents are no longer the target. I break their property instead, he says. The accumulated cost of Renats behaviour is shocking. Glenn estimates it at about 60,000 just in the last six weeks, involving damage to a new timber floor, walls, various antiques, electrical equipment and a computer. We cant afford to keep repairing everything because our finances are dire, says Glenn. Our bank account is permanently in the red. Our three credit cards are maxed out and we cant get through the month without taking payday loans. For Keith and Glenn, the result is a mixture of fear and guilt. I feel bad about our failure to get any kind of proper help for Renat, spurning him and making him homeless, Glenn admits. We also feel guilt about Max because we didnt protect him and he has suffered badly at Renats hands. Last April Renat collapsed and spent a week in intensive care at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead. Doctors diagnosed Graves Disease, a common cause of hyperthyroidism, which can cause hyperactivity, anxiety, psychosis and other behavioural problems. Both fathers cling on to the hope that this might be a reason for his disruptive behaviour. Long-term treatment is needed. Glenn says: Mental health assessment and support is extremely difficult to access, I want to help improve the system and to connect with other adoptive couples who have suffered like we have, says Glenn. Having endured such torment, do they regret the adoptions? There are moments I wish I hadnt, Glenn admits. I still want to believe that, with the right kind of help and treatment, Renat could make something of his life. He deserves that chance. Renat is at least starting to show a flicker of remorse for his behaviour. I am grateful I wasnt left in the orphanage, but I cannot control my temper if I am at their house, he says. Sometimes I feel guilty afterwards. He has applied to do a foundation course at university, hoping eventually to study mechanical engineering. How likely that is without proper mental support is anyones guess. If he manages it, Keith and Glenns nightmare may at last be over. EU chiefs are set to call for European nationals who arrive in Britain over the next two years to be allowed to stay permanently, according to reports. Brussels officials are said to be keen for new migrants to be permitted to remain in Britain after Brexit. But Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to insist on a cut-off point barring immigrants since last year's referendum date from being allowed to stay. It is thought that thousands more EU nationals will opt to settle in the UK if the cut off point is extended. The 2018 cut-off point demand came from a meeting on Wednesday chaired by EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier Figures released this week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reveal a 'statistically significant' number of citizens from so-called EU8 nations - the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia - have left the UK. The outflow of EU8 nationals was up 12,000 year-on-year to 39,000 - the highest for five years. Immigration from the countries was 58,000, the lowest since they joined the European Union in 2004. The net inflow to the UK was 273,000 in the year to September - down from 333,000 in the 12 months to the end of June This was offset by a 'statistically significant' increase in immigration of Bulgarians and Romanians, which reached 74,000 - the highest on record. The 2018 cut-off point demand came from a meeting on Wednesday chaired by EU chief Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier , The Sun reports. In December last year, a report compiled by Remain and Leave MPs suggested that those who arrived in Britain after June 23 last year - the day of the referendum - shouldn't be allowed to stay indefinitely. The cut-off point could also be the day Britain triggers Article 50 exit talks, which is expected to happen within the next month. The date will be decided during negotiations over Britain's exit from the EU. Prime Minister Theresa May is under pressure to insist on a cut-off point barring immigrants since last year's referendum date from being allowed to stay A statement from Mrs May's office to The Sun said: 'Weve been clear that the PM sees it as a priority to grant reciprocal rights to EU citizens as long as rights for Britons living in the EU are recognised when negotiations get under way. 'The date will be one of the things we discuss with other nation states.' Last week European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker said the UK could expect a 'hefty bill' to cover financial commitments it has entered into as an EU member, as well as pensions for officials who served during its membership. Unconfirmed reports have suggested that chief negotiator Michel Barnier could present a 'divorce bill' of as much as 60 billion euros - 51 billion - when Theresa May triggers Article 50. But International Trade Secretary Liam Fox has described the notion that Britain will pay a large exit bill as 'absurd'. Two would-be robbers apologized to a Wisconsin woman after she told them that she'd just had surgery and had no money. The incredible exchange was caught on surveillance video released by the Milwaukee Police Department. Police say the incident happened in the 2200 block of S. 33rd Street around 4am on Sunday. Two male suspects are seen in the video coming up on foot to a vehicle, with one suspect opening the driver's door. Scroll down for video Two male suspects are seen in the video coming up on foot to a vehicle, with one suspect opening the driver's door In the video, one suspect asked: 'You got some money, old lady?' According to Fox 6, victim Kristy told the males 'No - I just had surgery!' Kristy could be heard saying in the video that she didn't have any money. 'Sorry ma'am, God bless you,' the suspect said. The other suspect said, 'Sorry'. Police are looking for the two males, who they said in a release 'fled on foot.' Kristy told WISN: 'They tried to pull me out of the car and I said "No." 'They never reached for my wallet, they asked me twice for money. I said I didn't have any. And I really didn't have any on me.' After victim Kristy said she didn't have any money, one suspect said 'Sorry ma'am,' God bless you,' with the second suspect saying 'Sorry' Kristy (pictured) has said: 'What wasn't on the camera is they said "We are not gonna kill you." They couldn't have been more polite' Kristy said the robbers told her 'God bless you' a second time 'before they ran away'. She said: 'I expected them to kill me. They point a gun at your head and the guy wasn't - his face wasn't covered. I looked right into his eyes.' A security camera set up by her husband Al captured the encounter, WISN reports. Kristy told the station: 'What wasn't on the camera is they said "We are not gonna kill you." They couldn't have been more polite. 'But, when somebody's sticking a gun in your face, I tend tend to not believe 'em.' A security camera set up by Kristy's husband Al captured the encounter Milwaukee police said one suspect was last seen wearing a blue hooded sweatshirt and blue jeans. The second suspect, they said, was last seen in blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt Milwaukee police said: 'Suspect #1 is described as a black male, with a thin build, and between 6'-6'2" tall. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and blue hooded sweatshirt. 'Suspect #2 is described as a black male, with a medium build, and between 5'9"-5'11" tall. He was last seen wearing a blue jeans and a long-sleeved shirt.' Tips on the case can be called into Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360. Rufus Gates, 17, was jailed for an armed robbery at a child's motel birthday party in South Carolina. He was dubbed 'prune head' by social media after his mugshot release A teenager dubbed 'prune head' for his scalp's appearance was jailed for up to five years after he robbed a child's motel birthday party with a gun. Rufus Gates, 17, was sentenced to prison for barging into a child's birthday party and robbing someone at gunpoint at a motel in Santee, South Carolina. He pleaded guilty to the December 2015 robbery where he was assisted by Alexander Lamar Outlaw, who was earlier sentenced to ten years in prison. The teenager has been teased online over his mugshot, where social media users called him a 'prune head' because of the wavy lines of skin on his scalp. Gates was arrested shortly after the armed robbery at the Delta Motel, located in central South Carolina, reported WITN. The two men had entered the room where there were four children and two adults and pushed everyone into a corner and demanded a man hand over his property. The robbery happened at the Delta Motel (pictured) in Santee, South Carolina, in December of 2015. There were four children and two adults in the room at the time of the robbery After Gates' mugshot was released by news outlets, his head's appearance has been made the subject of several prune and raisin jokes. The top of Gates' scalp is indented by rolls of skin that are bunched up to make it appear as if it is wrinkled, much like a raisin, a prune or the surface of a brain. It appears that Gates may have a rare condition called cutis verticis gyrata, which was first cited in the 1800s. Medscape describes the condition as the 'scalp manifesting as convoluted folds and furrows formed from thickened skin of the scalp' for which a version of the abnormality can cause 'mental deficiency'. Despite his medical condition, social media wasted no time in teasing Gates over the rolling indents on his scalp, comparing it to a grape and even wrinkly fingertips. After Gates' mugshot was released, his head's appearance has been made the subject of several prune and raisin jokes. This user compared his head to wet, wrinkly fingertips His scalp was also compared to a dirt bike course (left) because of the ridges and also to a grape field (right). Gates may have a rate condition called cutis verticis gyrata which is the cause of the unusual folds WHAT IS CUTIS VERTICIS GYRATA Cutis verticis gyrata is a rare condition first cited by Jean-Louis-Marc Alibert in the 1800s. It is identified by the folds and furrows formed from thickened skin of the scalp, which may resemble a raisin or cerebriform pattern. There are two different terms for the condition, the primary nonessential version of the abnormality can cause a range of side effects, including mental deficiency, schizophrenia or cranial abnormalities. It is most commonly found in men after they reach puberty. Source: Medscape Advertisement When I was a boy, sheltering in the cool shade of the house we had in Malaysia, I noticed a small dress in my parents bedroom, laid out on a bed framed by softly draped mosquito nets. I knew I just had to wear it, so I did... Suddenly I heard: Get out of here... Now! It was my father a soldier in the Royal Artillery and the embodiment of the British Army macho culture bellowing. Get that off! If I ever catch you dressed like that again, Ill send you to school in a dress, with ribbons in your hair, so all your friends will see. Do you understand! Had the offer been real, I would have delightedly accepted, but I knew answering back would only make matters worse. So from that moment on I lived a double life. Outwardly I was a boy who grew up to be an RAF navigator, holding my own among Top Gun crewmen and serving my country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Inwardly I was a girl who wanted to wear dresses and share secrets with my sister. For 40 years I hid my real identity from my family and the military until I had no choice but to reveal my true colours and became the first serving officer of the Armed Forces to embark on the journey of gender realignment For 40 years Caroline Paige (pictured) hid her real identity from her family and the military until she had no choice but to reveal her true colours Most of my childhood was spent wherever my fathers duty took him, from British military bases in the UK and Germany to western Malaysia. He had joined the Army as a 13-year-old boy soldier and was a big man in many ways. He was forthright in his views and heavily tattooed: one arm had a sword and a python while the other had a Bengal tiger and the badge of his Royal Artillery unit. When I was born in the winter of 1959, he was overjoyed to have a son, but by the time I began infants school I was already confused. Constantly living in the shadow of getting caught, I used to wear girls clothes underneath my boy clothes. I slipped into a nightie under my bedclothes. I wanted to confide in my sister Sandra, but feared she wouldnt be able to keep my secret. A manly career was expected of me As I entered my teenage years, Dad retired from the Army and we moved to a council house on the Wirral. I was tall enough to fit Mums clothes and was delighted to discover she owned a wig, bras and high-heeled shoes, which I took to as if I was born to them. Yet a manly career was expected of me, and in 1976, aged 16, I was accepted by the Glider School at RAF Sealand near my home. In the air, all my worries were forgotten this is what would keep me alive. Two years later, I began my officer training course at the Royal Air Force College in Cranwell, Lincolnshire. The RAF didnt accept gays but I knew I wasnt a gay man, just one who was yet to find my place in society. I wasnt a boy who liked wearing dresses; I was a girl with a mans body. My Forces family had placed me on a pedestal for flying fast jets as an officer at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. Revealing my secret would bring this all crashing down and in particular, it would destroy Dad. I was trapped by my need to protect them from the disgrace I would surely bring. My friends, meanwhile, began to notice that I didnt have a girlfriend. On numerous occasions I was set up on a date, but I always found an excuse not to go, or I made sure there was no second date. I enjoyed the company of girls, but I didnt want a relationship with one. Neither did I want one with a man. My personal life was a disaster and I did get caught out. One day I undressed hastily to answer the door to a friend from my squadron. He stared at my shoulders as he spoke and as soon as he had gone, I raced to the mirror and was horrified to see the red lines that were evidence that my bra straps had been too tight. Then there was Sheelagh, a lovely Irish lady who was briefly my girlfriend. One night when I drove her home, she kissed me and suddenly her tongue was exploring my mouth. I was shocked and jumped back. She looked back at me, taken aback. We never kissed again. By 1997 there was a lot of information about transsexuality on the internet. I was building up a better understanding that I wasnt alone and booked an appointment at the Albany Gender Identity Clinic. After a chat with the doctor, I was a little surprised to be offered female hormones. It was a life-changing prescription. Caroline was born Eric Cookson (pictured in Afghanistan) but wanted to be a woman from early childhood On October 28, 1998, I confided in my sister, Sandra. I have some very important news to tell you, I said. It is an exciting new chapter in my life and I want you to be with me for it. She interrupted: Are you gay? No, Im not gay... I continued. Is it a sex change? I told her how every night for the past 34 years, I had wished I would wake up a girl. She somehow appeared totally unfazed, replying: Thats OK, If thats all it is, theres no problem. I love you and I will be there for you... I will help you through this. Ive always wanted a sister, and now I have one, and its great! I had already decided my name: it was Caroline. I decided it would be best to offer my family some protection by changing my surname, so I wouldnt bring attention, or shame, to them. It would be Paige. Sandra agreed that telling the rest of the family wasnt going to go well. Before that though, it was time to tell the military the truth. In February 1999, I made an appointment to see the senior medical officer, Katie Geary, and said: I have been seeing a gender psychiatrist and have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria. I have a letter from him here. She reached for a telephone. Cancel all my appointments for the afternoon, she told her staff. An anxious hour later, I was summoned back. Geary was angry. The Wing Commander in the RAFs medical policy section had broken her request for confidentiality. He had already phoned my station commander, telling him he would soon receive a request from someone to change sex which should be ignored. He had said it was just a bloke who wanted to wear a dress, it was a phase he was going through that would be forgotten. The following day, the station commander invited me and Geary to his office. As I entered, he declared: I wasnt expecting it to be you! But he reassured me that the RAF was keen to keep me, and that he had been given clearance from the very top, to do whatever I can to help you remain in service. I travelled north in early 1999 to see my family for what I knew could be the last time. I knew they would never be the same after what I had to tell them and that burden was difficult to carry. My sister Sandra went ahead of me to break the news gently to my parents and my younger brothers Stan and Rich. Before I even arrived, my phone rang. It took all my strength to answer it. Is this true? asked my father, What Sandra has just told us? Yes, I replied softly, scared for what was about to come. In which case, you are dead to us... Do you understand? Yes, I do... Im sorry, I love you... Goodbye, Dad. I welled up with tears. It had gone exactly as I had feared. An hour later the phone rang again. It was Sandra, who handed the phone to Dad. He was clearly upset, said he didnt understand and admitted he couldnt deal with it, but he didnt want to expel me from the family. Sandra told me the feeling in the family had been: what would their friends think of them? How could I do this to them? No one considered what I must have gone through or why I had held it back so long. Every night for the past 34 years, I had wished I would wake up a girl The following day I met my mum and spoke to her. Its so hard to take in, Dad gets really upset, she said. He feels guilty that his comments in the past stopped you talking to us. We could have got you electric shock treatment. I knew it was time to leave. I never heard from Stan or Rich again. I was now based at RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and it was agreed the best option for me was to move to a new base so I could transition into a woman with the least disturbance to me and to my colleagues. I decided to move into private accommodation nearby. I was 39 and living full-time as Caroline, a woman. It was a day I never thought would come. I returned to Cranwell to work at the Department of Recruitment and Selection, known as Doris. My new life was far from easy; rumours began to spread. Walking to breakfast in the officers mess one day, I stepped into a corridor behind two young officers. Did you hear theres an officer whos had a sex change living here? Yes, I saw her the other day. Shes living in a caravan on the mess carpark... looks like a bloke. On the phone, I was called Sir and saying my name was Caroline always raised questions, so I began to use Caz, a gender-free option, as my default name. There was supposed to be a minimum of 12 months from formally beginning my transition to surgery. But when the surgeons office phoned to offer an earlier appointment, I leapt at the opportunity. ONE OF THE GIRLS: Caroline, left, with fellow female pilots Michelle, right, and Kat at Michelles wedding in 2015 I woke up in the recovery room feeling cold. For days, I couldnt see much more than bandages, but when I could, all I thought was that this was how my body should look. In 2001, I got the news that Dad had suffered a fatal heart attack. Sandra told me not to come home. A hostile reception awaited though not from her. I got the impression they blamed me for his heart attack. A paternal auntie had threatened to kill me if I went home. Then I was told I wasnt welcome at his funeral either. How dare they! Dad would never have wanted that. I believed he was slowly beginning to understand, even though he was the one in the family who was hurt the most. He had outspoken opinions, but he was a lovely man. Meanwhile those who couldnt accept me were tearing apart the family he had made. Sadly, I had to organise my own private memorial service. Just me and a friend. By 2003, hostilities in Iraq had commenced. I was part of a crew on RAF Merlin helicopters working with US Apache pilots. The US crews never questioned my gender. UK soldiers werent so free of prejudice. When I climbed in or out of the cockpit and walked past soldiers we were carrying, I would hear sniggers and muttered comments, like: Dont touch it, youll become one! Stares at me were followed by muffled sniggers. Some would even laugh and point As navigator I was in charge of planning and directing every flight into the desert, taking control of the helicopter if needed. Our job was to hunt down both insurgents and criminals, supporting troops on the ground. We were a flying 70ft target, so it would be crazy to say it wasnt dangerous. It truly was. The threat was constantly evolving, the enemy was always seeking weaknesses in our defences, trying different techniques to shoot an aircraft down. During one sortie to Basra Palace, once a holiday home for Saddam Hussein, a radio operator shouted out: Palace Red, Red, Red, mortar attack in progress! Luckily we were already accelerating away into the darkness. During a tour of Afghanistan in 2008, Prince Harry was there too. Flying Apaches, he had escorted my aircraft on re-supply missions into some exposed bases. On the ground he mixed like any other aircrew planning, briefing, resting and doing his job. We shared one problem, however. People would stare. For him, it was a stare of respect, of acknowledgment, of unveiled loyalty, and something to write home about. Stares at me were followed by muffled sniggers. Some would even laugh and point. On my 55th birthday, in 2014, I left the RAF. There was no ceremony or formal farewell. I was a civilian now, but I had worked to make the military more inclusive and it has gained from that. It was a proud moment. For my service in Iraq, Commander in Chief of Air Command awarded me his commendation for exceptional work. I was honoured. I wished I could have shown this to those outspoken denigrators who predicted that, as a transgender person, I would be a liability and not fit for operational service. I hoped Dad would have been proud too. Caroline Paige, 2017. True Colours: My Life As The First Openly Transgender Officer In The British Armed Forces, by Caroline Paige, is published by Biteback on March 3, 17.99. Order your copy for 13.49 (25 per cent discount) until March 5 at www.mailbookshop.co.uk or call 0844 571 0640. Michael Heseltine has put himself at the head of a rebel Tory campaign to stop Theresa May taking Britain out of the EU with no deal Michael Heseltine has put himself at the head of a rebel Tory campaign to stop Theresa May taking Britain out of the EU with no deal unless she gets the go ahead from MPs. The peer says he will defy orders by Tory whips to not vote for a change to the Brexit Bill, which will give Parliament a veto over the outcome of Mrs Mays Brussels negotiations, including if she walks away without a deal. Writing in todays Mail on Sunday, Lord Heseltine says: This is not a confrontation with the Government. It is to ensure the Commons can exercise its authority over the defining issue of our time. The revolt comes at the same time as a separate campaign to force Mrs May to guarantee the rights of EU nationals in the UK to stay here before talks even begin. However, senior Ministers vowed to defeat both moves, claiming they would force Mrs May to enter Brexit talks with one hand behind her back. They denied reports that the Prime Minister was ready to grant concessions, and called Lord Heseltine and his supporters bad losers who are trying to wreck Brexit. Ardent pro-European Lord Heseltine, 83, will join forces with Labour, Lib Dem and fellow dissident Tory peers in a Brexit debate this week. If his move succeeds, up to 20 rebel Conservative MPs are threatening to inflict a similar defeat when the legislation returns to the Commons. The fight back starts here, says the peer today. My opponents will argue that the people have spoken, the [Brexit] mandate secured and the future cast. My experience stands against this argument. The EU Commission building in Brussels He said he would vote against the Conservative three-line whip with a heavy heart, having done so only three times in a parliamentary career stretching back more than 50 years. Lord Heseltine explained why he felt justified in leading parliamentary opposition to Mrs May despite her Brexit mandate from the EU referendum. Comparing it to his successful opposition to Left-wing laws put forward by the Labour Government in the 1960s, he said: We used parliamentary votes to challenge Bill after Bill despite their presence in the Government manifesto. Lord Heseltine also echoed calls for a second EU referendum if the Brexit talks end in disaster and there is evidence that voters have changed their mind. Ardent pro-European Lord Heseltine, 83, will join forces with Labour, Lib Dem and fellow dissident Tory peers in a Brexit debate this week At the moment there is no evidence that public opinion has changed. The PM rides high in the polls. But what if this changes? He was backed by Lord Pannick, the lawyer who led the successful Supreme Court action to give MPs the right to vote on Article 50. Lord Pannick told The Mail on Sunday that Mrs Mays stance was inconsistent. She agrees Parliament should have the final say on the [EU] agreement at the end of Brexit negotiations, he said. But she refuses to put this in the Brexit Bill or give the same commitment to allow Parliament to decide if the Government intends to leave the EU with no agreement. He was confident peers and MPs would agree this had to be put right. Source of corruption is customs checkpoints (video) Today at the first conference of Ohanyan-Raffi-Oskanian alliance Heritage President Raffi Hovannisian addressed members of the conference via video message, during which he said, Today marks the birthday of great commander Andranik and with his power today we gathered. During the upcoming weeks we will prove the people that the victory is in unity. Former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan was met by the members of the conference standing. He noted in his speech that today we dont have a right to make a mistake, as the matter is the security of the RA and Artsakh, To lead all the pre-election discussions from the point of view of security, do not walk into trap of populism and baseless promises. He also announced that he will answer all the questions and will present the main directions of their alliance, Why did I enter the politics being a non-partisan and a soldier; the answer is clear- my decision is based on the conviction that all the chances of Armenia have been exhausted with the current system. Its a turning point for us. I have never struggled for a post; I will not conceal, I have been offered different high positions, which I refused. The highest position of my life was fighting on the front line 25 years ago, standing by people and soldiers, later I have never took off my military uniform. As of my relations with the current authorities, I can say that I dont have personal problems with anyone. But today I cannot see myself in the current authorities, as our approaches of facing future challenges differ, we need new political elite, new atmosphere among the people. In his speech he highlighted army, current problems and his vision, Anthropocentric work and fight against corruption are priority. We should increase the number of contractual servicemen in three years and make their salary AMD 240 000. Military service will become more attractive by this. He publicly called on the leaders of all the political forces to present their vision on the issue of Nagorno Karabakh conflict, The balance between the RA and Azerbaijan should be kept, boost so called peoples diplomacy for creating atmosphere of mutual trust. April War showed that it disrupts the negotiations process. During the conflict resolution there shouldnt be winners or losers, or unilateral concessions, as a result of that we cannot reach long lasting peace between the nations. Shadow economy, source of corruption, according to Seyran Ohanyan, is border checkpoints, The RA monopoly starts from here and the economic changes should start from here. A memorial to airmen who died fighting for Britain in World War Two has been vandalised - the third time at least that the poignant monument has been defaced. Vandals targeted the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, London, spray-painting the word Jesus in metre-high blue letters on its exterior Portland stone pillars. The graffiti of the memorial, which in part was paid for by public subscriptions in honour of 55,573 men of Bomber Command who never came home, could be clearly seen by people using the park as far as 50 yards away. The word 'Jesus' was written in metre high letters on the pillars of the memorial in Green Park The RAF Benevolent Fund said it is 'extremely disappointed and saddened' that the memorial had been vandalised It features the bronze sculptures of a typical Bomber Command aircrew and its roof incorporates sections of aluminium recovered from a Handley Page Halifax III bomber shot down over Belgium on the night of 12 May 1944, in which eight crew died. A spokesman for the RAF Benevolent Fund, which is responsible for looking after the memorial, said last night: We are extremely disappointed and saddened that the Bomber Command Memorial has once again been subjected to vandalism. Work is currently under way to remove the graffiti. Work is currently being carried out to remove the graffiti on the monument, which was unveiled in The Memorial, which was unveiled in 2012, commemorates the 55,573 members of Bomber Command who died in the war, and as such, it is only befitting that the Memorial is kept in excellent condition. Yesterdays incident was not the first time that the memorial has been vandalised. In May 2013, Andrew Patterson, of Westminster, spraypainted the word Islam on the front of the memorial, as well as writing the same thing on the Animal In War memorial in Hyde Park. He was later detained under the mental health act. And a week after Pattersons vandalism, it was attacked again, this time by Daniel Smith, of Salford, Greater Manchester. Smith wrote Lee Rigbys killers should hang, in a reference to the fusilier who was murdered in May 2013, and EDL in reference to the far-right English Defence League. He was jailed for 12 weeks for criminal damage. Clad in body armour and brandishing a lethal assault rifle, a police marksman diligently scans the crowds gathered outside Windsor Castle. The specialist firearms officer is part of a massive operation to protect troops performing the Changing the Guard outside the Queens favourite residence a ceremony carried out without fear for hundreds of years. The disturbing scene witnessed by The Mail on Sunday last week is the result of fears of a Berlin or Nice-style lorry attack by Islamic terrorists. A specialist firearms office stands watch with a machine gun at the Changing the Guard outside the Queens favourite residence-Windsor Castle We watched as 28 guardsmen resplendent in their bearskins were chaperoned along the entire 300-yard route by armed police officers and community support officers, and flanked by armed response vehicles carrying an arsenal of lethal weapons and ammunition. Such is the concern at Government level that terrorists will launch a devastating strike on British troops that pol ice chief s ordered Guards regiments to scale down public ceremonies. But the MoS has learned the heavy police presence at Windsor Castle is causing growing disquiet among soldiers who feel insulted that such an escort is necessary given that they continued to march without police interference throughout the IRAs campaign of terror on mainland Britain from the 1970s to the 1990s. Last night, Irish Guards regimental secretary, Kenny Owen, 62, said: The police want to babysit troops. Such a response on the streets of Windsor amounts to overkill and a complete waste of taxpayers money. There is more security than soldiers. We were happy to perform ceremonial duties without a police escort even when the IRA wanted to kill us. 'A couple of additional armed officers would have sufficed as a response to the IS threat, not this overkill. The MoS revealed last month the Changing the Guard no longer takes place on Saturdays in Windsor due to terror attack fears The police like to be seen and get involved. But I think they forget who is paying for it. Whats the point of those community support officers in their highvisibility jackets and the ceremonial wardens? If this situation did turn lethal they wouldnt be able to respond. The MoS revealed last month how the Changing the Guard no longer takes place on Saturdays in Windsor because police believe jihadis could target soldiers and the thousands of tourists who gather to enjoy the spectacle. The move follows the IS attack on a Christmas market in Berlin, which killed 12 people, and the terror strike in Nice last July when 86 people died. When we attended the Changing the Guard on Friday, roads surrounding Windsor Castle were blocked by police cars, and armed officers took up positions on street corners before any soldiers even emerged from their barracks. Community support officers also lined the pavements and ceremonial wardens put out bollards. Finally, at just after 10.45am, the regimental band of the Irish Guards began to play inside Victoria Barracks. Police, flanked by vans filled with ammunition, watch over the ceremony Moments later 14 bandsmen playing pipes and drums and 14 guardsmen carrying assault rifles emerged. Police officers set off in an armed response vehicle ahead of the procession while another vehicle brought up the rear. A crowd of around 500 tourists cheered and clapped as the troops arrived at Windsor Castle a few minutes later. The old Guard was then escorted back to barracks. Thames Valley Police said: Security measures have been put in place to reassure and increase the safety of the public and military. The number of officers at the events has been increased along with reinforced road closures. The increased presence in police officers follows the review of our support to the Guard Change and is not directly linked to any increases in threat. A student at a prestigious all-boys high school will finish Year 12 studies while transitioning to become a girl. Cranbrook School will allow the student to stay on instead of moving to a girls' school and use her new female name, parents were told. The student will use unisex toilets provided by the Sydney school and continue to wear the usual boys' uniform, it told the Sunday Telegraph. 'We believe our prime responsibility as a school is to protect, uphold and enhance the safety, happiness, health and prospects of students under our care. This guides all we do,' the school said. A transgender student at Sydney all-boys Cranbrook School (pictured) will finish year 12 while becoming a girl Cranbrook was assisted by school gender identity counsellor Elizabeth Riley, who has consulted with 25 schools and families with transgender children in the past three years. She said six students at single-sex schools had been allowed to stay while they completed their studies, and about one per cent of students were transgender. Dr Riley said it was only in the past couple of years students were not forced to leave exclusive schools for ones of their new gender. She said Australian culture was becoming increasingly accepting of them and more would reveal themselves earlier in life as that continued. 'Parents are recognising earlier that there is something going on, something that is much deeper than just a phase of wanting to dress or behave a certain way. It is a naturally occurring phenomenon, not a disorder,' she said. Cranbrook was assisted by school gender identity counsellor Elizabeth Riley, who has consulted with 25 schools and families with transgender children in the past three years Parents said the Cranbrook school community supported the move and it was frequently discussed at the traditional start of school drinks. 'The school has recognised this students desire to be known by a female name, but in other aspects such as school uniform, its the same for everyone which seems like a sensible outcome to me,' one parent told the newspaper. The parent said year 12s were taught about the subject generally, without singling out the student, so they were prepared for having a transgender classmate. NSW has no formal guidelines on what to do about students switching genders, dealing with each on a case-by-case basis. The Tory victory over Labour in the Copeland by-election means Theresa May has now built her own Hadrians Wall in the far North of England an unbroken coast-to-coast chain of Tory seats running West to East from Copeland, through Penrith & Border to Hexham and Berwick-upon-Tweed. Here, Britains top pollster, John Curtice, analyses the extent to which Mrs May could build on this symbolic feat at the next General Election to make further inroads into Labours Northern heartlands. Not so long ago, Conservatives never dared look north. The Tory victory over Labour in the Copeland by-election means Theresa May has now built her own Hadrians Wall in the far North of England After the 1997 General Election the party held just two seats north of Richmond in North Yorkshire, held at the time by the partys leader, William Hague. However, the partys capture of Copeland in the far North West a seat it has not won since 1931 has rattled Jeremy Corbyns MPs. With the Labour leaders ratings at rock-bottom, Theresa May has as good a chance as any recent predecessor to become a one nation Tory Prime Minister. The Conservatives won 44 of the 158 seats in the North of England at the 2015 Election. If the partys remarkable 6.8 per cent swing from Labour in Copeland were to be replicated everywhere in Britain, a total of 56 seats nationally would change hands from Labour to Conservatives. Of those, 23 are in the North of England, suggesting that many a northern Labour plum could now fall into Mrs Mays lap. Most of these are in the more rural and suburban areas that surround our great northern cities, such as Wirral West and Bury South. If Mrs May won Wakefield and Workington, she could no longer be accused of leading a Southern party But not all: Wakefield and Workington are also vulnerable. If Mrs May won those, she could no longer be accused of leading a Southern party. However, it is still too early to talk of Labours complete annihilation. Even the Copeland swing, which would hand Mrs May a 96-seat majority, would leave 173 Labour MPs in place. Well over half of Labour MPs were more than 20 points ahead of their nearest opponent in 2015, and it will take an electoral tsunami to defeat those. But in the North, they would be an increasingly encircled rump. They are the biggest band in pop music history and usually credited with being the most influential. But in reality The Beatles were an average group who did little to change the musical landscape at least according to one academic, who claims to have the science to back it up. Despite the Fab Fours 600 million record sales, Professor Armand Leroi dismisses their output as ditties for prepubescent girls and claims they sat out the musical revolution of the 1960s. Despite the Fab Fours 600 million record sales, Professor Armand Leroi dismisses their output as ditties for prepubescent girls and claims they sat out the musical revolution of the 1960s His findings come not from a background in music, but from evolutionary biology. As fruit flies evolve, so too does pop, he says. Every new song comes with its own burden of mutations. Some of them bad, but a few of them flourish and get passed on to future generations. Listen carefully, and you can hear the music evolve. Not surprisingly, the heretical suggestions have drawn the ire of Beatles fans, including music expert Paul Gambaccini who blasts Prof Leroi as preposterous, threatening to dissect him like a fly in a head-to-head debate. Leroi will be presenting his controversial findings in The Secret Science Of Pop, to be aired on BBC4 at 9pm on Tuesday The academic, from Imperial College London, used computer algorithms to analyse singles from every major band between 1960 and 2010 to see how they deviated from the musical norm. And he plotted each on a vastly complex network diagram, with each band linked to who they influenced and colour-coded by genre. After crunching the data, Dr Leroi concluded that the creators of Yesterday, Eleanor Rigby and I Am The Walrus, musically werent that important. Instead, he said it was The Kinks, The Who and The Rolling Stones who had the most influence, paving the way for punk. He said: The London bands dragged aggression [levels] up and transformed the musical landscape. Meanwhile, Lennon and McCartney were writing ditties for prepubescent girls. The Beatles sat out the British revolution. He will be presenting his controversial findings in The Secret Science Of Pop, to be aired on BBC4 at 9pm on Tuesday. His findings come not from a background in music, but from evolutionary biology. As fruit flies evolve, so too does pop, he says. Michaella McCollum enjoys a glass of wine on a pub balcony in Belfast Peru Two drug mule Michaella McCollum appeared to be enjoying her freedom as she sipped wine in an Ireland rugby shirt at a Belfast pub while watching her country beat France in the Six Nations. The 24-year-old from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was jailed in Peru in 2013 for attempting to smuggle 1.5 million of the drug out of the country to Spain with another woman, Melissa Reid. Today, she was spotted on a balcony in her home city, drinking and speaking on the phone, before coming down to street level. McCollum had travelled to South America to carry out the drug smuggling plot at the beginning of August 2013, after hatching the criminal plan in the Balearic island Ibiza where she had moved just two months earlier to work as a dancer in a bar for the summer. Just months after returning home, pictures emerged showing her enjoying new found freedom with a break in Marbella, Spain. Yesterday, images showed her wearing gym clothes - including a pair of striped leggings - and sunglasses. And earlier this week she was spotted in a bikini walking up and down a beach. Images also showed her cooling off in the sea and using an outdoor beach shower to rinse sand off her legs. The 24-year-old was dressed in little more than an Ireland rugby shirt as she chatted with a friend on the balcony She then took a phone call. McCollum was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence Earlier this month, she posted a message on Facebook thanking 'everyone who has supported myself and family through these past few years.' The post read: 'Please know I truly appreciate each one who cared and had my back. 'Thank you for all the sweet messages I have not got reading them all just yet or got a chance to reply to them but I will definitely make a good attempt to get back to you all. 'It has been a long ride to get where I am today but it just shows that when we fight hard enough for something we can achieve it. 'Something to have in mind when one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.' She later came down to street level to continue her telephone conversation McCollum had travelled to South America to carry out the drug smuggling plot at the beginning of August 2013 McCollum returned home in August last year after reportedly doing a deal with Peruvian authorities. She and Reid - dubbed the 'Peru Two' had each been sentenced to six years and eight months in jail after admitting to trying to smuggle cocaine out of the country. The pair, who initially protested their innocence, were found in possession of 11kg of cocaine hidden inside food packets in their luggage as they prepared to board a flight from Lima to Madrid. McCollum, pictured handcuffed as she arrives for a court hearing, in Lima, Peru, on December 17, 2013 The 24-year-old (left) from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, was jailed in Peru in 2013 for attempting to smuggle 1.5 million of cocaine out of the country with fellow Briton Melissa Reid (right) Just months after returning home, pictures emerged showing her enjoying new found freedom with a break in Marbella, Spain Yesterday, images showed her wearing gym clothes - including a pair of striped leggings - and sunglasses as she checked out the local markets McCollum was released on parole last March after serving less than half of her sentence but was initially required to stay in Peru, where she carried out voluntary work. Reid was released from prison in June last year, flying back to Scotland shortly afterwards. Speaking previously about her experience in Lima's Ancon 2 prison, McCollum described how she shared a cell with seven other prisoners including Reid, sleeping on concrete bunks and using a hole in the floor as a lavatory. Earlier this week, McCollum was seen relaxing on the beach in Marbella in a bikini Despite the harsh conditions, she told Mail On Sunday 'of course you have laughs in there' and said she adjusted to life in jail by running a beauty salon and participating in dance competitions. She secretly took the pictures on a mobile phone she got by bribing a prison guard, in order to reassure her family that she was coping with the harsh reality of her situation. One photograph showed her crouching alongside other inmates as she blew out candles on a cake they made for her 22nd birthday. Shadow Attorney General Shami Chakrabarti opposed plans to stop prisoners using mobile phones at a private meeting of Labour leaders Jeremy Corbyn faced a new revolt last night over claims that his ally, Labour peer Shami Chakrabarti, opposes plans to stop prisoners using mobile phones. The Shadow Attorney General caused uproar at a private meeting of Labour leaders when, it is claimed, she questioned the need to crack down on prisoners use of smartphones in jails, which is aimed at cutting links to drugs and organised crime. According to one source, Baroness Chakrabarti said: This might sound naive, but I am not sure we should be doing this. We need to consider the rights of prisoners. A senior Labour insider said: People couldnt believe it. It sums up how out of touch the leadership is under Corbyn and his cronies. Last week, the Government unveiled new plans to curb the use of phones by inmates. John Attard, national officer of the Prison Governors Association, last night stressed the importance of stopping prisoners using them. He said: We need to crack down on mobile phones in prisons not encourage them. They allow prisoners to potentially continue criminal activity by intimidating witnesses or arranging drugs deliveries. Mr Corbyn faced another leadership crisis yesterday after being beaten by the Tories in the Copeland by-election in Cumbria Asked if she had questioned taking mobile phones from prisoners, a spokeswoman for Baroness Chakrabarti said: We do not comment on leaks from confidential team meetings. The peers alleged comments were disclosed as Mr Corbyn faced another leadership crisis yesterday after being beaten by the Tories in the Copeland by-election in Cumbria. Amid mounting concern over the Labour leaders position: Deputy leader Tom Watson launched a thinly veiled attack on Mr Corbyn, saying things have to change and making clear Labour should never have lost Copeland; Ayesha Hazarika, a former aide to Mr Corbyns predecessor Ed Miliband, called on Mr Corbyn to quit to save Labour; Moderate Labour MPs privately welcomed a statement by former Foreign Secretary David Miliband, hinting at a possible comeback; Mr Corbyn issued a Donald Trump-style demand to John Cryer, the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party, to ban his MPs from criticising him. PS more seats he can't fill Just a handful of Unison trade union members heard his address at the Union Chapel, Islington Even Labour voters in Jeremy Corbyns North London heartland cannot be bothered to turn out for him. On Thursday, as his party humiliatingly lost its seat in Copeland, Cumbria, to the Tories, Corbyn was 320 miles away in Islington, where he lives. But just a handful of Unison trade union members heard his address at the Union Chapel. Advertisement The row over the alleged comments by Baroness Chakrabarti, former head of civil rights group Liberty, comes weeks after she was accused of launching a shameful defence of disgraced human rights lawyer Phil Shiner. He was struck off for orchestrating a witch-hunt against British troops. And in January, she was accused of hypocrisy after launching a women-only degree fund, despite girls doing better than boys at university. The peer, who sends her son to an 18,000-a-year private school, claimed the initiative would close the education gender gap. Yesterdays comments by Mr Watson, who will be stand-in leader if Mr Corbyn steps down, herald a damaging new Labour rift. In a speech to the Scottish Labour conference he said: Seven years into a Tory government, we shouldnt be facing questions about whether we can retain the seats we already hold. Deputy leader Tom Watson launched a thinly veiled attack on Mr Corbyn, saying things have to change and making clear Labour should never have lost Copeland And Bermondsey Labour MP Neil Coyle, who canvassed in Copeland, railed: Corbyns cronies rant and rave that he was not to blame for our latest defeat, but the opposite is true. Mr Coyle said former supporters told him they would prefer a Labour government but cant vote for you with Corbyn in charge. It is also understood that Mr Corbyn has privately begged Mr Cryer, who chairs the weekly meeting of Labour MPs, to stop them raising his dire opinion poll ratings with him in person. Mr Cryer refused. And there was more infighting yesterday among union leaders. Unite official Gerald Coyne, who hopes to oust general secretary Len McCluskey, criticised him for keeping quiet after Copeland. Mr Coyne said: He has spent six years funding Corbyn and bullied those who disagreed with him but today when Labour faces its biggest crisis in 50 years he is nowhere to be seen or heard. A Unite spokesman said: Len McCluskey has been focused on defending members pensions and fighting to save jobs. He will leave the political posturing to others. Only Jeremy can save Labour now - by quitting BY AYESHA HAZARIKA, FORMER AIDE TO ED MILIBAND After the disaster of the Copeland by-election, only one man can now save the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. Only he can rescue us from meltdown at the next general election and the prospect of being out of power for a generation. Sadly for Jeremy, it involves him taking the hardest of decisions for a politician and admitting that he simply isnt up to the job. After the disaster of the Copeland by-election, only one man can now save the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn Since his big relaunch in the new year, Labour lags 18 points behind the Tories, Corbyns personal ratings are lower than Michael Foots and now we have lost Copeland, a seat we have held since the 1930s, the latest sign that working-class voters are turning to Theresa May. We all know Jeremy has a mandate from Labour members who elected him. But its no use banging on about how many members Labour has if we cant translate that into votes where it matters at the ballot box. Sadly for Jeremy, it involves him taking the hardest of decisions for a politician and admitting that he simply isnt up to the job Sadly, Jeremy is surrounded by a coterie of advisers and friends who misguidedly think their duty is to tell him to stay on, regardless of what that means for the future of the party, the country and people who desperately need a Labour Government. I admire Jeremy for standing up for social justice and the dispossessed. But he is not a leader and never will be. When I observed recently that he has all the charisma and leadership skills of a Hula Hoop I received a barrage of criticism from people who said I was being unfair to the savoury snack which, unlike Jeremy, is both popular and loved by the public. For someone who prides himself on being a decent man, there is a whiff of arrogance about his refusal to take any responsibility for what happened in Copeland. Part of leadership is having the humility to admit when things are not going so well and to be big enough to acknowledge that you may be part of the problem. That is not to say all the troubles facing the Labour Party are Jeremys fault. Many things were wrong before he became leader, but things are getting worse, not better, on his watch. Corbyns circle are wrong to claim that divisions in the party have made us plummet in the polls. Sadly, Jeremy is surrounded by a coterie of advisers and friends who misguidedly think their duty is to tell him to stay on, regardless of what that means for the future of the party, the country and people who desperately need a Labour Government, writes Ayesha Hazarika (pictured) Despite the Copeland fiasco, there will be no repeat of last summers ill-advised leadership challenge against him. Jeremy won with an increased mandate and Labour MPs have decided to keep their heads down, shut up and let him get on with it. Even though there is no question of a putsch, I believe there is a profound moral question for Corbyn. As someone desperate to see a Labour Government again, I beg you Jeremy: look into your soul and ponder deeply if you really are the right leader. No man is bigger than the Labour movement. Is your clinging on as leader more important than Labours very survival as a major political force? If you think deeply, I think you will come to the only honest conclusion: you will stand down for the sake of the party I know that you love. Ukip donor: Expel Carswell or I'm off BY GLEN OWEN POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY A key Ukip donor has warned embattled leader Paul Nuttall that he will abandon the party in the wake of the Stoke by-election fiasco unless he kicks out members who defected from he Tories including Ukips only MP, Douglas Carswell. In an extraordinary move, Arron Banks said that unless Mr Nuttall agreed to toss out the dullards as part of an overhaul of the party then Ukip was finished. He said: This level of chaos cannot continue. Ukip is meant to be a political party, not a jumble sale. Key Ukip donor Arron Banks has warned embattled leader Paul Nuttall that he will abandon the party in the wake of the Stoke by-election fiasco unless he kicks out the party's only MP, Douglas Carswell Mr Banks, who gave 1 million to Ukip before the General Election and 7 million to Nigel Farages wing of the Brexit campaign, said Mr Carswell should be stripped of his membership, along with health spokeswoman Suzanne Evans and Welsh leader Neil Hamilton, also former Tories. Last night Ms Evans hit back by saying it would be no great loss if Mr Banks severed his ties with the party. The civil war has erupted in the wake of Ukips disastrous performance in the Stoke-on-Trent by-election, where Mr Nuttall came a distant second to Labour, despite the area voting 70 per cent for Brexit in the EU referendum. Mr Banks told this newspaper that unless Ukip became more professional then the 10,000 he put towards the Stoke campaign would be his last donation: in future, his money would be spent on a new grassroots political movement he was establishing. Ukip should be a well-oiled machine, said Mr Banks. If Paul Nuttall doesnt professionalise Ukip and toss out the Tory cabal then it is finished. These dullards arent bringing in Tory votes Stoke proved that so what are they for? After losing the Copeland by-election one thing is certain, writes Labour MP NEIL COYLE, to ignore the elephant in the room of leadership and strategy is to head straight to la la land BY NEIL COYLE, LABOUR MP FOR BERMONDSEY AND OLD SOUTHWARK The Copeland by-election result was disastrous for Labour. To pretend otherwise marks a new point of denial. The last Tory to win the area was born in 1879. Jeremy Corbyns initial response was to say he would do more to reconnect with voters. However, this has been undermined through further appearances, tweets and releases from his inner team who have attempted to claim Copeland was a success, or sought to blame the loss on Tony Blair, the media and even Storm Doris. The Copeland by-election result was disastrous for Labour. Jeremy Corbyns initial response was to say he would do more to reconnect with voters To do so is to fail to listen to, or hear, what voters have been telling us very clearly. No 'reconnection' can occur in the midst of such denial. Labour should have thrashed the Tories in Copeland. We had a fantastic local candidate in Gillian Troughton and Theresa May gave her plenty to campaign on. Mrs May has been part of the Conservative governments that have cut back local public services. Mrs May refused to say the West Cumberland Hospital would not face ward closures. Yet, she emerged triumphant in Copeland. Corbyn's cronies rant and rave that he was not to blame for our latest defeat, but the exact opposite is true. When I cavassed in Copeland, time after time I met the same depressing response on doorsteps from potential and former Labour voters: We would prefer a Labour Government normally but cant vote for you with Corbyn in charge'. The Tories had very little to offer hard pressed voters in Copeland but secured a swing of almost seven percent. The important thing is what Labour does now. One thing is certain: to ignore the elephant in the room, leadership and strategy, is to head from Copeland to la la land. Mr Corbyn must draw up a new plan to counter voters' concerns. The hard work should have already begun, but this job will be all the tougher if we are not honest enough to understand why we lost in Copeland. We owe it to the millions of people who have, want to and will vote Labour again to get on with the task now. After the disaster of the Copeland by-election, only one man can now save the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn After the disaster of the Copeland by-election, only one man can now save the Labour Party Jeremy Corbyn. Only he can rescue us from meltdown at the next general election and the prospect of being out of power for a generation. Sadly for Jeremy, it involves him taking the hardest of decisions for a politician and admitting that he simply isnt up to the job. Since his big relaunch in the new year, Labour lags 18 points behind the Tories, Corbyns personal ratings are lower than Michael Foots and now we have lost Copeland, a seat we have held since the 1930s, the latest sign that working-class voters are turning to Theresa May. We all know Jeremy has a mandate from Labour members who elected him. But its no use banging on about how many members Labour has if we cant translate that into votes where it matters at the ballot box. Sadly, Jeremy is surrounded by a coterie of advisers and friends who misguidedly think their duty is to tell him to stay on, regardless of what that means for the future of the party, the country and people who desperately need a Labour Government. I admire Jeremy for standing up for social justice and the dispossessed. But he is not a leader and never will be. When I observed recently that he has all the charisma and leadership skills of a Hula Hoop I received a barrage of criticism from people who said I was being unfair to the savoury snack which, unlike Jeremy, is both popular and loved by the public. I admire Jeremy for standing up for social justice and the dispossessed. But he is not a leader and never will be For someone who prides himself on being a decent man, there is a whiff of arrogance about his refusal to take any responsibility for what happened in Copeland. Part of leadership is having the humility to admit when things are not going so well and to be big enough to acknowledge that you may be part of the problem. That is not to say all the troubles facing the Labour Party are Jeremys fault. Many things were wrong before he became leader, but things are getting worse, not better, on his watch. Corbyns circle are wrong to claim that divisions in the party have made us plummet in the polls. As someone desperate to see a Labour Government again, I beg you Jeremy: look into your soul and ponder deeply if you really are the right leader, writes Ayesha Hazarika Despite the Copeland fiasco, there will be no repeat of last summers ill-advised leadership challenge against him. Jeremy won with an increased mandate and Labour MPs have decided to keep their heads down, shut up and let him get on with it. Even though there is no question of a putsch, I believe there is a profound moral question for Corbyn. As someone desperate to see a Labour Government again, I beg you Jeremy: look into your soul and ponder deeply if you really are the right leader. No man is bigger than the Labour movement. Is your clinging on as leader more important than Labours very survival as a major political force? If you think deeply, I think you will come to the only honest conclusion: you will stand down for the sake of the party I know that you love. Archaeologists have discovered an ancient jade pendent that was once worn on the chest of a Maya king. The pendent discovered in Nim Li Punit is the second largest Maya jade found in Belize, and dates back to AD 672. The remarkable artifact is shaped in a way that signifies wind and breath, and was found alongside a vessel with a beaked face thought to depict a Maya god of wind. The jewel is the only one known to be inscribed with a historical text, with 30 hieroglyphs describing its first owner carved into the back. It literally speaks to us, Braswell said. The story it tells is a short but important one NIM LI PUNIT The pendent was discovered in Nim Li Punit, a site in southern Belize that sits in the Toledo District. The site is on a ridge of the Maya Mountains, near the modern day village of Indian Creek. There, it rains nine months out of the year. Archaeologists estimate Nim Li Punit was inhabited between AD 150 and 850. It lies on the southeastern edge of the ancient Maya zone, at more than 250 miles south of Chichen Itza in Mexico. Nim Li Punit means 'big hat', researchers say. It was named after its rediscovery in 1976 for one of the elaborate headdresses of a stone figure found there. Archaeologists speculate that its ancient name may have been Wakam or Kawam, though no one is certain. Advertisement The unexpected discovery was made back in 2015 in a dig led by UC San Diego archaeologist Geoffrey Braswell, who just recently published a paper on the jewels significance in the journal Ancient Mesoamerica. It was like finding the Hope Diamond in Peoria instead of New York, said Geoffrey Braswell. We would expect something like it in one of the big cities of the Maya world. Instead, here it was, far from the center. The 7.4 inch wide, 4.1 inch high pendant is just .3 inches thick, and researchers say sawing it into this thin shape would have been a feat in itself. Its sculptors would have used just string, fat, and jade dust. But, along with this, the jewel is the only one known to be inscribed with a historical text, with 30 hieroglyphs describing its first owner carved into the back. It literally speaks to us, Braswell said. The story it tells is a short but important one. And, Braswell explained, the pendant was not torn out of history by looters. To find it on a legal expedition, in context, gives us information about the site and the jewel that we couldnt have otherwise had or maybe even imagined. The researchers discovered the jewel during an excavation of a palace built around the year 400. Inside a tomb, which dates to about AD 800, they found 25 pottery vessels, a large stone that had been flaked into the shape of a deity, and the jade pectoral. With the exception of some teeth, there were no human remains. The T-shaped pendent also has a T carved on the front the Mayan glyph ik. According to the team, this stands for wind and breath. Inside a tomb, which dates to about AD 800, they found 25 pottery vessels, a large stone that had been flaked into the shape of a deity, and the jade pectoral. A vessel with a beaked face is thought to depict a Maya god of wind The pendent was buried in a curious T-shaped platform, according to Braswell, and a pot discovered with it has a beaked face that could depict a Maya god. Wind was a significant force in Maya culture, as it brought monsoon rains that allowed crops to thrive. Their kings were thought to be responsible for the weather, and performed rituals according to their sacred calender. This included the burning and scattering of incense to bring on the winds and rain. An inscription on the pendent indicates it was first used in AD 672 for such a ritual. And, this is supported by two relief sculptures on large rock slabs at Nim Li Punit, which show a king wearing the T-shaped pendant while scattering incense in AD 721 and 731. The inscription suggests the king's mother was from Cahal Pech, a distant site in western Belize, and that his father died before age 20, and may have come from somewhere in Guatemala. But, at 60 miles away, this would have been a hefty journey The pendent was buried by the year 800 but, not with its owner. According to Braswell, this could be because it had immense power and magic, and may have been buried as a dedication to the wind god. Around this time, Maya kingdoms were collapsing throughout Belize and Guatemala, and Nim Li Punit was abandoned. A recent theory is that climate change caused droughts that led to the widespread failure of agriculture and the collapse of Maya civilization, Braswell said. The dedication of this tomb at that time of crisis to the wind god who brings the annual rains lends support to this theory, and should remind us all about the danger of climate change. Christian Prager of the University of Bonn, a co-author on the paper, is still analyzing the inscription on the pendant. Archaeologists have discovered an ancient jade pendent that was once worn on the chest of a Maya king. The pendent discovered in Nim Li Punit is the second largest Maya jade found in Belize, and dates back to AD 672 The researchers discovered the jewel during an excavation of a palace built around the year 400. With the exception of some teeth, there were no human remains But, so far, its thought to say that the jewel was first made for the king Janaab' Ohl K'inich. It also describes his parentage, suggesting his mother was from Cahal Pech, a distant site in western Belize, and that his father died before age 20, and may have come from somewhere in Guatemala. The text, according to the researchers, also describes the accession rites of the king in the year 647, and ends with a passage that could link the king to the powerful city of Caracol in modern day Belize. It tells a political story far from Nim Li Punit, Braswell said, noting that Cahal Pech is 60 miles away what would have been a hefty walk through rainforest and mountains. The researchers dont think the pendent was stolen, but may instead indicate the arrival of royalty at Nim Li Punit, revealing the founding of a new dynasty. The pendent was buried by the year 800 but, not with its owner. According to Braswell, this could be because it had immense power and magic, and may have been buried as a dedication to the wind god. Around this time, Maya kingdoms were collapsing The writing, not relatively old by Maya standards, is the oldest discovered at the site. The researchers say its possible that the king moved to Nim Li Punit, or that a great Maya state was trying to ally with the provinces by presenting a jewel to the local king. Still, the writing is evidence of previously unknown ties. We didnt think wed find royal, political connections to the north and west of Nim Li Punit, Braswell said. We thought if there were any at all that theyd be to the south and east. Without the writing, it would appear that the jade stone is from the mountains of Guatemala, but there are few earlier indications of trade in that direction. The researchers plan to return to the site in the spring but they say the story behind the pendent could forever remain a mystery. A 'silver bullet' pill powered by your own stomach acid will send health data from inside your body to your phone. It is believed the tiny pill could revolutionise medicine by constantly monitoring your health and administering medicine. Researcher Dr Phillip Nadeau, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: 'The self-powered pill would monitor your vital signs from inside for weeks. A 'silver bullet' pill powered by your own stomach acid will send health data from inside your body to your phone 'It sits there making measurements and transmitting them to your phone.' The creation was unveiled at the world's biggest science conference in Boston. Researcher Dr Phillip Nadeau, from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, said: 'The self-powered pill would monitor your vital signs from inside for weeks' It was inspired by a lemon battery which uses citric acid to charge a zinc nail and copper penny electrodes. A version of the pill, that powers up when a zinc electrode interacts with stomach acid, was tested on pigs. Small sensors continually monitor temperature and heart rate. The 30mm-long device took six days to travel through the digestive tract of a pig. Scientists want to create a smaller version of the pill for humans - the prototype measures 10mm. The version with star-shaped arms is designed to stay in the stomach without risking blockages. Brigham and Women's Hospital's Giovanni Traverso said: 'Taking a capsule once a month could change how we think about delivering medication.' Tall order: The 70ft Christ the Redeemer statue in Maratea This was a holiday for serious walkers and serious foodies. It helped to be seriously interested in Italy too, as in eight days we journeyed through centuries of its tangled history. At no point, though, did we lack all the best that the 21st Century can offer in terms of hospitality. During every walk we would find a table with a three-course picnic laid out, featuring delicacies such as courgettes baked in ricotta. At each meal two kinds of wine were offered not just vino plonko but wines of known local origin. I was on a small group tour organised by Hedonistic Hiking, which was founded by Australian chef Mick Parsons and his English wife Jacquie. Our first stop was at a buffalo farm which produces creamy mozzarella and dried buffalo meat. After lunch there we drove past the Greek ruins at Paestum and further into Basilicata, one of the most underdeveloped regions for tourism in Italy. There are some beautiful buildings such as the monastery at Montescaglioso, but this area is most famous for its magnificent landscape. We drove along the spectacular coast road to Maratea, a town dominated by a 70ft statue of Christ the Redeemer. We stayed in an old convent, La Locanda delle Donne Monache, where the old cells now have all mod-cons, including wi-fi. The first day we walked along a mule path between chestnut trees where the occasional farmer picked his crop and shepherds watched their flocks. Hedonistic Hiking (hedonistichiking.com) offers an eight-night tour of Basilicata departing October 14, 2017, from 2,500 En route to our next hotel, we stopped at a village called Papasidero and walked along a six-mile track marked with the stations of the cross, accompanied by a dog called Beethoven with a nose for foreigners. We ate at a rough mountain refuge which fed us as if we had been lost for days. The owners pride in her cooking meant that you couldnt refuse anything. Afterwards we paddled through the rain to the Grotta del Romito, one of the oldest known inhabited caves in central Italy. On one wall is an astonishingly lifelike picture of a bull drawn about 12,000 years ago. Matera will be a European city of culture for 2019 - so, if you want to see it before it really gets on the tourist map, go as soon as you can Our next stop was at a comfortable refuge with accommodation, high up in the Pollino National Park. We walked up through beech trees to a plain where wild horses grazed and on to a ridge from which we could see the Ionian Sea. In some ways the best had been saved until last. Matera, near the border with Puglia, is one of the oldest inhabited settlements in Italy. It towers above the Gravina Gorge like an abandoned pile of childrens building blocks. Get closer to the stones and you see that they have doors in them like open mouths. You then realise they are houses made out of limestone caves and that some are inhabited and bursting with new life. After the war, Sassi de Matera was branded the shame of Italy because of the appalling poverty of the inhabitants. Entire families lived in a single cave with their animals. Disease was rife. Historical high: Elinor found her top spot was Matera, near the border with Puglia In 1952, a bill was passed to relocate those living in the worst caves to new suburbs. By the 1960s, the Sassi were abandoned. Some of the residents welcomed not having to live in what amounted to medieval conditions but other mourned their old life. Then craftsmen began to move back in, and in 1993 it was declared a World Heritage Site. Over the next decade some caves were taken over by hotel chains such as Sextantio and converted into luxury accommodation. I stayed in a vast cavern in Le Grotte della Civita. The pockmarked rock had been maintained and most of the light was provided by candles, but the manger had been turned into a wash basin and a bath installed where once a mule would have lived. It is possibly the only example of an abandoned town being reclaimed for the future. Matera will be a European city of culture for 2019 so, if you want to see it before it really gets on the tourist map, go as soon as you can. The Scots know how to party, often celebrating with a dram or two. And if youre looking to devour the worlds best whiskies, look no further than the charming Craigellachie Hotel on the banks of the Spey. Indeed, notorious party animal Kate Moss rounded up members of the Primrose Hill set for a raucous Burns Night weekend shortly after the hotel reopened after a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Built in 1893, this former hunting lodge, in an area famed for its fishing and shooting, was a favourite of Queen Victorias, and Balmoral is only 45 minutes away. Understated elegance: The Craigellachie Hotel sits on the banks of the Spey Celebrated nightclub supremo Piers Adam, the man behind London haunt Mahiki, acquired the formerly run-down 28-room hotel in 2013. It has since been transformed to create a perfect blend of understated elegance with a warming, relaxed atmosphere, and some jolly good grub. This is the place to stay for a tour of the regions famous whisky distilleries, with both Glenfiddich and William Grant nearby. The hotels magnificent Quaich bar boasts 1,000 bottles of single malt the second largest whisky collection in the world. The hotels magnificent Quaich bar boasts 1,000 bottles of single malt the second largest whisky collection in the world Whats more, Piers has his very own blend of Speyside single malts, called Copper Dog. Despite its A-list clientele, Craigellachie does not feel like a swanky celebrity haunt, but more like a cosy pub with rooms albeit rooms designed to the highest spec by Pierss wife, Sophie, with leather furniture from Soane mixed with antiques and lashings of cashmere. Party host: Model Kate Moss The Italians have a wonderful saying that some buildings have warm ghosts, and I felt that when I first walked in here, Piers tells me over a plate of scrumptious Spey smoked salmon. The food Aberdeen steak is also a must is all locally sourced, with input on the menu from Pierss chum, Mail on Sunday food columnist Tom Parker Bowles. Many of Scotlands famous exports are on the doorstep, including Johnstons of Elgin, the cashmere purveyors which supplies Vivienne Westwood and Burberry. A glorious 45-minute yomp along the Spey (the hotel will lend you wellies) brings you to the village of Abelour and the original Walkers bakery, where you can stock up on the famed red tartan boxes of shortbread. Pierss love of the Highlands stems from his late father, David. He was evacuated here during the war, he tells me. Before he died, I took him to revisit all the places where he stayed. I fell in love with Craigellachie, so it felt fitting to buy it. She's one of the biggest names in Hollywood. But despite her fame and red carpet appearances Nicole Kidman is happiest when she is being a wife and mother. The Australia actress told The Saturday Telegraph that she has a 'really, really solid normal life' and connected with her husband Keith because they had both experienced hardship. 'We've got a really, really solid normal life': Nicole Kidman gushes about domestic bliss in Nashville with Keith Urban and daughters Nicole told the publication their similar jobs coupled with Keith's relaxing demeanor was the reason why their marriage of more than 10 years worked. The Lion actress felt fortunate to have met Keith, although found it ironic they hadn't met previously in Australia given Nicole's big network of famous friends down under. 'We've both been through a lot, and we met later in life. And it's just unbelievable that we met. It is kind of amazing that we met in America, admittedly at an Australian function,' Nicole said. Thinking alike! Nicole told the publication their similar jobs coupled with Keith's relaxing demeanor was the reason why their marriage of more than 10 years worked Privacy: The relaxed city meant that the Moulin Rouge star was able to raise the couple's daughters, eight-year-old Sunday and six-year-old Faith, away from prying eyes Despite their level of fame, Nicole said the couple had been able to establish a degree of normalcy in their life. The pair lived in country music capital Nashville, which Nicole believed had a similar laidback vibe to her hometown. The relaxed city meant that the Moulin Rouge star was able to raise the couple's daughters, eight-year-old Sunday and six-year-old Faith, away from prying eyes. US based: The pair lived in country music capital Nashville, which Nicole believed had a similar laidback vibe to her hometown 'It's got a similar vibe to Sydney for us,' Nicole said. '...We've got a really, really solid normal life here. So much so that the neighbours can bring a puppy over.' But Nicole will be returning to the bright lights of Hollywood on Sunday, attending the Oscars after being nominated for a best supporting actress in Lion. Sometimes a look is so good it's worth wearing again. On Friday, Emily Ratajkowski was back to business as usual as she was spotted out and about in Los Angeles. The 25-year-old model made her way to the InStyle offices on the day of her cover reveal in a chic outfit that featured her favorite cropped jacket. Too cute: Emily Ratajkowski made her way to the InStyle offices on the day of her cover reveal in a chic outfit that featured her favorite cropped jacket So nice, she wore it twice! She covered up from the breezy California chill in a cropped army green jacket, which she had rocked a few days ago in Milan with a similar outfit The Gone Girl actress wore a white body suit tucked into high-waist faded black jeans, keeping the semi-loose jeans tight in all the right places using a black leather belt with a large silver buckle. For footwear, the London-born star wore shiny patent leather black booties with a four-inch heel and pointed-toe. She covered up from the breezy California chill in a cropped army green jacket with black leather embellishments and pockets - which she had rocked a few days ago in Milan with a similar outfit. Natural beauty: The model appeared to be sans makeup and with her hair allowed to dry naturally She completed the look with a pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses and a snakeskin satchel with round black handles. The model appeared to be sans makeup and with her hair allowed to dry naturally. While attending MFW, Emrata rocked the same jacket over a lacy low-cut black bodysuit with tighter black slashed jeans and barely-there heels. She also held onto the matching purse but dressed the look up with a sleek up-do, large hoop earrings and bronzed makeup. Cute 'fit: She completed the look with a pair of tortoise-shell sunglasses and a snakeskin satchel with round black handles Emily is InStyle magazine's March cover girl. In an interview with the magazine, the We Are Your Friends actress recalled an argument she recently had with friends concerning Caitlyn Jenner. 'She's allowed to do that - it's her choice,' Emily defended Jenner's right to care about her outfits and nails, which her friends argued was setting a bad example. 'If she decides she wants to be a super-femme who's all about the clothes, great. She can conform to that gender identity all she wants because it's a personal decision. The feminist added: 'No matter what the circumstances, it's up to [each individual] how they want to be a woman.' Outspoken: In an interview with the magazine, the We Are Your Friends actress recalled an argument she had just had with friends concerning Caitlyn Jenner She's famed for her age-defying looks and show-stopping beauty. And Monica Bellucci, 53, managed to steal the limelight as she spoke to film world glitterati at the FEST Belgrade film festival opening ceremony on Friday evening. The Bond girl, who stunned in Spectre alongside Daniel Craig, pulled out all the stops for her keynote speech, exuding glamour in a chic black gown. Scroll down for video Old school glamour: Bond girl Monica Bellucci, 53, managed to steal the limelight as she spoke to film world glitterati at the FEST Belgrade film festival opening ceremony on Friday evening The stunning Italian wore her long dark hair dead straight and revealed a new block fringe at the event. The actress wore the fringe parted in the middle on her face and opted for pared-down make up, emphasising the natural glowing quality of her skin. Monica made the most of her taut physique and toned curves in the simple, flowing dress, which highlighted her tiny waist and pert derriere. Making a great style choice, the Bond girl teamed the long dress with killer black heels, lifting her posture and giving her extra stature ahead of her speech. Natural beauty: The actress wore the fringe parted in the middle on her face and opted for pared-down make up, emphasising the natural glowing quality of her skin Guest of honour: Monica, 53, held her head high and looked proud as she was led to the front of the packed audience of film buffs in Belgrade by a mustachioed man in a bowler hat Statuesque glamour: Making a great style choice, the Bond girl teamed the long dress with killer black heels, lifting her posture and giving her extra stature ahead of her keynote speech Adept in all situations: Monica made the most of her taut physique and toned curves in the simple, flowing dress, which highlighted her tiny waist and pert derriere to the audience And it is not the first time Monica has wowed the crowds at a European cultural festival this month. Two weeks ago Monica appeared in an even more ravishing ensemble as she attended the premiere of La Traviata at the Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia, Spain. The star stunned in the vibrant number, which featured a striking Bardot neckline complete with a floaty trim and bow at the bust. Ravishing in red: Monica Bellucci, 53, stole the show when she attended the premiere of La Traviata at the Palau de Les Arts Reina Sofia in Valencia, Spain on Thursday evening The Italian beauty's flowing dress trailed behind her as she sashayed along the red carpet. She carried a pretty clutch bag to complete her look and opted for a classic make-up look with kohl lined eyes and glossy lips. Monica was joined by a host of famous faces, including fashion designer Valentino Garavani and Queen Sofia of Spain. Elegant: Monica stunned in the vibrant number, which featured a striking Bardot neckline complete with a floaty trim and bow at the bust Night at the opera: Monica was joined by a host of famous faces, including fashion designer Valentino Garavani and Queen Sofia of Spain Classic beauty: She carried a pretty clutch bag to complete her look and opted for a classic make-up look with kohl lined eyes and glossy lips The star became the oldest actress in history to star as a Bond girl in the 007 franchise when she appeared alongside Daniel Craig in Spectre in 2015. She recently told the Daily Telegraph newspaper that she doesn't make too much effort to stay young. She eschewes the gym and revealed she enjoys treating herself to cakes, pasta, wine and cigarettes. Timeless beauty: The star became the oldest actress in history to star as a Bond girl in the 007 franchise when she appeared alongside Daniel Craig in Spectre in 2015 Vision in red: The stunning star displayed an age-defying complexion Monica explained: 'Im not someone who wakes up at 6am to go to the gym. 'The truth is that I like cakes and pasta, the odd glass of wine and a very occasional cigarette. 'My advice is: eat well, drink well, have good sex and laugh a lot. The rest comes all on its own.' They are one of Sydney's elite and most stylish couples. But bespoke tailor Patrick Johnson, founder of P. Johnson Tailor, and his interior designer wife Tamsin have sold their stunningly renovated apartment in the exclusive suburb to Darling Point. The couple bought the property in 2012 for $1,065,000 and auctioned it off on Friday for $1,755,000. Stunning: Bespoke tailor Patrick Johnson and his interior designer wife Tamsin have sold their stunning apartment in the exclusive suburb to Darling Point The Yarranabbe Rd unit has a large terrace that overlooks Rushcutters Bay, boasting incredible views of the harbour. It also has two bedrooms, a split level lounge and dining room to accommodate for open floor living. The couple also fitted out the kitchen with top of the range appliances, cupboards and drawers, and to give their property a touch of panache installed marble benchtops. Stylish: The couple bought the property in 2012 for $1,065,000 and auctioned it off on Friday for $1,755,000 Open living: It has a large terrace that overlooks Rushcutters Bay, boasting incredible views of the harbour Opulent: The couple also added marble into throughout bathroom, on their bathtub, the sink, the walls and the floor, as well as gold plated taps and shower heads However, marble doesn't just stop in the kitchen. The couple incorporated marble into throughout bathroom, on their bathtub, the sink, the walls and the floor. The bathroom is also fitted with gold plated taps and shower heads, making it appear to be the most opulent of the rooms of the home. Stylish: The couple also fitted out the kitchen with top of the range appliances, cupboards and drawers Eastern suburbs living: The apartment also has two bedrooms, a split level lounge and dining room to accommodate for open floor living After learning the tricks of the trade in London, the bespoke tailor established his Sydney showroom in 2008 and another in Melbourne. Meanwhile Tasmin, who recently gave birth to their first son Arthur, is busy running her interior design practice and sells unique 20th century pieces collected and purchased in Australian and Europe. Patrick and Tamsin are set to be move to their recently purchased beach side property in the trendy suburb of Tamarama in Sydney's eastern suburbs. A woman looking for love is more likely to watch Cheryl Maitland trade husbands on Married At First Sight than any other reality show. A media expert has revealed to The Daily Telegraph who is watching who - and it boils down more to who you are on the street rather than what your personal tastes might be. Media Weeks James Manning told the publication that families were tuning into Keira Maguire's tantrums on I'm A Celebrity ... Get Me Out Of Here! while young professional couples saving up for their own home were the most likely to watch My Kitchen Rules. Scroll down for video Women looking for romance watch Cheryl Maitland on MAFS while families are tuning into Keira Maguire's tantrums on I'm A Celebrity - How who you are decides what you watch on TV James said that any shows that focused on relationships - such as Married At First Sight, Bride And Prejudice or The Bachelor - would be watched more by female audiences. The view was shared by MAFS' Alene, whose budding relationship with Simon has got audiences hooked. She said she was most often approached on the street by females who recognised her from the show. 'Im a Celebrity is more family viewing': The expert said the jungle show was appealing to family viewers 'It is a wide range, but lots of women,' Alene said. Ratings showed that My Kitchen Rules was leading the ratings battle between shows, however, I'm A Celebrity had greater discussion appeal. 'Im a Celebrity is more family viewing, despite some of the awful things people have to eat around dinner time,' James explained. 'It is a wide range, but lots of women': The view was shared by MAFS' Alene (right), whose budding relationship with Simon has got audiences hooked Leading the ratings battle: MKR was scoring the highest with audience numbers, favoured mostly by younger people who entertain at home 'MKR is a show for everyone, but (especially) people who can relate to hosting and cooking for other people, which is often a younger to middle-aged group.' An episode of I'm A Celebrity certainly got fans talking this week, albeit for all the wrong reasons. Audiences were left scratching their heads on Tuesday night, after Jay Laga'aia appeared on the episode despite being booted on Sunday night. Viewers were quick to take to social media to point out the discrepancy in the dramatic scene, which saw Tziporah Malkah and Kris Smith involved in an intense argument. She's in contention to win Best Actress at this weekend's Academy Awards. But before the Oscars kick-off, Isabelle Huppert scooped the coveted prize for Best Actress at the 42nd Cesar Awards ceremony in Paris on Friday night. The French actress, 63, looked sensational in her emerald green gown as she took to the stage to accept the honour for her role in Elle. Scroll down for video Award winning: Isabelle Huppert scooped the coveted award for Best Actress at the 42nd Cesar Awards ceremony in Paris on Friday night Accentuating her timeless beauty, Isabelle's floor-length number highlighted her petite frame as she took to the stage to receive her second Cesar award - having last won in 1996 for her role in A Judgement in Stone. The veteran star of more than 100 films and TV productions oozed glamour in her long sleeved number that highlighted her narrow waist. Her glossy mane fell to her shoulders in a old Hollywood curl which showcased her statement chandelier earrings as she worked a berry coloured lip for the evening. Style maven: The French actress, 63, looked sensational in her emerald green gown as she took to the stage to accept the honour in her homeland Chic: Accentuating her timeless beauty, Isabelle's floor-length number highlighted her petite frame as she took to the stage to receive her award Demure: Her glossy mane fell to her shoulders in a old Hollywood curl which showcased her statement chandelier earrings as she worked a berry coloured lip for the evening Her show-stopping appearance comes two weeks after she accepted the 2017 Montecito Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for her acclaimed role in director Paul Verhoevens latest movie. 'Shes one of the greatest actors ever, and her legacy to cinema is unparalleled,' SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling said of her nomination in January. 'Any film that includes Ms. Huppert is without a doubt immediately worth watching. She elevates any work shes elevated cinema. Its overdue to celebrate this giant.' Going for gold: Isabelle held onto her honour - her second Cesar award - as she took to the stage Happy: The veteran star of more than 100 films and TV productions beamed as she picked up the award Award-winner: Her show-stopping appearance comes two weeks after she accepted the 2017 Montecito Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival for her acclaimed role in director Paul Verhoevens latest movie Previous recipients of the prestigious award, named after one of Santa Barbara's most picturesque areas, include Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Aniston and Oprah Winfrey. Jeff Bridges, Denzel Washington, Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams are also collected awards at the festival. Isabelle will also be in contention for an Oscar at the 89th annual Academy Awards after being nominated in the category for Actress in a Leading Role. The film, a psychological thriller based on author Philippe Djian's 2012 novel Oh..., was not released in time to be considered for nomination. Charlotte McKinney is always one to make an entrance. And the 23-year-old beauty did just that as she attended the pre-Oscars party hosted by Net-A-Porter on Friday. The premier luxury fashion juggernaut celebrated the Oscars with a lunch in Los Angeles at the Chateau Marmont. Beauty: Charlotte McKinney attended the pre-Oscars party hosted by Net-A-Porter on Friday McKinney, who shot to fame thanks to her 2015 Carls Jr commercial, kept it classy but sexy in a pant suit McKinney was one of the prestigious guests invited to the lavish lunch. McKinney, who shot to fame thanks to her 2015 Carls Jr commercial, kept it classy but sexy in a pant suit. She wore a pair of flared cream trousers and a matching plunging blazer that exposed her bandeau top underneath. Keeping it casual: Also at the event was Denise Richards who kept it simple in a pair of jeans and boots The revealing suit showed off her ample assets and also a hint of tummy. She added a pair of slick beige sandals to complete her Spring chic look. The blonde beauty styled her luscious locks in a centre parting as she let it fall naturally around her face. The ladies: Barbara Sturm (L), Denise Richards (C) and Lupe Puerta (R) Legs eleven out of ten: Paris Hilton wore a flirty mini dress as she cozied up to Sturm Lovely: Shiva Rose (L) and Barbara (R) looked pretty in their patterned dresses Her make-up was on point as she went for a smokey style, opting to wear lashings of mascara and eye liner. Also at the event was Denise Richards who kept it simple in a pair of jeans and boots. Her laid back look included a black blouse and a black and silver belt. Her never-ending blonde tresses were styled in a straight fashion as she went for an understated and subtle make-up look. There's much ado about romance for the Royal Shakespeare Companys resident lothario, Edward Bennett. Dashing Bennett is treading the boards as Benedick in the Theatre Royal Haymarkets production of Much Ado About Nothing, where blonde actress Lisa Dillon plays his lover Beatrice, top. While enjoying a combative courtship on stage each night, the thespians, both 37, have fallen for each other off-stage too, my man at the stage door tells me. Edward Bennett, is treading the boards in Much Ado About Nothing with Lisa Dillon playing his lover Beatrice (left). The thespians, both 37, have fallen for each other off-stage too. Bennett once took on David Tennant's old girlfriend, Natalie Walker (right) Loves labours havent been lost on Bennetts previous leading ladies. When he took over David Tennants role as Hamlet in 2008, after the then Doctor Who star succumbed to a bad back, Bennett also took on Tennants old girlfriend, actress Natalie Walter. Bennett met Walter when they played the lovers in the RSCs Midsummer Nights Dream. The course of true love never did run smooth. Happily, Tennant, now married to The Bill actress Georgia Moffett, let bygones be bygones. Why Duke's a dab hand with game birds... Everyone knows Mary Berry, the former Great British Bake Off judge, is partial to a bit of cake. Less well known is her admiration for Prince Philips culinary skills. The Duke of Edinburgh understands cooking, she says. Im very lucky to have had lunch with the Queen. I was seated next to the Duke a delightful man who talked about barbecuing. He was saying that he took his game birds at Sandringham and stuffed them with haggis but put more breadcrumbs in to absorb the fat . . . You knew he knew what he was talking about. Looking suave in a brown leather jacket, Pierce Brosnan was the model of uxoriousness as he walked in Beverly Hills this week with his wife of 16 years, Keely Shaye Smith Brosnan's strong bond with his wife Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan, 63, is nothing like the womaniser he used to play on screen. Looking suave in a brown leather jacket, he was the model of uxoriousness as he walked in Beverly Hills this week with his wife of 16 years, Keely Shaye Smith. The couple met on a beach in Mexico and have two sons, dashing Burberry model Dylan, 20, and Paris, 16. Life's a beach for bra queen Baroness Mone. After retreating to the Caribbean this month because its time to chill, she has decided to give up work completely. She says from her St Barts lounger: Ive decided to retire in three years. The brassy Tory peer, 45, plans to fill her days with charity work and her role in the Lords, even though shes made just two speeches since her elevation 18 months ago. Mentioning no names... Which blue-blooded City financier has recently switched firms to avoid bumping into his extra marital fling who shared the same office? She has had one of the most successful careers in history and throughout the world her name is synonymous with the word 'model'. And Naomi Campbell is showing no signs of stopping. After a packed few fashion weeks in New York and London the 46-year-old stole the show as she attended the Versace Milan Fashion Week show on Friday. The age-defying model looked sexy and sensational in dark blue thigh-high skintight boots, paired with a beautiful royal blue frock. Scroll down for video Ravishing: legendary supermodel Naomi Campbell looked sexy and sensational in an incredible blue ensemble as she attended the Versace Milan Fashion Week show on Friday On leaving the show on Friday evening Naomi smiled to herself, clearly in a happy mood after a day of appreciating designs among friends. Dazzling in a vibrant royal blue dress, the beauty strode calmly to her waiting ride. The veteran supermodel appears to be age defying, flaunting a completely wrinkle-free face and slim, toned body. Contoured: The 46-year-old supermodel appears to be age defying, flaunting a completely wrinkle-free face and slim, toned body at the fashion event, her face framed by a glossy mane Poised: The veteran model was completely unfazed by the crowds and the cameras as she walked to her ride, clutching a supremely elegant matching electric blue handbag Phone time: Naomi looked sleek and relaxed as she slid into her car to leave MFW and seemed to be enjoying some time with her phone - perhaps checking out her Lewis Hamilton selfies Naomi's choice of wearing her long, glossy hair loose worked perfectly with the dress - which was demure in itself, but when paired with those thigh-high leather boots became a sexy statement outfit. The Streatham-born beauty smiled softly for the cameras as she left, keeping out the chill with a gorgeous blue mid-length leather jacket. Having commitments both on and off the runway at MFW could make it a stressful affair. Say cheese! Dazzling in a vibrant purple dress, the beauty then happily caught up with Lewis Hamilton (R) - and snapped a few selfies of the pair together But Naomi looked happy and relaxed as she took her front row seat at the star-studded Versace show on Friday. The supermodel is not afraid of a good selfie either. She perched happily beside Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton - who was wearing a daring shiny green patterned ensemble for the event - and snapped away delightedly. The Andaz Hotel in Los Angeles played host to Kari Feinstein's Pre-Oscar Style Lounge on Friday, welcoming a claque of showbiz personages. Malin Akerman was a standout in a haphazardly tucked in white top with a sloping neckline that afforded a generous view of her cleavage. The 38-year-old had slicked her blonde hair back severely and tied it behind her head, allowing a full view of her black earrings. Beaming: The Andaz Hotel in Los Angeles played host to Kari Feinstein's Pre-Oscar Style Lounge on Friday, welcoming a claque of showbiz personages including Malin Akerman She'd matched the jewelry with a black shirt she'd left open, turning up the collar and rolling the sleeves to above her elbows. For bottoms, the Stockholm native had slipped on a loose pair of faded and frayed jeans as well as nude stilettos, which she later swapped for black shoes and sandals. She got in a bit of posing at the party alongside Jessica Szohr, who'd buttoned herself into a short-sleeved collared shirt. When you got it: Akerman was a standout in a haphazardly tucked in white top with a sloping neckline that afforded a generous view of her cleavage Duo: She got in a bit of posing at the party alongside Jessica Szohr, who'd buttoned herself into a short-sleeved collared shirt from Native Youth Tiny black polka dots were spattered across the Native Youth shirt's white background, a look that clashed elegantly against her seemingly airtight jeans. Bright orange tops contrasted against the gold and black spotted platforms of her high-heeled shoes, and she'd wound her hair into a braided updo. Kandi Burruss, a hand at her waist, had pulled on a glinting pleated blue skirt with an asymmetrical hem and a black patch matching a stretch of black near the bottom. Hands in the pockets: Tiny black polka dots were spattered across the shirt's white background, a look that clashed elegantly against her seemingly airtight jeans Color blocking: Kandi Burruss, a hand at her waist, had pulled on a glinting pleated blue skirt with an asymmetrical hem and a black patch matching a stretch of black near the bottom Her buttoned-up black jumper featured a V-neck that stopped just short of offering up any cleavage, and she'd accessorized with drop earrings and a necklace. Alysia Reiner seemed in entirely the wrong town altogether, having bundled up in a voluminous pine green coat with massive blue fur lining. Letting her wavy brown hair tumble freely into her hood, she'd slipped into a white T-shirt and a grey pair of trousers cinched about her trim waistline with a belt. Rocking the baby blue jeans: Jillian Rose Reed wore a flowing white top with a lacy section at the hem and sheer bits sprawling across her neckline and arms The trousers had been tucked into a pair of white-fringed largely black shoes with bits of cream patterning splashed onto them. Keegan-Michael Key cut a dashing figure in a black V-neck t-shirt he'd matched with a black leather bomber jacket, allowing a bit of stubble to spread across his face. He'd shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark jeans, which tumbled onto the black dress shoes he'd selected for the awards season event. Keeping warm: Kat Graham had flung a long green coat over her own V-neck, top, which was white and tucked into high-waisted jeans with flared hems Kat Graham had flung a long green coat over her own V-neck, top, which was white and tucked into high-waisted jeans with flared hems. Her bangs spilling onto her face, she'd gathered the rest of her hair behind her head, and had clasped on a necklace that dangled into her neckline. Jillian Rose Reed wore a flowing white top with a lacy section at the hem and sheer bits sprawling across her neckline and arms. Handsome as ever: Keegan-Michael Key cut a dashing figure in a black V-neck t-shirt he'd matched with a black leather bomber jacket, allowing a bit of stubble to spread across his face Chilly?: Alysia Reiner seemed in entirely the wrong town altogether, having bundled up in a voluminous pine green coat with massive blue fur lining Her baby blue jeans were faded, and she'd popped on a pair of white shoes, letting her highlighted dark brown hair fall free. Ruby Rose swung by the fete with a date: her girlfriend and fellow Australian actress Jessica Origliasso, whom she's been with for months. Rose had popped a pair of purple sunglasses onto her face and wrapped herself in a leafy camouflage-patterned coat. Low neckline: Randy Jackson wore a black and grey checked overcoat over a flowing grey top, dark jeans faded over the knees and powder blue shoes Black trousers tightened about her enviably svelte legs as she stood alongside her paramour, who wore a cleavage-baring bralette that flashed her chiseled midriff. Her black and walnut brown leopard-print coat appeared to be made of velour and featured fuzzy baby blue lining around the neck. Randy Jackson wore a black and grey checked overcoat over a flowing grey top, dark jeans faded over the knees and powder blue shoes. Cute couple: Ruby Rose swung by the fete with a date: her girlfriend and fellow Australian actress Jessica Origliasso, whom she's been with for months Cheryl Burke's black choker featured draping strings that slipped toward the neckline of her figure-hugging nude top. Her olive green jacket featured sky blue lining, which she revealed by folding up the cuffs, and which matched her torn trousers. Flinging part of her hair over her right shoulder, she'd complemented her top by way of a pair of simply designed nude stilettos. He is up for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards on Sunday. But Mahershala Ali had more thrilling news to share as he welcomed his first child with wife Amatus Sami-Karim on Wednesday. The 43-year-old Moonlight star took to Instagram on Friday and shared a heartwarming snapshot of his artist wife cradling their daughter, Bari Najma Ali. Growing family: Mahershala Ali announced the arrival of his first child, Bari Najma Ali, who was born on Wednesday with a sweet Instagram photo of his daughter and wife, Amatus Sami-Karim The Hidden Figures actor, who portrays Taraji P. Henson's love interest, boasted over the newborn as Amatus gently kissed her forehead. 'Bari (Bar-ee) Najma Ali 2/22/17 #pisces,' he captioned the heartwarming image which included a heart emoji. The Golden Globe nominee and his music producer wife fell in love while he studied for his master's degree at New York University in 2000 and the couple married in 2013. Red carpet romance: The Golden Globe nominee and Amatus - pictured January 8 - fell in love while he studied for his master's degree at New York University in 2000 and the couple married in 2013 When asked how the Moonlight actor, who plays a compassionate drug dealer, is juggling awards season with his growing family, Ali explained the two are 'polar opposite experiences.' 'The awards-season experience... requires you to be out in the community, in the heart of the community, at the nucleus of the film community in a really committed way for about a six-month period of time,' he explained. 'Having a child requires you to nest, to be in your home,' the House Of Cards actor added. 'And to create and make your home and environment that is one that is potentially very welcoming and nurturing for a child. Powerful performance: The new father is up for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight at the Academy Awards on Sunday 'The pregnancy has been a real anchor for me to be able to check in.' Ali won the Screen Actors Guild Award last month for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. 'I'm even excited about being tired,' Ali recently said regarding fatherhood during an interview in Santa Barbara a week after the SAGs. She's never shy in showing off on social media. And Bella Thorne decided to plie her best foot forward on Friday. The 19-year-old practiced her ballet moves on Snapchat, in her kitchen. Scroll down for video Black swan? Bella Thorne decided to plie her best foot forward on Friday The former Disney star - who recently returned from a free cruise around the Caribbean - decided to dance around her house and document it. She was wearing a pink corset bodysuit over camouflage leggings and a racer back bra. Bella flaunted her long slim legs in the ensemble. And point: The 19-year-old practiced her ballet moves on Snapchat, in her kitchen She made a somewhat grungy ballet star, with her green-tinged hair in a scruffy ponytail and her skin make-up free. Later, however, she decided to change up her hair style - going the swift way of acquiring a wig. She tried on an ombre-style long wig, and showcased the look on her Snapchat. Kitchen star: The former Disney actress - who recently returned from a free cruise around the Caribbean - decided to dance around her house and document it Slender: She was wearing a pink corset bodysuit over camouflage leggings and a racer back bra Fatigues: Bella flaunted her long slim legs in the ensemble Her nose-piercing got a good airing, as she went close up and make-up free. It is these kind of posts that has garnered the Blended star 15 million followers on the photo-sharing site, a milestone she celebrated reaching last week. Recently she decided to share another dancing post, wearing a body suit while cutting moves at a dance studio. New look? Later she decided to change up her hair style - going the swift way of acquiring a wig Bad ombres? She tried on an dual-toned long wig, and showcased the look on her Snapchat Added bling: Her nose-piercing got a good airing, as she went close up and make-up free Popular: It is these kind of posts that has garnered the Blended star 15 million followers on the photo-sharing site, a milestone she celebrated reaching last week Getting wiggy with it: The star looked different with the change of style She posted a video of herself dancing to some rather rude lyrics on Wednesday night. The actress rocked a revealing black bodysuit and white Nike Trailers as she flailed about to the rap tune. She has seemingly been enjoying the single life since being linked to Tyler Posey and Charlie Puth. They're the sisters whose hairstyles are coveted the world over. And the Kardashians' hairdresser Jonathan Colombini has spilled the secrets behind their varying looks, revealing Kylie likes her hair to be sporty and match her tracksuits while Kendall's locks must be different from other catwalk models. Jonathan spoke to Daily Mail Australia as he begins a one month residence at La Boutique Salon in Sydney's Double Bay. Scroll down for video How Kendall stole Kylie's hairdresser: Celebrity stylist reveals 'feud' between Jenner sisters, but insists all is fine 'as long as it stays in the family' The Los Angeles-based hairdresser also counts Khloe Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Laura Prepon and Nicole Scherzinger among his celebrity clients. Jonathan began styling Kylie's hair after meeting on a photo shoot, where they 'just instantly got on'. But the 35-year-old was stolen from Kylie by her older sister, who he now spends most of his time following around the world's catwalks. Meeting the Kardashians: Jonathan began styling Kylie's hair after meeting on a photo shoot, where they 'just instantly got on' Hair BFFs: The 35-year-old jokes her was 'stolen' from Kylie by her older sister, who he now spends most of his time following around the world's catwalks 'I was with Kylie for about two years and then Kendall came in and kind of took me,' he revealed, jokingly. 'I work with her more often then I do Kylie, so there is this funny little feud between them!' All jokes aside Jonathon insists there's no hard feelings between the siblings, with everything fine 'as long as it stays in the family'. All fine! However Jonathon insists there's no hard feelings between the siblings, with everything fine 'as long as it stays in the family' Adventorous: Khloe has a 'sh*t ton' of hair extensions that she liked to play around with Despite their fame, the hairdresser said the sisters remain extremely down to earth and are often unaware of how they appear to the public. 'There is sometimes when you are with them when I don't think they realise how famous they are,' he said. And we don't realise sometimes while working with them until you go out and people recognise them and there is a line of paparazzi everywhere!' 'I don't think they realise how famous they are': Most adventurous of all with her hair was Kendall Working with the Kardashians was always fun because they weren't afraid to try daring styles, with Khloe having a 'sh*t ton' of hair extensions that she liked to play around with. But most adventurous of all was Kendall, despite often appearing reserved when she appears on Keeping Up With The Kardashians alongside her sisters. When Jonathan accompanied the model to Paris for the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show last year he styled her hair into a stylish top knot for the afterparty. 'She said "because I know all the other girls are going to wear their hair down and I don't want to be like them".' he revealed. '[Kendall] very much goes against the grain, she wants to do what everybody else is not doing.' CBS has officially scuppered its legal drama series Doubt, starring Katherine Heigl, according to The Hollywood Reporter. With a cast that also included Laverne Cox, Steven Pasquale and Dule Hill, it'd managed to dribble out only two episodes before its cancellation. The inaugural season was meant to span 13 episodes, but there's been no confirmation as to whether those left over will ever make it to the small screen. Adieu: CBS has officially scuppered its legal drama series Doubt, starring Katherine Heigl, according to The Hollywood Reporter From the 18-49 demographic, the pilot garnered piddling ratings amounting to 0.8. This trailed behind what ABC, NBC and Fox were broadcasting at the time. The mid-season show, in which Heigl's glamorous defense attorney character falls for a possibly guilty client, lapsed in the ratings to 0.6 its second episode. Pasquale played said client, and Cox' turn was the first time a transgender actress portrayed an out transgender person as a network TV series regular. Short honeymoon: With a cast that also included Laverne Cox, it'd managed to dribble out only two episodes before its cancellation Doubt aired Wednesdays at 10pm, a spot that a Bull rerun will snap up next week and that Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders will occupy in subsequent weeks. As The Hollywood Reporter's noted, this is the first show any of the 'Big 5' networks - ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and The CW - has axed this season. Doubt had been critically divisive, and as of this Friday, the day news of its cancellation broke, it held a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Steamy: The program sees Heigl's glamorous defense attorney character falls for a possibly guilty client played by Steven Pasquale While the New York Times damned it as 'a mess of a show' and CNN called it a 'slender vehicle,' the Los Angeles Times maintained it was 'highly watchable.' The series had been created by Tony Phelan and Joan Rater, both of whom had written for Grey's Anatomy, which Heigl appeared on from 2005 to 2010. Heigl will be playing opposite Rosario Dawson in a new thriller film called Unforgettable, which is slated to open on April 21. He's rarely seen without his The Bachelor love Alexandra Nation by his side. But Richie Strahan, 32 was pictured with another vivacious blonde on Friday. Luckily for his longtime girlfriend, the woman was his sister Alana Wash, who was joined for birthday celebrations by her reality star brother. Birthday bro: Richie Strahan celebrates his sister Alana Walsh's birthday on Friday In the image, Richie covered his strawberry blonde locks with a cap, perching a pair of aviator sunglasses on his top. His simple attire consisted of a grey T-shirt and blue denim bottoms. In adorable fashion, the pair flashed their pearly whites with a very similar smile, looking like spitting image siblings. Alana held a cocktail glass, wearing a spotted black-and-white dress for her big day. Throwback! Last year, Richie was at his brotherly best yet again, this time sharing an adorable snap of the pair when they were kids 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful sister!' He wrote in the caption. Last year, Richie was at his brotherly best yet again, this time sharing an adorable snap of the pair when they were kids. Sporting a much blonder mane, the future Bachelor star and his sister proved that smiles rarely change, once again sporting toothy grins as they played at the beach. The day before, Richie was joined by a crew of fellow alums from The Bachelorette. Look who showed up! The day before, Richie was joined by a crew of fellow alums from The Bachelorette including Dave Billsborrow (L) and that seasons winner Sasha Mielczarek (R) Dave Billsborrow and Sasha Mielczarek were on hand to help the hunk promote the WPN men's activewear brand that he partners with. The duo sported branded singlets and smiled as they stood in the park. Ironically, Sasha notoriously won the show, spending more than a year with Sam Frost before breaking up late last year. Richie placed a close third, with many believing his heart had been broken by the brunette beauty. No hard feelings: Ironically, Sasha notoriously won the show, spending more than a year with Sam Frost before breaking up late last year. Richie was close behind in third, with many believing his heart was broken by the brunette beauty The image proved there's no hard feelings between the three competing men. Richie got the last laugh by appearing on the following season of The Bachelor, where he fell in love with mother-of-one Alex. The pair are still involved in a loved-up relationship, regularly sharing smitten snaps on Instagram. Moved on! Richie got the last laugh by appearing on the following season of The Bachelor, where he fell in love with mother-of-one Alexandra Nation She just returned home from her Hamilton Island honeymoon with husband Howard Moggs. Now, Esther Anderson, 36, appears to be wishing she could do it all over again. The former Home and Away beauty flaunted her age-defying bikini body on Instagram Saturday, describing her vacation as 'the trip of a lifetime.' Scroll Down For Video Wish you were (back) here: Former Home And Away star Esther Anderson flaunted her ample assets at the beach Saturday, shortly after returning home from her honeymoon In the image, the brunette beauty stood in the wet sand of an idyllic beach, the crystalline blue water stretching to the horizon behind her. Her tiny blue two-piece exposed the star's ample cleavage, as her assets spilled over. Esther stretched out her slender arms, giving a good look at her toned abs and lithe legs. Her wet hair was tossed behind her beaming face, her plump lips pursed to form an ecstatic smile. Married: The 36-year-old married partner of two-years Howard Moggs earlier this month in Geelong 'AUSTRALIA you big, beautiful country!!!!' She wrote in the caption. 'I U It's been the trip of a lifetime!' The caption could indicate the actress was headed back to her Australian home of Melbourne, or back to LA where she's now predominantly based. Since getting married in Geelong earlier this month, the pair have shared a series of envy-inducing snaps from their Whitsunday's honeymoon. Honeymooners! Shortly after the big day, the pair have been sharing a series of envy-inducing snaps from their Whitsunday's honeymoon Booze cruise: One image showed the loved up pair drinking champagne aboard a romantic harbour cruise In a photo shared with Esther's 64,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday, she kissed her new husband's cheek affectionately. Another showed the loved up pair drinking champagne aboard a romantic harbour cruise. On Friday, shortly after returning to Melbourne, they were interviewed by The Morning Show, acting coy about her plans for children with hubby Howard. 'We're practicing,' the star shared to co-hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, while blushing on-air. Awkward! On Friday, shortly after returning to Melbourne, they were interviewed by The Morning Show, acting coy about her plans for children with hubby Howard They're one of Australia's power couples of the performing arts. And after more than 20 years of marriage Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness are just as loved up as ever. On Friday the Aussie hunk made sure to steal a kiss from his lady love ahead of an appearance on Good Morning America. Scroll down for video Sealed with a kiss! Hugh Jackman smooches wife of 20 years Deborra-Lee Furness ahead of appearance on Good Morning America The 48-year-old X Men star, who is currently promoting his new superhero movie Logan, was dressed to impress viewers of the US breakfast program. The Aussie hunk cut a dashing figure in a midnight blue suit which he paired with a green tie and white shirt. Hair slicked back, Hugh looked every bit the movie star in a pair of dark sunglasses and smart black shoes. Hugh beauty! The 48-year-old X Men star, who is currently promoting his new movie Logan, was dressed to impress viewers of the US breakfast program Dapper: The Aussie hunk cut a dashing figure in a midnight blue suit, which he paired with a green tie and white shirt Rugged up: Deborra cut a slightly more casual figure than her younger husband, donning activewear as she prepared to take their two dogs for a walk Deborra cut a slightly more casual figure than her younger husband, donning activewear as she prepared to take their two dogs for a walk. The 61-year-old braved the northern hemisphere cold in a puffy black jacket, pairing it with some leggings. The Australian actress wore pink and black runners on her feet, which matched one of the dog's leashes. Getting cosy: The 61-year-old braved the northern hemisphere cold in a puffy black jacket, pairing it with some leggings Casual: Donning a pair of trendy metallic sunglasses, Deborra wore her pink hair in a messy updo The look of love: Hugh and Deborra still only have eyes for each other after more than 20 years of marriage Donning a pair of trendy metallic sunglasses, Deborra wore her pink hair in a messy updo. Hugh can be seen saying goodbye to his wife, before leaning in to plant a passionate kiss on her lips. Deborra returns the amorous display, leaning in and placing an arm around Hugh's shoulder. Amorous: Hugh can be seen saying goodbye to his wife, before leaning in to plant a passionate kiss on her lips She's the Aussie blonde making waves in the modelling world thanks to her stunning natural beauty. And Elyse Knowles was every bit the model during a bikini photo shoot in Hawaii this week. The 24-year-old looked flawless, amazingly after stepping off a 12 hour flight from Australia to the island destination. 'Straight off a 12 hour flight': Elyse Knowles looks FLAWLESS in tiny blue bikini after arriving in Hawaii from Australia for modelling photo shoot In the photo shared with Elyse's 600,000 Instagram followers, the model wears her golden locks out in loose waves, tucking a tropical flower behind her ear. Wearing little to no makeup, the leggy blonde dons a tiny blue bikini which highlights her tan. The swimsuit's revealing design showcases her ample cleavage, Elyse's taut stomach also on full display. Back to work! The modelling job in the United States comes after she enjoyed a month long holiday in Australia over Christmas Relaxation: She was spotted hanging out in Bondi (pictured) and celebrated Australia Day with a large group of her girlfriends on the Murray River She completes the beach babe look with a pair of ripped denim cut offs, which she leaves undone to expose her bikini briefs. 'Straight off a 12 hr flight into a full day of shooting in North Shore Hawaii ! No Complaints over here,' Elyse captions the photo, also adding the hashtags #hawaii and #turtlebay. The modelling job in the United States comes after she enjoyed a month long holiday in Australia over Christmas. She celebrated Australia Day with a large group of her girlfriends on the Murray River. Catching up in Byron Bay: Elyse also spent time with her boyfriend of four years, Josh Barker Elyse also spent time with her boyfriend of four years, Josh Barker. The pair have had portions of their recent Byron Bay vacation documented by a professional photographer from Lost in Love Photography. The unusual move to have such romantic photos taken in the middle of their holiday sparked engagement rumours. However it appears that the Billabong model and her beau were just having some romantic snaps taken for themselves. Sharon Stone was spotted on Friday beaming and throwing up a peace sign as she enjoyed a stroll in Beverly Hills. The 58-year-old had pulled on a pair of black leather trousers that tightened about her pencil thin legs as she walked down the street. Around her enviably svelte waistline, she'd cinched a black leather Hermes belt with a gold-colored buckle in the shape of an 'H.' Out and about: Sharon Stone was spotted on Friday beaming and throwing up a peace sign as she enjoyed a stroll in Beverly Hills Spectacles sat on her face, and she'd popped on a stylish charcoal blazer that complemented her embossed leather purse. Gold bracelets gleamed around both her wrists, and as the breeze blew her blonde hair back, her glinting earrings poked into view as well. The Basic Instinct flasher completed her look by way of a pair of gold-colored stilettos with small gaps at the tips of her middle toes. When you got it: The 58-year-old had pulled on a pair of black leather trousers that tightened about her pencil thin legs as she walked down the street Stone's got three adopted children, the eldest being a now 16-year-old son called Roan she welcomed with her second and most recent husband Phil Bronstein. Since that marriage dissolved, she's adopted two more children solo: a now 11-year-old son called Laird and a now 10-year-old son called Quinn. According to Gala, she's told this week's Madame Figaro that 'I'm what's called a single mother, which is a great responsibility that's also the happiness of my life.' Spot the logo: Around her enviably svelte waistline, she'd cinched a black leather Hermes belt with a gold-colored buckle in the shape of an 'H' She's not kept their origins a secret from her children, telling the magazine: 'Their adoption's not a taboo. We talk about it frequently.' As far as her own upbringing's concerned, the Meadville, Pennsylvania native's confided that 'My mother wasn't very maternal.' Stone explained that 'Coming from an Irish family in which she was a maid, she grew up in extreme poverty,' and meanwhile, 'My father was orphaned at four years old.' She's the NRL WAG who is enjoying life as a new mum to daughter Poppy Alice. And Phoebe Burgess has posted an adorable snap of her daughter swaddled up. The 27-year-old, who is married to NRL Rabbitohs star Sam Burgess, took to Instagram Story to share an adorable photo of Poppy. All swaddled up! Phoebe Burgess has posted an adorable snap of her daughter swaddled up Her baby appears content and comfortable in her zip up blanket onesie. She captioned her picture: 'When we can't swaddle fast enough #lifesaver' and thanked baby goods company Love To Dream Australia for the cleverly designed pouch. This adorable picture comes days after Phoebe took to her social media to rant about being shamed at an organic Sydney cafe. Happy parents: Phoebe captioned the post, 'When we can't swaddle fast enough #lifesaver' Doting dad! Phoebe also took a snap of husband Sam holding their daughter close to his chest Frustrated by the venue's service, she tagged them in the post taken outside the eatery, which was removed but it's not known if that was before or after the standard 24 hours of a Story post. The journalist began: 'Yesterday was the first time I've been asked to move/leave an empty cafe with a 3 week old baby asleep in her pram.' Without explaining how the situation unfolded, she added a middle-finger emoji and said: 'Cheers to the mum-ophobic waiter who made me terrified to do it again.' 'Cheers to the mum-ophobic waiter': Phoebe Burgess posts rant to Instagram Stories on Thursday about being kicked out of a Sydney cafe with her SLEEPING newborn daughter Poppy the day prior 'Terrified to do it again': Phoebe stated she was asked to leave the cafe with her three-week old baby girl, but suggested it could have been worse 'If I'd started feeding as planned...' Clearly stating that her bub was asleep, she suggested it could have been worse: 'Imagine If I'd started feeding as planned...' Daily Mail Australia has contacted both Phoebe and the cafe in question for comment. Cafe owner Pat de Pinho said: 'As one new parent to another, I have personally reached out to Mrs Burgess to clarify and rectify this misunderstanding. 'We are a family friendly cafe and all our team here welcome anyone, any time.' A few days later, the wife of NRL star Sam Burgess appeared to have overcome her fear of braving a cafe with her newborn as she headed out with her bundle of joy on Saturday. Glam! A few days later, the wife of NRL star Sam Burgess appeared to have overcome her fear of braving a cafe with her newborn as she headed out with her bundle of joy on Saturday in a loose-fitting white summer dress The stunning star - who often appears on the Today Show - wore a loose-fitting white summer dress as she pushed her stroller towards a seaside cafe in Millers Point. She accessorised her casual-chic look with black slides and luxury sunglasses while hanging her Louis Vuitton tote from the baby stroller. The new mother sported a bronzed complexion and nude lip for the outing, leaving her blonde locks down in a straight style. Blonde beauties! Phoebe was attending her sister-in-law Joanna Burgess' baby shower, in which she took a sweet photo with the heavily pregnant stunner, writing: 'Can't wait to meet little bubba' Phoebe was attending her sister-in-law's baby shower, in which she took a sweet photo with the heavily pregnant beauty, writing: 'Can't wait to meet little bubba.' The media personality even let the expectant mother share a special moment with her newborn, which Joanna posted to her Instagram Story captioned: 'Little Miss Poppy.' As Joanna is due to give birth in the coming weeks, Poppy will soon have a Burgess cousin to grow up with. Regular diners: Sam and Phoebe regularly post about enjoying breakfast or brunch out, with Bondi's Speedos Cafe as one of their regular dining spots (pictured) Burgess brood: Phoebe and husband Sam welcomed Poppy in January, with the NRL player sharing the news with an adorable photo of the family from the hospital bed Phoebe and husband Sam welcomed Poppy in January, with the NRL player sharing the news with an adorable photo of the family from the hospital bed. The happy couple tied the knot in December 2015 in an idyllic ceremony at Phoebe's parent's sprawling Southern Highlands estate in Bowral. The duo met in 2014 at an Avicii concert and are understood to have shared their first date when Sam visited Phoebe in hospital weeks later. He was left humiliated this week, when his scorned ex-girlfriend publicly mocked the size of his manhood. But it seems Jay Alvarrez is having the last laugh after his recent split from Alexis Ren, with the social media sensation taking to Twitter on Wednesday to dispel her claims by posing in his underwear. Sporting very tight white briefs and a smile, the Instagram enthusiast swept his wet locks back in a short video filmed in the Maldives. Within seconds, the camera briefly pans down to his groin area and back up to his face again as he chuckles alone while laying on a sun lounge. In a separate tweet, he slammed 20-year-old Alexis, who hours prior tweeted to her 600,000 followers that the Hawaiian filmmaker has a 'small d***.' 'Body Shaming is never cool in any gender or situation.. Making someone feel bad about how they naturally are is only showing your weakness,' he wrote. Lies: Sporting very tight white briefs and a smile, the Instagram enthusiast swept his wet locks away from his face in a short video filmed in the Maldives. Within seconds, the camera briefly pans down to his groin area and back up to his face again as he chuckles alone while laying on a sun lounge Not happy: In a separate tweet, he slammed 20-year-old Alexis, who hours prior tweeted to her 600,000 followers that the Hawaiian filmmaker has a 'small d***' The tweet came after fans of the genetically-blessed couple, who are renowned social media influencers, witnessed them break up on the internet. Alexis launched a tirade claiming fame had changed her 'f***boy ex,' among many other things. Writing to her 602K followers, Alexis concluded an epic three-day rant by saying: 'He's got a small d*** too'. Scathing: Alexis launched a scathing attack on Jay earlier this week The simple tweet needed no explanation that the couple had gone their separate ways, yet Alexis had been answering questions about the messy break with expletive-laden answers since Valentine's Day. 'The more you learn the less you know,' she cryptically posted last Thursday. 'Question f***ing everything'. Relationship goals no more: Alexis and Jay (here together in February 2016) have been an item for around two years 'Made me think of you': Alexis has been showing her ex exactly what he's missing, posting this sultry picture at the weekend Ouch: She used her well-followed Twitter account to blast her ex's manhood She went on to add: 'How you feel is not my problem & how I feel is not your problem,' appearing to talk directly to her ex despite confirming she'd blocked him. 'Love will teach you,' Alexis continued, with a philosophical follow up that read: 'That time you confused a lesson for a soulmate.' In response to questions about why she split with Jay, the beautiful star told fans that it was 'crazy' how wrong she'd been about her ex-beau. Betrayed? She seemed to imply that she had been misled during her relationship Wrong: She used her rant to prove that she had been wrong but learned a lesson Being used? She insinuated that she felt used by her relationship with the filmmaker No longer followed: The original 'realtionship goals' pair are no longer following each other Fame: She hinted that fame had been a contributing factor to the demise of their relationship Self love: She branded the model a 'f***boy' in her explosive rant '[It] was a manipulated as f*** ending,' she added. 'Pushed me to my limits so I broke it so he wouldn't get blamed for ending it.' Alexis' relationship with Jay is her most famous because they are still dubbed the original 'relationship goals' couple, who have worked together on producing beautiful travel content since around 2015. Even though fans began to speculate that the picture-perfect romance between Alexis and Jay was over in August 2016 - with some even speculating that he had moved on with a Danish model - Jay's last post about Alexis seemed to have been this January. On the sweeter side to their relationship, Alexis previously said of Jay in August 2015 that he made her feel beautiful every day. Beautiful: The couple had seemed like a perfect match at first (here in December 2015) Marriage material: Fans speculated that the relationship had come to an end in late December She told For Love & Lemons: 'I'm not up early for my workout I usually wake up to him rubbing my back or kissing me. 'I never wake up not feeling like the prettiest girl in the world with him.' Continuing her Twitter rant on Sunday, Alexis seemed to suggest that there was an ulterior motive for Jay moving on from Alexis and that 'fame' had changed him. She wrote: 'The relationship wasn't good for his business anymore. F***ed uuup' and she added: 'Love makes you blind tho I can't deny I felt something was wrong.' Found fame: Alexis found fame on Instagram, thanks to her enviable looks Natalia Dyer did little to silence the murmurs she's dating her Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton Friday night, as the 20-year-old breakout starlet was seen at the New York City premiere for Heaton's new film, As You Are, at the Village East Cinema. Dyer looked nice at the cinematic event, as she wore a shadow grey coat over a black top with a choker. Dyer, who plays Nancy Wheeler on the buzzy Netflix program, carried a fancy orange clutch and had her brunette locks neatly styled with an impeccable, subtle makeup job. Heaton, 23, sported an eccentric ensemble as he posed for photographers at the Gotham premiere of the dramatic mystery. He wore a navy coat over a button-up white shirt with floral embellishments on the collar. Stand by your man? Natalia Dyer (left) did little to silence rumors she's dating her Stranger Things co-star Charlie Heaton Friday night attending As You Are at NYC's Village East Cinema Shining star: Dyer is one of the breakout stars on the popular Netflix series alongside Heaton Group shot: (left to right) Director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte, Heaton, Amandla Stenberg, Owen Campbell and Madison Harrison posed at the film's debut Sealed with a kiss: Heaton planted a smooch on Campbell's cheek on the celebrated evening The young actor, who plays Jonathan Byers on the show, rounded out his look with green plaid pants and black dress shoes, with with shaggy mane parted. He posed with the film's key players - director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte and actors Amandla Stenberg, Owen Campbell and Madison Harrison - both in group and individual shots, planting a kiss on Campbell's cheek on the marquee evening. On Thursday, Heaton said on Instagram he was 'so happy to finally see' the film, which was screened last year at a number of prominent film festivals internationally, most notably Sundance. Sleek: The debonair actor posed with co-star Stenberg at the Gotham cinema Fashion statement: Director Miles Joris-Peyrafitte let his shirt do the talking as he posed for photographers Acclaimed: The film has been something of a critical darling at the festivals its been screened at 'Would love for as many people to get out and watch this special movie which I hold very close to my heart!' he wrote. The movie is set in the 1990s, amid a narrative coordinating with a police investigation. The coming-of-age motion picture touches on issues of sexuality, drug use and family issues. Heaton and Dyer were spotted in January in Los Angeles looking chummy as they boarded a flight together out of Southern California, and posed together at the Screen Actors Guild Awards later in the month. She's just completed New York and London Fashion Week. And Bella Hadid was spotted running to the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Friday. The American model, 20, flaunted her her killer body in a crop top and skirt ensemble. Scroll down for video Runway ready? Bella Hadid was spotted running to the Versace fashion show during Milan Fashion Week on Friday Making the most of her long lean legs, the younger Hadid sister rocked a studded miniskirt and chic metal-heeled stilettos with an ankle strap. And showcasing her hard-earned abs, the raven-haired beauty teamed it with a tiny velvet crop top. Looking every inch runway-ready, Bella completed the chic ensemble with pale pink leather jacket and a stylish Moschino backpack. Abs fab! The American model, 20, flaunted her her killer body in a crop top and skirt ensemble Covering her green eyes with quirky round sunglasses, she broke into a jog as she arrived for one of her first Italian runway shows of the week. The daughter of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid has been documenting her busy month of Fashion Week shoots. Despite her enviable figure, she has been sure to document her fast food breaks, treating herself to McDonald's and British favourite, Nando's. Toned: Showcasing her hard-earned abs, the raven-haired beauty teamed it with a tiny velvet crop top Newly-single Bella's appearance comes after she was linked with a mystery man in London, who she reportedly 'flirted' with. According to PageSix, the Dutch-Palestinian beauty was at the LOVE and Burberry party during London Fashion Week Party at private members' club Annabel's where she struck up a conversation with the photographer. The site said she was 'cozying up to the mystery man', adding that the two were 'very flirty' at the party, which she attended with Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin. Stylish: Looking every inch runway-ready, Bella completed the chic ensemble with pale pink leather jacket and a stylish Moschino backpack 'They were whispering to each other at various points throughout the evening,' the source added. This is the first time the brunette beauty has been linked to another man since her November split from The Weeknd, 27, shortly before they both appeared in the Victoria's Secret Fashion show in Paris. He has since moved on with Selena Gomez, who he was seen with in Italy in January. Moving on? Newly-single Bella's appearance comes after she was linked with a mystery man in London, who she reportedly 'flirted' with The 89th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday. And in honour of Australians who are nominated, Screen Australia and Australians in Film hosted a nominees reception in Los Angeles on Friday. Actor Luke Hemsworth and his wife Samantha led stars on the red carpet as they arrived at the intimate bash. Suits you! Actor Luke Hemsworth and his wife Samantha led stars on the red carpet as they arrived at a pre-Oscars event in Los Angeles hosted by Screen Australia and Australians in Film While the hunk, 36, hasn't been nominated for an Oscar, he proudly wished the nominees luck at the star-studded event. Luke looked sharp in a fitted black suit, worn with a blue collared button-up and black tie. Samantha chose to pair flared culotte suit pants with a semi-sheer black blouse for the evening, as she wore her blonde locks down in loose waves. Matching! Luke looked sharp in a fitted black suit, worn with a blue collared button-up and black tie, while wife Samantha chose to pair flared culotte suit pants with a semi-sheer black blouse for the evening The youngest attendee on the red carpet, Sunny Pawar, appeared in high spirits at the exclusive celebration. Sunny, who appears in the Oscar-nominated flick Lion, happily bared a toothy grin in his adorable tailored suit and bow tie. The child actor, 8, added a pair of bright sneakers to his look, while styling his short hair up with gel. Too cute! The youngest attendee on the red carpet, Sunny Pawar, appeared in high spirits at the exclusive celebration in an adorable tailored suit and bowtie Oscar nominated! Sunny, 8, plays young Saroo in the Oscar-nominated flick Lion alongside Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman This year marks the first time Australia has had more than a single nominee for best picture at the Oscars, with Hacksaw Ridge and Lion going up against the likes of La La Land, Hidden Figures and Fences. Hacksaw Ridge star Rachel Griffiths celebrated her part in the nomination in a bright floral top and faux fur trimmed jacket. Her added extra colour to her ensemble with a small red clutch, but opted for black trousers, heels and glasses. Blooming beautiful! Hacksaw Ridge star Rachel Griffiths celebrated her part in the nomination in a bright floral top and faux fur trimmed jacket Bright star! The actress added extra colour to her ensemble with a small red clutch, but opted for black trousers, heels and glasses Also appearing in war drama Hacksaw Ridge, Luke Bracey donned a dapper plaid suit with matching vest. He carefully selected brown dress shoes for his sharp look and added a black tie over a crisp white shirt. Giving a brooding stare to photographers, he posed with his hands tucked into his trouser pockets. Suave! Hacksaw Ridge actor Luke Bracey donned a dapper plaid suit with matching vest for the red carpet event, in which he added to the sharp look with brown dress shoes Jacki Weaver, who has previously been nominated for two coveted Oscars, layered up in a black sequin dress, stockings and blazer. Her frock sparkled as she held an equally glam purse in her hand during photographs. The 69-year-old actress let her short locks down for the duration of the outing and applied a bold red lip. Looking good! Actress Jacki Weaver, who has previously been nominated for two coveted Oscars, layered up in a black sequin dress, stockings and blazer Also among the star-studded guest list was film producer Polly Staniford and actress Alethea Jones. Polly wore a playful orange off-the-shoulder frock with frills, while Alethea dressed in quirky shimmer trousers and a two-toned blazer. Other special guests who were spotted at the reception included Suicide Squad's Jai Courtney and actress Danielle Macdonald. The 89th Annual Academy Awards will be held on Sunday in Hollywood. Playful! Film producer Polly Staniford wore a semi-sheer orange off-the-shoulder frock with frills, in which she glammed up with silver strappy heels and bohemian-style earrings Rocker chic! Actress Alethea Jones dressed in quirky shimmer trousers and a two-toned blazer She recently became one of Hollywood's newest shining lights after starring in the hit movie Fifty Shades Darker. But it seems that when she's back home in Australia, actress Bella Heathcote doesn't always get the superstar treatment. The 29-year-old was pictured stepping off a plane at Sydney airport on Saturday and despite her newfound notoriety, she was forced to wheel her own luggage. Welcome home! Fifty Shades Darker actress Bella Heathcote arrived back in Sydney on Saturday Emerging from the arrival gate, Bella was all smiles as she appeared to chat and joke with an air hostess. Wheeling her large suitcase through the terminal, she carefully balanced a handbag on top before stepping outside. With the wind blowing her short blonde locks, the former Neighbours starlet hopped into a waiting taxi. All smiles! The 29-year-old recently became one of Hollywood's newest stars after getting a lead role in the hit movie Fifty Shades Darker Arrivals! The actress was all smiles as she touched down following the release of the huge film Bubbly blonde! Emerging from the arrival gate, Bella appeared to joke with an air hostess Not travelling light! Wheeling her large suitcase outside the terminal, she carefully balanced a handbag on top In a hurry: With the wind blowing her short blonde locks, the former Neighbours starlet moved towards a waiting taxi Opting to be comfortable for her trip, Bella wore a simple long-sleeved black t-shirt, a pair of blue denim jeans and some sporty white runners. A camouflage jacket she had tied around her waist may have come in handy later as rain fell consistently across Sydney. From the moment she appeared at the arrival gate, to the moment she left in a taxi, Bella was all smiles. Her arrival back home in Australia comes after Bella revealed she was nervous about taking up the role in the hit franchise. Style: Opting to be comfortable for her trip, Bella wore a simple long-sleeved black t-shirt, a pair of blue denim jeans and some sporty white runners Smart: A camouflage jacket she had tied around her waist may have come in handy later as rain fell consistently across Sydney Taxi! The popular actress placed her bag in the boot of a cab, before hopping into the back seat Happy chap! From the moment she appeared at the arrival gate to the moment she left in a taxi Bella was all smiles In a recent interview with InStyle Australia, the actress told how aware she was of fans' high expectations for her character, Christian Grey's ex-lover. 'I was nervous, to be honest, about the fans,' Bella said. 'I was worried that I'd disappoint them, or not live up to the idea that they had in their minds of who she should be.' Bella's big break on television came in 2009 when she was cast as Amanda Fowler on hit show Neighbours. He stars in an Academy award nominated movie alongside Hollywood star Nicole Kidman. And eight-year-old Sunny Pawar has revealed that not only was Lion his first paid acting gig, but it was also the first film he's ever watched on the big screen. Speaking through a translator at a pre-Oscars bash in Los Angeles on Friday, the adorable young boy from Mumbai told Daily Mail Australia that he enjoyed watching himself act. Exciting: Sunny Pawar has revealed that not only was Lion his first paid acting gig, but the movie release marked the first time he ever watched a film on the big screen 'It was great to watch myself on the big screen,' he said with his translator adding: 'Before Lion he hadn't seen any movie on the big screen as well, it was the first movie he watched on the big screen last month.' Sunny, who plays Saroo Brierley in the Garth Davis blockbuster, attended a star-studded event by Screen Australia and Australians in Film. The youngest attendee on the red carpet looked every part the dapper A-lister in a blue tailored suit, crisp white dress shirt and black bow-tie. Good job! 'It was great to watch myself on the big screen,' he said with his translator adding: 'Before Lion he hadn't seen any movie on the big screen as well, it was the first movie he watched on the big screen last month' He said he was 'very, very excited about Oscars' particularly because he's never watched the awards show. 'I'm very excited to get more jobs and yes I'll be looking forward to doing more movies,' he said. When asked if he would choose between Bollywood or Hollywood movies going forward, he replied: 'I want to do both.' Talent: Sunny was cast in the film from a group of two dozen school students in India Sunny was cast in the film from a group of two dozen school students in India. He often wears his bright-coloured shoes to events, which he previously told Mail Online were 'Mumbai street style' and that he loved wearing them as he'd bought them off a street stall near his house. Sunny is very convincing as the young Saroo Brierley, who gets separated from his family at age five and ends up being adopted by a family in Australia. British actor Dev Patel portrays the older Saroo in the motion picture based on a true story, while Australian actress Nicole plays adoptive mother Sue Brierley. Convincing: Sunny is very convincing as the young Saroo Brierley, who gets separated from his family at age five and ends up being adopted by a family in Australia Co-stars: British actor Dev Patel portrays the older Saroo in the motion picture based of a true story, while Australian actress Nicole Kidman plays adoptive mother Sue Brierley Lion has been nominated for six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. Nicole Kidman and Dev Patel have both received nominations for their respective Best Supporting Actress/Actor categories. Sunny recently won the Child Performer of the Year Award at the 2017 Los Angeles, Italia - Film, Fashion and Art Fest. The Academy Awards will be held in Hollywood on Sunday. They have been enjoyed some mother and daughter time while on a sun-soaked girly holiday in Dubai. And the fun continued for Denise Van Outen, 42, who was spotted giggling with her daughter Betsy, six, as the pair left the Maya restaurant at the Le Royal Meridien hotel in the exotic location on Sunday. The former Big Breakfast presenter flaunted her bronzed skin in a flirty floral dress with a plunging neck line and a thigh high split. Scroll down for video Mummy-and-daughter time: Denise Van Outen glowed with health as she walked hand-in-hand with daughter Betsy, six, after dining at the Maya restaurant in Dubai on Sunday The mother-of-one looked healthy in the pink and green printed flowing frock. The star, who narrates The Only Way Is Essex, elongated her legs with a pair of tan wedge heels. She pulled her blonde locks back in a ponytail and showed off her sun-kissed skin with minimal makeup. Sun-kissed: The TV presenter, 42, showed off her bronzed skin in a plunging pink and green floral frock with a thigh-high split offering a glimpse of her toned legs Smiles: Denise and Betsy grinned as they posed in one of the restaurant's buggies Betsy grinned as her famous mother led her out of the glitzy restaurant. She wore a sweet pale pink dress and silver strap sandals and her long brunette locks flowed down her back. At one point the pair even climbed into one of the restaurant's signature open-roof buggies. The former TV presenter has been enjoying a sun-soaked break with her daughter in the luxurious destination, sharing her holiday snaps with her Instagram followers. Pretty in pink: Betsy looked adorable in a pale pink dress with silver sandals In one adorable picture, Betsy and Denise took it in turns to pose on a window sill and admire an incredible view of Dubai Marina. Betsy donned a pink floral swimsuit while Denise sported a white one-piece. Denise captioned the image: 'Fabulous stay @grosvenorhouse thank you @pamwilby13 and your amazing team. Always the best service and lovely memories made #dubs2017' (sic) Memories: Denise and Betsy posed for a fun holiday snap, clambering onto a window sill and staring down at the harbour while wearing their swimsuits Denise raises Betsy with her ex-husband, musical theatre star Lee Mead, 35. The couple started dating in 2007 when they met while filming BBC reality show, Any Dream Will Do, which Denise sat on the judging panel for and Lee eventually won. Lee and Denise tied the knot in the Seychelles in April 2009, before welcoming Betsy into the world in May 2010. The pair parted ways in 2013, and Denise went public with her new man, stockbroker Eddie Boxshall, in July 2014. He was born in Australia and only became a Hollywood star in recent years. But that didn't stop actor Jai Courtney from lending his support to an anti Donald Trump campaign in Los Angeles on Friday. The 30-year-old was pictured among a host of Hollywood stars at a rally against US President Trump's controversial immigration order. Scroll down for video Havin a say! Jai Courtney was pictured among a host of Hollywood stars at a rally against US President Trump's controversial immigration order in Los Angeles on Friday Braving freezing conditions, a staunch look on Jai's face seemed to indicate he was taking the rally very seriously. Organised by United Talent Agency, the Suicide Squad actor was joined by movie heavyweights Jodie Foster and Michael J. Fox. Wearing a light blue denim jacket and a brown hat, Jai initially appeared very serious after arriving at the event. Nice to meet you! The Australian-born actor was greeted at the event by funnyman Wilmer Valderrama, best known for playing 'Fez' on That 70s Show Serious stuff: Jai looked serious as he arrived at the rally in a blue denim jacket and brown hat That was until he came across funnyman Wilmer Valderrama, best known for playing 'Fez' on That 70s Show. The pair greeted one another before engaging in conversation. Born in Venezuela, Valderrama was one of the lead speakers at the event alongside Foster and Fox. Happy couple: The actor was recently pictured alongside his girlfriend Mecki Dent at the 2017 G'day USA gala in Los Angeles Big break: Jai rose to prominence for his lead role in hit film Jack Reacher alongside Tom Cruise Taking to the rally stage, Foster said she's never been comfortable using her public face for activism but that this year is different. 'It's time to show up,' she said. 'It's a singular time in history. It's time to engage. And as the very, very dead Frederick Douglass once said 'any time is a good time for illumination'.' Monday's Academy Awards ceremony is tipped to be one of the most political in history. Filming has already commenced for Nine's Love Child fourth season. And Jessica Marais graced the set of the retro drama in Sydney's Hyde Park on Thursday while shooting a protest scene. The 32-year-old looked effortlessly glamorous as she cut a chic figure in flared jeans and a white trench coat in a crowd of rally goers. She's got good jeans! Jessica Marais looks effortlessly chic in flared denim as she films Love Child's season four in Sydney's Hyde Park on Thursday The actress appeared in good spirits during the outdoor scenes, as she performed her lines with a smile. While the cameras were rolling she steered a vintage pram along the pavement. Jessica, who plays Joan Millar in the popular drama, was seen looking down adoringly at what is believed to be a child within the capsule. Cheery! The actress appeared in good spirits during the outdoor scenes, as she performed her lines with a smile Looking good: Sporting flawlessly applied makeup for the shoot, the two-time Logie winner looked as good as ever as she got into character Doting mum: Jessica, who plays Joan Millar in the popular drama, was seen looking down adoringly at what is believed to be a child within the capsule Showing off her svelte waist, her white jacket's material belt was tied across her stomach. Sporting flawlessly applied makeup for the shoot, the two-time Logie winner looked as good as ever as she got into character. Jessica was joined on the day by co-star Miranda Tapsell, who happily walked alongside the stroller. Stroll in the park: Jessica was joined on the day by co-star Miranda Tapsell, who happily walked alongside the stroller with a blanket in her arms Miranda appeared to simulate interacting with a newborn within the carriage, as she held a bright orange picnic blanket in her arms. The actress, who plays unmarried pregnant Indigenous woman Martha Tennant, wore a blue long-sleeve cardigan and patterned red skirt. Despite also wearing heels, Jessica towered over Miranda as she walked in wooden high-heeled mules with ease. Statuesque beauty: Despite both wearing heels, Jessica towered over Miranda as she walked in wooden high-heeled mules with ease The South African born star was later seen stopping her pram at the foot of steps, where Miranda interacted with other cast members. They appeared to be taking part in a rally for women's rights, as they held signs, such as 'free safe contraceptives.' Sophie Hensser, who plays Vivian Maguire, looked deep in conversation while wearing a purple printed blouse with flared jeans and a beaded necklace. Pit-stop: The South African born star was later seen stopping her pram at the foot of steps, where Miranda interacted with other cast members Protesters: Sophie Hensser, who plays Vivian Maguire, appeared to be taking part in a rally for women's rights as she carried a sign while wearing a purple printed blouse with flared jeans and a beaded necklace Jessica later said goodbye to Miranda with a warm embrace, leaving her alone with the purple ribbon covered stroller. While she was portraying the image of a doting parent, it's believed Jessica wasn't acting beside a real baby on the day. In the third series of Love Child, Jessica took on the role of mum to her jailed husband's son James - despite him not being her child. Empty pram: While she was portraying the image of a doting parent, it's believed Jessica wasn't acting beside a real baby on the day Hugs! Jessica later said goodbye to Miranda with a warm embrace, leaving her alone with the purple ribbon covered stroller In an attempt to keep her look pristine between each take, stylists were seen touching up her makeup. Ensuring she didn't become parched in the Sydney climate, her makeup artist also handed her a bottle of water, in which Jessica drank with taking deep breaths. Another crew member was seen lifting her flared jeans to tend to her shoes, as she stood with her hands on her hips patiently waiting. Perfectionist: In an attempt to keep her look pristine between each take, stylists were seen touching up her makeup Taking a break: Ensuring she didn't become parched in the Sydney climate, her makeup artist also handed her a bottle of water, in which Jessica drank with taking deep breaths Helping hand: Another crew member was seen lifting her flared jeans to tend to her shoes, as she stood with her hands on her hips patiently waiting Adding to the character of the period-based drama series, a retro Police car was seen in frame of the ongoing protest. Many extras were seen descending on the small cordoned off area in flared trousers, crop tops, flower crowns and clashing prints. There was even a busker in a patchwork dress playing a guitar throughout the scene. The scene: Adding to the character of the period-based drama series, a retro Police car was seen in frame of the ongoing protest Ambiance: There was even a busker in a patchwork dress playing a guitar throughout the scene 'Women's rights now': During the filmed scenes, women were seen holding signs that reflected on women's right issues 60s style: Many extras were seen descending on the small cordoned off area in flared trousers, crop tops, flower crowns and clashing prints During a break from filming, Jessica took the opportunity to have a sit down, perching on the edge of a tiled ledge. She had taken off her white trench coat and held some papers, her phone and headphones in her hands as she silently sat. The actress was later seen interacting with the crew as she prepared to partake in another scene with a reporter. Season Four of Love Child will air sometime in 2017 Waiting: During a break from filming, Jessica took the opportunity to have a sit down, perching on the edge of a tiled ledge Taking direction: She had taken off her white trench coat as she spoek to the crew about the next scene with papers, her phone and headphones in her hand She recently set pulses racing as she simulated performing a solo sex act in a raunchy anti-Valentine's Day video. And Pamela Anderson was up to her old X-rated tricks again on Friday night, as she stripped off for a steamy photoshoot in London's Kentish Town. The 49-year-old blonde bombshell had no qualms about whipping off her fur coat to cosy up to hunky Ukranian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, 27. Scroll down for video Cheeky: Pamela Anderson was up to her old X-rated tricks again on Friday night, as she stripped off for a steamy photoshoot in London's Kentish Town The former Baywatch star initially covered her modesty in an opulent white fur coat which she teamed with towering nude heels. She swept her golden tresses into a bouffant topknot and framed her features with simple make-up. Clearly proud of the raunchy shoot - which was shot by French photographer David LaChapelle - she shared a snap on Instagram, in which Sergei kisses her neck. 'The Bad Boy of Ballet and the Bombshell directed by David LaChapelle,' she captioned it. Steamy: The 49-year-old blonde bombshell had no qualms about whipping off her fur coat to cosy up to hunky Ukranian ballet dancer Sergei Polunin, 27 Chic: The former Baywatch star initially covered her modesty in an opulent white fur coat and towering nude heels The blonde bombshell's bond with David goes way back, as he often photographs her - most notably for a sexy shoot for her range of vegan shoes - and the pair even spent New Year's Eve together in 2016. Pamela called them 'kindred spirits' while discussed him in her blog in 2015. 'My friend David Lachapelle is doing an 'experimental film' (shooting this summer) with Sergei Polunin - Rebel ballet dancer,' she penned. 'I'm fortunate I get to be apart of the wild things he does. We are kindred spirits.' The model has two sons, Dylan, 19, and Brandon, 20, with her first husband Tommy Lee, drummer of Motley Crue. Sexy: 27-year-old Sergei has been labelled the 'bad boy of ballet' by the media Confident: Pamela says she has grown more confident throughout her life as she feels 'much more in control' nowadays Pamela is currently the face of erotic brand Coco De Mer, and stars in a very raunchy video for their Valentine's advert. The Baywatch babe is seen indulging in a solo sex act for the romantic day, rather than be conventionally wined and dined in the seriously raunchy clip. After picking up a sex toy, Pamela heads to her bed in the increasingly steamy advert and begins moaning in pleasure. The raunchy video ends with the meaningful words: 'No-one knows you better than you. Take your breath away this Valentine's Day.' Pamela says she has grown more confident throughout her life as she feels 'much more in control' nowadays. She told Refinery29: 'Im fairly comfortable in my skin. I love being a woman, soft, feminine, open. I do the best I can. I like to change the way I look. Old friends: Pamela and David LaChapelle (pictured) - the photographer of the shoot - are old friends who she calls 'kindred spirits' and even spent New Year's Eve together in 2016 Saucy: Pamela is currently the face of erotic brand Coco De Mer, and stars in a very raunchy video for their upcoming Valentine's advert 'I feel much more in control these days. I rely less on what others tell me. No matter what we look like, sexy comes from within. 'Nobody's perfect - imperfections are sexy. Our vulnerabilities are what makes us attractive and unique. I feel the same fears, pangs, questions, I just may have learned to enjoy those feelings.' The actress shot to fame on Baywatch in the nineties, in which she showcased her enviable curves in a barely-there red swimsuit. Speaking about body confidence during shooting, she told Harper's Bazaar last year: 'I was really comfortable in my skin and I didn't care so much. Anti-Valentine's: The Baywatch babe is seen indulging in a solo sex act for the romantic day, rather than be conventionally wined and dined in the seriously raunchy clip Throwback: The actress shot to fame on Baywatch in the nineties, in which she showcased her enviable curves in a barely-there red swimsuit 'I thought, nobody's perfect and imperfections are sexy. And you know, I would've been on the beach anyway, so I was shocked that they hired me and paid me.' Meanwhile, Pamela has sparked rumours that she is dating WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange after being spotted visiting him for for at least the sixth time in five months. The Baywatch actress is rumoured to have struck up a romance with him while he is stuck inside the Ecuadorean Embassy in Knightsbridge. Assange, 44, is wanted for questioning in Sweden over a rape allegation from 2010, and has avoided extradition by living in the embassy since June 2012. She showed off her baby bump in a stunning white gown as she watched husband George Clooney receive the prestigious Cesar dHonneur Award in Paris. And just hours later Amal Clooney looked equally stylish as she held hands with her actor partner while leaving their Ritz hotel in the French capital. The 39-year-old human rights lawyer - who is expecting twins with George - was the epitome of Old Hollywood chic in a Sixties-inspired white shift dress. Scroll down for video Chic: Pregnant Amal looked stunning in a smart suit as she and husband George left the Ritz Hotel in Paris together on Saturday, a day after the Cesar Awards Effortlessly showcasing her lithe frame, Amal looked chic in the wool A-line dress, which featured a mod-style geometric print and thigh-grazing hemline. Sticking to a monochrome palette, the brunette beauty added a matching white swing coat with sleek black trim. Rocking black opaque tights, she lengthened her legs further with some burgundy patent-capped boots. Styling her raven tresses in polished tumbling waves, Amal hid her pretty features behind tortoiseshell shades. Looking good: The 39-year-old human rights lawyer - who is expecting twins with George - was the epitome of Old Hollywood chic in a Sixties-inspired white shift dress Simply stylish: Effortlessly showcasing her lithe frame, Amal looked chic in the wool A-line dress, which featured a mod-style geometric print and thigh-grazing hemline Turning heads: Styling her raven tresses in polished tumbling waves, Amal hid her pretty features behind tortoiseshell shades The pair were making their latest outing shortly after George's mother Nina revealed the couple are expecting one of each sex. In an interview with RadarOnline, the 77-year-old former city councilwoman shared her excitement over the expected June arrival for George and his glamorous wife. 'It will be one of each! Yes, a boy and a girl. Thats what Ive been told,' she said from her Kentucky home. 'How marvellous! My husband and I are extremely excited.' George recently spoke for the first time of his 'excitement' at the news that he and Amal will be welcoming twins this summer. In great spirits: The couple were all smiles as they left their hotel Monochrome maven: The brunette beauty added a matching white swing coat with sleek black trim Going incognito: The good looking pair wore matching shades for the casual outing Couple of the moment: The pair unsurprisingly attracted quite the crowd The actor said: 'We are really happy and really excited. It's going to be an adventure. We've sort of embraced it all with arms wide open.' Speaking to French programme Rencontres de Cinema, he said his friends were 'very supportive' of the news, despite having given him a hard time at first. 'Then it got really quiet,' he said. 'And they all just started making baby crying noises, and the whole table just busted up laughing.' Parents-to-be: George's mother Nina revealed the couple are expecting one of each sex Cool yet casual: George looked dapper in a suede jacket and grey scarf Keeping things lowkey: The 55-year-old actor added a pair of blue stonewash jeans Roxy Jacenko terminated publicist Sara Huegill's employment in 2010 for alleged 'disloyal conduct.' But it appears the PR queen has put their rift aside amid new reports she's rehired Sara to work under her management at Sweaty Betty PR in Sydney. The pair were seen in good spirits enjoying lunch near Roxy's new Paddington office last week at Jackie's Cafe, The Sunday Telegraph reports. Keep your enemies closer? It appears PR Queen Roxy Jacenko has put her rift with Sara Huegill aside amid new reports she's rehired Sara to work under her management at Sweaty Betty PR in Sydney Infamous feud: Roxy Jacenko terminated publicist Sara Huegill's employment in 2010 for alleged 'disloyal conduct' The publication cited an unnamed source as revealing the blonde businesswoman is either considering or has already hired her ex-colleague. Daily Mail Australia have reached out to Roxy who has declined to comment. However on Sunday, Sara posted a photo of some fur on her Instagram account which Roxy then commented: 'We need,' suggesting that the pair are on good terms. Back in contact: On Sunday Sara Huegill posted a picture on her Instagram account which Roxy commented: 'We need' Sara was let go four years before a cocaine scandal saw her and her Olympic swimming champion husband Geoff charged with possessing an illicit drug at Royal Randwick in Sydney. At the time, the pair pleaded guilty to cocaine possession and were sentenced to six-month good behaviour bonds in Waverley Local Court. Sara said they were eager to move on from the incident. Discussing a future partnership? The publication cited an unnamed source as revealing the blonde businesswoman is either considering or has already hired her ex-colleague. Sara is picture here with her Olympic swimming champion husband Geoff 'We are just trying to get on with our lives, to move forward and pick up our lives from where we left them before ... other people go through similar things, though I guess we had to do it in the public spotlight,' she previously told The Sydney Morning Herald. When the news broke of Sara's dismissal in 2010, many of her ex-colleagues were quick to delve into her work history, with her career as a publicist the subject of gossip for days - much of it was untrue. However Daily Mail Australia obtained a letter to Sara from her then-boss Roxy, which revealed she was sacked from her job at Sweaty Betty for sending sporting compression wear and supplements to Australian swimmer Matt Aboud in Rose Bay without prior authorization. One part of the email thread read: 'I am most upset and distressed by what has occurred within the business today... Not only was it sent with NO approval, it was sent on an express courier.' Throwing shade? Evidence suggested Sara was terminated from her PR job for 'disloyal conduct' relating to the handling of stock belonging to Nathan Picklum, owner of fitness wear and supplement business Body Science Evidence suggested Sara was terminated from her PR job for 'disloyal conduct' relating to the handling of stock belonging to Nathan Picklum, owner of fitness wear and supplement business Body Science. According to a letter dated '22nd July 2010', Ms Huegill (Ms Hills at the time) was sacked with immediate effect after '$850 worth of Body Science product (was) dispatched without consent to an unknown identity.' Upon exiting her contract with Sweaty Betty, Sara established her own boutique firm Row A PR, which is understood to no longer be in operation. At the time, Sara removed Sweaty Betty PR from her list of employers on LinkedIn. He's the offspring of Hollywood mega-stars. And on Friday, Jaden Smith was spotted kicking back at Zinque Cafe in West Hollywood, looking much like his famous father Will Smith. The 18-year-old was stylish as always as he wore his own brand and flexed his biceps in a cozy designer sweater while enjoying lunch with his friends. Scroll down for video Looking good! Jaden Smith, 18, was spotted kicking back at Zinque Cafe in West Hollywood, looking much like his famous father Will Smith The up-and-coming actor donned a pair of eccentrically-designed black skinny jeans that featured patches of artwork from other clothing. Jaden complemented the statement-making denim - which he designed for his line, MSFTSrep -with a chunky, white sweater with a side slit that showed off his burgeoning muscles. The sweater was a Louis Vuitton piece, the brand that the Pursuit of Happyness star previously posed for in 2015 and broke barriers by donning a skirt for its Spring 2016 campaign ad. He's got style: Jaden, whose mother is Jada Pinkett Smith, completed the look with a pair of Adidas Originals NMD sneakers Playing dad! Smith socialized and even took time to hang out with an adorable tot dressed in a soccer onesie Jaden - whose mother is Jada Pinkett Smith - completed the stylish look with a pair of Adidas Originals NMD sneakers. In between dining, Smith socialized and even took time to hang out with an adorable tot dressed in a onesie. The After Earth actor looked charmed as he showed off the baby. Free press? While casually posing for photos, the JUST Water brand ambassador had a bottle at hand to place on the table in front of him While casually posing for photos, the JUST Water brand ambassador had a bottle at hand to place on the table in front of him. Jaden, who has been leaving his artwork around the city and posting the location so fans can go grab the pieces, finished off his meal at the cafe with a cup of tea. As he left the trendy LA eatery, he took to his private Snapchat to turn the camera on photographers and document his way to his car. Jaden seemed to take a page out of sister Willow's book as he stopped and whipped his hair, looking down at his sneakers. Sharing: As he left the trendy L.A. eatery, he took to his private Snapchat to turn the camera on photographers and document his way to his car Whip my hair: Jaden seemed to take a page out of sister Willow's book as he whipped his hair, looking down at his sneakers On Thursday, Netflix released the first teaser for the upcoming seven-episode second part of The Get Down, created by Academy Award-winning husband-wife team Baz Luhrmann and Catherine Martin. Smith is seen reprising his role as bisexual graffiti artist Marcus 'Dizzee' Kipling in the 1978-set South Bronx musical drama. The hip-hop origin series reportedly cost $16million an episode to make, according to Deadline. He's coming back! Smith is seen reprising his role as bisexual graffiti artist Marcus 'Dizzee' Kipling in the 1978-set South Bronx musical drama Meanwhile, Smith may have spent his first season's salary on a new mansion. The actor recently moved out of his parent's massive Calabasas compound into a $4million home in the gated enclave of Hidden Hills, California, despite having posted a video in January saying he wants to get out of Los Angeles. She's been spending much of her time in London since her Royal romance went public last year. And Meghan Markle looked in need of a comforting hug as she was spotted for the first time back in Toronto after seeing in the New Year with boyfriend Prince Harry. The American beauty, who films hit series Suits in Canada, appeared in good spirits after spending the past few weeks at London's Kensington Palace with her new flame. Scroll down for video Back home in Toronto: Megan Markle looked in need of a comforting hug as she was spotted for the first time back in Canada after seeing in the New Year with boyfriend Prince Harry The actress, 35, put on a casual chic display, as she arrived at her local gym with close pal Jessica Mulroney. Showing off her long lean legs in a pair of fitted leggings, she teamed them with an oversized off-the-shoulder knit from Smythe to ward off the cold. Adding a pair of Adidas trainers and accessorising with gold-rimmed sunglasses, she flaunted her natural beauty with minimal make-up. And appearing happy to be reunited with her friend, she gave her a hearty hug in the carpark with her Altuzarra saddle mini bag draped across her body. Her fix: The American beauty, who films hit series Suits in Canada, appeared in good spirits after spending the past few weeks at London's Kensington Palace with her new flame Hugging it out: The actress, 35, put on a casual chic display, as she arrived at her local gym with close pal Jessica Mulroney- giving her a hearty hug in the carpark with her Altuzarra saddle mini bag draped across her body Fit: Showing off her long lean legs in a pair of fitted leggings, she teamed them with an oversized off-the-shoulder knit to ward off the cold and This comes after Meghan and Prince Harry rang in their first Valentine's together after confirming their romance in November 2016. The couple spent the last few weeks holed up at London's Kensington Palace, enjoying a rare public outing together to Soho House. 'Harry is truly in love,' an insider explained to E! News last month. 'They're very serious.' 'Harry is more serious [about Meghan] then he ever has been about a woman before,' the source shared. 'It wouldn't surprise me if he's already thinking about engagement just because that's where his head goes.' Good spirits: Appearing happy to be reunited with her friend, they chatted cheerily Girls' time: This comes after Meghan and Prince Harry rang in their first Valentine's together after confirming their romance in November 2016 The prince was pictured with Meghan after a romantic dinner at trendy private members' club Soho House last month. Harry, 32, was said by onlookers to be relaxed about being photographed with his new love, which is being seen by royal watchers as a sign of how seriously he is taking the relationship. Another indication of their commitment was said to be that Miss Markle, who is based in Canada, has found a sitter for her dogs, Guy and Bogart. Once a prolific social media user, Miss Markle has become much more circumspect about the information she puts out, not least because Harry is wary of such public forums. 'Harry is more serious [about Meghan] then he ever has been about a woman before,' the source shared about their romance A sign of commitment? Miss Markle, who is based in Canada, has found a sitter for her dogs, Guy and Bogart She didn't highlight a charity trip to India last month although some handpicked media were in attendance, it is believed and did not posted any photographs on Instagram throughout her time in London. One source told the Mail that she may well move to London permanently by the end of the year, once her filming commitments have finished, and the creators of the legal drama she stars in are already looking at ways to write her out. They say Harry has fallen 'heads over heels' for the actress and is desperately keen for the relationship to work. He has long wanted to settle down and have children, while Miss Markle is said to be equally keen on starting a family. Both are said to have been enjoying living together like any 'normal' couple at Nottingham Cottage, Harry's two-bedroom residence in the grounds of Kensington Palace. Private: Miss Markle has become much more circumspect about the information she puts out, not least because Harry is wary of such public forums. Relocating? One source told the Mail that she may well move to London permanently by the end of the year His future? Prince Harry has reportedly long wanted to settle down and have children, while Miss Markle is said to be equally keen on starting a family One source said: 'She is beautiful, accomplished, whip-smart and has all the humanitarian credentials that Harry so admires. 'And although Meghan has her roots in the US and Canada, she is a keen traveller with a lot of friends in London, so moving over wouldn't be too seismic. 'The only issue would be getting [her dogs] Guy and Bogart settled permanently in the UK as the three of them come as a package.' With the Queen due back from Norfolk next week, there is much speculation that the prince will take the opportunity to introduce his girlfriend to his grandmother, a sure sign that marriage is on the cards. 'She is beautiful, accomplished, whip-smart and has all the humanitarian credentials that Harry so admires' a source said Megan and Harry are said to have been enjoying living together like any 'normal' couple at Nottingham Cottage, Harry's two-bedroom residence in the grounds of Kensington Palace 'And although Meghan has her roots in the US and Canada, she is a keen traveller with a lot of friends in London, so moving over wouldn't be too seismic', the source added Although these sorts of introductions normally take years to achieve, the Queen has a soft spot for her grandson and wants to see him happy. Harry is due to spend several weeks in Toronto later this year when the Invictus Games, his Paralympic-style event for injured servicemen and women, is held there. But after that, the source suggests, Miss Markle could become a permanent fixture in London. The couple met last July after being introduced by Soho House consultant Markus Anderson, a mutual friend. Since then barely a few weeks have gone by without them criss-crossing the globe to spend time together. Last month they enjoyed their first holiday together, visiting the Norwegian fjords. Going strong: It comes as friends of Harry and his actress girlfriend Miss Markle have said the pair are 'taking things to the next level and are practically living together' The royal residence: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's apartment in the background and Nottingham Cottage, where Prince Harry resides He has long wanted to settle down and have children, while Miss Markle is said to be equally keen on starting a family. Both are said to have been enjoying living together like any 'normal' couple at Nottingham Cottage, Harry's two-bedroom residence in the grounds of Kensington Palace. One source said: 'She is beautiful, accomplished, whip-smart and has all the humanitarian credentials that Harry so admires. 'And although Meghan has her roots in the US and Canada, she is a keen traveller with a lot of friends in London, so moving over wouldn't be too seismic. She shared the Bottega Veneta runway with the likes of 21-year-old Kendall Jenner during Milan Fashion Week. But Eva Herzigova gave the much-younger upstart a serious run for her money on Saturday, as she strutted her stuff for the Italian designer's Autumn/Winter '17 collection. Opening the show, the 43-year-old Czech beauty looked incredibly youthful as she nailed equestrian chic in a black tapered jodhpurs and burgundy knee-length boots. Scroll down for video Battle of the catwalk queens: Eva Herzigova, 43, gave Kendall Jenner, 21, a run for her money on Saturday, as she strutted her stuff for the Bottega Veneta's Autumn/Winter '17 collection Showcasing her lithe physique, the supermodel rocked a black ribbed turtleneck knit, with dramatic accentuated shoulders. The blonde beauty showcased her striking bone structure with a slick of orange lipstick and subtle mascara. Clearly proud of her runway stint, Eva later shared a snap of herself walking the catwalk on Instagram, captioning it: 'Opening the Bottega Veneta show.' Exquisite: The Czech beauty showcased her striking bone structure with a slick of orange lipstick and subtle mascara Ruling the runway: Ev looked incredibly youthful as she gave the younger models a run for their money in a skintight monochrome ensemble Meanwhile Kendall cut a striking figure with her retro-style updo and plunging black dress. Bottega Veneta's looks for next season exuded a 1940s Hollywood glamour, with a strictly formal collection for men and women. The female silhouette befitted any Hollywood diva: broad shoulders, rounded hips and tailored at the waist with long continuous lines. Creative director Tomas Maier said the shape conveys 'the pencil mark on a sketch.' But first, let me take selfie: The FROW was alight with phones as bloggers and fashion's elite scrabbled to get a snap of Eva Showcasing her lithe physique: The supermodel rocked a black ribbed turtleneck knit, with dramatic accentuated shoulders Ready for her close-up: The former Wonderbra model looked striking under the catwalk lights Sweeping metallic-thread evening dresses created a liquid effect and had distinctive detailing, with one tying demurely on the derriere. Riding trousers were the staple for daywear, worn with tucked-sweaters and knee-high boots. Contemporary touches included multi-directional pleats on the daytime dresses - a technique achieved with a mostly polyester base to keep the shape - and a disciplined deployment of sequins and elegant studs. Big furry coats were from goats, a purposefully sustainable choice. Dancing With The Stars is busy rounding out its roster for its 24th season. But one face viewers won't see in the ballroom is Democratic presidential nominee and former First Lady Hillary Clinton. The 69-year-old politician politely declined when she was approached, sources for Us magazine revealed. She's done it on camera many times: Democratic presidential nominee and former First Lady Hillary Clinton danced with husband Bill, then President, in 1996. But the 69-year-old is not up for competing in Dancing With The Stars, according to show sources Former First Lady Michelle Obama, 53, also turned the show down - even though she strutted her stuff on stage during a So You Think You Can Dance All Stars performance in 2015 to celebrate the fifth birthday of her Let's Move! campaign to encourage folds to exercise. New mum Ashlee Simpson, 32, is also a no go. But plenty of others are ready to put on their dancing shoes as a slew of leaks on Friday revealed. Let's Move! Former First Lady Michelle Obama, 53, also turned DWTS down despite strutting her stuff during a So You Think You Can Dance All Stars performance in 2015 to encourage Americans to take more exercise Mr. Bachelor himself, Nick Viall, 36, 'is dying' to be the fourth person from the romance franchise to show off his fancy footwork. Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star Erika Girardi, 45, is set to join the cast, along with Olympic ice queen Nancy Kerrigan, 47, who won silver at the 1994 Winter Games in Norway. On Thursday, ABC announced the only two confirmed competitors. They are 19-year-old phenom Simone Biles, who won four golds and a bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, and the A-Team's Mr. T. Surprise refusal: Ashlee Simpson, 32, was reportedly also approached to take part in the 24th season but said no Itching to give it a go: Mr Bachelor Nick Viall, 36, 'is dying' to be the fourth person from the romance franchise to show off his fancy footwork Producers are rounding out the group 'with a couple of movie stars who are showing interest,' the show source dished. 'Theyre just trying to put together a good cast.' The full list of stars competing for the DWTS mirrorball trophy will be revealed on Good Morning America on March 1. The hit reality show will premiere March 20 at 8 pm on ABC. Confirmed competitor: On Thursday ABC announced that 19-year-old phenom Simone Biles, who won four golds and a bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, will compete Three has always been their magic number. Nick and Vanessa Lachey celebrated the two-month mark of bringing their youngest child into the world with identical photos posted to social media on Friday. Nick, 43, and Vanessa, 36, share two more children, Camden John, 4, and Brooklyn Elisabeth, 2. Oh baby! Nick and Vanessa Lachey celebrated the two-month mark of bringing their youngest child into the world with identical photos posted to social media on Friday Baby boy Phoenix Robert was stretched out on a blanket next to blocks enumerating his age, posed perfectly between a print of what looked like wings. Nick wrote with his post, '2 months and counting...... #phoenixrobertlachey,' while Vanessa wrote plainly, 'My Phoenix,' between two heart emojis. '[My wife Vanessa] and I always, in the back of our minds, wanted three kids,' Nick told People in January. 'So here we are at three, and its awesome.' Family fun: In October Vanessa shared a sweet photo of her, her husband and Camden and Brooklyn from Disneyland, looking forward to the day they would meet their latest addition Little Phoenix came early for the family of five, delivered on Christmas Eve in 2016. Just two months prior, Vanessa shared a sweet photo of her, her husband and Camden and Brooklyn from Disneyland, looking forward to the day they would meet their latest addition. 'Thank You @Disneyland for a magical day!!! The "5" of us had a blast! Can't wait to take littlest Lachey next time!' she captioned the photo from the happiest place on Earth. The sweet couple, who has been married since 2011, love doting on their little ones on social media. Cute cliche: Vanessa, whose maiden name is Minnillo, added a photo of her oldest children on February 1 in matching jammies, with a set laid out for their newest arrival, as well Vanessa, whose maiden name is Minnillo, added a photo of her oldest children on February 1 in matching jammies, with a set laid out for their newest arrival, as well. 'Yup, I am officially now "that mom" and I freakin LOVE it! Haha!!!' she wrote, poking fun at herself while also embracing the cliche of her own photo. 'Next up... matching swim suits! Soon Phoenix will be in these jammies. I can't wait!' When asked if more Lacheys are in store for the family, Nick said he had 'given up on trying to predict things,' but that they were in a good place at the moment. 'Apparently theres a way to make babies and were fairly good at it, so you never know,' he said. 'But I think right now, three feels like a very good number.' She has reigned supreme as one of the hottest supermodels on the planet since shooting to fame in the '90s. And Naomi Campbell proved her star status once again on Saturday, as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week. The 46-year-old statuesque beauty nailed off-duty chic in a longline frayed tweed coat and quirky flatform trainers. Scroll down for video Chic: Naomi Campbell, 46, proved her star status once again on Saturday, as she stepped out during Milan Fashion Week Showcasing her famously lean frame in a skintight black ensemble, she added colour with a green luxurious tote. The London-born star wore her long raven locks in a sleek middle parting that effortlessly framed her striking features. Plumping her pout with a slick berry lipstick, she hid her features with some square-frame shades. Stunning: Showcasing her famously lean frame in a skintight black ensemble, she added colour with a green luxurious tote Stylish: The London-born star wore her long raven locks in a sleek middle parting that effortlessly framed her striking features Meanwhile Naomi looked happy and relaxed as she took her front row seat at the star-studded Versace show on Friday. The supermodel is not afraid of a good selfie either. She perched happily beside Formula 1 legend Lewis Hamilton - who was wearing a daring shiny green patterned ensemble for the event - and snapped away delightedly. Dazzling in a vibrant purple dress, the beauty then happily caught up with the F1 driver, and was quick to document the outing by snapping a few selfies of them together. Looking good: The statuesque beauty nailed off-duty chic in a longline frayed tweed coat and quirky flatform trainers But first, let me take a selfie: She took the time to gree fans in the street Despite oozing confidence at each event, the iconic supermodel recently admitted that she still gets jittery when walking the world's runways alongside some of today's young pretenders. 'I feel nervous when I walk out [onto the runway],' she told the March issue of Town & Country magazine. 'I just try to make it down in one piece and make it back in one piece. I enjoy it, but I'm nervous.' She added: 'Especially now. I mean, I'm 46, and these girls are 21 or 18 I don't know if it's about the age thing, necessarily, but for me there's always a vulnerability there.' Fashion elite: She posed with racing ace Lewis Hamilton at the Versace show on Friday The day before she made a sartorial statement while celebrating her sister's birthday at the London hotspot, Steam & Rye. And Pixie Lott showed no signs of stopping as she arrived in style in Milan, Italy with her model fiance Oliver on Saturday. The 26-year-old pop songstress looked incredible in a heavily fringed white coat, which she teamed with a pair of skinny jeans. Scroll down for video All eyes on her! Pixie Lott, 26, looked incredible in a heavily fringed white coat as she stepped out in Milan, Italy on Saturday Despite the cold Italian weather, Pixie ensured to dress for style in the statement outerwear. The Mama Do hitmaker teamed the striking number with a white figure-hugging top which boasted a subtle razor cut neckline. A pair of funky pink and orange trainers complemented her ankle-grazing jeans. The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant sported a subtle slick of make-up, which consisted of blush-infused cheeks - placing more emphasis on her trendy over-sized spectacles. Fringe benefits: Despite the cold Italian weather, Pixie ensured to dress for style in the statement outerwear Hunk: The singer was joined by her model fiance Oliver Cheshire who looked handsome in a cool red, white and a black bomber jacket, which he paired with jeans and white trainers Style queen: The Mama Do hitmaker teamed the striking number with a white figure-hugging top which boasted a subtle razor cut neckline With her glamorous centre parted blonde locks blowing effortlessly in the wind, Pixie looked the picture of happiness as her other half closely followed. Oliver, who has been dating Pixie for six years, looked handsome in a cool red, white and a black bomber jacket, which he paired with jeans and white trainers. The pair showed no signs of jet-lag despite partying the night away in the British capital on Friday. Walking the walk: A pair of funky pink and orange trainers complemented her ankle-grazing jeans Stunner! The former Strictly Come Dancing contestant sported a slick of make-up, which consisted of blush-infused cheeks - placing more emphasis on her trendy over-sized spectacles Details: She accessorised with a chic gold handbag which featured a nautical strap Mane attraction: With her glamorous centre parted blonde locks blowing effortlessly in the wind, Pixie looked the picture of happiness as her other half closely followed Energy: Pixie cradled a cup of coffee to give herself a much needed caffeine boost The beautiful twosome were at the American-themed cocktail bar to celebrate Pixie's sister Charlie-Ann's birthday. The two sisters enjoy a close relationship, with Pixie serving as maid-of-honour at Charlie-Ann's wedding in 2013. The popstar was clearly determined to spoil her sister on her birthday and posted a picture of the two enjoying brunch at a Zizzi restaurant earlier in the day. Busy twosome: The pair showed no signs of jet-lag despite partying the night away in the British capital on Friday Happy birthday! Sisters Pixie and Charlie-Ann enjoyed brunch on the morning of Charlie-Ann's birthday which they chronicled in a cute snap on Instagram Pixie captioned the image: 'Birthday brunch with my favourite girlllll @lottcharlieann at our fave @wearezizzi' (sic) The sisters looked casual in the snap with Charlie-Ann wrapped up in a cosy cardigan with a fur trim. Pixie wrapped her arm around Charlie-Ann as they posed for the picture, clasping glasses of champagne. Perhaps the sisters discussed plans for Pixie's upcoming nuptials over their bubbles. He's the A-list actor who's whirlwind three-month relationship with songstress Taylor Swift dominated headlines last year. And it seems Tom Hiddleston is planning to take most of 2017 off to rest and recuperate from years of filming and acting, and his unexpectedly public romance with the Bad Blood hitmaker. Following his high-profile breaking up with Taylor in September, the 36-year-old threw himself back into his work filming the third installment of the Thor films and the soon-to-be released Kong: Skull Island. Action man: Actor Tom Hiddleston is planning to take most of 2017 off to rest and recuperate from years of filming and acting, and his unexpectedly public romance with Taylor Swift The British actor is ready to step back from the spotlight, saying the he would be taking much of 2017 off, according to a report by The Daily Telegraph. Tom has spent the past six years working almost back to back on big projects including, Thor, War Horse, The Avengers, Crimson Peak and The Night Manager, where he won the Golden Globe for Best Actor In A Mini-Series. 'I'm taking a bit of a breather, because I've been running quite hard for five or six years and I just need to check in with stuff at home,' he said. Old flame: His whirlwind three-month relationship with songstress Taylor Swift dominated headlines last year Arriving at the airport: Taylor even flew out to Brisbane where he was filming the third Thor film Heartbreak: The couple had many sweet moments together that were shared on social media by their other friends, in particular on the Fourth of July weekend at the singer's home where they were pictured with actors Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds 'I've spent so much time away from home and after a while you realise there are other things in life that you need to check in with, like family and friends ... those things are just as important. So it's really that.' And for the better part of 2016 he has been busy shooting Kong: Skull Island, in Northern Vietnam and Oahu, and Thor: Ragnarok in Brisbane. In the Kong adaptation, Tom will play Captain Conrad, a former SAS survival specialist tasked with tracking the unmapped island. Away from London: 'I've spent so much time away from home and after a while you realise there are other things in life that you need to check in with,' he said SAS: In the Kong adaptation, Tom will play Captain Conrad, a former SAS survival specialist tasked with tracking the unmapped island alongside Brie Larson (pictured) He will star alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Brie Larson and John Goodman, which is set for its Australian release on March 9. Meanwhile, the third Thor will see Tom reprise his role as Loki, the God of Mischief and half-brother of the Nordic God of Thunder played by Chris Hemsworth, will be released in October. His long stay in Australia even saw him spend time at Chris's Byron Bay home. The annual birthday party for Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe is reported to cost up to $1 million (0.9 million euros) Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday with a lavish party on Saturday, addressing his own mortality in a speech, but showing no signs of stepping down. Wearing a black cowboy hat, Mugabe, who is increasingly frail, paused for lengthy periods and mumbled at times as he spoke for more than an hour. "It's not always easy to predict that, although you are alive this year, you will be alive next year," he said. "It does not matter how healthy you might feel. The decision that you continue to live and enjoy life is that of one personality we call the Almighty God. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe blows out candles during a private birthday ceremony which is to be followed by a lavish party attended by thousands of loyalists "We should thank the Almighty God that I was able to live from 92 years last year to 93, but much more than that I was able to live from childhood to this day -- that's a long, long journey." The birthday party, held in a large marquee outside Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo, was attended by thousands of officials and ZANU-PF party supporters. Mugabe has held power since 1980 during a reign marked by repression of dissent, vote-rigging and the country's sharp economic decline. Now the world's oldest national leader, his actual birthday on Tuesday has been honoured in a week-long extravaganza with state media filled with tributes and praise. - Local criticism - Saturday's party included a feast and several vast birthday cakes, angering some Zimbabweans as the country endures severe food shortages. One of the cakes was shaped like Mugabe's official Mercedes-Benz limousine. Holding the event at a school in Matobo has also riled locals as it is close to where many victims of Mugabe's crackdown on dissidents in the early 1980s are thought to be buried. At least 20,000 people are believed to have been killed in the massacres by North Korean-trained Zimbabwean troops, according to rights groups. "This should not be a place for celebration," Mbuso Fuzwayo, spokesman for the Bulawayo-based campaign group Ibhetshu Likazulu, told AFP. "The whole area is a crime scene where the bones of victims of the massacres are buried." The state-owned Herald newspaper on Tuesday published a 24-page supplement of gushing congratulatory messages from government departments and regime loyalists. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe gave a faltering television interview this week, vowing to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty "Its written on earth and in heaven that our leader is R.G. Mugabe," ZANU-PF national youth leader Kudzai Chipanga told the president in his speech. "We find it hard and impossible to talk about any other leader except yourself." ZANU-PF has endorsed Mugabe as its candidate for general elections next year, and he remains widely respected as a liberation hero by other African leaders. - 'Mugabe must go'? - Party guests -- many dressed in clothing printed with Mugabe's image -- chanted "Long live the African icon". "Some in their little groups are saying 'Mugabe must go' and I ask 'where must I go?'" Mugabe said, wearing dark glasses and a colourful jacket with a picture of himself on it. "If ZANU-PF says 'you should step down', I will step down," He has avoided naming a successor, but his wife, Grace, 51, is seen as a possible candidate along with vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa. A coalition of opposition activist groups said the event was "a mockery and a direct insult to the concerns of the citizens", alleging that poor farmers were forced to donate cattle to feed guests. Mugabe cut the cakes with the help of Grace as the crowd sang Happy Birthday. Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe trained as a teacher and taught in what was then Rhodesia and Ghana before returning home to join the guerrilla war against white-minority rule. He became prime minister on Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980 and then president in 1987. All schools around Bulawayo were closed on Thursday and Friday to prepare for the celebration, which was attended by some ambassadors and foreign dignitaries. "Our children were told their classrooms have been turned into boarding facilities, and they (were) frogmarched to join the birthday party," local poet and opposition activist Desire Moyo told AFP. Tom Perez (left) and Keith Ellison are the two front-runners in the race to chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Opposition Democrats chose Tom Perez as their new leader, tapping an establishment figure to lead the fight against President Donald Trump and the Republican Congress. Perez, a labor secretary under former president Barack Obama and the party's first Hispanic-American leader, immediately named the contest's runner-up, leftist lawmaker Keith Ellison, as the party's deputy chairman. "Someday, they're going to study this era in American history... and ask the question, of all of us, where were you in 2017 when we had the worst president in the history of the United States?" said Perez, 55. "And we will all be able to say, the united Democratic party led the resistance, ensured this president was a one-term president and elected Democrats across this country." Ellison, an 53-year-old African American who is the first Muslim elected to the US Congress, warned that "we don't have the luxury to walk out of this room divided." Former US Labor Secretary and newly elected DNC chair Tom Perez, seen in 2016, won 235 votes against 200 for US Rep. from Minnesota Keith Ellison The fight over who would chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC) appeared at times to be a proxy battle between the supporters of defeated 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her leftist primary rival Bernie Sanders. Perez, who won 235 votes against 200 for Ellison - a strong Sanders supporter - was seen as the establishment pick. A third candidate, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg -- a gay, 35-year-old Rhodes Scholar and military veteran -- dropped out of the race before the vote, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Unlike in other democracies the leaders of the two main US parties wield little influence on policy, with leading party lawmakers holding far more clout. But this backstage role is taking on greater significance following Clinton's surprise 2016 defeat, and as Democrats prepare for next year's midterm elections and the 2020 presidential vote. - Perez 'will unite us' - Perez succeeds interim chair Donna Brazile, who took over after Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was ousted in mid-2016 when leaked emails showed that some DNC members, who are pledged to be neutral in presidential primaries, favored Clinton over Sanders. The progressive group Democracy for America was upset with the "incredibly disappointing" vote result. U.S. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) listens during a news conference in front of the Capitol February 1, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC Choosing Perez "is another missed opportunity for a Democratic Party desperately trying to regain relevance, and proves... how out of touch party insiders are with the grassroots movement currently in the streets," said the group's chair Jim Dean, an Ellison supporter. But Obama, who has largely been silent since leaving office in January, called for mending rifts. "What unites our party is a belief in opportunity -- the idea that however you started out, whatever you look like, or whomever you love, America is the place where you can make it if you try," he said. "I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much." - Crisis of confidence - After the vote Trump offered what appeared to be tongue-in-cheek congratulations on Twitter. "Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!" he wrote. Fromer US Democratic presidential nominee and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, seen February 15, 2017, a message to Democrats, urging them to "keep fighting and keep the faith," while staying focused on critical upcoming elections Perez's response: "Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. @keithellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare." According to Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, by choosing Perez Democrats "only create deeper divisions within their own party by pushing a far left agenda that rejects a majority of their base outside Washington." During a televised DNC candidate debate late Wednesday, Perez said Democrats need to "get back to basics" by making house calls in all 50 states and reminding workers that the party represents their values and interests. "When we lead with our message, our message of economic opportunity, that's how we win," he said. Perez also warned that Democrats must reform their party's presidential primary system, which he said has created "a crisis of confidence" because of its lack of transparency. More than 1,000 people took to the streets of Manila on February 25 to protest Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs, following the arrest of his most high-profile critic Thousands of supporters and foes of President Rodrigo Duterte joined large rallies in Manila on Saturday, highlighting how his brutal drug war has polarised the Philippines. A prayer rally for Duterte's eight months-long anti-narcotics crackdown drew the biggest turnout, estimated by police at up to 200,000 although AFP reporters said it looked a lot less. "Your presence here showcases the strong support that your president continues to enjoy," Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told the crowd at the prayer rally, who lit candles and sang religious songs. The 71-year-old president, who spent the weekend in his southern home city of Davao, won the election last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. He launched the crackdown after taking office in June and police have reported killing 2,555 drug suspects since then, with about 4,000 other people murdered in unexplained circumstances. Duterte critics including ex-leader Benigno Aquino and Vice President Leni Robredo, who was elected separately from the president, joined one of the other rallies held near the national police headquarters in Manila. This gathering marked the 31st anniversary of the victory of a pro-democracy movement that culminated in a bloodless "People Power" revolution that ended the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. The arrest of Senator Leila De Lima, prominent critic of Philippines President Duterte, has sparked demonstrations in Manila Some at this rally criticised the drug killings, many of which have been described by international foreign monitors as state-sanctioned murder. The protesters warned they foreshadowed another dictatorship. By nightfall some sections of the protesters were openly calling for Duterte's removal from office, chanting "Down with Duterte". "We are warning our people about the threat of rising fascism," protest leader Bonifacio Ilagan told AFP after leading more than 1,000 protesters at another rally earlier Saturday. Ilagan, a playwright who was tortured over two years in a police prison under Marcos' martial rule in the 1970s, cited the "culture of impunity" arising from Duterte's crackdown. Duterte, who ranks Marcos as one of the country's best-ever presidents, has not ruled out using martial law himself to prevent what he describes as the country's slide to narco-state status. - Senator arrest - Last year Duterte stoked large street protests when he allowed the Marcos family to bury the former leader's remains at Manila's Cemetery for Heroes. Wearing a black shirt, Aquino marched alongside political allies and around 2,000 other protesters. He denounced the government's treatment of Senator Leila de Lima, the top critic of the Duterte drug war, who was arrested on Friday and faces life in prison if convicted of drugs charges. De Lima, Aquino's former justice minister, said the arrest was an act of revenge for her decade-long efforts to expose Duterte as the leader of death squads during his time as mayor of Davao. "By arresting Senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated drug charges, President Duterte is effectively expanding his 'drug war'," Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phelim Kine said in a statement. "Not only Congress, but other pillars of Philippine democracy should be deeply worried," the official from the US-based rights monitor added. Thousands of Duterte supporters gathered at a park across the city on February 25 for a planned overnight vigil to demonstrate public backing for Duterte's drug crackdown At one point during the rally attended by Aquino, tempers rose as several protesters confronted a dozen young people who raised clenched fists while holding up a pro-Duterte banner nearby. "Why did you sell your soul?" a white-haired man in a black shirt said, jabbing his finger at one of the Duterte supporters and telling him the president was "responsible" for drug-related murders. "They (deaths) are still being investigated," the young man replied calmly. Television footage showed police hosing down a group of at least 100 people protesting the drug killings, though no one was seriously injured. In a separate demonstration Saturday, around 150 anti-Marcos protesters chanting "Exhume him" marched on the cemetery where he is buried, but riot police stopped them near the gate, an AFP photographer saw. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, said Tehran wants to buy 950 tonnes of uranium concentrate from Kazakhstan "within three years" Iran's nuclear chief said Saturday that the country had asked to buy 950 tonnes of uranium concentrate from Kazakhstan over the next three years to help develop its civil reactor programme. The request has been made to the body that oversees the nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, told the ISNA news agency that the purchase was supposed to happen "within three years". "650 tonnes will enter the country in two consignments and 300 tonnes will enter Iran in the third year," he said. Salehi said the final shipment of concentrate, known as yellow cake, would be turned into uranium hexafluoride gas and sold back to Kazakhstan -- its first international sale of the compound which is used in the uranium enrichment process. Under the nuclear deal, many of Iran's centrifuges were mothballed but it has the right to enrich uranium to a level of 3.5 percent and sell it abroad. Nuclear weapons require uranium enriched to 80 percent or more. Salehi said Iran has already received around 382 tonnes of yellow cake, primarily from Russia, since the nuclear deal came into force in January last year. Under the deal, Iran is allowed to run around 5,000 "IR-1" centrifuges and has been testing more advanced models that can produce greater quantities of enriched uranium -- all under the strict supervision of the UN atomic agency. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was in Baghdad for talks, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom in years Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir held talks in Baghdad with Iraq's leadership Saturday, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom since 2003. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received Jubeir and his accompanying delegation, a statement from his office said, a key step in efforts to normalise frosty ties. Both sides "discussed cooperation in various fields, including the fight against the Daesh gangs," it said, referring to the Islamic State group Iraqi forces are currently battling in the northern city of Mosul. The Saudi minister also met his counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who said in a statement the visit was "the first by a Saudi foreign minister since 2003." "This visit is to reestablish relations in a more stable way than previously," a senior government official said told AFP on condition of anonymity. "It's the first visit of its kind." Abadi, who has been at the helm since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties but the road to normalisation has been rocky. Thamer al-Sabhan, whose credentials were received in January 2016, became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter century, after relations were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. He left the same year after Baghdad demanded he be removed following remarks he made to the press about an alleged plot to assassinate him and criticism he voiced of the Hashed al-Shaabi. Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces, which have played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, are a paramilitary umbrella dominated by Shiite militia and seen by Riyadh as a proxy for arch-rival Iran. Jaafari was one of the most vocal critics of Saudi Arabia at the time and issued several strongly-worded statements against the kingdom and Jubeir himself. He told him directly on the sidelines of a global conference on the anti-IS war last year and in a statement expressing Iraq's "annoyance" over what he called "unacceptable interference." - Iran-Saudi thaw? - Saudi Arabia is very unpopular among Iraq's Shiite majority and often accused of direct support to the IS jihadists that took over a third of the country in 2014. Saudi Arabia nominally supports the fight against IS but Iraq and other partners have argued it needs to do more to help durably defeat IS and its ideology. As evidenced in recent attacks, IS has retained its ability to sow chaos and undermine the Iraqi government's authority even after it lost fixed positions in various regions. Several of them have occurred in Iraq's vast Anbar province, which has long and porous borders with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. "Jubeir congratulated Iraq on the victories achieved against Daesh and pledged Saudi Arabia's support to Iraq in fighting terrorism," the statement from Abadi's office said. It said the minister had also "expressed Saudi Arabia's willingness to back the stability of liberated areas." While Iraq has often suffered from being turned into a battlefield where the rivalry of its neighbours Iran and Saudi Arabia -- the region's Shiite and Sunni Muslim powerhouses -- played out, the Iraqi government official said there was an opportunity for Baghdad. "The whole region is heading towards compromise and Saudi Arabia sees Iraq as an important player to have on its side," he said. "Iraq's neutrality could make it a ground for Iranian-Saudi rapprochement." He stressed that despite intense pressure from the street to take a strong stand against Saudi Arabia, Abadi -- who belongs to Iraq's largest Shiite political bloc -- had "never indulged in aggressive rhetoric against Saudi Arabia." UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura (R) attends a meeting of Intra-Syria peace talks with Syrian government delegation at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on February 25, 2017 A suicide assault which killed dozens in Syria Saturday dealt a further blow to already sputtering UN efforts to launch a new round of talks to end the six-year conflict. The Damascus regime vowed retaliation for the assault in Syria's third city Homs -- and demanded a clear condemnation from opposition negotiators in Geneva, saying otherwise it would consider them "accomplices of terrorism". "What happened today will not go unnoticed and we will react to it ... The blood of Syrians is precious and those who kill Syrians will also be punished," said Syria's chief negotiator Bashar al-Jaafari. "Any party who refuses to condemn these attacks today we will consider that party to be an accomplice of terrorism," he added after his latest meeting with UN mediator Staffan de Mistura. A short time later, the main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) reacted to the Homs attack, although there was no immediate word from two other opposition groups in Geneva, from Moscow and Cairo. "Our positions are clear in condemning terrorism and terrorists, we condemn Daesh and Nusra," said HNC chief negotiator Nasr al-Hariri, using the Arabic term for the Islamic State (IS) group, and the Al-Nusra Front. - Intelligence chief killed - Syria's third city Homs has been under government control since May 2014 The blasts targeting two security service bases in Homs killed a top intelligence chief and close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, and were claimed by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in all 42 people were killed, but the provincial governor put the figure at 30 dead. The Homs attacks came a day after 77 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group in Al-Bab, said the Observatory. The jihadists were ousted from the northern town this week by Turkish-backed rebels. - 'At least six attackers' - A suicide bombing in Al-Bab had killed 51 people on Friday as the Syria peace talks opened Saturday's Homs attack saw bombers targeting the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in a spectacular assault that killed General Hassan Daabul, a top military intelligence official. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Fateh al-Sham Front said just five militants took part in the assault, the latest atrocity in a six-year war which has killed more than 310,000 people. Security forces locked down the city centre after the bombings. Homs has been under near full government control since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since, including twin attacks last year that killed 64. Syrian government forces man a checkpoint at the President square in Homs, the country's third city, on February 25, 2017 as security measures were tightened following a number of suicide attacks The Observatory said that regime air strikes on Saturday also killed 13 civilians across the country, including three in the last rebel enclave of Homs, the Waer neighbourhood. Like its jihadist rival IS, Fateh al-Sham is not party to a ceasefire between government forces and rebel groups taking part in the UN talks. - Blast aimed to 'spoil' talks - In Geneva, de Mistura said Saturday's suicide attacks were clearly designed to "spoil" the peace talks. Asked if they would affect the talks, he said: "I hope not, but it was tragic." "Every time we are having talks or negotiations there is always someone who tries to spoil. We were expecting that," he added. During three previous rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the rivals never sat down at the same table, instead leaving de Mistura to shuttle between them. The main opposition HNC wants to meet the government face-to-face this time -- but has struggled to agree a united front with the Cairo and Moscow groups. The Syrian regime envoy, after demanding all opposition groups in Geneva condemn the Homs assault, said he did not have "any preconditions," for the talks. But he then added: "We have only one condition and that is that we can sit with one unified patriotic opposition who we can consider as a full partner. - Deadlocked talks - Syria's opposition is in a much weaker position compared to the last round of UN-brokered talks in April 2016, notably after losing their stronghold in eastern Aleppo. Despite the setbacks on the ground, the HNC still insists that Assad leave power. Damascus says the president's future is not up for discussion. For the UN, the talks are about "political transition", a term contained in Security Council resolution 2254 that provides the framework for the peace process. "Transition means transferring the authorities to a transitional governance body," opposition negotiator Basma Kodmani said Friday, specifying that in this body "there is no role for Bashar al-Assad". Rescue workers from Syria's White Helmets group -- the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary -- said they will not attend this weekend's Academy Awards due to intensified regime bombing. Malaysian police sealed off large areas of Kuala Lumpur International Airport to sweep for traces of the nerve agent VX Kim Jong-Nam was dead within 20 minutes of being attacked and would have suffered a "very painful death" as his major organs shut down, Malaysia's health minister said Sunday. The estranged half-brother of the North Korean leader was killed with lethal nerve agent VX, police have revealed, after he was ambushed at Kuala Lumpur airport on February 13. Two women can be seen shoving something into Kim's face in leaked CCTV footage of the brazen assassination before he seeks help. "He died in the ambulance. He fainted in the clinic," Health Minister S. Subramaniam told reporters. "From the time of the onset (of the attack) he died within 15 to 20 minutes." Autopsy results suggested the 45-year-old died from "very serious paralysis" due to a lethal nerve agent, Subramaniam said earlier Sunday. Police are holding two women suspected of staging the attack as well as a North Korean man. They want to speak to seven other North Koreans including a senior embassy official, but four of the suspects fled Malaysia on the day of the murder. Nerve agent VX VX is so deadly it is listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction and overnight the scene of the killing in the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur International Airport was swept by civil defence personnel in hazmat suits before being declared safe. "VX only requires 10mg to be absorbed into the system to be lethal," Subramaniam said. "The absorption level was so rapid that within a few minutes the guy had symptoms." Nerve agents prevent the proper operation of an enzyme that acts as the body's "off switch" for glands and muscles. Without that switch, glands and muscles are constantly being stimulated, eventually tire and become unable to sustain breathing. "The muscle goes into a state of permanent contraction," Subramaniam said, adding the dose was "so high" in this case the heart and lungs would have been rapidly affected. - Investigation ongoing - Police had cordoned off parts of the airport after authorities pledged to check all locations the female suspects were known to have visited. But the delay puzzled some travellers. Malaysian police have dismissed claims that Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi HuongHuong was duped into carrying out the assassination of Kim Jong-Nam Student Hariz Syafiq, 21, who was due to take a domestic flight later, told AFP: "Yes, I'm worried a bit. Why didn't they quarantine the airport? "It's a bit strange." Both women suspected of carrying out the attack insisted they thought they were taking part in a prank video, although Malaysian police have said they knew what they were doing. One of the two female suspects in custody, 25-year-old Indonesian Siti Aisyah, reportedly told a senior diplomat Saturday she had been paid just 400 ringgit ($90) for her role, adding she believed she was handling a liquid like "baby oil". The other woman, Vietnamese Doan Thi Huong, 28, told Hanoi officials she had been tricked into killing Kim and thought she was taking part in a prank for a comedy video. Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin, who was granted consular access to Siti Saturday, reportedly said she did not know Huong. Police have said one of the women arrested after the attack fell ill in custody, adding she had been vomiting. However, Erwin said Siti was physically healthy while Vietnamese officials said Huong was "in stable health". Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat told reporters an investigation was continuing at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur in connection with the four North Koreans who fled Malaysia on the day of the killing. He added that samples from the address had been sent for chemical analysis. One man wanted for questioning and believed still in Malaysia is senior North Korean embassy official Hyon Kwang Song, who enjoys diplomatic immunity. The news Friday that lethal VX nerve agent was used in the attack sparked anger in Malaysia and brought condemnation from South Korea, which has pointed the finger at the North over Kim's death. Seoul slammed the use of the toxin as a "blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and other international norms". No next-of-kin have yet come forward to formally identify the body or provide a DNA sample, but authorities have said relatives would be given more time to do so. Iraqi troops advance towards Mosul's southern neighbourhood of Jawasaq on February 24, 2017 during an ongoing offensive to retake the northern city from jihadists of the Islamic State group A female reporter working for Iraqi Kurdish channel Rudaw was killed by the explosion of a roadside bomb Saturday during fighting between government forces and jihadists in Mosul, her channel said. "Prominent Rudaw war reporter and journalist Shifa Gardi has been killed in Mosul as she covered clashes," Rudaw said on social media. "Journalism remains male-dominated -- Shifa Gardi broke those perceptions and stereotypes -- we pay tribute to her courageous journalism," the channel said. Rudaw editors told AFP that the 30-year-old reporter, who was born a refugee in Iran, was killed by an explosive device on a road in west Mosul and said that the cameraman working with her was wounded. He was transferred to Arbil, the nearby capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region where the channel is headquartered. Iraqi forces entered neighbourhoods of the west bank of Mosul on Friday for the first since the start on October 17 of a huge offensive to retake the city from the Islamic State group. Gardi was the second journalist to die covering the Mosul offensive, in the first days of which a young Iraqi reporter for Al Sumaria TV, Ali Raysan, was also killed. Ranked 158th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2016 World Press Freedom Index, Iraq is one of the world's most dangerous places for journalists. "Shifa Gardi was one of Rudaw's most daring journalist," the channel said in a statement. She had recently started presenting a daily show on the Mosul offensive, the early stages of which Kurdish peshmerga forces took part in. Rudaw posted a picture on their website of Gardi holding a rabbit she found wounded while on assignment south of Mosul earlier this week. "I brought it back with me. We will be treating the rabbit and then give it to an animal protection agency which is willing to look after it," she was quoted as saying. Police fired tear gas at hundreds of people Saturday as they marched through Togo's capital to protest the shutdown of two private media channels Police fired tear gas at hundreds of people Saturday as they marched through Togo's capital to protest the shutdown of two private media channels. Television station La Chaine du Futur and City FM radio were ordered to stop broadcasting three weeks ago after a decade on air for breaching licensing rules. According to the country's regulator, they had not fulfilled "the prerequisite permission formalities". After a call by a dozen rights groups, hundreds of people marched through the seaside city for two hours but were dispersed by police in just 15 minutes as they tried to break through a police barrier to reach the regulatory body's headquarters. It was the fourth such protest in Lome in less than two weeks, but those went off without incident. The broadcast ban "is an obstruction of press freedom," said Celestin Agbogan, president of the Togolese League of Human Rights. "It is an illegal" decision, Agbogan said. "We are simply asking for the re-opening of the two media." Mathias Ayena, from the regulator, had told AFP earlier that neither channel obtained the proper authorisation before they started broadcasting in 2007. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Togo 88th in its press freedom index last year and said the government controlled information through a dominant state media. Amnesty International called the sanction disproportionate and "an attack against freedom of speech". British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson (L) meets with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry on February 25, 2017, in the capital Cairo British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday finalised a $150 million loan guarantee agreement tied to crucial IMF financing for Egypt. In Johnson's first visit as foreign secretary to Egypt, he also discussed boosting trade, with UK company investments having reached $30 billion in 2016, according to Britain's Foreign Office. Johnson and Sisi "finalised a joint declaration agreement on a $150 million loan guarantee to Egypt," the British embassy said in a statement. The British loan guarantee was part of up to $6 billion pledged in bilateral funding Egypt needed to secure to qualify for a $12 billion IMF loan linked with tough economic reforms. The visit came as Egypt pushes for a resumption of British flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, which were suspended following a jihadist bombing that killed 224 holidaymakers on board a Russian airliner departing the resort. "The two sides emphasised they would continue working on resuming flights from British airports to Sharm el-Sheikh," the presidency said in a statement. Russia had suspended all flights to Egypt after the October 2015 bombing claimed by the Islamic State group. In the meeting Johnson said his country "looked forward to boosting economic and trade cooperation with Egypt," the statement said. Earlier in February, the UK prime minister's trade envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson visited Egypt with an economic delegation. Warrenn Buffett's letter came as the US grapples with a sharp controversy over President Trump's crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country Billionaire investor Warren Buffett used his annual letter Saturday to laud immigrants and their contribution to the growth of the US economy amid President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant stance. "Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," he wrote in the letter to shareholders of his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The annual missive from the 86-year-old investor -- the world's third-wealthiest person, according to Forbes magazine -- is pored over for clues to the thinking of the "Oracle of Omaha," who lives and works in the Nebraska city. Buffett steered clear of any mention of Republican President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. He had supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid to win the White House. The letter came as the country grapples with a sharp controversy over Trump's anti-immigrant policies and his crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country. The letter accompanied Berkshire Hathaway's release of 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. The company reported net profit of $6.3 billion in the October-December period, a gain of nearly 15 percent from a year ago. For all of 2016, net profit came in at $24.1 billion, slightly lower than the prior year. Berkshire, which has stakes in Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and a number of other companies, and recently invested in Apple, has benefited from the Wall Street rally after Trump's election. Berkshire gained $27.5 billion in net worth during 2016, Buffett said. LIMA, Peru (AP) - The first Latin American president to visit Donald Trump at the White House told the U.S. leader Friday he prefers "bridges to walls," sending him a gentle rebuke of his controversial proposal to build a wall along the border with Mexico. Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a U.S.-educated former Wall Street banker, has emerged as an unlikely leader in Latin America, taking a strong stand against Trump's "America First" agenda while many in the region remain silent. Kuczynski, 78, characterized his meeting with Trump as "cordial and constructive" and said he told Trump he was interested in the free movement of people - "legally," he emphasized -and also spoke about trade and economic development. President Donald Trump meets with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Kuczynski harshly criticized Trump during the U.S. presidential campaign, joking he would cut diplomatic relations with the U.S. "with a saw" if Trump followed through on his pledge to build a wall with Mexico, which he compared to the Berlin Wall. On Friday, he made a point of saying "we prefer bridges to walls." Leaders in the region, even staunch critics of the U.S. like Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, have largely avoided rallying to Mexico's side for fear of jeopardizing their own relations with the Trump administration. Despite such past criticism, it will be hard for Trump to dismiss Kuczynski's advice, said Brian Winter, vice president of the regional group Council of the Americas. Kuczynski, who renounced U.S. citizenship to run for Peru's presidency, speaks Trump's language, not just flawless English but that of a successful businessman with deep influence in the power circles of New York, where he lived and worked for years. He is also bolstered by Peru's standout performance creating jobs and growth. Buoyed by high metal prices, Peru's economy has boomed an average 5 percent each year since 2000 - almost twice the regional average. "This is the positive side of the Latin American story that Trump may be unaware of," said Winter. "Because of his biography, but also the success of Peru, Kuczynski may have more credibility than any other president in Latin America to talk straight to Trump." In brief remarks in the Oval Office before their meeting, Trump said the two men have known each for some time and that it was an honor to welcome him to Washington. "Peru has been a fantastic neighbor," Trump said. "We've had great relationships, better now than ever before." Trump also announced that he would authorize the sale of U.S. military vehicles to Peru - though Kuczynski later downplayed the purchases, saying his government's priority is not acquiring military equipment but providing clean water to all Peruvians. Peru is among a handful of South American nations with a free trade agreement with the U.S. and Kuczynski has not hid his admiration for the United States. But despite being ridiculed at home as a "gringo," Kuczynski has said he worries the U.S. has been taking Latin America for granted. Not for nothing, his first trip abroad after taking office last July was to China. One area where the two men likely see eye-to-eye is Venezuela - though Kuczynski said the topic only came up tangentially in their conversation. Kuczynski has been outspoken criticizing Venezuela's socialist government, calling for humanitarian aid to the country and giving visas to exiles. Within 30 days of taking office, Trump has already slapped sanctions on Venezuela's vice president for his alleged role in facilitating large cocaine shipments to the U.S., and met with the wife of the country's most-prominent political prisoner. If Kuczynski manages to earn Trump's respect, it could pay bilateral dividends. Earlier this month, Kuczysnki telephoned Trump to ask him to deport former President Alejandro Toledo, who is believed to be in the San Francisco area. Toledo faces an arrest order for allegedly taking $20 million in bribes from a Brazilian construction firm. Kuczynski said Friday the two men briefly discussed the case and that it will have to work its way through the both nations' judicial systems. _ Associated Press writer Luis Alonso Lugo in Washington contributed to this report. Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski speaks during his meeting with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) President Donald Trump speaks during his meeting with Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 after a meeting with President Donald Trump. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) PARIS (AP) - George Clooney used the stage at the 42nd Cesar awards, France's equivalent of the Oscars, to criticize U.S. President Donald Trump, without directly calling him out by name. Receiving an honorary Cesar on Friday, Clooney said that "citizens of the world" must work "harder and harder not to let hate win." He said that "the actions of this president have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies and given considerable comfort to our enemies." Actor George Clooney reacts on stage as he received an Honorary Cesar award during the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremony at Salle Pleyel in Paris, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. This annual ceremony is presented by the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) The fault, he said, "is not really his" because fear was already present. "He merely exploited it, and rather successfully." The critique was delivered with some humor, with French 2012 best actor Oscar winner Jean Dujardin providing a purposely wacky translation, and adding his own dig: "Donald Trump is a danger for the world." Actor George Clooney and Amal Clooney arrive at the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremony at Salle Pleyel in Paris, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. This annual ceremony is presented by the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Actor George Clooney, right, reacts on stage after he received an Honorary Cesar award by French actor Jean Dujardin during the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremony at Salle Pleyel in Paris, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. This annual ceremony is presented by the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Actor George Clooney reacts on stage after he received an Honorary Cesar award during the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremony at Salle Pleyel in Paris, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. This annual ceremony is presented by the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) Actor George Clooney poses with the Honorary Cesar award during a photocall at the 42nd Cesar Film Awards ceremony at Salle Pleyel in Paris, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. This annual ceremony is presented by the French Academy of Cinema Arts and Techniques. (AP Photo/Francois Mori) WASHINGTON (AP) - U.S. immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on a harrowing film about his nation's civil war, "The White Helmets," that has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khateeb was scheduled to arrive Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after U.S. officials reported finding "derogatory information" regarding Khateeb. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include anything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Asked for comment, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security, Gillian Christensen, said, "A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States." "The White Helmets," a 40-minute Netflix documentary, has been nominated for Best Documentary Short. If the film wins the Oscar, the award would go to director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara. Khateeb is one of three people credited for cinematography; Franklin Dow is the film's director of photography. The film focuses on the rescue workers who risk their lives to save Syrians affected by civil war. Many of the group's members have been killed by Syrian President Bashar Assad's air forces. The group also was nominated for last year's Nobel Peace Prize. "The White Helmets" includes emblematic scenes of the deadly 6-year-old conflict: people digging through destroyed homes looking for survivors, at constant risk of "double tap" attacks that target first responders after they've arrived at the scene of a strike. Khateeb had been issued a visa to attend the ceremony with Hollywood's biggest stars. But Turkish authorities detained him this week, according to the internal U.S. government correspondence, and he suddenly needed a passport waiver from the United States to enter the country. The correspondence indicated he would not receive such a waiver. There was no explanation in the correspondence for why Turkey detained Khateeb. OLATHE, Kan. (AP) - GPS device-maker Garmin long has revered diversity in its workforce, even when the locale of its ever-sprawling operational headquarters - a largely white Kansas City suburb - didn't reflect it. It's the place 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla came to work a few years ago. By his wife's account Friday he willingly spent long hours on an aviation systems engineering team alongside Alok Madasani, a friend and colleague also 32 and from India. Kuchibhotla's trek led him to have a kinship with his boss, Lebanese native Didier Popadopoulos, who says he moved to America at Kuchibhotla's age and once held the same Garmin job. In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala. In the middle of a crowded bar, a 51-year-old former air traffic controller yelled at two Indian men - Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani - to "get out of my country," witnesses said, then opened fire in an attack that killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help, Thursday, Feb 23, 2017, in Olathe, Kan. (Kranti Shalia via AP) But Garmin - a billion-dollar tech giant launched in Kansas as a startup by two men nearly three decades ago - now is reeling, trying to digest Kuchibhotla's shooting death Wednesday at a tavern just a mile down the road from work. Madasani was wounded, along with a stranger who tried to help. Witnesses say the gunman, Adam Purinton, yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" and opened fire. Purinton, who was arrested hours later at a bar in Missouri, remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. The shooting happened at a time when many have concerns about the treatment of immigrants in the U.S., some of whom feel targeted by the current administration. President Donald Trump has promised to ban certain travelers and been especially vocal about the threat posed by Islamic terrorist groups. On Friday, Garmin tried to comfort grieving employees at a closed-door vigil inside the auditorium on its campus in Olathe, Kansas. Kuchibhotla's widow, Sunayana Dumala, addressed the group of about 200 workers that included Madasani, who was released from the hospital Thursday. Laurie Minard, Garmin's vice president of human resources, doesn't believe the shooting will jeopardize its recruitment of workers from overseas. "We tend to be a family here," she said at the Garmin campus, which is waging a $200 million expansion, with plans announced last August for a new manufacturing and distribution center. "We want people to feel safe. We embrace it. We encourage it. We support it. It's extremely important to us about acceptance." At any given time, she said, more than 100 Garmin employees are in the H-1B program, which lets American companies bring foreigners with technical skills to the U.S. for three to six years. In an eight-year period until fiscal year 2016, Garmin on average obtained 49 certifications for foreign labor - a prerequisite for hiring with an H-1B visa - for an average of 70 positions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. During that time, 81 percent of the certified positions were in Olathe, the Labor Department says. Olathe, whose name means "beautiful" in the Shawnee language, is a well-to-do Kansas City suburb where the median household income is above $77,000 a year. Worldwide, Switzerland-based Garmin Ltd. - the Kansas operation's corporate parent - has more than 11,400 workers in 60 offices and last year logged $3.02 billion in revenue. Roughly 2,800 workers are at the Kansas headquarters, which Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Pam Whiting cast as regionally "one of our entrepreneurial success stories" and biggest employers. Recruiting from overseas isn't at all unusual in the tech industry, which contends there aren't enough Americans with specialized skills the companies need. Indian immigrants in the U.S. has spiked from about 200,000 in the 1980s to more than 2 million today, as Indian-born scientists and engineers fueled the American tech boom. India received more H-1B visas in the U.S. for its temporary high-skilled workers, about 70 percent, than any other country in 2014. Stunned by Kuchibhotla's death, Popadopoulos, the Lebanese native who was the man's boss, said he plans to stay the course. "When this happened, one of the things I started to think about with my wife (was) 'Is it time to leave?'" he said. Then he thought: "Leave where? I'm from here. I really think Srinivas would want us to stick together and stand up for what's right." U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said he left a message with Olathe's mayor, offering to help assure people from India who live in Kansas that the actions leading to Kuchibhotla's death are "not the norm." "This is not the nature of Kansas, and we welcome people to the United States, particularly a company like Garmin and many others," the Kansas Republican said. ___ AP Data Journalist Larry Fenn in New York and AP writers Martha Mendoza in Bangkok and John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, contributed to this report. In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Las Vegas. In the middle of a crowded bar, a 51-year-old former air traffic controller yelled at two Indian men - Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani - to "get out of my country," witnesses said, then opened fire in an attack that killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help, Thursday, Feb 23, 2017, in Olathe, Kan. (Kranti Shalia via AP) Sunayana Dumala sits at a news conference at Garmin Headquarters in Olathe, Kan., Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Dumala's husband was shot and killed in a crowded bar in the Kanas City suburbs on Wednesday, Feb. 22. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, poses for photo with Alok Madasani and his wife Sunayana Dumala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the middle of a crowded bar, a 51-year-old former air traffic controller yelled at two Indian men - Kuchibhotla and Madasani - to "get out of my country," witnesses said, then opened fire in an attack that killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help, Thursday, Feb 23, 2017, in Olathe, Kan. (Kranti Shalia via AP) Flags are at half staff at Garmin headquarters Olathe, Kan., Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was employed at the company. He was killed in a shooting at a bar on Wednesday night. Witnesses say a man accused of opening fire in a crowded bar yelled at two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger. The attack killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Sunayana Dumala talks about her late husband, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, during a news conference at Garmin Headquarters in Olathe, Kan., Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Witnesses say a man accused of opening fire in a crowded bar yelled at two Indian men to "get out of my country" before pulling the trigger. The attack killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the middle of a crowded bar, a 51-year-old former air traffic controller yelled at two Indian men - Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani - to "get out of my country," witnesses said, then opened fire in an attack that killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help, Thursday, Feb 23, 2017, in Olathe, Kan. (Kranti Shalia via AP) BEIRUT (AP) - In synchronized attacks, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria's central Homs city, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, state media and officials reported. The swift, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria's most powerful, were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee. A Syrian lawmaker on a state-affiliated TV station called it a "heavy blow" to Syria's security apparatuses. The attacks came as Syrian government and opposition delegates meet in Geneva in U.N.-mediated talks aimed at building momentum toward peace despite low expectations of a breakthrough. The U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura called the attacks "tragic." FILE - In this April 14, 2016 file photo, a Syrian man carries a carpet through a devastated part of the town of Palmyra as families load their belongings onto buses in the central Homs province in Syria. Syrian media says a pair of attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs killed at least 30 people. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) "Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it. We were expecting that," he said. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Ja'afari, who leads Damascus' delegation to Geneva, said the attacks were a message from the "sponsors of terrorism" to the peace talks. Al-Ja'afari said the attacks will not go unanswered. No footage or pictures emerged from the typically tightly-secured scene of the attacks in the city center. Activists said the city was on high alert after the attacks, with government troops blocking roads and forcing shops to close. The government responded with an intense airstrike campaign against the only neighborhood on the city's outskirts still under opposition control and other parts of rural Homs. The government regained control of the city of Homs - one of the first to rise against President Bashar Assad - in 2015. But al-Waer neighborhood remained in rebel hands. Settlement negotiations to evacuate it have repeatedly faltered. The attack early Saturday was the most high-profile in a city that has been the scene of repeated suicide attacks since the government regained control. The head of Military Intelligence services Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturday's attack, had been transferred from the capital to Homs last year to address security failures in the city, according to local media reports at the time. Daeboul was killed by one of the suicide bombers, according to Syrian State News Agency SANA. Saturday attacks are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year-old conflict. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top government officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defense minister. Details emerging of the Saturday attacks reveal coordinated attacks that used a combination of armed assault and suicide attacks to breach the security offices. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, told The Associated Press three blasts in total killed more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometers (1.2 miles) apart, and according to activists from the city they are heavily guarded, and monitored with security cameras. According to state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs' adjacent al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdurrahman said the synchronized attacks killed at least 42 security officers and personnel. The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled and are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Abdurrahman said the attacks started with clashes at the checkpoints. Then, three suicide bombers blew themselves up consecutively inside the courtyard of the Military Intelligence Services building as troops gathered. The attack briefly undermined the troops' control of the building, said Abdurrahman. That attack killed at least 30, the Observatory said. In the meantime, a similar scenario was playing out at the State Security branch, where at least 12 were killed. Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the agency, was also critically wounded, according to al-Ikhbariya. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition, the Levant Liberation Committee, said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties, according to a statement on their Telegram channel. A Homs-based opposition activist Bebars al-Talawy said the attackers used gun-silencers in their initial attack, enabling them to enter the premise and surprise their target. "This is the biggest breach of security agencies in Homs," al-Talawy said, speaking in a Skype interview. "They were almost inside the offices." Al-Talawy said Daeboul was in charge of negotiating surrender deals with the rebel holdouts in al-Waer and other rebel-held areas in rural Homs. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great power and operates with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the military's Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the state's four main security branches, including Military Intelligence. After the attacks, Syrian opposition activists took to social media to recount stories of torture and abuse for which Daeboul was allegedly responsible. Before Homs, he managed a military intelligence unit believed responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses. Meanwhile, government supporters hailed him as one of the country's best security officers, who "broke the back of the terrorists," a pro-government Facebook page posted. The government refers to all opposition as "terrorists." ___ Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria, Philip Issa in Beirut, and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. ADDS: SYRIA TALKS. Here are the AP's latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EST. -------------------------- Iraqi special forces arrest a fighter with Islamic State militia in Mosul, Iraq, Saturday, Feb. 25. 2017. An Iraqi commander says special forces troops are progressing through western Mosul and encountering stiff resistance from entrenched Islamic State fighters. (AP Photo/Khalid Mohammed) ONLY ON AP -------------------------- VATICAN-MERCY FOR ABUSERS - Pope Francis reduces several stiff sentences handed down by church authorities against pedophile priests, applying his vision of a merciful church even to its most merciless offenders, canon lawyers and church officials tell The AP. By Nicole Winfield. SENT: 1,210 words, photo. With VATICAN-MERCY FOR ABUSERS-PERU - Survivors denounce Vatican handling of Peru abuse case (sent). ---------------- TOP STORIES ---------------- DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN - Democrats elect former Labor Secretary Tom Perez as their new national chairman over a liberal Minnesota congressman after a divisive campaign that reflects the depths of the party's electoral failures as well as the energy from resistance to President Donald Trump. By Bill Barrow. SENT: 620 words, photos, video. With DEMOCRATIC CHAIRMAN-THE LATEST. HEALTH OVERHAUL-HIGH RISK POOLS - As Republicans try to unite around a replacement for the Affordable Care Act, one of the most popular parts of the law will be among the most difficult to replace: the guarantee of health coverage for people with pre-existing conditions. By Carla K. Johnson and Ricardo Alonso-Zaldivar. SENT: 990 words, photos. This story has moved as the Sunday Spotlight. TRUMP-SPEECH - A presidential speech to Congress is one of those all-American moments that ooze ritual and decorum. But Donald Trump favors disruption over decorum, and he can take his first address to Congress on Tuesday night in any number of directions. So can the Democrats who oppose him. SENT: 930 words, photo. MALAYSIA-NORTH KOREA - Malaysia's health minister says autopsy results suggest a nerve agent caused "very serious paralysis" that killed the exiled half brother of North Korea's leader, as police complete a sweep of the budget terminal where he was poisoned and declared it safe of any toxin. By Eileen Ng. SENT: 1,030 words, photos. With MALAYSIA-NORTH KOREA-THE LATEST. SYRIA TALKS - A deadly attack in central Syria threatens to thwart efforts to wrest a political solution at peace talks in Geneva, with the U.N. mediator decrying "spoilers" who try to derail the efforts to end the country's disastrous six-year war. By Jamey Keaten and Dominique Soguel. SENT: 710 words, photos. With SYRIA - In a blow, twin attacks on Syrian security kill at least 32 (sent). OSCARS - The 89th Academy Awards should be a very schizophrenic affair: equal parts pomp and politics. The only thing expected to take the stage more often than the frothy frontrunner "La La Land" at Sunday's ceremony is protest (and probably some punchlines). By Film Writer Jake Coyle. SENT: 820 words, photos. With OSCARS-FUN FACTS; OSCARS-SYRIAN BARRED - Syrian who worked on nominated film can't attend Oscars; FILM-SPIRIT AWARDS - 'Moonlight,' 'American Honey' to vie at Spirit Awards (all sent). -------------------------------------- WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT -------------------------------------- ALI JR-AIRPORT DETENTION - Muhammad Ali's son detained at airport: 'Are you Muslim?'. SENT: 550 words, photos. TRUMP-CORRESPONDENTS DINNER - Trump says he won't attend correspondents dinner this spring. SENT: 120 words. FACT CHECK-WEEK - Trump and his overdrawn apocalypse. SENT: 1,420 words, photo, video. TRANSGENDER WRESTLER - Transgender boy moves within 1 win of girls Texas title. SENT: 540 words, photos, video. RAZZIE AWARDS - 'Hillary's America,' 'Batman v Superman' top Razzies. SENT: 340 words, photos. --------------------------------- WASHINGTON/POLITICS --------------------------------- SUPREME COURT-GORSUCH-WORKERS' RIGHTS - President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee more often than not has backed rulings that favor employers in workers' rights cases he's heard. Detractors say that's a sign Neil Gorsuch will be too pro-business, but he usually was in the majority, meaning he's not necessarily outside the mainstream. SENT: 1,080 words, photos. With SUPREME COURT-GORSUCH-WORKERS' RIGHTS-GLANCE - Notable workers' rights cases heard by Gorsuch as an appeals judge (sent). BLACK BELT-TRUMP - In the impoverished Black Belt region, where support for Obama ran strong, both fears and prayers over President Trump. Photos - many of them, by Brynn Anderson and Jay Reeves, are time-released. SENT: 1,010 words, photos. ------------ NATIONAL ------------ BAR SHOOTING-KANSAS - A Kansas man accused of shooting two Indian immigrants and a third man at a bar, in what some believe was a hate crime, was always a drinker but became a "drunken mess" after his father died about 18 months ago, a longtime neighbor says. SENT: 840 words, photos, video. With BAR SHOOTING-KANSAS-THE LATEST. NYC RUNAWAY CATTLE - Is there a cowboy in the house? Apparently not in New York City, where at least three bulls have broken away from urban slaughterhouses in the last year and run roughshod through the streets. SENT: 550 words, photos. CALIFORNIA MARIJUANA-CELEBRITY BRANDS - Country singer Willie Nelson, the children of the late reggae icon Bob Marley and comedian Whoopi Goldberg are just a few of the growing number of celebrities publicly jumping into the marijuana industry and eyeing the California pot market. SENT: 760 words, photos. -------------------- INTERNATIONAL -------------------- IRAQ-MOSUL RAIDS - A secretive Iraqi intelligence unit is leading the hunt for the Islamic State group's sleeper cells in liberated Mosul. SENT: 1,000 words, photos. COLOMBIA CHAPECO BAR - A couple opens a theme bar in honor of the Brazil's Chapecoense soccer team, which saw almost its entire roster killed in an air crash as they headed to Colombia to play the finals of a regional tournament. SENT: 580 words, photos. BRAZIL-CARNIVAL-AP EXPLAINS - Rio de Janeiro's Carnival parade is world famous for the dancing, the all-but-naked bodies and the magnificent floats down the sambadrome on Avenida Marques de Sapucai. SENT: 700 words, photos. With BRAZIL-CARNIVAL - Brazil's Carnival kicks off with parades and street parties (sent). --------------------------------------- HEALTH/SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY --------------------------------------- SEX OFFENDERS-FACEBOOK BAN - The U.S. Supreme Court is taking up the case of a North Carolina man - a registered sex offender - who beat a traffic ticket and posted about his victory on Facebook, a place he was forbidden to be. SENT: 790 words. --------------- BUSINESS --------------- BUFFETT LETTER - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett always draws a big audience with his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, but this year's edition doesn't break much new ground. By Business Writer Josh Funk. SENT: 700 words, photos. ------------------------- HOW TO REACH US ------------------------- At the Nerve Center, Alina Heineke can be reached at 800-845-8450 (ext. 1600). For photos, Marc Vodofsky, ext. 1900. For graphics and interactives, ext. 7636. Expanded AP content can be obtained from http://www.apexchange.com. For access to AP Exchange and other technical issues, contact apcustomersupport@ap.org or call 877-836-9477. South Korea's Kang Young-seo loses the balance during the alpine skiing women's slalom at the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, northern Japan, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.(AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) Revelers wearing costumes depicting "The Simpsons" comic characters pose for the photo during the "Ceu na Terra" or Heaven on Earth street party in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. Merrymakers take to the streets in hundreds of open-air "bloco" parties during Rio's over-the-top Carnival, the highlight of the year for many. (AP Photo/Leo Correa) Actress Jennifer Garner, center, Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley, left, and National Governors Association (NGA) Vice Chairman Jay Inslee stand for the Posting of the Colors during the NGA's Winter Meeting in Washington, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen) MOSCOW (AP) - Azerbaijan says several of its soldiers have been killed during fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region as Armenia and Azerbaijan blame each other for an outbreak of violence. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday that its forces had "suffered losses" when its positions were assaulted by Armenian troops early Saturday. The Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said in a statement that Armenian forces did not suffer any casualties in the clashes and that the Azerbaijani soldiers were killed when they launched an attack. Nagorno-Karabakh is in Azerbaijan, but since a separatist war ended in 1994 it has been under the control of local ethnic Armenian forces and the Armenian military. An outbreak of fighting in April killed about 75 soldiers from the two sides. The case tugs at the heartstrings: A popular Kansas State University professor battles breast cancer, then leukemia. The school won't extend her six-month sick leave, she loses her job and she cannot get rehired. She sues for discrimination based on disability. Grace Hwang's lawsuit was one of many employee cases heard by federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. The majority opinion he wrote siding with Kansas State is illustrative. His worker's rights opinions are often sympathetic but coldly pragmatic, and they're usually in the employer's favor. "Hwang's is a terrible problem, one in no way of her own making," Gorsuch's 2014 opinion said about the former professor and attorney, who died last year. Federal law "seeks to prevent employers from callously denying reasonable accommodations that permit otherwise qualified disabled persons to work - not to turn employers into safety net providers for those who cannot work." FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2017 file photo, Supreme Court Justice nominee Neil Gorsuch, right, meets with Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn. on Capitol Hill in Washington. A review of dozens of employment cases Gorsuch heard in his decade at the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reveals a focus on texts and a fondness for scrutinizing definitions of words in legislation and the Constitution. Conservatives herald his strict approach. Many liberals say it too often results in workers losing out. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) A review of dozens of employment cases he heard in his decade on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reveals a focus on texts and a fondness for scrutinizing definitions of words in legislation and the Constitution. Conservatives herald his strict approach. Many liberals say it too often results in workers losing out. The 49-year-old Gorsuch was a corporate law firm attorney and Justice Department associate attorney general before Republican President George W. Bush appointed him to the bench in 2006. If confirmed to the Supreme Court, he is likely to hear major workers' rights cases. They could include whether companies can require that employees sign away rights to pursue class-action suits and whether the 1964 Civil Rights Act bars workplace discrimination against LGBTQ employees. One 2016 case illustrates how Gorsuch's fidelity to literal texts can lead to findings that appear to defy common sense and fairness. TransAm Trucking driver Alphonse Maddin stopped on a wintry night after the trailer's brakes froze. His torso went numb after waiting three hours in an unheated cabin for roadside assistance. A boss ordered him to not abandon the cargo. But Maddin, but fearing for his health, unhitched the trailer and drove off. TransAm promptly fired him for disobeying an order. In a dissent, Gorsuch said the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which bars companies from firing a driver who "refuses to operate" an unsafe truck, didn't apply to Maddin. Why? Because, he wrote, Maddin was operating the truck by driving off, not refusing to operate it. "There's simply no law anyone has pointed us to giving employees the right to operate their vehicles in ways their employers forbid," he said. If one's needed, he added, Congress should create it. Writing for the majority, Judge Michael Murphy conceded some imprecise language. But he said the law could easily be seen as applying to drivers, such as Maddin, who are at risk by staying put. Murphy also directly challenged Gorsuch's narrow, literal meaning of "operate." "The dissent believes Congress' intent can be easily determined by simply choosing a favorite dictionary definition of the word," Murphy wrote. But he added there was no doubt the law's purpose was to keep drivers safe, so it was reasonable to find "a refusal to operate" encompassed a refusal to sit in a freezing truck. Gorsuch's judicial history, to some, suggests he isn't employee friendly. He has sided with employers 21 out of 23 times in disputes over the U.S. pensions and benefits law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA. One case involved employees of Solvay Chemicals, Inc., who accused Solvay of slashing early-retirement benefits without the proper notice required by ERISA. But writing for the majority in 2013, Gorsuch said the workers could only prevail if they showed the company's lack of notice was "egregious." "What qualifies as 'egregious'?" he asked. "Happily, the statute defines the term for us." Solvay, Gorsuch added, had plausibly blamed accidental oversight. But that record doesn't necessarily prove he's anti-labor or outside the mainstream. In all 21 ERISA cases in which he sided with employers, Gorsuch was with the majority, including often Democrat-appointed judges. Workers who sue lose "far more often than not" in most courts, sometimes because they underestimate the evidence needed to win, said Stuart Gerson, an acting U.S. attorney general in 1993 and now a health industry attorney. Discerning judges' personal views on issues by examining their rulings can be perilous because judges are usually bound by precedent to rule as they do. That was true in a case Gorsuch heard in 2006. Everett Young, who is black, alleged racial discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act after Dillon's King Soopers in Colorado fired him as a grocery store investigator. Young accused one boss of calling him "a monkey." Gorsuch, writing the unanimous ruling, said the boss's alleged statements "evince a deep and repugnant racial animus." But the court was obliged, he said, by Title VII and precedent to determine if Young proved racism had led directly to his dismissal. Gorsuch concluded Young had not made the case and that the store had ample reason to dismiss him for misrepresenting his working hours. Gorsuch has occasionally been less strict about adhering to texts. He was on a three-judge panel that heard a complex 2009 case in which Payless ShoeSource sued its insurer, Travelers, to recover costs of a $2.4 million settlement over working hours. All three judges found for Travelers, rejecting arguments that misplaced modifiers and inexact punctuation in a liability policy put it on the hook for the settlement costs. Writing for the panel, Gorsuch quoted comedian Groucho Marx in the movie "Animal Crackers": "'One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.'" No one, Gorsuch wrote, thought Marx was saying he actually had an elephant in his pajamas because of imprecise grammar. "We must," he wrote about the Payless dispute, "acknowledge the parties' plain meaning without being strait-jacketed by a grammatical rule into reaching a patently unintended result." ___ Tarm reported from Chicago and Lavoie from Boston. Associated Press Researcher Rhonda Shafner also contributed to this report. ___ Find AP's reporting on Neil Gorsuch here: http://apne.ws/2mfXk4V __ The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap.org President Donald Trump's pick to fill a Supreme Court vacancy has heard dozens of workers' rights cases on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. Many conservatives hail Neil Gorsuch for sticking to the letter of the law and not letting personal views influence his rulings. Detractors note that he has, more often than not, sided with employers. Some notable employee rights cases on which he has ruled: SEX DISCRIMINATION Strickland v. UPS: United Parcel Service worker Carole Strickland accused UPS of sex discrimination and of retaliating against her for taking two weeks of leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act to deal with stress. Gorsuch disagreed with the majority that found UPS had discriminated against her based on her gender in violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. He wrote in his 2009 dissent that the allegation had not been proved, noting three male workers said the supervisor "harassed male employees in very much the same manner." Gorsuch did agree with the majority on the retaliation claim. ___ RACIAL DISCRIMINATION Young v. Dillon Companies: Everett Young, who is black, alleged racial discrimination under Title VII after Dillon's King Soopers in Colorado fired him as a grocery store investigator. Young accused one boss of calling him "a monkey." Gorsuch, writing the majority opinion, said the boss's alleged statements "evince a deep and repugnant racial animus." But Gorsuch said Young needed to prove racism led directly to his dismissal. The judge concluded Young had not and that the store had reason to dismiss him for misrepresenting his working hours. ___ DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION Hwang v. Kansas State: Ex-Kansas State professor Grace Hwang sued the school after it wouldn't extend her six months' sick leave for cancer treatment, then wouldn't rehire her. She sued the university for discrimination based on disability. Gorsuch wrote the 2014 majority opinion siding with the school. "Hwang's is a terrible problem, one in no way of her own making," he wrote. But U.S. law "seeks to prevent employers from callously denying reasonable accommodations that permit otherwise qualified disabled persons to work - not to turn employers into safety net providers for those who cannot work." ___ JOB PROTECTIONS TransAm Trucking v. Administrative Review Board: Gorsuch dissented in a 2016 decision regarding truck driver Alphonse Maddin, who was fired for disobeying a boss' order to stay with his cargo after the brakes on his trailer froze. As his body went numb from cold when his cabin heating malfunctioned, Maddin unhitched the trailer and drove off. A majority of judges said federal law protected drivers from dismissal when they refuse to operate an unsafe vehicle. But Gorsuch said that protection didn't apply to Maddin because he drove away and wasn't refusing to drive. ___ PROPER NOTICE Jensen v. Solvay Chemicals, Inc.: A 2013 majority opinion by Gorsuch stemmed from employees of Solvay Chemicals, Inc., accusing the company of dropping an early retirement benefit without giving proper notice. Gorsuch said the workers could have prevailed had they proved Solvay's lack of notice was, as U.S. law states, "egregious." To be egregious, he said, lack of notice had to have an element of intention and it wasn't clear whether Solvay intentionally didn't give proper notice. ___ INSURANCE COVERAGE Hollingshead v. Blue Cross: Gorsuch agreed with a 2007 majority opinion in a case of an Oklahoma woman who sued her employer's insurance company for refusing to pay for her second organ transplant. Blue Cross paid for Donna Hollingshead's first transplant. But when that initial liver failed and she required a second to live, the insurance company refused to compensate her. The 10th Circuit found the plan was not, as Hollingshead argued, ambiguous, and indicated clearly enough that the plan covered one transplant. "We cannot escape the conclusion," the majority opinion said, "that 'one organ' means 'one organ.'" RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Fresh from a trip to traffic court, Lester Packingham Jr. celebrated his turn of good fortune by announcing to friends on Facebook that his pending ticket was dismissed without him saying a word. "No fine. No Court costs. No nothing. Praise be to God. Wow. Thanks, Jesus," Packingham wrote in a 2010 post that led to a lawsuit being heard by the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday. Packingham, 36, was forbidden by a 2008 North Carolina law from using commercial social networking sites like Facebook that children could join. That's because he's a registered sex offender who was convicted of indecent liberties with a minor when he was 21. He served 10 months in prison. A Durham police officer investigated Packingham's post and determined he used an alias rather than his real name. Packingham was prosecuted, convicted of a felony and received a suspended prison sentence. His lawyers say no evidence pointed to Packingham using Facebook or his computer to communicate with minors or that he posted anything inappropriate or obscene. Now the Supreme Court's task is deciding whether the law, meant to prevent communications between sex offenders and minors via social media, is so broad that it violates the Constitution's free-speech protections. The case reaches the Supreme Court after it was upheld by North Carolina's highest court in a divided ruling. The law addressed websites that might allow sex offenders to gather information about minors, the state court said. But dissenting justices argued the ban extends further and could outlaw reading the New York Times and Food Network website. Lawyers arguing on Monday are expected to continue that dispute. Groups including the libertarian Cato Institute and the American Civil Liberties Union argue the North Carolina law could ban sex offenders from online life that includes looking for jobs or reading the daily musings of President Donald Trump and is unconstitutional. "Everyday Americans understand that social media - which includes Twitter, Facebook, Instagram - are absolutely central to their daily life and how the First Amendment is exercised in America today," said Stanford law professor David Goldberg, who will represent Packingham at the Supreme Court on Monday. Though the intent of North Carolina lawmakers may have been to block sexual predators from finding and grooming prey online, Goldberg said the law goes further and makes it a crime for someone on a sex-offender registry to say anything about any subject on social media. "That goes way, way too far," Goldberg said. "It's a crime to do anything, including what Mr. Packingham did, which was to say 'God is good' because he was victorious in traffic court. There's never been any suggestion that he was up to anything but exercising his freedom of speech." Georgia, Kentucky and Louisiana also have laws restricting sex offenders' use of use of social media sites. Nine other states require offenders to disclose their online usernames and profiles, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. "We have to protect young people wherever they are, whether that's at school, or at summer camp or increasingly online," said North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein, whose office is defending the law. "This North Carolina law keeps registered sex offenders off of social networking websites that kids use without denying the offenders access to the internet. It just keeps them off of certain web sites." The law's supporters contend that it doesn't regulate what sex offenders say, just the time, place and manner of their speech, which most people understand through the legal maxim that you can't yell "fire" in a crowded movie theater. The law doesn't ban offenders from using the internet entirely, just social media sites like Facebook, said Louisiana Deputy Solicitor General Colin A. Clark, who wrote a brief supporting the law joined by attorneys general in 12 other states. "There's nothing that a sex offender can't say on the internet. They just can't say it on Facebook," said Clark. His state, Nebraska and Indiana have had laws that federal courts ruled violated the free-speech rights of sex offenders. Louisiana amended its statute to comply with the court decision. The vast majority of the more than 800,000 sex offenders nationwide are required to register their names, addresses and photographs on registries maintained by states, Clark said. States are trying "to come up with a practical solution to the practical problem of sex offenders being on social media and harvesting information about our children and then soliciting them online," he said. ___ Follow Emery P. Dalesio at http://twitter.com/emerydalesio. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/emery-p-dalesio SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - Sunday might be dominated by "La La Land," but Saturday belonged to "Moonlight." Barry Jenkins' luminous coming-of-age tale swept Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards, taking home six awards including best feature. "Moonlight" won every award it was nominated for at the 32nd annual indie awards, the dressed-down, beachside ceremony held the day before the Academy Awards. "Moonlight" won for its directing, screenplay, cinematography and editing. It was also honored for its ensemble cast in the Spirit Awards' Robert Altman Award. Backstage, Jenkins said its tale of a poor, young, black kid in Miami stood in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's administration. Barry Jenkins accepts the Robert Altman award for "Moonlight" at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) "I think 'Moonlight' exists as a beacon of inclusivity," said Jenkins, flanked by his African-American cast and producers. The afternoon ceremony frequently had a strong political tenor. Casey Affleck, who won best actor for "Manchester by the Sea," wore a shirt with the word "love" in Arabic. "The policies of this administration are abhorrent and will not last," said Affleck, accepting his award. Backstage, he spoke about "the torrent of terrifying news that comes out of Washington every day" Some Oscar contenders were missing their presumed rivals at the Spirit Awards, which only nominated films made for $20 million or less (and thus disqualifying the Academy Awards favorite "La La Land"). But if "Moonlight," nominated for eight Oscars including best picture, is to pull off the upset Sunday, it has some history on its side. The last three Spirit Awards best-feature winners - "Spotlight," ''Birdman," ''12 Years a Slave" - all went on to win best picture at the Oscars. Host Nick Kroll and John Mulaney maintained a rigorously irreverent tone through a ceremony often punctuated by belly laughs. In their opening monologue, Kroll mockingly defended the common charge of "liberal elitism" often thrown at Hollywood events like the Spirits. "We're not in a bubble. We're in a tent," said Kroll, referring to the Spirits' Santa Monica, Calif., home. "We're fringe artists on a California beach. If we leaned any further to the left, we'd topple into the ocean." Instead of a lengthy in memoriam reel, they opted instead for a highlight of those who didn't die, singling out Milos Foreman and Tim Allen while Andy Samberg, doing his best Eddie Vedder, sang Pearl Jam's "Alive." Best actress went to Isabelle Huppert, the French actress of "Elle," who bested Natalie Portman and Annette Bening. Just as Affleck wasn't up against Oscar favorite Denzel Washington in best actor, the best actress category was missing Emma Stone of "La La Land." Molly Shannon, the former "Saturday Night Live" cast member, supplied one of the afternoon's highpoints. She was visibly overjoyed by winning best supporting actress for her performance in "Other People." She concluded her speech by exclaiming, "I really truly feel like a ... SUPERSTAR!" - aping her old "SNL" character. Other awards also went to films far outside the Oscar candidates. Robert Eggers' well-researched "The Witch," set in 17th century Massachusetts, won for both best first feature and best first screenplay. He thanked the Puritans for "writing down so much stuff." Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" took best documentary. Best foreign language film went to Maren Ade's "Toni Erdmann." The Cassavettes Award, which honors the best feature made for less than $500,000 went to Andrew Ahn's Korean gay-immigrant drama "Spa Night." Taking the stage Ahn first remarked, "I'm going to barf," but quickly collected himself, speaking tenderly about his parents' acceptance of their gay son and the need for acceptance of immigrants, gays and other communities. "We are part of this great country," said Ahn. "And we are undeniable." ___ Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP Casey Affleck displays his shirt with the Arabic word "love" as he arrives at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) Molly Shannon poses in the press room with the award for best supporting female for "Other People" at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Isabelle Huppert poses in the press room with the award for best female lead for "Elle" at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP) Riley Keough, left, and Sasha Lane arrive at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017, in Santa Monica, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) LONDON (AP) - The human rights organization Reprieve is urging British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson to speak about what it called the "appalling" human rights abuses in Egypt during his meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. Reprieve urged Johnson to secure the release of Irish national Ibrahim Halawa, who was 17 when arrested and imprisoned in Cairo in 2013. He was detained in a mosque near Ramses Square as the Muslim Brotherhood held a "day of rage" over the removal of elected President Mohamed Morsi. Reprieve's Harriet McCulloch says Johnson "must urge Sissi to end these appalling abuses, and free Ibrahim and the many like him." British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, left, meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, at Tahrir Palace in Cairo, Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil) Before the visit, Johnson said "the U.K. is a champion of a renewed Egypt because stability, peace and growth in this region are the bedrock of opportunity and security." LONDON (AP) - Hours after fired coach Claudio Ranieri bid farewell to the Leicester players, the calamitous champions slipped into the English Premier League's relegation zone. It was Crystal Palace's 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Saturday that ensured Leicester will take to the field at the King Power Stadium on Monday against Liverpool in the bottom three. Leicester is two points above last-placed Sunderland, which lost at Everton 2-0, and ahead of Hull only on goal difference. The reality of Leicester's dire situation is stark for players who so incredibly won the league less than 10 months ago and are scrambling to convince fans they didn't force out Ranieri. FILE - In this Saturday, May 7, 2016 file photo Leicester City team manager Claudio Ranieri has the crown of the trophy placed on his head by Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel as they celebrate becoming the English Premier League soccer champions at King Power stadium in Leicester, England. Leicester City announced Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017 that they have sacked manager Claudio Ranieri less than a year after their incredible run to the Premier League title. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File) "We are players and we can only affect (things) on the pitch; what happens above our heads at boardroom level is completely out of our control," goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel told the BBC after Ranieri's training-ground send-off on Saturday. "He came in and said his piece to the players, thanked us for our efforts and for last season, and said goodbye. "It's a shame it's come to this. You could hear that it hurt him and it hurts the players that we haven't performed well enough to make this carry on." The trophy is, however, set to be collected by an Italian for a second season running, with Antonio Conte's Chelsea 11 points clear at the top. CHELSEA 3, SWANSEA, 1 Cesc Fabregas reached 300 Premier League appearances with only his sixth start of the season, and he made the most of it. After dislodging Nemanja Matic from the lineup, the midfielder put Chelsea in front in the 19th minute with a deflected shot. Pedro Rodriguez was the provider and Fabregas returned the favor after Fernando Llorente leveled with a header from Gylfi Sigurdsson's free kick on the stroke of halftime. Fabregas slotted the ball through for Pedro to curl into the net through goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski's hands in the 72nd. Any prospect of a second equalizer for Swansea ended after Diego Costa volleyed in his 16th goal of the league campaign from Eden Hazard's cutback in the 84th. It was a miserable return to west London for Swansea manager Paul Clement, who was an assistant coach under Carlo Ancelotti when Chelsea won the title in 2010. The south Wales club is three points above the relegation zone. EVERTON 2, SUNDERLAND 0 Sunderland manager David Moyes' dismal record of failing to take any points off former teams Everton and Manchester United continued. Idrissa Gana Gueye scored his first league goal and Romelu Lukaku equaled Duncan Ferguson's Everton-record of 60 league goals, leaving Sunderland three points from safety. WEST BROM 2, BOURNEMOUTH 1 West Bromwich Albion kept up its pursuit of European qualification and sent Bournemouth sliding toward the relegation zone. Josh King's penalty for Bournemouth was wiped out as defenders Craig Dawson and Gareth McAuley gave the hosts a seventh win in eight home games. While West Brom is eighth, four points behind Europa League-chasing Everton, Bournemouth is five points above the drop zone. CRYSTAL PALACE 1, MIDDLESBROUGH 0 A first-half goal from Patrick van Aanholt gave Palace its first home win since Sam Allardyce took charge in December, taking the south London club out of the relegation zone. WATFORD 1, WEST HAM 1 Andre Ayew's seond-half goal canceled out Watford captain Troy Deeney's third-minute penalty. West Ham finished the game with 10 men after Michail Antonio was sent off in the 86th minute after handling and receiving a second booking. HULL 1, BURNLEY 1 Michael Keane redeemed himself after handling to concede a penalty that Tom Huddlestone converted in the 72nd minute. The defender produced the equalizer inside four minutes. Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing, left, and Crystal Palace's Christian Benteke battle for the ball during the Premier League soccer match between Crystal Palace and Middlesbrough at Selhurst Park, London, England. Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 (John Walton/PA via AP) BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has moved into the evacuated Dakota Access pipeline protest camp to finish the cleanup started weeks ago by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. A Florida-based company has been hired to provide trash removal and environmental cleanup in the main Oceti Sakowin camp on the north side of the Cannonball River and the smaller Rosebud camp on the south side. Both are on federal land. Authorities this week cleared the last holdouts from the camp near the Standing Rock Reservation, which straddles the North Dakota and South Dakota border. Thousands of people stayed there before the area was buried in winter blizzards. A law enforcement officer climbs a ladder to speak to one of the final holdouts of the Dakota Access Pipeline protest camp sitting atop a wood structure built at the Oceti Sakowin camp in Morton County Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. After a couple of hours the protester came down on his own and was arrested. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, Pool) Corps officials say about 240 dumpsters have been hauled out of the main camp, each brimming with debris of old food stores, structures, tents, building materials and abandoned personal belongings. Officials estimate another 240 loads or so will get the job done, the Bismarck Tribune reported (http://bit.ly/2lVklJS). The corps and the tribe are doing a cultural survey to see if any special items, such as teepees, require separate handling and consultation. The contract also included a special environmental crew to deal with any potentially hazardous or toxic materials. Tribal contractors were helping to clear the Rosebud site, including Logan Thompson, who brought skid steers, loaders and a crew of 10. "The mud is killing us," Thompson said. "I'm hoping if it stays cold like this, by Monday we could be done." Many protesters moved into other camps on the reservation. Tribal officials, along with the Bureau of Indian Affairs, are moving to clear those camps and may get some help from the state. A spokesman for North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said the office supports Standing Rock's efforts, but there are no definite plans to deploy any state resources. He said the North Dakota Highway Patrol can assist on public roadways, but using the National Guard requires an official request from either Sioux County or the Bureau of Indian Affairs. "There are no specific plans, but he stands ready to assist, if requested," Mike Nowatzki said. The concrete barricades that have been used to blockade and route traffic near the Oceti Sakowin camp were also being moved Friday, but Highway 1806 remains closed north and south of the camp. Highway Patrol Lt. Tom Iverson said reopening the highway to through traffic is a priority, but it's not clear when that will happen. ___ Information from: Bismarck Tribune, http://www.bismarcktribune.com An elderly woman is escorted to a transport van after being arrested by law enforcement at the Oceti Sakowin camp as part of the final sweep of the Dakota Access pipeline protesters in Morton County, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, Pool) A backhoe rips through a wood structure to begin the cleaning up process at the Oceti Sakowin camp as law enforcement swept through the camp arresting the final Dakota Access oil pipeline protesters in Morton County Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, Pool) Law enforcement enters the Oceti Sakowin camp to begin arresting Dakota Access Pipeline protesters in Morton County, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. As the arrests were underway law enforcement personnel drove several large construction equipment into the camp to begin the cleanup process of razing tents and structures. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, Pool) Several dozen law enforcement personal march south on Highway 1806 before assembling above the Oceti Sakowin camp to begin the final sweep of Dakota Access oil pipeline of the camp and arrests of protesters Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. (Mike McCleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP, Pool) A fire set by protesters burns in the background as opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline leave their main protest camp Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. Most of the pipeline opponents abandoned their protest camp Wednesday ahead of a government deadline to get off the federal land, and authorities moved to arrest some who defied the order in a final show of dissent. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP) Jasper Spillman, of Lawrence, Kan., leaves the protest camp as opponents of the Dakota Access pipeline leave their main protest camp Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017, near Cannon Ball, N.D. Most of the pipeline opponents abandoned their protest camp Wednesday ahead of a government deadline to get off the federal land, and authorities moved to arrest some who defied the order in a final show of dissent. (Tom Stromme/The Bismarck Tribune via AP) A fire on a building at a camp that has been home to demonstrators against the Dakota Access pipeline is seen after protesters set fire in Cannon Ball, N.D., in the early morning of Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2017. Most of the pipeline opponents abandoned their protest camp Wednesday ahead of a government deadline to get off the federal land, and authorities moved to arrest some who defied the order in a final show of dissent. Earlier in the day, some of the last remnants of the camp went up in flames when occupants set fire to makeshift wooden housing as part of a leaving ceremony. (Mike Mccleary/The Bismarck Tribune via AP) People peacefully leave the Dakota Access pipeline main protest camp near Cannon Ball, N.D., as authorities prepare to shut it down in advance of the spring flooding season. The Army Corps of Engineers ordered the camp closed at 2 p.m. Wednesday. (AP Photo/Blake Nicholson) HELENA, Mont. (AP) - Spurred in part by a spate of controversies over anti-Semitism in one of the state's towns, Montana lawmakers advanced a bill Saturday that pledges solidarity with Israel by refusing to do business with firms boycotting the Middle Eastern country. Republican House Speaker Austin Knudsen of Culbertson said his bill allows Montana to stand in solidarity with Israel. His bill "sends the message that we will not send our taxpayer dollars to companies which chose to participate in the boycotting and sanctioning of one of our nation's strongest allies," Knudson said. The bill would direct the Montana Board of Investments to sever ties with companies supporting a pro-Palestinian movement to boycott Israel. It would also bar public agencies - including counties, cities and towns - from doing businesses with companies that don't agree to certify in writing that they are not engaged in a boycott of Israel. Opponents said the bill is well-intentioned but a potential infringement on free speech. Some argued Montana should stay out of global politics. Nevertheless, the House endorsed the measure 59-41 on preliminary vote. In doing so, Montana is seeking to join other states that have passed similar bills. Knudsen said his interest in Israel predates the recent focus on hate groups in Whitefish. In recent weeks, a Jewish center in the tiny Montana community was the target of bomb threats. The town garnered widespread scrutiny in December when a neo-Nazi group began urging followers to "take action" against Whitefish residents who it believed were Jews. "We're all aware of what happened in Whitefish late last year. Some of that controversy is still going on. We have white supremacists who want to march in Whitefish, Montana, in our own home state," Knudsen told members of the House chamber. He saw the bill as an opportunity, he said, to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people. Rep. Denise Hayman, a Democrat from Bozeman, said the bill would create a political and ideological test for Montana's investments. She said her husband and children are Jewish, and that her in-laws escaped Germany's Nazi regime to move to the United States. The proposal takes aim at the so-called BDS movement - Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions - that is seeking international support against Israel for its treatment of Palestinians. "BDS is nothing less than modern-day anti-Semitism," said Rabbi Chaim Bruk, in a statement released by Knudsen's office. Bruk applauded the Montana House for "standing with the Jewish people in Montana and their eternal bond with Israel." But not all Jewish leaders supported the proposal. Laurie Franklin, the congregational leader of Har Shalom in Missoula, acknowledged that the bill "was well-intentioned" but would place "unacceptable restraints on free trade and free speech." Franklin, who advocates improving relations between Israelis and Palestinians, said the bill is an unnecessary foray by the state into global politics. Donald Trumps press secretary has barred news organisations, including the BBC, from a White House press briefing. The Guardian and The Daily Mail were also blocked from the meeting on Friday in a move that has angered supporters of a free presss role in a democracy. Shortly after the US president gave a speech attacking the media as fake news and the enemy of the people, his press secretary Sean Spicer restricted multiple media organisations from entering the daily briefing. Sean Spicer (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP) CNN, Buzzfeed and The New York Times, of which Mr Trump has been highly critical, were also denied access. Journalists from The New York Times, CNN and Politico were barred from attending a White House briefing https://t.co/em0XsxFiVI pic.twitter.com/zp5qJGXOsw The New York Times (@nytimes) February 25, 2017 The White House barred LA Times from a press briefing earlier today. Here's our full statement: https://t.co/kjpRYgSZdo pic.twitter.com/NGHwYrzFbD Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 25, 2017 Mr Trump has previously been publicly critical of the BBC, twice sarcastically describing the broadcaster as another beauty. The BBC has sought clarification from the White House on why its representative was denied access. The broadcasters Americas bureaux editor Paul Danahar added: Our reporting will remain fair and impartial regardless. #BBC statement on what happened @WhiteHouse today when we were barred from press briefing given by @seanspicer pic.twitter.com/j0uVhPShz1 Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) February 24, 2017 The White House invited a pool of news organisations that shares its work with other press to the briefing and said it felt everyone was represented. But Mr Spicer also invited several other outlets, including the right-wing Breitbart News website, whose former chairman is Mr Trumps chief strategist, Steve Bannon. The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House. We ... https://t.co/e6JkOOlwzQ WHCA (@whca) February 24, 2017 Jeff Mason, president of the White House Correspondents Association, said the organisation was protesting strongly about the move. We encourage the organisations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not, he added. The White House has defended its chief of staff against accusations that he breached a government firewall when he asked the FBI to publicly dispute press reports that Donald Trumps campaign advisers had been frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents. President Trumps spokesman Sean Spicer said Reince Priebus had little choice but to seek FBI director James Comeys assistance in rebutting what Mr Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last years presidential campaign. The FBI did not issue the statement requested by Mr Priebus and has given no sign one is forthcoming. Mr Spicer added: I dont know what else we were supposed to do. Reince Priebus sought the assistance of FBI director James Comey (Andrew Harnik/AP) The Justice Department has policies in place to limit communications between the White House and the FBI about pending investigations. But Trump officials not only confirmed contacts between Mr Priebus and the FBI, but engaged in an extraordinary public airing of those private conversations. Mr Spicer said it was the FBI that first approached the White House about the veracity of a New York Times story asserting that Trump advisers had contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. Mr Spicer said Mr Priebus then asked both Mr Comey and FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe if they would condemn the story publicly, which they declined to do. (Susan Walsh/AP) The chief of staff said, Well, youve put us in a very difficult situation, Mr Spicer said. Youve told us that a story that made some fairly significant accusations was not true. And now you want us to just sit out there. The FBI would not comment on the matter or verify the White House account. The CIA also declined to comment. The revelations are the latest wrinkle in Mr Trumps already complicated relationship with the FBI and other intelligence agencies as he accused officials of releasing classified information about him to the media. The White House also enlisted the help of Republicans on Capitol Hill to talk to reporters about the New York Times story. Jack Langer, a spokesman for California congressman Devin Nunes, chairman of the House of Representatives intelligence committee, said the White House asked Mr Nunes to speak to one reporter. He said the chairman told the journalist the same thing that he had said publicly many times before that he had asked, but not received any information from intelligence officials that would warrant a committee investigation of any American citizens contacts with Russian intelligence officials. Intelligence Community is not President's PR firm. They provide insights and analysis so we can make good decisions and protect the country. https://t.co/agw6JCyewY Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 25, 2017 Mr Langer acknowledged that this could make it harder to convince people that the House investigation into the matter would be independent and free of political bias, but said the White House did not tell Mr Nunes what to tell the reporter, or give him talking points. The most senior Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, said if the White House indeed contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavourable news reports, it threatened the independence of the intelligence community. Also: if the Trump Administration *doesnt* have connections to Russia, why are they trying so hard to hide info that would prove it? https://t.co/pNWb4p14uw Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) February 24, 2017 House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi accused Mr Priebus of an outrageous breach of the FBIs independence and called on the Justice Departments inspector general to look into all conversations he and other White House officials have held with the FBI on current investigations. Malaysian police are to carry out a sweep of the terminal at Kuala Lumpurs airport where North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns half-brother was killed to check for possible traces of the toxic chemical suspected to have been used in the attack. A police statement on Saturday said the operation will start at 1am on Sunday. The check will involve officers from the polices chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the hazardous materials unit under the fire department and the atomic energy board. Since the attack on Kim Jong Nam on February 13, tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpurs airport. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken, though officials announced on Friday that the facility would be decontaminated. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the death of Kim Jong Nam. On Friday, Malaysian police said the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill him. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities at the time acknowledged that he has diplomatic immunity and that they could not compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysias tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat reasonable time to come forward. If he does not, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so, though diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases The car of North Korean ambassador to Malaysia Indonesias deputy ambassador to Malaysia said the Indonesian suspect in the death of Kim Jong Nam was paid 90 dollars (72) to help carry out the attack involving VX nerve agent. But Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin repeated Siti Aisyahs previous claim that she was duped into the plot, thinking she was taking part in a prank. Mr Erwin met Aisyah on Saturday in Malaysia, where the 25-year-old is in custody. Another alleged attacker, a Vietnamese woman, also has been arrested. According to police, Aisyah rubbed VX nerve agent on the face of Kim Jong Nam amid crowds of travellers. Kim was the older half brother of North Koreas ruler. Kim Jong Nam, who had been living abroad for years, was approached by the two women as he waited for a flight home to Macau. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to rub something onto his face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said they had been trained to go immediately to the washroom and clean their hands. Both women seen in the video are in custody. Boris Johnson has been urged to raise appalling human rights abuses with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and work to secure the release of an Irishman languishing in horrific prison conditions. The Foreign Secretary is in Egypt for meetings with Mr Al-Sisi, foreign minister Sameh Shoukry, as well as human rights and civil society representatives. Reprieve urged him to raise the case of Irish national Ibrahim Halawa, who was imprisoned in Cairo in 2013, aged just 17, after being detained in a mosque near Ramses Square as the Muslim Brotherhood held a day of rage over the removal of their elected president Mohamed Morsi. Boris Johnson Boris Johnson must urge Egypt to end mass death sentences Reprieve https://t.co/8DT4naTRaR Reprieve (@Reprieve) February 25, 2017 His family claim he has been tortured, suffered electric shocks, beatings, being spat on and moved without their knowledge during his time in custody with several hundred others over the protests. Reprieve highlighted a Foreign Office report from last year which noted that Egypt continues to use the death penalty. The international human rights organisation also raised concerns about a UK state-owned company, Northern Ireland Cooperation Overseas Ltd, providing Egypts justice ministry with plans and equipment for the building of courthouses, including a juvenile court in Cairo. @BorisJohnson has landed. 1st UK Foreign Sec in Cairo since 2014 - latest in a series of high level economy & security visits since Sept pic.twitter.com/kjlpbO8eUn John Casson (@JohnCassonUK) February 25, 2017 Harriet McCulloch, a deputy director at Reprieve, said: Boris Johnson is visiting Egypt as thousands of people languish in horrific prison conditions, after they were arrested in connection with protests. The Foreign Secretary must urge Sisi to end these appalling abuses, and free Ibrahim and the many like him. Ahead of the visit, Mr Johnson said: I am looking forward to my first visit to Egypt as Foreign Secretary and meeting both President Sisi and foreign minister (Sameh) Shoukry to discuss a wide range of issues and deepen the strength of our bilateral relationship. The UK is a long-standing friend of Egypt. We are Egypts top economic partner and strong allies against terrorism and extremist ideas. The UK is a champion of a renewed Egypt, because stability, peace and growth in this region are the bedrock of opportunity and security for British people and people in the region. BAGHDAD, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir made a rare visit to Baghdad on Saturday, meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, the premier's media office said. It was the first visit of a senior Saudi minister since the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, a spokesman for Iraq's foreign ministry told Reuters. Saudi Arabia reopened its embassy in Baghdad a year ago following a 25-year shutdown. But Iraq later asked for the ambassador to be replaced after he made comments about Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs and the alleged persecution of Sunni Muslims, angering local Shi'ite politicians and militia leaders. Saudi Arabia has long accused Iraq of being too close to Shi'ite Iran, its main regional rival, and of encouraging sectarian discrimination against Sunnis, a charge Baghdad denies. Enmity between Sunni and Shi'ite regional powers has deepened in recent years as sectarian conflicts rage in Syria, Yemen and Iraq. (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Hugh Lawson) By Julia Harte WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (Reuters) - The Kuwaiti government could pay up to $60,000 to President Donald Trump's hotel in Washington for a party it held on Wednesday in an early test of Trump's promise to turn over profits from such events to the U.S. Treasury. The Kuwait Embassy hosted an event to mark their National Day. Similar National Day celebrations at the Trump International Hotel for a crowd of several hundred can run from $40,000 to $60,000, according to cost estimates from the hotel seen by Reuters. The hotel declined to comment on the figures. One of Trump's lawyers, Sheri Dillon, pledged at a Jan. 11 press conference to donate any Trump Hotel profits from foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury. The White House and Alan Garten, the general counsel for the Trump Organization, did not return calls for comment on whether any profits from foreign government payments to the hotel have been donated. Dillon's firm declined to comment. Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem al-Sabah told Reuters he was paying the Trump Hotel an amount similar to what he had paid the Four Seasons hotel to host a previous National Day event. He said on Wednesday before the event that he expected it to draw 500 or 600 people, but declined to disclose specific cost details. The Four Seasons, which declined to comment, also charges prices in the $40,000 to $60,000 range for such events, according to cost estimates seen by Reuters. A watchdog group led by former ethics lawyers for the Obama and George W. Bush administrations sued Trump in federal court in January, accusing him of violating the Constitution by allowing foreign government payments to businesses he owns. Some ethics lawyers say even if Trump turns over all of the profits from the Kuwait National Day party, he would still be in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government officials from accepting "any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State." They say all of the income from the event, not just profits, would need to be donated to the U.S. Treasury to avoid contravening the constitutional ban. Trump resigned in February as an officer of Trump Old Post Office LLC, the company that operates the hotel, but Richard Painter, Bush's chief ethics lawyer, said the resignation made no difference as long as Trump retained an interest in it. The ethics experts say Trump is still technically a recipient of payments to his hotels because he still has an ownership interest in them. Dillon, Trump's lawyer, argued at the Jan. 11 press conference that payments to Trump's hotels do not violate the Constitution because "paying for a hotel room is not a gift or a present and it has nothing to do with an office." She also said that a separate law banning federal employees from engaging in matters affecting their financial interests does not apply to the president. The head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics agreed in public remarks in January but said it was "consistent policy of the executive branch" for the president to nevertheless avoid financial conflicts of interest. The office declined to comment when asked by Reuters whether Trump would be contravening the Constitution if he did not turn over all hotel income from foreign governments. Four Democratic U.S. lawmakers asked the Government Accountability Office on Feb. 16 to assess whether Trump had made any payments to the Treasury resulting from profits at his hotels. GAO spokesman Chuck Young said the request was still being reviewed and the agency had not yet decided what to do about it. When the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was asked on Feb. 23 whether it would be tracking payments from foreign governments to Trump Hotels, and from the hotels to the U.S. Treasury, a spokeswoman for the committee declined to comment. (Reporting by Julia Harte; Editing by Ross Colvin) The election to decide the next President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has been rescheduled for March 15, BASL sources said. The election had been scheduled to be held on February 21. However, it was postponed owing to a dispute with the Judicial Services Association regarding the controversial appointment of High Court Judge Ramanathan Kannan. The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) said yesterday the country needed only constitutional amendments but not a change of the Constitution. Party Spokesman and State Minister Dilan Perera told Daily Mirror this was the opinion of a majority of SLFP members. He said if the country opted for a change of the Constitution, it would not be able to introduce even amendments to the current constitution. We will submit our proposals on those lines to the Steering Committee, he said. He said a new Constitution could be introduced only with the approval of the people at a referendum. However, he said constitutional amendments could be introduced without a referendum. (Kelum Bandara) Increased automation in the workforce has caused many to fear their jobs will soon be taken over by robots and, experts now warn even the military will be affected by the shift. The use of robots could help the US military to cut costs and would allow them to remove soldiers from potentially dangerous environments, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Experts say the move has already begun in many ways, with newer warships like the USS Zumwalt designed to be manned by half the crew of previous destroyers, and Navy researchers experimenting with ghost fleets of underwater drones.As driverless cars hold potential to take over taxi and truck driver jobs, a similar scenario could play out in the military to support troops. Robots could take on a number of tasks, from managing and delivering supplies or analyzing thousands of legal documents, to quickly diagnosing diseases and assisting in the operating room, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Just as in the civilian economy, automation will likely have a big impact on military organizations in logistics and manufacturing, Michael Horowitz, a University of Pennsylvania professor and an expert on weaponized robots told the San Diego Union-Tribune. The US military is very likely to pursue forms of automation that reduce back-office costs over time, as well as remove soldiers from non-combat deployments where they might face risk from adversaries on fluid battlefields, such as in transportation. Robots could also be used to detect and dismantle mines. Will you lose your job to robots? A White House report published in December warned millions of American may lose their jobs to AI. Less-skilled and less-educated workers will be affected the most. The technology may also increase wealth inequality. However, AI will improve the countrys productivity growth, which would result in higher wages and fewer work hours. New jobs will also be created for those who were replaced for robots. Humans will still be needed to engage with consumers, develop AI and supervise tasks and the technology. It has become increasingly evident that India's democratic institutions are under stress. We often forget that though the Constitution was drafted in a free India, voting for membership was based on the (British) Government of India Act of 1935. Under that act, only those Indians who owned property and/or paid taxes had the right to vote. So the electorate for the Constituent Assembly was between 14 per cent -16 per cent of the adult population. The Indian Penal Code (IPC) was drafted by Lord Macaulay in 1860. Much of the IPC is still heavily influenced by the Macaulay draft. For example, the sedition law IPC Section 124A was made a law in 1870. Among the crimes it includes causing disaffection towards the King of England. The time of its drafting, 13 years after the 1857 revolt, was not accidental. Mahatma Gandhi ironically called the sedition law "the prince of all such laws". He would know. He was jailed under it. The misuse of this law was glaringly evident in the arrest of three JNU student leaders accused of sedition in February 2016. It has become increasingly evident that India's democratic institutions are under stress. Kanhaiya Kumar, the then JNUSU president, Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya were later acquitted of the charge by the Delhi High Court. But it is a well-known fact that political and social activists are often accused on false grounds by the right-reactionary, as well as secular governments. For example, 14 MLAs of the Delhi government have been arrested in two years on sundry charges by the Delhi Police. In a latest, the RSS student wing, the ABVP, ran riot in Ramjas College on February 22. The ABVP members attacked the college staff and students, with the Delhi Police standing by at best, but brutalising women, men and the media, removing photographic evidence from their mobiles and cameras. It seems the Delhi Police must have got instructions from above. No contrite apologies from the police or the Union home minister have come so far. No action against the police (how can there be any when all this appears to be a part of the communal polarisation spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Man Friday Amit Shah in Uttar Pradesh). However, the British Raj has bequeathed even more draconian laws to our democratic republic. In 1942, just before the Quit India Movement, the colonial government introduced the Armed Forces Special Powers Ordinance. This controversial law is known now as the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act and is used in states as far apart as Jammu & Kashmir and Manipur for long periods of time. The Supreme Court in its most recent judgment on Manipur has tried to reduce the rigours of the provisions of this law by ruling that the AFSPA cannot be used indefinitely as "it would mock at our democratic process". Shockingly, under Indian jurisprudence, a decision of a court in one state or city does not automatically become the law elsewhere. This is a very rare legal interpretation which does not serve the cause of justice. Not surprisingly, democratic institutions are also being weakened, leading to the decline of democratic norms. Look at the Supreme Court and high courts. Under the collegium system in which a panel of Supreme Court judges select judges from the high courts because of the resistance of the executive to give all powers of selection to the judiciary, for the most part there are vacancies in the highest court, putting strain on the judicial process as a whole. Interestingly, Union law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad has questioned the Supreme Court about posts of more than 4,000 subordinate judges (lower courts) lying vacant. Evidently the law minister would like the overburdened apex court to function like an employment agency. In another example of weakened democratic institution, the election commission has failed to crack the whip on violators. In Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi recently promised to waive all farmers loans if the BJP is voted to power. This is brazen bribery. But no action has been taken by the election commission. Even when the PM's right-hand man, Amit Shah, propagated an acronym "(Ajmal) Kasab" referring to the opposition parties (SP-Congress and BSP) in Uttar Pradesh, there was no action against him. He said "Ka" stands for Congress, "Sa" for Samajwadi Party and B for BSP, thus trying to polarise the voters on communal lines. Under Section 153A of the IPC, this is a cognisable offence. If no action is taken against such violations, then what powers do the election commission, police and the judiciary have? Again, as pointed out by NGOs such as the Association for Democratic Reforms, many candidates seeking elections often submit information that are grossly misrepresented. A number of times, candidates were found to have understated their assets, exaggerate their educational skills and dilute their criminal records. Even now the debate over the academic qualifications of Union textile minister Smriti Irani as well as PM Modi have not been settled (after the Delhi High Court stayed the CIC orders to disclose their qualifications). Overall, India's democratic institutions are weakening and the executive is a party to it. But this is a process that has gained steam over the decades. It is also not something which can be associated with a particular party alone, as the Emergency under the then prime minister Indira Gandhi demonstrated. Michael Flynn lasted 25 days as President Donald Trumps national security advisor before resigning last week, making his tenure the shortest in NSA history. His ouster comes as a growing cloud of scandal envelopes the White House over its reported ties to the Kremlin. The former three-star general leaves after a series of stories were published in the US media outlining his communications with Russias ambassador, Sergey Kislyak, and as his story changed as to what those conversations entailed. Resignation In his resignation letter, Flynn explained, Unfortunately, because of the fast pace of events, I inadvertently briefed the vice-president-elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian ambassador. I have sincerely apologised to the president and the vice- president, and they have accepted my apology. Michael Flynn lasted 25 days as President Donald Trumps national security advisor. But if Trump thought that Flynns departure would close the topic, he was wrong. The US intelligence seems to have collected phone records and intercepted calls showing that people surrounding Trump had been in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials in the year before the election. There is a full-on war between Trump and American intelligence establishment. Flynn became the second top Trump official to resign over linkages to the Kremlin. In August, Trump campaign manager Paul Manafort stepped down amid questions over his work for pro-Russian Ukrainian oligarchs. Rather unhelpfully, Russian lawmakers mounted a fierce defence of Flynn from Moscow. Flynn is also being investigated by the army, which is looking into whether he received money from the Russian government during a trip he took to Moscow in 2015. Any payment could violate the Emoluments Clause of the Constitution, which prohibits former military officers from accepting money from a foreign government without an approval from Congress. Last year, Flynn had suggested that he was paid by RT a Kremlin-funded mouthpiece to appear at the event, in which he was seated next to Russian President Vladimir Putin. It was the Washington Post, which reported that just after Trumps January 20 inauguration, acting attorney general Sally Q Yates informed the White House that she believed Flynn had misled senior administration officials about the nature of his communications with Kislyak. Yates would later be fired by Trump for refusing to carry out his executive order banning travel from seven Muslim-majority countries. Yates argued to the administration that Flynns evasions could make him a blackmail risk. Sanction Flynn had initially denied that sanctions came up in his conversations, but later said he couldnt recall if the subject came up or not. Vice-President Mike Pence was reportedly furious that Flynn had misled him on the issue, causing Pence to defend Flynn on national television in the days before the inauguration. There has been widespread chaos at the National Security Council (NSC) with many NSC staffers reportedly deciding to go back to their home agencies rather than work for Flynn. The frontrunner to take over the NSC was retired US Navy vice admiral Bob Harward, who served as defence secretary Jim Mattis deputy at the US Central Command. But he turned down Trumps offer after he was denied the authority to select his own NSC staff. Trump finally selected Gen HR McMaster as his new NDA, whose book, Dereliction of Duty, about the failure of American generals to push back against civilian leaders during the Vietnam War, earned him a reputation as a both a talented academic and a general inclined to speak truth to power. Administration Trump, who had claimed to be a great manager during his campaign, is now looking at a leader completely out of depth in his new job. The US intelligence community is so convinced that Trump and his administration has been compromised by Russia that theyre no longer giving the White House all of their most sensitive information, lest it end up in Putins hands. After getting Flynn, Trumps detractors will be hoping to target Trump himself. During the campaign, Trump publicly called on Russia to hack Hillary Clintons emails. Since becoming president, his statements on Russia have been all over the place. His UN ambassador, Nikki Haley, condemned Russia and insisted sanctions imposed over the seizure of Crimea are here to stay. But when Trump was asked about Putin being a killer, he suggested the US government has no moral standing to criticise him. That the Flynn scandal erupted at a time when North Korea decided to test the Trump administration by test-firing a nuclear-capable missile into the Sea of Japan further complicates decision-making in Washington. Anticipating North Korean provocations, President Trump had already ordered a national review of policy options for dealing with Pyongyang. But it had now become imperative for Trump to get a grip on governance and policy-making. How he manages these initial few months will, in more ways than one, determine the long-term sustainability of his presidency. I am shocked by the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla in Kansas, and want to share what I learned reporting on a similar crime in Texas. Like the Kansas attacker, Mark Stroman of Dallas thought he was targeting Middle Easterners, and thought he was protecting America. President Donald Trump's administration has quickly leapt to say his talk and actions have nothing to do with this crime. I would like to explain why the president is dead wrong on this one. He has everything to do with this, and I can explain. What I learned reporting on the Stroman spree, which occurred right after 9/11, is how such an act is dependent on circles of enablement. Frankly, Stroman wasn't intellectually sophisticated enough to channel his anger in this direction on his own. He needed help. When I reviewed his letters, prison writings and blog posts, what amazed me was how he had stolen so much language from his social betters. Stroman had no explicit support in 2001 from the highest levels of US power. But the Kansas killer did. From president of the United States. Photo: Buzzpls.com It mattered greatly what politicians and pundits said, because it gave his inchoate drifter emotions a purpose and a narrative. He heard talk of "enemy combatants" on the news. He was inspired by that to call himself an "allied combatant". So many of his phrases were borrowed from Fox News. He was a man without purpose all his life. This borrowed language gave him purpose. These stories are so often of drifting lives electrified by a sense of having to save one's country. That call to save comes from on high. Here's the thing. Stroman had no explicit support in 2001 from the highest levels of US power. But the Kansas killer did. From president of the United States. George W Bush explicitly praised Islam and supported Muslims. Trump has explicitly degraded them and called them a problem. People hear that. Trump makes the statements and goes back to his chefs and jet. But there are aimless Americans who take the words as a summons to greatness. Part of being a leader is understanding how what you say will be used, how it will refract into other lives. That explains Bush's remarks. Based on my reporting on Stroman, I can say that Trump has supplied more permission than Stroman ever received back in 2001. Trump not only identifies and exaggerates this threat to America. He also keeps talking down our institutional capacity to respond to it. Please understand, Mr President, that this too gives permission, by dog-whistling to drifters that they might do what the government can't. Stroman was deeply motivated by the idea that the government wasn't going to be tough after 9/11. So he had to be. So when POTUS denigrates our intel services and says he knows more than the generals, out there in America it empowers the hate criminal. When he spreads his idea of Americanness-as-whiteness, he and his rich friends can laugh about the brilliant tactic. But people listen. And a small fraction of those who listen will arm themselves and go to war. And people will die. And the president should sleep on that. POTUS understood one thing well: millions of Americans felt punched down upon for a generation. Some were right. But now he answers their feelings not by shielding them or helping, but by diverting blame from those who screwed them to those who didn't. So the answer to those who felt punched down upon is the chance for them now to punch down at others. That isn't leadership. It's the WWF. US elites did long neglect middle- and working-class folks. The remedy isn't giving them permission to hate and sometimes kill immigrants. In other words, the least vulnerable Americans screwed the middlingly vulnerable, and Trump's answer is a war against the most vulnerable. Goldman guy cost Scranton guy his house and hours, and now brown, Muslim and immigrant communities are attacked. Goldman guy's in the cabinet. Wake up. The only people who are winning from this are the people who caused the problem. We cannot go to war against each other. Stop it. Because our president may keep giving this hate-permission, your voice matters. Drown the permission out. Tell people they are welcome. Stroman was persuadable. He heard more voices inspiring him to kill than inspiring him to love. Change their calculus. Goodnight. With love. 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. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited, a pharmaceutical company, develops, manufactures, markets, and distributes generic medicines, specialty medicines, and biopharmaceutical products in North America, Europe, and internationally. The company offers sterile products, hormones, high-potency drugs, and cytotoxic substances in various dosage forms, including tablets, capsules, injectables, inhalants, liquids, transdermal patches, ointments, and creams. It also develops, manufactures, and sells active pharmaceutical ingredients. In addition, it focuses on the central nervous system, pain, respiratory, and oncology areas. Its products in the central nervous system include Copaxone for the treatment of relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis; AJOVY for the preventive treatment of migraine; and AUSTEDO for the treatment of tardive dyskinesia and chorea associated with Huntington disease. The company's products in the respiratory market comprise ProAir, QVAR, ProAir Digihaler, AirDuo Digihaler, and ArmonAir Digihaler, BRALTUS, CINQAIR/CINQAERO, DuoResp Spiromax, and AirDuo RespiClick/ArmonAir RespiClick for the treatment of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Its products in the oncology market include Bendeka, Treanda, Granix, Trisenox, Lonquex, and Tevagrastim/Ratiograstim. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited has a collaboration MedinCell for the development and commercialization of multiple long-acting injectable products, a risperidone suspension for the treatment of patients with schizophrenia. The company was founded in 1901 and is headquartered in Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. New U.K. Treasury chief Jeremy Hunt has reversed most of an economic package announced by the government just weeks ago, including a planned cut in income taxes. Hunt said Monday he was scrapping almost all the tax cuts announced last month by the Conservative government of Prime Minister Liz Truss, and also signaled that public spending cuts are on the way. It was a bid to soothe turbulent financial markets spooked by fears of excessive government borrowing. The move raises questions about how long the beleaguered prime minister can stay in office, though Truss insisted she has no plans to quit. She vowed to lead the Conservatives into the next general election, but many in the party want her gone. The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce will present Lorri Haney, managing partner and vice president of marketing for Advanced Network Systems, with the Chamber 2017 Q Businesswoman Award at the 10th anniversary of the Chamber Quadruplicity Conference. The conference will be held Thursday at the Omni Charlottesville Hotel. The Chamber Q Award honors the accomplishments and contributions of area businesswomen. The award was specifically designed with a focus on recognizing the unique strengths, capabilities and contributions of women in the local business community, according to a news release. As the IT solutions and services companys head of marketing, Haney has spent the last 18 years directing the companys marketing strategy, plans and projects. Over her tenure and leadership, Advanced Network Systems has grown significantly by cultivating opportunities in new and existing customer markets, and focusing on growing demand for the companys managed services solutions, the release said. Prior to Advanced Network Systems, Haney was director of marketing for Technicolors Optical Media division. She received her bachelors with honors in psychology and public administration and an MBA from James Madison University. She is an active member of the chamber, and lives in Barboursville with her husband, Paul, and son. The annual Chamber Quadruplicity Conference focuses on four elements of balance: career, life, money and health. The conference is a full day of programming including this years keynote speaker, Molly Barker, founder of Girls on the Run International and the Red Boot Coalition. Risa Goluboff, dean of the University of Virginia School of Law, will be this years opening speaker. Attendees participate in speed networking and have the option of attending two of four workshops. Many local exhibitors will participate to showcase their enterprises. For more information or to register, visit quadruplicity.com or cvillechamber.com/events. LYNCHBURG The Nelson County Community Funds advisory committee has announced funding for eight grants for six nonprofits this winter. The grant awards total $83,000. Applications may be submitted twice a year by Dec. 31 for a winter grant cycle and by June 30 for the summer grant cycle. Funding will be awarded to: the Monticello Area Community Action Agency, for Project Discovery, which provides support and scholarships for Nelson County High School students; Community Outreach, for its assistance for emergency rent, utility payments and other crisis intervention; the Blue Ridge Medical Center, for a program to help purchase medications for uninsured and underinsured patients through arrangements with pharmaceutical companies; the Rural Health Outreach Program, for education, preventive health services, care navigation and primary care for low-income and uninsured people; Blue Ridge Interfaith Ministry, for assistance with electricity and fuel bills; the Virginia College Advising Corps, for the placement of a college adviser at Nelson County High School; the Nature Foundation at Wintergreen, for environmental education with field trips and a wish list for teachers; and Nelson Kid Care, for the purchase of supplemental food provided to Nelson public school students to take home over the weekend. The Nelson County Community Fund receives its funding from donors and proceeds of fundraisers. All donations are fully tax deductible. Since its founding in 2000, the foundation has provided more than $1 million in grant funds to more than 50 organizations in Nelson. For more information on how to contribute, apply for a grant or about attending the 11th Opportunity Ball fundraiser on March 11, visit nelsonfund.org or contact the advisory committee at NCCFund@gmail.com or (434) 260-1843. Bryan McKenzie Follow Bryan McKenzie Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today It takes blood and guts to serve in the U.S. military, and on Monday you get a chance to help out with the blood part of the equation. With bombs buried beneath their vehicles, ambushes in town squares and exploding cars in marketplaces, there are plenty of ways for American service people to suffer and bleed. Training accidents, car crashes and medical procedures can have the same impact on troops, veterans and their families at safer duty stations. But by law, the only way the military can collect blood for service members is to hold drives at military institutions. The University of Virginias support of the Army, Navy and Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps programs makes it qualified to assist. So, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, members of UVas ROTC community will host a blood collection in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom with a team from the Fort Bragg Blood Donor Center. Luckily, you dont have to be in the armed forces to open up your veins civilian blood is just as red. Anyone who is eligible to give blood can give; you dont have to be in the military, said U.S. Army Cadet Lauren Odegaard, a fourth-year student in UVas School of Nursing. Its just that the military can only collect through this organization. The donated blood may be sent to military hospitals in Europe, where many wounded service members are sent for surgeries and treatment. It could go to mobile surgical hospitals in combat areas of Iraq or Afghanistan; anyone receiving blood products in a combat area when treated by military doctors and nurses receives blood transported by the program. It also could help with a soldiers child having an appendectomy at a military hospital in the U.S. The blood we collect is used in hospitals in combat zones and military hospitals across the world, as well as at home, Cadet Odegaard said. Its also used for family members who may need surgery or treatment or veterans. The militarys sole source of the red stuff is a little-known organization called the American Services Blood Program. It was created by President Harry S. Truman in 1952 to take over collecting, processing and transporting blood from the American Red Cross. In times of need, the program may purchase blood from the Red Cross, Virginia Blood Services and others who regularly supply hospitals and the community. And the military blood program returns the favor by offering its supply to help in emergencies. The military can only run drives at military-affiliated locations and then must make up for the deficit in donations by purchasing pints of blood from civilian hospitals, Cadet Odegaard said. All blood types are needed, but types AB and O are in the most demand. This is the fourth year for the UVa military blood drive, started by now-Army 1st Lt. Kaitlyn McQuade. Cadet Odegaard said she hopes the event will continue after she graduates and enters the service with an officers commission. This drive is an opportunity to help out the military in a big way, she said. Its a great way to say thank you for your service by helping to save the lives of those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for you. The University of Virginia will receive almost $3.5 million in federal funding for medical research. U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced the grant awards from the Department of Health and Human Services on Friday afternoon. The grants, ranging from $200,000 to nearly $700,000 each, will go toward a variety of projects, including research on cancer, infectious diseases and muscle regeneration. The awards are as follows: National Cancer Institute Project: Exploring factors related to racial disparities in ovarian cancer incidence and survival: the OCWAA consortium Award amount: $694,975 Project: Identifying the Drivers and Targeting Chemo Resistance in Ovarian Cancer Award amount: $423,846 Project: Summer Research Experience in Cancer (SuRE-C) Award amount: $236,693 Project: PARP Function in Prostate Cancer Award amount: $365,904 National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering Project: Endothelial DNA Methylation, Arteriogenic Capacity and Shear Stress Set-Point Award amount: $200,313 National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Project: Molecular Study Mouse Virus Resistance Mechanisms Award amount: $432,438 Project: An intact Env gp140 that engages the germline B cell receptor of the VRC01 broadly neutralizing antibody Award amount: $239,625 National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Project: RNA Toxicity and Muscle Regeneration Award amount: $392,838 National Institute of Nursing Research Project: Decision Navigation for Advanced Prostate Cancer Treatment Options Using mHealth Award amount: $491,732 RICHMOND Lawmakers want to hand Virginia parents greater power over what their children read in classrooms, but the governor plans to halt any such effort. The General Assembly has passed legislation that would require teachers to notify parents of any "sexually explicit" content that may be taught in their classrooms and then allow parents to opt-out their children out of the material. Legislators went further than the Virginia Board of Education as well as previous proposals that left what is sexually explicit open to interpretation. The bill defines sexually explicit as any content punishable as a felony under state codes that deal with rape, bestiality and incest. Gov. Terry McAuliffe will veto the legislation, his spokesman said Friday. The House of Delegates originally backed a bill that defined sexually explicit solely as any criminal sexual assault punishable as a felony under the state code that deals with rape. The Senate later narrowed the definition further by tacking on bestiality and incest and passing the amended language on a 22-18 vote. The House adopted the amended language by a 71-25 vote. "We tried to make this very narrow in scope," Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, the legislation's sponsor, has said. McAuliffe vetoed similar legislation last year and said the Board of Education already was considering similar proposals. But in early February, the board threw out those proposals, under the belief that defining sexually explicit was a local school board matter. A host of free-speech groups and the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union have decried the legislation. They say it would censor classic works of literature and authors ranging from Toni Morrison to Shakespeare. The bill and similar proposals have found more favor among parents who point mainly to the importance of parental notification. The issue surfaced in recent political debates when Laura Murphy, a Fairfax County parent, raised objections after she said her son, a high school senior, reacted negatively to scenes in Toni Morrisons "Beloved." She said her son was reading the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel in his AP English class without her knowledge. She took issue with scenes in the book that depict bestiality and gang rape. Existing policy dictates that public schools provide parents with a synopsis of the curriculum and allow parents to request a review of any instructional materials. Local school boards must lay out how someone can request reconsideration of materials considered sensitive or controversial. According to a 2013 survey of school divisions conducted by Virginia Department of Education staff, 74 percent of 108 districts and five professional organizations had policies allowing students to be excused from instruction related to sensitive or controversial materials. Forty-eight percent of those respondents required that parents receive advance notice before potentially sensitive or controversial materials are used in the classroom. RICHMONDLawmakers want to hand Virginia parents greater power over what their children read in classrooms, but the governor plans to halt any such effort. The General Assembly has passed legislation that would require teachers to notify parents of any sexually explicit content that may be taught in their classrooms and then allow parents to opt their children out of the material. Legislators went further than the Virginia Board of Education as well as previous proposals that left what is sexually explicit open to interpretation. The bill defines sexually explicit as any content punishable as a felony under state codes that deal with rape, bestiality and incest. Gov. Terry McAuliffe will veto the legislation, his spokesman said Friday. The House of Delegates originally backed a bill that defined sexually explicit solely as any criminal sexual assault punishable as a felony under the state code that deals with rape. The Senate later narrowed the definition further by tacking on bestiality and incest and passing the amended language on a 22-18 vote. The House adopted the amended language by a 71-25 vote. We tried to make this very narrow in scope, Del. R. Steven Landes, R-Augusta, the legislations sponsor, has said. McAuliffe vetoed similar legislation last year and said the Board of Education already was considering similar proposals. But in early February, the board threw out those proposals, under the belief that defining sexually explicit was a local school board matter. A host of free-speech groups and the Virginia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union have decried the legislation. They say it would censor classic works of literature and authors ranging from Toni Morrison to Shakespeare. The bill and similar proposals have found more favor among parents who point mainly to the importance of parental notification. The issue surfaced in recent political debates when Laura Murphy, a Fairfax County parent, raised objections after she said her son, a high school senior, reacted negatively to scenes in Toni Morrisons Beloved. She said her son was reading the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel in his AP English class without her knowledge. She took issue with scenes in the book that depict bestiality and gang rape. Existing policy dictates that public schools provide parents with a synopsis of the curriculum and allow parents to request a review of any instructional materials. Local school boards must lay out how someone can request reconsideration of materials considered sensitive or controversial. According to a 2013 survey of school divisions conducted by Virginia Department of Education staff, 74 percent of 108 districts and five professional organizations had policies allowing students to be excused from instruction related to sensitive or controversial materials. Forty-eight percent of those respondents required that parents receive advance notice before potentially sensitive or controversial materials are used in the classroom. A Madison County creek long saddled with a derogatory moniker has had its original name returned by the Board of Geographic Names and the county. Renaming of a two-mile long creek near White Oak Canyon to Tims River from Negro Run was unanimously approved by the board Feb. 9 after consulting historical documents and Madison County Historical Society. The creek in Shenandoah National Park was renamed to Negro Run in 1963 under an order from the Secretary of the Interior to replace a racial slur that had been in use since the 1930s. Richmond resident Kenneth Reichstein requested removing the slur from the creeks name in a 1963 letter to the Interior Dept. saying, In the interest of racial justice, I wonder if a more appropriate name could not be substituted for the one now in use. The more recent renaming process to Tims River began with a letter sent to the National Park Service in 2015 from a local hiker who, according to former Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jim Northup, felt the creeks name was inappropriate for a feature in a national park. Northup said he agreed and was unaware of the name since it doesnt routinely appear in park publications or on common hiking maps. He was ordered to propose an alternate name for the creek. In researching possible new names for the body of water, Northup said he was unable to find a reason for the existing name, but said he did hear anecdotal evidence that African American families lived near the base of White Oak Canyon, which was an area used as a hideout for those families seeking freedom during the Civil War. As a result, the park submitted the name Freedom Run for the creek to honor the African American history there. However, the Madison County Historical Society suggested that given the lack of evidence for the hideout theory, the creek should instead be renamed to Dyer Run, a reflection of the last landowners to live there. The two bodies began working together and with the help of archaeologist Carol Nash, came to the conclusion to withdraw their suggestions in favor of Tims Run. Nash located the name on an 18th century deed, but was unable to determine its origin. The new name was submitted and adjusted to Tims River after being clarified on the deed. Tims River was the oldest name of the water feature that we could find a historical record of, Shenandoah National Park Superintendent Jennifer Flynn said, stating that a meeting was held between the park, the local historical society and members of the African American community to evaluate the name change. We all agreed that returning to the historic name was most appropriate. Madison County Historical Society President Max Lacy agreed, stating that the group was in support of the new name. I am gratified that the Board of Geographic Names agreed to our proposal, Flynn said. Going forward, the new name will appear in any park publications referencing the feature. According to the federal Geographic Names Information System, three others streams in Virginia still have the word Negro in their names, including one in Culpeper County that flows easterly to the Rappahanock River. The others are in Orange and Fauquier counties, according to the information system. So the Virginia General Assembly wants to celebrate the 2019 quadricentennial of itself to the tune of $10 million. But Gov. Terry McAuliffe says a great celebration can be had for half that, with the rest going toward other funding priorities, such as determining the mental-health conditions of inmates at local jails. Whats the correct priority here for taxpayer dollars? It was 1619 that the first Virginia House of Burgesses convened in Jamestown. That legislative body evolved into todays General Assembly, making it what historians call the oldest continuous law-making body in the New World. So the anniversary is certainly worth celebrating. Plans for 2019 events also include a commemorationa better choice of word than celebration in this caseof the arrival of the first documented Africans in Jamestown, among them about 50 men, women, and children. Thus the practice of slave ownership in the New World had its origins. That dubious distinction aside, Virginia rightfully remains proud of its Historic Triangle formed by Jamestown, Yorktown and Williamsburg as the place where American history begins. In 2007, the quadricentennial of the Jamestown settlers arrival in 1607 was marked there. Leaders of the Republican-led Senate and House of Delegates say the $10 million for the 2019 events is worth every penny and will more than pay for itself in tourism and tax revenues. They say McAuliffe is just unhappy with some of the lawmakers budget moves and is challenging the 2019 program cost to make a political point. Well, yes and no. In the budget he announced last December, the governor called for a little more than $4 million to go toward mental-health screenings at local jails in light of the 2015 death of Jamycheal Mitchell, who suffered from a history of mental illness. Mitchell was found dead in his cell at Hampton Roads Regional Jail, having been held there for four months on charges of petty larceny (shoplifting $5 worth of junk food) and trespassing at a 7Eleven. Mitchells death was blamed on starvation and heart problems. He was supposed to have been transferred to Eastern State Hospital if a bed had come open, but it didntfor four months. According to jail documents, Mitchell was in good health prior to his death. In any case, stealing snack food shouldnt end in death in a jail. When McAuliffe learned that lawmakers had eliminated from the budget the $4.2 million he had allocated for training jail staffers who would conduct the screenings, he suggested cutting the Jamestown events funding instead. There is no question given the chronicled shortcomings in Virginias mental-health protocol and facilities that much work needs to be done. It took the suicide of state Sen. Creigh Deeds son, Gus, who had attacked his father before taking his own life, to bring legislative reform on the issue to the forefront in Virginia. At the time of the Deeds incident, no psychiatric hospital bed could be found for Gus. Then, Mitchells death put a spotlight on a jails inability to ensure him a transfer for proper treatment. Perhaps a more authoritative diagnosis at the jail would have gotten him a hospital bed sooner. Gov. McAuliffe is making a justifiable point here. Whether its the 2019 festivities or some other spending that could be construed as suspect, he is pointing out lawmakers reluctance to fund the necessary practice of identifying mentally troubled inmates. Mitchells death is an indicator of a problem that demands a solution. The governor is right to pursue a restoration of the eliminated funding however he sees fit. If lawmakers insist that a decent 2019 celebration cant be had for $5 million, then they need to find funds somewhere else, or let the governor find it for them. Hell be ready to look for it in the budget they present to him before the assembly adjourns Saturday. Mumbai: Kangana Ranaut says she is happy that her performance in 'Rangoon' is being appreciated despite some of her "favourite scenes" from the film not making it to the final cut. When asked how she felt about people noticing her performance, Kangana said her hopes were shattered when director Vishal Bharadwaj had to explain to her why certain scenes couldn't be a part of the film. "I didn't think (I'll be appreciated this much) because many of my favourite scenes, which were important for my graph, were chopped off. I prepare my character's graph in a linear pattern and when I saw the film, Vishal sir explained why he cut those scenes," Kangana told reporters. "Of course, it was a very legitimate thing to do. But when I got to know several top-notch scenes of my graph have been cut, all my hopes were shattered. I thought now my work will be so-so, it won't be appreciated that much. But despite that people are loving it. I am very happy," she added. The film, which released on Friday, also features Shahid Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan. The 'Tanu Weds Manu' star said expecting every film to do a certain-crore business is "vulgar". "This is a business proposition, so all you want is that the investments should be recovered. The idea of business has become a little vulgar. With every film there is this expectation of doing Rs 100 crore. But it should be a beneficial business proposition for everyone." The 29-year-old actress was speaking at a special event, where she introduced Insignia auditorium at INOX. Bhopal: A Muslim organisation here has asked the censor board not to clear the Prakash Jha-produced film 'Lipstick Under My Burkha'. The film, directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, has already run into trouble as the Central Board of Film Certification has denied it clearance for being "lady-oriented" and containing "abusive words". "Advisory panel of Madhya Pradesh unit of All India Muslim Tehwar Committee at its meeting here yesterday condemned the movie," the organisation's state unit chairman Ausaf Shahmeeri Khurram said. He alleged that the film was "against the dignity of our women and tenets of Islam" and said the AIMTC had requested the CBFC not to clear it. The film was shot in Bhopal. 'Lipstick Under My Burkha' has won the Spirit of Asia Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival and the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. It features Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthaku. Mumbai: Parineeti Chopra, who took off to Egypt on February 21 for a shoot, has been taking in the sights as her work trip has doubled up as a break too. A source close to the actress says, "Parineeti returns to Mumbai on Saturday from Luxor, Aswan and Cairo where she has been shooting in the freezing cold. She stayed on a cruise ship for the first two days. On Wednesday, along with her entourage, she attended the Sun festival in Abu Simbel." The Sun festival is a biannual event in Egypt, held at the temple of Ramesses II which dates back to the 13th century BC. Every year on February 22 and October 22, the first rays of the sun sweep the corridor of the temple, striking a statue of the ruler. It attracts millions of tourists from across the world. Once back in the Bay, the 28-year-old actress will begin prep for the four installment of Rohit Shetty's comedy franchise, 'Golmaal Again', which also features Ajay Devgn and kicks off on March 9. The film will be shot at Hyderabads Ramoji Film City, Ooty, Goa and in Mumbais Film City. Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam actor Prithviraj on Saturday said he would never let disrespect for women be celebrated in his movies and apologised to his fans for being part of films that celebrated misogyny during the early stage of his career. In his Facebook post, he said,"...I apologise.. for at an age and time when I wasn't wise enough.. I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny.. I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self-respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued." "NEVER AGAIN.. never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies," he said. The 'Nandanam' actor announced his decision in the FB post, in which he paid glowing tributes to the young actress, who was abducted by a group of persons and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on February 17 night and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. "I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses...but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen," he said in the post. Praising the actress, who joined the shoot of her upcoming film 'Adam' on Saturday, Prithviraj said she made a "statement of extraordinary courage" through her decision. "And today.. as my dear friend walks in to the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film ADAM, I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! "Today.. she makes a statement.. a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her," he added. Police arrested the prime accused in the case, 'Pulsar' Suni, and his accomplice V P Vijeesh as they entered a local court complex in Kochi on Thursday, to surrender, six days after the incident, which caused nationwide outrage. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran took to social media to express solidarity with his colleague who was kidnapped and assaulted recently. As he reached the sets of his film, where he is sharing screen space with this colleague, he met the media. Taking some time out to address them, he said that she would join the shoot. He requested the media to take into account her state of mind and not ambush her with cameras and mics. She did not say that she would talk today and it is her decision to talk when she chooses to and address you people. Please dont create more mental anguish for her. While adding that such incidents have happened in the industry before, he commented that he did not have anything to say on the issue. When asked for an opinion, Prithviraj referred to a recent Facebook post where he had laid bare his thoughts. The Facebook status is indeed emotional where he talks about the strength of women in his life, namely his mother and wife. He mentioned how much of a lesser being he is when compared to them. He also praised his fellow actor who was bravely making an appearance in front of the camera for the first time after the assault. He wrote, ..as my dear friend walks into the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film, I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today..she makes a statement..a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend..are making in a million unheard voices!(sic) There have been innumerable debates and discussions about the role that actors have played as the alpha male hero revelling in misogynistic portrayals, actions and statements often regarded as role models by impressionable youth. Prithviraj chose to make a very bold statement when he wrote, And to those voices I apologise..for at an age and time when I wasnt wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes..Im an actor and this is my craft! I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses...but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen. (sic) Returning to his brave colleague he writes, Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her! Behind the gutsy spunk, there is a vulnerable celebrity who knew well enough what this decision of hers would mean a life under constant scrutiny. But she also knew..that she had to see it through...for that would set an example..light a torch that will show a path for many to follow! Today she makes a statement..A statement of extraordinary courage! He ends the post by saying he is her fanboy for life! Actor Raj Tarun, whos been shooting for a film produced by Annapurna Studios, has been joined by Ma Abbayi actress Chitra Shukla, who will play the female lead in his upcoming film with debutante director Ranjani. The makers were in search for a fresh face and she fit the bill perfectly. Shes got quite an interesting characterisation in the film, reveals a source. Ranjani is a former associate of director Gautham Menon and had earlier narrated the same script to Naga Chaitanya. Nagarjuna apparently took a liking to the script and suggested Raj Taruns name for the same. Hes producing the film under his home banner. In 2017, cases of swine flu increased in the month of January and continued to be the same in February. Hyderabad: Despite the increase in temperature, patients testing positive for swine flu continue to be high. Every day there are 15 to 20 people testing positive for swine flu and that is becoming a cause for concern. A senior health official in the Health Department explained, When the epidemic was at its peak in 2015, there were swine flu cases recorded in March, April and May. During these three months there were a total of 20 cases recorded, which meant that the virus was active even during the summer months. The same trend continued in the year 2016, but the numbers were far less. In 2017, cases of swine flu increased in the month of January and continued to be the same in February. This means that the virus will not die due to the heat and has learnt to survive in the Indian environment and has adapted to the climate. For this reason, the surveillance wing of the Health Department does not anticipate a major drop in the number of swine flu cases immediately in February or March. Dr. Sudarshan Reddy, senior paediatrician, explained, While day time temperatures have increased, the nights are relatively cool. Cold weather with less humidity allows the virus to survive. Its ability to strike in the summer months is a matter of research and the cycle of three years will be studied to understand how it is striking the immune-compromised during this period. Health officials state that due to increased awareness levels the number of samples that are coming every day to the Institute of Preventive Medicine range from 100 to 150. The number of positive cases is between 10 to 20 cases and will continue to be so till mid-March. With 20 deaths in Telangana, the health officials are studying the pattern of viral load in the various cases reported to the government. A senior government doctor explained, The patients who have come with viral load from 95 to 98 per cent in the blood have developed acute respiratory distress leading to complications and lung failure. But those who have come with viral load from 90 to 95 per cent have recovered after medication, rest and isolation and survived. These two different groups in the present cycle are showing that its ability to debilitate a human body continues to be high and there have to be proper measures taken to fight the disease. Katihar: An FIR was registered against a policeman on Saturday for allegedly raping a minor girl in Bihar's Katihar district. The alleged rape took place on Friday at Balrampur village the district and the policeman is absconding, Katihar additional superintendent of police Vishal Sharma said. The policeman is posted in Patna at present and was in the village on vacation. The FIR under POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act was registered on the basis of statements by the victim and her mother, Amdabad police station officer-in-charge Ajit Kumar said. The complainant said she was duped by a woman of the village to go to the house of the policeman, who she was told would help her prepare better for coming matriculation examination. The woman then left the house talking over her mobile phone and the minor girl was then allegedly raped by the policeman. The policeman in a bid to silence the girl promised to marry her. But she narrated her woes to mother following which the family with the help of villagers lodged the complain at the police station. Hyderabad: The police has arrested a temple thief who had been stealing the ornaments of deities from city temples. E. Rambabu burgled around six temples and stole gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 1.5 lakh. Police recovered the booty from him. The suspect usually visits temples, diverts the attention of the priest and steals gold ornaments from the deity. Rambabu burgled temples in Jubilee Hills, SR Nagar, Santhosh Nagar, Malakpet, Gopalpuram, Kacheguda and Tukkaramgate. Madanepet said that he was arrested twice before. However, after coming out on bail he started burgling temples again. Of February 12, the suspect burgled the Ujjaini Temple in Marredpally and police arrested him. Visakhapatnam: In a suicide pact, a 42-year-old NRI, Kunchuboina Phani Mahesh, a software engineer, along with his advocate mother Kunchuboina Bhagyalakshmi, 65, allegedly committed suicide by setting themselves ablaze in their apartment at Golalapalem area under Two Town police station limits in Vizag city on Friday morning. Though the police are yet to ascertain the exact reasons for the suicide pact, they are suspecting that family disputes might be the reason for the suicide of the mother and son. Sources said that Bhagyalakshmi has been living alone in her flat after separating from her husband Dr K. Rama Rao around two decades ago. Bhagyalakshmis son Phani Mahesh, who is a software engineer in Dallas city in the USA, came to Vizag city about a week ago and he was to leave for Dallas on Friday evening. He even booked an autorickshaw to take him to the airport in the evening. The residents of the apartment said that on Friday morning around 8 am Phani asked the watchman of the apartment to bring a match box. Around 8.30 am, the neighbours noticed smoke coming out of Bhagyalakshmis flat. Kochi: The Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate Court on Saturday remanded key accused Sunil Kumar Surendran aka Pulsar Suni and another accused V. P. Vijesh to police custody till March 5. The court accepted the special investigation teams plea that it was vital for the probe into the conspiracy angle in the actor abduction and sexual assault case. But it didnt consider the public prosecutor's plea for a polygraph test on the duo. Later, an identification parade of the four others Manikandan, Martin, Salim and Pradeep - was successfully held at the Aluva sub-jail. While Tenny, a junior of high-profile criminal lawyer B. A. Aloor, appeared for Suni, E. C. Paulose argued the case of Vijesh. The police, in its petition, appraised the court that Sunis custody would be required to bring out the conspiracy behind the incident, recover his mobile phone with memory card and also to take him to places like Coimbatore to complete evidence collection. The victim arrived around 3 pm and identified all the four. After that she went to the Aluva police club to give further statements before the investigation team, police said. The parade was held in the presence of the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Aluva, who would be filing a report on the same to the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Angamaly. Meanwhile, the police raided a house at Ponnurunni which Suni and his aides visited on February 17 night, hours after committing the crime. The cops seized a smartphone, one i-pad and two memory cards and sent the same for a detailed test. The house owner is a friend of Suni. But the main accused had told his interrogators that on the day his friend didnt respond to his call, and he had to return empty-handed after 20 minutes. Wed taken him into custody for questioning. The seized materials, prima-facie, dont seem to have any connection with the case, said a senior police officer. Sources said the investigators would soon question three women with whom Suni had reportedly maintained a close relationship. A has gone to Coimbatore in search of a person who allegedly handed over Suni a mobile phone and arranged SIM card on a fake address. Cops suspect this unidentified person of helping Suni to skip the police net till his arrest from a courtroom while trying to surrender. "We suspect Suni would have handed over the memory card to him. However, he is yet to be held," they said. Chandigarh: In a goodwill gesture, the BSF has handed over a 60-year-old Pakistani national, who had inadvertently crossed into the Indian territory, to Pakistan Rangers, an official said on Saturday. Border Security Force (BSF) troops of Border Out Post Dona Raja Deena Nath, Amritsar sector apprehended Mureed Faqir, a resident of Jakhwa Baad, Pakistan on Friday after he inadvertently crossed the international boundary, entered the Indian territory and reached near border security fence, a BSF official said. The official said Pakistan Rangers were contacted and Faqir was handed over to them on humanitarian ground. Mumbai: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday said the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should come together and work for the people of Maharashtra post the Maharashtra civic polls. "The numbers we have now show that the BJP and the Shiv Sena have been given a clear mandate by the people and if both the parties consider the number of seats they have acquired, it would be good if both parties work together. Both Chief Minister Fandnavis and Uddhav Thackrey must consider this," Gadkari told ANI. Gadkari's comment came as the BJP registered an emphatic win in the Maharashtra civic polls The BJP won 82 of the council's 227 seats, while the Shiv Sena at 84 is marginally ahead. None of the parties could get near the majority mark of 114. When asked about the reports stating that some of the Congress leaders have expressed their desire to back the Shiv Sena, Gadkari said, "the Congress wants to destablise the government and that is why they want to support Shiv Sena. Their policy is not oriented towards betterment of Mumbai and its people. BJP and Shiv Sena must remain alert." The BJP has emerged victorious at all the other eight municipal corporations barring Mumbai and Thane Municipal Corporations that went to polls this week. BJP also emerged as a clear choice in nine out of the 25 Zilla Parishads. The Congress was at the third position winning 31 seats, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) nine seats, AIMIM three seats and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) seven seats. New Delhi: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticised the Delhi Police over its handling of clashes at DU's Ramjas college and alleged that the force has become an "agent" of the BJP. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not act as a "BJP worker" and hold police accountable for the February 22 violence. "I strongly condemn the manner in which the Delhi Police has become an agent of the ABVP and the BJP. It is the duty of police to protect the people of Delhi and not allow the ABVP and the BJP to engage in goondaism (sic)," he told reporters. "I hope the Prime Minister will perform his duty in an impartial way and not work like a BJP worker. The Delhi Police reports to the PM. He is not the prime minister of the BJP only but of all people, including me, and he should perform his duty," the AAP chief said. Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed clashes between members of the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. The Delhi Police has acknowledged "unprofessional" conduct on the part of some of its personnel during the clash and suspended three policemen. GHMC circle officers have prepared a list of chronic defaulters for 2016-17, and will put up the flexes in the coming week if the dues remain unpaid. Hyderabad: Property tax defaulters, especially those who have not paid for two years, will find their names, tax dues, and the name of the erring company or establishment, published on flexes and banners on the main corridors of the city. GHMC circle officers have prepared a list of chronic defaulters for 2016-17, and will put up the flexes in the coming week if the dues remain unpaid. The estimated dues from repeated defaulters is around Rs 400 crore. The list includes star hotels, restaurants, malls, hospitals and even educational institutions. Only private defaulters will be named as the GHMC is holding talks with government departments that have failed to pay tax. The corporation, under Section 269, subsection (1) (2) is authorised to put pressure on the defaulters and even may prosecute them. It should be recalled that two years ago, overflowing garbage bins were placed in front of a defaulters premises. This action attracted some criticism and the GHMC was questioned by the High Court. At a recent meeting held by the GHMC tax department, it was decided to publicise defaulters' na-mes as a way of shaming them into paying up. The GHMC has issued warrants and red notices to defaulters under Section 269, which empowers the corporation to disconnect water and electricity connections, said GHMC commissioner Dr B. Janardhan Reddy. He said that GHMC circle offices that have the most commercial outlets, such as Abids, Khairatabad, Serilingampally and Kukatpally, have formed teams to identify defaulting malls and stores. Those failing to pay the tax after repeated notices and warnings will have their names on the flexes and seizure will follow. With regard to government offices, a majority of them have assured payment in the first week of March 2017. It is a departmental issue, unlike private holders, the commissioner said. Hyderabad: The body of a TB patient remained near 'She toilet' opposite Charminar for almost an hour and a half as police from two police stations argued over the jurisdiction. A hospital ambulance refused to remove the body as the patient was dead. After a while, police took the body to Osmania Morgue. According to eyewitnesses, a 26-year-old man, who came to a local clinic near Charminar, collapsed near the She toilet near Charminar Traffic police station. He was with his mother, who had gone to the toilet. The man collapsed near the toilet. The woman came out and begged for help. Someone called an ambulance. The paramedics confirmed the death but refused to take the body, said Md. Akbar. Charminar police was informed who said that the body was not in their jurisdiction. They said it was under Mirchowk police station. After one and half hour, the police came and shifted the body, said another witness. A survivor of the shooting at a bar in Olathe city, Kansas, this week said the shooter had asked him and his friend, who died in the attack, about their visas before opening fire at them. He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally, Alok Madasani told The New York Times. We didnt react, Madasani said, adding, People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla was killed when Adam W Purinton, a US Navy veteran, opened fire at them at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene, was also shot in the hand and the chest. Madasani and Kuchibhotla had studied in the United States and were working in Kansas legally. After Kuchibhotlas death, his wife Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government... What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Married about four years ago, Kuchibhotla and his wife were planning to have a baby this year. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Las Vegas. (Photo: AP) Hyderabad: Working, partying and travelling across the United States, Indian aviation engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was living his American dream in Kansas. That dream was shattered on Wednesday night. A local man shot dead Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani in a case US federal authorities are investigating as a possible hate crime. Local media quoted eyewitnesses as saying the attacker shouted "get out of my country" before opening fire as the colleagues shared an after-work drink in a local bar. Kuchibhotla was one of many ambitious young Indians who go abroad each year in search of a better education and career prospects. More than 3 million Indians live in the United States. As a community, they are twice as well off as other Americans, with an average household income of more than $100,000. The Southern Poverty Law Center said the number of hate groups in the United States rose for a second year in a row in 2016, linking the increase to U.S. President Donald Trump's presidential campaign. This week's incident further heightened concerns among Indians about their treatment there. "After the nightmarish incident, do we really need to go and work in (the) U.S.?" Madasani's father, Jaganmohan Reddy, told a newspaper. The American dream After obtaining a bachelor's degree in technology in India, Kuchibhotla left his hometown of Hyderabad for El Paso, Texas, to pursue a master's degree in electrical engineering, according to his LinkedIn profile. He then worked as a software and systems engineer in Iowa at Rockwell Collins Inc. Married about four years ago, Kuchibhotla and his wife spent their early years of marriage watching Bollywood movies, celebrating New Year's Eve by clicking selfies and travelling across the United States. "Four states, 1,500 miles, three days and finally at Dallas to end year 2013," his wife wrote on her Facebook page at the time. Later, Kuchibhotla, who called himself "Srinu" on his Facebook page, switched jobs to join Garmin International as an engineer, working on designs and flight test activities. On Wednesday, he and Madasani were at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a city of about 134,000 people some 40 km southeast of Kansas City, when the gunman opened fire on them. The co-workers were regulars at the watering hole, which they visited once or twice a week to sit on the patio and drink whiskey in the early evening, according to local media. "We know them as the Jameson guys," Garret Bohnen, a staff member who had served the pair in the past, told the Kansas City Star. "They are super-nice guys. They would sit, have a cigarette, have a few drinks and pay their tab and leave." Kuchibhotla's former colleague, Kavipriya Muthuramalingam, fondly remembered him as a dear friend who would never be confrontational. "It's tragic," she told Reuters. "He was at the wrong place at the wrong time." Kochi: A court in nearby Aluva on Saturday granted nine days police custody of the two key accused in the abduction and assault of a popular Malayalam actress. The custody of the two till March 5 was granted a day after they were remanded in nine days judicial custody by the Aluva First class Judicial Magistrate court. Seeking the custody of the key accused 'Pulsar' Suni and V P Vigeesh, police said it wanted to conduct further probe into the conspiracy angle in the abduction and harassment of the actress. Police also said more evidences including the mobile phone used for allegedly clicking the pictures of the actress and the SIM cards used by the accused have to be gathered. Police said they also wanted to take the accused through the places where they had gone hiding after committing the crime. Police had moved a plea seeking custody of the accused when they were produced before the residence of the magistrate yesterday afternoon. While he was being taken out of the Court, Pulsar Suni asked media not drag names of the people who did not have any connection with the incident. He said so many people faced "difficulties" due to such speculation. Meanwhile, KPCC Chief V M Sudheeran today criticised Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for suggesting that there appeared to be no conspiracy involved in the incident. Vijayan had yesterday hit out at those trying to speculate to create "imaginary accused" in the case and said "police will not go after such shadows." In a related development, the actress today reached Fort Kochi for acting in a new movie. The actress, who has starred in Tamil and Telugu films, was abducted and allegedly molested inside her car for two hours by the accused, who had forced their way into the vehicle on the night of February 17 and later escaped in a busy area in Kochi. Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised to end the crippling economic blockade in Manipur if the BJP comes to power in the state and said what the Congress could not do in 15 years, the BJP will do in 15 months. He also launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, accusing him of "running the most corrupt government" and "taking 10 per cent commission". Addressing an election meeting in poll-bound Manipur, the Prime Minister said, "Manipur's development was stalled under the Congress government". "What the Congress government could not do in 15 years our (BJP) government will do it in 15 months," he said, lashing out at the Congress government for "failing" to provide jobs, infrastructure, and proper drinking water to the people. Modi also accused the Ibobi government of spreading "false campaign and misleading the people" on the Naga Accord. "I assure you that there is no single reference to ditching the Manipur people or its interests in the Naga Accord", he said. Ridiculing the Congress government, Modi said, "Naga accord was done one-and-a-half year back. What were you doing? Were you in a deep sleep? And all of a sudden you have woken up before elections. You are making false claims to mislead the people," Modi said. On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. "There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required. "BJP will form the next government in Manipur and no blockade will be allowed then. We will show how a government is run," he said. The Congress wants to reap benefits by letting Manipur "burn" and by "pitting one tribe against another for the sake of the chair," he said. "What kind of cheap politics is this where you make brothers fight against each other". Attacking the chief minister, he charged "I heard that the state chief minister who has been ruling for the last 15 years is known as 10 per cent chief minister. It is for the people of the state to decide whether they want a 100 per cent honest chief minister or one who takes 10 per cent commission." The prime minister said the Centre had been sending lots of funds to Manipur but most of the money is siphoned off by leaders and ministers of the ruling party. "Earlier during Congress regime when funds used to come, Congress leaders and ministers used to siphon off the funds. But now there is a BJP government at the Centre and Manipur government will be held accountable for each and every penny." Modi said unity of the people and development were the focus of the BJP and added that all states in the north eastern region should develop. Referring to demonetisation, Modi said he will not stop until and unless he recovers the black money and said it was Congress which has a problem with the ban. "The black money recovered will be used for development of the country and uplift of the poor. But when this decision of note ban was announced Congress had shouted the most," he said. The state goes to polls on March 4 and March 8 to elect its 60-member Assembly. Chennai: Nearly a month after two ships collided at the Ennore Port resulting in devastating oil spill that spread till Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu government on Friday announced financial relief of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 fishermen whose livelihood was affected due to the incident. Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami sanctioned Rs 15 crore for providing financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each to 30,000 fishing families in Chennai and neighbouring areas. He also announced construction of two fish markets at Ernavoor near Ennore and at Nochikuppam in Chennai. The assistance was given to fishermen since many of them could not venture into the sea due to the oil spill and the drastic reduction in their sale due to fear of consuming fish, the Chief Minister said in a statement. Recalling that the state government had already announced that it would ensure that fishermen affected due to oil spill get insurance and other compensation according to the rules, Mr Palanisami said the process is taking time since several agencies are involved in the issue. The process of getting compensation from insurance companies take sometime worldwide, the Chief Minister said, adding that expert committees of the state government have concluded that eating fish was as safe as ever and there was no need to panic. He also said more that 5,700 people including Coast Guard personnel and volunteers struggled for 25 days to remove the oil spill from the shore. The entire coast from Ennore to Mamallapuram was affected due to oil spill. New Delhi: As Uttar Pradesh moves into the fifth part of its seven-phase Assembly elections, cracks have started emerging between the parties of UP ke ladke. More than Kaam bolta hai, it seems the fissures have become the talking point these days, with a major section of the Samajwadi Party feeling that they erred in giving in too much to the Congress. Instead of being a force multiplier, the Congress, they say, has turned into an obstacle, hindering rather than helping the ruling party. Several factors have contributed to this unease. For one, there have been reports from certain constituencies that voters are choosing the BSP over the Congress. These votes would have come to us if the SP had fielded candidates from these constituencies. People dont want to vote for the Congress, an SP leader claimed. Quite contrary to the slogan the two parties have been chanting: UP ko ye saath pasand hai. Since only three phases of polling are left, there is a feeling of despondency, but little can be done to rectify the problem now. Samajwadi Party leaders say that the Congress has been unreliable in the entire campaign. Since the alliance came together, neither the Congress nor its vice-president Rahul Gandhi has attacked the BSP supremo. Even at the first joint press conference of Mr Gandhi and Mr Yadav, the Gandhi scion only had good words to say for Ms Mayawati. There persists a lurking suspicion that if the numbers dont add up on result day, the Congress may jettison the alliance. Adding grist to the mill are brash comments by Congress cadres. Statements like whoever forms the government, it will be with the help of Congress, further fuel the unease. Another intriguing aspect is that the in appeal for votes made by Congress president Sonia Gandhi was only for the Congress. Add to this the fact that the friendly fight in four seats in Amethi and Rae Bareli has left a bad taste. Congress could just become an albatross for us, a senior SP leader observed. HYDERABAD: Cases of mistaken identity are common with scores of Indians living in the US. Indians with features and colour similar to those of the people from the Middle East or West Asia are likely to be mistaken and targeted. In the Kansas shooting, the navy veteran mistook Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Reddy of being from the Middle East, and shouted at them to get out of his country while firing shots at them. According to Mohan Nannapaneni, past president of TANA (Telugu Association of North America), physical attacks on Indians, including Sikhs, were largely happening on this count: of them being suspected as people of Middle East origin. Youngsters from white families in semi-urban and rural areas join US Defence forces without going for higher studies, and the scars of War on Terror in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan took a toll on several families, leading to a mental trauma. Now and then, they vent their anger at people of non-white origin. We are hopeful the law enforcement agencies would take stringent action against the culprit, so as to send a message that hate crimes will be dealt with strongly. Mohan, who came to visit his parents here, urged Indians to be cautious for now. Indians in the US say locals cant really differentiate between those from West Asia and India and this has become a big worry. Venkat. P from Los Angeles suggested Indians avoid arguments and just walk away from situations that could escalate. This is not the U.S. I had lived in: KT Rama Rao State NRI-affairs minister K.T. Rama Rao feels that the America where he lived for eight years since 2000 was different from what it is today. Hate crimes have increased of late and this does not augur well for immigrants. He said this after consoling the deceased Srinivas Kuchibhotlas family in Bachupally along with minister Mahender Reddy and a few MPs, on Saturday. The minister said he would go to New Delhi and meet external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj to discuss the issue of insecurity of Indians in the US. Meanwhile, Indian-born Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has condemned the Kansas shooting incident that claimed the life of the Indian techie. Theres no place for senseless violence and bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims and families of the horrific shooting in Kansas, he tweeted. US senator Kamala Harris, said she was extremely saddened to hear the news from Kansas. We cant let hatred win. Law-abiding immigrant families are just like those that built this nation, she wrote on Twitter. Garmin, where Kuchibhotla, worked also released a statement mourning their employee. Visakhapatnam: Even though racial attacks and murders are not new to the US, hate-mongers have found their new poster boy in President Donald Trump. Trump has never minced his words in trashing immigrants, touting slogan like Lets Make America Great Again. According to observers, the racists have literally started reading between the lines of Trumps America First philosophy and decoded his message to mean the US is a country exclusively for the white people. This has emboldened racists to hurl loaded comments against and indulge in attacks on immigrants. These observers believe that the racial hatred planted by Trump in the minds of Americans has led to the murder of techie Srinivas Kuchibhotla from Hyderabad. According to statistics, there has been an unprecedented increase in the number of racist incidents and vandalism ever since Trump entered the US presidential campaign. The prevalent gun culture has also been a major concern. Observers say that if the anti-gun measures are strictly implemented, the number of casualties could be reduced. According to the Congressional Research Service, Americans have about 30 crore guns. Some sceptics ask as to why the US government is inactive about checking the proliferation of guns. Anand Giridharadas, author of The True American and India Calling, explained about the Kansas murder in a series of Twitter posts: Trump makes the statements, goes back to his chefs, and is jet-set. But there are aimless Americans who take his words (and act). When Trump spreads his idea of Americanness-as-whiteness, he and his rich friends can laugh about the brilliant tactic to woo votes. But people listen. And a small fraction of those who listen will arm themselves (and indulge in violence). And people will die. Predictably, White House press secretary Sean Spicer dismissed any correlation between Trumps remarks and Srinivas Kuchibhotlas murder. Its a re-think on US dreams The cold-blooded murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla has come as the proverbial last straw for the lakhs of Indians settled in the US. It was all fair till Donald Trump came out of the blue and launched his presidential campaign, spewing racial venom. Things took a real turn for the worse after he took office a month ago, when restrictions were imposed on entry of foreigners, followed by curbs on H1B visas. With hate crimes on the rise in recent weeks, Indians wanting to send their wards to the US are having a re-think. Notably, a large chunk of Indian students and techies going to the US in recent years are from the two Telugu states. N. Raghav, a US aspirant and B. Tech graduate from the Sanketika Vidya Parishad College of Engineering, says, Many of my seniors studying or working in the US have asked me to refrain from going there in view of the existing uncertainties. From Trumps orders restricting entry to foreigners and curbs on H1B visas and green cards, he has turned into a nightmare for the Indians there. There is a proposal to reduce the duration of optional practical training, something that lured Indian students to the US. From early 2000, working or studying in the US has been an unwritten rule for the Telugu families, with at least one member from each family heading for America, which got referred to as the Telugu boom in the US. Now, the new reality in the US may deter many youths from this path. Kanchu Lakshmana Rao says his son working with a software MNC in Hyderabad is trying for an H1B Visa, but hes no more interested in sending him there. Trumps racial slurs against immigrants can put lakhs of lives at risk. When a President passes harsh comments against the non-natives, racists take it as a licence to launch attacks on immigrants. The trend is very disturbing for those of us whose family members are living in the US, said he. Each year, about 30,000 students from India had been leaving to the US for higher studies. The trend of settling down in the US has been particularly visible in the families of south coastal Andhra Pradesh, including Krishna, Guntur and the two Godavari districts. Hyderabad: Sunayana Dumala, the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian techie who was killed in the United States this week, has demanded an answer from the Trump administration about when hate crimes will be stopped. Initially I was not confident about living here, but Srinivas convinced me, saying that good things will come to good people. Always think good and do good and good will happen to you, he would say, recalled Sunayana. Addressing the media she said, But now, she says, I wonder, do we belong here? Slain techies body to arrive tomorrow Sunayana Dumala, the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, said that after moving to Kansas, they had made it their home, got their dream house which Srinivas himself painted. At a briefing organised by Kuchibhotlas employer Garmin Ltd, she said her husband was enjoying a glass of beer with his friend when he was needled by the culprit, but Srinivas minded his own business. My husband should have moved out. But he probably thought that he was not doing anything wrong. The guy then came back and did what he had to do, she said. She demanded to know what the Government is going to do to stop hate crimes. The suspect told a bartender that he shot two Muslim guys. How did he decide that? Does the colour of the person say that he is a Muslim, Hindu or Christian? She also demanded an assurance that she can come back and fulfill her husbands dream of her being successful in whatever field she chose. Srinivas boss, Mr Popadopoulos, of Lebanese origin, said he started to wonder if it was time to leave, but then later thought leave for where? I'm from here. I really think Srinivas would want us to stick together and stand up for whats right. Meanwhile, Telugu Association of North America sources said that the body of Kuchibhotlas body will arrive in Hyderabad in the early hours of Monday. Srinivas's family here in India says it is too early to discuss what Sunayana will do. Bengaluru: With both BJP and Congress parties accusing each other of making 'pay-offs' to their respective party central leaders, Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee upped the ante against the BJP leaders on Saturday, strongly demanding an impartial Supreme Court monitored probe into alleged "pay-offs" mentioned in Sahara-Birla diary, BJP state joint treasure Leher Singh's diary and Congress MLC, K. Govindraju's diary. Speaking to reporters here, KPCC working president, Dinesh Gundurao asserted "Supreme Court needs to order an inquiry by a sitting judge into all these notes which have been doing rounds in media circles. At least, let the truth come out, who paid to whom, irrespective of the Supreme Court's judgement on Sahara-Birla diary notes. These notes have names, initials. Let the truth come out, what kind of notes are these or diaries which the BJP and Congress is referring to," the KPCC working president contended. He dared the BJP to constitute a Supreme Court monitored probe instead of only harping on alleged notes in Mr Govindraju's diary. Congress is ready for this probe despite knowing the facts that all investigation agencies are under the control of Union Government. But is the BJP ready for such a probe? he said. Meanwhile, flashing BJP MLCs 2013 dated letter to then BJP president Rajnath Singh and L.K. Advani, Congress leader V. S. Ugrappa said Mr Lehar Singh had written to Mr Rajanath Singh accusing Mr Advani of maintaining a studied silence over corruption practices involved within the party. What about this letter, which is in itself incriminating evidence about the rot that exists within the BJP. Mr Yeddyruappa and Mr Singh must know that those who live in glasshouses should not throw stones at others, Mr Ugrappa, MLC, shot back. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Japanese Ambassador Umeda Kunio (Photo: VNA) While hailing Thai companies investment activities in Vietnam, Ngan affirmed that the Vietnamese NA is willing to create favourable conditions in terms of policy and law for foreign firms, including those from Thailand, to invest in Vietnam. While hailing Thai companies investment activities in Vietnam, Ngan affirmed that the Vietnamese NA is willing to create favourable conditions in terms of policy and law for foreign firms, including those from Thailand, to invest in Vietnam. She called on Thailand to increase the import of products from Vietnam to balance the bilateral trade value. Ngan also spoke highly of cooperation between the two legislative bodies, especially their coordination in regional and international forums such the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), as well as cooperative activities among friendship parliamentarian groups. She believed that the ambassador will make more contribution to effectively bolster cooperation between the two countries. Ngan took the occasion to ask the Thai side to continue cooperating with Vietnam and other member countries of the Mekong River Commission in resolving issues related to water security, sustainably managing and using water resources of the Mekong River. Ambassador Vongphakdi affirmed the Thai Government is willing to support Thai firms to invest and do business in Vietnam. Along with dragon fruits, Thailand will import litchis, handicraft products, canned coconut water, and decorations from Vietnam, he said. Receiving the Japanese Ambassador Umeda Kunio, Chairwoman Ngan expressed her wish that relations between the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Japan will be strengthened in the coming time, especially among young NA deputies. The Vietnamese NA highly values and attaches importance to the up-coming visit to Vietnam by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, Ngan said, adding that Vietnam is actively preparing for the trip. She suggested the ambassador to work with Vietnams authorised agencies and the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to increase the exchange of delegations among specialised agencies of the two legislatures. For his part, Ambassador Kunio affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of Japan, adding that the upcoming visit by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko will contribute to bolstering mutual understanding between the two countries people, as well as strengthening the Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia between Vietnam and Japan./. Guwahati: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused the ruling Congress of conspiring with those responsible for Manipurs three-month-long economic blockade, and promised that the state would not suffer from such disruptions if the BJP was voted to power. The blockade of Manipurs two key highways imposed by the United Naga Council on November 1 to protest against creation of new districts has cut off supplies, causing a crippling price rise. Congress plays blockade politics: PM Modi Addressing an election rally amid a boycott call by insurgent groups at Imphal, Mr Modi said, Let the BJP form the government, there will be no blockade in Manipur. I promise I will not let any blockade stop the celebration. Manipur votes in two phases on March 4 and March 8. Results will be announced on March 11. Why shouldnt the blockade be removed? Why shouldnt there be a police case against rioters? I urge the state government to remove the blockade today, and we will extend all necessary help in removing it, the PM said. The Prime Minister accused the Congress of playing blockade politics before every election. He said that the state government was not fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of ensuing supply of essentials to its people. Mumbai: A new political equation may emerge in Maharashtra post the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) poll results, as Shiv Sena does not want to ally with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to gain power. It is speculated that Congress might extend outside support to Sena in BMC by abstaining from voting in the mayoral election. Meanwhile, Sena is holding talks with the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to get NCPs direct backing for Senas mayor candidate. If Sena manages to get the mayors post, the party might pull out from the state government, spelling trouble for BJP. Gaining control of BMC has become so important that it seems set to change the dynamics of the political discourse in Maharashtra. The fractured mandate in the BMC polls has forced Shiv Sena and BJP to look for more partners as both won almost equal seats. Sena, which got 84 seats, managed to gain the support of four Independents while BJP, which got 82 seats, has gained the support of one Independent. Now Congress has 31 seats, NCP has nine seats and the Manarashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has seven seats. According to sources in Sena, NCP is the first option to keep BJP away from power. We are considering NCPs option to increase our tally to get the mayors post. Uddhavji has already clarified that he would not take help from BJP post poll. There are a few Independents who would support us, a Sena leader said on condition of anonymity. Hinting at the possibility of going with Sena, Mumbai NCP chief Sachin Ahir said the party would work in favour of the citys development. We will not support BJP in BMC at any cost. But we will also see that the citys development does not get stalled because of a hung house, Mr Ahir said. However, Congress is maintaining a strong stand that it will not support Shiv Sena. There is no question of supporting Shiv Sena for BMC. We have made our stand clear that we will not be supporting Sena, state Congress chief Ashok Chavan said. However, sources in the party said Congress cannot take any stand because it will affect its prospects in the remaining three phases of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls. The last phase of the Uttar Pradesh election will be held on March 8 and the mayors election is likely to be conducted on March 9, giving enough time for Congress to make its decision. If Sena withdraws its support for the state government, then Sena will need help from NCP and Congress to claim power. In the present House, BJP has 122 seats, Sena has 63 seats, Congress has 42 seats and the NCP 41. A possibility of mid-term polls cannot be ruled out. Hyderabad: In the last week of November 2016, Sudhamani, 26, a nurse at the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology, received a call from an unknown number. From the other end, a man spoke in Hindi with a Punjabi accent, I am Raj Kumar calling from Mumbai Airtel office. Your mobile number has been selected as winner in an Airtel lucky draw. You have won Rs 50 lakh as prize money. Sudhamani got excited. During the 10 minute conversation, little did she know that the man was going to rob Rs 5.4 lakh from her savings. He made Sudhamani deposit money in bank accounts in instalments. He managed to convince her that she had to pay Income Tax, registration fees, clearance fee and other charges. Soon she started sensing a fraud. Sudhamani went to the police who told her that he was a Pakistani calling from a phone number that starts with +92. Hundreds of Hyderabadis have been receiving these calls recently. The caller, who speaks fluent Hindi, tells the receiver that he/she won a lottery of Airtel or some other firms. The fraud convinces the victim that in order to collect the lottery prize, a certain amount has to be deposited as processing charges in bank accounts. After the amount is deposited, the fraudsters agents withdraws the cash, said K.V.M. Prasad, a cyber crime inspector. The fraudsters are now using new techniques after Reliance Jio was launched. Actually, these fraudsters have been active since 2014. But, after Reliance introduced Jio, they are calling people and telling that Airtel introduced the draw to attract customers, said an official. Some Hyderabadis who did not pick up the calls, got messages from these phone numbers asking them to call back if they want to claim the prize. I got two calls. The first guy spoke like a Punjabi and said I won Rs 25 lakh. Initially, I believed. Two days later, I got another call from another guy. He said I won `50 lakh. When I did an Internet search, I understood that it was fake, said T. Mahesh, an employee of an IT firm in Madhapur. Pakistani fraudsters are well knit, professional The Pak scam is well organised and are pulled off by professionals. Involvement of the ISI is suspected, but not confirmed. In the cases detected so far, TS police could not arrest any Pakistani. The police could arrest only their Indian handlers. The cops say that it is nearly impossible to nab the main suspects, who are in Pakistan. The Pakistani suspects involved in the 2014 cases, which was investigated by CCS, are still absconding As per the information gathered by CCS, who detected one case recently by arresting an Indian handler, the Pakistani callers are operating from call centers after accessing phone numbers from an Internet data base. The police could not collect the identity details and location of the suspects, as the Pakistani mobile service provider would not reveal details. In the recent case, CCS cops got two names of the pak nationals after grilling the Indian handler. But they are not even sure if they have got those names correct. One middle man, who knows a lot of about the Pakistanis, is still absconding. His arrest might help us get more details, said a probe official. Cops say they may try to get a redcornor notice issued. But, arresting them will not be easy. Hyderabad: Though nearly five months have gone by since new districts were created in TS, the Centre is yet to notify the same in its official gazette. This is despite the TS government making repeated requests to the Centre in this regard. The delay in notifying the new districts has led to the state losing out on the Centres grants for development of backward areas sanctioned under the Backward Regions Grant Fund. TS districts are Rs 50 crore each under this grand, every year. The absence of mention in the Centres official gazette is also contributing to administrative problems. There severe shortage of IAS and IPS officers as the Centre grants IAS cadre strength to states based on the number of districts and TS cadre strength continues to remain the same which was determined based on 10 old districts. The state government had reorganised the existing 10 districts to create 21 new ones and sent the list of new districts to the Centre soon. It requested the Centre to notify the new districts in its official gazette. Till date, that has not happened. The issue was taken up with the Prime Minister by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao and TRS MPs and also Union ministers concerned several times earlier. The 14th Finance Commission had declared nine out of 10 old districts (all barring Hyderabad) in TS as backward and recommended special grants for their development. The Centre has been sanctioning a grant of Rs 450 crore grant every year at Rs 50 crore for each district. TS special representative in New Delhi S. Venugopala Chary said, Notifying new districts in Centres gazette is currently under process. The issue is pending with the Union home ministry; we are pursuing the case vigorously to check further delay. Since the state government is losing grants and other benefits that come with district-specific schemes. The aim is to ensure that the new districts are notified by March 31, before completion of financial year 2016-17 so that the state government does not lose out on Centre's grants for this year, Mr Chary said. New Delhi: Three-year-old twin brothers died son Saturday after falling into a washing machine, which was filled with water, at their home in Delhis Rohini locality. According to Hindustan Times, the shocking incident took place when the boys, named Nishant and Nakshya, were playing while their mother had gone to a nearby shop to purchase washing powder. When she came back after "six minutes", she could not find the brothers. After frantic search, she found her sons inside the machine. But, by the time they were rescued, it was too late. The parents had rushed the twins to a hospital, but they were declared brought dead. According to NDTV, they took them to another hospital, but were met with the same verdict. The police have said that while the boys seem to have died of drowning, their bodies have sent for post-mortem. Kolkata: In what may spark a fresh controversy, Hindu Samhati president Tapan Ghosh on Saturday said that Hindu women should wear 'bindi' and men should sport 'tilak' on their forehead to avoid incidents like Kansas shooting. "I am not much interested about 'tika' and all but today due to radical Muslims, the atmosphere is volatile. To save oneself from this, one must wear 'tika' and 'bindi'. Although terrorism do not belongs to any particular religion, I want Hindus to be safe and secure," Ghosh told ANI. Ghosh's statement comes at the backdrop of Kansas shooting that took place on Friday, claiming the life of an Indian engineer and wounding another. Two Indian engineers Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed while Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman. The accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his "America first" agenda. However, the White House has attempted to downplay notions that there was any correlation between the incident and President Donald Trump's stance on immigrants. Noting that the incident was tragic indeed, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer asserted that it was "absurd" to draw parallels between with the President's rhetoric. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said. The education department has issued a circular to all institutions, stating in no uncertain terms that rules must be obeyed. (Representation image) Hyderabad: With the education department keeping a strict eye on collection of school fees, private managements are finding new ways to escape the law. Some institutions in the city have come up with ingenious ways of collecting huge donations for new admissions under multiple categories. Until last year, top schools used to collect donations between Rs 40,000 to over a lakh rupees per head for new admissions from nursery to higher sections. This fee was in addition to the annual tuition fee, which parents have to pay for their childs study that year. According to GO-91 of the educational department, the admission fee should not exceed Rs 5,000 for new enrolments. Parents and various groups have been highlighting gross violations of this rule by school managements for quite some time. As a result, the education department has issued a circular to all institutions, stating in no uncertain terms that rules must be obeyed. This has forced private school managements to come up with a new plan. Limiting admission fees at Rs 5000, they are now collecting remaining sums under different heads. Pavan Reddy, a parent, said schools such as Global Edge, Sloka, Guardian School, Santa Maria are still collecting excess fees. Activity fee, teachers training corpus, childrens project corpus are some of the different heads. One school is collecting Rs 1 lakh from new parents. The admission fee is Rs 5,000, but the rest of the donation amount of Rs 95,000 is being collected as well, he said. Parents, who were a bit happy about limiting of admission fees after a relentless fight are now saying the issue is back to square one. We fought to regulate admission fees, but donations are being collected to fleece parents as usual, they said. Rajkot: A sharp-shooter owing allegiance to the Dawood Ibrahim gang and three others were arrested from city outskirts today, when they were allegedly on their way to eliminate a Jamnagar based businessman on direction's of Pakistan based underworld don's brother Anees, police said. Anees Ibrahim, who looks after the illegal business of Dawood is believed to be based in Pakistan, had given a contract to kill Jamnagar based businessman to one Ramdas Rahane and others for Rs 10 lakhs, police said. "Rahane and his three accomplices were coming to Rajkot in a private bus to kill the businessman, who runs a construction company in Jamnagar," Rajkot city DCP S R Odedara who led the team to nab shooters said. The businessman has been identified as one Ashfaq Khatri, he said adding that he is also associated with shipping business. "We kept a close vigil near Kuvadava town on Rajkot-Ahmedabad national highway, as we had received inputs that four suspicious persons are travelling in a private bus from Maharashtra," he said. "While searching the bus, four of them were spotted in a suspicious manner and on searching their luggage, a pistol, six live cartridges, two knives and fake number plates having vehicle registration numbers of GJ (Gujarat) and MH (Maharashtra) series were found," the DCP said. "During the initial interrogation we learnt that Anees Ibrahim had given a contract to kill the businessman to Ramdas for a payment of Rs 10 lakhs," the DCP said. "Ramdas is a contract killer of the D-Gang and is facing several criminal charges in Maharashtra," the official said. "It was also revealed during interrogation that they had planned to steal a vehicle after reaching Jamnagar, change the number plates with fake ones which they were carrying and execute the crime, before returning to Maharashtra," Rajkot police commissioner Anupamsinh Gehlot, who supervised the entire operation said. Ramdas is believed to be allegedly involved in many shooting incidents in Mumbai. His name had also cropped up in a firing incident at the office of builder Manish Dholakiya in 2011 in which a guard was killed. He has spent some time in jail as well. "We are verifying the claims made by the sharp shooters during initial interrogation," Odedara said. The police has however not revealed names of three other persons they have arrested. Meanwhile, a team of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) will also interrogate these shooters who received contract killing assignment from Pakistan. ALAPPUZHA: The legality of Chooral Muriyal (breaking the cane) ritual at famous Chettikulangara Temple under the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) is now under question. The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KeSCPCR) ban on the two-and-a-half-century-old practice still stands valid. The ritual this year is to be held on March 3 as part of annual Kumbha Bharani festival. Though Hindu Matha Convention, an outfit of temple devotees, approached High Court for revoking the order, the court hasn't made its stand clear. R Rajesh Kumar, its secretary, said they would be going ahead with the ritual as the matter is sub judice and the ritual had survived so many years. This year Rajya Sabha MP Suresh Gopi is one of the devotees making the offering. This year the temple will conduct as a many as 15 sets of Kothiyottams on the day of Kumbha Bharani. Sandhya Raju, the lawyer who handles the case in High Court, told DC the temple authorities had got no stay order so far and so the KeSCPCR order stands. "So, if the temple authorities go ahead with the Chooral Muriyal ritual, it would be illegal. A letter would be sent to district collector in this regard," she said. Though the order came into effect on November 1 last year, the government too has not taken a position. The commission issued the order after A K Rajasree, a human rights lawyer, moved a petition. Chennai: DMK working president M.K. Stalin met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi and discussed alliance issues in the presence of TNCC chief S. Thirunavukkarasar. This is the first meeting between Stalin and the leaders of Congress after he took over as the partys working president. The meeting assumes significance amid allegations by a section of Congressmen that Thirunavukkarasar is not maintaining smooth and cordial relations with the ally and often coming out with remarks that irritates DMK functionaries. Former TNCC president E.V.K. S. Elangovan had openly alleged that Thirunavukkarasar had deliberately delayed the announcement of Congress in the confidence motion against Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palanisami. There were speculations that Stalin would express his dissatisfaction with Thirunavukkarasar, but the presence of Thirunavukkarasar ruled out such a possibility. The TNCC leader left for Delhi a day earlier than Stalin and he had a meeting with Rahul Gandhi on the political situation in the state. Thirunavukkarasar is said to have explained the differences over the partys approach towards the DMK, which is charged with humiliating the national party in the local body seat allocations, when it was announced in October. After Stalin met the Congress leaders, a visibly confident Thirunavukkarasar asserted that his party would not accept the earlier deal signed for the local body ward elections with the DMK and said a new agreement would be devised after negotiations with its ally. He also denied that he had made complaints against Elangovan with the high command. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue meets with Asia Business Council representatives (Photo: VNA) Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue made the remark at a function welcoming the 2017 Spring Forum held by the Asia Business Council in Ho Chi Minh City on February 23rd. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue made the remark at a function welcoming the 2017 Spring Forum held by the Asia Business Council in Ho Chi Minh City on February 23rd. He said Vietnam prioritises businesses ready to connect with Vietnamese partners and operate in fields suitable with the countrys economic restructuring. Vietnam recorded positive economic growth last year, with exports increasing by nine percent, high foreign direct investment, and more than 110,000 newly-established businesses, he noted. The forum is expected to boost innovation and sustainable development in the region, he said. He confirmed the Vietnamese Party and States consistent policies of actively engaging in the global economy and being a reliable partner of all nations and investors. The Vietnamese Government is working to increase the competitiveness of the economy and develop more effective, productive, and innovative economic models. Chairperson of the Asia Business Council Lubna Olayan said the council is impressed with Vietnams growth over the past five years amid global economic struggles. She also highly lauded the countrys determination to promote sustainable economic growth to become a young, dynamic economy with abundant and high-skilled human resources. The 2017 Spring Forum will be held on February 24th-25th, focusing on sustainability and creation as investments for the next 50 years./. Mangaluru: As the port city observed an RSS imposed shutdown, Mangalurus Nehru Maidan saw more than 5,000 Communist supporters converge at the Sauhardha harmony rally organised by the CPM on Saturday, where Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan warned against the rise of the saffronists. Declaring I am not scared of the RSS, he laid the blame for the communal tension in the country at the RSS door, and called on all secular forces to join hands against the tyranny of the saffron parent organisation. Bringing up the killing of Communist cadres in Kerala, which has seen the alleged elimination of 205 members of the party by RSS in recent months, which Mr Vijayan claimed was one step short of bringing the BJP into the state, he said: Kerala is a strong secular state due to the movement by Sri Narayana Guru and others. But RSS is trying to enter the state and spread communal tension. We CPM are facing the ire of RSS for not allowing their ideology of intolerance, he said. Unleashing a major broadside against the RSS in an area where communal tensions run high, he said RSS does not believe in freedom of expression. Instead it wants people to listen to its tune. Those who do not fall in line are attacked. Be it Pansare, M. M. Kalburgi or Dabholkar who were killed or K. S. Bhagvan, Jananpeeth Awardee Girish Karnad who were targeted by RSS. For his statement, intellectual U R Ananthamurthy was sent a ticket to Pakistan, a few months before his death. Even actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Amir Khan, Jnanpeeth awardee M T Vasudevan Nair were asked to go to Pakistan when they expressed their views independently." "RSS has no special right on India. In fact India belongs to all of us. All secular forces should unite against the agenda of RSS," he said. "RSS has shown intolerance by calling a hartal today. Now I may be getting strong police security as CM. But I walked amidst their (RSS) sickles and sticks during my student days at Brennan College. What can these people do to me now?" Vijayan said, drawing huge applause from the party workers. "Some said that I will not be allowed to enter Mangaluru. But I have come to attend the programme. Nobody can prevent me from moving as an ordinary man," he said and appreciated the Karnataka government for security arrangements and said this has to be a lesson. He lashed out at the union government and home minister for speaking against secularism. Speaking about the killing of Mahatma Gandhi, Mr. Vijayan defined Nathuram Godse as just a weapon of RSS. "RSS had distributed sweets in various places on the death of Gandhiji. Godse was just an weapon of RSS," he said, accusing the RSS of targeting Dalits and Minorities. "They decide what others have to eat! In Una and Dadri, Dalits and Minorities are assaulted as RSS suspected them to be having beef," he said. He also attacked RSS for targeting its own men in coastal district. "In your place (DK and Udupi) you have seen these people attacking their own people in cases like Pratap or Praveen Poojary," he said. Vijayan who said the RSS sided with the British in India's independence struggle, compared RSS to Hitler. Hyderabad: After a long wait, it appears that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos plans to build an entirely new Secretariat complex will finally get underway. According to sources, the Roads and Buildings department, in its Budget proposals sent to the finance department, has made a provision of Rs 100 crore for the construction of new Secretariat buildings. This will mean that the state government will be allotting Rs 100 crore in Budget 2017-18. The move comes even as there are two cases pending before the High Court regarding demolition of the Secretariat buildings. Significantly, the R&B departments proposal of allocating Rs 100 crore for the new Secretariat buildings come at a time when Governor E.S.L. Narasimhan is continuing discussions with ministers of both AP and TS on handing over of Secretariat buildings allotted to AP government to the TS government. AP was allotted J, K, L, H and North H blocks in the Secretariat complex. Later, the AP government shifted its Secretariat departments to the Interim Secretariat complex constructed at Velagapudi in AP capital region. The TS government asked Mumbai-based architect Hafeez Contractor to prepare the designs for the proposed new Secretariat complex. Presently, there are several blocks in the Secretariat; Mr Rao wants a massive building with over 5 lakh square feet of working space in 10 floors. The new east-facing Secretariat building will have separate entrances for the Chief Minister, ministers and IAS officers. Hyderabad: T-Congress bigwigs on Saturday lashed out at Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for his Fridays outburst against them, saying that the CM was favouring Andhra contractors for huge commissions and doing injustice to the state. Addressing a joint press conference at the Gandhi Bhavan, TPCC chief N. Uttam Kumar Reddy, K. Jana Reddy Mohd. Ali Shabbir, V. Hanumantha Rao, Ponnala Lakshmaiah and Damodar Raja Narasimha accused Mr Rao of spending public money for fulfilling his personal vows, something no CM had done earlier. They said as main Opposition in the state, it was the duty of the Congress to expose the misdeeds of the government and they had done nothing wrong in pointing out the CMs blatant misuse of public funds in the name of fulfilling the vows. They said that the CM should have been restrained in his criticism of Congress which was responsible for granting statehood to Telangana, with a surplus Budget. KCR, after coming to power, succumbed to Andhra lobby and doled out projects to Andhra contractors just for the sake of commissions, they said. Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said the laws clearly say that no government should spend public funds on religious activity but the CM had shown scant respect for the Constitution and blatantly violated the rules by spending crores of rupees on the gold. The CM, instead of replying to our questions, is levelling allegations against Congress leaders and calling us sanyasis. We can also reply to him in same language, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said. They said TRS Govt failed to generate a single additional MW of power but was able to supply power through projects constructed during the Congress rule. They also said that the scene on the irrigation sector was similar, it is the projects constructed during Congress rule that were supplying water to the state. I can understand that some people in our country dont agree with Umar Khalid. I can also accept that, according to some people, the views he holds are anti-national. But, what I cannot understand is that because such people disagree with him they will not allow him to speak. Nor can I accept that the definition of being patriotic can be held hostage to some peoples notion of what nationalism should be. The RSS did not participate in the freedom movement. It was a conscious choice its leaders made on the basis of ideological differences with Gandhiji and the Congress leadership in the freedom struggle. In fact, the British gave the RSS a certificate for good behaviour. But, even though I disagree with the decision the RSS made then, and have deep reservations even today on some aspects of its ideology, I will not consider them anti-national. Their views must be fought politically, including through discussion and debate and argumentation, and in the arena of democratic discourse. For all my differences with the RSS, I will not say that it should be denied a public platform, or be dubbed seditious. It is for the same reason that I condemned the attempt by the JNU students association to prevent Baba Ramdev, or other speakers of the same ideological hue, including from the RSS, to speak in JNU. Within the political spectrum, differences between the left and the right have existed ever since 1947. Liberals have questioned the fundamentalisms of the right, and the rightists have condemned the accommodative and sometimes expedient flexibilities of the liberals. But it is precisely the nature of a democratic State to allow both views to find expression. Article 19(a) of our Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and expression, with such reasonable restrictions in the interests of the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. The prerogative to decide what is an infringement of the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression lies with the judiciary. Mr Khalid has not yet been convicted under the law. His matter is sub-judice, and he is out on bail. But, when he was invited to speak at Ramjas College last week, on a subject entirely different to the controversy in JNU, the goons of BJPs student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), decided that they were prosecutor, judge and jury, and declared that since Mr Khalid, in their view, is anti-national he will not be allowed to speak, and that if this firman is not adhered they will violently enforce it. The tragedy is that they succeeded. Ramjas College withdrew its invitation. The police did precious little to prevent the violence of ABVP members. In fact, it colluded with them, and beat up not only those students who opposed the ABVP but also the media. It is reported that some policemen hid their identifications in order to reinforce the hooliganism of the ABVP. The impunity with which the ABVP broke the law is directly linked to the fact that as the youth wing of the ruling BJP government at the Centre it believes that it has immunity from the law. And, although three policemen have been suspended, the truth is that, in general, the police is influenced by its own loyalties not to the Constitution of India, but the political masters whom it serves. The net result was that Mr Khalid could not speak, and nor could his colleague from JNU, Shehla Rashid Shora. The undemocratic, illegal and condemnable tactics of threat and intimidation worked. Now, we hear reports that Khalsa College in Delhi University has also cancelled its street theatre festival because of repeated threats from the ABVP over the anti-national content of some of these plays. The danger is that every time such acts of vandalism, violence and intimidation in the name of nationalism succeed they set a precedent that reinforces the possibility of their recurrence in the future. If the culprits are not punished and those who are supposed to enforce the rule of law collude with them they are likely to act in the same lawless manner with even greater impunity the next time round. In a concrete sense, we saw this demonstrated at Ramjas. The hooligans who beat up journalists and those opposed to their views when Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced before the court at Patiala House in New Delhi and remained both unpunished and unrepentant are the role models for those who took the law into their own hands at Ramjas College a few months later. In this increasingly brittle milieu, what is being forgotten is that our civilisation had never shown such aversion to dialogue and debate. On the contrary, we can with some pride claim that, in many respects, the foundation of our civilisational ethos was dialogic. Lord Buddha, who founded Buddhism, repudiated the Vedas, which most Hindus considered to be revealed text. Jainism did the same. Even within Hinduism, the Carvaka school of materialism went so far as to say that the Vedas are nothing but a compilation of untruths. But, the response of those who opposed them was not to beat them up, or to say that their voice cannot be heard. Their response was to resort to vigorous debate and intellectual refutation, wherein the critique of their opponents was clinically analysed and refuted on the basis of reasoning and discussion. Democracy is not only about the number of elections we hold. Democracy is about fostering the democratic temper, where people are free to disagree, and can debate the reasons why. Unfortunately, a new kind of Indian is being provided all the encouragement to proliferate. This Indian believes that only what I say is right, and all those who disagree with me must be shut up or beaten up in the name of a new kind of insular anti-nationalism. This is certainly not what the Constitution guaranteed to the Indian Republic. The woman who was target needs to be left alone: Sashi Kumar What has happened and what is hitting the headlines in terms of the traumatic experience a leading Malayalam actor, a woman, had to go through is intriguing for two reasons; one every new revelation in the case seem to conceal more than it reveals. Of course all those involved are supposed to be in the hands of the police or in the net of the police and yet the circumstances, the context and the conspiracies and how and why this happened seem to be a deepening mystery. We hope in the days ahead that will be solved. But even more importantly because it is of enduring concern that this is a manifestation of not just the patriarchy and feudalism that we know is rampant in Kerala in spite of it pretending to be a progressive, enlightened and literate state, but also because of the witting or unwitting complicit-ness of the media in promoting this kind of patriarchy and sexist attitude in society. The media do this by not only sensationalising such events which revolve around the victimisation and atrocities against women. Key hole journalism, voyeurism passing off as journalism has become the norm particularly when the central character or central to the news happens to be a woman. We have seen this in Sarithas case or in several other cases where the media treatment is salacious. The media have a multiplier effect in insinuating this whole ambience, this whole environment, of sexism or violence against women. It is true that the film industry itself plays a terrible role in relegating women to this position. Both off screen and on screen the woman protagonists (forget about marginal characters who are referred to in that horrible catch-all term, extras) play such a terribly dismal role model. They are all catering to the male macho image and as if they are there at the behest of the male characters, they are there almost like properties, they are there like show pieces, like mannequins, and they are there to really titillate the audience. In very rare cases do they have an organic role in the plot or the theme. And of course when it comes to sex and violence or song and dance numbers, or item numbers as they are called, the projection of women is pathetic. But we continue with this unabashed and all if us seem to enjoy it and it is flourishing in Kerala cinema, Tamil cinema, Bollywood cinema and across the board in India. So Malayalam is no real exception to that kind of consumerism of women. But one would have thought that the Malayalam industry will be different for it shows the way in terms of different cinema, in terms of parallel cinema, it has shown the way in terms of womens rights. There are very strong womens movements that Kerala can boast off, there is the Kudumbasree project for instance where women self-help groups have shown how they can take charge of their own destinies and improve them. But none of this seems to be reflected fairly in the artificial make belief world of cinema. All this is affecting the lives of women, in terms of not only the manifest exploitation of women, but also the role model which handed down to future generations of the younger women or children. All this is terrible and it is time for society at large, film makers, civil society, womens organisations and the media to introspect, sit together and think about the dos and donts about projection of women, the way women are employed or featured in a profession particularly in the cinema profession, and began to make a difference. Read: Suryanelli rape case: Time cant end this ostracisation What has happened to this particular actor is a harsh and urgent wake up call. Even in the discussions both on screen in television and outside generally in society it is as if something terrible has happened to a woman. That may be true, but the point also is to move away from a victim centric approach. The spotlight should be on the perpetrators of the crime, on the social and cultural contexts that make this possible, on our collective culpability. The persons who are to be shamed are those who did this. The woman who was the target of this dastardly act needs to be really left alone. Shes already had a traumatic experience. There is no shame sticking to her. If anything her courage deserves our admiration. The people who are to be shamed are those who did this. What is to be shamed is the social context that allows something like this to happen. On the other hand we boast, variously, of matrilineal families in sections of our population, we take pride that our women have been liberated for centuries and all that kind of nonsense. But the fact of the matter is that dominant in Kerala is a very very feudal and regressive mindset. And that I think has played out and continues to play out in sensationalised instances like this one. I hope this becomes a watershed moment leading sooner rather than later to a more humane and equitable gender relationship in our society. And as much as women, it requires the active engagement of men to achieve this. As told to Gilvester Assary Stay strong, fight out: Divya Unny At one time, everyone believed you had to compromise if you were a female and trying to make it big in the movies. Time and again stories naming an actress or speculations of it would come out, but most of them ended up in gossip columns of a local magazine. Very rarely an actress would speak out. But when years went by and terms like New Gen movies came into being, the notion of casting couch faded at least in the minds of those who believed the younger crop were above all that. It was over two years ago that Bollywood actor Divya Unny and she is not to be confused with the Malayalam actress Divya Unni came out about a nasty incident in the Malayalm film industry. But she says an attack like the one that fell on a prominent actress last week, could happen anywhere. Firstly I believe that an attack on a woman or any person for that matter can happen any place or anytime irrespective of his or her professional or personal space. It doesnt depend on a state or a country one belongs to because it is rampant everywhere. For instance be it a girl from a call centre in Delhi or another woman who works as an actor in Kerala, both are equally grave and unfortunate events that need to be fought against, Divya says. I salute women like the said actress from Kerala who stood up for herself and is now asking for the perpetrators to be punished. Many girls dont even get as far as to the police station because they fear they will be violated once again and that needs to change. The Malayalam industry has all kind of people and we dont know who was responsible for the attack. So at this point making a comment on any group or section of people would be unfair. Yes I have experienced one unpleasant situation within the industry where I was told I will not make it as an actress unless I provide favours, but that is nowhere close to what has happened to this actress. She was insulted and stripped off her dignity and if it could happen to her in her own home state, it could happen to anyone, anywhere. I stand in complete solidarity with this actress and hope she retains all the strength she needs to fight through this till the end. Divya says she feels safer as an actor in Mumbai because it is her home, where she grew up. It feels secure and thats a basic necessity for any professional be it an actress or anyone else. That doesnt rule out the possibility that I or any woman in the city is susceptible to a physical or emotional attack at any point. All we can do is stay strong, learn to fight the given situation and inspire those around us to speak up against anyone who has violated their modesty. If men in the industry, Malayalam or otherwise, believe that they rule the space and have a notion that women are pawns in their hands and can be used anytime they want, they are in for a rude shock, she says. Gone are the days when a masochistic attitude took them places. Its high time they learn to respect the other gender and wake up to the power a woman brings to the core life of any person. Demeaning that will bring down the foundation of their lives, and the sooner they realise it the better. As told to Cris The ministry of external affairs will see a flurry of changes during this year. With as many as nine senior IFS officers due to retire, observers expect a lot of shuffling as well. In fact, it has already got underway with Indian high commissioner to South Africa Ruchi Ghanshyam moving back to MEA headquarters. The 1982-batch IFS officer is most likely to be appointed secretary (West) in place of Sujata Mehta who is retiring and joining the Union Public Service Commission as member. Prior to her South Africa stint, Ms Ghanshyam was additional secretary, Western Europe in the MEA headquarters. While Ms Ghanshyam will return to Delhi in March, Ranjit Rae, a 1980-batch officer posted in Kathmandu, is retiring this month and is tipped to be replaced by 1985-batch officer T.S. Tirumurti. Also due to retire in March are Indias ambassador and permanent representative to UN offices in Geneva Ajit Kumar (1979 batch) and Indias ambassador to Germany Gurjit Singh (1980 batch). Interestingly, the extension to foreign secretary S. Jaishankar dashed the hopes of Anil Wadhwa, currently ambassador to Italy from vying for the top slot. He is due to retire in May. Another hopeful, Navtej Sarna, currently ambassador to the US, will also retire by December this year. Stuck in Bihar Like Didi, his feisty counterpart in West Bengal, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar is reluctant to allow IAS officers in the state to go on Central deputation. Sources say that out of the sanctioned posts of 141 IAS officials from Bihar cadre for appointment on Central deputation, only 41 are posted at the Centre. Among these lucky few are Girish Shankar, secretary, ministry of heavy industries and public enterprises; Navin Verma, secretary, ministry of development of north eastern region; C.K. Mishra, additional secretary, ministry of health and family welfare; Amarjeet Sinha, secretary, ministry of rural development and Sandeep Poundrik, joint secretary, ministry of petroleum and natural gas. However, for the majority of officers, who are empanelled in the GoI in additional secretary rank, the door seems to be closed for Central deputation. Applications for Central deputation are always pending with the state government. Sources say that unless the official has high-level connections in the office of the chief minister or chief secretary or at least in the general administration department there is little chance of the application being cleared. It is pointed out that much of the deputation blues of babus in Bihar could stem from the bureaucracy being split between those close to Mr Kumar and those allied with RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav. Besides, there is a shortage of IAS officers at the senior level in the state, and the state government therefore is keen to retain senior and efficient officers. Populists in power tend to be harsh with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that criticise them. Again, harassing or even suppressing civil society is not a practice exclusive to populists. But for them opposition from within civil society creates a particular moral and symbolic problem: it potentially undermines their claim to exclusive moral representation of the people. Hence it becomes crucial to argue that civil society isnt civil society at all, and that what can seem like popular opposition has nothing to do with the proper people. Jan-Werner Mullers observation in his much acclaimed work, What is Populism, is very true. The populist demagogue needs enemies in order to polarise society and capture the state. He does so by seeking to stifle the voice of civil society, which NGOs tend to represent. They are independent not only of the state and political parties, but also of big business, which tends to support the ones in power. The populist claims that he alone represents the people. No sooner than he became Prime Minister in 2014, Narendra Modi began hounding every NGO that he felt posed a threat to his legitimacy. The NGOs representing minorities attract particular attention. On February 8, the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan body set up by statute, published a report on India that censures attempts at intimidation. Forced reconversions, and attacks on shrines and individuals have increased following the victory of Indias right-wing BJP in May 2014. It accused the government of a witch-hunt against NGOs that challenged Modi and his administration using the controversial Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act. In 2015, the registration of 10,000 NGOs was cancelled. Even Greenpeace International lost its registration. Besides minorities, the Modi regime also frowns on independent research. It is impossible to exaggerate the role and significance of the NGO in a democratic society. The press is rightly acknowledged as its fourth estate. The NGO now deserves recognition as the fifth estate given that it combines the duties of research and advocacy; NGOs collect the facts, study the law and embark on informed campaigns to arouse public opinion in support of the causes that they espouse. The very existence and freedom of NGOs are testaments of the vibrancy of a democracy. NGOs operate not only in domestic matters but also perform a role in international society. Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Commission of Jurists and Greenpeace are all NGOs with wide international influence and have received international recognition. In Resolution 1296, dated May 23, 1968, the UN Economic and Social Council lays down the Principles to be applied in the establishment of Consultative Relations and related matters in conferring on some of them consultative status. Every year in Geneva, during the annual session of the UN Human Rights Council and during meetings of the Human Rights Committee NGOs lobby the councils and committees members and provide them with documented information on violations of human rights. The role of the fourth estate in the political process is well established. The press influences public opinion. The fifth estate, the NGOs, also do so in what is a fine example of participatory democracy. For all their persecution, the NGO has come to stay, not only in the West but also in the Third World. In fact, more so here for it is in our part of the world that the greatest need for relentless advocacy, based on thorough documentation, exists. This is a role far removed from that performed by the publicity-hungry human rights activists whose main objective is self-promotion. By arrangement with Dawn In candid tete-a-tete with Shruti Ganapatye, Shiv Sena MP Arvind Sawant admits that the party is unhappy with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation poll results. Is the Shiv Sena happy with the outcome of BMC polls? We are not happy with the BMC poll results. We were expecting more than 100 seats, maybe an absolute majority, you can say. The aggressive manner in which Uddhavji (Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray) launched his campaign and the support he got from Mumbai, we thought we would easily cross the 100 mark. But that did not happen. So, what went wrong? We will introspect. There were lacunae in the party internal disputes that went against us. But division of votes by virtue of region, language and religion also cost us dear. This time your campaign did not revolve around Marathi manoos but Mumbaikar. Why? When we spoke about Marathi, we were never against other people. Marathi people were deprived of their legitimate right to get a job by the people (outsiders) who were in power. Those in power would call people from other states. Hence, we demanded priority be given to the sons-of-the-soil. Uddhavji took a stand on Mi Mumbaikar, indicating that those belonging to Mumbai are Mumbaikars irrespective of their caste, region and religion. Also, son-of-the-soil is anybody who is born and brought up in Maharashtra. American President Donald Trump is saying the same thing that the Sena said 50 years ago. But the Gujarati and north Indians in Mumbai did not vote for the Sena? I dont think that all north Indians voted completely in favour of the BJP. But yes, its true that we did not get votes from the Gujarati and Rajasthani communities living here. I was even told that a video clip circulated among these communities strengthened the opinion of these communities against us. How does the BJP emerging as Senas No. 1 competitor in Mumbai affect you? People will realise that this will not be a permanent picture. The day they (BJP) spoke about Hindutva, they called Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the oath-taking ceremony. The way they (BJP) dealt with the issue of Article 370, Uniform Civil Code, Ram Temple showed their true colours. The BJP joined hands with the Peoples Democratic Party in Jammu and Kashmir. Questions have been asked as to why the Sena is in power with the BJP? It is in the interest of the state! You tell me what will happen if we pull the support of the government? The BJP will come in minority and will not continue to remain in power. It was a minority government and we supported the BJP to have a stable government in the state. So, are you doing a favour to the BJP by continuing with them in the state government? Definitely. Yes. We are doing a favour to the BJP by not pulling out from the government. After breaking the alliance of 25 years, both parties seem to have benefited from it? I dont think so. We lost a lot. We allowed them to grow when they (BJP) did not have any reach in the villages. We took the BJP to every nook and corner of the state. When they did not get candidates for local body polls, they lifted our candidates. They begged us for seats to grow their party base and Balasaheb was very generous as far as Hindutva agenda was concerned. Is the Shiv Sena trying to dent the BJP outside Maharashtra? You contested elections in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and your closeness to Hardik Patel suggests so? We plan to expand our base in other states. We contested in Goa. We are contesting in Uttar Pradesh. In fact, Uddhavji has received requests from other states to support the candidates who want to contest in Senas name. We had one MLA in UP who got elected on our ticket. But we wanted that there should not be division of votes and confined our party to Maharashtra. We remained in the state and got more vote share here while the BJP got more share at the Centre. Will Hardik Patel be Shiv Senas face in Gujarat? Also, will it work? The Shiv Sena has got its own face. Mr Patel is standing for some issues and the Sena supports him for that. Do you think the BJP is trying to marginalise its allies everywhere? You see BJPs history. They make alliance with regional parties and then marginalise them after their work is done. The same thing happened in Goa where they joined hands with the Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party. The BJP dumped the party later. They obliterate regional parties with a strategy and take hold of the state. The British would do that. How do you see the future alliance between the Sena and BJP? The BJPs slogan is, Sabka sath, sabka vikas. But this is not followed when it comes to alliance partners. They do not consider us in the decision-making process. What will happen in the BMC? Uddhavji has already cleared his stand on the issue. He is a different kind of leader and will not turn away from his statements. He has also said that Maharashtra will have Senas chief minister. How do political parties die? It is interesting to look at this as we observe the long and slow death of the Congress. Indias oldest party was formed 132 years ago and has been out of power for only three years. But it is clear that as a national force it is comatose if not dead. Its brand is severely damaged and carries very little that is positive. And it has no real political message for its small base of voters. When it vanishes as a national force (meaning when it can no longer get sufficient votes to hold onto its symbol, the hand) it will not have been the first large Indian party to die. The All-India Muslim League died because it ran out of a reason to exist. The party was set up in the early 20th century to secure the political rights of Muslims and to engage with the colonial power. It tried and failed to negotiate an arrangement to share power with the Congress (which was seen by many Muslims as a Hindu party, just as the BJP is seen today). The Partition of India came because of the failure to reach an agreement and in India the Muslim League more or less vanished. It went because the partys brand was associated with Partition. For many years a single MP represented the party under the Indian Union Muslim League name. Though he was repeatedly elected from Kerala, this man, G.M. Banatwala, was a Gujarati. In Pakistan, the Muslim League held power for a decade after Partition under various Prime Ministers. The partys primary platform, the two-nation theory, did not remain relevant in a mostly Muslim nation. Its two biggest leaders died soon after the creation of the country. Governor Gen. Jinnah died of tuberculosis on September 11, 1948 and Prime Minister Liaquat was murdered at a public event on October 16, 1951. When Gen. Ayub Khan seized power a few years later, the party Jinnah had led split and formed the Convention Muslim League. This was the first of many versions of the party in Pakistan. This tradition of the party breaking and reforming itself in support of a military ruler continued over the decades. Gen. Zia-ul-Haqs Prime Minister Junejo formed the Muslim League (J) and Gen. Pervez Musharraf was supported by the Muslim League (Q). The party in power today, the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) was also formed in the period of Zia. In India, the Congress remained more or less unified at the national level. The one big split in it happened after Lal Bahadur Shastri died and Indira Gandhi took power. The old men who were Nehrus colleagues formed their own Congress but Indira was strong and captured the organisation because of her charisma and popularity. The Janata Party, which defeated Indira Gandhi, was a patchwork coalition of regional parties. The Janata Party was socialist and anti-Congress in its ideology. It was formed during the Emergency and lost relevance soon after. Its constituents tried to keep the anti-Congressism alive through the Janata Dal but that was an insufficient glue and it fractured into south and north versions of the party. Lal Krishna Advani changed Indian politics with the Ram Janmabhoomi movement. The anti-Congress impulse of the Janata Partys fragments became an anti-Hindutva impulse. This was because they feared the BJP and what it stood for and by now, under Rajiv Gandhi, the Congress stopped standing for anything much. It did not have any real ideology and this continued under P.V. Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh. The Congress has lost power in Delhi because it has been squeezed out of states. Its decade in power from 2004-2014 hid some facts. In large parts of north India it is in permanent Opposition. It has not won an election in Gujarat for three decades. In many other large states, where the BJP is either ruling or in Opposition, the Congress is fourth or fifth, meaning it is irrelevant. In the south, it is losing ground to the BJP faster than it thinks and Hindutva continues its patient and relentless march in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Competent Congress leaders in the regions long ago saw the death coming. Some of them successfully captured the party organisation, like Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Others like Sharad Pawar in Maharashtra were less successful. But even he has no reason to merge his party back into the Congress because the brand is tainted. As was observed earlier, it does not stand for anything. Reports say that the recent hammering the Congress got in Maharashtras local elections came after candidates got no financial support from the party. This is a dangerous sign but it is unlikely to be heeded. The party will bumble along because being family owned there is no accountability. It is possible that the Congress may be revived under another leader. But Rahul Gandhi is not an old man. He has a few more decades of activity ahead of him. This will work to the disadvantage of his party as it fades nationally into irrelevance. Beneath the facade of shiny new phones and dusty debates over network technical implementations, Europe's largest annual technology fair will see top phone companies parading far-reaching business makeovers. (Photo: Pixabay) Seeking to escape a cycle of falling prices and tight regulation, big telecom operators from Vimpelcom to Telefonica are set to reinvent themselves as internet players to escape the industry's straight-jacket of low growth. Next week's Mobile World Congress in Barcelona will feature phone companies in various stages of acceptance that the industry's predictable, decades-old business model based on selling data packages by the millions is running out of steam. Beneath the facade of shiny new phones and dusty debates over network technical implementations, Europe's largest annual technology fair will see top phone companies parading far-reaching business makeovers. Spain's Telefonica is set to introduce a broad plan it calls the "4th Platform" to help both consumer and business customers keep greater control over their data rather than giving it away to web giants Google, Facebook and Amazon. Russian and emerging markets operator Vimpelcom is tearing up many parts of the telecom rule book to remake itself as a tech player in the fast-growing world of messaging apps. US telecom giant AT&T has inked a series of huge deals to diversify by acquiring Direct TV for $67 billion and is awaiting approval to buy Time Warner for another $110 billion. "Regulatory and pricing pressure on telecom operators forces them to look to adjacent areas for new sources of revenue and margins," said attorney Tom Levine, head of Allen & Overy's global telecoms practice. "There isn't a consensus on how to do this." It's also an open question whether the industry is structurally capable of big change. Telcos have dreamed for decades of breaking free of the shackles of consumer regulation and branching out into Internet services in their local markets, only to be consistently beaten by newer, global upstarts. RUSSIAN LABORATORY These dramatic changes come as telcos brace to offer new networks ready to handle not just spiralling data use on phones but in cars, in factories and offices and even crop fields. The new generation of 5G networks will provide them new business options but also spells mounting competition from computer, internet and industrial players with digital plans of their own. Russia has emerged as the world's most advanced laboratory for telecom companies seeking to reinvent themselves as Internet players, as classic telecom business pressures, Western economic sanctions and government rules that reduce Silicon Valley giants to small local players create space to combine forces. Vimpelcom, Russia's No.3 operator, has undertaken a top-to-bottom overhaul of its business while gearing up for deeper Internet partnerships with the likes of streaming music and online taxi services. The company also focuses on emerging markets from Bangladesh to Algeria and is the world's sixth largest operator in terms of number of mobile customers served. Megafon, the No.2 network provider, has acquired control of sister company Mail.ru, a major Russian Internet player - the Russian equivalent of Verizon buying Facebook - and plans to offer a new mobile version of social media site VKontakte. Top Russian telecoms player MTS is so far sitting on the sidelines, but its executives have signaled they too believe their long-run future lies in Internet services. Meanwhile, Telefonica sees its "4th Platform" strategy as a way to stoke faster growth and compete aggressively with globally dominant internet players while being a logical evolution of existing businesses, a senior company source said. The strategy builds on its long-standing investments in communications services, its broad geographic reach across Europe and Latin America and efforts to offer advanced money-making services on top of basic communication connections, but does not require making huge new investments, the source said. "Now is the turn of the fourth platform: the data. That is Telefonica's (new) equity story," the source said of its bid to boost margins by, for example, enabling customers to analyze mountains of data to make their own businesses run smarter. Other phone companies are taking more modest steps. Norway's Telenor, another emerging markets operator, has pushed into data analytics, while Vodafone is making inroads in new industrial internet and connected car applications, through its 2014 acquisition of Cobra Automotive. DO THEY HAVE THE DNA? Still, many telecom operators take a dim view of some of the aggressive moves being made by these peers, especially when it comes to business models based on commercializing customer data. Deutsche Telekom, Europe's largest telecom operator by revenue, sees this as no-go territory in privacy-conscious Germany. Instead, it is focused on making strides into new connected industrial arenas and cloud computing. Telekom's main growth story is likely to remain the United States where it revolutionized the mobile industry by offering unlimited data plans and international roaming packages. Using aggressive marketing, T-Mobile has gained at the expense of rivals, making it nearly as big Telekom's core German business. France's Vivendi, which embarked on a grand misadventure last decade to combine telecom and media assets, offers a cautionary tale for investors betting on these new reinvention stories. For telecom operators used to predictable cash flows and firm regulatory boundaries, the main issue may be cultural: Most just don't have the stomach for such drastic transformation. "Working out how to bring in that entrepreneurial DNA, without disappointing users' expectations of reliability, and recognizing the financial expectations of institutional shareholders, is not easy," Levine said of healthy dividend payouts which remain the industry's main draw to investors. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. The delegation, led by Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Truong, attended a ministerial meeting on the Past and Future of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (ITC) on the occasion of the ITCs 70th anniversary. Deputy Minister Nguyen Hong Truong (front, right) at the meeting of the UNECE Inland Transport Committee (Photo: VNA) The event reviewed the ITCs achievements, especially in its role as a gateway to promote connectivity and to link regulators and innovators. It also highlighted the committees contributions to UN transport conventions such as the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of which Vietnam is a member. The event reviewed the ITCs achievements, especially in its role as a gateway to promote connectivity and to link regulators and innovators. It also highlighted the committees contributions to UN transport conventions such as the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic and the Vienna Convention on Road Signs and Signals, of which Vietnam is a member. Vietnam is considering joining the UN Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road. Participants said the ITC needs to continue the above-mentioned roles while working harder to meet global transport demand, address challenges in maintaining sustainable and environmentally friendly transport, and deal with climate change-related issues. It also should enhance road safety, encourage inland transport initiatives, and apply high technologies in managing and operating inland transport. At the end of the meeting, Deputy Minister Truong and heads of other delegations signed a ministerial resolution on Embracing the new era for sustainable inland transport and mobility. During their stay in Geneva, the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with leaders of the Worlds Road Transport Organisation (IRU), discussing cooperation between the MoT and the IRU. In an interview with the IRU, Truong underlined the importance of international cooperation in road safety promotion, elaborating that international cooperation helps countries harmonise legal systems and road safety standards and criteria, and support countries with underdeveloped legal systems to access the international system. He added Vietnam is stepping up the application of science-technology in ensuring traffic safety such as in managing road safety, infrastructure, vehicles and drivers, and responding to accidents. It is installing intelligent transportation systems on expressways and highways. Traffic light control systems and traffic monitoring cameras have also been installed in big cities, Truong said./. Houston: The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that good things happen in America. Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government... What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Married about four years ago, Kuchibhotla and his wife were planning to have a baby this year. Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that good things happen in America. Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul RD Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment, Ray said. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting by a US Navy veteran Adam Purinton on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family, she said in a tweet on Friday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted get out of my country, terrorist before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued on Friday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the companys aviation systems. Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital, Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a masters degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelors degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. Milwaukee/New Delhi: A Kansas man was charged on Thursday with shooting to death an Indian man and wounding another Indian man and an American in a bar, and federal authorities are investigating the incident as a possible hate crime. The killing led news bulletins in India and drew strong reactions on social media, where people voiced concern that US President Donald Trump's "America First" position on immigration and jobs has fuelled a climate of intolerance. Adam Purinton, 51, was charged in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first degree murder, Johnson County District Attorney Stephen Howe told a news conference. Purinton is accused of shooting and killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in the Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, according to a statement from the Olathe Police Department. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the man shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian men. He is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot when he tried to intervene, the Kansas City Star reported. Howe would not elaborate on the details of the incident or the motive for the shooting. "We want to be able to be sure about our facts versus speculation. So we are not prepared at this point to talk about the particular facts of the case because this is still very fresh," he said. Donald Trump's election was welcomed at first by many in India, who interpreted his calls to restrict immigration by Muslims as signaling support towards Hindu-majority India, which has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbour. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Mr Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa programme, worrying both India's $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. "Don't be shocked! Be angry! Mr Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla," Siddharth, a well known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. Incredible Shock Kavipriya Muthuramalingam, a friend and former colleague of the shooting victim, has raised more than US $250,000 via a crowd-funding website to help his family with funeral and other expenses. "This came as an incredible shock as he is one of the most gentle, nicest human beings you would meet," Ms Muthuramalingam said. "He was non-confrontational, non-controversial, easy-going, always smiling," she added. Kuchibhotla's Facebook page, where he called himself "Srinu", said he joined US technology company Garmin in 2014 from Rockwell Collins. He took a master's in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso from 2005-07, according to LinkedIn. He was married but had no children. Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj, who has made a priority of supporting India's diaspora in times of trouble, tweeted that she was "shocked" at the shooting and expressed her condolences to the bereaved family. Two officials from the Indian consulate in Houston were going to Kansas to meet the injured men and police to "ascertain more details of the incident and monitor follow up action," Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Vikas Swarup said in a statement. The US embassy in New Delhi condemned the shooting. "The US is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study, and live," Charge d'Affaires MaryKay Carlson said in a statement. "US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, though we recognize that justice is small consolation to families in grief." The FBI was investigating whether the incident was a hate crime. "We are looking at whether the crime was committed via bias motivation. We are really at the preliminary stage at looking at every aspect," said Eric Jackson, special agent in charge of the FBI's Kansas City Field Office, during the news conference. The US attorney office in Kansas and the US Department of Justice will also evaluate the case as more evidence is gathered, Tom Beall, acting US attorney for the District of Kansas said, the Kansas City Star reported. The suspect fled from the bar on foot and was apprehended five hours later at an Applebee's in Clinton, Missouri, where he reportedly told an employee that he needed a place to hide out because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, who was not armed, was arrested without incident, the newspaper reported. The Navy veteran was being held on a $2 million bond in the Henry County Jail, where he waived his right to fight extradition to Johnson County. Olathe: GPS device-maker Garmin long has revered diversity in its workforce, even when the locale of its ever-sprawling operational headquarters, a largely white Kansas City suburb, didn't reflect it. It's the place 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla came to work a few years ago. By his wife's account Friday he willingly spent long hours on an aviation systems engineering team alongside Alok Madasani, a friend and colleague also 32 and from India. Kuchibhotla's trek led him to have a kinship with his boss, Lebanese native Didier Popadopoulos, who says he moved to America at Kuchibhotla's age and once held the same Garmin job. But Garmin, a billion-dollar tech giant launched in Kansas as a startup by two men nearly three decades ago, now is reeling, trying to digest Kuchibhotla's shooting death Wednesday at a tavern just a mile down the road from work. Madasani was wounded, along with a stranger who tried to help. Witnesses say the gunman, Adam Purinton, yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" and opened fire. Purinton, who was arrested hours later at a bar in Missouri, remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. The shooting happened at a time when many have concerns about the treatment of immigrants in the U.S., who feel targeted by the current administration. President Donald Trump has promised to ban certain travellers and been especially vocal about the threat posed by Islamic terrorist groups. On Friday, Garmin tried to comfort grieving employees at a closed-door vigil inside the auditorium on its campus in Olathe, Kansas. Kuchibhotla's widow, Sunayana Dumala, addressed the group of about 200 workers that included Madasani, who was released from the hospital Thursday. Laurie Minard, Garmin's vice president of human resources, doesn't believe the shooting will jeopardize its recruitment of workers from overseas. "We tend to be a family here," she said at the Garmin campus, which is waging a $200 million expansion, with plans announced last August for a new manufacturing and distribution center. "We want people to feel safe. We embrace it. We encourage it. We support it. It's extremely important to us about acceptance." At any given time, she said, more than 100 Garmin employees are in the H-1B program, which lets American companies bring foreigners with technical skills to the U.S. for three to six years. In an eight-year period until fiscal year 2016, Garmin on average obtained 49 certifications for foreign labour, a prerequisite for hiring with an H-1B visa for an average of 70 positions, according to the U.S. Department of Labour. During that time, 81 percent of the certified positions were in Olathe, the Labour Department says. Olathe, whose name means "beautiful" in the Shawnee language, is a well-to-do Kansas City suburb where the median household income is above $77,000 a year. Worldwide, Switzerland-based Garmin Ltd., the Kansas operation's corporate parent has more than 11,400 workers in 60 offices and last year logged $3.02 billion in revenue. Roughly 2,800 workers are at the Kansas headquarters, which Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Pam Whiting cast as regionally "one of our entrepreneurial success stories" and biggest employers. Recruiting from overseas isn't at all unusual in the tech industry, which contends there aren't enough Americans with specialized skills the companies need. Indian immigrants in the U.S. has spiked from about 200,000 in the 1980s to more than 2 million today, as Indian-born scientists and engineers fuelled the American tech boom. India received more H-1B visas in the U.S. for its temporary high-skilled workers, about 70 percent, than any other country in 2014. Stunned by Kuchibhotla's death, Popadopoulos, the Lebanese native who was the man's boss, said he plans to stay the course. "When this happened, one of the things I started to think about with my wife (was) 'Is it time to leave?'" he said. Then he thought: "Leave where? I'm from here. I really think Srinivas would want us to stick together and stand up for what's right." U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran said he left a message with Olathe's mayor, offering to help assure people from India who live in Kansas that the actions leading to Kuchibhotla's death are "not the norm." "This is not the nature of Kansas, and we welcome people to the United States, particularly a company like Garmin and many others," the Kansas Republican said. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Photo: AP) Kansas: The shooting death of an Indian engineer and the wounding of another man in a possible hate crime at a Kansas bar has raised fears among members of the area's fast-growing Indian-American community. The suspected gunman, US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, 51, has been charged with the premeditated murder in Olathe, just outside Kansas City, of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and the attempted murder of Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene. Before opening fire, Purinton is accused of shouting "get out of my country," a bystander told the Kansas City Star. Several members of the Kansas City area's Indian-American community said the attack had forced them to think about their safety. "The main reaction is shock, because this is home," said Samarpita Bajpai, 45, who lives in suburban Overland Park and runs a non-profit Indian dance company. Going forward, Bajpai said that for the first time in her nearly 20 years living in the Kansas City area she will try to refrain from being out late at night. She said the local area had always been very welcoming. Through her Gurukul Dance Company, Bajpai tours U.S. cities with a troupe of 10 dancers, all of whom except her are white people with an affinity for Indian culture, she said. The shooting comes as some members of U.S. minority groups have expressed unease with the political and social climate in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center said in a report this month hate groups proliferated in 2016 as Donald Trump's bid for the U.S. presidency energized the radical right. A number of Jewish leaders called on Trump to speak out against anti-Semitism following a spate of bomb threats to Jewish community centres. Trump this week called the threats horrible and he has said he rejects violence and harassment. The greater Kansas City area, which straddles the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas, is home to about 2 million people with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Indian-Americans, although exact figures are not available, said Vijay Ainapurapu, 45, the former president of the India Association of Kansas City. Ainapurapu, who works in software at Sprint Corp (S.N), said by telephone that the local Indian-American community has grown about tenfold since he arrived in the Kansas City area in 2001. Due to the shooting, he added, safety precautions are a major talking point for his group. Ainapurapu, who came to the United States in 1998 and previously lived in Texas and California, said Kansas City had been "as welcoming as any other place in America." Akshay Anand, 34, the owner of the Karats jewellery store in Overland Park who is involved with the India Association of Kansas City, said he will avoid areas where he might feel at risk, including what he called neighbourhoods with low education levels. "Everybody's going to be extremely cautious," said Anand, who lives a short drive from where the shooting occurred. "I think it's going to take time for this to settle in." Kansas City resident Ajay Sood, 50, who teaches courses in Indian culture and ran as a write-in candidate for U.S. president last year, said he often finds native-born Americans are ignorant of his background. Mistaking the ethnicity of Indian Americans was a hot topic after the Kansas City Star reported that the suspect said after fleeing that he had shot two Middle Eastern men. "Most of the Americans who have never travelled outside the U.S., they cannot identify who's a Pakistani, who's an Indian, who's an Afghani and who's a Sikh," Sood said by phone. Adam Purinton is charged with the premeditated murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla as well as the attempted murders of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani and American Ian Grillot. (Photo: AP) Washington: A white US Navy veteran accused of killing a man from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire at a Kansas bar, often complained about his ill health and was mourning his father's death, according to a neighbour and local media reports. Adam Purinton, 51, is charged with the premeditated murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, as well as the attempted murders of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, 32, and American Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City. Before opening fire, Purinton is accused of shouting "get out of my country," a bystander told the Kansas City Star. The attack, which is being investigated by federal agents as a possible hate crime, came as a surprise to residents living near Purinton's longtime home at the end of a quiet Olathe cul de sac, about a mile from the murder scene. "They're shocked," said Raymond Horspool, who lives a few houses away from Purinton, of his neighbourhood's residents. Other neighbours told him the attack "seemed out of character." Purinton had lived in Olathe since 1998, records show. He was known by neighbours as a low-key fixture in the community, and as a regular of Austins who was generally friendly, said Horspool. "He seemed nice," another neighbour, Richard Morris, told Fox4KC. "It's shocking to hear about what he's accused of." Purinton once worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, said an agency spokesman, who declined to say how long Purinton was with the FAA or what position he held. Since leaving the FAA in 2000, Purinton held a number of jobs, including working at a local liquor store and at an information technology business, according to local media. Citing numerous interviews with neighbours past and present, the Kansas City Star reported that Purinton was often seen with a beer in his hand. Horspool said he had not seen Purinton drinking. Relatives of Purinton did not respond to requests for comments on Friday. Neighbours interviewed by the Star and other nearby residents listed in public records were not immediately reachable by phone. Police have declined to give any personal details about Purinton so far, citing the ongoing investigation. While Purinton usually kept to himself, neighbours said, when he did socialise he often talked with pride about his time in the Navy. He also exhibited an especially close relationship with his father. But over the past year, Purinton had increasingly complained about his health and frequently visited the VA for medical testing, the Star reported. "I just had a feeling he didn't understand what was happening to him," neighbour Carol Shimeall told the Star. "His words were, 'They just take my blood and they throw it away. I'm worthless.'" After his father died about a year ago, Purinton also talked frequently about how he was grieving for him, the Star said. But while he often appeared to be distressed, neighbour Michael Shimeall told the newspaper, he did not seem hostile. "I never saw his temper or anything like that," Shimeall said, adding that he was finding it hard to take in that Purinton was accused of murdering a man. "It's very sad what happens to some people and that he would go off that way." Washington: President Donald Trump said he would make a massive budget request for one of the "greatest military buildups in American history" on Friday in a feisty, campaign-style speech extolling robust nationalism to eager conservative activists. Trump used remarks to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), an organization that gave him one of his first platforms in his improbable journey to the U.S. presidency, to defend his unabashed "America first" policies. Ahead of a nationally televised speech to Congress on Tuesday, Trump outlined plans for strengthening the U.S. military, already the world's most powerful fighting force, and other initiatives such as tax reform and regulatory rollback. He offered few specifics on any initiatives, including the budget request that is likely to face a harsh reality on Capitol Hill: At a time when he wants to slash taxes for Americans, funding a major military buildup without spending cuts elsewhere would add substantially to the U.S. budget deficit. Trump said he would aim to upgrade the military in both offensive and defensive capabilities, with a massive spending request to Congress that would make the country's defence "bigger and better and stronger than ever before." "And, hopefully, well never have to use it, but nobody is going to mess with us. Nobody. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history," Trump said. Appealing to people on welfare to go to work and pledging to follow through on his vow to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexican border, Trump drew rounds of applause from the large gathering of conservatives, many of them wearing hats emblazoned with the president's campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." U.S. President Donald Trump addresses the American Conservative Union's annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland. U.S., February 24, 2017. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque His speech was heavy on the nationalist overtones from his campaign last year, focusing on promises to boost U.S. economic growth by retooling international trade deals, cracking down on immigration and boosting energy production. ROCKY FIRST MONTH Trump is looking to put behind him a rocky first month in office. An executive order he signed aimed at banning U.S. entry by people from seven Muslim-majority countries became embroiled in the courts and he had to fire his national security adviser, Michael Flynn, for Russian contacts before Trump took office. With the federal budget still running a large deficit, Trump will have to fight to get higher military spending through Congress. In his speech, he complained about spending caps put in place on the defense budget dating back to 2011. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Trump's proposed budget for this year "will be very clear" on how to fund the military spending increase. Trump also heaped criticism on what he called purveyors of "fake news," seeking to clarify a recent tweet in which he said some in the U.S. news media should be considered an "enemy of the people." He said his main beef was the media's use of anonymous sources. "They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be out there," Trump said. His comments came on the same day CNN reported that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to deny a Feb. 14 report in the New York Times that said Trump's presidential campaign advisers had been in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officers. The request came after McCabe told him privately the report was wrong. A senior administration official said on Friday that FBI Director James Comey told Priebus later that the story was not accurate. Priebus asked if the Federal Bureau of Investigation could set the record straight, but Comey said the bureau could not comment, the official said. Trump has repeatedly chosen to make news media criticism a focus of his public remarks since taking office on Jan. 20. The speech allowed Trump to put his stamp firmly on the conservative political movement, even as some activists fretted that his immigration and trade policies go too far. With Trump in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, CPAC and the thousands of conservative activists who flock to the event each year from across the country are seeing their political influence rising. United Nations: UN chief Antonio Guterres strongly denounces xenophobia and Islamophobia, his spokesperson said in the wake of the alleged racially motivated shooting of an Indian engineer in the US. "The Secretary-General, if you have listened to what he said in the last a few months, has spoken out forcefully against xenophobia, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism. We are seeing, throughout the world, an increase in these crimes, and I think he has denounced them clearly," Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said during the daily press briefing here on Friday. Dujarric was responding to a question whether Guterres had any comment on rising hate crimes in the US against people from South Asia including the incident in Kansas City in which the 51-year-old US navy veteran shot two Indian engineers, killing one and injuring the other. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after the man yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them in an apparent racially-motivated hate crime. Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the man went on a shooting spree after hurling racial slurs following an altercation on Wednesday night. The American, Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing. The incident sent shock waves across the Indian community and prompted civil rights groups to urge people from the sub-continent, particularly Sikhs, to be cautious and extra vigilant. In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala. (Photo: AP) Washington: US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries at a hospital after he was shot by the navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old veteran opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. "We can't let hatred win," said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. "Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families," the Democratic Senator said in a tweet. "My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. I'm heartbroken by this tragedy," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Jayapal said since Donald Trump's election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administration's controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. "This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim-Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration," Jayapal added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. "Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime," Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. "Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America." The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. (Photo: Representational Image) Kabul: An Afghan official says that 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander have been killed by Islamic State militants in northern Zawzjan province. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed on Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was in Baghdad for talks, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom in years (Photo: AFP) Baghdad: Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir was in Baghdad for talks on Saturday, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom in years, Iraqi officials said. He met his Iraqi counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, a foreign ministry official told AFP on condition of anonymity. Another government official said it was the first visit to Baghdad by a Saudi foreign minister since 2003, marking a key step in efforts to mend frosty bilateral relations. "This visit is to re-establish relations in a more stable way than previously," a senior government official said. "It's the first visit of its kind." Iraq Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, who has been at the helm since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties. Thamer al-Sabhan, whose credentials were received in January 2016, became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter century, after relations were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's invasion of Kuwait. But he left the same year after Baghdad demanded he be removed following remarks he made to the press about an alleged plot to assassinate him and criticism he voiced of the Hashed al-Shaabi. Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces, which have played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State group, are a paramilitary umbrella dominated by Shiite militia and seen by Riyadh as a proxy for arch-rival Iran. Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and UK Secretary of State for International Trade Liam Fox (Source: VNA) Meeting the UK official in Hanoi on February 23rd, the PM pledged that Vietnam will create optimal conditions for UK businesses and investors during their operation in Vietnam, proposing the two countries beef up their cooperation for a goal of doubling the current two-way trade of over USD5.6 billion by 2020. He urged the UK to help speed up the official enactment of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement, suggesting both studying a new trade pact suitable to post-Brexit situation. He said Vietnamese enterprises want to strengthen partnerships with their UK peers, who have strong capacity, experiences and technologies. He hoped that the UK will continue supporting Vietnam to train high-quality human resources and teach English, and facilitate Vietnamese students study there. He lauded the effective operation of the British Council in Vietnam, wishing it more success in the future. He said he expected the UK Government will make it easier for more than 70,000 Vietnamese who are living and studying in the country. He also expressed his pleasure to see the increasing number of UK tourists to Vietnam. For his part, Fox highlighted the cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in multiple fields, including corruption prevention and fighting, administrative reform. He reiterated that the UK, after Brexit, still looks to strengthen economic cooperation with other nations by enhancing its investment overseas and ensuring free trade. He underlined cooperation potential for the two nations, particularly in commercial airplane purchase, education and training, and national defence and security. The two nations should foster their strategic partnership in other fields, he added. The UK pledged to support Vietnams socio-economic development, he said, adding that this contributes to the UKs prosperity. He expressed his hope that the two Governments will work closely together, in which the Vietnam UK Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation is the tool to promote bilateral investment and trade exchanges./. 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song is a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo: AP) Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia said on Saturday it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesn't voluntarily cooperate with the police. "Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state. On Wednesday, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, "compelling" them to appear before the investigation team. "And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two others are still in Malaysia. Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport by VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday. Two women, one Indonesian and one Vietnamese have also been detained. Police had said on Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb on Wednesday in connection with the killing. Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added. Berlin: Germanys foreign intelligence service BND long spied on journalists of the BBC, The New York Times, Reuters and other media, news weekly Der Spiegel reported on Friday. Media rights group Reporters Without Borders labelled the alleged surveillance a monstrous attack on press freedom, voiced fears the eavesdropping was continuing and said it was planning legal action, according to Der Spiegel. The magazine, which has worked extensively with US fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and has reported on US and German espionage scandals, cited only documents it had seen. It reported that the BND had listed at least 50 telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of journalists or newsrooms on its list of selector keywords for surveillance since 1999. A Spiegel journalist told AFP that the list was thought to have covered only part of the BNDs international media targets at the time, and that it was unknown whether surveillance had ceased or was ongoing. On the list seen by Der Spiegel were several dozen numbers of the British Broadcasting Corporation at its London headquarters and in Afghanistan, as well as of the BBC World Service, it said. A number used by The New York Times in Afghanistan was also on the list, as were mobile and satellite phone numbers of news agency Reuters in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. The BND declined to comment, Der Spiegel said in an excerpt of an article to be published in full in its weekly edition which hits news stands Saturday. A BBC spokeswoman said, We are disappointed to hear these claims." She also said, The BBCs mission is to bring accurate news and information to people around the world and our journalists should be able to operate freely and safely, with full protection for their sources,"further adding We call upon all governments to respect the operation of a free press. Reuters and The New York Times did not immediately reply to requests for comment from AFP. Germany had reacted with outrage when information leaked by former NSA contractor Snowden revealed in 2013 that US agents were carrying out widespread tapping worldwide, including of Chancellor Angela Merkels mobile phone. Merkel, who grew up in communist East Germany where state spying on citizens was rampant, declared repeatedly that spying among friends is not on while acknowledging Germanys reliance on the US in security matters. But to the great embarrassment of Germany, it later emerged that the BND helped the NSA spy on European targets. Berlin last June approved new measures, including greater oversight, to rein in the BND following the scandal. Ankara: A new film about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is due to hit cinema screens weeks before an April referendum on whether to boost the president's powers. "Reis" ("The Chief") stars well-known Turkish actor Reha Beyoglu as the Turkish strongman and shows his life up to 1999, beginning with the president's childhood in a poor district of Istanbul to his rise to become the city's mayor. Turkish actress Ozlem Balci plays his wife Emine while child actor Batuhan Isik Gurel plays Erdogan as a boy. The movie, the first ever feature film about Erdogan, will be released on March 3 across Turkey before the Turkish public vote on whether to approve an executive presidency on April 16. Beyoglu, who bears an uncanny resemblance to the younger Erdogan, delivers passionate one-liners in the trailer, including "a person dies only once, if we die, let us die like a man!" The actor told Kanal D broadcaster this week he was "proud" when Erdogan said he could see his younger self in Beyoglu. For Hudaverdi Yavuz, the film's director, he wanted to tell Erdogan's life because it was "really interesting" and the film's title came from the name Erdogan has long been known by. "When he got elected mayor of Istanbul, automatically people used the word 'Reis' (chief)... His childhood friends, his acquaintances, they call him that," he told AFP. Questions have been raised over the film's timing so close to the referendum it had been due to come out in March last year but Yavuz said he had no control over the distribution date. Not propaganda Erdogan, the most powerful Turkish politician since founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, became president in 2014, but the role has usually been more ceremonial. Under the new constitution, the president would have strengthened executive powers to directly appoint top public officials including ministers. The director hit back at claims of election propaganda ahead of the referendum: "This film is absolutely ours. This is not propaganda," adding there was no outside intervention. "For some, my film can have a political meaning, for others it can be a burden, that is not my problem." Yavuz, who has previously worked for state broadcaster TRT channel, said the film producers did not seek Erdogan's authorisation nor did they have to. The film ends before the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Erdogan co-founded won power for the first time in 2002 because the director said he wanted to finish "on a beautiful note". One key moment in the picture appears to be Erdogan's period of imprisonment after he recited a poem deemed to be Islamist while mayor of Istanbul, a term still remembered by his supporters as a symbol of the unfair treatment of pious Muslims at that time. Erdogan served four months in jail from March 1999 over the poem that was regarded as incitement to religious hatred. The trailer shows him cheered by supporters as he prepares to enter jail. The movie was filmed in Istanbul and Cyprus over six weeks, Yavuz said. Turkish audiences in Europe including Germany, France and Britain will also have the chance to see the film, local media said. Brave hero In a teaser shared online, a young boy, not Erdogan watches his grandfather physically beaten for reciting the Islamic call to prayer in Arabic. It was only allowed in Turkish until 1950 after it was banned in Arabic in 1932. Demonstrating Islam's strength against the secular military, the young boy begins to recite the prayer in Arabic after he sees the violence. Another clip highlighting the military's treatment of the pious includes one scene from September 1961 when a man, the child who recited the prayer is taken away by soldiers as he is praying. It begins with a young Erdogan, who would have been seven, watching as soldiers come to the house of a man who defied the authorities to oppose the execution of then premier Adnan Menderes. Menderes, who lifted the ban on the Arabic-language call to prayer, was executed in the wake of the 1960 military coup. The last scene shows Erdogan looking with defiance as the narrator says a "brave hero" will grow up honourable against such oppression. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab police got a tip-off about the presence of LeJ terrorist Yasin in Muzaffargarh's Patti Sultan, some 350 kms from Lahore. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Lahore: Six suspected terrorists of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) terror group were shot dead in Pakistan's Punjab province, police said on Saturday. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab police got a tip-off about the presence of LeJ terrorist Yasin in Muzaffargarh's Patti Sultan, some 350 kms from Lahore. Yasin along with his accomplices was planning to target offices of the law enforcement agencies in south Punjab, a senior officer said. A CTD team along with police raided the hideout of the terrorists yesterday and challenged them to surrender. The terrorists opened fire on the raiding team which returned the fire, killing six terrorists including Yasin, he said, adding that hand grenades and other weapons were recovered from the site. Last week, the CTD had shot dead 11 terrorists of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in south Punjab. The CTD said the terrorists were planning to target shrines and law enforcement personnel. More than 100 people have been killed in a series of bombing in Lahore and other parts of the country carried out by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar during the last two weeks. China plans to lift 10 million people above poverty line this year, with Guizhou one of the frontline provinces. (Photo: Representational Image/AP) Beijing: Over 7.50 lakh people in China's southwest Guizhou province would be relocated this year at a cost of USD 6.6 billion as a poverty alleviation measure. A total of 1.81 lakh households will be moved from remote, inhospitable areas in the hope of providing them with a better life in the province which is one of the most impoverished provinces in the country, Wang Yingzheng, head of a provincial relocation bureau said. Over 3,600 villages will be moved, accounting for about 30 per cent of those to be relocated, said Wang. The cost of the operation is estimated at 45 billion yuan (USD 6.6 billion), state-run Xinhua news agency reported today. "We are moving two thirds more people than last year," he said. China plans to lift 10 million people above poverty line this year, with Guizhou one of the frontline provinces. Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, left, reaches out to shake hands with Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, right, after their remarks following their meeting in Ankara on Thursday. (Photo: AP) Islamabad: Pakistan has signed 10 agreements with Turkey to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering, hydrocarbon and defence cooperation. The agreements and MoUs were signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's visit to Turkey from February 22-24 during which he co-chaired the 5th Session of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the Foreign office said. "At the conclusion of the 5th Session of HLSCC, the two countries signed 10 Agreements/MOUs, in a number of areas of bilateral cooperation, including the Joint Declaration," it said. The agreements and MoUs were signed in the fields of hydrocarbons, environment, forestry, information, exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering and exchange of armed forces personnel. The two countries agreed to prioritise cooperation in the energy sector, increase bilateral trade and investment, enhance collaboration in the banking and finance sectors, benefit from mutual expertise in the area of education. They also agreed to promote cooperation between the higher education institutions; reinforce the ongoing collaboration in the fields of communications and railways and promote culture and tourism. The two sides further decided to expeditiously complete the work on developing a comprehensive, long-term and forward-looking framework for defence cooperation and enhance partnership between the defence industries of the two countries. They also expressed satisfaction at their existing close cooperation at regional and multilateral fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform process and issues pertaining to global non-proliferation agenda. The Joint Declaration on Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Relationship for Peace and Prosperity issued at the end of the meeting condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey; expressed firm resolve to fight the common threats faced by both countries; reaffirmed mutual support on issues of core national interest; and agreed to intensify collaboration in diverse fields. Established in 2009, the HLSCC serves as a framework for consultations at the highest political level between the two sides, and consists of six Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in the areas of energy, trade, banking and finance, education, communications and railways and culture and tourism. So far 60 agreements and MoUs have been signed under the HLSCC framework in various areas. Prime Minister Sharif held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildrim. Sharif reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of the coup-attempt in Turkey last year and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, bravery and resilience of the Turkish people in the defence of Turkish democracy and democratic institutions. Islamabad: The well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan has been made functional and the government has allowed its holy water to be exported. "The water from this well is like what Aab-i-Zamzam is to Muslims. Now, the well has been shaped and a filtration plant has been set up over it so that Sikh devotees can drink the water," Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq, was quoted as saying by The Dawn to a Senate committee on Friday. Farooq said that three ancient gurdwaras visited by the founder of Sikhism, Baba Guru Nanak, have also been reopened. "The doors of these gurdwaras - one in Peshawar and two in the Nankana Sahib district - were closed after partition, and now they have been handed over to the Sikh community after renovation," he said. He further added, "The most considerable achievement is the opening of the holy well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Its water is called Amrit Jal by the Sikhs, and the government has allowed for the water to be exported all over the world." He said Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Nankana Sahib is where Baba Guru Nanak is believed to have spent the final years of his life. The committee was informed that the government is in the process of allowing the printing of the Sikh religious text the Gurugranth Sahib. Committee chairman Senator Hafiz Hamdullah was asked why the gurdwaras and the holy well had been closed for so many years during the ETPB official's briefing. Instead of addressing the question, officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, including Minister Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, Secretary Khalid Masood and ETPB officials remained silent. To this, Hamdullah said it was not the right path to keep anyone from following their religion. "We need to be considerate and facilitate, as much as possible, the members of other religious to worship at their temples or gurdwaras or churches. Whatever the reason for their closure, we should try to maintain them and hand them over to the concerned community," he said. Colombo: UK's main opposition Labour Party will reaffirm its strongest possible support for the Sri Lankan Tamils to express their solidarity with the minority community in both the countries, a media report said on Saturday. Leading figures from the party, including leader, Jeremy Corbyn, the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, and the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry will be attending the Tamils for Labour event next week to express their solidarity with the Tamil people, both in the UK and in Sri Lanka. The meeting, due to take place in the UK Parliament on February 28th, comes at a particularly opportune time, according to Colombo Gazette newspaper. It will coincide with the opening of the 34th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where the situation in Sri Lanka, in particular, the Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's Government's unwillingness to support the full implementation of UNHRC Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka will be a focus of discussions. The event in parliament will provide an important forum to hear more about the pressure the Labour Party can bring to bear on the UK Government to ensure the Sri Lankan authorities abide by the commitments they made in Resolution 30/1, the report said. Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, said he was delighted Corbyn and so many Shadow Cabinet members and Labour MPs will be attending the event. Kandiah said Labour has always stood alongside and spoken up for the Tamil people. "With a crucial UNHRC Session about to commence, the Party has a vital role to play in helping to highlight the on-going cases of human rights abuses committed against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and in supporting our people's legitimate demands for truth, justice, accountability and self-determination on the island," he added. In 2009 the then British foreign minister David Miliband of the Labour Party and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner were accused of trying to influence the Sri Lankan government to stop the military offensive against the LTTE. They toured Sri Lanka in April 2009 a few weeks ahead of the end to the military victory. Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir and president of Opposition National Conference Farooq Abdullah on Friday triggered a controversy by saying Kashmiri boys joining militant ranks were sacrificing their lives for freedom of the nation. Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are sacrificing to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners, Abdullah said while addressing party workers here. Asking his workers not to forget the sacrifices of militants, he said, These boys have left. Everyone lives life, nobody wants to die. But they have made promise with God that You are the sole giver and taker of life. But we will sacrifice our life for the freedom of this nation. Abdullah, who was a minister in UPA-II at the Centre, also targeted India and Pakistan for not doing justice to Kashmiris. India and Pak are not able to understand this. This fight started in 1931. We are not anybodys enemy. But we are asking both the countries to do justice to us. You forgot promises made in 1948, he said.The former CM warned both the countries that a new generation of Kashmir does not fear guns. It is striving to achieve the freedom of this nation, he said. Statesmanship and sagacity demanded that New Delhi initiate political engagement with the alienated youth of the state rather than resorting to a confrontational and aggressive approach by issuing threats of harsh measures. He demanded a judicial commission to look into the reasons for youths joining militancy and people rushing to encounter sites to save trapped militants during counter-insurgency operations. Sexual violence is always disturbing. It is more so when the victim is a child, the assailant, a person in a position of trust, and when the assault is perpetrated in the supposedly safe space of the home or a school. The sexual assault of a three-and-a-half-year-old child at a play school at Bellandur in Bengaluru has sent shockwaves across the country. The alleged assailant, Manjunath, was a non-teaching staff in the school and is believed to have sexually assaulted at least six other toddlers there. School authorities cannot escape responsibility for the crimes; it appears that children were often sent to Manjunath to be disciplined or punished. Understandably, parents across the country are alarmed. In 2014, following the rape of a child by two staff members of a school in Bengaluru, Karnataka put in place measures aimed at preventing such crimes. It was made mandatory for schools to install closed circuit cameras on campus and in buses, to check the antecedents of their staff, etc. However, sexual abuse of children continues in schools. Early this month, it emerged that the principal of another school in Bengaluru was sexually assaulting students. Clearly, the prescribed measures have failed to protect our children. Back in 2014, child rights activists, educators and parents had warned that CCTVs and other devices are not a fool-proof shield against crimes. They had pointed out that most schools cannot afford such equipment and would therefore not install these devices. Besides, schools and police stations would not have the personnel to monitor CCTV footage in real time, they warned. Having issued its orders to schools, police did little to follow up. All that the cameras did was to lull parents into believing that their children were safe, when they are not. As reprehensible as the incidents in Bengaluru is a recent one in Kerala, where an actress of the Malayalam film industry was abducted and raped by a gang of men, which included her former driver. Her assailants reportedly filmed the rape with a view to blackmailing her. As shocking as the systematic manner in which the assault was planned and carried out is the lethargic response of the Kerala police. It took them an entire week to apprehend the main accused. Even that came only after the latter showed up in court to press for anticipatory bail. Cases of sexual violence are rising across the country. India has strong laws to deal with such violence but the criminal justice system has been lax. Police are reluctant to register sexual assault complaints, nab sexual predators and probe charges efficiently. Public confidence in the states commitment to protect women and children from sexual violence is fraying. 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 She asked what will the US government do to stop hate crimes against minorities. Sunayana said she was concerned about shooting incidents in the US and doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband assured her saying "good things happen in America." Consul-General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is monitoring the situation and providing possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Ever since the tragedy on Wednesday night, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible help, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked Indian community members in Olathe. He also inquired Alok Madasani, who was injured in the shooting, about his health. Madasani is stable and has been discharged from hospital. A third person, an American identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The shooting evoked outrage India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet yesterday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into a racial argument with the victims and shouted "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in the US, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested yesterday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the shooter, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area yesterday. Some eyewitnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indians. Grillot said the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. The incident has come at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems. "Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a navy veteran at a bar in Olathe city, has said she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America".Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin, where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she wondered whether "do we belong here". The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the "tragic" death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or -- that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the State Department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian Embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US Government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. The grieving wife of the Indian engineer shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a navy veteran in Kansas City has demanded an answer from the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against the minorities. Sunayana Dumala, wife of 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was killed by Adam Purinton at a city bar on Wednesday night, said reports of bias against minorities in the US make them afraid and wondered whether "do we belong here". At a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin, the company where Srinivas worked, Sunayana asked what the US government of Donald Trump would do to stop hate crimes against minorities such as the one happened to her husband. Although she did not mention Trump by name, Sunayana did say, "Not everyone will be harmful to this country." Sunayana was concerned over shooting incidents and doubted whether her family should stay in the US. But, she said, her husband assured her saying "good things happen in America." The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Trump's plans to ban travelers from some countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of puttting "America first." Trump's proposed travel ban against certain countries has been termed divisive by many and provoked criticism from several quarters, including his own Republican Party. Sunayana said Srinivas came to the US in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked for six years in Iowa before moving to Kansas City. "He did not deserve a death like this," Sunayana said. "I don't know what to say. We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening somewhere. I was always concerned, 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the US or America?' But he always assured me good things happen in America." Consul-General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, is monitoring the situation and providing possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Since the tragedy, they have been with the Srinivas family and have assured Sunayana of all possible help, Ray added. Joshi met shocked community members in Olathe and enquired Alok Madasani, another Indian injured in the shooting, about his health. Alok has now been discharged from hospital. A third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at the bar. He, too, is in fair condition, a University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed shock on Twitter after the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family." Witnesses said the shooter, Purinton, reportedly got into a racial argument with the victims and shouted "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before opening fire at them. He reportedly provoked them asking about their presence and work in the US, and how they were better than him. Then, Purinton left the bar and returned with a gun and shot the three men, according to police. He was arrested five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the shooter, although police said they were investigating the case with the FBI, which is looking at whether it was a hate crime. The incident happened when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in the US after Trump's inuguration on January 20, following his campaign heavy on anti-immigration rhetoric. According to the comany Garmin, Srinivas and Alok worked in the company's aviation systems. "We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," it said before Alok was discharged. Srinivas and and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Srinivas posted on LinkedIn in 2014 he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree from Hyderabad's Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Alok was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. In a foot-in-mouth confession about his political career, Aam Aadmi Party(AAP) member and Hindi poet Kumar Vishwas today said that the party knew that "he can't do politics". Speaking at a session titled "Main Jo Hoon Jaun Eliya" at Jashn-e-Rekhta here, Vishwas said, "Even my party knows I cannot do politics, I do poetry there as well." Expressing his desire to "read Sahir, Faiz or Eliya in the Parliament someday", the poet said that it was difficult to find a balance between poetry and politics. "It is difficult to maintain the balance. If I tweet a couplet in the morning, news in the evening will say - differences rise between Vishwas and Arvind (Kejriwal)," he said. Talking about the recently held assembly polls in Punjab and Goa, the results for which would be declared on March 11, Vishwas suggested AAP "will win in Punjab, may or may not win in Goa". "Governments keep changing. It will come in Punjab and Gujarat, may or may not in Goa," Vishwas said. The poet who shot to fame with his verse 'Koi Deewana Kehta Hai', also launched a book of collected works of Urdu poet Jaun Eliya titled "Main Jo Hoon Jaun Eliya Hoon". Reciting some of the India-born-Pakistani poet's famous lines, Vishwas lauded his style of writing saying that Eliya continues to resonate with younger generations because of his "bold and fearless" poetry. He also said that "several Eliyas are in the making" as he has noticed that "youngsters are trying to write these days". "Young people have been writing. Software engineers, students from IIMs, IITs are writing. I have been thinking for a while for a television show to give these aspiring poets an opportunity," Vishwas said. The high-decibel campaign for the fifth phase of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which had touched a new low by a free flow of scornful words like "donkey, Kasab and kabootar", came to a close this evening. A total of 51 constituencies, spread over 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls on February 27 under this phase. The political campaigning in the fifth phase of the state polls was marked by 'war of words' among rival parties. At his rally in Bahraich, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for his "donkey" remark, asking him if he was afraid of the four-footed creatures of Gujarat. "I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night...donkeys are loyal to their master," he had said on Thursday to counter the SP chief's reference to donkeys of Gujarat in a poll meeting earlier in Rae Bareli. "It works even if it is ill, hungry or tired and completes the task...Akhileshji these 125 crore countrymen are my masters...I do all the work they ask me to do as I take inspiration from donkeys and take it with full pride," he said. The Prime Minister's reaction came as the UP CM advised megastar Amitabh Bachchan "not to advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat". Akhilesh was referring to an advertisement in which Bachchan, the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, is seen inviting tourists to visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary located in Little Rann of Kutch in the state. As if the "donkey" remark was not enough, BSP supremo Mayawati hit back at BJP president Amit Shah after he used the acronym "KASAB" for Congress, SP and BSP, saying, "there cannot be a bigger Kasab than him." She also dubbed Shah a "terrorist". "Aaj apney desh mein Amit Shah sey bada yehan koi aur Kasab nahin ho sakta hai, arthat atanki nahin ho sakta hai (There cannot be a bigger Kasab, that is a terrorist, than Amit Shah)," she said after Shah coined the acronym matching the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack perpetrator. Akhilesh also hit out at the BJP chief for his 'KASAB' barb, saying "KA" actually stood for "kabutar" (pegion) and people will set BJP's pigeons free this election. Shah had said, "Until Uttar Pradesh gets rid of K-A-S-A-B, there will be no development in the state. Ka (in Hindi) is for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for BSP." The districts going to polls in this phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharth Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur. The Eelction Commission has announced fresh date of voting in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar constituency) on March 9 due to the death of Samajwadi Party candidate Chandrashekhar Kanaujia. The ruling Samajwadi Party had won 37 seats out of 52 (total seats in this phase, including Alapur) in 2012 while BJP and Congress won five seats each. BSP had won three, while the Peace party won two seats. Shravasti, Balrampur, Sultanpur and Ambedkar Nagar had emerged as strongholds of Samajwadi Party which won all the seats in the previous state polls. In all, 608 candidates are in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and the minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats of Siddharth Nagar district. Prominent contestants in this phase include controversial minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati (SP), who will be facing Amita Singh (Congress) and Garima Singh (BJP) in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi. Amita is the wife of Congress leader Sanjay Singh, while Garima is his estranged better half, making it a "rani versus rani" contest. SP ministers Vinod Kumar Singh alias Pandit Singh from Tarabganj (Gonda), Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey from Ayodhya and BSP state president Ram Achal Rajbhar from Akbarpur are some of the other popular names trying their luck in this phase. A total of 1.84 crore voters, including 96 lakh women, will exercise their franchise in the fifth phase. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed grave concern over receding water flow in river Ganga and highlighted the growing silt deposit due to Farakka barrage causing floods in the state every year. Kumar also raised concern over proposed construction of reservoir at Buxar and some others in Uttar Pradesh enroute Allahabad-Haldia National waterway. He was speaking after inaugurating an International Seminar on Ganga here. The two-day seminar organised by state's Water Resources department titled "Incessant Ganga" is attended by a host of people working for environment and water management in the country and also abroad. They include Magsaysay award winner "Waterman" Rajendra Singh, Environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhat, Punjab's environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay. Some experts from Germany, Nepal and Bangladesh are also participating in the seminar. Kumar highlighted the problems due Farakka barrage which is causing floods in Bihar every year due to heavy silt deposits. Kumar has in the past demanded decommission of Farakka barrage which he said has little utility and responsible for flood in Bihar annually. He, however, made it clear that the present seminar was not meant to push the demand for decommission of Farakka Dam. "This seminar is not meant to push demand for decommission of Farakka barrage but to discuss in length how to remove impediments in Ganga to ensure incessant flow of water," Kumar said. Kumar, who is also JD(U) National President, also raised the issue of proposed construction of barrage at Buxar and some others in UP as part of development of Inland Waterways from Allahabad to Haldia in West Bengal and reiterated that the state would not allow any such construction. In an oblique dig at rival BJP leaders who citing some "unauthenticated" papers of Inland Waterways Authority to say that there is no proposal to construct any barrage between Varanasi to Farakka, he asked "do they mean to say that barrage would be built in between Allahabad to Varanasi?" Kumar said he has read statement of Union Surface Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on proposed barrage at Buxar and on some locations in UP as part of Inland Waterway I. "These (BJP leaders) are quoting a senior official of the Waterways Authority who is spreading confusion through false assertions," he added. Kumar reminded of PM Narendra Modi famous statement during 2014 general elections in Varanasi, "Maa Ganga ne mujhe Bulaya hai" (Mother Ganga has called me). "When I recently visited Varanasi people told me that mother Ganga is searching for her son," he said. Kumar said his concern for Ganga was not political but personal and from Environmental point of view. "I have grown in an area (Bakhtiyarpur) on bank of Ganga and studied in Institute (NIT now in Patna) also near Ganga and have grown watching the mighty river and thats why I have been raising concern for it at every platform," he said. Kumar said he has been raising concerns for Ganga and drawing attention of the Centre on problems from Farakka dam to both UPA and present one of BJP-led NDA but to no avail. "During UPA rule of Manmohan Singh, the state government had facilitated an aerial survey of the then Water Resources minister Pawan Bansal from Buxar to other parts of Bihar to show him bad in condition of Ganga...but after this he (Bansal) said suggest any other option than doing away with Farakka barrier," he said narrating past experience. "After current PM talked to me over flood in Bihar last year I met him later and drew his attention that the Farakka dam is causing heavy siltation in river Ganga which is a major reason for heavy floods every year in Bihar," he said. "But, our concerns have not yielded any results so far. We hope the present seminar would pave way for a national debate on Ganga to protect the holy river," he added. "Sone river has already lost its water flow and I am afraid that Ganga do not meet the same fate," he said. Kumar laughed away arguments coming from some rival parties that silt deposits in Ganga from Bhagalpur to Farakka was due to banana cultivation on its shore. West Bengal is also affected by Farakka barrier, he said. "The West Bengal origin engineer Kapil Bhattacharya involved in construction of Farakka barrage had opposed it and after facing all sorts of abuse like being dubbed a 'Pakistan agent' he left the job," he said adding "but today his concerns are found true seeing poor condition of Ganga." He said the Union government's famed "Namami Gange" programme focuses on cleanliness leaving the question to ensure incessant flow of water in the mighty river. Kumar stressed on national silt management policy without affecting environment and delta basin. Bihar Water Resources minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan drew attention towards ills of silt deposit due to Farakka. "Waterman" Rajendra Singh opposed construction of barriers enroute Allahabad-Haldia Waterways and urged Kumar not to allow this in Bihar. The SBU Ukrainian Security Service plans to meet with Ukrainian Member of Parliament Nadia Savchenko regarding her recent visit to occupied Donetsk where she has met with Ukrainian prisoners of war and will check information from Ukrainian MP Tetiana Rychkova who claims that Savchenko has allegedly incited Ukrainian soldiers to topple the Ukrainian government. "We don't monitor parliamentarians purposefully. But, having been informed by MP Rychkova, we'll of course verify the information without waiting for an official request from Mrs. Rychkova," head of the SBU chief's staff Oleksandr Tkachuk told Interfax-Ukraine on Friday. "These charges are too serious to be ignored," he added. In that regard, Tkachuk said that SBU head Vasyl Hrytsak has already ordered military counterintelligence service to carry out the relevant work and question servicemen that deputy Rychkova had mentioned. "Consequently, we will inform the public following this check," he said. At the same time, he said, no criminal case is opened at present on the grounds of the provided information, only preliminary check is under way. If the grounds to open a criminal case are obtained, it will happen, Tkachuk said. Replying to a question, whether the SBU is aware that Savchenko had gone to Donetsk together with Volodymyr Ruban, head of the Officer Corps center for release of prisoners of war, to visit Ukrainian prisoners of war, Tkachuk said that "it's a separate situation, which will also be subjected to a check." "We will also verify this information, it's not the first thing that Ms. Savchenko does together with Ruban," he said. Tkachuk said that, as a deputy, Savchenko is under no obligation to inform about her travels, "but we all probably need to remember the way Savchenko was taken prisoner first, then got into Russia. And now her visits to the occupied territories are causing certain confusion." In this context, he said, it would be appropriate if Savchenko informs SBU officials for what purposes she visits Donbas. Zorian Shkiriak, an advisor to the Ukrainian interior minister, in turn, said on Facebook that he believes that there is every reason to open a criminal case against Savchenko under the article 109 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (actions aimed at violent change or overthrowing the constitutional system or at a takeover). Earlier, Rychkova, a deputy from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, said that Savchenko had "incited servicemen to overthrow the authorities in Ukraine" and called on the Prosecutor General's Office and the SBU to investigate her actions. Scientist Dr Kota Harinarayana, who is credited with developing India's first home-grown light combat aircraft 'Tejas', was today conferred honorary Doctor of Science degree by Ravenshaw University here. Governor and University Chancellor Dr S C Jamir honoured Dr Harinarayana, born at Berhampur in Ganjam district, at the eighth Convocation of the University. Dr Kota Harinarayana has worked with HAL and DRDO and has been the driving force behind developing 'Tejas'. He was awarded Padmashri in 2002. 'Tejas' is the smallest and lightest Multi-Role Supersonic Fighter Aircraft of its class. It is a single engine, Compound-Delta-Wing, Tailless Aircraft. Along with Harinarayana, two other distinguished scholars of the state, Prof Jitendra Nath Mohanty and Prof Gour Kishore Das, were also honoured on the occasion by the University with honoris causa. At least 90 students of the University were awarded with PhD degrees on the day, while 30 postgraduate students and 32 undergraduate students were given gold medals. The University Chancellor in his address called upon the graduates to be the flag-bearer of the emerging knowledge society. "Be ethical and transparent in whatever career you choose and contribute to the development of the State and the nation," Dr Jamir said. In a case of road rage, a 29-year-old man was allegedly attacked by three men who not only thrashed him but one of them also bit off his nose in north Delhi's Lahori Gate area. The incident happened on February 23 when Aman, a businessman had left his shop located hear SPM Marg around 9 PM for his home in his Innova car, said a senior police officer. Aman is a resident of Surya Vihar in Ghazibad and is in the business of food colours. He will soon be getting married on March 4. In his complaint, he told police that he took a u-turn towards Novelty Cinema since there was heavy traffic near Pul Mithai. When he took a u-turn towards Novelty Cinema, three men Vishal Pandey, Dheeraj and Vipin Mehra allegedly stopped his vehicle and told him that he was driving on the wrong side, said the officer. They allegedly started abusing and thrashing him and amid all this, Dheeraj allegedly bit off the right portion of Aman's nose, he said. They allegedly threatened to kill him if he reported the matter to anybody, he added. After they fled from the spot, Aman called up his brother Pankaj and was first admitted to Sant Parmanand Hospital and later to Fortis Hospital, said the officer. A case under sections 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt), 341 (Punishment for wrongful restraint), 506 (Punishment for criminal intimidation) and 34 (Acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of IPC was registered and the accused were arrested yesterday but they later got bail, said the officer. George Saunderss much-awaited first novel, Lincoln in the Bardo, is like a weird folk art diorama of a cemetery come to life. Picture, as a backdrop, one of those primitively drawn 19th-century mourning paintings with rickety white gravestones and age-worn monuments standing under the faded green canopy of a couple of delicately sketched trees. Add a tall, sad mourner, grieving over his recently deceased son. And then, to make things stranger, populate the rest of the scene with some Edward Gorey-style ghosts, skittering across the landscape at once menacing, comical and slightly tongue-in-cheek. Lincoln in the Bardo takes, as its jumping-off point, the death of Abraham Lincolns beloved 11-year-old son, Willie, who succumbed to typhoid fever on February 20, 1862, and the grief-stricken presidents visits to the crypt where his son was interred at the Oak Hill Cemetery in nearby Georgetown. Saunders intercuts facts and semi-facts (culled from books and news accounts) in a collage-like narrative with some ghost stories of his own imagining, allowing a chorus of disembodied spirits to describe Lincolns visits, while babbling on about their own regrets and misplaced dreams. Bardo is the Tibetan Buddhist name for a transition period between death and rebirth, and seems to indicate, in this case, the bizarre purgatory inhabited by these ghosts. The supernatural chatter can grow tedious at times the novel would have benefitted immensely from some judicious pruning but their voices gain emotional momentum as the book progresses. And they lend the story a choral dimension that turns Lincolns personal grief into a meditation on the losses suffered by the nation during the Civil War, and the more universal heartbreak that is part of the human condition. The ghosts are a motley lot, reminiscent of the dispossessed and disenfranchised characters in Saunderss short stories. They include a soldier, a murderer, a disgraced clerk, a rape victim, a hunter whos killed more than 30 bears and hundreds of deer, an aggrieved scholar, a mother of three girls, a young man who tried to kill himself after the man he loved spurned his affections, and an older man who was struck in the head by a falling ceiling beam and died before he could consummate his marriage to his pretty young wife. Together, these voices create a kind of portrait of an American community not unlike the one in Edgar Lee Masterss 1915 classic, Spoon River Anthology, which was set in a fictionalised version of a small Illinois town. The poems in Spoon River were narrated from beyond the grave by the dozens of souls sleeping on the hill in the local cemetery. One of those characters was Anne Rutledge, rumoured to have been Lincolns first love, and whose untimely death reportedly of typhoid, at the age of 22 was said to be a source of his often-melancholy outlook on the world. The similarities between Spoon River and Saunderss new novel extend well beyond the Lincoln association and the graveyard confessions. Like Sherwood Andersons Winesburg, Ohio (1919) a notable influence on Saunderss early short stories and Thornton Wilders Our Town (1938), Lincoln in the Bardo appropriates Masterss multivoiced approach, using it to create a story that unfolds into a meditation on the dreams and disappointments of ordinary people, longing for connection but often left feeling isolated and alone. Saunderss short stories CivilWarLand in Bad Decline, Pastoralia, In Persuasion Nation and Tenth of December tend to vacillate between two impulses: satire and black comedy, reminiscent of Nathanael West and Kurt Vonnegut; and a more empathetic mode, closer to Anderson and William Trevor. Though there are moments of dark humour in some of the ghost stories, Bardo definitely falls into the more introspective part of that spectrum. In these pages, Saunderss extraordinary verbal energy is harnessed, for the most part, in the service of capturing the pathos of everyday life as experienced by the spirits of the dead, remembering missed opportunities; by Willie, as his life slips away and he enters the limbo of the bardo; and by Lincoln, as he struggles to come to terms with his sons death and the devastation of a war that is ripping the country apart. Saunderss novel is at its most potent and compelling when it is focused on Lincoln: a grave, deeply compassionate figure, burdened by personal grief and the weight of the war, and captured in the full depth of his humanity. In fact, it is Saunderss beautifully realised portrait of Lincoln caught at this hinge moment in time, in his own personal bardo, as it were that powers this book over its more static sections and attests to the authors fruitful transition from the short story to the long-distance form of the novel. His mind was freshly inclined toward sorrow, Saunders writes of Lincoln, toward the fact that the world was full of sorrow, that everyone laboured under some burden of sorrow; that all were suffering; that whatever way one took in this world, one must try to remember that all were suffering, and therefore one must do what one could to lighten the load of those with whom one came into contact; that his current state of sorrow was not uniquely his, not at all, but, rather, its like had been felt, would yet be felt, by scores of others, in all times, in every time, and must not be prolonged or exaggerated, because, in this state, he could be of no help to anyone and, given that his position in the world situated him to be either of great help or great harm, it would not do to stay low, if he could help it. Lincoln in the Bardo George Saunders Bloomsbury 2017, pp 337, Rs 599 Members of Kukkarahalli Ulisi Samithi are up in arms against the district administration and have threatened to launch a silent protest opposing the de-silting of Kukkrahalli lake. Environmentalist U N Ravikumar told reporters here that the de-silting project, which has been taken up by the district administration and University of Mysore (UoM) at a cost of Rs 3 crore, affects the ecological, environmental, social, cultural and heritage value of the lake. The samithi members plan to take out a silent protest near Deputy Commissioners office on February 28. Kukkarahalli lake is a biodiversity hotspot with around 170 species of migratory birds nesting and roosting in its green cover of over 400 plant and tree species thus constituting an ecological niche. It is also one of Mysurus water-security sources and a recreation centre. The fresh water source for the lake is from Poornaiah Canal but the canal has been blocked and also encroached and the lake is starved of water. A severe drought in Mysuru this year has brought the lake to the verge of ecological collapse and de-silting of the lake at this juncture is certain to bring about irreversible loss of water and destruction of the lake, he said. Any expenditure made should be towards conservation of this heritage lake. However, the current development works being undertaken are against the conservation of the lake and people who are aware of the threats to biodiversity and eco-system have advised UoM to desist from de-silting in the current year of severe drought, said another activist D H Tanuja. The authorities should stop the desilting and urgently arrange a transparent discussion on conservation and preservation of Kukkarahalli lake on the basis of the master plan before any other tourism-related development measures are undertaken, she said. Environmentalist Maj Gen (Rtd) Vombatkere, Shashi Bhooshan, Guruprasad and others were also present. Uom clarifies UoM authorities claim that it is inevitable to remove silt and silt mixed weeds around the periphery of the lake. UoM Registrar Rajanna stated in a press release that a team comprising acting Vice Chancellor Dayananda Mane and others had inspected Kukkrahalli Lake on February 23. As per the release, the VC has said that silt will be removed at dried places in the lake and thus no ecology will be harmed. The VC also confirmed that no structures will be constructed near the lake. Hassan bandh, called by JD(S) district unit on Saturday to oppose the state governments move to release water from Hemavathi dam to Krishna Raja Sagar (KRS) dam, evoked good response. A majority of the shops on MG Road, Old Bus Stand Road and MB Road, movie theatres remained closed. Even bus service in the city was stalled. However, post office, government offices, medical shops, schools and colleges functioned normally. The agitators took out a bike rally on the major streets of the city and a large number of party workers, led by former prime minister H D Deve Gowda, took out a march from the Tourists Bungalow and staged a protest near the deputy commissioners office. Dont politicise water issue Addressing the agitators, Deve Gowda said, no one should play politics in connection with drinking water, and called upon all the people, irrespective of political parties, to be united for drinking water. He threatened to stage a protest in front of Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs residence in Bengaluru, if the government fails to ensure sufficient drinking water to the people of Hassan district. He alleged that a few political leaders are playing politics in providing drinking water. He said, instead of taking measures, the CM has sought another report over the drought situation in the district. Devegowda said, though the deputy commissioner has the list of the villages facing hardship for water, no meeting has been convened to resolve the issue. The DC has no concern for the people in the district, he blamed. MLA H S Prakash said, the district has been facing acute shortage of water. Water level at Hemavati dam has reached dead storage and the authorities are pumping the water using motor pump sets. The release of water to the KRS dam in this situation cannot be justified under any circumstances, he said. MLAs H D Revanna and K M Shivalingegowda, leader Raghu and ZP vice president Srinivas among others were present. Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (OSCE SMM) Ertugrul Apakan said that members of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic threatened the SMM observers with weapons and seized the mission's unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). "The incident occurred at around 14:30 on February 24 in DPR-controlled Yasynuvata, north of Donetsk city. An SMM patrol was attempting to launch a UAV, intending to monitor the alleged shelling of the Donetsk water filtration station, when armed men pointed their weapons at them, advanced towards them and seized the UAV, after which one of the men opened fire which impacted close to the SMM patrol, the press service of the OSCE SMM reported quoting the chief monitor. "Firing at unarmed civilian monitors is not only a direct threat to the lives of brave men and women doing their best to bring peace to Ukraine, it is a direct challenge to the collective will of the 57 OSCE participating States, and to the Minsk agreements," Apakan said. The OSCE SMM chief insisted that those responsible be held accountable and that there should be no impunity for these acts. "Threatening SMM monitors and otherwise impeding the work of the SMM serves only to delay resolution of the conflict," he said. NGO plans to develop store as a dress bank Nargees Beegum cannot remember dimensions of the new garment store that the NGO she works with ADORA (Agency for Developmental Operations in Rural Areas) has opened in Sultan Bathery, in Wayanad district. Im not good with all those numbers, its a small shop attached to the building our organisation has been functioning in for a long time, says Nargees, nurse at a private hospital. Not that the space, defined in terms of square feet or metres, matters much; what really does is that at the store, ADORA is providing free clothes to those who need them tribes, deserted women and children and tea estate/factory labourers who struggle to stay afloat with their paltry salaries. New clothes are an indulgence many have conditioned themselves to shun. At Angels Collections, which opened on February 12, people come and pick their clothes, according to size, for free. The clothes are entirely contributed by donors. While the store does sell used clothes, all washed, pressed and packed, new clothes sent in from garment shops in different parts of the state also form a good part of the collection. For about two years, with the help of her friends, Nargees, a native of Kozhikode, has been taking used clothes to the tribal settlements and other residential colonies in Wayanad and Attappadi. Later, when we visited these homes, we could see that people were still wearing the old, torn clothes. We realised that some of the clothes we supplied were not fitting and of no use to them; probably, there was also a feeling that they had to wear others clothes because they didnt have a choice. That also left us with a feeling of guilt and triggered the idea of providing them new and scarcely-used clothes, organised by size, all with a shopping experience, Nargees, executive director of ADORA, says. She has managed to get a good start for the initiative through social media networking. The ADORA team sorts the clothes that are sent in from different locations, picks the best and packs them for the store. The NGO plans to develop the store as a dress bank. The campaign for the initiative has been pegged to a simple, but effective question -- What do you want to do with those clothes youve rarely worn? Nargees says she was overwhelmed by the response; particularly heart-warming has been the response to a call to contribute wedding clothes. Dont you want to see those clothes becoming more special? asked the announcement that called for these contributions. In these regions, we often get to see brides borrowing clothes from others even for their weddings. After our call, many people sent in their wedding clothes, some of them worth at least Rs 10,000. These are clothes that had been preserved as a fond memory; people who want to make them special for, say, another bride, are coming forward to contribute, Nargees says. Community outreach ADORA, based in Sultan Bathery, has been engaged in community outreach initiatives for about 15 years. The NGO doesnt claim to peg the new project to empowerment of the marginalised and is, instead, focused on the daily basic needs of people in a region identified with issues related to tribal land and abysmal living conditions among the poor. Those who do manage to find work in the estates or factories struggle with extremely low salaries. The men tend to spend most of their money drinking while there are children who go to school without even wearing undergarments. Now, we have individuals and garment store owners sending in clothes from different parts of the state. We also received 25 churidar sets from a contributor in Bengaluru, Nargees says. ADORA is looking at streamlining the familiar ways of collecting clothes for the needy into the structure of a unique repository. The NGO has earlier taken up initiatives to assist the ailing with medical care and is involved in training of beneficiaries in farming and environment-sensitive development projects. M D Thankachan, secretary of ADORA, says Nargees has brought in a new sense of direction to the organisation. With Angels Collections, members of the organisation plan to build on the potential of a simple act of sharing and hope to spread the word. Two weeks after the inauguration of the store, the ADORA team is finding it difficult to handle demand for the clothes. Nargees says that due to the rush of beneficiaries, the team is not able to properly stock and sort clothes coming in as contributions. The stores opening time has been shortened and revised to 2 pm to 4.30 pm to ensure better coordination and display. ADORA has already run out of stocks of clothing for girls aged between seven and 15 years. We are now looking for people who could contribute new undergarments and napkins. Most of the girls here cant afford to use them; they dont ask anyone either, Nargees says. On her Facebook page, there are friends who wonder if the stores take-anything-you-like model of functioning is sustainable. Nargees is positive The purpose of this store itself is to provide them that luxury of choice, she says. Nargees, a mother of two, says her husband and family have been very supportive; she invariably works night shift at the hospital and dedicates her days to her work with ADORA. Shes aware of the constraints in reaching out to a wider population but stepping back is not a choice. She narrates the story of Mizriya, a six-year-old girl who always appeared sick during Nargees visits to the childs home. When we took her to the hospital, the doctor told us she wasnt suffering from any disease; her only problem was malnutrition and the effect had already piled on for six years. These stories could be surprising for those who perceive themselves as part of a civilised, progressive world, she says. Nargees had little Mizriya inaugurate ADORAs garment store. For Indian art collectors, small is indeed beautiful. For no other painting form or style can match the price Indian miniatures command in the international market today, except perhaps Rembrandts oils. Ironically though, Rembrandt was a major connoisseur of Indian miniatures! These little pieces of stylised illustrations from historical legends and religious mythology, owe their popularity to their lasting quality. This is primarily because they were executed in natural acid-free colours on paper or palm leaf manuscripts. The timeless appeal of miniatures is due to the use of mineral dyes that were derived from precious and semi-precious stones, says noted art dealer Virendra Kumar, who is credited with setting up the first art gallery in Delhi. Indian miniatures fall into four clear categories Mughal, Rajasthani, Pahari and Deccani. Each is known by its own distinctive style, determined by geographical location and the period in history when the tradition of painting was most popular. The Mughal style is best represented by the Hamzanama series, dating back to Akbars reign in the 16th century. Known for bold brushwork and depiction of dramatic action, these paintings were executed by unknown Hindu artists from Gujarat, Gwalior and Kashmir. Many of these artists, fearing atrocities from later Mughal emperors, migrated down to the South and settled down on the Deccan plateau. Under the patronage of Maratha kings, the Deccani style of miniature painting developed as book illustrations in the 17th century. Later, it gave birth to the Tanjavur school with paintings inspired by the scriptures, like the puranas and Krishna Lila, mounted on board with paste. The use of gold leaf and semi-precious stones on the cloth surface created a sort of relief effect. The third style was the Rajasthani miniatures, which grew out of a large geographical area that extended from Malwa and Bundelkhand to Mewar, Bundi, Kota, Jaipur and Marwar. The earliest available set of Rajasthani paintings is the Ragmala series done by a Muslim artist. A striking feature of Rajasthani miniatures is the arrangement of figures. Unlike the Mughal and Deccani styles, the smallest of figures in a Rajasthani painting are not obscured in the composition, explains Geeta Sharma, a well-known art historian. The background, the flora, the fauna and the symbols help the composition to express an intensity of feeling and emotions. Architecture, usually painted in the background, is used to portray a creative perspective and depth, she adds. The fourth and the last distinctive style of Indian miniatures is the Pahari paintings, which originated in the Punjab hills. Although these paintings are influenced by the Mughal tradition of Emperor Aurangzebs times, the subjects are essentially Hindu. The Krishna legend was a very popular subject, Sharma narrates. Episodes from Krishnas life were illustrated against the backdrop of beautiful Pahari landscapes. The trees are often depicted in circular form The composition is simple but unique. Significantly, these paintings were never displayed as wall hangings in the old days. One sat down on a mat or carpet and held the painting in ones hand and lingered over the contents in a leisurely fashion, Kumar points out. The modern practice of using them as drawing room decorations is essentially a western import, just as easy-to-get easy-to-use poster colours are used by present-day artists who pass off their works as originals. In the early days, artists used ochre, kaolin, vermillion, terre verde, carbon black and azurite, narrates Kumar. Later, they were using dyes made from lead white, lapis lazuli, indigo, litharge and peoria. The brilliant blue of Mughal paintings, for instance, comes from the lapis lazuli. An untrained eye cannot, of course, make these fine distinctions. And with the price of vintage miniatures sky-rocketing, fakes are proliferating. As Virendra Kumar points out, very often ordinary paper is stained with the liquor of tea to create an antique effect. At times, artists get hold of old manuscripts or albums, clear the surface of any written material and then paint over them. What those unscrupulous racketeers do not realise is that the paper on which the paintings are done is often more valuable than the works themselves, says Kumar. But then, nothing can be done about it so long as there is a demand for miniatures. In the 20th century, the practice of miniature painting had fallen out of favour in India where ateliers were in decline. In the 1940s and 1950s, a sudden renewed interest among scholars and art historians led to books and reprints being published, and a revival of the art form. Starting from heritage painter families, for whom this had been an inherited livelihood, to individual painters newly eager to train, two parallel schools emerged. Workshops began to reopen in Jaipur, New Delhi and cities traditionally known as centres of miniature art, fuelled by tourism. The second group was a result of formal training in Indian art institutions. An emphasis on art history and mastering the techniques led to academically trained artists whose works belong in art collections and museums. The Department of Fine Arts of Punjabi University Patiala has successfully introduced miniature painting as a new subject. In 2010, Princess Vaishnavi of Kishangarh founded Studio Kishangarh. Vaishnavis mission was two-fold: one, to preserve the traditional form of miniature painting by giving employment to local artists; two, to revitalise the art form by introducing new themes and colours and diversifying into new product areas such as home and personal accessories and stationery. In addition there are professional miniature painters like Painter Lala in Udaipur is a patient and enthusiastic teacher, who spends a lot of time explaining the techniques and intricacies of the art form. He charges 600 for a four-hour class. The price includes the silk cloth, paints, brushes, and other materials required to make one medium-sized miniature. A 25-year-old engineering student was killed and his friend grievously injured when their motorcycle crashed into an electricity pole off Museum Road, central Bengaluru, in the early hours of Saturday. Prill and Ricky, both from Tripura, were riding home after eating out. As they reached Museum Road around 1.30 am, Prill lost control of the motorcycle and crashed it into an electricity pole. Both of them sustained severe head injuries and were taken to hospital by the Cubbon Park traffic police. While Prill died, Ricky remains in a critical condition. Neither rider was wearing helmet. Police said they were awaiting reports to ascertain if Prill was drunk while riding the two-wheeler. The youths were studying at a private engineering college near Hesaraghatta. Indias largest private full-service airline Jet Airways has expressed that it wishes to offer a lot beyond its frequent flier programme and introduce an array of value-added initiatives. Talking to DH, Jet Airways Vice President (Commercial India Sales) Praveen Iyer said, While we already have a frequent flier programme, the idea is to provide better offerings to our guests, which will give them greater value for money, for which, we are constantly evolving new initiatives. Accordingly, the carriers new pre-paid Jet Global Pass will allow guests to travel on its entire network of 66 domestic and international destinations seamlessly. Available as booklets with sets of four prepaid coupons each, the pass has been designed for both Economy and Premiere travel at price points of Rs 52,673 and Rs 119,312 (excluding taxes), respectively. The one-fare global pass will be specially advantageous for guests who maintain flexible travel itineraries, and for those whose journeys are firmed up at the last minute, as it will insulate them against higher available bucket fares or peak fares which generally prevail closer to the date of travel. The pass will even aid frequent travellers beat seasonality, since the pass offers tickets in fare classes that hold significant inventory and are therefore mostly available, Iyer said. The airline has also come out with The Billion Miles Festival (valid only on online and app-based flight purchases), which is open to frequent fliers and Jet Privilege members, who are guaranteed up to 10,000 bonus JPMiles per flight. This offer is valid between February 21 and March 31, 2017, but the miles can be redeemed over a three-year period. The bonus JPMiles will be credited over and above the regular online booking bonus of 250 JPMiles, with their base JPMiles earned and their co-brand cards online bonus, he added. It must be noted that Jet Airways pioneered the concept of loyalty programmes in the Indian airline market, with its Jet Privilege offering seeing over 5.5 million members today, and growing 25% every year. Jet Airways flies around 27 million passengers each year, with 20% frequent fliers, and an average load factor of 85%. Referring to the airlines differentiator, especially against the onslaught of low-cost carriers, Iyer said, Cheap doesnt mean value for money. The idea of providing different offerings is to provide guests with an ability to plan their journeys, at the right price, besides getting the best fares, connectivity, and service offering. The Central Crime Branch (CCB) sleuths recently arrested five persons for drug peddling in separate incidents. In the first incident, two persons were arrested while they were trying to sell a narcotic substance near a government school in Begur. The arrested are Jhani Khani (26), a resident of Begur and Raj Khan (25), a resident of Koramangala. Both are Bangladeshis. The police have seized four grams of Yaba pills, comprising 40 tablets. The Yaba drug is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine. Yaba is called crazy medicine and is manufactured in Southeast Asia and East Asia. Based on credible information, the duo were picked up for questioning while they were trying to sell the drugs. They confessed to having the substance in their possession, added the police. They also claimed that they got the drugs from a Southeast Asian. Information is being gathered about the person who supplied the substance and he will be arrested soon, the police said. The arrested persons had come to the city in search of work, the police said. In another incident, three Nigerians were arrested from a house in Anandapura in Krishnarajapuram. The CCB police arrested Obikweku Anslem, Chigozie Anthony and Chukwnyelu Sylvestre, all Nigerians. Around 7.3 grams of MDMA, also known as Ecstasy drug, one kg of ganja and 10 mobile phones, all worth Rs 1.5 lakh, were seized. The trio had come to the city on a business visa and had taken up a house on rent and were using it for selling narcotic substances. Their passports have been seized and investigation is being carried out to check if their visas are valid, added the police. Members of Citizens of Bengaluru (CfB) and Bus Prayanikara Vedike who took out the #BusBhagyaBeku campaign at BMTCs Kempegowda (Majestic) bus terminus demanding low fares and more buses were asked to pack up by the police. Police told the volunteers to put away their banners minutes after the campaign started. Such events cannot be held without necessary permissions, police said. Around 15 volunteers of the forum held banners and distributed pamphlets with a message to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah: We demand budget allocation to the BMTC so that bus fares can be halved and the number of buses can be doubled. #BusBhagyaBeku. Srinivas Alavilli of CfB said across the world, public transport systems are supported by governments. Here, the BMTC has been forced to fend for itself, leading to high fares. The government should add 6,000 buses to the BMTC fleet to make it a reliable mode of transportation, he said. The pamphlet compared the bus fares in Bengaluru with those of Chennai, Pune, Kolkata and Mumbai. BMTC fares were higher than all others and equal to Mumbais. Over the last 15 years, bus fares have gone up by 10 times. We conducted surveys in Shivajinagar, Mysuru Road and Jayanagar and found out that people in the lower rung of the economic ladder cant afford the fares. Garment workers, daily wagers and others walk five kilometres to save money, Vinay Srinivas of Bus Prayanikara Vedike said. Was there any discrimination in the allocation of funds for graveyards and cremation grounds in Uttar Pradesh, as made out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his rallies? Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has rejected Modis allegation that his government favoured one religion over another. While we are talking of development, BJP leaders are engaged in graveyards and crematoriums, he said. Backing Modi, Uttar Pradesh BJP leaders claimed that the people know the truth, pointing to the controversy over the issue since 2012. Prior to the 2012 elections, the SP had promised in its manifesto a special package to build boundary walls around kabristans (burial grounds) to guard against encroachment, which was a big problem in the state. Accordingly, after the party came to power, the Akhilesh Yadav government kept its promise. In the first Cabinet meeting on March 15, 2012, the chief minister decided to give effect to the proposal. The state government announced an allocation of Rs 200 crore for constructing walls for graveyards. It empowered district magistrates to act on proposals from the chief executive officers of the Shia and Sunni Central Wakf Boards. The scheme became a hit as requests poured in from Muslim-dominated districts such as Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Bareilly, Saharanpur, Meerut, Rampur, Bahraich, and Ghaziabad. With the fight over inheritance of royal property between two queens both wives of Congress Rajya Sabha member and scion of erstwhile Amethi royal family Sanjay Singh extending into the electoral arena, Amethi is witnessing a battle royale. And caught in the midst of the royal clash in the Assembly segment, which falls in the Lok Sabha constituency of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi, is none other than controversial state minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati. Prajapati was recently in the news after being booked in a rape case on directions from the Supreme Court. For people in the Amethi Assembly constituency, especially those loyal to Bhupati Bhavan, the sprawling royal palace, it appears to be a choice between their Raja Sanjay Singhs estranged first wife and BJP nominee Garima Singh and the assertive second wife Amita Singh, the Congress candidate. Amethi is one of the six seats in Uttar Pradesh where Congress and its alliance partner Samajwadi Party are locked in a friendly fight. The fight here is triangular. All three candidates are in the contest it is going to be a close fight, said septuagenarian Uma Kant Mishra in Amethi. There are many in Amethi who do not want to discuss the happenings in the palace, perhaps fearing that they may incur the wrath of the royals. While many sympathise with Garima, who gets emotional at times while seeking votes, there are others who feel that she is no match for the experienced Amita. Barely a few months ago, there was a bloody clash between the supporters of Singh and Garima over her entry into the palace. A policeman was killed in the incident. People who live near the palace had then supported Garima. All I want is justice, please help me, is Garimas line at almost all her meetings. She does not mention Singh, but seeks support in the name of her father-in-law Rananjay Singh. Prajapati, however, is no pushover. He had defeated Amita in the 2012 Assembly polls. His name figured on the BPL list till about 15 years ago, but he is now said to own property worth hundreds of crores. Prajapati had been sacked by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav following charges of corruption, but was later reinducted. Akhilesh, however, did not allow Prajapati to share the stage with him during a recent rally. But he did urge voters to support Prajapati. A specific date of a meeting between Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and U.S. President Donald Trump has yet to be determined, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said. "We are currently discussing various options. I can't say more today not to maintain an intrigue, so to say," the minister said in an interview with the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia. Ukraine [Mirror Weekly] newspaper on Saturday. He was answering a question whether it is possible today to name a specific date of the meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. leaders. Klimkin said that his ministry is also selecting dates for a meeting with new U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and several other representatives of the Trump administration. "We are currently selecting the date of a most likely meeting at once with Tillerson and newly-appointed National Security Advisor Herbert McMaster and new Secretary for Defense Ministry [James] Mattis, because there are many aspects that need to be discussed with various members of the new U.S. administration," he said. Afraid that Donald Trumps presidency would be marked by racist attacks, the father of the techie who was shot dead by a racist American army veteran wanted him to return home. 0We had been asking him to return after Trump became President, but he was not afraid, Madhusudhana Rao, father of Kuchibhotla Srinivas who was shot in Olathe, Kansas on Friday, told reporters. I only pray that no other Indian parent has this experience, Rao said. The Kuchibhotla family hails from Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh, but are settled in Hyderabad. Meanwhile, efforts are on to bring Srinivas body back to his home in Bachupalli by Monday night, helped by three online crowdfunding initiatives and the Telugu Association of North Americas (TANA) emergency team which is working to get all clearances despite two-day weekend in the US. Go Fund Me Srinivas, set up by the slain techies ex-colleague Kavipriya Muthuramalingam from Irvin, California, has collected $5,10,700 so far against the target of $1,50,000. The fund would go towards the family recovery support. The Madasani /Kuchibhotla Relief Fund set up by a Kansas man Brian Eric Ford has raised $74,026 against a goal of $75,000, while Alok Madasani medical relief fund created by Rohan Reddy has raised $1,725 against the target of $75,000 in less than 24 hours. Telangana Information Technology Minister K T Rama Rao, who visited Srinivass parents here on Saturday said the government has received information from MEA that Srinivas body would arrive here on February 27 at 8.45 pm. DH News Service Mainstream and separatist leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday hit out at Opposition National Conference president Farooq Abdullah over his statement that the new generation of militants in Kashmir were fighting for freedom. The ruling BJP state unit spokesperson, reacting to the statement, said, It shows the dark face of politics, where innocent lives are being used to create tension and keep the political pot boiling. Times have changed and the country wont tolerate such statements, which transgress the limits of law. Whosoever he is, he will be taken to the law in the strictest possible way, the spokesperson said, adding that NC was making such statements for cheap publicity and political mileage without any regard for national interest. Abdullah on Friday said Kashmiri boys joining militant ranks were sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the nation. There was unprecedented response in Kashmir on Friday when thousands of people attended the funeral of an army soldier killed by militants. Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who hailed from militancy-infested Marhama area of south Kashmir's Anantnag district, was also the neighbour of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Locals said that it was one of the biggest funeral processions for a security forces personnel in the area, especially in the aftermath of the five-month unrest in the Valley in which more than 90 civilians were killed and thousands injured. Rather, along with two other soldiers, was killed when an army convoy was ambushed at Shopian in south Kashmir on Wednesday night. A lieutenant colonel and a major were among six others injured in the shoot out. Rather had joined Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and was posted with the Rashtriya Rifles, the counter-insurgency force raised in the mid-1990s that has been at the forefront of the effort to break the militancy in the state. Over 5,000 participated Local residents said that more than five thousand people participated in funeral procession of Rather which surprised the authorities too. He (Rather) was a good human being and always used to help his neighbours. He will be missed by everybody in the village. His was one of the biggest funerals in our area in the recent past, Khalid Ahmad, a neighbour, said. The government does not believe the shortage of judges is the lone reason for backlog of cases. It pins the blame on various causes, including shortage of public prosecutors, recurrent adjournments and improper application of rules. The ministry of law and justice made this submission before a parliamentary panel, where it also cited the rejection by the Supreme Court collegium of 30% of possible candidates and an increase in the sanctioned strength of judges as the reasons for the continuing vacancies in the higher judiciary. However, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Personnel, Public Grievances, Law and Justice has not taken the governments justification kindly. The ministrys reasoning on both the counts was detailed in a report tabled by the panel, headed by Congress MP Anand Sharma earlier this month. The shortage of judges is not the sole reason for inordinate delay in disposal of cases. Cases are delayed on account of improper investigation, lack of forensic laboratories, shortage of public prosecutors, recurrent adjournments and improper application of rules and procedures, the ministry said in its action taken report to the panel. To buttress the point, it said the Delhi and Gujarat High Courts have a higher number of judges per million of their respective populations, but they still have a high number of pending cases. On the vacancies front, the ministry informed the panel that the approved strength of judges in high courts is 1,079 and there is a vacancy of 459 judges. It said no fresh appointments were made between April and December 2015 when the National Judicial Appointments Commission case was being heard by the apex court. Not at all satisfied The panel was not at all satisfied with the ministrys reply. The department (of Justice) cannot evade its responsibility in ensuring that vacancies in the higher judiciary are filled up in the shortest possible time by saying that other factors are also responsible for the huge pendency in higher courts, it said. Two gritty young men risked their lives to save six people, including four women, from drowning in Hemavathi river at Akkihebbal on Saturday. Ravi and Lokesh jumped into the river when they heard the screams of people drowning in river. They pulled out Latamani, Komala, Mahadevamma, Rajamani, Cheluvanayaka and Lakshman from the river. The incident occurred when they were washing clothes on the banks of Hemavathi river near Lakshminarasimha Temple. There was a sudden surge in the water level when Gorur Hemavathi dam authorities released water to KRS dam. The villagers staged a protest and blocked Akkihebbal road for a while, alleging that the dam authorities did not inform them about the release of water. The Congress on Saturday tried to turn the tables on the BJP by latching on to a diary that purportedly provides details of payoffs by state BJP leaders to the party central leadership. Copies of the contents of the diary, which have been doing the rounds on social media since Friday, were released by Congress leaders at a press conference in Bengaluru. The diary reportedly belongs to BJP MLC Lehar Singh. KPCC working president Dinesh Gundu Rao said he had information that the diary was seized by I-T officials during raids on Singhs residence in November 2013. The diary mentions several initials reportedly of state and central BJP leaders and has two columns received and paid. The paid column has entries like AS - Rs 34 crore; BSY - Rs 69 crore; NaMo - 120 crore; MD Rao - Rs 4.8 crore among others. The entries add up to Rs 391.8 crore. The received column has entries like CMO+RA - Rs 67 crore; M Nirani - Rs 128 crore; Renu - Rs 13 crore; RR+KSE - Rs 31 crore among others. The entries add up to Rs 391.8 crore. The Congress also released copies of a letter written by Singh to senior leader L K Advani in May 2013. In the letter, Singh confronts Advani over corruption in the party. The letter resulted in Singh being suspended from the party. In its response, the BJP stated that the so-called diary of Singh is forged, mischievous and defamatory. BJP spokesperson Ashwanathnarayan told the media that in 2013, nobody referred to Narendra Modi as NaMo, Muralidhar Rao (MD Rao) was not even an office officer-bearer of the party. Amit Shah (AS) was not the party president and B S Yeddyurappa (BSY) was not even in the BJP as he had quit the party to join the KJP. When contacted, Singh said, There is no such diary. My signature has been forged. I am planning to demand a CBI inquiry into the entire episode. The BJP Social Media Cell has filed a complaint with Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood seeking investigation and arrest of the culprits behind the fake diary. The BJP has submitted a petition The police are looking into the petition, Sood said. With the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) receiving numerous complaints about patients being overcharged for stents, it directed hospitals on Saturday to make prompt refunds to avoid action. If the hospitals under the scanner refund money to patients before NPPA issues demand notice, matter ends till there is no new complaint, the drug pricing regulator tweeted. NPPA said if it receives a complaint, a show-cause notice is issued, seeking an explanation from the hospital or company, and a demand notice when the violation is proved. The regulator also said it would soon audit angioplasty bills. However, citing requests of patients who have got refunds and wished to continue treatment in their respective hospitals, the authority did not give out more details. It also asked hospitals and nursing homes to make separate bills for the stents. In a major relief to patients, NPPA had last week reduced the prices of coronary stents by up to 85%, capping them at Rs 7,260 for bare metal ones and Rs 29,600 for the drug-eluting variety. Summer is just around the corner and water woes have already gripped Bengalureans. In the past few years, the demand for water has been on rise in most of the areas due to depletion of water table. An increase in high-rise apartments, townships and villas has led to indiscriminate digging of borewells, depleting groundwater levels. On the other hand, water scarcity has become widespread. To understand the concerns better, DH speaks to residents and water experts. Ayyappa M Masagi, founder, Water Literacy Foundation, says, 15-20 years back, rainfall was periodic, giving the soil surface sufficient time to percolate the rainwater into the sub soil. Gradually, the city drifted towards rapid industrialisation and boom in real estate industry, led to the encroachment of lakes by the builders, he explains. Bengaluru founder Kempegowda had constructed 382 lakes. Only a few survive. The government, he says, is spending money only on drilling new borewells but is not concerned about sustaining the water table from where the borewells draw water. If the trend of Only use and no recharge continues then our future generation would be left with only sea or ocean water, he warns. To address the water crisis, Masagi suggests roof rainwater harvesting (RWH). This is a simple way of channelising, filtering and collecting rainwater as an alternative to river, openwells and borewell water. By RWH, we can reduce pressurised load on existing water supply, he says. Another solution is to recharge the borewell or open well. Lake construction and replenishment are ideal for those who have huge rainwater catchment area. After years of research on lakes, I recommend government that there should be a one-acre lake for every 100 acres to bring back the golden days when openwells, rivers and streams were always full. Water usage during summer is naturally high, says Pushpa Thomas, a resident of Indiranagar. In summer, there is more heat, more dust and sweat. So bathing sometimes even twice a day becomes a basic requirement, she adds. Water supply twice a week for shorter duration has resulted in a scarcity. Water tankers are an answer, but the quality of water is always suspect. Here, the rates for tankers vary. Some charge Rs 600 for 6,000 litres others up to Rs 1,200. The rates peak when demand is more. Some people have monopoly. They decide the rates. But unless there is another option private tankers are here to stay, Pushpa feels. She laments that people sink borewells up to 1,500 ft deep, unscientifically. Groundwater exploitation has made the water level go down. Maybe recharging the groundwater would bring it up. The quantity of water stored from rains is finite, whereas the usage is increasing day-by-day, she notes. Priya Desai, Consultant, India Water Portal, feels the government should start looking at local solutions such as RWH, community efforts to rejuvenate lakes across the city and to recharge groundwater to address the water issue. These localised solutions, she says, can work on a long-term basis. We need to break away from the centralised dependence on water because the government is not able to manage it judiciously. The government brings Cauvery river water from 100 km away, but the annual rainfall that we get is actually enough. It is sad to know that we are not able to harvest the rain that can last for the whole year. I feel that like-minded people should come together and encourage the community efforts than depending on the government to act upon the issue, says Priya. Canada's Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk has said the shock of the Russian occupation of Crimea has helped the Ukrainian society to recognize the historic contribution of the Crimean Tatars into the united Ukraine. "The shock of the occupation has helped the Ukrainian society to reassess and appreciate the historic contribution of the Crimean Tatars in the common history of the country and look at the issue of the national and cultural component of the Crimean autonomy in Ukraine in a different light," he said during the International Forum "Crimea under Occupation: Implications for Ukraine and the World "in Kyiv on Saturday. The ambassador noted that the Crimean Tatar diaspora in Canada actively cooperates with the Ukrainian and even Russian diaspora in the matter of the support for Ukraine. Mothers are likely to be permitted to be present inside the hall when their children make statements before the magistrate in connection with sexual assaults of children at the playschool at Marathahalli. The recording of statements is likely to take place at a place of mutual choice by the mothers and the magistrate. The police will stay off from the hall when the recording happens. Statements made before the magistrate carry a lot of weightage. I assure that recording of the statements will take place in presence of mothers and the magistrate and it will be done in the absence of police, Bengaluru City Police Commissioner Praveen Sood told reporters here on Saturday. We want the children feel at home when they record statements. Considering the childrens age, we have requested the magistrate to record the statements in the presence of the mothers. We have also requested the magistrate to record the statements in a place mutually convenient to the mothers and the magistrate. We hope the magistrate would consider our requests, he added. The police have decided to go to the houses of children to record statements. We will not call the children to the police stations. We will go to the childrens houses for recording statements. There is some sort of apprehension about medical examination of the victimised children. I request the parents to cooperate the with the police in completing the medical examination of the children, the commissioner said. We will not spare those who neglected the childrens safety. Those who have committed the acts and those who have permitted the acts will be brought to the book, Sood said. We will do anything that is possible including taking the help of child psychologists. The parents have every right to stage a protest on Sunday, he said and added that norms prevent managements from employing male staff at the playschool. The management violated the norm and had employed Manjunath. Regarding violations of school safety guidelines issued by the Benglauru City police commissioner in 2014, Sood said: The school managements should follow the guidelines strictly in their interest. The Education department is the competent authority to conduct checks about violations and the police have no role in this. 8 FIRs registered The police have registered 8 FIRs in connection with the incident, six against Manjunath, the suspect, and two against the school management, so far. The police have booked the suspect and the management under the Pocso Act. The police arrested four-Manjunath, the prime suspect, Dr Veena, Kingston and Praveen, the trio from the management. The trio obtained the bail and came out, while Manjunath has been remanded in judicial custody. Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has said that over the three years of the Russian occupation of the Crimean peninsula, 17 people have gone missing, 12 have been killed and 39 have become political prisoners. "As of today, 17 people are recorded as missing, 12 dead, 39 as political prisoners, ten of them have already been convicted. These are people who suffered for their political and ideological beliefs, because of belonging to the Crimean Tatar people, because of their habit of free speech," she said during the international forum "Crimea under Occupation: Implications for Ukraine and the World" in Kyiv on Saturday. According to Klympush-Tsintsadze, human rights violations in Crimea should unite the international community to produce an urgent joint response. "In these past three years, Crimea has actually reached almost complete destruction of personal rights and freedoms of people, and it has gone a cruel way from oppression to greater oppression. At present, Crimea can serve as a complete guide of violations and harassment of human rights and freedoms," the deputy prime minister said. The Ukrainian Vekhrovna Rada's non-affiliated deputy Nadia Savchenko has published a list of Ukrainian prisoners she visited in Donetsk prisons. There are 34 surnames in the list that Savchenko posted on her account in Facebook. "I was able to visit our captives. The guys feel aright. The conditions are ordinary, the prison ones. They said that the attitude towards them is normal. There are three of them in each cell, they are allowed to have an hour of yard time and watch television, the majority of channels are the Russian ones, but the Ukrainian 1+1 TV channel is available. They believe they will be released soon and don't lose hope! Let us fight for our brothers," she said. As reported, on February 24, Savchenko and Volodymyr Ruban, head of the Officer Corps center for the release of prisoners of war, arrived to Donetsk and then to a penal colony in Makiyivka, where Ukrainian prisoners of war are being held. In that regard, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) said it intended to have a conversation with Savchenko about her visit to prisoners of war in Donetsk and verify information provided by deputy Tetyana Rychkova that Savchenko had "incited serving Ukrainian military personnel to overthrow the authorities." "We don't monitor people's deputies purposefully, but having obtained information from deputy Rychkova, we will certainly verify this information, even without waiting for Ms. Rychkova's official request," head of the SBU chief's administration Oleksandr Tkachuk told Interfax-Ukraine. "These accusations are too serious to ignore them," he said. Earlier, Rychkova, a deputy from the Petro Poroshenko Bloc faction, said that Savchenko had "incited servicemen to overthrow the authorities in Ukraine" and called on the Prosecutor General's Office and the SBU to investigate her actions. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin has denied the existence of the agreements not to expand the Normandy Format talks on the crisis in Ukraine at the expense of the U.S., which was allegedly reached on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last week. The minister said in an interview with the Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly) (ZN.UA) that in fact they didn't agree on anything like that and this "arrangement" is a myth. "This is a myth that somehow everyone has picked up. In fact, no one was negotiating anything of the kind in Munich. The issue of the Normandy format was not raised at any at any of the separate meetings. As far as I understand, when Tillerson held meetings, including with Gabriel, he said that now at the moment the Normandy format is functioning the way it is," Klimkin said. According to the foreign minister, the U.S. is ready to look at the ways to participate in the negotiating process. As reported, German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel said summing up the talks with U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson that the format of the Normandy Quartet (Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia) on the Donbas settlement will not be expanded. "We talked to U.S. State Secretary Rex Tillerson about the format's expansion. We have agreed on the contacts with the U.S. But we believe that the existing format should be preserved. The U.S. has agreed to that," Gabriel said. A host of major US news outlets were barred from participating in a White House press gaggle Friday, underscoring the escalating tension between US President Donald Trump and the media. Cable News Network, the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times and Politico were excluded from a off-camera press gaggle, an informal press briefing, given by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Other press that were blocked included British Broadcasting Company, Buzzfeed, the Hill, the Huffington Post, Daily Mail, New York Daily News and most of the foreign press, according to a report from Axios. The White House press office said in an email that "the pool was there, so various media mediums were represented." The White House Correspondent's Associated lashed at the decision, saying in a statement that it is "protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House." The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted the gaggle in response to the incident. The move was considered very rare and many senior White House correspondents don't recall something similar has had happened before. Earlier in the day, Trump chastised US mainstream media for inaccurately reporting on his administration, saying during a speech at the Conservative Policial Action Convention. "Many of these groups are part the large media corporations that have their own agenda and it's not your agenda and it's not the country's agenda, it's their own agenda...as you saw throughout the entire campaign, and even now, the fake news doesn't tell the truth," he said. Trump has previously named five US media outlets, including CNN and New York Times, as "enemy of the American people." The bumpy relationship between Trump and the media sank to a new low this week after several news media reported that the White House had asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to knock down reports about communications between the Trump campaign and Russia during the election. Spicer told members of the press in a early morning briefing Friday that the reports were "indefensible and inaccurate." Trump slams media again for 'fake news' President Donald Trump has heaped criticism on what he called purveyors of "fake news", seeking to clarify a recent tweet in which he said some in the US news media should be considered an "enemy of the people". He said his main beef was the media's use of anonymous sources. "They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be out there," Trump said. His comments came on the same day CNN reported that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to deny a 14 February report in The New York Times that said Trump's presidential campaign advisers had been in frequent contact with Russian intelligence officers. The request came after McCabe told him privately the report was wrong. A senior administration official said on Friday that FBI Director James Comey told Priebus later that the story was not accurate. Priebus asked if the Federal Bureau of Investigation could set the record straight, but Comey said the bureau could not comment, the official said. Trump has repeatedly chosen to make news media criticism a focus of his public remarks since taking office on 20 January. The speech allowed Trump to put his stamp firmly on the conservative political movement, even as some activists fretted that his immigration and trade policies go too far. With Trump in the White House and Republicans holding majorities in both houses of Congress, CPAC and the thousands of conservative activists who flock to the event each year from across the country are seeing their political influence rising. Stranorlar company, Get Fresh Catering, was commended for excellent food safety practices at the Food Safety Assurance Awards held in the RDS in Dublin. The awards are operated by the Food Safety Professionals Association, the industry organisation for Irelands food safety professionals, which is this year celebrating its tenth anniversary. Get Fresh Catering has won Food Safety Awards for their commitment to health and safety of the food prepared in their kitchens. Patricia Kelly, Operations Manager, at Get Fresh Catering said they were "overwhelmed to be accepting this award. Get Fresh Catering use their expertise, commitment and great cooking ability to create a range of meals and snacks." The 20 award-winners, including eight hospitals and four educational institutions, were recognised for their excellence across a number of criteria including structural and operational hygiene, food safety and protection, personal hygiene and staff facilities as well as food safety management systems documentation. The Food Safety Professionals Association is celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, and aims to bring together the best independent food safety and hygiene professionals operating in Ireland in order to nurture and improve the standards of food safety advice and training available to the hospitality, catering, retail and industrial sectors. Latest developments aimed at progressing further the delivery of the long awaited Gaoth Dobhair Sewerage Scheme have been welcomed by local TD Pearse Doherty. Deputy Doherty was speaking following the announcement this week that a briefing session is to be held this Friday 3rd March to appraise public representatives of the scheme which has been identified as a positive solution to the areas current lack of waste water infrastructure and to ensure compliance of the states obligations under EU legislation. Welcoming the development, which comes almost two years following a damning report compiled by Deputy Doherty and Sinn Fein MEP Matt Carthy to the European Commission arguing that the state was in violation of EU Law over its failure to deliver the scheme, Deputy Doherty said: As everyone is acutely aware, the failings of successive governments over the last forty plus years to successfully introduce a sewerage scheme to serve household and businesses here in Gaoth Dobhair has had the effect of severely impacting the regions economic development and prosperity. Back in May 2015, MEP Matt Carthy and I therefore took the decision to submit a report to the European Commission in which we argued that the state was in breach of community law due to this failure to introduce a dedicated collection system in Gaoth Dobhair. In response to our submission, and after the exchanging of a series of correspondence between both the Department and the commission outlining these allegations that a suspected breach had occurred, the Commission subsequently issued its Reasoned Opinion last September as it had determined that the state was in fact in violation of the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive in this instance. In its determination, the Commission confirmed that it has decided to initiate formal legal proceedings against the state as it was not fulfilling its legal obligation to provide waste water collection services in Gaoth Dobhair. In the months following the Commissions verdict having been made, I met with Irish Waters parent company Ervia last November, where I received confirmation from the company that it was now committed to finally seeing the project delivered, and that proposals for such a scheme were being prepared with the view to include them as part of the states official response to the Commissions findings. This week, Irish Water, working in partnership with Donegal County Council, has now formally invited public representative to a briefing on a scheme for Gaoth Dobhair which its claimed offers a positive solution and will meet the needs of the local community, while also ensuring full compliance of the states obligations under the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive. This briefing session is scheduled to take place this Friday 3 March, and I am very much looking forward to being presented with the details of the scheme which is being proposed for the area. The company has also informed me that once this session takes place, it plans to begin engaging with the various interest groups in Gaoth Dobhair, before eventually progressing on to commence the next stage which includes wider public consultation of the plans, which its envisage will happen in late March. Of course I very much welcome news of these developments which aim to further progress the delivery of the scheme, however it is now vital that whatever scheme is chosen will be widely accepted by the community and will satisfy the needs of households and businesses alike, because without such wide spread support then the scheme will not be successful. There is little doubt that all these developments of late to progress the scheme have come about as a direct result of the intervention by my colleague Matt Carthy and I through making our submission to the European Commission, it is only unfortunate that it took such drastic measures to finally coax authorities to finally take action. I pledge to now continue to monitor these developments and I look forward to working with the local community to ensure that the best possible solution for Goath Dobhair and its people can be delivered. A Coroner's Court judge in Northern Ireland has said despite the delays in the inquest into Co. Tyrone schoolgirl, Arlene Arkinson, who disappeared after a night in Bundoran in 1994, the delay in waiting for further information was worth it. The inquest into the teenager's death opened a year ago, but has been stalled for months as efforts were made to obtain information from authorities in the Republic of Ireland. Coroners court Judge Brian Sherrard told a preliminary hearing at Belfast's Laganside Court that he wanted to keep up momentum in the matter to help in putting a line underneath all of this. He said: "This is a worthwhile exercise. It may ultimately come to a point when we are putting a line underneath all of this, but we are not at that point yet." Arlene, 15, from Castlederg in Tyrone was last seen in the company of convicted child killer Robert Howard after a night out in Bundoran in August, 1994. FORT GAINES, Georgia Hydrilla is an eight-letter word, perhaps appropriate because to many around Lake Eufaula is a twice as bad as many four-letter words. The grass has taken up residence in many areas of Lake Eufaula, and in some cases, it has taken over. Hydrilla was the common theme of discussion at the Feb. 18 annual meeting of the Friends of Lake Eufaula, this year held at George T. Bagby State Park in Fort Gaines, Georgia. Several officials working in and around the body of water were on hands, as were dozens of interested citizens from Alabama and Georgia. The aquatic plant is liked by many of the bass fishermen on Lake Eufaula, who say the grass provides both cover and a feeding ground for the fish. However, even some of the most diehard fishermen realize hydrilla is or soon will be out of hand. The main speaker at the FOLE meeting was Brent Mortimer, environment coordinator for the Army Corps of Engineers based in Eufaula. Fifty years ago, there were no plants (in Lake Eufaula) so things were hunky dory, Mortimer said. As the lake gets older, we have a big issue. We have found plants from Europe, Asia, Australia, South America, well on up into North America. Mortimer said the invasive plants have a variety of methods in getting to Lake Eufaula. Some come through packing materials, the aquarium trade (where such plants are legally purchased), through birds getting the plant on their feet and traveling from place to place, and even fishermen themselves. The boats may get plants wrapped around their motors at one lake, then taken to another lake days later and released accidentally. Mortimer said that the perfect density for hydrilla on the lake is 30 percent, but he noted that that was a number almost impossible to maintain. He also noted that among the good uses of the grass was that it helped erosion control and assisted with water clarity. The negative impact of hydrilla was much greater. Mortimer cited that it impaired boat traffic, increased sedimentation, caused a loss of spawning habitat for fish, reduced dissolved oxygen, hurt with plant diversity on the lake, increased flooding opportunities when the water was high, and was a place to potentially spread bacteria/waterfowl diseases such as AVM (Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy. Maps showed the audience that hydrilla is mostly prevalent in southern California, scattered through the southeastern states, and almost all over Florida. Two types of hydrilla monoecious and dioecious have been found on Lake Eufaula. Monecious is originally from the northern states and Mortimer said it dies back at the water line. Dioecious can be removed but its roots remain and can be a never-ending battle. A third type originally from East India has recently been found at the Wildlife Refuge and Mortimer admitted it is a very big concern. Mortimer cited several other invasive plants on the lake and the problems they cause, such as: * Cuban Bulrush: has washed down the Chattahoocher River from North Georgia. It spreads most often by birds and flooding. * Creeping Water Primrose: Liked by fishermen, but this plant can grow in a large mass. * Aligatorweed: It is now all over the southeastern states. * Water Hyacinth: Found most on the Alabama side of Lake Eufaula by some in 2016. The good news, Mortimer said, was this plant was easy to kill. * Giant Cutgrass: The problem with this plant is that the best chemical to kill the plant cannot be used in fresh water, according to Mortimer. * Giant Reed: This plant gets so large that it black everything out that would normally grow beneath it. * Common Reed: Also blacks out other would-be native plants. * Common Sylvinia: A plant Mortimer said was tough to kill. * Parrotfeather, Torpedo Grass, Chinese Tallowtree, Red Sesbania and Wild Taro are other invasive plants on Lake Eufaula. As for containing the plants, Mortimer offered a variety of possible solutions. One size does not fit all when it comes to herbicides, Mortimer said, noting some plants are resistant, and weather conditions and water movement play a role. We need reliable funding. Triploid Grass carp help detain the plants, but Mortimer said there are far too few on the lake right now. The problem with the carp is that once theyve eaten the hydrilla they begin eating other native plants. Also, the carp cost about $5 per fish and every couple of years they need re-stocking due to a high mortality rate. There were 542,000 stocked previously and Mortimer said there is a need for 903,000. We try to maintain 12 carp per acre, he said. Neighborhoods, Mortimer said, would be better off going in together to buy the herbicide. Buying carp for a specific area is not the answer because they will not stay in one area. Homeowners can hire a certified herbicide applicator, physically remove the plants, or acquire other permits to remove the plants. The Corps of Engineers cannot spray around docks. A good majority of the causeway area, Rabbit Island and White Oak have had an explosion of hydrilla. Mortimer said about 3,000 of the 45,131-acre lake has hydrilla. Permits to spread the herbicide are $125 with the Corps of Engineers, with $25 renewal fees. Applications cost from $300 to $600 per acre, depending on the issues faced by the applicators. Brad Moore, president of FOLE, said residential area are going to have to handle the problems ourselves. Moore gave a brief State of the Lake Report. Regarding safety, Moore said there had been no drowning in the last two years. We had one boat injury last year when two guys tried to go under a log, Moore said. Both were sent to the hospital. There have been no recorded gator attacks and I saw more gators last year than ever. Moore also said there were now five water samplers on the lake and that all reports were good regarding the water quality. We had a problem with wild hog feces at one area (on a feeder creek), but they got that under control. Moore said the shad population was strong, hybrids are still being stocked, more stripers had been added, and large crappie catches had been reported. The various bass tournaments have also reported good catches. The economic impact of Lake Eufaula, Moore noted, had a large area, including the Coast Guard station in Eufaula. The economic impact ripples through our area, Moore said. Moore said FOLE had members from Atlanta to Apalachicola. A former Red Level educator has been found not guilty of two counts of the Alabama statute forbidding sexual contact between educators and students under the age of 19. Thomas Edwin Gamble was cleared of the charges Friday. Gamble, who had been a special education teacher at Straughn Middle School, was accused of inappropriately touching a student. Police said the incidents occurred on two occasions. Gamble was arrested in March 2015 and subsequently resigned from teaching. Gambles attorney, Tom Brantley, said the evidence against Gamble was weak. Its great, Brantley said. Going in, we wondered if we were going to get a good jury if the jury was going to believe us. Im elated. The charges against Thomas were class A misdemeanors, and if Thomas had been convicted he could have been punished with up to a year in jail on each charge. He also would have had to register as a sex offender upon release. Brantley said that the not guilty verdict was just the first step in getting Thomas life back on track. Were going to fight to get his job back, Brantley said. US President Donald Trumpon Thursday declared China the "grand champions" of currency manipulation, indicating he has not "held back" in his previous assessment. His statement, made during an interview with Reuters, came hours after his new Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin pledged a more methodical approach to analyze Beijing's foreign exchange practices. Trump also told Reuters that China could solve the national security challenge posed by North Korea "very easily if they want to." The impression Trump left was that he has been talking about China based on his own imagination. He knows nothing about China's currency policies and had no idea about the nature of Sino-North Korean relations. What he saw was a Chinese trade surplus and that many Chinese goods are sold at cheaper prices than US products. He felt that the yuan was "kept low artificially" because 1 yuan is worth a lot less than 1 dollar. This perception is obviously fictitious. China sold a lot of its foreign currency reserves last year to maintain yuan stability. Trump's accusation of China's forex policy is groundless. As for Sino-North Korean relations, many Americans, Trump included, believe Pyongyang would listen to whatever Beijing says. But the latest critique from Pyongyang's official news agency, which lashed out at Beijing, clearly suggests otherwise. Trump's comments indicate that he has not discussed the currency manipulation issue with Mnuchin. China's current currency policy, which aims at preventing yuan depreciation, is actually in line with Trump's wish. As US president, Trump should be more cautious when commenting on other countries. After all, the White House is not a standup comedy theater. Every word of the US president will be recorded and discussed. When the US president says whatever comes across his mind and is not held responsible for his words, people do not know how to respond to it. Many countries have been criticized by Trump but it is still unclear what these criticisms stand for in diplomatic terms. China is earnest about maintaining sound Sino-US relations and takes the US' opinions seriously. However, China won't be able to satisfy unreasonable demands and if the US insists on doing so, frictions are bound to emerge. Trump has demonstrated extraordinary capabilities in his past successful career. However he should start a new learning process when entering an arena such as the Sino-US diplomacy. We strongly feel that his knowledge about China is ill-matched for his responsibility. Given the gravity of Sino-US ties, we hope it could be remedied as soon as possible in the US institutions. On Thursday of last week Dundalk Chamber of Commerce were involved with a guided tour of the border region to give a troupe of journalists a better view of what Brexit could mean for North Louth. Organised by the Department of Foreign Affairs, the tour came a day before the All Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit which took place on Friday in Dublin Castle. Eleven overseas journalists are in Ireland as part of a media visit organised by the department to coincide with the second plenary meeting of the All-Island Civic Dialogue. Thursday saw a day-long programme involving visits to Dundalk, aswell as Crossmaglen, Co. Armagh and Co. Monaghan to meet with business and community contacts who will speak with them regarding the potential impact of Brexit on the Peace Process, the economy and the community. Thursdays trip's main objective of was to seek broad based views on the all-island implications of Brexit. At 10.30am they visited Intact Software, Dundalk; a software company which has built a strong presence in the UK and has decided to bring forward its USA diversification plans in light of the Brexit referendum. They met the CEO Justin Lawless of the Blackthorn Business Park on site. At 11.30am they met Louth Comhairle na nOg at the county council headquarters, a cross-border youth network between Comhairle na nOg groups in Louth, Monaghan, and Cavan, and the district Youth Councils of Armagh, Dungannon, and Newry and Mourne. At 12.30 they met with over lunch with representatives of Dundalk, Warrenpoint, and Newry Chambers of Commerce, including Paddy Malone. After the lunch at the Carrickdale, they met with members of the local community to focus on impact of the Troubles on local families, reconciliation efforts in recent year, and potential ramifications of Brexit on these efforts. They then made a trip to LacPatrick Dairies ROI Limited in Coolshannagh in Co Monaghan. LacPatrick has a combined turnover of 360m, and employs 300 people. Over 1050 farmers deliver 600 million litres of milk annually. The company is headquartered in Monaghan, Ireland, and sells high quality dairy food products to almost all corners of the globe. Like everyone else who attended the launch, I was very much excited about Tim Hortons opening in the Philippines especially here in Metro Manila. Ive been hearing about Tim Hortons for decades among my friends in Canada. They keep telling me you should try Tims. In my head I tell them why dont you go buy me a plane ticket to Canada and maybe I could! But what comes out of my mouth is: Ship some samples so I can try! They would, but still nothing beats the real experience. And so when I got an invite to Tim Hortons first Philippines/ Southeas Asian Branch opening recently, I said yes. I would boast to my Cannuck friends, Hey, Tims is here! Suck it up! It is a compliment for my country having Tims here. It just shows how big brands from all over the world still come here and do business inspite of. Maybe investors are coming because they are shielded from the news or they are risk takers, the higher the risk the better as success returns could be way much better. Im sure they did their market research. When you live in the Philippines who wants to make good . I suggest you close your eyes and make a wish that you wont be next! That is something to talk about over coffee. Good thing to know that Tim Hortons Philippines first branch will be open for 24 hours 7 days a week! Which means more Canadian style coffee and donuts for us. Ive always thought of Canadians as laid back kind of people maybe because of the coffee they drink? Haha! During the event I tried the black coffee, although they recommended their signature coffee the doubles. I wanted to taste the difference of their brew. It tasted kinda sour, little tangy and light. I like. We also had a taste of their famous French Vanilla that those with has creamy and sweet tooth would love. As for their donuts, their signature twisted one. I also liked it. It is not too sweet and it tasted light like I feel I could eat a dozen of it! Thanks to my friend John who warned me of tricky foods I only had half of a whole. Plus they were giving us a taste of all their pastries. Their muffins are light, fluffy with crusty top which I like way better than all other muffins I have tasted. I also love their Bisket and Bagels, perfect meal for someone cutting down on rice! If you ask about Tim Hortons Philippinesprice range, they are way cheaper than the popular cafes and coffee shops we know! Check this out! The competition should be nervous about this new comer. We all should expect more branches opening in the country soon. Check out Tim Hortons Philippines Facebook page for more information or follow them on Instagram @timhortonsphl . If the photos are not enough for you may I invite you to watch my Vlog about the Tim Hortons First Philippines / Southeast Asian Branch Opens at Uptown Mall BGC where 2017 Ms. Universe Canada Siera Bearchell graced the event. P.S. Tim Hortons first branch in the Philippines is located at UPTown Mall in BGC Taguig will be open to public on February 28, 2017 at 4PM. First customer will get a free 1 year supply of a dozen donut! See you there! P.S.S. For those looking to work at Tim Hortons Philippines, they are on a continous hiring. You may also check their Facebook page for information on where and when to apply. Or visit the branch look for the manager and ask for a job application form. Good luck! Stay gorgeous everyone! 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The two detained are said to be a man surnamed Li, who runs a private company, and the company's chef, surnamed Yan, according to Chinanews.com on Saturday. A screenshot of a microblog post, which appeared to show Guangxi officials inviting investors from Hong Kong to eat Pangolin at a reception, went viral on Sina Weibo on February 6, 2017. Investigations show that the 'pangolin banquet' was arranged in the canteen of the company by Li and another suspect, Li Ning, a former official with the regional work committee of higher education. Li Ning was arrested for corruption in May 2016. In China, those who catch, kill, buy or sell Pangolins could face a jail term of more than 10 years plus fines. There have been calls by conservation groups for pangolins to be made a first class nationally protected animal. They currently have second class status. By Brett VandenHeuvel Thursday, Columbia Riverkeeper filed the nations first lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys administrator Scott Pruitt, Columbia Riverkeeper et al. v. Pruitt. Pruitt has deep ties to the fossil fuel industry. As Attorney General of Oklahoma, he repeatedly sued the EPA to weaken environmental protections. It seems appropriate, then, that the first lawsuit against Pruitt could compel him to addresses the real impacts of climate change today. Thats why we are in court, asking a federal judge to compel Pruitt to protect salmon from hot waterbefore its too late. [facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1460041177342148/ expand=1] Salmon need water cooler than 68F for long-term survival, but the Columbia and Snake Rivers routinely exceed 70F in the summer. And the water temperature continues to rise as our climate heats up. Low snow pack and record heat are becoming the new normal. For the Pacific Northwest, salmon are the canary in the climate change coal mine. The summer of 2015 was a heart-breaking reminder of this long-recognized problem. That summer, I watched thousands of sockeye salmon swimming around in circles, scarred with lesions, waiting to die because they could not continue upstream to cold-water streams to spawn. Roughly 250,000 adult sockeye perished in the lower Columbia and Snake Rivers. Pollutionhere, heat pollutionturned back almost entire run of Snake River sockeye salmon. Climate change is not a future threat or something happening far away. It is impacting our quality of life, economy and local environment right now. The Columbia is just one example, but an important one. Fortunately, there are things we can do right now to lower the water temperature in the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Dams on the Columbia and Snake Rivers create large, stagnant pools that warm up the water, but changing the operation of those dams to simulate more natural flows could reduce river temperature. And removing the four lower Snake River damswhich biologists have been recommending since the Clinton administrationcould dramatically decrease the temperature of the lower Snake. This lawsuit, if won, would require Pruitt to make a plan to protect salmon from the twin causes of hot water in the Columbia and Snake Rivers: climate change and dams. Under the Clean Water Act, the EPA must protect salmon from pollution, including heat pollution. Were asking a judge to order Pruitt to do his job: Acknowledge the immediate threat of climate change and make a plan to protect salmon. The plaintiffs are Columbia Riverkeeper, Snake River Waterkeeper, Idaho Rivers United, Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermens Associations and the Institute for Fisheries Resources. Plaintiffs are represented by: Bryan Hurlbutt, an attorney at Advocates for the West, a public interest nonprofit environmental law firm based in Boise, Idaho; Richard Smith, an attorney at Smith and Lowney PLLC in Seattle; and Miles Johnson, an attorney at Columbia Riverkeeper in Hood River, Oregon. A major seed deposit critical to ensuring global food security was made to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in the Arctic Circle on Wednesday. Despite a backdrop of geopolitical volatility, nearly 50,000 samples of seeds from seed collections in Benin, India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Netherlands, the U.S, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus and the U.K have traveled to the vault on the Svalbard archipelago between mainland Norway and the North Pole on Wednesday for long-term safekeeping. The Crop Trust The preparation and shipment of seeds to the facility has been funded in-part by the Crop Trust, the only organization working worldwide to create, fund and manage an efficient and effective global system of seed collections. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the worlds largest collection of agricultural biodiversity, is a safe and secure vault supported by the Crop Trust which can store up to 4.5 million samples of crops from all over the world. By preserving duplicate samples of seeds held in gene banks worldwide, the vault provides a fail safe insurance against loss of crop diversity caused by climate change, natural disaster or war. Todays [Wednesday] seed deposit at Svalbard supported by the Crop Trust shows that despite political and economic differences in other arenas, collective efforts to conserve crop diversity and produce a global food supply for tomorrow continue to be strong, Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust, said when speaking from the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Together, the nations that have deposited their seed collections account for over a quarter of the worlds population. Nearly every country has agreed on the importance on conserving crop diversity through Target 2.5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to conserve agricultural diversity in seed collections. Crop diversity is a fundamental foundation for the end of hunger. To support the Crop Trusts critical work at Svalbard and gene banks around the world, GoPro for a Cause, GoPros program dedicated to impact storytelling for non-profit organizations, launched a fundraising initiative and short documentary Wednesday to help the Svalbard Seed Vault ensure ongoing crop conservation. that we can rely on our gene banks and their safety duplications, despite adverse circumstances, so we can get one step closer to a food secure world. Seed samples for some of the worlds most vital food sources like the potato, sorghum, rice, barley, chickpea, lentil and wheat will be deposited at Svalbard in the coming days, bringing the total number of seed samples at the facility to 930,821. [Editors note: President Trump signed another executive order on Friday aimed at eliminating regulations.] The Washington Post has reported that the Trump administration may announce a number of executive orders in the coming days. The rumored targetsthe Clean Power Plan, the Clean Water Rule and the federal coal leasing moratoriumprotect our air and water, save lives and take action to stop climate disruption. By the numbers, heres whats at stake if Trump attacks these vital safeguards and reforms. [facebook https://www.facebook.com/EcoWatch/videos/1460041177342148/ expand=1] The Clean Power Plan First Ever: On June 2, 2014, as part of President Obamas Climate Action Plan, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed the Clean Power Plan, our nations first-ever protections from carbon pollution from power plants. The plan puts states in the drivers seat to hasten their shift to clean energy and reduce carbon pollution. It will also help reduce other forms of dangerous air pollution, helping to keep our children healthier. Three Times: The Clean Power Plan has a solid legal foundation in the Clean Air Act. On three separate occasions, the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld the EPAs authority and responsibility under the Clean Air Act to protect human health and welfare by limiting carbon pollution. Up to 6,600: The Clean Power Plan will lead to significant climate and public health benefits for all. The EPA has estimated that, by 2030, the Clean Power Plan will prevent 150,000 asthma attacks and up to 6,600 premature deaths annually. $93 Billion: The Clean Power Plan also provides great opportunities for economic growth and sustainable development. Investing in clean energy will create jobs and fuel economic growth in our country. The EPA estimates the Clean Power Plan will deliver annual benefits of up to $93 billion by 2030. 37 Percent: Fossil-fuel fired power plants are the largest source of carbon pollution in the U.S. and therefore a major contributor to climate change. Carbon emissions from power plants represent 37 percent of the total CO2 emissions emitted in the U.S. 97 Percent: 97 percent of all the generating capacity added in the U.S. in December 2016 was either wind or solar energy, according to SNL Energy. The Clean Water Rule In March 2014 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers proposed a long-overdue Clean Water Act rule to end the confusion over which streams and wetlands are protected by the law. The health of our nations rivers, lakes and bays depends on the network of small streams and wetlands that flow into them. Heres whats at stake: 117 Million: The Clean Water rule provides protections for the drinking water sources for more than 117 million Americans. One in three Americans get drinking water from public systems that rely on headwater and seasonal streams. 20 million: The Clean Water rule also safeguards 20 million acres of wetlands that provide flood protection, recharge groundwater supplies, filter pollution and provide essential wildlife habitat. Coal Leasing Moratorium: The Cost of Coal Under a Broken System President Obama initiated a coal leasing moratorium on federal lands while the Department of the Interior reviewed the outdated coal leasing program, which has been shortchanging taxpayers while benefiting coal executives for decades. https://twitter.com/EcoWatch/status/833297604893081600 Sorely in need of reform, under the outdated program the Department of the Interior has been issuing leases to coal companies on the cheap for coal on lands belonging to the American people, giving them a sweetheart deal that has flooded the market with subsidized coal at below-market prices, while damaging our climate and our public lands. 41 cents: 40 percent of all coal burned in the U.S. comes from our federal leases on public lands. Under the existing system, up to 90 percent of bids in the Powder River Basin received only a single bidder, resulting in sales far below what companies typically paid for on private lands. You could buy one ton of federal coal for less than a packet of M&Msjust 41 cents. ~$28.9 billion: Local taxpayers are not getting a fair return for the use of their public lands with royalty rates set unreasonably low. Under this system, American taxpayers are losing hundreds of millions of dollars each year, totaling an estimated $28.9 billion in revenues in the Powder River Basin alone over the 30 years since the federal government last overhauled its coal leasing program. 11 percent: Mining and burning coal from public lands accounts for approximately 11 percent of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Trump is rolling back critical public health and environmental standards so his buddies in the fossil fuel industry can continue to pad their pockets at our expense. The Sierra Club will be fighting these rollbacks every step of the way and Americans nationwide will continue to resistjoin us. (Photo: Peter Kenny)Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin at a press conference in Kiev on Oct., 2014. The Vatican has urged the United Nations Security Council to take "all necessary steps" to enforce a ceasefire and to implement measures agreed upon on Ukraine as concerns grow about worsening tensions on its eastern border with Russia. The Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, spoke at a meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Feb. 22, the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church. "Concerning the conflict in Ukraine, which continues to cause grave concern since it began in 2014, the Holy See underscores once again that all necessary steps should be taken to enforce the ceasefire and to implement the measures agreed upon," Archbishop Auza said. Such efforts should be accompanied by the "sincere commitment of all involved parties" to respect all fundamental human rights and restoring stability at the national and international levels. This should be done "not least by respecting international legality with regard to Ukraine's territory and borders," said the Vatican envoy. Due to ongoing instability and conflict in Ukraine since April 2014, areas primarily in the eastern part of the country have experienced a deteriorating humanitarian situation, Reliefweb reports. Heavy shelling and armed conflict has led to significant displacement of people. Unfortunately, political negotiations conducted have not succeeded so far in ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. On the same day of the Holy See plea, Ukraine called for reform of the United Nations Security Council's structure to prevent Russia from using its veto power on the council to obstruct actions involving the conflict in eastern Ukraine. "We need urgently to reform the Security Council in order to remove the veto power abuses," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, who chaired a meeting of the council on unresolved conflicts in Europe on February 21, Russia's Tass news agency reported. A provision of the council's charter requires that "a party to a dispute shall abstain from voting" when the council acts, but it has been "blatantly ignored," he said. Russia used its power, for example, to block an initiative to set up an international tribunal to prosecute those responsible for downing Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 in 2015 over the war zone in eastern Ukraine, killing hundreds of people, Radio Free Europe reported Feb. 22. The council should be able to address "bloody conflicts" regardless of whether one of the parties involved is a permanent council member with veto power, Klimkin said. The five permanent members of the Security Council are: Britain, China, France, Russian and the United States, which each have the right veto any decision made by it. Russia maintains that it has no troops in Ukraine despite evidence to the contrary, has previously rejected as unacceptable any curbs on its veto power. On Feb. 23, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church has appealed to the international community to take diplomatic action and stop the continuing violence in Eastern Ukraine. Speaking to Vatican Radio, Sviatoslav Shevchuk, Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church, said that Europe must not allow the humanitarian emergency unfolding at its heart to go unnoticed. "We know there can be no military solution to the conflict in Ukraine that's why I appeal to the international community to continue to push forward diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire" he said. This week a ceasefire between Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists came into effect but the head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said violations to the ceasefire are already occurring. The ceasefire is the latest attempt to enforce the Minsk peace protocol, an accord that has repeatedly failed since it was first partially implemented two years ago. But Russian President Vladimir Putin effectively withdrew from the Minsk agreement a week ago by signing an executive order recognizing travel documents issued by separatist authorities in the region, CNN reported. The conflict started in April 2014 and has killed some 10,000 people, displacing hundreds of thousands from their homes, leaving some 3.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Turkeys Foreign Ministry has released a statement in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide. As a result of Armenias attack on the town of Khojaly in Nagorno-Karabakh on Feb. 26, 1992, 613 Azerbaijani nationals were killed, among whom there were 106 women, 63 children and 70 old people, says the statement. The ministry said 1,275 people were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. A fifth part of the Azerbaijani territory is still under occupation, over one million of our Azerbaijani brothers and sisters have become refugees and internally displaced persons. Turkey deeply feels the pain of atrocities faced by Azerbaijani brothers 25 years ago, and shares this pain. Perpetrators of this tragedy will be judged by history. We strongly condemn the massacre committed by Armenian armed forces and the occupation of Azerbaijani territories that has been continuing for many years, says the statement. We pray for the souls of those killed in this tragedy. 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. On February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of the former Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. 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 the author on Twitter: @o_quluzade Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Armenians will regret committing provocation, Azerbaijans Deputy Prime Minister Ali Ahmadov told reporters Feb. 25. The frontline provocations committed by the Armenian armed forces on the eve of the Khojaly genocides 25th anniversary show the instigating nature of Armenians, said Ahmadov. The Armenian sides frequent provocations under various pretexts are not news. I would like to note with deep regret that Armenians dont give up their habit of committing provocations, and, apparently, they are not going to waive that habit, noted the deputy prime minister. Armenians have been trying to reach their goals via provocations. I am absolutely confident that the Azerbaijani army, our hero soldiers, as always, will give an adequate response to the Armenian provocation, he added. The Azerbaijani army is strong enough and resolute, its combat capability is at a high level. Our army is ready to suppress not only Armenian provocations, but also large-scale battles, from which it will emerge as a winner. Armenian army attempted to infiltrate through the Azerbaijani positions along the line of contact on the night from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, said the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry Feb. 25. The Armenian side attempted to seize favorable positions on the Khojavand-Fuzuli part of the frontline, said the ministry, adding heavy battles took place between Azerbaijani and Armenian troops. The Armenian sides large-scale provocation attempt was timely detected and resolutely prevented, said the ministry. Azerbaijani military units courageously prevented the attacks and the Armenian side was forced to retreat, according to the Defense Ministry. Azerbaijan has casualties as a result of the battles, said the ministry. The Armenian side, which didnt succeed in moving forward, continues heavy artillery shelling of Azerbaijani positions. The ministry added that adequate response measures are being taken against the Armenian fire positions and force concentration zones. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 26 Trend: On February 26, 1992, Armenian military committed an act of genocide against the 7,000 population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed as a result of the massacre. A total of 1,000 civilians became disabled in the onslaught. Eight families were completely annihilated, 130 children lost one parent, while 25 lost both parents. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. All these acts were committed by Armenian military with extreme mercilessness and inconceivable barbarism. The second battalion of 366th regiment under the command of Major Seyran Ohanian, the third battalion under the command of Yevgeniy Nabokhin, staff chief of the first battalion Valeriy Chitchyan and more than 50 officers and ensigns took part in the attack, according to information from The Investigation Materials Concerning Khojaly Occupation. A part of the town residents, who attempted to flee, were killed by Armenians in pre-organized ambushes. According to the Russian Remedial Center Memorial, 200 corpses were brought from Khojaly to Agdam within four days of the massacre. Facts of humiliation on dozens of bodies were registered. Forensic examination in Agdam was performed on 181 corpses, including 13 children. The examination revealed that 151 people died from bullet wounds, 20 people died from shrapnel wounds, 10 were killed with blunt instruments. Facts of scalping people alive were also revealed. The Khojaly genocide has become one of the most terrible and tragic pages of Azerbaijani history. Azerbaijani people have faced ethnic cleansing and genocide by Armenian nationalists and chauvinists for 200 years. Azerbaijanis were deported from their historical lands and became refugees and internally displaced persons, and all this was accompanied by massacres committed by Armenians. Azerbaijanis were also forced to leave their historical lands during the Soviet period. Some 150,000 Azerbaijanis were deported from Armenia and placed in the Kur-Araz plain in 1948-1953. About 250,000 Azerbaijanis were forced from their historical territories in 1988 and Armenia became a mono-ethnic state. The Nagorno-Karabakh events, which began in 1988 along with continuous efforts to implement the Armenian desire of building an Armenia from sea to sea, led to destruction of towns and villages, murder of thousands of innocent people, as well as the exile of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their historical lands. Armenian government tries to annex Nagorno-Karabakh despite international legal norms, demonstrating its readiness to resort to any kind of crime and atrocity. The Khojaly genocide a tragedy of the 20th century was a result of this aggressive and criminal policy. This tragedy of the late 20th century was one of the most serious crimes not only against the people of Azerbaijan, but humanity as a whole. The Khojaly genocide is comparable to the tragedies in Khatyn, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and Son My. Why did Armenians choose Khojaly as a target? On one hand, they were intending to destroy strategic barriers in Karabakhs mountainous part, and on the other hand, Armenians just wanted to completely destroy Khojaly a settlement, reflecting the historical and cultural traditions of Azerbaijanis from ancient times to the modern period. This distinct culture is known as the Khojaly-Gadabay culture in the Azerbaijani history. The cromlechs, dolmens, cyclopean structures and tumuli as well as different monuments in Khojaly are the samples of material culture reflecting the dynamic development of human society here. Destruction of this material culture and the Khojaly graveyard one of the most ancient cemeteries after the Armenian occupation is the proof of Armenian barbarism and aggression against the world culture. Stories of the Khojaly genocide victims are horrifying. Antiga, a Khojaly resident, was burned alive because she refused to say the area was part of Great Armenia. Sariyya Talibova, another Khojaly resident, said, Four Mehseti Turks and three Azerbaijanis were decapitated over the grave of an Armenian. Later they [Armenians] gouged out the eyes of two Azerbaijanis. Armenians scalped people alive, beheaded them and cut other parts of their bodies, gouged childrens eyes and disemboweled pregnant women. Forbidden bullets of 5.45 caliber and chemical weapons were used in Khojaly during the attack. All these prove that Armenia committed genocide against civilians, violating Geneva Convention's protocols. The Khojaly genocide, committed with a particular atrocity, terrified journalists and publicists of Russia, Georgia, Great Britain, France, Germany, the US and other countries. International conventions and laws in all countries condemn genocides like the Khojaly tragedy, and call them inadmissible. The world must know that this crime was directed not only against the Azerbaijani people, but also against the whole civilized world. The persons holding high state positions in Armenia today must answer before international court. This crime should not go unpunished. Armenia's military-political aggression must be condemned by the world community. International organizations and parliaments of world countries must give political and legal assessment to the Khojaly genocide committed by the Armenian Republic in Azerbaijans territories. It should be noted that the parliaments of several countries have made decisions recognizing the Khojaly genocide. Drake and Jennifer Lopez have reportedly split after their short romance. The rapper was found attending an all-night party, dancing with model, Winnie Harlow, while JLo is said to be interested in rekindling romance with her ex, Casper Smart. Lopez and Drake have parted ways after their whirlwind romance. According to reports from ET Online, Lopez liked Drake, but it is time that caused the romance to fizzle. Their busy career kept them apart and they were struggling to find time for each other. The news outlet also suggests that Lopez might be interested in restarting her romance with Smart, whom she ran into in Los Angeles. In related news, it was reported that at a recently held all-night party, Drake was found dancing and chatting with Winnie Harlow at London club Libertine. The party also had other celebrities like Adriana Lima and Jourdan Dunn. The duo were present at the party till the morning and were found to look very close, The Sun reported. It is worth mentioning here that Drake and Harlow have always been close friends. And, when Drake invited her, she was found quickly leaving fellow model, Kendall Jenner in a nearby club to meet Drake at Libertine. Notably, Lopez and Drake's romance started late December and within days, the songstress' Instagram had their photos making it official that they were seeing each other. It was also rumored that JLo was head over heels in love with the rapper. The couple was also found ushering in the New Year together, however they were not spotted as a couple at any other event. With Lopez and Drake's romance to have fizzled, it remains to be seen whether they find love somewhere else or whether they get back to each other in a short span of time. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt will be assisted by Michael Jackson's famed psychologist who worked on his child molestation case before. The court just appointed Stan Katz to help the ex-couple deal with the case. It has been obtained from the new court document that Katz was just assigned by the court to conduct child custody assessment and evaluation in the case of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's custody case. Prior to his work on this controversial case, Stan Katz finished four court-assigned child custody evaluations in the past three years. This appointment just came exactly one day before Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt decided to preserve and keep the privacy of their six children as per Daily Mail. The ex-couple signed agreements to keep all court documents confidential and they hired a private judge to perform essential and needed court decisions. Moreover, the private judge will also help facilitate an expeditious resolution of any remaining issues. It can be recalled that Brad Pitt made a move before the court that all the necessary legal proceedings will be kept from the media and the public. His reason stemmed from the point that the security and privacy of his kids are at risk. Additionally, he also blamed Angelina Jolie for putting the children's privacy at risk because of reportedly exposing crucial details in the media and public. Then Angelina Jolie has finally agreed with Brad Pitt to seal all the documents for the benefit of the whole family. Meanwhile, Angelina Jolie just promoted her new film in Cambodia and she was asked about the divorce. She opened up for the first time about the split from Brad Pitt and according to her, it was a very difficult divorce and that they are still a family whatever happens in the future as per CNN. The actress also insisted and shared that Brad was a good parent when she was also interviewed by "Good Morning America." Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt seemed to have moved on already from this ordeal and they are reportedly focusing now on the welfare of their kids. The popular manga series "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" will have its anime series official premiere on April 5. What is more, recently its team revealed many details about the staff and cast to the fans. Fans of "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" have great news for not only the official premier date of the anime series has been revealed, the team has also disclosed many details about the cast and staff, Comicbook.com claimed. "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" would premiere on April 5 on TV Tokyo for Japanese fans. This is not all. A few days before another popular anime series "Attack on Titan" Season 2 would also go on air. As for the details, it has been revealed that "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" would have Noriyuki Abe as the Chief Director while Hiroyuki Yamashita serves as the series director. The latter is definitely something to cheer about as he has also directed the anime film "Boruto: Naruto the Movie." According to Anime News Network, cast members would be also returning from the movie. The names include Kensho Ono as Shikadai Nara, Atsushi Abe as Inojin Yamanaka, Nana Mizuki as Hinata Uzumaki, Ryoko Shiraishi as Chocho Akimichi, Shinji Kawada as Shino Aburame and Showtaro Morikubo as Shikamaru Nara. Also, the anime adaptation will feature an original story. Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the manga series had talked about it earlier in December. He had said that he plans to make "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations" even better than Naruto. Not only this, it was in this same month that Crunchyroll had begun to stream a promotional video with English subtitles for the upcoming anime series on Twitter. Well, now that fans have been finally given the release date, which is quite near, it is sure to increase the excitement about "Boruto: Naruto Next Generations." The impressive crew surely makes for an interesting anime treat and since Noriyuki Abe would be coming back one more time with his new take on the manga series, fans would be definitely looking forward to the April premiere. Dean McDermott's recent baby shower for Tori Spelling drew a lot of surprises - as well as one volatile reaction - from ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace. She is reportedly not "furious" that Dean is irregular about his regular child support payments, but she is definitely not going to remain quiet about it. Tori Spelling is expecting her fifth child with Dean McDermott, but what about Mary Jo Eustace's 18-year-old son? The baby shower party cost $40,000. The teenage son, Jack, has support payment pending too. Mary Jo Eustace confirmed that she was not "livid" but just laughed when she read about her own reactions to the party in the news, according to Toronto Sun. According to the court documents, Dean McDermott is supposed to visit a Los Angeles courtroom on March 9. Recently, Mary Jo Eustace slammed her ex-husband Dean McDermott with contempt of court allegations, as he is reported to owe her more than $100,000 in support payments, according to Mail Online. However, other sources point out that it was foolish of Mary Jo Eustace to fume about it, as Tori's mother Candy Spelling gave all the expenses for that party. Tori Spelling and Dean faced a number of financial problems for many years and faced some suits for loan default last December. They had not paid $200,000 that they had borrowed in 2012. Mary Jo Eustace reports, "I have taken every step to keep it fair. The latest contract we agreed to was put into place only last August." However, by last October, the payments spun to a stop again. Moreover, American Express also slammed a suit on Tori Spelling as she did not repay her $87,000 credit card debt. Even though she had paid it in 2015, her check of $1,000 bounced. Additionally, last summer, the state of California issued a $259,000 tax lien against her property. In 2013, Tori Spelling had confessed that she and Dean McDermott had been facing financial problems, as both of them did not have secure jobs in Hollywood for a long time. It was in 2015 that their reality show, "Tori and Dean," had been removed by the Lifetime Network after just a few seasons. They then appeared on various reality competition shows or promoted brands and products on other social media accounts. Last year they shifted from a huge Los Angeles rental home to a tinier flat. YouTube/Wochit Entertainment It looks like Meghan Markle's TV career is almost over. The actress Gina Torres might be the star of a new "Suits" spin-off show, so Meghan Markle may be getting shown the door by her producers. "Suits" is a fictional lawsuit firm that is situated in the "happening" city of New York. Meghan Markle was cast as Rachel Zane on "Suits" for almost five years, since 2011. However, her relationship with Prince Harry convinced her producers that she might not stay on. She has reportedly asked her producers to kill off Rachel Zane, according to Daily Star. Hence, they are giving a hand to Gina Torres for a potential spin-off show. Gina Torres, 47, who played Jessica Pearson for six seasons, might replay her role in another project. It is being thrashed out at Universal Cable Productions. The show is being spoken of for almost a year. The USA network is likely to pick it up, although negotiations are still ongoing. Meghan Markle might well depart from "Suits," taking Rachel Zane with her, say speculations. The 37-year-old will then not come back for either the legal episodes or for the spinoff, according to Elle. Still, the problem for Meghan Markle is that Prince Harry has not even proposed to her, nor are they engaged. Although she has signaled that she is willing to undergo a major upheaval in her career, Prince Harry has not taken the steps to seal their relationship. He has to first get his grandmother the Queen's blessings to go ahead with his engagement. She is suspicious that the "Suit" start might be just an aspiring Hollywood actress who is dreaming big and trying to enter royalty. It certainly means a complete turnaround for Meghan Markle's life and lifestyle. Firstly, she will be out of "Suits" and secondly, after entering the royal household, she will have to leave Hollywood and instead attend royal engagements and public appearances in London. Her lifestyle blog, The Twig, and her social media accounts too will have to undergo a turnover. How ready, then, is the couple, and indeed the entire royal household for all this? YouTube/stilodef Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the central figures in the anti-colonial movement against the British and the first prime minister of independent India, is widely believed to be a Westernised intellectual, influenced by mainstream views of the Enlightenment on religion as a storehouse of falsehoods and superstition. As an atheist, religion raised some important questions about human existence, but at best answered them wrongly and dogmatically.1 It petrified old beliefs and customs, encouraged an attitude against social reform and revolution. Science and philosophy, on the other hand, encouraged critical reasoning and self-reliance in intellectual matters, helped take a distant, more detached view of things, and opened up the mind to progressive change. Thus, Nehru pitted scientific reason against religious faith. No wonder then, he also espoused a secular statea state that separated itself from religion and was indifferent, if not hostile to it. Some have found striking similarities between him and Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, except that, because of the constraints of democracy and diversity Nehru failed where Ataturk succeeded (at least in his own time). In this paper, I try to argue that Nehrus views on religion and secularism were unusually subtle, considerably more complex than is suggested by this simplistic portrayal. Besides, they remain acutely relevant in India today. To be sure, some Nehruvians in the late 1960s and 1970s, encouraged by some of Nehrus own remarks, played not a small role in constructing this picture. But that precisely is my point. Nehrus own views on religion and secularism, indeed even his considered political practice, were very different from the Nehruvian secularism that emerged soon after his death, a handiwork of intellectuals close to his daughter, Indira Gandhi. It is an argument of this paper that Nehruvian views on secularism must give way to Nehrus own views on the matter which have great relevance today. Americas first electoral presidential debate was held in 1960 between John F Kennedy and Richard Nixon. Since then, the tradition has come a long way. The recent debates between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, in a departure from tradition, were loaded with acrimony, barbs, and mud-slinging. Rhetoric quite often eclipsed policy issues. It makes me wonder, what is the role of rhetoric in democratic politics? How far must rhetoric accompany democratic debates and when does it become unhealthy? Let history be our guide here. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Baku hosted presentation of two books dedicated to the Khojaly genocides 25th anniversary, titled Khojaly genocide: causes, consequences and international recognition and Stages of the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Azerbaijanis. The author of the books is Azerbaijani Presidents Aide for Public and Political Affairs, Professor Ali Hasanov. During the event, attended by government and state officials, members of the Azerbaijani parliament, well-known figures of science and culture, representatives of the media, the memory of Azerbaijans sons, who became martyrs for the freedom of Azerbaijani lands, was commemorated with a minute of silence. As you know, Head of Azerbaijani Presidential Administration Ramiz Mehdiyev has signed an action plan on marking the 25th anniversary of the Khojaly genocide, noted Hasanov addressing the event. He said the action plan determines the issues on studying and spreading information about the Khojaly genocide, the aims Azerbaijan wants to bring to international communitys attention and other issues. He said each book contains articles and has 30 pages. The presidential aide also noted that the books, which have been published in 2,000 copies, will also have electronic versions. The most important thing is that the books dont prompt hatred and vengeance, said Hasanov. The Armenian people themselves have suffered enough from the current criminal regime of Armenia, maybe they have suffered more than us and they still suffer, added the Azerbaijani top official. Today, the Armenian people are the hostages and victims of that criminal regime, noted Hasanov, adding that therefore there is a call for peace in the books. Meanwhile, the books introduce to the world the people who committed those crimes, he said. The books introduce these people in order to prevent their future such attempts, allow the world to know them and prevent them in time, added Hasanov. He noted that there is a call in the books for good-neighborliness among the peoples of South Caucasus. At the same time, we can not forget the Khojaly genocide, the memory of innocent people killed in this massacre, added Hasanov. We want the whole world to be aware of the sufferings of these people and hate those who caused them. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Director of the Baku International Policy and Security Network (Baku Network) Elkhan Alasgarov has been invited to take part in an international forum organized by Russias Valdai Discussion Club. Alasgarov told Trend the invitation for Baku Network to participate in the event of one of the worlds most reputable political platforms is indicative of serious perception of Azerbaijani expert community by international centers. This is the appraisal of not only Baku Networks success, but also an indication that most of our colleagues want to become acquainted with Azerbaijani experts positions, he said. The increasing interest in our expert community is a result of successful foreign policy of Azerbaijans President Ilham Aliyev. The international conference titled The Middle East: When Will Tomorrow Come?, organized with partnership of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences will be held in Moscow on Feb. 27-28. The conference will be attended by well-known politicians, scholars, diplomats, military and former public figures from 25 countries. Bill Hall Jr. Trucking Ltd. appears to be nearing the end of the road. The trucking company, which landed in the spotlight following the shocking 2013 murder of co-founder Bill Hall Jr. and the subsequent conviction of his wife and business partner, Frances Hall, this week moved to have its bankruptcy reorganization converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation. In a Thursday court filing, the company said it has attempted to reorganize its debts but realizes that it will be unable to propose a confirmable plan of reorganization. It has asked for court permission to convert the case to a liquidation. James S. Wilkins, the companys bankruptcy lawyer, couldnt be reached for comment Friday so its unclear why the company was unable to present a reorganization plan that creditors would approve and a judge would confirm. Calls to Bill Hall Jr. Trucking Ltd. were met with a busy signal. A sister company, Bill Hall Jr. Trucking GP LLC, remains in Chapter 11. The LLC filed for bankruptcy a second time last month, about three weeks after U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Craig Gargotta dismissed the previous case because the company missed a deadline to file a reorganization plan. The Halls started Bill Hall Jr. Trucking in 1989, building it into a multimillion-dollar company with a fleet of 130 trucks. Trucking tycoon Bill Hall Jr. was 50 when he died in 2013 while riding his Harley Davidson on Loop 1604, less than 2 miles from the companys far Southwest Side headquarters. Frances Hall was charged with his murder, accused of chasing him down and running him off the road with her Cadillac Escalade. Police said his death was the consequence of an alleged love triangle involving Hall, his wife of nearly 32 years, and his girlfriend Bonnie Contreras nearly 20 years his junior. Frances Hall was convicted of murder in September and is serving a two-year prison sentence. Ltd. has hauled gravel and other materials for road construction with a fleet of trucks owned by LLC. A December bankruptcy court filing shows Ltd. generated less than $7 million in revenue last year after posting $16.1 million in 2015 and $19 million in 2014. It listed $1.4 million in assets and $1.5 million in liabilities. When LLC entered bankruptcy in June, its then-bankruptcy lawyer attributed the filing to an issue over the quality of the road-building materials that Ltd. picks up from suppliers and delivers to road-construction companies. Deliveries dried up and left LLC's trucks and tractors sitting idle. 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. pdanner@express-news.net Twitter: @AlamoPD Ray Whitehouse, Photographer / for the San Antonio Express-News After the resignation of longtime trustee Olga Hernandez this week, on Friday night the San Antonio Independent School District board moved to fill the vacancy by appointing a replacement. After the six board members deadlocked on two motions, one to put the vacancy up for the May 6 election and one to start the process for appointing a replacement, the board ultimately decided to move forward with an appointment process. Board President Patti Radle and trustee Steve Lecholop opposed the motion after expressing preference for community input. There wasnt much unpredictable about the trial of Gene Wesley Elder, other than the defendant himself. The 67-year-old art activist was in court this week on charges that he resisted arrest and interfered with the duties of a public servant, stemming from a decision he made in July to stop and bear witness to an Alamo Heights Police Department investigation that unfolded at Broadway and Austin Highway. As Elder drove home from a dinner party, he noticed two officers interrogating a teenage boy and decided he wanted to ensure the suspect wasnt being treated unfairly. Moments later, he found himself handcuffed in the back of an AHPD police SUV and on his way to the citys single jail cell. Rather than taking a plea deal, Elder wanted his day in court. This week, he got it. The proceedings wrapped up Friday with punishment being meted out by County Court-at-Law No. 4 Judge Jason Garrahan based on verdicts rendered by a jury of six on Thursday. Elder was found not guilty of resisting arrest, a Class A misdemeanor, but he was found guilty of interfering with the duties of a public servant, a Class B misdemeanor. His punishment is a 180-day jail sentence, suspended for a year during which Elder will be on probation, in addition to a $250 fine, court costs and 24 hours of community service. A spokeswoman for the Bexar County district attorneys office said in a statement sent to the San Antonio Express-News that prosecutors had no reason to doubt their witnesses two AHPD officers in the case of resisting arrest. We respect the jurys verdict and we are satisfied the State of Texas and the defendant both got their day in court, the statement said. The unpredictability of Elder first manifested at least in this case on the night of July 14, when he pulled up behind an Alamo Heights Police Department SUV. Hed spotted a teenage boy standing in the floodlights of two AHPD patrol vehicles and felt compelled to stop. It turns out that two cops had detained two teens for apparently riding their bicycles, without lights, in the wrong direction along Broadway. Dash-cam and body-worn camera video, entered into evidence during the trial, show one of the teens refusing to comply with orders from the officers. He was handcuffed and placed in the back seat of one one of the patrol SUVs. By the time Elder was passing by, the situation had largely defused. The second teen appeared on the video, his hands in his pockets, quiet and subdued. Elder said in a courtroom interview Friday that he was thinking as he emerged from his car on that summer night that youre doing this as an art piece, he said. So I knew that from the beginning. The moment Elder arrived on the scene, his interactions with the officers were both tense and terse. He was told he couldnt park his car in the street, behind the police SUV, to which he immediately retorted that he could. Once he acquiesced and moved his car to a nearby parking lot, Elder barged into an interaction between one of the officers and the teen. The officers testified this week that the incident occurred just days after several police officers were shot in Dallas, and tensions between officers and the communities they police were running high. Elder attempted to hand a business card to the teen, in case his perspective on the police stop might be needed in the future. An officer blocked him and forced him away, alleging on the video that Elder was resisting arrest. The jury disagreed. On Friday, Elder said in an interview the resisting arrest allegation was a (expletive) bogus charge, thats subjective and thrown around casually. But he acknowledged that he saw himself interfering with the officers duties as he watched the videos place into evidence. During the sentencing phase, storied defense attorney Rusty Guyer told the judge hes known Elder for decades and that the artist is a serious individual who does serious work as he asked Garrahan to grant probation. Elder had rejected plea offers for differed adjudication, which would have kept his record clear of convictions. Elder wanted to experience the full gamut. I felt like I got a fair trial. I do agree with the jurors, he told the judge. This has been a rewarding experience. I harbor no ill feelings. Before the trial began, Guyer sat down with Elder and explained that, if convicted, he could go to jail. He says, Well, that will be a real experience, Guyer recalled his client saying. He faces these things with an outlook that is simply unpredictable. Its really great because he just doesnt care, in a way. jbaugh@express-news.net Twitter: @jbaugh Staff file photo A San Antonio lawyer was sentenced Thursday to six months in federal prison for his role in a health care fraud, the Justice Department said in a news release. Hugh Lappe Scott Jr., 65, pleaded guilty Jan. 14, 2016, to being an accessory after the fact to health care fraud, which stemmed from matters in whats known as reinsurance, or the stop-gap insurance industry. The owner of a medical supply company in Devine was sentenced Thursday to 27 years in federal prison for defrauding Medicare and Medicaid out of more than $3.5 million U.S. District Judge Alia Moses, who normally sits in Del Rio, issued the stiff 324-month sentence in San Antonio to Daniel Thomason Smith, 55. Smith and a co-defendant, Kathleen Marina Kelly-Tuorila were convicted at a trial in June in Waco of one count of conspiracy to commit health care fraud, one count of aiding and abetting health care fraud, 11 counts of aiding and abetting aggravated identity theft and eight counts of aiding and abetting false statements related to a health care matter. Evidence presented at trial revealed that between May 2006 and January 2010, the pair conspired to submit numerous false and fraudulent benefit claims to Medicaid and Medicare seeking compensation for powered wheelchairs, U.S. Attorney Richard Durbin said in a news release. Smith employed Robin Renee Haigler, 60, a third defendant, on a commission basis to recruit customers, primarily in the Waco area. Kelly-Tuorila used the collected customer information from Haigler to generate and submit fraudulent claims for reimbursement to Medicaid and Medicare for powered wheelchairs, the release said. According to court testimony regarding the aggravated identity counts, names of physicians were used to support claims for reimbursement when the named physician never prescribed a powered wheelchair for the customer and, in some instances, didnt even know the customer and had never had them as a patient, the release said. Evidence also revealed that even though DTS billed for powered wheelchairs, they delivered less-expensive powered scooters to customers, which resulted in a larger payment from Medicaid/Medicare and a larger profit for DTS and Smith. Sentencing for Kelly-Tuorila has yet to be scheduled. Haigler, 60, of Waco, pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on Aug. 17, 2015, and was sentenced on Nov. 7, 2016, to 87 months in federal prison. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and investigators from the Texas Attorney Generals Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. gcontreras@express-news.net Twitter: @gmaninfedland Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said Friday that his office will not participate in a program that deputizes local law enforcement officers to act as immigration agents but that he will continue to honor requests by federal authorities to hold in his jail people suspected of violating immigration laws. Salazar, who took office in January, said those are continuations of his predecessors policies, and he sought to dispel concerns that widespread immigration sweeps will happen here. To that end, the sheriff said, hes launching an outreach program to Spanish speakers that will kick off next month with a session about immigration. I want to bring the mood down a bit, and theres really nothing new going on, Salazar said. Its just were hearing more about it. This is just more of the same. We havent changed our policies and procedures. To my knowledge, ICE is not doing anything above and beyond. President Donald Trumps election and a series of policies hes rolled out that expand the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have raised fears that those who were unlikely to face deportation in the past are now at risk of being detained. More Information Bexar County Sheriff's Office Unidos meeting WHEN: 6:30 p.m., March 2 WHERE: St. Timothy Catholic Church, 1515 Saltillo St. See More Collapse The detention this month of Josue Romero, a 19-year-old arts student in San Antonio who had received protection from deportation under former President Barack Obamas Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, increased those fears. Romero, an undocumented Honduran immigrant, was eventually released and required to check in with ICE. He had his first meeting with immigration officers Friday and was again allowed to go free. Benjamin Rubio, a 26-year-old immigrant from Mexico who also has received deferred action and is studying for his masters degree at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, said hes more careful about avoiding getting stopped by police and worries that, if DACA is rescinded, the federal government will have the personal information he provided when applying for the program. He said hes more worried about his mother and brother, who dont have papers. She has to drive about 40 minutes every morning to get to work, he said of his mother. Even if I was 100 percent sure that I was going to be safe myself, theres still that part that worries me that shes not going to be safe. Its not just about deferred action, its about family members, brothers sisters. Salazar said he wants to assure the community that his deputies wont be acting as immigration agents and said his office wont participate in the 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement officers to be trained to enforce immigration laws, which Trump expanded in an executive order last month. The Harris County sheriff said this week that he will pull out of the program. We are not immigration (officers), we are law enforcement officers, and if youre a victim of a crime and you happen to be an undocumented immigrant, call us, Salazar said. Were going to help you, were going to treat you as a victim. But the sheriff said he will continue honoring requests by ICE to detain people who are arrested and jailed for state crimes and are suspected by deportation officers of being in the country illegally. Salazar said hes concerned about overcrowding in the jail because the facility, with a capacity of 4,700 inmates, currently holds 3,900. County Judge Nelson Wolff recently asked the federal government to reimburse the jail for $22.3 million spent on detaining immigrants over the past 12 years. Salazar said Gov. Greg Abbotts decision to revoke state grants for Travis County after the sheriff there said she would not honor some ICE detainers gave him pause. He said the county stands to lose $9 million in state grants across various offices if he stops honoring ICE holds. Its something like 30-some-odd grants that arent just my grants, Salazar said. Its the whole county, just based upon my decision on whether to decline a detainer or not. And so at this point, its not responsible or prudent for me to put that grant money at risk without knowing where this whole thing is going to end up. Robert Stovall, the chairman of the Bexar County Republican Party, said hes happy that (Salazar is) continuing what our previous sheriff, Susan Pamerleau, was doing, which is honoring ICE detainers. Its pretty logical and easy to do. Stovall called Salazars decision not to train his deputies for immigration enforcement unfortunate. I think that any continued education and training for any of our peace officers is kind of routine and is a good thing, he said. Jonathan Ryan, executive director of the San Antonio-based Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services, which is circulating a petition asking Salazar to reject 287(g) and not honor all ICE holds, called Salazars decision to not make his officers immigration agents appropriate. But he criticized the sheriff for continuing to honor ICEs requests to hold immigrants in the jail. The sheriff is under no legal obligation to follow ICE holds. This is a choice that is being made, Ryan said. Theres no law that requires it. On the contrary, its prohibited by the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution. As part of Salazars effort to allay fears that his office is involved in immigration enforcement, the sheriff is launching a program called Unidos that has been used by other law enforcement agencies, including the San Antonio Police Department, to reach out to the Spanish-speaking community. He said the program provides guidance on issues as mundane as changes to vehicle registration rules or finding English-language classes. The kickoff meeting March 2 will focus on immigration. Salazar said participants will learn about visas available to crime victims and witnesses and will be briefed on his offices immigration policies. I dont want people to feel petrified, he said. For sure, I dont want people to feel afraid to call the sheriffs office if they need help, if theyre a victim of a crime or a witness to a crime. jbuch@express-news.net Twitter: @jlbuch Suddenly, San Antonio is overrun with scandals. Last week, three struck on the same day: Federal agents raided the law offices of a state senator, arrested a school board member on bribery charges and nabbed a local Navy commander in another bribery scheme, the worst in the service branchs history all on Feb. 16. Scandal hit City Hall the next day, when Mayor Ivy Taylor declared that the selection process for a multimillion-dollar contract to operate the citys River Walk barges was tainted beyond redemption, resulting in a redo. On Friday, City Manager Sheryl Sculley, in her first interview on the controversy, called that assessment mistaken. My experience with these high-profile contracts the sum of my experience is theres one winner and disgruntled losers, she told me, and they always try to say the process is flawed. I asked Sculley why the sore losers found traction this time. She listed three reasons. The value of the contract, she said. The recommendation was for someone other than who had had the contract for so many years. The election season. Ah, politics. This particular scandal is so suffused with politics, virtually no one involved has escaped unscathed. Taylor, who is running for re-election against foes who have questioned her ethics, pointed a finger at former Mayor Phil Hardberger first, accusing him of improperly lobbying for the winning team at a selection interview. The city typically doesnt allow attorneys or lobbyists to attend the interviews. But city staff made an exception this time, allowing lawyers to attend at the request of a Chicago-based company that had hired Hardberger as its attorney in December. Hardberger, who is not a registered lobbyist, advocated for the company during the presentation, causing the mayor to cry foul. That prompted Councilman Ron Nirenberg, who is running to oust Taylor, to point a finger at the mayor, accusing her of rigging the process to benefit the lobbyist of a losing team. What kind of signal does this send to companies that are seeking to do business in San Antonio when the mayor changes the rules in the middle of the process to rig the outcome? Nirenberg said. Taylor scoffed at that attack: If I say up, Ron says down. If I say black, he says white. If I say sky, he says earth. I have said, Councilman, if nothing else, you are consistent. I said that to his face, she told me. Implicit in the mayors attack on Hardberger is also a censure of the city for allowing him to attend and speak to the selection committee in the first place. That has led some to point fingers all the way up to Sculley, whom Hardberger hired a decade ago at the start of his mayoral tenure. Sculley told me she had nothing to do with it. I didnt even know he attended (the presentation), she said. Our new city attorney (Andrew Segovia) made that decision. He didnt consult with me. Not that he needed to. Sculley chose Segovia from among more than 30 candidates for the job. The council unanimously confirmed his appointment. Moreover, Sculley agrees with Segovias decision. Heres my policy, she said. If someone comes to meet with me with their attorney, I want my attorney there. Sculleys desire to downgrade this episode from scandal to mere distraction is understandable. A mayoral election isnt the only item on the May 6 ballot; theres also a bond election, and approving one of those requires voters to trust government. Scandals corrode trust, whether its trust in the Legislature or a local school board or the United States Navy. Calling the river barge imbroglio a case of corruption is probably going too far. But it is a strange breach in protocol that has blurred the line between acceptable and unacceptable behavior in a process designed to be straightforward and fair. Many lobbyists are also lawyers, and both lobbyists and lawyers get paid to advocate for clients. Banning lobbyists from a process while allowing attorneys to participate is a recipe for confusion and controversy. When the attorney in question is a beloved former mayor, his influence over the process is only amplified. Both Sculley and Nirenberg should acknowledge that, if only to avoid future scandals. bchasnoff@express-news.net Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: Azerbaijans public finances are stronger than BB rated peers and surprised on the positive side in 2016, said a report of the international ratings agency Fitch Ratings posted on its website Feb. 25. Fitch Ratings has affirmed Azerbaijans Long-Term Foreign and Local-Currency Issuer Default Ratings (IDR) at BB+. The issue rating on Azerbaijan's senior unsecured foreign-currency bond has also been affirmed at BB+. The Country Ceiling has been affirmed at BB+. The Short-Term Foreign and Local-Currency IDRs have been affirmed at B. Azerbaijans BB+ ratings balance a strong external balance sheet and low government debt, say Fitch experts. Despite a large fall in oil revenues in 2016, the consolidated general government deficit was contained at 1.2 percent of GDP, below the BB median of 3.3 percent and below our previous forecast of 7.3 percent, mostly due to a 41 percent capital expenditure cut, says the report. Fitch expects a one-off widening in the budget deficit to 8.4 percent of GDP in 2017, due to planned support through the budget from sovereign wealth fund SOFAZ to the banking sector, worth around 12 percent of GDP. Beyond 2017, the fiscal balance is expected to improve as oil prices recover, according to the report. Deficits are largely financed by ample assets accumulated in SOFAZ. Despite a decline in the USD value of assets in 2015-2016, they accounted for a comfortable 92 percent of GDP at end-2016 ($33.1 billion), were largely held in safe, liquid assets, and were reported much more transparently than in most higher-rated oil producers. Fitch experts say Azerbaijans government debt therefore remains contained at 22.5 percent of GDP at end-2016, much lower than the BB median of 51.1 percent. Details added (first version posted at 13:53) Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Anvar Mammadov Trend: The next trilateral business forum of Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey may be held in Nakhchivan, said Azerbaijani Economy Minister Shahin Mustafayev. This step can attract Iran to this format, leading to future quadrilateral business forums, Mustafayev said in Baku Feb. 25 at a press conference dedicated to the results of an Azerbaijani delegations visit to Iran. We recently held the 5th business forum in a trilateral format between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Turkey. The next similar forum will be held in Azerbaijan and we want to hold it in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. We want to attract Iran to this event as well and we are working in this direction, Mustafayev said. The 5th Turkey-Azerbaijan-Georgia business forum was held in Istanbul Feb. 17. The minister added that work is also underway to create a trilateral cooperation format between Azerbaijan, Turkey and Iran. WATCH: Candidate Conversations with WIDU and The Fayetteville Observer Watch Candidate Conversations to see WIDU and Fayetteville Observer interviews with people on the ballot in Cumberland County. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 24 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Turkmenistans president, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov appointed the heads of military and law enforcement authorities of the country, the Turkmen government said in a message. The message says Yaylim Berdiyev was appointed the minister of defense and secretary of the State Security Council of Turkmenistan. Meanwhile, Begenj Gundogdiyev was appointed as chief of the State Border Service, Isgender Mulikov as interior minister, Amanmyrat Khallyev as prosecutor general, and Dovrangeldi Bayramov as minister of national security. Moreover, Berdimuhamedov appointed Mammetkhan Chakyev as the chairman of the State Customs Service, Meylis Nobatov as the chairman of the State Migration Service, and Begmyrat Mukhamedov as the minister of justice. A presidential election was held on Feb. 12 in Turkmenistan. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who has been the president since 2007, was re-elected for a third term with 97.69 percent of votes. George Clooney paid a touching tribute to his pregnant wife at the Cesar Awards in France on Friday (24.02.17). Amal Clooney and George Clooney The 55-year-old actor and his spouse Amal are expecting twins later this year and, after he was presented with an honourary award at the 42nd annual Cesar ceremony in Paris, George hinted at the his excitement about their expanding family. He said: "To my wife Amal, there isn't a day that goes by that I'm not proud to be your husband. And I am excited about the years to come, and particularly the months to come. I love you very much." George also got political during his speech, saying: "As we stand here today the world is going through some pretty momentous changes, not all for the best. As citizens of the world we're going to have to work harder and harder not to let hate win." Meanwhile, George recently insisted that parenthood will be "an adventure". He said: "We are really happy and really excited. It's going to be an adventure. We've sort of embraced it all with arms wide open." And the 'Monument's Men' star says his friends were "very supportive" of the news, despite having given him a hard time at first. He added : "Then it got really quiet, and they all just started making baby crying noises. And the whole table just busted up laughing." Meanwhile, a source previously claimed the 'Money Monster' actor was "excited but nervous" about becoming a father. The insider said: "George is excited but nervous. He is excited about the kids, but also has the normal amount of nerves that come with being parents ... "Amal strikes me as someone who'll be a fantastic mother. Intelligent, loving, funny, smart, nurturing. She doesn't seem someone who will let kids get away with being Hollywood children." And it's not a surprise that George might be feeling nervous as his pal Matt Damon recently joked he doesn't know how "anyone" could bring up twins. He said: "[George] said to me, 'Well, you have four.' And I said, 'Yeah, but not at once!' We did it one at a time. I don't know how anybody does twins. Those sleepless nights ... and there's two of them? There's just no way. But we'll see." Matt was one of the first people to know about the impending arrival as he recently revealed George told him before the 12-week mark. He shared: "I was working with him last fall and he pulled me aside on set and I mean, I almost started crying. I was so happy for him. And I was like, 'How far along is she?' And he goes, 'Eight weeks.' "[I said,] 'Are you out of your mind?! Don't tell anybody else! Don't tell anybody else! Don't you know the 12-week rule?' Like of course he doesn't. 'Just shut up, man.' And then four weeks later, I'm like, 'We're good right?' [George confirmed] 'We're good.'" Those hoping to see a more grizzled Chris Evans on the big screen are in luck. Hes leaving behind the lycra of Captain America for a short while to take part in new movie Gifted, directed by Marc Webb and also starring Mckenna Grace, Jenny Slate, Lindsay Duncan and Octavia Spencer. Starring as Frank Adler; a single man raising his young niece Mary (Mckenna Grace) who quickly proves her talent as a child prodigy, Evans steps into the shoes of a guy living in a coastal Florida town who wants a normal life for his niece. His plans are tainted however when the seven-year-old girls mathematical skills come to the attention of Franks mother Evelyn (Lindsay Duncan), who has big things in mind for her granddaughter, but plans that could separate the youngster from her loving uncle. Octavia Spencer plays Frank and Marys landlady and best friend Roberta, while Jenny Slate is Marys teacher Bonnie, a young woman who has concerns for her young student and who quickly develops more than just a friendship with Frank. Produced by Karen Lunder and Andy Cohen and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures, Gifted comes to cinemas across the UK on Friday, June 16, 2017. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Having taken to the small screen with an array of different documentaries, Louis Theroux is one of the most prolific British filmmakers of our times. More recently making a big screen release with My Scientology Movie, hes now got his sights set on the 45th President of the United States. Louis Theroux Speaking to The Mirror, the documentary-maker said: It feels like a whole cultural, almost sea change in how the world is part of the post-Brexit wave of populism. The story seems to change every day with [Donald] Trump. Theres something new bubbling under. Its hard to get your head around such a big subject. The challenge with Trump would be Something so abhorrent that walks on two legs and is a human being, you have to explore where his foibles come from. The comments came after Theroux previously told ABC News in Australia that he thought Trump had a big chance of winning the election. He said at the time: I think that he could win because theres Trump supporters out there who arent even revealing themselves as such, and for me thats an interesting prospect, because I think hed be a disastrous President. The upcoming documentary doesnt yet have a release date, but will reportedly be part of a new three-part series on BBC Two, exploring Trumps rise to power and the reasons surrounding his election victory. by Daniel Falconer for www.femalefirst.co.uk find me on and follow me on Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website. Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website.# "Other than American Apparel, there's no apparel made in the United States," Gildan CEO Glenn Chamandy said during a conference call about the company's fourth-quarter and 2016 results. "We're going to continue to support our (American Apparel's) core Made in USA business, but we're also going to offer product where they couldn't compete before at price points relative to the competitive landscape." Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website.# Gildan would run a small American Apparel office in Los Angeles to keep the "heritage of the brand alive", while using social media platforms to promote it, added Chamandy. American Apparel has been known for operating some of the largest private apparel-making units in the US. Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website.# Gildan carries out most of its production activities in low-cost Carribbean and Central American countries. Socks is the only apparel item that the company manufactures in the US. It also makes yarn in North Carolina and Georgia. Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website.# By using Gildan's low-cost global manufacturing network, the company plans to expand American Apparel's offerings and promote the brand's international growth. Gildan, however, will continue contract based manufacturing in the US for American Apparel, while the products will be distributed through Gildan's extensive network. Gildan Activewear, which recently acquired US fashion brand American Apparel, will manufacture some products for the US brand outside the US. The Montreal, Canada based apparel, socks and innerwear manufacturer bought the bankrupt California based company for $88 million in a deal that does not include 110 American Apparel stores and its e-commerce website.# American Apparel, which earned over $600 million in sales at its peak, is expected to contribute between $50 million and $75 million to Gildan's revenue this year. (RKS) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), a private body promoting Italian textile machinery, has announced that an important group of Italian machinery and technology exhibitors will partake in the upcoming edition of Saigontex, the leading textile machinery trade fair, from April 5 to 8, 2017, in Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam.Among these, 12 companies will set up their stands in a common exhibition space organised by the Italian Trade Agency, together with ACIMIT. The 12 companies, all ACIMIT associated members; include Brongo, Caru, cibitex, Ferraro, JK Group, Lgl, Marzoli, Mcs, Mei, Ptmt, Roj, and Texma. The Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), a private body promoting Italian textile machinery, has announced that an important group of Italian machinery and technology exhibitors will partake in the upcoming edition of Saigontex, the leading textile machinery trade fair, from April 5 to 8, 2017, in Ho Chi Minh City, in Vietnam.# An essential production hub for the garments manufacturing sector thanks to its low labour costs, Vietnam is currently a major industry supplier for both the European and US markets. In light of the growing importance of Vietnams textile and garments industry worldwide, the need for upgrading and technologically modernising production facilities has become a priority for local authorities.Vietnam now figures as a stable, primary market for global textile machinery manufacturers. For Italys textile machinery industry, Vietnam currently ranks among the top ten export markets. Over the first 10 months of 2016, exports to Vietnam amounted to 39 million; a 6 per cent increase compared to the same period for 2015. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India India Intimate fashion Week (IIFW), dedicated to showcasing the lingerie and intimate wear apparel category in India, will bring together premium Indian and international lingerie brands, lingerie designers, lingerie e-commerce, lingerie stylists and experts and more under one roof. The 1edition of the show will take place on March 18-19 in Mumbai. India Intimate Fashion Week will capture and showcase all segments of the category including lingerie, loungewear, sleepwear, legwear, lingerie accessories, and more for both men and women. The 1st IIFW will be opened by internationally acclaimed designer Mona Shroff and the glam and glitz of the event will be further added by ace designers like Nidhi Munim, Karishma Jumani, Keith Jackson. Apart from ramp walks and fashion shows, IIFW will also witness in-depth analysis of Indian Intimate apparel industry from experts from Fibre2Fashion, the official knowledge and trade partner for IIFW. Internationally recognised fashion and beauty expert, Ramez Basmaji, will share some great fashion with the fashionistas as an official fashion consultant. India Intimate fashion Week (IIFW), dedicated to showcasing the lingerie and intimate wear apparel category in India, will bring together premium Indian and international lingerie brands, lingerie designers, lingerie e-commerce, lingerie stylists and experts and more under one roof. The 1st edition of the show will take place on March 18-19 in Mumbai.# "The intimate wear industry is amongst the largest industries across the world and has grown tremendously in last few years. However, in India, we still consider talking about lingerie and intimate wear as Taboo'. While we are bringing a revolution in the field of fashion through IIFW, we would urge people to open about their choices in this segment and #BooTheTaboo in India," said Niraj Jawanjal, founder and director of IIFW. "With IIFW, we intend to bring alive the most elegant yet unexplored segment of fashion in India. IIFW has already gathered much appreciation from Industry stalwarts since it was announced. We are looking at delivering on the superior expectations through a high impact awareness campaign and stunning event. We look forward to some great participation from the industry this year," said Amit Pandey, media head and associate partner, IIFW. (KD) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Centric Software, the leading PLM solution for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, and consumer goods companies, has announced that One Jeanswear Group, a leading global fashion company that operates a wide, diverse portfolio of brands, has reported success with the rollout of Centric Softwares Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform. One Jeanswear Group sought a PLM solution to manage its branded and private label processes within a single system to improve efficiencies and create consistency among cross functional areas and complex product lifecycles. Jack Gross, CEO of One Jeanswear Group said, Based on our diverse and extensive portfolio of owned, licensed and private label brands, Centrics knowledge of our business, combined with their rapid and flexible implementation capabilities, made them a natural choice for One Jeanswear Group. Centric Software, the leading PLM solution for fashion, retail, footwear, luxury, outdoor, and consumer goods companies, has announced that One Jeanswear Group, a leading global fashion company that operates a wide, diverse portfolio of brands, has reported success with the rollout of Centric Software's Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) platform.# Heather Roussel, chief merchandising officer of One Jeanswear Group said, One Jeanswear Group is well into its implementation process of Centrics PLM solution. Centrics Agile Deployment(SM) methodology has enabled our team to make real time changes without negatively impacting our workflow, allowing us to meet our specific business needs. Centrics team has been hands on from day one, and we are very happy with the progress we have made so far. We look forward to realising the full benefits of Centric once we have all modules up and running. Chris Groves, president and CEO of Centric said, One Jeanswear Group is a very impressive company and we are proud of our partnership. We look forward to continuing to help One Jeanswear Group meet business-critical objectives and rolling out our platform across all of One Jeanswear Groups operations. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Aptos, Inc., a market leader in retail technology solutions, has announced that Tailored Brands, Inc., the holding company for various retail mens apparel stores and two corporate apparel brands, has selected the powerful Aptos sales audit solution to improve financial visibility and decision-making across its extensive omni-channel retail enterprise. The company will leverage Aptos sales audit to validate and relay accurate and timely transaction information throughout the enterprise, integrating data from its point of sale and legacy back end systems, for improved decision making, streamlined operations and reduced costs. Aptos sales audit ensures the integrity, accuracy and availability of detailed transactional data from every sales channel and touch point and streamlines audit activities. Aptos central audit repository receives all transaction data, treats it to a consistent and robust set of business rules, and then quickly feeds all validated data directly to the entire retail enterprise. Designed for multi-channel retail chains, Aptos sales audit is flexible, easy to integrate, and proven by more than 250 leading fashion, department, discount, and specialty retailers in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Aptos, Inc., a market leader in retail technology solutions, has announced that Tailored Brands, Inc., the holding company for various retail men's apparel stores and two corporate apparel brands, has selected the powerful Aptos sales audit solution to improve financial visibility and decision-making across its extensive omni-channel retail enterprise.# Uma Bhemisetty, senior vice president, interim CIO, at Tailored Brands, Inc. said, Aptos sales audit will provide a unified view of our enterprise financial transactions across all channels and brands. This will give our finance team the ability to easily quantify and qualify our financial performance in all areas down to the individual store-level so we can continue to enhance our global omni-channel retail strategy. Noel Goggin, Aptos CEO and culture leader said, Aptos sales audit will empower Tailored Brands to make informed decisions based on accurate audit activity and analytics while streamlining and validating sales data from all channels. We are pleased to support Tailored Brands as they continue to grow their retail enterprise comprised of many of the most sought-after brands in the menswear sector. With over 125,000 stores live on its singular commerce platform available in the cloud, more than 500 retail brands across the globe rely on cloud-ready Aptos solutions. (GK) Fibre2Fashion News Desk India Mohanlal is undeniably one of the biggest superstars that the Malayalam industry has seen. He has been ruling the industry for the past 30 years and is still going strong. But, beyond the label of a superstar, he is also one of the finest acting talents of India. It is a fact that movies of these days are not exploring the actor in him, much. Many a times, the actor has been criticised for being a part of commercial films alone. Unlike Mammootty, the other superstar of Mollywood, he hasn't been a part of many art-house movies. But, there are a few offbeat films, which were taken to a whole new level through Mohanlal's acting. In fact, such movies are the ones that really posed a challenge for the performer in Mohanlal. Here, we take you through some of the offbeat Malayalam movies, of which Mohanlal was a part of. Read on.. Paadamudra (1988) Paadamudra was one of the early movies of Mohanlal that well-explored the actor in him. The film, directed by R Sukumaran featured Mohanlal in dual roles. He excelled in the portrayal of a father and his son, who has to face the wrath of the society due to his father's past. The film fetched Mohanlal the Filmfare award for the Best Actor. Vaasthuhara (1991) Vaasthuhara, directed by renowned film-maker G Aravindan, featured Mohanlal in the role of a rehabilitation officer. The story set in the lands of Kolkata, looked in to the lives of refugees and their plight. The film had a controlled and matured performance from Mohanlal, which would definitely rank among one of his best. Rajashilpi (1992) Rajashilpi marked the second association of R Sukumaran and Mohanlal. The film is based on the mythological story of Lord Shiva, Parvathy and Sati. Mohanlal played the role of a sculptor named Shambu and Mohanlal impressed one and all with his performance in the movie. Vanaprastham (1999) You have to watch this movie to witness the best performance of Mohanlal, so far. The actor was brilliant in the portrayal of Kunhikuttan, a Kathakali artiste. The film, directed by Shaji N Karun was of international standards, and the movie rightly fetched Mohanal his second National Award for the Best Actor. Aakashagopuram (2007) Aakashagopuram directed by K P Kumaran, which was based on Henrek Ibsen's Master Builder had the actor in the role of a prominent architect named Albert Samson. The film set against the backdrop of London, was quite different from the movies of those times Apart from the above mentioned movies, Mohanlal also has been a part of some really different movies like Padmarajan's Season, Bharathan's Thaazhavaaram, Rajiv Anchal's Guru etc., which were also brilliant works. We hope that, in the coming days, we would get to see more of these kind of movies, which would tap all the acting capabilities of Mohanlal. Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Feb. 25 By Huseyn Hasanov Trend: Ankara hosted political consultations between foreign ministries of Turkmenistan and Turkey, the Turkmen Foreign Ministry said in a message. The Turkmen delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister Vepa Hajiyev and the Turkish delegation by Deputy Foreign Minister Umit Yardim. The sides exchanged views on international and regional issues, as well as issues on strengthening joint activities to counteract modern challenges and threats. Meanwhile, the parties considered the issues of mutually beneficial bilateral cooperation in all spheres, particularly in political, trade and economic areas. The important role and great significance of high-level mutual visits were also noted, said the message. The Turkmen delegation also met with Turkeys Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 24, 2017) - Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. (OTCQB: ATTBF) (CSE: ATT) ("ATT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the completion of their annual audit. The delay in filing was due to an eventful year with new programs coming online and an aggressive strategy to cut non-core assets resulting in prolonged consolidations and subsequent review. Management has been focusing their efforts on their Northern Vine Lab buildout after receiving their controlled substance dealers license ("CSL") in 2016. The lab setup has been expedited and is now approximately 45 days away from opening its doors to licensed producer and MMAR patient customers for cannabis testing and analytics. Issues surrounding quality control and massive cannabis product recalls from licensed producers by Health Canada have recently taken headlines in the press. Northern Vine Labs is strategically positioned in Langley, British Columbia and holds a considerable geographic advantage over their few competitors as the region has many MMAR growers looking to prove their products' quality. Northern Vine Labs has the necessary licenses and controls in place to legally possess and work with the raw herb (cannabis) and its active ingredients. The company will provide analytical R&D and quality control testing on a large variety of cannabis based products, screening for cannabinoids, terpenes, microbiological contaminants, pesticides and residual solvents. The license also allows Northern Vine to formulate new products for licensed producers in Canada. Updates: Since last week's release, Abattis, through its subsidiary Vergence Bioceuticals, delivered their first order, consisting of three pallets of Green Nature's dried berry products, to Sunrype. Although modest in size, this marks the beginning of Green Nature's sales cycle in what looks to be a busy year filled with trade shows and selling. Lastly, negotiations with Raybot Science Co. and Abattis China Co. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Abattis) have been progressing well and Abattis will soon be testing Raybot's patented extraction methods in Canada. Raybot claims that its technology will allow for pure isolate derivatives of the Cannabis plant to be extracted at a fraction of the cost and in one seamless process as opposed to the 2-3 step extraction methods of CO2. Abattis continues to perform due diligence on this opportunity and will keep investors updated on their progress. About Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. Abattis is a specialty agricultural technology and biotechnology company which aggregates, integrates, and invests in agricultural technologies and biotechnology services for the legal cannabis industry developing in Canada. The Company has successfully developed and licensed natural health products, medicines, extractions, and ingredients for the biologics, nutraceutical, bioceutical, and cosmetic markets. The Company also is also seeking to acquire exclusive intellectual property rights to agricultural technologies to be employed in extraction and processing of botanical ingredients and compounds. The Company follows strict standard operating protocols, and adheres to the applicable laws of Canada and foreign jurisdictions. For more information, visit the Company's website at: www.abattis.com. About Northern Vine Canada Inc. Northern Vine Labs is licensed by Health Canada for the possession of Cannabis and related active ingredients, as well as the production of extracts for the purposes of analysis. Northern Vine Labs product certification and quality assurances programs incorporate global best practices and procedures for application in the Canadian market. About Vergence Visionary Bioceuticals Corp. Vergence Visionary Bioceuticals, dba Vergence Sales and Marketing Group, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Abattis Bioceuticals Corp. based in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. The Vergence team are bioceutical marketing specialists focused on health products to penetrate the fast-growing market for natural, safe and effective natural products that meet unmet wellness needs. About Green Nature Health Care Products Green Nature Health Care Products Inc. (http://www.green-nature.ca/en/) was established in 2012 by Jasmine Guan. The main market is the local travelers and immigrants, wholesalers. Over 400 customers have been obtained in China since the end of 2012 on dried blueberry and cranberry dried products, including the Wal-Mart chain supermarket and more than 200 to import and export food-based industry chain supermarkets. Green Nature has customs clearance through six cities in China: Shanghai, Nantong, Qingdao, Tianjin, Guangzhou, Hong Kong. "Rene David" Rene David, CFO/COO For further information, contact the Company at (604) 336-0881 or at news@abattis.com. NEITHER THE CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONS SERVICES PROVIDER HAVE REVIEWED OR ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. DUBLIN, June 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Fingerprint CardsFPC1228Capacitive under glass fingerprint sensor: Chip Fabrication and Package Processes Analysis" report to their offering. Fingerprint Cards AB (FPC), a leader in capacitive fingerprint technology, has over the last year equipped a large number of smartphones worldwide. One of its biggest clients, Huawei, traditionally integrates the latest technology in its flagship model every year. With the integration of the FPC1268 in the Huawei Mate 9 Pro and the Huawei P10 series, FPC has introduced a new kind of capacitive fingerprint integration: one that can be successfully integrated under glass. This technology, developed in collaboration with TPK, aims to be the new low-cost solution for fingerprint scanner integration. Following the Mate 9 Pro, the Huawei P10 is the latest smartphone to feature the capacitive fingerprint completely hidden behind the cover glass. The sensor is located under the home button in the device's front, under a unique TPK-developed glass cover that allows for new, highly attractive designs like the ultrasonic fingerprint. Using the same process as FPC's previous flagship product, the 1025, the integration no longer requires wire bonding but instead a specific TSV designed by an identified OSAT and based on Tessera's WLCSP solution. While previously used for CIS integration, this is the first time it has been used for fingerprint. Along with the ASIC, the fingerprint is integrated into an LGA package which is soldered on a flex PCB and covered by TPK's specially-designed glass. Thanks to conductive layers, TPK's solution allows for the precise detection and identification of the fingerprint under glass. Everything is packaged in a metal ring that forms part of the home button.This report provides a complete analysis of chip fabrication and package processes, along with a cost estimate. Also included is a comparison with FPC's previous capacitive fingerprint generation, the FPC1025, and Qualcomm's new ultrasonic fingerprint, the Sense ID.For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/vz8dq9/fingerprint 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 Shares Issued and Outstanding: 160,173,833 TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD TORONTO and NEW YORK, April 6, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX and NASDAQ: MPVD) is pleased to announce that the nominees listed in the management proxy circular for the 2017 Annual General & Special Meeting of Shareholders ("Annual Meeting") were elected as directors of the Company. Detailed results of the vote for the election of directors held at the Annual Meeting in Vancouver on April 4, 2017 are set out below. Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Jonathan Comerford 66,780,552 99.26 497,363 0.74 Patrick Evans 65,966,089 98.05 1,311,826 1.95 Bruce Dresner 66,741,758 99.20 536,157 0.80 Peeyush Varshney 57,696,689 85.76 9,581,226 14.24 Carl Verley 66,597,626 98.99 680,289 1.01 David Whittle 66,484,998 98.82 792,917 1.18 Karen Goracke 66,713,634 99.16 564,281 0.84 At the Annual Meeting, KPMG LLP were re-appointed as auditor of the Company at remuneration to be fixed by the directors. Shareholders also authorized the Board of the Corporation by special resolution to determine from time to time the number of directors of the Corporation, subject to the Articles and applicable law. Mountain Province Diamonds is a 49% participant with De Beers Canada in the Gahcho Kue diamond mine located in Canada's Northwest Territories. Gahcho Kue consists of a cluster of four diamondiferous kimberlites, three of which have a probable mineral reserve of 34.88 million tonnes grading 1.57 carats per tonne for total diamond content of 54.64 million carats. The Gahcho Kue Project is the world's largest and highest grade new diamond mine. A 2014 NI 43-101 feasibility study report filed by Mountain Province (available on SEDAR) indicates that the Gahcho Kue project has an IRR of 32.6%. Qualified Person This news release has been prepared under the supervision of Carl G. Verley, P.Geo., who serves as the qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. Forward-Looking Statements Cautionary Statement: This news release contains forward-looking statements under applicable Canadian and US securities regulations and legislation in which Mountain Province discusses its potential future performance. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical facts, such as projections or expectations relating to ore grades and processing rates, production and sales volumes, cash costs, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, debt management initiatives, exploration efforts and results, development and production activities and costs, liquidity, tax rates, the impact of diamond price changes, reserve estimates, and future dividend payments. The words "anticipates," "may," "can," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "targets," "intends," "likely," "will," "should," "to be", "potential" and any similar expressions are intended to identify those assertions as forward-looking statements. Under its current project finance facility Mountain Province is not permitted to pay dividends on common stock unless and until obligations under the facility have been satisfied. The declaration of dividends is at the discretion of Mountain Province's Board of Directors, subject to restrictions under the Company's project finance facility, and will depend on Mountain Province's financial results, cash requirements, future prospects, and other factors deemed relevant by the Board. Mountain Province cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated, projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that can cause Mountain Province's actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements include supply of and demand for, and prices of, diamonds, mine commissioning, mining sequencing, production rates, cash flow, industry risks, regulatory changes, political risks, labor relations, weather- and climate-related risks, environmental risks and other risk factors. Investors are cautioned that many of the assumptions upon which Mountain Province's forward-looking statements are based are likely to change after the forward-looking statements are made, including for example diamond prices, which Mountain Province cannot control, and production volumes and costs, some aspects of which Mountain Province may not be able to control. Further, Mountain Province may make changes to its business plans that could affect its results. Mountain Province disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. For further information: Mountain Province Diamonds Inc., Patrick Evans, President and CEO, 161 Bay Street, Suite 1410, Toronto, Ontario M5J 2S1, Phone: (416) 361-3562, E-mail: info@mountainprovince.com, www.mountainprovince.com NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / May 16, 2017 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, the former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until July 3, 2017 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against PCM, Inc. (NasdaqGM: PCMI), if they purchased the Company's securities between June 17, 2015 and May 2, 2017, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. What You May Do If you purchased securities of PCM and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, call toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or email KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com ). If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by July 3, 2017. About the Lawsuit PCM and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws. On June 17, 2015, PCM publicly filed the financial statements of En Pointe, a company it had recently acquired. Then, on May 2, 2017, Seeking Alpha reported that in the course of litigation with En Pointe's prior owner, the Company had stated that "[a]udited financials provided by En Pointe, and filed with the SEC, materially overstated the profitability of the business"; thus, PCM's public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. On this news, the price of PCM's shares plummeted. About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC KSF, whose partners include the Former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is a law firm focused on securities, antitrust and consumer class actions, along with merger & acquisition and breach of fiduciary litigation against publicly traded companies on behalf of shareholders. The firm has offices in New York, California and Louisiana. To learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com. Contact: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Lewis Kahn, Managing Partner lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com 1-877-515-1850 206 Covington St. Madisonville, LA 70447 SOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC MONTREAL, QUEBEC -- (Marketwired) -- 02/25/17 -- Beaufield Resources Inc. ("Beaufield") (TSX VENTURE: BFD) wishes to respond to the misleading press release issued by Jim Deluce and Shanghai Huaxin Group (Hong Kong) Limited (collectively, the "Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group"). On February 23, 2017, Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group issued a press release in which they announced their intention to nominate directors for election at the annual meeting of the shareholders of Beaufield to be held on February 27, 2017. The Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group issued the press release without prior disclosure to or consultation with the Board of Directors of Beaufield. In considering the complaints in the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group press release, and the competence and integrity of Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group, shareholders of Beaufield should consider the following: -- The Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group press release is misleading in suggesting that Ronald Stewart, a director nominee proposed by the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group, supports the actions of the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group. Mr. Stewart has informed Beaufield that his name was included in the February 23, 2017 press release without his prior knowledge or consent. Mr. Stewart also has informed Beaufield that he strongly opposes the steps proposed by the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group, and encourages shareholders of Beaufield not to support the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group. -- Another one of the nominees proposed by the Deluce/Shanghai Group, Bernie Deluce, is currently a director of Beaufield. Mr. Deluce, together with all of the other directors of Beaufield, voted to approve the recently completed bought deal private placement, announced on February 21, 2017, that is the focus of complaint in the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's February 23, 2017 press release. As a director of Beaufield, Mr. Deluce has consistently voted to support Beaufield's current strategic direction, about which the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group press release complains. -- A third proposed Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group nominee, Zhuang MiaoZhong is the representative of a shareholder of Beaufield that has had, since 2011, a preemptive right to participate in any equity financings completed by Beaufield. Over the past six years, this shareholder has never exercised its preemptive rights and chose again not to exercise such rights during the recently completed bought deal private placement that is the subject of complaint in the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's February 23, 2017 press release. Mr. MiaoZhong has no apparent experience in mineral exploration or development or in the North American capital markets. Beaufield's Board of Directors and management are confident that the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's allegations contained in their press release are baseless. As the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group is attempting to remake Beaufield's Board of Directors and take control of the company, shareholders are entitled to understand the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's strategy and to carefully consider how it differs from that of the current Board and management. This is especially the case as two of the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's nominees have supported management's direction to date, and a third has persistently refused to exercise preemptive rights that could have represented a source of funding independent of the funding about which the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group now complains. Beaufield just closed a $6 million financing and now has approximately $8 million in cash, together with a key, strategic mineral property in the newly developing and exciting Windfall gold camp. Beaufield's management has also the support of one of Canada's leading mineral exploration companies, Osisko Mining Inc. The stealth attack by the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group represents an opportunistic effort by a group with no meaningful mining experience to take control of Beaufield without paying a premium. The Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's last minute gambit was timed to deny our shareholders, who had no knowledge of the Deluce/Shanghai Huaxin Group's effort to replace the Board, a meaningful opportunity to vote. Beaufield asks our shareholders to elect, at Beaufield's February 27, 2017 annual meeting, the slate of directors nominated for election by the Board of Beaufield. Beaufield's proposed slate offers the best chance for the continuity of successful mineral exploration in Quebec and Ontario. Beaufield's proposed slate has practiced appropriate corporate governance at all times, safeguarding the interests of, communicating with, and managing on behalf of all shareholders, and it will continue to do so. The directors on the slate nominated for election by the Board of Beaufield have individually demonstrated successes, and through their involvement over time have been responsible for the successes of several companies. They merit your continued support. About Beaufield: Beaufield is a mineral exploration corporation with its exploration activity focused in Quebec and Ontario. Please refer to Beaufield's website to view the Corporation's properties (Urban, Eleonore-Opinaca, Tortigny and Hemlo). The Corporation is actively exploring, well financed with approximately $8 million in cash, has no debt and has excess work credits on its properties. Please visit our website for regular updates at www.beaufield.com. If you have any questions or require more information with regard to the procedures for voting, please contact D.F. King Canada, our proxy solicitation agent, toll free in North America at 1-800-398-2816 or call collect outside North America at 1-201-806-7301 or by email at inquiries@dfking.com. The information set forth in this press release includes certain forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on assumptions exposed to major risks and uncertainties. Although Beaufield deems the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements to be reasonable, the Corporation cannot provide any guarantee as to the materialization of the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements. The Corporation expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) has reviewed or accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Release. Contacts: Beaufield Resources Inc. Jens E. Hansen President and CEO 514.842.3443 info@beaufield.com Beaufield Resources Inc. Mathieu Stephens VP Exploration and Corporate Development 613.721.2919 info@beaufield.com www.beaufield.com Jason Monaco Partner at FCCC 416-566-8894 jmonaco@firstcanadiancapital.com www.firstcanadiancapital.com SoFi, a San Francisco, CA-based finance company, is to raise $500m in Series F financing. The round which brings the companys total equity funding to $1.9 billion was led by Silver Lake with participation from SoftBank Group and GPI Capital. It is still subject to customary closing conditions. The company plans to use the funds to accelerate its expansion into new product areas and countries outside of the United States. Led by Mike Cagney, co-founder, Chairman, and CEO, SoFi provides lending products including mortgage, student and personal loans and wealth management solutions. In 2016, the company originated $8 billion in loans, up from $5 billion in 2015, and expanded its member base to 225,000 from 100,000. It expanded its product offering in lending with the introduction of a Student Loan Payoff Refi for home mortgages and student loans in partnership with Fannie Mae. In addition to new lending products, SoFi introduced its SoFi at Work brand for employee financial wellness, SoFi Wealth for modern investment management, and a partnership with Protective to offer term life insurance. In 2017, the company will take on new areas of personal finance and new geographies. With the recent acquisition of Zenbanx, SoFi plans to introduce a suite of mobile deposit, credit, and payment products to its members in the United States. It also plans to bring its lending products to people in Australia and Canada by the end of the year. FinSMEs 25/02/2017 New Delhi - The government has warned banks of "de-authorisation" of branches if they refuse to accept taxes under the amnesty scheme PMGKY, which ends on March 31. The finance ministry, in a communication to heads of banks which are authorised to accept deposits under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), asked them to issue directions to all branches for making necessary changes in their system/software to accept the tax. "Non-compliance of this order may be viewed seriously and may lead to de-authorisation of that branch in case of refusal to accept taxes," the ministry said. Post demonetisation, the government came out with PMGKY under which people holding unaccounted cash can deposit them in bank accounts till March 31 by paying 50 per cent tax plus penalty. A quarter of the total sum will have to be parked in a non-interest bearing deposit for four years. The scheme opened on December 1. There have been complaints that many banks were not accepting payments of tax under PMGKY due to lack of awareness of prescribed challan and certain technical reasons. Accordingly, the matter was referred to Principal Chief Controller of Accounts, who issued an order directing banks to accept taxes under PMGKY or face action. Director Alankrita Shrivastava's film Lipstick Under My Burkha was highly lauded when it was screened at the Jio MAMI Mumbai Film Festival in 2016. However, this week, reports emerged that the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had refused to certify Shrivastava's film on the grounds that it was "too lady-oriented". Without this certification, Lipstick Under My Burkha cannot be released in Indian theatres. "Sexual scenes, audio pornography, abusive words" and "a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society (sic)" are the other reasons the CBFC's examining committee has offered for their decision. See a copy of the CBFC's order here. In the time since the news broke, there has been extensive support for Shrivastava and Lipstick Under My Burkha, and the filmmaker now intends to approach the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) to appeal the examining committee's decision. Shrivastava spoke to Firstpost about the censorship row, and why the CBFC's decision is an impingement of freedom on so many counts. Her views are excerpted below: As a filmmaker and as a woman, I must confess I am very taken aback by the CBFCs refusal to certify my film Lipstick Under My Burkha. But I am not disheartened or disillusioned or discouraged in the least. I have complete conviction in the intent and soul of my film. And now more than ever, I feel it is an important film. I think the CBFC decision is telling on several accounts: First, it reeks of a very patriarchal mindset. And it reeks of severe double standards in the way films are being viewed by the CBFC. In fact, I feel this decision is an attack on womens rights. Whether one likes the film or not, it is evident that the intent of the film is feminist and the film is made with a clearly female gaze. The film tells the story of the struggles of four ordinary but feisty women who want a little piece of freedom women who are trying to negotiate some agency over their own lives. Its funny that a film like this, rather than being encouraged, is being clamped down upon, because the film perhaps challenges the dominant patriarchal narrative of mainstream popular culture. We are too used to the objectification of women, the peripheral parts they play, and their dependence on the male characters to save them. Even as women, we have adopted the male gaze and view culture through the eyes of men. Maybe it is time we started thinking about these things. In a country where there is so much violence and discrimination against women, shouldnt we as a society be reflecting upon what we can do in every sphere to transform the situation? My politics as a woman is thus evident in my film. I believe that women should be able to tell their stories the way they see them and experience them. They need not be represented forever by the male gaze. Why should there not be an alternative point of view? Why should the objectification of women in popular culture be encouraged, but not the ownership of their lives and narratives and their desires? Why should we as women have to fight so hard to be able to tell our stories? Are we not equal to men? Are we not human beings? Are we not citizens of a free and democratic country that promises no discrimination on the basis of gender? Why dont we have a level playing field? So, as a woman, I refuse to be silenced. I will not shut up. I will voice my opinion. My thoughts matter. My life matters. My stories matter. My right to own my life matters. No patriarchal body can take that right away from me. Secondly, the CBFCs decision is an attack on the freedom of expression. As a storyteller, as an artiste, as a filmmaker, should I not be doing my job of creating works of art that I believe in? And should I not have the freedom to hold a mirror to society through my stories? Or should I just be a 'self censoring' artiste? Which kills the whole concept of art anyway. I believe there should be no censorship of films or books or paintings or songs in a country that calls itself free and democratic. Let there be all kinds of works of art pieces that perpetuate the status quo, pieces that challenge it, pieces that represent the dominant narrative, and pieces that provide alternative narratives. And let the citizens of India decide what culture they would like to consume. Censorship, thus, needs to be replaced by certification. By refusing to certify the film, the CBFC is also impinging upon the freedom of the citizens of India to be able to choose the films they would like to see. The CBFC feels perhaps that the Indian audience does not deserve that basic choice. Lipstick Under My Burkha censorship row: A tale of middle class morality and judgment I also feel that the CBFC needs to have a more educated view on cinema and culture. We are in 2017. We have access to work being created in all parts of the world. Lets start also looking at our cinema in the context of films being made around the world. That will help the CBFC see that there are many different kinds of cinema, and narratives. Popular Indian cinema cannot be their only point of reference, because it often tends to be sexist and misogynist in nature. Also, I would like to point out that the film that the CBFC is refusing to certify, is the same film that has won the Oxfam Award for Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival. Ironic. The film has also won the Spirit of Asia Award at the Tokyo International Film Festival. Further, it has been part of the official selection of the Stockholm Film Festival, the Cairo International Film Festival, the POFF Black Nights Tallinn Film Festival, and the Glasgow Film Festival. It travels now to the Miami International Film Festival, the Films Des Femme Festival at Creteil, Paris, the London Asian Film Festival, and several others in the next few weeks. Obviously, this means that the CBFC is unable to view films in an educated way. To sum up: as a filmmaker, I am determined to continue making films without fear. As for the next step for Lipstick Under My Burkha, we will be approaching the FCAT with an appeal. I am determined that the Indian audience gets to watch the film in the theatres. There is a popular adage which has been running for a long time in India that sense and censorship do not go together. It points an accusing finger at the Central Board of Film Certifications (the Censor Board, in short) long history of imposing hitherto arbitrary restrictions on films and documentaries. The Censor Board has earned particular notoriety during the tenure of Pahlaj Nihalani, whose stamps of morality and nationalism evinced utter astonishment and indignation of filmmakers and the public alike. Now, the Nihalani-headed board has added another feather to its cap of infamy, by denying a certificate to the film Lipstick Under My Burkha. This action has evoked considerable outrage in the media and on social media, but unless the root cause the provisions of the law which give untrammelled power to censors are addressed and eradicated, one would only keep hurling from one instance of censorial arbitrariness to another. Censorship Pawn of patriarchy That Lipstick Under My Burkha is a film with four womens aspirations for a bit of freedom at the centre of the theme seems to have met with the censors disapproval. A glimpse into the contents of the letter sent by the censors to the makers of the film reveals that they have clucked their tongues and deeply frowned their brows at a lady-oriented film which depicts fantasies that are above life. Moreover, they have directed their ire at continuous sex scenes, abusive words, and audio-pornography. Depiction of womens freedom have frequently ended up against the brick wall of the cultural censors, who are apprehensive of the entrenched patriarchal social order being disturbed. Ironically, they cloak their fear and disapproval under the guise of protectionism seeking to curb certain expressions which, in their books, promote vice in society and endanger the position of women. According to this philosophy, any expression on screen or in books which show women breaking out of the stifling fetters of patriarchy and all the harms and oppression it brings in its wake are unsuitable for public consumption, lest it corrupts their minds. The Alankrita Srivastava-directed Lipstick Under My Burkha has struck a similar wall. That four women protagonists being shown rebelling against cultural norms is anathema to the censor board. That the film contains certain explicit scenes and some cuss words only strengthens the stranglehold of those legally empowered to lord over forms of cinematic expression. Vast ambiguity, sanctioned by law Contrary to popular perception, the heart of the fault lies not at the doorsteps of Nihalani or his cohorts, or who all will be running the censor board in the near or distant future. Rather, the root cause lies in the wide powers the law vests in the censor board. The rules of film certification and censorship are governed by the Cinematograph Act and the guidelines under Section 5B of it. One look at these 18 guidelines will be enough to give an indication of the vast swathes of power the censors enjoy, and often use with merry abandon in order to ensure that films become slaves to their ideology. For instance, nothing can be depicted which endangers public order, or which shows the denigration of women. Also, if scenes showing violence against women such as rape or molestation are germane to the theme of the film, visuals are to be kept at a minimum and no details are to be shown. The usage of abuses, even if integral to the theme of the film, are also prohibited. Thus, it is easy to see why Lipstick Under My Burkha has fallen into the trap of censorship. Shyam Benegals recommendations are insufficient Goaded perhaps by increasing outrage against the censor board, the government in 2015 formed a committee headed by noted director Shyam Benegal, tasking it to come up with suggestions for reforming the censorship mechanism in India. Although the committee in its report in April 2016 gave some salutary recommendations, such as doing away with film censorship and having instead a process of film certification, and stated that the CBFC should not act as a moral compass in deciding what constitutes glorification or promotion of an issue or otherwise, a couple of glaring inadequacies remain. And these inadequacies are enough to undo the very basis of the good work the committee has done. One, the committees mandate was a limited one to suggest a method of overhaul of the system within the existing legal framework. Two, in recommendation number 5.2, it states that the CBFC should not get into censorship mode unless the film in question violates the provisions of Section 5B of the Cinematograph Act, 1952 or exceed the limitations defined in the highest category of certification. Therefore, the Committees recommendations leave the guidelines which go into the heart of censorious powers totally unscathed. On his part, Nihalani has defended the CBFCs actions and rebuffed all criticism with the line that the Board was only doing its job. And it is not yet clear what would be the films fate before the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) were the makers to go on appeal against the decision of the Examining Committee. However, one thing is certain: Unless the legality and constitutionality of the guidelines are challenged and their scope restricted, unbridled censorship of films shall continue to remain the norm. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Irans and Afghanistans railways will connect in early 2018, Hossein Ashouri, the Iran Railway Company deputy head for operation affairs, said. Ashouri said Iran has constructed a railroad till border with Afghanistan, however the remaining railroad inside Afghanistan is expected to be ready by 2018, Mehr news agency reported Feb. 25. He said infrastructure in Afghanistan is also ready, adding that two railing blocks are being built in the neighboring countrys territory. The railway will have two tracks. Ashouri said sub-grade of one of the tracks has been laid by 50 percent, while the second tracks sub-grade is only 25 percent ready. He added that connecting Irans railways to neighboring countries railroads is a priority for Iran. Recently, Irans railroad has been linked to Turkmenistan through the Incheburun border checkpoint, Ashouri said, adding the Islamic Republic railways will also be connected to Azerbaijan through the Astara border checkpoint within three months. Back in 1998, Meryl Streep took issue with the American Film Institutes list of 100 Greatest Movies of All Time. "All but four are driven by male protagonists," she said. "How many girls contributed to this vote? Who voted?" It was a pointed and damning indictment of Hollywoods sexism, but also an insight into Oscar night, and all contests, really: Who does the choosing? This past summer, the Academy changed some rules to the end of increasing the diversity of their membership by 2020, and of the 683 members newly invited to join the organization, a record 46 percent were female and 41 percent were people of color. While last year's clear cut winner was Brie Larson for her performance in Room, this year's prediction for who will win for Best Actress is much for complicated. But the good news is, a few women-dominated films are in the Oscar nominees mix. There's the French neo-noir film Elle, Jacqueline Kennedy's biopic and Meryl Streep's Florence Foster Jenkins all of which are carried entirely by their female protagonists. The Oscars 2017 list of nominees for best actress are: Emma Stone, La La Land Natalie Portman, Jackie Meryl Streep, Florence Foster Jenkins Isabelle Huppert, Elle Ruth Negga, Loving If Amy Adams had landed a nomination for Arrival here it might be a trickier category, but Emma Stone has had the momentum for a long while now and Jackie lost a lot of its luster upon release. So unless a huge amount of voters put Meryl Streep on top due to her Golden Globes speech, or theres a groundswell of support for Isabelle Huppert, Stone should walk away with this one easily. So will Stone carry home the golden statuette on Sunday, 26 February 2017? Watch this space for more. Meanwhile, take this fun Oscar quiz! Catch our live blog: Oscars 2017 LIVE updates: Hollywood's ready for its big night with 89th Academy Awards By Allison Lampert | MONTREAL MONTREAL The real estate arm of Canada's second-largest pension fund manager is looking at India's logistics sector following the announcement this week of its first investment in the country for more than six years, President Daniel Fournier said on Friday.Ivanhoe Cambridge, the real estate unit of Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, announced a $250 million residential investment in India on Thursday, the first in the country since Fournier was put in charge of the division in 2010. "We're starting with multi-residential opportunities, so let's see where it takes us," Fournier said in an interview on the sidelines of a media conference at the Caisse in Montreal. "Logistics ... could be the next one." India's real estate logistics sector, which includes warehouses, distribution centres and other services, is being fuelled by the production of automotive components, textiles and pharmaceuticals, according to a research report by the real estate investment firm JLL. Export and import cargo is expected to grow to 2,800 million metric tonnes by 2020, the report said. Services like warehousing are also in demand to support the country's fast-growing e-commerce sector. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has forecast Indian e-commerce will surge to $220 billion in value of goods sold by 2025 from about $11 billion in 2015, outpacing growth in bricks-and-mortar retail.Fournier said he wanted to take time to learn the Indian market and find the right partner before making large investments in the country. "For us it's going to be a very important market," he said. Ivanhoe Cambridge, which has C$56 billion ($42.76 billion) in assets, last year bought into LOGOS Property Group, an Australian logistics real estate specialist. Ivanhoe Cambridge plans to work with LOGOS on investments across Asia, he said. (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Bill Rigby) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Alex Dobuzinskis The shooting death of an Indian engineer and the wounding of another man in a possible hate crime at a Kansas bar has raised fears among members of the area's fast-growing Indian-American community.The suspected gunman, U.S. Navy veteran Adam Purinton, 51, has been charged with the premeditated murder in Olathe, just outside Kansas City, of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and the attempted murder of Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene.Before opening fire, Purinton is accused of shouting "get out of my country," a bystander told the Kansas City Star.Several members of the Kansas City area's Indian-American community said the attack had forced them to think about their safety."The main reaction is shock, because this is home," said Samarpita Bajpai, 45, who lives in suburban Overland Park and runs a non-profit Indian dance company.Going forward, Bajpai said that for the first time in her nearly 20 years living in the Kansas City area she will try to refrain from being out late at night.She said the local area had always been very welcoming. Through her Gurukul Dance Company, Bajpai tours U.S. cities with a troupe of 10 dancers, all of whom except her are white people with an affinity for Indian culture, she said. The shooting comes as some members of U.S. minority groups have expressed unease with the political and social climate in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center said in a report this month hate groups proliferated in 2016 as Donald Trump's bid for the U.S. presidency energized the radical right. A number of Jewish leaders called on Trump to speak out against anti-Semitism following a spate of bomb threats to Jewish community centres. Trump this week called the threats horrible and he has said he rejects violence and harassment.The greater Kansas City area, which straddles the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas, is home to about 2 million people with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Indian-Americans, although exact figures are not available, said Vijay Ainapurapu, 45, the former president of the India Association of Kansas City. Ainapurapu, who works in software at Sprint Corp (S.N), said by telephone that the local Indian-American community has grown about tenfold since he arrived in the Kansas City area in 2001. Due to the shooting, he added, safety precautions are a major talking point for his group.Ainapurapu, who came to the United States in 1998 and previously lived in Texas and California, said Kansas City had been "as welcoming as any other place in America."Akshay Anand, 34, the owner of the Karats jewellery store in Overland Park who is involved with the India Association of Kansas City, said he will avoid areas where he might feel at risk, including what he called neighbourhoods with low education levels. "Everybody's going to be extremely cautious," said Anand, who lives a short drive from where the shooting occurred. "I think it's going to take time for this to settle in."Kansas City resident Ajay Sood, 50, who teaches courses in Indian culture and ran as a write-in candidate for U.S. president last year, said he often finds native-born Americans are ignorant of his background.Mistaking the ethnicity of Indian Americans was a hot topic after the Kansas City Star reported that the suspect said after fleeing that he had shot two Middle Eastern men."Most of the Americans who have never travelled outside the U.S., they cannot identify who's a Pakistani, who's an Indian, who's an Afghani and who's a Sikh," Sood said by phone. (Reporting by Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Lisa Shumaker) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Ironies are like that moment on an oval running track when the slowest runner catches up with a sprinter who is now on a successive lap. A perfectly balanced articulation of an imbalance still so wide and unresolved. One irony unfolded on a day last week, when I met Nobel laureate Amartya Sen inside the lawyers library at the Taj Mahal hotel in New Delhi. Here we were, in a chilly room cosied up by carpets and a handful of buttoned leather chairs and with a barrage of hardbound books staring authoritatively from their shelves discussing the Delhi School of Economics, an institution he has taught at and I have been an alumnus of. The interview was in light of the re-launch of an expanded version of Collective Choice & Social Welfare. Originally published in 1970, this classic work in welfare economics has been recognised for its ground-breaking role in integrating economics and ethics, and for its influence in opening up new areas of research in social choice, including aggregative assessment. But heres the irony: as we sat there celebrating the existence of a great centre for liberal thought, at least 20 students and a teacher were injured after student unions linked to the Left and the BJP clashed over an invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid to speak at a seminar on Culture of Protests at Ramjas College in Delhi Universitys north campus. Khalid was accused of sedition over an event where anti-India slogans were allegedly raised. Oblivious of the particular incident in the campus where D School is, we went on with our conversation in the library. Democracy is best seen, as John Stuart Mill did, as government by discussion. Its about how to get different points of view critically examined by each other, paying attention and respect to the perspectives of all the different people involved in society, and arriving from that on ideas about social welfare, inequality, poverty as well as liberty and freedom of people, said Sen, one of the finest critical thinkers of the century. The focus of the second book, he pointed out, has shifted and this is connected with the change of the world. This is because public discussion has become harder in the time of Donald Trump and there are very badly covered discussions like Brexit, with a lot of untruth being told. Barriers are being imposed on public discussion even in this country, he said, as he placed India within the world. Meanwhile, back at the campus: Students from the Delhi University and JNU gathered outside the college to hold a protest march against Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishads (ABVPs) demands to call off the seminar. But members of the ABVP crash-landed at the spot. A violent clash erupted, women were groped and assaulted, men were beaten up, and journalists and policemen too were swept in. Cuss words, slogans and screams that werent rising out of a street play filled the campus air. In the sound-proof library, Amartya Sen went on in a voice so eloquent that it made economics and ethics melt in pure love for humanity. Do you think the populism of today is a logical corollary to the liberal paradox that you described back in the day? I asked. To say that you shouldnt express a point of view because its different from the one that the government holds, is worrying. What happens is, you can then take an issue like Kashmir, in which it looks like theres a consensus on it in the country that this is an inalienable part of India. Then, you prevent someone from saying something which looks as if it goes against that consensus, he explained, saying that the liberal paradox is the conflict between unanimity over a particular domain and liberty of people in another domain. From an ethical point of view, and in an India where Tagore wanted the mind to be without fear, Amartya Sen feels we must stand up for each others liberty. In the university, branches and bricks were being thrown at the conference hall and the electricity was cut off. Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju later came to the rescue by responding to a query about the violence: No anti-national slogans will be allowed in the name of freedom of speech. Amartya Sen might or might not agree with such a reassurance: There is a climate of fear in the universities today. The government might benefit in the short run by stifling opinion, but these memories dont go away. The memory of the emergency still haunts many politically-informed minds and the period that people were threatened with sedition charges will also be remembered. Democracy, he feels, is a fine instrument and is not blunt and there are periodic elections. This fear of being labelled anti-national if one happens to disagree with the opinion held by the government is unhealthy for democratic practice. And that is why re-launching the seminal work with eleven new chapters, at this point of time in history, was just about necessary. As in the original version, the new chapters alternate between non-mathematical chapters accessible to all and those which present mathematical arguments and proofs. As soon as it is realised, an irony is a birthplace of a revolution. Amartya Sen wasnt physically present at the campus where he once taught, and where one kind of youth was attacking another kind of youth in the name of maintaining the countrys stability and liberty. But his immortal concepts, one of them being the protection of individual rights in a majoritarian state, have returned to rescue collective reasoning. A revolution toward everybodys India can and must begin. London: On Saturday, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley blamed an "alliance of subversion" for university campus violence and argued that separatists and the ultra-Left were speaking the same language in certain campuses. The Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs made the remarks while responding to students from the South Asia Centre of the London School of Economics (LSE), who asked him about his stand on the classification of the term "anti- national" and the clashes between AISA and ABVP supporters in Ramjas College of the Delhi University earlier this week. "Any idea which thinks in terms of disintegration of (the) country, is something I abhor. Within the framework of upholding the sovereignty of (the) country, we can ideologically differ but free speech does not permit you to assault the sovereignty of the country," Jaitley said. Stressing that he did not believe that there was "any space for violence" on campus, Jaitley said, "I personally believe that free speech in India and in any society, has to be debated. If you believe, you have free speech to assault the sovereignty of the country, then be ready to concede free speech to counter that." "I find this absolutely strange that an argument is being raised that I have free speech to advocate that India should be broken into pieces and those who oppose me are hindering that right to free speech. Well, they too have a right to free speech," he said. "Violence is not the method; no group can and should use violence...there is an alliance of subversion which is taking place. The separatists and the ultra-Left are speaking the same language in certain university campuses. So they must be willing to allow others with a different opinion to put a counter viewpoint," he said. Ramjas College had witnessed violent clashes on Wednesday between students of the Left-affiliated All India Students Association (AISA) and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), linked to the BJP, that had left many injured. The clashes erupted over an invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to speak at a seminar on 'Culture of Protests', which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a Navy veteran at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America". Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned "do we belong here". Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that "good things happen in America." "He did not deserve a death like this," Sunayana Dumala said on Friday at a news conference organized by her husband's employer, the GPS device-maker Garmin. "I don't know what to say. We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening somewhere. I was always concerned, 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the U.S. or America?' But he always assured me good things happen in America." She described the United States as the country her husband had "loved so much," according to BBC. Though she did not mention Trump by name, she directed anger at the U.S. government, asking what officials would do to stop hate crimes.She said she now wonders what will the US government do to stop hate crimes against minorities. "Not everyone will be harmful to this country," she said. Addressing the press, Dumala said that the man who did this has taken a "very lovable soul" from her family, according to Fox News Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul RD Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. Madasani's father, Jaganmohan Reddy, said he had spoken with his wounded son by phone from India and was worried about his safety. "I request other parents to think twice before sending their children to the United States," he said. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet on Friday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Purinton is expected to make his first appearance on Friday. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued yesterday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trummp has been especially vocal about the threat posed by Islamic terrorist groups. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems. "Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. The ambush in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Thursday, in which three soldiers were killed, should serve as an urgent wake-up call for the security establishment. Undifferentiated reports about the deaths of a couple militants, or a few army men, or both, in Kashmir have become so common that most observers seem to have missed the import of Thursday's incident. This sort of a successful ambush of army soldiers, including officers, in the middle of the night is unprecedented in the long history of militancy in Kashmir. The army company was lured towards the village, in the hopes of catching or killing some militants. But it was apparently a trap as the army men were attacked with great effectiveness on their way back from the patrol. Jamaat-e-Islami stronghold The village to which they were lured is a key centre of the Jamaat-e-Islami, a cadre-based religio-political organisation. A former Amir-e-Jamaat of Kashmir, Hakim Ghulam Nabi, brought the Jamaat ideology to his village way back in 1945. Though he did not support militancy himself, many among the large and active Jamaat cadre in the area did during the 1990s, and again now. Innumerable attempts by the security forces in the state to capture the general secretary of the Syed Ali Shah Geelani faction of the freedom movement in that area have failed when, each time, people from several nearby villages gathered to foil the forces' attempts. Hizbul Mujahideen, which claimed responsibility for Thursdays attack, has been patronised by large sections of the Jamaat cadre ever since the militant outfit was taken over by Syed Salahuddin, under an agreement that was made between Geelani and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in January 1990. By 1991, Geelani had, for all purposes, hijacked the organisation for the Jamaat cadre; most of whom were loyal to him, even though the gentle Ghulam Nabi remained their nominal head until 1997. Unaffordable complacence The security establishment in New Delhi has been complacent for far too long. The presumptive 'experts' among our rulers have missed even the 'last-chance' opportunity presented to curb militancy in the state in the past three months. Perhaps, they had actually thought what they asked the rest of us to believe that demonetisation had finished 'terrorism'. This country cannot afford such tomfoolery. Greatest challenge Kashmir is in the deepest militancy crisis it has seen since 1990. The way some of the current militants operate indicates that they were trained in the same facilities as the lethal ten who had attacked Mumbai in November 2008. In purely military terms, the biggest challenge the army has faced so far in Kashmir was from 1999 to 2001 from the time Pervez Musharraf took over Pakistans government to the time India amassed its troops on the border. It was a phase that saw multiple suicide attacks, mainly by cadres of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). The current challenge is different, and could prove to be far greater. Rather than jump in to die, like those suicide attackers, some of the new militants have employed extraordinary intelligence and manipulation. Thursdays lure and ambush is reminiscent of how the single most potent anti-militancy operative, Sub-inspector Altaf, was killed in 2015. That should have served as a wake-up call, but it is like water off a ducks back for our 'security experts'. Information blackout The security forces are not receiving any information any more. Even those Kashmiris, who would want to settle down to a stable, prosperous future within the status quo, have become cynical and deeply frustrated about the callous indifference and arrogant contempt of the ruling establishment in New Delhi. The Kashmiris who took the risk (despite stone-pelting and irate demonstrations) to meet Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and his high-sounding entourage when he visited the Valley in mid-July 2016, soon after militant commander Burhan Wani was killed, are confused about what his assurances and big talk of turning a leaf were all about. The information blackout makes it clear that the vast amounts of taxpayer's money spent on armys much-touted 'Sadbhavana' (goodwill) scheme since 1988 has been wasted. In fact, the scheme has probably been counterproductive. For one, some of the ways in which it was implemented left the common people disappointed and cynical. More importantly, along with the secret funds, medals, rewards and citations that have been on offer during Kashmir postings, the high-spend Sadbhavana schemes became one more reason for the army to resist demobilisation from the state, even after militancy was ended around 2006. The overwhelming deployment, which young Kashmiris experienced as humiliating, is one of the reasons why a new generation has picked up stones, and in some cases arms, against the system. From the look of things, there will be hell to pay for that resistance, the security establishments arrogance, and New Delhis 'ostrich' imitations. Make no mistake about it, Kerala has blood on its hands. What happened at Azheekkal beach in Kollam in south Kerala on 14 February was a disgrace. Five hooligans decided to be moral police and harassed, humiliated and assaulted a young man and his female friend. They shamed the land that calls itself God's own country. Nine days later, the 23-year-old man hanged himself from a tree near his home in Palakkad district. In the suicide note he left behind, he reportedly mentions in detail the emotional trauma that forced him to take his life. Progressive and literate Kerala are an oxymoron. This incident of savage moral policing is one among many that prove that despite near 100 percent literacy, much of Kerala is still stuck in the dark ages. On Valentine's day, the couple was at the beach when this group of hoodlums, obviously deriving courage in numbers, decided to intimidate them. The woman had gone to a secluded spot to relieve herself when the five men tried to molest her. They then proceeded to videograph her in which one of them can be heard asking the woman : "Would you lift your saree at the instruction of any man?'' The video, a proof of their depravity and vulgarity was subsequently released on social media. The couple is asked what they were doing in a secluded spot even as the two can be heard pleading with the men to let them go. It is quite possible that the threat of public shame using the video was an attempt to blackmail and make easy money later. The man subsequently filed a police complaint following which the five accused were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. It was obvious from what the victim spoke that the incident had scarred the duo. The man admitted that the two of them had even considered committing suicide but decided to approach the police so that "no one else undergoes such an experience in the future.'' With no counselling and no emotional support back home, the 23-year-old could not cope with the embarrassment of having been exposed by the accused and hyper media activism. The son of a daily wage labourer mother, he had not stepped out of home after the incident. He was working as the coordinator of an e-literacy programme in the tribal belt of Attapady. Not that the couple did not get support. The incident was shocking enough even for Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan who wrote a sharp note on his Facebook page : ``Have asked the state DGP to take stringent action against the practise of moral policing. Clearly, the men can be seen threatening the victims and the victims are pleading before them. The kind of language the men are using is utterly abusive and cultureless. Whatever situation it may be, citizens have not been given the right to threaten or attack anyone. The fact that the visuals were circulated on social media is a grave violation of the law.'' But the chief minister's sharp tone did not have any effect even on his own police force. This Tuesday, women cops arrested a man and his fiance at the Thiruvananthapuram museum premises. Why? Because the pink police thought the man putting his arm on his fiance's shoulder was "indecent''. They were taken aback when the couple started streaming their argument with the police live on Facebook. Last week, a law student in Nadapuram in Kozhikode district filed a complaint with the police against the Muslim League for cyber bullying her because they did not approve of her adopting non-Muslim way of dressing and befriending men of other religions. What do Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram say about Kerala? That the average Malayalee in uniform or without it gets into moral police default mode to protect what he or she thinks is the value system. They draw power from the sanction of middle class society and benevolent parental concern. This when a literate Kerala should ideally be more liberal and aware about the rights of men and women in public spaces. But then the conservative Kerala society also reeks of double standards. Government data released in January puts Alappuzha at number 4 in India for surfing and sharing of child sexual abuse material. Another Kerala town, Thrissur also figures in the top ten. There is invariably a Kerala connection to the number of paedophile pages that sprout on Facebook all the time. How does the Keralite explain his voyeurism in private transforming into a holier-than-thou moral cop in public? The homes of men who work in the Gulf are constantly under scrutiny of the self-appointed moral police. In June last year, a 42-year-old man was beaten to death by four men after he was seen coming out of a woman's home in Malappuram. They wanted to punish him for being in a relationship with a married woman who was living alone. But most such cases are not registered as cases of moral policing but incidents of crime. What is needed now is to counsel the woman who was assaulted in Kollam. Without a doubt, she would be traumatised after her friend's suicide. And Kerala's fake morality has to stop because the state can hardly afford its men and women falling victims to moral policing of the beastly kind. In a letter to Prakash Jha Productions, Indias Censor Board of Film Certification (CBFC or the Board) refused to certify the film, Lipstick Under my Burkha stating that the story is lady oriented there are sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch [sic] about one particular section of society. The film is directed by Alankrita Shrivastava, and is the story about four women in a small town in India who chase their dreams through discreet acts of rebellion. Lipstick Under my Burkha has won the Oxfam Award for the Best Film on Gender Equality at the Mumbai Film Festival and Spirit of Asia Prize at the Tokyo International Film Festival. One would think that a film that has been internationally lauded for its unique take on issues of womens rights and empowerment would be honoured nationally; the CBFC, however, has done the opposite it has denied the film certification on grounds of it being lady-oriented, whatever that means. There is little doubt that this is an onslaught on feminism, and a silencing of womens voices that cuts through barriers of caste, class and community. While the CBFC routinely clears films such as Mastizaade, Kya Kool Hai Hum, and Grand Masti that portray blatant and unforgivable objectification of women, it seems to have a problem with movies that challenge ideas of chauvism, patriarchy and misogyny. In a comment, Director Alankrita Shrivastava has stated, For too long, the popular narrative has perpetuated patriarchy by objectifying women or minimising their role in a narrative. So a film like Lipstick Under My Burkha, which challenges that dominant narrative is being attacked because it presents a female point of view. Do women not have the right of freedom of expression? It should be noted that the narrative of the CBFC taking umbrage to lady-oriented films is not a new phenomenon. In 2015, Angry Indian Goddesses ran into roadblocks with the CBFC when it gave the film an A (adult) certificate, and demanded an additional 16 cuts. The film was considered Indias first female buddy film, and portrayed numerous issues faced by women in India such as gender inequality, objectification of women, and sexual violence, amongst other things. Gaurav Dhingra, the producer of the film, raised his voice against the censorship This is a clear infringement of the freedom of speech. Whats more appalling is that some words like sarkar, adivasi, lunch and Indian figure have been asked to be muted as well. What is CBFCs job? Is it certification or censorship?. Unfreedom, another film, in 2015, that could not escape the clutches of the CBFC and its chairman, Pahlaj Nihalani. The film explores an angle of Islamic terrorism on the canvas of a lesbian romantic relationship. The CBFC stated, after examining the film, that it would stir animosity between Hindus and Muslims, and would ignite unnatural passions." Shockingly, the Board also demanded that the word lesbian be muted in numerous films including Dum Laga Ke Haisha. Leslee Udwins documentary, Indias daughter was also prevented from being broadcast in India by a stay order from court. The documentary examined the December 2012 gang-rape and murder of an Indian physiotherapy student, and the protests that followed. The incident was heralded as the Arab Spring for gender equality by Udwin, whose film was banned because, according to the CBFC, it put India in a bad light in the international community. Shekhar Kapurs Bandit Queen was also temporarily banned by the Delhi High Court on grounds of containing sexually explicit content and using abrasive language. In 1996, Deepa Mehtas film, Fire (and later, Water) also ran into troubles with the CBFC because it depicted a lesbian relationship between two sisters-in-law in a Hindu family. At that time, the board allowed an acute moral panic within the country, often conflating sex with disease, often hinting at the notion that if such obscene and immoral content were allowed to circulate freely in the public domain, it would encourage promiscuity, homosexual relationships and ultimately, contribute to a rise in HIV infections and AIDS. There is an identifiable pattern of films that the CBFC censors the pattern consists of female protagonists who challenge the dominant narrative of gender, caste, class and community, while dismantling patriarchy. The CBFC is not averse to womens empowerment, but it prefers it under the garb of rampant objectification of womens bodies; it prefers the tokenism of womens narratives and the concept of feminism-lite, which often fails the very women who need it the most. The CBFC has, time and again, demanded censorship of numerous films, and has acted as the self-appointed gate-keepers of Indias immutable sanskaars. It imagines harms to the fibre and fabric of Indian culture and society, where dominant discourses are threatened by cinematographic depictions of subversive ideas and transgressive sexualities. The CBFC, according to Article 19 (2) of the Constitution, can only regulate the freedom of speech through an exercise of reasonable restrictions such as sovereignty, integrity and security of India, relations with foreign states, public order, decency and morality, or contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence. However, the CBFC regulates the content of films on their depictions of womens lives, and has a problem with their fantasy above life. The CBFC, with its patronising character, wants to keep Indian women grounded in culture, their fantasies, more often than not, jettisoned from the films they watch. Even as Nagaland struggles to return to normalcy following 18 days of political crisis due to state-wide protests over granting 33 percent reservation to women in the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections social activist Rosemary Dzuvichu remains hopeful that women in the state will break the shackles of patriarchy and realise their right to be represented. In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Dzuvichu said, Whichever government comes to power in Nagaland, it will be duty bound to hold ULB elections with 33 percent reservation for women. For it is now in the laws of Nagaland... they will have no other option but to uphold the law. She further said, The recent turn of events opposing reservation for women show where the society stands presently. It is the worst manifestation of patriarchy. But she hoped that the situation will revert, as negotiations are imminent for womens reservation in ULBs. I am sure the negotiations will resume soon after the newly elected chief minister takes charge of office, she said. But signs emerging from the state also point towards the possibility that the Nagaland government could approach the Centre to work towards an amendment of the Indian Constitution, thereby exempting the state from the law demanding reservation for women in ULBs. On being asked about this approach, she said that it would be difficult to change the Constitutional provision. Whether the government will accept such a proposal? I really doubt it, she said, adding that the Constitution is very clear about womens reservation. The sixth schedule areas in North East are exempted from reserving seats for women in ULBs. But, the same is not applicable in Nagaland. Hence, there is no confusion about it in the Constitution," Dzuvichu said. When asked if concepts of modern reservation for women are compatible in a tribal society like Nagaland, which boasts of its traditional form of 'village republic', she said, "As long as we are a part of India, we want to enjoy the rights provided by the Indian Constitution. We deserve it. She said that either way, women will get their rights in urban policy making as talks were on for nominating women to ULBs. Let us wait and see. We may also get nominations for women representatives, if not elections, she said. Dzuvichu is an adviser to Naga Mothers' Association, which has been fighting a case in the Supreme Court of India to protect the rights of Naga women and help them attain representation in the ULBs. Nagaland saw violent protests on its streets from tribal communities, 31 January onwards, after the state government decided to hold ULB election with 33 percent reservation for women, which led to the death of three persons in police firing. The deaths resulted in a state-wide bandh, with a demand for Chief Minister TR Zeliangs resignation. Nagaland saw a total breakdown of state machinery as protesters made it impossible for the government to function until Zeliang was relieved of his post. The protest gained such vehemence that the State Secretariat remained closed for 18 days. On 7 February, the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) gave a three-day ultimatum to Zeliang. Chief Minister Zeliang should step down on moral grounds within a period of three days, with effect from 8 February, 2017, a statement issued by NTAC said. Though he did not resign within three days, on 19 February, Zeliang stepped down and the ruling Naga Peoples Front MLAs elected Dr Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the chief minister and new leader of the legislative party. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Fatih Karimov Trend: Iran has reached an agreement with Kazakhstan to purchase 950 tons of yellow cake (natural uranium) over the next three years, Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Irans Atomic Energy Organization, said. Iran has sent a request to the to the secretariat of the Joint Commission of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)-the commission that oversees the nuclear deal signed between Iran and the six world powers in 2015- regarding the issue, Salehi said, ISNA news agency reported Feb. 25. Five members of the commission have agreed the relevant request, but the UK changed its mind at the last moment due to the US presidential elections and the Middle East developments, Salehi said, adding that Iran waits the UK to submit its written and final stance regarding the issue. The Iranian official added that 650 tons of yellow cake will be imported in two consignments in two years and the third shipment of 300 tons will be delivered to Iran in third year. The received yellow cake will be converted into UF6 (uranium hexafluoride) gas and will be sent back to Kazakhstan, Salehi said, adding that the Islamic Republic will receive money for processing the natural uranium into UF6. Iran has imported 359 tons of uranium from Russia and other countries over the last year following the implementation of the nuclear deal. Iran and the P5+1- the United States, France, Britain, Russia, Germany and China - started implementing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA aka nuclear deal ) on Jan.16, 2016. Under the nuclear deal, Iran can sell its enriched uranium material and buy natural uranium or yellow cake in return. The country recently received the final batch of a 149-ton yellow cake shipment from Russia. Islamabad: Protests erupted in a Pakistani village along the border with India after Indian border forces shot dead a mentally-ill woman who had crossed over, the media reported. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, from Sialkot district's Diawara village was killed by India's Border Security Force after she lost her way and crossed into the Indian side of border. Bibi belonged to Bajwat area in Punjab province of Pakistan. Protests erupted in her village upon news that she had been shot dead by the BSF personnel who mistook her for an intruder, Dawn reported. Indian border authorities later on Friday handed over Bibi's body to her family. Similar incidents have also occurred in the past in the light of heightened border tension between India and Pakistan. A Pakistani boy was in August last year was shot dead by the BSF after he entered the Indian territory by mistake. Ijaz, 17, from Kasur, was grazing cattle near the border when the incident took place. By Vasundhara We used to be able to talk about Kashmir and self-determination, even until a year ago. Even if we were in the minority, we had an intact space for these discussions. But the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has succeeded in creating a culture of fear. One of the scariest things that has emerged out of the current blazing political row between ABVP and left progressive forces is increasing self-censorship. The violence that unfolded at Ramjas College in Delhi this week is an all-new low in ABVPs history of suppressing freedom of expression, and the only way to fight it is to continue reclaiming the space to talk about urgent issues otherwise we risk the destruction of the university as a space for free thinking. On Thursday, I was part of a group of approximately 500 protesters gathered outside the police station in ITO, Delhi. The agenda was to convert the complaints we had registered against ABVP members, the previous day, into an FIR. A senior police officer came out we were told that this was the first time an officer had agreed to address protesters outside police headquarters and said that one FIR has been lodged, but he cant file multiple FIRs related to one incident. Apparently, this goes contrary to various Supreme Court judges recommendations in the past about filing as many FIRs as needed. Friends who saw this police FIR said it actually has accusations against both ABVP and the opposing protesters, and made no distinction between them. People have apparently been booked under rioting and the obstruction of officers duty. The officer said that there will be a criminal investigation, and we can come forward with eyewitness accounts, testimonies, and evidence. I havent been to campus since Tuesday, but Ive heard that Section 144 has been imposed and that police personnel have been deployed everywhere on campus, including in residential areas nearby. The controversy began last week with a two-day seminar titled Cultures of Protest organised by Ramjas Colleges Literary Society and English department, meant to be held on 21 and 22 February. But it was violently disrupted by protesters from the ABVP on 21 February. They demanded that JNU student Umar Khalids (who was arrested briefly last year for sedition) talk Unveiling the State: Regions in Conflict The War in Adivasi Areas be cancelled, on the grounds that it was anti-national. They threw stones and bricks at the conference room, broke windowpanes, and beat up students outside. The talk was abruptly wrapped up and everyone had to be evacuated. ABVP has a long history not just of intimidating students, but of also attacking or threatening to attack professors. So the violence currently unfolding at Ramjas College is not part of a new phenomenon. But it appears as if the ABVP has made an organisational decision to not yield any space to what they consider to be anti-national activity. And they have faced increasing challenges from left progressive forces. Delhi University is far more conservative than Jawaharlal Nehru University, but with the Kiss of Love protests and Pinjra Tod activists, ABVP is feeling threatened by a growing fearlessness and mobilisation on the Left as well. Since Tuesday, further violence has erupted inside and outside the college premises. And rumours have been floating of ABVP members on bikes at night, hunting people with rods; but I dont know anyone who was hurt, and its plausible that these rumours are part of ABVPs efforts to terrorise people. On Wednesday, a DU Fights Back March protesting Tuesdays events was held, and a large number of students from the university, including those part of AISF, AISA, Pachhas, NSI, Pinjra Tod and other campus groups, as well many unaffiliated students were present. It was meant to start at 1 pm and students were supposed to march from Ramjas to the Maurice Nagar police station. But when I, along with other students, reached Ramjas College, the police had shut the gates. We heard that students were getting picked up and beaten up inside by ABVP goons. Some ABVP members were eventually brought outside and put into police vans, but they quickly came back out. It seemed the police had little will to detain them. They then began attacking us, the people gathered outside. When they were held off from the front by police, they attacked us from behind. They threw huge stones at us from behind walls. Many people were hit within one or two feet of the police. A friend was thrown onto the road, another had a brick hit the back of his head and sustained a nasty head injury. They were taken to hospital by the police. Women had to deal with lewd gestures and comments like Azaadi chahiye? Dikhata hoon azaadi! (You want Azaadi? I'll show you!) The only thing the police managed to do was to pull them back when they began charging towards us. This confrontation outside Ramjas went on for over an hour. We began marching to Maurice Nagar police station with the police, all the while being attacked with stones by ABVP members who were shouting slogans like Bharat mein agar rehna hoga, Vande Mataram kehna hoga (If you want to stay in India, you will have to say Vande Mataram) and Bharat mata ki jai (All hail mother India!). They wouldnt attack when we turned to look at them, they only attacked from behind. They threw wrenches and spanners at the crowd; they had clearly come prepared. Then they blocked us in front of the Arts department, tried to attack the march and hurled stones and bricks. I dont know if paranoia is the right word to use here its more like everyone was rightfully tense and stressed. People would flinch at the slightest sight of a flying object in the air, expecting another stone. We were finally allowed to enter the police station and register our complaints on behalf of the two people who had had returned with injuries, against eight ABVP members (including four women) and others. Once inside, we were told the police will not entertain so many individual complaints and that instead, we should compile all the complaints into one consolidated complaint. This consolidated complaint is now being demanded to be the basis for registering the FIR. While we were inside the station, the police cracked down outside. They lathi-charged the protesters brutally, beat up men and women and detained everyone in two vans. All this while, ABVP members stood aside with complete impunity and cheered and clapped and hooted. When students began to scatter because of the sudden crackdown, many who were found to be alone were caught and beaten up by the ABVP. Women were detained after dark by the police, which is against the law. At the station, I met a woman who had come to the police station alone. She had bruises on her face and arms. A friend of hers had lost his phone and she had been helping him look for it when ABVP goons, men and women, began attacking her. They beat her up really badly, pulling her hair and her legs in all directions, before the media and police arrived and stopped the lynch mob. If someone hadnt come, they would have killed me, she told me. Our plans going forward are to strategise, and organise more effectively. So far, protests and discussions have been occurring spontaneously. Meanwhile, students have been recording accounts of the violence. But perhaps the most frightening outcome of all this has been the self-censorship. I heard that there was meant to be a programme to commemorate Kashmiri womens resistance at Ambedkar University on Thursday, but it was cancelled because of the Ramjas incident. A friend mentioned that the reason given was that the present political atmosphere called for a more 'balanced' panel. The Jodhpur row over Nivedita Menon is another example. These are good academics, and people are now going to be scared and not call them to speak. Self-censorship is continuing despite us saying that we wont be cowed down, and thats what ABVP has managed to do create fear amongst everyone. (As told to Maya Palit) Vasundhara is an alumna of Delhi School of Economics. The Ladies Finger (TLF) is a leading online womens magazine delivering fresh and witty perspectives on politics, culture, health, sex, work and everything in between. New Delhi: The Delhi government on Saturday approved an around 37 percent hike in the minimum wages for unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled persons in the national capital. Announcing the Cabinet's decision, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said his government has cleared all recommendations of a 15-member committee set up by former Lt Governor Najeeb Jung last year to revise the minimum wages. This is the second time the AAP government has approved an increase in the minimum wages. The former L-G had in September last year declared the recommendations of a government-appointed committee as "null and void", saying the AAP dispensation did not seek his prior approval to form the panel. Kejriwal said the committee's recommendations will be sent to Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Monday and that he himself will meet the L-G and request him to give his nod at the earliest so that workers are benefited. As per the Cabinet's decision, the minimum wages for unskilled persons will be Rs 13,350 per month against the existing Rs 9,724 per month. For semi-skilled and skilled persons, it will increase from Rs 10,764 to Rs 14,698 and from Rs 11,830 to Rs 16,182 per month respectively. "This is the first time in the country that revision of the minimum wages is proposed on the basis a scientific method. I will meet the L-G next week and request him to give his approval to the recommendations. I hope the L-G will clear them next week as we have followed all procedures. It will be the biggest gift for workers on the occasion of Holi," the chief minister said at a press conference at his official residence in Civil Lines area. The government-appointed committee had approved a 50 percent increase in the minimum wages Rs 14,052 for unskilled person, Rs 15,471 for semi-skilled and Rs 17,033 for skilled person per month. "There is a difference of Rs 600-700 between the recommendations of the two committees. We could have implemented the previous committee's recommendations, but we did not want any fight with former Lt Governor. We would have made some changes in the recommendations of second committee but we avoided any hurdles in implementing the cabinet decision and in view of this, we have approved the recommendations without any changes," he said. Labour minister Gopal Rai said that earlier, the minimum wages used to be decided on the basis of three points housing, clothing and food. But the committee, which held seven meetings, has also included education, electricity and fuel considering their market prices. The former LG-appointed committee consists of five representative each from government, industry associations and labour unions. The fractured mandate in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election has made allies-turned-rivals Shiv Sena and BJP stake claim to power in the civic body and speculations are rife over the permutation and combination of elected members of various political parties for alignment to reach the figure of 114 in the House of 227. The moot question is whether the Sena will bite the bullet and come out of the BJP's shadow cast over it? Sena emerged as the single largest party with 84 seats, but the BJP is close behind with 82 seats and its leaders have already staked claim to take charge of the BMC by seeking support of other parties. The Sena leadership too has stated that it would assume office being the single-largest and garnered support of three more members, taking its tally to 87. There is a possibility of either the Sena or the BJP coming to power by keeping each other out and forming an alliance with other parties/Independents. There is also a strong possibility of the Sena and the BJP coming together for a post-poll alliance. The mudslinging by Sena and BJP leaders during the poll campaign has created bitterness between the saffron partners, but during the high decibel diatribes, the Sena and the BJP emerged as the most eloquent and organised critics of each other. The BJP hijacked Opposition space by lambasting the misgovernance of the BMC by the Sena, while the Sena criticised policies of the state and central governments ruled by the BJP. Ironically, the saffron parties continued with their alliance in the state and central governments, indicating a tacit mutual understanding of occupying the Opposition space to edge out parties like the Congress and the NCP to take care of the anti-incumbency sentiments. After the BMC polls, the BJP is euphoric, while the Sena's situation is apocalyptic. The Sena has the option of sacrificing power in the BMC, pullout from its alliance with the BJP in the state and central governments to sit in the Opposition. By doing so, it would enhance its image of being the voice of anti-incumbency sentiments in the state politics and play the victim to consolidate itself vis a vis the BJP as well as the Congress and the NCP. Over the next couple of years, the Sena can focus on organisational build up and emerge as the main Opposition party in the Assembly polls in 2019. As such, after the 2014 Modi wave there is a vacuum, with the Opposition space not being effectively occupied by mainstream parties like the Congress and the NCP. It will be difficult but not impossible, but will the Sena do it? It would require nerves of steel. It would be difficult for the Sena to break all ties with the BJP and sacrifice power in the state and central governments, as a lot is at stake. It would lose its power centre, the BMC, which governs the country's financial capital and is the richest municipal corporation in the country. Secondly, if it breaks all ties with the BJP, many Sena MLAs/MPs may switch over to the BJP. Further, during the poll campaign, the Sena leadership had been so pre-occupied with saving its citadel, the BMC, that it ignored polls in zilla parishads and other municipal corporations, where the BJP's juggernaut reigned supreme. The Sena will have to work its way up from the ground level both in rural and urban areas. Another hitch for the Sena is Hindutva, which has held the Sena-BJP alliance together for over two decades. Religion is one of the strongest cementing factors, involving emotional attachment that, at times, defies logical reasoning. The BJP would also not want to let the Sena grow to bigger than its boots as its adversary and would like it to remain small to play the second fiddle. Irom Sharmila, who had been on a 16-year-long hunger strike to protest the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (Afspa) before breaking her fast late last year, has embarked upon a political career in the months since. Her party, the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), launched its mission statement, in which it aspired to build a "self-reliant economy for Manipur". The party, in its initial weeks, tried to cast itself in the mould of the Aam Aadmi Party. Just like Arvind Kejriwal had done with AAP five years ago, the PRJA also took up the cause of corruption. To further cement its place as a whistleblower of Indian politics, the PRJA adopted the "whistle" symbol as well. In fact, its aspirations caught the eye of Kejriwal himself, and the Delhi chief minister even made a donation to Sharmila's party, and urged others to also donate generously. I am donating Rs 50,000 as my small contribution to her and appeal to everyone to support her. https://t.co/9uEXT1uMn6 Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) February 18, 2017 However, while they have made a big splash and Irom Sharmila's image as a crusader has already won them a lot of support, it's surprising that with just one week to go before Manipur has Assembly elections taking place on 4 March, the party is yet to begin campaigning. Even in Thoubal constituency, where Sharmila herself is contesting the polls against incumbent chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh, the PRJA has barely put up any campaigns or roadshows to indicate to the people the immensity of what Sharmila is attempting. Sharmila's party, instead of holding rallies, has chosen to hold small, impromptu gatherings in courtyards and verandas. Along with Nazima Bibi, who will contest the upcoming polls from Wagbai, Sharmila is banking more on her personal connection with the woman voters of the Northeastern state, says a report in Scroll. Women account for the majority of the electorate in Manipur with 9,68,312 female voters against 9,25,431 men. The PRJA feels itself peculiarly positioned to forge ties of sympathy with this large, silent electorate. After all, both its star candidates are women with their own battles to fight. Sharmila, who was marked for martyrdom by her supporters as well as the general public. Nazima, the first Muslim woman to contest elections in Manipur, and the target of a severe backlash from her community, the report said. However, she may have set herself too ambitious a target. For a political party which was floated mere months before the election, it would be tough for her to connect with the masses, especially since chief minister Ibobi Singh is a popular figure in his constituency. A report in DNA outlines the challenge she might encounter. The report described how Sharmila was not welcome in Khong-Manu locality in Leishenthan which is another stronghold of chief minister Ibobi. The villagers had gone to the extent of stopping her from entering the area. Even when Sharmila made her way in the village and spoke to the small gathering of people, they remained unimpressed according to the DNA report. "People have begged me to stop (campaigning), and Congress workers also come and ask me sometimes to take back my nomination. I cannot do that; politics is a dirty world, and I intend to clean it up," Sharmila told the newspaper's correspondent. Having said that though, she also remains realistic about her party's chances. If it can even win one seat in the 60-member state Assembly, it would be a good start, she had said. Speaking to the news agency PTI, Sharmila had said, "Even if one of us wins, we will be the voice of the people inside the assembly and will question Afspa on the floor of the house." It's this combination of emotive appeals to the people about the evils of Afspa and AAP-like claims of cleaning up the system of corruption that the party is banking on. Speaking to The Times of India, Sharmila had also spoken of a few other issues she will focus on. "There are many other issues that need to be addressed. The right to education and economic independence of people are the D things I'd work on, besides bringing about R communal harmony (sic)," she said. Perhaps the truest sign of Sharmila's emergence and the fact that Afspa will be a key issue that may determine the electoral outcome is chief minister Ibobi Singh admitting his inability to get the Act repealed. He was quoted by The Times of India report as saying, "We've removed Afspa from Imphal municipal area covering seven Assembly constituencies in 2004. It was not easy. Everyone at the Centre was opposed to it. I managed to convince a very reluctant (then) prime minister Manmohan Singh that state police could handle the law and order of Imphal city. But it was not conducive to remove Afspa from the entire state." That both parties are taking Afspa seriously is the first real sign that Sharmila's party has emerged a force to reckon with. If she can use the gains from Afspa and branch out into other allied topics, PRJA could soon become a major force to reckon with in Manipur. With inputs from PTI Auto refresh feeds Autorickshaw rally for Congress party in Thoubal district, Manipur. The state goes to polls on 4 and 8 March. Home Minister Rajnath Singh, speaking in Manipur ahead of the Assembly polls, accused the Congress and Chief Minister Okram Singh Ibobi of creating confusion and vowed that the territorial integrity of Manipur would not be affected. Singh said that there was no law and order situation in Manipur and the major evil was the corruption by the Congress. Manipur goes to the polls on 4 and 8 March. The BJP has been on a tear in Manipur, on the last day of campaigning before the first phase of polling. Campaigning in Manipur officially ends at 3 pm. Activists of Kangleipak Students Association on Thursday, demanding justice for extra-judicial killings in Manipur, burned effigies of Manipur Chief Minster Okram Ibobi Singh, Addl SP AK Jaljit and ex DGP Y Joykumark on Thursday. The Kangleipak Students Association (KSA) is demanding the repeal of Afspa and justice for fake encounter cases, including the 23 July, 2009 case, in which a pregnant woman and a former PLA militant were killed in broad daylight. On Wednesday, a group of irate student activists belonging to the association allegedly vandalised the state unit office of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) situated in the heart of Imphal city after being denied a meeting with BJP leaders. The 33-year-old Harvard-educated Erendro Leichombam, was attacked by unknown people in Manipur on the day of the first phase of polls in the state. This US-returned former World Bank Fellow, who also served in the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is the convener of People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA), a party started by Irom Sharmila. Trained in Economics at the Soka University of America and in Mathematics at the University of California, Irvine, Erendro refused to live the life of an NRI and joined Irom Sharmila's party to bring about a social change in his home state. Over 80 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first phase of polling in Manipur in 38 constituencies spread across six districts in the hill state. Officials said the final figure would go higher as this was only the preliminary report at 3 pm when polling officially ended. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March. Haokip also said he was confident of the Congress winning 40 seats in Manipur Assembly polls. The second and final phase of polling will be held on 8 March. State unit Congress president TN Haokip has said that the BJP and the United Naga Council are the two faces of the same coin. A troop of 25 Assam Rifles apprehended four Kuki National Front (P) militants at Churachandpur on early Sunday morning. The militants were nabbed at 5.30 am. Two AK-56 rifles, two pistols, four cell phones and 148 rounds were recovered during the counter-insurgency operation. The militants were then handed over to the Churachandpur police. HuffPost-CVoter poll has predicted that the Congress will win fewer seats than the BJP in Manipur. According to the poll, the BJP's voteshare in the state will see a huge increasefrom 2.1 percent in 2012 to 32.1 percent in this electionmeanwhile, the Congress' voteshare is estimated to fall from 42.4 percent in 2012 to 31.3 percent. At least six persons including four women sustained injury in an IED blast near Kasturi Bridge in the hear of Imphal city on Wednesday evening at about 5.40 pm as the last phase Manipur polls ended. The police said that the two women among the five injured in the blast, which took place in the Kasturi Thong area in Imphal, were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Science, a government hospital. Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to file a counter-FIR against the State Election Commission (SEC) for "mentally harassing" the party's office bearers, and for allegedly creating confusion with regards to advertisements that were published in local dailies in Imphal, Manipur, on 3 March. There was tight security at the polling stations to ensure that there was no untoward incident. Voters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTIVoters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTI State Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan disclosed that the repolls were being held as per directives of the Election Commission. Peaceful repolls were reported in 34 polling stations in eight districts of Manipur on Thursday. Voter turnout of 67% recorded till 1 pm in second & final phase of voting in #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/1QXIUaMmve Polling ends at 3 pm in the second and last phase of #ManipurElection2017 pic.twitter.com/miuhmwwktJ State Chief Electoral Officer VK Dewangan has ordered repoll in 34 polling stations which went to the hustings in the first phase on 4 March. The re-poll will take place on 9 March from 7am till 3pm in the 34 polling stations. CEO Manipur Vivekumar Dewangan said re-polling would be held in five polling stations of Andro AC, one each in Uripok, Saikot and Singhat AC, 12 in Saikul, three in Saitu, six in Thanlon and five in Henglep. At least six persons including four women sustained injury in an IED blast near Kasturi Bridge in the hear of Imphal city on Wednesday evening at about 5.40 pm as the last phase Manipur polls ended. The police said that the two women among the five injured in the blast, which took place in the Kasturi Thong area in Imphal, were admitted to the Regional Institute of Medical Science, a government hospital. Manipur unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to file a counter-FIR against the State Election Commission (SEC) for "mentally harassing" the party's office bearers, and for allegedly creating confusion with regards to advertisements that were published in local dailies in Imphal, Manipur, on 3 March. There was tight security at the polling stations to ensure that there was no untoward incident. Voters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTIVoters stand in queues at a polling booth in Manipur. PTI State Chief Election Officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan disclosed that the repolls were being held as per directives of the Election Commission. Peaceful repolls were reported in 34 polling stations in eight districts of Manipur on Thursday. Elections in Manipur will be held in two phases on 4 March and 8 March with the results being declared on 11 March. Representatives from 60 constituencies will be elected. The previous Assembly election, held in 2012, resulted in a landslide victory for the Congress, giving them 42 seats and allowing Okram Ibobi Singh to be re-elected as chief minister for an unprecedented third consecutive term. While Manipur has been a Congress stronghold for over a decade, thanks to the leadership of Ibobi, a savvy political operator, the BJP has been upbeat about its chances, buoyed undoubtedly by its success in last year's Assam elections. All eyes are also on Irom Sharmila, who shocked many political observers by giving up her 16-year fast against the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (Afspa), and decided to enter politics. Manipur's Iron Lady has formed the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) and will be taking on the chief minister in his own den Thoubal constituency only time will tell if this is a masterstroke or a blunder. Sharmila, while announcing her decision, had said: "During his 15 years of leadership he has not done anything to repeal Afspa. Since I realise that no politician shall repeal it, I am planning to contest the election, become the chief minister and repeal it." Here are some quick facts about the state: Number of Parliamentary Constituencies: 2 Number of Assembly Constituencies: 60 The present ruling party: Indian National Congress Opposition Party: Trinamool Congress Chief Minister: Okram Ibobi Singh Governor: Dr. Najma A. Heptulla Chief Electoral Officer: Oinam Nabakishore Singh Political Parties in Manipur The Indian National Congress (INC) The Bharatiya Janata Party The Rashtriya Janata Dal The Nationalist Congress Party The main regional political parties are : Democratic Revolutionary Peoples Party Manipur State Congress party Lok Jan Shakti Party All India Trinamool Congress Manipur People's Party (MPP) Federal Party of Manipur Manipur National Conference Naga People's Front National People's Party (India) Nikhil Manipuri MahasabhaManipur Assembly Election 2017 Imphal: Titular king of Manipur, Leishemba Sanajaoba, has urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to compromise the territorial integrity of Manipur while resolving the protracted Naga peace dialogue. Speaking during the BJP election rally in Imphal which Modi also attended, the Manipur king said that all the communities living in Manipur are now suffering in an inexpressible manner. He said that the gaps separating them have also widened greatly. "This land which once existed as one of the worlds oldest kingdoms having a history of thousands of years with respect of one anothers culture, tradition and religion has been a fearful place to live in," he said. He said, I on behalf of the communities and ethnic groups living with utmost sufferings in the hills and the valley, I, a king in name only having been deprived of royal grandeur would like to express that Manipur boundary where various communities and ethnic communities living together in peace since primordial times should not be compromised at any cost." "The kings who ruled Manipur at various periods of history fought and shed blood to preserve her territory. Following this tradition, I also stand firmly for the unity and integrity of Manipur where various communities are settling in peace and harmony," he added. The central and state government has given various assurances since 1950 to bring solution to the issues and problems of the people of the state and to that effect memorandums of understanding with the hill based armed groups and civil bodies have also been signed. The framework agreement have created fear and suspicion in the minds of the people that unity and integrity might be broken, Leishemba said while urging Modi to convince the people that the integrity of Manipur shall never be compromised. New Delhi: Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit taking an U-turn on her earlier remark on party vice president Rahul Gandhi has clarified that he has "the sensitivity of a mature leader". Party veteran Dikshit in a newspaper interview on Thursday said Gandhi was "still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature". Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man. #DontTwistMyWords Sheila Dikshit (@SheilaDikshit) February 24, 2017 Her comments were quickly lapped on by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, who ridiculed Gandhi saying "immature Rahul should be kept at home" instead of being sent to Uttar Pradesh. With "Don't twist my words" hashtag, Dixit on Friday took to twitter to clarify her comment. "Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man," Dikshit said. At a paan (betel) shop at Hazratgamj in Lucknow, two persons were leisurely having their early morning paan and discussing politics. Looks like the BJP is surging ahead," one of them said and then started giving his perspective. While they were still talking, an auto stopped and the driver rushed out to buy some gutka. The driver overheard the conversation and, without wasting a moment, came out with his verdict, Bhaiya aisa hai ki BJP jeet raha hai nahi balki BJP jeet gayee, aap meri baat ganth bandh lo. (Brother its like that, BJP is not winning but it has won. You mark my words). Within the next few seconds, he was gone, at the speed with which had come but leaving paan, gutka and cigarette for lingering thought to all present there, more so, because his words were of an ordinary voter, not of a BJP worker. What was amusing was the degree of finality and conviction in his statement. He is not waiting for the 11 March verdict. For him and several others like him, results have almost been pre-decided and the results date, counting of votes would be for actual numbers. While travelling through various parts of the state, Firstpost met and talked at length with ordinary people inside villages, at small roadside chai-paan shops, at chaupals, at nukkads, at their kuchha-pucca houses and in semi-urban areas. The enthusiasm and vigour that people displayed for BJP among people across social and caste strata, as also of varying age, was not matched by those supportive of the BSP and SP. The sense that one got for a BJP victory was like that for the SP in 2012 and for BSP in 2007. In fact, the conviction that was seen from sections of voters across Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bhagpat, Shamli , Kairana, Kannauj, Azamgarh, Baranas, Jaunpur, Raebareli, Sultanpur, Amethi, Allahabad, Lucknow et al for the BJP was somewhat similar (to a bit lesser degree) to what one had seen when winds of change were blowing in Delhi and in parliamentary elections Phool chhap (Lotus) is favoured over cycle, elephant and hand. At a ramshakale tea shop ahead of Unchhar, a CRPF jawan, who was in a civilian dress along with two others but was identifiable as Jawan by his looks and a Tavera MUV with Police marking parked nearby, was most forthcoming. He belonged to Hardoi, another district in UP and was on duty travelling to various other parts. He said, This has now become a Hindu-Muslim election. I have been talking to my family, friends and other people who come across me when I am off duty, I get a feeling that BJP is coming to power with thumping majority. On further questioning he revealed that he is Kurmi by caste, a non-Yadav OBC. BJPs stress on non-Yadav OBCs has worked very favourably. It has succeeded in conveying a message that Akhilesh Yadavs SP government cared only for Yadav and Muslims all posts, recruitment and prize postings were meant for Yadavs and all welfare schemes meant even alliance with Congress meant to lure Muslims, Kabristan versus Samshan theme. This time around, the non-Yadav OBCs, which earlier sided either with the BSP or with the SP across the state, are solidly with BJP. They have found their voice and are not afraid to voice their feelings. For once, the media is not talking about the non-Yadav OBC factor in UP elections but it is they who are talking about media and its lack of insight. Om Mavi and Rakesh Kashyap, both belonging to non-Yadav OBC in two different parts of UP, Lambhua and Allahabad, suggested reading Akhileshs body language and deriding words spoken by him like Gujarat ke Gadhe after conclusion of the third phase of polling. An upper caste Ramashray Singh and Sitaram Pandey in Banaras were of the same opinion. UP is a big state where 403 MLAs are to be elected and the magnitude of victory or defeat will be measured accordingly but what is by now clear is that come 11 March, Akhilesh Yadavs SP government will be thrown out by the people and a BJP government brought in. And if the BJP inches closer to the halfway victory mark, then it is difficult to assess where it goes or where it stops. On conclusion of four phases of election, one gets a clear assessment that BJP has surged ahead as Number One and is gaining. The race is open for Number Two between Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party. UP has not been liking Akhilesh Yadav and Rahul Gandhi's new found need-based friendship and their catch phrase UP Ko ye saath pasanad hai and his other catch phrase Kaam bolta hai are blown to pieces on dusty potholed roads of Baranas-Azamgarh, Banaras-Mirzapur and Banaras-Jaunpur-Sultanpur. The 103 seats given to Congress by Samajwadi Party is easy picking for BJP. Congress is not visible on the ground. Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhis absence even from Raebareli has left tongues wagging. Congresss retired chief ministerial candidate Sheila Dikshit's statement that Rahul is in his 40s and thus needs more time to mature statement has further worsened the situation for Congress. The analysts who thought BSP had become a spent force in these elections and would be relegated to a poor number three could be in for a surprise. In some areas, BSP candidates are puttingup a strong fight and also getting part of Muslim votes. Even as Muslims are broadly with the SP-Congress combine for they are not merely looking at 2017 but also putting their hopes to take on Modis might in 2019, in some constituencies, a section of Muslims are confused as to who could defeat BJP SP or BSP. It should not be forgotten that Mayawati has put up 100 Muslim candidates and confusion of any kind among Muslim electorate, small or big, is favourable to the BJP. It was precisely the reason why Amit Shah from the beginning stressed that BJPs fight was with SP and not BSP and at the same time kept on prominent BSP leaders like Swami Prasad Maurya to its fold. It was after the first phase of polling that Shah changed the tune to say that in the first two phases (with many Muslim majority areas), the fight was between BJP and BSP. The upper castes are almost en bloc with BJP. Sections of Brahmin and Rajput electorate may have voted for BSP in 2007 and for SP in 2012 but in 2017, their preference to BJP is more than apparent. Prime Minister Narendra Modi continues to galvanise youth, their hopes and aspirations. A young boy who had attended his rally in Kannauj and another in Hardoi told Firstpost that their vote had been for Modi in 2014 and would be for Modi in 2017. Kishore from Allahabad said, The last time he had come here as BJPs Prime Ministerial candidate, but now, he is Prime Minister. That makes the difference. He is sincere and hard-working. I believe in him. He needs support from UP to transform UP. Results of Maharastra civic and Zila Parishad polls have further boosted the morale of BJP rank and file. Modi could well be right when he says UP is in for Kesaria holi. An FIR was lodged against BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya on Saturday for allegedly violating the model code of conduct, which is in place in the state in view of the ongoing Assembly polls. According to the inspector in-charge of the Civil Lines police station, Arun Kumar Tyagi, "The FIR was lodged under section 130 of the Representation of Peoples Act (RPA) upon the complaint of Sector Magistrate Sunil Kumar Singh." The FIR followed an inquiry ordered by District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar into allegations of Maurya wearing the party's sticker on the pocket of his jacket, while he was casting his vote at a polling booth set up inside an inter college in the city on 23 February. Responding to queries from reporters on Friday, Maurya had said, "I did not intentionally go to the polling booth wearing the party sticker. I wear the sticker on my front pocket always and it has become a habit," "I just forgot to take it off while going inside. I would, however, respect any action taken by the Election Commission in this regard," Maurya said, The aforesaid section of RPA forbids any person, on the day of polling, to exhibit any notice or sign relating to the election within a distance of 100 metres of a polling station. Contravention of any of the provisions of the section, which places a number of other restrictions enforceable on polling days, is punishable with a fine. Tehran, Iran, February 25 By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend: The whole world knows that the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) have provided the strongest support to neighboring countries against terrorists, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said. Speaking in reaction to the Trump administration initiative to designate the IRGC a terrorist organization, Zarif said he was sure such moves will not succeed, IRIB news agency reported February 25. A day earlier, sources said the Trump administration move had stalled over warnings from defense and intelligence officials that the move could backfire. "If you do that, there is no way to escalate, and you would foreclose any possibility of talking to the Iranians about anything," an official familiar with the matter had told Reuters, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Momentum behind a possible presidential order has slowed amid an internal debate that has included concerns it could undermine the fight against Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL, Daesh), draw opposition from key allies, torpedo any U.S.-Iran diplomatic prospects, and complicate enforcement of the Iran nuclear deal, U.S. and European sources said. The IRGC has been the biggest supporter of President Bashar Assad in the field against terrorist groups. Washington, however, used to call for overthrowing Assad especially in the early years of the ongoing Syrian crisis, which started in 2011. BJP president Amit Shah is a strong believer in the maxim "in every success there lies the seed of an equivalent disadvantage". Since 2014 Lok Sabha polls which saw an overwhelming victory for his party, Shah has undertaken a massive restructuring of the BJP's Uttar Pradesh organisation to neutralise the foreseeable disadvantage. Look at the manner in which he initiated those measures which were radical at the ground level. The party's state unit was directed to identify nearly 25 cadres that can be deployed at each of the 1.5 lakh booths spread across the state. And the method adopted was completely at variance with the traditional RSS-inspired sangathanist model. According to BJP office bearers, cadres for each booths were selected on the basis of the area's demographic composition. The traditional method of choosing only those with Hindutva links was discarded. In most of the cases, young men from varied caste background were roped in and given a sense of purpose through training sessions. State-level office-bearers held nearly 100 odd meetings of booth-level workers, from block-level to state headquarters, to keep the party's electoral machinery completely attuned to ground realities. At the same time, Shah himself held meetings with various caste groups and promoted an organic leadership among them. For instance, castes like Rajbhar, Nonia, Nishad and Kunbis were completely co-opted on the promise of providing them greater share in power. What appears to have gone in favour of the BJP is the impression that not only Modi belongs to the most backward classes but Shah was also seen as representing that section of society. Given the political history of marginalisation of the backward classes by dominant Yadavs and Jats, the new political formulation seems to have found resonance among non-Yadav OBCs. This was the precise reason why an OBC face Keshav Prasad Maurya was brought in as party's state unit chief. Having made inroads into the OBC social block, the party launched a massive drive to wean away non-jatav scheduled castes in the areas considered to be stronghold of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Since the past experience of non-jatav Dalits was not satisfactory, they seem to have found the BJP's shelter quite reassuring and drifted towards the Hindutva fold. Across the state, Valmikis, Khatiks and Passis were promoted in the mainstream much to the chagrin of BSP chief Mayawati. In the past two and half year, while the party's organisational restructuring was carried out to keep it in tune with social impulses, the state leadership also focused on developing women and youth as constituencies, said Dr Chandramohan, Uttar Pradesh spokesperson of the party. "Perhaps we have never ever seen such an overhauling in the BJP's organisational structure and spectacular scale of mobilisation," he said. He cited statistics to bolster the point that the party had undertaken the biggest ever mobilisation in the past six months. "You see we held 88 youth conferences, 77 women conferences, 200 meetings of backward classes (OBCs) besides undertaking four parivartan yatras in the past six months," he pointed out. Of course, the pressure of the BJP's well-oiled organisational machinery was felt immediately after the first phase of polling was over. It shifted its focus and launched a massive outreach through social media by using WhatsApp and Facebook pages of the UP BJP. Apparently the party's propaganda machinery drummed up the campaign and raised the decibel level to mobilise fence-sitters in successive phases of polling by using all tricks of the trade. Polarisation of the electorate became evident after the first phase. Contrast this meticulously planned election campaign by the BJP with that of the indifferent and rather dull canvassing by Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati and you would know the difference. Akhilesh believed much on semantics and less on substance while the BSP led by Mayawati seems to be resource-crunched, reeling under the impact of demonetisation. There are enough indications on the ground that the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance could not enthuse the SP's cadres which was quite demoralised after marginalisation of Mulayam Singh Yadav and Shivpal Yadav. In fact, the absence of Shivpal, being an organisation man all through his life, made the SP's organisational structure a rudderless ship drifting aimlessly. On the other hand, the Congress is only hoping to ride piggyback on the SP. In certain pockets like Bundelkhand and eastern UP, the BSP's committed cadre and machinery has been putting up stiff resistance to the BJP's resurgence. Unlike Bihar, where the BJP was given a run for its money by a combination of Nitish Kumar and Lalu Prasad Yadav, Akhilesh-Rahul combination evokes derision and ridicule. Despite his high blitz 'kaam bolta hai' campaign, Akhilesh is nowhere close to Nitish Kumar as harbinger of good governance and performer. Similarly, Rahul is hardly seen as serious political contender. Apparently the party's organisational restructuring can largely be credited to neutralise the disadvantages that the BJP accrued since 2014. It would indeed require a greater in-depth analysis to fully comprehend the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah model of sangathan (organisation) after 11 March when the election results would be announced. It seems that the ghosts of demonetisation have failed to terrorise voters of Uttar Pradesh in the ongoing Assembly elections in the state, turning the electoral tide in favour of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The results of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election in Mumbai also point towards this shift, proving that the grassroots voters in the country perceived to be the biggest victim of Prime Minister Narendra Modis note ban have trashed the oppositions claims that demonetisation has jeopardised the countrys economy and public life. At the same time, political parties opposing BJP have failed to capitalise on the 'demon' that emerged out of demonetisation. Except for using note ban and its ill-effects as a narrative in public rallies, opposition parties couldnt build up on the issue, which seemed to have lost relevance amongst the common voters in Uttar Pradesh. Barring a few, the majority were not interested in discussing the demerits of the note ban. In the 53 Assembly seats, including 19 in Bundelkhand, where the fourth phase of polling took place on Thursday, if there was no clear Modi wave, or Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) predominance; then there wasn't an anti-demonetisation wave either. Everything boiled down to caste factor alone. The picture is similar in other parts of the state as well. Only political leaders are desperately trying to push the note ban issue in public rallies with hackneyed statements be it Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi or BSP supremo Mayawati. The rhetoric, more or less, revolves around these few statements: Modiji ne sabko line mein laga diya (Modiji made everyone stand in a queue)." Pradhan Mantri ji ne gareebon ko, kisano ko, unke khud ke paison ke liye ghanto bank ki line mein khada kar diya (Prime Minister made the poor, the farmers, stand in bank queues for hours to get their own money)." Note badalne ke chakkar mein, line mein khade khade, kai logon ki maut ho gayi (Many people died while standing in queue to get their currency notes exchanged)." This disparity between the leaders' agenda and the public response raises a few pertinent questions: What was the impact of demonetisation at the grassroots level? The effect of the note ban among farmers and labourers was not much. It was the rich, with lots of unaccounted cash in hand, who faced the wrath of demonetisation. They used labourers to get their banned currency notes deposited in banks or get them exchanged. During the ongoing election, nobody is bothered about the note ban issue and its the political parties who are using the rhetoric to prevent voters from voting for the BJP," Jhansi-based journalist Santosh Pathak remarked. "The poor man, who was not affected by the note ban, is however angry at the fact that the rich people and the politicians successfully got their unaccounted money exchanged by circumventing the rules imposed after demonetisation, The general public is well aware of the facts. During the last four phases of polling, we have seen that every issue boiled down to religion, castes and sub-castes, Pathak said. Jawahar Lal Rajpoot, a farmer-activist, contesting from Jarotha as a BJP candidate, said, Initially, there were some difficulties, but they got over in about two weeks. The fact is that small farmers hardly have any cash on them, so its not them but those with black money who faced problems. Black money hoarders, including many politicians, created this myth of the suffering farmer. Why note ban failed to become a major poll issue? Contrary to popular belief and perception that poor people, labourers and farmers had to stand in long queues in front of banks for hours to deposit their banned currency notes or get them exchanged, the ground report reveals otherwise. Firstpost spoke to a large section of people across Uttar Pradesh to know why the SP-Congress alliance and BSP had failed in using the note ban as ammunition against the BJP. Public sab jaanti hai, aur yeh neta unhe bewakoof na samjhe (Public knows everything and these leaders shouldnt take them for granted). Despite RBI circular to help farmers, the local banks, especially Allahabad-UP Gramin Bank failed to provide cash to farmers. Its because these bank branches ensured to disburse large sum of cash to rich and powerful people of the area, and not to farmers. Everyone has understood that demonetisation move was not bad, but it was the functioning of bank branches that gave the move a bad name, quipped Brahmadutt Pandey, a farmer from Atharra in Banda district of Bundelkhand. The local banks should be taken to task for improper implementation of RBI orders. But, on the other hand, the local banks situated in villages and tehsils cant do much as they have to listen to local MLAs and political heavyweights. These people withdrew new banknotes in large amounts and the poor failed to get any money, Amrendra Sinha of Kanpur said. If farmers and labourers had suffered due to note ban, why are they unmoved by the issue? Immediately after the note ban was announced, the local market where daily wagers gather in the morning was almost empty, for nearly a month. The daily wagers were hired by builders and many politicians to stand in bank queues to exchange old notes for them. They were paid Rs 500 per day and at some places 5-10 percent was paid as commission for the job. So, the queue that these SP, BSP and Congress leaders are referring to, actually belonged to these rich and mighty. Even the SP MLA from Jarotha, Deep Narayan Singh Yadav, got labourers from adjoining districts and provided food and shelter to them for almost a month, so that they could stand in queue on his behalf, alleged Sachin Chaturvedi, an entrepreneur from Jhansi. An Allahabad-based jeweller, on conditions of anonymity, said, If the note ban has really impacted anyone, its these politicians. That evening when the prime minister announced it, these politicians rushed to the jewellers with huge sums of cash and bought gold in large quantities. And, now these politicians are claiming that the poor and the farmers were worst hit by the move. They cant fool voters anymore by creating a false perception, Chaturvedi said. With four out of seven phases of polling already over, without any visible impact of demonetisation, its unlikely that the demon of 8 November, 2016 will have any impact on the remaining three phases as well. Major US media outlets condemned as "unacceptable" and an "insult to democratic ideals" a decision by President Donald Trump's White House to bar several organisations, including CNN and The New York Times, from a daily press briefing. In an escalation in the administration's war on the media, the White House on Friday excluded some outlets that have provided critical coverage from an off-camera event that replaced the traditional on-camera daily briefing. Friendly conservative outlets like Fox News, the One America News Network and Breitbart News were allowed to attend, while the BBC, The Los Angeles Times and others were excluded. Trump on Friday decried the media as the "enemy of the people," a day after his top strategist promised relations with the press will get "worse every day." A number of news outlets that regularly cover the White House as part of the "pool," including newswires Reuters and Bloomberg, attended the briefing. The Associated Press boycotted in protest. AFP protested being excluded, despite being in the "pool," and attended the briefing uninvited. The White House Correspondents Association said it was "protesting strongly" against the White House decision, and promised to bring it up with White House staff. During the off-camera briefing spokesman Sean Spicer said that the White House has shown an "abundance of accessibility... making ourselves, our team and our briefing room more accessible than probably any previous administration." It is not uncommon for Republican and Democratic administrations to brief select reporters, but the event was initially billed as a regular briefing open to credentialed media. CNN anchor Jake Tapper decried the move as "un-American." "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House," CNN's communications department wrote on Twitter. .@jaketapper: This White House does not value an independent press. There is a word for that: Un-American. https://t.co/Ks7fCmAwl0 pic.twitter.com/Az3TcXomkg CNN (@CNN) February 25, 2017 "Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless." The New York Times wrote in an editorial that the exclusion was an "unmistakable insult to democratic ideals." Several outlets refered to a December interview in which Spicer told Politico that the Trump White House would never ban a news outlet. "Conservative, liberal or otherwise, I think that's what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship," he said. 'Greatest threat to democracy' Media organisations were not alone in defending the free press. "Trump is supposed to be a public servant, and the truth is a public good," said Robert Reich, a UC Berkeley economist, former labour secretary and a prominent Democratic figure. "But he continues to lie incessantly, and punish media that call him out," Reich wrote on Facebook. "These are the sort of antics we'd expect from a two-bit dictator but not from the President of the United States." John Dean, the White House counsel for Republican president Richard Nixon in the 1970s, described the Trump media bashing as "more Nixonian than Nixon." Nixon blasted the media as "the enemy" behind closed doors, Dean, 78, told the Democracy Now! radio show on Friday. "The big difference is, Trump is doing this right out" and challenging the US constitution's first amendment that guarantees freedom of speech and of the press. He described it as "very startling and very troubling." "Nixon failed, and he had a deep reservoir of ill will to draw on when he got himself in real trouble. And I think Trump is creating the same problem for himself." Trump's hostility towards the press "may be the greatest threat to democracy in my lifetime," said William McRaven, a retired admiral and Navy SEAL who oversaw the raid that killed Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in 2011. McRaven made the remarks at the college of communication at the University of Texas at Austin, according to the student newspaper. McRaven became head of the UT system after retiring in 2014. "Flaws and all, I believe the free press is our countrys most important institution," McRaven, who has a degree in journalism, added in a blog post Thursday. The United States "has the finest press corps in the world, bar none," he wrote. The White House on Friday defended chief of staff Reince Priebus against accusations that he breached a government firewall by asking FBI Director James Comey to publicly dispute media reports that Trump campaign advisers had been frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents. President Donald Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comey's assistance in rebutting what Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last year's presidential campaign. The FBI did not issue the statement requested by Priebus and has given no sign that one is forthcoming. "I don't know what else we were supposed to do," Spicer said. The Justice Department has policies in place to limit communications between the White House and the FBI about pending investigations. Trump officials on Friday not only confirmed contacts between Priebus and the FBI, but engaged in an extraordinary public airing of those private conversations. Spicer said it was the FBI that first approached the White House about the veracity of a New York Times story asserting that Trump advisers had contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. Spicer said Priebus then asked both FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe if they would condemn the story publicly, which they declined to do. "The chief of staff said, well, you've put us in a very difficult situation," Spicer said. "You've told us that a story that made some fairly significant accusations was not true. And now you want us to just sit out there." The FBI would not comment on the matter or verify the White House account. The CIA also declined to comment. The White House also enlisted the help of Republicans on Capitol Hill to talk to reporters about the New York Times story. Jack Langer, a spokesman for Devin Nunes, R-California, the chairman of the House intelligence committee, said the White House asked Nunes to speak with one reporter. He said the chairman told the journalist the same thing that he has said publicly many times before that he had asked but not received any information from intelligence officials that would warrant a committee investigation of any American citizens' contacts with Russian intelligence officials. Langer acknowledged that this could make it harder to convince people that the House investigation into the matter will be independent and free of political bias, but he said the White House did not tell Nunes what to tell the reporter, or give him "talking points." The ranking Democrat on the committee, Adam Schiff, D-California, said if the White House indeed contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavorable news reports, it threatens the independence of the intelligence community. "Intelligence professionals are not there to serve as the president's PR firm," Schiff said, adding, "For its part, the intelligence community must resist improper efforts like these by the administration to politicise its role." The Washington Post reported on Friday that the chairman of the Senate intelligence committee also was enlisted by the White House. The newspaper quoted Senator Richard Burr, RNC, saying he had conversations about Russia-related news reports with the White House and engaged with news organisations to dispute articles by The New York Times and CNN. The ranking Democrat on the Senate intelligence committee, Mark Warner of Virginia, said on Friday night that he had called CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Burr to express his "grave concerns about what this means for the independence" of the congressional investigation already underway. Warner said he emphasised to the two that he would "not accept any process that is undermined by political interference." He said if the Senate intelligence committee cannot conduct a proper probe, he will support whomever can do it. Friday's revelations were the latest wrinkle in Trump's already complicated relationship with the FBI and other intelligence agencies. He's accused intelligence officials of releasing classified information about him to the media, declaring in a tweet on Friday morning: The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security "leakers" that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even...... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2017 House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Priebus of "an outrageous breach of the FBI's independence" and called on the Justice Department's inspector general to look into all conversations Priebus and other White House officials have held with the FBI on ongoing investigations. "The rule of law depends on the FBI's complete independence, free from political pressure from the targets of its investigations," Pelosi said. A 2009 memo from then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department is to advise the White House on pending criminal or civil investigations "only when it is important for the performance of the president's duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective." Ron Hosko, a retired FBI assistant director who oversaw criminal investigations, said the discussions between the FBI and the Trump White House were inadvisable. "It is a very slippery slope," Hosko said. "Do I get in the position of where I'm updating the White House on my priority criminal cases? The answer is no, I should not be doing that." Other FBI veterans said the interactions between Priebus and the FBI were not unprecedented. Robert Anderson, a retired executive assistant director who served under Comey and oversaw counterintelligence investigations, said contacts between the bureau and White House are "usually very-well documented" in order to avoid the perception of inappropriate contacts. CNN first reported that Priebus had asked the FBI for help, and a White House official confirmed the matter on Thursday night. On Friday morning, two other senior White House officials summoned reporters to a briefing to expand on the timeline of events. The White House officials would only discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity. Two hours later, Trump panned news stories that rely on anonymous sources, telling a conservative conference that reporters "shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name." Spicer later briefed some reporters on the record. The Associated Press declined to participate in that briefing because some major news organisations were not invited, but audio of the briefing was later circulated by reporters who attended. Trump has been shadowed by questions about potential ties to Russia since winning the election. US intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in the campaign in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. On 14 February, The New York Times reported that intelligence agencies had collected phone records and call intercepts showing frequent communication between Trump advisers and Russian intelligence agents during the campaign. Trump has said he is not aware of such contacts. The White House says Priebus was holding a previously scheduled meeting with McCabe the morning after the New York Times story was published. According to Spicer, McCabe told Priebus in "very colorful terms" that the report was inaccurate, prompting the chief of staff to ask if the FBI would make its view known publicly. Spicer said McCabe told the White House the bureau did not want to be in the practice of rebutting news stories. A similar message was conveyed to Priebus later in the day by Comey, according to the White House spokesman. The White House said McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. Priebus alluded to his contacts with the FBI over the weekend, telling Fox News that "the top levels of the intelligence community" had assured him that the allegations of campaign contacts with Russia were "not only grossly overstated but also wrong." During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans strongly criticised a meeting between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, husband of Trump's general election opponent. The meeting came as the FBI which is overseen by the Justice Department was investigating Hillary Clinton's use of a private email address and personal internet server. Spicer said he was not aware of an FBI investigation into Trump campaign advisers' contacts with Russia. Administration officials have acknowledged that the FBI interviewed ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn about his communications with Russia's ambassador to the US during the transition. Flynn was fired after it was revealed that he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about the content of those conversations. By Chine Labbe and Michel Rose | PARIS PARIS French presidential challenger Francois Fillon will face a full judicial inquiry into allegations he paid family members for fake parliamentary jobs after the country's financial prosecutor said he was appointing a magistrate to lead a deeper probe.The escalation is another blow to the conservative candidate whose status as favourite to win the presidency has faded since the "Penelopegate" affair -- named after Fillon's wife -- first surfaced a month ago. But it may not stop him from standing in April-May vote.By involving a magistrate in what had so far been a preliminary probe led by police, the prosecutor is putting more resources into the investigation.The inquiry will examine possible misuse of public funds and a lack of full and proper disclosure, according to the prosecutor's statement that was issued as Fillon took to the stage at a campaign rally near Paris.The judge can decide to drop the case, place the 62-year-old former prime minister under formal investigation, or send the case to trial.It was not clear, however, if the inquiry could be concluded before the two-round election, scheduled for April 23 and May 7, but the French judicial process would not typically wrap up such a case in the nine weeks between now and the poll.Under French law, if Fillon were to win the presidential race the investigation would be suspended during his time in office. Fillon has denied any wrongdoing and says his wife was paid hundreds of thousands of euros for genuine work as his parliamentary assistant, though he has acknowledged giving her the work was an error of judgement.INVESTORS CONCERNED BY ELECTION Fillon made no reference to the prosecutor's decision at his rally, at which his supporters cried out "Fillon, President!".Fillon has pledged to stay in the race come what may, after saying for weeks that he would step down if he were put under formal investigation."You are my companions, and with you at my side I can feel your energy that will give me the strength to win," Fillon told the rally.Nevertheless, the issue has unnerved investors who fear Fillon's campaign woes have handed the anti-euro, anti-immigration Marine Le Pen of the National Front a higher chance of winning the presidency. Opinion polls show Le Pen leading a fragmented field in the first round but then losing to independent centrist Emmanuel Macron in a second round run-off. Macron has been favourite to win the presidency since the Fillon scandal broke on Jan. 25.Fillon - who has long cultivated an image of probity and criticised people for taking government handouts - has been heckled for weeks by protesters at campaign outings.Macron got a boost on Friday when German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was ready to meet him.Le Pen, however, was roundly criticised by the French mainstream political establishment after she refused to attend a summons for questioning by police over allegations that she made illegal EU payments to her staff. (Additional reporting by Michaela Cabrera; Writing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Richard Balmforth; Editing by Andrew Callus and Richard Lough) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Phil Stewart and Jonathan Landay | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump's push against Islamic State in Syria could present him with an unenviable choice: Alienate NATO ally Turkey by relying on Kurdish fighters or adopt a plan that may slow the assault and require many more U.S. combat forces.The objective of the coming U.S.-backed offensive is the city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital, which U.S. officials think the hardline group has been using as a hub to hatch plots against the West.Despite months of U.S. efforts to allay Turkish concerns, Ankara is insisting the offensive be carried out by local Arab fighters with support from Turkish troops, as opposed to the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which in addition to Arabs includes Kurdish fighters who Turkey considers a threat.As Ankara warns of a major rupture in ties if its concerns are ignored, U.S. and Turkish military officials have been reviewing Turkish proposals for the Raqqa campaign in recent days, one U.S. official said. No decision has been reached, officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.A senior Turkish official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, estimated that as many as 10,000 fighters could be made available for the Raqqa campaign, in addition to Turkish and any U.S. forces backing them. U.S. officials, however, have questioned whether the Turkish-backed forces are up to the job, at least anytime soon, noting the difficulty Turkish-backed rebels had this week driving Islamic State from the town of al-Bab, which is a significantly smaller and easier target than Raqqa.In a reminder of the threat, even after al Bab was seized on Thursday, an Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people in a nearby Syrian village on Friday.It is also unclear how Turkish forces would get to Raqqa, perhaps by carving a path through Syrian-government-held or Kurdish-held territory. A U.S. intelligence official also noted that Turkey might want to clear the town of Manbij of Kurds before going to Raqqa.Turkish-backed forces still may need to be trained and, potentially, supplemented by a far larger number of American troops than the 500 special operations forces in Syria now - all factors that could slow and complicate the Raqqa campaign. "To the extent that President Trump has expressed a desire to take Raqqa as quickly and forcibly as possible, the only force that's poised to do that is the SDF," said Blaise Misztal, the director of the national security programme at the Bipartisan Policy Center.MORE U.S. TROOPS? The SDF, on the other hand, is far larger than Turkey's proposed force. The Arab component of the SDF that would aid the Raqqa operation is estimated at around 27,000, U.S. officials say, but U.S. intelligence officials say it remains disorganized and unevenly trained and requires support from Kurdish forces that are the alliance's best local fighters. Even if the United States supports the SDF in the assault, U.S. military officers hint that more U.S. troops might be needed. CBS News quoted U.S. General Joseph Votel, the head of the Central Command, who visited Syria on Friday, saying earlier this week that the forces the United States is backing "don't have as good mobility; they don't have as much firepower."So we have to be prepared to fill in some of those gaps for them," he said.A decision to go with the SDF could create logistical hurdles for the United States because Turkey would likely oppose allowing U.S. troops to deploy on its border to provide close air support and long-range rocket artillery fire for the operation, said an adviser to the U.S. military. Turkish ire also could complicate the flow of supplies to the front lines, the adviser added."More would come through Iraq, and it goes a bit slower and you get protests and consternation from the Turks," the adviser said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the discussionsWho would hold Raqqa after Islamic State is expelled is a factor in Syria's long-term stability. Misztal questioned whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would let Turkish forces hold the city. Turkey has warned that any Kurdish-dominated force could trigger a backlash by the city's mostly Sunni population.Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the challenges in Syria during a forum in Washington on Thursday."When we provide (Trump) options, we'll talk about the importance of our Turkish ally and making sure that our plans are consistent with maintaining a strong alliance with Turkey," Dunford said, listing other factors the president will have to consider, including the role of the Kurds.He did not discuss specific options before the completion of a draft plan for combating Islamic militants, which is due by Monday. (Reporting by Phil Stewart; Additional reporting by Nick Tattersall; Editing by John Walcott and Leslie Adler) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Washington/Hyderabad: The wife of slain Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla has publicly sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes as mourners held a vigil at a local church for the victims of the bar shooting in which her husband died. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in an apparent hate crime, when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, earlier this week. "I have a question in my mind: Do we belong here," Sunayana Dumala asked at a news conference on Friday at the headquarters of electronics manufacturer Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening... And we always wondered, how safe we are?" Of the two of them, she said, she was most concerned, asking her reassuring husband: "Are we doing the right thing of staying in the United States of America?" The body of Hyderabad engineer will arrive home on Monday. Telangana Minister for NRI Affairs K.T. Rama Rao said the body will arrive by Air India flight at 9.45 p.m. and Dumala and other relatives will accompany the body. Dumala said that she wanted to come back to their home in south Olathe, fulfilling her husband's wishes for an American life and "me being successful in any field I choose", Kansas City Star newspaper reported. But before making that decision, "I need an answer," she said. "I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?" Dumala said that the couple were planning on having children when he was murdered. She said her husband also would dismiss her own concerns that some people viewed them warily because of their ethnicity. "He would assure me that only good things happen to good people," Dumala said. Mourners filled the First Baptist Church of Olathe in Kansas state on Friday for a vigil for the victims of the shooting. "Love each other" was the overarching theme as visitors were greeted with solemn but spirit-filled musical numbers before prayers were offered for the families of Kuchibhotla, Madasani and Ian Grillot. Grillot, an American who tried to save the Indians, remained hospitalised in fair condition. He was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. Authorities on Thursday charged Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder in Kuchibhotla's death. He also is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer called the shooting tragic, but did not mention it was a hate crime, saying it was too early for the administration to attach such motivations while the investigation was underway. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said as he dismissed that the incident was linked to Trump's stance on immigrants. The Indian embassy in Washington said it is closely monitoring the tragic incident in Kansas and providing all help and assistance to Kuchibhotla's family. In a statement, embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said the Indian Consulate in Houston is in close contact with the family of Kuchibhotla. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India." He said that government officials had also met the injured Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being. The US government while condemning the attack, has assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, the statement said. In a statement, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District, said the shooting incident appeared to be "an act of hatred". "We must address the tide of hate in our nation to prevent more of the attacks we have witnessed, including yesterday's shooting in Kansas," he said. The Indian minister expressed shock over the incident and offered condolences and support to Kuchibhotla's family. "Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," minister K.T. Rama Rao tweeted on Saturday. He said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed. The Minister visited the house of Srinivas in Bachupally here and consoled his parents and other family members. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over the incident. The Trinamool Congress supremo said she does not support the "politics of hate." "Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the politics of hate," she said on Twitter. By Laila Kearney A white U.S. Navy veteran accused of killing a man from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire at a Kansas bar, often complained about his ill health and was mourning his father's death, according to a neighbour and local media reports.Adam Purinton, 51, is charged with the premeditated murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, as well as the attempted murders of Kuchibhotla's friend, Alok Madasani, 32, and American Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, a suburb of Kansas City.Before opening fire, Purinton is accused of shouting "get out of my country," a bystander told the Kansas City Star. The attack, which is being investigated by federal agents as a possible hate crime, came as a surprise to residents living near Purinton's longtime home at the end of a quiet Olathe cul de sac, about a mile from the murder scene."They're shocked," said Raymond Horspool, who lives a few houses away from Purinton, of his neighbourhood's residents. Other neighbours told him the attack "seemed out of character."Purinton had lived in Olathe since 1998, records show. He was known by neighbours as a low-key fixture in the community, and as a regular of Austins who was generally friendly, said Horspool. "He seemed nice," another neighbour, Richard Morris, told Fox4KC. "It's shocking to hear about what he's accused of."Purinton once worked for the Federal Aviation Administration, said an agency spokesman, who declined to say how long Purinton was with the FAA or what position he held.Since leaving the FAA in 2000, Purinton held a number of jobs, including working at a local liquor store and at an information technology business, according to local media. Citing numerous interviews with neighbours past and present, the Kansas City Star reported that Purinton was often seen with a beer in his hand. Horspool said he had not seen Purinton drinking. Relatives of Purinton did not respond to requests for comments on Friday. Neighbours interviewed by the Star and other nearby residents listed in public records were not immediately reachable by phone. Police have declined to give any personal details about Purinton so far, citing the ongoing investigation. While Purinton usually kept to himself, neighbours said, when he did socialise he often talked with pride about his time in the Navy. He also exhibited an especially close relationship with his father. But over the past year, Purinton had increasingly complained about his health and frequently visited the VA for medical testing, the Star reported. "I just had a feeling he didn't understand what was happening to him," neighbour Carol Shimeall told the Star. "His words were, 'They just take my blood and they throw it away. I'm worthless.'"After his father died about a year ago, Purinton also talked frequently about how he was grieving for him, the Star said.But while he often appeared to be distressed, neighbour Michael Shimeall told the newspaper, he did not seem hostile."I never saw his temper or anything like that," Shimeall said, adding that he was finding it hard to take in that Purinton was accused of murdering a man. "It's very sad ... what happens to some people and that he would go off that way." (Reporting by Laila Kearney in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Lisa Shumaker) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Julia Harte | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON The Kuwaiti government could pay up to $60,000 to President Donald Trump's hotel in Washington for a party on Saturday that will be an early test of Trump's promise to turn over profits from such events to the U.S. Treasury.The Kuwait Embassy is hosting an event to mark their National Day. Similar National Day celebrations at the Trump International Hotel for a crowd of several hundred can run from $40,000 to $60,000, according to cost estimates from the hotel seen by Reuters. The hotel declined to comment on the figures.One of Trump's lawyers, Sheri Dillon, pledged at a Jan. 11 press conference to donate any Trump Hotel profits from foreign governments to the U.S. Treasury.The White House and Alan Garten, the general counsel for the Trump Organization, did not return calls for comment on whether any profits from foreign government payments to the hotel have been donated. Dillon's firm declined to comment. Kuwaiti Ambassador Salem al-Sabah told Reuters he was paying the Trump Hotel an amount similar to what he had paid the Four Seasons hotel to host a previous National Day event. He said he expected the event to draw 500 or 600 people, but declined to disclose specific cost details. The Four Seasons, which declined to comment, also charges prices in the $40,000 to $60,000 range for such events, according to cost estimates seen by Reuters. A watchdog group led by former ethics lawyers for the Obama and George W. Bush administrations sued Trump in federal court in January, accusing him of violating the Constitution by allowing foreign government payments to businesses he owns. Some ethics lawyers say even if Trump turns over all of the profits from the Kuwait National Day party, he would still be in violation of the U.S. Constitution, which prohibits government officials from accepting "any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State."They say all of the income from the event, not just profits, would need to be donated to the U.S. Treasury to avoid contravening the constitutional ban. Trump resigned in February as an officer of Trump Old Post Office LLC, the company that operates the hotel, but Richard Painter, Bush's chief ethics lawyer, said the resignation made no difference as long as Trump retained an interest in it. The ethics experts say Trump is still technically a recipient of payments to his hotels because he still has an ownership interest in them. Dillon, Trump's lawyer, argued at the Jan. 11 press conference that payments to Trump's hotels do not violate the Constitution because "paying for a hotel room is not a gift or a present and it has nothing to do with an office." She also said that a separate law banning federal employees from engaging in matters affecting their financial interests does not apply to the president. The head of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics agreed in public remarks in January but said it was "consistent policy of the executive branch" for the president to nevertheless avoid financial conflicts of interest. The office declined to comment when asked by Reuters whether Trump would be contravening the Constitution if he did not turn over all hotel income from foreign governments.Four Democratic U.S. lawmakers asked the Government Accountability Office on Feb. 16 to assess whether Trump had made any payments to the Treasury resulting from profits at his hotels. GAO spokesman Chuck Young said the request was still being reviewed and the agency had not yet decided what to do about it.When the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was asked on Feb. 23 whether it would be tracking payments from foreign governments to Trump Hotels, and from the hotels to the U.S. Treasury, a spokeswoman for the committee declined to comment. (Reporting by Julia Harte, editing by Ross Colvin) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Emily Chow and Christophe Van Der Perre | KUALA LUMPUR KUALA LUMPUR Malaysia will sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur international airport for toxic chemicals after Kim Jong Nam was murdered there with a nerve agent last week, as authorities said they would issue an arrest warrant if a North Korean diplomat wanted over the death did not come forward.Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur's main airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction.The police forensic team, fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board will be conducting the sweep at the airport, Malaysian cops said in a statement on Saturday.The sweep will be conducted from 1 a.m. on Feb. 26 (1700 GMT on Feb. 25), the police said.The airport terminal will not be closed, but the search areas would be cordoned off, a police official told Reuters.VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons created by man: just 10 milligrams of the nerve agent or a single drop is enough to kill in minutes, experts have said.Kim Jong Nam was waiting at the departure hall when he was attacked by two women who splashed his face with the liquid. He died en route to hospital.Malaysian police on Friday said one of the women had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. The two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have been detained, along with a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans have been named as suspects or are wanted for questioning.Malaysian police are also sweeping other locations in Kuala Lumpur the suspects may have visited. Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said earlier on Saturday authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing, and were checking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment.DIPLOMAT WANTED Samah also said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, wanted for questioning in the murder has yet to come forward. He is one of the seven North Koreans wanted in connection with the case."Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, Samah said, adding that if the diplomat did not cooperate, the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, compelling him to appear before the investigation team. "And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity.Four others are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia. The whereabouts of another North Korean, Ri Ji U, are unknown, Samah said. "PRANK WITH BABY OIL" Meanwhile, Indonesian embassy officials on Saturday met with their national Siti Aishah - one of the suspects detained in connection with the murder - for the first time since her arrest. Aishah told embassy officials that she believed she was part of a reality television show when she lunged at Kim Jong Nam at the airport with what she believed was baby oil. She said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in the act."She only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity... She said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil," Indonesian deputy ambassador Andreano Erwin told reporters after meeting Aishah.She will be detained until March 1, after which police will decide whether to prosecute or release her, Erwin said. Vietnamese officials also met with their national but declined to comment.Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards.($1 = 4.4370 ringgit) (Additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Ebrahim Harris; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi and Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam and Ros Russell) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 By Orkhan Quluzade Trend: Aggressive policy of Armenia is aimed at elimination of the Turkic ethnos and creation of Greater Armenia, said Turkish Ambassador to Azerbaijan Erkan Ozoral. He was addressing presentation of books dedicated to the Khojaly genocides 25th anniversary, titled Khojaly genocide: causes, consequences and international recognition and Stages of the policy of ethnic cleansing and genocide against Azerbaijanis. The author of the books is Azerbaijani Presidents Aide for Public and Political Affairs, Professor Ali Hasanov. The Armenian aggression against Azerbaijan started not in 1988, according to Ozoral. In 1905-1908, 1916-1920, 1946-1953 and 1988-1994, Armenian nationalists committed numerous crimes in the Turkish region of Anatolia and in Azerbaijan. One of the most brutal crimes was committed 25 years ago in Khojaly. Those who accuse Turkey of genocide, hiding their own crimes from the international community, also hide offenders and trails of blood of the Khojaly genocide, said the diplomat. On February 25-26, 1992, the Armenian armed forces, together with the 366th infantry regiment of the former Soviet troops, stationed in Khankendi, committed an act of genocide against the population of the Azerbaijani town of Khojaly. As many as 613 people, including 63 children, 106 women and 70 old people were killed as a result of the massacre. A total of 1,000 civilians became disabled as a result of the onslaught. Some 1,275 innocent residents were taken hostage, while the fate of 150 people still remains unknown. 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. By Frank Jack Daniel | MEXICO CITY MEXICO CITY An emboldened Mexico hardened its opposition to President Donald Trump on Friday by saying it would retaliate if the United States imposed a border tax and that it can afford to lose financial aid that might be pulled to pay for a border wall.Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Mexico could respond to any tax the United States were to unilaterally impose on imports from its southern neighbour to finance the wall with levies on select goods, aimed at U.S. regions most dependent on exports south of the border."Without a doubt, we have that possibility, and what we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," Videgaray said in a radio interview. "The Mexican government would have to respond."The statements by Videgaray and Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who minimized the potential impact of the rumoured loss of U.S. security aid, toughened the defiant tone from Mexico since President Enrique Pena Nieto last month cancelled a trip to meet Trump over the wall dispute.Mexicans are angry at Trump's calls for U.S. firms not to invest south of the border, insults to immigrants and threats to make Mexico finance the border wall. The peso currency has weakened on concerns he will hurt Latin America's No. 2 economy. Pena Nieto had faced criticism he was too accommodating with Trump but got a much needed ratings boost after cancelling the summit. A plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico fuelled outrage this week.Mexican officials were publicly blunt with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security John Kelly over Trump's immigration and trade proposals in a visit to Mexico on Thursday. Videgaray said the trade strategy would replicate a 2009 campaign of retaliatory tariffs that helped Mexican win a dispute with the United States. On Wednesday, the minister mentioned Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as states that could be targeted in a conversation with lawmakers leaked to two newspapers. "This is not our preference," he said. "Mexico believes in free trade."NO HANDOUTS PLEASE A U.S. executive order on Jan. 25 that mandated the construction of a border wall also required government agencies to report the financial assistance they gave Mexico in the past five years, leading to speculation Trump wants to redirect the aid to pay for its construction. Interior Minister Osorio Chong said on Friday that Mexico had no need for such financial aid from the United States, signalling that it would not come close to paying for the estimated $21.6 billion cost of the wall. Like in other middle-income emerging economies, many in Mexico consider it humiliating to take aid from wealthy countries.A large part of U.S. aid to Mexico comes through the Plan Merida programme, under which the U.S. Congress allocated $2.6 billion to security assistance between 2008 and 2016. Of that, $1.6 billion had been disbursed by November 2016, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. "When they realise what's left of Merida, they will understand that it's not even that significant," Osorio Chong told local radio."We don't object to them moving these resources... Mexico now has its own capabilities," he said.The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of Trump's wall, a first step in picking vendors.Videgaray said a meeting of Tillerson, Kelly and Pena Nieto in Mexico City was a short courtesy visit. He said in a more substantial meeting of the ministers, Kelly told him that deportations of undocumented immigrants from the United States would not be militarised, after Trump characterized the process as a "military operation." (Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel, Christine Murray and Alexandra Alper; Editing by Dan Grebler and Cynthia Osterman) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By Maher Chmaytelli and Ahmed Rasheed | BAGHDAD BAGHDAD Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir made a rare visit to Baghdad on Saturday in a new attempt to heal the Sunni kingdom's troubled relations with Shi'ite-majority Iraq.Improving relations between Riyadh and Baghdad would help foster reconciliation between Iraq's Shi'ite and Sunni communities in the period after Islamic State's defeat.A U.S.-backed campaign has forced out Islamic State from most Iraqi cities it captured in 2014 and the ultra-hardline Sunni group is now fighting off an offensive in its last major city stronghold, Mosul, in northern Iraq.Iraq lies on the fault line between Shi'ite Iran and the mostly-Sunni Arab world. Iran, by leveraging its ties with Iraq's Shi'ites, has emerged as the main power broker in Iraq after the United States withdrew its troops in 2011.Jubeir told his counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi the kingdom plans to appoint a new ambassador, and would support resuming direct flights between the two countries, an Iraqi foreign ministry official said.Speaking to reporters after meeting Jaafari, Jubeir stated Riyadh's willingness to help bridge the sectarian divide."The kingdom stands at an equal distance from all Iraqis communities making up Iraq and supports the unity and stability of Iraq," he told reporters. "The visit is a Saudi attempt to balance Iran's role in Iraq," Ahmed Younis, a professor of international relations at the University of Baghdad, told Reuters."It's a message that the kingdom is keen that the Sunnis take their role and not be marginalized," he said.Iraq's Sunnis have been complaining of persecution and marginalisation following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq which toppled Saddam Hussein and empowered the Shi'ite majority. Jubeir's visit to Baghdad is the first by a Saudi foreign minister since 1990. Iraq asked last summer Saudi Arabia to replace its ambassador, Thamer al-Sabhan, after his comments about Iranian involvement in Iraqi affairs and also the persecution of Sunnis angered local Shi'ite Muslim politicians and militia leaders.Sabhan was the first ambassador appointed by Saudi Arabia after it reopened its embassy in Baghdad, in December 2015, ending a 25-year break.The reopening of the Saudi embassy in Baghdad, closed in 1990 after Iraq invaded Kuwait, was seen as heralding closer cooperation against Islamic State, which controls territory in Iraq and in Syria and has claimed bombings in Saudi Arabia.Losing Mosul would end the militants' dream of establishing a state but they still control swathes of territory in Syria and patches of northern and western Iraq from where they could fight a guerrilla-style insurgency and plot attacks in other countries. "It's the hope of kingdom of Saudi Arabia to build excellent relations between the two brotherly countries," Jubeir said."There are also many shared interests from fighting extremism and terrorism or opportunities for investment and trade between the two countries," he added.Saudi Arabia and Iraq are the first and second largest producers of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and are often in competition for crude clients, mainly in Asia.The two countries cooperated in November to bring about an agreement between OPEC members to reduce supply to markets to support crude prices. (With additional reporting by Stephen Kalin in northern Iraq, Noah Browning in Doha.; Editing by Hugh Lawson) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. Beirut: Suicide attacks on two security service bases in the heart of Syria's government-held third city of Homs killed 42 people on Saturday, overshadowing peace talks in Geneva, state television and a monitor said. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. State television reported that the province's army intelligence chief, General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, was among the dead when the six suicide bombers struck in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Security forces locked down the city centre. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. State television paid tribute to the "martyrs" in the latest bombings. There was no immediate claim for the bombings but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which controls swathes of the largely desert countryside east of Homs. Government forces retook the oasis city of Palmyra and its Unesco-listed ancient ruins in a much heralded Russian-backed offensive in March last year but were then pushed out by Islamic State in December. Since then, the focus of government efforts has been further north, on second city Aleppo, which they fully retook after a rebel withdrawal in December, and areas to its east and west. Saturday's attack comes as the UN is struggling to get a new round of peace talks off the ground aimed at ending the six-year civil war which has killed more than 310,000 people. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said that despite government and rebel delegations being present in Geneva for the talks there had been little discussion of substance between the rival parties. "We discussed issues relating to the format of the talks exclusively," said Syrian regime delegation chief Bashar al-Jaafari after meeting de Mistura on Friday. Islamic State claimed a Friday suicide bombing that killed 51 people outside the northern town of Al-Bab, which Turkish-backed rebels said this week they had taken from the jihadists. The Observatory said that a car bomb targeted twin command posts at a rebel base in Susian, about eight kilometres (five miles) from Al-Bab, which was one of IS's last remaining strongholds in Aleppo province. Separately, two Turkish soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Al-Bab on Friday as they were carrying out road checks. By Ayesha Rascoe | WASHINGTON WASHINGTON The White House excluded several major U.S. news organizations, including some it has openly criticized, from an off-camera briefing held by the White House press secretary on Friday, representatives of the organizations said.Reporters for CNN, The New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed were not allowed into the session in the office of press secretary Sean Spicer.Spicer's off-camera briefing, or "gaggle," replaced the usual televised daily news briefing on Friday in the White House briefing room. He did not say why those particular news organizations were excluded, a decision which drew strong protests.Reuters was included in the session, along with about 10 other news organizations, including Bloomberg and CBS.Spicer said his team decided to have a gaggle in his office instead of a full briefing in the larger White House briefing room. "Our job is to make sure that we're responsive to folks in media. We want to make sure we answer your questions, but we don't need to do everything on camera every day, he said.Off-camera gaggles are not unusual. The White House often invites handpicked outlets in for briefings, typically for specific topics. But briefings and gaggles in the White House are usually open to all outlets and they are free to ask anything.A pool reporter from Hearst Newspapers was included in the gaggle on Friday and was preparing a pool report for distribution to the entire press corps. Media outlets allowed into the gaggle also shared their audio with others. PROTESTS Spicer's decision drew a sharp response from some of the media outlets that were excluded."Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest."The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested."The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," said Jeff Mason, president of the association and a Reuters reporter.President Donald Trump has regularly attacked the media, sometimes singling out organizations and reporters for criticism. The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American people! Trump tweeted last week.Some critics have said his attacks on news media endanger press freedoms. During the election campaign last year, Trump's team banned a few news organizations, including The Washington Post and BuzzFeed, from covering his campaign rallies for a period of time to protest their coverage.CNN posted a Twitter message on Friday afternoon saying: "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless.Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, said in a statement: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Kieran Murray and Jonathan Oatis) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. By SKC Ogbonnia The All Peoples Congress (APC) gained the Nigerian presidency on an enchanting mantra of change, particularly change from the tide of an endemic corruption that characterized the 16-year reign of the People Democratic Party (PDP). Unfortunately, however, over one and half years after it lost power, virtually all structures of government have remained in the firm grip of the PDP, the now opposition party. Not surprisingly, the hope for the much-anticipated change is gradually becoming a pipe dream. Let us look at the executive arm of government for a start. A vast majority of the agencies under the executive branch are controlled by the opposition. The parastatals, for instance, remain dominated by the appointees of former President Goodluck Jonathan. The foreign service is sadly similar. With the undue delay to appoint substantive diplomats; the embassies and consulates, which typically help to promote the presidents vision abroad, are still in the hands of the very PDP apologists that tainted the convex lens through which the world views Nigeria. The paradox at the legislature has grown old but obviously worse. In short, the change agenda of the current government took a nose dive when the opposition swayed the election of the Senate President to a pliable member of Nigerias corrupt oligarchy. Still, that is practically nada when compared to the fact that the opposition has continued to hold fast the position of the Deputy Senate President. To remain fair, it is not a taboo for a member of the opposition to occupy a leadership post in the legislature. But the current case in Nigeria is eerily different. The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has been reduced to a titular figure due to his deserving battles with the anti-corruption agency. To that end, a dateless deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is once again the de facto head of the Nigerian legislature. But the leopard, they say, hardly changes its spot. Rather than toe the line of change, Chief Ekweremadu is craftily replicating the unbridled roles he played in the last regime that combined to plunder Nigeria into an economic recession. Moreover, the maxim charity begins at home still holds true. Ekweremadu, remember, was a ranking member of the cabal that did nothing during the Jonathan years but render his Southeast zone of Nigeria the sorriest of the spectacles. On top of these, the Deputy Senate President and his rogue master had the audacity to pad vital Senate Committee chairmanships with their poodles from the opposing party. Sure enough, but unfair to the masses, the fate of public policies, particularly implementation, is at the mercy of a party disgraced out of power. The situation at the third arm does not exude hope. Infamous for frivolous delays of corrupt cases at the courts, it did not shock anyone, therefore, that the judiciary would quickly collude with the legislature to obstruct the vision of the executive arm. The objective fact, if it is not already manifest, is that a virally corrupt opposition party is dictating the nature, character, and pace of the Nigerian national agenda. It goes to say, thenceforth, that the opposition confederates are also the ones relishing the spoils of the current government. That is not even all. The People Democratic Party of Nigeria, anchored by two notorious highbinders in Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Ex-Minister Femi Fani-Kayode, is brazenly deploying its stolen wealth to not only sustain the status quo but to also fan the embers of crisis in the land. Blaming the opposition for Nigerias current woes, as above, will always attract a captive audience for obvious reasons, but President Buharis style has become a perplexing quotient. Fresh from the euphoria of a historic victory, many thought the president had a unique clue when he proclaimed to belong to no one and thence begged our indulgence to single-handedly change Nigeria by himself. Alas, we are all finding out the hard way. What we have found out thus far is a meticulous approach to governance and, by consequence, a slow pace of the change. This pattern, coupled with a seemingly lack of transparency as well as skewed political appointments, had ignited a public outcry which, in essence, spurred the lees of the corrupt past regime to creep back in all spheres of political power. More painfully, any good intention notwithstanding, Buharis uneven attempt to prove that he belongs to no one might have painted a picture of a one-man show, thereby alienating the APC intelligentsia that would have ordinarily placed the opposition squarely where it belongs. The solution, though, is self-evident. Instead of continuing to rest on the oars of the victory of 2015 with a small clique of leeches or waiting to fully recover from an unfortunate health setback, Buhari might as well consider that the battle for 2019 is almost here. A ready route is to broaden and embolden the change agents. Besides a much-needed cabinet overhaul, it is about time the president finally embraces his party structure across the country to help him fill, without any more delay, the thousands of positions still in the hands of a party opposed to change. To regain the trust of the APC main thrust, however, is not expected to be easy. Even the purest of the paragons of virtue would feel used and abandoned. But there is every reason for the change family as well as the masses to remain steadfast. Any thought to officially surrender power back to the PDP or its makeover is a hellish proposition. True. SKC Ogbonnia Houston, Texas The Arkansas Senate is deliberating a bill that would strip the Clinton name from the states largest airport, Sputnik reported The bill would prevent any public structure being named after a living person, or a person who served in public office less than 10 years prior to the structures completion. While it does not mention the Clintons by name, the bill would force a renaming of the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. The airport, opened in 1972, was named the Little Rock National Airport until the city government voted to change the name in 2012. The bill's author is Republican Jason Rapert, an outspoken and often controversial state Senator. He has stated that he does not believe Arkansas should celebrate the former first family. "You have a president who was impeached for having an affair with an intern in the Oval Office and then disbarred," said Rapert, in reference to a 1998 scandal in which President Bill Clinton was impeached for lying under oath about a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky. He was acquitted of the charges the following year, but lost his license to practice law in Arkansas. Rapert claimed that he was inspired to draft the legislation after "several Arkansans across the state" expressed to him "discomfort" in naming the state's largest airport after the Clinton family. Before he was US two-term president, Bill Clinton was the governor of Arkansas from 1979-1981 and again from 1983-1992. His wife Hillary served as First Lady of Arkansas, as well as a college lecturer and attorney in that time. Arkansas is traditionally Republican, but Little Rock (the state's largest city) is dominated by Democrats. City officials have voiced their desire to keep the airport's current name. "I think the name of the airport is appropriate and I support retaining it," said Meredith Catlett, a member of the Little Rock Municipal Airport Commission. "I happen to think that the naming of the airport as it is doesn't have any negative impact on our state or on our city," Little Rock mayor Mark Stodola told ArkansasMatters.com. "As a matter of fact I think it is the opposite." Rapert was in the news Monday for proposing other conservative pieces of legislation, including an anti-abortion law that would define life in the state as beginning at conception, and another defining marriage as between one man and one woman. Neither bill passed the Senate floor. His airport law, Arkansas Senate Bill 430, makes exceptions for those who were prisoners of war, or who are at least 75 years of age and retired. The Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette observed that, of the state's 93 public airports, only Clinton National would need to be renamed under the law. Just yesterday, Google rebranded Messenger as Android Messages. Now, the company has officially announced that it is making RCS messaging universally available to users across the world with 27 carriers and device manufacturers launching RCS to Android users with Google. RCS is a communication standard for carrier messaging which brings features such as group chats, high res photos, support for emoticons, location sharing, and exchanging files and more. Carrier partners include Vodafone, Orange, Deutsche Telekom and Globe. Vodafone Group RCS service is supporting Android Messages and has already launched across 10 markets for Vodafone subscribers globally. OEM partners include LG, Motorola, Sony, HTC, ZTE, Micromax, Nokia, Archos, BQ, Cherry Mobile, Condor, Fly, General Mobile, Lanix, LeEco, Lava, Kyocera, MyPhone, QMobile, Symphony and Wiko, in addition to Googles own Pixel and Android One handsets. These manufactureres will preloaded Android Messages as the default messaging app on their devices. Google is also opening an Early Access Program to allow businesses to send messages via RCS. Examples include texts that include interactive content like boarding passes, QR codes, and more. The company said it will continue to update and improve Android Messages to bring new features enabled through RCS, such as the ability to search and share all types of content and easily access the messages that are most important to you. Source Food and travel are inextricably linked. Every time I go on holiday one of the highlights (OK I admit it, reasons for going in the first place) is the food. I wasn't entirely sure if this would be the case with Iceland but I was blown away by the food. Yes it was super expensive but it was also amazing. I've already blogged about Where we stayed in Iceland and what we ate in Reykjavik , now I'm going to take you for a trip round The Golden Circle, the island's main tourist route and share my recreation of the Lamb Soup we ate at Gulfoss. Kerio Crater Lake We were completely blown way by the first stop on our Golden Circle journey. Just 5k from our apartment at Hotel Grimsborgir, Kerio is a 6500 year old explosion crater lake. The vivid red rock, colourful vegetation and greenish water make it a spectacular sight. Iceland's favourite pop star Bjork once performed a gig on a pontoon in the middle. Geothermal energy is used to heat thousands of Greenhouses across the whole of Iceland, at night they glow spookily red like a horticultural version of the Northern Lights. Fridheimar is a truly unique food experience located within a tomato greenhouse. It's a restaurant with a small shop and I'd mistakenly thought we could just drop in and look around but you really need to be part of a pre-booked tour group or be dining. The smell of tomatoes as soon as you stepped in was mesmerising and took me straight back to my Granda Monearn's small greenhouse when I was a child. We'd not long eaten breakfast so lunch wasn't really an option, instead, despite the sun not being over the yardarm, I opted for a Bloody Mary and Foodie Boy had Tomato Ice Cream. Both were absolutely delicious and a return visit for their famous soup would be top of my list for any future trips to Iceland. Geysir is the geysir after which all other geysers are named. Alas the Great Geysir itself hasn't really been active since 1916. Luckily its neighbour Strokkur is happy to regularly oblige to the delight of hundreds of tourists waiting poised with cameras to capture the moment. The furthest point on the Golden Circle is Iceland's most famous waterfall, Gulfoss, The Golden Falls. Its a spectacular two tier plummet of 32m. Alas no sunshine when we visited but it is known for producing spectacular rainbows. Our guidebook told us that the Cafe was famous for its traditional Lamb soup and it didn't disappoint. Made using local organic lamb and vegetables it comes with unlimited bread and butter and a free refill - best bargain of the whole trip! We each managed two bowls. I knew from the first spoonful that I wanted to try and recreate my own version. Girl had a sandwich whilst we feasted on Lamb Soup but I'd promised her that the next stop would be right up her street. Efstidalus is a dairy farm with a Restaurant and Ice Cream Cafe. You can watch the ice cream and cones being made and from the cafe windows you look right into the cows and calves in the cowshed whilst enjoying an ice cream. Another one I'd love to revisit to try out their restaurant. Snorkelling Silfra Fissure at Pingvellir National Park This was an absolute must do on our trip and didn't disappoint. We went snorkeling between the American and European tectonic plates with Iceland Adventure Tours . Getting in and out of the dry suits was an adventure in itself! The water is freezing cold - no geothermal springs here. The snorkeling trip itself takes about 30-40 minutes exploring the big crack, hall, cathedral and lagoon. The water is fantastically clear and the colours are brilliant. Visibility is around 100-150 meters. The water is probably the purest drinking water you'll find in Iceland so we all drank some - whether on purpose or accidentally! The hot chocolate, coffee and cookies afterwards were almost as welcome as tea and toast after childbirth. Now to try and recreate the Lamb Soup. Icelandic lamb is renowned for its flavour and quality - as is Scotch Lamb. Kjotsupa is a favourite throughout Iceland and apparently every household has their own recipe. The broth was wonderfully flavourful and I suspect that a Sheep Head was used to make it. We saw these on sale in the freezers of all the supermarkets. The vegetables in the broth were really chunky and rustic so I chopped mine likewise. I think it could also work really well with the addition of barley, rice or rolled oats to make a thicker stew. I was really pleased with my version but I'm sure it could be improved with using a freshly made lamb stock (with or without sheep head!) I stirred in some English Mustard to my second bowl which added a nice kick. It's the perfect dish to warm the cockles of your heart. To make my Kjotsupa I used some delicious Organic Scotch Lamb from Wark Farm in Aberdeenshire. Icelandic Lamb Soup - Kjotsupa Serves 8 4 x Lamb Leg Steaks (approx 800g) 2 Onions 1 large leek 2 litres lamb stock (I used 2 stock cubes) 3 sprigs Thyme 3 sprigs Rosemary 4 Carrots 4 Potatoes 1/2 Neep (Swede) 1/4 White Cabbage Salt & Pepper Cut the lamb into bite -sized cubes and place it in a large soup pan along with the stock, and the roughly chopped onions and leeks. Bring to the boil then turn down the heat and simmer with the lid on for 1 hour. Add the sprigs of thyme and rosemary and the roughly chopped carrots, potato and swede and cook for a further 20 minutes. Finally add the chopped cabbage, season well with salt and pepper and cook for a further 10 minutes. Remove the thyme and rosemary sprigs before serving with unlimited bread and butter and free refills. VX nerve agent, a chemical the United Nations classifies as a weapon of mass destruction, was used to kill the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a bizarre murder in Malaysia last week, Reuters reported on Friday citing police. Kim Jong Nam was killed on Feb. 13, shortly after being assaulted at the airport in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, by two women who wiped the chemical on his face as he prepared to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau. South Korean and U.S. officials have said they believe North Korean agents assassinated Kim Jong Nam. He had been living with his family in Macau under Beijing's protection and had spoken out against the North Korean regime. Malaysian police were investigating whether the VX - which is believed to be the most toxic known nerve agent and is banned globally except for research - was brought into the country or made there. "If the amount of the chemical brought in was small, it would be difficult for us to detect," police chief Khalid Abu Bakar told reporters. The two women suspects - one Vietnamese and the other Indonesian - are in police detention along with a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including a diplomat at the embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia has repeatedly urged the victim's family to come forward to help with the inquiry, while North Korea has demanded the body be handed over to its embassy directly, sparking tension between the two usually friendly countries. Malaysia's chemical weapons analysis unit found traces of VX, or S-2 Diisopropylaminoethyl methylphosphonothioate, on swabs taken from the eye and face of the victim, according to police. "Other exhibits are under analysis," Khalid said in a statement, citing a preliminary report. Police have said the two women were paid to carry out the assault and had been told to wash their hands before fleeing from the airport. They had rehearsed the attack in shopping malls before carrying it out on Kim. One of the women had suffered from the effects of the chemical and had been vomiting, Khalid said. The directors of all five Oscar-nominated foreign language films on Friday denounced what they called a "climate of fanaticism and nationalism" in the United States and elsewhere, and dedicated their Academy Award to the cause of unity and free expression. The directors from Iran, Sweden, Germany, Denmark and Australia spoke out in a statement as hundreds of people attended a rally on the eve of Oscar weekend. The rally was organized by one of Hollywood's biggest talent agencies in support of freedom of expression and unity. The statement and showbusiness rally in Beverly Hills followed a crackdown by U.S. President Donald Trump on travel to the United States, and months of fiery speeches by celebrities at awards shows and marches. Iranian film director Asghar Farhadi, is boycotting Sunday's Oscar ceremony in protest at Trump's bid to ban travel from seven majority Muslim nations. Speaking to the rally in a video from Tehran, Farhadi denounced politicians whom he said are "trying to promote hate but creating divisions between cultures, traditions and nationalities." Farhadi was also part of the group that attacked "divisive walls," and the divisions of "genders, colors, religions and sexualities" in current politics. "We would like to express our unanimous and emphatic disapproval of the climate of fanaticism and nationalism we see today in the U.S. and in so many other countries, in parts of the population and, most unfortunately of all, among leading politicians," said the statement, issued to trade publications Variety and the Hollywood Reporter. It was signed by Farhadi director of "The Salesman", Martin Zandvliet (Demark's "Land of Mine"), Hannes Holm (Sweden's "A Man Called Ove"), Maren Ade (Germany's "Toni Erdmann"), and Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Australia's "Tanna".) The directors said that "regardless of who wins the Academy Award for best foreign language film on Sunday, we refuse to think in terms of borders." "We dedicate this award to all the people, artists, journalists and activists who are working to foster unity and understanding, and who uphold freedom of expression and human dignity." Their statement echoed speeches at the Beverly Hills rally, organized by the United Talent Agency in place of its annual Oscar party. Actress Jodie Foster urged the crowd of about 500 people to take action to defend civil liberties and democracy. "It's our time to show up and demand answers. It's our time to tell our elected officials to do their job (and) that we will not tolerate chaos, ineptitude and war mongering," she said. (Editing by Jill Serjeant and Sandra Maler) Nicky Gottelier of Oxfordshire, England didnt think of her family heirloom as a national treasure. That never crossed my mind, she says of the gold-and-turquoise ring passed down to her from her great-great-great-great-great aunt the celebrated novelist Jane Austen. Gottelier talks about the ring and the uproar when it sold at auction to American pop star Kelly Clarkson on the latest episode of Strange Inheritance with Jamie Colby. Its the first interview given about her famous forebears ring, which she kept hidden in a dresser for more than 30 years. In those days, you didnt really brag about the fact that I was a five times great-niece of Janes. The ring is one the few possessions still around that belonged to the famed author of Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma. Austen died in 1817. Its extraordinary how little trace shes left, except in our imaginations, said Philippa Granville, an historian of English art. Austens stories originally published anonymously -- use biting wit and irony to show how polite society worked at the turn of the 19th century. In the 200 years since she died, Austen has become one of literatures most beloved novelists, a fixture on college reading lists and the inspiration for an ever-growing number of movies and television series. Gottelier inherited the ring from her father in 1981 then stowed it away while she raised her two sons. I couldnt have it out. We had two small boys, and lots of people come into the house. Anything could have happened to it, she tells Colby. To all intents and purposes, for a long time, it was pretty well forgotten about. Despite their ancestors enduring fame, neither of Gotelliers sons was particularly interested in keeping the heirloom. I thought, theres no point in hanging onto it forever, Gotellier says of her decision to sell the ring. Now she is really big all over the world -- lets see what happens. I could do with it what I wanted. Not quite, it turns out. Gotellier first offered the ring to the Jane Austens House Museum in Chawton, Hampshire, but it didnt have the budget to acquire it. When she then put it up for auction, it sold for approximately $250,000 to former American Idol Kelly Clarkson. The British government immediately stepped in, declaring the ring a national treasure and halting the sale. I totally agree it is a national treasure for you all, said Clarkson. But I kind of felt like they maybe should have claimed that before I bought it. Given a second chance to keep the ring in England, donors put up the cash to buy it back from Clarkson and gave it to the Jane Austens House Museum I would have much rather poor Kelly had kept it because she was such a fan, but it did finish up at the museum, which is actually where I would have liked it to have gone in the first place. Catch Jamie Colbys full interview with Nicky Gottelier Monday, February 27 at 9 p.m. ET on the Fox Business Network. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 2022 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. FAQ - New Privacy Policy While most celebrities are gearing up for Oscar events, Jodie Foster, Michael J. Fox and Keegan Michael Key are among those who gathered to speak Friday at a rally in support of immigrant rights. Speaking to a crowd of about 1,200 onlookers outside of United Talent Agency headquarters in Beverly Hills, Foster said that while she has shied away from political activism in the past, "it's time to show up. It's time to engage." The talent agency organized the nearly two-hour rally in lieu of an annual Oscars party. OSCARS 2017 LIVE COVERAGE The Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi also spoke via video from Tehran to praise the show of unity among the cinema community. Farhadi previously said he would boycott Sunday's ceremony as a result of President Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban. A Syrian cinematographer up for an Academy Award Sunday night has been reportedly barred from entering the U.S. over the finding of "derogatory information"-- a vague term that can mean anything from a simple passport irregularity to terror connections. Khaled Khateeb, 21, who worked on the Netflix documentary "White Helmets," was scheduled to arrive in California on Saturday. He was issued a visa to attend the awards show, however the Associated Press internal U.S. government correspondence reported that Turkish authorities detained him this week. Khateeb needed a passport waiver from the U.S. to enter the country. The correspondence indicated he would not receive such a waiver. There was no further explanation into why Turkey detained Khateeb. "A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States," a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security told the Associated Press when asked for a comment on the findings. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security decided to block Khateeb. The Associated Press contributed to this report. An Australian boy, 10, has survived a bite from one of the worlds deadliest spiders after taking a record 12 vials of anti-venom, local media reported. Matthew Mitchell was helping his dad clear out the back shed at their home north of Sydney when he was bitten on the finger by a funnel-web spider that had been lurking in his shoe. It sort of clawed onto me and all the legs and everything crawled around my finger and I couldnt get it off, he told the Australian Daily Telegraph. His family used his shirt as a compression bandage to try and slow the venoms spread and rushed him to hospital. He experienced convulsions but survived after being given 12 vials of anti-venom, which local media said was an Australian record. The funnel-web spider is among the worlds deadliest spiders. Its venom attacks the nervous system causing foaming at the mouth, muscle spasms and potentially death. The spider was caught and taken to the Australian Reptile Park where it will be milked as part of their program to develop anti-venom. The 10-year-old was as lucky as they get, Australian Reptile Park general manager Tim Faulkner told The Telegraph. Australia is home to a startling number of the worlds deadliest creatures, including snakes, spiders, jellyfish and octopuses. The funnel web is particularly feared but no deaths have been recorded since the anti-venom was developed in the 1980s. In December a girl, 5, was rushed to hospital with a swollen leg after suffering a severe allergic reaction to a spider bite. Little Lola Hutton came home from school complaining of an itchy leg and within hours she had developed an agonizing lump about half the size of a Ferrero Rocher. Click for more from The Sun. With just a few sentences Thursday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer sent shockwaves through the legal recreational marijuana industry when asked about the Trump administration's attitude toward the drug. "There's two distinct issues here, there is medical marijuana, and recreational marijuana," Spicer explained. He said President Trump supports medical marijuana but when it comes to recreational, "I think that's a question for the Justice Department. I do believe that you'll see greater enforcement of it." When Colorado and Washington became the first states to legalize recreational pot, the Obama administration chose to leave them alone. In 2013, the Justice Department release the Cole Memo, addressed to all U.S. attorneys, which basically told them to take a hands-off approach to legalization for the time being. The memo said in part, "In jurisdictions that have enacted laws legalizing marijuana in some form conduct in compliance with those laws and regulations is less likely to threaten the federal priorities." That was despite the fact that marijuana was, and still is, classified as a Schedule 1 illegal substance by the Drug Enforcement Agency -- the same as cocaine and heroin. Since then, the recreational marijuana industry has boomed. A total of eight states and the District of Columbia have now passed laws legalizing the drug, though right now recreational pot can actually be purchased only in Colorado, Oregon and Washington state. But even in those three states, sales are huge, with combined recreational pot tax revenues of $488 million in 2016 alone. "If the federal government starts to pull the rug out from under these businesses youre going to see state and local leaders speaking up and saying, 'You know what? Our voters chose this!" warned Taylor West, deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. Many businesses had hoped the new president would see the issue as one of states' rights. After all, back in October, 2015, then-candidate Trump told a rally in Sparks, Nev., that he was not opposed to legal pot. "In terms of maijuana and legalization I think that should really be a state issue, state by state." Trump's new Attorney General Jeff Sessions has a long history of opposition to marijuana while still senator from Alabama. At his confirmation hearing in January. however, he put the issue squarely in the lap of the legislature. "The United States Congress has made the possession of marijuana in every state and the distribution of it an illegal act," Sessions pointed out. "If that's something that's not desired any longer, Congress should pass a law to change the rule." Medical marijuana shops in places like California, which voted to legalize recreational pot in November, have been looking forward to expanding. Steve DeAngelo, co-founder of Harborside Health Center in Oakland, reacted to Spicer's comments with defiance. "The day that we are allowed to serve adults, we will serve adults, he said. And if the federal government wants to take action against us, we've taken all the preparations we possibly can and we're ready to face the music." Others are applauding what Spicer said. The Smart Approaches to Marijuana organization has fought legalization around the country. In a statement, SAM President and CEO Kevin A. Sabet wrote, "This isn't an issue about states rights, its an issue of public health and safety for communities. We're hopeful that the Trump administration will pursue a smart approach to enforcement that prioritizes public health and safety over political ideology." Colorado's state attorney general's office told Fox News it will wait and see what happens. Its impossible to discern what action the administration actually will take on legalized recreational marijuana," wrote Director of Communications Annie Skinner. "Until the Department of Justice issues an official position, we wont be able to chart a course of legal action for Colorado. When asked by Fox News for its own reaction to Spicer's comments about marijuana, the Department of Justice declined comment. EXCLUSIVE: Based just four miles from the Pentagon in northern Virginia is an innocuous-sounding online school for "management and technology" which a Fox News investigation reveals has been at the center of multiple federal probes about its leadership's alleged ties to the Chinese military and whether thousands of records from U.S. service members were compromised. The University of Management and Technology in Rosslyn, Va., which opened in 1998, touts a campus in Beijing and partnerships with universities around the world. The U.S. taxpayer-funded school claims to have had 5,000 graduates in the last five years and to be "especially proud of our students stationed in US military bases around the globe." However, there is another side to the school's leadership that drew the attention of the FBI, the Justice Department, the Pentagon, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) since at least 2012 -- and perhaps as early as 2009. In December 2012, the FBI made two very public raids of UMT and the northern Virginia home of university president Yanping Chen Frame and its academic dean, her husband J. Davidson Frame. Documents reviewed by Fox News show it was a counter-intelligence case, known as a "200d," one of the most highly sensitive categories for a federal probe. Photos, exclusively obtained by Fox News, appear to show Chen as a young officer in the People's Liberation Army, the military wing of China's communist party. Another photo shows Frame saluting his wife, Chen, who is holding a uniform. Three independent experts said it was a Chinese military colonels uniform. Yet since those FBI raids, UMT has continued to collect more than $6 million from Defense Department tuition assistance programs as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs through the post-9/11 GI bill. "It's a bad deal for the soldiers, and it's a bad deal for the taxpayer," Stephen Rhoads, a military veteran turned whistleblower who says he worked with the FBI on the case, told Fox News in an exclusive interview. "Nobody's getting what they paid for." Rhoads said he worked at UMT recruiting vets when the FBI approached him in 2012 regarding the federal investigation. Emails and other documents reviewed by Fox News corroborate key elements of Rhoads' story. "One of the first sentences she [Chen] ever threw out -- after she found out I was an Army officer, was, Well I was a colonel in the army," Rhoads explained. "During our first face-to-face encounter, absolutely ... she did not deny it." Rhoads said he thought Chen meant the U.S. Army, and asked whether she trained in Texas. "She laughed and said, Oh, no, I was in the Chinese army, you know. Chen, 64, came to the United States in 1987 from Beijing on a non-immigrant visa with her daughter Lele Wang. The Chinese government funded Chen's research at George Washington University where she received a Ph.D. in Public Policy in 1999, the year after UMT was created. While Rhoads says Chen was upfront about her Chinese military experience, he claimed she hid those ties on immigration applications. Fox News reviewed Chen's immigration records where she consistently denied ties to the Chinese or any foreign military. When asked, "Have you ever been a member of, or in any way affiliated with, the communist party or any other totalitarian regime?" Chen checked "no." She would later become a naturalized U.S. citizen. While there are no U.S. laws preventing a naturalized citizen from running a school like UMT, the Fox News investigation found that Chen's ties to the Chinese military appear to run deep. Three outside experts consulted by Fox News confirmed the authenticity of the Chinese uniforms in the photos of Chen and Frame. "If somebody was wearing that uniform, I would say that there's a very great likelihood that they were in the People's Liberation Army," Dennis Blasko, a leading Chinese military expert said, referring to the photo of what appears to be Chen in uniform. Asked about the photo of Frame saluting his wife, Blasko observed, "This is a P.L.A. officer's uniform active duty from between 1987 and 2007 ... And from the epaulettes, we can see this -- three stars and two red stripes would be a full colonel." Blasko emphasized that P.L.A. insignia can only be purchased with the permission of the Chinese military, and "you would have to have a certificate from your unit to buy [it.]" Blasko, a West Point graduate who worked as a military attache in China, wrote "The Chinese Army Today: Tradition and Transformation for the 21st Century," one of the definitive books about the Chinese military. In her George Washington University dissertation, Chen thanks her father, a P.L.A. general, who directed arms and technology development. "My father, General Chen Bin, gave me the inspiration to pursue this area of study," Chen wrote. "As former Chairman of COSTIND (1982-87), he was an important player in supporting and directing the (Chinese) space program." In her 2012 FBI interview, Chen denied she ever was a colonel in the P.L.A., emphasizing she had worked as a doctor in the Chinese space program. Chen said it was a civilian agency. The interview summary suggests federal agents challenged Chens characterization. Outside experts told Fox News the Chinese civilian and military space programs are intertwined. While Chen's immigration application is more than a decade old, and past the five-year statute of limitations, there may be a "continuation of fraud, according to Ray Fournier who worked with the State Department's office of diplomatic security for more than 20 years. Fournier, an expert on visa and passport fraud, worked for the Joint Terrorism Task Force in San Diego, where his investigative work led to an arrest warrant for the American-born cleric Anwar Awlaki, who was later killed by the CIA. Fournier said, "If she has marked no on the petition, but if in fact, the answer is yes then we have a false statement. And where that comes into play, most assuredly, is in the arena of passport fraud. It is this application." With each renewal of Chen's U.S. passport, Fournier said, investigators should determine whether the falsehood was repeated. "These are issues of inadmissibility," he said. While going through the immigration process, Chen was also launching what would become a multi-million-dollar online academy. But that academy's work would eventually attract the attention of federal investigators, who questioned whether students records were remotely accessed from China. Before the 2012 raid, Chen's daughter Lele Wang who also works at UMT, told the FBI that "'Contractors' in the UMT Beijing Office have [administrator] privileges" to access the student database. Rhoads said UMT recruited service members who provided their military history when they enrolled. "It got uploaded into an O-drive, they called it ... their personal military bio, you know, where they were trained, how they were trained, how long, that could be remotely accessed." Rhoads said Chen had a particular interest in Ohio's Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, which is a research and technology hub. And there was more. "She wanted me to go out to these remote reserve and National Guard centers, you know in small-town America and start gettin' U.S. soldiers from those centers. Get their information, basically. Who's out there in the woods? How many units we got?" Rhoads recalled to Fox News that he was instructed by the FBI to tell Chen that he was going to testify before a Virginia grand jury. "They wanted to, I guess see how she would react." At the time, Rhoads said Chen had no idea he was working with the bureau. He said, "Well, at this point, she didn't know I was working for them at all. And she's like, Oh, you don't tell them anything. We don't know each other. You don't know what you don't know, was her buzz phrase. You don't -- you don't know I was a colonel in the P.L.A. They'll never have proof to say that." Emails obtained by Fox News show Rhoads and at least one FBI agent alerted the Defense Department, but another Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 2014 through 2019 allowing UMT to collect millions in federal taxpayer aid. An FBI agent in one email exchange wrote, "I let my management and the AUSAs [assistant U.S. attorneys] know about her renewal with DoD. Incredible." Asked about the renewal, as well as whether DoD personnel were warned and additional steps were taken to vet UMT, the DoD chief for Voluntary Education Assistance, Dawn Bilodeau, referred questions to Pentagon spokesperson Laura Ochoa. In an email, Ochoa said, "In light of reports regarding University of Management and Technology (UMT), the Department is reviewing the DoD MOU signed between the institution and the DoD for compliance." No one has been charged with any crime in connection with the investigation. Sources told Fox News that Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia James P. Gilllis got the case, but there was a disagreement with the FBI over how to proceed, based on the case law and the extent to which sources and methods would be revealed. Neither the FBI nor a spokesman for Gillis would comment to Fox News but separately, a spokesman for NCIS said they cannot comment on an "ongoing investigation." A FOIA request filed by Fox News Senior Executive Producer Pamela Browne confirmed an NCIS investigative file for UMT. Fox News made repeated requests by phone and via email for interviews with Yanping Chen and J. Davidson Frame. After Chens daughter said they were too busy to prepare and traveling out of town, Fox News went to their offices in Rosslyn, Va. A school representative, who would not identify himself, confirmed Chen and Frame were in the office that day, but after learning Fox News was at the front desk, the couple refused to come out. Fox News questions covered how UMT was run, Chen's suspected military ties, whether service members' records are secure, and how millions in taxpayer dollars are spent. Fox News also sent a series of questions to the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., but there was no immediate response. According to UMT, nearly 20,000 students have studied there, while 10,710 have earned degrees. A man apparently armed with a knife rammed a car into pedestrians in the center of the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday, local N24 TV channel reported citing police. Three are reportedly injured. After the incident that occurred at some 16:00 p.m. local time, German police reportedly shot the man after he attempted to flee. Currently, the man is in a hospital, Sputnik reported. The man who drove a black Opel was intercepted by a police patrol and shot by a law enforcer after a short standoff. A police spokesman David Faulhaber told Sputnik that he "can neither confirm nor deny" that the incident is a terror attack. He also could not say whether those injured are the city's citizens or not. According to another police spokesman, Norbert Schaetzle, a terrorist attack is currently not being considered as a reason for the incident, media reported. Moreover, he said that the man acted alone. German media cited police as saying that they don't suspect the an Islamist background in the attack. Norbert Schatzle, the city's police spokesman, told N24 that he cannon confirm the specualations claiming that the man is mentally ill. "We are currently identifying the suspect's identity and the motives of his act. The man currently is unable to speak," Schatzle said. No further details are available at the moment. Conservatives appear fully behind new Republican President Trump, based on a straw poll Saturday at the annual CPAC summit in which attendees gave him an 86 percent approval rating and overwhelmingly agreed that he was realigning the movement. The results of the poll concluded the groups annual four-day summit outside of Washington, D.C., at which Trumps speech Friday was the main event. Trump, whose views do not always align with those of fiscal or social conservatives, received high marks in the polls 12 questions. The popular poll did not include a question this year about who was conservatives favorite potential presidential candidate, considering Trump won just three months ago. Perhaps the most applause came when the event organizers announced that 33 percent of respondents said reforming the tax code was the biggest Trump campaign promise they wanted him to fulfill. Donald Trump is actually doing things the conservative movement wants to get done, said Matt Schlepp, chairman of the American Conservative Union, the events lead organizer. The audience also cheered upon learning that 91 percent of respondents favored the federal government cutting off federal funds to any so-called sanctuary city, county or public college that refuses to cooperate with state and federal officials to enforce immigration laws, according to the poll by McLaughlin & Associates. Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez on Saturday was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee, defeating top-rival Minnesota Rep. Keith Ellison, in their respective bids to chart the direction of the national party. Perez was elected after two rounds of balloting in Atlanta at the partys annual winter meeting. He received 235 votes, crossing the threshold of 218 ballots. We are at a turning point for our party and for all Americans, Perez said after his victory. By getting back to basics, we can turn the Democratic Party around, take the fight to (President) Donald Trump, and win elections from school board to the Senate. Perez graduated from Harvard Law School in 1987 and worked as a civil rights attorney at the Justice Department. He later served as deputy assistant attorney general for civil rights under Attorney General Janet Reno. Perez in 2002 joined the Montgomery County Council in Maryland as the panels first elected Latino and served through 2006. After his win Saturday, Perez picked Ellison as his deputy chairman. "We don't have the luxury to walk out of this room divided," Ellison said. "It is my honor to serve this party with Tom Perez." Perez, now the first Latino to lead the DNC, and Ellison were among a field of seven election-day candidates that also included Pete Buttigieg, the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, whose late surge ultimately fell short. The election involved 435 eligible members of the national party committee. The race between Ellison and Perez was portrayed as an ideological proxy battle between Democratic supporters for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, who defeated Sanders in the partys 2016 presidential primary. Ellison backed Sanders, while Perez backed Clinton. Ellison, who in 2006 became the first Muslim elected to Congress, was considered a champion of the partys most progressive wing. Perez, a Labor secretary under President Obama, is considered more of an establishment candidate, though each ran on a progressive agenda and vowed to rebuild the party at the state and local levels, in large part by appealing to Democratic voters opposition to Trump, a Republican. Congrats to @DNC chair @TomPerez & deputy @keithellison. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 25, 2017 Reaction began pouring in shortly after the results were announced. Obama released a statement that in part said: "Congratulations to my friend Tom Perez on his election to lead the Democratic Party, and on his choice of Keith Ellison. ...What unites our party is a belief in opportunity -- the idea that however you started out, whatever you look like, or whomever you love, America is the place where you can make it if you try." Trumps victory in November was a gut punch to Democrats, considering Republicans had already controlled Congress and most of the state-houses, and Clinton had been the perceived frontrunner for essentially the entire election cycle. But the DNC was already under duress by the time Trump won, the victim of an electronic hacking scandal in which emails showed then-Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and her staff appearing to favor Clinton over Sanders, an independent who ran as a Democrat. Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., resigned from the DNC post in late summer, at the start of the Democrats national convention, as a result of the scandal. Trump commented Saturday on the Perez win, in an apparent attempt to invade the news cycle. "Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC," Trump tweeted. "I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!" Ellison had support in the race from Sanders, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, and Rep. John Lewis, of Georgia, both Democrats. Perez was backed by former Attorney General Eric Holder and former Vice President Biden. Obama had praised Perez without formally endorsing him. Ellison used Thomas Jeffersons copy of the Quran for his swearing-in. In 1989, he seemed in an academic paper to defend Louis Farrakhan, the controversial leader of the National of Islam. Accusations of anti-Semitism have followed Ellison, based on his association with Farrakhan. He asserts that he was never an official member of the Nation of Islam but admits that he did spend 18 months organizing the Minnesota division of Farrakhans Million Man March in 1995. It wasnt until he ran for Congress in 2006 that Ellison wrote a letter to the Jewish community, apologizing for his involvement with others who held anti-Semitic views. The Associated Press contributed to this report. President Trumps newly appointed national security adviser on Thursday reportedly held his first all hands staff meeting where he said labels like radical Islamic terrorism are not helpful because he said terrorists are un-Islamic. The New York Times, citing people who attended the National Security Council meeting, reported that Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster was in his Army uniform at the time and it represents a break from the opinion of other senior advisers. Peter R. Mansoor, a retired Army colonel who served with McMaster in Iraq during the 2007 surge of U.S. troops, said earlier that McMaster absolutely does not view Islam as the enemy." "So I think he will present a degree of pushback against the theories being propounded in the White House that this is a clash of civilizations and needs to be treated as such," he said. The national security adviser has a special role within the government, working directly with the president but not subject to confirmation by the Senate. McMaster will advise Trump and serve as his coordinator of foreign and defense policy. On the day McMaster was sworn in, Slate magazine ran an article titled, Trump Just Hired the Armys Smartest Officer. The key thing to know about McMasteran active-duty three-star general and deputy commander of the Armys Training and Doctrine Commandis that he has made a career of speaking truth to power, often instinctively, without the slightest talent for fawning to his superiors, Fred Kaplan, the articles author, wrote. McMaster, 54, is an independent-minded soldier widely admired for his leadership skills, but he is short on experience in Washington's trenches. His appointment reinforces the more mainstream approach to security that Trump is getting from Pentagon chief Jim Mattis, who seems to have steered the administration toward stronger support for NATO and allies in Asia, and away from the reauthorization of torture in interrogations. McMaster, like (President) Obama, is someone who was in positions of leadership and thought the United states should not play into the jihadist propaganda that this is a religious war, William McCants, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, told The Times. The Associated Press contributed to this report China's commerce minister has appealed to Washington to negotiate disputes with Beijing and avoid a "trade war" that he warned would hurt both sides. Gao Hucheng, responding to a question about President Donald Trump's promise to raise taxes on Chinese imports, said at a news conference Tuesday the two governments should work together to promote trade. Gao said a trade war "should not become an option." He appealed to Washington to "properly solve" disputes through "dialogue and cooperation." Trump promised during his election campaign to raise import duties on Chinese goods to 40 percent but has yet to take formal action. He also promised to declare Beijing improperly manipulated the exchange rate of its yuan to give its exporters a price advantage, which would open the way to other sanctions. A former Bonita Vista High School music teacher and band director who engaged in sex acts with a male student over several years was sentenced Friday to a year in jail. Jason Mangan, 38, must report for custody on March 9. Mangan pleaded guilty to oral copulation and penetration by a foreign object. Mangan also will have to register as a sex offender for life, according to Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Matzger. Matzger said the sexual assaults took place between August 2010 and August 2011. Chula Vista police became aware of the crimes last year, when the now-22-year-old victim came forward with the accusations. Click here to read more at Fox 5 San Diego. A Maserati is missing after police say a man conned a salesman during a test drive. Boca Raton police say 45-year-old Michael McGilvary II went to a dealership to test drive a $150,000 Maserati GranTurismo. He and a salesman drove to a marina so McGilvary could supposedly show his girlfriend the car. They walked down the dock, then McGilvary told the salesman he would get his girlfriend. When he didn't return after 30 minutes, the salesman searched for McGilvary. The valet told him McGilvary had driven off. McGilvary was arrested Wednesday on auto theft charges, one day later, but the car wasn't found. McGilvary was being held Saturday by federal authorities on a probation violation. It couldn't be determined if he has an attorney. The man suspected of taking a 6-year-old Connecticut girl prompting an Amber Alert on Friday had previously been deported, federal immigration officials said. Oscar Hernandez was taken into custody on Friday following a high-speed car chase and crash on Interstate 99 in Benner Township, Pennsylvania. State police said he had refused to pull over when a state trooper spotted the car, which had been the subject of an Amber Alert. Federal immigration officials said Hernandez is a citizen of El Salvador and had been previously deported on Nov. 27, 2013. He has prior felony convictions including assault and threatening. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had placed a detainer on him, an agency spokesman said in a statement. Hernandez is accused of taking his 6-year-old daughter Aylin Sofia Hernandez from her home in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Police issued a public alert about the girl at about 2:45 a.m. Friday. Officers had gone to the girl's Bridgeport home and found her mother, Nadia Gonzalez, fatally stabbed. Another woman in the home also was stabbed multiple times and was hospitalized. Police said she's expected to survive. Police said the little girl suffered minor injuries in in the crash. . Two state troopers also suffered minor injuries. Benner Township is about 300 miles from Bridgeport. Hernandez was being held as a fugitive from justice in Pennsylvania and couldn't be reached for comment. Bridgeport police have a warrant for his arrest. The Associated Press contributed to this report. A Marine radar intercept officer missing nearly 48 years after he was shot down over Laos during the Vietnam War has been accounted for after his remains were found last year, the Bergen Record reports. The remains of Marine Corps Reserve 1st Lt. William (Billy) Ryan, of Bogota, N.J., were identified through DNA tests conducted by the Defense Pow/MIA Accounting Agency at the Pentagon, the paper reported Friday. Ryans plane crashed on a combat mission in southern Laos near the Vietnam border on May 11, 1969, the day before his sons first birthday. I always knew my dad died in the crash, and thats what my mom told me, Michael Ryan, 48 told the paper. What she didnt tell me is that part of her held out hope that maybe shed see his face again. His aircraft was pulling out of a bombing run when it was hit by enemy fire. The pilot bailed out and was rescued. Ryan was also shot down in 1968 over the Gulf of Tonkin but he survived that crash. According to the Record, military investigators went to the Laos crash site in 1990 and found his plane seat. Investigators visited the site on six other occasions from May 2012 to January 2016 to look for remains. A lab identified the remains as Ryan's and notified Michael last month. The next day Ryans widow Judith was diagnosed with stage-4 stomach cancer. I dont know, its strange to me, Michael told the paper. Weve waited 48 years for this. And now Im looking up at God and saying, Can you give this woman a week to celebrate? Billy Ryan will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery on May 10, the eve of the crash anniversary. Click for more from the Bergen Record. A woman credited a month-old seat belt ticket for saving her husband's life this morning in Delaware. The Georgetown Police Department in Delaware received a message thanking one of their officers for writing a seat belt ticket that would encourage her husband to wear it. She said her husband's vehicle was hit head-on in Smyrna, Del. on his way to work, resulting in his truck being totaled. However, he would escape the crash with only "bruises and swelling." His first words to her at the hospital were, "I have to call that officer and say thank you," according to the woman. "I'm saying thank you, also, because I believe that it saved his life, today. We've been married for 27 years. We're raising 2 of our grandchildren. I need him," she wrote. "This is why we do what we do," Georgetown Police posted to Facebook. This story first appeared on Fox 5 DC. One day before Donald Trump became U.S. president, a former Russian ballet dancer, Ravil Mingazov, became the final Guantanamo Bay detainee to be released. But after almost 15 years in Gitmo, the last thing Mingazov, a Muslim, wanted was a homecoming. He fears for his safety if he returns to Russia where the government has adopted a tough posture toward any Muslim suspected of being radicalized -- something Mingazov has repeatedly denied being. He said he would rather stay at Gitmo than be sent to Russia. Despite Kremlin demands that the U.S. return him to Russia, American officials flew him to the United Arab Emirates. While some, such as officials in President Vladimir Putin's government, contend that Mingazov is part of a sustained radicalization problem in Russia, others deny that and have protested his imprisonment in the U.S. facility as a blatant violation of human rights. Ravil did not do anything wrong. He was fleeing religious persecution from Russian authorities, swept up in a mass arrest by Pakistani police, sent to Gitmo and treated like an animal, Gary Thompson, a partner with D.C. law firm Reed Smith who took on Mingazovs case over a decade ago told Fox News. Ravil remained strong in body, mind and spirit. It took him 15 years to get his freedom back. Fortunately, he was released the day before the inauguration of Donald Trump. Despite being arrested in 2002 at a Pakistani safe house associated with accused senior Usama Bin Laden official Abu Zubaydah, the 48-year-old Mingazov has maintained he never had dealings with any terrorist outfit. An ethnic Tatar from eastern Russia, he was a prominent ballet dancer in the 1980s. He then served in the Russian military from 1989 to 2000 as part of a military ballet troupe and later in food preparation and passport control. After the Soviet Union fell in 1991, he openly embraced the religion of most Tatars, Islam, and claimed to have been subsequently victimized, eventually leaving the army and relocating with his family to Tajikistan in 2000 and later Afghanistan just prior to 9/11. After the U.S.-led war there began, Mingazov fled to Pakistan and was arrested by local police for allegedly attending military training in Afghanistan and joining several terrorist groups, including the Taliban and al Qaeda. He soon ended up in Gitmo. Citing a lack of evidence to support the U.S. government claims, a federal district court in D.C. issued a court order for his release. One of the reasons U.S. authorities chose to transfer Mingazov from Gitmo to the United Arab Emirates rather than Russia is that several former detainees who were returned to Russia in 2004 were according to a Human Rights Watch investigation faced with harassment, imprisonment and torture. Mingazovs family ex-wife and teenage son reside as asylum seekers in Britain, thus his D.C. lawyers have filed an application for him to be transferred to them for family reunification. It is not yet clear if this request will be granted. The U.K.s Home Office did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) declined to comment specifically on Mingazovs case. But stated that the interagency Periodic Review Board, set up by the Obama administration, determined that the continued law of war detention for individuals, including Mingazov, does not remain necessary to protect against a continuing significant threat to the security of the United States. The actual number of Russian citizens held at Guantanamo Bay remains unclear, although the DOD has previously admitted to holding at least nine. According to retired Lt. Col. Gordon Cucullu, author of Inside Gitmo, the Russian Chechens had a big presence in Gitmo and were responsible for a lot of the turmoil that occurred inside the camp. Of all the detainees, I consider them to be the most dangerous individually, he told Fox News. Many had years of experience fighting the Russians and were absolutely ruthless. Soon after Moscow in March 2014 controversially annexed Crimea in March 2014, home to many Tatars, Russian security agencies commenced a massive clampdown on Muslims with a multitude of terrorist-related arrests taking place. While some view the operation as necessary, others within the Tatar, North Caucasus and Ural regions have complained of false accusations, abductions and torture insisting the War on Terror is a discriminatory campaign to assert authoritarian control. However, the threat of a new jihadi front has been bubbling significantly over the past three years as hostilities in the border region grows. Russia does have a genuine terrorism problem; there remains a constant concern about the potential for new attacks in Moscow and other heartland cities. This will only get worse as fighters who left to join ISIS begin to return, said Mark Galeotti, an adjunct professor at New York Universitys Center for Global Affairs. But it remains confined to the North Caucasus and a small fraction of the countrys Muslims. Russia is not going to become the battleground for some grand ideological showdown, however much jihadists may sometimes want to claim this. The threat of a spreading caliphate is, according to Russian officials and state media, touted as a top reason for the countrys air support, alongside the Assad regime, in the ongoing Syrian civil war. The narrative is that if opposition groups referred to as terrorist groups victoriously take control of the conflict-riddled country, they will have the power to advance their caliphate and provide direct funding to those Islamic factions inside Russias borders. President Vladimir Putin estimates there are 4,000 Russians fighting with militants in Syria alone. According to one Moscow-based government policy adviser, radicalization was more overt in the 1990s and 2000s, but in the ensuing years organized groups have been forced to operate underground. Authorities have extremely harsh treatment of those suspected of terrorism, and has publicly stated that we have zero tolerance toward such a crime. Every single month you hear of a new report about destroyed terror groups, added the insider. But terrorists are nearly never captured, only killed. The courts and judicial cases about terrorists are closed, so it is impossible to check if there are any real grounds for accusations. In synchronized attacks, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syria's central Homs city, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, AP reported. The swift, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syria's most powerful, were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee. A Syrian lawmaker on a state-affiliated TV station called it a "heavy blow" to Syria's security apparatuses. The attacks came as Syrian government and opposition delegates meet in Geneva in U.N.-mediated talks aimed at building momentum toward peace despite low expectations of a breakthrough. The U.N. Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura called the attacks "tragic." "Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it. We were expecting that," he said. Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Ja'afari, who leads Damascus' delegation to Geneva, said the attacks were a message from the "sponsors of terrorism" to the peace talks. Al-Ja'afari said the attacks will not go unanswered. No footage or pictures emerged from the typically tightly-secured scene of the attacks in the city center. Activists said the city was on high alert after the attacks, with government troops blocking roads and forcing shops to close. The government responded with an intense airstrike campaign against the only neighborhood on the city's outskirts still under opposition control and other parts of rural Homs. The government regained control of the city of Homs one of the first to rise against President Bashar Assad in 2015. But al-Waer neighborhood remained in rebel hands. Settlement negotiations to evacuate it have repeatedly faltered. The attack early Saturday was the most high-profile in a city that has been the scene of repeated suicide attacks since the government regained control. The head of Military Intelligence services Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturday's attack, had been transferred from the capital to Homs last year to address security failures in the city, according to local media reports at the time. Twin attacks on two Syrian security offices in the central city of Homs Saturday killed at least 32 people, including a senior security official who heads the feared Military Intelligence services, state media and officials reported. An Al Qaeda-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also left another high-ranking officer seriously wounded. In a statement on their Telegram channel, the group said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties. SUSPECT IN KIM JONG NAM ATTACK SAYS SHE GOT $90 FOR A PRANK The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, told The Associated Press there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometers (1.2 miles) apart. Syrian State News Agency SANA said Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, head of the local Military Intelligence branch, was killed by one of the suicide bombers. According to state TV and state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the State Security Branch, was also critically wounded in the attacks. According to Ikhbariya, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs' al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests, killing 32 people. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said at least 42 security officers were killed in the attacks on the offices of the State Security and the Military Intelligence services. ATTACKS NEAR SYRIA TOWN CAPTURED FROM ISIS KILL 60 The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled. Such discrepancies are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Homs is Syria's third-largest city and largely in the control of the government. The attacks are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year old conflict a coordinated operation against two heavily secured government buildings using a combination of armed assault and suicide bombing. In early days of the conflict, bombings targeting state security institutions were frequent, usually against military intelligence branches in Damascus and other cities. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top regime officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defense minister. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great powers and operates independently of the military and with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for some of the more shadowy crimes committed during the conflict, including mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the military's Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the state's four main security branches, including the Military Intelligence. The Iraqi advance into Mosul's western half slowed Saturday as combat turned to urban warfare and Iraqi forces met stiff resistance from the Islamic State group. Hundreds of civilians poured out of Mosul on foot following the advances, but the vast majority of 750,000 estimated to still be in the city's west remain trapped, and describe deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions. Special forces Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi said that his troops are "moving very slowly" and that IS fighters are responding with car bombs, snipers and dozens of armed drones. The drones have caused relatively few deaths, but have inflicted dozens of light injuries that have disrupted the pace of ground operations. Similar to the way operations inside eastern Mosul initially unfolded, in west Mosul, IS repeatedly brought Iraqi convoys to a halt Saturday with small teams of one or two men and a handful of car bombs. Al-Saadi said the Mamun neighborhood was particularly difficult because its streets are not organized in a grid. "The roads are random," he said, which makes it more difficult for his men to set up roadblocks to stop car bombs, a difficulty that foreshadows obstacles Iraqi forces expect to face in the narrow alleyways of western Mosul's historic district. But al-Saadi said he expects the pace to increase after Iraqi forces retake territory and infrastructure on Mosul's southwestern edge which will allow them to shorten supply lines and link up with forces in the city's east. Along the road beside al-Saadi's base of operations, hundreds of civilians fleeing Mosul walked slowly past, many with sheep, cows and goats in tow. Nearly all of the hundreds who fled Saturday trekked more than five kilometers from the city's edge to a small village serving as a screening center. Dozens of families gathered against a crude cinderblock wall at the screening center south of Mosul. Intelligence officials at the site said after documents were checked families would either be moved into nearby abandoned houses or newly erected camps for the displaced. Many of those fleeing said they were from villages outside Mosul and had been forced to march to the city more than four months ago to serve as human shields. "We've been through terrible times," said Juri Fathi, a mother of six who was forced to live in a school in Mosul for three months. "I had to burn my children's clothing just for warmth." Fathi held her youngest child a four month old boy in her arms as she spoke. She said he was born in an abandoned home between her hometown of Hamam al-Alil and Mosul as she was being led on the forced march by IS. "I named him Mussab (or difficult)," she said, "for these tough days." Groups of men were screened at the site against a database of IS suspects and two prisoners were dragged past the crowd and into an abandoned building. "We brought them directly from inside Mosul," said an Iraqi special forces solider from inside the Humvee that delivered the detainees. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. "They were shooting at us, I saw them with my own eyes," he said. Iraqi forces declared eastern Mosul "fully liberated" in January after officially launching the operation to retake the city in October. A former Iraqi army lieutenant colonel and specialist in land-attack missiles, who used the nickname Abu Karim fearing for the safety of his family, spoke to The Associated Press by phone, describing a "deteriorating security and humanitarian situation" inside western Mosul. "I'm hiding in my house, and my wife lives in constant fear of Daesh raiding our home," said Abu Karim, using the Arabic acronym for the extremist group. Abu Karim said IS fighters have been setting up checkpoints and storming homes to crack down on informants, meting out punishments for anyone carrying a mobile phone or found with an internet connection that include flogging, jail time, and fines. "(IS) tried to recruit me because of my expertise in missiles. But I told them I fought in the war against Iran and the Americans, and couldn't fight anymore. They took me before a judge and he let me go with a $500 dollar fine," said Abu Karim. He added that some IS fighters were fleeing to the north of Mosul, and that the city's residents would welcome the arrival of the counterterrorism force and the federal police. Also Saturday, a Kurdish journalist working for the Rudaw news organization, Shifa Gerdi, was killed covering the Mosul operation. A number of journalists have been since the operation began last year and in October an Iraqi television journalist was killed covering the battle. Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Minister was in Baghdad Saturday the first high level visit of a Saudi official to the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to meet with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, al-Jaafari said the visit was to discuss cooperation in combating terrorism, adding, "The ties that bind are many, and the visit comes to restore bilateral relations to their correct course." The statement also called on Saudi Arabia to reiterate its position against Turkish ground troops in Iraq. A man apparently drove a car into pedestrians in a central square in the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday, injuring three people, then fled and was shot after being tracked down by officers, police said. One of the three people hit outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon was seriously injured, police spokeswoman Anne Baas said. The man, who is believed to have been carrying a knife, then got out of his rental car, another police spokesman, Norbert Schaetzle, told n-tv television. He was intercepted by a police patrol and shot by an officer following a short standoff. He has been taken to a hospital. There was no immediate word on the man's possible motives, where he came from or his condition in the hospital. Schaetzle said he couldn't confirm local media reports that the man was mentally disturbed, but said a terrorist background is not suspected and the man appears to have acted alone. None of the counties in the Fredericksburg region, where a Texas company has leased land for possible oil or natural gas drilling, will become the first locality in Virginia to ban fracking. Augusta County already has done it. The Board of Supervisors in the Shenandoah Valley locality, about 100 miles west of Fredericksburg, voted Wednesday not to allow any extraction method that involves injecting water or chemicals deep underground to loosen trapped oil or gas. Prohibited methods include fracking, also known as hydraulic fracturing; horizontal drilling; and a technique known as enhanced recovery. But the board didnt curtail extraction altogether. Theres a lot of mining for iron and gravel, manganese and kaolina chalky substance used in paper, paint and chinaaround Augusta County, near Staunton and Waynesboro. Companies can continue to remove them from the ground, or drill for oil and gas, using traditional methods, according to the zoning ordinance. They just cant frack. We figured that fracking is the more concerning issue, said Augusta Board of Supervisors Chairman Tracy Pyles Jr. How its done, the water that it takes out, the water that it puts in, the disposal of water that they dont even want to reveal what [chemicals are] in it, that offers a whole new level of concern. Augusta County is at the headwaters of the James and Shenandoah rivers, and protecting water quality has been a concern of local leaders for years, said Nancy Sorrells. Shes a former supervisor, or a recovering one, as she puts it. The thing that concerns the county the most is the threat to the water, and hydraulic fracturing is a huge threat, she said. Water is on every local leaders mind in our area, its part of their thinking. No matter how conservative or how liberal they are, theyre all pro-water. WIDESPREAD FRACKING Virginia is one of 21 states where fracking occurs, according to InsideClimate News. The not-for-profit news organization produces a map that shows how widespread fracking has become since it became commercially viable in the 1990s. In Virginia, fracking occurs in the Southwestern part of the state where coal mining once prevailed. Almost 8,000 wells have been fracked without any water-contamination problems, according to the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy. The InsideClimate News map also shows states where localities have imposed a ban or moratorium. Theres no pushpin to represent Virginia, because Augusta Countys action is so recent. But with Augustas action, the number of states with local bans in place has grown to 19. New York, Maryland, Vermont and Massachusetts legislatures also have imposed statewide bans or moratoria. A FIGHT YOU CANT WIN In the Fredericksburg area, King George and Westmoreland counties are part of the Taylorsville basin, where 84,000 acres of land have been leased for possible drilling. The basin also includes Caroline, Essex and King and Queen counties, but King George and Westmoreland have been the first to address fracking ordinances. King George officials voted in August to put severe restrictions in place, even though the majority of residents favored a ban. Citizen outcry against fracking has been even stronger in Westmoreland, where residents who gathered Feb. 15 expressed fears about earthquakes and damage to water supplies, destruction of roads and health concerns. Officials in both counties have said they dont want a target on their backs, to be the first in the state to ban fracking and then face legal action from the oil and gas industry. The Virginia Petroleum Council threatened as much in late August as the King George supervisors deliberated. In a letter that looked like a legal brief, association lawyer Michael Ward said King George may be exposed to costly and unnecessary litigation if it moves forward with the proposed amendments. King George imposed severe restrictions instead, and Westmoreland is considering the same. Its Board of Supervisors will accept comments on zoning changes during a March 15 public hearing. Colonial Beach resident John Bangs said he supports the Planning Commissions recommendation to impose severe restrictions on fracking instead of banning it altogether. I learned a long time ago, it is best not to pick a fight you cant win, said Bangs, a retired government employee who spent 15 years in defense. Ban is too large a brush and is a word the judicial system frowns on. To me, it would be better to regulate it with case-by-case land-use. BALANCE OF POWER In the wake of fracking, theres been a conflict in the balance of power between states and localities throughout the United States, according to a 2014 report in Law360, a legal news service. Long story short, localities cant override the authority of their state. Some, like West Virginia, have made it illegal for localities to prohibit fracking, according to the Law360 report. Others, like New York, put a moratorium in place for seven years while officials studied fracking. During that interim period, localities enacted bans of their own until New York imposed a statewide ban on fracking in 2015. The Virginia Gas and Oil Act covers everything from coal mining to oil drilling, and industry representatives had stressed repeatedly that the state already has enough regulations in place. It doesnt need localities to add more. Virginia has one of the countrys most comprehensive statutory and regulatory programs governing the production of natural gas and oil, said David Clarke, a lawyer with the Virginia Oil and Gas Association. His group is against any local ordinance that conflicts with state laws. While the Virginia Gas and Oil Act says localities cant impose conditions or licenses beyond whats spelled out in the act, it also says the act doesnt supersede local land-use ordinances. Thats the part Kristin Davis, a lawyer with the Southern Environmental Law Center, has focused on as shes addressed county officials. She believes theyre best qualified to determine what happens in their communities, whether they put severe restrictions in place as King George did or prohibit fracking altogether, as Augusta did. Under Virginia law, theyre authorized to do that, to prohibit fracking or pass reasonable zoning ordinances to adjust those risks, Davis said, as long as they dont conflict with state statutes. Bailey Wilsons sketch detailing diversity could garner her $30,000 toward a college scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education grant for Culpeper County High School to go toward the establishment and improvement of a computer lab or technology program. Thats if the 16-year-old CCHS junior wins the Doodle for Google national campaign, a contest open to K-12 students across the United States to redesign the online Google logo inspired by the theme What I see for the future. During a Thursday assembly at CCHS, two Google representatives revealed that Wilson is one of 53 winners from the U.S. states and three territories (Washington, Puerto Rico and Guam) for the ninth annual competition. Wilson will represent Virginia during the national competition in March. Her Google image, Stronger Together, represents a future in which all hatred and negativity has ceased to exist. The work features nine culturally diverse citizens standing in front of a brick wall with the words Respect, Love, Strength, Unity and Peace, around the word Google. The Os in Google are also filled with a peace sign and a heart. I drew this because I think its really important, especially now, that everyone is included and that theres respect and love for everyone and Im really happy that I was chosen for this message to be put out there, said Wilson, who said it took her about six hours to complete her artwork. Google marketing representatives Jarett Jacobsen and Alexandra Abed, both of California, presented Bailey with an Android tablet and a Google T-shirt. We want to showcase the students and their art and how they can influence people and show their creativity and their uniqueness behind it, said Abed. Jacobsen added that Google is focused on being Googley. What that means is being part of a community and giving back when we can, he added. This is a program where we reach out to young, talented artists, getting them involved in helping us become more involved in their communities. Wilsons doodle was selected from thousands of entries received this year. About 125 CCHS art and graphic design students filled the auditorium to see her recognition and learn more about the Google brand. Before revealing this years winner, Jacobsen and Abed shared some innovations happening at the internet-based technology company headquartered in Mountain View, Calif. They showed a video about Waymo, the companys self-driving car; and Tilt Brush, which allows people to paint in 3D with virtual reality. To help select the national finalist, people from across the country can vote for their favorite doodle. Voting will be open through March 6 at google.com/doodle4google/vote.html. The public vote will determine the five national finalists (one in each grade group). Google will announce these five finalistsone as the national winneron March 31 and the winners doodle will go live on Google.com that day, according to a press release. Several local writers will gather for Getting Your First Book Published, a Germanna Community College Authors Panel Discussion, at Headquarters Library on Tuesday at 7 p.m. The panelists will discuss the publishing process, with a question-and-answer session and book signing afterward. Panelists will be Jim Hall, author of The Last Lynching in Northern Virginia; Howard Owen, author of several books, including the Willie Black series; Chris Jones, author of The Art & Business of Writing, Rick Pullen, author of Naked Ambition, David A. Sam, author of Finite to Fail and Memories in Clay; and Cory MacLauchlin, author of Butterfly in the Typewriter. The Headquarters Branch of Central Rappahannock Regional Library is located at 1201 Caroline St. in downtown Fredericksburg. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call the library at 540/372-1144. Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 25 Trend: Ukraine and Turkey plan to sign an agreement to further simplify travel between the two countries during an upcoming visit by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Groysman to Ankara, Sputnik International quoted Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu as saying. Earlier this month, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said that the two countries plan to sign an agreement on visa-free travel with internal documents after talks with Cavusoglu. His Turkish counterpart said that Turkey was preparing to accept Ukrainian tourists under new rules as early as this year. "This is a very important document, given the fact that only 30 percent of Ukrainians have foreign travel passports. The new agreement will allow Turkish resorts to attract a large number of tourists from a range of Ukrainian regions," Cavusoglu said, as quoted by the Anadolu Agency. Ukrainians currently need their foreign travel documents to enter Turkey, where a visa is stamped on entry. The two countries introduced the simplified rules in 2012. Wittman misses hearing residents concerns firsthand There has been only one occasion when Ive seen my 1st District Rep. Rob Wittman in person, and that was at the polls on Election Day 2016, shaking hands with voters. Since then, Ive discovered that his local office is five minutes from my home, and I have programmed his office numbers into my phone. Unfortunately, efforts to see him again have been futile. The established protocol in Mr. Wittmans office is for constituents to meet with an aide and then the aide passes the concerns on to him. This eliminates Mr. Wittmans ability to absorb the constituents identity and passion about an issue. On Feb. 21, I was present during one of the constituentstaff meetings at his Stafford office. I was fortunate to gain insight into how the Affordable Care Act has positively impacted the lives of several of Mr. Wittmans constituents. These individuals conveyed heartfelt experiences that had many of us in tears. It is impossible for the congressman to actually understand the impact of his positions without listening to these stories firsthand. Mr. Wittman does not provide his schedule to his constituents, despite a request. During this February Recess Week, it took some online digging to learn that Mr. Wittman is in Mississippi. His refusal to hear from his constituents directly indicate that he is beholden to politics and not the people. Patricia Joshi Stafford 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. A nice climax to wrap up the Fighter Ballot...The witch is coming to Smash in February 2016 alongside a new stage! (Photo : Super Smash Bros/Facebook) More than a month since Donald Trump became president of the U.S., he remains unpopular among many groups, including witches. The New York Post reported that witches around the world would cast a mass spell on Trump on Friday midnight. The purpose of their spell is not to harm the president but to bind him and everyone else abetting Trump. In a Facebook page devoted to the paranormal, the instruction to witches is to cast the spell whenever the crescent moon is waning until Trump is removed from office. Advertisement Orange Candle & Other Spell Requirements Witches are supposed to burn an unflattering photo of Trump in a ritual that involves a tower tarot card, a small stub of an orange candle, a pin or small nail and matches or lighter. The name Donald J. Trump must be written on the candle with the pin, while the 23rd Psalm would be recited. Then the white candle is lit and the spell is cast by calling on spirits of Water, Earth, Fire and Air, the heavenly hosts, demons of the infernal realms and spirits of the ancestors to bind Trump so he could not harm people, plants, animals and nature. After reciting the spell, the witches would burn Trumps photo using the orange candle while chanting loudly a catchphrase associated with Trump when he was still the host of a reality show. 4 More Cast Spell Days The ritual ends with the witches blowing out the orange candle to visualize Trump blowing apart into dust or ash. Since the rite is done when the crescent moon is waning, the witches has set more spell casting rites on March 26, April 24, May 23 and June 21. In response to the witches plan, Kevin Ambrose of the Christian Nationalist Alliance called for a day of prayer to counter the witches. He said it is a declaration of spiritual war and needs a response. A number of Christian groups support Trump because of his stand against abortion. But Michael Hughes, a paranormal writer, explained that the binding spell is not a hex or curse. He said it is a restraint on Trump, not harm, and is a self-defense, Huffington Post reported. 'Logan' spoilers: New villain hinted in the film's soundtrack; Wolverine bound for the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Logan will serve as the last Wolverine spin-off starring Hugh Jackaman and Patrick Stewart and directed by James Mangold. (Photo : Facebook) The latest details and spoilers for "Logan" will feature a new villain in the film and Wolverine coming to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It seems that Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and company will face another villanous character in the events of "Logan" as the film's soundstrack featured a song title called "Logan vs X-24", which hints that a final battle in the sequel. Advertisement X-24 was first hinted in the comic book storyline "X-23: Innocence Lost", which focused on Laure KinneyX-23's tragic past as it is revealed that the organization who cloned Wolverine did not just stop with X-23. Laua learned that there are a number of other Wolverine clones from X-24 to X-50 and they were destroyed. Laura's current comic book series "All-New Wolverine" featured four imperfect clones of Laura created by the Alchemax Genetics and they are named X-23_1, X-23_2, etc. While not exactly X-24, "Logan" could potentially set-up Wolverine and Laura (Dafney Keen) to fight a version of the mutant child, albeit older and more dangerous, Screenrant reported. Director James Mangold stated in an interview that he is interested in making a X-23 spin-off film and will immediately jump into it when Fox greenlights the project. In other news, "Logan" star Hugh Jackman talks about the direction that Wolverine will go to after the events of his last film in the "X-Men" film franchise. Although Jackman hinted a possible recasting of the character, the "Pan" star admitted during the New York press for "Logan" that he would reconsider retiring his character if offered a chance to join the Avengers. Jackman added that he would "pause" for awhile and if that was offered then he will likely do it. He explained that it will be an interesting position for Wolverine with the likes of Iron Man and the Hulk being around, but with film rights and all, it seems that is unlikely to happen in the future, ComicBookMovie reported. "Logan" will take place several years after the end of "X-Men: Days of Future Past" were an old and battle-scarred Logan/Wolverine (Jackman) works as a limousine driver to and is on hiding in the border of Mexico with an old and ailing Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). The two former X-Men encounter a young girl named Laura and suspected to be a mutant, as their kind was near extinction thanks to Transigen and the Reavers. Laura was experimented on and possibly turned into a weapon, but escaped and seeks help from both Logan and Charles. "Logan" will be in cinemas on March 3. The Expo Pass is the cheapest way that anyone can get into GDC, without any special requirements (such as being a student, volunteering, etc). It cost $249 (or $199 with the earlybird rate), and of course gets you access to the event in general, which is valuable in itself. But there's actually a lot you can do and see with an expo pass that people don't think about. I'm here to help! There are three main things an expo pass can get you access to in addition to the Expo itself; talks, job opportunities, and events/parties. Let's go through one by one! TALKS Expo pass holders have access to the entire Advocacy Track, which runs Monday through Wednesday. These talks largely surround issues of accessibility, diversity in all its forms, and simply how to make games for everyone. A lot of these are super interesting, from scientific research in Eve Online, to the unmissable, always performative talks of Ste Curran. The next-most obvious section is the Career Seminar, which, full disclosure, is a day of talks that I run. Come say hi! It's on Friday, and is a full day of talks from all across the industry. I try to make it like a mini IGF, but with some triple-A folks thrown in for good measure. If you want to see the triple-A art director of Lawbreakers speak next to the creator of the erotic visual novel Ladykiller in a Bind, this is the place. There are also talks about breaking in as a woman in the industry, best practices for low-poly 3D, creating a VR engine, my talk about how you can keep getting money so long as you have a game, and of course, the always-popular portfolio review sessions. If you're an artist who is newer to the industry, you must attend this panel and subsequent portfolio review. It begins by discussing what makes a good portfolio, and after that, becomes a series of 1 on 1 portfolio reviews with industry professionals. It's not to be missed for any young artist! Now, there are also some less obvious talk categories you can get into, which people sometimes don't think about because they're sponsored. Here's the main list of sponsored sessions. You may initially balk at this what use could sponsored sessions really be? In fact, as an Expo Pass holder, they're your best bet at learning about new technologies, and seeing some of the bigger companies in action. Check out this unusual session about the PSVR aim controller! Or this one, about building an MMO in one single world/shard. Here's one about setting up clans in your game. While, yes, all these folks will be trying to tell you while their technology or idea is best, you can learn a whole lot from these talks, and some of them are super valuable. Sponsored sessions are running much of the week, so there's plenty to check out. There's one more category of talk that sort of bridges the gap to my next section here, so let's get right into it. JOBS Jobs are a big reason some folks come to GDC. They want to get one, or they want to hire someone, or just meet likeminded people to form a team with. To that end, one helpful section is the Career Theater, located in North Hall, booth N5220. Now, this one is a bit under the radar, because there's no site hub for it. But when you get the official GDC brochure, make sure to browse these. The talks range from topics like how to work at X company, presented by that very same company, to networking tips, and resume/portfolio best practices. Seriously, some of the best GDC talks I've seen have been in the Career Theater, because they're either totally right for you, or totally wrong, because all the topics are so straightforward. Now, more about jobs check the career site for more information about this, but I'll try to sum up. Essentially, if you're looking for a job at GDC, you can put yourself into a pool, by registering for a Gamasutra jobs board account. This then gives companies that are exhibiting at GDC access to your profile, and lets them contact you for meetings! And then there's the more traditional hiring booths, where you can go around and talk to recruiters. They're not all in one space this year, but there are online and offline brochures that tell you who is hiring, and where you can talk to them. Last for this section, I'll give one more plug for the art portfolio review I mentioned above. If you want a job as an artist, you need to have a good portfolio, and these are the folks to tell you. EVENTS AND PARTIES Okay, fun stuff! There are lots of events and parties you're granted access to with an expo pass. First is GDC Play, which is GDC's version of the traditional video game expo, and part of the Moscone North expo floor. Game developers are showing their games, many of which are new, incomplete, or looking for funding. It's a great way to network with fellow developers and see what's new. Related to that is the IGF pavilion these folks are all up for awards in the Independent Game Festival, and in this area you can check them out, as well as meet their creators, before the actual awards. The Student Showcase is also here! The IGF and Student Showcase sections all takes place on the expo floor, which is the most obvious benefit of the expo pass. It's right in the name! The expo is open from Wednesday through Friday, but closes early on Friday, so don't drag your feet! On the expo floor you can see new technologies, talk to various companies about what you're doing and what they're doing, and try to hustle up new platforms for money (ha ha I'm kind of serious though, come see my talk on Friday for more about that). If you like looking at new/weird/interesting games, there are also tons of other ways to do that. Check out this huge list of interactive spaces and exhibits, some of which are on the Expo Floor, some of which are not (so check first!). From games with alternate controls, to the Shup Up & Sit Down board game lounge, to multiple retro game exhibits, down to the Mild Rumpus game chillout space, Day Of The Devs, IndieMEGABOOTH & the Art Boss art exhibit, there are tons of places you can just go, play a game, and talk to some other people who are taking a break from all the hubbub. There are also a bunch of parties and things! Check this listing for official GDC events, most of which are sponsored and have some sort of free stuff (like beer). And then there are the external parties. Here is a list that just contains parties anyone with any kind of GDC pass can get into. No invites needed! Expect them to be crowded, but that can be good, depending on your personality. So that's pretty much it! There's a lot more to an expo pass than people think at first blush hopefully this gets you all started. And if you feel I missed something, feel free, to mention in the comments! Adopted Golden Retriever Refuses to Sleep at Night for Fear of Being Given Away Again by Chinese Owner Libra (Photo : Twitter) Dog abuse takes many forms. It could include sexual abuse, not feeding the animal properly or giving it away while the dog was asleep. The last example is what happened to a Golden Retriever who was adopted by a Chinese man from a local animal shelter. Their story had gone viral on Chinese social media. Advertisement Playful & Obedient Pet The new owner brought home the dog which was playful and obedient. However, he noticed that at night, the dog stayed outside his bedroom and stared at him while he was sleeping. The man thought the dog was just adjusting to the new environment, Next Shark reported. But the dogs behavior remained the same as days passed. The man thought the dogs being awake at night was because of excess energy so he tired the dog by playing with the animal in the afternoon. When the strategy did not work, he went to an animal doctor but the vet said the dog was healthy. Heartbreaking Back Story The new owner found the answer at the animal shelter which turned out to be a heartbreaking story. The animal shelter employee disclosed that the old owner brought to the shelter the dog at night when the animal was asleep. The Golden Retriever woke up the next day in the shelter. The former owner and his wife were having a baby and gave the pet away because they ding believe they could no longer take care of the dog because of the pending arrival of a baby. Upon learning of his pets back story, the new owner removed the fence on his bedroom door and allowed the dog to sleep in his bedroom at night to give the Golden Retriever a sense of security, Sinchew reported. Readers, we need your help to prove a merry Christmas for victims of domestic violence. JEFFERSON A farm just outside of town on Densmore Road has a rather unusual crop for the area. There are 80 acres of poplar hybrids more than 115,000 trees that can thrive in marginal soils and grow 30 feet in three years. Where the soil is the best here, the trees are pushing 35 to 40 feet in three years, said Rick Stonex, operations manager for GreenWood Resources, an investment and management firm that specializes in forestry assets. Many of those trees are currently being harvested, and the acreage is part of a federally-funded research project regarding biofuels. Were trying to find the varieties that grow the best and convert the most sugars. Anytime youre doing biofuel, your goal is to capture sugar, said Noelle Hart, a Washington State University Extension coordinator for the study. The poplar trees can be chipped and then converted into gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and ethanol, as well as other chemicals. Our focus is more on aviation fuel, said Brian Stanton, chief science officer for GreenWood Resources. The Advanced Hardwood Biofuels Northwest study includes several academic and industry partners such as Oregon State University, and has four sites throughout the Northwest and northern California. Cost of production is another critical factor of the research project. Low gas and oil prices, however, have hampered the economic viability of using poplar trees for biofuel, Stanton said. The project was formulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture during the recession, when fossil fuel prices were considerably higher, Stanton said. Oil is currently around $50 a barrel, he said, and adding that it would need to be double that for poplar biofuel to take off. Were not competitive today, but we believe we will be one day, Stanton said. And biofuel would be a hedge against stratospheric gas and oil prices. If poplar biofuel proves feasible, Hart said, an industry could spring up and create jobs. Jefferson was chosen as a research site partly because its typical of the Willamette Valley, which, because of its population base, would be a logical place to produce and distribute biofuel. The poplars at the Jefferson site were planted in the spring of 2012, then harvested in 2013 after two growing seasons. The trees there are managed as a perennial row crop, and they can be harvested every two to three years. Multiple shoots sprout from the stumps for future harvests. There is no irrigation at the Jefferson site. You dont have to replant it for six, seven cycles, so thats 20 years, said Stonex, a 1980 graduate of OSU. One acre of poplar trees can produce roughly 2,000 gallons of ethanol every three years, he added. Oregon State University is participating in the project, in part, by educating students about the potential of poplar trees and helping middle and high school science teachers with lesson plans about biofuel. But graduate students also are helping with research at the site and a forestry professor is developing the science to keep the hybrids from flowering. The latter will help the trees push more energy into growth and also keep the hybrids from cross-pollinating with native poplar trees, Stanton said. Stuart Ray Sarbacker of Oregon State University will host a discussion of yoga at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, 645 N.W. Monroe Ave. Sarbackers talk, entitled The Eight Limbs of Yoga, is designed to be a practical discussion of what yoga is and how to apply its principles to everyday life. Sarbacker specializes in the comparative study of religion and his work centers on the relationships between the religious and philosophical traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin. Before coming to OSU, he served as a lecturer at Northwestern University. Sarbackers book will be available for sale at the event, which is sponsored by Friends of the Library and Oregon State Universitys contemplative studies initiative. This log includes incidents in which there might have been a public disturbance or a risk to the public. Information comes from the Corvallis Police Department, the Benton County Sheriffs Office and Oregon State Police. It does not include all calls for service. The status of incidents might change after further investigation. Locations are approximate. People arrested or suspected in crimes are considered innocent until proven otherwise. Corvallis Police Department MONDAY, FEB. 20 THEFT: 10:20 a.m., 1906 S.W. Third St. Employees of Hair Cuts and Color reported that several deposits were missing from their business account dating from October 2016 to February 2017. The employees reported that another employee, Shawn Kimberly Brown, 38, of Corvallis, was not depositing the money at the bank. One representative reported discovering $3,777.80 was missing. Officers reportedly contacted Brown at her home and Brown denied knowing anything about the missing money. Brown was arrested, charged with first-degree theft and booked into the Benton County Jail. Benton County Sheriff's Office THURSDAY, FEB. 23 DUII: 11:30 p.m., Highway 99W and Northeast Arnold Avenue. A deputy arrested and charged Ivan Carmona, 29, of Monmouth with DUII and reckless driving after a single-vehicle crash. Carmona reportedly lost control of his vehicle after driving about 100 mph on Highway 99W and crashed into a field. Carmona reportedly had a blood alcohol content of 0.14 percent. He was booked into the Benton County Jail. Jeff Eshelman's letter to the editor on Feb. 6 was an attempt to encourage Oregon State University Foundation's continued investment in fossil fuels. Divesting would be symbolic, but it would also be economically sound. Fossil fuel companies base their worth, and borrow, against the idea that their underground reserves will be usable and profitable. However, this becomes less feasible as more international and local regulations are put on carbon dioxide and methane. Oregon alone has set a 2020 greenhouse gas reduction goal that is almost 30 percent below today's levels. Fossil fuel intensive industries and its extraction will become less promising as these regulations increase in quantity and intensity. Mr. Eshelman said divesting is costly because of growth in the energy sector. As the Department of Energy reported this year, the traditional energy sector grew by 5 percent, while solar and wind grew by 25 percent and 32 percent respectively, reaching 2.2 million jobs. Since November 2014, 60 oil and gas companies have gone bankrupt. Also, the health, safety and environmental risks that come along with fossil fuel extraction are hard to ignore. We have only to look to Mosier, to see what investing in fossil fuel infrastructure means to us. Mr. Eshelman has something to gain if we continue with business as usual. However, for those of us whose involvement with this industry is in protecting our retirement, health and communities, we need to support divestment and continue to promote a livable planet. Lucy Wong Portland (Feb. 22) Renovations at Bonn train station : Deutsche Bahn still looking for a roofing company Bonn Deutsche Bahn still has not found a construction company to carry out renovations of the station roof. Will this lead to delays or even a halt in the entire renovation works? Teilen Teilen Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Tweeten Tweeten Weiterleiten Weiterleiten Drucken At Bonn central station the extensive renovation work to the hall roof seems to be making no progress. Since the beginning of November, the trains have no longer been able to stop at platform 1 due to the construction work. Instead, they have to use the other platforms. In the first few weeks, diggers could be seen in action on the first platform which was still partly blocked off for passengers. Now there are no signs of any work being carried out at the site. A spokesman for Deutsche Bahn responded to enquiries from General-Anzeiger: At the moment, we are working on renovation of the canal system on platform 1 of the station building. At the same time the platform is being extended. These are preparatory measures. There is no talk of halting the construction work or of any delays in its completion. The Federal Government, Deutsche Bahn and the Nahverkehr Rheinland (NVR) are planning to invest a total of 13 million euros in the roof renovation project up to the end of 2019. The spokesman concedes however, that no company was found in the first tender process for the main renovation works, ie. the roof renovation. According to GA information, only one applicant took part in the first tender process and the companys offer was allegedly too expensive for the Deutsche Bahn. However, the DB has neither confirmed nor denied this. The new tender process is ongoing. The Deutsche Bahn is looking for a company who will gradually renew the roofing - which has been leaking and dilapidated for years using a portable scaffolding structure along with a construction crane. Procurement rules prevent the DB spokesman from commenting on possible applicants. They are awaiting positive results. DB Netz AG has announced platform shutdown periods during the roof renovations. These will begin in July 2017. At the same time the works on the hall roof are due to start he said. When the schedule for the three year station renovation project including the glass roof, lighting and loudspeaker system was presented in November, this was already known and included in the plans. Trains need to be diverted now to allow for the preliminary works to be carried out. The fact that the trains run along platforms 2 and 3 only is leading to cramped conditions in peak commuting times, as reported by GA. The Deutsche Bahn developed a safety concept that stipulates markings and extra security personnel on the platforms, additional signs and announcements over the loudspeakers. During carnival, extra staff are also being employed according to the DB spokesman. The Federal Railway Authority (EBA) deems these measures sufficient. EBA spokesman Moritz Huckebrink disclosed that the EBA has now made some recommendations in connection with the building works at Bonn central station concerning the procedures on the platform and the speed of passing trains. An official directive has not yet been issued. The Deutsche Bahn sees no reason to reduce the current speed limit of 100 km/h for through trains (mostly goods trains) and 60 km/h for stopping trains. During the construction works, many trains have to travel over turntables and therefore must pass through the station at lower speeds. The city council wants to hold talks with DB about establishing a basic speed limit for goods trains. In one of its first meetings, the council planning committee issued an order to this effect. From our point of view, the current situation on the platforms is suboptimal for passengers boarding and leaving the trains in Bonn, particularly in peak commuting times, said Stefanie Zienitz from the city press office. Next James Bond movie to film in Croatia? Naomie Harris: Cast members still want Daniel Craig to be 007 Daniel Craig speaks onstage during The New Yorker Festival 2016 - Daniel Craig Talks With Nicholas Schmidle at MasterCard Stage at SVA Theatre on October 7, 2016 in New York City. (Photo : Getty Images for The New Yorker/Ilya S. Savenok) The next James Bond movie will likely shoot in Croatia in the second half of this year. The news suddenly popped up as the upcoming film is still in a grey area with very little information and no known title, director, star or release date. The producer of the Bond series films, EON Productions was reportedly eyeing Croatia in 2016 as a filming site for the 25th Bond film. After a year, Dubrovnik City mayor Andro Vlahusic has confirmed negotiations with Bond producers. Advertisement "James Bond is in an advanced stage of negotiations," 007 fansite M16 quoted Vlahusic telling the local media at a press conference on Feb. 18, Saturday. The event was about the filming of "Robin Hood" in the city. Croatia is a famous location for Hollywood with upcoming films like "Star Wars: The Last Jedi" and "Robin Hood: Origins." If pushed through, it would not be the first time for a Bond project to shoot in the country. The town of Rovinj was the setting for Heineken's "Spectre" television commercial though Daniel Craig performed on a green screen. Sam Mendes, the director of "Skyfall" and "Spectre" will not make the next Bond movie. "Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan is said to be qualified for the job but there are no confirmations yet. The star of the film is likewise not known since there are speculations that Craig is done with the franchise. However, Craig's co-star Naomie Harris who played Miss Moneypenny in the last two Bond films believes he will still portray 007. She thinks the Bond production has not moved on from Craig. "I think there's a very good chance that Daniel will come back," Harris told BBC. "I think it's way too early to be thinking about other people at this stage." The Oscar-nominated "Moonlight" actress said that after being awarded by Queen Elizabeth as an Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace on Feb. 23, Thursday. She pointed that "Skyfall" and "Spectre" were the highest-grossing Bond films of all time. She added that they, the cast members as well as producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli also want Craig back. Watch Craig in the following "Spectre" trailer: WhatsApp wants to contribute to Indias Digital commerce, might enter Digital payment system News oi -Rohit WhatsApp Co-Founder Brian Acton was in India to discuss the ways how the company can contribute to Indias vision of Digital Commerce WhatsApp Co-Founder Brian Acton was in India on the app's eighth anniversary. He along with Neeraj Arora, Head of Business, WhatsApp, on Friday visited Indian Institute of Technology - Delhi to interact with the students. The duo discussed the ways WhatsApp can contribute to India considering the fact that India is the biggest market for the messaging service with 200 million monthly active users in the country. WhatsApp said that the company, which has just 80 high-skilled engineers invested in building a service with high utility for millions of Indians. With a staggering figure of 200 million monthly active users, the app can contribute to India's economy in several ways. SEE ALSO: WhatsApp bringing back text status with new privacy updates very soon Brian also met IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad Sharma to discuss ways in which the company can contribute to India's vision for digital commerce. India is no doubt one of the most important markets for WhatsApp and the company plans to contribute more to India's vision for digital commerce in future. Besides, in an interview to Times of India, WhatsApp Co-Founder also mentioned that the company is also eying to invest in electronic payment sector. Brian mention to TOI that digital payment is something where we are in early stages of investigating. Besides, during the meeting with IT Minister, both discussed how they could use digital services for civic engagement and promote democracy. SEE ALSO: Prime Minister Modi Launches 'BHIM' Smartphone App to Promote digital transactions As noted, the recent demonetization move by Government of India has opened a wave of digital payment solutions in the country. The government has recently announced UPI based BHIM app to help common man make online payments that are facing cash crunch every day due to less cash availability post demonetization. WhatsApp with such a huge number of active users in country don't want to miss the opportunity of trying out its hand in digital payments solutions. WhatsApp has celebrated its 8th anniversary on Friday and rolled out a Snapchat and Instagram-like feature globally, for its Android, iOS, and Windows users. The new "Status" feature allows users to share photos, GIFs or videos with emojis and captions as their status for 24 hours before it disappears. Users can also see who has viewed their Status update. Best Mobiles in India How to watch the MWC 2017 events live: Schedule for 25 and 26th events Features oi -Samden Sherpa MWC 2017: How to watch Nokia, BlackBerry, LG, Samsung, Huawei and Motorola events live It is that time of the year when all the mobile brands you name it Samsung, Lenovo, Motorola, Nokia, Sony, LG and much more will be gathered in one place and these OEMs will be showcasing some great smartphones. However, if you're wondering what is it all about then, the much-anticipated tech event of the year Mobile World Congress (MWC) is finally upon us. And just to give a brief idea of what it is all about, the event basically serves as a huge platform for technology companies from around the world to showcase new mobile technology, trends, and products. That being said, if you have been familiar with the event, in the past few years we have seen some great products being unveiled at the Mobile World Congress. This year promises to be no different. Announcements from almost all major and minor brands are expected. While this is all scheduled to take place within a few hours from now, most of the companies will be live streaming their events either on their respective websites or social media platforms such as YouTube and Facebook. So if you are interested and you want to watch what the companies will be bringing to the table then here's a list of major technology companies that will live stream their event. Plus you will also find some resources where you can watch the event live. BlackBerry BlackBerry's event is scheduled for February 25. The event will start at 7:00 pm Barcelona time and 11:30 pm IST. The company will be live-streaming through its official partner channel CrackBerry. The live stream can be watched at CrackBerry's official page or on YouTube. LG LG's event is scheduled for February 26. The event will start at 12:00 pm Barcelona time and 4:30 pm IST. The company will be live-streaming through its official YouTube channel. You can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoPrW_bbSK8 Huawei Huawei's event is scheduled for February 26. The event will start at 2:00 pm Barcelona time and 6:30 pm IST. While it is still not clear about the live coverage from the company's side, it could be live-streamed through the company's Youtube press channel. You can visit this link: https://www.youtube.com/user/HuaweiPress Nokia Nokia's event is scheduled for February 26. The event will start at 4:30pm Barcelona time and 9:00pm IST. The company will be live-streaming through its YouTube channel as well as on Facebook. You can visit this link: https://www.facebook.com/NokiaMobile?_ga=1.162197692.1271824677.1488002049 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8ZbLfj2ByWKkafT6N2hapw Motorola Nokia's event is scheduled for February 26. The event will start at 4:30pm Barcelona time and 9:00pm IST. The company could ive-stream through its own Youtube channel. However no word has been given from the company as yet. If it does happen it will most likely be through YouTube only: https://www.youtube.com/user/motorola?_ga=1.192026410.1271824677.1488002049 Samsung Samsung's event is scheduled for February 26. The event will start at 7:00pm Barcelona time and 11:30pm IST. The company has promised that it will be live-streaming through its Samsung Galxay site. You can visit this link: http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/?_ga=1.200948782.1271824677.1488002049&cid=afl-hq-mul-0813-11000279 This covers the MWC press events happening on the 25 and 26 of February. Hope you'll find this useful. So you can grab some popcorn, some cool drinks, sit back and relax and enjoy the tech show. Best Mobiles in India Consolidation in telecom sector could lead to job cuts News oi -Priyanka Incumbents telecom players like Airtel-Telenor, Vodafone- Idea, Reliance Communication-Aircel are already doing the rounds. The ongoing freebies by Reliance Jio has shaken the telecom industry and now almost all the telecom players are looking at consolidation to survive. Incumbents telecom players like Airtel-Telenor, Vodafone- Idea, Reliance Communication-Aircel are already doing the rounds. No doubt that players will get bigger subscriber base from these mergers but this may wipe-off 10-15 percent of jobs in the sector and may be from most of the sales, distribution and infrastructure services space, reports Business Standard. The proposed mergers are also likely to help the companies to save the manpower costs, capex and spends. SEE ALSO: Huawei conducts successful 5G field performance testing Meanwhile, telecom sector experts think these merges are going to face lot of regulatory and operational challenges and so the full impact will not be known for some time. "One of seven jobs in the sector is under threat. Most impacted will be jobs connected with sales and distribution and those in the infrastructure services space," said the head of an executive search firm to Business Standard. "The job cuts are likely to play out only over the next two years. The hiring sentiment in the sector will also take a hit. The employee salaries are around 4-5 percent of the sales revenues of most big players in the sector, says the India Ratings. According to Rajan Mathews, Director General of Cellular Operators Association of India, "We are very concerned about the financial health of the industry, which cannot sustain jobs if the sector does not grow in an orderly manner. With many companies exiting (Telenor, MTS, Videocon) the sector and country, we are looking at shedding 30 percent jobs in the near future." Best Mobiles in India Overall, dont let the bhoot mislead you, nothing bhootiya about this story. Had the makers tried to push the envelope, the idea could have been outstanding for a bhootiya comedy. 'Young Justice' Season 3 spoilers: Darkseid to be the main villain in the third season likely; Wally West's return confirmed? Warner Bros. Animation confirmed that "Young Justice" season 3 is in the works. (Photo : Facebook) New details for "Young Justice" will feature the possible villain in season 3 and Wally West's return to the show imminent. It seems that one of the heroes of "Young Justice" will likely make his return to the show in its third season as voice-actor David Spisak teased DC fans that Wally West a.k.a. Kid Flash could return as he tweeted a clip of the new DC animated film "Teen Titans: The Judas Contract", which featured the old school Titans Robin (Dick Grayson), Speedy, Beast Boy, Bumble Bee and Kid Flash saving Starfire. Advertisement Kid Flash in "Young Justice" is one of the founding members of the "Team" along with Robin, Aqualad and Superboy. They are eventually joined by other heroes such as Miss Martian, Artemis, Zatanna, Rocket and the former Speedy, who now goes by Red Arrow. Wally's return could be the major focus of season 3's episodes as he sacrificed his life to save the world during season 2 finale of "Young Justice", GameNGuide reported. His return from "death" will likely be similar to the DC Rebirth storyline. Meanwhile, it seems that the lord of Apokolips, Darkseid could be the main villain in "Young Justice" season 3 plot. Darkseid was last seen during the end of "Young Justice" season 2 having a meeting with the leader of The Light Vandal Savage along with along with Desaad and news anchorman G. Gordon Godfrey. Several rumors hinted that season 3 will start off with a a five year gap similar to season 2 or even more as new members of "The Team" will be joining the senior members and the Justice League, Inverse reported. YouTube channel Emergency Awesome added that Darkseid could invade earth and possibly defeat the Justice League. With League incapacitated, the Team will likely step up to the challenge as earth's defenders. The YouTuber also addressed the possibility of a new Doctor Strange as Zatana will likely free her father Zatara from the service of Nabu. Zatara will be replaced by someone and name dropped Khalid Nassour, a med student in the comics. "Young Justice" Season 3 will likely have Roy Harper/Arsenal form his new team since he does not want to play by the rules of the Team and Justice League. The Outlaws could be featured in season 3 as the team consist of Arsenal, Jason Todd/Red Hood and Starfire. Perhaps Jason could be resurrected as Red Hood and Starfire could be a former member of the team by the time season 3 starts. There is no announcement of the premier date for "Young Justice" season 3. Media Leaks Indicate Intelligence Bureaucracy Operates in So-called 'Deep State' By Catherine Maddux February 24, 2017 The White House has denied media reports that a so-called "deep state" of the United States government is withholding information from President Donald Trump in an effort to undermine his administration. The "deep state" a term apparently first used in Turkey in the 1990s refers to a secretive, informal network of officials in a country's military, intelligence and security services, and other parts of the government, who have influence, regardless of the administration formally in power. The term has been used to describe the situation in countries with a history of rule by the military, like Turkey, Pakistan and Egypt. Citing current and former officials, a recent Wall Street Journal story reports that U.S. intelligence officials considered to be part of an American "deep state" have withheld sensitive intelligence from the president over concerns it could be leaked or compromised. An unnamed White House official denied this in the Journal piece, saying, "There is nothing that leads us to believe that this is an accurate account of what is actually happening." So, what exactly is this supposed "deep state" that has been referenced by news organizations from Fox News to The New Yorker magazine? It is based on the notion that American presidents come and go, but a permanent bureaucracy that includes intelligence agencies, national security and the U.S. military remains in place. The term also implies that what happens at the very top of the United States government may be to a greater or lesser degree just window dressing, and that beneath the surface are those with real power (for example, Cabinet-level deputies who stay in place during a change of administration), deciding what policies will be implemented. Historic examples include the Soviet era under Mikhail Gorbachev, whereby the KGB was publicly denounced, "glasnost" and "perestroika" were encouraged and, ultimately, the entire Soviet Union fell apart. Russian experts point out, just a decade or so later, a mid-level KGB official named Vladimir Putin becomes president. Other analysts say the American public learned of a kind of "deep state" after the 9/11 terror attacks under former President George W. Bush. During his two terms, there were reports of torture, CIA secret prisons and the National Security Agency listening in on Americans' private conversations without warrants. Under President Trump, very public tensions have erupted with members of the bureaucracy in a manner that observers say never have happened before in modern American history. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address AF to retire MQ-1, transition to MQ-9 By Senior Airman Christian Clausen, 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs / Published February 24, 2017 CREECH AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- For the past 21 years, the Air Force has flown the MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft in combat, and for the last 10, the MQ-9 Reaper. Combined with a skilled aircrew, these aircraft provide consistent support in daily engagements making an impact downrange. While the MQ-1 has provided many years of service, the time has come for the Air Force to fly the more capable MQ-9 exclusively, and retire the MQ-1 in early 2018 to keep up with the continuously evolving battlespace environment. The MQ-9 is better equipped than the MQ-1 due to its increased speed, high-definition sensors and the ability to carry more munitions. These combat attributes allow the MQ-9 to complete a wider array of mission sets, which can help the Air Force stay prepared in the fight. "When you ask about readiness, you have to ask ready for what?" said Col. Joseph, 432nd Operations Group commander. "If we talk about the things we could be ready for and what we should be asking our attack squadrons to do, then transitioning to an all MQ-9 force is imperative for readiness." Current areas of responsibility call upon combat RPAs for more precise close air support engagements from the attack squadrons, a considerable change from the days when RPAs were used solely for intelligence gathering and real-time reconnaissance. "The reason that the MQ-9 has turned into a CAS platform, and this is the key point, is the fusion of two things," he said. "The first thing is the technology. We took an airplane and outfitted it with more raw power and capability, but then we did the other half and matted that technology with a professional aircrew." Joseph also explained a third item, which is the trust developed with combatant commanders and troops on the ground. This confidence, combined with an ever-changing battlefield, spawned increased demand and desire for more combat RPA support. While the MQ-1 and the crews who flew them proved their weapons proficiency, it was never originally designed to carry weapons, resulting in a limited 200-pound payload. The demand for more attack capabilities exceeded the MQ-1s design. "In the case of the MQ-1, I think we wanted more out of it, but we were at a physical stop on the airplane and needed a new one," Joseph said. The fresh MQ-9 design picked up where the MQ-1 left off, boasting a nearly 4,000-pound payload and the ability to carry missiles and bombs. These upgraded capabilities directly impact combat readiness and transitioning to just the MQ-9 will also help the aircrews stay primed and ready to go. "Having a single aircraft buys more flexibility, simplifies training and logistics and gives our people more [career progression] opportunities," Joseph said. "I can't move my people in between squadrons without paying the penalty of having to train them on another aircraft" The Air Force will no longer have to maintain a training pipeline or equipment on two separate aircraft, which also eliminates the cost of operating two different airframes. Instead, everything will be specific to the MQ-9. Currently, the 20th Attack Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, is making the conversion from MQ-1 to MQ-9. "Right now the plan is to stop flying the MQ-1 in 2018, and that means we need to get transitioned this year," said Lt. Col. James, 20th Attack Squadron commander. "As part of that we are going to stop flying the MQ-1 completely by July 1, 2017. We will gradually stand up our number of combat lines on the MQ-9, so by the end of the year we are only an MQ-9 squadron." What is unique for James' squadron is some 20th ATKS aircrews are training on the MQ-9 for two to three months, while home station crews are still flying the MQ-1 in daily combat missions overseas. "For the better part of the last few months I've had upwards of 30 percent of my squadron gone at any time," James said. "It's been quite a challenge, but the motivation is very high to transition to this more capable airframe, and my squadron is excited to take it to combat." "We're converting an MQ-1 squadron in combat 24/7/365 to an MQ-9 squadron in combat operations without taking a single day out of combat," Joseph said. "The herculean efforts done by the 20th ATKS is nothing short of remarkable." The 20th ATKS and every unit which flew the MQ-1 achieved significant combat zone effects daily while laying the foundation for future combat RPAs. "I think when we look at the legacy of the MQ-1 we're going to be scratching our heads wondering how we did so much with so little," Joseph said. "The men and women flying them starting with two squadrons took a science project and throughout many evolutionary changes made it what it is today." The MQ-1 began as the RQ-1 Predator, an unarmed RPA flown by line-of-sight. Some changes include the adding of the Multi-Spectral Targeting system, the addition of weapons and remote-split operations capability. "The MQ-1 is a great example where the Air Force took a technology demonstrator and turned it into a major weapons system having daily effects on the battlefield," James said. "We have found how to fly an imperfect weapons system very well, and I think we have maximized the effectiveness that we can get out of the MQ-1. I have no doubt that we will continue to find ways to be more effective in combat with the MQ-9." James also said the desire for the real-time reconnaissance and persistent strike capabilities that combat RPA aircrew provide to the combatant commanders would never stop. "We're hitting a home run by going to the MQ-9," James said. "We have made a difference." (Editor's note: The last names of certain individuals in this story have been removed for security reasons.) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Inherent Resolve Strikes Target ISIS in Syria, Iraq From a Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve News Release SOUTHWEST ASIA, Feb. 24, 2017 U.S. and coalition military forces continued to attack the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria yesterday, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today. Officials reported details of yesterday's strikes, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports. Strikes in Syria Coalition military forces conducted 28 strikes consisting of 36 engagements in Syria: -- Near Abu Kamal, two strikes engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed four oil separation tanks. -- Near Bab, a strike destroyed a tank. -- Near Shadaddi, six strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units; and destroyed three fighting positions, two vehicles, a storage shed, a tactical vehicle and a weapons storage facility. -- Near Raqqa, 17 strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and an ISIS staging area; and destroyed three pumpjacks, a command-and-control node, a fighting position and a tactical vehicle. -- Near Dayr Az Zawr, a strike destroyed six oil tanker trucks. -- Near Palmyra, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed a tactical vehicle. Strikes in Iraq Coalition military forces conducted eight strikes consisting of 84 engagements in Iraq, coordinated with and in support of Iraq's government: -- Near Mosul, six strikes engaged five ISIS tactical units; destroyed eight mortar systems, six fighting positions, three vehicles, three weapons caches, two supply caches, two vehicle bombs, two vehicle bomb facilities, an ISIS-held building, a rocket-propelled grenade system, an anti-air artillery system, a light machine gun, an explosives factory, an unmanned aerial vehicle factory and an armoring factory; damaged 18 supply routes and six tunnels; and suppressed 33 mortar teams and an ISIS tactical unit. -- Near Rawah, a strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit. -- Near Sinjar, a strike destroyed an unmanned aerial vehicle launch site and a vehicle bomb. Part of Operation Inherent Resolve These strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to destroy ISIS in Iraq and Syria. The destruction of ISIS targets in Iraq and Syria also further limits the group's ability to project terror and conduct external operations throughout the region and the rest of the world, task force officials said. The list above contains all strikes conducted by fighter, attack, bomber, rotary-wing or remotely piloted aircraft; rocket-propelled artillery; and some ground-based tactical artillery when fired on planned targets, officials noted. Ground-based artillery fired in counterfire or in fire support to maneuver roles is not classified as a strike, they added. A strike, as defined by the coalition, refers to one or more kinetic engagements that occur in roughly the same geographic location to produce a single or cumulative effect. For example, task force officials explained, a single aircraft delivering a single weapon against a lone ISIS vehicle is one strike, but so is multiple aircraft delivering dozens of weapons against a group of ISIS-held buildings and weapon systems in a compound, having the cumulative effect of making that facility harder or impossible to use. Strike assessments are based on initial reports and may be refined, officials said. The task force does 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maritime Commanders Discuss Sea Service Priorities By Karen Parrish DoD News, Defense Media Activity WASHINGTON, Feb. 24, 2017 The senior officers of the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard discussed topics including "great power" competition, people and equipment and media relations yesterday at the West 2017 Naval Conference in San Diego. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. Robert B. Neller and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Paul F. Zukunft took part in a panel discussion moderated by retired Navy Adm. James G. Stavridis. 'Great Power' Competition on the Rise Geopolitics and "great power" competition have been a major theme at the conference, Stavridis said. He pointed out that 100 years ago, the United States faced maritime near-peers, including the United Kingdom and Germany. He asked the panelists if they saw similar conditions developing now. China is reportedly nearing completion of its second aircraft carrier, with up to four more in development. Richardson responded, "The evidence is undeniable that we are back into great power competition. The impact for us in the Navy, and I would say the maritime services in general, is profound." For 20 to 25 years, U.S. sea services had not had such competition, Richardson noted. During that time, "off-season" habits have developed, he said. "You gain weight, you slow down, we have got to get back fit to fight and be ready for this competition for sea control," he said. Neller said with the modern domains of space, cyber and information technology added to the traditional domains of sea, land and air, "We're kind of back to the future." Early in his career, he said, concerns like "trying to stay on the net, work through jamming, displace camouflage, move at night, use a deception plan -- we haven't had to do that for the last few years." Those tasks are even more complicated now, Neller said. "I think the force is going to very quickly adapt, but we've got to put them in a position where they have to deal with these things," he said. " I think we do have an advantage in our people." Zukunft said the Coast Guard has prided itself on "punching above our weight class," but it's "time to change weight classes." Russia has 40 ice-breaking ships, he said, while the Coast Guard has two. "And, our one heavy ice-breaker is really a national asset," he said. " We need to fast-forward our ability to deliver ships in the 21st century. What we have on record is to build six new ice-breakers." Recruiting, Retention Key Concerns All three leaders agreed that recruiting and retention are critical to maintaining maritime dominance. Zukunft defined part of the challenge: "How do you convince your workforce that the work that you do is so relevant to our nation's security?" He added, "Service before self" is something that resonates with maritime professionals, he said, but it needs emphasis. The Coast Guard works to recognize the individual effort that its members make, Zukunft said. Partly as a result, the Coast Guard has a 20-year retention rate of 40 percent among enlisted members and 60 percent among officers. Richardson said the Navy is meeting its recruiting and retention goals in almost every area. Navy recruits come in for the chance to be part of something bigger than themselves, he said. "Our commitment, then, has to be that once in, once aboard, do we behave as an institution, consistent with those values that we espouse as a profession?" he asked. The Navy must get competitive, he said. Neller said the Marine Corps is "in a good place" with recruiting, adding, "I don't take that for granted. It takes a lot of work. Our recruiters are out there working really, really hard." Media Relations, Social Media Make Connections In response to an audience member's question, the three officers discussed the role of media relations and social media in relating to the American public. Richardson said, "We've got, I think, a responsibility to communicate with the American people. There's certainly a vital role for the media." Zukunft said the ability to use social media is a "potential treasure chest." When one Coast Guard cutter offloaded 32 metric tons of cocaine, he said, the service showcased on social media the boarding team that made most of the interdictions. "We let them speak," he said. More than 3.5 million hits resulted, he said. Neller said, "We live in a democracy. We're a military that's under civilian control. Part of living in a democracy is you have an active, vibrant press that reports things." Interacting with the media is "an opportunity to communicate," he added. "When one percent of the population is serving in the military, why would we not want to let everybody know what we're doing, so that they understand this is their military?" NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Apache helicopters flown to Germany for Operation Atlantic Resolve By Staff Sgt. Tamika Dillard, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsFebruary 24, 2017 RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany -- Four of the Army's most lethal attack helicopters from Fort Bliss, Texas, arrived at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, Wednesday, in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. The Apache AH-64 were transported there in the bellies of two U.S. Air Force C-5M Galaxy aircraft. "We must be able to rapidly deploy a unit at a moment's notice to deter any potential aggressions in today's ever-changing environment," said Brig. Gen. Phillip S. Jolly, U.S. Army Europe's deputy commanding general for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs. After transport, it takes just a short amount of time to get the helicopters mission-capable again, according to Chief Warrant Officer 2 Courtney Roundtree, the production control officer for 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment. "From the time the helicopters are downloaded from the aircraft to the time they take flight is anywhere between 24 to 48 hours," Roundtree said. "We first have to make sure that the aircraft's blades are airworthy and that the operations systems are running properly." Once the crews receive the green light, they will fly the helicopters to their headquarters in Illesheim, Germany. In the coming weeks, more helicopters and aviation assets will arrive through three seaports and two airports located throughout the region. Over the next nine months, the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division will augment the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, from Fort Drum, New York, in support of OAR missions. Missions will include medical transport, exercise support and aviation operations throughout Europe, particularly in Romania, Latvia and Poland. "Today's operations demonstrated the strength of our military forces," Jolly said. "We have the world's greatest forces enabling U.S. Army Europe to do their mission, which is to assure security to our European allies and friends." ----- U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51 country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships we build during more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events in more than 40 countries each year lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing seeks 'positive energy' in S. China Sea People's Daily Online (China Daily) 10:53, February 24, 2017 China urges countries outside of the South China Sea region to stop stirring threats of war and tension in the region, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday. Ren Guoqiang, who debuted as the ministry's spokesman at its first news conference of the year, said China was monitoring the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group, which entered the South China Sea on Saturday. It was the first patrol by a US carrier in the region since US President Donald Trump took office. "We hope the US can sincerely respect the sovereignty and security interests of countries in the region, as well as the efforts they have made toward regional peace and stability," Ren said. "We will also respect other nations' freedom of passage and flight through the region so long as they adhere to international law." The situation in the South China Sea is becoming peaceful and stable, Ren said. "Countries outside of the region shouldn't purposefully stir threats of war or tension, but should inject positive energy into this good development." As for China-US ties, "a healthy Sino-US military relation adheres to the basic interests of the two nations' people, as well as being beneficial for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region and the world," he said. "It needs China and the US to jointly maintain it. We hope both sides can work together, strengthen communication, avoid misunderstandings and push forward military relations on the right track." Liang Fang, a professor at National Defense University of the People's Liberation Army, said China should "calmly observe and respond carefully" to the situation. "The US is reinstating its military presence in the region as a bargaining chip with China," she said. "The US will continue its Asian rebalancing effort, and China has to be ready for anything." Teng Jianqun, a senior US studies researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, said the US has to accept the fact that the balance of power is shifting in the region. "The US flexing its muscles doesn't bring peace. It only makes the situation even more complicated, especially when China and ASEAN countries are on the verge of signing a code of conduct for the South China Sea," he said. At Thursday's news conference, Ren also denied a media report that China had sent troops to the border area adjacent to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea after the reported death of Kim Jong-nam, the half-brother of DPRK leader Kim Jong-un. "The report is a complete fabrication," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces target Jordanian F-16 fighter jet over Saudi Arabia: Report Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:10PM Yemeni air defense forces, backed by fighters from allied Popular Committees, have reportedly intercepted and shot down a single-engine, supersonic and multirole F-16 fighter jet of the Royal Jordanian Air Force. An unnamed Yemeni military source told Arabic-language al-Masirah television network on Friday that the aircraft was targeted as it was flying in the skies over Saudi Arabia's southwestern border region of Najran earlier in the day. It had purportedly taken part in the Saudi-led military coalition strikes against Yemen. This is while the General Command of Jordanian Armed Forces confirmed in a statement that one of its fighter jets had gone down inside Saudi Arabia, without providing any information about the cause of the crash. The statement added that the pilot, identified as Adnan Naeem Abdulaziz Nabas, managed to eject before the plane crash. The Jordanian pilot will reportedly return to Jordan this evening in coordination with the Saudi air force. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates official news agency, WAM, reported that an Emirati soldier has been killed while fighting in Yemen as part of the Saudi-led military coalition. The report identified the slain trooper as Khalid Ali Ghareeb al-Balushi. The development came only two days after the commander of Emirati troops in Yemen, Brigadier Nasser Mushabab al-Otaibi, was killed after Yemeni forces fired a medium-range ballistic missile at a gathering of Riyadh-backed militiamen loyal to the former government in the Red Sea port city of Mokha, situated 346 kilometers south of the capital, Sana'a. The media bureau of the operations command in Yemen announced on Wednesday that a host of Saudi mercenaries died and sustained injuries in the attack. Arabic-language Here Aden news agency later reported that Major General Ahad Saif al-Yafei, the the second-in-command of the Saudi-backed military forces, had also been killed in the offensive. Also on Friday noon, Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters fatally shot a Saudi soldier in Abadiyah military base of the kingdom's southwestern region of Jizan. Hours later, Yemeni snipers shot dead another Saudi soldier in the Alib military base of Najran. Early on Friday, four people lost their lives and three others were wounded after Saudi jets carried out two airstrikes against a restaurant in the Maqbanah district of Yemen's southwestern province of Ta'izz. Saudi Arabia has been engaged in a deadly campaign against Yemen since March 2015 in an attempt to reinstall the former president, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who is a close Riyadh ally. The airstrikes have taken a heavy toll on the impoverished country's facilities and infrastructure, destroying many hospitals, schools, and factories. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, says the Saudi campaign has claimed the lives of 10,000 Yemenis and left 40,000 others wounded. McGoldrick told reporters in Sana'a last month that the figure was based on casualty counts given by health facilities and that the actual number might be higher. In a report released on Thursday, Yemen's Legal Center for Rights and Development, an independent monitoring group, put the civilian death toll in war-torn Arab country at 12,041. The fatalities, it said, comprise 2,568 children and 1,870 women. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Over 12,000 civilians killed in Saudi war Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 11:18AM Almost two years into the Saudi war on Yemen, a rights NGO says the military campaign has cost the lives of more than 12,000 civilians. In a report released on Thursday, Yemen's Legal Center for Rights and Development, an independent monitoring group, put the civilian death toll in war-torn Arab country at 12,041. The fatalities, it said, comprise 2,568 children and 1,870 women. The rights body said the bombings have also wounded 20,001 civilians, including 2,354 children and 1,960 women, while more than four million others have been displaced. Recounting the damage to Yemen's already-flimsy infrastructure, the center said Saudi strikes had razed 270 medical centers, 25 media institutes, more than 402,076 houses and 706 mosques. Armed with American and British ammunition and European warplanes, among other Western-supported military hardware, the kingdom launched the campaign against Yemen in March 2015. The offensive is aimed at reinstalling the former Yemeni government, a close Riyadh ally. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FBI rejected WH request to deny Trump team's contacts with Russia: Report Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:14AM The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) rejected a request by the White House to publicly dispute media reports that President Donald Trump's campaign advisers kept regular contacts with Russian intelligence agents during the 2016 presidential election, according to a report. White House officials had called for the FBI and other agencies investigating the alleged communications with Russia to say that there had been no contacts and that the reports were wrong, several US officials briefed on the matter told CNN. The revelation comes days after White House chief of staff Reince Priebus said senior US intelligence officials had assured him that Trump associates had no contacts with Russian agents. Priebus said on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday that the story about the alleged communications, which was first published in The New York Times, "was total baloney." US law enforcement and intelligence agencies had intercepted the phone calls around the same time they were investigating whether Russia was interfering in the presidential election by hacking into the Democratic National Committee, according to The Times. The discussions between the White House and the FBI began when Andrew McCabe, the bureau's deputing director, met with Priebus on the sidelines of a separate White House meeting the day after the stories were published, an official told CNN. The White House chief of staff reportedly reached out again to McCabe later and to his boss, James Comey, asking for the FBI to dispute the media reports. Priebus' discussion with McCabe angered some members of Congress, who characterized it as a violation of polices that restrict communications with the FBI on pending investigations. "The White House is simply not permitted to pressure the FBI to make public statements about a pending investigation of the president and his advisers," said Rep. John Conyers, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. The stories emerged as the White House was already reeling from the resignation of Michael Flynn as Trump's national security adviser over improper contacts with Russian officials. White House spokesman Sean Spicer raised more questions when he inadvertently confirmed that Trump knew for weeks that Flynn had misled Vice President Mike Pence about his dealings with Moscow. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UAE signs arms deals worth $5bn at Abu Dhabi exhibition Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:28AM The United Arab Emirates, a key partner in the bloody Saudi war on Yemen, has struck arms deals worth of over five billion dollars at an international exhibition of weapons and military equipment in Abu Dhabi. The purchases were made during the four-day biennial International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX), which concluded on Thursday, the Middle East Eye news portal reported. The deals included a $740-million one with US weapons manufacturer Raytheon. Also starring in the show were about 100 British companies, including giants such as the BAE Systems, Raytheon's UK chapter, and the European missile manufacturer MBDA's British branch. During the event, the American and British companies displayed some of their weapons which have been used in the Saudi war on Yemen with the permission of their respective governments since March 2015. Raytheon showcased its Paveway IV guided bombs. British Defense Secretary Michael Fallon confirmed last year that the Saudi air force had used the Scottish-built bombs and British-supplied missiles in Yemen. The BAE Systems displayed its Hawk Advanced Trainer aircraft, 30 of which Saudi Arabia bought last February, amid reports that Riyadh widely uses the aircraft to train its pilots, who carry out sorties over Yemen. Among the items on display was the Eurofighter warplane, which has been jointly developed by the BAE Systems, France's Airbus and Italian aeronautics company Alenia Aermacchi. London sent an official to the event, sparking criticism from human rights activists and some opposition figures. MP Tom Brake, Liberal Democrats' foreign affairs spokesman, said, "The weapons on display at IDEX, many of which have been deployed by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen to murderous effect, must serve as a chilling reminder to the UK government of their obligation to suspend arms sales to Saudi." The UK's Minister for Defense Procurement, MP Harriett Baldwin, who had joined the exhibition on the British government's orders, however, said "It is wonderful to be celebrating the ties that we have between our two countries and the important role that UK firms play in terms of security and prosperity of the [Persian] Gulf states." The US and the UK have on several occasions come under fire for their arms sales to the parties involved in the Saudi military campaign in Yemen. In its annual 2016 report released last month, Human Rights Watch slammed Riyadh's military and the countries assisting it in the war for using internationally-banned weapons in their attacks against civilian targets. The report further said the war "has been supported by the United States and the United Kingdom," naming the world powers as two "key international actors" in the offensive. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Samsung Galaxy S8 LEAKS & NEW FEATURES (Photo : PhoneBuff / YouTube) Next Android flagship may be closer than you think. If the recent updates are any indication, Samsung Galaxy S8 may be available to your nearest store in little over a month. According to Express, Samsung will give the upcoming MWC 2017 a miss and will organize a standalone event to officially launch its much hyped Samsung Galaxy S8. A recent report not only reveals the date of the said event but also the actual launch date when the phones will hit the market shelves. Advertisement In an exclusive report by ET News, the publication revealed one of the most awaited Samsung Galaxy S8 update, its release date. The smartphone will officially unveil at an individual Samsung event on Mar. 29 in New York and will subsequently go on sale worldwide from Apr. 21. The media outlet also revealed that the company will dole out more details at a press event. Citing a "high-ranking official at a mobile network provider," the publication noted that the company planned to change its global and domestic release date from Apr. 14 to Apr. 21 due to supply management issues. The presale of the said handset is scheduled to start from Apr. 13. Meanwhile, the latest Samsung Galaxy S8 update is in alignment with leaks in the past that already speculated the launch date in March. Recently, a reputed mole, Evan Blass, posted a spec sheet that he claimed was for Samsung Galaxy S8. According to the spec sheet, the upcoming phone will feature powerful hardware and Samsung Galaxy S8+ will sport a massive Quad HD+ AMOLED screen of 6.2-inches, making it the biggest smartphone by Samsung ever. The upcoming Samsung Galaxy S8 update reveals that the smartphone will get rid of their home button and move the fingerprint scanner at the back of the handset. Some reports also claim that the home button will be embedded under the display screen. Despite the number of the credible source of this information, the South Korean tech giant has not confirmed or denied the recent Samsung Galaxy S8 update. Bosnia appeals ruling clearing Serbia of genocide Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:58AM Bosnian Muslims have formally submitted an appeal for a revision of an international court ruling that cleared Serbia of blame for killings, rapes, and "ethnic cleansing" during a war in the 1990s. The ruling, issued by the United Nations' International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague in 2007, had exonerated Serbia of direct responsibility for the listed incidents of violence in Bosnia during the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, though it said Serbia had failed to prevent genocide. Bosnia's Muslim leader Bakir Izetbegovic, however, said on Thursday that the truth needed to be clarified regarding the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, which claimed the lives of an estimated 100,000 people. "Everyone needs the truth, even those who oppose it, a truth that will be written by international judges, experienced and impartial," Izetbegovic told reporters. He defended the decision to deliver the appeal at the ICJ despite opposition from the Serb and Croatian members of Bosnia's tripartite presidency. Bosnian Muslims' legal team says the appeal is based on "new arguments." Meanwhile, Mladen Ivanic, the Serbian member of the tripartite presidency, criticized the appeal, saying it could affect the function of the three-member system representing Bosnia's three main ethnic groups. "I fear that we have entered a very serious crisis," he told reporters. The Serb side claimed that the Muslim side violated the constitution and the 1995 Dayton agreement which ended the war by filing the appeal at the ICJ. In a related development, the ambassadors of major powers, including Russia and the United States, met in Sarajevo on Thursday in an attempt to resolve the dispute out of court. The ambassadors issued a rare joint statement, in which they urged all sides to resolve their disputes through dialog and avoid moves leading to tensions. On January 9, 1992, Bosnian Serbs declared separation from Bosnia and Herzegovina, triggering a bloody three-year war, notorious for its mass ethnic killings and persecution of Bosnian Muslims and Croats by Serbs. In July 1995, Serbian death squads butchered over 8,000 Muslim Bosnian boys and men in Srebrenica in a few days in the worst atrocity in Europe since World War II. Former Bosnian-Serbian political leader Radovan Karadzic was sentenced to 40 years in prison for his role in the Srebrenica killings, considered genocide by the UN-backed International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). In its 2007 ruling, the ICJ, too, had concluded that genocide had occurred in Srebrenica, but not elsewhere in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bosnian Serb wartime army chief Ratko Mladic's trial for his role in war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide at the ICTY is still ongoing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel won't return Golan Heights to Syria, Netanyahu says Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:18AM Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the Tel Aviv regime will never end its decades-long occupation of Syria's Golan Heights. "I want all of you to come to Israel. I want you to walk the streets of the Old City in Jerusalem (al-Quds), hike in the Golan Heights. By the way, the Golan will never go back to Syria. It will always be a part of Israel," Netanyahu said during a meeting with his Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull in Sydney on Thursday. The remarks came on the same day that about 1,000 protesters gathered at Sydney's Town Hall, to express their outrage at the Australian government's warm reception of the Israeli prime minister. "He's responsible for settlement expansion which is illegal under international law, he's responsible for a lot of the wars that have been committed against the Palestinians in Gaza, and really this man should be tried in the ICC (International Criminal Court), not welcomed down in Sydney," protester Mona Abuzalaf said. Another protester, Randa Abdel-Fattah, wanted to remind Netanyahu that Palestinians had supporters. "We will not give up. We are a resilient people and our resistance will continue until we are given restitution and our human rights," she said. Last November, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution calling on Israel to withdraw from the Golan Heights, which it has occupied since 1967. The resolution also condemned Israel's non-compliance with Security Council Resolution 497 since 1981, describing as null and void Tel Aviv's decision issued on December 14, 1981 to impose its control over the occupied Golan Heights. Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria after the 1967 Six-Day War and later occupied it in a move that has never been recognized by the international community. The regime has built tens of illegal settlements in the area ever since and has used the region to carry out a number of military operations against the Syrian government. Syria says Israel and its Western and regional allies are aiding Takfiri militant groups operating inside the Arab country since 2011. The Israeli regime has even set up field hospitals there to treat wounded Syrian militants. The Syrian army has repeatedly seized huge quantities of Israeli-made weapons and advanced military equipment from the foreign-backed militants inside Syria. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bosnia Asks Hague Court To Review Ruling Clearing Serbia Of Genocide RFE/RL February 24, 2017 Bosnia on February 23 formally asked the United Nations' top court to review its 2007 ruling that cleared Serbia of charges it committed genocide during the 1990s civil war. The move prompted an angry response from Bosnian Serbs and Serbia and a rare joint statement from the ambassadors of major powers -- including Russia and the United States -- urging all parties in Bosnia to pursue dialogue and avoid worsening tensions. Many officials in Bosnia had argued against the move, saying it could spark a new political crisis in the ethnically divided country. Bosnian Serb politicians have threatened to block the work of the federal parliament in Sarajevo over the matter, potentially halting reforms Bosnia needs to draw closer to the European Union and secure more loans from the International Monetary Fund. "I am afraid that we have entered a really serious crisis," said Mladen Ivanic, the Serb member of Bosnia's tripartite Presidency. He said the request should have been made unanimously by the presidency. Serbia's leader had warned on February 22 that reviving the genocide case would open old wounds in the region. "Our relations have been pushed backward 25 or 22 years," Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic said. "The little trust we built over the years...is now gone." But Bakir Izetbegovic, the Muslim member of Bosnia's Presidency, said there was no need for all members of the presidency to unite behind the request for review, since a recommendation to make such a request before the International Court of Justice was originally made by a lawyer representing the entire presidency. "We've been accused of triggering the crisis in Bosnia and the region," Izetbegovic said. "The crisis was caused by those who committed an aggression... I think that I am on the path of truth and justice." In the original case launched by the Muslim-dominated government of Bosnia in 1993, Sarajevo accused Belgrade of masterminding a genocide through widespread "ethnic cleansing" during the war, which claimed more than 100,000 lives. On February 26, 2007, The Hague court found only one act of genocide -- the massacre of nearly 8,000 Muslim men and boys by Bosnian Serb forces in Srebrenica -- and said there was not enough evidence to suggest that Belgrade was directly responsible. Serb forces captured the eastern town of Srebrenica in July 1995, in the final months of the war, then summarily killed its males in Europe's worst single atrocity since World War II. The court did find, however, that Serbia, which gave political and military backing to Bosnian Serbs, had breached international law by failing to prevent the slaughter. Izetbegovic said Bosnia now has "new arguments" that can be presented to the court to further the case, notably those presented during the trial of Ratko Mladic, the Bosnian Serb wartime army chief who is awaiting judgement by a UN tribunal. Bosnia's request for review of the UN court's 2007 decision was prompted by the impending expiration on February 26 of a 10-year period for requesting such a review. The ambassadors from outside powers involved in putting together Bosnia's peace agreement met in Sarajevo on February 23 to discuss the growing tensions in the region. In the joint statement they issued afterward, they said: "All political leaders should refrain from unilateral actions and return to the principles of compromise, dialogue, and consensus in making decisions, as well as respecting the Bosnian constitution, institutions, and the rule of law." With reporting by AP, AFP, dpa, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-asks-hague -court-review-ruling-clearing-serbia- genocide-charges/28328309.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 Trump Vows Major Military Buildup, Strengthened Borders February 24, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking before a conservative political gathering, promised one of the greatest military buildups in U.S. history -- ensuring, he says, that no one in the future will ever challenge America's power. "Nobody will dare question our military might again," he told the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on February 24. "We believe in peace through strength, and that's what we'll have." In a speech in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, Trump touched on other familiar topics, railing against the news media, former President Barack Obama's signature health care reform (known as Obamacare), as well as violent crime, international terrorism, security, "embarrassing" trade deals, regulations, and taxes, and reiterating his vow to build a wall along the Mexican border. His campaign-style speech was greeted enthusiastically by a supportive crowd, which chanted "USA, USA" at times and "Lock Her Up" when he mentioned Democrat Hillary Clinton, his rival in the 2016 presidential contest. He said he would put in a "massive budget request" to rebuild the U.S. military and that he will order U.S. forces to intensify the fight against the Islamic State (IS) militant group. "Nobody is going to mess with us. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history," he said. He added that as "part of my pledge to restore safety for the American people," he has directed U.S. security services to "totally obliterate Islamic State from the face of the Earth." A key goal of his immigration crackdown will be to prevent terrorists from entering the United States, he said. "We are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country," he told thecrowd. "Foreign terrorists will not be able to strike America if they cannot get into our country." He indicated "new action" soon on a second version of an executive order to restrict travel into the country from several majority-Muslim nations. His first attempt was struck down by a U.S. federal court. Trump reiterated his vow to build a "great, great" wall along the border with Mexico to cut illegal immigration, with work to begin "soon." "We will build the wall soon, way ahead of schedule," he said. "Way, way, way ahead of schedule." Trump spent the first several minutes of his speech resuming his attacks on the U.S. news media, once again describing journalists as "dishonest" and the "enemy of the people." He did add a qualifier, however, saying he was only referring to the "fake news media" and not the media as a whole. "Nobody loves the First Amendment more than me," he said. "It gives me the right to criticize fake news." The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the right to freedom of religion and freedom of expression from government interference. Trump named CBS, ABC, NBC, and CNN, which he called the "Clinton News Network," in his attacks on news outlets. He said the Middle East was a "mess" and in worse state than it was 15 years ago, adding that the United States had spent $6 trillion in the region. "If our presidents had gone to the beach for 15 years, we would be in much better shape," he said. He said Obamacare covers very few people and forced millions of people to lose the insurance policies they preferred. "We're going to repeal and replace Obamacare," he vowed to cheers. He also promised to remove regulations on U.S. energy production and other industries to help put people back to work. Based on a live broadcast with additional reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-promises -border-wall-ahead-massive-increase- military-budget/28330762.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 White House Asked FBI To Dispute Stories About Trump-Russia Contacts: Reports RFE/RL February 24, 2017 White House chief of staff Reince Priebus asked the FBI to discredit media reports that President Donald Trump's campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election, U.S. media reported late on February 23. The Associated Press, citing unidentified sources in the White House, said Priebus's request to FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe came after the FBI told the White House it believed a New York Times report describing Trump advisers' contacts with Russia was inaccurate. Reports said that Priebus asked the FBI officials to at least talk to reporters on background to dispute The Times report and stories spawned by it, but they reportedly refused the request and have not said anything publicly about the matter. CNN, which originally reported about Priebus's request, said Comey rejected it because the alleged contacts between Russians and Trump associates are the subject of an ongoing FBI investigation. Such a request from the White House would be unusual and potentially controversial because of long-standing restrictions on communications between the White House and FBI over pending investigations. It already has sparked outrage among some Democrats. Priebus may have approached other intelligence agencies with the same request to intervene with the media, CNN reported. The White House itself denied The New York Times story, with Priebus calling it "complete garbage." On Fox News on February 19, Priebus dismissed what he called The Times story's "treasonous type of accusations." "The top levels of the intelligence community have assured me that that story is not only inaccurate, but it's grossly overstated and it was wrong. And there's nothing to it," Preibus said on the television show. With reporting by AP, CNN, and USA Today Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/white-house-chief-staff-priebus- asked-fbi-discredit-new-york-times-contact-russian- spies-trump-campaign-associates/28328405.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 Bulgaria's Ex-Defense Minister Goes on Trial Over Military Procurements Sputnik News 22:25 24.02.2017(updated 22:52 24.02.2017) Former Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev had his first day in court on Wednesday despite being the head of a political party currently engaged in an election campaign, Focus News Agency reported. Nenchev is currently running for a parliamentary seat as part of the Reformist Bloc in elections scheduled to take place March 26. Nenchev's attorney filed a motion requesting that the trial take place after the election, but that request has been denied by a Sofia City Council judge. State prosecutors allege that Nenchev's mishandling of contracts put the safety of Bulgarian pilots in jeopardy, as the deals concerned renovations to six Russian-made MiG-29s. In 2015, the manufacturer of the aircraft filed a formal complaint with the Bulgarian Defense Committee for granting an aircraft maintenance and upgrade contract to Polish competitors. At the time, Nenchev complained that the aircraft-repair deal offered by Russian aircraft builder MiG was "overpriced," Defense News reported. MiG has not worked on the aircraft since September 2015. Instead, Nenchev effectively benched a dozen MiG-29s and told reporters he would consider following the lead of other Baltic states in a policy of covering the costs for NATO to conduct air patrols over Bulgarian airspace. An investigation by Bulgarian officials later found that 52 percent of all contracts signed by the Bulgarian defense ministry in 2016 contained irregularities, Defense News reported. Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is slated to testify during a hearing in April, according to Focus. Radev previously served as the lead commander of the Bulgarian Air Force. After attempting to diversify its military suppliers by outsourcing to Poland, the Bulgarian defense ministry signed a deal with Sofia-based Aviostart to acquire 10 Russian engines that would require certification by Russian Aircraft Corporation MiG. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pelosi Calls for Probe Into 'Outrageous Breach of FBI Independence' by Priebus Sputnik News 21:35 24.02.2017(updated 22:22 24.02.2017) The US Department of Justice should probe White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus's interference into the FBI ongoing probe of President Donald Trump's campaign contacts with Russia, US House of Representatives minority leader Nancy Pelosi said in a press release on Friday. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) On Thursday, CNN reported that the White House had urged the FBI to publicly dispute recent reports that Trump campaign staff had maintained regular contact with Russian intelligence officials. "Priebus has committed an outrageous breach of the FBI's independence," the release stated. "The Department of Justice's Inspector General must open a new investigation into any and all conversations Priebus and other White House officials held with the FBI on ongoing investigations." The report claimed FBI Director James Comey refused the request for a probe because the alleged communications were part of an ongoing investigation. Pelosi suggested that the US Congress must also establish an independent, bipartisan commission to make sure the American people get the facts from sources other than the Trump administration. Earlier on Friday, Trump wrote on Twitter that the FBI is absolutely unable to stop national security leakers and warned the illegal release of classified information to the media can have a devastating effect on the United States. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia to Make NATO Battalion 'Feel at Home' - Commander-in-Chief Sputnik News 17:38 24.02.2017 Estonia hopes to make NATO forces "feel at home" while being deployed to the country in the near future, Estonian army Commander-in-Chief Riho Terras said Friday. TALLINN (Sputnik) NATO troops are expected to start arriving to the Baltic state in April as part of NATO's drive to boost presence in Eastern Europe. "We want our allies to feel at home in Estonia. The Estonian government has carried out the necessary preparations for this. We have built barracks and expanded training ranges. But it is most important for Estonian people to accept our allies, as this is the way to get closer to the aim for the sake of which Estonia is in NATO and NATO is in Estonia. This aim is for us to have better defense," Terras said in a speech marking the country's 99th anniversary of independence. The general emphasized the close relationship between Estonian forces and their counterparts from other NATO members, recalling that Estonian troops served alongside UK troops in Afghanistan, as well as alongside French troops in the Central African Republic and Danish troops in Balkan peacekeeping missions. NATO decided to deploy additional troops to the Baltics during July's summit in Warsaw. Allies agreed to deploy four multinational battalions to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland. Over a dozen NATO will contribute troops to the mission. Denmark and France will contribute to the 1,200-strong UK-led battalion in Estonia. Earlier this month, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the battalions will become active in June. NATO has been boosting its military presence in Europe, particularly in Eastern European states, since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis, citing Russia's alleged interference in that conflict as justification for the move. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Donors pledge $670 million at UN-backed conference to support aid operations in Lake Chad region 24 February 2017 Giving voice to people affected by conflict and crises in Africa's Lake Chad Basin, a global United Nations-supported humanitarian conference in Oslo today generated more than $670 million in pledges that will help sustain critical relief operations over the next two years and beyond across four counties where millions are in need of aid. Formally known as the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region, the donors forum also agreed on the need to address longer-term development requirements and to seek durable solutions for the crisis-hit countries in the vast Basin-region: Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. "Without our increased support, affected communities will face a life of hunger, disease, gender-based violence and continued displacement," said the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen O'Brien. "But there is another future within grasp: as the international community scales up support, we can stop a further descent into an ever-deepening crisis with unimaginable consequences for millions of people," he added. According to UN estimates, about 17 million people are living in the most affected areas across the four countries. Of them, some 10.7 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, with 8.5 million in north-eastern Nigeria alone, having been made witness to years of violence as a result of Boko Haram's insurgency. The region is also threated by famine, with children at heighted risk of severe acute malnutrition. The resources pledged at the conference will help scale up responses to reach the most vulnerable people with a special attention focused on the protection needs of women, children and youth, as well as the need for longer-term support and durable solutions for the displaced populations. At the conference, 14 donors pledged $458 million for relief in 2017 and an additional $214 million was announced for 2018 and beyond. Expressing appreciation for the contributions, Mr. O'Brien said: "The UN and our partners are ready and mobilised to further scale up our life-saving response the people in the region have no time to wait." The Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN chief welcomed the donor pledges made today, and stressed the need for sustained support to humanitarian, human rights, development and security needs in the region. The Conference saw the participation of some 170 representatives from 40 countries, UN, regional organizations and civil society organizations. It was co-hosted by Norway, Nigeria, Germany and the UN and followed a civil society meeting with large participation from local organizations working in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Protection and access 'need to go hand-in-hand' UN refugee agency With return movements of internally displaced people some 950,000 since August 2015 and refugee returnees from neighbouring countries under way in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in north-eastern Nigeria, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) co-presented with the Government of Nigeria, a paper outlining a vision in Oslo for ensuring protection, access and lasting solutions for them. "The two strategies of protection and solutions should go hand in hand. To do this we need access [] this is the very big challenge," stressed UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who also attended the conference. The paper also noted that many protection issues in areas of displacement and potential return can contribute to violence and instability, and advocated for prioritizing measures to ensure physical security, freedom of movement and humanitarian access. The document also proposed strengthened response to sexual and gender-based violence as well as protection of children from violence exploitation and abuse. Help people return to a dignified life UN food security agency UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one of the UN agencies attending the conference, underscored that the response efforts should focus on providing relief from the looming famine, as well as enabling people to return to a dignified life. "Supporting agriculture is the key to both," highlighted Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO Emergency and Rehabilitation Division, noting that supporting farmers to cultivate food would help freeing many from being trapped in cycles of severe hunger. A public health crisis UN health agency Similarly, the UN World Health Organization (WHO), represented at the conference by Rick Brennan, Director of WHO Emergency Operations, highlighted that the crisis in the region is also a public health crisis "with rates of death, malnutrition and disease rarely seen over the past 20 years." "Between malnutrition and death, there is always disease," explained the WHO official, adding: "Malnutrition lowers the body's capacity to fight infection [] A malnourished child is far more prone to contract an infectious disease such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles and then to die from that disease." Children deserve a childhood UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom, in Niger Meanwhile, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom, this week travelled to south-east Niger where he highlighted the impacts of the ongoing crisis on hundreds of thousands of children, driven from their homes, out of education and at the risk of malnutrition. "As a father, it is hard for me to imagine how many of these children are caught up in this conflict. During my trip I have heard dreadful stories about children fleeing on foot, leaving everything behind, including the safety of their homes and classrooms," said Mr. Bloom. During his visit, the renowned actor also visited Bosso (near the Niger-Nigeria border) where he met with families and children displaced by Boko Haram violence. "This visit has been extremely moving. Every single child I met is affected by this conflict and in desperate need of basic services such as clean water, psychological care and education to help them recover from the atrocities they have suffered and witnessed. They deserve a childhood," said Bloom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China May Offer Aid, Investment, in Talks on South China Sea By Ralph Jennings February 24, 2017 Countries in Southeast Asia are talking one-on-one with China about shared rights to fish and fossil fuels in the contested South China Sea, but nationalism or lack of political trust may snarl any agreements and shift focus to informal economic deals. Senior leaders from China and Vietnam met last month to talk about maritime cooperation that could include a joint search for undersea oil or gas. It was China's latest effort to talk privately with a maritime rival since a world arbitration tribunal in The Hague ruled in July that the basis for Beijing's claims to about 95 percent of the sea lack legal merit. China has spoken as well with Malaysia and the Philippines about the 3.5 million-square-kilometer sea that's prized for fish, fuel reserves and marine shipping lanes. Everyone wins Agreements with China would reduce tension in Asia's widest-reaching sovereignty dispute by giving everyone something it wants without any loss of any country's effective control of islets in the sea. China rejected the arbitration ruling but has sought since to improve relations with the other countries on its own. Chinese President Xi Jinping last year lauded the pursuit of bilateral agreements. Talks on the South China Sea are being held largely in private, but experts forecast eventual deals on fishing rights or fishery management. China, Vietnam and the Philippines are particularly keen on fishing rights with their vessels spanning much of the sea. "First thing that they want to do is to identify the fishing rights. And I think that's important because you have to come up with some kind of discipline or some kind of practice in terms of division of labor or the areas of fishing activities," said Andrew Yang, secretary-general of the Chinese Council of Advanced Policy Studies think tank in Taiwan. In a sign of how a fishery deal might work, since 2006 Vietnam and China have jointly patrolled fisheries in the shared Gulf of Tonkin. Last year, the two sides extended the patrol route. After Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte met his Chinese counterpart in Beijing in October, China stopped turning away Philippine fishing boats from contested waters around Scarborough Shoal west of Luzon Island, news reports said. But economic deals not formally tied to the maritime dispute can come under fire if relations worsen. This week, Philippine Foreign Minister Perfecto Yasay, acting as chairman of an ASEAN foreign minister meeting, said he had "grave concern" about China's moves to militarize artificial islands in the disputed sea. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he found the comment "baffling and regrettable." Deals reached during Duterte's Beijing visit are being put into action, he said, and China has promised to quit construction in the sea. Oil exploration tricky Since at least 2013, China and Vietnam have talked about joint oil exploration, and a Sino-Philippine oil discussion began in October. The U.S. Energy Information Agency estimates there are 11 billion barrels of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas under the sea. Brunei, China, Malaysia and Vietnam now do their own prospecting, and the Philippines has taken exploration bids from private companies. But joint fossil fuel searches lack appeal because the sharing of any discoveries would imply giving up sovereignty of the tract where it was found, said Carl Baker, director of programs at the think tank Pacific Forum CSIS in Honolulu. Resource-sharing deals work legally if signatories lay aside the sovereignty questions, but populations at home may still suspect their governments are giving in, said Douglas Guilfoyle, associate international law professor at Monash University in Australia. "They're harder to pull off in practice than in theory," Guilfoyle said. "There are practical negotiating issues, but then the other issues of politics, trust and whether your citizens will ultimately support such a thing." Changes in a country's leadership could hurt deal-making, he said, and some countries lack a history of political trust to start. Duterte's predecessor, for example, became angry enough with China to file suit in the world court of arbitration. Duterte moved to make up with Beijing after taking office in June. Two-way deals may include how to avoid mishaps at sea, heading off the likes of deadly clashes between Vietnam and China in 1974 and 1988. Separately, China is set to pursue a code of conduct framework this year with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) after years of resisting it. The association code should be consistent with any bilateral ones, said Herman Kraft, political scientist at University of the Philippines Diliman. Chinese foreign investment Without specific deals on how to use the sea, China may instead use its nominal GDP of more than $11 billion, the world's second largest, to increase trade, investments or development aid to the Southeast Asian maritime claimants, which are eager to grow their own economies. Beijing's "21st Century Maritime Silk Road" initiative is set up to allocate money from a $40 billion fund and $100 billion in Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) equity for infrastructure construction in Southeast Asia, a boon to Chinese companies that find the home market too competitive. In tentative signs of economic largess deals, Vietnam started to see a surge in Chinese tourists last year, while the Philippines expects $24 billion in development aid as well as investments from China following the presidential dialogue in October. In November, Malaysia and China signed 14 memoranda of understanding on business cooperation. China was set to sell Malaysia four ships for national defense and make 55 billion ringgit ($12.4 billion) in soft loans for a railway line. Malaysia already counted China as its top trading partner and source of direct investment. It seldom criticizes China openly over its maritime activity, even though both sides claim the same parts of the sea's Spratly Island chain. Beijing may ask other countries to remain quiet about China's land reclamation at sea, increased military presence on some of the islets or coast guard journeys through waters frequented by other parties, analysts say. "(The Chinese) are investing heavily in providing aid and support and infrastructure," said Alexander Huang, strategic studies professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. "They are trying to show on one hand China's strength in doing so or on the second to dissuade other countries from disputing China over South China Sea." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two medicine bottles are placed just above an HIV positive vaccine sign. (Photo : YouTube/ TheLipTV ) A functional cure for HIV has been revealed by experts recently. Although far from being perfected, five individuals carrying the deadly virus have been currently freed from any detectable traces of HIV. The reports of a functional cure have been traced from the efforts of Beatriz Mothe of the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain, and her colleagues. Three years ago, the group of researchers started a trial involving 24 people having HIV. The test subjects were given two vaccines developed by Tomas Hanke and his colleagues at the University of Oxford, according to New Scientist. Advertisement Along with the vaccines was the usual antiretroviral drugs (ART), which every patient should be taking each day in order for the virus to be stopped from replicating. After years of doing experiment with the medication and the inclusion of vaccines developed by experts, five of the participants no longer needed to take antiretroviral drugs for their immune system could now suppress the virus. Despite the progress of the treatment, Mothe and her associates are still unable to determine why two-thirds of the subjects didn't respond to the therapy. However, the director of The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity at the University of Melbourne, Sharon Lewin, views the progress as a breakthrough. It is the first treatment to stop the virus from replicating without the daily use of antiretroviral drugs. Unsurprisingly, skeptics were quick to raise their opinions about the latest HIV/AIDS breakthrough. Some believed that such result is too early to be considered as a functional cure. "The study was very small and only five out of 13 participants experienced the positive impact, all for less than a year so far. To be confident that they have been functionally cured of HIV, much longer follow-up is needed. But all are in early development and much more research is needed to achieve the functional cure." Metro quoted spokesperson of The National Aids Trust. Watch here below latest HIV/AIDS technology: White House Confirms It Discussed News Report about Trump-Russia Ties With FBI By Cindy Saine February 24, 2017 Senior Trump administration officials have confirmed White House chief of staff Reince Priebus had a conversation with senior FBI officials about published news reports on alleged communications between officials from Trump's presidential campaign and Russia. The discussions between the White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation on the subject of an ongoing FBI probe could violate longstanding Department of Justice ethics rules restricting such White House contact with the FBI on pending investigations. But the senior administration officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to reporters early Friday, strongly denied media reports (CNN and Associated Press) that the FBI refused a White House request to publicly repudiate a New York Times report that alleged communications between close Trump associates and Russian government officials during the 2016 campaign. 'What can we do about this' CNN reported that Priebus reached out to FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe, asking them to debunk stories about alleged Trump associates' contacts with Russia. Comey refused. Senior administration officials told reporters Friday that McCabe initiated the conversation with Priebus after a White House meeting, telling him there was nothing to the reports. Officials said Priebus asked McCabe "what can we do about this" and that the White House was "getting crushed" on the story. Comey reportedly called Priebus and told him the agency could not issue an FBI statement debunking the report,according to senior officials. Pelosi calls for investigation Democratic House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi issued a statement Friday calling for the Justice Department to investigate Priebus' contact with the FBI. "The Trump White House has been caught trying to pressure the FBI into undermining a vital national security investigation into explosive ties between senior Trump officials and Russian intelligence agents, an action which is in violation of Department of Justice rules and may be illegal," Pelosi's statement read. Trump has been dogged by persistent questions about his potential ties to Russia since he won the 2016 presidential election. Russia interference being probed U.S. intelligence services have concluded Russia intervened in the U.S. election by hacking into Democratic National Committee emails and leaking them, as well as pushing fake reports aimed at hurting the reputation of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. U.S. intelligence services and several congressional committees are investigating Russia's interference in the U.S election. Last week, National Security Adviser Michael Flynn resigned following reports he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his frequent contacts with Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak during the transition period before Trump's inauguration. Trump and his team members deny having had contacts with Russian officials during the presidential campaign.Last week, Trump said "nobody that I now of" talked to Russian intelligence service officials. Early Friday, the president took to Twitter to blast the FBI and demand that "leakers" be found. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even ... find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW," he tweeted. Trump on Friday also continued his sharp criticism of the media during remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Later in the day, prominent media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and Politico, were excluded from a briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DRC President Orders Probe Into Massacre Videos By William Clowes February 24, 2017 The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has launched an investigation into possible abuses by security forces in Kasai province. Conflict has been intensifying in that part of the country in the past six months but a video posted online late last week drew international attention. The undated video appears to show Congolese troops firing at unarmed men and women purportedly affiliated to a militia known as Kamwina Nsapu. The video then shows the soldiers shoot injured people or bodies at point blank range. Several similar videos have since been shared online. On Monday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said it has received reports of government soldiers killing more than 150 people in Kasai over an eight-day period this month. The government initially dismissed the video as a fake but changed course on Wednesday. A statement issued by a government spokesman said that President Joseph Kabila has ordered an inquest into the events depicted in the video, as well as how and why the footage became public. UN Condemnation The U.N. has condemned both the militia for using child soldiers and the government for using excessive force, including, the U.N. says, automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades. Anaclet Tshimbalanga, a Kasai-based human rights activist, told VOA the insurrection is being fueled by frustration over a lack of development in the region. He says the militia have sticks and knives and sometimes hunting weapons, while the army uses all the powerful resources at its disposal. The conflict in Kasai began last year when the customary chief of the Kamwina Nsapu militia rejected the state's authority and instructed his supporters to drive out security forces. The chief was reportedly killed by the military in August, but clashes only became more frequent. The militia is now active in at least three provinces in central D.R.C. Political crisis The violence has escalated amid political crisis in the capital. Elections planned for November were delayed and President Joseph Kabila has stayed in office even though his elected mandate has expired. "We've seen political insurrections pop up in Congo for a variety of reasons over many years," Stephanie Wolters of the Institute for Security Studies Africa told VOA. "I think the big difference is that the context has changed significantly. We now have a movement which is present in an area which is largely an opposition stronghold and where we have a government in Kinshasa which lacks legitimacy and we have the gross human rights violations which are being committed." The government says it has already detained soldiers over alleged abuses in Kasai, though not specifically in connection to the killings depicted in the video. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump, Kelly Contradict Each Other on Use of US Military in Deportations Sputnik News 03:40 24.02.2017(updated 08:10 24.02.2017) US President Donald Trump referred to the effort to deport undocumented immigrants as "a military operation" just a few hours before Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly stated that there would be "no, repeat, no, use of military force in immigration operations." According to Kelly, speaking from Mexico City where he joined Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to meet with top Mexican officials, the US will conduct immigration operations "systematically." The retired general said the US would do things "in an organized way, in a results-oriented way, in an operational way, in a human dignity way." Trump, however, expressed himself in a starkly different manner. "It's a military operation, because what has been allowed to come into our country, when you see gang violenceand all of the things--much of that is people that are here illegally. And they're rough and they're tough." Trump remarked that the US is "getting really bad dudes out of this country" at "a rate that nobody's ever seen before," which sounded, to many, a lot like a formula for mass deportation. Secretary Kelly, charged with carrying out the immigration operations, however, emphasized that military force would be absent from the process. Further, "no mass deportation" orders would be given to border patrol agents, Kelly noted. Mexico City has not taken kindly to Trump's statements. Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said on Wednesday that he wished to "make it clear, in the most emphatic way, that the Mexican government and the people of Mexico do not have to accept measures unilaterally imposed on a government by another government." The trend of Mexican governments acquiescing to Washington, beginning in the 1930s may not continue much longer, according to Sputnik Radio host Brian Becker, in a recent episode of Loud & Clear. Mexico, with the tenth-largest population in the world, would surely have public opinion weigh in on how the Mexican government should negotiate with the US, he suggested. "They're rising up all over Mexico," James Cockroft, founder of the Network of Intellectuals, Artists and Social Movements in Defense of Humanity, said during a Loud & Clear interview. "The real threat [to Trump policies] is people rising up in Mexico and the United States," he said, foreshadowing what he suggests will be "spontaneous resistance movements, led, in many cases, by women." "Governments in Latin America are pretty tense now with the deterioration, or the ostensible deterioration, in US-Mexico relations," said Cockroft, adding that "it involves possible military intervention." Mexican Interior Minister Osorio Chong said, "we have expressed our concern about the increase of deportations." Policies pursued by the Trump administration, "might be hurtful for Mexicans," Chong said. He pointed out that Mexico is worried about potential human rights violations by the US government, and that the US has "a long way to go" to "overcome the negative feelings that are prevailing now." Following the meeting, Secretary of State Tillerson remarked that it is natural that "two strong sovereign countries from time to time will have differences." The top US diplomat added that the meetings were "very productive" and that "we listened closely and carefully to each other as we respectfully and patiently raised our respective concerns." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China strongly opposes ROK's deployment of THAAD People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:04, February 24, 2017 BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- China's military on Thursday voiced strong objections to the Republic of Korea (ROK)'s deployment of an advanced U.S. missile defense system, the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD). The move by the United States and the ROK will gravely undermine the regional strategic balance and the strategic security interests of countries in the region, including China and Russia, said Ren Guoqiang, spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense at a routine press conference. Ren said China hopes the ROK side will value the achievements in the military ties between the PLA and the ROK army, and cautiously handle issues that directly concern China's strategic security interests. Chinese armed forces will make the necessary preparations and resolutely safeguard the nation's security. The Nanhai fleet on Feb. 10 departed from a military port in south China's Sanya City for a high-seas training mission. In addition to the South China Sea, the mission will pass through the east Indian Ocean for training to improve Chinese navy's ability in international escorting, anti-terror and anti-piracy, said Ren. The spokesperson also answered questions about the U.S. aircraft carrier strike group patrolling the South China Sea. The group, including Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, began routine operations in the South China Sea on Feb. 19. China hopes the United States would do what is good for peace and stability in the South China Sea, said Ren. China always respects freedom of navigation and overflight of all countries in the South China Sea in accordance with international law, and hopes the United States will respect the sovereignty and security of concerned countries. Ren said China wished enhanced communications between the two armies and to push forward bilateral ties. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's largest production base for industrial drones under construction People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 17:30, February 24, 2017 NANJING, Feb. 24 (Xinhua) -- China Eagle, a Beijing-based unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) developer, will build the country's largest production base for industrial drones. The production base in Jingjiang economic and technological development zone in east China's Jiangsu Province is expected to produce its first UAV in May. Drones for industrial use have huge prospects in the civilian market. Their use ranges from mapping and aerial inspection to unmanned cargo transport. With an investment of 510 million yuan (74 million U.S. dollars), China Eagle's new production base is designed with an annual production capacity of 5,000 units. Its total output value is estimated at 3 billion yuan a year. China Eagle has independently developed a series of UAV products. The firm works with the State Oceanic Administration to produce drones for shore patrols. The civil UAV industry is ready to take off in China. There is high demand and the general aviation sector is unable to meet the needs of all customers. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'North Korea harshly criticizes main ally China' Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 6:25AM North Korea has reportedly directed rare and harsh criticism at China, its major international ally, accusing Beijing of giving in to the United States' demands by tightening its own sanctions against Pyongyang. Without directly mentioning China, the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in a statement on Thursday that "a neighboring country," which often claims to be a "friendly neighbor," was abandoning Pyongyang in favor of the US, according to South Korea's Yonhap news agency. "This country, styling itself a big power, is dancing to the tune of the US," the statement reportedly read. China, North Korea's key economic benefactor, announced on Sunday that it would suspend all coal imports from North Korea until the end of this year. China's Ministry of Commerce said it took the measure in line with the punitive sanctions imposed last year by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) over North Korea's missile and nuclear tests. In a direct reference to the ban, the KCNA reportedly said that Beijing had "unhesitatingly taken inhumane steps" to comply with UN sanctions and was now "defending its mean behavior with such excuses that it was meant not to have a negative impact on the living of North Koreans, but to check its nuclear program." China, a permanent member of the UNSC, often backs North Korea but has had its own reservations about Pyongyang's missile and nuclear programs. The North faces international pressure to abandon its arms development and nuclear program. Yet, it says the programs are meant to protect the country from US hostility. The KCNA reportedly said in the statement that "it is utterly childish to think that [North Korea] would not manufacture nuclear weapons and inter-continental ballistic rockets if a few [pennies] of money is cut off," apparently referring to the revenue that would have come from the coal exports to China. The US has military forces in South Korea a long-time adversary of the North and is planning to deploy an advanced missile system there in response to perceived threats from Pyongyang. The US also occasionally deploys nuclear-powered warships and aircraft capable of carrying atomic weapons in the region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World's most toxic nerve agent used in Kim murder: Malaysia police Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:21AM Malaysian police authorities have identified the chemical used in the killing of the half-bother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un as extremely toxic VX nerve agent that has no known uses except in chemical warfare. Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said in a statement on Friday that the Center for Chemical Weapons Analysis at the Chemistry Department carried out preliminary tests to identify the type of chemical used in the murder of Kim Jong-nam. "The centre did dry swabs on the eyes and face of the victim. The chemical substance on the exhibits has been identified as VX nerve agent," Khalid said. He added that VX is classified as a chemical weapon under the Schedule 1 of the Chemical Weapons Convention Act 2005 and Chemical Weapons Convention Act 1997. "Other exhibits are still being analyzed," he said. The UN has declared VX -- the most lethal nerve agent ever created -- a weapon of mass destruction that fatally disrupts the nervous system once absorbed through the skin. Malaysian police officials announced on February 14 that 46-year-old Kim had been attacked by two female assailants at the departure hall of the Kuala Lumpur International Airport a day earlier. The female attackers, who have been arrested, reportedly wiped some form of toxic agent over Kim's face. He died en route to the hospital. Reports said Kim was traveling under an alias, and it was not clear what country had issued the "diplomatic passport" that North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) claimed he was carrying. Apart from the two female assassins an Indonesian and a Vietnamese Malaysia has detained two men, one of them a North Korean national, in connection with the killing. Malaysia has also said that it "strongly" believes that four other suspects, who fled Malaysia the day of the killing, have arrived in the North Korean capital of Pyongyang. Malaysia has refused to return Kim's body to North Korea and has sought to question a North Korean diplomat in connection with the killing. On Wednesday, Malaysia's Inspector General of Police said investigators were seeking to question the second secretary of North Korea's embassy in Kuala Lumpur and an employee of the North's state airline Air Koryo. Khalid said police had asked for access to the two and would "compel" them to appear before police if such access was denied. South Korean police claim that Kim was killed by North Korean agents. The North has lambasted Malaysia for performing an "immoral and illegal" autopsy on the dead body of "a citizen" of North Korea "bearing a diplomatic passport." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Rubbish': Pyongyang Slams S Korean FM for Criticism of North's Nuclear Program Sputnik News 21:01 24.02.2017(updated 21:04 24.02.2017) South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se's words on the urgency of the nuclear issue in North Korea were "rubbish," the North's Central Committee of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea said Friday in a statement. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Last week, Yun said at the Munich Security Conference that North Korea's final stage of nuclear weaponization could come very soon. "Yun Byung-se spouted rubbish, regardless of whom he was meeting, that the nuclear issue of the North is like a time bomb, the North's nukes will reach the critical phase of actual deployment in one or two years and now is the last opportunity to stop it," the statement was quoted as saying by the Yonhap news agency. Pyongyang said that Yun was "ignorant of how peace is being preserved on the Korean Peninsula" and that such actions would only urge North Korea to pursue self-reliance. North Korea's nuclear program has been a source for concern for its closest neighbors, Japan and South Korea, as well as for the international community. On February 12, Pyongyang launched a medium-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan and declared the test successful. This and a number of previous launches were considered to be in violation of the UNSC resolutions by the United Nations. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea Condemns Use of Chemical Weapon in Kim Jong Nam's Murder Sputnik News 17:55 24.02.2017(updated 17:57 24.02.2017) Seoul expressed criticism over a VX nerve agent, a highly toxic liquid, used to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half-brother Kim Jong Nam, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Friday, TOKYO (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, Malaysian police established the traces of a lethal substance VX nerve agent, classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the United Nations, on the face of a North Korean national killed in the Malaysian airport. "[South Korea] couldn't suppress its dismay over the fact that a chemical weapon was used in murdering a human Recalling the United Nations' prohibition of chemical weapons under any circumstance, the government will respond (to the issue) jointly with the international community because the latest action constitutes a blatant violation of the CWC [the Chemical Weapons Convention] and related international standards," the ministry said, as cited by the Yonhap news agency. On February 13, a North Korean national, traveling under the name of Kim Chol, was killed by two women using a poisonous substance at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport. According to media reports, it was Kim Jong Nam, an elder half-brother of incumbent North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, what was later confirmed by police. Earlier this week, Malaysian authorities said that they were working with Interpol to apprehend alleged accomplices in the murder of Kim Jong Nam. Ambassador of North Korea to Malaysia Kang Chol called for a joint Pyongyang-Kuala Lumpur investigation, but Malaysian police said Kuala Lumpur opposed the move and called on Pyongyang to transfer four suspects in Kim's killing. Meanwhile, the DNA tests of the murdered man have not been carried out yet, the investigation is underway. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Hopes to Work With US, North Korea on Peace on Korean Peninsula - Ministry Sputnik News 12:38 24.02.2017(updated 17:22 24.02.2017) According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Beijing hopes to work together with Washington and Pyongyang to support the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula. BEIJING (Sputnik) Beijing hopes to work together with Washington and Pyongyang to support the peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to denuclearize the region, Geng Shuang, spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said Friday. "The level at which the nuclear problem in North Korea is now, do you think this problem is easy to solve? We have repeatedly said that the root of the problem is in the disagreements between North Korea and the United States. We hope that these two sides can share responsibility and work together with China to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and on its denuclearization," the spokesman said. On February 12, North Korea launched a medium-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan and declared the test successful. This and a number of previous launches were considered to be violation of the UNSC resolution by the United Nations. US President Donald Trump said at a press conference on the next day after the latest Pyongyang's launch that North Korea was "a big problem" and pledged to respond strongly. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Screenshot taken from "Introducing the GeForce GTX 1080. Gaming Perfected." (Photo : YouTube/NVIDIA) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti release is reportedly happening at the upcoming Game Developers' Conference (GDC) 2017. New and powerful GPUs could be on their way as the official website of NVIDIA's GeForce is running a countdown timer to Feb. 28, a day after the kick-off of the aforementioned event. Aside from the countdown timer, a post that reads, "Ultimate GeForce" and "IT'S ALMOST TIME" appear on the page. However, the letters "T" and "I" in "TIME" are in bold, which is a strong indication that the company will finally unveil the long-rumored GTX 1080 Ti. Advertisement According to Tom's Hardware, NVIDIA faces a strong competition with AMD, a company that caught a strong wind. AMD is bound to launch Vega GPU in second quarter, but the company will tell gamers more about it on Capsaicin livestream, which will happen on the same day. Thus, this seems to be a head-on battle. AMD's livestream is at 10:30am, while NVIDIA's event is at 6:30pm PST. However, NVIDIA is mum about the new hardware. Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang is not giving any hint on what to look forward in the forthcoming surprise from the Taiwan-based company. There are also some speculations that GTX 1080 Ti could be not something new. Gamers must anticipate the new hardware on Feb. 28. GDC 2017 aims to educate game industry professionals on online multiplayer games, mobile, and next generation game technologies. The event will showcase new online games as well as tech devices, consoles, and accessories that enhance overall gaming experience. The event will take place in Moscone Conference Center in San Francisco, California from Feb. 27 to Mar. 3. Are you waiting for NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti also? What about the new hardware are you looking forward to? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow YIBADA for more updates. 'Dancing to US Tune': North Korea Slams China Over Sanctions Sputnik News 05:52 24.02.2017 North Korean state media on Thursday criticized the Chinese government over Beijing's decision to suspend all imports of North Korean coal, following Pyongyang's launch of a ballistic missile. The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) accused China of consciously taking steps to diminish the well-being of North Korean citizens while pretending to be a friendly neighbor. "It has often stated that the UN 'resolutions on sanctions' should not have negative impact on the people's living," the KCNA column said. "Its recent measures are, in effect, tantamount to the enemies' moves to bring down the social system in the DPRK," the article read. The KCNA is apparently mocking China over remarks it made while signing a 2016 UN resolution that coal deliveries would have to be implemented if cutting them off might "affect the livelihood of the exporter." On February 18, China's commerce ministry announced that Beijing would suspend its coal imports from North Korea, and that the freeze would be in place through the end of the year, dealing an unexpected blow to the long-time regional ally. The move came just days after Pyongyang launched an intermediate-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan, and amid speculations that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had his half-brother assassinated in Malaysia. Without referring to China by name, the KCNA lashed out at its largest trading partner, accusing the country of yielding to US pressure. "This country, styling itself a big power, is dancing to the tune of the US while defending its mean behavior with such excuses that it was meant not to have a negative impact on the living of the people in the DPRK but to check its nuclear program," the column read. Stephan Haggard, a North Korea expert at the University of California, San Diego, suggested that by changing its attitude towards Pyongyang, Beijing is offering "a cooperative gesture to the incoming Trump administration in return for an initiative on negotiations." Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Advocates Hope Trump Can Still Make a Deal With North Korea By Brian Padden February 24, 2017 Despite U.S. President Donald Trump's comments that it may be too late to strike a deal to halt North Korea's advancing nuclear program, advocates for engagement argue that Trump is uniquely positioned to reach a breakthrough toward resolving the increasingly tense security situation on the Korean Peninsula. "I have some kind of hope that President Trump, that he would come up with a quite unimaginable deal with North Korea that could really bring peace to the Korean Peninsula," said Moon Chung-in, a professor emeritus at Yonsei University in Seoul. Defense first Trump this week emphasized bolstering U.S. military capability in the region, including deploying the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea to counter North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's efforts to accelerate the country's nuclear and missile development capabilities. In an interview with Reuters Thursday Trump said, "It's very late. We're very angry at what he's done." In the last year, North Korea conducted two nuclear tests, a satellite launch using banned intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technology, and fired numerous short and midrange missiles from submarines and mobile land based launchers. Before taking office in January Trump sent out a tweet saying, "It won't happen!" in response to the North Korean leader's public message saying his country is prepared to conduct an ICBM test. And in February the U.S. president stood alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to condemn a North Korean midrange missile test. Losing strategic patience On Thursday Trump again put the onus on China to restrain its economically dependent ally in Pyongyang and said his predecessor, President Barack Obama, should have resolved the issue of North Korea's increasing nuclear capabilities. Beijing's recent ban on all North Korean coal imports brought a rare rebuke from Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency Friday that said China "is dancing to the tune of the U.S." The Trump administration has called on China to apply more economic pressure, but few think Beijing is ready to abandon its ally. "The mistake will be to say, 'Oh, great, the Chinese are shutting down the border. They're going to solve the problem for us.' That's the wrong way to understand what's going on," said John Delury, an associate professor of Chinese studies at Yonsei University in Seoul. The Obama administration's policy of strategic patience, which relied on increasing sanctions and diplomatic isolation, failed to pressure Pyongyang to suspend its nuclear program. Critics say the policy failed, in large measure, because Beijing will not enforce harsh measures that might result in instability at its border, the collapse of the Kim government, and the increased power and influence of the United States and South Korea in the region. Breaking the cycle This stalemate has accelerated a cycle of North Korean provocations in defiance of United Nations resolutions banning the country's nuclear and missile programs, followed by international condemnation and further sanctions that so far have had only limited impact. Pyongyang's relentless efforts to develop an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead to the U.S. mainland add new urgency to devise a strategy against this threat to U.S. security. Analysts say there are no good military options to take out the North's nuclear and missile facilities without triggering a deadly counter attack on allies South Korea and Japan, and even possibly starting a full scale war. Thus, engaging North Korea is the only realistic way to reach a peaceful resolution. But that would require the Trump administration to take the initiative. "If the U.S. does not move, Pyongyang will not move, and the stalemate will continue and a stalemate could become more risky and dangerous," Moon said. The dealmaker China's ban on North Korean coal along with informal talks that are being organized between former U.S. officials and North Korean representatives could offer Trump an opportunity to open a new channel of dialogue. Trump, who sees himself as a dealmaker and who has been critical of his predecessors, could be willing to break with the past and try a more unconventional approach. "Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to move on that and he is strangely immune to criticisms that would stop a Democrat or a Republican dead in their tracks," Delury said. Any deal to get even a temporary nuclear freeze from Pyongyang will require real concessions that could include the suspension of U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises and later more incentives like a formal peace treaty and other security guarantees and economic assistance to reach the ultimate outcome of a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. The political winds in South Korea also seem to be changing with liberal pro-engagement forces gaining popular support in the wake of conservative President Park Geun-hye's impeachment amid a corruption scandal. If the country's Constitutional Court rules in favor of the impeachment, a new presidential election will follow soon. Of course negotiations would require time and intense coordination, and could be undone by North Korean provocations and violations, as has happened with past agreements, but advocates say it may be time to try again. Under a 2005 "six party" joint agreement with South Korea, the United States, China, Russia and Japan, North Korea agreed to dismantle its nuclear weapons program in exchange for economic aid, security guarantees and improved diplomatic ties. But Pyongyang failed to live up to its commitment and conducted its first nuclear test in 2006. Youmi Kim contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Panetta: Killing of Kim Jong Nam Reflects Instability in Pyongyang By Jenny Lee February 24, 2017 The apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother reflects "instability" and "uncertainty" in the North Korean leadership, former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. "It really confirms our worst suspicions about the regime in North Korea," Panetta told VOA on Thursday, when asked what conclusions he would draw if Pyongyang was confirmed as being responsible. "He clearly is somebody who will not hesitate to kill anyone who either displeases him or if he suspects that individual of having opinions that are not in line with the leader," said the former Pentagon chief, referring to a series of purges the North Korean leader has carried out. Kim Jong Nam, 45, died February 13 after allegedly being poisoned by two women at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysian police said Friday that the poison used to kill Kim was the VX nerve agent, which is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which North Korea never signed. In an email sent Friday, a U.S. State Department official told VOA the U.S. is "always willing to help partners with law enforcement cooperation in the context of our efforts to combat transnational crime and support the rule of law." While the investigation is still underway, police have arrested the women and one North Korean national. They are seeking seven other North Koreans, including one diplomat in the Malaysian capital, for questioning. South Korea believes Kim Jong Un ordered the killing of his half brother. North Korea has denied responsibility, accusing South Korea and Malaysia of plotting to have it blamed for the death. Sign of instability Kim Jong Un has executed or deposed of senior officials and close aides, including his uncle, in what has often been described as a "reign of terror." According to Panetta, Kim Jong Nam's death is another reminder that the North Korean leader is "unpredictable and vicious." "If this is ultimately proven true, I think it only confirms the intelligence we have on the leader of North Korea," said Panetta, who also served as the head of CIA. Once deemed the legitimate heir to North Korea's ruling regime, Kim Jong Nam was known to be favored by China. Christine Wormuth, former undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Defense Department, said Kim's death could be seen as a snub to Beijing. "One could read [it] as a sign that Kim Jong Un is basically showing the Chinese that he can reach all the way to Malaysia and take out the potential successor that China might have preferred," Wormuth told VOA. China's reaction Several days after Kim's assassination, China announced it would suspend imports of North Korean coal for the rest of 2017. The North's coal exports account for about one-third of the country's total export income, generating an estimated $1 billion a year for the regime, according to U.S. officials. In an apparent protest against China's ban, North Korea's state media on Thursday harshly criticized China without mentioning its name. It accused China of "dancing to the tune" of the United States. Panetta said he thought Chinese leaders had long been concerned about Kim Jong Un's behavior and that the incident in Malaysia would further isolate his country. "So for that reason, I think it's very important for us to continue to work with China," the former intelligence chief said. Jon Wolfsthal, senior director at the National Security Council for arms control and nonproliferation in the Obama administration, told VOA this week that the Chinese move against the North could be a "sign that China is less comfortable than it used to be with North Korean behavior," which creates room for the U.S. to put more pressure on the North. The news of the killing came amid heightened tensions over the North's recent missile test, which took place a day before Kim died. Reinstatement of sanctions Some U.S. lawmakers are calling for returning North Korea to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Washington removed Pyongyang from the list in October 2008 as part of a nuclear deal in which the communist state agreed to disable a plutonium plant and allow some inspections. "Removing North Korea from the state sponsor of terrorism list was a mistake," Representative Ed Royce, a California Republican who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement released to VOA by his office. "That's why I am working on legislation that calls for North Korea to be relisted as a state sponsor of terrorism." U.S. Senator Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, is also calling for the reinstatement of the North to the list. "The murder of Kim Jong Un's half brother is yet another reminder of North Korea's brutality," he said. VOA's Cho Eunjung contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address French Foreign Policy Under Le Pen? Think U-turn By Lisa Bryant February 24, 2017 French far-right presidential front-runner Marine Le Pen offered a preview this week of what France's foreign policy might look like if she is elected. She canceled a meeting with a top cleric in Lebanon over demands she wear a headscarf, and rejected the European Union, NATO and global trade deals in a keynote speech in Paris that favored an independent, France-first course. "French policy will be decided in Paris," she said Thursday, addressing a packed audience in a conference hall near the Champs Elysees. "No ally, no treaty, no alliance will decide policy in its place." Le Pen is running ahead in the polls despite being dogged by allegations of misusing EU funds. While many surveys find her winning the first round of voting in April, she is widely predicted to lose the May runoff vote. Yet in an election season marked by unpredictability and upsets, analysts are cautious about placing their bets, and mainstream EU leaders are tracking the popularity of Le Pen and other European nationalists with alarm. 'A respect of culture and peoples' In her speech, the 48-year-old National Front party head lambasted past EU and U.S. foreign policy for errors in the Middle East and toward Russia, and outlined a new French relationship with Africa free of meddling "but not indifferent." "I don't want to promote a French or Western system," she said. "I don't want to promote a universal system, but to the contrary, I want to promote a respect of culture and peoples." While Le Pen has been largely shunned by many in the EU, she got red-carpet treatment in Lebanon earlier this week, where she meet with the country's Christian President Michel Aoun and Sunni Prime Minister Saad Hariri, who warned her against confounding Islam with terrorism. But she pointedly canceled a meeting with Lebanon's grand mufti after refusing to wear a headscarf for the event, although his office said she had been told beforehand it was required. While Le Pen's tough stance on radical Islam, immigration and dual citizenship might put off many Arab countries, she might find common ground in the fight against terror, said Manuel Lafont Rapnouil, Paris office head of the European Council on Foreign Relations. In a 2015 visit to Cairo, for example, she praised President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi for his fight against extremism, and "got a kind of official treatment by Egyptian authorities," Lafont Rapnouil noted. Champion of 'oppressed people' Le Pen's discourse Thursday, touching on the Middle East, Africa and the United States, offered a stark counterpoint to her National Front's more abrasive grassroots image as an anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, populist party. She described France as a champion of "oppressed people, which speaks out for the voiceless and carries something powerful and great." She took no questions and continued calmly after a bare-chested Femen protester sought to interrupt her remarks before being carried, still shouting, out of the room. Yet much of Le Pen's discourse was thin on specifics. She called for environmental security without defining it, and did not address key issues like whether France would stick to the Iran nuclear agreement under her leadership or to a two-state solution in the Middle East peace process. "If you don't pay attention to the details and just listen to the rhetoric, it sounds very French, very classical legalism," Lafont Rapnouil said of Le Pen's traditional discourse. "If you pay a bit more attention, it's a clear departure from the kind of mainstream foreign policy followed by France since the Cold War." Like Le Pen, other presidential candidates are trying to bolster their international profile. Former economy minister Emmanuel Macron, who is running as an independent, met with British Prime Minister Theresa May during a visit to London this week, where he delivered a pro-EU message. Former front-runner Francois Fillon, now battling a fake-jobs scandal, briefly met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel late last year in Brussels, according to reports. EU bashing Both candidates support remaining in the EU. Le Pen, by contrast, is sharply against the bloc, vowing to renegotiate France's membership if elected and hold a 'Frexit' referendum if that fails. Adding to European concerns, far-right Dutch candidate Geert Wilders, another EU basher, is similarly coasting in the polls ahead of March elections in the Netherlands. "The European Union is not the solution, it's the problem," Le Pen said Thursday. "It will be a very difficult and cold relationship" with other European leaders if Le Pen becomes president, said analyst Philippe Moreau Defarges of the Paris-based French Institute for International Relations. "Of course, Mrs. Merkel or Theresa May will receive Mrs. Le Pen as head of state, but it will be a big European crisis, an earthquake, if she's elected." Le Pen had kinder words for U.S. President Donald Trump whose November victory she praised early on and described as a harbinger of her own. After sharply criticizing the Obama White House, she predicted the Trump administration represented "almost a change of software that will not only be positive for the world, but positive for the United States." Like Trump, Le Pen has embraced nationalist, law-and-order policies and a crackdown on immigration. She is also skeptical of multilateral institutions and trade agreements. But experts caution not to draw easy parallels. Unlike the U.S. president, Le Pen has been in politics for years, holding both local office and a seat in the European parliament. "I think she's more prepared and classical in terms of institutions than Trump so far seems to be," Lafont Rapnouil says. Not business as usual Still, he predicts a Le Pen presidency would be tumultuous, and realizing her promises like getting France out of the Schengen passport-free travel zone or the European Union would be challenging. "On another level, most of her proposals would raise legal questions," he added, that would likely end up in French and European courts. "This would not be business as usual, for sure." On defense, Le Pen reiterated her distaste for NATO, instead calling for a policy based on French national interests, and demanding a spending hike to two percent of GDP, increased to 3 percent by the end of her five-year term. On the Middle East, she called for rapprochement with the Syrian government and Russia in the fight against Islamist terrorism, saying Moscow had been badly treated both by Europe and by previous U.S. administrations. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India approves budget to buy missiles from Israel Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 8:56AM India has approved a 2.5-billion-dollar deal to purchase a surface-to-air missile system from Israel. The government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the budget for its army to buy the Medium Range Surface to Air Defense Missile (MR-SAM) system from Israel Aerospace Industries, Indian media reported Thursday. The Indian Army "will induct over five regiments of the MR-SAM missile, which will have around 40 firing units and over 200 missiles of the system," wrote India Today, citing government sources. The system can reportedly target aircraft, drones, and AWACS planes at the strike range of between 50 kilometers to 70 kilometers in the sky. The first delivery of the missile system is expected in 2023. The missile system will reportedly developed jointly by India's Defense Research and Development Organization in collaboration with the Israel Aircraft Industry. New Delhi and Tel Aviv signed an agreement back in February 2015 to jointly develop the missile system for the Indian army. Israel has been supplying India with military hardware, including missiles, weapons systems, and unmanned aerial vehicles over the last few years. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Indian Navy Pushes HAL for Unmanned Helicopters to Keep an Eye on China Sputnik News 16:08 24.02.2017(updated 16:22 24.02.2017) Experts feel that unprecedented rise in surveillance platforms deployed in the South China Sea, particularly China's deployment of high-tech drones, has reinforced a perception in New Delhi that Chinese future military operations will focus on dominating Asia's littorals. NEW DELHI (Sputnik) In a bid to accomplish requirement of unmanned platforms for Indian armed forces in fixed timeframe, India's government owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has decided to abandon the Israel Helped project to convert two ton class Chetak into unmanned helicopter. Instead HAL has invited global firms with proven capabilities in specific areas of design and development for conversion of 2 ton class Helicopters into Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (RUAV). "HAL desires to select risk sharing partners for development of specific technologies/systems to meet the overall requirement of developing the Unmanned Helicopter," reads a document published by HAL. HAL and Malat solution, a unit of Israel Aerospace Industries, were involved in developing rotor craft project since 2008 which did not yield the desired results. It is considered that Indian Navy has forced HAL to complete, if possible, the project in fixed timeline as it urgently needs such rotary UAV for futuristic warfare. "Indian Navy plans to induct strategic unmanned systems, including a fleet of high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) maritime UAVs as well as rotary-wing tactical UAS. In some ways, the growing propensity of navies for autonomous operations is a reflection of the growing tensions in Asia-Pacific. The unprecedented rise in surveillance platforms deployed in the South China Sea, particularly China's deployment of high-tech drones, such as the Harbin BZK-005, has reinforced a perception in New Delhi that Chinese future military operations will focus on dominating Asia's littorals," says Indian Naval Commander Abhijit Singh(retired) of Delhi based think tank ORF. HAL has produced Pilotless Target Aircraft (Lakshya) and is involved in maintenance of MALE & Tactical categories of UAVs. In addition HAL has designed indigenous mini UAV, which is undergoing extensive flight trials. In proposed rotary UAV project, the development partner would bear the cost of executing his scope of work. HAL plans to approach potential customers namely Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard and others, after successful development of the Technology Demonstrator, for obtaining development and production orders. Development cost will be shared in agreed proportion between the partners from sale of Rotary UAVs. HAL is sending a clear signal to possible partners that it will give priority to those which has expertise in automatic flight control system. IAI and HAL failed in developing desirable flight control system. IAI-HAL Naval version of Rotary UAV was planned to have endurance of 6 hours and up to a distance of 120 km from the launching vessel. Currently, Indian Navy is operating three UAV squadrons based in Kochi (Kerala), Porbandar (Gujarat) and Ramanathapuram (Tamil Nadu) for coastal surveillance. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address India Clears $2.6 Billion Air Defense System Purchase From Israel Sputnik News 11:17 24.02.2017 India is also negotiating with Russia for long range air defense system S-400 which is expected to be finalized next month. NEW DELHI (Sputnik) In a bid to expedite the overhauling of obsolete air defense system, Indian government has approved a budget of $2.6 billion for the acquisition of Medium Range Surface to Air Defense Missile Systems from Israel. Sources told Sputnik that this acquisition for the Indian Army will be in line with ongoing India-Israel LRSAM and MRSAM projects for Indian Navy and Indian Air Force respectively. The system is jointly developed by India and Israel and will intercept aerial threats at range up to 70 Kilometer. According to approved proposal, Indian Army will start receiving the missile system by 2023. A total of 40 firing units and over 200 missiles are proposed for induction in the Indian armed forces. The project will be completed in India under the guidance of Defense Research Development Organization. Bharat Dynamics is expected to produce the system whereas private sector companies like Tata Power SED and Larson & Turbo are likely to participate for supplying components for the missile system. "For long range missile systems, we are in talks with Russia for S-400, but in medium range there is a clear gap and threat is actually that, medium range threat is more. All the combat formations that are moving around, they require cover then staging area of the army, consultation areas of the army, tactical assembly areas of the army; they require coverage. Airfields also require coverage. Vulnerable areas and points require air defense coverage. MRSAM is important kind of an acquisition. Equally important is the fact that it will be Make in India product," says Brigadier Rumel Dahiya (retired), a renowned defense analyst. India's air defense has received a major setback in the recent past as there has not been any major acquisition except for some for short range Akash missile system. "This is not sufficient. A long time back, we had taken some air defense missile systems from Russia, that was three decades back," Dahiya added. MRSAM will be an important component of India's Cold Start doctrine. Cold Start doctrine is considered as retaliatory offensive arrangement along western border through which Indian armed forces can hit specific targets of rivals in limited duration. Indian Army had been continuously requisitioning for MRSAM since a long time back to defend mechanized formations operating in the plains and desert regions of the country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran increased precision of ballistic missiles: defense minister People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 08:57, February 24, 2017 TEHRAN, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Iran has, to a great extent, increased the precision of its long-range ballistic missiles, Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehqan said here on Thursday. "We have increased the range and precision of our long-range, ground-to-ground ballistic missiles," Dehqan was quoted as saying by Theran Times daily. "We have achieved greater precision in longer ranges," he said, adding that the Iranian army has also managed to increase shelf life of its missiles up to 20 years. The Iranian minister denied the reports that Tehran has halted its missile program after a recent missile launch that provoked threatening gestures from the United States. The Iranian officials have unanimously called the development and test of ballistic missile as "inalienable right" of the country to boost deterrent power. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran complying with nuclear agreement, IAEA reaffirms Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 7:15PM The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has once again confirmed that Iran has lived up to its commitments under the 2015 nuclear agreement it signed with the P5+1 group of countries. In its quarterly report on Friday, the UN nuclear agency said the Islamic Republic has stockpiled roughly half of the enriched uranium allowed under the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). "As of 18 February 2017, the quantity of Iran's uranium enriched up to 3.67 percent U-235 was 101.7 kg," the IAEA said, adding that it is well below the agreed level of 202.8 kilos, which is equivalent to 300 kilos of uranium hexafluoride. The IAEA's latest report also said Iran has not exceeded the permitted level of 130 tonnes of heavy water. The deal requires that Tehran sell or dilute the extra amount of its heavy water. Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council - the United States, France, Britain, Russia and China plus Germany - signed the landmark nuclear agreement on July 14, 2015 and started implementing it on January 16, 2016. Under the nuclear agreement, Iran undertook to put limitations on its nuclear program in exchange for the removal of nuclear-related sanctions imposed against Tehran. The quarterly report to IAEA member states is the agency's first since the inauguration of US President Donald Trump, who has on numerous occasions criticized the JCPOA, referring to it as "the worst deal ever negotiated." During his election campaign, he also vowed that he would "tear up" the JCPOA or try to renegotiate its terms. IAEA verification of UF6 injection into IR-8 centrifuges The latest report by the UN nuclear agency once again confirmed that all of the peaceful nuclear activities of Iran are in compliance with the JCPOA, an Iranian envoy said. "The first report by Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Yukiya Amano in 2017 once again confirmed that all nuclear activities of Iran are advancing within the framework of the JCPOA," the Iranian ambassador to the United Nations and other international organizations in Vienna, Reza Najafi, said on Friday. He added that the most notable issue mentioned in the report was the injection of uranium hexafluoride (UF6) into advanced domestically-manufactured centrifuges, known as IR-8, which confirmed the "continuation of our country's nuclear research and development activities [under the JCPOA] according to a long-term plan announced by Iran." The Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) said on January 28 that the Islamic Republic had started injecting UF6 into IR-8 centrifuge machines in an important phase of the country's research and development plans. Iran has successfully conducted all mechanical tests of the machines over the past three years, the AEOI said, adding that the IR-8 machines have the capacity to enrich uranium some 20 times faster than the IR-1 ones. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reports: UN Watchdog Says Iran Complying With Nuclear Deal February 24, 2017 The International Atomic Energy Agency has concluded that Iran is complying with the 2015 nuclear deal it struck with major world powers, news agencies that have seen a confidential report say. The IAEA document said Iran has not built up its existing heavy-water research reactor and has kept its stockpile of enriched uranium at acceptable levels, agencies reported on February 24. The Associated Press, AFP, and Reuters say they have seen the IAEA report, the first to its members since the inauguration of President Donald Trump, a critic of the 2015 accord. The agreement with the United States, Britain, France, Germany, China, and Russia put limits on Iran's nuclear program in return for the easing of economic sanctions against the country. During the 2016 election campaign, Trump called the deal a "disaster" and "the worst deal ever negotiated," but as president he has not said he will pull out of the accord. In early February, the United States imposed new sanctions against Iran after Tehran conducted a ballistic-missile test. The United States said the missile launch defied a UN Security Council resolution calling on Iran not to test nuclear-capable missiles. Tehran denied the accusation. The nuclear deal limits the level to which Iran can enrich uranium at 3.67 percent and caps the amount it can stockpile. The IAEA report listed Iran's stockpile of 3.67 percent enriched uranium at just over 100 kilograms, about half the limit of some 202 kilograms. Such uranium is often used for peaceful purposes, but can be used for a nuclear weapon if processed to a higher level, experts say. The IAEA report said Iran remained below the limit of 130 tons of heavy water, which can be use in a nuclear reactor. Based on reporting by AFP, AP, and Reuters Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/un-watchdog-iran- complying-nuclear-deal/28331025.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 Samsung Electronics is glad to announce its new innovative projects under the Creative Lab (C-Lab) suite. (Photo : Getty Images/Alex Wong) Samsung Electronics is glad to announce its new innovative projects under the Creative Lab (C-Lab) suite. The latest iteration ought to deliver a broad spectrum of experiences via Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), which will be showcased at the 2017 Mobile World Congress (MWC). Advertisement After years of fueling corporate culture and innovative ideas that turn pages for the current trends, Samsung will be showcasing a new quartet of projects in the upcoming Barcelona trade show. According to Samsung Newsroom, the core of the latest iteration will be in the VR and AR spectrum, which expressed their infinite possibilities since 2016. Following the report, the virtual reality and augmented reality projects will be exhibited at 4 Years From Now (4YFN), a platform for startups. For the uninitiated, the products hinted for the showcase event will include a smart aid for visually impaired people, monitorless PC viewing glasses, a VR home furnishing solution and a 360-degree travel experience platform. To start, the Relumino app aims to help near blind and visually impaired people watch TV and read books with "new levels of clarity." This visual aid application is incorporated with the Samsung Gear VR, which will then enhance visuals by repositioning images to rid of blind spots and correcting images that appear distorted for people with metamorphopsia so that users can enjoy better viewing quality. Next is the pair of ordinary-looking glasses called Monitorless. This gear acts as a remote-control VR/AR solution that replaces PC and smartphone monitors. It uses a special pair of glasses that can be used to view content from devices like smartphones and PCs, which can also activate augmented reality and virtual reality functions. As an improved tool for home furniture buyers, the VuildUs enables users to project how furniture will fit in a room before customers purchase them. This module includes a 360-degree depth camera and a mobile app for VR compatible devices. The company claims that it "removes the need for measuring space before buying furniture because it enables them to see whether it would fit in real time." Lastly, the company will introduce the traVRer, a 360-degree video platform that allows a real-life experience of tourist spots without the hassle of leaving home, Engadget reported. The said platform, which is similar to Google Street View and Matterport, even captures the mood, noises and events in different episodes within the place. The mentioned C-Lab projects are expected to be unveiled at Samsung Electronics' booth (4YFN G1 in the Fira Barcelona). Turkey, Saudi advance own interests in Iraq: Ex-US ambassador to Baghdad Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:46AM After a full liberation of Mosul, Iraq needs to dispatch its troops to the border with Syria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to prevent terrorists from returning to the country, a US-based journalist says. "They have to make sure they have tight control over their borders; so [terrorists] cannot be flowing back in from Syria," Jim W. Dean, managing editor of Veterans Today from Atlanta, told Press TV on Thursday night. Daesh terrorists have started fleeing into Syria but Dean said if the Takfiri stronghold of Raqqah in Syria falls, the militants are going to be flooding over the border. "The same would be for Saudi border; so, getting really tight control over your borders, so these people can just not wander around and bring truckloads of arms and smuggling in" is important, he added. If the Iraqis fail to control their borders with Syria, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, "they're never going to be in control of their country," Dean warned. Once Mosul is taken care of, there is going to be a big change in Iraq, because that's going to free up a lot of the Iraqi troops and they could be dispatched to Syria if needed to help the Damascus government fight terrorism, Dean speculated. Since October 2016, Iraqi forces have been trying to liberate Mosul, which is the second biggest city in the Arab state. Defeating the Daesh in Mosul would deal a crushing blow to the Takfiri group, which occupied areas in northern and western Iraq in 2014. The military advancements in Mosul are going to be "a big boost" to the Iraqi army and the country as a whole, Dean said. He said Iraqi armed forces have realized that the only solution for the terrorists is to defeat them so that they cannot escape. However, he went on to say, "the menace of terrorism could not be dealt with seriously if there is too much emphasis on eliminating Daesh alone without eliminating the mechanism that initiated and supported it in the first place." According to the expert, some members of the UN Security Council are aiding and abetting terrorist groups in the Middle East. "Sovereign countries are suffering from terrorism because there are state sponsors of terrorism and they have immunity in international arena," he said. Edward Peck, former US ambassador to Iraq from Washington, said the push for Mosul "would be a feeling of uplift on the side of the Iraqi government itself." He said Iraq is facing disintegration because outside players like Turkey and Saudi Arabia are trying to advance their interests in the war-stricken Arab country. Peck hoped consensus for stabilizing Iraq would be attainable in the future. The former ambassador touched on reports that the US military was assisting extremists through airdrops of weapons which ended up in the hands of the Takfiri terrorists. "Once you send weapons in an area like that ... it can fall into the hands of people who are still existing in territory that was earlier liberated and could cause problems," he said. In an interview with German newspaper Koelner Stadt-Anzeiger in 2016, al-Nusra Front commander Abu Al Ezz said US weapons were being delivered to the group by the states which were supporting militants in Syria. Pointing to foreign military presence in Iraq, Peck warned that the involvement of foreign forces in the Iraqi conflict "complicates the problems enormously." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi forces enter first residential neighborhood in west Mosul Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 10:44AM Iraqi armed forces are pushing deeper in the western Daesh-held half of Mosul, entering the first residential neighborhood in the area in yet another blow to the terror group in its last urban stronghold in the Arab state. The Iraqi forces recaptured a military base and a village southwest of Mosul and entered the residential neighborhood, Sami al-Aridhi, a lieutenant general in the Counter-Terrorism Service, said on Friday. The latest gains came a day after Iraqi ground troops, backed by the air force, managed to regain full control of the Mosul airport following heavy clashes with Daesh terrorists, who had planted mines and booby traps throughout the disused complex. The Popular Mobilization Forces, called Hashd al-Sha'abi in Arabic, also helped secure the main roads west of Mosul, largely cutting the Iraqi city off Daesh bastion in neighboring Syria. Iraqi federal police and elite Rapid Response units of the Interior Ministry are now engaged in clean-up operations inside the airport, which will serve as an army airbase in the area in the operations to liberate Mosul's western half. On a separate front, Iraqi forces with the Counter Terrorism Services (CTS) on Friday recaptured the Ghozlani military base, a gain which facilitated their push towards the southwestern Mosul districts of Tal al-Rumman and al-Mamoun, Reuters quoted a military spokesman as saying on Friday. "Our forces are fighting Daesh terrorists in Tal al-Rumman and al-Mamoun. We will eliminate them soon and take control over the two districts," said CTS spokesman Sabah al-Numan. Reports say the terrorists operating in the area have resorted to bomb attacks and drone operations to slow down the advances of CTS forces. "There is a resistance there. The drones are particularly annoying today," said Major General Sami al-Aridi, a senior CTS commander. The military operations west of Mosul come after Iraqi forces managed to drive Daesh out of the eastern sector of the city, which is divided by Tigris River. The offensive for western Mosul is estimated to be more difficult that the battle in city's eastern sector given the old neighborhoods and narrow streets in the current operation zone. Meanwhile, there are also concerns over the situation of some 750,000 civilians trapped in Mosul's western districts. International aid organizations have warned against the mass exodus of hundreds of thousands of civilians from Mosul in the wake of the final stage of the battle to recapture the city from Daesh Takfiris. Makeshift camps are being built up in nine cities near Mosul, and tents are being pitched in existing camps to accommodate up to 400,000 internally displaced people. Daesh usually uses civilians in the areas under its control as human shields as a strategy to prevent the army forces from advancing. The terrorists also step up their acts of terror groups cross the country whenever they come under pressure on the Mosul battlefield. In another development on Friday, Daesh terrorists carried out an assault a border security checkpoint near Jordan on Friday, killing at least 15 guards. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US-backed Iraqi Forces Push Deeper Into Western Half of Mosul By Ken Bredemeier, Wayne Lee February 24, 2017 Iraqi military officials say U.S.-backed forces pushed deeper into the western half of Mosul after launching several attacks to recapture Islamic State's last main stronghold in the city. The advances come one day after counter-terrorism troops regained control of the airport in Mosul that had been controlled by the extremist Islamic State group since 2014. The troops took full control Friday of the Ghozlani army base, and have entered the Mosul neighborhood of al-Mamoum for the first time in months. The Iraqi takeover of the airport gives its troops access to Mosul from the southwest and for the first time control of an area along the west bank of the Tigris River. IS insurgents were pushed out of eastern Mosul in January but the militant group still controls the western section of the city, which is divided by the river. Iraqi forces launched a new bid to retake the western areas of Iraq's second-largest city on Sunday after saying in late January they had liberated eastern parts of the city. Airport takeover Iraqi Lieutenant General Raid Shakir Jaudat said Baghdad's forces, backed by drones and heavy artillery, advanced on the airport from several positions. At first, accounts of the airport takeover said there was little Islamic State resistance, but later there were reports of Iraqi firefights with militants encamped in airport buildings. One Iraqi special forces officer reported Islamic State fighters targeted Baghdad's fighters with a suicide car bomb and dozens of bombs dropped from drones. The officer said there were at least a dozen casualties, although many were light injuries. "Daesh (Islamic State) resistance is not inconsiderable, but they are trying to save their strength for inside the city," First Lieutenant Ahmed al-Ghalabi of the Rapid Response force said outside the airport's main entrance. Another commander, Hisham Abdul Kadhem, said, "Right now, thank God, we're inside Mosul airport and in front of its terminal. Our troops are liberating it." Little was left inside the airport, and what was once a runway was littered with dirt and debris. Other buildings in the airport complex had been leveled by Islamic State forces. The Iraqi forces also seized an Islamic State weapons storage warehouse, as well its one-time headquarters and barracks. But the advance to retake the remainder of western Mosul may take some time. It took three months for Iraqi forces to seize control of the eastern part of the city. Civilian safety International relations professor Houchang Hassan-Yari of the Royal Military College of Canada told VOA's Persian service the concentration of civilians in western Mosul will make it harder for Iraqi government forces and their coalition allies to retake that part of the city. "Comparing this situation to the recent battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo, Syrian government forces and their Russian allies directly attacked civilians (as they retook the city last November and December)," said Hassan-Yari on VOA Persian's NewsHour program. "In Mosul, Iraqi government forces and their U.S.-led coalition partners have significantly restricted themselves in terms of the firepower they are using, in order to save the lives of civilians." Damascus and Moscow have denied targeting civilians in Aleppo. U.S. forces have played a key role in the advance of Baghdad's troops, launching airstrikes and providing advisers on the ground. On Thursday, U.S. forces were seen in the front lines of the attack. The American forces are not supposed to be engaged in the fighting under Washington's terms of the U.S. involvement in Iraq. But a coalition spokesman, Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, said Wednesday that in recent weeks they have gotten so close to the front that they have come under attack near Mosul and returned fire. Thousands of Iraqi forces have been involved in the advance on Mosul, while U.S. officials say they believe that only about 2,000 jihadists remain in the city. But the fight for control of densely populated western Mosul is likely to be fierce. It includes the Old City and its narrow streets, which are impassable for some military vehicles. Residents of western Mosul report that food supplies are dwindling, but residents on the liberated eastern side of the city are expressing their support. On Wednesday, an army plane dropped thousands of letters from residents of the retaken eastern side into the western area. One letter said, "Be patient and help each other... the end of injustice is near." It was signed "People from the east side." Mattis' surprise visit Earlier this week, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis visited Iraq and vowed that the U.S. will support Iraq in its fight against Islamic State jihadists. When asked if the United States would stay in Iraq after the battle for Mosul had ended, he said, "I imagine we'll be in this fight for a while and we'll stand by each other." There are an estimated 750,000 civilians in western Mosul, essentially under siege by Iraqi forces, along with IS fighters. Many of those civilians in western Mosul were forced out of the eastern part of the city during heavy fighting there last month. Meanwhile, aid agencies are worried and preparing for the possibility that up to 250,000 people might flee Mosul in the coming days or weeks. The U.N. refugee agency has said it is focusing its efforts on building new camps to house the displaced. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has completed eight camps and says it is planning to start work at another site south of Mosul. Parisa Farhadi, Babak Azma and Sara Dehghan of the VOA Persian service contributed to this report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canadian Military Ready to Defend Iraqi Trainees From Daesh Attacks Sputnik News 01:13 25.02.2017(updated 01:39 25.02.2017) Canadian Joint Operations Command spokesperson Capt. Vincent Bouchard claims that Canadian advisers continue to play non-combat roles in Iraq by assisting the Iraqi Security Forces, but stand ready to defend them from attacks by Daesh terror group. WASHINGTON (Sputnik) Canadian advisers continue to play non-combat role by assisting the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF), but stand ready to defend them from attacks by Daesh terror group, Canadian Joint Operations Command spokesperson Capt. Vincent Bouchard told Sputnik. "The Canadian Special Operations Task Force continues to deliver on its mandate to provide advice and assistance to its Iraqi Security Forces partner," Bouchard said on Friday. "We are not principal combatants, but our personnel are ready to defend not only themselves but also the forces with which they are training and providing assistance." On Friday, the Washington Post reported that the United States, which leads a coalition of 68 nations against Daesh, has changed the rules of engagement for the operation to liberate Iraq's second largest city of Mosul. During the offensive to retake the Mosul airport, the coalition embedded American and European advisers with forward Iraqi rapid response and special operations forces units, according to the report. Bouchard, however, said Canada's advice and assistance mission in Iraq remains a non-combat one. "Our mandate has not changed," the spokesperson stated. "We are there to train, advise and assist the Iraqi security forces." US Defense Department spokesperson Jeff Davis said in a briefing on Friday that coalition commander, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend, is now exercising authorities that he has already had. The spokesperson has previously stated advisers have been pushed deeper into the ISF formations, including such units as the federal police. "There has been no DOD [US Defense Department]-directed change to rules of engagement," Davis concluded. The operation to liberate Mosul from Daesh has been ongoing since October 2016. It resulted in the Iraqi forces liberating the city's eastern part, but its western districts remain under the terrorists' control. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address South Korea Pledges $530Mln to Counter N Korea's Missile Threat Sputnik News 17:48 24.02.2017(updated 17:57 24.02.2017) South Korea approved a package worth $530 million to step up defense fortifications against North Korea, the country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) said on Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) The funds will be aimed at development of the defense systems, including reconnaissance satellites, long-range surface-to-air missiles and medium-altitude drones, the DAPA said. "The DAPA will pour out its efforts to implement the plans seamlessly with a vision to bring South Korea's defense technologies to the top global level," the DAPA said, as quoted by the Yonhap news agency. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula escalated since North Korea carried out a number of missile launches and nuclear tests last year with the latest test-fire of a medium-range ballistic missile being conducted on February 12, declared successful by Pyongyang. The launches were considered to be in violation with the UNSC resolution by the United Nations. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Builds an Integrated Defense Line on Its Eastern Flank Sputnik News 14:04 24.02.2017(updated 17:09 24.02.2017) Russia will deploy a division to the Kuril Islands this year, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday. Moreover, the first Bastion coastal defense system has recently been deployed to Kamchatka. The moves are part of Defense Ministry's plan to build an integrated defense system in Russia's Far East. 'Ritual' Protest "We expect to complete the deployment of three divisions to the western and southwestern border. Active work continues to protect the Kurils, a division should also be deployed there this year," the minister told Russian parliament. Japan reacted to the deployment plan with a note of protest against Russia. "The protest was submitted via diplomatic channels on [February] 22 and 23. It is regrettable if the Russian Armed Forces enhances its military presence [there]. It is at odds with the position of our state," Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said at a press briefing on Thursday. Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Russian upper house of parliament's foreign affairs committee, said that the recent protest by Tokyo is a "ritual," noting that such moves only add to Russo-Japanese tensions. "There are no grounds for such protests. Neither legal nor political," Kosachev said. According to the senator, Russia takes legitimate steps to maintain security on its territory, taking into account actions by other regional powers. This was not the first time Tokyo has protested Moscow's actions in the region. In particular, in mid-February, Japan lodged a protest after Russia named five unnamed islets in the Kuril archipelago. Commenting on Tokyo's stance, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that the Kuril Islands were Russian territory, thus allocating names to them was Russia's "sovereign right." Russia's Right to Protect its Territory Dmitry Novikov, deputy chairman of the Russian parliamentary foreign affairs committee, told Sputnik that the Kuril Islands are Russian territory and Russia has the right to take any necessary measures to protect it. "Moreover, Russia has the right to use the Kurils to protect the rest of its territory," he added. At the same time, according to the lawmaker, the Kuril territorial problem should not be an obstacle for developing Russo-Japanese trade, economic and cultural ties. Japan has territorial claims on the Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and Habomai islands in the South Kurils. The dispute has remained unresolved since the end of World War II. Japan and Russia never signed a permanent peace treaty after WWII due to a disagreement over the four islands, which Russia calls the Southern Kurils and Japan the Northern Territories. The disputed islands, located in the Sea of Okhotsk, were claimed by Soviet forces at the end of the war. "Any issues of the past can be resolved now. Russia and Japan should seek to build a good partnership relation," Novikov said. Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the Russian upper house of parliament's committee for defense and security, noted that Tokyo's protest over the planned deployment of a Russian division to the Kurils is irrelevant and has no legal grounds. "With the same result, we could expect that the United States to withdraw its military bases from Okinawa," he told Spuntik. Ozerov underscored that Russia will not use this division against Japan and wants bilateral cooperation. "We're ready for cooperation, including military cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorism. But Russia will deploy military forces on its territory where it is necessary," he said. According to Ozerov, Russia has a right to deploy military forces on its territory if it is not in violation of international norms or UN's regulations. Integrated Costal Defense Within its framework of border protection measures, Russia recently deployed the first battery of Bastion-P coastal defense systems to the southern Kamchatka Peninsula. On Wednesday, Russian daily Izevstia reported that the first battery of the Bastion-P costal defense system had entered service with the 520th Separate Coastal Missile and Artillery Brigade. The battery is now based in Yelizovsky District, which runs along the southeastern tip of the peninsula. Navy headquarters told the newspaper that the deployment took place late last year. Strategic submarines from the Pacific Fleet have been deployed to Kamchatka for decades. The 25th submarine division in Vilyuchinsk recently received a new Borei-class missile-carrying submarine, as part of a package of regional coastal defense security measures. Since 2015, Russia has been building an integrated coastal defense system, needing to protect the areas of the Kuril Islands and the Bering Strait as well as cover naval deployment areas and increase the strategic capabilities of the Pacific Fleet. The defensive buildup on Russia's eastern flank is a necessary measure, due to the US' increased military presence in the Pacific and the unsettled Kuril dispute, according to Russian journalist and commentator Alexander Khrolenko. In November, Bastion coastal defenses were deployed to southern Kuril and it came as a political and military message to Tokyo. "This move indicated the inviolability of Russia's borders and capabilities of the sea component of Russia's nuclear triad. Similar defense systems have also been deployed to Kamchatka, some 1,000 km to the north-east. The Sea of Okhotsk is now almost completely protected by Bastions," Khrolenko wrote in a piece for Sputnik. The capabilities of the new weapon allow for establishing secure patrol areas for Russian submarines in the Sea of Okhotsk, some 4,000 miles from San Francisco and US strategic missile sites, including 440 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles, in Wyoming, Montana and North Dakota. Top-Notch Firepower The Bastion-P is a next-generation mobile coastal defense system. It is armed with the Yakhont supersonic self-guided anti-ship missile. The system is designed for destroying different class surface ships during intense combat action and radio jamming. It can be used in both day or night, as well as in any weather conditions. The system does not require accurate target coordinates since the missiles autonomously seek the target after launch. While moving, the Bastion-P can be prepared for launch within five minutes and hit a target at a distance of up to 300 km (while according to different sources, up to 500 km). A typical Bastion-P unit carries 24 to 36 anti-ship cruise missiles. A division of Bastion-P systems includes four launchers mounted on a MZKT-7930 chassis. Previously, Bastion-P defenses entered service with the Northern Fleet and the Black Sea Fleet. The system was also used during combat in Syria. By 2021, the Russian Defense Ministry plans to increase fourfold the offensive capabilities of Russia's high-accuracy weapons. "The Russian nuclear triad and advanced technologies in space allow for maintaining peace for thousands of kilometers beyond Russia's borders. Washington describes such an approach as projection of force. But for Russia, it would be better to say 'projection of security,'" Khrolenko concluded. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia 'Categorically Against' Trump's Possible Suspension of New START Treaty Sputnik News 12:53 24.02.2017(updated 14:34 24.02.2017) Russia is categorically against the possible suspension of the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) and will insist on extension of the document, Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the defense committee in the Russian upper house of parliament, told Sputnik on Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) US President Donald Trump called the treaty "one-sided," as well as a "bad deal" in an interview with Reuters published on Thursday. "Of course, Russia is categorically against this treaty being suspended, we will insist on its extension," Ozerov said. According to Ozerov, the New START deal is "fundamental to global security." "This could become a bad example for other states that are striving to own nuclear weapons. If the United States is going to ignore the New Start treaty, this will clear the way for North Korea and a number of other states," the lawmaker said. The future of the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) should be included on the agenda of the bilateral meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump, Viktor Ozerov added. "The agenda of the possible high-level talks between Russia and the United States is expanding with an every Trump's statement. The earlier these issues are discussed at a personal eye-to-eye meeting, the better." The treaty with the formal name Measures for the Further Reduction and Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms was signed between Russia and the United States in April 2010 in Prague, and entered into force on February 5, 2011. The Treaty's duration is ten years until 2021, unless superseded by a subsequent agreement. Under the Treaty, the United States and Russia must meet the Treaty's central limits on strategic arms by February 5, 2018, that is seven years from the date the Treaty entered into force. The Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty treaty requires the parties to the contract to reduce and limit the number of deployed and non-deployed strategic offensive arms. It stipulates that the parties may agree to extend the treaty for a period of no more than five years. Before the end of his tenure, former US President Barack Obama had made a proposal to continue reduction of nuclear arsenals of both Russia and the United States. The Russian side has rejected the proposal citing a number of unresolved issues in bilateral relations, such as extension of the US missile defense system. Washington has also attempted to prolong a treaty, however the Russian Foreign Ministry said that it had not received an official proposal. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraqi jets strike Daesh positions in Syria: Premier Abadi Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 2:16PM Iraq's Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi says Iraqi fighter jets have pounded the positions of the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group in Syria. "We are determined to chase terrorism that tries to kill our sons and citizens wherever it is found, so we gave orders to the air force command to strike Daesh positions in Hosaiba and Albu Kamal inside Syrian territory," Abadi said in a statement on Friday. The Iraqi premier added that the targets were connected with recent deadly explosions in the Iraqi capital Baghdad. "The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success," Abadi said. A security official, who asked not to be named, said it was the first time Iraqi warplanes had bombed Daesh targets in Syria. A source close to the Syrian Foreign Ministry said the airstrikes were conducted in "complete coordination" with the Damascus government. Iraq's Joint Operations Command said in a separate statement that the F16 fighter jets destroyed Daesh positions and headquarters in Hosaiba and Albu Kamal on Friday morning. A top security official said the airstrike targeted the terrorists' "headquarters used for making car bombs in Albu Kamal... after Iraqi intelligence received tips from their sources inside Syria." Iraqi forces are engaged in an operation to liberate Mosul, which is the last stronghold of Daesh in the Arab country. The northern and western parts of Iraq have been plagued by gruesome violence ever since Daesh mounted an offensive in the country in June 2014. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bomb attack kills 70, mostly civilains, near al-Bab Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:41AM About 70 people have been killed and dozens more injured in bomb attacks near the Syrian border city of al-Bab, which was recently taken by Turkish forces and allied militants from Daesh terrorists. A car bomb struck a checkpoint controlled by Turkish-backed militants in the village of Sousian about eight kilometers northwest of al-Bab on Friday. Reports said that at least 60 people, most of them civilians, were killed in the explosion. Media outlets affiliated with foreign-backed militants reported that a second car bomb explosion in the village left at least eight people dead. The attacks took place a day after Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Ankara's forces and allied militants are almost in full control of al-Bab. Turkey began a major military intervention in Syria in August without Damascus' permission last year, sending tanks and warplanes across the border in a purported mission to fight Daesh. The Syrian government has slammed the Turkish intervention as an act of aggression and violation of its sovereignty. Turkish authorities first announced the capture of al-Bab last month. They have made similar claims at least twice since then. Ankara has, for long, been demanding the creation of a buffer zone in the periphery of its border inside Syria, which holds great concentrations of Kurdish forces. Turkish leaders consider the Kurds to be associated with the outlawed anti-Ankara Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).The PKK has been fighting for decades towards creating an independent state for itself in southeastern Turkey. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Vows To Veto Sanctions On Syria Over Chemical Weapons February 24, 2017 Russia says it is ready to veto a draft UN resolution calling for sanctions against Syria over the use of chemical weapons on civilians. "There is an argument that the resolution itself contradicts the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence before the investigation is over," said Vladimir Safronkov, Russia's deputy UN ambassador, after a Security Council meeting. Safronkov told reporters there is "tremendous pressure" on an inquiry into the use of chemical weapons in Syria to produce a one-sided result. "We will veto it," Safronkov said of the resolution if it was put to a vote. The inquiry is run jointly by the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). Russia is the largest international backer of the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad. Safronkov's statement later drew a rebuke from U.S. Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley. The draft resolution seeks to blacklist 11 Syrian military commanders and officials and 10 government and related entities involved in the development and production of chemical weapons. It calls for an asset freeze and travel ban for the individuals and entities across all UN member states. The resolution could be put up for a vote as early as next week, diplomatic sources said. Assad's government has denied its forces have used chemical weapons. Based on reporting by Reuters and AP Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/russia-vows-to-veto-sanctions- syria-chemical-weapons/28331004.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 Dar Al-Iftas statement came in response to an op-ed written by the Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad, published by The New York Times The Muslim Brotherhood are spreading lies through systematic campaigns that aim to turn global public opinion and human rights organisations against Egypt, Dar Al-Ifta the state Islamic authority charged with issuing religious edicts said in a Friday statement. Dar Al-Iftas statement is in response to an op-ed written by Muslim Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad and published by The New York Times 22 February under the title, I am a member in the Muslim Brotherhood, not a terrorist. El-Haddad, who is currently imprisoned on terror-related charges in Egypt since 2013, wrote in his piece that he wrote it because there is an inquiry in the United States that could result in the Brotherhood being designated a terrorist organisation. We are not terrorists. The Muslim Brotherhoods philosophy is inspired by an understanding of Islam that emphasises the values of social justice, equality and the rule of law, El-Haddad wrote. El-Haddads piece added that the Muslim Brotherhood had flaws in ruling the country in 2013, under Mohamed Morsi, and that the flaws are many, but violence is not one. In hindsight, I regret that political manoeuvring created distance between us and the people we have long lived to serve, El-Haddad wrote, concluding his op-ed. Dar Al-Iftas statement, meanwhile, said the Muslim Brotherhood is attempting to hide its terrorist nature by disowning and blaming those who resorted to violence among its ranks. In December 2013, the Egyptian government designated the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organisation as the government blamed the group for a number of deadly attacks on security forces in the aftermath of the ouster of Islamist president Morsi in July of that year. In the last three years, many Brotherhood members have received various prison sentences on charges that range from breaking the protest law to incitement against the government and carrying out terrorist attacks. Search Keywords: Short link: Iraqi PM Orders Launch of Airstrikes on Daesh in Syria - Reports Sputnik News 14:52 24.02.2017(updated 17:09 24.02.2017) Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has ordered launch of airstrikes against Daesh in Syria. "We have sent the [Iraqi] Air Force to carry out strikes on Daesh positions inside the Syrian territory," Abadi was quoted as saying by Alsumaria TV network. Abadi said that airstrikes on Daesh will be conducted in Hosaiba and Albu Kamal. He said that the targets are linked to recent attacks in the Iraqi capital. "We are determined to chase terrorism that tries to kill our sons and citizens wherever it is found," he added. According to Abadi, the aerial operation has already been carried out. "The heroes of the sky executed the operation and responded to the terrorists with amazing success," Abadi said. It is yet unclear whether or not the move was discussed with Syrian authorities, however, media report suggested that the operation has been coordinated with Damascus. No official confirmation has appeared so far. Albu Kamal is a city on the Euphrates river in the Deir ez-Zor province in Syria, while Hosaiba is located near the border with Iraq. Currently, the US-led coalition of 68 nations and Russia are conducting airstrikes against Daesh in Syria and Iraq. The coalition's strikes in Syria are not authorized by the government of President Bashar Assad or the UN Security Council, while Russia's aerial operation was launched at the request of the Syrian government. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Ramps Up Pressure on Washington to Abandon Syrian Kurds By Jamie Dettmer February 24, 2017 Top Turkish officials are increasing pressure on the United States to dissolve the American military partnership with Syrian Kurds in the battle against Islamic State. With just days to go before the Pentagon is expected to deliver to U.S. President Donald Trump a new war plan to defeat Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, Turkey, a NATO ally, is urging Washington to earmark Syrian opposition groups aligned with Ankara for the push to drive Islamic State militants from their de facto capital of Raqqa in Syria. This week, there has been a parade of senior Turkish officials making the point publicly time and again, urging the U.S. to drop its support of the Kurds and exclude the Kurdish People's Protection Units, or YPG, from the assault to capture Raqqa. Instead, they want the U.S. to train and arm Syrian militias who have been fighting alongside the Turks in northern Syria in Operation Euphrates Shield, a months-long Turkish intervention in northern Syria west of Raqqa aimed at clearing both IS and the YPG from territory close to the Turkish border. "If heavy weapons and armored vehicles that have been delivered to the YPG would be given to the opposition groups, there would be no more Daesh problem," Turkey's European Union minister, Omer Celik, told a group of journalists this week while in Poland, using an acronym for IS. Turkey sees the YPG as a terror group and an offshoot of its own outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, which has been waging an insurgency in Turkey for more than three decades. It remains unclear whether the Trump administration is going to be any more successful than Barack Obama's in juggling the competing demands of Ankara and Syria's Kurds. There is deep skepticism in Washington that Ankara can assemble even a force large enough, drawn from Syria's rebel militias to attack Raqqa. In the past the militias, whose main enemy is Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, have dismissed efforts by Washington to persuade them to see IS as a priority. Turkish officials have voiced confidence in recent days that their argument will prevail in Washington, if not with the Pentagon, at least with the White House, which has wanted to improve U.S.-Turkish relations more broadly. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isk, who announced on Thursday that the Syrian town of al-Bab had been largely captured from IS by Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) forces during the Euphrates Shield operation, told reporters in the Turkish capital that the Trump administration is evaluating whether to abandon the YPG as a partner. Turkish hopes appear to be misplaced, say analysts, who point out heavy armor was supplied to the YPG-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces on January 31, 11 days into the Trump presidency. Syrian Kurds also are convinced the Pentagon will maintain its alliance with the YPG and their Arab SDF allies. Their confidence was boosted this week by a visit to the Syrian Kurdish town of Kobani by U.S. Sen. John McCain, the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Turkish effort to persuade the new U.S. administration to abandon the Kurds began on February 8 when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a phone call with President Trump, emphasized that the PKK is considered a designated terrorist organization by the U.S. According to Turkish officials, Erdogan stressed it was not a good idea to side with one terrorist organization against another and warned of bitter consequences if the U.S. persists in its alliance with the Syrian Kurds. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yldrm conveyed a similar message to U.S. Vice President Mike Pence last week at a security conference in Munich. During the last few weeks, U.S. and Turkish defense and intelligence chiefs thrashed out plans for an assault on Raqqa. But according to U.S. officials, a Turkish delegation of diplomats as well as defense and intelligence officials visiting Washington on February 13 and 14 was rebuffed when it argued for the Kurds to be excluded from the assault on Raqqa. U.S. defense chiefs were the most vocal in pushing back on the Turks, a Pentagon official told VOA on condition of anonymity. "The Turks had no clear battle plan to offer and we are under pressure from the White House to come up with a plan to take Raqqa quickly," he said. "If we switch now and drop the SDF, it would delay an attack on the city by several months, possibly even a year." Analysts argue the Trump administration has little appetite for delaying an assault on Raqqa. They say there's deep Pentagon skepticism even of Ankara's seriousness about an offensive on the IS stronghold. "Recapturing Raqqa is not Turkey's main and immediate goal," argued Ferhat Gurini, Middle East editor of RSON, a Danish political quarterly. The Turks have publicly indicated their next target is the Kurdish-controlled town of Manbij part of their bid to ensure Syrian Kurds are blocked from linking Kurdish cantons along the border with Turkey. Securing some agreement from the Turks may well be essential for a Kurdish-dominated SDF assault on Raqqa to take place, though. Ankara could disrupt an offensive on Raqqa by escalating attacks on the YPG in northern Syria and by mounting a full-scale assault on Manbij. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Expected to Veto UN Resolution Blaming Syria for Chemical Attacks By Margaret Besheer February 24, 2017 Russia says it will veto a draft U.N. resolution blaming the Syrian government for some chemical weapons attacks in Syria if it is brought to a vote. "The resolution prejudges the results of the investigation, it is one-sided [and] based on insufficient evidence," Russian Deputy U.N. Envoy Vladimir Safronkov told reporters after a closed meeting of the council to discuss the issue. The Security Council created a special OPCW-U.N. (The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) Joint Investigative Mechanism known as JIM in August 2015 to study several chemical weapons attacks that took place in Syria since 2011 and identify "to the greatest extent feasible" individuals, entities, groups, or governments who were perpetrators, organizers, sponsors or otherwise involved in the use of chemicals as weapons in Syria. Three chemical attacks confirmed In October, the joint investigation concluded that the Syrian military had carried out at least three chemical attacks in 2014 and 2015. "There is tremendous pressure over JIM to get to sort of one-sided results of investigation," Safronkov said. "When we created JIM we said that investigation should be impartial, objective, independent it's not the case right now because of that pressure." Russia has deployed six vetoes in the past six years to protect Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from Security Council action. Haley frustrated with Russia "It is ridiculous. How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" U.S. Ambassador Nikki Haley asked. "People died because of this and the United States isn't going to be quiet about it." Britain, France and the United States have been working for months on a draft security council resolution that would sanction the Syrian regime for its use of chemical weapons and say they plan to bring it to a vote in coming days. Delattre says evidence is clear "We now have the clear evidence that chemical weapons have been used in Syria against civilian populations, and we also have converging indications that such weapons continue to be used in this country," France's envoy Francois Delattre told reporters. "If you think about it, on a scale of threats to peace and security, we are at 10 here." "You had an overwhelming vote to say we need an investigative mechanism that would prove that these chemical weapons were being done by the Syrian regime, now ... the results have come out and people don't like what the results are," Haley said in reference to Russian objections. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey shifting to open prisons amid jail overcrowding Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 3:56PM Turkey says prisoners serving lighter sentences would be transferred to open prisons amid reports of jail overcrowding since Ankara began its crackdown in the wake of the failed coup of July 2016. Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said on Friday that "there is some overcrowding due to the fight against terror," adding that major crimes such as terrorism, organized crime or child abuse, would be excluded from the reassignment policy. He said the prisoners would not be granted amnesty, and the length of the jail sentence would not change. On February 22, the Turkish Ministry of Justice revised its regulation, allowing for convicts with sentences shorter than 10 years who achieve at least one month of good behavior to be reassigned to more comfortable open prisons. Ankara has so far arrested over 41,000 people and sacked more than 100,000 others, including military personnel, judges, and teachers, over suspected links to US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen as part of the post-coup crackdown. Many rights groups have denounced Ankara's heavy clampdown. Gulen has censured the coup attempt and strongly denied any involvement in the violence. Turkey remains in a state of emergency since the coup. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey urges expats in Germany to spy for Erdogan: Report Iran Press TV Fri Feb 24, 2017 9:13AM Turkey's government has reportedly asked teachers and parents of Turkish origin in Germany to collect information on any criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in German schools. The Turkish consulate in North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany has been holding meetings, named "information events," during which it told the Turkish attendees that their children should film their teachers at classes, the Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung (WAZ) reported. The report cited the Union for Education and Science (GEW) as saying that parents and teachers of Turkish origin have been asked to report any critical comments about the Turkish government. "We have heard from various different sources that people were told to report every piece of criticism of Turkey, which had been heard at schools in North Rhine-Westphalia, to the consulate," said GEW spokesman Sebastian Krebs. "The consulate also encouraged parents to tell their children to film teachers and pass on the evidence to Turkish authorities," he added. Teachers at the meeting in Dusseldorf, the capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, refused to comply with the demand to spy on their schools, Krebs noted. The Turkish consulate has not provided any comment with regard to the accusations, but Germany's state security has launched a probe into the incident. The accusations come on top of the reports in early February that imams from the Turkish-Islamic Union for Religious Affairs (Ditib) in Germany spied on Turkish followers of self-exiled Turkish cleric Fethullah Gulen, whom Erdogan has accused of plotting an attempted coup in Turkey last July. Also on February 14, senior Austrian opposition lawmaker Peter Pilz accused Turkey of running an informer network via its embassy in Vienna aimed at targeting the critics of Erdogan and promoting his policies. Pilz said he had sent documents regarding the activities of the network, run by the umbrella group ATIB, to the police. The ATIB is headed by the religious attache at Turkey's embassy, Fatih Mehmet Karadas, and oversees the activities of dozens of mosques across Austria. Pilz noted that the Turkish government sends imams to work for the ATIB to collect information in particular about followers of Gulen. Gulen denies any involvement in the abortive coup, which claimed the lives of at least 240 people. However, the Turkish government has arrested tens of thousands of people over suspected ties with the US-based cleric. The umbrella organization also monitors Turkish Kurds, Turkish opposition politicians and journalists in Austria, Pilz added. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Goals of Euphrates Shield Operation in Syria Achieved Turkish General Staff Sputnik News 20:57 24.02.2017 The goals set at the beginning of the Euphrates Shield operation in Syria have been reached, Chief of the Turkish General Staff Hulusi Akar said Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) Earlier in the day, media reported that all neighborhoods in the Syrian town of Al Bab had been taken under control of the Syrian opposition. "Al Bab is under control, the goals set at the beginning of the operation have been achieved," Akar said as quoted by the Anadolu news agency. He added that the necessary assistance for normalization of life of local people would be provided. The Euphrates Shield operation by Turkey and Syrian opposition started on August 24. The city of Jarabulus in northern Syria was captured before the offensive on Al Bab began. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the aim of the operation was to clear the region of terrorists and make it a safety zone for refugees. The operation has been widely criticized both by the Syrian Kurds and Damascus, who have accused Ankara of violating Syria's territorial integrity. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey-Backed Syrian Rebels Fully Control Al-Bab Sputnik News 15:56 24.02.2017(updated 16:27 24.02.2017) The Turkish General Staff has confirmed that Free Syrian Army (FSA) rebels gained full control over al-Bab previously controlled by Daesh. Earlier in the day, Anadolu news agency reported that the FSA fighters, backed by the Turkish forces, celebrated the liberation of the Syrian town of al-Bab from Daesh terrorist group that had seized the city in 2013. Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik said Thursday that most of the city was under Syrian opposition's control after the fighters had entered the city's center. On Thursday, Daesh terrorists have started to leave the besieged northern Syrian city of al-Bab. Turkish-backed forces made advances into the town earlier this month. The town's remaining jihadist-held areas thus came under siege as the Syrian army had approached al-Bab from the south, cutting off militant retreat routes. Al-Bab is one of Daesh's last remaining strongholds near the Turkish border. Capturing the city is of strategic importance to Turkey in order to prevent the Syrian Kurds taking it and unifying their own territories. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey Wants to Buy Russian S-400 to 'Develop Its Own Missile Defense System' Sputnik News 14:23 24.02.2017(updated 14:25 24.02.2017) Ankara has expressed interest in purchasing the S-400 Triumf mobile surface-to-air missile systems from Russia to develop its own air defense system, Turkish MP Ahmet Berat Conkar of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) told Sputnik Turkey. Turkey "aims to develop defense systems of this type primarily by itself. We need technology exchange and joint production. These issues are important to Turkey," he said, adding that Ankara needs to purchase the new weapons at the best price possible. "Steps aimed at increasing capabilities and boosting the defense budget, a hot topic for NATO members at the moment, have already been taken. I consider the measures adopted by Turkey as appropriate. After all, some NATO members use Russian-made armaments," the MP added. "I don't think that there will be any issues." Ahmet Berat Conkar further noted that Ankara needs to buy a missile defense complex to "develop its own anti-ballistic missile defense system." A recent rapprochement between Ankara and Moscow has apparently had a positive effect on the S-400 talks. "Agreements reached during talks between [Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan] necessarily promote cooperation. We all know that this is one of the topics discussed at the highest level. In this respect we will work together with all of our partners, including Russia to purchase systems which Turkey requires at the best price," he said. Turkey has become the latest country interested in purchasing the S-400. On Monday, Rostec CEO Sergei Chemezov said that Russia and Ankara are discussing a possible S-400 deal, with both sides currently focused on the financial aspect of the agreement. A day later, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the talks were "successfully moving forward." The S-400 Triumf, which NATO refers to as SA-21 Growler, was developed by the Almaz-Antey defense contractor and manufactured by the Fakel Machine-Building Design Bureau. It is capable of intercepting all types of modern air weaponry, including fifth-generation warplanes, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles at a maximum range of nearly 250 miles. The S-400, estimated to cost $400 million per unit, has been in service since April 2007. Russia is reported to have reached an agreement to deploy the S-400 to China and India. Other potential buyers include Armenia, Belarus, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and Vietnam. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Turkey's Air Forces Kill 27 PKK Militants in Northern Iraq - General Staff Sputnik News 09:54 24.02.2017 The Turkish Air Forces killed 27 Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants in an operation carried out in northern Iraq, the General Staff of the Turkish army said Friday. MOSCOW (Sputnik) According to the statement quoted by the Haberturk media outlet, as a result of operation conducted on Wednesday, the Turkish Air Forces destroyed three hideouts and killed 27 militants in northern Iraq's region of Qandil. Tensions between Ankara and the Kurds escalated in July 2015 when a ceasefire between Turkey and the PKK collapsed because of a series of terror attacks allegedly committed by PKK members. The Kurds are currently living in parts of Turkey, Iran, Iraq and Syria. In Turkey, the Kurds represent the largest ethnic minority, and are striving to create their own independent state. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Defence Secretary confirms 1.7bn investment in Scottish military bases 24 February 2017 The Defence Secretary today (Friday 24 February 2017) confirmed 1.7 billion will be invested to upgrade Scottish military bases as the MOD's Defence Board convened in Edinburgh for the first time. Sir Michael Fallon outlined how Scotland will be home to several additional key Defence capabilities by 2020 to the Board and recognised its unique contribution to UK national security. Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon said: "Scotland is on the frontline of defending the United Kingdom from growing threats at sea, in the air, and on land. Our commitment to the future of defence in Scotland is underlined by increasing investment in better infrastructure for the Armed Forces helping to keep us safe." Scotland's 14,000 military regular and reserve personnel and 3,930 MOD civilians are set to benefit from: 1.3 billion investment into upgrades to HM Naval Base Clyde's waterfront, engineering support, accommodation and physical security ahead of the Dreadnought class of deterrent submarines arriving in Scotland from the early 2030s; 400 million investment at Lossiemouth as one of the RAF's three fast jet bases - upgrading its runways, taxiways and accommodation for the nine new Poseidon P-8 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and an additional Typhoon squadron; Being home to a versatile Army Adaptive Force Brigade, which specialises in operations, works alongside partner nations abroad, and provides resilience support to Scottish civil authorities and communities. Further, Leuchars Station will be expanded to become the main 'hub' for Army activity in Scotland. The 178 billion Defence equipment programme supports 11,000 Scottish industry jobs and accounts for over 10% of the country's industrial base. Scottish business is developing key military capabilities: the Queen Elizabeth Carriers being built in Rosyth; Offshore Patrol Vessels and Type 26 Global Combat Ships being built in Govan and Scotstoun; a new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar for RAF Typhoons being built in Edinburgh. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address In November, a Cairo misdemeanour court sentenced syndicate chairman Yehia Kalash and board members Gamal Abdel-Reheem and Khaled El-Balshy to two years in prison for harbouring fugitives Qasr Al-Nil Misdemeanour Appeals Court postponed Saturday to 25 March issuing a verdict on an appeal by the head of Egypts Press Syndicate and two board members against a two-year jail sentence issued in November for harbouring fugitives inside the syndicate's headquarters. In mid-November, a Cairo misdemeanour court sentenced the syndicate chairman Yehia Kalash and board members Gamal Abdel-Reheem and Khaled El-Balshy in absentia after they failed to appear in court. The trio, who were accused in April 2016 of harbouring journalists Mahmoud El-Sakka and Amr Badr, were released on bail of EGP 10,000 each and mounted appeals. Journalists Mahmoud El-Sakka and Amr Badr were among many wanted on arrest warrants ahead of 25 April 2016 protests against the Egyptian-Saudi Red Sea island maritime border agreement. Badr and El-Sakka were arrested inside the Press Syndicate premises. They were later released on bail pending trial. In an open meeting after the verdict, the syndicate decided to take all legal actions to appeal, stressing that this verdict will not distract the syndicate from the basic issues currently facing journalists, such as the new media law and economic crises. After the verdict, syndicate head Kalash told journalists who had gathered in anger at the syndicate's Downtown Cairo headquarters that he was not worried about going to jail. I urge you to face the real problems ... such as the new press law, the social and economic rights of journalists and to focus on changing the syndicates bylaws, he told the group. Kalash also announced he would be running for a second term as head of the syndicate in elections that will take place 3 March. Kalash, Abdel-Reheem and El-Balshy are also facing charges of spreading false news about the police raid on the syndicate's headquarters on 1 May that resulted in the arrest of the two journalists. A court session is yet to be set for this second charge. Search Keywords: Short link: Trump Says He Wants To Ensure U.S. Nuclear Arsenal Is 'Top Of The Pack' RFE/RL February 24, 2017 U.S. President Donald Trump has suggested he wants to strengthen the U.S. nuclear arsenal, saying the country must ensure it is "at the top of the pack" of nuclear-armed nations. Trump, in a wide-ranging interview with Reuters on February 23, argued that the United States has "fallen behind on nuclear-weapon capacity." "It would be wonderful, a dream would be that no country would have nukes, but if countries are going to have nukes, we're going to be at the top of the pack," Trump said. He also said that New START, a 2010 strategic-arms limitation treaty between the United States and Russia, was a "one-sided deal." New START stipulates that both sides must limit their arsenals of strategic nuclear weapons to equal levels by February 2018 and maintain those ceilings for 10 years. Among other limits, it restricts each side to a maximum of 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads. "Just another bad deal that the country made, whether it's START, whether it's the Iran [nuclear] deal," Trump told Reuters in the interview. He said the United States is "going to start making good deals." Trump has repeatedly denounced the July 2015 deal between world powers and Iran, which imposed curbs on Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for relief from some economic sanctions. In the interview, he did not make clear whether he would take any action related to New START, such as withdrawing or seeking to change it. A senior pro-Kremlin lawmaker in Russia, Aleksei Pushkov, said on Twitter that "Trump's announcement on the expansion of U.S. nuclear potential throws strategic arms limitation agreements into question, returning the world to the 20th century." Another pro-Kremlin lawmaker, Vyacheslav Nikonov, told the Interfax news agency: "Trump should be aware that any efforts made by the United States to increase its nuclear missile potential will receive a symmetrical and asymmetrical response from us both in the creation of missile defense and...if we find it necessary, an increase of [Russia's] nuclear potential beyond the limits established by [New START]." Reuters said that Trump made his remarks about nuclear weapons in the interview when speaking about a tweet he posted in December, before taking office, in which he said that the United States "must greatly strengthen and expand its nuclear capability." But he did not refer directly to an expansion or buildup of the U.S. arsenal in the interview. Asked about Trump's comments, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said at a regular briefing later on February 23 that what Trump "was very clear on is that the United States will not yield its supremacy in this area to anybody. That's what he made very clear in there. And that if other countries have nuclear capabilities, it will always be the United States that has the supremacy and commitment to this," Spicer said. But in a remark that seemed to refer to plans to expand the U.S. nuclear arsenal, Spicer said "that's not what we're seeking to do." "The question that was asked was about other people growing their stockpiles," he said, adding that Trump has made clear "that our goal is to make sure that we maintain America's dominance around the world, and that if other countries cloud it, we don't sit back and allow them to grow theirs." In the interview, Trump also mentioned a Russian cruise-missile deployment that the United States says violated of a 1987 arms control treaty banning land-based U.S. and Russian intermediate-range missiles. "To me, it's a big deal," Trump said, adding that he would bring up the issue with Russian President Vladimir Putin "if and when we meet." Russia has denied violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Trump also put more pressure on China to solve the security challenge posed by North Korea, saying that Beijing could exert more influence on Pyongyang "very easily if they want to." Source: http://www.rferl.org/a/trump-wants- expand-us-nuclear-arsenal-make-top-of- pack-start-agreement/28328304.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 Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. Never miss the latest local news again by signing up to our Daily Newsletter GCHQ has taken part in a mini Twitter-thon to seek questions about the work it does now, and the work it has done in the past. No state secrets were revealed (obviously), but the twitter Q&A brought up some illuminating facts from the Cheltenham base's past. Yesterday, political leaders in Cheltenham welcomed news that 22 million will be used to build a 'cyber hub' in Cheltenham, near GCHQ. The money has been allocated to Gloucestershire by Whitehall as part of a number of 'growth deals' and the county has been told it will receive 29m for three projects. The Cyber hub in the Springbank area of town will get the lion's share, with 4.5m earmarked for housing in Longford near Gloucester and 2.6m for a Gloucestershire College campus in the Forest of Dean. Here are some of the questions answered by GCHQ historian Tony Comer. MP Mohamed El-Masoud said that the decision 'would have negative effects on the tourism sector' An Egyptian parliamentarian submitted on Saturday a letter to the countrys parliament speaker Ali Abdel-Aal urging him to cancel a decision to increase tourist entry visa fees from $25 to $60, Ahram Arabic website reported. MP Mohamed El-Masoud, a member of parliament's tourism and aviation committee, said in his letter that the decision would have negative effects on the tourism sector. El-Masoud also questioned why the cabinet would take such a decision when other countries in the region such as Tunisia have shot down similar proposals in favour of promoting tourism. Egypts foreign ministry informed the countrys airports of the increase in tourist visa fees earlier this week. The country last pushed up the fee for its visa in April 2014, when it was increased from $15 to $25. Egypt has struggled to attract tourists pushed away by the political turmoil that followed the 2011 uprising. The countrys revenues from tourism dropped to $3.4 billion in 2016, a 44.3 percent drop from the previous year, the Central Bank of Egypt said in January. The figure is a far cry from the $11 billion in revenues generated by the sector in 2010, when 14.7 million tourists visited the country. Search Keywords: Short link: AFRICAN AMERICAN BLACK HISTORY REFLECTIONS Union Street Missionary Baptist Church will feature Edna Griffith, former first lady of Union Street and retiree of Danville Regional Medical Center, as she presents African-American Black History Reflections during the 11 a.m. service Sunday. ANNIVERSARY The Christian United Baptist Church with pastor Charlie Farmer, will celebrate its third anniversary at 3 p.m. Sunday. Lunch will be served following morning service. BLACK HISTORY PROGRAMS White Rock Missionary Baptist Church in Ringgold will hold its annual black history program at 3 p.m. Sunday with the Rev. Clarence Hairston and the Bennett Memorial Baptist Church family as guests. Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 700 Halifax Road, will hold a black history program at 3 p.m. Sunday with guest preacher, the Rev. James Edwards, founder of Bridge the Gap Ministries. Songs will be by Chosen Few from the Unity Baptist Fellowship Church. Apostolic Faith Temple, 124 Witcher Road, will hold a black history program at 3 p.m. Sunday. BLACK HISTORY MONTH Wesley Chapel AME Zion Church, corner of John and Doe Streets, will observe Black History Month during the 11 a.m. service on Sunday with speaker Rev. Virginia Motley. CLOTHES CLOSET The Clothes Closet will be open from 9 a.m. to noon today at East New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, 321 Airport Drive. For information, call (434) 793-6774. FELLOWSHIP CONFERENCE The Laymen of Cherrystone Missionary Baptist Church will host its 19th annual fellowship conference on March 11 from 9 a.m. to noon at Cherrystone Education and Recreation Center, 19388 U.S. 29, Chatham. At 9 a.m., a country style breakfast will be served with guest speaker Kimberly Baldridge, executive director, Danville/Pittsylvania County Cancer Association. The Rev. Robert Millner, pastor of Mount Freeman Baptist Church will preach. The Smith River Laymen Chorus of Axton will render the music. Admission is free. A donation of $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12 is requested to help cover meal cost. Call (434) 432-0577 by March 8 and give the number of persons planning to attend. MUSICAL PROGRAM White Oak Grove Baptist Church in Sutherlin will hold a musical program with Men in Black and Women in White and music by several groups. Lunch will be served following morning service. BIRTHDAY GOSPEL CELEBRATION New Peaceful Zion Church will hold a birthday gospel celebration at 3 p.m. Sunday with groups from Virginia and North Carolina on the program. GUEST PREACHER Mount Carmel Baptist Church, 700 Halifax Road, will have the Rev. Ronald Pridgen as guest preacher for the 11 a.m. service Sunday. TEEN TALK SESSION Apostolic Faith Temple, 124 Witcher Road, will hold a Teen Talk Session at noon today. DEACON/DEACONESS DAY Greater Brandon Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, Alton, will celebrate its annual Deacon and Deaconess Day at 11 a.m. on Sunday. OLD FASHION DAY Apostolic Faith Temple, 124 Witcher Road, will observe Old Fashion Day at 11:30 a.m. SPECIAL SERVICE Greater Mount Zion Temple, 425 Hughes St., will hold a special service Sunday with theme Remembering the Past with morning speaker Elder Robert B. Fuller Jr. and service concluding at 2:30 p.m. with guest Bishop Walter Anderson and St. Paul Church of Chatham congregation. Dinner will be served following morning service. WOMENS DAY The department of missions of Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church, 1588 Shady Grove Road, Providence, North Carolina, will celebrate Womens Day at 3 p.m. on March 5 with theme Women Who Worship God with speaker Pastor Amy Timmons Miles of Immanuel Christian Center, Haw River, North Carolina. A closed tunnel is an inconvenience for travelers. And an 18-month tunnel closure between Brooklyn and Manhattan can be a major headache for commuters and transportation officials. A new tech tool , however, may help pre-empt some of the damage.In July of 2015, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced that the Canarsie Tunnel will be closed for a year and a half in order to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. This closure prompted the nickname "L-mageddon," as the L line is drastically affected. The line, which typically operates from the east side of Brooklyn across the borough and ends in west Manhattan, will only operate between the Williamsburg and Canarsie neighborhoods, but will not run west of the Bedford Avenue station into Manhattan. The line services 250,000 travelers daily.So to help commuters understand what to expect in terms of commute disruption, Sidewalk Labs, a subsidiary of Alphabet that focuses on urban mobility, has released a mapping tool called NYC Transit Explorer . While mapping tools like Google Maps or Waze can describe transit from point A to B, this new tool shows people how long it would take to get anywhere in the city using public transportation from any origin within NYC.Utilizing Google Maps software and real-time location data from New York City transportation agencies, the tool describes travel accessibility between two parts of the city. The tool allows users to add variables including time of departure, maximum amount of walking desired and whether you are willing to transfer. Once the locations are chosen for travel, the map creates darker shading for areas which are easier to access. Another option is to show how much longer the trip will take when the Canarsie tunnel is closed in 2019.Through the closure of the tunnel, public transit commutes could possibly double. Software engineers who created the map hope that this tool can help guide transportation officials in how more bus services can be added to mitigate the agitation. The MTA and NYC Department of Transportation are holding a series of public workshops to discuss alternative service plans. Jerome Mullen, CIO of Baltimore and the city's top technology official, has resigned, a representative of the Mayors Office of Communication toldWe cant provide any further comment but I can confirm that is true, said Amanda Smith, deputy press secretary in the Mayors Office of Communication.Baltimore's website still listed Mullen as CIO in the Mayor's Office of Information Technology (MOIT) on Wednesday, Feb. 22 as did his LinkedIn profile but the city's deputy CIO, Evette Munro, has been named acting head of the department, Smith said.The reasons for his resignation remain unclear. However, citing a spokesman for Mayor Catherine Pugh, The Baltimore Sun reported the mayor is interested in expanding MOIT's role and giving residents better access to city services.According to the Baltimore Brew , however, problems with the city's website and a lack of MOIT support for health department initiatives could have led to his departure.Regardless, the move could signal continued tough sledding for the tech sector at City Hall, where Mullen is the citys third CIO to depart in five years.His immediate predecessor, Christopher Tonjes, resigned in June 2014 during a fraud investigation into allegations the department paid contract employees for work they didnt do. Before Tonjes, the IT offices then-Director J. Rico Singleton resigned in February 2012 after a New York state audit revealed alleged ethical violations.But theres no correlation there other than that he resigned, Smith said, referring to the lack of a connection between Mullen, Tonjes and Singleton.Mullen was the CIO since early 2014, having previously worked as the citys deputy CTO. He joined MOIT in 2011 as director of IT infrastructure and enterprise services. Over the past two weeks, eight terrorist attacks have targeted Christians in North Sinai, including the murder of three people in Arish on Wednesday and Thursday The Anglican Church in Egypt's Ismailia has received almost 30 Christian families, including 150 people, who escaped North Sinai's Capital Arish after several terrorist attacks targeting Christians in the city, church official Nabil Shukrallah Basta told Ahram Arabic news website on Saturday. Basta said that the families have been housed in different areas of the city, including at a youth hostel, and that more Christian families are expected to arrive today. Basta also mentioned the support the church has received from the Dubara Church in Cairo, along with other churches, as well as the support of the Ismailia governorate in containing the crisis. In the past few days, churches in Ismailia have received dozens of Coptic families who escaped the North Sinai city for fear of being targeted. Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church issued a statement on Friday condemning "the repeated terrorist attacks targeting Egyptian Christians in North Sinai." Social solidarity minister Ghada Waly visited on Saturday the International Youth Hostel in Ismailia to check on the Christian families staying there, assuring that this is a temporary situation and that they will be back to their homes within days. Ismailia Governor Yassin Taher said that the displaced families are welcome in the governorate, and that he has received many calls from the residents of Ismailia offering to host the displaced families. Over the past two weeks, eight terrorist attacks have targeted Christians in North Sinai, including the murder of three people in Arish on Wednesday and Thursday. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attacks against Christians. However, last Monday, the Islamic State militant group released a video vowing to carry out attacks against the Christian community in Egypt and promising to "liberate Cairo," even though the group's activity has traditionally been centered in North Sinai. The 20-minute video titled "Fight All Idolaters'' also purportedly shows the last statements made by the suicide bomber who blew himself up in Cairo's St. Peter and St. Pauls Church on 11 December 2016, killing 29 Coptic Christian worshippers, mostly women and children. The Egyptian army, which has been waging a war against the North Sinai Islamist insurgency -- led mostly by Islamic State affiliate Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis -- has killed hundreds of militants in intensified comprehensive military campaigns in the governorate. In July 2016, Father Rafael Moussa of the Mar Girgis Church in Arish was gunned down by Islamic State militants. The group has also killed civilians in North Sinai for allegedly cooperating with security forces. Search Keywords: Short link: A 48-year-old man tested positive for the virus after he was admitted to Fayoums General Hospital with a cold and a fever Egypt's first death from the bird flu virus in 2017 has been reported in Upper Egypts Fayoum governorate, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday. A 48-year-old man tested positive for the virus after he was admitted to Fayoums General Hospital with a cold and a fever. The patient was moved to El-Abassiya Fever Hospital, where he succumbed to the virus, deputy health minister in Fayoum Hesham El-Shenawy told MENA. Blood samples were taken from the victims families and those with whom he interacted to ensure they are not infected. The victim worked at a duck farm, veterinary health deputy minister Moussa Soliman told MENA, adding that safety regulations are being implemented at the farm to ensure no more infections occur. Bird flu first appeared in Egypt in 2006, with most cases identified in rural areas, where villagers tend to raise poultry in their homes, increasing potential exposure to the virus. Search Keywords: Short link: Mubarak-era chief of staff Zakaria Azmy and his brother-in-law Gamal Halawa were found not guilty on Saturday by a Cairo criminal court on charges of corruption and making illicit profits. A pivotal figure in former president Hosni Mubaraks inner circle, Azmy was detained in April 2011 on charges of abusing his political power to accumulate wealth. In May 2012, a Cairo criminal court sentenced Azmy to seven years in jail and Halawa to one year in absentia on corruption charges. Azmy was fined EGP 36.5 million ($6.05 million at the time) after being found guilty of making illicit profits of some EGP 44 million. The court imposed the same fine on Azmy's wife, Bahia Halawa, who was found guilty on the same charges. In February 2013, the Court of Cassation overturned the ruling and ordered a retrial in front of a different court. Search Keywords: Short link: The prosecution in Egypt's Menoufiya governorate ordered on Saturday the 15-day detention pending investigation of a traffic police officer accused of killing a tuk-tuk driver in the city Shebin El-Koum earlier this month. Last week, Police officer Ahmed El-Eleimy was ordered detained for four days last week after he shot 40-year-old Mohamed Abdel-Razek in the face on 14 February. Abdel-Razek died of his injury a week later in hospital. Ahmed Abdel-Fattah, a lawyer representing the victim's family, told Ahram Online that according to eyewitnesses' testimony the incident resulted when an officer attempted to stop Abdel-Razek who mistakenly drove his vehicle on a no-tuk-tuk street. "When the officer tried to apprehend him, Abdel-Razek became scared and attempted to speed away, but the police officer managed to catch him and began to hit him, despite attempts by bystander to help the victim," Abdel-Fattah said. The lawyer said that Abdel-Razek bystanders mangaed to help Abdel-Razek back to his tuk-tuk. At this point, the officer fired two shots, one in the air and the other into the face of the victim who was simply sitting in the tuk-tuk, the lawyer says. The prosecutors are investigating the defendant on charges of intentional murder. Police investigators had initially said that the officer intended to fire both shots into air, with one bullet accidentally striking the victim. Abdel-Fattah has decried the investigators' conclusion as "illogical." The medical examiner has not yet released its findings. "The incident left two young kids orphaned and a widowed wife with no source of income," Abdel-Fattah said. There have been several incidents in recent years where policemen have been charged after killing civilians, though the interior ministry has repeatedly stated that these are isolated incidents. Last year, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi pledged to hold accountable policemen guilty of "violations" after a series of deaths in police custody, allegedly caused by torture, sparked public outcry. Search Keywords: Short link: Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi ordered on Saturday the government to take all necessary measures to provide assistance to Coptic Christians who escaped their homes in North Sinai to Ismailia in recent days out of fear of attacks by militants, according to a presidency statement as reported by MENA state news agency. In a cabinet meeting,the president stressed the importance of countering attempts to undermine security and stability in Egypt, saying the displaced families, who have been received and housed until terrorist elements are dealt with. In the past few days, churches in Ismailia have received dozens of Coptic families who have fled Arish, in the light of a number of killings of Christians linked to militants. At least seven Christians have been killed in the last month in North Sinai, with several of the killings claimed by Islamic State-affiliated militants. Last week, the Islamic State militant group claimed responsibility for a deadly attack on a church in Cairo in December, and called on its supporters to attack Christians across the country. Several days after the video was released, three Christians were murdered in Arish. Prime Minister Sherif Ismail ordered on Saturday the creation of an operation room to coordinate the provision of services to fleeing families. The premier said the operation room would coordinate with Ismailia, Qalioubia, Cairo and Assiut governorates, as well as the Coptic Orthodox and Anglican churches. "The state is determined to continue its efforts to counter evil forces and extremism, the prime minister said, sending his condolences to the victims families. A cabinet statement added that the prime minister is coordinating provision of relief efforts with a number of ministers and officials as well as the Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II. Displaced families have been housed in youth ministry hostels in Ismailia as well as at the Anglican church, and basic medical services would be made available. Social Solidarity Minister Ghada Wali visited Christian families staying at the International Youth Hostel in Ismailia, assuring the families that this is a temporary situation and that they will return to their homes within days. Ismailia Governor Yassin Taher has said that the displaced families are welcome in the governorate, and that he has received many calls from the residents of Ismailia offering to host the displaced families. The Anglican church in Ismailia has received almost 30 Christian families, comprising 150 individuals, church official Nabil Shukrallah Basta told Al-Ahram Arabic news website, adding that more Christian families are expected to arrive today. Egypt's Coptic Orthodox Church issued a statement on Friday condemning "the repeated terrorist attacks targeting Egyptian Christians in North Sinai." No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest murders of Christians in North Sinai. In July 2016, Father Rafael Moussa of the Mar Girgis Church in El-Arish was also gunned down by Islamic State-affliated militants. Christians are estimated to make up around 10 percent of Egypts population. The Egyptian army has been fighting an Islamist insurgency in North Sinai for several years. Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis, the Islamic State affliated group, has killed hundreds of security personnel, as well as a number of civilians they accuse of cooperating with authorities. The army has killed hundreds of militants in turn, in intensified and comprehensive military campaigns in the governorate. Search Keywords: Short link: Our tradition teaches, You shall not wrong or oppress a stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. As Jews, we know firsthand the consequences of nations turning away those fleeing persecution. We can never forget the fate of the countless number of Jews whose lives could have been saved during the Holocaust, had the U.S. accepted them as refugees. As Jews and Americans, we must continue to uphold our shared value of welcoming the stranger regardless of religion, race or nationality. The Greensboro Jewish Federation and its strong volunteer core were the instrument of freedom for more than 500 refugees resettled in the Gate City over the past 30 years. Resettled refugees have consistently enriched the fabric of our community through the professions, small businesses, the arts and religious pluralism. Therefore, the Greensboro Jewish Federation opposes the recent executive order that would have closed our nations doors to refugees, even if only temporarily, from predominantly Muslim countries. We join with the overwhelming chorus of national Jewish organizations, including all four major American Jewish denominations, who have issued similar statements in opposition to this executive order. Any government action that closes our doors to refugees and the oppressed contradicts our Jewish values and our American values of compassion, equality and justice. Religious tests which directly violate the core American value of freedom of religion have no place in our governments policies. As our nation secures its borders with thorough vetting and seeks to combat extremism, we must never lose sight of the fundamental values that define our country and our people. We also affirm our commitment to stand with our friends and neighbors in the Muslim community who are directly affected by this ban. We will work together to affirm that a safe haven exists for others in this great country of ours with liberty and justice for all. Regarding the Feb. 20 article by Nancy McLaughlin about lynching victim Wyatt Outlaw: It was brought to light by Bryan Stevenson, author of Just Mercy, who spoke as part of Guilford Colleges Bryan Series recently. I highly recommend another book, Forsaken, by local author Ross Howell Jr. An African American girl was tried for killing her white employer. She is the only female juvenile executed in Virginia history. The story takes place in Hampton, Va., after the Civil War and Reconstruction. A blend of fiction and nonfiction, this is a powerful message on the themes of injustice, corruption and racial conflict set in the Jim Crow era. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As the drought in southern Connecticut continues, homeowners anxiously await relief from restrictions on water use. A group of backcountry residents this week expressed frustration with ongoing limits and looked to the water company and town to provide assistance. At a meeting of the Round Hill Association, residents said if restrictions are to continue, the water company should educate people about easy ways to conserve. Others questioned why those who use well water about 12 percent of Greenwich households should be subject to the ban at all. And everyone wanted to know when the ban would be lifted altogether so they can water their lawns again. Its my well, Steve Mulligan, a member of the Round Hill Association, said this week. I paid for it; its my home and my water. Youre telling me I cant use it? Denise Savageau, director of the Greenwich Conservation Commission, who led the discussion Thursday night at the Round Hill Community House, explained that although well users do not access reservoirs maintained by the Aquarion Water Co., they still have to conserve. Just as reservoirs can become depleted due to lack of rainfall, so can the water table that stores groundwater that supplies their wells, she said. Association members suggested creating a tiered pricing structure to increase costs for heavy-water users, which they said could pay for systems to bring more water into town. For the people who live back here, Mulligan said, indicating the backcountry, theyll pay to have green lawns. We are in one of the wealthiest counties in the country. What are we a third world country? Does Manhattan have a problem with water? Conservation is only part of the solution. But Savageau says tiered pricing wont work if the water supply is depleted. The reservoirs are now filled to 73 percent, but at this time of year they should be at a level over 80 percent. Greenwich is not only town affected by the shortage. Stamford, Darien, New Canaan and Westchester County towns on the western Greenwich border also use the same water sources. Jay Louden, an Old Greenwich resident who attended the meeting, said the water company should do more to educate residents about conservation, perhaps by providing manuals to customers. Louden said that after the water ban was well underway he recognized neighbors werent compliant and sought to spread awareness. I got angry because I knew that all the people on my street who had irrigation systems should have already been doing it, Louden said. But the street gets wet. I walk my dog around 7:30 or 8 in the morning. I could see they were still using them, it was obvious. Louden wrote letters to the neighbors who were not following the new regulations, and saw the lawn irrigation stop. In his own efforts to conserve water he replaced an old toilet from the 1950s that used 5 gallons of water per flush with a new eco-friendly toilet that only uses 1.26 gallons. Instead of using our $10,000 tile and glass walk-in shower, he said, we use the other shower that has a basin. My wife and I shower every other day, and we shower simultaneously. Then we save that water to use for our washing machine. The Conservation Commission is currently focusing on water conservation as the best way to recover from the water shortages in the area. It hopes to institutionalize water conservation and make it as prevalent as fire safety awareness in order to keep this problem from happening again, said Savageau. Downtown The Board of Estimate and Taxations Budget Committee has approved money for improvements to Greenwich Avenue. The budget for 2017-18 includes $500,000 to develop both preliminary and final design plans for repaving work and streetscape improvements for the roadway through Greenwichs central business district. Plans would include coordinating utility work before any construction is started and getting more public input. Projects such as these that affect such a prominent part of town have decisions made at a planning process that would require, with good practice, a lot of input from the various constituents, Budget Committee member Leslie Moriarity said. The documentation we have here mentions business owners. Is there an advisory group of those interested audiences to suggest solutions for the final design? Committee chairman James Lash, a former first selectman, said people had very strong views about the functionality and appearance of Greenwich Avenue. He said there had to be a plan to get substantial public input in addition to going through the Planning and Zoning process like any other project would. Quite frankly thats the one thing that scares us about this project, trying to build consensus, said Town Administrator Ben Branyan. It needs to be done though. This will ...not be an administrative design and build concept. Some work, including a topographical study of Greenwich Avenue, is already under way, paid for with $175,000 included in the current years budget. The newly designated $500,000 will still need approval from the full BET in March and the Representative Town Meeting in May. Lash said he was a bit concerned about approving more funding before results from the current years work was available. The $500,000, if approved by the BET and RTM, would not be available until July 1, at the start of the new fiscal year. Western Greenwich If youve ever wanted to tell your story to others but havent known how to start, the Greenwich Pen Women are prepared to help with a memoir writing talk on March 16. The Art of the Memoir is set for 2 to 4 p.m. at the barn on East Lyon Farm Drive and will feature Joan Motyka, a former editor for the New York Times, who has given many memoir writing courses at Greenwich Library. Pen Women member Judy Crystal called her the guru of memoir writing and said she would discuss both her own writing experiences and the process she uses. This is something thats trendy and fun, Crystal said. We have all stories we think we can share forever and then suddenly we cant. Its wonderful for our families and our friends and our kids to be able read these stories and for them all to have memories to share. Crystal and fellow Pen Women Arlene Mack and Bebbie Chickering collaborated on their own memoir through the Writing Down The Years program of the Pen Women. The project bonded them as close friends, Crystal said, despite only knowing each other through the organization. Anybody who does this will find themselves looking back at the world they grew up in, Crystal said. It can be such a wonderful experience. Space at the workshop is limited. People will not be permitted to come on the day of the event and must RSVP online at www.greenwichpenwomen.org by March 9. Mack, who won the Pen Womens Owl Award in 2016, will also speak at the event. The Greenwich Pen Women is a non-profit organization made up of professional artists, writers and music composers who get together to collaborate and share ideas in workshops and artist critique sessions. It also hosts events throughout the year. Old Greenwich Bruce Freyer, a retired rabbi and president of Congregation Emanu-El in Westchester, will be visiting First Congregational Church of Greenwich, 108 Sound Beach Ave., March 5 to discuss Afghanistan. Freyer is the founder of the Global Partnership for Afghanistan and will bring his perspective about the country, the people and refugees to a Greenwich audience. The church is now co-sponsoring a refugee family from Afghanistan. Freyers talk will cover everything from agriculture to womens rights, according to the church. Church congregation member Jean Bruder said the event came together through word of mouth. With Greenwich so close to Westchester, there was a lot of discussions between friends and friends of friends. When Freyer heard about the Afghani family in Greenwich, he got in touch, she said. We jumped on the opportunity as soon we heard about it. Bruder said. She added his personal experiences would be invaluable in helping the community learn more about the family they are sponsoring and whats going on in that part of the world. Thats everything, Bruder said. If you can put a face to things, then people are going to respond. More information is online at www.fccog.org. Admission is free and the public is invited. Glenville The American Legion Post 29 will install its officers at a special ceremony and reception on Monday. The reception and celebration will begin at 7:30 p.m.at the leagues headquarters, 248 Glenville Road. Peter LeBeau will be sworn in as the new commander with Greenwich Police Chief Jim Heavey sworn in as vice commander. Craig Connolly will be adjutant for Post 29 and Vincent Masi will be finance officer. Dan Griffin will be the service officer for the post. Marine veteran Christopher Hughes had served as commander but is stepping down. He will remain on as chairman of patriotic events for the post. The Board of Selectmen and State Reps. Michael Bocchino (R-150th) and Fred Camillo (R-151st) will be on hand for the event, which will be led by Richard Olson, the district commander and the liason with the Connecticut Department of the American Legion. Post 29 has chosen to raise the profile of this ceremony and reception since it has been many years since we had a formal installation ceremony, the legion said in a press release. We are actively engaged in reinvigorating the post. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate JM: Im 94, Ill be 95 in April. JT: Did you grow up in this area? JM: No, I grew up in Pennsylvania. A little town called Brownsville. A little town in a mining area. If you bat your eyes you could pass through and you wont even see it. JT: What was it like growing up? What were your hobbies? JM: Well, I went to school there, and at 18 I went to New York and met my husband. We got married and we moved to Greenwich, raised two daughters. One went to Ohio, and the other went to school here, went to college, came back and taught in Greenwich. I was married 58 years to my husband. Ive been a widow now for 17 years. I volunteered here in the senior center in the 80s. Now Ive been retired for years and still volunteer here on Mondays and Fridays. I cant say a quiet life because that wouldnt be right, but thats about it. JT: How did you meet your husband? JM: I met him in New York one night. My sister and I were at the Elks, and we were visiting there, and he and his cousin came. I looked at him and said, Oh, thats a nice-looking gentleman. You know, 6 foot 3, very stately. And he was with his cousin who was short and nubby, haha! And I say, Hey, he looks good. He looks at me and says, I like that one. And that was that. His name was Titus Monroe. JT: You met him when you got to New York? JM: Not long after. We were married at 20. Well, I was 20 and he was 23. He went into the service, we got married in 1942, and my daughter was born in September 43, and the other was born in August 47. JT: So your husband served in the war? JM: Yes, he served in World War II. JT: Where did he go? JM: He went to Massachusetts ...and then he worked in Texas, and then he went to Okinawa for overseas service. He was in Okinawa in the Second World War. He was the republican leader in District 6 for many years and was very well known here in the town of Greenwich. JT: And you retired how long ago? JM: Oh, I retired in 1980. JT: And what were you doing? JM: I worked with a firm out of Philadelphia, Smith Kline, and I retired from there. I stayed there until they sold that department. I did some odds and ends after that, and I went in with the AARP and here. JT: When you say youre 95, I have a hard time believing that! JM: No kidding! Im a great-grandmother. Ive got five great-grandkids. I dont see them because they are not in the neighborhood, but theyre here. As a matter of fact, two great-grand are in college. JT: I feel like for someone like me, its hard to wrap my head around what was life like before? JM: I remember in 1927 when they had the Great Depression. You probably heard of it. I was 5 years old then. See, I was born in 1922. Things like that, even children remember. I remember how even the men, when that depression hit and they couldnt take care of their families, grown men would cry because they had large families then and couldnt handle the problems that were then. I remember those days. JT: Wow, how did your parents handle it? JM: Well, I was brought up by the minister and his wife. They took me in so I could finish school. After I finished school, I came to New York, to work and to go to night school to get more educated. My mothers desire was that I get an education and I promised her that I would. And I tried very hard to get that education, and I worked on it, and thank God I felt the same way about my daughters. Most important get an education. JT: So its something you carried with you from your mother to your daughters. JM: When my husband came back from the service, he was a technical engineer. He worked. A very strong family man, that was important to him. They said do you miss him? I said yeah. They said would you ever marry again? I said hell no. Id never find another man like that. JT: What do you notice about the way things are now versus the way they were growing up? JM: Oh, theyve changed a lot. Some things have bettered themselves, others they call it progress but us old folks call it retrogress. Its not like (it) used to be, although nothing stays the same. I feel that all people are created equal and that God put us all here for a reason and that is to live and let live. JT: How do you keep those things so close to your heart when theres so much negative around you? JM: Ill help anyone that I can because I have been helped. You give and you reciprocate. JT: what are your biggest interests now? JM: There are limitations to age. There was a time I used to swim with the group here, travel with them. I used to be a tour director here for the AARP. Fifteen years. I was on the board for many years. In fact, this is my first year not being on the board. I was on the board since the 80s. Now I get to sit back and let the young people do it. I enjoy this life, Ill be honest with you. They say the world is wiser and weaker, I can see that. Prayers are strong. And I enjoy people. JT: There you go. Well thank you so much. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir held talks in Baghdad with Iraq's leadership Saturday, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom since 2003. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received Jubeir and his accompanying delegation, a statement from his office said, a key step in efforts to normalise frosty ties. Both sides "discussed cooperation in various fields, including the fight against the Daesh gangs," it said, referring to the Islamic State group Iraqi forces are currently battling in the northern city of Mosul. The Saudi minister also met his counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who said in a statement the visit was "the first by a Saudi foreign minister since 2003." "This visit is to reestablish relations in a more stable way than previously," a senior government official said told AFP on condition of anonymity. "It's the first visit of its kind." Abadi, who has been at the helm since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties but the road to normalisation has been rocky. Thamer al-Sabhan, whose credentials were received in January 2016, became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter century, after relations were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. He left the same year after Baghdad demanded he be removed following remarks he made to the press about an alleged plot to assassinate him and criticism he voiced of the Hashed al-Shaabi. Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces, which have played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, are a paramilitary umbrella dominated by Shiite militia and seen by Riyadh as a proxy for arch-rival Iran. Jaafari was one of the most vocal critics of Saudi Arabia at the time and issued several strongly-worded statements against the kingdom and Jubeir himself. He told him directly on the sidelines of a global conference on the anti-IS war last year and in a statement expressing Iraq's "annoyance" over what he called "unacceptable interference." Saudi Arabia is very unpopular among Iraq's Shia majority and often accused of direct support to the IS militants that took over a third of the country in 2014. Saudi Arabia nominally supports the fight against IS but Iraq and other partners have argued it needs to do more to help durably defeat IS and its ideology. As evidenced in recent attacks, IS has retained its ability to sow chaos and undermine the Iraqi government's authority even after it lost fixed positions in various regions. Several of them have occurred in Iraq's vast Anbar province, which has long and porous borders with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. "Jubeir congratulated Iraq on the victories achieved against Daesh and pledged Saudi Arabia's support to Iraq in fighting terrorism," the statement from Abadi's office said. It said the minister had also "expressed Saudi Arabia's willingness to back the stability of liberated areas." While Iraq has often suffered from being turned into a battlefield where the rivalry of its neighbours Iran and Saudi Arabia -- the region's Shia and Sunni Muslim powerhouses -- played out, the Iraqi government official said there was an opportunity for Baghdad. "The whole region is heading towards compromise and Saudi Arabia sees Iraq as an important player to have on its side," he said. "Iraq's neutrality could make it a ground for Iranian-Saudi rapprochement." He stressed that despite intense pressure from the street to take a strong stand against Saudi Arabia, Abadi -- who belongs to Iraq's largest Shia political bloc -- had "never indulged in aggressive rhetoric against Saudi Arabia." Search Keywords: Short link: The Greenwich community has a critical decision to make in coming months: retain our bipartisan Board of Education, or adopt a structure that permits a partisan board. Theres no lack of information upon which to base this decision. Its comprehensive. No stone was left unturned. Joan Caldwell, chairman of the Selectmens Board of Education Charter Revision Committee, praised the work fellow committee members have done since last July when the Board of Selectmen appointed the five-member panel. I have never worked with four people that Ive admired more, she said. The committee consisting of Caldwell, William Finger, Brian Peldunas, Barry Rickert, and Peter von Braun was charged with reviewing a proposal to expand Board of Education membership from eight to 10, with an election cycle that fills five seats every two years. The proposal, intended to provide more competitive elections and increase voter choice, originated with town residents and several RTM members, including Rickert. The committees final report currently being drafted by Peldunas is not yet available to the public, but Caldwell is not exaggerating when she says theres been no stone unturned. During deliberations, members considered many possibilities, even those beyond the realm of possibility, given statutory constraints, such as a 12-member board representing each of the towns 12 voting districts, or a non-partisan board. The town attorney advised that theres no state statute that allows, or authorizes, the election of board of education members by district. He further advised that such a board could result in a violation of the one-person one vote requirement, since not all the towns voting districts are equal in population. Committee members were especially interested in a non-partisan board. But, appealing as that was to the committee, it was ruled out because state statutes dont provide for non-partisan boards of education, and theres no possibility for a special exception. According to the town attorney: The Connecticut Constitution, Article 10 Section 1, states that after July 1, 1969 the general assembly shall enact no special legislation relative to the organization or form of government of any town except as to limited matters which are not applicable here. At its Jan. 19 meeting, the committee voted unanimously against the original proposal to expand board membership. This appears to reflect recognition that increasing the number of people to whom the superintendent of schools reports can exacerbate the problem of superintendent turnover. The committee instead voted 4-1, with Finger opposed, to approve a recommendation modeled on Glastonburys education board that would retain an eight-member board but do away with the current bipartisan structure, making possible a partisan board that could have up to five members from one party. The number elected in biennial municipal elections would alternate between five and three, with each party allowed as many candidates as there are seats to fill in that election. This is similar to Greenwichs current method. With four seats to fill every two years, each party may endorse up to four candidates, but to maintain a bipartisan board only two are elected from each party. The proposed change would allow one party to gain a majority. Otherwise, theres little difference. Caldwell expects to present her committees report to the Board of Selectmen on March 9. It will include Fingers dissenting recommendation to retain the present bipartisan board and the rationale for his recommendation. As the proposal moves from the selectmen to the RTM, the community must ask how a partisan board might better serve our students than our current bi-partisan board. Von Braun says the proposed change improves voter choice by allowing the electorate to choose a majority of candidates from one party, which he believes would have a meaningful impact on policy and on party accountability. In contrast, Finger believes a partisan board could enable party caucuses to make important policy decisions out of public view, while a bipartisan board holds individual board members accountable, not their political parties. As we make our decision, we should remember that Greenwichs current bipartisan board was approved by the RTM and by referendum in a municipal election, reflecting significant community deliberation. Given interest in a non-partisan board, we might ask why now a partisan board when our existing bipartisan structure is as close as possible to non-partisan. Alma Rutgers served in Greenwich town government for 25 years. Her blog is at blog.ctnews.com/rutgers/. If you thought the feature phones were going extinct, then you were wrong. While these particular mobile phones rarely make the news, they are still accounting for a huge chunk of the total phones sales. And the fact that in 2016 35 million of those were shipped under the Nokia brand is all the proof you need. Last December HMD acquired the rights for Nokia phones and has already launched a few new models, such as the Nokia 150. Microsoft and HMD combined have managed to ship over 35 million Nokia feature phones in 2016, so this segment and alive and kicking, although it's a huge drop from the 90 million shipped in 2015. Nokia's 35 million sales account for 8.9% of all feature phones sold worldwide, putting the brand on the runner-up spot. Samsung takes the lead with over 52 million feature phones and 13.2% market share, while TCL-Alcatel is third with 28 million units and 7% share. HMD is currently working on the reboot of the iconic, scratch that, legendary Nokia 3310. All eyes are on HMD for this phone and if it does right by the name, it may as well succeed in overtaking Samsung for the first spot this year. Nokia is going to announce the 3310, among other phones, tomorrow at the MWC 2017 in Barcelona, and we'll be there to cover the event for you. Source Via You probably remember our hands-on of the BlackBerry Mercury DTEK70. Back then we told you this was only meant to be a preliminary name - a teaser of the direction BlackBerry will be going in. MWC is finally upon us and the company is ready to let us in on all the details. Without further ado, meet the BlackBerry KEYone. BlackBerry KEYone press images Everyone remembers the BlackBerry phones with their distinctive design and QWERTY keyboards but as the industry moved to touchscreens, BlackBerry failed to remain relevant on the market and that led it into a downward spiral, which unfolded over the course of several years. In the end, the company had no other choice but to sell the device business to another manufacturer and focus on software instead. The new smartphone we see today is perhaps the last devices developed by BlackBerry before TCL Communication took over as the owner of the BlackBerry brand. You might recognize them as the Chinese manufacturer behind the Alcatel phones. This certainly explains why the KEYone is not yet another re-badged Alcatel phone. Instead, it returns to the BlackBerry roots and offers a true hardware keyboard. The BlackBerry KEYone has a 4.5 display with a resolution of 1620x1080px (434 PPI) and 3:2 aspect ratio. The device packs an anodized aluminum frame and a soft touch textured back. Speaking of the back, it is also the home of a 12 MP camera with Sonys IMX378 sensor, which has a 1.55m pixel size. KEYone is powered by a Snapdragon 625 chipset with an Adreno 605 GPU and you can charge up to 50% of the 3505mAh battery in just 36 minutes thanks to Qualcomms Quick Charge 3.0. Getting back to the star feature - the backlit keyboard, we have to say that the KEYone reminds us of the times long gone when we all had phones with keys under the display. This keyboard, however, is much more advanced than that. The keys respond to touch gestures - you just use them as a touchpad of sorts. There is also flick typing, an embedded fingerprint sensor in the interval key andup to 52 customizable shortcuts such as pressing I for your inbox or M to access maps. The OS of choice here, unsurprisingly, is Android Nougat 7.1. Theres also the BlackBerry Hub that brings all your messages, emails and social media accounts in one app. TCL added security keys to the processor and an BlackBerry DTEK app to improve protection both of hardware and software. The app offers constant monitoring and protection, letting you know when your privacy could be at risk and what can you do to improve it. The device will be available globally in April at the price of under 599 EUR/499 GBP/$549 USD. With MWC right up ahead, the mobile industry is gearing for a slew of devices, smartphones and gadgets, not to mention the enormous amount of material that well have to write home about. Although the Galaxy S8 isnt expected to be announced until much after MWC, yet it still manages to steal the spotlight from phone makers that will be up on their own stages in Barcelona over the weekend. @evleaks has leaked an image from a Galaxy S8 signup page which also features a teaser of the phone in question, complete with the rounded corners and thin bezels, in line with what weve been seeing for the past several weeks in various leaks, renders, and live photos. Wed expect the signup page to go up soon after the phones announcement. Unless, of course, Samsung is planning to show us a one-minute teaser the Galaxy S8 at MWC during its Tab S3 event to leave us hanging off the edge of our seat for another month. After all, the S8 is expected to be officially announced on March 29. Via Google has announced that it's pulling the plug on Spaces, a small group sharing app the Mountain View, California-based company launched last year. The app, which allows people to instantly get together and share around any topic, will be shut down on April 17. But before that, it will become read-only starting March 3. "This means you can't create new spaces, posts or comments," Google explained in a blog post. "Also, new invitations can't be sent, and new members can't be added to spaces." Source 1 2 | Via Syria vowed Saturday to retaliate following the deadly suicide assault in its third city Homs, as the UN said the attack was aimed to "spoil" sputtering peace talks starting in Geneva. "The terrorist attacks that targeted Homs today were a clear message from the sponsors of terrorism to Geneva," said Bashar al-Jaafari, the Damascus envoy to the UN-brokered talks said. "We want to tell them that this message has been received... and we won't allow for it to pass without retaliation," he told reporters at UN offices in the Swiss city. Jaafari was speaking as he arrived for more talks with UN Syria envoy Staffan de Mistura. The veteran diplomat was holding more separate meetings with Syrian regime and opposition negotiators, seeking to kickstart a new round of peace talks. Speaking shortly before the Syrian envoy, de Mistura said the Homs attacks were designed to "spoil" peace talks. Asked if the attacks would affect the UN-sponsored talks, he said: "I hope not, but it was tragic." He added "every time we are having talks or negotiations there is always someone who tries to spoil. We were expecting that." At the last such UN-sponsored talks the two sides did not meet for face-to-face negotiations, with de Mistura shuttling between them as a mediator. The UN envoy said Friday that he would ideally like to get them to talk directly, but acknowledged that there were difficulties in achieving that. The suicide assaults on two security service bases in Syria's third city of Homs killed dozens of people, including a top intelligence chief, overshadowing the Geneva talks. Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front claimed the spectacular attack which targeted and killed General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 42 people were killed when the bombers targeted the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Provincial governor Talal Barazi said 30 people were killed and 24 wounded. Search Keywords: Short link: If you're eagerly awaiting Lenovo to release the Moto G5 we've got a fresh leak for you. Courtesy of an OLX listing we get a sneak peek at the upcoming budget droid itself along with its retail contents. The listing appears to have been pulled, which only lends credibility to this leak. Motorola Moto G5 If the retail package is the real deal then the Moto G5 will come with a charger, USB cable and headphones, and what looks like a spare battery. That's the same battery (GK40) that the Moto G4 Play uses. The stickers on the Moto G5 reveal the specs we've come to expect from the device - a 5" 1080p screen, Snapdragon 430 octa-core chipset with 2GB of RAM, 32GB on-board storage with microSD expansion, fingerprint scanner, dual-SIM abilities and a 2,800mAh battery. Motorola Moto G5 We expect Lenovo to officially announce the Moto G5 tomorrow at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. Source | Via Sony has a new 4K-screened Xperia coming out and it's the Xperia XZ Premium. A leaked press image shows the upcoming flagship with its Chrome mirror finish on the back (as on the Xperia Z5 Premium) and confirms it will continue using the current design scheme, established by the X series. The leaked image has the date of May 7 under the clock which could point to a May release. The clock shows 10:35 - perhaps a hint the XZ Premium will use a Snapdragon 835 when it launches? Sony Xperia XZ Premium There's not much else to go on from the leak itself but rumors suggest the Sony Xperia XZ Premium will have a 4K HDR screen and a clever new 20MP camera with 1.22m-sized pixels and the ability to shoot super slow-mo video at 960fps. The camera will also have a Motion Eye predictive focus (perhaps similar to Sony's dedicated camera line's Eye AF), a new super low-light performance mode and an anti-distortion feature, which suggests the camera will have a wide angle lens like the Xperia XZ (24mm). There's not much else here but we expect to find all about the Sony Xperia XZ Premium at Sony's event at the Mobile World Congress in two days. Thanks for the tip! Source Just before the floodgates of MWC announcements have opened, let's do a quick summary of what happened in the week leading up to the event. You don't need us to tell you that it's been a ongoing stream of rumors and revelations related to the stars of the hour - the LG G6 and the Samsung Galaxy S8, even if the latter isn't going to show up in Barcelona. In the G6 folder we have at least one spy of the upcoming smartphone, leaked press renders, plus some official teasers - the full treatment. It may be a whole month away, but the Galaxy S8 hasn't been spared either. Detailed specs of both expected versions (the actual S8 and the S8+) have been outed and a bunch of live shots also made the rounds. There's a tiny bit of official data in the mix too - Samsung revealed its next-gen in-hose chipset, the Exynos 8895. Earlier in the week, there were leaks detailing other phones too, would you believe that? The Huawei P10 should go official on MWC and, sure enough, renders of it cropped up the other day. The same thing happened to the Sony Xperia X, the next-gen one, that is. A Nokia 8 listing was spotted on Chinese retailer JD's website, but despite all the clamor around it, the images turned to be from an early fan-made concept. Bummer. The brand new Nokia 3310 may very well turn out to be real though, we're looking forward to being amazed by HMD. By the way, you know how LG is giving up on the Friends concept for snap-on accessories for the G6? Well, the MotoMods live on - expect to see 12 new ones this year. For the full scoop on all of the above, plus some other top stories from the past week, hit up the links below. Live images of Samsung Galaxy S8 leak The alleged device has dual-curved display, no physical home button and runs the Grace UX. Complete spec sheet of Samsung Galaxy S8+ leaks The spec sheet reveals a 6.2-inch QHD display or 6.1-inch if you account for the rounded corners. Samsung unveils Exynos 9 - a 10nm chip to challenge the Snapdragon 835 A Gigabit LTE modem, beefy GPU and a strong focus on VR define this chip. It's not purely a phone chipset either, it will be used in cars as well. LG G6 camera specs officially revealed LG's teaser campaign for its next smartphone continues with more details about it. Sony Xperia X (2017) press render leaks The image suggests that Sony will ditch its logo on the front for a bigger display. Alleged Xiaomi Mi 6 live images appear The images focus on the front of the device. Huawei P10 stars in leaked press renders too It's a big day for leaks of official-looking images of upcoming flagship smartphones, it seems. HTC One X10 live images leak Live images of the latest HTC One device reveal finerprint scanner on the back. Moto G5 live photos and G5 Plus official render leaked Devices have removable battery, a fingerprint sensor on the front and Android Nougat 7.0. Job Archive July 2021 (524) June 2021 (681) May 2021 (698) April 2021 (659) March 2021 (688) February 2021 (615) January 2021 (698) December 2020 (714) November 2020 (671) October 2020 (631) September 2020 (690) August 2020 (713) July 2020 (713) June 2020 (690) May 2020 (713) April 2020 (690) March 2020 (713) February 2020 (667) January 2020 (713) December 2019 (713) November 2019 (687) October 2019 (711) September 2019 (689) August 2019 (711) July 2019 (707) June 2019 (688) May 2019 (2002) April 2019 (1978) March 2019 (2039) February 2019 (1688) January 2019 (2253) December 2018 (2096) November 2018 (1932) October 2018 (1986) September 2018 (1914) August 2018 (39) July 2018 (72) June 2018 (44) May 2018 (76) April 2018 (65) March 2018 (16) February 2018 (32) January 2018 (201) December 2017 (352) November 2017 (381) October 2017 (600) September 2017 (1211) August 2017 (1655) July 2017 (1590) June 2017 (1506) May 2017 (1902) April 2017 (1965) March 2017 (1417) February 2017 (1808) January 2017 (1807) December 2016 (1593) November 2016 (1376) October 2016 (1408) September 2016 (1317) August 2016 (1499) July 2016 (1505) June 2016 (1421) May 2016 (1391) April 2016 (1340) March 2016 (1476) February 2016 (1396) January 2016 (1474) December 2015 (1409) November 2015 (1367) October 2015 (1478) September 2015 (1441) August 2015 (1467) July 2015 (1465) June 2015 (1410) May 2015 (1057) April 2015 (1269) March 2015 (1132) February 2015 (1151) January 2015 (1152) December 2014 (1156) November 2014 (1267) October 2014 (81) Syria's chief negotiator at UN-sponsored talks in Geneva demanded Saturday that all opposition parties at the talks condemn the deadly assault in Homs, saying otherwise Damascus will consider them as "accomplices of terrorism". "Any party who refuses to condemn these attacks today we will consider that party to be an accomplice of terrorism," Bashar al-Jaafari said after his latest meeting with UN mediator Staffan de Mistura, who he said should also condemn the attacks. Search Keywords: Short link: Haiti - Politics : Prison situation, Jovenel Moise takes charge of the matter Friday at the National Palace, President Jovenel Moise, in the presence of Me Jules Cantave, President of the Court of Cassation, Senator Jean Renel Senatus, President of the Justice and Security Commission, of Stanley Gaston, Barrister of the Bar Association and of members of the Presidential Commission, proceeded by order, to the creation of a presidential commission to investigate the situation of detainees in prisons, following the unacceptable number of deaths in recent months in the country's prisons https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20157-haiti-flash-minustah-calls-on-authorities-to-take-urgent-measures.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html Very concerned about the problem of prolonged pretrial detention and the situation of detainees across the country's prisons, the Commission initiated by the Head of State has for primary mission to investigate the prison situation in the country and to make recommendations likely to improve the living conditions of detainees "Under my presidency, the Haitian Nation will in no way ignore what seems to be a flagrant violation, even a contempt for the right to life that every individual must have, wherever it lives and without consideration," emphasized Jovenel Moise, who believes that the State has an obligation to guarantee the right to health, of respect for the human person, to all citizens without distinction. The Head of State addressing to the members of the Commission, reminded them that their work should allow to specifically elucidate the causes of this sudden excess of mortality in prisons. "We are aware of all the efforts we will have to make to successfully undertake the necessary reform of the judiciary." Composed of 9 members, the mandate of this Commission is of 1 month renewable from the date of its implementation and will present, at the end of its work, its report with recommendations to the President of the Republic. Members of the Commission of Inquiry into the Prison Situation : The citizen Clame-Ocnam Dameus, President ; The citizenMona Jean, vice-President ; The citizen Kettely Julien, Member ; The citizen Barthelemy Jean-Noel, Member ; The citizen Jean Lario Pierre, Member ; The citizen Micosky Pompilus, Member ; The citizen Francene Moreau, Member ; The citizen Renan Hedouville, Member ; The citizen Jacob Sinvil, Member. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20184-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20178-haiti-politics-prisons-tour-by-the-minister-of-justice.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20157-haiti-flash-minustah-calls-on-authorities-to-take-urgent-measures.html https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-20064-icihaiti-justice-3-prisoners-die-of-hunger-in-the-prison-of-les-cayes.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20020-haiti-justice-a-law-proposition-to-improve-the-lives-of-prisoners.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20013-haiti-flash-nightmare-at-the-national-penitentiary.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-13410-haiti-justice-haitian-penitentiary-system-welcome-to-hell.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-19870-haiti-flash-new-wave-of-deaths-at-the-national-penitentiary.html HL/ HaitiLibre An Afghan official says that 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander have been killed by Islamic State militants in northern Zawzjan province. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Search Keywords: Short link: French President Francois Hollande on Saturday hit back at Donald Trump after the US president criticised France in a veiled attack on its immigration policies and those of its European allies. "It is never good to show the slightest mistrust towards a friendly country," Hollande said. "That is not what I do toward a friendly country and I ask the American president not to do it to France," he said at the opening of the annual agricultural fair in Paris. Seeking to defend his controversial crackdown on immigrants, Trump criticised long-time allies France, Sweden and Germany. "Take a look at what's happening in Sweden. Take a look at what's happening in Germany. Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris," he told conservatives at a rally outside Washington on Friday. Trump trained his sights on Paris in particular, recounting the story of a friend who used to visit every year. "I have a friend, he's a very, very substantial guy. He loves the City of Lights," he said. After not seeing his friend for a few years, Trump asked him how Paris was, quoting him as replying: "'Paris? I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris.' That was four years, four or five years, he hasn't gone there." Asked about the comments, Hollande said Trump had recently told him in a telephone conversation of his "love" for Paris and France. "So I imagine that that is what he thinks. If it is what he thinks, I expect he will express that. "Fortunately, for several months American tourists have returned in large numbers because they see" that French authorities are making "a considerable effort to ensure security." "And I don't want to make a comparison, but there are no weapons circulating here, there are no people who take weapons to shoot into the crowd", he said, in a reference to the tighter gun control measures in France than the US. Fears linked to terror attacks have scared off visitors to Paris in the past two years. In November 2015, 130 people were killed in Paris when gunmen and suicide bombers from the Islamic State (IS) militants attacked bars, restaurants, a concert hall and the Stade de France national stadium. That attack came 10 months after two Islamist militants gunmen shot dead cartoonists and journalists at the Paris offices of satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo. Search Keywords: Short link: We're a family of seven living in Georgia where Andrew's working as a professor at GSU. You can read more about us here Januarys receipts declined slightly compared to the month before when it increased to $414.4 million Egypt's revenues from Suez Canal trade declined in January to register $395.2 million compared to $434.8 million in the same month last year, according to data from the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) published on the state-run Egypt Information Portal (EIP). According to EIP, 1,369 ships passed through the Egyptian waterway last month, compared to 1,414 ships in December and 1,411 ships in January 2016. Januarys receipts declined slightly compared to the previous month, when it registered to $414.4 million. The canal, which is the fastest shipping route between Europe and Asia, is one of the country's main sources of foreign currency. Search Keywords: Short link: Jake Duffy, of the 181st Castaheany/Ongar Scout group, has been hailed a hero for saving his younger sister's life A hero scout has been praised for saving his sister's life when her coat became snagged in the door of a moving bus. Jake Duffy (12) and his younger sister, Katelyn, from Castaheany in west Dublin, were taking a private bus home from school last April 8 when the dramatic rescue took place. After disembarking, Jake heard screams of horror from the parents and children who were waiting at the west Dublin stop. He saw that Katelyn's coat had been snagged in the door mechanism, unbeknownst to the driver. Banging Karl Lynch, Jake's leader in the 181st Castaheany/Ongar Scout Group, said Jake "disregarded his own safety" and ran after the bus, banging and shouting as loud as he could to get the driver's attention. "He was that close to the bus that had he slipped, one could only imagine the outcome," Mr Lynch said. "Regardless, Jake continued to chase the bus endeavouring to get the driver's attention, while all the time seeing his sister being dragged along the road," he added. Eventually, after several hundred metres, the driver noticed Jake and brought the vehicle to a stop. "Had it not been for Jake's quick-thinking, stamina and determination to keep up with the bus the outcome could have been so much worse," said Mr Lynch. "Katelyn's hood had become snagged by the door and was only held onto the coat by a couple of threads by the time the bus stopped. "Somehow even after being dragged by the bus she survived the ordeal without a scratch, not a mark." Jake is one of a group of scouts who will be honoured at a special Founder's Day ceremony in Dublin today, organised by Scouting Ireland. Twins Peter and Rory O'Connor, Cubs with the 44th Mallow Cub section, will also be awarded after saving their grandmother and older sister from a house fire. Despite being the youngest people in the house at the time, the pair took control of the situation and managed to get their grandmother out of the burning building. Confidence The brothers had just completed their emergency adventure skills Level 1, which a spokesman claims "gave them the confidence to do what needed to be done". Scouting Ireland is Ireland's largest non-formal youth education movement. The movement has over 50,000 members in communities across the island. A Dublin man who suffered a fractured skull after he confronted thugs who set his wheelie bin on fire has revealed how he pleaded for mercy because of his bad heart. Aidan Mullen (57) was asleep in his bed at around 10pm on July 2011 when he was awoken by his wife to tell him their bin had been taken by a group of teenagers. Instinctively, Mr Mullen - who had been previously diagnosed with a serious heart condition - rushed out of the door of his Kinsealy home to try and recover the bin. However, instead of giving him back his bin, the gang turned on him and subjected him to a savage assault. His attackers repeatedly punched and kicked him - despite the fact he pleaded for mercy telling them that he recently had a heart attack. On Monday, Shane Murphy, from Swords, received just one year in prison for assault in connection with his leading role in the attack. In court, Judge Catherine Murphy even praised Murphy for his "courage, tenacity and determination" in dealing with his addiction. Horror Speaking to the Herald this week, Mr Mullen said he feared he was going to have a heart attack during the horror attack. "When I fell to the ground Murphy knelt down on top of me. I was getting punched repeatedly by him while the other one was kicking me." Pleading with his attackers not to hit him due to his bad heart, he said that Murphy responded: 'I don't give a f**k about you and your f**king heart attack'. "Those exact words have stuck with me ever since," said Mr Mullen. Despite his relatively tender years, Murphy, from Jugback Lane in Swords, has repeatedly come to the attention to the gardai for violence and has amassed 19 convictions. They include serving a four- month sentence for assaulting two young women and a man in a "vicious" row over a cigarette in 2012. He was also convicted of assault in February 2015 and has convictions for threatening and abusive behaviour. Mr Mullen said he had no idea what he was dealing with when he left his home to try and rescue his wheelie bin after being alerted by his wife. "I immediately ran outside and stood on a wall where I could see that my bin was on fire. I grabbed a metal pole from my shed to retrieve the bin and made my way towards the field." With about ten individuals at the scene, Mr Mullen was then confronted by two young men, one of them being Shane Murphy - who was then 19 years old. "I explained that I wanted to get my bin back, but then one of the young men shouted to the crowd 'Here's your man looking for his bin' and 'Look, he's got a stick and is going to beat us up'. "I told him I wasn't, but then Murphy put his face into mine and said "You're feeling very f**king brave aren't you? "He asked me if I wanted to hit him and pointed to his cheek. At this stage the pole was taken from my hand and as I started to walk away the two men ran at me from behind. "I started running, but within about 10 yards the two grabbed me. Murphy reached out and caught me with a punch on my cheek." Despite the vicious assault, the injured man managed to make it home and call the gardai, while Murphy re-joined the group of men and women drinking in the field. In a victim impact report, the Kinsealy resident said he felt extreme pain in his face and back after the attack and suffered fractures to his skull and cheekbone. His medical bills came to 1,500 and he lost 4,200 in missed income due to having to take time off work. Shane Murphy pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to assault causing harm to Mr Mullen. He received a three-year sentence for the assault on Monday with the final two suspended. After his arrest Murphy admitted the assault and told gardai: "I'm sorry for what I've done. If he were here I would say sorry to him. I wish I could go back." Cathal McGreal BL, defending, told the court that a medical report had diagnosed Murphy as having alcohol dependent syndrome and hyperactive compulsivity disorder. Turbulent He said his father was an alcoholic and he had a turbulent upbringing. Counsel said Murphy's previous convictions were all related to his drinking problem. The other man who was involved in the attack was not charged with assault. Instead, he pleaded guilty to theft and criminal damage to Mr Mullen's bin. He was found guilty in a separate court case and was ordered to pay the cost of the bin. Mr Mullen admitted that the assault was a harrowing experience that had left him feeling unsafe and vulnerable. "The worst part of the trial was being asked to stand in the witness box and explain what had happened while being questioned by his barrister. "I have since recovered from my injuries and am okay now, but I still found the whole ordeal very traumatic to get over." Daniel Belling and his wife Xing Lei Li (Angie). Ms Li went missing on a Mediterranean cruise The Dublin man facing a charge of murdering his wife after she disappeared from a luxury cruise ran a Cinderella-themed wedding planning business with her. Daniel Belling's Chinese wife Xing Lei Li (Angie) founded Cinderella's Wedding in 2015 and offered a range of packages, including wedding dress rentals, flamboyant decor and photo album design. Podcasts The couple also had a range of podcasts on their website which featured personal commentary on tourism hotspots and festivals around Ireland. They were on an 11-day cruise of the Mediterranean with their two children when Ms Li disappeared. Neighbours of the family in Clare Village, Malahide Road, told the Herald that they often saw them drive in and out of the apartment complex in their Cinderella-styled car. They were described as "very odd". Lubos Pcola said he once found Mr Belling (45) sleeping on the stairwell of the apartments. "A few months ago a neighbour told me there was a homeless man sleeping in the stairwell. When I went to investigate I saw Daniel with blankets around him. He told me everything was fine," he said. "I'm very shocked to hear that he got arrested - it's crazy." Mr Belling, who is German, has been living and working in Dublin as an IT consultant. The family's cruise began on February 9 in the port of Civitavecchia and took them to Malta, Greece and Cyprus. When the luxury MSC Magnifica cruise ship docked 10 days later, Mr Belling's wife was reported missing after passenger numbers did not tally. He had allegedly failed to tell the ship's crew that his wife was not on board, a fact that aroused the suspicions of Italian police. Mr Belling's lawyer Luigi Conti said his client denies he had anything to do with his wife's disappearance and said there is a "perfectly good explanation" for what happened. Ms Li previously appeared in court in Dublin after having her front door broken down by gardai when she refused to leave an apartment. Rules Dublin District Court heard there had been a dispute over unpaid rent and because she was keeping pets, which was against the landlord's rules. The couple had fallen behind in their rent when they both lost their jobs. They had just got married at the time. Ms Li was prosecuted on a charge of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage, but the charge was dismissed. A behind-the-scenes look at the 46th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam, its programming, creative practice and organisational prowess On 25 January, two days before the Trump administration's ban on entry to the US of designated foreign nationals, which caused local and international uproar, the 46th edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) kicked off with festival director Bero Beyer introducing to the audience the IFFRs colourful, diverse, and welcoming planet. Amid times of separation and polarisation, Beyer said, all funders, politicians, sponsors, press, filmmakers, some might even say the cultural elite [should] realise we too are part of something bigger. Beyer called upon the audience to burst self-made bubbles, and to have the free spirit and the open state of mind that respects the many different views that exist in the arts and of the human condition. Opposing views and different identities dont automatically turn us into adversaries. Why not start with the beauty of the many, many visions in cinema, he added. Arriving at Rotterdam on the first day of the festival, as a member of the young film critics programme, and having listened to the speech, understanding the dense IFFR catalogue became much easier. This years colourful agenda was very present in the programming of the films, exhibition, and performances. The Young Film Critics Programme The Young Film Critics Programme is a festival tradition that has been going on for more than 15 years and that choses younger critics from around the world and unleashes them to experience one of the worlds biggest film festivals. This years programme was different in a way that left more room for the participants, all experienced local critics and journalists, to tailor their schedules, something that was both liberating and at times overwhelming due to the diverse selection. Four main sections are present in the IFFR (Bright Future, Voices, Deep Focus, and Perspectives), with each including several sub-categories. The rich collection of films can easily get lost in the catalogue. However, my decision to be picky in choosing premieres to watch, and my bias towards shorts and documentaries, created room for watching a total of 35 films, in cinema and in the video library. The strategy was that you can easily encounter big level movies through other festivals, or maybe cinema theaters. Shorts and documentaries, however, are much harder to find and explore, especially when they are screened in a retrospective or as a group. One of the world premieres that was worth watching is Konstantin Bojanovs Light Thereafter, a drama that follows a hypersensitive young painter Pavel (Barry Keoghan) in his trip to discover the world, and find a place for himself in it. The reverse method of storytelling takes the audience back through an emotional eight chapters, and gives viewers an understanding of space and characters through the perception of time. Another feature, Pedro Aguileras Demonios tus ojos, gave an interesting insight into voyeurism and filmmaking, where Oliver, film director, invades the privacy of his sister with a camera, creating a cinematic experience for himself. However, both titles fell short in the Hivos Tiger Competition. The winner was Sanal Kumar Sasidharans Sexy Durga, a gonzo-punk road thriller where a couple pass a night in a rather intolerant side of India. One of my favourite sub-programmes was Scopitone, which connects music documentary films to social and political issues. Having watched most of them, my favorites were Atef Ben Bou Zeids Cairo Jazzman and Fredrik Horn Akselsens and Christian Falchs Blackhearts. The second documentary goes beyond the mundane narrative of Black Metal bands in countries other than its origin, Norway. The filmmakers show two opposite approaches to the music and its alternative lifestyle. The first group is Norwegian musicians, who are veterans of a scene that was notorious for crimes and church burnings. This group has arguably overgrown the radical lifestyle they embraced and involved themselves in society, after they were seen as outsiders. The other group is Black Metal musicians from Colombia, Greece, and Iran; all are still living in the 1990s mode, looking for inspiration from the forests of Norway, worshiping Satan, or being chased by the police. Scopitone followed its films with concerts of different genres, ranging from Black Metal to Rock and Jazz, something that really fit the informal nature of IFFR. Being a jury member in the International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) was one of highlights of the festival, getting a chance to debate different opinions about films with professional critics from different parts of the world. The award went to Caroline Leones film Pela Janela, a drama and subtle portrait of a middle aged womens turning point in her life, according to the Jury report. However, other two films, out of the interesting list of 19 works, were reviewed for the award, and which I was very excited about: Julian Radlmaier's Self-Criticism of a Bourgeois Dog and Hala El-Koussys Cactus Flower take the award. Retrospectives and highlights Radlmaier plays himself, a communist filmmaker who is living on welfare and works in an apple plantation, but tries to impress a girl by convincing her that he is going there to research his next movie, resulting in a very intriguing political comedy. The portrayal of the proletariat here is not about showing miserable and frustrated workers in the plantation, but rather focuses on comic fantasies and criticisms. My highlight of the festival was watching the epic and militant 3-hour documentary by Hong Kong-based filmmakers Wen Hai and Zeng Jinyan. The film, which was shot over six years from 2009 to 2015 in various parts of southern China, capture the resistance of workers and worker activists in southern China. The long list of films also included two very interesting sub-programmes, which were equally important. Nevertheless, one was better organised than the other. The first was Black Rebels, a splendid talk show that extended for than three hours hosting several artists and influencers in the Black cinema movement, such as Charles Burnett (member of the LA Rebellion film movement) and veteran director and cinematographer Ernest Dickerson, who took to the stage and shared their experience. The event also featured academics like June Givanni, a film historian, and professor of film at the University of Amsterdam Patricia Pisters. The events main thread of discussion was bridging the gap between members of the African diasporas worldwide. The programme was accompanied by an amazing collection of 30 films of different genres. One was Barry Jenkinss Moonlight, which won the Warsteiner Audience Award. The other programme I was very excited about is Picturing Palestine, which took the chance to commemorate the Balfour Declaration and show different images of Palestine and the Palestinian people across the intervening years. The films were not necessarily a good versus evil narrative, and included shorts, visual arts and documentary, and even films that are critical of some techniques of the Palestinian resistance. This years edition also featured a retrospective for Czech filmmaker Jan Nemec with almost all of his films shown. The late director passed away in 2016. After years of watching pirated and copied versions of his masterpieces, it was really fulfilling to watch them on a big screen. Speaking of masters, IFFR hosted two sold out master classes, featuring legendary director Bela Tarr and American filmmaker Barry Jenkins. A further part of the Young Critics Programme was meetings with film critics like Jay Weissberg and Clarence Tsui, where discussion varied from likes and dislikes, to challenges to film criticism, video essays, and the editorial policies of different publications. Compare and contrast As someone whose experience does not go beyond the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), comparing and contrasting was tempting. IFFR stood as a textbook example of how a film festival can be used to support tourism (if not international, then local). Starting January, walking the streets of Rotterdam, one can know that a film festival is going to take place and will carry the name of the city, with many volunteers and staff originally from Rotterdam. With CIFF, it is known that the Ministry of Tourism and Ministry of Youth participate in the festival and support it, in press releases and propaganda videos, and maybe on posters inside the Cairo Opera House. Exiting the premises, this support seems to vanish, leaving the festival to be seen as just another artistic event within the walls Opera House, where a limited audience is invited. IFFR is present in touristic destination brochures, with modern culture seen as a trait that can be shared with others and celebrated. This takes us another point, which is the importance of the press office, its efficiency, flexible attitude, and most importantly, availability. In handling the press, guests and tickets, IFFR relies heavily on staff as the cornerstone of the festival, which extends throughout the city. Through the years, the level of organisation of CIFF has been slightly improving, if we turn a blind eye to opening and closing ceremonies, with the press office (often hidden besides the backstage of the interview set) taking a lead in reaching out to journalists to set up interviews and manage accreditation. Also what grabs attention at IFFR is that the same people you could have seen in the opening and closing ceremonies, including filmmakers, artists, festival personnel and famous critics, can also be seen in 10am screenings or having breakfast in the festivals cafeteria. On the contrary, at CIFF, the audience of everyday screenings is almost non-existent. A good example that amazed me was festival director Bero Beyer, who you could have easily recognised in concerts, parties, random screenings, and panels, in hallways mingling with critics, filmmakers, and guests, something that is not very familiar in Cairo. Till 2018! Returning to the 47th IFFR will be an objective for next year. It will be interesting to see how the IFFR will change, or not, as the Netherlands gears up for elections, with expectations of a right wing government. Rotterdam, a city with the largest port in Europe, and a diverse ethnic make-up, as well as the festival, are up for a challenge indeed. 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: Albert Doyle was in a coma after a murder attempt in 2005 A 33-year-old Dublin man who unlawfully claimed more than 27,000 in dole payments was previously lucky to escape with his life when he was shot in the neck. Albert Doyle (33) appeared before Dublin District court this week and admitted five counts of making a false declaration and one of failing to notify the social welfare authorities in a fraud that totalled 27,700. Hospital cleaner Doyle, of Errigal Road, Drimnagh, was prosecuted by the Department of Social Protection. He is a first cousin of Kinahan cartel crime figure Ritchie Thompson (40), who was a suspect in the shooting at St Laurence Grove, Chapelizod, on October 27, 2005. Coma Doyle was in a coma for several weeks after being shot in the neck and dumped out of a car, though it is understood he has made a full recovery. The car, a Honda Civic, was not stolen and was recovered close to where Doyle was found by gardai from Ballyfermot Garda station. Although he nearly died, Doyle withdrew a statement he made to gardai, and the gangsters who tried to kill him were never prosecuted. It is understood Doyle received a severe beating in the weeks before the shooting. After recovering from that incident, it is understood he has been on "friendly terms" with a number of key members of the cartel, including Liam Byrne, Liam Roe and Eoin O'Connor. However, he is not involved in organised crime. Doyle appeared before Judge John Brennan at Dublin District Court on Thursday. The court heard that during the period the money was obtained from 2012 until 2014, he had been working as a cleaner at St James's Hospital. Judge Brennan noted a guilty plea was being entered. The defence said Doyle was on minimum wage and has not paid any of the money back, but he wished to "put his best foot forward". Judge Brennan adjourned the case until June. A plea of mitigation will be made at his next hearing. In the district court the off-ence can result in a fine of up to 2,500 and a possible six-month sentence in addition to having to repay the social welfare authorities. Repaid The court can only consider leaving defendants accused of dole fraud without a criminal record if all the money has been repaid. Doyle's maternal uncle was married to Ritchie Thompson's mother. Thompson was last in the headlines late last month when he was arrested for questioning in connection with the murder of Gerry 'The Monk' Hutch's brother Eddie last year in Dublin's north inner city, but he was later released without charge in the case. The image tweeted by DFB of the street in Booterstown Dublin Fire Brigade was delayed in responding to an unconscious child by cars parked on both sides of the street in south Dublin. Emergency services rushed to a call in the Booterstown area on Thursday evening. However, two response vehicles, including an ambulance was forced to re-route due to the manner in which the cars were parked. DFB tweeted a picture of the scene and, while there are no yellow lines or any other parking restrictions, the service has urged people to be mindful when they are parking. "Dublin Fire Brigade urge people to think about access for emergency service vehicles when parking in the street," a spokeswoman said. Review Fianna Fail councillor Cormac Devlin, who is the Cathaoirleach of Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown said he will ask the council to review parking in the estate in question. He said that this is not the first time the issue has been brought to his attention. "I'll raise the issue with the council, and in fact they are already looking at it. Maybe some double yellow lines may be necessary," he said. "When I attend residents meetings something that is always raised is the issue of emergency access and this just highlights that this can happen anywhere. "If it had been a life or death situation there could have been serious issues with access." It is understood that the child the emergency teams were trying to reach is now recovering. Blaze Meanwhile, a woman and child had to be rescued by fire crews after a blaze broke out at a flat in Dublin early this morning. There were 15 people in the building on the North Circular Road when the alarm was raised shortly after 5am. Four units of DFB responded to the fire on the top floor of the three-storey property near the Phoenix Park. The man who raised the alarm told how the drama unfolded. "I don't know what time it was, but the noise of the alarms woke me and I looked out my door. I could see smoke pouring out from under my neighbour's door," he said. "I ran down and got into his flat and he was stumbling around in the black smoke. There were flames engulfing his bedroom, so I just dragged him out and started banging on the doors and getting people out," he added. Cardinal Connell's remains are taken to the crypt under St Mary's Pro-Cathedral, Dublin The Pope's representative in Ireland has revealed how he witnessed an anguished Cardinal Desmond Connell in tears at the Vatican over the clerical abuse of children at the turn of the millennium. Speaking to the Herald after the funeral Mass of the former archbishop of Dublin at St Mary's Pro Cathedral, the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Charles Brown, recalled seeing Dr Connell in Rome "filled with anguish about the horrors of the sexual abuse of children". Cardinal Connell worked at the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith (1993-2001), where Archbishop Brown served until 2011, when he was appointed to Ireland. "When I say visible anguish, it was visible in his tears which I witnessed," he said. He said the evil of that was "completely inconceivable and unfathomable" to him. The funeral Mass was concelebrated by Archbishops Diarmuid Martin, Michael Neary, Eamon Martin, Kieran O'Reilly, the Papal Nuncio and Cardinal Sean Brady. Archbishop Brown read a message from Pope Francis expressing his condolences on the death of Cardinal Connell. The chief mourners at the Mass were the late Cardinal's sister-in-law Peggy, as well as nephews John, Denis and Mark and his wider family circle. In his homily, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin reminded those who had acted as advisors to the Cardinal in the abuse scandals that they bore responsibility for the perception of the Cardinal's handling of the abuse crisis. He stated that Dr Connell had "found himself surrounded by a culture and at times by advisors who were slow and perhaps even unwilling to recognise both the extent of the problem and the enormous hurt that had been done to children, a hurt they still carry." Dr Martin said that hurt has still to be fully recognised and the wound could not be consigned to past history. "For victims it still remains," he emphasised. He underlined that it was Cardinal Connell who was the one who finally began to realise the extent of the abuse and "with difficulty began to drag out information which some were still reluctant to share". Protection "He must be remembered as the one who established the child protection service in this diocese, which was the beginning of a new culture which has now, thank God, been widely accepted and welcomed." His views were echoed by clerical abuse survivor, Mark Vincent Healy, who attended the funeral. He said: "We have to try to move forward but moving forward is not to forget things." Graham McKeever, who was found unconscious with multiple stab wounds last Saturday The chief suspect in the fatal stabbing of a 32-year-old dad-of-one is free to walk the streets as the victim's heartbroken family attend his funeral this morning. Graham McKeever was found unconscious outside an apartment block in Deerpark Avenue, Tallaght, with multiple stab wounds early last Saturday morning. The Herald has learned he received at least four deep stab wounds in the frenzied attack. A woman in her 30s, who was known to both the victim and the attacker, suffered a broken nose when she tried to intervene. The chief suspect, a 39-year-old man from the Blanchardstown area, was arrested in west Dublin on Sunday but released without charge on Tuesday. Dispute A file will now be prepared for the DPP, and gardai are not looking for anyone else in relation to the murder. It is believed Mr McKeever was stabbed between 4am and 5.30am when a dispute broke out over a woman. He tried to escape but died outside the apartment block, near Kiltipper Road, while his killer got away. "A woman could be heard screaming 'Help, help, somebody help'," said a local resident. "She could be heard crying and sobbing." Mr McKeever's funeral takes place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Clondalkin Village at 10am. It is the second fatal stabbing being investigated by Tallaght gardai this year. On both occasions the chief suspect has been identified and arrested but not charged. The DPP is considering the evidence in relation to a 14-year-old boy who was arrested for the murder of Reece Cullen (16) in a house in Jobstown, Tallaght, on January 5. A post-mortem showed that Reece, who was found by a neighbour at the foot of a staircase, was stabbed in the heart. A dispute over a pellet gun "appears to have caused the friction", said a source. Reece's girlfriend Sophie (17) described how she was on the phone to Reece when the attack took place. It is not the first tragedy to strike the family. Reece's mother, Ann Marie Cullen, died last September. The Cullens had been intimidated by a notorious family in the area who are linked to a violent drug dealer. Sources said the home of Ann Marie Cullen was attacked on several occasions in the months before her death. Hundreds of people gathered for Reece's funeral, a week after he was stabbed to death. Fr Michael Hurley led the service and told the congregation: "Reece is at peace now, with the angels, the saints and his mum." On 16 February, Egypts music scene lost the renowned composer Ali Osman Al Haj (also known as Ali Osman). Born in 1958 in Omdurman, Sudan, Osmans passion for music brought him to Cairo in 1978. Though at first he thought Egypt would be a stop on his way further, he made his second home here and founded a family. Adopted by Egypt, Ali Osman is considered among the third generation of Egyptian composers, listed beside names such as Baligh Hamdi (1932-1993), Rageh Daoud (born 1954) and Omar Khayrat (born 1949), among others. Besides his compositions, Osmans biography is rich in academic accomplishments, while as a dynamic artist he made a strong impact on the community, particularly through his work as artistic director and principal conductor of the Al Nour Wal Amal (or Light and Hope) Orchestra, an ensemble consisting of visually impaired and blind women musicians. I had the chance to meet Ali Osman on several occasions in the context of his work with the Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra, which even if it represented an important part of his activities, remains but a fraction of the musical depth and versatility he represents. In November last year, as I was interviewing Ali Osman for a project, he spoke mostly about his arrival to Egypt and work with the orchestra, revealing one side of his musical passion. In Sudan I was a self-taught musician, playing rock music on guitar and drums. I got to a stage when I needed more knowledge and skill. I felt that my self-teaching techniques started being a limitation. I realised that either I should start studying professionally or give up music altogether, he spoke with his characteristic soft tonality. Naturally, Osman could not give up music and, following his secondary education, he began looking for a conservatory oversees. At first I wanted to study in Canada, but there was no Canadian embassy in Sudan, so I had to come to Egypt to proceed with visa. I arrived in the late 1970s only to discover the daunting procedures required in order to get a student visa to Canada. This is when I thought of trying my luck at the Cairo Conservatory. I was accepted and began my formal musical education, giving up my Canada plan. This change of plan proved very rewarding for the young musician. At the Cairo Conservatory, he studied double bass with Rodney Slatford (USA) and then composition with a number of renowned Egyptian professors including Gamal Abdel-Rahim, and during his postgraduate studies with Awatif Abdel-Kerim. His professors also included Bertold Hummel (Germany) and Robert Woshborn (USA). As he graduated and matured academically, writing his thesis on traditional Sudanese and Arabic music, Osman began teaching composition, counterpoint and harmony at the Cairo Conservatory in 1990, and in 1999 at the Higher Institute of Arabic Music in Cairo. It was also in 1990 that one of the professors working with Al Nour Wal Amal Association had to travel abroad for his PhD. He asked me to replace him in teaching solfege at the association, Osman recalled the days when he joined the team working with the visually impaired and blind women musicians. I began working on many aspects of the orchestra, while the maestro Ahmed Abul Eid was their music director, conductor and main person responsible for their artistic development. Alongside his work at Al Nour Wal Amal and the conservatory, Osman kept making his mark in composition. In 2000, he was granted a four month scholarship as composer in residence by Prohelvetia Cairo, and travelled to Switzerland where he also recorded his first full CD by the Swiss Radio. That same year, Ahmed Abul Eid began looking for an assistant. He called me at midnight, I remember, and told me that since Ive known and worked with the girls for many years, I should join him, Osman explained, underlining that at that time, he was not sure if he was ready for the added responsibility. But since he almost ordered me I could not say no. Following Abul Eids passing in 2004, Osman became fully in charge of the orchestra, a task he carried out with profound dedication until the last days of his life. Acting as a mentor, conductor and often a father, Osman shaped the musicians, patiently carved their understanding of the material and helped them create the most beautiful art. He was their conductor, artistic director and tutor, but also in many ways their friend. Shocked by his passing, the girls from the Al Nour Wal Amal Orchestra shared the news on social media stating: Today we have lost the smile, the joy and the great support of the orchestra, the brother and friend to all the people working in the Al Nour Wal Amal Association. And though the association relies on the expertise of a number of professional musicians, Osman was the orchestras solid artistic backbone. He chose the repertoire, deepened the delivery of already mastered compositions and pushed the musicians to learn new ones, often walking them through the work note by note. With all the challenges that can come with this ensemble, he not only embraced the work but also seemed to be enjoying it on the musical and human levels. It is a different kind of work from working with sighted musicians, he told me during the interview. With the visually impaired orchestra, we have to go through each detail and help the musicians memorise the score. I would then work with each section of the orchestra separately, and in the final stage combine all the sections and begin to implement a musical vision. It is not an easy work and requires a lot of patience, but it is worth it, he added with fatherly warmth before moving onto the topic of performing to an audience. What you see on stage are the women playing alone. I no longer conduct. My work is completely within the rehearsal walls. If you are dedicated to your work during the rehearsals, you will have good results in the concert. On the very few occasions when I had the chance to watch him working with the girls, he would walk them through the score, making sure that each note is clean and well heard, and each motion well respected. At times, he would sit at the piano, with one or two musicians by his side duly following his instructions. During the final rehearsals the associations hall was filled with musicians. Osman would walk in among the girls, whisper to them or tap them on the shoulder and then the music would take on a new, more vibrant shape. During their performances, he often stood to the side of the stage, or at the back, watching and listening. As the orchestra received strong applause, time and again, in Egypt and abroad, Ali Osman was proud and happy for the musicians, but always very humble. As a prolific composer Osmans interest in traditional music and his formal conservatory education merged in a unique creative manner, translating into works for orchestra, chamber ensembles, solo instruments and voices. Representing the third generation of Egyptian composers, he remained deeply rooted in his origins, touching on the idioms of the south, only to create rich amalgams at the thematic and formal levels. He juggled Arabic musical modes and rhythmic patterns and Western harmonies; he explored and experimented, pushing the music towards a contemporary imagery of sound. Always nurtured by traditional material, Osman would find in it inspiration for many of his compositions, from orchestral works such as a symphonic poem, A Day in the Life of a Shepherd in the Sudan or A Nile Trip from the South to the North, to chamber works. Many of Osmans compositions featured the instruments in their original contexts and formats, such as El-Maqamat El-Masri (Modes of Egypt), a work that revives the solo harpsichord embedded in Arabic modes or El-Mohager, a short piece for flute, oboe and riq (Arabic tambourine). On his blog, Osman explained his approach to music in those words: My main principle is that music is a human activity and I would like to keep it that way. It does not mean that I do not like experimental or abstract music but I deal with these styles when I am dealing with something beyond imagination. I basically depend on national musical elements but I do not lock myself in them. I use the technique that I need to express myself, depending on the idea that I am trying to present. A number of Osmans works were published by Oxford University Press and Peermusic in Germany. Many of his compositions have been performed in Egypt at the Cairo Opera House, the American University in Cairo, among other venues and internationally, in Germany, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, China, the USA and the UK. His Afromood for violin, piano and tambourine, was performed very recently, on 8 February 2017, by the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, USA. Entitled Music Beyond Borders: Voices from the Seven, this series of free concerts was the orchestras project aiming to raise awareness of and give a platform to music from the countries (including Sudan) that are subject to Trumps travel ban. A few months earlier, in September 2016, Osmans compositions were featured by the Arab Youth Philharmonic Orchestra at the Young Euro Classic music festival in Berlin. Osman also contributed to numerous publications, writing on folk and traditional music idioms and their contemporary contexts. He co-wrote with several scholars, including Samha El-Kholy, the series of books issued by the Culture Ministry: Egyptian Contemporary Music (200003). He was also on the musical jury of the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture in 2012. Whether working in academia, on his compositions or with the blind musicians, Osman made music his whole life; he turned it into the language in which he could best express himself. On his blog he notes, If all aesthetics books identify music as completely abstract, how could it be an international language? This definition goes well with the modern abstract music of today, but conventional music is an international language, one that allows people to attend a concert and unite in the feelings that the musical style and the mood carry. As the creative field mourns the composer, conductor and educator, it seeks consolation in the strong mark he left on the music field and in the many valuable offerings he leaves us with. This obituary was first published in Al Ahram Weekly 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: Ahram Online talks with Ahmed Sabry about his journey through the world of fashion design and the brand he established with Daki Marouf Joining the London International Fashion Week (IFS), which took place between 17 and 21 February, Sabry Marouf displays the brand's work in Egypt's booth, the only Arab display to participate in this years event, which involved many international designers. The Egyptian display was curated by Susan Sabet, who contributed to the IFS's 2017 theme local/global with '100% Egyptian Cotton'. Aside from Sabry Marouf, the display also included works by Norine Farah (womenswear), Reem Jano (jewellery), Marsuma by Nour Omar (textile painting), Okhtein (handbags) and Maram Paris (womenswear). The Sabry Marouf brand was established by creative director Ahmed Sabry, who also works on all the designs, and business partner Daki Marouf. Sabry displayed two minaudiere bags and a cocktail ring, all insired by his profound research into Egyptian culture, philosophy and art, while giving it a contemporary edge. Ahram Online talks with Ahmed Sabry about his designs, his move from Egypt to the UK, his inspirations and his learning experiences. Ahram Online (AO): Your brand's name is Sabry Marouf. What does this name combination stand for? Ahmed Sabry (AS): My name is Ahmed Sabry, although here [in UK], I just go by Sabry, because its sometimes tricky for foreigners to pronounce my first name (laughs). I am the creative director of Sabry Marouf. In 2010, I met my business partner Daki Marouf. He saw my exhibition, and saw potential in my designs, so we began talking about creating a brand. He suggested creating a website and taking the necessary steps towards creating a brand. I did not know about any of those things. All I had were my pens, sketchbook and my inspiration, so I am thankful that Marouf came into the picture: he has an eye for business. This is what allowed us to create the UK-registered brand that Sabry Marouf is today. AO: What are you displaying in the London Fahion Weeks Egyptian section? AS: I designed two minaudieres [small handbags] and one cocktail ring. They are all inspired by the initial stage of the budding of the cotton flower, as well as the Egyptian sculptor Mahmoud Mukhtar's work and Egyptian painter Abdel Aal Hassan's portraits of the 'Falaha' [Egyptian Farming woman]. I wanted to do something that felt organic, so the designs are entirely handmade. The bags were manually shaped, stitched, the leather hand-dyed, and the metal work was also done by hand in our workshops here in London. AO: Are you based in London, then? AS: We moved the brand from Cairo to London a year ago. Prior to that, Daki and I did our masters here in London. I specialised in fashion artefacts, while Daki specialised in fashion entrepreneurship and innovation at the same university. We decided to stay here and the University of the Arts London helped us to obtain a business visa. We thought that jumpstarting the company here in the United Kingdom would be a great opportunity because it gives access to the international fashion scene and the international market, it is a creative hub. Working here is quite expensive, but we only do our prototyping in London and the production happens elsewhere. AO: Prior to your move to London, you already worked in fashion in Cairo. Can you tell us more about your background? AS: I was always very fond of the arts, of culture, and of fashion, but at the time, in the 1990s, our view of fashion was limited to the big brand names. I was also very interested in pop culture, and I knew I wanted to work in an artistic field. In Cairo, I studied advertising because I felt that it was the closest thing to art, and I could not get enrolled at the art schools in Egypt, as they required very high grades in the Thanaweya Ama (National High School Diploma). After my studies I worked in advertising for one year, and focused mainly on digital media, which allowed me to begin creating my own artwork digitally. One thing led to another and I ended up creating my own jewellery capsule collection and exhibition, believing that jewellery would be easier to produce than garments, since the latter requires many details, themes and patterns. Jewellery, on the other hand, is more straight-forward, you can create a very simple piece that has a meaning to it, and people will get it. AO: A lot of changes took place in Egypt in 2011. How did these events affect your business? AS: In 2011, we were still working on a collection. The revolution created this sense of urgency, that we had to do it immediately, because no one knew what the future held, so we thought lets launch it, and we did. We received amazing reviews from Egyptian society and in Dubai, where we went on to exhibit the collection. We began to feel that, in Egypt, our production was stifled, especially in the couple of years following the revolution. So Marouf suggested that we move the brand in order to grow it further. AO: The move must have been a big challenge. How did it go in the beginning? AS: Honestly, as I was leaving Egypt, I thought I was a great designer (laughs). I lived in an illusion: people bought my work in Egypt, I had thousands of likes on social media Unfortunately, nowadays in Egypt, social media is giving a sort of fake, temporary power to designers, power on which they cannot survive without actual strategies, sales, business and quality. But it takes more than hype to have a real sustainable brand. So when I began the course, my course leaders and peers really opened my eyes to the fact that this a very tough business. Statistically speaking, 98% of fashion start-ups fail within the first five years because of miss management in general. Therefore, I am very thankful that Marouf and I came here, because he now also has a very down-to-earth understanding of how this business needs to operate: where we need to be, what we need to do to survive and to develop. And while he manages the business side, the innovative aspect is where I come in. It is here [in the UK] that I learned the importance of education. I had an advertising background, Marouf was an architect, we had to be exposed to the real industry. London is a tough place, and it is also very avant-garde. Fashion here is known to be daring and in-your-face. We have really grown since we arrived here, but I think it is important to stay humble and know your size. AO: Do you feel that your Egyptian background and knowledge of Egyptian art gives a sort of edge to your designs? AS: I believe it does. Egyptian culture is quite universal, a lot of people connect with it and relate to it, because it is among the earliest civilizations and it is visually very recognisable. In my work, I didnt want to copy Egyptian art, but rather innovate on it, speak about it from my own perspective as a young, emerging designer. Ancient Egyptians were very philosophical, extremely in tune with nature and the universe they lived in. They did not believe that there was any waste, everything was regenerating, the earth and the universe were regenerating. It was very intriguing for me to try and communicate that through my designs. So I think that this gives us an edge, because other brands can reproduce the culture at face value, they can use a certain motif or artwork for example. I wanted to dig deeper into the underlying philosophy, translate ideas into actual pieces. AO: So what will we see next from Sabry Marouf? AS: We are launching a handbag collection this spring in London. We will launch it on our website and focus heavily on our online sales besides retail because this is the future [of this business]. I would also like to collaborate with filmmakers. We are currently in talks to create a video blog about the Ancient Egyptian philosophy and how it inspires us. I want it to be very intimate, just me speaking in front of the camera. We are also working on a cocktail ring jewellery collection, which will be followed by a bigger jewellery collection, because we took a bit of a hiatus from jewellery-making while we were doing our masters and introduced the handbags. So we would like to make a bit of a comeback in the jewellery field, and do it like never before. The ring I have displayed this year is a bit of teaser of whats to come. 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No one under 18 can enter our giveaways. No purchase is necessary. All winners have one week to claim their prize. USA shipping only. Offer void where prohibited. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. "It's like my dreams came true when I was cast in the film," Nam said. "Silence," an adaptation of the 1966 novel by Japanese writer Shusaku Endo, deals with a story of a Jesuit missionary sent to 17th century Japan. Scorsese reportedly had been wanting to make the film since the late 80s, when he first read the novel. An obscure Korean actor appeared in American filmmaker Martin Scorsese's latest film "Silence," which is set for release here late this month. Nam debuted as a stage actor in 2006 and played minor parts in a couple of plays and dramas. When he heard that "Silence" was being made into a film, he sent dozens of e-mails to Scorsese and the casting director. He then went to New York in 2013 and visited Scorsese's office everyday for one month, but was unsuccessful in getting a role. Two years later he went to the filming set in Taiwan and waited almost all day long with a sign saying, "I am looking for Scorsese. I will be happy with any role, be it a beggar, a passerby, or a dead man." About two weeks later he got an audition at last and was given a role as a villager. "I was so in love with the novel that even when I went on a tour of Japan for work I always took it with me," Nam said. Through Japanese friends, he obtained a copy of the novel in Japanese and historical records of the 17th century. He even studied Japanese dialects. "Although I had only a minor role, I am confident that I know this work better than anyone," Nam said. "Silence" will be released here on Feb. 28. J.C. Penney Co. Inc. has rejoined the trend of big-box department stores reducing their brick-and-mortar footprint. The company announced Friday it would close between 130 and 140 stores this year, as well as distribution centers in Lakeland, Fla., and Buena Park, Calif. Affected stores will be disclosed by mid-March and would close by June 30. They would represent between 13 percent and 14 percent of its portfolio. The retailer closed 83 stores from 2013 to 2016, but had halted the strategy for about a year. The company said the main criteria for stores to be closed are "either they require significant capital to achieve the companys new brand standard or are minimally cash flow positive today relative to the companys overall consolidated average." JCPenney's Triad stores are in Hanes Mall in Winston-Salem, Four Seasons Town Center in Greensboro, Alamance Crossing in Burlington and Mayberry Mall in Mount Airy. The retailer also said it has offered a voluntary early retirement program to 6,000 eligible employees in its home office, stores and supply chain divisions who met certain criteria related to age and years of service as of Jan. 31. They have until March 17 to accept the offer. The company projects annual cost savings of $200 million. It projects taking a $225 million charge in the first half of fiscal 2017. The goal is to boost the retailer's initiative to return to sustainable profitability. The company reported Friday having $1 million in net income for fiscal 2016, compared with a $513 million loss in fiscal 2015. It was J.C. Penney's first fiscal profit since 2010. Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) for the full year improved $294 million to $1 billion. "These strategic decisions will help align the companys brick-and-mortar presence with its omni-channel network, thereby redirecting capital resources to invest in locations and initiatives that offer the greatest revenue potential," the company said. We believe we must take aggressive action to better align our retail operations for sustainable growth," said Marvin Ellison, the company's chairman and chief executive. Ellison said he believes JCPenney's store presence remains relevant as it relates to its focus on beauty, home refresh and special sizes products that "generated significantly higher sales, and a more vibrant in-store shopping environment. "Our decision to close stores will allow us to raise the overall brand standard of the company and allocate capital more efficiently. "By coordinating the timing of these two events, we can expect to see a net increase in hiring as the number of full-time associates expected to take advantage of the early retirement incentive will far exceed the number of full-time positions affected by the store closures." Ellison said that 75 percent of its online orders "touched a physical store." "Even with a reduced store count, JCPenney is competitively positioned to deliver a differentiated department store model that meets the expectations of a digital world with an inspiring, tangible shopping environment, Ellison added. J.C. Penney is following a well-trod path for big-box department stores. Macy's has announced closing of 168 stores nationwide in the past two years. There's also the financial struggles of Sears that has led to store closings, along with Dillard's converting more mall stores into clearance centers, such as at Oak Hollow Mall in High Point, and the August 2015 sale of Belk to a private-equity group for $3 billion. Charles Gwinn, manager of Hanes Mall, told the Winston-Salem Journal in January that the shopping center continues to adjust to consumer shopping patterns increasingly shifting to online. All of those mall anchors own their stores at Hanes Mall, which could prove to be a major logistical and infrastructure challenge to fill if one decides to leave. Yet, Gwinn views the lack of impact so far on Hanes Mall from those department store shakeouts as testament of its relevancy to those anchors, as well as its position as the mall of choice for not only Forsyth County but also much of the Triad and Northwest North Carolina west of the Guilford County line. 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/ Path mera alokit kardo, naval prath ki naval rashmiyon se, mere ur ka tam har do, Saidun Ahmed, 8, recited a Hindi poem by Dwarika Prasad Maheshwari, a twentieth-century poet, at top speed. Light up my path, with the morning sunlight light of the new sun, overcome the darkness within my heart. But when asked to read some lines on the opposite page, the fourth grader, dressed in a button-up full-sleeved brown shirt and skirtthe school uniform of all government schools in Uttar Pradesh said she had memorised the poem and couldnt read well. Children dont learn much in the government school, said 37-year-old Iklakh Ahmed, her father, a driver by profession. I will enrol her in the private school next year. Saiduns family lives in Fattepur, a village in the eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) district of Mirzapur. Like more than half (50.4%) of all primary school-age children in UP, Saidun attends a government primary school (providing free education to children between 6 and 14 years), and like many children in the state, she cannot read at grade level. Even though residents in two districts of UP said education was important for the future of their children, only 2% of voters surveyed listed education as the most important issue during the ongoing state assembly elections, according to a FourthLion-IndiaSpend survey. In conversations across the two districts, few villagers were willing to engage with the government system to improve the quality of education, in a state that accounts for 52 million or 21% of Indias child population between the ages of six and 15 years. The low quality of education in the state (and dearth of jobs) puts Indias future workforce at risk and is reflected in UPs high unemployment. In 2015-16, more people per 1,000 were unemployed in UP (58), compared to the Indian average (37). Youth unemployment was especially high, with 148 for every 1,000 people between the ages of 18 and 29 years in UP unemployed, compared to the Indian average of 102, according to 2015-16 labour ministry data. As many as 20% of voters surveyed said jobs were the most important issue this election year, according to a FourthLion-IndiaSpend survey. Between 2001 and 2011, over 5.8 million between the age of 20 and 29 years migrated from UP in search of jobs, but, for most of these migrants, low educational attainment likely resulted in low-paying jobs in the informal sector. Source: Ministry of Human Resource Development, District Information System for Education, 2015-16, Economic & Political Weekly, National Sample Survey, June 2015 Parents and children dont think they can change the education system Though there is almost universal enrolment in primary schools in UP 25 million enrolled in grade I to V in 2015-16 learning is challenged by the quality of education and high absenteeism. In 2016, about half (49.7%) of Class 1 students surveyed in households in UP could not read letters, while 44.3% could not recognise numbers up to nine, according to the Annual Status of Education Report, a citizen-led assessment of learning in rural India. On average, only half the students of six schools in two districts were in class when IndiaSpend visited. Parents in Mirzapur district said they recognised their children were not learning much in school, but that they did not think they could change the existing system either through elections or by meeting local teachers and officials. They dont know how to count till 100 and dont know the table of 20, said Shyamnarayan Vishkarma, 38, about his three children in the Fattepur village government school. Ahmed, Saiduns father, said he visited the school twice and told teachers that he didnt think his child was learning enough in school. The teachers told him that they were doing their job and teaching her, and that he as the guardian of the child should also help out, he said. Our family was very poor. I enrolled in school but we wouldnt study very hard and did other work too, said Ahmed. Arent teachers guardians too when children are in school? Iklakh Ahmed (second from the right) said he will move his daughter from the government school in Fattepur village, Mirzapur district, to a private school. Children dont learn much in the government school, he said. (Indiaspend/Shreya Shah) Teachers told IndiaSpend that low learning outcomes were mostly because of low attendance and little interest from parents to help their children at home. What should we say to education officials or candidates? asked Ahmed, Saiduns father. No one cares or talks about it. If they come here, they ask for votes and then leave. Citizens face constraints in influencing public services, found a 2010 randomised evaluation of interventions to engage communities in education, conducted by researchers from the Abdul Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-Pal), a network of 146 professors trying to reduce poverty through evidence-based policy, and Pratham, a non-governmental organisation. Interventions that involve beneficiaries in improving public services have mixed results, the study further explained. There were three interventions as part of the J-Pal study: The first facilitated meetings of villagers, teachers, and administrators, and disseminated information on the role of village education committees, a second also trained volunteers to administer literacy tests on children and prepare reports, and a third intervention trained volunteers to provide basic after-school reading classes to children. Despite the fact that many parents attended meetings, and wanted to improve education levels, none of the three interventions significantly increased the village education committee or parents involvement in schools or improved school performance, the authors found. Children who were part of reading classes performed better than those who were not a part of the intervention. Parents may be too pessimistic about their ability to influence the system even if they are willing to take an active role, or parents may not be able to coordinate to exercise enough pressure to influence the system, the study suggested. What will change if we ask for it? asked 11th-grader Binita, 17, who rides 7km through forest on her bicycle to a high school in Girijapuri, in the central UP district of Bahraich. I cant attend school regularly because sometimes there is work to do at home, at other times, there is no one to accompany me through the forest. Seventeen-year-old Binita (left) rides 7km on her bicycle through forests in Katarniaghat sanctuary, in the central Uttar Pradesh district of Bahraich. She said a school near her house would help her attend school more often. (Shreya Shah/Indiaspend) Further, several parents are illiterateUPs literacy rate or, the ability to read and write ones own name, is 70%and these parents say they dont know how schools can be improved. I havent thought about how the school can be improved, said Tukia Devi, a tribal living near the Bisunapur primary school in Bahraich district, and mother to a five-year old daughter. I am illiterate, I dont know what can be done. Easier to improve education opportunities outside the government system The J-Pal study suggested there seemed to be a greater willingness of individuals to help improve the situation for other individuals, rather than undertake collective action to improve institutions and systems. I have thought of doing something for the children of the village, said Bhondu Prasad, 32, who has taught in a private school, and is the husband of Bisunapurs village head. He said he believed that helping students after school through tuition classes or by training older children to help younger ones could help children learn how to read. Or parents might react to the knowledge that learning outcomes in government schools are poor by moving children to private schools, wrote Lindsay Read and Tamar Manuelyan Atinc in a January 2017 working paper by Brookings Institute on community interventions to improve education outcomes by using data. In April, at the beginning of the new academic year, Ahmed, Saiduns father, said he would move her to a private school, costing about Rs 400 a month. Ahmed is a driver, and earns between Rs 4,000 and Rs 10,000 a month, depending on the jobs he gets. Everyone wants the best for their children. Why will they send them to government schools? said Navneet Kumar, 35, of Niyamatpur Kalan village, in Mirzapur district. Only those who dont have money send their children to the government school, said Shyamlal Kaushal, the head of Niyamatpur Kalan village in Mirzapur district. Even government school teachers enrol their own children in private school, he said. Niyamatpur Kalan, a village in eastern Uttar Pradesh. The head of the village said only those who do not have money enrol their children in government schools because private schools are perceived to provide better education. (Shreya Shah/Indiaspend) About half of all children (46.5%) in UP study in private primary schools an increase of 80.6% from 2007, according to the District Information System for Education. What about those who cannot choose schools? The move to private schools doesnt help government schools, which are often the only option for the most disadvantaged, like Sibi Devi, a single mother of five, from Bharehta village in Mirzapur, and a daily wage labourer at a nearby brick kiln. Utna karenge jitni haisiyat hain, said Sibi Devi, in Hindi. I will do as much as my capacity permits. Four of her children are enrolled in a government school. Her oldest, a 15-year-old daughter, studied in the government school till Class 8, because school was free of cost, and now works at the brick kiln. Children from grades I to V in Bharehta primary school, Mirzapur district. Parents in UP said government school teachers are not motivated enough to teach well, while teachers said students do not come regularly to school. (Shreya Shah/Indiaspend) Similarly, in remote areas such as the Katarniaghat sanctuary in Bahraich district, along the Nepal border, inhabited mostly by poor Tharu tribals, not many private schools operate, making government schools the first, and sometimes the only option for parents. There is wide variation between the proportion of children who study in private schools across districts, with 22.9% of children in Shrawasti in private schools compared to 74.1% in Gautam Buddh Nagar, according to the 2016 ASER report. A 2014 study found that the learning gap between public and private schools would decrease if factors such as age, gender, number of siblings, education level of the parent and wealth were considered. The study suggested that children who study in private schools were more likely to have educated parents, have fewer siblings and thus receive more parental attention, and be part of families richer than those who study in government schools. Party manifestos do not address major education failings Even though manifestos of both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) mentioned education quality, they outlined few concrete steps to address failings at the school level. (The Bahujan Samaj Party, the third major party in the UP elections, had not released an election manifesto at the time of publishing.) Neither the BJP nor the SP manifesto suggested solutions to either improve student attendance, which teachers laid out as one of the main issues, or to make teaching more effective, and motivate teachers on the job, an issue important to parents. For instance, even though the name of the section on education in the BJP manifesto is improvement in quality of the education sector, it concentrated on inputs free education, books, uniforms, teacher-student and classroom-student ratios. The SP manifesto proposed a mission, which would include teacher training (but without details on how this would be different from what happens currently), and teacher evaluations, provision of education through technology, and creation of model schools, among other things. The SP, in its manifesto, provides an alternative to government school: Admission of children from poor families to private schools. It in unclear whether the SP manifesto is suggesting a provision separate from Indias Right to Education Act, which reserves at least 25% of seats in private primary schools for children from economically weaker families in the neighbourhood.

Further, the challenges parents would face in driving improvements in education quality in government schools become apparent as one talks to local education officials.

For instance, children in the government primary school in Bisunpura village received some Class 3 books for the 2016-17 academic year in 2017, less than three months before the end of the school year, a student told IndiaSpend.

When asked about the delay in giving books, a relatively simple input when compared to, say, pedagogy, the basic education officer of Bahraich district, for about 20 minutes, explained a bureaucratic method of procuring and distributing books to each school and child, involving several different officers at all levels.

He said he could do little about the delay as the books were ordered by the state education department in Lucknow, the tender for which had been delayed this academic year because of legal issues.

Even when officials recognise that the major issue is learning levels, steps to change the status quo fall short. For instance, district officials in Mirzapur district told IndiaSpend that goals this year included teaching students basic reading, math and writing.

For that, officials would conduct random evaluations and check the level of students compared to a pre-decided goal set by the district, officials said. Teacher training would be a focus with more trainings, but there did not appear to be a major redesign of the training itself.

Shreya Shah is a writer/editor with IndiaSpend

(Article published in arrangement with Indiaspend)

According to the website, Obama is their choice "because he has the best resume in the world for the job." Paris has been canvassed with "Obama17" signs, which urge people to visit a website to sign a petition for the former U.S. president to run. Former president Barack Obama cannot run again for president in the U.S., but that isn't stopping a group of French fans who are trying to get him to run in their upcoming election. The site also alludes to the rising popularity of right-wing parties in France. "At a time when France is about to vote massively for the extreme right, we can still give a lesson of democracy to the planet by electing a French president, a foreigner," according to the website, which is in French. According to ABC News, a spokesman for the group behind the website said, "We started dreaming about this idea two months before the end of Obama's presidency. We dreamed about this possibility to vote for someone we really admire, someone who could lead us to project ourselves in a bright future." There's just one catch to their plan: To be president of France, you have to be French. The latest French polls show Marine Le Pen of the right-wing National Front party in the lead. The election will be held in April. Polling percentage in Noida indicates that sector residents in the constituency were indifferent to the state assembly polls despite efforts by the district administration and the election commission to increase voter turnout. Voting in Gautam Budh Nagar was held on February 11. According to figures from the district election office, the total polling percentage in Noida was just 48.55. The figure was above 60% at only 11% of the total polling booths. The low voter turnout can be attributed to various factors. There were complaints from thousands of voters across the city that their names were not in the voters list. Some voters complained that their names did not figure in the list of voters at the nearest polling booths and they were directed by election officials to go to other polling stations far away. There were also complaints that voters from the same family were directed to two different polling stations over a kilometre apart. Some city voters also found it inconvenient to visit the polling stations in neighbouring villages and dropped the idea of casting their votes. In Noida, only 39.07% voters cast their votes at polling booth number 325, which included the upscale Sector 15A. A total of 38.51% male voters and 39.76% female voters cast their votes. Similarly, at two other booths located at the Sector 15A club - booth nos. 323 and 324 - the polling percentage was 46.14 and 41.35, respectively. At the polling station at MAF Academy in Sector 62, which had 10 polling booths and a number of voters from the residential apartments of Sector 62, polling percentage ranged between 34.70 at booth no. 103 and 45.66 at booth no. 112. Polling booth no. 105 registered 38.37% and polling booth number 109 registered 38.31%. At Assisi Convent School (BHEL Colony) in Sector 17, polling booth no. 310 registered 35.11% voting and booth number 311 registered 40.74%. Similarly, at Army Public School in Sector 37, polling ranged from 42.92% at polling booth no. 300 to 57.44% at polling booth number 301. At five other booths here, the polling percentage was 50, 45.91, 44.10, 47.23 and 43.82. Polling percentage of mere 29.56 and 31.18 were registered at booth nos. 294 and 295, respectively, at the community centre in the upscale Sector 44. Polling booth no. 293 registered a polling percentage of 42.08. Even at the polling station at Federation of Noida Residents Welfare Association (FONRWA) office at Sector 52, the three polling booths registered a voting percentage of 33.01, 34.71 and 39.14, respectively. Three other booths had polling percentage of 40.14, 42.01 and 44.23. The highest polling percentages were recorded at booth no. 2 in Harola Makanpur (71.84), booth no. 434 at Chipiyana (71.75), booth no. 118 at Chhijarsi (71.40), booth no. 392 at Sorkha Jehanabad (69.83) and booth no. 56 at Gandhi Samarak school at Chaura Sadatpur. The lowest was recorded at booth no. 121 at Chhijarsi (24.95%), booth no. 294 at community centre in Sector 44 (29.56%), booth no. 426 at Chotpur colony (31.03%), booth no. 295 at community centre at Sector 44 (31.18%) and booth no. 455 at the Sector 82 community centre (31.94%). In Noida, the highest turnout of women voters was at booth no. 441 at Chipiyana Khurd where 76.11% of women voters cast their votes. The lowest turnout of women was at booth no. 121 at Chhijarsi with 24.95%. Keshav Kumar, additional district magistrate and SVEEP in-charge at Gautam Budh Nagar, said, Urban voters are active only on social media and seem to take the Elector Photo Identity Card (EPIC) only as an identity card and for use in other requirements. A majority of urban voters do not turn up for voting. They treat the voting day as a holiday. As polling day was on Saturday, urban voters may have gone on a two-day holiday trip from Friday evening itself. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday blamed Manipurs Congress government for not taking the necessary steps to end the economic blockade that has crippled the north-eastern state. Isnt it the state governments task to open the blockade and provide essential commodities? How are they running the government? No blockade will be allowed once the BJP comes to power, he said and added that if voted to power, his party will bring development to the state in 15 months, which the Congress could not achieve in 15 years. Manipur has been crippled by an economic blockade, spearheaded by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November to protest against the creation of Sadar Hills and Jiribam districts. The UNC maintains that the creation of the districts will hamper the interests of the Naga ethnic group members, while state authorities say that the new districts were created for better administrative convenience. Addressing a rally at the poll-bound states Langjing Achouba ground, the PM dismissed the allegations that the August 2015 agreement between Centre and NSCN (IM) might affect Manipurs territorial integrity. The Prime Minister accused the states Congress government of misguiding the people on the issue in an attempt to win the elections. There was not even a mention of the word Manipur (in the agreement), he added. Modi also attacked the Congress for ruining the state by not providing jobs on the basis of merit. He said jobs were categorised on the basis of rates of bribes required to be paid to get a post. Every job right from teacher to cook has different rates (of bribes). Those who have looted the country, I assure you they wont go unpunished, he said. Despite a boycott call by the Coordination Committee of some Manipur-based insurgent groups, the Prime Ministers rally saw participation from the states titular king Leishemba Sanajaoba, Union human resource development minister Prakash Javadekar and minister of state for home affairs Kiren Rijiju. A five-year-old conglomerate of insurgent groups in Manipur has called for a shutdown in the state to ensure Prime Minister Narendra Modi has no listeners while campaigning for the BJP in Imphal on Saturday. Police have tightened the security after the Coordination Committee (CorCom) issued the shutdown notice on Thursday night. However, what worries them more is a new axis of evil between home-grown groups and some outsider outfits that has cast the shadow of terror on Manipurs Mandate 2017. The two-phase elections to the 60-member Manipur assembly are scheduled on March 4 and 8. Manipur-based rebel outfits with ethnic or ideological similarities had formed umbrella groups before the 2012 assembly elections. That year, a militant posing as a voter killed five of them at a polling booth in Chandel district bordering Myanmar. Chandel is back in focus after United National Liberation Front of Western Southeast Asia (UNLFW) ambushed and killed 18 Indian army soldiers in the district in June 2015. UNLFW was formed by the SS Khaplang faction of National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-K) with the anti-talks faction of United Liberation Front of Asom (Ulfa-Independent) and other northeast groups. These outfits floated UNLFW around the time the Myanmar-based NSCN-K walked out of a 14-year ceasefire with the armed forces. It lost no time in striking a strategic partnership with CorCom. CorCom was formed in July 2011, but lacked the kind of firepower possessed by the UNLFW, allegedly backed by China and Pakistan for a greater design to keep Indias north-eastern sector in turmoil. Before the June 2015 incident, the last militant major strike in Manipur was in 1987 when the NSCN had not split into the Khaplang and Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) factions. The Congress government in Manipur perceives NSCN-IM as a major threat, particularly after an ambush on chief minister Okram Ibobi Singhs chopper at Ukhrul in October last year and the killing of three policemen in the newly-created Tengnoupal district last December. The new trend of disparate groups hunting in packs in a state polarised along ethnic lines is expected to impact Mandate 2017. It is the reason why the Election Commission has marked almost 81% of 2,053 polling stations in the high-risk categories. Only 397 polling stations are marked normal, while 1,656 are sensitive and hypersensitive, the states chief electoral officer Vivek Kumar Dewangan said. The economic blockade (since November 1, 2016) has posed some law and order challenges. External threats (from outfits operating from Myanmar) and renegade members of groups under SoO have also posed challenges. We are trying our best to ensure a peaceful election, LM Khaute, Manipurs director general of police, told HT. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON He operates out of a room on the first floor of the BJP office in Lucknow. It is a spacious accommodation, complete with an iPad lying on the bed, a TV screen flashing live images of a rally being held by party president Amit Shah, a map outlining the next phase of the Uttar Pradesh elections, and pamphlets scattered across the place. Phone calls are made constantly as he instructs senior leaders, including MPs, to focus on the assembly segments of their constituencies. Holding a sheet of paper in his hand, he gives specific instructions. I dont want you to be in sabhas. I want you to help the candidate fight the election. We are lagging by 2% in this seat. Focus on that. Now, before we identify the man in this room, lets look at how Amit Shah became Amit Shah. The answer is by successfully managing the Uttar Pradesh elections in 2014. Three years later, even as both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah strive to ensure a BJP victory in the state, there is another man who is silently doing the invisible organisational work that Shah was entrusted with three years ago. He is Sunil Bansal. Bansal, who? Bansal was an activist of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sanghs student outfit in Rajasthan before rising up to become its national joint organising secretary. It was then that Shah picked him up to work on the 2014 elections in Uttar Pradesh. Bansal shifted to Lucknow and became Shahs right-hand man. He learnt the importance of data compilation for electoral purposes, and slowly picked up the caste intricacies of each district in the state. He learnt from Shah the importance of organisational activities that would keep the party cadre busy and perennially connected with the people. After the 2014 win, Shah rose up to become party president. However, keeping an eye on the 2017 elections, he left Bansal back in Lucknow as the state-level general secretary of the organisation. This position is crucial in the BJP sangathan. The fact that Bansal was an outsider, and thus not steeped in the messy caste and faction-ridden landscape of the state unit, was seen as an advantage. Planning for 17 BJP made two major decisions on the partys broad strategy and organisation in the run-up to the state elections. The strategy was to focus on the upper castes, non-Yadav OBCs and non-Jatav Dalits, who comprise 55-60% of its population. Bansal had to implement this on the ground, and change the partys character in the process, by appointing OBC district chiefs and picking up a large share of candidates from this segment of the society. The move came in for widespread criticism and internal resentment. However, sources close to Bansal shrugged it off stating that such a backlash was only natural in the circumstances. We had dozens of aspirants for each state. They wanted to contest because they saw us as the winning party. However, we have multiple stakeholders and balancing that is not always easy. We made a conscious attempt to expand our social base, which may have upset some people, said a party member. The second decision was to energise the organisation early. So, at a time when the Samajwadi Party was embroiled in an internal struggle and the BSP remained in a state of virtual invisibility, the BJP had already begun raising the battle cry. The idea behind this was to increase the visibility of the party. Some programmes are more successful, others are less. But the point is to keep the party organisation mobilised, said a party source. This, he said, was also a good way to neutralise the disadvantage of not having a chief ministerial face. The party organised 88 youth-centric, 77 women-centric, 200 OBC-centric, 18 Dalit-centric and 14 trader-centric events, and held numerous state, regional and sector-level meetings with booth workers. It deployed 403 Parivartan Vans to each constituency. The party also launched a Mann ki Baat campaign that received 34 lakh responses, and organised Parivartan rallies at the end of 2016. It created four Facebook pages and 6,608 Whatsapp groups. And, to prepare candidates for the elections, it gave each of them micro village and family level data compiled through phone calls and voter surveys. Certain of victory At present, Bansals core tasks include monitoring the prospects of the party in each constituency based on independent survey inputs, and planning the rest of the campaign. The party claims it will make it past the majority mark, and offers two broad reasons for this. Breaking down the demographic data, a source close to Bansal said: As much as 83% of the upper castes, 17% Yadavs, 73% non-Yadav OBCs, 25% Jatavs and 50% non-Jatavs are voting for us. The party is confident of garnering a vote share of around 35%, he added. The second reason lies in the BJPs belief of a split in the Muslim vote bank. They are not voting to elect the government. They are voting to elect MLAs. And so, they are voting differently in each seat sometimes for the Congress-Samajwadi alliance, sometimes for the BSP. It would have been difficult for us if they were voting unitedly, but this split works to our advantage, the source added. Only on March 11 will we know if the BJPs assessments are correct. However, one thing remains certain if the BJP wins, it would have found yet another organisational star in Sunil Bansal. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In yet another controversy in Uttar Pradesh politics, a police case was filed against Dr Mohd Ayub, the national president of the Peace Party, for allegedly raping a 22-year-old nursing course student and killing her by giving wrong medicines. The first information report (FIR) was registered with Madiaon police station in Lucknow on Saturday. Ayub, who owns a number of hospitals in the state, is the MLA from Khalilabad constituency in Sant Kabir Nagar district of east UP, and is contesting the assembly election from the same seat. The FIR may affect his electoral fortune when the constituency goes to polls in the fifth phase on February 27. The girl, whose liver and kidneys were damaged, was undergoing treatment at the trauma centre of King George Medical University in Lucknow and died on Friday night. Her family has accused Ayub of raping her multiple times while she was studying in a city medical institute. Her brother lodged a police complaint, following which an FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections dealing with rape, culpable homicide not amounting to murder and criminal intimidation. The girls family members had been alleging rape for the past few days but had not lodged a police complaint. They turned up to register the complaint only after the girls death. Nagesh Kumar Mishra, inspector of Madiaon police station, said the complainant said his family met Ayub during the assembly polls in 2012. He said Ayub approached the girl and her family to campaign for him. Ayub brought the girl to Lucknow after winning the polls on the pretext of providing her better education and got her admitted in a city medical institute. The girl stayed in a rented accommodation in Lucknow. The girls brother said in the complaint that Ayub used to visit her rented house whenever he visited Lucknow and raped her. He said Ayub threatened the girl with dire consequences, following which she could not muster courage to oppose him and register a police complaint. He said Ayub also gave her wrong medicines when she used to complain of pain in her stomach after being sexually abused. The medicines damaged her liver and kidneys, he said. The girls informed her family members about the trauma she was going through for the past few years when she became seriously ill. He said the family came to know about the wrong medicines when they approached another doctor for her treatment. The girl was admitted to the KGMU trauma centre when her condition deteriorated on Thursday, and she succumbed on Friday night. Varanasi is as well known for traffic jams and lack of toilets as it is for the myriad ghats, lanes and temples that dot its colourful expanse. However, not everybody in the Varanasi South constituency is willing to accept them as minor inconveniences that form part of the citys identity as Indias most popular pilgrim destination. Just look at the bikes parked haphazardly on city lanes due to lack of proper parking facilities. Leave alone traffic jams, even walking becomes difficult because of this, complains Lalji Yadav, a trader on Thatheri Bazar lane. Whats more, the entire area does not have even a single community toilet. People have to walk over half a kilometre to reach one in the Chowk area, Yadav says, adding that local politicians dont address even the most basic issues plaguing the people. There are 742 lanes and 41 ghats in the constituency, which houses the famous Kashi Vishwanath and Kaal Bhairav temples. The area is also a hub for Banarasi sarees, local food, spiritual activities and tourism. Chhote Lal, a gem trader in Nariyal Bazar area, also complained of these problems. He, however, says locals were equally to blame. Nobody wants to donate space for constructing community toilets. The municipal body is willing, but it has no space. Shekhar Rao, a CD shop owner, says local traders are forced to relieve themselves in the open due to the lack of public toilets in the lane. Our requests for a toilet have fallen on deaf ears, he laments. Bad roads and broken pipelines are a major issue in Dal Mandi area. The Varanasi South assembly constituency, which has nearly 2.73 lakh voters, is represented by the BJP. Though sitting MLA Shyamdeo Roy Chaudhary won the seat in the last seven elections, the party has fielded Neelkanth Tiwari instead on this occasion. Tiwari has been pitted against Congress leader Rajesh Mishra (contesting on behalf of the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance) and Bahujan Samaj Party candidate Rakesh Tripathi. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Uttar Pradesh government removed the word Samajwadi on Saturday from 1,488 state-run ambulances on an election commission order following complaints that using the term might benefit the ruling Samajwadi Party in ongoing assembly polls. State additional chief electoral officer (CEO) PK Pandey said, The election commission has directed UP chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar to cover up the word Samajwadi (socialist) painted on ambulances run by the state health and family welfare department. Before the 2012 assembly election, the election commission had issued a similar order, asking authorities to cover statues of elephants electoral symbol of then ruling Bahujan Samaj Party -- installed in Dalit memorials and parks. Pandey said a man identified as JPS Rathor had petitioned the poll panel demanding removal of the word Samajwadi from the government ambulances. In the petition Rathor said the ambulance service was launched by the state administration, and pointed out that SP leaders were highlighting the ambulance service in their poll campaign. The petition said using the word Samajwadi was also against the ethics of the election under which all the political parties are given a level-playing field by the poll panel. The ruling party is fighting in alliance with the Congress to come back to power in Indias most-populous state and is up against the BSP and the BJP. The state health and family welfare department runs 1,488 ambulances under the 108 and 102 service in public private partnership (PPP) mode with GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). Read more: Meet Sunil Bansal, the invisible man behind BJPs UP poll battle After coming to power in the 2012 assembly election, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had launched the 108 ambulance services on September 12, 2012 and the 102 services on January 18, 2014. The logo Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa(Socialist health service) was painted on all the ambulance services. The opposition political parties- BJP and BSP -- had objected over the use of Samajwadi on government ambulances. Self help can be empowering unless touted as a remedy to systemic problems. Last week, one of Indias largest self-help groups for women, Kudumbashree, opened their first transgender section in Kerala, receiving widespread praise. Commentary both online and offline was replete with the possibility of how transpeople, often pushed to the margins of employment and education, can claw their way back into the mainstream through such groups. This also reflected a welcome change of attitude from sections of the womens movement after decades of refusing to recognise transgender women for what they fundamentally are, women. But something rankled in the midst of effusive praise and fevered coverage the development received. The verdict came weeks before the third anniversary of the Supreme Court ordering overarching protections for the trans community, recognising a third gender and creating quotas in jobs and education. But little has improved on the ground. Very few organisations provide the support and encouragement necessary for transpeople to get mainstream employment, let alone setting aside a batch of jobs for them. In schools and colleges, bullying and stigma is rampant that explains why there are few transgender students even in our universities that ostensibly have a declared mandate of inclusivity. So two questions need to be asked: One, do transpeople need self help because no one else is willing to help them, and; two, in what horizon does this self help come from? Education is an instructive field to explore the first questions. In state after state, even where transgender welfare boards have been set up, transpeople have had to approach the courts to get what should have been their most obvious right. In Tamil Nadu, Grace Banu went to the high court to secure herself an engineering seat. In West Bengal, Atri Kar needed judicial intervention to change government procedure that blocked her from applying for a position she was qualified for. In both cases, the state administration the primary purveyor of education was mum. Few transgender students still enrol for courses in colleges, even in prestigious institutes like Delhi University that have publicised a trans quota. The few trans students at the institution frequently complain of bias and bullying, indicating that authorities havent demolished structures or mindsets that have blocked access to this fundamental right. In such a context, is small scale self help really an option for a people shut out from accessing health, education and jobs? More importantly, can trans people self help their way into colleges or jobs? Or is the neighbourhood groups telling silence on generating employment indicative of a larger problem? The answer to the second question lies in the disproportionate coverage received by what is really a local initiative. Kudumbashree members have themselves declared that the group was at the neighbourhood level, the lowest rung in their organisation. There are 12 transpeople in the group and its not meant to be a large scale operation. Yet, our full-throated validation of the move masked a deep acknowledgement of how the trans question has been reduced to a token one that surfaces at diversity fairs, academic dissertations and whenever organisations want to appear progressive, but to soon be discarded after the mileage has been received. The trans communities offer to us a radical way of looking at questions of gender, sexuality, care-giving, ageing and organising. They made us look at employment like begging or sex work and fronted questions of homelessness or communities offering care. Instead, the question has been reduced to one of tolerance and whether they should be given quotas. The many photographs of transpeople and features on sari-clad men are meant to normalise trans people in the eyes of the mainstream, to make these radical questions comfortable for us. So, the Kerala SHG runs parallel to the governments efforts to make transpeople more respectable and policed by making gender-certifying bodies and outlawing begging in its new transgender rights bill. Transpeople are affected by our imagination of development that gentrifies parks and city spaces, throwing sex-worker transpersons out on the streets and vulnerable to violence. They are affected by the withdrawal of the State from education and health, which means they have to negotiate with for-profit organisations with no mandate of social inclusion. In this milieu, the Kerala body is a great step by the communities to empower themselves. But any praise by us must be fronted by a self-reflective critique of why they are forced to help themselves. Any other applause is insincere. dhruba.purkait@hindustantimes.com SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Have you ever been to a party where everyone is at pains to avoid one particular subject? They will go round and round the mulberry bush as though the very mention of it would break up the proceedings and the person from whose lips the subject might ensue would have rained on everyones parade. Every other subject, howsoever inconsequential will be discussed in order to avoid that which must not be spoken about. I got that feeling as I have been watching these elections. Those in the fray have touched on all sorts of issues, taking care never to drop that clanger womens issues. So we have politicians talking of donkeys, crematoriums, graveyards, property, lights for Diwali, eunuchs and rhinos. And of course, the surgical strikes on Pakistan but taking care never to utter a squeak about women as if to do so would evoke some beast from under the bed or things which go thump in the dark. I am being facetious here, but surely what is being billed a make or break election for the ruling party, and everyone else and his uncle could have at least referred to women and their concerns in passing. Day after day, we had rather objectionable references of women politicians as bahus and betis, even buas with reference to the formidable BSP chief Mayawati all of whom are slugging it out in Uttar Pradesh. As if to suggest that this is all they are and nothing more. Women are coming out in huge numbers to vote, said breathless anchors. Not to be a killjoy, but surely the states which are going to the polls have several pertinent issues relating to women, ranging from maternal mortality, illiteracy, lack of access to basic amenities and safety. But to hear the political discourse, you would think that none of these existed. In the byzantine world of alliances, shifting political loyalties and calculations, the fact that half the electorate is women seems totally forgotten. I am not expecting that everyone will suddenly start talking about things that really matter. Few elections barring the last Lok Sabha one, which brought the BJP roaring to power, ever bothered about issues that really affect people. But let us not blame politicians alone for this. The people who throng the election rallies are quite happy to hear insults being traded and non-issues being discussed. Would it have made a difference if more women had stood for elections? Would they have raised issues which concern women? I really doubt it given the track record of our women leaders. There are many reasons given for the lack of women in the fray. One was spelt out by a popular columnist recently. Women cant play dirty, said the columnist, they are no match for men when it comes to machinations. Well, thats news to me. J Jayalalithaa must be turning in her grave to hear this, Indira Gandhi was no slouch in cutting the ground from under her opponents feet, Sheila Dikshit did not get three terms by being a little old lady knitting socks, Mayawati did more than sock her rivals with that metaphorical bag and Mamata Banerjee has a clever way of tripping up any opposition even as she vociferously shuns all the trappings of power. So no, women are no less ruthless, clearheaded and ambitious when they enter politics. In fact, they too play by the rules and the rules dictate that womens issues dont matter. The problem is that women are fragmented, they are marginalised in every caste, class and religious grouping and they are not likely to vote en masse to secure their rights. They also dont have the capacity to mobilise and demand that their concerns be taken note of. Which is precisely why political parties dont think that they need to talk about womens issues. They dont have the collective might to harm any political formation, their vote is scattershot. Given their vast disparities, women in different areas and rubrics identify with different issues so political parties just take the easy way out they dont bother with an agenda for women. Of course, we have the tokenism about women being mothers and sisters, about how alcohol will be abolished so women will be happy. But, what about schools so women can educate their children, street lighting so women can be safe, toilets so that women are both safe and healthy, clinics so that women get treatment on time, jobs so that women dont have to rely on men economically? Maybe, next time, political parties could try this, it might just lead to a consolidation of the womens vote. That would be a turn up for the books, wouldnt it? lalita.panicker@hindustantimes.com SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Actor Taapsee Pannu has been getting a good response for her films in the last few months and it seems she believes in spreading the cheer. The actor gifted her spot-boy a vacation to Singapore as a thank you gesture. Sometimes while working and enjoying our work we forget about people who spend their entire day making sure if you are fine. This boy has been working with me since past 6 six years and stuck with me during thick and thin, says Pannu, who was last seen in a film alongside actor Rana Daggubati. Pannu, made her Bollywood debut with Chashme Baddoor (2013) and went on to do films such as Baby(2015) and Pink (2016). She believes in gifting people memories instead of anything else. More than anything I feel he deserves a good break and somewhere where he doesnt have to do anything but relax. This is the best gift I could think of giving anyone, a holiday, she says. Other actors often gift their loved ones luxurious cars, houses and more, Taapsee does not believe in that. She gave him a vacation which he desired the most for a while. Taapsee gifted him and his entire family a vacation to a place, she herself recently visited and absolutely fell in love with, says a source. Follow @htshowbiz for more SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON For actor Taapsee Pannu, the Pink (2016) effect is clearly, still on. Despite six months having gone by since the films release, Taapsee still gets messages and emails thanking her and appreciating her for the character she played. The interactions that she has with her fans sometimes bring to light a lot of interesting things. Recently, Taapsee got a message from a fan, through social media, informing her that the latter is in the process of opening a cafe named Pink in Mangalore, Karnataka. The cafes speciality is that it is not only owned by a woman but will also have only female staff, right from the cashier to the server. Taapsee loved the idea and is now, partially sponsoring the cafe. Talking about it, the Baby (2015) actor says, When I heard the idea, I was impressed as to how a film can turn into an inspiration at so many levels. Its rewarding when someone takes the positive impact of a film and converts that into reality, especially with an initiative like this. I heard the idea of the cafe and instead of just encouraging them, I wanted to do more. So, I did my bit by contributing to the cafe. I can only wish them luck and hope to encourage more such initiatives in the future. Follow @htlifeandstyle for more. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In a space known for its elaborate music and theatre productions, and patrons that mostly comprise English speakers, it was a refreshing shift to hear snatches of Malayalam, Marathi, Bengali and Tamil conversations at the NCPA, Mumbai on Saturday. The third edition of the Gateway LitFest, which celebrates the diverse regional literature of the country, was being held at the iconic venue. While the first day saw sessions on challenges in translation and the latest literary trends in Tamil and Bengali literature, it was a session centered on Bollywood that created a stir. Titled Bollywood is Not the Indian Cinema the panel discussion, chaired by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, featured actor Subodh Bhave and filmmakers Vasanthabalan, Bejoy Nambiar and Anjali Menon. Gopalakrishnan, whos credited with revolutionising Malayalam cinema in the 70s, began by narrating an experience he faced quite often, while travelling abroad for film festivals. When an immigration officer realised Im a filmmaker, he asked me if Im from Bollywood. I said no, far from it, he said, lamenting the fact that most people outside India equated Bollywood with Indian cinema. He also called Slumdog Millionaire the most anti-Indian film. Its like a typical Bollywood film, made in Hollywood. The hour-long discussion saw the filmmakers discuss the challenges faced by non-Hindi films, including limited reach and skewed distribution strategies these films are often relegated to an early morning slot in most theatres. Menon recalled the 80s, when Doordarshan would air films belonging to different languages, with English subtitles every Sunday. Visibility today is very limited. Today, the economy is decided on the basis of where the money is and the rest of Indian cinema suffers, she said. Vasanthabalan, whose films Veyil (2006) and Angadi Theru (2010) were blockbusters that were also critically acclaimed, said that Bollywood had lost its values in the race for commercial fame. When I Googled the top 100 films in Indian cinema, there was not a single regional film, he said. Here, Nambiar, the only Bollywood representative, piped in saying that he was a huge fan of Vasanthabalans works and actually saw Veyil on a pirated CD. It was not available anywhere in Bombay. The only way forward is for filmmakers to fight for more space and access. Discussing inventiveness, Gopalakrishnan said that technology should not be the only asset in the march for progress. He drew attention to the significance of the National Award, and how it was instituted to award high-quality films. When Bahubali gets a National Award, its devastating and sends a bad message to influencers. Bhave, who apart from Marathi, has also acted in Konkani, Malayalam and Bengali films, said that Bollywoods recent interest in Marathi cinema was an encouraging trend. Marathi cinema has always been content-driven, from the times of V Shantaram and Prabhat Film Company. John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra are going to back Marathi films, he said. Gopalakrishnan said the great support the Maharashtra state government was extending to the films was laudable. Marathi cinema is not just making waves in India, but also abroad. This should be an eye-opener for the other industries, said the veteran filmmaker. The session concluded with the panelists weighing in on ways to get over the overarching influence of Bollywood on Indian cinema. While platforms like Netflix and YouTube have increased access and helped generate more interest in regional cinema, Menon said that a big part of the responsibility also lay with the audience. We have an empowered audience today they can talk about the films, tweet, and start discussions. Why should we rely on just YouTube to celebrate regional cinema? Follow @TheCommanist on Twitter Follow us on twitter.com/HTBrunch Connect with us on facebook.com/hindustantimesbrunch SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Japans SoftBank Group on Thursday denied it was in talks with Vodafone Plcs Indian unit and Idea Cellular to pick up a stake in a potential merger between the two Indian wireless carriers. SoftBanks denial follows a report in The Economic Times newspaper that the Japanese firm was looking to pick up a stake in a Vodafone-Idea merged company, citing four unidentified people aware of developments. We would like to categorically deny SoftBanks participation in the alleged Vodafone, Idea Cellular merger in India, a SoftBank spokeswoman said. We underline that we have held no such discussions and media reports about the same are baseless and unsubstantiated. WhatsApp, the Facebook-owned instant messaging app, is working on a new platform targeted at small businesses, and will use India as the testing ground for the global launch of a product it sees as a potential money spinner. WhatsApp for Business, meant for commercial messaging through which WhatsApp wants to make money, is still in the design and testing phase. The platform is largely targeted at India, where WhatsApp has 200 million users. WhatsApp for Business is all about small and medium businesses, where you have a small employee count and have a large customer count, and the goals are very different, Brian Acton, co-founder of WhatsApp, said in an interview on the companys eighth birthday on Friday. Over the past few years, millions of Indians, much like in the US and other developed and developing countries, have downloaded WhatsApp on their mobile phones to give up SMS because the instant-messaging platform was simple and free. If Facebook is about real identity, WhatsApp is about a faster, reliable and easier way to communicate with people. That is also how WhatsApp founders, Jan Koum and Acton, envisaged it to be. At 200 million monthly active users, or over 15% of its total users, India is Whatsapps largest base. The company will allow small business, large brands, and enterprises to communicate with a large pool of consumers, without spamming them. (While) users can keep stay in touch with families and their loved ones, they order grocery from their local grocer... there are stories of doctors using the product to communicate with patients, Acton said. WhatsApp for Business will be a separate app for small businesses to send targeted messages and videos. Neeraj Arora, head of business at WhatsApp, explains: If you are a small shop owner, and there is a bunch of people who buy from you, it will make communication easier... WhatsApp for Business will first be launched in India, which Acton says offers a fantastic ecosystem for the platform, and then taken to other markets such as Brazil and Indonesia. India has 35 million small and medium businesses. That is why we continue to invest in India, and that is why we continue to leverage India to teach us what we can do to make lives better commercial messaging, digital transaction, etc., he said. The co-founder met Indias information technology minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday to discuss commercial messages and digital transactions. As Indias internet user base, already larger than that of the US, grows, India will become a more critical market for WhatsApp. Acton is not willing to tap other popular Indian obsessions such as Bollywood and music. Bollywood stars come and go, music stars come and go thats the natural cycle. What we are focusing on is the evergreen utility of communication, connecting people and letting them talk to each other, he said. Already, Whatsapp is available in 10 Indian languages, making it easier for merchants to use the app. We will continue to grow the languages. There are more than 10 languages here, Acton said. Let me start with an admission. I dont use Twitter and often joke that those who do are twits. Indeed, for me, the term hashtag used to be rather misleading. So I have to say Im stunned by the way politicians have taken to Twitter and made it their favourite form of messaging. Its not just our own Narendra Modi or Donald Trump that prefer to encapsulate their messages in the 140 characters Twitter permits, it seems leading politicians all over the world do the same. These days politicians dont speak. They prefer to tweet, even if what they produce is not the sweet sound of a little bird. A recent article by the Pakistani expert on terror, Ahmed Rashid, says Nawaz Sharif and the countrys army chief have become dab hands at Twitter. He calls their rule governance by tweet. Read | In their animosity towards the media, Modi and Trump think alike Now, theres no doubt the political use of Twitter has advantages. It permits instant and focused comment, almost in real time, on a range of events. These can be accessed without any cost, at any time, by anyone who has a smartphone. The social media universe that emerges is interactive and permits a direct response. However, the disadvantages are not just greater but hardly talked about. Let me quote from Ahmed Rashids conclusion about the twitterisation of governance in Pakistan: The unprecedented use of Twitter has led to a major threat to media freedom in Pakistan. It bars journalists from asking any questions, provides no transparency and encourages state censorship on issues the government does not want to discuss generals and politicians have ceased to give press conferences or briefings. Now 140 characters is presumed to convey enough information which the media has no choice but to be satisfied with. Think about this carefully because it could happen in India too. Were not quite there as yet but I fear were heading in that direction even if unwittingly. Read | Shobhaa Des fat troll: Mumbai Polices social warriors turned the joke on her Our prime minister doesnt hold press conferences and only gives interviews to journalists he trusts. On Twitter, however, hes not just prompt but often prolific. Yet this means we only get to know what he has to say within the limits of 140 characters. For all that Modi claims to believe in it, twitterisation leads to a lack of transparency. Each time a politician opts to tweet, rather than answer questions from journalists, hes limiting his accountability to the media and, therefore, the wider public. Even if at a press conference questions are deliberately not answered they are at least asked and the evasion noted. But you cant really ask questions on a Twitter feed. That means you cant cross-question. Hence politicians can get away with whatever they assert no matter how silly or downright wrong. Read | Trumps alternative reality news conference amazing moment: US media Let me make a prediction: The more politicians tweet the less they will be available for questioning and the greater the consequent impact on the rights of the press. Depending on how far this goes it will diminish press freedom. Of course, we want to know what our politicians think and tweets make that easy. However, I would say more often we want to question what they think. But the twitterisation of their views prevents that. Knowing is, of course, important but questioning could often be critical. When thats denied the tweet you receive could end up treating you like a twit. The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON On the last day of this years Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), writer Taslima Nasrin made an unexpected appearance. The session she spoke at was titled Exile, but her name did not appear on the programme. The session went off without incident (albeit under police protection) but, as word got around of Nasrins presence, a group of Islamic fundamentalists accosted the festivals directors who, unnerved, made a promise not to invite her again without prior permission (from the fundamentalists, that is). The next day, after the writers and publishers had departed for their respective hometowns and countries, a film crew from Mumbai began work in Jaipur. They were shooting scenes for Padmavati, directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The crew and their equipment were set upon by angry bigots, speaking in the name of Rajput pride. Bhansali and his team fled in panic to Mumbai. The vandals were briefly detained by the police, but released within a few hours. Read | Rajput bodies in game of one-upmanship over stalling of Bhansalis film Padmavati Reading about these incidents in Bengaluru, I wrote to JLFs organisers, urging them to press the chief minister of Rajasthan to come out squarely in defence of the freedom of writers, artists and film-makers. The JLF had been patronised and even inaugurated by the CM. To be sure, the organisers needed the logistical support of the state government; but the state needed the JLF too, as a boost to its tourist economy. Here was a chance to push Rajasthans CM and government to encourage artistic creativity not just for one week in the year, but for the other 51 weeks as well. If Vasundhara Raje would not act, the JLF should, I said, publicly condemn the vandalism themselves. Sadly, the JLFs organisers stayed silent. Then, in early February, a university in Jodhpur hosted a conference, where one of the speakers was Nivedita Menon of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Menon referred to the ongoing conflict in Kashmir, attracting a howl of rage from hyper-patriots, who forced the university authorities to file a police complaint against her. Later, in an act of vindictiveness, the lecturer who organised the conference was suspended. I have spoken of three recent attacks on freedom of expression in one state, Rajasthan; but of course such attacks happen all over the country, and under all kinds of governments. Indian writers should never forget that it was Rajiv Gandhis Congress that banned The Satanic Verses even before Iran did, and that it was professedly literature-loving Communist chief ministers who first banned Taslimas books and had her externed from West Bengal. Hindutva-wadis, Shiv Sainiks, and caste chauvinists may have taken this intolerance further and made it more violent; yet it was the Congress and the Left that opened the door. Read | Question from Ramjas to JNU: Is ABVP a students organisation or a bunch of hooligans? Indeed, it is the Lefts dogmatism in the past that has enabled and encouraged the Rights bigotry in the present. Those who endorsed the central governments savage attack on JNU in 2016 took legitimacy from students and faculty in JNU seeking to disallow Baba Ramdev from speaking on campus. Ramdev may be no scholar; but in fact JNU has long been suspicious even of academics who challenge the universitys ruling certitudes. Several departments in JNU have been dominated by a monochromatic Marxism; one being so narrow-minded that (as I recall) they would not allow a scholarly discussion on the Narmada Andolan, since environmentalism was a bourgeois deviation from the class struggle. When it comes to promoting freedom of expression, when it comes to encouraging intellectual debate and diversity, we cannot expect principled or consistent support from any of our politicians or political parties. Jyoti Basu would have been happy to be photographed with Gabriel Garcia Marquez; but he would shun Taslima Nasrin. Vasundhara Raje will attend the JLF in January; but once the festival ends, acquiesce in her partymens physical attacks on scholars and film-makers, with her governments police force looking on. Read | JNU still simmering year after anti-national protests, Kanhaiya arrest But surely writers, scholars, and artists should not be nervous about offending political patrons, nor ask that only their ideological kinsmen enjoy full intellectual or artistic freedom. They should stand together in solidarity, not pick and choose whom to defend and whom to ignore. Exemplary in this regard is the conduct of Rajshree Ranawat, the scholar who organised the seminar in Jodhopur where Nivedita Menon spoke. Menon is a Left-wing feminist; notably, among the other people invited to the conference was the Hindutva historian Y Sudershan Rao. Further, Ranawat also invited scholars who are neither Left nor Right, but liberal centrists. Her brave, admirable, endeavour was to expose her students to a wide diversity of scholarly opinion. Now Ranawat has been suspended. But her fellow writers and scholars must not forget her. Indeed, we must emulate and honour her. Perhaps the JLFs organisers should invite Rajshree Ranawat to inaugurate their festival in 2018. Ramachandra Guhas books include Gandhi Before India Twitter: @Ram_Guha The views expressed are personal SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Arvind Kejriwal government just gave a Holi bonanza to the citys labourers by increasing their minimum wages by over 37%. The timing of the announcement assumes significance as municipal elections are scheduled in April for which the model code of conduct is likely to be imposed mid-March. Keeping this in mind, chief minister Kejriwal also announced that the Delhi Assembly budget session will be held between March 6 and March 10. Implementing the recommendations of the committee that was set up for the purpose, the government has increased the minimum wages of unskilled workers from Rs 9,724 to Rs13,350 per month. For semi-skilled workers the same has been hiked from Rs10, 764 to Rs14, 698 per month. Skilled labourers also have a big reason to cheer as their wages have been increased from a minimum of Rs 11, 830 to Rs 16,182 per month. The dearness allowance will also keep increasing automatically. The decision to this effect was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Kejriwal on Saturday morning. A special committee constituted by the Delhi labour department, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor, to decide on the wages, had submitted its report earlier this month. This was the second attempt by the AAP government within months to revise minimum wages after the then L-G Najeeb Jung turned down its previous decision to revise wages by about 50% on procedural grounds. The basic minimum wages in the capital were last revised in 2010. However, the labour department has been notifying increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) twice in a year April and October based on All India Consumer Price Index No (CPIN). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The debate over granting autonomous status to different colleges of Delhi University is back. St Stephens College has called a meeting of the governing body on Saturday to discuss the universitys proposal for the grant of autonomy. Opposing the proposal, the Delhi University Teachers Association (DUTA) called for protest against the governing bodys meeting. DUTA said that by granting autonomy, DU will be disintegrated and claimed that it is a move towards fund cut and privatisation. The debate about granting autonomy dates back to the 80s. The autonomous status means that the colleges will be able to frame their own syllabus, follow their own fee structure and will no longer be a constituent college of DU. The colleges will have a deemed university status. There are other colleges like Shri Ram College for Commerce (SRCC) and Hansraj College that have been seeking autonomy. In 1981, St Stephens was offered autonomy by the ministry of human resource development. Then too, DUTA had opposed the move. In 2013, similar offer was made to Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR) where also the move was opposed by the teachers body. With autonomy, funding to these colleges will be slowly reduced and finally cut completely. It is a policy of the government towards privatisation and killing public-funded institutions, said Rajesh Jha, member, executive council. In November 2016, the University Grants Commission (UGC) sent a notice to the Delhi University and its colleges about clauses on autonomous colleges being incorporated in the UGC IX Plan guidelines. Earlier, in 2013 too, this clause was revised by the ministry under the sixth Five Year Plan. All the principals of the colleges who wish to avail the benefits of the UGC scheme may apply to the revised guidelines, the UGC notice said. Following the orders, DU has formed a committee to look into the matter. We are at present looking into the proposals and only institutions which have the required infrastructure and teacher-student ratio will be given autonomous status, said a member of the university committee. St Stephens principal was not available for comment. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi was shamed again when a four-year-old girl was raped and murdered on Thursday afternoon. But such incidents are not new in a city that is also notoriously known as the rape capital of India. Three months ago, a four-year-old girl was brutalized and murdered, allegedly by her fathers friend. The culprit was captured on CCTV camera luring the girl to a secluded place. In April last year, an eight-year-old girl was kidnapped, raped and murdered, allegedly by her next door neighbour in Kali Basti near Uttam Nagar. The girls partly clothed body was found buried under mud in a pond in a forested area, 150 metres from her home. Delhi Police statistics till September 30 last year show that at least one girls was raped every 12 hours in Delhi in 2016. One child became a victim of a crime every hour in 2016 and 2015. In 2016, till September, 6,273 crimes against children were reported across Delhi. In 2015, a total of 9,469 crimes against children were reported in the city. Out of the total crimes in 2015, 985 cases of rape and 1,284 molestation cases were registered. A total of 6,869 cases of kidnapping of children were reported in 2015 while in 2016, 4652 such cases were registered till September 30. According to the national crime records bureau (NCRB) data, 3,039 juveniles were apprehended for committing crimes in Delhi in 2015. Of them, 946 children were sent back home after advice and admonition while 438 were sent to special homes after they were found guilty. Data shows that 723 apprehended children were released on probation and placed under care of their parents and guardians. NCRB data shows that 157 apprehended juveniles were acquitted in 2015 while investigation remained pending against 1,271 juveniles in conflict with law. Asked why cases of crime against children have been rising in Delhi, a senior police officer said, Among all other groups, children remain the most vulnerable lot. Our data shows that in almost 94% of the sexual crimes against children reported in the past couple of years, the accused were known to the victims. A majority of such crimes are reported from unauthorized colonies. The proximity of children with their neighbours makes them a vulnerable lot, the officer added. Police on Saturday said they will approach the Juvenile Justice Board and seek permission to treat the 16-year-old boy, accused of allegedly kidnapping, raping, murdering and then trying to bury his 4-year-old minor neighbour, as an adult. The incident was reported from a construction site in outer Delhis Narela. Senior police officers said that the crime of the teenager was heinous and could be classified as rarest of rare. They said that an application will soon be moved before the chairman of the JJB to seek consent to deprive the accused of benefits and reliefs that are usually bestowed on apprehended juveniles who are in conflict with the law. MN Tiwari, deputy commissioner of police (Rohini), confirmed that the force was planning to move the application before the JJB at the earliest. Investigators said they were in the process of establishing the actual age of the teenager who was apprehended from the crime scene by locals. A team will be sent to his hometown in Basti, Uttar Pradesh, to collect his educational certificates and other documents that can help us in ascertaining his age, said an investigator, adding that the teenager was working at the construction site for the past six months and lived alone in a makeshift single room accommodation provided to workers by the construction company. Some workers, who were witness to the crime, told HT that the boy had recently purchased a smartphone. They alleged that the boy was often seen watching porn video clips on his phone. A few of them even accused him of allegedly showing adult clips to children. When we informed the police team about porn clips on his phone, they searched his room and seized the phone along with other items, said Riyaz, a neighbour. Sources said investigators scanned the phone and did stumble upon some porn video clips on it. The mobile phone will be sent to a forensic lab to find if some similar video clips had earlier been deleted, said a source. He added that the police will also grill the accused about the source of his videos. Police said that the crime came to light when the girls friend, a boy with whom she was playing earlier, heard her scream and alerted some locals. The child told police that the teenager had given him a five rupee note, that later turned out to be a fake, and asked him to stay quiet as he lured the girl inside the under construction flat. He was also asked to sit outside and alert him if he spotted any security guards coming. The child also told police that the accused had lured the girl with a ten rupee note and had promised to give her a chocolate, which he said was kept inside the bathroom of the flat. A 20-year-old Delhi University student on Saturday alleged that she was gang-raped and threatened by two of her classmates and four of his friends. According to the police, the woman, a third-year student, went to the house of her friends Gaurav and Sunny in Faridabad, for a party after a cultural programme on February 3. In her statement, she said that the two men, both residents of Faridabad, were joined by four others Sachin, Rohtash, Vinod and Bunty at their house. She said the men started consuming alcohol later and misbehaved with her. In her statement, the woman said that she was overpowered by Gaurav, Sunny, Rohtash and Sachin, who then took turns to rape her. She said that the men gave her a drink laced with sedatives and she started feeling dizzy after consuming it. She claimed that the men took advantage of her after she became semi-conscious and could not resist their advances, a police officer said. The woman said that after she regained her consciousness, she was threatened by the men. The men allegedly shot some videos of the woman and threatened to make them public if she reported the matter to the police or her parents. The girl was scared, so she did not approach the police and requested the men to drop her back home, a police officer said. She stated that later Vinod offered to drop her back home in his car. On the way back, Vinod too, stopped the car midway at an isolated spot and raped her again. She has alleged that even Vinod raped and threatened her. She then returned home and stayed quiet for some days before filing a complaint with the police on February 18, a police officer said. She said that she could initially not muster the courage to complain against the men, he added. Though the incident occurred in Faridabad, based on her complaint, the police registered a case of gangrape, intimidation and criminal conspiracy against the men in Delhi. Raids were then conducted to arrest all the accused. We registered a case in Delhi, because the woman approached us and stated that she was taken to Faridabad from Lajpat Nagar. Since it all began at Lajpat Nagar, the case was filed there. While five accused, including Bunty, have been arrested, one accused Sachin is still on the run. Our teams have launched a manhunt for him and he will be arrested soon a police officer said. Soon after fingers of doubt were raised at the police for their inept handling of the violence near Ramjas College this week, the case was transferred to the crime branch for probe. Contrary to what it may seem and as several past instances have proved, transfer of a case does not mean a quick conclusion of the investigation. Some of the past incidents (some mentioned in the box) show that case transferred to crime branch has been used by the police as a ruse to divert attention from its inaction. Read: Ramjas clashes: ABVP wary of JNUs leftist culture seeping into DU The record of some of the most controversial cases that generated large public and media attention, and which were transferred to the crime branch for investigation, shows that it achieved nothing. Under media pressure and video tapes, that showed police personnel thrashing students and media persons, the Delhi police registered an FIR. When social media was flooded with videos showing cops beating students, three constables were suspended and the case was transferred to the crime branch. The crime branch is the elite investigating unit of the police. Unlike the local police, officers of the crime branch do not handle regular law and order duties. They are tasked with investigating sensitive cases, which require expertise. Ramjas violence is not the only case that was transferred to the unit and has not achieved a quick closure. Read: Ramjas clash: DU turns fortress day after violence, over 500 cops guard campus More than a year after Gajendra Singh, a farmer from Rajasthan committed suicide by hanging from a tree during an AAP party rally at Jantar Mantar, the probe is yet to make a headway. The FIR registered at the Parliament Street police station names senior leaders of the Aam Aadmi party (AAP). While AAP leaders were summoned for questioning, the police are yet to file a chargesheet or file a closure report in the case. It is mandatory to file a chargesheet within three months of registering a case. Senior crime branch officers say they are still probing the case. Similarly, army veteran Ram Kishan Grewal committed suicide by consuming poison outside the Jawahar Bhawan in November last year. Grewals suicide triggered a political slugfest, with massive protests by parties across the city, with some voices alleging that Grewal was forced to commit suicide. Instead of the local police, the crime branch was tasked to look into the case. Crime branch officers have over the last few months questioned Singhs friends and even taken bank account details but still seem clueless, about his death. Read: Ramjas clash: Crime branch to probe violence on DU campus, 3 cops suspended The mysterious disappearance of JNU student Najeeb Ahmed is another one in the series of cases that were given to the crime branch. Despite the fact the police have put a reward of R10 lakh for anyone who will provide clues to his whereabouts, he remains missing. The crime branch team has over the last two months, conducted a two day massive search operation in JNU and Najeebs house in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, but are yet to get a breakthrough. On record, crime branch officers did not offer any comment. However, a senior crime branch officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: It is wrong to say we dont solve cases. From crime spots, police get evidence in the first 48 hours. Cases are transferred to us after weeks. The most important time in gathering critical clues is gone. Last year, we solved the theft of a golden dagger stolen at Nehru museum within two days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticised the Delhi Police over its handling of clashes at DUs Ramjas college and alleged that the force has become an agent of the BJP. It is the duty of police to protect the people of Delhi and not allow the ABVP and the BJP to engage in goondaism, Kejriwal said during a press conference on Saturday. Read: Ramjas clash: Crime branch to probe violence on DU campus, 3 cops suspended He appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold police accountable for the February 22 violence. I hope the Prime Minister will perform his duty in an impartial way and not work like a BJP worker. The Delhi Police reports to the PM. He is not the Prime Minister of the BJP only but of all the people, including me, and he should perform his duty, he said. DCW notice The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) has sent a notice to the Delhi Police over the way women protesters were allegedly punched and beaten by policemen, during the clashes on Wednesday over the Ramjas College event. The womens panel has set up an enquiry into the matter and sought responses from police. The commission has come across shocking video footages and news reports wherein Delhi Police officers are seen mercilessly beating and punching women protesters, said Swati Maliwal, DCW chairperson. The commission is of the view that these attacks on women protesters by policemen may also amount to molestation and need to be severely punished, she said. Read: Ramjas clash: DU turns fortress day after violence, over 500 cops guard campus The notice has been sent to the commissioner of police, central range. Maliwal has also appealed to all students and teachers to send complaints. If proper action would have been taken against the officer manhandling the lady protestor during the earlier protests for the missing JNU student Najeeb Ahmed, a strong message would have been delivered and other police officers would have abstained from such illegal activities, she said. Three law faculty students had also submitted pictures and videos to the DCW saying this incident outrages the modesty of female students. This is a clear violation of the code of conduct of Delhi Police and the gender sensitization training given to these police personnel, she said. The disciplinary committee of Ramjas College will investigate violence and sloganeering that took place on February 21 and 22. The decision was taken at a meeting of the staff council on Saturday. The council condemned the violence and will submit the report the investigation so that appropriate measures could be taken, said Rajendra Prasad, principal of the college. The committee will also suggest steps to restore confidence among students and the staff. Read: Ramjas clash: DU turns fortress day after violence, over 500 cops guard campus Violence had erupted on the campus when two groups-- one led by Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), student wing of RSS, and the other comprising of Ramjas College students, teachers affiliated with left parties, and other students organisations, clashed on Wednesday. The principal will address the students on Monday to reassure them of their safety in the college. He will also request for adequate police presence outside the college. The college administration has been told to allow entry to the college strictly on the basis of I-cards to prevent outsiders from entering the institution. Prasad, however, denied suggestions that the MHRD had asked for a report from the college. HRD minister Prakash Javadekar has said that the government will sought a report from the university. The Rashtrawadi Shikshak Sangh (RSS), a teachers body affiliated to the Rashtriya Swamsewak Sangh (RSS), on Saturday said the Leftist students and teachers bodies were abusing their freedom of speech and expression in Delhi University. The Shikshak Sangh demanded a detailed enquiry into the clash of RSS-affiliated student body, Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) with students of Ramjas College and SFI and AISA members. The ABVP had objected to the invitation to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to a literary fest at Ramjas College. Addressing a press conference at Kirori Mal College, members of the Shikshak Sangh said both the government and the Delhi University should probe the matter separately. Read: Ramjas clashes: ABVP wary of JNUs leftist culture seeping into DU They RSS-affiliated teachers body also announced to take out a symbolic march on Monday at the Arts Faculty against the events which unfolded at Ramjas College on February 21 and 22. On February 21, a conference called the Culture of Protest where Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited at Ramjas College was cancelled, following opposition from ABVP. Students opposed the cancellation and held a protest where ABVP has alleged that the students and teachers raised anti-national slogans. On February 22, when the Ramjas students were taking out a march to protest the disruption of the literary fest, members of ABVP allegedly attacked them. In the melee, teachers and journalists were also beaten up. It is amusing. They called the event a culture of protest, but when a section of students opposed it, those students became hooligans who were indulging in goondagardi . So, we want the government and the administration to run a detailed inquiry into the matter. We will also meet the university administration on this matter, said Avnijesh Awasthi, Hindi teacher at PGDAV College, and member of Shikshak Sangh. Read: Ramjas protest: Teachers, students, journalists beaten up in clash with ABVP The group also attacked JNU teacher Nivedita Menon, author Arundhati Roy and a few others, saying they are the ones who are trying to influence young people on the pretext of protecting freedom of speech and expression. We agree that it (freedom of speech) is mandated by the Constitution but it is also accompanied by a constitutional duty. The university should evolve a mechanism in which events being held in the colleges are scrutinised in advance, so that such anti-national activities doesnt take place. We are told that the Ramjas College principal, till the very last moment, did not know Khalid was invited, said Pramod Shastri of the physical education department at Kirori Mal College. They added that they condemned the violence that took place on Wednesday, but added that ABVP has been defamed. On Friday, after losing two of their own when trying to put out a fire in Vikaspuri, the firemen of the Delhi Fire Services headed out to respond to three more calls. Atul Garg, the current chief fire officer of central and south Delhi zone and the fire prevention wing, said that his team was motivated and no amount of risk ever slowed them down. People run away from fires, my men run towards it. What happened on Friday was a great loss, and unfortunately not uncommon in our line of work. Just two months ago, two firefighters lost their lives in Narela. But we keep working. After the Vikaspuri incident, we responded to three more calls. It is our duty, he said. The unsung heroes of the country, firemen lead lives that have risk of injuries and mortality as a part and parcel of it. Hindustan Times asked some of these men if they are given proper protection gear, what keeps them going and how they deal with the pressures of a high-risk environment. Police cordoned off the area where the tragedy took place. (Vipin Kumar/HT Photo) Though critics have claimed that many of the 3,299 people affiliated with the Delhi Fire Services, who may be dispatched to a site of fire, are not provided with individual protective gear, officials with the department said that all the officers are provided with basic personal protection gears like helmets, fire repellent dungarees, gumboots, and breathing operators for smoke intensive sites. AK Sharma, the ex-director of DFS spoke of how they had tried to get their staff upgraded versions of the uniform, which were imported from Europe, to ensure better safety from flash fires. The high rates meant that they got only around 200 suits, and had three to four suits on every vehicle to be shared by the staff. Even these were later discontinued, because it was not made for Indias tropical climate, and the fire servicemen said it made movement cumbersome, according to Garg. Sharma and Garg reiterated how the latest fatality was because of a blast and no amount of gear would have protected people from it. The only way may be prevention. The most common cause of fires in Delhi is carelessness. Electricity is not a problem if handled properly. Cylinders are not the culprits. It is peoples attitudes, said Sharma. Garg said that in the Vikaspuri case, there were four cylinders within the small confined space. We were told it was a shop. So we were not expecting gas cylinders to be in there. Even if we were told it was a restaurant, extra gas cylinders are not to be stored next to the stove, in warm areas, he said. The unpredictable nature of the job and the high risks involved means that every day these men face life threatening situations. At the borders you go to war rarely. Firefighters are at multiple battles every day. But we do not go into our jobs expecting to get hurt. When I broke my spine and collar bone (trying to rescue people from the Uphaar cinema fire), I had never imagined that it would happen to me, said SK Dheri, an ex fire serviceman who had been injured in the 1997 fires at Uphaar cinema. The pressures of the job are usually a bigger burden for their families, according to some. On average we get around 130-140 calls daily during the summer, but this time of the year, we get around 80-90 calls daily... Whenever I am called in to work, my wife does not sleep. She will call every now and then to ensure that I am safe, said Garag. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The South corporation may soon find a solution to treat all its garbage (3,100 tonnes) generated in the area every day. On Thursday, the civic agency had shared the plan to establish its second waste-to-energy plant at Tehkhand (near Okhla garbage site). The plant will be set up over 50 acres of land with a cpacity of 1,200 tonnes of waste. From this project, 15 megawatt of electricity will be generated every day. As per an SDMC official, of the 50 acres of land, 14.2 acres is in possession of Cement Corporation of India and another 35.33 acres belongs to the DDA. The government of India has already directed the Delhi Development Authority and other stakeholders to transfer the land fo r the solid waste management soon, said SDMC commissioner Puneet Goel. The project has also received approval from the standing committee. At present, the SDMC sends 1,500 tonnes of waste to the Okhla energy plant while 1,600 tonnes remains unprocessed and dumped to Okhla landfill site. Initiatives such as segregation of garbage at the source as well as at secondary collection points has helped in bringing down the quantity of unprocessed garbage and it is expected to come down in the future. But for a long-term solution we need another waste to energy plant, said Shailendra Singh, standing committee chairman. The capacity of this waste-to-energy plant will be increased in three phases. It will start with consumption of 1,200 metric tonne waste every day and then in the second and third phase, we will increase its capacity up to 3,600 metric tonnes per day , said a senior SDMC official. An amount of 351 crore will be required for the project. We will be getting a grant of 122.88 crore from urban development ministry (as part of Swachh Bharat Mission) and 52.66 crore from the department of power, government of India as subsidy, said an SDMC official. The civic agency plans to sell power in future at the rate of 5.50 per unit. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The governing body of St Stephens Colleges has decided in principle to apply for autonomy, despite the disagreement by teacher representatives at the meeting on Saturday. As the governing body met on Saturday, students and members of Teachers Association (DUTA) also protested outside the venue against the proposal. Students at St Stephen's do a silent protest against the governing body meeting on autonomy @htdelhi @htTweets pic.twitter.com/fOOVSJTuAQ Shradha Chettri (@Shrads_chettri) February 25, 2017 St Stephens, along with a few other Delhi University (DU) colleges, is applying for autonomy as per the guidelines of the University Grants Commission (UGC). Among other colleges that may apply are Shri Ram College for Commerce (SRCC), Hindu College, Sri Venkateswara College and Hansraj College. Autonomy implies that it will no longer be a DU constituent college and will be free to take its own decisions in framing syllabus, fee structure, starting new college branches and will enjoy other academic freedoms. In November 2016, UGC has notified DU and its affiliated colleges that provision for autonomy had been incorporated in the new guidelines. Representatives of willing colleges were asked to apply for it. Though such demands have been raised in the past too, this time the university has formed a committee to look into it. Around 500 students have signed a petition saying that they will oppose the move. Four teacher representatives registered their dissent at the meeting, but the governing body decided in principal to go forward with application for autonomy. They said that university had sent a proposal but in the meeting they showed us no letter. They just put forward a UGC guideline. They, however, assured that before sending the application to the university they will hold consultation with teachers and students, said Nandita Narain, Maths teacher at the college and a member of governing body. However, she said that their questions about opposition to autonomy were not answered by the authorities. Holding posters of Discussion not decision and We want consensus, students sat in the college corridors and protested against the move. Around 500 students have signed a petition saying that they will oppose the move. We do not know what is autonomy all about and the college is moving forward with it. It is a big decision which will change the character of the college so they cannot just do without consultation with stakeholders, said a third year student of the college. DUTA also staged a protest outside the college and said this is a move by the government towards privatisation. The National Democratic Teachers Front (NDTF), a Right Wing teachers body is also opposing the move to grant autonomy to colleges. We want academic and governance autonomy for the university but not autonomy to the constituent colleges. We will not let anything happen without consensus and oppose the move, said AK Bhagi, president of NDTF and executive council member. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Results of the Executive Programme and Professional Programme of Company Secretaries Examinations of the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) held in December, 2016, were announced on Saturday, February 25 at New Delhi. The results with subject wise break-up of marks are available here (www.icsi.edu).The ICSI has extended the facility of downloading of e-result-cum-marks statement by the examinees of the Executive Programme. Toppers include Suryansh Agarwal at All-India level in Professional Programme of Company Secretaries. Sachin Goel has topped the Executive Programme of Company Secretaries. To check the merit list, click here. The next examination of Company Secretaries Executive and Professional Programmes will be held from Thursday, June 1, 2017, to Friday, June 10, 2017. The last date for On-line submission of enrolment applications together with requisite examination fee is 25th March, 2017. The Gurgaon police, who till now has refrained from acting on violations under Section 144 imposed by the district administration in January, issued a list of directions to various institutions on Saturday. The directions aim at improving surveillance and curbing lawlessness in the city, police said. In the directives, police have asked educational institutions, toll plazas, bars and restaurants, and other such places frequented by public to install good quality CCTV cameras. Police have directed to install CCTV cameras with a footage backup capacity of at least a month. In rural areas, the department has asked the village headmen to start neighbourhood patrolling to prevent robberies. To safeguard the interest of students, a ban has been imposed on the use of loudspeakers and disc jockeys programmes at public places between 10 pm and 6 am. Directions were also issued to security agencies to hire guards only after adequate verification by police, and their arms licence registered with the licensing authority. All auto drivers have been directed to get their identity verified with details of current address and past address in the presence of two witnesses. Police said they will also ensure that all vehicles engaged by BPOs, corporate firms and industries have installed GPS systems to keep a check on the movement of vehicles. All guest houses, banquet halls, and celebration parks have been asked to post adequate guards and ensure necessary CCTV surveillance. Norms for hiring domestic helps has also been tightened and police want all households, paying guest houses, and similar establishments to get their workers registered and verified. The same applies for guest houses and housing societies. A ban has also been imposed on Chinese thread for flying kites. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The state pollution control board has issued a notice to the National Highways Authority of Indian (NHAI) on Thursday asking them to abide by environment norms while constructing underpasses at Iffco Chowk, Signature Tower and Rajiv Chowk. This came amid concerns over the persistently poor ambient air quality in the city over the last three months that prompted the Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) to ask concerned authorities at Delhi-NCR to put together and enforce a graded response plan to tackle air pollution. We have asked the NHAI to cover construction sites and sprinkle water to reduce the level of pollutants in the atmosphere, Bhupender Singh, regional officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB), said. The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has also been asked to monitor construction activities at Hero Honda Chowk and Rajiv Chowk. Our team will make spot inspections and act if they find any violations of the norms. The reason why we have asked the NHAI to ensure fair sprinkling of water at construction sites is that presently, the wind is up and there is a high risk of an increase in the level of dust particles in the atmosphere, Singh said. The pollution control board said it had drawn many complaints on the worsening air quality due to the ongoing construction of underpasses that are aimed at unclogging busy stretches and ensuring smooth flow of traffic. Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that the level of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) level in the city has been higher than the permissible limit of 60 micrograms per cubic metre (g/m) over the last three months. The pollution watchdog is also monitoring the functioning of pollution under-control certificate (PUC) centres in the city. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The attack on Khandewala village sarpanchs husband on Thursday was allegedly planned by those accused of the murder of their son, sources said. Five men on motorcycles had fired at Prem Chand, a liquor trader and husband of sarpanch Surajmukhi of Khandewala village in Farrukhnagar but Chand escaped unhurt. Sources said Deva and Manjit who are on trial for the murder of Chands son Kapil Pehwan had hired assailants to carry out the attack a month ago. A police personal deployed for Chands security managed to nab one of the assailants, who is from Khandewala, and it led to the unravelling of the plot. As Chand is the prime witness in the murder of his son in 2015, police have deployed four personnel for his security. Deva and Manjit allegedly wanted to eliminate Chand as he is the prime witness, sources said. Investigating officers said Deva and Manjit hired Taj Nagar residents Rohit and Chetan for 5 lakh to execute the murder. The duo started following Prem Chand and observed his routine. They refrained from attacking him as four police personnels had been deployed for his security. On Monday, the assailants got to know that two police personnel have gone on leave and decided to attack Chand. On Thursday afternoon, five armed men, including Rohit and Chetan, fired at Prem Chand. We have identified all the accused in this case and they will be arrested soon, Virender Singh, station house officer, Farrukhnagar, said. Kapil Pehalwan (39), son of Chand was murdered on December 30, 2015 over a financial dispute. My son was killed because he had asked the two to return the money that he had loaned them, Chand said. After completion of investigation, police produced the challan (case report) in Kapil murder case on February 20. The next date of hearing is April 28. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A 27-year-old BTech graduate, a senior software engineer in a private firm in Gurgaon, arrested by the Rewari police on Thursday for demanding dowry and not turning up on marriage day, has been accused of resorting to a similar act earlier too. The family of bride Priyanka (name changed), 23, has alleged that about one-and-a-half years ago, the accused Pradeep Lamba had refused to marry a woman just before the marriage day as her family failed to offer the expected dowry. Later, the matter was settled by marrying the woman off to another man in the Lamba family. This had happened when talks of marriage with Priyanka were on. Gurgaon: Groom misses wedding, but held for dowry Complainant Rajesh Kumar, Priyankas uncle, said they were told to marry off the woman to another man in the family if Lambas demand for a car and Rs 5 lakh could not be met. The brides family said some of the material that they gifted to Pradeep Lamba, such as household goods, have been returned, but they are yet to get back the jewellery. His father, a sub-inspector in the Border Security Force, told us that his son earned Rs 1 lakh a month and the dowry being offered was not as per his familys status. When we pressed for a police case, a mediator named Naresh Mundia offered that another man in their family, who failed matriculation, could marry her, he said. Priyanka, pursuing her final year of postgraduation in chemistry, said she wanted to pursue masters in botany but had to opt for chemistry as Lamba and his family pushed for it. They wanted me to become lecturer and said that there was a huge scope in chemistry. I was selected for admission in botany but they admitted me to a private institution in Mahendergarh to study chemistry, she told HT. The duo was engaged in June 2011 and marriage was fixed in February 2016, but Pradeep deferred it claiming that he was going abroad for a job. He once again deferred the marriage on the pretext that his sister was pregnant and she could not attend the function. Priyanka said she was saved as a marriage to such a greedy family would have meant disaster for her and her family. My father, a farmer, had arranged money for jewellery and other material gifted on February 13, two days before the wedding day. We have got back some items but the jewellery has still not been returned, she said. Lamba is a resident of Khera Khurampur village, 25km from Gurgaon, while the brides family belongs to a village at Dharuhera, 42km from Gurgaon. Satyapal Singh, deputy superintendent of police (Bawal), who investigated the case, said Lamba was sent to judicial custody on Friday. He said it was reported that a woman engaged to Lamba was married off to someone else in the family but the police are focusing on the present case. Members of Lamba family were not available for comment. Lamba, his father, mother and sister were booked under the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, and relevant Sections of the IPC including 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 506 (criminal intimidation). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The dress for yoga practice should be: a) Tight fitting jeans b) Costly and sophisticated dresses c) Protective covering from head to toe d) Loose fitting and comfortable Sample question from a Level 2 model paper for the Scheme for Voluntary Certification of Yoga Professionals I love exams. People are usually afraid of them, but I love exams, says HR Nagendra, Prime Minister Narendra Modis personal yoga consultant. And as a result of his efforts, along with other yoga exponents like Jaggi Vasudev, Baba Ramdev and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, a module has been designed so that yoga teachers across India can take exams to receive government certification. Everything in Nagendras resume indicates that he really loves exams. In 1968, he completed a PhD in mechanical engineering from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), and later served in its faculty. Soon after, he pursued post-doc research at the University of British Columbia and NASA, and worked at Harvard University and Imperial College. Since his move back to India in the mid-1970s, Nagendra has been putting yoga through the Western scientific framework he was trained in. Read more: Do yoga, with a twist. And stay fit Seventy-four-year-old Nagendra has spent decades trying to gather quantifiable and scientifically valid evidence to understand and substantiate yogas benefits. He is now chancellor of the Swami Vivekananda Yoga Anusandhana Samsthana (S-VYASA) on the outskirts of Bangalore, a yoga university started by his family with state-of-the-art technology and faculty from India and abroad. And, in recent years, theres been the added quest of helping standardise yoga and develop a curriculum, so it can be adopted on a mass scale. Although the scheme for this programme was announced in 2015, it will soon be a year since the actual module was launched in April 2016. According to Nagendra, around 1,000 teachers have been accredited so far. Read more: Aroosa Alam on Capt Amarinder Singh, India-Pak relations, and love for yoga If the idea of standardising yoga seems new and strange, perhaps thats because it is so much at odds with how yoga is traditionally practiced: Under the tutelage of a guru, who deems you ready to teach after years of practice, which can vary among students and across teachers. Many who practice yoga will also tell you that it is not simply a series of exercises, but a philosophical approach that has as much to do with the mind as it does with the body. Yoga, quintessentially, is about the very experience of learning, and retains the experience of being taught, says Polly Hazarika, a Mumbai-based academic and Sanskrit scholar, who has been practicing yoga since 2004. Jaya Chakravarty, who runs an Iyengar yoga studio in Bangalore, has been teaching yoga for seven years. She reiterates that the process of learning, even as a teacher, isnt as cut-and-dried as being able to pass tests. My teacher (Zubin Zarthoshtimanesh at the Iyengar Yogabhyasa in Mumbai, who trained under BKS Iyengar) still has the right to advise me not just on techniques of teaching, but on my conduct as a teacher of the subject, she says. For Eliane Luthi, who obtained a Sivananda Yoga Teachers Training Certificate (TTC) after a one-month course in India in 2014, yoga is a lifelong learning process. Working for UNICEF as a communications director, she first discovered yoga in 2008 through classes in Switzerland her country of origin. The TTC, which she saw as rigorous and demanding, was a way of formalising her knowledge. But she had already begun teaching yoga by then, offering free classes in the discipline to humanitarian workers for providing a sort of calmness and centredness. Read more: Cheers to good health! Beer yoga is totally a fitness fad and it is sweeping internet Apart from the novel idea of standardising, it also seems like an incredibly ambitious exercise: How do you standardise across multiple schools of yoga, including several prominent gurus who have taught in their own traditions with disciples continuing their work and others evolving new ways of practicing yoga, and teachers of different abilities and motivations, from those with years of experience committed to living the life of a yogi to those looking for a quick course to cash in on a trend? And how do you build it as a model for export? Nagendra, a small, soft-spoken man who wears a shirt and veshti of white cotton, sits in his large office on the S-VYASA campus. One wall of his office is covered by a large cabinet crammed with trophies, medals and mementos from events ranging from yoga demonstrations to laughter club conventions, and large portraits of people associated with the university. The other wall is covered by a large print of a photo of the universitys gold-coloured Vivekananda statue. In 2016, Nagendra headed an HRD ministry-appointed panel that recommended the setting up of courses from certificate to Bachelors, Masters and PhD in yogic sciences. Read more: Too busy to go to a gym? 7 fitness tips for working professionals Nagendra talks about the move to standardise, which began ahead of the first International Day of Yoga organised by the Indian government in 2015, A committee was formed; I was the chairman. Yoga masters from about 18 different groups, including the Ministry of Ayush and the QCI (Quality Council of India), sat together and evolved a protocol of 30 minutes to be practiced, which should give a holistic vision of yoga. Not merely asana but pranayama, meditation, bhajan, prarthana, sankalpa, and so on, he says. According to Nagendra, the first time International Day of Yoga was held, about 28 crore people participated in India. Last year, the second time, 32 crore people practiced yoga. This year, our target is 50 crore so almost 50% of people in the country practice yoga, he says. This is how we have been spreading a holistic vision of yoga. And almost 200-220 countries practiced this last year. This time the Minister of External Affairs wants to (take) it all over the world, says Nagendra. But one has to bring the real, authentic yoga. The move to standardise also evolved out of a desire to ensure quality control. The day I arrive at S-VYASA, a group of students are writing their theory exam for the certification course in a large hall young men and women sitting silent on the floor huddled over their answer scripts, while a stray dog naps in their midst. Read more: Healthy binging: Here are some snack options to sate your hunger pangs The course that the Ministry of Ayush set in place for certification was designed by QCI, presented to a Steering Committee, and modified by an Expert Group chaired by Nagendra. Level 1 includes a 90-minute theory exam. Those who pass it with at least 70% can take the practical exam and appear before a panel of three examiners for the demonstration and viva voce. Level 2 is more advanced and slightly more subjective. Those who pass will receive certificates from the Ministry of Ayush and the Indian Yoga Association. Nagendra says examiners can even be dispatched to test small groups in remote areas. According to Nagendra, only people who are stamped by the Ministry will get jobs in the government, and the QCI has said, Successful candidates who wish to travel overseas for yoga promotion will get a boost from the Ministry of External Affairs as their visa fee will be exempted and their applications fast-tracked. However, the ministry isnt, by any means, the first to attempt to squeeze yoga into the structure of modern education. The Bihar School of Yoga, for example, offers a four-month residential course in Yogic Studies that requires candidates to have a minimum educational qualification of Standard 10 and a minimum age of 21, with a caveat that the completion of the course does not entitle one to teach yoga. Sivananda Yoga centres (the first of which was founded by an Indian teacher in Canada in the 1950s) offer a 200-hour Teachers Training Course (TTC) in multiple countries and languages that incorporates four intense weeks of ashram training and a regimented curriculum that ends with written and practical exams. Even without a system of exams and certificates, yoga has, for years, undergone a process of codification as it has spread across India, and particularly, as it migrated, to the West. Take for instance Jois Yoga, a recent and controversial at-tempt by Sonia Jones, an American student of the late Pattabhi Jois, to codify his teachings and partner with his family to set up a chain of yoga studios. Or the growth of Iyengar Yoga as taught by the late BKS Iyengar, which as one newspaper puts it, evolved as a brand, in a non-brand way. Perhaps any attempt to propagate teaching yoga on a mass scale today necessitates moulding to the desires of Western knowledge as well as those of capitalism, which Nagendra appears to aim for. BKS Iyengar, he had his own disciples, he says. He was very, very strict about naming you as a teacher. Can you do tadasana correctly? Are you standing straight? Even after 10 years he would ask this. Still you are not perfect, I wont pass you. Developing a teacher meant they would have to be perfect, up to his level. Different teachers have their own way of assessment. If we want to spread all over the world in a very big way, we cannot maintain that level like Iyengar, or (Portugal-based yoga guru) Amrt Suryananda and train for 15 years. S-VYASA is now a deemed university that also offers yoga as therapy and has a 350-bed treatment facility, including outpatient treatment for ailments from obesity to psychiatric illness. It also has a research facility equipped with sophisticated machines that can measure brain activity and sequence genes, and a convenience store near the entrance selling everything from yoga books to Baba Ramdevs Patanjali detergent. People from all over the world come here. People who come on stretchers, they go walking. They come on wheelchairs, they go running up. People who thought it was impossible they get so well. () Such miracles occur here, says Nagendra. Hazarika calls this approach hardselling a yoga tablet. Trying to have yoga ratified in a university is ingrained in a colonial mindset, Hazarika says, coming as it does with the idea that our traditions arent good enough, needing validation from Western science instead. Nagendra himself sounds almost Orientalist in frequently using the term combining the best of the East with the best of the West. Its difficult not to be sceptical of attempts to use Western science to validate Indian beliefs, particularly as it is something the right wing is fond of consider Rajasthan BJP minister Vasudev Devnani, who hit the headlines last month for reportedly claiming that the cow was the only animal to inhale and exhale oxygen and that vitamin B in cow dung could soak up radioactivity. But Nagendras attempts to put yoga through the motions of Western science seem more the genuine efforts of an inquisitive mind than a reliance on pseudo-science to prove ones superiority Nagendra himself was part of a truth-seeking informal inter-departmental group at IISc that in the 1970s investigated the Vaimanika Shastra (a document about the mythological vimana or flying vehicle, often touted as supposed evidence of Indias ancient aviation technology, and hence technological superiority) to see if they could replicate it. Among its very precise instructions on what materials to use or how to go about it were Sanskrit terms they were unable to decipher, and components they simply laughed at, such as horse urine and animal stools, says Nagendra. After over a year, they concluded it was a decided impossibility. Science has to be taken further, says Nagendra. It has to go beyond the physical world. Mechanical engineering was too mechanical, so I moved into human engineering. Hazarika would probably find his approach to yoga too mechanical for her taste. She believes any attempt to standardise it is completely alien to the interests of yoga and its ethos. On the other hand, though Chakravarty is wary of the attempt to standardise and replicate yoga on a large scale, she believes the ministry should stick only to the physical and scientific aspects, as its philosophical concepts are too complex to grasp through quick learning, and very likely to be distorted in the hands of curriculum makers, teachers and students with personal prejudices and belief systems. And if someone has the training, the time, the technology, the funding to back up claims about yogas health benefits with scientific proof thats great, she says. However, yoga teachers and practitioners agree that no standardised short-term course can certify or prepare you for the actual demands of being a yoga teacher. Yamini Muthanna, a Bharatanatyam dancer and yoga teacher, who began learning yoga as a teenager in Mysore in 1986, studied under BNS Iyengar, one of T Krishnamacharyas more famous students (alongside BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois). The Bangalore-based teacher of Hatha Yoga Vinyasa is also the author of the book The Power of Yoga, published in 2015. She began to teach after 15 years of practice and study, and says she does not fully appreciate the kind of standardised system that has begun to proliferate. However, she says she is not against the governments attempt to certify teachers. When I was studying yoga in Mysore in the 80s, there were only two or three good teachers. Now there are a hundred or so. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. At least with this certification, theres some kind of structure, some kind of training involved, she says. Panna Paranjpe, a yoga and pilates exponent, works in Chengdu, China, in a large beautiful studio the biggest one she has ever seen in any country. She completed the Sivananda Yoga Teacher Training Course in Kerala over a decade ago. The Sivananda school is a good initiation into yoga and how to teach. But I eventually realised that what Id learned there was nothing. I had to branch out and study further on my own. Paranjpe, who formerly ran a pilates studio in Delhi, says that in China, where she has worked for close to a year, people are craaazy about yoga, and take it very seriously as a form of exercise. There, they dont know much about Sivananda yoga, she observes, but Ashtanga yoga is extremely popular for the rigorous workout it provides. The version of yoga she sees being taught in China emphasises the physical aspect, like a workout in a gym, rather than the philosophical aspect, though she sees growing interest in it. Paranjpes work in China, nevertheless, is exactly in line with the kind of global ambitions that Modi and Nagendra have for yoga. She sees the effort to standardise yoga (if done with renowned international faculty across different schools of yoga with an emphasis on more than just the physical aspects, she believes) as a great move. Had the Ministrys certification course existed when she was beginning to consider teaching yoga, Paranjpe thinks she would definitely have signed up for it. (In arrangement with Grist Media) In a goodwill gesture, the BSF has handed over a 60-year-old Pakistani national, who had inadvertently crossed into the Indian territory, to Pakistan Rangers, an official said on Saturday. Border Security Force (BSF) troops of Border Out Post Dona Raja Deena Nath, Amritsar sector, apprehended Mureed Faqir, a resident of Jakhwa Baad, Pakistan on Friday after he inadvertently crossed the international boundary, entered the Indian territory and reached near border security fence, a BSF official said. The official said Pakistan Rangers were contacted and Faqir was handed over to them on humanitarian ground. Dont talk to each other in Hindi or any other Indian language when you are at a public place in the US. It might land you in deep trouble. This is one of the suggestions doing rounds among Indians in the US in their social media groups. That sums up the fear psychosis among Indians, especially Telugus who are in large numbers in the US, after a Hyderabad-origin techie, Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and his friend Alok Reddy Madasanni was injured in a shooting at a Kansas City bar on Wednesday. Stating that life is precious than anything else, Vikram Jangam, general secretary of the Telagnana American Telugu Association (TATA), has suggested a few dos and donts for community members and people of South Asian descent. The tips he mentioned include: Do not get into argument with others at public places Should someone be provoking you, avoid confronting and please leave the place immediately. As much as we love talking in our mother tongue, it can often be misconstrued. Please see if you can communicate in English in public places. Isolated places can often be targets. Please avoid going or staying single. In emergency situations, please do not hesitate to call 911. Officers can come and help in such situations. Please be aware of your surroundings and say something if you see anything suspicious, Vikram said. Echoing the view, A Venkat Reddy, a Telugu techie who returned to India after spending more than a decade in the US couple of years ago and is still a regular US visitor, said it was always better to avoid confrontation with unknown Americans on streets. The best way is to leave the place without any argument, he said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Around 6 pm when Dinesh Prajapatis wife asks for Rs 5,000, he isnt worried about arranging cash despite the fact that the lone bank in their village Jaspur in Gandhinagar district has closed for the day. He goes to the village fair price shop to withdraw the amount. Using Dineshs Aadhar card number, which is linked to his bank account, and matching his thumb impression, shop owner Amrutbhai Prajapati transfers the amount to his account from Dineshs. He closes the transaction by handing over Rs 5,000 in cash to Dinesh. I used DigiPay on the Common Service Centre (CSC) portal. All nationalised and private banks are linked to the portal, Amrutbhai tells HT. But Amrutbhais fair price shop isnt the only one of its kind in Gujarat. Since January, the state government has provided access to this portal to over 17,000 fair price shops under public distribution system (PDS) across the state. A host of services like booking bus tickets, mobile recharge, DTH recharge and cash withdrawal can be availed through this portal which was launched by the UPA-II government to provide various e-services to people in rural India. Post-demonetisation, the NDA government added PDS to the CSC ambit for distribution of wheat, rice (under Food Security Act) and other rationed commodities like kerosene to the beneficiaries through a cashless system. Gujarat has become the first state to introduce this. Usually, the rush for PDS items lasts for the initial days of the month. But after 10th of every month, peoples focus shifts to other e-services, says Amrutbhai who while showing the records boasts how his store is now a one-stop shop for various services. Gujarat already had bar-coded ration cards to check pilferage. Now, the facility of cashless PDS has been introduced. All that a beneficiary needs is a bank account linked to his Aadhar number, says M K Das, principal secretary, Food, Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Department. According to the department, the system has been installed in almost all 18,000 villages of Gujarat, which has over one crore beneficiaries. As these centres were already equipped with computers and printers, the state government had to add only thumb impression scanners. We are now planning to install iris scanners as well, adds Das. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Every outsider is seen with suspicion at the residence of UP minister Gayatri Prajapati (49) at Awas Vikas Colony in Amethi. With the minister rumoured to have gone underground fearing police arrest in an alleged gangrape case, a meeting with him seems impossible. His son, Anil, surrounded by a horde of party workers and followers, instructs them on how to target specific castes in specific localities. A request for appointment is turned down with a curt No. On insistence, Anil asks several questions and then gives the phone number of an aide of the minister who in turn does another round of grilling. After convincing him, comes a half-an-hour drive on dusty roads to the house of Mishrauli Bargaon village pradhan, Ramkrishna Yadav. The caution, queries, suspicion and precaution were, however, not uncalled for. For, the fear of arrest appeared to be imminent in the wake of the Supreme Court order to lodge an FIR against him and some of his associates on gang rape charges. Dismissing the charges as a conspiracy by BJP, he says he has filed an application in the SC to present his side. Police are investigating the matter to see if the charges stand prima facie. Since BJP is not able to win the seat and I am working for at least 17 weaker section castes assigned to me by my party, they implicated me under false charges to ruin my political career. But I will continue to fight against the feudal forces, he tells HT. Although the fear of arrest is there, being a minister and a candidate, he enjoys police protection. Amethi SP, Anees Ahmad Ansari, said, Police are investigating the matter. Its up to the investigation officer to see whether to arrest him or not. So, Prajapati is now on Mission Reconciliation to placate those upset with him for some reason or the other. He hit headlines when chief minister Akhilesh Yadav dropped him and another minister on corruption charges last September amidst a feud with uncle Shivpal Yadav, but the CM had to re-induct him into the cabinet barely after a fortnight, apparently under the pressure from his father Mulayam Singh Yadav. At a recent election rally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used him to take a dig at the SP-Congress alliance, asking whether the tie-up was as pure as Prajapati. Lady luck smiled on Prajapati in 2012. He won the assembly election first time after facing defeat at least 4 times and despite being a first timer in the state assembly he became a minister in Akhilesh Yadav cabinet with the lucrative portfolio of mining. Netaji (Mulayam) is Lord Shiva and Akhilesh Yadav is Lord Ganesha, said Prajapati when asked about the leaders. When asked where he stood in the picture he said, I am Nandi (the bull (mount of Lord Shiva) idol of which is found at every Shiva temple), he said. He had felt relieved when Akhilesh visited his constituency and addressed a meeting on February 20. But Prajapati didnt share the dais with the CM as he was told to stay away to avoid embarrassment to Akhilesh. Mulayam too was supposed to visit the constituency but his programme was cancelled at the eleventh hour. Meanwhile, rubbishing the conspiracy allegations against BJP, its local leader Anil Kumar Singh said the entire state knows about the game of tenders in mining department during his tenure and how he amassed wealth in the past 5 years. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Foreign secretary Subrahmanyam Jaishankar will take up Indias concerns over possible curtailing of H-1B visas and workers safety following the Kansas hate crime during his four-day US visit from February 28 to March 3. South Block officials told Hindustan Times that Jaishankar will interact with acting deputy secretary of state Tom Shannon and other top officials in Washington. The foreign secretary returned from his official trips to Sri Lanka, China and Bangladesh last week with a short stopover in Singapore. While Jaishankar will seek assurances from the Trump administration over the security of Indians working in the US, one of the main purposes of the visit is to effectively convey New Delhis concerns over possible curtailing of H-1B visas issued to skilled Indian workers. The US issues 65,000 H-1B visas to Indians every year for those employed in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) areas. It is understood that Jaishankar will point out to his counterparts that Indians working in high-technology companies are no cheap labour and are paid as much as their American counterparts. Many Indians working in the US are employed by American tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Tesla, Boeing and a few by US-based Indian companies. The top diplomat will convey that these American firms are competitive due to Indian tech power in STEM areas. According to a Brookings report, there will be a shortfall of 2.4 million jobs in STEM areas in 2018 alone and this gap will widen if H-1B visas to Indian techies are cut. South Block officials point out to a report by software industry body Nasscom that says Indian techies in the US support nearly 400,000 jobs and pay $20 billion in taxes annually. Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed Indias concerns over H1-B visas to visiting Congressmen last week. Jaishankar will also exchange notes with his US counterparts on China, Pakistan as well as stability in Afghanistan. The first meeting of the India-China strategic Dialogue last week was tough with China not yielding on support to Indias entry to the Nuclear Suppliers Group and designation of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar as a global terrorist by the UN. The possibility of Modi visiting Washington this year could also be discussed with the Trump administration. Modi and Trump are expected to meet at Julys G20 summit in Germany. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Haryana topped the region with nearly Rs 780 crore deposited in Jan Dhan accounts in banks in the state after November 8 last year when Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 invalid. Punjab was the next with nearly Rs 500 crore while the union territory of Chandigarh recorded an increase of about Rs 18 crore. These accounts were opened under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana to achieve financial inclusion of all those who did not have a bank account. Also read | Punjab: How a taxi driver got Rs 9,806 crore in his Jan Dhan account Officials say these figures are based on information collected by the income tax (I-T) department regarding cash deposits in all bank accounts, including Jan Dhan accounts. This I-T exercise followed reports that deposits in these accounts went up by 100% to Rs 87,000 crore in 45 days post demonetisation. Also read | Over 2-crore Jan Dhan accounts opened since Nov 8 demonetisation move The government had set a cash deposit limit of Rs 50,000 in Jan Dhan accounts. Then came in reports that some people were misusing Jan Dhan accounts of others to salvage their black money. The government also warned account holders that they will be prosecuted under the Income Tax Act if they allow misuse of their bank accounts. Haryana saw the deposits go up from Rs 1567.75 crore to Rs 2349.26 crore a rise of a little over Rs 780 crore. The Punjabs figures went up from Rs 1373.73 crore to Rs 1872.26 crore, an increase of over Rs 498 crore. Deposits in the Jan Dhan accounts in Chandigarh went up from Rs 70.13 crore to Rs 88.93 crore. These figures pertain to deposits made in Jan Dhan accounts between November 9, 2016 and January 25, 2017. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Central government has given Rs 153 crores in cash awards -- ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1 lakh -- to about 10 lakh people picked through lottery since December 25 for practising cashless transactions. The awardees, the government said, had encouraging tales to tell about how digital payments changed their lives for the better. Launched by the National Institution for Transforming India (Niti) Aayog, the lottery picks people daily for an award of Rs 1,000 each and a bumper prize of Rs 1 lakh every week. Aayogs chief executive officer Amitabh Kant said the award was encouraging people to go cashless and wanted people to emulate the awardees by adopting digital transaction. Going cashless is the new mantra of the government, though Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially projected his demonetisation measure banning higher denomination currency as a drive against black money. HT reporters went to meet several of the awardees to learn about their experiences with cashless economy. Though some painted a very rosy picture, not all shared the optimism. Some in fact, has fallen back on cash transactions. Ram Roop Giri, 42, Lakhimpuri Kheri (Uttar Pradesh) The agriculturist has won Rs 1,000 for going cashless, but right now, 80% of his transactions are in cash. Even shops that have POS machines prefer cash. If I tell them I do not have cash, they give goods on credit and wait for up to a week for cash payment, the political science graduate says. In fact, people want to save tax that they would be required to pay to the government when their transaction comes on record. They fear digital transactions will be monitored and they would not be able to evade taxes, Giri, a political science graduate, said. The government though while giving him the reward said cashless transactions were Giris preferred mode. Soon more and more will realize the ease of doing online transfer, the government quoted him as saying. The nearest ATM is 9 km from his home. But Giri now says digital transaction is his last option as most shops dont have swipe machines. Jayanthi SF, 29, Tirupur (Tamil Nadu) She won Rs 1 lakh under the governments Lucky Grahak Yojana and the government quoted her saying that digital modes of payment would help to curb black money in the country. When HT contacted her she said they used to do cashless transactions extensively before demonetisation and were not sure whether going cashless would curb black money. She said the government should provide more incentives for digital transactions and remove the hurdles. I am fortunate enough to be able to use things like a debit card and RuPay for most of my transactions, but what of people who do not have access to those methods? A digital economy is an important thing, but you should make the transition much more comfortable, Jayanthi, who recently enrolled in Masters in Engineering, said. Mudanna Shetty, 44, Thane (Maharashtra) The dhaba owner who won Rs 50,000 cash award termed the governments cashless spending as a 50-50 situation as he still makes transactions using hard cash. Although the government said that Shetty started using digital payments at his Kaka ka Dhaba when he heard of ease of money transfer during demonetisation the businessman told HT that he installed the swipe machine in January 2015. As his dependence on cashless transaction increased since demonetisation, Shetty prefers the mode now though there are roadblocks. It (cashless) will bring a lot of transparency and track the corrupt, he says. Jatangi Saidulu Yadav, 31, Suryapet (Telengana) Yadav, the only earning member of his family won an award for cashless transaction, told the government that cashless was better as getting change for high denomination notes was difficult and helped him during demonetisation. Using online transaction for three years, he told HT that the frequency of cashless transactions has increased during demonetisation but has now reduced as cash flow in ATMs has improved. Saidulu said the digitisation of currency has led to additional burden on consumers as some shops in Suryapet and other bigger towns demand 1-2% extra on the cashless transaction in the name of surcharge. This is where I am compelled to pay in cash. Otherwise, I prefer online mode, he said. Asha Damodhar, 42, Kasargode (Kerala) The government used Damodhars case study to say demonetisation has infused cashless transaction among people and the impact of demonetisation has eased. The reason cited for she opting for online mode was that one does not have to pay in round figures. The school teacher told HT that situation after demonetisation was not normal yet and villagers still have problems paying through credit and debit cards. Many still believe hard cash is everything and nothing will happen without it. We have to forego this notion first. The government will have to give some sops to encourage digital payment to make it popular, she said, who provides tips to locals on digital payment. Kuldeep Beniwal (32), Karnal (Haryana) The government said this Haryana farmer opted for digital payments after the demonetisation and quoted him saying that scrapping of notes have given enough reasons for everyone to shift to cashless as it was safe and convenient. A winner of Rs 1 lakh, Beniwal told HT that he has not visited his bank since November 20 and made most transactions using his mobile phone. Payment to my labourers, school fee, doctor and even grocery store was through my mobile phone, he said. A school drop-out after his fathers death said that the farming community can go cashless provided they get necessary incentives and awareness. (With inputs from Gaurav Saghal in Lucknow, Aditya Iyer in Chennai, Neeraj Mohan in Karnal, Srinivasa Rao Apparasu in Hyderabad, Dipanjan Sinha in Mumbai and Ramesh Babu in Thiruvananthapuram) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Is Bihars steel frame heading for a showdown with its police force? Two incidents involving the arrest of IAS officers in the last eight months has annoyed the steel frame, no end. But an immediate showdown may not be on the cards. On July 4, 2016, a young Bihar cadre IAS officer, Jitendra Gupta, a 2013 batch officer, posted as SDO at Mohania in Kaimur district of western Bihar, was arrested on alleged charges of taking bribe. Gupta had stopped four trucks laden with iron bars that were on their way to Rajasthan from Jamshedpur. He is alleged to have demanded Rs 1.5 lakh as bribe for their release, which he later scaled down to Rs 80,000. The truck driver approached the state vigilance bureau, which arrested him after laying a trap. Again, on Friday, February 24, a police special investigation team (SIT), formed to probe into the leak of Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) question papers, earlier this month, arrested its chairman Sudhir Kumar for his alleged role in the scam. This was enough to enrage IAS officers. The police seem to be on overdrive at times, said a senior functionary of IAS Association of Bihar. The officer said it was as if the police were out to settle personal scores against IAS officers and the quashing of an FIR against Gupta by the high court proved the point. The court, had earlier granted him bail on August 9, 2016. In both the cases, the IAS Association stood rock solid behind its members. They submitted memoranda to the chief minister and chief secretary and said proper safeguards and transparency should be maintained in carrying out trap cases against government officers so that they were not harassed of framed in false cases. In the memorandum to the CS, association members, led by secretary Vivek Singh and treasurer Dipak Kumar, described Sudhir Kumar as one of the finest officers of the cadre and sought transfer of the BSSC question leak case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), in the interest of justice, independence and fair play. The association stands by the credentials of the officer and there is no reason to believe that any criminal intent could ever be assigned to him , the memorandum read. The relations between two services IAS and IPS by and large have been very cordial and there is no confrontation as such, said Vivek Singh. However, former DGP D N Gautam summed up their relationship as on bwtween saas and bahu (mother in law and daughter in law). Denying any confrontation between two services, a senior IAS officer, preferring anonymity, said DMs and SPs in districts, enjoyed best of relations. What is surprising is that procedural propriety is not being maintained by the police and basic tenets of the law are not followed in such arrests , he said. Official sources said the control of civil administration over khaki was one reason for this rift. The confidential reports of SPs are still written by DMs in districts and the proposal to introduce the police commissioner system has remained pending for years, he said. The administrative reforms commission, headed by V S Dubey, which was to look into police restructuring, after giving its first report on administrative reforms, could not proceed on that score as its term was not extended any further. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were enjoying an after-work drink at a bar in Kansas on Wednesday evening when a white man started abusing them, asking whether they were in the US illegally. When other patrons complained about the racial slurs by Adam W. Purinton, he was thrown out by the bar staff. But a short time later, he came back in a rage and allegedly fired on the two men, shouting get out of my country. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old American who had tried to apprehend Purinton. Heres what we know about the accused so far: 1) I killed two Middle-Eastern men Purinton, 51, fled on foot from the scene of the attack and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Kansas City Star reported. He is a resident of Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 40 km southwest of Kansas City. Updated News Release on victim and suspect identity. pic.twitter.com/NvfzaTQswa Olathe Police (@OlathePolice) February 23, 2017 2) Charged with premeditated murder He was charged in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, district attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. 3) Navy veteran who worked on a missile cruiser Purinton spent time in the Navy and, according to a website where veterans can list their military records, was deployed aboard the Long Beach, a missile cruiser, from 1988 to 1990. He later worked for the Federal Aviation administration but left the agency in 2000. According to his LinkedIn Page, Purinton is a desktop support specialist for GEN3RATION, an information technology company in the Kansas City area. 4) He is not a monster I dont want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because thats not who he is, Adele Mathews, Purintons niece, said in a statement released to local media. His mother Marsha also said this is not his typical self. Neighbours told local media that Purinton was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, a medical condition triggered by shocking, scary, or dangerous events. 5) Frequently intoxicated In Johnson County, Kansas, Purinton has had few run-ins with law enforcement. Court records showed a limited history: a speeding ticket in 2008, as well as a 1999 drunken-driving charge that was dismissed. A neighbour, Lisa Puckett, said that Purinton was frequently intoxicated. We always wondered if he might hurt himself, but we didnt think he would hurt someone else, she said. A white US Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victims home country. The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that US President Donald Trumps America First position on immigration and jobs has fuelled a climate of intolerance. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trumps rhetoric. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed our deep concern over the incident to the US government and requested a thorough and speedy investigation. Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunmans motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said. Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene. People call me a hero, Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being. Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone. Kuchibhotla received a masters in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself Srinu, said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc. Flags at Garmins offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was devastated by the senseless tragedy. Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer. I dont want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because thats not who he is, Adele Mathews, Purintons niece, said in a statement released to local media. Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said Friday. BE ANGRY! At Kuchibhotlas family home near Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States. The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there, the victims brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. Many Indians initially welcomed Trumps election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both Indias $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. Dont be shocked! Be angry! Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla. Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) jawan Jitendra Singh Yadav who fought terrorists at the Indian consulate in northern Afghanistan last year was awarded with DG Insignia and Commendation on Saturday at the ITBP centre here, though many believe he should have got the President Police Medal Gallantry. The 33-year-old jawan was guarding the main gate of the consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif, Afghanistan, when a fidayeen attack took place on January 3, 2016. He engaged the three terrorists and injured two of them. Other recipients of awards at Saturdays function said he should have got the Presidents medal and his case needed to be pursued properly. Terrorists had launched the attack at 8:25pm, 25 minutes after the shift changed. Yadav, who hails from Jharkhand, was equipped with two grenades, a light machine gun and INSAS rifle. The terrorists attacked with rocket launchers, while Yadav relied on his INSAS rifle. Two of the three terrorists were injured and the third one came to their rescue and dragged them inside an abandoned German consulate. The gunfight continued for the next 27 hours, said Yadav. I am happy that I saved 43 lives in the Indian consulate. But, I was told that if I had failed in foiling the attack, I could have faced an inquiry, he said. Yadav kept the terrorist engaged and alerted the Afghan police. There was no casualty on the Indian consulate side. Afghan forces took over the operation and killed the terrorists. They had blamed Pakistan for the attack. The attack had come at the same time when Indian forces were battling Jaish-E-Mohammad terrorists in Pathankot. Yadav, who joined ITBP in 2004, is at present posted as constable (general duty) at Dehradun. HS Goraya, IG, who had come to felicitate the ITBP personnel, said, I am not aware of his case. There are others who decide about the awards. Yadav did not complain, but he appeared upset. I will put up my case before my unit again, he said. Modi motivated me to construct 57 toilets in my village Havildar Vikas Thakur, 42, of Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district in Himachal Pradesh, was awarded with DG Insignia and Commendation as he helped in construction of 57 toilets in his village. He had joined ITBP in 1994. PM Modi motivated me. My village is now open defecation-free. I contributed Rs 57,000 for 57 poor families, said Thakur. After Thakur, others followed and contributed for the toilets. Himachal government had also felicitated him last year. Currently, he is posted at Dehradun. Constable Amit Chauhan, 28, contributed in rescue efforts at Hemkunth in Uttarakhand during the 2013 floods. Along with other personnel, they constructed a bridge which helped in rescuing 5,000-6,000 people. He was also felicitated at ITBP centre here. A native of Uttarakhand, he is currently posted at Joshimath in the state. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in a Kansas City bar in an apparent hate crime, held a press conference on Friday demanding answers from the government over the measures US would take to safeguard its minorities. Sunayana Kuchibhotla said she was concerned about the shootings and doubted if her family should stay in the US although, she said, her husband had assured her saying: Good things happen in America. Srinivas, an aviation engineer who was working at Garmin, was killed by navy veteran Adam Purinton at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe on Wednesday night. His companion Alok Madasani Alok Reddy survived the shooting and was recovering from his injuries. Watch | Im no hero, says man who jumped to defend Indians shot in Kansas bar Heres the full transcript of Sunayanas speech: Good afternoon everyone, My husband came to [the] United States with lots of dreams in his mind. He came here in 2005 August to pursue Masters from University of Texas, El Paso. He got a job in Rockwell Collins, Iowa, he worked there for six years, before moving to Garmin. We made Kansas our home, we made Olathe our home. We got our dream house, our first house together. He painted the whole living area by himself, only in this Jan...last January....summer. He was a very passionate person. His passion was aviation. He wanted to succeed so much in this industry, and do so much for this country. And, he for sure.... He did not deserve a death like this. In two weeks he would have celebrated his 33rd birthday....March 9th is his birthday. I dont know what to say...weve read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening everywhere. And we always wondered, how safe, or I especially, I was always concerned: Are we doing the right thing of staying in [the] United States of America? But he always assured me that only good things happen to good people. Always think good, always be good. And good will happen to you. And he was just doing the same thing that night. He was just enjoying his glass of beer, to get off from his work stress....Have some fun time with his friend. A small memorial for Srinivas Kuchibhotla is displayed outside Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe. (AP Photo) And this guy started talking...even though that guy was talking so discriminately about his race, he was still minding his own business. The bar management people let him go. My husband shouldve moved out from there, but he thought, Why should I? Because I am not a drunk. Knowing him, I can say, he was sitting there because he was not doing anything wrong. But that guy came back, and he did what he had to do. He has taken a life, a very lovable soul from everyone. His parents, my parents, our entire family back home is in grief. I dont know what answer I have to give to his mother, of why I was not able to save him. The country that he loved so much. I told him many a times, Should we think about going back? Should we think about going to a different country? He said No. Lets just see. Lets wait and see. And I need an answer. I need an answer from the government. I need an answer for everyone out there that what is there theyre gonna do to stop this hate crime. Not just for my husband, who lost his battle in this, but for everyone, all those people, of any race, either Asian, African, American, any race that have lost their loved ones to something bas as this. I was told that that guy very proudly went to another bar and told that he shot two Muslim guys. How did he decide that by the colour of a person? Does the colour of the person state that he is a Muslim, a Hindu or a Christian? No. So how did that guy decide that? Srinivas Kuchibhotla poses for a photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala. (AP Photo/Kranti Shalia) So what I just wanna say is as much as I know my husband, he would want justice to be done. And we need an answer of what theyre gonna do. I dont know if this is the right platform to talk about this, but, the government has to make sure that I can come back to this country at my will to pursue his dreams of me being successful...me being successful in any field that I choose. And I have to fulfil his dreams, right here where he started. Thank you so much. We were planning for a family. We were planning to have kids. We were working on that. I wish we had one, so that I could have seen him in the child. I now even dont have that option. I just have his memories. Thats it. (In reply to a question from media) At a memorial service for Srinivas Kuchibhotla on Friday, his wife Sunayana Dumala spoke for every Indian staying in the US, including those who call the country home and those who hope to, when she laid it out in stark relief: I have a question in my mind: Do we belong? Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old US navy veteran settled it for Sunayana, fatally shooting her husband in cold blood Wednesday, and wounding his colleague from the same region in India, besides an American who tried to stop the suspect. Kuchibhotlas body is to be flown to New Jersey on Saturday, where it will remain for a day, according to officials, before its flown to India for funeral services. Sunayana will be taking the body home, but she plans to return. A visibly distraught Sunayana said she wants to return to fulfil her husbands wishes for me being successful in any field I choose. But before she does, she said, I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Though the government has said it is too early to term the incident a hate crime, many believe the shooting to be a result of President Donald Trumps America First position on immigration and jobs has fueled a climate of intolerance. The events leading to the shooting of Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, colleagues from GPS major Garmin, at a bar in Olathe, Kansas on Wednesday, clearly pointed in that direction. Where are you guys from, the shooter had asked them, according to Madasani in an account of the incident he related to Indian officials of the evening. They ignored him. Are you from the Middle East, he pressed them. But they did not want to engage him. Get out of my country, he yelled at them. The two friends had decided by then to seek help from the bar management. Purinton was escorted out but he returned shortly and opened fire, killing Kuchibhotla, the youngest in his family. Madasani suffered bullet wounds as well, and so did another patron of the bar, Ian Grillot, who had tried to stop the shooter. He was shot in the hand and the chest and was celebrated as a hero by the Indian community in here and back home. Purinton was apprehended miles away at another bar, in adjoining Missouri state, after he was heard bragging about shooting two middle-easterners. He has been charged with murder and attempted murder, according to local police officials. The FBI had joined investigations but had not yet determined if it was a civil rights violation or a hate crime, which would make it a federal offence to be tried in a federal court and liable to federal penalty. The killing of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City left residents in shock and a majority of people in Olathe saying, we are not like this. Events leading up to the incident on Wednesday evening also show that despite rising hate crimes across the country, many had stood up for the two Indians Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani when 51-year-old US navy veteran Adam Purinton tossed racial abuses before opening fire. Heres how Kansas residents responded during and after the fatal shooting: Friends at the bar Kuchibhotla and Madasani, both 32, were enjoying an after-work drink in their regular bar when the accused started abusing them using racial slurs. Purinton as soon thrown out after other patrons complained. Jeremy Luby, 41, a software developer, said he offered to pick up the tab for the two men, who thanked him during a brief conversation about work and cultural differences. It was wrong what happened to them, Luby said. I thought it was a nice gesture to say, Im sorry someone was being rude to you like that. After the shooting began, another patron, Ian Grillot, 24, said he tried to count the shots while he hid under a table. Thinking the gunman had run out of ammunition, Grillot said, he confronted him, only to be shot in the hand and the chest. People call me a heroI was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being, Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he received treatment. Kansas raises funds for victims Three GoFundMe sites started for Kuchibhotla and the two injured have raised a total of more than $670,000 so far. As of Friday, the site for Kuchibhotla, whose funeral will be in India, had $496,196 out of $150 k. A second combined campaign for Kuchibhotla and Madasani had close to $61,000 and a third site for Grillot was up to more than $200,000. Srini was the kindest person you would meet, full of love, care and compassion for everyone. He never uttered a word of hatred, a simple gossip, or a careless comment. He was brilliant, well mannered and simply an outstanding human being. His wife Sunayana and his family are now faced with incredible grief and a multitude of expenses, said a tribute on a page created by Kuchibhotlas friend Kavipriya Muthuramalingam. Click here to donate Weve set up this fund to help them with the funeral expenses and other ongoing grief/recovery support costs. This includes the very expensive process of carrying his mortal remains back to India, so his parents can say goodbye one last time to their beloved son. Another page was set up by a man in Shawnee, Kansas, who is not related to either of the victims or their families but was said to be upset about what appeared to be a vicious hate crime. Madasani will likely face extensive medical bills and the family of Kuchibhotla will now have to deal with the death of their beloved son, both financially and emotionally, Brian Eric Ford wrote on the page. Lets send a message that we will support those who are targeted and stand against all who wish to spread hate by raising funds to help the victims of this horrendous act of senseless violence. Prayers for the dead and injured Residents of a Kansas City suburb gathered at a church to honour Kuchibhotla. About 400 people sang, prayed and lit candles on Friday night at the First Baptist Church in Olathe, Kansas and those in attendance described the community as tight-knit and one that embraces diversity. Mayor Michael Copeland encouraged people to come together and said, One evil act does not divide a united community. The church offered counseling services and created a hope banner to use at a march scheduled for Sunday. A message of hope Senator Jerry Moran left a message with Olathes mayor, offering to help assure people from India who live in Kansas that the actions leading to Kuchibhotlas death are not the norm. This is not the nature of Kansas, and we welcome people to the United States, particularly a company like Garmin and many others, the Kansas Republican said. The owner of the bar where Kuchibhotla was fatally shot said it will do anything it can to support the victims. Owner Brandon Blum wrote on the website for Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas, that the staffs thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the victims. It took 86 days for the Haryana government to disburse ex-gratia payment to the family of Machhil braveheart Mandeep Singh, whose body was mutilated by terrorists near the Line of Control. A cheque of Rs 50 lakh was given to the family on Saturday afternoon only after the family members recently met chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar and threatened to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. But other promises made by the CM are yet to be fulfilled. The chief minister had announced to give an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh and a government job to my younger son Sandeep. Apart from that he had also promised to construct a memorial on the funeral ground where my son was cremated. But most of the promises are not fulfilled, martyr Mandeeps mother Nirmala told Hindustan Times. Khattar had visited the family and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh to Singhs kin and promised a government job to a family member. They also claimed that the CM had also promised a promotion for Mandeeps wife Prerna, who is a constable with the Haryana police. Even when we met the chief minister four days ago at his residence in Chandigarh, he assured the demands will be fulfilled, but he refused to accept the demand for Prernas promotion, she said. She said the chief minister made it clear that the government wont be able to promote Prerna. The CM told us that he alone cannot take the decision (of her promotion) and he needs to discuss the matter with his cabinet colleagues, Nirmala quoted Khattar as saying. But the government should think about the future of this girl who lost everything at the age of 26, she added. Mortal remains of army jawan Mandeep Singh were consigned to flames at his native village Antehri of Kurukshetra district. (HT Photo) As they have failed to get any immediate assurances from the chief minister, Mandeeps younger brother Sandeep has reached Delhi to meet the Prime Minister. We are going to meet the Prime Minister in Delhi and will return only after meeting him, Sandeep told HT over phone. The government should also think about my sister-in-law. If they can promote a medal winner to the post of DSP, why cant a widow of martyr get a promotion, he asked. In October last year, the 26-year-old Sepoy Mandeep Singh of the 17th Sikh regiment was martyred in a gun-fight with militants along LoC in Machill sector of Kashmir. Militants mutilated his body. On October 30, when his mutilated body reached his native village, thousands of people, including chief minister, Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Sumedha Kataria and other officials of the district administration reached the village to console the family and assured all the support. Haryana chief secretary DS Dhesi, however, denied there was any delay on the part of the state government in disbursing the ex-gratia payment. The martyr certificate which is an essential document for release of financial assistance was received from the Army authorities on February 5 and the compensation has been released soon after, he said. Kurukshetra deputy commissioner Sumedha Kataria said the cheque of Rs 50 lakh was issued on Saturday and it will soon reach the family. On the other demands of the bereaved family, she said steps were being initiated to fulfill them, including the construction of the memorial. BJPs Kurukshetra MP Rajkumar Saini demanded of the government to fulfill its promises made to the martyrs family. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Hazaribag: The Hazaribagh police have arrested the man who was accused of harbouring the terrorists who attacked the American Centre, Kolkata in 2002, killing four policemen and injuring 20 others, after a 15-year manhunt. Gulam Sarvar (40) who was absconding since the attack, was nabbed from Dhamania village in Bihars Gaya district on Friday evening and brought to Hazaribagh early Saturday. After a brief interrogation, police produced him in a local court which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days. In the attack on January 22, 2002, four gunmen on two motorcycles had sprayed bullets on the security personnel who were handing over charge to the morning shift personnel. Soon after the attack, Central forces and Bengal police on the hunt for the terrorists zeroed in on their hideout at Hazaribagh and carried out a pre-dawn raid. While two of the key suspects-- Salim and Zahid--were gunned down, Sarvar and his cousin, Hassan Imam, who were also in the house during the encounter, managed to flee. Sarvar, whose name had also featured prominently in the FIR lodged with the Hazaribagh Sadar police station as a suspect in the attack on the American Centre, had fled to Bihar and was absconding since then. On March 3, 2016, Imam was arrested in Kolkata and put him behind bars. Produced before the media on way to the court, Sarvar claimed he was innocent and denied any involvement in the American Center attack. He said he was living peacefully in Hazaribagh when his cousin, Imam introduced him to the two terrorists as his friends and requested to arrange an accommodation for them. My mistake was that I had arranged a house for them at the behest of my cousin not bothering to verify their antecedents. I am paying for trusting a relative, he said as he pleaded innocence. His crime other than helping them with an accommodation could not be established, superintendent of police, Anup Birtharay said. The crisis over womens quota in Nagaland may have been resolved temporarily with resignation of TR Zeliang and swearing in of Shurhozelie Liezietsu as the new chief minister on Wednesday. But Nagaland Mothers Association (NMA), which spearheaded the movement for 33% reservation for women in urban local bodies (ULBs), is still facing problems. On Tuesday, a day prior to Liezietsus swearing in, the Chakesang Mothers Association (CMA), the apex body of women from the Chakesang tribe, dissociated from NMA. In a press release, CMA president Zaposhelu Venuh said that though they acknowledged and honoured NMA for its work on women rights, they distanced themselves from the organisation due to the crisis related to ULB polls. Two more women organisations from the Angami and Sumi tribes Angamimiaphu Mechu Krotho (AMK) and Sumi Totimi Hoho had also dissociated from NMA in the past three weeks. The move followed directions from men-dominated tribal organisations opposed to women reservation. Nagalands 16 major tribes have their own traditional organisations of which the women bodies are part. It is due to pressure from our brothers. Those under pressure, dissociated for the time being, said NMA advisor and founder president Sano Vamuzo. Formed in 1984 to fight against social ills, NMA played crucial role in bringing rebel outfits to peace talks, fought against menace of drugs and stigmatisation of HIV infected people. According to NMAs constitution, every Naga woman is automatically considered a member. Their efforts have earned the organisation accolades within and outside the state, but their fight for women reservation is opposed by tribal bodies. Besides asking the women organisations to distance themselves from NMA, tribal bodies had earlier threatened to excommunicate candidates contesting the ULB polls. There was also pressure on ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) MLAs to withdraw support to chief minister TR Zeliang, failing which they would have been prevented from visiting their constituencies. Tribal organisations feel reservation for women will violate provisions of Article 371A of the constitution, which grants special status to Nagaland for preservation of customary laws. Since women groups led by NMA had filed a special leave petition (SLP) in Supreme Court seeking directions to the state government to hold ULB polls with reservation for women, tribal bodies hold them responsible. The NMA can in no way be blamed for the present crisis. As torchbearers for womens rights, it is their bounded duty to strive for whats their constitutional right, said Dr Toshimenla Jamir, head of sociology department in Nagaland University and an expert on gender issues. Violent protests against the election forced the state government to declare it null and void. The developments also led NMA to file another petition in Supreme Court seeking withdrawal of their SLP. These setbacks will not weaken us. We will continue with more conviction. It is a continuous mission and we wont stop, said Vamuzo. Dr Jamir feels gender sensitisation at the grass roots level and a strong political will policy are needed for women in Nagaland to get their rights. Most importantly, enlightened Naga men should speak out for womens rights. History tells us womens rights cant be achieved without the support of men, she said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON No action will be taken against hospitals under the scanner for overcharging on stents if they refund the money to patients before receiving a demand notice, drug price regulator NPPA said. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) said the matter would end there for such hospitals if there were no further complaints. If the hospitals under the scanner refund money to patients before NPPA issues demand notice, matter ends till there is no new complaint, the regulator tweeted. Explaining that a show cause notice (SCN) is issued for seeking the explanation of the hospital/company, it added that a Demand Notice (DN) is issued when a violation is proved. The regulator also said it would ensure complete audit of their angioplasty bills in the near future but did not share details citing request of patients who have got refunds and their concerns of follow up need in the same hospitals. The NPPA had said on Friday its helpline has received complaints against Oxygen Hospital in Rohtak, Haryana and Bharat Heart Institute, Dehradun, Uttarakhand for overcharging on stents. The regulator had earlier issued show cause notices to Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi and Nidaan Multispeciality Hospital, Sonepat, Haryana. It had also said it was investigating overpricing complaints against hospitals such as Lilavati Hospital (Mumbai), Max Saket (New Delhi), Metro Hospital (Faridabad), PGI Chandigarh, Ram Murti Hospital (Bareilly), and has alerted the concerned State Drug Controllers. However, Max Healthcare and Lilavati Hospital have said they are in compliance with NPPA guidelines and have not overcharged patients for stents. In a major relief to patients, the NPPA last week slashed prices of coronary stents by up to 85%, capping them at Rs 7,260 for bare metal ones and Rs 29,600 for the drug eluting variety. Liquor was seized from a number of places, including from a gurdwara, on the eve of voting for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), on Saturday. Such a seizure was made from a house in West Punjabi Bagh owned by a relative of Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) president Paramjit Singh Sarna, who is contesting from the Punjabi Bagh segment. Sarna, who is hoping to come back to power by unseating the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), said the liquor was for the familys personal consumption. The family, Sarna said, owns businesses and is based in Asansol, West Bengal, and also has a house in Delhi. They are here to support me in the polls, and the search of their house at the behest of Manjinder Singh Sirsa (general secretary of outgoing DSGMC) is unfair. I demand a search of Sirsas house too, because huge quantity of liquor is stored in his house, Sarna told HT. Elections officials denied having searched the house of Sarnas relative. Sirsa, a SAD (Badal) candidate, is contesting against Sarna and lives in the same neighbourhood where Sarna and his relatives live. Sirsa told HT that he got information that the Sarna camp was storing liquor in a relatives house, and when he reached outside the house the information proved true, as liquor was transported in a Bolero vehicle. It is shameful that in polls for a religious body liquor was distributed, he said. Reports of liquor seizure from other places including in Hari Nagar was also reported. Police said six boxes of liquor were sized from the gurdwara in Vivek Vihar of East Delhi after residents complained. Director, gurdwara elections, Shurbir Singh said a report was being compiled. He said also said that two cases under the Excise Act were registered, but no arrest was made so far. SAD (Badal) found distributing buckets, their poll symbol Shurbir Singh also informed that candidates of SAD (Badal) were found distributing buckets which is their poll symbol among voters. We have registered a case and have also seized a large number of buckets that were to be distributed among voters, he said. He added that, keeping in view the law and order situation, the number of hyper-sensitive polling stations was increased to 63 and sensitive to 116. Earlier the number was 56 and 111, respectively. Most of these polling stations are located in West Delhi. Polling will take place from 8 am to 5 pm at 560 polling stations across Delhi. Counting will take place on March 1. Special branch on look out for Zaffarwal The special branch of Delhi Police was on the lookout for Wassan Singh Zaffarwal, a one-time chief of terrorist outfit Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) who was camping in Delhis Patel Nagar area in support of candidates of SAD (Delhi). Zaffarwal had told HT that he was in Delhi to support like-minded people. Sources said the special branch checked some hotels in the area to locate Zaffarwal, without success. All outsiders camping in Delhi for the campaign should move out. The orders are very clear, said Shurbir. Also, Mohkam Singh, one-time close associate of slain militant preacher Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, was also camping in Delhi to support of candidates of the Sarna group; but he returned to Punjab a week ago. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Chairman of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani would have been delighted to see Jaisalmers tourist guide Sahil. Taking advantage of Reliance Jio freebies, Sahil Khan has been using his mobile phone to further his business. He has made a short video of sights at the desert city, which he uses to woo foreign travelers. Before Jio came out with its offer, Sahil did not have more than Rs 100 to spend on mobile bills with his business season running only during the four months of winter and spring. The city draws a lot of French tourists making language a problem for the young guide. But Sahil now has the power of internet and the magic of Google Translate to help him. But the windfall is not going to last forever. The company has said it will start charging users a minimum of Rs 149 after Jios free scheme ends on March 31. By then, Ambani and his ilk hope that the market will change more users will be hooked to the internet, and the average revenue per user (ARPU) will go up. During its launch, Ambani announced that calls will always be free on Jio, subscribers will only have to pay for internet irrespective of whether he uses it or not. And the biggest beneficiary of this is Prime Minister Narendra Modis Digital India campaign, which aims to spread internet literacy even in the remotest parts of the country. India adds 15,000 new internet users, everyday. According to Kotak Institutional Equities, 61% of the telecom users in India spend less than Rs 100 every month on mobile services, on an average most of them do not use the internet. Thats changing. Users spending less than Rs 100 a month, now spend 9.8% of the money on data, though the larger 85.6% is spent on voice calls. Data usage in the country has quadrupled, from 300 MB to 1.2GB, in six months since Jio launched its free services on September 5 last year. Cisco in its annual report in 2015 had predicted that spurred by mobile data usage, internet traffic will grow at 33% annually in India. And 90% of this data usage is through mobile phones, said Ajay Kumar, additional secretary in the department of electronics and IT. Understandably, telecom operators are in a spree to capture new data users by luring them with free and cheap internet packs. The democratisation of internet users has started in India, the stated focus of Digital India. But the ensuing price war has resulted in falling profits, pushing telecom companies into the red. The competition from Jio is very stiff, and has most of the existing telecom companies on their knees. To take on Jio, Vodafone Group Plcs Indian unit is in merger talks with Aditya Birla-promoted Idea Cellular Ltd. Vodafone Group had to write off 5 billion euros in its Indian business last year and defer a proposed share sale, which will become irrelevant should the merger go through. Idea has been pushed into the red, with losses of Rs 384 crore in the third quarter of 2016-2017. While Airtels profits have fallen 55% in the price war against Jio. Telecom operators hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Slowly, voice will become a free service, or a free bundled service. Operators will charge for a package, say for a certain gigabites of data, said an executive with a large telecom operator. Given the way telecom companies are bleeding, we will have to wait for this war to be over for them to make any meaningful investment in telecom infrastructure, said a government official who did not wish to be named. He added that during at the launch of Digital India in August 2014, it was clear that with internet penetration of just 20% in the country there is huge potential for investments and returns. But the return on investment could mean higher mobile bills for rural India. In villages, the ARPU is Rs 40-50. Once the data pack regime kicks-in, sachet recharges will be a top up to the monthly minimum pack. This means that a villager, who pays Rs 40 for just making calls, will have to pay a minimum of Rs 150 per month for using internet on his phone, explains an executive with a large operator. But Additional secretary to the Indian government Arun Kumar disagrees: Just when you would think mobile internet usage charges are rising, it will be pulled down, thats the beauty of the technology domain. It disrupts conventional economic sense. New innovation will always cannibalise the old technology. The Digital India campaign has not put a cap on the pricing of internet services. However, the government has thrown its weight behind digital transactions from mobile wallets such as BHIM, to cashless ways of money disbursements. That will also lead to increase in data users in villages. By 2020, the internet is expected to penetrate deeper in the hinterlands of the country, creating more opportunities for everyone, said R Chandrashekhar, president, Nasscom. The Future of internet in India report the Nasscom prepared in association with Akamai Technologies Inc says that 730 million internet users are expected in India by 2020, 75% of the new users will be from rural areas. Since major adoption will come from rural India, it will incentivise private telecom players to spend on rural infrastructure. They obviously dont want to miss Indias new internet users, said Arun Kumar. Congress leader Sheila Dikshit has clarified her earlier remark about party vice-president Rahul Gandhi, saying he has the sensitivity of a mature leader. The former Delhi chief minister, Dikhsit, in a newspaper interview on Friday said Gandhi was still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature. Her comments were quickly lapped up by Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah, who ridiculed Gandhi saying immature Rahul should be kept at home instead of being sent to Uttar Pradesh. However, Dikshit on Friday did a u-turn and took to Twitter to clarify her comment with Dont twist my words hashtag. Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man, Dixit said. Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man. #DontTwistMyWords Sheila Dikshit (@SheilaDikshit) February 24, 2017 Read | To say that Rahul Gandhi needs to mature is disservice to both him and the Congress As the government pushes for an expanded digital economy, a new manual aiming to address frauds in cyber and online banking is set to be in place by April 1. The thrust will be on continuous tracking of sources of funds transferred online to rule out money laundering. Besides multiple and not so routine transactions made online within and outside the country will also be monitored. Banks would also need to go through the accounts registering sudden jumps in heavy cash receipts. A mechanism facilitating centralized monitoring of all bank accounts could also be launched. The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has already circulated the draft manual to banks and other stakeholders for their comments. The guideline will be put in place by the next financial year. The draft manual is ready, we have also circulated it, we will finalise it and launch by April 1, TM Bhasin, vigilance commissioner, CVC told Hindustan Times. As we move towards a more digitized economy and electronic banking mode, we need to update our manual keeping in mind the changing dynamics, the manual that we have today does not even exit in the electronic form, so once we finalise the manual, we will circulate the same to all banks and ask them, Bhasin added. In October, 2016, a few State Bank of India debit card holders complained to their bank of data breach. Between April 2011 to September 2014 (the latest for which data is available) banks have reported a total of 27,614 credit-card related frauds and another 3835 debit-card related deceptions. Besides, in 2015, Bank of Baroda came under the scanner for a Rs 6000 crore foreign exchange scam, which too was conducted primarily through electronic transactions. Online and net banking in India, while convenient, has led to a surge in frauds. According to the Reserve Bank of India data, banks incurred a loss of more than Rs 12,000 crore in 2014-15 on account of such frauds, compared to a loss of Rs 7,542 crore in the previous fiscal. Banks are required to submit their respective data on frauds annually to the RBI. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Information and broadcasting minister M Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday trained his guns on former home minister P Chidambaram over his comments on the Kashmir situation, questioning the Congress partys stand on the strife-torn border state. Speaking at a function in Hyderabad on Friday, Chidambaram said he had a sinking feeling that India had nearly lost Kashmir due to the use of excessive force by the security forces to crush dissent there. Reacting to the Congress leaders comments, Naidu said, He knows about the fragile situation in Kashmir as he has also served as the home minister. It is wrong to make such statements and not in the best interest of the country. Naidus onslaught against the former minister indicates an escalating war of words between the BJP and the Congress at a time the two parties are locked in an electoral battle in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh. Chidambaram also said course correction was required to prevent the Kashmir situation from worsening. Condemning Chidambarams statement, Naidu said, We want to ask the Congress party what is their stand on Kashmir? Chidambaram also criticised army chief General Bipin Rawats comments that those who hinder counter-insurgency operations or display flags of Pakistan and the Islamic State in Kashmir will be considered as anti-national. The government backed Rawat saying the military had full freedom to conduct counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. Defending the army chief, Naidu asked, I mean, is it wrong what he (Rawat) said against the terrorists? And are the terrorists right? Naidu also condemned National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah who on Friday attacked the Peoples Democratic Party for stitching up an alliance with the BJP, saying people would not tolerate it as late chief minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed had promised the party would not ally with communal forces. Dubbing Abdullah opportunist, Naidu said he had changed his tone as he was no longer in power. You (Abdullah) joined hands with BJP and became chief minister during the Atal Bihari Vajpayee regime. So the BJP was secular when you joined hands with us and made you and your son the CM. Now Mufti and his daughter became CM then it (BJP) becomes communal, the minister said. However, the Congress stood behind Chidambaram and Abdullah, accusing the Centre of turning a blind eye to the turmoil in Jammu and Kashmir. Farooq Abdullah knows the youth of Kashmir and he has highlighted the reality and what Chidambaram had said is also right, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed shock on Saturday over the killing of an Indian engineer in Kansas City in the USA and said she did not support the politics of hate. Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We dont support the politics of hate, she said in a statement. The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this, she said. A 32-year-old Indian engineer was killed and his Indian colleague injured after a Navy veteran yelling get out of my country and terrorist fired at them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. An American who tried to save the victims was also injured. The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that good things happen in America. Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government... What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that good things happen in America. Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul RD Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment, Ray told PTI. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting by a US Navy veteran Adam Purinton on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family, she said in a tweet on Friday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted get out of my country, terrorist before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued on Friday. Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the companys aviation systems. Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital, Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a masters degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelors degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. India may have to import milk in four years, if it cannot increase fodder supply for its 299 million cattle, as rising pressure on land reduces pastures nationwide. Spurred by rising incomes, a growing population and changing food preferences, the demand for milk and milk products will grow to at least 210 million tonnes by 202122, a rise of 36% over five years, according to government estimates. To meet this demand, production must grow by 5.5% per annum, according to the State of Indias Livelihood (SOIL) report. In 2014-15 and 2015-16, milk production grew at 6.2% and 6.3%, respectively. To boost milk yield, India would need to generate 1,764 million tonnes of fodder by 2020, according to an IndiaSpend analysis of government data. But existing sources can only manage about 900 million tonnes of foddera shortage of 49%. Demand for private consumption has risen from 5% per annum in the period 1998-2005 to 8.5% per annum between 2005 and 2012, according to an Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, report. This demand and supply gap has pushed up milk prices by an average of 16% per annum, according to the according to the 2015 SOIL report. States with top milk yields have more pastures In the decade to 2015, milk production went up 59% from 92 million tonnes to 146 million tonnes in 2015. But fodder shortages may knock India off its position as the worlds top milk producer (it contributes nearly 17% of global production). The milk productivity of Indias livestock is less than half (48%) of the global average: 987 kg per lactation compared to the global average of 2,038 kg per lactation. The availability and quality of fodder has a direct bearing on the quantity and quality of milk productivity, the data show. All the three states that topped milk productivity in terms of gram per dayRajasthan (704), Haryana (877) and Punjab (1,032)had earmarked more than 10% of their cultivable land for pastures, according to the 2015 SOIL report. The national average is 337. Currently, all three types of fodder are in short supplygreen (63%), dry (24%) and concentrates (76%). Only 4% of total cultivable land in India is used for fodder production, a proportion that has remained stagnant for the last four decades. Demand And Supply Of Fodder: An Estimate Considering the demand for milk, land under fodder production needs to be doubled, according to this December 2016 report of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture. Shortages are forcing states to now source fodder from elsewhere. The quality of fodder is a concern. We are now looking to source fodder from Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), said Sudhir Mishra, who runs a dairy farm in Ranchi (Jharkhand). But major portions of grazing lands have either been degraded or encroached upon, according to the Parliamentary Committee report. However, the availability of crop residues, the largest single source of fodder, has been impacted by increasing pressure on land and the replacement of traditional cereal crops, especially coarse ones. Crop residue includes coarse and fine straws, leguminous and pulses straws. Given the importance of food and cash crops, it is very unlikely that the area under fodder cultivation will increase substantially, the parliamentary committee report said. If India fails to achieve substantial production growth, the country would need to resort to significant imports from the world market which has the potential to cause prices to spurt since India is a large consumer, said 2015 SOIL report. To cut costs, easy access to fodder is important for small farmers Feed cost constitutes about 60-70% of operating expenses on dairy farms. Nearly 70% of Indias milk production comes from small and marginal farmers, who depend on homegrown fodder. Unlike big operators like Mishra, they cannot afford to buy fodder from other states. Take the case of Dundappa Patil, a 10th-class pass from Belagavi in North Karnataka, who took a loan of Rs 35,000 for dairy farming eight years ago. The process of applying and getting a loan for the enterprise was simple and quick because Patil was covered by a scheme for unemployed youth in Karnataka. He went through a crash course in dairy farming in Belagavi and in less than a month, set up business with four buffalo. Patils target was to sell 20 litres of milk every day to a local co-operative society. But the yield per buffalo on Patils farm was less than 2 litres a day; his buffalo produced less than half the milk he hoped they would. I realised that just buying a good buffalo was not enough, quality and quantity of fodder too had to be good, he said. You have to be ready to spend a lot of time and money on sourcing fodder. Patil said he and other villagers were using a common pasture on a hill 5 km from the village. But that is seasonal and not enough for the all the village cattle, he said. So, he tried buying the fodder, but then the business did not look viable. The contribution of livestock to the incomes of landless and small farmers ranges between 20-50%, and the poorer the family, the greater the potential of dairy farmings contribution to livelihood, according to the SOIL report. Unlike agriculture, which tends to be seasonal, dairy farming provides returns through the year. It can minimise the risks agricultural households face when they run short of cash. In Belgavi, that scenario did not work for Patil because he could not overcome the fodder shortagean issue India must address if it is to be self-sufficient in milk and dairy farming is to succeed. Eventually, after a year, Patil sold the buffalo and repaid half the loan. The bank waived the rest after failing to recover it. Today, he is a construction worker in Belagavi city. (Patil is the founder of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters.) A Pakistani woman, who was shot dead when she allegedly tried to infiltrate into Indian territory along the International Border, was mentally ill, a media report said on Saturday. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, from Sialkot districts Diawara village, was killed as she crossed the border on Thursday night after losing her way, Dawn reported. Bibi was killed in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor tehsil. Citing police sources, the paper said that the woman was mentally ill. Indian border authorities later handed over the body to her family in the presence of officials of Pakistan Rangers. A protest erupted in Bibis native village after it emerged that she had been shot dead by BSF personnel, the paper said. Similar incidents have occurred in the past as well in light of heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan. In August, a 17-year-old Pakistani boy was shot dead after entering Indian territory by mistake, the paper said. Ijaz, from Kasur sector, was grazing cattle near the border when the incident had taken place. A student below 25 years is capable of undertaking medicine course because it requires rigorous study, which sharp young minds can absorb easily, the Medical Council of India (MCI) has told the Supreme Court. MCI regulatory body for medical profession and education in India put forth this argument in defence of the CBSEs notification fixing 25 as the upper age limit for candidates taking the common entrance test (NEET) for medical colleges. The order also caps the number of attempts a student can take NEET to three. The notification has been challenged before the top court by a student. In an affidavit filed before the top court, the MCI said a candidate aspiring to study medicine needs to have a certain level of the maturity of body and mind for undertaking such a technical course. MCI referred to other countries that prefer only young students in professional courses and contended a young student would be able to grasp the teaching and training with more ease and efficiency. It is imperative that these young students are given the maximum opportunity to make the most out of the teaching and training imparted in the medical college and also enable them to develop skills which would help them in becoming great doctors, the MCI affidavit read. The limit would ensure a level playing field and curb unhealthy competition. A large number of students keep appearing in the entrance examination year after year just in the hope of getting a seat in a reputed medical college. According to the council approximately 63835 and 27,000 seats available in MBBS and BDS course in various Government and Private Medical College. Every year over 7 lakh students compete for the seats. It was unfair to make a young student take NEET for the first time to compete with a much older student who had more time to prepare and had already given several attempts, MCI said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A special court on Saturday deferred the verdict in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah bomb blast case till March 8. The order was given by justice Dinesh Gupta. The court was expected to pronounce its verdict in the case which was initially investigated by the Rajasthan Anti -Terrorism Squad (ATS) and later transferred to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2011 on Saturday. A total of four chargesheets have been filed in the case so far. The blast on October 11, 2007 in the dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti at the time of roza iftaar, had left three pilgrims dead and 15 injured. Investigation had revealed the alleged involvement of saffron groups in the explosion with several names also cropping up as accused in the Mecca Masjid blast in Hyderabad and the Samjhauta Express blast. The accused include former Rashtriya Sawamsevak Sangh (RSS) pracharak Swami Aseemanand, who is also an accused in the Samjhauta Express and Mecca Masjid blast cases. All the accused were presented in the court on Saturday. One of the accused, Lokesh Sharma, was brought by the Haryana police from the Ambala Jail where he is currently lodged. Three years after the blast, Aseemanand was arrested in November 2010 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) from an ashram in Haridwar where he was living under an alias. Another RSS pracharak, Sunil Joshi, also figures in the list of the accused chargesheeted by the NIA. Joshi was shot dead on December 29, 2007 in Madhya Pradesh, allegedly by his own men. Devendra Gupta, Lokesh Sharma, Mukesh Vasani, Swami Aseemanand, Bharat Mohan, Bhavesh Bhai Patel and Mehul are in jail. Three other accused Sandeep Dange, Ramchandra and Suresh Nair are absconding and carry a bounty of 10 lakh each. Chandrashekhar Leve is out on bail. There were as many as 149 witnesses in the case and 451 documents were examined and the NIA filed three supplementary chargesheets in the case. . A bumper production of oranges in Jhalawar seems to be adding to farmers worries instead of making them smile. Prices of oranges have crashed. A farmer who had got 20 for a kilo of orange last year is selling it for 5-8 this year. A bumper production should have been good news for us. I was hoping to make a healthy profit this year. But now I am not getting a fair price, said a farmer Shyam Singh from Haranthiya village in Bhawanimandi. Another despaired farmer, Devilal Gurjar of Pirawa region said, Last year, we had got 30 a kg for our best oranges, but this year we are not getting more than 10 per kg. Due to the popularity and countrywide demand of these oranges, there is a Jhalawar Orange Mandi in Bhawanimandi. Haseeb Chaudhary, a commission agent at the mandi, said that traders from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and other states come here to buy the fruit. This year, the average price of oranges is between 3 and 15 per kilo while the best quality of oranges is selling for 20 per kg. Last year, the average price was not less than 10 per kg and the maximum price went up to 40 per kg, he said. Another trader, Sharif Mansoori, said that the authorities had to shut the mandi for a day due to the bumper arrival of oranges. While orange production was around 2.5 lakh metric tonnes (MT) in 2016, the area under cultivation was 16,000 hectares in Jhalawar. The production this year is likely to touch 5 lakh MT this year, said the joint director, horticulture, Jhalawar, Devendra Chaudhary. Jhalawar oranges are deemed superior to their competitor from Nagpur because of their sweetness, weight, thin peel and longer shelf life. Admitting that the price of oranges is abysmally low this year, Chaudhary said that prices are related to demand and supply, orange prices this year are lower as the production is almost double than what it was last year and the highest in last three years. Congenial climate, training and management programmes for farmers, less prevalence of black fly disease and adequate water availability has lead to the bumper production, he said. General secretary of Congress, Jhalawar, Rajesh Gupta Karawan said that an agro-food processing unit should be established to ensure fair prices for farmers. Three waxing and grading units are there in Jhalawar, which have helped farmers improve the price of oranges. The Rajasthan government is trying to establish agro-food processing units and have signed MoUS at the Resurgent Rajasthan summit, said Chaudhary in reply to Guptas demand. The special task force of the CID has been desperately looking for Alik Chakraborty, a politburo member of small Naxalite outfit CPI(ML)(Red Star) and the face of movement in Bhangar against a power grid, since violence broke out at Bhangar five weeks ago. Booked under provisions of the UA(P)A, Chakraborty has been evading the police while organising the movement through his network. The leader in his mid-40s spoke exclusively to HT from an undisclosed location. Despite being a leader of a registered political outfit, you have been virtually living underground for about a month. How would you describe the situation? Our party does not endorse violence and we have always worked staying within the legal system. But the Mamata Banerjee government seems to allow no space for democratic means of protest. Otherwise, how would you describe booking leaders of a political party, who have no links whatsoever with any banned organisation, under provisions of the UA(P)A? A total of 36 persons have been booked under UA(P)A. Apart from two of our arrested leaders (Pradip Singh Thakur and Sharmistha Chowdhury) and myself, the others are common people. The governments undemocratic approach has forced me to evade the law for the sake of the movement. Had it not been for the need of the movement, I would have surrendered before court. The Bhangar land movement has turned out to be one of the biggest embarrassments for the Mamata Banerjee government. (HT Photo) The chief minister has said that action should be taken only against outsiders who instigated local people. Its indeed funny to hear the theory of outsider from Mamata Banerjee who herself had contested this theory when the CPI(M) accused her of being an outsider in Singur and Nandigram. Are you open to discussions? Locals always wanted the government to talk to them but were never heeded. Moreover, the chief ministers words and deeds lack consistency. One the one hand, she is making public statement asking the administration to ensure that no local resident of Bhangar is harmed and on the other, nine Bhangar residents, including a boy who is to appear in higher secondary exams the next month, are languishing in jail for five weeks because they have been booked under a law generally used against terrorists. Are there chances of further violence? The movement gained momentum more than three months ago and there has been only one day of violence some police vehicles were vandalised but that too after two persons were killed in firing suspected to be by the police. Further, the police were accompanied by Trinamool-backed goons. One month has passed since that day and there has not been a single incident of violence. What is your next plan of action? Since the chief minister has publicly said that the power grid project will be scrapped if people of Bhangar did not want it, we have launched a signature campaign. Nearly 10,000 signatures were collected between February 20 and 23. The campaign will go on for another week. By early March, the signatures endorsing the statement that the people do not want the project will be submitted to her. Do you expect the government to respond? Well pursue all democratic means. Well conduct a public hearing on April 4 and 5 where eminent personalities, including retired judges and scientists would participate. Till then, do you intend to stay underground? SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON An airborne helicopter in clear, sunny sky casts a shadow on the surface of the earth. The shadow runs unhindered through whatever it falls on -- ground, roads, agriculture fields, treetops, ponds, lakes, or crowds. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadavs eyes followed the shadow helicopter --off and on -- between his eight landings-takeoffs for the seven rallies that he addressed in Faizabad and Ambedkar Nagar on Friday. On the ground, in his inimitable style, he foretold the victory of Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance after the four rounds of assembly polls, attacked Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and repeatedly issued warnings to voters against the two rivals. He will not be the prime minister in 2019 if, within two years, the Bullet train dream that he sold to the people doesnt become a reality. Three years of his term are already over, said Akhilesh to the cheering crowd at Ranjit Inter College ground in Kathari assembly constituency of Ambedkar Nagar. ...And look how emotional he became and took it to his heart when I took an animals name (Gujarats donkeys). I didnt say a word when he mocked at our Metro project that is now a reality in one city --Lucknow -- and will be in three more soon. He made fun of our Agra-Lucknow Expressway -- which is already operational. Such wonderful is our expressway that if he travels on it once, he will press cycle button on the voting machine, Akhilesh said at all the seven rallies in Faizabad and Ambedkar Nagar. The first rally of the day was at Ayodhya for sitting MLA and minister Pawan Pandey -- the firebrand supporter of Akhilesh during the Yadav family feud. Akhileshs staff says that he has done 150 rallies so far since January 28 and will easily cross 200 before campaigning for the remaining three phases ends. I get up at 6 am. Walk a bit within my house compound, take tea and begin my day. Every day I am doing seven rallies from 10 am to 7 pm, he told Hindustan Times. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav wipes his eyes with his kurta sleeves after a day of hectic campaigning on Friday. (Pankaj Jaiswal/ HT Photo) His eyes are fatigued. Once in a while on returning to the helicopter, he puts eye-drops in them. He has developed a new habit this campaign season -- of wiping dust from his tired eyes with his kurta sleeves. In Ayodhya and elsewhere he said: What a pity it is that BJP has made even electricty communal. While the truth is we have been giving 22-24 hours power supply in cities and made arrangements for all festivals -- Ramzan, Diwali, or Christmas. They have begun talking about burial and cremation grounds, while we focused on laptops and smartphones. They are regressive, we are progressive. Akhilesh said he openly challenges Modi to come to any SP governments Lohia village and Modis Adarsh grams and debate on development of our villages and the villages of their schemes. He said: BJP (leaders), whenever they open their mouth, they spew venom. Beware of them. And beware of my Buaji (BSP chief Mayawati), ensure that she doesnt become BJPs sister yet again. Thrice she became BJPs sister. Ensure that after March 11, she does not celebrate Rakshabandhan with BJP. Akhilesh said these days Mayawati was making long speeches reading out from a sheet of paper, while crowd doze off. She is talking so much because she was trying to transfer votes to BJP. This is what she had done in 2014 Lok Sabha polls. She transferred all her votes to BJP. BJP won 71, and she none, he said. In lighter vein, he said: Samajwadis are adept in riding cycle hands-free. But now Congress hand too is supporting us and we are riding fast towards power. You can park the cycle by your houses wall or even inside. But what if you bring the elephant (BSP) home. It will rampage your home. At the end of the day, on return to Lucknow airport, Akhilesh meets the pilot of his Airbus helicopter on the tarmac. Says thanks to him and asks: So, captain tomorrow you will fly me again. Read more| UP election: Akhilesh on Kasab remark; BJP coining petty acronyms fearing defeat SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Dalit labourer, who worked in a bangle making unit in Firozabad, was allegedly set afire on Friday for not repaying a loan of Rs 700 taken from a contractor 12 years ago. Prabhu Dayal (42), working in the unit for the past 10 years, has been hospitalised with 70% burn injuries, and his condition is said to be serious. A case has been registered against the bangle unit contractor and others at Linepaar police station in Firozabad, and one of them, Sanjay has been arrested, police said. The unmarried labourer is said to have availed an advance of Rs 700 about 12 years ago. He had later taken Rs 500 a couple of years back. Being uneducated, he had not maintained the records despite paying bulk amounts even as the contractor kept charging 10%-30% interest, and compounding the amount. Besides, the contractor is learnt to have charged him, as a practice, for being absent from work, wherein the amount spent towards hiring a substitute was debited from him. My son had paid Rs 15,000 (principal with interest) in 2015, yet he was asked to pay Rs 20,000. Today, the accused, Sanjay alias Sanju came to my house and took my son with him. My son was badly beaten and set afire for not paying back the money, Dayals mother said. However, one of the accused, who has been arrested, denied the allegations, and claimed that Dayal had set himself on fire after being reprimanded for not coming to work for the past five days. The accused had tried to save the victim and burnt his hand, he said. The accuseds acquaintances corroborated the fact that Dayal had not come to work for the past five days and appeared on Friday. A case has been filed under sections 326, 504 and 506 of the IPC and the SC/ST Act against Sanjay, Pawan and Satish, police said, adding that efforts were on to nab them. Firozabad SP, Sanjeev Vajpayee said the allegations that Dayal was set on fire for not repaying the loan were being verified. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Medical Council of India (MCI) has threatened to debar 32 medical institutes across the country from admitting students as they have not followed infrastructure and teaching norms. The colleges include the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal General Hospital and Medical College (Sion Hospital), a private medical college in Pune and the Maharashtra Institute of Medical Education and Research (Talegaon). While the news upset parents and students, officials from the Directorate of Medical Education and Research (DMER) made it clear that there was no need to worry. This list is released based on an inspection conducted by MCI every year, which checks the standards and regulations followed by these institutes. This recent circular is more of a notice to the institutes by MCI, asking them to rectify errors or face action, said Dr Pravin Shingare, director, DMER. He added that this is a routine feature and parents as well as students have nothing to worry about. There will be a problem only if the status of these errors pointed out by the MCI remains the same till April or May. Those institutes will not be permitted to admit students then, he added. Parents and students were worried that the news would make matters worse for students who are currently preparing for their Class 12 exams. We have been assured that these problems will be rectified before admissions begin. But, any problems will mean fewer seats for our children, which is not a good sign, said Akshita Iyengar, parent of a medical aspirant. In 2016, as many as 86 medical colleges were denied permission to conduct admissions owing to a lack of faculty and infrastructure. The Supreme Court had appointed a committee to look into the irregularities and submit a report accordingly. The committee submitted its final report in August 2016, allowing 26 of these institutes to go ahead with the admission process after they were asked to submit an undertaking to MCI that they would comply with all norms and would not remain deficient when the academic session started. The move had invited criticism by experts but was implemented anyway. Read Young have more grasping ability: MCI to SC on age limit for NEET candidates Nearly 4000 medical students left in lurch as 32 private colleges fail MCI test SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Following the Ramjas College controversy in Delhi University, members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Bharatiya Janata Partys student wing, protested at the Kalina campus of University of Mumbai on Saturday. The row erupted on Tuesday after JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid were invited to speak at a literary seminar in Ramjas College. Khalid was arrested last year and booked for sedition for organising a rally on the JNU campus. Rashid was the then vice-president of the JNU students union. On Wednesday, to protest against the cancellation of the seminar, left-wing student groups took out a march in Delhi where clashes broke out and students, journalists and police personnel were injured, allegedly by ABVP workers. On Saturday, ABVP workers burnt an effigy of Khalid on the Kalina campus and demanded action against some anti-nationals who had taken out the march. Many anti-national slogans were raised in the protest, including free Kashmir and free Bastar. The march was organised by some anti-national miscreants. We want strict action against such people, said Rohit Chandode, Mumbai Mahanagar secretary of ABVP. Meanwhile, the anti-national issue led to the arrest of nine students of ABVP and Students Federation of India (SFI) after they clashed at Savitribai Phule Pune University Friday evening. Members of both organisations lodged complaints against each other. The police arrested five ABVP members and four from SFI. They were booked for violating prohibitory orders, causing breach of peace and causing hurt and injuries. SFI workers staged a march on Saturday evening to protest against the incident. Sources said ABVP activists burnt an effigy of Khalid on Friday morning. SFI members retaliated later that evening by putting up posters condemning Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde for threatening their colleagues at a Solapur polytechnic college. This angered ABVP activists. We were attacked by ABVP activists, along with a few outsiders, said SFI secretary Vlas Pable. The right-wing group, however, defended its actions. We are firmly opposed to inviting Umar Khalid to Ramjas College, said ABVP secretary Pradeep Gawde. Police personnel have been deployed on the campus. Also read: Not afraid of ABVP: DU student whose father died in Kargil war writes on FB SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Activists of the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with members of the Left-leaning Students Federation of India (SFI) at the Savitribai Phule Pune University on Friday night, following a dispute over putting up posters on the Ramjas College controversy. Five students sustained minor injuries in the incident, and both groups have lodged complaints against each other. Police are recording their statements. Sources said ABVP activists burnt an effigy of JNU student Umar Khalid, who was arrested for sedition last year, on Friday morning. SFI members retaliated later that evening by putting up posters condemning Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde for threatening their colleagues at a Solapur polytechnic college an act that raised the ABVPs hackles. We were attacked by ABVP activists, including some outsiders, said SFI secretary Vlas Pable. The right-wing group, however, defended its action. We are firmly opposed to inviting Umar Khalid to Ramjas College, said ABVP secretary Pradeep Gawde. Police personnel have been deployed on the campus to prevent any recurrence of violence. Delhi Universitys Ramjas College is witnessing a face-off between ABVP activists and members of AISA another Left-leaning student organisation over inviting Khalid to address an event titled The culture of protest. The 2017 Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections has turned out to be a poll of many firsts. It is the first time in 20 years that the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) contested independently, with the parties separated by two seats, in favour of the Sena. It is also the first Mumbai civic election where the Shiv Sena managed a significant foray into several of the citys Muslim-dominated areas, with two Muslim corporators and a sizeable vote share in several of these wards. This, despite the party being a pro-Marathi, pro-Hindutva outfit with a sensitive history with the Muslim community, and one whose leader starts almost every public address with, My Hindu sisters and brothers. In a competitive, multi-cornered battle where every seat counted, the Shiv Sena fielded five Muslim candidates in predominantly Muslim belts and polled a vote share of nearly 20 per cent of the total votes across the five wards. Maulana Mehmood Dariyabadi, general secretary of the All India Ulema Council, a body of Muslim scholars, said, This time, everyone knew the fight was between the BJP and the Shiv Sena. Between these two parties, not just the Muslims, but all communities with a more secular ideology, prefer the Shiv Sena over BJP. The BJP espouses the ideology of the Rastriya Swayamsevak Sangh, which we think has a very fascist doctrine. The BJP too fielded six Muslim candidates this election, but none of them won. The Senas incursion in Mumbais Muslim-dominated areas is despite the partys contentious history with the community in the city. The Srikrishna panel indicted Shiv Sena and the then party chief Bal Thackeray, underlining the partys role in inciting violence during the December 1992-January 1993 communal riots in Mumbai. Some of the areas where Shiv Sena this time propped up Muslim candidates and whipped up a decent vote share were the worst affected During the riots. The report spoke about Thackerays role in commanding his troops to retaliate with organised attacks against Muslims. The Sena has always highlighted its part in the riots as that of Mumbais saviour. The Shiv Senas first Muslim corporators, Haji Mohammed Halim Khan from Behrampada and Shahida Khan from Amboli, polled 21.17 % and 31.75 % of the total votes cast in their wards, respectively. While a majority of Behrampadas population comprises Muslims and is also where the Sena went from being nearly non-existent to a victor, the Amboli ward is split between Muslims, Hindus and North Indians. Khan said, The Behrampada seat has always gone to either the Congress or the Samajwadi Party, and the Shiv Sena would never get more than 100-200 votes here. This time, this figure surged to 4,052 votes. Besides, the Sena, which won 84 seats, also secured the support of a third Muslim corporator, Changez Jamal Multani an independent councillor from Jogeshwari, in the partys attempt to boost its strength in its close contest with the BJP at 82 seats. Although the Shiv Sena lost in the three other Muslim-majority wards where it fielded local candidates of the community, in at least two of the three, it polled more than 10 % of the total votes cast. Shiv Sena candidate Shehnaaz Shaikh from Dharavi drew 2,434 votes, 11.43 % of the total votes cast though she lost to Congress Reshambano Khan who polled 7,132 votes. Similarly, Neha Khurshidalam Shaikh, Senas candidate from Andheri East, polled 2,934 votes, which was 14.9 % of the total votes in the ward, just over a thousand votes short of the vote count of the winning candidate, Sofi Jabbar, from the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). Read: Wont align with Cong, will remain transparent: CM Fadnavis after BMC polls Sanjay Raut says Shiv Sena will bag BMC mayor post, denies approaching Congress SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After the BMC poll results, political circles are abuzz with speculation that the Shiv Sena is weighing various options, including pulling out of the BJP-led government to team up with the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party? There are reports that Shiv Sena leaders approached the state Congress leadership to explore the chances of working together. The Sena is 30 short of a majority in the BMC and the Congress has 31 corporators. This fuelled speculation that the Sena leadership in keen on teaming up with the two parties in the state government too to realign political ties in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackerays remarks that the next mayor of Mumbai as well as the next chief minister will be from his party have added to suspicions that he was exploring options to pull down the Devendra Fadnavis government and form a new one with NCP and Congress support. Such speculation was further fuelled by state Congress chief Ashok Chavans remarks that his party would consider supporting the Sena in the BMC if it pulled out of the BJP-led government in the state. There is no doubt that the BJPs showing in the recent round of elections has left opposition parties very worried. Congress leaders held a meeting at its Nariman Point office on Friday to discuss backing the Sena in the BMC, but stopped short of a decision, possibly with an eye on the ongoing assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh given the ideological differences between the two parties on Hindutva. A section of Congress leaders suggested the party tell the Sena to pull out of the state government before seeking their support in the BMC. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena is reportedly in talks with the NCP for support and a possible partnership at the State level. A proposal of Sena-NCP-Congress axis put up by a section of NCP leaders earlier may be revived in the coming days. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A six-year-old male leopard was run over by a speeding vehicle near Sativali, Vasai, on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway on Friday night. This is the tenth leopard that has been killed by a vehicle, since 2004, raising questions on what measures the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and other agencies should undertake to prevent such deaths. According to the Vasai forest range, the leopard was spotted moving from the eastern part of the Tungareshwar reserved forest area to the west around 10.30pm on Friday night. It was hit by the vehicle while crossing the highway. The animal was still breathing when we found it, but was in excruciating pain. While transporting the leopard to the nearest veterinary hospital, it succumbed to its injuries, said Dilip Tonde, range forest officer, Vasai. The leopards body was brought to Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivli for a post-mortem (PM). The PM report revealed that the impact broke four ribs on the right side of the animals body and one on the left. Bones in the chest cavity and stomach were completely broken, which caused a major internal haemorrhage, killing the animal, added Tonde. A case was registered under section 9 (prohibition of hunting) of the Wildlife Protection Act,1972 against unidentified people. The forest department is currently examining CCTV camera footage to spot the accused. Experts said there was a need for underpasses and overpasses at wildlife corridors running through highways. We have written to the forest department several times, seeking that funds allocated for compensatory afforestation (Campa funds of about Rs1500 crore) could be used to construct these passes for vehicles so animals can pass through safely, said Vidya Athreya, wildlife biologist. The forest department needs to carry out a detailed survey and submit it to the NHAI to identify areas where these passes need to be constructed. If wildlife conservation was prioritised, such overpasses would have been considered while such highways or railway tracks around reserved forests were being planned. Constructing overpasses for vehicles is feasible and will help animals cross underneath, said Anand Pendharkar, environmentalist. NHAI officials said Maharashtra does not have enough dense forests to merit such passes. We have constructed underpasses and overpasses at Assam, which has a thick forest cover. However, we do not have plans to construct similar projects along highways in Maharashtra as it does not have dense forests, said a senior official from NHAI, New Delhi. According to the forest survey of India, Maharashtra has a forest cover of 50,632 sq km, of which 8,720 sq km is very dense, while 20,770 sq km is moderately dense. Officials from the forest department said they would take up the matter with the NHAI. From March onwards, state government bodies such as the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation, will meet at regular intervals to discuss the need for such passes. We will request NHAI to implement our requests, said Sunil Limaye, chief conservator of forest, Thane territorial. The leopards death is the third such incident within four months in the state. A six-year-old male leopard died after being hit by an unidentified vehicle on November 2 near Ghoti toll-naka, 140km from Mumbai on the Mumbai-Nasik highway. On January 26, a four-year-old female leopard was killed in a road accident along the Pune-Nashik highway. How will underpasses help? Underpasses, coupled with fences and barricades, have proved effective in reducing wildlife- vehicle collisions. However, the location, type, and dimensions of wildlife crossing structures must be carefully planned with regard to the species and surrounding landscape. IIT-B could be approached to assist in designing such underpasses and overbridges (Source: Mumbaikars for SGNP report to the forest dept 2011-12) Read Wireless robots to spot leopards in Maharashtra SGNP officials: Leopard, tiger and lion enclosures to be revamped The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which bagged seven seats in the recently-concluded BMC elections , may have damaged the fortunes of at least 38 Shiv Sena candidates as both the Sena and the MNS share a common vote bank in the Marathis, according to experts. The MNS polled a total of 3,94,653 votes. In the case of the BMCs standing committee chairman Yashodhar Phanse, who lost by 502 votes from Lokhandwala complex, the MNS candidate polled 539 votes. Similarly, in ward no. 220, where BJPs Atul Shah and Sena candidate Surendra Bagalkar were tied at 5,946 votes each, after which the former was declared winner through lottery, the MNS was able to garner 752 votes. Though MNS, whose tally came down from 28 seats in the 2012 election to seven now, has been marginalised in the citys corridors of power, it still plays an important role as both the Sena and BJP have not been able to get a majority in the civic house. According to a source, though both the Sena and BJP have opened back-room negotiations with the MNS, its chief Raj Thackeray is keenly watching the way things are moving and will announce his strategy later. Party leader Nitin Sardesai said that nothing is in the offing till now. No one has approached us till now for support, said Sardesai. However, MNS sources say that Raj Thackeray is angry with his cousin and Sena president Uddhav Thackeray for spurning his pre-poll alliance offer. Rajsaheb is angry as Uddhav did not even respond to his calls. He has made his displeasure known to Sena intermediaries, saying that an understanding between the two parties would have resulted in Sena capturing power. Though BJP leaders also called him, he has not given any such commitment till now, said the MNS leader, who did not wish to be named. According to political experts, Raj will bargain with both parties. He will go with the party, which offers him the best deal in terms of various committees, said Surendra Jondhale, political commentator. READ Devendra Fadnavis: Maharashtra chief minister who tamed Sena tigers in Mumbai SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Doctors from Mumbais Center for Obesity and Digestive Surgery (CODS) on Sunday visited the Neemuch-based inspector Daulatram Jogawat from the Madhya Pradesh Police force who was fat-shamed by writer and socialite Shobha De via Twitter. The assistant superintendent of police Rakesh Kumar Sagar said that the doctors would decide if the 58-year-old inspectors treatment can be continued in MP or he needs to be brought to Mumbai. Since the treatment will be paid through police funds, we will have to take approvals first. Jogawat has not undergone any tests as of now, said Sagar, while talking to HT. De had earlier this week, had posted a photograph of Jogawat with the caption, heavy police bandobast in Mumbai today and faced a heavy backlash by Twitter users. Jogawat, who weights 180kg, later explained that his weight issues are not due to overeating but because of insulin imbalance. Also read: If madam wants, she can pay for my treatment, says cop mocked by Shobhaa De With 3.4 lakh students the highest-ever in Mumbai divisions history appearing for the Class 12 Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) exams starting from Tuesday, exam centres are facing a space crunch. Some have moved their assigned students to nearby schools and colleges, while others have ordered extra benches to seat the students. The situation has left schools and other exam centres worried that the first day of exams could be chaotic if students dont check their revised seating arrangement beforehand. Owing to a 6% increase in HSC exam takers this year, centres have been assigned more students than last year, in some cases, exceeding their capacity. Centres with a capacity of 400 to 500 students received more than 700 students. The Anjuman-i-islams Dr MIJ Girls High School in Bandra received 780 students, far more than it can seat. When it was assigned 400 students last year, it had to use two neighbouring schools as sub-centres. This time, only one school Bandra Hindu Association located 1.2km away has agreed to share the load. We have arranged for 180 students to write their papers from the Hindu Association. The other school that helped us last year Awami Siddique has been turned into a full-fledged exam centre, so they cannot accommodate our students, complained Saba Patel, principal. As a result, the school is in the process of adding more benches to its classrooms. We have room for 25 students a class, but will need accommodate 30 a class by adding tables and chairs. The onus of finding the extra furniture is on us, said Patel. Vaze Kelkar College in Mulund will use additional classrooms to accommodate students. This has forced them to cancel lectures for some of the degree college students for a few days. We were allotted 750 students though our capacity is just 600, said Vidyadhar Joshi, vice-principal of the college. Luckily, we can adjust. As we have an attached degree college, the extra students can be accommodated in these additional classrooms. However, this will be a problem for smaller schools and colleges. Its the same story at Anandibai Damodar College, Borivli, which will move a few of its students to the neighbouring JB Khot School to write the exam. Goregaons Vivek Vidyalaya will be operating at full capacity, with 780 students. This is our maximum capacity, said Suresh Nair, principal of the school. We are the biggest centre in our area. Board officials said the problem arose as the number of centres could not be increased in proportion to the students. There are only 500 HSC centres. Owing to security reasons, we did not want too many, said Siddheshwar Chandekar, divisional secretary of the board. Sub-centres are smaller centres that can accommodate fewer than 100 students. They are monitored by the main centres. Why accommodating students was a challenge HT reported on February 17 that 20,000 more students an increase of 6% compared to last year will appear for the HSC exam this year from Mumbai, because a record-breaking number of students 86.13% passed the SSC exams in 2015. Form 17 for students appearing for the exams as private candidates registrations are open till one day before the exams. As a result, student registrations will keep increasing till February 27. This means that the board will not know the exact number of students writing the exam till then. There are only 500 HSC centres. The number of centres could not be increased as the board does not want too many sub-centres, fearing a risk to security. 3,39, 672 students registered for the HSC exams, which begin on February 28 18,112 of these are students which opted for other boards after Class 10 3,87, 041 students have registered for the SSC exams, which start on March 7 The numbers are expected to soar as registrations via form 17 which allows students to appear as private candidates are open till February 27 for HSC, and March 6 for SSC students In 2016 3,20,733 students appeared for HSC exams 3,73,435 students appeared for the SSC exams Read In Mumbai: HSC exams clash with Maratha morcha, students worried Teachers threaten to boycott HSC exams for 6th year in a row SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON With no party securing clear mandate in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections, Shiv Sena, the single largest party, on Saturday expressed confidence that it would still bag the mayors post. Sena leader and Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Raut also denied that the party had approached Congress for support. I can say that we have the maximum number of corporators and the mayor will be only from Shiv Sena. The reports that we sought support from Congress are not true, Raut said, speaking to media at party headquarters here this afternoon. Senior Sena leaders on Saturday discussed the future course of action at a meeting at the party headquarters in Dadar. Newly-elected corporators met the party chief Uddhav Thackeray. To the question how the party would be able to get its Mayoral candidate elected as its tally is well short of the required figure of 114 in the 227-member BMC, Raut said, Wait till March 9, (the day of election for Mayor), when we will tell you. Uddhav Thackeray did not speak to the media. Senior Sena leader and cabinet minister in the Maharashtra Government Eknath Shinde said, We are the number one party in the house and we have 89 corporators with us. We are going to have our Mayor. Shinde paraded four independent corporators before the media who he said were backing the Sena. Senior Sena leaders Manohar Joshi, MP Gajanan Kirtikar, Subhash Desai were among those who attended the meeting. If the saffron allies continue their stand-off, the fate of who controls Mumbai may be in the hands of parties who lost the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) the Congress, Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS). Both the Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), who won a near equal mandate in the civic polls, have so far taken no steps to initiate a dialogue, work out a compromise and rule the BMC together. Instead, the allies-turned-rivals on Saturday continued pressure tactics. The Sena claimed it is fully confident of getting its own mayor to win power in the civic body. The BJP reiterated its agenda of `transparency. The Sena, however, moved faster by already enlisting the support of four out of five independents to bolster its seat tally to 88. It has also initiated informal talks with the Congress top brass, to get support for its mayoral candidate directly. The direct support from Congress looks tricky for now, with its city chief Sanjay Nirupam ruling it out. But, the party can still help the Sena by abstaining from voting or putting up its own mayoral candidate. Both options will reduce the numbers required to get a mayor elected for the Sena and BJP, putting greater onus on the role of the NCP and MNS. The BJP, for the time being, has decided to wait and watch the Congress stance before deciding its next move. Its leaders have avoided making adverse comments on the issue. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, at a victory meet in Mumbai, said, Those who want to go with Congress are free to go with them...we are firm on our agenda of transparency. But neither did Fadnavis take on the Sena directly, nor did he claim the BJP would install its own mayor in the BMC. Senior BJP leaders told HT if the party had to make a bid for mayor, it would enlist the support of the seven MNS corporators and the remaining independent corporator, but as of now, had not initiated talks with anyone. If the parties face each other in the mayoral election on March 8 or 9, then that contest also looks poised for a close finish. But, many in the political circles believe the stance of the allies is more about muscle-flexing for a better bargain. Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray, it is learnt, is keen on ensuring only a Sena mayor in Mumbai and is pressurizing BJP to concede. The BMC will definitely only have a Shiv Sena mayor. We have started informal talks with Congress. If the party doesnt support us and decides to abstain, we will ensure we have a proper floor management plan in place for our mayoral candidate to win, a Shiv Sena leader told HT. Another senior Sena party functionary added, Tying up with the BJP is not an option as of now. We hope that the Congress comes along with the Shiv Sena. If at one go we get a number of 31 to add to our tally, it will prove a definite majority and we wont need to have any arrangements with other smaller parties at all, a senior Sena functionary said. The Congress with its 31 corporators can hold a key to Sena rule in the BMC, if it actively votes for a Sena mayor. It would not be the first time that the party has supported a Sena mayor. In mid-1970s, the Congress had helped Shiv Sena in installing its mayor in Mumbai. However, state president Ashok Chavan had put a spanner in this discussion a day earlier saying that his party would consider support if Sena walked out if the BJP-led government. On Saturday, Congress city president Sanjay Nirupam, further clarified that his party would not support Senas mayor even though the latter had sought their help. But, Nirupam said that his party would explore other options like abstaining from the polls or putting up their own candidate. Both these options could indirectly help to reduce the numbers required to get the mayor elected, making role of smaller parties even more important. In such a scenario, how NCP and MNS play their cards would become crucial. The Samajwadi Party told HT that they would not support either of the saffron allies, with its six corporators expected to walk out during the mayoral election. The AIMIM is expected to do the same. In such a scenario, if NCP decides to abstain from voting like the Congress and MNS supports BJP, the latter could have a seat tally of one more than the Sena. MNS has not revealed its cards yet though the BJP leaders feel that Raj Thackeray is more likely to support the BJP than the Sena, as the latter had snubbed his offer for a tie-up before the elections. While NCP has officially said that they would not support either BJP or the Sena in its bid for the mayors post, senior leaders told HT that the party would definitely not support the BJP in this bid. `We are sure that we will not support the BJP. Let Congress spell out their decision and then we will take a call. Currently, it also looks like both BJP and Sena will work out a compromise. Who will want to lose the state for the city?, said a senior NCP leader. He was referring to Chavans statement that challenged Sena to walk out of the BJP-led government to secure its own mayor in BMC. Union BJP minister Nitin Gadkari cautioned the Sena about falling into Congress trap saying the party was trying to unstabalise the BJP-led government in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena Chief Uddhav Thackeray had a meeting with senior Sena leaders and newly-elected corporators at the partys headquarters at Shiv Sena Bhavan, Dadar. He, however, said the meeting was procedural and there was no discussion about the mayoral candidates or election. Todays meeting was just to speak to the elected corporators, inform them about their duties and responsibilities in the BMC. Several of them are first-time corporators so there should not be any technical errors on their part, Thackeray said. He added, he will speak about the mayoral election when the party makes a decision. Mumbai civic polls: Split Marathi votes may have cost Shiv Sena in 38 wards After the Supreme Court postponed the hearing of a petition to include Urdu as a language for the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET), students from Urdu medium junior colleges across Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have requested the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to extend the date of registration. As of now, the deadline for registrations is March 1. The apex court had refused to hear the plea of urgency motion and postponed the hearing till March 3. Since the SC will hear our case only on March 3, we are trying to convince officials at the CBSE and the Medical Council of India (MCI) to postpone the deadline for registrations by a few days, said Mohammed Ali Shaikh of Students Islamic Organisation (SIO). While close to 40,000 Urdu-medium junior college students from Maharashtra are fighting for the inclusion, students from other states such as Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have also joined the cause. Until 2015, Maharashtra conducted a common entrance test (MH-CET) for admission to health science courses in various languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati and Urdu. In April 2015, the SC made NEET compulsory for admissions to all medical and dental courses. After the court order, the Maharashtra government scrapped CET, making NEET the only entrance test for admission to medical institutes in Maharashtra. With the help of some seniors, weve also managed to get NCERT books translated in Urdu, and yet we cant appear for NEET in our language. Surprisingly, there are no NCERT books in languages such as Kannada, Oriya or Assamese, but still students can appear for the medical test in these languages, said Arif Sheikh, a Class 12 student from Mahim. While students are sending memorandums to the CBSE and the MCI, a delegation of students is trying to meet the minister of minority affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, in Delhi on Monday. This is selective discrimination and we want authorities to know about it, added Shaikh. For fair chance Initially, the Central Board of Secondary Examinations (CBSE) made it clear that the NEET 2017 will be held in eight languages, including English, in the last week of January, they added two more languages to the list Now, the NEET-2017 will be held in English, Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil, Telugu, Assamese, Bengali, Kannada and Oriya Despite repeated requests by the Students Islamic Organisation and other state government officials, Urdu was not included in the list Officials also said one reason for not including several regional languages was because the study material based on NCERT syllabus to prepare for NEET is only available in English and Hindi The SIO, however, is still demanding that Urdu medium students get a fair chance Also read: Young have more grasping ability: MCI to SC on age limit for NEET candidates SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A team from the Forensic Science Lab (FSL) in Lucknow has seized 19 CPUs and network servers of WebWorks Trade Links Pvt Ltd the company that has been accused of duping thousands through online Ponzi schemes. The directors of the company Anurag Garg and Sandesh Verma are in police remand since Wednesday. Anil Pratap Singh, a police officer connected with the investigation,said, An FSL team has conducted seizures in the firms Sector 2 office in Noida on Friday. They have taken with them 19 CPUs and also froze the network servers for further investigation. Interrogations so far have revealed that the directors had invested money from their erstwhile real estate business, and had extended handsome benefits to many of their family members by including them in the top echelons of the Ponzi scheme, the officer said. The seized hard drives can provide a wide range of data to the police, leading to further revelations about the business and its investors. The two directors have been accused of duping people through an online Ponzi scheme along the lines of the scheme floated by Ablaze Info Solutions Private Limited, whose director Anubhav Mittal too was recently arrested on charges of swindling over Rs 3,700 crore from nearly 7 lakh people. Meanwhile, complaints of a fraud along similar lines have surfaced against another firm named AddsWork. The complaints have been filed at the DIG office in Meerut. It is estimated that more than 10,000 people have invested in the firm, sources said. Some victims of the fraud have approached DIG office in Meerut on Friday, who has assured them that the police will look into the matter. The special investigating team (SIT) constituted to probe Ablaze Info Solutions Private Limited is also investigating the dealings of more than a dozen companies/firms engaged in the cashback business. According to SIT officials, such firms were paid for providing services that never existed. Locals from Bhojpur went on a rampage after cattle remains were discovered in one of the fields on Saturday morning. The protesters also damaged a bus, a light commercial vehicle and several motorbikes before the police arrived and pacified them. The incident took place on Saturday morning at Abalpur after the remains of a slaughtered cattle were found in a field of wheat owned by one Om Prakash. Later, the villagers arrived there and staged a protest against cattle slaughter. The police said a bus that was headed towards Dasna-Masuri was targeted by the protesters who broke its window panes. We reached the spot and pacified the locals. A bull which roamed around the area was slaughtered. We called up the veterinary doctor for ascertaining if it indeed were cattle remains. We have also lodged an FIR against unidentified persons and police teams are on the lookout for culprits, said Devendra Mishra, circle officer, Modi Nagar. Hindu outfit blocks traffic over cow slaughter in Ghaziabad According to sources, nearly four bus passengers suffered minor injuries, while the others fled to nearby fields. The protesters also damaged a bike and light commercial vehicle. The protesters were majorly young men from the village. Pradhans from nearby villages also arrived and pacified the crowd, Mishra said. In yet another incident late Friday, some miscreants torched the motorbike of a man from Khindora as they suspected him to be involved in cattle trading for slaughter. (HT PHOTO) In yet another incident late Friday, some miscreants torched the motorbike of a man from Khindora. They suspected that the vehicle owner was involved in the sale and purchase of cattle allegedly meant for slaughter. We sent police teams to the spot. Some persons used petrol and set it afire. We have also lodged an FIR against unidentified persons in this incident as well. Someone in the area spread a rumour that the man was involved in cattle trading and youths went on a rampage, Mishra said. The discovery of cattle remains is a frequent occurrence in Ghaziabad district. Recently, Sikandarpur area of Sahibabad had reported many such incidents. On February 13, members of the Hindu Raksha Dal and locals staged a protest and also blocked the for a brief period after remains of slaughtered cattle was found in Sikandarpur in Sahibabad. The protesters alleged that the remains were of a cow and demanded strict action against the culprits. In an incident in January 2016, cattle remains were found in the same area and the incident also evoked protests. In December 2015, an animal slaughter allegedly took place in Sikandarpur. Following protests, staff of three PCR vans and the sub-inspector of Tulsi Niketan police post were suspended. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON A Ghaziabad court on Friday criticised the UP police for levying sections of forgery in an FIR lodged against Mohit Goel, former managing director (MD) of Ringing Bells, a company that had shot into the limelight after announcing Freedom 251 -- the cheapest smartphones priced at Rs 251. Late on Thursday night, the police arrested Goel on charges of cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy over an alleged payment dispute. An FIR was lodged by the companys distributor at Sihani Gate police station on Wednesday. Complainant Akshay Malhotra alleged that Goels firm could not pay a balance of Rs 16 lakh as a final amount due to him. He said they could not deliver phones and accessories and kept on lingering the matter for nearly a year.. Goel was arrested and produced before a Ghaziabad court on Friday afternoon. Read: Freedom 251: Mohit Goel blames arrest on conspiracy to throw him out of business The judicial magistrate during the hearing sought replies from the investigating officer and the reasons for levying non-bailable sections of forgery in the FIR. The court reserved judgment for Saturday. Mohit will be in a days judicial custody till he appears again on Saturday morning. In our arguments, we maintained before the court that the case under sections of forgery is not made out as there is nothing on record to show forgery. Even my client had no ill intention as we earlier paid him a part of the amount from total of Rs 30 lakh, said DM Bhalla, a Supreme Court advocate appearing for Goel. We had made a settlement with the distributor in January and this was concealed in the FIR. The cops could not present facts before the court even as the magistrate repeatedly asked them to produce documents which were forged, he added. During the arguments, complainant Akshay Malhotra appeared before the court and said he had no objection if Goel pays up the balance amount. The magistrate criticised the UP cops for levying the non-bailable sections of forgery to the FIR and asked whether the investigating officer had any evidence on record. Apart from the investigation officer, other officials from the Sihani Gate police station reached before the court and tried to explain their views. Apart from Goel, the FIR also names present managing director and his brother, Anmol Goel, Mohit Goels wife Dharna Garg who resigned eight months back as CEO of Ringing Bells, companys general manager Sumit Kumar, and Mohits partner Ashok Chaddha. Chadha and Mohit are now officials of a new firm. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two gunmen on a motorcycle killed a man and his son, both local organisers for the Sirsa-headquartered Dera Sacha Sauda, at a congregation centre in Jagera village near Malaudh on Saturday. Prime facie, the crime appears to be an offshoot of the ongoing conflict between the dera and Sikh radical elements, Punjab director general of police (DGP) Suresh Arora told Hindustan Times. Police said Satpal Kumar (65) and Ramesh (35), residents of neighbouring Ahmadgarh, were shot while they were visiting a canteen being run at the naam charcha ghar around 7 pm. Khanna superintendent of police Satnam Singh told a news agency that they died on the spot. Gunman inside the canteen. (CCTV grab) At least four cartridges of .32-bore revolver were recovered from the spot. We are examining footage from CCTVs installed around the crime scene to trace the accused, the officer said. Watch: CCTV footage of gunmen shooting at Dera Sacha Sauda followers in Khanna, Punjab However, Malaudh station house officer Ravinder Kumar did not subscribe to the view that Sikh radicals were behind the murders. It may be a case of personal rivalry because the killers targeted only Satpal and his son, and did not hurt the other dera followers at the spot, said Kumar. Dera followers and Sikh radicals have been at loggerheads since 2007, when Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh the leader of the sect allegedly dressed up as Sikh saint Guru Gobind Singh. Violent clashes followed, and the Akal Takht even issued an edict that Sikhs must boycott the dera head over his blasphemous act. The shooting of Satpal and Ramesh is the first incident of the kind to occur after the Punjab assembly polls on February 4, for which the dera leadership extended open support to the incumbent alliance of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party. The ruling party leaders, in turn, promised to arrange congregations for the dera head in Punjab after a gap of almost 10 years. This violation of the Takht edict by the SAD further infuriated Sikh hardliners. On January 31, Congress candidate Harminder Singh Jassi a relative of the dera head barely escaped death after alleged radicals set off twin blasts during an election campaign at Maur in Bathinda district. The incident, however, claimed the lives of six others. Read | Sikh hardliners booked for disruption at Dera Sacha Sauda congregation, probe on Clash in Ferozepur district Hours before the Khanna shooting, Sikh radicals disrupted a congregation of the dera at Makhu town in Zira sub-division of Ferozepur district. A week before that, also in Makhu, police had registered a case against 25 radicals for a similar disruption. No control on crime Several killings linked with religious or religio-political leaders have remained unsolved in Punjab 2017 Jan 31: Six persons killed in twin IED blasts at poll campaign roadshow of Cong candidate Harminder Singh Jassi, a relative of the Dera Sacha Sauda chief, at Maur in Bathinda 2016 Aug 6: Punjab RSS vice-president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) shot by two unidentified men in Jalandhar May 17: Over 20 heavily armed assailants open fire at Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwales cavalcade near Ludhiana; his follower killed Apr 23: Two bike-borne assailants gun down Durga Prasad Gupta, leader of a Punjab Shiv Sena faction, at Khanna Apr 4: Two bike-borne assailants kill Namdhari sect matriarch Chand Kaur at Bhaini Sahib near Ludhiana Read | Not happy as Chand Kaur, Gagneja cases unsolved: Punjab DGP On papers, the Focal Point police post in Moga doesnt have an electricity connection, but cops here enjoyed the comfort of air-conditioner in summer and heaters in the winter. The cops stole power directly from the overhead transmission lines through a kundi connection to run the appliances. The theft case came to light when a Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) team led by a sub-divisional officer (SDO) Neeraj Piplani raided the Focal Point police post and found that electricity was being tapped illegally directly from the overhead low-tension (LT) transmission lines. The raid was conducted on a tip-off. PSPCL officials said no electricity meter was installed at the police post and electrical appliances, including air-conditioner (AC), heaters, tube lights, fans, and inverter, were being operated on the stolen power. Sources in the police department said the police post was not even entitled to install air-condtioner or heater. The team has videographed the raid and confiscated the illegal wires being used for connecting with the overhead wires, after snapping the power connection. Sources said after the raid, police post in-charge Ram Lubhaya went to the electricity department office, requesting approval to electricity connection. When power officials asked him to sign the theft report, he left the office with a long face. We have got information that the cops have again installed the kundi connection at the post. We will send a team to check, power officials said. SDO Piplani said a report is being prepared to calculate the penalty that can be imposed on the police. A decision will be taken as per the provisions of the Electricity Act. A letter will be dispatched to the anti-theft police station at Ludhiana for the registration of a first information report (FIR) against the officials concerned, he said. Meanwhile, sources said penalty is generally twice the value of power tariff for a period of one year, besides compounding charges 3,000 per KW. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Punjab and Haryana high court has allowed the Punjab Vigilance Bureau to open a 2007 complaint against former sub divisional officer (SDO) of the Ludhiana municipal corporation whereby he was accused of amassing assets disproportionate to his known source of income. The HC bench of justice Kuldip Singh was hearing a plea of Santosh Kumar, ex-SDO, who had approached court in 2007 alleging victimisation claiming that he had been probed several times but exonerated in each probe but VB had again initiated an inquiry. The HC had stayed proceedings on the complaint the same year. He retired in 2010. In 2005-06, he was probed thrice for amassing alleged disproportionate assets but got a clean chit in every probe. He was accused of having a dairy farm on 2,000 yards and with 200 cows and tyre-tube factorywith annual turnover of Rs 2 crore. In the 2007 complaint, fresh allegations were levelled against him of having an apple orchard worth Rs 80 Lakh in Himachal Pradesh and starting a liquor unit with a cost of Rs 1 crore in Samrala, in which his wife was the managing director. The bench said allegations of having dairy farm and tyre-tube factory had been already investigated. Hence, the same cannot be re-investigated . It said allegations of orchard and liquor unit are new which were never inquired. The allegations are of amassing the properties worth crores and this court, at this stage, cannot say that the complaint is false and that the inquiry is malicious, the bench said, allowing the VB to probe the allegations and complete the probe within six months. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Punjabs rural development secretary SR Ladhar has discovered a new way of earning money and, perhaps, some fame. Field officers of his department have been asked by him, orally, to sell two copies each of his book autobiography-cum-memoirs in Punjabi to all 13,040 panchayats of the state. The book, entitled Sherni da Dudh or Lioness Milk, is priced at Rs 150. On its back cover, it says the book starts a new genre of writing in Punjabi. If each elected village body buys two copies, Ladhar, 58, an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Punjab cadre, would garner Rs 39 lakh. All district development and panchayat officers (DDPOs), who have got the directions, are yet to receive the copies, but have already conveyed to block officers to sell these to the sarpanch or the panchayat secretary concerned. SR Ladhar, IAS officer of the 1991 batch. (HT Photo) At least one DDPO posted in a district of Malwa region has refused to follow the instructions, even as these have been made by Ladhars office and, in many cases, by the officer himself, sources said. At least six DDPOs from different districts contacted by HT confirmed, on the condition of anonymity, that they have been asked to sell the book that was released in January this year by former chief election commissioner of India SY Qureshi. The book does not have any direct link with rural development, but is based on Ladhars personal experience in the government sector where he started his journey as a sub-divisional officer (SDO) and got to the IAS in 1991. Ladhar, when contacted, denied having issued any orders regarding promotion of his book. However, since my book has been a great hit, I have received a lot of queries from my department as well. Many officers have voluntarily decided to buy the book, he said. Its not for the first time that the officer has reportedly misused authority to make personal monetary gains. While posted as divisional commissioner in Jalandhar in 2006, Ladhar had charged fee for conducting arbitration in various cases of disputes between private parties and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) regarding land acquisition. He had gathered Rs 3 crore. In October 2012, after HT busted the scam and the matter reached the Punjab and Haryana high court, the state government asked Ladhar to return the money with interest. By August last, he was yet to return around Rs 1 crore. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Chautala had a sleepless night in Patiala Central Jail, as the jail officials, in bid to avoid any controversy, didnt give him any VIP treatment. Chautala, along with 72 other INLD leaders, were given food and other facilities, alike other jail inmates. After being presented in the court of sub-divisional magistrate Harpreet Sudan under the Sections 107 (security for keeping the peace in other cases) and 151(arrest to prevent the commission of cognizable offences) of the Code Of Criminal Procedure, Chautala and others were sent to judicial custody till February 27. Chautala was shifted from Rajpura to Patiala at around 10pm, where INLD workers were moved to three barracks. Also read | SYL march: Abhay Chautala, 73 other INLD leaders jailed Chautala also slept on ground like other inmates, and was given food as per jail manual. He, however, had a sleepless night. The jail administration also conducted medical tests of all INLD workers who were arrested for entering Punjab to dig Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal on Thursday evening. A large number of Chautalas supporters arrived in Patiala on Friday, but jail administration didnt allow them to meet Chautala or others. However the jail officials handed over the daily use items to Chautala and other arrested leaders, given by the visiting INLD workers. There is no provision to provide special treatment to any inmate. As per manual, INLD leaders were given jail cooked breakfast, and Chautala ate chapattis and dal in the afternoon. He also requested for newspapers, which were provided to him, said a jail official. Jail superintendent Bhupinder Singh said that as jail manual does not allow any meeting on holidays, thus no one was allowed to meet INLD leaders. He said that the medical has been conducted of all INLD workers, and few of them asked for medicines, which were provided. Meanwhile, it is said that INLD leader OP Chautala, who is on parole, is likely to visit the arrested leaders on Saturday. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan has been made functional and the government has allowed its holy water to be exported. The water from this well is like what Aab-i-Zamzam is to Muslims. Now, the well has been shaped and a filtration plant has been set up over it so that Sikh devotees can drink the water, The Dawn quoted Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) chairman Siddiqul Farooq, as saying to a Senate committee on Friday. The well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan (Photo: YouTube grab) Farooq said three ancient gurdwaras visited by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, have also been reopened. The doors of these gurdwaras one in Peshawar and two in the Nankana Sahib district were closed after the Partition, and now they have been handed over to the Sikh community after renovation, he said, adding, The most considerable achievement is the opening of the holy well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Its water is called Amrit Jal by the Sikhs, and the government has allowed for the water to be exported all over the world. He said Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Nankana Sahib is where Guru Nanak is believed to have spent the final years of his life. The committee was informed that the government is in the process of allowing the printing of the Sikh religious text Gurugranth Sahib. Committee chairman senator Hafiz Hamdullah asked during the ETPB officials briefing why the gurdwaras and the holy well had been closed for so many years. Instead of addressing the question, officials from the ministry of religious affairs, including minister Sardar Mohammad Yousuf, secretary Khalid Masood and ETPB officials remained silent. To this, Hamdullah said it was not the right path to keep anyone from following their religion. We need to be considerate and facilitate, as much as possible, the members of other religious to worship at their temples or gurdwaras or churches. Whatever the reason for their closure, we should try to maintain them and hand them over to the community concerned , he said. Jharkhand forest officials have rescued a critically endangered Pangolin, protected under schedule-1 of wildlife protection Act, 1972, from a Ranchi village. The fully-grown Pangolin, known as Bajrakit in local language, was sent to Ranchi zoo for its care. This is the second incident of a Pangolin rescue from Ranchi. The first one had been rescued in 2013 but the species could not survive due to heavy injury. We rescued the species from Lapra village in Ranchis McCluskieganj area. People from Birhor community caught it at the periphery of Burmu forest, said forest ranger Biswanath Prasad, adding, Pangolin is considered to be one of the rarest animals in the world. Once found in abundance, the population of Pangolin has dwindled fast across India due to its large scale poaching. The species is poached mainly for its meat, scales and skins. Several communities in Jharkhand eat the meat of Pangolin and they sell its scales in lthe ocal market. The scales are used to make rings and charms, while the skin is used for manufacture of leather goods, said DS Srivastava, state wildlife board member. He said the pangolins are also valued as source of medicine in international market. The rescued nocturnal mammal, which is around 120cm from head to tail, has been kept under special observation at Bhagwan Birsa Biological Park, known as Ranchi zoo. We tried to give it a natural habitat in an enclosure that had been built for porcupines. Natural food such as red ant and termites is being given to it, Ranchi zoo veterinarian Dr Ajay Kumar said. Kumar said, the central zoo authority has a special focus on increasing the population of Pangolin in India. A government sponsored breeding centre has been set up at Nandan Kanan zoo in Odisha to conserve Pangolin. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Noting how a fellow actor who was recently assaulted in a car has already resumed work, Malayalam film star Prithviraj has penned an inspiring Facebook post on women and their courage to face the challenges thrown at them in life. Prithviraj and the actor are working together in an upcoming film, Adam. The Urumi star begins the post by expressing his wonder at the marvel called woman, and salutes his mother and his wife for the difference they have made in his life. He then moves on to speak of the courage shown by his co-star, who decided to shrug aside the trauma caused by the attack to resume shooting for the movie. Expounding on the experience, Prithviraj writes: And today as my dear friend walks into the sets to kickstart the shooting of her new film Adam, I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today she makes a statement a statement that will echo through time, space and gender that no one and no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks across the world. A statement that you, my friend, are making in a million unheard voices! He then goes on to confess how he has also mouthed sexist comments in his films, but vows never to do so again. NEVER AGAIN never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Read the complete post here: Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Phaya Gyi, 26, had managed to hide her love affair with the strapping young Maratha Gopal Sawant for several months. It was only after the birth of their daughter, Tutu, that her parents learnt of the alliance. How could this be, they lamented she, a princess, and he, a mere gatekeeper at the royal residence? All stories start with a king. This one, however, must begin with a princess. A princess of pure royal blood; born out of a marriage between a king and his step sister; a princess with kohl rimmed eyes, long, straight hair, and a heart full of sorrow and longing. A picture of the four princesses. The First Princess (second from left) lived in Ratnagiri. (Picture courtesy: The King in Exile: The Fall of the Royal Family of Burma (Harper Collins), Sudha Shah) This princess was the eldest daughter of King Thibaw, the last king of Burma, who was exiled by the British in 1885. The royal family the king, his two queens, and four daughters were banished to the coastal town of Ratnagiri in Maharashtra. Thibaw, or Thiba Raja( as the king was known locally) lived here for over three decades. He died in 1916, and was entombed with his junior queen. By 1919, however, the royal family left for Myanmar, never to turn back. Except Princess Phaya, who pleaded to be sent back. Eventually, despite the royal familys opposition, Phaya and her half-caste daughter, Tutu, were sent back to Ratnagiri, where the two lived for the rest of their lives. So why is the town having a hard time remembering its princess? The lost royals Inside the modest house of Chandrakant Pawar, 74, the grandson of Phaya, the search for a suitable explanation is on. The family of Chandu, as Chandrakant is known here, is engrossed in an animated discussion with a local reporter who is trying hard to piece together the details of the Pawar familys past. What was Phaya like? Did Tutu speak about her? What about life in the palace? The questions are flying thick and fast. The family of Chandrakant Pawar in Ratnagiri. The couple (his wife Urmila on the right) poses with a picture of King Thibaw and his queen Supayalat. The frame is a gift from Chandrakants cousins in Myanmar. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) No one came looking for us before, the family claims, as they grapple with the answers. Unable to dish out historically accurate details, they hand out the Marathi translation of the book titled The King in Exile: The Fall of the Royal Family of Burma to their visitors. Published in 2012, The King... is author Sudha Shahs detailed account of the life of the Burmese royals in and after exile and is based on extensive research on the Burmese royal family in India and Myanmar. Chandu, one of Tutus eleven children, who works as an auto mechanic, says that his mother hardly spoke about her past. It must have been a difficult subject for Tutu; the kings grand daughter who married a local man in Ratnagiri, grew up in poverty, had no education, and was never accepted by her father. King Thibaw who was exiled to Ratnagiri by the British in 1885. He lived there for over three decades and died in 1916. He and his junior queen have been entombed in Ratnagiri. According to Shahs book, Phaya had known that Gopal was already married, and she would never get to be his wife. But since she had felt cornered and judged for her choices in Burma too, she decided to return to Ratnagiri, says Shah, who lives in Mumbai. Life in Ratnagiri was no bed of roses either: Gopal bought a house for Phaya, but he would go on to squander her pension (that she received from the British). This pension, says Shah, was significantly less than what Phayas sisters got because unlike her, they were married. Author Sudha Shah who has written a book on the fall of the royal family of Burma. For her work on the subject, Shah has been felicitated with a medal by commander- in-chief of Myanmars armed forces. (Hindustan Times) Consequently, Phaya and her daughter Tutu spent their life in poverty Chandu and Malti More, one of Tutus daughters, recall that their mother made paper flowers to get by. The stigma of being half-caste and illegitimate also took its toll on Tutu, who, Shah says, shared a difficult relationship with her mother. Despite the financial strain, Tutu was known as a kind woman who spoke good Marathi and a smattering of Burmese, and gave shelter to unwanted children in town. The goodwill didnt work for her though: towards the fag end of her life, Tutu was turned out of her house by her landlord and ended up spending a couple of nights on the street before Chandus family took her in. Ankita, the great grand daughter of Tutu (Phayas daughter) points to a picture of Tutu, who spent her life in penury. On her left is Tutus husband, Shankar Pawar, and on her right is her father Gopal Sawant and grandfather, king Thibaw. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) For Tutus children in Ratnagiri, life became a tad less ordinary only in the recent past, after there was a revival of interest in the royal legacy in 2012, post the end of military rule in Myanmar. More recently, in December 2016, a few state dignitaries and descendants of the royal family in Myanmar visited King Thibaws tomb in Ratnagiri to mark his death centenary. Aside of rekindling relations between the royal cousins,the visit also gave credence to plans of taking the Kings tomb to Burma. A contentious legacy In Ratnagiri, however, the family is divided over these plans. Pradip Bhonsle, 58, Tutus grandson, reasons that its best that the Kings remains are taken away to Myanmar. For a town that did not care for his grandmother she chose to stay back despite the offer from the Burmese monks to take her back Pradip feels that the remains dont hold much meaning. The family of Tutus daughter Malti More (in yellow sari). Her son Mangesh feels that they are only namesake royals and have been ignored for all these years. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) But Mangesh More, Maltis son, disagrees. How can they take away his remains? It is part of our legacy too..!, says Mangesh, who drives an auto-rickshaw to make a living. For all these years, the kings descendants in Ratnagiri have been ignored, and now, Mangesh and his mother feel that their stake in Thibaws legacy must be recognised. Just like our cousins from Burma came here, we also want to visit the Mandalay palace in Myanmar. We have heard its very beautiful. But we dont have the money to visit Myanmar; perhaps the government, or our cousins, should make the arrangements for us, he says. The families, however, are not the only stakeholders in the royal legacy. The state government too, has had its interests the Thibaw palace building has served as a government office, and a sub-centre of the Bombay University, before the state archaeology department took over in 1999. Read:India should tell Burma to end Rohingya abuses The interiors of the Thibaw palace. Locals say that the building has been neglected for years. It has served as a government office and a sub-centre of the Bombay University, before the state archaeology department took over in 1999. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) If the town has not forgotten the palace and the tomb, it has also not remembered to take good care of them locals point to the palaces creaking staircases made of Burmese teak, its crumbling walls, the cobwebs that run along its ceilings, the bird droppings that line its floors, and its haunted presence next to a beach. But if the district government hasnt cared very much for its filth-lined beaches, what chance do the crumbling walls of a palace have; the palace of a king who never ruled here? Unlike Shivaji, Thibaw didnt fight the British. So the town doesnt have much connect with his heritage, says Nitin Kanvinde, director, Ratnagiri Arts Circle. Kanvinde, who runs an annual arts festival at the palace the only time the building is lit up and comes to life feels that the government ought to turn it into a public space for residents. The Thibaw palace is lit up for an annual arts festival organised by the Ratnagiri Arts Circle. The festival is being held since 2008, and is perhaps the only occasion when the decrepit palace comes to life. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) Apart from the narrative of neglect, the towns residents also rue the governments move to rename the road that leads to the palace (earlier known as the Thibaw Palace road) after a local BJP leader, Dr J S Kedekar. We didnt like it; if the king didnt do anything for us, neither did Dr J S Kedekar, says a resident, who didnt wish to be named. Read:India welcomes Myanmar's Suu Kyi-led transition towards democracy Locals are not just possessive about the road, but the kings belongings too. Objects from the palace can be found in some of their homes; you can look at a set of twin silver peacocks in one, and a couple of wooden cabinets and almirahs in another. The set of twin silver peacocks in the house of advocate Pradip Parulekar. These, says Parulekar, were gifted by the king to his grandfather who was the kings lawyer. (Gurinder Osan/HT PHOTO) You might have to wait, though, if you want to see the royal jewels that are resting safely in the bank locker of local advocate, Pradip Parulekar. Or, if you wanted to see the box of Princess Phayas ashes, which is nowhere to be found. (Unlike the king, whose mortal remains are kept in a coffin, the princess was cremated, and her ashes were kept in a box). Even inside the palace, at the King Thibaw gallery, I notice that a portrait of the princess is conspicuous by its absence. Outside the palace, Nitin tells me: More than the king, we owe it to Phaya; she was the one who came back, and made this town her home. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON In September 2006, Parvez Ahmed Radoo, son of a college professor, left home in Kashmir to pursue a PhD in Pune. He had already completed his post-graduation in Zoology from the University of Pune. Radoo took a flight to Delhi, and was scheduled to travel on to Pune. But officers of the Special Cell of Delhi police detained and subsequently arrested Radoo for being a Jaish-e-Mohammad operative, and accused him of being in the national capital with the intention of carrying out terror attacks. He would spend the next seven years in prison before being acquitted by a trial court. In a letter written during his captivity in Tihar, Radoo laments, The Special Cell actually wanted to show me before the media and tell them that they had arrested a person (terrorist) who had arrived in Delhi to explode bombs on the occasion of Deepawali. How they were befooling their public. Unfortunately, Radoos is not a one-off case of the police picking up the wrong man and then trying to pass him off as a terror accused. Earlier this month, a Delhi court acquitted two of the three accused Mohammad Rafiq Shah and Mohammad Hussain Fazili in the 2005 Delhi serial blasts case for want of evidence. The court observed that the Delhi Police had miserably failed to prove the charges. Last year, nine accused in the 2006 blasts in Maharashtras Malegaon were acquitted by a special court. Proof is in the numbers In 2015 the Jamia Teachers Solidarity Association released the second edition of Framed, Damned, Acquitted: Dossiers of a Very Special Cell. The report gave details of 24 terror cases in which the accused had been arrested by officers of the Special Cell, but had been acquitted by the court for want of evidence. In the preface to the first edition released in 2012, the Association says that the cases being reported by it were only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. There are two crimes being committed here. One is the act of arresting someone on a suspicion of fact to satiate the sense of law and order and the second is the incomplete act of investigation, says sociologist Shiv Visvanathan. There were serial blasts in Delhi in 2005. But who were the real perpetrators? Those in the police force are unwilling to admit that an acquittal means that the wrong person was charged. An acquittal only means that the evidence didnt pass judicial scrutiny, says an officer of Delhi Police. That can hardly have been the case with Mohammad Rafiq Shah, who had been pleading with the police ever since being detained in 2005 that he was at university in Kashmir at the time of the 2005 blasts and had been writing an examination paper, as his attendance record and the statements of his professors have since proved to be true. A case of prejudice? There is a bias. You need a target. The ritual of law and order has to be completed. Stereotypes help. If you have an unemployed Muslim youth, bearded, Kashmiri, as your accused, he is easily accepted as the perpetrator of the crime. It is the accompanying acts to terror that are often more frightening than terror, says Visvanathan. My work shows me that there is not an individual bias, but an institutional bias, says advocate Vrinda Grover The bias, feels advocate Vrinda Grover, is so deep-seated that we are unwilling to even admit that it is there. My work shows me that there is not an individual bias, but an institutional bias, says Grover. Terror cases, feel many defence lawyers, see an easy manifestation of inherent biases. These cases are more in the public eye. There is a pressure on the police to deliver. People belonging to the minority community are targeted. The arrests make headlines, the cops get medals, but when it is proved in court that the accused is innocent, I dont see the medals being taken back, says lawyer Kamini Jaiswal. Mohammad Hussain Fazili with his father Ghulam Rasool Fazili and mother Fatima at his home in Buchpora on the outskirts of Srinagar a day after coming back from Delhi. He was recently acquitted in the 2005 Delhi blasts case. (Waseem Andrabu/HT) Lack of accountability Grover agrees that police accountability is necessary. I have found that the rigour of investigation is inversely proportional to the gravity of the case. The police have to be held accountable, she insists. Grover gives the example of the Akshardham temple attack case where the Supreme Court had rapped the investigating agencies by saying, Before parting with the judgment, we intend to express our anguish about the incompetence with which the investigating agencies conducted the investigation of the case of such a grievous nature... Instead of booking the real culprits...the police caught innocent people... . Read: After freedom, the fight for justice On a personal level, Irshad Ali, who was falsely accused of being an Al-Badr terrorist in 2006, has taken a stand. In January 2017, he filed a case in the Delhi High Court urging it to order the CBI to re-open their closure report in which they had recommended that police officers who had framed him be booked for criminal conspiracy. The hearing is due in March. But often, the person is too broken by the years in custody to think of getting back at the system. Radoo, in his letter written from Tihar, mentions being given electric shocks. Torture physical and mental is part of the nightmare years spent by every innocent behind bars. In the Akshardham case for example, one of the accused, Mufti Abdul Qayum, who was on death row, said he had been forced to sign the confessional statement prepared by the police under coercion. The law says that an accused is innocent till proven guilty, but in the case of a terror accused, he becomes guilty till proven innocent, says lawyer Kamini Jaiswal Mohammad Aamir Khan, another innocent accused, who spent 14 years in custody before being acquitted, had said after his release, I would lie awake at night and often cry myself to sleep... I thought my entire life would pass within these walls. He has since co-authored a book on his experiences. Often it takes all of ones courage and determination to simply pick up the pieces of ones life and move on. There is hardly ever any rehabilitation by the state. The years of fighting for release take a financial toll on families, making it difficult to carry on the fight for justice. Guilty till proven innocent? It is because of the courts that many have finally managed to prove their innocence. But lawyer Kamini Jaiswal feels much depends on the judge. I remember in the Parliament attack case, one of the accused, a woman, used to sit and cry in court. The judge commented, Why are you crying now? Why didnt you think of the consequences before committing the crime? And this, before the verdict was out, says Jaiswal. The law says that an accused is innocent till proven guilty, but in the case of a terror accused, he becomes guilty till proven innocent. Not everyone agrees that the reason for so many poorly-investigated cases is bias in the investigating agencies.A retired officer of the National Investigation Agency, for example, blames it squarely on the incompetence of the state police. The selection of officers is poor. Investigation is not everyones cup of tea. There are also not enough good public prosecutors, says the officer. He too stresses on the need to hold officers accountable. Meanwhile, bias or bad investigation, the price of the cops mistake is paid by people like Radoo, Rafiq, Aamir and all the other innocent accused, whose lives and whose families lives have been torn apart by careless allegations. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Wednesday night murder of a young Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, in the US has merely strengthened the growing impression that politicians like American President Donald Trump are trying to promote hate. And this is precisely what the celebrated Iranian auteur, Asghar Farhadi, said in a video message to the UTAs United Voices rally on Friday afternoon. Farhadi - whose The Salesman is in the running for the best foreign language Oscar - told the 1500-strong gathering at Beverly Hills: It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a common show of unity to show its opposition. I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices. Filmmakers can break stereotypes around the world by turning their cameras to capture shared human qualities. In January, Farhadi who had earlier won an Oscar for A Separation - said that he would boycott the February 26 Oscars ceremony to protest Trumps travel ban on citizens from seven Muslim majority countries, including Iran. The United Voices rally also had video speeches from Jodie Foster, Keegan Michael-Key, Michael J Fox, UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer, and California Lieutenant-Governor Gavin Newsom. As reported in these columns, a rebel show of The Salesman has been planned on the night of February 26 to convey displeasure over the travel restriction. What is really interesting is that things have changed so much between 2003 and 2017, and here is an anecdote from the revolutionary documentary moviemaker, Michael Moore. When his Bowling for Columbine won the Oscar for the Best Documentary, it was a tense period in the US with the then American President, George Bush, having begun his carpet bombing and invasion of Baghdad. In a recent interview to The Hollywood Reporter, Moore said: When I finally got to the podium I just decided to give the same speech Id given the day before at the Spirit Awards. It was a hit on the beach in Santa Monica. I talked about making nonfiction films while we lived in fictitious times, with a president elected with fictitious results. I had gotten a standing ovation in Santa Monica. Michael Moores Bowling for Columbine won the Oscar for the Best Documentary in 2003. The Kodak Theatre (where the Oscars ceremony is held) is not the beach in Santa Monica with an audience full of tattoos. As soon as I said fictitious times and the fictitious election results, there was a cacophony of sound, primarily boos. I could barely hear myself speak. It was like I had ignited a riot. They struck up the band on me and the microphone started to lower to the stage. I was hustled off into the wings, pretty dazed. Moore was made to look like some kind of a traitor. And later that night, some television commentators said that this would be the end of Michael Moore. He would not be making any more movies. But Mr Moore made six more documentaries between 2003 and 2016 including his latest, Michael Moore in Trumpland. Happily, Farhadi is not in such murky waters. He has about the entire world walking with him. Even many from Trumpland! And let us not forget that there was one white man who tried to save the Indian on Wednesday. So, well, it is not doomsday. Not yet. Follow @htshowbiz for more ott:10:ht-entertainment_listing-desktop Six suspected militant of the banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) terror group were shot dead in Pakistans Punjab province, police said on Saturday. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Punjab police got a tip-off about the presence of LeJ member Yasin in Muzaffargarhs Patti Sultan, some 350 kms from here. Yasin along with his accomplices was planning to target offices of the law enforcement agencies in south Punjab, a senior officer said. A CTD team along with police raided the hideout of the terrorists yesterday and challenged them to surrender. Read more: India raises unprovoked firing, hunting near border at flag meeting with Pak The militants opened fire on the raiding team which returned the fire, killing six terrorists including Yasin, he said, adding that hand grenades and other weapons were recovered from the site. Last week, the CTD had shot dead 11 terrorists of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar in south Punjab. The CTD said the terrorists were planning to target shrines and law enforcement personnel. More than 100 people have been killed in a series of bombing in Lahore and other parts of the country carried out by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar during the last two weeks. Read more: Police bust Hizbul Mujahideen module influencing youth in Jammu and Kashmir A fierce blaze at a hotel in southeastern China killed 10 people, the official Xinhua news agency said in a post on its official microblog on Saturday. The fire broke out on Saturday morning at the hotel in the inland city of Nanchang, the capital of Chinas Jiangxi province, trapping people inside, including workers who were carrying out renovations on the building. Videos and photos on Chinese social media showed thick plumes of smoke coming from the hotel building and dozens of fire trucks and rescue workers on the scene. Firefighters try to put out a fire at HNA Hotel in Nanchang, Jiangxi province, February 25, 2017. (Reuters) Xinhua said one person had been injured jumping from a second floor window to escape and had been taken to hospital. Rescue work in the building was basically completed, said Xinhua, adding that initial probes suggested the cause of the fire was tools used to cut construction materials. The news agency added seven people had been detained by police while investigations continued. Deadly fires are not uncommon in China, where safety regulations are lax and fire exits often blocked. . US President Donald Trump rallied his loyal supporters with a stridently populist and security-dominated message on Friday, declaring the start of a new political era of action. The era of empty talk is over. Its over. Now is the time for action, Trump told battalions of conservatives gathered just outside Washington. A combative Trump deployed tough rhetoric on immigrants, crime and the media, as he wooed once-skeptical conservatives at their annual meeting. Read more: White House bars CNN, NYT, LA Times, BuzzFeed from press briefing With his Republican administration mired by multiple missteps and strong disapproval ratings, Trump tried to go on the offensive. He vowed to keep radical Islamic terrorists... the hell out of our country, again citing the examples of Sweden, Germany and France as places where immigration has led to crime, including the terror attacks in Paris and Nice. He was met by euphoric chants of USA, USA. Trump also renewed his evisceration of the fake media -- at length. They are the enemy of the people, because they have no sources. They just make em up when there are none, he said. Read more: Donald Trump signs order aimed at removing job-killing regulations Aviations engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotlas widow Sunayana Dumala may have spoken for every Indian in the US and, in fact, every immigrant in the politically charged atmosphere of the country, when she said on Friday: I have a question in my mind: Do we belong? Adam Purinton, a 51-year-old US Navy veteran who might have been too drunk to know his mind or woefully uninformed to make a considered choice, sought to settle that question for Dumala, fatally shooting her husband in cold blood on Wednesday and wounding his colleague, mistaking them for Middle Easterners. He shot and wounded another white man who tried to intervene. Authorities are investigating the killing as a possible hate crime. Addressing a news conference at Garmin, where Kuchibhotla had worked, Dumala said she planned to return to the US after the funeral in India. But before that, she added, I need an answerI need an answer from the government...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? But the White House dismissed any suggestion US President Donald Trumps rhetoric could have led to the killing, as has been suggested by some. Any loss of life is tragic, said press secretary Sean Spicer on Friday. But Im not going to get into, like, that kind of - to suggest that theres any correlation (to the president rhetoric) I think is a bit absurd. When Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, colleagues from the nearby headquarters of GPS major Garmin, settled down for a drink after work at a bar in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday, as they had done several times before, a white man came over. Where are you guys from? he asked them, Madasani related to Indian officials later, in an account of the evening that will likely remain etched in his mind his whole life. They ignored him. Are you from the Middle East? Purinton pressed them, and then told them to get out of my country. The two friends had decided by then to seek help from the bars management. Purinton was escorted out but he returned shortly and opened fire, killing Kuchibhotla. Madasani suffered bullet wounds and so did another patron, Ian Grillot, who tried to stop the shooter. He was shot in the hand and chest and has been celebrated as a hero by the Indian community here and back home. Purinton was apprehended miles away at another bar, in adjoining Missouri state, after he was heard bragging about shooting two Middle Easterners. He was charged with murder and attempted murder, according to police officials. The FBI joined the investigation but has not yet determined if it is a civil rights violation or a hate crime, which would make it a federal offence to be tried in a federal court and liable to federal penalty. Kuchibhotlas body is to be flown to New Jersey on Saturday, where it will remain for a day, according to officials, before its flown to India for the funeral. Dumala will take the body home, but she plans to return. She wants to come back to her home in Kansas, she said, to fulfil her husbands wishes for me being successful in any field I choose. US President Donald Trump on Saturday signed an executive order directing various wings of his administration to establish a regulatory reform task force in a bid to remove job-killing regulations and unleash economic opportunity. Today, this executive order directs each agency to establish a regulatory reform task force which will insure that every agency has a team of dedicated people to research all regulations that are unnecessary burdens and harmful to the economy and therefore harmful to the creation of jobs and business. Each task force will make recommendations to repeal and or simplify existing regulations, Trump said. Noting that the current regulations make it tough for the companies to do business, Trump assured companies of resolving this issue quickly. He signed a series of executive orders to make the US a business-friendly destination. This executive order is one of many ways were going to get real results when it comes to removing job-killing regulations and unleashing economic opportunity, he said. Trump has already issued an order which says that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. So that in itself is going to be tremendous, but what were doing is much more than even that. Every regulation should have to pass a simple test; does it make life better or safer for American workers or consumers? If the answer is no, we will be getting rid of it and getting rid of it quickly, he said. The US President said his administration will stop punishing companies for doing business in the United States. Its going to be absolutely just the opposite. Theyre gonna be incentivised for doing business in the United States, he said. Were working very hard to roll back the regulatory burden so that coal miners, factory workers, small business owners and so many others can grow their businesses and thrive. We cannot allow government to be an obstacle to government opportunity. We are going to bring back jobs and create more opportunities to prosper maybe more than ever before in our country, Trump said. Plans for the first contact between North Korea and the United States after President Donald Trump took office were cancelled after the US State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The talks, between senior North Korean foreign ministry envoy Choe Son Hui and former US officials, were scheduled to take place on March 1 and 2 in New York but were called off after Choe was denied a visa, the Journal said. It was not clear what led the State Department to deny the visa but North Koreas test-firing of a ballistic missile on Feb 12 and the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Uns half brother in Malaysia may have played a role, the report said. South Korean and US officials have said they believe North Korean agents assassinated Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of Kim Jong Un, on Feb 13. A US State Department official denied so-called track two discussions had been scheduled. The US government had no plans to engage in track 2 talks in New York, the official said, declining comment on individual visa cases. A South Korean foreign ministry official declined to comment on the report of the cancelled meeting in New York, saying the reported plan did not involve the US or South Korean government. The meeting in New York would have been the first time a senior North Korean envoy would visit the United States since 2011 and the first contact between US and North Korean representatives since Trump took office. Choe, director general for North American affairs at the Norths foreign ministry, has previously met former US officials and academics, the last time in November in Geneva for informal discussions. Trump said in a Reuters interview on Thursday that he was concerned about North Koreas ballistic missile tests and its a very dangerous situation. Trump did not ruling out meeting Kim at some point in the future under certain circumstances but suggested it might be too late. The Indonesian woman who is one of the suspects in the killing of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns half brother said she was paid $90 for what she believed was a prank, an Indonesian official said on Saturday. Siti Aisyah also told authorities she did not want her parents to see her in custody, Andriano Erwin, Indonesias deputy ambassador to Malaysia, said one day after Malaysia revealed that VX nerve agent was used in the bizarre killing at Kuala Lumpurs airport. She doesnt want her family get sad to see her condition, Erwin said after a 30-minute meeting with Aisyah. She only delivered a message through us to her father and mother not to be worried and take care of their health. The public poisoning of Kim Jong Nam, which took place Feb. 13 amid crowds of travellers at the airport, appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim was dead within hours of the attack, in which two women went up behind him and appeared to smear something onto his face. Aisyah, 25, has said previously that she was duped into the attack, but Malaysian police say she and the other female suspect, a Vietnamese woman who also is in custody, knew what they were doing. Siti Aisyah, an Indonesian, was arrested in connection with the murder of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns half brother Kim Jong Nam. (Reuters file) The revelation that VX nerve agent killed Kim has boosted speculation that North Korea had dispatched a hit squad to Malaysia to kill Kim, whose younger half brother is Kim Jong Un. The thick, oily poison was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, experts say, and is banned under international treaties. North Korea, a prime suspect in the case, never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons programme. Though Kim Jong Nam was not an obvious political threat to his sibling, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the countrys dynastic dictatorship. Malaysia hasnt directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided the two women with poison. The four fled Malaysia shortly after the killing. On Saturday, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Senior police official Abdul Samah Mat, who is handling the investigation, did not specify what authorities found there, but said the items were being tested for traces of any chemicals. Kim Jong Nam, who had been living abroad for years, was approached by the two women on February 13 as he waited for a flight home to Macau. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to rub something onto his face before walking away in separate directions. The Islamic State group carried out an attack on an Iraqi border guard position near Jordan on Friday, killing at least 15 guards, officials said. Daesh launched an attack with a suicide car bomb and gunmen on the 2nd border guard regiment near Trebil, an officer in the border guard told AFP, using an Arabic acronym for IS. The attack came from several directions and killed 15 border guards, including two officers, he said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The border with Jordan lies in Anbar, a vast western province where IS fighters have lost most of their urban strongholds but continue to harass government forces. Border guards deployed near Jordan and Syria have been repeatedly attacked by the jihadists but Fridays attack was among the deadliest. An official in Rutba, the nearest town, confirmed the attack and the death toll. On the back foot in the northern city of Mosul, their last major stronghold in Iraq, IS jihadists have carried out a series of diversionary attacks elsewhere in the country. Since the launch of a massive offensive against Mosul on October 17 last year, they have staged deadly attacks on Kirkuk, in the Sinjar area, in Rutba as well as continued car bombings in Baghdad. Family and friends of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead at a Kansas city pub in an apparent hate crime held a vigil in his memory as they slowly came to terms with the spine-chilling incident. Love each other was the overarching theme as mourners filled the First Baptist Church of Olathe, Kansas. Visitors were greeted with solemn and spirit-filled musical numbers and prayers were offered by the families of 32-year-old Kuchibhotla, another Indian man and an American who were injured after a navy veteran man yelling get out of my country and terrorist opened fire on them in an apparent racially-motivated hate crime. Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Srinivas and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. There has been an outpouring of support for the victims of the Austins Bar & Grill shooting and fundraising too. Volunteers handed out candles as visitors stoically made their way into the churchs sanctuary. A group of employees gathered in front of bar after the vigil to offer moment of silence. None were ready to speak about the incident. Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe was charged on Thursday with first-degree murder in the death of Kuchibhotla. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot. Three separate gofundme campaigns were set up for the victims of the shooting. The first fund for Kuchibhotla, has raised approximately $402,000 from 11,000 donors in just one day. A joint fund for Kuchibhotla and his colleague, Alok Madasani, who was wounded in the attack has raised $60,000. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the US government to consider filing hate crime charges in order to send a strong message that violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities will not be tolerated, the Times reported. Purinton is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. The US Navy veteran who allegedly shot and killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injured his colleague Alok Madasani asked the two men if they were illegally living in America shortly before he opened fire. Adam Purinton, who was arrested hours after the shooting on Wednesday, had reportedly also told the Indian engineers, both employed by GPS major Garmin, to get out of my country before he began shooting. Purinton was sitting near the two men on the patio of Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe city of Kansas state when he began tossing ethnic slurs and suggesting that they did not belong in the US, customers were quoted as saying by The New York Times. He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally, Madasani told the Times. We didnt react, he said. People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level. Madasani went to get a manager and by the time he returned to the patio, Purinton was being escorted out. He was thrown out after other patrons complained. A short while later, Purinton came back in a rage and fired on the two Indians, authorities said. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Madasani, also 32, was injured along with 24-year-old man Ian Grillot, who tried to intervene. Madasani, who was released from hospital on Thursday, said he was recovering physically and mentally. Im definitely doing much better, but its not over yet, he said. Purinton, 51, was caught in neighbouring Missouri state and extradited to Kansas on Friday. He was charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. US federal and local authorities are investigating the shooting as a possible hate crime. The attack has raised new alarms about the hostility toward foreigners in the US after President Donald Trump made clamping down on immigration a key part of his America first agenda. But the Trump administration has rejected the notion that there could be a connection between the shooting and its efforts to tackle immigration. The attack has also caused anxiety among Indian techies working in the US. Kuchibhotla and Madasani studied in the US and were working on H-1B visas. People are devastated, Somil Chandwani, a friend of the two victims who lives in Overland Park, Kansas, told the Times. I wouldnt say they are angry. They have a sense of insecurity at the moment. People are trying to find answers. Purintons mother Marsha Purinton said: He snapped, and this is not his typical self. Kuchibhotla and Madasani were regulars at Austins Bar & Grill and often enjoyed an after-work whiskey at the tavern. After Purinton was thrown out, Jeremy Luby, a 41-year-old software developer, offered to pick up the tab for the two Indians, who thanked him during a brief conversation about work and cultural differences. During his stint in the navy, Purinton served on the missile cruiser Long Beach during 1988-90. He later worked for the Federal Aviation Administration but left the agency in 2000. In Johnson County, Kansas, Purinton had a few run-ins with law enforcement. Court records showed a speeding ticket in 2008 and a 1999 drunken-driving charge that was dismissed. His neighbour, Lisa Puckett, said Purinton was frequently intoxicated but news of the shooting was stunning. We always wondered if he might hurt himself, but we didnt think he would hurt someone else, she said Hero of Mollywood's first musical hit 'Thiramala' shares his Hollywood stint, directing Prem Nazir and more Malaysia said on Saturday it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesnt voluntarily cooperate with the police. Earlier this week, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Reasonable time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state. Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, compelling them to appear before the investigation team. And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court, he told reporters. It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity. Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia. Police are trying to locate the eight suspect, another North Korean, Ri Ji U, whose whereabouts are unknown, Samah said on Saturday. Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday. Two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have also been detained. Police had said on Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. Indonesian embassy officials met with their national Siti Aishah on Saturday and said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in what she believed was a prank. She only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity...She said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil, Indonesian deputy ambassador Andreano Erwin told reporters after meeting Aishah, adding that no charges have been brought against her yet. Vietnamese officials also met with their national but declined to comment. Footage released earlier this week by Japanese broadcaster Fuji TV appears to show two women lunge at the victim as he prepared to board a flight to the Chinese territory of Macau. They are seen grabbing at his face and then quickly walking away in different directions. Later clips show the victim asking airport officials for medical help. Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards. Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing. Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added. Authorities are also sweeping locations that the suspects may have visited for chemicals, Samah said. A female reporter working for Iraqi Kurdish channel Rudaw was killed on Saturday covering the fighting between government forces and the Islamic State group in Mosul, her channel said. Prominent Rudaw war reporter and journalist Shifa Gardi has been killed in Mosul as she covered clashes, Rudaw said on social media. Rudaw editors said Shifa Gardi was killed by an explosive device on a road in west Mosul and said the cameraman accompanying her was wounded. (Twitter) Journalism remains male-dominated -- Shifa Gardi broke those perceptions and stereotypes -- we pay tribute to her courageous journalism, the channel said. Rudaw editors told AFP she was killed by an explosive device on a road in west Mosul and said that the cameraman accompanying her was wounded. He was transferred to Arbil, the nearby capital of Iraqs autonomous Kurdish region where the channel is headquartered. Iraqi forces entered neighbourhoods of the west bank of Mosul on Friday for the first since the start on October 17 of a huge offensive to retake the city from the Islamic State group. The Obamas just cant quit Broadway. Former US president Barack Obama and his daughter Malia Obama have caught a new revival of Arthur Millers The Price. They attended the play starring Danny DeVito, Mark Ruffalo, Tony Shalhoub and Jessica Hecht at the American Airlines Theatre on Friday. In The Price, a police officer feels that life has passed him by while he took care of his now-dead father. He and his estranged brother must reunite to sell off dads possessions. The Obamas were big boosters of Broadway during his presidency, especially Hamilton, A Raisin in the Sun and Joe Turners Come and Gone. Members of the Obama family also attended Memphis, Kinky Boots, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, Sister Act, The Trip to Bountiful, Motown the Musical and The Addams Family. Hillary and Bill Clinton have also been attending Broadway shows since the election, seeing the musicals In Transit and The Color Purple. More than 130 Turkish diplomats, soldiers and their family members have sought refuge in Germany since last Julys failed coup, according to German government data in documents seen by AFP on Friday. The government is aware of 136 asylum applications filed by diplomatic passport holders from Turkey. They also include family members, said the interior ministry in a written reply to a query from a lawmaker. The ministry said however that it did not have data on how many among the applicants are diplomats and how many are soldiers stationed at NATO bases. President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government has accused US-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen of having orchestrated the putsch, and launched a sweeping crackdown against his followers. Some 43,000 people in Turkey have been arrested over their suspected links to Gulens movement, and 100,000 fired or suspended. Many of them are teachers, police, magistrates and journalists. The scale of the crackdown has raised international concern, with Germany among the most vocal in raising questions over the mass arrests. That and a string of other spats have contributed to fraying ties between Ankara and Berlin. Turkey has also been pushing for Berlin to extradite alleged supporters of Gulen and PKK militants. In its written note, the interior ministry said it extradited 60 people back to Turkey in 2015 for various offences including terrorism and murder. Data for 2016 would only be available in 2018, it added. Pakistans state-run airline is investigating how seven passengers travelled from Karachi to Saudi Arabia while standing in the aisle of a flight, which has been described by authorities as a serious breach of air safety regulations. The passengers were allowed to board the Pakistan International Airline flight to Medina on January 20 even though every seat was filled. The Boeing 777 had a total capacity of 409 seats, including jump seats for the staff, but carried 416 passengers. The additional passengers were issued hand-written boarding passes, instead of computer-generated ones, for the three-hour flight. The flights computer-generated list, provided to the aircraft crew by ground traffic staff, did not mention the seven passengers. The matter was reported by the influential Dawn newspaper on Friday, prompting an investigation by the airline, which has been plagued by controversies and mounting losses in recent years. The extra passengers constituted a serious breach of air safety as their presence could have led to problems in the event of an emergency. Passengers without seats would not have had access to oxygen masks in a contingency and could have caused congestion during a possible emergency evacuation. The Dawn reported PIAs management had initially not taken any action against those responsible for the over-crowding. The Dawn quoted its sources as saying that the flights pilot, senior purser and traffic staffers had tried to shift the blame on to each other. The Civil Aviation Authority, the aviation regulator, too has not taken any action against the airline or its staffers. Anwer Adil, the flight captain, said he found out about the extra passengers only after take-off. After take-off when I came out of (the) cockpit, (the senior purser) informed me that there were some extra people who (had been) boarded by the traffic staff. I also noticed some people were those who were categorically refused jump seats by me at the check in counter before the flight, he was quoted as saying by Dawn. Adil also could not turn back to Karachi as it would have meant dumping fuel, which was not in the interest of the airline. PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani told BBC the matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken once responsibility is fixed. The state-run airline was once known for its standards and achievements it was the first Asian airline to operate jet aircraft and also the first in Asia to induct Boeing 737-300. In the 1980, Emirates was launched in Dubai by leasing two aircraft and crews from PIA. In recent years, it has become the butt of jokes for Pakistanis as official figures showed the airline had more than 750 staff for each aircraft, against a global standard of about 200 employees. The airline recent told a parliamentary panel that its total liabilities were more than Rs 300 billion. US immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer, who worked on a film about his nations civil war The White Helmets that has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the US department of homeland security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khatib from travelling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khatib was scheduled to arrive on Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after US officials reported finding derogatory information regarding Khatib. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include anything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Asked to comment, a spokeswoman for the department of homeland security, Gillian Christensen, said, A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States. The White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix documentary, has been nominated for Best Documentary Short. If the film wins the Oscar, the award would go to director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara. Khatib is one of three people credited for cinematography, while Franklin Dow is the films director of photography. Orlando von Einsiedel and Joanna Natasegara pose with the replica of the Oscar statue in Beverly Hills, California on Wednesday. (Reuters) The film focuses on the rescue workers who risk their lives to save Syrians affected by civil war. Many of the groups members have been killed by Syrian President Bashar Assads air forces. The group also was nominated for last years Nobel Peace Prize. The White Helmets includes emblematic scenes of the deadly six-year-old conflict people digging through destroyed homes looking for survivors, at constant risk of double tap attacks that target first responders after theyve arrived at the scene of a strike. Khatib had been issued a visa to attend the ceremony. But Turkish authorities detained him this week, according to the internal US government correspondence, and he suddenly needed a passport waiver from the United States to enter the country. The correspondence indicated he would not receive such a waiver. There was no explanation in the correspondence for why Turkey detained Khatib. Ex-Philippine leader Benigno Aquino joined thousands of people on the streets of Manila on Saturday as protests broke out against President Rodrigo Dutertes brutal war on drugs. Demonstrators amassed near the national police headquarters, with some warning the Duterte crackdown foreshadowed a repeat of the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship, which was toppled in a bloodless People Power revolution 31 years ago. We are taking the matter seriously. We are warning our people about the threat of rising fascism, protest leader Bonifacio Ilagan told AFP after leading more than 1,000 protesters at a morning rally. Ilagan, a playwright who was tortured over two years in a police prison under Marcos martial rule in the 1970s, cited the culture of impunity arising from Dutertes crackdown. Duterte, 71, won the presidential election last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. He launched the crackdown after taking office in June and police have reported killing 2,555 drug suspects since then, with about 4,000 other people murdered in unexplained circumstances. He has not ruled out using martial law to prevent what he describes as the countrys slide to narco-state status. Duterte, who ranks Marcos as one of the countrys best-ever presidents, last year allowed the Marcos family to bury the former leaders remains at Manilas Cemetery for Heroes, leading to large street protests. Wearing a black shirt Dutertes predecessor Aquino marched alongside political allies and around 2,000 other protesters. Aquino denounced the governments treatment of Senator Leila de Lima, the top critic of the Duterte drug war, who was arrested on Friday and faces life in prison if convicted of drugs charges. De Lima, Aquinos former justice minister, said the arrest was an act of revenge for her decade-long efforts to expose Duterte as the leader of death squads during his time as mayor of the southern city of Davao. Aquino also rejected allegations by Duterte spokesperson that people associated with the previous government were plotting to destabilise the new administration. A Sikh civil rights group has urged members of the Sikh-American community to exercise caution and be extra vigilant in the wake of a possible hate crime in Kansas city that left an Indian engineer dead and another injured. The Sikh Coalition said its prayers go out to the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, who was killed when 51-year-old Olathe man Adam Purinton shot him at a bar in the city on Wednesday. Another Indian engineer Alok Madasani, 32, was injured in the incident and has now been discharged from hospital on Thursday. Purinton has been charged in Johnson County district court with two counts of attempted first-degree murder. Bond has been set at $2 million. The advocacy group urged every Sikh-American to exercise extra vigilance and caution during this period of heightened vulnerability. It urged members of the community to call law enforcement immediately if they have been a victim of hate violence or received threats of violence. Kuchibhotla worked in aviation systems for Olathe-based Garmin Ltd. Madasani was his co-worker at Garmin. It was a tragic and senseless act of violence, Olathe police chief Steven Menke said in The Kansas City Star. Another individual Ian Grillot, 24, was reportedly shot while attempting to stop Purinton. Grillot said he was happy to see Madasani is recovering. Following the shooting, Olathe residents went to the bar where the incident took place to lay flowers and offer condolences to staff, patrons and victims families. You just cant help but your heart goes out to them, and its such a sad story for the community but I just wanted to support and of course honour the lives and everybody involved, nearby business owner Amber McCracken said in a report in KSHB Kansas City. Well-placed members of the Knights of the Golden Circle plotted to send Federal arms to the South. In the decade leading up to the Civil War, a fledgling group called the Knights of the Golden Circle joined forces with a well-establish Southern society known as the Order of the Lone Star. The Knights were the brainchild of George W.L. Bickley of Ohio, a charlatan jack-of-all-trades with Virginia roots who opposed government intrusion into the rights of the Southern slave states. The OLS, with more than 15,000 members in at least 50 chapters, had long been bent on establishing a slaveholding country extending from the American South to Mexico and the Caribbean. Bickleys hybrid faction adopted the Knights name and continued pushing for states rights in the South and resisting further federal encroachment on the nations slaveholders. Among the Knights most powerful members was U.S. Secretary of War John Floyd. As war clouds gathered, Floyd used his position in Buchanans administration to direct federal munitions and manpower to support the South. Those efforts would have a significant impact as Southern states began to secede in the winter of 1860-61. Buchanans Cabinet was rife with secessionist sentiment. A member of the U.S. Army who had infiltrated a Knights of the Golden Circle council of war in November 1860 noted that Floyd, Secretary of the Treasury Howell Cobb and even Vice President John Breckinridge were members of the order, and revealed that directives had been given to seize Navy-Yards, Forts &c, while KGC members were still Cabinet officers and Senators. A year before Abraham Lincolns 1860 election, in fact, Floyd had secured large sums from the U.S. Treasury and established plans for securing arms from the U.S. Arsenals and for possessing all the southern fortresses. By November 1860, a string of 30 federal forts stretched along the U.S. coastline, mostly in the South, constructed after the War of 1812 to protect against seaward assaults. As Southern states moved toward secession, avid secessionists known as fire-eaters demanded that these coastal forts, as well as numerous other interior forts and arsenals built across the South, be returned to the power of the states where they were located. Controversy marked much of Floyds time in public office. After serving three terms in Congress, he became governor of Virginia in the early 1850s, only to have his tenure stained by a banking scandal and financial irregularities. A strong proponent of states rights and American expansionism, Floyd saw himself as a bold man of action who preferred not to be bothered by administrative details. That was the case when he became Buchanans secretary of war in 1856 and headed a department with nine bureaus and 93 employees supervising the U.S. Armys finances and extensive supply network. As early as 1859, Floyds War Department had begun supplying the six so-called Cotton States with a disproportionate share of arms designated by the federal government for use by state militias. In fact, only 10 days before the start of South Carolinas secession convention in Charleston, Floyd had approved the states request for its full 1861 allocation of federal arms. Rifles and muskets were also transferred to federal arsenals in the South, where they would be readily available for seizure once states seceded. In addition, Floyd approved government sales to secessionist sympathizers of obsolete federal arms that were channeled through intermediaries. By January 1861, Southern newspapers were bragging that 290,000 stands of arms had been acquired through the takeover of federal arsenals, with 417,000 further arms purchased by the Cotton States, noting that the total could increase to 1 million once Texas and the border states joined the Confederacy. Floyd was also accused of filling key federal military positions with pro-South officers. In the spring of 1860, he appointed Colonel William W. Loring, a North Carolinian and reputed Knights member, to become commander of the U.S. Armys Department of New Mexico. In November 1860, Floyd appointed Brig. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, a native Kentuckian who had relocated to Texas, to head the U.S. Armys merged Department of the Pacific, headquartered in San Francisco. Johnston, a close friend of Jefferson Davis, sympathized with his adopted state of Texas, where he maintained extensive landholdings. Floyd also appointed Brig. Gen. David Twiggs, a native Georgian and states rights sympathizer, to command the huge Department of Texas, with almost one-third of the U.S. Armys manpower. Major P.G.T. Beauregard was appointed as superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy despite his secessionist proclivities. During his month-long tenure, Beauregard advised Southern cadets on when they should leave West Point to join the Confederate Army. On his way to New York, Beauregard likely tied in with Paul J. Semmes, an officer in the Georgia militia who had been appointed by the states governor, Joe Brown, as special purchasing agent to acquire arms and munitions for Georgia with the $1 million appropriation approved by the states legislature. U.S. Army Colonel William J. Hardee, the prior commandant of West Point, assisted Semmes in this effort. In December 1860, Semmes and Hardee set up shop at New Yorks Fifth Avenue Hotel and finalized contracts with manufacturers such as Colt, Parrott, Veile and E.I. du Pont. They also ordered six cannons known as Columbiads from the U.S. governments Fort Pitt Foundry. On the way north, they stopped off at Washington, D.C., and obtained advice and assistance in Floyds War Department on military purchasing. In addition to approving disproportionate arms sales and appointments of Southern officers, Floyd became increasingly erratic in his behavior after November 1860, supporting suspicions of his dis loyalty and alleged Knights connections. Early in November, Floyd met with a number of ardent secessionists, including Francis Pickens, who was soon to become governor of South Carolina. By December, Floyd announced to the press that he believed the secession of the Cotton States was inevitable. At the end of October 1860, Winfield Scott, general-in-chief of the U.S. Army, tried to alert Buchanan to likely plots against federal installations, as reported by the Army informer. Scott warned that from a knowledge of our Southern population, it is my solemn conviction that there is some danger of an early act of rashness preliminary to secession viz., the seizure of some or all of [nine designated federal forts in the Southern states]. Scott noted these forts had in sufficient garrisons and recommended all these works should be immediately so garrisoned as to make any attempt to take any of them by surprise or coup de main ridiculous. Scott managed to circumvent Floyd (who despised Scott and often pocketed his recommendations) and present his views directly to the president. A wily diplomat from Pennsylvania, the 69-year-old Buchanan had obtained his 1856 nomination by catering to Southern interests and had appointed three Southerners to his Cabinet. Like Floyd, the Cabinet officers predicted a disastrous reaction if U.S. troops suddenly appeared in the South to reinforce the federal forts. At his meeting with Buchanan, Scott indicated that he presently had only five companies available to provide reinforcements. This made it easy for the president, who was trying to head off the secession movement, to dismiss Scotts suggestions. Buchanan did have concerns, however, about the security of the forts, particularly those in Charlestons harbor. After Lincolns election, Buchanan repeatedly re viewed the security of the forts with his Cabinet. Floyd of course opposed sending reinforcements to Charleston. In his annual Message to Congress on December 3, 1860, Buchanan claimed that the federal forts were property of the United States and had been purchased for a fair equivalent, by the consent of the legislature of the State. He said that if an attempt were made to seize the forts, the responsibility for consequences would rightfully rest upon the heads of the assailants. Buchanan also said that the secession of any state was equivalent to revolution and was not justified on the basis of Lincolns election. He nevertheless seemed to countenance secession by noting that if the Northern states refused to repeal their personal liberty laws, which impeded Southerners from reclaiming their slave property, then the injured Southern states, after pursuing all constitutional means, would be justified in revolutionary resistance to the government of the Union. And he undercut any threat of federal retaliation by con ceding that the government lacked authority under the constitution to militarily coerce any seceding state. On December 12, Scott arrived in Washington to again urge reinforcing the forts, and detailed a larger complement of Army units he could now assign for this purpose. Scott met personally with Buchanan on December 15, but the president continued to hold off. He wanted to wait for the results of South Carolinas convention and any attempts by the states commissioners to negotiate a settlement. By not taking immediate action against Charlestons forts, Buchanan hoped to prevent South Carolinas likely secession from spilling over to other Southern states. In the midst of all this turmoil, Floyd found himself at the center of several scandals. Charges against him alleged that he was surreptitiously channeling 124 heavy guns to several Southern forts under construction. Initially ordered in October, the huge Columbiads were manufactured at Pittsburghs Allegheny Arsenal. On December 20, Floyd gave highly unusual verbal instructions to have the guns loaded on the ship Silver War and sent to Ship Island, Miss., and Galveston, Texas, not their originally intended destinations. Learning the Columbiads were being loaded at the dock, a committee of outraged Pittsburgh citizens sent a telegram to Buchanan on Christmas Day complaining that an order has issued from the War Department to transfer all the effective munitions of war from the arsenal in this city to Southern forts. A Northern newspaper lamented: The Columbiads are the largest and most destructive species of ordnance known to our service. At a time when Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas are preparing to make war upon the Union, an order is issued by Floyd to transport these guns into the midst of the avowed enemies of the country. The people of Pittsburgh met, protested against the criminal act, and asked the war department to countermand the order. Buchanan quickly countermanded the order, but Floyd was applauded for his actions by the Southern press. Interior Department employee Godard Bailey, a relative of Floyds wife, had transferred $870,000 from the Indian Trust Fund to a defense contractor on the basis of drafts Floyd had previously endorsed. When Buchanan found out about it, he became outraged. That, coupled with the irate telegram from the Pittsburgh citizens, convinced him it was time to ask Floyd to resign. Floyd initially agreed to resign but then became irate and said he needed to protect his honor. He vacillated for nearly a week, though he continued to show up for Cabinet meetings. Then, during the night of December 25, Major Robert Anderson secretly moved his federal garrison at Fort Moultrie to the more defensible Fort Sumter in the middle of Charlestons harbor. This decision was made by Anderson himself in order to protect his men from the increasingly belligerent Charleston mobs. It stunned Floyd, who was brought the news by none other than U.S. Senator Louis Wigfall from Texas. Buchanan, who was equally blindsided, convened a series of contentious Cabinet meetings, during which Floyd learned to his surprise that he had earlier signed a memorandum giving Anderson authority to use his sound military discretion to protect his garrison. After the Northern members of his Cabinet threatened to resign, Buchanan decided to back Andersons move to Fort Sumter. In the interim, the newly installed governor of South Carolina, Pickens, had ordered the seizure of Moultrie and the other federal forts, arsenal and customhouse in Charleston. To save face, Floyd alleged that Buchanan had gone back on his pledge to the South to preserve the status quo and used this as the reason for finally submitting his resignation on December 29. Joseph Holt, a hard-hitting Unionist from Kentucky (who had been serving as postmaster general), was chosen to replace Floyd as secretary of war. By early January 1861, Floyd was in Richmond helping to organize the radical elements in favor of secession. He admitted that he had supplied arms to the South in anticipation of armed rebellion, and at a banquet held in his honor flaunted his double-dealing while serving as Buchanans secretary of war. After he left office, Floyd was indicted on multiple charges, but by then it was too late. Floyds resignation triggered a series of incidents involving federal forts in the South. On January 2, Louis Wigfall telegraphed Congressman Milledge Bonham at Charleston: Holt succeeds Floyd. It means war. Cut off supplies from Anderson and take Sumter as soon as possible. Wigfall had earlier coauthored the Southern Manifesto for the establishment of a Southern Con federacy joined by 30 other Southern congressmen. At the Willard Hotel in Washington, Wigfall was allegedly overheard boasting of the extent and power of the KGC to such an extent that members of the legislative cabal had to tell him to keep quiet. In late December 1860 and January 1861, seizures occurred at more than 20 federal forts and arsenals. Most of the seizures were made after the state in which the installation was located had seceded. But several were carried out before secession by irregular bands of insurgents. The Richmond Enquirer openly advocated seizure of federal forts in Virginia and Maryland, as well as government installations in the District of Columbia, writing in a December 17 editorial: Let the first convention then, be held between Maryland and Virginia, and, these two states agreeing, let them provide sufficient force to seize the city of Washington, and, if coercion is to be attempted, let it begin by subjugating the States of Maryland and Virginia. Thus practical and efficient fighting in the Union will prevent the power of the Union from falling into the hands of our enemies. We hope Virginia will depute her commissioners to Maryland first, and providing for the seizure of Washington city, Forts McHenry, Washington, and Old Point, Harpers Ferry and Gosport navy yard, present these two States in the attitude of rebels, inviting coercion. This was the way Patrick Henry brought about the revolution and this is the best use that Virginia can make commissioners of any kind. The Enquirer editorial didnt mention Fort Monroe at Hampton Roads, probably because it was already under surveillance, and KGC leader Virginius Groner had been planning its seizure. Later in December, Groner spearheaded a group preparing to seize the lightly garrisoned fort. Groner, with Virginias adjutant general William Richardson, approached Governor John Letcher with a letter from Henry Wise advocating the seizure. Letcher later confirmed: As far back as January 8, [1861], I consulted with a gentleman [i.e., Groner] whose position enabled him to know the strength of [Fort Monroe] and whose experience in military matters enabled him to form an opinion as to the number of men that would be required to capture it. Letcher undercut the seizure plan, however, by demanding that the insurgents first seek approval from other Virginia officials. Groner felt this would lead to leaks and alert federal authorities. In Wilmington, N.C., an anomalous group called the Cape Fear Minute Men held a series of pro-secession meetings in mid-December 1860. Then reports came that a federal revenue cutter was on its way to garrison two unmanned federal installations, Forts Johnson and Caswell, on the Cape Fear River. William Ash, a railroad president and Democratic politician, approached North Carolinas governor, John Ellis, on January 1, 1861, seeking permission to seize the forts. Ellis refused, contending he had no authority to authorize such an act. The Cape Fear Minute Men decided to proceed anyway. The Smithville Guards, from a town close to the forts, joined them. At 4 a.m. on January 9, a band of about 20 insurgents arrived by steamboat and surrounded Fort Johnson. The raiding party knocked at the door of the forts sole caretaker, a sergeant, and asked him to give up the keys to the forts magazine. The sergeant initially threatened to protect the ordinance stores with his life, but eventually gave them the keys. Fifteen men were left to guard Fort Johnson, while the remainder proceeded to Fort Caswell, a masonry structure controlling the entrance to the Cape Fear River. There the men carried out a similar seizure. Learning about the occupation of the two forts, Ellis told members of North Carolinas militia to go to Smithville and order Captain Stephen Decatur Thurston to restore the forts to the possession of the United States. Thurston and Hedrick complied on January 14. Ellis sent a letter to Buchanan notifying him of the withdrawal, explaining the takeover was precipitated by discredited reports that federal troops were on the way to garrison the forts. Buchanan told Ellis he had no intention of garrisoning the forts with federal troops while he was president, but he did allow his secretary of the interior, Jacob Thompson, to visit North Carolina as a commissioner on behalf of Thompsons home state of Mississippi. Thompson urged Ellis to adopt efficient measures for the common defense and safety of the south. Insurgents similarly seized the partially completed federal fort at Ship Island in Mississippi, one of the forts to which Secretary of War Floyd had ordered the Columbiad shipments. Mississippis KGC-affiliated governor, John Pettus, was concerned about the establishment of a new federal fort on Ship Island. Pettus feared the U.S. government would use the fort to restrict commerce and land troops once Mississippi passed its secession ordinance (which its convention did on January 9, 1861). Before noon on January 13, an armed party landed on Ship Island, telling the federal overseer they were acting on their own responsibility and that they came to take possession of the works under construction. A second group arrived in the afternoon, hoisted a fag and left 10 men on the island. On January 20, a third body of insurgents arrived and took forcible possession of the fort, causing the army lieutenant overseeing the crew to finally cease construction and cede possession of the island. Thus a number of federal forts and arsenals in the South were seized in early 1861 by irregular bands of insurgents before the respective states had seceded. As in Virginia, where Groner and Wise were involved, the KGC was known to be active in North Carolina, in addition to Mississippi, where Governor Pettus was a recognized KGC sympathizer. Such insurgent actions co-opted strategic federal defensive positions and captured a sizable quantity of weapons and ammunition for the nascent Confederacy. Weapons were also transferred to the seceding states through the machinations of Floyd. But would the KGC succeed in capturing the nations capitalthe District of Columbiawhich had also been targeted in the KGCs Council of War order? David C. Keehn is an attorney and author. This article is an adaptation from his recent book Knights of the Golden Circle: Secret Empire, Southern Secession, Civil War (Louisiana State University Press, 2013). Originally published in the February 2014 issue of Civil War Times. To subscribe, click here. Macdonald Hotels has announced the promotion of Paul Kitchener, currently head chef at Ansty Hall in Coventry, to the position of regional head chef for the Midlands. Kitchener joined Ansty Hall in 2008 and has more than 20 years culinary experience. He will continue to lead the kitchen team at Ansty Halls one-AA-Rosette Shilton restaurant, as well as overseeing the food operations at three other hotels in the region Alveston Manor, the Haycock hotel and the Burlington hotel to develop the menus. On Friday night, Hot 97 hosted an old school beat battle between famed hitmakers Just Blaze & Swiss Beat that was streamed on Instagram Live for fans to follow along to. The two veteran beat makers went head to head for about two & half hours, playing songs from their extensive catalogues from over the years, including some other random ones. Of course, many fellow artists & industry heads were in the building to see the magic down live, including the likes of Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, Cassidy, Genius Rob Markman, RapRadars B. Dot, and more. While the entire event looked dope, with both producer doing live drums & chopping, what people are talking about most is the secret weapon that Swizz pulled out of the vault an unreleased song by DMX that features Jay Z, Nas and Jadakiss. Its unclear if its an older track, or something new thats recorded for Xs forthcoming comeback album, either way it appears all 4 NYC artists are on the same song together, and it sounds fire. The entire show can be re-watched (for now) below, as well as more importantly the DMX song (top clip). Check it out and let us know hat you think. [Via] swizz beatz This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate WASHINGTON Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz caught court-watchers off-guard Thursday when he told a Conservative Political Action Conference to expect another Supreme Court vacancy as soon as next summer. He named no names, feeding a Capitol Hill guessing frenzy as to which elderly justice he had in mind and what he knows. Later, on Fox News, he said he had "no inside information," and that his was merely and educated guess based on his long acquaintance with the court, where he clerked after Harvard Law School, and where he has argued numerous cases. "Most of my professional career has been as a Supreme Court litigator and I know the court well," Cruz said. "I think the odds are very good we'll see a vacancy this summer. If not this summer, next summer. But I think we're going to see another vacancy." If Cruz's prediction is more than mere idle speculation, one of his former Harvard classmates believes the justice he has in mind is Clarence Thomas. He has served on the court since 1991, and is believed to be ready for a new chapter in his life perhaps one where he might make more money and be more vocal in the political arena. The classmate is Scott Gant, a partner at Boies Schiller Flexner who practices commercial law and writes and teaches about a range of constitutional law issues. "People aren't getting it, and I'm not sure why," Gant told the Chronicle Friday. "If I had to guess, I'd think that's who Ted is referring to." The clues are several. Thomas, at 68, is perhaps the court's most thoroughgoing conservative. He could retire from the court under President Donald Trump and expect another conservative appointment to replace him, much as Trump has named conservative Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late, iconic conservative Justice Antonin Scalia. If so, Cruz might be expected to be in the loop. Thomas' wife, Virginia ("Ginni") Thomas, a conservative activist, was a strong supporter of Cruz's presidential bid last year. The fact that Cruz specified that the vacancy would come up in the summer suggests a planned retirement, not a sudden opening due to ill health or death. "It was pretty specific," Gant said. "When it's planned, it's generally done at the end of the term, in the summer time." Asked for comment, Cruz' Senate office cited his remarks on Fox News, where he declined to name names. Americans have never been so divided, not just about politics, but also about the nation's economic future. Republicans are extremely optimistic that President Donald Trump will deliver on his promises to boost the nation's economy and create millions of new jobs, according to the Survey of Consumers conducted monthly by the University of Michigan. Democrats, on the other hand, are preparing for a deep, dark recession. "The sharp partisan divide that now dominates consumer sentiment is unprecedented," Richard Curtin, the survey's chief economist said. With 100 representing neutrality, Republicans registered an index score of 120.1, while Democrats came in at 55.5. Trump and his supporters believe that overhauling the tax code, reducing regulations and rewriting trade deals will boost the U.S. economy. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin wants to pass a new tax code by August to boost annual economic growth to 3 percent. Democrats worry that Trump's plans to roll back global trade will lead to higher prices and trade wars that will hurt U.S. exports. The proposed border adjustment tax, which is central to the House tax plan, could also do more harm than good. Curtin said both sides are probably wrong. "No recession, as expected by Democrats, is likely to be on the horizon; neither is more robust economic growth, as anticipated by Republicans," he said. "These extreme views are likely to converge in the future due to continued modest GDP growth as well as favorable trends in employment and wages." Economists, though, do a pretty poor job of predicting recessions. And not everyone agrees with Curtin. A Wall Street Journal survey of economists conducted before Trump won the election predicted a recession within four years. That's a pretty safe bet, considering the U.S. is on one of the longest streaks without a recession ever recorded. Economic cycles do not stop for any president and a recession is inevitable. The hard part is predicting when. What will be interesting in the months ahead is to see whether Democrats talk down the Trump economy the same way that Republican slammed the Obama economy, despite steady economic expansion and consistent job growth. Political manipulation The Consumer Sentiment Index swung wildly based on the political discourse over the last two years. The index dropped when Republicans slammed the economy but then picked up when officials released positive statistics. The partisan divide on the economy also opens the door to political manipulation of economic data, which should worry us all. Obama supporters were happy to look past the declining labor participation rate in order to focus on the lower official unemployment rate, which just happens to ignore people who have stopped looking for work. Some economists now worry that Trump will change how those statistics are calculated. For example, he wants to change how the foreign trade deficit is calculated by counting goods imported from overseas as part of the deficit, but then not counting the same goods as exports when they are sold overseas. Not in a vacuum His administration also has discussed changing the unemployment rate so it includes people who are not looking for work, including students, homemakers and even retirees. Both of these changes would make the economy appear much worse than the current statistics and give him more justification for the policy changes he is proposing. The dramatic difference in how Americans perceive the economy also reinforces the debate over "fake news" and "alternative facts." Americans are allowing their leaders to pick and choose what facts to believe, including economic data, thereby deepening divisions within our country. The truth is that most economic statistics are truthful, but they should not be considered in a vacuum. Smart analysis requires that we consider all of them, not just the ones that support our ideology. If we care about these United States, we would do well to break out of our echo chambers, question our leaders' motives and look at all reliable, nonpartisan sources of information. Staking out the middle ground is where we can find truth and compromise that will bring us all a more prosperous future as one nation. "No recession, as expected by Democrats, is likely to be on the horizon; neither is more robust economic growth, as anticipated by Republicans." Richard Curtin, survey's chief economist This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate CHERRY HILL, N.J. - New Jersey environmental regulators on Friday approved a hotly contested plan to run a natural gas pipeline through a federally protected forest preserve amid raucous protests that included drums, tambourines and choruses of "This Land Is Your Land." The 15-member New Jersey Pinelands Commission voted to approve a plan by South Jersey Gas to run the pipeline through the federally protected Pinelands preserve, where development is drastically restricted. The protesters' ruckus drowned out the members, even as they voted nine in favor and five against, with one abstention. It was the most emotionally charged jobs-vs-environment clash in recent New Jersey history, and was closely watched by environmental and energy groups around the nation, particularly with a new presidential administration seen as more supportive of the energy industry. 'I will pray for you' "As a priest, I will pray for you when you stand before the throne of God and you are asked to give an accounting of your stewardship of this special ecological area," said the Rev. David Stump, a Catholic priest from Jersey City. "May God have mercy on your souls." "Your legacy is disgraceful!" added Jeff Tittel, director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. The company said the vote "recognizes the energy reliability challenges facing southern New Jersey and the balanced solution this project offers. The careful construction of this pipeline will address the energy demands of 142,000 customers in Cape May and Atlantic counties, protect and create jobs, and provide a meaningful opportunity to significantly reduce air emissions." The B.L. England power plant, where the pipeline would end, currently burns coal and oil to generate electricity. "The use of natural gas and state-of-the-art emissions control technology, together, can turn the facility into a cleaner and more efficient generator of electricity for the people of south Jersey," RC Cape May Holdings, the plant's owners, said in a statement after the vote. Foes and supporters Protesters repeatedly disrupted the meeting, chanting "No! No! No!" for nearly 10 minutes when the commission was about to vote. They burst into song in protest whenever a commissioner voted in favor of the plan. After the plan was approved, they chanted, "Shame on you!" and "See you in court!" Pipeline supporters including construction workers, though greatly outnumbered, chanted "USA! USA!" Tittel said his and other environmental groups plan to challenge the approval in court on numerous procedural and factual grounds, hoping to delay it long enough for New Jersey's next governor to appoint Pinelands commissioners who will reverse the decision. Republican Gov. Chris Christie's successor will be elected in November. The 22-mile pipeline plan was narrowly defeated in 2014. But since then, Christie has replaced several Pinelands commissioners with supporters of the pipeline. Carleton Montgomery, executive director of the Pinelands Preservation Alliance, called the vote "a symptom of what's going on nationally" regarding pipeline projects, especially one in North Dakota that caused months of protests that only recently died down. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The timely confluence of gallery shows by a pair of Middle Eastern artists - one escaped from war, the other still in the midst of it - piqued my curiosity. Ammar Alobaidi, a refugee from Iraq who has lived in Houston for three years, creates brightly colored, abstract paintings and sculpture. Fadi Yazigi, a Syrian who lives in Damascus, works figuratively, in a primitive style; he casts works in bronze, sculpts in clay and paints on a diverse assortment of materials, from paper and canvas to pita bread. Neither aspires to be overtly political. Beyond that, I did not expect to find much in common with their work. So imagine my surprise when I ran into an old friend at both shows: Pablo Picasso. Many artists borrow their language from others, building on history. But I wondered, is it bold or naive these days to appropriate such iconic early-20th-century imagery? And is it just a coincidence that both of these artists are from the Middle East? Well, no. And duh: Picasso was the copycat first. He, of course, borrowed from the primitive imagery of African, Babylonian and Greek figures. More Information 'Ammar Alobaidi: A Tale of the City' When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, through March 25 Where: O'Kane Gallery, University of Houston-Downtown, 1 Main Info: Free; 713-221-8042, uhd.edu 'Fadi Yazigi: Still life ... Still alive ... Still a life' When: 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, through March 25 Where: Deborah Colton Gallery, 2445 North Blvd. Info: Free; 713-869-5151, deborahcoltongallery.com See More Collapse "The inspiration might be there," suggested Yazigi's agent and curator, Myriam Jakiche, "but Fadi's figures very simply are an extension of his region and its people's figures." A beautiful world Alobaidi likes Picasso's Cubist-period compositions and the works of Wassily Kandinsky and Henri Matisse. He also appears to borrow from Dia Hazzawi, an older, well-known Iraqi artist. Although some of the imagery in his show "A Tale of the City," at University of Houston-Downtown's O'Kane Gallery, looks familiar, it's flattened, abstracted another notch and often brightly colored, in a happy, primary palette. "In my paintings, I would like to show the world that's beautiful. We have to always be positive," Alobaidi said. Gallery director Mark Cervenka said when he met Alobaidi about a year and a half ago, the artist showed him images on a smartphone. "I see a lot of images on phones, but these were different," Cervenka said. When he saw Alobaidi's works in person, he was elated to discover a full body of paintings, enough to build a show. Cervenka said he was responding partly to Alobaidi's technical follow-through and emotion. "I was just entering his world. There's the utmost sincerity in what he's doing. It's honest work." The muted palette of one of Alobaidi's largest, most recent canvases is inspired by "Guernica," Picasso's famous mural about personal turmoil and a brutal civil war in Spain. Alobaidi's painting tells a different tale, illustrating a complete cycle of life that can be read in either direction. "It is global. Life is continuous. We don't know how we started, we don't know how we end," he said. He has, however, let one dark black-and-white work of disembodied body parts into the show. Susan Baker, an art-history professor at UH, suggested that Alobaidi doesn't feel like he has to reinvent the wheel. "Whatever expression he is trying to convey is paramount, and he'll use whatever form to get there," she said. A few of Alobaidi's newer, black-and-white paintings show his analytical side and hint at a unique voice. A native of Baghdad, he came to Houston legally about three years ago, by way of Libya and Jordan. He had already decided to devote his time to art, after a career as a nuclear engineer, he said. Growing up, he often visited museums and heritage sites such as Babylon and Mesopotamia. "In Baghdad, before the war, there were museums, sculpture and paintings everywhere," Alobaidi said. He makes his living now as an assistant at YMCA International Services. He doesn't want to talk about war. "I don't want to be in politics," he said. 'Still a life' The title of Yazigi's show at Deborah Colton Gallery says it all: "Still life Still alive Still a life." His decision to continue living in Damascus, in spite of Syria's civil war, brings a poignant sensibility to his work. A signature, universal figure - often babylike and crudely rendered - appears in all the mediums he powerfully employs. It can be male or female. Colton said the figure reflects how Yazigi sees people on the streets or in his studio. "He's looking more at their aura - not their clothing or makeup or anything like that," she said. The Picasso influence comes through most clearly in the show's drawings, where faces drawn from ancient Syrian culture often look like Dora Maar or Picasso's self-portraits. Yazigi's own self-portrait often involves a bird metaphor: Though many birds have left Syria, he is the one who stays. It's hard to imagine even the day-to-day difficulties of eating and sleeping in Syria right now, much less the business of creating art. Yagizi continues to walk through the city daily for inspiration. His persistence seems a miracle in itself: His foundry closed, so he now travels to Beirut to have his bronze pieces made. His local clay source on the border was bombed. You can imagine why he resorted to painting on pita bread for one group of works in the show. All of his figures appear to be under assault and stress, with bodies often skewed sideways or upside down. It's dark but not fatalistic. Colton even sees optimism in it. "His vision is hopeful, that things will get better," she said. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Sheriff's deputies on Friday were investigating a fatal shooting at a northwest Harris County apartment complex. The shooting happened about 5:45 p.m. outside an apartment complex along Legacy Drive near the Sam Houston Tollway. One person was found dead inside a car while a second shooting victim drove himself to Willowbrook Methodist Hospital with a gunshot wound to the leg, according to HSCO Homicide Sgt. Robert Spurgeon. SUBWAY SHOOTER: Reward increased for killing of teen at fast foot outlet Investigators learned from the 24-year-old male shooting victim at the hospital that he and another passenger picked up someone on Bammel North Houston to purchase narcotics. They ended up at an apartment complex along Legacy Drive, when the suspect they picked up began arguing with the others about the price for the drugs. "The suspect displayed a firearm," Sgt. Robert Spurgeon said. "They began fighting, which at the time he shot both the driver and the passenger." SOUGHT: Police release pictures of Houston's Most Wanted fugitives The suspect immediately fled the scene. Spurgeon said they are still actively working the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS. >>>Scroll through the gallery to see Houston's most wanted fugitives This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate GUATEMALA CITY - My childhood home is gone and so is the Chinese restaurant next to it. But my street in the urban center of Guatemala City remains its bustling old self. Buses growl and spit exhaust. Cars race down the narrow one-way street. Stores sell everything from wedding gowns to candy. But the paint is worn away from some of the buildings, a sign that the years have taken a toll. I left this street in the gritty Zona 1 neighborhood more than 20 years ago as my family moved north to the U.S. Eventually, we settled in Seattle, the city I now happily call home. A recent trip back - my first in five years - was to see relatives and show my girlfriend the country where I spent my first decade. I wanted to show her Guatemala's contrasts: its chaotic center, its poverty and misery, as well as the beauty of its people, its historic grandeur and natural splendor. I needed to see it again, too. Antigua Guatemala We visited my childhood street just long enough to snap pictures, then headed out. While a pilgrimage to my hometown was important for me, I usually tell first-time visitors to Guatemala to skip the capital city and head straight to Antigua Guatemala. It's reachable from the Guatemala City airport by shuttle (about $30) or taxi (prices vary but we paid $50). The ride is 45 minutes to two hours depending on traffic. Antigua was established in 1543 as the Spanish territorial capital. After a series of earthquakes, it was largely abandoned, then rebuilt. Its charms include grand colonial buildings and churches, large markets, cobblestone streets, vibrantly painted buildings, traditional and high-end restaurants, bars and even a microbrewery. Visitors can also arrange for shuttles and guided tours to nearby coffee farms and the volcanoes that tower above the city. Volcano tours can range from a six-hour trip to two-day excursions. Two volcanoes are active, and travelers can often get close to the lava flow. There are hotels in every price range. We splurged on Porta Hotel ($140 a night), where old colonial homes have been converted into a sprawling estate with a restaurant, pool and small workout room. The city fills up for celebrations of Catholic holidays, including elaborate processions during Holy Week between Palm Sunday and Easter. The beach Guatemala has just a sliver of coast on the Caribbean. But on the Pacific side, there are miles of black sand beaches that fade into powerful surf. Among the closest beaches to Antigua is Monterrico, a small and sleepy town about 2 hours away. Daily shuttles from Antigua are around $20. We rented a small automatic car for $40 a day. The beach was lined with homes, medium-size hotels, hostels and restaurants. Our hotel, Cafe Del Sol, was split into a beachfront building with some small rooms, a restaurant and bar, and a larger complex with bigger rooms and two pools. Our room ($60 a night) was simple, spacious and air-conditioned. We mostly lounged in hammocks and braved the waters, though they are rough and best suited for experienced swimmers. More Information If you go United Airlines flies nonstop from Houston to Guatemala City. Flights start at about $300. See More Collapse Tikal National Park I wanted my return to Guatemala to jumpstart a new chapter in my life. I knew the place for it, too: Tikal National Park in northern Guatemala. We opted for a 40-minute flight there for $230. The bus from Guatemala City is cheaper but takes over eight hours. There are group tours and private tours. We hired a private guide for about $90. The site is in the jungle, so visitors should bring water, though various stands sell beer, water and snacks. Guatemala is also in the zone for mosquitoes carrying the Zika virus, and insect repellent didn't completely ward them off in Tikal or at the beach. Among the sights we witnessed was a chicken sacrifice performed by an indigenous group. As the excavated ruins of a once-grand Mayan city-state, Tikal displays the brilliance of my ancestors, with towering temples, government buildings, housing for the ruling class. Its leaders maintained power through violence and by keeping its people well-fed. Our guide explained that deforestation likely contributed to the disappearance of this mighty civilization because Tikal's rulers razed the forest to build the stone temples. The park's central plaza is flanked by two temples. You can climb wooden steps to the tops of two of them, one at the grand plaza and another, called Temple IV. A shot from "Star Wars: A New Hope" was filmed here, depicting the planet where the Rebellion is based. From the top of the temple, we could see the jungle, seemingly endless, stretching to the horizon, with the temple tops visible above the green canopy of trees. The sounds of birds and other critters filled the air. The setting sun painted the nearly cloudless sky a light pink. I chugged the last of my lukewarm beer and decided this was the place - as a tourist in the motherland - to ask my girlfriend to marry me. She said yes, and a new chapter began. In a surprising event, city of Katy Mayor Fabol Hughes has withdrawn his candidacy for re-election in May. The decision will mean Hughes, 76, will not be serving his third and final eligible term as mayor of the 11-square-mile city. After originally filing to run, Hughes pulled out of the race on the last day candidates could file to run while Charles Brawner, who has served as mayor pro tem and council member for Ward A, filed to run for mayor on the same day. In a statement, Hughes cited his age and "recent health issues" as part of his decision. "It has been an honor and privilege to serve the city of Katy as mayor for the past four years and city council the previous six years," Hughes' statement said. "Thank you all so very much for the great opportunity you afforded me." Hughes did not provide any clarification on his decision or his health issues beyond his statement. His last-second withdrawal before the filing deadline on Feb. 17 that was followed by Brawner's candidacy for mayor raised some confusion about what exactly transpired in regards to Hughes' decision. While the mayor did not allude to his late withdrawal in his statement, Brawner, 70, said that Hughes talked to him about the decision only hours before the filing deadline. Brawner, who had planned to run for mayor after his term as mayor pro tem and Ward A council member expired next year, said he decided to run now after Hughes told him he would withdraw. "It caught me off guard," said Brawner, who resigned his Ward A council seat upon filing for the mayor position. "But it was an opportunity to something I've been planning for and to go into the next chapter of my life. I had to think about it some, but I wanted to keep our initiatives moving forward. The three years I've had as pro tem have prepared me to run for mayor." Brawner will face two opponents in the race: Stephen Jurovic, a retired business owner who ran unsuccessfully for the city's at-large council seat in last year's election, and Thomas Hill Adams, a local insurance broker who served as a city council member representing Ward A from 2002-2008. Jurovic, 79, has previously served on the city's zoning and planning committee and its board of adjustment-zoning. He is running because he believes the city's leadership needs new faces. He also said current council members such as Brawner are not as accessible to the public as they should be. "In council meetings, people are allowed three minutes (to speak). That's not enough access." Jurovic said. "This government belongs to the people of Katy. As mayor, you can expect four hours for every meeting and one on Saturday's. You get a full-time mayor representing you. That's my platform." Jurovic's campaign message, which is similar to his city council run from last year, also includes a vision for not growing the city at such a rapid pace. When Hughes became mayor about four years ago, he declared that the city was "open for business." What followed has been an array of growth decisions that included annexing land into the city for future developments and approving several large residential and business developments. While some have praised the moves, Jurovic said they have led Katy to lose its small town feel, and that he would like to "slow some things down." Similarly, Adams said city officials have been focusing too much on the growth of the city while focusing too little on the issues that matter more. Adams, 59, pointed to issues such as the catastrophic flood that hit Katy last April and damaged about 110 homes and 25 businesses. While the city has worked on some drainage improvements and other short-term flood prevention solutions since the flood, Adams said the city has not poured enough resources into the issue, and that it could have done a better job of improving drainage before the flood hit. He also pointed to official's delay of constructing the city's second fire station, which originally was scheduled to open this year but has experienced delays as the city moved the station's' planned location. "The city has been going in the wrong direction with this aggressive growth," Adams said. "We were too anxious to make deals. We've had a lot of growth, but we haven't managed the growth. The growth has managed us." Adams said he would represent the city's residents by being a fiscally conservative mayor. Jurovic and Adams both questioned the late decision by Hughes to drop out and said city residents should see a change in leadership, which won't exist under Brawner. Brawner, in contrast, said his experience matters. He defended the city's record of handling the growth. "I feel like most of the projects have been right on track," he said. "If we slow down, we don't stay up with the growth, and then we'll end up with something we don't want that's not in our city limits. I'm going to keep moving forward on progress the city is making. Shaking things up when you don't know what's being shaken up is not good business." Brawner also said his long career as a law enforcement officer and numerous hours spent volunteering in local entities such as booster clubs proves that he cares about serving the people of Katy. The election will be held May 6. Public education seems under attack. Fort Bend ISD school board president Kristin Tassin feels it every day in her suburban district that covers 170 square miles southwest of Houston: the pressures of high-stakes testing, the flaws of the state's school finance system and the unfunded mandates that reroute millions of dollars away from students. The problems get worse every legislative session. As Gov. Greg Abbott pushes laws promoting the privatization of public schools, Tassin, a self-described conservative, decided she had to take action. She teamed up with trustees from other school districts to create an umbrella organization to speak on behalf of public education. But attempting to unify various advocacy groups, school boards and municipalities has proved more challenging than she anticipated. Tassin's coalition, "One Voice for Texas Public Education" will participate in its first rally Monday. Members will head to Austin to join the Texas PTA in opposing school vouchers. Tassin believes there is power in numbers; state representatives are more likely to listen if school districts share a common message. "We're in an emergency state at this point," Tassin said. "If legislators want to look at where the problem is, then I think they need to look [in] the mirror." The coalition is composed of four suburban school districts - Fort Bend, Spring Branch, Klein and Lamar Consolidated - that represent almost 200,000 students. It's recruiting others, including municipalities and advocacy groups. The suburban Houston school districts have identified three issues where members say the status quo can't continue. They are calling for legislators to revamp how Texas funds public schools, to repeal the incoming A-F accountability rating system and to oppose funding private schools with tax dollars. Their platform is in contrast with the agenda of a number of state representatives, who put in place the accountability rating system in 2015 and have promoted diverting some tax dollars away from public schools to private institutions. In addition to rallying in Austin, each school district is sending a written summary of One Voice's position to local legislators. Frustration boils over The idea to create the coalition came from a common request by state lawmakers, Tassin said. "We hear it all the time when we go and lobby and advocate in the capital," Tassin said. "They really just need us to align behind the things that we can agree on. And that was the whole purpose of One Voice." Tassin and Henry Dibrell, a trustee at Katy ISD, joined forces to launch the coalition. It's common for public school districts to pursue legislative agendas - the Houston and Katy ISDs have done it for years - but the frustration toward lawmakers has boiled over. "Across the state, not just school trustees, but people, are frustrated with the public education system and with the financing of public education," said Karen Peck, Spring Branch ISD board president. "People realize that their dollars are being used for other reasons. Our parents and voters and residents believe in public education and want it to be adequately supported." Coalition membership To join the coalition, school boards must pass a resolution. Fort Bend ISD became the first when trustees unanimously approved a resolution Jan. 23. Trustees in Spring Branch, Klein and Lamar Consolidated ISDs unanimously approved resolutions in February. Spring ISD is scheduled to vote March 14. School board president Deborah Jensen is optimistic her district will join. But when it came time for Katy ISD to approve the resolution Feb. 21, politics became a speed bump for One Voice's momentum. Board president Rebecca Fox removed the item from the district's agenda prior to a vote. Katy ISD's Council of Parent-Teacher Associations took issue with One Voice's effort to become involved in the Texas PTA rally, according to a letter written by the Katy Council of PTA's president, Jeannie Griffith. Fox said her board did not feel comfortable moving forward without the support of the district's Council of PTAs. Plus, some Katy ISD trustees felt sidelined by Dibrell's involvement in the group without consulting them first. Independent choices Other districts and groups decided not to join as well. Cypress-Fairbanks, which had originally expressed interest, opted out for undisclosed reasons. Trustees reached out to Houston ISD, the largest school district in Texas, which hasn't committed. Representatives from others, including Pearland ISD, said they preferred to communicate directly with their legislators or were part of other groups. Sharing common goals, Tassin discovered, isn't always enough to advocate together. "Frankly there are turf wars," Tassin said. "There just are. Everyone is trying to protect what they see as their turf. And that's what's so problematic." With just over three months left in the legislative session, the coalition can't afford to lose time, Tassin said. Large umbrella There are other pro-public education groups that could have fallen under One Voice's umbrella, and many of the school districts involved in One Voice also have representation in those organizations. Fort Bend ISD trustee Grayle James is vice president of the educational awareness group Go Public Gulf Coast. Many of the trustees have leadership roles in the Texas Association of School Boards, and districts' superintendents in the Texas Association of School Administrators, both of which advocate on the behalf of public school districts and share similar legislative priorities to those of One Voice. One Voice is open to any organization supporting public education, Tassin said. Despite Katy ISD's absence, representatives from One Voice will head to Austin on Monday, with the Texas PTA welcoming them at its rally. The PTA is not endorsing the coalition because it has a policy not to do so with any organization, but it supports what One Voice stands for, according to Darren Grissom, the PTA's associate executive director. The coalition plans to continue networking even after this session, which ends May 29. "Now is the time," Tassin said, "for us to get really serious about solutions that are going to improve public education." When immigration agents moved in to deport then 26-year old Jose Escobar in 2012, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston, appealed to the head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the release of the El Salvador-born handyman. Escobar, married to an American citizen, was granted "deferred action," allowing him to work and live legally in the U.S. while immigration officials focused on deporting violent criminals. But that was more than five years and a presidential administration ago. Under executive orders signed last month by President Donald Trump, immigration officials in Houston recently informed Escobar they were revoking his temporary protection from deportation and returning him to El Salvador - a country he hadn't seen since he left 16 years ago. And now Jackson Lee is once again advocating for the kind of prosecutorial discretion that would reunite Escobar with his family. "I have every reason to believe that what I did in 2012 was the right thing to do," Jackson Lee said Friday in a phone interview from Sri Lanka. She said Escobar is a gainfully employed tax payer who, other than for his immigration status, has never run afoul of the law. "He should have his right to be able to make the case that he is seeking legal status," Jackson Lee said. "One of the troubling aspects of the executive order is the seeming denial of due process." Jackson Lee said her office will send an official letter of inquiry to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security about the case of Escobar, who remains in detention. She wants to know what grounds government officials have for ordering his detention and eventual deportation. "I want to hear from them and then we will continue the process of reviewing this through Homeland Security," Jackson Lee said. In a statement, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman said Escobar was originally released in 2012 so he could "get his affairs in order prior to his removal to El Salvador." Jackson Lee, who was out of the country on a congressional delegation examining, among other topics, national security and immigration, said she would soon speak with Escobar's wife to get more details. "I maintain that Mr. Escobar is still eligible for discretion," she said. Under the Trump administration's immigration policy, Jackson Lee said Escobar's case will not be unique. "We're going to be seeing these one after another - families being ripped apart," she said. "The immigration process is no longer going after bad guys." Jackson Lee said she was under the impression that Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly was not pressing for widespread deportations of immigrants in the country illegally. However, the congresswoman said if Escobar is deported it would, in effect, result in "mass deportations" because he's unlikely to be the only one. "Mr. Escobar is not a threat to the nation." On her overseas trip, which has included stops in places like India and Sri Lanka, Jackson Lee said their leaders are apprehensive about the Trump Administration's immigration policy. "You can imagine the response we're getting. They're asking questions about what is going on in this country," she said. Nancy Lee Carlson will finally get her moon dust back. A federal judge Friday ordered the Johnson Space Center to return the Illinois woman's lunar collection bag and the dusty specimens left inside from the historic 1969 moon landing. The bag and its contents - a rare find that a NASA lawyer deemed a "national treasure" - had languished at the space center for more than a year after scientists decided to keep it. "There are no other lunar bags out there," said Joseph Gutheinz, a former NASA enforcement officer and moon rock hunter who supported Carlson's effort. "It's unique as all get out. And because of that, the value of that bag is incalculable." U.S. District Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore in Houston ruled that Carlson is the bag's true owner, having bought it at a government auction for $995 in 2015. The government may have erred in putting the bag up for sale, but government lawyers erred further by not appealing another judge's ruling on ownership, Gilmore concluded. The bag is set to be covertly returned Monday. 'Mission unknown' When the Apollo 11 capsule splashed down near Hawaii in July 1969, its celebrated crew came bearing loads of soil and rock stashed in specially designed collection bags. The embroidered and zippered bag now owned by Carlson was among them, covered in microscopic moon dust and rock particles that NASA scientists discovered were difficult to remove. Decades later, the round bag - about the size of a dinner plate - turned up in the home of a Kansas space museum's director, where it was seized by federal agents in an unrelated criminal case. The U.S. Marshal's office finally put it up for auction in 2014 as a "flown zippered lunar sample return bag with lunar dust. 11.5 [inches]. Tear at Center. Flown Mission Unknown." The suggested opening bid was $20,000. Nobody bid on it. When it went up for auction again in February 2015, Carlson was the highest bidder. Carlson had watched the moon landing, like so many from her generation, as an awestruck 11-year-old in Marquette, Mich. "I just felt great that they left this planet and made it to the moon, but I felt even happier when they got back OK," Carlson said Friday at the Houston federal courthouse. Carlson's parents pushed her and her sister to pursue their dreams, and the space program embodied those big dreams, she said. The package arrived by UPS at her home in Inverness, Ill., about 50 miles from Chicago. It arrived in a simple cardboard box, with the lunar bag wrapped in brown paper inside. She kept it in her bedroom closet for safekeeping. A few months later, Carlson contacted Ryan Zeigler, the lunar sample curator at the Johnson Space Center, curious to know if the bag actually contained moon dust. He said he'd be glad to test it if she'd send it to him. He confirmed that the bag contained lunar dust, and further tests revealed even more: It was an outer decontamination bag for the first lunar samples ever collected on the first manned mission to the moon. Historical artifact That's when things got complicated. Carlson and Zeigler exchanged emails over many months, ostensibly trying to arrange a time for her to retrieve her bag. She eventually filed a federal lawsuit as part of the government's forfeiture action. A Kansas judge who got the case ruled the bag belonged to Carlson but said a judge in the Houston region - where the Johnson Space Center is based - would have to oversee enforcement of the order. Federal prosecutors in Kansas did not appeal the decision, presenting further problems for prosecutors in Houston. NASA officials said late Friday that they consider the case closed. "NASA is obviously disappointed by the decision of the court due to the fact that it was primarily through the unlawful activity of a third party that put this historical artifact into the public domain," according to a statement from William Jeffs, the NASA spokesman for the astromaterials division. "This artifact was never meant to be owned by an individual. Moreover, this artifact is important, not just for its scientific value, but also because it represents the culmination of a massive national effort involving a generation of Americans, including the astronauts who risked their lives in an effort to accomplish the most significant act humankind has ever achieved." NASA officials have asked Carlson to consider allowing the bag to be displayed publicly. Her lawyer, Christopher M. McHugh, said she will consider it. But first she wants to get it back in hand. "Given that this bag is really a national treasure," McHugh told the judge, "I don't think it's possible for Ms. Carlson to just keep the bag at home. That's not going to happen. But I do think a transfer of ownership has to happen." Carlson is also considering a quiet visit to the Johnson Space Center over the weekend while waiting to pick up her treasure. SHANGHAI - Democratic senators are protesting the Trump Organization's acceptance of a valuable trademark from the Chinese government without asking Congress first if doing so is constitutional. A group of 13 senators warned President Donald Trump in a letter Thursday that they intend to hold him accountable to his oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Additional Democrats signed a letter Friday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that complains about Trump getting special treatment from China. "A president must not have two masters," said Thursday's letter, led by Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal. "If you continue to refuse to request and receive congressional approval before accepting favors from foreign governments, we will be unable to serve our constitutional role. Such a situation is unacceptable." The letters come in response to China's Feb. 14 registration of a trademark for construction services to Trump. He secured the mark only after fighting for 10 grinding years in China's courts to win back rights from a man named Dong Wei. A bureaucratic about-face after Trump declared his candidacy has raised questions about whether his political rise is benefiting his family business. Critics say the trademark award violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which bars public servants from accepting anything of value from foreign states unless approved by Congress. While the actual value of Trump's China trademarks is unclear, Trump himself has said he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars defending them. Trump has significant intellectual property interests abroad, including 49 pending and 77 registered trademarks in China alone. Alan Garten, chief legal officer of The Trump Organization, did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment. Last week, Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein called the China trademark registration "a clear conflict of interest." Feinstein is a signatory to both of this week's letters, too. "At a time when the United States has pressing economic, diplomatic and security concerns at play in our relationship with the People's Republic of China, the possibility that the government of China is seeking to win President Trump's favor by granting him special treatment for his businesses is disturbing," said the letter to Tillerson, also signed by Sens. Ben Cardin and Jack Reed. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate MOSUL AIRPORT, Iraq - As Iraqi ground troops pushed into western Mosul on Friday, the country's air force struck Islamic State group targets inside Syria for the first time in response to recent bombings in Baghdad claimed by the militants. Meanwhile, at least 60 people were killed in ISIS attacks near a key northern Syrian town captured only a day earlier from the extremists by Turkish forces and their Syrian opposition allies. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the Iraqi airstrikes in Syria in a statement, saying the border towns of Boukamal and Husseibah were targeted in response to recent bombings in Baghdad linked to Islamic State group operations there. Iraqi forces closely supported by the U.S.-led international coalition pushed into the first neighborhood of western Mosul and took full control of the city's international airport and a sprawling military base on the southwestern edge of the city, according to Iraqi officials. The territorial gains were the most significant yet in the battle, now in its sixth day, to rout ISIS from the western half of Iraq's second-largest city. In Mosul, meanwhile, Iraqi forces pushed into the Mamun neighborhood and engaged in intense clashes with ISIS militants, according to an Iraqi special forces officer on the ground, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Federal police Maj. Gen. Haider al-Maturi said his forces pushed through concrete roadblocks and earthen berms set up by the Islamic State group, and succeeded in capturing around 30 percent of the Aviation District, the first district entering Mosul's western perimeter from the south. "There were fierce clashes. We faced car bombs, suicide attackers and mortar shelling," al-Maturi said. "The battle ahead will be difficult and complicated because of the civilians around. It'll be street fights." Al-Maturi said six Iraqi troops were wounded, including two officers. However, an AP team near the front line saw at least four wounded special forces' members and the bodies of three soldiers, suggesting more intense fighting than the previous day. A Canadian medic volunteering at a front-line clinic said he had treated at least 10 wounded federal policemen. Iraq's military does not release official casualty figures. Earlier on Friday, the Joint Military Operation Command spokesman said Iraqi forces had retaken the military base adjacent to the airport. Mayor Sylvester Turner made good Wednesday on his earlier hints that the fire pension trustees' failure to agree to reform terms would see the fund receive deeper benefit cuts than it had tentatively agreed to last fall. The fire fund has remained wary throughout the year-long talks, expressing hesitance even when it agreed to basic terms last October, and moving the slowest of the city's three pension groups in reaching agreed-upon language with City Hall to submit to the Legislature. With an informal deadline having been reached this week without final language in hand, Turner said, he has instructed Legislative attorneys to proceed with the final bill drafting in a way that roughly matches the fire reforms to those agreed to by the police pension, which is agreeing to its second round of cuts since benefits were hiked in 2001, causing costs to soar. Without the comprehensive data on the plan's participants he had requested, Turner added, the city must propose deeper cuts to ensure the originally projected cost savings are achieved. "I've given instructions to put in place in the fire section those terms that will be in the best interest of the city," Turner said. "If, by chance, the fire pension representatives should decide to provide us with the necessary data in order for us to verify the cost, we can always revisit. I leave that up to them." Joe Gimenez, a spokesman for the firefighters fund, called Turner's announcement "disappointing." "The mayor is, with that, unilaterally blowing up thousands of hours of discussions that they've had since last summer. I think they are very disappointed that all of that hard work appears to be going for naught," Gimenez said. "The firefighters were ready to continue their discussions. They felt like the term sheets were still coming to fruition." The fire fund remains ready to continue discussions, he said. Turner provided few details about precisely how the fire benefits will align or not align with the terms the police officers agreed to, saying simply, "We're making their plan a little bit more analogous to that of police." Nick Anderson Would-be dictators can't stand a free press, and can't stand scrutiny. Donald Trump has authoritarian tendencies. He can't stand "so-called judges" ruling against him, and he can't stand the scrutiny of the media. He is bringing it on himself. He tells lies constantly, making up stories out of thin air. When he is called out on it, he attacks his critics as enemies of the people, then gives wet kisses to Vladimir Putin. Click the gallery below to see many more cartoons by Nick Anderson. A few days ago Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announced that he was ending the partnership between his office and the federal Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement - a partnership that, in effect, made his deputies immigration officers. Known as 287(g), the voluntary program trained a team of deputies to determine the immigration status of jailed suspects and hold those selected until ICE could pick them up and deport them. The low-keyed former Houston police officer and city councilmember seemed to go out of his way to avoid casting his decision as a political statement. Unlike his counterpart in Travis County, Sheriff Sally Hernandez, Gonzalez has avoided provoking the ire of Gov. Greg Abbott, who has made his crusade against so-called sanctuary cities an emergency item for the Legislature and has cut off state law-enforcement grants to Travis County in response to Hernandez's decision not to cooperate with ICE unless serious crimes are at issue. Gonzalez explained that his office will continue responding to all of ICE's detainer requests. The sheriff framed his decision on 287(g) as a practical law-enforcement matter. Dealing with terrible jail overcrowding, critical staff shortages and a disturbingly low crime-clearance rate, he now has nine extra officers devoted to the needs of Harris County, not ICE. Gonzalez's sensible, pragmatic approach to an immigration issue is in sharp contrast to the Trump administration's cruel, misguided and costly "military operation" against immigrants. Trump's newly created enforcement priorities are creating havoc among immigrant communities; no doubt that's purposeful. His anti-immigrant policies are sowing fear among immigrants legal and otherwise, threatening to tear apart families and soon will begin having a negative effect on local economies. These are people whose only crime is to be living and working in this country without proper documentation. Certainly, it's preferable that they be properly documented, but documented or not, the vast majority are harming no one (despite Trump's ridiculous "bad hombres" bombast). "What's the urgency?" Sheriff Gonzalez asked when he talked to the Chronicle editorial board about his 287(g) decision. What's the urgency, indeed. In 2013, the U.S. Senate passed complex and comprehensive immigration reform legislation that would have gone a long way toward resolving most of the issues that continue to vex the nation today. The legislation would have set up workable guest-worker programs, rewritten rules for skilled workers from India and elsewhere, vastly upgraded border security and provided a path toward legalization for the 11 million or so who are living and working in this country without authorization. The House rejected the legislation, primarily because of members' animus against legalizing the undocumented. In the current anti-immigrant atmosphere, comprehensive immigration reform is as dead as the new president's promise to bring America together. Instead, the White House and its Republican allies in Congress have chosen a costly and short-sighted approach that dehumanizes immigrants, ignores the reality of their contributions to the nation's economy and belies our image worldwide as a "shining city on a hill." Again, where's the urgency that demands such cruel and disruptive actions? Conservative columnist David Brooks of the New York Times, writing last week about a GOP-sponsored bill to drastically cut legal immigration, described the GOP's straitened view as, in the words of the headline, "a national death wish." He posited a much more hopeful, confident and farsighted approach that's exemplified by a city Chronicle readers know well, a city that is "incredibly diverse" ... "incredibly dynamic" ... "the fastest-growing big city in America recently." That city is, of course, our own. "The large immigrant population has paradoxically given the city a very strong, very patriotic and cohesive culture, built around being welcoming to newcomers and embracing the future," Brooks wrote. The columnist's only complaint about Houston is that it's "pretty ugly." (He blames lack of zoning.) However unattractive we might be to columnist Brooks, we're nowhere near as ugly as Trump's anti-immigrant crusade. It's costly, it's dangerous and, in our view, it's anti-American. Neither Trump nor Abbott nor their GOP cohorts waging holy war against the undocumented are going to moderate - in fact, things are likely to get even uglier - but at least Houston can resist to the extent that it's possible. Sheriff Gonzalez's decision on 287(g) was a modest act of resistance, regardless of whether he wants to characterize it that way. In the coming months and years, religious groups, social service agencies, city government, friends and neighbors of immigrants and Houstonians from all walks of life must be prepared to do likewise. The cultural and legislative battle to curb teen smoking has been a long-waged effort, and the war has a new front: e-cigarettes. While current traditional cigarette smoking declined among middle and high school students from 2011 to 2015, use of e-cigs increased at an alarming rate, growing "an astonishing" 900 percent in that time period, according to U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy. Moreover, e-cigs are now the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the United States. So an effort by Texas lawmakers to protect the health of minors makes sense. A proposal, sponsored by state Sen. Carlos Uresti, D-San Antonio, and state Rep. John Zerwas, R-Richmond, calls for raising the minimum legal age to buy or possess tobacco products and electronic cigarettes from 18 to 21. In addition to the restriction on minors, the plan has the potential of lowering health-care costs in the long term. The plan has bipartisan support. Zerwas, a Richmond physician, told the San Antonio Express-News that the goal of the legislation is to widen the gap between the availability of tobacco products and high school-age people. The proposal merits passage by the Texas Legislature. Consider the following: According to the American Lung Association, tobacco use during childhood and adolescence not only can cause major health problems, but people who begin smoking at an early age are more likely to develop a severe addiction than those who start at a later age. Each day in the United States, more than 3,200 youth 18 years or younger smoke their first cigarette, and an additional 2,100 youth and young adults become daily cigarette smokers, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tobacco use remains the single-largest preventable cause of death and disease in the nation, according to the CDC. Opposition to Uresti's proposal is a sure certainty, but we encourage and urge lawmakers to take the long view and weigh the benefits of deterring youth from starting a bad habit that could have life-long, dire consequences. If you watch the Academy Awards show tonight, you'll notice one of the nominees for best picture looks distinctively Texan. "Hell or High Water" has been described as a modern-day western, a critically lauded movie about two brothers robbing banks and two Texas Rangers hot on their trail along dusty Panhandle highways. Of course, it would've made sense for the filmmakers to shoot this decidedly Texas tale here in the Lone Star State. Instead, they reluctantly decided to make their movie in New Mexico, which lured the production across the state line with lucrative tax incentives. "It's unfortunate," director David Mackenzie told The Hollywood Reporter. "We wanted to shoot in Texas, but we'd lose a week of shooting for doing so because of the budget. We then came to the conclusion that the difference between the two places was marginal enough to shoot in New Mexico, close to the border, and have the advantage of the tax incentives." Score another loss for the Texas film industry, which has been losing business to states with more generous tax incentives since the early 1990's. It's frustrating for filmmakers in our state, who've repeatedly seen movies supposedly set in Texas shot in other states. The most high-profile example was arguably "No Country for Old Men," the 2007 Best Picture winner shot in New Mexico even though it was based upon a book written by Texas author Cormac McCarthy and directed by Texas filmmakers Joel and Ethan Coen. Texas really ought to be one of the nation's top states for production of movies, television shows and video games. Our state has unique locations, a good pool of talent and an academic infrastructure that's training future generations of filmmakers. But even movie producers based in Texas have felt compelled to move some of their work out of state. The Austin Chronicle reports that three television series have recently bailed out of our state, including a show produced by Austin director Robert Rodriguez. When productions chasing tax incentives move to other states, the talent follows the jobs and the base of workers necessary to support the industry in Texas shrinks. Meanwhile, some Texas lawmakers have been trying to cut or completely end the state's comparatively meager incentives for the film industry. Three bills introduced in the current session of the Texas Legislature would eliminate the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program. Just to be clear, the state doesn't give film producers any money up front. Only after production wraps does the state pay grants based upon a variety of criteria. At least 70 percent of the cast and crew must be Texas residents and at least 60 percent of the production days must be based in Texas. Critics make a compelling argument against giving tax rebates to movie producers. How, they ask, can you justify giving tax incentives to movie producers when single mothers paying their full share of taxes are struggling to pay their bills? But by that logic, the state shouldn't offer any tax incentives to anybody in any other business. We're generally wary of granting what's essentially corporate welfare to any industry, but the simple truth is the film and television business offers our state benefits beyond creating jobs. Just as the Super Bowl provided a global platform for promoting Houston, movies set in Texas are essentially advertisements for our state. From John Wayne westerns to James Dean in "Giant" to Larry Hagman in "Dallas," movies and television shows have helped define Texas in the international arena. We need to stop losing this business to other states. Our lawmakers shouldn't eliminate these tax incentives. They should make sure Texas stays competitive in the film and television industry. Prosecute him Regarding "Teen accused of killing bald eagle charged" (Page A4, Thursday), what a reprehensible example of lack of respect for our country. Mr. Delgado obviously didn't know what the bald eagle stood for due to lack of education or just flat did not care. For the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to decline to pursue prosecution is a slap in the face to all U.S. citizens. When two laws or broken and no action is taken, what does that say about the bureaucracy that we call government? Taxpayers pay the salary of these people, and taxpayers are the same people should hold them accountable for doing their jobs. Bob Pope, The Woodlands College disparity Regarding "Senate panel passes bill to ditch Texas college set-aside financial aid program" (chron.com, Thursday), the Legislative Budget Board reports that 106,000 poor students received these set-aside funds, for a total of $240 million. Most of these funds go to students with family incomes under $50,000. There is a crucial fact to emphasize: Empirical evidence documents that relatively wealthy students at universities already receive far more than their fair share of subsidy. Research findings published by the American Enterprise Institute in "Cheap for Whom?," co-authored by researchers Jorge Klor de Alva and Mark Schneider, document this unfair disparity between rich and poor college students. They reveal: "Among not-for-profit institutions, the amount of taxpayer subsidies hovers between $1,000 and $2,000 per student per year until we turn to the most selective institutions. ... Among these already well-endowed institutions, the tax subsidy jumps substantially to more than $13,000 per student per year." The authors conclude: "If the country is to retain its competitive edge, it must reverse the current policies that result in providing the lowest levels of taxpayer support to institutions that enroll the highest percentage of low-income, nontraditional and minority students - the fastest growing segments of the population." Terminating tuition set-asides would widen this disparity between rich and poor students. If SB 18 passes, will the Legislature replace the funds denied to low-income students? Ron Trowbridge Trustee, Lone Star College System Get to work Regarding "Patrick predicts bathroom bill win" (Page A3, Friday), will we need to carry our birth certificates with us when we use a restroom, regardless of gender? This is no joke. Any American who has traveled to Europe knows how restrooms are laid out over there. Europe does not discriminate in these types of frivolous issues. One restroom for females and males. A lot bars and restaurants in the U.S., especially in small towns, have only one restroom. All I want is for men to put the seat down when they leave! When it comes to children in a restroom, it is the responsibility of a parent to accompany them in and out. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and Austin need to get working on jobs, education and health care. Cecily M Ryan, Kingwood Texas began 2017 as the nation's leading incarcerator, with roughly 150,000 men and women in state prisons and jails operating at an annual cost of more than $3 billion. The Legislature and state officials are under pressure to cut that budget by $250 million or more. Perhaps with a little imagination, Texas also could become one of the country's leading innovators in closing, consolidating and repurposing some of its facilities while reaching those budget goals. One way to do that is to build on prior changes and to increase diversion of individuals convicted of non-violent and lower-level felony offenses into less-expensive, evidence-based rehabilitation programs. Lawmakers are considering proposals to reclassify low-level felonies to misdemeanors that would do just that. In recent years 29 states have adopted reforms that scaled back the scope and severity of their sentencing policies and began shrinking their prison populations and budgets. A new report by The Sentencing Project, a Washington, D.C. criminal justice think tank, notes that declines in state prison populations across the country and the shifting politics around mass incarceration have created opportunities to downsize prison bed space. Since 2011 at least 22 states have closed or announced closures for 94 prisons and juvenile facilities, a reduction of more than 48,000 beds and an estimated savings of more than $345 million. Texas has been slower than many states to reduce its prison rolls. California, New York, Rhode Island and New Jersey each have reduced their prison populations by more than 20 percent from peak levels over the past 15 years, with no adverse effect on public safety. Mississippi and South Carolina reduced the number of people behind bars in their states by 18 and 11 percent, respectively. Texas now houses about 10 percent of the 1.5 million people in state prisons across the country, at a national average cost of about $54 a day per prisoner. Local communities often resist prison closures that can cost jobs and tax revenue, but shutting down older and under-utilized prisons can lead to new beginnings. For example, when state lawmakers decided not to renew the contract for a co-gender prison in Dallas, Dawson State Jail closed in 2013. It was operated privately but owned by the state, and the shutdown opened up new development opportunities for the Trinity River Corridor Project. New houses, condominiums, office buildings and shops and restaurants are sprouting up where the operating prison had been considered an inhibition to development. The city of Dallas hopes to buy it outright or collaborate with developers, possibly for a hotel or residential tower. Urban prisons easily lend themselves to new purposes. The closure of the medium-security Arthur Kill Correctional Facility on New York's Staten Island led to a local company planning to buy the facility for $7 million and use it as a movie studio, investing another $20 million. In Tennessee, the rural Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, where Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassin James Earl Ray was held, closed in 2009. A private consortium is transforming the site into a tourist attraction that includes a distillery, restaurant, horse trails and campgrounds. Prison closings also offer an opportunity for state officials and communities to rethink spending on public safety and shift priorities from costly prisons to interventions outside of the criminal justice system. Reimagining uses for closing prisons and thinking about less expensive substitutes for incarceration can only benefit Texas taxpayers and those directly affected by the justice system. Porter is director of advocacy for The Sentencing Project, a criminal justice research group in Washington, D.C. Kirby is Criminal Justice Programs Director for Grassroots Leadership in Austin. Ive always been proud to be a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and my work helping to craft the state budget. It might not sound like a ton of fun, but I take a great deal of pride in working hard to make ends meet for the citizens of Missouri in spite of limited resources. Each year we are presented a budget by the governor and we have to decide what to keep and what to trim. This year the governor has recommended more than $2 billion for mental health funding. It is imperative we provide adequate funding in the budget for mental health services to ensure Missourians are able to have access to the needed treatments and professionals who can best meet their needs. This funding leaves me hopeful there will be more resources available to help those who truly need it. The governor has also released additional $11 million for K-12 school transportation. While, this doesnt fill the funding gap, it is a step in the right direction. The governor is doing a good job of listening to the need of school children across the state and is putting money where there is the biggest need. We have also learned the state will be receiving $52 million in tobacco settlement fees, and the governor would like to restore $41 million to in-home and community based services which I discussed with you last week. Thats still a bit shy of where we were, but much closer to keeping most of those vital services in place for the seniors that so desperately need them. As Ive promised before, I will carefully study each budget item that is before me to make sure we are making the best use of the funds we have. Its a huge responsibility to be in this position, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. Im also proud to announce that Carol Silvey of West Plains, has been appointed to the Missouri State University Board of Governors. Carol began her career at the former Southwest Missouri State University-West Plains, now MSU-WP, in the history department. In 1994, she became the first full-time director of development and grew the campus endowment to more than $1 million. She created the development board and the Missouri State-West Plains Advisory Board. The 33rd Senatorial District is very fortunate in that we have extremely qualified constituents who have been chosen to represent us on numerous boards and state positions. Please help me congratulate Carol on this prestigious appointment. Mike Cunningham is a Republican member of the Missouri State Senate, representing District 33. Contact him at 573-751-1882 or www.senate.mo.gov/cunningham 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. As an existing print subscriber it is easy to get FREE access to all our online content. 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TORONTO Shares of Canadian and U.S. marijuana producers fell Friday after the Trump administration suggested a crackdown on recreational marijuana may be in the works. Most of Canadas publicly traded pot growers ended Friday lower after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer predicted the Justice Department will be looking more closely at the issue. Advertisement I do believe that youll see greater enforcement of it, Spicer said at a White House briefing. Spicer said there is a big difference between medical marijuana, which Congress has in effect condoned, and recreational use, which is something the Department of Justice I think will be further looking into. Ontario-based Canopy Growth Corp. (stock ticker symbol WEED), which bills itself as the world's largest cannabis company, tumbled 4.64 per cent on open Friday. Canopy became Canadas first marijuana unicorn last fall, with a market value of $1 billion or more, after voters in four U.S. states California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada voted to legalize recreational pot. Advertisement More than a fifth of the U.S. population now lives in a state where recreational weed is legal, and many more live in states where marijuana has been legalized for medical purposes. Some firms sought to reassure investors. "We do not believe the Trump administration will take significant action to shut down the recreational cannabis industry in states like Colorado, where the cannabis industry employs tens of thousands of people and contributes more than $100 million in taxes annually," pot producer MassRoots said, as quoted at Business Insider. Others vowed to fight any moves to roll back the moves made on marijuana decriminalization in recent years. "The cannabis industry will fight any pressure from the federal government to set back the significant progress that's been made thus far," said Jeffrey Zucker, head of Denver-based strategy firm Green Lion Partners. Advertisement "Singling out the adult-use market is short-sighted." Follow The Huffington Post Canada on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram Also on HuffPost United Way office at library connects residents in crisis with resources Goal of program to connect families in need with the resources and guide them through application processes. Sunny Pawar plays Saroo, or 'Lion,' based on the true story of a 5-year-old lost Indian boy. 'Lion': A Prince of the Jungle Watching Garth Davis' "Lion," about a 5-year-old Indian boy who gets lost thousands of miles from his home, the innate humanitarian in you wonders just how many years of do-gooding it might take to put a dent in the horrific squalor the tale depicts. The poverty, the social equivalent of that stench-filled restaurant bathroom that has never left your psyche, is overwhelming. Shocked by the no-holds barred expose of how 80 percent of the world lives in destitution, you are humbled by your good fortune. Granted, scripture reads that "The poor will always be with you," and there has never been any shortage of those wicked sorts who have seized that phrase as permission to absolve themselves of any real commitment to humanity. They have fashioned all manner of economic alchemy to rationalize how their single-minded march to the accumulation of bangles, baubles, beads and Swiss bank accounts benefits the less affluent. Known as the trickledown theory since the 1950s, like Beelzebub it has had numerous aliases over the millennia. The thought here as we watch little lost Saroo try to find his way home on the subcontinent is that while the poor may always be with us, nothing in Matthew says we're not allowed to whittle that down to just two or three folks who could maybe switch off being our poor. But in the meantime, until people decide whether or not they want to embrace their fellow countrymen instead of demonizing them, the Me First mantra perpetuates a law of the jungle that shamelessly contends we can evolve no better than this. Fortunately, Saroo is too young to be afflicted with this rabid pessimism currently masquerading as populism. Fully in survival mode and still blessed with that idealism that distinguishes us from the savage beast, he traverses the landscape of India. We are aghast as the harrowing journey, based on a true story, thrashes our sensibilities. Bouncing from one train car to another and walking miles across inhospitable geography, it is heinous that this child must use his intuition to evade those depraved scum who would do him harm. Along the way, as Saroo does the human version of Anna Sewell's "Black Beauty," we learn that about 80,000 children go missing each year in India, and that 11 million kids currently live on the streets of India alone. It's a bit much to digest. But while we might for a moment be tempted to give up on nobler dreams, just as a disconcerting portion of Americans recently did, our better instinct says no emphatically, no! Encouraged by drama doing what it does best, we need little convincing to be invested in Saroo. If he survives, it is civilization's vicarious victory. Sunny Pawar, who plays the 5-year-old Saroo, which means lion, does a fantastic job of winning our hearts. "Run, Saroo," we implore as he navigates the maze of desperate scheming that flourishes in the crime-ridden catacombs of the world's dreggiest locales. There, regarded as no more than worker ants, ostensibly left to fend in any way that they can, the population sees no oddity in this wayward waif. He is familiar, symptomatic, unthinkingly swept under the carpet of, "Well, that's just the way it is." Letter: firefighters To the Editor: Congratulation to the nine all white male firefighter that Pittsfield just hired with federal funds and to the City's Equal Rights and Employment Commission for a job well done. It appears they have made lots of progress in the last few years. The city should be real proud. Sean Curran Pittsfield, Mass. A large crowd waited for Shane Willis to arrive, greeting him with hugs, handshakes, and thank yous. The streets were lined for Shane Willis' return. PreviousNext Pittsfield Welcomes Serviceman Back From 5th Deployment During a short ceremony, Here At Home Committee Chairwoman Kathy Mickle presented Tech. Sgt. Shane Willis with a plaque honoring his service. PITTSFIELD, Mass. As soon as they saw the sirens coming down Wendell Avenue, the large crowd erupted in cheers: Tech. Sgt. Shane Willis is home safe. Willis returned to his hometown Friday night, with an escort from state, local, and auxiliary police, after his fifth deployment overseas. He was most recently stationed for seven months in Kuwait with the Air Force. He had been previously deployed to Iraq three times and Afghanistan once. The 37-year-old Taconic High School graduate has been in the Air Force Reserve for 15 years now, joining when he was 22. "It took me to about that age to finally to be like, why don't I join the military? I was thinking about it whenever I met someone, I always wanted to be affiliated. I took the leap," Willis said. "That's the advice I give everybody, make your decisions, go with it and don't look back. That's the mindset I developed at that age and that is what made me sign up." Now he is married with two sons, ages 10 and 6, and had moved his family to the state of Florida a little over a year ago. He has been commuting back and forth to Westover Air Force Base, with which he has been affiliated since 2002, prior to being deployed to Kuwait. Now he is making the transition back to civilian life. "When you are deployed there are so many things you can do, there is certain protocol. You are in a deep routine and you have high responsibility. Now you are back, you don't have to be part of a mission right now. It is all about being reintegrated so I have all this freedom now. It's a strange feeling," Willis said. Willis has gotten used to that transition somewhat, being that he's done it five times now. But Friday's was the biggest welcoming party he's had. The Here At Home Committee has known Willis for years and has tried to do something for him each time but none as large as the 50 or some people who were there to greet him on Friday. "We really had been in contact all of these years. In his second deployment, he came home on a Veterans Day and I was presenting a plaque to someone else on the podium and told everybody that he was home. The next time he came home it was in the middle of winter and there were four or five us met him. But this is his fifth and we felt we needed to tell him, 'we love you,'" Kathy Mickle, chairwoman of the Here At Home Committee, said. "We've become friends, family." Willis said such ceremonies can sometimes be difficult at first for many veterans but "when the smoke clears" it is greatly appreciated. "When we sign up we say an oath to protect the Constitution, protect our way of life, it becomes us and our job. When we come back and people say 'thank you for your service' it is kind of a weird feeling. It feels like that is our duty. We are just doing what we signed up to do," Willis said. "It takes us a while to accept people saying thank you but in the end, it is welcomed." Willis said he had some tough times returning to civilian life in the past. "Before when I used to come home it was tough with how quiet everything was. I was used to hearing the aircraft and the heavy equipment going by and mortars. We would get mortar attacked all the time in Iraq and Afghanistan. Kuwait wasn't so hot as far as the danger aspect but we had a lot of occupational hazards," Willis said. He later said, "Most veterans that come back, especially those on the reserve counterpart, are in limbo. When we come back we'd think everything was paused like a video game or something. We'd come back and hit the unpause button and you left off where you were. But people change. Your kids get bigger." The Here At Home Committee hopes to help veterans with that transition. But only if the family wants to. The group was formed after local musician Mary Verdi wrote a song called "Here at Home" and the citizen group formed. Now if a family from the Berkshires invites them, the group will send out an email blast to all of their contacts and organize a welcoming party. Mary Verdi sings a song in honor Willis. "We just have a well-oiled machine when someone is coming home. We have to be invited by the family. We have no official capacity. When we know they are coming home we just kind of put it in order. I have about 200 on an email list and we blast that out. The veterans groups have their email lists and they blast that out. There are a few churches that send it out," Mickle said. Not every veteran wants a welcoming party and Willis understands that. But, for him, it was nice to see the familiar faces and it was definitely memorable. "Most of us when we get back home we want to just go home, see your immediate family, and slowly get back into the swing of things with your friends. And then maybe have a big welcoming," Willis said. "Depending on the stressors they've had over there, they might not want a lot of new faces around them. You are always on guard for new people, it comes with the nature of whatever job you have in the armed forces. But it is nice. It's grounding. It was nice to see everyone here." The committee gives plaques to returning veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars post gives a challenge coin. And now a quilting group from the Senior Center has joined the effort by presenting handmade quilts to thank returning servicemen and women. Mickle says the Willis family has been a big supporter of local veterans organizations with Willis' wife, Shana, even serving on the committee at one point. The family participates in parades and other events. They've become so close that Mickle sponsored a flag in the Park of Honor, in Park Square, this past November in Willis' honor. Mickle also gave him that flag Friday night. The people who gathered all lined up to shake the hands of Willis' and his mother and father Marlena and Jerry Willis and thank them for their service. Willis says he has no plans to separate from the Air Force but he is going to work on opening a second shop to build drag and rally cars. "My plan is to open a second shop in Port Charlotte (Fla.). After you work for other people and have people work for you, you are wanting to go out and be your own boss. That's my future entrepreneurship and have my own shop," Willis said. More than 100 attended the rally. PreviousNext Hundreds Rally In Pittsfield To Support ObamaCare State Reps. Paul Mark and Tricia Farley-Bouvier were speakers for the event. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Congress will soon take up bills to repeal the Affordable Care Act. But hundreds of local residents took to Park Square on Saturday to oppose those efforts, joining thousands across the nation who have held rallies and packed congressional town halls. The act passed under former President Barack Obama expanded health care coverage across the country. New President Donald Trump, however, has called it too costly and vowed to repeal and replace it. The debate over the repeal is expected to unfold shortly in Washington, D.C. But here in heavily Democratic Massachusetts, which passed similar health-care reform (so-called Romneycare) a decade ago, residents are sending a message that the act shouldn't be repealed and any changes to it should move the country toward a single-payer system. "There are thousands of people like us marching and rallying across the country today in support of the Affordable Care Act, in support of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security," said Casey Pease, who organized Saturday's rally. "We are letting our elected officials know that they will not repeal, that they will not take our health care away. We need to move to a Medicare-for-all system." Protests were organized in all parts of the nation on Saturday, all in defense of those social programs. State Rep. Paul Mark said he's been asked why such rallies are happening now and here. "We are having a rally now because right now is when Trump and Speaker [Paul] Ryan and [Senate] Leader Mitch McConnell are deciding what they are going to put before Congress and we need to make sure in this stage of the process that we are letting our members of Congress Congressman [Richard] Neal, Sen. [Elizabeth] Warren, Sen. [Edward] Markey we are letting them know that we have their back. That want them to fight and we are going to be with them fighting every step of the way," Mark said. Neal is a ranking member of the Ways and Means Committee so he'll have a role in the ongoing discussions, Mark said. The rally here in Massachusetts lets him know that his constituents support and want every effort made to protect those programs, he said. "He can be a leader for us and we need to be there to make sure he knows we are supporting him," Mark said. "He is going to get attacked. He is going to get attacked on Twitter. He is going to get attacked in Breitbart. He is going to get attacked everywhere else by Trump with all the fake news and crap he's doing right now. They are going to be after him. But it doesn't matter because they know we support them." State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier said that while Massachusetts has its own health care program, changes to the federal program could mean drastic impacts at home. "You should be scared. You should be scared because as determined as we can be to protect the people of Massachusetts from the changes in the ACA, they're going to take a whole lot of money away from Massachusetts to do this," Farley-Bouvier said. Later adding, "even though we are lucky to live in Massachusetts, we are still kind of screwed here." She called on the crowd to continue to put pressure on Congress to protect the programs. The group, however, doesn't want to stop with just protecting those programs. It wants to move to a "Medicare for all" system. "This isn't just about stopping cuts. Health care is a basic human right. The Affordable Care Act was a step in the right direction but it was not the final step. Rather than reverse the progress we've made so far, we must build on it. The only true answer to our health care crisis is Medicare for all," said Massachusetts Nursing Association representative Mark Brodeur. Brodeur is a registered nurse at Berkshire Medical Center. He says Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security are the foundation of the health care system. He said part of the proposed changes could include making maternity and prenatal care as "optional benefits" for insurance providers. But, Brodeur says babies whose mothers do not receive proper prenatal care are three times more likely to be underweight, and infant mortality rate is five times higher for those babies. Nurse Mark Brodeur says the MNA opposes the efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act and wants a 'Medicare for all' program instead. He is also worried that cuts to health care programs will put senior citizens and people with mental health issues further at risk. Brodeur said the MNA opposes any efforts to "undermine the public's access to affordable health care." The local rally was organized by Pease with help from the progressive Democratic groups the Four Freedoms Coalition, Our Revolution, Progressive Democrats of America, Young Democrats of Massachusetts, College Democrats of Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts Young Democrats, Western Mass. Jobs with Justice. Also helping was the Massachusetts Nurses Association, Lyme Alliance of the Berkshires, and the Worthington Democratic Town Committee. At age 19, Pease represented the younger generation. He said it is imperative that the next generation stands up for the important programs. "I have to stand here in defense of my future and in defense of my fellow young people's future and let them know that the young people of this country are standing up and making our voices heard," Pease said. "Now more than ever it is important that we make our voices heard. We have an administration that doesn't want that when they try to block the press from reaching out." The rally also received support from Mayor Linda Tyer, who was in attendance, state Sen. Adam Hinds, and Neal. iciHaiti - Culture : Haiti in the parade of the carnival of Guadeloupe Friday, Haiti participated once again this year and with brilliance, at the parade of the Carnival 2017 of Guadeloupe. Haiti brought the Rara to Paul Caraibes airport in Guadeloupe, under the eyes of an audience of curious travelers, who did not fail to film the spectacle of the Haitian troupe. Meanwhile, a meeting was held Friday evening with the Haitian diaspora of Guadeloupe at the Salle Georges Tarer. Ken Duval, the Director General of the Ministry of Tourism, presented Haiti's tourism hubs, the investment and development opportunities as well as the latest figures of tourist arrivals in the country. This meeting was also used as a pretext to encourage the diaspora to return to Haiti to invest. Follow on HaitiLibre.com as every year the Carnival activities in Haiti on February 26th, 27th and 28th. Happy Carnival to all ! IH/ iciHaiti iciHaiti - Canada : Opening of the exhibition of the painter Ricardo Fleuraguste Thursday at the Embassy of Haiti in Ottawa, Canada, as part of the celebration of "Black History Month", in the presence of many personalities invited by Ambassador Frantz Liautaud, Ambassador of the Republic From Haiti to Canada : of representatives from CARICOM and GRULA, Haitian personalities and guests from various backgrounds, took place the opening of the exhibition of the painter Ricardo Fleuraguste. A native of Haiti, the artist defines his work as "symbols of recognition of the Haitian diaspora to the considerable contribution of blacks to the heritage of humanity". This exhibition is open to the general public from February 23 to March 9, 2017 at the Haitian Embassy in Canada at 85 Albert Street, Suite 1110, Ottawa K1P6A4. IH/ iciHaiti Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Dont ask Yayoi Kusama whats been the highlight of her career. She might be 87 years old, internationally renowned and about to have major, simultaneous exhibitions in the United States and Japan, but shes not done yet. It's still coming. Im going to create it in the future, says Kusama, often described as Japans most successful living artist, at her studio in central Tokyo, paint in her red wig and on her glasses. Kusama, who has a history of neurosis and has lived as a voluntary resident at a mental hospital a block away for about four decades, has been up at 3am painting, partly because she couldn't sleep and partly because she wanted to squeeze in time for work before the engine of Yayoi Kusama Inc started up for the day. Im old now, but I am still going to create more work and better work. More than I have in the past, she says. My mind is full of paintings. Kusama works in her three-story studio from 9am to 6pm every day, sitting in her wheelchair she can walk, but is frail painting on canvases laid on tables or propped on the floor. The studio is packed with new paintings, vibrant works full of tiny dots. They're all about what Kusama calls self-obliteration the endless repetition silencing the noise in her head. A new gallery across the road is ready to open, and another dedicated museum north of Tokyo is in the works. Plus, she has two major exhibitions in progress. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, a retrospective of her 65-year career, opened at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC on 23 February, running until 14 May. The exhibition features more than 60 of Kusama's paintings, sculptures and installations, along with six of her idiosyncratic infinity mirror rooms, featuring balloons, LEDs and polka dots, all endlessly repeated in the mirrors. She is a pioneer first and foremost, as a female and Asian artist in the Sixties, transgressing painting, sculpture and performance, says Mika Yoshitake, associate curator at the Hirshhorn. These mirror rooms are works that reflect her ability to transgress the genres. Hirshhorn Museum volunteer Erinda Aliaj takes in Dots Obsession-Love Transformed Into Dots, part of the exhibition Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirrors, a retrospective of Kusama's 65-year career (Bill OLeary/Washington Post) (Washington Post photo by Bill O'Leary) One, a recreation of the mirror room called Phalli's Field from 1965, features hundreds of white-and-red-spotted stuffed fabric penis creations. In another, the Obliteration Room, visitors will be invited to stick multi-coloured polka dots all over a white living room. These rooms reflect all of her elements: her obsessions, her accumulations, her infinite repetitions. And it's all very bodily and imersive, Yoshitake says. The day before this exhibition opened in Washington, another opened at the National Art Centre in Tokyo. Together, the exhibitions underscore the global phenomenon that is Yayoi Kusama. Her polka dots cover everything from Louis Vuitton dresses to buses in her home town. Her artworks regularly fetch a million dollars, and can be found from New York to London and Amsterdam. Her exhibitions are so popular that they need crowd control: the Hirshhorn is giving out timed tickets to try to regulate the stampede. But Kusama still needs outside validation. Am I really? she responds when a reporter asks her about achieving her goal, stated decades before, of becoming rich and famous. When I was a kid, I had a hard time convincing my mother that I wanted to become an artist. Is it really true that I am famous and successful? Recommended Yayoi Kusama is named the most popular artist in the world Kusama was born in Matsumoto, in the mountains of central Japan, in 1929, into a prosperous and conservative family of seedling merchants. But theirs was not a happy home. Her mother had contempt for her womanising father and sent the young Kusama to spy on him. The girl saw her father with other women, sparking what she has described as a lifelong abhorrence of sex. While still a child, she began experiencing visual and aural hallucinations. The first time she saw a pumpkin, she imagined that it was speaking to her. The young Kusama dealt with her hallucinations by drawing, and by drawing repetitive patterns to obliterate the thoughts in her head. Even at that young age, art became a form of therapy, what she would later call art-medicine. But Kusama's mother was vehemently opposed to her desire to become an artist, insisting that she follow a traditional path. She wouldn't let me paint. She wanted me to marry someone," Kusama says, wearing the blank expression of the heavily medicated. She threw away my artworks. I wanted to throw myself in front of the train. Every day I fought with my mother, and that's why my mental state was damaged. In 1948, after the war had ended, Kusama went to Kyoto to study Nihonga, a traditional and highly rule-bound form of Japanese painting. She detested it. Earlier, while living in Matsumoto, she had found a book by Georgia OKeeffe and was struck by the paintings. So she went to the US embassy in Tokyo and searched the Who's Who reference publication for OKeeffe's address. She sent her a letter and some paintings and, astoundingly, OKeeffe wrote back. I couldnt believe my luck! She had been kind enough to respond to the sudden outburst of a lowly Japanese girl she'd never met or heard of before, Kusama wrote in her autobiography, Infinity Net. Despite OKeeffes warnings that the US was a tough place for a young artist let alone a young, single, female Japanese artist Kusama wouldn't be dissuaded. In 1957 she managed to get a passport and a visa, and sewed dollars into her dresses to circumvent postwar currency controls. First stop: Seattle, where she held an exhibition at a small gallery. Then she made her way to New York, where she had a rude awakening: Unlike post-war Matsumoto, New York was in every way a fierce and violent place. I found it all extremely stressful and was soon mired in neurosis, she wrote. Detail of an installation, Obliteration Room, by Kusama, an all-white living room that visitors will be invited to adorn with multicolored dots, at the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington (Bill OLeary/Washington Post) (Washington Post photo by Bill O'Leary) Making matters worse, she found herself in abject poverty. Her bed was an old door, and she scavenged fish heads and old vegetables from dumpsters and boiled them into soup. But this situation made Kusama throw herself into her work even more. She began producing her first trademark Infinity Net paintings, huge canvases one was 33ft high covered with mesmerising waves of small loops that seemed to go on and on. White nets enveloping the black dots of silent death against a pitch-dark background of nothingness, is how she describes them. This obsessive-compulsive repetition helped stave off neurosis, but it didn't always work. She repeatedly found herself suffering from psychotic episodes and ended up in a hospital in New York. Ambitious and driven, and happy to play the role of the kimono-clad exotic Asian, she fell in with an influential artist crowd, hanging out with the likes of Mark Rothko and Andy Warhol (who she later said had imitated her work). She soon found a degree of fame, holding exhibitions in packed galleries. She also found or rather, courted notoriety. In the 1960s, when her polka dot obsession was taking off, she began staging happenings around New York, enticing people to strip naked in such places as Central Park and the Brooklyn Bridge, then painting their bodies with polka dots. Decades before the Occupy Wall Street movement, Kusama organised a happening in the New York financial district, declaring that she wanted to obliterate Wall Street men with polka dots. Around this time, she also started covering objects an armchair, a boat, a pushchair with phallus-shaped protuberances. I began making penises in order to heal my feelings of disgust towards sex, she wrote, describing how the process gradually turned the horror into something familiar. Kusama never married, although she did have a decade-long relationship of sorts in New York with the artist Joseph Cornell. I disliked sex and he was impotent, so we suited each other very well, she once told Art Magazine. But she increasingly became known more for her stunts: she offered to sleep with Richard Nixon if he stopped the Vietnam War: Lets paint each other with polka dots, she wrote to him, and less for her art. This led to a waning interest in her work, and she found herself out of favour and out of money. Polka dots adorn the windows as installation continues at the Hirshhorn Museum for the upcoming show Yayoi Kusama: Infinite Mirrors (Bill OLeary/Washington Post) (Washington Post photo by Bill O'Leary) News of Kusama's escapades had made it back to Japan, turning her into a national disgrace and leading her mother to say she wished that Kusama had died during a childhood illness. Still, in the early 1970s, the broke and failing Kusama returned to Japan. She checked herself into the mental hospital where she still lives and fell into artistic obscurity. Then, in 1989, the Centre for International Contemporary Arts in New York put on a retrospective of her work. This began a revival, if slow, of interest in her art. She filled a mirrored room with pumpkins for the Venice Biennale in 1993, then in 1998 held a major show at the Museum of Modern Art in New York a venue where she'd once held a happening. Kusama has become a global phenomenon in the past few years. The Tate Modern in London and the Whitney Museum in New York have held major retrospectives, drawing huge crowds, and her signature polka dots are immediately recognisable. Although she has no intention of slowing down artistically, she has started thinking about her mortality. I dont know how long Im going to survive; even after I die there is a future generation that is following in my footsteps," she says, sitting in the bright open space that is her new gallery in central Tokyo. I would be highly honoured if people would like to look at my work and be moved by my work. Despite the commercialisation of her art, she's thinking about her grave in Matsumoto not in the family plot; she's had enough of them and how to avoid making it a shrine. But I'm not dying yet, she says, striking a more upbeat tone. I think I can live another 20 years. Washington Post Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyArts email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} U.S. immigration authorities have decided to bar entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer whose harrowing film about his nation's civil war, "The White Helmets," has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khatib from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Show all 19 1 /19 Early Oscars 2017 contenders Early Oscars 2017 contenders La La Land Whiplash director Damien Chapelle opens this years Venice Film Festival with this original musical starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling as a couple of dreamers trying to make it big in Hollywood: she, a lonely aspiring actress; he, a cocky jazz pianist. The trailer promises a neon-soaked, dreamy take on the classic Golden Age musical, all big-hearted romance and wholesome glamour. Expect La La Land to explore some darker emotional territory alongside all the toe-tapping, too. In cinemas here on 13 January. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Silence Martin Scorseses passion project since 1991 is yet to receive a release date but rumours abound that it will be out in time for the Oscars. Based on a novel of the same name by Japanese author Shusaku Endo, the story centres on two Jesuit missionaries sent to 17th century Japan to spread Christianity and find their mentor Once there, they endure brutal persecution at the time of Kakura Kirishitan (Hidden Christians) following the defeat of the Shimabara Rebellion. Silence sounds weighty, intense and full of hard-hitting promise. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Brokeback Mountain and Life of Pi director Ang Lee has narrowly missed out on a Best Picture win twice now but this adaptation of Ben Fountains acclaimed novel could be the film that finally wins him some overdue glory. The cast includes Kristen Stewart and Vin Diesel with newcomer Joe Alwyn in the lead as 19-year-old soldier Billy, who is brought home for a victory tour after serving in Iraq. Told in flashbacks, the drama reveals the horror of what really happened to his squad in contrast to Americas flashy, patriotic perceptions. Out here 6 January. Early Oscars 2017 contenders A United Kingdom Oyelowo plays Prince Seretse Khama, inaugural Botswana president from 1966 to 1980, in this follow-up to 2015s Belle. Films about real life people often hold clout with the Academy when done well and with Gone Girls Rosamund Pike playing Khamas eventual wife Ruth Williams, A United Kingdom should pull in cinemagoers. Khama sparked a global stir when he married the white Londoner in the late Forties and the first pictures from the movie promise beautiful costumes and cinematography. A United Kingdom will open the London Film Festival before its general release on 25 November. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Loving Ruth Negga and Joel Edgerton star as Mildred and Richard Loving in this historical drama about an interracial couple sentenced to prison in Virginia in 1958 for the crime of getting married. Out here just in time for the Oscars on 3 February. Written and directed by Jeff Nichols, Loving earned positive reviews from critics when it competed for the Palme dOr at Cannes and received a standing ovation for understated, strong performances. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Manchester by the Sea One of the best scripts co-producer Matt Damon had ever read, this tragedy about an uncle who is forced to take care of his teenage nephew after the boys father dies while trying to reconcile with his ex-wife stars Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams and newcomer Lucas Hedges. It was bought at Sundance by Amazon for $10 million and arrives in the UK on 13 January. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Nocturnal Animals Designer Tom Ford has cinematic strings to his bow, as proved with 2009s Venice premiere The Single Man. Hes back in the chair for this drama-thriller starring Amy Adams as a remarried art gallery owner whose ex-husbands violent new book begins to haunt her. Jake Gyllenhaal, Isla Fisher and Armie Hammer also star. Due in UK cinemas on 4 November. Early Oscars 2017 contenders The Light Between Oceans Michael Fassbender stars alongside last years Best Supporting Actress winner Alicia Vikander in the big screen adaptation of ML Stedmans 2012 novel of the same name. Derek Cianfrance is the man behind the camera for this story about a lighthouse keeper war veteran who rescues a baby girl with his wife after she washes up on an adrift rowboat. Then, in steps another Oscar winner, Rachel Weisz, as the woman who threatens to break their happy family apart. Out in the UK on 4 November - bring tissues. Early Oscars 2017 contenders American Pastoral Ewan McGregor makes his directorial debut with this period adaptation of Philip Roths novel American Pastoral. The drama - set in the 60s - centres on a successful businessman (McGregor) whose missing daughter (Dakota Fanning) is accused of a violent bombing in post-war America. Out in the UK on 11 November. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Queen of Katwe Indian-American filmmaker Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding) is the director behind this long-awaited biopic of Ugandan chess prodigy Phiona Mutesi. That Mutesi is played by 12 Years a Slave Oscar-winner Lupita Nyongo is reason enough to anticipate this Disney-produced film, out here 21 October. Disney Early Oscars 2017 contenders Free Fire Ben Wheatleys new action thriller will close the London Film Festival. Set in Massachusetts in the late Seventies, Free Fire stars Oscar-winning Room actress Brie Larson in the lead alongside Cillian Murphy. It follows the heart-stopping game of survival after shots are fired during a meeting between Justine, two Irishmen and two arms dealers who are selling them a stash of guns. Expect blood, sweat and irony with bravura filmmaking from the High-Rise director. Reaches UK cinemas sometime in 2017. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Paterson Jim Jarmuschs Palme dOr contender sees Adam Driver take the lead as a bus driver poet from Paterson, New Jersey. Each night after work, he has dinner with his wife Laura before walking his dog (2016s Palm Dog winner) to the bar for one beer. Then one day, a small disaster strikes. Early Oscars 2017 contenders The Founder Michael Keaton has starred in the last two Best Picture winners Spotlight and Birdman. Here, he takes on the role of ruthless McDonalds founder Ray Kroc, with the film telling the story of the fast food empires origins. The ambitious entrepreneur on a journey to theme didnt end so well for last years Joy, so it remains to be seen whether The Founder can live up to expectations as an Oscars contender. Out here 30 September. The Weinstein Company Early Oscars 2017 contenders Sully Clint Eastwood returns with Sully: Miracle on the Hudson, about the hero pilot who, in 2009, successfully landed his plane along the Hudson River after it was disabled by a flock of geese, saving all 155 crew and passengers. Tom Hanks takes the lead as Chesley Sullenberger in a biopic that sounds like it could tick a lot of Oscars boxes. Based on the autobiography Highest Duty, the thriller marks Eastwoods first directorial effort since 2014s American Sniper. Out 2 December. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Jackie Pablo Larrain directs Oscar winner Natalie Portman as late first lady and fashion icon Jacqueline Kennedy in what he has promised will not be another classic biopic. Set in the days immediately after John F Kennedys 1963 assassination, the film sparked great excitement among distributors after a seven-minute promo screened at Cannes. Release date unknown at this stage. Early Oscars 2017 contenders The Girl on the Train The Helps Tate Taylor is in the directors chair for this years Gone Girl about a troubled woman who becomes embroiled in a murder case after developing a fixation on a beautiful couple from her commuter train. Expect a film pulsating with creepy, voyeur vibes, a la Rear Window, based on Paula Hawkins bestselling thriller. Out in the UK on 7 October. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Florence Foster Jenkins Meryl Streep has been widely praised for her turn as the 1940s New York heiress who couldnt sing (and we mean really couldnt sing) yet somehow became an opera singer with the help of her patient husband St Clair Bayfield (Hugh Grant) and pianist Cosme McMoon (Simon Helberg). Directed by two-time Academy nominee Stephen Frears, the film proved heartwarming and inspiring upon its release earlier this year and was embraced by both film lovers and critics. Early Oscars 2017 contenders Christine Rebecca Hall set Sundance ablaze in January, earning five-star reviews for the performance of her career in Christine, about the news anchor who killed herself live on air in 1974 after suffering from depression. Yet to receive a UK release date, Christine arrives in US cinemas in October, with Antonio Campos also one to watch for directorial accolades come awards season. Courtesy of Sundance Institute Early Oscars 2017 contenders Arrival Paramount Pictures Khatib was scheduled to arrive Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after U.S. officials reported finding "derogatory information" against Khalid. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include everything from terror connections to passport irregularities. 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 }} Hollywood actor-director Jodie Foster gave an impassioned anti-Donald Trump speech during a rally against the President's resurfacing Muslim ban. Foster was addressing 1,200 protesters outside the Los Angeles headquarters of United Talent Agency (UTA) which held the demonstration in place of its annual Oscars party. She warned the crowd of an attack on democracy telling the gathered protestors it was "time to show up. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters I'm not somebody who feels very comfortable using my public face for activism, she said. This year is a very different year and it's time to show up. It's the singular time in history. It's time to engage. Foster continued: We know the first attack on democracy is an assault on free expression and civil liberties and this relentless war on truth. Unfortunately, it's too familiar because history repeats itself. No matter where you're born and no matter who you voted for, red or blue, whether you're white, black or brown and all the colours of the identity rainbow - this is our time to resist. It's our time to show up and demand answers. It's our time to tell our elected officials to do their job. Recommended Syrian cinematographer blocked from entering US for Oscars UTA represents Asghar Farhadi, the one-time Oscar-winning director of Foreign Language nominee The Salesman; the filmmaker was affected by Trump's travel ban which the President is trying to enact once more having been blocked by US courts. Farhadi - who has boycotted this year's Oscars ceremony - also spoke at the rally via video link from Tehran. He said: It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a common show of unity to announce its opposition. "I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices." Oscars 2017: Our film team discuss who will win and who should The Oscars takes place this Sunday 26 February hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. 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 }} A Syrian cinematographer won't be able to attend this Sunday's Oscars ceremony having been denied entry to the US by the Department of Homeland Security. 21-year-old Khaled Khateeb, who worked on the Oscar-nominated documentary short The White Helmets, is reported to have been kept from entering the country after officials found derogatory information against him. The news comes a month after Donald Trump's travel ban - which prevented nationals from seven predominantly-Muslim countries, including Syria, from entering the country - was blocked by a US court. 40-minute long documentary The White Helmets is about The Syrian Civil Defense which has saved over 60,000 people from bombed buildings in war-torn Syria; it's being turned into a feature-length film by George Clooney who this week spoke out against Trump. Films to get excited about in 2017 Show all 13 1 /13 Films to get excited about in 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Star Wars: The Last Jedi Director: Rian Johnson Rian Johnson Cast: Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, and Lupita Nyong'o Plot: No details yet, but it will continue directly on from Rey coming face-to-face with Luke at the end of The Force Awakens. Release Date: 15 December 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Thor: Ragnarok Director: Taika Waititi Taika Waititi Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Tessa Thompson, Jeff Goldblum, Karl Urban, and Mark Ruffalo Plot: Story details are minimal as of now, but Thor's third return to screen has already been teased to feature a loose adaptation of the famous 'Planet Hulk' storyline. Release Date: 27 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 You Were Never Really Here Director: Lynne Ramsay Lynne Ramsay Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Alessandro Nivola Plot: A war veteran's attempt to save a young girl from a sex trafficking ring goes horribly wrong. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Annihilation Director: Alex Garland Alex Garland Cast: Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Tessa Thompson, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A biologist's husband disappears. She thus puts her name forward for an expedition into an environmental disaster zone, but does not quite find what she's expecting. The expedition team is made up of the biologist, an anthropologist, a psychologist, and a surveyor. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Wonderstruck (image from Far From Heaven) Director: Todd Haynes Cast: Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams, and Amy Hargreaves Plot: The story of a young boy in the Midwest is told simultaneously with a tale about a young girl in New York from fifty years ago as they both seek the same mysterious connection. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Mother (image of Darren Aronofsky) Director: Darren Aronofsky Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Javier Bardem, Michelle Pfeiffer, Domhnall Gleeson, and Ed Harris Plot: A couple's relationship is tested when uninvited guests arrive at their home, disrupting their tranquil existence. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Killing of a Sacred Deer (image from The Lobster) Director: Yorgos Lanthimos Cast: Colin Farrell, Nicole Kidman, and Alicia Silverstone Plot: A surgeon forms a familial bond with a sinister teenage boy, with disastrous results. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 Blade Runner 2049 Director: Denis Villeneuve Denis Villeneuve Cast: Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Robin Wright, and Jared Leto Plot: Thirty years after the events of the first film, a new blade runner, LAPD Officer K, unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos. K's discovery leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years. Release Date: 6 October 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Lady Bird (image of director Greta Gerwig) Director: Greta Gerwig Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Laurie Metcalf, and Lucas Hedges Plot: The adventures of a young woman living in Northern California for a year. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara (image of director Steven Spielberg and star Mark Rylance) Director: Steven Spielberg Cast: Mark Rylance, Oscar Isaac Plot: The Kidnapping Of Edgardo Mortara recounts the story of a young Jewish boy in Bologna, Italy in 1858 who, having been secretly baptized, is forcibly taken from his family to be raised as a Christian. His parents' struggle to free their son becomes part of a larger political battle that pits the Papacy against forces of democracy and Italian unification. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 How to Talk to Girls at Parties Director: John Cameron Mitchell John Cameron Mitchell Cast: Elle Fanning, Ruth Wilson, and Nicole Kidman Plot: An alien touring the galaxy breaks away from her group and meets two young inhabitants of the most dangerous place in the universe: the London suburb of Croydon. Release Date: Unknown Films to get excited about in 2017 The Dark Tower Director: Nikolaj Arcel Nikolaj Arcel Cast: Idris Elba, Matthew McConaughey, and Tom Taylor Plot: Gunslinger Roland Deschain roams an Old West-like landscape in search of the dark tower, in the hopes that reaching it will preserve his dying world. Release Date: 28 July 2017 Films to get excited about in 2017 Suburbicon Director: George Clooney George Clooney Cast: Matt Damon, Julianne Moore, Josh Brolin, and Oscar Isaac Plot: A crime mystery set in the quiet family town of Suburbicon during the 1950s, where the best and worst of humanity is hilariously reflected through the deeds of seemingly ordinary people. When a home invasion turns deadly, a picture-perfect family turns to blackmail, revenge and betrayal. Release Date: 24 November The Associated Press reports that Khateeb had planned on attending the ceremony with the Netflix-produced short's director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara. He said in an earlier statement: If we win this award, it will show people across Syria that people around the world support them. It will give courage to every volunteer who wakes up every morning to run towards bombs. Oscars 2017: Our film team discuss who will win and who should Trump's Muslim ban would have kept Asghar Farhadi - Oscar-winning director of nominated Foreign Language film The Salesman - from attending the ceremony, however, the filmmaker is now not attending on his own accord. In a protest against Trump's actions, the film will receive its UK premiere this Sunday - ahead of the Academy Awards - outside the US embassy. The Oscars will take place this Sunday 26 February hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Britain is known the world over for being a nation of tea-lovers, drinking a staggering 165 million cups of tea a day. Every Brit knows that all problem solving starts with a hot, sweet cuppa. Did you know a good cup of tea can literally help set the world to rights, too? But good doesnt mean made with water heated to the optimum 96C, tea leaves brewed for exactly two minutes, and served in a porcelain cup. It means intrinsically good made with top-quality leaves plucked by farmers who are paid a fairer wage so that they can feed their families and pay for their children to attend secondary school. It means looking for the Fairtrade label in the supermarket. The crisis facing tea farmers and how Fairtrade helps Tea farming is in crisis because tea sales are in decline as it becomes less fashionable with the younger coffee-shop generation. Less demand means lower prices for the farmers who typically sell at auction. Sukambize: more than 70 per cent of the tea farmers at this Association Trust are female, who own their own fields (Chris Terry) Plus, global warming and an increase in pests and disease are reducing yields by 15 per cent on average. More fertiliser is needed, and of course, the price of this rises sharply with demand, squeezing farmers even harder. Tea is the second largest export after tobacco for Malawi, one of the poorest countries in Africa, and 90 per cent of its tea is sold to the UK. As the UK looks to renegotiate more than 50 international trade deals following Brexit, no one yet knows what this will mean for the farmers and workers and as 75 per cent of Malawians already live below the international poverty line, they are worried it will push them to the brink. Maize warehouse: a subsidised maize distribution scheme has increased food security during the 'hungry months' (Chris Terry) Currently, the Fairtrade market sets a minimum sale price of 1 per kilo, more than 30 per cent higher than the farmers would get at a normal, non-Fairtrade auction. A 40p premium is paid on top of that, which goes into a separate bank account run by an association of farmers and must be used to fund projects that help develop the community. Education: more than 90 per cent of Sukambize children attend primary school but only 25 per cent continue to secondary education (Chris Terry) When sales are good this helps to pay for essentials such as mosquito nets and anti-malarial drugs, as well as build roads, and fund adult and childrens education. It pays for a maize warehouse, which buys the staple when it is plentiful and cheaper in rainy season to sell to the farmers at cost during zinja the hungry months because farmers struggle to buy enough food in the dry season when little tea can be harvested and sold. Weighing and quality control of tea leaves: Fairtrade farmers are trained to select superior green leaf, ideally two leaves and a bud. These need to be delivered to the tea factory within hours of plucking. (Chris Terry) Is Fairtrade still there? Im in Malawi because Im keen to see how much of a difference Fairtrade makes, first-hand. Spending time with the farmers who are proud to show me around, I understand how Malawi has earned its reputation as the warm heart of Africa. Yet however bright the skies and optimistic the outlook, lives remain filled with hardship and poverty. Building bridges: construction of bridges over rivers and streams has connected 4,800 people in 45 inaccessible villages at Sukambize (Chris Terry) Mount Mulanje forms the glorious backdrop to Sukambize Association Trust, a 5,600-acre tea estate, about two hours from Malawis most populous city, Blantyre. Global tea industry numbers: 5 million tonnes of tea are produced annually 195,000 tonnes of Fairtrade tea are produced annually 90 per cent of tea produced to Fairtrade standards is not sold for Fairtrade prices because of a lack of demand 1 a day is the international poverty line. Three quarters of Malawians live on less than this. 7 billion is how much the global export tea trade was worth in 2014 Although Sukambize is 100 per cent Fairtrade-certified, just over 60 per cent of their tea sells on the Fairtrade market because of a lack of demand. At Satemwa, a privately owned tea estate with over 200 acres of tea fields in the Shire Highlands of southern Malawi, the situation is worse. Only five per cent of their tea is sold as Fairtrade it used to be 50 per cent. This doesnt just affect the profits, it means that premium projects have almost ground to a halt. When Fairtrade started in 2007, the impact was instantly positive. Today people are asking, Is Fairtrade still there? says general manager Fadson Mandala. The farmers also grow maize, cassava, pineapples, bananas and sugar cane to eat or sell to the local markets. Pineapples are regularly stolen (Chris Terry) Women in tea More than 93 per cent of tea in Malawi is produced by privately owned tea estates, but at Sukambize each of the 9,000 smallholders owns an average of 0.75 acres of land. Esme Kamwende: now 70 years old, Esme is training her daughter to look after the fields and hopes to be able to retire from tea farming in three years (Chris Terry) This means the farmers directly reap the profits from the leaves they pluck. Around 70 per cent of the farmers are women, because the land in this area is passed down through females, offering independence in a country where women are still largely expected to be subservient to men. Case study: Esme Kamwende, 70, Sukambize tea farmer, widower and mother of six I enjoy tea farming because its my field and I can manage it how I want, says 30-year-old farmer and mother of three, Mary Linyalo. The importance of the sisterhood is clear. Mary explains: The fields are where we can share knowledge as women. The elder women educate us on how to look after the children and our husbands. Thanks to Fairtrade a maternity clinic has been built to save women from travelling 40km to the nearest hospital, or, dangerously, giving birth at home, while other developments include a 35km pipeline to give villages a fresh water tap which is especially helpful to women, whos role it is to collect the water for the family. However, although the vast majority of farmers at Sukambize are female, the top administrative positions are held by men. I also dont meet any women who seem to have any say about how things are run at Satemwa but a gender committee made up of women has been set up to look at issues concerning female workers. Here, there is no obvious sense of camaraderie among the pickers who pluck in silence, for a minimum wage of 1.30 a day plus a 3p per kilo bonus for anything plucked above the 53kgs required for an eight-hour shift. Nevertheless, Mandala says there are hundreds of applicants for every vacancy because half of Malawians living in the area are unemployed and the estate has a reputation as a good place to work. Since Fairtrade certification, the farmers have access to field toilets and maternity pay has increased from eight to 12 weeks. Taste testing: because traditional tea sales are in decline, at Satemwa they are diversifying their tea ranges with the aim of broadening their sales markets (Chris Terry) The promise of a better future The management at Satemwa are trying to diversify their revenue streams by making specialty teas and coffee and a more positive atmosphere in the factory is tangible. Rebecca Tchova: now working in the tea withering part of the factory, Rebecca's dreams of going to university were crushed because Satemwa's Fairtrade tea sales have dropped so dramatically (Chris Terry) This is where Rebecca Tchova, 21, hopes to work. A shy, single mother to nine-month-old Precious, her goal of going to university to study electrical engineering has been dashed because no funds are available. She now works all day in the withering section of the tea factory. My job is a little difficult because its hard, manual work, says Rebecca. I wake up at 4am, sweep, wash and look after the baby. Then I leave for work at 5am to start work at 6am. Rebecca doesnt earn enough to pay for everything she needs. She needs about 55 a month to make ends meet but she currently only earns 40. Shes obviously still trying to come to terms with the path her life has taken. As I leave Rebeccas small home, on a muddy ridge in a valley above a river she has to cross on foot, the fragility of the workers' lives hits home. I ask Aubrey Nyasulu, who works for Fairtrade in Africa, why there is such an emphasis on education if there is no way for children to progress. If they don't go to secondary school, then there is no hope for them, he says. Tea leaves are withered - or dried - as part of the process which turns them into the black tea found in teabags (Chris Terry) Education is not only important to help break the cycle of poverty, but gives the farmers the tools to understand how the tea industry operates, how Fairtrade works and the opportunity to help decide how the funds are distributed. Right now, the main concern is making sure the funds keep coming in. Fairtrade is the only system that offers these farmers the promise of a better future. Cooking Nzima: m local staple of ground corn similar to polentaaize mash is a Malawian staple and served with every meal (Chris Terry) Its not perfect. Exporting tea is a global industry worth 7 billion and the majority of the 13 million farmers worldwide still earn barely enough to survive. But its a lot better than having to sell your tea to a handful of multinational companies at rock-bottom prices, which is the only alternative. All Brits know a good cup of tea can solve almost any problem. And Fairtrade branded tea is about as good as tea gets. Lizzie Rivera is the author of ethical lifestyle website bicbim.co.uk Recipes (Tony Briscoe (Tony Briscoe) Rosie Birkett: Fairtrade smoky, tea-brined chicken in crusty rolls with warm peanut sauce The cook, food journalist and author of A Lot On Her Plate shares her tasty savoury afternoon tea recipe for Fairtrade Smoky, Tea-Brined Chicken with Warm Peanut Sauce. 2 organic chicken thighs, deboned and flattened 100g cooked organic, Fairtrade brown basmati rice, to serve 1 bag of spinach, washed and wilted with a little bit of olive oil For the tea brine 3-4 tbsp. smoked tea (use Fairtrades Lapsang Souchong) 500-600ml boiling water 30g salt For the peanut sauce 200g roasted, unsalted Fairtrade peanuts, blitzed until chunky in a food processor 1.5 tbsp coconut oil 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 scotch bonnet chili, deseeded and finely chopped 3 cm ginger, finely chopped 2 tsp honey 150ml water 1 tbsp soy sauce tbsp fish sauce lime juice, to taste First make the tea brine by placing the tea in a bowl or jug along with the salt and pouring over the water. Stir and allow to infuse for a few minutes, then strain it into another bowl or Tupperware and allow to cool completely. Once cooled, submerge the chicken in the brine and keep covered in the fridge for 2-4 hours. To make the peanut sauce, melt the coconut oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook down for 8 minutes or so, until soft. Add the garlic, chili and ginger and cook for another couple of minutes, until aromatic. Then add the peanuts, water, honey, sauce, fish sauce and a couple of tablespoons of the tea brine and cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes or until you have a rich, creamy sauce. Taste it for seasoning and balance with a bit more honey or some lime juice if need be. Keep in the pan but take it off the heat. Heat a griddle pan over a medium to high heat and scatter with a little bit of sea salt. Remove the chicken from the brine and allow the excess to drip off. Place the chicken into the pan and cook, turning, for about 5 minutes on each side, until the chicken is cooked through and slightly charred on the outside. Rest for a couple of minutes and serve with the brown rice, wilted spinach and peanut sauce. (Tony Briscoe (Tony Briscoe) Tess Ward: Fairtrade earl grey ice cream with biscuits The established Le Cordon Bleu trained chef, food writer, author and food consultant shares her delicious recipe for Fairtrade Earl Grey Ice Cream a perfect treat! Makes approx. 1 litre 230ml double cream 230ml whole milk 230g creme fraiche 150g Fairtrade caster sugar 30g loose leaf Fairtrade Earl Grey tea lemon,sested teaspoon fine sea salt 6 large egg yolks Steep the tea and zest in the cream and milk. Combine the cream, milk, and tea saucepan. Place over medium-high heat and just bring to a near simmer. The mixture should be steaming, but no bubbles should be breaking on top, or the cream can break. Turn off the heat, and let the tea steep in the hot liquid about 30 minutes. Remove the tea by straining the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and into a bowl. Clean out and dry the saucepan, and pour the strained cream mixture into it. Gently whisk in the sugar and egg yolks; then place the pan over medium heat. Stir constantly, until the mixture thickens in to a custard and just coats the back of a spoon. Immediately strain the mixture into a large bowl, to get any remaining impurities and then cover flush with plastic wrap to prevent a skin from forming. Let the mixture come to room temperature; then chill completely, at least a few hours. Pour the chilled base into your ice cream maker, and churn according to the manufacturers instructions. The ice cream will nearly double in volume as it churns so be sure to leave spare room at the top. Immediately after churning, the ice cream will still be rather soft, so I typically wrap the bin tightly with plastic wrap and/or foil and place it in the freezer for another 2 to 3 hours before serving. Scoop the ice cream into bows and serve with chocolate digestive or tea biscuit. Fairtrade fortnight: Monday 27 February - Sunday 12 March Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our Now Hear This email for free Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the IndyEats email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The day where its acceptable to eat pancakes until your trousers lose their elasticity is almost here. But if you're not a fan of standing behind the stove, DesignMyNight have a round-up of the best places across the country to stuff your face with stacks of the good stuff. From Leeds to Cardiff, get ready to get up close and personal with sweet potato alternatives to Nutella masterpieces and tasty crepe creations. Slims Kitchen - Belfast On Shrove Tuesday youre allowed to eat as many pancakes as you see fit; no questions asked. But Slims Healthy Kitchen in Belfast helps kill some of that next day guilt as their dishes (including their pancakes) are all about balance and nutrition. Instead of combining the usual eggs, milk and flour, youll find that sweet potato is the main ingredient in their stacks. Tonnes healthier and equally as delicious, the toppings include everything from dairy-free cashew and blueberry cream to coconut. Recommended 7 healthy sweet and savoury recipes to try on National Pancake Day All Star Lanes - Manchester Ditch the spatula this year; All Star Lanes in Manchester are serving two scrumptious towering delights to celebrate Pancake Day and you simply cant miss out. If you have a soft spot for dessert, go for their banoffee baller; it includes dark chocolate, caramelised bananas and whipped cream. The sweet, salt and pop stack is just as good, and comes lathered in homemade caramel sauce, sea salt, whipped cream and a small handful of popcorn. These fluffy stacks are only available for four days, the last day being Tuesday the 28th. The New Club - Brighton The New Club is a suave restaurant in Brighton that oozes trendy New York vibes. They're big on ordinary yet top quality NYC cuisine, but wed argue that theres nothing ordinary about their mouth-watering cinnamon buttermilk pancakes. These bad boys are topped with blueberries, mascarpone chantilly and lashings of maple syrup. Hands down, theyre some of the best pancakes in town. Gas Street Social - Birmingham Think mountains of moreish buttermilk pancakes at Gas Street Social in Birmingham this Shrove Tuesday. Settle down in their urban space and pucker your lips at the streaky bacon and maple syrup option, or alternatively, get in one of your five a day with their fresh banana, berries and clotted cream pancakes. The Greedy Pig - Leeds Be proud of your gluttonous side and parade it at The Greedy Pig in Leeds on the 28th. This traditional and cosy cafe is lauded for its incredibly delicious breakfasts, so you know you can count on a perfect plate of pancakes. Homemade and as fresh as they come, their fluffy mounds include mouth-watering thick cut bacon and maple syrup, as well as a sweet and savoury buttermilk fried chicken option too.. Pitch Bar and Eatery - Cardiff Pitch Bar and Eatery serve everything from brunches to sharing roasts, but you need to turn your eyes to their gluten-free pancake stacks on the 28th. They have all the usual suspects on the menu, but if youre feeling adventurous go for the halloumi option with syrup. We know what youre thinking, but honestly, dont knock it until you try it. Brunch Club - Liverpool On the lookout for a wallet-friendly way to spend Shrove Tuesday? Bust it down to The Brunch Club in Liverpool. Youll get a pancake dish and drink for 6. Choose from sweet and savoury toppings like blueberries, streaky bacon and maple syrup, or creme fraiche with fresh fruit. 1Rebel Challenge - Pancake Special with The Breakfast Club We dont care what they say; on Pancake Day youre allowed to be as gluttonous as you like. But if you want to balance things out, head to The Breakfast Club in Spitalfields; theyve teamed up with 1Rebel fitness for the ultimate pre-Pancake Day challenge. Youll be taking on two gruelling fitness classes before heading to the after party for stacks of pancakes (we recommend ordering their limited edition Lemon Meringue Pie option) and a drink. The classes will take place at the swanky St Mary's Axe fitness studio, and the ticket deal is pretty dreamy, costing 40 for everything. The Diner Soho's Pancake Day The guys down at The Diner in Soho take Pancake Day very seriously; so much so, that they have curated a special menu to celebrate. Dont get too excited, but red velvet, Reeses pieces and chocolate chips will be just some of the stacks on offer this Shrove Tuesday. Their regular menu pancakes will be up for grabs too, alongside a mouth-watering selection of shakes and cocktails. It's one of their busiest days, so make sure you book a booth at this 1950s American style diner to make all of your pancake dreams come true. Queen of Hoxton One of east Londons coolest rooftop hangouts are throwing a pancake party on the 28th, and entry is completely free. Themed around a Viking stronghold, you can marvel at your quirky surroundings while tucking into the venues pancake specials. Ditching traditional toppings, theyve gone for pulled pork pancakes drenched in whisky maple syrup, and buttermilk beauties with caramelised banana. They will be flipping and tossing from 4pm - 10pm, so make sure you get down there early. For more info on whats on in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight.com and follow them on Twitter and Instagram; @DesignMyNight. Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Nadine White Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter The Race Report Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the The Race Report email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Fundraising webpages set up to pay for the funeral of a man who was gunned down in a bar have raised more than $882,000 (708,000). Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old engineer from Hyderabad, India, was shot dead in Olathe, Kansas as he drank with his co-worker Alok Madasani, 32. His colleague was also injured and Ian Grillot, a 24-year-old bystander, was shot when he attempted to intervene and apprehend the shooter. Some of the money will go towards their medical expenses. The suspected gunman, Adam Purinton, 51, is alleged by witnesses to have shouted get out of my country before opening fire on Mr Kuchibhotla and Mr Madasani. Police said the suspect told them he thought they were Middle Eastern. A page for Mr Kuchibhotla, whose funeral will be in India, had more than $513,000 (411,000) in donations. A second combined campaign for Mr Kuchibhotla and Mr Madasani had more than $74,000 (59,000) and a third site for Mr Grillot had more than $295,000 (237,000). Sunayana Dumala, Mr Kuchibhotla's wife, told a news conference organised by the technology company Garmin, where her husband and his colleague worked, that she wondered what the US would do to stop hate crimes against minorities. She also called on Donald Trump's administration to do more. She said she had questioned whether the couple belonged in the US but was reassured by her husband, who would have celebrated his 33rd birthday next month. We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening everywhere," Ms Dumala said. I was always concerned: 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the United States of America?' But he always assured me good things happen to good people. Describing her husband was a very loveable soul, she said his murder had plunged parents and relatives in India into grief. And I need an answer, she added. I need an answer from the governmentabout what they are going to do to stop this hate crime. Purinton, a Navy-veteran who lived near to where his victims worked, has been remanded in custody in Kansas ahead of a court hearing next week. He has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first degree murder. He has not been charged with a hate crime. Mr Grillot, 24, of Grandview, Missouri, was in "fair condition" but still "feels sore" after the attack. He said that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. Mr Madasani is believed to have been released from hospital. Despite allegations the attack was racially motivated, the White House dismissed suggestions of a link between the shooting and the Presidents "America First" rhetoric on jobs and immigration as absurd. Mr Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, said: I mean, obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but Im not going to get into, like, that kind of to suggest that theres any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So Im not going to go any further than that. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters A spokesperson for Garmin, which produces GPS devices, said it was devastated by the senseless tragedy and praised Mr Grillot for his heroic efforts to detain the gunman. Srinivas was a valued member of our engineering team and will be greatly missed, the rep said. We are working closely with Srinivas's and Aloks families and appreciate the outpouring of support for them. The Indian government said its diplomats would monitor the Kansas investigation, as mourners gathered in Hyderabad for the return of Mr Kuchibhotlas body. 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 teenagers accused of planning to travel to Syria to join Isis have appeared in court on charges of preparing terrorist acts. They appeared in custody at Westminster Magistrates Court, supported by their families, and were ordered to appear at the Old Bailey next month. They were arrested in a series of raids by the Metropolitan Polices counter-terror branch across the capital on Tuesday. All four boys, three of whom cannot be named for legal reasons, are aged between 16 and 19 and have been charged with preparation of terrorist acts. A 17-year-old from Hounslow was additionally accused of disseminating terrorist publications, while 19-year-old Ahmedeltigani Alsyed and a 17-year-old from Merton, were also charged with the collection of information contrary to the Terrorism Act 2000. A fifth boy, 15, appeared in a separate youth hearing at the same court accused of collecting and disseminating terrorist publications including an Isis magazine and a bomb-making video. Timeline: The emergence of Isis Show all 40 1 /40 Timeline: The emergence of Isis Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2000 Abu Musab al-Zarqawi (pictured here) forms an al-Qaeda splinter group in Iraq, al-Qaeda in Iraq. Its brutality from the beginning alienates Iraqis and many al-Qaeda leaders. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2006 Al-Zarqawi is killed in a U.S. strike. Al-Zarqawis successor, Abu Ayyub al-Masri, announces the creation of the Islamic State in Iraq (ISI). Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2009 Still al-Qaeda-linked ISI claims responsibility for suicide bombings that killed 155 in Baghdad, as well as attacks in August and October killing 240, as President Obama announces troop withdrawal from Iraq in March. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2010 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes head of ISI, at lowest ebb of Islamist militancy in Iraq, which sees last U.S. combat brigade depart. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2012 In Syria, protests (pictured here starting in Daree) have morphed into what president Assad labelled a real war with emergence of a coalition of forces opposed to Assads regime. Syria group Jabhat al-Nusra are among rebel groups who refuse to join, denouncing it as a conspiracy. Bombings targeting Shia areas, killing more than 500 people, spark fears of new sectarian conflict. Sunni Muslims stage protests across country against what they see as increasingly marginalisation by Shia-led government. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2013 Al-Baghdadi renames ISI as the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or Isis, as the group absorbs Syrian al-Nusra, gaining a foothold in Syria. In response, al-Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri (Bin Ladens successor) concerned about Isis expansion orders that Isis be dissolved and ISI operations should be confined to Iraq. This order is rejected by al-Baghdadi. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - January Isis fighters capture the Iraqi cities of Fallujah and Ramadi, giving them base to launch slew of attacks further south. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis declares itself the Caliphate, calling itself Islamic State (IS). The group captures Mosul, Iraqs second largest city; Tal Afar, just 93 miles from Syrian border; and the central Iraqi city of Tikrit. These advances sent shockwaves around the world. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Around the same time Isis releases a video calling for western Muslims to join the Caliphate and fight, prompting new evaluations of extremists groups social media understanding. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - June Isis take Baiji oil fields in Iraq - giving them access to huge amounts of possible revenue. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August James Foley is executed by the group as concerns grow for second American prisoner, fellow reporter Steven Sotloff. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - August Obama authorises U.S. airstrikes in Iraq, helping to stall Isis along with action by Kurdish forces following the deaths of hundreds of Yazidi people on Mount Sinjar. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release video showing Steven Sotloffs murder prompting Western speculation his executioner is same man who killed Mr Foley. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Obama tells us that America will hunt down terrorists who threaten our country EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Isis release a video appearing to show David Haines, who was captured by militants in Syria in 2013, wearing an orange jumpsuit and kneeling in the desert while he reads a pre-prepared script. It later shows what appears to be the aid worker's body. Rex Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - September Peshmerga fighters scrabble to hold positions in the Diyala province (a gateway to Baghdad) as Isis fighters continue to advance on Iraqi capital. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Aid worker Alan Henning is killed. Self-imposed media blackout refuses to show images of him in final moments, instead focuses upon humanitarian care. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - October Isis raise their flag in Kobani, which had been strongly defended by Kurdish troops. The victory goes against hopeful western analysis Isis had overextended itself, while alienating much of the Muslim population through the murder of Henning. Victory causes fresh waves of Kurdish refugees arriving in Turkey. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2014 - November American hostage, who embarced values of Islam, Peter Kassig and 14 Syrian soldiers are shown meeting the same fate as other captives. But intelligence agencies will be poring over the apparently significant discrepancies between this and previous films. Seramedig.org.uk Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis has released a video revealing the murder by burning to death of a Jordanian pilot held by the group since the end of December 2014. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have released videos which appear to show the beheading of Japanese hostages Haruna Yukawa and Kenji Goto. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February American aid worker, Kayla Mueller was the last American hostage known to be held by Isis. She died, according to her captors, in an airstrike by the Jordanian air force on the city of Raqqa in Syria, though US authorities disputed this. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February Isis militants have posted a gruesome video online in which they force 21 Egyptian Coptic Christian hostages to kneel on a beach in Libya before beheading them. Egypt vowed to avenge the beheading and launched air strikes on Isis positions. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - February The British Isis militant suspected of appearing in videos showing the beheading of Western hostages has been named in reports as Mohammed Emwazi from London. Rex Features Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - March Isis triple suicide attack has killed more than 100 worshippers and hundreds of others were injured after the group members targeted two mosques in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa. AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Iraqi forces have claimed victory over Isis in battle for Tikrit and raised the flag in the city. EPA/STR Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis has claimed responsibility for a suicide bomb attack in Afghanistan that killed at least 35 people queuing to collect their wages and injured 100 more. EPA Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - April Isis media arm released a 29-minute video purporting to show militants executing Ethiopian Christians captives. The footage bore the extremist groups al-Furqan media logo and showed the destruction of churches and desecration of religious symbols. A masked fighter made a statement threatening Christians who did not convert to Islam or pay a special tax. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis has been "incapacitated" by a spinal injuries sustained in a US air strike in Iraq. He is being treated in a hideout by two doctors from Isis stronghold of Mosul who are said to be "strong ideological supporters of the group". Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis has also claimed responsibility for killing 300 of Yazidi captives, including women, children and elderly people in Iraq AP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis attack on Prophet Mohamed cartoon contest in Texas was its first action on US soil. Two gunmen were shot and killed after launching the attack at the exhibition. Elton Simpson and Nadir Soofi have been named as the attackers at the Curtis Culwell Centre arena in Garland. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isiss deputy leader, Abu Alaa Afri, a former physics teacher who was thought to have taken charge of the deadly terrorist group, has been killed in a US-led coalition airstrike. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May US special forces have killed a senior Isis leader named as Abu Sayyaf in an operation aiming to capture him and his wife in Syria. Getty Images Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Iran-backed militias are sent to Ramadi by the Iraqi government to fight Isis militants who completed their capture of the city. Government soldiers and civilians were reportedly massacred by extremists as they took control and the army fled. Charred bodies were left littering the city streets as troops clung on to trucks speeding away from the city. Ramadi is the latest government stronghold to fall to the so-called Islamic State, despite air strikes by a US-led international coalition aiming to stop its advance in Iraq and Syria. AFP Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May Isis rounded up civilians trapped in Palmyra and forced them to watch 20 people being executed in the historic citys ancient amphitheatre. The Unesco World Heritage site was overrun by militants, threatening the future of 2,000 year-old monuments and ruins. Thousands of Palmyras residents fled but many are still living within the city walls, while the UN human rights office in Geneva said it had received reports of Syrian government forces preventing people from leaving until they retreated from the city. Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - May A group of Isis-affiliated fighters have captured a key airport in central Libya. The militants took control of the al-Qardabiya airbase in Sirte after a local militia tasked with defending the facility withdrew from their positions. Affiliates of Isis, already control large parts of Sirte, the birthplace of former Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and a former stronghold of his supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June The US Air Force has destroyed an Isis stronghold after an extremist let slip their location on social media. According the Air Force Times, General Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, said that Airmen at Hulburt Field, Florida, used images shared by jihadists to track the location of their headquarters before destroying it in an airstrike. Reuters Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Kurdish forces captured a key military base in a significant victory in Raqqa as well as town of Tell Abyad. YPG fighters, backed by US-led airstrikes and other rebels, consolidated their gains, when they seized the key town on the Syria-Turkey border. They are now just 30 miles to the north of Raqqa and have cut off a major supply route deep inside Isis-held territory. Ahmet Silk/Getty Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has released gruesome footage claiming to show the murder of more than a dozen men by drowning, decapitation and using a rocket-propelled grenade as it seeks to boost morale among its fanatical supporters. Timeline: The emergence of Isis 2015 - June Isis has begun carrying out its threat to destroy structures in the ancient Syrian city of Palmyra, blowing up at least two monuments at the Unesco-protected site as Syrian government troops made advances on the Islamists positions. AFP The schoolboy, of Waltham Forest, pleaded not guilty to all charges and is due to stand trial in May at Westminster Magistrates' Court. Several teenagers from London are among more than 850 men and women who have travelled to join the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, including dozens known to have been killed in warzones. Additional reporting by PA For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Human remains found in a well in Crete have been confirmed to be those of a young British holidaymaker who went missing over a decade ago. The family of Steven Cook, who went missing aged 20, said a fog can lift at last. Mr Cook, from Sandbach, Cheshire, was on his first holiday without his family and went missing in September 2005 after a night out with friends in the resort town of Malia. His whereabouts remained a mystery until Greek authorities confirmed the remains found in a deep well earlier this month were those of Mr Cook. Cheshire Polices Detective Inspector Gary McIntyre said the force's priority was to ensure his remains are returned to the UK as soon as possible. Teen Solves His Own Missing Person Case Trying to Apply for College Responding to the discovery on Facebook, the family said they would be bringing Mr Cook home to say their "farewells". They said: "Having a loved one go missing is a vacuum full of pain. If they are no longer with us then the idle mind imagines horrors of 'what ifs' in order to account for them being alive and not in touch. "The 'not knowing' hurts but not as much as the thoughts that your imagination conjures in the dark hours whilst also having to try and quench the flames of 'what ifs', rumours and gossip that becomes accepted as fact. "Knowing that Steve is now coming home is an end to all of that and the fog can lift at last." The family has maintained a campaign to try and find Mr Cook since he went missing. They continued: "Our memories of him finally released without being accompanied by the horrific mental images, feelings and type of thoughts that can easily destroy you. "In getting Steve home then we have truly found him again, and he will now continue to live through the shared memories of all that knew him." DI McIntyre said: "Steven's family have been kept fully updated on the developments and are currently being supported by Cheshire officers. "They have been provided with support since Steven first went missing and this will continue over the coming weeks. "This is understandably an extremely upsetting and distressing time for the Cook family. "Steven's relatives are very appreciative of all the support the media and the public have given them over the years in their quest to find him but they have asked for their privacy to be respected at this time as they are trying to come to terms with the news. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images 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 "It is important to remember that the discovery of Steven's body is being managed by the Greek authorities, who have had primacy for this case since Steven was first reported missing, and they will continue to liaise with us moving forward." He added: "Steven was 20 at the time of his disappearance. Over the years Cheshire Constabulary has remained committed to finding him. A file on Steven's disappearance has been maintained by the force and we always said that it will not be closed until information is received which confirms what has happened to him. "Officers involved in Steven's case will continue to liaise with the Greek authorities, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Steven's family moving forward." Additional reporting by agencies 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 campaigner who forced Theresa May to ask Parliaments permission to trigger Article 50 has demanded the House of Lords show backbone and push the Government into concessions on Brexit. Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Gina Miller said those debating Ms Mays Article 50 Bill this week must take the lead because the House of Commons had shown cowardice in failing to win any compromise. Peers may use sittings on Monday and Wednesday to push for votes on key amendments, including ones demanding a guarantee for EU citizens rights and for a vote on the final deal Ms May secures from the EU on Brexit. Recommended UK businesses already facing recruitment crisis as Poles head home But the upper chamber is under immense pressure to wave the Bill through unchanged, ratcheted up by Ms Mays decision to personally attend the Lords last week and monitor them discussing her legislation. Ms Miller said the Prime Minister was clearly trying to bully the Lords and even compared her to the tyrannical character Miss Trunchbull, from Roald Dahls childrens novel Matilda, who browbeats children into submission. The philanthropist was the lead voice among a group of campaigners who prevented Ms May from unilaterally launching the countdown to Brexit using Royal Prerogative powers, arguing at the Supreme Court that Parliament must vote on the issue. But Ms Miller told The Independent that after she and her team won the right for Parliament to be consulted, she now fears the upper House will bow to media pressure and pass the Bill unamended. Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Show all 13 1 /13 Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Supreme Court Brexit Challenge People wait to enter the public gallery outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Gina Miller, co-founder of investment fund SCM Private arrives at the Supreme court in London on the first day of a four-day hearing Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waves the EU flag in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Satirical artist Kaya Mar poses with two of his paintings in front of the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin. The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge The eleven Supreme Court Justices will hear the government's appeal, following the High Court's recent decision that only Parliament can trigger Article 50 Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Businesswoman Gina Miller arrives at the Supreme Court ahead of the first day of a hearing into whether Parliament's consent is required before the Brexit process can begin Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Attorney General Jeremy Wright arrives at the Supreme Court in London EPA Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Protesters outside the Supreme Court in London, where the Government is appealing against a ruling that the Prime Minister must seek MPs' approval to trigger the process of taking Britain out of the European Union PA wire Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protesters wearing a judge's wigs and robes stands outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A protester holds up a placard outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters Supreme Court Brexit Challenge Pro-Europe protestors dressed as Supreme Court Justices stand outside the Supreme Court Getty Supreme Court Brexit Challenge A man waiting to enter the public gallery waves a European Union flag outside the Supreme Court ahead of the challenge against a court ruling that Theresa May's government requires parliamentary approval to start the process of leaving the European Union, in Parliament Square, central London Reuters She said: I think its absurd this idea that the Lords should just get on with it and not have a proper debate. After we fought so hard to put the Commons back at the centre of the debate, all the Commons did was rubber stamp the Bill which was cowardice. I am hoping the Lords actually do what they should be doing constitutionally exercising their parliamentary sovereignty, being independent, scrutinising the Government and looking to put in amendments. Ms Miller is no stranger to media pressure, having received a torrent of abuse for leading the charge against the Government in the Supreme Court case on Brexit. She said peers are now being picked off and bullied by elements of the media into abandoning their constitutional duty to scrutinise Ms Mays Bill, adding that the Prime Minister has also sought to intimidate the upper House. Theresa May sits in House of Lords to hear Brexit debate Discussing Ms Mays appearance in the Lords as it debated the matter, Ms Miller said: She was sitting there like Miss Trunchbull from Matilda, it was absolutely shocking. The only conclusion I can come to is that she was trying to bully them. Why else would you be there? In Dahls classic story, sadistic head-teacher Miss Trunchbull, whose motto is use the rod, beat the child, eventually comes a cropper when she pushes the wrong schoolgirl too far. Ms Miller is particularly keen to see an amendment passed in the Lords which forces Ms May into guaranteeing that Parliament has a meaningful vote on the final deal she secures after talks in Europe. That does not mean simply a choice between leaving the EU on Ms Mays terms or leaving without a new trade deal with the EU, as Ms Miller explained: A choice between shooting yourself in the foot with an arrow or a pistol is not a choice. Instead she wants all the options to be on the table. A drive in the Commons to see the promise of a vote on the final deal written into the Bill was dropped, after the Government gave a verbal assurance to MPs that a vote would happen. But Ms Miller said a political promise is worth nothing, adding: They should be amending it. These people who are standing up and constantly claiming that amendments are going against the will of the people are wrong, its got nothing to do with that. This is about triggering Article 50, going forward and putting in some safety valve if its needed in the future we have to an opportunity where Parliament is able to vote on all options that amendment is absolutely crucial. Peter Mandelson: Peers should not 'throw in the towel over Brexit Last week Labour peer Peter Mandelson wrote exclusively for The Independent also demanding the British people are given the chance to have their say on Ms May's Brexit deal, through a vote in Parliament or even a referendum. Peers have proposed a string of amendments to Ms Mays bill, some of which have cross-party support. Whether they are pushed to a vote in the coming week will be down to how reasonable the Government is at taking on board peers concerns. It may be that ministers go away promising to rewrite the bill to account for some of the concerns raised, thus putting off the threat of a vote and defeat in the Lords to a later stage in the process. Labour insiders believe that the Government may be ready to try and compromise on the issue of vote on Ms Mays final deal and so the issue might avoid a vote this week. If a vote does occur, it is most likely to be on the amendment to guarantee the rights of EU citizens living in the UK, which enjoys support from every part of the Lords. In the instance that the Lords does vote to amend the Bill, those changes would then have to go back to the Commons for approval. Downing Street has said it still expects to meet its goal of finishing the legislative process around the Bill and triggering Article 50 by the end of March. 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 }} David Miliband has said Jeremy Corbyns leadership has left his party further from power than at any time in the last 50 years, as he signalled a potential return to British politics. The ex-foreign secretary warned that Labour now is in a weaker position to fight back than it was at its low point in the 1980s, as he urged the party to recognise the historic nature of the challenge it faces in the wake of its defeat in Copeland. With huge questions now hanging over Mr Corbyns capabilities, and the leader still refusing to stand down, Mr Miliband raised the prospect of a return to Westminster, saying: What's the point of saying never? He also set out how centre-left politics could offer the solutions to the problems the country is facing, pointing to the rise of Emmanuel Macron in France as to how it could also be popular. The interview comes after Labour suffered a shocking by-election loss to the Tories in Copeland, with a member of Mr Corbyns own frontbench admitting the result would deliver Labours worst general election result since the 1930s if replicated in 2020. Mr Miliband told The Times he is deeply concerned over Labours future. Asked whether he would consider a comeback, he added: I honestly dont know what Im going to do. Its hard to see, but whats the point of saying never? Jeremy Corbyn ducks resignation questions after byelection humiliation With Mr Corbyn refusing to engage in a public conversation about what went wrong, the ex-MP then used his interview to set out the problems faced by the party he once aspired to lead. I dont think this is just a return of the 1980s. We have to really understand the historic nature of the challenge that we have to face. There are some obvious reasons, like the situation in Scotland and Labour's core its base was stronger in the 1980s, said the US-based chief of the International Rescue Committee, who narrowly missed out on the Labour leadership to his brother Ed in 2010. I always said to people play the ball and not the man, so what do I think of Jeremy Corbyn? is not the question I ask myself. The question is what do I think of the strategy. The tempting thing to say is that its a mistake because it wont get elected, but for people like me its a mistake because it wont address the challenges of the country. This isnt just an electability question, its a question of substance. I think one can achieve more radical and substantive change through a different set of positions. John McDonnell shifts blame on to Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson after Labour Copeland by-election defeat He pointed to the phenomenon of Mr Macrons rise to show that there is a market for a pro-European centrist approach, adding: As long as there are people with the values who yearn for a different kind of society, then you're going to have a party that tries to put those values onto practice. His intervention follows those from Tony Blair and Peter Mandelson over Brexit last week, which enraged elements of the hard-left and saw shadow chancellor John McDonnell accusing the former prime minister of helping to divide the party ahead of critical by-elections. MPs have warned the party is on course for a catastrophic general election defeat after the Conservatives snatched the Cumbrian seat of Copeland which had been held by Labour since 1935. Mr Corbyn said the result was very disappointing but made clear he would resist calls to resign. I was elected to lead this party. I am proud to lead this party, he said. We will continue our campaigning work on the NHS, on social care, on housing. One leading trade union figure warned Mr Corbyn he had to turn things around and show he could deliver a Labour government, while another said he needs to take responsibility for improving the partys fortunes sooner rather than later. A jubilant Theresa May travelled north to Copeland to hail an astounding victory for Tory candidate Trudy Harrison. Her triumph was the first gain for a governing party in a parliamentary by-election since 1982. UK news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 UK news in pictures UK news in pictures 5 November 2022 Demonstrators with placards calling for a General Election march near the Houses of Parliament AFP via Getty Images UK news in pictures 4 November 2022 A peacock is seen in the early winter sunshine in the Dutch Gardens in Holland Park AFP via Getty Images 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 Later, Ms May told the Conservative Councillors Association conference in Lincolnshire Labours devastating defeat showed it is out of touch with the concerns of ordinary working people and that only the Tories can truly call itself the party of working people. Dave Prentis, general secretary of the Unison trade union, said while the blame for a disastrous defeat did not lie solely with Mr Corbyn, he had to take responsibility for what happened next. Nurses, teaching assistants, care workers and ordinary people everywhere need a Labour government. Jeremy has to show he understands how to turn things around and deliver just that, he said. Conservatives take Copeland in humiliating blow to Labour The leader of the shop-workers trade union Usdaw, John Hannett, said the by-election results raise questions about Labours electability and the vision it offers to the people of this country. Mr Hannett said: The electorate clearly have doubts about Labours message and direction of travel. All sections of the party, from the Leader to elected office holders and the members, need to listen to those doubts and learn from them. Labour needs a clear, credible message that people can believe in and Jeremy Corbyn needs to take responsibility for delivering that sooner rather than later. Sign up to the Inside Politics email for your free daily briefing on the biggest stories in UK politics Get our free Inside Politics email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Politics email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Ukip threat to Labours heartlands has not gone away in the wake of the eurosceptic partys defeat in Stoke, a shadow cabinet member has warned. John Healey said the by-election result which humbled Ukip leader Paul Nuttall, did not alter Labours precarious position in large swathes of midlands and northern England and Wales. The shadow Secretary of State for Housing said that despite Ukips apparently waning electoral fortunes, the structural, economic and cultural causes of the partys rise, remain in small cities and towns of post-industrial England, and they are not going away. The intervention comes after Ukip failed dismally to make significant progress at the Stoke-On-Trent Central by-election and saw its vote share more than halved in Copeland two northern seats of the kind Mr Nuttall had hoped to build support in. The Ukip leader pledged to be a patriotic voice for the working class and had wanted to exploit anxieties about immigration and national identity, but suffered from a spate of personally damaging stories during the campaign. One of the nations leading polling experts, Professor John Curtice, said the morning after the by-election that it was now clear the Ukip threat to Labours northern seats had been overplayed by the party. Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell meanwhile said that the basis on which Ukip was hoping to take the North had been stopped in its tracks in Stoke. But Mr Healey, who said his local town of Rotherham was practically a shorthand for such areas of the country, struck a more cautious tone. The political threat of Ukip doesnt rest upon the credibility of its party leaders, he told The Independent on the day of the Stoke by-election, ahead of the results. It draws it strength from the roots of dissatisfaction that people feel with whats happening in their everyday lives, whats happening in their town, and what they see as the yawning gap between the pressures they face and the preoccupations of the establishment and the political world. The structural, economic, and cultural causes of Ukips rise are still there, so therefore in my view the risk is still there, whatever the result in Stoke. In 2015 the eurosceptic party came a strong second in Mr Healeys Wentworth and Dearne constituency, which straddles the South Yorkshire towns of Rotherham and Barnsley. Under Nigel Farages leadership Ukip surged from fourth place to second to capture a full quarter of the vote. But Mr Healey said former mining and manufacturing areas like his own too often no longer knew what their contribution to the rest of the country was. I think for many people in many areas its a sense that theyre left behind. In an area like Rotherham we knew what we were for thirty years ago we were a mining area, a steelmaking area, a heavy engineering area. We knew not just what we did but the contribution we made to the rest of the country. John Healey, the shadow secretary of state for housing (Getty) Thats not true now its a former mining area and not quite a former steel area, and the sense of being left behind is very powerful and the sense of politicians not having answer that will make a difference to the lives of many people in Rotherham and the people they know is very powerful. He warned that many of the kind of problems in his local area were writ large across many small cities and towns in the north of England. I use Rotherham as a shorthand for large swathes of midlands and northern England and parts of Wales and I use it as a shorthand for the towns of Britain, he said. The towns and small cities of Britain and thats your former industrial towns, its some of your market towns and certainly the coastal towns. Ukips Paul Nuttall failed to make inroads in Stoke - Picture: (Getty Images / Christopher Furlong) Mr Healey said his party had ducked debates about the fears people in his part of the country felt and that the way back to gaining support was to advocate tougher controls on immigration, an industrial policy that created good jobs, and a regeneration plan for towns and cities that felt they had fallen behind. Professor Curtice, the mastermind of the successful 2015 election exit poll, was one of those high-profile voices to downplay the Ukip threat to Labour. Writing in The Guardian he said that Ukip shared a misapprehension with Labour that large numbers of its supporters would ultimately be willing to vote for Ukip. The rise and rise of Ukip the new party of the protest voter Show all 3 1 /3 The rise and rise of Ukip the new party of the protest voter The rise and rise of Ukip the new party of the protest voter 30-ukipprotest-gt.jpg Getty Images The rise and rise of Ukip the new party of the protest voter 30-ukipprotest2-gt.jpg Getty Images The rise and rise of Ukip the new party of the protest voter 30-ukipprotest3-gt.jpg Getty Images Labour seems to have decided in recent weeks that its first priority is to stave off the threat from Ukip to its traditional working-class vote, much of which supposedly voted to leave in the EU referendum, he wrote. But in so doing it seems to have forgotten (or not realised) that most of those who voted Labour in 2015 including those living in Labour seats in the North and the Midlands backed remain. The party is thus at greater risk of losing votes to the pro-remain Liberal Democrats than to pro-Brexit Ukip." 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 }} Sweden isn't just good at helping parents care for their babies, as demonstrated by its generous parental-leave policies. A local Swedish official also wants to help people create those babies. Per-Erik Muskos, a councilman from the small town of Overtornea, has announced plans to give the municipality's 550 employees paid time off to have sex. There are studies that show sex is healthy, Muskos explaied, adding that couples in Sweden weren't spending enough time together. It's about having better relationships. As in many developed countries, Sweden's fertility rate has been gradually falling for the past several decades. In 1960, according to World Bank data, Swedish women had an average of 2.2 children a rate scholars call replacement fertility as it tends to keep the population steady. But by 2014 the rate had fallen to 1.9 children per woman. Overtornea's population has been dwindling for at least the past decade. Municipality data shows numbers have dropped from 5,229 in 2005 to 4,711 ten years later. Muskos' plan for paid sex breaks, however, is really just a proposal to amend an existing work break given to employees for fitness and exercise. Employees already get one paid hour off each week to work out; Muskos is suggesting they should also be allowed to go home and have sex during that time. He said sex was often a form of exercise "and has documented positive effects on well-being," though employees could, of course, abuse the benefit and just work one hour less. Sweden is no stranger to innovation at the workplace. For the past two years, a group of nursing homes ran an experiment involving shortened workweeks. Staff members had to log just 30 hours a week an average of six hours a day. Though employees were happier, the government ultimately decided it was too expensive a change. Then, of course, there's the parental leave. Sweden is far and away the most generous country when it comes to paid time off for new parents. A couple can split 480 days however they choose and receive 80% of their normal pay during that time. Ninety of those days are reserved just for fathers, and none of the time expires until the child turns 8. Research into worker productivity suggests employees would be better off if more governments or companies took cues from Sweden. People with more time to spend with family tend to be happier and do better work. As for Muskos' motion, he told AFP news agency saw no reason why it wouldn't pass, except that officials may not place enough trust in the town's employees. But even here, Sweden has statistics on its side: The country has some of the highest levels of trust in the world. Read more: Bill Maher takes credit for conservative firebrand Milo Yiannopoulos' downfall: 'You're welcome' This chart is easy to interpret: It says we're screwed Amazing images of London show the city's evolution over nearly 2,000 years Read the original article on Business Insider UK. 2017. Follow Business Insider UK on Twitter. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Activists who distributed hundreds of Russian flags to Donald Trump's supporters during a conference speech on Friday have said they wanted to use the stunt to point out that Americans "should not have foreign powers picking [their] president. Jason Charter and Ryan Clayton said they had nearly 1000 custom-made Russian flags printed with the Presidents name, which they handed out to Mr Trump's supporters during his speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference. The flags were subsequently confiscated by CPAC staff, but not before pictures of audience members waving Russian flags went prank went viral on social media. Mr Charter told Talking Points Memo that the prank went better than expected because no one in the crowd at CPAC recognised the Russian Federations flag. He added that they were members of the protest group Americans Take Action. "I asked people if they wanted a Trump flag and they took it," he said. "Many Trump supporters were proudly waving their Russian Trump flag." Mr Charter was eventually removed by security after shouting "fascist" during the Presidents speech. Mr Trump told supporters in his CPAC speech that his administration would keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country", and promised to get Americans off of welfare and back to work. The President also restated his opposition to the fake news media, who he called the enemy of the people. Mr Carter of Americans Take Action with flags outside the Conservative Political Action Conference (Facebook/Jason Carter) (Facebook/Jason Charter) The activists said they wanted to use the practical joke to make a serious point about the links between the Trump administration and President Putin. Americans Take Action are calling for a Congressional investigation into the extent of Russian interference in the US election. The group's website describes the group as a network of populists who believe that the American government should represent we the people once again. They are calling on members of Congress to impeach the President. Screengrab from Americans Take Action wesbite, calling on Congress to impeach President Trump (Americans Take Action) "Most Americans feel like something is wrong here," Mr Charter said. "They feel it in their gut. There is a weird connection between this guy in the Oval Office and the people in Russia." The activists are now selling the Traitor Trump Flags they distributed at the conference online. In a Facebook post, Mr Charter said all profits from the flags would be used to fund the Resistance. The White House has not commented on the incident. 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 majority of Americans support a Congress investigation into claims that Donald Trumps administration had close ties with Russia during his presidential campaign, a new poll has found. Just over half (53 per cent) of US citizens want the alleged communications investigated, while 54 per cent want a Congress investigation into general Russian interference in the election, the survey for NBC News and The Wall Street Journal found. The findings also revealed 38 per cent of Americans think Mr Trumps relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin is too friendly, while 29 per cent believe the relationship is not too friendly. Only a quarter of the 1,000 polled between 18 and 22 February did not back a Congress investigation. Mr Trump's links with Russia have been in the spotlight since the CIA, FBI and the director of national intelligence James R Clapper Jr, all concluded that Russia intervened in the 2016 election in part to help Donald Trump win the White House. The US President's former national security adviser Michael Flynn was also forced to resign after it emerged that he had discussed lifting sanctions on Russia, with the country's ambassador Sergey Ivanovich Kislyak, before taking office. It is illegal for a private citizen to conduct diplomacy on behalf of the US. Mr Trump later insisted that General Flynn was doing his job however said he asked him to resign because he "didn't tell our Vice President properly" and lied about remembering the content of the call. However he accused the Washington Post at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday of making up the story, despite it being corroborated by nine sources. "I want you to know we are all fighting the fake news. Its fake, phony, fake," he said. Donald Trump: We are fighting the phoney, fake news Shortly afterwards, Press Secretary Sean Spicer banned multiple news outlets from a White House press gaggle, leading some to suspect he had done so due to their aggressive pursuit of evidence of the Trump administrations Russian connections. Many of the news outlets blocked from the press briefing include organisations the President has criticised by name. CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, Guardian, and the Daily Mail, were among the news outlets barred from the gathering, many of whom have published detailed investigations of Mr Trumps associates ties to Russia. Representative Eric Swalwell wrote on Twitter: UnAmerican to kick out press. But REAL story is @WhiteHouse kicked out outlets chasing #TrumpRussia ties. If that's missed, they've succeeded. It came as a new poll from the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) found 58 per cent of Democrats would support impeachment of the US President. However, overall support for Trump's impeachment is just 27 percent. The PRRI noted that a similar proportion (56 per cent) of Republicans supported the impeachment of President Obama in late 2014, although by then, he was in the sixth year of his presidency. As the case for the Iraq War was being picked apart in 2006, Democratic support for impeaching George W Bush was only at 48 percent lower than it is today for Mr Trump. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps proposals to deport millions of illegal immigrants from the US could cost up to half-a-trillion dollars, according to an estimate from American Action Forum (AAF), a centre-right public policy institute. Policing, legal battles, administration, detention and transportation were all factored into the costs and the AAF estimated the process could take around 20 years Mr Trump has repeatedly expressed his determination to remove undocumented immigrants from the country but with an estimated 11 million living in the US with no leave to remain, the true cost of mass deportation is coming under scrutiny. Two years ago the AAF estimated it would cost between 100 and 300 billion, but it had subsequently revised the figure. Once they have been deported, it would take another 350 billion in enforcement costs to prevent them from returning, according to AAF. These costs do not take into account the potential losses to the US economy through removing millions of undocumented workers, with sectors such as agriculture, construction and hospitality particularly reliant on illegal immigrants. the AAF estimated the rapid removal of millions of people would shrink the American economy by almost six per cent in 20 years, with 6.4 per cent of workers believed to be undocumented. This equates to a loss of 1.6 trillion in lost wages and spending. Mr Trump's Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said there would be no mass deportation after he met with Mexican officials last week. The President has also indicated he will concentrate on deporting two to 3 million undocumented migrants who he believes have criminal records. In a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, Mr Trump said his administration would concentrate on throwing out gang members, drug dealers and criminal aliens, and we will not let them back in. He said his administration has a plan for swift and strong action to secure the southern border by means of the wall he has pledged to build - which will cost an estimated 20 billion. But there is widespread confusion and panic as to what Mr Trumps policy will be regarding undocumented migrants with no other criminal history after memos from the President directed border control to start rounding up all illegal immigrants. In his speech to the CPAC, Mr Trump said: Remember, we are getting the bad ones out. These are bad dudes. Were getting the bad ones out, okay? Were getting the bad if you watch these people, its like, oh gee, thats so sad. Were getting bad people out of this country, people that shouldnt be whether its drugs or murder or other things. Were getting bad ones out. Those are the ones that go first, and I said it from day one. Basically all Ive done is keep my promise. Although his speech did not mention the costs of identifying and rounding up illegal immigrants, Mr Trump said that stopping the flow of illegal immigration would save countless tax dollars. Any changes in existing law over the deportation of immigrants will require the approval of Congress and cannot simply be done by means of an executive order from the President. Recommended Rising illegal immigration in the US is a myth Mr Trumps memos to Homeland Security did not address how he intends to deal with an estimated 750,00 young immigrants who were brought into the country illegally by their parents, referred to as dreamers because of protection sought for them under the so-called DREAM act. A series of immigration raids across the US this month have sparked fears of a crackdown after around 680 people were arrested of whom around a quarter were said by Homeland Security to have no criminal convictions. Marielena Hincapie, executive director of the National Immigration Law Centre criticised Mr Trump's memos. She said: In my many years of practising immigration law I have not seen a mass deportation blueprint like this one. The memo offers a guide to allow Trump to enact a mass deportation agenda, which he talked about on the campaign trail, but are even more extreme than his rhetoric. 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 senior anchor with Donald Trumps media ally Fox News has criticised the White House for its exclusive media briefings after several mainstream news organisations were barred from a Q&A session. The decision to bar some outlets from off-camera gaggle with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has been was criticised by politicians, commentators and the organisations themselves. Although representatives from Fox News were allowed to attend, Bret Baier, a senior anchor with the broadcaster, joined in with the criticism. Taking to Twitter, he posted: "Some at CNN & NYT stood w/FOX News when the Obama admin attacked us & tried 2 exclude us-a WH gaggle should be open to all credentialed orgs. Those banned were organisations Mr Trump regularly attacks, repeatedly referring to them as peddlers of fake news in his many tirades against the dishonest media. But Fox News is one of the few Mr Trump praises and refers to in official statements, including his mention of a terror attack in Sweden which he later claimed was based on broadcast from the outlet. He has also tweeted their praises, declaring himself a fan of the Fox and Friends show. Other right-leaning outlets such as Breitbart and the Washington Times were allowed in to the now-controversial briefing, alongside some major news organisation including ABC, CBS, and Bloomberg. The unorthodox style the Trump administration is adopting towards the media has been heavily criticised, with the gaggle held in the West Wing office instead of the traditional on-camera briefing in the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room, another break with tradition. Fox News anchor berates Donald Trump's chief of staff: 'You don't get to tell us what to do' The White House Correspondents Association (WHCA) voiced its concern over the latest apparent breakdown in relations. Jeff Mason, the associations president, said issued a statement saying: The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House. Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Show all 17 1 /17 Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing An empty podium is seen as an off camera briefing is held with a small group of reporters and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing New York Times reporter, Glenn Thrush works in the Brady Briefing Room after being excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing New York Times reporter, Glenn Thrush works in the Brady Briefing Room after being excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing The Brady Briefing Room is shown after reporters were excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters in the Brady Briefing Room listen to a tape from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Glenn Thrush, chief White House political correspondent for the The New York Times, works in the briefing room after being excluded from an off camera "gaggle" meeting at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Journalists work in the briefing room at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Journalists leave after several major news organizations including CNN, The New York Times and Politico were excluded from an off camera "gaggle" meeting with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer in his office that was held in place of the regular daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, U.S., February 24, 2017. Yuri Gripas/Reuters Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing An empty podium is seen as an off camera briefing is held with a small group of reporters and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing The entrance to the Brady Briefing Room after reporters were excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Mark Wilson/Getty Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing A small group of reporters leave an off camera briefing held with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing A small group of reporters leave an off camera briefing held with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters wait to try and get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters leave after failing to get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and a small group of reporters instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017 in Washington, DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images Reporters blocked from off-camera White House briefing Reporters talk after failing to get access to an off camera briefing with White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer and a small group of reporters instead of the normal on camera briefing at the White House on February 24, 2017, in Washington DC. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff. The White House fiercely defended its actions, with spokeswoman Stephanie Grisham who allegedly turned away the non-preferred media outlets and called secret service to remove them contesting the facts. She said that claims that outlets were excluded are not factual. The pool was there, so various media mediums were represented. Mr Spicer himself also maintained that the Trump team were open and accessible to the media. He reportedly told those allowed in to the gaggle: I think that we have shown an abundance of accessibility. "Weve brought more reporters into this process. Weve actually gone above and beyond making ourselves, our team and our briefing room more accessible than probably any prior administration. I think you can take that to the bank. CNN, The Associated Press (AP), The New York Times, BuzzFeed and the BBC are among those to issues statements condemning Fridays decision. Bloomberg, which attended, defended its position, with reporter Jennifer Jacobs tweeting: Bloomberg was included because we're in regular pool. AP invited too, but declined due to others' exclusion. Bloomberg shared its audio. Time magazine and The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) were among those invited but declined to attend out of protest. The WSJ later issued a statement saying: Had we known at the time, we would not have participated and we will not participate in such closed briefings in the future. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trumps new national security advisor has signalled a fresh stance on radical Islam at odds with the president and other key advisors. The newly appointed adviser, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, indicated he will pursue a more moderate approach towards Islamic terrorism. In a meeting with National Security staff he said that Muslims who commit acts of terror are in fact contradicting their religion rather than pursuing a hard-line version of it. The three-star army general reportedly said the label of radical Islamic terrorism was not helpful as the perpetrators were un-Islamic. Recommended Trump mistaken if he thinks new security adviser will always back him His stance signals a break from the rhetoric Mr Trump and Gen McMasters predecessor, Michael Flynn, espouse about so-called Islamic fundamentalists. Mr Flynn resigned last week after admitting he misled vice-president Mike Pence and other officials about his dealings with Russia in the run-up to the November election. Following the shock vacancy, Gen McMaster was appointed by Mr Trump after his first pick, Robert S. Harward, a retired Navy vice admiral, declined. Described by the Commander-in-Chief as a man of tremendous talent, tremendous experience, the New York Times (NYT) reported the Iraq war veteran spent his first few days in office introducing himself to staff, who have endured months of turbulent upheaval following the rocky transition and the snap exit of Mr Flynn. Gen McMasters stance echoes that of former presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, who sought to separate terrorism from Islam. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY William McCants, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, said: This is very much a repudiation of his new bosss lexicon and worldview. McMaster, like Obama, is someone who was in positions of leadership and thought the United States should not play into the jihadist propaganda that this is a religious war, the NYT reported. Despite his more moderate approach, questions remains how far his influence will go in the White House when pitted against the deeply entrenched ideological views of the president and other key figures. And since Mr Trumps inauguration mixed messages over key policies have left experts and officials baffled. One area where there appears to be confusion is the USs support for NATO and the European Union (EU), with Mr Pence recently travelling to Brussels to reaffirm the superpowers support for the organisation. He delivered a speech saying there is: Strong commitment of the United States to the continued cooperation and partnership with the European Union. But days later German ambassador to the United States, Peter Wittig, seemingly contradicted that by claiming the White House remained concerned over the EU as a whole, painting it as a fractured and failing bloc rather than a bulwark of economic stability and peace. In a meeting between the Mr Whiting and chief strategist, Stephen K. Bannon, before the trip, Mr Bannon is reported to have said the White House views the EU as a flawed construct, and one-on-one negotiations with European nations was preferred. 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 called on his supporters to hold their own protest after some of Hollywoods biggest stars joined a high-profile rally against his administration. Maybe the millions of people who voted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN should have their own rally, the President wrote on Twitter. It would be the biggest of them all! Former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders was among those ridiculing the suggestion. Tweeting a photo comparing the turnout at Mr Trumps inauguration to the crowds at Barack Obamas, he wrote: They did. It wasnt. Thousands protest over Donald Trump's state visit The President's message came the morning after actors including Jodie Foster and Michael J Fox spoke at a rally for immigration rights in Beverly Hills. Canada-born Fox, who became a US citizen 20 years ago, said turning away immigrants was an assault on human dignity. The Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi also spoke via video from Tehran to praise the show of unity, while planning to boycott Sundays Academy Awards ceremony over the Presidents attempted immigration ban. It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a common show of unity to announce its opposition, Farhadi said. I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices. The event was one of countless global protests against Mr Trumps policies, including for womens rights, migrants, press freedom and opposing moves to scrap protections against laws governing how transgender students use bathrooms. The Presidents supporters have turned out in their thousands to show support at official events but have not launched demonstrations comparable in scale to those of his opponents. In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Show all 32 1 /32 In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London An image of President Donald Trump is seen on a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A view of the skywriting word reading 'Trump' as thousands rally in support of equal rights in Sydney, New South Wales EPA In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome People shout and hold signs during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A protester holds a placard during the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille A placard ready 'Pussy grabs back' is attached to the handle bar of a bike during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A young Thai girl holds a "women's rights are human rights" sign at Roadhouse BBQ restaurant where many of the Bangkok Womens March participants gathered in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok A Thai woman takes a photo of a "hate is not great" sign at the women's solidarity gathering in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Bangkok American expats and travellers gather with the international community in Bangkok at the Roadhouse BBQ restaurant to stand in solidarity in Bangkok, Thailand Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protetesters gather outside The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Women's March at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Marseille Protestors hold placards reading 'My body my choice, my vote my voice' during a 'Women's March' organized by Feminist and human rights groups in solidarity with women marching in Washington and around the world for their rights and against the reactionary politics of the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump, at the Old Port (Vieux Port) of Marseille, southern France Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Rome A person holds a sign during a rally against US newly sworn-in President Donald Trump in Rome Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activist Sarah Annay Williamson holds a placard and shouts slogan during the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Kolkata Activists participate in the Women's March rally in Kolkata, India AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A Women's March placards are rested on a bench outside the US Embassy in Grosvenor Square ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London A women carries her placard ahead of the Women's March in London, England Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila Women protesters shout slogans while displaying placards during a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President Donald Trump, in suburban Quezon city, northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Berlin Protesters attend a 'Berlin Women's March on Washington' demonstration in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Protesters take part in the Melbourne rally to protest against the Trump Inauguration in Melbourne, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters take part in the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Melbourne Womens march on Melbourne protestors marching during a rally where rights groups marched in solidarity with Americans to speak out against misogyny, bigotry and hatred Rex In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Macau Protesters hold placards as they take part at the Women's March rally in Macau, Macau. The Women's March originated in Washington DC but soon spread to be a global march calling on all concerned citizens to stand up for equality, diversity and inclusion and for women's rights to be recognised around the world as human rights Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Manila A mother carries her son as they join a rally in solidarity against the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump as the 45th President of the United States in suburban Quezon city northeast of Manila, Philippines AP In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney An infant is held up at a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman attends a demonstration against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydney A woman expresses her Anti-Trump views in Sydney, Australia Getty Images In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump Sydeney Protesters demonstrate against new U.S. President Donald Trump in Sydney, Australia. The marches in Australia were organised to show solidarity with those marching on Washington DC and around the world in defense of women's rights and human rights Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters march from The US Embassy in Grosvenor Square towards Trafalgar Square during the Women's March in London, England Getty In pictures: Women of the world march against Trump London Protesters carrying banners take part in the Women's March on London, as they stand in Trafalgar Square, in central London Reuters Mr Trump has hit out at the events, including participants of being professional anarchists, thugs and paid protesters. After millions of people joined the worldwide Womens March in protests stretching from Washington to Sydney last month, the President jibed: Was under the impression that we just had an electioncelebs hurt cause badly. He later backtracked, tweeting: Peaceful protests are a hallmark of our democracy. Even if I dont always agree, I recognise the rights of people to express their views. His attempt to ban immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries has been one of the major rallying points, as a new executive order is planned after the first was suspended by a federal judge. Mr Trump has attempted to characterise the executive order as a security measure but a draft Homeland Security report found no support for the assessment, saying nationality is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity. There have been concerns over a link between Mr Trumps rhetoric on immigrants, Muslims and terrorism driving hate crime across the US. Two Indian engineers were shot by an American man who allegedly shouted racial slurs and told them to get out of my country in Kansas on Wednesday. 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 Donald Trump spent a large part of a major speech on Friday attacking the media, in part for their use of anonymous sources but he used unnamed sources to make repeated false claims about Barack Obama. Mr Trumps Twitter feed reveals at least five occasions where he cited anonymous sources to make racially charged slurs that President Obama was not born in the US. In August 2012, Mr Trump claimed that an extremely credible source had called his office to tell him Mr Obamas birth certificate was fake. Attacks on the media have been a prominent feature of Mr Trumps early days in the White House with relations appearing to sour further with his recent decision to ban highly respected organisations, including the BBC and the Guardian, from a press briefing. American outlets denied access to the briefing with White House spokesman Sean Spicer include ABC, CNN and the New York Times which Mr Trump has repeatedly branded fake news. CNN host Anderson Cooper hosted a discussion in which he pointed to Mr Trumps hypocrisy. Just keeping him honest on this whole anonymous sources thing. We actually looked at the Presidents Twitter feed and we discovered at least five instances in which he questioned President Obamas citizenship when then citizen Trump quoted an extremely credible source or a confidential source. In a speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland, Mr Trump reignited his war of attrition with the media. I saw one story recently where they said, Nine people have confirmed. There are no nine people. I dont believe there was one or two people. Nine people They make up sources. We have to fight it folks, we have to fight it. Theyre very smart, theyre very cunning and theyre very dishonest. Insisting he is not anti-media, Mr Trump said: I am only against the fake news or press Im against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use a story unless they put their name out there. Appearing on CNN, Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein whose dogged investigation helped bring down President Nixon, called for more investigative journalism to hold President Trump to account for his actions, both past and present. We are in the middle of the ultimate battle of the cultural wars with Donald Trump, and its going to go on and on, and its going to be scorched earth. We need in-depth reporting, and were doing a great deal of it but we need to go even deeper. Thats our obligation here. Mr Trump has railed against the number of leaks coming out of Washington but host Mr Cooper claimed on CNN that Mr Trump according to reports used to call up the White House to drop items about himself using a fake name. CNNs chief political analyst Gloria Borger said that as a businessman, Mr Trump was used to being in control through the routine signing of non-disclosure agreements with business associates or former employees. But you cannot do that with a Government. You cannot tell everyone theyre not allowed to leak If there are leaks coming from the administration, he wants to be the one who does it. And Ms Borger suggested there could be another reason for Mr Trumps repeated attacks against the mainstream media. I think he probably knows there are more stories coming, that perhaps there are more stories on the ties to Russia coming, and I think hes sort of laying a predicate here that you cant believe them. Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Indian men shot in a Kansas City bar were reportedly asked about their visa status before the unprovoked attack, raising further questions regarding whether the incident was a hate crime. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, who was killed in the attack, and Alok Madasani, 32, who survived, were Indian immigrants who legally resided in the US and worked as engineers. Another man, Ian Grillot, 24, was also injured after attempting to intervene. Police said the shooter was 51-year-old Adam Purinton, who was reported to have been uttering racial slurs about the men, who were drinking at the Austins Bar and Grill in the suburb of Olathe. Mr Madasani told the New York Times: He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally. Mr Purinton was removed from the bar but allegedly later returned with a gun and shouted get out of my country at the men. He then opened fire, police said, killing Mr Kuchibhotla and injuring Mr Madasani, who has since been released from hospital. Mr Grillot, another patron, hid but then attempted to disarm Mr Purinton after he thought he used up all his ammunition. However, he was hit in the hand and chest, the bullet narrowly missing an artery. Man who tried to save victims of Kansas shooting says 'we're all humans' Mr Purinton was later arrested and has been charged with murder and attempted murder. The strong xenophobic overtones of the attack have raised concern at an anti-immigrant atmosphere in the US, which critics say is linked to President Donald Trumps America First stance. A recent attempt to ban entry into the US from seven Muslim majority countries was blocked in the courts but was met with approval from sections of Mr Trumps key support base. After the shooting, Mr Kuchibhotlas wife called on the President to fight hate crime. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, with his wife Sunayana Dumala in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (AP) We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening everywhere, Sunayana Dumala told a press conference. I was always concerned: 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the United States of America?' But he always assured me good things happen to good people. Ms Dumala described her husband was a very loveable soul, whose murder had plunged parents and relatives in India into grief. 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 And I need an answer, she added. I need an answer from the government about what they are going to do to stop this hate crime. The White House has denied the possibility of any connection between its policies and extreme anti-immigrant sentiment. The Presidents spokesperson, Sean Spicer, said of the attack: I mean, obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but Im not going to get into, like, that kind of to suggest that theres any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So Im not going to go any further than that. 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 wife of an Indian engineer gunned down by an American man who allegedly told him to get out of my country has called on Donald Trumps administration to fight hate crime. Adam Purinton reportedly shouted racial slurs at Srinivas Kuchibhotla and his friend before leaving the crowded bar in Kansas and returning with a gun and opening fire. Mr Kuchibhotla died from his wounds, while another Indian man Alok Madasani was injured and has since been discharged from hospital. A third man, Ian Grillot, attempted to chase Purinton down, believing his weapons magazine was empty, before being shot himself. Mr Kuchibhotlas wife said she had questioned whether the couple belonged in the US but was reassured by her husband, who would have celebrated his 33rd birthday next month. Holding back tears, Sunayana Dumala told a press conference: We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening everywhere. I was always concerned: 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the United States of America?' But he always assured me good things happen to good people. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, left, and Alok Madasani were shot in a bar in Kansas (AP) Ms Dumala described her husband was a very loveable soul, whose murder had plunged parents and relatives in India into grief. And I need an answer, she added. I need an answer from the government about what they are going to do to stop this hate crime. Mr Madasani's father, Jaganmohan Reddy, said the shooting at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe had left him fearing for his sons safety. I request other parents to think twice before sending their children to the United States, he said. Hours after the killing, Purinton a 51-year-old US Navy veteran reportedly walked into a bar in a town 70 miles away and told a member of staff he needed a place to hide because he had just killed two Middle Eastern men. Authorities are investigating the possibility the killing was racially motivated amid concern the Presidents America First rhetoric on jobs and immigration, including an attempted immigration ban on seven Muslim-majority countries. Mr Trump has attempted to characterise the executive order as a security measure but a draft Homeland Security report found no support for the assessment, saying nationality is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity. Not everyone will be harmful to this country, Ms Dumala said. The White House dismissed suggestions of a link between the shooting and the Presidents rhetoric as absurd. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters Mr Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, answered a question on his response by saying: I mean, obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but Im not going to get into, like, that kind of to suggest that theres any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So Im not going to go any further than that. Purinton has been remanded in custody on charges of murder and attempted murder ahead of a scheduled hearing on Monday. Mr Kuchibhotla moved to the US in 2005 to pursue a master's degree at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked in Iowa for six years before moving to the Kansas City area, where his brother also lives. He and Mr Madasani, both Hindus, worked for American technology firm Garmin, which has its headquarters just a mile away from the bar where they were shot. The company said it was devastated by the senseless tragedy and praised Mr Grillot for his heroic efforts to detain the gunman. Srinivas was a valued member of our engineering team and will be greatly missed, a spokesperson said. We are working closely with Srinivas's and Aloks families and appreciate the outpouring of support for them. The Indian government said its diplomats would monitor the Kansas investigation, as mourners gathered in Hyderabad for the return of Mr Kuchibhotlas body. 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 Swedish "expert" who appeared on Fox News to discuss immigrant violence has a conviction for violent crime in the US. Nils Bildt was described as a "Swedish defense and national security advisor" when he appeared as a guest on the TV station to speak about the perceived problems of his native country which Donald Trump referred to at a rally in Florida. But it has emerged that Mr Bildt, himself an immigrant in the US, was arrested in June 2014 for assault and battery against a law enforcement officer, obstruction of justice and public inebriation after threatening an official. He was charged under the name Tolling, which he later changed to Bildt. Sweden's government also said he holds no official position with them. On TV, the billionaire claimed the Scandinavian country recently experienced a terror attack, a claim which later turned out to be false. Donald Trump later tweeted to say his statement was based on a news report on Fox News, who continued the debate around the Scandinavian country by hosting Mr Bildt. The Swede described his homeland negatively, backing up Mr Trumps own portrayal of the country. But Marie Pisater, of the Swedish Defense Ministry, said no one by the name Nils Bildt was employed by them. Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Show all 14 1 /14 Donald Trump's most controversial quotes Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Isis: "Some of the candidates, they went in and didnt know the air conditioner didnt work and sweated like dogs, and they didnt know the room was too big because they didnt have anybody there. How are they going to beat ISIS?" Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On immigration: "I will build a great wall and nobody builds walls better than me, believe me and Ill build them very inexpensively. I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will make Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Free Trade: "Free trade is terrible. Free trade can be wonderful if you have smart people. But we have stupid people." PAUL J. RICHARDS | AFP | Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Mexicans: "When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists." Getty Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On China: "I just sold an apartment for $15 million to somebody from China. Am I supposed to dislike them?... I love China. The biggest bank in the world is from China. You know where their United States headquarters is located? In this building, in Trump Tower." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On work: "If you're interested in 'balancing' work and pleasure, stop trying to balance them. Instead make your work more pleasurable." AP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On success: "What separates the winners from the losers is how a person reacts to each new twist of fate." Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On life: "Everything in life is luck." AFP Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On ambition: "You have to think anyway, so why not think big?" Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On his opponents: "Bush is totally in favour of Common Core. I don't see how he can possibly get the nomination. He's weak on immigration. He's in favour of Common Core. How the hell can you vote for this guy? You just can't do it." Reuters Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Obamacare: "You have to be hit by a tractor, literally, a tractor, to use it, because the deductibles are so high. It's virtually useless. And remember the $5 billion web site?... I have so many web sites, I have them all over the place. I hire people, they do a web site. It costs me $3." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On Barack Obama: "Obama is going to be out playing golf. He might be on one of my courses. I would invite him. I have the best courses in the world. I have one right next to the White House." PA Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On himself: "Love him or hate him, Trump is a man who is certain about what he wants and sets out to get it, no holds barred. Women find his power almost as much of a turn-on as his money." Getty Images Donald Trump's most controversial quotes On America: "The American Dream is dead. But if I get elected president I will bring it back bigger and better and stronger than ever before and we will make America great again." GETTY We have no spokesman by that name, she said. And the Foreign Office was similarly stumped, with a spokesman telling Dagens Nyhether (DN): We do not know who he is. It emerged Mr Bildt who spoke about crime in Sweden is in fact a convict himself. Documents from Arlington General District Court in Virginia, show Mr Bildt under his former surname - was sentenced to a year behind bars, of which 11 months were suspended, in November 2014. He was also fined $111 (89), which is recorded as paid. Mr Bildt, who is said to have emigrated to the US in 1994, denied all knowledge of the convictions to DN. Despite the publicly available information he said he was unaware of the allegations. When pressed over his supposed role, the Swede said: I appeared on Bill O'Reillys's show on Fox News. The title was chosen by Fox News's editor I had no personal control over what title they chose. I am an independent analyst based in the USA. 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 spokesman for the US Air Force has questioned President Trumps claim that he managed to save the taxpayer one billion dollars when negotiating the price of a new Air Force One jet. Mr Trump bragged about the deal to supporters at a Florida rally last week. They were close to signing a $4.2 billion deal to have a new Air Force One, Trump said Saturday. Can you believe this? I said, No way. I said, I refuse to fly in a $4.2 billion airplane. We got that price down by over $1 billion, he continued. I got the generals in, who are fantastic. I got Boeing in. But I told Boeing, its not good enough. Were not going to do it. The price is still too high. Mr Trump has previously suggested he might cancel the renovation of the Air Force One jets altogether, but has since been convinced of the necessity of new jets. The President also owns his own personal Boeing 757, reported to have cost around $100 million dollars. However, Colonel Pat Ryder, a senior US Air Force figure, was not able to confirm the Presidents version of events. Colonel Ryder told Bloomberg, To my knowledge I have not been told that we have that information. He suggested journalists seek clarification from the White House. The Air Force plans to replace both of its two Air Force One jets each about 26 years old by 2024. The Air Force has budgeted $2.7 billion this year for maintenance and upgrades of the planes. Trump is still telling people to 'look at what's happening' in Sweden However, the full cost of the renovation is still uncertain, as the plans are at a very early stage. Boeing is now operating under an initial $172 million contract to work up preliminary plans for the new aircraft. The government expects to award full contracts by June. Air Force One serves as a mobile office for the President, and as such is outfitted with advanced security systems and able to refuel in mid-air. The plane also has extensive medical facilities, including an operating table, and carries an extra reserve of the president's blood type in a refrigerator, just in case. At the time of writing, The White House has not provided any clarification on Mr Trumps comments. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump followed up his attack on the media at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) by branding it a great danger to the country on social media. After a number of major news organisations including CNN, the BBC, the The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times were barred from a White House press briefing, the President took to Twitter to lambast the media again. He said that fake news media knowingly doesnt tell the truth and that news organisations like CNN and the failing New York Times had become a joke in a tweet. It comes just hours after White House Press Secretary prevented some outlets from attending an off camera press briefing. Other more conservative outlets, such as Breitbart, OANN, Fox News and the Washington Times, were allowed into the gaggle an informal briefing usually attended by one reporter from each organisation as well as more mainstream outlets such as Reuters, Bloomberg and NBC News. The Associated Press and Time magazine were invited to join the briefing but boycotted it to protest the White Houses decision to exclude organisations with unfavourable coverage. The move was condemned by Fox News anchor Bret Baier, even though the network has enthusiastically supported Mr Trump in the past. He said his colleagues should not celebrate the ban as CNN and The New York Times were two of several media outlets which stood by them when Barack Obama tried to freeze them out in 2009. The comments follow a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland where Mr Trump called the press, enemies of the people. He claimed they were inventing damaging stories about him and his administration. A few days ago, I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are," he said. "They are the enemy of the people, he said. Because they have no sources. They just make them up where there are none. He insisted that he did not object to critical reporting but claimed he was the victim of constant misreporting. He said: Im not against the media, Im not against the press. I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell you, I love good stories, but we dont get too many of them. In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Show all 30 1 /30 In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President-elect Donald Trump acknowledges guests as he arrives on the platform at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Donald Trump is sworn in as the 45th president of the United States by Chief Justice John Roberts as Melania Trump looks on during the 58th Presidential Inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump shakes hands with Justice John Roberts after taking the oath at inauguration ceremonies swearing in Trump as the 45th president of the United States Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump President Donald Trump raises his fists after his inauguration on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President-elect Donald Trump greets outgoing President Barack Obama before Trump is inaugurated during ceremonies on the Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump resident-elect Donald Trump arrives on the platform of the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Attendees partake in the inauguration ceremonies to swear in Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States at the U.S. Capitol in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump US President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address during ceremonies at the US Capitol in Washington DC Getty In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. President Donald Trump waves with wife Melania during the Inaugural Parade in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters registered their rage against the new president Friday in a chaotic confrontation with police who used pepper spray and stun grenades in a melee just blocks from Donald Trump's inaugural parade route. Scores were arrested for trashing property and attacking officers AP In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators protest against US President Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A woman holds a sign before the start of the Presidential Inauguration of Donald Trump at Freedom Plaza in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Anti-Trump protesters prepare banners for a protest against the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, in Berlin REUTERS In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators shout slogans against US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators march, block foot traffic and clash with U.S. Capitol Police at the entry checkpoints for the Inauguration of Donald Trump Alamy Live News In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators display a banner as people arrive for US President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A man displays a placard as people lineup to get into the National Mall for the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump in Washington DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump raise their hands as they are surrounded by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A demonstrator wearing a mask depicting Donald Trump protests outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Demonstrators hold placards as they protest outside the US Embassy in London Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former US President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush arrive for the Presidential Inauguration at the US Capitol Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden share an umbrella as President Donald Trump delivers his inaugural address at the inauguration in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Former Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and former President Bill Clinton arrive on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump U.S. Vice President Mike Pence takes the oath of office on the West Front of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC Getty Images In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Advisors to President-elect Donald Trump, Kellyanne Conway and Steve Bannon depart from services at St. John's Church during the Presidential Inauguration in Washington Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump take cover as they are hit by pepper spray by police on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump An activist demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump is helped after being hit by pepper spray on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer tries to tackle a protester demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump Reuters/Adrees Latif In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump Police arrest and detain a protester in the street in Washington DC Rex In pictures: Protests, pomp and Donald Trump A police officer falls to the ground as another shoots pepper spray at protesters demonstrating against U.S. President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the inauguration in Washington DC Reuters But Im only against the fake news media or press. Fake. Fake Im against the people who make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked CNN for revealing the existence of an intelligence report which suggested Russia may have damaging information about Mr Trumps private life which could be used to blackmail him. In a press conference held later that day Mr Trump shouted at the CNN reporter, Jim Acosta, and refused to take a question from him saying your organisation is terrible. When Mr Acosta attempted to challenge him he told him to not be rude and said Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news!. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Plans for the first contact between North Korea and the United States after President Donald Trump took office were cancelled after the US State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The talks, between senior North Korean foreign ministry envoy Choe Son Hui and former US officials, were scheduled to take place on 1 and 2 March in New York but were called off after Choe was denied a visa, the Journal said. It was not clear what led the State Department to deny the visa but North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile on 12 February and the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's half brother in Malaysia may have played a role, the report said. South Korean and US officials have said they believe North Korean agents assassinated Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half brother of Kim Jong-un, on 13 February. A US State Department official denied so-called track two discussions had been scheduled. The US government had no plans to engage in track two talks in New York, the official said, declining comment on individual visa cases. A South Korean foreign ministry official declined to comment on the report of the cancelled meeting in New York, saying the reported plan did not involve the US or South Korean government. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The meeting in New York would have been the first time a senior North Korean envoy would visit the United States since 2011 and the first contact between US and North Korean representatives since Trump took office. Choe, director general for North American affairs at the North's foreign ministry, has previously met former US officials and academics, the last time in November in Geneva for informal discussions. Trump said in a Reuters interview on Thursday that he was concerned about North Korea's ballistic missile tests and its a very dangerous situation. Trump did not ruling out meeting Kim at some point in the future under certain circumstances but suggested it might be too late. Reuters Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Donald Trump has signalled he wants to expand Americas nuclear arsenal in a major policy U-turn. Mr Trump said it would allow the US to stay at the top of the pack and expressed concern that America has "fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity. He also hinted at a change of course from Washington on Americas involvement in a new strategic arms limitation treaty. Donald Trump says a Russia-US conflict would be a nuclear holocaust 'like no other' Repeating a phrase often used by the President to criticise trade pacts, the former property tycoon said the latest non-proliferation arrangement was a one-sided deal. Under the treaty, known as New Start, by February 2018 the US and Russia must limit their arsenals of strategic nuclear weapons to equal levels for 10 years. Recommended Trump had to ask what nuclear treaty with Russia was during Putin call It also permits both countries to have no more than 800 deployed and non-deployed land-based intercontinental and submarine-launched ballistic missile launchers and heavy bombers equipped to carry nuclear weapons. But Mr Trump said: "Just another bad deal that the country made, whether it's Start, whether it's the Iran deal... We're going to start making good deals. I am the first one that would like to see everybody - nobody have nukes, but were never going to fall behind any country even if its a friendly country, he added. Were never going to fall behind on nuclear power. "It would be wonderful, a dream would be that no country would have nukes, but if countries are going to have nukes, were going to be at the top of the pack. Speaking from the Oval Office, he told Reuters he was very angry" at North Korea's ballistic missile tests and said accelerating a missile defence system in the region was among many options available to him. The comments are the new US Presidents first on the issue of Americas nuclear arsenal. Barack Obama made reducing the worlds nuclear weapons stockpile a priority during his eight years in office. In a major speech just a few months after his inauguration in 2009, Mr Obama declared his commitment to seek the peace and security of a world without nuclear weapons. Additional reporting Reuters Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Inside Washington email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The Trump administration has enlisted senior members of the intelligence community and Congress in efforts to counter news stories about Trump associates' ties to Russia, a politically charged issue that has been under investigation by the FBI as well as lawmakers now defending the White House. Acting at the behest of the White House, the officials made calls to news organizations last week in attempts to challenge stories about alleged contacts between members of President Trump's campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives, U.S. officials said. The calls were orchestrated by the White House after unsuccessful attempts by the administration to get senior FBI officials to speak with news organizations and dispute the accuracy of stories on the alleged contacts with Russia. The White House on Friday acknowledged those interactions with the FBI but did not disclose that it then turned to other officials who agreed to do what the FBI would not -- participate in White House-arranged calls with news organizations, including The Washington Post. Two of those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity -- a practice President Trump has condemned. The officials broadly dismissed Trump associates' contacts with Russia as infrequent and inconsequential. But the officials would not answer substantive questions about the issue, and their comments were not published by The Post and do not appear to have been reported elsewhere. White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed that the White House communicated with officials with the aim of contesting reporting on Russia, but maintained that the administration did nothing improper. "When informed by the FBI that [the Russia-related reporting] was false, we told reporters who else they should contact to corroborate the FBI's version of the story," he said. The decision to involve those officials could be perceived as threatening the independence of U.S. spy agencies that are supposed to remain insulated from partisan issues, as well as undercutting the credibility of ongoing congressional probes. Those officials saw their involvement as an attempt to correct coverage they believed to be erroneous. The effort also involved senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees. A spokesman for Nunes said that he had already begun speaking to reporters to challenge the story and that, "at the request of a White House communications aide, Chairman Nunes then spoke to an additional reporter and delivered the same message." Unlike the others, Nunes spoke on the record and was subsequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal. In an interview, Burr acknowledged that he "had conversations about" Russia-related news reports with the White House and engaged with news organizations to dispute articles by the New York Times and CNN that alleged "repeated" or "constant" contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. "I've had those conversations," Burr said, adding that he regarded the contacts as appropriate provided that "I felt I had something to share that didn't breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation." The administration's push against the Russia coverage intensified Sunday when White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said in television interviews that he had been authorized "by the top levels of the intelligence community" to denounce reports on Trump campaign contacts with Russia as false. Priebus's denunciations ranged from calling the articles "overstated" to saying they were "complete garbage." Administration officials said that Priebus's comments had been cleared by FBI Director James B. Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. In doing so, the FBI's leadership would appear to have been drawing a distinction between authorizing comments by a White House official and addressing the matter themselves. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he called CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Burr to express his "grave concerns about what this means for the independence" of the investigation. "I am consulting with members of the Intelligence Committee to determine an appropriate course of action so we can ensure that the American people get the thorough, impartial investigation that they deserve, free from White House interference," Warner said in a statement Friday night. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement Friday evening saying that if the White House "contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavorable news reports, this represents a new and even more grave threat to the independence of the intelligence community." Former intelligence officials expressed concern over the blurring of lines between intelligence and politics, with some recalling Republican accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence in its accounts of the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. "I doubt that there was any enthusiasm from the intelligence leadership to get involved in this in the first place," former CIA director Michael Hayden said, noting that it seemed unlikely that Priebus's bluntly worded denials were consistent with the "precise language" favored by intelligence analysts. "Think Benghazi here," Hayden said in an interview by email. "This is what happens when the intel guys are leaned on for the narrative of the political speakers. The latter have different rules, words, purposes. Getting intel into that mix always ends unhappily, [and] it looks like we just did." The Trump administration's actions reflect its level of concern about coverage of its relationship with Russia. Trump has continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin, even after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had interfered in the U.S. presidential race to help Trump win. Trump has also repeatedly disparaged the intelligence agencies that his administration last week turned to for support. Shortly before taking office, Trump accused U.S. spy agencies of a Nazi-style leaks campaign to smear him. The White House statements on the issue Friday came after CNN reported that the FBI had refused administration requests to publicly "knock down" media reports about ties between Trump associates and Russian intelligence. Administration officials disputed the account, saying that rather than soliciting FBI feedback, Priebus had been pulled aside by McCabe on the morning of Feb. 15 and told, "I want you to know" that the New York Times story "is BS." The FBI declined to discuss the matter. White House officials declined to comment on the administration's subsequent effort to enlist other government officials and would not agree to allow the identification of the intelligence officials who had spoken to The Post last week. In separate calls, those individuals insisted on being identified only as "a senior intelligence official in the Trump administration" and "a senior member of the intelligence community." In a brief interview on the night of Feb. 15, the senior intelligence official said that the suggestion that there was frequent contact between Russians and Trump associates was false, describing any conversations as sporadic, limited and based on Russia's interest in building a relationship with the future Trump administration rather than shaping the 2016 presidential race. The senior intelligence official appeared to be referring to contacts between Trump's designated national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump was sworn in as president. Flynn was forced out of his job earlier this month after The Post reported that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak and then misled Trump administration officials about the nature of his contacts. Officials at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on whether senior officials at those agencies had discussed Russia coverage with the White House or been involved in efforts to refute stories on that subject. CIA Director Mike Pompeo is the senior-most intelligence official in the administration, with former senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) still awaiting confirmation as director of national intelligence. As a Republican member of Congress, Pompeo was among the most fiercely partisan figures in the House investigation of Benghazi, which centered on accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence about the attacks for political purposes. It is not unusual for CIA leaders to have contact with news organizations, particularly about global issues such as terrorism or to contest news accounts of CIA operations. But involving the agency on alleged Trump campaign ties to Russia could be problematic. The CIA is not in charge of the investigation. Given the history of domestic espionage abuses in the United States, CIA officials are typically averse to being drawn into matters that involve U.S. citizens or might make the agency vulnerable to charges that it is politicizing intelligence. A U.S. intelligence official declined to discuss any Pompeo involvement except to say that he was "not involved in drafting or approving statements for public use by the White House this past weekend on alleged Russian contacts." Whether there were such contacts remains a major point of contention. Beyond Flynn, the investigation has focused on other figures including Paul Manafort, Trump's former campaign chairman, who had previously served as a paid political adviser to the Putin-backed president of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence reports cite multiple contacts between members of Trump's team and Russians with links to the Kremlin, during the campaign and afterward, according to officials who have seen them. Such reports were based on intercepted Russian communications and other sources, the officials said. Nunes, who served as a member of Trump's transition team, has resisted calls for his House committee to investigate alleged contacts between Trump associates and Russia. He said in an interview that after months of investigations, U.S. authorities have turned up no evidence of such contacts. "They've looked, and it's all a dead trail that leads me to believe no contact, not even pizza-delivery-guy contact," Nunes said, appearing to rule out even unwitting contact between Trump officials and Russian agents. Investigators, Nunes said, "don't even have a lead." Washington Post Sign up to our Evening Headlines email for your daily guide to the latest news Sign up to our free US Evening Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Evening Headlines email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} The National Press Club has condemned Donald Trumps exclusion of select media outlets from a White House press conference, calling the unprecedented action deeply disturbing and likening it to censorship. Senior figures from the world's leading professional organisation for journalists joined a host of other industry leaders in protesting the decision announced by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to block news outlets including CNN, The New York Times, BBC, The Guardian and BuzzFeed from the off-camera gaggle. I find it deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable that the White House is actively running a campaign against a constitutionally enshrined free and independent press, the club's president, Jeffrey Ballou, said in a statement. The action harkens back to the darkest chapters of US history and reeks of undemocratic, un-American and unconstitutional censorship. The National Press Club supports our colleagues in the White House Correspondents Association in its protest and calls on the White House to reverse course. Mr Spicer did not give any justification as to why the news outlets had been excluded, however far-right organisations Breitbart News, One America News Network and The Washington Times were all granted access. Other major outlets approved included ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters and Bloomberg, with Associated Press and Time both boycotting the gaggle after the exclusions emerged. It came just two months after the press secretary promised the Trump administration would never ban press access regardless of the political leaning of the publication. We have a respect for the press when it comes to the government, that that is something you cant ban an entity from, he said. You know conservative, liberal, otherwise I think that is what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship. Donald Trump: We are fighting the phoney, fake news National Press Club Journalism Institute President, Barbara Cochran, also accused Mr Trump of hypocrisy for claiming he loves the First Amendment, which defends the freedom of the press. The president said, No one loves the First Amendment more than me. We call on the president and his staff to prove that and stop interfering with the ability of all news organisations to do their job of covering the White House, she wrote. The New York Times and Buzzfeed both issued written statements protesting their exclusion from the briefing. Fox News anchor Bret Baier discouraged conservative news outlets who celebrated the gaggle, citing organisations who defended his network when former President Obama tried to freeze out Fox News in 2009. Some at CNN and New York Times stood with Fox News when the Obama admin attacked us and tried to exclude us, he wrote on Twitter, a White House gaggle should be open to all credentialed orgs. It came as the US President renewed his attack on the mainstream media at the Conservative Political Action Conference. I want you all to know that we are fighting the fake news. Its phony, fake, he said. I called the fake news the enemy of the people. They are the enemy of the people, because they have no sources. They just make them up when there are none. 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 had a lucky escape from an accidental shooting after a bullet bounced off her head, police said. The unnamed victim was sat on her sofa in her living room at her home in Redmond, Oregon, when the shot was fired. The couch had previously been situated next to where the bullet first entered her house and she had only rearranged her furniture a week earlier. Billy Eichner perfectly sums up the ridiculousness of America's gun laws with a themed obstacle course The bullet slowed by the time it reached her, having made contact with several other objects. Redmond police Lt. Curtis Chambers told the Bend Bulletin: She had a knot on her head. You could feel it, but it didnt bleed or puncture anything. Adding that the injury was superficial, he said: It was like having a small rock thrown at you. The 9mm bullet, a calibre often used in handguns, slowed significantly after it was first discharged by the womans neighbour, Ryan Pine. The round travelled through at least two walls, a fence and a picture frame before it made contact with the woman. Police said it was not exactly clear why Mr Pine fired the weapon, but said drugs and alcohol appeared to be involved, the Bulletin reported. Mr Pine was charged with unlawful use of a weapon, reckless endangerment and criminal mischief. The famous for and against US gun control Show all 31 1 /31 The famous for and against US gun control The famous for and against US gun control Against: Robert De Niro Despite the actor being a gun-wielding fast-talker, he told Daily Mail: "There should be more control. It has just gotten out of hand, how easily you can get guns." The famous for and against US gun control For: Brad Pitt "America is founded on guns. It;s in out DNA. Its very strange but I feel better having a gun." Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control For: Angelina Jolie "Brad and I are not against having a gun in the house, and we do have one. If anybody comes into my home and tries to hurt my kids, Ive no problem shooting them." AFP/Getty The famous for and against US gun control For: Johnny Depp "When I was a kid it was a controlled atmosphere, we weren't shooting at humans - we were shooting at cans and bottles mostly. I will most certainly take my kids out for target practice." Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control For: Bruce Willis "Everyone has a right to bear arms. If you take guns away from legal gun owners, then the only people who have guns are the bad guys." Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control For: Clint Eastwood "I have a very strict gun control policy: if there's a gun around, I want to be in control of it." Reuters The famous for and against US gun control For: Whoopi Goldberg "Im an NRA member, as you know or probably dont know... I want to know that theres at least some way to prevent folks who are just getting out from mental institutions [from getting guns]." The famous for and against US gun control For: Vince Vaughn "Banning guns is like banning forks in an attempt to stop making people fat. Taking away guns, taking away drugs, the booze, it won't rid the world of criminality... I support people having a gun in public full stop, not just in your home." Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control For: Donald Trump "Democrats want to confiscate all guns, which is a dumb idea because only the law-abiding citizens would turn in their guns and the bad guys would be the only ones left armed. The Republicans walk the NRA line and refuse even limited restrictions" Getty The famous for and against US gun control Against: Matt Damon I actually hate guns. They freak me out. Rex The famous for and against US gun control Against: Mark Wahlberg "Well, I would love it if they could take all the guns away. Unfortunately, you cant do that so you hope that good people in the world have them to protect the people who cant protect themselves." AP The famous for and against US gun control Against: Sean Connery "It is said that a total ban on handguns, including .22s, would take away innocent pleasure from thousands of people. Is that more or less pleasure than watching your child grow up?" Rex Features The famous for and against US gun control Against: Arnold Schwarzenegger "Im for gun control. Im a peace-loving guy." Lionsgate The famous for and against US gun control Against: Sylvester Stallone "Until America, door to door, takes every handgun, this is what youre gonna have. Its pathetic. It really is pathetic. Its sad. Were living in the Dark Ages over there." Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Rashida Jones "Gun control is our only road to freedom. Freedom from the fear of senselessly losing children." Getty The famous for and against US gun control Against: Susan Sarandon "How much more suffering & loss will it take before we better regulate the sale of arms in our country?" Getty The famous for and against US gun control Against: Beyonce Queen B was part of the Demand a Plan campaign against guns after Newton shooting, by appearing in a video alongside a bunch of celebrities. AP The famous for and against US gun control Against: Jamie Foxx A Hollywood gang joined Beyonce in the campaign... GETTY IMAGES The famous for and against US gun control Against: Cameron Diaz Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Jessica Alba Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Jennifer Garner Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Jennifer Aniston Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Jason Merritt | Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Jon Hamm The Mad Men actor also appeared in the video... The famous for and against US gun control Against: Reese Witherspoon Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Ellen DeGeneres Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Reuters The famous for and against US gun control Against: Julianne Moore Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. The famous for and against US gun control Against: Selena Gomez Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. GETTY IMAGES The famous for and against US gun control Against: Peter Dinklage The Game of Thrones also appeared in the video... Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Zooey Deschanel alongside the New Girl star. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Steve Carell Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign. Getty Images The famous for and against US gun control Against: Gwyneth Paltrow Took part in the Demand a Plan campaign, too. The woman may have suffered more extensive injuries had her furniture been in the same place it was in a week before the incident. Its possible it could have struck her immediately and caused more of an injury, Lt. Chambers told the newspaper. 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 }} Journalists from the BBC, Reuters and New York Times were among those spied on by the German foreign intelligence service, according to reports. Surveillance was allegedly carried out by the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND) on at least 50 reporters since 1999. Respected German magazine Der Spiegel reported the findings after obtaining BND documents listing journalists emails, faxes and telephone numbers. The document reportedly showed more than a dozen BBC journalists were being monitored via numbers at the organisations London headquarters and in Afghanistan. May details surveillance plan In addition, the list showed a New York Times phone number, also in Afghanistan, and several mobile and satellite phone numbers for the Reuters news agency in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. Reporters from less well known organisations in Kuwait, Lebanon, India, Nepal, Indonesia and Zimbabwe were also targeted, according to Spiegel . The BBC expressed dismay over the reports. "We are disappointed to hear these claims," a BBC spokesperson said. "The BBC's mission is to bring accurate news and information to people around the world, and our journalists should be able to operate freely and safely, with full protection for their sources. We call upon all governments to respect the operation of a free press." The organisation said it had not received a response from the BND about the allegations. The German branch of Reporters Without Borders told the magazine the alleged surveillance was "egregious attack on press freedoms" and "a new dimension of constitutional violation". The BND has declined to comment directly on the report. 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 In a statement sent to the Associated Press, the agency said it only communicates with the German government and politicians on parliament's intelligence oversight committee about "operative aspects" of its work. The revelations come as the activities of the US National Security Agency (NSA) and BND are being investigated by the Bundestag. It is alleged the two agencies collaborated to conduct huge surveillance operations. Chancellor Angela Merkel was spied on by the NSA several years ago and was called as a witness to the inquiry earlier this month. 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 }} Greek pensioner Dimitra says she never imagined a life reduced to food handouts: some rice, two bags of pasta, a packet of chickpeas, some dates and a tin of milk for the month. At 73, Dimitra who herself once helped the hard-up as a Red Cross food server is among a growing number of Greeks barely getting by. After seven years of bailouts that poured billions of euros into their country, poverty isn't getting any better; it's getting worse like nowhere else in the EU. It had never even crossed my mind, she said, declining to give her last name because of the stigma still attached to accepting handouts in Greece. I lived frugally. I've never even been on holiday. Nothing, nothing, nothing. Thousands who benefit from soup kitchens like this one are living below the poverty line of about 300 a month (Reuters) Now more than half of her 332 (296) monthly income goes to renting a tiny Athens apartment. The rest: bills. The global financial crisis and its fallout forced four eurozone countries to turn to international lenders. Ireland, Portugal and Cyprus all went through rescues and are back out, their economies growing again. But Greece, the first into a bailout in 2010, has needed three. Rescue funds from the European Union and International Monetary Fund saved Greece from bankruptcy, but the austerity and reform policies the lenders attached as conditions have helped to turn recession into a depression. Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, whose leftist-led government is lagging in opinion polls, has tried to make the plight of Greeks a rallying cry in the latest round of drawn-out negotiations with the lenders blocking the release of more aid. We must all be careful towards a country that has been pillaged and people who have made, and are continuing to make, so many sacrifices in the name of Europe, he said this month. What began as a recession has begun to sink into a depression (Reuters) Much of the vast sums in aid money has simply been in the form of new debt used to repay old borrowings. But regardless of who is to blame for the collapse in living standards, poverty figures from the EU statistics agency are startling. Greece isn't the poorest member of the EU; poverty rates are higher in Bulgaria and Romania. But Greece isn't far behind in third place, with Eurostat data showing 22.2 per cent of the population were severely materially deprived in 2015. Greeks slide deeper into poverty Show all 12 1 /12 Greeks slide deeper into poverty Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece Retired teacher and volunteer Eva Agkisalaki clears tables at a soup kitchen run by the Orthodox church in Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece People eat at a soup kitchen run by the Orthodox church in Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece The monthly food supplies that were given out in February by an Athens Municipality-run centre are pictured in Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece An elderly man sells chestnuts in front of the parliament during a demonstration to demand tax reductions and compensation in Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece People make their way outside the main fish market of Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece A butcher waits for clients inside the main meat market of Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece An elderly woman searches through donated clothes at a soup kitchen run by the Orthodox church Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece Children's clothes to be donated to impoverished Greeks are arranged in a stock room at an Athens Municipality-run centre Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece A man waits to have his clothes washed by the Ithaca mobile laundry service for the homeless in central Athens, Greece Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece People line up to apply for a social benefit from the Directorate of Social Welfare and Health of the Municipality of Athens Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece Food is laid out on a table at a soup kitchen run by the Orthodox church Reuters Greeks slide deeper into poverty Athens, Greece Poverty stricken area of Perama Reuters And whereas the figures have dropped sharply in the post-communist Balkan states by almost a third in Romania's case the Greek rate has almost doubled since 2008, the year the global crisis erupted. Overall, the EU level fell from 8.5 per cent to 8.1 per cent over the period. At least 40 per cent of households say they have had to cut back on food spending (Reuters) The reality of such statistics becomes clear at places like the food bank run by the Athens municipality where Dimitra collects her monthly handouts. Here, dozens more Greeks waited solemnly with a ticket in hand to get their share. All are registered as living below the poverty line. The needs are huge, said Eleni Katsouli, a municipal official in charge of the centre. Figures for the food bank, which serves central Athens, show a similar trend on a local scale to the wider Eurostat data. About 11,000 families or 26,000 people are registered there, up from just 2,500 in 2012 and 6,000 in 2014, Katsouli said. About 5,000 are children. Many of the shelves and refrigerators in its stock room stood empty. What they give away depends on what sponsors themselves often struggling businesses can donate. We're worried because we don't know if we'll be able to meet these people's needs, Katsouli said. There are families with young children and on some days we haven't even got milk to give them. As many as 26,000 people are registered at the food bank serving central Athens (Reuters) International organisations, including the OECD, have urged the government to prioritise tackling poverty and inequality. Unemployment has slipped from a peak of 28 per cent of the workforce to 23 per cent but the rate remains the highest in the EU. Since the crisis began, the economy has shrunk by a quarter and thousands of businesses have closed for good. Hopes are high the economy can pick up this year but data last week showed it contracted again from October to December after two straight quarters of growth. Better living standards seem as far away as ever. More than 75 per cent of households suffered a significant income reduction last year, a survey by business confederation GSEVEE and Marc pollsters found. A third had at least one unemployed member and 40 per cent said they had to cut back on food spending. People line up to apply for a social benefit from the Directorate of Social Welfare and Health (Reuters) The Greek Ombudsman says a growing number of people struggle to pay utility bills. In a no-frills Athens neighbourhood, a soup kitchen run by the Orthodox church serves 400 meals a day over four sittings in under two hours. Everyone is going through hard times all of Greece is, said Eva Agkisalaki, 61, a former teacher who volunteers there. Agkisalaki did not qualify for a pension because her contract ended when the retirement age was lifted to 67 under the bailout programme and she could not find work, she said. Part of her husband's pension, cut to 600 from 980, also under reforms demanded by the international lenders, goes to her son and daughter's families. Retired teacher and soup kitchen volunteer Eva Agkisalaki says she wasnt able to qualify for a pension (Reuters) In return for volunteering, Agkisalaki receives handouts from the soup kitchen which she shares among her unemployed daughter and her son. We're vegetating, she said between setting a long wooden table for the next meal of bean soup, bread, an egg, a slice of pizza and an apple. We just exist. Most Greeks just exist. Evangelia Konsta, who oversees the centre and whose business supplies the meat, said the number of people eating at the soup kitchen has more than doubled in two years and the church often also helps cover people's electricity or water bills too. Things are getting worse, they're not getting better and that's reflected in people's needs, Konsta said. There are people who haven't even got one euro. Greeces poverty rate has almost doubled since 2008 (Reuters) Across Athens, the number of Greeks sleeping rough is a testament to that. Volunteers drive a van with two washing machines and two dryers to neighbourhoods where the homeless gather to help them clean up. You see the same faces, but also new ones, said Fanis Tsonas, co-founder of the Ithaca mobile laundry, as destitute men and women brought bags of laundry. Few are hopeful of better days. I don't think there's one person who's not afraid of the future, said Dimitra, the pensioner, clutching her plastic bag of rationed goods. Reuters For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} One person has died and two more have been hurt after a car was driven into pedestrians in the German city of Heidelberg. The driver escaped the scene on foot and was later shot after being tracked down by officers, who were tipped off by the public. The 35-year-old man, who police have stressed was not a migrant, was allegedly carrying a knife. Following the short stand-off, he was taken to hospital, where he is in serious condition and has undergone an operation. A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries in the evening at a local hospital. The injured people, a 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia, were only lightly hurt. Footage of the arrest was posted to social media and showed a number of police officers with their sidearms drawn. One shot can be heard. Later, photos posted to Twitter showed forensic officers at the car, which came to a stop outside a bakery. There was no word on the man's possible motives or his origin. Police said a terrorist background is not suspected and the man appears to have acted alone. Later in the evening, the Polizei Mannheim Twitter account confirmed there was no search for a second suspect. The car is believed to be a rental. 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 In December 2016, 12 people were killed and 56 injured after a Tunisian man, Anis Amri, drove a truck into a Christmas market. The attack raised questions about Angela Merkel's open door policy to refugees, which has caused huge contention in Germany. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Pariss mayor has hit back at Donald Trump after he snubbed the French capital claiming it was a no-go zone for some Americans. The President insinuated the French capital was no longer a safe destination for US tourists in a speech delivered at the Conservative Political Action Conference, when he referred his friend "Jim", who he said frequently visited the French city, but has not been for the past four or five years. Recommended Donald Trump repeats bizzare Sweden refugee claims Jim, who he described as "a very, very substantial guy", would visit the capital every summer, Mr Trump said. "It was automatic," he added. "He wouldn't miss it for anything." But Mr Trump said he no longer went because: Paris is no longer Paris. "Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris. Referencing the recent Isis-inspired terror attacks, which left hundreds dead, Mr Trump seemingly claimed the city was unsafe and held it up as a warning to others. He told the audience: "Now he [Jim] doesn't even think in terms of going there. Take a look at what's happening to our world folks and we have to be smart. We have to be smart. We can't let it happen to us. Parisian mayor Anne Hidalgo responded to Mr Trumps insults by tweeting: To @readDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTour Effel we celebrate the dynamism and spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie." Other French politicians followed suit, with the French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault also tweeting to the president. The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Show all 9 1 /9 The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the media White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer takes questions during the daily press briefing Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Trans-Pacific Partnership Union leaders applaud US President Donald Trump for signing an executive order withdrawing the US from the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations during a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC. Mr Trump issued a presidential memorandum in January announcing that the US would withdraw from the trade deal Getty The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Mexico wall A US Border Patrol vehicle sits waiting for illegal immigrants at a fence opening near the US-Mexico border near McAllen, Texas. The number of incoming immigrants has surged ahead of the upcoming Presidential inauguration of Donald Trump, who has pledged to build a wall along the US-Mexico border. A signature campaign promise, Mr Trump outlined his intention to build a border wall on the US-Mexico border days after taking office Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and abortion US President Donald Trump signs an executive order as Chief of Staff Reince Priebus looks on in the Oval Office of the White House. Mr Trump reinstated a ban on American financial aide being granted to non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling, provide abortion referrals, or advocate for abortion access outside of the United States Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the Dakota Access pipeline Opponents of the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines hold a rally as they protest US President Donald Trump's executive orders advancing their construction, at Columbus Circle in New York. US President Donald Trump signed executive orders reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and 'Obamacare' Nancy Pelosi who is the minority leader of the House of Representatives speaks beside House Democrats at an event to protect the Affordable Care Act in Los Angeles, California. US President Donald Trump's effort to make good on his campaign promise to repeal and replace the healthcare law failed when Republicans failed to get enough votes. Mr Trump has promised to revisit the matter Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Donald Trump and 'sanctuary cities' US President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January threatening to pull funding for so-called "sanctuary cities" if they do not comply with federal immigration law AP The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and the travel ban US President Donald Trump has attempted twice to restrict travel into the United States from several predominantly Muslim countries. The first attempt, in February, was met with swift opposition from protesters who flocked to airports around the country. That travel ban was later blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The second ban was blocked by a federal judge a day before it was scheduled to be implemented in mid-March SANDY HUFFAKER/AFP/Getty Images The controversial orders Donald Trump has already issued Trump and climate change US President Donald Trump sought to dismantle several of his predecessor's actions on climate change in March. His order instructed the Environmental Protection Agency to reevaluate the Clean Power Plan, which would cap power plant emissions Shannon Stapleton/Reuters And while Mr Trumps friend Jim may not be among them, Mr Ayrault posted: "3.5 million Americans visited France in 2016. They will always be welcome." Using the hashtag #Donald&Jim, she added that American tourist reservations were already up 30 per cent in 2017 when compared to last year. Actor George Clooney added his views on this issue while in the city for the Cesar awards, the French equivalent of the Oscars, where he received a "Cesar d'honneur". Speaking on the red carpet, he told reporters: Yes, no one wants to go to Paris anymore because it's horrible here, apparently. Seemingly referencing the election of Mr Trump back home and the rising popularity of Frances far-right candidate, Front National leader Marine Le Pen, as the French own election approaches, Mr Clooney added: We have some things to work on in the United States. "I think you guys have some of the same issues here so ... good luck." 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 }} Spain has appointed a sex tsar to encourage the declining population to ramp up procreation in a bid to reverse a dip in the birth rate. The country reported a higher number of deaths than births for the first time last year, prompting the government to take action. Statistics revealed Spanish women claim they would like two or more children, but figures from 2015 paint a different picture. Those aged 18-49 reportedly had an average of 1.3 children, below the European Unions (EU) figure of 1.58. A declining birth-rate is a common feature across many European countries but Spain's figures means it has one of the lowest birth-rates in the developed world. Sex toys designed by women - in pictures Show all 8 1 /8 Sex toys designed by women - in pictures Sex toys designed by women - in pictures The Vesper designed by Ti Chang Sex toys designed by women - in pictures US sex toy designer Ti Chang Sex toys designed by women - in pictures The Vesper is produced in silver, rose gold and gold. Sex toys designed by women - in pictures The PopDildo which can be used for semination Sex toys designed by women - in pictures Sex toys designed by women - in pictures The Fin clitoral simulator designed by Alex Fine and Janet Lieberman Sex toys designed by women - in pictures Sex toys designed by women - in pictures In response and faced with an impending population crisis, the government has appointed Edelmira Barreira to the position of sex tsar. The portfolio was created by Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and Ms Barreira, a demographic expert, will help draft a document for a national strategy of demographic imbalances. Spain's education ministry said the declining birth-rate aggravates other economic imbalances and generates important "impacts" in the Welfare State, Spanish news site ABC reported. Theorising why the birth rate was so low in the Mediterranean country, Rafael Puyol, of the IE Business School in Madrid, said people are often too tired after a full day at work and blamed long working hours and late nights for the decrease. He said: They do not help with making a family. Then a child arrives and it is even worse. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} At least 42 people have been killed and many more injured in a triple suicide bombing attack by al-Qaeda linked militants on security offices in the Syrian city of Homs. The jihadis opened fire before detonating their explosives at two headquarters operated by Syrian government forces, killing at least 42 people including a senior military security officer, General Hassan Daaboul. He was killed with 29 other victims at a military intelligence building, while 12 more people died at a state security branch, according to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Drone video shows levels of devastation in Homs, Syria Syrian state media reported that clashes rocked the districts of al-Ghouta and al-Mohata starting early on Saturday morning, before three suicide bombers blew themselves up. Homs' military intelligence branch is among the Syrian prisons documented by human rights groups as centres of murder and torture. Tahrir al-Sham, a new alliance of Islamist rebels formed last month, claimed responsibility for the assault and hailed its success on its propaganda channels, saying five mujahideen took part. The group is a merger between Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, the rebranded al-Qaedas affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra, and jihadi groups including Jabhat Ansar al-Din. Initial suspicion had turned to its rival Isis, which has used similar tactics in assaults on enemy territory and has launched bombings in Homs before. The terrorist group holds territory to the east of the city, including its symbolic stronghold of Palmyra, while opposition groups are positioned to the north. 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 Several bombings have targeted government-controlled Syrian cities in recent months, as well as territory retaken from Isis, including a blast that killed more than 60 people near al-Bab on Friday. Homs was one of the largest opposition strongholds in the early days of the Syrian civil war, being taken over by rebel fighters before becoming a symbolic battleground for Bashar al-Assads forces. Sunday Times journalist Marie Colvin was among those killed in intense bombardment of the city during a brutal siege starting in 2011 that left much of Homs destroyed and thousands dead. Five years of battle in what was once Syrias third-largest city slowed with the gradual evacuation of rebel fighters that started in 2014, leaving all but one district under government control. A new round of peace talks is underway in Geneva but hope of a political solution to the crisis is dwindling after almost six years of brutal civil war. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy notice Thanks for signing up to the Breaking News email {{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later{{ /verifyErrors }} Thousands of letters of love and hope have been dropped on western Mosul amid fears for an estimated 750,000 civilians trapped in Isis-held parts of the city. One letter uncovered by reporters embedded with Iraqi troops was from a man called Omar, who was writing to his family and friends from a retaken district of the city. I just want to let you know what we are safe here, it said. I hope your areas will be liberated by government forces as soon as possible and be free from Isis fighters. The hand-written message urged loved ones not to go outside during fighting, according to a translation by the New York Times, and was signed off with: We are all Iraq, I love you. It was among four million letters dropped over Isis-held parts of Mosul since December as part of a project by the non-profit The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR). Penned by Iraqis across the country and gathered by volunteers, more than 2,000 letters were photocopied and showered from a transport plane. You will return to your most beautiful days with your family and you will hear the prayers of the mosques in Mosul sky, the culture and science will return because everything been robbed from you will come back to you, one read. Another said: Our people in Mosul, we are with you in our hearts and souls, I cannot find the right words to express to you but do not forget you are part of Iraq, and we will not abandon you. Victory will come soon, God willing. Around 1,000 civilians crossed front lines to meet government troops on Saturday in the largest movement since fighting intensified last week but there were concerns over deteriorating humanitarian conditions for those remaining under almost constant bombardment. An advance by Iraqi forces has slowed amid bloody resistance from jihadis, who are deploying using weaponised drones, car bombs, IEDs, sniper fire and mortars while attempting to entrench themselves in residential districts. Special forces Lt-Gen Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi told the Associated Press that his troops were moving very slowly but he expected the pace to increase after Iraqi forces cut off Isis supply lines in Mosuls south-western edge. Iraqi forces launch push to retake western Mosul from IS Government forces, backed by Kurdish Peshmerga fighters and international special forces from the US, UK and elsewhere, are firing shells and rockets on to Isis positions. The US-led coalition is also launching a hail of air strikes, which Central Command said has destroyed Isis targets including mortar systems, command positions, sniper units, car bomb factories, fighting positions and a drone storage facility in recent days. Recommended May accused of letting Isis suicide bomber slip through the net Militants have been increasing their use of weaponised drones in Iraq, dropping customised grenades and small explosives on enemy forces, vehicles and tanks before releasing footage of successful strikes on propaganda channels. The devices have caused relatively few deaths but sparked the procurement of counter-measures after causing significant disruption to ground operations and carrying out detailed surveillance that could threaten advancing troops. The United Nations cautioned that men, women and children inside Isis territory remain at extreme risk from the assault after finding that almost half of casualties in the military operation to retake eastern Mosul were civilians. Over the Tigris river, the western side of the city is far more densely populated, with Isis killing anyone it finds attempting to flee. Tom Robinson, Oxfams emergency team lead in Iraq, said he was deeply concerned for hundreds of thousands of civilians who remain trapped. These people have survived 30 months under Isis rule and need support to find safety, shelter and sustenance, he added. We call on all armed forces to take all feasible measures to protect them. In pictures: Mosul offensive Show all 40 1 /40 In pictures: Mosul offensive In pictures: Mosul offensive A doctor carries an Iraqi newborn baby at a hospital in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi girls play at a yard of a school in Mosul, Iraq July 18, 2017alal Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A woman on crutches who is a relative of men accused of being Islamic State militants is seen at a camp in Bartella, east of Mosul, Iraq July 15, 2017. Picture taken July 15, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A displaced girl, who fled from home carries a doll at Hamam al-Alil camp south of Mosul, Iraq July 13, 2017. Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi federal police members and civilians celebrate in the Old City of Mosul on 9 July 2017 after the government's announcement of the "liberation" of the embattled city. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi's office said he was in "liberated" Mosul to congratulate "the heroic fighters and the Iraqi people on the achievement of the major victory" AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken on 9 July 2017, shows a general view of the destruction in Mosul's Old City. Iraq will announce imminently a final victory in the nearly nine-month offensive to retake Mosul from jihadists, a US general said Saturday, as celebrations broke out among police forces in the city. AFP In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of the Iraqi federal police raise the victory gesture as they ride on a humvee while advancing through the Old City of Mosul on 28 June 2017, as the offensive continues to retake the last district held by Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Smoke billows as Iraqi forces advance through the Old City of Mosul on 26 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district held by the Islamic State (IS) group. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi man wearing the green scarf of the Shi'ite faith kisses an Iraqi Army soldier on safely reaching the Iraqi forces position as Iraqi civilians flee the Old City of west Mosul where heavy fighting continues on 23 June 2017. Iraqi forces continue to encounter stiff resistance with improvised explosive devices, car bombs, heavy mortar fire and snipers hampering their advance. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A picture taken from the inside of an Iraqi forces armoured vehicle shows residents walking through a damaged street as troops advance towards Mosul's Old City on 18 June 2017, during the ongoing offensive to retake the last district still held by the Islamic State (IS) group. Military commanders told AFP the assault had begun at dawn after overnight air strikes by the US-led coalition backing Iraqi forces. They said the jihadists were putting up fierce resistance. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi Army soldiers advance in a destroyed street after an Iraqi forces airstrike targeted an Islamic State sniper position 17 June 2017 in al-Shifa, the last district of west Mosul under Islamic State control. IS snipers, as well as car and suicide bomb attacks continue to hinder the Iraqi forces efforts to retake the final district. A series of airstrikes by Iraqi helicopter gunships attempted to hit multiple Islamic State sniper positions in al-Shifa. Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier frisks a displaced Iraqi man at a temporary camp in the compound of the closed Nineveh International Hotel in Mosul on 16 June 2017 which was recovered by Iraqi troops from Islamic State group fighters earlier in the year. A screening centre set up in the compound's fairgrounds sees a constant stream of Iraqis fleeing the battle for Mosul, awaiting their turn to be checked by the Iraqi forces who are searching for suspected Islamic State (IS) group members. The small fairground lies at the end of a pontoon bridge across the Tigris recently opened to civilians that is the only physical link between the two banks of the river. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis staying at the al-Khazir camp swim in a river near the camp for internally displaced people, located between Arbil and Mosul on 11 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi government forces drive on a road leading to Tal Afar on 9 June 2017, during ongoing battles to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi policeman carries a poster bearing an image of Mosul's iconic leaning minaret, known as the "Hadba" (Hunchback), on 22 June 2017. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqis stand in line to receive food aid in western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood on 7 June 2017, during ongoing battles as Iraqi forces try to retake the city from Islamic State (IS) group fighters. Living conditions in Mosul have again deteriorated since the start of the Iraqi government's offensive on the city in October in which they retook a large part of the west of the city. AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced Iraqis carry lightbulbs and sacks as they evacuate from western Mosul's Zanjili neighbourhood as government forces advance in the area during their ongoing battle against Islamic State (IS) group fighters on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of the Iraqi Counter-Terrorism Service (CTS) flashes the victory gesture as he patrols in western Mosul's al-Islah al-Zaraye neighbourhood on 13 May 2017 AFP/Getty Images In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi army soldiers from the 9th armoured division on a truck flash the sign of victory as they drive back from Mosul to the town of Qaraqosh (also known as Hamdaniya) Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Members of Iraqi forces flash the sign of victory on their vehicle as they advance towards Hammam al-Alil area south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi security forces gestures in Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi children, one flashing the sign of victory, greet Iraqi army's soldiers from the 9th armoured division in the area of Ali Rash, adjacent to the eastern Al-Intissar neighbourhood of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Peshmerga forces look at a tunnel used by Islamic State militants near the town of Bashiqa, east of Mosul, during an operation to attack Islamic State militants in Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier takes a photograph with his phone as his comrade stands next to a detained man, whom the Iraqi army soldiers accused of being an Islamic State fighter, who was fleeing with his family in the Intisar disrict of eastern Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Iranian Kurdish female members of the Freedom Party of Kurdistan (PAK) hold a position in an area near the town of Bashiqa, some 25 kilometres north east of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families, who fled their homes in Hamam al-Alil, gather on the outskirts of their town Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Displaced people walk past a checkpoint near Qayara, south of Mosul, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi families who were displaced by the ongoing operation by Iraqi forces against jihadists of the Islamic State group to retake the city of Mosul, are seen gathering in an area near Qayyarah In pictures: Mosul offensive A boy who just fled Abu Jarbuah village is seen with his family at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi child eats a pomegranate upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive People who just fled Abu Jarbuah village sit as they eat at a Kurdish Peshmerga position between two front lines near Bashiqa, east of Mosul, Iraq Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive A couple who just fled Abu Jarbuah village are escorted by Kurdish Peshmerga soldiers Reuters In pictures: Mosul offensive Women carry a boy over a wall as civilians flee their houses in the village of Tob Zawa, Iraq AP In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier and a civilian ride a motorbike as smoke rises behind them, on the road between Qayyarah and Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces, wearing a skull mask, waits at a checkpoint for people fleeing the main hub city of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive An Iraqi soldier sits at a checkpoint in an area near Qayyarah Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi men prepare food portions for Iraqi forces deployed in areas south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi forces celebrate upon the arrival of vehicles bringing food to them Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive Iraqi childen smoke cigarettes upon the arrival of Iraqi forces in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty In pictures: Mosul offensive A member of Iraqi forces distributes drinks to children in the village of Umm Mahahir, south of Mosul Getty The International Rescue Committee said the advance on western Mosul is the operations most dangerous phase and a terrifying period for the citys remaining residents. Jason Kajer, the charitys acting country director for Iraq, said: There is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come. More than 1,750 civilians were hurt in the fight to retake eastern Mosul and the west of the city is far more densely populated. To prevent an even greater number of civilian casualties everything must be done to keep civilians out of the firing line and as Iraqi forces reach individual neighbourhoods people must be given the opportunity to escape the city safely. Dozens of families gathering just beyond the front lines told journalists they were originally from villages outside the city but were forced to march inside months ago to serve as human shields for Isis fighters. Weve been through terrible times, said Juri Fathi, a mother of six who was forced to live in a school building for three months. I had to burn my childrens clothing just for warmth. Iraqi forces declared eastern Mosul fully liberated in January after officially launching the operation to retake the city in October, but analysts have warned the battle could continue for months. A Kurdish journalist became the latest reporter killed while covering ongoing operations, when she was fatally injured by a roadside bomb in the recently retaken town of Abu Saif. Shifa Gerdi, a 30-year-old presenter and the head of output for Rudaw television, was described as one of the organisations most daring journalists as condolences poured in from around the world. 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 }} Philip Davies MP has spent his Friday (and its not the first) complaining about the Combating Violence Against Women Bill because he believes its discriminatory and sexist. And none of us should be surprised, given his track record on womens issues this is the same MP who said that the creation of the Women and Equalities Committee in 2015 was one of the most depressing things to happen (clearly hed never taken a history module on the Second World War). Davies is, somewhat ironically, now a member of this committee although he wants to change the name to omit the word women. Presumably because using the word women is sexist too. Hes managed to beat his own time record today at the third reading of the Bill, moaning for a total of 93 minutes about his lack of support for equality. This is compared to 78 minutes which he spent protesting about it at the second reading. Thats a total of three hours spent talking in an attempt to derail what will hopefully be one of the most important developments for womens rights in the 21st century. The Bill was thankfully voted through by 138 cross-party MPs today, but it would have been nice if the process didnt have to include a patronising man doing sexist mansplaining in parliament, wouldnt it? Philip Davies' filibuster on the domestic violence bill, fact-checked Davies main argument seems to be that he believes the UK is doing a whole lot better when it comes to dealing with violence against women than practically every other country in the world. He claims that he is frustrated with foreign policies such as this one, apparently telling the UK what to do. In fact he thinks were doing so well when it comes to tackling violence against women and girls that we should lecture other countries on how to do it. So lets just take a look at the statistics on violence against women in the UK, and what we as a country are doing about changing things. Are they really as impressive as Davies says? In this country, one in four women experience domestic violence, one in five women experience sexual violence, and two women are killed every week by a current or former male partner. It doesnt seem to me like we should be bragging about how well were doing when it comes to gender-based violence. Tory MP Philip Davies opposes honour killing legislation because it 'relates only to female victims' Despite the high numbers, only 15 per cent of those who experience sexual violence choose to report to the police and only 5.7 per cent of those reported rape cases end in a conviction for the perpetrator. That means that less than 1 per cent of sexual assault and rape perpetrators are ever convicted. The situation is not much better when it comes to dealing with domestic violence. Since 2010, 34 specialist refuges have been closed, meaning that two in three women are now turned away from a refuge. Again, it doesnt seem to me like other countries should be taking notes. Davies seems to think hes an authority on womens rights, but womens rights campaigners tend to disagree. Rachel Nye, co-director of the IC Change campaign, which fought for over two years to get this Bill through Parliament, said: We are truly stunned that anyone would want to deliberately wreck a Bill designed to save the lives of women. As a womens rights campaigner and survivor of sexual violence myself, I couldnt agree more. Davies needs to stop talking rubbish, and start accepting that his amendments are of no use to anyone but perhaps great harm to many others. Is this really the hill he wants to keep climbing? European workers including nurses, social workers and teaching assistants protest outside the Houses of Parliament in London before lobbying MPs over their right to remain in the UK Photo: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire Thirty years ago next week, I first went to a European council meeting as Minister for Labour. I was there for five years and I went on to Ecofin for over three years, then spent 11 years at the European Council. During that 1987 to 2008 period I spent 19 of 21 years at European Council meetings negotiating, Maastricht, as Finance Minister, then Nice and all of the other agreements. I fear that we still don't get how the internal system of Europe works and how you have to play it - and that worries me as we go into Brexit as well. Over the last eight months, we've all been involved and we're Brexited out, between conferences and seminars, institutions and people doing papers. I've engaged myself with a number of the groups, particularly, along with John Bruton, in the House of Lords Committee. I'm just thinking of the Irish position here, because the other 27 EU members will look after themselves, as will the Parliament, and the Commission, with their tens of thousands of staff. I don't really care too much about the rest, so I just think of Ireland. There are a number of points I'd like to make. It's clearly agreed now that the economic implications for us after Brexit are far worse than for anybody else. The economic implications for Northern Ireland in particular given the extent of cross-border trade and agri-sector funding is a big issue. The consequences include that 10pc of GDP of Northern Ireland comes directly from Europe. I have sat at a number of the debates in the Houses of Commons and the Lords and read most of the reports, and nowhere do I see any commitment that those funds will be replaced. The consequences for the soft Irish land border, the potential restrictions of free movement of goods and people, is going to be a huge issue. Pascal Lamy is considered to be the world expert on world trade and was head of the World Trade Organisation, he says that the issue is this: once the UK decided to come out of the Customs Union, that's game set and match. The reality is this, it is not the Irish Government or the UK government that will decide. It is the European Union dealing with a third country. The EU happens to be the Irish side, and the third country is Northern Ireland, part of the UK. At the moment that is the hard reality of that. The single market you can handle and the whole immigration end. Officials in the UK have been at pains to say they don't see a problem with the free movement of people North and South, they say there'll be a few checkpoints and they will use modern technology, but I think they are determined it won't be a problem. I don't think that is the issue. It is the customs union that is the problem. In the event that the UK leaves, and I don't agree with my good friend Tony Blair that there's a way around that, I think the die is cast, there is also the issue of eligibility of cross-border projects for EU funding. As for the reaffirmation of both governments to the commitments of the Good Friday Agreement, and subsequent agreements, the view in Brussels on that is they don't quite understand why we're not using the Good Friday agreement far more in making our arguments. The people saying this are Michel Barnier, Guy Verhofstadt, Jean Claude Juncker - not nobodys in the European Union. The EU has a very strong interest in supporting most of our cases. It has made a huge contribution to the peace process both politically and financially. It's therefore, in my view, in the interests of the EU to seek political stability in Northern Ireland and make sure nothing happens in Brexit that creates huge difficulties for us. But the point that they're making is that it's for us to spell out these issues, it's for us to negotiate these issues, and highlight the areas. Brexit has implications for a wide variety of issues, from climate change to energy infrastructure. Ireland is heavily reliant on the UK as a source of oil and gas. Brexit could result in the introduction of tariffs and duties on the import of these UK products. The risk of this happening will hopefully be fairly low but there's a deep all-island market of electricity - that came out of the Good Friday Agreement. In Europe, everything is possible in negotiation. It is a bureaucracy as we know. The political system plays a big part, but most work is done in the Commission. Most of the work will be done by experts. I don't believe people will be out to do the Brits down. That would be stupid. But at the same time I don't think that anyone is going to give them an easy ride. It won't happen in two years. I personally believe there's not a hope in hell. What will really happen is that the negotiations won't start until September, until the Commission and European holidays are over, and then they have a period effectively to the end of 2018 because it has to go through the parliamentary system. They will come to the conclusion at that stage that there are too many areas that are not finished and they will say that this is the broad outline and there will have to be transition periods. And that's when the real work will start. Based on extracts of a speech delivered by former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern at the Hibernia Forum, Dublin on February 23. His text alert is likely to go off at any time - when he's preparing supper for his children, putting them to bed or in the middle of the night - but Dr Jason Horan signed up for this. Apart from his "day job" as a Consultant in Emergency Medicine at Mayo University Hospital in Castlebar, Dr Horan is also a volunteer doctor with the Mayo Community Rapid Response (MCRR). Serving largely a rural area from his Westport home, he deals with an average of around three out-of-hours emergencies each week in some of the most isolated parts of the country. He is one of 137 volunteer doctors - GPs, consultants and emergency department medics - giving their time and expertise to Irish Community Rapid Response (ICRR) units all over the country. The charity works in conjunction with the HSE National Ambulance Service, responding to 999 higher priority calls where there is a critical illness or significant injury. Started in West Cork in 2008, the ICRR recently launched its Irish Community Air Ambulance (ICAA), which will in effect be the country's first flying doctor service, manned by volunteers like Dr Horan. Working out of a base at Cork Airport, the air ambulance will initially serve Munster and south Leinster, all within a 30-minute time frame. The intention is that eventually the air ambulance will be rolled out nationally. The helicopter - a Eurocopter EC 135, light utility, twin-engined machine with a 10-metre rotor disc - is small enough to get into the tightest of spaces. It has the capacity for one pilot, two medics and one patient. The MCRR is run by Dr Horan, who responded to his first emergency call-out in September 2015. Since then he has dealt with well over 150 emergencies. "It's essentially 24/7," he told the Farming Independent. "I'll specifically mark myself as 'unavailable' if I've got something on, but the rest of the time I am available to the Ambulance Service if they require my assistance." With two small children, aged three and one year old, he says it's largely due to the support of his wife, Mary, herself a paramedic, that he can make this huge commitment. "A couple of times, I've been in the middle of doing something like frying sausages for the kids or putting one of them to bed or brushing their teeth and got a call to go out. "The calls tend to come in when I'm in the middle of doing something," he said. Acute care At the same time, when approached by ICRR founder John Kearney to set up a unit in Mayo, he felt compelled to do it. "I suppose it's always been an area of interest for me. My training is in emergency medicine and my interest is in acute care and dealing with emergencies and that's what my whole career has been. "During my training I would have done extra time with the Ambulance Service and UCD, which runs a Graduate Diploma in Advanced Paramedics with the National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade, and I worked as a clinical supervisor with them," he said. Location also played a part in his decision to get involved. "In Mayo there's only one hospital, in Castlebar, and there are quite long distances to travel. If I get a call in west Mayo or northwest Galway, chances are I'm going to be there before the Ambulance Service. "There have been a couple of car crashes when I've been on the scene before the emergency services and the Gardai. He believes it's a vital service in a rural area that is making a difference. By being there, he can start treatment on a patient before they leave the scene so they have had an hour of advanced treatment before they even get to hospital. That life-saving treatment is often beyond the scope of practice of a paramedic. He's looking forward to the day when the Irish Community Air Ambulance can further enhance this service nationally. "The Galway helipad is the busiest in the country, used by the Athlone-based National Ambulance Service helicopter and the Coastguard helicopters in Galway and Sligo, and that demonstrates the need up here for the service. "We've also got a number of islands, which aren't accessible by road, so definitely if there was a second helicopter in this area, we would find use for it," he added. Like many of the volunteers, Dr Horan is pretty much a one-man show in MCRR, trying to organise fundraising and even the logistics of getting back home after an emergency. "I'm busy enough with the day job and responding to the calls. I'm always looking for people to help - I think we would get a lot of support if we had someone to coordinate fundraising and run the events and it would be very welcome," he said. John Kearney founded Irish Community Rapid Response in West Cork, following the avoidable death of the six-year-old daughter of a close friend, who died in transit to hospital. He's also the man behind the Irish Community Air Ambulance. "All we do is provide them [the doctors] with the equipment. The work they do is phenomenal and what we do is make it possible for them to do that," he said. A similar serviced, the Wales Air Ambulance, launched in 2001, completes around 2,000 missions a year. The charity's chief executive officer, Angela Hughes, was in Ireland recently to support the launch of the air ambulance. She says the Wales service requires 6.5m to operate its four helicopters that service all of Wales and its population of three million. Bustling cottage markets packed to the rafters with all sorts of mouth-watering locally sourced treats and hand-crafted products are set to help make rural Ireland great again. Last week, Grow It Yourself (GIY), a not-for-profit social enterprise that supports people to grow their own food, launched an exciting nationwide drive to fund the setting up and running of 20 new rural markets across the country. The aim of 'The Cottage Market' initiative, supported by Ulster Bank and The Ireland Funds to the tune of 65,000 over the next two years, is to put home-made, home-grown food, and craft back at the heart of communities. Successful applicants will be awarded with a tailor-made training programme to ensure the markets' success and longevity into the future. The training will be delivered by social enterprise, marketing, finance and food experts and will also offer crucial advice on how to successfully advertise the new venture. Karen O'Donohoe, GIY's community manager, said the programme is a "simple but fresh" take on community led markets currently operating in villages, towns and cities nationwide. "We know this initiative can be hugely successful. We piloted the programme with three markets in Ladysbridge, Drogheda and Headford, and now, with funding from the Ulster Bank skills and opportunities fund and The Ireland Funds, we are launching the accelerator phase that will build on the success of the pilot." She said the cottage market concept differs from a farmer's market as it is all about bringing hobbyists and amateur producers from a local area together to showcase their often hidden talents at growing, sewing or baking. Michael Kelly, GIY founder, said the enterprise is more community oriented than commercial. "The creation of these cottage markets will begin to satisfy the ever-increasing interest and demand from Irish consumers for locally grown and locally sourced food. "The recent scarcity of vegetables on the supermarket shelves has certainly reinforced the need for Irish consumers to think more locally. In addition, these cottage markets will offer great opportunities for 'GIYers' with an overabundance of produce," he said. The deadline for applications is March 3. The groups behind the 20 new markets will be selected by March 10, with the training programme due to commence on March 25. Community groups nationwide are now invited to apply online via www.thecottagemarket.ie in order to avail of funding. Applications from existing market operators whose markets meet 'The Cottage Market' criteria will also be accepted. * Kilkenny Macra will host an open and frank discussion on mental health awareness at a special event in the city. Organisers say the aim of the event, taking place at the Springhill Court Hotel, Waterford Road on Friday at 7.30pm, is to inform young people, both members and non members, of services available within the rural youth organisation. Colette Power, competitions secretary for Kilkenny Macra, said it is incumbent on all club and county officers to reach out to any members that they feel may be struggling with their well-being. Macra is all about young people and we need to make sure everyone in our clubs is aware of the services that are readily available to them. I hope this event encourages all our club and county officers to take stock of any of our members who might be quietly struggling with an issue and to offer support and assistance, she said. Guest speakers on the night will include Linda Thorpe of Mental Health Ireland, Angela O Connor of Teac Tom Kilkenny, Cara OMahony of the Rural Youth Initiative and a representative of Pieta House. Aer Lingus ceo Stephen Kavanagh said it had been trading well and had successfully restructured Photo: Mark Condren Aer Lingus has become IAG's "most profitable tool" in terms of its return on invested capital, and the airline group will be growing the carrier "intensively", according to IAG's chief financial officer, Enrique Dupuy. He made the comments yesterday as IAG said that Aer Lingus made a record 233m operating profit last year, 109m more than in 2015. The increase was helped by lower fuel costs and stable employee costs despite growth. "There's a very important growth story behind Aer Lingus," said Mr Dupuy. "That has to do with Aer Lingus being today probably our most profitable tool in terms of growing. We need, and we want to exploit it." Capacity at Aer Lingus will grow 11.8pc this year, according to IAG, which made a 2.5bn operating profit last year, but took a 460m hit on currency fluctuations. The group's shares rose as it announced a 500m share buyback programme. The full-year figures showed that Aer Lingus continues to generate, by a significant margin, the highest return in invested capital (ROIC) for the group, which also includes British Airways, Iberia and Vueling. The ROIC figure at Aer Lingus last year was 23.1pc, versus a group figure of 13.6pc. "We need to get them (Aer Lingus) to their efficiency limit," said Mr Dupuy. "And they have a lot of opportunities that we want to exploit." He added that Aer Lingus has a "very lean asset base" and that when IAG bought Aer Lingus in 2015 for 1.34bn the airline was "in a very efficient condition". Aer Lingus ceo Stephen Kavanagh said the airline has been trading well and had a "very positive year in terms of restructuring the business in terms of cost", which has allowed it to price competitively and improve margins. He also said the airline is considering the introduction of a seat-only fare for price-sensitive customers on its transatlantic services. IAG chief executive Willie Walsh said that had "no concern" regarding Brexit. "There's a long way to go yet," he said of the process for the UK to leave the EU. "The interests of consumers are best served by continuing to have a liberalised, deregulated environment in Europe from an aviation point of view." He said fallback position under World Trade Organisation rules would be bilateral air service agreements. "It's in the interests of everybody in Europe, and consumers generally, that the environment that favours consumers today will continue to favour consumers going forward," said Mr Walsh. Despite the rapid growth of Aer Lingus, particularly at Dublin, and the growth of Dublin as a hub for traffic between Europe and the United States, Mr Walsh said there is "no way" a business-only service from the capital would work on the transatlantic network and said such a move would be a "financial disaster". It is the fourth time the cost of Laya health cover will have risen in 16 months (Stock photo) Health insurer Laya blamed hospital charges as it raised prices for the fourth time in less than two years. From April, the premiums on plans will rise by an average of almost 6pc. The rises will impact 124 plans, and experts estimate the move will cost an average family an extra 150 a year. As the second-largest health insurer in Ireland, it has around 500,000 customers. It is the fourth time the cost of Laya health cover will have risen in 16 months. The cost of health cover was pushed up by Laya as recently as the start of this year. The company is blaming the fact that insurers are being charged when people with cover are treated in HSE-run hospitals, even if they do not get a private room or access to a private consultant. This is now costing insurers 200m a year, despite Government promises when it was introduced it would cost no more than 30m a year. "This is the fourth increase imposed by Laya in the space of 16 months, and I would say it is not the last," health insurance expert Dermot Goode said. Insurers are also seeing larger numbers of the people they cover claim for more private hospital procedures, a consequence of long waiting lists in public hospitals. Laya managing director Donal Clancy said patients who use a public hospital are being asked to sign a form if they have health cover. If they sign, their insurer is charged 800 a night, rather than 80 a night, even though they are using public hospital facilities. "These charges will continue to drive the cost and volume of public hospital claims, with a negative knock-on impact on the cost of health cover," he said. Mr Clancy added that Laya is reducing prices across the Assure Suite of products by an average of 3.2pc of the gross premium. Free kids cover for second and subsequent children will be re-introduced across seven schemes, including the popular Flex 175 Explore scheme. There are growing concerns that 2017 will be a torrid year for families who are struggling with the cost of health insurance. Health Minister Simon Harris has already approved a 10pc increase in the levy applied to all health policies from April that will also have a knock-on effect on premiums. The cost of an overnight stay in hospital went up from the start of January, from 75 to 80, with a maximum of 800 per year. There are fears that the increased cost will be a further disincentive to sick people to go to overcrowded public hospitals. Film director Martin Scorsese arrives at Trinity College in Dublin, prior to being awarded a gold medal by students of the debating society, the Philosophical Society: Brian Lawless/PA Wire Martin Scorsese has warned the world is walking into a scary time. In Ireland to accept an honour, the Oscar-winning director said recent global developments remind him of the years leading into the Second World War. "Being fascinated by history, I read as much as I can," he told an audience at Trinity College Dublin. "It just reminds me of the late 20s, the 30s .. reading about how these things could have happened at that time. "It's a scary time." Referring to the rise of global terrorism, Mr Scorsese said that the aftermath of the 2003 Iraq invasion "had created thousands and thousands of Travis Bickles." Expand Close Film director Martin Scorsese (centre), with his wife Helen Morris (right) and daughter Francesca, holds a gold medal awarded to him by students of Trinity College's debating society: Brian Lawless/PA Wire / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Film director Martin Scorsese (centre), with his wife Helen Morris (right) and daughter Francesca, holds a gold medal awarded to him by students of Trinity College's debating society: Brian Lawless/PA Wire "They say they have nothing to lose," he added. Bickles is the depressed loner at the centre of his classic 1976 thriller Taxi Driver who is drawn to violence in his disgust against the decadence and sleaze he perceives around him. Mr Scorcese was in Dublin to collect a gold medal from Trinity College's Philosophical Society. Arriving in a blacked out Mercedes car, he said it "was a great honour" and that he was "surprised and moved" by the award. Former recipients include US Vice President Joe Biden, Scotland First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Al Pacino, Tim Cook and Dame Helen Mirren. Later Mr Scorsese addressed hundreds of students in the college's examinations hall, many of whom had queued for up to six hours to see the director behind some of the most celebrated films over the past five decades. Video of the Day During his address, he attacked celebrity culture as a "monster that has to be fed", adding that it is "the work that matters". Over the weekend, Mr Scorsese will also receive the Irish Film and Television Academy's John Ford award during a special ceremony in Dublin. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins will present the honour. Speaking ahead of the event, Mr Scorsese said an award created in celebration of "John Ford's artistry and prestige has great personal significance for me". An emergency responder carries a wounded child following a reported barrel bomb strike by government forces on a rebel-controlled district of the northern city of Aleppo on September 20, 2014. (Photo credit: KHALED KHATIB/AFP/Getty Images) An Oscar nominee has been refused entry to the US ahead of the awards ceremony on Sunday. U.S. immigration authorities have decided to bar entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer whose harrowing film about his nation's civil war, "The White Helmets," has been nominated for an Academy Award. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press, the Department of Homeland Security has decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khatib from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khatib was scheduled to arrive Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after U.S. officials reported finding "derogatory information" against Khalid. The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include everything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Melissa, Greg and Marian OGorman at the Nassau Street store in 2014. The Kilkenny Group made a 1m profit in its 2016 financial year Picture: Kieran Hartnett Whenever family business feuds end up in court, the rifts are already so deep as to almost certainly be irreparable. And for the relationship between the O'Gorman family behind the Kilkenny Group, a very public dispute has shaken its foundations. Life will never be the same again. Greg O'Gorman has sued his mother Marian in the High Court, alleging she has reneged on a 2010 deal which, he claims, means the Kilkenny Group is held in trust for him and his siblings. In legal documents filed in court, Mr O'Gorman has described his mother as "by nature a domineering, aggressive and belligerent person" with a "well-documented propensity for acrimonious dispute with close family members". It is another case of family fireworks that have gone from the kitchen table to the steps of the courthouse. The schism between the pair has been laid bare in exactly the manner a family constitution drafted in 2010 sought to prevent. A code of conduct included in the constitution mandated that disagreements were to be discussed privately, and that in the event of a major bust-up, a mediator or arbitrator would be engaged to resolve issues and keep them from prying eyes. The opposite has happened. Mr O'Gorman has told the High Court that he and his wife, and three children - all aged under eight - have been left "financially destitute" after he was "summarily" dismissed from his job as marketing director. He has asked the court to appoint, if necessary, a receiver over the successful retail business in order to sell its assets and distribute the proceeds. His siblings are Christopher, Melissa and Michelle. Expand Close Kilkenny's flagship store on Dublin's Nassau Street Picture: Arthur Carron / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kilkenny's flagship store on Dublin's Nassau Street Picture: Arthur Carron There is no suggestion of misconduct or non-performance on the part of Greg O'Gorman, whose employment was terminated last July. He has told the High Court that there are "critically important decisions" to be taken concerning the future strategic direction of the company of "a commercially sensitive nature". The Kilkenny Group has 15 outlets and a successful online business. The company behind the business, Clydaville Investments, made a 1m pre-tax profit in the 12 months to the end of 2016 as turnover rose to 30m. The wealth has afforded the O'Gorman family a life of luxury. Among the assets of the company is an expensive villa in Malaga. The dispute between mother and son comes nearly a quarter of a century after another family flare-up. Greg O'Gorman has claimed that his mother "irreparably fell out" with his sister, Freda Hayes, who left Blarney Woollen Mills in 1991, and established the Meadows & Byrne retail business in 1993. Blarney Woollen Mills was established by Marian O'Gorman's father, Christy Kelleher. He died in 1991, precipitating the feud between the sisters. At the time, Blarney Woollen Mills incorporated the Kilkenny Group, which had been acquired by the firm from the government. In 1999, Marian, her husband Michael, and her sister Bernadette went to the High Court in an effort to prevent their brothers - Pat, Frank and Kevin - from removing Michael from the Blarney Woollen Mills board. Part of the settlement saw the Kilkenny Group hived off into a separate business, with the three brothers retaining the Blarney Woollen Mills shop on Dublin's Nassau Street, as well as a share in the Blarney Park Hotel. Read More Greg O'Gorman has claimed that at a meeting in June last year, that his mother said the Kilkenny Group would no longer operate as a family business and would no longer be referred to as a family business. Marian O'Gorman allegedly told her family she would have full control of the business in the future, that there would be no overlap between business and family and that those present at the meeting had "responsibilities but no rights". The latest dispute involving Marian O'Gorman threatens to be one of the most damaging for both the family and the retail business, and will undoubtedly leave wounds that will never be healed. It was revealed by the Irish Independent this week that Marian O'Gorman's husband - whom the High Court heard she recently separated from - is also facing dismissal from the Kilkenny Group. Michael O'Gorman was informed by letter on February 10 that the Kilkenny Group intended to let him go for alleged "gross misconduct". Greg O'Gorman has urged the Commercial Court to hear his case against his mother quickly, citing in court documents what he said are impending "critically important" decisions to be made by the company. Whatever the outcome of the legal action, the family business feud will go down as one of the potentially most destructive and high-profile the country has ever seen. The Dublin man charged with murdering his wife after she disappeared from a luxury cruise ran a fairytale-themed wedding planning business with her. Daniel Belling's Chinese wife Xing Lei Li started Cinderella's Wedding in 2015 and offered a range of packages, including wedding dress rentals, flamboyant decor and photo album design. The couple also had a range of podcasts on their website, which featured personal commentary on different tourism hotspots and festivals around Ireland, as well as cruises. The two were themselves on an 11-day cruise around the Mediterranean with their two children when Ms Li, who was also known as Angie, disappeared. Neighbours of the family in Clare Village, Malahide Road, told the Irish Independent that they often saw them drive in and out of the apartment complex in their Cinderella-styled car. They were described as "very odd". Neighbour Lubos Pcola said that he once found Daniel (45) sleeping on the stairwell in his apartment complex. He said: "A few months ago, a neighbour told me that there was a homeless man sleeping in the stairwell. "When I went to investigate, I saw Daniel with blankets and everything around him. He told me everything was fine. "I'm very shocked to hear that he got arrested - it's really crazy," he added. Mr Belling, who is a German national, has been living and working in Dublin as an IT consultant. The family's cruise began on February 9 in the port of Civitavecchia and took them to Malta, Greece and Cyprus. When the luxury Magnifica cruise ship docked 10 days later, Mr Belling's wife was reported missing after crew members realised passenger details accounted for one less person. He had allegedly failed to tell the ship's crew that his wife was not on board, a fact which aroused the suspicions of Italian police. Mr Belling's lawyer, Luigi Conti, told the Irish Independent that his client is completely denying he had anything to do with his wife's disappearance and said that there is a "perfectly good explanation" for what happened. Italian judges visited Mr Belling in his cell yesterday, where he was asked to give his version of events. Ms Li previously appeared in court in Dublin, after having her front door broken down by gardai when she refused to leave an apartment. Dublin District Court heard there had been a dispute with the landlord over unpaid rent and because she was keeping pets, which was against the rules. The couple had fallen behind in their rent when they both lost their jobs, the court was told. They had just got married at the time of the case, which dated back to 2010. Ms Li was prosecuted on a charge of burglary with intent to cause criminal damage. But Judge Catherine Murphy dismissed the charge. A talented violinist who finds it difficult to play her instrument after suffering injuries in a road traffic accident has been awarded 25,000 damages. Circuit Court President Mr Justice Raymond Groarke accepted that Hilda O'Mahony (33) believed the pain and discomfort she suffers in her right shoulder and arm are related to an accident that happened on March 8, 2012. However, he said the medical evidence had been "very conflicting." The judge said several medical reports offered distinct views on her shoulder problem. On the balance of probability, he said he had to conclude she recovered from her soft-tissue injuries. While the judge concluded the injuries from the accident were "not particularly serious", Ms O'Mahony needed a perfect shoulder and arm to play her violin and as such it was an exceptional case. Ms O'Mahony told the court she was a passenger in a taxi that was rear-ended on Wexford Street, Dublin, by another taxi driven by Shehu Olayinka Adisa, of Rathstewart Crescent, Athy, Co Kildare. She told her counsel she suffered pain in her neck and right shoulder after the impact and needed to attend her GP the following day. She had been prescribed painkillers. Ms O'Mahony, of Ballyfinnan, Ardnacrusha, Co Clare, said she needs to practise her violin several hours a day and has ongoing pain in her shoulder. She had suffered discomfort during several auditions, including one for Sweden's International Chamber Music Festival, but had been successful. Conor Kearney, counsel for Mr Adisa, said liability had been admitted in the case which had become an assessment of the damages only. He said Axa insurance, on behalf of his client, denied that Ms O'Mahony's ongoing injuries were related to the accident. The collision was described as "insignificant". Drug mule Michaella McCollum has taken a swipe of people who criticised bikini snaps of her taken in Spain, as she returned to holiday there just four years after agreeing to smuggle drugs. McCollum (24) was jailed for three years in 2013 after she was caught trying to smuggle 11kg of cocaine, worth almost 2million, in her luggage from Lima with Scottish woman Melissa Reid. She had travelled to South America from Ibiza where she had worked as a dancer in a bar. McCollum was freed last March and returned to Ireland last August. Earlier this week pictures of her walking on a beach in Spain appeared in the media. Now, using her social media account McCollum has appeared to hit back at her critics. "For those who did not like the bikini pictures published heres 3 enjoy!! Embrace what you have," she wrote on her Instagram account alongside new holiday pictures. How much does the payment of staff wages influence the way a hospital applies treatment or its prescribing patterns? (Stock picture) When does financial support for a hospital or doctor by a drugs company become a marketing exercise? It's probably impossible to separate both. The extent to which drug companies are paying for staff involved in research and other duties in children's hospitals raises new questions about the potential conflict of interest. How much does the payment of staff wages influence the way a hospital applies treatment or its prescribing patterns? The vital funding may make all the difference to a child with a particular disease and allow access to treatment and timely care that may otherwise be unaffordable by the hospital. Where research is concerned the findings are fed back to the drugs company, informing its insights for the development of new medicines. The hospitals insist that all these transactions have to be given the green light by their ethics committees, and the drugs companies say that they are also bound by new rules which mean they have to be transparent about these payments. However, the information published is still limited and lacks detail. It mostly involves payments to doctors for attending conferences abroad, including travel and accommodation costs. It is good to hear that the Health Minister Simon Harris has taken an interest in this area, and has asked HSE chief Tony O'Brien to report back to him. This is set to lead to a new drive to ensure compliance. But this mutual dependence between hospital and doctors on the one hand and drugs companies on the other continues, despite the unease. Cannabis was the most frequently used illegal drug in all areas in the year prior to the survey, followed by ecstasy and cocaine (Stock picture) Ecstasy use is on the rise among young people, according to a new national drug survey. Recent use of ecstasy among 15 to 34 year olds increased significantly in many areas, with the biggest rises in the western and south western areas. The findings emerged in the fourth drug prevalence survey of households by Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force in Ireland and Health and Social Care Trust in Northern Ireland. It provides a breakdown of prevalence rates by region for illegal drugs, tobacco, alcohol, sedatives, tranquillisers and anti-depressants and gambling. It indicates that recent and current levels of illegal drug use increased in most regional drug and alcohol task force areas between 2010/11 and 2014/15. Cannabis was the most frequently used illegal drug in all areas in the year prior to the survey, followed by ecstasy and cocaine. The findings showed: Recent use of any illegal drug was highest in the south western area and lowest in the mid-western area; Use of opiates was highest in the south western area and lowest in the north eastern area; Use of anti-depressants was highest in the south eastern area and lowest in the mid-western and north-western areas; Last year alcohol consumption prevalence ranged from 67pc in the north western area to 83pc in the south western area; Current use of any illegal drugs was also highest in the south western area; Recent tobacco use was highest in the south western area, followed by the east coast. Chair of the group Prof Catherine Comiskey said: "In examining the regional data, we see that prevalence of illegal drug use varies across areas. There is an overall increase in use of cannabis, ecstasy and anti-depressants for many regions." Hospitals are now being told to buy prefabs to turn into wards to deal with the overcrowding crisis. The latest desperate bid to tackle the crisis will cause unease among the families of many patients. The plan envisages patients who may be post-surgery, but not very ill, being accommodated in the prefabs, while those who need more intensive treatment remain in the main hospital. Already, nursing unions have questioned if the prefabs can even be staffed properly. Patients in Mayo General, the local hospital of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, are expected to be among the first in prefab structures. Other hospitals that are already out of the starting blocks to bring in prefabs are South Tipperary General Hospital and University Hospital Galway. A spokeswoman for the HSE confirmed a national framework to ensure proper standards for these temporary structures had been agreed to ensure patient care and safety. HSE chiefs and Health Minister Simon Harris continue to come under fire over the hospital crisis. This week again saw more than 500 patients on trolleys in hospitals nationwide. Speaking on Saturday Minister Harris defended the plan and said that a long term vision will be worked towards but immediate action needed to be taken. "It takes time. This is a quicker way to put more capacity into our health service, he told RTE news. Hospitals are now being told to buy prefabs to turn into wards to deal with the overcrowding crisis. The latest desperate bid to tackle the crisis will cause unease among the families of many patients. Already, nursing unions have questioned if the prefabs can even be staffed properly. The plan envisages patients who may be post-surgery, but not very ill, being accommodated in prefabs, while those who need more intensive treatment remain in the main hospital. Patients in Mayo General, the local hospital of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, are expected to be among the first. Other hospitals that are already out of the starting blocks to bring in prefabs are South Tipperary General Hospital and University Hospital Galway. A spokeswoman for the HSE confirmed a national framework to ensure proper standards for these temporary structures had been agreed to ensure patient care and safety. She said that hospitals are now free to engage in "mini competitions" at local level to see what is available and get the best price. The hospitals will pay for prefabs out of their own funding. Director of acute hospitals Liam Woods said they offer a short-term and flexible option to deal with overcrowding but they are not intended to replace in-house hospital beds. Health Minister Simon Harris, who earlier this week had to deny he 'wanted out of health' following a remark on Fine Gael's WhatsApp group, has been under sustained pressure over hospital overcrowding. This week continued to see over 500 patients on trolleys nationwide. If more low-grade patients were moved to prefabs it would allow hospitals more leeway to tackle waiting lists. But last night Stephen McMahon, Director of Irish Patients Association, said: "We are in M.A.S.H. territory here." "To be blunt, you can have all the prefabs in the world, but they won't make a difference if you don't have the staff to man them." Ann Burke, industrial relations officer for the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation in Mayo, said any measures to free up more space for patients is welcome. However, she said there is a risk there will not be enough staff for the new wards. Nurses in Mayo General are being forced to do a huge amount of overtime currently in order to main services. "We have worked out that [it would need] around 14 additional nurses," she said. And the INMO general secretary Liam Doran added: "Any expansion is welcome for the health service, but the long term solution isn't prefabs. "We're now resorting to prefabs, which is what schools did years ago when we neglected the school building programme. "We're repeating the mistakes of the past because we didn't plan. "There is no doubt we need extra beds and staff, but they're doing absolutely nothing to address the recruitment and retention problems." Modern prefab design features ensure that both air tightness and sound rating exceed current building regulations. Other features include a number of link corridors for easy access to the existing hospital, and faux brick exteriors. Bus Eireann driver Mark Fitzgerald believes Government policy caused the company's financial problems, so it should help to solve them. Rural Ireland will be "banjaxed" if the company is allowed to shut down, he warned. Closing down bus routes hurts the people who live in remote areas, he said. "This is the third cost-cutting plan by Bus Eireann in recent years," said the father-of-four who drives buses between Dungarvan, Waterford and Cork. He also drives on the Dublin-Clonmel route, which is under threat of being axed. "The cost cutting in 2009 resulted in lost routes, buses, and drivers. Then, three years ago, another plan meant staff had to give up terms and conditions, some overtime and expenses payments which cost me 100 a week for 18 months until they were restored," he said. "There seems to be three different 'cures' at present. If Bus Eireann is shut down, rural Ireland is banjaxed. Or the company wants to survive by raiding the wage packages of its workers. Or thirdly, the Government subvents and supports its bus services," he said. Mr Fitzgerald said in the past, Bus Eireann used the profits it made on busy routes between cities to subsidise its rural services, which are under pressure. But the company lost much of its profits when the motorway system was built and private operators were allowed to operate lucrative intercity services on the motorways while Bus Eireann had to travel on the old routes serving the people of smaller towns, he said. He feels the Department of Transport must become actively involved in the current efforts to solve the financial problems of the company because the Government policies caused the problems. "I've been driving the buses since 2000 and I hoped to drive until I was 65. The company's solution is only a sticking plaster." Leo Varadkar believes he has convinced several influential ministers to publicly back his leadership campaign once the contest formally gets underway. More than a third of Fine Gael TDs are still viewed as "totally undecided" by the camps of Mr Varadkar and Simon Coveney. But supporters of Mr Varadkar say he already has some "surprises" ready for when Fine Gael TDs begin publicly declaring their intentions. It comes as the jockeying for jobs gets under way, with the record number of junior ministers appointed by Taoiseach Enda Kenny last year trying to secure their positions. Sources say some ministers of state have effectively told Mr Varadkar and his main rival Mr Coveney the price for their vote will be continuing in their ministry. Sources in the Coveney camp told the Irish Independent they suspect Mr Varadkar has already made "unrealistic promises" of jobs to some TDs. Sources who aren't linked to either candidate say the contest is "too close to call" but place Mr Varadkar slightly ahead. The 73 members of the parliamentary party carry the most weight in the election, making up 65pc of the vote. Party members account for 25pc and councillors hold 10pc. Estimates suggest Mr Varadkar has privately secured the votes of 20-25 TDs, senators and an MEP. Mr Coveney is believed to have a figure in the high teens. In excess of 25 parliamentary votes are still very much in play. Many of these are junior ministers worried the new leader may try to reduce their numbers, or promote loyal supporters currently on the backbenches. A significant number of party TDs are also reluctant to show their hand before knowing the full line-up of contestants. Several experienced TDs are arguing behind the scenes that at least one of Paschal Donohoe, Frances Fitzgerald or Richard Bruton should enter the fray to prevent a divisive head-to-head between the two young guns. The Taoiseach is to signal his departure date after St Patrick's Day, although Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan yesterday indicated Mr Kenny will remain working actively on the Brexit issue "for a few months at the very least". Meanwhile, both Mr Varadkar and Mr Coveney have confirmed they are against sparking a snap general election in the immediate aftermath of the leadership contest. Mr Varadkar had been viewed within the party as the candidate most likely to go down that route. But he said: "I don't think anybody wants an election, not politicians and not the general public. "We have an agreement in place with Fianna Fail based on a confidence and supply arrangement. "We will honour that - provided they do too...I don't think an election in the short term would serve anyone's interests." A spokesperson for Mr Coveney said he also doesn't think there should be an election. "There's a Programme for Government in place and there's a three-year confidence and supply arrangement and that will be the focus of the new Taoiseach," the spokesperson said. Earlier, Mr Coveney said he believes the party will "stick together" during the leadership contest unlike previous battles, which he said "almost ripped the party in two". "I don't think that is going to happen this time - certainly I am determined that it won't." Leo Varadkar has said he won't be making his personal life "an issue" in the upcoming Fine Gael leadership campaign and hopes others won't either. The Fine Gael leadership frontrunner was responding to coverage of the personal lives of candidates aiming to succeed Taoiseach Enda Kenny. "I'm not going to make my personal life and my family life an issue in any campaign and I hope and trust that others won't do either," he said. Mr Varadkar revealed he was gay before the successful same-sex marriage referendum in 2015. The minister said the leadership contest should be about "people's different ideas about how we can turn Fine Gael into a fighting force again". "I'd like any contest, whenever it does happen, to be about not personalities but people's vision for the future of the country," he said. Mr Varadkar began his remarks by saying there is still "no vacancy" for the leadership of Fine Gael. Mr Varadkar said he expected the race to be about "how we can move on from a situation where we've crawled out of a very difficult recession into one where we can be much more ambitious about the future of our country". Ambitions The minister said the race won't begin until after Mr Kenny addresses the plan for his future "conclusively and effectively" after St Patrick's Day. "I don't think the contest can begin at least until then," he said. In recent months Mr Varadkar has travelled around the country on ministerial business, often meeting Fine Gael TDs and councillors in what has been portrayed as an effort to garner support for his leadership ambitions. Mr Varadkar was asked if he has any such engagements this weekend. "Fine Gael's a big party. We've about 30,000 members so you kind of run into them in all sorts of contexts," he said. Read More Mr Varadkar said he had departmental meetings last night. And he added: "Tomorrow is obviously a rugby day so I'll be meeting lots of people at that but it's the rugby that will be on my mind." The minister announced a new policy to help people on social welfare to set up their own businesses. Mr Varadkar announced changes to the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance making it easier for one parent families, people with disabilities and farmers to participate. He said the scheme "allows people who are on social welfare to set up a business and to continue to receive some of their welfare payments in the first two years while they get that business up and running". Ireland will take the UK's place as the key gateway to the EU in the wake of Brexit, the Australian Foreign Minister has said. Julie Bishop believes we are "superbly" positioned to exploit Brexit and bring in more Australian businesses. "I see this as the dawn of a new era. I see this as a great opportunity for Australia and Ireland to explore how we take advantage of what's occurred," she told the Irish Australian Chamber of Commerce. Having spent recent days in Washington and London, Ms Bishop was in Dublin for a series of meetings, including one with Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan. She said Ireland and Australia should work more closely in a "post-Brexit era" because the two countries are "natural partners". "We look to Ireland, particularly post-Brexit. We look to Ireland as a gateway into the EU. I have to say a 12.5pc corporate tax rate does bring a tear to many a corporate leader's eye in Australia. It's very attractive," Ms Bishop said. "But we also see the workforce here, the skilled and creative people of Ireland and the regulatory regime as a real opportunity for Australian businesses to be based in Ireland and have access to a consumer market of some 500 million people that makes up the EU. "We are natural partners, Australia and Ireland. In fact, there is a high level of engagement but there could be so much more in terms of trade and investment." Ms Bishop singled infrastructure, research and development, education and tourism as areas where the two countries can engage "far more deeply and broadly". She also said that Ireland should be looking to Australia as an access point to Asia. After their meeting, Mr Flanagan said Australia is becoming an "increasingly important market" for Irish companies. "Currently, there are over 110 Irish companies with a presence in Australia, while some 40 Australian companies have set up operations in Ireland," he said. "My department is currently developing a new whole-of-Government cross-sectoral strategy for Asia-Pacific. "I very much welcome Minister Bishop's acknowledgement of the importance of enhanced Ireland-Australia relations in the context of Brexit." In relation to her Brexit meetings earlier this week, Ms Bishop said the UK's Boris Johnson and David Davis has suggested they wanted a "balanced" deal with EU. 'When you see how many people are being given the runaround by politicians, it's your duty to do your best to improve things if you can," said Simon Harris at the age of just 15 as he contemplated his future career in politics. It was his own family's experience with his younger brother, Adam, who is affected by Asperger's Syndrome, that drove Simon to set up the North Wicklow Triple A Alliance in a bid to help the families of children with the condition, as well as those with Autism and Attention Deficit Disorder. The reporter sent to interview the Greystones teenager noted that he looked "slightly older than his 15 years but when he starts talking it's hard to believe that this is a Junior Cert student", describing how it was "a mixture of disillusionment with public representatives and a genuine belief that it is possible to make a difference that fuels his ambition". The young Harris had lobbied politicians to get better facilities to allow children with such disabilities to be integrated into mainstream education. He had met with Ruairi Quinn but the teen had been circumspect, saying he "made a lot of promises. But I'll judge him when I see what he does". Now some 15 years down the line, Mr Harris finds himself in a very powerful position and making the same dubious promises to the people of Ireland that he once poignantly doubted himself. Expand Close Health Minister Simon Harris is part of FGs new generation. Photo: Tom Burke / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Health Minister Simon Harris is part of FGs new generation. Photo: Tom Burke His rise to great political heights has been meteoric, dazzling - and to some almost puzzling. But can he fulfil his early promise - or will the man once dubbed 'the White Obama' by his Fine Gael colleagues prove in the long run to be, instead, the Icarus of Irish politics - the career politician who rose too fast to the top, never given the chance to gain vital experience along the way but sent plummeting - his wings prematurely singed by the searing sun of ambition, too much piled on his relatively young shoulders far too soon? It is on his record that he will be judged, not his youth, and it is not yet clear enough what Simon Harris stands for. Under the normal apprenticeship system, he would still be cutting his teeth as a backbencher - but Enda Kenny tore up the rule book when he appointed him Minister for Health, perhaps seeing promise in Mr Harris's performance at the Public Accounts Meeting in October 2012, when he told a meeting on health to "chillax" and subsequently railed at how the country manages to spend billions on healthcare while challenges still exist. "Money alone is clearly not the solution. We need to change the very way we deliver our health services if we really want to get on top of the budget problems," Mr Harris wrote shortly after. Now the top position is his and so far, he has attempted to placate and cajole the public against the backdrop of the most alarming crisis in the broken healthcare system - where 500 people regularly languish on hospital trollies and agonised children are forced to appear on television in order to get the treatment they need. Mr Harris's image as an honest broker determined to instigate change was dealt a severe blow by the leaking of a casual Whatsapp message last Sunday. "He hasn't announced yet but Frances is encouraging him. He wants out of Health," was the dispatch blithely sent by Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan amid the Fine Gael leadership crisis. In politics, the best way of leveraging a better job offer is by putting yourself forward for leadership and securing a bloc of votes which can then be traded. Mr Flanagan later pleaded that it was a joke and Mr Harris swiftly moved to distance himself from the impression that, just eight months into the job, he was already desperate to find an 'out' from one of most heavyweight positions in the country - albeit one once witheringly described as 'Angola'. Expand Close Simon Harris celebrates as he wins his Dail set in Greystones in 2011. Photo: Michael Kelly / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Simon Harris celebrates as he wins his Dail set in Greystones in 2011. Photo: Michael Kelly But the inevitable criticism, particularly over the suitability of someone so young as a party leader, clearly smarted. "Age to me is immaterial," he subsequently said, rather huffily, at a speaking engagement at University College Galway. "I look to be judged on my job and the job that I am doing, and I am working as hard as I possibly can at that job." It is, perhaps, surprising that Mr Harris was an early Fianna Fail supporter, attending Cumann meetings even when too young to be a party member and at 16 was delivering leaflets for local Fianna Fail TD Dick Roche. But he switched his political allegiances during his time at the Dublin Institute of Technology where he studied journalism and French, and quickly found himself on the fast track, with a post as Frances Fitzgerald's Seanad Assistant from 2008. He secured a seat on Wicklow County Council in June 2009. At 24, he was elected to the Dail in 2011. As the youngest deputy, he was selected by Fine Gael to nominate Enda Kenny for Taoiseach, making an impressive maiden speech. "Today, the period of mourning is over for Ireland. Today, we hang out our brightest colours and together, under Deputy Kenny's leadership, we move forward yet again as a nation," declared Mr Harris, in an echo of George Bernard Shaw's consoling letter to Michael Collins's sister, Joanna, after his assassination in 1922, when he had written: "So tear up your mourning and hang out your brightest colours in his honour." Mr Harris was elevated from the backbenches to Minister of State at the Department of Finance, with special responsibility for the OPW, in 2014 and ran in the South constituency for the European Parliament elections in 2014 , coming close. It was only in January 2016 that he arguably saw his first political storm, amid the very real desperation of the floods, when he was forced to deny accusations that the government had left 13m in the budget for flood relief works in 2015 unspent - while the public was quick to spot that he had secured flood defences in his own constituency. It had an upshot - raising Mr Harris's profile, with broadcaster Gay Byrne extolling how the young minister left him "gasping in admiration", describing him as a "smart young coveHe has an answer for everything. He's afraid of nobody." But so early in his career, the task of Health hulks large. It emerged yesterday that the HSE had reached agreement with Siptu and the industrial action planned for March 7 would be called off - but at what financial cost to the taxpayer? And with the nurses' strike still threatening, Mr Harris may be forced to again get out the national chequebook. News is expected next week that the planning will be lodged for the new national maternity hospital - but good news comes dropping slow in Health. Perhaps too slowly for a young man in a hurry. A YOUNG man has died in a single vehicle crash in the early hours of Saturday morning. Gardai in Milford are appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision in Co. Donegal. "At approximately 1.40am Gardai and Emergency Services were called to the scene of a single vehicle collision involving a van on the on a local road at Cottian near Kilmacrennan," a garda spokesman said. "The occupant of the van, a 21-year-old man, was taken by ambulance to Letterkenny General Hospital. He was pronounced dead a short time later." The scene of the collision is preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local traffic diversions are in place. The Coroner has been notified. Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Milford Garda Station 074-9153060 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Meanwhile, a pedestrian has been seriously injured in a separate collision this morning. Gardai in Navan are appealing for witnesses following the collision in Co. Meath. "At approximately 4.35am a 33-year-old male pedestrian was seriously injured when he was struck by a car on the Kentstown Road, Navan. Gardai and Emergency Services were called to the scene. The pedestrian was taken by ambulance to Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.," a garda spokesman said. "His condition is understood to be serious. The driver of the car was uninjured. The scene of the collision is preserved for examination by Garda Forensic Collision Investigators and local traffic diversions are in place. Investigating Gardai are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to contact them at Navan Garda Station 046-9036100 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. American born and Scottish based Preston Reed has been hailed as 'one of the most influential and innovative guitarists of the past quarter century'. He first began playing as a child learning on his father's guitar and studied classical guitar for a short time. When he was 16 his interest was rekindled by Jorma Kaukonen's acoustic guitar-playing in Hot Tuna and he made his first public appearance just a year later playing in a concert with Allen Ginsberg at Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., He went on to invent integrated percussive guitar playing in the late 1980's, revolutionizing the way the acoustic guitar is played. Using both hands he developed his unique style of playing in which he woos audiences with his original compositions, blending blues, rock, funk and jazz influences. Since 1979 Preston has released fifteen critically-acclaimed albums and performed on six continents. A regular visitor to Ireland, Reed's current tour brings him to An Tain Arts Centre on Friday February 24 at 8p.m. Tickets 15 / 12. The only place to be last Saturday night had to be at the Dundalk and District Game Protection Association's Meat Feast night which took place in Byrne's Lounge. The annual event run by the Association is a fundraiser for various local charities and this year they had nominated Simon Community. I wasn't too long in the door when I met up with treasurer John Toal from Hughes Park who told me the platter included pheasant, wild duck, snipe, woodcock, woodpigeon, venison, game trout and salmon prepared by three chefs and assisted by at least six of the association. He was chatting to Mark Dollard from Parnell Park who is part of the GPA and said he was there with Cian and Jenna Conlon from Hughes Park and were going to make a great night of it. I then headed for a table where I met proprietor John Byrne who was enjoying the company of John Kennedy another publican home from Spain with this fiancee Aileen Conlon from Blackrock and Tony Lynch. John from Byrne's commented that the food was 'unbelievable, you wouldn't get it in the Shelbourne Hotel!' Three gentlemen who certainly would have years of experience of hunting were Robbie Ramsey from Carrick Road, Peter McArdle from Greenacres and Philip McGuinness from Blackrock who told me they thought the food was top class, as usual. No sign of the 'better halves' there lads, guess it must have been a bit of Lads Night Out then? Making my way through the crowds I then caught up with a group who included James Healy from Dromiskin, Gerard and Meta Kirk from Castletown Road and the lads told me they were there representing the Ardee Clay Pidgeon club. They were enjoying the proceedings with mum and daughter May and Hannah Muckian from Hughes Park who were with future daughter-in-law Emma-Louise Healy from Coe's Road who was with parents Anne and Jimmy Healy from Dromiskin along with the two lads who are in the GPA father Larry and son Nigel. A beautiful repast May, but there is only so much pushing the food around the place with the fork you can do know! Making my way over to another table I then had the pleasure of talking to Aurelien and Michelle McEvoy-Jean from Dromiskin who told me the food was delicious. Aurelien is a taxidermist that specialises in birds and if anyone wanted to contact him he can be found at East Coast Taxidermy and on facebook! After this I got talking to Declan Goss from Ashbrook, Padraic McComish from Belfry Avenue, Aoife McComish from Muirhevnamor, Jake Byrne from Louth with parents Peter and Claire Byrne also from Louth Village along with Therese Jeffers and Tony McComish who were all thoroughly enjoying the meal and the night. They told me that Peter and Declan are with the Dundalk club. I headed for a table where I met up with May and John Lennon from Shore Road, Karen and Pat Lennon from Goslings Terrace, Max and Josh Lennon from Carlingford who were really up for the meal and thoroughly enjoying it. May told me that the club shoot on her land and was thoroughly enjoying the evening. Next I got a word with A. Mathews form Newry Road and Vinny O'Connell from Manydown Close who both hunt with the Dundalk Club (and certainly aren't poachers, like they tried to insist they were) who hadn't already eaten yet, saying 'we're waiting for the wolves to feast first, and then we'll move in!' One man who was busy on the night was Eamonn Murphy from Pearse Park who was with his son Tiernan who was making sure that everyone was well fed. Eamonn was there with his mum Margaret Murphy from Park Drive, her friend Jenny Casey from St. Nicholas Street and sister Louise Clarke from Wolfetone Terrace who told me they thought the meal was just beautiful. Next I got a word with Gerry Doogan from Lennon Melia Terrace who was with Gavin Doyle from Mountpleasant and hunting father and daughter Fred and Lisa O'Hagan from Racecourse Road who were in great form and really enjoying the night. Finally, I met up with brothers Brendan Halpenny from Parnell Park and Patrick Halpenny from Bay Estate who told me they thought the food was lovely and are regulars with the club. They assured me it was going to be a major night of celebrations, and who knows, it may have even stretched into the early hours??? Dundalk's M.A.D (Mad About Drama) youth theatre opened their doors to the public last Thursday as part of a nationwide event celebrating the relaunch of the National Youth Theatres of Ireland as Youth Theatre Ireland. Visitors to their rehearsal space in Hagan House were impressed by the enthusiasm, commitment and confidence of the young people who demonstrated the skills they had learned and spoke about what youth theatre means to them. 'It was fantastic and it allowed us to show people what youth theatre is all about,' said founder Kwaise Boyce. 'It was very moving to see the young people standing up and saying how important youth theatre is for the community, how they can come to this space and be themselves and be a better version of themselves,' he recalled. The past year has been a busy one for M.A.D, as members travelled to Prague for a performance festival with 'Be Mine', an original devised piece about the issue of sexual consent , travelled to Kilkenny for the National Youth Theatre residential, and staged work locally as well. The coming weeks will see them performing two new devised pieces, while plans are already underway for two summer camps, including one for younger children at Stephenstown Pond. M.A.D. has different groups catering for children and pre-teens as well as teenagers. In addition to helping members develop theatrical skills and confidence while exploring issues which affect young people, they get great opportunities to take part in youth theatre events at home and abroad. ''We are hoping that our members will be involved in the Young Critics programme which sees them attending professional productions and also the National Youth Theatre's play in The Abbey this year.' Members of the Cooley Peninsula Men's Shed travelled to National Maritime Museum of Ireland, Dun Laoghaire recently for the final of the Fisherman's Friend Mens Shed Award. And although they didn't win a prize, they were delighted to be among the finalists for this hotly contested competition. Men's Sheds from across Ireland were asked to create a visual representation that symbolises 'their community' and best depicts what their community means to them and their Men's Shed. Under the supervision of Brian Maguire, they created an impressive 3D piece of a ship sailing in a shark infested sea - hopefully not Carlingford Lough! They joined Shedders from around the country, including the Seatown Mens Shed in Dundalk, at the finals in the National Maritime Museum of Ireland for a day celebrating the bonds of friendship forged by the Mens Shed movement. The judges for the competition included the editor of the Irish Farmers' Journal and Irish County Living, Mairead Laverty, broadcaster Marcus Connaughton and Martin Stimson, Areas Business Manager, Fisherman's Friend. Commenting on this year's competition , he said that the quantity and quality of the entries 'was very impressive and it was great to see such a diverse range of artwork being created by members of the Irish Men's Shed Association.' Louth councillors paid tribute at the February meeting of the council to 'three giants of public service' who passed away recently. Tributes were paid to former Louth TD's Brendan McGahon and Eddie Filgate along with former Councillor, Jim Lennon. Cllr. Oliver Tully praised Brendan McGahon for 'doing what he could for the people of Louth,' while Cllr. Liam Reilly described him as 'one of the foremost politicians of the last century.' He added that Eddie Filgate and Jim Lennon had proudly represented the people of mid Louth, and worked tirelessly for them. Cllr. Peter Savage said he would miss the 'humour and wit' which Brendan McGahon was so well known for. CEO of Louth County Council, Joan Martin, said it was with 'great sadness' that she learned of the passing of 'three giants of public service.' Cllr. John McGahon said his entire family were grateful for the condolences and tributes paid to his uncle Brendan McGahon, adding: 'I was incredibly proud to be his nephew, he was an unflinching defender of the institutions of the state.' Over one hundred young people from the Archdiocese of Armagh travelled to Krakow, Poland to attend World Youth Day. Members from the Diocese in attendance included groups from Dundalk and Cooley. World Youth Day is a festival held typically every three years, in a different country and consists of adoration, catechises sessions, cultural events, outdoors masses etc. The highlight of the pilgrimage is the Holy Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in an outdoor venue on the last day of the festivities with a candle lit vigil the night before. Those who went on the trip wish to extend their thanks to all the team at the Armagh Diocesan Youth Commission (ADYC), especially Mr. Dermot Kelly, Diocesan Youth Director who organised the trip. An adventure full of faith and fun was had by all and it was an overall unforgettable experience! Cheyene Volders, Cross Border Youth Council speaking to a group of European journalists in County Hall about how Brexit will effect the Border region. Reporters from some of Europe's biggest and most respected newspapers spent a day in North Louth and South Armagh hearing from local people about the possible implications of Britain's decision to leave the EU. Journalists from Le Monde and Le Figaro (France), El Pais (Spain) and La Repubblica (Italy) were among a group of 11 who travelled to Ireland last week, at the invitation of the Department of Foreign Affairs, to view the All Island Civic Dialogue in Dublin, following a tour of this area. On Thursday, the reporters visited Intact Software at Blackthorn Business Park and met CEO Justin Lawless. Intact, the journalists were told, is a software company which has built a strong presence in the UK and has decided to bring forward its American diversification plans in light of the result of the Brexit referendum. The group also visited County Hall where they met with members of Louth Comhairle na nOg, the cross border youth network between groups in Louth, Monagahan and Cavan and youth district councils in Armagh, Dungannon and Newry and Mourne. After hearing from the teenagers, the reporters travelled to the Carrickdale Hotel, to meet with representatives of Dundalk, Warrenpoint and Newry chambers of commerce and to see the 'new frontier' for themselves. In a presentation to the reporters, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce PRO and past president, Paddy Malone, spoke about the 'decimation' of the area and not since the start of the Troubles. He said the two currencies, laws etc 'impedes growth' and leads to the creation of the black economy. Mr Malone said the McArdle report in 2011 proved how Dundalk is the poorest Gateway town south of the border, while Newry is the North's third poorest. However, strong infrastructure, population and the cluster of industry 'means rapid growth is possible'. In addition, he told journalists that 'Dublin and Belfast both see this region as a periphery' and there has been 'a loss of critical mass' where the growth in population is poor compared to other cities. He said it was important that Dundalk was included in the government's Living City initiative and pointed out there is a larger population than Kilkenny. The creation of an economic zone 'would be a positive statement by the EU' and pointed to the fact that Germany 'made positive steps to reintegrate itself by assisting East Germany. He said: 'We need to show Belfast its future is in the EU, with us'. Specific industries such as tourism, pharma and logistics could be targeted with a specified time such as a five year plan or ten years in operation. These industries should not be relocated or displaced from within the island. In addition, there could be enhanced tax allowances within the zone, while there could be a rates remission for retail outfits. There should be employment initiatives to encourage cross border students to come to DkIT along with 'fast track planning'. Councils on both sides of the border now have been given more responsibility for economic growth in their areas. There is tourist potential if the region, North and South, is marketed as one. Mr Malone said the area had produced 'world class entrepreneurs, listing Martin Naughton, the McCanns, Larry Goodman and the late Edward Haughey and the next generation included companies like Digiweb, Horseware and Newry's First Derivatives. In concluding his presentation, made on behalf of Dundalk Newry and Warrenpoint, Mr Malone said a number of steps can be taken to help minimise the Brexit decision. These include giving enhanced capital allowances, which are, he said, only a timing issue. The Gullion/Mourne/Cooley should be marketed as a single tourist destination while specific industries such as financial services, low carbon, pharmas, hospitality and transport should be targeted. These special measures should be maintained for a certain period and there could be more co-ordination with UK employment initiatives. In addition, the cross border movement of captial and employment should be encouraged, and policies should be designed to 'avoid displacement from other regions on the island'. The enhancement and extension of the Louth/Newry councils' Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a key objective of the chambers, while the chambers also support the sharing of support facilities such as hospitals and other infrastructure. The reporters also met with members of the local community and the conversation focused on the impact of the Troubles on local families, reconciliation efforts of recent years and the potential effects on Brexit on the peace process. The group travelled by bus to visit Crossmaglen and later, went to LacPatrick Diaries in Monaghan, where they heard how the firm, which turns over 360 million a year and employs 300 people, sells high quality diary products to almost all corners of the globe. The following day, the journalists were invited to listen to contributions at the All Island Civic Dialogue at Dublin Castle. A pensioner who threw water from a bucket over a woman as she walked past his house has been given time to come up with compensation. James Doyle, (65), Willistown, Drumcar, admitted an assault charge arising from the incident outside his home on the morning of April. Judge Flann Brennan was told there was a 'context' to the incident. Gardai said the woman was walking in the area at around 9am and was going past the defendant's house when she felt liquid hitting her. It turned out Doyle had thrown water from a bucket on her, but initially, the woman told Gardai she was fearful as she didn't know it was water. Gardai said the woman was 'very distressed' at the scene and officers took her tracksuit bottoms to find out what the liquid was, but were able to tell her that it was just water. Gardai said the incident was 'totally unprovoked'. Barrister Irene Sands said the incident had happened 'in a context of ongoing issues between families', though 'this doesn't, in any way, excuse this'. Ms Sands said her client had never been in trouble before and 'difficulties had arisen in a familial context'. Doyle works on a CE scheme, having been in construction for most of his life. The barrister asked Judge Brennan 'to afford him one opportunity' as Doyle 'has no history of offending behaviour'. Judge Brennan said he was willing to deal with the case leniently if Doyle would consider paying compensation to the victim. The judge said the incident 'must have been very frightening' for the woman involved and he adjourned the case to March 1. He told Doyle he would deal with the matter leniently if he paid 750 compensation. Criminal gangs who use the motorway network south of Dundalk have been targeted by a multi-agency operation under the Gardai's Operation Thor. The operation was centred on the M1 at junction 6, north and southbound and connecting road networks, between 2am and 7am on Sunday. During the operation Gardai arrested a total of eleven people. Nine people were arrested for drunk driving and one for public order One man, aged in his thirties, was arrested after a search of a van by Gardai. The van was seen parked in the hard shoulder, north of a checkpoint. Five bicycles and 13 laptops, believed to be stolen property, were discovered in the van. A search of the foliage on the embankment led to the discovery of another bike also believed to be stolen. The man was detained at Balbriggan Garda Station under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984 and was charged in connection with this investigation. Gardai seized 12 vehicles for road traffic offences, and a total 214 drivers were breath tested and more than 40 vehicles were searched. Revenue Customs officers tested 143 vehicles, resulting in four marked gas oil detections. And 176 individuals licence holders (taxi), were checked by compliance officers from the National Transport Authority. A number of fixed penalty notices were issued for a range of offences. A Dundalk woman who has dedicated 40 years to the church and her community has been awarded the Benemerenti Medal, a pontifical honour for service given to the Catholic Church. It was presented to Angela McCabe by Fr Jim O'Connell, Administrator, at Mass in the Church of the Holy Family, Muirhevnamor recently. Angela is a retired primary teacher and from 1968 to 1980 she was a member of St. Malachy's Senior Church Choir. She deputised as an organist for Fr. J.C. Collins, O.P. In 1972, on joining the staff of St. Malachy's Girls' School, Dundalk, she started a Children's Choir, which sang with her every Sunday in St. Malachy's Church at 10am. In 1980 Angela joined the staff of S.N. Muire Na nGael, Bay Estate, Dundalk, playing at mass every Sunday in the school hall and playing at the school's First Communion and Confirmation ceremonies annually. In 1981 she established an adult choir which sang with her in the school hall every Sunday at 10.30 Mass. The choir and she continued providing music for Mass when it moved from the school to Muirhevnamor. In 1992 the adult choir transferred with Angela when the Holy Family Church opened. She played at the 11am Mass every Sunday, as well as at occasions such as the Christmas and Easter ceremonies. In 2002 she accompanied and provided music for the Lourdes Diocesan Pilgrimage. In January 2013 Angela retired as organist. February 12 was a very special and joyous occasion with Angela playing once more with her adult choir. All of Angela's family, friends and the parishioners of Holy Family are delighted and honoured at this award in recognition of over 40 years of loyal service. A group who attended a vigil at the Louth County Hospital, organised by the 'Still Waiting' campaign group A large number of people turned out for a vigil at the Louth County Hospital last Thursday to show their support for a new nationwide campaign highlighting 'the loss of innocent lives due to hospital cutbacks'. The vigil in Dundalk was part of a nationwide series of co-ordinated candlelit vigils that included Sligo, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Kerry and Kildare organised by the Still Waiting group. The campaign spokesperson said: 'According to Dr Fergal Hickey of the Irish Association for Emergency Medicine, hospital shortages are causing the deaths of at least 350 extra people every year. 'The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, claims he is distressed by waiting lists but he refuses to invest. To make matters worse we now find blatant massaging of the hospital waiting list figures. 'From March 7 nurses and hospital staff will take industrial action in a desperate bid to end the underfunding and the overcrowding. There is also unprecedented anger from the general public. We are told there is an economic recovery, but still our hospitals remain underfunded. This cannot be allowed to continue. The Still Waiting campaign is a broad grassroots campaign designed to achieve meaningful and real change in our broken health system. Our key demands include the resignation of the health minister, Simon Harris who has been complicit with the falsifying of waiting list numbers, significant investment and an increase the numbers of nurses and frontline staff to pre-crisis levels'. For more see www.facebook.com/stillwaitingireland. Derval Freeman is a Quill Road resident and is holding her exhibition titled 'Solace' in the Signal Arts Centre, Albert Walk in Bray from February 27 to March 12. The official opening is March 3 at 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. and all are welcome. Her work features lots of paintings and interesting photographs. Derval graduated from Limerick School of art and Design in 1996. Since then, she has had lots of studio spaces based in various locations over a number of years including Limerick City, Co. Clare and Co. Wicklow where she is currently based. After her second solo exhibition in 2007, titled 'Urban Trail', she took up short residency in the Cill Rialaig artist retreat, Ballinskelligs, Co. Kerry. It was after that, her passion for landscape painting seemed to grow and develop. If you would like to contact Derval personally, her number is 087 6283966 and visit her website dervalfreeman.com. Anyone seeking to improve their English, may be interested in free conversational English classes being held in Kilcoole. Organised by Bray Area Partnership, there are now two classes being held each week in the community centre in the village, one on Monday nights and a new class on Wednesday mornings. The two-hour classes are free (although students are asked to pay 2 towards venue costs) and are run as friendly small group conversations over a cup of tea. The classes are part of a national Third Age Ireland initiative called Failte Isteach, which sees volunteer tutors teach practical conversational English to people from other countries. Bray Area Partnership runs two Failte Isteach programmes in Bray and two in Kilcoole. Anyone who would like to take part in the Kilcoole classes can just turn up at either the class on a Monday night at 7 p.m. or a Wednesday morning at 9.30 a.m. to enrol. Find out more at www.brayareapartnership.ie or call Lorna on 01 286 8266. O'Connor's Spar Express in Enniskerry has won a top award at the 17th annual 5 Star Awards Ceremony. Spar and Spar Express retailers from across Ireland attended the awards ceremony which was held at Killashee House, County Kildare and hosted by BWG Foods. The awards, held in association with the Excellence Ireland Quality Association, were given to stores that demonstrated outstanding industry excellence following a year of comprehensive inspections, visits from mystery shoppers and audits. The winners excelled in all areas of inspection, displaying exemplary standards across their stores. In all, 194 stores received 5 Star Awards, including O'Connor's SPAR Express Enniskerry. 'Maintaining the highest standards in customer care and food safety consistently on a daily basis is no easy feat and these retailers work extremely hard in order to achieve this. I'm delighted to see O'Connor's Spar Express Enniskerry achieve the mark this year and get the recognition they deserve,' said sales director Colin Connelly. Brian Carty, Aoghus Wright, Pat Mellon, Vanessa Tebbitt, Huw O'Toole, Simon Wall and Anne Gregory at Newtown Mount Kennedy Future Planning Meeting at the Parkview Hotel last Thursday evening Over 100 people attended a meeting on development plans for Newtownmountkennedy in the Parkview Hotel on Thursday night. The meeting was organised by Newtownmountkennedy 2050 and was addressed by Simon Wall from CountyMayo who offered guidance on how Westport managed to win three National Tidy Towns titles. Earlier in the day Mr Wall enjoyed a guided tour of Newtownmountkennedy, which showcased the new developments around the hotel. Mr Wall praised the centralised shopping area for 'keeping the town centre alive'. After touring the village, the group moved on to look at the site of the proposed Riverine Park. Acres of protected mature trees and a meandering stream, a listed ruined mill house and a protected period residence makes up what is known as the 'Valle Pacis' since the 1800s.According to the last Local Area Development Plan the area is zoned town centre and low density housing. Riverine Park is set to be built among the trees with a walkway connecting the trail from Coillte woods all the way to the Kilcoole Road. At last Thursday night's meeting it was recommended that the site would be better kept as a park to form a 'green heart of the village'. Members of the audience were particularly eager to ensure that the town would not be over-run by badly planned development. Newtownmountkennedy District Forum have already applied through LEADER for funding to create a local Town Design Plan. Also high on the agenda was co-operation between the villages and towns located nearby to Newtownmountkennedy. Westport and the surrounding villages benefited hugely from Ireland's first greenway, a highly imaginative scheme introduced by the Department of Transport. Newtownmountkennedy 2050 is suggesting co-operation between Newtown, Kilcoole, Roundwood and Newcastle to create a greenway between the villages. The creation of a Sli Slainte would benefit all users, from local residents to tourists and runners. It was also suggested that the greenway could also provide a massive financial boost to the area. The pedestrian crossing at Tesco on Vevay Road in Bray which was painted over 'We're in it for the long haul now, there's no going back,' said Marian Byrne on the picket at Tesco on the Vevay Road yesterday (Tuesday) morning, on the eighth day of a stand-off between employees and the company. Over the course of the week, some passed the picket, although the complex is visibly quiet. In a deserted Costa coffee yesterday morning, a staff member told a customer that it had been like that since the strike began on Tuesday, February 14. Every few minutes, a motorist sounds their horn in support as they drive by the supermarket. Meanwhile, businesses and individuals have been delivering sandwiches, coffee, pizza and other refreshments to the workers on strike there. Marian is a post-1996 worker, her present contract unaffected by the subject of the strike. Her colleague Tony O'Brien is a pre-1996 worker. 'We've been here from 7 a.m. to 10 at night each day,' said Tony. The staff of around 70 workers will remain out indefinitely until agreement is reached. At any one time, around 15 to 20 union members march on the picket. Both Marian and Tony said that they are not tired, over a week into the action. 'Everyone is doing their shifts,' said Tony. 'You do six hours, or you might do an extra hour or two.' 'The feedback has been very positive,' said Marian. 'The support from Bray and the surrounding areas has been absolutely phenomenal. 'The nub of this issue is it's about contracts. I'm post-96. Those who started before that made a contract with Tesco, and Tesco made a contract with them. They both agreed on it. 'They're going in, performing their duties. All their departments are up, like for like, every year. So they have stuck to their side of the agreement. To destroy a contract you both have to change it. The '96 workers are looking for clarification from Tesco from the Labour Court decision.' Marian and Tony said that one of their concerns is that changes would set a precedent of changing contracts. 'The customers are very supportive,' said Tony. 'We are really astounded. 'This is bigger than 220 people,' he said. 'It's a moral decision and a decision of principal.' 'They're here 25, 30 years and gained what they have through collective bargaining,' said Marian. 'They [Tesco] gave them the concessions, but these guys performed. They didn't say "I'm not going to do my job". Every single person in this store, we all do our job and we enjoy doing our job. We have a great sense of solidarity.' 'This company is not only coming after us, the people on pre-96 contracts, they're coming after the people on the next contracts,' said Tony. 'We just want to go in and do our day's work for a day's pay, continuing on giving good service to the people of Bray and the surrounding areas. For me personally it's a moral decision to stand alongside the pre-96 people.' Meanwhile, money will be tight. 'Well you just cut your cloth to your measure,' said Marian. 'I did it in the '80s when my mortgage interest went up to 17 per cent. You find a way, cut out everything, and live on very little. If I have to live on beans on toast for another three weeks, I'll live on beans and toast, it's as simple as that.' The workers finished with an appeal to the public to continue using the other retail outlets in the complex, including a barber shop, chemist, takeaway, coffee shop and dry cleaners. A drugs possession case against convicted murderer Marta Herda was dismissed at Arklow District Court due to an excessive delay in bringing the matter for hearing. Herda of 22 Pairc na Saille, Emoclew Road, Arklow - who was present at Arklow courthouse last Wednesday - was charged with unlawful possession of drugs at the same address on August 2, 2013. Solicitor Tom Honan applied for a dismissal as three years and six months had elapsed since the date of the alleged offence. He made his application based on a previous High Court decision in the DPP V Arthurs case. Judge David Kennedy accepted that other matters 'overtook this particular prosecution' and Mr Honan said that the delay was excessive for a summary prosecution. The judge refused the application however and said that all adjournments were agreed on consent. It was then outlined to the court that the prosecuting garda was not present and instead of adjourning the case once again, Judge Kennedy dismissed it. A North Wicklow man has admitted killing his best friend with a rock more than four years ago. The 29-year-old made the admission through his barrister yesterday (Tuesday) on the first day of his murder trial at the Central Criminal Court. Thomas O'Connor of Burnaby Court, Greystones, is charged with murdering 22-year-old John O'Brien, who was from Burnaby Lawns in Greystones on June 4, 2010. He was arraigned before the court on Monday and pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr O'Brien, but guilty to his manslaughter at Farrankelly Road, Delgany, Co Wicklow. The State did not accept his plea and a jury was sworn in to hear the trial. Denis Vaughan Buckley SC opened the case for the State yesterday. He said that the accused and deceased had been drinking that evening in the underground carpark of a supermarket in Greystones. He said the deceased had struck two younger men during the evening and was restrained by the accused. He said that the accused and deceased separated around 11.45 p.m., having disagreed about what to do. He said there would be evidence of the accused doing a uturn and shouting and cursing. He said another witness saw a man wearing a grey hoodie standing over a man lying on the ground and striking him repeatedly. The barrister said there would be evidence that John O'Brien was badly injured, bleeding profusely and that his head was deformed afterwards. The pathologist would say he died as a result of a catastrophic head injury, he said. Mr Vaughan Buckley said that the accused man's former girlfriend would be an important witness. She would testify that Mr O'Connor came to her house that night with his palms covered in blood and that he washed them with bleach and a pot scrubber. She would say that he told her he had been jumped by someone with a knife, who wanted his phone. Fergal Kavanagh SC, defending Thomas O'Connor, then stood to make a number of admissions on behalf of his client. 'This is a case where he's accused of having murdered his best friend. He's pleaded guilty to manslaughter,' he said. 'Thomas O'Connor admits that the deceased died from blunt force injuries to the head, that those injuries were inflicted by a person holding a rock and that the person inflicting the injuries was Thomas O'Connor,' he said. The trial continues before Ms Justice Margaret Heneghan and a jury of six women and six men. More than 117,000 visit mourning altars set up across Seoul for Itaewon victims More than 117,000 people paid their respects at mourning altars set up across Seoul for the victims of the Halloween crowd crush that killed at least 156 people in the city's night... 1 rail worker killed, another injured while working One railway worker was killed and another injured after being struck by a cargo train in Uiwang, just southwest of Seoul, officials said Sunday. The accident occurred at 8:20 p.... A man was sentenced to two months in prison for breaching a barring order involving his former partner. Francis Odiase (34), 10 Frederick Street, Dublin 1, has lodged an appeal so was released following his appearance in Bray District Court last Thursday. The court heard that Paula Crean made the complaint on September 7, 2016, following an incident on August 25. Ms Crean told the court that she had previously applied for a barring order. 'He had gone to Nigeria for three weeks. While he was gone I asked for a barring order as he had been violent and abusive to me,' she said. She told the court that on the day in question he was supposed to arrive at Bray Dart Station at noon to collect their child but arrived at 12.45 p.m. 'I said she [their daughter] had been upset; he said he'll turn up when he wants,' she said. 'He rang me at 2 or 2.30 to collect her,' said Ms Crean. 'They were down the beach.' She said that an altercation arose between them in which Odiase was calling her names, would not let go of the child, and said she was going nowhere. 'A woman came over and asked if I was OK,' said Ms Crean. 'He said I was nothing but a b*tch, a fat pig. It was very intimidating.' She agreed in cross-examination that those words may not have been exchanged at the beach, but at the Dart station. She said that when she threatened to call the gardai, he let go of the child. 'He had spat at me before, and called me names previous times,' said Ms Crean. Barrister Eibhlin Ni Raghallaigh said that there was nothing in her statement about him calling her any names at the seafront. 'Maybe not fat pig, but he was screaming and shouting in my face,' Ms Crean said. 'My client instructs that matters did not happen in the way you described. He denies shouting at you, he denies being intimidating to you,' said Ms Ni Raghallaigh. A witness who was in the harbour area on August 25 and knew neither party, told the court that she intervened. 'I was there with my nephew, niece and mum,' said the woman. 'I overheard a man's voice, very loud and argumentative. 'A man and a woman were arguing and a child was caught in between. My nephew got upset. The man seemed very angry and the child was very distressed. I decided to intervene, go and ask if they were OK and if they needed me to call the gardai. 'He was arguing with the lady. She seemed to be trying to keep calm. I was concerned for the woman and child and wanted to make sure they were safe.' She said that while she was unsure of the time, she thought it might have been lunchtime as she and her family went to get something to eat after the incident. She said that she couldn't recall if the language used was vulgar, but that it was heated. Ms Ni Raghallaigh argued that there was a discrepancy regarding the time of the specific incident, with Ms Crean saying it occurred at around 3 p.m., and the independent witness believing it occurred closer to 1 p.m. She said also that two incidents had been referred to, at the station and at the seafront, and the charge sheet was not specific. Judge David Kennedy said that he was satisfied that the incident in question was the second one, on the beach. With regard to time, he said that people would not exactly have been looking at their watches, on a summer's day on the beach in Bray. 'There were certain inconsistencies,' he said. But not enough to dismiss the case. Odiase told the court that he arrived at the station at noon, and phoned Ms Crean at 3 p.m. He said that the child was holding his leg, and that Ms Crean shouted 'you black b*****d' at him. He said that a friend of Ms Crean's also shouted at him. 'They were the ones shouting at me and calling me names,' he said. 'I did not. I can't do that in the presence of my daughter.' They went to McDonalds and then the seafront, he said. Odiase told the court that he was aware of the set visiting hours with his daughter and very clear on those. 'I have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that an offence took place,' said Judge David Kennedy. 'In his own evidence, he said that he arrived down and Ms Crean started abusing him with racial language. The independent witness has no connection to either party. The words "black b*****d'" are so shocking that, if heard, they would have been remembered. 'I can't accept his evidence regarding this. Both the injured party and the independent witness gave evidence as to his demeanour. That evidence is totally in contravention with his version of events. 'He gave totally unbelievable evidence and accused Ms Crean of racially abusing him. I don't know what his reason is for that - it's totally incomprehensible and unbelievable.' He noted that a totally independent witness had felt strongly enough to intervene and suggest calling the gardai. Ms Ni Raghallaigh told the court that matters have cooled off between the parties since that time and there have been no further complaints. In handing down the sentence, Judge Kennedy said 'had he approached the matter differently I would have considered suspending the term.' Tickets to fly from the United States to Cork could be on sale in a matter of weeks. Initially, fares may be as low as $69 (66) one way, although fares are expected to cost around 290 round trip eventually. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave Norwegian Air the go-ahead on Friday and now all that's left is for the airline to sell their tickets to transatlantic travelers. It's expected that the first route to take off, probably this summer, will land at TF Green Airport in Warwick, Rhode Island which is located some 60 miles south of Boston - roughly an hour's drive. It was the 19th century murder that shocked Mid-Cork and beyond but now over 100 years after Dr Philip Cross was executed for the murder of his wife, Mallow based Assistant State Pathologist, Dr Margaret Bolster has expressed some reservations about the science used to convict him of the killing. The story of Dr Cross and how he was hung for the murder of his wife has formed the basis of a highly acclaimed musical, Murder at Shandy Hall starring Patrick Bergin and the Briery Gap Theatre Group from Macroom which sold out this week at Cork Opera House. Central to the musical, which is based on the book 'Murder at Shandy Hall' by reporter and author, Michael Sheridan, is the role played by brilliant young Professor of Medicine at Queen's University Cork - now UCC - Prof Charles Yelverton Pearson. Prof Pearson was born in Kilworth in 1857 and attended the college where he graduated with a medical degree in 1878 and six years later he was appointed Professor of Materia Medica and Lecturer in Medical Jurisprudence. He was also appointed Crown medical analyst and it was in this capacity that he was engaged by RIC District Inspector, Henry Tyacke to investigate the death of Mrs Cross whose remains he examined at autopsy seven weeks after her death at the Cross family home in Dripsey in 1887. Born in County Cork in 1824, Dr Cross had served as a surgeon with the British Army in both the Crimea and the India, seeing the horrors of war at first hand at both Sebastopol and Lucknow before in 1869, marrying 29 year old wealthy Englishwoman, Mary Laura Marriott. The couple lived initially in Canada where Dr Cross was stationed and where their first four children were born but upon his retirement from the British Army, they returned to the Cross ancestral home at Shandy Hall in Dripsey. And it was at Shandy Hall that 21-year-old Scottish born governess, Effie Skinner entered their lives, hired to teach their youngest daughter before Mrs Cross became suspicious that her husband may be harbouring romantic intentions towards the attractive young Scotswoman and dismissed her. But within six months of her dismissal, Effie Skinner was back at Shandy Hall - this time as the new Mrs Cross - marrying Dr Cross within a month of his wife's sudden demise on June 1 1887 with Dr Cross registering her death as due to typhoid fever with the local medical officer. But suspicions were aroused and when local RIC District Inspector Tyacke began an investigation and recruited Prof Pearson, it did not take long for the scientist to establish that Mrs Cross has been poisoned and his evidence was critical to Dr Cross's subsequent conviction at trial. But Dr Bolster, who had read Mr Sheridan's book before attending the premiere of Murder at Shandy Hall in Macroom last year, has expressed some reservations about whether Prof Pearson's work would have met the standards expected in a modern day criminal trial. "I suppose the first thing that struck me when I read the book is that Prof Pearson was both pathologist, toxicologist and forensic scientist in that he performed the autopsy, took samples and tested them himself and also did the forensic work whereas now they are all separate roles." Dr Bolster said that today all samples are tested by accredited laboratories and pathologists are questioned on their expertise and experience even though it appeared that Prof Pearson stood up to some robust cross examination from the defence . Another feature of the case was the fact that Prof Pearson did not take any soil samples from beside Mrs Cross's grave in Magourney Cemetery where she was buried as the coffin was sealed at exhumation and he didn't believe that the soil could have contaminated her remains. However, Dr Bolster said that, notwithstanding the fact the coffin had remained sealed, a modern day criminal investigation would require soil samples to be taken and tested for levels of arsenic to rule out any other source for the build up of arsenic in the deceased other than poisoning. "The other glaring omission is there is no mention of what medications Mrs Cross was taking. A lot of medications then would have contained arsenic and strychnine so you would need to know this to discount medication as a source for the arsenic and strychnine found at autopsy." Dr Bolster acknowledged forensic science was still developing and Prof Pearson may well have met the standards of the time but she wondered what a jury today would conclude even though there was also circumstantial evidence in that Dr Cross had bought arsenic some time previously. "There was some circumstantial evidence in that Dr Cross had bought arsenic some time previously and of course he did marry the young governess within two weeks of his wife's death which not only aroused suspicions but also formed part of the prosecution case against him. "I'm not sure whether a jury today would want more objective concrete evidence before convicting but it's a fascinating case and Prof Pearson was the main witness for the prosecution and ultimately it was evidence that was critical to Dr Cross's conviction in the end." The truism 'all things end badly or else they wouldn't end' is coming home to roost for Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The fallout from the Maurice McCabe fiasco has now shifted focus and there are ramifications for the upper echelons of Fine Gael. There has been wide-scale sympathy across the board for everything Garda McCabe and his family have had to endure. But one man's burden is another's opportunity and Enda Kenny's time at the helm is coming to an end. Politicians are masters at cosying up to the public's sense of outrage but beneath this public persona the pistons of self-opportunity are always working full throttle. The topic of Mr Kenny's departure had been a can that was allowed be kicked down the road. But his fumbling over the McCabe controversy forced the 'rebels' hands. It appears the leading contenders were not ready to launch a putsch but the McCabe debacle - and the fact the Fine Gael came perilously close to another General Election with Mr Kenny at the helm - made the heave inevitable. In many ways Mr Kenny only has himself to blame in this mess. His grasp on power showed little sign of loosening even after the party's disastrous election result in 2016 but the GUBU-like events surrounding the McCabe scandal revealed a Taoiseach who appeared over his head. His seeming deference to Micheal Martin - increasingly seen as Taoiseach in all but name - will also have hardened the FG rebels' resolve that the time to move had come. Ministers Coveney and Varadkar may have set the pace in the race but there are rumblings that Richard Bruton, Simon Harris, and Paschal Donohoe (who has publicly denied any interest in the job) are studying the form and may enter the race in the final furlong. Meanwhile, one should not rule out a late bid from Minister Frances Fitzgerald. She is nothing if not confident and having weathered the early storm of the McCabe fiasco, she may well bounce back. It wasn't supposed to be like this for the man who resurrected the fortunes of a party nearly destroyed in 2002 and who would later help lead Ireland back from the economic brink. The FG leadership battle will be a long and intriguing contest and - despite some media claims - the outcome is far from certain. Those outside Fine Gael can only hope that the party's members make the right decision. It is fundamentally undemocratic that a voting pool of just over 25,000 people will decide the next Taoiseach. The future of their party is enormously important to Fine Gael's members and we can only hope they feel the same about their country. The biggest shame in all of this is that the focus has shifted from Maurice McCabe and onto the internal bickering of the Fine Gael party. One presumes that when the Tribunal proper gets underway - and in history books years from now - the FG leadership race will look trivial by comparison. A Garda investigation into the delivery of two handguns to addresses in North Cork helped lead to the arrest and jailing of an American gun runner who was supplying weapons internationally through the dark net. Michael Andrew Ryan (36) from Manhattan, Kansas was sentenced to 52 months in jail by a court in Kansas after he pleaded guilty to several counts of gun running to Ireland as well as to a number of other countries. Ryan, also known as Brad Jones and 'Gunrunner', was identified by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AFT) following work by gardai in Cork assisted by Customs officers who made a controlled delivery of two handguns and ammunition to addresses in Mallow. The serial numbers had been removed from the two Glock pistols but garda forensic and ballistic experts were able to establish the original serial numbers, which gardai in Cork then supplied to the AFT in the US, who traced the guns to Ryan. Ryan pleaded guilty in a Kansas court last year to sending or trying to send a Glock model 27, .40 calibre pistol, a Glock model 22, .40 calibre pistol, a nine-round magazine for a .40 calibre Glock, a 10-round magazine for a .40 calibre Glock; and 10 rounds of 9mm ammunition. Ryan also pleaded guilty to sending a Beretta 9mm pistol, a Taurus .38 Special revolver, a 15-round 9mm magazine, 32 rounds of 9mm ammunition; one round of .380 ammunition and 41 rounds of .40 calibre ammunition to addresses in Cork city. Ryan had bought the Glocks which he sent to Mallow in the name Allison Mitchell while he bought the Beretta and Taurus guns destined for Cork in the name of Marlo Martin before removing their serial numbers. He then dismantled the guns and concealed them in packages of Mexican statues which he then sent to Ireland using Fedex - only for the gardai and Irish customs to seize the weapons which gardai suspect had been ordered by Irish criminals. Gardai believe the guns were ordered on the dark net or overlay network that can only be accessed with specific software and were sent to people who were unaware of the actual contents of the packages addressed to them. The offences were detected by gardai in 2013 but it took two years for the US investigation to uncover Ryan as the gun smuggler. He pleaded guilty to a total of 18 offences when he was charged in 2015 and was sentenced just last month to four and a quarter years in jail for the offences. Among the offences that Ryan admitted were knowingly making false statements to licensed firearms dealers, possession of firearms from which the manufacturer's serial numbers had been removed, altered and obliterated. Ryan also admitted exporting and/or attempting to export these firearms in different packages from the United States to individuals located in Mallow and Cork as well as Pinner, England, Edinburgh, Scotland and Victoria, Australia. In connection with his plea, Ryan admitted that he used a hidden internet marketplace website that sold illegal drugs and other illegal goods to unlawfully export or attempt to export firearms from the United States to Mallow and Cork as well as the other locations. When Ryan first admitted his guilt in June 2016, Assistant Attorney General Leslie Caldwell, of the US Justice Department's Criminal Division, said that Ryan's trade had been global and executed with apparent ease. "With a computer and an internet connection, Ryan hosted an international arms trafficking business on the dark web, peddling firearms and ammunition throughout the world," added Mr Caldwell. "Criminals of all stripes take advantage of technological advances to further their crimes and attempt to avoid identification and arrest. In this case, thanks to the hard work of the prosecutors and law enforcement officers involved, we were able to shut down dangerous criminal activity." In addition to jailing Ryan last month, US District Judge Daniel Crabtree of the District of Kansas ordered him to forfeit all firearms and ammunition seized by law enforcement during the investigation. The US Dept of Justice said: "These goods included dozens of firearms, including pistols, revolvers, Uzis and Glocks, some from which the manufacturer's serial numbers had been removed, altered or obliterated, as well as magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition." Louth Contemporary Music Society presents the world premiere of The Louth Work by James Dillon at Drogheda Arts Festival 2017. Dillon's The Louth Work: Orphic Fragments; will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of this year's Festival. Performed by Ireland's top contemporary music group, Crash Ensemble with soprano Peyee Chen conducted by Sinead Hayes, this performance promises a stimulating adventure into the most contemporary sounds in new music. The world premiere of the new work takes place in St. Peter's Church of Ireland Drogheda at 8pm on Saturday 29 April 2017. The Louth Work: Orphic Fragments sets ancient texts, attributed to Orpheus himself, interspersed with poetry from Petrarch, Apollinaire and Allen Ginsberg. Tickets 10 available from www.droghedaartsfestival.ie, www.eventbrite.ie or on the door on the night. Funded by the Arts Council and Create Louth. The Louth Work: Orphic Fragments is an Arts Council funded commission. A group of postgraduate students from Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology in Dublin are undertaking a cultural map about and for the residents of Clogherhead - and they want you to be part of it! The purpose of the Cultural Map is to identify the village's cultural heritage, what is available in terms of arts and culture, and discover what people would like to see developed for the community. The final Cultural Map of Clogherhead will be presented back to the community in March/April. 'We are inviting locals, community group representatives and anyone with an interest in Clogherhead to come and meet with us on Wednesday 22nd February, to discuss what they think is culturally distinctive about the area. We will be based in the Meeting Room at Clogherhead Community Hall between 10.30-12.30pm and 1.30-3.30pm. There will be tea, coffee and buns compliments of the group,' Lorraine Wall from the organisers stated. Glen Emmets are to hold their Presentation Dinner Dance on February 25th in the Glenside Hotel. Tickets cost 30. Contact any club member for tickets. Irish speaking group Irish Conversation group - Ciorcal Comhra - has formed in Monknewtown Community Hall. All levels are welcome. This is NOT a class just chat and craic. If you need more information phone 086 8050177 nios fearr deanach na riamh. Pride volunteers Drogheda LGBTQ Group are looking for volunteers for the Drogheda Pride Festival. Contact Peter on Facebook:Drogheda LGBTQ or 0834842064. Pat's show Fresh from the success of his award-winning show, Selfie, Pat Shortt returns with a brand new show called How's Tings? In a night of music and mayhem, Ireland's most popular comedian explores all sorts of tings. Big tings and little tings. Personal tings and tings that are not so personal. Important international tings and tings that only affect the parish. In Shortt, it's a funny show about tings. It's at the TLT on February 25. Arthritis group Louth Branch of Arthritis Ireland host Seated Exercise class every Monday at 7pm in Ballsgrove Community Centre. Aqua Aerobics every Tuesday at 8pm and Thursday at 12pm in Energie Fitness Centre. Walking Group meets at 11am every Saturday in Oldbridge House. Suits all levels. If you would like further information on any of the above please call Marie on 087 6336580 or Eric on 086 8311882 Siena nuns Single young women (20-40) who are interested in learning about Monastic life as lived by Dominican Nuns are invited to a Time of Prayer & Reflection at the Siena Monastery, The Twenties, from Friday 10th - Sunday 12th March.(Friday afternoon until Sunday after lunch). There will be Liturgy - Eucharistic Adoration - Talks -Sisters' testimonies - Lectio Divina -Question time - Food and Fellowship. Those who cannot manage a full weekend are welcome to come along on Saturday 9.30am until 7.00 pm. (Early booking advisable as places are limited) Romance hit Drogheda on Valentine's Day with two marriage proposals on the bridge at Scotchhall Shopping centre! The centre have been publicising a competition to win an engagement ring to the Value of 1000 from Boyne Jewellers if you were brave enough to come along to de Lacy bridge at 5.30pm on the day - and pop the question, there and then. The red carpet was laid out, champagne on ice and with plenty of onlookers it was 6.05pm before the first proposal and quickly followed at 6.15 by proposal no 2. Both couples were announced as winners on LMFM on Friday where the they received their diamond pings plus the overnight stay in the penthouse in the d Hotel and dinner for 2. Centre Manager Peter Dolan said it was looking like Drogheda had lost its romance until Niels Loverix proposed to Itzel Maldonado Nunez, then quickly followed by local man Dean Maguire proposing to Amy McCardle. 'It was a fantastic moment on the bridge and we could not choose between both romantic proposals. We wish both couples all the best in the years ahead,' Peter stated. The annual Dunleer cycle for Motor Neurone Disease was formally launched last week and will see a hardy group of cyclists leave from Dunleer to Ballinasloe on Saturday, June 10th. This is the fifth annual cycle, having previously headed south to Kilkenny, home of Paul Lannon, the inspiration behind the whole thing. The White River Wheelers are backing the event again and the INMDA and Paul's Fight for Life will benefit. All level of cyclists are welcome and the distance is 190km. Over the last four years, the annual cycle has raised in the region of 150,000 with an initial group of 26 in the first year turning into over 120 last year. The launch was so successful, half the places for the event went in one day. Sponsorship opportunities available so Contact info@d2kcycle.com for details. "Louth's Local Enterprise Office has lots of ways to support retailers in the county" Thomas McEvoy, Head of Enterprise declared this week. "Many of the supports are new because of the expanded remit of the Enterprise Office in Louth County Council so now is a good time to get in touch to find out more." Louth County Council is now providing new offerings including grants for shop front improvements and supports for new and small businesses occupying vacant premises. Retailers are also able to access business advice and training supports through the Local Enterprise Office. During Local Enterprise Week, renowned retail consultant Keith Harford will deliver specialist workshops for retail owners and managers. These free half-day events will take place on Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th March in Ardee, Dundalk and Drogheda. These short but high impact seminars will address global retail trends - what's hot and what's not in 2017, simple and realistic retail growth strategies, improving your own management effectiveness and marketing on a shoestring. Seminars are open to owner and managers in retail, restaurants and cafes, hotels, gyms, beauty salons, hairdressers, opticians, dentists, GPs and other service providers. Thomas concluded "Book your ticket for one of our free retail seminars by visiting www.LocalEnterprise.ie/Louth. To find out more about the supports that the Local Enterprise Office can offer to retail businesses call our team on 042 9324185." Community funding is now available to support local groups who want to organise inclusive, sensitive and appropriate community initiatives to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the death of Francis Ledwidge. Meath County Council, as part of its Commemorative Strategy to mark the Decade of Commemorations 2013 - 2023, wants to develop an inclusive programme for the County of Meath to commemorate the centenary of the death of the Slane poet. A fund will be made available in the form of small scale grants to community groups and organisations in County Meath wishing to undertake local initiatives. This fund is open to groups and organisations (arts, heritage, educational, cultural, sports, active retirement, etc.) that are planning to organise an appropriate community initiative to commemorate the death of Ledwidge. To be eligible for funding, the project must take place in County Meath. You may download the application form http://www.meath.ie/Community/LedwidgeCentenary2017/ or request a copy by phoning library headquarters at 046-9097360. Please send completed application forms to Ciaran Mangan, Meath County Council Library Service, Railway Street, Navan, Co. Meath. You may also submit a scanned version of the application by email but it must be signed by an appropriate officer in your group/organisation, email to cmangan@meathcoco.ie Closing Date for Completed Application Forms is 4.00pm on Friday 31st March 2017. Meath County Council officials have said they are aware of the 'safety issues' at Beamore Cross, described by one local councillor as 'nuts' last week. Cllr Eimear Ferguson has again pressed the council to carry out works at the location, amidst comments that a roundabout should be developed at the location. Cllr Ferguson said she came across an accident herself last week, cementing her belief that something must be done. 'At school time it is just nuts,' she told Director of Services Des Foley. He said he was aware of the safety issues at the junction. A stretch of the Beamore Road has been earmarked for surface improvements but the councillor feels the junction upgrade is paramount. Cllr Tom Kelly agreed, stating that the provision of a roundabout should be examined. 'There's no point in spending money and not dealing with the major issue.' Spine Road Last week's Laytown/Bettystown area meeting also heard that the long awaited spine road in Bettystown is also progressing well and it is hoped to start work on it next year. Des Foley said that capital approval had been completed and they would now be proceeding to CPO stage, if that was needed. They would proceed with a detailed design and 'all going well, construction will begin next year,' he remarked. 500,000 euro had been secured for the works. Cllr Sharon Tolan said she was delighted to see the project advancing. Drogheda & District Chamber will be hosting a Business, Retail, Food&Drink Expo in The Westcourt Hotel on Thursday 27th April. If you're in business, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase, network and promote your name. And this year, there's a range of services planned, from insurance to craft beers, food producers to photocopiers and computers. This is a fantastic Networking opportunity for businesses to meet face to face decision makers and build on your contact database. Business Expo 2017 will feature a range of informative and engaging seminars on a variety of topical matters throughout the course of the day. If you are interested in exhibiting, please note that there will be a limited number of stands available so it is advised to act now to avoid disappointment. More information is available from the Chamber offices 041-9833544 or admin@droghedachamber.com There were smiles all around last week as five lucky Guardian readers nabbed a handy 20 for simply purchasing their copy of the paper. Staff from the Guardian Newspapers were out and about around the districts to handy out some free money to loyal readers of the paper and the five avid readers of the paper were delighted they were in the right spot at the right time. In Daybreak in Ferns, James Kearns of Killanne, Enniscorthy, took a breather from his job delivering meat to the store to pick up a copy of the Guardian. He was more than surprised when handed 20 for his effort. 'I can't believe this', he said delightedly. 'I never expect to be given money for buying a copy of my local paper. I hope you are here again next week', he said laughing. Down the road in Mace in Ferns, Catherine Jordan of Rosemary Heights, Ferns, popped into the shop to pick up a snack and her copy of the Guardian. She was over the moon to be handed 20 and said it was an unexpected windfall. 'This is a lovely surprise. It's great to get a gift like this.' Robert Brownrigg of Crony, Ferns, popped into Carton's Daybreak in Camolin for a coffee and his local paper, the Enniscorthy Guardian. He couldn't believe his luck when he was given 20 after he purchased the paper saying it was great to get something for nothing. 'I'm delighted with the 20. It's not often you get given money from people when you buy the paper.' Martin O'Toole from Carrig, Gorey, was in Dunnes Stores, Gorey, when he took his copy of the Guardian to the checkout. He was chuffed to receive 20 when he walked away from the counter and said it was a 'lovely midweek treat'. Our final winner in the Buy and Win promotion this week was David Doran of Raheengurren, Gorey. He purchased his paper in Gwalia Stores on Gorey's Main Street. 'This is an unexpected windfall', he said. 'I didn't expect to be given money when I came in here to spend money!' An appeal has been lodged with An Bord Pleanala against Wexford County Council's refusal of planning permission for 12 houses and a shop in Davidstown, Enniscorthy, on the grounds that the area's sewage and waste water treatment plant is at capacity and needs to be upgraded before the development can go ahead. The senior executive planner James Lavin noted that the proposal by applicant Aidan Kenny was 'broadly acceptable' but was 'premature' pending improvements in local waste facilities. Mr Kenny lodged an appeal with An Bord Pleanala, which is due to be decided by June 7 next. Planning permission is sought for 12 four-bedroom, two storey detached houses and a 233 square metre single story local shop on a site in the townland of Ballygillistown, The Leap opposite St David's Church, along with associated engineering works including connection to and provision for the upgrade of Davidstown sewage treatment works. The site which was inspected by assistant planner David Wall is in the centre of Davidstown village with a housing estate on the opposite side of the road containing 30 houses and there is no current shop. The existing Davidstown waste water treatment plant has a population equivalent of 125 and is at capacity. It currently discharges to Davidstown Stream and in turn to the Boro River which forms part of the Slaney River Valley special area of conservation. The developement would result in an additional population equivalent of 75 people which would result in an overload situation, according to planners. It was noted that the developer indicated he is willing to contribute towards upgrading the treatment system but this would require the consent of Irish Water and an amended discharge licence from the EPA. Planners said it was questionable whether Davidstown Stream has enough capacity to deal with the additional pressure. 'On this basis, the proposal would, by itself and through cumulative impacts, negatively impact on Slaney River Valley SAC,' they said. It was considered that the development would not adversely affect a nearby church and graveyard which are protected structures and it was decided an archaeological assessment is not needed on a burial urn about 50 metres away. Planning officials said it was agreed in consultations with the Council's water department that it would be 'unacceptable' to connect to the adjoining treatment plant due to insufficient capacity and therefore the development would negatively impact on the Natura 2000 site located downstream. 'From a planning perspective it would be premature to recommend the granting of planning permission and therefore a subsequent connection to the public sewer until Irish Water carry out an upgrade with an amended discharge licence from the EPA' said Mr Wall. In refusing permission, Mr Lavin also said it was unacceptable to locate sewer and surface water lines including manholes on private open space.'The proposed development of 12 additional residential dwelling units is therefore premature due to the lack of infrastructural facilities and would be contrary to the proper planning and sustainable development of the area.' he said, noting the absence of a Natura Impact Statement. There were celebrations aplenty in Carnew last week as the local credit union celebrated its 50th anniversary. The celebrations on February 6 marked a milestone for the community and credit union. The first Annual General Meeting was held on February 7, 1969 in St Aidan's Club, Carnew, now Carnew Training & Development Centre and the officers present were chairman Fr Michael O'Regan, secretary Pauline Quinn, treasurer John Wilkinson, loan officer James Browne and director Patrick O'Connor. Mr Sheil was appointed public auditor and here was 32 loans outstanding and 100 members on the records. Patrick O'Connor was one of the credit union's longest serving directors and was secretary for over 31 years until he retired in 2003. He was involved in the purchase of the new building and was a proud man when the new building was officially opened by Tom McCarthy, president of the Irish League of Credit Unions on July 25, 1992. Maureen Brennan, Fern Lodge, Carnew was one of the longest serving officers in various positions from 1971 to her retirement on March 31, 2013 as Deputy Manager. Ben Murphy and Elizabeth Kennedy served as voluntary members for many years on the board of directors and various committees. Leonard Poole and Tom Culkin are still on the Board of Directors and have served in many roles over the last 50 years. Current manager Anne Sheridan said a 'great deal of gratitude is owed to all those founder members, those still with us and those deceased who had the courage and commitment to start this initiative'. A small Welseyan Church in the village turned out to answer all the credit union's prayers and they bought the building in 1991 moving in in 1992. Last week all past directors and mangers were invited to the credit union for refreshments while the 50th anniversary dinner will be held on March 4. Three schemes aimed at delivering funds to repair and save architecturally important properties in Fingal are now open again for applications but only until the end of this month and the council has updated councillors on the kind of work the funding has supported over the last year. The architectural heritage fund is for small grants of less than 2,500 and comes from council funds and in the past year has been used to support projects like restoring the windows of an important old property in North Street in Swords to aiding the repair of the roof of the Vicarage in Donabate and a landmark thatched cottage in Rush. The two other schemes are Government funded and aimed at larger projects. The built heritage investment scheme gives grants of between 2,500 and 10,000 and has aided projects in Drogheda Street in Balbriggan as well as helped replace windows in a property at Castle Terrace in Malahide and helped save very important stable buildings at the Abbeville estate in Kinsealy as well as repairing a boundary wall at St Colmcille's Church in Swords. The structures at risk fund can only fund two projects in any one local authority area and helped stabilise a Castleknock ruin in the last year. The council warned only a very short window was open for applications and said it had already sent out 30 application forms to various properties. Two groups of students from Loreto College in Swords have made it through to the regional final of the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture 2017. Now in its seventh year, the all-Ireland leading fashion and art competition for secondary schools challenges students to create unique, original and innovative outfits from recycled materials and junk. Open to students nationwide, entries for 2017 surpassed all expectations making it the biggest competition to date. 80 designs from each of the four provinces were lucky enough to be Silver Ticket winners. As part of the judging process, the public can get involved by casting a vote for their favourite design through the Bank of Ireland Junk Kouture voting app. Accessed through the BOIStudents Facebook page (www.facebook.com/BOIstudents), voting opens for one week before the regional competitions. Individuals can cast a single vote every 24 hours. Votes account for 10% of the final mark and can make a huge difference in such a heated competition. Please support our girls. Loreto College entered four dresses into the competition and two were successful - 'Turning Pages' which was made by Emma O'Neill, Amy Kelly and Ciara O'Reilly and 'Shore Thing' which was made by Laura Murray, Alyson McGrath and Rebecca O'Dwyer Gibson . The girls now go forward to the Eastern Regional Final which will be held in the Helix on March 2. Well done to the girls for their success in getting through to the finals and a special thank you to Ms Niamh Lacey, teacher for all her hard work. St Finian's Community College celebrated its diamond anniversary with a Gala Dinner recently in the Carnegie Court Hotel where past pupils, parents and staff were invited to attend and enjoy re-uniting with old friends. The night surpassed all expectations and turned out to be a truly special evening. The school was honoured that special guest Professor Brian McGraith, President of DCU, joined them to acknowledge the wonderful opportunity provided to students through the Access Programme. The school is understandably proud of all its former students who attend DCU and other third level institutions such as Trinity College, UCD and DIT. Presentations were made to past pupils and current GAA Stars; Fiona Hudson, Kieran Duff, Darren Daly and Paul Flynn. Congratulatory messages were received from around the world. Chris Newman, currently acting in Red Rock, former orincipal, Shaun Purcell, Mrs. Eileen O'Donavan and many ex students spoke about their experience of the school in glowing terms This event was part of a number of events planned to commemorate and celebrate the school's 60 years of educational provision in Swords and North County Dublin. Other events include a whole school fun run and a Denominational Remembrance Service. St Finian's Vocational School opened its doors at North Street/Seatown Road in September 1956 with Mr Donncha O'Donnabhain as Principal. It was co-educational with 59 boys, 48 girls and five teachers. Unusually for the time, no fees were charged, thereby beginning the schools long tradition of being open and inclusive to all. In 1981, the school was re-named St. Finian's Community College and moved to its current location at Castlefarm with Ms Valerie English as Principal. At that time the school's population had grown to 730 students and a teaching staff of 37. Academic achievement is highly valued and strong links with DCU ensure many students engage in access programmes and the centre for Talented Youth (CYTI) with increasingly large numbers transferring to University. Currently, there are 620 students enrolled. St Finian's Community College is now entering an exciting new phase in its long history with a planned extension and refurbishment underway. This will allow 1,000 students to be accommodated and new science labs, a kitchen and sewing room, a woodwork room, a metalwork room, a music room, a technology room, a design, communications and graphics room, computer rooms and 13 new classrooms to be added to the extensive facilities there. A housing agency report shows that an assessment of housing needs in Fingal last year shows there are almost 7,000 families who are fully assessed and qualified for social housing whose 'social housing need is not being met'. Fingal County Council reported this month: 'The Housing Agency recently published the 'Summary of Social Housing Assessments 2016' which brings together information provided by local authorities on households in their functional area qualified for social housing support whose social housing need is not being met.' The council said that the figures for Fingal showed 'the total number of fully assessed and qualified Fingal households included in the 2016 assessments, as of September 21, 2016 was 6,858'. While that shows the extent of families waiting for social housing provision, side by side, there is a significant homelessness problem in the county and the council has also reported on the latest figures for those without any place to call home and those housed temporarily in emergency accommodation. The council figures show it is 'currently in contact with 298 families who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, 185 of whom are in emergency accommodation or supported temporary accommodation. There was some better news on the housing provision side of the equation as the council ramps up its efforts to supply housing through a variety of means. Council chief executive, Paul Reid said the council will over-deliver on targets set by the Government's housing strategy which tasked Fingal County Council to deliver some 1,376 social homes from 2015 to 2017. Mr Reid said the council had handed over the keys to 966 properties for social homes, so far and was set to deliver around 2,200 homes in the time-frame set down by the Government. The funding it will draw down from Government to deliver those homes will also grow considerably from an initial 81 million to something more like 120 million. Mr Reid said he was due to meet the Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney soon to discuss the council's progress in delivering housing. On the Part V programme which mandates private developers to give up a portion of their developments for social and affordable housing, the chief executive acknowledged that progress in securing units by this method was slow because the restart of private construction was slow. But he said that Fingal was now beginning to see 'construction happening across a good number of sites' and the council would more Part V units made available next year as those developments are completed. He assured councillors that the council would be taking up all of the Part V provision it is taken, and sometimes more by negotiation with the developer in question. The council has given a final report on how it responded to the crisis that saw a fishing vessel sink off the Balbriggan coast at the end of January. The fishing vessel Atlantic Osprey sank off Balbriggan on the morning of Monday 30th January, 2017. Staff from Corporate Services, Environment and Operations attended at the site to monitor the incident and A meeting of the council's Oil Pollution Response Team was held in the afternoon to discuss potential for a pollution incident on shore. The team assessed all available information including predictive modelling charts provided by the Irish Coastguard and determined that there was a low risk that the light film of diesel oil which had been spotted in the water would come ashore. However as a precautionary measure it was decided to move oil pollution response equipment and materials to a staging area adjacent to Balbriggan harbour ready for deployment if required. The oil film broke up in the days that followed the sinking and the vessel broke up during Tuesday and the owners arranged for a salvage team to remove as much of the debris as possible before it washed ashore and also collected any materials that had already washed up on shore. The council said it did not incur any significant expense, apart from staff time during the operation but a claim to recover these costs will be lodged with the vessel owner's insurance company. Cllr Kieran Dennison (FG) who called for the report on the incident, congratulated the council and its emergency response team on their work in the wake of the incident and the council chief executive, Paul Reid said he was grateful that the crew of the vessel were unharmed. A gym owner has avoided a prison sentence for beating his girlfriend and breaking her teeth after she questioned him about being out late. Kevin Loughnan (28) brought 10,000 to court as compensation for his now former partner. Judge Melanie Greally ordered that this be paid over. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Loughnan attacked the woman after she poured a bottle of Sprite on his head to wake him up. His defence counsel called the assault a 'brief alcohol fuelled incident of great seriousness'. Judge Greally said: 'It was a most brutal and abrupt end to a lasting and valued relationship' but that it appeared to be 'an aberrational incident of violence'. She said it was a 'borderline case' but that she was not going to impose a jail term. She imposed a three year sentence which she suspended for three years on condition Loughnan remains alcohol free. Loughnan of The Maltings, Skerries, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at his home on October 4, 2015. Sergeant Darren Barry told Monika Leech BL, prosecuting, that the couple had been out in Skerries before the incident. Late into the night Loughnan went to another premises with his friend while his girlfriend went to his house. She waited there for Loughnan and was upset that he was late home. She tried to sleep but couldn't because she was too upset. When Loughnan arrived home she asked him where he had been but he told her he was going to sleep. When he went to sleep she poured the Sprite over him to wake him. He got up and pulled her by the hair before punching her to the face and chest. He then pulled her onto the bed and poured the rest of the Sprite onto her. When she started to scream he put his hand over her mouth. The victim fell to the floor with blood coming out of her mouth and Loughnan said 'Oh my god, what have I done?' The woman then went to Loughnan's parents for help and she was brought to hospital. She was treated for two broken teeth and swelling to her face. She had to spend two nights in hospital. Loughnan went to the garda station the next day and made admissions. Defence counsel John Fitzgerald BL said Loughnan and the woman were in a five year on and off relationship. He said she was very generous towards the accused in her victim impact report. Counsel said Loughnan did a degree in business studies before setting up his own gym. He handed in various letters and testimonials for his client and said Loughnan was conscious of the shame he had brought on his family. A man who killed a young mother and seriously injured her 15-week-old child when he hit them with his car while in 'a micro-sleep' has had the balance of a two year jail term suspended on appeal. Dublin man Anthony Handley (64), of Whitethorn Grove, Artane, had pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to dangerous driving causing the death of Olivia Dunne (31) and serious bodily harm to Eabha Dunne in Balbriggan on January 17, 2014. Gardai believe Handley drifted off momentarily before his off-road SUV veered from the road and hit the two victims. He had no alcohol or drugs in his system. Sentencing Handley to two years imprisonment on May 2016, Judge Patrick McCartan said he was a good man with a blameless record but he should have been alert to the fact that he was becoming tired behind the wheel. Judge McCartan said he was imposing the two year sentence 'to send out the clear message to the community that fatigue must be a phenomenon in the minds of all drivers'. He also banned Handley from driving for ten years. The Court of Appeal found a number of error's in the sentencing of Handley. He was given a new two year jail term but had the balance suspended on conditions. His driving ban was unchanged. Giving judgment in the three-judge court, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said Handley, who had only four hours sleep overnight, was driving towards Balbriggan shortly after midday on the day in question when he lost control of his car and swerved across the road striking a young mother wheeling her child in a buggy. Eyewitnesses said Handley's car swerved suddenly across the road without breaking. Handley was unable to explain why the accident occurred. It was initially suspected that he suffered a mini-stroke and this possibility was the subject of intense medical scrutiny. Ultimately, the medical evidence suggested otherwise and the only other rational explanation was that Handley had fallen asleep. This likely cause prompted him to plead guilty. Ms Dunne was killed instantly and her infant daughter was significantly injured. Such were Eabha's injuries she wasn't expected to survive but she 'defied the odds', according to the court's judgment. Handley was a father of three and a grandfather. He worked his entire adult life and had no previous convictions. Although separated from his wife for ten years, he moved back into the marital home to be her primary carer. She has a serious illness. The court was anxious to emphasise that by any standard this accident was a dreadful tragedy with the most appealing consequences for the family of Ms Dunne and her young daughter Eabha. Mr Justice Mahon said the sentencing judge 'unfairly penalised' Handley for the delay in pleading guilty; 'erroneously attributed' to Handley a motivation to explore 'the depth of a technical or other defence'; Deemed his efforts to investigate the medical cause for the accident as in someway diminishing of his remorse and attached insufficient weight to the mitigating factors particularly his role as main carer for his estranged wife. Finally, Mr Justice Mahon said the net custodial sentence of two years was 'unduly harsh'. Mr Justice Mahon said the possibility or suspicion that there was a medical cause for Handley's loss of consciousness clearly exercised the minds of his doctors from day one. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice John Edwards, said the court would allow the appeal. Handley was resentenced to two years imprisonment but any unserved portion was suspended. The trial of a special 30kmph speed limit on a Swords estate has so far failed to slow traffic down and the council is facing criticism that the new speed limit is not sufficiently advertised on the estate. Cllr Eugene Coppinger (AAA/PBP) said the speed limit on the signage on the estate needed to be 'vastly improved' and went on to comment that residents on Ridgewood estate in Swords where the special speed limit is now in place, needed to be better informed by the council of the new limit. In a written response the council explained: 'A 30km/h combination sign has been placed at the entrance to Ridgewood. An additional 30km/h combination sign has been ordered for placement at the entrance, to increase the visibility of the sign for motorists entering Ridgewood from a southerly direction. The additional sign will be installed as soon as it has been delivered. 'The installation of repeater speed limit signs within an enclosed residential area is not a requirement of the Guidelines for Setting and Managing Speed Limits in Ireland.' While welcoming a commitment to an additional sign, Cllr Coppinger said he believed multiple signs were required and the existing one in place on the estate was 'almost hidden'. 'I'm not sure many people in the estate know that the speed limit has changed. The only indication of it is a sign you can miss quite easily,' the Swords councillor added. Council engineer, Colum Gallahger said the new speed limit had been through a public consultation process and was being trialled on six estates in Fingal. He said however, that a speed survey had been taken in the estate shortly after the speed limit changed and as far as he could remember, there was 'no change' in the speeds on the estate. Senior Executive Officer in the council's operations department, Shay Barker said that perhaps something could be done to improve the awareness of the new speed limit on the estate through the council's communications department. Cllr Coppinger agreed and said that if there was no change in the speeds on the estate following the introduction of the new speed limit then the trial would be a 'complete failure'. He said: 'The fact there has been no change is very, very disappointing.' Mr Gallagher said the survey was perhaps taken too soon and resolved to take a new survey once the new sign is in place. A local TD has mounted a strong defence of the local Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service and insisted the Government to commit to making no changes to its operation. Deputy Darragh O'Brien (FF) told the Dail: 'The bottom line is that the DFB ambulance service and its structure work extremely well, as my colleagues have outlined. What Fianna Fail as a party and the members of the DFB are really concerned about is the removal of the delivery of that service from the DFB. The reason they are so efficient is because they manage it themselves. They are all trained paramedics and can work with any of the appliances. We saw it with the terrible bus crash in Dublin. Everyone who is on that rig is a trained paramedic. It works. 'Dublin City Council and Mr. Owen Keegan have an issue with funding and that is all it is. The HSE is looking to amalgamate this. The DFB complements the HSE ambulance service. This is not a turf war issue. I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment on behalf of the Government that there will be no changes to the operation of the DFB ambulance and to pledge and commit to that.' Minister for State, Helen McEntee responded, saying that the Minister for Health had not yet received a final report of the review of Dublin ambulance services commissioned by the HSE and Dublin City Council and 'if any change to the model of service delivery is required' a formal proposal would have to be submitted to the relevant ministers. A new Garda presence on the Donabate and Portrane peninsula is up and running following the first weekly Garda Clinic held by the community policing unit in Swords at Donabate and Portrane Community Centre. Following on from feedback from local representatives on the peninsula, District Superintendent Gerry Donnelly has approved a trial for a satellite Garda clinic in Donabte. The first clinic was held on Valentine's Day and will continue every Tuesday from 11am to 1pm in the community centre. The service may be extended depending on the interest it generates, according to local gardai. The clinic will enable local residents to have documentation, including passports signed, to receive crime prevention advice and to report any local concerns they may have. It will be staffed by members from Swords Community Policing Unit and anyone in the area is welcome to drop by to say hello or stay for a chat. Garda Eimhim Matthews and Sergeant Terri Fergus from Swords Garda Station hosted the clinic on Valentine's Day which came as a welcome response to local fears about the crime in the area. Local Fianna Fail TD, Darragh O'Brien has said the establishment of a local Garda clinic in the Donabate and Portrane area, will play a crucial role in assuring our public and providing much needed support in the locality. Deputy O'Brien and Cllr. Adrian Henchy recently met with the local Garda Superintendent and Inspector to discuss crime and policing issues in North Dublin and the need to increase the Garda presence on the peninsula. 'Sustained cuts to garda resources over the past four years, including the closure of the Garda station in Rush, have impacted on the force's ability to effectively carry out their duties. Garda resources are limited in our area with a total compliment of 72 Gardai assigned to Swords Garda station, this is down from 84 in 2010,' explained Deputy O'Brien. Speaking as the clinic opened, Deptuty O'Brien said: 'During our recent meeting with Gardai in which we discussed the concerns of constituents and the local neighbourhood watch group, we proposed to establish a clinic in the Donabate and Portrane area and operate it on a trial basis. 'I am very pleased that the Gardai have acted on our suggestion and the first Garda clinic took place today.' He concluded: 'The Gardai will be on hand during the clinic to sign and stamp forms and answer any queries or concerns. Members of the force will also bring along frequently used forms including driving licence applications, to help with details. I will continue to fight for additional Garda resources in North County to protect our community and provide ease of mind to those that have fallen victim to crime in the locality.' Residents in Rush are rebelling against a 'tree culling' by Fingal County Council at several estates around the town in recent days. One concerned resident told the Fingal Independent of his 'annoyance at the culling of all the mature trees in the Rush area, of late'. The irate resident said: 'Its a disgrace what's happening here. In a town where Fingal county council have been seriously lacking in planting trees down through the years but to cut down mature trees in a mass cull is appalling to me and many others in our town. The council are saying that its policy to cut down trees within five metres of lamp posts but would it not have been a better policy for the council to come and check that in the first place 20 years ago instead of culling perfectly healthy mature trees, seven of which have been removed in the Kenure Park and Crescent area in the past week.' Late last week. residents in Woodland Park were also given notice by the council that trees on their estate would have to come down, something which the residents are resisting. The angry resident said that Rush Main Street, because of tree removals there, was now 'a barren wasteland compared to the lush and leafy main streets of Malahide, Swords and Skerries'. He concluded: 'While the council do good work in our town i am appalled at their decision to destroy such beautiful trees and roadscapes in such a wanton fashion.' The council told residents the removals were in line with its tree policy which states that trees within five metres of a light standard must go. The long-running saga to restore the popular cliff walk at Portrane is rumbling on as the council continues to negotiate the acquisition of a strip of land needed for the permanent relocation of the walk. The cliff walk was closed last year due to health and safety concerns with the local authority concerned the path was in danger of falling off the edge of the cliff. Last September, an agreement was reached on a plan to move a section of the walk further inland and away from the cliff edge for six months until council engineers can work out a more permanent solution that could restore the walk to its former glory. That longer-term solution required a strip of land that is currently in private hands and the council revealed, at this month's meeting of the Swords/Balbriggan Area Committee that it is 'liaising with the landowner' with a view to acquiring that strip of land. But in the meantime, local councillor, Adrian Henchy has expressed some dissatisfaction with the current arrangements for walkers in the area. Calling for an update on progress on the project, Cllr Henchy said: 'I am led to believe remedial works have been carried out but are not fully complete as many pedestrians have expressed serious reservations at the conditions of the cliff walk in close proximity to the Tower Bay end of the walk'. The council replied: 'A temporary track has been created on the side of the farmer's field to divert walkers away from the more dangerous sections of the cliff path. The Council is liaising with the landowner with the view to acquiring a strip of land to allow for the permanent relocation of the coastal pathway in this location.' The farmer that has allowed the temporary path diverting walkers away from the dangerous cliff edge while a more permanent solution is worked out by engineers has been roundly praised by locals. Last September when that temporary arrangement, due to last six months, was put in place. Cllr Hency and his peninsula colleague, Cllr Paul Mulville (NP) welcomed the move. Cllr Henchy paid tribute to the local landowner who has facilitated the move inland and to council engineers for their 'diligent work behind the scenes' on the issue. The cliff walk is hugely popular and its closure for several months last year caused a great deal of controversy locally. How to solve a conflict in the South China sea is not what you expect students in Rush to be concerned with but that is exactly what a couple of dozen students from fourth and fifth year in St Joseph's Secondary School had to put their minds to when they participated in the Model United Nations Conference organised by Davis College. The event, which took place in Cork City Hall, required participants to debate and draft resolutions to real world issues such as media censorship, conflict in the South China Sea area, mental health well-being of the youth, universal access to education and reforming the UN. Each delegate was assigned a particular country in advance of the conference and was required to take on the role of spokesperson for that country. The Model United Nations concept is designed to empower students by replicating all aspects of functioning of the United Nations. All ideas and comments put forward on each of the topics had to be influenced by economic and social factors of the relevant country and required research in advance of the conference. St Joseph's has been successfully taking part in Model United Nations conferences for the past five years and it has grown in popularity amongst senior students within the school, ever since. Students take on the task of becoming diplomatic problem-solvers with a humanitarian conscience. T hey develop critical thinking, public speaking, analytical and social awareness skills, all of which lead to enhanced academic performance. It ignites a passion and understanding for international affairs and develops oral literacy and confidence in public speaking. Well done to this year's delegation. Meanwhile, at St Joseph's, thoughts will soon be turning to the end of year charity ball that is run at the school on an annual basis. Last year's ball was organised by a group of fifth year students and raised 1,000 for the Irish Cancer Society who gratefully accepted a cheque for that amount from the students recently. That was not the only charity work the hard working students of St Joseph's have been involved with in recent months. Just a couple of months back, in the run up to Christmas, senior students in St Joseph's Rush were involved in a campaign of bag-packing and running a food drive in aid of the St Maurs conference of the St. Vincent de Paul. In total, the dedicated group of students raised the enormous amount of 8,200 in cash for their efforts. With the help of individual donations of food by students and staff in the school and from the local community, a grand total of 11,700 worth of food was the final result. After days and nights of buying and moving the food to St. Maurs GAA, the students, decked out in Christmas jumpers and Santa hats transformed into little elves for the day and turned the delivery of food into 285 fabulously packed and wrapped Christmas hampers. Accompanying the hampers was 500 worth of meat vouchers. The sense of community spirit was electric as the students and teachers worked late into the evening. The hampers were then handed over to the St Vincent de Paul for distribution in the local community. The teachers involved were overwhelmed by the reaction of the students and how they embraced it with so much positivity, sensitivity and enthusiasm. The school would like to thank the local community for the support given to this project. Lives will be put at risk and public safety will be compromised if proposals by the HSE to remove the delivery of Dublin's, including Fingal's, ambulance service from Dublin Fire Brigade and merge the service with the National Ambulance Service. This is according to Garry Hayden, SIPTU Union Representative, Advanced Paramedic and Fire Fighter at Swords Fire Station. Dublin Fire Brigade (DFB) is calling for the retention of the delivery of services from it call centre to be retained. DFB crews are now engaging in industrial action, balloting for strike action. 'We are not striking about pay,' said Mr Hayden. 'We believe our own safety is being compromised because our ambulances won't have fire crew as back up at incidents and we also believe public safety will be compromised.' 'We have all the equipment, here in Dublin we one of the highest survival rates of cardiac arrest in Europe because of our system and the HSE are now trying to change that.' He explained if the HSE take over control of DFB's ambulances, what will happen is that the HSE will then send an ambulance from, for example, Loughlinstown or Cherry Orchard to the Swords/Fingal area, if the Swords ambulance is not available. 'They will also send a First Responder from the community but they won't consider turning out a crew of fire fighters, who are trained Advanced Paramedics,' said Mr Hayden. 'If a cardiac arrest happened around the corner from Swords Fire Station, and if the HSE are in control, they are going to dispatch the nearest ambulance, which could be in Loughlinstown, Maynooth, Drogheda or even Carlow, if the Swords ambulance is not available but not dispatch fire fighters,' he said. Only last week, a person went into cardiac arrest in a car park in Rivervalley and Swords Fire Fighters responded to the call because it was their control centre who sent them out and the HSE sent out First Responders. 'I'm not downgrading the work of First Responders, they do a great job, but they wouldn't be paramedics and we have paramedics just down the road at the Fire Station who wouldn't be turned out under the HSE,' he said. 'It's just madness, it's politics and it seems the long term goal is to privatise the emergency services,' he said. He explained DFB, which has 800 fire fighters who are trained paramedics, is run under a system of Command and Control - with officers in charge telling the team what to do. 'If the HSE take over that call, ambulances will be sent to car crashes, without a fire engine, which is the current policy down the country, and then if someone is trapped in a vehicle, they will then dispatch a fire engine, rather than sending us all out at the same time,' he explained. He said it doesn't cost any extra to send a fire engine to a scene as they are full-time workers and are in the station anyhow. He said the DFB system is of Gold Standard and so efficient that the UK are bringing in their system. 'And now the HSE want to take this away from us,' he said. He said DFB should be given full control of Dublin which would then mean the HSE could re-deploy their resources from Dublin to around the country. An extra five ambulances for DFB would mean the HSE could run their ambulances in other parts of the country, where they are needed. 'This is something we will go out the gate for because its not about money,' he said. 'We never went on strike during the financial crisis, but this is a whole different ball game. We live in Dublin, we have families here too, so the idea that this is going to be down graded to what they have down the country is not good,' he said. There was a great turnout at the launch of a new history book at Gorey Library last week. Records and Revolution was written by Ferns historian Christopher Power. Power is also very familiar to people in Gorey through his previous job with the Court Services in the town. According to some authorities there is no such definition as 'local history' as all actions have a knock-on affect far beyond their points of origin and nothing demonstrates this truism better than Christopher's book. In the beautiful full colour publication Power examines the often quirky aspects of local historical events involving soldiers, clerics and civilian personalities. From Wexford to Santiago de Compostello in Spain, from Ferns to Nantes in France, significant events are unravelled and explored. These include Fr Ned Redmond, the Wexford priest who saved Napoleon's life. Fr John Murphy of '98 fame, as a student priest in Spain, the strange career of Bishop Nicholas French of Ferns Christopher book flyer and many other stories of the past. Christopher said the book which was launched by Michael Considine of Gorey Historical Society had been very well received. The book is available to buy at John Jackson's and Wexford Book Centre. Wexford County Council has said that the new traffic arrangement in Ferns on the Harrow Road is working well. A 'left turn only' regulation at the junction onto the N11 was introduced in the past fortnight, meaning motorists heading for Dublin must now turn left up to the roundabout, before looping back. Senior engineer for the district Neville Shaw said that the measure was called for by the district councillors on several occasions. 'It was voted by the councillors at the last council meeting,' he said. 'It will improve the traffic flow at that junction.' He said that under the old system, in the mornings especially, and again in the evenings, traffic built up at the junction at Dunbar's pub across from Applegreen. 'Getting out onto the junction can be tricky enough, but if you're turning right, you're waiting to cross over an already busy road,' he commented. 'Traffic now turns left and up to the roundabout and back down.' He said there have been no complaints so far. 'People I've spoken to seem to be happy with it,' he stated. Under-11 winners Gorey Educate Together NS: Jack Monaghan, Jamie Kinsella, Eva Doran and Ailbhe Flynn with Tom Brennan of Gorey CU. Orlagh Cannon, Dandan Walsh, Paddy Keavey and Colum Baxter from St Mary's, Ballygarrett, at the quiz. Mary Byrne, James Kinsella, Niall Logan and Evan Mulcahy from Ballyduff NS at the quiz. The annual Gorey Credit Union school quiz took place at the Community School, where 20 schools participated in the first round to battle it out for a spot in the next round. The quiz, which is for primary school level, has two categories - under-11 and under-13. There were 39 teams in total with 19 in category A (under-11) and 20 in category B (under-13). Gorey Educate Together pupils Jamie Kinsella, Jack Monaghan, Aibhe Flynn, Eva Doran were the overall winners of category A. The team from St Joseph's Primary School in Gorey, James Cleary, Conor Hughes, Daniel Ennis and Oisin Byrne, were the winners in category B. The members of both winning teams each received a certificate and a goody bag. They will now go on to represent their schools at the regional final at 'chapter level', which will be held in March. The quiz was organised by Gorey Credit Union marketing manager Tom Brennan, with quiz masters Jenny Swords and Fionnuala Doyle. 'We would like to thank all of the volunteers who helped on the night and made the night such a success,' said Tom. Winners from the regional stage will represent Wexford in the national final in Dublin's RDS on April 9, with Marty Whelan as quiz master. A hundred qualifying teams will be competing on the day. Gorey Little Theatre was rocking last week as trad band Cuig took to the stage with students from Bunscoil Loreto. The evening of traditional music and dance was hosted by Gorey-Ballygarrett CCE and was headlined by up and coming new Irish trad band Cuig who hail from Armagh. The young band have just returned from the renowned Irish Heartbeat Tour in Germany. The youngsters are not only setting the musical world on fire as a band but also individually holding many All Ireland titles between them. Similar to many young people in Wexford Cuig got their first taste of music when they joined a local comhlatas group. In addition to a performance by Cuig Ireland's leading sean nos dancer Irene Cunningham also took to the stage on the night. The children from Bunscoil Loreto joined the band and Irene on stage on the night adding a very local flavour to the concert, which went down a treat with the audience. Some young local acting talent are getting ready for one promising barrel of laughs with an upcoming production. Members of the Drama Club at Colaiste Na Riochta secondary school have been working tirelessly in preparation for the big performance of their latest production - 'A Wake in the West' by Michael J Ginnelly. And it comes as something of a cautionary tale for all - about the dangers of alcohol! A Wake is set in a small fishing village in the West of Ireland in the 1970s. "After a life devoted to drink, it is no surprise that Tom Healy's dying wish is to be buried in the drink - at sea, that is!" is the promising tagline. The hilarious string of events around poor Tom's demise will be brought to life on Thursday, March 30, at 7:30pm in St. John's Theatre. The play has been described as "An archetypal Irish sitcom that combines the most solemn of situations with unrelenting comedy." Since the play was first performed in Westport, Co Mayo it has been a massive hit with audiences from Mayo all the way to San Francisco, leaving people in tears of laughter. The young actors of Colaiste na Riochta urge everyone interested in homegrown, fun drama to come along on the night. If you are a parent or guardian of a school leaver, next Wednesday, March 1, is a date for your diary as Kerry College of Further Education, Tralee, is hosting an event that is aimed at informing parents of options available to school leavers outside of CAO. Parents are often involved in the decision- making process. With this in mind the college decided to provide an information evening specifically geared towards educating parents about the sector of further education. The focus will be on how the courses at KCFE allow school leavers to access high point third level courses at various Universities and Institutes of Technology throughout the country. As well as that, parents will be given all the information they need on the extensive range of quality assured courses which qualify students to go directly into employment afterwards which is the goal of many school leavers. Guidance counsellors around the county have been contacted via the Kerry Branch of IGC and informed of the event. The event takes place on Wednesday 1st March. The first talk will commence at 5.30pm sharp. Alternatively, parents can opt to attend the 7pm talk. There will also be an Open Day held in the college the following day. The ladies at Cheryl's Sliming World in Tralee and Killarney have been busy losing pounds and gaining euros lately. What started as a routine collection of loose change finished up with a cheque worth 1,063 for Pieta House. The fundraiser started last October when members of Cheryl's Slimming World classes started collecting change. It was then put to them which charity they should choose and a resounding thumbs up was given to Pieta House. "When the money was collected we asked the ladies where the money should go and they had a vote amongst themselves and it was decided to give the money to Pieta House. We didn't realise just how many people between the two groups whose lives had been touched by suicide. It was a revelation. It was also very moving once people started talking about their own experiences," said Cheryl Cavanagh. Class members then decided to bump up the total by running a very successful Christmas raffle. "We're very grateful to the members and local businesses who donated prizes. The final amount was 1,063 and Pieta House said they were delighted. The members were adamant that they wanted the money to stay local," added Cheryl. Cheryl's Sliming World Tralee-Killarney takes place in The Brehon on Tuesdays and The Meadowlands on Wednesdays. Contact 089 2263767. Two men have pleaded guilty to the robbery of Waterville Post Office last August. On the third day of their trial before a jury at Tralee Circuit Criminal Court, Marcus O'Rourke (46) of Rathanane, Kilcummin, and Brian O'Sullivan (32) of Coolies, Muckross each pleaded guilty to the robbery on August 3 last year. Both men had previously denied any involvement in the crime. On Tuesday morning - following two days of legal argument in the absence of the jury - the men were re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to four charges arising from the incident. They have now pleaded guilty to robbing Lisa O'Reilly Foran of cash to the value of 5,000 at Waterville Post Office and damaging a Hyundai car, property of the Garda Chief Superintendent at Tralee. They also pleaded guilty to ramming a blue Mazda into an unmarked Garda car occupied by Garda Christopher Manton and Garda Celine Ryle at Kill, Kilgobnet, Co Kerry, on August 3, and of having a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit a robbery at Waterville Post Office on the same date. Judge Tom O'Donnell remanded both men in custody to Cork Prison until the court call-over on April 3 when a date is expected to be set for sentencing. While the case was due to last around two weeks legal argument meant that evidence from only two witnesses was heard. This came from a Dutch father and daughter who were on holiday in Kerry at the time and who got caught up in the morning raid. Saskia Hiejner told the court she had just left the post office with her parents when the robbery took place. "I was holding the door when a guy walked past and I thought it was very rude the way he brushed past me. Then another guy pushed past me with a gun. I yelled 'get out, get out' and we ran to the shop to get help," Miss Heijner said. She said the men were both masked and one was carrying what looked like a 'black automatic handgun.' As she ran towards the nearby supermarket she stopped and took a picture of the robbers' getaway car with her phone after her father told her to get a photo. She then described how the men ran from the post office and into the car before speeding away, almost hitting a large truck as they sped around the corner. Her father Mathijs - who said one of the robbers was carrying a yellow crowbar - said he asked his daughter to get a photo once he knew his family was safe. "I yelled get out to my family and we ran to the supermarket. I yelled at my daughter to get a photo," he said. "I knew it was the wise thing to do and it would help later on," said Mr Heijner. There is as yet no final date for the opening of a 40-bed mental health care centre in Killarney that is sitting unused for the last two years and which was originally hoped to have been opened by next month. The latest twist in the saga of Deer Lodge has come in a HSE response to an ultimatum to the service by mental health nurses threatening industrial action. SIPTU-member mental health nurses in the county are threatening to ballot for industrial action if the HSE fails to release mental health nurses who are currently working with adults with intellectual disabilities in another Killarney care facility back into the county's mental health service. The ultimatum comes amid protracted negotiations on staffing between the HSE and mental health nurses, represented by both SIPTU and the Psychiatric Nurses' Association. SIPTU is concerned over the continuing deployment of mental health nurses in the Cluain Fhionnain unit in Ballydribeen. But the HSE told The Kerryman this week its Community Healthcare Organisation (CHO) said that many of the nurses currently working in Cluain Fhionnain will be back in the mental health services by May - although not all. "A number of residents [of Cluain Fhionnain] have already moved to houses in the community. Another eight are due to move by May, allowing for the closure of the Bridgeview Unit. This will mean that almost half the facility will be closed, and will also release significant numbers of Mental Health nurses," a spokesperson said. They explained that an 'active commissioning group' is now working to finalise a date for the opening of Deer Lodge, pending staffing negotiations. Ageing parents of adults with intellectual disabilities spoke of the pain and trauma being caused them by the lack of respite beds in the county at a public meeting in Listowel on Thursday in which emotions ran high. The meeting, in response to a Kerry Parents' and Friends' Association respite home built in Kilmorna outside Listowel but not yet open due to a funding shortfall, was attended by up to 50 families. Fine Gael County Councillor Mike Kennelly, who is representing families in their concerns, told The Kerryman he was appalled by the hardship outlined by many parents. Just 14 respite beds exist in the entire county for adults with intellectual disabilities at a time when many parents are finding it increasingly difficult as they get older to care round-the-clock for adult children. "In one of the most hard-hitting testimonies we heard one woman said she now prays every night that her son might die before her and her husband as she fears so much for his welfare after they are gone," Cllr Kennelly said. "It was just disgusting really to hear how alone and vulnerable now many elderly parents are, trying to cope with the sheer physical demands of coping with the care of their loved ones." The four-bed home in Kilmorna, built to the highest of standards for the KPFA now lies idle due to what the HSE says is the lack of funding required to open it. The HSE admitted to The Kerryman that the existing level of respite in the county is inadequate. "The Community Healthcare Organisation for Cork/Kerry acknowledges that the existing level of respite in Kerry does not meet the need," a spokesperson said, adding the service is working to increase provision: "We are working on an ongoing basis to secure funding so that the level of respite can be increased." Sympathy among families over funding problems is running dry, however. "We don't want to hear anymore excuses. There's a four-bed house sitting there unused, we want it funded and opened," Cllr Kennelly added. The HSE said it provided the funding to buy the house in support of the KPFA: "This was a first step to extend respite services in Kerry. We felt it was important to move ahead with the purchase while the funding was available. Unfortunately, we were not successful in securing funding in the 2017 budget to open this service. We will continue to work to secure that funding." It also said that HIQA standards had slowed the provision of respite here. An alcoholic who woke a woman by beating her and demanding she perform oral sex on him has been given a six year sentence for sexual assault. The 28-year-old woman had been drinking with the man in his apartment when she fell asleep. She woke up to him standing over her and punching her in the face. He was repeatedly saying "suck my c**k, suck my c**k". She was naked but had no idea how she had got into the state of undress. The 42-year-old man pleaded guilty at the Central Criminal Court to sexually assaulting the woman in a Kerry town on May 27, 2013. The accused, who is a painter and decorator and originally from Limerick, has 36 previous convictions. Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy had adjourned sentencing after hearing evidence last December to allow for the preparation of a probation report. On Monday he noted that in the report the accused showed some degree of empathy for the victim and that The Probation Service considered he may be a candidate for supervision in the community. He imposed a six year sentence and suspended the final two years on condition that the accused abide by all directions of The Probation Service including offence focused counselling, engagement with alcohol treatment services, as well as training, employment and educational services At the original sentence hearing in December a local garda said she responded to an emergency call and found the victim sitting in the stairwell of an apartment building naked and hysterically screaming. She said the man had assaulted her, that he kept trying to put his penis in her mouth and she bit him. The garda told Marjorie Farrelly SC, prosecuting, that the victim told gardai the man was still in the apartment and she was concerned that he was going to self harm. Officers forced the door of his apartment open and found the man slumped to the floor with his wrists slashed. The victim was taken to the sexual assault treatment unit where she was treated for bruising and injuries to her face. The garda said the man was very aggressive. His hands were plastered to stem the bleeding. He later claimed that nothing had happened and said the woman had left his apartment earlier. He was shown CCTV footage which showed she had remained there but said he had no recollection. The garda said the woman, who didn't complete a victim impact report, has since attended for alcohol counselling. Michael Bowman SC, defending, said his client wanted to apologise profusely to the victim. He said the man was an alcoholic who was taken to a psychiatric hospital on arrest as he was not in a fit state to be interviewed. The candlelit vigil held outside University Hospital Kerry on Thursday night in remembrance of those who died while on waiting lists nationally for vital medical procedures and for those still waiting for treatment. Photo by Domnick Walsh Up to 20 people mounted a candlelit vigil in protest over the country's hospital waiting lists outside University Hospital Kerry (UHK) on Thursday, part of a national campaign sparked by deep anger at the revelations of the 'massaging' of waiting list figures. The group, many of whom are members of the People Before Profit Anti-Austerity Alliance, were taking part in the national Still Waiting Campaign, with candlelit protests occuring simultaneously in Kerry, Cork, Sligo, Donegal, Galway, Mayo, Louth and Kildare. Ireland currently ranks 24th of the 28 EU nations in terms of the level of acute hospital beds per population. Just 2.8 acute beds exist here per 1,000 patients, compared to an OECD average of 4.3 (Japan has 13 acute beds per 1,000 patients). "The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, claims he is distressed by waiting lists but he refuses to invest," Kerry PBP representative Brian Finucane said. "To make matters worse, we now find blatant massaging of the hospital waiting list figures. The alliance is now calling for the resignation of Health Minister Simon Harris, significant investment in health and an increase in frontline staff," he added. Attending the latest Bridget Jones film may be perceived as putting myself in touch with my feminine side. Hermione, romantic culture vulture that she is, persuaded me a few weeks ago that the movie would make for a good evening out for two. We gobbled our evening meal and left the children to their homework, departing with dire words of warning not to switch on the television or indulge in the internet. Of course, there was no way that Eldrick and young Persephone could be prevented from lapsing into broadband. The notion that they might choose to spend the hours of our absence from the Manor immersed in study or reading improving literature was mere fancy. Short of ripping out the fuse-box and lining the walls of the house with lead, our decrees were beyond any enforcement. Shucks. Our jalopy pulled up at the polyplex slightly later than intended and we had missed the adverts by the time we reached the last two available seats. The place was packed, absolutely jammers, with all present happy to let the humour of 'Bridget Jones's Baby' entertain. The auditorium heaved with laughter from start to finish and ribs had been well and truly tickled by the time the credits started to roll. Only when the lights came on I realised I was one of just three men in a room with hundreds of women. I have been a follower of BJ since the early days when she was no more than a newspaper column (pretty much low life, you will no doubt agree). I have enjoyed the books and followed our heroine on the big screen down fireman's poles or into the horrors of a Thai prison, wherever the wacky story lines have taken her. But only then it dawned that the overwhelming majority of BJ fans are of the female gender - unlike myself. A similarly lopsided audience imbalance was again evident when we returned to movieland a few days ago.Curiosity stirred by the record number of Oscar nominations for the production, our choice was 'La La Land'. Young Persephone was an eager member of the travelling party, though she admitted knowing none of the songs. Her brother Eldrick made it clear he would rather poke chopsticks into eyes still smarting from 'Les Miserables', an experience which left him allergic to movie musicals. On this occasion, I was on the lookout to see whether 'La La' appealed to the same segment of the movie going public as the bould 'Bridget'. The conclusion was that, yes, 'La La' is for ladies more than for gents, with just ten men spotted at the showing we attended. That number was fell to nine just a few minutes into the screening as one couple left, with mister very much leading missus on the way to the exit. The nine of us lads who stayed to the end along with all the demoiselles were treated to an over-blown mish-mash of a love story that was neither full-scale musical nor genuine romance. Persephone - young but perceptive beyond her years - loved it every bit as much as her father was left ho-humming. She reckoned the promoters had done their best to drum up the fellas by giving Ryan Gosling top billing ahead of co-star Emma Stone though the plot lay more with her. It may well be that men in general really do prefer stories about other men, prompting most of them to avoid 'Bridget Jones'. And chaps typically prefer tales in which there is no chance that the leads will suddenly break into a fandango or foxtrot. On the evidence of 'La La Land', the chaps are probably right. My big problem with all of this is that there is no one for me to talk to. Stumping up the price of a cinema ticket does not gain me automatic entry to those gossipy, girlie coffee and cake circles where romcoms and musicals are debated. One whiff of testosterone and they close ranks or clam up, leaving the male BJ aficionado nobody to trade giggles with about the hilarious scene where Bridget is carried into hospital. Similarly, I am left to ponder alone whether yer man Ryan Gosling can really plays jazz piano or does he have an ivory tinkling body double. Sadly, it may be best to wait for the next Bruce Willis or Daniel Craig spectacular before darkening the door of the cinema again. Quirke Dental Surgeons in New Ross has scooped a top award based on patient service excellence ratings from healthcare search engine WhatClinic.com. WhatClinic looked at 12 months of data from users of its site in relation to Quirke Dental Surgeons including patient review scores, feedback data and clinic contact rates. In 2016 over 17 million people visited the comparison site to find and compare clinics. Quirke Dental Surgeons was only one of a small number of clinics on the site that met the exacting standards needed to qualify for the award. Dr Maurice Quirke said: 'We are delighted to be recognised for our commitment to customer service. We are very grateful to our staff for enabling this award. As a practice, it is something we focus on in everything we do and to receive such positive feedback from our patients is great.' WhatClinic.com CEO Caelen King congratulated Quirke Dental Surgeons and said: 'This year, for the first time - we have made the ratings data that we use to calculate awards visible on our listings. Ratings are useful to both consumers and clinics. 'With these awards we honour clinics that are dedicated to the highest level of customer care. Under new bylaws, funerals will not be allowed take place in Wexford on a Sunday. Under new bylaws proposed by Wexford County Council, funerals will not be allowed to take place on Sundays. The bylaws, which were discussed at length at last week's Wexford County Council meeting, fall under seveal categories, including the layout of burial grounds, burial plots, funerals and headstones. Under the bylaws no funerals will take place on Sunday except in the case of special arrangements and a limitation will apply on the number of plots that any person can purchase at any one time, the limit being two. 'No plot is, under any circumstances, to be registered in the name of more than one person and such person can only be recognised by Wexford County Council as the owner,' the bylaw states. Cllr Deirdre Wadding questioned why it costs more to be buried on a bank holiday or a weekend than it does on a weekday. 'The impression is that it is the gravediggers themselves who are looking for more money.' Cllr George Lawlor urged Cllr Wadding to tread carefully, saying there was an implication in her comment that grave diggers were taking money, when they are staff of the local authority. Director of Services John Carley said extra charges are added to the bill sent to the undertaker if a funeral falls on a weekend or on a bank holiday which are passed on to the person who pays for the funeral. He said bylaws are only bylaws, adding that they have not become established practise in the county yet. Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright said the council will be providing grants to communities of around 25,000 to develop their own burial spaces providing they can show there is a need for them. Cllr Lawlor said: 'We are only digging a hole for ourselves. They could have chartiable status.' Cllr Kathleen Codd Nolan spoke of the great tradition in the county of people burying their neighbours. Cllr Robbie Ireton welcomed funding of around 400 for historical graveyards that are in need of repair. 'It's a small amount of money but with a lot of volunteers you can get a lot done.' Cllr Willie Kavanagh queried why it costs more to bury someone in Oylegate than it does in Crosstown. 'Oylegate is the D4 of the county,' Cllr Lawlor shot back. 'You could have your own graveyard with 25,000,' Cllr Ireton said. Cllr Barbara Anne Murphy welcomed the clarification the bylaws will bring, while Chairman Paddy Kavanagh said they may prevent people from erecting monuments at graveyards in Enniscorthy. Mr Carley said grave diggers are permanent employees of Wexford County Council and would not be affected in any way if funerals were banned on Sundays. Cllr Deirdre Wadding said it gives people great comfort if they can buy their plot. Mr Carley said only in exceptional medical circumstances can there be leeway. Cllr Larry O'Brien agreed, saying: 'People in towns do things one way and people in the country do things another way. I can name numerous people who have bought burial plots and put a few pound aside towards them. A plot should be able to be bought and paid for over a period of time.' Cllr Lisa McDonald said she makes wills for a living, adding that many people would prefer to be cremated than buried in a plot due to a fear of being put in the ground. She said a crematorium is needed in the county, adding that Wexford County Council should have a policy on this. Cllr Ireton called on the council to remove the word pauper from the graveyward in Crosstown. 'You can call it a Famine graveyard, but these are people,' he said. Cllr Wadding said the council could work with Waterford and Kilkenny for a crematorium for the south east. Cllr Kavanagh replied: 'We could call it the Three Sisters Crematorium,' to loud laughter. The bylaws can be inspected at local authority offices until March 24. The devastated father of Tina Cahill, the New Ross woman charged with murdering her fiance, has spoken of his family's despair at being so far away from her during this horrendous time in her life and of how they will always be there for her. Daniel (Dan) Cahill said the first time he heard that his daughter was charged with the murder was on the radio on Saturday morning. Tina, 25, from Pondsfield, New Ross, was due to appear in court on Sydney on Sunday charged with the murder of Daithi Walsh (29) last Friday, but was too distressed. A police spokesman said she was due to be brought before Parramatta Bail Court. However she chose not to appear via video link as her lawyer said she was too distressed to do so. She was further remanded in custody and is due to appear before Burwood local court tomorrow (Wednesday). Tina had been in a relationship with Daithi (Davey) Walsh, a father-of-three from Enniscorthy for over a year, and the couple got engaged on New Year's Eve. The daughter of popular charity workers Dan and Rita Cahill, Tina has been living in Australia for four years having initially emigrated to Melbourne. Dan said the first the family heard about Tina being charged with Mr Murphy's death was on the radio on Saturday morning. 'Someone rang Rita on Friday night and told her that Davey was dead but that was all we knew. 'The first I heard about Tina (being charged) was on the radio on Saturday morning. It's hard to think about it because you don't know what happened. All we want to do is speak to her. Rita is broken up and in bits and we're just trying to cope.' Dan and Rita plan to travel to Sydney to be by Tina's side once they get more information about the court case. 'She is probably in a holding cell at the moment. There was supposed to be a court hearing Saturday night, (Sunday morning their time).' Tina worked in Melbourne when she first emigrated before moving to Sydney, where she lived with two friends from New Ross. 'She worked in a variety of jobs and recently got a job with a traffic management company. She loved it over there,' Dan said. Describing his daughter as a hard working, fun loving, warm person, Dan said: 'She is a brilliant girl, unbelievable. She never stopped. She was always working and was a manager at Tesco in New Ross before she emigrated.' Dan, Rita, Tina's sister Mairead and her son visited Tina in Australia at Christmas for three weeks. 'She was so excited to have us over and had everything planned for us. We did a lot of sightseeing and travelled up the coast. Davey was brilliant to us when we were over there.' The former St Joseph's NS and St Mary's secondary school student got engaged over Christmas and the Cahill family were looking forward to their wedding day. Dan, who previously ran Rochford's shop in the Three Bullet Gate area of New Ross with Rita, and who now works as a digger driver and volunteers with New Ross River Search & Rescue, said: 'We are just about coping. I am working today to keep my mind off it...It's so hard with the distance involved. We are in a state of shock and helplessness.' Neither Dan nor Rita have been able to speak to Tina and they do not know if she has been in contact with any of her friends. Dan said the family have been buoyed by the tremendous support of the people of New Ross. 'Everyone has been unbelievable. The house was full with people all day on Sunday.' They have been speaking to a liaison officer about the case and hope to get to speak to Tina over the coing days. 'I will be there for her and we all will,' Dan said. Former New Ross town councillor Victor Furness said the entire town of New Ross is in shock. Mr Furness said: 'The Cahill's are very respected in New Ross. Dan is very much part of ths search and rescue team and both he and Rita are involved in the search and rescue shop.' Mr Furness said a lot of negative comments have been made on Facebnook about Tina which are very hurftul to family members. 'I am numbed and I find this so difficult to take as Tina is one of our own and you hear about all these comments on Facebook. That is why I don't believe in Facebook. People should be very careful about what they put up on it as it's damaging to people's lives.' Concern was expressed by councillors that plans to remove rate relief from shops who are selling items for charitable purposes and are resultingly competing with local businesses, led to a heated debate in the council chamber. Head of Finance Annette O'Neill said traditionally Wexford County Council has provided full relief of rates to properties claiming to be in operation for charitable purposes. Ms O'Neill said in recent years it became clear that some of the ratepayers claiming this rates relief were, in fact, deriving a profit from the business. As a result some enhanced controls were implemented including a requirement to provide evidence of registration as a charitable body with the Revenue Commissioners to qualify annually for the current rates relief applied. Ms O'Neill said it will take several months for charity shops to register for the 2018 rates relief. Sixty rate accounts have availed of full relief from commecial rates in 2016 to date on the basis that these properties are registered as charitable organisations. The total value of the rates relief for these properties is 231,381. Ms O'Neill said the minority of the properties are in competition with other rate-paying businesses in the county. She said around 24 of the rate accounts comprise businesses that are in direct competition with other ratepayers with an estimated annual rates charge in the region of 80,000. Cllr Michael Sheehan said many rate paying businesspeople are doing everything they can to stay open. 'They are competing with charity shops who are not paying rates. There are several shops that are in our towns that are operating free gratis. They are making things difficult for the ordinary rate payer.' Cllr Davy Hynes said many charities depend to a great extent on their shops. 'If you didn't have charity shops during the recession you would have had a lot of empty premises on the streets of these towns. A lot of charities don't get any help.' Cllr Oisin O'Connell expressed concern about having too broad a definition of what a charity shop is. 'It could squeeze out people who are not competing with other retail outlets.' Ms O'Neill said any business which has failed to be awarded charity status can appeal the decision. 'If they are selling second hand clothes I don't know if they can be deemed to be in competition but it's up to the valuation officer.' Cllr Willie Fitzharris said the move could have an unintended adverse effect on worthwhile projects, while Cllr Johnny Mythen said certain charities like Talk to Tom rely totally on income made through their charity shop. Ms O'Neill said if the shop's books show that they are making a profit they may not be eligible for the relief. She said Wexford County Council was operating outside national practise by allowing the reliefs. 'We were doing this for practical reasons as it was taking too long for the valuation process. I would fully expect that all of the charities will get the exemption but it gives us a justification to tell the other retailers who are contacting us on a regular basis. I honestly don't think there will be an issue at the end of this.' Cllr George Lawlor called for the matter to be adjourned. He asked if charity shops are designated core retail, adding that a number of legitimate businesses were denied planning permission to open in Wexford town as they were not deemed to be core retail. 'They would have employed people and the businesses would have paid rates but a charity shop can come in to a main retail area and because of their designation as core retail open.' Cllr Hynes seconded this proposal, saying: 'I'd be afraid that we'd rush this.'. Cllr Jim Moore said charity shops run by community groups raise money which is reinvested in communitiies across the county. Cllr Sheehan said certain shops with charitable status designation run cafes and merchandise and are very 'slick'. 'They are using the banner for their on purposes,' he said. Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright said: 'We can bring this back for discussion (at the next meeting) but it gives a little less time for the charities. There is legislation going thorugh at the moment which gives preference to certain types of retail over others, increasing the cost of rates to business you don't want on the main street, like betting shops and amusement arcades and so on.' Recent years have seen the Sniper Elite series elevate from the quirky action-stealth curiosity it began life as to a more serious and fully-fledged idea with all the deliciously period trappings of WW2. While the Sniper Elite games can't claim to have had a bad instalment since their inception in 2012, it is probably safe to say that they haven't enjoyed the critical acclaim they so desperately long for, nor have they realised the potential that has been bubbling just below the surface for the past 5 years. If you haven't yet experienced a Sniper Elite game, then this is the one with which you should get acquainted with. Sniper Elite 4 sees you take the wheel of Karl Fairburne's destiny during WW2, as a sniper on the Italian front, an unusually bright and frankly beautiful setting. The stunning Italian vistas might bring an entirely new look to Sniper Elite, but Fairburne's mission will conjure familiarity for anyone already up to speed with the series. A gruff impersonator of Metal Gear's Solid Snake (in both voice and tactics), Fairburne is cast as a 1940s American superhero. From hundreds of yards, your careful and deliberate sniper aim will shatter a man's skull. Your close combat strikes will rupture enemy's internal organs, while snapping the spine of opponents is also possible given the right conditions. Much of Sniper Elite is spent simply staring down the scope, waiting for your marks to make fatal mistakes, or using thunderstorms and artillery fire to mask the crack of your rifle as you dispense of your targets. Graphically, Sniper Elite 4 is the best the series has ever been. Console gamers will see a marked improvement over the previous title, while higher-end PC gamers can simply bask in the glory of some of the dazzlingly beautiful set pieces. While some of the gore and blood splatters may be a little over the top, there can simply be no denying that killing virtual Nazis hasn't really lost its lustre. Granted, the story is a little humdrum at times, but the consistently interesting and expertly crafted gameplay is enough to make me come back to the Sniper Elite games year after year. John Lonergan, the former Governor of Mountjoy Jail, was one of a number of speakers at Kennedy College on St Valentine's Day as part of Respect Week. The idea of Respect Week was first mooted in 2013 when at a school strategy team meeting the staff felt that respect was a core issue they faced. Each year since then the school hold Respect Week where they highlight the need for respect - respect for themselves, respect for others, respect on school, in homes and in the community. Last week the school staff asked three members of the community to come to the school and talk to the students about respect in their respective roles. Fire Station Officer, Cyril McGarr, Junior Liaison Officer with An Garda Siochana, Niall O'Donnell and past pupil and Councillor Michael Sheehan who is also a past pupil each talked to the students about respect in the community, for authority, in sport and social media. The former Governor of Mountjoy Prison, John Lonergan also addressed the students on the issue of respect and proved to be the icing of the cake for the week. Mr Longergan entertained parents, students, teachers and guests alike. He delivered an impromptu, relaxed, thought provoking and highly humorous talk on the importance of respect in life. John shared his experiences with the audience in a very entertaining way. After introducing himself as a Bansha man, John discussed what respect has meant for him. He began by saying that everyone needed to feel heard, not just listened to but really heard. He said that although people listen all the time, they may not always actually hear what another person is saying. To be respectful of someone is to hear what they are really saying. To people in authority John emphasised the importance of respect in dealing with others. Recalling his time as Governor, he spoke of not making things any more difficult on people than they already were. He also made the point that how people in authority react to situations determines what will happen next. He asked that people not be judgemental, either of others or themselves saying that everyone has the right to be who they are and to be respected for who they are. He recalled a story about a youngster coming home from school to tell his parents how he got 19 out of 20 in his spelling test only to be asked which spelling did he get wrong! He said that positivity and praise was far more beneficial and helpful as a motivator. Being nice and kind in dealings with others has joint benefits, he said. Addressing the students in particular John asked that they,do nothing that they do not want to do. Peer pressure to get involved in drugs and alcohol can be strong, he said adding the students need to be careful to always make the right decision for themselves. John's talk was so clear and simple. He spoke of things that everyone already knows but that people need to be reminded of. Thanks was extended to all four speakers and to the staff. One of the most 'bling' properties to come on the market in Sligo for some time can be found at 25 Ardfinn on Farmhill Road. The spacious three bedroom Duplex is a unique mix of urban contemporary chic and 'rock star' opulence. Think moodlighting. Heated balconies. Marble stairways. Surround sound systems. Granted, the neon pink-lit baths or lime and chocolate striped wallpaper may not be quite everyone's cup of tea, but calming silky blues and 'cream bun' hues in other areas more than compensate. Why spoil a good kitchen by cooking in it when you can just sit and admire the Bosch appliances, Quartz counters and walnut units? A large open-plan living area comprises said kitchen along with elegant dining area - sectioned off by a faux brick wall - and large wide sitting room which looks out onto one of the Situated just off Strandhill Road, Ardfinn is a quiet suburban setting within an easy walk of Sligo city centre, and a short drive to a range of wider natural amenities. The agents, Sherry Fitzgerald Draper, say this kind of property is ideal for those looking for a spacious luxury home without large grounds to maintain or "simply those looking for the ultimate in modern living." It contains Garofoli solid doors throughout, an LED lit marble staircase to Heaven which in this case, is three double bedrooms ( one en suite) with windows aplenty and main grey marble effect bathroom with aforementioned pink-lit bath. Living in a home like this, you'd be drawn outdoors on even the coldest days to the balcony which is heated by special ceiling heaters. Built by Kevinsfort Developments at the height of the boom in the mid-noughties, the Duplex is seen by agent Niall Draper of Sherry Fitzgerald Draper as ideal for two kinds of buyers. "It's very luxurious. The previous owner is moving out to build a family home," Niall told The Sligo Champion. "This would suit a young professional couple looking for a 'wow pad' or a retired couple looking for a home with no outside maintenance in a luxurious setting," said Niall. It's on the market for 265,000, a price which will be easily reached and some, according to Niall. "We've already had good interest in it, yes," he added. And the best part? The owner will throw in the furniture as part of the sale - for a price of course. A man accused of stealing a car battery from the side of a house in Ballisodare claimed a lot of people were "grateful" for his efforts. "I just drive around all estates looking for aluminium, copper and scrap," Michael Sweeney told the District Court. "I did knock on the door. A lot of people does be grateful [sic]. I've come across a lot of batteries. You don't want to leave the batteries around the back because there's acid in them. It's dangerous for children," he added. Sweeney (40) of Old Bundoran Road, Rathbraughan, pleaded guilty to theft at 4 Salmon Court, Ballisodare on July 14th 2016. Inspector Paul Kilcoyne told the court that it was a battery worth 140. "The injured party had bought a battery in Halfords and had left it at the side of his house. Opportunistically, the defendant saw the battery and took it," he told Judge Kevin Kilrane. Mr Mark Mullaney, defending, said his client was looking for scrap on the day in question and admitted he was in the area. "He assumed it was scrap. He took it. He didn't enter the house. There was nobody in the house so Mr Sweeney wasn't able to knock on the door to find out if it was scrap," he said. Judge Kilrane said the reality is Sweeney was "cruising around alright" and considered that fact was very serious. "He was looking for what he could steal in the area. People are warned about the likes of you, cruising around estates and then there's a half innocent explanation given," he said. He convicted Sweeney of theft and fined him 500. Sweeney said the money would be in court by May 4th. "If you come before the court again cruising around in your car looking for scrap it'll be dealt with much more harshly," warned the judge. Forthill resident Danny Monaghan pictured with Tony McLoughlin TD, Minister Simon Coveney TD, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Clr. Hubert Keaney, Clr Dara Mulvey and Ciaran Hayes, CEO Sligo County Council at the turning of the sod for a new 22 unit housing scheme at Fr O'Flanagan Terrace last Friday As speculation mounts as to the future of An Taoiseach Enda Kenny, a man tipped to be amongst the front runners in any leadership contest, Simon Coveney has said the Fine Gael leader should not be rushed into making any decision. Minister Coveney was speaking in Sligo on Friday morning where he turned the sod on a housing scheme at Forthill and hosted the regional launch of Ireland 2040, a rural redevelopment plan. "There isn't a leadership contest right now. We've been through a difficult week as a Government. I think that the view in the party is that we want to settle the Government down. "There's a lot of talk about leadership contest and so on and I think that reflects the conversations that have been happening within Fine Gael about ensuring that we are prepared for an election should that happen even though I think people think that's unlikely and when you face down a motion of no confidence like we did this week, well then people obviously then talk about what if there was an election and if we are ready and I think that's where the conversation around the leadership has emerged as obviously the Taoiseach has said he wouldn't lead the party into the next election and so that raises the issue of leadership. "So, my view on this is very clear, Enda Kenny is leader of the party and has been for 15 years. "I trust him and his judgement in terms of when the right time to look at making changes in the party will be and I don't think we should be trying to rush that." Minister Coveney agreed that Kenny is under pressure to name an exit date but he said that's because lots of people want to get the excitement of a leadership contest underway. "Enda has been here before and I don't think he'll be rushed by other people. "He'll think about this and he'll make up his mind and I think he'll share that with the party when he is ready and I don't think we should be trying to force that process. "I've know Enda for a long time and he's not the kind of person who's going to be rushed by other people. "He'll make his own mind up and I think he's right to do that. I think he has earned that right as well He's been an extraordinary Taoiseach through a very difficult time and he is still a very strong leader of the party. "He does have the respect of the party and I think they will give him the time and space to do that. "There are certain people in the party who have come out and are trying to force things but I don't think that is the right thing to do. "I think we'll get through next week and we'll move on from that. "At some point in the not too distance future the party with Enda leading that party will have a discussion about how we make the necessary preparations and changes well in advance of any possibility of an election but I think it's really important to separate what's been happening this week and that process. "And, I think people like me need to focus on our responsbilities as ministers like he is doing as Taoiseach. "All in good time I would say." He added that there's an acceptance there's going to be an election contest but that there was also huge trust and respect in Enda Kenny that he should decide when that happens. "The majority in the party want to move on from a difficult week. There are some in the party who I think are making demands that are unreasonable of Enda Kenny and I think he is strong enough and I think he comfortably has enough support to make up his own mind in good time," said the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. The Minister turned the sod at Father O'Flanagan Terrace where 22 units will be built. The homes will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom houses and apartments, which are designed to achieve an A3 BER rating, making them some of the most energy efficient houses in the town. The overall cost of the project is around 3.7m and it will provide valuable construction activity in the town. "Delivery is now happening for social housing in a real way, and today is an example of that. "We are getting projects approved and launched and nationally, we now have over 500 approved social housing projects that will give us around 8,500 new social homes, and we're constantly adding to that list". The Minister urged local authorities to accelerate the delivery of housing units and make the most out of the major public investment that is going into housing. And he assured local authorities that the funding is there to support their efforts. The Minister paid tribute to the Elected Members and Council Officials in Sligo for bringing this new and ambitious project forward and wished the contactor, Brendan Sammon Ltd, the design team and all involved in this project, all the very best in achieving the timely delivery of the new homes. The scheme at Fr O'Flanagan Terrace will be done in two phases. "I hope that in 18 to 20 months, I or somebody else will be back here cutting a tape and celebrating with new residents who will be moving in here, many of whom who might have been on a waiting list for for far too long," said the Minister. Farmers from Sligo and the North West are expected to stage a major protest tomorrow at Sligo Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Dunally. It's in a bid to prevent its closure. The Sligo lab is under threat of closure from the Department of Agriculture which is reviewing all six regional vet labs. Farmers are encouraged to bring their jeeps and trailers to the protest at Dunally from 1-3pm Wednesday 20th February. Officials from the Department of Agriculture are expected to be present. Local farmers have expressed outrage that moving the service to Athlone, which is being considered, will force them to make lengthy round trip journeys with carcasses for testing. MEP Marian Harkin has lent her support to the farmers. "The Regional Veterinary Laboratory in Sligo has been a vital service for the farmers of the North West region in helping them to identify and remedy animal health problems which adversely affected their incomes," she said. "The Sligo laboratory also plays a significant role in helping to protect Ireland's animal health status which is a major positive marketing tool in promoting the country's food products on a worldwide basis", the Independent MEP said. She said it was absurd that a structure of regional laboratories, which relied on the continued co-operation of farmers to bring animal health threats to the notice of the authorities, should for a relatively small saving financially threaten the country's exemplary animal health status, she said. She called on the Minister for Agriculture to have regard for overall government rural proofing policies, by immediately intervening in the present attempt to centralise veterinary services on the basis that 'if it ain't broke don't fix it'. An online petition is at www.gopetition.com to save the Sligo Regional Veterinary lab. Sligo Plates Printers located at Grattan Street which was operated by Mr Michael Hemani adjacent to a former building society A printer has agreed to sign a lease which will allow him return to a premises owned by a bank which operated previously from the same building. However, Michael Hemani told Sligo Circuit Court that he felt he was being coerced into signing the lease. The court was told there had been a long running dispute between Mr Hemani and Ulster Bank which was the subject of a High Court proceedings where various orders were made. This included one that Mr Hemani was entitled to a new lease on the premises at Grattan Street where he had run a printing business Sligo Plates for the best part of 37 years which he described as his "second home." The building, which also fronts on to O'Connell Street was formerly a First Active Building Society but was now in the ownership of Ulster Bank. Mr Hemani failed to take up the offer of the new lease and Ulster Bank brought proceedings before Judge Doirbhile Flanagan seeking possession of the building. Mr Hemani, who represented himself, told the Judge he could not go back into the building because his equipment had been damaged. He outlined how the High Court had awarded him a weekly sum in a separate action but said he was informed this was used to reduce arrears of rent. Judge Flanagan told Mr Hemani she could not re-visit issues already decided by the High Court. She explained that if he did not sign the lease, Ulster Bank were entitled to proceed with seeking a possession order on foot of a notice to quit. "Having sought and given the new tenancy you will not sign it ?" - Judge. She added: "They will say very well, and they will proceed for an order for possession and it's difficult to see in the circumstances how they are not entitled to possession." The Judge explained to Mr Hemani that another High Court action taken by him against Ulster Bank seeking damages could proceed regardless of whether or not he was in possession of the premises. Mr Hemani said the relationship was so bad with the bank that he could be waiting another ten years for his damages. Judge Flanagan stressed a number of times to Mr Hemani that he had a choice to either sign the lease or the bank was entitled to proceed on the notice to quit. Mr Hemani said the bank had been in breach of its duty of care and also with regard to repair. He quoted the judge in the High Court case who said the bank had failed miserably to repair the building both the interior and exterior. Judge Flanagan said the proceedings before her court were not an opportunity to revisit the matters decided by the High Court. It was put to Mr Hemani whether he wanted to sign the lease or not and the Judge said that because he was a lay litigant she was giving him latitude Mr Hemani said he would sign the lease but asked if the court would give him protection that his case for damages in the High Court won't be adjourned. "I've no power as a judge of the Circuit Court to interfere with High Court proceedings. I cannot make any order" - Judge Flanagan. She added that the case for damages was of no concern to her. "Are you signing?" - Judge. "It's an impossible situation. My Constitutional right to earn a living is being taken away from me. "So, the court is asking me to sign a lease without a means to work it," - Mr Hemani. Judge Flanagan told Mr Hemani that he looked for and got a new tenancy in the High Court and attached to its orders is a new lease. "If you are signing they are not entitled to an order for possession. It's a matter for you," said the Judge. "I want that lease but I don't think this court has understood me very well. "Should the court not at least find out what is holding me back from signing that lease?" - Mr Hemani. After again indicating he would sign the lease, Judge Flanagan said she would rise for ten minutes. "If the lease hasn't been executed in that time I'll simply hear the application for possession," said Judge Flanagan. Upon resumption, Mr Paul Fogarty BL for Ulster Bank said the lease had been signed. Mr Hemani asked the Judge could she ask Ulster Bank to pay him the loss of his weekly earnings straightaway. Mr Fogarty said Mr Hemani had not paid rent for a long period but that credit would be given where appropriate. Mr Hemani said loss of earnings had nothing to do with arrears of rent. Mr Fogarty said a sum of 3,086.52 was due to Mr Hemani in loss of earnings. Mr Fogarty said Mr Hemani should have gone back into the premises in January 2015 but he had refused. Mr Hemani said he had no access to it until June. He then told the court that he felt his case had not been heard properly. "I have signed a lease under duress. The court gave me no choice." Judge Flanagan said the court did not force him to sign the lease and that he had simply been asked whether he wished to do so or not and this had been made perfectly clear to him. "It seems to me and maybe I'm wrong but you are not entirely clear of the case beingmade by the plaintiff." Mr Fogarty undertook to write to Mr Hemani setting out what was owed by him since Jnuary 7th 2015 and what was due to him. The proceedings were struck out and costs awarded to Ulster Bank. Judge Flanagan said the plaintiff had no option but to come back to court in the absence of the execution of the lease by Mr Hemani. It's usually worse in the mornings says Catherine, referring to a condition she has slowly got on top of after several years fighting it head on. Morphine patches for pain, an inability to get out of the bed, fatigue, depression and general lack of interest are just some of the symptoms of fibromyalgia. There's also what is termed the fibromyalgia fog as it called which can occur any time of the day but mainly first thing in the morning. "I could wake up and if there was someone talking to me and asked me something it would take me a minute or two to digest what has been said and another minute to reply. "People can interpret this as me simply not answering, that I have a hearing problem or that I'm ignoring them or that I'm simply stupid," says Catherine who lives in Manorhamilton. As the day progresses the fog can descend at any time Fibromyalgia is a condition affecting the soft tissues. It tends to be seen predominantly in women but can occur in men, and in all age groups. It took a while for the illness to be recognised with many in the medical field believing it to be psychological in nature as symptoms could be seen as depression It's far better known in the US and in 1993 the World Health Organisation finally distinguished fibromyalgia from other rheumatic disorders. The medical world is leaning to seeing it as a disorder of the nervous system rather than of the musculoskeletal system as was previously thought. There's no specific cure with each of the symptoms being so varied but it's a illness that many are coping with through trial and error. Catherine was born in London of Irish parents, Joe and Kitty. Joe had left North Leitrim as an emigrant and Kitty was a native of Offaly. They ran a pub in London and for the first five years of her life Catherine lived there where they were involved in the Irish community. Catherine's parents returned to Kiltyclogher in the mid 1970s. "My father decided it had become just too busy and stressful and sold the pub," says Catherine. Her father bought a pub in Kiltyclogher and it was more of a social thing than anything. London became a draw for Catherine again after she finished school and found work hard to come by in the area. In 1987 she left. She wasn't alone. Some 20 other young people from the area left at the same time. "Most stayed in London, very few ever came back to North Leitrim," says Catherine. In many ways it's the story of North Leitrim. Lack of jobs and emigration of its young peole. The story hasn't changed to this day. However, for Catherine the draw of home was too much to resist and returned to Kiltyclogher in 1995. "At the time there were so many new faces in the area with these strange accents due to rural resettlement and there was a great buzz. There were some 30 houses in the village's main street inhabited at the time but this has dwindled to about four now. The pub was sold. Her dad died in 1998 and her mother two years ago. A life changing event occurred to Catherine in 2003 when she was involved in a major car crash. She describes it as being "the beginning of the end of my life." As a consequence she had to undergo three major back operations. "It saw the collapse of my immune systems and I suffered nerve damage," she says. A variety of symptoms began to hit her out of the blue. "I mainly had pain and fatigue and it was being put down to depression. The back I had back trouble too I was just thrown medication and was basically told to get on with things. "I found my life was on hold. I couldn't plan anything for the next five years. I just couldn't commit to anything on a weekly basis as I had no idea how I would be feeling on any particular day. "Some days I literally hadn't the energy to get up and I spent many days in bed. The first three to four years were bad and I lost friends because of it. When I didn't turn up for something they'd lose interest and couldn't really understand what I was going through. "I didn't know fibromyalgia existed until about four years ago. I was on the phone and I got this bad pain in my left arm and also pins and needles. I dropped the phone. A couple of days later I dropped a hot cup of tea. "I panicked and went straight to my GP who told me I had a condition called fibromyalgia. "He was great and I also did a bit of research and the condition comes under the auspices of the Arthritis Ieland. There's also a Facebook page on the condition but there's no support group, certainly not in this area. In many ways it is a new disorder. "I undertook an information course on fibromyalgia last year and it was very informative but they're still only learning about it. It's a learning process with it," she says. And, you just learn to cope she says. Catherine began to find relief from her symptoms through adopting a holistic approach. Rekki, in particular she found good for calming her anxiety. "You learn to accept the condition and for me I had to toughen up," she says. She'd like to set up a support group in the area so people can get in touch, discuss their symptoms and share what works and doesn't work. Catherine also stresses how social interaction is important too for combatting the effects. She finds social dancing brilliant and she sings and plays music. She always tries to play music in the background as it releases positive dopamines in the brain. Even a trip to the library in Manorhamilton is a focal point that is good for keeping depression and anxiety in check she says. "Exercise helps too. I'm very positive and I am in a much better place than three to four years ago. "I'm no longer taking medication and I'm very proud of that. I had been on very strong morphine patches for the pain at one stage. Two weeks after stopping using them I was feeling strong withdrawal symptoms. I was on the patches for about a month but to be honest I wasn't feeling much relief from the pain. "I'm not a pill popper but I just felt it wasn't working for me and I told my GP this so I just stopped. It's very important for me to be not on medication. I was prescribed anti-depressants too but I wasn't on them for long and again I wasn't feeling any benefit. " she says. Catherine says that when she first found out she had the illness it didn't feel like she had much of a future but the holistic approach was vital. "I have myself totally to thank for turning things around. I've a great fighting spirit. The only person who can help is really yourself." Vitamin B is important and she's also cut out sugar. Stress is not good for fibromyalgia either.However, the vagaries of the Irish weather can play havoc with the condition too. A simple cold can lead to flu or chest infection. "I found the rainy weather is far worse. Lst summer was particularly bad. I spent most of it in bed curled up with a water bottle. I'd look out the window and there just wouldn't be a desire to get up. When it's frosty it's no problem. So, I don't ever want to see a summer like that again. I didn't even want to speak to anyone on the phone and you'd get into a rut quite easily as a result." Ideally, six months of the year in Spain would be ideal. Such are the effects that working isn't really an option. It's literally one day at a time. Catherine is optimistic about the future given that fact she has conquered it to a great extent and knows that works. "I don't think there's a cure but I believe you can on top of it. You just never know though when you might get a different symptom and you just target each one as you get it." Anyone who may be interested in contacting Catherine about her condition and maybe the possibility of setting up a support group can email her on redrover2015@yahoo.com Wicklow members of Macra na Feirme have been enjoying a very busy time of late. A number of representatives have been chosen for competitions and events taking place across the county and at national level. Wicklow Macra is proud to be represented by its nominees for various competitions which will be groups from all over the country competing. Claire Lacey has been selected as the Wicklow Macra contestant for the Miss Macra event while Susan Langrell will compete in the Miss Blue Jeans contest. This annual event takes place on the June bank holiday weekend at the Blue Jean Country Queen festival in Co Meath. Brian Sunderland will fly the flag for the male members of Wicklow Macra as he competes for the title of Mr Personality while Deirdre Arnold will compete to become Queen of the Land. There was plenty of fun at the recent selection night with a great turnout of new members. Best wishes are extended to the four competitors ahead of their respective events later this year. There is cold. And there is very cold. And then there is omigod, that's really freezing, get me out of here before my heart seizes up! That was the reaction of your reporter when he joined the ladies who launch themselves into the waves each morning in Bray. Surely people in their right minds do no submit themselves to the perishing winter waters of the Irish Sea on a daily basis? Oh, yes they do. Just turn up any morning at the north end of the seafront close to the boulders of the breakwater to witness them in action. And, if you do arrive there some day, then please consider bringing your swimsuit, because they will be glad to induct new members into their ranks. Just be sure to have nice big fluffy towel so that you may dry off as quickly as possible after submersion in the heaving grey tide flecked with seaweed. At this time of year, it really is omigod cold and not for the faint hearted, though some days the water is probably warmer than the air The sound of the sea is inescapable all along the seafront, of course, as the waves rattle the stones of the strand even in the calmest of weather. Most folk who come here for recreation prefer to stay dry, safe above the tide mark, as they walk the dog, go for a jog or simply take a stroll. Those who choose to strip and dip are a minority but, though few in number, they are relentless believers in the health giving benefits of such exercise. The women in action the morning that the pictures on this page were taken are all mature enough to know their own minds. Their friends may well view their behaviour in this regard as slightly eccentric but they come across as entirely sane people in love with life. And they are unanimous that sea bathing, even for just a minute or two, is a real tonic for the body and for the mind whether or not there is a brrr in the month. Reporting on such an occasion is difficult, if only because there really is nowhere handy to store a notebook securely in a pair of Speedos. It is also inevitable that shivering fingers will experience difficulty grasping a pencil after turning ghostly yellow in the cold and wet. Just who said exactly what to the visitor has almost certainly been muddled on account of the poor working conditions experienced by your journalist. Nevertheless, he wishes it to be known that, no matter how cold the water, no matter how painful the stones he had to walk across, no matter how cutting the south east breeze, the warmth of the reception he was given dispelled the chill. The swimmers are drawn to a tiny red and yellow hut, more like an off-cut from a lorry container, than an actual building. It sits on its concrete base amidst desert of stones, at least 20 metres from the high tides mark. For most of the swimmers, those 20 metres are a more testing challenge than the water, no matter how low the temperature or miserable the weather. They learn quickly to ease the pain of the walk from hut to sea with slippers as they find that the choice of shoe is much more important than picking the right togs. Jewellery is optional. 'Mind the dog poo,' is the advice to the visitor. The swimmers perform an occasional clean-up of the litter that accumulates at this less fashionable section of Bray's great lateral seaside park. They are quietly proud of their dedication to the cause and firmly convinced that swimming is good for body and mind. Margaret: 'It gives you energy for the rest of the day.' She has respect for the power of the sea: 'Most of the time it is lovely here but it changes by the minute.' These free-spirited individuals are not given to laying down the law but one rule is strictly observed: no one goes into the sea alone. There is always someone around to raise the alarm or come to the rescue - just in case. Annette: 'How long we stay in depends on people's constitution.' Clearly it does not count as a swim unless you duck your head under the surface and perform a stroke or two. Some are quick dippers happy to wade in, splash around briefly and then head back dripping to the shore. Others are determined to take some genuine exercise and head breastroking off in the general direction of Bray Head. The trick is to swim parallel to the shore, without taking the risk of being swept out in the general direction of the Isle of Man by tricky currents. The exercise is abandoned completely during storms but today the swell is gentle. The attendance at 11 a.m. is shy of double figures. They report that they were able to work up a good appetite for the turkey on Christmas Day but New Year's was a gale racked washout. They reckon the ritual is observed around 300 days out of the 365. The numbers showing up rise at weekends when younger enthusiasts are free to turn out because they are not at work. There is a national long distance swimming organisation but the Wednesday ladies all stress that they are an informal group not given to joining groups. Nevertheless, they and their male counterparts have been known to club together and raise funds for good causes such as Purple House cancer support. In summer, they may hang around beside their hut and have a picnic, sitting on the stones to enjoy a chat but at this time of year, the comforts and hot beverages of a cafe on the Quinsborough Road are too alluring to ignore. Audrey: 'We are not here for lack of swimming pools in Bray.' The town boasts two perfectly good swimming pools, the Royal and the Shoreline, but they do not make the outdoor ritual redundant: 'This is a totally different experience. You just feel a million dollars afterwards.' Afterwards. Afterwards is the key word. After the swim, the skin glows and the air tastes like champagne and the whole body glows. Afterwards. Audrey Collins is the main mover behind the outdoor swim and believes that the glow extends beyond the psychological to a series of health benefits, lowering blood pressure and toning up the skin, not to mention dealing with the symptoms of the common cold. 'It is always cold getting in but warm coming out,' she says - and it is true. She insists that such exercise releases endorphins which combat depression: 'If you have any worries, the swim drives them away.' She also points out that seawater contains iodine which is good for the thyroid and all manner vital minerals. She certainly seems to have taken the benefit. Audrey is 62 years of age and reveals that she has been swimming since she was four. She was just one among a generation who learnt their strokes from Peggy Steele at the other end of the seafront at the now derelict Cove pool. Half a century later, she is now a properly qualified lifeguard. Audrey looks back at days when, for six old pence, you could spend a summer's day at the Cove lapping up the sunshine and playing with friends. She left Bray to study in Limerick but, when she returned, she was often tempted back into the open sea which is the town's great natural resource. It was around four years ago that she called a friend to join her for a morning splash around which became a regular occurrence. It turned out that they were not alone in their enthusiasm and the idea of the daily dip has snowballed since. Audrey Collins has been a fierce campaigner for changing facilities to encourage the pastime, ever since the day she came out of the water to find that her knickers had been washed away. She learned her way around the relevant local council offices and introduced herself to the elected representatives. 'They all know me. I pestered everyone - it was a matter of stalking them.' The lobbying has not ended with the provision of the hut, for which they are very grateful. The swimmers now want a second hut and a public toilet. Showers would be nice too, they all agree. They are part of an impressive local swimming tradition which has produced some serious athletes. Former Olympian Gary O'Toole is from Bray, as is water polo champion. They are also part of an outdoor movement which extends to other towns and harbours along the Wicklow coast. Back on dry, or at least dry-ish, land the women pile into the hut and the noise level goes up as everyone enjoys a good natter. Margaret: 'The Forty Foot in Dun Laoghaire is beautiful but I found I was swimming on my own there. It's the camaraderie here that appeals and you feel warm for the rest of the day. It is very good for the circulation.' Fiona: 'I go for the swim and not just the dip. You need to go every day.' Anne: 'I have been swimming in the sea for thirty years - it's the energy you feel coming out.' Annette: 'It is invigorating and exhilarating.' The draft for the new Rathdrum Local Area Plan 2017-2023 will remain on display until March 20. The proposed new plan and associated documents can be viewed at the Wicklow County Council Offices, Station Road, Wicklow town or Rathdrum Library and the mobile library. The plan includes objectives for the proper planning and sustainable development of the area, maps, and appendices, including strategic environmental assessments and strategic flood risk assessment. Hard copies of the plan are also available for purchase at the planning counter in the County Buildings. Submissions can be made up until the deadline of March 20. They should be addressed to Administrative Officer, Planning Section, Wicklow County Council, Station Road, Wicklow Town. They can also be emailed to planreview@wicklowcoco.ie. All submissions should include your name and a contact address and details of any organisation you are representing. A garage sale and car boot sale will take place during March in Wicklow town to raise funds for the Wicklow Parish Church Restoration Fund. The garage sale takes place on Saturday, March 4, at The Rectory, Whitfield Lane, Wicklow town. It runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and should have a little something available to suit all possible tastes. Items for sale will include dining tables and chairs, beds, suites of furniture, toys, antiques and more. The car boot sale takes place on Saturday, March 11, at East Glendalough School from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The gates open to sellers from 8.30 a.m. onwards. It costs 10 for sellers with a car and 20 for a van. Tea, coffee and cakes will also be for sale in what should also act as a fun, family-day out. Admission is free and the contact for any further details is (087) 2706616, including any inquiries from sellers who would be interested in taking part in the car boot sale. Plans for this year's St Patrick's Day Parade in Rathdrum are back on track. The St Patrick's Day Committee were deeply disappointed by the low turnout for a public meeting held at the beginning of the month, leading to concerns that a lack of volunteers would mean the parade would have to be cancelled. However, some locals have taken heed of the rallying call and have agreed to volunteer their services to help organise and steward proceedings. 'Ten to twelve people have now come forward and offered to help so things are all on course,' says Committee Chairman, Jimmy O'Shaughnessy. 'The parade has been going on for 26 years now so it would have been terribly disappointing if it couldn't take place this year. We have some new faces getting involved and a lot of floats want to take part as well.' Rathdrum man Dominic Ryan has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the parade, which will start at 12.15 p.m. from Avon Motors. Eleven-year-old Brian O'Hara is celebrating some un-bee-lieveable success as he was named the County Wicklow winner of the annual Eason Spelling Bee last week. Brian fought off stiff competition from 23 spelling enthusiasts to rein supreme at the county final, which took place at Carysfort National School in Arklow. The fifth class pupil will now go on to represent Wicklow in the Leinster Provincial Spelling Bee final. The nationwide spelling bee is part of an overall Eason literacy and reading initiative to encourage and inspire children to develop their spelling and pronunciation skills. Four provincial finals will be held ahead of the All-Ireland final in June. The overall winner of the competition will win a goodie package full of books worth 500 and the prestigious title of the 2017 Eason Spelling Bee champion, while their school will receive a collection of books for their library to the value of 7,500. Mary Cahill, principal of Avoca NS, said that the entire school was 'delighted at Brian O'Hara's fantastic win'. 'This contest was keenly fought and great credit is due to Brian for keeping his cool under pressure and emerging as the eventual winner. Ms Cahill said that Brian had been practising regularly both at home with the support of his family as well as in school, where his teacher Ms O'Neill and classmates were right behind him. In fact, as Ms Cahill explained, back in January, the whole school was given a taste of what Brian faced at the county final last week. 'The sixth class at Avoca NS organise the end of month treat for the entire school. Ms Byrne and her sixth class organised a spelling bee as January's end of month treat. The entire school enjoyed using their spelling skills in a competitive but friendly manner,' said Ms Cahill. The proud principal, on behalf of the whole school, also wished Brian well in the next stage of the competition, the Leinster final. Court services won't be returning to Wicklow Courthouse for at least another two years as the building hasn't been included in refurbishment works planned for seven other courthouses. On Wednesday, in the Dail, Deputy Pat Casey asked Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald, whether the Wicklow Courthouse would be among the courthouses to face refurbishment under the Action Plan for Rural Development, action 102, over the next two years at a cost of 135 million. The Tanaiste replied that the Court Services had informed her that Wicklow Courthouse was not included in the plan alongside courthouses in Drogheda, Letterkenny, Cork, Limerick, Mullingar, Wexford and Waterford. 'The Courts Service has also informed me that a number of years ago they acquired a site adjacent to Wicklow town courthouse with the objective of refurbishing and extending the existing building. However, the Courts Service has advised that there are no immediate plans to refurbish Wicklow town courthouse but that this matter will be kept under review subject to available resources,' said Minister Fitzgerald. Wicklow Courthouse used to host all county circuit court matters up until 2008, when the sittings moved to Bray. District court sittings also moved to Bray in 2010 and the court has been sitting idle ever since. 'The Courthouse building in Wicklow town is an important if not crucial part of our County Towns built environment and has been a matter of deep concern to all who wish to see Wicklow Town centre redeveloped to its full potential,' said Cllr Pat Casey. 'When Fine Gael launched their rural action plan to great fanfare I was initially happy to see action number 102 which stated the following 'Complete the planned programme of courthouse refurbishment works in seven locations with an investment of 135m over two years and estimated employment of 700 over the construction period.' 'I then asked a parliamentary question to ascertain that Wicklow Courthouse was one of the seven proposed refurbishments. The answer which I received on St Valentine's day could not have been more disappointing. Not only was Wicklow Courthouse not on the list of seven refurbishment projects but the Minister stated 'there are no immediate plans to refurbish Wicklow town Courthouse'. Deputy Casey is particularly disappointed at the news as assurances were given two years ago by Simon Harris, then Minister of State for the OPW, that Wicklow Courthouse was one of only five city and county courthouses requiring development, and was considered the most advanced of these remaining projects. 'I am shocked at this answer as it flies in the face of firm commitments that Fine Gael gave the people of Wicklow as far back as 2015 when Minister Harris announced that Wicklow Courthouse would be included in a refurbishment plan by the Courts Service. 'Confidence in our political system is not helped by making promises that are then forgotten about. The people of Wicklow Town deserve better than broken promises. I will continue to work to get this vital re-development project back on track. A number of important services such as free legal aid were lost to Wicklow and they must be returned,' added Deputy Casey. Cllr Gail Dunne feels the failure to include Wicklow Courthouse in the latest round of refurbishment works be a major blow for the town. 'I am angry at the failure of Fine Gael to honour commitments given to the people of Wicklow Town about the redevelopment of the Courthouse. Everyone in the town wants to see the Courthouse returned and were happy that Fine Gael committed to this. Now that trust has been shattered.' A woman cancelled her ex-boyfriend's insurance shortly after they parted but didn't tell him, Wicklow District Court heard on St Valentine's Day. Ivan Clinch (33), 23 Bulford Crescent, Kilcoole, appeared before the court to face a charge of driving without insurance at Main Street, Kilcoole, on March 13, 2015. Solicitor David Tarrant said that while his client admitted not having insurance, he had an explanation. Clinch's ex-partner told the court that they broke up and she cancelled the insurance coming from her account. 'I was angry at him,' she said. 'He didn't know.' 'You cancelled his insurance and didn't tell him?' Judge David Kennedy asked the woman. 'You must be very proud of yourself.' Judge Kennedy said that he would not impose a disqualification. He fined Clinch 250 for having no insurance and 150 for holding a mobile phone while driving. It proved a busy weekend for the Glen of Imaal Red Cross Mountain Rescue and the Dublin Wicklow Mountain Rescue teams as they responded to six call-outs while hosting a national hill party leader course. Also assisting on the call-outs were members of the Calder Valley Search and Rescue Team, Galway Mountain Rescue Team, Mayo Mountain Rescue Team and the South Eastern Mountain Rescue Association, who were all taking part in the training course. On Sunday, up to 30 volunteers responded to a call involving a 53 year old man who fractured his leg on Djouce Mountain, located above Lough Tay. Once the injury victim was reached, he was treated on the scene by an advanced paramedic who provided pain relief and placed the man in a stretcher. He was then stretchered off the hill to a waiting ambulance. On Friday night, mountain rescue personnel were involved in a search in the Wicklow Mountains for a female walker who had become disorientated and ended up lost. They were also involved in the rescue of an 80-year-old hill walker who suffered a fractured leg on Saturday. They also assisted the Gardai on searches for several suspected missing people. An Post received over 200 submissions calling for the Post Office at Laragh to remain in service. It had previously been announced that the post office was due to close at the end of January but An Post agreed to reopen the consultation period after community protests calling for the post office to remain open. After complaints over the lack of a consultation process before the decision to close the post office was made, An Post had a change of heart and locals had until Wednesday, February 15, to lodge any submissions. 'We had in excess of 200 individual submissions and then we also drew up a joint submission on behalf of the local community. I know a lot of businesses also lodged their own submissions outlining how important the post office is to local business and the local community,' said Deputy Pat Casey. The community submission outlined a number of measures which campaigners maintain could lead to the post office remaining open at another location in Laragh. 'It is vital we retain the service. We have received a huge level of support. We have had six public meetings, all attended by 100 people or more. 'We also had the public protest outside the post office which was attended by well over 200 people. Often the levels of interest tend to wane the longer a campaign goes on, but not in this case. Now, the support is even more resolute,' said Deputy Casey. Your guide to the coolest road trip in Ireland right now. The summer holidays seem so far away so why not treat yourself to a staycation? And there is nowhere cooler in Ireland right now than the Causeway Coast. You might first think of the Giants Causeway but there is so much more to discover along the North Coast. With so much to see, where better for a weekend road trip? Fuel up the car and pack your bags: the Causeway Coast awaits! Day one Start your road trip with one of the Causeway Coasts best kept secrets, Mussenden Temple. Perched on 120ft high sea cliff above Downhill Beach, the temple is just a 15 minute drive from Coleraine in Co. Derry. This spot is seriously Instagram-worthy: you can see Donegal to the west then the beach towns of Portstewart and Portrush to the east. On a clear day, you can even catch a glimpse of the Scottish Western Isles out to sea. Next stop is Portstewart Strand. The 2-mile long strand on the North Atlantic was the only beach on the island of Ireland to be featured on CNNs list of the Worlds Best Beaches. Take full advantage of the unspoiled golden sands at this time of year: come summertime, it is Northern Irelands favourite seaside destination. Dont miss a chance to see some of Irelands tallest sand dunes as you take a stroll along the strand. On the beachfront sits one of Northern Irelands hottest restaurants, Harrys Shack. This little restaurant has made its name serving fresh and local seafood. What better way to end the first day of your road trip than to watch the sun setting on the North Atlantic while you sample some of the best Northern Ireland has to offer. Spend the night at Blackrock House, a boutique B&B located between Portstewart and Portrush. While the Edwardian property dates back to 1902, the interior has a modern feel and stunning coastal views. This 5-star B&B is perfect for a relaxing evening and you can look forward to the home cooked breakfast, its why their guests keep coming back! Day two Spend your morning stepping in the footsteps of giants. Or at least, that is how the myth goes. The Giants Causeway is the jewel in the causeway Coast, volcanic stepped stacks are lapped by the waves of the North Atlantic. Perch yourself on one of the stacks and take in the stunning view. Make sure to drop by the National Trust visitor centre to reacquaint yourself with the story of Finn McCool: the myth behind the magic of the Causeway. When you have managed to drag yourself away from the Giants Causeway, take the short 15 minute drive to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Follow the 1 km coastal path before you reach the bridge. It is only 20 metres long but that may seem further: it is almost a 30 metre drop to the rocks below. Once you have made it over to the sea stack, drink in the views and check out all the local wildlife like the birds that circle the stack and if you are lucky, you could even spot a dolphin. The only downside? There is only one way back! After the breath-taking views of the Causeway and the dizzying heights of Carrick-a-Rede, you may be in need of a stiff drink. Thankfully, the area is home to one of Northern Irelands greatest exports: Bushmills whiskey. In the town of Bushmills, you can take a tour of the working distillery including the bottling plant. The best part: you get to try some of the distillerys finest single malts at the end of the tour. If you want to continue to sample the best of North Antrim, spend the night at the Bushmills Inn. Warm up at the hotels famous turf fires then enjoy a drink in the traditional bar which is still lit by gaslight. They even have their own private cask of whiskey for guests. At this stage you are bound to have worked up an appetite: finish off your day by tasting the best of Causeway cuisine in their restaurant. Ready for your Causeway Coast road trip? Click here for information and to find out more about the National Trusts North Coast packages: The Romancer, The Mood Booster and The Invigorator. Sponsored by: Coldplay have denied speculation they will perform in Israel and Palestine, telling fans they are just visiting to listen and learn. Frontman Chris Martin shared a selfie of the group on their travels with a statement denying any plans to stage a concert or sign a new contract. The post, on the band's Twitter and Instagram accounts on Friday, read: "Hi everyone. "We are in Israel and Palestine to listen and learn and that's all; there is no concert scheduled, we are just having an interesting and enlightening trip to learn about the area. "The articles suggesting that we have a signed contract are incorrect. "Thankyou so much, love, cm." The trip comes barely two days after Coldplay delighted fans with a performance at Wednesday's Brit Awards in collaboration with The Chainsmokers. Their Something Just Like This track was officially released on the same day. Coldplay will take their A Head Full Of Dreams tour across the globe next month, starting with Singapore on March 31. At least 30 people were killed in attacks on two security locations in the central Syrian city of Homs, officials reported. At least six assailants attacked the security compounds in the al-Ghouta and al-Mahata districts of the city, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests, according to state TV and state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV. The two buildings are a mile apart. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, said there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said the death toll was at least 42 security officers. The Observatory said the branches of the General Security and the Military Intelligence services were targeted in the attacks. Ikhbariyah TV reported that Major Gen Hassan Daeboul, head of the local Military Intelligence branch, was killed. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that is largely unaccountable to the traditional military and judicial hierarchies. The various branches are implicated in some of the more shadowy crimes associated with the six-year-long Syrian civil war, including mass arrests, torture, extra judicial killings and firing on protesters. The human rights watchdog Amnesty International reported in February that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in regular mass hangings in the military's Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015, according to forensic research and interviews with security and judicial officials. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the state's four main security branches, including the Military Intelligence and General Security branches. Homs is Syria's third-largest city and largely in the control of the government. AP Tom Perez said Democrats face 'a crisis of confidence' and a 'crisis of relevance' (AP file/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Tom Perez is the new national party chairman of the US Democrats. Mr Perez beat Keith Ellison in the second round of voting by Democratic National Committee members at their meeting in Atlanta. Mr Perez, labour secretary under former president Barack Obama, gave a speech before the vote, saying Democrats face "a crisis of confidence" and a "crisis of relevance". He pledged to "take the fight" to President Donald Trump and "right-wing Republicans". The Democrats' power-deficit is stark. Republicans occupy the White House, run both chambers of Congress and control about two-thirds of US state houses. Mr Perez and Mr Ellison, a congressman from Minnesota, each pledged to rebuild state and local parties, including in Republican-dominated states. Both said the party must capitalise on widespread opposition to Mr Trump but also work to reach frustrated working-class voters who felt abandoned by Democrats and embraced Mr Trump. Mr Obama said: "Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much." AP Police at the scene in Heidelberg, Germany (R Priebe/PR-Video/dpa via AP) A pensioner died after a man drove a car into pedestrians in a central square in the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday. Three people were injured by the car whose driver fled and was shot after being tracked down by officers, police said. The man, who was driving a rental car, hit three people outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon. A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries in the evening at a local hospital. A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia were lightly injured. The driver, who is believed to have been carrying a knife, then got out of his car, police said. A short time later, he was intercepted by a police patrol and shot by an officer following a short stand-off. The suspect, a 35-year-old German whose identity was not released, was taken to a hospital and underwent an operation. There was no immediate word on the man's possible motives, where he came from or his condition in the hospital. Police and prosecutors said there are no indications of any terrorist background and the man appears to have acted alone. AP Policemen stand around a car in front of a business building in Heidelberg, western Germany, where a man ploughed into pedestrians Getty Images Police vehicle and ambulance stand in front of a business building in Heidelberg, western Germany, where a man ploughed into pedestrians Getty Images A car is pictured in front of a business building in Heidelberg, western Germany, where a man ploughed into pedestrians Getty Images Policemen stand around a car in front of a business building in Heidelberg, western Germany, where a man ploughed into pedestrians Getty Images A car stands in front of a store, guarded by police in Heidelberg, Germany (Image: AP) Three people have been injured, one of them seriously, after a car drove into pedestrians in German city of Heidelberg. The male driver escaped the scene on foot and was later shot after being tracked down by officers, who were tipped off by the public. The man was carrying a knife, police said. He is in a serious condition in hospital. Footage posted to social media showed a number of police officers with their sidearms drawn. One shot can be heard in the footage. It is not yet clear what the man's motives were but a terrorist background is not suspected at the early stage of the investigation. Police spokesperson Norbert Schaetzle said he could not confirm local media reports that the man was mentally disturbed, but said a terrorist background is not suspected and the man appears to have acted alone. The car is believed to be rented. In December 2016, 12 people were killed and 56 injured after a Tunisian man, Anis Amri, drove a truck into a Christmas market. More to follow... The story of the young French man known as Theo L, which has sparked weeks of sometimes violent protest in the suburbs of Paris, begins on February 2. That day, four police officers arrived in the northern Paris suburb of Aulnay-sous-Bois where they began stopping youths and demanding to see identity papers. Tensions grew and Theo, a 22-year-old black community worker with a clean record, intervened to calm the situation. He says he was subsequently raped with a police baton, racially abused and beaten around his genitals. One police officer has been charged with raping Theo and three others have been charged with assault. The episode - now known in the French media as "l'affaire Theo" - has triggered outrage, particularly in the restive Paris "banlieues" - or suburbs - where many immigrants live. Protests in these neighbourhoods, some of which have spilled over into rock-throwing and car burning, have led to over 240 arrests. This week hundreds of students blocked the entrances to more than a dozen secondary schools in Paris to highlight Theo's case. Social media footage of a rally in east Paris showed riot police firing tear gas during a confrontation with hooded youths on the fringes of the demonstration where banners read "Revenge for Theo". The protests have fanned beyond the capital, with marches taking place around France calling for an end to police brutality and also recalling the death in police custody last summer of a young black man named Adama Traore outside Paris. Theo has appealed for calm from his hospital bed, where he was visited by French President Francois Hollande who promised "justice will be done". But news that an internal police investigation claimed that Theo's injuries, which included a tear to his rectum, were not intentional prompted more anger. The unrest comes just two months before the first round of the French presidential elections, one of the most unpredictable in recent history. Leader of the far-right Front National Marine Le Pen is expected to win one of the two places in the run-off, with the election now seen primarily as a contest against her. The man who was considered to be her main challenger - Francois Fillon of the right-wing Republican Party - has seen his campaign run into trouble over accusations he arranged for his wife to be paid by the state for jobs critics say were fake. Aulnay-sous-Bois, where Theo grew up, is one of the troubled suburbs whose denizens are often demonised by Le Pen and the Front National as part of the anti-immigration platform that has helped the once pariah party gain momentum in recent years. In suburbs like Aulnay-sous-Bois, unemployment can soar up to 27pc compared to the national average of 10pc. Residents complain about police harassment, particularly against black and ethnic minority youth. A study by a government watchdog last year found that across France black youths or youths of Arab origin were seven times more likely than whites to be stopped and searched by police. The resulting discontent can sometimes flare into violence. Aulnay-sous-Bois is one of several suburbs where riots erupted in 2005 after two teenagers who fled police in the nearby area of Clichy-sous-Bois died when they were accidentally electrocuted in the power station where they had hidden. The ensuing unrest prompted then interior minister Nicolas Sarkozy to declare a state of emergency. Evergreen promises to address the grievances of the banlieues have amounted to little. Mr Hollande failed to deliver on his 2012 presidential campaign pledges to reduce unemployment, improve educational facilities and tackle police accountability. In fact, French legislators are mulling new measures that would give greater powers to police. The three main contenders for April's presidential elections differ little in their security-focused approach to the banlieues, instead of tackling the structural factors that have allowed so many communities to fester. With Ms Le Pen polling well and currently enjoying odds of 28-43pc, the ongoing unrest over the case of Theo is making her opponents uneasy, fearing it could play to her advantage. Blaise Cueco, regional head of advocacy group SOS Racisme, warned in a TV interview: "Each time you burn a car, it's thousands of votes for Marine Le Pen." For her part, Ms Le Pen has repeatedly denounced the protesters as "racaille", or scum, though she distanced herself from a party colleague who used the term to describe Theo himself. "Racaille" was the word Mr Sarkozy used when he was interior minister in 2005 to refer to the rioters who were then setting the Paris suburbs ablaze. Two years later he was elected president. George Clooney and his wife Amal on the red carpet of the Cesar Film Awards in Paris (AP) George Clooney and his wife Amal on the red carpet of the Cesar Film Awards in Paris (AP) Hollywood star George Clooney has joined Paris' mayor and France's foreign minister in attacking US president Donald Trump for insulting the City of Light. In a speech to US conservative activists on Friday, Mr Trump said "Paris is no longer Paris" because of the terror threat and pointed out that a friend of his no longer travelled there. On the red carpet with wife Amal in the city to receive an honorary Cesar - France's equivalent of the Oscars - Clooney quipped: "Yes, no one wants to go to Paris any more because it's horrible here, apparently. "We have some things to work on in the United States." And in a veiled allusion to France's far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, Clooney added: "I think you guys have some of the same issues here so ... good luck." Receiving his award, he said "citizens of the world" must work "harder and harder not to let hate win". "The actions of this president have caused alarm and dismay amongst our allies and given considerable comfort to our enemies," he said. The fault "is not really his" because fear was already present. "He merely exploited it, and rather successfully," he said. The critique was delivered with some humour, with French 2012 best actor Oscar winner Jean Dujardin providing a purposely wacky translation, and adding his own dig: "Donald Trump is a danger for the world." In his speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, Mr Trump evoked his friend Jim, "a very, very substantial guy". Jim used to be a regular visitor to Paris, Mr Trump said, but had not made the trip in four or five years because "Paris is no longer Paris". "Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris," the president said, in an apparent reference to last year's Bastille Day attack in Nice and the 2015 Paris attacks. He said Jim used to visit Paris each summer, "i t was automatic ... He wouldn't miss it for anything". "Now he doesn't even think in terms of going there. Take a look at what's happening to our world, folks, and we have to be smart. We have to be smart. "We can't let it happen to us." In response, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted a photo of herself alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie and said: "To @readDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTour Effel we celebrate the dynamism and spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie." In another tweet, with the hashtag #Donald&Jim, Ms Hidalgo said American tourist reservations were up 30% in 2017 so far, compared to last year. Foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault offered his own proof that Americans like not just Paris but all of France, tweeting: "3.5 million Americans visited France in 2016. They will always be welcome." AP News organisations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, the BBC and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House press briefing on Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate after White House press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists present. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organisations accredited to cover the White House. "The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," Lauren Easton, the AP's director of media relations, said in a statement. On Friday, hours after President Donald Trump delivered a speech blasting the media, Mr Spicer invited only a pool of news organisations that represents and shares reporting with the larger press corps. He also invited several other major news outlets, as well as smaller organisations, including the conservative website Breitbart News, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is Trump's chief strategist. When additional news organisations that included The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico attempted to gain access, they were not allowed to enter. The BBC was also excluded. The White House said it felt "everyone was represented" by those in the pool and the invited organisations. "We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool. Nothing more than that," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. When asked by a reporter whether he was playing favourites, Mr Spicer said the White House had "shown an abundance of accessibility", according to an audio recording later circulated by the pool. The pool was comprised of Reuters, Bloomberg, CBS, Hearst Newspapers and CBS Radio. Others were Fox, NBC and ABC. Bloomberg reported its reporter was unaware of the exclusions. In a statement, White House Correspondents' Association President Jeff Mason said the group was "protesting strongly". When Mr Spicer was asked by a reporter at the gaggle whether he was playing favourites, he said he "disagreed with the premise of the question", according to the audio. "We've brought more reporters into this process. "And the idea that every time that every single person can't get their question answered or fit in a room that we're excluding people. "We've actually gone above and beyond with making ourselves, our team, and our briefing room more accessible than probably any prior administration. And so I think you can take that to the bank. "We do what we can to accommodate the press. I think we've gone above and beyond when it comes to accessibility, and openness and getting folks, our officials, our team." Reaction from the barred outlets and others was swift. Davan Maharaj, editor in chief and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, called the newspaper's exclusion "unfortunate". "The public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage," Mr Maharaj said in a statement. "Regardless of access, the Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favour." Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said that "nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organisations. "Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." CNN's Jake Tapper took aim at the White House as he kicked off The Lead With Jake Tapper. "A White House that has had some difficulty telling the truth and that has seemed to have trouble getting up to speed on the basic competent functioning of government, and a president who seems particularly averse to any criticism and has called the press the enemies of the American people, they're taking the next step in attempting to avoid checks and balances and accountability. "It's not acceptable. In fact, it's petulant, and indicative of a lack of basic understanding of how an adult White House functions," Mr Tapper said. The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the move by the White House. "We are concerned by the decision to bar reporters from a press secretary briefing," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. "The US should be promoting press freedom and access to information." AP Rapid Response forces members surround an injured boy as they treat him during a battle with Isil militants south west of Mosul. Photo: Zohra Bensemra/Reuters The Khasfa sinkhole was once an inconspicuous feature in the barren desert just off the Baghdad-Mosul highway. Now, this natural depression 8km outside Mosul is believed to be the biggest mass grave in Iraq. Isil killed and dumped the bodies of thousands of security personnel here after it captured the city in 2014, according to local villagers, Iraqi police and human rights organisations. Most victims were shot and thrown into the pit, witnesses said, while others perished in vehicles driven over the edge of the pit. "Daesh [Isil] would drive the victims to Khasfa in convoys of minibuses, trucks and pick-ups. The men had their hands bound and their eyes blindfolded. "They were taken to the sinkhole and shot in the back of the head," Mahmoud, a 40-year-old from the nearby village of Sananik who declined to give his full name for security reasons, said. The dead would either tumble into the hole after being shot or be tossed in by their masked killers, he said. The revelations came as US-backed Iraqi forces pushed into western Mosul yesterday after retaking the city's airport from Isil, as aid agencies warned the most dangerous phase of the offensive was about to begin for hundreds of thousands of civilians. Troops disarmed booby traps planted by retreating militant fighters in the airport, which the army plans to use as a base from which to drive Isil from Mosul's western districts and deal a decisive blow to the group. As they did, Iraqi fighter jets dropped bombs on Isil positions inside Syria. It was the first time the Iraqi government publicly acknowledged striking militant targets inside Syria. The new offensive comes after government forces and their allies finished clearing Isil from eastern Mosul last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector of the city, which is bisected by the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts there. The International Rescue Committee said the most dangerous phase of the battle was about to begin for the 750,000 civilians believed to be trapped inside Mosul. "There is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come," acting country director Jason Kajer said. The UN has warned up to 400,000 civilians could be displaced by the offensive amid food and fuel shortages. Iraqi forces launched attacks on several fronts. Counter-terrorism forces clashed with Isil inside the southwestern district of al-Mamoun and took full control of the Ghozlani military base yesterday, Major General Sami al-Aridi, a senior commander, said. Separately, federal police and an elite Interior Ministry unit known as Rapid Response advanced into the Hawi al-Josaq and al-Danadan districts after breaching a berm and a trench set up by Isil north of the airport, a spokesman said. Crossfire Early raids in the city's west have so far been restricted to thinly-populated areas. The government encouraged civilians to stay in their homes, but some were caught in the crossfire. Jamal Abdelnasser (14) was shot in the leg by Isil when the militants stormed his home to take up sniper positions. After crossing the frontline, soldiers unwrapped the blood-soaked bandages around his leg and poured iodine on the bullet wound. In another incident, a Reuters correspondent saw a dozen civilians fleeing towards Iraqi security forces from the outskirts of Mamoun. Defeat in Mosul would likely deal a hammer blow to Isil's self-styled caliphate in areas it seized in 2014. But the group still controls swathes of territory in neighbouring Syria and patches in northern and western Iraq from where it could fight a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plot attacks on the West. ( Daily Telegraph London) Telegraph Media Group Limited [2022] A man shows a picture of Alok Madasani, an engineer who was injured in the shooting Wednesday night in a crowded suburban Kansas City bar, on a mobile phone as Madasani's father Jaganmohan Reddy talks to the media (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) Jaganmohan Reddy, father of Alok Madasani, an engineer who was injured in the shooting Wednesday night in a crowded suburban Kansas City bar, speaks to the media (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.) Law enforcement personnel investigate the patio area of Austins Bar & Grill on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in Olathe, Kansas (Shane Keyser/The Kansas City Star via AP) The Indian men shot in a Kansas City bar were reportedly asked about their visa status before the unprovoked attack, raising further questions regarding whether the incident was a hate crime. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, who was killed in the attack, and Alok Madasani, 32, who survived, were Indian immigrants who legally resided in the US and worked as engineers. Another man, Ian Grillot, 24, was also injured after attempting to intervene. Police said the shooter was 51-year-old Adam Purinton, who was reported to have been uttering racial slurs about the men, who were drinking at the Austins Bar and Grill in the suburb of Olathe. Mr Madasani told the New York Times: He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally. Mr Purinton was removed from the bar but allegedly later returned with a gun and shouted get out of my country at the men. He then opened fire, police said, killing Mr Kuchibhotla and injuring Mr Madasani, who has since been released from hospital. Mr Grillot, another patron, hid but then attempted to disarm Mr Purinton after he thought he used up all his ammunition. However, he was hit in the hand and chest, the bullet narrowly missing an artery. Mr Purinton was later arrested and has been charged with murder and attempted murder. The strong xenophobic overtones of the attack have raised concern at an anti-immigrant atmosphere in the US, which critics say is linked to President Donald Trumps America First stance. A recent attempt to ban entry into the US from seven Muslim majority countries was blocked in the courts but was met with approval from sections of Mr Trumps key support base. After the shooting, Mr Kuchibhotlas wife called on the President to fight hate crime. We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening everywhere, Sunayana Dumala told a press conference. I was always concerned: 'Are we doing the right thing staying in the United States of America?' But he always assured me good things happen to good people. Ms Dumala described her husband was a very loveable soul, whose murder had plunged parents and relatives in India into grief. New York Times reporter, Glen Thrush works in the Brady Briefing Room after being excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The Brady Briefing Room is shown after reporters were excluded from a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) An empty podium is seen as an off camera briefing is held with a small group of reporters and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer instead of the normal on camera briefing in the White House. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan SmialowskiBRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) Donald Trump followed up his attack on the media at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) by branding it a great danger to the country on social media. After a number of major news organisations including CNN, the BBC, the The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times were barred from a White House press briefing, the President took to Twitter to lambast the media again. He said that fake news media knowingly doesnt tell the truth and that news organisations like CNN and the failing New York Times had become a joke in a tweet. It comes just hours after White House Press Secretary prevented some outlets from attending an off camera press briefing. Other more conservative outlets, such as Breitbart, OANN, Fox News and the Washington Times, were allowed into the gaggle an informal briefing usually attended by one reporter from each organisation as well as more mainstream outlets such as Reuters, Bloomberg and NBC News. The Associated Press and Time magazine were invited to join the briefing but boycotted it to protest the White Houses decision to exclude organisations with unfavourable coverage. The move was condemned by Fox News anchor Bret Baier, even though the network has enthusiastically supported Mr Trump in the past. He said his colleagues should not celebrate the ban as CNN and The New York Times were two of several media outlets which stood by them when Barack Obama tried to freeze them out in 2009. The comments follow a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Maryland where Mr Trump called the press, enemies of the people. He claimed they were inventing damaging stories about him and his administration. FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesn't tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 A few days ago, I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are," he said. "They are the enemy of the people, he said. Because they have no sources. They just make them up where there are none. He insisted that he did not object to critical reporting but claimed he was the victim of constant misreporting. He said: Im not against the media, Im not against the press. I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell you, I love good stories, but we dont get too many of them. But Im only against the fake news media or press. Fake. Fake Im against the people who make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. Mr Trump has repeatedly attacked CNN for revealing the existence of an intelligence report which suggested Russia may have damaging information about Mr Trumps private life which could be used to blackmail him. In a press conference held later that day Mr Trump shouted at the CNN reporter, Jim Acosta, and refused to take a question from him saying your organisation is terrible. When Mr Acosta attempted to challenge him he told him to not be rude and said Im not going to give you a question. You are fake news!. Off-camera gaggles are not unusual. The White House often invites handpicked outlets in for briefings, typically for specific topics. But briefings and gaggles in the White House are usually open to all outlets and they are free to ask anything. A pool reporter from Hearst Newspapers was included in the gaggle on Friday and gave full details to the entire press corps. Media outlets allowed into the gaggle also shared their audio with others. PROTESTS Spicer's decision drew a sharp response from some of the media outlets that were excluded. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," said Jeff Mason, president of the association and a Reuters reporter. During the election campaign last year, Trump's team banned a few news organizations, including The Washington Post and BuzzFeed, from covering his campaign rallies for a period of time to protest their coverage. CNN posted a Twitter message on Friday afternoon saying: "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless. Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, said in a statement: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." On Friday, Spicer said the White House plans to fight against what it says is unfair coverage. "I think were going to aggressively push back," he said. "Were just not going to sit back and let false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there." Additional reporting by Reuters The US Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of a wall to be built near the US -Mexican frontier, a first step in picking vendors for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall. In a document on the federal government's website for business opportunities, the CPB said it would release a request on or about March 6 asking companies for prototype ideas for a wall to be built near the US-Mexican border. After reviewing the ideas submitted by vendors, the agency will evaluate and select the best designs by March 20, then issue a request for proposals by March 24 in which vendors would be asked to price out the cost of building the proposed wall. The document says multiple awards for the barrier are expected by mid-April as part of the process, an aggressive schedule for a government construction project. "It's going to start soon. Way ahead of schedule, way ahead of schedule," Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday. A spokesman for US Customs and Border Protection, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the solicitation published on Friday had "everything to do" with the wall that Trump has proposed. The spokesman said the initial request for information was to give industry the opportunity to tell the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees CBP, what is possible in constructing a border wall. "Once we get feedback from the vendors, we'll look at the ones that are most feasible," the spokesman said. That would be followed by the request for proposals to firm up exactly how much constructing the wall would cost. A US Department of Homeland Security internal report seen by Reuters this month indicated the border wall would be a series of fences and walls that would cost as much as $21.6 billion to build and take more than three years to complete. The reports estimated price tag is much higher than a $12 billion figure cited by Trump in his campaign and estimates as high as $15 billion from Republican House of Representatives Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. The plan laid out what it would take to seal the border in three phases of construction of fences and walls covering just over 1,250 miles (2,000 km) by the end of 2020. With 654 miles (1,046 km) of the border already fortified, the new construction would extend almost the length of the entire border IS gunmen opened fire as police officers came out of a mosque Ten police officers and a civilian were gunned down by Islamic State militants in an ambush at a mosque in Afghanistan. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said the police officers were ambushed on Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. AP Syrian cinematographer Khaled Khateeb has been barred from entering the US for the Oscars show Immigration authorities have barred a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on a harrowing Oscar-nominated film about his nation's civil war from entering the US to attend the Academy Awards show. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by The Associated Press news agency, the Department of Homeland Security decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb from travelling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khateeb was due to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday on a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul for the Oscars ceremony, where h is film, The White Helmets, has been nominated for an Academy Award. But his plans have been dashed after US officials reported finding "derogatory information" against him. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include everything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Khateeb had been issued a visa to attend the ceremony with Hollywood's biggest stars, but Turkish authorities detained him this week, according to the internal US government correspondence, and he suddenly needed a passport waiver from the United States to enter the country. The correspondence indicated he would not receive such a waiver. There was no explanation in the correspondence for why Turkey detained Khateeb. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen said: "A valid travel document is required for travel to the United States." The White Helmets, a 40-minute Netflix documentary, has been nominated for a best documentary short Oscar. If the film wins, the award would go to director Orlando von Einsiedel and producer Joanna Natasegara. Khateeb is one of three people credited for cinematography and Franklin Dow is the film's director of photography. The film focuses on the rescue workers who risk their lives to save Syrians affected by civil war. Many of the group's members have been killed by Syrian president Bashar Assad's air forces. The group was also nominated for last year's Nobel Peace Prize. The White Helmets includes emblematic scenes of the deadly six-year-old conflict - people digging through destroyed homes looking for survivors, at constant risk of "double tap" attacks that target first responders after they have arrived at the scene of a strike. AP New York, Feb 25 (Just Earth News): As details on the destruction of and damage to Iraqas rich and diverse cultural heritage emerge, the United Nations cultural agency has appealed to the international community to help protect and revive the countryas archaeological, religious and cultural sites for future generations. This is a turning point for the Iraqi people and for the worlds understanding of the role of heritage for societies in conflict situations, said the Director-General of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova. Speaking at the end of a two-day meeting of the International Coordination Conference on the Safeguarding of Cultural Heritage in Liberated Areas of Iraq, Bokova added: UNESCO is already mobilizing on the ground to support Iraq in protecting heritage and objects most at risk, and to fence off and guard sites. The meeting also prepared the groundwork for emergency, medium and long term action plans to preserve the countrys millennial archaeological sites, museums, religious heritage, and historic cities. It also agreed to appoint a joint UNESCO-Iraqi Steering Committee to coordinate and advocate the many national and international initiatives to rehabilitate the cultural heritage of Iraq. However, according to UNESCO the damage already done has been much fear than what was anticipated and the rehabilitation process is likely to require decades of work. Noting the importance of action to safeguard Iraqs heritage, the countrys Minister of Culture Fryad Rawandouzi highlighted: As we reclaim our country [] We need help from UNESCO, the UN and others to rehabilitate museums, cities and sites [] We need a plan with a timeline, as well as technical and financial support. At the same time, there are fears that antiquities taken away from heritage sites may have been sold on the Internet and the black market and the money used finance activities of the terrorist group Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL/Da'esh). We must stop the trade in Iraqi antiquities, adhere to Security Council Resolution 2199, and dry up [ISIL]s money flow, underscored Mohammad Iqbal Omar, the Iraqi Minister of Education. Adopted in 2015, UN Security Council resolution 2199, among other provisions, banned all trade in looted antiquities from Iraq and Syria. It also encouraged steps to ensure such items are returned to their homelands, and called on UNESCO, Interpol, and other international organizations to assist in such efforts. Da'esh tried, but will never erase our culture, identity, diversity, history and the pillars of civilization. I call on the world to help us, said added the Minister of Education. Photo: UNESCO/S. Al-Khoja Source: www.justearthnews.com 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 | 04-11-2022 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 | 04-11-2022 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 | 04-11-2022 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 | 04-11-2022 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 | 04-11-2022 12:03 pm The dastardly Uri Attacks last year widened the cultural and artistic gap between India and Pakistan. Apart from the ban that was imposed on Pak Artists in India, the film fraternity was caught between political agenda and patriotism for their country. It was a sad news for many Pakistani Artists since actors like Fawad Khan, Mahira Khan definitely saw a bright future in Bollywood. This ban by BJP also caused turbulence for a lot of films including Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Raees. DesiFreeTV.com However, according to the latest DNA report, Mahesh Bhatt is in talks with the Pakistani Artists, as he plans to collaborate with them. Reports claim that Mahesh Bhatt is bringing Pakistani artistes back to India for a special song on the theme of cross-border peace. The report further claims that Mahesh Bhatt has already approached Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali and now planning on getting Atif Aslam and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan on board. Twitter This collaboration might also be for a play called Milne Do, which is slated to be staged in Delhi on June 8 and Mumbai on June 23. Rumor mills claim that the artistes who have been approached have given a nod and showed interest in the project. However, we are sure that BJP and MNS would not be very happy with this progress. Let's see how things unfold. The Kansas shoot-out came as a huge jolt to Indians across the world, particularly those living in the US. Trump's 'America first' policy is turning out to be a harsh reality for Indians now. And this is exactly what Sunayana Dumala, wife of the slain Indian techie addressed at a new conference. Her rhetoric. 'Do we belong here?' throws up a number of doubts about the safety of Indians living in the US. Twitter At the conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin, where her husband Srinivas worked, she expressed concerns over the country's plan to mitigate the growing violence against immigrants. Even before the unfortunate shooting at a bar in Olathe city, Dumala had her own apprehensions about continuing life in the US. However, her deceased husband assured her saying that "good things happen in America." "We always wondered how safe it was to stay in the United States of America, but he always assured me that only good things happen to good people. He did not deserve a death like this." said a grieving Dumala For now, Consul General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help+ for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. The Shooting On the Wednesday night incident at Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed while Alok Madasani, an Indian engineer from Hyderabad, was injured. American Ian Grillot, 24, was shot, but survived after he chased down the attacker. Witnesses say the gunman, Adam Purinton, yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" and opened fire. Purinton, who was arrested five hours later at a bar in Missouri, allegedly told an employee that he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men. He now remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. After the incident GPS device maker Garmin, the place where Srinivas Kuchibhotla worked, posted their heartfelt condolences on Facebook Atmosphere of hate and fear The situation seems to be pretty bad after Trump took over as the US President. I appeal to all the parents in India not to send their children to the US in the present circumstances, Madasanis father Jaganmohan Reddy told Hindustan Times. Indian immigrants in the US has spiked from about 200,000 in the 1980s to more than 2 million today, states AP report. But, ever since Trump's inauguration the climate of hate against immigrants only seems to have worsened. The New Indian Express quoted V Rasagnya, a techie working in New York, as saying,"After Trump came to power, all the hidden racism is being surfaced. Earlier, people never had such feelings to show, but with the Republican President in power, the racial attacks are being perpetrated against Indians and immigrants. This is the darkest time in the history of USA." In a much needed relief to the northeastern state of Manipur which has been virtually paralyzed due to an indefinite blockade, some 96,000 liters of fuel has reached the state in the past 24 hours, courtesy the Indian Air Force (IAF). IAF/ twitter The Indian Oil Corporation tankers were airlifted from Guwahati's Borjhar Air Force station and flown into Imphal on the US Made C-17 Globemaster, the biggest transporter aircrafts at the possession of the IAF. The C-17 Globemasters which can carry 75 tons in a single sortie flew 3 sorties to Imphal with two tankers each. IAF/ Twitter The fuel supply is expected to provide some relief to the people of Manipur, which is going through an acute shortage of essential goods, owing to the United Naga Council (UNC) economic blockade which began in November 2016. IAF/ twitter The Nagas in Manipur are protesting against the creation of additional districts. Naga groups said the two districts, one in Sadar Hills and another in Jiribam were created without consulting them. They have blocked the two main highways NH-2 and NH 53- connecting the border state to rest of India. PTI With the state going to polls on March 4 and 8, and the UNC hinting at intensifying their blockade the suffering of Manipuri people, who are forced to pay highly inflated prices to an already dwindling supply of essentials is far from over. Promptly addressing complaints against hospitals that were allegedly overcharging for stents, the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has issued show-cause notices to Max Hospital, Saket (New Delhi), and Nidaan Hospital, Sonipat (Haryana). Reuters/representational image While the regulator said that the action is based on the findings of its preliminary investigation, both the hospitals denied the charge and maintained that they have "not overcharged a single patient" for stents. Also Read: Doctors Reveal Stent Makers Are Striking Secret Hospital Deals To Sell At Inflated Prices On Thursday, the regulator had initiated a probe against some reputed hospitals, including PGIMER, Chandigarh, Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai; Max Hospital, Metro Hospital in Faridabad (Haryana) and Shri Ram Murti Smarak Institute of Medical Sciences in Bareilly (Uttar Pradesh). BCCL The regulator said it is still examining the rest of the complaints and will move further only if the preliminary investigation indicates a violation. Also Read: Govt Begins Crackdown On Hospital Overcharging For Stent Replacement, Puts A Price Cap On Bills Meanwhile, two more hospitals the Bharat Heart Institute, Dehradun (Uttarakhand) and Oxygen Hospital, Rohtak (Haryana) have come under probe following complaints received through NPPA's helpline, the regulator said in fresh tweets on Friday. "After receiving complaints, we are seeking bills and other documents to examine the complaints and see if prices charged from patients are more than what has been fixed. Only if preliminary investigations indicate violation, show-cause notices will be issued," NPPA chairman BhupendraSingh told TOI. ipsdesk.com Max Hospital said, "We have not overcharged even a single patient for a stent. We have complied fully and immediately with the NPPA order on the stent pricing. We are positive that we will be able to demonstrate our compliance with the NPPA order on the ceiling price of a coronary stent (sic)." Also Read: After Price Cap On Stents, Government To Regulate Prices Of Artificial Heart Valves And Syringes Authorities at Nidaan Hospital said the complaint was made by a patient based on a provisional bill containing old prices issued by the hospital on February 14, a day after the NPPA fixed prices. fabric.practo.com "We issued a fresh bill based on new prices to the patient on the day of discharge, i.e. February 16, and also refunded the extra money on the same day," said B B Rawal, administrative officer, Nidaan Hospital. He said the alleged discrepancy was because of procedural delay as stent-makers took some time to send the fresh price list. Also Read: Govt. Uses Emergency Powers To Ensure There Is No Shortage Of Stents For Patients Official sources said NPPA will allow seven days to companies or hospitals to respond to its show-cause notice, following which it will examine the case in detail and if it is not convinced about compliance, a "demand notice" will be issued. The regulator said that if a hospital under probe refunds the overcharged amount before NPPA generates a "demand notice", the matter will rest unless there are new complaints. Reuters If a hospital is found guilty of overcharging, the NPPA has the power to recover the overcharged money along with 15% interest under the provisions of the Drugs Price Control Order. In a case of repeated violations, the regulator or government may also revoke licences under the Essential Commodities Act. Earlier this month, the regulator capped the price of bare metal stents at Rs 7,260, while both drug-eluting stents and biodegradable stents will now cost Rs 29,600. India has stepped up its lobbying against moves in the US Congress to impose curbs on H-1B visas for skilled workers that threaten the tech sector, which employs more than 3.5 million people. Reuters/representational image Speaking to news agency Reuters, Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said New Delhi has reached out to the administration of President Donald Trump to stress the importance of India's $150-billion IT services industry to US citizens. Also Read: Between H-1B Visa Restrictions And Trump's 'Hire American' Rhetoric, Here's Why IT Companies Are In A Fix "India's investments in the United States have provided jobs to US citizens. That has to be brought to the notice of the US administration." The comments come days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Washington to keep an open mind on admitting skilled Indian workers. Indian software companies such as Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys Ltd and Wipro Ltd shot to prominence in the 1990s by helping Western firms stamp out the "Y2K" bug. BCCL/representational image Trump's "America First" rhetoric on jobs, however, has put their biggest market under threat. Also Read: Indians Working On H-1B Visa Made US Firms Remain Competitive Globally, Says Indian Envoy To US A bill was introduced in the US Congress last month to more than double the minimum salary of H-1B visa holders, which could significantly boost costs for IT companies, whose margins are already being squeezed. New Delhi has backed a move by NASSCOM, India's high-tech industry association, to lobby US lawmakers and companies to urge the administration not to crack down on allowing its skilled workers into the United States. A NASSCOM delegation is now in the United States to make its case to officials on Capitol Hill and in the White House. Reuters/representational image Indians are by far the largest group of recipients of the 65,000 H-1B visas issued annually to new applicants under a cap mandated by Congress. More than 60 per cent of the US employees of Infosys hold H-1B visas. Also Read: Industrialists Say Trump's Policies Including H1-B Visa Restrictions Could Be Good For India The Indian Air Force (IAF) will finally induct the first indigenously developed all-weather airborne early warning and control system (AeW&CS)'Eyes in the Sky"later this month, augmenting its ability to detect incoming cruise missiles, fighter jets or even drones from both Pakistan and China. BCCL India, which experts say is lagging behind in this aspect of defence capability in comparison with both China and Pakistan, presently has only three Phalcon airborne warning and control system (AWACS), which uses the Israeli early-warning radars mounted in domes on top of IL-76 aircraft. The indigenous AeW&CS, developed by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) in Bengaluru and integrated on Brazilian-made Embraer-145 aircraft at a cost of over Rs 2,200 crore, has completed all tests and certification, sources in DRDO told TOI. BCCL It will add to the capabilities along with the three Phalcon systems. "The first AeW&Cs is ready for induction while the second one is in the final stages of tests and certification," the source said. Work on the third and final one is yet to reach the final stages. Pegged as a "force multiplier", the system is equipped with a 240-degree coverage radars in contrast to the existing Phalcons, which provide a 360-degree coverage over a 400-km range. The AEW&C system will detect, identify and classify threats present in the surveillance area and act as a Command and Control Centre to support Air Defence operations. "It is equipped with multiple communication and data links that can alert and direct fighters against threats while providing Recognizable Air Surveillance Picture (RASP) to commanders at the Ground Exploitation Stations (GES) that are strategically located," DRDO has said. BCCL Besides, the system will support IAF in offensive strike missions and assist forces in the tactical battle area. "The Electronic and Communication Support Measures of the system can also intercept and gather electronic and communication intelligence from radar transmissions and communication signals. It is a multi-sensor surveillance system that can perform the following operational roles as defined by the IAF," a senior official said. However, this addition and even the other two in the pipeline will not put India on a par with China or even Pakistan. China is equipped with better capabilities. As TOI reported earlier, China has over 20 AWACS, including the new KJ-500 ones that can track over 60 aircraft at ranges up to 470km, while Pakistan, on the other hand has four Swedish Saab-2000 AeW&C aircraft and four Chinese-origin ZDK-03 (KJ-200) AWACS. BCCL Keeping this in mind, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), in March 2016 cleared building of two Awacs, which will involve mounting indigenous 360-degree coverage AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars on Airbus A-330 wide-body jets. The estimated cost of this project is Rs 5,113 crore and the eventual plan is to induct eight such aircraft under the "Awacs -India". But this is going to take at least seven years to be implemented, if the DRDO sticks to deadlines. The Indian-American community seems to be completely shaken by the recent killing of an engineer, in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. This time even the US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. AP Also Read: This American Man Tried To Save Indians From Racist Attacker And Took The Bullet In His Chest We cant let hatred win, said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families, the Democratic Senator said in a tweet. We must stand up and say were not going to tolerate hatred and bigotry. This is not who we are as a country. Were better than this. Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 24, 2017 My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. Im heartbroken by this tragedy, said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. The Kansas shooting is an absolute tragedy. We must declare our entire country a hate free zone and fight to make it so. Full statement: pic.twitter.com/CRNUUr235g Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) February 25, 2017 Also Read: Americans Crowdfund Rs 2 Crore To Support The Family Of Indian Engineer Killed In Hate Crime Ms. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Ms. Jayapal said since Donald Trumps election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administrations controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. AP This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim- Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, Ms. Jayapal added. Also Read: For Indian Engineers It's A Tough Decision To Choose Between Safety And Big Pay In US Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime, Mr. Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America. Thousands of people joined the funeral service of Lance Naik Mohiuddin Rather at a mosque at Punchpora village in Anantnag district of south Kashmir on Friday, a sight rarely witnessed in chronicles of the valley's troubled past. AFP Mohiuddin, 35, and two of his mates were killed in a militant ambush at Mulu Chitragam in Shopian district on Thursday when they were returning from an anti-terror operation near Kungnoo village. Two officers too were wounded in the attack. When the tricolor-draped body of Mohiuddin was brought in an Army vehicle to be handed over to his family members for the last rites, thousands of residents of Punchpora village poured out of their homes in a spontaneous gesture to pay their respects to the dead soldier and console the bereaved family. AFP Many even came from other villages for the nimaz-i-janazah (funeral prayers), which took place in the presence of top Rashtriya Rifles officers. "Mohiuddin has left behind his ailing parents, wife, and a two-year-old son, besides a sister whose wedding was fixed for next month," Manzoor Ahmad Rather, Mohiuddin's friend, said. "He was a kind person who helped people in times of need," he said. AP A group of women were seen consoling his young weeping wife, Shahzada Akhtar, 26, and the soldier's unwell mother. Women from the nearby villages walked to the slain soldier's village Punchpora, around 55km from Srinagar, and were seen offering water to the young widow while others tried to cuddle her toddler son. As colleagues bid farewell to Mohiuddin, giving him a gun salute, many villagers couldn't control their tears. AP The turnout astonished some seasoned Kashmir observers considering that south Kashmir villages are known to be militant hotbeds, particularly for the Hizbul Mujahideen. Neighbours said Mohiuddin never failed to send medicine for his parents every week. While his father, Ghulam Mohammad Rather, suffers from dementia, his mother was operated on for a tumour last year, friend Manzoor added. AP The soldier's mortal remains were sent to his village on Friday morning after a wreath-laying ceremony at 15 Corps headquarters in Srinagar by Army Chief General Bipin Rawat. Seeing the large response, the district administration made security arrangements to foil any untoward incident at the funeral, official sources said. In the aftermath of the Ramjas college violence, students across the country have joined hands to express solidarity with a social media campaign against the ABVP. The campaign kick started by Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh. It has now gone viral. Facebook/GurMehar Kaur Kaur, who is a student of Lady Shri Ram College, changed her profile picture with a message reading, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP". And she asked all those you are up in arms against the ABVP do the same. What followed was a flood of responses from youths across the country, who changed their display picture on Facebook and Instagram with the same note. In a hard-hitting Facebook post against the ABVP, Gurmehar Kaur wrote, "it is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born in this nation. The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas." "It is not about two political parties against each other. It's about students against a student-government organisation that does not believe in Democracy and uses violence to support its autocratic way of leadership. This is students standing up against goons and bullies to reclaim the university space that belongs to them," she told TOI. Gurmehar Kaur lost her father Captain Mandeep Singh in the 1999 Kargil War when she was just two-years-old. Last year, her silent video using a series of placards to convey a strong message of peace between India and Pakistan went viral. Here's how students across universities in India have responded to the movement called #StudentsAgainstABVP: On Wednesday, ABVP went on a rampage decrying the invitation of JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests, which was later withdrawn by the college authorities. A monstrous hairy unidentified creature that has washed ashore on a beach in Cagdainao Philippines has left locals perplexed. The mysterious creature beached dead after a powerful earthquake hit the region on Sunday. While there is still no clarity on what the creature really is, some local scientists have suggested that it could be the body of the whale is already in the advanced stage of decomposition. The 'hairy blob' appeared days after another rare aquatic animal washed ashore in the Philippines. The nearly 30-feet-long 'sea serpent' is a seafloor-dwelling oarfish. It is believed that the fish also know as 'Messengers of the sea god' can predict earthquakes. In the recent days, it was the third such incident reported in the country, raking up fears of a possible strong earthquake. There seems to be no peace in Syria in the near future. While the international community is trying to bring peace in the war-torn country, there is consistent attacks by the militant groups that are operation in its various parts. In the latest attacks on two security service bases in Homs, 42 people were killed on Saturday. AFP "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. State television reported that the province's army intelligence chief, General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, was among the dead when the six suicide bombers struck in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Security forces locked down the city centre. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. AFP Saturday's attack comes as the UN is struggling to get a new round of peace talks off the ground aimed at ending the six-year civil war which has killed more than 310,000 people. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said that despite government and rebel delegations being present in Geneva for the talks there had been little discussion of substance between the rival parties. AFP "We discussed issues relating to the format of the talks exclusively," said Syrian regime delegation chief Bashar al-Jaafari after meeting de Mistura on Friday. IS claimed a Friday suicide bombing that killed 51 people outside the northern town of Al-Bab, which Turkish-backed rebels said this week they had taken from the jihadists. The Observatory said that a car bomb targeted twin command posts at a rebel base in Susian, about eight kilometres (five miles) from Al-Bab, which was one of IS's last remaining strongholds in Aleppo province. Separately, two Turkish soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Al-Bab on Friday as they were carrying out road checks. Border Patrol Agents Stop Domestic Travelers at New York Airport A search for a deportation target leads to a demand for travelers' "papers" at JFK By Tim Dickinson February 24, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Rolling Stone " - Passengers of a domestic Delta flight from San Francisco to New York were told to show their identity documents to uniformed agents of the Customs and Border Protection agency upon their arrival at John F. Kennedy airport on Wednesday evening. CBP officers are border agents, whose statutory authority is generally limited to international arrivals. CBP agents inspected passenger identifications on the jetbridge by the door of the aircraft. A CBP spokesman insisted to Rolling Stone that this action is "nothing new" and that there is "no new policy." But the unusual and legally questionable search of domestic travelers comes days after the Department of Homeland Security outlined its plans to implement President Trump's sweeping executive order targeting millions of "removable aliens" for deportation. Upon deplaning from Delta Flight 1583 in New York, passenger Anne Garrett tweeted , "We were told we couldn't disembark without showing our 'documents.'" My flight from SFO to JFK. We were told we couldn't disembark without showing our "documents." pic.twitter.com/9ugQspTqeX Anne Garrett (@annediego) February 23, 2017 Another passenger, Matt O'Rourke, snapped a similar picture . O'Rourke tells Rolling Stone that the Delta flight attendant alerted passengers, "You'll need to show your papers to agents waiting outside the door." "She was weirded out by it," he says. The agents, O'Rourke says, said nothing to him, but took his ID and scrutinized it for nearly 30 seconds before letting him pass. He describes the experience as "a little bit alarming." Only later did O'Rourke find himself asking, "Why is a customs agent doing this search? The flight didn't enter from another country." In a statement to Rolling Stone, a spokesperson for CBP said the agency had been asked "to assist in locating an individual possibly aboard Delta flight 1583" who had been "ordered removed by an immigration judge." The spokesman added that CBP agents "requested identification from those on the flight" but that ultimately "[t]he individual was determined not to be on the flight." Not For Profit - For Global Justice Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Rolling Stone asked CBP to point to its statutory authority to stop and examine the identity documents of deplaning domestic passengers. The spokesman sent a link to a document titled CBP Search Authority . The document refers to CBP's authority to inspect international arrivals. Specifically, it cites 19 C.F.R. 162.6, which states, "All persons, baggage and merchandise arriving in the Customs territory of the United States from places outside thereof are liable to inspection by a CBP officer." The CBP document adds: "CBP has the authority to collect passenger name record information on all travelers entering or leaving the United States." (Emphasis added.) Asked to clarify CBP's authority over domestic passengers, the spokesman replied that "at this time this is all I have." Rolling Stone asked CBP to clarify whether the CBP document search was truly a "request" or instead a legally binding demand by the agents. The spokesman again could not clarify CBP's legal authority, warning only, "It is always best to cooperate with law enforcement, so as to expedite your exiting the airport in a timely manner." Rolling Stone asked the New York Civil Liberties Union for its understanding of the law in this incident. NYCLU Staff Attorney Jordan Wells writes that "CBP does not have carte blanche to refuse to let people off a domestic flight until they show ID." His advice: "While one may choose to produce identity documents to avoid further hassle, it is important to remember that in the United States people have a constitutionally protected right to remain silent." The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Lock up England in Jail or an Insane Asylum! By Andre Vltchek February 24, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - Here it goes again! The same old tired and predictable tune, the same recognizable chorus. Once again the world is told what to think and what to believe. The world is also given both rhythm and leitmotif, so the grotesque and crooked dance could begin. Who could resist, really? The lyrics of the tune are recited in perfect English, and with that air of moral and cultural superiority, which is supposed to disperse all doubts. On February 19, 2017, RT published the following: The Telegraph, as a favored mouthpiece for British intelligence service disinformation, is a part of psychological warfare operation against Russia, said independent journalist Martin Summers. Another accusation is being thrown at Russia as a British newspaper published a story about Moscow being allegedly behind a plot to kill Montenegros Prime Minister last October According to the article, Russia wanted to overthrow the countrys government to stop them joining NATO. So now it is Montenegro. Yesterday it was Crimea, Donbas, and the US elections. Evil Russia again! Evil China, evil socialist Latin American countries, evil Syria, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, South Africa, North Korea, Philippines, evil all those who are laughing at the notion of Anglo-Saxon superiority. ***** This time Im actually not intending to write some long, philosophical essay on the subject of shamelessness of British propaganda. Im just taking a short break from my 10 thousand-word paper for the China Academy of Social Sciences (CASS); a paper analyzing the impact of the 1917 Soviet Revolution on the world. I just want to state what I believe should be so obvious, but somehow isnt, at least to billions of people all over the world: Those British blokes running the mainstream media outlets and global propaganda network really cannot be trusted. For centuries, no other country brought more grief to the planet, destroyed more lives, ruined more nations and cultures, and stole more natural resources from the natives, than the United Kingdom. All this was done with a straight face, all explained and justified by the most advanced propaganda apparatus on earth, all morally defended. The entire twisted concept of British-style justice was first introduced at home, and then exported to many corners of the globe. It went on for several long centuries, and it goes on until now: the rapists are introducing globally accepted moral codes. Mass murderers are running international courts of justice. Notorious liars and thieves are teaching the world about objectivity. Gurus of disinformation are even educating their own children, as well as the children of elites from all parts of the world, in their prestigious factories of indoctrination schools and universities. Of course, there are some countries that have tried very hard to outdo the UK in terms of brutality, greed and tactics of deception. It is worth mentioning such candidates for genocidal world leadership like France, Germany, Spain and lately the United States. They really have been competing determinately and zealously, but despite all their efforts, they never truly managed to come close to the forerunner. Please, just think about all this, if you havent already done it for years. Then wash your eyes thoroughly, and look anew at those tabloids and serious publications that are printed in the UK. Look at the indoctrination television channels. If you are still able to retain at least some detachment and common sense, please compare what they are saying and writing and showing, with the reality outside your own window, wherever on this Planet you may be. ***** For many years I worked all over the world, on all continents, in some 160 countries. For many years, I was told stories, shown evidence, about the most monstrous and barbaric crimes that the Brits have been committing almost everywhere on this Planet. To compile even some semi-complete list, one would need to compose at least a sizable brochure, if not an entire book. Lets just mention a few of the most obvious horrors that Great Britain is responsible for: Slave trade and destruction of entire huge parts of Africa with tens of millions people directly or indirectly killed. Monstrous occupation of the Sub-continent, with tens of millions of lives lost (including those in several artificially triggered famines). Ransacking of large parts of China, murdering and participating in breaking the most populous nation on earth. Brutal attacks against the young Soviet state. Horrid treatment of colonized peoples of the island nations, from Oceania (South Pacific) to the Caribbean. Gassing, bombing, literally exterminating people of the Middle East, from what is now Iraq and Kuwait, to Palestine. There were invasions of Afghanistan and the reign of terror in Kabul in 1879. There were many other things, many nightmarish crimes, of course, but today Im being brief In the New World, consisting of countries like the US, Canada and Australia, the most terrible massacres of the native people were committed by the first and second generation of Europeans, mainly the Brits. Britain actually never ceased to commit crimes against humanity. Since WWII it has been tutoring the United States, strategically and ideologically, in the art of how to run the Empire and how to manufacture unanimity inside the West itself, and even among the population of the colonized nations (in the neo-colonialist context). It has also been involved in some of the vilest acts in modern history, related to countries like Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Congo as well as entire areas of Asia Pacific and the African Great Lakes. Again, thats only a brief and incomplete summary. ***** Having experience with occupying huge parts of the world for centuries, knowing first-hand how to pacify the natives, the Brits gradually developed and then passed on to the rest of the Western world their highly effective and successful indoctrination methods. These were eventually spread further mainly among the elites of the colonized nations. As a result, fully standardized global perceptions evolved, and were implemented and upheld until this very moment. They included the general worldview, principles and moral standards, law and justice (including such concepts as human rights), and even the set of overall values. The English language (especially well articulated; spoken with certain recognizable and acceptable accents) became the main linguistic tool embodying both truth and authority. News presented in a certain objective way and with a certain accent (or acceptable set of accents) became subconsciously, for the great majority of people, much more trustworthy than that which would be delivered by individuals whom a great Polish journalist, anthropologist and philosopher Ryszard Kapuscinski used to define as the others. ***** This perfect, seemingly bulletproof system produces intellectual laziness, submissiveness, even servitude. It is successfully upholding the status quo. Lies are mounting on top of lies, and even the most obvious fabrications lately do not get challenged, except in some marginal and extremist (defined by the Western regime) outlets. The colonialist empire managed to survive. It is now fully in charge. It dominates the psyche of both the colonizers and the colonized. Advances that were made by liberation and independence struggles, by the anti-colonialism fighters during the post-WWII era, have been skillfully annulled. Then, it was officially declared, colonialism is over. At some point, the Anglo-Saxon demagogues invented political correctness, one more highly effective tool designed to neutralize and pacify any serious resistance. Political correctness claims that all nations and races are equal; it is even glorifying those little people and almost all cultures of the under-developed nations, at least verbally, while in reality the Empire keeps plundering and manipulating the planet, as it has been doing for ages. In the colonies, the only individuals who are gaining are the elites; those morally corrupt rulers of the deprived and still enslaved world. ***** As in the past, the regime pragmatically chooses its enemies, and it then applies the most proven and spiteful tactics, launching defamation campaigns, dehumanizing citizens and leaders of adversary states, creating often phantasmagoric but highly effective conspiracy theories. Not For Profit - For Global Justice Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The British media, the British propagandists, in fact, the entire British establishment, had reached absolute perfection in the field of mind-control and brainwashing. How else, otherwise, would anyone in his or her sane mind trust the words of those who are responsible for tens of millions, perhaps for hundreds of millions of lost human lives in all corners of the world? How could the primary architects of our insane global arrangement be taken seriously, unless they managed to fully indoctrinate their subjects? Some would suggest that we are living in a world where the normality could be found only in an insane asylum; where the only place for a decent man or a woman could be behind some barricade, or behind bars. However, not many would have such thoughts, as even reflections are now almost fully standardized and controlled. So much glorified freedom has been reduced to just a handful of personal, very limited, often self-serving choices that one is still allowed to make while being generally fully locked within the existing system. This British, European, in fact, Western obsession with controlling, with ruling over everything in this world, has actually fully derailed natural human evolution. Instead of much higher aspirations, instead of optimistic attempts to build an egalitarian, compassionate and joyful society, our humanity is once again stuck in some master-slave morass, in something that appeared to be on its way out even during some periods of the 19th century, and definitely later, in the 20th century. ***** How to fight this nightmare? I wrote it many times before, and I have to repeat it again: To change things, one has to first understand reality. But it is not only about knowing the facts; it is mainly about how to analyze them, how to perceive the world and essential events. We are being bombarded, in fact flooded with information, data and facts. What is missing is a totally new approach towards sorting and analyzing the reality within which we live. The Empire is not withholding the facts. It is doing something much more sinister: it is depriving people of learning how to analyze them in the most logical ways. Let us begin with absolute basics: Mass murderer cannot be a judge. Indoctrinator and brainwasher cannot be a teacher. Those who are shackling, enslaving billions, should not be allowed to preach about freedom. The reality is: we have a handful of deranged, mentally disturbed nations and cultures that have been subjugating, raping and robbing entire nations and continents, still in charge of our beautiful but already terribly scarred Planet. These morally defunct nations have no compassion left, and no real rationality. This fact they have proven again and again. One million victims, tens of millions of victims it means nothing to them, as long as they can continue to rule. Ruined nature, disappearing islands, poisoned air, it matters nothing to them. People turning into indoctrinated, intellectually and emotionally uniformed cattle; good, who cares? It is an extremely unsettling reality, but reality it is. The sooner we recognize it for what it is, the better. Great Britain should sit down on its ass and cry in horror, recalling all crimes it has been committing, imagining the concentration camps it built in Africa and elsewhere, recalling the famines it triggered in India and elsewhere, remembering all those innocent people it murdered on each and every continent. It should be howling from shame, because of the nihilism it has been spreading, while ruining enthusiasm, beautiful dreams and hopes of our human kind. It should stop and weep in horror, picturing instructions it provided to countries like South Africa, the United States or Rwanda instructions that brought terrible bloodbaths, instead of harmony and progress to our world. Why all this terror? Just so the UK and its cohorts could continue to rule! It is not about greed only, or natural resources, it is about control. ***** I dont want their analyses, anymore. I dont want their news, their films, their books, and their propaganda materials. Even in the dark solitude of some cave, one could understand the world much better than when reading their disinformation sheets, or when watching their indoctrination channels. All this is just designed to confuse people, to make them passive and submissive. Their announcers as well as their writers are like some sad lobotomized robots: there is no life, nothing new, nothing daring or revolutionary in their words. They function, somehow: they move, they eat, shit, repeat what they are expected to say, but they are not alive. They only smear, but dont inspire. If there is any optimism, it is always false, pre-approved, and mass-produced. If you think about it, it all actually makes sense: A torturer cannot be a visionary, or an idealist. Compared to China or Iran, the UK is a relatively young culture. But it feels old, tired, spent, and obsolete. Too many crimes and too many lies can exhaust and depress even a young person. Were England a person, operating in a normal society, it would be either in prison or in a mental institution. The same could be said about the rest of the West. We have nothing to learn from some murderous maniac, do we? The only concern should be: how to put a straight jacket on such an individual, how to prevent him from killing and harming others, and how to do it as quickly as possible. I also highly doubt that with such a background and monstrous track record, our dangerous maniac should be allowed to interpret the world publicly, to teach people, and to even participate in the discussions touching the most essential issues facing our planet! Andre Vltchek is a philosopher, novelist, filmmaker and investigative journalist. He has covered wars and conflicts in dozens of countries. Three of his latest books are revolutionary novel Aurora and two bestselling works of political non-fiction: Exposing Lies Of The Empire and Fighting Against Western Imperialism . View his other books here . Andre is making films for teleSUR and Al-Mayadeen. Watch Rwanda Gambit , his groundbreaking documentary about Rwanda and DRCongo. After having lived in Latin America, Africa and Oceania, Vltchek presently resides in East Asia and the Middle East, and continues to work around the world. He can be reached through his website Trumps Pick for Israel Envoy Boasted of Removing 2 States from Republican Platform A day before election, David Friedman called peace plan a waste of breath and said liberal Jews were not friends of Israel By Times of Israel staff In a video obtained by the news network, David Friedman also claimed to have helped excise any mention of Israel as an occupying power in the West Bank, called Jewish group J Street a dangerous organization whose board is more than half Arab and said liberal Jews were not friends of Israel. We put together a platform that frankly, by a wide margin, is the most pro-Israel of either party in the history of this country, Friedman said in the video of a private gathering on November 7. There is no longer a reference to a two-state solution And most importantly the Republican platform with respect to Judea and Samaria Israel is not an occupier. Friedman elaborated: Why would I want Israel to be distracted by a two-state narrative that for whatever you think of it, whatever your hopes might be for some time in the future is going absolutely nowhere right now. He added that Palestinian attitudes did not allow the formation of a Palestinian state at this time and The last thing the Middle East needs right now is another Arab dysfunctional state, which is all that a Palestinian state would be. Friedman said that peaceful coexistence with the Palestinians would not happen in this generation. Its not worth wasting anyones breath on it right now, its not gonna happen. Its not in the interest of Israel and therefore its not in the interest of the United States. CNN noted that the video of Friedman speaking at the event, which had been available on Facebook and Vimeo, was taken down after it published the story. On J Street, which Friedman has in the past called worse than kapos the Nazi term for Jewish collaborators in concentration camps the potential envoy said the group is a great thorn in our side and does tremendous damage because they purport to speak for the Jewish people, and they dont, and frankly their board is more than half Arab. But they are a dangerous, dangerous organization. When you dont support Israel, when you dont support traditional Jewish values, when you dont view the Torah as God-given legacy, no matter how religious you are, if you dont have those views, you know you dont really have much in common, he said. The liberal Jewish community has not been a friend, not been a pro-Israel force in this country, he added. The danger of that community and the J Street community is that it enables people like [then Democratic presidential nominee] Hillary Clinton to say: What are you talking about. Im not anti-Semitic, Im not anti-Israel, Im supported by two thirds of the American Jewish community. And shes not wrong when she says that. And thats an issue and we face it everyday and its not getting any better. Friedman also repeated a false claim that Clintons longtime aide Huma Abedin had ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. Not For Profit - For Global Justice Get Our Free Daily Newsletter Friedman was heckled during a stormy confirmation hearing last Thursday, in which he walked back some of his previous statements and expressed support for a two-state solution. The nominee apologized for his kapo statement on J Street, though the Israel director of the group has rejected the apology as insincere. Liberal Jewish groups and past US ambassadors have spoken forcefully against the nomination of Friedman, who has been a vocal supporter of Israeli settlements in the West Bank. You do not represent us and you will never represent us, chanted Jewish activists who disrupted the proceeding. They blew a shofar, a ritual horn, and called him a war criminal, before being escorted out by police. Last week the Reform movement became the largest Jewish body to oppose the nomination of Friedman. In a statement released last Friday, one day after the launch of Senate hearings to confirm Friedman, Union for Reform Judaism President Rabbi Rick Jacobs said Friedman is the wrong person for this essential job at this critical time. The statement said Trumps longtime bankruptcy lawyer lacks the qualifications for the position, noting he has never been involved in professional foreign policy issues other than as a zealous partisan and financial supporter of settlement activity. Friedman serves as president of American Friends of Bet El Institutions, which supports a large West Bank settlement. Mr. Friedmans views on key issues suggest he will not be able to play a constructive role, said the URJ statement, which was signed by the leaders of its main clergy as well as congregational and membership bodies. The US Ambassador to Israel has the important responsibility of advising, shaping, and helping implement the presidents foreign policy goals. Indeed, it appears that Mr. Friedmans extreme views on key issues related to the two-state solution, Israels borders, settlements, and the location of the US Embassy are already reflected in the White House. Such positions are detrimental to peace and a strong US-Israel relationship. Also last week, following the release of a letter from five former US ambassadors to Israel urging the Senate to reject Friedmans nomination, the Zionist Organization of America released a long statement accusing the former envoys of being hostile to Israel. The five signatories Thomas Pickering, Daniel Kurtzer, Edward Walker, Jr., James Cunningham and William Harrop damaged US-Israel relations and exacerbated the situation in the Middle East, the ZOA said in its statement. Trump Relinquishes Control of Foreign Policy By Mike Whitney February 24, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " Counterpunch " - The war party is back in power and the odds of normal relations with Russia have dropped to zero. The appointment of Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster to the position of national security adviser indicates that Trump has done an about-face on his most critical foreign policy issue, normalizing relations with Russia. General Michael Flynn who recently stepped down from the post following allegations of lying to Vice President Mike Pence was the main proponent of easing tensions with Moscow which is a position that had been enthusiastically embraced by President Donald Trump. But McMaster does not support normalizing relations with Russia, in fact, McMaster sees Russia as a hostile revisionist power that annex(es) territory, intimidates our allies, develops nuclear weapons, and uses proxies under the cover of modernized conventional militaries. So, whats going on? Why has Trump put a Moscow-hating hawk like McMaster in a position where hell be able to intensify the pressure on Russia, increase the provocations and, very likely, trigger a conflagration between the two nuclear-armed superpowers? The appointment of McMaster is an attempt by Trump to placate his enemies in the Intel agencies and foreign policy establishment. Trump is signaling to his adversaries that he will cooperate in carrying out their strategic agenda provided they allow him to finish his term. Trump doesnt want to end up like Flynn nor does he want to do battle with the all-powerful deep state operatives who can launch one demeaning propaganda blitz after the other followed by years of excruciating investigations leading inevitably to a lengthy and humiliating impeachment that leaves Trump a broken, discredited shambles. Thats not how Trump wants to end his career in politics. He wants to end it on a high note, riding a wave of burgeoning affection and love. Thats why he picked McMaster. The neocons love him, the liberal interventionists love him, the media loves him and the entire political establishment loves him. Everyone loves him. Hes the warrior-scholar who speaks truth to power and writes futuristic books on generation warfare, information superiority and predictive battlespace awareness all of which delight his devoted admirers. The downside of McMaster is that he is a hard-boiled militarist with a driving animus towards Russia. Judging by his writing on the topic, I would expect a broader and more lethal conflict to flare up in either Syria or Ukraine as soon as he gets settled in his new job. Bottom line: The removal of Flynn has convinced Trump that powerful elements within the national security state have him in their crosshairs. As a result, Trump has relinquished control of foreign policy and handed the whole mess over to gladiator McMaster who will coordinate with Sec-Def General James Mattis on a new strategy to deploy US troops to East Syria and West Iraq to establish a permanent military presence in occupied Sunnistan. (The area will also be used for natural gas pipeline corridors connecting Qatar to the EU) The strategy in Ukraine will focus primarily on luring Russia into a long and resource-draining war that will further depress the ailing Russian economy precipitating political instability, social unrest and regime change. That is the hope at least, that Russias wars abroad will lead to the ousting of Vladimir Putin. Heres a few clips from a presentation McMaster gave at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on May 4, 2016. They help to clarify the mans ominous world view: what Id really like to talk to you about is (the) period were in right now, a period of increasing risksrisks to our nation, to our allies, and really all of humanity. globally the situation in connection with U.S. vital interests and security .. is changing really in a direction thats going to raise additional challenges to the U.S. and U.S. national security. what were seeing is a shift in geopolitics in a way that imposes great dangers and has elevated the risk of a major international military crisis to the highest level in the last 70 years. A number of scholars are writing about this Jakub Grygiel and Wess Mitchell in particular in their great recent book Unquiet Frontier, where they describe revisionist powers, Russia and China in particular on the Eurasian landmass, that are surrounded by weak states which are now becoming battlegrounds, areas of competition at the far reaches of American power. (Harbingers of Future War: Implications for the Army with Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster, The Center for Strategic and International Studies) We have discussed the pivot to Asia ad nauseam in this column. McMasters comments help to underscore the fact that the struggle to control the Eurasian landmass, the center of economic growth for the next century, is at the heart of the US imperial crusade which is now entering a new and more dangerous phase. McMaster: I also think Margaret MacMillans great essay written in 2014 making the analogy between 2014 and 1914, and really making the point that geopolitics is back; maybe our what we might call our holiday from history in the post-Cold War period is over. So in McMasters mind, another global conflagration on a par with World War 1 is now in the making. Unlike most people, he sees this as a challenge rather than an apocalyptic event that should be avoided at all cost. McMaster: I think what might have punctuated the end of the post-Cold War period is Russias invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Now, this was this was not really a new development in terms of Russian aggression. I think you can go back to the denial-of-service attacks on the Baltic states in 2007, certainly the invasion of Georgia in 2008. McMaster is extremely well read and follows the news closely. He knows that Georgia attacked South Ossetia and that Putin who was at the Olympics at the time merely responded. Why is McMaster deliberately misleading his audience about the details? And why doesnt he explain how the elected government of Ukraine was toppled in a CIA-State Department coup? Those facts are readily available to anyone who has seriously researched the incident. It seems obvious that McMaster is twisting the truth to make his case against Russia. McMaster: even though it may have been apparent at least since 2008 that Russia was changing its geostrategic behavior what were seeing now is weve awakened to, obviously, this threat from Russia, who is waging limited war for limited objectives annexing Crimea, invading Ukraine at zero cost, consolidating gains over that territory, and portraying the reaction by us and allies and partners as escalatory. Break Free From The Matrix Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The threat from Russia? In other words, NATO is not responsible for its relentless push eastward expanding its grip on all the former Soviet satellites in east Europe, deploying its tanks, heavy artillery, troops and missile systems right onto Russias doorstep. No. Instead, Russia should be blamed for its fictitious invasion of Crimea. McMaster is basing his argument on fake facts and a convoluted interpretation of events that doesnt square with reality. Russia is the victim of US-NATO aggression not the perpetrator. McMaster then offers a remedy for so called Russian aggression: what is required to deter a strong nation that is waging limited war for limited objectives on battlegrounds involving weaker states is forward deterrence, to be able to ratchet up the cost at the frontier, and to take an approach to deterrence that is consistent with deterrence by denial, convincing your enemy that your enemy is unable to accomplish his objectives at a reasonable cost rather than sort of an offshore balancing approach and the threat of punitive action at long distance later, which we know obviously from recent experience confirms that that is inadequate. Forward deterrence? This needs to be clarified. What McMaster is saying, is that, instead of threatening to retaliate at some time in the future, the US should use deterrence by denial, that is, make it as hard and as costly as possible for Russia to achieve its strategic objectives. By defeating ISIS in Eastern Syria and establishing permanent US military bases, McMaster intends to prevent Russia from restoring Syrias sovereign borders which is one of the primary goals of the mission. The safe zones that Trump has talked about recently, fit perfectly with this same strategy as they undermine Moscows efforts to reunify the state and bring the conflict to an end. This appears to be the plan that McMaster will pursue as national security adviser. Expect US ground troops to be deployed to Syria as soon as the details are worked out. More from McMaster: what Russia is employingis a sophisticated strategythat combines conventional forces as cover for unconventional action, but a much more sophisticated campaign involving the use of criminality and organized crime, and really operating effectively on this battleground of perception and information, and in particular part of a broader effort to sow doubt and conspiracy theories across our alliance. And this effort, I believe, is aimed really not at defensive objectives, but at offensive objectives to collapse the post-World War II, certainly the post-Cold War, security, economic, and political order in Europe, and replace that order with something that is more sympathetic to Russian interests. The Russian strategy employs criminality and organized crime to effect perception and information? This is just more demonization of Russia intended to make the case for war. Putin does not want a war with the US nor does he want to collapse the post-World War II order and replace that order with something that is more sympathetic to Russian interests. Putin is a firm believer in capitalism and still participates in the G-20 and WTO. What Putin objects to is the US using its extraordinary power to topple regimes it doesnt like spreading death and instability across the planet. Thats what he opposes, the persistent meddling that undermines global security. Is that so unreasonable? McMaster: So what do all these conflicts have in common is theyre about the control of territory, people and resources. .what we need is that synergy between the joint force, where our forces have the capability and the capacity to deter conflict and, if that fails, to resolve conflict in our interest to protect our security and our vital interests. And that may entail imposing outcomes without the cooperation of the enemy, and that has significant implications for the Army in particular. In other words, we are going to continue to fight for oil and markets (our vital interests), were going to go it alone if necessary, and if somebody tries to stop us, were going to annihilate them. Isnt that what hes saying? You know it is. Theres not going to be normal relations between Russia and the US on McMasters watch. The man believes we are in a life or death struggle with an evil enemy that wants to do us harm. Thats not the basis for building peaceful relations. Its a justification for war. 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 . The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. FBI rejected WH request to deny contacts between Trump advisers and Russia: report : CNN reported that a law enforcement official and a White House official offered conflicting stories of how the communication between the White House and the FBI over the news reports began. White House defends contacts with FBI over Russia reports : President Donald Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comey's assistance in rebutting what Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last year's presidential campaign. Trump Blasts Media, Outlines His Presidential Promises at CPAC 2017 Video - (Full CPAC Speech) White House blocks CNN, BBC, New York Times, LA Times from media briefing: Politico, New York Daily News, Daily Mail, and BuzzFeed were also denied entry Get out of my country Kansas man shoots Indian men, killing one: Purinton uttered racial slurs at Kuchibhotla and Madasani as the attack escalated. He perceived the two Indian men of being Middle Eastern. Both men worked for the firm Garmin in the area of aviation. Florida mosque fire was deliberately set, $5k reward offered; An overnight fire at a mosque in suburban Tampa, Florida was arson, authorities have ruled. The mosque endured minor damage, and no injuries have been reported. A nonprofit is offering a $5,000 reward for information about the fire. Meet the Jewish couple leading the Trump resistance : Greenberg draws motivation from her Jewish background. How Far we Have Fallen as a Nation, as a Culture for That Matter By Philip Farruggio February 24, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - A must see movie for all Americans is Inherit the Wind (1960, Stanley Kramer, Director). To those who never saw this film, it accurately portrays the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial in Dayton, Tennessee. The trial of substitute high school teacher John Scopes was for breaking Tennessees Butler Act, which forbade the teaching of evolution in state-funded schools. In a nutshell, the film had many levels to it in addition to the story line of questioning the legality of such a law. What really frightened this writer, and yes, frightened is the proper word to use, is how 92 years later America has not (to use the apropos word) evolved at all! In the film we are made to look at Dayton, Tennessee (renamed Hillsboro for the film) and its inhabitants. This was deep in the Bible Belt and most of the townspeople reflected it, excepting the very few who did not subscribe exactly to fundamentalist Christianity. That minority was looked upon as heathens and godless outcasts. Satan was deemed to be alive and well in the hearts and minds, and yes, the very souls of anyone anywhere who refused to go along with this Old Time Religion. We could see and hear the townspeople marching and singing that song as they first welcomed Mathew Harrison Brady; and later when they burned schoolteacher Bertram Cates in effigy. This fanaticism was furthermore reflected in the person of Mathew Harrison Brady (portraying William Jennings Bryan, and played brilliantly by Frederic March) as their spiritual savior and lead prosecutor in the trial . He was transformed through the townspeoples childlike adoration of him into almost a godlike and all knowing savior. Brady had come and he would damn the sinner and transgressor Cates for all his blasphemous garbage about Darwin and evolution. Bradys adversary in this quest for Gods glory was Henry Drummond , Chicago activist attorney, self-proclaimed agnostic and Bradys longtime friend and political supporter (played by Academy Award nominee Spencer Tracy).They did battle in the courtroom for more than just John Scopes or evolution itself. They were battling for what was really on trial in Dayton, Tennessee: The right of someone to think and reason for oneself! Keep in mind that the Inherit the Wind novel was written a mere seven years after that disgraceful era called McCarthyism, a time all of us should revisit and study. Look how far we have actually fallen as a nation, as a culture for that matter. We have a president who used Muslim and Mexican bashing to help him recruit supporters. His VP is a far right wing evangelical fanatic, worse even than Trump when it comes to trumpeting pre-emptive war against the Muslims. Millions of Amerikans either belong to or agree with this phony Tea Party adoration that mirrors the America First and fascist leaning movements of the 1930s. These people have learned ZERO from our disgraceful and illegal pre-emptive invasions and occupations of Afghanistan and Iraq, or our destructive carpet bombing of Libya. Just as the crazy Islamic State thinks that God is theirs and theirs alone, so do the right-wing Christians (and Zionist Jews of Israel and Amerika) think the same about the God they have decided to worship. Utter insanity! Where does hypocrisy fit into all this? Well, we know that the far right wing, which is the Republican Party, is full of hypocrites. The Chickenhawks are most evident, made up of A) All those men who supported and trumpeted the Vietnam War, yet refused to go and serve there and B) All those men, and yes now women too, who were of age to join up for Iraq War 1 and Iraq War 2 and chose to stay home, but were full of USA USA bluster. They spend their time, especially those in elected office, railing against what they call entitlements and keep voting to increase this obscene military spending (now over 50% of our taxes). They have the nerve to complain about Obama Care as socialism, when it really was a complete sellout to private health insurers; yet they have their own top grade and free socialist health coverage that our taxes pay for even after they leave office! Break Free From The Matrix Get Our Free Daily Newsletter The other side of this hypocrisy is of course the center/right wing of the Two Party system, the Democrats. This group likes to tell us how they Feel your pain etc and then go along with the Military Industrial Complex. Under their savior, Mr. Obama, military spending topped 56% of our taxes in 2011. The Democrats supported Obamas 10 times increase in drone missile attacks, his NATO-led destruction of Libya and continuation of our over 1000 permanent military bases in over 100 countries! Just as the Bush/Cheney gang was responsible for tens of thousands of civilian deaths through bombing and missile attacks, Obama and the Democrats signed off, and continue to sign off on such horror. The Democrats agreed with Obamas decision to continue the Bush/Cheney bailout of the crooked Wall Street crowd, which we taxpayers will be paying off for generations! Watching Inherit The Wind should allow you to see how rigid and foolish many of our fellow citizens still are. Just yesterday our new president had a rally in Melbourne, Florida. The first plan in his agenda was for his wife to lead the mob in prayer. No, they did not sing Old Time Religion but could easily have. Then, Mr. Trump had this ramped up supporter of his, another Joe the Plumber type, Gene Huber, recite his love and adoration for his president, wearing (I kid you not) a black tee shirt (Hitlers National Socialist color of choice) with the words President Donald Trump. Melbourne was transformed into Hillsboro, Tennessee for the afternoon. Thus a warning to those of us who know better: If we do not stand up and protest this fanaticism He that troubleth his own house will inherit the wind, and the fool shall be servant to the wise in heart. Philip A Farruggio is son and grandson of Brooklyn, NYC longshoremen. A graduate of Brooklyn College ( class of '74 with a BA in Speech & Theater), he is a free lance columnist posted on World News Trust, Nation of Change Blog, Op Ed News,TheSleuthJournal.com, The Intrepid Report, Information Clearing House, Dandelion Salad, Activist Post, Dissident Voice, Counterpunch and many other sites worldwide. Philip works as an environmental products sales rep and has been a street corner protest activist leader and Green Party member since 2000. In 2010 he became a local spokesperson for the 25% Solution Movement to Save Our Cities by cutting military spending 25%. Philip can be reached at PAF1222@bellsouth.net White House blocks CNN, BBC, New York Times, LA Times from media briefing The Trump administration hand-selected news outlets for the meeting By Justin Carissimo February 24, 2017 " Information Clearing House " - " The Independent " - The White House has blocked several major news outlets from covering its press briefing. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Friday hand selected news outlets to participate in an off-camera gaggle with reporters inside his West Wing office instead of the James S Brady Press Briefing Room. The news outlets blocked from the press briefing include organisations who President Trump has criticised by name. CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, The Hill, and the Daily Mail, were among the news outlets barred from the gathering. Instead, the press secretary hand-picked news outlets including Breitbart News, One America News Network, The Washington Times, all news organisations with far-right leanings. Others major outlets approved included ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters and Bloomberg. Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties, Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest. BuzzFeed s editor-in-chief, Ben Smith, also responded to his outlet being barred from the briefing: While we strongly object to the White Houses apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we wont let these latest antics distract us from the work of continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively. And the BBC's Washington bureau chief, Paul Danahar, said: We understand there may be occasions when, due to space or circumstances, the White House restricts press events to the established pool. Break Free From The Matrix Get Our Free Daily Newsletter However, what happened today did not fit into that pattern. On this occasion selected media were allowed to attend the briefing and the selected media, including the BBC, were not. "The BBC has a representative at every daily White House briefing so we are not clear why we were barred from today's. We have sought clarification from the White House Press team. Out reporting will remain fair and impartial regardless. Several media outlets including the Associated Press and TIME Magazine declined to attend the briefing to boycott the President's decision. A Wall Street Journal reporter attended the meeting without being aware of the circumstances. The publication later promised to boycott similar press briefings. "The Wall Street Journal strongly objects to the White House's decision to bar certain media outlets from today's gaggle, a spokesperson with the newspaper said in a statement. Had we known at the time, we would not have participated and we will not participate in such rest Fox News anchor Bret Baier discouraged conservative news outlets who celebrated the gaggle, citing organisations who defended his network when former President Obama tried to freeze out Fox News in 2009. Some at CNN and New York Times stood with Fox News when the Obama admin attacked us and tried to exclude us, he wrote on Twitter , a White House gaggle should be open to all credentialed orgs. President Trump renewed his attacks on the media by again calling news outlets the enemy of the people at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC. "I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources," he told his audience. "They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there." His comments come on the heel of reports that President Trumps Chief of Staff Reince Priebus privately asked the FBI to prevent news stories of the Trump campaigns communication with Russian intelligence. ===== CNN was blocked from WH @PressSec's media gaggle today. This is our response: pic.twitter.com/8SfY2uYKEI CNN Communications (@CNNPR) February 24, 2017 More that two hundred members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State have defected to the All Progressive Congress, (APC). Led by a former chieftain of the PDP in Kokori ward 6, Ethiope East local government area of the State, Chief Johnbull Efe Oviri Onochojare, the members cited lack of internal democracy for their reason to jump ship. Chief Onochojare who had previously left the PDP for the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP before returning while addressing the new members expressed dissatisfaction over the manner and conduct of his former party PDP, noting that the attitude of party leaders had made a lot of people to leave the party. According to him, he is now in his final bus stop at APC, where discipline, internal democracy and due process is the hallmark of the party, describing his years in PDP as wasted years. Receiving the new members, the Ethiope East party Chairman, Pastor Steve Eruotor, party leaders, Chief Philip Eyagomare, Chief Tony Erukeme and ward chairman, Chief Jerome Manuwa described the former PDP leader as grass root politician whose defection will bring back other lost sheep. In a separate statements, Eruotor and Erukeme, commended the leadership of the party, Chief Asiwaju Tinubu and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun for their leadership style, noting that what the party had experienced in Kokori will eventually happen in all the wards of the local government area. While calling on all others whom have not made up of their mind to have a rethink, as according to them, the party is ready to receive anybody that is ready to come to the winning train where due process and the rule of the party is respected. The White House has confirmed it asked an FBI official to discredit reports President Trumps campaign aides were in touch with Russian intelligence. The White House acknowledged its chief of staff Reince Priebus asked the FBIs deputy director to dispute a New York Times article alleging Moscow links. CNN reports the FBI refused, citing an ongoing inquiry into claims of contacts between Trump aides and Russia. Mr Trump has responded on Twitter by railing against FBI leakers. The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time, Mr Trump, who is due to address a conservative political gala on Friday morning, tweeted. They cant even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US. FIND NOW. The New York Times reported last week that US agencies intercepted phone calls last year between members of Mr Trumps presidential campaign and Russian intelligence agents. Mr Priebus asked FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to pour cold water on suggestions of communications between Mr Trumps staff and Moscow. As of Friday, the FBI has not commented publicly on the report. White House press secretary Sean Spicer refuted the CNN report. We didnt try to knock the story down. We asked them to tell the truth, he said. Mr Trump has been dogged by claims of alleged links to Moscow since his presidential campaigThey say love knows no boundaries, and the touching story of how a 28-year-old man in Indonesia fell in love with a woman 54 years his senior over the phone and ended up marrying her despite objections from both their families seems to confirm the old saying. About a year ago, Sofian Loho Dandel, a 28-year-old warehouse worker from the Indonesian island of Mantehage, received a call from an unknown number. Upon answering, he learned that the women on the other end of the line had dialed his number by mistake, while trying to call someone else. Only instead of hanging up and moving on with their lives, the two started making conversation and getting to know each other. Little did either of them know that they were talking to their future spouse? A year ago, I received a phone call from an unknown caller, I answered and we came to know each other, Sofian recently told Indonesian reporters. Since then, we have constantly kept in contact without knowing her age. I had never dated before, I felt in love. So, after months of conversations over the phone, Dandel decided it was time to finally meet the love of his life in person. So he traveled 120 km to Lelema Village, in South Minahasa, to see Martha Potu, the woman who had turned his life upside down. He had never bothered to ask how old his lady friend was, so Sofian admits that he was more than just a bit shocked when he was greeted by an 82-year-old grandmother. I did not expect Martha to be as old as this, the 28-year-old told Tribunnews. However, we are truly in love and we have both decided to continue with this relationship. A few month later after their first face-to-face meeting, Sofian and Martha decided it was time to take their relationship to the next level. They got engaged to be married, and met each others families to deliver the big news. Sofian invited his parents to meet his bride to be, but didnt tell them she was old enough to be their mother. The president asked for national security adviser Michael Flynns resignation last week after he misled Vice-President Mike Pence about his contacts with a Russian ambassador during the transition. When pressed about Moscow ties last week, Mr Trump said nobody that I know of spoke with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign Source: Leadership Two suicide car bombings have gone off near Al Bab, killing scores of people, just a day after ISIL fighters were pushed out of the northern Syrian town. Fridays first bombing killed 53 people in the village of Sousyan, 10km northwest of Al Bab, and struck Syrian rebels battling ISIL, or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant group, local sources said. The second explosion took place a few hours later and left eight dead, according to the Aleppo Media Center and Thiqa News agency, media platforms operated by activists. The first suicide bomber targeted a checkpoint manned by Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters that was crowded with civilians early on Friday. The Turkish-backed rebels on Thursday drove ISIL from Al Bab , the groups last significant stronghold in northwest Syria, along with two smaller neighbouring towns, Qabasin and al-Bezah, after weeks of street fighting. Referring to the first bombing, the medical charity Ambulanciers Sans Frontieres said 45 people, mostly civilians, had been killed and about 70 others were wounded. A large number of civilians were gathering around a checkpoint and suddenly a suicide car bomber drove in and detonated, Al Jazeeras Andrew Simmons, reporting from Gaziantep on the Syria-Turkey border, said. There could be Free Syrian Army members counted in the casualty figures as well. This is really a warning shot from ISIL it would appear. The car bomb hit outside a security office where civilians Source: Leadership Counsel to former National Security Adviser, NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), Ahmed Raji, on Friday told a High Court sitting in Abuja that his client was not ready for the commencement of his trial. Raji said the decision was due to the fact that his client had an application for consolidation of his cases, pending before the court. According to the lawyer, It will amount to a waste of time if the issue of the application is not resolved because it has a connection with the sister case. Counsel to the Federal Government, Rotimi Jacobs frowned at the delay in commencing trial. Jacobs said, Your lordship gave a sufficient time since the last sitting on January 24 in which the 2nd defendant (Dasuki) could have filed any motion, but he filed it only yesterday, and the sister case has commenced already. He just wanted to try his luck, this should not be a legal gambling. Dasuki alongside Bashir Yuguda, Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of finance, in the office of the national security adviser, Dalhatu Investment Ltd, Sagir Attahiru and Attahiru Bafarawa, former governor of Sokoto state, were arraigned on a 22- count charge bordering on diversion, conspiracy, bribery, abuse of office and criminal breach of trust of about N19.4 billion. In another case, the former NSA was arraigned on a 19-count charge bordering on diversion of funds. Others arraigned alongside Dasuki include, Shuaibu Salisu, a former director of finance, office of the national security adviser, Aminu Baba-Kusa, a former NNPC Executive Director, among others. Both cases are currently pending before Justice Husseni Baba-Yusuf. Source: Naijaloaded Ekiti State has the highest number of residents, among Nigerian states, who defecate openly, two agencies have said. The United Nations Childrens Fund and the European Union state that two in three Ekiti residents engage in open defecation. This is contained in a report jointly presented by the organizations at a two-day media networking and alliance building workshop on Water Sanitation and Hygiene held at Ijero Ekiti. The programme, which ended on Saturday, was sponsored by both foreign organisations; and also featured Open Defecation Free, ODF, campaign. The report stated that of the states 2.7million population, 1.8million engage in the unhygienic practice. It said the Ekiti figure represents 60.8% of Nigerians who defecate openly. The organisations said over 2.5 billion people lacked access to improved sanitation globally, out of which one billion were engaging in open defecation. The UNICEF/EU delegation, led by Mohsena Islam, a Water Sanitation and Hygiene specialist from UNICEF, had earlier embarked on a field trip with Ekiti Media WASH group to Asasa and Temidire Olojofi farm settlements in Aramoko Ekiti, to assess compliance with the campaign against open defecation. Mr. Mohsena disclosed that several achievements had been recorded through UNICEF/EU WASH programme in Ekiti, using Gbonyin and Ekiti West as pilot councils in advocacy for open defecation Free and WASH. In Ekiti , an estimated number of 180,000 people are gaining access to good source of water through provision of hand pump boreholes, he said. In the same way, 29,582 people in Ekiti have gained access to safe water through rehabilitation of 65 hand pumps in Gbonyin. 965 pupils from four schools now have access to child and gender friendly water supply. We have also brought improvement to 250 towns and communities in ODF by providing ten toilets per public. We have also provided technical supports in 313 communities, for them to know various ways to build and take ownership of low cost latrines and how to repair them in case of damage. Stakeholders would continue to step up sensitization and advocacy in rural areas on the need to key into the total eradication of open defecation , to forestall breakout of diseases. The Coordinator of Community Led Total Sanitation, CLTS, in Gbonyin, Kayode Eleso, said many residents were arrested and prosecuted for engaging in open defecation, particularly in Ado Ekiti metropolis; while efforts, were also on to compel every household to have toilets. He regretted that low manpower in the sector was responsible for the noticeable inefficiency of his officers , saying records show that no staff had been recruited since Ekiti was created on October 1, 1996. Lanre Ayeni, a CLTS facilitator and staff of Rural Water Sanitation Agency in Ekiti ,said in her presentation that 748 million of the global population, lack access to hygienic water supply . She said it was so regrettable that 1.8 billion people still use contaminated sources of water, which she said has caused a lot of damage to their health and body systems. Advocacy for open defecation free in Ekiti and good water sanitation is yielding results. Enforcement in the past by CLTS coordinators had failed . What we now use is persuasion and people are gradually changing their perception about this concept. source: premiumtimes The Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH) in Kano, Kano State, has successfully conducted a cardiac pacemaker implantation on 87 year-old Shehu Bashir-Nababa. The hospitals Deputy Director of Information, Malam Aminu Inuwa, disclosed this to newsmen on Friday in Kano. Inuwa in a statement said that the operation conducted by a team of medical doctors from the Cardiology, Radiology and Anesthesiology Departments and specialised nurses, lasted one and a-half hours. Inuwa quoted the leader of the team, Dr Ismail Muhammad-Inuwa, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon, as saying the patient was received at the Accident and Emergency Unit of the hospital with third degree heart block. The third degree heart block represents low heart rate less than 40 beats per minute, sync opal attacks and high blood pressure, he said. Inuwa in the statement explained that the pacemaker lead electrode wire was inserted into the right ventricle through the vein in the left upper chest and the electrode was connected to the pulse generator placed under the skin. The function of the pacemaker is to increase heart rate to at least 60 beats per minute as against less than 40 beats per minute, he said. The team leader advised the public to be more vigilant in identifying the signs and symptoms of the problem. He said that some people, even, among health professionals wrongly interpret or treat it as epilepsy. The patient, Bashir-Nababa , commenting 48 hours after the surgery, expressed his gratitude to Allah for saving him from the trouble of recurrent Source: Naijaloaded Manchester United will be favourites when they take on Southampton in Sundays 2017 EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium, England. However, a United squad stretched by injuries and a hectic schedule should be wary of a Southampton side thats already eliminated big clubs in this tournament. Among those injuries, Michael Carrick and Henrikh Mkhitaryan were withdrawn from the clubs 1-0 win over Saint-Etienne in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday. Mourinho didnt definitively rule the pair out of the final, but he did indicate replacements are ready to play if needed. The Saints knocked out Premier League sides Arsenal and Liverpool en route to the final. Yet Southampton manager Claude Puel has injury concerns of his own to deal with before Wembley. Southamptons own injury absentees include Charlie Austin, Virgil van Dijk, Alex McCarthy and Matt Targett. Sofiane Boufal is also a doubt. On the surface, an in-form United against a Southampton side mired in mid-table in the Premier League should be a foregone conclusion. However, theres enough about the Saints own capability to believe this will be a fiercely contested final. The Saints have not conceded a single goal so far in the tournament 450 minutes that has seen them travel to Arsenal and Liverpool and keep a clean sheet, and against a side noted for its wastefulness in front of goal, it bodes well. The match kicks off 5:30 p.m. Nigerian time. Mexicos Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray has expressed worry and irritation about US President Donald Trumps trade and immigration policies during a visit by two top White House representatives. Speaking to reporters on Thursday after closed-door meetings with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security chief John Kelly, Videgaray said it is a complex time for Mexican-US relations. Walls of Shame: The US-Mexican Border Featured Documentary There exists among Mexicans worry and irritation about what are perceived to be policies that could be harmful for the national interest and for Mexicans here and abroad, Videgaray said, looking stern as he stood beside the US officials. Relationships between the two countries have gone downhill quickly since Trumps win at the US presidential election in November. Washington this week angered its southern neighbour by saying it was seeking to deport many undocumented immigrants to Mexico if they entered the United States from there, regardless of their nationality. The immigration guidelines are the latest point of tension between neighbours that have also been at odds over Trumps vow to build a wall on the border and his attempts to browbeat Mexico into giving concessions on trade. Source: Leadership The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, says the force will henceforth recruit no fewer than 10,000 personnel annually to enhance its operations. Mr. Idris disclosed this in Sokoto on Friday when he addressed officers of Zone 10 of the force in Sokoto, comprising Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara state commands. He said, The yearly recruitment will be based on local government basis to reflect federal character and equity. The communities will be engaged meaningfully in the exercise in tune with the principles of democratic policing. Mr. Idris also promised that the police would continue to accord top priority to training, retraining, promotion, welfare, housing, logistics and other operational needs of its personnel to boost their productivity. The police boss, who also promised to urgently renovate the existing facilities and barracks across the nation, said most of the barracks were in a sorry state. Mr. Idris further said that the police management was partnering with the National Assembly to source for more funds for the force. The police is largely underfunded, hence, Nigeria is under policed, and I am working to redress the ugly trend. The police boss also said that the force would soon set up a school to train officers attached to the border patrol units to enable them combat cross-border crimes such as cattle rustling, armed robbery, human trafficking and other acts of banditry. We will also soon reopen the Mobile Police Training School in Gwoza, Borno, establish a marine school in Bayelsa, among others, he said. Mr. Idris reiterated the ban on check points across the country but told the personnel to maintain visibility policing, but stressing that bail is still free. We should continue to be of good conduct to earn and sustain the confidence as well as respect of the public we are supposed to be serving diligently. He described zone 10 command as one of the most peaceful commands in the country and urged its officers and men to sustain the tempo. The Assistant Inspector-General of police, AIG, in charge of the zone 10, Yakubu Usman, had earlier commended Mr. Idris for his humility, diligence and commitment to move the Police forward. Mr. Usman noted that the general security situation in the zone had remained peaceful in spite some attempts to disturb the peace. Source: NAN Im on a short trip guys, will be back to regular work soon. The 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has sentenced a soldier, Private Suleiman Olamilekan, to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour for beating up one Miss Ebere Ohakwe. The army said Suleiman was tried and found guilty of maltreating Ebere at Omagwa checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Onitsha Road on January 30, 2017. A statement on Thursday by the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Aminu Iliyasu, stated that the erring soldiers misconduct was reported on the social media. Suleimans salary, according to the statement, will be forfeited to the Federal Government for the same number of days that he will be in jail. In accordance with the Nigerian Armys policy of zero tolerance to unprofessional conduct, as well as its uncompromising stance on discipline and commitment to the rule of law, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army has charged, tried and found Private Suleiman Olamilekan of 6 Division Garrison, Port Harcourt, guilty of the maltreatment of Miss Ebere Ohakwe. He was accordingly sentenced to 28 days imprisonment with hard labour and the forfeiture of his salary for same number of days to the Federal Government of Nigeria. There was a report on the social media that the soldier maltreated one Miss Ebere Ohakwe at Omagwa Checkpoint along Port Harcourt-Onitsha Road on January 30, 2017. This prompted the decision of the authorities to investigate the matter with a view to serving justice adequately as required by the laws of the Nigerian Army. Consequently, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Enobong Udoh, ordered the immediate arrest of the soldier and his Guard Commander for investigation. He also invited the victim (Ohakwe) to his office, the statement read. The 6 Division spokesman assured the public that measures had been put in place to forestall a recurrence of such misconduct. The Army urged members of the public to report any misconduct within Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states to appropriate superior authorities via the following numbers; 09072509436, 09072509437 and 09072509438. We also wish to reassure the general public of our commitment to their safety and security as required by the laws of our great nation, the statement added. Source: Naijaloaded Nigerian newspaper headlines February 25, 2017. Punch Cases of mental illness have constantly been on the rise since 2016 in neuro-psychiatric hospitals across the country. Guardian The Federal Government yesterday sacked no fewer than nine directors at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Vanguard Nigerian resident in South Africa resorted to self-defence yesterday in the face of xenophobic attacks by South Africans, who specifically targeted them in the latest wave of attacks against black immigrants. The Nation South African police yesterday fired rubber bullets, tear gas and stun grenades to break up violent clashes between machete and rock wielding protesters and migrants in Pretoria at an anti-immigration march. The Sun Akure, the Ondo State capital yesterday stood still for hours in honour of the new governor of the state, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN as eminent personalities and leaders from across the country thronged the city. Thisday Officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) said they have discovered 6.158kg of heroin allegedly abandoned at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos. Leadership Katsina State governor, Aminu Bello Masari has joined those who have contacted President Muhammadu Buhari one on one, while he is still on vacation in the United Kingdom. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given reasons why it chose to open its first embassy in Spain. IPOB said it was due to the countrys rich knowledge and history of fighting for freedom. The group said the choice of a country in the Basque Region was because they would not betray Biafra like others did in the past. The disclosure was made by the Head of Directorate of State, DOS, of IPOB, Uchenna Asiegbu. He said the group put into consideration core values, respect and protection of freedom by the country. Asiegbu noted that they were guided by history due to bitter lessons learnt in the struggle for Biafra. Recently, a video of Biafra embassy in Spain was posted on Facebook. In the video, Asiegbu, is seen taking a guest on a tour of the facility. He said, Our Mission in Spain was opened in 2014 by our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with members of the Directorate of State from all over the world present. Its primary purpose is to serve as the world administrative headquarters of IPOB. As you know IPOB is the largest movement of its kind anywhere in the world today, therefore we have our leadership scattered across every continent. Having our administrative head office in a place like the Basque country is also logistically sensible. The IPOB Director also gave hints on plans to open new embassies in some other major countries. It is on record that the Government of Spain has given us permission to kick-start our global Biafra Genocide Awareness exhibition in Vitoria Basque country, Spain. Their police will be there to protect us, and their media to report the event. We can also confirm that the Indian Government has giving us approval to open another mission in the subcontinent. Our strategy of quiet expansionism will take us to every part of the world. As soon as preparations are finalised, we shall invite world media to attend the opening, if they can overcome their bias by then. As you know, British hostility towards Biafra is well documented but we are encouraged by the fact that our broadcasting studios are still stationed in London where we have not encountered any difficulties till date. We hope to open a regional office there in the not too distant future. United States is key in our determination to be located in every country of the world to counter the lies of the Nigerian government. One of the areas we failed during the war of 1967-70 is that we lacked adequate presence abroad. Having identified this need, our leader quickly put in place a mechanism for the establishment of missions and offices around the world. We have a small office in Inglewood area of Los Angeles California which we hope to expand in the near future. Very soon we will announce the opening of our main office of the head of mission in Washington United States. All hands are on deck to achieve this. We evaluate the criteria of opening an embassy in a country based on their core values, respect and protection of freedom. How they view the issue of the rights of Indigenous people is also a determining factor. Source: Naijaloaded A horrified mother found her cannibal son eating a seven-year-old boy he had murdered and beheaded in India, it has emerged. Nazim Miyans mother is said to have found him next to the childs corpse in an abandoned house in Amariya in northern Indias Uttar Pradesh. The young victims neck, arms and legs had been cut in to several pieces after being lured away from his friends, it has been reported. A stunned police officer who went to the gruesome scene said: The body was lying on the floor with the decapitated head beside it. The skin on the abdomen was missing and internal body parts and bloodstains were scattered across the room. Miyan was sitting near the corpse and surrendered to police without any resistance, he added. But he had been beaten up by locals before he could be taken away. Police recovered a knife and a shovel from the grisly scene in Pilibhit. Hundreds gathered outside a police station and demanded Miyan, in his mid-20, should be killed. He has been charged with murder and abduction. Miyan, described locally as a drug addict, apparently lured Mohammad Monis into the house while he was playing outside with other children. Miyan was incoherent and said nothing about it when quizzed by investigators, said sources. He was kept in custody when he appeared in court in Pilibhit on Wednesday. We will try to complete the investigation of the case and submit the final charge sheet in court, police officer Devranjan Verma told the Hindustan Time Source: Leadership An official of Code of Conduct Bureau, Samuel Madojemu, told the Code of Conduct Tribunal on Thursday, that the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, during his tenor as Governor of Kwara State, made cash lodgment of N77m in his account in September 2007. Mr. Madojemu, who is the Head, Intelligence Unit of the CCB, said as of the time when the N77m cash lodgments were made on September 5, 2007, Sarakis monthly salary as governor was N254,412.25 monthly. He was testifying as the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of Saraki before the Code of Conduct Tribunal, on charges of assets declaration breaches. Saraki was re-arraigned on amended 18 counts on Thursday before Madojemu continued his testimony which he commenced in the previous proceedings. Charges instituted against the defendant included allegation that Saraki failed to make a written declaration of his properties and assets, that is, N77m made into his account with Guaranty Trust Bank GRA, Ilorin branch on September 5, 2007. The prosecution alleged that the sum of N77m was not fairly attributable to his income, gifts or loan approved by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers. Source: Naijaloaded Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) says it has disconnected electricity supply to the National Arts Theatre, Lagos over unpaid N12 million debts. Mr Godwin Idemudia, General Manger, Corporate Communications of EKEDC, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos that the debt was an accumulation of unpaid bills over time. Idemudia said EKEDC had no option than to disconnect the complex after all appeals to the management to pay the accumulated bill proved abortive. The EKEDC spokesman, however, promised that supply would be restored if the management paid part of the debt. A senior official of the National Theatre, who did not want his name mentioned, told NAN that the management would pay the bill as soon it received its allocation. He said the management could not pay from of its generated revenue because the money into the Treasury Single Account as directed by the Federal Government. He, however, assured that the management would pay part of the bill soon. Meanwhile, NAN correspondent who visited the National Theatre reports that the outage had taken its toll on patronage to the popular relaxation area at the complex. The traders told NAN that many of their customers had stopped coming since the power outage started more than two weeks ago. Each of us spend more N1,500 daily to buy iced block to chill drinks. The darkness at the theatre has paralysed our businesses; no customer is willing to eat or take a hot drink, one of the traders said. They appealed to the National Theatre management to pay part of the debt so that power supply would be restored to the complex Source: Naijaloaded The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), on Friday discovered heroin weighing 6.155kg abandoned by drug smugglers at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos State. Ahmadu Garba, the Commander of the NDLEA at the airport made this disclosure while displaying the banned substance to newsmen. He said the drug which came in to the country from Pakistan was hidden inside a bag of clothes and abandoned on the conveyor belt at the arrival hall during the inward screening of passengers on Etihad Airways flight. Garba explained further that a manhunt has already been launched to detect the owner of the controlled substance and would be made to face the law when caught. A hustling man who was busy calling passengers on board a commercial bus in Lagos, has been gruesomely crushed to death by a moving trailer. A very unfortunate man has been sent to his early grave after a trailer crushed him to death on Friday, 24th February, 2017 at the Alafia bus-stop area of Lagos state. According to an eyewitness, the victim who usually loads passengers into buses at the scene of the accident, was busy calling on passengers to board a vehicle when the trailer which was going at a high speed knocked him down and crushed him to death. Below is the graphic photo; Two suspected drug traffickers were on Friday apprehended by the officials of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos while attempting to smuggle 2.035kg of cocaine concealed in cassava flour to Nairobi, Kenya and 2.485kg of cannabis to Qatar. Oluwasheto Abiodun, a 39-year-old electrician was found in possession of 2.035kg of cocaine while Ibe Divine, 33-year-old welder was caught with 2.485kg of cannabis. Oluwasheto, an indigent of Ondo State told officials that he was asked to send the drug to Nairobi by his childhood friend. I am an electrician based in Lagos. My childhood friend asked me to buy perfumes, sunglasses and shirts for him. After I bought the items, he then called that somebody will give me cassava flour to add and send to Nairobi in Kenya. However, during the search operation at the airport, two parcels of cocaine weighing 2.035 was hidden inside the flour. This was what led to my arrest. I was only given the sum of three hundred thousand Naira (N300,000) to buy the items, but my action has led me to detention, Oluwasheto who is a single parent lamented. The second suspect, Ibe Divine, a welder from Imo State and married with two children in his statement said that he wanted to sell the cannabis in Qatar for a high profit. I am a welder but I have been working in Qatar as a labourer. I bought the cannabis for fifteen thousand Naira (N15,000) in Nigeria with the intention of making a very high profit from it in Doha. In all l had ten parcels of cannabis hidden inside jeans trousers in my luggage. During the search of my luggage, I was arrested after the drug was detected he stated. The White House has confirmed it asked an FBI official to discredit reports President Trumps campaign aides were in touch with Russian intelligence. The White House acknowledged its chief of staff Reince Priebus asked the FBIs deputy director to dispute a New York Times article alleging Moscow links. CNN reports the FBI refused, citing an ongoing inquiry into claims of contacts between Trump aides and Russia. Mr Trump has responded on Twitter by railing against FBI leakers. The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time, Mr Trump, who is due to address a conservative political gala on Friday morning, tweeted. They cant even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US. FIND NOW. The New York Times reported last week that US agencies intercepted phone calls last year between members of Mr Trumps presidential campaign and Russian intelligence agents. Mr Priebus asked FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to pour cold water on suggestions of communications between Mr Trumps staff and Moscow. As of Friday, the FBI has not commented publicly on the report. White House press secretary Sean Spicer refuted the CNN report. We didnt try to knock the story down. We asked them to tell the truth, he said. Mr Trump has been dogged by claims of alleged links to Moscow since his presidential campaign. The president asked for national security adviser Michael Flynns resignation last week after he misled Vice-President Mike Pence about his contacts with a Russian ambassador during the transition. When pressed about Moscow ties last week, Mr Trump said nobody that I know of spoke with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign Source: Leadership With the Farm Bill up for reauthorization in 2018 and legislative debate poised to heat up later this year, theres been a lot of talk about the plight of the American farmer. A recent Wall Street Journal piece proclaimed that were on the brink of a major national farm bust, as a shrinking global grain market and low prices increasingly will drive small family farms out of business. Citing research from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Journal predicts that farm incomes will drop 9 percent in 2017, extending the steepest slide since the Great Depression into a fourth year. Declining farm incomes have not gone unnoticed on Capitol Hill. The House Agriculture Committee recently held its first hearing of the 115th Congress, titled Rural Economic Outlook: Setting the Stage for the Next Farm Bill. Chairman Michael Conaway, R-Texas, said in his opening remarks: Americas farmers and ranchers are facing very difficult times right now As we begin consideration of the next Farm Bill, current conditions in farm and ranch country must be front and center. For taxpayer advocates hoping for meaningful reforms in the next farm bill, this doom and gloom does not bode well. Instead of leading to reforms that help farms struggling to stay afloat, it will likely only result in more of the status quo. That means more taxpayer-funded subsidies flowing to wealthy agribusinesses, while small farms become increasingly obsolete. Its true that commodity prices are down and many farmers are struggling. But its also true that, relatively speaking, the farm economy is doing pretty well. As the Environmental Working Group points out in a response to the Journal piece, median farm household income is expected to grow in 2017. At $76,735, median farm household income is actually $20,000 more than the median income for all U.S. households. While there is certainly risk in starting a farm operationas there is with any business in a market-based economythe annual business failure rate is 14 times greater than the annual failure rate for farms. The alarmists imply that struggling commodity farmers are being left out to dry, but that couldnt be further from the truth. Not only are commodity farmers protected by the Agricultural Risk Coverage program, which triggers payments when revenues fall below an anticipated threshold, and the Price Loss Coverage program, which pays out when market-year average prices fall below whats called the reference price, but they also have the option to purchase government-subsidized crop insurance with lavish coverage options. On average, the government subsidizes 62 percent of farmers crop-insurance premiums, regardless of the size of the farm operation. Farmers also have the option to insure not only their projected yields, but also their revenue. Under the most extravagant federal crop insurance product, the harvest price option, farmers can cash in either the locked-in price at the time they planted or the current market price, whichever is higher. As weve said before, its the crop insurance equivalent of your auto insurer surprising you with a new Cadillac Escalade after youve totaled your Toyota Corolla. The Wall Street Journal correctly notes that the consolidation of large, industrial-scale farm operations has driven many small farms out of business. But what it doesnt mention is that our crony agriculture policy is likely driving much of that consolidation. An EWG analysis found that the top 10 percent of U.S. farms are getting more than 50 percent of the subsidies, with 26 farm operations receiving subsidies of $1 million or more. Congress should address this cronyism by putting a cap on the amount of premium support a single farm operation can receive and enacting a means test, so that farmers who are making high incomes cannot receive subsidies. This would help to level the playing field for small family farmers and ensure that our taxpayer dollars are not being spent to boost the incomes of mega-farm agribusinesses. Accounts like the Journal article invoke nostalgia for the hard-working family farmer, but this sympathy will only be misplaced if lawmakers do not seize on this opportunity to craft a reformed farm bill that puts the interests of taxpayers and struggling farmers above those of the Big Ag lobby. As we look ahead to the next farm bill, lets not allow dismal, exaggerated narratives distract us from the fact that our current farm-support system is not working and badly needs reform. Topics USA Profit Loss Agribusiness What Is the Central Registration Depository (CRD)? The Central Registration Depository (CRD) is a database maintained by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) since 2007 for all firms and individuals involved in the U.S. securities industry. It is used to store and maintain information on registered securities and broker firms, as well as individuals who dispense investing and financial advice. The data within the Central Registration Depository can be used like a background check on brokers and financial advisers, showing any complaints that may have been filed against them, enforcement actions, education, as well as licensing and professional certifications. The goal of the CRD is to increase the transparency and availability of data related to firms and individual investors in the financial asset management space, giving people greater access to important information related to their brokers and dealers and encouraging financial professionals to act with honesty and integrity. Key Takeaways The Central Registration Depository (CRD) is a database the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) maintains of all entities in the U.S. securities industry. FINRA's BrokerCheck program uses CRD information to provide background information on more than 6,800 registered broker-dealers and more than 660,000 active registered individuals. CRD data can be used like a background check on brokers and financial advisers, showing any complaints, enforcement actions, education, as well as licensing and professional certifications. Central Registration Depository data is available on the internet as Web CRD. Understanding the Central Registration Depository (CRD) The data found in the Central Registration Depository (CRD) is put in use in FINRA's BrokerCheck program, which provides background information on more than 6,800 registered broker-dealers and more than 660,000 active registered individuals to potential investors. Interested parties can also access CRD data by calling BrokerCheck toll-free at (800) 289-9999. Investors can also find such information through their state's securities regulator or via the North American Securities Administrators Association. Central Registration Depository (CRD) and BrokerCheck BrokerCheck offers the following information on brokerage firms: A summary report that provides an overview of the firm A profile of the firms ownership A firm history, including any mergers, acquisitions or name changes A description of the firms operations, listing its active licenses and registrations, the types of businesses it conducts and other details Arbitration awards and any regulatory or disciplinary events on the firms records BrokerCheck offers the following information on individual brokers: A summary report that provides an overview of the broker and his or her credentials A listing of the brokers qualifications, including current registrations or licenses and industry exams that the broker has passed Previous employment data for the past 10 years, both in and outside the securities industry, as reported by the broker Any customer disputes or regulatory and disciplinary events on the brokers record. Central Registration Depository (CRD) on the Web FINRA makes the Central Registration Depository available on the web as Web CRD. According to FINRA, "the system contains the registration records of more than 3,700 registered broker-dealers, and the qualification, employment, and disclosure histories of more than 634,000 active registered individuals." "Web CRD also facilitates the processing and payment of registration-related fees such as form filings, fingerprint submissions, qualification exams, and continuing education sessions. Web CRD is a secure system for entitled users only. Firms must complete FINRAs entitlement process noted below to request access to use Web CRD." Hey there, my friends! Its IoT Evolution Week in Review time once again. Weve had some big stories and some cool stuff happening here, and its time we package it all up for you. In our lead story this week, were less than a week from Mobile World Congress, and in the run-up to the global marquee event for mobile connectivity, the preview news wires are humming with activity. Qualcomm is driving a gigantic amount of this news, not unexpectedly. Here are some of the most interesting points to watch. We had a great guest post from Jeff Finn, CEO, zvelo. He writes about how malicious hackers seeking out unsecured devices to add to their botnet armies is not new, but the Internet of Things revolution is making their jobs all too easy. He asks: why aren't IoT manufacturers doing more to prevent botnet attacks? And now, the news: Actility, a provider of low power wide area networking (LPWAN), has announced that Tom Wheeler, former chair of the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the Obama Administration, has joined its Board of Directors. Honeywell recently announced a major energy management project with Coop Denmark, the country's largest retailer of consumer goods, to help reduce energy consumption by 20 percent by 2020 and achieve mandated carbon reduction goals. Thales, a deployment house of critical information systems, cybersecurity and data security, has announced the results of its 2017 Thales Data Threat Report, Healthcare Edition, which was issued in conjunction with analyst firm 451 Research. According to the report, 81 percent of U.S. healthcare organizations and 76 percent of global healthcare organizations will increase information security spending in 2017. In a recent announcement, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, top tech leaders, higher education partners and Scott Fadness, Mayor of Fishers, said they will form the so-called Indiana IoT Lab-Fishers. The new facility will be designed to bring each component of the emerging tech sector of Internet of Things (IoT) together as a lab for innovation and collaboration for the rapidly expanding industry, predicted by Machina Research to become a $3 trillion industry by 2025. The Australian Facilities Management (FM) sector is a mature market with a relatively high level of penetration of integrated FM services, but a new Frost & Sullivan study, Australian Facilities Management Market - Forecasts to 2023, seems to indicate that the impact of improved connectivity in the built environment and the need for improving FM efficiencies will cause disruption of the competitive landscape. IoT Evolution has published IoT Time: Evolving Trends in the Internet of Things, a new book by yours truly, Ken Briodagh, about the ongoing influences shaping the IoT. Theres plenty more to read, listen to and watch, so visit us on IoT Evolution World for all the IoT news, my friends. Now is the time to put into your calendar the next IoT Evolution Expo, to be held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Also, please get in touch with us when you have stories. As always, if you have questions, comments, complaints or compliments, please send them to me, editorial director Ken Briodagh at [email protected] or on Twitter @KenBriodagh. The latest accounts filed by Bord na gCon, the Irish Greyhound Board, show it recorded a surplus of over 2.3m in 2015 up from just under 700,000 in 2014. However, the surplus was largely attributable to an increase in funding from the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund which went up from 10.8m in 2014 to 13.6m in 2015. The profit from actual racing activities declined to 617,502 from over 805,000 in 2014. Total income rose by almost 14% to 28.2m largely due to the decision by the board to bring its food and beverage operations back in-house. However, total prize money declined down to 6.7m from 7.5m in 2014. Overall attendances at race meetings were also down 1.4% to 635,289, although average attendances per meeting were up 4.5% to 387 due a reduction in the actual number of race nights. The town of Carrigaline came to a standstill to pay their respects to the 58-year director of wholesalers M&P OSullivan, who served on three separate occasions as president of the Cork Business Association. Mr OSullivan, who was crowned Corkonian of the Year last December, was described by chief celebrant Fr Pat Fogarty as deserving of being called a legend. He said: He leaves a rich legacy. The word legend is thrown around very loosely nowadays. James was a legend in his lifetime and leaves us a rich legacy of what it means to be a true Christian person. Mr OSullivan was known throughout Cork for his commitment to charity and volunteerism, having served as president of the Carrigaline & District Lions Club as well as district governor of the philanthropic organisation. The Carrigaline Lions Charity Cycle has raised 500,000 since it was founded during Mr OSullivans term as president of the Lions Club. Fr Fogarty said Mr OSullivan had dedicated his life to his wife Cathy and their two children Emma and Eoin, as well as helping others. It was a testament to his inherent goodness so many people came from far and wide to attend his funeral Mass, Fr Fogarty added. His son Eoin said his father was a generous, positive, passionate, determined man who gave his time to help others. James lived for the now. He had boundless energy and was always on the go. If there was something he wanted, he went out and got it. He had friends in high places and never hesitated to call in a favour for someone in need. He found great satisfaction in helping others, and supporting charities was a huge part of his life. He was a true Corkonian. He was only getting started when it came to working for the city. No doubt he has left the city in a much better place than he found it, said Eoin. Daughter Emma said her father was a family man at heart, who adored his wife and his children. You were one of a kind, and I was so proud to call you my father, she said. A native of Douglas, Mr OSullivan joined the M&P OSullivan company, which was founded by his grandfather in 1905, in 1977 as it entered the cash and carry trade. It took Alphabets Waymo seven years to design and build a laser-scanning system to guide its self-driving cars. Uber allegedly did it in nine months. Waymo claims that was possible because a former employee stole the designs and technology and started a new company. The complaint intensifies Alphabets rivalry with Uber, one of the Internet giants largest investments, and reflects an escalating talent war in the burgeoning autonomous-driving arena as tech and auto companies alike compete for skilled engineers. Kieran Joyce, aged 52, pleaded guilty to having the cigarettes and tobacco at his home at Ardan na Mara, Youghal, Co Cork, on February 25, 2015. Judge Sean O Donnabhain said the biggest factor weighing on his mind was the fact that Joyce had previous convictions for the same offence. Customs officer Georgina ODoherty testified Joyce was fined various amounts up to over 5,000 for offences committed in 1997, 2000 and 2002. The fourth conviction was recorded in 2004 and he was fined 1,000 and given a six-month suspended sentence. Ms ODoherty said she obtained a warrant to search the home of the accused in February 2014, and the cigarettes were later found at his home and at a neighbouring property. Character witness, Gerry OMahony, president of the Munster Council said of Joyce, He is possibly one of the best boxers Ireland has produced. Other character evidence was put before Judge Sean O Donnabhain that Joyce had a huge commitment to coaching and supporting youngsters in boxing and that he made an enormous contribution to society in that respect. The judge repeated that the previous convictions for the same offence made custody unavoidable. He decided to remand the accused in custody until April 4 for sentencing on that date. Dermot Sheehan, defending, said the amount of revenue lost to the State by the cigarettes and tobacco which Joyce had available for sale in February 2015 was 6,000. Mr Sheehan said Joyce represented Ireland internationally as well as being a very successful figure nationally. Joyce said yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court that the offence two years ago was a moment of madness, stupidity, and it would not happen again. However, it is unclear if BAM Property intends to begin work soon or will have to await the outcome of a possible planning application for changes to the concert and conference venue. Cork City Councils decision gives the company approval to provide bed spaces for more than 400 students, in a change to the plans for which permission was originally granted as part of the overall project in late 2011. BAM applied last September to reduce office and shop space to increase the amount of student accommodation on the northern end of the site, nearest to Washington Street, one of three zones on the Brewery Quarter plot on South Main Street. However, after the firms briefing to city councillors earlier this week about the changes it wishes to make to the main aspect of the project, it is understood that new plans for the zone which includes the events centre will have to be submitted to the council. The project has already been promised 12m from the Government and 8m from Cork City Council, but BAM now says the requirements of the proposed operators of the venue, Live Nation, mean significant changes need to be made to make it viable. The Irish Examiner reported earlier this week that those changes may involve reductions in the amount of office space on that part of the site, and would require planning approval as a change from the parent permission. The student accommodation plans could help meet a requirement for increased purpose-built third-level student facilities. The archaeological importance of the site, once part of the early medieval city, means the old city wall will be preserved in-situ. A historic laneway is to be re-established in the student apartment zone, linking South Main Street to a pedestrian bridge across the River Lee. Ministers will be asked to approve the 10m a year measure when they meet, according to the memo, seen by the Irish Examiner. At present, about 10,000 of the 33,000 disabled children under the age of 16 who get the domiciliary care allowance are not, for a number of reasons, entitled to a medical card, and therefore have to bear the high cost of treating their conditions. According to the memo, under the Health Amendment Bill 2017, it is proposed that all children, irrespective of the severity of their condition who are in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance will be entitled automatically to a medical card. The bill, being brought by Health Minister Simon Harris, has been a priority issue for the Independent Alliance minister Finian McGrath. Sources close to the minister last night said he and Mr Harris have been pushing hard to deliver on this commitment and said this represents a major win for the Independent Alliance. We have been pushing hard to deliver this much- needed relief for the families of sick children. Yes, it is a good day for the Independent Alliance. Most importantly it will be a major break for those most affected, the source close to Mr McGrath told the Irish Examiner. Domiciliary care allowance is a non-means tested monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. The domiciliary care allowance rate is 309.50 per month. The bill will also reduce the prescription charges for medical card holders over the age of 70 to 2 per item, subject to a cap of 20 per person or family per month from the beginning of March. In order to deliver on the timeline set out in Budget 2017, the minister for health, following consultation with the attorney general, has requested the Health Service Executive (HSE) to introduce the new charge on an administrative basis from March 1, 2017, the memo states. Ministers McGrath and Harris are seeking approval of the bill by Cabinet, permission to proceed with the passage of the bill through the Dail and Seanad before sending it to President Michael D Higgins for early signature into law. To ensure the lower prescription charge for over 70s and their dependents is introduced on a statutory basis from April, an early signature from the President is requested, the memo states. Meanwhile, Mr Harris has welcomed the news that trade union Siptu has reached agreement with the HSE which has seen a threatened strike by support staff over working conditions. It was due to start on Monday week by about 10,000 staff including healthcare assistants, porters, cleaners and catering staff, but a deal was reached yesterday which will avert the disruption. A source close to Mr Harris told the Irish Examiner: At the start of the week, we had a doctors strike pending. That is now resolved. We had a Siptu health strike pending. That is now resolved. It has been a good week for the health service. While they are now rivals in the imminent race to replace Taoiseach Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader, it was an entirely different story for Mr Varadkar and Simon Coveney two decades ago. As he contested the Cork South Central by-election in 1998, a then 27-year-old Coveney was given a hand by a fresh-faced 20-year-old medical student from Dublin. Quietly doing his bit for the party, Leo happily posed alongside colleagues Emily Maher and Lucy Michael in a bid to drum up support for Simons Dail campaign. Sporting a red T-shirt emblazoned with the phrase Vote Simon Coveney No 1 and a badge with the same message, the future household name pressed the flesh to win voters over to his colleagues cause. And clutching a signed, no less pamphlet of his now rivals plans to take on his competitors in Cork South Central complete with a relaxed photo of a down with the kids Mr Coveney, Leo appeared clear on where his support lay. The vintage Fine Gael newsletter does not contain any quotes from him explaining why Leo believed Simons burgeoning skills were so vital to ensuring Irish political standards in the highest levels of the Dail. However, given the fact that both Cabinet ministers are now locked in the slowest of slow bicycle races to replace Taoiseach Enda Kenny, the image of him openly canvassing for his colleague will hardly be welcomed by the Social Protection Minister. A spokesperson for Mr Coveney yesterday said that the Housing Minister was unavailable to comment due to a private engagement. However, asked about image last night, Mr Varadkar was open to taking a trip down memory lane, saying: I did my bit for Simon many years ago. Im looking forward to him lending a hand in my campaign. While Fine Gael TDs, senators, councillors, and grassroots members around the country are keeping their cards and future career prospects close to their chest about they back as their partys next leader, at least Mr Coveney and Mr Varadkars can both be safe in the knowledge they each have one vote in the bag. After all, when have politicians ever gone back on a campaign trail promise... In Cork, a truck that caught fire in the afternoon close to the Jack Lynch tunnel caused chaos for motorists on the N40 with delays lasting up to an hour and a half as traffic became backed up from the Dunkettle interchange to the Kinsale Road. It is understood that one of the axles on the truck broke, causing it to skid along the roadway. Members of Cork City Fire Brigade attended the scene along with the Garda Traffic Corps. Smoke from the truck made visibility difficult. During the incident, one of the tunnels lanes had to be closed off, leading to long delays for both west and eastbound traffic. The truck was finally removed and the blockage cleared shortly after 6pm, but traffic delays continued for a further hour. In Limerick, rail services from the city to Limerick Junction were cancelled for an hour yesterday after it was feared a meeting of a truck and a railway bridge had resulted in a possible leakage of chemicals from the vehicles loader. Services re-opened shortly after 3pm after the rail bridge structure, located overhead the Limerick-Kilmallock Road, was deemed safe by a Irish Rail engineers. A truck believed to have been carrying a load of chemicals became wedged underneath the 4.4m high bridge around 2pm and the trucks load was hanging perilously to one side. Gardai closed off the road on both sides for around an hour while the truck was freed. Four units of Limerick City and County Fire Service responded to the scene along with a recovery truck which is believed to have used a crane to pull the truck free. The rail line and roadway were opened shortly after 3pm after Irish rail engineers confirmed the bridge structure was safe. A spokesperson for Iarnrod Eireann said: It happened on the Kilmallock Road. The truck was stuck under the bridge. We were told there was a possible chemical leakage. ITS been four days now and I still havent spent any cash; money yes, but not cash. Its part of a little personal experiment thanks to US President Donald Trump. When he suggested at a rally in Florida last week to look at what was happening in Sweden, I did as he said. And sure enough, there it was: a terror non-attack in a society that could be completely cashless in less than a decade. As it stands, you cant buy a bus or a metro ticket with cash for love nor money. Almost half of the countrys banks are cashless and, soon, the same will be true of shops: cash is used in just a fifth of all transactions. Even the street vendors and church collections are paid in plastic, or through a mobile phone app. Last year, one church in the capital, Stockholm, said that 85% of donations were made by phone. Sweden was the first European country to introduce a banknote in the 17th century, so it seems rather fitting that it will also probably be the first to consign it to history. Many are happy advocates say the digital economy helps to tackle corruption and it is quick, fast and easy. Others warn of the lack of privacy; every tiny transaction from buying a newspaper to a health-damaging pack of cigarettes leaves a digital trace. In the wrong hands indeed, in any hands that kind of information is open to all kinds of abuse. Not surprisingly, the debate has divided along demographic lines with older people holding on to the idea of cash. Pensioners make up a large proportion of the Cash Uprising movement which campaigns to ensure older Swedes will still be able to deposit and withdraw cash at banks. Theres also a lot of sense to the argument that a cashless society will push the poorest even further towards the margins. When Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi took 500 and 1,000 rupee notes out of circulation overnight last November, chaos ensued. At the time, he said that he wanted to put a stop to Indias black economy, now hes stressing the notion that cashless equals modern. Where does that leave the 600 million Indian people who dont have a bank account or the one in five who are without a smartphone, or the rickshaw driver and market seller who cant afford a card reader? Here in Ireland, the card continues to gain ground on cash. Last year, the Banking and Payments Federation Ireland released figures to show that each of us withdrew, on average, 5,388 from ATMs in 2015, but made debit card payments of 7,442. For the little things, though, we still use cash and thats where my four-day card-only trial is starting to hurt. I cant find it within me to pay for a packet of chewing gum with a card, or to buy a newspaper, stamp, or loaf of bread with plastic. Some shops still say they will accept cards only above a certain amount. So instead, I buy in bulk. And theres the rub. There are any number of studies to show that we tend to spend more when paying by card. (Lets not even get started on how contactless payment can lead to overspending in six effortless taps.) However, what Id miss most in a cashless society is the cultural side of hard currency. It would be a sad day if we could never toss a coin again. How would we start a match, resolve a dispute, decide who pays for the coffee and buns? What about our buskers? I cant see too many of them investing in a visa reader. And what of the homeless magazine sellers? In Sweden and Amsterdam, some of them have already made the transition to digital but that means there can be no unofficial extra contribution to a seller who is standing in the damp of a hostile afternoon. Speaking of unofficial contributions, the kindly relative who pressed a note into your hand at the door might very well up-skill to send the money by app. In return, they might even get a text to say thks. But what a loss: the look of complicity between donor aunt/uncle and eager recipient is one that should be bottled. That exchange is what subversion, at its very best, looks like, capturing as it does the moment of a surreptitious handover conducted out of sight of certain-to-object parents. Stealthy philanthropists (my Uncle Jim was a master of the art) will take a hit in a new cashless society. Therell be no rooting down the back of the sofa for unspent coins either. No cash registers, no cash cows, no phrases to be coined. What will we put in supermarket trolleys? Archaeologists, too, will be at a loss. Coins are one of best dating tools there is. A coin stamped with the head of a Roman emperor is one excellent way of placing an object in a time period. Digital data, however, is notoriously hard to preserve yet easy to manipulate and hack. The thought of an IT banking failure doesnt even bear thinking about. Remember what happened in the summer of 2012 when 600,000 Ulster Bank customers were left without access to money because of an IT glitch. Meanwhile, back in Sweden, news broke of riots in a predominantly immigrant neighbourhood just days after President Trumps comments. Some cars were set alight, a police officer was injured and a suspect was arrested on drug charges. A spokesperson said the incidents were regrettable but unusual. Even though 45% of Swedes believe refugees are more to blame for crime than other groups, according to a 2016 Pew Research Center survey, the same centre found they also think growing diversity makes the country a better place. Still, I bet the riots will be used to add grist to an increasingly ugly but prevalent anti-immigrant discourse. Id even put cash on it. THE refugee camp is on the Luas line, in the heart of south Dublin, not far from Dundrum Town Centre. It looks down on the Dodder, across which sits Alexandra College for young ladies. The refugees arent fleeing a war not a conventional one anyway. They havent arrived here after a perilous journey across sea or land. Two of them to whom I spoke during the week are from down the country, the third has the cut of a man who has lived his life in the greater Dublin environs. They exist in this settlement of tents, on a green area next to a substation which services the Luas line. The train rumbles by every few minutes to a lazy beat. Some passengers turn a curious gaze to the settlement. Others dont appear to notice it. Maybe theyre right to pay no attention; maybe settlements like this are to be a fact of life in the future, but there is something incongruous about people living in tents in this affluent enclave, en route to nowhere, as life passes by on a city-bound train. The rubbish is the biggest problem, according to John. Hes been without a roof over his head for two years and arrived in this camp of five tents about six months ago. The fellas from the council told us, once we take care of the rubbish, theyll leave us alone. Its a problem finding somewhere to get rid of it, he says. Peter sticks his head out from his tent, a little one-man number. All you can see is his head. Everything, including his own body from the neck down, is inside that little tent. He has a dog too, but its not clear whether the dog is in the tent or has gone for a run. The thing with me is the dog, he says. Lot of places wont let a dog in. I get about 800 a month and the best I could get with my dog is a gaff for 1,200. He shrugs. Hes out of a home since last June. I was living in a squat but we got thrown out of that, he says. Then I lost my job as a result. I was a gardener up in the Phoenix Park. Id love to get something else. On Tuesday, the latest figures revealed that 7,167 people are without a home. This figure is drawn from records showing how many people are living in emergency accommodation. John and Peter and their fellow tent- dwellers are not included in the statistics. Its not known how many people without a home are unaccounted for in the official statistics. Housing Minister Simon Coveney said the record number of homeless people shows the success of the drive to ensure that more families are exiting homelessness than entering it. He said this on the basis that the number of families in homelessness dropped by 33 to 1,172. So the rise in the incidence of homelessness isnt really a failure, but a success, because a positive stat can be plucked from the overall figure. Or at least thats the spin Mr Coveney puts on it. Statistics in the camp have also changed. There were seven men in situ; now there are only four. The departed have gone to hostels, but that option holds no attraction for those who remain. Mike used to get hassle in the parks in the city before he moved out here to the suburbs. He got a lot of grief in hostels also. Hes a tall, well-built man in his 20s, trailing an air of shyness or even vulnerability. When he was a child his family moved here from England. He left his family home six months ago because he couldnt get on with his old man. Id like to get a gaff, he says. But at least its peaceful out here. Nobody hassles you. The men dont suffer addiction problems and dont appear to have any mental health afflictions. This is notable only in that those who traditionally found themselves on the street, prior to the current crisis, often harboured afflictions other than getting a roof over their heads. These days the inability of the State to house all those in need of a home leads to all sorts of life-changing issues. For families, the impact of living in temporary accommodation can arrest the development of children in a multitude of ways. For the men who live in their tents, removed from the immediate dangers of violence and associated problems on the street in the city centre, it can breed a type of apathy. None of the three is working (the fourth man wasnt present on Wednesday). They can draw job seekers allowance without presenting a fixed address, which is just as well when the number without an address runs into the thousands. Some might observe this situation and demand that they get hunting for some work in an economy that is continuing to sprout jobs. But how does one go from living in a tent, or a hostel, to securing, not to mind holding down, a job? And for what end in the current renting environment? Would any work pay enough that they might be able to move into somewhere called home? Peter is the only one of the three present who appears to be agitated about his current station. He has some thoughts on the fragility of the world economy, which he believes is going to end up in another crash. He is also the only one who has definite plans. Once the next crash happens and rent comes down, Ill manage to get a place, he says. Hed like to get back to work, but hed prefer to get a place first and launch operations from there. John and Mike just shrug. John is interested in keeping fit. He visits a gym regularly. Mike says, I suppose I would (like some work), but its alright here. We dont get hassle. Another train rumbles by. Rain is falling now like a curtain over the dull day. A storm is on the way, but the men didnt know about that, and theyre relatively happy that they will be well wrapped up. Theyre young and dont appear to have any health issues. Maybe this is a passing fad for them, or at least some of them. Or maybe this is a new reality for a new kind of underclass, where potential, hope, and dreams are smothered. At least out here they dont have to fear the sudden flaring of violence in a hostel, or on the street in the dead of night when most of us are at home. The camp by the Luas is relatively secure by that basic yardstick. Its also a shocking indictment of society that such a place is now one of the better options for some refugees from this world of ours. Back in 2011, Apple's Steve Jobs stepped down as CEO of the company, and lost his battle to cancer on October 5th of the same year. Had he been alive today, he would have been 62, with the world celebrating the solid mark he left through the products that he created through sheer dedication towards his work. As tribute, Tim Cook, Apples current CEO, sent out a tweet this morning, honoring Steve's memory and on how he inspires everyone. "Remembering Steve, whose words and ideals will always inspire us, Cook writes on Twitter. Then he quotes Steve on one of his inspiring messages,"There is no reason not to follow your heart. Dozens more of wise life advices from the man who popularized Apple products could be viewed online as way to remember his innovative genius and entrepreneurial prowess. When Apple's Steve Jobs died, a lot of talk about the company not being the same anymore circulated, putting the new CEO under careful scrutiny when he took over. However, despite critics claiming otherwise, the company under Cook did turn out just fine. In fact, Apple was able to sell a record number of iPhones last quarter, breaking all the expectations of analysts and critics alike, the WCCFTech reports. However, it doesn't mean the company is safe from failure. For example, despite being packed with revolutionary features, the MacBook Pro did take a lot of heat for ditching the essential USB-A port and SD card reader. People wonder if Steve Jobs would have done the same tweakings Cook did, but overall, consumers are satisfied as Apple phased out the optical drive and introduced USB-A as part of its products more readily than any other tech companies out there. According to the Yahoo News, Apple pays tribute to Steve Jobs by opening a new campus in April designed with futuristic features which based its concept on Steve's remark about an enormous circular office space looking like a spaceship. The multi-billion dollar campus features another tribute to the former boss by naming the on-site theater after him. The company's design chief, Jony Ive, explains that the architecture is to remember Steve Jobs' investment of his "energy in creating and supporting vital creative environments". Over the coming weeks, with thicker and older ice becoming extremely rare, the arctic sea ice continues to experience record-low levels, with both extent and thickness on track to break winter-minimum records. That being said, a new study conducted by a team of researchers from the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University suggests that it might be possible to refreeze parts of the Arctic ice sheet. As of the press time, although the plan remains to be theoretical, if put into action, the researchers believe that roughly 10 million floating pump devices in the Arctic, with a total cost of around $500 billion would produce a meter of additional ice over the course of one winter season. Refreezing The Arctic Sea Ice According to reports revealed by Phys Org, through a geoengineering technique that would rely on wind-powered pumps, the Arizona State researchers believe one of the largest positive feedback mechanisms on the planet can be neutralized. The study, entitled as "Arctic Ice Management", has recently appeared in Earth's Future, which is an online journal published by the American Geophysical Union wherein they have clearly indicated the current rate at which Arctic ice is disappearing it quite disconcerting. Moreover, experts have revealed that humanity is not likely to be able to combat rising global temperatures in the coming decades without the presence of the polar ice cap. Furthermore, in one of his statements reported by Laboratory Equipment, study lead researcher Steven Desch, together with his colleagues have claimed that efforts to reduce CO2 emissions aren't enough to prevent further ice melt, and they estimate that all summer Arctic ice could be absent by 2030. They added that it is unlikely that CO2 levels and mean temperatures can be decreased in time to prevent this loss, thus, artificially restoring sea ice is an imperative action that they have to do at once. By placing machines that would use wind power to generate pumps, researchers estimate that water could be brought to the surface over the course of an Arctic winter, when it would have the best chance of freezing. What Are The Challenges? Meanwhile, one potential problem that experts have anticipated is the presence of high wind gusts or lulls that could increase wind speeds outside the operating range of the turbine, which would reduce overall efficiency. Additionally, the team said that they may also face troubles in preventing the stored water inside the tank from freezing. However, despite these outlined challenges, the authors have highly emphasized that they are manageable adding that a similar wind turbine designs have been implemented at the South Pole station. As everyone knows, Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom is one of the most controversial figures in tech history. The credits of his popularity are due to his multi-million dollar company, his unconventional lifestyle, and his companys shutdown. Far from not having interesting details, Kim Dotcom is a person with such incredible facts that you probably wont believe. Here are the craziest facts. Kim Dotcoms Company Made $42 Million In A Single Year As you might now, Kim Dotcom company Megaupload is probably one of the most famous websites in the history. This portal provided online services related to file storage and viewing, in which you could actually watch the newest films or the latest episode of your favorite series. Given this situation, Megaupload made $175 million since 2005, and Kim Dotcom made an incredible fortune with this website, which allowed him to have the luxurious and eccentric life we all have seen: the big mansion, the luxurious cars, and the gorgeous models. Nevertheless, the most incredible moment form him and his company was in 2010 since Megaupload managed to get $42 million in this single year, with an average of 50 million visitors per day. This way, the company became a colossal player in just a little moment, while Dotcom was building its own chapter in the history of tech business. His Arrest Was Like An Action Movie Far from being boring and predictable, Kim Dotcoms arrest was probably one of the most incredible moments in tech history, given the fact that this event was like an action movie in which the bad guy shows an incredible resistance to the security forces. Believe it or not, dozens of highly-.armed FBI agent went to his mansion and was backed by helicopters, just as if they were trying to catch a drug lord. And even when he wasn't a modern Pablo Escobar, Kim Dotcom was secured with electronic locks that represented a huge obstacle for the officers. They were forced to spend time breaking the locks in order to get to their objective, just to find that Dotcom hid in a safe room. Kim Dotcom Is The Global Top Player In Modern Warfare 3 Another interesting act about Kim Dotcom is that hes a gamer. This seems quite incredible considering that it is almost impossible to combine working in such an important company having an enough amount of time in developing your skills in certain video games. Thats right, this guy wasn't exactly just an average person that likes to play videos games sometimes but doesn't represent a huge competition since he was actually a really skillful gamer. His favorite game was Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and far from being someone who could beat you up in certain rounds, Kim Dotcom was officially the top player in the entire world. This means, that every single person you know or seen in a YouTube video making incredible moves in this particular video game, wouldn't represent any threat to Megauploads founder. In fact, just a few weeks before he got arrested, Kim Dotcom posted a video in which he was celebrating the incredible milestone of more than 150,000 kills in this game. Microsoft has largely invalidated one of Windows 10's signature concessions to corporate customers, said Gartner analysts who recommended that enterprises reconsider running the operating system's most stable and static edition. "Microsoft has clarified support plans for LTSB, highlighting restrictions and caveats that could make this an unviable strategy," wrote Stephen Kleynhans and Michael Silver in a Gartner research note to clients earlier this month. LTSB, or "Long-Term Servicing Branch," is one of three release tracks that enterprises can select for their Windows 10 devices. Unlike the others -- called "Current Branch" (CB) and "Current Branch for Business" (CBB) -- LTSB does not involve once- or twice-yearly upgrades that add new features and morph the user interface (UI). Instead, LTSB versions receive security updates only. Microsoft conceded the need for LTSB because of corporate customer resistance to the accelerated tempo of added features, changed code and altered UI in Windows 10. For their part, enterprises saw LTSB as being like decades of past Windows' editions -- including Windows 7 -- in how the new operating system would be serviced by Microsoft, and thus maintained by their IT departments. While Microsoft cautioned from the beginning that companies should not select LTSB for any but a small fraction of their PCs, both enterprises and analysts thought LTSB would be broadly adopted. "Some enterprises will undoubtedly try to fall back to the LTSB because it will seem safe and familiar," Kleynhans said in a June 2015 interview. The promise of LTSB was certainly alluring: Microsoft said it would support each LTSB edition for a full decade, just as it had earlier versions, Windows 7 among them, and thus require corporate customers to upgrade just once during those years. But as Kleynhans and Silver pointed out, Microsoft's rules revolving around LTSB have changed, making the track less attractive. The most far-reaching change was quietly revealed as the 22nd item in a long FAQ on Windows support. "Windows 10 Long Term Servicing Branches, also known as LTSBs, will support the currently released silicon at the time of release of the LTSB," the new policy stated [emphasis added]. "As future silicon generations are released, support will be created through future Windows 10 LTSB releases that customers can deploy for those systems." The tying of support to the latest silicon -- to the current generation of processors and associated chipsets from the likes of Intel and AMD -- was broadly communicated by Microsoft in January 2016, and revised in March. However, most of the attention paid to the unprecedented change was about how it affected those running Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 on newer PCs. Even though Microsoft also said at the time that "all future silicon releases will require the latest release of Windows 10," there was no clear call-out that the same rule applied to LTSB. But it did, and does. And there's the rub. "Many I&O [Infrastructure & Operations] leaders expected to pick a single LTSB release that they would deploy and run for up to 10 years on all their organizations' PCs, old and new," Kleynhans and Silver said in their report. "With Microsoft's latest guidance on LTSB, this is not possible." The problem, they explained, is that in the face of essentially annual silicon upgrades by Intel, enterprises would have to ditch the idea of sticking with a single LTSB build for, say, five years. Instead, they could be required to adopt virtually every LTSB version as they buy new PCs powered by new generations of silicon. "Hardware incompatibility and limitations on support could actually make managing LTSB more challenging than a mainstream CBB deployment," the analysts said. One solution, though hardly practical, would be for enterprises to freeze their hardware specifications, and try to buy new systems equipped with old silicon. Kleynhans and Silver dismissed that as "challenging" because as new Intel and AMD processors are introduced, the old quickly vanish from sellers' inventories. Other options they offered included running change-sensitive applications through a server-based container such as Microsoft RDS or Citrix XenApp from a non-LTSB edition of Windows 10, or pushing Microsoft to rethink the silicon-LTSB rules. Bottom line, however, is that LTSB is far less attractive than originally presented by Microsoft or envisioned by customers. "For most enterprises, the best solution is to avoid LTSB for broad user deployments and use the more broadly supported CBB," said Kleynhans and Silver. Because of the support changes, Gartner has slashed its LTSB popularity forecast from an earlier 10% or less by 2020 -- the date of Windows 7's retirement -- to less than 5% by that year. Yet LTSB is not a completely dead branch, Kleynhans countered in a Thursday interview. "There are still some really important places where you'll want to use it," he said, citing examples such as power plant control systems and devices powering retail check-out machines. This Week in Review A weekly review of the best and most popular stories published in the Imperial Valley Press. Also, featured upcoming events, new movies at local theaters, the week in photos and much more. Canada and the United States are working together to prevent consumer injuries from Calphalon knives. It appears that the company had to recall several of its knives due to reports that they may cause laceration injuries. According to a report by Global News, more than two million knives will be recalled in Canada and the United States after consumers complained about Calphalon knives breaking when being used or dropped. The complaint is unusual since knives are not usually made using breakable materials. It is not clear whether the Calphalon knives broke because of the materials used or because of some production issues. The recall could hurt the reputation and financial results of Calphalon, given its size. Health Canada said there were about 3,150 consumer complaints about the blades of Calphalon knives breaking even when used normally. While no injuries have been reported, Health Canada, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Calphalon mutually agreed that recalling about 2 million knives is the best option to prevent the laceration hazard. Fox 43 reported that the knives impacted by the recall are those that fall under the Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery. Most of the knives that broke when dropped or caused injuries even on normal used are carving, chef, paring, santoku and utility knives. Specifically, the knives that are part of the recall are Calphalon Contemporary Cutlery's 4.5 Parer, 7 Santoku, 5 Santoku, 8 Chef Knife, Fruit/Vegetable Set - 3.5 parer& 6 utility, Carving Set - 6 fork & 8 slicer, 3" parer, 5 boning knife, 5 santoku, 5" tomato/bagel knife, 6 fork, 6 utility, 7 santoku, 8 bread, 8 chef's knife, 8 slicer, 10 steel, kitchen shears, 8 steak knives, and knife block and several others. Customers who have questions about the recall can contact Calphalon at 800-809-7267. In another recall-related news, Jobs & Hire previously reported that Jessica Alba's Honest Company recalled its baby powder. Email Links to our top local news stories of the day, Monday through Saturday. Acclimating to a new office can be a challenge, especially when the former occupant served in his role for two decades. Following his announcement that he would not seek a sixth term as Yavapai County District 3 Supervisor, Chip Davis made way for former Cottonwood City Councilman Randy Garrison to take over earlier this year. District 3 comprises communities in the Cottonwood and Sedona area. Davis and Garrison are Arizona natives with deep family roots in the Verde Valley. Both are fond of the same style of dress Western; a stiff pair of jeans is just fine and refuse to rely on the formalities of their titles. - Advertisement - Regardless of the similarities, Garrison wanted to make a fresh start in the Yavapai County Cottonwood Annex. Seeking to build bridges with the Nation, Garrison contacted Yavapai-Apache Nations Apache Cultural Director Vince Randall to do a blessing of the supervisors office and the supervisors boardroom on Feb. 15. Randall is also a former tribal chairman of the Nation. Its good just to get things cleaned out, Garrison said, adding that he wanted to also pay respect to tribal traditions. Randall smiled when asked why he chose to bless Garrisons new digs. Ive known Randys family for forever, he said, adding that Garrisons father was a year ahead of him in high school. Seated together, Randall and Garrison talked of family before going to the boardroom. Randall began the blessing by separating supervisors and staff according to gender, with the men standing to the left and the women to the right. After a brief introduction, Randall said that he would ask through prayer that this place will only involve good thoughts and good words that uplift with a good heart and love for all people. He petitioned for protection for all the people residing or visiting the building. We give thanks for the life that flows through our bodies, and for the blessing of our homes, our families and our friends, Randall said. I am glad that I have been blessed to see another morning. That will be our prayer and our blessing. You can also pray in your own way. Its open to all the good things we have. Anointing himself with cattail pollen, Randall delivered the prayer in the Western Apache dialect. CLEMMONS Two meetings happened recently, the first in Kernersville, the second in Clemmons. In the first one, a small group of conservatives painted Muslims as a problem, the plotters, the would-be terrorists. In the second, on Friday, Muslims opened their mosques, reaching out, trying to build trust. The Kernersville group did not show up. There are people we need to talk to that are not in this room, said Wasif Qureshi, president emeritus of the Islamic Center of Greensboro, who was visiting to participate in the open-door event at the Annoor Islamic Center here. Rather, a large crowd showed up made up mostly of ardent supporters, more than 200, spurred by an invitation from the center and Interfaith Winston-Salem. All three mosques in Forsyth County the Annoor Islamic Center, the Community Mosque on Waughtown Street and Masjid Al-Muminun on Harriet Tubman Drive opened their doors. It was their way of responding to the stinging and violent comments made at the Kernersville meeting, which was first reported by the Triad City Beat weekly newspaper. At the Community Mosque in southeastern Winston-Salem, Imam Khalid Griggs said there were about 20 new faces at the prayer service, non-Muslims supporting Muslims. They felt it was important to come and let us know the hateful words spoken (in Kernersville) were not felt by everyone in the community, Griggs said. Many stayed and ate and talked with us afterward. It was very positive. Most had never attended a mosque, he said. Their presence was encouraging, he said, particularly after comments made by President Donald Trump and the people at the Kernersville meeting. Citing national security and a need to review the federal governments vetting of refugees, Trump signed an executive order last month that temporarily froze the U.S. refugee program, indefinitely banned Syrian refugees and banned for three months citizens from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. The executive order has since been blocked in federal court by a lawsuit brought by the states of Washington and Minnesota against the Trump administration but Trump has signaled that he is working on a new executive order rather than pursue a legal fight. The common feeling was that (the comments were) a byproduct of the empowerment that many people felt with the language of our current president targeting Muslims, Griggs said. Its created a climate of hatred. Efforts to contact the Al-Muminun mosque were unsuccessful. At Annoor, members said they have seldom seen the mosque as packed as it was Friday for service and a town hall meeting afterward. Hamdy Radwan, the chairman of the Islamic centers council, led the service, providing a synopsis on what it has been like to be on the receiving end of other peoples suspicions about Muslims. At one point, describing how much attention the Kernersville meeting has gotten, he said with humor that he has gotten calls from people from as far as Egypt asking about the town. Its not easy to hear wipe them out, he said, alluding to some of the comments made in the Kernersville meeting. We need to come together as one community, said Radwan, who has been in the United States for 30 years, now working as a physical therapy professor at Winston-Salem State University. The Kernersville discussion captured in an audio recording was referred to the FBI by the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Returning to a theme echoing the Golden Rule, Radwan stressed that, every day, about 1.6 billion Muslims worldwide eat, dance and love they live their lives just like people of any other faith. But, he said, people tend to get their information from snippets of news. Not many may know that Radwan and members of the Islamic center have, for example, fed the hungry or built homes with Habitat for Humanity. After the service, during the town hall meeting, Radwan at times used humor, other times a measured tone to answer questions from many non-Muslims. Among them was Marie Davis, who said she is Catholic. Before the forum, she told a Winston-Salem Journal reporter that she was there to ask some questions, prefacing them with the idea that there are bad apples in every bunch, referencing bad deeds committed by the Catholic church. Many of her questions were about the treatment of women. Examples: Are women forced to marry, and are men allowed to have more than one wife? Radwan said he does not know anyone with more than one wife. Dina Shehata, an active member of the Annoor Islamic Center, presented herself as an example of what life can be for Muslim women. Shehata got an undergraduate degree at UNC Chapel Hill and a graduate degree at N.C. State University, focusing on international studies. Recently, she was approved to work at the U.S. State Department, pending a security clearance. Nobody forces her to wear the hijab, or head covering. My father does not force me to wear it. My brother does not force me to wear it. My mother does not, either, Shehata said. Its truly a spiritual connection for women. They have a choice to wear it or not to wear it. Yes, it is a requirement. But ultimately its up to the woman, herself. Many Annoor members said they follow the law of the land. I chose my own man, Shehata said with humor, triggering a wave of laughter. Nobody forced me to choose him. Some people at the town hall, including Barry Geller, a Jew, simply expressed support. Referring to the Torah, he said, first in Hebrew, then in English: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus said that. Its also in (the) Quran. The exact same words. The exact same sentiment, Geller said. RALEIGH State lawmakers have filed a bill that would legalize marijuana for medical use in North Carolina a perennial proposal that has failed to gain traction in the past. Longtime medical-marijuana advocate Rep. Kelly Alexander of Charlotte filed the bill Wednesday with support from 10 fellow Democrats, including Charlotte Rep. Rodney Moore and several Triangle representatives. Similar bills have a history of lacking support from Republicans, who now control both the House and the Senate, but Moore said he and Alexander will continue to introduce the legislation because the drug has shown promise as a therapy for cancer patients and people suffering from epilepsy. The reason why myself and Rep. Alexander keep putting this bill forth is simply that some of our citizens need it, he said. So were going to keep pushing it. The Obama administration took a hands-off approach to states that have legalized marijuana. During a Thursday press conference, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer suggested the Department of Justice will pursue enforcement of federal law against recreational use, but not medical use. The move could signal tolerance from the Trump administration on the use of pot as a medical treatment. The drug has been legalized for medical use in 28 states, but Florida is one of the only Southern states that allow it. In North Carolina, Moore pointed to bills passed in 2015 legalizing the hemp industry and allowing neurologists to dispense hemp, or CBD, oil to treat epilepsy as a sign that there may be support for his bill. Medical marijuana is something that the public has changed its mind on, even in North Carolina, Moore said. Pot sales would be tightly controlled by the state and only permitted to be sold in licensed medical cannabis centers, the bill says. The bill also calls for the creation of clinical research studies at the University of North Carolina of the use of cannabis as treatment, including on safety. In 2015, a marijuana legalization bill had an hour-long hearing that ended with a legislator saying he was assaulted by a marijuana advocate and a committee made up of both Republicans and Democrats unanimously rejecting the bill. Alexander sponsored a 2013 bill that proposed changing penalties for possession of certain quantities of marijuana. The law also laid out a way for for first-time offenders charged with certain misdemeanor possession charges to get the offense expunged from their criminal records. The bill never made it out of a committee, and Moore said it was a disappointment As any day spent in a school should be, Friday was a real learning opportunity for several elected officials visiting Jefferson Elementary School. Several members of the states General Assembly and representatives from the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education spent a half day being students again, learning the daily ins and outs of the states public elementary schools. Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R), and Reps. Ed Hanes (D) and Debra Conrad (R) all representing Forsyth County toured the school, visited classrooms, participated in small group discussions with teachers and had lunch with Jeffersons fifth-grade students. School board members Robert Barr, Lori Clark and Lida Calvert-Hayes were also on hand to take a closer look inside one of their schools. I still have a lot to learn, said Calvert-Hayes, the boards newest member. The event was planned by Jeffersons Parent Teacher Association, which hopes to build connections with the elected officials who have the power to make decisions that shape schools in ways big and small, good and bad. Were all here because we care deeply about public education and whats best for our kids, said Amy Shuman, the PTAs advocacy co-chair. Officials toured the school, visiting various classrooms watching students on laptops in one-to-one settings and others in small groups, receiving differentiated instruction and observing teachers, from the brand new to the veteran. Laila Hubbard, a fifth-grader, couldnt wait to show Krawiec the reading assignment she and a classmate were doing together. Then, she explained to the state senator how a chemical change turns wood to ash. Youre so smart, Krawiec said. Thank you for informing us. Conrad, who co-chairs the Houses K-12 education, said the visit was eye-opening for her. She said she was surprised by some of the large class sizes she observed. Were really pushing for lower class sizes, she said. Krawiec also told teachers the General Assemblys recent attempts to cut class sizes in elementary schools were not intended to jeopardize the jobs of art, music and physical education teachers. Schools are asking for relief from stricter class size standards set to take effect next year, warning the new rules would require schools to hire more classroom teachers at the expense of specialized teachers like those who teach art, music and physical education. A bill granting that relief recently passed the House committee Krawiec co-chairs. She said the General Assembly will continue looking for ways to lower class size without taking away enrichment classes. Scott Gayzick, the PTAs other advocacy co-chair, said the idea for an elected officials go to school day came from a meeting of the states PTA group as a way to advocate for their schools and teachers. Theres nothing in particular theyre after right now, he said. Friday was about making connections, so when the school or the district does need something like more funding or wants to advocate for a certain policy, theyll already have a relationship with those in power. We want to make things less abstract and more real for them, Gayzick said. Itll be easier in the future to say this is a real need, when theyve been in the building. This weeks event: President Trump ramps up his battle with the press, saying that the fake news media is the enemy of the American people. Mike Walker: 2. Wrong again. No, the mainstream press does not manufacture false news. But, sometimes the reporting appears to be selective or incomplete. And, there ap-pears to be a lack of curiosity about some subjects: did any news outlet ever inquire if Obama's Justice Department investigated why Lois Lerner felt compelled to invoke the Fifth Amendment? John Harrison: For conservatives enchanted by 'Founderitis,' one can do no better than to refer to the opinions of Thomas Jefferson in defense of the First Amendment. A man who suffered grievously at the hands of a scurrilous press, he still found the forbearance to defend its freedom. In a letter to John Tyler in 1804, he remarked that a first obligation of government was to keep open all avenues to the truth. The most effectual way hitherto found, is the freedom of the press. It is therefore, the first shut up by those who fear investigations of their actions. Very apt in the present situation. Rank for freedom of the press 10, 'for enemies of the people,' 0. Linda Petrou: 5. Presidents have always gone after the media for their coverage. Presi-dent Trump is following in that tradition. However, with President Trump things are different. The press, during the campaign last year, took off the gloves and made no bones about their desire to see that Trump was not elected. They wrote articles in The New York Times to that effect, they passed questions to the Clinton campaign before debates and interviews; they bragged about being harder on Trump than on Hillary Clinton and they predicted that there is no way that Trump could win. After the election they have called him a liar and have questioned whether or not he would follow in Russian President Vladimir Putin's footsteps and begin to kill reporters he did not like (Katy Tur at MSNBC). President Trump has said time and again he doesn't care if a question or an article is hard but it also needs to be fair. Some members of the press have not been fair nor have they retracted their 'false' articles. So how does he respond? He holds press conferences where he takes over 40 questions. He calls on everyone, not just the big boys in the front row. He tweets out. We are in a new day and everyone needs to just take a deep breath and calm down. Be hard on him, investigate him, hold him accountable but be honest and fair. Is that too much to ask of the press? David McMahon: 0 for Trump, 10 for the media. Sadly, Donald Trump is showing him-self to be the most un-presidential person ever to hold the office. Unwilling to accept criticism, even unwilling to have the media record what he actually says, he prefers alternative facts, also known as fake news, to the truth. His irresponsible statements and actions foment racial, ethnic and religious hatred in our country. That irresponsibility and ignorance of even the smallest criteria for governing this nation are exceeded only by his arrogance, which makes him a clear and present danger to our nation and the world. In my view it is this attitude that is the main enemy of the American people. John Wayne Lambeth: I think the press, The liberal ones CBS, ABC, NBC - all take shots at Trump, most all of them trying to make Trump look terrible. Hes doing exactly what he said he was going to do so far. With all the idiots protesting, blocking streets, the press seems to be encouraging them. I just listened to a video of Hillary saying things about securing our borders, things that Trumps is doing or has said he would do. The press gets a 0 rating. JoAnn Dunn: 8. For many years in the past there were certain news outlets that were considered credible. Their readers felt they could depend on the accuracy of the reporting and knew that opposing viewpoints would be identified as such. Today when reading those same news sources, you have no idea if their reporting is fabricated or slanted to promote a particular agenda. When these news stories are reported from un-named sources or the views of questionable individuals, the readers are being duped, and the president is correct in saying that such reporting is to the detriment of the American people. Once the New York Times, the Washington Post, ABC, NBC, etc., discover the story they reported is false, any retraction is in the back of the paper or rarely reported on TV. Their determination to destroy the Trump presidency is so obvious, in some cases it reaches the level of idiocy, as in a report on CNN on Monday that President Trump actually ate fried chicken with a knife and fork! Tony Gagliardi: 8. The folks producing fake or false news is a real problem in the country right now and a large number of people are sucked in by these reports. The media should be able to publish any story they find so long as it is truthful. If the reporter is not truthful, there should be consequences for such inaccuracies or false stories. Jim Monroe: 5. A politician has to have a thick skin. Candidates running for office have been trained in attack mode since they first ran for an elected office. Typically, someone running for president has previously run for office many times. The president hasn't been fully trained in how to handle all manner of negative comments. Perhaps Sen. John McCain said it best last weekend when being interviewed about this subject. He told the interviewer point blank that he didn't like him but, he added quickly, we need you, we need the media to keep us in check. Joe Favorule: 0. By trying to neutralize the only sources of honest reporting against him and his agenda, we can only conclude that his intentions are dishonest and dangerous. By constantly assaulting the world around him with alternative facts, he appears to be trying to distract from his real intention, creating distractions while everyone tries to figure out what he said or what he meant. This is a dangerous man. Don Witte: 1. The only thing really fake is President Trump. What an attitude. If he disagrees with it, then it is wrong. Carroll Leggett: 0. A hallmark of a free society is a free press. Democracy cannot exist, much less flourish, without it. If you hear news reports from authoritarian regimes, you will hear references to state radio or state TV. In other words, the propaganda machine of the ruling clique. The effort here is to so undermine the credibility of the free press so people will believe only the state news sources, dedicated not to truth or responsible government but to exercising absolute sway over the population and to perpetuating itself in power. This is the most dangerous talk I have heard because it is so easy to see where this line of thought takes us. Linda Hill: 0. It has been said that negative attention is better than no attention at all. The media has taken negativity to a new level since President Trump's election, hence they are getting a lion's share of the attention, in my opinion. I am among lots of people who were never fans of former President Obama, but we held our tongues and prayed for the best. We didn't wear ridiculous hats on our heads, whine for months or draw attention to ourselves in our misery. Our mamas taught us better than that. After enduring eight years of a mediocre performance, those Americans quietly, without fanfare, entered the polls and voted for hope and a real change. It is embarrassing to me that the media has chosen to clobber President Trump in print as well as in newscasts. With print subscriptions declining, it seems to me that our news-papers could at the very least stick to reporting the news without bias. There has been far too much print space taken up with reports highlighting the whiners, protesters and naysayers. Hate feeds on hate and negativity. Presidents make missteps. How soon we forget Clinton's affairs and Obama's mistakes. Benghazi anyone? There is a new sheriff in town. Let's give him a chance. Anne Wilson: America (or perhaps Russia) made an egregious error on November 8th, and we will be dealing with the fallout for a long, long time. Another score of 0. FRANK G. SHUMATE, Kernersville Welcoming immigrants Many immigrants and business owners, here and abroad, stayed away from work or closed to show the importance of immigrants presence in America. The front page of the Journal showed two women driving through the Waughtown area honking their horn and displaying a Mexican flag (A Day Without Immigrants, Feb. 17). America has always welcomed immigrants who came to America legally and went through due process like millions before them did to become American citizens. What most Americans are opposed to is the millions who enter America illegally and stay here illegally. May I make a suggestion to our immigrants? If you want to live in America, go through the process to become one of us. And it might help to ride through your neighborhood displaying an American flag. *** MARSHALL A. MAYS, Winston-Salem Big money I am convinced that President Trump was elected because he is a billionaire sometimes. You see, President Trump isnt consistently a billionaire. Throughout his career, he has lost everything and gained it back. Hes not a brilliant businessman. He simply moves from one venture to another and takes risks. He has gotten lucky, eventually, as he must. I am convinced that Trump gained the support he did because he is rich. It is possibly giving Americans less credit than they deserve, or it is possibly not, but I am really beginning to believe that a large chunk of Americans want exclusively the almighty dollar. I am beginning to believe that a large chunk of Americans fawn over the one-percent who own most of the wealth in this country. I think that most Americans would agree that they could use more money, and justifiably so. I believe that a lot of Americans believe that Trump is going to bring them that extra lucre. Im sorry to be a fly in their soup, but I just dont see it happening. America is the richest country in the world. Even if money could make Americans happy, the rich arent giving it away. I watched in the weeks following the election as billionaire after billionaire flowed into Trump Towers. I didnt see a single common man enter. I dont think President Trump even likes the common man. I think that he only wore those unbecoming ball caps at his rallies to get votes. ****** E.J. MASICAMPO, Winston-Salem Do your sacred duty Its time for Rep. Virginia Foxx and the rest of Congress to act. Russias unchecked meddling is a stain on the recent election and on our electoral process. It is essential that there be a thorough investigation of what took place. We should all commend Rep. Walter Jones of North Carolinas 3rd Congressional District for co-sponsoring the Protecting Our Democracy Act. The bill calls for an independent, bipartisan commission to investigate the Russian interference and who across governments was involved. It is inexcusable that Jones is the only Republican supporting the bill. All of our legislators ought to favor a proper investigation of foreign interference with our elections. Moreover, given the recent firing of National Security Adviser Michael Flynn and the evidence of repeated communications between Russia and Trump aides, it is time either to expose the full extent of this administrations misdeeds or else clear the air and put worries to rest. In a press release on Foxxs website, she says that it is her sacred duty to protect and uphold the Constitution. She also praises the genius of limited government and the system of checks and balances that the Constitution describes. Rep. Foxx, perform your sacred duty. The commission that Jones supports is precisely the type of check and balance you described. Join him. Show us that your dedication is not to your party but to the Constitution and to your country. KIRSTEN RUSS, Clemmons Unrelated Writing about the group of teenagers who beat Bill Bloxham, the Feb. 19 Correspondent of the week (Try something new) writes, I dont know what the home situation is ... but its obvious that the schools werent helping them. Maybe Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos has some solutions. I am 100-percent certain that Secretary DeVos would suggest that the parents/guardians for the teenagers are responsible for the teenagers in early morning hours (around 4 a.m.) and on property that is completely unrelated to schools. ****** MARY JO WHITLEY, Pfafftown Blaming schools The Feb. 19 Correspondent of the week who wrote Try something new feels that our schools are failing because some students assaulted a homeless man. I would remind him that schools work with children who are, at the least, 4 years old by the time they come to school. Surely some adult other than a teacher has had the charge of raising the children to that age. Should we excuse parents when children do wrong and only blame schools? Children are in school about 35 hours per week. That leaves 133 hours per week under the supervision of someone other than a teacher. Teachers know there are gaps in character education. They often emphasize a particular character trait which is demonstrated, discussed and observed. There are constant incidental and planned lessons on good behavior, citizenship, kindness, generosity, respect, self-respect and every other good trait you could name. Perhaps the correspondent based his comments on direct observation. Perhaps he works in a school or is a volunteer. Maybe he is a Big Brother or is helping a single parent raise a child by being a friend. Or maybe he is a Guardian ed Litem and visits children who are in the care of foster parents because their homes are not safe. I appreciate his distress and thank him for his service to children in need. And if Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has a good idea, lets hear it. Educators love sharing ideas that work. ****** NASH SIMONET, Winston-Salem A powerful commitment I attended the Feb. 16 Reckoning & Resistance discussion at Wait Chapel on the Wake Forest University campus. It was an amazing experience, with three co-chairs of the Womens March on Washington and WFU professor Melissa Harris-Perry reminding us with passion, valor and inspiration that the current spate of hate, racism, bigotry and prejudice is not unusual to them, that this condition is experienced by people of color every day. To them, the massive protests are an opportunity to raise our consciousness. Impeaching President Trump is not as much an issue for them as it is for me. They view a potential President Mike Pence and his historic zeal against them as worse than Trump. I disagree, in that Trump has made hate, racism, bigotry and prejudice acceptable behavior, and the attacks have increased. But in addition to these horrors, Trump is attacking our Constitution, our values, our freedoms, our very way of life. Trump is a fascist who wants to change the very fabric of America, and I say, no. I love my country and am proud of what we stand for and strive for. Trump must be impeached before he does even more harm, before he gags the free press, before he destroys our planet or personally causes our next war. But I heard the message at the discussion. It challenges a powerful commitment to love and goodness. We must watch over our sisters and brothers, regardless of color. We must fight tyranny wherever we find it. ****** AUBREY ALBERT, Winston-Salem Flynn and the media Former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn is known to the public at large for a few things. Hes known for his incompetent leadership of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Hes known for sharing fake news stories and conspiracy theories false stories purposely written to fool the gullible like the one about Hillary Clinton running a child-sex ring from a pizzeria in Washington, D.C. (I mean, come on, even if you hate her ) Hes known for close and possibly inappropriate ties to the Russians. And now hes known for lying about those ties. In any normal presidential administration, a man like this would never have set foot in the White House. But President Trump a man who has his own difficulties with the truth chose him to lead one of the most important agencies in the country and now calls him a wonderful man and says the media has been very, very unfair to him. Personally, I think whoever leaked the information about Flynns Russian ties did the country a great service. Trump and his whole bunch are incompetent and dishonest and if it werent for the media, we wouldnt know a thing about any of this. If were choosing sides, Ill go with whoever is against Trump which is pretty much any person or organization that values integrity and honesty. ****** ELISABETH MOTSINGER, Walkertown Our shared future We are living in a time when the news of the day overshadows making plans for our shared future. We are so busy responding to the onslaught of the urgent that we are in danger of neglecting the necessary. Dealing with the devastation that climate change can bring must concern us all. Several prominent Republicans recently proposed a carbon tax that is collected at the point of extraction and given back to the American people as a dividend. The goal of this proposal is a market-based push for innovation that affects each of us personally, as we make choices that reduce our individual uses of carbon, as well as creating a climate for renewable energy solutions to be profitable. It is estimated that 70 percent of American families will receive more in dividend than the increased cost of energy this tax will create. We will ultimately need to reduce our carbon footprint; the question is will we do it in a way that supports innovation and our own industries or will we leave finding the solutions to other countries? This proposal (see citizensclimatelobby.org for more information) is one where we hopefully can cross the ideological aisle and focus on creating a sustainable future for us all. When we the people decide that we want our Congress to do something positive for our future, we can make it happen. When You Write The Journal encourages readers comments. To participate in The Readers Forum, please submit letters online to Letters@wsjournal.com. Please write The Readers Forum in the subject line and include your full name, address and a daytime telephone number. Or you may mail letters to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Letters are subject to editing and may be published on journalnow.com. Letters are limited to 250 words. Letter writers are allowed one letter every 30 days. If you would like a photo of yourself included with your letter, send it to us as a .jpg file. For more guidelines and advice on writing letters, go to journalnow.com/opinion/submit_a_letter. The Journal welcomes original submissions for guest columns on local, regional and statewide topics. Essay length should not exceed 750 words. The writer should have some authority for writing about his or her subject. Our email address is: Letters@wsjournal.com. Essays may also be mailed to: The Readers Forum, P.O. Box 3159, Winston-Salem, NC 27102. Please include your name and address and a daytime telephone number. 02/24/2017 Kathleen Parker By John Sterling Pulitzer Prize winning conservative columnist Kathleen Parker, opinion writer and commentator for the Washington Post, will be the guest speaker at this years annual Ayers Lecture on Thursday, March 2, at 1:30 p.m. on the 11th floor of the Houston Cole Library. Admission is free and open to the public. A Florida native, Parker began her column in 1986 and has been a member of the Washington Post Writers Group since 2006. She captured the Pulitzer Prize in 2010. She is a noted conservative commentator and has been a vocal critic of President Donald Trump. Recent columns have included a discussion on the countrys current perception of media, on the actions of the new president and his administration both good and bad as well as Steve Bannons role in the Trump presidency. As a conservative commentator willing to critically analyze the actions of both political parties, Parker will bring to the Ayers Lecture criticism of both the left and right and pointed what-ifs meant to inspire critical thinking. The Ayers Lecture series was established in 1988 as a partnership between The Anniston Star and JSU. It is named in honor of Harry M. and Edel Y. Ayers, former publishers of the Star. The event is hosted annually by the JSU Department of Communication as a tribute to the living story of communication in Northeast Alabama. John Sterling is a senior majoring in communication at JSU. He is interning in the JSU Office of Public Relations before graduating this spring. Reddit Email 1 Shares by Ariana Tobin | ProPublica | When it comes to death, my family honors all of the Ashkenazi Jewish traditions: We name our children after dead relatives, we sit shiva for a week, we gather around trays of fruit and lox and cream cheese, we cover the mirrors, we say the Kaddish prayer, we each toss three shovelfuls of dirt into the grave, and we wait a year to put a stone on top of it. When I got my drivers license at 16, my mom asked me not to sign the organ donor card because Jews are supposed to be laid to rest in one piece. When I turned 18 and signed it anyway, I couldnt stop imagining her face when she found out after Id died in a car accident. But traditions dont protect you from death, or the life of anxiety in preparation for it. When I told my grandmother her mother called her Malka, her sisters called her Mollie that I had an opportunity to teach English abroad, I knew what to expect in response: Thats nice, baby, but why dont you find a teaching job around here where its safe? That, and a $20 bill she couldnt necessarily afford to give. But when I added, Im going to a place in Belarus called Minsk; its a big city, her reply took me by surprise. Minsk! she exclaimed. Thats where my mother was from! I guess you could go. Maybe youll see where they lived? I did go. I didnt see where they lived because that place does not exist anymore, thanks to World War II and the Soviets. To identify the symbols of Judaism left in a city that was about 37 percent Jewish in 1941, you have to squint at the stone facades of buildings and say, Yes, I think that might be a Hebrew character. You have to stare hard, and wonder, Hmm, is that Yiddish? There are statues and plaques here and there. But look as one might, there are few relics of Jewish death. When you visit Khatyn, a memorial to the victims of the Great War, you learn about the deaths of hundreds of thousands of civilians, but little to nothing about what religion they practiced. Nor are there signs marking entire villages of Belarussians, Jews and non-Jews, that became unmarked mass graves. When I would ask my students and co-workers and friends, What happened to the Jews here? all most of them would say was, They left. Here, of course, we know why they left. My relatives who stayed in Eastern Europe died. Those who moved to America lived. Every single one of my great-grandparents was a first- or second-generation Eastern European immigrant to St. Louis. If youve been following the news this week, you probably know where this story is going: Almost all of my immigrant ancestors are buried in the Chesed Shel Emeth cemetery, where nearly 200 graves were vandalized this past weekend. Ive been to only one funeral at Chesed Shel Emeth, which is in University City, about 15 minutes from where I grew up. I certainly wasnt there when they buried my grandmothers mother, Alice, the immigrant from Minsk, more than 40 years ago. Her tombstone wasnt among the ones vandalized. But I know the idea that it might have been desecrated that it is even a possibility is on Grandma Mollies mind today, and on my mothers as well. I know because for the last several days all weve been talking about are relatives like little Grandma Alice, who never grew to 5 feet, who cooked elaborate noodle kugels, whose husband died young, who never really learned to drive or speak English and who was scared of strangers unless her family was around. Im privileged to have grown up in St. Louis, a place where my grandparents wanted me to stay because it felt safe to them a place theyd made their way to with the help of documents that we know werent entirely accurate or complete, and they became citizens anyway. So when a news link about my familys Jewish cemetery popped up in the group chat for a reporting project on hate crimes that Im involved in at ProPublica, I wasnt prepared. Nor was I prepared when I called home and my mom told me that she was going to exchange cash for gold in case things get worse and that my dad who has never considered shooting anything in his life had wondered out loud about getting a gun. I wanted to say, Youre overreacting. But I cant, really, in part because its so hard to gauge the threat. Data on hate crimes against Jews and everyone else is miserably incomplete and poorly tracked. My job is about presenting facts to contextualize the news of the day, horrible as it may be. This time, I had to tell my family that I didnt have them. We dont know if the vandalism at Chesed Shel Emeth was technically a hate crime. The motives behind it may well be uncovered. What we do know is that there is a long tradition of desecrating Jewish cemeteries, from Nazi Germany to present-day France and New York. And whatever the particulars, the news hit at a time when the Jewish community has been put on edge by threats to Jewish community centers where kids go to preschool and their retired grandparents take Kabbalah-infused yoga classes. Thats why our project, Documenting Hate, an attempt to create a reliable database of hate crimes and bias incidents, asks victims to submit their stories. When I read the submissions, its clear that defining hate crimes can be as elusive as reliable data tracking them. Its just as clear that we need to make the attempt to define them, report them, investigate them to gather enough, at least, for context. Yes, its about confronting the ugliness and comforting the scared. But its also about giving real answers, using actual numbers and telling true stories when our children ask questions like, What happened to the Jews? ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom. Sign up for their newsletter. Ariana is an engagement reporter at ProPublica. Via ProPublica Related video added by Juan Cole: The Young Turks: Muslims Organize Fundraiser For Vandalized Jewish Cemetery Reddit Email 0 Shares By Kevin Hagopian | (The Conversation) | Politics loom over this years Oscars, with many bracing for what the winners will or wont say when they ascend the stage before millions of television viewers on Feb. 26. One nominee, however, has already made a statement. Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadis The Salesman is one of five films nominated for Best Foreign Language Film. But last month, after President Trump issued an executive order temporarily banning immigrants from seven Muslim majority countries Iran included Farhadi decided to boycott the annual awards ceremony. To humiliate one nation with the pretext of guarding the security of another is not a new phenomenon in history and has always laid the groundwork for the creation of future divide and enmity, he wrote. I hereby express my condemnation of the unjust conditions forced upon some of my compatriots and the citizens of the other six countries trying to legally enter the United States of America and hope that the current situation will not give rise to further divide between nations. Given the attention Farhadi has received for his act of protest, its worth looking at how Iranian film has evolved under a regime that seeks to quell criticism and how filmmakers like him navigate these restrictions to produce powerful, politically potent art. A bipolar movie culture Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, an independent film sector existed alongside government-financed film production. Revolutionaries, however, viewed the film industry as a symbol of cultural corruption, and during the revolution set fire to hundreds of movie theaters. Beginning in 1982, Iranian cinema began to regroup. The government wanted to construct a national film culture that would express the ethics of Islam and the unique history of the Iranian state. But this goal often clashed with filmmakers who had strong ties to Irans literary culture and wanted to be able to portray modern Iran in critical terms. As a result, Irans movie culture is bipolar, with apolitical, domestic melodramas outnumbering art films that critique everyday life. Today, Iranian cinema reveals some of the contradictions of life under a theocracy. Yes, filmmakers must adhere to strict guidelines: The Ministry of Culture forbids unflattering portrayals of Islam, women, the nation and its history. But these rules are vague, and censorship of Iranian films is inconsistent, often based on the tastes of individual officials. Nonetheless, the art cinema of filmmakers like the late Abbas Kiarostami, Jafar Panahi and Mohsen Amiryoussefi has received worldwide acclaim. Since the mid 2000s, Iranian films have won awards at prestigious festivals such as Cannes, Venice and San Sebastian. The extraordinary overseas success of Iranian films has further complicated the censorship picture. It was the Iranian government, for instance, that approved the script of The Salesman, and determined that the film would be the countrys official entry in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Perhaps authorities give films like The Salesman a pass because their depiction of Irans social realities is subtle, not strident. Literal-minded officials are often unable to find obvious examples of blasphemy or criticism of the political regime. Gentle but forceful criticism In The Salesman, for instance, a couple, Ranaa and Emad, are performers who are rehearsing for a production of Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman. Their own home, however, is collapsing, the result of faulty construction. Theyre forced to rent an apartment, which, they soon discover, had previously been occupied by a prostitute. Her clients continue to show up, creating a whole host of new problems for Ranaa and Emad. In its elliptical treatment of Irans civil society as a crumbling building and its depiction of the conflicting social and religious roles Iranian women must grapple with the film subtly manages to be critical of modern life in Iran. In The Salesman, Islam is not the problem; rather, the film insists that repressive institutions cultural, economic or religious are what narrow the possibilities for humane communication and equality. These, Farhadi seems to argue, are the true dangers to any society. Meanwhile, female filmmakers like Samira Makhmalbaf joined by other female actors, writers and directors bring a muted feminism to an industry that exists at the sufferance of a patriarchal government. What scholar Hamid Naficy calls a cinema of the averted gaze has emerged. Both male and female filmmakers obliquely confront the terms of female subservience as well as the hidden sources of female cultural power in a patriarchal society. Defying the censors Even though the criticism of the theocracy is often so gentle that its hardly noticeable, that hasnt stopped the government from banning some Iranian films for domestic audiences. Circle (2000) was banned for its depiction of runaway girls, a social problem thats at least partially the result of religious laws. Official regulators of culture in Iran have long seen themselves as fighting modernity and globalism, which they stereotypically connect with a hostile, decadent West just the kind of xenophobia that, unfortunately, Trumps blanket indictment of Islam echoes. Nonetheless, Irans leaders havent been able to fully halt the forces of globalism they despise, and art films have been able to examine the ways in which international capital and conflict impact Iranian lives. Surviving Paradise (2001), the story of two young Iranian refugees lost in the streets of Los Angeles, was the first English-language Iranian-American film to be distributed in America. Several festivals of Iranian cinema also continue to take place each year around the world, part of a pattern of cultural exchange that predates the 1979 revolution. Iranian cinema has also undercut the monolithic narrative that the theocratic state seeks to communicate. For example, an Iranian war film like Duel (2004) doesnt simply broadcast patriotic messages. Instead, it makes a powerful statement about the trauma of the Iran-Iraq War, using the memory of the conflict as a lens through which to understand modern Iran. Marjane Satrapis animated film of her own graphic novel Persepolis (2007) is perhaps the most outspoken and direct cinematic revision of the governments version of the 1979 Revolution. (This film, however, was made in France.) Looking ahead to the Oscars Farhadis personal boycott is significant because it shows that rash and punitive U.S. immigration policies can be counterproductive, limiting some of the most liberal and cosmopolitan voices in the Muslim world. Farhadi previously won an Academy Award for directing A Separation (2011), a film about a marriage that dissolves over the question of whether or not to leave Iran. Credited as the writer, producer and director of The Salesman, he is widely regarded as a luminary of world cinema, and has joined a handful of living directors Martin Scorsese, Pedro Almodovar, Wong-kar Wai and Alfonso Cuaron as auteurs who are making lasting contributions to the art. If the contentious statements from the podiums of the Golden Globes, Screen Actors Guild Awards and the Directors Guild Awards are any indication, the Oscars will culminate a unique post-election season of cultural politics and a rejection of the cultural assumptions inherent in Trumps brand of politics. Farhadi referred to the Oscars as this great cultural event. But with Farhadi absent and his film present, he will be able to contribute to the political undertones of this years Oscars in a way that American movie stars ascending the stage cant. In his statement, Farhadi also wrote that Hard-liners, despite their nationalities, political arguments and wars, regard and understand the world in very much the same wayvia an us and them mentality. In this sense, he seems to be equating the Trump administration with Irans ruling regime. Some have urged the Oscar organizers to use Skype to at least allow Farhadi to be present visually, if not politically. In either case, if The Salesman ends up winning the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, it could be seen as yet another repudiation of Trumps xenophobic, us versus them platform. After all, as Farhadi subtly points out, his executive order is comparable to the very Iranian extremism his policies claim to contain. Kevin Hagopian, Senior Lecturer of Media Studies, Pennsylvania State University This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article. Related video added by Juan Cole: Wochit Entertainment: Director Asghar Farhadi To Address Crowd Reddit Email 0 Shares The Watchers | Each year, 2 to 16 percent of hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells spill hydrocarbons, chemical-laden water, hydraulic fracturing fluids and other substances, according to a study published yesterday in Environmental Science & Technology. The analysis, which appeared February 21 in Environmental Science & Technology, identified 6 648 spills reported across Colorado, New Mexico, North Dakota and Pennsylvania during a 10-year period. This study provides important insights into the frequency, volume, and cause of spills, said Lauren Patterson, policy associate at Duke Universitys Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions and the studys lead author. Researchers examined state-level spill data to characterize spills associated with unconventional oil and gas development at 31 481 wells hydraulically fractured or fracked in the four states between 2005 and 2014. State spill data holds great promise for risk identification and mitigation, Patterson said. However, reporting requirements differ across states, requiring considerable effort to make the data usable for analysis. North Dakota reported the highest spill rate, with 4 453 incidents, followed by Pennsylvania at 1 293, Colorado at 476 and New Mexico at 426. The number of spills reported is partly a reflection of the reporting requirements set by each state. For example, North Dakota required reporting smaller spills (42 gallons or more) than Colorado and New Mexico (210 gallons or more). As this form of energy production increases, state efforts to reduce spill risk could benefit from making data more uniform and accessible to better provide stakeholders with important information on where to target efforts for locating and preventing future spills, Patterson added. The results of the study exceed the 457 spills calculated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for eight states between 2006 and 2012 because the EPAs analysis only considered the hydraulic fracturing stage, rather than the full life cycle of unconventional oil and gas production. Understanding spills at all stages of well development is important because preparing for hydraulic fracturing requires the transport of more materials to and from well sites and storage of these materials on site, Patterson said. Investigating all stages helps to shed further light on the spills that can occur at all types of wells not just unconventional ones. Fifty percent of spills identified in the Environmental Science & Technology article were related to storage and moving fluids via pipelines, although it was not always possible to determine the cause of the spill because some states explicitly required this data to be reported while others relied on narrative descriptions. Across all states, the first three years of a wells life, when drilling and hydraulic fracturing occurred and production volumes were highest, had the greatest risk of a spill. The study found that a significant portion of spills (from 26% in Colorado to 53% in North Dakota) occur at wells that experienced more than one spill, which suggests that wells where spills have already occurred merit closer attention. Analyses like this one are so important, to define and mitigate risk to water supplies and human health, said Kate Konschnik, director of the Harvard Law Schools Environmental Policy Initiative. Writing state reporting rules with these factors in mind is critical, to ensure that the right data are available and in an accessible format for industry, states and the research community. A data visualization tool of spill data contained in this study is available at http://snappartnership.net/groups/hydraulic-fracturing/webapp/spills.html DATA: The data, as reported by the states, is all publicly available and accessible. Its included in the supplemental information in the journal article and accessible at this link: https://knb.ecoinformatics.org/#view/doi:10.5063/F1TB14VK. Materials related to how the data was extracted for each state (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.est.6b05749/suppl_file/es6b05749_si_001.pdf) and a spreadsheet with calculations (http://pubs.acs.org/doi/suppl/10.1021/acs.est.6b05749/suppl_file/es6b05749_si_002.xlsx) is also available online at the same location. Source: Duke University / Nicholas Institute Reference: "Unconventional Oil and Gas Spills: Risks, Mitigation Priorities and States Reporting Requirements" L. Patterson, K. Konschnik, H. Wiseman, et. al. Environmental Science & Technology (2017) DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.05749. Featured image: Visualizing spills data from unconventional oil and gas activity. Credit: Nicholas Institute/Duke University, SNAPP Via The Watchers Reddit Email 18 Shares By: Ramzy Baroud | (Maan News Agency) | The president of the United States can hardly be taken seriously, saying much but doing little. His words, often offensive, carry no substance, and it is impossible to summarize his complex political outlook about important issues. This is precisely the type of American presidency that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prefers. However, Donald Trump is not just a raving man, but a dangerous one as well. His unpredictability must worry Israel, which expects from its American benefactors complete clarity and consistency in terms of its political support. At the age of 70, Trump is incapable of being the stalwart, pro-Zionist ideologue in a way that suits Israeli interests well. Take, for example, the White House press conference following the much anticipated visit by Netanyahu to Washington on Feb. 15. The visit was scheduled immediately after Trumps inauguration on Jan. 20, and is considered the Trump presidencys answer to what Israel wrongly perceives as a hostile US administration under former President Barack Obama. However, Obama has granted Israel $38 billion over the course of ten years, estimated to be the most generous aid package in US history. He has supported all Israeli wars against Palestinians throughout his presidency, and unfailingly defended Israel before the international community, at the United Nations and every global forum in which Israel was justifiably criticized. But Israel expects blind support. It needs a US administration that is as loyal as the US Congress, always praising Israel, degrading Palestinians, dismissing international law, calling to stop funding the UN for daring to demand accountability from Israel, feeding Israeli security phobias with monetary and absolute political backing, demonizing Iran, undermining the Arabs and repeating all Israeli talking points fed to them by Tel Aviv and by the fifth column lobbyists in Washington. Trump is striving to be that person, the messiah that Israels army of right-wing, ultranationalists and religious zealots have been calling for. But this appears beyond the mans control, no matter how hard he tries. Looking at two-state or one-state, I like the one that both parties like. Im very happy with the one both parties like. I can live with either one, Trump said in answer to a journalists question, implying to Israel that the US will no longer impose solutions; instead, Trump pushed the one-state solution idea to the very top of the discussion. It is not what Israel wanted or expected. In Washington, Netanyahu, with unmistakable pomposity, stood before the media and simply lied. He painted Israel as vulnerable, a prey for dark radical Islam forces, ready to strike from every corner. He presented Irans nuclear capabilities as if it is lined up to incinerate Israel, itself built atop the graves and villages of dispossessed Palestinians. No journalist had the courage to quiz the Israeli leader about his own countrys massive nuclear arsenal and other weapons of mass destruction. Listening to him preach fabricated history to the incurious American media, one would think that militarily powerful Israel is occupied by hostile Palestinian foreigners, and not vice versa. Netanyahu claimed his people belonged to Palestine as the French belonged to France and the Chinese to China. But if European Jewish immigrants are the natives of Palestine, then what is one to make of Palestinians? How is one to explain their existence on land that has carried their collective name for millennia? This is inconsequential to the US government and mainstream media. US media is as uninformed about the realities of the Middle East as Trump, who seems to have only two main talking points about the whole issue, both embarrassingly bizarre: Israel has been treated very, very badly by the US, and he has a really great peace deal in store. On the contrary, Palestinians have been treated very, very badly by the US, the most generous supporter of Israel. Israel has used mostly American weapons in its wars against Palestinians and other Arab nations, with thousands of Palestinians losing their lives because of this blind American patronage. As for his really great peace deal, Trump has nothing. Really great seems to be his answer to everything, to the point that his words are becoming ineffectual cliches, suitable for Twitter jokes and comedy. Furthermore, Netanyahu, urged on by to quote former Secretary of State John Kerry the most right-wing coalition in Israeli history, wants the US to unconditionally support Israel as the latter is finalizing its future vision. Now, it seems that Israel is concluding that territorial quest. The Regularization Law passed recently in Israels parliament the Knesset will retroactively validate all Israeli illegal settlers claims over Palestinian land. Top Israel officials now openly speak of annexation of the West Bank, using language that was formerly reserved for Jewish extremists. Israels president believes annexation is the answer. I, Rubi Rivlin, believe that Zion is entirely ours. I believe the sovereignty of the State of Israel must be in all the blocs, Rivlin said, emphasizing that he was referring to the entire West Bank, as quoted by the Times of Israel. The consensus among Israels ruling class is that a Palestinian state should never be established. Trump, although incoherent, granted them just that. So what does Netanyahu want? We know he does not want a Palestinian state and plans to annex all Jewish colonies, while continuing to expand over stolen Palestinian land. He wants Palestinians to exist, but without political will of their own, without sovereignty, forced to accept that Israel is a Jewish state (thus signing off on their historic right to their own land); to remain subdued, passive, disarmed, dehumanized. Netanyahus end game is Apartheid, racist segregation where one party, Israeli Jews, dominates and exploits the other Palestinian Arabs: Muslims and Christians. But human dignity is not open for negotiation, no matter how a good negotiator Netanyahu is according to Trumps assertion. Palestinians have resisted Israel for nearly seventy years because they challenge their servitude. They will continue to resist. Israel has the military means to punish Palestinians for their resistance, to push them behind military checkpoints and trap them behind walls. Yet, it is not a matter of firepower, and no wall can be high enough to stymie the echoes of oppressed people striving for freedom, human rights, equality and solidarity. Netanyahu must feel triumphant because of Trumps assuring words. The Israeli leader wants any victory, however illusive, to buy time and the allegiance of his camp of extremists, especially now that he is being investigated for fraud and is likely to be indicted. He may even initiate a war against Gaza to create further distraction, and will readily spin facts so that his country is presented as a victim, to test American support and to downgrade Hamas and other Palestinian groups defenses. However, none of this will change the reality that Netanyahu has unwisely constructed. His vision for Israel is the perpetual subjugation of Palestinians through a system of racial discrimination that will continue until the world unravels the lies and the propaganda. Having Trump by his side, Netanyahu will work diligently to perfect the Palestinian prison in the name of Israels security. Palestinians must now respond, without the irrelevant rhetoric of a two-state solution, but with a unified universal message to the rest of the world: expecting in fact, demanding freedom, equality, and full rights in a society that is not predicated on racial order, but on equal citizenship. Israel has laid out its dark vision. Palestinians must present the antithesis to that destructive vision: a road map towards justice, equality, and peace for all. Ramzy Baroud is an internationally-syndicated columnist, author, and the founder of PalestineChronicle.com. His latest book is My Father Was a Freedom Fighter: Gazas Untold Story. Via Maan News Agency The views expressed in this article are the authors and do not necessarily reflect Maan News Agencys or Informed Comments editorial policy. Human Rights Watch (HRW) [advocacy website] called [press release] on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) officials Friday to investigate fully and impartially a video allegedly showing Congolese soldiers shooting and killing 13 alleged militia members. The video, released on February 17, shows soldiers approaching a group of alleged members of the Kamuina Nsapu militia, many of whom were carrying sticks and slingshots. The soldiers then opened fire on the group, some of whom were women and children, and several of whom were shot point-blank. The killings are believed to have occurred in the Kasai province, which has seen an increase in violence. The authenticity and source of the video has not yet been confirmed. The Communications Minister for the DRC has stated that the video is meant to tarnish the image of the DRC and said it was not filmed in the DRC. The Human Rights minister had said that an investigation has been opened into the video. A commission of inquiry was sent into the area on February 22. Violence in the DRC has been an ongoing concern for many years. Earlier this month the UN human rights chief urged [JURIST report] the DRC to end violence against civilians. Also this month the UN human rights office expressed concern [JURIST report] over reports that at least 101 people have been killed by Congolese soldiers. Last October violent protests erupted [JURIST report] in the country after the electoral commission announced that the next presidential election, originally scheduled for November 2016, would be pushed back to 2018. The commission stated that it needed more time to prepare supplies and voter registration lists. In the beginning of 2016 former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon urged African leaders to avoid using loopholes and undemocratic constitutional changes to cling to power [JURIST report]. In 2015 protests and demonstrations [JURIST report] took place across the DRC to oppose the proposed changes in the law that would allow DRC President Joseph Kabila to extend his presidential term past the allotted two-year limit, and the government was accused of using excessive force against these protesters. Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Friday called on [HRW report] the United States to investigate the January 2017 US raid on Al-Qaeda that resulted in the deaths of at least 14 people. US special forces conducted an intelligence-gathering raid on the small Yemen town of al-Ghyeel on January 29, 2017. According to witnesses interviewed by HRW, US forces were engaged in a firefight with villagers when the military began to target anything that moved and anyone who left their home. According to those accounts, five women and nine children were killed during the fighting. Nadim Houry, terrorism and counterterrorism director at Human Rights Watch, stated, As the civilian toll of the al-Bayda raid comes to light, it is increasingly clear that a thorough investigation is needed so that measures can be adopted to avoid such civilian losses in the future. If the US cant do that impartially and transparently, they should ensure that an independent inquiry can be carried out. Middle East relations have been tense of late, particularly since President Donald Trumps executive order to restrict immigration refugee entry into the US. Trump signed the order in late January, restricting access to the US for refugees and visa holders from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen. Although the Department of Justice released a memorandum [JURIST report] approving of the ban, it has been widely criticized. According to JURIST Guest Columnist Karla McKanders, the order violates the Immigration and Nationality Act [JURIST report]. Earlier this month, JURIST Contributing Editor Marjorie Cohn discussed the constitutional violations resulting from the executive order, asserting that the order violates four Constitutional clauses and at least two international treaties. KEARNEY For the 1,000 people at Kearneys Baldwin Filters who have been wondering how the pending change in ownership of their company will affect them and their jobs, the wait is nearly finished. Parker Hannifins $4.3 billion purchase of Baldwins parent, CLARCOR Corp., is expected to close on Tuesday, based on comments earlier this week by Parker Hannifin CEO Thomas Williams. On Thursday, CLARCOR shareholders overwhelmingly voted to approve the merger, which will result in the Franklin, Tenn.-based CLARCOR becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Parker, headquartered in Cleveland. The deal marks the second time Baldwin Filters has changed hands. The filter manufacturers founder, J.A. Baldwin, started the company in 1936, but sold it to CLARCOR in 1981 after he suffered a stroke and heart attack. Since then, Baldwin Filters has grown steadily, manufacturing and selling after-market oil filtration products in the United States and in every continent around the world. In 2015, Baldwin opened a $40 million, 421,000-square-foot distribution center in Kearney. Because Baldwin and its parent CLARCOR focus on the after-market, the company is a fantastic complement to Parker Hannifin, which specializes in motion and control technology products sold to manufacturers as original equipment, Parker CEO Williams said at an investors conference in Miami. Its fantastic, this is a property weve looked at really the last 10 years. Finally for a variety of reasons were able to connect here, Williams said at Barclays Capital Industrial Select Conference. Williams comments are available as a podcast on the Parker Hannifin website. Were excited. CLARCOR is 80 percent after-market. It has higher margins than the parent, higher growth rates than Parker averages, so its incremental in so many ways, Williams said. Williams told shareholders and prospective investors at the Miami conference that orders are stronger, causing him to feel cautiously optimistic. The worst is behind us as far as the industrial downturn of the past two years; 2017 is going to be a dynamite year for us. Theres going to be a lot going on. Parker has trimmed its labor force from 59,000 people four years ago to 48,000 today not counting CLARCORs 6,000 and has focused on fostering a culture of ownership among employees and improving experiences for its customers. When you get engagement and ownership, you get better financial performance, Williams said. Owners think differently than employees. What were trying to do is create a lot of new owners in the company. Parker has changed how it measures customer satisfaction. We went to a customer service metric to a customer experience metric: Would you recommend Parker to a colleague? Parkers intent to purchase CLARCOR was announced in December. At the time, Aidan Gormley, Parkers director, global communications and branding, said senior leaders from both companies would form an integration team to determine how to best bring the two businesses together. Gormley would not comment for this story, but said more information would be available after the merger is complete. Attempts to obtain comments from Baldwin and CLARCOR were unsuccessful. In addition to the Baldwin facility in Kearney, Parkers other Nebraska plants will be in Gothenburg, McCook, Alliance and Lincoln. A rose to ... those intrepid Girl Scouts, who are setting records with this years cookie sales. So many boxes are flying off the shelves that the cookie sale has been extended. Its an opportunity for Nebraskans who havent purchased their cookies to do so. If youve already made a purchase, the extended sale is your chance to get SMore. Proceeds from the cookies will continue to power amazing Girl Scout experiences throughout Nebraska, and girls will use their funds to make the world a better place. A rose to ... reaching out to elected leaders. Thats exactly what the Young Professionals of the Urban League of Nebraska did this week by conducting the groups first Black and Brown Legislative Day. The event was an attempt to engage persons of color in the legislative process to boost civic engagement. The day began in North Omaha with participants boarding a chartered bus for the State Capitol in Lincoln. There was training on meeting and speaking with state senators. Participants had exchanges with senators and attended committee meetings. Participants in the Black and Brown Legislative Day received an up-close and personal education on the functions of Nebraskas state government. Also, their presence helped educate lawmakers about the important needs of Nebraskas minorities. Theres no substitute for being there in person to leave the right impression with legislators. Our elected representatives greatly respect Nebraskans who go through the trouble of attending sessions and work with the Legislature. A raspberry to ... the protesters who disrupted U.S. Sen. Deb Fischers meeting earlier this week with a group of Lincoln business leaders. The protest was an offshoot of the many shout-downs and other confrontations at town hall gatherings arranged by Republican senators and congressional representatives to meet with constituents and listen to their concerns. Fischer didnt schedule any open listening sessions during the recess, but she did reach out to listen to Nebraskans. Its unfortunate that one of those attempts to hear constituents was interrupted by rude protesters rapping on windows and hollering at Fischer. Thats not the Nebraska way to approach problems. The protesters should have requested a meeting with the senator, the same as the business leaders had done. FILE - In this Feb. 10, 2016 file photo, Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington during a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing on The Flint Water Crisis. Dr. HannaAiAttisha came to the U.S. with her parents, who were fleeing the regime of Saddam Hussein, has been invited by Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich. to President Donald TrumpAos first address to Congress next Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File) We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form 840 Shares Share Bask in the glory, toots. You deserve it! I received this text message from my very dear friend a few days ago after an extraordinary occurrence. Im a retired internist, and recently my clinical acumen and intervention saved another friends life. That is a statement of fact, not a boast. And thats why Im writing about it. The patient, a retired surgeon, hosted our circle of friends New Years Eve party a little more than a month ago. He looked fine, but complained of mild fatigue. The following week he developed pneumonia and was hospitalized, treated with antibiotics and discharged. He didnt recover his strength, and his wife reported that he had no appetite and was losing weight. After two falls, he was again hospitalized, presumably to continue treating his ongoing pneumonia. During the night, he was transferred to ICU for hypotension. When I came to visit him the following morning, he was a shell of the man I had seen a month earlier at his party. Although mentally alert, he was pale, lethargic, thin and weak, unable to stand, and barely able to talk. His monitor displayed a BP of 84/50, normal pulse and pulse ox. He was not on pressors. A head CT done the night before was normal. He was afebrile and not coughing. When the pulmonologist came in, I asked him what his working diagnosis was. He shrugged. Well give him different antibiotics, he said. Apparently, he only saw an old frail man with recent pneumonia, but I saw a recently vital man with no underlying diseases and on no medication fading away before me. Addisons disease popped into my mind, and when I suggested it to the doctor, he reluctantly agreed to draw a cortisol level. His facial expression showed me that he was just humoring me. The hospitalist arrived about an hour later, after the family had permitted me to read his chart. My friend had a mild anemia, normal WBC and diff and a sodium of 127. His potassium was normal, as were his renal function and liver tests. Despite his hypotension, he was being fluid restricted in an attempt to raise his sodium level. Again, I stressed the need to intervene more urgently and said that since he clearly wasnt septic, a trial of IV steroids would not be contraindicated. I also reminded him that my friend was his patient, and treatment was, certainly, his decision to make. Im only making a suggestion, I told him, fingers crossed behind my back. To my relief, he ordered a cosyntropin stimulation test and started my friend on IV Decadron. Six hours later he was sitting up in bed with a smile on his face, having eaten his first meal. A few days later, the test results validated my diagnosis. By then he was up and walking, normotensive and ready for discharge. He, his family and the rest of our circle of friends have thanked me profusely for my intervention and for saving his life. My response, of course was gracious. Im so glad I was able to help. But how did I feel about it? Happy and gratified, of course. Proud? Not really. We physicians all do extraordinary things throughout our careers and rarely stop to pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. It makes us uncomfortable to acknowledge our personal successes- to bask in the glory, like my text message had suggested. And thats the problem. We physicians are trained to do what we do, and success is not congratulated as easily as failure is shamed, both by our colleagues and ourselves. Even for a life saved. Another friend emailed me, saying, It must be a fantastic feeling to know that you helped save someones life, let alone a friends. It is, I responded, but Im still getting my head around it. I wasnt ready yet to fully own that I had saved his life. I have finally absorbed the enormity of what I did and I am proud of myself. Rightfully so. No apologies. Judy Salz is an internal medicine physician. Image credit: Shutterstock.com The only pub in Ireland where you get served Holy Water over the counter is located in an intoxicating village, located close to the city and nestled beneath two hills. Brennan's bar and grocery, Johnswell is like something straight out of The Field play, full of character and personality serving the needs of the villagers. The licensee, Ann Brennan is a hugely positive force for everything within the community (there's even a defibrillator attached to the side of the premises). Her pub, where the walls are lined with All-Ireland winning hurling teams, is more like a social club than a pub. Between card games and music sessions, it helps to maintain that strong sense of identity among the Johnswell folk. Located next to the church above the old forge and across the road from the holy well from where it gets its water, it has seen off several recessions and won't be closing anytime soon. And you may laugh but maybe it's something in that water, which flows down from The Brown Mountain that explains the positivity of its people. Even though Johnswell is only 6.6 kilometres from the roundabout on the city's ring road, it is rural with a different pace of life from the city. And this article, the first in a series about the state and future of our villages and towns, proves that the future of Johnswell is secure. With several community projects in the offing and with numbers growing steadily, if not dramatically, in the primary school, there is reason for optimism. Johnswell may be small in size with just 485 parishioners but it's big in heart. I have come to realise that villages that were never on a main road or bypassed by motorways do better than ones that were on a primary route and were then sidelined by dual carriageways. The village avoided any of the ghost estates of the Celtic Tiger years and this, according to local farmer, Nicky Murphy is partly because people here have too much respect for their land to sell it off to developers but prefer to keep it and hand it down to the next generation. There is something reassuring about that statement - It points towards a continuity here that augers well for the future and provides hope. New blood is needed in any community and there are plans for a few sustainable developments. And the primary school students who attend St John's primary school in the village are the future. They are taught not just what's on the curriculum but learn about nature and their own place by an energetic group of teachers led by Ann Holohan. The place is teaming with wildlife and they are encouraged to look around them to take in their surroundings and enjoy what is a great place to live. And that sense of support and connection between the school and the parish was epitomised by the way the lack of an internet connection in the school, named after John The Baptist, was resolved. RTE's Helen Carroll who happens to live in Johnswell raised awareness about the lack of broadband for the school. In the end, the solution was provided by a neighbour who allowed his excellent satellite system to be used by the school and it simply bounced the signal off his dish into the school. To the future - A small group of dedicated volunteers helped to finish the road widening at the community hall carried out by the County Council. And again, the part played by the community was central in this. Paddy Manning, gave the land for free for the benefit of the people so the road could be widened and car parking spaces put in place and drainage carried out. It is typical of Paddy Manning and it's such a pity that he wasn't elected to the Dail as a strong, independent anti-Trump like figure. Pattern Day And for generations, there was a Pattern Day held in the village on June 24, the nativity of St John The Baptist, to whom the holy well is dedicated. However in the early 1970s, a person was killed, by would you believe of all things, a sling shot, during a row and this led to its cancellation since that time. However, the local community feel it is time to reinstate what was the most important day of the year for the villagers. It would be another reason to celebrate along with the annual road hurling tournament where teams of three-hit a sliotar around a mile long course and it attracts people like former all-Ireland winning captain, Andy Comerford. and there is the annual 5k and 10k road races on July 10. Both are fundraisers for the school. And I can't for the life of me figure out why Johnswell hasn't won any serious Tidy Towns award such is the beauty, cleanliness, and sense of pride displayed by the village people and by individual householders. Every person in the county should come out to Johnswell and just have a gander around, it would do your heart good. And it seems that before the advent of Christianity, the well was used for pagan worship, adding another layer to the story of the well. And last year, the local village committee of Sean Colgan, Nicky Murphy and Colin Furlong and others totally cleaned up the well area and again a landowner, Pat Murphy (Nicky's brother) allowed them to access to his land to drain off the water. The well is a wonderful asset and inside the tiny wooden, well door is a statue of John The Baptist which had been in the parish church. It is a fantastic landmark and the well has never, ever run dry. The Community Hall Another miracle, to occur in Johnswell was the construction of the community hall in 1989 and 1990 which coincided with the arrival of Sean Colgan to the village. Again, it is a testament to the people, their resolve, and their voluntary effort. It cost 27,000 and if it was to be built now with all the new regulations and health and safety measures you would have little change out of 500,000. People helped to carry blocks and members of the hall committee went door to door trying to get people to provide them with interest-free loans. According to Nicky Murphy, the response was amazing and many of those who gave money refused to take it back when the time came. The hall has paid for itself a thousand times over and is in use seven days well and all through the weekends. It is home to the top badminton club in the country and it is unreal for such a small place to have a thriving club with such a high standing in the sport. The badminton people use the hall at least three days a week and between other sporting organisations and groups, it is a busy hub. The forge The old forge has been painted and reinstated on the outside by the local voluntary committee. for many, it holds treasured memories of Mrs. Lyons' shop and of playing cards there in the evening and there are a few still alive who remember old Mr. Lyons, the blacksmith working the hammer and tongs. GAA The parish is part of O'Loughlin Gael's GAA club and Nick Murphy pointed to a field in the distance which he claimed was where O'Loughlin's was formed and where the club first played. The dead A funeral in Johnswell is a big deal. What happens at the time of a local death epitomises the strength of community here. One of three or four people will organise everyone else to provide food in the community hall. others will do traffic management. It all seems to work seamlessly. Everyone helps so when tragedy hits a family, they know they will have the back-up of their neighbours and the rest of Johnswell. And so it was on Saturday after they buried Teasie Roche (nee Meagher) the people went to the assistance of the loved ones of their much-loved friend and neighbour . it gave them comfort to know they were helping one who was extremely civic minded, always in good form and always willing to help another. Crime Crime is non-existent here, partly helped by the excellent Muckalee Community Alert Scheme and also by the presence of CCTV cameras in private and public properties. Two weeks ago there was an attempted robbery in Coon and three or four hours later, the vehicle involved was spotted in Johnswell and after a few texts, it was intercepted by gardai. And in another recent case, a trailer was robbed in the locality and again it was recovered through the scheme. Improvement schemes This series is not about politicians but about community and Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick is the local representative and he has played his part in helping to improve this great place. He feels our rural villages have the heart to ensure they thrive. "There is no doubt that the Rural Town and Village Renewal scheme has seen major investment in many villages and towns across Kilkenny and much credit must go to Kilkenny County Council for administering the Scheme and ensuring the money was delivered and used effectively. In the case of Johnswell, with the cooperation of land and property owners we carried out works which included installation of road safety measures near the school, community hall and church, provision of new public lighting, much needed drainage improvement works and localised infrastructural repairs to footpaths and roads. A significant contribution was made by both Colin Furlong and Nicky Murphy who spearheaded to initiative locally. Along with Council staff in the area they made the plans a reality and they must be thanked. Johnswell is a shining example of what can be achieved when local communities and local authorities work together to achieve a common goal," Cllr Fitzpatrick said. Its a pleasure to work alongside community groups and those interested in and committed to the future of their community - for me It's all about, supporting the community to achieve its full potential and being a strong advocate for community interests on the Council. Johnswell is not just surviving but prospering and with a huge communal heart will prosper for many generations to come. STOCKHOLM, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Iceland's central bank said in a statement it will consider offering exemptions to its Foreign Exchange Act for derivatives trading, marking another step towards lifting the country's capital controls. It said in a statement on Friday that it would accept applications for long-term hedging aimed at mitigating exchange rate risks and enabling firms to correct foreign exchange imbalances on their balance sheets. The central bank's move is aimed at assessing to what extent companies need and are interested in such hedging, as a way to prepare for full liberalization. The capital controls, imposed at the height of the financial crisis in 2008 to shore up a tumbling krona, have left the country isolated from international financial markets and have hampered recovery. In November last year, the Central Bank said Iceland could fully remove all its remaining capital controls during 2017 thanks to its growing foreign exchange reserves and a strong banking sector. The central bank said exemptions would not be available for speculative derivatives trades at this stage due to their lower priority in the liberalisation process. The bank said it would consider granting exemptions based on specific conditions including the length of the contracts involved, the hedge ratio, timing, and information disclosure to the central bank itself. (Reporting by Bjorn Rundstrom; Editing by Hugh Lawson) DUBAI, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Iran is looking to offer up to $4.5 billion in rial and foreign currency-denominated bonds by March 2018, the oil ministry's news website SHANA reported on Saturday. Iranian authorities have been keen to attract foreign investors after the end of sanctions on the country, where international bond issuance has been virtually non-existent since the late 1979 Islamic revolution. Parliament approved on Saturday an item in the state budget for the Iranian year starting on March 21, which allows the oil ministry to issue $3 billion worth of the rial and foreign-currency-denominated bonds, SHANA said. Under another budget line passed on Saturday, the ministry can issue up to 50 trillion rials ($1.5 billion) worth of the bonds, it added. According to the text of the proposed budget, the $3 billion in bonds are to be used to repay ministry debts for existing projects and the $1.5 billion bonds are to be used to finance new oil and gas projects. After being passed by parliament, the entire budget has to approved by a clerical body that vets legislation before it becomes law. ($1 = 32,401.0000 rials) (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Ros Russell) News.com.au reports: Trent Hunter appeared alongside Evelyn Kathner at a press conference with Labor leader Bill Shorten to talk about the Fair Work Commissions decision to slash Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for hospitality, restaurant, fast food, retail and pharmacy workers. My name is Trent Hunter. I am a retail worker I rely on Sunday penalty rates I will now lose $109 a week, he said. Mr Hunter said he worked every Sunday at Coles and relied on the money to make ends meet and to pay for my fuel, my rent and to pay for my food. But the supermarket giant confirmed to news.com.au that Mr Hunter would actually not lose a dollar. Store team members at Coles are employed under an enterprise agreement and therefore are unaffected by todays decision, the company said. Its since emerged that Mr Hunter is a member of the ALP and he has posted photos on his social media accounts attending Labor functions, including a photo with Mr Shorten. U.S. President Donald Trump has declared a war on "fake" media in yet another attack on major newspapers and broadcasters critical of his controversial policies such as his sweeping crackdown on undocumented people and his alleged links to Russia during the presidential campaign. The White House said on Friday (local time) it has barred several major broadcasters and newspapers from attending an informal press briefing. CNN, BBC, The New York Times, LA Times, New York Daily News, BuzzFeed, The Hill, and the Daily Mail, were among the news outlets barred from the gathering. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer unveiled a list of handpicked news outlets that would be allowed into the briefing, including Breitbart News, One America News Network, The Washington Times, all news organizations with far-right leanings. Others major outlets approved included ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, Reuters and Bloomberg. Several media outlets including the Associated Press, Time Magazine, the Wall Street Journal and USA Today refused to attend the briefing to boycott the President's decision. According to the BBC, the selective discrimination came hours after President Donald Trump delivered another attack on the media in a speech, saying that "fake news" was the "enemy of the people." He has previously singled out CNN and The New York Times for criticism. Trump also warned that the White House was going to "aggressively push back" at "false narratives" in the news. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." BuzzFeed's editor-in-chief, Ben Smith, said: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from the work of continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." Jeff Mason, the president of the White House Correspondents' Association, said his organization will protest strongly against the ban. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle (of reporters) is being handled by the White House," he said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff." A man from Elkland who ran over and killed a man in a bar parking lot got a 15-year prison sentence on Friday afternoon. Timothy Frye, 25, got a 15-year sentence for first-degree involuntary manslaughter and a concurrent seven-year sentence for leaving the scene of an accident. Timothy Frye pleaded guilty last Dec. 8 to lesser charges than those with which he was charged. Frye admitted he hit Corey Arthur outside Lil Dallas Bar and Grill north of Fair Grove in Dallas County early on Dec. 13, 2014. Arthur died at a hospital in Springfield 15 days after he was run over. A Dallas County grand jury indicted Frye for second-degree murder, assault, and leaving the scene of an accident in March 2015. Witnesses said Frye was driving an SUV when he hit Arthur, tried to hit another man, hit a metal post and drove away. The SUV turned up at an impound lot in Springfield after it was abandoned in the Rountree neighborhood east of Missouri State University. Detectives got a search warrant for the SUV in January 2015 and collected DNA samples from the steering wheel, drivers door hand and light switch, along with paint scrapings from the front bumper and an energy drink bottle, according to search warrant documents. Dallas County Prosecuting Attorney Barbara Viets said she offered the plea deal because Frye would be sentenced as a prior offender, which means longer sentences than normal for those two crimes. She said witness accounts of what Frye did had changed, so this was a sure way to get a conviction. Frye received a four-year prison sentence in 2011 for resisting arrest in Hickory County. He received five years of probation in Polk County in 2009 for second-degree burglary, and then was sent to prison a couple of years later for violating terms of his probation. He received a four-year sentence in 2010 for a burglary in Dallas County. Before his sentencing on Friday afternoon, he was serving a five-year prison sentence for burglary and endangering the welfare of a child from Dallas County; he was on parole for those crimes in December 2014 when Arthur was killed. Frye also has a pending case for second-degree assault and armed criminal action that was filed in Greene County in August 2015. Nothing has happened on that case since he was charged. Frye's case for the death of Arthur was moved from Dallas County to Webster County to try to ensure a fair outcome in case it went to trial. Jason Charter As President Donald Trump began to deliver his speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland on Friday, he was met with plenty of miniature Russian-style flags. The flags were embroidered with a gold "TRUMP" logo, in a font similar to what is typically used on products and architecture that bear his name. The one thousand flags, paid for by the political activist group Americans Take Action, were handed out to unwitting attendees at CPAC, the largest conservative conference of the year. From the parking lot to the convention center, the organization's Ryan Clayton and Jason Charter distributed so many flags, they had to return to their car to get more, they said in an interview with Business Insider. "You cant print TRUMP on an American flag because that would be disrespectful," Clayton said. "People were really excited to get red white and blue flags." After nearly 10 minutes of handing out the flags, CPAC organizers caught on to the ruse, but it was already too late: the president had taken the stage. "They really didnt notice until a lot of people were waving them [when] the president was speaking. When he finally got on stage, a bunch of people just started waving them," said Charter. "When the organizers from CPAC came and were tearing them from peoples hands, you can see them [upset]," Clayton said of the flag-wavers. "They really wanted their flags." When asked what message they were trying to send, Clayton said that in "taking the flag and unwittingly waving it in support of Trump, [that's] the perfect illustration of them serving Russian interests." Even after catching on, some attendees weren't entirely upset by Clayton and Charter's antics. "There were a lot of young Republicans who told me that they dont agree with Trump ... so they took the flags." NOW WATCH: The Trump family's lavish lifestyle is costing taxpayers a fortune More From Business Insider By Caroline Humer NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, which represents insurers in every state, Cigna Corp and Humana Inc said on Friday they would attend a meeting between the health insurance industry and President Donald Trump on Monday. Cigna's chief executive officer, David Cordani, and Humana CEO Bruce Broussard will attend, spokesmen for both companies said. Bloomberg reported earlier on Friday that top executives from U.S. health insurers would attend a meeting, based on unnamed sources. The White House has not confirmed the Bloomberg report. Trump has pledged to repeal and replace Obamacare, former President Barack Obama's national healthcare law that redesigned the U.S. insurance market for individuals. It is not clear yet what Republicans will agree upon to replace the current insurance. Insurers say any new plans are not likely to hit the market before 2019. Insurers have also asked for changes to the individual insurance market that would go into effect for 2018 to make the market more attractive to the industry, where some plans have lost hundreds of millions of dollars because member costs were higher than they expected. The Trump administration proposed a rule last week to address some insurer concerns, but insurers would also like to see the elimination of an industry-wide tax on health insurance premiums - though the tax is on hiatus this year - and a promise that the government will continue to provide cost-sharing subsidies to certain individual insurance members. Since taking office on Jan. 20, Trump has held a series of White House meetings with executives from different sectors including those from manufacturing companies, pharmaceutical makers, technology businesses and car makers. (Reporting by Caroline Humer; Editing by Leslie Adler) PRESS RELEASE Saudis Caught in Manipulation of Veterans To Kill JASTA Feb. 24, 2017 (EIRNS)The website 28pages.org has published a devastating expose of the Saudis' latest effort to kill the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) which was passed by overwhelming vote in both houses of Congress last year. In an exclusive article by site director Brian McGlinchey, it was revealed that the Saudi lobbying firm, Qorvis, has been bribing American war veterans with "five star vacations" at the Trump International Hotel in Washington, to suck them into lobbying for a repeal of JASTA, all the while hiding the fact that the effort is being financed by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. McGlinchey was able to interview several veterans who were duped into the lobbying scam, who gave a detailed account of the way the veterans were lied to, were herded into lobbying sessions with Members of Congress, and who were given buttons from the Purple Heart Association to add to the pressure. Iraq War veterans David Casler, Tim Cord and Dan Cord gave McGlinchey the detailed account of their experience during one of the recent junkets to Washington, which was originally advertised in a personal email to them, which read "Do you want to go on a cool trip?" No mention of lobbying was included, and no mention was made at any time about the Saudi money behind the whole effort. Qorvis and Advocacy Group, Inc., the two lobbying firms on the Saudi payroll behind the fraud, never indicated they were working for Saudi Arabia, despite the fact that they were registered as foreign lobbyists. All told, 40 veterans participated in the four-day excursion to Washington. According to the eyewitness participants in their account to 28pages.org, the whole D.C. lobbying effort began with a lavish banquet at Trump International Hotel, where Jason Johns, President of NMLB Veterans Advocacy Group in Madison, Wisconsin, told the veterans "We're really passionate in our community about JASTA, and, first and foremost, this is not funded, none of this is being taken care of by Saudi Arabia." This was a boldfaced lie, as the three veterans who spoke to McGlinchey found out several days later, when they saw one of the Qorvis "handlers" receiving gifts from the back of a Bentley SUV from a Saudi. Jason Johns was one of a "score" of individuals who registered as Saudi agents in October and November, following the override of Obama's veto of JASTA. He revealed that he was on the Qorvis payroll at a salary of $100,000. PRESS RELEASE U.S. and Mexican Cabinet Officials Discuss Regional Economic Development As Key to Solving the Migration Crisis Feb. 24, 2017 (EIRNS)The U.S. Secretaries of Homeland Security, Gen. John Kelly, and State, Rex Tillerson, wrapped up a difficult two-day visit to Mexico yesterday, during which they met with their Mexican counterparts as well as President Enrique Pena Nieto. At a joint press conference at the Foreign Ministry, the American side issued a press statement saying the discussions had been "very productive," and that "we listened closely and carefully to each other, as we respectfully and patiently raised our respective concerns." Mexican Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray Caso also sounded an encouraged note, saying that "we appreciate the presence of Secretaries Tillerson and Kelly in Mexico today, at a time when our countries and our governments have public and well-known differences, [and] the best way to resolve them is through dialogue" a reference to the pressing issues of border migration and drug trafficking. Videgaray added that in a few months Mexico will call a meeting on migration with the government of the U.S., Central America, Canada and Colombia, "understanding that it is through the development of stability ... that we can solve the different causes of migration." Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong further emphasized the necessity of developing "a good regional development strategy." For his part, Secretary Kelly also stressed that "I already talked about economic development in Central America to try to reduce the reasons why those people come to the United States." He added emphatically: "Let me be very, very clear; there will be no, repeat, no mass deportations.... And again, listen to this: no, repeat, no use of military force in immigration operations, none." Lyndon LaRouche has long insisted that the only way to solve the interlinked problems of undocumented migrants and drug and weapons trafficking, is with a policy of combined, accelerated economic development of the countries in question, while also wiping out the City of London and Wall Street banking interests which run the drug trade from the top. The most immediate contentious issue that almost blew up the U.S.-Mexican talks before they even started, was the Feb. 20 publication by Kellys Department of Homeland Security of a memorandum on "Implementing the Presidents Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements Policies." Most disturbing to the Mexicans, the memo announced a change in policy whereby the United States will now "return aliens arriving on land from a foreign territory contiguous to the U.S. ... to the territory from which they arrived, pending a formal removal proceeding." What this means in practice is that the United States would no longer deport illegal migrants from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras back to their respective countries of origin, but would simply send them back across into Mexican territory. Mexico immediately denounced the policy as unacceptable and a violation of international law. This is no minor matter. The announced policy is unworkable and highly dangerous, should it even be attempted under current economic and security conditions. According to Department of Homeland Security statistics, during the eight-year Obama Presidency an average of about 400,000 people were deported from the U.S. every yearfar more than earlier presidencies, earning the pro-drug Obama the moniker of "Deporter in Chief." Of those, about 280,00 (over 70%) were Mexicans, and 90,000 (over 20%) were Central Americans. If the Central Americans are now to be simply sent back across the border into Mexico, this would be tantamount to handing 90-100,000 impoverished and desperate Central Americans over to the highly organized drug cartels, which also run the weapons and human trafficking networks, turning the entire Mexico-U.S. border region into a narco-state. Mexico is totally unprepared to handle such an influx of deportees, and would face conditions similar to those of Turkey or Greece, with their millions of Middle Eastern and African refugees. Far better to address the border crisis in the manner long advocated by LaRouche: that will work. To better complete with ultra low-cost carriers, United and American Airlines this week began selling their new basic economy seats, a bare-bones fare with almost no extras included. Not only will the airlines allow no cancellations, upgrades or refunds for basic economy passengers, but the carriers confirmed this week that those fliers will be boarded last, after every other traveler on the plane. American Airlines will board basic economy travelers after eight other categories of passengers are seated, starting March 1. United will board its basic economy fliers after four other seating categories, taking effect April 18. Advertisement On both airlines, the first group allowed on the plane described as pre-boarding will be families with children, travelers with disabilities, active members of the military and elite loyalty reward members, such as Concierge Key members on American Airlines. The advantage of boarding early is that you usually find lots of room in the overhead bins for your luggage. By the time the last fliers board, the overhead bins are usually packed. But that may not matter for basic economy fliers. On both United and American, basic economy passengers are allowed to bring only a small bag that fits under the seat and are charged an extra fee if they bring a bigger bag to go into the overhead bin. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. Since President Trump took office, controversy over some of his policies has triggered noisy protests and rallies in front of hotels emblazoned with the Trump name. It is uncertain if the rallies and protests have hurt business at Trump hotels but online travel sites that book Trump hotels have come under increasing fire from critics of the president. Trump Hotels includes eight properties in the U.S. and five international locations that are either managed or branded by the New York company, founded by Donald J. Trump. Advertisement Online travel booking sites such as Hotwire and Priceline are under attack on social media from Trump critics who say they fear those sites may book them into a Trump hotel without their knowledge. Travelers who use Hotwire.com and Express Deals on Priceline.com can request a room in a specific city but arent told the hotel name until after they pay. Hotels, car rental companies and airlines can use such blind booking sites to unload vacant rooms, empty airline seats and unused cars without lowering their prices on traditional sales channels. But since Trump was elected, a growing chorus of Trump critics has complained that Hotwire and Priceline have booked them into Trump hotels. They are asking the websites to either eliminate Trump hotels from the sites or give travelers the option to block Trump hotels from their lodging search. WARNING: Do not use @hotwire! Their hot rates include #Trump hotels & they will not cancel. Learn from my mistake. #NeverTrump, Dave Vanness, a data scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, posted on Twitter recently. Bernard Harcourt, a law professor at Columbia University, has called for a boycott of Hotwire on Twitter, saying he searched for a room in Chicago on Hotwire to attend a protest of Trumps travel ban and got booked into the Trump International Hotel & Tower. Hotwire declined to say if bookings on the site have dropped since Trump was elected, but company spokeswoman Geena Marcelia said, we are aware that certain travelers have shared concerns around booking a Trump Hotel property. Our customers satisfaction is very important to us, she said. To that end, we are currently taking these comments into careful consideration. Priceline declined to discuss the controversy. Trump Hotels doesnt report its financial data to the public but a spokeswoman said the company has enjoyed a 10% increase in reservations in 2016 over the previous year. Our business is incredibly strong, Trump Hotels spokeswoman Christine Lin said. We are exceeding targets across a variety of metrics, including overall bookings, website visits and revenue. Still, the kind of controversy that has erupted since Trump took office Jan. 20 cant be good for a hotel brand, said Alan Reay, president of Atlas Hospitality. Look at it from a corporations standpoint, he said. If you are booking a meeting, you are going to look for a hotel that is going to help you, not hurt you. A corporation may have Muslim people they want to attend the meeting. hugo.martin@latimes.com To read more about the travel and tourism industries, follow @hugomartin on Twitter. By Allison Lampert MONTREAL (Reuters) - The chief executive of Canada's second largest pension fund, which owns a 30 percent stake in Bombardier Inc.'s (BBDb.TO) transportation division, said on Friday he hopes that a dispute between the company and Toronto's transportation agency over a rail car contract will be resolved out of court. Bombardier and Metrolinx, the provincial agency in charge of transportation in and around Toronto, have repeatedly clashed over lengthy delivery delays on a contract for light rail cars. Michael Sabia, chief executive of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, acknowledged that the plane and train maker needed to make improvements in delivering the rail cars, but said Bombardier was "making progress." Sabia said he did not think that the conflict with Metrolinx would have a long-term impact on Bombardier. "I think it's a difficult circumstance right now," he told reporters in Montreal. "But one of the good things about black eyes is that they heal." Bombardier shares were down more than 4 percent in afternoon trading. Bombardier is seeking a court injunction at a hearing on March 21 in response to "unjustified threats to terminate" the contract for 182 cars, the company said in a Feb. 10 statement. Metrolinx previously filed a notice saying it wanted to terminate the contract. "We're very hopeful that (the) situation is resolved amicably through negotiations and not through a long period of legal action," Sabia said. Olivier Marcil, a spokesman for Bombardier, said by email that the hearing should "bring Metrolinx to resume good-faith discussions." Marcil said Bombardier is achieving its project milestones in Ontario, after on Friday making its first delivery to the Waterloo transportation agency, for a separate light rail contract. Bombardier in 2010 won a roughly C$770 million ($574.84 million) contract to deliver 182 vehicles between 2013 and 2020. The light-rail vehicles are to be used in a new transit project crossing Toronto due to open in 2021, after Metrolinx pushed back its planned launch by a year. (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal; Editing by Leslie Adler) Friday afternoon, two days before the 89th Academy Awards ceremony, a star-studded crowd of nearly 2,000 protesters gathered to decry the policies of the Trump administration, spurred on by Oscars-winners, politicians, and activists with a common message: Keep fighting. Its time to show up, urged Oscar-winning actress and filmmaker Jodie Foster, taking the stage at the United Voices rally held outside the Beverly Hills headquarters of United Talent Agency. Its a singular time in history. Its time to engage. No matter who you voted for red or blue, whether youre white, black, or brown, or all the colors of the identity rainbow, this is our time to resist, she continued, eliciting cheers from the crowd. Its our time to show up and demand answers. Its our time to tell our elected officials to do their jobs. Advertisement Jodie Foster admits she's never been comfortable using her celebrity for activism, but "it's time to show up." #UnitedVoices pic.twitter.com/OhxGX4q8Hq jen yamato (@jenyamato) February 25, 2017 The rally marked a stark departure from the usual pre-Oscars circuit, in a week when every studio or agency with a nominee to fete competes to throw their own lavish soirees in the lead-up to Sundays ceremony. At UTA, that tradition was interrupted when Iranian director Asghar Farhadi announced that he would be protesting President Trumps immigration travel ban by not attending Sundays Oscars, where he is nominated for Best Foreign Language film for The Salesman. The company nixed its own Oscar bash altogether, opting instead to host the United Voices rally featuring its own A-list clients and guest speakers from around the world. Having a big fun celebration to celebrate the accomplishments of our industry just didnt feel right, UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer told the Times. I have nothing against parties, but I felt that this could also be a moment to stand up and say, Somethings wrong. This doesnt feel right. And we need to pay attention to how this feels at this time in this country. Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom at the UTAs United Voices rally. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Comedian and actor Keegan-Michael Key was among the first guests to kick off the two-hour rally, where Kristen Wiig, Aaron Paul, Piper Perabo, Jamie Dornan, Nick Offerman, Kat Graham and Bill Nye were among those in attendance. The American Civil Liberties Union and the International Rescue Committee received $320,000 in donations from the event, including $250,000 from UTA and $70,000 raised through the agencys CrowdRise crowdfunding campaign. We have the ability to educate, Key said, addressing his fellow artists. We have the ability to inspire. We have the ability to effect change, to bring people together, and to even sometimes bring light when theres a whole lot of darkness. Actor Keegan-Michael Key at UTAs United Voices rally (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Were the ones who have been given the mantle to tell everybodys story, he continued. Whether you be trans, whether you be black, whether you be Latino, whether you be disabled were here to be a platform for you. California Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom and former U.K. Foreign Secretary and now-IRC head David Miliband also spoke, as did UTA clients Reza Aslan, Michael J. Fox, and Wilmer Valderrama. Asghar Farhadi delivers taped remarks from Iran during UTA Rally in Los Angeles. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Hector Villagra, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, decried the hate, the lies, and the bigotry of the Trump regime. Wearing a blue Stand With ACLU ribbon, he called for a mass rejection of Trumps self-centered, scared vision of America. Lets fight the Muslim ban. Lets fight the deportation machine. Lets fight the attack on womens right to an abortion, he said. Lets fight the attack on transgender students rights to exist. Lets stand together, for each other. As the rally swelled to an nearly 2,000 estimated attendees, according to organizers, a handful of pro-Trump supporters walked defiantly together through the crowd. Dean, who declined to give his full name, traveled from San Pedro to protest the rallys pro-immigration message after hearing about the event the day before. What brought me out here was Gavin Newsom, he said, holding an American flag. His policies are offensive to me the biggest one is his infringement on the2nd Amendment. Im against illegal immigration, too, he added. Protestors rally at United Talent Agencys United Voices rally. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Harim Uzziel of Los Angeles wore a Trump: Make America Great Again shirt and hat and also expressed support of Trumps executive order. Im a Latino and I go hardcore for Mr. Trump. I thought he was a racist at first, I believed all the news and the media, but then I did my research, and Ive been on the Trump train hardcore full throttle since. The overwhelming majority of attendees, many of whom held anti-Trump signs, were not of like mind to the small MAGA contingent. A hush fell over the gathering when the rallys special guest, filmmaker Farhadi, appeared via video from Tehran to deliver a minute-long address. It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a commendable show of unity to announce its opposition, he said in his first public appearance since announcing his Oscars protest. I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices. More scenes from UTAs United Voices rally: Keith James, center, of RefuseFascism.Org, holds up a sign during the United Voices rally outside United Talent Agency headquarters. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Artist David Garibaldi did a painting performance at the United Voices rally organized by United Talent Agency in Beverly Hills. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Michael J. Fox speaks at UTAs United Voices rally. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Sam Harris of X Ambassadors performs at the United Voices rally organized by United Talent Agency. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) Wilmer Valderrama speaks at a rally organized by United Talent Agency in Los Angeles. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) jen.yamato@latimes.com @jenyamato ALSO Academy stands by Iranian Oscar nominee in face of extremely troubling Trump travel ban Directors of all five Oscar foreign-language films condemn anti-nationalism in U.S. Oscars red carpet:'The gravy train is over for TV stations and networks UPDATES: 8:21 a.m.: This story was updated with new information on the rallys estimated crowd size. In La La Land, Emma Stone plays an aspiring actress so in love with Hollywood that she gets a day job in a coffee shop on a studio lot just so she can be in proximity to the movie business. I love this stuff, she says in the film, walking past old sets on the Warner Bros. backlot. Makes coming to work easier. Its such a magical spot in the musical that in recent months, some patrons of Warner Bros. studio tour began asking where the scene had been filmed. As it turns out, the coffee shop was a fake. Even though theres a Starbucks and a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on the lot, the production built its own, prettier version of a cafe on French Street one of the most popular shooting locations on the 110-acre lot. Advertisement Because the backlot has so much turnover, the La La Land coffee shop was torn down almost as quickly as it went up back in the summer of 2015. But after Damien Chazelles film received a record 14 Oscar nominations, Warner Bros. decided to recreate the cafe and temporarily add it as one of the stops on its studio tour through March 6. On Thursday, the studio opened the tour to the press, putting reporters on a cart and shuttling us to the cafe. Indeed, there it was in all its mint-green glory, vintage bicycles lined up outside the double doors to add character. Everyone whipped out their cellphones, but after Instagramming the location, there wasnt much else to do there. I walked up to the tables that had been placed outside the cafe and tried to pick up a blue ceramic cup, but it was glued to the table. There were little menus promising drink specials alcoholic options like the Fitzgerald, made with gin, lemon, sugar and angostura bitters but no actual drinks being served. In fact, the inside of the cafe was barren. Warner Bros. had arranged a spread of pastries outside and brought in a mobile cart where a dude was making lattes and hot chocolate. The coffeeshop set of La La Land, where the movie was filmed, on the WB Studio Lot. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Vaguely disheartened, I wandered over to an actual working coffee shop on the lot. There, inside a Starbucks, I found Emily Hatfield, a 23-year-old barista who actually bore somewhat of a resemblance to Stone herself. I get that a lot, she said, steaming some milk. I kind of do feel like the film is based on me. In the movie, Stones coffee gig is far from glamorous. While she often serves A-list stars, she herself is running from one botched audition to the next sometimes in her espresso-stained clothes. Hatfield said shes so far been able to balance her job with her Hollywood ambitions her boss was understanding when she couldnt close on Mondays because of an acting class. She moved here a year and a half ago from Kansas, but said shes since lost some of the optimism she once had about becoming a movie star. Emily Hatfield, 23, from Kansas, works as a barista at the Starbucks on the Warner Brothers Studio lot in Burbank. (Katie Falkenberg / Los Angeles Times) Im kind of at that stage Emma has in the movie where shes like, I dont even know why Im doing this, she said. She still tries to revel in the perks of working on the lot. On Wednesday, she walked over to the La La Land facade and took pictures of the cafe that she posted to her Twitter account. And plenty of famous people come into the Starbucks, including Joe Jonas, who made Hatfield so nervous that when she offered him his coffee, the plastic lid accidentally flew off. Unlike in the film, however, shed never offer a celebrity coffee for free. We would never do that! she said. They can afford a cup of coffee. amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA One half expects the ghosts of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers to swirl across the silver skyline rising inside the Dolby Theatre for Sundays 89th Academy Awards. The stage set glitters with more than 300,000 Swarovski crystals and is an homage to the sly and urbane musicals of the 1930s. Production designer Derek McLane says the sets were inspired by the Art Deco and Hollywood Regency styles that resonated in films such as The Broadway Melody and Top Hat, the 1935 musical starring Astaire and Rogers. The stage evokes the sensation of wandering in a tux and tails through a metropolis on a starry, if misty, night. The award shows producers, Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd, wanted a look that would summon the past with flair and elegance. They really felt that we ought to have something that was happy and delightful, maybe a little escapist so you could look at it and say, This will be fun, says McLane, a trim man with a flop of hair and a scarf. Hes been the production designer on five Academy Award ceremonies. Theres a little nostalgia, and its a real tribute to whats fun about Hollywood. Advertisement Stage manager Gary Natoli, left, talks with art director Alana Billingsley on stage during rehearsals for the 89th Academy Awards in Hollywoods Dolby Theatre. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) That wink to the fabled, bygone days of the film industry comes amid a nation riven by anxiousness and political acrimony. The movies of Astaire and Rogers were a salve, a bit of witty fantasy sparkling with sequins and martinis, for a land enduring the Great Depression. That sense of glamour will decorate Sundays ceremony, where the nominated films speak to Americas current complicated dimensions: from the whimsical La La Land to the starker racial narratives of Fences and Moonlight. McLane, who spends much of his time designing theater productions on Broadway and around the world, says a live show is a balancing of images and a promise of the unexpected. You want enough visual variety so that it stays interesting and surprising, he says, adding that over the years hes learned how to design for a stage that is on view from all angles: I hadnt realized the extent to which the camera sees the backside of the scenery. The show is becoming more and more 360 degrees with ever-present roving cameras. Pivoting LED screens were placed in the wings, he says, so you feel theres a continuous environment all the way around. Much of that view is pointillist and bright. Crystal as if a giant champagne glass has shattered glints no matter where the cameras point: 80,000 crystals in the 80-foot-by-40-foot curtain, and 23,500 crystals gracing the theaters 18 opera boxes. Production rigger Ben Juarez builds a set in front of the Dolby Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. as preparations continue for the 89th Academy Awards ceremony. (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) The other day, as stage hands worked and sets were moved about, the theater, for a moment, fell quiet except for the hum of a vacuum cleaner moving through rows beneath the crystals. McLanes work was nearly done. The moment the show starts, his sketches and renderings will be put aside: I literally sit in the audience and watch and keep my fingers crossed, he says. By then, weve turned it over to the stage managers and the crew. See the most-read stories this hour Twitter: @JeffreyLAT jeffrey.fleishman@latimes.com ALSO: Heres whos going to win all 24 Oscar categories A Real Life Look at the Crazy Odds and Tortured Dreams of Making it in La La Land Denzel Washington, an actor of intricate parts, emerges as a favorite for the Oscar Can I wrap myself in this blanket, or is that tacky? Viola Davis asked, pointing at a faux fur throw. Girl, of course, Alfre Woodard replied, encouraging Davis to break up the just-so couch arrangement. At any other Oscar-week gathering it might seem uncouth to actually use the fancy blanket clearly intended more for decoration than warmth. But at the Sistahs Soiree the party Woodard has been hosting for eight years to honor women of color in the film business the vibe was far more relaxed. Advertisement Well, in some respects, anyway. The party took place in the extravagant Royal Suite at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel yes, the legendary Pretty Woman hotel. Standing by the big picture windows that looks out over Rodeo Drive, it was easy to feel like Julia Roberts even though the film wasnt actually shot in the Royal Suite. It was, however, Dorothy Chandlers residence at one time, and on Wednesday evening the space had been adorned with vintage movie posters featuring African Americans Oscar Micheauxs Underworld, Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues. Next to the pristine floral arrangements on nearly every table rested black-and-white photos of classic black Hollywood stars including Dorothy Dandridge, Beah Richards and Butterfly McQueen. Honorees Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis and Ruth Negga. (Todd Williamson / WireImage) Though the room had been done-up, Woodard said shed actually hoped this years celebration would be even more laid-back than usual. When she launched the Soiree, the actress main goal was to eliminate any sense of competition between women of color in the industry. She told each guest to arrive solo no publicists, spouses or friends. But she wasnt sure how well everyone would get on. The first year, I thought: Is there gonna be a catfight? Woodard admitted. None of these women knew each other before we started doing this. The only time we heard each others names was when a rep or a fan was saying, Oh, you know, I hope that B turns it down, because if she turns it down, youll have a shot at her role. Its like, no. Thats on yall. Now, she added, when we hear each others names, theres a positive association like, I cant wait to see what shes gonna do with that role instead of oh, hell, I wanted that role. This year, she eliminated a sit-down dinner, instead opting to have her guests, including Octavia Spencer, Rashida Jones and Tracee Ellis Ross, sit on those faux-fur-covered couches and kick their heels off. And though a few journalists were roaming around the cocktail hour, Woodard promptly kicked us out at 8:30 so the group could engage in what she described as a candid, free-flowing discussion about race, gender, politics and career. And she meant it: Shed prepared a bowl filled with six topics that she planned for each of the 27 guests to address each answer timed to no more than three and a half minutes. The group poses for a silly class photo. (Todd Williamson / WireImage) This is a chance for us to share our stories to get it out, explained Davis, who is up for best supporting actress at the Academy Awards on Sunday. Its very refreshing because for me, because I feel like as soon as I go anywhere, I do the best I can to keep everything in. I dont know who to trust. I dont know how its going to get out there. I dont know how its going to be spun. Then you get to the point where youre not confiding in anyone youre not sharing or connecting. So yeah, its very important to me to connect. Rosario Dawson, who like Davis has been coming to the Soiree for many years, said the event marks one of the only times each year when shes in a room where no one is looking at a cellphone. The actress an outspoken Bernie Sanders supporter and Standing Rock protester said shed come prepared with political talking points. Caviar? a server asked, interrupting her to offer an hors doeuvre. The timing of that could not have been more perfect, Dawson said with a laugh. Caviar. Standing Rock. Water protectors! But no, Id like to bring that into the room whats next? I try to find strength in the incredible wisdom and experience these women have. Its worth gold I mean, its worth money to hear all this stuff from all these divas that have been working forever, said Loretta Devine, whod made her way into the conversation. Everybody is dying to be at this party. We just talk about the business and some of the stuff youve accomplished and the way youve done it. Its just to encourage them to keep the faith. Its a hard industry. Angela Bassett, Yolanda Ross and Ruth Negga take a selfie. (Todd Williamson / WireImage) As if on cue, Woodard began clapping, summoning the ladies to be quiet. We have had a lot of fun with our friends from the media. We friggin love the media! she yelled. But theyre gonna have to go, because we got business to attend to. amy.kaufman@latimes.com Follow me on Twitter @AmyKinLA Istanbul-based womens designer label Zeynep Arcay is set to launch in the U.S. The leather-rooted brands fall collection, its sixth overall, will launch with an online exclusive on Forward by Elyse Walker beginning July 15. Brick-and-mortar stockists will include Switch in Los Angeles and Julianne in New York and Santa Barbara, Calif., with other retailers expected to confirm after Paris sales meetings wrap in March. The U.S. web site will simultaneously see a revamp in the summer when fall product hits stores. The eponymous label has an aesthetic of edgy sophistication underscored by timeless design. It launched three years ago exclusively with Turkish luxury retailer Beymen as a champion of paper-thin, manipulable leathers as everyday fabrics. The resulting collections have struck a balance of hard and soft, tailored and feminine silhouettes for the modern elegant woman. Ive had a lot of success with the collection abroad and have been eyeing the U.S. for some time, Arcay explains. The strength of fall 2017 made it the obvious season to introduce to such an important new market. After a successful round of sales appointments in New York last week, Im really excited about what this new market holds for the brand. Weve also had a lot of celebrity support recently ahead of the U.S. launch, which has helped to set a nice tone. Advertisement Fall expands on textiles outside the fine leathers library, featuring wool/cashmere/alpaca blends from Loro Piana, lace from Solstiss and furs and patent leathers tinged with an Eighties vibe. Design elements include puffy shoulders, batwing sleeves, draping and stirrup pants. Some recent celebrity fans include Kendall Jenner, Jessica Biel, Chrissy Teigen, Joan Smalls and Adriana Lima. Prices will range between $1,000 to $4,000 excluding furs, which are priced higher at $7,000 for a short red fox fur jacket and $11,000 for a long pink fox fur coat. ALSO Costume designers and guests dress the part for the Costume Designers Guild Awards Accessories brand Thale Blanc goes from pop-up to permanent on Melrose Place Shoe designer Nicholas Kirkwood on why there should be bold footwear at the Oscars and on other red carpets Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, The Times letters editor, and it is Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. The newsletter you are about to read was sent by an organization whose White House reporter was excluded from the daily White House press briefing on Friday. Heres a look back at the week in Opinion. No amount of putting into context can justify this countrys forcible relocation and imprisonment of Japanese Americans in remote concentration camps during World War II. Sadly, The Times editorial page was too blinded by fear of the nation that bombed Pearl Harbor to recognize its own prejudice, and so 75 years ago this week, it published an editorial lauding the executive order that would ultimately lead to the inexcusable internment of tens of thousands of American citizens. In an editorial this week, The Times expresses heartfelt regret for supporting internment and cites the pieces it wrote 75 years ago as a cautionary tale: That was another time, and another Times. This newspaper has long since reversed itself on the subject. Not only was some of our reasoning explicitly racist, but in our desperate attempts to sound rational by supposedly balancing the twin imperatives of security and liberty in the midst of World War II we exaggerated the severity of the threat while failing to acknowledge the significance of revoking the most fundamental rights of American citizens based solely on their ancestry. In the 1980s, the Commission on Wartime Relocation and Internment of Civilians found there had been no military justification for the exclusion and noted that no Japanese Americans had been convicted of spying or sabotage. The incarceration was a grave injustice, the congressional commission concluded. Korematsu vs. United States, the 1944 Supreme Court decision that found Executive Order 9066 to be constitutional, has never been officially overturned, but it is widely viewed as odious and discredited, and in 1998, President Clinton awarded its plaintiff, Fred Korematsu, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The original executive order, signed by President Roosevelt, and many other artifacts of the period are currently on display in an exhibit titled Instructions to All Persons: Reflections on Executive Order 9066 at the Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo. Strange things happen in times of turmoil, hysteria and populist anger. Given what we wrote in 1942, the 75th anniversary is a time for The Times editorial board to exercise some humility and to reflect on how we reach our positions on the passionate issues of the day. Heres one obvious conclusion: Even in times of stress and fear, we need to keep a firm grip on our core values and bedrock principles. For Americans more generally, the mistreatment of innocent Japanese people and Japanese Americans (and thousands of Germans and Italians as well) during the war is particularly relevant as a new administration in Washington stokes fears of a surge in nationalism and xenophobia rejecting humanitarianism and internationalism in favor of isolationism and America First-ism. The simplest and clearest lesson from the exclusion and internment is that it is wrong to view entire populations as monoliths and attribute to all members of a group be they Japanese or Muslims or Mexicans or Iranians or even Americans the characteristics of a few. This is at the heart of what it means to not be prejudiced. Click here to read more. More shame on us: Reader Martin A. Brower was just a middle-school teenager at the start of World War II, but he still feels unsettled by his silence as he watched his friends and neighbors being carted off to concentration camps: I recall standing with my parents and hundreds of others on Huntington Drive adjacent to the Pacific Electric streetcar tracks as train after train of red cars, loaded with frightened-looking Japanese men, women and children, rolled by. We stood there in silence and did nothing. Even today, 75 years later, I look back in shame. L.A. Times Stephen Miller was no conservative hero in Santa Monica. Raffaella Gumbel, a senior at the White House advisors alma mater, takes issue with a Times news article that she says wrongly portrayed Miller as a brave truth-teller swimming in a sea of overwhelming leftism: Conservatives in Santa Monica are in the minority, but they are generally argued against, not bullied into silence. Miller would have us believe something else. L.A. Times Watching the Oscars on Sunday? He isnt. Trump-era politics aside, there are plenty of reasons to ignore the Academy Awards, says David Ulin. On top of the road closures that make parts of Los Angeles impassible for days and the obscene amounts of money spent that could go toward better uses, Ulin writes that the Oscars skew an art forms purpose to exactly what it should not be: Just win, baby. L.A. Times Celebrities who care should talk about something other than Trump on Sunday. We can expect to hear more than a few politically charged statements at the Oscars, but theres evidence to suggest they will have precisely the opposite effect of their intent. Research has shown that when certain celebrities make political endorsements, voters are often less likely to support whatever cause it is those stars favor. Pacific Standard The Nazis had inspiration for their racist laws: America. Long before Adolf Hitlers legislators crafted the Nuremberg laws, Americans were laying the legal groundwork for a white-supremacist state, writes Yale law professor James Q. Whitman. We must not forget how tenaciously the racist rulebook that the Nazis admired held on in the United States, Whitman writes. Antimiscegenation laws were only struck down at the tail end of the civil rights era, in 1967. Race-based immigration policies did not fully end until 1968 long after the Greatest Generation stormed the beaches of Normandy and liberated Nazi death camps. L.A. Times Hey, L.A. might actually get the 2024 Olympics and editorial writer Mariel Garza warns that may not be such a wonderful thing. Interest in hosting an Olympic Games has waned worldwide because, as Nate Silvers oddsmaking blog FiveThirtyEight.com has noted, it is a terrible investment, Garza writes. One by one, other cities dropped out of the international competition Hamburg, Germany; Rome; and finally Budapest all of them citing the potential cost involved. L.A. Times Reach me: paul.thornton@latimes.com Jersey Vargas, 13, was just starting a long night of homework Wednesday when I asked how school was going. Everythings fine. Straight As, said the Panorama City seventh-grader, who attends a magnet school and wants to go to Harvard or Yale one day. But math is getting more difficult. I hadnt spoken to Jersey since I met her three years ago, when she stopped by the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels to meet with L.A. Archbishop Jose Gomez. Not long after that, just 10 years old, she headed to Rome with immigration reform advocates and asked Pope Francis if he could help save her father and millions of others from deportation. Advertisement Today, Jerseys father construction worker Mario Vargas may still need a miracle to avoid being kicked out of the country. He was arrested in 2013 in Tennessee and locked up for driving under the influence. He was released on bond several months later, but his deportation was formally begun earlier this month in immigration court. The family is on pins and needles, said L.A. attorney Alex Galvez, who is requesting that federal officials use prosecutorial discretion and spare Vargas, who has lived in the U.S. without authorization for 17 years. Galvez argues that Vargas is a working, law-abiding family man of good character, with the exception of the DUI conviction, and is the primary breadwinner for Jersey and her five brothers and sisters, who are U.S. citizens. Its hard to predict what will happen as the case moves forward because the Trump administration has sent so many mixed signals. Trump has said hes going after bad dudes guilty of serious crimes, but new deportation guidelines make it appear that the estimated 11 million people in the country illegally could all get the boot. I think Trump is absolutely right to go after hard-core criminals. But I wonder how many taxpayers want to invest in prosecuting and shipping Mario Vargas back to Mexico, or to begin rounding up and deporting millions more like him. If Trump is such a great businessman, why doesnt he produce a breakdown on the costs and benefits, including the impact on the economy, wages and the price of goods? First of all, no matter what, the Catholic Church is going to protect our brothers and sisters Archbishop Gomez Mario Vargas and countless others came north because of the relentless U.S. demand for labor. If that bothers Trump, why is he so timid about the bad hombres in the construction, agriculture, hospitality and banking industries, all of whom rely on and profit from illegal immigration? His schtick, instead, is to bully poor people who fled corruption and crime to find work and provide for their families. I checked back with Archbishop Gomez too, and he said if he had the chance, he would offer a simple piece of advice to Trump. Get to know these people. I was celebrating Mass at Saint Helens in South Gate and I was thinking, This church is packed, said Gomez. A lot of these people may not have documents, but theyre wonderful people. They come to church. Theyre hard-working. They pay taxes. They have nice families. I mean, these are good people, and I thought, Mr. Trump needs to come to St. Helens in South Gate to see how wonderful these people are. He should get to know the whole city, Gomez said. We have Mass in 42 languages in Los Angeles, he said. This is the United States of America. Immigrant Mario Vargas waits with his wife, Lola, and their daughter Athena in their attorneys office before Marios deportation hearing. (Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images) If someone in the U.S. illegally commits a really bad crime, Gomez said, hes not opposed to deportation. But for someone like Jerseys father, he said, deportation for a relatively minor offense would be too severe. Honestly, for me, the penalty is not proportionate to what happened, he said. As he interprets Trumps immigration policy, Gomez said, any person in this country whos undocumented is considered a criminal. For me, that doesnt respect those basic principles I talk about the dignity of the human person, the unity of the family. I hear from a lot of readers, I told Gomez, who disagree. They want stricter border enforcement. Illegal is illegal, they say, and those who crash the border shouldnt be allowed to stay here while others wait in line for legal entry. If youre skilled, said Gomez, the wait is much shorter. If youre a laborer, youll stand in line forever, no matter how great the demand for your work. What about the Ten Commandments? I asked. If youre here illegally, doesnt that mean you broke the 9th Commandment thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor? In other words, thou shalt not lie. (Has Trump been to confession lately?) First of all, no matter what, the Catholic Church is going to protect our brothers and sisters, Gomez said. And the 1st Commandment is to love God and love one another. If its a situation where someone lies were going to be there for them, just as Jesus was always taking care of sinners. Gomezs vision of immigration reform would include secure borders, penalties and possibly community service requirements for those who came without authorization, and a system that allows for the regulated movement of people into and out of the country as dictated by labor needs. People are so afraid. Theyre really nervous, Gomez said. Its so sad to see little kids, like Jersey and others, thinking, I dont want to go to school because when I come home, maybe my parents will be gone. If Jerseys father is deported, either the family will follow, and our public investment in the kids will be wasted before they become taxpaying contributors. Or the kids will stay, without their breadwinner, and taxpayers could be on the hook. To Donald Trump, I would tell him to please stop judging us, because its like judging a book by its cover, Jersey told me. Outwardly, at least, she has an unbound sense of optimism, and shes not giving up on Trump becoming more understanding. Maybe, she said, hell build bridges and not walls. If so, He could go down as one of our greatest presidents. steve.lopez@latimes.com Get more of Steve Lopezs work and follow him on Twitter @LATstevelopez MORE FROM STEVE LOPEZ Why this gay, disabled Texan went to the Womens March to tell Trump: Mock me to my face Donald Trump vs. Steve Lopez: The Twitter war is on! L.A.'s melting pot is defying Trumps specialty: to provoke and divide A man was found dead Friday night at the Magic Castle, an exclusive private club in Hollywood that offers fine dining and magic shows. The Magic Castle identified the man as Daryl Easton, a well-known magician who performed at the venue last week. In a statement, the Magic Castle said Easton was an award-winning magician and that police had told the organization that he took his own life. Advertisement He had 40 years of experience in both performing and selling the finest magic in the world. Daryl performed as a headline act at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for seven years fine tuning his already encyclopedic knowledge of magic, the statement said. Daryl has performed literally thousands of shows for audiences as diverse as the Witch Doctors on the South Pacific island of Vanuatu to the movers and shakers of the political world at the Presidential Ball in Washington, D.C. The Magic Castle, which opened in 1963, bills itself as the most extraordinary private club in the world where history, art and elegance combine to make miracles. Guests must be invited or accompanied by a member and are required to adhere to a strict dress code. Kelsey Peterjohn of Studio City had been looking forward to her first visit to the Castle on Friday but was instead met with a congested scene of police cars, a firetruck and an ambulance. There was a line kind of out the door of people waiting outside, and they were turned away, she said. Peterjohn, 24, said her group had planned to watch their friend, a magician, perform a show. No one seemed panicked, really, but I saw lots of security and managers whispering to each other, and they were walking around all over the place, said Samantha Acampora, 27, of Hollywood. corina.knoll@latimes.com @corinaknoll ALSO 3-month-old girl dies in car fire on 5 Freeway in Tustin Reward offered for driver who struck and killed 15-year-old girl in Santa Clarita Great white sharks spotted off two Orange County beaches; swimming ban in effect UPDATES: 12:35 p.m.: This article has been updated with the mans identity and a longer statement from the Magic Castle. Feb. 25, 7:45 a.m.: This article has been updated with Magic Castle statement. 10:45 p.m.: This article was updated with information from a patron inside the Magic Castle. 9:35 p.m.: This article was updated with quotes from a woman planning on attending a show at the Magic Castle. This article was originally published at Feb. 24 at 9:30 p.m. For Los Angeles teachers, the current political season packs a one-two punch. On Monday, ballots are counted to determine who will lead their union. Just over a week later, voters decide on three pivotal L.A. school board seats. Both results will be important not just for future negotiations over classroom and work conditions but because powerful forces want to push Los Angeles education in a different direction, which could very much affect teachers lives. Advertisement Union President Alex Caputo-Pearl, 48, is running for a second three-year term, and says that hes made strides for teachers that also help students, including negotiating a contract that reduces some class sizes. Then too, helped by the improved economy, he won a significant salary increase in the most recent contract. His overarching focus, however, has been an attempt to energize United Teachers Los Angeles as a political powerhouse against forces especially the growth of charter schools that are diminishing its membership and threatening its finances and clout. Hes running on a Union Power slate. Lisa Karahalios helps tally ballots for an internal union ballot measure in 2013. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times) Opposing him is Lisa Karahalios, 52, a longtime active union member who served as the UTLA representative on the district committee, chaired by board member Monica Ratliff, that unearthed problems with the districts now-canceled iPads-for-all effort. Karahalios is part of an all-woman Sisterhood Slate for the unions various citywide union offices. They assert that help for members with problems at schools is being neglected in favor of an obsession with big-picture politics. Other candidates are running as independents. Union members will already have made their choices by March 7, which is Election Day for the city of Los Angeles and the Board of Education. How people vote on the board seats will give a sense of whether the unions political revival has gained hold externally. Both candidates for the union post agree that charter schools are a crucial issue in the city election. A vast majority of these privately managed public schools are non-union. L.A. Unified already has the most charters and students attending charters of any school system in the nation. Charter students now make up 16% of enrollment. Charter schools philanthropic backers want to see more growth, which would mean fewer members for United Teachers Los Angeles and less money for L.A. Unified, the union teachers employer. The union had 45,000 members in 2008, when there were more school-age children in L.A. and fewer charters. It now has 32,000 members teachers, counselors and nurses. In the school board races, UTLA-backed candidates are facing off against those supported by charter-school advocates. Although the union cant match charter backers dollar for dollar, its ultimately likely to spend well over $1 million to plug its candidates and to try to convince voters that charter-backed candidates are the tools of billionaire donors who would work on behalf of a Trump agenda because Trump views increasing the number of charters as key to giving families more choices in schooling options. Charter advocates point out that former President Obama also supported the growth of charter schools. Clearly, UTLA has bet heavily on its ability to demonize and resist charters, said Charles Kerchner, senior research fellow with the School of Educational Studies at Claremont Graduate University, who has not taken sides. I dont know what their Plan B is. Paying for Plan A was accomplished in part by persuading members last year to raise their dues by about 50%, to around $1,000 a year. Caputo-Pearl has added eight senior union positions, with a ninth paid for by a national parent union. In line with his organizing and political goals, these jobs include a campaign research director, a political director, four organizers and two staff members to represent teachers at charter schools. For years, Caputo-Pearl said, UTLA was operating in a way that lacked sufficient strategy, coherence, and direction. We have addressed this, and UTLA is operating with unprecedented strength. His approach has been praised by union leaders such as Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who, according to union rules, is taking no position on which candidate should win. Karahalios, a middle school teacher, said the union is not so helpful to individual teachers in need. While UTLA needs to be engaged at the state and national level, we need to prioritize our local issues, she said. She and other critics also question the staff expansion and accuse Caputo-Pearl of stifling dissent. The unions election committee, they note, declined to hold traditional candidate forums this year. Caputo-Pearl said that decision was made independently of him, but former union President A.J. Duffy called it odd and improper. That said, Duffy praised Caputo-Pearls overall record and predicted his reelection. He got his members a 10% raise and maintained health benefits no other issue will supersede that, Duffy said. To read the article in Spanish, click here howard.blume@latimes.com Twitter: @howardblume Tom Perez ATLANTA In an extremely close race that went to multiple rounds of balloting, former Labor Secretary Tom Perez was elected Saturday to head the Democratic National Committee, ending the months-long jockeying for the top spot in the Democratic Party's election arm. Perez was elected with 235 votes, narrowly defeating Rep. Keith Ellison. South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Idaho Democratic Party chair Sally Boynton Brown, who also ran, dropped out on Saturday. During the first round of voting, Perez fell just one vote short of the number needed to win the chair. In his first motion as chairman, Perez moved to make Ellison the deputy chairman of the DNC, a new position. He praised the Minnesota congressman at length, emphasizing that the Democratic Party needed to come together and comparing the rifts in the party to a "spirited" political discussion over Thanksgiving dinner. "When I was looking in the audience, there was someone holding up a sign that says 'Unite.' And I could not agree more. For the two of us, that is easy, because we were always united in our values," Perez said. "And we are united in our love for the Democratic Party." The decision came after a contest which some viewed as a rehash of the 2016 presidential primary, with Perez garnering support from establishment figures like former Vice President Joe Biden and former Attorney General Eric Holder and Ellison representing the ascendant progressive wings of the Democratic Party. President Barack Obama, under whom Perez served, congraulated him on the victory, as did 2016 Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. "Congrats to @DNC chair @TomPerez & deputy @keithellison. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future," Clinton tweeted. Story continues Some close to Ellison felt the congressman's victory would have rectified the DNC's treatment of Sen. Bernie Sanders during the primary, in which some DNC staffers appeared to favor Clinton over the Vermont senator. "The mood is that the previous leadership of the DNC was biased toward one candidate, and biased against another candidate," Brian Ellison, Keith's brother, said shortly before the vote. "It's not even about Tom Perez. It's about Obama, Hillary, and the people feeling slighted from Bernie Sanders' slight," he added. Standing onstage after Perez's victory, Ellison called for unity within the Democratic Party, telling supporters that Democrats "don't have the luxury to be divided." "I'm very very proud of Chairman Perez. He conducted himself with class, grace," Ellison said. "If you came here supporting me ... I'm asking you to give everything you've got to support Chairman Perez." Some members were unconcerned with the perceived rehash of the primary fight. "There's a little bit of [animosity] between Tom and Keith and their supporters. But I think we are getting beyond it," said Gary Winston Apple, a DNC member from Missouri who supported Ellison. Others noted that chairs need to focus on uniting the party. Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, who backed Perez, dismissed that the contest was a "proxy war," but advised the chair to call members who did not vote for him to offer an olive branch. "Call every other person who voted for someone else and say 'This is also your party and you're just as important and I want to work with you,'" Garcetti told Business Insider on Friday. He added: "Whoever wins should be calling everybody else and saying, 'Let's make sure we're unified.'" NOW WATCH: A historian of Islam explains the greatest misconception people have about Muslims More From Business Insider A Santa Barbara County Superior Court judge has dealt a blow to Law & Order creator Dick Wolf, tentatively siding with a local water supplier in a contentious, closely watched battle over precious Central Coast groundwater. Wolfs 780-acre Slippery Rock Ranch is perched atop an aquifer in the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains, and Wolf had sought to extract water from the aquifer and sell it to cities parched by years of drought. Attorneys for the ranch maintained that its water is derived from confined and compartmentalized aquifers that are materially isolated from the nearby Goleta Groundwater Basin and that they could do with the water as they pleased. Advertisement Goleta Water District sued to stop any exports, claiming that the ranchs aquifer is connected to the Goleta Groundwater Basin, which the district owns the rights to. The water districts attorneys argued the water beneath the ranch seeps out of bedrock formations and flows to the Goleta basin through surface streams and underground channels. Over the course of a 15-day trial that concluded in October, the two sides engaged in scientific debate about exactly how and where the ranchs water flows. In his tentative decision filed Thursday, Judge James Herman found that material amounts of ranch water contribute to the Goleta Groundwater Basin and help recharge it. He dismissed the ranchs claims that a fault completely cut off flow, calling the ranchs contentions unpersuasive, and not supported by credible evidence. One of the ranchs consultants conducted an investigation that was not thorough, the judge wrote, later adding that the expert had made analysis errors. But Herman also ruled that the ranch has surplus water available for export. A separate, second phase of the trial will commence over the next several months to determine whether and how the ranch can export that extra water, while still mitigating negative impacts to the basin and the water district. The judge deferred his decision on whether to issue the water district the injunction it had sought until after the second phase of the trial has been litigated. We are pleased in the recognition of Slippery Rock Ranchs right to private property and the acknowledgement of the surplus water beneath the ranch, ranch spokesman Cory Black said in a statement. We will continue to defend the Ranchs water rights as well as work with the court so we can ensure the water resources remain plentiful for generations to come. In a statement released Friday, Goleta Water District officials claimed they had resoundingly prevailed. Especially here on the Central Coast, we are well aware that water is a limited resource that needs to be managed carefully, said Goleta Water District board President Rick Merrifield. We are delighted that the court recognized that the bedrock water is a public resource supplying the districts customers, and not a commodity to be exploited for private gain. The court is expected to finalize its decision in the coming weeks, the water district said. matt.stevens@latimes.com Twitter: @ByMattStevens ALSO Man pronounced dead at the Magic Castle in Hollywood Developers are finally taking interest in South L.A. Will Measure S kill those dreams? California officials and the marijuana industry are ready to fight a federal crackdown Lawyers representing the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department sent a letter Friday demanding that the backers of Measure S stop sending out mailers that mimic eviction notices. The campaign mailers, which landed in mailboxes this week, are emblazoned with the phrase EVICTION NOTICE under the words County of Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. Below, in much smaller print, the mailer mentions the Measure S campaign committee and its chief financial backer, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. The other side of the mailer urges Angelenos to vote for Measure S, which would impose new limits on real estate development, saying apartments have been destroyed because rich developers have had their way with City Hall. Advertisement In their cease and desist letter, county attorneys said the campaign mailers are misleading and improperly use the Sheriffs Departments name, violating state law. They demanded that the Measure S campaign send a notice to anyone who received the mailer telling them the Sheriffs Department had not authorized the use of its name or the message. Jill Stewart, campaign director for Yes on S, did not say whether her group intends to comply. We appreciate the county of Los Angeles giving the Yes on S campaign some last-minute critical media attention, on our key issue: that developers of luxury towers evict poor and working-class Angelenos every day, she said in an email. The Sheriffs Department later sent its own email blast saying the mailers had been fabricated to look like official LASD documents. This message is to assure residents that the political mailer ... is counterfeit and could mislead members of the public to believe they are subject to legal action by the Sheriffs Department, the department said. The mailers have alarmed some tenant advocates. Larry Gross, who heads the tenant rights group Coalition for Economic Survival, said frightened renters have called his group thinking they were facing eviction. Its so irresponsible and outrageous for them to put out something like that, said Gross, whose group opposes Measure S. Elena Popp, executive director of the Eviction Defense Network, defended the mailer, calling it a forceful way to highlight the issue of displacement. Building luxury housing causes mass evictions and raises rents in surrounding neighborhoods, said Popp, who supports Measure S and appears on the mailer. Stewart also said she thought there were strings being pulled, since both the sheriff and the group opposing Measure S have relied on the same political consulting firm. Mike Shimpock, a consultant with the campaign opposing Measure S, called the claim absolutely ridiculous. Opponents sent their own mailers that included the words Eviction Notice but did not use the name of the Sheriffs Department. Shimpock said they didnt look like anything official. Measure S, which is on the March 7 ballot, would impose a moratorium on building projects that require changes in zoning and other city rules. It would prohibit the city from amending the General Plan, a document that governs development citywide, for individual real estate projects. Backers say those restrictions will stop out-of-scale development that pushes out longtime residents. Opponents counter that the measure will eliminate jobs and drive up rents. While the two sides debated the contents of the mailer, Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin launched his own attack on Measure S, calling on the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to provide full disclosure on the lawsuits that it is supporting. The Times reported Friday that Michael Weinstein, the nonprofit foundations top executive, has refused to say whether his group is paying for legal challenges against development projects in Westwood and South Los Angeles. Weinstein also would not say how many land-use lawsuits his group is financing. Nonprofits owe those whom they serve, and those in the city whom they serve, a duty of being transparent, Galperin said at a No on S campaign event. And the fact that theyre not wanting to do so is very disturbing. And its also very disturbing that millions of dollars that could be spent on housing, and on services, are instead being squandered on this ballot measure. The foundation has spent more than $4.9 million on the Measure S campaign so far. Weinstein said Friday that the money spent on the campaign is a tiny percentage of his groups overall budget. Weinstein has long argued that displacement of low-income renters is an issue that affects people with HIV. Asked about Galperins demand for transparency, Weinstein said that legal spending by his group is not public information. My question is, how come [Galperin] hasnt spoken to me? he said. Obviously, hes just doing it to make a public splash. He hasnt requested [the information] of me or of AHF. Hes doing it as part of a campaign rally. Measure S backers took their fight to City Hall, testifying during a council meeting about the companies and real estate executives who have been fighting the measure. Among the biggest opponents is developer Crescent Heights, which put at least $1.4 million into the opposition campaign. The foundation is suing to stop Crescent Heights from building two 30-story towers next to its 21st-floor headquarters. Supporters of Measure S said $150,000 came from a company affiliated with Frank McCourt, a former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers, while $95,000 came from Century City Realty. Stewart, the campaign director, drew a contrast between such donors and the foundation, which has treated hundreds of thousands of patients. Our billion-dollar nonprofit representing us is the good guy, she told the council. Your billionaire developers and organizations are the bad guys. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @LATimesemily david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo assumed responsibility Friday for failing to properly notify thousands of residents who were forced to flee as floodwaters inundated their neighborhoods this week. Days after widespread flooding in central San Jose triggered mandatory evacuations for 14,000 residents, Liccardo called for an end to the bureaucratic finger-pointing. This happened in my city, the mayor said at a news conference. I am responsible. Advertisement After weeks of winter rain, the Coyote Creek which runs through the heart of the city swelled to record heights and created mass flooding Tuesday. As neighborhoods were besieged by floodwaters, firefighters paddled on rafts to rescue infants, elderly residents, pets and others trapped in homes, said San Jose firefighters union President Sean Kaldor. Firefighters rescued homeless residents clinging to tree stubs near the creeks bank, many holding tightly to plastic bags containing their belongings. The water was steadily growing to their waist and would have submerged them shortly, Kaldor said. This was fast-moving water. The trouble began Saturday, when Santa Clara Countys largest reservoir reached its capacity and water began flowing down its spillway. Heavy rains exacerbated the spill over Sunday night and Monday morning, advancing the flows from Anderson Reservoir into Coyote Creek. The National Weather Service issued two flood warnings, the first Monday before 4 a.m., the second about 17 hours later, before water started pouring into San Jose homes Tuesday. But some residents in the William Street area, one of the worst-hit neighborhoods, said they received no warning from the city via cellphone alerts and no local authorities came knocking before floodwaters started rising. On Friday, Liccardo vowed to fix whatever problems caused the lack of advance notice to residents. He said he would schedule public hearings to talk about the flooding and evacuations. The public deserves to get all the information, not just some of it, Liccardo said. veronica.rocha@latimes.com Twitter: VeronicaRochaLA Lifeguards warned swimmers and surfers to stay out of a stretch of ocean at two Orange County beaches Friday after a great white shark was spotted near the shore. A helicopter crew saw the 11- to 14-foot shark swimming 100 feet off Bolsa Chica State Beach about 10:40 a.m., according to Lt. Claude Panis, a spokesman for the Huntington Beach Fire Departments Marine Safety Division. A 6- to 7-foot juvenile great white shark was also spotted in the water Friday morning, he said. After the first sighting, lifeguards banned swimming from Warner Avenue to north Anderson Street in Sunset Beach. A mile of shoreline in Bolsa Chica State Beach was also closed. Advertisement Heed the signs, Panis said. We are looking out for the publics safety. The water is expected to open after 24 hours if there are no additional sightings, state parks spokesman Kevin Pearsall said. Pearsall saw two surfers braving the waves early Friday afternoon despite the warnings. More than 25 surfers heeded lifeguards who advised them to leave the water, he added. Its the third sunny day in a row in a long time. Theres no wind. Its a perfect beach day, so we had a lot of surfers in the water this morning, Pearsall said. Most are complying with the request. Pearsall said the area is near where a group of juvenile great whites were lingering in 2015. The last few years we havent heard anything about them, he said. Friday was the first time this portion of the state beach has been closed in more than a year. Great white sharks have been reported several times this month elsewhere in Huntington Beach. On Tuesday, lifeguards issued a shark advisory after a group of anglers accidentally reeled in a great white in Sunset Beach. On Feb. 14, a fisherman hooked what appeared to be a juvenile 7-foot great white off the end of the Huntington Beach Pier. Authorities have said shark sightings are becoming more common in the area. A 2014 survey found there were about 2,400 great white sharks living in California waters. Last year, Chris Lowe, head of the Shark Lab at Cal State Long Beach, said he suspected that number has grown because of improved ocean-water quality and higher ocean temperatures. hannah.fry@latimes.com Twitter: @HannahFryTCN veronica.rocha@latimes.com Twitter: @VeronicaRochaLA ALSO 3-month-old girl dies in car fire on 5 Freeway in Tustin Man pronounced dead at the Magic Castle in Hollywood Law & Order creator suffers legal setback in fight to sell Central Coast groundwater Lucille Conlin Horn weighed barely 2 pounds when she was born, a perilous size for any infant, especially in 1920. Doctors told her parents to hold off on a funeral for her twin sister who had died at birth, expecting she too would soon be gone. But her life spanned nearly a century after her parents put their faith in a sideshow doctor at Coney Island who put babies on display in incubators to fund his research to keep them alive. The Brooklyn-born woman, who later moved to Long Island, died Feb. 11 at age 96, according to the Hungerford & Clark Funeral Home. She had been suffering from Alzheimers disease. Advertisement Horn was among thousands of premature babies who were treated in the early 20th century by Dr. Martin Couney. He was a pioneer in the use of incubators who sought acceptance for the technology by showing it off on carnival midways, fairs and other public venues. He never accepted money from the tiny babies parents but instead charged oglers admission to see the babies struggling for life. Horn and her twin were born prematurely. She said in 2015 that when her sister died, doctors told her father to hold off on a funeral because she wouldnt survive the day. He said, Well, thats impossible. Shes alive now. We have to do something for her, Horn said. My father wrapped me in a towel and took me in a cab to the incubator. I went to Dr. Couney. I stayed with him quite a few days, almost five months. Couney, who died in 1950 and is viewed today as a pioneer in neonatology, estimated that he successfully kept alive about 7,500 of the 8,500 children who were taken to his baby farm at the Coney Island boardwalk. They remained there until the early 1940s, when incubators became widely used in hospitals. He also put infants on display at the Worlds Fair and other public venues during his career. Theres no estimate on how many still are alive today. Horn worked as a crossing guard and then as a legal secretary for her husband. She is survived by three daughters and two sons. She said she met Couney when she was about 19 and thanked him for what he had done. Ive had a good life, she said in 2015. After a funeral Tuesday, she was buried at the Cemetery of the Evergreens in Brooklyn, next to her twin sister. Nevada state Sen. Pat Spearman knew her resolution was 35 years late. But that wasnt the point. The resolution called on Nevada to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment, which came close to becoming part of the U.S. Constitution, but never did because fewer than three-quarters of the states ratified it by the 1982 deadline set by Congress. It needed three more states. Spearman, a Democrat, had sponsored the same resolution two years ago, when Republicans controlled the Legislature and a committee voted it down. But she pushed on. Advertisement On Wednesday at 3:59 p.m. Spearman checked the time the same committee voted 4 to 1 to send the resolution to the full senate. If Nevada goes on to ratify the ERA, it would be the first state to do so since 1982. Ratification would also be at least a symbolic victory for people who believe the rights of women should be enshrined in the Constitution. The ERA is short, with the heart of it reading: Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex. It was first proposed in the 1920s, but Congress didnt pass it until 1972. Then the 1982 deadline for ratification by 38 states expired. That defeat was due in large part to the efforts of the Eagle Forum, a conservative lobbying group, and its founder, Phyllis Schlafly, who warned that ratification would lead to women being drafted, an idea that President Carter floated in his 1980 State of the Union address. Some feminists also attributed the outcome to the dominance of men in business and politics. Since the early 1990s, supporters of the amendment have been trying to get three of the 15 state legislatures that rejected it to reverse course. In Virginia, one chamber approved ratification while the other refused on multiple occasions. Illinois had a similar scenario play out in 2014. Currently, Nevada is one of eight states with resolutions calling for ratification. In six of those states Utah, Arizona, Missouri, Virginia, Florida and North Carolina at least one house of the legislature is controlled by Republicans, who have opposed the idea. In Arizona, where Republicans control both houses, Pamela Powers Hannley, a Democratic state representative who is sponsoring the resolution there, said it cant get a legislative hearing. Republicans know what will happen if it gets to a floor debate, she said. Theyll have to explain to their wives, sisters and daughters why they dont deserve equal pay. They dont want to have to do that. She said her state should look to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day OConnor as a role model. Before becoming the first woman on the court, OConnor served two terms in the Arizona Legislature and supported the ERA. Utah state Sen. Jim Dabakis said his resolution in that states GOP-dominated Legislature was also unlikely to get out of a committee, but he said he hoped Nevada could become the 36th state and start the movement over again. This is one case where I hope what happens in Nevada doesnt stay in Nevada, Dabakis said. In Nevada, where the November election gave Democrats full control of the Legislature, lawmakers appear to be forging ahead. Senate President Aaron Ford says that this go-around, equal rights will be ratified in Nevada. House Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson says that passage of the amendment is a priority and that Democrats are doubling down on the notion we stand for equal rights. Last week, a State Senate committee held a hearing before a packed chamber in the Capitol and took testimony by video feed from Las Vegas in what seemed like a time capsule from the 1970s. Members of the public wore iconic green-and-white buttons reading ERA yes. Marlene Lockhard, representing the Nevada Womens Lobby, read remarks made in 1975 by Sue Wagner, who at the time was a Republican member of the State Assembly and had pushed for ratification: It has been difficult for me to accept the fact that I must stand here 200 years since the founding of this country and debate an issue so basic, so just, so fair and so American as legal rights for all. But I must and I shall for as long as it is necessary. One Nevada resident, Leslie Sexton, testified that her mother chose her name for a pragmatic reason: On paper, Leslie could be the name of either a man or woman. If my name ever appeared on a list, I might have a better chance of equality or being chosen for something, Sexton said. Back then, a female name automatically meant you went to the bottom or lower than men. Terry ONeill, president of the National Organization for Women, said in an interview that Nevada could set the table for action on the ERA and that the push is driven by the current political climate. I think what is really going on is women in this country are extremely energized, ONeill said. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by 3 million, and part of the reason she won is she ran a proudly feminist and inclusive campaign. Some experts have argued that Congress could set a new deadline for ratification of the ERA if the states show interest. The Constitution could also be amended through a national convention. But changing the supreme law of the land is not easy. Of the 11,699 attempts as of the beginning of this year, it has been amended 27 times. Jeffrey Abramson, a professor of law and government at the University of Texas, said that he doubted the current Republican-controlled Congress would propose a new ERA but that the push to ratify could be a rallying cry for the midterm election. The massive turnout at the Womens March after the inauguration of President Trump last month suggests that a revived ERA would have significant support by the states, he said. But the ERA still faces steadfast opposition, including from some women. Echoing Schlafly, who died last year, Janine Hansen of the Nevada Eagle Forum said ratification would lead to women being subjected to a military draft and the elimination of Social Security benefit for wives who choose to not work. The feminist movement has tried to eradicate this homemaker benefit, Hansen said. It doesnt fit into the mantra that every woman should be a working woman. James Settelmeyer, a Republican Nevada state senator and the sole vote against the resolution after Wednesdays committee hearing, did not say whether he supported the ERA. But efforts to revive it should start with Congress rather than states trying to ratify it decades after the deadline, he said. It does no harm, he said of the effort. But it does no good either. david.montero@latimes.com Twitter: @davemontero Los Angeles tends to go through phases when it comes to what we eat. Theres the ongoing Things in a Bowl trend. Vegetables have emerged as the star of most restaurant dishes. And bowls of labneh sprinkled with zaatar dont seem to be going anywhere soon (lets cross our fingers that they never do). And right now, we find ourselves in the midst of a Filipino food movement, with Rice Bars Charles Olalia and Lasas Chad Valencia propelling it forward. This week, Jonathan Gold heads to Irenia in Santa Ana, where he finds the movement continuing with plate after plate of crunchy fried anchovies, known as dilis. We also have a story on 101 Cider House, a Westlake Village cider producer making experimental sour ciders using produce grown by farmers along the 101 Freeway. A Grand Central Market stall opened by two Mozza alums closes Sunday. And a couple in Silver Lake is making some craveable soft serve, even in the cold. Jenn Harris Advertisement New twists Jonathan Gold reviews Irenia, the new Filipino restaurant in downtown Santa Ana from chef Ryan Garlitos. Garlitos, who made a name for himself working alongside Carlos Salgado at Taco Maria, is reinterpreting Filipino classics pancit with snips of fried chicken skin; kare kare with cauliflower and serving a lovely ube brown sugar pie for dessert. Ginataan prawns and rice at Irenia in Santa Ana. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Food and design Writer Gillian Ferguson shares news of Vespertine, the latest restaurant from chef Jordan Kahn, previously best known for his cooking at the now-closed Beverly Hills restaurant Red Medicine. He plans on opening what hes calling a 22-seat experimental restaurant in Culver City, across from his restaurant Destroyer this spring. Chef Jordan Kahns top secret new restaurant, Vespertine, in Culver City is an undulating work of glass and steel that matches his artistic personality. (Mark Boster / Los Angeles Times) Youve been served Writer Ben Mesirow takes a look at the couple behind Magpies Softserve in Silver Lake. Owners Warren and Rose Schwartz are both chefs, and together they are making flavors such as sweetened cream, malted milk chocolate and a vegan corn almond soft serve. Want a topping? Try the chocolate-covered honeycombs. Grand Central Market news This weeks rundown of whats going on in food and drink includes the closing of Bar Moruno, Mozza alums Chris Feldmeier and David Rosoffs Spanish-inspired restaurant at Grand Central Market. Plus a new tasting menu from Sang Yoon at his Culver City restaurant Lukshon. Roasted butternut squash with dukkah from Bar Moruno at Grand Central Market. (Christina House / For The Times) The Los Angeles Times Food Bowl: Want to spend 31 days exploring the food of this city through Night Market, forums, dinners, films, pop-ups and more dining and drinking? A month-long food festival is coming to L.A. in May. Jonathan Golds 101 Best Restaurants, the authoritative annual guide to local dining, is online for subscribers and now features his 2016 Best Restaurants. If you didnt get a copy of the booklet, you can order one online here. City of Gold, Laura Gabberts documentary of Jonathan Golds Los Angeles, is available on Amazon. Check us out on Instagram @latimesfood In the Kitchen: Sign up for our weekly cooking newsletter Check out the thousands of recipes in our Recipe Database. Feedback? Wed love to hear from you. Email us at food@latimes.com. Jenn.Harris@latimes.com @Jenn_Harris_ ALSO: Good morning. It is Saturday, Feb. 25. Heres what you dont want to miss this weekend: TOP STORIES Fears run amok: Separating fact from fiction has induced fear in the hearts of many California immigrants who are in this country illegally. They dont know if Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are coming for them. The town of Santa Paula offers a window into the fear, uncertainty and confusion that has gripped heavily Latino immigrant communities since President Trumps executive orders on immigration were put in place. Los Angeles Times Indie movies on the rise: The Oscars are this weekend, and if the nominations this year are any indication, indie films are dominating as larger studios focus more on franchises that generate multiple sequels and spin offs. Los Angeles Times Advertisement Where are movies loved? Here is a breakdown of where in the United States the nominees for Oscar best picture are liked the most. The New York Times Free at last, maybe: Californias state parole board has recommended the release of a man convicted of murdering a San Diego cop more than 30 years ago. This is the third time that the Parole Board has said he could be released, and twice before, Gov. Jerry Brown has blocked it. San Diego Union-Tribune Artisanal weed: Think of it as the grass-fed cattle or pasture-raised chickens of marijuana. A group of mostly Humboldt County growers has set up an organization that hopes to promote the unique quality and ecological benefits of sun-grown cannabis products. Sacramento Bee More money for storm problems: The state will speed up nearly $500 million in water and flood-protection projects after the winters big storms, Gov. Brown said at a news conference. Los Angeles Times THIS WEEKS MOST POPULAR STORIES IN ESSENTIAL CALIFORNIA 1. Flashback: How different was L.A. in the 1970s? These glorious photos give you a sense of a smaller, smoggier city. LA Weekly 2. Friendly warning: President Trumps best friend in California has a warning for state Democrats. New York Times 3. Officer killed, and a grieving chief gets angry: What began as a traffic incident ended with a veteran Whittier police officer fatally shot and another wounded. Police say the gunman was a recent parolee who may have killed another man hours earlier. Los Angeles Times 4. Sign of the times: A sign the drought is really dead? The glory hole, an unusual spillway feature, has returned to Lake Berryessa. Mercury News 5. Failure factor: The near-catastrophic failure of the Oroville Dams emergency spillway grew out of fundamental problems with its original design issues that were never corrected despite questions about its adequacy, documents and interviews suggest. Los Angeles Times ICYMI, HERE ARE THIS WEEKS GREAT READS Analyze this: Hundreds of thousands of dollars and hours of therapists time has been spent in recent months on a single subject: Donald Trumps election victory. Patients cant focus on work. They complain of panic attacks, insomnia and one womans fear even turned into very real and intense physical pain. But in an industry where therapists are trained to withhold their own political beliefs, discussing the Trump phenomenon has become a conundrum. Los Angeles Times Writing on the wall: The incredible story of the lost Chinese poetry on the walls of Angel Island, which was the Ellis Island of the West. The New Yorker Measure S: As Los Angeles debates a slow growth measure that could significantly alter the city, heres some truth squading about evictions. Los Angeles Times Listen while you drive: With the rise of the tech industry in Los Angeles, Venice Beach has become Silicon Beach much to the consternation of the aging bohemian community thats more Jim Morrison than Tim Cook. A team of reporters from Bloomberg parachuted into the neighborhood and spoke with longtime residents and business owners who are getting priced out of their neighborhood. Bloomberg Technology Revolutionary movies: The 1982 film Making Love showed two men kissing on screen. That had happened before, but this film was revolutionary in how it depicted gay romance and that it showed the love story of two men at all. At the center of all the attention were the two actors, Harry Hamlin and Michael Ontkean. They were both dark-haired, clean-cut, and a little nervous about the scene they were soon to perform. BuzzFeed LOOKING AHEAD Sunday: The 89th Oscars in Hollywood. Monday: Officials break ground on a new $1.6-billion project at Los Angeles International Airport. Friday: Funeral for Whittier police Officer Keith Wayne Boyer, who was fatally shot on Monday. Please let us know what we can do to make this newsletter more useful to you. Send comments, complaints and ideas to Benjamin Oreskes and Shelby Grad. Also follow them on Twitter @boreskes and @shelbygrad. The March 7 primary will test whether Los Angeles voters are still committed to fixing some of the citys most difficult problems. In November, city voters overwhelmingly backed Measure HHH, a $1.2-billion bond measure to build housing for the homeless. Now, county voters have the opportunity to finish the job by supporting Measure H, a countywide quarter-cent sales tax to fund the supportive services mental health counseling and drug rehabilitation, for example that are essential to keeping people off the streets. But homelessness is a symptom of a larger problem Los Angeles housing crisis. The city has consistently built less housing than needed, creating a shortage that has driven up prices. Now, 1 in 3 renters spends more than half his or her income on rent, leaving little money for food, healthcare, education or savings. Will voters worsen the crisis by supporting Measure S, which would block new development? Or will they reject the false narrative of the measure and leave city officials the flexibility to approve much-needed housing projects on parking lots, vacant public buildings and obsolete strip malls? Advertisement Over the last few weeks, the Times ran its arguments for and against candidates and measures on the March ballot. Here is a summary; the full endorsements are available at www.latimes.com/endorsements/. Measure H (L.A. County sales tax for homeless services): Yes. This quarter-cent sales tax will raise $355 million annually for 10 years for mental health, drug counseling and other services to help homeless people get off and stay off the streets. Mayor: Eric Garcetti. Garcetti has a smart vision for a more livable, affordable, transit-oriented city, and he could make great progress if he sticks around and uses his political capital to make change happen. City Attorney: Mike Feuer. Feuer is a good lawyer and a good politician who is helping fix the citys problems with vigor and creativity. He is unopposed. City Controller: Ron Galperin. Galperin has had some small victories, but he needs to think bigger and use the bully pulpit more to push for reform. He is unopposed. Council District 1: Joe Bray-Ali. Newcomer Bray-Ali, a small businessman and bicycle advocate, is more attuned to community needs and concerns with growth and development than incumbent Gil Cedillo. Council District 3: Bob Blumenfield. Low-profile Blumenfield is unopposed. Hes a capable councilman who ought to take on a more prominent role in water management, technology and other difficult issues. Council District 5: Paul Koretz. Although he hasnt been enough of a leader on key issues, Koretz cares deeply for his constituents. His opponents, meanwhile, arent up to the job. Council District 7: Monica Ratliff. Among the 20 candidates for this open seat, Ratliff stands out as an independent problem solver committed to transparency and accountability. Council District 9: Jorge Nuno. Nuno lacks the experience of incumbent Curren Price, but his entrepreneurship and connections to grass-roots groups make him a strong community-oriented voice. Council District 11: Mike Bonin. A leader on transportation and housing, Bonin has shown real political courage by advocating for the homeless in his district and citywide. Council District 13: Mitch OFarrell. OFarrell has been a thoughtful, committed representative who has his eyes on the long-term housing needs of the city. Council District 15: Joe Buscaino. Buscainos performance has been adequate. He has pushed for redevelopment in his district and for better street and sidewalk maintenance citywide. Measure M (city-sponsored marijuana taxes and regulation): Yes. This measure would direct the city to develop much-needed rules covering all aspects of the emerging medical and recreational marijuana industry. Measure N (industry-sponsored marijuana taxes and regulation): No. This measure was the marijuana industrys bid to write its own rules. The proponents now support Measure M. Measure P (longer port leases): Yes. This would allow the Port of Los Angeles to lease property for 66 years instead of 50, making it easier to attract investors to redevelop the waterfront. Measure S (two-year moratorium on certain developments): No. This is a slow-growth, anti-development measure that will hurt Los Angeles in the long run by worsening the citys housing crisis and stifling economic development. Los Angeles Unified Board of Education: District 2: Lisa Alva. A teacher at a magnet school, Alva would be a refreshing new and independent voice on the board in place of incumbent Monica Garcia, who lacks a record of accomplishment. District 4: Nick Melvoin. A former teacher and reform advocate, Melvoin is more willing to confront the districts serious financial problems and bring new ideas to the board than incumbent Steve Zimmer. District 6: Kelly Gonez. Charter school teacher Gonez is well-versed in both classroom realities and big-picture policies and would bring a collaborative presence to the board. Los Angeles Community College District Board of Trustees: Seat 2: Steven Veres. A former trustee seeking to return to the board, Veres understands both the college system and the dynamics of Sacramento, which funds the system. Seat 4: Ernest H. Moreno. Incumbent Moreno is a retired district administrator and possesses an impressive level of institutional knowledge. Seat 6: Gabriel Buelna. Buelna, who heads a community services organization and teaches at Cal State Northridge, understands students challenges and needs, while incumbent Nancy Pearlman has few significant policies to show for her time on the board. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook By excluding a number of the countrys largest news outlets from the days official White House briefing in favor of friendlier media, Trump administration spokesman Sean Spicer ratcheted up the White Houses war on the free press Friday to a new level. We obviously have a personal stake in this issue The Times was one of the outlets blackballed, along with CNN, Politico, the New York Times and the BBC but the episode ought to disturb anyone who believes presidents should be thick-skinned enough to be held accountable by skeptical journalists. On the one hand, the excluded reporters might feel relieved at having a day off from Spicers usual stream of counterfactual spin. This is, after all, the press secretary who began his tenure on a Chico Marx note, telling reporters not to believe what they saw at the inauguration with their own eyes and instead accept the administrations grossly exaggerated attendance estimates. The session Friday was less formal one a gaggle in Washington-speak and it was attended by broadcast and print pool reporters whose job was to take notes on behalf of everyone not in the room. And the White House argues that by opening the room to a few extra reporters, it was expanding access, not narrowing it. Advertisement Thats the kind of argument Chico Marx would make too. Ninety minutes before Spicer was scheduled to speak to reporters in the White House briefing room, his office alerted reporters that he would be holding an off-camera session with an expanded pool. It then conspicuously excluded reporters from selected news media while allowing in three pool reporters and a hand-picked group of eight others, four of them from right-of-center outlets that have been, shall we say, uncritical of the president (such as Breitbart and the One America News Network). Not to put too fine a point on it, but only one of the five major TV news networks that cover the White House was excluded: CNN, a frequent punching bag of President Trump. This all happened shortly after Trump took the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference for a stump speech that began with a salvo against the news media and its use of anonymous sources to bash the White House. (Sample quote: We are fighting fake news.) So what message was the administration sending when Spicer put a velvet rope up outside his office? What could possibly be the rationale for excluding selected White House reporters from an on-the-record session with the White House spokesman in the White House? If the intent was to intimidate reporters into writing fewer things that the administration does not like, and more things that it does, it is doomed to failure. Bear in mind that the Trump campaign barred several news organizations from attending its events, and that didnt seem to make a scintilla of difference to their coverage. Nor can the administration expect to have any more success in controlling the coverage it receives. After all, the easiest and least important part of the job is getting what Spicer was denying to some on Friday: the spin doled out at sessions like the daily briefing. The harder and more vital task is to ferret out whats really going on behind the scenes that is not disclosed in the press releases and photo opportunities. And its that kind of reporting that has really gotten under Trumps skin. He has railed against stories leaked to journalists by people within the new administration anonymous sources that Trump wants the public to believe do not actually exist. Granted, these sources may not get everything right; theyre often pushing their own version of events. But the ones in the Trump administration are hardly fake theyre just the latest in a long line of government leakers, whistle-blowers and others whose personal agendas dont line up with their employers. Trump has betrayed some alarmingly authoritarian notions of the presidency over the past two years, and punishing organizations that run stories critical of the president falls right into that category. It also evokes memories of that most famous White House compiler of an enemies list, Richard Nixon probably not the president whose footsteps Trump wants to follow. Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion or Facebook MORE FROM OPINION Trump voters won. Why should liberals be nice to them? Bernie Sanders is the leaderless Democrats anti-Trump evangelist Watch what Trump does about the media, not what he says * Budget terminal of KL airport to be checked for chemicals * Kim Jong Nam murdered on Feb. 13 with VX nerve agent * North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over death * Female suspect thought she was playing a prank with "baby oil" (Rewrites throughout with details on airport sweep) By Emily Chow and Christophe Van Der Perre KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Malaysia will sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur international airport for toxic chemicals after Kim Jong Nam was murdered there with a nerve agent last week, as authorities said they would issue an arrest warrant if a North Korean diplomat wanted over the death did not come forward. Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur's main airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. The police forensic team, fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board will be conducting the sweep at the airport, Malaysian cops said in a statement on Saturday. The sweep will be conducted from 1 a.m. on Feb. 26 (1700 GMT on Feb. 25), the police said. The airport terminal will not be closed, but the search areas would be cordoned off, a police official told Reuters. VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons created by man: just 10 milligrams of the nerve agent or a single drop is enough to kill in minutes, experts have said. Kim Jong Nam was waiting at the departure hall when he was attacked by two women who splashed his face with the liquid. He died en route to hospital. Malaysian police on Friday said one of the women had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. The two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have been detained, along with a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans have been named as suspects or are wanted for questioning. Malaysian police are also sweeping other locations in Kuala Lumpur the suspects may have visited. Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said earlier on Saturday authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing, and were checking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment. Story continues DIPLOMAT WANTED Samah also said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, wanted for questioning in the murder has yet to come forward. He is one of the seven North Koreans wanted in connection with the case. "Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, Samah said, adding that if the diplomat did not cooperate, the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, compelling him to appear before the investigation team. "And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity. Four others are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia. The whereabouts of another North Korean, Ri Ji U, are unknown, Samah said. "PRANK WITH BABY OIL" Meanwhile, Indonesian embassy officials on Saturday met with their national Siti Aishah - one of the suspects detained in connection with the murder - for the first time since her arrest. Aishah told embassy officials that she believed she was part of a reality television show when she lunged at Kim Jong Nam at the airport with what she believed was baby oil. She said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in the act. "She only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity... She said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil," Indonesian deputy ambassador Andreano Erwin told reporters after meeting Aishah. She will be detained until March 1, after which police will decide whether to prosecute or release her, Erwin said. Vietnamese officials also met with their national but declined to comment. Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards. ($1 = 4.4370 ringgit) (Additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Ebrahim Harris; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi and Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam and Ros Russell) To the editor: In the 1970s, I made several trips to northern Arizona near the Navajo Nation and the coal-burning Navajo Generating Station, then under construction. I was struck by the obvious lack of employment opportunities for the Navajo and the Hopi. Apparently, not much has changed. (Trump promised a coal renaissance but keeping open this Arizona plant will test his resolve, Feb. 17) The long-term question is not if President Trump has the resolve to keep this power source in operation, but rather if he and Congress have the insight and commitment needed to address the systemic economic problems of the Navajo and the Hopi. The economics of the energy marketplace are causing the closure of the Navajo Generating Station, and the Navajo can prosper without it in the long run. Doing so requires local economic and educational opportunities. Continuing the obsolete plants operation would amount to marketplace manipulation and further exploitation of a vulnerable population. Advertisement Garry Herron, Seal Beach .. To the editor: The Navajo Nation put zero capital investment into the coal operation, and for decades it provided the Navajo Nation a third of its revenue and the Hopi 80%. It also provided hundreds of prized jobs within those communities. Now, only because coal is no longer competitive with cheaper natural gas fuel, they view the plants abandonment as a betrayal by the utilities walking away after making a windfall off tribal coal and tribal labor. How quickly they forget their own rewards and the good, hard-to-come-by jobs within their communities that they benefited from for decades. Another victim group emerges. Edmund Umbrasas, Thousand Oaks Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Law professor James Q. Whitmans article, while technically correct about the Nazis copying racist laws at the time in the U.S., misses the real point: Why did intelligent persons in power profess such ideas and codify them into despicable laws that classified races into sub-standard positions? (When the Nazis wrote the Nuremberg laws, they looked to racist American statutes, Opinion, Feb. 22) We must look to the trend setters of the day, including Henry Ford and Charles Lindbergh, who professed a deep hatred of Jews and non-whites and supported their beliefs with the science of eugenics. Hitler was greatly influenced by Lindbergh, Ford and eugenics, and his Mein Kampf was replete with their ideas. Ford later recanted his beliefs; Lindbergh never did, going to his grave in 1974 as a white supremacist and reputed Nazi sympathizer. The damage done by Ford and Lindbergh was immeasurable and irreversible. Advertisement We should not forget those who enabled the dissemination of these horrific and tragic ideas and teach our children accordingly. David Ross, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: Every American sponsoring an immigrant [must] be screened to determine their motives. And all would-be immigrants will undergo the same at their respective consulates. I promise if any suspicions are raised, the visa will be refused. We cannot and will not take this chance. Our national security depends on it. Are these words from President Trump in 2017? No. They were uttered in 1939 by President Franklin D. Roosevelts assistant secretary of state, Breckinridge Long, in response to Europes Jews escaping Nazi Germany on ships such as the ill-fated St. Louis. Either we learn from history or watch the ignorant repeat the same mistakes. Shelley Rivlin, Encino Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook To the editor: Reading about the actions of the Trump administration related to the deportation of undocumented immigrants, I have to ask those who did not vote in 2016 or voted against Hillary Clinton because of some animus toward her as a person how they feel about President Trump. We have ended up with a government that sees only black and white even though we live in a society of nuanced grays. (This is how Trumps expanded deportation policy is being felt across the U.S., Feb. 22) Farmers need laborers. People who hire nannies and housekeepers often turn a blind eye to their immigration status. The businesses that expect their buildings to be cleaned during the evening hours often hire individuals who live in the gray area. Living in a democracy is a a privilege. Hopefully, citizens will realize that every vote can make a difference and that we need and deserve a government that can look at the big picture and find areas of agreement in the gray area of life. Both Democrats and Republicans must realize they represent everyone, not just the few who voted for them. Advertisement Lori Haythorn, Los Angeles .. Ive criticized other presidential policies frequently in the past, but I never ever thought Id be ashamed of my country. Ken Goldman, Beverly Hills To the editor: Thanks to The Times for its continuing coverage of the Trump administrations recently unveiled immigration policies. Our new presidents policies have caused college aid applications from undocumented immigrants to decline precipitously (how is that possibly good for our county?); caused untold anxiety among immigrants living all around us who now fear to even walk in their neighborhoods; have blocked Syrian refugees; resulted in the deportation of a mother of two teenagers who has worked, paid taxes and raised her kids for 17 years in the U.S. (anyone feel safer?); and soured our relationship with our neighbor to the south, Mexico. Ive criticized other presidential policies frequently in the past, but I never ever thought Id be ashamed of my country. Ken Goldman, Beverly Hills .. To the editor: It is time to look at the real cost of mass immigration into the United States. If we permit too many immigrants to come, it really does mean fewer jobs and lower pay for Americans, as well as a significant cultural change for the country. This isnt to say people from other nations are less intelligent or less moral than we are in the United States; it just means that at some point we need to say that there are millions of people from poor nations that want to come to the U.S. because they want better jobs and a better place to live. Their desire to come here is understandable, but if we let all people enter the United States, we risk lowering the standard of living for the country. Traditional American culture cannot solve the lack of birth control in underdeveloped areas of the world. We have a brutal but realistic choice to make. Lou Rosen, Pacific Palisades .. To the editor: Why have we heard little about a crackdown on the employers of illegal immigrants? Businesses that employ cheap labor have little incentive to check immigration status. If they check at all, they often accept documents they should know are forged, knowing full well that they will probably not face prosecution for doing so. Using the the E-Verify system is simply a way for them to further absolve themselves of liability. Our economy depends on illegal labor, and yet many who benefit from it support politicians who use illegal immigrants as a scapegoat for all the ills of society. As a nation we must address this hypocrisy. Steve Mills, Glendale Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook Former President George W. Bush says his recent remarks have been misconstrued as criticism of Trump (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Former President George W. Bush on Wednesday pushed back at the notion that his recent remarks about the media were criticisms of President Trump. Im asked the question, Do I believe in free press? and the answer is absolutely, I believe in free press because the press holds people to account, he said. Power is very addictive and its corrosive if it becomes central to your life and therefore there needs to be an independent group of people who hold you to account. And so I answered that question and of course the headlines were, Bush criticizes Trump. And so therefore I needed to say, There should be a free and independent press, but it ought to be accurate. Bush made the remarks at the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley during an hourlong question-and-answer session promoting Portraits of Courage, his new book that features his paintings of veterans. While doing media interviews about the book in recent days, he has raised eyebrows by making comments about the media, immigrants and allegations of Russian interference in the November presidential election that were widely viewed as criticisms of the new president. He said that he decided once he left the office not to second-guess his successor, former President Obama, and that the same holds true for Trump. Doing so would undermine the office, Bush said, adding that he wants all of his successors to succeed because it is good for the nation. I dont want to make the presidents job worse, no matter what political party it is. Its a hard job, Bush said. Sometimes my remarks can be construed as criticism. Theyre certainly not meant to be, and after I finish this book tour you probably wont hear from me for a while. But he was willing to offer advice to those who follow him. Know what you dont know and find people who do know what you dont know and listen to them, he said. My advice is that the job is different once you get in. It looks one way and then you get in the Oval Office and it looks different. Trust me. Bush also made an implicit criticism of Obamas foreign policy when asked whether the world is more dangerous than it was four years ago. This may be taken as criticism of one of my successors and I dont really mean it to be. There is a lesson however when the United States decides not to take the lead and withdraw, he said. Vacuums can be created when U.S. presence recedes and that vacuum is generally filed with people who dont share the ideology, the same sense of human rights and human dignity and freedom that we do. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Aside from a handful of serious moments, Bush was jovial and self-effacing as he described how he became an oil painter after leaving the White House. Seeking ways to fill his time, he said he read an essay by Winston Churchill about painting. I basically said, What the hell, this guy can paint, I can paint, Bush said. He hired an instructor and started painting a cube and a watermelon before moving on to portraits. Former First Lady Laura Bush was not pleased with his depiction of her, so when he painted his mother, former First Lady Barbara Bush, he decided to depict her from behind. Barbara Bush and former President George H.W. Bush are doing well despite their recent hospitalizations, the younger Bush said. Theyre both great given their limitations. Dad cant walk, hes confined to a wheelchair and yet his spirit is joyful, Bush said. Moms doing fine. Shes shrinking, and as she does, her voice gets louder. But shes a, shes a piece of work is what she is. Bush has been reclusive since leaving office, but said he wrote the book and is publicizing it to raise money for veterans and to draw attention to the invisible wounds many of them suffer. I think when you read [their stories] youll be moved by stories of courage, injury, recovery willingness to help others, he said. Ive got a platform its not as big as it once was and I intend to use it to help our veterans for the rest of my life, and this is one way to do so. Warned of a possible federal crackdown on marijuana, California elected officials and cannabis industry leaders said Friday they were preparing for a potential showdown in the courts and Congress to protect the legalization measure approved by state voters in November. The flashpoint that set off a scramble in California was a news conference Thursday at which White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the administration had no plans to continue the Obama administrations permissive approach in states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use. I do believe that youll see greater enforcement, he said, adding that the administration would continue to allow states to regulate the sale of marijuana for medical use. Advertisement The latest development could force California officials and marijuana industry leaders into an unusual alliance against the federal government, with billions of dollars in profits for businesses and taxes for state coffers at stake. The state agency responsible for drafting regulations said Friday it was going ahead with its plans to start issuing licenses to growers and sellers in January. Until we see any sort of formal plan from the federal government, its full speed ahead for us, said Alex Traverso, a spokesman for the California Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation. In Congress, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) plans to introduce legislation that could blunt Spicers threat by preventing the Department of Justice from enforcing federal laws against the recreational use of marijuana in states that have legalized it, a spokesman said Friday. And industry officials warn that any federal crackdown in California and other states will result in many growers and sellers continuing to operate, but on the black market. California Atty. Gen. Xavier Becerra says he is ready to safeguard the rights approved by 57% of voters in Proposition 64, which allows California adults to possess, transport and buy up to an ounce of marijuana for recreational use. I took an oath to enforce the laws that California has passed, Becerra said in a statement Thursday after Spicers comments. If there is action from the federal government on this subject, I will respond in an appropriate way to protect the interests of California. State lawmakers also say California should do what it can to preserve Proposition 64. We will support and honor the laws that California voters have democratically enacted, said Assemblyman Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), an author of legislation creating the licensing system for medical marijuana dispensaries. Becerra would likely be joined in any defense of the states marijuana policy by attorneys general in other parts of the country. Recreational use has also been legalized in Washington state, Colorado, Oregon, Alaska, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada, home to a combined 68 million Americans. Washington Atty. Gen. Bob Ferguson, who has worked with Becerra on opposing President Trumps travel ban, said he and Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee last week asked for a meeting with U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to discuss how the recreational marijuana use system is working in their state. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading supporter of Proposition 64, took a similar approach, sending a letter Friday to Trump urging him not to carry through with threats to launch a federal enforcement effort. I urge you and your administration to work in partnership with California and the other states that have legalized recreational marijuana for adult use in a way that will let us enforce our state laws that protect the public and our children, while targeting the bad actors, the Democrat wrote. If the Justice Department starts arresting licensed marijuana sellers, the multibillion-dollar industry would join forces with the states that issue permits to challenge the action in court, said Amy Margolis, an attorney whose law firm has more than 200 clients in the marijuana industry, including businesses in California. This industry is so mature and its so far along that I have no doubt that if the Department of Justice started true enforcement actions against cannabis businesses, that they would go to court, Margolis said. I see joint actions between the states and the industry hoping to prevent those type of actions. Margolis would argue that it is a states rights issue. The argument would be that this is a situation where the states have the right to regulate and tax an industry the way they want, she said, adding that states are gaining tax revenue to pay for government programs. Although federal law does not outline a medicinal use for marijuana, Trump administration officials have made public statements indicating they recognize that such a benefit exists, which could help the industry in a potential court case, Margolis said. However, the states may find their hands tied legally if they try to keep federal agents from raiding and shutting down marijuana growing and sales operations, according to Adam Winkler, a professor at UCLA School of Law. I imagine that California will mount a legal challenge to any crackdown on recreational marijuana, Winkler said. Yet there is not much California can do. Federal law is supreme over conflicting state law. Federal agents are entitled to enforce federal law anywhere in the country, including California. He said there are limits to federal power, but the courts have held that the federal government does have the authority to enforce federal drug laws. Aaron Herzberg, an attorney for the industry, agreed that the state would face a tough fight. He cited the 2005 case Gonzales vs. Raich, in which the U.S. Supreme Court found that under the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution, Congress may criminalize the production and use of homegrown marijuana even if states approve its use for medical purposes. Lets face it: If the federal government wants to shut down recreational marijuana, they could quite easily accomplish it using federal law enforcement and taxation tools, Herzberg said. Others say one basis for legal action would be an argument that enforcing laws against marijuana would damage states that have put regulations in place and are depending on hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes to pay for government programs. States are too far down the path of regulating, licensing and taxing those who are making big investments in the sanctioned marijuana industry to pull the rug out now, said Richard Miadich, an attorney who co-wrote Proposition 64. Updates from Sacramento Given the strict regulatory structure set forth in Proposition 64, that medical and adult-use regulations are being developed in concert, and that public opinion is squarely on the side of states rights on this issue, I think it is impractical for the federal government to reverse course now, he said. Not to mention the potential for great harm to individual states. Supporters of Proposition 64 say there is also a potential political solution. In recent years, Rohrabacher and former Rep. Sam Farr (D-Carmel) won congressional approval of a rider to the federal budget that prohibited federal funds from being used to prosecute medical marijuana businesses that are in compliance with state laws. Rohrabacher plans to introduce legislation that would expand the protection to businesses that comply with state laws allowing the growing and sale of marijuana for recreational use, according to spokesman Ken Grubbs. The congressman is planning the legislation because recreational use is an issue of individual freedom and should be dealt with legally according to the principle of federalism, a bedrock conservative belief, Grubbs said. Rep. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance) is also reviewing options to counteract whatever the Trump administrations plans are for state marijuana laws, said senior advisor Jack dAnnibale. Another option, though a long shot, would be for Congress to attempt to change the federal Controlled Substances Act to decriminalize the use of marijuana nationally. Herzberg said reinstituting federal raids would be a major setback for the industry. But the state could still go ahead with a licensing system for medical marijuana growing and sales in spite of a federal crackdown on recreational use, according to Hezekiah Allen, head of the California Growers Assn. A vast majority of California growers and cannabis business owners would choose to participate only in the medical marketplace if given the option, and some would choose to avoid licensure entirely if they were unable to distinguish themselves from adult-use businesses, Allen said. Because Spicer did not provide details on what an enforcement effort might look like, many in the industry hope it will focus on the illegal exporting of marijuana to other states, leaving alone state-licensed firms that grow and sell pot. The biggest crackdown we may see is on the increase of cannabis being illegally exported out of recreational states, said Nate Bradley, executive director of the California Cannabis Industry Assn. State Sen. Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) said any change in federal enforcement policy on states that have legalized recreational use would be misguided. You cant put the genie back into the bottle marijuana regulation and enforcement cant and shouldnt go backwards, he said. patrick.mcgreevy@latimes.com Twitter: @mcgreevy99 ALSO Trump administration signals a possible crackdown on states over marijuana Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom asks Trump for cooperation with California on marijuana regulation Cities and counties tell legislators theyre struggling to keep up with the legalized marijuana industry Los Angeles City Councilman Gil Cedillo has every advantage in his reelection campaign incumbency and an enormous fundraising advantage over his rivals. Hes got broad support from labor, business and Democratic leaders, plus a lengthy record representing the community where he was born. Yet Cedillo is not coasting to a second council term. Local concerns about Eastside gentrification and nationwide voter sentiment that has soured on incumbents and the establishment are among the factors that might work against him. Advertisement Just because hes an incumbent doesnt mean hes going to cruise to reelection. Hes got to up his work ethic. Hes got to work harder, said Gloria Romero, a former state legislator who lived in Cedillos district for three decades before moving to the Westside a year ago. Unseating a City Council incumbent is a tall order. The last time it happened was in 2003, and it took a prominent former Assembly speaker Antonio Villaraigosa to do it. But one of Cedillos challengers, bike activist Joe Bray-Ali, says he has received enough attention and dollars that he might be able to force the councilman into a runoff when Angelenos head to the polls on March 7. Bray-Ali contends that Cedillo has lost touch with Council District 1 after serving 14 years in the state Legislature before being elected to the council in 2013. Hats off to him for his long and storied career, but dude, youve got to want this job. And its clear he doesnt, Bray-Ali said during a recent interview at an event protesting evictions in Lincoln Heights. Cedillo, 62, declined to discuss the race with the Los Angeles Times. However, during a raucous candidate forum recently in Glassell Park that attracted more than 500 people, he repeatedly said his rivals had no experience governing, although they may make eloquent speeches. I have a record, and you can look at it, and you can evaluate it. I know what it takes to get things done, Cedillo said. Its easy to say things, particularly if you dont have any record, you dont have any accountability. Hats off to him for his long and storied career, but dude, youve got to want this job. And its clear he doesnt. Joe Bray-Ali, candidate in City Council District 1 Cedillo, a former assemblyman and state senator, never mentioned Bray-Ali by name, but it was clear he was referring to him. Also competing in the race are businessman Jesse Rosas and community organizer Giovany Hernandez. Neither has the campaign infrastructure or the donations to pose a real threat to Cedillo. Bray-Ali faces an uphill battle, although he has raised more than $50,000 and qualified for roughly the same amount in public matching funds. The son of a Democratic political operative, Bray-Ali worked as a field deputy for a member of the Legislature after he graduated from college. He became heavily involved in city politics when he led a multiyear fight for bike lanes on Figueroa Street. Cedillo, who voiced support for the lanes at first, later became instrumental in killing the proposal. He dismissed cyclists as a small segment of the population and said the bikeways might slow emergency response times. Cedillos supporters argue that Bray-Alis run is retribution for that move. But the 37-year-old Lincoln Heights resident, who recently closed his bike shop, says he has expanded his focus to other issues affecting the district, especially the gentrification that is driving out immigrant families. Bray-Ali said his decade of advocating for bicyclists showed him the tangled bureaucracy that city residents face and what he perceives as Cedillos lack of concern for their issues. A lot of it is hes used to Sacramento. Hes not used to the rough-and-tumble and day-to-day hustle of a city council district, Bray-Ali said. That plays perfectly into my hands as a challenger. Cedillos supporters agree the incumbent is not the biggest glad-hander on the City Council. They argue, however, that this reputation overshadows the work he does for constituents behind closed doors. While acknowledging that Cedillo could have been more visible in his district, Jen Rivera, Cedillos former deputy chief of staff, described him as the only adult in the room whose strengths are policy making and legislation. No one gives him credit for that, she said. I have a record, and you can look at it, and you can evaluate it. I know what it takes to get things done. Incumbent Gil Cedillo, City Council District 1 Rivera, who has worked at City Hall for a decade, pointed to the councils response to homelessness as an example. The fact there is no criminalization for folks sleeping on the streets is Gil Cedillo. There were a lot of late-night conversations that were not public. He did not publicize them. Should he? Yes, Rivera said. Thats not his style. He is old school. He wants to just do the work. Cedillo, a liberal who supported Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary, is best known for his work on behalf of immigrants who are in the country illegally. In the Legislature, he championed efforts to grant drivers licenses to such immigrants and provide college financial aid for young people who were brought into the country illegally. Now, as President Trump cracks down on immigration, Cedillo, whose district is three-quarters Latino, is touting his efforts on behalf of immigrants who do not have documents. Trump is hoping you forget to vote, states one mailer that Cedillo sent in English and Spanish to constituents earlier this month. Jaime Regalado, professor emeritus of political science at Cal State L.A., said Cedillo could benefit in the election from his focus on immigration. He noted the controversies surrounding Trumps travel ban involving seven majority-Muslim nations and his call to build an enormous wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. Cedillos political career has been built all around immigrant rights, starting with drivers licenses and helping students without documents, Regalado said. He can run on his record, and I think he would be a fool not to. Cedillo also faces concerns over gentrification in his district, which includes Chinatown, Lincoln Heights and Pico-Union. Buyers are snapping up properties and evicting renters. Real estate interests, including developers who are building market-rate housing and decreasing affordability in the district, have been a significant source of the $356,000 that Cedillo has raised for his campaign. The incumbent says that while he has welcomed development because of the citys housing crunch, he also has fought for tenants rights and affordable housing. In a letter to The Times, he said that since 2013, the city has completed 809 affordable housing units and an additional 485 are under construction. During candidate forums, however, a vocal contingent has been skeptical when Cedillo defended his record. A senior citizen facing eviction turned her back to him as he spoke at a gathering in Lincoln Park. A video of Cedillo answering a phone call on the stage in the middle of the Glassell Park forum has been circulated by his critics as evidence that he is out of touch. Some in that audience booed and cursed him. Nevertheless, the councilman was defiant. You can heckle me. You can vote for someone else. You can do all of those things, but Im going to tell you this, he responded. On March 8, Im still going to be your council member, and Im going to work for you and support you. seema.mehta@latimes.com For the latest on national and California politics, follow @LATSeema on Twitter. ALSO Former mayors split over how to run L.A. The luxury housing that Measure S would stop doesnt actually require many evictions California officials and the marijuana industry are ready to fight a federal crackdown A flurry of smartphone snapshots with a cardboard Donald Trump and blazing red Make California Great Again hats signaled that many of the GOP delegates at the California Republican Party convention this weekend have embraced the new president and his aggressive tactics to shift the nation to the right. But a fair number of Republicans at the event said they still harbored concerns about Trumps divisive rhetoric and abrupt governing style, and doubts about his allegiance to conservative ideals. Those voices were largely drowned out by praise from Trump loyalists and delegates, however, who said they have been impressed by the presidents policy agenda and conservative Cabinet appointments. I dont know about you, but Donald Trumps just rockin my socks, state GOP Chairman Jim Brulte told the party leadership on Friday. Advertisement Republican delegate Bill Evers of Laguna Niguel dismissed speculation that the Democratic backlash against Trump, including protests of immigration policies and efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, may doom Republicans running for office in left-leaning California in 2018. I think hes energized the party in a lot of ways, said Evers, a research fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution who served as an advisor on education policy for Trumps transition team. He appeals to the so-called Reagan Democrats who have been in play for a number of elections cycles. They were not comfortable with all the identity politics and political correctness stuff. Trumps popularity at CPAC gathering, which he shunned a year ago, shows how hes conquered conservatives >> Former Downey Mayor Mario Guerra, treasurer of the state GOP, expects many Californians will be won over if Trump delivers on his promises to create jobs by reducing the tax burden on businesses and to invest billions of dollars in the military and repairing roadways and other infrastructure. We need to stop focusing on the issues that divide us, Guerra said. Still, Guerra acknowledged that Trumps policies on immigration, including cracking down on those who entered the country illegally and building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, may hamper efforts by the California Republican Party to appeal to Latino voters, who largely dismiss the GOP. Republican delegate Danny Reid Turner, a 29-year-old from Livermore, said he voted for Trump but has mixed feelings about the presidents performance his first weeks in office. Turner doesnt like that Trump has used executive orders to push out much of his agenda in the early days of his presidency, something he said former President Obama did with too much frequency. In my view, thats not how our government is supposed to work, he said. Congressman Darryll Issa takes the stage Saturday, February 25, 2017 during the California Republican Party convention in Sacramento. (Carl Costas / For The Times) Turner also was conflicted about Trumps executive order banning citizens from seven predominately Muslim countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days, an action later halted by the federal courts. Trump, Turner said, used a hammer when he should have used a scalpel. Conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt, who addressed delegates Friday night, praised Trumps success as a businessman and developer, saying he is not particularly conservative. Hes a builder. Hewitt also said Trump would allow most law-abiding immigrants who entered the country illegally to stay, a comment greeted with silence. Another convention speaker, U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), who is scheduled to address attendees Saturday afternoon, appeared on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher on Friday night, telling the host that a special prosecutor should be tapped to investigate Russian interference in the 2016 election. Congressional Democrats have called for an independent investigation of any communications between Russian officials and the Trump administration. We have to work with [the Russians], we dont have to trust them, Issa said. We need to investigate their activities, and we need to do it because they are bad people. State Assemblyman Rocky J. Chavez (R-Oceanside), a former Marine colonel who represents some of the same slices of San Diego County as Issa does, was critical of Trumps rhetoric during the presidential campaign, especially on immigration. But this weekend, Chavez said he was pleased with the job the president has done since taking office, including his Supreme Court and Cabinet nominations. I think Trumps appointments, in particular with the Supreme Court, with the department of Defense, with secretary of State, with Homeland Security, have been very good appointments, and if you look at what each of them are doing, theyre very measured and reflect, I believe, the right tenor and where we need to go, he said. Assemblyman Devon J. Mathis (R-Porterville) said California Republicans could learn from Trumps surprise victory in November, including his success at reaching out to Americans who feel disenfranchised by the political establishment. Trumps message resonated with those voters, Mathis said, and state Republicans need to use the same strategies tell California voters what the GOP is all about. California Republicans are really looking hard at that and diving deep to really look at what is it we need to do win races statewide, Mathis said. What is the messaging we can do to really reach people at home so they know were Republicans and were here for you.. Times staff writer Melanie Mason contributed to this report. phil.willon@latimes.com Twitter: @philwillon ALSO Can the California Republican Party bounce back in 2018? Heres the chairmans game plan Trumps popularity at CPAC gathering, which he shunned a year ago, shows how hes conquered conservatives Prominent California Republicans urge party members to keep Jim Brulte on as state GOP chairman Warning that it will only amount to a small down payment on a large and costly problem, Gov. Jerry Brown unveiled a $437-million request Friday to speed up flood control efforts in Northern California and boost the readiness of the states emergency operations. These liabilities are a serious cloud, and we have to take them seriously, said Brown in a news conference in Sacramento. Advertisement The proposal, quickly stitched together by the governors administration as a response to a winter of pounding storms, offers up a speedier time frame for efforts that have been underway for some time. State officials had expected to complete most of the flood control work over five years, but Browns new proposal would do so in just two years. Whats required is to take some immediate action, the governor said. Even so, the new effort does not address what Browns budget director said Friday is at least a $1-billion price tag for damage in the state caused by floodwaters and emergency evacuations. The crisis at the Oroville Dam and the damage to the facilitys main and backup spillways offered a glimpse at Californias hidden public works problems. Usage of the backup spillway caused extensive erosion, which later threatened to take a huge bite out of the side of the reservoir and forced the evacuation of more than 100,000 people. The crisis eased after dam managers were able to lower the lakes level. But interviews and records suggest that the near-catastrophe grew out of fundamental problems with the original design of the emergency spillway that were never corrected despite questions about the designs adequacy. These liabilities are a serious cloud, and we have to take them seriously. Gov. Jerry Brown, in promoting a $437-million infrastructure package Brown said Friday that he was satisfied with the response by state water officials to the Oroville emergency. And while he said additional efforts will be undertaken to better understand what happened, he cautioned against demanding guarantees when dealing with the impacts of severe weather. There will be problems; we will not live a trouble-free existence, Brown said. The government misjudged the strength of Orovilles emergency spillway The governors proposal seeks approval from the Legislature to accelerate $387 million of borrowing authorized by Proposition 1, a $7.1-billion water bond approved by voters in 2014. While the specific projects wont be identified until later, the effort would focus on enhanced protection in areas with significant flood risk. That includes sites across the Central Valley and the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. An additional $50 million in the plan would be spent on emergency preparedness programs, from levee inspections to stocking up on materials needed to fight rising floodwaters. The money would come, however, at the expense of further delays in maintenance on other levee locations. Those kinds of deferrals were at the heart of what may have been Browns most impassioned remarks at his state Capitol news conference with several reminders that the state has accumulated a towering stack of unfunded infrastructure repairs and upgrades. In all, he put the tally at $187 billion when also considering the work needed on Californias sprawling network of roads and highways. Look, if were going to have a civilization, were going to pay for it, he said. These are big projects. And anything big today challenges the Lilliputian mind that is still operative in too many political circles. The proposal also assumes additional help from the federal government. Brown sent letters on Friday to the secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security, asking for additional federal dam inspections and revised reservoir operating rules that reflect the latest scientific data about storms and rainfall potential. Those letters both had a note at the bottom, scrawled in the governors handwriting: This is both an urgent need and a real opportunity! Brown also sent a request to President Trump for faster-than-usual environmental review of repairs to the Oroville Dam spillways and nine transportation projects. The plea met with criticism from some environmentalists who pointed out that the Oroville concerns were first pointed out as far back as 2005. Over and over again, people all along the way, who had the ability to put a halt to a very dangerous situation, didnt do anything, said Kathryn Phillips, director of Sierra Club California. She said the public review process is part of the reason you have this ability to know whats going on. Browns attempt to portray the package of flood proposals as driven by pragmatism could also be seen in his defense of its reliance on help from the Trump administration. While Brown has occasionally taken Trump to task in the early days and weeks of his presidency, the veteran governor admonished on Friday those who might view the requests as anathema to being a good Democrat. We are inextricably linked to the federal government, Brown said. We have to, I think, walk a very thoughtful line here, seeking help that we need but also calling attention to those things we object to. Times staff writers Chris Megerian and Bettina Boxall contributed to this report. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter, sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter and listen to the weekly California Politics Podcast ALSO: How Oroville hopes to turn the dam crisis into a tourism opportunity Shasta Dam makes history as water flows from the spillway for the first time in 20 years Updates from Sacramento As the healthcare vote looms, Trump sees opposition from conservatives, both on Capitol Hill and in the media By Kurtis Lee Its a really important vote in President Trumps fledgling first term. Will House Republicans pass a bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act a promise from Trump on the campaign trail or reject it? (House Speaker Paul D. Ryan rushed to the White House on Friday morning for a last-minute meeting with Trump as both attempted to corral enough votes.) Trump spent much of the week trying to win support from members of the Freedom Caucus, among the most conservative lawmakers, some of whom are holdouts because they believe the bill does not go far enough. After seven horrible years of ObamaCare (skyrocketing premiums & deductibles, bad healthcare), this is finally your chance for a great plan! Trump tweeted Friday. But even some in conservative media arent all that thrilled about the bill. Here are some of Fridays headlines: Polls: Ryancare even more unpopular than Obamacare and Hillarycare (Breitbart) So, its been clear in recent weeks that the right-wing website Breitbart does not like the new healthcare proposal. The news site has dubbed the current bill Obamacare-lite or Ryancare an homage of sorts to Ryan, who helped craft the legislation and argued it does not go far enough in its overhaul. Most conservatives want to repeal the Affordable Care Act, nicknamed Obamacare, they just differ on what the replacement should look like. For example, some on the far right want to see so-called essential health benefits, such as maternity and newborn care, stripped from the bill.) This piece highlights several of the dismal polls the legislation has received. Among them: A recent Fox News survey that showed 54% oppose the bill, compared with 34% who support it. The article also references an analysis of polling and data by FiveThirtyEight.com, which shows the GOP legislation is more unpopular than Obamacare and President Bill Clintons healthcare reform bill were when they were first introduced. A modest immigration proposal (Weekly Standard) Trumps recent immigration orders have left many immigrants on edge. Through social media and pop-up legal clinics, immigrant rights groups have doled out around-the-clock assistance, as families fear being separated. In this piece, Irwin Stelzer notes that at some point, our border will be secure, resistance to deporting felons will collapse, and we will have accepted the fact that Dreamers will be allowed to stay in this country, probably on a path to citizenship. He lays out his views of immigration reform, citing, among other things, setting an annual immigration limit and adopting a system that has the effect of enriching our citizens by filling that annual quota with immigrants who are likely to increase the well-being of the existing citizenry. Jeff Sessions is Rip Van Winkle on drug policy (American Conservative) Its clear from polls that most Republicans oppose marijuana legalization, while Democrats support it. However, libertarian-leaning Republicans often tend to support legalization. This piece highlights Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions recent comments in opposition to states legalizing pot. The attorney general regurgitates simplistic cliches right out of the 1970s and 1980s about marijuana use. I dont think America is going to be a better place when people of all ages, and particularly young people, are smoking pot, Sessions told reporters on February 26, the author, Ted Galen Carpenter, writes. He adds, Such comments confirm that critics may be right when they label him a drug war dinosaur. He seems either oblivious or scornful about the trend in public opinion regarding marijuana. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print FCC Chairman Pai wants to halt Internet privacy rules before they begin taking effect this week By Jim Puzzanghera (Nicholas Kamm / AFP/Getty Images) The nations new top telecommunications regulator wants to halt tough Internet privacy rules before they begin taking effect this week, arguing they would unfairly impose tougher requirements on broadband providers than on websites and social networks. Privacy advocates and a key Senate Democrat vowed Monday to fight the move as well as a separate effort in Congress to overturn the regulations, which were approved in October on a party-line vote by the Federal Communications Commission when it was controlled by Democrats under President Obama. Following President Trumps inauguration, control of the commission passed to Republicans and Ajit Pai took over as chairman. All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, and the federal government shouldnt favor one set of companies over another, a spokesman for Pai said Friday. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says Hollywoods obsession with him led to best picture Oscar gaffe By Michael A. Memoli (Al Seib / Los Angeles Times) President Trump is often loath to accept responsibility when things go wrong, but in the case of Sundays Oscars broadcast, he made an exception. As he explained it Monday, it was Hollywoods obsession with attacking him that contributed to the botched best picture announcement, calling the embarrassing episode sad, of course. Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers has apologized for the mix-up that led Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway to announce La La Land as the winner of the top Academy Award prize, instead of Moonlight. But in Trumps eyes, the blame falls more broadly on an entertainment industry so preoccupied with politics that they didnt get the act together, he told Breitbart News. It took away from the glamour of the Oscars, Trump told a reporter from the website, which was once led by his chief White House strategist, Stephen K. Bannon. It didnt feel like a very glamorous evening. Ive been to the Oscars. There was something very special missing, and then to end that way was sad, he added. The ceremony did contain a number of slights at Trump during its telecast, some more subtle than others. Host Jimmy Kimmel openly at one point begged the president to weigh in by tweeting at him. Trump spent part of Sunday night hosting a black-tie dinner at the White House honoring the nations governors, who were visiting Washington for their annual winter meeting. But it appears from excerpts of the Breitbart interview that he may have spent at least part of the evening watching. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Justice Department shifts course in closely watched Texas voter ID case By Del Quentin Wilber The Trump administration has scaled back its assault on a strict Texas voter identification law that federal courts have ruled discriminated against minorities, portending a shift in how the Justice Department plans to pursue allegations of voter suppression. The government revealed its decision in court papers filed in federal court Monday, dealing a blow to civil rights advocates who have relied on federal support to help them knock down the controversial Texas statute. Its a very concerning signal to American voters about the Department of Justices commitment to enforcing the Voting Rights Act, said Danielle Lang, deputy director of the voting rights unit of the Campaign Legal Center, which is suing Texas in the case. The administrations partial retreat in the dispute highlights how Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions, a conservative Republican who has championed voter identification measures, is expected to handle such cases. The Obama administration had joined civil rights groups in aggressively challenging the Texas law and other such measures around the country. At issue in the case was how the Justice Department would proceed in a federal lawsuit that alleged the Texas legislature discriminated against minority voters when it enacted the strict voter identification law in 2011. Known as SB 14, the measure requires voters to present a specific form of government-issued photo identification - such as a drivers license, military ID card, U.S. passport or citizenship certificate - to be permitted to cast a ballot. The Obama administration and civil rights groups argued the state pushed the law, in part, to suppress the power of the states minority voters, who frequently dont drive or have a passport. State officials and lawmakers countered that the law was aimed at preventing voter fraud, though there is scant evidence that the problem exists. The law was challenged in court by civil rights groups and the Justice Department under provisions of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which was intended to help overcome legal barriers erected at the local and state level to keep African-Americans from the polls. Last July, a federal appeals court ruled that the Texas law had a discriminatory impact on minority voters. It told U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos to craft a temporary remedy in time for the November elections. Ramos subsequently ordered Texas to permit voters to present other forms of documentation to verify their identities. The judges order is expected to remain in force until she imposes a permanent remedy or Texas addresses the judges concerns. According to the court papers filed Monday, the Justice Department will continue to work with civil rights groups to address those issues but will seek to withdraw from another important aspect of the suit. In the same decision that found the Texas law had a discriminatory impact, the appeals court reversed Ramos finding that Texas legislators had intended to harm minority voters. It ordered Ramos to reconsider the evidence of that finding. If the judge determines discriminatory intent in crafting the voter ID requirements, she could throw out the entire law. Civil rights groups will continue to press that claim. In its court filing, the Justice Department asked Ramos to permit it to withdraw its claim that Texas acted with intent, arguing that it is best to give the Texas legislature time to address the matter. With the loss of their key ally in court, civil rights groups will argue on their own in an effort to prove that Texas acted with a discriminatory purpose in passing the law. A hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. Voting advocates complained that the Trump administration was backing away from a key safeguard of voting rights. The Justice Department decision defies rationality and stands diametrically opposed to positions they have taken at every stage of this litigation, Kristen Clarke, president of the Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, said in a statement. This reversal of position was taken despite years of work and effort that the government has invested in fighting the Texas Voter ID law, one of the most discriminatory voting restriction of its kind. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement House Intelligence Chair Devin Nunes warns against witch hunt over Trump-Russia ties By Sarah D. Wire House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) talks to reporters about his committees Russia investigation. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rep. Devin Nunes said on Monday he has seen no evidence from the intelligence community that there was contact between Russia and the Trump campaign. I want to be very careful, we cant just go on a witch hunt against Americans because they appear in a news story, said Nunes (R-Tulare). We still dont have any evidence of them talking to Russia. He said the committee has been briefed on the highlights of what the intelligence community has found, but is still collecting evidence. The committees ranking Democrat, Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), quickly responded, saying the committees investigation is in its infancy and its too soon to reach conclusions about the evidence. We havent obtained any of the evidence yet, so its premature for us to be saying weve reached any conclusion about the issue of collusion, Schiff said. The most that weve had are private conversations, the chair and I with intelligence officials. Thats not a substitute for an investigation. The House and Senate Select Intelligence Committees are conducting separate investigations into Russias reported attempts to influence voters in 2016 in an effort to curtail Hillary Clintons chances and boost Donald Trumps. A leaked U.S. intelligence report on the attempts did not look at whether the effort succeeded. The House committee has expanded a previous ongoing investigation of Russia cyberhacking to include a look at efforts to interfere in the 2016 election, Nunes told reporters Monday. Though it is still in its early stages the leaders of the committee are still discussing the investigations scope Nunes said he expects the findings to be made public. Schiff and Nunes spoke separately to reporters Monday. Schiff said the two agreed privately that they would jointly address reporters about the investigation going forward. Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, said he continues to be concerned about leaks of classified and sensitive information from the White House and intelligence communities. The leaks one of which resulted in a report about the FBI investigating Trump campaign officials will be part of the committees investigation. A government cant function with massive leaks at the highest level, Nunes said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Appeals court denies Justice Department request to put appeal of travel ban on hold By Jaweed Kaleem (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the Justice Departments request to pause proceedings in an appeal of President Trumps travel ban. The court in a filing Monday said its schedule for the governments appeal of a lower courts halt on the travel ban will proceed, with the first brief due to the appeals court on March 10. In early February, the Justice Department appealed a Seattle-based federal district judges order blocking enforcement of Trumps executive action. which established a series of immigration and refugee restrictions aimed at preventing potential terrorists from entering the country. Last week, government lawyers asked the appeals court to stop proceedings in the case because the president planned to issue a new executive order and rescind the original one. A three-judge panel of the court previously denied a request from the government to reverse a nationwide stay on the travel ban. The same panel on Monday ruled that the appeal will proceed. Trump has said he will sign a new executive order tailored to deal with court decisions that have largely gone against him. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said he expected the order to be issued mid-week. Spicer has said Trump wants to fight for the current order while also issuing a new one, but the Justice Department has said in multiple court filings that the the current order will be undone after a new one is issued. The states of Washington and Minnesota, which brought the case in Seattle now under review, have pushed for courts to move forward on a review of the constitutional issues. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print No random ICE stops on streets of America, Homeland Security chief tells governor By Lisa Mascaro Gov holds closing media briefing on Capitol Hill to wrap up @NatlGovsAssoc Winter Meeting. pic.twitter.com/3mZMBA4S0o Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 27, 2017 President Trump received some unsolicited advice at dinner with the nations governors when Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe told him he needs to do a better job explaining his policies regarding deportations. McAuliffe, a Democrat and chairman of the National Governors Assn., told the president that there has been a chilling effect going on as businesses stay away from his state and as immigrants fear being rounded up. If theyre not going to be deported, we need to hear that from the president, McAuliffe said, recounting his conversation from the governors Sunday night dinner with Trump. What I told the president is these actions are hurting us. McAuliffe, a longtime ally of Hillary Clinton, said Trump agreed in large part. McAuliffe also met privately with Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, and said the secretary assured him during an hourlong talk that Trumps enforcement actions were only targeting criminals -- despite widespread reports of otherwise law-abiding immigrants being detained for being in the U.S. illegally. He assured me there will be no random ICE stops on the streets of the United States of America, McAuliffe said, referring to the raids being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. If thats the case, McAuliffe said, Trumps policy does not sound much different than the operations under former President Obama, whose administration deported more immigrants than its predecessors. Obama, however, explicitly put a priority on deportations of criminals, a distinction the Trump administration has done away with as part of the presidents executive action. My advice to him was he needs to let the American public know what theyre doing, McAuliffe said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump: I havent called Russia in 10 years By Brian Bennett President Trump rejected calls for an independent investigation of his ties to Russia, telling a group of business leaders Monday that he hasnt called Russia in a decade. At the start of a White House meeting with healthcare executives, a reporter asked Trump whether a special prosecutor should be assigned to investigate allegations of Russian meddling during the election. In response, Trump mouthed the word no to the executives. As reporters were led out of the room, Trump said: I havent called Russia in 10 years. Democratic lawmakers have ramped up their calls for additional investigations into allegations that Trump allies had been in contact with Russian officials during the election and inappropriately discussed U.S. sanctions against the Moscow regime during the transition. White House officials have denied reports that Trump associates were frequently in touch with senior Russian intelligence officials during the election. U.S. intelligence agencies concluded last year that Russian leader Vladimir Putin had authorized an operation to damage Hillary Clintons campaign and tilt the 2016 election in Trumps favor. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump: Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated By Michael A. Memoli View Twitter post President Trump promised the nations governors Monday that his yet-to-be-revealed replacement plan for the Affordable Care Act would give states greater flexibility and thanked some Republicans in the room who advised him on healthcare. Its an unbelievably complex subject, he said. Nobody knew that healthcare could be so complicated. The remark likely surprised state leaders; spending on Medicaid alone was the second-biggest driver of increased state general fund spending, according to the 2016 Fiscal Survey of States conducted by the National Assn. of State Budget Officers. And it was just eight years ago that Washington dove head-first into a raging debate over healthcare reform under President Obama, which simmered long after his signature health law was enacted. But the finer points of healthcare policy are likely new to Trump, who is immersed in discussions with Republican leaders and his senior staff on that and other subjects ahead of his high-profile address Tuesday to a joint session of Congress. Trump offered no hint as to the details. Republicans have vowed to repeal and replace Obamacare, but their effort has stalled as they debate how to do so and await word from the White House on what Trump wants to do. The president seemed keenly aware of the political ramifications of whatever steps he takes. As soon as we touch it, if we do the most minute thing, just a tiny little change, whats going to happen? Theyre going to say its the Republicans problem, Trump said after telling the governors the easiest thing for him to do would be nothing, and, in his view, watch Obamacare collapse. But we have to do whats right because Obamacare is a failed disaster. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump wants to add $54 billion to defense budget while slashing domestic spending and foreign aid By Brian Bennett President Trump is proposing a massive increase in defense spending of $54 billion while cutting domestic spending and foreign aid by the same amount, the White House said Monday. Trumps spending blueprint previewed a major address that he will give Tuesday night to a joint session of Congress, laying out his vision for what he called a public safety and national security budget with a nearly 10% increase in defense spending. We never win a war. We never win. And we dont fight to win. We dont fight to win, Trump said Monday in remarks to the nations governors. So we either got to win or dont fight it at all. Trump noted that the U.S. has spent nearly $6 trillion on fighting wars since the Sept. 11 attacks but said that cutting military spending was not the answer. Instead, the increase he is proposing would be offset by cuts to unspecified domestic programs and to foreign aid, which would in turn be made up for in part by demanding that other countries pay more for security alliances that have historically been underwritten by the U.S. This budget expects the rest of the world to step up in some of the programs that this country has been so generous in funding in the past, an official from the Office of Management and Budget said, demanding anonymity to discuss the presidents spending plans. Foreign aid makes up about 1% of the budget. This budget speaks for itself, the official said. I dont think this budget has anything to do other than putting Americans first. Trumps call for deep cuts to spending at home is likely to set up major battles on Capitol Hill, where Democrats and even House Republicans will likely be reluctant to pass a spending bill that includes such major reductions in programs for their constituents. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump says businesses cant borrow because of Dodd-Frank. The numbers tell another story By Jim Puzzanghera President Trump was preparing the first step in a key campaign promise dismantling the 2010 DoddFrank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act when he repeated a frequent criticism of the law. We expect to be cutting a lot out of Dodd-Frank because, frankly, I have so many people, friends of mine that had nice businesses, they cant borrow money, Trump told leading corporate chief executives, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Larry Fink of money management giant BlackRock Inc., meeting at the White House earlier this month They just cant get any money because the banks just wont let them borrow it because of the rules and regulations in Dodd-Frank, Trump said. Shortly afterward, he ordered a wholesale review of the landmark act, which was passed in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. But a main reason for dismantling Dodd-Frank often cited by Trump and critics of the law that its slew of tougher financial regulations have significantly restricted bank lending isnt borne out by the data. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Another Trump nominee withdraws nomination to top national security post due to business interests By W.J. Hennigan Philip M. Bilden, President Trumps pick for Navy secretary, withdrew from consideration late Sunday, becoming the second White House nominee to bail on a top Pentagon position due to problems untangling his financial investments. After an extensive review process, I have determined that I will not be able to satisfy the Office of Government Ethics requirements without undue disruption and materially adverse divestment of my familys private financial interests, Bilden said in a statement. He did not detail the issues but he said he fully supported the presidents agenda to modernize and rebuild our Navy and Marine Corps. Bildens withdrawal comes after billionaire investor Vincent Viola dropped out from becoming Army secretary after he decided his extensive financial holdings would hamper his ability to win Senate confirmation. The White House shot down reports that surfaced two weeks ago that Bilden was considering stepping down. Just spoke with him and he is 100% commited [sic] to being the next SECNAV pending Senate confirm, White House spokesman Sean Spicer tweeted on Feb. 18. Bilden, a venture capitalist and Army veteran, was a surprise selection from Trump but had the backing of Defense Secretary James N. Mattis. This was a personal decision driven by privacy concerns and significant challenges he faced in separating himself from his business interests, Mattis said in a statement. While I am disappointed, I understand and his respect his decision, and know that he will continue to support our nation in other ways. Bilden served ten years in the U.S. Army Reserve as a military intelligence officer from 1986 to 1996. He then co-founded private equity firm HarbourVest Partners LLC and spent 25 years there, mainly in the companys Hong Kong headquarters. He also serves on the board of directors of the United States Naval Academy Foundation and the board of trustees of the Naval War College Foundation. Mattis said he intends on recommending a replacement nominee to Trump in the coming days. The withdrawal marks another setback for Trumps national security team, which has struggled to find its footing since the fledgling administration began. Earlier this month, National Security Advisor Michael Flynn was forced to resign after it became public that he held secret talks with a Russian ambassador and then misled Vice President Mike Pence about it. Army Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster took the job last week after Trumps first choice to replace Flynn, retired Navy Vice Adm. Robert Harward, passed on the opportunity. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement New DNC chairman Tom Perez ridicules Trump tweet over rigged vote By Laura King Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez was chosen to lead the Democratic Party over a congressman backed by the progressive wing. (Branden Camp / Associated Press) President Trump claimed Sunday that the race for Democratic National Committee chairman had been rigged -- drawing a quick riposte from Tom Perez, who narrowly won the partys leadership race. Trump insinuated that Perezs DNC victory on the second ballot at a party conference in Atlanta on Saturday was because Hillary Clinton had backed Perez, a former Labor secretary in the Obama administration who was seen as representing the partys establishment forces. Clinton did not make a formal endorsement, but Perezs rival, Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, was backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the partys more liberal wing. Bernies guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance, Trump tweeted early Sunday morning. Clinton demanded Perez! Perez, appearing on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday, told host Jake Tapper that he and Ellison got a good kick out of that, adding: Donald Trump, up in the morning tweeting about us. Sanders, appearing on the same show, said Trump doesnt have a point about the DNC vote. Moments after Perez beat Ellison by 35 votes out of 435 cast, he named Ellison as the deputy chairman of the party, leading to widespread applause. Perez is the first Latino to lead the Democratic Party, and he faces the challenge of trying to rebuild a party that suffered devastating losses in the 2016 election. Republicans now control not only the White House and Congress, but 33 governorships and dozens of state legislatures. In his CNN interview, Perez sarcastically suggested that Trump should address questions about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign rather than concerning himself with the DNC leadership battle. Frankly, what we need to be looking at is whether this election was rigged by Donald Trump and his buddy Vladimir Putin, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White House again bats away call for special prosecutor on Russia By Laura King A White House spokeswoman said Sunday that it was too soon to say whether a special prosecutor should look into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign, while President Trump again inveighed against coverage of Russia-related queries as FAKE NEWS. Calls have grown louder from Democrats in Congress for U.S. Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions to recuse himself from the issue because of his role as a prominent Trump supporter during the campaign, and to appoint an independent special prosecutor to carry out a Russia probe. A few Republicans have joined in that chorus some reluctantly. Rep. Darrell Issa of Vista, appearing on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher, voiced support Friday for naming of a special prosecutor to probe the Russian connection, though he also said congressional intelligence committees should continue their work. He also said he considered Sessions a friend, but pointed to his role as a political appointee who had worked on the Trump campaign. Issa, who narrowly won reelection, was a vociferous critic of the Obama administration during his former tenure as head of the House Oversight Committee. In that post, he spearheaded an array of investigations on topics from Benghazi to bank bailouts. Some Republicans pushed back against the notion of Sessions needing to recuse himself. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., said on NBCs Meet the Press that he had seen no credible information about contacts between the Trump campaign and Russians and no allegations that rose to the level of criminal activity. If we get down that road, thats a decision that Attorney General Sessions can make at the time, said Cotton, who is a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russian intelligence agencies hacked Democratic Party computers and used other tactics last year to interfere with the election. The FBI is separately investigating whether anyone on Trumps campaign had improper contacts with Russian authorities during the campaign. On Sunday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said congressional investigations on Russia and the campaign should be allowed to go forward before a special prosecutor appointment was considered. I dont think were there yet, Sanders said on ABCs This Week. Lets work through this process. Echoing the previously stated White House stance, Sanders said the Trump campaign had not colluded in any Russian meddling. We had no involvement in this, she said. The president is known to keep a close eye on surrogates performances on the talk shows, and Sanders repeated a prime administration talking point: that questions about possible Trump campaign contacts with Russia amounted to Democratic excuses for losing the election. If Democrats want to continue to relive their loss every single day, by doing an investigation or review after review, thats fine by us, she said. We know why we won this race. Its because we had the better candidate with the better message. Trump himself underscored that notion with an afternoon tweet denouncing media coverage of the ongoing Russia investigations as FAKE NEWS put out by the Dems, and played up by the media, in order to mask the big election defeat and the illegal leaks! Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Whose news is fake? Heres the latest in Trumps war with the press By Kurtis Lee Every president since 1981 has attended the annual White House Correspondents Assn. dinner. That year, President Reagan missed out. The reason? He needed to recover after a would-be assassin fired a bullet into his chest a few weeks earlier. On Saturday, President Trump announced he will not be attending the annual dinner in April, long considered the premier social event of the Washington press corps and typically an evening of good-natured bantering between presidents and the Fourth Estate. Trumps announcement added to the ratcheting tensions between his administration and the media. Almost daily, in speeches or on Twitter, he calls particular news outlets fake, disgusting or dishonest and news organizations have responded by digging in, standing united and devoting more resources to covering a president who has branded the press the enemy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Crucial group of Americans like Trumps stands, not him, poll finds By David Lauter Trump still gets dismal ratings on temperament but is above water on economy, decision-making, promises of change. pic.twitter.com/Md0H096n9m Carrie Dann (@CarrieNBCNews) February 26, 2017 With the public deeply split in its views of President Trump, one potentially key group stands out -- those who dislike the man, but approve of the direction in which hes moving. Thats a central finding of a new nationwide survey by NBC News and the Wall St. Journal. The new poll confirms what other major surveys have shown: Trump starts his administration with less support than any president in the seven decades of presidential polling. Asked if they approve or disapprove of the job Trump is doing, 44% approve, 48% disapprove. No previous president has begun his tenure with a net negative job approval. Trump has held onto the support of his ardent backers. At the other end of the spectrum, he gets almost no approval from Democrats. In the middle, the poll found, are many Americans -- just over a third of those polled -- who either voted for Trump with reservations, voted for a third party candidate or did not vote at all in 2016. Just over half of that group gives Trump positive marks, the poll found. Their support is enough, currently, to keep Trumps standing from collapsing, and holding them is likely key to his future. Just under one third of Americans say they like Trump and approve of his policies, the poll found. Another one in six approve of most of his policies even though they dislike him. Well over half, 59%, said they did not like him personally. On a separate question, only 43% of those surveyed have a positive view of Trump -- up from the low points of the campaign, but still far below the standing of most new presidents. By contrast, 86% agreed with one of the central lines of Trumps inaugural speech, that government insiders had reaped the rewards of government, while the people have borne the cost. On other issues, the public is more closely divided. The public splits evenly, for example, on Trumps proposed temporary ban on travel from seven mostly Muslim countries. Just over half of those surveyed, 52%, said that the problems Trump has encountered in his first month were unique to this administration and suggest real problems; 43% said they were growing pains similar to those other administrations have had. And by 51%-41%, the public thinks the press has been too hard on the new administration. The NBC/WSJ poll, run by a bipartisan team of two polling firms, was taken by phone, using cell phones and landlines, Feb. 18-22 among 1,000 American adults. It has a margin of error for the full sample of 3.1 percentage points in either direction. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump appears to think Perez at head of Democratic National Committee is good news for Republicans By Evan Halper Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The Democratic Party put its faith in its old guard Saturday to guide it out of the political wilderness, choosing as its new leader an Obama-era Cabinet secretary over the charismatic congressman backed by the progressive wing of the party. Tom Perez, a former secretary of Labor with strong ties to unions, persuaded the spirited assembly of party delegates in Atlanta that he can best help harness a grass-roots outpouring of anti-Trump protest and anger into a Democratic resurgence at the ballot box. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump to Washington reporters: Not going to your dinner By Kurtis Lee I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The annual White House Correspondents Assn. dinner will be missing a key guest this year: President Trump. On Saturday, Trump tweeted he will not attend the April 29 dinner, considered the premier social event of the Washington press corps -- and typically an evening of good-natured bantering between presidents and reporters with a mix of celebrities watching. His announcement comes amid growing tensions between his administration and the media. Trump has decried stories he doesnt like as fake news, and described unnamed news groups as an enemy of the people. A day earlier, the White House barred reporters from several major news organizations, including the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, CNN and Politico, from attending an off-camera press briefing. In a sign of the growing rift, several media organizations that traditionally sponsor lavish parties around the black-tie dinner had announced they would not do so this year. At the annual dinner, the president usually delivers self-deprecating jokes and often is roasted by a high-profile comedian. The president also greets students who win journalism scholarships and awards, a major part of the evening. Trump has been a frequent guest of media organizations at the dinner in the past, but he always sat at a table in the crowded ballroom, not up at the front dias. President Obama singled Trump out during the dinner several years ago, mocking Trump for raising doubts about whether Obama was born in the United States. This year, as we do every year, we will celebrate the First Amendment and the role an independent press plays in a healthy republic, the White House Correspondents Assn. said in a statement earlier this month about the upcoming dinner. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez named Democratic Party leader By Evan Halper Newly elected Democratic National Committee Chairman Tom Perez (Branden Camp/Associated Press) The Democratic Party put its faith in its old guard Saturday to guide it out of the political wilderness, choosing as its new leader an Obama-era Cabinet secretary over the charismatic congressman backed by the progressive wing of the party. Tom Perez, a former secretary of Labor with strong ties to labor unions, persuaded the spirited assembly of party delegates in Atlanta that he can best help harness a grass-roots outpouring of anti-Trump protest and anger into a Democratic resurgence at the ballot box. We are suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance, Perez told delegates before they chose him in a down-to-the-wire contest with Rep. Keith Ellison of Minnesota, whom the Bernie Sanders wing of the party had rallied round. We need a chair who can not only take the fight to Donald Trump. We also need a chair who can lead a turnaround and change the culture of the Democratic Party, Perez said. The ascendance of an establishment liberal is certain to renew tension between veteran party stalwarts and the unruly progressive movement aligned with Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, both of whom backed Ellison. Some Ellison supporters erupted in protest as the final vote was announced. Perez quickly sought to unite the party by naming Ellison his deputy chair, a move unanimously approved by the 435 assembled delegates, who had supported Perez 235-200. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump chastises media for not reporting minor dip in national debt By Del Quentin Wilber President Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to blast the news media for not highlighting a minor dip in the national debt. The media has not reported that the National Debt in my first month went down by $12 billion vs a $200 billion increase in Obama first mo., he tweeted at 8:19 a.m. The media has not reported that the National Debt in my first month went down by $12 billion vs a $200 billion increase in Obama first mo. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 Trumps tweet came shortly after Herman Cain, who ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, made a similar comment on Fox News. While the numbers are accurate, Trumps tweet suggests he deserves credit for something that is largely beyond his control, especially since he hasnt yet given Congress any proposals to change tax laws or the financial industry. Considering that Trump hasnt enacted any fiscal legislation, its a bit of a stretch for him to take credit for any changes in debt levels, Dan Mitchell, a libertarian economist at the Cato Institute, told the fact-checking website Politifact. President Obamas first month in office in 2009 was largely taken up with spending bills aimed at easing the massive recession that he had inherited. Trump inherited an economy with low inflation, low unemployment and a booming stock market. The national debt, which stands at just under $20 trillion, is expected to rise by more than $500 billion in the fiscal year ending in September. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico rejects U.S. plan to deport Central Americans to Mexico By Patrick J. McDonnell Mexico has informed the Trump administration that it cannot accept non-Mexican nationals whom U.S. authorities arrest along the border and seek to remove from U.S. territory, the nations internal security chief said Friday. Earlier this week, the Trump administration rolled out a broad immigration crackdown that included a proposal to send non-Mexican detainees apprehended along the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico while their immigration cases were pending in the United States. The vast majority of non-Mexican nationals detained along the U.S.-Mexico border are Central Americans. They often travel overland through Mexico to reach the United States. In a fact sheet released Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security said that releasing detained, third-country nationals to the foreign contiguous territory from which they arrived would save on detention and adjudication resources. The idea would be to keep them out pending their hearings on deportation, the fact sheet said. However, Mexican authorities have reacted coolly from the outset to the notion. Now, they appear to have formally nixed the idea. On Friday, Mexicos interior secretary, Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, told a radio interviewer than Mexican authorities had informed a pair of visiting U.S. Cabinet officers Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly that Mexico could not oblige the U.S. request. We told them that our legal framework doesnt allow this, Osorio Chong told Radio Formula, referring to the visit this week of the two Trump Cabinet officials. We told them it is impossible. There is no way, legally, nor is there capacity. In recent years, non-Mexicans, mostly Central Americans, have become a larger proportion of illegal immigrants apprehended along the Southwest border as the relative number of Mexican nationals has declined. In fiscal year 2016, according to U.S. Border Patrol statistics, agents recorded apprehensions of almost 191,000 undocumented Mexican citizens along the Southwest frontier. In the same fiscal year, the Border Patrol said it registered 218,000 detentions of non-Mexican nationals, most of them Central Americans. Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. An earlier version of this blog post misspelled Miguel Angel Osorio Chongs name as Osorio Chung. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump blasts FBI over Russia leaks after a brief Twitter hiatus By Kurtis Lee (Alex Wong / Getty Images ) After several days of relative silence on Twitter, President Trumps feed came alive Friday with a direct attack on the FBI. Yes, hes done this before. But recent news reports that suggest his administration pressed the FBI to quell claims that members of his campaign had contact with Russians throughout the 2016 election appear to have inspired a response. The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time, he tweeted. And conservative news was all over it. Here are some of todays headlines: Trump blasts FBI leakers (Fox News) Trump has assailed everyone from Democrats to intelligence officials for the leaks which he often refers to as fake news about his ties to Russia. Reports from several news outlets this week, citing anonymous sources, claim Trumps chief of staff, Reince Priebus, asked FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe to publicly dispute media reports that Trumps campaign advisors frequently were in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election. While some reports made it appear Priebus had contacted McCabe, this piece disputes that. Fox News has learned that McCabe indeed had initiated the conversation, asking to speak with Priebus for a few minutes at the end of an intelligence meeting last week, their article reports. Ed Schultz at CPAC: Trump promised Americas heartland a deal (Daily Caller) He was once among the top liberal voices in the country. Now, Ed Schultz, the former MSNBC anchor, is speaking glowingly about President Trump. Between covering high-profile speeches at the Conservative Political Action Conference from Trump and his aides, the Daily Caller popped into a panel at which Schultz provided commentary. Shultz, who now works with the Russian government-funded RT television network, blasted the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, asserting that Trumps claim that it would cost U.S. jobs was a game changer in the 2016 election. Trump went into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan and Wisconsin and he took down the progressive firewall, because he talked to the American people about a deal, Schultz said. It was a Wall Street deal, it was not a Main Street deal, he said, referring to the TPP. Trump is about blowing up Washington as it exists (Rush Limbaugh) Remember when Trump talked about draining the swamp? Since he entered the White House, some conservatives have wondered if Trump means business. Many members of his cabinet including Priebus and Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions are the ultimate Washington insiders. Still, Rush Limbaugh, one of the firebrand conservatives out there, is certain the president will blow up traditional Washington. Whats Trumps No. 1 obstacle? I have concluded that the media is the No. 1 obstacle because of the success they have, he said on his radio show this week. The people in Washington, media is every bit as big a part of the establishment as anybody else is. He added: The media is creating this narrative, if you will, and this picture this series of pictures, this overall image that Trump is stalled, that everybodys opposing him, that his agenda is backlogged. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print After Trump calls media an enemy of the people, White House bars many news outlets from briefing By Noah Bierman Fridays White House press briefing, normally an on-camera affair open to all reporters with press credentials, was turned into an exclusive event for certain outlets hand-picked by the administration. The action came after President Trump on Friday described the media and what he terms fake news as the enemy of the people."On the list were Trump-friendly outlets such as Breitbart News, the Washington Times and OANN, a conservative television network that employs former Trump campaign manager Corey Lewandowski as a commentator. Off the list were some of Trumps favorite targets, including the New York Times and CNN. The Los Angeles Times was also excluded. The off-camera briefing with Sean Spicer, the press secretary, was not solely for conservative outlets. Several mainstream reporters were also allowed in, including the three major broadcast networks and wire services, such as Bloomberg News. Also allowed in were pool representatives who transmit news events to a far larger group of reporters. The Associated Press and Time magazine were also invited but declined to participate in solidarity with other news organizations that were denied entry. The White House Correspondents Assn. protested, as did editors at several of the organizations that were excluded. In a statement, Times editor Davan Maharaj said that it was unfortunate that the Los Angeles Times has been excluded from a White House press briefing today. The public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage, Maharaj said. Regardless of access, The Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favor, he added. 12:30 p.m.: This post was updated with a statement from Times editor Davan Maharaj. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Its a Russian flag! Trickster strikes CPAC before Trumps speech By Matt Pearce Crowd at CPAC waving these little pro-Trump flags that look exactly like the Russian flag. Staffers quickly come around to confiscate them. pic.twitter.com/YhPpkwFCNc Peter Hamby (@PeterHamby) February 24, 2017 As the crowd waited to hear President Trump speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference, little red-white-and-blue flags appeared without warning, handed down the aisles by a man with a green bag, according to a witness. The flags said Trump. They also happened to be the flag of the Russian Federation. He was dressed like any one of us, said Tyler Dever, 20, a student at the University of South Florida in Tampa, who was wearing a suit. He passed them to me and was like, Pass them down, pass them down. Dever, caught up in the moment, passed them down, before someone sitting next to him said, Oh, its a Russian flag! CPAC staff quickly recollected the flags. If it was just a red-white-and-blue flag, I would have picked it out, Dever said. He said it was his first time attending an event like CPAC and was surprised to see a provocateur in the audience, especially beyond the cordon set up by the Secret Service. Someone tried to victimize me, Dever said. You have Secret Service out here, and Id expect it to be fully screened. ... Thank God someone noticed. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trump still loves the USC/L.A. Times poll: What it got right and what it got wrong By David Lauter Throughout the fall campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump and his allies loved the USC/L.A. Times Daybreak poll -- the only major survey that consistently showed him winning. A couple polls got it right. I must say Los Angeles Times did a great job, shocking because, you know, they did a great job, Trump declared in his speech this morning at CPAC, the annual gathering of conservative activists. But did the poll get it right? In the simplest terms, no, and after considerble analysis, we know why. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print A celebration, and wake, for a campaign legend and a Republican Party that is no more By Mark Z. Barabak (Steve Lopez/Los Angeles Times) It was a cool and rainy day when elders of the Republican tribe recently gathered to honor one of their own. The honoree, Stuart K. Spencer, was unmistakable in his white duck pants and a lime-green sport coat so bright it almost hurt to see. A reformed chain-smoker, he snapped merrily away on a wad of chewing gum. The event marked Spencers 90th birthday, but the mood beneath the surface conviviality was unsettled and gray, like the clouds fringing the mountains outside. If the occasion was intended as a personal celebration, it also had the feel of a wake for a time in politics long passed. Along with former Vice President Dick Cheney and former California Gov. Pete Wilson, veterans of the Reagan years turned out in force. It was Spencer, more than anyone, who took a political long shot and washed-up B-movie actor and helped transform him into the Reagan of legend. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CPACs reaction to President Trumps speech: Two thumbs up By Matt Pearce Supporters cheer President Trump as he speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor, Md., on Friday. (Alex Brandon / Associated Press) President Trump loves CPAC, and CPAC loves Trump. As hundreds of Conservative Political Action Conference attendees spilled out into the hallways Friday after Trumps speech to the group, they had glowing reviews of the man who has been tormenting Democrats and the media and transforming the Republican Party. It was fantastic, unbelievable, absolute truth, said Shia L. Lome, 84, a retired Air Force colonel from Deerfield Beach, Fla., appraising Trumps remarks. If he carries through [his promises], this will be the greatest country ever. Lome added that there is no question about it, Trump is his own type of Republican. Whether its conservative or whatever you want to call it, Lome said he is happy as long as [Trump] causes the Democrats heartaches. Kayne Robinson, 73, a former chairman of the Iowa Republican Party, said Trump was simply taking the party in the direction that people want it to go. I think the party is every bit as united behind him as it was behind either of the Bushes, Robinson said. Trump led a revolution in the party, very much like Reagan. ... I think Trump is doing just fine. Frank March, a 50-year-old Army retiree from Fairfax County, Va., emerged from the ballroom at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center wearing a red Make America Great Again cap, which carried Trumps jagged signature on the bill. Marchs daughter had gotten the hat signed when she previously met Trump, and he proudly showed off photos of that event. I recognize the signature! a woman exclaimed as she saw the hat. March praised Trumps follow-through and his commitment to workers as incredible. Hes bringing in new people to the party, March said. The hope is, by his follow-through, doing what he said he was going to do, then the non-Republicans who voted for Trump will stick. Helping workers will be one of the ways Trump can make that happen, he said. In politics, youre supposed to help people, March said. Workers are the people. Theyre people who earn money to take care of their families. Republicans should support those people because theyre the ones who make America run. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Donald Trump shows up at conservatives most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP By Noah Bierman President Trump shows up at conservatives most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP. President Trump made one of his strongest pitches Friday to unite the Republican Party and the conservative movement behind a nationalist, anti-globalist ideology that until recently would have been unthinkable for many Republicans. There is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or a global flag, Trump said to great applause from thousands of conservatives. Im not representing the globe. Im representing your country. He echoed ideas he has espoused in the past -- denouncing trade deals as the antithesis of economic freedom, warning that the great cities of Europe have been ruined by mass immigration, denouncing intervention in the Middle East by both parties. But while many of the words were familiar, the venue and the passion made Fridays speech remarkable. The comments came at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, just outside of Washington, D.C., the most prominent gathering of right-leaning groups and activists in the country. Such a speech would have been shocking from a conservative, much less the president, at almost any other time in the conferences history. Trump has been popular at CPAC in the past. He credits a speech there with launching his political career. But he snubbed last years event amid a heated primary in which many conservatives rejected his tone and the direction he was trying to move the GOP. I would have come last year, but I was worried that I would be at that time too controversial, Trump said in his speech, which lasted nearly an hour. Trump, the first president since Ronald Reagan to address the group during his first year in office, made clear that he is moving those once controversial ideas to the movements center. In addition to his usual critiques of the media and frequent references to his electoral success, Trump spoke directly of his ambition for reshaping the Republican Party to attract blue-collar voters, the forgotten men and women who helped propel his electoral victory. Im here today to tell you what this movement means for the future of the Republican Party and for the future of America, Trump said. The core conviction of our movement is that we are a nation that [must] put and will put its own citizens first. Later, he added that the GOP will be from now on also the party of the American worker. While Trump tried to unite conservatives, the speech made little effort to bridge the countrys larger political divide. For example, Trump dismissed people who have shown up at town halls around the country to protest reversal of Obamacare. Theyre not you, he said. Theyre the side that lost. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Justice Department rescinds order phasing out use of private prisons By Del Quentin Wilber Atty. Gen. Jeff Sessions has jettisoned an Obama administration order to phase out the use of private prisons to hold federal inmates. The new order reverses one issued by former Deputy Atty. Gen. Sally Yates in August that sought to eliminate the departments use of private for-profit prisons, which hold just over 10% of the current prison population. The Obama administration order changed long-standing policy and practice, and impaired the bureaus ability to meet the future needs of the federal correctional system, Sessions wrote Thursday to announce the reversal. Civil rights and prisoner rights groups decried the Sessions decision, saying private prisons are not as cost-effective or as safe as government-run facilities, citing numerous abuses in the past. The Bureau of Prisons houses about 21,000 of its 190,000 inmates in a dozen private prisons, including one near Bakersfield. Atty. Gen. Sessions has shown that he is not taking the mass incarceration crisis seriously, said Wade Henderson, who heads the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. Continuing to rely on private prisons for federal inmates is neither humane nor budget conscious, Henderson added. We need a justice system that can work better for all people. Yates order did not affect facilities used to detain people in the country illegally. The use of private prisons is expected to surge under President Trumps promised crackdown on illegal immigration. Trump has signed an executive order calling for expansion of immigrant detention facilities and authorized the use of private contractors to construct, operate, or control facilities. Stocks in private prison companies have jumped on Wall Street since Trump won the presidential election, and they continued their rise on news of Sessions order. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print CPAC and conservative media prepare for Trump By Kurtis Lee The future path of the Republican Party is being debated in the halls of the Conservative Political Action Conference in Maryland this week. Will it be the party of Donald Trump, an outsider of the GOP establishment, or House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, the definition of establishment? Or, perhaps, of Richard Spencer, a white nationalist leader of the so-called alt-right movement? (Spencer was kicked out of CPAC on Thursday.) Trump is set to address the conference on Friday, and the conservative media are ready for the much-anticipated address. Tomorrow it will be TPAC when hes here, Kellyanne Conway, a senior advisor to Trump told reporters Thursday. Here are some of todays headlines: Go Big, Go Bold: Walker, at CPAC, pushes GOP to carry out agenda as party controls Congress, White House (Fox News) Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, once a Trump foe, is urging conservatives to use the November election as a mandate. Do what you said you were going to do, Walker said to attendees. In the Fox News piece, which leads its website, it notes that leaders at the conference are hoping to use it to strategize about what they can accomplish and to better articulate their values at a time when the very definition of conservatism has seemed to waver. Sweden Democrats: Trump was right (Fox News) Remember last weekend when everyone including many Swedish politicians were really confused about Trumps comments at a recent rally? You look at whats happening last night in Sweden, Trump, at a rally in Florida on Saturday, said about the Scandinavian country that has accepted large numbers of refugees. Sweden. They took in large numbers. Theyre having problems like they never thought possible. Actually, not much happened in Sweden on Friday night. Trump said later that he had been referring to a broadcast on Fox News on that night. Still, recent riots in the country were covered extensively by conservative media. This post notes a recent op-ed penned by Jimmie Akesson and Mattias Karlsson, both leaders of the Sweden Democrats, in the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday supporting Trumps characterization of a Muslim immigrant-led crime crisis in Sweden. In it they write, Trump did not exaggerate Swedens current problems. If anything, he understated them. Trump Is Letting DREAMers Stay, And Rush Is Fine With That (Daily Caller) Hes an immigration hard liner, and, apparently, hes OK with Trump allowing DREAMERs to remain in the country. This piece highlights comments by Rush Limbaugh this week. A lot of people think that Trumps caving because if you allow the DREAMers to stay, were talking 750,000 DREAMers, kids, who each have two parents who could come in. Look, this is a-no-win, Limbaugh said this week. Nobodys gonna win anything by deporting a bunch of kids that we let in. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump advisor Steve Bannon rails at corporatist, globalist media By Noah Bierman Steve Bannon to the #CPAC crowd: "If you think they're going to give you your country back without a fight, you're sadly mistaken" pic.twitter.com/ryw7iO0Snr POLITICO (@politico) February 23, 2017 The two men with the most heavily dissected relationship in President Trumps White House held a rare public appearance together Thursday and agreed on one common enemy: the media. Reince Priebus, the chief of staff who is often described as embattled, said he has grown conditioned to the media counting Trump out: during the presidential campaign, the transition and the first month of the presidency. The biggest misconception is everything that youre reading, Priebus said. Steve Bannon, Trumps chief strategist, framed his complaint as an ideological war. He consistently called the media the opposition party throughout a 20-minute joint interview on stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference just outside of Washington. Its not only not going to get better, it gets worse every day, Bannon said. Theyre corporatist, globalist media that are adamantly opposed to an economic nationalist agenda like Donald Trump has. If you think theyre going to give you your country back without a fight, he added. You are sadly mistaken. Bannon, former executive chairman of the far-right Breitbart News, seldom speaks in public. His nationalist rendering of Republican ideology is often seen in contrast to Priebus, the former chairman of the GOP, who is viewed as the more mainstream conservative advocate within the White House. The two men said the tension between them portrayed in the media is inaccurate. But as they praised each other, the men made clear that Bannon sees his role as dominant in shaping Trumps policy. Bannon praised Priebus for doggedly keeping the trains running -- one of the toughest jobs Ive ever seen in my life. Bannon talked about being in the first inning of shaping a new political order and beginning the deconstruction of the administrative state. Priebus used more prosaic language and spoke of Bannon as the one who pushes Trump to maintain his bold vision. He is very dogged in making sure that every day the promises that President Trump made are the promises were working on, Priebus said of Bannon. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print In Mexico, Homeland Security chief says there will be no mass deportations of people in U.S. illegally By Patrick J. McDonnell Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, left, and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in Mexico City on Thursday. (Ronaldo Schemidt / AFP/Getty Images) Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly, on a visit to Mexico, said Thursday that there will be no mass deportations of people living in the U.S. illegally. Kelly also said U.S. military forces would not be used in deportation efforts and that any deportation cases would go through the U.S. legal system. No. Repeat, no use of military force in immigration operations, Kelly said at a news conference at the Foreign Relations Ministry in Mexico City. None. Well approach this operation systematically, in an organized way, in a results-oriented way, in an operation and and in a human dignity way. Kelly and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson are in Mexico City to discuss a wide variety of issues, including immigration and security, with Mexican government officials. Kellys remarks came the same day President Trump called recent raids in the U.S. an unprecedented enforcement effort. You see whats happening at the border. All of a sudden for the first time, were getting gang members out, he said. Were getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobodys ever seen before. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico bracing for long battle with Trump administration, foreign minister tells lawmakers By Patrick J. McDonnell Mexico Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray (Brian Smialowski / AFP/Getty Images) Mexico is preparing for a long battle with the administration of President Trump, its foreign minister reportedly told lawmakers in private comments, adding that the country was prepared to retaliate with new tariffs if necessary. We are here preparing for a battle that is going to be long, Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray told federal deputies Wednesday, according to the newspaper La Jornada, which said it had obtained a copy of the comments. This is not going to be resolved in three days. In the reported remarks, Videgaray said Mexico was prepared to retaliate with new tariffs on U.S.-made goods should the Trump administration follow up on its threats to slap an export tax of 20% or more of goods imported from Mexico to the United States. There was no official response from the Mexican Foreign Ministry on Videgarays reported remarks. Videgaray was among the Mexican officials, including President Enrique Pena Nieto, who met this week with a pair of visiting White House Cabinet members, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly. The private remarks were apparently made on Wednesday, when the two Trump envoys were scheduled to arrive in Mexico City. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Homeland Security tried to downplay immigration raids as routine. Now Trump says theyre unprecedented By Michael A. Memoli (Evan Vucci / Associated Press) After nationwide immigration raids this month in which more than 680 people were arrested, the Department of Homeland Security issued a nothing-to-see-here statement downplaying the sweeps as strictly ordinary. ICE conducts these kind of targeted enforcement operations regularly and has for many years, the agency said last week, referring to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But President Trump had a different take Thursday, labeling the raids an unprecedented enforcement effort. You see whats happening at the border. All of a sudden for the first time, were getting gang members out, he said before a roundtable on manufacturing. Were getting really bad dudes out of this country, and at a rate that nobodys ever seen before. Under President Obama, deportations peaked at 400,000 people in 2012, touching off widespread criticism from immigration advocates, which prompted Homeland Security to scale back deportations. Last year, deportations fell to 240,000 as the Obama administration focused on targets similar to what Trump described in the raids conducted under his authority: criminals, repeat immigration violators and recent arrivals. Trump also called the sweeps this month a military operation, even though no military resources were involved and the White House has pushed back aggressively on reports that the administration was considering seeking National Guard forces to assist in deportations. Homeland Security said the raids were conducted by ICE agents, U.S. marshals and state and local law enforcement agencies. What has been allowed to come into our country, when you see gang violence that youve read about like never before, and all of the things much of that is people that are here illegally, Trump said. Theyre rough and theyre tough, but theyre not tough like our people. So were getting them out. Of the 680 arrests last week, 161 occurred in Los Angeles and surrounding counties. Three-quarters of those detained in the Los Angeles-area sweeps were from Mexico. Trump noted that Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly traveled to Mexico this week on a tough trip. We have to be treated fairly by Mexico, Trump said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print White nationalist leader Richard Spencer booted from Conservative Political Action Conference By Matt Pearce Reporters surround white supremacist Richard Spencer during the first day of the Conservative Political Action Conference on February 23, 2017. (Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images) One of Americas most prominent white nationalists, Richard Spencer, was kicked out of the Conservative Political Action Conference on Thursday after conference organizers gave him credentials to attend and then wavered on whether to let him stay. Spencer, who coined the term alternative right to describe his far-right views on separating the races, came to CPAC to attend a speech that was critical of the alt-right. CPAC organizer Matt Schlapp took pains to distance CPAC from the fringe Spencer represents. The alt-right does not have a legitimate voice in the conservative movement, said Schlapp, adding that nobody from that movement is speaking at CPAC. Read More Just talked to CPAC organizer Matt Schlapp. Said he didn't endorse Richard Spencer's ideas but won't kick him out of the conference. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Basically their line on this is, if they actually agreed with his ideas, they'd put him on stage, but they don't, and it's a free country. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Change of plans. Richard Spencer just got kicked out of CPAC. Matt Pearce (@mattdpearce) February 23, 2017 Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Obamacare 101: Are health insurance marketplaces in a death spiral? By Noam N. Levey (Don Ryan / Associated Press) Its been a rocky few months for the health insurance marketplaces created by the Affordable Care Act. Even if youre not one of the roughly 11 million Americans who rely on these online markets to get your health insurance, youve probably seen the headlines about rising premiums and insurance companies pulling out of the system. Last week, national insurance giant Humana announced it would stop selling plans on the marketplace. Aetnas chief executive claimed the marketplaces are in a death spiral. Republicans say the marketplaces are Exhibit A that Obamacare is collapsing. So whats the real story? Are these things really kaput or can they be fixed? Heres a rundown of where things stand. 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 wants tax reform done by August, Mnuchin says By Jim Puzzanghera The Trump administration wants to overhaul the tax code by August, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Thursday, laying out an aggressive timetable in his first significant public comments since taking office last week. Our economic agenda, the No. 1 issue is growth, and the first most important thing that will impact growth is a tax plan, Mnuchin said in an interview with CNBC. So we are committed to pass tax reform, he said. We want to get this done by the August recess. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Loud and angry, protesters turn congressional town halls into must-see political TV By Mark Z. Barabak (Bill Pugliano / Getty Images) They came by the hundreds, in big cities and rural hamlets, to heckle, plead, badger and, in some instances, to protest the protests themselves. Congress is in recess this week, and a citizenry suddenly spurred to action used the opportunity to let their returning lawmakers know just how they feel about the tempestuous last month in Washington. Winners make policy and losers go home, a taunting Mitch McConnell, the Republican Senate leader, told an invitation-only gathering in his home state of Kentucky, as about 1,000 protesters gathered outside. Not exactly. The town hall meeting, a throwback to a time of more intimate connection, has become a political organizing tool in the social media age a piece of performance theater and a worldwide stage. Obamacare, immigration, environmental regulation, Social Security, Russian meddling in the 2016 election and Trump, Trump, Trump all poured forth this week in the form of questions, loudly and heatedly. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Trump administration rescinds guidelines on protections for transgender students By Michael A. Memoli The Trump administration rescinded an Obama-era directive Wednesday aimed at protecting transgender students rights, questioning its legal grounding. Under the guidelines, schools had been required to treat transgender students according to their stated gender identity, and either allow access to restrooms and locker rooms for the gender they identify with or provide private facilities if requested. The Obama administration had said that students gender identities were protected under Title IX requirements, which prohibit federally funded schools from discriminating on the basis of sex. But officials in the Education and Justice departments said that their predecessors failed to make their case, citing significant litigation spurred by the policy. Read More Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Americans in Mexico protest Trumps inflammatory rhetoric during Tillerson visit By Kate Linthicum A group of Americans living in Mexico is planning a protest Thursday to send a message to visiting U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. Their gripe? President Trumps inflammatory rhetoric. Thats according to a draft of a letter that several groups organizing the protest hope to deliver to Tillerson, who is in town along with Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly for talks with top Mexican officials. The letter, which will be cosigned by the Mexican chapter of Democrats Abroad, as well as other groups, complains about Trumps hostile attitude toward Mexico, which it says is engendering nationalistic sentiments in Mexico. Among Trumps hostile acts, the letter says, is Trumps vow to build a border wall and force Mexico to pay for it. The idea of building a wall ... frames Mexico and Mexicans as foreign invaders, the letter says. It also criticizes Trump for pledging to renegotiate NAFTA, saying, The U.S. and Mexico are deeply connected economies and it is in the interest of the United States to strengthen the regional production network to boost manufacturing employment in the U.S. and ensure the long-run competitiveness of manufacturing in the region. There are more than a million U.S. citizens living in Mexico, and many have been vocal since Trumps election. Last month, thousands turned out for a womens march outside the American Embassy that saw crowds chanting anti-Trump slogans. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Mexico will never accept unilateral American immigration rules, foreign secretary says By Patrick McDonnell Mexican Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray said defending the rights of Mexican immigrants is the first point in the agenda for talks with U.S. officials. (Christian Palma / Associated Press) Mexico will reject any unilateral effort from the United States to impose immigration or other policies on the Mexican government, the countrys foreign secretary said Wednesday. I want to make clear, in the most emphatic way, that the government of Mexico and the Mexican people do not have to accept measures that, in a unilateral way, one government wants to impose on another, Foreign Secretary Luis Videgaray said in public comments. That we are not going to accept. He spoke a day after the Trump administration unveiled tough new measures to enforce immigration laws and deport people who are in the country illegally proposals that were widely portrayed in the Mexican media as a prelude to massive deportations. On Wednesday, two top Trump administration cabinet members Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly were arriving in Mexico for talks with that nations officials, including Videgaray. Immigration, trade and law enforcement issues were expected to be discussed at a tense moment in U.S.-Mexican relations. In his reported comments, the Mexican secretary did not single out any specific U.S. proposal as objectionable. Mexican officials have acknowledged there is little they can do to counter U.S. immigration policies. Among other things, the Trump administration has proposed sending non-Mexican citizens detained along the U.S.-Mexico border back to Mexico. Mexican officials would presumably have to sign off on such a plan. Mexico already detains and deports thousands of Central Americans annually who cross Mexican territory with the hope of entering the United States illegally via the U.S.-Mexico border. U.S. authorities have worked with their Mexican counterparts to halt the Central American influx. The Mexican foreign secretary made it clear that immigration would be at the top of the list of items to be discussed during meetings with the U.S. Cabinet secretaries. Defending the rights of Mexican immigrants is the first point in the agenda, said Videgaray. He also said Mexico could take the issue of the rights of Mexican immigrants to the United Nations and other international agencies. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Both in power and in turmoil, conservatives head to Conservative Political Action Conference to see whats next By Matt Pearce Josh Platillero (Matt Pearce / Los Angeles Times) The eyes of men in crisp blazers darted toward passing faces and identification badges, looking for a familiar face, a famous name. As Fox News host Sean Hannity prepared to broadcast a live show from a ballroom, a brief chant burst out from the audience: U-S-A! U-S-A! Its that time of year again: Hundreds of Republicans began arriving Wednesday at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in Oxon Hill, Md., just south of Washington, for the annual Conservative Political Action Conference. CPAC, as its best known, is a place for conservative political figures and activists to gather, schmooze, hammer out new ideas and audition for starring roles in the Republican Party. And this year, CPAC attendees have a lot to talk about. Their party is in control of Congress, the White House and dozens of state governments across America, and yet not at all at peace with itself. President Trump is expected to address the conference later in the week after winning on a platform of populist nationalism that some conservatives have accused of not being conservative at all. Breitbart News, the brash rising star of right-wing media, is one of the conferences top promoters, but one of its staffers, Milo Yiannopoulos, lost his speaking slot at CPAC and resigned from the news organization after video circulated showing him appearing to promote pedophilia. Some conservatives had backed Yiannopoulos and cried censorship when the provocateur offended liberals at college speaking events, but now they had become offended themselves. Still, as CPAC began on Wednesday, the mood was upbeat. This was a victorious movement, after all. Many new guests were greeted by the sight of Josh Platillero, 23, wearing a cartoonishly large stovepipe hat and a suit the colors of the American flag. I love networking, said Platillero, who recently lived in Knoxville, Tenn., before moving to the D.C. area to work with a conservative nonprofit, the Leadership Institute. Its his second year attending CPAC, and he was excited about the lineup of speakers, which include some of the White House staff. I think our new president is not perfect, but I think hes doing good things, he said. Ariel Kohane, 45, who came from the Upper West Side in Manhattan, stood in the lobby holding signs that read, Jews for Trump, in both English and Hebrew. I love the fact that I can get together with many of my fellow conservative friends and colleagues and we can all be very proud of ourselves with all our accomplishments and the fact that we get to strategize and plan ways to further expand conservatism across America and across the whole world, Kohane said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Pence condemns Jewish center bomb threats and visits desecrated cemetery in Missouri By Jaweed Kaleem (Michael Conroy / Associated Press) Visiting Fenton, Mo., on Wednesday, Vice President Mike Pence condemned a string of bomb threats against Jewish community centers around the nation and the desecration of a St. Louis-area Jewish cemetery over the weekend. Speaking just yesterday, President Trump called this a horrible and painful act. And so it was. That along with other recent threats to the Jewish community centers around the country, said Pence, who was visiting the headquarters of the Fabick Cat machinery company. He declared it all a sad reminder of the work that still must be done to root out hate and prejudice and evil. We condemn this vile act of vandalism and those who perpetuate it in the strongest possible terms. The vice president said it was inspiring how the people of Missouri have rallied around the Jewish community with compassion and support. Among those showing solidarity with the Jewish community is a group of Muslims who launched an online fundraising campaign to help repair the cemetery. Donors had pledged more than $90,000 by Wednesday afternoon. Pence later visited the Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery in University City, Mo., where nearly 200 tombstones had been toppled over the weekend. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Trumps move on transgender bathroom access sparks interest By Kurtis Lee (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) For President Trump, commenting on social issues such as same-sex marriage and abortion has never seemed much of a priority. Indeed, throughout the campaign, Trump hardly discussed the topics. When asked about transgender bathroom access at a town hall in April 2016, Trump said people should be able to use whichever bathroom they choose. He then moved on from the question, offering little else. Now it appears his administration is set to wade into the controversy. Its a topic the conservative media loves to explore. Here are some of todays headlines: Return to normalcy: Trump readies reversal of transgender bathroom lunacy in public schools (Daily Caller) What will the Trump administration do about transgender bathroom access? The Caller highlights White House Press Secretary Sean Spicers pronouncement on the issue: This is a states rights issue and not one for the federal government, Spicer told reporters. The lunacy referred to is the federal guidance President Obama issued prior to leaving office directing schools that receive federal funding to allow transgender students to use restrooms and other facilities that match their gender identities. Several states filed suit to overturn the directive, and a federal judge issued a temporary injunction barring its enforcement, which remains in place. Several states, following the lead of North Carolina, are seeking to implement legislation that bans transgender people from using the bathrooms of the gender with which they identify. 66 percent of Trump voters change the channel when awards shows get too political (Daily Caller) When Meryl Streep criticized President Trump last month in her Golden Globes speech, he replied quickly. Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesnt know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes, Trump tweeted. Well, Trump can probably expect more barbs as actors (in overwhelmingly liberal Hollywood) take the stage at the Oscars on Sunday. Lots of Trump voters can be expected to change the channel, according to this piece, which highlights a new poll on the subject. The Hollywood Reporter says that 66% of Trump voters said they have stopped watching an awards show because a celebrity started talking about politics while accepting an award. By contrast, only 19% of Hillary Clintons supporters have done so. Trump talks tolerance, decries anti-Semitism, but media remain skeptical (Fox News) Well, Trump finally did say something to condemn the anti-Semitic vandalism and threats that have taken place since his presidential victory. Anti-Semitism is horrible, Trump said in an interview with MSNBC on Tuesday. In the Fox News piece, Howard Kurtz argues the media should give the president more credit for speaking out. I always think its unfair to blame a political leader for violence or vandalism carried out by people who support him, he writes. I felt the same way about critics who blamed Barack Obama for urban riots or shootings of police officers. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Among Republicans, Trump is more popular than congressional leaders By David Lauter Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) walk together. (Matt Rourke / Associated Press) Amid strain between the Trump administration and the Republican-controlled Congress, the White House holds the high ground, a new survey indicates. Among Republicans, President Trump has greater popularity than the partys congressional leaders. Asked specifically who they would trust if the two sides disagreed, most Republicans chose Trump over their partys leadership. The findings, from a new survey by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center underscore Trumps continued sway with the Republican congressional majority. Although the president has historically low job approval ratings among the public at large, he remains highly popular among Republican partisans and in Republican districts. As for Democrats, theyre strongly in an oppositional mood. Asked if they were more worried that Democrats in Congress would go too far in opposing Trump or not go far enough, more than 70% of Democrats said they feared their party would not go far enough. Only 20% said they worried the party would go too far. Republicans in Congress have eyed Trump warily on several fronts. His positions on trade and entitlement reform break with years of the partys positions. His reluctance to criticize Russian President Vladimir Putin has generated tension. And the administrations lack of clarity on healthcare and tax policy have Republican leaders guessing which way to turn on major issues. But Republican partisans have fewer reservations than their elected representatives. Eighty-six percent to 13%, those who identify as Republicans or as independents who lean Republican have a favorable view of Trump, the Pew survey found. By comparison, 57% have a favorable view of Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader, with 22% unfavorable and 21% having no opinion. House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin is slightly better known, with 65% of Republicans holding a favorable view, 23% an unfavorable view and 13% having no opinion. Asked who they would trust if the two sides disagreed, 52% of Republicans said they would side with Trump and 34% with the Republicans in Congress. Republicans younger than 40 were the only major exception; 52% to 36%, they said they would side with Congress. At the same time, Republican partisans now have a warmer opinion of their party leadership than they had during most of President Obamas tenure. Republicans' approval of their congressional leaders has more than doubled since 2015 https://t.co/KSo1hRMhJj pic.twitter.com/WHTHxCNEFq Pew Research Center (@pewresearch) February 22, 2017 During the Obama years, GOP partisans tended to be frustrated that their side could not reverse the presidents initiatives, even with a majority in the House, starting in 2010, and then in the Senate for Obamas last two years. Their view of the GOP leadership has rebounded strongly since the election. Democrats view of their congressional leadership has been more stable. And both sides widely dislike the other partys leaders. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Supreme Court rejects use of racial stereotypes in death penalty cases By David Savage The Supreme Court rejected the use of racial stereotypes in death penalty cases Wednesday, reopening the case of a black man in Texas who was sentenced to die after his jury was told African Americans are more likely than whites to commit crimes. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. said this testimony had no place in a sentencing hearing and appealed to the racial stereotype that black men are prone to violence. Our laws punish people for what they do, not for who they are, the chief justice said in the courtroom. The 6-2 decision faults Texas authorities for refusing to give a new sentencing hearing to Duane Buck, a Houston man who was convicted of shooting and killing his ex-girlfriend and seriously injuring her new boyfriend in 1995. Buck was found guilty of murder, but when his jury was debating his fate, his court-appointed defense attorney put on the witness stand an expert who cited statistics showing blacks are more likely to commit future crimes than whites. After hearing this testimony, the jury decided to sentence Buck to death. Years later, Texas state attorneys set aside the death sentences for six other black defendants whose juries heard similar testimony, but they refused to reopen Bucks case. In Buck vs. Davis, the high court said that was a mistake. The jury was deciding the question of life or death, and this is no place for the introduction of a particularly noxious strain of racial prejudice, Roberts said. The court sent the case back to judges in Texas to reconsider the death sentence. Justice Clarence Thomas dissented, along with Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. Thomas said Buck was properly sentenced to die for a brutal murder, and he insisted the court should not have heard the case for procedural reasons. Having settled on a desired outcome, the court bulldozes procedural obstacles and misapplies settled law to justify it, he wrote. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print At Rep. Tony Cardenas town hall, Democrats worry about what Donald Trump may do By Kurtis Lee (Kurtis Lee/Los Angeles Times ) They arrived with soggy jackets, hats and umbrellas. The topic was supposed to be the Affordable Care Act. But many who attended Democratic Rep. Tony Cardenas town hall meeting Tuesday night in a crammed auditorium at the Cesar E. Chavez Learning Academies came with a question: What can we -- as Democrats -- do to help you? Show up and vote, said Cardenas, who represents a slice of the staunchly liberal San Fernando Valley. (Hillary Clinton defeated Donald Trump in this district by nearly 60-percentage points in the fall election.) Sign people up, get people involved, he said. At times the meeting had the feel of a therapy session for Democrats, wondering aloud how to function under a Trump administration. Where is the anger among Democrats? asked one man. I want to see more anger. Cardenas, standing at a lectern on an elevated stage, offered a stern look and nodded in agreement as rain could be heard splattering on the roof above. The complaints included Republicans efforts to repeal Obamacare and Trumps new immigration mandates. Trust me, Im pissed. Im upset, Cardenas said. But we have to act constructively. We have to be responsible. Last month, Trump signed executive orders directing the Department of Homeland Security to prioritize the removal of people in the U.S. illegally who have criminal convictions. In addition to speeding up the deportation of convicts, Trumps orders also call for quick removal of people in the country illegally who are charged with crimes and waiting for adjudication. And in recent days, a handful of people who have received protection under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents nationwide. Cardenas said that for him, the issue is personal. His parents were immigrants from Mexico, who lived in the San Fernando Valley for decades, raising 11 children, he said. Today his district is nearly 70% Latino. Im going to fight for you, he said. Im going to fight for the people who are my immigrant father. When a young man, a DACA recipient, asked him, via Twitter, if hell be safe in the weeks ahead, Cardenas seemed at a loss. I pray that [Trump] doesnt go after you, he said. Facebook Twitter Show more sharing options Share Close extra sharing options Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Email Copy Link URL Copied! Print Advertisement Killing with kindness, GOPs McClintock faces down hostile questioners as town hall goes into overti With eight years of experience under his belt, Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes said he believes he has more left in his tank to be of help to his city. The 65-year-old retired firefighter from the Burbank Fire Department is looking to defend his seat on the City Council and serve a third term as a council member. Talamantes said his interest in city government stems from his time on student council when he was attending what was then Luther Burbank Junior High School. I was elected the first semester and I ran and was elected again the second semester, so I served a whole year as student body president at Luther, he said. Thats really when my love of serving the community started. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The incumbent said he understands there are several issues, such as the looming budget deficit and ongoing pushback against development, that he believes he can help solve using the experience he has gained during his time on the dais. Talamantes added that he brings common sense, a can-do attitude and the willingness to work with his fellow council members and staff to find solutions to the issues Burbank is facing. Having the eight years of experience gives me better insight than somebody new that has to come in and learn the process, Talamantes said. I feel like I can hit the ground running. Theres no question about it. What do you consider to be the biggest issue facing Burbank today? Talamantes said the projected budget deficit over the next five years and the rising infrastructure and pension costs are the biggest challenges the city is facing. Burbank officials have indicated the city will be in the red over the next five years if nothing is done. Talamantes pointed out the infrastructure and pension costs are both hovering around $280 million. Its not going to be a quick fix, he said. We really need to get our thinking caps on and do some brainstorming. The mayor said he recognizes that revenue generated by the city, mainly through sales, property and transient occupancy taxes, are not catching up to the growing expenses. He wants the City Council to start working with the community to address the budget. I dont feel like anything is off the table, Talamantes said. We should bring everything to the table and discuss them. Its easy to say no. Its a lot tougher to come up with solutions. How would you ensure that the members of the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority stick to what they told voters they would do? With Measure B garnering more than enough votes from Burbank residents during the November election, the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority is moving forward with its project to build a replacement 14-gate terminal at Hollywood Burbank Airport. Recognizing the historical tension between residents and the airport authority about constructing a new terminal, Talamantes said the city should talk with its commissioners throughout the year to understand what airport officials are trying to accomplish. We need to make sure that everything is transparent, that the community is being asked to participate as [the airport authority] moves forward with the new terminal, he said. I definitely want to set up some community meetings, to have the airport, the architect and whoevers involved with the new terminal to let the community know what were going to have there. Additionally, Talamantes said he would like to see the airport authority have a few of its meetings, which are usually every first and third Monday of the month at 9 a.m. at Hollywood Burbank, to be held during the evening to allow more residents to attend. How would you ensure that the citys budget is balanced without pulling money from the General Fund? In addition to having the City Council and community bring up ideas to address the looming budget deficit, Talamantes said the city might have to consider a small tax increase to generate additional revenue for the city. Right now, 1% of the sales tax we get is $30 million, he said. So if you look at a half-percent sales tax, it could give us $15 million on an annual basis. Thats a lot of money that could help with the infrastructure needs. This is not going to be a one-year solution. Its going to be a long-term solution. Additionally, Talamantes said that decreasing city services is not an option for him as a way to balance the budget. All of our city services are great and very responsive to the community, he said. Do we want to see that drop? I dont think the community wants to see a drop in service levels, and I wouldnt be in favor of that either. -- Anthony Clark Carpio, anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio A year after her father died from a ruptured brain tumor, Karlin Meehan began creating abstract gold paintings. She took a large canvas, splattered it with acrylic, oil, house and spray paint and then added a labyrinth of lines and layers that unfolded slowly to reveal bits and pieces both recognizable and mysterious. I had my art rescue me, said Meehan, a Laguna Beach resident. Meehan was explaining her deeply personal approach to the paintings she creates on the top floor in the W.H. Spurgeon Building, a 105-year-old, four-story, cream-colored brick structure in downtown Santa Ana that was the citys first skyscraper. Her late father, affectionately called Big Jay Meehan, was part owner of the structure, which has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, and hed often bring his tight-knit Irish-Mexican family of five sons and one daughter to the building when doing business in Santa Ana. The Spurgeon Building, on Fourth and Sycamore streets, became a haven for artists, who set up studios and galleries in the warren of lofts that filled the place, but business waned after the 9/11 attacks, and the structure remained empty for 10 years. At age 63, days before Thanksgiving 2015, Big Jay died unexpectedly, and the Newport Beach family found it too difficult to return to the corner building with the memories. That changed a little over a year ago, when Meehan and her brother Pierce, a sculptor, decided to reinvigorate the building with their artistry. We owe this to our family, Meehan said, as she stood in a studio space full of brushes, canvases and spray cans. We want to honor this space and theres a new energy in here. Theres a new energy in her paintings too. Meehans large-scale paintings, suffused with metallic hues, are layered and textured, and they are intended to make a viewer come up close to the canvas. Its a new direction for an artist who had painted colorful florals in the past but found the subject to be a less-than-honest expression of her spirit. I was in a rut making pieces but wasnt happy with them, and I felt like a phony, Meehan says. This work is a reaction from loss and feeling defeated. I needed to put a celebratory spin on it. The result is her new Metallic Series, a collection of 20 pieces that Meehan will showcase during an artist reception March 4 at Georgia Groggs G Galerie in Newport Beachs Cannery Village. The exhibition is slated to run for about two months. If youve seen her work, you can clearly see the energy and spontaneity that comes from this young artist, says Grogg, who has owned the gallery for 10 years. It has been my goal to feature under-represented, gifted artists, Grogg said. Karlin is certainly one of those. These underexposed artists rarely get one-man shows. Her artwork reflects her personality as well, on-the-fly and confident. Meehan, who graduated from Newport Harbor High and earned a bachelors degree in fine arts at USCs Roski School of Art and Design, remains enthralled by the spontaneous evolution of each piece. While working on three to four paintings at a time, Meehan might mix white chalk with a little gold paint and then spray paint layers while also leaving a bit of the raw canvas untouched. She also has tried her hand at using tools she hadnt used before, like Squeegees and different painting brushes for a variety of brush strokes. She and Pierce whose Surf Panel series has been commissioned by private clients including the Pete Carroll family and are spotlighted at Amarees boutique in Newport Beach, among other businesses are slowly welcoming more artists to the Spurgeon Building. The building is a work in progress and is not set up to accommodate Meehans exhibit. During the new journey, Meehan says she has learned more about her father. Strangers told her that her father had invited them over for Thanksgiving dinner when they had nowhere to go, that her mother opened the home and treated them like family. Another said her father helped the person apply for food stamps. This helps explain why more than 1,000 people attended a memory service in his honor at a Newport Beach winery, causing the Newport Beach Fire Department to close it down, Meehan said. My dad was such a force and was this larger-than-life person who gave people time, Meehan said. And then it happens. A mention of him leads seemlessly into a discussion of her art, so intertwined are they. You have to push through it and I do it with my art, Meehan said. Ill work on a series, have to let it rest and then look at it with fresh eyes. And then, like anything, you have to let it go. * IF YOU GO What: Karlin Meehans Metallic Series artist reception When: 6 to 9 p.m. March 4; exhibit will remain for several weeks Where: G Galerie, 504 30th St., Newport Beach Cost: Admission is free Information: (949) 981-6432 or email georgia@tomgrogg.com kathleen.luppi@latimes.com Twitter: @KathleenLuppi Take a love of movies, add to that the artistic ability to replicate key scenes in sketchbooks and throw in a bit of competitive interest in the Academy Awards, and you have Dale Koizumi. With the stroke of his colored markers, the 26-year-old Cal State Fullerton student captures the faintest detail, like the freckle on Natalie Portmans right cheek in a drawing he did of her based on her portrayal of the former first lady in Jackie, and the pale blue color of Donnie Yens eyes from his performance as a blind Force-aligned character in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. As he sits down to watch the awards show Sunday, Koizumi will be able to name what he believes are the top 50 films of the year based on months of movie-going. Koizumi takes advantage of discount theaters and early-bird viewing specials, but he still spent around $500 to see dozens of movies last year. The Fountain Valley resident can show people the list he compiled or, just as easily, point to the drawings that hes made to reflect each of the 50 films he has watched. His friends call him the biggest fan of the movies, but this interest makes sense for an art student who aspires to do storyboarding, character design and possibly even movie poster creation someday. I wouldnt even call it a hobby; its almost a lifestyle, Koizumis movie-going companion RJ Brownfield said. Well get into the most heated arguments youve ever see in your life over film. But its amazing the stuff hell go out of his way to learn. Since 2010, Koizumi has composed his annual top 50 movies list based on stunning performances, outstanding storytelling or compelling themes. But it wasnt until last year that he began illustrating the artwork to accompany each of his top picks. He has two sketchbooks, one for the films he saw in 2015 and another for 2016. I decided to take a creative approach instead of just putting everything in a list form, Koizumi said. Ive been drawing since I was a little kid, just drawing the characters I would see. The iconic characters of the video game world such as Super Mario and Donkey Kong were his first muses. Koizumi started to be attracted to film around age 18 when he ordered Quentin Tarantinos Pulp Fiction and Akira Kurosawas Seven Samurai through Blockbuster. Those films really got me into thinking about the directing, writing, acting and visuals, Koizumi said. --------------------- FOR THE RECORD 2/27, 3:29 p.m.: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that Cal State Fullerton student Dale Koizumi first became a fan of film when he watched Edward Zwicks The Last Samurai. It was in fact Akira Kurosawas Seven Samurai. --------------------- In early January, he began to post the drawings of the 50 movies he saw last year on Instagram and his Facebook page, starting with his last to his first choices. I thought it was impressive that he did all that work, said Wendy Grieb, a professor of animation at Cal State Fullerton. His style is between cartoony and realistic. Its not like you couldnt recognize any of the characters he drew, and thats a skill in itself. The posted artwork, which includes depictions of movie scenes and characters, comes with short movie reviews written by Koizumi. His posts encompass animated films like No. 42 on his list, The Little Prince, which has a retired aviator telling a young girl a story about his encounters in the Sahara Desert, and horror movies like No. 44, The Neon Demon, about a model who moves from a small town in Georgia to Los Angeles. Higher on Koizumis lineup are films that have generated Oscar buzz this year, like his No. 3 choice, La La Land, which he said in his review has nostalgic value that pays homage to the golden age musicals thatll bring you to the city of stars. His No. 10 picture, Moonlight, a coming-of-age drama set in Miami, is split into three images, each depicting a different stage of the main characters life. Koizumi plans to spend Sunday at an Oscar party hosted each year by his friend Michael Canas. There, guests will be given lists of all the nominated films and actors in the 24 categories, and they can place check marks next to the ones they believe will win. I really just want to get people together who appreciate what I do, said Canas, who is taking playwriting classes at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. Ive always been attracted to great acting and watched Oscar movies because I used to work in a theater in Huntington Beach. But Koizumi and Canas also appreciate some of the more obscure titles playing in independent cinemas. Canas saw one of his favorite films, Mike Leighs Another Year, at the Edwards Westpark 8 theater in Irvine six years ago. I always wish that these movies wouldve had a bigger audience, but it feels good just knowing that this kind of art exists, Canas said. As for Sunday, Canas said hes placing all his chips on the Los Angeles-focused romantic comedy-drama starring Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, La La Land, to win the Academy Award for Best Picture. But Koizumi hopes the Best Picture honor goes to his No. 1 piece of artwork, an illustration that details a boat moving by the Massachusetts coast and the scruffy face of Casey Affleck overlooking the water. Im wishing for Manchester by the Sea to win, Koizumi said. But there are no safe bets. alexandra.chan@latimes.com Twitter: @AlexandraChan10 The Newport-Mesa Unified School District has told parents that an independent investigation has been completed into claims last year that an application for a statewide award for Mariners Elementary School contained inaccuracies. However, the district said in an email to Mariners parents dated Feb. 16 that it would not publicly disclose the findings of the investigation or any actions resulting from it, though the administration and the complainants had been notified. We are held to a high standard of confidentiality and ensuring the privacy rights of employees, the email stated. Therefore, in order to ensure confidentiality, we are not at liberty to discuss or disclose information related to personnel matters. Attempts to contact district officials for further comment Friday were unsuccessful. The Gold Ribbon Award application was submitted to the California Department of Education in fall 2015 by then-Principal Laura Canzone, who at the time was known as Laura Sacks. As part of the application process, a site validation team from the Orange County Department of Education visited Mariners on April 1 to confirm the applications information. The team wrote in its site report that the information was consistent with its findings at the Newport Beach school. Mariners went on to win Gold Ribbon designation and continues to hold it. But the application was dogged by allegations of inaccuracies from teachers and parents who also were critical of Canzones leadership and urged the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers to file a formal complaint with the school district. The complaint filed by the teachers union March 28 stated that some programs the award application said were being piloted at Mariners Elementary, such as reading and technology programs, had not been fully implemented. The complaint also said the application included goals and practices that teachers said they had not been made aware of, such as a goal of a one-to-one ratio of devices for K-6 students and staff collaborations with businesses such as Google and SpaceX. The application was filled with programs that did not exist, ideas that were not implemented and goals that were never discussed, Mariners teacher Tamara Fairbanks said at a May 24 school board meeting. The staff at Mariners was instantly placed in a quandary of standing up for what they actually do in the classroom vs. putting a show on for the Gold Ribbon committee. Representatives of the Newport-Mesa Federation of Teachers could not be reached for comment Friday. The allegations prompted the district to retain a private investigations firm, Dana Point-based Nicole Miller and Associates, to perform an independent evaluation. In June, the district said Canzone had requested reassignment from Mariners, where she served one school year as principal. She was replaced by Matt Broesamle. In September, Canzone began serving as a principal on special assignment at Costa Mesa Middle School. She remained on the staff list there Friday. priscella.vega@latimes.com Twitter: @VegaPriscella With its bright decor, dangling pinatas and walls adorned with glass liquor bottles, El Matador restaurant in Costa Mesa looks ready for a party. And thats just whats on tap Thursday as the owners of one of the areas best-known Mexican food joints celebrate the venerable eaterys 50th anniversary. Owning this place on the 50-year anniversary is very exciting, owner Greg McConaughy said as he sat in the restaurant Monday. Its been a lot of fun to operate this restaurant because of the community. El Matadors unassuming facade, nestled along bustling Newport Boulevard between a doggie day care and an auto service shop, now boasts a sign trumpeting the anniversary. New menus just in this week, McConaughy said also note the milestone. The menus include an adage McConaughy says may best sum up his thoughts as he looks around the restaurant: Were still here, so we must be doing something right. 1 / 7 Greg and Jana McConaughy have owned El Matador restaurant in Costa Mesa since 2005. The establishment first opened in 1966. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 2 / 7 Owner Greg McConaughy prepares to open El Matador for lunch on Tuesday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 3 / 7 The carnitas platter at El Matador in Costa Mesa. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 4 / 7 Costa Mesas El Matador restaurant will celebrate 50 years in business on Thursday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 5 / 7 Esmeralda Segoviano helps a customer at El Matador in Costa Mesa on Tuesday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 6 / 7 Jana McConaughy, who owns El Matador restaurant with her husband, Greg, chats with Casey Weaver at the bar, which has more than 200 varieties of tequila. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) 7 / 7 Alex Prada prepares for the lunch rush at El Matador in Costa Mesa on Tuesday. (Scott Smeltzer / Daily Pilot) What better way to toast the half-century mark than with a margarita? From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, patrons who buy any margarita at regular price can get a second for 50 cents. Marcial Gallardo Sr., a native of Zacatecas, Mexico, opened El Matador in 1966. The restaurant has been open at the same location, 1768 Newport Blvd., ever since, McConaughy said. After Gallardo died in 2003, a family feud eventually led to Orange County taking control of the restaurant. The county then put El Matador up for auction. McConaughy, with his wife, Jana, bought the establishment in June 2005. They run it together. Join the conversation on Facebook >> Since taking over, theyve doubled the size of the restaurant to about 3,000 square feet. They gave the exterior a facelift, remodeled the kitchen, added a new dining room and put in one of the restaurants most prominent features a bar stocked with more than 200 varieties of tequila. The menu, though, was left largely intact. People really like the restaurant, and after wed owned it a couple of months, we realized changing anything would always be a big deal, McConaughy said with a chuckle. We dropped a few things over the years on the menu and there were always people upset. El Matador has built a hefty roster of regulars in its 50 years, said manager Ernesto Silva, who has worked there since 2004. The 30-year-old Costa Mesa resident said hes seen the same families come in so often that he has basically watched their children grow up before his eyes. I grew up with a bunch of their kids just by them coming here, he said. You become part of their environment, sort of, and they become part of ours. Corona del Mar resident Libby Wallace said she has been going to El Matador virtually her entire life. Shes 54 now and said her parents probably started bringing me here when I was 4. Were still here, so we must be doing something right. El Matador owner Greg McConaughy on the restaurants 50-year anniversary One thing I like about it is that its vintage, its old, its been here forever, Wallace said. The food is authentic and tasty. Every time I go, there is someone I know there. It has a great vibe. Another longtime patron, Newport Beach resident Tina Dougan, said she recalls going on dates at El Matador with her future husband back when they were dating. The couple have now been married 45 years, and El Matador remains a favorite for them. Dougan said shes a big fan of El Matadors customer service, food and, of course, margaritas. Its pretty much locals who come here, she said. We run into people all the time that we know. Costa Mesa resident Fabrizio Khalona, 49, has been a regular at El Matador for about seven years. The relationships hes made keep him coming back, he said not only those with El Matadors staff members and owners but with his fellow regulars as well. Its kind of unique to this establishment, he said as he sipped a Pacifico beer at the bar. It has a very loyal clientele. An ideal anniversary present for El Matador would be the return of its Ferdinand the Bull statue, which was stolen in early February. The McConaughys are offering a $250 reward for the safe return of Ferdinand a 4-foot-tall, 40-pound creature that had been a popular fixture at the restaurant for years. -- Luke Money, lucas.money@latimes.com Twitter: @LukeMMoney The Costa Mesa Planning Commission signed off Monday night on a host of changes to the citys Westside urbanization plans, among them a desire to see new Westside homes incorporate more classic California architectural styles. Under the commissions recommendations, which will face final City Council consideration next month, new houses under the guidelines of the urban plans could be Spanish Colonial, Craftsman or bungalow, rather than just contemporary. Costa Mesas Westside urban plans call for contemporary three-story homes throughout the Westside with a live-work component, with the bottom floors intended to be used as office space. Some of the houses have replaced former industrial sites; others replaced older homes or apartments. Hundreds of the three-story homes have been built or approved since around 2011, but concerns were raised last year by the public, commissioners and council members about their design, with some arguing that they looked too stark or boxy. The Westside plans were first approved in 2006. Its nice to have a refresh and update on these, Commissioner Colin McCarthy said. The commission also recommended that the new tracts have minimum 30% open space instead of 10% with rooftop decks eligible toward meeting the minimum that they be prohibited from being used as short-term rentals through websites like Airbnb and that they not contain tandem garages. The Building Industry Assn. of Southern Californias Orange County chapter expressed reservations about the changes in a letter to the commission Friday. Increasing setbacks, removing tandem garage applicability and increasing private open-space requirements may hinder the ultimate goal of providing much-needed infill housing to our region, chapter Chief Executive Michael Balsamo wrote. We encourage the city to allow for a variance-style procedure through the public hearing process for these items. Editors note: OCC lifted the students suspension Feb. 23. The following letters were sent to the Daily Pilot beforehand. Re. OCC suspends student who recorded professors anti-Trump comments; appeal is filed, (Feb. 15): The state and district codes of misconduct on surreptitiously recording in class protect students and professors, on the left and right, from being recorded and posted out of context to cyber-bully. Instead of encouraging students like Caleb ONeil to ask for clarification and debate in class, attorneys have encouraged them to go behind a persons back, bear false witness and pose as victims. For their own agendas, lawyers are rewarding cowardice over courage. I stand with Jesus: Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. Woe to you! (Luke 11:46) Gary Hoffman Huntington Beach The writer is co-chair of the English Department at OCC and a member of the coalition of Concerned Instructors. * No expectation of privacy in the classroom The PC mentality is collapsing upon itself when institutions protect their own at the expense of freedom of speech. Since when are an instructors words protected from taping in a public venue? Its not a private conversation, is it? Time to stop demonizing difference and work hard to find common ground that benefits the country. David Swerdlin San Juan Capistrano * Tax dollars are funding political viewpoints Why do so many college professors think their political opinions are so important? If Professor Olga Perez Cox wants to air her political views, she should rent a hall and like-minded students can attend. Where do teachers get off thinking they can take up class time talking politics? Just think how important and arrogant they must be. We are paying tax dollars for professors to teach our kids the subjects they sign up up for. Period. I am sick of my tax dollars going into the bank accounts of these uber-liberal, intolerant educators. Juli Hayden Newport Beach * Students are being taught inaccuracies The student, Caleb ONeil, did us all a favor to record the remarks his professor made. Our children in university are being told untruths in more places than Orange Coast College! Patricia Irwin Corona del Mar * Free academic speech for liberals only How sad and pathetic it is when so-called professors are allowed to pontificate to their students about subject matters having nothing to do with their appointed positions and are supported by their administrations in discriminating against a student taping their public comments. Sure sounds like discrimination and fascism to me. Shame on this school; oops, I mean propaganda mill. Tim Strelitz Long Beach * Its OK to record speech in class We used to record lectures so we could review and sharpen our notes and that was in the Stone Age. What happened to these bastions of free speech? It really has to be the correct speech and that is not free speech. Mark McDonald Los Angeles * I see a conflict in councilmans vote Re. Complaint alleges conflict of interest in Newport councilmans vote on harbor jetpack ban, (Feb. 16): The vote, which I personally see as a conflict of interest, recently made by the City Council about the jetpacks sets a scary precedent. But first, let me be clear: I voted for Councilman Brad Avery (we were not competitors in any council race), and I also consider him a friend. The fact is love them or hate them jetpacks have received a total of zero citations for noise, for wake, or for collisions. There is literally no quantifiable data that show them to be a nuisance. However, Avery is currently employed as a director of operations for Orange Coast Colleges sailing organization, which he has stated has intentionally avoided operating in the area where the jet packs operated. If I were to pay someone as a business manager to manage my business, and they were subsequently elected to council, and then voted to ban our competition from operating in the ever-shrinking space where we operated, that would be a clear conflict of interest. And thats exactly what I believe is happening here. (Editors note: Councilman Avery says there is no conflict, as he is a public employee with a fixed salary unaffected by private industry performance in the harbor.) Avery either needs to recuse himself from this vote, just as Mayor Pro Tem Duffy has done, or he needs to decouple himself from receiving money from organizations that compete for harbor usage. Mike Glenn Newport Beach * Republican Party is no longer inclusive I must respond to the letter Californians Should Return to the Republican Party,'' (Feb. 11): I will give letter writer Michael Torres the benefit of the doubt that he is not espousing the autocracy of the current president. However, he does exalt what he sees as the virtues of the Republican Party as small government, personal freedom, accountability and financial restraint. We must acknowledge that there are some issues, environmental standards, public health, infrastructure, to name a few, that must be handled by a national government. I was amazed at his statements that his party is inclusive, accepting of all ideas, and rich with kindness and humility. I challenge him to tell us where these virtues are in the repeal of health insurance for millions, privatization of Social Security and Medicare espoused by Republican lawmakers, not just our current president. It is hard to believe the incredulous statements of engaging in " sincere, open discussion and diversity. How does he regard the Muslim ban? He states the Republican Party is for economic prosperity. For whom? The billionaires who donate to and support his party? Certainly not the working public that is denied equal pay for women, benefits and a living wage. I cannot accept Mr. Torres exaltation of the Republican Party as being the party of economic prosperity and freedom. These claims are incredulous as we look at the work of House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell to silence fellow members of Congress, deny climate change, repeal the Affordable Care Act anti-abortion laws (written and sponsored by men), anti-LGBT rights, privatizing Medicare and Social Security. Is this satire? Margaret Mooney Costa Mesa * Congressman should listen to constituents Re. 71-year-old staffer for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher was hurt during protest, spokesman says, (Feb. 14): Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) says that we, the people of the 48th Congressional District, are enemies of American self government and democracy. This will not stand. Boyd Roberts Laguna Beach The writer has declared his candidacy to run against Rohrabacher in 2018. * Rohrabacher helped me but doesnt have my vote I am an unabashed progressive and registered Democrat. Three years ago I had a literary work copyrighted, and after a year I had not received any feedback from the copyright office. My queries were unanswered, and I was beginning to fear my submission had disappeared into a bureaucratic black hole. I decided to contact my congressman, Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa), sadly expecting more red tape and/or being ignored. What I experienced, however, was a model of courteous and professional public service (a staff member picked up when I called the office and invited me to come right over.) I explained my issue, and the copyright office was contacted. Within two days the copyright office responded to me. I called the congressmans office back to express my appreciation and asked if I could meet him and thank him personally. The very next day I was in his office and we chatted for about 30 minutes. I found him warm and extremely down to earth, and we ended our meeting with a photo taken beneath the surfboard on his wall, and shaking hands surfer style. Ill probably never vote for Rep. Rohrabacher, but likewise Ill never forget his graciousness. Ron Terranova Huntington Beach * Support the EPA, protect our water As a Huntington Beach High School graduate, a U.S. Army medic, Vietnam veteran, and longboard surfer, I believe that keeping our oceans, water, land and air pollution-free is of utmost priority. As you know, President Nixon signed the environmental protection act (EPA) in the early 1970s, due to the constant pollution created by unregulated industry in search of profits that poisoned the air in Los Angeles with five-stage smog alerts for months at a time and caused other problems nationwide. I support the efforts of Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-Costa Mesa) efforts to preserve the Environmental Protection Agency. I will see him in the water. Tom Joliet Laguna Beach * California must shore up its dams Since Gov. Jerry Brown, supported by the Legislature, put a moratorium on the development of dams in his first term as governor, 1975-83, the population of California has nearly doubled from 20.8 million to 38.8 million. Both Brown and environmentalists, including President Obama in Browns recent gubernatorial term from 2011-18, have worried more about endangered species then the increase in humans in the state and the need for adequate water for both farming and for the human body to drink water to live. Instead of learning from what happened in the past, in Browns second term he supported raising the sales taxes by 1% on top of the income tax and drove many businesses and people out of the state, with a net population loss in the migration to other states due to the cost of living and availability of good-paying jobs. Much to Browns and the Legislatures surprise, the great weather in California is no longer the draw it used to be. North Dakota and Texas are two of many destinations people are moving to live and work. Businesses are leaving for economic reasons. One wouldve thought that the states dam management would have monitored all of the dams to make sure the water supply was secure with such an increase of population. Twelve years ago, they concluded that upgrades were not needed. The upgrades should have been done with what just happened at the Oroville dam. Instead some of the inflow of money from taxes went for redistributionist social welfare programs with 4 in 10 Californians lives below the poverty line, according to the California Public Policy Institute, state employee pensions and an enormous penal archipelago. In retrospect, that was extremely shortsighted by the leaders in Sacramento in a state growing at such a pace. The reason Im so familiar with the Oroville dam is that my wife was raised in Yuba City and experienced an evacuation in the 1950s of the Feather River when it overflowed its levies and flooded the town. In the 60s we also watched the Oroville dam being built. When the dam was half built in the 60s there was some flooding but most of the levees held, due to the Oroville dam. I propose that we request additional federal funding for upgrading the dams we have which is consistent with our new presidents call for infrastructure modernization. However, the state will have to pay for a large share of this bill by cutting social welfare spending and state employee pensions. I say forget the federal funding of the bullet train to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles. Its not expensive to take an airplane to get to San Francisco and back. Finally, what Brown can do with the current construction of the bullet train track in the Central Valley is bill it as a monument to gross mismanagement of the state by both the governor and the Legislature. To quote Victor Davis Hansons op-ed in the L.A. Times on Feb. 15: The crisis at Oroville is a third act in the states history: One majestic generation built great dams, a second enjoyed them as a third fiddles as they now erode. Jim Place Newport Beach * Sickening Kent State comment causes concerns Re. Michigan GOP leader apologizes for tweeting: Time for another Kent State, Los Angeles Times, (Feb. 6): I am old enough to remember all the protests about the Vietnam War during President Nixons tenure in office. This most certainly includes the day nine were injured and four innocent people killed by the National Guard at Kent State in 1970. So imagine my reaction to the recent comments by Dan Adamini, a Michigan county Republican officer, when he tweeted, Violent protesters who shut down free speech? Time for another Kent State perhaps. One bullet stops a lot of thuggery. Besides feeling sick to my stomach, I also felt angry. Thats because Adamini spoke without really understanding what happened at Kent State. Its up to each of us to listen to our better angels, no matter how upset we are about todays demonstrations. Yes, the times have changed, but the feelings millions of us 60- and 70- somethings still have run deep. Denny Freidenrich Laguna Beach Eight of the ten candidates vying for one of three open seats on the Glendale City Council participated in a forum Thursday to share their ideas and solutions for the citys most contentious issues ahead of the April election. Incumbents Ara Najarian and Zareh Sinanyan joined candidates Susan Wolfson, Grant Michals, Mark MacCarley, Rick Dinger, Mike Van Gorder and Mike Mohill for a public forum hosted by the Womens Civic League of Glendale at the Elks Lodge. Candidates Vrej Agajanian and Onnik Mehrabian were not in attendance. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The candidates started by introducing themselves and their platforms, followed by a question and answer session, then a segment where the candidates could answer only yes or no by holding up a card. At the forefront of discussion were how to spend Measure H funds should it pass, whether to appeal a recent ruling that the city repay millions for an illegal energy rate hike in 2013, how to quell traffic congestion in the city, and how to deal with the Grayson power plants aging infrastructure. Wolfson and Dinger were asked how Glendale should spend its portion of Measure H funds a proposed quarter-cent raise in sales tax for Los Angeles County to go toward homeless services and prevention. Both said money should bolster existing community organizations, such as Ascencia and the Salvation Army already providing services to Glendale. Wolfson mentioned the possibility of involving mental health professionals that could aid the homeless population. Michals and Najarian disagreed on appealing an L.A. Superior Court judges ruling concerning Glendale Water & Power rates and funds, with the former against an appeal, the latter, in favor. If the rates do need to be repaid, I would negotiate a longer term strategy to repay those rates and change the rate structure over time so that there isnt a disastrous impact on the current budget, Michals said. When asked about traffic problems in Glendale, Sinanyan talked about confronting the lack of public transit when he first joined the council and recently pushed for a street car project connecting south Glendale to the Hollywood Burbank Airport, among other plans. Mohill countered by saying that members of the City Council who approved major development in the past failed to consider traffic concerns, saying the city needs to think twice before making changes. The portion of the forum where candidates could answer by raising either a yes or no sign focused primarily on how to deal with the recent California law that makes it easier for homeowners to add and rent out accessory dwelling units. The candidates agreed unanimously when it came to barring ADUs in certain areas, limiting the size of units to 500 square feet, and requiring units be reviewed similar to residential construction. The next candidates forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Glendale/Burbank, is set for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1, in Glendale City Council chambers. -- Jeff Landa, jeff.landa@latimes.com Twitter: @JeffLanda Violent crime in Glendale which encompass homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault rose last year by nearly 17% over 2015, according to year-end crime statistics recently released by the Glendale Police Department. Of those, the most significant increase was a jump in rape incidents from 15 reports the previous year to 40 in 2016. Glendale Police Sgt. Robert William said the rise in rapes is not actually a rise at all. The higher number is because of a reclassification of the crime by the FBI. An investigation into an allegation of oral copulation prior to 2016 would have been a separate category from rape, he said. Now, its classified as rape. So an increase in those numbers is to be expected. Join the conversation on Facebook >> The number of robberies reported in the city rose from 77 in 2015 to 84 in 2016 while the amount of aggravated assaults jumped from 99 to 104. Burglaries rose from 530 in 2015 to 596 in 2016, while auto burglaries jumped from 440 reported cases to 499. Grand thefts were higher by nearly 5%, with 355 cases in 2016 compared to 339 in 2015. Those upward trends stand out in a report that shows the overall combined rate of violent and property crimes in the city was slightly lower in 2016 in comparison to 2015. The statistics showed a total of 3,680 incidents were reported last year while 3,714 were recorded in 2015 a .92% decrease. Property crimes including several types of burglaries and thefts as well as arson saw a decrease of about 2%, falling from 3,518 cases to 3,451. The number of petty thefts fell from 1,857 the previous year to 1,637 in 2016. According to William this was the primary reason the overall crime rate fell. Arson remained steady in both years with only five cases being reported for each. Glendale saw fewer homicides in 2016 with only one case being reported versus five in the previous year. Last June a Florida man was shot outside of a Glendale apartment. Phillip Niles Jr. was shot in the early hours of June 25 outside of an apartment complex in the 1700 block of North Verdugo Road. Two northern Californian men, 25-year-old Laquan Dontae Parker and 26-year-old Brandon Jamal Perkins, were arrested for the shooting shortly thereafter and have been in custody ever since. The case is currently being heard in court. In addition to the number of violent and property crimes, the statistics also included several special categories where police responded. Officers responded to 29 calls of child abuse in 2016, compared to 27 that were recorded in 2015. The number of domestic violence incidents rose by nearly 6%, up from 334 to 353. The department also handled fewer identity theft and vandalism cases in 2016 than it did in 2015. -- Andy Nguyen, andy.nguyen@latimes.com Twitter: @Andy_Truc If President Donald J. Trump was a student in my 10th grade English class, here is how I would evaluate his use of the English language as observed in last weeks press conference. One major characteristic of Trumps speaking is the repetition of words and phrases, often within the same sentence, revealing a limited vocabulary. Tony Schwartz, co-author of Trump: The Art of the Deal, told MSNBCs Joy-Ann Reid that Trump has a 200-word vocabulary. That is why in his 77-minute presser he repeated words so frequently: really (14), great (19), very (87). An easy way to impress people, I tell my students, is by using a varied vocabulary when speaking with prospective employers. It also retains an audiences attention when the speaker uses different words; using the same words over and over again, well, the message gets lost. See if you can figure out what Trump was trying to say: 1. Its very important to me. Ive been talking about that for a long time. Its very, very important to me. 2. Were looking at them very, very, very serious. 3. Very, very strongly. Very, very strongly. 4. Number one, I am the least anti-Semitic person that youve ever seen in your entire life. Number two, racism, the least racist person. Avoid saying honestly, Ill be honest or Can I be honest with you? because more likely than not youre not being truthful just like declaring yourself to be 100% opposite of who you really are. I teach my students to avoid the phrase I think because it diminishes the persuasiveness of ones opinion, coming across as if only the speaker believes that way. Yet Trump repeated it 42 times in the press conference. In fact, he used the pronoun I 389 times. It goes without much analysis why he would refer to himself so often. I instruct my students to avoid hysterical language; people are more likely to consider your opinions when spoken more judiciously. Trump, however, washes himself in hyperbole, depicting the world as a mess or disaster or in chaos or turmoil where things are horrible, terrible, horrendous, or catastrophic. When discussing people who please him, Trump uses wonderful, tremendous, fantastic, fabulous, incredible, the types of adjectives children would more often use than a 70-year-old man. And look at the repetitive wording when talking about his daughter Ivanka who is a fabulous person and a fabulous, fabulous woman and his wife Melania who feels very, very strongly, shes a very, very strong advocate. Carnegie Mellon studied the vocabulary of presidents and concluded that Trumps language is at a fifth-grade level. I inherited a mess. Its a mess. At home and abroad, a mess, he said. The same could be said of the way Trump talks. Dr. Justin Frank, a psychoanalyst at George Washington University Medical Center who is writing a book called Trump on the Couch, told me that not reading or not being able to read often has a lasting limiting effect on ones vocabulary development. Its widely known that Trump watches TV and does not read books not a promising combination for thinking deeply about issues affecting the nation. If Trumps parents visited me during our schools open house this week, how would I diplomatically broach his shortcomings as an English student? Most likely Id do what any politician does and redirect my response to a different subject: have Donald join my journalism class to learn about real news. -- BRIAN CROSBY is a teacher in the Glendale Unified School District and the author of Smart Kids, Bad Schools and The $100,000 Teacher. He can be reached at briancrosby.org. Dear American People: You may have heard the news that Im now the Bad Guy, that the man who has been president of the United States for all of five weeks recently declared me your enemy and reiterated it as recently as Friday while giving a speech in Maryland. Im a journalist, see. The president accuses me of spewing fake news, which under his definition means anything thats personally critical, negative or with which he simply disagrees. He told the crowd yesterday, "(Journalists) are very smart, very cunning, very dishonest. (The media) doesnt represent the people; it will never represent the people. President Trump also called for an end to the use of sources, meaning anonymous sources. They just make it up, he charged yesterday. He then added parenthetically that criticism doesnt bother me. So let me just interject, my supposed enemies, that this is preposterous. I am the farthest thing from your enemy that exists. The overwhelming majority of my media comrades and I are messengers for truth. We believe in America. We believe in the 1st Amendment. We believe in these so much that we would go to jail and risk our lives to defend them. Here is the biggest problem with the media war that our chief executive is now waging: It stops the flow of information cold. It ends all discussion. If everything is fake news, it means there is no real news left at all. I feel like I need to remind you that nothing like this has ever happened before. A U.S. president has never waged such a nasty campaign to discredit the press as a collective entity. It has to be said: This is what fascist regimes do when their goal is to render all news obsolete save for that which they say is genuine. Im only talking about the dishonest reporters, the president said yesterday. Oh? And how exactly are we to differentiate the dishonest ones from those who are honest if a man who wouldnt know truth if it walked up and kneed him in the groin is the final arbiter of fact? Evidently our president answered Friday that he already knows the difference when shockingly, unconscionably the White House barred the New York Times, the New York Daily News, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC, the Daily Mail and The Hill (among others) from covering Fridays press briefing. Unless action is quickly taken to halt this insanity, it isnt hyperbolic to call it the beginning of the end of journalism as we know it. This is, unfortunately, what happens when the man calling the shots claims exclusive ownership of reality. You have a country where no one knows what to believe anymore, where perpetual informational darkness becomes the norm. In other words, you cant even believe me when I tell you Im authentic because I could, after all, be just another one of those dishonest reporters driven by purposeful misdirection and deception. Beware, good citizens! Beware! Im the monster from the planet Fakecury, and I intend to spread evil by turning you against all goodness, all progress. My agenda is the perpetration of liberal mayhem, designed only to discredit and malign those with whom I disagree. To believe what our president is saying, you must buy into the existence of a vast plot whose origins and objective are entirely outlandish. As if I am somehow beholden to a sinister conspiracy. But lets go back to something President Trump said yesterday: that his goal is to put an end to the use of unnamed sources. It sounds on its face to be reasonable enough, the idea that any news truly worthy of the term need be generated by those courageous enough to stand up and be identified. But understand that without off-the-record information and sourcing, the Watergate scandal would never have been exposed back in the 1970s. And thats just for starters. Indeed, if you rewrite established laws and prohibit the use of background sources, the field of investigative journalism would cease to exist. Actually, we can take it a step further and predict with some certainty that the news media itself would be replaced outright by disinformation and propaganda. Is this what our president is counting on? Id like to hope not. Because if this really is his chief objective, it means hes looking to freeze the exchange of ideas the very definition of life under a dictatorship. Lets remember that this president was created by the media at which he rails. He obviously well understands that a press that made him can destroy him just as easily. So hes taking steps to thwart that possibility. Anyway, thats my take, America. I hope with all my heart that you believe me when I promise that Im not your enemy. Your real nemeses are oppression and tyranny, not the messenger who shines a light on them. Sincere regards, Ray -- RAY RICHMOND is a longtime L.A.-based journalist. Email: ray@rayrichco.com. (adds interior minister comments refusing non-Mexican deportees) By Frank Jack Daniel MEXICO CITY, Feb 24 (Reuters) - An emboldened Mexico hardened its opposition to President Donald Trump on Friday by saying it would retaliate if the United States imposed a border tax and that it can afford to lose financial aid that might be pulled to pay for a border wall. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Mexico could respond to any tax the United States were to unilaterally impose on imports from its southern neighbor to finance the wall with levies on select goods, aimed at U.S. regions most dependent on exports south of the border. "Without a doubt, we have that possibility, and what we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," Videgaray said in a radio interview. "The Mexican government would have to respond." The statements by Videgaray and Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who minimized the potential impact of the rumored loss of U.S. security aid, toughened the defiant tone from Mexico since President Enrique Pena Nieto last month canceled a trip to meet Trump over the wall dispute. Mexicans are angry at Trump's calls for U.S. firms not to invest south of the border, insults to immigrants and threats to make Mexico finance the border wall. The peso currency has weakened on concerns he will hurt Latin America's No. 2 economy. Pena Nieto had faced criticism he was too accommodating with Trump but got a much needed ratings boost after cancelling the summit. A plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico fueled outrage this week. Mexican officials were publicly blunt with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security John Kelly over Trump's immigration and trade proposals in a visit to Mexico on Thursday. Osorio Chong told local radio that Mexican officials' rejection of Trump's bid to send non-Mexican illegal migrants from the United States to Mexico was "very clear." "They asked us if (non-Mexican illegal immigrants) could be here while they are going through the legal process there. We said that there was...absolutely no way." Story continues Videgaray said the trade strategy would replicate a 2009 campaign of retaliatory tariffs that helped Mexico win a dispute with the United States. On Wednesday, the minister mentioned Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as states that could be targeted in a conversation with lawmakers leaked to two newspapers. "This is not our preference," he said. "Mexico believes in free trade." NO HANDOUTS PLEASE A U.S. executive order on Jan. 25 that mandated the construction of a border wall also required government agencies to report the financial assistance they gave Mexico in the past five years, leading to speculation Trump wants to redirect the aid to pay for its construction. Osorio Chong said on Friday that Mexico had no need for such financial aid from the United States, signaling that it would not come close to paying for the estimated $21.6 billion cost of the wall. Like in other middle-income emerging economies, many in Mexico consider it humiliating to take aid from wealthy countries. A large part of U.S. aid to Mexico comes through the Plan Merida program, under which the U.S. Congress allocated $2.6 billion to security assistance between 2008 and 2016. Of that, $1.6 billion had been disbursed by November 2016, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. "When they realize what's left of Merida, they will understand that it's not even that significant," Osorio Chong told local radio. "We don't object to them moving these resources... Mexico now has its own capabilities," he said. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of Trump's wall, a first step in picking vendors. Videgaray said a meeting of Tillerson, Kelly and Pena Nieto in Mexico City was a short courtesy visit. He said in a more substantial meeting of the ministers, Kelly told him that deportations of undocumented immigrants from the United States would not be militarized, after Trump characterized the process as a "military operation." (Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel, Alexandra Alper and Christine Murray; Editing by Dan Grebler and Cynthia Osterman) A drone packed with methamphetamine crashed into a parking lot in Mexico close to the California border, according to Tijuana Public Safety Secretariat. The incident happened about 10 p.m. Tuesday, when the unmanned aircraft, which was carrying more than 6 pounds of meth, came down in the parking lot of a supermarket in Zona Rio, near the San Ysidro Port of Entry, according to authorities. The aircraft may have crashed because it was overloaded, officials said. The drone was identified as a Spreading Wings S900 model, which had six propellers, authorities said. The incident was under investigation. Advertisement This is not the first time a drone has been used in an attempts to smuggle drugs over the border, authorities said. Drones used to smuggle drugs are referred as blind mules, according to the secretariat. Drugs also have been catapulted over the border. Follow Ryan Parker on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Lt. Muntathar Ghani had been awake for two days straight, engaged in relentless street fighting against Islamic State jihadists. When the adrenaline started to wear off, he sat down in the front yard of a house, desperate for a rest. Thats when he saw the car bomb, a white Chevy pickup sheathed in plates of armor, barreling forward. I fired two rounds at it, but it kept moving. I knew my weapon would have no effect, Ghani said. I shouted, Mufakhakhah! [Car bomb!] and ran to the house for cover. Ghani, a 22-year-old member of Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service, was facing what has become Islamic States weapon of choice a poor mans guided missile that militants have found a way to produce on an industrial scale. In Iraq and Syria these days, car bomb, has become a bit of a misnomer these are civilian vehicles outfitted like primitive tanks, assembled in primitive factories. Advertisement Of 1,112 suicide bombings carried out by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in 2016, 815 of them used vehicles laden with explosives, according to an infographic released by Amaq, a news agency affiliated with Islamic State. In the fight launched earlier this month to drive the militants from the western part of Mosul, the city that had become the extremists groups de facto capital in Iraq, they are a frequent threat. Its the tactic they use the most, said Staff Lt. Col. Muntadhar Salem, head of the Counter-Terrorism Services Mosul regiment. He recalled the battle for Bartella, a Christian-dominated town east of Mosul recaptured by government forces in October. In Bartella, my group alone faced seven of them, but altogether there were 23 on the first day of our offensive, he said. Vehicles armed with bombs are nothing new. The first arguably dates to 1920, when an anarchist named Mario Buda blew up a horse-drawn wagon on New Yorks Wall Street, killing 40 people and injuring more than 200, according to Mike Davis, author of Budas Wagon: A Brief History of the Car Bomb. In Iraq, after the U.S. invasion in 2003, insurgents attacked military convoys and bases with what became known in U.S. military parlance as Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, or VBIEDs. During the Sunni-Shiite bloodletting that followed, Al Qaeda and later the Islamic State of Iraq (the precursor of todays Islamic State) would often park a car bomb in a busy neighborhood and detonate it later. Some bombs were detonated by the drivers, which gave rise to another abbreviation, the SVBIED, or Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device. But it wasnt until after 2011, during the crisis ravaging Syria, that the car bomb came into its own. The rebels often lacked the heavy weaponry needed to punch through government defenses. Thats what Ghani was facing recently when he spotted the white Chevy pickup. As he recalled later, he already had survived the harrowing rescue that day of a family trapped in their house in eastern Mosul. Braving Islamic State snipers, Ghani drove his Humvee up to the house, his gunner giving covering fire. Three bullets smacked into the steering wheel, the seat cushion and a window. He stuffed the family into the Humvee, only to have the sniper put a bullet in his gunners right hand. Hours later, he was facing the car bomb. He ran to a house and tried the door. Locked. I gave the door two kicks, and went as far to the back as I could, he said. Moments later, the explosion ripped through the structure, collapsing its front and hurling shrapnel and glass shards into Ghanis face, back and legs. Covering in rubble and bleeding, he crawled to his walkie-talkie 6 feet away. It felt like it was 2 miles away, he said. He called for help just before he lost consciousness. For Islamic State, the car bomb is an ideal weapon. Anyone who can drive can command one. Theyre cheap, using explosives made out of ANFO, a mixture of ammonium nitrate (which is found in fertilizer) and diesel oil. According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a standard-sized sedan can deliver 1,000 pounds of explosives, with a lethal range of 125 feet. Meanwhile, Islamic States takeover of Mosul in mid-2014, when the group commandeered billions of dollars worth of U.S.-supplied military hardware, meant it had in its possession thousands of armored vehicles it could use for bombs as well. Islamic State has even created SVBIED battalions, such as the Abu Laith Ansari Battalion (named after the groups Mosul governor). A tractor converted into a car bomb by Islamic State in the village of Albu Sayf, south of Mosul. (Nabih Bulos / Los Angeles Times) Its designs also evolved, according to Devin Morrow, a technical advisor at Conflict Armament Research, a group thar tracks weapons in contemporary conflicts. We see some really ingenious designs, she said. They learn from past mistakes and adapt. Hulking and huge, many of these vehicles look to be straight out of Mad Max. They boast improvised armor made of pipes or sheet metal welded onto a frame, capable of easily deflecting small arms fire and even the occasional rocket-propelled grenade. Islamic State is now making car bombs on an industrial scale. In the basement of the Great Mosul Mosque (once called the Saddam Mosque, after the former Iraqi strongman), a stones throw from the Tigris River, are the remains of what apparently was a car bomb factory. Car doors are stacked off to the side near a neat pile of hoods. Piping, buckets of metal detritus as well as dozens of metal grilles and gates are arrayed against the wall. They strip the cars right down to the frame, cut [off] all the doors and then replace them with sheet metal, Morrow said. In these shops, we see a division of labor: One cuts off the doors and installs the armored plates, another one places the explosives. Although Islamic State has lost territory in the past year, production appears unaffected. Up until now, they dont seem to lack what they need: big containers, some detonating cord, detonators, fertilizer and aluminum, said Damien Spleeters, Conflict Armament Researchs head of operations in Iraq. And of course people [ready] to blow themselves up. Spleeters added that it would take no more than two days to make such a bomb. For security forces, the crucial factor that determines if they can stop a car bomb is distance. Security forces routinely deploy bulldozers to build earthen berms to slow, if not stop, a car bomber. If they come at you from 1,000 feet, you can get them. But at 300 feet, theyre too close for the missile, said Hassan Attiyah, 30, as he scanned Islamic State positions in western Mosul through the scope of his anti-tank Kornet missile launcher. But the close-quarters combat that troops face against Islamic State in urban areas means they often dont have that luxury. Instead, they rely on the U.S.-led coalitions drones to destroy car bombs before theyre a threat. Even then, Islamic State keep them inside houses or garages. The moment they see us, they go forward and blow themselves up, Col. Refaq Abdul Baqi, an officer with the Iraqi armys 16th Division, said from the government-held eastern bank of the city. Abdul Baqi said residents of western Mosul during the current campaign have been revealing the location of car bombs to security forces so the coalition can destroy them. Lt. Col. Muntadhar Salam said the first thing his men do when they see a car bomb is use one of their vehicles as a barrier. We sacrifice one of our Hummers so it wont go into our convoy, then we start firing RPGs and 50-caliber machine guns, he said. But sometimes, you just have to run. Bulos is a special correspondent. ALSO Iraqi forces push into western Mosul in fight against Islamic State extremists Islamic State fires cluster bombs at Iraqi government forces Car bombing near Syrian town captured from Islamic State kills 60 The February 21 episode of "This Is Us" was an emotional roller-coaster especially given the unexpected demise of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia). Actor Justin Hartley who plays Kevin in the series visited the US Weekly's headquarters to reveal what the fans can expect in the future. The actor said that fans can expect something they will never be able to guess in the future. Us Weekly reported that the upcoming storyline of "This Is Us" is heart-breaking and moving and it will be something that will stay with fans for a very long time. "This Is Us" went hay-ware last month with the death of Jack. After which characters Randall, Kate and Kevin were quite young in the flashback scene. However, that particular scene didn't reveal too much, leaving the fans to prophesize theories of their own on how exactly Jack passed away. CNN reports Tuesday's episode of "This Is Us" is the most emotional episode of the show. NBC-show comedy series "This Is Us" has been gaining gradual popularity in the US. The show first premiered back in September 2016. Since then, the show has been able to garner a viewership of around 10 million. That's a big leap all the way from 4.6 million at the beginning to 10 million right now. The show sure is doing well. "This Is Us" seems to be doing quite well for itself, thanks to the emotional drop that is consciously added towards the end. This perfect combination of drama and comedy is attracting many youngsters. The main character's on-screen romance is also worth watching. While rumors and speculations regarding what will happen next in "This Is Us" have been going on for quite a well. More information will keep getting revealed until the time the next episode is aired. The next episode is reportedly titled 'What Now?' and it is scheduled to air on March 7, 2017. Mexico protest against Donald Trump Pena Nieto government President Donald Trump has railed against Mexico since early in his presidential campaign, criticizing the US's southern neighbor over matters of trade, immigration, and security. Since his election in November, Trump has largely maintained his hardline policies toward Mexico, with US-Mexico relations ever more strained as a result. The Mexican government is reportedly weighing economic and trade measures to counter Trump's aggressive posture. But should President Enrique Pena Nieto decide to strike back through other means, there are a number of avenues he could pursue. US cooperation with Mexico on security matters has played an important role in Mexico's efforts to fight crime. Plan Merida, enacted in 2008, has provided the Mexican government $2.5 billion in funding, as well as training and equipment like Black Hawk helicopters. (Those resources are thought to have facilitated abuses as well.) Mexico, however, has played an essential role in a number of initiatives vital to US interests. This includes not only drug interdiction and pursuit of organized-crime suspects, but intercepting and deporting the significant number of migrants from Central America who cross Mexico heading for the US. Mexico is unlikely to halt its own fight against drugs and crime, but it could reduce or halt cooperation with the US on these programs. Donald Trump Enrique Pena Nieto Mexico meeting "They could throw open the ports entry southbound and just let guns and cash flow in without inspection. They could make no effort to control the southern border. They could make a secret pact with drug-trafficking organizations. They could provide false intelligence, or no intelligence to the United States, in contrast to what they have been doing before," said David Shirk, a professor at the University of San Diego who researches crime and violence in Mexico. Story continues "They could do any number of things to undermine the security of the United States. I don't think Mexico is likely to do those things because of the obvious negative ramifications," Shirk said, but there are "certainly many ways in which losing Mexico as an ally on security would be bad for the United States." What, if any, official adjustment the Mexican government makes regarding security cooperation remains to be seen, but discussions about such changes are not just idle speculation. "The drugs that come through Mexico from South America, or the drugs that are produced here in Mexico, all go to the United States. This is not our problem," Jorge Castaneda, who served as Mexico's foreign minister from 2000 to 2003, told CNN at the end of January. Colin Powell Jorge Castaneda Mexico US foreign minister secretary of state "We have been cooperating with the United States for many years on these issues because they've asked us to, and because we have a friendly, trustful relationship." "If that relationship disappears," Castaneda said, "the reasons for cooperation also disappear." Much of the cooperation on security matters hinges on personal, on-the-ground relationships between Mexican agents and officials and their US counterparts. These Mexicans may not give the orders, but they don't live and work in a vacuum. "There's a great deal of individuals in both the military and the federal police, but I would say probably more so with the military, that are extraordinarily angered by everything going on with the Trump presidency," Mike Vigil, former chief of international operations for the US Drug Enforcement Administration, told Business Insider. "And they have started to express disdain in terms of having to work with the US government based on that," Vigil said, adding: "There's a lot people that've been expressing a reluctance moving forward, and that reluctance is becoming stronger and stronger as Trump continues to make remarks and continue with the deportation of not necessarily criminals, they don't have a problem with criminals, they understand that, but when they're separating Hispanic or Mexican families, women, mothers, fathers, who have absolutely nothing to do with any criminal activities. That is the arrow that pierces the heart of Mexican security forces." Vigil stressed that friendships between Mexican and US officials may keep cooperation alive, but slights and insults from Trump may accumulate in the minds of Mexican security personnel until some have little motivation to act on tips or intelligence offered by the US. As Vigil explained: "If you provide tactical information let's say John Doe, or Juan Doe, is up here in, let's say, San Miguel de Allende, and we know what house he's in, we know he's definitely there you pass it on to the Mexicans." "They may not tell you 'no,' but they'll just drag their feet, and they'll let a lot of time pass by where the individual may have already moved, and that way ... you don't have a grievance. They're going to say, 'The guy wasn't there.'" Central American immigrants Amid Trump's looming crackdown on illegal immigration no matter its origin Mexican officials have identified the movement of people as an issue on which to counter the US's hardline toward Mexico, specifically on trade. Since 2014, the Mexican government at the urging of and with the assistance of the US government has stepped up its apprehension and deportation of migrants from Central America. By mid-2015, Mexico was deporting more of those migrants than the US. The 153,295 people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras that Mexico stopped at its southern border in fiscal year 2016 were the second-most apprehended over the previous nine years. Mexico drug tunnel entrance We have been a great ally to fight problems with migration, narcotics," Mexican Economy Minister Ildefonso Guajardo told The Globe and Mail in an interview earlier this month. "If at some point in time things become so badly managed in the relationship, the incentives for the Mexican people to keep on cooperating in things that are at the heart of [U.S.] national-security issues will be diminished." "You cannot ask me to [accept poor] conditions in terms of trade and then request my help to manage migration issues from other nations or the prosecution of criminal activities and narcotics," Guajardo said. "Mexico should stop doing the United States' dirty work on our southern border and stopping Central American minors or refugees or people fleeing the violence in Central America from going to the United States," Castenada, the former foreign minister, told CNN this week. "If they want to go to the United States, let them go," he said. "We should just let them through." Though his time in office has been short, Trump's posture toward Mexico has inflamed much of the country. Mexico government protest Donald Trump Pena Nieto In a poll of Mexicans conducted in late January by Mexican newspaper El Economista, 81.2% of respondents said they had a "bad" opinion of Trump just one in 25 Mexicans said they had a "good" opinion of the US president. The personal, business, and political ties between the two countries are many, and some people in Mexico are quite worried about the strain on the relationship, but Mexicans among whom a sense of nationalism endures may not accept the status quo indefinitely. "I think that Mexico has been a good-faith partner to the United States up until the present, and Mexico needs the United States, and the United States needs Mexico," Shirk, who directs the Justice in Mexico program at USD, told Business Insider. "But Mexico is a proud country, and at a certain point we will lose their good faith," Shirk said. "Mexico has to, at some point, I think, look out for itself." NOW WATCH: The Trump family's lavish lifestyle is costing taxpayers a fortune More From Business Insider Barack Obama Former President Barack Obama caused quite a commotion Friday when he stopped inside a New York City office building. A large crowd gathered outside, trying to catch a view of Obama as he left 160 Fifth Ave. in Manhattan. It was not immediately clear what the former president was attending to during his stop. A representative for the president's foundation declined to comment. In the liberal enclave of Manhattan, Obama was met with loud cheers as he walked to his motorcade. He put on a pair of sunglasses and waved to the crowd before leaving the scene. Watch his appearance below: President Obama leaving 160 5th ave just now pic.twitter.com/kowtqnif9W Allan Smith (@akarl_smith) February 24, 2017 Related: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. NOW WATCH: Here's how powerful an executive order is and how it could be reversed More From Business Insider Feb 24, 2017, 6:39pm ET GM denies pushing legislation to quash autonomous startups Some of the bills, reportedly authored with help from GM, appear to bar startups from testing autonomous vehicles on public roads. General Motors has denied using political influence and campaign donations to push autonomous-vehicle legislation that has been criticized as anticompetitive. Similar bills under consideration in several states include language that would only allow established automakers to obtain permits necessary to test autonomous vehicles on public roads. The bills have prompted pushback from Silicon Valley companies that intend to play a significant role in the autonomous vehicle industry, such as Google's Waymo and Uber. Some companies investing in self-driving systems recently argued the "anti-competitive bill will only slow down the rollout of life-saving technology and create an unlevel playing field at the expense of consumer safety." An AP report details a lobbying effort and campaign donations from GM to state legislators involved in pushing the bills. In Illinois, the company is said to have donated a combined $8,000 to bill co-sponsors. One recipient of GM cash, state Rep. Mike Zalewski, told the AP he sponsored the bill after being contacted by GM. "These bills aren't being introduced at GM's urging," said GM lobbyist Harry Lightsey. GM argues that restrictions on which companies can operate autonomous vehicles on public roads are necessary to avoid accidents that could negatively affect "public acceptance of the technology." Under pressure from Silicon Valley, some states have changed the language in the bills or declined to introduce the bills altogether. Some critics argue that states should wait for the federal government to manage legislation for autonomous vehicles. Feb 25, 2017, 4:32am ET Plug-in hybrid Range Rover in the works The battery-electric SUV will be capable of driving on electricity alone for short distances. Land Rover is putting the final touches on a plug-in hybrid variant of the luxurious Range Rover, according to British media outlets. The gasoline-electric Range Rover's main source of power will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder tuned to provide 295 horsepower, Autocar reports. The four will work with an electric motor linked to a lithium-ion battery pack mounted right under the trunk floor. The two power sources will spin all four wheels via an automatic transmission. The hybrid Range Rover will be capable of driving on electricity alone for about 25 miles, meaning it will retain access to busy city centers in China even after officials ban gasoline-powered cars in a bid to curb air pollution. Alternatively, the hybrid drivetrain will propel the behemoth from zero to 60 mph in under six seconds. Visually, the battery-electric Range will stand out thanks to model-specific lights on both ends, and a redesigned grille believed to incorporate the charging port. Inside, the changes will include a hybrid-only instrument cluster with a gauge that indicates how much juice is left in the battery pack. Recent spy shots indicate the plug-in hybrid Range Rover is nearly ready for production. Land Rover hasn't revealed when we'll see it, but we wouldn't be surprised if it makes its debut at a major auto show before the year draws to a close. If we're right, it will reach showrooms in time for the 2018 model year. What's next? We can't imagine Jaguar - Land Rover would go through the trouble of developing a plug-in hybrid drivetrain exclusively for the Range Rover. It's reasonable to assume the gas-electric setup to find its way into most of JLR's bigger models -- including the XJ -- in the coming years. Spied: 2018 Mercedes-Benz X-Class Feb 24, 2017, 3:44pm ET Mercedes\' upcoming pickup truck has broken cover. Mercedes-Benz's upcoming X-Class pickup truck has been spotted undergoing shakedown testing near the Arctic Circle. The X-Class is expected to go on sale in some global markets next year. The Mercedes X-Class will be based on the Nissan NP300 Navara, and that's clearly evident from these spy pictures. Everything from bumpers to lights to wheels look to be sourced directly from the Nissan. In fact, the only deviation we can see is a Mercedes grille poking out from behind the camouflage. It should come as no surprise, then, that the X-Class will borrow its engine lineup from the Navara. That should mean a pair of diesels, with the top-spec mill producing about 187 horsepower, and a 164 horsepower gas engine. Four- and two-wheel drive configurations will be offered, along with manual and automatic transmissions. So far Mercedes has not announced any plans to sell the X-Class in the United States, but the automaker is considering it. If the X-Class ultimately does get the green light for the U.S., it wouldn't be sold on these shores until at least 2019. Sean Spicer Reporters from The New York Times, CNN, Politico, and several other outlets were reportedly blocked from attending a press gaggle with the White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, on Friday. The White House Correspondents' Association protested the decision. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," the association said in a statement. "We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff." The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted Friday's briefing because the other outlets were not let in. Both The New York Times and CNN had reported this week that the Trump administration had tried to seek help from the FBI in discrediting media reports about Trump aides' ties to Russia. The Times' Washington bureau chief told Erik Wemple of The Washington Post that The Times' "most experienced" White House reporters had "never seen anything like this." Spicer later told reporters who were allowed to attend the briefing that he thought the administration had "shown an abundance of accessibility." He also said that there was nothing out of the ordinary about the no-camera briefing, according to a White House pool report. Also blocked were the Los Angeles Times, BuzzFeed, and most foreign press, according to the news outlet Axios. Fox News anchor Bret Baier noted on Twitter: "Some at CNN & NYT stood w/FOX News when the Obama admin attacked us & tried 2 exclude us-a WH gaggle should be open to all credentialed orgs." NOW WATCH: Merriam-Webster cant stop trolling the Trump administration on Twitter More From Business Insider A major recruitment drive has been announced for the Defence Forces for 2017. The drive aims to recruit 860 new entrants. Minister with Responsibility for Defence, Mr Paul Kehoe, T.D has stressed the importance of diversity in the Defence Forces, and the need for increased participation from women and the different ethnic groups and nationals now in the State. Recent policy documents, approved by the Minister, underpin equality, diversity and inclusion within the Defence Forces and create a welcoming and engaging workplace environment for all, irrespective of gender, creed, ethnicity or sexual orientation. It is important that Oglaigh na hEireann represents the richness and diversity of the community it serves. In this regard, the Government is committed to increasing female representation in the Defence Forces, and I would particularly encourage young women throughout the country to consider the opportunities which a career in the Defence Forces provides," he said. "I would also urge our new Irish, who have contributed so much to the creation of a more pluralist and culturally diverse Irish society, to take up the opportunity to serve in the armed forces of the State they now call home. The Defence Forces welcomes and respects all, irrespective of gender, creed, ethnicity or sexual orientation, the Minister said. The planned target is to induct approximately 860 new entrants to the Defence Forces across all services and competition streams in 2017. The first of these competition streams, general enlistment, is now open on the Defence Forces website here. Cllr Enda Stenson is standing full square behind his comments on Mohill town needing help to survive as reported last week and is bemused by the furore caused by the story. Last week's front page stated that 'Mohill Town is Dying,' a direct quote from the Independent councillor, and it was met with support and annoyance in equal measure. Speaking to the Leitrim Observer this week, Cllr Stenson said the people that have a problem with it read the headline but didn't read the article. Explaining his attitude, Cllr Stenson said the councillors had a normal discussion at the meeting and discussed, as they have done at every council meeting this past ten years, the demise of rural Ireland, the closure of pubs, post offices and rural shops. The feeling out there is that the smaller towns and villages are not getting the help they should get to survive. What that help is, I can't put my finger on it. He said he recently met with the Chief Executive of Leitrim County Council and the Chief Executive of Leitrim Enterprise Office to impress on them the need for funding and incentives for Mohill. My choice of words (last week) mightn't have been the best and if I offended anyone I regret that, he said. Cllr Stenson said, through his involvement in many different groups and organisations, he knows all too well the positivity that exists around Mohill. However, he asked, Do the people of Mohill think Mohill doesn't need help? I think every town needs help. He said the word needs to go out that Mohill needs help. There is very little the local authority can do, we have to reach out yo the bigger funding agencies, he said, asking when was the last time the IDA visited Mohill. Cllr Stenson said among the positives for Mohill are its close proximity to the N4 and the railway line in Dromod as well as Lough Rynn Castle. He said the new rowing facility on Lough Rinn will, in time, be a huge asset to the town. He went on to say that a lot of people left Mohill in the 1960s and have done very well for themselves. I would love to reach out to them and encourage the start-up of something in Mohill. He added that from the council's point of view every assistance would be given to them. In relation to the 'debate take took place on the Leitrim Observer's Facebook page, Cllr Stenson said it is not someplace to have a constructive discussion, and accused people of going on it and putting up rants. He also said, I don't mind anybody giving out to me, it's part and parcel of being a local representative, but nobody has the right to include any member of my family. Any thing I say, I say it, not a member of my family, he said. Cllr Seadhna Logan spoke to the Leitrim Observer in reaction to last week's story and he was quick to outline the positives in Mohill. The Sinn Fein councillor said, My concern is not the article, it's the headline and went on to say that to give the perception that Mohill was dying was unjustified. He said he would be making it clear to everyone who asked him that 'Mohill Town Is Dying' was a direct quote. He described the story as hard hitting and fair enough, it was just the headline. We cannot, as Mohill people, send out this message that the town is dying or dead, he said. The town is open for business, it does need help, it does need supports, but the perception that the town is dying is totally wrong and totally unjustified and can't be put into the public domain, he argued. He went on to list the many great community facilities in the town, the excellent schools, the Family Support Centre embedded in the community, the Teagasc office, mart, bank, post office, etc. Mohill is a close knit community and it needs help. We have the services, we just need people to come into the town and engage with the town, he said. Traditionally, Mohill was always a town where people came in to shop and do business in and for whatever reason people who used to come into the town are driving through it now and going to Carrick-on-Shannon, he said. Asked how he would go about attracting people back into the town, he said, What's needed is a strategy on how to use vacant retail space. Obviously there is vacant units but we need to identify what kind of sustainable businesses can come into the town and rejuvenate the empty units. He said the Council and the Local Enterprise Office need to promote the town. Every time the enterprise office are approached about business potential in the area, they cannot just look at Carrick or Drumshanbo as the go-to towns, they have to look at what is in the county and what can be sustainable in the other towns, Cllr Logan said. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were reminding you of some of the best over the course of this weekend. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging unlike the stream of Tories who got up to repeat what seemed to have been a script handed down from the Whips which basically said The Lib Dems said they wanted an in-out referendum and now they arent accepting the result. Na na na na na. We kick off with Leader Dick Newbys cracking speech. He addressed the issue of whether the Lords has the power to amend the Bill and suggests how it could make it better. Well, my Lords, finally we have the Article 50 Bill. If the Government had brought it forward last July, six months of delay could have been avoided. Since then, three things in particular have happened that require us to take stock and to fashion a response. First, there was the deliberate decision of the Prime Minister to prioritise control of EU migration and the severing of links with the European Court of Justice over membership of the single market and the customs union. As George Osborne put it, they have, chosen not to make the economy the priority in this negotiation.[Official Report, Commons, 1/2/17; col. 1034.] Although some seek to portray that as an inevitable consequence of the 23 June vote, it was not. Many prominent Brexit supporters, including Nigel Farage, Dan Hannan and the Brexit Secretary himself suggested that we might remain in the single marketfor example, by adopting the Norwegian precedent. So the decision to rip us out of the single market was a deliberate choice by the Prime Minister, and one that deserves to be challenged. Secondly, as a consequence of the form of hard Brexit chosen by the Government, they have been forced to pivot our trade and indeed our political priorities towards the USA, and they have done so with unalloyed enthusiasm. In any era this would be a risky strategy, but the election of Donald Trump makes an America-first policy by this country not only risky but demeaning. The bold assertion by the Foreign Secretary that the US shares our values is unsustainable under a Trump presidency. On a wide variety of frontsnot just his ban on asylum seekers but on free trade, climate change and relations with Russia and IranTrumps policies are opposed to British values and interests. I am sure the Prime Minister is acutely aware of this, yet her headlong rush to the US, offering them the trinket of a state visit, only serves to underline her weakness and the weakening position of the UK. Thirdly, we have now had the White Paper setting out the Governments negotiating stance. With the stark exception of its rejection of the single market and the European Court, the White Paper is a rather horrifying mixture of pious aspiration and complacent illusion. The Prime Ministers preface sets the tone. British exceptionalism abounds. We have, the finest intelligence services, the bravest armed forces, the most effective hard and soft power. What is more, according to the White Paper, the country is coming together, with, 65 million people willing us to make it happen. The whole tone portrays the UK as a sort of a fettered giant, a national equivalent of Clark Kent which, having entered the Brexit telephone booth, can emerge as a Superman ready to take on the world and win. Either the Prime Minister believes this, which is deeply worrying; or she hopes that by whistling a happy tune, all will work out well, which is scarcely more reassuring. In view of these developments, how should this House approach the Bill before us? Can we and should we seek simply to send it on its way, or can we and should we seek to amend it? On the first question, the answer is crystal clear. We have the power to ask the Commons to think again on any piece of legislation, large or small. I hope the Government will accept that. When we had the Statement in response to the Supreme Court ruling on 24 January, the Minister, the noble Lord, Lord Bridges, said that, we in this House, as an unelected Chamber, need to tread with considerable care on this issue as we proceed. The clear implication was that we should not be pressing amendments. In response, however, the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, replied: It would be very useful if, when we debate this Bill and there are opposing views and we ask the other place to think again, we do not have Ministers, or anybody else, talking about constitutional crises. This place cannot have the last word. A Government defeat in your Lordships House is simply a request to the Commons to look at the issue againthat is all it is.[Official Report, 12/1/17; cols. 561 and 567.] That sums up the position perfectly. I therefore hope that Ministers in this House will not mimic the attitude of some of their colleagues in another place by dismissing concerns or queries raised by Members of your Lordships House as merely opposing the will of the people or by saying that we are trying to obstruct the process. No significant body of opinion in this House is seeking to prevent the passage of the Bill, but there is a world of difference between blocking the Bill and seeking to amend it. So, if we clearly have the power to amend the Bill, should we positively seek to do so? I believe that we should. Brexit is the most important single issue which has faced the country for decades. For many of us, the approach being adopted by the Government is little short of disastrous. For those of usand there are many in your Lordships Housefor whom Europe has been a central theme of our entire political lives, to sit on our hands in the circumstances is both unthinkable and unconscionable. Many of us throughout the House have always been proud internationalists. We have a profound and deep-rooted commitment to partnership with our European neighbours, a partnership which has resulted in a peaceful Europe where we work in co-operation with one another to overcome common adversariesclimate change, disease, organised crime, terrorismand to share in the benefits of close relations with our neighbours. How could we possibly justify supine acceptance of what the Government are proposing to ourselves, let alone to others who are watching? How then should be seek to amend the Bill? There are several sorts of amendments that were debated in the Commons. These amendments related to parliamentary scrutiny, to the role of the devolved Administrations, to impact assessments and to negotiating priorities, from the relationship to the single market to the rights of EU citizens in the UK. All of these are extremely important areas. We on these Benches will want to work across the House with others who seek to pursue them, but for us the key question as we begin the negotiations is: what happens at the end of the process? The Government were not given a blank cheque by the electorate. Voting for departure is not the same as voting for a destination. If and when the Prime Minister reaches a Brexit deal, who will ratify it on behalf of the nation? Only three bodies could do so: the Government, Parliament, or the people as a whole. The Government have already said that they will give Parliament a vote on the deal, although at present they seem to be willing to offer a vote on only one optionto accept the deal or crash out of the EU. We will of course seek in your Lordships House to give Parliament a more meaningful role at the end of the process, but even if we succeed, Parliament, having decided to ask the people to express a view on whether they wished to leave the EU, should not have the final say. If only parliamentarians had had a vote in the referendum, our future EU membership would be secure. Both MPs and Peers overwhelmingly thought that our better interests were served by staying in the EU, including, of course, many members of the current Administrationnot least those in your Lordships House. At the end of the process initiated by the people, only the people should have the final say. I realise that many in your Lordships House are strongly opposed to referenda and shrink from the prospect of having any more, but we now have a country more deeply divided on Brexit than ever. The anger of those who wanted to leave is now matched by the growing anger of those who wish to remainparticularly our young people. If at the end of this process we are to come together as a country, we need to dissipate this anger, and we believe that giving the people the final say will help to do so. I must also challenge those many Members of your Lordships House who have approached me and my colleagues in recent weeks to say that they believe Brexit is a catastrophe for the country and fervently wish to avert it. How, other than a referendum, do noble Lords think this could be seen to be done legitimately? Having remitted power over our membership of the EU to the people, who but the people could ultimately exercise the power to think again? Of course, the idea of such a referendum should not be alien to the Government. David Davis has argued over a number of years for what he calls a decision referendum at the end of the negotiating process. He has not said much about that in recent months but he did let his guard slip in concluding his Second Reading speech on the Article 50 Bill in the Commons when he quoted Gladstone, who said: Trust the people. Trust the people. My Lords, we agree. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were bringing you all the Lib Dem contributions over the course of this weekend. Thats no mean feat. There were 32 of them and cover more than 30,000 words. You are not expected to read every single one of them as they appear. Nobodys going to be testing you or anything. However, they will be there to refer to in the future. Our Lords excelled themselves. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging and its right that we present them in full on this site to help the historian of the future. My Lords, after attempting unconstitutionally to rush to the Article 50 exit without legislative authority, the Government have produced this simple Bill, which is no better than a Motion to approve in legislative clothing, and a White Paper that fails to explain the Governments strategy or to answer the key political and legal questions. The Government interpret Article 50 as a trap that, once opened, cannot be closed. But its author, the noble Lord, Lord Kerr of Kinlochard, who I am glad to see in his place, has made it clear that when the Article 50 process is triggered, the UK may continue to remain a member of the EU. The White Paperperhaps I should call it the off-White Papercontains statements worthy of Dr Pangloss, George Orwell and Humpty-Dumpty. It claims that the UKs constitutional arrangements make us, the worlds most successful and enduring multi-nation state. Tell that to the Celtic parts of our disunited kingdom. According to the Prime Minister, after all the division and discord, the country is coming together. That is fake and false news. The referendum and its aftermath have been an agent of fracture, not of healing. The White Paper says that it sets out, how the Great Repeal Bill will ensure that our legislatures and courts will be the final decision makers in our country. It does not say how that will be done. The Government say that they will, bring an end to the jurisdiction, of the Luxembourg court in the UK. They do not say how that will be done. The Government say that they will continue to work with the EU to preserve UK and European security, and to fight terrorism and uphold justice across Europe. That must mean the European arrest warrant, and EU databases and information exchange systems. They do not explain how that can be done without the supervisory jurisdiction of the European Court of Justicefor example, while there are transitional arrangements, or where cross-border issues arise with the Irish Republic. I am so glad that the noble and learned Lord, Lord Keen of Elie, is listening, because he can advise the Minister how to deal with this by way of reply. Will the British courts be instructed to follow and apply the ECJs case law or not? Will that be the ECJs existing or future case law? Suppose Mrs Smith claims equal pay under the Equality Act. She wants the Act to be read compatibly with judgments of the ECJ, interpreting EU equality law. After we leave the EU and end the ECJs jurisdiction, what will our courts and tribunals do? Will they be permitted to apply the ECJs case law? Will that be the law as it stood when we left the EU or developing law? The Government say that they will convert the body of EU law into our domestic legislation and, will ensure the continued protection of workers rights. This will give certainty and continuity to employees and employers alike, creating stability. What do the Government expect our courts and tribunals to do before this statutory conversion happens? What about the effect on rights of parties with pending cases before the ECJ? The Government treat the advisory referendum as binding and claim its outcome requires them to take us out of Europe willy-nilly, even if they fail to get the deal they want. No deal, they say, is better than a bad deal. However, the White Paper is silent about the political and legal consequences if there is no deal. The Bill needs to make it clear that the UK will leave the EU at the end of the Article 50 process only if and when Parliament has legislated either to approve the terms of a withdrawal agreement or to authorise withdrawal in the absence of any agreement. We need an assurance from the Government that they will not use the rights of our fellow European citizens as a bargaining chip here and abroad. Despite the Governments threats, I have no doubt that we in this House will do our constitutional duty and enable the elected House to do theirs. Unless we think again, I regret that our modern destiny will be as an offshore island, semi-detached from Europea once-great nation that lost an empire and failed to find a new, modern identity in Europe. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were bringing you all the Lib Dem contributions over the course of this weekend. Thats no mean feat. There were 32 of them and cover more than 30,000 words. You are not expected to read every single one of them as they appear. Nobodys going to be testing you or anything. However, they will be there to refer to in the future. Our Lords excelled themselves. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging and its right that we present them in full on this site to help the historian of the future. Joan Walmsley, after responding to Michael Forsyths intemperate rant about the evils of the Liberal Democrats, talked about healthcare and how important the single market is for research network which are already been damaged by the Tories plans. She also explained why Donald Trumps America First policy means that we should stay in the single market. My Lords, every day we start our deliberations by asking for wisdom and understanding. We pray that our counsels may result in, the public wealth, peace and tranquillity of the Realm, and the uniting and knitting together of the hearts of all persons and estates within the same. Whether or not we are religious, these objectives should unite us all. Currently this country is very divided and very angry. When I came to the House of Lords, I knew that I did not represent a geographical constituency. I understood that I was here to represent all the people of the United Kingdom and to do what I judge the right thing according to my conscience. That is what I propose to do. Last time I looked, every Member of this House was equal. His or her opinion was equal and his or her conscience was equal. Last time I looked, it was customary to treat the opinions and consciences of other Members of the House with some civility and respect. I have to say that the speech before last did not do that and did not serve that Members cause very well. Your Lordships House has a duty to scrutinise legislation in detail and to ask the Government to think again when they are going in the wrong direction. There is precious little detail in the Bill but I judge that the Government have chosen to take the country in the wrong direction. There is no mandate for it. There is no majority to leave the single market. If we continue along this path, our people will be poorer and our country will be more isolated and less influential in the world. So I will be supporting amendments to protect the rights of citizens of other EU countries who live and work here, to protect our access to the single market and to allow the people of this country to have the last word, for the sake of our unity and democracy. That is what I believe democracy is. As your Lordships will be aware, I speak for these Benches on health and social care. There are three main healthcare reasons why I believe the Bill should be amended. They boil down to: people, healthcare and Donald Trump. There are tens of thousands of EU citizens working in our health and care system and the Government are using their future, and the future of those they care for, as a pawn in a misguided game of cat and mouse with the other 27 countries. Without them, the staff shortages we are already experiencing will be a lot worse and patients will suffer. 1 am pleased there has been a cross-party outcry from your Lordships about this, so I hope all will vote for an end to that foolishness. Secondly, the businesses which provide the drugs, medical devices and treatments that British people need will be badly affected by a hard Brexit. That is why I support access to the single market rather than just waving a white flag and not even trying. The pharmaceutical products most of us depend on are developed by research by networks of scientists working together across Europe. These networks are already suffering and the massive EU funding from which they benefit is being put at risk. Clinical trials taking place here in the UK are at risk. UK patients get access to new and cutting-edge treatments because of them. The UK has played an enormous role in the regulation and licensing of medicines for the whole EU. Indeed, much of the expertise is here. It makes no sense to develop our own system. We could lose a lot of that expertise. Companies will always develop products for big markets where the profits are. Why would they want to develop a product to satisfy the regulations in a market of 68 million people when they could sell to a market of 400 million? Medicine distributors warn of cost increases, decreased access and even shortages. Harmonised regulation is not a burden. It gives us the freedom to sell and the confidence to buy. Why throw it away? Medcare products frequently cross borders in the course of their manufacture, packaging and labelling. Having tariffs imposed on them will increase their costs and decrease their competitiveness. So, for the sake of UK patients and their access to affordable and cutting-edge medicines and treatments, I will be supporting an amendment to give us continued access to the single market and the customs union. Then there is Donald Trump. Our NHS is probably our most valuable asset. Already a lot of American healthcare companies are sniffing around to see what they can pick up. We all heard what Trump said about trade deals putting America firstAmerica first, not the UK first. So anyone who thinks a trade deal with the USA will not result in a lot of our health services being run by American companies must be completely mad. Finally, I will be supporting an amendment to ensure the approval of the British people for the deal put before them by the Government. All those who are most affected should have a say, including those who were denied one in the last referendum with its gerrymandered electorate, such as: citizens of other EU countries who live here; British citizens who have lived for many years in other EU countries; and 16 to 18 year-olds whose future study and work opportunities will be damaged by Brexit. We have a representative Parliament and we are not used to referenda. But perhaps, having ventured into that area, we should have taken a leaf out of the book of the Swiss. Here, our future wealth and well-being are being hijacked by an advisory referendum in which only 37% of a gerrymandered electorate voted for the change. That means that 63% did not. I believe I am here to speak for the 63%, along with all those groups that were not allowed to vote at all. So for those reasons, and, as other noble Lords have mentioned, because times have changed since 23 June, we need a referendum on the final proposals. You cannot start the process with some form of democracy and finish with a stitch-up. The long-term future of the UK and its population is at serious risk and this House must do its duty and ignore bullying threats about its own future. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were bringing you all the Lib Dem contributions over the course of this weekend. Thats no mean feat. There were 32 of them and cover more than 30,000 words. You are not expected to read every single one of them as they appear. Nobodys going to be testing you or anything. However, they will be there to refer to in the future. Our Lords excelled themselves. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging and its right that we present them in full on this site to help the historian of the future. Lynne Featherstone was characteristically pithy, slamming the governments position on EU nationals as no way for a decent country to behave and was quite clear that the people must be given the final say on the deal and wonders what would happen if public opinion changed on Brexit. Would the brexiteers be so happy to listen to the will of the people then? She said the Lords should do what the Commons didnt have the nerve to do and amend the bill to guarantee EU nationals rights, membership of the single market and that referendum on the deal. My Lords, it is a pleasure to follow the noble Lord, Lord Anderson, and I could not agree more with him on that last point. I do not take kindly to threats. There may be many reasons for which this House in its current form should be abolished or reformed, but expressing our views honestly is not one of them. Those in the other place who seek to threaten and bully us should be ashamed of themselves. If we send this back to the Commons with amendments, it is simply to say, Look at this againthat is what we do with legislation. At least, that is my understanding after a year in your Lordships House. This is no different. We live in uncertain times in an uncertain world, which is even more uncertain today now that the new leader of the free world appears to have no understanding of or respect for his roleor worse. Each day brings another jaw-dropping statement, press briefing, appointment, tweet or executive order, the reality of which is stark and dangerous. I have always been a great fan of America and have always wanted a close relationship with the country that has the most power. I also wanted a close relationship with Europe. I am now concerned about our relationship with the former. But, to be frank, even if it had been Hillary, in an internationalist world we stand with our friends, be that the EU, NATO, the Commonwealth or the United Nations. None of these groupings is perfectfar from itand all need to be more effective and dynamic. But the EU was our rock and it is our nearest and dearest. I am broken-hearted that, on a simple majority in a poorly argued and lie-ridden campaignon both sidesour nation is walking away from peace, security, jobs and economic success. Yes, we will survivehow well is yet to be seenbut do not threaten me or tell me not to fight for what I believe in or not to stay as involved and as close as is humanly possible to Europe post Brexit. On this debatethe power to trigger Article 50I have but a few comments on key issues. Without EuratomI have always pronounced it Eurahtom: you say Euratom and I say Eurahtom the peaceful use of nuclear energy, nuclear safety, nuclear safeguards, nuclear security and research into nuclear fusion are not certain. As ever, there are two views from the legal profession: one that leaving the EU means we automatically leave Euratom, and the opposing view that leaving the EU does not mean leaving Euratom. It is beyond vital that we remain in Euratom, even if we were outside Europe, for the reasons afore given, one way or the other. On EU nationals, as has been expressed across your Lordships House, we should give assurance to the EU unilaterally that their future is secure. This is no way for a decent country to behave. On the single market, we need our heads examined if we leave. I was a Home Office Minister and worked with Theresa May for three years. She is a very sensible and clever woman. I hope beyond hope that hard Brexit is a negotiating position, and that common sense will prevail in the negotiations and that we will retain access to that market. Anything else is beyond mad. Lastly, I come to perhaps the most important part of the process that this debate kicks off, which is that we should give the British people the final say on the deal when it is dealt. Listening to MP after MP in the Commons debate say how much they disagreed with leaving the EU but that they did not wish to frustrate the will of the people, it wasif noble Lords will forgive meas if their cojones had gone missing. That is the point. In the Commons they are in a double bindor perhaps more of a triple bind. They are torn between their conscience, the will of their constituents and the overarching result in the country. That is why this must go back to the people. It will be almost impossible for Parliament to simply vote without the confirmation of the British people. It started with the people and it must end with the people, when they are in a position to make a judgment based on the factsthe deal itself. Parliament can debate and argue, but it is clear that the Commons believes that it must not frustrate the will of the peoplethough, if noble Lords will excuse my cynicism, I wonder what will happen when the cold wind of Brexit blows public opinion the other way. Of course, the referendum was clear: as clear as mud. The retrospective clarity that is now given to it was not there at the time and is no substitute for the ultimate truth that will be the deal. That we should make this momentous change and leave the EU on a simple majoritythe result of an advisory referendum based on campaigns that had only a tangential relationship to the truth and that was given as the result of appeasement of the right wing of the Conservative Partyis unforgivable. The final decision must go back to the people; and the people of this country can be trusted, knowing the deal on the table, to make a decision about whether their first view, now informed by reality, remains their view. Of the people, by the people and for the people. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were bringing you all the Lib Dem contributions over the course of this weekend. Thats no mean feat. There were 32 of them and cover more than 30,000 words. You are not expected to read every single one of them as they appear. Nobodys going to be testing you or anything. However, they will be there to refer to in the future. Our Lords excelled themselves. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging and its right that we present them in full on this site to help the historian of the future. Christine Humphreys talked about the impact of Brexit on Wales, on the loss of EU funding unlikely to be replaced by our low tax economy. She also challenged the government on their idea that we should all just line up behind them and meekly tug our forelocks as they choose our destiny for us, saying: The first steps to unity can come from the Government accepting that voters have the right to be part of the decision-making process. My Lords, although our country has voted, albeit by a comparatively small majority, to sever our links with the EU, many voters continue to voice genuine concerns and questions about the futureconcerns which have been echoed eloquently by noble Lordsabout the impact on our economy and on voters living standards; the position of EU nationals working in our communities and paying their taxes to support our services; the position of UK nationals living and working in the EU; and how our departure will impact on Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Gibraltar. Many are deeply concerned that our departure will precipitate the break-up of the EU itself and about the potential for new turmoil in a continent which has been ravaged by wars for hundreds of years but which has lived in comparative peace for the past 70. And, yes, they want to know exactly what a hard Brexit will mean, and they need clear answers to their questions and responses to their concerns. There is certainly now a deeper understanding of the benefits that access to the single market has brought to the UK, and a more acute awareness of the loss that could await us when we depart the EU. The single market is, and has been, of great value to Walesso much so that the majority of parties in the Welsh Assembly, while respecting the Welsh vote to leave the EU, have called for full and unfettered access to it. It is a market vital to our economy: 68% of Welsh exports go to the EU, as compared to just over 40% of the exports of the UK as a whole. Securing replacement markets is likely to be a slow and cumbersome process which could damage our economycertainly in the short term. Those parties and the Welsh Assembly have also called for a balanced approach to immigration which would link migration to jobs and, crucially, they advocate the introduction of properly enforced employment practices that protect all workers. I live in Conwy county in north Wales. Sitting at the edge of the Snowdonia National Park, it is a county blessed with the most beautiful scenery but, with a GDP per capita of 75% of the EU average, putting it on a par with Estonia and Lithuania, it has qualified for EU structural funds allocated to west Wales and the valleys since 2000. The present tranche of funding, running from 2014 to 2020, sees us benefiting from 1.9 billion of EU investment to support people into work and training, youth employment, research and innovation, renewable energy schemes and energy efficiency projects. In an area suffering rural and urban deprivation, these are essential building blocks in our attempt to grow our local economies. After my countrys decision to leave the EU, however, there are no guarantees of funding from the UK Government to continue these projects. If we are to become a low-tax economy, how will any regional policy be funded? Agriculture plays an absolutely crucial role in the economy, employing 58,000 people directly and outputting around 1.5 billion of produce. Agricultural funding under Pillar 1 of CAP will be upheld until 2020 but the future after that is unclear. Farmers need clarity on future funding and projects, and I would be grateful if that could be given today. The potential impact of withdrawal from the EU on the Airbus factory in north-east Wales is also concerning. This site is run by a European consortium and assembles wings for civil aircraftwings which are transported by road and sea to Toulouse for final assembly. It directly employs more than 6,000 people, and many others contribute to the supply chain and, of course, it relies heavily on the ability to move goods and people freely between its sites. The analogy of the UKs withdrawal from the EU to buying a house has already been made elsewhere, and I make no apologies for using it here. Our country has taken the decision to move home. We have no idea of the cost of our new home; we are to be given no survey and no input into the final decision. We are moving, and we are all expected to accept the choice of home that will be made for usnot by us. In reality though, house buying has checks and balances throughout the process, opportunities to reflect, seek information and evaluate it, and to learn more about where we are going. We engage in decision-making throughout the process and make choices before signing an agreement. We have to accept that we are a divided country, but a hard Brexit, delivered by a seemingly paternalistic Government, will do little to heal the divisions we all feel. We are told to accept the will of the people and unite behind the Government, but unity cannot be forced upon us. Like respect, it has to be nurtured and earned. The first steps to unity can come from the Government accepting that voters have the right to be part of the decision-making process. They have the right to reflect, learn more about their destination, re-evaluate their initial decision and either confirm or change it. On these Benches we believe that the British people must have the right to the final say on the deal negotiated by the Government. That right is fundamental to our beliefs, and it is one of the issues we will be pursuing at the later stages of this Bill. The Lib Dem Lords have made some cracking contributions to the debate on the Article 50 Bill. Ahead of its next Lords stages, were bringing you all the Lib Dem contributions over the course of this weekend. Thats no mean feat. There were 32 of them and cover more than 30,000 words. You are not expected to read every single one of them as they appear. Nobodys going to be testing you or anything. However, they will be there to refer to in the future. Our Lords excelled themselves. Their contributions were thoughtful, individual, well-researched and wide-ranging and its right that we present them in full on this site to help the historian of the future. Second up was William Wallace, who called out the brexiteers for shouting about parliamentary democracy and then doing all it could to undermine it. He also said that British foreign policy was now as incoherent as he could ever remember. My Lords, the speech of the noble Lord, Lord Cashman, makes it quite clear that the country is dividedin some ways more divided now than it was before the referendumand that this process as it continues could lead to the country and its regions becoming increasingly divided. That gives us a great responsibility in how we contribute to the debate. This House has an entirely legitimate role to play in scrutinising the Governments approach to Brexit, both as the process proceeds and when it comes to the final package. Our role as a revising Chamber is not to throw out Bills at Second Reading but to examine the rationale for the proposals they contain. It is our role as a second Chamber to weigh up the Governments proposals against our understanding of the national interest and to challenge the Government when we consider that their arguments do not make sense. The Vote Leave campaign made much play before the referendum of the principle of restoring parliamentary sovereignty. Since June it has argued, in contradiction to that principle, that neither Chamber of Parliament can claim a significant role in scrutinising the Governments changing interpretation of what leaving the European Union means. The will of the people, the Daily Mail insists, requires that we now accept whatever the Government put forward. So we are in danger of slipping from parliamentary democracy to direct democracy in which an authoritarian political leader is allowed to interpret occasional expressions of the popular will without a continuing process of criticism. Nigel Farages French lodger, about whom the press showed much interest recently, is the director of the Institute for Direct Democracy in Europe, an institute supported by a group of hard-right nationalist parties across the EUdirect democracy against the necessary compromises and reasoned arguments of parliamentary democracy, in which popular fears and emotions are exploited by media and populist leaders to bully the opposition and target foreigners and minorities. The Conservative Government should not slip down that road, which would betray the best of the Conservative tradition. It is not that I think that our current Prime Minister is in any way comparable to Donald Trump or Marine Le Pen, but I do fear that she has been captured by the authoritarian right of her party and the almost anti-democratic hysteria of the Daily Mail. Those of us who still believe in parliamentary democracy, with reasoned debate and with attention to evidence and detail at its core, must therefore insist that this Chamber, as part of Parliament, has an important role to play. Ministers spent a good deal of time and effort quietly examining the detailed costs and benefits of EU membership under the coalition Government at the insistence of the Conservative side. Thirty-two papers on the balance of competences between the EU and the UK were carefully negotiated over 24 months on the basis of widespread consultation with stakeholders and experts in each sector, and the overwhelming consensus was that in most respects the current balance took UK interests well into account. Sadly, the response from the then Prime Minister in No. 10 was to bury the exercise as deeply as he could for fear of enraging the Europhobe right, so the public were left uninformed. But this Prime Minister cannot afford to bury sectional national interests and the impact of Brexit on them as negotiations move forward. If, at the end of the process, the gap between todays optimistic promises and the hard compromises of the final package is too wide, the public will blame the Conservatives for the result. Conservatives should therefore recognise that it is in their own enlightened interest to accept the amendment tabled by my noble friend Lord Newby and others that requires a resolution of both Houses on the final package and a national referendum on the terms agreed, and it is in the Governments enlightened interest to inform Parliament and the public of what it is realistically possible to achieve as they move forward, rather than raising illusory hopes now and attracting outrage when they fall short later. The recent White Paper still suggests that Britain can have its cake and eat it in sector after sector. It states: This Government will make no attempt to remain in the EU by the backdoor. Nevertheless, it lists a long series of areas where it is confident that the UK can retain close co-operation, from scientific research to aviation, medicines, food safety, chemicals and financial services. That simply will not be possible if we are entirely outside. The White Paper also pledges to maintain close co-operation on internal security, intelligence and crime, but without accepting judicial oversight of such sensitive issues. That will not be possible either. On foreign policy, the White Paper repeats the meaningless phrase that we are, leaving the EU, not leaving Europe a phrase repeated by the Leader of the House yet again todayand suggests that we will continue to participate in EU military and civilian missions across the globe, through the EUs back door, no doubt. Boris Johnson, meanwhile, is making speeches in India and the Gulf promising that an increasing proportion of our Armed Forces will in future be deployed east of Suez, as far away from Europe as possible, and last week he was in the Gambia proclaiming the revival of the Commonwealth while the Canadian Prime Minister was visiting Brussels and Strasbourg to celebrate Canadas trade agreement with the European Union. The Prime Minister says that we must be a world power but that none of us must be citizens of that world. I cannot recall a point in my lifetime when British foreign policy has been as incoherent as it is today. This has the potential for a train crash, so the House should give the Government a qualified and conditional authority to proceed with negotiations to leave, as the amendments we will discuss in Committee propose. STOP putting prices on our childrens lives, because to us they are priceless. Thats the message from Katie Sheahan, whose youngest son Michael, aged three, suffers from cystic fibrosis (CF). Parents of children who have the genetic condition, which mainly affects the lungs, are calling on Health Minister Simon Harris to make the potentially life-saving drugs Orkambi and Kaleydeco openly available. They argue it will give their young ones a real childhood and better long-term prospects. On Friday night last, around 90 parents whose children suffer from the condition gathered at Limerick City Hall for a vigil in memory of those who have died from the condition. But the underlying message is: they want action from the government. Around 560,000 kids in Ireland could benefit from Orkambi or Kaleydeco, and Kate said: It will stop kids getting six weeks sickness from school, plus viruses and everyday bugs. Its a really important drug. We know its not a cure: but it gives hope to the CF community because at the moment, were living in fear of what the future holds for our children. Orkambi is estimated to cost around 159,000 per patient per year, with pressure mounting on Mr Harris to get the drug approved for patients. Limerick TD Willie ODea, who attended the protest, raised the matter in Dail Eireann this week. He said: I think we all owe it to fight for these people who are literally fighting for their lives. You cannot really imagine what people who suffer from CF are going through. They struggle to breathe. Its too hard to even contemplate. Kate, who co-organised the vigil, which was held with the support of the charity Tipperary Limerick and Clare for Cystic Fibrosis (TLC4CF), added: Stop making us wait. The CF community are living in fear. No parent should have to live like this. We are standing here tonight for all the CF mothers and fathers who cannot be here because they are caring for their loved ones in hospitals. Joy ODonoghue, whose eight-year-old son Jason has CF, added: I dont want to have to bury my child. I dont want to have to see other people burying their children. Its not fair, its not right. Our kids lives are priceless. At the vigil, a minutes silence was observed for children who have lost their lives to CF. A number of other local politicians joined Mr ODea at the vigil: former Education Minister Jan OSullivan, plus Sinn Fein councillors John Costelloe and Malachy McCreesh. WHEN Enda Kenny steps down as Taoiseach, the starting pistol will sound for a leadership election in the governments main party. Although Mr Kenny will not set a timeframe for his departure until after St Patricks Day, the Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar this Friday become the first person to confirm he'll be in the running to become the next leader of Fine Gael when a contest begins. While the Dublin TD, pictured, would be considered one of the favourites for the role, Fine Gael councillors in Limerick have diverging views on who they feel should replace Mr Kenny as Taoiseach. The leading contenders as expected are Mr Varadkar and Simon Coveney. And in a more surprising move, many local members have said they would like to see 30-year-old Health Minister Simon Harris lead the party into the next election. Mr Harris has not ruled himself out of the running. Other local members have also backed Regina Doherty and Francis Fitzgerald to take over as leader of the country. Councillors across the countrys votes will count 10% towards a leadership election. Two clear endorsements for the Wicklow TD, pictured, have come from West Limericks long serving Fine Gael members, Cllrs Jerome Scanlan and Liam Galvin. Id be very much in favour of Simon Harris. He has proven to be an able operator at all levels in his political life. To me he has proven to be very hard working, and hed be my first choice, said former mayor, Cllr Gaivn. Cllr Scanlon meanwhile, added: He is an excellent young person. The future of this country is in the hands of our youth. A former bank manager, Cllr Scanlan believes Mr Harris could empathise with youngsters who are struggling to get on the property ladder, and those facing other more testing situations. I had a young couple come in and see me with an annual income of 63,000 per year with secure employment, and who cannot get a mortgage. There is something wrong there. We need someone younger, who can empathise with these people to ensure we relate to that segment of society, the councillor added. The possibility on the second-term TD entering the leadership contest was raised after a WhatsApp group where Fine Gael members shared chat was leaked to the national media. One person on the group commented that Mr Harris wanted out of his health portfolio. Senator Maria Byrne, who was in the now-closed group, declined to comment on it, only to confirm she contributed to the discussion to congratulate Marcella Corcoran Kennedy on completing a five kilometre run. This WhatsApp group is all about nothing. Until a vacancy arises, there is nothing to talk about. Im a Fine Gael person and Ill support the leader whomever it is, she told the Limerick Leader. In the metropolitan district, Cllr Michael Sheahan said he would be supporting Education Minister Richard Bruton who could enter the fray as a compromise candidate and Mr Varadkar in that order. Leo calls things as they are, which is not what maybe people within politics want at times. But the general public like this in their politicians that people say what they mean and not fudge the matter. Its the only way to behave in politics, Cllr Sheahan said. His neighbour in Castletroy, however, Cllr Marian Hurley says she would back Cork TD Mr Coveney. Being a Munster woman, Id obviously like to see a Munster man in there. It would be terrific if Simon Coveney was elected. He has the pedigree and determination. And as someone said on a news clip at the weekend, he is the workhorse and Varadkar is the showpony. There is a bit of that in there, she said. Cllr Daniel Butler made a call for a third or fourth person to enter the race, giving the names of Regina Doherty and Frances Fitzgerald. But no matter who is elected, we need to take a new direction in terms of our leadership. Other councillors the Limerick Leader contacted for comment said they had yet to make up their mind, or declined to remark. Senator Kieran ODonnell was not available for a comment. But a source close to the former Fine Gael frontbencher said having come down in favour of Mr Bruton in his attempt to unseat Mr Kenny back in 2010, Mr ODonnell would be playing his cards close to his chest this time. Only the day before this, Mr Kenny promoted Mr ODonnell to the high-profile role of opposition finance spokesperson. However, after Mr Bruton lost out in the heave, the former Limerick TD was moved to the backbenches. He was such a big loser the last time, I think if he told anyone who his choice was, it would be one person too many, the source said. The impending leadership election whenever it takes place is the first time Fine Gaels wider membership have had a say on this: 25% of the vote comes from members, 10% comes from councillors, and the remainder is from the parliamentary party. THE WORDS of a grieving mother who said the decision not to place a lifebuoy on a Limerick bridge shows a protected structure is valued more than a life has prompted the Mayor to intervene in a bid to reverse the decision. Majella Cosgrove, whose son Derek passed away after he entered the waters of the river Shannon in December, made a passionate plea calling on the local authority to reverse their decision not to provide a lifebuoy in the middle of Sarsfield Bridge. The motion, calling for the additional life-saving apparatus, was rejected by Limerick City management stating the bridge was a protected structure and could not have additional fixtures attached to it. If I see an issue arising that, in my opinion as mayor, is having an impact on our city and county, well then I will go to the chief executive and say, Look I want to see action taken. Im quite confident with the response I got from Conn Murray, said Mayor Kieran OHanlon. Mayor O'Hanlon decided to intervene after he heard Ms Cosgroves plea on local radio. For anybody to lose a son or daughter it is tragic in its own right but to lose them in these circumstances was extremely difficult. I got annoyed myself as mayor. I came into City Hall. I went to the chief executive and said, Look, this needs action immediately. I expect that over the next two weeks we will see lifebuoys in a suitable location in the middle of the bridge, where obviously they are most needed. Mayor OHanlon said that Conn Murray has spoken to the engineers and he has asked them to go away and find a solution to the problem. I will leave the details up to the officials and the engineers but as far as Im concerned, the logical place for two lifebuoys is in the middle of the bridge where you have very strong currents. As far as Im concerned, as Majella said, a life is worth more than any bridge or any building or any rules or regulations. When contacted on Friday afternoon, Ms Cosgrove said: Im absolutely delighted that there is going to be a lifebuoy there. Its sad to think that I had to go on the radio to spell it out for them. The debate was going for three days. An online petition entitled, Stop a Bridge Being More Protected than a Life, has been signed by over 600 people. Apr 28, 2021, 7 PM Author Anthony Burgess is shown on preliminary artwork for a 1.30 stamp from Monaco to be issued Feb. 27, 2017. Burgess was born 100 years earlier, on Feb. 25, 1917. By Michael Baadke The Monaco stamp office announced recently that it will issue a 1.30 stamp Feb. 27 to honor Anthony Burgess, who was born 100 years ago in Manchester, England, on Feb. 25, 1917. The stamp image shown here represents a preliminary design for the new issue; the finished stamp will include an engraved design, intaglio-printed in combination with an offset component. British writer, musician and linguist Anthony Burgess (1917-93) is best known as the author of A Clockwork Orange (1962), a science-fiction novel about youth violence set in a corrupt and cynical society of the future, the stamp office noted. It was brought to the big screen in 1971 by Stanley Kubrick. A prolific and versatile writer who often addressed historical themes, Burgess published 33 novels, 25 works of nonfiction, two volumes of autobiography, three symphonies, more than 250 other musical works, and thousands of essays, articles and reviews, according to the International Anthony Burgess Foundation. His earliest published novel was Time for a Tiger in 1956. The books setting is Malaysia, where Burgess had been employed as a teacher. Though significant fame came to him following the publication and film release of A Clockwork Orange, Burgess retained his popular following with later works including a fictional biography of William Shakespeare (Nothing Like the Sun), a modern reworking of the Excalibur legend (Any Old Iron), and a series of four comic novels featuring the fictional poet Francis Xavier Enderby. He was co-author of Franco Zeffirellis 1977 television miniseries Jesus of Nazareth, and his novel Earthly Powers made the short list for the 1980 Man Booker prize. With his second wife, Liana, Burgess moved to Monaco in 1975, where he was a co-founder of the Princess Grace Irish Library, which opened in 1984. He died Nov. 22, 1993, and his ashes rest at the Monaco cemetery. Burgess was honored on a stamp once before, when A Clockwork Orange was the subject of an 800-lire stamp from San Marino, as part of a set of 16 honoring science fiction (Scott 1429l). On the stamp, the authors name appears above the book title, which is rendered in Italian as Arancia Meccanica. File Photo: Berkshire Hathaway CEO Warren Buffett plays bridge during the Berkshire annual meeting weekend in Omaha, Nebraska May 3, 2015. REUTERS/Rick Wilking/File Photo By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK (Reuters) - Billionaire Warren Buffett, whose stock picks over several decades have enriched generations of Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRKa.N) shareholders, delivered a black eye to the investment industry on Saturday, urging ordinary investors to buy plain-vanilla index funds. "When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients," Buffett said in his annual letter to shareholders. "Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds," he added. Buffett, 86, used his investment savvy to build Berkshire into a powerhouse conglomerate and become the world's second-richest person. Known to fans as "the Oracle of Omaha," he estimated that the search for outperformance has caused investors to "waste" more than $100 billion over the past decade. On Saturday, he called Vanguard Group founder Jack Bogle "a hero" for his early efforts to popularize index funds. Berkshire itself has done far better, with its stock price gaining 20.8 percent per year since Buffett took over in 1965, dwarfing the Standard & Poor's 500's (.SPX) 9.7 percent gain, including dividends. Yet Buffett said most stock investors are better off with low-cost index funds than paying higher fees to managers who often underperform. In 2014, Buffett said he plans to put 90 percent of the money he leaves to his wife Astrid when he dies into an S&P 500 index fund, and 10 percent in government bonds. During the financial crisis, Buffett bet a founder of the asset management company Protege Partners LLC $1 million that a Vanguard S&P 500 index fund would outperform several groups of hedge funds over years. The index fund is up 85.4 percent, Buffett said, while the hedge fund groups are up between 2.9 percent and 62.8 percent. On Saturday, Buffett said he has "no doubt" he will win the bet. He plans to donate the money to Girls Inc of Omaha. Story continues While Buffett said no pension funds or "mega-rich individuals" have taken his advice on index funds and that "human behavior won't change," some investors are following his lead. Despite a roaring stock market in the United States, actively managed mutual funds bled $342 billion last year, their second straight year of outflows. Passive index funds and exchange-traded funds, meanwhile, attracted nearly $506 billion of new money. But Tim Armour, CEO of Capital Group Cos, which runs the American Funds and invests $1.4 trillion, said index funds can expose investors to losses when markets turn sour. The funds are one of Berkshire's biggest investors. "We don't dispute the data that has led Mr. Buffett and others to form their views," Armour said in a statement. "However, a fairly simple fact has gotten lost in the debate. Simply put, not all investment managers are average." LITTLE TO SAY ON TRUMP, SUCCESSION Berkshire on Saturday also said fourth-quarter profit rose 15 percent from a year earlier, as gains from investments and derivatives offset lower profit from the BNSF railroad and other units. Berkshire also owns dozens of stocks including Apple Inc (AAPL.O), Coca-Cola Co (KO.N), Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N) and the four biggest U.S. airlines, and more than one-fourth of Kraft Heinz Co (KHC.O). This year's letter and Berkshire's annual report gave no clues about who will succeed Buffett as chief executive officer, a question shareholders and Wall Street have speculated about increasingly in recent years. But Buffett lavishly praised Berkshire executive Ajit Jain, widely considered a leading CEO candidate, for smoothly running much of the conglomerate's insurance businesses. Jain joined Berkshire in 1986, and Buffett put him in charge of National Indemnity's small, struggling reinsurance operation. Since then, Jain has "created tens of billions of value for Berkshire shareholders. If there were ever to be another Ajit and you could swap me for him, don't hesitate. Make the trade!" Berkshire, which became one of the top 10 Apple investors in 2016, has gained about $1.6 billion on its Apple investment after shares of the iPhone maker surged. Berkshires airline investments suggest that Buffett has overcome his two-decade aversion to the sector after an unhappy - though, he has said, profitable - investment in US Air Group. Buffett, a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton, did not mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name in his letter. But he did, however, talk up the vibrancy of U.S. society and its inclusion of immigrants, one of the most polarizing issues under the Trump administration. And he said the future of American business and markets is bright. "One word sums up our country's achievements: miraculous," Buffett said. "From a standing start 240 years ago - a span of time less than triple my days on earth - Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jennifer Ablan and David Gregorio) By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jonathan Stempel NEW YORK, Feb 25 (Reuters) - Billionaire Warren Buffett, whose stock picks over several decades have enriched generations of Berkshire Hathaway Inc shareholders, delivered a black eye to the investment industry on Saturday, urging ordinary investors to buy plain-vanilla index funds. "When trillions of dollars are managed by Wall Streeters charging high fees, it will usually be the managers who reap outsized profits, not the clients," Buffett said in his annual letter to shareholders. "Both large and small investors should stick with low-cost index funds," he added. Buffett, 86, used his investment savvy to build Berkshire into a powerhouse conglomerate and become the world's second-richest person. Known to fans as "the Oracle of Omaha," he estimated that the search for outperformance has caused investors to "waste" more than $100 billion over the past decade. On Saturday, he called Vanguard Group founder Jack Bogle "a hero" for his early efforts to popularize index funds. Berkshire itself has done far better, with its stock price gaining 20.8 percent per year since Buffett took over in 1965, dwarfing the Standard & Poor's 500's 9.7 percent gain, including dividends. Yet Buffett said most stock investors are better off with low-cost index funds than paying higher fees to managers who often underperform. In 2014, Buffett said he plans to put 90 percent of the money he leaves to his wife Astrid when he dies into an S&P 500 index fund, and 10 percent in government bonds. During the financial crisis, Buffett bet a founder of the asset management company Protege Partners LLC $1 million that a Vanguard S&P 500 index fund would outperform several groups of hedge funds over years. The index fund is up 85.4 percent, Buffett said, while the hedge fund groups are up between 2.9 percent and 62.8 percent. On Saturday, Buffett said he has "no doubt" he will win the bet. He plans to donate the money to Girls Inc of Omaha. Story continues While Buffett said no pension funds or "mega-rich individuals" have taken his advice on index funds and that "human behavior won't change," some investors are following his lead. Despite a roaring stock market in the United States, actively managed mutual funds bled $342 billion last year, their second straight year of outflows. Passive index funds and exchange-traded funds, meanwhile, attracted nearly $506 billion of new money. But Tim Armour, CEO of Capital Group Cos, which runs the American Funds and invests $1.4 trillion, said index funds can expose investors to losses when markets turn sour. The funds are one of Berkshire's biggest investors. "We don't dispute the data that has led Mr. Buffett and others to form their views," Armour said in a statement. "However, a fairly simple fact has gotten lost in the debate. Simply put, not all investment managers are average." LITTLE TO SAY ON TRUMP, SUCCESSION Berkshire on Saturday also said fourth-quarter profit rose 15 percent from a year earlier, as gains from investments and derivatives offset lower profit from the BNSF railroad and other units. Berkshire also owns dozens of stocks including Apple Inc , Coca-Cola Co, Wells Fargo & Co and the four biggest U.S. airlines, and more than one-fourth of Kraft Heinz Co. This year's letter and Berkshire's annual report gave no clues about who will succeed Buffett as chief executive officer, a question shareholders and Wall Street have speculated about increasingly in recent years. But Buffett lavishly praised Berkshire executive Ajit Jain, widely considered a leading CEO candidate, for smoothly running much of the conglomerate's insurance businesses. Jain joined Berkshire in 1986, and Buffett put him in charge of National Indemnity's small, struggling reinsurance operation. Since then, Jain has "created tens of billions of value for Berkshire shareholders. If there were ever to be another Ajit and you could swap me for him, don't hesitate. Make the trade!" Berkshire, which became one of the top 10 Apple investors in 2016, has gained about $1.6 billion on its Apple investment after shares of the iPhone maker surged. Berkshires airline investments suggest that Buffett has overcome his two-decade aversion to the sector after an unhappy - though, he has said, profitable - investment in US Air Group. Buffett, a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton, did not mention U.S. President Donald Trump by name in his letter. But he did, however, talk up the vibrancy of U.S. society and its inclusion of immigrants, one of the most polarizing issues under the Trump administration. And he said the future of American business and markets is bright. "One word sums up our country's achievements: miraculous," Buffett said. "From a standing start 240 years ago - a span of time less than triple my days on earth - Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers." (Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Jennifer Ablan and David Gregorio) Viruses are infectious, tiny and nasty. But are they alive? Not really, although it depends on what your definition of "alive" is, two infectious disease doctors told Live Science. Living beings, such as plants and animals, contain cellular machinery that allows them to self-replicate. In contrast, viruses are free forms of DNA or RNA that can't replicate on their own. Related: What if we eradicated all infectious disease? Rather, viruses need to invade a living organism to replicate, said Dr. Otto Yang, a professor of medicine and microbiology, immunology and molecular genetics at the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles. "[Viruses are] packaged RNA or DNA," Yang told Live Science. "They make more copies of themselves by hijacking the machinery of cells to replicate themselves." Are viruses, like the Zika virus pictured above, truly alive? (Image credit: AuntSpray/Shutterstock) Is it alive? Countless philosophers and scientists have debated how to define whether something is alive. According to the seven characteristics of life, all living beings must be able to respond to stimuli; grow over time; produce offspring; maintain a stable body temperature; metabolize energy; consist of one or more cells; and adapt to their environment. However, some life-forms don't fit every single characteristic. Most hybrid animals, such as mules (a cross between a donkey and a horse), can't reproduce because they are sterile. Moreover, rocks can grow, albeit in a passive way, with new material flowing over them. But this classification problem goes away when a simpler definition of "life" is used. "Take a cat, a plant and a rock, and leave them in a room for days," said Amesh Adalja, an infectious disease physician and an affiliated scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security in Baltimore. "Come back, and the cat and the plant will have changed, but the rock will essentially be the same," he said. Like a rock, most viruses would be fine if they were left indefinitely in a room, Adalja said. In addition, he noted that living beings have self-generated and self-sustaining actions meaning they can seek out sustenance and behave in self-preserving ways. In other words, "they're taking actions to further their lives, [such as] a plant sprouting its roots to find water or an animal looking for food," Adalja said. Something that is not alive, such as a virus, does not have self-generated or self-sustaining actions, he said. "I don't think viruses qualify as being alive. They are, in essence, inert unless they come into contact with a living cell," Adalja said. "There are some characteristics of viruses that put them on the borderline [of being alive] they have genetic material: DNA or RNA. It's not the same thing as a rock, but it's clearly not the same thing as even bacteria, in terms of that self-sustaining and self-generated action." Yang agreed, saying, "Without a cell, a virus cannot reproduce. And so from that standpoint, it's really not alive, if you consider life to be something that can reproduce by itself independently." However, "if you loosen up your definition of life to something that can make copies of itself with help, then you could call it alive," Yang said. It's thought that some of the very first life-forms on Earth were RNA molecules, as "RNA molecules, under the right conditions, can make copies of themselves," Yang said. "Viruses maybe evolved from that ancestor, but lost the capability to self-replicate." Originally published on Live Science. WASHINGTON (AP) The Justice Department will step up enforcement of federal law against recreational marijuana, White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Thursday, offering the Trump administration's strongest indication to date of a looming crackdown on the drug, even as a solid majority of Americans believe it should be legal. "I do believe you'll see greater enforcement of it," Spicer said in response to a question during a news conference. But he offered no details about what such enforcement would entail. President Donald Trump does not oppose medical marijuana, he added, but "that's very different than recreational use, which is something the Department of Justice will be further looking into." A renewed focus on recreational marijuana in states that have legalized pot would present a departure from the Trump administration's statements in favor of states' rights. A day earlier, the administration announced that the issue of transgender student bathroom access was best left to states and local communities to decide. Enforcement would also shift away from marijuana policy under the Obama administration, which said in a 2013 memo that it would not intervene in state's marijuana laws as long as they keep the drug from crossing state lines and away from children and drug cartels. But the memo carried no force of law and could be rewritten by Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who has consistently said he opposes legal marijuana but has not indicated what he might do. Eight states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The Justice Department has several options available should it decide to enforce the law, including filing lawsuits on the grounds that state laws regulating pot are unconstitutional because they are pre-empted by federal law. Enforcement could also be as simple as directing U.S. attorneys to send letters to recreational marijuana businesses letting them know they are breaking the law. Story continues Washington's attorney general, Bob Ferguson, said he and Gov. Jay Inslee, both Democrats, requested a meeting with Sessions about his approach to legal, regulated marijuana. Ferguson led the states in fighting off Trump's executive order on immigration in court and said Thursday he's prepared to lead the way in defending legal marijuana, too. "We will resist any efforts to thwart the will of the voters in Washington," Ferguson said. Kevin Sabet, head of the anti-marijuana group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said pot enforcement is a matter of public safety. "The current situation is unsustainable," Sabet said in a statement. "This isn't an issue about states' rights, it's an issue of public health and safety for communities." Spicer's comments came the same day as a Quinnipiac poll said 59 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legal and 71 percent would oppose a federal crackdown. Pot advocates said they hoped Spicer's prediction would not come to pass. "It is hard to imagine why anyone would want marijuana to be produced and sold by cartels and criminals rather than tightly regulated, taxpaying businesses," said Mason Tvert, communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project. States have been flouting the U.S. Controlled Substances Act since at least 1996, when California voters approved marijuana for sick people, a direct conflict with federal guidelines barring the use of marijuana for medical purposes. And presidents since Bill Clinton have said the federal government unequivocally rejects a state's ability to modify federal drug law. However, three presidents over the last 20 years have each concluded that the limited resources of the U.S. Department of Justice are best spent pursuing large drug cartels, not individual users of marijuana. Nevada state Senate Majority Leader Aaron Ford said in a statement Thursday that meddling in recreational pot laws would be federal overreach and harm state coffers that fund education. In Washington state, sales at licensed pot shops now average nearly $4.4 million per day with little evidence of any negative societal effects. That's close to $1 billion in sales so far for the fiscal year that began last July, some $184 million of which is state tax revenue. __ Associated Press writers Kristen Wyatt in Denver and Gene Johnson in Seattle continued to this report. A Laredo firefighter is in serious condition after crashing his motorcycle early Friday in north Laredo, authorities said. Ricardo Castillo, 48, was taken to Doctors Hospital with head trauma and internal injuries, according to Laredo police. He was later airlifted to San Antonio Military Medical Center. Huge neon letters that spell OUTLET SHOPPES were raised to the roof of the downtown structure this morning to face Mexico one of the finishing touches on the mall set to open in three weeks. The City of Laredo sent out a news release Friday confirming that The Outlet Shoppes will open Thursday, March 16. However, not all the stores will be ready for opening day. More than 50 stores and the food court will be open, while some shops like H&M, Gap, Old Navy and Banana Republic wont open until later this spring and summer, according to Horizon Group spokeswoman Erica Contreras. It is not clear what work still needs to be completed in these remaining weeks. The Outlet Shoppes have been a long time coming for Laredo. Back in 2002 the city managers office planned to revitalize the old Riverdrive Mall to create a riverfront shopping hub called El Portal Center. Fast-forward to 2015, after years of waiting, some rejected contracts and a few legal battles between developers, the city entered into a contract with Horizon Group Properties. Now, almost two years of construction have come to an end. City officials hope that the mall will bring in more shoppers from Mexico and ultimately reinvigorate the collapsing downtown retail market. Some of the outlet stores planning to open are Adidas, Polo Ralph Lauren, Cole Haan, Levis Outlet, Nine West, Sunglass Hut, J. Crew and Toys R Us. FINEST KIND CLINIC AND FISHMARKET.... Discussing medicine, culture, and the joys of cooking Pansit. Check out our latest E-Edition Accessible anytime and anywhere on your desktop, tablet and smart phone devices. The Lodi News e-Edition is enhanced with the latest digital tools, including RSS feeds, social networking and much more. Check out our latest E-edition! Culture / Art Republik Feb 25, 2017 | By Nadya Wang Born in 1987 in Jilin, China, the artist is known for his provocative photography, which more often than not featured stark, sexually suggestive portrayals of young people in visually discomforting positions and situations, such as a man licking his own armpit, seen on the cover of the artists new self-titled book published by Taschen, or a python wrapped around a womans head. His solo exhibition, Human Love has just opened on February 17 at the Fotografiska Museum in Stockholm, and will be on view until 2 April. Another solo exhibition Naked/Nude opened in late January at the Foam Photography Museum in Amsterdam, and will be on show until 12 March. Art Republik spoke with gallerist Dries Roelens, who met Ren when he was just beginning his career. He has exhibited the artists works in multiple shows at his gallery Stieglitz19 in Berlin, such as Ren Hang: New Works in March 2015, the group show The New Portrait in June and July 2015, and more recently in The New Portrait Party in June 2016. Roelens says, He had severe depression, and started writing poetry and making pictures of his friends, with his small camera quick shots, in backyards, at night, where he could not be seen, since all his pictures are nudes. He did not think much of it, found it very natural, and could not comprehend how shocking it was for other people. He became famous through internet, with small shows all over the world, and did not want to work with big galleries. He was cheated many times, with people taking advantage of him. He was too good. Heart Media mourns the loss of a bright and creative talent, who worked on projects with numerous magazines all over the world. One of the last is with LOfficiel Malaysia, whose March 2017 cover was shot by the artist. In honour of this collaboration, LOfficiel Malaysia will be extending 10,000 copies of the March issue to meet the overwhelming demand from readers. Art Republik will also publish a special story of Ren Hang and his oeuvre in its Mar-May Crossover issue. All images are courtesy of Ren Heng and LOfficiel Malaysia. Cars The Turkish yard is gearing up to present the new yacht model to the world later this year Feb 25, 2017 | By Vimi Haridasan While superyachts are able to pack a whole lot of amenities into one space, sometimes a smaller yacht may be all that you need to enjoy a day out at sea. Come June 2017 Turkish boutique yacht designers, Mazu Yachts, will be introducing its brand new Mazu 38 Soft Top. Measuring 12 meters, it is certainly smaller than a superyacht but still packs a punch. Known for their sleek and luxurious hard-top and open motor yachts since 2011, the yachts use a cold-molded system to craft each yacht. The designers and builders are able create yachts that boast hulls with extra strength and lightness thanks to the hand-crafted art building technique that is employed. Designed by Halit Yukay, the yacht is one of Mazu Yachts finest examples of craftsmanship. While it has yet to be launched, a European client has already snapped up the Mazu 38 soft top. His preference for a military look that is combined with the finest luxury superyacht tender amenities spells a customised look for the new yacht. As a fan of Armani, the owner can look forward to various textures of leathers and fabrics as well as mirrors that provide maximum depth interiors perception. Fitted with two pilot seats and two passenger seats, the Mazu 38 soft top is more than just elegance and style. According to the yard, the yacht can absorb every shock, which not only provides absolute comfort but also the safest navigation. Powered by two Volvo Penta IPS 400 engines, which are said to have a propulsion system for fuel saving, one can find no reason not to look forward to the Mazu 38 soft top for 2017. Researchers discovered just a few days ago that the content-distribution network (CDN) Cloudflare sometimes returned garbled Web pages that could contain private and secret information instead of the cached data that it was supposed to. CDNs speed up the Web by allowing sites to push pages and media to Internet nodes closer to a user requesting them. ( PCWorld has the full story.) Among the sites mentioned by Tavis Ormandy, a Google Project Zero security researcher who uncovered the fault, was AgileBits 1Password.com, though Ormandy referred to it just as 1Password. AgileBits 1Password password and data safe apps can be used as standalone products, synced via Dropbox and other methods, or linked to paid accounts at 1Password.com for business and family purposes to share passwords, documents, and other data. (Macworld has contacted Ormandy for clarification.) But 1Password.com doesnt use a simple login procedure in which a username and password allows access to the stored data and transferred over a secured Web connection. Rather, the companys security model expects that an https connection is vulnerable, so its one of three layers employed. Inside the https connection, AgileBits uses a second method of transport security: the Web browser and server validate each others identities from when the account was created without sending a password that could be exposed by the Cloudflare leak. Once validated, the server creates an encryption key that, again, isnt sent over the Internet, but derived from that mutually confirmed information. And the data inside that second wrapper remains encrypted. 1Password.com customers enter their passphrase into the browser, which performs decryption locally. Thus, even were 1Password.com sessions leaked through Cloudflares code error, the session and specific password data should remain fully secure. AgileBits noted that its servers werent affected. (The company has been migrating its services away from Cloudflare for infrastructure reasons unrelated to this breach.) Jeffrey Goldberg, AgileBits security chief, noted via email, We designed 1Password from the outset with the expectation that TLS could fail. So if some traffic is exposed through a TLS value, it doesnt cause any problems. The Cloudflare leak resulted in no more than 1 out of every 3,300,000 requests potentially containing unintentional information between February 13 and 18, Cloudflares CTO said in a blog post, although such data might have been disclosed as far back as September 2016. So far, theres no indication it was exploited by crackers or criminals. Ormandy worked with search engines and other sites to remove 770 cached versions of pages that contained exposed information, though some researchers have found traces of information elsewhere or not yet removed. Passwords stored in 1Password, Safari, and other browsers and password safes that were used to log into affected Web sites could be at risk, although the specific list of affected sites isnt yet available. Ormandy mentioned Uber, Fitbit, and OkCupid. AgileBits will update its Watchtower alert feature in its apps to notify users as it collects a list of sites that may have had passwords and other information leaked. MARTINSVILLELawmakers in Richmond feel that the way to address the drug problem in Southside and throughout the commonwealth is through legislation. Before the General Assembly ended their session this weekend, Gov. Terry McAuliffe signed five bills into law, all focusing on the medical side of the issue. The first bill that became law this week is by far the most controversial. HB2317 allows local health departments to give clean needles to drug addicts. The law doesn't set a limit on how many needles an individual addict will be allowed, only that the person must accept information about treatment programs. The idea, as stated in the bill itself, is to reduce HIV and hepatitis C from spreading through the use of dirty needles. West Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Jody Hershey said he doesnt know whether any of the localities in the area will qualify under HB2317 because the criteria are being developed. However, according to a previous analysis by the Centers for Disease Control, Patrick County was one of the eight areas in Virginia ranked in the top 5 percent of counties nationwide that are most vulnerable to an injection-related HIV outbreak. Now as for the cost of the program, it's not going to be cheap. For every 100 people who use the program, based on the cost of supplies, it would take $152,593 per year to pay for this, according to the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget. Lawmakers argue that taxpayers wouldn't cover the cost, however, as the bill states that there are multiple federal and private funds available for all aspects of syringe service programs. That doesn't include the cost of setting up a system to dispose of used needles, which the Planning and Budget Department admits would add a nominal cost. They don't have an actual estimate yet, however. When they come in to pick up clean needles at the health department, drug addicts would drop off their old ones. Officials are pushing for the program because studies show that syringe service participants are five times more likely to enter a drug treatment program, as well as to reduce or stop injecting; that SSPs do not increase crime or the unsafe illegal injection of drugs; and that SSPs are cost-effective, Hershey said. By providing clean needles, the General Assembly hopes to cut down on the number of hepatitis C cases in the commonwealth, which as of 2016 was at more than 8,000. By comparison, there were only an estimated 2,800 in 2010. Other bills There were four other bills that became law this week, with the intent of tackling the drug program. HB2165 eliminates all written prescriptions for opioids by 2020. Instead, the prescriptions will be transmitted electronically by the end of that period. The law sets up a workgroup to determine how to make that change. Opioids are described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse as a class of drugs that include the illegal drug heroin as well as powerful pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone (OxyContin), hydrocodone (Vicodin), codeine, morphine, fentanyl, and many others. So why is a change from written prescriptions to digital ones needed? The answer is that written prescriptions can be abused far easier. Much of the problem comes from too much availability of [written prescriptions] for these pain medications, said Bonnie Favero, a program manager for Piedmont Community Services. Piedmont offers help for anyone struggling with substance abuse. We are hoping for a limit of the number of pills prescribed, drug testing those who are receiving subsequent prescriptions, mandatory use of the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program and naloxone being prescribed with opiates. Naloxone is a medicine mentioned a lot, when it comes to discussing drug addiction treatment. It's used to temporarily reverse the effects opioids have on the brain and respiratory system. According to West Piedmont Health District Director Dr. Jody Hershey, since the first program to distribute naloxone was implemented in 1996, 152,283 people have received training on administering the medicine. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that's led to 26,463 lives saved. Hershey said a recent study found that distributing naloxone to heroin addicts and their families could save one life for every 227 naloxone kits distributed, and that optimistic calculations estimate one for every 36. Two of the other bills signed into law by Gov. McAuliffe this week, SB848 and HB1453, allow local groups, in places like Martinsville and Henry County, to both keep a supply of naloxone and be able to give it out to regular people that are trained to use it. As it currently stands, Virginia residents can go to a pharmacy and ask for naloxone, but if the local pharmacy is closed, there's no other option. These two new laws create one. We are already providing the training for people to learn how to save a life through naloxone, Favero said. If people can purchase, or better yet, get for free this drug, it will save lives. When someone overdoses, if a loved one, friend or anyone knows what to do and has the naloxone available to them, a life will be saved. The final bill, HB 1786, connects a family with local Social Services if a child is found to have been exposed to substances while in the womb. Hershey said mothers who give birth to such infants may be in need of treatment services themselves. This bill allows local departments of social services to initiate family assessments and safe plans of care when this is detected so that mothers can be connected to the treatment that they need, protecting both mom and baby, Hershey said. Call it the triple threat to health care for children and adolescents. President Donald Trump and a Republican majority in Congress say they will repeal the Affordable Care Act and replace it in part with a Medicaid block grant plan that even conservative Virginia lawmakers fear would punish the state. Congress also must decide by the end of September whether to reauthorize the childrens health insurance program that pays for services to families that arent poor enough to qualify for Medicaid but cant afford their own care. The combination of the ACA repeal and loss of the childrens health insurance alone could more than triple the number of children and adolescents without health coverage in Virginia, according to advocates. They say the potential changes would undo one of the states greatest success stories, including expanded care of children and youth with behavioral health conditions. Youre going to really create a crisis situation, warned Linda Saltonstall, director of clinical services at St. Josephs Villa in Henrico County. The nonprofit institution operates almost 20 programs for children and families, including a crisis stabilization unit established five years ago that has served close to 600 children and youths in psychiatric crises, using a combination of state funds and reimbursement through the Medicaid program for children and low-income families. We cant make it without reimbursement from Medicaid, Saltonstall said. Virginia is not alone in its uncertainty about the future of the health safety net. States that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act worry about suddenly taking health benefits away from the working poor, while states, including Virginia, that didnt expand the program fear a block grant approach that punishes their frugality. When you save money there, it costs us here at the state level, said Gov. Terry McAuliffe, chairman of the National Governors Association, which will address the health care issue on Saturday during its winter meeting in Washington. Its going to be a huge topic of discussion, predicted McAuliffe, who said U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, vowed to create a block grant system when they met last month in Washington. Block grants However, Del. John OBannon, R-Henrico, said a block grant funded on a per-capita basis could work, if Congress were willing to reconfigure Medicaid match rates among the states to prevent those that received more federal money by expanding their programs under the Affordable Care Act from benefiting at the others expense. I am not diametrically opposed to per-capita block grants with some flexibility to let us get a little more control of the program, said OBannon, a neurologist who hopes to be appointed to a new joint subcommittee to monitor health care legislation in Congress. The General Assembly appointed the subcommittee to monitor action by the president and Congress that could force the assembly back into action before next years regular session. The pending budget charges the subcommittee with a wide range of topics to oversee, but its central purpose is narrow. The main focus this year is to focus on whats occurring in Washington and respond in a timely manner if action is taken, said House Appropriations Chairman Chris Jones, R-Suffolk, who first suggested the oversight panel during the committees annual retreat in November. Jones expressed wariness then about the incoming Trump administrations desire to replace the Medicaid entitlement program with block grants. The grants would give states a set amount of federal funding to pay for a wide range of services to low-income families, children, pregnant women and people with disabilities that require the most costly care. Depending on how they handle the block grants, we could be a big loser at the end of the day, he said last week. Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Bill Hazel expects the worst as Trump and congressional Republicans attempt to undo the health care law signed by President Barack Obama and unravel an entitlement system that serves millions of Americans. I do think it is highly probable we will see block grants of some sort in the Medicaid program, Hazel said last week. If so, Virginia wouldnt be helped by its past Medicaid spending, which ranks near the bottom of the states on a per-capita basis, he said. Virginia can be permanently punished for its parsimony. The FAMIS program The state estimates that just repealing the Affordable Care Act would cost Virginia more than $314 million in federal funds over the next two years. The cuts would include almost $50 million next year and $65 million the following year from reduced federal matching funds for the childrens health insurance program, known as FAMIS. Children account for about half of the 1 million Virginians served through Medicaid or FAMIS, but they represent just one-fifth of the states spending. The elderly and disabled represent 23 percent of people enrolled in Medicaid but account for 68 percent of the spending. Its more what do we do with the people who cost us the most, Virginia Medicaid Director Cindi Jones said Friday. Im not as concerned about children than the other populations. But Margaret Nimmo Holland, executive director of Voices for Virginias Children, said the threat is real for rolling back health care for children and adolescents. Were afraid children are going to get caught up in the cuts, Holland said. Children dont vote. Her organization estimates that up to 50,000 children and adolescents are covered by insurance purchased through the federal marketplace operated in Virginia under the Affordable Care Act. An additional 600,000 to 650,000 Virginia children and adolescents are covered by Medicaid and FAMIS, which together extend coverage for children over 6 years old in families earning up to 205 percent of the federal poverty level, or less than $42,000 a year for a family of three. Currently, the Urban Institute estimates that about 91,000 children are uninsured in Virginia and that the number would drop to 76,000 in the next two years if Congress leaves the laws in place. It says the number would rise as high as 316,000 if the government repealed the health care law and did not reauthorize the Childrens Health Insurance Program by the end of September. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price voted against reauthorizing the CHIP program in 2007. That concerns advocates, but not OBannon, who said Price was a Georgia congressman at the time. I would hope we would give him a chance to try to come up with something people can live with and benefit from, OBannon said. The Urban Institute analysis does not estimate the potential effects of Medicaid block grants or per-capita funding limits because the details of those plans remain sketchy. Holland said the state would have three choices under such a system cut reimbursement rates to providers; reduce eligibility; or roll back the services provided. For children and adolescents, Holland fears some of the first services to go would be optional programs, such as preventive care and, at St. Josephs Villa, the crisis stabilization unit, which has grown from six to eight beds with two additional day treatment slots. More than half of the children and youth serviced in the program rely on services reimbursed by Medicaid. What holds up the mental health system in Virginia is Medicaid, she said. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, March 3, for a March 27 lecture at Montana State University by legendary mountaineers Conrad Anker and Jimmy Chin. The world-famous mountaineering team will speak about their successes, challenges and hardships at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 27, in MSUs SUB Ballrooms. A Q&A will follow the lecture. All proceeds from tickets sale will benefit the Khumbu Climbing Center, a center that trains Sherpas in Nepal. "We are ecstatic to have two world-renowned mountaineers, both featured in National Geographic and Outside Magazines, share their stories, including the tough stuff that has made them leaders," said Carmen McSpadden, director of the MSU Leadership Institute, which is sponsoring the event. "To have both men under one roof is an incredible opportunity for our community and best of all, the Khumbu Climbing Center benefits from every ticket purchased." Contact: MSU Leadership Institute (406) 994-7275, http://www.montana.edu/leadership http://www.montana.edu/news/16752/mountaineer-legends-anker-and-chin-speak-march-27-at-msu *** Montanas Conrad Anker hopes, waits for "Meru" Oscar nomination http://www.matr.net/article-69568.html Montanas Conrad Anker Leverages Outdoors for the Greater (Economic) Good Its all about ice http://www.matr.net/article-60446.html Thousands of middle and high school students from across Northwest Montana left their classrooms for a field-trip to learn about modern-day manufacturing. Flathead Valley Community Colleges Center for Manufacturing Advancement joined forces with ImagineIF Libraries to put on the Manufacturing and Technology Expo. Manufacturing is not Laverne and Shirley anymore-its a dynamic and cutting edge industry tied closely to tech. By Nicole Miller Full Story: http://www.kpax.com/story/34601197/thousands-of-students-explore-modern-manufacturing-tech-at-flathead-expo A Missoula company that specializes in converting organic waste into natural chemicals is seeking to raise at least $1.4 million from investors to fund operations through the rest of this year. Blue Marble Biomaterials https://bluemarblebio.com/ announced on Thursday that it is offering equity shares to the general public through a Regulation A+ offering that is permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. DAVID ERICKSON [email protected] Full Story: http://missoulian.com/news/local/blue-marble-missoula-natural-chemical-manufacturer-solicits-m-public-investment/article_b5b9b892-bf71-596a-b703-f892fca3f20b.html The titans of the tech industry are known for their confidence that they can solve any problemeven, as it turns out, the one thats defeated every other attempt so far. Thats why the most far-out strategies to cheat death are being tested in Americas playground for the young, deep-pocketed and brilliant: Silicon Valley. Larry Ellison, the co-founder of Oracle, has given more than $330 million to research about aging and age-related diseases. Alphabet CEO and co-founder Larry Page launched Calico, a research company that targets ways to improve the human lifespan. Peter Thiel, co-founder of PayPal, has also invested millions in the cause, including over $7 million to the Methuselah Foundation, a nonprofit focused on life-extension therapies. Alexandra Sifferlin Full Story: http://time.com/4672962/silicon-valley-longer-life/?xid=newsletter-brief I love studies. Someone somewhere throws money at someone else to produce a study that tells us what we already know or contradicts conventional wisdom only to be challenged by a later study commissioned by someone else that may or may not tell us what we already knew in the first place. Here are just a few recent study results in the news: - People dont want to know the future USA Today reported on Feb. 22 that researchers found most people would rather not know whats going to happen next, no matter if it is good or bad. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Human Development and the University of Granada two institutions that will not play each other in the opening round of the upcoming NCAA tournament studied 2,000 people, quizzing them on whether or not they would like to know the outcome of life events before they happen. The studys lead author said people want to to avoid the suffering and regret that knowing the future may cause and also to maintain the enjoyment of suspense that pleasurable events provide. I agree. If, for example I knew I was going to mistakenly get an extra sausage biscuit at the Hardees drive-thru on Saturday morning, it would negate the surprise and joy of coming back home and discovering an extra sausage biscuit. In fact, if I knew in advance I was going to mistakenly get an extra sausage biscuit, I would feel an obligation to tell the person at the window, I have seen the future and you are mistakenly going to give me an extra sausage biscuit. Because I didnt pay for it and I know this in advance, I cannot on principle accept it, though this action could possibly alter the future and, if science fiction movies are to be believed, endanger all of mankind due to something called the butterfly effect, or now, the sausage biscuit effect. Or, if I knew the future, I might learn that I will meet my demise at a crosswalk in Jacksonville, Fla. courtesy of the grill of a Buick Riviera, dreading it constantly until that fateful day when I am propelled into the parking lot of the Sip-n-Go, because - Florida is the deadliest place to walk in America News4Jax reported on Feb. 2 that a study by Smart Growth America and the National Complete Streets Coalition found that Florida is the leading state for pedestrian deaths and Jacksonville is among the most dangerous cities. The TV station said safety experts believe the reasons may be that Florida is one of the fastest-growing states, a lot of people use cellphones when they should not and motorists tend to speed because they are trying to get out Jacksonville as quickly as they can. And yes, I made that last one up. Another reason may be that both motorists and pedestrians are distracted by high levels of anxiety because - Many Americans are stressed about the future of our nation According to a Feb. 15 press release from the American Psychological Association, both Democrats and Republicans, have the jitters. While Democrats were more likely than Republicans (72 percent vs. 26 percent) to report the outcome of the 2016 presidential election as a significant source of stress, a majority of Republicans (59 percent) said the future of the nation was a significant source of stress for them, compared with 76 percent of Democrats, according to the news release. And its everywhere. "We're surrounded by conversations, news and social media that constantly remind us of the issues that are stressing us the most," said Katherine C. Nordal, APA's executive director for professional practice. How will it all turn out? We dont know. And studies tell us we dont want to know, especially not pedestrians in Jacksonville, Fla. Scott Hollifield is editor/GM of The McDowell News in Marion, N.C. and a humor columnist. Contact him at rhollifield@mcdowellnews.com. by Laurie Sullivan @lauriesullivan, February 24, 2017 Google launched Accelerated Mobile Pages one year ago today, February 24, in an effort to speed up the mobile Web. Also on Friday, Adobe Analytics released data showing that U.S. publishers now see 7% of their traffic coming in through faster-loading AMP pages as of December 2016. Between April 2016 and December 2016, Google AMP grew 405%, with an 896% spike in traffic during November 2016. The findings from Adobes 2017 Mobile World Congress Report, scheduled for release Monday, are based on an analysis of more than 1.7 trillion visits to more than 16,000 mobile Web sites from January 2014 to January 2017. Google AMP analysis is based on data from top U.S. publishers between the dates of April 2016 and December 2016. The SEM Post also notes that this week, Google began display recipes using AMP in mobile search results in regular card-style formats as well as the AMP carousel style. In fact Jennifer Slegg, founder of The SEM Post, also reports Google is now showing AMP carousels for local review sites in the Google search results. "The carousel can appear as the first organic search result, following the local map pack," she writes, providing screen shots of non- and AMP optimized formats. by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, February 24, 2017 Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai on Friday moved to stay a portion of the broadband privacy rules. The rules, passed by a 3-2 vote last October, require Internet service providers to obtain consumers' opt-in consent before drawing on their Web-surfing data or app usage history for ad targeting. The privacy order also imposes other requirements on broadband providers, including provisions regarding data breach notifications and data security. Pai said Friday that either the full FCC or the agency's Wireline Bureau will stay the rules relating to data security, which are slated to take effect next Thursday. Those data security rules require broadband carriers to take reasonable steps to protect consumers' information. Pai said through a spokesperson that he wants the full FCC to vote on a request to stay the rules, but that even if the agency doesn't do so before March 2, the Wireline Bureau will hold off on enforcing the data-security rules. The spokesperson added that Pai believes the rules slated to go into effect March 2 are inconsistent with standards of a different agency -- the Federal Trade Commission. Other portions of the FCC's privacy order are being phased in throughout the year. The data breach notifications requirements take effect in June, and the provision regarding obtaining consumers' opt-in consent -- the most controversial of the rules -- takes effect in December. A separate provision banning broadband providers from forcing consumers consent to ad targeting as a condition of receiving service took effect in January. Internet service providers, the ad industry and others have petitioned the agency to reconsider the privacy order; broadband carriers also separately asked the FCC to immediately stay the rules. Critics argue that rules requiring opt-in consent for ad targeting impose a tougher privacy standard on Internet service providers than edge providers -- meaning online publishers, search engines or other Web companies. Those edge providers aren't bound by the FCC's regulations, and need not obtain users' explicit permission to draw on data about their Internet use for ad purposes. As a practical matter, many Web companies allow consumers to opt out of receiving a broad range of behaviorally targeted ads, but seek opt-in consent before targeting ads based on a narrow category of "sensitive" information, like precise geolocation data and financial account numbers. Privacy advocates and other supporters of the relatively stringent rules counter that broadband providers should be held to higher privacy standards, because ISPs are able to glean information about every unencrypted site users visit, as well as revealing metadata about usage patterns. The FCC stated Friday that Pai supports a uniform framework. "All actors in the online space should be subject to the same rules, and the federal government shouldnt favor one set of companies over another," the spokesperson stated. Earlier this month, Republican lawmakers said they are prepping a resolution to rescind the privacy rules. Sen. Jeff Flake (R-Arizona) reportedly aims to revoke the rules under the Congressional Review Act -- a 1996 law that allows federal lawmakers to overturn recent agency decisions. Some privacy advocates say that even though they oppose the stay, Pai's move could discourage Congress from taking the drastic step of revoking the privacy order. If Congress rescinds the privacy rules under the Congressional Review Act, the FCC won't be allowed to replace them with new privacy regulations. "The fact that he's staying this part of the rule should be a signal to Congress that there is no need to use the Congressional Review Act here," Public Knowledge's Dallas Harris tells MediaPost. "Pai is signaling that he's going to provice the relief that Internet service providers are looking for." by Joe Mandese @mp_joemandese, February 24, 2017 The Trump Administrations war on media accelerated Friday. The White House barred some of the nations top news organizations from todays press briefing, not long after President Trump threatened to do something about the press during a speech at a convention of political conservatives. The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Politico and CNN were barred from todays White House press briefing, CNN reported. Editor-in-Chief Lydia Polgreen said The Huffington Post was also banned from the briefing, stating: "We are deeply disturbed by this decision and are heartened that other members of the White House Correspondents Association decided to protest the gaggle in solidarity. "We hope that the White House will recognize the vital importance of including all credentialed media outlets when briefing reporters on matters of undeniable public interest." The briefing took place hours after President Trump spoke at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C., this morning. Much of his speech was devoted to medias role as the opposition party, especially in reporting on leaks within the White House. He continued to label the nations top news organizations as fake news and singled out CNN, NBC, ABC and CBS. Some news media are fighting back via their own branding initiatives. The Washington Post this week introduced a new slogan on its masthead -- Democracy Dies In The Darkness -- and The New York Times unveiled a new truth-oriented branding TV campaign that will break in ABCs telecast of the Oscars Sunday night (see related story). by Larissa Faw , February 24, 2017 Medical ads typically feature friendly doctors in supposed state-of-the-art facilities with encouraging voiceovers telling potential patients why they're the best. By comparison, Colorado's UCHealth and its agency Grey San Francisco are unveiling a new campaign with a different approach that showcases real patients telling their stories about life on the line and how the Colorado medical institution helped. In the Peyton and Tera clip a mother and daughter share their battle with ovarian cancer and the bonds that give them strength. The ad introduces a mom discussing the odds of ovarian cancer with the twist that it is her 16-year-old daughter who battled the stage four disease. And Becky details a young womans heartfelt letter to the family of the person who gave her a second chance at life. The clip shows her going on a road trip to visit the family of the donor ending with "Your life. Your story. advertisement advertisement Launching on ABC affiliates during the Oscars on Sunday night, the fully integrated campaign runs in Colorado markets utilizing TV, print, radio, social and outdoor. The campaign targets Colorado consumers ages 18 and older, as well as potential patients around the country who may come to Colorado for treatment or care. This project represents a pivot for the organization by solely focusing on patients stories and experiences outside of the hospital, through a creative, visual storytelling approach. UCHealth found that featuring their real patients proved to be a welcome surprise to consumers, says Manny Rodriguez, chief marketing & experience officer, UCHealth. Initially, we were planning to go the more traditional route and look to actors to play out the patient stories, he says, but once the team started working with the patients, they saw how much they really wanted to be involved in sharing their own stories - realizing how much more impactful and powerful it is for them to do so. by Sarah Mahoney @mahoney_sarah, February 25, 2017 She may be an accidental activist, but marketer Shannon Coulter says she is getting used to the power of her #GrabYourWallet movement. At last count, she calculates sales of Trump-branded products have fallen 61%, and retailers have dropped some 3,600 products. Companies like Uber, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus have backed away from Trump, at least in part because of the boycotts, and she says she wont stop until those products aren't sold anywhere. She tells Marketing Daily more about the movements traction. Marketing Daily: First, so much been written about you and the start of @GrabYourWallet, which was sparked by the release in the infamous Access Hollywood Grab em by the pussy tape back in October. Since then, many stores have stopped selling these items. How does that feel? advertisement advertisement Shannon Coulter: Empowering. And right from the beginning, I could tell from the initial response that there was a lot of energy around this, that people were looking for something peaceful and constructive they could do. People just wanted to feel like they had some little sense of control. MD: Your site is very low-tech more or less a spreadsheet, and then theres your Twitter feed. How much does it cost? Coulter: I know! It was something like $50 for the domain, and then we spend another $20 or so a month for hosting. And people have given me some pro bono help, but the cost is really negligible. MD: Are you surprised at the impact #GrabYourWallet has had? Coulter: Actually, no. Theres so much energy out there, and so much concern and people just want to be able to do something. When I went to the Womans March in Washington D.C., I got a much fuller picture of how big this is, and why. This is so much more than partisan politics. MD: How so? Coulter: If someone like Mitt Romney or Carly Fiorina had won the election, there wouldnt be boycotts like this, or protests. People are concerned about basic human decency. MD: Boycotts like this have been big news this year, whether theyre anti-Trump protests, or pro-Trump reactions, like the immediate move to boycott Budweiser when some people felt it took a pro-immigration stance. Do you feel like you helped fuel that? Coulter: Oh, no. Boycotts have a long history of being effective, whether it was people protesting child labor or apartheid. They are a very safe way to protest. You dont have to hold up a sign or march in the street. They are very quiet. Our research indicates that for every person actually contacting a company to voice their concern, there were three people just quietly not buying. Its a small thing you can do, but effective. Also, Donald Trump helped popularize them, whether he was calling out Fox News or Macys or Megyn Kelly. MD: Every boycott seems to have a backlash. Last week, Ivanka Trumps fragrance was one of Amazons best sellers. Do you worry that you might be driving people to buy Trump products? Coulter: No. Weve had 19 companies drop Trump products, so one little publicity stunt and at that, buying up an item at one of the lowest price points doesnt mean much. I dont want to sound snobby, but we know from Brookings Institute research that while things were close at the polls, theyre not at the cash register. People who voted against Trump have more money. MD: Most of the companies you include in your boycott are there because they carry Trump family brands. Talk to us about L.L. Bean, which is on the list because of contributions to Trump from Linda Bean, a board member. What could Bean do to get off the list? They cant exactly kick her off the board. Coulter: Yes, they can. A recent news story referred to her as a walking, talking PR nightmare. MD: Under Armour isnt on your boycott list, a company that recently landed in controversy because CEO Kevin Plank called Trump an asset to the country. Why? Coulter: We dont boycott companies just because they have bone-headed CEOs. But its a good example of how seriously being associated with Trump can harm a brand. One company downgraded Under Armours stock on the basis of reputation risk. It was disastrous. And to make those comments right in the midst of the immigration rallies? It was the single worst unforced PR error Ive ever seen. MD: How long are you going to keep this up? Coulter: Until all the companies have dropped Trump family brands. So many companies rely on women as their core consumer. We are already making an impact, and will continue to do so. MD: How much time does #GrabYourWallet take? Coulter: It varies. I spend a lot of time talking to the press, depending on whats happening in the news. And I run a boutique marketing firm, with mostly tech and education clients, nothing political. Fortunately, Im a night owl. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, February 25, 2017 The 4As has appointed MEC North America CEO Marla Kaplowitz as the ad trade groups new president and chief executive officer. She will succeed Nancy Hill, who has led the group since 2008 and indicated last July that she would be stepping down. Kaplowitzs start date is still being determined. When the 4As announced Hills pending departure last year, the group said it expected to have her successor in place by June of this year. The 4As said Kaplowitz was selected by a 10-person committee headed by 4As board chair and Horizon CEO Bill Koenigsberg.The committees choice was unanimous. MediaLink managed the search process. Commenting on the selection, Koenigsberg described Kaplowitz as a dynamic force for change; she is an innovator and truly understands our top priorities for the coming years. advertisement advertisement Kaplowitz has been MEC NA CEO since 2011. Before joining MEC, Kaplowitz spent 12 years at MediaVest, where she led the Procter & Gamble communications planning assignment for North America and earlier managed a multi-client team that included Avon, Dennys, Heineken and Norelco. Kaplowitz began her career at DMB&B, working across clients including Burger King, Merck and Procter & Gamble, before moving to Ammirati Puris Lintas. There, she oversaw the Labatt, Nickelodeon Networks and Unilever businesses. Kaplowitz is a member of the 4As Media Leadership Council and She Runs It (formerly Advertising Women of New York). Commenting on her appointment, Kaplowitz stated: As a passionate member of this industry for nearly 30 years, I'm thrilled to join the 4As at this exciting and pivotal time for marketing and communication," adding she would work to "ensure a thriving future. After her departure from the 4As, Hill said will focus on consulting and will spend more time in Ecuador, where she volunteers and teaches. The past nine years have been an incredible experience, Hill stated. Ive been proud to represent and lead the industry I love through such a transformative time and advocate for issues such as transparency and diversity within advertising. I have known Marla for a long time, and her passion is evident and infectious, which is critical to doing this job well. Leading this organization will come naturally to her. We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process. HIV infection and AIDS are not the same condition, and they are not the same diagnosis. HIV is a virus that attacks a type of white blood cell called a CD4 cell in the bodys immune system. It reduces the bodys ability to fight infection and illness. The body can fight off many viruses, but some of them can never be completely removed once they are present. HIV is one of these. However, treatment with antiretroviral therapy can minimize the effect of the virus by slowing or halting its progression. Treatment can now reduce the amount of virus in the bloodstream to levels where it is no longer detectable. This means the body remains healthy, and the virus cannot be transmitted. AIDS is a syndrome, or range of symptoms, that may develop in time in a person with HIV who does not receive treatment. A person can have HIV without developing AIDS, but it is not possible to have AIDS without first having HIV. Causes of HIV and AIDS Share on Pinterest HIV may be transmitted in a number of ways such as through unprotected sex and during childbirth. AIDS was first recognized as a distinct condition in 1981. Health workers started noticing that an unusual number of opportunistic infections and cancers appeared to be affecting particular groups of people. Once people had the virus, their immunity to certain diseases would decrease over time, and the syndrome, AIDS, would develop. The cause of the problem was traced back to a retrovirus, the human immunodeficiency virus, HIV-1. HIV-1 is transmitted between humans through the exchange of bodily fluids. This can happen through: Sexual contact : HIV can be passed from one person to another through condomless oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, if one partner has HIV levels in their blood that are detectable, in other words, above 200 copies per milliliter. : HIV from one person to another through condomless oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse, if one partner has HIV levels in their blood that are detectable, in other words, above 200 copies per milliliter. Pregnancy or childbirth : A mother who has the HIV virus, or who has developed AIDS, may pass the virus to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or even through breast-feeding. : A mother who has the HIV virus, or who has developed AIDS, may pass the virus to her child during pregnancy, childbirth, or even through breast-feeding. Blood transfusion : Nowadays, the risk of passing on the virus in this way is extremely low in developed countries, because there are strict screening systems. : Nowadays, the risk of passing on the virus in this way is extremely low in developed countries, because there are strict screening systems. Syringe and needle use: Sharing equipment for injecting drugs with others increases the chance of getting the virus. Those who need to take special precautions include: anyone who deals with needles or injects medication or other drugs health workers who deal with sharps those who give and receive tattoos and piercings It is essential to follow specific guidelines when using and disposing of needles and other sharp objects that may pierce the skin. PrEP can offer protection People who do not have HIV but who are at risk of contracting the virus can protect themselves through pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Under the brand name Truvuda, this pill contains two medications tenofovir and emtricitabine that can stop the virus from taking hold, even if exposure occurs. According to the CDC, consistent use of PrEP can reduce the chance of infection by up to 92 percent. According to the 2019 guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, only people with a recent negative HIV test result are suitable candidates for PrEP. Those with a high risk of HIV should take PrEP once per day. Symptoms of HIV and AIDS The symptoms of HIV vary widely. They depend on the individual, management of the virus, and the stage of the condition. Acute stage symptoms In the first stage of HIV, 2 to 4 weeks after getting the virus, people can experience flu-like symptoms including: aching muscles chills fatigue fever mouth ulcers night sweats rashes sore throat swollen lymph nodes Not everyone with HIV will experience these symptoms. Some people do not experience symptoms for 10 years or more. Clinical latency stage symptoms During stage 2, the virus is active but reproduces at very low levels. At this stage, there may be only mild symptoms, or none at all. Medication can help stop the virus from progressing and keep it in this stage. It can reduce the levels of the virus so that they are undetectable, cannot be passed on, and have no impact on the persons health. AIDS symptoms AIDS is different from HIV, and it is a distinct diagnosis, although it is considered to be the third and final stage of the virus. It happens because the immune system becomes susceptible to a range of infections. Symptoms at this stage are related to the various infections that may develop. They can vary greatly. Some of the more common symptoms include: blotches under the skin or in the mouth and nose blurred vision chronic diarrhea continuous swelling of the lymph glands extreme fatigue fever that keeps returning neurological issues including memory loss pneumonia rapid weight loss sores in the mouth, anus, or genitals The symptoms associated with AIDS vary widely, and a diagnosis cannot be made on this basis. Tests will be needed to make a formal diagnosis. Diagnosis The symptoms alone cannot show that a person has either HIV or AIDS. This is because they vary widely and they can also be a sign of other conditions. Diagnosis of HIV Share on Pinterest HIV is diagnosed with a blood test, and early testing is always recommended. HIV is diagnosed by a blood test or oral swab that looks for the presence of antibodies produced by the body in an attempt to fight the virus, as well as the proteins produced by the virus during replication. The time taken for these antibodies to show up in blood can range from several weeks to several months. Repeat testing may be necessary, depending on the initial time of exposure. However, early testing is always advisable, as an appropriate treatment plan can then be implemented to help stop further progression of the virus. Those who get tested early after exposure are at a lower risk of transmitting the virus to others, as they can receive effective treatment. Self-testing kits for HIV are available for purchase online, but users should ensure they are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Diagnosis of AIDS If a person has a diagnosis of HIV and they then receive a CD4 cell count result of under 200 cells/mm3 or are experiencing certain opportunistic infections, they will have a diagnosis of AIDS. Treatment Proper treatment plans and early intervention mean those with HIV can enjoy a good quality of life. Treatment will be provided by a team of professionals, not only doctors. In the past, a person with HIV could develop AIDS within a few years. Now, many people with HIV will never develop AIDS, because effective treatment is available. Without treatment, a person who develops AIDS can expect to live for another 3 years, unless they experience a life-threatening complication. Treatment consists primarily of medication, including antiretroviral therapy (ART). Once treatment starts, it is important to continue, or drug resistance can develop. People with either HIV or AIDS normally use a combination of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) drugs that help to slow the progression of the virus. This medication is adjusted to suit each individual, and it needs to be taken for life. 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. Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends. Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice. Its only been little over a month that Trump has assumed Presidency and the state of affairs has gone already haywire. After the idiotic decision of banning the entry of Muslims from 7 hand-picked countries, legendary boxer Muhammad Alis family was next on the list. His son was detained at a U.S. airport because of his surname. Yes, because he is a Muslim. Reports have emerged that Muhammad Ali Jr. was detained and held in custody by the airport police at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport in Florida. He was returning from Jamaica with his mother on 7th February after speaking at a Black History Month event there. While his mother was let go upon producing a picture with Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Ali Jr. had no such picture and the police detained him. He was very shaken up about it. He has never been treated like this before. He didnt know what was going on, and asked [immigration], Why are you doing this? My father is Muhammad Ali and they just didnt seem to give a crap, Ali's family friend and attorney Chris Mancini told RT. He was repeatedly questioned regarding his name and the fact that he was a Muslim. It was only after more than two hours that he was let off. Not only is this blasphemous but it also instills fears amongst Muslims all over the world trying to simply enter America. Trumps a cunt! The Indian state of Kashmir has had a tumultuous past and the present too doesnt look very hopeful. The mass-scale exodus of Kashmiri pundits more than two decades ago from the state is still a painful blot in the history of the beautiful region. In the Bandipora district of Kashmir, lies an ancient Shiva temple thats hasnt been visited by too many devotees in the past few years, because naturally, most of the Hindus had to leave their home behind and migrate to other states. NDTV Like they say, theres always a little hope even in the darkest of times. Yesterday, the Shiva temple saw devotees offering prayers at the eve of Maha Shivaratri. And the devotees were Muslim. Kashmiri Muslims turned up at the temple, carrying placards asking Kashmiri Pandits to return to their homeland and celebrate festivals together. NDTV Led by a local contractor Imtiaz Ahmad, they cleaned the temple and performed the rituals associated with Maha Shivaratri, a festival that is widely celebrated amongst Hindus, and particularly Kashmiri Pandits. NDTV reported Mr Ahmad saying, "That is why we entered the temple, cleaned it... (We did) whatever we could do since we are Muslims, not Pandits. In our humble way we performed puja here. Another Kashmiri Muslim who came to spread the message of communal haromony was reported saying, "They are part of our body and soul which has been snatched and separated from us. Today we are sending a message to them. Please return, we are with you." India.com There is a lot of tension in the valley and chances are, there still will be. But such gestures of communal brotherhood between the people will only work to help the wounds heal faster. What will the militancy or the powers-that-be do if the people support each other unconditionally? 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. Haili Gusa, a sophomore at Ubly High School, is the first-place winner of the first Huron County Right to Life High School Oratory Contest. She gave a pro-life presentation on the life issue of abortion. The contest was held Feb. 17 at the Huron County Senior Center in Bad Axe. Gusa now advances to the state contest on May 6 in the Lansing area. This contest is organized and sponsored by Huron County Right to Life, Right to Life of Michigan Educational Fund, and the National Right to Life Committee. (Submitted Photo) TUSCOLA COUNTY A federal court ruling on the First Amendment Establishment Clause of Separation of Church and State changed the way Tuscola County Commissioners started Thursday's board meeting. Normally, the five members of the board take turns opening the meeting with a prayer they create themselves. During the last meeting, Rev. William Sanders of the United Methodist Church of Wisner said the prayer to comply with the county's legal counsel recommendation. "The Sixth Circuit (U.S. Federal Court of Appeals) held that the Jackson County Board of Commissioners practice of holding an opening prayer before its monthly meetings is unconstitutional," according to Attorney Clayton Johnson, with the legal firm of Braun Kendrick. "It seems likely that the opinion will be appealed, but for now this is the law of the land." The complaint was filed by Peter Bormuth April 19, 2016, against Jackson County. The ruling of commissioners engaging in prayer is unconstitutional was made by Federal Circuit Judge Karen Moore on Feb. 15 in a 33-page opinion. Court documents state Bormuth is a "self-described Pagan." He worships the Sun and the Moon, as well as ancestral spirits, but his primary deity is the Mother Earth. "We were given three choices on the matter to comply," explained commission Chair Thom Bardwell. "We could do a moment of silence, do nothing, or have someone else do the prayer. We opted to have someone else do the prayer." In the Jackson case, one of the commissioners would offer the prayer and ask everyone to stand and bow their heads. Case documents note the fact that the prayer was always a Christian prayer. "Based on the (court's) opinion, it would have been preferable if the board instead invited clergy and/or laypersons to offer the invocation, and avoid limiting which faiths are represented," explained Johnson. "Another factor that the court cited is that the commissioners should not have asked attendees to participate in the prayer by instructing them to stand and bow their heads." Tuscola Commissioners asked for audience participation in prayer as well. Sitting on the board's table is a 1958 King James Bible from the Gideons. "The Bible has always been on the table at each meeting since I've been a commissioner," Bardwell said. "We've not used it or referred to in during meetings. It's just there." Prayers are only said at the beginning of regular board meetings and not committee of the whole meetings. "I'm personally sad and disappointed in this (decision)," said Bardwell. "I asked our counsel if we could still say the Pledge of Allegiance at meetings because it has 'under God' in it. He said we could still do that because it is not specific to a religion ... that's an interesting twist." The commissioners invite area ministers to lead the prayer at their regular meetings, which are generally the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at 8 a.m. at the Purdy Building, 125 W. Lincoln St., Caro. This is not the first time commissioners faced an issue of Separation of Church and State. In January 2003, Anonka and Tammra Jocham, who claimed to be witches, filed a lawsuit against the county in the U. S. District Court, Bay County, over a nativity scene on the Tuscola County Courthouse lawn placed there by the Caro Women's Interfaith Committee. Because the display is privately funded and located in an area where public expression has traditionally been allowed and the display included secular items, the case was dismissed with prejudice. However, there was also a monetary settlement for the plaintiffs which both parties were ordered not to reveal. HARBOR BEACH In an effort to keep dangerous weapons from being discharged within city limits, the Harbor Beach City Council took steps to create an ordinance against such things. According to Mayor Gary Booms, the State of Michigan has a law on the books that does not allow municipalities to ban these weapons. Harbor Beach will counter with its own ordinances. The first reading of Ordinances 220, Chapter 22 and Ordinance 221, Chapter 18 was read at the city council meeting on Thursday. The meeting was held two days later due to absent council members and illness which did not allow them to form a quorum. The new ordinances will be read twice and published in the media. Twenty days after the proposed publication in local newspaper(s), they will become law. The first ordinance deals with weapons in the city's parks. Section 22-77 of Ordinance 220 was amended to read; "The discharge of firearms, air guns, firecrackers, bows and crossbows is prohibited within the park area." Section 18-222 was amended to read; "It shall be unlawful for any person to shoot or use any bow, crossbow, firearm, or other dangerous weapon or instrument in the city. Pneumatic guns or air guns may only be discharged at authorized target ranges or on private property with the permission of the owner or possessor of that property if reasonable steps are taken to prevent a projectile from crossing the bounds of the property." "We can't bar them (from having guns), but we can keep people from discharging them within the city," Booms said. In a non-related matter, council approved federal income standards to be used to establish qualification of city residents for poverty exemptions for 2017 assessments. The mayor noted this is an annual required procedure. A one-person household will have a poverty guideline of $12,060. In increments of $4,180, the poverty guidelines provided by the city went up to an eight-person family/household ($41,320). For more than eight persons, the guidelines add $4,180 for each additional person. In other business: Public hearings for several DNR Grants were all set for March 27. The city intends to apply for grants, but it must first hold public hearings. The city intends to seek grants for the Harbor View Trail Extension, the Marina Dock Replacement, for a Fuel Dispenser Replacement, and for Lincoln Park restaurant/office upgrades. The Rapson family contacted the city about covering the bridge along the Backus Trail. The proposed covered bridge would be in honor of Randy Rapson, a longtime business proprietor in Harbor Beach. According to Harbor Beach Supervisor Ron Wruble, the family will pay for the material and engineering to cover the bridge which already in place. Wruble hopes to get volunteers to erect the covering later this spring. The city is planning to build a new pavilion at North Park to replace the old one. The proposed building will be 40 by 60 feet with bathroom and a kitchenette. The building will be insulated for use in cold weather. It will be designed to be an open air or enclosed pavilion. Council approved Booms Design & Engineering for design services in the amount of $3,000. The next city council meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 6 at the Harbor Beach City Hall. 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 fallout from a federal hiring freeze directed last month by President Donald Trump continued to reverberate across military bases on Friday when officials at Marine Corps Camp Lejeune and Air Station New River in North Carolina announced closures and cut backs. Officials with Marine Corps Community Services Lejeune-New River announced on their Facebook page that hourly care child care at their child development centers (CDCs) was suspended effective Feb. 23. Cuts to other services at the locations starting between Feb. 27 and March 6 include several Marine Marts reducing hours, operating hours cuts to Starbucks at the Main Exchange Mall, the closure of New River Recreation Equipment, and the complete closure of the Central Marine mart and gas station, they said. The closures and staffing shortages caused by the hiring freeze at military installations around the globe have appeared to catch even the services off guard. "The Marine Corps is carefully monitoring the adverse effects of the civilian hiring freeze on operational and family readiness," Maj. Garron Garn, a spokesman for Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs said Feb. 22. "To date we've been able to mitigate these effects by carefully prioritizing critical vacancies and requesting selective exemptions via the Secretary of the Navy. We'll continue to track the effects of the freeze and work to mitigate adverse impacts." Officials at the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) told the Army Times Feb. 24 that their stores could face similar hours cuts or closures as a result of the freeze, but they are working to avoid doing so. Officials with the Navy Exchange and the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) didn't respond to requests for comment by deadline. The Army and Air Force Exchange cuts follow announcements by two Army bases that child care services would be cut starting Feb. 27 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and March 1, at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden in Germany due to the freeze. School aged and teen programs at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California, are also scheduled to have reduced hours starting mid-March, although Navy officials said they still hope to avoid taking that step. At issue is a Jan. 23 White House directive freezing most hiring at all federal agencies. Although Exchange, child care workers and other Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) employees are Non-Appropriated Funds (NAF) workers and not funded by taxpayer dollars, the freeze "applies to all executive departments and agencies regardless of the sources of their operational and programmatic funding, excepting military personnel," according to the Executive Order. While a Feb. 1 Defense Department memo exempts from the freeze 16 categories of civilian workers, including "positions providing child care to the children of military personnel," base commanders are still required to get permission from their service secretary before filling positions, services spokespeople said. AAFES officials told the Army Times that they have also submitted a request to the Pentagon for a hiring exemption. -- Amy Bushatz can be reached at amy.bushatz@military.com. The Department of Veterans Affairs expects a surge of compensation claims totaling more than $2.2 billion from veterans exposed to toxic water at Camp Lejeune, N.C., but nothing compared to the "tidal wave" of cases that came out of the Agent Orange class-action suit. After years of lawsuits and appeals, acts of Congress and amendments since the contaminated water at the Marine Corps base was confirmed in the 1980s, the VA will begin accepting claims March 14 for disabilities stemming from eight presumptive conditions. A final hurdle to the compensation process emerged with the inauguration of President Donald Trump and his order blocking new federal regulations, which appeared to override rules approved in the last days of President Barack Obama's administration. However, the office of Sen. Richard Burr, a North Carolina Republican, said last week, "The White House has granted an exemption. This means the Camp Lejeune regulation will go into effect on March 14, 2017, as scheduled." All of the Lejeune claims initially will be handled by the VA's Louisville, Ky., Regional Office (RO), Thomas Murphy, VAs acting under secretary for benefits, said at a House Committee on Veterans Affairs (HVAC) subcommittee hearing last week. "Ideally, we want to keep them in the one RO" in Louisville, where a Center of Eexcellence has been set up to deal with presumptive claims, Murphy said. "But if they can't handle the volume, we're going to have to train another and expand it, so we'll have to keep a very close eye on that." Rep. Tim Walz, a Minnesota Democrat and ranking member of the HVAC, questioned whether Louisville is ready to cope with the claims. Walz asked Murphy, "You're ready to adjust to it, but you don't anticipate anything near the disruption that the Nehmer claims were?" Walz was referring to the spike in disability claims stemming from the Nehmer class-action suit on the effects of aerial spraying of Agent Orange in Vietnam; it contributed to VA's 2013 backlog of 613,000 initial disability claims. The claims backlog (in which a rating decision has exceeded 125 days) had been reduced to 97,553 as of last week, according to VA, although veterans groups point out that there were another 433,000 cases in various stages of appeal as of Jan. 1. In response to Walz, Murphy said the Lejeune claims are not expected to approach the volume of claims that were filed in the wake of the Agent Orange rulings. "No, nothing like that at all," he said. "The Nehmer claim was a tidal wave, and this is going to be a real small one by comparison." Disability benefits would supplement VA health care already being provided to eligible veterans who were stationed at Camp Lejeune for at least 30 cumulative days between Aug. 1, 1953, and Dec. 31, 1987. Veterans will have to submit evidence of their diagnoses and service information to be eligible. The new rule covers active-duty, Reserve and National Guard members who served at Lejeune during the designated period for 30 days, and who developed one of eight presumptive conditions: adult leukemia, aplastic anemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, liver cancer, multiple myeloma, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma or Parkinson's disease. The March 14 date for the filing of claims is a milestone for retired Marine Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger, who has advocated for decades for Camp Lejeune veterans and their families through his website, "The Few, The Proud, The Forgotten." Ensminger was stationed at the base when his daughter, Janey, was born in 1975. She died of a rare form of leukemia at age nine. "This has been a hard, long slog," Ensminger told The Associated Press of the long fight for compensation, but "this is not the end of the issue." "I can't tell you the level of frustration that has engulfed me over these years," he said. "There's no doubt that the people of Camp Lejeune were poisoned." In August 2012, Ensminger was in the Oval Office as President Barack Obama signed the Janey Ensminger Act, providing for VA health care for those affected by the Lejeune contamination. Last year, VA urged veterans assigned to the base during the designated 34-year period to begin filing disability compensation claims for the eight presumptive conditions. "The water at Camp Lejeune was a hidden hazard, and it is only years later that we know how dangerous it was," then-VA Secretary Bob McDonald said at the time. In 1989, Camp Lejeune was listed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a toxic Superfund site "because of contaminated groundwater, sediment, soil and surface water resulting from base operations and waste handling practices." From 1953 to 1987, drinking water wells at the base were contaminated with benzene, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride and other petroleum contaminants from leaking storage tanks and an off-base dry cleaner, federal environmental health experts said. Last month, VA published a rule in the Federal Register to establish that "veterans, former reservists, and former National Guard members, who served at Camp Lejeune for no less than 30 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) during this period, and who have been diagnosed with any of eight associated diseases, are presumed to have incurred or aggravated the disease in service for purposes of entitlement to VA benefits." The rule continued, "Under this presumption, affected former reservists and National Guard members have veteran status for purposes of entitlement to some VA benefits." In publishing the rule Jan. 17, McDonald said, "We have a responsibility to take care of those who have served our nation and have been exposed to harm as a result of that service. Establishing a presumption for service at Camp Lejeune will make it easier for those veterans to receive the care and benefits they earned." The Navy has estimated there was a potential population of about 900,000 active-duty, Reserve, and National Guard members at Camp Lejeune from 1953 to 1987, but the population potentially eligible for disability claims is expected to be about 23,000. According to VA, 1,419 compensation claims had been filed as of Jan. 1 but were put on hold to await the new rule for the March 14 date. The VA has estimated the benefits for the first year of compensation claims at $379.8 million and a total of $2.2 billion over five years. The new rule is "historic," according to VA, in the sense that it is one of the few known instances in which there is eligibility for disability claims for exposures in a stateside garrison, rather than on deployment to a war zone, as was the case with the Agent Orange claims. -- Richard Sisk can be reached at Richard.Sisk@Military.com. ANN ARBOR, MI - A years-long community debate over the future of a prime piece of city-owned real estate in downtown Ann Arbor is coming to a head. After more than a year of behind-the-scenes talks with Chicago developer Core Spaces, which wants to purchase the Fifth Avenue property known as the Library Lot for $10 million to build a 17-story high-rise, Ann Arbor's city administration is getting ready to present a negotiated deal to the City Council soon. Meanwhile, some residents are continuing to call for either a less-dense development with more open space or keeping the property in the city's hands and transforming it into a downtown central park and civic center commons, one that could connect with Liberty Plaza on the same block. The Library Lot is currently a public parking lot just north of the downtown library, atop the city-owned Library Lane underground parking garage. It's across from the Blake Transit Center, right in the heart of downtown. The proposed development includes 357 apartments and 131 hotel rooms, plus more than 20,000 square feet of office space and 3,350 square feet of retail space, as well as an outdoor plaza that would be open to the public. The City Council is planning to hold a special work session at 7 p.m. March 16 at city hall to discuss the Core Spaces proposal in more detail. Given the level of community interest in the property, coupled with the fact that city residents and taxpayers own it, Council Member Jane Lumm said it seems appropriate to provide residents with a formal opportunity to provide input on what they believe ought to be done with the site. "Plus, given the importance of this decision on the future of our downtown, it seems reasonable to me as well that council should spend dedicated time on the proposal before making a decision," she said. She noted a grassroots group of citizens, members of the Ann Arbor Committee for the Community Commons, collected thousands of petition signatures to try to put the future of the Library Lot to a vote of the people last year, but their ballot initiative fell short of meeting signature requirements. Council Member Zachary Ackerman, D-3rd Ward, agreed it will be worthwhile to have a more in-depth conversation about the Core Spaces proposal. "I think the community has an interest in hearing what benefits could be presented by 400 new residents living in our downtown," he said, noting half the sale proceeds, about $5 million, would go to the city's affordable housing fund, and additional monies could be used for things such as pedestrian safety. At this time, there are no newer renderings of the proposed development than what was presented last year, and there hasn't been much new information about how the plaza would function. But the overall scale of the project has remained essentially the same since it was presented last year. Project architect John Myefski said the development team has received positive input from some neighbors who have commented on massing studies at workshop meetings. He said there are multiple options for how to site the building and the development team wants to continue that conversation. Myefski clarified Core Spaces intends to keep the full alley to the north of the site functioning for pedestrians and limited deliveries to those it serves. He said it's about 10 to 12 feet wide. He said the development also will preserve an existing walkway on the east side of the site that is about six feet wide. On the south side, the plan is to improve the sidewalk along Library Lane. And on the west side, there would be a new plaza. "This means we have full access around the entire site for the public to use," Myefski said this week. "This also allows any future development to link into our pedestrian path system." Tom Harrington Jr., director of acquisitions for Core Spaces, said he thinks the negotiated development proposal meets the city's goals, including adding dedicated workforce housing and green building components. He said about 12 percent of the apartments, about 43 of them, are planned to be made available at 150 percent of fair market rents. There's an option to lower the threshold to 120 percent, but that would reduce the amount of workforce housing, which is essentially housing that's affordable for people with modest incomes. There's also an option to add nine extra units of workforce housing if the city wants to buy them for just under $1.5 million, Harrington said. Tom Crawford, the city's chief financial officer, said he plans to offer more clarity on the workforce housing aspect in an upcoming memo to council, including whether they would be income-based and what rents might be. Core Spaces also is now proposing to construct the building to LEED Gold standards for energy-efficiency and environmental design, though the developer doesn't intend to go through the actual LEED certification process. The parking aspect of the Core Spaces proposal was discussed by the Downtown Development Authority's Operations Committee this week. The DDA manages the downtown parking system for the city, so it's being given a chance to provide input, though it's ultimately up to the City Council to approve the project. The developer is asking to lease 361 public parking spaces downtown for potentially the next 60 years. The proposed parking arrangement goes to the DDA's full board for consideration on March 1. "The project will bring to the city a number of things that were requested," said DDA Executive Director Susan Pollay, noting the developer has added dedicated workforce housing and green building components. Members of the DDA's Operations Committee had some questions and concerns about the length of the proposed parking agreement, which includes an initial 20-year term and two 20-year renewal terms. That's longer than any parking deal the city and DDA have ever done for a private development. As proposed, Core Spaces would pay the DDA's standard monthly permit rates to gain 24/7 use of 196 parking spaces in the Library Lane garage beneath the proposed development and 85 spaces in the nearby Fourth and William garage, plus 80 off-peak permits in the Fourth and William garage. The off-peak permits are expected to be used by overnight hotel guests. Tom Harrington Jr., director of acquisitions for Core Spaces, addresses members of the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority's Operations Committee on Feb. 22, 2017. "I don't think anybody here has a large concern about off-peak permits given that the system is fairly empty at night," said DDA board member John Splitt, owner of Gold Bond Cleaners on Maynard Street. The Library Lane underground garage, which opened in 2012, was built with the expectation that a future development atop it would someday use a portion of its 700-plus spaces, which came at a cost of about $50 million. The proposed deal doesn't require Core Spaces to keep leasing all 361 spaces year after year if it's later determined a lesser amount will work. Harrington said it's Core Spaces' goal to minimize the number of parking spaces it leases because it's an expense, but the company still wants to make sure there's adequate parking for the development. He said it's a little bit different than some other projects from a parking standpoint because it's not intended to be student housing. "So the dynamic is a little bit different," he said. Some still question whether 361 spaces is enough to meet the parking demands for all of the apartments, hotel rooms and retail/office spaces proposed. DDA board member Darren McKinnon, who works for First Martin Corp., raised that concern at this week's Operations Committee meeting. First Martin owns an office building property along Liberty Street, next to Liberty Plaza, backing up to the property Core Spaces wants to develop. First Martin wants to eventually redevelop its own property. The Core Spaces request for 361 parking spaces is based on a study by a company called Desman, a parking consultant. There are multiple scenarios contemplated in the study. The basic scenario assumes 67 percent of residents would own cars, based on 50 percent occupancy by college-aged tenants who need 0.4 spaces per unit and 50 percent occupancy by other market-rate tenants who need 0.92 spaces per unit. It also assumes 50 percent of hotel guests would drive, and 50 percent of all retail patrons, office visitors and residential guests would drive, along with some other assumptions. That scenario shows peak demand for up to 334 spaces for the overall development, assuming there's shared parking. An alternate scenario assumes a higher-rent resident and a less student-oriented market with an automobile ownership rate of 0.92 cars per apartment. That shows a need for up to 423 parking spaces for the overall development if there's shared parking. Another scenario, assuming lower car ownership and no parking for office/retail tenants/guests or apartment guests, shows a need for up to 309 spaces. "The basic scenario shows parking demand peaking for all user groups at 334 spaces on a weekend evening," the study concludes. "In addition, some of the residential demand will be absent during the day, which provides additional potential to share with public parkers in the garage." McKinnon said since Core Spaces is saying it's not going to be a University of Michigan student housing project, he thinks more spaces might be needed. If that's the case, he said, there could be a significant shortage of parking, and that could have spillover effects as people still need places to park. "The concern that I'm hearing in the community is that the real parking need, once this project is online, is going to be possibly greater," McKinnon said. Pollay suggested Desman's assumptions about the number of downtown residents who rely on cars might be too high. She noted the DDA hired consultant Nelson/Nygaard to conduct a parking study in 2015 that showed, out of nearly 5,500 spaces in 10 downtown public parking garages and lots, slightly more than 1,000 were occupied overnight when measured between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. However, that doesn't look at private parking for new non-student downtown developments, and the same study concluded "most downtown residents are likely to maintain at least one private vehicle at or near their home." Pollay said she thinks Nelson/Nygaard could have clarified that better, as she believes it references a subset of downtown residents, those living in buildings that provide a parking space for each resident, which is not true for all downtown residential buildings. Several downtown high-rises cater to UM students. The Desman parking study notes the Library Lot is "conveniently located a few blocks west of the main campus of the University of Michigan." Pollay said she wants Core Spaces to have latitude to give parking spaces back if they're not needed. She noted car sharing and the transit center directly across the street would provide other transportation options. Harrington said there has been no discussion of expanding the size of the Library Lane underground garage as part of the development. DDA board member Joan Lowenstein said the DDA is a development authority and built the Library Lane garage to facilitate development. "So that's what we want to do," she said. Members of the Library Green Conservancy, a grassroots group of citizens who have advocated for public open space on a portion of the Library Lot, attended Wednesday's committee meeting and left frustrated. "They didn't really seem to focus much on existing businesses," said Will Hathaway, who doesn't think there has been enough consideration of the impact on restaurants and other businesses if Core Spaces gains use of hundreds of parking spaces in a system that's already at capacity at times. "And they didn't really think about the people who would like to come downtown for whatever purpose. There are waiting lists for parking structures all around downtown and no one was speaking about whether this was fair to them." Hathaway is among those who believe Core Spaces would need more than 361 spaces based on the level of development proposed. "That's a lot of different people in that building and I don't think they are being realistic about the parking," he said. Peter Nagourney, another member of the Library Green Conservancy, called it a fantasy to think so many people are not going to be driving cars. "Plus I have a concern about the fact that the city paid for the parking structure ... and we're giving these people the opportunity to make money off spaces that we the citizens paid for," he said. "That just sticks in my craw." Hathaway said he recognizes some kind of development is going to happen on the Library Lot. He said he wants to see pedestrian connectivity addressed in a more comprehensive way, thinking about the whole block. ANN ARBOR, MI - An 18-year-old Ypsilanti Township man charged in the 2015 shooting death of Keandre Duff took a plea deal in the Washtenaw County Trial Court Friday, Feb. 24, online court records indicate. The records show Tariq Jackson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, one count of armed robbery, four weapons charges and 12 counts of perjury. The case was set to go to trial starting March 6. Jackson's case was not on the trial court's dockets Friday. Jackson will serve 15-40 years on the second-degree murder, plus an additional two years for the felony firearm per a sentencing agreement, according to Assistant Washtenaw County Prosecutor Steve Hiller. Duff was found with a gunshot wound to his head in the early morning hours July 12, 2015, after a block party in the area of Brooks and Watling streets in Ypsilanti. Prior to his death, Duff was charged in the 2014 shooting death of 17-year-old Keon Washington. The charges were dismissed due to insufficient evidence. But testimony in court indicated that Washington was killed in a clash between Duff's gang Rakk Life and Washington's gang BOH at a party on Madison Street in Ypsilanti. Duff's death then sparked suspected back-and-forth retaliation in the Ypsilanti area between rival gangs Rakk Life and Finesse, which an official has said may be a hybrid of BOH. Finesse was named on social media following Washington's death, and appears in social media posts associated with Jackson's name. Jackson was formally charged about a year after the death. The homicide has sparked several perjury cases. Cedrick Sims, 18, of Ypsilanti, and Dominique Lynch, 25, of Ypsilanti Township, have both been charged with multiple counts of perjury related to the death, officials have confirmed. Sims appeared in 14A-1 District Court Thursday where he waived his preliminary examination, records show. He was bound over to circuit court on four counts of perjury. He is scheduled to appear before Judge David Swartz in the Washtenaw County Trial Court on March 13. Lynch was arraigned on July 1, 2016, on seven counts of perjury when called on a prosecutor's investigative subpoena on or about June 29, 2016, court record show. The date was two weeks before Jackson was formally charged with open murder in Duff's death. Lynch has since pleaded guilty to seven lesser counts of perjury in the case. Jackson's former probation officer, Sarah Stein, 38, is also caught up in the case. Stein was charged in August 2016 with four counts of lying to a peace officer, which is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and a fine of $5,000. She was released on 10 percent of a $20,000 bond and is scheduled for an April 24 jury trial. She remains on unpaid administrative leave from her position as a juvenile probation officer, which she has held since 2008. Under Michigan law, perjury under oath during examination under an investigative subpoena is punishable by up to life in prison if the crime under investigation is punishable by life in prison. Otherwise, it is punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Melanie Maxwell | melaniemaxwell@mlive.com What to know about Count Day Feb. 8 was the annual spring Count Day where Michigan schools record their student enrollment to submit to the state. State funding is distributed to schools on a per-pupil basis, so the Count Day numbers determine a school's funding for the coming school year. A district's total enrollment is calculated based on the number of students reported during the prior spring and the current fall count days. The 2017 Count Day numbers will be factored into school districts' funding for the 2017-18 school year. The fall count is worth 90 percent in the formula, while the spring count is worth 10 percent; schools' spring count tends to be lower than the fall count. Each Washtenaw County student represents between $7,511 and $9,230 in state funds. Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Preliminary numbers The student enrollment numbers reported Wednesday are not final. Schools can still count students with an excused absence on Count Day if they attend within the next 30 days. If students have an unexcused absence on Count Day, they still can be counted if they attend school within 10 days. Students who are suspended on Count Day still can be counted if they attend within 45 days. Scroll through to see whether local school districts lost or gained students this spring. Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Ann Arbor Public Schools - gained 298 from spring 2016 Spring 2016: 17,101.65 Fall 2016: 17,450 Spring 2017: 17,400 The spring 2016 numbers have been audited for the Center for Educational Performance and Information. A decimal point in the student count refers to full-time equivalency, and the number of full-time equivalency students may be different than the headcount. For example, students who are homeschooled can still take a few courses at a public school, and they would count as less than 1 FTE. Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Chelsea School District - lost 50 students from spring 2016 Spring 2016: 2,468.68 Fall 2016: 2,407 Spring 2017: 2,419 Chelsea School District does not participate in Schools of Choice, so its enrollment increase from fall 2016 to spring 2017 came from new students moving into the district, said Superintendent Julie Helber. Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Dexter Community Schools - gained 43 students Spring 2016: 3,542.41 Fall 2016: 3,585.36 Spring 2017: 3,585 Don't Edit Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com East Arbor Academy - lost five students Spring 2016: 765 Spring 2017: 760 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Fortis Academy - lost eight students Spring 2016: 724 Fall 2016: 727 Spring 2017: 716 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Honey Creek Community School - lost one student Spring 2016: 248 Fall 2016: 248 Spring 2017: 247 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Lincoln Consolidated Schools - lost 185 students Spring 2016: 4,020.01 Fall 2016: 3,859 Spring 2017: 3,835 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Manchester Community Schools - lost 13 students Spring 2016: 1,048.37 Fall 2016: 1,039 Spring 2017: 1,035 Don't Edit Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Milan Area Schools - gained two students Spring 2016: 2,177.72 Fall 2016: 2,186 Spring 2017: 2,180 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Saline Area Schools - lost 116 students Spring 2016: 5,347.29 Fall 2016: 5,239 Spring 2017: 5,231 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com South Arbor Charter Academy - gained two students Spring 2016: 795 Spring 2017: 797 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com South Pointe Scholars Academy - lost 16 students Spring 2016: 786 Fall 2016: 767 Spring 2017: 770 Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Ypsilanti Community Schools - lost 307 students Spring 2016: 3,827.14 Fall 2016: 3,752.78 Spring 2017: 3,520 Laura Frey-Greathouse, director of Staffing, Student Affairs and Teacher Retention at YCS, said the district is hoping to count another 279 students who were absent on Feb. 8. Don't Edit Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com Other schools Arbor Learning Community, Central Academy, Global Tech Academy, Multicultural Academy, New Beginnings Academy, Whitmore Lake Public Schools and WSC Academy could not be reached for comment. Arbor Preparatory High School's management company PrepNet declined to provide the school's preliminary spring count. Washtenaw Technical Middle College is closed for winter break. Don't Edit Lauren Slagter | lslagter@mlive.com More on enrollment trends See which Washtenaw County schools gained, lost students this fall Count Day: 10 percent of school districts funding depends on kids attending class Find out how your Jackson County school enrollment shaped up on 2017 spring count day GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Suspended Grand Rapids police Lt. Matthew Janiskee was a "highly decorated, highly trained" officer in his 21 years with the department. But after a prosecutor got into a crash after drinking, and avoided arrest on Janiskee's watch, someone had to pay, his attorney said. "In my personal opinion, yeah, they threw him under the bus," attorney Andrew Rodenhouse said Friday, Feb. 24, in a press conference at his Grand Rapids office. Rodenhouse filed a class-action lawsuit against the city alleging that Janiskee's rights were violated when he spoke on a "non-recorded" telephone line with officers at the scene of the crash. The city says the five conversations between Janiskee and officers at the scene were inadvertently recorded, and should be allowed to be used in efforts to terminate Janiskee - and be released to media under Freedom of Information requests. Rodenhouse said the recordings, particularly those between police and witnesses or suspects, could contain exculpatory evidence, and would be sought by defense attorneys if the recordings are released. He said that release of the calls would violate state and federal eavesdropping and wiretap laws. He said the city has already illegally shared the recordings with command staff, police officers, top city leaders and many others. "This was a violation of Lt. Janiskee's rights," Rodenhouse said. "If he's terminated ... he still got violated." He said Janiskee just wants to keep his job. He described Janiskee as a "highly decorated, highly trained" officer. Janiskee's personnel file, obtained by MLive and The Grand Rapids Press in a Freedom of Information request, shows many commendations. Janiskee had just qualified for captain when the controversy began, early on Nov. 19. Former Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Josh Kuiper crashed into a parked car on Union Avenue SE, south of Fulton Street, injuring a man. Officer Adam Ickes called Janiskee, the watch commander. He said that an assistant prosecutor had crashed and was "hammered." Janiskee told Ickes to call back on the non-recorded telephone line, the city says in court records. Sgt. Thomas Warwick, in the office with Janiskee, drove to the scene. Police put Kuiper through a series of dexterity tests but did not ask him to submit to a breath test for alcohol. Warwick drove him home. Rodenhouse said Kuiper could have actually suffered a concussion in the crash rather than have been drunk. Regardless, he said, police officers use discretion all of the time. The city announced it would seek termination of all three officers. Instead, Ickes received a 30-day suspension, while Warwick was suspended for 160 days and was demoted to officer. There have not been negotiations regarding Janiskee. The city has sought a federal court ruling declaring that the five conversations on the "non-recorded" line were legally obtained and can be used in efforts to fire Janiskee. He had no choice but to file a lawsuit against the city, police Chief David Rahinsky and police commanders, in his response to the city's legal action, his attorney said. "We didn't start this," Rodenhouse said. "He did not want to do this but he has been put into a position he has to. ... The city illegally recorded the lines and that would be a clear violation of the law." He said the recordings could have been going on for decades, with thousands using the number believing their conversations to be unrecorded. Janiskee, whose wife, Monica, is the chief assistant Kent County prosecutor, has a termination hearing on March 7. Kuiper, meanwhile, has been charged with reckless driving causing serious injury -- a felony that carries a possible five-year sentence -- as well as with a misdemeanor moving violation. He is also subject of a civil lawsuit by the man who was injured in the crash. U.S.131 crash.jpg Police investigate a crash near the northbound exit 81 on US-131 N on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. (Mike Clark | MLive.com) (Mike Clark | MLive Media) WYOMING, MI -- Two people killed in a wrong-way crash on U.S. 131 late Thursday have been identified as a 25-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man, both from Grand Rapids. The woman was driving a 2009 Hyundai Sonata south in the northbound lanes of U.S. 131 when she struck a 2007 Ford Edge head-on just south of 28th Street. The 27-year-old Grand Rapids man was driving the Ford Edge, state police said. Police have not released the names of the victims and plan to do a toxicology test on the at-fault driver. Police said they expected to release the names within a couple of days. The collision happened about 9:50 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23. Police dispatchers moments earlier had received calls that a car was going the wrong way on the freeway at high speed. State police Sgt. David Cope at the Rockford post said a third vehicle, headed north, also was involved in the collision. That driver, a 26-year-old Grand Rapids man in a 2002 Chrysler mini-van, was not seriously injured. Betsy DeVos Education Secretary Betsy DeVos speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) (Susan Walsh) U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos received an enthusiastic response this week at a prominent conservative conference, blaming the "education establishment" for blocking school improvements and characterizing college professors as liberals who want to tell students "what to think." Education Secretary Betsy DeVos arrives to speak at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Oxon Hill, Md., Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) Here's five highlights from DeVos' speech and interview at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, which was held in Maryland, just south of Washington D.C. Flubs in the media Since her nomination, DeVos has been a frequent target on social media and late night TV, where she was lampooned on Saturday Night Live for her suggestion during her confirmation hearing that rural schools may need guns to protect from grizzly bears. She's also been ridiculed on social media services like Twitter, after making a lighthearted joke about where - during her first official day as education secretary - she could find a pencil. During her opening remarks at CPAC, DeVos acknowledged that the "media has had its fun with me." But she added, "that's OK." "My job isn't to win a popularity contest with the media or the education establishment here in Washington," she said. "My job as Secretary of Education is to make education work for students." Educational establishment DeVos took aim at an Obama administration school improvement grant program. She said the nation's schools are "failing too many kids," but said funding alone is not the solution. "They "spent seven billion of your dollars on School Improvement Grants, thinking they could demonstrate that money alone would solve the problem," she said. "Yet their own report, issued as they walked out the door, showed that it had zero impact on student outcomes and performance." DeVos went on to say the failure of such programs was not an "indictment of teachers," but rather the "education establishment," which she said "has been blocking the doorway to reforms, fixes and improvements for a generation." Federal vs state role When discussing what she sees as the role of the U.S. Department of Education, DeVos said she believes the federal government should have "as light a touch as possible." That philosophy, she said, is reflected in the nation's new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, which replaces the No Child Left Behind Act. NCLB, passed during the George W. Bush administration, has been widely criticized as giving the federal government too much say over too much say over how the nation's schools are operated. DeVos said she does see the federal government having an important role "are really around the needs of special needs students" and civil rights issues. Transgender students DeVos, however, has come under fire from LGBT groups for dropping federal guidance - issued during the Obama administration - that directed schools to grant transgender students access to restrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity. Those issues, DeVos argues, should instead be left up to states and local school districts. During her CPAC appearance, DeVos criticized the Obama administration's guidance as federal "overreach" and a "one-size-fits-all" approach. She went on to say that "it's our job to protect students and to do that to the fullest extent that we can and also to provide students, parents and teachers with more flexibility about how education is delivered and how education is experienced and to protect and preserve personal freedoms." Campus speech DeVos also took aim at free speech on college campuses, characterizing professors and deans as liberals who want to tell students "what to say, and more ominously, what to think." "They say that if you voted for Donald Trump, you're a threat to the university community, DeVos said. "But the real threat is silencing the First Amendment rights of people with whom you disagree." Later, during an interview with CNN conservative political commentator Kayleigh McEnany, DeVos urged conservative students to "keep talking" and "keep making your arguments." "You can do so respectfully and with civility, but I think you need to do so with confidence," DeVos said. "We need to have opposing viewpoints and differing ideas in an academic environment and any environment where ideas are necessary to be exchanged." DEARBORN, MI - Two open-carry advocates arrested when they walked into a police station wearing tactical gear and hauling firearms are now charged with felonies. James Baker, left, and Brandon Vreeland Brandon Vreeland, 40, of Jackson and James Baker, 24, of Leonard are accused of carrying a concealed weapon, punishable by up to five years in prison; and disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor, according to a statement from the city of Dearborn. Vreeland, vocal and cursing at police during the videotaped confrontation, is additionally charged with resisting arrest, which carries a maximum prison penalty of two years. Baker is accused of brandishing a weapon, a misdemeanor, his lawyer Nicholas Somberg said. The two appeared Friday, Feb. 24, in 19th District Court in Dearborn. "I think they are doing this just to flex their muscle," Somberg said of the upped charges. Initially, the men were accused of only misdemeanors. "The ultimate objective is public safety or everyone; including police officers," Dearborn Chief Ronald Haddad said in the statement. An effort late Friday afternoon to reach the chief for additional comment was not successful. "The facts and evidence on the case support the charges that we believe can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt in court," Maria Miller of the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office wrote in an email response to questions about the felony charges. Somberg said they did nothing illegal and lack violent pasts. They do not have permits to carry concealed weapons, but he says they openly carry guns, activity Michigan law does not prohibit. Both men are in jail. District Judge Eugene Hunt set Vreeland's bond at $20,000. Baker's bond was set at $50,000. Somberg called this "exorbitant." Hunt said Baker posed a risk to the public. He called the situation "very serious," according to a video of the court proceedings posted by WDIV-TV, Channel 4. On Feb. 5, Baker was wearing a military-style rifle slung across his shoulder, a side arm and a balaclava mask when he and Vreeland, who was unarmed and operating camera equipment, walked into the Dearborn Police Department. Officers confronted them with guns drawn. Baker was ordered to put down his weapons and an officer threatened to shoot him. "I'm unarmed, you stop pointing your (expletive) gun at me," Vreeland says in the video. " ... I'm here to file a complaint." The two had been stopped earlier in the day upon reports of two "suspicious" men in a vehicle wearing tactical vests, according to Dearborn police. "We haven't done anything wrong. We haven't broken any laws. We are done with this," Vreeland tells the officer in a video posted on YouTube. The officer eventually tells Vreeland he is free to go and is welcome to file a complaint. Vreeland promises to do so and tells the officer to "go (expletive) yourself." Both men have a history of such activity. Their lawyer calls them activists. The two frequently perform "audits" of authorities' respect for gun rights. Vreeland, clearly hostile toward law enforcement, has a Jackson Cop Block YouTube channel with dozens of videos taken in Jackson and elsewhere. He is often in a tactical vest with an assault rifle and a body camera. There are videos at the Canadian border and the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. Baker has organized numerous open-carry walks in Detroit and other cities with an organization he helped create named the Hell's Saints. In the video posted by WDIV-TV, a police sergeant called them "professional provocateurs" who embrace the idea of being the "public enemy" and are pushing police to use deadly force. Somberg said the men were ordered to turn over all their firearms to police. Earlier this month, police seized: a loaded AP-14 firearm and a rifle magazine containing 47 rounds; a loaded Glock 19 handgun with four additional magazines; body armor and ballistic vests; a mask; a gun belt and several pieces of camera equipment. The next court date is scheduled for March 10. Somberg is urging supporters to come to court hearing as a show of solidarity for the two men, just as about a dozen officers attended the Friday hearing. He set up a Facebook event page with a main image of George Washington crossing the Delaware River. The Michigan Open Carry president earlier called the men's behavior "reckless" and attention-seeking. UPDATE: Police about noon Saturday, Feb. 25 reported that Ryan was found safe BERRIEN COUNTY, MI -- Police are looking for a Niles area woman who went missing from her home the morning of Friday, Feb. 24. Aleshia Ryan, 47, is described as being disabled. Police say her family is concerned for her safety. She may be wearing a pink T-shirt and jeans. She walked away from her home in the 1500 block of Country Club Road in Niles Township about 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Anyone with information about her can call police at 269-983 -7111, ext 4900. BAY CITY, MI -- Scattered snow showers and sub-freezing temperatures didn't deter people from jumping into a bone-chilling pool of water for the Bay City Polar Plunge. Twenty teams registered to jump in the pool at the southeast parking lot of the Dow Bay Area Family YMCA on Saturday, Feb. 25, to raise money for Michigan Special Olympics. So far, $8,622 had been been raised from the Bay City event. The Bay City plunge was one of 25 that are taking place across the state throughout the months of February and March. The plunge events are part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, which raises funds and awareness for the Special Olympics year-round. Donald Trump and Andrew Liveris President Donald Trump gives the pen he used to sign an executive order to Dow Chemical President, Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris, as other business leaders applaud in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. The executive order would establish regulatory reform officers and task forces within federal agencies a part of his push to slash federal government regulations. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) MIDLAND, MI -- When President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at eliminating "costly and unnecessary" business regulations Friday, Feb. 24, Andrew N. Liveris, chairman and CEO of The Dow Chemical Co., was standing beside him. According to a White House news release, the executive order requires "every agency to establish a Regulatory Reform Task Force to eliminate red tape." Dow issued the following statement championing the action Friday: "President Trump and his administration continue to demonstrate an understanding of what it will take to drive growth in U.S. manufacturing. Their focus on smart regulations, competitive taxes, fair trade, training and education are hitting the sweet spots to bring back manufacturing jobs for the new century. "The Executive Order the President signed today is another significant step, as regulatory reform is essential to driving the investments and innovation that result in job and economic growth. "As Dow Chairman and CEO Andrew Liveris said yesterday, 'There is real meat on the bones,' with respect to the work this White House is doing with business leaders, such as the manufacturing group of CEOs." Liveris, who Trump named head of the national Manufacturing Council in December, is among the business leaders involved in Trump's newly announced Manufacturing Jobs Initiative. Trump announced the initiative as part of his job creation agenda Jan. 27, according to a White House press release issued at the time. See a list of other business leaders involved in the initiative here. [February 25, 2017] FONES Stops Scam Calls from Reaching Carrier Customers BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (Mobile World Congress) -- First Orion today launched First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES), delivering carriers and service providers the highest level of confidence and flexibility in protecting subscribers from scams and other unwanted calls, which are the top consumer complaints, per the Federal Trade Commission. FONES also helps carriers to meet regulatory requirements and generate new revenue, while minimizing the impact on critical resources and network elements. FONES enables carriers to easily and seamlessly deploy settings to protect all customers from identified malicious callers, such as known scammers that use robocalling. FONES also puts protection into the hands of the customers with the ability to block any number or categories of calls from any caller or device, including a variety of mobile phones, VoIP handset or online via a Web portal. "This year consumers will unnecessarily receive over 9 billion calls from known scammers and another 50 billion nuisance calls," said Jeff Stalnaker, President of First Orion. "Carriers can now prevent these unwanted calls from ever reaching their customers. FONES provides the foundation for a comprehensive solution for the protection that consumers deserve with flexibility to meet carrier requirements and the ability to engage with First Orion in an efficient and easy way." FONES includes: FONES Connect delivers a smart connection to the edge of the network, leveraging existing protocols and processes. Anonymous aggregation and accumulation of network traffic combined with advanced heuristics provide carriers with specific and targeted solutions for unwanted and malicious calls. FONES Cloud provides a source of truth and transparency for phone numbers. Proprietary analytics are applied to billions of events in real time, delivering accessible identification, description and categorization of data. FONES Protect offers protection to carriers and customers through the network, mobile applications, APIs and portals. FONES Protect provides a means for consumer consent, notifications, transparency and subscription conversions with a clear path to metrics and analytics. First Orion is a leading provider of call protection solutions, already protecting millions of wireless subscribers with CallerYD, call blocking and Scam/Nuisance identification/protection products that are supported by robust data assets. About First Orion First Orion, provides data and phone call transparency solutions across multiple platforms, world-class data solutions, in-network call control and its PrivacyStar powered application solutions. First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES) currently provides call control, call blocking, call transparency and call management solutions to millions of mobile handsets. With branded and white-labeled applications as well as in-network solutions, First Orion assists mobile carriers in protecting mobile subscribers from unwanted or unknown calls, including Scammers, robocalls and Telemarketers. First Orion is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas with offices in Seattle, Dallas and London. For more information on First Orion, visit www.FirstOrion.com. PrivacyStar and First Orion are registered trademarks of First Orion Corp. All registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Jackie Eicholz First Orion 831.401.3175 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fones-stops-scam-calls-from-reaching-carrier-customers-300413437.html SOURCE First Orion [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] you are here: 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, Having gone off the rails offensively, reality has bitten into the Phillies magical playoff ride. The streakiness that mostly defined the 2022 Phillies under Joe Girardi and occasionally reared its ugly head after Rob Thomson took over as manager has... February 25, 2017 Librulism Run Amok - "My 7-Year-Old Is Transgender" A society concerned about the welfare of its children would protect this boy from his mother's abuse. But here she is rewarded with Washington Post op-ed space to promote her politics to the detriment of her child. My 7-year-old daughter Henry is transgender. Shed change Trumps mind. The first time we knew that Henry was different, she was 2. When she found her cousins Barbie doll, she lit up like a Christmas tree. The hair, Mama, she cooed. Look at her looong hair! Henry continued to show us, in every way she could, that she wanted to live as a girl. Henry is a boy. His mother is as crazy as this dude. I have raised children. Two, three or seven year old kids have no real concept of gender. They can and do change their roles all the time. Henry is a boy, born a boy with all the biological accessories. A boy who likes to play with dolls is perfectly normal and does not express or constitutes anything special. Every boy I watched growing up tried and mimicked at times a girls role - put on skirts, put on lipstick etc. (I also inherited pictures showing me as a child doing such.) Likewise girls also change their role into male ones, taking up typical male role behavior, "I am the father now." That is the "play age". Later, in the early pubertal development, comes a phase where sexual enthusiasm to persons of ones own gender is prevalent. A boy's first "best friend forever" is usually a boy. The girl's "best friend forever" is usually a girl. It does in no way mean that these kids are homosexual. After that phase comes the real sexual orientation and with it the development of a real gender identity. Only when that process is finished can a judgement be made whether the psychological gender identity really differs from the biological one. Only then can real transsexuality, which is a rare phenomenon, be diagnosed. Is there any peer review research that comes up with a different conclusion? Real transsexuals can find help with a medical gender change. The country with the most liberal attitude towards such is (the usually demonized) Iran. I find the current propaganda campaign in "librul" U.S. media for the "rights" of "transsexual children" deeply disturbing. It puts policy above the welfare of children. Equally disturbing is the role of parents in creating such "transsexuals". The mother writing the WaPo op-ed is doing her child no favor in projecting her preferences on him. She reminds me of those crazy parents who sent their 7 year old child to blow herself up in a police station in Damascus. That girl did not believe that she was a boy. But she believed, like her parents, that she would immediately go to heaven after killing Syrian policemen by blowing herself up in a police station. Her father had told her so. What is the difference between that father and the mother that tells her five year old boy to use a public girls bathroom because she think he feels like one? Posted by b on February 25, 2017 at 13:29 UTC | Permalink Comments next page This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate A tearful Blanca Hernandez looked on as attorney Les Weisbrod explained at a press conference Monday morning why the Hernandez family filed a malpractice lawsuit against Midland Memorial Hospital. The tears went away, though, when Hernandez and her husband, Victor, brought out their daughter, Hannah, 6. The girl uses a wheelchair and her right leg is missing, but she smiled as if nothing is wrong. Were here today because two years ago today, was the last day that Hannah Hernandez led a normal life, Weisbrod said. The family claims that Hannahs amputated leg and permanent brain damage were the results of negligence on the part of Midland doctors. They allege that Dr. Samuel Nice Macferran, Dr. Wayne Leslie Sager, Dr. Edgardo Valle, Midland Memorial Hospital, Midland Pediatric Associates and Midland Emergency Management did not diagnose Hannahs appendicitis soon enough. The Hernandezes are seeking monetary relief of more than $1 million. Hannahs parents said medical care up to this point has cost $1.6 million and estimate that future care will exceed $40 million. But as Weisbrod said during the press conference, the hospitals governmental immunity caps the maximum amount of damages the family could receive at $100,000. Weisbrod said no one has contacted him or the family about the kind of insurance coverage the pediatricians or emergency room doctors have, but is sure that the coverage wont be enough to cover the $40 million. The Hernandezes brought Hannah to Midland Memorial Hospital on July 30, 2011, after she displayed symptoms of weakness, fever, diarrhea, anorexia and abdominal pain, according to the plaintiffs original petition that was filed at the Midland County Courthouse Monday morning. Hannah was discharged the same day after doctors diagnosed her with dehydration. After repeated visits to the hospital and Midland Pediatric Associates, doctors continued to misdiagnose her, the petition reads. During this time, it was determined that Hannahs vomit was blood. Hannah was airlifted to Covenant Childrens Hospital in Lubbock on Aug. 5 because her appendix had ruptured. During her appendicitis surgery, she suffered multiple cardiopulmonary arrests. Doctors performed CPR on her for 45 minutes, which led to permanent brain damage, according to the document. Two months after the surgery, Hannah suffered septicemia, which led to her leg amputation. Weisbrod said he has attempted to settle the case, but has not received any response from the hospital or the pediatricians involved. The lack of response, as well as seeking justice for the Hernandez family, has led to the lawsuit. Nobody has apologized to this family, Weisbrod said. Nobody has said theyre sorry. Nobody has done anything to try to provide for any care for Hannah. Although Midland Memorial Hospital was aware of the lawsuit, it cannot comment on the ongoing litigation, nor can it release information about any patient, according to a statement from the hospital. Victor Hernandez briefly spoke during the conference, as wife Blanca Hernandez struggled to hold back tears. He said the family is upset that the incident has gotten to the point of a lawsuit. I just wish that they (Midland Memorial Hospital) would care for my child like if it was their child, he said. Thats all you can ask for. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Texas universities will be more affordable for students if state Sen. Kel Seliger has his way. The chair of the Senate Committee on Higher Education filed bills this legislative session aimed at lowering tuition costs. We would like college to be both accessible and affordable, Seliger, an Amarillo Republican, said. Texas is competitive in tuition. We want to make sure it remains that way. The lawmaker shared his comments with the Midland Reporter-Telegram during a public meet-and-greet and lunch on Friday. His office provided free meals for up to 400 people at Macs Bar-B-Q. The event celebrated Governor for a Day, a tradition that honors the president pro tempore of the Texas Senate, according to a press release from Seligers office. He also planned to meet Senate District 31 constituents in Odessa, Big Spring and Amarillo. Normally, Governor for a Day is on the capitol grounds and has big lunches and speeches, Seliger said. I wanted to go to the places where I have a lot of friends and interact with the people who sent me to the Senate. J.D. Faircloth, former mayor of Midland, has attended other Seliger events. He appreciates that the lawmaker chose to meet with constituents face-to-face. The senator knows the Legislature is in session, Faircloth said. He has the opportunity to chair a significant committee. Its a good way to receive input from citizens. Mallory Matthew, a student at Midland College, attended the event after she and other students spoke to Seliger about education earlier this month. Matthew said the lawmakers tuition bills could make a difference when she transfers to a state university. Im thinking about costs, Matthew said. I have to look into scholarships. This legislative session, Seliger hopes lawmakers will limit funding cuts for higher education institutions. Because its going to be a tighter budget all together, universities should expect the budget to be austere, Seliger said. Were working to make sure they dont receive a higher cut. Seliger also serves on the Senate finance, education and natural resources and economic development committees. Midlander Sue Brannon said the District 31 tour gave people in this region an opportunity to share thoughts about topics that are important to them. He always comes and has meetings, Brannon said. Hes here in Midland really often. Hes accessible and listens to our comments. 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. Following a warming experiment called SMART, our ecologists contributed to two major meta-analyses on the impact of a warming climate on soil carbon storage and release. Kids coloring books are misleading; connecting the dots is not a matter of dozens of points, but rather hundreds of thousands of points. To connect the dots of soil carbon responses to warming, ecologists brought their data together from Michigan Technological University and many other universities, led by Yale and the Marine Biological Laboratory. The work has been published in two papers: one published several weeks ago in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and another published today in Nature. The main findings from both studies show that as the climate changes, so will soil carbon storage, with increased soil respiration contributing significantly to carbon dioxide emissions. Andrew Burton, a professor of forest ecology at Michigan Tech, contributed data from an Upper Peninsula site. "These two studies show the big picture that many smaller studies have observed but had not been able to provide consensus on," Burton says. "There are big benefits to bringing so many minds togetherwe're finally able to see larger patterns." Soil Carbon Loss and Respiration Soils, in a way, breathe and emit carbon dioxide through soil respiration; they also store carbon as organic matter. Currently, the Earths soil is releasing roughly nine times more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere than all human activities combined. However, researchers did not fully understand how respiration or carbon storage would change with global warming. Burton and his team conducted their research at the Ford Center and Forest, in the Upper Peninsula town of Alberta, Michigan. To find out, Marine Biological Laboratory scientists and Yale scientists brought together two teams to synthesize the data from dozens of studies across nine biomes, from the desert to the Arctic. This represents the worlds largest dataset to date of soil responses to experimental warming. The soil respiration study, published in PNAS, finds that soil warming shows increased respiration rates up to 25 C (77 F); above that threshold, the rates decrease. Additionally, the team observed no microbial adaptation to warming, except in the desert and boreal forest, suggesting that most soils will respond strongly to warming, with increased release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. As a result, soil carbon storage on a global scale is predicted to decrease, as confirmed in the Nature study. Warming will drive the loss of trillions of kilograms of carbon from the soil. A conservative estimate by the researchers suggests that this value will exceed 55 trillion kg by 2050, or up to 17% on top of expected anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions. In both cases, higher latitudes with frozen soils and currently low microbial activity will contribute more to the increase in soil carbon emissions. These same areas are at risk for greater warming as well. SMART Warming Experiment Burton from Michigan Tech contributed data from a temperate forest soil warming study. The Alberta, Michigan, site at the Ford Center and Forest in the Upper Peninsula is called SMART, for Sugar Maple Altered Rainfall and Temperature. It operated from 2010 to 2014 with funding from the US Department of Energy and the USDA Forest Service. Erik Lilleskov, research ecologist for the USDA Forest Service and adjunct professor at Michigan Tech, and Molly Cavaleri, associate professor at Michigan Techs School of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, also participated in the SMART experiment. Called SMART for Sugar Maple Altered Rainfall and Temperature, the research site operated from 2010 to 2014 with funding from the US Department of Energy and the USDA Forest Service. Burton's team raised the soil temperature 4 to 5 C and observed soil carbon losses and respiration that agreed well with the meta-analyses. They did see a spike in initial decomposition while soil respiration increased, but this response lessened over time as available soil carbon declined. They also conducted experiments controlling rainfall and observed drier plots had less of an increase in soil respiration with warming. The sugar maple forest type is common across the Eastern and upper Midwestern states; the changes observed here may well be the same in many people's backyards. In addition to soil respiration and carbon storage, there are several other biological feedbacks like the accelerated plant growth under elevated carbon dioxide which could dampen or enhance the effect of this soil carbon feedback to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide and climate change. Additionally, more data is needed from Arctic and tropical sites. But understanding these processes at a global scale is critical for our understanding of climate change. Michigan Technological University is a public research university founded in 1885 in Houghton, Michigan, and is home to more than 7,000 students from 55 countries around the world. Consistently ranked among the best universities in the country for return on investment, Michigans flagship technological university offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, computing, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, social sciences, and the arts. The rural campus is situated just miles from Lake Superior in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, offering year-round opportunities for outdoor adventure. Selena Gomez will always last Fred Armissen close to her heart. When the Murders Under Construction star had a kidney transplant in 2017, she knew she wanted to give her new organ a special name. "I named it after Fred Armisen because I Sonora, CA Hear the opinions of Congressman Tom McClintock on a wide range of federal issues. This weekends Mother Lode Views will feature the Republican Congressman. He will speak about a variety of topics, including the atmosphere of recent town hall meetings, the transition of the Trump Administration, forest and natural resource policy, Californias recent battles with Washington DC, the travel ban, Russia and trade policy. McClintock also held a highly attended town hall meeting in Sonora on Wednesday evening. Click here to read a recap. Sonora, CA Emails to a teen in Sonora aided in tracking down a suspect and put him behind bars. The investigation began in November of 2016 when the parents of a 14-year-old girl called the Sonora Police Department to report they believed an adult male was sending sexually explicit messages to their daughter via social media. The officer assigned to the case spent the next several weeks investigating, writing multiple search warrants and reviewing documents. According to the police, he eventually tracked the IP address to a 48-year-old man named David E. Otto living in Tigard Oregon. The officer also discovered that Otto was having the same inappropriate internet chats with other teens across the country prompting the officer to notify the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Agents arrested Otto on January 31st, at his Oregon home. He is on a U.S. Marshals hold for charges relating to the sexual exploitation of a child. Two puppies, found near death in an Afghanistan cave, are now stateside, happy and healthy. Patrick Dunne discovered litter of puppies in Afghanistan Rescued Dre, a three-legged puppy and Dari The rest of the litter did not survive Patrick Dunne of Brevard County is a medic for a military contractor. On his latest trip to Afghanistan in December, he came across something so unexpected in the desolate, dry, dangerous desert, it was hard to believe. "I heard there was a group of puppies living on the other side of the mountain from our guard post," Dunne said. He and his colleagues went to check it out. Inside a hole not even qualifying as a cave, a litter of newly-born puppies struggled to survive. One of them stood out -- a girl, the runt of the litter. And she only had three legs. "If I had left her out there, there was no way she was going to survive," said Dunne. That's because when he brought them food, the other dogs would attack or step over her. Two puppies, found near death in an Afghanistan cave, are now stateside, happy and healthy. Here's who saved them: https://t.co/WGdXb0NQ0O pic.twitter.com/Xu1Cglnh3G News 13 (@MyNews13) February 24, 2017 Dunne scooped her up and brought her back to the base and nursed the tiny dog back to health. The pup became the hit of the camp -- so much so, he spoke to his wife. "Instead of bringing just her home, we decided to bring one of her brothers home too," he said. Wednesday was the big day. Thanks to the Puppy Rescue Mission -- which covered most of the costs -- the sister and brother flew to their new home in Satellite Beach. Puppy Rescue Mission rescues dogs from war zones where Americans are fighting. "Dre' is the girl -- it means 'three' in Pashto, symbolizing her three legs. "Dari' is the boy. Pashto is an Afghan dialect. "They are Brevard County residents now," said Dunne with a big smile on his face. Dunne is looking into getting a prosthetic leg for Dari. Unfortunately the rest of the litter didn't survive. You can learn more about the charity that brought Dre and Dari home by heading to the Puppy Rescue Mission website. The Plainview/Hale County Crime Stoppers Committee will pay a reward of up to $350 to anyone with information that will lead to the arrest and indictment of the person or persons responsible for the following crimes: --On Feb. 13, someone took a toolbox containing several tools, Craftsman air compressor, several hard leathers, and other miscellaneous tools, from 3301 Quincy. Steve Patti was a mechanic in the Civil Air Patrol during WWII. He often flew in Stinson 10A aircraft as an observer off Marfa Army Airfield, Auxiliary Field No. 2. When asked about the purpose and details of the patrol missions along the border, Patti explained, Well, we basically knew what we were supposed to do which was to gather whatever information was available. We were looking for anything and everything and we didnt determine whether it should be pursued any further the intelligence officer, I dont know what he would do with it. You have to remember that this was untrained people that were doing something that had never been done before. There were no ground rules other than they wanted to get as much information as they could on something that looked suspicious; and from the air youre limited as to what you can do. That information would be given to the intelligence officer and you never asked any questions. They wouldnt tell you anything anyhow. We were looking for anything that was suspicious that might be construed as being someplace that they shouldnt be or trying to cross the border whether they were Caucasian or in uniform or whatever; but the information in training that I got wasnt really that detailed. The pilot was pretty much savvy to what he was supposed to do and he knew it and then he told me to write down what he saw. So, it wasnt as fine-tuned as it is today. When asked more about the man whom Patti observed crossing the Rio Grande with his shoes off, Patti said, He was Mexican. Practically everybody on both sides of the river was Mexican. We knew we were looking for something that would be detrimental to our country and people normally wouldnt be doing what they were doing if they were crossing the border. We would just report what we saw and it was up to the intelligence people that got the information as to what they wanted to do with it. When I would go out, we didnt get much training as being mechanics. They didnt have any schools or anything as to what to look for. If they (civilians) were crossing the border, wed write down the time and place and a description of the persons. If there was a car, wed write down the time and place and a description of the car and the number of people. Patti said that they not only were looking for vehicles or pedestrians who looked suspicious, but also for any aircraft that appeared questionable. If it was an airplane, we would write down the position where we saw the airplane, the altitude, the type of aircraft, time of day and that sort of thing. Like the one that I saw when I was on one of the patrols, I saw Twin-engine Beech, a Beechcraft a C45. It was a C-45, OK, because it had windows. It was low altitude. We were flying in and out of clouds along the border. We were about 500 feet elevation at the time and it was in a very desolate area that this twin-engine Beechcraft was south to north across the river at the same altitude that we were flying at, there were some stratus clouds, and he disappeared into that cloud as he went by, he disappeared into that cloud. I dont think he ever saw us, but I saw him going across in front of us. It took all of 15 seconds that you had a chance to see what type of aircraft it was and which direction and altitude; and it had no markings that I could see on the airplane. When asked if he also jotted down information about anyone riding on horseback or on mules along the border, Patti replied yes, but noted that the U.S. cavalry that patrolled the border with Mexico stopped doing that because it would take several weeks to see from the ground what CAP could see in two hours from the air. We were looking for anything and everything that we could find, whether they were suspicious, or not; if we saw somebody on the border crossing the river, wed make a notation. It wasnt my decision to say that it was suspicious. It was the intelligence people who would determine what to do with it. When asked if the CAP personnel were specifically told to look for spies, saboteurs or espionage agents during their border patrols, Patti chuckled, I think that we all pretty well knew that without having to say it; thats why we were flying the border to identify and see what was on the border. If I saw a woman with two little kids walking along the border, Id make a notation of it; but you wouldnt classify that as suspicious. Patti explained that the intelligence officer was different from the commanding officer of the auxiliary airfield. There were other officers there including an engineering officer. George Felt was our engineering officer. He was in charge of all maintenance of aircraft and he was a pilot himself, but he didnt fly any missions; but he had assistant maintenance officers, like Dean Rankin was one, I forget the other guys name, they were already licensed mechanics. Then there were people like myself who had very little knowledge, but we were learning as we went along. They showed us how to do stuff: how to grind valves, and how to overhaul an engine, or change oil, or replace magnetos or props, or do brakes, or recover an aircraft. When I was all done, I got my mechanics license certification. I had so much good training. When I left CAP and was called to active duty in the Air Corps. They didnt send me to a training base, they sent me directly out to an active military air base, which was Clovis, New Mexico, and put me on the flight line. They assigned a B-17, a B-24, a B-25, AT-6, the Stinson L-5 and a C-46. The training I got in Civil Air Patrol, they were confident that I knew what to do and how to do it. I could rivet. I could do engine changes, cylinder changes, like I did on a B-29 which came into Clovis, New Mexico. As far as trips into Marfa for recreational time, Patti said, Well, there was nothing to do in Marfa. People there were ranchers and that sort of thing and there were very few houses in Marfa itself. There were nothing more than one-story buildings in the city of Marfa at the time. They had one movie theater and didnt have any changes to the movie for a whole month. Usually going to the movie, you could only go once a month. On occasion, there was a USO function, dance, you know, where the military was invited there. The closest military that we had was the cavalry and we didnt get along with the cavalry. We had taken away their responsibility of doing the border. They didnt like us very much. There werent that many women -- young women -- that went to dances so it wasnt that entertaining really. They didnt serve food or anything. More about the history of Finney Field and the CAP will be discussed in the next article. Readers are asked to visit the Breedlove-CPTP website at www.breedlove-cptp.com for more details about the glider program of WWII. Anyone with information about the Plainview Pre-Glider School at Finney Field should contact John McCullough at 806-793-4448 or email johnmc@breedlove-cptp.org. Hale County commissioners listened intently Friday as representatives from Plainview Paws Pet Adoption reported on the groups operation and announced plans for an endowment campaign. Paws General Manager Cynthia Davidson and Board President Donna Austin met with commissioners Friday during the countys work session, with County Judge Bill Coleman inviting them back later this spring toward the possibility of some funding support. In my opinion, this is something that we need to do because we have a responsibility for stray animals in rural Hale County, Coleman said. The county is responsible for animal control in rural areas and roving packs of wild dogs present a hazard to public safety. Davidson reported that Paws was established about 2 1/2 years ago to fill a void created by the closing of the local human society. Paws operates out of the Plainview Animal Shelter and works to promote pet adoption along with the spaying and neutering of pets to reduce overpopulation. She noted that the euthanasia rate at the local animal shelter has been reduced from 78 percent in 2014 to 73 percent in 2016. In January, the euthanasia rate was further reduced to 61 percent, primarily due to more unwanted pets being sent from Plainview to out-of-state animal rescues in Connecticut, Washington, Colorado and Louisiana, as well as elsewhere in Texas. Also, Davidson reported, Paws received a $2,500 grant from Petco to help lower income pet owners get their animals spayed and neutered. This grant is not just for those living in Plainview, but for anyone who qualifies in the 79072 ZIP code, including Seth Ward, she reported. Working with the Community Foundation of West Texas, of which the Plainview Area Endowment is an affiliate, Davidson said the group hopes to establish an endowment for Paws. Ultimately we hope to reach out to the entire county, Austin added, and to continue to bring the euthanasia rate down. She told commissioners that it costs about $25 to put each unwanted animal down. In 2014, 1,877 unwanted pets were euthanized locally. That was reduced to 1,522 in 2015. Shifting from unwanted pets to child abuse, Hale County Child Welfare Board representative Melody Miller asked permission from commissioners to erect a banner and place 300 small blue flags on the courthouse lawn on April 7 in connection with Child Abuse Awareness Month. Commissioners are to take formal action on the request at Mondays regular session. Miller explained that the display is being planned in connection with Plainview Mayor Wendell issuing a related proclamation on April 7. We first considered putting the flags out by Kidsville, but decided they would get more attention at the courthouse, she said. This has been in the works for the past couple of years. Other activity at Fridays session included: --Treasurer Ida Tyler revealed that the countys closing balance for all accounts on Jan. 31 totaled $19,797,984.21. Current accounts payable include $153,667.95 from the 2016 budget and $2,667.763.60 from the 2017 budget, although most of that involves transfers from the general fund into the county precinct funds. --Coleman reviewed the Hale Center Volunteer Fire Departments activity report for 2016. That department responded to 59 calls, including 17 within the city limits and 42 in rural Hale County. They logged 267.75 man hours during the year. The report is to be formally approved Monday and the departments 2017 stipend released. --Coleman reported that Bobby McGehee has resigned from the Hale County Appraisal District Board, and the county and other county taxing entities can nominate someone to replace him before March 15. McGehee represents the City of Plainview. --Commissioners on Monday will be asked to acknowledge a letter from Ricky James, chairman of the Hale County Soil and Water Conservation Board, to the state indicating that all recommended repairs to Site 4 of the Lower Runningwater Draw Flood Control Project, identified by a recent inspection report, have been completed. --Commissioners will consider nominations Monday to the Plainview/Hale County Airport Board. Coleman said Bob Browns four-year term has expired, and Brown is willing to serve another term. --Deana Sageser, county AgriLife Extension agent for family and consumer science, requested commissioners approve the lease of a new copy machine for her department, representing a $20 to $40 per month reduction from the previous contract. Formal action is expected Monday. --Commissioners discussed the possibility of the Noxious Weed Control District relinquishing its lease of a building on the Ollie Liner Center grounds, which could be used by the county for storage. --Commissioners discussed offering two battery-operated insect/mosquito sprayers to cities within the county. The county acquired the spray rigs more than 10 years ago from federal surplus for use at the Ollie Liner Center. They have never been used. On Monday, commissioners also are expected to consider a request to authorize the City of Plainview to offer seven tracts of tax-forfeited property to the public through internet auction as well as a request to hold the Red, White and Moo festival on the courthouse grounds July 4. Mondays meeting begins at 9 a.m. at the Courthouse, 500 Broadway, and is open to the public. To activate the text-to-speech service, please first agree to the privacy policy below. Taipei, Feb. 25 (CNA) Taiwan and the U.S. state of Kentucky have signed a reciprocal agreement that allows their licensed drivers to obtain a license in each other's territory without having to take road or written tests, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Lisa Spence and Bruce Schroeder were married March 5, 2016, in Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland. The Rev. Dr. Wallace H. Mayton III officiated. Parents of the couple are Mark and Stephanie Spence of Midland, and Paul and Miriam Schroeder of Shelby, Ohio. Matron of honor was Tori Spence McConnell, sister of the bride. Best man was Harrison Starr. The couple greeted their wedding guests in a reception at Forest Edge Banquet Center in Auburn. The couple honeymooned in Jackson Hole, Wyo. The bride, a graduate of Midland High School, earned her bachelors degree in civil engineering from Purdue University. She is a civil enginer for The Dow Chemical Co., Houston. The groom, a graduate of Shelby (Ohio) High School, earned a bachelors degree in mechanical engineering, from Purdue University. He is a mechanical engineer at Sparx Engineering, Houston, Texas. How they met: Met in a freshman engineering study group at Purdue University. Gov. Jerry Brown announced plans Friday to invest millions of dollars in flood-control measures, improve dam inspections and require all state-regulated dam owners to have plans in place to deal with emergencies. While Californias dam safety program is considered the strongest in the country, recent storms and the failure of spillways at the Oroville Dam have prompted officials to look more closely at the states aging infrastructure. More than half of Californias 1,585 dams were built before 1960, according to the Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams. Recent storms have pounded the state of California resulting in a dam spillway eroding, roads crumbling and levees failing, Brown said. Our aging infrastructure is maxed out. We can take some immediate actions and we will but going forward well need billions more in investment. The state plans to redirect $50 million from the general fund for near-term flood-control efforts, Brown said. Pending approval from the Legislature, an additional $387 million will be appropriated from funds generated by Proposition 1 a water bond passed in 2014. The increased spending will put only a small dent in Californias infrastructure needs, Brown said. The state has nearly $50 billion in unmet flood-management infrastructure spending, which could include everything from levee and dam maintenance to preparing for potential sea level rise. Brown said he would work with the Legislature on solutions, including potential changes to Proposition 218, which requires voter approval of increases in local taxes, assessments and some user fees. The state has asked President Trump for an expedited environmental review of a number of high-priority infrastructure projects, including reconstruction of Oroville Dams spillway. Brown also announced plans to require all state-regulated dam owners to develop so-called Emergency Action Plans, which include maps of areas expected to be inundated by flooding, procedures for warning downstream residents and other information crucial to reducing potential death and destruction following a breach. Under the new requirements, all dams inspected by the state will have to update their emergency plans at least once every 10 years, and consider multiple scenarios besides complete dam failure, such as spillway failure. An examination of state and federal data by The Chronicle found that 216 of the 678 state-regulated high-hazard dams did not have formal emergency action plans in place. A dam is considered high-hazard if failure would most likely result in death. A 2016 report by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials found that while California had the leading dam safety program in the country, internal emergency response procedures were out of date, and many staff members were unaware of their specific responsibilities during and following an event. Mark Ogden, project manager with the association, said Browns announcement appears to address some of the concerns. They feel there are some things they can improve on, and we certainly encourage them to do that, Ogden said. California has so many dams of such great consequence, if they were to fail hundreds of thousands of people can be impacted. ... When that occurs you need an emergency action plan in place. The governor also pledged to improve dam inspections, directing the California Natural Resources Agency to conduct more detailed evaluations of secondary structures such as spillways, and to include geologic assessment and hydrological modeling in their examinations. While the Orville Dam was routinely inspected by state and federal officials, some experts say problems with the spillway were not adequately addressed, prompting them to question the states monitoring of the dam and to call for more robust examinations. The event at Oroville, as well as others in the recent past, should give us pause, said Martin McCann of Stanfords National Performance of Dams Program, a research group dedicated to dam operations, safety and public policy. There are more systemic problems and tougher questions we need to ask ourselves about how we carry out the business of dam safety. Along with enhancing dam inspections and emergency preparedness, Brown discussed widespread damage that strong storms have caused to Californias roads and bridges. While the California Department of Transportation has begun more than $595 million in repairs to the states roads and bridges this storm season, there is $137 billion in deferred maintenance on Californias highways, streets and roads, Brown said. State leaders are working to complete a transportation funding package by April 6. Joaquin Palomino is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jpalomino@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JoaquinPalomino Paul Chinn/The Chronicle The kerfuffle over the future of the Tiburon commuter ferry has ended peacefully, and Golden Gate Ferry will take over operation of the route in March, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District announced. The districts Board of Directors voted Friday to take over the weekday ferry service from Blue & Gold Fleet starting March 6. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Anyone who thinks of science as a narrow, arid realm had their hypothesis disproved on Saturday morning at the San Francisco Zoo. Thats where a morning-long event honored the 171 winners of middle school science fairs in San Francisco. The students represented 24 schools in the city, public and private. The range of topics ranged even wider from the likes and dislikes of twins to the effect of cigarette butts on ocean acidification or whether people of different ages respond differently to shocks and if video games affect depth perception. I would notice that after playing video games you feel dizzy, said Catherine Ikeda, a seventh-grader at St. Brendan Parish School, explaining the catalyst for her project 2-D or Not To See, which won a first-place ribbon. I wondered if it was just me, or if it was a provable fact. This year hasnt been a good one for the notion that the methodical pursuit of information is a virtue. Santa Clara tech behemoth Intel has dropped its sponsorship of two high-profile science fairs, preferring to back hands-on maker fairs. President Trump has repeatedly claimed massive voter fraud in last Novembers election despite an utter lack of evidence that any widespread fraud occurred. But the emphasis Saturday was a polite rebuttal to all that, with two large rooms in the zoos Lurie Education Center filled with tri-fold display boards showing that disciplined research can lead to demonstrable conclusions. Some folks think science fairs are antiquated and outdated, and I totally disagree, said Marcus Wojtkowiak of the Randall Museum, which is operated by the Recreation and Park Department and has sponsored the citywide fair for 35 years. Science is when you start with a question you dont have an answer to, you frame an experiment and then you test your conclusion. Some winning experiments required no equipment, such as the test by one sixth-grader of whether twins or non-twin siblings would have the same preferences. They were asked to choose between photographs, such as Klay Thompson or Stephen Curry (Curry by a daunting margin in both test groups), and the relative cuteness of a kitten or a puppy (both sample groups went for puppies, but with twins the verdict was unanimous). By contrast, eighth-grader Lia Sanchez of Aptos Middle School pursued her line of inquiry with a camera, a stroboscope and a prank pen that sends out electric shocks. This year, our teacher challenged us to think of something were really interested in, and I love photography, said Sanchez, one of the first-place recipients for her grade. Then I was going through my things and found my old shock pen, and thought it would be fun to shock people. Soon she was busy applying methodical shocks to three test groups of varying ages, finding no appreciable difference from group to group. That wasnt what she expected, but thats OK. If I were to repeat this, I would do different things, said Sanchez, such as space out the shocks rather than apply them at short intervals, which might have led to an overall numbing. Sanchez has reached the citywide finals before, though this was the first time she received a ribbon rather than an honorable mention certificate. She doesnt plan to stop, either. Science is something I would think about pursuing, Sanchez said. Its so important, especially now. It also can be fun. To learn whether video games dull your depth perception immediately afterwards they do Ikeda needed 33 fellow students to test their depth perception on a home-made register, play Minecraft for three-minute stints, then take the test again. Was it any trouble finding the 2017 equivalent of lab mice? Um, no, Ikeda responded politely, the duh implied. Everyone wanted to do it since they got to play Minecraft at school. John King is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jking@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @johnkingsfchron For years, millennials looked at owning a home as a distant fantasy. Student debt and a weak job market seemed to conspire to keep this generation stuck in their parents' basements, if not permanently locked out of the housing market. But as millennials find better-paying jobs, start families and begin searching for their first homes, they're encountering an unfortunate reality: Just as they're finally ready to buy, the housing market has the fewest homes available for sale on record. And those that are for sale are increasingly priced at values inaccessible to first-time buyers. As a result, the housing market is booming for those with cash to spare but not for millennials looking to own their first home. Keona and Cameron Morrison, both 31 and with a combined income of $150,000, have been looking to buy in Los Angeles for two years. "There's stuff that comes (on the market); literally, a couple days later, it's pending," Keona said. "It's crazy." Teree Warren, a 31-year-old forensic scientist who grew up in Prince George's County, Maryland, isn't faring much better in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. "The houses go so quickly," she said. Overall millennials are falling behind other generations in homeownership, with first-time home buyers, who usually consist of 40 percent of the market, stuck at 34 percent. That could become damaging to this generation's future prosperity. Housing experts say homeownership remains one of the primary ways for the middle class to build wealth, despite the ups and downs of the past decade. And with mortgage rates beginning to creep up, millennials who have to wait to buy could miss out on historically low rates. "Owning a home for a longer period of time creates more wealth," said Christopher Herbert, managing director of the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. "If you shrink that amount of time, you're going to shrink how much wealth it creates." For Keona Morrison, the challenge of finding a home feels deeply personal. "I feel like if there were more African Americans owning homes, we could set our children up for greater success," she said. "It's all about having that leverage. ... I guess what homeownership means to me is just having your own place, having something you can fall back on." For years after the recession, most millennials couldn't afford to even consider entering the housing market. Many were saddled with student debt, and the labor market wasn't friendly even to young college grads, contributing to the stereotypical image of the barista with a bachelor's degree. But as the economy has improved, so have millennials' fortunes. The most recent employment data shows that the percentage of 25-to-34-year-olds in the labor force is the largest in eight years. This group has also recently begun to enjoy stark wage gains. Recent census data showed that in 2015, millennials' incomes jumped 7 percent, far more than most other groups'. Seventy-two percent of millennials rate their personal financial situation as fairly good or very good in 2016, up substantially from three years earlier, according to a recent Harvard Institute of Politics poll. In a stronger financial position, more millennials are starting families. The census projects that household formation will average about 1.5 million per year through 2020, up from the 900,000 annual average in the past five years. But when looking to leverage some of their newfound financial strength to buy a home for themselves or their new families, millennials are finding a less optimistic picture. The National Association of Realtors reported in December that the number of homes for sale nationally had fallen to its lowest level since the organization began keeping track of inventory in 1999. Inventory picked up slightly in January, but the year-over-year number of listings has dropped for 20 consecutive months. At the current sales pace, the supply of homes would be exhausted in 3 months. (A healthy market has about a six-month supply of homes for sale.) More than a fifth of housing markets across the country have a three-month supply of homes, double what it was two years ago, according to Pro Teck Valuation Services, a real estate analytics company. Entry-level housing, the homes millennials can most afford, has been particularly scarce. The expensive Washington, D.C., region has less than a 90-days supply of condos costing between $400,000 and $600,000. In the Dallas area, where Warren is looking to buy, barely a one-month supply of those homes are for sale. Warren said a friend of hers listed his house on a Thursday at 10 a.m. By noon, he had six appointments. By the end of the day, he had 10. His house sold on Sunday for far more than the asking price. "It is very nerve-racking, the pressure that you have to make a decision very quickly," Warren said. At the same time, the dearth of homes for sale is driving up prices, making homeownership even more difficult for millennials who do find a home to buy. Home values have hit an all-time high three months in a row. Competition is the biggest factor driving up prices. The Morrisons have lost out on two homes, getting outbid by $10,000 each time. Now they are waiting to hear on a triplex three miles east of Inglewood. "This last one my husband offered $10,000 over asking, and I was like, 'Why did you do that?' " Keona said. "He's like, 'We lost out on the other two by offering asking.' " Several factors have contributed to the insufficient inventory. The amount of time a homeowner stays in their home has grown from six years to an all-time high of 10 years. Some homeowners aren't moving because they owe more on their mortgage than their home is worth. Others would like to sell but worry about finding their next home. Most housing experts primarily blame low inventory on home builders, who scaled way back after the recession. Housing starts have slowly begun to rise, but construction remains well below healthy levels. One of the companies thats part of the trucking empire started by Bill Hall Jr. and his wife, Frances A. Hall, appears headed for liquidation. Bill Hall Jr. Trucking Ltd. seeks to have its Chapter 11 reorganization case converted to a Chapter 7 liquidation, according to a court filing this week. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dan Garcia, one of the first Latino anchors on San Antonio TV, died today of congestive heart failure. He was 65. Garcia was a morning anchor on the local NBC affiliate then KMOL, now WOAI from 1983 to 1994 before heading to Houston for a consumer reporting job on KHOU-TV. He and his air partner, Carol Cavazos, pulled admirable ratings for the early show finishing No. 2 at the time behind KENS. Garcia may be known best, however, for his tireless reporting on the station's consumer segment, "Call Four." An amiable man and fierce local watchdog, Garcia frequently earned praise from viewers for being so effective in solving their problems. His cousin, Joe Vasquez, who also worked at San Antonio's NBC affiliate in the late '80s and '90s, first as an assignments editor, then as a reporter, described Garcia as a role model. "He's a bright light my inspiration for becoming a reporter. And I will miss him," said Vasquez, who has been a reporter at KPIX-TV in San Francisco for 12 years. Garcia, who left Houston to become a news director in Wichita Falls, retired from the news business there. For the last few years before he died he worked as a funeral home director. "He died at home, surrounded by family, including his daughter Katy Garcia, who continues his legacy in TV news as a newscast producer in Wichita Falls," Vasquez said. jjakle@express-news.net Dear Mr. Premack: I saw a snippet in the Express saying that President Trump issued an Executive Order to void a federal rule protecting those investing for retirement. I know those rules would have protected many people from financial exploitation. Do you have more information on what we can expect? BP In February 2015, then-President Obama sought to protect people who are saving for retirement. The US Department of Labor (DOL) proposed the Fiduciary Duty Rule to comply. The proposed Rule wound its way through the rule-making and public comment maze, with a planned effective date in April 2017. However, after the Rule was finalized, a group of business and insurance interests filed suit to declare it illegal. Currently (before the Rule becomes effective), it is legal for a financial advisor to receive commissions on annuity sales so long as the sale was "favorable to the consumer as an arms-length transaction" and the compensation was "reasonable". This meant that nearly any sale could pass muster, and nearly any industry approved commission was allowable. The Rule would impose a higher standard on the financial advisor. It would make the advisor a fiduciary and require the advisor to act in the best interest of the investor when dealing with annuity sales under 401k and IRA accounts. This would help avoid abuses and end strong-arm sales techniques which are too often used. The lawsuit brought by the business and insurance interests was decided on February 8, 2017 by Judge Barbara M.G. Lynn, Chief Judge of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. The business and insurance interests had argued, in part, that advisors should not owe a duty of loyalty or prudence to their investors. They argued that financial advisors who receive sales commissions are not rendering investment advice for a fee. The court examined the Rule and the statutes passed by Congress which underpin the Rule, and decided that those arguments were not supported. The court in an 81-page decision dismissed the claims brought by the business and insurance interests, and upheld the validity of the Fiduciary Duty Rule. However, a few days earlier on February 3, 2017 President Trump issued a Memorandum on the Fiduciary Duty Rule. The DOL was instructed to re-examine the Rule to "determine whether it may adversely affect the ability of Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial advice". If the new Trump appointees in the DOL decide that the Rule "is inconsistent with the priority" identify by the White House, the DOL must rescind or revise the Rule. It is likely that, despite the court's Order finding the Rule follows federal law, the DOL will (at a minimum) delay implementing the Rule and delay the consumer protections that the Rule offered. It is also likely that the new DOL administrators will find the Rule does not match the Trump White House priorities, and will thus rescind the Rule. Hence, as a consumer, you must be doubly alert when annuities are offered to you as an investment for your retirement account. Paul Premack is a Certified Elder Law Attorney with offices in San Antonio and Seattle, handling Wills and Trusts, Probate, and Business Entity issues. View past legal columns or submit free questions on legal issues via www.TexasEstateandProbate.com or www.Premack.com. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate As President Donald Trump prepares to deport millions of immigrants who are in the country illegally, a new national study shows undocumented workers pump billions of dollars into Connecticuts economy each year. The New American Economy, a coalition of mayors and business leaders who support sensible immigration reform, found the nearly 130,000 undocumented Connecticut residents pay $397 million in annual federal, state and local taxes, account for $3.1 billion in household income and represent $2.7 billion in spending power. This research proves what weve known for years: Immigrants are a boon to our local economy and in every community in America, said Lucas Codognolla, an undocumented Stamford resident and executive director of CT Students for a Dream. The new immigration policies announced last week could potentially result in deporting 11.4 million illegal immigrants living in the U.S. The Trump administration has stopped short of targeting more than 700,000 people who entered the country as children and are protected by immigration orders issued by former President Barrack Obama. Opponents of Trumps policies said the new rules are draconian, and the New American study bolsters arguments that peaceful, law-abiding undocumented immigrants provide value to American society and should not be deported. I have clients who have been here a decade, said Alicia Kinsman, managing attorney for the International Institute of Connecticut in Bridgeport. They own businesses and are buying homes. If there was a line they could get into to (obtain citizenship) they would find the money to get into that line. More Information Legal immigrants in Connecticut Pay $5.1B in state and local taxes Held $13.8B in spending power in 2014. Immigrants are 64% more likely to be entrepreneurs than the native population 36,028 immigrant entrepreneurs in Conn. Immigrants own 116,343 homes See more statistics on immigrants on Page A5. Legal immigrants in the workforce Building services industry42.1% Computer software designer industry57.8% STEM workers24.3% Undocumented immigrants 129,884 in state Of working age79% Entrepreneurs13,028 Household income$3.1B Taxes paid$397.9M State and local taxes$145.2M Federal taxes$252.7M Total spending power$2.7B Connecticut immigrants by the numbers legal immigrants in Connecticut pay $5.1 billion in state and local taxes held $13.8 billion in spending power in 2014. Immigrants are 64 percent more likely to be entrepreneurs than the native population, and there are 36,028 immigrant entrepreneurs in Connecticut. immigrants own 116,343 homes . make up 42.1 percent of the building services industry, 57.8 percent of the computer software designer industry, and 24.3 of the STEM workers, and more. Undocumented immigrants: 129,884 in the state Share of undocumented immigrants of working age: 79 percent Undocumented entrepreneurs: 13,028 Undocumented household income: $3.1 billion Taxes paid $397.9 million State and local taxes $145.2 million Federal taxes $252.7 million Total spending power $2.7 billion See More Collapse J.R. Romano, the states Republican Party chairman, defended the presidents plan, noting undocumented immigrants are breaking the law, and he said the cost of the illegal behavior exceeds what those workers provide in taxes and buying power. Look at Bernie Madoff, Romano said, referring to the convicted Wall Street trader who stole billions from clients. How much did he generate in taxes? Does that mean his crime was any less? If you violate the law, thats illegal. We are a nation that has been successful because of our belief in law and order. Big impact The New American Economy study found both legal and illegal immigrants benefit the states economy, noting Connecticuts 494,059 foreign-born residents make up 13.7 percent of the population and pay $5.1 billion in state and local taxes. Legal immigrants in 2014 held $13.8 billion in spending power, owned 116,343 homes, accounted for 42.1 percent of the building services industry and 57.8 percent of the computer software designer industry, the study found. The states 129,884 undocumented immigrants include 13,028 entrepreneurs, and collectively paid $145 million in state and local taxes. About 79 percent of undocumented immigrants are of working age, the study said. Nationally, immigrants earned $1.3 trillion in 2014 and contributed $105 billion in state and local taxes, and almost $224 billion in federal taxes. There are many compelling reasons why having a large undocumented population is a problem for society, the study noted. It undermines law and order, permits a shadow economy that is harder to regulate, and is simply unfair to the millions of immigrants who have come here legally. But the New American study said the data shows a large number of undocumented immigrants are working, paying taxes and starting their own businesses. They also play an integral role in our economy, often filling jobs in agriculture, construction and hospitality that would otherwise remain vacant, the study said. This is true in Connecticut, where undocumented immigrants contribute hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes each year. Live without fear State Rep. Rob Sampson, R-Wolcott, has introduced a bill in the General Assembly to repeal the states drive-only law that allows undocumented residents to obtain licenses for driving only, not proof of citizenship. Sampson said he introduced the repeal bill because Connecticut is creating a climate that draws immigrants to the state illegally. I think its dangerous to create incentives that make Connecticut a desirable place to go, he said. The New American study, Sampson added, is an insufficient argument for living in the state illegally. I dont think that paying taxes is enough, Sampson said. Money should not be the end-all reason to violate the law. State Rep. Chris Soto, D-New London, pointed out the financial benefits of undocumented workers as he spoke last week against repeal of the drive-only law during a public hearing before the General Assemblys transportation committee. Ask businesses owners what the impact would be on their businesses and how this would impact the number of construction jobs, Soto said. This brings out of the shadows people who want to comply with the law. Anghy Idrovo, an undocumented Danbury resident and a CT Students for a Dream organizer, said the drive-only law helps his family get to work and make a living. Having a license has allowed my family and me to drive and live without fear, Idrovo said. If this program is taken away, I will be afraid every time that I drive myself to work or drive my brothers to school, or every time my parents drive to work to support my family. Other Democratic lawmakers pledged to quickly kill the bill. We are trying to give these individuals an opportunity, said state Rep. Antonio Guerrera, D-Rocky Hill and co-chairman of the transportation committee. Its a good thing, not a bad thing. A different side Philip Bern, a Stamford lawyer who specializes in immigration, said he hears talk about how undocumented residents take up space in schools, hospitals and use other public services that they dont pay for. None of that is true, Bern said. Large sectors of our economy depend on their labor, such as agriculture, construction and restaurants. They babysit kids. They pay a lot in taxes. There are economists who say they more than pay for themselves. Kinsman said since Trump announced his plan she has received non-stop calls from immigrants seeking help and advice. My phone has not stopped ringing, Kinsman said. Im getting calls from 30 or 40 new clients a day, ranging from green card holders who are terrified to undocumented clients who want to take their children out of school. This is making us less safe. They are afraid to call the police. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn, said Trumps policies are wrong for America. This plan threatens to rip apart families and strip away key legal rights, making us no more safe, and betraying American values, Blumenthal said. By prioritizing every unauthorized immigrant, this plan effectively prioritizes no one, putting fear-mongering over sound policy and public safety. Romano said he understands immigration reform is a difficult issue, and conceded some people will be harmed by Trumps policies. But there is a different side to this, Romano said. People who are doing everything that they are supposed to be doing are being negatively impacted by this. 1 Swastika: One of the top art schools in the U.S. is investigating after anti-Semitic graffiti made out of human waste was found in a gender-neutral bathroom. The Rhode Island School of Design told students the swastika was recently discovered in a dormitory bathroom. The college said the level of disrespect and vitriol is completely unacceptable. Public safety officials are investigating it as an act of vandalism and a hate crime. 2 Mosque arson: An intentionally set fire damaged a prayer hall at a mosque near Tampa, Fla., early Friday, investigators said. The arson struck the Islamic Society of New Tampa, fire officials said. No one was at the mosque when the fire started at around 2 a.m. It is worrisome that our community has fallen victim of what appears to be another hate crime, said Wilfredo Amr Ruiz, spokesman for the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Florida. Investigators from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives also responded, the group said. Scam artists expanded their focus the week of Feb. 13-19, shifting from credit card abuse and check forgery to fraudulently obtained medical services, prescriptions and tax returns, Pearland Police Department officers said. FRAUD A man reported his identifying information was used to obtain medical services between Jan. 9-13, according to a Feb. 13 police report filed in the 1500 block of Tyler Point Lane. Prescription fraud occurred between Jan. 31 and Feb. 12 in the 8300 block of Broadway Street, according to a Feb. 13 police report. A woman reported an attempt to open credit cards in her name Feb. 13 in the 2000 block of Fairwood Street, police said. A woman in the 1300 block of Danielle Lane said her mailing address had been changed between Jan. 4-18, according to a Feb. 14 report. Police investigated a report of online impersonation Feb. 14 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway. Police conducted a credit card abuse investigation Feb. 14 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway. Police arrested a 20-year-old Tampa man after he reportedly tried to pass a forged check Feb. 15 in the 3100 block of Broadway Street. A man reported his identifying information was used to file a tax return without his consent Feb. 15 in the 11600 block of Ivory Creek Drive, police said. Police investigated credit and debit card abuse in the 2100 block of Kingsley after a man's wallet was stolen Jan. 27 at a gym, according to a Feb. 16 report. Police filed a credit card abuse report Feb. 18 in the 2500 block of Cullen Parkway. The misuse reportedly occurred between Feb. 12-18 in the 2100 block of Crestwind Court. THEFT Police are investigating after a company contracted to disburse rent for a client's apartment in the 2500 block of Business Center Drive did not pay for February, according to a Feb. 14 report. An employee theft was reported Feb. 14 in the 2800 block of Miller Ranch Road, police said. Police recovered a stolen vehicle Feb. 14 in the 12300 block of Shadow Creek Parkway. Police filed a report following the theft of a trailer and ATV Feb. 16 in the 1800 block of Country Place Parkway. A package delivered by the U.S. Postal Service Feb. 8 in the 5400 block of Colmesneil never reached its designated recipient, according to a Feb. 18 police report. A cell phone was reported stolen Feb. 18 in the 7200 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police arrested a 32-year-old Houston woman for shoplifting Feb. 18 in the 2800 block of Business Center Drive. BURGLARY Police investigated a home burglary Feb. 15 in the 4000 block of Ivywood Drive. An unknown offender entered a woman's vehicle and committed theft Feb. 16 at a gas station in the 2500 block of Main Street, according to a Feb. 17 police report. Police filed a burglary of a building report Feb. 17 in the 8200 block of Broadway Street. The incident occurred between Feb. 14-16. NARCOTICS Police arrested a 39-year-old Alvin woman for possession of a controlled substance Feb. 13 in the 3400 block of Main Street. A 25-year-old Pearland man was arrested for possession of marijuana Feb. 14 in the 2300 block of Old Alvin Road, police said. Police arrested a 19-year-old Pearland woman for possession of a controlled substance and marijuana Feb. 17 in the 3900 block of Liberty Drive. An 18-year-old Pearland man also was arrested for possession of marijuana. Police arrested a 42-year-old Missouri City man for possession of a controlled substance after a civil standby Feb. 17 in the 6100 block of Magnolia Road. The man also had an active assault warrant, police said. Police arrested a man for possession of marijuana discovered during a traffic stop Feb. 17 in the 1600 block of Broadway Street. DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED Police arrested a 45-year-old Pearland man for DWI with a child passenger following a crash Feb. 13 in the 2000 block of Roy Road. A 33-year-old Manvel man was arrested for DWI Feb. 17 in the 1900 block of Mykawa Road, police said. Police arrested a 30-year-old Houston man for DWI Feb. 17 in the 2600 block of McHard Road. A 31-year-old Pearland woman also was arrested for other agency warrants. A 35-year-old Pearland woman was arrested for DWI Feb. 17 in the 1700 block of Stone Road, police said. Police took a 59-year-old Galveston man into custody for DWI with an open container Feb. 18 in the 7300 block of Fite Road. TRAFFIC Police arrested a 28-year-old man for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle Feb. 16 in the 16600 block of Texas 288. The driver of a white truck reportedly struck a parked vehicle and fled the scene Feb. 18 in the 10000 block of Broadway Street, police said. Police took a man into custody for reckless driving Feb. 19 in the 16600 block of Texas 288. Police cited a driver for failure to maintain financial responsibility, expired motor vehicle registration and having a fictitious, altered or obscured insignia Feb. 16 in the 1900 block of Business Center Drive. ASSAULT A woman was assaulted Feb. 14 in the 2000 block of Business Center Drive, police said. Police filed an assault report involving a juvenile Feb. 14 in the 2900 block of Oak Road. Police arrested a 24-year-old Houston man for assault by contact Feb. 14 in the 9700 block of Broadway Street. A 35-year-old Pearland woman was arrested for assault by physical contact Feb. 14 in the 3100 block of Orange Street, police said. Police arrested a 46-year-old Pearland woman for assault Feb. 17 in the 3200 block of Sumac Drive. A woman was assaulted Feb. 17 in the 2000 block of Running Brook Lane, police said. KIDNAPPING An aggravated kidnapping was reported Feb. 18 in the 2000 block of Main Street, police said. CRIMINAL MISCHIEF Two bus tires were slashed sometime between Feb. 12-13 in the 12000 block of West Broadway Street, police said. A light was vandalized Feb. 13 at the intersection of Wheatfield and Pearland Parkway, police said. NORWALK Frank Harris, an advocate for universal school lunches and the namesake of Norwalk Public Schools Central Kitchen died this week. He was 94. Though a New York resident for much of his life, Harris was a longtime member of the Norwalk Public Schools community. He served as the school districts former food service director for decades, retiring in 2006 after a 39-year career. He was very active, he was very predominate, very out in front, said James Iezzi, a longtime colleague of Harris and the school district's current director of distribution services. He loved being a part of the whole educational process. He went to the board meetings when necessary. He worked tirelessly serving the community. Harris was a native of Germany. He joined the U.S. Army, where he became a cook and a baker. After leaving the Army, he continued to work in food service and replied to an ad for a children's nutrition director at Norwalk Public Schools in 1967. As food services director, Harris was an instrumental leader in the founding of Norwalk Public Schools Central Kitchen, which opened its doors in 1973 and was officially renamed as the Frank A. Harris Nutrition Center in May 2014. He proposed to the city the idea of building a central kitchen as a way to provide food to all of the area's schools after visiting public school food programs in other states. Only six elementary schools provided hot lunches to students in 1973. By the end of 1974, hot lunches were available to all 18 schools throughout the district. He also created the breakfast program for the district's schools. According to Iezzi, Harris passion came from a love for children and serving the public the feeding of schoolchildren was a combination of the two. He would always mention the fact that they (students) get the bus and books for free meals should be something they should be receiving as well, Iezzi said. Harris played a role in various organizations dedicated to school lunches locally, statewide and nationally. In his retirement, he traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for universal feeding, a program that would eliminate the price of school lunches and make it free for all students. We often hear theres no money to create these programs, Harris told The Hour in 2014 as the central kitchen was named in his honor. There's no greater priority than the children. They are the future of our country. Iezzi described Harris work personality as firm, but fair. He was very good at getting people to do more than they really felt capable of, Iezzi said. He always had that ability to encourage them to do more without them even realizing it. He saw the good in people. A chapel service will be held for Harris at noon Sunday, Feb. 26, at Riverside Memorial Chapel, 21 West Broad St., Mount Vernon, N.Y. KSchultz@thehour.com; 203-354-1049; @kevinedschultz It would always add a little tang to the conversation when I told someone my mother was a nun. For general conversational purposes, that was true enough. I have the pictures of her in her habit when she was a teenaged girl and in the novitiate of the Sisters of Mercy. She never actually got her wings, though, I would continue, because young Patricia Harkins, the eldest of three siblings whose parents had died young, had to leave the novitiate to care for her brother, Jack, whod been left a paraplegic in a horrific automobile accident. This girl, whod immigrated here with her parents and siblings from Glasgow, Scotland, would never be a Mother Superior; she would be, instead, a Mother Hen to Jack and her younger sister, Eileen, until they were all eventually able to fend for themselves. In the course of that fending, Pat Harkins met a dashing young man named Jerry Daly, another immigrant, he from Cahirciveen, County Kerry, Ireland. They married in 1947 and what would be their only child, a son, Michael, was born on Feb. 19, 1949. On Feb. 12, at the age of 91, she died peacefully, I believe at home. It doesnt seem quite right to say a 91-year-old person died suddenly its a long time in the making but she did. Hours perhaps minutes before she died, my wife and I sat with her in her Fairfield home on that Sunday evening. After I took out the garbage a task a Connecticut Post colleague occasionally handled for me, to my mothers delight we sat and sipped cocktails, watched Jordan Spieth wrap up the Pebble Beach PGA golf tournament and, as always, had animated conversation. Thats how she was: Totally with it, opinionated, well-informed, funny, driving her silver Audi to bridge three days a week, to the hairdresser on Wednesdays and to ShopRite, despite our standing offer to do her shopping. Not a chance. Fiercely independent to the end. She was lucky in love, too. Three good men took interest in her. Jerry Daly, to this day the coolest guy I ever met; a fellow named Otto Bernschein, who was a caring companion for a couple of years after my fathers death; and .... So one day my mother came to me, her eyes sparkling like a stream on a spring morning, and said, Mike, Im in love! I thought maybe there had been a breakthrough on the Otto front. But no. Shed met a man in the choir loft at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Fairfield. He was a fellow member of the churchs Resurrection Choir, a group that assembled to lend their voices to Be Not Afraid and other funeral staples. His name was Bob Huebner. As the father of three daughters, Id long assumed the first woman Id walk down the matrimonial aisle would have been one of them. Instead, in 2003, it was my 77-year-old smitten mother. I wrote at the time, quoting that great poet, Bono, When love comes to town, Im gonna catch that train. Bob, 82 at the time of their marriage, was a kind, wonderful man and they had 10 years together eight of them good ones. As she did with my father, she cared for Bob during his final years. She didnt make it to the Womens March on Washington, but she was that type of woman. My mother had a long career at what was then called Peoples Savings Bank and was the third woman to hold the position of assistant vice president. At the end of that conversation on Feb. 12, I glanced over at my mother at one point and saw that she was a bit teary eyed. That would happen occasionally. Though she was vibrant and living an active life, she had her down moments. She would occasionally say she was tired of living. I think she never got over missing Bob. I didnt hear her, but she said to Sharon, I think you guys should go . I want you to go. And we did. The call came the next morning, from her cleaning lady. The EMTs were there when I arrived. Sorry for your loss, one of them said. My mother was on the floor, in front of where she had been sitting the night before. She was soaring, though, Im sure with those wings, at last. Godspeed, Mother. Michael J. Daly is editor of the editorial page of the Connecticut Post. Email: mdaly@ctpost.com. Journalists from a number of news outlets were blocked from entering a White House press briefing Friday just hours after President Trumps railed against fake news and reiterated charges that the media is the enemy of the people during a speech to the Conservative Political Action Committee. Reporters from The New York Times, CNN, Buzzfeed and Los Angeles Times were among the outlets that were banned from the off-camera gaggle with Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary. Reporters from NBC News, CBS, ABC, Fox, Breitbart News Network, Washington Times and One America News Network were allowed to attend Spicers briefing. A reporter from the Hearst Newspapers, which owns The Chronicle, was also among those admitted. The reporter was serving as a pool reporter, whose notes are distributed to journalists who are not in attendance. The Associated Press and Time magazine boycotted the briefing. A daily press briefing had not been scheduled following President Trumps speech, however reporters were told a gaggle would take place in the briefing room. In his CPAC speech, Trump criticized the media and said, I want you all to know that we are fighting the fake news. Its fake, phony, fake. Trumps statements came one day after CNN reported that the FBI rejected a White House request to publicly knock down claims that Trumps advisers were in touch with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential elections. In a statement, Dean Baquet, the executive editor of the New York Times said, We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest. Jeff Mason, the president of the White House Correspondents Association, also released a statement, saying, The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how todays gaggle is being handled by the White House. We encourage the organizations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff. Here are some of The Chronicles recent coverage on Trumps relationship with the media: Trump Today: President slams FBI over leaked reports to media Trump Today: Presidents PAC emails media accountability survey Trump blasts media, anonymous sources after WH uses them The Latest: Trump calls media enemy of the American people President Trump shares false news story on his Facebook page Sarah Ravani is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sravani@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SarRavani Was Trump right about Sweden? As the President is mocked for his remarks on Swedish crime and immigration, ANDREW MALONE provides a disturbing dispatch from one of the world's most PC nations By Andrew Malone for the Daily Mail 25 February 2017 The trouble began when police tried to arrest a teenage member of a notorious drug-dealing gang.Within hours, the snowy streets of Rinkeby, a northern suburb of the Swedish capital Stockholm, had erupted into violence with his fellow gang members hurling Molotov cocktails at passing vehicles, torching parked cars, throwing rocks and looting shops.The mob fought with police to free 17-year-old Maikal Hassan, the son of Ethiopian immigrants, and as they advanced, one officer drew his pistol and fired a shot at the gang and missed, while others shot high into the air to try to scare the masked youths.Eventually, police withdrew for their own safety and were forced to call the imam from the local mosque to ask him to appeal to the rioters to disperse. Even then the disturbance continued until the early hours.The riots on Monday night in Rinkeby, a migrant ghetto known locally as Little Mogadishu, are a major embarrassment for the Swedish government. They came just two days after Donald Trump, the U.S. President, was widely ridiculed for comments he made at a rally in Florida last weekend.You look at whats happening last night in Sweden, thundered Trump. Sweden? Whod believe this? Sweden? They took in large numbers [of asylum seekers]. Theyre having problems like they never thought possible.Trump was reported incorrectly as claiming there had been a terrorist incident in Sweden.In fact, he had been referring to a report on Fox News, which blamed an alleged breakdown in law and order in Sweden on an influx of migrants over the past 20 years.Trumps comments drew immediate derision from the Swedish government and pro-migrant groups, which gleefully pointed out that the most interesting item in the Swedish news that day had been a photograph of a live elk trying to mount a wooden elk.The Swedish royal family even joined in. King Carl XVI Gustaf said it is important to present good news and that Trumps allegation was damaging the countrys reputation.The fact that Sweden, the most liberal of European countries, openly welcomed asylum seekers, refugees and economic migrants over 20 years is not in doubt.Some 1.7 million have arrived since the Nineties, transforming a country with a population of just ten million.In the past two years alone as war in Syria and Afghanistan, and conflict and poverty elsewhere in the Middle East and Africa has fuelled mass migration Sweden has taken in 275,000 immigrants.Now, in the wake of Trumps claims, the riots in Rinkeby this week and reports that some 300 foreign-born Swedes have joined Islamic State, that open-door policy and its consequences are under scrutiny as never before.Once home to working-class Swedes, Rinkebys population is now 90 per cent foreign incomers.The few Swedes who remain called the place Little Mogadishu not just because of the large population of Somalis, but because as in the Somali capital violence and fear are endemic.Maikal Hassan, the young man whose arrest led to the disturbances, was a member of the Rinkeby Network gang that controls much of the local drug dealing.Hassan first named in a criminal police report when he was just ten years old; at 15, he was under youth detention for eight counts of assault, robbery and burglary had been apprehended during a rare foray by officers into what is generally accepted as a no-go zone.His brother was shot dead in a gangland feud last year.These people dont want to live a normal European life, a Rinkeby resident named Anton told me.Its a jungle. I never go out after dark and dont carry much money. Its too dangerous.As I arrived at Rinkeby underground station this week, I was approached by a group of a dozen or so young foreign men who tried to sell me hard drugs even though police patrols were less than 100 yards away.When I ignored them, they turned their backs. I headed away from them towards the shops, many bearing Arabic script, and restaurants offering specialities from Africa and the Middle East.The gangs here rule by fear and even warn shopkeepers when they are going to be burgled, telling them they will get back a small cut of the takings as long as they do not raise the alarm. Many feel they have little choice but to comply.The youths come into my shop and threaten me and my staff almost every day, said Nouri, 44, an Afghan granted asylum in 1998 who runs a shoe shop close to where the riots broke out.They come in here and grab pairs of expensive shoes and just walk out. There is nothing I can do. If I report them to the police they will torch the store. There are usually about 40 to 50 thugs hanging out here on the square at night.One man who knows from bitter experience about the reality of life in Rinkeby is Hanif Azizi, the officer responsible for policing the area. On Monday, as the police faced the rioters, he says he told a colleague: Perhaps Trump was right after all.At his office a mile from the flashpoint, dressed in plain clothes and with a pistol tucked into his belt, he admitted that, regardless of claims by the Swedish government, many areas are firmly in the control of foreign criminal gangs.They are laughing at our society because they can do whatever they want, he told me. They use fear and violence to try to stop the police from doing our job. There are so many that you cant handle them.They have tactics and they are very clever. The people here dont think they are part of Swedish society. They listen to the imams at the mosque more than they listen to us. These criminals are in control.An Iranian immigrant who came to Sweden aged nine, Mr Azizi blamed social ills and the courts for being too soft on criminals and said that anyone helping police was more likely to be punished by their community than praised.The good people leave, he said.And Rinkeby is not an isolated example. Immigrant gangs are said to control several other areas of Stockholm. In a recent report, police admitted there are a staggering 53 no-go zones in the capital where it is unsafe to patrol.Similar demographic changes due to migration have occurred in the suburbs of other Swedish cities, too, where tension is always simmering.In Gothenburg, on the west coast, gangs of youngsters, mainly from Morocco, live on the streets having rejected life in care homes to survive on their wits.One of the citys biggest shopping malls, Nordstan, has been so plagued by gangs of young thieves it was declared another a no-go zone. If caught, the youths, who have no ID documents, claim to be under 16 and escape prosecution.It must be a wretched life for these youngsters. It has been reported that six Afghan child refugees have committed suicide in Sweden in the past six months as the government attempts to care for 25,000 unaccompanied migrant children.The authorities stand accused of trying to cover up crimes involving migrants, including alleged sexual assaults committed at a recent music festival, and at New Year celebrations in the capital.The Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention statistics for 2016 show the number of reported rapes increased by 13 per cent year on year, to 6,560, while the number of reported sexual assaults increased by 20 per cent.While it is not clear who is to blame for this increase, the National Councils annual security survey found that immigrants were 2.5 times more likely to commit crimes than Swedish citizens.Yet, despite this, the Swedish government continues to dismiss allegations that immigration is to blame in part for the rise in crime and civil unrest, saying any problems were due to alienation, unemployment and problems with housing.Fredrik Lundh Sammeli, a spokesman for the ruling Social Democratic Party, told me that the troublemakers are a very small group of individuals that has been challenged by the police and our society but they are not related to immigration. Whatever the truth, at the very least there has been a massive failure of integration.And, as in other European countries with rising immigrant populations, this has promoted the rise of Far Right groups.In Sweden, such groups have been accused of a series of fire bombings of mosques, as well as violent attacks on drug dealers and street children.Politically, the beneficiary of growing anger about migration and its impact has been the Swedish Democrats, a Right-wing party that won 13 per cent of the vote at the general election in 2014.A poll this week showed it is now backed by more than one in four Swedes.Mattias Karlsson, leader of the party in the Swedish parliament, told me he was very grateful to President Trump for focusing attention on this issue, and expressed incredulity that the U.S. leaders comments had proven so controversial.Sweden is the most politically correct country in the world, he said.For a long time, there have been no reports about the negative consequences of our open-door immigration policy because anyone who speaks out gets called a racist or a Nazi.Riots like [that in Rinkeby] have become part of everyday life in Sweden.We have huge problems with immigration and law and order. This is not only in Rinkeby. Now we have problems in our towns and cities that we did not dream could be possible ten years ago. People have had enough.So where did it all go so badly wrong for Sweden?With a rapidly ageing population, the country began to welcome migrants from countries such as Turkey in the late Seventies, even arranging flights to bring in workers, who received the same generous welfare payments as locals.But from 2011 onwards, the rate of immigration accelerated as those who arrived alone were allowed to send for their families once they were admitted. Many of these new arrivals are economic refugees.Saeb Al-Saedy, a mechanical engineer originally from Baghdad, lives in Rinkeby and admits that there are many really, really bad guys in the area.Yet even so, he still blames the Swedish government for oppressing immigrants. The unemployment rate among Swedes is 4 per cent, but among migrants its 22 per cent partly because the job market is closely regulated.When people dont have any work, they take welfare and become criminals, Saeb told me. Swedish people feel there are too many foreigners, and are scared of Islam. There are terrorists who are Muslims. But how many people were killed by Hitler?Such comments infuriate Swedes, who believe newcomers should be grateful to live in a country funded by progressive personal taxation of up to 50 per cent for all earning more than 63,000 with a generous welfare state offering free housing and healthcare for the unemployed.But it is the rise in crime that causes most concern, particularly among women, some of whom told me they no longer go out at night in a country long regarded as being at the forefront of gender equality.Anna, 27, an office worker, told me that because pepper spray is illegal in Sweden, she carries a can of criminal identifier an indelible spray paint that stays on the attacker. She hopes if she has to use it, it will disable an assailant long enough for her to flee.I live in the area nearest to Rinkeby, where there is a shopping mall, she told me. Gangs hang about in groups of 20 or more. They shout comments about me, and laughed when I used to go jogging.I used to feel unsafe only after dark. Now, I feel scared even in daylight. I wont even wear headphones in case I cant hear someone creeping up to attack me.Such is the price that Sweden appears to be paying for its liberal and well-meaning policies, with a growing number of areas in its major cities where even the police fear to tread, let alone law-abiding citizens.This may be an issue fraught with social and political complexities. But at its heart is the question increasingly convulsing nations across Europe: just how can they assimilate ever-growing number of migrants without creating dangerous social divisions that only serve to inflame extremism? This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Nancy Lee Carlson will finally get her moon dust back. A federal judge Friday ordered the Johnson Space Center to return the Illinois woman's lunar collection bag and the dusty specimens left inside from the historic 1969 moon landing. The bag and its contents - a rare find that a NASA lawyer deemed a "national treasure" - had languished at the space center for more than a year after scientists decided to keep it. NEW PLANETS: Scientists announce discovery of seven, Earth-size exoplanets 40 light years away "There are no other lunar bags out there," said Joseph Gutheinz, a former NASA enforcement officer and moon rock hunter who supported Carlson's effort. "It's unique as all get out. And because of that, the value of that bag is incalculable." U.S. District Judge Vanessa D. Gilmore in Houston ruled that Carlson is the bag's true owner, having bought it at a government auction for $995 in 2015. The government may have erred in putting the bag up for sale, but government lawyers erred further by not appealing another judge's ruling on ownership, Gilmore concluded. The bag is set to be covertly returned on Monday. 'Mission Unknown' When the Apollo 11 capsule splashed down near Hawaii in July 1969, its celebrated crew came bearing loads of soil and rock stashed in specially designed collection bags. The embroidered and zippered bag now owned by Carlson was among them, covered in microscopic moon dust and rock particles that NASA scientists discovered were difficult to remove. Decades later, the round bag - about the size of a dinner plate - turned up in the home of a Kansas space museum's director, where it was seized by federal agents in an unrelated criminal case. COOL HISTORY: Apollo 11 command module going on tour, coming to Houston later this year The U.S. Marshal's office finally put it up for auction in 2014 as a "flown zippered lunar sample return bag with lunar dust. 11.5 [inches]. Tear at Center. Flown Mission Unknown." The suggested opening bid was $20,000. Nobody bid on it. When it went up for auction again in February 2015, Carlson was the highest bidder. Carlson had watched the moon landing, like so many from her generation, as an awestruck 11-year-old in Marquette, Michigan. "I just felt great that they left this planet and made it to the moon, but I felt even happier when they got back OK," Carlson said Friday at the Houston federal courthouse. MORE SPACE EXPLORATION: Venus, once too hot to explore, now within NASA's reach thanks to new tech Carlson's parents pushed her and her sister to pursue their dreams, and the space program embodied those big dreams, she said. The package arrived by UPS at her home in Inverness, Illinois, about 50 miles from Chicago. It arrived in a simple cardboard box, with the lunar bag wrapped in brown paper inside. She kept it in her bedroom closet for safekeeping. A few months later, Carlson contacted Ryan Zeigler, the lunar sample curator at the Johnson Space Center, curious to know if the bag actually contained moon dust. He said he'd be glad to test it if she'd send it to him. He confirmed that the bag contained lunar dust, and further tests revealed even more: It was an outer decontamination bag for the first lunar samples ever collected on the first manned mission to the moon. Historical artifact That's when things got complicated. Carlson and Zeigler exchanged emails over many months, ostensibly trying to arrange a time for her to retrieve her bag. She eventually filed a federal lawsuit as part of the government's forfeiture action. A Kansas judge who got the case ruled the bag belonged to Carlson, but said a judge in the Houston region - where the Johnson Space Center is based would have to oversee enforcement of the order. Federal prosecutors in Kansas did not appeal the decision, presenting further problems for prosecutors in Houston. DID YOU KNOW? Little-known facts about astronaut John Glenn's historic 1962 mission to space NASA officials said late Friday that they consider the case closed. "NASA is obviously disappointed by the decision of the court due to the fact that it was primarily through the unlawful activity of a third party that put this historical artifact into the public domain," according to a statement from William Jeffs, the NASA spokesman for the astromaterials division. "This artifact was never meant to be owned by an individual. Moreover, this artifact is important, not just for its scientific value, but also because it represents the culmination of a massive national effort involving a generation of Americans, including the astronauts who risked their lives in an effort to accomplish the most significant act humankind has ever achieved." NASA officials have asked Carlson to consider allowing the bag to be displayed publicly. Her lawyer, Christopher M. McHugh, said she will consider it. But first she wants to get it back in hand. "Given that this bag is really a national treasure," McHugh told the judge, "I don't think it's possible for Ms. Carlson to just keep the bag at home. That's not going to happen. But I do think a transfer of ownership has to happen." Carlson is also considering a quiet visit to the Johnson Space Center over the weekend while waiting to pick up her treasure. After Demond Franklin, 31, was found guilty of capital murder last December and sentenced to life in prison for a robbery-related killing, his lawyer asked for a new trial. A juror had decided to visit the crime scene at 5 a.m. to see if the nighttime lighting matched the courtroom testimony. Then he shared his information with other jurors. It was exactly what the judge had told jurors not to do. Curious Cdn said: Wikileaks is also Russian, now that Snowdon's a55 is owned by Putin. Click to expand... look posting and smoking crack are time honored traditionsjust not at the same timeok?John McCain passes dossier alleging secret Trump-Russia contacts to FBIRussian intelligence alleged to have compromising material on TrumpUnverified and potentially unverifiable reports published by BuzzFeedhere is the curious canadian supported fake news...^The news in the OP is realIt isn't the first anti trump traitor in the sandboxjust look at the way McCain sang to the communists when he was a POW, or the way his father covered up Israel's attack on the USS Liberty:The kind of guys Curious Canadian can really look up toBTW, no one out there is questioning whether the leaked emails and letters are real or notthe globalists are just piling lie on lie to try to bury the news:but that is the best way for the populist people to get to know the real them"Wikileaks Document Shows John McCain Requested Donations from Russians (Updated)There are several documents on McCains request for donations from the Russians.In 2008 the Russian mission released a letter on a fundraising attempt from John McCain.According to Reddit users John McCain illegally asked for campaign donations from the Russian Ambassador. (the same ambassador that died suddenly on Monday) This globalist shrieks about Russian influence while he himself participated in it.The Russians told McCain they would not donate to his campaign."there, for all you soros backed globalists This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Beneath the rust-colored, corrugated metal roof of a new open-air exhibit at Big Bend National Park, one kid after another wedges his head between the gaping jaws of an ancient, toothy alligator. Thats what park officials hoped for as they planned the new Fossil Discovery Exhibit, devoted to the last 130 million years of the parks geologic history, dinosaurs and all. The low-slung shelter, unveiled to fanfare in mid-January, features museum-quality replicas of dinosaur bones, educational panels depicting the evolving landscape, photos showing imprints of dinosaur skin and egg shells, a concrete cast of a dinosaurs femur and pieces of real petrified wood. Overhead, a replica of Quetzalcoatlus, a flying lizard the size of a small airplane, once again soars across the West Texas sky. Visitors have long flocked to West Texas to pitch tents in the desert, hike the Chisos Mountains and rub shoulders with prickly plants and animals. But until now, most learned little about what park geologist Don Corrick calls one of the great untold stories of Big Bend -- its dinosaurs. At the beginning, I knew Big Bend had great fossils we werent sharing with the public, Corrick says. That was the impetus. The gleaming $1.5 million exhibit, which park officials call the most significant addition to the park in the past 50 years, replaces a decaying, mattress-sized case holding a smattering of small, poor-quality plaster fossil replicas. Three adjoining shelters made of perforated steel walls are located near a ridge at a pullout off the main park road between Persimmon Gap and Panther Junction. From the 3,000-square-foot exhibit, visitors can peer into the distance, where scientists unearthed some of the fossils. Big Bend claims more bird, bat and cactus species than any other national park. That diversity extends to the creatures that lived here eons ago. More than 1,200 kinds of fossils have been uncovered at Big Bend National Park -- more than any other U.S. national park. Barnum Brown and R.T. Bird, rock stars in the paleontology world, explored the park in 1940, digging up pieces of a skull of a giant alligator called Deinosuchus, parts of a duck-billed hadrosaur called Kritosaurus and bones of the long-neck plant-eater Alamosaurus. Museums all over the country, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., the Perot Museum in Dallas and the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin, display bones unearthed at Big Bend. But until now, theyve been all but ignored at the park. Exhibit creators hope the display will help visitors understand what this corner of Texas looked like long before humans appeared. The distinctive thing about Big Bend geology is we have an almost complete history of 130 million years, Corrick says. In that time environments changed and plants changed and animals changed. The land the park now encompasses was once an interior sea swimming with fish, reptiles and turtles. As the Rocky Mountains continued to rise, the sea shrank and a swampy coastline emerged. Thats when the first real dinosaurs appeared. Later, the sea receded further, creating an inland flood plain. Eventually, the dinosaurs became extinct and more familiar animals replaced them. Because the park doesnt have a museums ability to preserve and protect real bones, only museum-quality replicas are displayed here. Every bump and dent is accurate, Corrick says. Still, the exhibit impressed several hundred visitors who filed through for the grand opening last month. I knew there were dinosaurs here, but you dont think of Big Bend being the only place for some of the species, Caneel Cardwell, a photographer from Alpine, said as she perused a display about an armored dinosaur called Bravoceratops, found only in this area. This used to be ocean and marsh, and its desert now. Its pretty neat to think about that. The Big Bend Conservancy, a nonprofit group that raises money used to maintain and enhance the park, led fundraising efforts, and the National Park Service contributed $300,000 in grants. The conservancy discussed the idea for a paleontology exhibit at its first board meeting in 1996, said Lori Palmer, who founded the organization. (We wanted) to recognize that there was a hidden asset -- the parks geologic history and the story yet to be told of the millions and millions of years of this land and the dinosaurs that were here. Its been a long time coming, and this will benefit the world for generations to come, says Vidal Davila, acting superintendent of Big Bend National Park. It tells the story of what happened here thousands of years ago so the average visitor can gain knowledge. The exhibit is open from dawn to dusk and includes a small parking lot, a shaded picnic area, fossil-themed climbing structures and a vault toilet. Still, the bronze skulls seem to capture the most attention. Theres going to be a million photos on Facebook, Corrick says. And if it gets even one kid interested in science, weve done our job. --- Distributed by Tribune Content Agency Editor's note: This is the third of a three-part Q&A with U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz. This installment is about Cruzs perspectives on the importance of debate. --- Republican Ted Cruz of Texas came onto the Senate scene in 2012 and immediately made his presence known, in particular for his skills as a debater and rhetorician. Cruz was a champion competitive debater in college and has since developed a reputation as a formidable opponent in the art of argument. Cruz spoke with the Reporter-Telegram about the role debate plays in understanding viewpoints opposed to ones own and how the nation would be better served by constructive argument in Washington, not talking points to constituents. Plus, the senator revealed theres no debate that a certain style of footwear he champions could bring the Beltway closer together. MRT: Who is the best debater you ever have gone toe-to-toe with? Cruz: That is an awfully good question. I would probably say my college debate partner, David Panton, who was also my college and law school roommate. He was an incredible debater. He and I were usually on the same side; we occasionally were on opposing sides. Hes a fabulous communicator and a dear, dear friend. MRT: Do you think there isnt enough debate and rhetoric in school? Cruz: I would certainly say that I learned an enormous amount from being a college debater, that it helps you think and analyze issues and argue for your position. But, most importantly, it helps you understand those who disagree with you. Some years ago, I was giving a commencement speech out at (the University of California,) Berkeleys school of government, and it prompted some protesters, to which my wife, Heidi, immediately responded, Oh goodness, youre not nearly important enough to protest. The theme of my remarks was intellectual diversity and understanding those who disagree with you, not vilifying someone who happens to have a different position, but understanding how people of good faith and good morals could look at the issue you care most about and come to exactly the opposite conclusion. College debate was great at developing that skill. Just a couple of weeks ago, I participated in a two-hour town hall debate with Sen. Bernie Sanders on Obamacare. CNN put it on, and I thought it was terrific to spend two hours of substance on an issue that matters. Theres nothing more personal than health care. It is our lives, our families, our moms, our kids. Usually in the campaign you get a 60- or 90-second sound bite. I thought it was very beneficial to have a substantive two-hour discussion on how to expand health care access, how to empower patients, how to repeal this disaster that is Obamacare so that people can afford health insurance premiums again and expand access to everybody. MRT: Do you think theres enough Lincoln-Douglas style, one-on-one debate in Washington? Cruz: There is very little substantive debate in Washington. Often, each party is speaking in their own echo chambers, to their own supporters and not engaging with anyone who disagrees. That is something I try to do very differently, indeed with some regularity, as I travel the state and travel the country. Ill engage in sometimes lengthy substantive conversations with protesters, with people who disagree with me. If theyre willing to engage in a civil and polite conversation, Im happy to do so. I think we can often find common ground, even if we dont agree on every substantive issue. Theres far more that binds us together than divides us. I wish there was much more respectful, substantive debate and discussion in politics. MRT: Is there any debate that cowboy boots are the superior style of footwear? Cruz: I think it is indisputable. I wear boots just about every day. The one place my wife wont let me wear them is on the beach, and thats probably good; youd look pretty goofy walking down the beach in a pair of cowboy boots. When I was first elected to the Senate, I joked about forming the Boot Caucus of all the senators who would wear boots, both Republicans and Democrats, on the principle that if someone is wearing cowboy boots, they cant be all bad. Like Trevor on Facebook and follow him on Twitter at @HowdyHawes. thawes@mrt.com If you see something, say something. Thats one of the messages on the official website of the Department of Homeland Security. Its a phrase used often in situations dealing with national security: If something seems fishy or wrong, its better to alert the authorities than to keep key information to oneself. The spirit of the message is to encourage Americans to report something that doesnt seem right to the authorities to prevent bad things from happening. After all, we all have a role in protecting our nation. But these are strange times, and there are a lot of things that dont seem right. Take, for example, the story of the January shootout at the Circle Dug Ranch. Early last month, a couple of hunters were shot at the West Texas ranch. One was a 26-year-old guide, the other was a 50-something hunter from Florida who was down at the ranch near the Mexico border hunting big game sheep. The initial claim was that border crossers had tried to steal the RV in which ranch guests were lodging. The RV wasnt stolen, but a shootout took place. A GoFundMe page raised $26,300 from 200 donors for the hunting guide as reports of the attack spread to those sympathetic to his story. The Washington Post reported that Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller shared the story with Facebook followers and used the incident to stress the need for a wall to secure our borders from violent criminals and drug cartels. But when the dust settled a little more than a month later, an investigation found that the hunters were hit by friendly fire. According to a CBS affiliate, Walker Daugherty, the hunter who was shot, and Michael Bryant, another guide, were indicted for discharging firearms in the direction of others, a third-degree felony. West Texas is a beautiful place where one can truly get away from it all without really going too far away from it all wide open spaces, postcards featuring jackalopes and limited job opportunities for young people. Day-to-day happenings in the smaller communities here are very different from those in Texas big cities as well as the nations capital. The Circle Dug Ranchs address is in Candelaria, a Texas community that had a mutually beneficial relationship with San Antonio Del Bravo, a community in Mexico. The two communities were connected by a footbridge that allowed Mexicans to shop for groceries and goods in Candelaria and gave the Texans access to a free clinic in San Antonio Del Bravo. But in July 2008 the bridge was removed by the U.S. in attempts to secure the border. Texas Monthly detailed the impact on the people who were most affected in an article in October 2008. All of this is an anecdotal way of explaining that life operates at a different pace in the far corners of our nation, where immigrants arent as much the Really Bad Guy as they are the Guy Next Door but presumptions easily lead to executive orders. And while it would be naive to believe that a footbridge used by hardworking, honest people couldnt also be used by criminals with dark agendas, it is also naive to believe that those who cry wolf havent figured out how to work those blurred lines. It comes down, however, to this: The shooting and developments were reported by the media without spin. It is up to the public to see the something in this story: the hunters story meant to mislead the authorities, the threat of immigrants in a place where a footbridge connected people for years, a $26,300 GoFundMe fundraiser, an elected official sharing the initial account on Facebook with nary an oops when the story unfolded. And it is up to the public to say something. mariaanglin@yahoo.com The principle of limited presidential powers, often described by the term checks and balances, is part of the foundational structure of our democracy. But our presidents recent social media outbursts are putting dangerous wear on that firm foundation. Our Constitution provides for three separate and independent branches of government: Congress, the legislative branch, composed of elected representatives from each state; the executive branch, led by the president whos elected through the Electoral College based on voters in each state; and the judicial branch. Article III of our Constitution establishes the federal judiciary. Article III protects federal judges from whimsical threats of removal by providing that these justices and judges known as Article III judges shall hold their offices during good behavior. Article III also requires judicial compensation, which cannot be reduced while in office as a means of indirect punishment for unpopular opinions. This clause has been widely interpreted to mean that impeachment is the only means by which a federal judge can be removed. One rarely sees headlines regarding the judiciary other than news of a U.S. Supreme Court nominee. And a federal judge almost never makes public commentary, in stark contrast to members of Congress and the president. But this arm of government, like a peaceful and quiet guard, provides an intrinsic check by ensuring that neither of the other two branches of government exerts power beyond the limits of the law. The recent tweets from President Donald Trump threaten to erode and delegitimize the independence and authority of this restful guard. Congress and the president serve the people, knowing that if their conduct steps outside the bounds of the law or the Constitution, it is the function of the judiciary to check that power and declare it void. Earlier this month, federal Judge James Robart, who was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate, issued a court order suspending Trumps travel ban, which refused entry to refugees and travelers from seven Muslim countries. The decision was an emergency decision, known as a temporary restraining order, or TRO, usually issued to provide immediate relief to prevent harm that cannot be undone. Whether Robarts order was correct or not depends on nuanced and complicated legal arguments. The TRO will be subject to preliminary hearings; eventually, a full hearing on the legality of the travel ban; and, as we have already seen before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, judicial review. But what is unquestionable is Robarts and any federal courts authority to issue such an order putting a check on the president. Shortly after Robart issued this order, Trump began shooting off dangerously alarming messages designed to erode public confidence in this judge and the federal courts. From calling Robart a so-called judge to insinuating that this decision would cause Americans harm to the White Houses suggestion that the judiciary is not supreme, the unmistakable intent was to arouse suspicion and disrespect for the judiciary. This continued through the presidents characterization of the 9th Circuit as a bad court in chaos. The messaging tends to cause mob alarm, designed to encourage protests of the judiciarys decision. But why protest the judiciary? By their nature, unlike Congress and the president, judges are to remain unswayed by political whims. They are to remain true to the Constitution true to the law no matter how unpopular the result. In its argument before the 9th Circuit, the Trump administration took a dangerous position: that the presidents decisions about immigration policy are unreviewable by the courts, even if they contravene constitutional rights and protections. The 9th Circuit easily corrected this sinister assumption, writing, There is no precedent to support this claimed unreviewability, which runs contrary to the fundamental structure of our constitutional democracy. Put simply, even Trump is not above the law. Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema of Virginia agreed, writing, Maximum power does not mean absolute power. Every presidential action must still comply with the limits set by Congress delegation of power and the constraints of the Constitution, including the Bill of Rights. Whether one agrees with the travel ban may be a political question. But the ability of a federal court to review whether the travel ban exceeds the law is not. That is a legal question based on the interpretation of federal law and the Constitution. That question was uniquely left to the federal judiciary by our forefathers who wrote the Constitution. In these troubling times, we can see the wisdom of that decision to guard against the whims of a dictator who might otherwise go unchecked. Despite the political rhetoric and divisiveness of a presidential campaign, once the president is sworn into office, it is his or her job to protect and defend the Constitution. The president must respect the wisdom and independence of the judicial branch. Trumps social media blasts have not served that oath and should not be condoned in a democracy. Our commitment to the independent branch of the judiciary must be solid, and our support of limited executive power unwavering. Ramona L. Lampley is a professor of civil procedure, complex litigation and commercial law at the St. Marys University School of Law. The views presented are solely those of the author and do not represent the views of St. Marys University. The university neither supports nor opposes the parties mentioned. The sequel will hopefully be just the right amount of gay for them.LEGO Batman Movie Too Gay for Kids, Claim Conservative PunditsEverything is not awesome with The LEGO Batman Movie, at least according to a pair of right-wing websites. As reported by The Advocate, Americas leading LGBT magazine and website, John-Henry Westen of Canadas LifeSiteNews cautions that the childrens movie is chockful of pro-gay propaganda.Think the sexual innuendo of the Flintstones minus the real humor, Westen wrote. It seemed the creators [of The LEGO Batman Movie] were so anxious to subtly indoctrinate the little ones into the gender ideology that making it humorous came as a distant second thought.Not content to milk his own discontent at The LEGO Batman Movie, Westen quotes Michael Hamilton of PJ Media, a faith-based site whose main focus is on the three main areas that will have the most impact on the future of America: politics, parenting and lifestyle. Hamilton worries that the film may lead to an awkward conversation with your kid a few years before you want it, and goes on to spoil one of the films best running gags: the fact that Dick Grayson doesnt know that Bruce Wayne is Batman.[T]wo men adopting a son together sounds like a dream come true to Richard, the orphan Bruce Wayne adopts without telling him hes Batman, writes Hamilton, Thats why, when Richard hesitates to board a bat vehicle without Bruce-Dads permission, Batman tells him he and Bruce-Dad share custody of him. Richard doesnt need Bruce-Dads permission; he has Bat-Dads!Hamilton goes on: This solution thrills Richard, who unblinkingly climbs aboard (and later becomes Robin). The bubbly young man is tickled as he spells it out for viewers: Yesterday he didnt have a dad, and now he has two dads! Kin Man Hui / Staff file photo The Alamo is in San Antonio, but the fact is that it belongs to all Texans. State legislators should keep this in mind when considering a proposal to further fund a reimagining of the historic site. Together, the state-owned Alamo grounds and the adjoining city-owned plaza are sorely in need of this kind of attention. City development has encroached on and subsumed much of the 1836 footprint of the site. So, the need for city, state and private Alamo Endowment collaboration on a master plan is vital to maintain and restore as much of the site as possible and vastly improve the historical interpetation. Right-wing twitter says Reince Priebus is a lying weasel and must go. Left-wing twitter says Reince Priebus is a lying weasel and must go. Ron Marz (@ronmarz) February 19, 2017 Isn't it nice when people on both sides of the political divide can get along? Ron Marz (@ronmarz) February 19, 2017 I'm supposed to feel sorry for people who willingly voted for an intellectually-incapable, morally-bankrupt racist? Yeah, I don't think so. https://t.co/vZxPCt4mVW February 19, 2017 So who sticks by Milo longer: Simon & Schuster, CPAC or Bill Maher? Ron Marz (@ronmarz) February 20, 2017 So they're gonna get rid of the EPA and Wall Street regulation, but where you go to the bathroom is a top priority. Got it. https://t.co/9RQUDnB1Hg February 21, 2017 I freely admit, I am baffled by this obsession with who goes to the bathroom where. https://t.co/NxDp5z49fO February 21, 2017 If CPAC gets rid of Milo as keynote, maybe they can get Dennis Hastert to replace him. Ron Marz (@ronmarz) February 20, 2017 I do not have a job at Breitbart, a speaking gig at CPAC, or a book deal at Simon & Schuster, My 1st Amendment rights are being trampled! Ron Marz (@ronmarz) February 21, 2017 Let's see what other reprehensible or downright one-sided remarks Marz has lately. For example, he's insulting everyone's intellect over Donald Trump's comments about Sweden's disastrous immigration policies and the accompanying violence that came with them , which people like Marz deliberately take out of context:Good grief. I'd say he's abusing that hashtag. He refuses to ponder how Malmo, in particular, has become a hellhole with intifadas and a recent riot outburst that occurred just after Trump made his last statements. That's right, as noted earlier, they've had them before , and the one that took place several days ago is just another of what the government practically allows. Worst, Marz is insulting Europeans who've had their lives ruined by jihadism. No surprise coming from him after he insulted Christian refugees from Muslim countries. Here's more:Except that Marz doesn't get along very well with the conservative side, despite any attempts to claim the contrary. And did the right really say anything outright negative about Priebus? Not that I can tell. Besides, Marz later said:So what's he trying to prove anyway?Ah, he's still sticking with an embarrassment like Waters, despite how he's lost a lot of support lately due to his anti-Israeli activism . Another in Marz's long line of double-standards. He then turned to the subject of Milo Yiannapolous, who's been accused of trivializing child molestation.So far, the details are sketchy, and Yiannapolous says the video circulated - possibly by Never-Trumpers - was edited out of context to make him look bad. Milo wrote a Facebook post where he made clear he doesn't condone pedophilia, and notes he exposed at least 3 in his career as a journalist, so judge for yourself. Either way, heproven sloppy at times, and sometimes I do find Yiannapolous galling. That said, I'm skeptical Marz is being altruistic about this, based on his support last year for allowing transgender men into women's bathrooms at the ladies' expense. On which note:So, he'ssticking by that? In that case, I don't see what his beef is with Yiannapolous. Sure, there have been times when Milo's proven to be a real loose cannon, and even if he didn't make light of the pedophilia subject, I'm sure I'd still find his commentary aggravating, but it's clear from this that Marz is still not being altruistic. A writer for the Phila. Daily News says those gleeful about Yiannapolous' downfall are hypocrites. And indeed, that's just what Marz is. Has he even condemned George Takei for making light of the subject ? After discovering how monstrously low Takei stooped, I'll never be able to look at his past showbiz portfolio the same way again, because he has proven truly revolting. Yet not a word of complaint from Marz about what an embarrassment Takei's become to the the Star Trek legacy.Maybe they can get Chuck Dixon or Dan Jurgens to take the stand. Personally, I'd want somebody versed in comicdom to go there and speak out against...men like Marz! Describing how they give the medium as bad a name as Takei already is to Hollywood.I think we most certainly do have our answer who sticks by Milo longer - one-sided men like Marz, who else? An obsessive type, isn't he? He doesn't even consider that several Breitbart insiders, including former ones like Steve Bannon , were growing uneasy with his conduct and had a role in his ouster.Well gee, it's pretty apparent he has no interest in trying some of the ventures Dixon took of recent, like writing in the Wall Street Journal, and publishing several books like Levon's Kin. And even if Marz did, I've got a feeling he wouldn't get much of an audience there either. He'd very likely end up whitewashing the medium and working as an apologist, and that's just the problem with him.And Marz is thinking of J. Jonah Jameson's approach, because he remains as one-sided and dishonest as ever.In the end, I'm not that bothered if Yiannapolous had to resign from Breitbart, because I can't say I've found every aspect of his conduct that appealing. But Marz has made the unpardonable error of being a hypocrite, and proved it at nearly the same time as he attacked Yiannapolous. Labels: Europe and Asia, islam and jihad, misogyny and racism, moonbat writers, politics, terrorism, violence Mikado Nigeria Limited, a private Limited Liability Company, which was incorporated on the 3rd of November 1988. 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Clearing up a key and not at all pretty bit of US history. By Arthur MacEwan. Originally published at Triple Crisis The Issue Revisited Around the time that the United States invaded Iraq, 14 years ago, I was in an auditorium at the University of Massachusetts Boston to hear then-Senator John Kerry try to justify the action. As he got into his speech, a loud, slow, calm voice came from the back of the room: O I L. Kerry tried to ignore the comment. But, again and again, O I L. Kerry simply went on with his prepared speech. The speaker from the back of the room did not continue long, but he had succeeded in determining the tenor of the day. Looking back on U.S. involvement in the Iraq, it appears to have been largely a failure. Iraq, it turned out, had no weapons of mass destruction, but this original rationalization for invasion offered by the U.S. government was soon replaced by the goal of regime change and the creation of a democratic Iraq. The regime was changed, and Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussain was captured and executed. But it would be very had to claim that a democratic Iraq either exists or is in the makingto say nothing of the rise of the so-called Islamic State (ISIS) and the general destabilization in the Middle East, both of which the U.S. invasion of Iraq helped propel. Yet, perhaps on another scale, the invasion would register as at least a partial success. This is the scale of O I L The Profits from Oil At the time of the U.S. invasion, I wrote an article for Dollars & Sense titled Is It Oil? (available online here). I argued that, while the invasion may have had multiple motives, oilor more precisely, profit from oilwas an important factor. Iraq, then and now, has huge proven oil reserves, not in the same league as Saudi Arabia, but in group of oil producing countries just behind the Saudis. It might appear, then, that the United States wanted access to Iraqi oil in order to meet the needs of our highly oil-dependent lifestyles in this country. After all, the United States today, with just over 4% of the worlds population, accounts for 20% of the worlds annual oil use; China, with around 20% of the worlds population is a distant second in global oil use, at 13%. Even after opening new reserves in recent years, U.S. proven reserves amount to only 3% of the world total. Except in extreme circumstances, however, access to oil is not a major problem for this county. And it was not in 2003. As I pointed out back then, the United States bought 284 million barrels of oil from Iraq in 2001, about 7% of U.S. imports, even while the two countries were in a virtual state of war. In 2015, only 30% as much oil came to the United States from Iraq, amounting to just 2.4% of total U.S. oil imports. Further, in 2015, while the United States has had extremely hostile relations with Venezuela, 24% of U.S. oil imports came from that countrys nationalized oil industry. It would seem that, in the realm of commerce, bad political relations between buyers and sellers are not necessarily an obstacle. For the U.S. government, the Iraq oil problem was not so much access, in the sense of meeting U.S. oil needs, as the fact that U.S. firms had been frozen out of Iraq since the countrys oil industry was nationalized in 1972. They and the other oil majors based in U.S.-allied countries were not getting a share of the profits that were generated from the exploitation of Iraqi oil. Profits from oil exploitation come not only to the oil companiesExxonMobil, Shell, Chevron, British Petroleum, and the other industry majorsbut also to the companies that supply and operate equipment, drill wells, and provide other services that bring the oil out of the ground and to consumers around the worldfor example, the U.S. firms Halliburton, Emerson, Baker Hughes, and others. They were also not getting a share of the Iraqi oil action. (Actually, when vice president to be Dick Cheney was running Halliburton, in the period before the invasion, the company managed to undertake some operations in Iraq through a subsidiary, in spite of federal restrictions preventing U.S. firms from doing business in Iraq.) After the Troops In the aftermath of the invasion and since most U.S. troops have been withdrawn, things have changed. Prior to the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, U.S. and other western oil companies were all but completely shut out of Iraqs oil market, oil industry analyst Antonia Juhasz told Al Jazeera in 2012. But thanks to the invasion and occupation, the companies are now back inside Iraq and producing oil there for the first time since being forced out of the country in 1973. From the perspective of U.S. firms the picture is mixed. Firms based in Russia and China have developed operations in Iraq, and even an Indonesian-based firm is involved. Still, ExxonMobil (see box) has established a significant stake in Iraq, having obtained leases on approximately 900,000 onshore acres and by the end of 2013 had developed several wells in Iraqs West Qurna field. Exxon also has agreements with the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq to explore for oil. Chevron holds an 80% stake and is the operator of the Qara Dagh block in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, but as of mid-2014 the project was still in the exploratory phase and there was no production. No other U.S. oil companies have developed operations in Iraq. The UK-headquartered BP (formerly British Petroleum) and the Netherlands-headquartered Shell, however, are also significantly engaged in Iraq. While data are limited on the operations of U.S. and other oil service firms in Iraq, they seem to have done well. For example, according to a 2011 New York Times article: The oil services companies Halliburton, Baker Hughes, Weatherford International [founded in Texas, now incorporated in Switzerland] and Schlumberger [based in France] already won lucrative drilling subcontracts and are likely to bid on many more. Iraq is a huge opportunity for contractors, Alex Munton, a Middle East analyst for Wood Mackenzie, a research and consulting firm based in Edinburgh, said by telephone. There will be an enormous scale of investment. The Right to Access While U.S. oil companies and oil service firmsas well as firms from other countriesare engaged in Iraq, they and their U.S. government supporters have not gained the full legal rights they would desire. In 2007, the U.S. government pressed the Iraqi government to pass the Iraq Hydrocarbons Law. The law would, among other things, take the majority of Iraqi oil out of the hands of the Iraqi government and assure the right of foreign firms to control much of the oil for decades to come. The law, however, has never been enacted, first due to general opposition to a reversal the 1972 nationalization of the industry, and recently due to continuing disputes between the government in Baghdad and the government of the Kurdistan Region in northern Iraq. U.S. foreign policy, as I elaborated in the 2003 article, has long been designed not simply to protect U.S.-based firms in their international operations, but to establish the right of the firms to access and security wherever around the world. Oil firms have been especially important in promoting and gaining from this right, but firms from finance to pharmaceuticals and many others have been beneficiaries and promoters of the policy. Whatever else, as the Iraq and Middle East experience has demonstrated, this right comes at a high cost. The best estimate of the financial cost to the United States of the war in Iraq is $3 trillion. Between the 2003 invasion and early 2017, U.S. military forces suffered 4,505 fatalities in the war, and allied forces another 321. And, of course, most of all Iraqi deaths: estimates of the number of Iraqis killed range between 200,000 and 500,000. ____________ BP Statistical Review of World Energy, June 2016 (bp.com); Al Jazeera, Western oil firms remain as US exits Iraq, Jan. 7, 2012 (Aljazeera.com); Conor Friedersdorf, Remembering Why Americans Loathe Dick Cheney, The Atlantic, Aug. 30, 2011 (theatlantic.com); Paul Ausick, U.S. Oil Companies With the Most Exposure to Iraq, 24/7 Wall St., June 12, 2014 (247wallst.com); Andrew E. Kramer, U.S. Companies Get Slice of Iraqs Oil Pie, New York Times, June 14, 2011 (nytimes.com); Iraq Daily Journal, What is ExxonMobil Doing in Iraq? Jan. 31, 2017 (iraqdailyjournal.com). U.S. Energy Information, Administration (eia.gov); icasualties.org; Joseph Stiglitz and Linda Bimes, The Three Trillion Dollar War (Norton, 2008). But the past does not exist independently from the present. Indeed, the past is only past because there is a present, just as I can point to something over there only because I am here . But nothing is inherently over there or here. In that sense, the past has no content. The past -- or more accurately, pastness -- is a position. Thus, in no way can we identify the past as past Photo: Pollen-speckled honeybee considers the flower TreeHugger (resilc) Cat Cafe Mars Needs Lawyers FiveThirtyEight (J-LS) Hadas: Statistical tricks are easy and dangerous Reuters (resilc) When Climate Change Starts Wars nautil.us. Micael: The future looks so bright I need to wear an AK-47. Which Asian Country Will Replace China as the Worlds Factory? The Diplomat (resilc) Germanys top trade partners The Atlas. Resilc: Full steam ahead with silkroad2. Bye bye EU and NATO. Delusional lawyering wont save European bonds John Dizard, Financial Times. Important reading regarding a French or Italian Eurozone exit. Marine Le Pen refuses to be questioned by French police Financial Times Election presidentielle 2017 : dates, candidats, sondages, resultat linter@ute. Alison: Here is a website that has the latest polls on the French presidential race from the top of the page, scroll down a bit to see SOMMAIRE (toward right) and then click on the link sondages de lelection presidentielle under that heading. French prosecutors open official probe into Fillons fake jobs scandal France24 (Alison) Brexit Germany and Italy back European Commission on Brexit Financial Times. Im at a loss to see why this outcome was ever in doubt. Merkel has been very firm from the get-go. More evidence of UK wishful thinking amplified by the press. And the UK was always talking to itself about the parallel track idea. At most only a non-player or two mentioned it. May hails astounding by-election win BBC Labour wipeoutWhat would happen if there was a general election tomorrow: Jeremy Corbyn obliterated and a fat majority for the Tories Telegraph The Superficial, Arrogant Smugness Of BBC News Peter Oborne Delivers Some Home Truths On BBC Radio 4 Today Media Lens (Chuck L) New Cold War The Blaster: Sleepwalking Into a Nuclear Arms Race with Russia Chuck Spinney & Pierre Sprey (Chuck L) Syraqistan Big Brother is Watching You Watch Trump Transition Obamacare DNC Texas is the Future Andrew Cockburn, Harpers Magazine (resilc) Get out of my Country! White Terrorist Shoots Asian-American Engineers in Wake of Trump Visa Ban Juan Cole (resilc) Twin Cities Muslims place large ad to support Jews affected by bomb threats StarTribune (Chuck L) Arizona bill would bring stricter penalties for rioters azcentral (Reader: Headline should say public protesters instead of rioters. The Arizona legislature once again demonstrates their contemp for the 1st amendment, this time using the massive temper tantrum that followed the election as cover. The Republican Blowback Against Sam Brownback in Kansas Atlantic (UserFriendly) J.C. Penney Is Latest Retailer Forced to Downsize Wall Street Journal Hensarlings leverage ratio plan wont work without stress tests Bank Think Yes, Mr. President, Banks Are Lending Gretchen Morgenson, New York Times. Points out that not only are banks lending, they could lend even more if they werent shrinking their equity by buybacks, dividends, and super lavish executive pay. Trump May Have Just Ended His Rally Mike Norman (djr). One caveat re an otherwise good piece: Norman doesnt understand the dividend repatriation issue. The money is overseas only for tax accounting purposes. Apple has its dough sitting in banks in the US, managed as an internal hedge fund out of Nevada. All this issue affects is dividends and executive bonuses, which is why companies harangue about it so much. Class Warfare Big Pharma Quietly Enlists Leading Professors to Justify $1,000-Per-Day Drugs ProPublica (resilc) Poverty rising in affluent communities Boston Globe. Martha r: The servants cant afford to live in the same towns as their employers /s. in the banana republic of boston, ground zero of the 10 percent. Surgeons Should Not Look Like Surgeons Nassim Nicholas Taleb (Phil U) Antidote du jour. James sent these Galapagos tortoises: See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Fifteen creative outfits pieced together by innovative Tipperary students have made it to the Southern Regional Final of Junk Kouture. Students from St. Annes (Tipperary Town), Comeragh College (Carrick-on-Suir), Clonmels Loreto, Presentation and CBS High School, Patrician (Fethard), and the Ursuline Convent and Presentation in Thurles will represent their schools on the catwalk at the sold out University Concert Hall in Limerick on Friday 10th March. Now in its seventh year, Junk Kouture encourages second level students across the country to create eccentric outfits using only recycled material. The Tipperary designers will be looking to book their place in the Grand Final, which takes place at the 3Arena in Dublin on Thursday 27th April, where local singing sensation Una Foden and music mogul Louis Walsh are set to join the judging panel. Tipperary born Una Foden (nee Healy) is set to join the judging panel at the 3Arena. The Tipperary designs are live on the BOIstudents Facebook page RIGHT NOW and you can place your vote up until midnight on Friday 24th February. Votes count for 10% of their final grade, with the other 90% being awarded by a panel of judges at the Southern Regional Final. Approximately 20 designs will make it through to the Grand Final from each of the four regions as chosen by the judges. Grand Final guest judge Louis Walsh. Below are the Tipperary contenders who are set to dazzle at the fashion extravaganza. PATRICIAN PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL (FETHARD) Two designs by transition year students at Patrician Presentation Secondary School in Fethard will be showcased on the catwalk at the Southern Regional Final. Amours Reign was designed by Amy Byrne, Lucy Whyte and Noelle OMeara. The design, centred on love and romance, will be modelled by Amy. It consists of thousands of hearts cut from card, paper and tin that were made into flower shapes and placed on the dress. Using recycled plastic, the students worked on the headpiece, firstly by getting inspiration from admiring hats by Stephen Jones and Philip Treacy. A great deal of newspaper was used in the skirts before the final assemblage of the romantic red carpet evening gown. Amy Byrne modelling Amours Reign. 'The Lone Rhino was designed by Damien Cahill (model), Juan Ortega Otero and Dillon Costin. It brings the plight of the rhinoceros to societys attention. The outfit consists of suede factory waste, metals, old belts, film canisters, plastics, discarded knitted fabrics and old buttons. The single lone rhinoceros was a discarded childs toy, placed on an old cowboy hat. Damien Cahill modelling The Lone Rhino. LORETO SECONDARY SCHOOL (CLONMEL) Woven Warrior is the brainchild of transition year students Amy Lonergan and Eimear O Connor. The dress, made from building strapping and briquette ties, interlaces a network of strapping to create a weave. Afterwards the students spray-painted the outfit, allowing it to become a more wearable modern fashion piece. Amy will model the recycled outfit for 90 seconds on the catwalk at the University Concert Hall and the students are currently working on a dance routine for the catwalk intent on impressing the judging panel. Amy Lonergan modelling Woven Warrior. CBS HIGH SCHOOL (CLONMEL) CBS High School in Clonmels Eye see what you did there was the design of transition year students Andy Higgins, Ben Lonergan and Cathal McGuigan. They created the spectacular suit from old broken spectacles, contact lenses and contact lens containers. They are hoping to steal the show at the Southern Regional Final in Limerick. Ben Lonergan modelling Eye see what you did there'. URSULINE SECONDARY SCHOOL (THURLES) 'Kamuro' was put together by Ursuline Secondary School students Winona Ryan, Sarah Ryan and Roisin Heffernan (model). They have been working on the kouture outfit since the beginning of the school year, piecing together broken hoola hoops, burnt matches, coloured wrapping and discarded vinyl records. Roisin Heffernan modelling 'Kamuro'. PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL (THURLES) Presentation Secondary School in Thurles design Get a Grip! was masterminded by transition year students Aoife Max, Ciara Trainor, Aoife Butler (model), Niamh Harrington, Shannon O'Halloran and Rebeca Marco. They used old hurley grips, recycled program booklets, an old sliothar and old boots in putting it together. Aoife Butler modelling 'Get a Grip!' PRESENTATION SECONDARY SCHOOL (CLONMEL) Presentation Secondary School, Clonmel, have six entries in the Southern Regional Final. Designed by Sine Landers, Ana Paula Cusnaider and Jade Ryan (model), Floribus Mori (Flowers Dying) consists of donated fabrics, forgotten fashion, wool and sticks. It was inspired by the students passion for the environment and global warming. The back of the costume reflects decay, gloom, dark and lacks hope, while the front shows colour, growth and optimism. Jade Ryan modelling Floribus Mori. Barista was designed by Louise Bourke. The schools love of coffee proved a winner for this enterprising transition year student who gathered over 2,000 used coffee pods and assembled, shaped and transformed each pod into an elegant full length gown fit for any red carpet event. Louise Bourke modelling Barista. Inspired by their favourite childhood movie Tarzan, Taylor Hassett, Ava Kearney (model) and Lisa Walsh designed Jungle Jane. Tree bark sticks, twigs, wool and fabric were all used in creating this show-stopping design. Ava Kearney modelling 'Jungle Jane'. Artemis is the brainchild of Keyara Connolly, Michelle Coyle and Rebecca Maunsell. They were inspired by Artemis, the goddess of the hunt and one of the most respected ancient Greek goddesses. The costume reflects animal prints with fur embellishing a dress made entirely from tree bark and twigs. The jewellery centres on the Iron Age, made from conkers, broken jewellery and chains. Leah Hickey modelling Artemis. Natasha Holmes, Roisin Nolan and Emer Ryan (model) created Rise like a Phoenix. The bright dress represents hope in a globalising world where mass production jeopardises the future of smaller producers. The costume was entirely made from orange and lemon nets, orange rope and a Halloween costume. Emer Ryan modelling Rise like a Phoenix. Amarillo Starlight was designed by Aoife Walsh, Lorna Fennessy (model) and Hayley Kennedy using hundreds of old Christmas tree lights, milk cartons, decorations and electrical wires. The costume was inspired by the beauty and detail found in exotic flowers enhanced by lights and shapes to illuminate its natural beauty. It was also influenced by current fashion trends and strong female leaders, highlighting their strength, courage and exposing their fragility and natural beauty. Lorna Fennessy modelling Amarillo Starlight. COMERAGH COLLEGE (CARRICK-ON-SUIR) Comeragh College's The Angel of Darkness was designed by transition year students Halannah White, Eve Torpey and Eoin Power. The outfit comprises of black ribbon from old video tapes, rubber tubing, wire and old clothing. Halannah White modelling 'The Angel of Darkness. ST. ANNE'S SECONDARY SCHOOL (TIPPERARY TOWN) St. Anne's Secondary School in Tipperary Town has two designs in the Southern Regional Final of Junk Kouture. Floral Fantasy, designed and modelled by second year student Emma Hogan, was made from recycled nappy bags and floral string. Emma Hogan modelling Floral Fantasy. Blaze Away, designed by second year students Hannah Quinn (model) and Leah Mulally, consists of reused coal, kindling bags and matches. Hannah Quinn modelling Blaze Away'. PRIZES UP FOR GRABS! The record breaking near 1,300 Junk Kouture entries this year has made the judging process the toughest yet. Students will be competing for a chance to win a top prize of 2,500 for their school, iPad Minis and 500 cash for their team. This years contestants could be in with a chance of winning a trip to the Royal Film Premiere in London or a trip to Cannes Film Festival. Two scholarships have also been added to this years prize pool for Limerick School of Art and Design and Griffith College in Dublin. (Natural News) Soaring college costs may not be the only reason to think twice about sending your kids to college. Recent out-of-control Social Justice movements are turning college campuses into nothing more than politically correct indoctrination camps. The students are being trained to live in a world where there is only one acceptable way to think, and if you dont fall in line, then you are racist. The most recent case comes out of Penn State University as they roll out their Strategies for Inclusive Classrooms Workshop. Professors are being asked to use inclusive teaching and are provided a checklist to use in class to ensure they do not display any microaggressions. It is a result of alleged concerns over implicit bias and stereotype threats some students have claimed to experience. According to The College Fix, this comes at the behest of President Eric Barron, who heard similar concerns consistently from multiple student groups. He urged the Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity to generate the strategies as part of a broad response to those concerns so all students and faculty can feel respected in Penn State classrooms. (RELATED: Get all the news Google doesnt want you to read at Censored.news) The checklist, which Professors can download from Penn States Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence website has 53 points including: Avoid assuming the gender of any student Avoid religious holidays when scheduling tests. Avoid expressing racially charged political opinions. Do not assume all students speak English fluently. Do not ask or expect students to represent an entire group, either by look or by request. Allow students to accumulate grade points in a variety of ways. Assign group membership randomly. Do not allow students to choose their own groups. Use a variety of teaching methods; do not rely solely on lectures and didactic questions. Allow students to work on projects that explore their own social identities. Professors are also advised to use visuals that do not reinforce stereotypes, but do include diverse participants and to analyze the content of your examples, analogies, and humor to ensure they dont ostracize students. Spencer Brown, a spokesman for Young Americas Foundation, sees the list as akin to speech codes. He told The College Fix, implicit bias includes microaggressions, according to the Penn State report, but these microaggressions are simply made-up words used by the Left to silence and intimidate conservatives. Its ironic that leftists are so concerned with promoting tolerance and preventing bias when the biggest purveyor of bias and intolerance is the Left. Brown also stated it is clear to me that this standard would be used almost exclusively against conservative students. Conservatives are falsely dubbed racist by leftists for supporting school choice, the right to life, or even just observing the anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. This is not the first time Penn State has made headlines for nanny state, politically correct actions. A little over a year ago the faculty asked students to report microaggressions to administrators, no matter how small or inconsequential the perceived act may be. Lisa Powers, director of Penn States strategic communications office, said in an email to The College Fix that the school, stands firmly behind free speech and free expression, even in those instances when the views being expressed are disturbing or insulting, or the actions hurtful. The First Amendment doesnt just apply to those who express ideas with which we agree. It also applies to those whose ideas we may find challenging, repugnant or even appalling. By providing an outlet for individuals to report bias they have seen or experienced, we are giving them an equal right to express their thoughts and feelings on the matter. Colleges continue to do a disservice to their students with initiatives like this. If whining about micro-aggressions continues to be drilled into the brains of newer generations, it will be the undoing of society. Parents and taxpayers need to take a stand to ensure that public, state-funded colleges like Penn State do not get away with this by demanding that Social Justice Warriors be stopped, or the money will stop. Everyone knows liberals dont stand a chance if they have to rely on their own money. Sources TheCollegeFix.com Deadspin.com Schreyerinstitute.edu TheCollegeFix.com Friday, February 24, 2017 by: JD Heyes Tags: Google censorship , Natural.news , Whitehouse.gov petition This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) Within a few hours of filing a petition at Whitehouse.gov demanding that Google ends its censorship of NaturalNews.com search results, signatures blasted past 16,000 as Americans fed up with corporate suppression of the truth make their voices heard. The petition which is here states: Google, which controls 67.5% of internet searches in the United States is attempting to silence any voice that doesnt coincide with their political views. This incidentally targets some of the biggest voices in alternative media, such as NaturalNews.com and Infowars.com. This week Google wiped 140,000 Naturalnews.com articles from its database, prohibiting individuals from viewing the sites webpages if searched. Google sent no prior warning. Natural News has stated that they follow all Google terms of service rules and that they do not condone or endorse any techniques that may manipulate Natural News in the search engines. This censorship of the Independent Media is a blatant attack on the first amendment rights of users. Whitehouse.gov petitions need 100,000 verified signatures before they are eligible for a response from the Trump administration. So, in just over 24 hours, were nearly 20 percent of the way there. (RELATED: GOOGLE CENSORSHIP BOMBSHELL: Supposed Natural News violation of Google webmaster rules also found running on Googles own Blogspot network!) Natural News founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, noted that the petition became necessary after his site was arbitrarily singled out for censorship based on an arcane advertising rule that a) does not appear to apply to other websites; and b) was based on a single post at Blogs.NaturalNews.com from three years ago. Adams says the reason he was given for Googles actions is questionable, at best: This morning, I was contacted by a Google technical person who directly emailed Natural News. According to the email, a Google techie found an obscure third party advertising script running on a tiny number of articles published 3+ years ago under the blogs.naturalnews.com subdomain, where content is posted by outside bloggers. (Many websites host similar blogs, including the NY Times.) Google has so far provided us with ONE URL that they claim is a violation. (Yet they banned 140,000+.) Just to be clear, this script was NOT running on the www.NaturalNews.com primary domain, it was not part of any in-house NaturalNews articles, and it was not even recent. It was from years ago. This third party script, identified as invoking cpxcenter.com, has been so far identified [in] a grand total of 13 blog posts that were posted from 2013 2014 under the subdomain blogs.naturalnews.com. Using this as their excuse, Google blacklisted the entire NaturalNews.com domain, including all 140,000+ pages of content that contained no such third party scripts, thereby silencing Natural News content by invoking an obscure, dated, barely-visible technical issue. Interestingly, as Adams reported, the very same code that was used to punish Natural News is also running on Googles own BlogSpot network, which is incredible hypocrisy but also which appears to validate our belief that our site was delisted in Googles search results as punishment for being a reliable reporter of the truth. Now, its not clear how quickly this will be resolved, or even if it will resolve itself without massive outside pressure put on Google and its parent company, Alphabet. But one things for sure: Readers are outraged over the search giants treatment of the Webs premier site for news and information about alternative health, real science and the truth about many of mainstream medicines deepest, darkest secrets. (RELATED: GOOGLE Blacklists Natural News Removes 140,000 Pages From Its Index Memory Holes Natural News Investigative Articles On Vaccines, Pharma Corruption, Fraudulent Science And More) While we are humbled by the overwhelming support we have received and are quick to offer readers our thanks, we ask that you continue to help us keep the pressure on Google and sign the petition demanding a response from the Trump administration over this blatant violation of our rights to free speech and potential violations of various commerce and trade regulations. One other thing that Google, which also claims to be a media company, might want to consider: The Trump White House has not treated anyone well who has attempted to push fake news while burying truthful, honest reporting no matter where it comes from. Google execs should ask the crybabies at The New York Times, CNN, Buzzfeed, and Politico how they feel about being shut out of press gaggles at the White House. The current administration, for once, has made it clear it has no use for fake news and censorship of honest reporting and considers the Trump-hating establishment media to be the true opposition party to the administration. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: DailyCaller.com TheNationalSentinel.com NaturalNews.com Saturday, February 25, 2017 by: JD Heyes Tags: Censorship , delisting , Google , Natural.news This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) As readers of Natural News are aware, search giant Google, which delivers about 67.5 percent of all search results in the United States, is attempting to put our site down the memory hole after de-indexing all NaturalNews.com pages some 140,000 earlier this week. This de-listing came without provocation. It came without warning. It came without cause or, at least, a cause founder/editor Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and our editorial staff were aware of. After some delay, we were finally informed that someone, somewhere within the Google organization, had decided that outbound links in scores of articles posted by our bloggers on Blogs.NaturalNews.com, in violation of our rules, had been selling links to third-party websites, as a way of earning revenue and boosting the sponsored sites presence on the Web. The first to notice that wed been penalized, actually, was Telapost, which wrote that a reader had contacted them to find out why, when they searched for NaturalNews.com in Google, no results came up. Indeed, the site has been penalized by Google. This means, for whatever reason, the site does not show up in Google organic search. I tested the subdomain blogs.naturalnews.com as well, and it too is penalized, Telapost reported Feb. 21. After further review, both Telapost and managing editorial staff at Natural News have concluded that, based on Googles actions, it was likely due to the presence of outbound links. In reality, that was not Googles justification for blacklisting the Natural News root domain. Google has cited a third party ad script added by a blogger to 13 blog pages located under the blogs subdomain of naturalnews.com. See this story for a detailed technical analysis. But what gives? And why is this suddenly a problem for Natural News but not Buzzfeed, Daily Kos, Gizmodo and other Left-wing blogs and news outlets? They have been part of outbound links payola schemes for years, and in fact, as Telapost reported, its no secret that companies or websites can buy outbound links at these and other websites. For some, selling them is quite a good source of revenue. Mind you, the act of de-indexing Natural News came after a series of incidents which can hardly be considered coincidental, even those who are most averse to conspiracy theories. As Adams noted: SEVEN days ago, I went public with the fact that I had been threatened and ordered to destroy Alex Jones or I would be destroyed. I refused to take part in betraying InfoWars and Alex Jones, knowing full well that I would pay a huge price for taking that position. FOUR days ago, InfoWars was subjected to intense economic sabotage by AdRoll cutting off $3 million in InfoWars store revenue. THREE days ago, Google censored the entire NaturalNews.com website, delisting 140,000+ pages from its search results. TWO days ago, I am personally subjected to a massive barrage of malicious hit pieces from the media, decrying me as anti-science because I have the real science that says we should not inject mercury into children (and that vaccines given to children in America still contain mercury). TODAY, the hit pieces are all ranked at the top on Google when anyone searches for Natural News, making sure that the smears and defamation achieve top billing in Google. This has all happened far too close together to have been coincidental. In fact, everything looks like it has been well-coordinated. And it demonstrates plainly that Google is every bit a part of the deep state that has been harassing, haranguing and attempting to de-legitimize the Trump administration at every turn. (RELATED: GOOGLE Blacklists Natural News Removes 140,000 Pages From Its Index Memory Holes Natural News Investigative Articles On Vaccines, Pharma Corruption, Fraudulent Science And More) None of this will likely be resolved anytime soon, if at all. But the word is getting out among others in the independent media that the attack on our sites is only the beginning. Other indy publishers are going to be next, starting with the largest, most trafficked among them. What we need our readers and others to do is to send a message to the authoritarians at Google and elsewhere that Americans are not about to sit idly by while the electronic equivalent of fascist, Nazi book-burning takes place in the 21st century. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION NOW. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: Telapost.com NaturalNews.com (Natural News) Consumers are increasingly realizing the benefits of natural foods, and it appears their voices are finally being heard as new legislation has been proposed in California and Montana that will make it easier for local small food entrepreneurs. A new law in Montana would allow homemade food to be sold and consumed and encourage the expansion of agricultural sales by the states farms and ranches. The bill, which is known as the Local Food Choice Act, would give people who make and sell these foods directly to the public an exemption from getting the mandatory permits, licensing labels, and inspections. Those who sell directly to grocers and restaurants, however, would not be exempt, nor would those selling food across state lines. Incredibly, it has been illegal until now for people to sell homemade food to their neighbors. The bill, which was introduced by Republican State Rep. Greg Hertz, was inspired by a similar one in Wyoming known as the Food Freedom Act. This groundbreaking law was passed two years ago, loosening restrictions on direct-to-consumer sales of food in the state in legislation that was the first of its kind in the country. Colorado soon followed suit, and now it appears that Montana is getting on board. Rep. Hertz said that eating what people choose should never be a crime. Meanwhile, a separate bill in California was introduced this week that would allow home cooks to sell their prepared foods directly to consumers. Sanitation, permitting and training requirements would still apply under the bill, which is known as the Homemade Food Operations Act, but it would make the process of selling food to others much easier. California is known for having very stringent cottage food laws. In fact, a Stockton woman is now facing a year in jail after selling a homemade meal to an undercover investigator. The single mother of six was part of a Facebook group where Stockton residents exchanged recipes and traded homemade goods. After agreeing to sell some homemade ceviche to an undercover investigator from San Joaquin County, she found herself charged with a pair of misdemeanors. After refusing a plea bargain that would give her 80 hours of community service, three years of probation and a fine of $235, she is now facing a trial. If she is convicted, she could get a year in jail. Its hard to believe that law enforcement would spend its time trapping home cooks when there are rapists and murderers wandering free, but apparently taking business away from the Big Food manufacturers is quite a threat. Consumers win The new laws represent a huge win for consumers as more and more people eschew the chemical-laden junk offered by the major food manufacturers. Home cooks generally dont have the budget that big corporations have and are therefore often deterred by complicated licensing laws and sanitary regulations, leaving consumers who dont have the time or inclination to cook for themselves or grow their own food little choice but to settle for the mass-produced food on their grocery store shelves. However, not everyone is thrilled by the legislation. Health officials in the state of Montana have expressed concern that the new bill could spur a rise in foodborne illnesses. The state representative who sponsored the Wyoming Food Freedom Act, Tyler Lindholm, said: Every state that looks at setting their local food economy free inevitably finds food police lining up with statistics on how freedom of choice is a danger. He lamented the fact that such bureaucrats and food industry associations see the public as too ignorant to be trusted to make decisions about how to feed their families. Moreover, he pointed out that Wyoming has not seen an increase in foodborne illness since the law was passed. It may be a small victory for food freedom, but it could well set a precedent that inspires other states to let consumers decide for themselves what they want to eat. Sources: Reason.com NaturalNews.com Leg.MT.gov [pdf] President-elect Donald Trump is known for his skepticism in regards to man-made climate change, This might be the reason why many scientists and climate change deniers have become more active and expressive now that Trump holds the oval office. According to the report from Washington Times, a group of over 300 scientists and climate change skeptics has recently wrote a letter to President Trump and Vice-President Biden. In the letter, the scientists urged trump to completely withdraw from the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC). The group claims that the policies under this treaty can "cause serious social and economic harm, with no environmental benefits." The UNFCC is an international treaty established in 1992 to mitigate climate change. Among its requirements, a signatory is required to disclose its greenhouse gas emissions annually. The treaty was signed by more than 150 countries, including United States. Led by MIT professor emeritus and prominent climate change skeptic Richard Lindzen, the groups also wrote that carbon dioxide is not a pollutant. They pointed out that the increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere are environmentally helpful to crops and other plants, making carbon dioxide a plant food and not poison. The group, which mostly consists of local and international meteorologists, physicists, atmospheric scientists and professors, also noted that "climate discussions have long been political debates, not scientific discussions, over whether citizens or bureaucrats should control energy, natural resources and other assets." During the presidential election, Trump voiced out his plans to renegotiate the America's role in the recently form Paris Agreement on Climate Change. He claimed that the agreements are all one-sided and bad for the U.S. In the final stretch of his campaign, Trump also promised to cancel America's pledge to give a couple of billion dollars as global warming payments to UN's Green Climate Fund. Trump proposed that the billions of dollars in payment to UN would be better if used in US alone. Treatment for the last surviving animals of the Mosul zoo has finally arrived after a few weeks of being rescued from ISIS fighters. According to The Telegraph, Dr. Amir Khalil, a veterinary from Vienna, flew to Iraq to treat the young lion named Simba and a female bear named Lula. The two animals are the only ones that survived after the ISIS turned the zoo into a base for two years. "The conditions were very bad. It was nearly two months since anyone had entered their cage," shared Dr. Khalil in a report from The Mirror. "More than 40 animals had passed away." Simba and Lula was found in Mosul zoo earlier this month when the Iraqi troops finally reached the area. Both the animals were filthy and emaciated, making them in dire need of immediate care. Other animals at Mosul zoo either got sick, died or ate each other due to starvation. Some of the animals have escaped and found refuge in neighboring residents. Read Also: Cats Locked Inside a House Forced to Eat Each Other to Survive The young lion Simba suffer from skin lesions and weak joints due to being underfed. Dr. Khalil noted that it was nearly two months since anyone entered its cage. On the other hand, Lula the bear suffered from diarrhea due to nutritional problems, nose excretions and rotting teeth. This is not the first time Dr. Khalil traveled to war-torn areas to treat and save animals. In 2003, the 52-year-old Egyptian-Austrian vet visited Iraq after the U.S. troops rescued nine lion from one of the palaces of former president Saddam Hussein. Dr. Khalil also traveled to Egypt, Libya and the Gaza Strip to treat animals, despite the huge threat of bombs and ammunitions. Dr. Khalil's recent trip to Iraq was made possible by the global animal charity Four Paws. Volunteers from Four Paws plan to give the zoo owner enough food and medicine for Simba and Lula that will last for about a month, giving the zoo owner time to find appropriate funding to continue the care for the two animals. Read Also: Heartbreaking Footage Shows Syrian Heritage Destroyed by ISIS Behind every powerful ruler is a woman, and in prehistoric Pueblo Bonito in the Chaco Canyon, New Mexico, the community looked to the blood line of women to determine their rulers. A new paper in Nature Communications revealed the existence of a maternal or matrilineal dynasty in the settlement that ruled for over 300 years using a powerful combination of radiocarbon dating and DNA analysis. A matrilineal dynasty is a succession of power or leadership that's inherited thorugh the maternal line. According to an official release from Penn State, excavations conducted in the Chaco Canyon in the 1980s led to the discovery of Room 33 in Pueblo Bonito. The 650-room pueblo created between 800 A.D. and 1130 A.D. turned out to contain this hidden burial crypt where 14 individual burials were unearthed. To researchers, it was apparent that the humans buried here occupied a special place in their settlement. "It has been clear for some time that these were venerated individuals, based on the exceptional treatment they received in the afterlife - most Chacoans were buried outside of the settlement and never with such high quantities of exotic goods," Adam Watson, postdoctoral fellow in the American Museum of Natural History Division of Anthropology, said. Read Also: Zealandia or Atlantis: Earth's Lost Continent Has Been Found! The initial burial was of a male, who was surrounded with an opulent collection of treasures: over 11,000 turquoise beads, 3,300 shell beads and other rare artifacts. It's considered the richest burial ever discovered in the American Southwest. Douglas J. Kennett, head and professor of anthropology in Penn State, worked with his team to radiocarbon date the burials, finding out that the individuals were from a 300-year period. By examining the DNA, they also realized that all 14 individuals shared the same mitochondrial genome sequence, which is inherited only from one's mother. Thus, all of the people buried in this special crypt come from the same maternal bloodline. "This is not a matriarchy, where women controlled society," Kennett clarified in a report from Quartz. "Both men and women were influential, and were leaders in the Chaco society, but basically that influence was passed along the maternal line." Not only does these recent findings does the recent study prove the existence of a matrilineal dynasty, but it also puts to rest the debate over what kind of society the Chaco Canyon settlements were. Some believed it to be an egalitarian society without rulers, while others called it a state-level society or kingdom. Now, it's clear there is some type of leadership in an organized society. "For the first time, we're saying that one kinship group controlled Pueblo Bonito for more than 300 years," Stephen Plog, one of the authors and David A. Harrison professor in the University of Virginia Department of Archaeology, said . "This is the best evidence of a social hierarchy in the ancient Southwest." Read Also: Did Salmonella Outbreak Kill the Aztec Community? There's a glimmer of hope in the search for a cure for AIDS. In the recent Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), researchers presented the findings of a small clinical study that showed some promise in using the vaccine as a "functional cure" in people already infected with the HIV virus. According to a report from New Scientist, Beatriz Mothe of the IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute in Barcelona, Spain began the trial three years ago with her team. The 25 participants, who were all recently diagnosed with HIV, were given two vaccines created by Tomas Hanke and his team from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. They also took antiretroviral drugs (ART) and regularly monitored. People diagnosed with HIV often take ART every day to stave off virus reproduction and damage to their immune system. These drugs are expensive with multiple side effects, but are necessary for the rest of the patient's life because of the virus's tendency to "hide" in tissues and emerge once the drugs are stopped. Last year, 15 of the original patients each received one booster dose of the vaccine and three doses of a cancer drug called romidepsin that could flush remaining virus cells in hiding. After a last vaccine booster, they stopped their daily dosage of ARTs. The virus quickly re-emerged in 10 of them, but five patients were able to remain off the drugs with their virus suppressed for as long as six weeks to seven months. "It's the proof of concept that through therapeutic vaccination we can really re-educate our T cells to control the virus," Mothe explained in Science Mag. "This is the first time that we see this is possible in humans." Scientists are cautious as there have been many instances of early success only for the virus to eventually prevail. However, Mothe is optimistic of their results. She pointed out that unlike previous treatments, the new trials are two-pronged with the vaccines first priming the immune system to remove the active virus out of the body soon after infection, then the cancer drug flushing out the remaining HIV hiding in tissues. "There's a long way to go," Mothe said. "But we're on the right path." Two different but equally strange sea creatures washed up dead on the shores of the Philippines in the last week or two. Locals found the tattered remains of what is believed to be a sea cow on a beach in the Dinagat Islands on Wednesday morning, a report from ABS-CBN News said. The carcass, 15 feet in length, baffled locals, but aquaculture technologist Sufenia Chua of the Cagdianao Municipal Agriculture Office explained that skin found nearby suggested that it's most likely a sea cow. Live Science revealed that similar carcasses have been sighted a handful of times over the past few centuries. Dubbed as "globsters," the most famous was called Trunko and was found in South Africa back in 1924. Meanwhile, a report from National Geographic revealed that two deceased oarfish were also found dead in Carmen, Agusan del Norte in the Philippines. The rare deep-sea creatures were found just a few days apart in the same coast. Oarfish is the world's longest bony fish with a potential to grow as long as 30 feet. Little is known about the species, but there are myths that surround the eerie creature. There are some who believe oarfish are harbinger of earthquakes -- the one from Agusan del Norte preceded a 6.7 magnitude earthquake in a nearby province -- although scientists maintain that the theory of fishes fleeing the water during seismic activity have little basis. Instead, scientists suggested that their sudden presence could be due to strong currents pushing them from their home 200 to 1,000 meters below the surface of the ocean. "Whatever the oceanographic phenomena are that push these animals on shore, they're probably on a large enough scale to affect more than one oarfish," Mark Benfield, oceanographer and ecologist at Louisiana State University, pointed out. The sea cow and oarfish were found in the same region in the Philippine archipelago. The oarfish is perhaps one of the most elusive and mysterious species in the world. Last Wednesday, a giant oarfish washed up in Carmen, Agusan Del Norte, Philippines. This is the second sighting of the deep-sea species in the area, which leads us to the question: is this a sign of an impending megaquake? In Japan, oarfish (local name ryugu no tsukai) is historically referred as the "Messenger form the Sea God's Palace." This moniker means that the appearance of beached oarfish could foretell an earth-trembling, seismic event, according to Japan Times. Back in 2010, more than a dozen oarfish washed up in shallow waters before the 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile and the 6.4-magnitude quake in Taiwan. Deep-sea fish living near the sea bottom are more sensitive to the movements of active faults than those near the surface of the sea," Kiyoshi Wadatsumi, a specialist in ecological seismology and director of the nonprofit organization e-PISCO, told the outlet. Early this month on Feb. 8, six oarfish appeared in Surigao City, Philippines. The incident happened two days before a 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit the area, which injured around 200 residents. However, can the giant oarfish really predict earth-shattering natural disasters? According to a report from National Geographic, giant oarfish (Regalecus glesne) is a deep-sea animal that thrives in the mesopelagic zone. Growing up to 30 feet long, it's the world longest bony fish and was first discovered in 1772. Very little is known about the species because of its inaccessibility and the rarity of specimen available for scientific research. Because this creature lives 200 to 1,000 feet below the surface, its appearance in shallow waters means that it could have been pushed by strong currents from a large oceanographic phenomenon. It's hard to imagine what sort of phenomenon would occur before an earthquake that would cause these oarfish to leave the [mesopelagic zone] to move towards shore and strand," said Mark Benfield, an oceanographer and ecologist at Louisiana State University. However, Benfield also notes that if there's an impending earthquake, other marine creatures that live near the ocean floor should surface too. IFL Science theorizes that the recent oarfish sightings could not be an omen of a big earthquake; the animals could possibly be fleeing from small tremors. The Philippine archipelago is located in the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area in the Pacific Ocean where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions are mostly active. Mindanao, the Philippine island where the oarfish sightings occured, has four major fault lines: the Tagoloan River Fault, the Cabanglasan Fault in Balingasag town, another fault in Alubijid town and the Central Mindanao Fault, Marcial Labininay, Regional Director for Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology-Mindanao, told Sun Star. The Santa Clara County Child Abuse Council has launched a probe into the Department of Family and Children Services following a series of reports by NBC Bay Areas Investigative Unit. The advisory committee wants to find out whats causing high turnover rates and complaints among social workers that they are not able to provide vital services to vulnerable children. Last August, a group of six social workers spoke to NBC Bay Area, alleging a toxic work environment at the agency was driving out social workers, leading to dozens of unfilled vacancies and unmanageable caseloads. According to a spokesperson for the Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, the department has lost 110 social workers over the past two years. The agency says its actively working to replace those workers, but progress has been slow. In fact, the agency currently has 42 unfilled vacancies, 50 percent more than last June when there were only 28 vacancies. That just leads to bad outcomes for the children and parents that are getting services from DFCS, said Andrew Cain, Chairperson of the Santa Clara County Child Abuse Council. Hes also the Supervising Attorney with Legal Advocates for Children and Youth. We really wanted to see what are some of the issues that are contributing to that. NBC Bay Area first revealed concerns about decision making at DFCS in October 2015, when a young girl was nearly killed after reports and signs of her abuse were missed by multiple social workers. Last March, foster parent Shellie Nichol spoke out after social workers removed 2-year-old Kelly Nguyen from her care, placing the girl with her father in a mens halfway house. The medically fragile toddler died there two months later on February 28th. Nearly a year after her death, the coroners office says the results of the autopsy are still pending. Nichol told NBC Bay Area she repeatedly questioned the decision to move Nguyen, and warned social workers it wasnt in the best interest of the special needs child. We were gravely concerned, Nichol said. Hiring and retaining social workers is a constant struggle for many California counties, but Cain said the issues hes witnessed in Santa Clara firsthand and in NBC Bay Areas reporting warranted further investigation. Cain said the working group created by the Child Abuse Council has just started gathering information, and the investigation will result in a list of recommendations to the Board of Supervisors about how to address the key problems at DFCS. When social workers are spread so thin, foster parents are often among the first to see how vulnerable children can slip through the cracks. [Social workers] are too overworked, too overwhelmed and dont have enough education or training, Jane Ramirez said. The veteran foster parent has cared for more than 50 children and teens in Santa Clara County over the past 30 years. These are childrens lives in the balance. Those are my kids lives. Those were kids I invested myself in that I loved, that I considered my kids. And for things to happen to them is just so sad. Ramirez is licensed in Santa Clara County but shes currently fostering 4-year-old Damien, a medically fragile toddler from Monterrey County. She said shes thankful the Child Abuse Council is taking on the investigation, and hopes the staffing challenges plaguing the agency can be addressed. One of the things the Child Abuse Council is doing right now is trying to gather more information through looking at very concrete things like exit surveys, staff complaints that were filed with management, and trying to parse through that information, Cain said. The Department of Family and Childrens Services conducted an internal investigation last year when a group of frustrated social workers brought their grievances to management, but the report was never made public. Those social workers told NBC Bay Area they had hoped to keep their complaints in-house, and only decided to go public when they felt ignored. NBC Bay Area requested an interview with Francesca LeRue, the new director for the Santa Clara County Department of Family and Childrens Services, to discuss her vision for the agency and how she plans to address staffing issues there, but the request was declined. In a written statement, LeRue said: Our goal for 2017-2018 will be to align all existing efforts and resources to build a strong infrastructure to meet federal and state performance outcome measures, focusing on doing what is required and doing it well. In this way, we will hold ourselves accountable, while we also respect and support one another, and celebrate our successes. While hiring and turnover continue to be an issue, the agency has managed to dramatically improve the rate of calls answered at at the Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Center, which manages the countys 24 hour child abuse hotline. A 2013 audit found the CAN Center failed to answer about 40 percent of calls on the hotline. This month, a county spokesperson said 99 percent of those calls are now being answered. The department acknowledged some of those calls go to voicemail or are answered by clerical staff, rather than a licensed social worker trained to assess the safety of a child. Cain says he hopes the Child Abuse Council will wrap up its investigation within the next three months. He said theyll take their findings to the Board of Supervisors and present possible solutions to any issues they uncover. For now, Cain said his priorities are to shrink caseloads for social workers and make sure they feel supported. Social work is arguably the toughest job that we have out there, Cain said. In order for them to do their job in the way to best serve these children, they need to feel supported. Ramirez says shes glad the agency has a new leader at the helm, and hopes that will translate to improvements for children in the foster system and the resource families that take care of them. Despite the challenges and frustrations shes experienced at times over the last three decades, Ramirez said she would happily do it all over again. I would not give up children or fosters for anything in the world, Ramirez said. It has enriched our lives so much. Thats why you do it for the kids. If the system wasnt so crazy there would be so many more people out there doing what Im doing and love it. You can see the rest of our reporting on the Department of Family and Children's Services here: Click here to watch Part I Click here to watch Part II Click here to watch Part III Click here to watch Part IV If you have a tip for the Investigative Unit email Vicky Nguyenvicky@nbcbayarea.com or you can email theunit@nbcbayarea.com or call 888-996-TIPS. Follow Vicky Nguyen on Twitter www.twitter.com/VickyNguyenTV and Facebookwww.facebook.com/VickyNguyenTV If you have a tip for Investigative Producer Michael Bott, email him at michael.bott@nbcuni.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @TweetBottNBC A co-owner of a Sunnyvale pizzeria has been sentenced to probation for embezzling about $350,000 from the business, the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office announced Friday. Mario Landino, 74, of San Jose, funneled money directly from Giovanni's New York Pizzeria into his own bank accounts and into casinos in California and Las Vegas, prosecutors said. He also was accused of using the money for his personal expenses. He worked as the bookkeeper for the business. Landino was convicted after a jury trial on felony embezzlement, forgery and tax evasion, prosecutors said. The embezzlement was discovered in 2011 when the other co-owner of the business became suspicious and began looking closely at bank records of the business, and an audit and the ensuing investigation showed the embezzlement went on from at least 2006 to 2012, prosecutors said. Investigators determined Landino spent more than $1 million gambling at casinos during that time period. Landino conceded his 50 percent stake in the business as restitution, prosecutors said. California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom threw down the gauntlet in a letter to President Donald Trump Friday, telling him to leave his hands off of the state's marijuana laws. The letter comes after the White House hinted it may target recreational marijuana use, even in states that legalized it. "I do believe that you'll see greater enforcement of it," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said of recreational marijuana at a Friday press conference. Newsom did not wait to respond and sent the letter to Trump. "The government must not stip the legal and publicly-supported industry of its business, and hand it back to drug cartels and criminals," Newsom said in the letter. "Dealers don't card kids." "I urge you and your administration to work in partnership with California and the other eight states that have legalized recreational marijuana," Newsom added in his letter. In the Bay Area, Oaksterdam University professor Jeff Jones said it has recognition from the White House that marijuana has medical benefits. "Hope there is more Congressional review around the issue of medical marijuana that could lead to rescheduling or de-scheduling medical cannabis," Jones said. Steve DeAngelo, co-founder of Oakland medical marijuana company Harborside Health Center, sees a glimmer of hope. "So hopefully, as the administration takes a closer look at this issue, they'll keep in mind that north of 60 percent of Americans support the legalization of cannabis," DeAngelo said. But industry leaders said they are still waiting for an official statement from the Department of Justice about its plans for both medical and recreational consumption. In his letter, Newsom also questioned Spicer's comments linking marijuana to opioid use. He said there is no scientific evidence supporting that claim, sentiments echoed at Harborside and Oaksterdam University. What to Know Millions of people have been watching the stream in anticipation of the birth of "April" the giraffe's fourth calf Her story was vaulted into global headlines after activists complaining of "nudity" got the livestream yanked from YouTube The livestream was back online about an hour and a half after the brouhaha started STATUS CHECK: You Can See the Kicks in April's Belly! The 15-year-old giraffe named "April," who has captivated millions of people across the world as they watch a live stream in anxious anticipation of the birth of her fourth calf at an upstate New York zoo, is still pregnant and doing well. Veterinarians with the Animal Adventure Park in Harpursville, outside Binghamton, said April's progression continues, but giraffes tend to hide signs of labor as a natural instinct, so they can't confirm active labor. That said, vets checked in on her twice overnight and "physical posturing and other activity observed would suggest we are close," the group wrote on Facebook Friday morning. Around 8:30 a.m., the live stream actually showed significant movement in April's belly as the long-necked beauty began to walk outside. Not much changed the day started coming to a close: April alternated between standing still, swinging her tail, and slowly circling her pen. April's pregnancy was catapulted into global headlines earlier Thursday after YouTube briefly yanked the zoo's live stream following complaints by animal activists that it violated the site's policies concerning "nudity and sexual content." Thousands upon thousands of commenters voiced their frustration on Facebook and YouTube, and the stream was restored within an hour or so. More than 30 million people across the globe have tuned in over the last few days to watch it. You can check out the live stream above. April was seen slinking gracefully around her hay-laden home Friday morning in no apparent distress. Once she goes into active labor, zoo officials say the keepers will go in to help her but first-time dad, 5-year-old Oliver, will be held out of the pen. The dad-to-be will get to go outside with his mate for some exercise Friday, zoo officials said, but they have to be kept apart. "Her and Oliver will both enjoy yard time today, but are kept separate due to April's condition," the group wrote on Facebook. "His rambunctious play for an extended period could have negative effects. Boys will be boys." Giraffe pregnancies last for 15 months. Labor lasts anywhere from a few hours to a few days. The calf will be about 150 pounds and 6 feet tall at birth and up and walking in about an hour. The zoo says it will hold a contest to name it. In a tweet Saturday evening, President Donald Trump announced that he will not be attending the 2017 White House correspondents' dinner. "I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" Trump tweeted. I will not be attending the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner this year. Please wish everyone well and have a great evening! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The dinner is traditionally attended by the President and the first lady as well as other senior government officials and members of the press corps, according to the White House Correspondent Association. At the annual dinner, the asscociation presents three major journalism awards to recognize distinguished reporting. Trump has long had an adversarial relationship with news media. Since taking office, however, he has stepped up his criticism by accusing some prominent news outlets of publishing "fake news" and calling them "the enemy of the American People!" The announcement comes a day after Trump's spat with the media sharply escalated after he slammed the media in a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. President Donald Trump opened his 2017 CPAC speech with more attacks on the media Friday, calling fake news "the enemy of the people" and criticizing the media's use of anonymous sources. In the speech Friday, Trump unloaded on the news media for using anonymous sources, just hours after members of his own staff insisted on briefing reporters only on condition their names be concealed. Later Friday, news organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House press briefing. Airlines, hotel companies and cruise lines are bracing for President Donald Trump's announcement on his Cuba policy. Trump had been a regular at the WHCA dinner in recent years, befitting his celebrity status as a reality TV star and beauty pageant owner. He skipped the dinner in April 2016, which came amid the presidential campaign and was the last of the dinners in which President Barack Obama was the honored guest. That didn't mean Trump wasn't the butt of jokes. At one point Obama told guests that Trump "has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan." If he attended the dinner Trump would be a prime target of jokes, the camera showing his reaction to one-liners. In 2011, he was on hand and appeared humiliated as Obama lobbed joke after joke at his expense. At the time Trump was a proponent of the debunked claim that Obama wasn't born in the U.S. In a statement following Trump's tweet, WHCA President Jeff Mason says the organization "looks forward to having its annual dinner on April 29." Noting Trump's Twitter announcement, Mason calls the dinner "a celebration of the First Amendment and the important role played by an independent news media in a healthy republic." Trump will be the first U.S. president to skip the dinner in more than three decades, NBC News reported. The last president to opt out of the dinner was Ronald Reagan in 1981, according to the Reagan Library. Reagan couldn't attend because he was recovering from a gunshot wound he'd sustained in a failed assassination attempt. Earlier this month, Bloomberg, New Yorker and Vanity Fair all canceled parties they had planned to host associated with the event, according to The Hill. During a trip to Ukraine this week alongside members of the intelligence community, Rep. Mike Quigley expressed concern over President Donald Trumps failure to react to Russian overreach and aggression. It seems striking that President Trump, for some reasons still unknown, remains unwilling to stand up to Russian aggression, at home or abroad, he added. Quigley, who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, faulted Russias continued advancements into sovereign land in Georgia and Ukraine. The Chicago Democrat said President Barack Obamas policy toward Russia and Ukraine helped to maintain a fragile ceasefire which has eroded since Trump took office last month. The fighting in Avidiivka, an industrial city near the Russian border, has intensified to levels not seen in years, testing the mettle of the new administration, Quigley wrote. So far, Trump is failing the test." Quigley claimed Trump hasnt put forward a cohesive foreign policy on either Ukraine or Russia." News out of Washington comes at a frenzied pace from the resignation of national security adviser Michael Flynn, to reports of contact between Trump campaign aides and Russian intelligence, all while evidence of Russian interference in the presidential election continues to mount. In January, The U.S. Intelligence community confirmed that a covert Russian operation worked to undermine the presidential election and aid Trumps candidacy by hacking the Democratic National Committee and members of Hillary Clintons campaign. Obamas sanctions were handed down as a response. Flynn allegedly misled Vice President Mike Pence about conversations he had with the ambassador regarding the sanctions. According to the White House, Trump was aware that Flynn misled Pence about the conversations with the Russian ambassador, but waited nearly three weeks before ousting the retired Army Lieutenant General. Last month, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that he would be open to lifting Russian sanctions, but plans to keep them for "at least a period of time." Three people who were affiliated with Trumps presidential campaign Carter Page, Paul Manafort and Roger Stone are currently being investigated by the FBI and the intelligence community for their communications with the Russian government, according to the New York Times. Whatever its knowledge of the election hacks, it makes absolutely no sense for the Trump administration to remove the only leverage we have, when Russia has only become more emboldened since Nov. 8, Quigley wrote. For decades, Quigley said, Russia has been employing Soviet-style tactics to maintain power and influence in the region and beyond. Disseminating fake news, spreading propaganda, infiltrating foreign governments with spies and sympathizers, blackmail, extortion and interfering in elections are all part of the same playbook, he wrote. Quigley faulted Trump for echoing Russian President Vladimir Putins stance on NATOs role. In an interview published last month by Germanys Bild newspaper and the Times of London, Trump called NATO obsolete and said the European Union is basically a vehicle for Germany. In addition, he lauded the United Kingdoms withdrawal from the European Union. My own feelings couldnt be more different, Quigly wrote. Despite Trumps insistence, NATO has been the most effective deterrent preventing further Russian advances and has maintained the post-war world order for over 70 years, he added. Once, Georgia and Ukraine were hopeful that they might someday join the transatlantic alliance. Today, the notion sounds fanciful, but it doesnt mean the U.S. should abandon these countries to Moscows baleful influence." Vice President Mike Pence told members of NATO and the EU Monday that Trump supports the international partnerships despite previous criticisms, according to NBC News. He also urged NATO members to increase defense spending, echoing a previous call made by Trump. Maintaining multilateral sanctions in lockstep with the EU is crucial for Ukraines survival as a Western-friendly democracy, and for Americas credibility in the world, Quigley wrote. And if President Trump remains unwilling to maintain a tough line on Russia, Congress must accept the responsibility to stand up to Putin. Quigley told Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko that sanctions must be preserved until Russia restores Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, including Crimea. On Sunday, the New York Times reported that Trumps personal lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, delivered Flynn with a peace plan for Russia and Ukraine a week before his resignation. The plan would require Russian troops to withdraw from Eastern Ukraine and allow Ukrainian voters to decide whether Crimea would be leased to Russia for a period of 50 or 100 years. Andrii V. Artemenko, a Ukrainian lawmaker who helped devise the plan, told the Times that he has evidence showing corruption by Poroshenko, noting that he received encouragement for the proposal from top Putin aides. Its unclear whether the Trump administration will seriously consider the proposal, which was also put together by Felix H. Slater, who helped the president scout business deals in Russia. Nevertheless, Quigley backed the Ukrainian president in his op-ed. President Poroshenko continues the hard work of democracy building stabilizing the economy, rooting out corruption, building a free press and reforming the judiciary, all while fighting the prolonged war in the East, Quigley wrote. In a meeting with him this week, it became abundantly clear that U.S. assistance in facilitating the implementation of these reforms remains vital." Despite sometimes insurmountable obstacles, Durbin urged Ukrainians to stay the course on the long road to democracy. And the U.S. and Europe must continue to walk with them." Gov. Bruce Rauner told reporters Thursday that Illinois should have a state holiday honoring President Barack Obamas birthday, but he doesnt think people should get the day off work to celebrate. "It's incredibly proud for Illinois that the president came from Illinois. I think it's awesome, and I think we should celebrate it," Rauner told reporters Thursday. "I don't think it should be a formal holiday with paid, forced time off, but I think it should be a day of acknowledgment and celebration." Last month, lawmakers introduced three bills aimed at commemorating Obamas birthday. Two identical bills, introduced in the House by Democratic state Reps. Andre Thapedi and Sonya Harper, would designate Aug. 4 as Barack Obamas Birthday, a new legal holiday that would close schools and state offices. Under the plan, banks and businesses could close, but would not be required to. If Obamas birthday should fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the holiday would be observed on the following Monday. A separate bill introduced in the Senate, where Obama once served, would designate the former president's birthday as Barack Obama Day, but wouldnt require offices to close. The measure was introduced by state Sen. Emil Jones III, the son of former Senate President Emil Jones, Jr., who played a major role in shepherding Obama to the U.S. Senate and considers himself the former presidents political godfather. But the General Assembly's recent adulation for Obama doesnt stop with his birthday. A pair of recent proposals also look to rename local highways after the former president. A House resolution, sponsored by Rep. Robert Martwick, would rename the entirety of Interstate 294 as "President Barack Obama Tollway." The measure was assigned to the Tollway Oversight Committee Wednesday. That same day, State Rep. La Shawn Ford announced that hes drafting legislation to change the majority of Interstate 55 to the "Barack Obama Expressway." We can imagine that then state Senator Obama made may trips between Springfield and Chicago on Interstate 55, so it is very fitting that we rename Interstate 55 as the Barack Obama Expressway, Ford said. Today 2017 Lincoln Highway National Antique Motorcycle Club of America Swap Meet & Antique Bike Show, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Christensen Field, Fremont. The event is open to the public. Admission is $6. HomeStore, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., 701 E. Dodge St., Fremont. The HomeStore sells donated items at discounted prices. Proceeds support the mission of Fremont Area Habitat for Humanity. Save-a-Life Saturday, 8:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (English sessions) and 2:30 p.m. (Spanish sessions), Midland Universitys Hopkins Arena, Fremont. There is no cost to participate. Space is limited. To register, call 844-437-3666. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, 136 N. Main St., Fremont. Free Family Flicks featuring Trolls, 10:30 a.m., Main Street 7 Theatres at Fremont Mall. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. No advance ticketing is available. Admission is free. The theatre will be collecting new or gently used children books. (Suggested donation is one book per person.) The books will be donated to a local organization. Storytime, 11-11:30 a.m., Keene Memorial Library auditorium, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous womens heart to heart group, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Fremont Airboat Club Wild Game Feed, 5:30 p.m., Cedar Bluffs Auditorium. Tickets can be bought from any club members or from Jim Johnstone at 402-720-3117 for a $12 donation. Bring your own beverages. There also will be raffle prizes. Narcotics Anonymous open meeting, 7:30 p.m., United Faith Church, 218 W. Gardiner St., Valley. Narcotics Anonymous Lie Is Dead Group, 8 p.m., Care Corps, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Sunday Knights of Columbus pancake breakfast, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Delaney Hall, St. Patricks Catholic Church, Fremont. Pancakes, eggs, ham or sausage, toast, coffee and orange juice will be served. The cost is $5 for adults and $2 for children 12 and under. Alcoholics Anonymous Happy Sober Sunday Group, 9 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Free Family Flicks featuring Trolls, 10:30 a.m., Main Street 7 Theatres at Fremont Mall. Doors will open at 10 a.m. Seating is first-come, first-served. No advance ticketing is available. Admission is free. The theatre will be collecting new or gently used children books. (Suggested donation is one book per person.) The books will be donated to a local organization. Narcotics Anonymous Seekers of Serenity Group, 10:30 a.m., Care Corps, 723 N. Broad St., Fremont. Ballroom dancing with Greg Spevak, 3-6 p.m., Fremont Eagles Club. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous Point of Freedom Group, 7 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door. Alcoholics Anonymous Sunday speaker, 7:30 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Monday TOPS Club (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., First United Methodist Church, 850 N. Broad St., Fremont. Weigh-ins begin at 8 a.m. Visitors (preteens, teens and adults male and female) are welcome. The first meeting is free. For more information, call Janet Bloemker at 402-721-8952. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 10 a.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. American Red Cross blood drive, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Snyder Auditorium. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, noon, Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. American Red Cross blood drive, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Veterans Country Club, Yutan. To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit www.redcrossblood.org or call 800-733-2767. Crazy 8s Club, 4-5 p.m., Keene Memorial Library, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous meeting, 5:15 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. Narcotics Anonymous basic text study, 6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Education Building, west of the church, 1440 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Enter through the rear door. Prairie Piecemakers Needlework Guild, 6:30 p.m., Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1544 E. Military Ave., Fremont. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 with the business meeting to begin at 7. Guests are welcome. Celebrate Recovery, 7-9 p.m., Sanctuary Church, 1640 W. Military Ave., Fremont. Childcare is available. Celebrate Recovery, 7 p.m., Fremont Church of the Nazarene, 960 Johnson Road. Fibromyalgia Support Group, 7 p.m., Health Park Plaza Conference Room 5, Fremont. Alcoholics Anonymous 12x12 meeting, 8 p.m., Chapter 5 Club, Fremont. A man says burglars broke tempered glass to get into his home and steal his possessions. John Knapp was at work Thursday when he got the call someone was breaking into his Ukrainian Village home in the 2200 block of West Huron Street. There was someone in the house, they had broken in through the back sliding-glass door into our bedroom, he said. Knapp says the burglar stole multiple computers and packages and went through his wifes jewelry. All of the drawers in our bedroom has been opened upthey rifled through a bunch of things, he said. When Knapp called to get his door fixedhe found out he wasnt alone. Jeannie Frankowski, owner of JC Lilly Windows and Doors, says shes gotten eight calls for repairs where a sliding glass door was the entry point for a burglary. Ive been in this business for over 30 years and never have I ever heard of anybody going through two pieces of tempered safety glass, she said. Ive talked to people from Wicker Park, Ive talked to people from Ukrainian Village, Ive talked to people from Avondale. She says the only way to break tempered glass is with an extremely sharp toollike an ice pick. If its sharp and you hit it right it will drop like a blanket, Frankowski said. Boom, its gone and you walk right in. Police say no one was in custody in relation to the burglary and Area Central detectives were investigating. A 24-year-old mother reported missing out of Streator, Illinois, has been found safely and her 11-month-old son's father has been arrested Friday, the LaSalle County Sheriff's Office announced. Kayla Stratton and her son Paul Merritte went missing around 11 p.m. on Feb. 17, according to the LaSalle County Sheriff's office. Authorities said in a missing persons alert that the child was "consensually taken" by his father, 33-year-old Clarence Merritte, who is a suspect in the case. Merritte was arrested, authorities say, in the 400 block of Paxton Street in Calumet City on a warrant for unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, driving with a revoked license and domestic battery. LaSalle County Sheriff's Office The baby was dropped off at a family friend's home over the weekend, but the search for the boy's mother continued. According to police, Stratton was in a car in the 1900 block of East 1st Street as the suspect chased her in another vehicle, ramming her car multiple times and forcing her off the road, where she crashed into a utility pole. The suspect then struck and took Stratton from her car by the hair, officials said, forcing her into his vehicle, which was later found abandoned several blocks west of the incident. An investigation was conducted by the sheriff's office wit the FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force, the Cook County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit and the Streator Police Department. Five vehicles were stolen Friday night from a car dealership in suburban Tinley Park, according to police. Around 11:20 p.m., five masked individuals drove a stolen vehicle onto the lot at Bettenhausen Automotive, located in the 8300 block of W. 159th St., authorities said. They then broke a back bay window and entered the store, police said. Once inside, each suspect got inside a separate car and left the lot, heading eastbound on 159th St. Officials found one of the cars no more than a mile from the dealership on 159th St. after the driver abandoned it and entered another stolen vehicle. Officers saw the four remaining vehicles in the area and attempted a traffic stop, police said in a release, but the suspects refused and fled the scene. They were last seen driving northbound on I-57, authorities said. [[414786064, C]] Police are still searching for the four missing vehicles, which are: Blue 2013 Dodge Charger (Illinois registration #S134102) White 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee (no registration) Black 2015 Chrysler 200 (Illinois registration #Z314994) Blue 2015 Dodge Charger (Illinois registration #742270) One of the owners of the dealership said this was not the first time they have been hit, as one car was stolen off the lot about six months ago. The facility has 57 surveillance cameras already, management said, but they were discussing plans to increase security measures following a rash of break-ins at dealerships across the Chicago area, and now plan to make even further changes. [[414783803, C]] Fridays incident is the latest in a string of car thefts across Chicago and the surrounding suburbs over just the last few weeks. On Tuesday, five people broke into the Marino Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram in the Portage Park neighborhood on Chicagos Northwest Side, but could not find any keys and fled the scene without stealing any vehicles before police arrived. On Sunday night, five vehicles were stolen from an Infiniti dealership in north suburban Libertyville, police said, with one of the suspects leading police on a pursuit that ended in a crash in Racine County, Wisconsin. The accident did not involve any injuries and the suspects fled on foot, officials said. The previous week, multiple cars were stolen from two west suburban dealerships, according to police. Five vehicles were taken from Lucky Motors in Villa Park on Feb. 13, and just a few hours later, police said six cars were missing following a break-in at an Infiniti dealership in Clarendon Hills. In early February, four BMWs and a Porsche were taken from the Autobarn Volkswagen dealership in Evanston, while four BMWs were found abandoned after being stolen from a luxury car dealership in Chicagos Goose Island neighborhood less than a week later. Authorities are investigating a possible connection among these car thefts, though no one is in custody in connection with any of the break-ins. Anyone with information on Friday's incident is asked to contact Tinley Park police at (708) 532-9111. A 24-year-old transgender woman was shot to death Tuesday morning in the Englewood neighborhood on Chicago's South Side. Family and friends knew her as Tiara Richmond, but she also went by the name Keke Collier, said LaSaia Wade, an advocate for transgender rights with Brave Space Alliance. Richmond was in a vehicle with a male at 6:14 a.m. in the 7300 block of South May Street when the male fired shots, Chicago Police said. When officers arrived, they found Richmond lying on the ground nearby with gunshot wounds to her chest, arm and hand. She was taken to Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, where she was pronounced dead at 7:03 a.m., according to the Cook County Medical Examiners office. She lived in Englewood. The shooter sped away from the scene in a red vehicle, heading south on May Street, police said. In an earlier story, Richmond was identified by authorities by her given name, Donnell Richmond. Richmond was the second transgender woman killed in Chicago in less than six months, Wade said. The woman, whom Wade said went by the name T.T. Saffore, was killed Sept. 11. Saffore was found with her throat cut in the 4500 block of West Monroe, according to authorities. An autopsy found she died of multiple stab and incise wounds, and her death was ruled a homicide. As with Richmond, she was identified by authorities by her given name, Tony Saffore. No one was in custody in either case, and both remain under investigation, police said Friday. The U.S. Departments of Education and Justice on Friday reversed their stance in the case of a transgender student in a Palatine school district, withdrawing support that had been given by the Obama administration a few months ago, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. In that earlier joint opinion, the two federal agencies sided with the high school student whose request to use the girls locker room had been challenged by a group of parents seeking to keep her out. The Trump administration has now changed its stance in the case. Noting that federal courts nationwide have differed on the issue of transgender students getting access to locker rooms, the education and justice departments said in the court filing they will further and more completely consider the legal issues involved. They added there must be due regard for the primary role states and local school districts play in setting educational policy. The court filing also states this withdrawal of support does not leave students without protection from discrimination, bullying or harassment. The Palatine-based Township High School District 211 originally denied full access to the student, who has identified as female for several years, allowing her to use only the girls bathroom. [[332257082, C]] The student sought help from the American Civil Liberties Union before she filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights, alleging the district discriminated against her by denying her full access to the locker room. Following review, federal authorities found the district had violated Title IX, and the district granted the student access to the locker room. In the aftermath of that decision, which civil rights groups called a major victory, a group of parents filed a lawsuit against the district in May 2016, claiming their students constitutional rights to privacy were being violated. U.S. Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Gilbert recommended a decision in favor of the school district, writing in October that high school students do not have a constitutional protection against sharing locker rooms or bathrooms with transgender peers. The parents had sought an injunction to temporarily suspend the students access to the bathroom until the lawsuit was resolved, but that request was denied. U.S. District Judge Jorge Alonso will review Gilberts recommendation and make a final ruling. With the 89th annual Academy Awards fast approaching, a South Florida native is making his way to Los Angeles for Sunday's big night. Norland Middle School student Alex Hibbert, who plays Chiron in Moonlight," says he's ready to make the trip from Miami to the City of Angels. The film tells a story about Chiron's journey as a black, gay man living in Liberty City being raised by a mother with a drug addiction. In contrast to his character's struggles with race, class and sexual identity in the film, the 12-years-old Hibbert says he has no worries, and his plans for Sunday night are to "chill out, have fun, and pray," he said in an interview with NBC Miami. Hibbert's classmate, Jaden Piner, plays his close friend in the movie and in real life. "Yeah, that's like my best friend," Hibbert said. Moonlight is nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Hibbert said he never acted in a film prior to this. "I got the audition from school, and I thought it was this little movie," he said. "But it turned out to be so big, and it's just amazing." Hibbert is currently preparing for his new role in an upcoming television show. Whether Moonlight takes home an Oscar or not, he said this unexpected journey is just getting started. "My teacher always told me to have discipline," he said. "So I'm going to have a lot, a lot of discipline over there. Be very, very quiet, a little bit, but if we win, we gotta get a little crazy." The rising star also said he hopes to run into another Oscar nominee this weekend: Denzel Washington. As Hibbert continues to take on his big screen ambitions, he has a message for everyone back home: "My message to everyone here in Miami is stay humble and keep working hard, because you can get somewhere in life if you just keep working hard." Director Barry Jenkins, and the playwright of which the film is based on, Tarell Alvin McCraney, are also Miami natives. Both of them attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School together, but they didn't know each other until Jenkins came across McCraney's play, Jenkins said in the film's commentary. "Moonlight" is also nominated for Best Director and Best Writing Adapted Screenplay, among others. [NATL] 89th Academy Awards: And the Nominees Are... The FBI has launched an investigation into the troubled Dunkin' Donuts Park project in Hartford. The probe was prompted by information shared by the city. The probe being reported today is not focused on the City of Hartford, and we believe that it was prompted by information proactively shared by the City of Hartford," Mayor Luke Bronin said. "My administration contacted the FBI to share concerns about Centerplans handling of the project, including their failure to pay subcontractors for their work. This is one more demonstration of our commitment to absolute accountability, because thats what taxpayers deserve. Public bond money given to Centerplan to pay subcontractors working on the the ballpark site apparently never made it to those various contracted workers, a source confirmed with the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters, on the condition of anonymity. The Yard Goats' stadium project started early in 2015. Construction was suspended last year in May when the city fired Centerplan and DoNo Hartford LLC. A new contractor is working to finish the stadium in time for the Yard Goats opening day on April 13. NBC Connecticut reached out to Centerplan on Friday but a representative declined to comment about the investigation. A local landlord from property management group Uhouz has yet to provide answers to students who claim he kept their security deposits for reasons he hasnt justified. NBC Connecticut Responds first shared this story in November. Shortly after, several students, including Central Connecticut State University senior Ayana Shell, reached out saying the same thing happened to them. When I found out it was happening to Quinnipiac students, I was like, Okay, so this isnt personal, said Shell. She told us she too got a damage report with charges that just didnt add up, such as a 50 dollar fees for makeup stains on the wall, a hole in the siding, and a dirty washing machine in unit, in the basement. I think they just made up a number with the damages just to scare us off, which they did, said Shell. Because eventually I just stopped contacting them. When Shell moved in, she didnt take thorough pictures, so she cant prove those damages werent hers. She says she tried contacting her landlord, Uhouz owner Mat Florian, several times before her final plea for attentionwithholding her last months rent until he responded. That didnt work either. Obviously I owe them something, so I mean they can take that, said Shell. But I just dont appreciate being taken advantage of. A similar situation happened to Linda Lucys son Christopher just a few towns over, in Hamden. I kind of thought from the beginning, well, youre not going to get your whole deposit back, thats just how it goes, said Lucy. But I never thought it would be anything like this. She says Florian initially withheld almost 3,700 dollars from their 5,600 dollar security deposit. When the boys complained, Lucy says, Florian lowered the damage down to 3,050 dollars for reasons her family still doesnt understand. Lucy said her son tried scheduling a final walk through before going home for summer break, but Uhouz waited until after the boys moved out. We wouldve gladly gone and walked through the house with them, said Lucy. At the time, Lucy didnt think the legal fight was worth it. Town and state agencies typically wont get involved unless they get multiple complaints. So far, neither the Connecticut Department of Banking nor local housing authorities have anything on record. NBC Connecticut made several attempts to get a comment from Florian. In November 2016, Florian said: Its discouraging to have a case like this after all the efforts we have put forth, nor only in the lease term, but this matter as well. They are aware our doors are open. Since then NBC Connecticut has called, emailed and took him up on his open door policy. An associate said he was not there. In the meantime, its a tough lesson for parents like Lucy. Take pictures when you first move in, she said. Get everything in writing and know what youre getting into. She hopes other tenants wont have to learn that lesson the hard way. This is money that you paid almost a year before you even moved in, said Lucy. So I think a lot of people dont even pursue it. They just write it off as a loss and move on. To file a formal complaint with the Connecticut Department of Banking, click here. President Donald Trump made a triumphant return to the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, the place where Trump says he gave his first major political speech and concluded, I think I like this business. But we found that Trumps speech to his conservative friends at the conference contained a lot of the same false and misleading claims weve been fact-checking for months. Trump said that media shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name, but his own White House staff regularly holds on background conversations with reporters with the condition that officials names not be used. The president claimed the media make up sources, citing one news story with nine anonymous sources as evidence. But the likely story in question a Washington Post story on former National Security Advisor Michael Flynns discussions about sanctions with the Russian ambassador in December was confirmed by the White House. Trump doubled down on his exaggeration about crime in Sweden as a result of its liberal policy of accepting refugees from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. Trump made the curious claim that Obamacare covers very few people, despite the fact that the number of uninsured Americans has fallen by 20 million since the health care law was enacted. Trump said that building the Keystone XL pipeline could lead to somewhere around 42,000 jobs. The State Department estimated that many direct, indirect and induced jobs could be created temporarily. But after construction, only 50 workers would be required to operate the pipeline. He also repeated exaggerations about NAFTAs impact on the economy, welfare, and the elections impact on job growth taking credit for recently announced investments. Trump said that a Los Angeles Times poll did a great job predicting his election victory. Actually, the poll wrongly predicted that Trump would win the popular vote. The Feb. 24 speech was Trumps fifth appearance at the annual conference, but his first as president. Trump signaled his presidential aspirations in his first appearance at CPAC back in 2011, when he made headlines for questioning President Barack Obamas birth certificate. And he built up his conservative following in subsequent appearances in 2013, 2014 and 2015. On Fake News and Anonymous Sources Trump opined that media shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name, but his own White House staff regularly holds on background conversations with reporters with the condition that officials names not be used. In fact, just hours before Trumps speech, the White House held a background briefing by senior administration officials (with the condition that those sources not be named) to push back against news reports that some members of Trumps campaign had communicated with Russian officials during the campaign. Trump: Im against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out. A source says that Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible human being. Let em say it to my face. Let there be no more sources. The use of anonymous sources has long been debated in media circles. Some argue its necessity, while others warn of its risks to credibility, and caution against its overuse. Some newspapers eschew the practice entirely. Last year, the New York Times announced stricter guidelines for using anonymous sources, requiring the approval of a top editor. So Trump is certainly entitled to his opinion. But wed be remiss if we didnt point out the hypocrisy of this stance. Trump administration officials regularly hold on background briefings with reporters on the condition that officials not be named (as did the Obama administration before it). As ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Jonathan Karl pointed out, the same morning that Trump gave his CPAC speech, the White House gave some reporters a background briefing by senior administration officials on the condition that reporters couldnt use the officials names. According to a press pool report filed by Dan Freedman of Hearst Newspapers, the officials provided major pushback on news reports that Trump campaign aides had repeated contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the campaign. The anonymous White House officials relayed purported details of private conversations between Reince Priebus, the White House chief of staff, and FBI Director James Comey and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. At a press briefing after Trumps speech, Press Secretary Sean Spicer noted that reporters had obtained permission to use some of his quotes on the record. Said Spicer: Theres a big difference between making serious allegations, us coming back on the record, and reporters saying well, we have five sources, that are unnamed, that say contrary to that. I think theres a point at which theres an obligation if youre going to make a very serious allegation, and were willing to push back on the record, that there be somebody at the very least whos willing to push back on this and say theyll put their name attached to it. But the White House has done these background briefings before. (See these recent examples here, here and here.) And Trump has cited anonymous sources himself, as he did in his CPAC speech when he quoted a very, very substantial guy who told him Paris is no longer Paris due to the influx of immigrants. CNBCs Steve Kopack also pointed out this 2012 tweet from Trump: Trump also quibbled with the fact that many media outlets reported on his tweet that the FAKE NEWS media is the enemy of the American people without noting his qualifier of fake news. Trump: Theyre very dishonest people. In fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people. The fake news. They dropped off the word fake. And all of a sudden the story became the media is the enemy. They take the word fake out. And now Im saying, Oh no, this is no good. But thats the way they are. Its true that Trump who once cited the National Enquirer as a credible news source worthy of a Pulitzer to back up his bogus conspiracy theory of Ted Cruzs father being linked to Lee Harvey Oswald added the FAKE qualifier to his comment. But he cast a wide net when explaining which news outlets he considered to be fake news, including the New York Times, NBC News, ABC News, CBS News and CNN. Thats a wide swath of the mainstream media. We should note that fact-checkers also have been denounced by Trump as dishonest scum. Trump lobbed that insult during a speech in Florida in October, in which he said so-called fact-checkers are really crooked as hell themselves. President Donald Trump opened his 2017 CPAC speech with more attacks on the media Friday, calling fake news "the enemy of the people" and criticizing the media's use of anonymous sources. A Fake News Story with Nine Sources? Trump also accused the media of making up sources, in particular criticizing one story that contained nine sources. He said, Therere no nine people. I dont believe there was one or two people. Trump: A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people. And they are. They are the enemy of the people. Because they have no sources, they just make em up when there are none. I saw one story recently where they said, Nine people have confirmed. Therere no nine people. I dont believe there was one or two people. Nine people. And I said, Give me a break. Because I know the people, I know who they talk to. There were no nine people. But they say nine people. And somebody reads it and they think, Oh, nine people. They have nine sources. They make up sources. Theyre very dishonest people. We asked the White House to identify the story, but we did not receive a response. There was one recent story that had nine sources, and it turned out to be accurate, not fake at all. That was the Washington Post story on Feb. 9 that broke the news that then-National Security Advisor Michael Flynn privately discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with that countrys ambassador to the United States during the month before President Trump took office, contrary to public assertions by Trump officials. That story said, Nine current and former officials, who were in senior positions at multiple agencies at the time of the calls, spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence matters. Trump knew for a few weeks since January that Flynn spoke to the Russian ambassador about sanctions even though Flynn told Vice President Mike Pence that he did not, White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed at his Feb. 14 briefing. But Flynn did not resign at Trumps request until a few days after the Post broke the story. In his Feb. 14 resignation letter, Flynn acknowledged that he inadvertently briefed the Vice President Elect and others with incomplete information regarding my phone calls with the Russian Ambassador. After Flynn resigned, Trump criticized the fake media for treating Flynn very, very unfairly. But, as we wrote, the White House confirmed media reports on Flynns call with the Russian ambassador, so the stories including the one by the Post based on the nine sources was not fake at all. Marty Baron, the executive editor of the Washington Post, issued a statement that said, Everything we published regarding Gen. Flynn was true, as confirmed by subsequent events and on-the-record statements from administration officials themselves. The story led directly to the generals dismissal as national security adviser. Calling press reports fake doesnt make them so. On Sweden Trump doubled down on his exaggeration about crime in Sweden as a result of its liberal policy of accepting refugees from Syria and other Middle Eastern countries. As we wrote when Trump first cited Sweden as an example of problems associated with immigration, statistics show there has been an uptick in some crime categories since the country took in 160,000 asylum-seekers in 2015. But experts said there is no evidence of a major crime wave. Trump: I took a lot of heat on Sweden. And then a day later, I said has anybody reported whats going on? And it turned out that they didnt not too many of them did. Take a look at what happened in Sweden. I love Sweden, great country, great people, I love Sweden. But they understand. The people over there understand Im right. Take a look at whats happening in Sweden. Trump may have been referring to riots that broke out in a predominantly immigrant neighborhood of Stockholm on Feb. 20, which included rock throwing at police, looting and 10 cars being torched. (Contrary to Trumps claim, though, it was widely reported.) And Trump may have a point that a substantial portion of the Swedish public may perceive a crime problem due to refugees. A Pew Research Center survey in early 2016 found that 46 percent of Swedes believe refugees in our country are more to blame for crime than other groups. However, Swedish experts we spoke to said official crime statistics do not support Trumps earlier claims. Overall, crime is relatively low in Sweden, and has generally been on the decline for decades. There has been an uptick in some categories of crimes over the last two years, but Swedish authorities and academic researchers say there is little evidence of a crime surge, or that immigrants are more prone to crime. Obviously [it is] difficult to know how the influx of refugees has impacted crime in Sweden, Felipe Estrada Dorner, a criminology professor at Stockholm University, told us via email. What we do know is that the amount of resources that the police have coded as directly connected to the refugee situation is below 1 percent. For more on this issue, see our Feb. 20 story, Trump Exaggerates Swedish Crime. Obamacare by the Numbers The number of Americans lacking health insurance has fallen by 20 million since the Affordable Care Act was enacted, according to the National Health Interview Survey, published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But Trump claimed the law covered very few people. Trump: Obamacare covers very few people and remember, deduct from the number all of the people that had great health care that they loved that was taken away from them it was taken away from them. There are several ways to measure the change in insurance coverage under the ACA, and they all show a reduction in the uninsured in the millions. Theres no need to deduct anyone who lost insurance; the figures from the CDC show the total net numbers for the insured and uninsured in the country, as we wrote when Trump made a similar claim last month. The latest CDC report, released in February, on the National Health Interview Survey a survey of about 35,000 households conducted by the Census Bureau shows that the number of uninsured Americans of all ages decreased from 48.6 million in 2010, the year the ACA was enacted, to 28.2 million for January through September 2016. The country now has the lowest uninsured rate on record 8.8 percent. The rate was 16 percent in 2010, and it has been declining every year since. (Historical data are here.) Since 2012, the year before the ACA federal and state marketplaces launched, the number of the uninsured has declined by 17.3 million. And we could look only at those who gained coverage through those ACA marketplaces, as some refer to the insurance marketplaces themselves as Obamacare. The number who selected an insurance plan through HealthCare.gov during the open enrollment period that ended January 31 was 9.2 million, and another 2.8 million signed up on the 12 state-based marketplaces as of December 24, 2016, according to reports from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. CMS said it would release a final report in March. Its likely that not everyone who selected a plan will pay their premium. In the first half of 2016, 10.4 million Americans had signed up and paid for insurance, with 84 percent of them getting tax credits to reduce their out-of-pocket premium costs. And then theres the expansion of Medicaid under the ACA, which 31 states plus Washington, D.C., have implemented. Studies show that Medicaid expansion results in significant coverage gains and reductions in uninsured rates, said a February review by the nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation of more than 100 studies on the topic. Trump referred to people who had their health care taken away from them. In 2013, some Americans received cancellation notices for their specific individual market plans that no longer met minimum benefit requirements under the ACA. An Urban Institute study and survey from December 2013 estimated the number getting such notices at 2.6 million. A RAND Corporation study from 2015 found that the vast majority of those with individual market insurance in 2013 remained insured in 2015, which suggests that even among those who had their individual market policies canceled, most found coverage through an alternative source. Keystone Job Estimates Trump said that building the Keystone XL pipeline could create somewhere around 42,000 jobs in the U.S. Yes, but only 16,000 direct jobs would be created temporarily during construction of the pipeline. The rest would be indirect and induced jobs resulting from money spent on goods and services by the construction contractors and employees. Trump: But with the Keystone Bottom line, Obama didnt sign it, right? Could be 42,000 jobs, somewhere around there a lot of jobs. As we have written before, the U.S. State Departments 2014 analysis says that construction of the pipeline could lead to 42,100 direct, indirect and induced jobs. They wouldnt last long, though. Of the 16,100 direct jobs, the State Department says approximately 3,900 (or 1,950 per year if construction took 2 years) would comprise a direct, temporary, construction workforce in the proposed Project area of Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas. The other 26,000 jobs are based on indirect work for companies supplying goods and services for the pipeline, as well as induced jobs resulting from money spent by workers and suppliers. And, again, these are temporary jobs, lasting one to two years while the pipeline is constructed. After that, the proposed Project would generate approximately 50 jobs during operations, according to the State Departments analysis. That would include 35 permanent employees and 15 temporary contractors, the report says. More Repeats Jobs: Trump again boasted that jobs are already starting to pour back into our country and that because of the election result companies such as Ford, Fiat Chrysler, General Motors, Intel and others are expanding production and hiring more workers. But as we have reported repeatedly, many of the investments announced by those companies were in the works before the election and were largely market driven. Executives of those companies praised Trumps plan to cut corporate taxes and reduce regulation, but several of them said the recently announced investments would have been made no matter who was elected president. We wont know how Trump is doing on jobs until the Bureau of Labor Statistics comes out with its monthly figures for February, and it may take many more months or even years, to fully evaluate Trumps impact on jobs. Welfare: Trump said, Its time for all Americans to get off of welfare and get back to work. As we have written, the welfare rolls have dropped precipitously since President Clinton signed legislation in 1996 instituting work requirements and time limits. That legislation created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, or TANF, which replaced the Aid to Families With Dependent Children program. The average monthly number of individuals on TANF has declined by about 75 percent, from 10.9 million recipients in fiscal 1997 to 2.8 million recipients in fiscal 2016. NAFTA: Trump called NAFTA one of the worst deals ever made by any country and labeled it economy un-development, as far as our country is concerned. There has been a 27 percent drop in manufacturing jobs from December 1993, the month before NAFTA took effect, to January of this year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But as we have noted in the past, many factors, beyond the 1994 trade agreement, impact jobs and the economy. And as we have written before, economists have debated the effects of the trade agreement. But overall, economists have found the net effect on jobs from NAFTA has been small, because trade with Canada and Mexico account for a small part of the GDP. A 2015 report from the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service called the net overall effect of NAFTA relatively modest. About That L.A. Times Poll Finally, Trump said that a poll conducted by the University of Southern California and the Los Angeles Times was one of a few to correctly predict a Trump victory over Hillary Clinton. A couple of polls got it right. I must say Los Angeles Times did a great job, shocking because, you know, they did a great job, Trump said. But as the Times own Washington bureau chief, David Lauter, pointed out, the poll actually got the popular vote forecast wrong. The Daybreak poll, like any other survey, tries to forecast the actual vote, Lauter wrote. Its final national forecast had Trump winning 47%-44%. In reality, he lost the nationwide vote, 48%-46%. So instead of winning by 3 percentage points, he lost by 2, which made the poll less accurate than a number of other surveys. FactCheck.org is a non-partisan non-profit organization that will hold candidates and key figures accountable during the 2016 presidential campaign. FactCheck.org will check facts of speeches, advertisements and more for NBC. An Arlington jogger who shot an armed would-be robber Wednesday morning did not have a CHL but is not expected to face charges, police say. [[414489553,R]] Arlington police said the unnamed 22-year-old jogger was running to the gym at about 6 a.m. when he was confronted by a man who hopped out of a truck and pointed a gun at him. When the man demanded his property, the jogger reached into his gym bag, pulled out a weapon and began firing at the armed man. The armed man was struck but managed to climb back into the truck, which turned out to be stolen, before the driver pulled away. Later that morning, the injured would-be robber was taken into custody by Arlington police during a traffic stop. The would-be robber, who was determined to be a 16-year-old juvenile, was riding with a woman whose identity police have not released. The teen was hospitalized for treatment before being returned to juvenile detention. Investigators said Friday the jogger did not have a license to carry a concealed weapon, but that they don't believe he'll face charges since he was the victim in the case. Still, the case has been referred to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office, which is standard protocol, for consideration before a grand jury. Police also said they executed a search warrant on the house of the woman who was driving the juvenile at the time of the traffic stop, but no further information was released. The killer remains at large a year after a Dallas man was shot execution style while walking his dog. Alvin Joseph was killed last March in the 9900 block of Adelta Boulevard near Skillman Street, and detectives have nothing so far in the case. "We lost a beautiful child. Somebody just took him away from us," said Joseph's grandmother, Harline Anderson. She described her grandson as a gentle giant. Joseph stood a broad 6-feet tall and weighed 300 pounds. He was the kind of guy who would seem to be invincible. He had no criminal record and his family said no enemies. "This man wasn't bothering nobody. All he ever wanted to do was raise his children," Anderson said. Joseph had twin daughters, Briana and Kiana, who were just 8 years old when they lost their father. His family said he worked hard for those girls. On the night he was shot, he was winding down from a long day on the job and on a midnight walk with his terrier, Flip. He never saw it coming. "Flip was just barking, barking, barking. He wouldn't let anybody touch him. When the officer got there, they tried to touch Alvin. Flip wouldn't let anybody get at Alvin," said Joseph's mother, Pamela Joseph. Alvin Joseph was shot in the face. Dallas police detectives said the shooting was unprovoked and without warning. After he was shot, he was somewhat alert and told officers the gunman came out of a pedestrian gate, walked right up to him and fired. Alvin Joseph said the gunman then turned around and walked back into the gate. A day later, with his mother at his bedside, he died. "I was talking to him and I was telling him, 'Baby, mama's here,' and he looked at me and he blinked his eyes and he looked at me again. And after that, the machine's just started going off," Pamela Joseph said of her son. The crime has haunted the lead Dallas police detective on the case, Michael Yeric. "We're not any closer now than we were a year ago," he said. NBC 5 was granted rare access into the Dallas Police Cold Case Unit where retractable shelving units contain details on countless unsolved murders. "Each one of these was a person," Yeric said. But there's one file, Alvin Joseph's, that for now, doesn't leave Yeric's desk. "We recovered his cell phone at the scene. I keep that with me. He was on the phone at the time of the offense," said Yeric. Aside from bullet fragments recovered during Alvin Joseph's surgery to save his life, his phone is the only piece of possible evidence left. Yeric is on a crusade for justice for Alvin Joseph, and so is his family. "We're trying to get an answer to whatever happened," said his grandmother. "So we can rest with piece of mind." Dallas police are asking for the public's help in solving Alvin Joseph's case. A cash reward is being offered for information that leads to a viable arrest. Dallas leaders, looking everywhere for money to solve a Police and Fire Pension crisis, are looking now at the Dallas Area Rapid Transit agency. DART receives proceeds from one cent of the Dallas sales tax rate. Dallas City Councilman Scott Griggs, also a member of the Police and Fire Pension Board, wants one-eighth of that one cent diverted to the ailing pension fund through a voter referendum in November. Uncertainty about pensions is considered a major factor in the shrinking Dallas police force, while at the same time the city is reporting a surge in violent crime. "This is not DART's money. It is taxpayers' money," Griggs said. "And taxpayers deserve a say with this giant crisis we're having, a pension crisis that's turning into a public safety crisis. Do I want to put that eighth of a penny in DART or reallocate it to a public safety fund?" Griggs and Councilman Philip Kingston, also a pension board member, met with State Rep. Dan Flynn, R-Canton, about the idea in Austin this week. Flynn, who is chairman of the House Pension Committee, is working on a compromise plan to fix the Dallas Police and Fire Pension for approval in the current session of the Texas Legislature. Currently the pension fund is estimated to be about $3.5 billion short of future obligations. Griggs said Flynn's compromise plan of increased contributions from taxpayers and employees, coupled with reduced future benefits for employees, would still leave the fund up to $600 million short. Griggs said the $35 million his plan would raise from DART each year could offset talk of a "claw back" on promised retiree pension benefits to close that remaining gap. "To me, the extent of that option, going $600 million, is shameful and immoral, that option. So we have a very difficult decision to make. Neither option is pleasant," Griggs said. DART spokesman Morgan Lyons said current state law does not provide for dividing the one-cent sales tax and doing so would cripple the agency's Dallas service. "That would be devastating on our operations and capital projects. It would be particularly devastating to customers in Dallas because this would be a decision that Dallas would make and so the cuts would wind up in Dallas," Lyons said. Dallas Councilman Erik Wilson, who is also a pension board member, said his Southern Dallas district needs better bus service and he opposes any DART funding cut. "DART didn't get us into this, so it should not be a DART responsibility to get us out of this," Wilson said. Furthermore, Wilson believes the current Flynn compromise plan includes an overly optimistic 7.25-percent forecast for rate of return on pension fund investments that could make the $600 million projected shortage even larger. "The hole is really bigger, and until we actually get an identification on what that really is, it doesn't matter how much money we put into it," Wilson said. High interest promised on deferred retirement option plan (DROP) accounts that could not be supported by fund investments is one of the problems that got the fund into this situation. There were also inflated values on risky real estate investments that were drastically marked down later. Current board members have said an FBI investigation of past fund practices and leadership is underway. Mayor Mike Rawlings sued the pension fund with his own money to restrict DROP withdrawals. Rawlings strongly opposes tax increases to fix the pension problem and his chief of staff said Friday that Rawlings also opposes taking money from DART. Wilson said more negotiation is needed with all the parties on a solution. "It's going to be painful," Wilson said. "We said this at the beginning. This is not going to be easy." A four-alarm fire destroyed two Balch Springs businesses Friday night and briefly sparked a grass fire nearby.[[414760793,R]] The fire was first reported at about 7 p.m. in the 2800 block of Belt Line Road. The cause and origin of the fire are still under investigation. Flames engulfed both Jimmy's Automotive and the Texas Pallet Warehouse next door. Both businesses were considered a total loss late Friday. One firefighter was treated for an injury, though the extent of the injury was not immediately known. Several cars that were inside the auto shop for repairs were also damaged or destroyed. In his sermon Thursday Pope Francis suggested that Catholics and Christians who are not practicing what they preach are no better than atheists. The pope made the charge as part of a broader message about the destructive power of scandal. "Scandal is saying one thing and doing another. It is a double life," the pontiff said. "So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others. How many times have we heard...'but to be a Catholic like that, it's better to be an atheist.'" The pope's message drew praise on the University of Dallas campus Friday. "Short, pithy statements that are provocative, they get some attention and they give us an opportunity to think and reflect," said Ted Whapham, dean of the university's School of Ministry. "His broad message is about living an authentic life and if you are going to be a person of faith, that can't be something in name only." Though Pope Francis speaks for the Catholic Church his message is resonating with people from other Christian denominations. "[The message] is for everybody. If you're going to call yourself a Christian, you have to, I guess, follow Jesus," said Marybeth Gibson, before heading into First Baptist Dallas. U.S Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) made two stops in North Texas Friday. He visited the Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base in Fort Worth, and was part of a round-table of business leaders at Dallas Baptist University. He also spoke to journalists in Dallas. We have the opportunity to do a great deal of good. We have the opportunity to get the federal government off the backs of small businesses, to create an environment where there are millions of new jobs, where wages are rising. I think Texans are excited, said Cruz. Before coming to Dallas, Cruz spent a day and a half in McAllen. He met with border patrol agents. Border security is a top priority for President Trump. The relief that was expressed to me of border patrol agents [is] that we finally have an administration that is committed to enforcing the laws, actually securing the borders, that was very significant, he added. Cruz came to Dallas at a time when protests on lawmakers are growing throughout the United States. A group organized a town hall in Dallas, and wanted him to attend. Protesters were outside Cruzs Houston office earlier in the week, asking for a town hall meeting. Cruz said he met with a couple of the protesters in Houston. I'll actually give credit to the organizers and the protesters. We had a very positive, productive civil conversation. We had some significant disagreements, but it was an opportunity for each of us to listen to the concerns of the others, and talk productively about the challenges in this country, said Cruz. A 64-year-old woman was killed Friday in a two-car hit-and-run crash in South Los Angeles that was caught on surveillance video. The woman, who was driving one of the vehicles, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash, which was reported at 5:55 p.m. in the 9500 block of South Hoover Street, according to Margaret Stewart of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The other driver, a female, abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot, according to Los Angeles police Officer Aareon Jefferson. Brenda Joyce Scott, of Carson, was killed in the crash, according to police. Surveillance video shows a Jeep running a stop sign and hitting a Mercedes with so much force that the back tires of the Jeep flies up. The driver of the Mercedes was forced into a fence that gated a home. A palm tree kept the vehicle from ramming into the house itself. A detailed description of the suspect was not immediately available. It was like a scene from a movie. On February 28, 1997, two men covered in Kevlar stormed a North Hollywood Bank of America and ran out with $350,000. Police, armed with only 9 mm pistols and shotguns, raced to the scene from across Los Angeles. They found themselves so outgunned that some frantically scrambled to a nearby local gun store to get the high-velocity weapons they needed to match the robbers' assault rifles. "They were ready for war, that's the scary part," says LAPD Officer William Lantz, who was a rookie then, just days into the job, when he took a bullet to the knee. Lantz, now a training officer with the department, had never seen anything like the North Hollywood shootout. "They had masks on their faces," he says. "It was like a monster movie." The two bank robbers, Larry Phillips, 26, and Emil Matasareanu, 30, deflected police bullets with their homemade body armor. The pair may have earlier robbed at least two other San Fernando Valley banks in the same takeover style of the one they had just committed. In their 44-minute-long last stand the duo wreaked terror, spraying more than a thousand rounds of ammunition at anything that moved as the city watched on TV, gripped by the unbelievable scene streaming in from news helicopters hovering overhead the bank. The North Hollywood neighborhood resembled a battlefield. LAPD Sgt. James Zboravan was also a rookie back then. Zboravan and his training officer Stuart Guy joined two detectives in taking cover behind a parking lot locksmith kiosk across the street. "Within a minute, the first suspect exits the bank with an AK-47," Zboravan says. Zboravan aimed his shotgun and fired twice to try to stop the attack. "Basically all that did was make him angry," he said. He survived being hit four times by high-caliber bullets and was saved by a quick-thinking dentist across the street from the bank, who sheltered officers and worked to help stop the bleeding until help could arrive. Borrowing a private armored truck, officers swooped in to rescue some of the injured, as SWAT arrived with sufficient weapons to take on the well-armed robbers. Ultimately, police did stop the duo. Phillips threw down his assault rifle after it jammed, then turned his handgun on himself even as a police bullet found his spine. Matasareanu was trying to return to his bullet-riddled would-be getaway car after a failed carjacking when SWAT raced up and took him down. When the shooting stopped, 11 officers and seven bystanders had been injured and the two gunmen were dead. Larry Welk, a news helicopter pilot who was above the incredible scene that day, can't shake the images from his mind. On the police radio he heard people screaming, cries for help, and calls for backup. "This is something that I had never really heard before," he says. "You could tell that for the first time the LAPD felt like they were being outgunned." "We had all been educated that day, that people could go get body armor, get automatic weapons, and they could overtake a police force. And it didn't feel good." Dr. Jorge Montes, the dentist whose office was across from the bank, drew on his first-aid experience from Boy Scouts when he was pressed into service to help the wounded Zboravan and Detective William Krulac. "I saw the heroics of the police officers," Montes says. "They are true heroes because they were thinking of the others, not of themselves." The shooting changed the way police forces arm themselves. Lantz, the then-rookie cop who was shot in the knee, reflects on how the robbery and firefight changed how police do business. Departments started investing in better equipment and training and some officers are now qualified to use AR-15 assault rifles. The cars also have Kevlar plates in the doors for added protection. "Ever since the North Hollywood shootout a lot of things have changed ... the firepower, the body armor," he says. "Everybody knows about the North Hollywood shootout." A Playa del Rey man is offering a $500 reward to the public after burglars broke into his home and stole his truck and thousands of dollars worth of valuables -- but it's his beloved Boston Terrier that he really wants back. The residential burglary occurred sometime between 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 15 in the area of Manchester Avenue and Pershing Drive, according to the Los Angeles Police Department Pacific Division. Burglars broke through the front door and ransacked David Arbogast's home and took an antique firearm, $50,000 worth of rare coins, valuable watches, a bicycle, his pickup truck, and his 3-year-old Boston Terrier named "Sparky." "I've lost a part of me," Arbogast said. "I haven't been able to sleep." Arbogast came home that day and discovered the doors were open and everything was rifled through. The first thing he did was call out for his dog. Sparky didn't come out. Arbogast's 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was spotted the next day with two men who were attempting to steal property from another residence near the area of Manchester Avenue and La Tijera Boulevard, police said. Arbogast believes his truck was connected to another burglary in the area as well. LAPD Pacific Division The truck is distinctive -- white, with a blue tailgate and a white camper shell over it, and a California license plate 6R28548. Arbogast has been glued to his phone and computer since he disappeared, making calls and putting out pleas online in hopes that others can help find Sparky. Sparky weighs approximately 30 pounds and is microchipped and neutered. He's very friendly and responds to his name. If someone has the dog or finds him, Arbogast asks they turn him in to a shelter or the SPCA, no questions asked. "Sparky is my boy and I only want him back," Arbogast said. "Please help return my boy." If the stolen vehicle is spotted, detectives advise people to call 911. If anyone has information regarding the crime or stolen property, contact LAPD Pacific at 310-482-6363. Authorities on Friday raided the home of a Fort Lauderdale man accused of embezzling millions of dollars from a Deerfield Beach company. Fort Lauderdale Police officers and Broward Sheriff's Office deputies were seen at the home in the 2100 block of Northeast 61st Court that belongs to Salvatore Ciaramitaro. Ciaramitaro, 47, is accused in a civil action of embezzling from List Industries, Inc., where he was the financial analyst for more than a dozen years. Police said they were assisting an unnamed agency at the home and were awaiting a search warrant. Authorities said some illegal contraband was found in the home. No other information was immediately known. Check back with NBC 6 for updates. A 3-year-old girl is recovering in the hospital Saturday after a dog attack in Florida City. The incident happened Friday around 8:20 p.m. on Northwest 12th Street and 8th Place. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the toddler suffered multiple bites. The 3-year-old is identified by family as Sani Julian. Initial reports indicate she was attacked by a mastiff mix. The child was airlifted to Kendall Regional Hospital. She was undergoing surgery. Her condition was unclear. Officials said the dog escaped from a neighbor's home and attacked little Sani while she was with her father. The 3-year-old's father told NBC 6 they were going to buy milk when the dog targeted his daughter. The father said he tried to get the dog off of the toddler. He suffered a minor injury on his leg. The mastiff mix is said to be about 75-80 lbs. The canine is now in the custody of Animal Control. The dog will undergo DNA testing and officials will determine what will happen next. Animal Services said it will charge the owner of the mastiff mix for not properly securing the dog, having no rabies shot and biting a child. Officials have not released the identity of the dog's owner. Constituents hoping to voice their concerns and questions to Sen. Marco Rubio, held a town hall meeting at Plantation Central Park. The event took place at 9151 NW 2nd Street in Plantation. "Senator Marco Rubio chose not to have Town Halls during this recess despite the fact that many Floridians had concerns that they wanted to discuss with him," said Hillary Dougherty, a Broward County resident. "Because that opportunity wasn't afforded to us by Marco Rubio, we decided to create the opportunity for ourselves." Concerns include topics such as the Affordable Care Act, immigration, education, environmental justice, and LGTBQIA rights. Sen. Rubio has recently received scrutiny after turning down an invitation to a town hall meeting Thursday. Rubio was confronted on camera at Florida International University by constituents who questioned why he declined the invitations. Florida Gov. Rick Scott is the new vice-chairman of the Republican Governors Association. The organization announced Friday that Scott has been elected to the position by his fellow GOP governors. He takes the place of former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who resigned from her job after President Donald Trump named her ambassador to the United Nations. Scott will hold the position for the rest of the year. His selection could put him line to become the RGA chairman during the 2018 elections when 38 states including Florida will hold elections for new governors. Scott cannot seek a third term in office due to term limits. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the current RGA chairman, said Scott will help the group recruit candidates and raise money ahead of the 2018 elections. Tourists from all over the world travel to Miami Beach to enjoy the beaches and the bars. However, the tourist hotspot is also a popular hangout for some trouble maker, which is a growing concern for both neighbors and city leaders. Court records show Steve Silverman has racked up seven criminal cases on his record in the last four months alone. His alleged crimes include robbery, public intoxication and theft. Silverman has been free to walk to the streets, according to jail records, until this week, when he was arrested again and charged with selling cocaine. John Deutzman calls Miami Beach home. Hes matched mug shots with faces spotted around his neighborhood including Silvermans. Heather McCabe and her husband terry shared concerns about seedy characters at a recent city homeless meeting. I cant even let my child walk the dog in my neighborhood its horrible, said McCabe. Police records show Silverman is homeless. Miami Beach has a small unit of officers who only deal with this group. Numbers show the majority of its arrests are for misdemeanor crimes -- 425 such arrests compared to 39 felonies in the last year. Repeat offenders are a big problem. People that are nuisance offenders, weve arrested one, two, 300 times, said Miami Beach Police officer Jerome Berrian. These people find their way back to Miami Beach within hours of being arrested. We arrest a person at 6:30 a.m. or 8 oclock and they go to see the judge in the afternoon and then theyre back out at 8 oclock that night. Thats just the way the system works, said Officer Berrian. Ed Griffith is the spokesperson for the Miami-Dade State Attorneys Office. We asked him what more could be done to keep folks like Steve Silverman off the streets. Well, first off, it really depends on each individual crime," said Griffith. He said while most people will see very little jail time for misdemeanor crimes. Concerned neighbors can play a key role. "If people show up for court and articulate their concerns at these options, then you can get a better judicial response; when people don't respond, when people say it's a pain the neck, when people says I'm really too busy, that is how people fall through this," explained Griffith. Miami Beach police officers are now doing just that -- showing up to bond court. Commissioner Michael Grieco supports the city funding a prosecutor who focuses on Miami Beach nuisance offenders to make sure there are real consequences. The city said funding a specialized prosecutor is an option that will be discussed this summer during budget talks. Over 100 Trans rights advocates gathered in Fort Lauderdale Friday night for one main goal: to be seen and heard. It started peacefully but unfortunately one person did end up getting arrested for a separate incident. NBC 6 was the only local station there as the marcher was tasered and arrested. The protester was placed in the back of a Fort Lauderdale Police squad car. PIO said the marcher wandered off into a fenced off park after police told him not to. The marcher proceeded to enter the park and kick a tent. When police tried to arrest him, he resisted and police then tased and arrested him. The marcher is charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest without violence. The night started with a colorful and glittery crowd that met at Huizenga Plaza Park and marched down Southeast First Avenue continuing through Downtown Fort Lauderdale. Elijah Drummond is one of the organizers of Fridays march. "One main purpose of this is to create a space and a platform for Trans youth and queer youth of color," said Drummond. Those who came out to the march addressed some of their concerns regarding their issues with the Trump Administration, especially with transgender bathrooms. Last year, Obama's directive allowed transgender students to use whichever public school bathroom they identified with. Now, President Trump says he wants to leave the issue up to the states. "Everything good that has happened so far you know it's looking like we're taking several steps back and the primary concern is the rhetoric of hatred and discrimination," said organizer Mira. "We have this president who said he was our ally, you know our support and obviously that's not true. So it's really messed up that we have this person that a lot of us feel really unsafe under," said organizer Graciela Mendoza. But, there's no change at Miami-Dade and Broward County public schools. Both school districts already have protections in place for transgender students at the local level. Many who attended Fridays rally also focused on what they say are too many unnecessary deaths in the transgender community. Trans women, especially trans women of color are still dying on the streets every single day and marriage is not enough," said Drummond. But, their main goal is one of inclusion, acceptance and to have a voice by reclaiming public space. "Our message you know for everyone in the city is to know that we're here. We're here and we deserve to here and of course we're not backing down anytime soon," said Medonza. A dramatic and to some offensive re-enactment of the Pulse tragedy is a promotional spot for a show set to air on Univision. The title in English is called "Blood Bath," and the announcer says "few would escape death... maximum terror..the strength of the human spirit." "It's very upsetting. Its sensationalistic. The title is totally inappropriate," said Monica Trasandes. "It's just too painful for people." Trasandes with GLAAD says there should have been far more community involvement in the story. "There were about 300 people in the club that night," she said. "So there are hundreds of people in Orlando if not thousands and around the country for whom this was 9/11 this was the worst tragedy we've experienced in our community. The owner of Pulse nightclub issued a statement regarding the promotional video: I am sickened by Univisions senseless act of exploitation, which is clearly a sleazy attempt to shock and attract viewers. This graphic reenactment of one of the most terrifying nights in modern American history, does nothing but re-terrorize the victims, their loved ones and all who responded to help." The reenactment was taped at Azucar, a gay night club in Miami. The space contracted out. "My reaction was pain," said Ron Brenesky, Club Azucar Spokesperson. "Pain because if you have lost family or you lost friends obviously that's sad to see, that's my reaction but its something that has to be talked about." The spokesperson for the club says he's seen the trailer but he'll be watching the actual show to make sure it doesn't cross the line. "We have not seen all of it. We would have to wait," he said. "According to Univision, they have assured us that they have been sensitive to the LGBTQ community." A man was killed during a robbery on Saturday and two people were injured in a shooting near Rutgers University, authorities said. Enrique Perez Galindo, 29, was approached by robbers outside of the apartment complex where he lived on Hamilton Street, which is less than a mile from Rutgers, Middlesex County prosecutors said. He was stabbed with a sharp object in a driveway leading to the complex. He was able to return to his apartment but was pronounced dead there a short time later. About an hour earlier, two people were shot near Church and Spring streets, police said. They were brought to a hospital, but were expected to survive their injuries, police said. None of the victims were students. Rutgers University police asked students to take precautions, such as staying alert and aware of their surroundings, avoiding isolated areas and walking in groups. The New Brunswick Police Department asks anyone with information regarding the crimes to call the department's Detective Bureau at 732-745-5217. Police confiscated Dozens of dirt bikes and ATVs after hundreds of bikers flooded a busy New Jersey highway for an afternoon joyride. Newark police officers seized the vehicles after as many as 200 dirt bikes and ATVs sped up the bustling McCarter Highway. The daredevils ran stop lights, nearly caused accidents and scared drivers like Robert Safar, who managed to catch it all on video with his cellphone. "Honestly I'm surprised somebody wasn't hit," he said. "There were just too many moving pieces." The NYPD says it is cracking down on illegal dirt bikes. But bikers claim their numbers are on the rise. They say street riding is a highly skilled sport just like extreme skateboarding that should be accepted as legitimate. Sarah Wallace reports. Dirt bike and ATV rides on city streets can be as dangerous as long as the NYPD has known. The department is cracking down on illegal terrain vehicles: seizures are up 52 percent over the last year, with 1,817 off-road bikes and ATVs confiscated around the city as of October 2015, according to police officials. There were no serious injuries reported. However, police say two squad cars were damaged deliberately by bikers as officers moved in to make arrests. Most of the bikers were from out of state, including New York, Pennsylvania and one as far south as Florida. A dirt biker says he was critically hurt by NYPD officers during an arrest. Sarah Wallace reports. Police told News 4 they are looking into some sort of network activated by code that gets riders together like this. Safar was a dirt biker as a teen; he says he never did anything similar to the hundreds of bikers he filmed. "I guess they were feeling a false sense of security at the end of the day...or they just didn't care," he said. While the NYPD has been crushing some of the bikes they've confiscated, Newark doesn't go that far. But it does ticket the riders who claim their bikes, make them get a vehicle registration and pay the towing charge in all, a cost of several hundred dollars to joyride the streets. Top Tri-State News Photos A helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing behind an apartment complex in Chatham, New Jersey, Friday evening, and its tail hit a garage on the way down, authorities say. The Robinson R44 helicopter was going from Richmond, Virginia to Lincoln Park, New Jersey when something went wrong, and the chopper was forced to make an emergency landing just after 6:30 p.m. The FAA says the helicopter, a Robinson R44, is registered to a Delaware address. Resident Kathryn Hill said she heard a big pop and ran outside to find a small helicopter with its rotor clipped and tail bent over the roof of a garage. Video obtained by NBC 4 New York shows the chopper's passenger on the ground as people tried to help. The FAA called it an off-site airport landing; neighbors say it sounded much worse. "It was like a giant car crash, when you hear the big pop of a giant truck," said Hill. "Cop cars, ambulances, fire trucks," said witness Stephanie Krauss. "It was just, looked like a horrible scene when I pulled up." Local leaders say the pilot picked a lucky spot, considering what's around there. "We've got New Jersey Transit rail lines right behind us, we've got Jersey Central and PSE&G power lines just two blocks away," said Assistant Borough Administrator Steve Williams. The 54-year-old pilot walked away without injuries, local officials said. His passenger was taken to the hospital complaining of neck pains. The FAA will investigate what caused the helicopter to go down. Authorities are expected to remove the aircraft over the weekend. A man who killed the fiance of a woman he was obsessed with has pleaded guilty to plotting to kidnap and torture the prosecutor who helped lock him away. Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas says Chandran Nathan faces up to seven more years in prison for pleading guilty to criminal facilitation on Friday. He is already serving 37 1/2 years to life in prison for gunning down Shaleen Wadhwani in the doorway of his Long Island home in 1993. Prosecutors said Nathan had been obsessed with Wadhwani's fiancee and was determined not to see her wed. Two days after Wadhwani was slain, she jumped to her death from her Queens apartment building. Authorities say Nathan offered $10,000 to have someone abduct the assistant district attorney who prosecuted him. A fight on a subway train at the start of the evening rush Friday ended with one man getting stabbed in the back and his attacker fleeing in Hamilton Heights, police say. Two men reportedly clashed on the 1 train as it was approaching 145th Street and Broadway just before 5 p.m., and when the train pulled into the station, the fight carried over to the platform, where the 30-year-old victim was stabbed in the back, police said. The victim's screams caught the attention of bystanders. "I saw two ambulances there... it looked like the man was injured," said Joe Yanza. The victim was taken to Harlem Hospital to be treated for a serious stab wound. Police are searching for the suspect, described only as a man with a green jacket, hat and glasses. Investigators were at the 145th Street subway station for hours; at one point, 1 trains were bypassing the station but service has since resumed. Sources say a police camera steps from the subway may have caught the suspect running away. An elderly woman was injured in a quick-moving fire Friday night that spread across two buildings on the Upper West Side, including one that houses a popular restaurant. The fire started on the third floor of 509 Amsterdam Ave., then got into a shaft and shot up through the fifth floor, then spread to the building next door, no. 511, FDNY Chief of Department James Leonard said. With a firehouse around the corner, firefighters were able to get there in three minutes. At the height of the blaze, 170 firefighters were on the scene, Leonard said. Cellphone video taken by a neighbor across the street showed flames engulfing an entire apartment on the upper floor and shooting straight through the roof. Leonard said several rooms were burning when firefighters got there. Fires inside aging buildings like those -- over 100 years old, by Leonard's estimate -- can be difficult to fight, but the firefighters' speedy response and familiarity with the structure of the buildings helped. The elderly woman was not seriously injured. The FDNY said four firefighters were also injured, but they're expected to be OK. Jacob's Pickles, the restaurant housed at 509 Amsterdam Ave., wasn't burned but it was affected by the fire in other ways. "They're gonna get water damage, they're gonna be out of business for a little while," said Leonard. "They're gonna need to shut down the gas and power, until Con Ed can deem it safe." The restaurant said in a Facebook post: "The JP team is fine! We are thinking of our friends next door and sending all our positive vibes their way. We apologize for how this has affected your evenings and hope we have your understanding. We will do anything required by the NYPD and NYFD [sic] to ensure all measures taken to subdue the fire go as smoothly as possible." The restaurant said Jacob's Pickles' menu was being offered at Maison Pickle, a sister restaurant. FDNY officials said Saturday that the accidental fire was caused by an electrical extension cord. "Fire Marshals: Cause of 2/24 4-alarm, 511 Amsterdam Avenue MN was accidental, electrical extension cord. Smoke alarm present, operational," fire officials tweeted. Stephen Miller, a senior White House policy adviser, claimed that 72 people from the seven countries covered by President Donald Trumps 90-day travel ban have been implicated in terroristic activity in the United States since the 9/11 attacks. Thats a gross exaggeration. Miller cited an analysis by the Center for Immigration Studies that covered alleged terror cases from Sept. 12, 2001, through Dec. 31, 2014. We reviewed the convictions of all 72 people included on the list, and here is what we found: Most 44 of the 72 people were not convicted on terrorism charges. Many were swept up in terrorism investigations, but investigators failed to provide evidence of terrorism-related crimes. Prosecutors instead filed fraud, immigration and other lesser charges. One of the 44 had his conviction overturned on appeal. Many were swept up in terrorism investigations, but investigators failed to provide evidence of terrorism-related crimes. Prosecutors instead filed fraud, immigration and other lesser charges. One of the 44 had his conviction overturned on appeal. More than a third 28 of the 72 were convicted of terrorism crimes or pleaded guilty to terrorism-related activity. The vast majority of these people were convicted of helping to finance terrorism outside the U.S. Only three of the 28 were convicted of plotting acts of terrorism on U.S. soil, and two of them were sting operations. The vast majority of these people were convicted of helping to finance terrorism outside the U.S. Only three of the 28 were convicted of plotting acts of terrorism on U.S. soil, and two of them were sting operations. Four of the 72 were arrested in foreign countries and extradited to the United States for prosecution. Three of the four were convicted on terrorism charges. None of the four would have been blocked by Trumps travel ban, since they were not attempting to enter the U.S. In fact, three of the four, including a Dutch citizen, were arrested in countries (Spain, Romania and the Netherlands) that were not covered by the travel ban. None of the 72 people was responsible for any terrorist-related deaths in the U.S. even though roughly 1 million citizens of the seven countries came to the U.S. during this time as refugees, immigrants or on nonimmigrant visas, according to our review of State Department data. Defending Trumps Travel Ban Miller appeared on several Sunday talk shows on Feb. 12 and discussed, among other things, the presidents executive order Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist Entry into the United States. The order imposes a 90-day travel ban on the citizens of seven predominately Muslim countries (Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen). It also indefinitely prohibits Syrian refugees from entering the U.S., and suspends the refugee program for citizens of all other countries for 120 days. U.S. District Judge James L. Robart on Feb. 3 issued a temporary restraining order that blocked portions of Trumps order from taking effect, pending his full consideration of a lawsuit filed by the states of Washington and Minnesota seeking to permanently block Trumps order. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco on Feb. 9 unanimously denied the Trump administrations emergency motion to lift Robarts temporary order. The Government has pointed to no evidence that any alien from any of the countries named in the Order has perpetrated a terrorist attack in the United States, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals said. As a result of the court decisions, refugees approved for resettlement in the U.S. and visa holders of the seven countries can travel to the U.S., pending further action by the administration or the courts. In defense of the temporary travel ban, top White House officials have cited terrorism attacks that never happened. Kellyanne Conway, the counselor to the president, spoke of the Bowling Green massacre and White House spokesman Sean Spicer repeatedly listed Atlanta among the sites of U.S. terror attacks. (We did not write about those incidents, because both acknowledged their mistakes. We try not to play gotcha here at FactCheck.org.) On NBCs Meet the Press, Miller also defended the presidents travel ban, and criticized the court decisions. Host Chuck Todd asked Miller why the administrations travel ban does not include citizens from countries that have a history of committing terrorism in the U.S., such as Saudi Arabia. Miller, Feb. 12: First of all, 72 individuals according to the Center for Immigration Studies have been implicated in terroristic activity in the United States who hail from those seven nations. Miller made a similar statement on ABCs This Week that same day. Miller, Feb. 12: We know theres at least several dozen, perhaps many more than that, cases of terrorism from these countries that have happened in the United States in terms of terroristic plots, terroristic activity, material support for terrorism, supporting terrorism overseas all different kinds of terroristic activity thats been interdicted in the United States tracing back to these seven countries. The Center for Immigration Studies, an advocacy group for low immigration, posted a blog item on Feb. 11 that said 72 individuals from the seven countries covered in President Trumps vetting executive order have been convicted in terror cases since the 9/11 attacks. CIS extracted the 72 names from a larger list of foreign-born suspected terrorists compiled by the Senate Judiciary Committees subcommittee on immigration. We reviewed the CIS list and found that not all 72 individuals from the seven countries covered by Trumps travel ban were convicted of terrorism charges. 44 Convictions None for Terrorism Most of the 72 individuals referenced by Miller were not convicted on terrorism charges. Many of them were caught up in terrorism investigations in the days following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, but were either never charged or not convicted of terrorism. For example, CIS listed 19 Iraqis convicted in terror cases. But we found that only three Iraqis were convicted on terrorism charges. Most 11 of the 19 were part of a terrorism investigation in Pittsburgh that ended up as a simple fraud case that had nothing to do with terrorism. In the Pittsburgh case, Kamel Albred, Haider Alshomary, Haider Al-Tamimi, Ali Alubeidy, Alawi Al-Baraa, Mustafa Al-Aboody, Mohammed Alibrahimi (a cousin of Ali Alubeidy), Fadhil Al-Khaledy, Hatef Al-Atabi, Wathek Al-Atabi and Elmeliani Benmoumen were among 20 people arrested in the days following the 9/11 attacks on charges they illegally obtained commercial drivers licenses and hazmat transportation permits, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Federal prosecutors feared that the men obtained the licenses in order to transport hazardous materials across the country to carry out terrorist attacks, the Post-Gazette wrote. But the terrorism investigation fizzled. When one of the defendants, Alawi Al-Baraa, pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining a hazmat license by bribing a state official, the Post-Gazette wrote, U.S. District Judge Robert Cindrich took the unusual step at the hearing of asking the federal prosecutor to make clear that Al-Baraas case had nothing to do with terrorism. Post-Gazette, Dec. 14, 2001: We have attempted through the FBIs efforts to establish any possible connections between Mr. Al-Baraas activities and the events of Sept. 11, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bruce Teitelbaum. We have been unable to establish any link. Teitelbaum said there is no reason to believe Al-Baraa is anything but a truck driver who paid bribe money to get a new hazmat certification without taking the required test. Nearly four years later, the Washington Post wrote a story about the Pittsburgh case The Terrorism Case That Wasnt and Still Is that quoted Cindrich as saying that he would not continue to characterize this as a successful prosecution of a terrorism case, because it was not. Similarly, CIS identified 19 Yemeni citizens on its list of 72 individuals convicted in terror cases, but we found only four who were convicted on terrorism charges. Most of them 10 were initially suspected of funneling money to terrorists through illegal money transfers, but the investigations failed to support terrorism charges. For example, federal authorities grew suspicious of a check-cashing business in California and set up a sting operation that resulted in the March 2007 arrests of three Yemen-born men, Yehia Ali Ahmed Alomari, Mohamed Al Huraibi and Saleh Mohamed Taher Saeed. The men agreed to arrange illegal overseas transfers of more than $100,000 for an undercover agent who allegedly told the men that some of the money would go to Hezbollah, an organization linked to terrorism, according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. However, the paper wrote, U.S. District Judge Charles Siragusa did not allow mention of Hezbollah during the trial because the criminal charges the men faced had no connection to terrorism. Ultimately, the three each pleaded guilty to operating an illegal money-transmitting business an outcome authorities contended was fair, given the governments evidence, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle wrote. The paper said that one of the jurors told the men, I hope you go and have a good life. Like the Pittsburgh case we mentioned earlier, several of the terrorist investigations were launched in the days following the 9/11 attacks but terrorism charges failed to materialize: Mustafa Kilfat and his father were stopped while driving in New Jersey because they were driving a red Pontiac a car law enforcement officials briefly believed was connected to the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, according to the New York Daily News. The two men had no connection to the 9/11 attacks, but Kilfat a Syrian citizen was convicted on one count of visa fraud. Nageeb Abdul Jabar Mohamed Al-Hadi was arrested in Toronto in the hours immediately after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. He was bound for Chicago using a false name, carrying three Yemeni passports and two Lufthansa uniforms, according to the Chicago Tribune. A prosecutor in the case said Al-Hadi provided the false information because he didnt think he would be allowed to re-enter the United States, after abandoning the legal status that he had obtained here in the 1980s through a sham marriage, the paper wrote. Al-Hadi was convicted on one count of visa fraud. Mohamed Abdi, a Somalian living in Virginia, was arrested in the days soon after the 9/11 attacks because authorities found his name and phone number written on a Washington street map inside a 1988 Toyota registered to Nawaf al Hazmi, one of the 9/11 hijackers who crashed into the Pentagon, according to CNN and the Chicago Tribune. But, as the Washington Post later reported, authorities were unable to find any connection to terrorism. Abdi pleaded guilty to forging rental subsidy checks. Mohammed Refai became a suspect shortly after the 9/11 attacks when federal investigators in Arkansas found documents that appeared to connect one of the terrorist hijackers, Saeed Alghamdi, with an apartment complex in Akron, Ohio, the New York Times wrote. Refai lived in the complex. According to newspaper accounts, investigators apparently have decided that the documents from Arkansas involved a case of mistaken identity, the Times wrote. Other examples of terror investigations that did not result in terrorism convictions, but were among the 72 cited by Miller: Mohamed Hussein, a Somalian businessman living in Massachusetts, was suspected of diverting money to the al-Qaeda network, according to the Agence France Presse, but was convicted on two counts of illegal money transfers. Prosecutors presented no evidence linking Hussein to terrorists. U.S. District Judge Robert E. Keeton sentenced Hussein to 18 months, rather than the five years sought by prosecutors. Youre trying to ask me to sentence him as a terrorist, Keeton told a prosecutor. It shocks my conscience that I would even be asked to do that. (Note: Husseins name was misspelled on the CIS list as Mohammed Husssein.) Pirouz Sedaghaty, who goes by the name of Pete Seda, was convicted in 2010 of two felonies related to his charity, the Al-Haramain Islamic Foundation. Federal prosecutors accused Seda of using his organization to send nearly $150,000 to support religious extremist militants in Chechnya, according to the Justice Department. But he faced no terrorism charges and his conviction was overturned on appeal by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. This is a tax fraud case that was transformed into a trial on terrorism, Circuit Judge M. Margaret McKeown wrote in the court opinion. Terrorism Convictions and Pleas Of course, some citizens of the seven countries covered by Trumps ban were convicted on terrorism charges. In all, there were 28 individuals who were either convicted on terrorism charges (25) or admitted to terrorism activity (three) in pleading guilty to lesser charges. Of those 28, however, three arrests occurred abroad, and the suspects were extradited to the United States. None of them were trying to enter the U.S., so they would not have been blocked by Trumps travel ban. Like Osama bin Laden, they were plotting attacks from other countries. For example, Syrian arms dealer Monzer Al Kassar was extradited from Spain and later convicted on charges of conspiring to sell millions of dollars worth of high-powered weapons to the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, to be used to kill Americans in Colombia, according to the New York Times. Al Kassar was convicted of, among other things, providing material support to terrorists. That was true for most of the terrorism convictions, and many of them were Somalian citizens living in the U.S. In all, there were 14 Somalians convicted of helping to finance terrorism abroad, typically for al-Shabaab a terrorist group operating in East Africa whose leaders are affiliated with al Qaeda, according to the National Counterterrorism Center. There were only three cases during this time in which foreign-born residents of the seven countries on Trumps temporary travel ban attempted to carry out a terrorist attack in the U.S. two of which were not real attacks, but rather government sting operations: Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia who lived in Oregon, was charged in an undercover sting operation with attempting to set off a fake bomb supplied by undercover FBI agents at a Christmas tree-lighting ceremony in Portland. He was sentenced in October 2014 to 30 years in prison. Yassin Aref, a Kurdish refugee from Iraq, was convicted in a counterterrorism sting operation in 2006. According to the New York Times and the Albany Times Union, an undercover federal agent told Mohammed M. Hossain, Arefs co-defendant, that he planned to assassinate the Pakistani ambassador to the U.S. in New York City and then sell the weapon for $50,000. The undercover agent offered to give Hossain a $50,000 loan for improvements to his pizza shop. According to testimony, Mr. Hossain asked Mr. Aref to attend another meeting with the informant to act, by Muslim custom, as a witness to the loan, the New York Times wrote. Mansour J. Arbabsiar, an Iranian American living in Texas, was convicted on charges of plotting to hire assassins from a Mexican drug cartel to murder Saudi Arabias ambassador to the United States, according to the New York Times. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit an act of terrorism transcending national boundaries and two counts related to murder-for-hire, the Times said. To sum up, we found 28, or more than a third, of the 72 people cited by Miller were convicted on terrorism charges. We found that 25 of the 28 people were in the U.S., when they were arrested. Only three of 25 were implicated in plotting a terrorist attack on U.S. soil, and only one of those was aimed at U.S. citizens on U.S. soil a government sting operation, not an actual attack. None of the U.S. residents from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen were responsible for any attacks on U.S. soil that resulted in a loss of life. At the same time, roughly 956,000 citizens of those countries entered the U.S. as refugees and visa holders, according to State Department data. A total of 258,508 refugees from the seven countries resettled in the U.S. from Sept. 12, 2001, to Dec. 31, 2014. Another 697,113 others obtained immigration and nonimmigration visas in fiscal years 2002 through 2014, which covers Oct. 1, 2001, to Sept. 30, 2014. Here is the breakdown, by country: COUNTRY REFUGEES VISA HOLDERS TERRORISM CONVICTIONS/PLEAS Somalia 82,365 10,691 16 Yemen 113 60,938 4 Iraq 118,994 110,864 4 Syria 497 123,876 2 Iran 38,518 305,883 2 Libya 8 36,692 0 Sudan 18,013 48,169 0 TOTALS 258,508 697,113 28 Editors Note: We obtained refugee data from the State Departments Refugee Processing Center, and the visa holder data from the State Departments Bureau of Consular Affairs. Our analysis of the Center for Immigration Studies list of 72 terror cases can be found in a spreadsheet that you can download here. FactCheck.org added the last three columns to the spreadsheet, which otherwise remains as it appears on the CIS website. FactCheck.org Fellows Sydney Schaedel, Ilana Nathans and Jenna Wang assisted in the research for this article. Muhammad Ali's son, who bears the boxing great's name, was detained by immigration officials at a Florida airport and questioned about his ancestry and religion in what amounted to unconstitutional profiling, a family friend said Saturday. Returning from a Black History Month event in Jamaica, Muhammad Ali Jr. and his mother, Khalilah Camacho Ali, were pulled aside and separated from each other on Feb. 7 at the immigration checkpoint at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, said Chris Mancini, a family friend and attorney. Camacho Ali was released a short time later after showing a photo of herself with her ex-husband, the former heavyweight boxing champion, Mancini said. But Ali Jr. was not carrying a photo of his world-famous father a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ali Jr., 44, who confirmed his Muslim faith, was detained about two hours, despite telling officials that he's Ali's son and a native-born U.S. citizen, Mancini said. It was the first time Ali Jr. and his mother have ever been asked if they're Muslim when re-entering the United States, he said. "From the way they were treated, from what was said to them, they can come up with no other rational explanation except they fell into a profiling program run by customs, which is designed to obtain information from anyone who says they're a Muslim," Mancini said in a phone interview. "It's quite clear that what triggered his detention was his Arabic name and his religion." U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman Daniel Hetlage confirmed Saturday evening that Ali Jr. was held for questioning by customs officers, but said "it wasn't because he's a Muslim and it wasn't because of the Arabic-sounding name." The agency said in a statement that its officers process more than 1.2 million international travelers daily with "vigilance and in accordance with the law." It said it does not discriminate based on religion, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation. "We treat all travelers with respect and sensitivity," the agency said. "Integrity is our cornerstone. We are guided by the highest ethical and moral principles." During his detention, Ali Jr. was asked repeatedly about his lineage and his name, "as if that was a pre-programmed question that was part of a profile," Mancini said. Ali Jr. and his mother have been frequent global travelers. The family connects their treatment to President Donald Trump's efforts to restrict immigration after calling during his campaign for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. "This has never happened to them before," Mancini said. "They're asked specifically about their Arabic names. Where they got their names from and whether they're Muslims. It doesn't take much to connect those dots to what Trump is doing." Camacho Ali and Ali Jr. live in Florida. They have not traveled abroad since, and are considering filing a federal lawsuit, he said. Asked why the matter was just now coming to light, Mancini said: "Khalilah had prior commitments as did I and when she finally got in to see me for a legal opinion of what they did, I brought it to the media immediately." Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion and humanitarian, died last June at age 74 after a long battle with Parkinson's disease. People lined the streets of Louisville, Kentucky, to say goodbye to the city's most celebrated son before a star-studded memorial service watched worldwide. Philadelphia police say they have found the car they believe hit a man Thursday evening in Kensington and kept driving. 43-year-old Krelly Plaza-Alicea was crossing Clearfield Street in the crosswalk at the intersection with Emerald when he was struck and thrown 50 feet, police said. The silver sedan that hit Alicea never slowed down.[[414677443, C]] On Friday, police said they found a car just blocks from the incident they believe is the one involved in the crime and were testing it. Meantime, family tells NBC10 that Alicea has a long road of recovery ahead. He suffered two broken legs and head trauma, but doctors said the head trauma did not affect his brain. Police were still searching for the driver.[[414681324, C]] Vice President Mike Pence assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work tirelessly on foreign and domestic issues important to the group, such as enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. "If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel," Pence told the group Friday night. The Republican administration is "assessing" whether to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, he said, and has put Iran "on notice." Pence's words served as evidence of the fruits of years of the politically active group's labors. Its annual conference at billionaire donor Sheldon Adelson's casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip has become a de facto campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates over the past few years. The RJC also drew the entire GOP presidential field to its December 2015 forum in Washington. Now, with the first Republican White House in eight years, the group of Republican donors and Jewish leaders was among the first to hear from the new vice president. Former Vice President Dick Cheney introduced Pence. The roughly 500 attendees also are expected to hear from Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina this weekend. Pence told the RJC that America's bonds with Israel had already grown stronger under the young administration. President Barack Obama did not have a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many Republican Jews saw the Obama administration as insufficiently supportive of Israel. Pence also ticked through Trump's domestic agenda, saying the president had already brought back American jobs. "This White House is in the promise-keeping business," he said. The vice president shared stories from his trip to Germany last weekend his first abroad as vice president. He'd paid a visit to the former Dachau concentration camp, where thousands of Austrian and German Jews were among those imprisoned and killed. He was joined on the tour by a survivor of the Holocaust who was at Dachau when it was liberated by American soldiers at the end of World War II. Pence also talked about how this week he had made a surprise visit to a Jewish cemetery in Missouri where more than 150 gravestones had been toppled and vandalized. Speaking through a bullhorn at the site, he said there was "no place in America for hatred or acts of prejudice or violence or anti-Semitism" and then picked up a rake and helped clean up the cemetery. In Las Vegas, the vice president effusively praised the Adelsons from the stage, saying that they "in so many ways have given America a second chance" through their political work in the U.S. and Israel. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave more than $20 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, making them among Trump's most generous benefactors, campaign records show. "Rest assured we're going to keep our end of the bargain, too," Pence said, thanking the Adelsons and RJC for "steadfast support" throughout the campaign. Yet, like so many staples of party politics including the conservative activist conference taking place this week near Washington the RJC has fit uneasily with Trump. Adelson, who helps finance the RJC, didn't openly support Trump until the final weeks of the presidential campaign. The wariness was mutual. Trump had called his GOP rivals "puppets" of Adelson and prompted major heartburn among Republican Jews with his freewheeling comments at the 2015 RJC forum. Trump has been appreciative. At one of his final campaign stops, in Las Vegas, he called the couple "really incredible people" who have been "so supportive" The Adelsons also were front and center for Trump's swearing-in last month, and Sheldon Adelson was one of Trump's first dinner guests at the White House. And Trump picked the leader of the super PAC that landed Adelson's money, Chicago businessman Todd Ricketts, as deputy commerce secretary. Imagine youre on your way to a job interview and you get a phone call from Caribous Dan Snaith asking you to drop everything and go on tour with him because his drummer just broke his wrist. And you gotta leave like, now. What do you do? Well, if youre Ahmed Gallab, aka Sinkane, you tell the cabbie to turn the f--- around so you can go to the bank, overdraw your account and get on the first plane out of the city. Gallabs geographically limitless foray into music is as interesting as it is inspiring, so its no wonder that Snaith offered him the tour drummer role after briefly meeting him at a music festival. Consequently, its no surprise that Of Montreal and Yeasayer offered him the drumming reigns after seeing him perform with Caribou. Gallab was born in London, but many of his formative years were split between Ohio and Sudan. His father was a London-based diplomat, but once the government for which he was working was overthrown in Sudan, their family had to start over in the U.S. -- emphasis on the starting over. Because his parents Sudanese degrees werent valid in the states, they had to get their PhDs all over again. And they didnt hesitate to do so, but the family always kept their homeland close to heart. Every summer, Gallab returned to Sudan, which had a huge, profound influence on his life and on his music. According to him, it was a really beautiful time, because it allowed him to understand that people are very different but also very similar. Splitting his time between Sudan and America afforded him the opportunity to be a fly on the wall, gliding between very different cultures and musical traditions. Yet, he found this beautiful relationship between the different kinds of music he was into -- the honest and earnest energy was all the same, according to him. Music first came into Gallabs life through religion. His grandfather was a well-respected Muslim cleric and at gatherings where he would recite prayers, there was this beautiful call and response that became spiritual and tantric for Gallab. Fittingly, it was a Spiritualized show that really changed his life. It solidified an impulse -- fostered by geography and religion -- to connect with as many people as possible, to help others free their minds, be themselves and watch the sunshine. Gallab typically works alone as Sinkane, but thats starting to change as he aims more and more for a Bob Marley-esque universality. His new album, Life & Livin It, dropped on Friday, Feb. 10, and it showcases a more immediate, live energy. Before going in to record, he played the songs live a lot with his band in an effort to meld the pedal-steel/country-Western influence with the funky Afro-psych a little better. So, at his Soda Bar show on Sunday, March 5, expect the simplicity, space and groove that only Sinkanes rhythmic approach to melody and production can give you. Expect to share the high of spirit and body that Gallab has always pursued. Rutger Rosenborg was almost a Stanford neuroscientist before he formed Ed Ghost Tucker. He now plays in the Lulls and makes music on his own when he's not writing. Follow his updates on Facebook or contact him directly. Recent county water test results show arsenic levels more than double the amount the Environmental Protection Agency says is safe for drinking water at the Warner Springs School District. Water has been shut off and kids are being provided bottled water. The small school district serves students in pre-school through high school in the far East County. NBC 7 requested water quality tests throughout the county under the California Public Records Act after educators at San Ysidro School District found unsafe levels of lead coming from a drinking fountain at an elementary school in the South Bay. "I didn't understand it. I still don't," said Warner Springs parent Kelly Little. "It is scary." Little is new to Warner Springs, but found out quickly that the water is not safe to drink. Educators and students here have been dealing with the issue for years, since 2013. "We went above the maximum contaminant level and then below and then above and then just recently when we consistently started being above, we brought in bottled water for the kids and all the staff," said Warner Unified Chief Business Official Andrea Sissons. "We shut down all of our fountains, so there's no access to drinking water." Long-term exposure to arsenic is linked to increased risk of kidney, bladder and lung cancer. Sissons said as soon as officials discovered the issue, they shut faucets off; started quarterly testing and informed parents. For years, theyve been working to access state funding to pay for a kitchen sink filter, emergency water reimbursement and a long-term solution. Sissons said she thinks they are in the home stretch of accessing state funding for an engineer to build a long-term solution. As a small water system with a well, the water district is required to test their water annually, unlike most water districts across the state. Once they discovered the arsenic, they began testing the water quarterly, she said. Sissons says the water problem has really impacted the school beyond just worrying parents. Once a school with a large agricultural program, complete with vineyards that have now dried up because of the lack of water, Warner Unified has had to move some of its programs off-campus. We are a big agricultural school, Sissons said. We have a really healthy Future Farmers of America program. But, the last couple years, since we have no water, the kids have had to take the animals home with them, if they have a place at home to keep an animal. San Ysidro district officials shut off drinking water at La Mirada Elementary School following high lead results of tests in October. The drinking water was shut off as a precaution at Smythe Elementary and San Ysidro Middle School, officials said. NBC 7 obtained one test result that revealed levels of lead in the drinking water at La Mirada that were nearly 18 times higher than the regulatory limit. Also, a dangerous bacteria was discovered coming from taps in several areas of the school. In October, San Ysidro school officials ordered water quality tests after a substance described as blue and murkey was noticed coming out of the faucets during a pressure test. In California, there are no requirements that schools test water quality. A trio of bills introduced this legislative session aims to change that. A bill by local Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez-Fletcher would require schools test for lead and report results to parents. A high school music teacher who pleaded guilty to a sexual relationship with a former student was sentenced Friday to three years of probation. Jason Mangan-Magabilin, 38, faced three years, eight months in prison when he faced a judge for his sentencing hearing Friday. Mangan-Magabilin pleaded guilty in December to oral copulation and penetration by a foreign object with one of his former male students. The relationship occurred from 2010 to 2011 when that student was between 15 and 17 years old. During the sentencing, Mangan-Magabilin also spoke to the judge about how sorry he was. "The actions were absolutely inexcusable but the intent was not selfish," he said. "Boundaries were crossed but it was never malicious and I can only pray that John Doe and his family can find closure and happiness." The victim, now in his 20s, recently reported the incident to police because of mandatory reporting at job training. He also spoke in court, identified only as John Doe. These last few years, since ending my relationship with the defendant, my life has been turned upside down. Ive had to face a lot of dense truths about myself and this grim situation. This journey has sent me down roads of depression, anxiety and self-loathing. Mangan-Magabilin works as a music teacher at Bonita Vista High School within the Sweetwater Union High School District. A website for the Club Blue Instrumental Music Program at the school said he has been with the school for 10 years, and also conducted the Crusader Girls Chorus at Bonita Vista Middle School. Hes an alumnus of the University of Southern California, where he performed as a member of the Trojan Marching Band. He also earned a masters degree in conduction from the American Band College of Sam Houston State in 2013. Mangan-Magabilin was sentenced to three years of felony probation and spend a year in jail. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim and register as a sex offender for life. The parents of a San Diego teenager who was kidnapped and murdered while out on a run exactly seven years ago paid tribute to their daughter with a heart-wrenching message and video posted on social media. Brent and Kelly King, parents of slain teen Chelsea King, posted a message on Facebook Saturday marking seven years since the last time they saw their daughter alive. Unspeakable sadness. Immeasurable love, the message began. These are some of the emotions that coarse through our hearts today. Its been 7 years since we last saw our little girl. Chelsea radiated joy, and believed in the good in all people. We have learned that no amount of evil can diminish the compassion, conviction and beauty we witness daily. Nothing can separate us from Chelsea. You taught us that. We will never forget the gift you have given us. In a high-profile case that sent shock waves through San Diego County, Chelsea, only 17, was kidnapped on Feb. 25, 2010, while out on a run at Rancho Bernardo Community Park, by sexual predator John Albert Gardner III. The Poway High School seniors body was found five days later in the Lake Hodges area. Chelsea King Family Photos On May 15, 2010, Gardner was given a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the rape and murder of Chelsea, as well as that of Escondido teenager Amber Dubois, 14, who vanished in a similar, disturbing case in February 2009. The following year, the King family worked to pass Chelseas Law in California, which enhances criminal sentences for violent sexual offenders who commit crimes against children. Today, Brent and Kelly King run the Chelseas Light Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to their daughter that aims to support youth and spreading positive change in the community. Their social media message on Saturday was posted to the Chelseas Light Foundation Facebook page, and also included this paragraph for those who continue to support the work of their family. You also showed us that together we can make a difference in the lives of all kids by passing tougher laws that lock up the cowards that harm them. Help us protect more kids by asking one friend, co-worker, or family member to like us on social media. The larger our following the more the politicians pay attention to our goal! The post included a touching tribute video with snippets of home videos of Chelsea as a toddler, child and teen and her loved ones talking about what made her so special. Everything about her was light. She was one of those girls that would just light up a room, Chelseas brother, Tyler King, said in the video tribute. NBC 7s Dave Summers talks with San Diego County Sheriffs Detective, Chris Johnson who played a key role in the Chelsea King murder case. Next Saturday, March 4, the Chelseas Light Foundation will hold its 7th annual Finish Chelseas Run, a community 5K walk/run in memory of the teen and the run she was never able to finish. The event serves as a fundraiser for the organizations Sunflower Scholarship Fund, which will help award 10 scholarships to college-bound teens who embody service over self traits. NBC 7 is the television media partner for the event; our NBC 7 team will be there to support participants and Chelseas loved ones at the run. Thousands of supporters ran through Balboa Park Saturday in honor of Chelsea King. NBC 7s Liz Bryant reports. A traffic alert was issued for the on-ramp to northbound State Route 163 at Genesee Avenue Saturday morning after a driver slammed into a power pole. The crash happened around 4:30 a.m. near the 2800 block of Health Center Drive. One person was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and California Highway Patrol (CHP) officials were called to investigate the incident. Northbound SR-163 at Genesee Ave. was shut down for four hours while SDG&E crews worked to repair the power line and restore power to some communities impacted by the crash, including parts of Clairemont, Linda Vista, Mission Valley, Kearny Mesa and Tierrasanta. Those communities did not regain power until around 6 a.m. No further details were immediately released. Directors of what critics see as a "shadow government" have just approved an outside investigation of revenue numbers used in a big ballot measure last fall. The furor surrounding the San Diego Association of Governments abbreviation: SANDAG started even before the November election. Since the 1970s, SANDAG has served as a clearinghouse for federal and state funding going to the county and its cities. The agencys $18 billion ballot measure failed at the ballot box even while it was way too bullish on financial projections. "Our credibility lives or dies on our accountability, Poway Mayor Steve Vaus, a SANDAG director, told NBC 7 in an interview Friday. We need to have an independent examination of all the facts. Who, what, when, where, why? And we're gonna do that. We're gonna get answers and provide them to the public." SANDAG's Measure A projected that a half-cent TransNet sales tax hike would collect $14 billion for local transportation projects. But current tax growth trends indicate the proceeds would be $5 billion less. SANDAG's staff blames a "human error" involving a missing "data slide" to that effect. Although the ballot measure fell 10 points short of the needed two-thirds countywide majority, suspicious minds wonder whether the lower revenue figure actually was withheld so as to boost the chances of passage. SANDAG directors are elected officials from the county and its 18 cities, and voters don't directly cast ballots for members of the board. That's a concern to some, because California is among only a few states with multi-billion dollar metro clearinghouses for federal and state funding. Even so, the situation isnt alarming to political observers such as Voice of San Diegos Andrew Keatts, whos extensively covered SANDAG. It's the entity that goes out and competes for federal and state dollars, says Keatts. So if you have one agency that focuses on that and disburses that money around the region in certain ways, you could just as easily see that as a benefit." In the wake of the controversy over Measure A, Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher is working on state legislation to reform the way SANDAG governs. As two directors noted in their remarks, without confidence in the information SANDAG gives, there could be risks for the county and the agencys 18 municipal members. Five people were hurt Friday morning in Paradise Hills when a medical transport van crashed on State Route 54, rolling over into the center divide. California Highway Patrol (CHP) Officer Jake Sanchez said the crash initially involved three vehicles: a Honda Accord, a big rig and a medical transport van. Sanchez said all three vehicles were traveling westbound on State Route 54 just before 10:40 a.m. when, for unknown reasons, the Honda Accord hit the van. This caused the driver of the van to lose control, sending the van plowing into a big rig. The impact caused the van to drift across all lanes of the freeway, Sanchez said, before it rolled over and crashed into the center divide. Officials with Heartland Fire & Rescue said five people were hurt in the accident but firefighters were able to pull all five victims from the wreckage. The mangled van came to rest on its roof, tires up, in the grassy portion of the center divide. The van was marked with the logo of St. Paul's PACE, a health care program for the elderly. Debris from the crash was strewn about; an empty wheelchair could be seen near the scene of the crash. Sanchez said the van, in addition to its driver, was carrying four passengers. The driver suffered minor injuries while the passengers suffered more serious injuries. They were rushed to local hospitals. Sanchez said the van is a medical transport vehicle, equipped to transport wheelchairs. The investigation is ongoing; it is unclear, at this point, where the van was headed at the time of the accident. The driver of the Honda Accord and the driver of the big rig were not hurt. CHP said the crash caused traffic delays along SR-54 west of Woodman Street. As of 11 a.m., firefighters from multiple agencies remained at the scene, trying to clear the wreck. CHP said at least one lane was blocked. Using a crane, a tow truck was able to eventually lift the van upright and pull it out of the grassy center divide. No other details were immediately released. NBC 7 reached out to St. Paul's PACE and the organization confirmed the van belongs to their Chula Vista facility. Carol Hubbard, executive director at St. Pauls PACE, told NBC 7 there were four PACE seniors inside the van at the time of the crash two of them in wheelchairs. Three of the seniors were taken to Scripps Mercy Hospital. As of 2 p.m., Hubbard said they were all recovering from minor injuries. The fourth victim is at UC San Diego Medical Center undergoing some medical tests. That victims condition is unknown, Hubbard confirmed. She said the driver is okay, but very shaken up by the accident. Hubbard said families of the crash victims have been notified and PACE staff members are at the hospitals with the patients. A man fatally shot during a shooting that injured two D.C. police officers had an extensive criminal history, court records showed. The shooting happened about 10:40 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of Holbrooke and Morse streets, Northeast, where police responded to an earlier report of shots fired, police said. Officers tried to stop the man, identified as Timothy Lionel Williams, 47, who police said tried to run from the officers. There was a struggle before an exchange of gunfire, acting police Chief Peter Newsham said. It appears that only one of the two officers fired, and Williams' gun was also discharged, he said. Newsham said he didn't know why the officers had tried to stop Williams. Two officers were shot in the lower part of their bodies, Newsham previously said. One officer's injuries were serious; he underwent surgery late Thursday. The other was being treated in the hospital, police sources said. He was released by Friday afternoon. Williams was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to court records, Williams has a criminal history dating back to 1989. He was sentenced to eight years in prison after crashing a stolen car into a Montgomery County police cruiser. The crash ended a 20-mile chase in which Williams sped 143 miles per hour, records said. In 1994, Williams pleaded guilty to armed robbery and weapons charges in Prince George's County and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to court records. A man who told News4 he is Williams' relative said he wants to know what happened Thursday night. "I want to see justice, I mean, I want them to thoroughly investigate what happened, why he was shot," he said. He did not want to be identified. A video posted to Twitter showed some of the shooting on Thursday night. The video appears to show Williams on the ground and an officer fall. News4 is not publishing that portion of the video because it is graphic in nature. But Newsham said the video is only a glimpse into what unfolded. "I'm hopeful that anyone who's looking at one small piece of evidence doesn't draw any conclusions," Newsham said. Police recovered a semi-automatic handgun from the scene that they believe belonged to Williams. Newsham said both officers had activated their body-worn cameras before the pursuit began. "That footage is currently under review," he said Friday afternoon. Before Bowser can consider releasing the body cam footage to the public, she will have to consult with the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Office of the Attorney General, Newsham said. That consultation is underway, he said. Democrats elected former Labor Secretary Tom Perez as their new national chairman on Saturday over a liberal Minnesota congressman after a divisive campaign that reflected the depths of the party's electoral failures as well as the energy from resistance to President Donald Trump. Perez, the first Latino to hold the post, edged Rep. Keith Ellison on the second round of voting by Democratic National Committee members gathered in Atlanta. A nod to his margin of 35 votes out of 435 cast, to say nothing of the lingering friction between old-guard Democratic brokers and outspoken liberal upstarts, Perez tapped Ellison to serve as deputy chair. "We are all in this together," Perez said, calling on Democrats to fight "the worst president in the history of the United States." He added, "I am confident when we lead with our values and we lead with our actions, we succeed." Perez had led on the first ballot among six candidates, but fell just short of the required majority. Earlier Saturday, Perez told DNC members the party was facing a "crisis of confidence" and a "crisis of relevance." "We need a chair who cannot only take the fight to Donald Trump but make sure that we talk about our positive message of inclusion and opportunity and talk to that big tent of the Democratic Party," Perez said. Both top candidates had promised aggressive rebuilding efforts for state and local Democratic parties. The chair campaign was uncharted territory as Democrats face a power deficit not seen in nine decades. Republicans control the White House, Congress and about two-thirds of U.S. statehouses. The GOP is one Senate confirmation fight away from a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. With Democrats in agreement in their opposition to Trump, the race turned on who was able to convince enough DNC members to believe his promises of rebuilding party infrastructure that withered under President Barack Obama despite his personal electoral success. Trump tweeted his congratulations to Perez Saturday afternoon saying: "Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!" Ellison told voting members he had signatures from 750,000 rank-and-file Democrats who support his chairmanship bid. He promised to "convert them from demonstration energy to electoral energy." He pledged to prioritize small donations to finance the party, while working to "organize this whole country." Perez said he would "rebuild strong parties" and "organize, organize, organize" so Democratic nominees could win "from the school to the Senate in all the states." Perez got into the race at Obama's urging, but he pushed back on the notion that represented the same "establishment" label that dogged Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. Ellison had endorsements from Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who challenged Clinton for the Democratic nomination, and also from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. For their parts, Ellison and Perez had praised each other and promised unity regardless of the outcome. The winner succeeds outgoing Chairwoman Donna Brazile, who led the party as interim chief in the fallout from disclosure that internal party communications were stolen by hackers and leaked during the 2016 presidential campaign. U.S. intelligence officials have blamed Russian agents and said Moscow's intention was to help Trump win. Brazile said Saturday the party has worked with cybersecurity experts to address vulnerabilities. She chided Trump for his mockery of DNC cybersecurity and his doubts that Russians are at fault. "No, Donald Trump, you can't go to Staples and buy anti-Russian hacking software," she said, urging Congress to investigate whether Russians hacked the Republican National Committee. No RNC emails were leaked during the 2016 campaign. Republican officials insist their party communications were not breached. Brazile suggests that proves Russians wanted to help Trump. The first Latin American president to visit Donald Trump at the White House told the U.S. leader Friday he prefers "bridges to walls," sending him a gentle rebuke of his controversial proposal to build a wall along the border with Mexico. Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, a U.S.-educated former Wall Street banker, has emerged as an unlikely leader in Latin America, taking a strong stand against Trump's "America First" agenda while many in the region remain silent. Kuczynski, 78, characterized his meeting with Trump as "cordial and constructive" and said he told Trump he was interested in the free movement of people "legally," he emphasized and also spoke about trade and economic development. Kuczynski harshly criticized Trump during the U.S. presidential campaign, joking he would cut diplomatic relations with the U.S. "with a saw" if Trump followed through on his pledge to build a wall with Mexico, which he compared to the Berlin Wall. On Friday, he made a point of saying "we prefer bridges to walls." Leaders in the region, even staunch critics of the U.S. like Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, have largely avoided rallying to Mexico's side for fear of jeopardizing their own relations with the Trump administration. Despite such past criticism, it will be hard for Trump to dismiss Kuczynski's advice, said Brian Winter, vice president of the regional group Council of the Americas. Kuczynski, who renounced U.S. citizenship to run for Peru's presidency, speaks Trump's language, not just flawless English but that of a successful businessman with deep influence in the power circles of New York, where he lived and worked for years. He is also bolstered by Peru's standout performance creating jobs and growth. Buoyed by high metal prices, Peru's economy has boomed an average 5 percent each year since 2000 almost twice the regional average. "This is the positive side of the Latin American story that Trump may be unaware of," said Winter. "Because of his biography, but also the success of Peru, Kuczynski may have more credibility than any other president in Latin America to talk straight to Trump." In brief remarks in the Oval Office before their meeting, Trump said the two men have known each for some time and that it was an honor to welcome him to Washington. "Peru has been a fantastic neighbor," Trump said. "We've had great relationships, better now than ever before." Trump also announced that he would authorize the sale of U.S. military vehicles to Peru though Kuczynski later downplayed the purchases, saying his government's priority is not acquiring military equipment but providing clean water to all Peruvians. Peru is among a handful of South American nations with a free trade agreement with the U.S. and Kuczynski has not hid his admiration for the United States. But despite being ridiculed at home as a "gringo," Kuczynski has said he worries the U.S. has been taking Latin America for granted. Not for nothing, his first trip abroad after taking office last July was to China. One area where the two men likely see eye-to-eye is Venezuela though Kuczynski said the topic only came up tangentially in their conversation. Kuczynski has been outspoken criticizing Venezuela's socialist government, calling for humanitarian aid to the country and giving visas to exiles. Within 30 days of taking office, Trump has already slapped sanctions on Venezuela's vice president for his alleged role in facilitating large cocaine shipments to the U.S., and met with the wife of the country's most-prominent political prisoner. If Kuczynski manages to earn Trump's respect, it could pay bilateral dividends. Earlier this month, Kuczysnki telephoned Trump to ask him to deport former President Alejandro Toledo, who is believed to be in the San Francisco area. Toledo faces an arrest order for allegedly taking $20 million in bribes from a Brazilian construction firm. Kuczynski said Friday the two men briefly discussed the case and that it will have to work its way through the both nations' judicial systems. Democrats have tapped former Gov. Steve Beshear to deliver the party's response to President Donald Trump's address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, highlighting the Kentucky Democrat's efforts to expand health care coverage under the law Republicans are determined to repeal and replace. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., made the announcement on Friday in which they also turned to immigration activist Astrid Silva to give the Spanish language response to Trump's speech. Silva is a so-called Dreamer who came to the country at the age of five as an illegal immigrant. Silva spoke at the Democratic convention and her selection is a reminder of Trump's initial policies on immigration. While the Trump administration has cracked down on immigrants living in the country illegally, Trump has said he wants to spare the children. During his tenure as governor, Beshear embraced the 2010 health care law and expanded the Medicaid program to provide coverage to thousands of Kentuckians. "American families desperately need our president to put his full attention on creating opportunity and good-paying jobs and preserving their right to affordable health care and a quality education," Beshear said in a statement. "Real leaders don't spread derision and division they build partnerships and offer solutions instead of ideology and blame." Republicans have repeatedly criticized the law as too costly and vowed to repeal and replace President Barack Obama's overhaul. House Republicans aim to roll out legislation in coming weeks to replace major elements of the Affordable Care Act with a new system involving tax credits, health savings accounts and high risk pools, but crucial details remain unknown. They've had to defend their plans at raucous town hall meetings around the country this week, and a new poll showed support for the law at a record high. The choice of the former governor stands as a counterpoint to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who is at the forefront of efforts to repeal the law. Silva moved to Nevada as a child and contact with former Sen. Harry Reid helped to transform her into an immigration activist. "President Trump would have people believe that all immigrants are criminals and that refugees are terrorists," Silva said in a statement. "But like my family, the vast majority of immigrants and refugees came to this country escaping poverty and conflict, looking for a better life and the opportunity to reach the American Dream." What to Know Police responded to a home on Greenwood Street in Bridgeport Friday morning to investigate a stabbing and found one woman dead and one hurt. The woman's 6-year-old daughter, Aylin Sofia Hernandez, and the little girl's father were missing so police issued an Amber Alert. Police found the father and daughter in Pennsylvania hours later and took him into custody. Police say he tried to flee from troopers. A 6-year-old Bridgeport, Connecticut, girl who was the subject of a multistate Amber Alert was found in Pennsylvania after a high-speed chase and crash involving a car driven by her father, the fugitive suspect in double stabbing, according to police. Pennsylvania State Police say Aylin Sofia Hernandez suffered minor injuries in the crash at about 11 a.m. Friday on Interstate 99 in Benner Township. Her father, 39-year-old Oscar Hernandez, was taken into custody and brought to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Two state troopers suffered minor injuries. Oscar Hernandez, an El Salvador national, is a convicted felon who was deported from the U.S. in 2013, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials tell NBC Connecticut. The amber alert was issued around 2:45 a.m. Friday after officers responded to the girl's Greenwood Street home and found her mother dead in a grisly, blood-covered scene that police called "horrendous." PHOTOS: Girl Reported Missing from Bridgeport Found in Pennsylvania Aylins mother, 26-year-old Nidia Gonzalez, had been stabbed and was pronounced dead at the scene. Gonzalez's friend, who police have not identified, had been stabbed about 14 times. She was taken to St. Vincent Medical Center and is listed in critical but stable condition. Police said they believe she will survive her injuries. Oscar Hernandez was named a suspect. Police received a tip that the father and daughter were in New York, and expanded the Amber Alert. Around 11:15 a.m., a Pennsylvania State trooper spotted the car on I-99 and tried to pull it over, police said. Oscar Hernandez led officers on a chase before crashing into a tractor-trailer, causing a pursuing trooper's vehicle to crash into his car, police said. Police said the girl and the state trooper sustained minor injuries to her head and leg. The trooper was transported to the hospital to be treated for minor injuries. Police are now working with the state Department of Children and Families to reunite the girl with other family members. "Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased and the other young woman that was assaulted. We are concerned for the little girl, and frankly we're also concerned for the father of the little girl," Bridgeport Police Chief Armando J. Perez, said during a news conference Friday morning. "This is the ugly, ugly side of domestic violence," Perez added, noting that he has "full confidence" in the Bridgeport Police Department and detective bureau to find Hernandez. Bridgeport Mayor Joseph Ganim also spoke during the news conference, calling the incident a "terrible tragedy." The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence also issued a statement. "We are saddened that another life has been taken because of domestic violence, but are grateful that the victim's daughter has been found," Karen Jarmoc, chief executive officer of CT Coalition Against Domestic Violence, said in a statement. "We urge everyone to be vigilant of the signs that abusive behaviors may be escalating towards fatal violence. We want the public to know that our 18 member organizations are here to help by providing safe, confidential and free services across the state, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week." The investigation is in the early stages, but police believe the two victims had gone out, arrived home late and an argument ensued. Police said they had not responded to the home for domestic incidents in the past, but a protective order had been issued against Oscar Hernandez, who was accused of assaulting another female. Oscar Hernandez's cousin said through tears that he does not know why his cousin did what he's accused of. He said he's glad that police found Aylin safe and described Oscar as a great dad who has other children, a "great person" and a great cook. Two Massachusetts men are facing charges in connection with a home invasion in Haverhill. Police arrested Edward Lane, 34, and David Duchesne, 25, at their Haverhill apartment Friday night as a result of an investigation. Authorities said the men are accused of breaking into an apartment on North Avenue on Wednesday at 1:47 a.m. where they allegedly demanded drugs from the residents inside. Both Lane and Duchesne have been charged with home invasion, armed robbery while masked and two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Both men are being held on $100,000 bail until their arraignments on Monday in Haverhill District Court. "The men and women of the Haverhill Police Department did an excellent job of investigating this case and bringing it to a resolution so quickly which will hopefully make the residents of North Avenue feel safer. The Haverhill Police would also like to commend, and thank our valued law enforcement partners in the Massachusetts State Police who demonstrated great expertise and professionalism in assisting us with apprehending two suspected violent individuals," said Haverhill Detective Lieutenant Robert Pistone. Police body camera footage is at the center of a perjury investigation in Vermonts largest city. The police officer under suspicion resigned his job this week, the Burlington Police Department announced. In the recording, taken in October, Officer Christopher Lopez is executing a traffic stop. It is apparent from statements recorded on the camera that Lopez had significant suspicions that the driver might have drugs in his vehicle. Lopez apparently thought a body camera was off, but it did capture this conversation with a back-up officer: Officer Christopher Lopez: Youre off, right? Back-up officer: Yeah. Lopez: Im just trying to get creative about how Im going to get in this car. Back-up officer: Do you smell anything? Lopez: No. I mean, I can if I need to, but I dont like going that way if I cant back it up. Despite saying on the tape that he did not smell anything, Lopez wrote in a formal report forwarded to prosecutors that he did detect the odor of fresh marijuana. We have an officer who was out there doing what he believed was proactive police work, and we have concerns about the integrity of that police work, Chief Brandon del Pozo of the Burlington Police Department said this week in discussing Lopezs resignation. Prosecutors brought drug charges against the driver, believing evidence against him was strong, then abruptly dropped the allegations when the defense pointed to the discrepancy between the recording and the written report. We had enough without the smell of marijuana, Chittenden County States Attorney Sarah George said of other evidence against the driver involved in the traffic stop, who was also suspected of possessing cocaine. Lopez resigned under intense scrutiny. Outside agencies are now looking into whether his actions were criminal, but no charges have been filed. I hope that this sends a message to law enforcement: that when you do things right, and honestly, and legitimately, I will have your back, George said. And when you dont, I will make it known that you did whatever you did, and I wont tolerate it. George said Friday she dismissed 16 pending criminal dockets because she did not consider Lopezs testimony credible enough to get convictions. That number rose from Thursday, when George anticipated dismissing 14 dockets. The dismissed charges included felonies and misdemeanors, involving possession of heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. Other dismissed charges involved lesser charges, such as leaving the scene of an accident. The states attorney said the overwhelming majority of police personnel in Chittenden County are careful and honest in doing their jobs. She praised most all police in her county for their service to their communities under often very difficult circumstances. Phil Cykon, the director of the Champlain College criminal justice program, said body cameras present complicated questions for departments and the communities, but that the devices can be critical to transparency. These situations test the system, Cykon said of examples of alleged wrongdoing being caught on tape. Any way we can keep that trustkeep the faith in the system alivethe better off were all going to be. Necn attempted to get the former officers side of the story, but his attorney declined our request for comment. Attorney Lisa Shelkrot said in an email Friday that she doesnt believe its appropriate for anyone to comment when theres a pending investigation. Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker is spending the weekend attending the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington. The Republican governor arrived at the meeting Friday for an agenda that included briefings and a lunch hosted by Vice President Mike Pence. On Saturday and Sunday Baker is scheduled to attend additional meetings including a breakfast session focused on ways to end childhood hunger and a Sunday White House event with Republican President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump. Baker is also set to attend a Sunday meeting of the Coalition of Northeastern Governors for a round-table discussion on regional issues. Baker's schedule includes additional meetings on Monday including separate health reform briefings with both Congressional Republicans and Congressional Democrats. Baker will wrap up his trip with a final briefing on cybersecurity. One man was killed and another was injured in an overnight rollover crash in Sharon, Massachusetts. Massachusetts State Police said the crash happened on Interstate 95 northbound near exit 8, at about 12:30 a.m. A preliminary investigation by police indicated that a Lexus IS300 was traveling in the right lane when the driver, 27-year-old Sean Kearney of Quincy, attempted to maneuver into the adjacent lane. Kearney somehow lost control of the vehicle, causing it to rollover and crash in the median. Police said as a result of the crash Kearney and his 37-year-old passenger were ejected from the vehicle. Kearney was pronounced dead at the scene. The passenger was transported to Boston Medical Center with serious injuries. A woman who was traveling northbound in a Nissan Sentra had swerved to avoid debris from the Lexus and struck the right side guardrail. She was not hurt. Police are still investigating the exact cause of the crash. Same lawmakers leaving D.C. during this weeks recess are facing hostile homecoming, but quite the contrary in New Hampshire as democratic senators Jeanne Shaheen and Maggie Hassan hosted their first town hall since Election Day. More than 200 people packed the auditorium at NHTI in Concord. There was a passionate discussion, but no fireworks. Its the New Hampshire way, we talk with politicians and candidates all the time, we have respectful debates and let them know how were feeling, said Jenny Foster of Hopkinton. Senator Maggie Hassan agrees, saying, Its our culture to engage with each other and to try and solve problems together and thats what you saw an example of today. Its quite a contrast from what weve seen at other town hall events across the country this week. Angry constituents interrupting town halls, challenging Republican lawmakers who are backing President Trumps agenda. And in Concord, some expressed similar fears. I represent an entire congregation and theyre really scared, said Julie Lombard on Atkinson. But the tone was more supportive as voters had a candid conversation with their two democratic senators. Foster brought her little girl, telling us she comes to these events to show her children that in America, if you dont like something, you have the power to change it. This is how we protect our country, this is how we stand up for what we believe, Foster said. In a tweet this week, President Trump blamed liberal activists for the angry crowds. We likely wont see that in the state because the state has an entirely democratic delegation. Massachusetts State Police have arrested a man for barricading himself at a grocery store. On Saturday at 1:20 p.m., officers responded to reports of an armed stand-off at a grocery store in Hopkinton. The suspects mother was first to call for help, and told officers her son was making threats. When they arrived, police learned a suspect, a 41-year-old male from the Worcester area, had barricaded himself inside the Price Chopper Supermarket on West Main Street. Several customers were in the store at the time. All were quickly removed when police arrived on the scene. Everybody who was grocery shopping had to leave and all the workers left, recalls Sueann Nocera who was shopping when the police arrived. They wanted everyone away from this store. The suspect called police, telling them he had two other people with him and was armed. When they entered the building, the officers discovered he was alone. The suspect did not take any hostages and made no threats to any of the customers, but he was armed with a pipe and refused to leave the manager's officer at the store. Eventually the Massachusetts State Police Special Tactical Operations Team spoke with the suspect, and was able to convince to him to surrender peacefully and without any injuries. The suspect was arrested by Hopkinton police and transported to the hospital for further evaluation. The Price Chopper is now back open to customers. Even though recreational marijuana may have just recently been legalized in Massachusetts, the White House now says it may try to step in and change that. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said Thursday, I do believe that youll be seeing greater enforcement of it. Marijuana proponents like Bill Downing with Mass Cannabis Reform Coalition say at this stage it may be too difficult to do that logistically. Downing said, In Colorado, California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., all these states, it would be impossible for them to do that. But for those who fought hard against Question 4 last year, like attorney John Scheft who challenged it in the Supreme Judicial Court, he welcomes federal regulation. Scheft said, My hope is that if the administration chooses to do it they will really target the most dangerous aspects of legalized marijuana. We found Massachusetts residents similarly split some favor consistency across the country. Rich Antonino of Plymouth said, If somethings legal in one state and four miles away in another state its illegal, Id hate to be that person in jail for something that was legal four miles away. Vanessa Kesner of Braintree said, I would appreciate if people would not smoke in public, thats my only concern. Others feel the states including Massachusetts have spoken and that should be respected. Laura Nealy of Boston said, I think the states have spoken on their choices about it, its been legalized where the states believe it should be. Stephen Salvitti of Somerville pointed out, I know that Trump said a couple years ago he believes it should be a states right issue. Norwich Christian poet publishes Lent project Local Christian author Tim Lenton has published a book of poems written during Lent last year. The poems are thought-provoking and honest. Review by Helen Baldry. Waving from a Distance is a Lent project by, who compiled the poems he wrote during this period in 2016. Tim is a retired journalist and he attends St Augustines Church in Norwich.The poems express the distractions, irritations, observations and sudden moments of illumination in daily living. During ordinary tasks, such as booking a holiday or installing a new phone, Tim discovers extraordinary realisations about God, faith and life. Some of the poems are sparked by a sermon or a book or film. I found the comments at the end of each poem useful to help explain the context.Lent is often seen as an opportunity to reflect on God, who he is and what he has done for us. Rather than Gods awesomeness as the starting point, Tims poems often begin with an everyday observation which leads to a profound question or feeling.The poems strike me as honest, sometimes funny and there is a quickness about them which means they flow and are easy to read.I enjoyed reflecting on the poets ideas which led me to think more deeply and come up with my own ideas. My favourites are Dead Space, The Fire Inside, Field of Forgiveness and Shadows on the Hill.Waving from a Distance could be used as a personal reflection during Lent or could be used in a group Bible study setting as a starting point for discussion or prayer.The book was published last month and is available on Amazon at Norwich refugee charity celebrates ten years of work Norwich refugee charity celebrates ten years of work A Norwich educational charity, set up in memory of a Norwich Anglican priest, to support students from a Palestinian refugee camp is marking its tenth anniversary and has just become an independent charity. Further Newbury call to remove loose tiles from roof of flats FIREFIGHTERS tackled a chimney fire at an Upper Woolhampton school this afternoon (Saturday), after retrieving loose tiles from a Newbury roof earlier today. One pump from Newbury Fire Station was called at 2.30pm to a chimney fire at the independent Elstree School. Firefighters used rods and water to extinguish the blaze, before departing at 4pm. Earlier today, at 9.30am, Newbury firefighters removed three tiles in a precarious position from the roof of a block of flats in Bartholomew Street, before departing at 10am. By IANS ISLAMABAD: The 13th edition of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, an inter-governmental regional grouping of 10 countries to be held in Islamabad on March 1, will focus on regional connectivity, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday. He said the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would help boost the transit and energy corridors in the ECO region. The forum would help in deciding ways to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity. "Connectivity for regional prosperity is the theme of the summit," Geo Tv quoted Aziz as saying. Most member states have confirmed participation in the summit. The adviser said initiatives for educational, scientific exchange and cultural exchange within the ECO will also be discussed. "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an outstanding example of the summit's theme of connectivity. It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for the people of the area," Aziz said. The ECO Vision 2025 is expected to be formulated and adopted during the summit. It is aimed at reviewing the ECO's state of affairs, in the light of changing global and regional circumstances. The ECO was formed in 1985 by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It now also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. ISLAMABAD: The 13th edition of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, an inter-governmental regional grouping of 10 countries to be held in Islamabad on March 1, will focus on regional connectivity, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday. He said the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would help boost the transit and energy corridors in the ECO region. The forum would help in deciding ways to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity. "Connectivity for regional prosperity is the theme of the summit," Geo Tv quoted Aziz as saying. Most member states have confirmed participation in the summit. The adviser said initiatives for educational, scientific exchange and cultural exchange within the ECO will also be discussed. "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an outstanding example of the summit's theme of connectivity. It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for the people of the area," Aziz said. The ECO Vision 2025 is expected to be formulated and adopted during the summit. It is aimed at reviewing the ECO's state of affairs, in the light of changing global and regional circumstances. The ECO was formed in 1985 by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It now also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: In a move to increase deposits under the amnesty scheme of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, the government has warned banks of penalty if they fail to accept taxes under the scheme. Such banks will have to face de-authorisation of branches, said the finance ministry. In a letter to the heads of banks authorised to accept deposits under the scheme, the ministry said that branches should be informed of the decision, asking them to make technical arrangements respect to software etc for accepting payments. This direction comes in the wake of complaints that some banks were not accepting payments. It was found that many were not aware of the procedure and were refusing acceptance citing technical reasons. The matter was, then, referred to the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts who has now issued a warning to the banks. The provision was created after the demonetisation move when the government found that several people were resorting to illegal ways to convert their black money into white. Under the provision, until March 31, those who have unaccounted money can declare their assets in the form of bank deposits by paying a tax of 50 per cent of the deposit. Additionally, a 25 per cent of the sum will have to be locked in a deposit for a period of years, without it qualifying for any interest on the deposit. If a person fails to do the same and is caught by tax officials for hoarding money, then the tax payable would be 85 per cent, the government had said. With a month to go for the deadline, the ministry has taken cognizance of non-compliance of this provision on part of banks. NEW DELHI: In a move to increase deposits under the amnesty scheme of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana, the government has warned banks of penalty if they fail to accept taxes under the scheme. Such banks will have to face de-authorisation of branches, said the finance ministry. In a letter to the heads of banks authorised to accept deposits under the scheme, the ministry said that branches should be informed of the decision, asking them to make technical arrangements respect to software etc for accepting payments. This direction comes in the wake of complaints that some banks were not accepting payments. It was found that many were not aware of the procedure and were refusing acceptance citing technical reasons. The matter was, then, referred to the Principal Chief Controller of Accounts who has now issued a warning to the banks. The provision was created after the demonetisation move when the government found that several people were resorting to illegal ways to convert their black money into white. Under the provision, until March 31, those who have unaccounted money can declare their assets in the form of bank deposits by paying a tax of 50 per cent of the deposit. Additionally, a 25 per cent of the sum will have to be locked in a deposit for a period of years, without it qualifying for any interest on the deposit. If a person fails to do the same and is caught by tax officials for hoarding money, then the tax payable would be 85 per cent, the government had said. With a month to go for the deadline, the ministry has taken cognizance of non-compliance of this provision on part of banks. Pramod Thomas By Express News Service KOCHI: It is not easy to distinguish between cinnamon and its lookalike cassia. The former is a spice used in cooking for its flavour and as an ingredient in Ayurveda drugs for its health benefits, while the latter mostly imported from China is considered harmful to health. The Spices Board had suggested way back in 2008 that cassia may be listed as restricted item for import, but it is still being imported in large quantities, reveals an RTI reply. India imported 19,405 tonnes of cassia worth Rs 242 crore during 2015-16. According to industry sources, 70 per cent of Ayurveda drugs are supposed to contain cinnamon. However, a substantial part of this might be cassia, which is much cheaper and easily available, sources add. Cassia reportedly creates health problems such as kidney /liver damages and even cancer. The poisonous nature of cassia is mainly due to the presence of a substance called coumarin, which can be toxic when used at high doses for a long period. Cinnamon is grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The spice is also imported from Sri Lanka. On the other hand, cassia is imported into the country from China, Vietnam and Indonesia and is much cheaper. The Spices Board had suggested a ban on the import of cassia into the country in 2008 itself. Even after eight years, no action has been taken. Again in February 2016, the board has stated that banning the import of cassia may not have a big impact in the trade. But, the RTI reply I received on January 31, 2017 says imports happened vigorously, says Leonard John, who owns 45 acres of cinnamon plantation in Kannur district of Kerala.There are around 100 cinnamon farmers in the country. The spice is produced in 1,000 acres and it produces around 20,000 kg a year. Even though the production cost of cinnamon is in the range Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 a kg, the product is available at Rs 400 a kg now. P J Kunjachan, chairman and managing director of Arjuna Natural Extract, a spice importer, said it is a known fact that low-quality spices are being dumped into the country. Another issue is that we do not have proper lab facilities to test these samples. On November 26, 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a notification banning the wholesale and retail sales of cassia. The import of cassia is not completely banned in the country. But, there are restricting regarding usage. The produce is used in masala manufacturing units only in negligent quantities. We take necessary steps to examine samples imported to India, said a spokesperson of Spices Board. KOCHI: It is not easy to distinguish between cinnamon and its lookalike cassia. The former is a spice used in cooking for its flavour and as an ingredient in Ayurveda drugs for its health benefits, while the latter mostly imported from China is considered harmful to health. The Spices Board had suggested way back in 2008 that cassia may be listed as restricted item for import, but it is still being imported in large quantities, reveals an RTI reply. India imported 19,405 tonnes of cassia worth Rs 242 crore during 2015-16. According to industry sources, 70 per cent of Ayurveda drugs are supposed to contain cinnamon. However, a substantial part of this might be cassia, which is much cheaper and easily available, sources add. Cassia reportedly creates health problems such as kidney /liver damages and even cancer. The poisonous nature of cassia is mainly due to the presence of a substance called coumarin, which can be toxic when used at high doses for a long period. Cinnamon is grown in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The spice is also imported from Sri Lanka. On the other hand, cassia is imported into the country from China, Vietnam and Indonesia and is much cheaper. The Spices Board had suggested a ban on the import of cassia into the country in 2008 itself. Even after eight years, no action has been taken. Again in February 2016, the board has stated that banning the import of cassia may not have a big impact in the trade. But, the RTI reply I received on January 31, 2017 says imports happened vigorously, says Leonard John, who owns 45 acres of cinnamon plantation in Kannur district of Kerala.There are around 100 cinnamon farmers in the country. The spice is produced in 1,000 acres and it produces around 20,000 kg a year. Even though the production cost of cinnamon is in the range Rs 400 to Rs 1,500 a kg, the product is available at Rs 400 a kg now. P J Kunjachan, chairman and managing director of Arjuna Natural Extract, a spice importer, said it is a known fact that low-quality spices are being dumped into the country. Another issue is that we do not have proper lab facilities to test these samples. On November 26, 2016, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India issued a notification banning the wholesale and retail sales of cassia. The import of cassia is not completely banned in the country. But, there are restricting regarding usage. The produce is used in masala manufacturing units only in negligent quantities. We take necessary steps to examine samples imported to India, said a spokesperson of Spices Board. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Two Bangladesh nationals were arrested for allegedly peddling drugs near schools in Begur police limits. The arrested have been identified as Jani Khan (26), resident of Vishwapriya Layout and Raja Khan (25) a resident of Koramangala. Both the accused are said to be natives of Bangladesh. Police have seized 40 Yaba tablets (a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine) of four grams each and three mobile phones. Police have also seized their identity cards like Aadhaar and PAN cards. Police officers said they were tipped off about people selling drugs near government high school in Begur. "Based on that information, we detained the accused and during the interrogation they confessed about it," an official said. Yaba is a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and is referred to as a drug of madness in the Asian continent and is called Nazi speed in the western part of the world. It is a banned drug which leads to rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and damage to the small blood vessels in the brain that can lead to stroke. BENGALURU: Two Bangladesh nationals were arrested for allegedly peddling drugs near schools in Begur police limits. The arrested have been identified as Jani Khan (26), resident of Vishwapriya Layout and Raja Khan (25) a resident of Koramangala. Both the accused are said to be natives of Bangladesh. Police have seized 40 Yaba tablets (a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine) of four grams each and three mobile phones. Police have also seized their identity cards like Aadhaar and PAN cards. Police officers said they were tipped off about people selling drugs near government high school in Begur. "Based on that information, we detained the accused and during the interrogation they confessed about it," an official said. Yaba is a mix of methamphetamine and caffeine and is referred to as a drug of madness in the Asian continent and is called Nazi speed in the western part of the world. It is a banned drug which leads to rapid heart rate, increased blood pressure, and damage to the small blood vessels in the brain that can lead to stroke. C Shivakumar By Express News Service CHENNAI: In order to have its own contingency plan to tackle oil spill, the Tamil Nadu government has entrusted the task to the Indian Institute of Technology- Madras. Sources in the Environment and Forest Department told Express that IIT-M has been asked to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment report on the January 28 oil spill following the collision of Isle of Man flagship B W Maple with MT Dawn Kancheepuram. IIT-M civil engineering professor S Mohan, who will be conducting the EIA, told Express that the study would look into four parameters, including helping the State prepare a contingency plan to counter any future oil spills along the coastline. As per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, while the port is responsible for responding to an oil spill within the port area, the Coast Guard is the Central Coordinating Agency for combating oil pollution in the maritime zone and the State Governments for shoreline response. However, the shoreline response had not been adequate and the Coast Guard had to pool in their resources to contain the spill. Mohan told Express that during the oil spill, an immediate response was lacking as there was no protocol fixing the responsibility. The proposal, which we will be submitting to the State, will also look into these parameters. It will be based on response to different kind of oil that could possibly spill along the coast and the response required to contain it, he added. The other parameters the EIA study will look into are how far the January 28 oil spill has spread and its impact on flora and fauna and marine life. We will also be preparing remedial measures to be undertaken to contain the spill, he said. I am submitting a proposal to conduct the Environmental Impact survey for the pollution control board, said Mohan, who was an EIA committee member of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. CHENNAI: In order to have its own contingency plan to tackle oil spill, the Tamil Nadu government has entrusted the task to the Indian Institute of Technology- Madras. Sources in the Environment and Forest Department told Express that IIT-M has been asked to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment report on the January 28 oil spill following the collision of Isle of Man flagship B W Maple with MT Dawn Kancheepuram. IIT-M civil engineering professor S Mohan, who will be conducting the EIA, told Express that the study would look into four parameters, including helping the State prepare a contingency plan to counter any future oil spills along the coastline. As per the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan, while the port is responsible for responding to an oil spill within the port area, the Coast Guard is the Central Coordinating Agency for combating oil pollution in the maritime zone and the State Governments for shoreline response. However, the shoreline response had not been adequate and the Coast Guard had to pool in their resources to contain the spill. Mohan told Express that during the oil spill, an immediate response was lacking as there was no protocol fixing the responsibility. The proposal, which we will be submitting to the State, will also look into these parameters. It will be based on response to different kind of oil that could possibly spill along the coast and the response required to contain it, he added. The other parameters the EIA study will look into are how far the January 28 oil spill has spread and its impact on flora and fauna and marine life. We will also be preparing remedial measures to be undertaken to contain the spill, he said. I am submitting a proposal to conduct the Environmental Impact survey for the pollution control board, said Mohan, who was an EIA committee member of Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The GoFundMe campaign aimed at assisting the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was killed in an alleged hate crime in the United States of America has gathered over dollars 523,505 within a day of launch. The money donated by 14,288 people surpassed the target 1,50,000 on Friday. The campaign is aimed to help the distressed family will aid the family in arranging funeral expenses related to bringing the body back to India. The campaign was initiated by Kavipriya Muthuramalingam, a family friend of the deceased. "I have made Sunayana, Srinu's wife as the beneficiary for this account and she will be solely in charge of all the contributions. No amount can replace this loss, so please continue to spread the word," said Kavipriya through an updated message on the website. The late Srinivas Kuchibhotla | File photo Another crowd funding campaign was also initiated for the third victim in the crime, Ian Grillot. Ian, was shot after he tried to help the victims and confront the shooter. He was shot in the arm close range and the bullet tore through his shoulder and neck. The campaign started by his older sister, Maggie Grillot, has gathered dollars 308,017 within a day. The Kansas state police are yet to ascertain if the attack is an instance of hate crime. The accused, Adam W Purinton, a former US army veteran was taken into custody five hours after he shot the two men at a bar. He has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Srinivas. He has also been charged with attempt to second-degree murder. HYDERABAD: The GoFundMe campaign aimed at assisting the family of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was killed in an alleged hate crime in the United States of America has gathered over dollars 523,505 within a day of launch. The money donated by 14,288 people surpassed the target 1,50,000 on Friday. The campaign is aimed to help the distressed family will aid the family in arranging funeral expenses related to bringing the body back to India. The campaign was initiated by Kavipriya Muthuramalingam, a family friend of the deceased. "I have made Sunayana, Srinu's wife as the beneficiary for this account and she will be solely in charge of all the contributions. No amount can replace this loss, so please continue to spread the word," said Kavipriya through an updated message on the website. The late Srinivas Kuchibhotla | File photoAnother crowd funding campaign was also initiated for the third victim in the crime, Ian Grillot. Ian, was shot after he tried to help the victims and confront the shooter. He was shot in the arm close range and the bullet tore through his shoulder and neck. The campaign started by his older sister, Maggie Grillot, has gathered dollars 308,017 within a day. The Kansas state police are yet to ascertain if the attack is an instance of hate crime. The accused, Adam W Purinton, a former US army veteran was taken into custody five hours after he shot the two men at a bar. He has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Srinivas. He has also been charged with attempt to second-degree murder. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: The Kansas shooting incident killing one Telugu engineer and injuring another, both from Hyderabad, has sent ripples across the Indian community in the United States. While racist hate attacks are not new in that country, some from the Indian diaspora believe that accession of Donald Trump to the presidency has boosted the confidence of racist elements in society which might cause occurrence of such incidents. It is well known that David Duke, former head of Ku Klux Klan and French far right Presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen are some of President Trumps admirers, many of them point out. Priya V, a Minnesota state resident says, Donald Trumps hasty comments and decisions are definitely provoking Americans to turn against immigrants. I am now living in Minneapolis. The citys downtown has a lot of night clubs including gay clubs. I fear that these clubs might become a target anytime just like it happened in Orlando. I am avoiding such crowded places these days. She further said, While such attacks have occurred earlier also, the present political atmosphere in the country is one which fortifies the confidence of people whose views are anti-immigrant. Unlike the Milpitas homicide incident in which an Indian student from Telangana was killed, the racial hate attack of Kansas, killing a Hyderabadi engineer and injuring another, garnered lot of buzz on social media. Social media messages were directed at United States President Donald Trump for spreading xenophobia. Tweet by one Naveen from the US on the Kansas incident went, Absolutely despicable! This is what happens when you normalize racism and hatred by calling it *political incorrectness*. Social media users also attacked Indians, NRIs and Hindu nationalist groups in India and the US who supported Donald Trumps presidency. Speaking to some Indians staying in the US revealed that not all are angry and afraid. An engineer from Hyderabad working in Michigan said, Such incidents have occurred during former President Barack Obamas regime as well. There has always been an anti-immigration rhetoric in the US. Nothing new in it but just that it has been getting excessive media coverage now. There are some instances where people comment on the internet on immigrants, which is hurtful but such people are few. Nationalistic fervour is now running high across many countries in the world. At the end of day I am an immigrant and I have to respect laws of this country. HYDERABAD: The Kansas shooting incident killing one Telugu engineer and injuring another, both from Hyderabad, has sent ripples across the Indian community in the United States. While racist hate attacks are not new in that country, some from the Indian diaspora believe that accession of Donald Trump to the presidency has boosted the confidence of racist elements in society which might cause occurrence of such incidents. It is well known that David Duke, former head of Ku Klux Klan and French far right Presidential candidate, Marine Le Pen are some of President Trumps admirers, many of them point out. Priya V, a Minnesota state resident says, Donald Trumps hasty comments and decisions are definitely provoking Americans to turn against immigrants. I am now living in Minneapolis. The citys downtown has a lot of night clubs including gay clubs. I fear that these clubs might become a target anytime just like it happened in Orlando. I am avoiding such crowded places these days. She further said, While such attacks have occurred earlier also, the present political atmosphere in the country is one which fortifies the confidence of people whose views are anti-immigrant. Unlike the Milpitas homicide incident in which an Indian student from Telangana was killed, the racial hate attack of Kansas, killing a Hyderabadi engineer and injuring another, garnered lot of buzz on social media. Social media messages were directed at United States President Donald Trump for spreading xenophobia. Tweet by one Naveen from the US on the Kansas incident went, Absolutely despicable! This is what happens when you normalize racism and hatred by calling it *political incorrectness*. Social media users also attacked Indians, NRIs and Hindu nationalist groups in India and the US who supported Donald Trumps presidency. Speaking to some Indians staying in the US revealed that not all are angry and afraid. An engineer from Hyderabad working in Michigan said, Such incidents have occurred during former President Barack Obamas regime as well. There has always been an anti-immigration rhetoric in the US. Nothing new in it but just that it has been getting excessive media coverage now. There are some instances where people comment on the internet on immigrants, which is hurtful but such people are few. Nationalistic fervour is now running high across many countries in the world. At the end of day I am an immigrant and I have to respect laws of this country. By Online Desk Popular Malayalam actor Prithviraj on Saturday announced on Facebook about the courageous return of the actress who was sexually assaulted a few days ago to the sets of a film she is shooting. The actor also apologised for playing misogynistic roles in his past films. Prithviraj in his public post, 'Courage', has perhaps for the first ever time for actors, publicly apologised for having misogynistic dialogues in his movies. He also promised that he will never again allow women to be disrespected in his films. I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self-respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued, read his Facebook post this morning. The actor also urged people to stand up and applaud for the actress. He says she chose to step out and work, despite her ordeal, setting an example to many and light(ing) a torch that will show a path for many to follow. The Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi last week on the night of February 17. Prime accused Pulsar Suni and others have been arrested on Thursday. Here is the full post: COURAGE ----------- Some of the most poignant moments in my life have been punctuated with moments of incredible courage. Courage from what I have now fully realised are God's most benevolent yet intricate creations. WOMEN! From a mother picking up pieces of a suddenly derailed life, to bring up two young boys to be the men they are today..to a wife who at the fag end of a 40 hour labour, just as she was being cut open without an anaesthetic, holding my hand and telling me "It's alright Prithvi"..I have repeatedly been dumbfounded in realising how much of a lesser being I am in the company of the women in my life. And today..as my dear friend walks in to the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film (*film name withheld to protect identity of actress*), I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today..she makes a statement..a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend..are making in a million unheard voices! And to those voices I apologise..for at an age and time when I wasn't wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes..I'm an actor and this is my craft! I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses...but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen. Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her! Behind the gutsy spunk, there is a vulnerable celebrity who knew well enough what this decision of hers would mean to a life under constant scrutiny. But she also knew..that she had to see it through...for that would set an example..light a torch that will show a path for many to follow!Today she makes a statement.. A statement of extraordinary courage! Fanboy for life...dear friend..fanboy for life! Love always, Prithvi. Popular Malayalam actor Prithviraj on Saturday announced on Facebook about the courageous return of the actress who was sexually assaulted a few days ago to the sets of a film she is shooting. The actor also apologised for playing misogynistic roles in his past films. Prithviraj in his public post, 'Courage', has perhaps for the first ever time for actors, publicly apologised for having misogynistic dialogues in his movies. He also promised that he will never again allow women to be disrespected in his films. I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self-respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued, read his Facebook post this morning. The actor also urged people to stand up and applaud for the actress. He says she chose to step out and work, despite her ordeal, setting an example to many and light(ing) a torch that will show a path for many to follow. The Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving car in Kochi last week on the night of February 17. Prime accused Pulsar Suni and others have been arrested on Thursday. Here is the full post: COURAGE ----------- Some of the most poignant moments in my life have been punctuated with moments of incredible courage. Courage from what I have now fully realised are God's most benevolent yet intricate creations. WOMEN! From a mother picking up pieces of a suddenly derailed life, to bring up two young boys to be the men they are today..to a wife who at the fag end of a 40 hour labour, just as she was being cut open without an anaesthetic, holding my hand and telling me "It's alright Prithvi"..I have repeatedly been dumbfounded in realising how much of a lesser being I am in the company of the women in my life. And today..as my dear friend walks in to the sets to kick start the shooting of her new film (*film name withheld to protect identity of actress*), I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today..she makes a statement..a statement that will echo through time, space and gender..that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! A statement that will now be part of counselling sessions and pep talks around the world. A statement that you my friend..are making in a million unheard voices! And to those voices I apologise..for at an age and time when I wasn't wise enough..I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny..I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued. NEVER AGAIN..never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes..I'm an actor and this is my craft! I will whole heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses...but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen. Once again..ladies and gentlemen..stand up and applaud for her! Behind the gutsy spunk, there is a vulnerable celebrity who knew well enough what this decision of hers would mean to a life under constant scrutiny. But she also knew..that she had to see it through...for that would set an example..light a torch that will show a path for many to follow!Today she makes a statement.. A statement of extraordinary courage! Fanboy for life...dear friend..fanboy for life! Love always, Prithvi. Malini Mannath By Express News Service Film: Yaman Cast: Vijay Antony, Mia George, Thiagarajan, Charlie, Sangili Murugan Director: Jeeva Shankar The director-heros second outing after the psychological thriller Naan (2012) is all about politics. It chronicles the rise of Thamizh, a common man, to a high position of political power. And as the narration progresses, the line between the good and bad narrows down considerably. For Thamizh, the end justified the means; he uses the same methods as his adversaries to get them out of his way. Intelligently scripted, it has a racy and stylish narrative and never loses focus for the most part. Antony appears a more confident actor this time; theres sheen and maturity in his performance. In his new look, Antony plays Thamizh whose father, a politician, died decades ago in unfortunate circumstances. Its a fine touch that Thamizh, a splitting image of his father and identified by his fathers killer decade later, remains oblivious to the truth of his death till the end. Thamizh is raised by his grandfather (Murugan), but we are not told anything about the intervening years. The first half is laced with plenty of action. Antonys steely look and body language is well tuned to the character. But Thamizhs slow majestic strides seem to be overdone to the point of monotony. The survival games played by politicians the intrigues, betrayals and double cross all form part of the script. Thiagarajan, cool and somber, appears as Karunakaran, a former MLA, who takes Thamizh under his wing. One gets the feel that he has a hidden agenda. Even his adversary remarks on it but that turns out to be a red herring. Pertinent is Karunakarans remark about Thamizh to his two warring protegees that, keeping Thamizh by your side is like being escorted by Yaman the God of death. The scenes where Thamizh grows closer to Anjana (Mia), an actor, are fairly interesting. But when the character is linked to Thamizhs adversary, it becomes a cliche that could have been avoided. Too many characters are in the fray, and with the director trying to give space to all, it complicates matters. Making his presence felt is Charlie as the PA of a minister who plays a balancing game to his peril. The songs are peppy. However a duet, though aesthetically picturised, is thrust at an inopportune moment when expediency was the need. The second half could have been spruced up, and its running time of about 154 minutes trimmed. At one point, we are led to believe that the story has reached its finale. But then it drags on for a while. Despite the glitches, and with more positives than negatives, Yaman is a fairly interesting watch. Film: Yaman Cast: Vijay Antony, Mia George, Thiagarajan, Charlie, Sangili Murugan Director: Jeeva Shankar The director-heros second outing after the psychological thriller Naan (2012) is all about politics. It chronicles the rise of Thamizh, a common man, to a high position of political power. And as the narration progresses, the line between the good and bad narrows down considerably. For Thamizh, the end justified the means; he uses the same methods as his adversaries to get them out of his way. Intelligently scripted, it has a racy and stylish narrative and never loses focus for the most part. Antony appears a more confident actor this time; theres sheen and maturity in his performance. In his new look, Antony plays Thamizh whose father, a politician, died decades ago in unfortunate circumstances. Its a fine touch that Thamizh, a splitting image of his father and identified by his fathers killer decade later, remains oblivious to the truth of his death till the end. Thamizh is raised by his grandfather (Murugan), but we are not told anything about the intervening years. The first half is laced with plenty of action. Antonys steely look and body language is well tuned to the character. But Thamizhs slow majestic strides seem to be overdone to the point of monotony. The survival games played by politicians the intrigues, betrayals and double cross all form part of the script. Thiagarajan, cool and somber, appears as Karunakaran, a former MLA, who takes Thamizh under his wing. One gets the feel that he has a hidden agenda. Even his adversary remarks on it but that turns out to be a red herring. Pertinent is Karunakarans remark about Thamizh to his two warring protegees that, keeping Thamizh by your side is like being escorted by Yaman the God of death. The scenes where Thamizh grows closer to Anjana (Mia), an actor, are fairly interesting. But when the character is linked to Thamizhs adversary, it becomes a cliche that could have been avoided. Too many characters are in the fray, and with the director trying to give space to all, it complicates matters. Making his presence felt is Charlie as the PA of a minister who plays a balancing game to his peril. The songs are peppy. However a duet, though aesthetically picturised, is thrust at an inopportune moment when expediency was the need. The second half could have been spruced up, and its running time of about 154 minutes trimmed. At one point, we are led to believe that the story has reached its finale. But then it drags on for a while. Despite the glitches, and with more positives than negatives, Yaman is a fairly interesting watch. Uma Balasubramaniam By I was always inspired by hippies. They work for six months of the year and travel the rest of the time, says Dr Jagannathan Srinivasaraghavan, who has travelled to 772 countries. But his thirst for discovering more remains unsatiated. Before I left for the US in 1977, I had travelled almost the length and breadth of India. My father worked in the Railways and I made most of those passes to visit places, says Srinivasaraghavan, who is a forensic psychiatrist, professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at University School of Medicine in Southern Illinois, and a globetrotter at heart. A month after reaching the US, I took the Greyhound bus and did a round trip from New York to Chicago, southwest cities, Toronto and the Niagara Falls. I did all this in nine days, of which I spent seven nights in the bus. Srinivasaraghavan completed his four-year residency in three years from a hospital affiliated to Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois, in 1980. Till 2016, Srinivasaraghavanpopularly known as Dr Vancovered eastern and western Europe, Iceland, Arctic region, Antarctica, Australia, northeast and southeast Asia, China, and the Central Pacific islands. The beauty of all these places is stunning, he says. In 1986, he took a 10-day trip to remote places in Indonesia and a 20-day trek to Kala Pathar in the Everest base camp at an altitude of 18,192 feet. The next year saw him traversing extensively through Africa. Recollecting his most memorable experience, he says, I travelled to Antarctica in January 1985 and to the North Pole in April 1985. From there I went to Camp Opal at 86 degrees, and further up to 90 degrees north, where all directions face south. I remained there for 81 minutes. He is the first Indian to hoist the Indian flag at the North Pole. He visited the South Pole in December 2011 for the 100th year anniversary of Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer who led the Antarctic expedition of 1910-12, which was the first to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911. The 66-year-old is ranked ninth in the world travellers list on mosttraveledpeople.com. Of the 875 places on the website map, he has visited all except 93. Only last week, he flew to Chagos Archipelago. He says, One experience that will always be close to my heart was on Christmas Island, when I gave psychiatric assistance to 42 refugees rescued from a boat that had crashed on the Flying Fishing Cove rocks at 6.30 that morning. Islands in the pacific Rangiroa in Tamutou north of Tahiti is his favourite destination. Now I will go to Tahiti with my wife, says Srinivasaraghavan, who is among the 20 travellers interviewed and highlighted in Chasing 193 Volume 2 authored by Ryan Trapp. I was always inspired by hippies. They work for six months of the year and travel the rest of the time, says Dr Jagannathan Srinivasaraghavan, who has travelled to 772 countries. But his thirst for discovering more remains unsatiated. Before I left for the US in 1977, I had travelled almost the length and breadth of India. My father worked in the Railways and I made most of those passes to visit places, says Srinivasaraghavan, who is a forensic psychiatrist, professor Emeritus of Psychiatry at University School of Medicine in Southern Illinois, and a globetrotter at heart. A month after reaching the US, I took the Greyhound bus and did a round trip from New York to Chicago, southwest cities, Toronto and the Niagara Falls. I did all this in nine days, of which I spent seven nights in the bus. Srinivasaraghavan completed his four-year residency in three years from a hospital affiliated to Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, Illinois, in 1980. Till 2016, Srinivasaraghavanpopularly known as Dr Vancovered eastern and western Europe, Iceland, Arctic region, Antarctica, Australia, northeast and southeast Asia, China, and the Central Pacific islands. The beauty of all these places is stunning, he says. In 1986, he took a 10-day trip to remote places in Indonesia and a 20-day trek to Kala Pathar in the Everest base camp at an altitude of 18,192 feet. The next year saw him traversing extensively through Africa. Recollecting his most memorable experience, he says, I travelled to Antarctica in January 1985 and to the North Pole in April 1985. From there I went to Camp Opal at 86 degrees, and further up to 90 degrees north, where all directions face south. I remained there for 81 minutes. He is the first Indian to hoist the Indian flag at the North Pole. He visited the South Pole in December 2011 for the 100th year anniversary of Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer who led the Antarctic expedition of 1910-12, which was the first to reach the South Pole on 14 December 1911. The 66-year-old is ranked ninth in the world travellers list on mosttraveledpeople.com. Of the 875 places on the website map, he has visited all except 93. Only last week, he flew to Chagos Archipelago. He says, One experience that will always be close to my heart was on Christmas Island, when I gave psychiatric assistance to 42 refugees rescued from a boat that had crashed on the Flying Fishing Cove rocks at 6.30 that morning. Islands in the pacific Rangiroa in Tamutou north of Tahiti is his favourite destination. Now I will go to Tahiti with my wife, says Srinivasaraghavan, who is among the 20 travellers interviewed and highlighted in Chasing 193 Volume 2 authored by Ryan Trapp. By ANI NEW DELHI: Following the deadly shooting in Kansas in which an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed by a gunman in an alleged racial attack, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured that India would undertake all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of the former to Hyderabad. We will make all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of Srinivas Kuchibhotla to Hyderbad, she said in a tweet. Swaraj spoke to the father and brother of Kuchibhotla and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. We will provide all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Sushma tweeted. Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Houston has stepped in to ensure the victims mortal remains are brought back and adequate facilities are provided to another Indian, Alok Madasani, who was injured. Consul Mr. R. D Joshi is rushing from Houston to Kansas to render all possible assistance. Vice Consul, Mr. Harpal Singh is also proceeding from Dallas to Kansas. They will meet the injured and facilitate in bringing the mortal remains of the deceased, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup. He further informed that they will be in touch with the local police officials to ascertain more details of the incident and monitor follow up action. Also Read: US hate crime: Indian engineer shot dead in Kansas; body to be brought back to Hyderabad soon The deceased and the injured persons are from Hyderabad and Warangal, and have been working at Garmin in Olathe (Kansas), Swarup said. According to local U.S. media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51 who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after he allegedly blasted off several rounds of fire on Thursday. The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. Were saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last nights incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counselors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow, said a statement released by Garmin International. At least one witness has claimed that Purtinton yelled 'get out of my country' and also heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire. According to reports, Kuchibhotla died at a local hospital and Madasani and another injured man were hospitalized. Local U.S. media reports said that Purinton came back after he was asked to leave the bar for shouting racial slurs and opened fire on the people. He was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebees in Clinton, Missouri, about 82 miles southeast of Olathe. Purinton was working as desktop support specialist for an information technology company in the Kansas City area. He was described by the witnesses at the bar as a disgruntled customer. Olathe Police said the FBI will investigate if its proven that the shooting was a result of a hate crime. NEW DELHI: Following the deadly shooting in Kansas in which an Indian engineer, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, was killed by a gunman in an alleged racial attack, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured that India would undertake all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of the former to Hyderabad. We will make all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of Srinivas Kuchibhotla to Hyderbad, she said in a tweet. Swaraj spoke to the father and brother of Kuchibhotla and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. We will provide all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Sushma tweeted. Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate in Houston has stepped in to ensure the victims mortal remains are brought back and adequate facilities are provided to another Indian, Alok Madasani, who was injured. Consul Mr. R. D Joshi is rushing from Houston to Kansas to render all possible assistance. Vice Consul, Mr. Harpal Singh is also proceeding from Dallas to Kansas. They will meet the injured and facilitate in bringing the mortal remains of the deceased, said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Vikas Swarup. He further informed that they will be in touch with the local police officials to ascertain more details of the incident and monitor follow up action. Also Read: US hate crime: Indian engineer shot dead in Kansas; body to be brought back to Hyderabad soon The deceased and the injured persons are from Hyderabad and Warangal, and have been working at Garmin in Olathe (Kansas), Swarup said. According to local U.S. media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51 who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after he allegedly blasted off several rounds of fire on Thursday. The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. Were saddened that two Garmin associates were involved in last nights incident, and we express our condolences to the family and friends of our co-workers involved. Garmin will have grievance counselors on-site and available for its associates today and tomorrow, said a statement released by Garmin International. At least one witness has claimed that Purtinton yelled 'get out of my country' and also heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire. According to reports, Kuchibhotla died at a local hospital and Madasani and another injured man were hospitalized. Local U.S. media reports said that Purinton came back after he was asked to leave the bar for shouting racial slurs and opened fire on the people. He was reportedly taken into custody by the police at Applebees in Clinton, Missouri, about 82 miles southeast of Olathe. Purinton was working as desktop support specialist for an information technology company in the Kansas City area. He was described by the witnesses at the bar as a disgruntled customer. Olathe Police said the FBI will investigate if its proven that the shooting was a result of a hate crime. By PTI PUNE: A total of 12 activists belonging to Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) were today arrested in connection with the clash on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). They were later released on bail, police said. Activists of ABVP and SFI clashed following verbal spat and altercation over putting up of posters on the varsity campus last evening. "We have arrested seven activists from ABVP and five from SFI under relevant sections of Maharashtra Police Act. All were produced before the court and were released on bail," said an official with Chatushringi police station under whose jurisdiction the University campus falls. In their complaint, ABVP alleged that SFI members were putting up posters on the campus which read 'ABVP Murdabad' and when ABVP members went to seek an explanation from them (activists), they were intimidated and beaten up with belt. On the other hand, SFI alleged that to protest against Solapur MLC Prashant Paricharak's remarks about soldiers, violence at Rajmas College in Delhi and recent threats by Education Minister Vinod Tawde to the students of Polytechnic College in Solapur, they were distributing handbills and had organised a meet near varsity canteen. "All of a sudden 15 to 25 ABVP activists came to the venue and threatened the SFI members. They started beating them with wooden plank, belt and stones," said an SFI activist. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of SPPU, Wasudev Gade termed the incident as "unfortunate" and said that an inquiry at varsity level has been initiated. "I appeal to students not to resort to violence and show respect to each others views and opinions," said Gade. He said that the views expressed by the any group or person should be within the framework of the Constitution. To condemn the AVBPs "highhandedness" members of SFI today organised a 'silent agitation' on the campus. PUNE: A total of 12 activists belonging to Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the Students' Federation of India (SFI) were today arrested in connection with the clash on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU). They were later released on bail, police said. Activists of ABVP and SFI clashed following verbal spat and altercation over putting up of posters on the varsity campus last evening. "We have arrested seven activists from ABVP and five from SFI under relevant sections of Maharashtra Police Act. All were produced before the court and were released on bail," said an official with Chatushringi police station under whose jurisdiction the University campus falls. In their complaint, ABVP alleged that SFI members were putting up posters on the campus which read 'ABVP Murdabad' and when ABVP members went to seek an explanation from them (activists), they were intimidated and beaten up with belt. On the other hand, SFI alleged that to protest against Solapur MLC Prashant Paricharak's remarks about soldiers, violence at Rajmas College in Delhi and recent threats by Education Minister Vinod Tawde to the students of Polytechnic College in Solapur, they were distributing handbills and had organised a meet near varsity canteen. "All of a sudden 15 to 25 ABVP activists came to the venue and threatened the SFI members. They started beating them with wooden plank, belt and stones," said an SFI activist. Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor of SPPU, Wasudev Gade termed the incident as "unfortunate" and said that an inquiry at varsity level has been initiated. "I appeal to students not to resort to violence and show respect to each others views and opinions," said Gade. He said that the views expressed by the any group or person should be within the framework of the Constitution. To condemn the AVBPs "highhandedness" members of SFI today organised a 'silent agitation' on the campus. By ANI NEW DELHI: The hearing in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah Blasts case has been adjourned till March 8 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jaipur. Speaking to the media, lawyer K.C. Rana said that the decision has been taken because of the size of the case which is huge in terms of the evidence and the accused. The court has said that the case is extremely voluminous, there are 149 witnessed and 451 documents that have to be examined and analyzed which naturally takes time, said Rana. He further said that the court is expected to pronounce its judgement on March 8. The November 10, 2007, blast in Ajmer that had taken three lives and injured seventeen was handed over to the NIA in 2011. Hearings for the case were postponed multiple times as the witnesses made applications delaying their appearance before the court, citing threat to their lives among other reasons. After the change of government at the Centre in 2014, the case was moved fast-track. NEW DELHI: The hearing in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah Blasts case has been adjourned till March 8 by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Jaipur. Speaking to the media, lawyer K.C. Rana said that the decision has been taken because of the size of the case which is huge in terms of the evidence and the accused. The court has said that the case is extremely voluminous, there are 149 witnessed and 451 documents that have to be examined and analyzed which naturally takes time, said Rana. He further said that the court is expected to pronounce its judgement on March 8. The November 10, 2007, blast in Ajmer that had taken three lives and injured seventeen was handed over to the NIA in 2011. Hearings for the case were postponed multiple times as the witnesses made applications delaying their appearance before the court, citing threat to their lives among other reasons. After the change of government at the Centre in 2014, the case was moved fast-track. By PTI GAYA: A suspect in the 2002 terror attack on American Centre in Kolkata was arrested from Bihar's Gaya district, police said today. A team of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, Jharkhand Police and Bihar Police arrested Mohammad Sarwar from Neemchak Bathani police station area late last night, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Magadh, Saurabh Kumar said. He is also a suspect in an attack on a CBI team and Jharkhand Police in Hazaribagh in the same year. In that incident two attackers were killed but Sarwar had managed to escape. The DIG said the suspect has been taken to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after his arrest. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Center on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002 killing six of them and injuring 14 others. GAYA: A suspect in the 2002 terror attack on American Centre in Kolkata was arrested from Bihar's Gaya district, police said today. A team of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, Jharkhand Police and Bihar Police arrested Mohammad Sarwar from Neemchak Bathani police station area late last night, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Magadh, Saurabh Kumar said. He is also a suspect in an attack on a CBI team and Jharkhand Police in Hazaribagh in the same year. In that incident two attackers were killed but Sarwar had managed to escape. The DIG said the suspect has been taken to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after his arrest. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Center on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002 killing six of them and injuring 14 others. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday slammed Congress leader P Chidambaram for his remarks on Kashmir. Union minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu criticised former Home Minister P Chidambaram over his comments on Kashmir and sought to know the Congress' stand on the issue. "He knows about the fragile situation in Kashmir as he has also served as the Home Minister of the country. It is wrong to make such statements and is not in the best interest of the country. We condemn this statement," Naidu said. Seeking the main Oppositions stand on the issue, the minister said, "We want to ask Congress Party what is their stand on Kashmir?" he asked. At an event in Hyderabad on Friday, Chidambaram had reportedly answered a question about Jammu and Kashmir, saying he felt the situation there was grim, and that a series of mistakes were made which were "almost too late" to correct now. He had also criticised recent controversial comments of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat that anyone interfering with security operations will be treated as an anti-national. Meanwhile, Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar endorsed National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah and former finance minister P Chidambarams stand on the prevailing Kashmir tension. Farooq Abdullah knows the youth of Kashmir and he has highlighted the reality and what Chidambaram had said is also right. Thankfully, people like Chidambaram and Abdullah do exist in this world who dont mince their words and speak up the truth and thereby open a door so that government can take any strong decision, Aiyar told media. NEW DELHI: BJP on Saturday slammed Congress leader P Chidambaram for his remarks on Kashmir. Union minister and senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu criticised former Home Minister P Chidambaram over his comments on Kashmir and sought to know the Congress' stand on the issue. "He knows about the fragile situation in Kashmir as he has also served as the Home Minister of the country. It is wrong to make such statements and is not in the best interest of the country. We condemn this statement," Naidu said. Seeking the main Oppositions stand on the issue, the minister said, "We want to ask Congress Party what is their stand on Kashmir?" he asked. At an event in Hyderabad on Friday, Chidambaram had reportedly answered a question about Jammu and Kashmir, saying he felt the situation there was grim, and that a series of mistakes were made which were "almost too late" to correct now. He had also criticised recent controversial comments of Army Chief General Bipin Rawat that anyone interfering with security operations will be treated as an anti-national. Meanwhile, Congress leader Manishankar Aiyar endorsed National Conference (NC) President Farooq Abdullah and former finance minister P Chidambarams stand on the prevailing Kashmir tension. Farooq Abdullah knows the youth of Kashmir and he has highlighted the reality and what Chidambaram had said is also right. Thankfully, people like Chidambaram and Abdullah do exist in this world who dont mince their words and speak up the truth and thereby open a door so that government can take any strong decision, Aiyar told media. By ANI JAMMU: The National Conference (NC) on Saturday stood firmly behind its Chief Farooq Abdullah, after he came under fire for saying that Kashmiri youth are picking up arms to fight for their freedom, saying that he was only voicing what the young people wanted, adding that the Centre was the real culprit here for the burgeoning crisis in the Valley. Speaking to ANI here, NC leader Mustafa Kamal said that Abdullah had only echoed the sentiments of the youth of the Valley, and it was a fact that everyone was aware of. He said the youth are facing the gun and nobody would like to lose his life. They have picked up a stone and they want restoration of their rights and that they are demanding azadi. There is nothing wrong in that, everybody knows that, he said. Coming down heavily on the Centre for their attitude towards the Kashmiri people, Kamal added that the culprit was not Pakistan but New Delhi, which was simply turning a deaf ear to all reason. Once the cause is addressed the stone pelting will stop. But New Delhi does not seem amenable to sound advice. He (Abdullah) only said what the youth are demanding. He has given a sane advice, he added. Reiterating that the biggest threat is not Pakistan but the attitude of New Delhi towards people of Kashmir, the NC leader called on the Centre to listen to reason, climb down from its high pedestal and have a dialogue with Pakistan. Abdullah came under the scanner after he said that the new generation of militants in the state were fighting for freedom of this nation. Addressing NC workers in Srinagar, Abdullah said the youth were not sacrificing their lives to become an MLA, an MP or a minister. Our youth are giving sacrifices. They dont want to become MLA, MP or minister. They are rendering sacrifices demanding their rights. This is our land and we are its owners, you are not. This should not be forgotten, he said. On the recent warning of Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat to the youth of Kashmir, Abdullah said, It is not right. This is unfortunate, because if you have to solve the problem, it cant be solved by a bullet or a gun, but by dialogue. And dialogue is the way we should adopt, he said. JAMMU: The National Conference (NC) on Saturday stood firmly behind its Chief Farooq Abdullah, after he came under fire for saying that Kashmiri youth are picking up arms to fight for their freedom, saying that he was only voicing what the young people wanted, adding that the Centre was the real culprit here for the burgeoning crisis in the Valley. Speaking to ANI here, NC leader Mustafa Kamal said that Abdullah had only echoed the sentiments of the youth of the Valley, and it was a fact that everyone was aware of. He said the youth are facing the gun and nobody would like to lose his life. They have picked up a stone and they want restoration of their rights and that they are demanding azadi. There is nothing wrong in that, everybody knows that, he said. Coming down heavily on the Centre for their attitude towards the Kashmiri people, Kamal added that the culprit was not Pakistan but New Delhi, which was simply turning a deaf ear to all reason. Once the cause is addressed the stone pelting will stop. But New Delhi does not seem amenable to sound advice. He (Abdullah) only said what the youth are demanding. He has given a sane advice, he added. Reiterating that the biggest threat is not Pakistan but the attitude of New Delhi towards people of Kashmir, the NC leader called on the Centre to listen to reason, climb down from its high pedestal and have a dialogue with Pakistan. Abdullah came under the scanner after he said that the new generation of militants in the state were fighting for freedom of this nation. Addressing NC workers in Srinagar, Abdullah said the youth were not sacrificing their lives to become an MLA, an MP or a minister. Our youth are giving sacrifices. They dont want to become MLA, MP or minister. They are rendering sacrifices demanding their rights. This is our land and we are its owners, you are not. This should not be forgotten, he said. On the recent warning of Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat to the youth of Kashmir, Abdullah said, It is not right. This is unfortunate, because if you have to solve the problem, it cant be solved by a bullet or a gun, but by dialogue. And dialogue is the way we should adopt, he said. By ANI NAGPUR: A day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah remarked that the youth of the valley was picking up ammunition not to become legislators, but to fight for the freedom the valley, defence experts on Saturday said the former was speaking the language of separatists. Defence Expert Sunil Deshpande said the National Conference president made such an irrelevant comment to mark his presence. Farooq Abdullah has again spoken the language of separatists. He has not made up his mind. When he is in power, the National Conference (NC) speaks something else and when they are out of power, they speak something else. Farooq Abdullah wants to show his presence. In fact, he is irrelevant but he wants to show he is relevant and that is why he makes such statements, Deshpande told ANI. Deshpande further extended his support towards the Indian Army, saying that the forces should not be perturbed by such kind of statements and should continue doing their operations. The Indian Army should not be disturbed by such kind of statements. They should carry out their operations in the way the Chief of the Army Staff has said, he said. Another defence expert, Shivali Deshpande reverberated the opinion, saying Abdullahs statement was uncalled for. All the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir follow the same pattern only to create unrest, Shivali told ANI. The statement made by Farooq Abdullah is absolutely irrelevant and uncalled for. In fact, he is speaking the lines of separatists. If you see history, this has been the line of all political parties of Kashmir which are not in power. When the NC was in power, they spoke differently. When they are not in power, they are siding with the separatists. Same was the case with the PDP and same is the case with any government in Jammu and Kashmir, she said. After the Chief of the Army Staff, there has been a bit of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. So, such kinds of statements are made by the political leaders to instigate people, to make them protest. This statement should be ignored. The Indian Army should not be perturbed by this, she added. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah said the youth were sacrificing their lives to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar, Abdullah said, "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners." Abdullah's statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir. General Rawat had, earlier this month, said, "People who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue." NAGPUR: A day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah remarked that the youth of the valley was picking up ammunition not to become legislators, but to fight for the freedom the valley, defence experts on Saturday said the former was speaking the language of separatists. Defence Expert Sunil Deshpande said the National Conference president made such an irrelevant comment to mark his presence. Farooq Abdullah has again spoken the language of separatists. He has not made up his mind. When he is in power, the National Conference (NC) speaks something else and when they are out of power, they speak something else. Farooq Abdullah wants to show his presence. In fact, he is irrelevant but he wants to show he is relevant and that is why he makes such statements, Deshpande told ANI. Deshpande further extended his support towards the Indian Army, saying that the forces should not be perturbed by such kind of statements and should continue doing their operations. The Indian Army should not be disturbed by such kind of statements. They should carry out their operations in the way the Chief of the Army Staff has said, he said. Another defence expert, Shivali Deshpande reverberated the opinion, saying Abdullahs statement was uncalled for. All the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir follow the same pattern only to create unrest, Shivali told ANI. The statement made by Farooq Abdullah is absolutely irrelevant and uncalled for. In fact, he is speaking the lines of separatists. If you see history, this has been the line of all political parties of Kashmir which are not in power. When the NC was in power, they spoke differently. When they are not in power, they are siding with the separatists. Same was the case with the PDP and same is the case with any government in Jammu and Kashmir, she said. After the Chief of the Army Staff, there has been a bit of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. So, such kinds of statements are made by the political leaders to instigate people, to make them protest. This statement should be ignored. The Indian Army should not be perturbed by this, she added. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah said the youth were sacrificing their lives to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar, Abdullah said, "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners." Abdullah's statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir. General Rawat had, earlier this month, said, "People who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue." Abhijit Mulye By Express News Service MUMBAI: Riding high on the victory in the recent civic polls, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis profusely thanked the people of Maharashtra for reposing their trust in the BJP, terming the results as a "trust wave", even as the opposition Congress and NCP are contemplating on a no-trust motion against his government. A senior Congress leader told the Express that his party along with the NCP and the Shiv Sena is planning to topple the State government during the budget session of the State Assembly which is scheduled to begin on March 6. An understanding has been reached wherein the Congress and the NCP along with their smaller allies will support the Shiv Sena to have their Mayor elected in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after Sena formally announces that it is pulling out of the state government, the Congress leader said. "We are more interested in pulling down the State government. We want to force the government into the mid-term polls," the leader said on condition of anonymity. A senior Shiv Sena insider too indicated that the party is likely to withdraw from the government sometime next week. "Party workers have been forcing the leadership to pull out. Many of them are scheduled to visit Thackeray's residence--Matoshree over next week," the party insider told the Express. Meanwhile, Fadnavis, while speaking at victory rally of his party indirectly dared the Shiv Sena to leave the government. "People have not elected us under the spell of any other wave. It is the trust wave that has supported us. The government will complete its term of five years come what may. Those who want to leave us are free to do so," he said. MUMBAI: Riding high on the victory in the recent civic polls, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis profusely thanked the people of Maharashtra for reposing their trust in the BJP, terming the results as a "trust wave", even as the opposition Congress and NCP are contemplating on a no-trust motion against his government. A senior Congress leader told the Express that his party along with the NCP and the Shiv Sena is planning to topple the State government during the budget session of the State Assembly which is scheduled to begin on March 6. An understanding has been reached wherein the Congress and the NCP along with their smaller allies will support the Shiv Sena to have their Mayor elected in the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) after Sena formally announces that it is pulling out of the state government, the Congress leader said. "We are more interested in pulling down the State government. We want to force the government into the mid-term polls," the leader said on condition of anonymity. A senior Shiv Sena insider too indicated that the party is likely to withdraw from the government sometime next week. "Party workers have been forcing the leadership to pull out. Many of them are scheduled to visit Thackeray's residence--Matoshree over next week," the party insider told the Express. Meanwhile, Fadnavis, while speaking at victory rally of his party indirectly dared the Shiv Sena to leave the government. "People have not elected us under the spell of any other wave. It is the trust wave that has supported us. The government will complete its term of five years come what may. Those who want to leave us are free to do so," he said. Prasanta Mazumdar By Express News Service IMPHAL: In the clash between ruling Congress and BJP in poll-bound Manipur, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has successfully turned the States territorial integrity into the single biggest poll issue, compelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be on the defensive while addressing a rally in the Imphal valley on Saturday. PM Modi reassured people that the Centre had not compromised on Manipurs territorial integrity while signing the Framework Agreement or the Naga Peace Accord with the Isak-Muivah faction of Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) in 2015 and said there was nothing in it that was detrimental to the interests of the State. "I assure you that there is no single reference of ditching Manipur people or their interests in the Naga Accord. Now, it is up to you to believe me or your Chief Minister. The Congress is trying to divide Manipur by spreading lies to gain mileage in the polls," he said. A contentious demand of the NSCN-IM is the creation of Greater Nagaland by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, besides Assam and Arunachal. If the Centre accedes to the demand, Manipur will be reduced to less than one-fifth of what it is today. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was quick to give a response. He said PM Modis comments on the issue of Manipurs territorial integrity were mere assurance. The agreement was signed about two and half years ago. Why are they not revealing its contents to the people? Ibobi asked at a press conference following the Prime Ministers departure. As polls draw close, the Congress has virtually whipped up an anti-Naga mood in the valley by raking up the Framework Agreement and polarising Meiteis (Manipuris), leading them into believing that Centre has compromised on Manipurs territorial integrity. The Meiteis are non-tribals and they have a large majority in the valley, which accounts for 40 of the 60 seats. Modi said the Congress, which has been ruling the State since 2002, had no right to be in power as it was making brothers fight against each other. On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. "There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required, he added. The State goes to polls on March 4 and March 8 to elect its 60-member Assembly. IMPHAL: In the clash between ruling Congress and BJP in poll-bound Manipur, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has successfully turned the States territorial integrity into the single biggest poll issue, compelling Prime Minister Narendra Modi to be on the defensive while addressing a rally in the Imphal valley on Saturday. PM Modi reassured people that the Centre had not compromised on Manipurs territorial integrity while signing the Framework Agreement or the Naga Peace Accord with the Isak-Muivah faction of Naga insurgent group National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM) in 2015 and said there was nothing in it that was detrimental to the interests of the State. "I assure you that there is no single reference of ditching Manipur people or their interests in the Naga Accord. Now, it is up to you to believe me or your Chief Minister. The Congress is trying to divide Manipur by spreading lies to gain mileage in the polls," he said. A contentious demand of the NSCN-IM is the creation of Greater Nagaland by slicing off the Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, besides Assam and Arunachal. If the Centre accedes to the demand, Manipur will be reduced to less than one-fifth of what it is today. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi was quick to give a response. He said PM Modis comments on the issue of Manipurs territorial integrity were mere assurance. The agreement was signed about two and half years ago. Why are they not revealing its contents to the people? Ibobi asked at a press conference following the Prime Ministers departure. As polls draw close, the Congress has virtually whipped up an anti-Naga mood in the valley by raking up the Framework Agreement and polarising Meiteis (Manipuris), leading them into believing that Centre has compromised on Manipurs territorial integrity. The Meiteis are non-tribals and they have a large majority in the valley, which accounts for 40 of the 60 seats. Modi said the Congress, which has been ruling the State since 2002, had no right to be in power as it was making brothers fight against each other. On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. "There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required, he added. The State goes to polls on March 4 and March 8 to elect its 60-member Assembly. By Express News Service NEW DELHI: With an aim to consolidate naval ties with Arab nations and to explore new avenues for defence cooperation, navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is leaving on a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Bilateral defence interaction between India and UAE has been witnessing a steady growth since defence minister Manohar Parrikars visit to Gulf nation last year in May during which two nations had inked a MoU on the Mutual Protection of Classified Information along with other defence cooperation agreements. The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of UAE and Oman on many fronts, which include training and operational interactions. The Crown Prince of UAE Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest for the last months Republic Day parade, an honour India gives to countries it considers key to its diplomacy. A navy statement issued on Saturday evening maintained that Admiral Lanba's first destination will be the UAE where he will hold talks with Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces Lt General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, and Commander of UAE Naval Forces Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh. "The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations with UAE and Oman, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation," the navy spokesperson said in the statement. In UAE, Admiral Lamba will visit the Ghantoot Naval Base as well as National Defence College where he will interact with the student officers. He will also tour the training facilities at the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College. On the second leg of his trip, he will visit Oman from March 1-2 where he will hold bilateral talks Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, as also with the three service chiefs. The Admiral will visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy and the Said Bin Naval Base where he will also visit the Fleet Maintenance Facility and the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh. Indian navy also claim that it cooperates with UAE's navy through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and through the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman, the ministry said. In addition, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' since 1993. 10 editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa on January 16. Both countries are also exploring possibilities of Indian defence manufacturers selling military equipment to the UAE. NEW DELHI: With an aim to consolidate naval ties with Arab nations and to explore new avenues for defence cooperation, navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba is leaving on a five-day visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Bilateral defence interaction between India and UAE has been witnessing a steady growth since defence minister Manohar Parrikars visit to Gulf nation last year in May during which two nations had inked a MoU on the Mutual Protection of Classified Information along with other defence cooperation agreements. The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of UAE and Oman on many fronts, which include training and operational interactions. The Crown Prince of UAE Sheikh Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan was the chief guest for the last months Republic Day parade, an honour India gives to countries it considers key to its diplomacy. A navy statement issued on Saturday evening maintained that Admiral Lanba's first destination will be the UAE where he will hold talks with Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces Lt General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, and Commander of UAE Naval Forces Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh. "The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations with UAE and Oman, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation," the navy spokesperson said in the statement. In UAE, Admiral Lamba will visit the Ghantoot Naval Base as well as National Defence College where he will interact with the student officers. He will also tour the training facilities at the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College. On the second leg of his trip, he will visit Oman from March 1-2 where he will hold bilateral talks Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, as also with the three service chiefs. The Admiral will visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy and the Said Bin Naval Base where he will also visit the Fleet Maintenance Facility and the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh. Indian navy also claim that it cooperates with UAE's navy through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and through the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman, the ministry said. In addition, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' since 1993. 10 editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa on January 16. Both countries are also exploring possibilities of Indian defence manufacturers selling military equipment to the UAE. Anand ST Das By Express News Service PATNA: In his zeal to protect large parts of Bihar from the floods caused by the silt-laden Ganga, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centres avowed plans to save the river. Kaha gaya hai ki Ganga ne bulaya hai. Lekin hum Benaras gaye to log bol rahe the ki Ganga maiya puchh rahi hai kahan gaya beta mera, (It was said that he is the son of River Ganga, but when I visited Varanasi, I found people saying that Mother Ganga was asking where her son is) said Kumar, without naming Modi, in his address at an international seminar on the Ganga in Patna. Kumar, who is the national president of JD(U), had recently renewed his long-standing demand to decommission Farakka barrage on the Ganga in neighbouring West Bengal, was glad as several river and water experts gathered at the seminar supported his view. Kumar also aired his stiff opposition to the Centres plans to build reservoirs on the river at Buxar in Bihar and some places in Uttar Pradesh in the course of the Allahabad-Haldia section of the National waterway. It is now confirmed by several experts that Farakka barrage has been the reason for flood water remaining in large parts of Bihar along the Ganga for much longer than earlier. The barrage has led to high deposit of silt, which has been led to flooding of more areas and for longer time, said Kumar. Kumar mounted a snide tirade on BJP leaders in Bihar who had claimed that there was no proposal under consideration to build any barrage between Varanasi and Farakka. These people are citing unauthenticated documents from Inland Waterways Authority and misleading the debate I have read the statement of Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari about a barrage proposed at Buxar and in some places in UP as part of Inland Waterway I, said Kumar. Ensuring uninterrupted flow of the Ganga, which belongs to the nation, is the most important task before us today. Experts gathered here should see for themselves the havoc caused in Bihar and parts of West Bengal due to Farakka barrage, said Kumar. Magsaysay-awardee conservationist Rajendra Singh, environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalists Chandi Prasad Bhat and Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, and economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay were notable among the experts who attended the seminar. Farakka barrage has certainly contributed to the worsening of the recurring flood situation in Bihar. There is a need for a larger debate in the country about the role of barrages, said Rajendra Singh, who is known as waterman. PATNA: In his zeal to protect large parts of Bihar from the floods caused by the silt-laden Ganga, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the Centres avowed plans to save the river. Kaha gaya hai ki Ganga ne bulaya hai. Lekin hum Benaras gaye to log bol rahe the ki Ganga maiya puchh rahi hai kahan gaya beta mera, (It was said that he is the son of River Ganga, but when I visited Varanasi, I found people saying that Mother Ganga was asking where her son is) said Kumar, without naming Modi, in his address at an international seminar on the Ganga in Patna. Kumar, who is the national president of JD(U), had recently renewed his long-standing demand to decommission Farakka barrage on the Ganga in neighbouring West Bengal, was glad as several river and water experts gathered at the seminar supported his view. Kumar also aired his stiff opposition to the Centres plans to build reservoirs on the river at Buxar in Bihar and some places in Uttar Pradesh in the course of the Allahabad-Haldia section of the National waterway. It is now confirmed by several experts that Farakka barrage has been the reason for flood water remaining in large parts of Bihar along the Ganga for much longer than earlier. The barrage has led to high deposit of silt, which has been led to flooding of more areas and for longer time, said Kumar. Kumar mounted a snide tirade on BJP leaders in Bihar who had claimed that there was no proposal under consideration to build any barrage between Varanasi and Farakka. These people are citing unauthenticated documents from Inland Waterways Authority and misleading the debate I have read the statement of Union surface transport minister Nitin Gadkari about a barrage proposed at Buxar and in some places in UP as part of Inland Waterway I, said Kumar. Ensuring uninterrupted flow of the Ganga, which belongs to the nation, is the most important task before us today. Experts gathered here should see for themselves the havoc caused in Bihar and parts of West Bengal due to Farakka barrage, said Kumar. Magsaysay-awardee conservationist Rajendra Singh, environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalists Chandi Prasad Bhat and Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, and economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay were notable among the experts who attended the seminar. Farakka barrage has certainly contributed to the worsening of the recurring flood situation in Bihar. There is a need for a larger debate in the country about the role of barrages, said Rajendra Singh, who is known as waterman. Santwana Bhattacharya By A House for Mr Mukherjee Much is being spun about President Pranab Mukherjee's retirement home--how a big double-storeyed bungalow on Luytens Delhi's Rajaji Marg is being readied. How the current resident of the bungalow, culture minister Mahesh Sharma, is being evicted to accommodate Mukherjee. Also that the President would prefer to retire to his old smaller bungalow on Talkatora Road, now being used by his MP son Abhijit Mukherjee. Well, it seems the Rashtrapati has given no such indication. What he may have suggested with a reformer's zeal is better utilisation of the 320 acre sprawling President's Estate: A six-room duplex to house the immediate ex-President for a five-year period post-retirement. But the government was wary of housing the former and incumbent presidents in close proximity. So the idea was dropped. As of now there's little clarity on where Mukherjee can have his favourite evening snack of 'muri' (puffed rice). He's been denied the pleasure thanks to the layers of security cover at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Stalin in Delhi M K Stalin, is his role as working president of the DMK, was seen in a new avatar in the national capital. Not only did he pay a visit to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, he sought meetings with other opposition party leaders as well. However, much to his disappointment, neither CPM nor CPI leaders could find time for him. Sitaram Yechury was away campaigning, and his CPI counterpart Sudhakar Reddy too was busy. Stalin finally had dinner with a select group of 'national media' journalists, and requested them for better coverage of the DMK. Who shall speak? After Vikas Swarup was named India's High Commissioner to Canada, a plum posting by any yardstick, he quickly bade his media friends goodbye. His successor apparent, Gopal Baglay, was to take over as the next MEA spokesperson, without a pause. Only problem, Baglay is yet to get official intimation on his new role. Also, he's travelling, as is the Foreign Secretary, S. Jaishankar, which is one of the reasons for the delay in the official notification. Hence what was to be a seamless transition has become a 'now who-will-speak-to-us' situation for the diplomatic beat regulars. Vikas Swarup technically is still here, though in an exit mode. In the forest cross fire The Adani Group's Mahoba power project in Bundelkhand, UP, has gotten caught in the crossfire of forest officials. The project green signalled by the Akhilesh Yadav government has apparently led to the felling of precious green cover in the arid zone of UP. Forest officials, upset about not being kept in the loop, claim that parts of the same area had been under Akhilesh's afforestation programme, costing the state exchequer crores, and that it was preceded by Mayawati's 500 crore rehydration project. All the mix up, it seems, is a result of changing goal posts -- from agriculture to afforestation to power generation and job creation. Renegade moving again Renegade Congressman from Guntur Kanna Lakshminarayana is wooing the 'party hopper' tag with diligence. With no role to play in the BJP, except play second fiddle to TDP, Kanna is now in talks with Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress. The ex-minister had jumped on the BJP bandwagon in 2014. Ideally, he would have returned to his old party had it shown any sign of coming out of coma in Andhra Pradesh. A House for Mr Mukherjee Much is being spun about President Pranab Mukherjee's retirement home--how a big double-storeyed bungalow on Luytens Delhi's Rajaji Marg is being readied. How the current resident of the bungalow, culture minister Mahesh Sharma, is being evicted to accommodate Mukherjee. Also that the President would prefer to retire to his old smaller bungalow on Talkatora Road, now being used by his MP son Abhijit Mukherjee. Well, it seems the Rashtrapati has given no such indication. What he may have suggested with a reformer's zeal is better utilisation of the 320 acre sprawling President's Estate: A six-room duplex to house the immediate ex-President for a five-year period post-retirement. But the government was wary of housing the former and incumbent presidents in close proximity. So the idea was dropped. As of now there's little clarity on where Mukherjee can have his favourite evening snack of 'muri' (puffed rice). He's been denied the pleasure thanks to the layers of security cover at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Stalin in Delhi M K Stalin, is his role as working president of the DMK, was seen in a new avatar in the national capital. Not only did he pay a visit to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, he sought meetings with other opposition party leaders as well. However, much to his disappointment, neither CPM nor CPI leaders could find time for him. Sitaram Yechury was away campaigning, and his CPI counterpart Sudhakar Reddy too was busy. Stalin finally had dinner with a select group of 'national media' journalists, and requested them for better coverage of the DMK. Who shall speak? After Vikas Swarup was named India's High Commissioner to Canada, a plum posting by any yardstick, he quickly bade his media friends goodbye. His successor apparent, Gopal Baglay, was to take over as the next MEA spokesperson, without a pause. Only problem, Baglay is yet to get official intimation on his new role. Also, he's travelling, as is the Foreign Secretary, S. Jaishankar, which is one of the reasons for the delay in the official notification. Hence what was to be a seamless transition has become a 'now who-will-speak-to-us' situation for the diplomatic beat regulars. Vikas Swarup technically is still here, though in an exit mode. In the forest cross fire The Adani Group's Mahoba power project in Bundelkhand, UP, has gotten caught in the crossfire of forest officials. The project green signalled by the Akhilesh Yadav government has apparently led to the felling of precious green cover in the arid zone of UP. Forest officials, upset about not being kept in the loop, claim that parts of the same area had been under Akhilesh's afforestation programme, costing the state exchequer crores, and that it was preceded by Mayawati's 500 crore rehydration project. All the mix up, it seems, is a result of changing goal posts -- from agriculture to afforestation to power generation and job creation. Renegade moving again Renegade Congressman from Guntur Kanna Lakshminarayana is wooing the 'party hopper' tag with diligence. With no role to play in the BJP, except play second fiddle to TDP, Kanna is now in talks with Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSR Congress. The ex-minister had jumped on the BJP bandwagon in 2014. Ideally, he would have returned to his old party had it shown any sign of coming out of coma in Andhra Pradesh. Gayathri Mani By Express News Service NEW DELHI: The decision of giving autonomous to different colleges was the center of discussion in Delhi University (DU) months before which is on the place again. One of the top most colleges of the country, St.Stephens of DU has successfully passed the resolution to operate without the affiliation from the varsity. Stephens has forwarded their proposal to the committee set up by the Delhi University to look after the demand of autonomy from other colleges. Amid protest from students and teachers, the governing body comprising 13 members passed the resolution with eight votes for and four against the motion. We members were not given any time to discuss on the matter, the information about the meeting was not given in advance, the proposal was rushed there was no discussions said Nandita Narain, Elected teacher representative, Governing Body of St.Stephens college. The discussion over the autonomy is continuing in the college since longtime. If the government passes the proposal then St.Stephens will be out from the Delhi university. It will have its own rules and regulation, course design, fee structure, payment to the teachers etc. Around 30 teachers and more than 700 hundred students protested outside the college opposing the college decision. This type of autonomy will ruin the university and will reduce the rank. Their main motive is privatization of the college. Already these colleges are governed by Church of North India trust. If the higher authority grants autonomy, cost of learning in college will increase, there will be a hike in the fee, college will remove the degree courses like Bachelors of Arts and will introduce new technical courses which will generate huge revenues for the college. There will be no reservation and poor students face hardships said Pankaj Kumar Garg, Member of Academic council, Delhi University(DU). Teachers get salaries from the varsity which is a central university. If colleges will get autonomy teachers will also face problem as the salary will reduce in the ratio of 70:30. Facilities from the university will also stop Pankaj further added. NEW DELHI: The decision of giving autonomous to different colleges was the center of discussion in Delhi University (DU) months before which is on the place again. One of the top most colleges of the country, St.Stephens of DU has successfully passed the resolution to operate without the affiliation from the varsity. Stephens has forwarded their proposal to the committee set up by the Delhi University to look after the demand of autonomy from other colleges. Amid protest from students and teachers, the governing body comprising 13 members passed the resolution with eight votes for and four against the motion. We members were not given any time to discuss on the matter, the information about the meeting was not given in advance, the proposal was rushed there was no discussions said Nandita Narain, Elected teacher representative, Governing Body of St.Stephens college. The discussion over the autonomy is continuing in the college since longtime. If the government passes the proposal then St.Stephens will be out from the Delhi university. It will have its own rules and regulation, course design, fee structure, payment to the teachers etc. Around 30 teachers and more than 700 hundred students protested outside the college opposing the college decision. This type of autonomy will ruin the university and will reduce the rank. Their main motive is privatization of the college. Already these colleges are governed by Church of North India trust. If the higher authority grants autonomy, cost of learning in college will increase, there will be a hike in the fee, college will remove the degree courses like Bachelors of Arts and will introduce new technical courses which will generate huge revenues for the college. There will be no reservation and poor students face hardships said Pankaj Kumar Garg, Member of Academic council, Delhi University(DU). Teachers get salaries from the varsity which is a central university. If colleges will get autonomy teachers will also face problem as the salary will reduce in the ratio of 70:30. Facilities from the university will also stop Pankaj further added. By PTI AHMEDABAD: Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian today said Universal Basic Income (UBI), as proposed in the recent Economic Survey, can be put in place only after withdrawal of the existing welfare projects. "The cost of this programme (UBI) is so huge that it cannot be an add-on to the existing programmes (welfare schemes) as the government cannot afford it and the government's finances will go bust," Subramanian said while addressing students of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) here. "In India, UBI scheme is about upliftment of the poor... The government spends a lot of money in social welfare schemes, but they do not reach the targeted audience," he said. "Advantage of UBI is a very interesting way of overcoming the problem of governmental targeted spending," Subramanian, also an alumnus of IIM-A, said. But he sounded a note of caution as "it is very easy to introduce new programmes in the country, but it is very difficult to withdraw the existing ones". "Though this idea has been appreciated as a good one to alleviate poverty and provide basic level of income to people, it should be implemented in a way that is sustainable," the chief economic advisor suggested. People will make a hue and cry if something given to them is withdrawn, he said. Subramanian's UBI proposal in the Economic Survey had led to speculation on whether the government will implement it in the country. Citing the example of MNREGA for leakage in welfare schemes, the CEA said targeted audience does not get desired benefits as the scheme is implemented through various governmental levels. He also countered the notion that giving money in hands (bank accounts) of the poor will mean that they are going to squander it. "If the money is given to women under UBI, there are less chances that it will be squandered," he said. In reply to a question on why India is lacking in competition, especially in the manufacturing sector, he said the combination of choices India made after Independence is to blame. "Combination of choices we made during our initial year were not conducive for development of the manufacturing sector in India. We had stressed on the public sector, we had all these controls and all sets of industrial licence. Combined with the lack of infrastructure development, (it) stifled the manufacturing sector," he said. "Now, we are trying to undo what we had done for 30-40 years (after Independence), which is a huge historical challenge," he added. On the issue of black money, he said that it is important to stop its generation and flow after demonetisation. Sharing data from the Survey, Subramanian talked of convergence as developing countries are growing rapidly while the growth rate of developed ones has slowed. But against this, "surprisingly" in India, there is divergence as so-called backward states in the last 15-20 years are not progressing rapidly while forward ones have continued to grow, he said, adding that this shows that income disparity between states in India is increasing. "The cost of this programme (UBI) is so huge that it cannot be an add-on to the existing programmes (welfare schemes) as the government cannot afford it and the government's finances will go bust," Subramanian said while addressing students of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) here. "In India, UBI scheme is about upliftment of the poor... The government spends a lot of money in social welfare schemes, but they do not reach the targeted audience," he said. "Advantage of UBI is a very interesting way of overcoming the problem of governmental targeted spending," Subramanian, also an alumnus of IIM-A, said. But he sounded a note of caution as "it is very easy to introduce new programmes in the country, but it is very difficult to withdraw the existing ones". "Though this idea has been appreciated as a good one to alleviate poverty and provide basic level of income to people, it should be implemented in a way that is sustainable," the chief economic advisor suggested. People will make a hue and cry if something given to them is withdrawn, he said. Subramanian's UBI proposal in the Economic Survey had led to speculation on whether the government will implement it in the country. Citing the example of MNREGA for leakage in welfare schemes, the CEA said targeted audience does not get desired benefits as the scheme is implemented through various governmental levels. He also countered the notion that giving money in hands (bank accounts) of the poor will mean that they are going to squander it. "If the money is given to women under UBI, there are less chances that it will be squandered," he said. In reply to a question on why India is lacking in competition, especially in the manufacturing sector, he said the combination of choices India made after Independence is to blame. "Combination of choices we made during our initial year were not conducive for development of the manufacturing sector in India. We had stressed on the public sector, we had all these controls and all sets of industrial licence. Combined with the lack of infrastructure development, (it) stifled the manufacturing sector," he said. "Now, we are trying to undo what we had done for 30-40 years (after Independence), which is a huge historical challenge," he added. On the issue of black money, he said that it is important to stop its generation and flow after demonetisation. Sharing data from the Survey, Subramanian talked of convergence as developing countries are growing rapidly while the growth rate of developed ones has slowed. But against this, "surprisingly" in India, there is divergence as so-called backward states in the last 15-20 years are not progressing rapidly while forward ones have continued to grow, he said, adding that this shows that income disparity between states in India is increasing. AHMEDABAD: Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian today said Universal Basic Income (UBI), as proposed in the recent Economic Survey, can be put in place only after withdrawal of the existing welfare projects. "The cost of this programme (UBI) is so huge that it cannot be an add-on to the existing programmes (welfare schemes) as the government cannot afford it and the government's finances will go bust," Subramanian said while addressing students of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) here. "In India, UBI scheme is about upliftment of the poor... The government spends a lot of money in social welfare schemes, but they do not reach the targeted audience," he said. "Advantage of UBI is a very interesting way of overcoming the problem of governmental targeted spending," Subramanian, also an alumnus of IIM-A, said. But he sounded a note of caution as "it is very easy to introduce new programmes in the country, but it is very difficult to withdraw the existing ones". "Though this idea has been appreciated as a good one to alleviate poverty and provide basic level of income to people, it should be implemented in a way that is sustainable," the chief economic advisor suggested. People will make a hue and cry if something given to them is withdrawn, he said. Subramanian's UBI proposal in the Economic Survey had led to speculation on whether the government will implement it in the country. Citing the example of MNREGA for leakage in welfare schemes, the CEA said targeted audience does not get desired benefits as the scheme is implemented through various governmental levels. He also countered the notion that giving money in hands (bank accounts) of the poor will mean that they are going to squander it. "If the money is given to women under UBI, there are less chances that it will be squandered," he said. In reply to a question on why India is lacking in competition, especially in the manufacturing sector, he said the combination of choices India made after Independence is to blame. "Combination of choices we made during our initial year were not conducive for development of the manufacturing sector in India. We had stressed on the public sector, we had all these controls and all sets of industrial licence. Combined with the lack of infrastructure development, (it) stifled the manufacturing sector," he said. "Now, we are trying to undo what we had done for 30-40 years (after Independence), which is a huge historical challenge," he added. On the issue of black money, he said that it is important to stop its generation and flow after demonetisation. Sharing data from the Survey, Subramanian talked of convergence as developing countries are growing rapidly while the growth rate of developed ones has slowed. But against this, "surprisingly" in India, there is divergence as so-called backward states in the last 15-20 years are not progressing rapidly while forward ones have continued to grow, he said, adding that this shows that income disparity between states in India is increasing. "The cost of this programme (UBI) is so huge that it cannot be an add-on to the existing programmes (welfare schemes) as the government cannot afford it and the government's finances will go bust," Subramanian said while addressing students of the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) here. "In India, UBI scheme is about upliftment of the poor... The government spends a lot of money in social welfare schemes, but they do not reach the targeted audience," he said. "Advantage of UBI is a very interesting way of overcoming the problem of governmental targeted spending," Subramanian, also an alumnus of IIM-A, said. But he sounded a note of caution as "it is very easy to introduce new programmes in the country, but it is very difficult to withdraw the existing ones". "Though this idea has been appreciated as a good one to alleviate poverty and provide basic level of income to people, it should be implemented in a way that is sustainable," the chief economic advisor suggested. People will make a hue and cry if something given to them is withdrawn, he said. Subramanian's UBI proposal in the Economic Survey had led to speculation on whether the government will implement it in the country. Citing the example of MNREGA for leakage in welfare schemes, the CEA said targeted audience does not get desired benefits as the scheme is implemented through various governmental levels. He also countered the notion that giving money in hands (bank accounts) of the poor will mean that they are going to squander it. "If the money is given to women under UBI, there are less chances that it will be squandered," he said. In reply to a question on why India is lacking in competition, especially in the manufacturing sector, he said the combination of choices India made after Independence is to blame. "Combination of choices we made during our initial year were not conducive for development of the manufacturing sector in India. We had stressed on the public sector, we had all these controls and all sets of industrial licence. Combined with the lack of infrastructure development, (it) stifled the manufacturing sector," he said. "Now, we are trying to undo what we had done for 30-40 years (after Independence), which is a huge historical challenge," he added. On the issue of black money, he said that it is important to stop its generation and flow after demonetisation. Sharing data from the Survey, Subramanian talked of convergence as developing countries are growing rapidly while the growth rate of developed ones has slowed. But against this, "surprisingly" in India, there is divergence as so-called backward states in the last 15-20 years are not progressing rapidly while forward ones have continued to grow, he said, adding that this shows that income disparity between states in India is increasing. By Express News Service VIJAYAWADA: Indian youth have been landing in troubles and losing their lives in USA due to alleged racism. As a result, families residing in India are feeling insecure about their childrens safety abroad. Even as a young student was shot dead by an American in California a week ago, two men were shot in a crowded bar in Kansas, USA on Wednesday night. K Varun, a student of Kansas State University, recalled the sleepless nights he had endured after the election of new president to America. Also Read: Hate crime kills hope in Hyderabad It is not just about the killings of Indians. Post-election, the campus environment and everything in the State has changed. Immigrants, students and everyone felt insecure and fear about their future. Every day, we are witnessing bullying, racial discriminations on and off campus, and many more. The students are even staying away from part-time jobs, fearing the frequent mishaps taking place in the State. To support our studies or living expenses people do go for part-time jobs in and around campus. But now, no one is offering a part-time job including research works. In case we succeeded in getting one, the locals are attacking us. So, we decided to stay away from part-time jobs, despite in need of one, Varun added. It is not just the case of Varun, but majority of the Indians are feeling the same in America, which once stood as a dream destination for Indian students. And now, with the formation of Trumps government, the students and immigrants are experiencing worst nightmares in the dream land. The attacks on students and the complaints at the Civil Rights office in various States increased in the last few months. Speaking to Express, Swati (name changed), a design engineer working with a reputed US firm, cited an incident that happened to her close friend. Right after the oath-taking ceremony of Trump, my close friend and I visited a coffee shop for midday snack. As I went to the counter for placing an order, my friend occupied a table. Just then an American, in his mid-20s, yelled at my friend saying, Leave our country, and left the coffee shop. This incident was the worst of all I had seen. From then, we stopped going around the place or nightclubs. Students blame Trump as one of the reasons behind the sharp rise in racist incidents in the US. Majority of the people across the globe are opposing Trumps decisions. After Trump came to power, all the hidden racism is being surfaced. Earlier, people never had such feelings to show, but with the Republican President in power, the racial attacks are being perpetrated against Indians and immigrants. This is the darkest time in the history of USA. I wish this time passes soon and the US becomes the land of opportunities and a safe country for the world again, said V Rasagnya, who works in a software firm at New York. USA is densely diversified across its regions. People from east and west are most diversified, dignified and broad-minded than the people from the central parts. Its sad that two young Indian engineers were shot by an American, while a US citizen risked his life trying to save those two. Such incidents are actually creating fear in our parents who are living far away from us, said Karthik, a native of Visakhapatnam, working in a private firm in California. On the other hand, parents of students who are staying in USA are equally worried about hate crimes taking place in America. Some parents are not willing to send their children to the US and few others are asking their wards to return to India. Also Read: Best of America emerges amidst hate killing of Indian man I have a son and a daughter. My son is residing in California and working for a software firm. Though he had been staying there for over three years, I am worried about his safety, after seeing the recent killings. I asked him to return to India and look for another job here. We also cancelled the US match for my daughter last month. The US is no more a safe place to go for studies or job or for anything, because it has got Trump, said Dr. Padmaja, a gynaecologist from Vijayawada. Meanwhile, overseas education consultants are expecting a downtrend in the admissions scheduled to take place in June-September. The incidents or new government policies of the US would surely affect the number of students going abroad each year. Usually, more than 3,000 students from both Vijayawada and Guntur travel to USA for doing masters. But, this year, there might be a drastic fall in the number, predicted B Naveen, a consultancy agent. VIJAYAWADA: Indian youth have been landing in troubles and losing their lives in USA due to alleged racism. As a result, families residing in India are feeling insecure about their childrens safety abroad. Even as a young student was shot dead by an American in California a week ago, two men were shot in a crowded bar in Kansas, USA on Wednesday night. K Varun, a student of Kansas State University, recalled the sleepless nights he had endured after the election of new president to America. Also Read: Hate crime kills hope in Hyderabad It is not just about the killings of Indians. Post-election, the campus environment and everything in the State has changed. Immigrants, students and everyone felt insecure and fear about their future. Every day, we are witnessing bullying, racial discriminations on and off campus, and many more. The students are even staying away from part-time jobs, fearing the frequent mishaps taking place in the State. To support our studies or living expenses people do go for part-time jobs in and around campus. But now, no one is offering a part-time job including research works. In case we succeeded in getting one, the locals are attacking us. So, we decided to stay away from part-time jobs, despite in need of one, Varun added. It is not just the case of Varun, but majority of the Indians are feeling the same in America, which once stood as a dream destination for Indian students. And now, with the formation of Trumps government, the students and immigrants are experiencing worst nightmares in the dream land. The attacks on students and the complaints at the Civil Rights office in various States increased in the last few months. Speaking to Express, Swati (name changed), a design engineer working with a reputed US firm, cited an incident that happened to her close friend. Right after the oath-taking ceremony of Trump, my close friend and I visited a coffee shop for midday snack. As I went to the counter for placing an order, my friend occupied a table. Just then an American, in his mid-20s, yelled at my friend saying, Leave our country, and left the coffee shop. This incident was the worst of all I had seen. From then, we stopped going around the place or nightclubs. Students blame Trump as one of the reasons behind the sharp rise in racist incidents in the US. Majority of the people across the globe are opposing Trumps decisions. After Trump came to power, all the hidden racism is being surfaced. Earlier, people never had such feelings to show, but with the Republican President in power, the racial attacks are being perpetrated against Indians and immigrants. This is the darkest time in the history of USA. I wish this time passes soon and the US becomes the land of opportunities and a safe country for the world again, said V Rasagnya, who works in a software firm at New York. USA is densely diversified across its regions. People from east and west are most diversified, dignified and broad-minded than the people from the central parts. Its sad that two young Indian engineers were shot by an American, while a US citizen risked his life trying to save those two. Such incidents are actually creating fear in our parents who are living far away from us, said Karthik, a native of Visakhapatnam, working in a private firm in California. On the other hand, parents of students who are staying in USA are equally worried about hate crimes taking place in America. Some parents are not willing to send their children to the US and few others are asking their wards to return to India. Also Read: Best of America emerges amidst hate killing of Indian man I have a son and a daughter. My son is residing in California and working for a software firm. Though he had been staying there for over three years, I am worried about his safety, after seeing the recent killings. I asked him to return to India and look for another job here. We also cancelled the US match for my daughter last month. The US is no more a safe place to go for studies or job or for anything, because it has got Trump, said Dr. Padmaja, a gynaecologist from Vijayawada. Meanwhile, overseas education consultants are expecting a downtrend in the admissions scheduled to take place in June-September. The incidents or new government policies of the US would surely affect the number of students going abroad each year. Usually, more than 3,000 students from both Vijayawada and Guntur travel to USA for doing masters. But, this year, there might be a drastic fall in the number, predicted B Naveen, a consultancy agent. YATISH YADAV By Express News Service NEW DELHI: After demonetization, Prime Minister Narendra Modis next audacious plan is to give away land to 300 million landless Indians by 2018. The rich will be `encouraged to donate their land to poor. But, the governments top priority is to identify and distribute unused land that belongs to government departments and institutions, said a top source in the Prime Ministers Office. (PMO). The proposal to replicate Acharya Vinoba Bhaves Bhoodan Movement signals Modis political shift from urban to rural. In 1951, Bhave travelled across India persuading wealthy zamindars to donate a percentage of their land to the landless. Bhoodan.2 could be the PMs game-changer when people queue outside polling stations to cast their votes in April-May 2019. Sources told The Sunday Standard that Modi has been mulling the issue for almost a year. They said., After several rounds of the meeting, the prime minister directed a high-level committee be set up last year. It was put in place on June 17, 2016, and is expected to submit its report by June 16 this year. The government is in the process of identifying unused government land. The move is likely to face stiff opposition from states, which will see it as a violation of their federal rights. Top PMO sources said Modi had raised questions over how and why just 10 percent of the population controls 55 percent of the countrys cultivable land while 60 per cent population owns only 5 percent. The proposal being examined by the committee includes mapping land holdings by various Central government departments. Modi Sarkar will work in close coordination with the states to put the unused land to better use, since the matter falls under the state list of the constitution; the power to enact laws relating to land vests with the states and not Parliament. Bhoodaan.2 will be supplemented by other proposals on land pooling, land ceiling and land leasing. State governments, especially BJP-led, will be encouraged to identify big land holdings by Gram Panchayats for the purpose. A PMO note reveals government plans to integrate the database of all land holdings across the country through the computerization of land registration records and establishing connectivity between registrars, tehsils and revenue offices with digitization of maps, which define land ownership. According to the note, the government has completed 60 per cent geospatial mapping of land in Andhra Pradesh and around 90 per cent in Chhattisgarh. In 33 districts of BJP-ruled Gujarat, computerization of 80 per cent of land records is complete. In Rajasthan, the government has chosen about a dozen districts where computerization of land records is complete and the geospatial task has been put in the motion. Sources also said once the proposal is mooted, they will ensure connectivity with banks to promote farmer welfare schemes including crop insurance for the new owners of the land. The PM may face is the resistance from non-BJP ruled states, said the sources, explain that they will perceive the move as a violation of the federal structure by the centre. According to seventh schedule in the Constitution- Land, that is to say, rights in or over land, land tenures including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents; transfer and alienation of agricultural land; land improvement and agricultural loans; colonization. Surveys conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in 18 states had found 14 percent farmers were landless. A government survey last year noted about 69 per cent of agricultural households across the country possess less than one hectare of land. Another 17 per cent owned between just one to two hectares. Only 0.4 per cent of agricultural households possessed 10 hectares or more. NEW DELHI: After demonetization, Prime Minister Narendra Modis next audacious plan is to give away land to 300 million landless Indians by 2018. The rich will be `encouraged to donate their land to poor. But, the governments top priority is to identify and distribute unused land that belongs to government departments and institutions, said a top source in the Prime Ministers Office. (PMO). The proposal to replicate Acharya Vinoba Bhaves Bhoodan Movement signals Modis political shift from urban to rural. In 1951, Bhave travelled across India persuading wealthy zamindars to donate a percentage of their land to the landless. Bhoodan.2 could be the PMs game-changer when people queue outside polling stations to cast their votes in April-May 2019. Sources told The Sunday Standard that Modi has been mulling the issue for almost a year. They said., After several rounds of the meeting, the prime minister directed a high-level committee be set up last year. It was put in place on June 17, 2016, and is expected to submit its report by June 16 this year. The government is in the process of identifying unused government land. The move is likely to face stiff opposition from states, which will see it as a violation of their federal rights. Top PMO sources said Modi had raised questions over how and why just 10 percent of the population controls 55 percent of the countrys cultivable land while 60 per cent population owns only 5 percent. The proposal being examined by the committee includes mapping land holdings by various Central government departments. Modi Sarkar will work in close coordination with the states to put the unused land to better use, since the matter falls under the state list of the constitution; the power to enact laws relating to land vests with the states and not Parliament. Bhoodaan.2 will be supplemented by other proposals on land pooling, land ceiling and land leasing. State governments, especially BJP-led, will be encouraged to identify big land holdings by Gram Panchayats for the purpose. A PMO note reveals government plans to integrate the database of all land holdings across the country through the computerization of land registration records and establishing connectivity between registrars, tehsils and revenue offices with digitization of maps, which define land ownership. According to the note, the government has completed 60 per cent geospatial mapping of land in Andhra Pradesh and around 90 per cent in Chhattisgarh. In 33 districts of BJP-ruled Gujarat, computerization of 80 per cent of land records is complete. In Rajasthan, the government has chosen about a dozen districts where computerization of land records is complete and the geospatial task has been put in the motion. Sources also said once the proposal is mooted, they will ensure connectivity with banks to promote farmer welfare schemes including crop insurance for the new owners of the land. The PM may face is the resistance from non-BJP ruled states, said the sources, explain that they will perceive the move as a violation of the federal structure by the centre. According to seventh schedule in the Constitution- Land, that is to say, rights in or over land, land tenures including the relation of landlord and tenant, and the collection of rents; transfer and alienation of agricultural land; land improvement and agricultural loans; colonization. Surveys conducted by the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in 18 states had found 14 percent farmers were landless. A government survey last year noted about 69 per cent of agricultural households across the country possess less than one hectare of land. Another 17 per cent owned between just one to two hectares. Only 0.4 per cent of agricultural households possessed 10 hectares or more. Soli J Sorabjee By Abusive Election Campaigns: I vividly remember the lively intra-collegiate debates during my college days. The debaters had recourse to pungent language without being abusive, unlike some of our politicians who apparently believe that freedom of expression is absolute and gali galoch is not only permissible but constitutionally mandated. Lalu Prasad likened PM Modi to eunuchs and said he keeps clapping his hands like them during his speech. He called Amit Shah a rhinoceros. Rahul Gandhi shrieked that the voice of our prime minister is not of a roaring lion, but even feebler than that of a mouse. This inane remark prompted former chief minister Sheila Dikshits statement that Rahul is not yet mature and needs some time, which led Amit Shah to retort with a question: If he is not mature, then why has he been enforced upon Uttar Pradesh? Is this a political laboratory or learning ground for someone? Mayawati jumped into the fray and called Amit Shah a terrorist. Akhilesh Yadav also made derogatory remarks about the PM by comparing him to a donkey. The PMs response was swift. He retorted that Akhilesh Yadav was afraid of the donkeys of Gujarat and his contempt for them reflected his casteist mentality, and that he (the PM) drew inspiration from the loyal and hard working donkeys. Phew! Why are animals dragged in election campaigns? I object to the expression horse trading. The horse is a noble animal who would spurn political machinations. And donkey is lauded by G K Chesterton in his poem The Donkey in these lines: Fools! For I also had my hour; One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout about my ears, And palms before my feet. This is an allusion to Christ riding a donkey. Therefore, likening a person to a donkey should be considered a compliment, and not an insult. The Banning Itch: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has denied certification to Prakash Jhas movie Lipstick Under My Burkha. According to Jha, the film is a very beautiful story about women living in that section of society never told or heard of by the people. The CBFCs version is that the film is lady-oriented and that there are contentious sexual scenes, abusive words and audio pornography. Jha has the option of approaching the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. It is hoped that the tribunal will keep in mind that one of the grounds on which a film can be banned under our Constitution is decency or morality. Our Supreme Court judgments have ruled that vulgarity is not obscenity, and that use of random four-lettered words is not a ground for totally banning a film. There must be regard for the main theme of the film. In case of some scenes or words which are inherently indecent, the same may be deleted. However, wholesale banning of the film is unwarranted. Dealing with the author Samaresh Basus Bengali novel, Prajapati, the Supreme Court had ruled that the novel was not obscene merely because slang and unconventional words have been used in the book in which there has been emphasis on sex and description of female bodies. We await the tribunals decision. Quaint Swedish Proposal: Politicians are known to make outlandish proposals and that problem is prevalent not only in our country but also elsewhere. It is reported that a local councillor in Sweden has proposed that Swedes should take a one-hour paid break from work to go home and have sex with their partners. According to the Swedish councillor, his proposal was aimed at improving personal relationships. He maintains that there are studies that show sex is healthy and that couples were not spending enough time with each other in todays society. It is reported that after the Finns and the French, the Swedish full-time employees worked the least in Europewith only 1,685 hours on an average in 2015. On the other hand, the British worked an average of 1,900 hours, and the Germans 1,847 hours the same year. There is no authoritative study about employees in India spending their time during time-break. Perhaps, a PIL may help in this regard. You never can predict what judicial orders may be passed in a PIL by some publicity conscious and hyperactive judge in our apex court. solisorabjee@gmail.com Abusive Election Campaigns: I vividly remember the lively intra-collegiate debates during my college days. The debaters had recourse to pungent language without being abusive, unlike some of our politicians who apparently believe that freedom of expression is absolute and gali galoch is not only permissible but constitutionally mandated. Lalu Prasad likened PM Modi to eunuchs and said he keeps clapping his hands like them during his speech. He called Amit Shah a rhinoceros. Rahul Gandhi shrieked that the voice of our prime minister is not of a roaring lion, but even feebler than that of a mouse. This inane remark prompted former chief minister Sheila Dikshits statement that Rahul is not yet mature and needs some time, which led Amit Shah to retort with a question: If he is not mature, then why has he been enforced upon Uttar Pradesh? Is this a political laboratory or learning ground for someone? Mayawati jumped into the fray and called Amit Shah a terrorist. Akhilesh Yadav also made derogatory remarks about the PM by comparing him to a donkey. The PMs response was swift. He retorted that Akhilesh Yadav was afraid of the donkeys of Gujarat and his contempt for them reflected his casteist mentality, and that he (the PM) drew inspiration from the loyal and hard working donkeys. Phew! Why are animals dragged in election campaigns? I object to the expression horse trading. The horse is a noble animal who would spurn political machinations. And donkey is lauded by G K Chesterton in his poem The Donkey in these lines: Fools! For I also had my hour; One far fierce hour and sweet: There was a shout about my ears, And palms before my feet. This is an allusion to Christ riding a donkey. Therefore, likening a person to a donkey should be considered a compliment, and not an insult. The Banning Itch: The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has denied certification to Prakash Jhas movie Lipstick Under My Burkha. According to Jha, the film is a very beautiful story about women living in that section of society never told or heard of by the people. The CBFCs version is that the film is lady-oriented and that there are contentious sexual scenes, abusive words and audio pornography. Jha has the option of approaching the Film Certification Appellate Tribunal. It is hoped that the tribunal will keep in mind that one of the grounds on which a film can be banned under our Constitution is decency or morality. Our Supreme Court judgments have ruled that vulgarity is not obscenity, and that use of random four-lettered words is not a ground for totally banning a film. There must be regard for the main theme of the film. In case of some scenes or words which are inherently indecent, the same may be deleted. However, wholesale banning of the film is unwarranted. Dealing with the author Samaresh Basus Bengali novel, Prajapati, the Supreme Court had ruled that the novel was not obscene merely because slang and unconventional words have been used in the book in which there has been emphasis on sex and description of female bodies. We await the tribunals decision. Quaint Swedish Proposal: Politicians are known to make outlandish proposals and that problem is prevalent not only in our country but also elsewhere. It is reported that a local councillor in Sweden has proposed that Swedes should take a one-hour paid break from work to go home and have sex with their partners. According to the Swedish councillor, his proposal was aimed at improving personal relationships. He maintains that there are studies that show sex is healthy and that couples were not spending enough time with each other in todays society. It is reported that after the Finns and the French, the Swedish full-time employees worked the least in Europewith only 1,685 hours on an average in 2015. On the other hand, the British worked an average of 1,900 hours, and the Germans 1,847 hours the same year. There is no authoritative study about employees in India spending their time during time-break. Perhaps, a PIL may help in this regard. You never can predict what judicial orders may be passed in a PIL by some publicity conscious and hyperactive judge in our apex court. solisorabjee@gmail.com By Express News Service VISAKHAPATANAM: As the decommissioning of the Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat is coming nearer, the grounding of the ambitious project of the Andhra Pradesh government to convert it into a floating hotel-cum-museum on the Vizag coast is becoming uncertain. What started as a speculation that the project will never see the light with no words from the state authorities over the progress of the project even as the INS Viraat is all set to be decommissioned on March 6 at Mumbai dock, now appears to come true, with the Tourism Principal Secretary N Srikanth saying that the project is a very expensive one, the government is seeking partnership with the Centre to proceed further. "The decisions need to be taken by the State and Union governments. There are two major challenges involved- a selection of a suitable site for berthing and conversion of the ship into hotel-cum-museum. Further, it will need maintenance costs on a regular basis," Srikanth said during a private programme in Vizag on Friday. Sources from tourism department said that it would cost over Rs 1,000 crores to convert the INS Viraat into the proposed floating museum. Initially, the Indian Navy as well as the government were confident over berthing of INS Viraat on the Vizag coast. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Tourism Department was in thoughts to berth INS Viraat as a floating hotel-cum-museum. The officials also decided to take up works like land identification and others. "The fishing harbour and Vizag Port at present do not have space. Moreover, the east coast is prone to cyclones. There is a need to create a separate jetty for berthing of INS Viraat," Srikanth said. Being an expensive project, the government has sought support of the Centre. There were also talks with private partnership and two hotel majors-one from Mumbai and one from Visakhapatnam-for executing the projects. However, the Vizag-based hotel has dropped its plans due to the huge expenditure, while the Mumbai-based hotel has formed an unofficial consortium and is waiting for the government's nod. Further, the Naval sources said that the transportation of INS Viraat from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam and its berthing would take at least four months. "We are not sure whether the government wants it to be berthed or place it on the land. In either case, we need to make necessary arrangements. For berthing such a huge ship, Vizag Port does not have berth and it need to vacate at least two regular berths for the purpose," said a senior naval officer on condition of anonymity. In the case of placing it on land like Kursura submarine museum, the government needs to invite international companies as India does not have necessary cranes and other equipment, he said. The Naval authorities are also not inclined to maintain the to-be-decommissioned ship as it would occupy a large berth. The Navy officials also fear that in the absence of a concrete proposal from the AP government, the INS Viraat might be scrapped just like its predecessor INS Vikrant which was maintained and supported by the Navy at Mumbai Port for 17 years before sending it to scrap yard in 2014 as the proposals floated by different government authorities and also the private companies did not fructify. When asked about the speculations that INS Viraat to be sold for scrap just like INS Vikrant, Srikanth said that the decision completely depends on the officials of the union government. VISAKHAPATANAM: As the decommissioning of the Indian aircraft carrier INS Viraat is coming nearer, the grounding of the ambitious project of the Andhra Pradesh government to convert it into a floating hotel-cum-museum on the Vizag coast is becoming uncertain. What started as a speculation that the project will never see the light with no words from the state authorities over the progress of the project even as the INS Viraat is all set to be decommissioned on March 6 at Mumbai dock, now appears to come true, with the Tourism Principal Secretary N Srikanth saying that the project is a very expensive one, the government is seeking partnership with the Centre to proceed further. "The decisions need to be taken by the State and Union governments. There are two major challenges involved- a selection of a suitable site for berthing and conversion of the ship into hotel-cum-museum. Further, it will need maintenance costs on a regular basis," Srikanth said during a private programme in Vizag on Friday. Sources from tourism department said that it would cost over Rs 1,000 crores to convert the INS Viraat into the proposed floating museum. Initially, the Indian Navy as well as the government were confident over berthing of INS Viraat on the Vizag coast. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the Tourism Department was in thoughts to berth INS Viraat as a floating hotel-cum-museum. The officials also decided to take up works like land identification and others. "The fishing harbour and Vizag Port at present do not have space. Moreover, the east coast is prone to cyclones. There is a need to create a separate jetty for berthing of INS Viraat," Srikanth said. Being an expensive project, the government has sought support of the Centre. There were also talks with private partnership and two hotel majors-one from Mumbai and one from Visakhapatnam-for executing the projects. However, the Vizag-based hotel has dropped its plans due to the huge expenditure, while the Mumbai-based hotel has formed an unofficial consortium and is waiting for the government's nod. Further, the Naval sources said that the transportation of INS Viraat from Mumbai to Visakhapatnam and its berthing would take at least four months. "We are not sure whether the government wants it to be berthed or place it on the land. In either case, we need to make necessary arrangements. For berthing such a huge ship, Vizag Port does not have berth and it need to vacate at least two regular berths for the purpose," said a senior naval officer on condition of anonymity. In the case of placing it on land like Kursura submarine museum, the government needs to invite international companies as India does not have necessary cranes and other equipment, he said. The Naval authorities are also not inclined to maintain the to-be-decommissioned ship as it would occupy a large berth. The Navy officials also fear that in the absence of a concrete proposal from the AP government, the INS Viraat might be scrapped just like its predecessor INS Vikrant which was maintained and supported by the Navy at Mumbai Port for 17 years before sending it to scrap yard in 2014 as the proposals floated by different government authorities and also the private companies did not fructify. When asked about the speculations that INS Viraat to be sold for scrap just like INS Vikrant, Srikanth said that the decision completely depends on the officials of the union government. M Raghuram By Express News Service MANGALURU: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans visit to Mangaluru on Saturday has sparked tension with the BJP and other saffron groups taking out protest marches ahead of the visit. They have also called for a hartal on Saturday to protest against his visit and the communal harmony rally organised by Left organisations at Nehru maidan, which Vijayan is slated to address. BJP has accused CPM of tormenting Hindus and BJP workers in Kerala and alleged that Pinarayi has remained a mute spectator. On the other hand CPM has argued that right-wing organisations cannot curtail the movement of the CM. There is fear that the traditional rivalry between the BJP and CPM in Kerala may lead to an ugly fallout in Dakshina Kannada as well. The police therefore are not taking any chances on the security front. We have ensured that the Kerala CM will be given adequate security and the communal harmony rally will be held peacefully. Also, the usual security arrangements required in view of the hartal will also be done, said a senior police officer. Prohibitory orders have been issued in Mangaluru on Friday. With BJP determined to enforce a total bandh in the city and district on Saturday, bus operators are unsure about running services. CPM workers are worried over the buses not being able to run. Most of our party workers who are from the labour classes and lower middle class will have to depend on the public transport, party leaders said. MANGALURU: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans visit to Mangaluru on Saturday has sparked tension with the BJP and other saffron groups taking out protest marches ahead of the visit. They have also called for a hartal on Saturday to protest against his visit and the communal harmony rally organised by Left organisations at Nehru maidan, which Vijayan is slated to address. BJP has accused CPM of tormenting Hindus and BJP workers in Kerala and alleged that Pinarayi has remained a mute spectator. On the other hand CPM has argued that right-wing organisations cannot curtail the movement of the CM. There is fear that the traditional rivalry between the BJP and CPM in Kerala may lead to an ugly fallout in Dakshina Kannada as well. The police therefore are not taking any chances on the security front. We have ensured that the Kerala CM will be given adequate security and the communal harmony rally will be held peacefully. Also, the usual security arrangements required in view of the hartal will also be done, said a senior police officer. Prohibitory orders have been issued in Mangaluru on Friday. With BJP determined to enforce a total bandh in the city and district on Saturday, bus operators are unsure about running services. CPM workers are worried over the buses not being able to run. Most of our party workers who are from the labour classes and lower middle class will have to depend on the public transport, party leaders said. By Express News Service KANNUR/KOZHIKODE: Coming out against social media posts and reports framing certain film personalities in the actor assault case, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said the police will not go after fictitious names propagated by a few. The incident was a plot hatched by the main accused and the investigation is on the right track. Pulsar Suni (second from left) and Vijeesh, accused inthe actor assault case, at the Magistrate Court at Aluva on Friday | Albin Mathew There have been attempts by a few to target certain film personalities. News reports on police questioning an actor as part of the probe are wrong. Police will take appropriate action in case they get any leads on involvement of other persons, Pinarayi said at a function here. Earlier, in another function at Thalassery, he said it was inappropriate to manufacture a culprit in the case. The attempt is to find the real perpetrators of the crime. Almost all the accused in the case have been arrested, he said. Pinarayi said the government would support Mollywoods effort to prevent the underworld from taking control of the industry. The industry should take steps to check the background of those joining the production houses as helpers in the film sets, Pinarayi said at the switch on function of P T Kunju Muhammeds film. KANNUR/KOZHIKODE: Coming out against social media posts and reports framing certain film personalities in the actor assault case, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said the police will not go after fictitious names propagated by a few. The incident was a plot hatched by the main accused and the investigation is on the right track. Pulsar Suni (second from left) and Vijeesh, accused inthe actor assault case, at the Magistrate Court at Aluva on Friday | Albin MathewThere have been attempts by a few to target certain film personalities. News reports on police questioning an actor as part of the probe are wrong. Police will take appropriate action in case they get any leads on involvement of other persons, Pinarayi said at a function here. Earlier, in another function at Thalassery, he said it was inappropriate to manufacture a culprit in the case. The attempt is to find the real perpetrators of the crime. Almost all the accused in the case have been arrested, he said. Pinarayi said the government would support Mollywoods effort to prevent the underworld from taking control of the industry. The industry should take steps to check the background of those joining the production houses as helpers in the film sets, Pinarayi said at the switch on function of P T Kunju Muhammeds film. By Express News Service KOCHI: The identification parade in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of the Malayalam actress will be conducted on Saturday at 3 pm at the District Jail, Kakkanad. The Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) will also consider the application filed by police seeking custody of the accused today. Meanwhile, the actress dropped plans to address the media at the shooting location of her new movie. Earlier, there were reports that the actress would meet media persons on Saturday morning. This was cancelled reportedly on the advice of the police. The police advised her that it would not be logical to meet the media before the identification parade of the accused. Police will produce Pulsar Suni and Vijeesh before JFCM, Aluva during the day. The actress was abducted and sexually assaulted on February 17 night. KOCHI: The identification parade in connection with the abduction and sexual assault of the Malayalam actress will be conducted on Saturday at 3 pm at the District Jail, Kakkanad. The Aluva Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) will also consider the application filed by police seeking custody of the accused today. Meanwhile, the actress dropped plans to address the media at the shooting location of her new movie. Earlier, there were reports that the actress would meet media persons on Saturday morning. This was cancelled reportedly on the advice of the police. The police advised her that it would not be logical to meet the media before the identification parade of the accused. Police will produce Pulsar Suni and Vijeesh before JFCM, Aluva during the day. The actress was abducted and sexually assaulted on February 17 night. By Express News Service MANGALURU: The Dakshina Kannada district witnessed mixed response to the bandh call given by the right wing activists against the participation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in communal harmony rally on Saturday. Though some shop owners and business outlets voluntarily shut their shops, others kept their shops closed as they were worried about the possible damage in Mangaluru city. No private buses were found plying in the city. Since only government buses were seen plying, miscreants targeted and pelted stones at these buses in different areas. Government offices had skeletal staff as many of the employees were unable to reach their offices. However, essential services like medicines, newspaper, milk supply among were unaffected and even hospitals were seen functioning normally. Students face brunt: Students of first year Pre-University course, who had exams on Saturday faced several problems due to lack of transport services. Though district administration had arranged KSRTC buses , they could not help all students who came from remote areas. Some students were unhappy with the district administration for not postponing the exams. However Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadisha assured the students that re -examinations would be arranged for those who were unable to attend the exams. Many students who came late to the exam centres were allowed to write the exams and given extra time. KSRTC bus stoned at Karambar near Bajpe Tyre burnt at Derebail Two KSRTC buses stoned by the the miscreants at Thumbay near B C Road in Bantwal Police arrested nine Hindu activists when they were found insisting for bandh Subhash Padeel, a key accused in Home Stay attack case was detained as the precautionary measure Drone and CCTV camera were deployed to detect the untoward incidents Two motorcycles were seized by the Vittal police as some miscreants found blocking roads, mounting pressure to involve in bandh Bandh was total in Puttur and partial in Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal MANGALURU: The Dakshina Kannada district witnessed mixed response to the bandh call given by the right wing activists against the participation of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in communal harmony rally on Saturday. Though some shop owners and business outlets voluntarily shut their shops, others kept their shops closed as they were worried about the possible damage in Mangaluru city. No private buses were found plying in the city. Since only government buses were seen plying, miscreants targeted and pelted stones at these buses in different areas. Government offices had skeletal staff as many of the employees were unable to reach their offices. However, essential services like medicines, newspaper, milk supply among were unaffected and even hospitals were seen functioning normally. Students face brunt: Students of first year Pre-University course, who had exams on Saturday faced several problems due to lack of transport services. Though district administration had arranged KSRTC buses , they could not help all students who came from remote areas. Some students were unhappy with the district administration for not postponing the exams. However Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner Dr K G Jagadisha assured the students that re -examinations would be arranged for those who were unable to attend the exams. Many students who came late to the exam centres were allowed to write the exams and given extra time. KSRTC bus stoned at Karambar near Bajpe Tyre burnt at Derebail Two KSRTC buses stoned by the the miscreants at Thumbay near B C Road in Bantwal Police arrested nine Hindu activists when they were found insisting for bandh Subhash Padeel, a key accused in Home Stay attack case was detained as the precautionary measure Drone and CCTV camera were deployed to detect the untoward incidents Two motorcycles were seized by the Vittal police as some miscreants found blocking roads, mounting pressure to involve in bandh Bandh was total in Puttur and partial in Sullia, Belthangady and Bantwal Pradeep Pillai By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Like millions from the state, Arun Sudhakaran, a cameraman from Kadakkal in Kollam district flew to Saudi Arabia with dreams of a good life in sight. 17 months on he is stranded with no work and no salary and his passport in the custody of the employer. Arun Sudhakaran Desperate to get out of the trap and get back home he has put out a twitter message seeking the help of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Though a recent law enacted in Saudi Arabia insists that employers or sponsors should not confiscate passport of employees, Arun is yet to enjoy that freedom. Arun who was working as a freelance cameraman in Thiruvananthapuram was promised the job of a cameraman in a production company in Riyadh and salary of 2500 Riyals. On arrival he discovered to his shock that his visa is that of a house driver with a salary of 1500 Riyals. This salary too is not regular. I am paid one months salary every two or three months. Seven months salary is still pending. When I asked for my passport he refused to give it and is not paying the dues either. Arun told Express over phone and voice messages. He has been putting out messages seeking help to get his salary and return home and is lamenting he is being driven to suicide. Embassy officials in Riyadh has sought information but Arun is not optimistic, seeing the plight of similar employees who are stranded. Intervention at the highest level alone can save me. I am confined to my room, there is no work now and may starve to death, he told Express. The agent who sent him to Riyadh accepted that he had taken Rs 25,000 in return. I had warned him that salary could be irregular but he was desperate to go. As soon as I heard that he is facing problems I returned the money to his mother, the agent Binu told Express. THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Like millions from the state, Arun Sudhakaran, a cameraman from Kadakkal in Kollam district flew to Saudi Arabia with dreams of a good life in sight. 17 months on he is stranded with no work and no salary and his passport in the custody of the employer. Arun SudhakaranDesperate to get out of the trap and get back home he has put out a twitter message seeking the help of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. Though a recent law enacted in Saudi Arabia insists that employers or sponsors should not confiscate passport of employees, Arun is yet to enjoy that freedom. Arun who was working as a freelance cameraman in Thiruvananthapuram was promised the job of a cameraman in a production company in Riyadh and salary of 2500 Riyals. On arrival he discovered to his shock that his visa is that of a house driver with a salary of 1500 Riyals. This salary too is not regular. I am paid one months salary every two or three months. Seven months salary is still pending. When I asked for my passport he refused to give it and is not paying the dues either. Arun told Express over phone and voice messages. He has been putting out messages seeking help to get his salary and return home and is lamenting he is being driven to suicide. Embassy officials in Riyadh has sought information but Arun is not optimistic, seeing the plight of similar employees who are stranded. Intervention at the highest level alone can save me. I am confined to my room, there is no work now and may starve to death, he told Express. The agent who sent him to Riyadh accepted that he had taken Rs 25,000 in return. I had warned him that salary could be irregular but he was desperate to go. As soon as I heard that he is facing problems I returned the money to his mother, the agent Binu told Express. By Express News Service BENGALURU: Two Bangladesh nationals were arrested for allegedly peddling drugs near schools in Begur police limits. The arrested are Jani Khan (26), a resident of Vishwapriya Layout, and Raja Khan (25), a resident of Koramangala. Police have seized 40 Yaba tablets of four grams each and three phones. Yaba is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine. Acting on a tip-off that a few people were selling Yaba drugs near the government high school in Begur, police went to the spot and detained the accused. During interrogation, they confessed, police said. Yaba is reffered as a madness drug in Asia and is called as Nazi speed in the west. It is a banned drug which can even lead to stroke. BENGALURU: Two Bangladesh nationals were arrested for allegedly peddling drugs near schools in Begur police limits. The arrested are Jani Khan (26), a resident of Vishwapriya Layout, and Raja Khan (25), a resident of Koramangala. Police have seized 40 Yaba tablets of four grams each and three phones. Yaba is a combination of methamphetamine and caffeine. Acting on a tip-off that a few people were selling Yaba drugs near the government high school in Begur, police went to the spot and detained the accused. During interrogation, they confessed, police said. Yaba is reffered as a madness drug in Asia and is called as Nazi speed in the west. It is a banned drug which can even lead to stroke. By PTI COIMBATORE: Nearly 500 members of various outfits were arrested here today when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to unveil a 112-foot Adiyogi face at the Isha Yoga centre. Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near here by a helicopter, police said. The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers' interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said. During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office here, they also sought the Centre's intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala. Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, TMC, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, SDPI, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested. Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modi's visit near the airport. COIMBATORE: Nearly 500 members of various outfits were arrested here today when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to unveil a 112-foot Adiyogi face at the Isha Yoga centre. Some black balloons were also released into the air by a section of the protesters as Modi was travelling to the venue near here by a helicopter, police said. The protesters raised slogans against Modi for his alleged failure in protecting farmers' interests and for not taking action against the Isha Yoga for alleged encroachment of tribal land for construction of the face, police said. During the protest held in front of a tehsildar office here, they also sought the Centre's intervene to prevent construction of check dams across river Bhavani by Kerala. Arond 500 workers of outfits including Dravidar Kazhagam, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, TMC, MDMK, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, Revolutionary Youth Front, SDPI, and Federation of Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, participated in the demonstration, police said adding all were arrested. Police also arrested 17 workers of a fringe outfit when they attempted to stage a demonstration against Modi's visit near the airport. By Express News Service COIMBATORE: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday said that he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on February 27 to get exemption for students from appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical and dental courses. He was speaking to reporters on reaching Coimbatore as part of the unveiling of the 112-ft statue of Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Centre. Later in the day, after the event, Modi held talks with Palaniswami at Coimbatore airport. We have passed a resolution in the State Assembly, seeking exemption from the NEET. We have also sent the documents to the Centre, requesting for approval. We hope that the Centre would approve it. I will also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27 to seek exemption for TN from NEET, said the Chief Minister. Expressing his intention to implement hydrocarbon extraction project in the State, he said he would discuss the subject with the PM and initiate action in such a way that it would not affect farmers. We have sanctioned Rs 2,204 crore as drought relief fund for farmers in the State and it would be disbursed in five days time, he added. On the implementation of Avinashi-Athikadavu project, he said, As assured by former CM J Jayalalithaa, the project was designed at a cost of Rs 3,523 crore. In the first phase, `3 crore has been sanctioned for preliminary works. The project design has been sent to the Centre. Once the Centre gives consent, the project will be implemented, he said. Asked about Keralas move to construct check dams across the Bhavani, he said legal route would be explored and there would be no compromise on the States water rights. As directed by the Supreme Court, the government would take it up along with the Cauvery Water Management Board case. COIMBATORE: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday said that he will be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on February 27 to get exemption for students from appearing for the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for admission to medical and dental courses. He was speaking to reporters on reaching Coimbatore as part of the unveiling of the 112-ft statue of Adiyogi at the Isha Yoga Centre. Later in the day, after the event, Modi held talks with Palaniswami at Coimbatore airport. We have passed a resolution in the State Assembly, seeking exemption from the NEET. We have also sent the documents to the Centre, requesting for approval. We hope that the Centre would approve it. I will also be meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27 to seek exemption for TN from NEET, said the Chief Minister. Expressing his intention to implement hydrocarbon extraction project in the State, he said he would discuss the subject with the PM and initiate action in such a way that it would not affect farmers. We have sanctioned Rs 2,204 crore as drought relief fund for farmers in the State and it would be disbursed in five days time, he added. On the implementation of Avinashi-Athikadavu project, he said, As assured by former CM J Jayalalithaa, the project was designed at a cost of Rs 3,523 crore. In the first phase, `3 crore has been sanctioned for preliminary works. The project design has been sent to the Centre. Once the Centre gives consent, the project will be implemented, he said. Asked about Keralas move to construct check dams across the Bhavani, he said legal route would be explored and there would be no compromise on the States water rights. As directed by the Supreme Court, the government would take it up along with the Cauvery Water Management Board case. By Express News Service CHENNAI: The 69th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday was marked by charity, distribution of welfare measures, blood donation camps and a massive green drive to plant 69 lakh saplings across the State. Chief Minister K Palaniswamy launched the green drive to plant 69 lakh saplings at the Tamil Nadu Multi-Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar Government Estate on Anna Salai. He planted the first sapling (Magizhampoo). At the AIADMK headquarters, party presidium chairman and School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan, Palaniswamy and other party leaders paid floral tributes to a portrait of Jayalalithaa. AIADMK treasurer and Minister for Forests, Dindigul C Srinivasan released a special souvenir to mark the occasion and Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Pollachi V Jayaraman received the first copy. Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar inaugurated a five-day medical camp at party headquarters. An official release here said the planting of 69 lakh saplings would be completed by December, at a total cost of `65.85 crore. The saplings would be planted in forest areas, schools and colleges, government and private office complexes, roadsides and parks. Indigenous plants like Neem, Pungai, Iluppai, Vagai, Shenbagam, Magizham and Mantharai would be planted. Recalling that a large number of trees were uprooted by cyclone Vardah in Chennai and its neighbouring districts, the Chief Minister said it had been planned to plant 50,000 saplings in government lands and in premises of private organisations. Besides, 2.20 lakh saplings would be planted in reserved forest areas. Apart from these, 2.62 lakh saplings would be made available at a nominal cost to the public. The State government would spend `13.42 crore for this purpose. CHENNAI: The 69th birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday was marked by charity, distribution of welfare measures, blood donation camps and a massive green drive to plant 69 lakh saplings across the State. Chief Minister K Palaniswamy launched the green drive to plant 69 lakh saplings at the Tamil Nadu Multi-Super Speciality Hospital at Omandurar Government Estate on Anna Salai. He planted the first sapling (Magizhampoo). At the AIADMK headquarters, party presidium chairman and School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan, Palaniswamy and other party leaders paid floral tributes to a portrait of Jayalalithaa. AIADMK treasurer and Minister for Forests, Dindigul C Srinivasan released a special souvenir to mark the occasion and Deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, Pollachi V Jayaraman received the first copy. Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar inaugurated a five-day medical camp at party headquarters. An official release here said the planting of 69 lakh saplings would be completed by December, at a total cost of `65.85 crore. The saplings would be planted in forest areas, schools and colleges, government and private office complexes, roadsides and parks. Indigenous plants like Neem, Pungai, Iluppai, Vagai, Shenbagam, Magizham and Mantharai would be planted. Recalling that a large number of trees were uprooted by cyclone Vardah in Chennai and its neighbouring districts, the Chief Minister said it had been planned to plant 50,000 saplings in government lands and in premises of private organisations. Besides, 2.20 lakh saplings would be planted in reserved forest areas. Apart from these, 2.62 lakh saplings would be made available at a nominal cost to the public. The State government would spend `13.42 crore for this purpose. By PTI WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or -- that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the State Department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian Embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. The US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or -- that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the State Department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian Embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. The US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. By PTI ISMAILIYA: Dozens of Coptic Christians have left Egypt's Sinai Peninsula after a string of jihadist attacks killed three Christians in the restive province, church officials said. Yesterday, suspected Islamic State jihadists killed a member of the minority in the North Sinai city of El-Arish and set his house on fire. The Coptic Church condemned the "terrorist" attacks in a statement on Facebook, saying the assaults were aimed at "dividing and torpedoing" the Egyptian people. About 250 Christians took refuge in the Evangelical Church in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya, said church deacon and administrator Nabil Shukrallah. "They've come running with their children. It's a very difficult situation. We're expecting 50 or 60 more," he told AFP. Other church officials said they have also received Copts fleeing the peninsula. Families sat in the Evangelical Church's courtyard amid bags filled with their belongings and blankets, some of them still terrified of the danger they escaped. "We've become scared of our shadows. We're scared someone would be walking behind us and shoot us. Christians are being targeted in an ugly way," said one middle-aged man who refused to give his name. "Some people are too scared to even open their doors to go out and buy food," he added. Another Christian, who left Sinai with her five children, said the dangers there had put off her husband from work. "My husband hasn't been able to earn a penny in three months," said Umm Mina. "This is not right," she said, breaking into tears. On Wednesday, police officials said two Coptic Christians, a father and son, were shot dead behind a school in El-Arish. Christians have been attacked before in the Sinai, where the Islamic State's Egypt affiliate is waging an insurgency, but there has been an uptick since IS released a video on Sunday calling for violence against the minority. The video included an anti-Christian speech by a militant who later detonated an explosive vest in a Coptic church in Cairo on December 11, killing 29 people. The bombing of the church within a compound that also holds the seat of the Coptic papacy was the deadliest attack against the minority in recent memory. Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's 90 million population, say they are sidelined in both the education system and state institutions. Jihadists and Islamists accuse them of supporting the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters. ISMAILIYA: Dozens of Coptic Christians have left Egypt's Sinai Peninsula after a string of jihadist attacks killed three Christians in the restive province, church officials said. Yesterday, suspected Islamic State jihadists killed a member of the minority in the North Sinai city of El-Arish and set his house on fire. The Coptic Church condemned the "terrorist" attacks in a statement on Facebook, saying the assaults were aimed at "dividing and torpedoing" the Egyptian people. About 250 Christians took refuge in the Evangelical Church in the Suez Canal city of Ismailiya, said church deacon and administrator Nabil Shukrallah. "They've come running with their children. It's a very difficult situation. We're expecting 50 or 60 more," he told AFP. Other church officials said they have also received Copts fleeing the peninsula. Families sat in the Evangelical Church's courtyard amid bags filled with their belongings and blankets, some of them still terrified of the danger they escaped. "We've become scared of our shadows. We're scared someone would be walking behind us and shoot us. Christians are being targeted in an ugly way," said one middle-aged man who refused to give his name. "Some people are too scared to even open their doors to go out and buy food," he added. Another Christian, who left Sinai with her five children, said the dangers there had put off her husband from work. "My husband hasn't been able to earn a penny in three months," said Umm Mina. "This is not right," she said, breaking into tears. On Wednesday, police officials said two Coptic Christians, a father and son, were shot dead behind a school in El-Arish. Christians have been attacked before in the Sinai, where the Islamic State's Egypt affiliate is waging an insurgency, but there has been an uptick since IS released a video on Sunday calling for violence against the minority. The video included an anti-Christian speech by a militant who later detonated an explosive vest in a Coptic church in Cairo on December 11, killing 29 people. The bombing of the church within a compound that also holds the seat of the Coptic papacy was the deadliest attack against the minority in recent memory. Copts, who make up about 10 per cent of Egypt's 90 million population, say they are sidelined in both the education system and state institutions. Jihadists and Islamists accuse them of supporting the military overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013, which ushered in a deadly crackdown on his supporters. By PTI BEIJING: At least two persons were killed and 14 others injured today when a fire broke out at a muti-storey luxurious hotel in Nanchang, capital of China's eastern Jiangxi Province. Among the 16 people taken to hospital, two have succumbed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Several people were trapped when the fire broke out this morning. The fire broke out on the second floor of the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in the Honggutan New District at about 8 am, firefighters said. Over 10 construction workers were working on a decoration project on the second floor when the fire broke out, a woman who escaped from the scene, said. A man who broke the window to jump from the second floor was injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. The four-storey hotel is connected to a 24-storey apartment building, where also people are trapped, the report said. About 10 fire trucks are working to put out the fire, it said. BEIJING: At least two persons were killed and 14 others injured today when a fire broke out at a muti-storey luxurious hotel in Nanchang, capital of China's eastern Jiangxi Province. Among the 16 people taken to hospital, two have succumbed, state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Several people were trapped when the fire broke out this morning. The fire broke out on the second floor of the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in the Honggutan New District at about 8 am, firefighters said. Over 10 construction workers were working on a decoration project on the second floor when the fire broke out, a woman who escaped from the scene, said. A man who broke the window to jump from the second floor was injured and rushed to a nearby hospital. The four-storey hotel is connected to a 24-storey apartment building, where also people are trapped, the report said. About 10 fire trucks are working to put out the fire, it said. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: Following US president Donald Trump's silence on the Kansas shooting which killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla --an engineer from Hyderabad, Twitter has erupted in rage. However, surprisingly, most of the Tweets on Trump's silence over the issue were by non-Indians. One Twitter user, Simon Worrall, posted, "Why has #Trump not condemned the #terrorism attack in #kansas? Unpresidential!" Another user, Francis posted, "#Trumps silence about two Indians shot in #Kansas tells you about Trumps #America: #KKK." With the #KKK referring to the Ku Klux Klan. Another Tweet went, "#Trump's silence about the #Kansas #massacre is absolutely DEAFENING! #domestic #Terror #resist" Srinivas Kuchibhotla (L) and Alok Madasani (R) Peter Preston, posted, "The first #terrorist killing in #trump's #America is a foreigner shot by a white American in #Kansas. Will he be branded a terrorist?" Robert Abooie posted, "@realDonaldTrump no tweets about the #TerroristAttack in #Kansas? #Trump #TrumpLiesMatter " Surprisingly, Trump, who is active on Twitter frequently airing his views on the social media platform on a variety of issues and government policies did not Tweet about the Kansas shooting. Since news of the shooting broke out, the President Tweeted on variety of topics, including one in which he said, "Maybe the millions of people who voted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN should have their own rally. It would be the biggest of them all!" HYDERABAD: Following US president Donald Trump's silence on the Kansas shooting which killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla --an engineer from Hyderabad, Twitter has erupted in rage. However, surprisingly, most of the Tweets on Trump's silence over the issue were by non-Indians. One Twitter user, Simon Worrall, posted, "Why has #Trump not condemned the #terrorism attack in #kansas? Unpresidential!" Another user, Francis posted, "#Trumps silence about two Indians shot in #Kansas tells you about Trumps #America: #KKK." With the #KKK referring to the Ku Klux Klan. Another Tweet went, "#Trump's silence about the #Kansas #massacre is absolutely DEAFENING! #domestic #Terror #resist" Srinivas Kuchibhotla (L) and Alok Madasani (R)Peter Preston, posted, "The first #terrorist killing in #trump's #America is a foreigner shot by a white American in #Kansas. Will he be branded a terrorist?" Robert Abooie posted, "@realDonaldTrump no tweets about the #TerroristAttack in #Kansas? #Trump #TrumpLiesMatter " Surprisingly, Trump, who is active on Twitter frequently airing his views on the social media platform on a variety of issues and government policies did not Tweet about the Kansas shooting. Since news of the shooting broke out, the President Tweeted on variety of topics, including one in which he said, "Maybe the millions of people who voted to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN should have their own rally. It would be the biggest of them all!" By ANI OLATHE: It has emerged that before shooting the two Indian engineers - Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani - in a Kansas bar, the shooter held a brief conversation with them inquiring about their visas. In a brief phone interview to the New York Times, Madasani described the remarks made Wednesday by the accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran, sitting near them at the restaurant. He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally, Madasani said. (Both men were educated in the United States and were working here legally.) We didnt react. People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level, said Madasani. Other customers present at the time of incident said that Purinton was tossing ethnic slurs at the two men and suggesting they did not belong in the United States. Madasani said he went in to get a manager, and by the time he returned to the patio, the man was being escorted out. But a short time later, he came back in a rage and fired on the two men, the authorities said. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. Purinton, 51, was later extradited to Kansas from Missouri on Friday, and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his America first agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administrations sharp language about immigration. Madasani, who has been released from the hospital, said he was recovering physically and mentally. Im definitely doing much better, but its not over yet, he said. OLATHE: It has emerged that before shooting the two Indian engineers - Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani - in a Kansas bar, the shooter held a brief conversation with them inquiring about their visas. In a brief phone interview to the New York Times, Madasani described the remarks made Wednesday by the accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran, sitting near them at the restaurant. He asked us what visa are we currently on and whether we are staying here illegally, Madasani said. (Both men were educated in the United States and were working here legally.) We didnt react. People do stupid things all the time. This guy took it to the next level, said Madasani. Other customers present at the time of incident said that Purinton was tossing ethnic slurs at the two men and suggesting they did not belong in the United States. Madasani said he went in to get a manager, and by the time he returned to the patio, the man was being escorted out. But a short time later, he came back in a rage and fired on the two men, the authorities said. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. Purinton, 51, was later extradited to Kansas from Missouri on Friday, and charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his America first agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administrations sharp language about immigration. Madasani, who has been released from the hospital, said he was recovering physically and mentally. Im definitely doing much better, but its not over yet, he said. By PTI ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has asked India to end its "unlawful occupation" of Kashmir in its own interest, warning any delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell "disaster" for regional peace. India should give in to the public sentiment in Kashmir in its own interest and end its unlawful occupation of the territory, Hussain said at a function in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in connection with the birth anniversary of 'Quaid-i-Azam' Mohammad Ali Jinnah yesterday. "The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir," he was quoted as saying by Dawn. The human rights violations and repression in Kashmir were enough to shake the global conscience, he claimed and called on the international community to help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination. "A further delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace," he warned. Hussain's speech was part of Pakistan's efforts to highlight the issue of Kashmir, which has led to increased hostility between India and Pakistan for more than a year. Last year, after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with Indian security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, Pakistan had described him as a "martyr". ISLAMABAD: Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has asked India to end its "unlawful occupation" of Kashmir in its own interest, warning any delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell "disaster" for regional peace. India should give in to the public sentiment in Kashmir in its own interest and end its unlawful occupation of the territory, Hussain said at a function in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in connection with the birth anniversary of 'Quaid-i-Azam' Mohammad Ali Jinnah yesterday. "The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir," he was quoted as saying by Dawn. The human rights violations and repression in Kashmir were enough to shake the global conscience, he claimed and called on the international community to help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination. "A further delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace," he warned. Hussain's speech was part of Pakistan's efforts to highlight the issue of Kashmir, which has led to increased hostility between India and Pakistan for more than a year. Last year, after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with Indian security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, Pakistan had described him as a "martyr". By Associated Press VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has quietly reduced sanctions against a handful of pedophile priests, applying his vision of a merciful church even to its worst offenders in ways that survivors of abuse and the pope's own advisers question. One case has come back to haunt him: An Italian priest who received the pope's clemency was later convicted by an Italian criminal court for his sex crimes against children as young as 12. The Rev. Mauro Inzoli is now facing a second church trial after new evidence emerged against him, The Associated Press has learned. The Inzoli case is one of several in which Francis overruled the advice of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and reduced a sentence that called for the priest to be defrocked, two canon lawyers and a church official told AP. Instead, the priests were sentenced to penalties including a lifetime of penance and prayer and removal from public ministry. In some cases, the priests or their high-ranking friends appealed to Francis for clemency by citing the pope's own words about mercy in their petitions, the church official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the proceedings are confidential. "With all this emphasis on mercy ... he is creating the environment for such initiatives," the church official said, adding that clemency petitions were rarely granted by Pope Benedict XVI, who launched a tough crackdown during his 2005-2013 papacy and defrocked some 800 priests who raped and molested children. At the same time, Francis also ordered three longtime staffers at the congregation dismissed, two of whom worked for the discipline section that handles sex abuse cases, the lawyers and church official said. One is the head of the section and will be replaced before leaving March 31. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the others too will be replaced and that staffing in the office, which has a yearlong backlog of cases, would be strengthened after Francis recently approved hiring more officials. "The speed with which cases are handled is a serious matter and the Holy Father continues to encourage improvements in this area," Burke told AP. He also dispelled rumours that sex-abuse cases would no longer be handled by the congregation, saying the strengthened office would handle all cases submitted. Burke said Francis' emphasis on mercy applied to "even those who are guilty of heinous crimes." He said priests who abuse are permanently removed from ministry, but are not necessarily dismissed from the clerical state, the church term for laicization or defrocking. "The Holy Father understands that many victims and survivors can find any sign of mercy in this area difficult," Burke said. "But he knows that the Gospel message of mercy is ultimately a source of powerful healing and of grace." St. John Paul II was long criticised for failing to respond to the abuse crisis, but ultimately he said in 2002 that "there is no place in the priesthood or religious life" for anyone who would harm the young. Francis has repeatedly proclaimed "zero tolerance" for abusive priests and in December wrote to the world's bishops committing to take "all necessary measures" to protect them. But he also recently said he believed sex abusers suffer from a "disease" a medical term used by defence lawyers to seek mitigating factors in canonical sentences. Marie Collins, an Irish abuse survivor and founding member of Francis' sex-abuse advisory commission, expressed dismay that the congregation's recommended penalties were being weakened and said abusers are never so sick that they don't know what they're doing. "All who abuse have made a conscious decision to do so," Collins told AP. "Even those who are pedophiles, experts will tell you, are still responsible for their actions. They can resist their inclinations." Victim advocates have long questioned Francis' commitment to continuing Benedict's tough line, given he had no experience dealing with abusive priests or their victims in his native Argentina. While Francis counts Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley as his top adviser on abuse, he has also surrounded himself with cardinal advisers who botched handling abuse cases in their archdioceses. "They are not having zero tolerance," said Rocio Figueroa, a former Vatican official and ex-member of the Peru-based Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a conservative Catholic lay society rocked by sex scandals. The Vatican recently handed down sanctions against the group's founder after determining that he sexually, psychologically and physically abused his recruits. His victims, however, are enraged that it took the Vatican six years to decide that the founder should be isolated, but not expelled, from the community. The church official stressed that to his knowledge, none of Francis' reduced sentences had put children at risk. Many canon lawyers and church authorities argue that defrocking pedophiles can put society at greater risk because the church no longer exerts any control over them. They argue that keeping the men in restricted ministry, away from children, at least enables superiors to exert some degree of supervision. But Collins said the church must also take into account the message that reduced canonical sentences sends to both survivors and abusers. "While mercy is important, justice for all parties is equally important," Collins said in an email. "If there is seen to be any weakness about proper penalties, then it might well send the wrong message to those who would abuse." It can also come back to embarrass the church. Take for example the case of Inzoli, a well-connected Italian priest who was found guilty by the Vatican in 2012 of abusing young boys and ordered defrocked. Inzoli appealed and in 2014 Francis reduced the penalty to a lifetime of prayer, prohibiting him from celebrating Mass in public or being near children, barring him from his diocese and ordering five years of psychotherapy. In a statement announcing Francis' decision to reduce the sentence, Crema Bishop Oscar Cantoni said: "no misery is so profound, no sin so terrible that mercy cannot be applied." In November, an Italian criminal judge showed little mercy in convicting Inzoli of abusing five children, aged 12-16, and sentencing him to four years, nine months in prison. The judge said Inzoli had a number of other victims but their cases fell outside the statute of limitations. Burke disclosed to AP that the Vatican recently initiated a new canonical trial against Inzoli based on "new elements" that had come to light. He declined to elaborate. Amid questions about how the battle against abuse was faring, Francis recently named O'Malley, who heads his sex-abuse advisory commission, as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. But it's not clear what influence he can wield from his home base in Boston. Francis scrapped the commission's proposed tribunal for bishops who botch abuse cases following legal objections from the congregation. The commission's other major initiative a guideline template to help dioceses develop policies to fight abuse and safeguard children is gathering dust. The Vatican never sent the template to bishops' conferences, as the commission had sought, or even linked it to its main abuse-resource website. VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis has quietly reduced sanctions against a handful of pedophile priests, applying his vision of a merciful church even to its worst offenders in ways that survivors of abuse and the pope's own advisers question. One case has come back to haunt him: An Italian priest who received the pope's clemency was later convicted by an Italian criminal court for his sex crimes against children as young as 12. The Rev. Mauro Inzoli is now facing a second church trial after new evidence emerged against him, The Associated Press has learned. The Inzoli case is one of several in which Francis overruled the advice of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and reduced a sentence that called for the priest to be defrocked, two canon lawyers and a church official told AP. Instead, the priests were sentenced to penalties including a lifetime of penance and prayer and removal from public ministry. In some cases, the priests or their high-ranking friends appealed to Francis for clemency by citing the pope's own words about mercy in their petitions, the church official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the proceedings are confidential. "With all this emphasis on mercy ... he is creating the environment for such initiatives," the church official said, adding that clemency petitions were rarely granted by Pope Benedict XVI, who launched a tough crackdown during his 2005-2013 papacy and defrocked some 800 priests who raped and molested children. At the same time, Francis also ordered three longtime staffers at the congregation dismissed, two of whom worked for the discipline section that handles sex abuse cases, the lawyers and church official said. One is the head of the section and will be replaced before leaving March 31. Vatican spokesman Greg Burke said the others too will be replaced and that staffing in the office, which has a yearlong backlog of cases, would be strengthened after Francis recently approved hiring more officials. "The speed with which cases are handled is a serious matter and the Holy Father continues to encourage improvements in this area," Burke told AP. He also dispelled rumours that sex-abuse cases would no longer be handled by the congregation, saying the strengthened office would handle all cases submitted. Burke said Francis' emphasis on mercy applied to "even those who are guilty of heinous crimes." He said priests who abuse are permanently removed from ministry, but are not necessarily dismissed from the clerical state, the church term for laicization or defrocking. "The Holy Father understands that many victims and survivors can find any sign of mercy in this area difficult," Burke said. "But he knows that the Gospel message of mercy is ultimately a source of powerful healing and of grace." St. John Paul II was long criticised for failing to respond to the abuse crisis, but ultimately he said in 2002 that "there is no place in the priesthood or religious life" for anyone who would harm the young. Francis has repeatedly proclaimed "zero tolerance" for abusive priests and in December wrote to the world's bishops committing to take "all necessary measures" to protect them. But he also recently said he believed sex abusers suffer from a "disease" a medical term used by defence lawyers to seek mitigating factors in canonical sentences. Marie Collins, an Irish abuse survivor and founding member of Francis' sex-abuse advisory commission, expressed dismay that the congregation's recommended penalties were being weakened and said abusers are never so sick that they don't know what they're doing. "All who abuse have made a conscious decision to do so," Collins told AP. "Even those who are pedophiles, experts will tell you, are still responsible for their actions. They can resist their inclinations." Victim advocates have long questioned Francis' commitment to continuing Benedict's tough line, given he had no experience dealing with abusive priests or their victims in his native Argentina. While Francis counts Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley as his top adviser on abuse, he has also surrounded himself with cardinal advisers who botched handling abuse cases in their archdioceses. "They are not having zero tolerance," said Rocio Figueroa, a former Vatican official and ex-member of the Peru-based Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a conservative Catholic lay society rocked by sex scandals. The Vatican recently handed down sanctions against the group's founder after determining that he sexually, psychologically and physically abused his recruits. His victims, however, are enraged that it took the Vatican six years to decide that the founder should be isolated, but not expelled, from the community. The church official stressed that to his knowledge, none of Francis' reduced sentences had put children at risk. Many canon lawyers and church authorities argue that defrocking pedophiles can put society at greater risk because the church no longer exerts any control over them. They argue that keeping the men in restricted ministry, away from children, at least enables superiors to exert some degree of supervision. But Collins said the church must also take into account the message that reduced canonical sentences sends to both survivors and abusers. "While mercy is important, justice for all parties is equally important," Collins said in an email. "If there is seen to be any weakness about proper penalties, then it might well send the wrong message to those who would abuse." It can also come back to embarrass the church. Take for example the case of Inzoli, a well-connected Italian priest who was found guilty by the Vatican in 2012 of abusing young boys and ordered defrocked. Inzoli appealed and in 2014 Francis reduced the penalty to a lifetime of prayer, prohibiting him from celebrating Mass in public or being near children, barring him from his diocese and ordering five years of psychotherapy. In a statement announcing Francis' decision to reduce the sentence, Crema Bishop Oscar Cantoni said: "no misery is so profound, no sin so terrible that mercy cannot be applied." In November, an Italian criminal judge showed little mercy in convicting Inzoli of abusing five children, aged 12-16, and sentencing him to four years, nine months in prison. The judge said Inzoli had a number of other victims but their cases fell outside the statute of limitations. Burke disclosed to AP that the Vatican recently initiated a new canonical trial against Inzoli based on "new elements" that had come to light. He declined to elaborate. Amid questions about how the battle against abuse was faring, Francis recently named O'Malley, who heads his sex-abuse advisory commission, as a member of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. But it's not clear what influence he can wield from his home base in Boston. Francis scrapped the commission's proposed tribunal for bishops who botch abuse cases following legal objections from the congregation. The commission's other major initiative a guideline template to help dioceses develop policies to fight abuse and safeguard children is gathering dust. The Vatican never sent the template to bishops' conferences, as the commission had sought, or even linked it to its main abuse-resource website. By AFP LEBANON: Suicide attacks on two security service bases in the heart of Syria's government-held third city of Homs killed 42 people on Saturday, overshadowing peace talks in Geneva, state television and a monitor said. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. He said a senior intelligence officer was among the dead in the twin attacks in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Security forces locked down the city centre. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. State television paid tribute to the "martyrs" in the latest bombings. There was no immediate claim for the bombings but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which controls swathes of the largely desert countryside east of Homs. Government forces retook the oasis city of Palmyra and its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins in a much heralded Russian-backed offensive in March last year but were then pushed out by IS in December. Since then, the focus of government efforts has been further north, on second city Aleppo, which they fully retook after a rebel withdrawal in December, and areas to its east and west. LEBANON: Suicide attacks on two security service bases in the heart of Syria's government-held third city of Homs killed 42 people on Saturday, overshadowing peace talks in Geneva, state television and a monitor said. "There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence," Syrian Observatory for Human Rights director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP. He said a senior intelligence officer was among the dead in the twin attacks in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Security forces locked down the city centre. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. State television paid tribute to the "martyrs" in the latest bombings. There was no immediate claim for the bombings but they bore the hallmarks of the Islamic State group, which controls swathes of the largely desert countryside east of Homs. Government forces retook the oasis city of Palmyra and its UNESCO-listed ancient ruins in a much heralded Russian-backed offensive in March last year but were then pushed out by IS in December. Since then, the focus of government efforts has been further north, on second city Aleppo, which they fully retook after a rebel withdrawal in December, and areas to its east and west. By PTI WASHINGTON: US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries at a hospital after he was shot by the navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old veteran opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. "We can't let hatred win," said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. "Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families," the Democratic Senator said in a tweet. "My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. I'm heartbroken by this tragedy," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Jayapal said since Donald Trump's election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administration's controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. "This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim- Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration," Jayapal added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. "Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime," Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. "Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America." WASHINGTON: US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries at a hospital after he was shot by the navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old veteran opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. "We can't let hatred win," said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. "Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families," the Democratic Senator said in a tweet. "My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. I'm heartbroken by this tragedy," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Jayapal said since Donald Trump's election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administration's controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. "This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim- Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration," Jayapal added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. "Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime," Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. "Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America." By Associated Press News organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House press briefing Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the briefing after White House press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists included. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organizations credentialed to cover the White House. "The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," Lauren Easton, the AP's director of media relations, said in a statement. On Friday, hours after President Donald Trump delivered a speech blasting the media, Spicer invited only a pool of news organizations that represents and shares reporting with the larger press corps. He also invited several other major news outlets, as well as smaller organizations including the conservative Washington Times, One America News Network and Breitbart News, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is Trump's chief strategist. When the additional news organizations attempted to gain access, they weren't allowed to enter. The White House said it felt "everyone was represented" by those in the pool and the invited organizations. "We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool. Nothing more than that," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. When asked by a reporter attending whether he was playing favorites, Spicer said the White House had "shown an abundance of accessibility," according to an audio recording of the briefing later circulated by the pool. The pool included Reuters, Bloomberg, CBS, Hearst Newspapers and CBS Radio. Others in the briefing were Fox, NBC and ABC. Bloomberg reported that its reporter was unaware of the exclusions until after the briefing. John Roberts, Fox's chief White House correspondent, told anchor Shepard Smith on the air Friday that Fox supports complaints being filed by the White House Correspondents Association and pool TV networks. "You can speculate, Shep, that there might be some extenuating circumstances as to why those people were not invited, we're going to look into that further...." Roberts said. In a statement, the correspondent association's president, Jeff Mason, said the group was "protesting strongly" against how the briefing was handled by the White House. CBS News said in a statement that it was the pool's radio and TV outlet Friday. "We recorded audio of this event and quickly shared it out of an obligation to protect the interests of all pool members," the news division said. When Spicer was asked by a reporter at the briefing whether he was playing favorites, he said he "disagreed with the premise of the question," according to the audio. "We've brought more reporters into this process. And the idea that every time that every single person can't get their question answered or fit in a room that we're excluding people. We've actually gone above and beyond with making ourselves, our team, and our briefing room more accessible than probably any prior administration. And so I think you can take that to the bank. "We do what we can to accommodate the press. I think we've gone above and beyond when it comes to accessibility, and openness and getting folks our officials, our team." During a panel discussion last December, Spicer said that open access for the media is "what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship." Reaction to Friday's events from the barred outlets and others was swift. Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, called the newspaper's exclusion "unfortunate." "The public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage," Maharaj said in a statement. "Regardless of access, the Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favor." Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said that "nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." CNN's Jake Tapper took aim at the White House as he kicked off "The Lead with Jake Tapper" hours after the briefing. "A White House that has had some difficulty telling the truth and that has seemed to have trouble getting up to speed on the basic competent functioning of government, and a president who seems particularly averse to any criticism and has called the press the enemies of the American people they're taking the next step in attempting to avoid checks and balances and accountability. "It's not acceptable. In fact, it's petulant, and indicative of a lack of basic understanding of how an adult White House functions," Tapper said. The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the move by the White House. "We are concerned by the decision to bar reporters from a press secretary briefing," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. "The U.S. should be promoting press freedom and access to information." News organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House press briefing Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the briefing after White House press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists included. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organizations credentialed to cover the White House. "The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," Lauren Easton, the AP's director of media relations, said in a statement. On Friday, hours after President Donald Trump delivered a speech blasting the media, Spicer invited only a pool of news organizations that represents and shares reporting with the larger press corps. He also invited several other major news outlets, as well as smaller organizations including the conservative Washington Times, One America News Network and Breitbart News, whose former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is Trump's chief strategist. When the additional news organizations attempted to gain access, they weren't allowed to enter. The White House said it felt "everyone was represented" by those in the pool and the invited organizations. "We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool. Nothing more than that," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. When asked by a reporter attending whether he was playing favorites, Spicer said the White House had "shown an abundance of accessibility," according to an audio recording of the briefing later circulated by the pool. The pool included Reuters, Bloomberg, CBS, Hearst Newspapers and CBS Radio. Others in the briefing were Fox, NBC and ABC. Bloomberg reported that its reporter was unaware of the exclusions until after the briefing. John Roberts, Fox's chief White House correspondent, told anchor Shepard Smith on the air Friday that Fox supports complaints being filed by the White House Correspondents Association and pool TV networks. "You can speculate, Shep, that there might be some extenuating circumstances as to why those people were not invited, we're going to look into that further...." Roberts said. In a statement, the correspondent association's president, Jeff Mason, said the group was "protesting strongly" against how the briefing was handled by the White House. CBS News said in a statement that it was the pool's radio and TV outlet Friday. "We recorded audio of this event and quickly shared it out of an obligation to protect the interests of all pool members," the news division said. When Spicer was asked by a reporter at the briefing whether he was playing favorites, he said he "disagreed with the premise of the question," according to the audio. "We've brought more reporters into this process. And the idea that every time that every single person can't get their question answered or fit in a room that we're excluding people. We've actually gone above and beyond with making ourselves, our team, and our briefing room more accessible than probably any prior administration. And so I think you can take that to the bank. "We do what we can to accommodate the press. I think we've gone above and beyond when it comes to accessibility, and openness and getting folks our officials, our team." During a panel discussion last December, Spicer said that open access for the media is "what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship." Reaction to Friday's events from the barred outlets and others was swift. Davan Maharaj, editor-in-chief and publisher of the Los Angeles Times, called the newspaper's exclusion "unfortunate." "The public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage," Maharaj said in a statement. "Regardless of access, the Times will continue to report on the Trump administration without fear or favor." Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said that "nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." CNN's Jake Tapper took aim at the White House as he kicked off "The Lead with Jake Tapper" hours after the briefing. "A White House that has had some difficulty telling the truth and that has seemed to have trouble getting up to speed on the basic competent functioning of government, and a president who seems particularly averse to any criticism and has called the press the enemies of the American people they're taking the next step in attempting to avoid checks and balances and accountability. "It's not acceptable. In fact, it's petulant, and indicative of a lack of basic understanding of how an adult White House functions," Tapper said. The Committee to Protect Journalists also condemned the move by the White House. "We are concerned by the decision to bar reporters from a press secretary briefing," CPJ Executive Director Joel Simon said in a statement. "The U.S. should be promoting press freedom and access to information." By IANS ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army said on Saturday that four terrorists have been killed while 600 suspects arrested during the ongoing major anti-terrorism operation. The military announced on Wednesday the start of the country-wide operation codenamed "Radd-ul-Fasaad", after a series of terrorist attacks that killed over 100 people recently. Paramilitary troops are now leading the new operation along with other law enforcing agencies across the country, focusing on the country's biggest province of Punjab. A military statement said that material promoting violent extremism and weapons were recovered while few facilitators of the Pakistani Taliban-linked Jamat-ul-Ahrar group were also arrested. Pakistan's military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor earlier said that the new operation is aimed at "indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders." ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army said on Saturday that four terrorists have been killed while 600 suspects arrested during the ongoing major anti-terrorism operation. The military announced on Wednesday the start of the country-wide operation codenamed "Radd-ul-Fasaad", after a series of terrorist attacks that killed over 100 people recently. Paramilitary troops are now leading the new operation along with other law enforcing agencies across the country, focusing on the country's biggest province of Punjab. A military statement said that material promoting violent extremism and weapons were recovered while few facilitators of the Pakistani Taliban-linked Jamat-ul-Ahrar group were also arrested. Pakistan's military spokesman Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor earlier said that the new operation is aimed at "indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders." By AFP WASHINGTON: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett used his annual letter today to laud immigrants and their contribution to the growth of the US economy amid President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant stance. "Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," he wrote in the letter to shareholders of his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The annual missive from the 86-year-old investor -- the world's third-wealthiest person, according to Forbes magazine -- is pored over for clues to the thinking of the "Oracle of Omaha", who lives and works in the Nebraska city. Buffett steered clear of any mention of Republican President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. He had supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid to win the White House. The letter came as the country grapples with a sharp controversy over Trump's anti-immigrant policies and his crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country. The letter accompanied Berkshire Hathaway's release of 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. The company reported a net profit of USD 6.3 billion in the October-December period, a gain of nearly 15 per cent from a year ago. For all of 2016, net profit came in at USD 24.1 billion, slightly lower than the prior year. Berkshire, which has stakes in Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and a number of other companies, and recently invested in Apple, has benefited from the Wall Street rally after Trump's election. Berkshire gained USD 27.5 billion in net worth during 2016, Buffett said. WASHINGTON: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett used his annual letter today to laud immigrants and their contribution to the growth of the US economy amid President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant stance. "Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," he wrote in the letter to shareholders of his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The annual missive from the 86-year-old investor -- the world's third-wealthiest person, according to Forbes magazine -- is pored over for clues to the thinking of the "Oracle of Omaha", who lives and works in the Nebraska city. Buffett steered clear of any mention of Republican President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. He had supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid to win the White House. The letter came as the country grapples with a sharp controversy over Trump's anti-immigrant policies and his crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country. The letter accompanied Berkshire Hathaway's release of 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. The company reported a net profit of USD 6.3 billion in the October-December period, a gain of nearly 15 per cent from a year ago. For all of 2016, net profit came in at USD 24.1 billion, slightly lower than the prior year. Berkshire, which has stakes in Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and a number of other companies, and recently invested in Apple, has benefited from the Wall Street rally after Trump's election. Berkshire gained USD 27.5 billion in net worth during 2016, Buffett said. Who are Newport's top taxpayers? Take a look at the top 50. Reporter Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk). Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. One of Editor & Publishers 10 That Do It Right 2021 Early this year, about 30 neuroscientists and computer programmers got together to improve their ability to read the human mind. The hackathon was one of several that researchers from Princeton University and Intel, the largest maker of computer processors, organized to build software that can tell what a person is thinking in real time, while the person is thinking it. The collaboration between researchers at Princeton and Intel has enabled rapid progress on the ability to decode digital brain data, scanned using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), to reveal how neural activity gives rise to learning, memory and other cognitive functions. A review of computational advances toward decoding brain scans appears in the journal Nature Neuroscience, authored by researchers at the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and Princeton's departments of computer science and electrical engineering, together with colleagues at Intel Labs, a research arm of Intel. "The capacity to monitor the brain in real time has tremendous potential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of brain disorders as well as for basic research on how the mind works," said Jonathan Cohen, the Robert Bendheim and Lynn Bendheim Thoman Professor in Neuroscience, co-director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, and one of the founding members of the collaboration with Intel. Since the collaboration's inception two years ago, the researchers have whittled the time it takes to extract thoughts from brain scans from days down to less than a second, said Cohen, who is also a professor of psychology. One type of experiment that is benefiting from real-time decoding of thoughts occurred during the hackathon. The study, designed by J. Benjamin Hutchinson, a former postdoctoral researcher in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute who is now an assistant professor at Northeastern University, aimed to explore activity in the brain when a person is paying attention to the environment, versus when his or her attention wanders to other thoughts or memories. In the experiment, Hutchinson asked a research volunteer -- a graduate student lying in the fMRI scanner -- to look at a detail-filled picture of people in a crowded cafe. From his computer in the console room, Hutchinson could tell in real time whether the graduate student was paying attention to the picture or whether her mind was drifting to internal thoughts. Hutchinson could then give the graduate student feedback on how well she was paying attention by making the picture clearer and stronger in color when her mind was focused on the picture, and fading the picture when her attention drifted. The ongoing collaboration has benefited neuroscientists who want to learn more about the brain and computer scientists who want to design more efficient computer algorithms and processing methods to rapidly sort through large data sets, according to Theodore Willke, a senior principal engineer at Intel Labs in Hillsboro, Oregon, and head of Intel's Mind's Eye Lab. Willke directs Intel's part of the collaborative team. "Intel was interested in working on emerging applications for high-performance computing, and the collaboration with Princeton provided us with new challenges," Willke said. "We also hope to export what we learn from studies of human intelligence and cognition to machine learning and artificial intelligence, with the goal of advancing other important objectives, such as safer autonomous driving, quicker drug discovery and ealier detection of cancer." Since the invention of fMRI two decades ago, researchers have been improving the ability to sift through the enormous amounts of data in each scan. An fMRI scanner captures signals from changes in blood flow that happen in the brain from moment to moment as we are thinking. But reading from these measurements the actual thoughts a person is having is a challenge, and doing it in real time is even more challenging. A number of techniques for processing these data have been developed at Princeton and other institutions. For example, work by Peter Ramadge, the Gordon Y.S. Wu Professor of Engineering and professor of electrical engineering at Princeton, has enabled researchers to identify brain activity patterns that correlate to thoughts by combining data from brain scans from multiple people. Designing computerized instructions, or algorithms, to carry out these analyses continues to be a major area of research. Powerful high-performance computers help cut down the time that it takes to do these analyses by breaking the task up into chunks that can be processed in parallel. The combination of better algorithms and parallel computing is what enabled the collaboration to achieve real-time brain scan processing, according to Kai Li, Princeton's Paul M. Wythes '55 P86 and Marcia R. Wythes P86 Professor in Computer Science and one of the founders of the collaboration. Since the beginning of the collaboration in 2015, Intel has contributed to Princeton more than $1.5 million in computer hardware and support for Princeton graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Intel also employs 10 computer scientists who work on this project with Princeton, and these experts work closely with Princeton faculty, students and postdocs to improve the software. Neuroscience eBook Compilation of the top interviews, articles, and news in the last year. Download a copy today These algorithms locate thoughts within the data by using machine learning, the same technique that facial recognition software uses to help find friends in social media platforms such as Facebook. Machine learning involves exposing computers to enough examples so that the computers can classify new objects that they've never seen before. One of the results of the collaboration has been the creation of a software toolbox, called the Brain Imaging Analysis Kit (BrainIAK), that is openly available via the Internet to any researchers looking to process fMRI data. The team is now working on building a real-time analysis service. "The idea is that even researchers who don't have access to high-performance computers, or who don't know how to write software to run their analyses on these computers, would be able to use these tools to decode brain scans in real time," said Li. What these scientists learn about the brain may eventually help individuals combat difficulties with paying attention, or other conditions that benefit from immediate feedback. For example, real-time feedback may help patients train their brains to weaken intrusive memories. While such "brain-training" approaches need additional validation to make sure that the brain is learning new patterns and not just becoming good at doing the training exercise, these feedback approaches offer the potential for new therapies, Cohen said. Real-time analysis of the brain could also help clinicians make diagnoses, he said. The ability to decode the brain in real time also has applications in basic brain research, said Kenneth Norman, professor of psychology and the Princeton Neuroscience Institute. "As cognitive neuroscientists, we're interested in learning how the brain gives rise to thinking," said Norman. "Being able to do this in real time vastly increases the range of science that we can do," he said. Another way the technology can be used is in studies of how we learn. For example, when a person listens to a math lecture, certain neural patterns are activated. Researchers could look at the neural patterns of people who understand the math lecture and see how they differ from neural patterns of someone who isn't following along as well, according to Norman. The ongoing collaboration is now focused on improving the technology to obtain a clearer window into what people are thinking about, for example, decoding in real time the specific identity of a face that a person is mentally visualizing. One of the challenges the computer scientists had to overcome was how to apply machine learning to the type of data generated by brain scans. A face-recognition algorithm can scan hundreds of thousands of photographs to learn how to classify new faces, but the logistics of scanning peoples' brains are such that researchers usually only have access to a few hundred scans per person. Although the number of scans is few, each scan contains a rich trove of data. The software divides the brain images into little cubes, each about one millimeter wide. These cubes, called voxels, are analogous to the pixels in a two-dimensional picture. The brain activity in each cube is constantly changing. To make matters more complex, it is the connections between brain regions that give rise to our thoughts. A typical scan can contain 100,000 voxels, and if each voxel can talk to all the other voxels, the number of possible conversations is immense. And these conversations are changing second by second. The collaboration of Intel and Princeton computer scientists overcame this computational challenge. The effort included Li as well as Barbara Engelhardt, assistant professor of computer science, and Yida Wang, who earned his doctorate in computer science from Princeton in 2016 and now works at Intel Labs. Prior to the recent progress, it would take researchers months to analyze a data set, said Nicholas Turk-Browne, professor of psychology at Princeton. With the availability of real-time fMRI, a researcher can change the experiment while it is ongoing. "If my hypothesis concerns a certain region of the brain and I detect in real time that my experiment is not engaging that brain region, then we can change what we ask the research volunteer to do to better engage that region, potentially saving precious time and accelerating scientific discovery," Turk-Browne said. One eventual goal is to be able to create pictures from people's thoughts, said Turk-Browne. "If you are in the scanner and you are retrieving a special memory, such as from childhood, we would hope to generate a photograph of that experience on the screen. That is still far off, but we are making good progress." New Delhi: Days, after violent clashes broke out in Delhi University's North Campus between members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and the All India Students' Association (AISA), JNU's Umar Khalid, spoke to CNN-News18 about the entire episode. Maintaining his position on the nationalism debate, he accused the ABPV of indulging in goondagardi (hooliganism) on campus. Questioning the authority of the ABVP, Umar Khalid accused the RSS-backed student wing of attacking the fundamental rights of students. How fair is the attack on us by the ABVP, the kind of sensationalisation of anything that we do and them branding us as anti-nationals, Umar said. It was an invite for a seminar to Umar, who was charged with sedition last year, that triggered the violence at Ramjas College. After violent objections by the ABVP, the college was forced to rescind its invite on Tuesday. A protest march organised by AISA and JNU students the next day led to violent clashes when ABVP activists tried to stop them. Along with Umar, an invite to former JNU students union vice-president Shehla Rashid was also withdrawn. Clarifying that there was nothing in the paper prepared by him which could incite violence at the campus, Umar said that his paper dealt with the poor and oppressed of Chhattisgarh. The people who are living in Chhattisgarh are the poorest of the poor and the most oppressed people in this country. And, if we do not stand up for the oppressed at this moment, when they are facing a massive assault on their rights, then what kind of nationalism are we propagating, he questioned. Umar believes that the baggage of his image from last year's sedition row at JNU was the driving force behind this violent episode. He also took aim at certain media outlets for their irresponsible coverage of last years controversy and said that his name makes it easier for him to be profiled as an anti-national. The criminal coverage by certain media organisations portrayed me as a JeM sympathiser, which were plain lies, and said that I have been to Pakistan It left a lasting image and profiled me in a particular way. And my name makes the profiling easier, he said. The JNU scholar maintained that the fight was not between patriots and anti-nationals but between justice and injustice. We are stand for democracy, for equality and justice. And they (ABVP) are standing up for inequality and injustice, Umar said. Jammu: The Border Security Force (BSF) has raised a strong protest with Pakistan Rangers over unprovoked firing on Indian troops during a flag meeting in Kathua. It also raised the issue of hunting by Pakistani people close to the border and not responding to the BSF's requests for holding company commander-level meetings. A Commandant-Wing Commander flag Level meeting was held at Border Out Post (BoP) Pansar on BSF's request in Kathua sector along International Border (IB) on Friday. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Wing Commander Lt Col Asmat Ullah Khan and had three other officers, while the Indian delegation was led by Commandant Bhupinder Singh and also included K Ganesh and five other officers, a BSF officer said. After welcoming the delegation, the BSF raised issues like unprovoked firing from Pakistani side and repeated objections raised by Pakistani Rangers on BSF's maintenance work in the border area, the officer said. BSF also strongly objected the firing in BoP Bobiya in October last in which Pakistanis fired with rockets and automatic weapons, he said. "Pakistan Rangers assured that they want to maintain good relations with the BSF and such meetings should be arranged more frequently in the border areas," the officer said. Pakistani Rangers also raised few objections like burning of 'Sarkanda' (elephantine grass), saying the fire spread to their territory and destroyed telephone wires and other things, he said. The meeting held in a cordial manner and ended with the exchange of sweets from both the sides. The two forces also agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the International Border. Chandigarh: In a goodwill gesture, the BSF has handed over a 60-year-old Pakistani national, who had inadvertently crossed into the Indian territory, to Pakistan Rangers, an official said on Saturday. Border Security Force (BSF) troops of Border Out Post Dona Raja Deena Nath, Amritsar sector apprehended Mureed Faqir, a resident of Jakhwa Baad, Pakistan on Friday after he inadvertently crossed the international boundary, entered the Indian territory and reached near border security fence, a BSF official said. The official said Pakistan Rangers were contacted and Faqir was handed over to them on humanitarian ground. They beat some of the prisoners in front of us, Kosanam, who was abducted by IS terrorists nearly 18 months ago, said. I am thankful to our PM Narendra Modi and the National Security Advisor. I am grateful that they worked hard to get me rescued, he said. The doctor released from the captivity of the Islamic State, Ramamurthy Kosanam, has said the terror group has a "lot of interest" in India and wants to take over.Dr Kosanam, who reached India on Saturday morning, told CNN-News18 that he could understand from the interactions with his captors that the IS was impressed with India's education system and economic growth".He, however, said his captors did not go into any details of their plans, if they had any.Recounting his ordeal, the doctor said he was subjected to mental torture and was forced to watch their terrible videos. They forced me to watch their gory activities, he said, adding that they would talk to him very rudely.On the larger objective of the Islamic State, Kosanam said, They are a hard-core terrorist group and want to spread their clout throughout the world. He added that the group wants to impose its rules and regulations on everybody.Kosanam remained under captivity for at least a year before being asked to work for the group. I told them that I didnt have a lot of experience, but still they asked me to work, he told CNN-News18.After spending a year and a half under IS rule and witnessing the groups brutality first hand, Kosanam was grateful to the Indian government.A native of Eluru, Dr Ramamurthy was working as a physician in the Lbn-e-Sina Hospital at Sirte. A group of IS militants gained entry into the hospital and kidnapped Dr. Ramamurthy, engineer Samal Pravash Ranjan of Odisha and seven Filipino nurses from their residential quarters. Kuchibhotla's wife Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid and questioned "do we belong here" at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where her husband worked. Theres no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas Satya Nadella (@satyanadella) February 25, 2017 The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Wife of the Indian engineer who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime in Olathe city of Kansas has spoken out, saying that she had doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America".Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead by US navy veteran who mistook him as someone from the 'Middle-East' and told him, "Get out from my country", before shooting him.She also wondered whether the US government will stop hate crimes against minorities.Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that "good things happen in America."Meanwhile, CEO of Microsoft Corporation Satya Nadella, tweeted, "There is no place for senseless violence and bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims and families of the horrific shooting in Kansas."Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas."Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray said.Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said.Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night.Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital.A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri.A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition.The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident."I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet yesterday.He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him.According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters.Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the FBI to investigate the case.The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime.An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued yesterday.Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated.One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims.Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neckAccording to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the company's aviation systems."Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital," Garmin said.Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively.Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad.A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin.(With inputs from PTI) Rama Rao said that such incidents do raise concern among parents and relatives of those who have gone to the US for jobs or higher education. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. : The body of Hyderabad engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in the US in what appears to be a hate crime, will arrive here on Monday.Telangana Minister for NRI Affairs K.T. Rama Rao said the body will arrive by Air India flight at 9.45 pm.After consoling the parents of Srinivas, he told reporters that the slain engineer's wife Sunayana Dumala and other relatives will accompany the body.The Minister visited the house of Srinivas in Bachupally here and consoled his parents and other family members.He spoke to Sinivas' father K. Madhusudhana Sastry and mother Parvata Vardhini, who was inconsolable.The Minister later told reporters that Srinivas' parents said while no government can bring back their son, all efforts should be made to prevent such incidents in future so that parents of others are saved of this agony.Rama Rao, who is son of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said he will discuss with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj , the security concern among students and professionals working in US who want an assurance that this kind of incidents will not recur.The Minister said immediately after learning about the incident, he contacted the officer on special duty on Sushma Swaraj's office and called for immediate steps to bring home of the body of the slain engineer at the earliest.Rama Rao earlier expressed shock and anguish over the spate of attacks the US, the latest being the killing of.Srinivas."Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," he tweeted on Saturday.Rama Rao said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed.Srinivas Kuchibhotla (Right) was killed and his co-worker Alok Madasani was injured in the shooting at Austins Bar and Grill.Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton , a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night.Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC.Kuchibhotla is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month.Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building.The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. Kansas City/New Delhi: A white US Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victim's home country. The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" position on immigration and jobs has fueled a climate of intolerance. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trump's rhetoric. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed "our deep concern over the incident" to the U.S. government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation." Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunman's motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said. Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene. "People call me a hero," Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. "I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being." Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman "has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone." Kuchibhotla received a master's in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself "Srinu," said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc. Flags at Garmin's offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was "devastated by the senseless tragedy." Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer. "I don't want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because that's not who he is," Adele Mathews, Purinton's niece, said in a statement released to local media. Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said Friday. 'BE ANGRY!' At Kuchibhotla's family home near Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States. "The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there," the victim's brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. Many Indians initially welcomed Trump's election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both India's $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. "Don't be shocked! Be angry!" Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. "Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla." Washington: Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi on Friday described the shooting at a Kansas pub in which an Indian was killed as an attack on US' fundamental values and an assault on the sense of security of all persons of colour in the country. "This was an attack not only on the victims, but on the sense of security of Indians, Indian-Americans, and millions of other people of colour across the nation," Krishnamoorthi said in a statement in response to reports that the shooting in Olathe, Kansas, was specifically motivated by the race of two of the victims. A 32-year-old Indian engineer was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured in the apparent racially motivated hate crime. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured. Witnesses of the shooting state that prior to opening fire, the attacker uttered racial slurs and yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian victims. "Along with so many throughout the world, I have always believed in the American Dream of our country as a place where regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin, or how you pray, you can build a better life. This shooting was a brutal, racial attack on two men, and on the fundamental values of our nation. It follows a spate of hate-motivated attacks on others in this country," Krishnamoorthi said. The first-time Democratic lawmaker from Illinois said the details of this attack have not yet been confirmed by police, but by all accounts, this appears to be an act of hatred. "Yesterday, a man opened fire in a crowded bar, shouting racial slurs and yelling for the two Indian victims to 'get out of my country'. Today, because of one man's hate, another man lies dead and two others gravely wounded," he said. The two Indian victims came to the United States to pursue their educations, to live, and to work, Krishnamoorthi said. "The same reports that have identified this shooting as an act of hate have also stated that the third victim, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he saw what was happening and heroically sought to intervene," Krishnamoorthi said. He urged his colleagues in the Congress, those in the executive branch, and all Americans, to actively work together not only to prevent future attacks, but to directly address the underlying culture and climate which have led to them. Eminent Indian-American from the Republican party in Virginia Puneet Ahluwalia said it was a tragic, upsetting and unacceptable incident. "This kind of demented rage and their perpetrators have to be stopped and prosecuted," he said. "This is a threat to the greatness and hope which America is to so many. Importantly, not on our watch, we are a party of big tent and strong believer in our constitution," Ahluwalia said in a statement. New York: Microsoft's India-born chief Satya Nadella on Saturday asserted that there is no place for "senseless violence" and bigotry in the society as he condemned the killing of an Indian techie in a shooting incident in the US. "There's no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella tweeted. 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed after he was shot by a navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. Kuchibhotla's Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Earlier this month, Hyderabad-born Nadella during an interaction with students here had underlined the importance of "diversity and inclusion" amid an environment of divisiveness. Also during an employee Q&A on January 30, Nadella had addressed President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, saying there is no place for bias or bigotry in any society. Nadella's comments come against the backdrop of a divisive and anti-immigrant rhetoric engulfing the US under the presidency of Trump. The clamour over General Bipin Rawats statement has finally calmed down. To me, there were two disappointments. The first was natural avoidable politicisation would take place and the media would take it up with fervour, some questioning the statement and some vociferous in their support. This would also die a news death as other stories took centre-stage. The second disappointment was more worrisome in its long-term implications. Both security experts and amateurs, who know little about the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, called for a review of the Army strategy. I saw constant chatter in the social media about the velvet glove now being off the iron fist, the outdated hearts and mind approach of the Indian Army the Americans simply devastate nations and bomb terrorists, and other hard steps. I know the intention of those who aired their views was not to target the innocent population and was focused on the instigators, but in a situation where sentiments run high, the messaging was unhelpful. In the outpouring of our sentiment, we forget some basic, hard facts. America has bombed Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan, but lost each of these wars. By the time the last helicopter flew out of Saigon, 50,000 soldiers had been martyred. The Soviets had lost 30,000 soldiers in a brutal, no-holds-barred campaign in Afghanistan as they limped back across the Afghan-Uzbek Bridge. There are numerous other examples the British in Palestine and Kenya, Belgium in Congo, and the French in Algeria. In the modern history of counter-insurgency, if there is one success story, it is that of the Indian Army. Insurgencies in Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, Punjab and Nagaland are now largely behind us. Manipur and J&K still persist but are way below their peak levels. All this has happened because the Army has had a consistent military strategy centred on a people-centric approach and a strong hearts and minds campaign. This has never wavered. I remember, 35 years ago as a young Captain, attending every Sunday church in a small Naga village, just to show that I was a part of their community. It was embarrassing to sneak in and sit on the last aisle, and understand little of the language, but I persisted because it was the right thing to do. There are thousands of soldiers on ground in J&K doing a very difficult and somewhat thankless assignment. While they need our support, it must also be clearly understood that they are experts in their field and know what to do. The situation is complicated but crowd interference is not a brand new phenomena. Last year, procedures had been put in place for a dedicated law and order component to accompany Army teams for dealing with crowds. This is now being further refined and I am sure that our military leadership in Kashmir will find an appropriate solution. There is no need to change our basic approach to counter-insurgency. There are shortfalls which need to be addressed to minimise casualties. Better individual protective gear is essential, though, to be fair, new bulletproof jackets and ballistic helmets are now making an appearance. There is no immediate replacement for mine-protected and light bullet-proof vehicles, both key to operating in the urban terrain of Kashmir. The CRPF and police also need better protective and state-of-the-art riot control equipment. They have suffered too many injuries in stone pelting. Today, voices have grown louder, and Twitter and WhatsApp provide instant gratification by the number of likes. Let us all raise the flag, clap our hands, raise the morale of soldiers, but let them do the battle as they know best. (Editors Note: The author recently retired as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command, which had launched the surgical strikes against terror camps in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Views are personal) Los Angeles: Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey believes she "wouldn't have been a good" mother. The 63-year-old has no regrets about not having children because she doesn't "have the patience" for babies, reports people.com. "I didn't want babies. I wouldn't have been a good mom for babies. I don't have the patience. I have the patience for puppies, but that's a quick stage," Winfrey told Good Housekeeping UK magazine. Winfrey gave birth to a son when she was just 14, but he died in hospital a few weeks later. She doesn't think she missed out on being a parent because she is a mother figure to the 172 girls at her Leadership Academy boarding school in Johannesburg, South Africa. "When people were pressuring me to get married and have children, I knew I was not going to be a person that ever regretted not having them, because I feel like I am a mother to the world's children," she said. "Love knows no boundaries. It doesn't matter if a child came from your womb or if you found that person at age 2, 10 or 20. If the love is real, the caring is pure and it comes from a good space, it works," she added. Kolkata: Acclaimed filmmaker Vishal Bhardwaj on Friday said the censor board's refusal to certify Lipstick Under My Burkha could be due to a "misunderstanding". "I don't know about it... They can go to Film Certification Appellate Tribunal (FCAT) or court for redressal. Lady-oriented film toh yeh bhi hai (Even 'Rangoon' is a 'lady-oriented' film). I don't think any government body can say its a lady-oriented film, so there is a misunderstanding or miscommunication," Bhardwaj told the media here at a special screening of "Rangoon". The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has refused to certify "Lipstick Under My Burkha" for its sexual references and use of abusive words, among other reasons. The film, starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Ratna Pathak Shah, chronicles the secret lives of four women of different ages in a small town in India as they search for different kinds of freedom. A copy of the CBFC letter to the film's producer Prakash Jha states: "The story is lady-oriented, their fantasy about life. There are continuous sexual scenes, abusive words, audio pornography and a bit sensitive touch about one particular section of society, hence film refused." The film's director Alankrita Shrivastava said she is determined to ensure that the Indian audiences get to watch the film. The decision has drawn flak from a string of celebrities including Pooja Bhatt, Farhan Akhtar and Vivek Agnihotri. The Academy Awards can be perplexing, unless you're especially well versed in the difference between sound editing and sound mixing. But that doesn't mean you can't have a competitive advantage with your Oscar ballot, even if you don't have money riding on it. Those who really want to master an Oscar-pool ballot are advised to study earlier award shows, especially the guild honors handed out by actors, directors, writers and producers. Even then, there are categories like short films that often amount to pool tiebreakers, where the winner probably has just as good a chance by throwing darts as educated guessing. With that in mind, here's a handy cheat sheet on how to follow the show, and perhaps fill out a bracket. BEST PICTURE Arrival Fences Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water Hidden Figures La La Land Lion Manchester by the Sea Moonlight Despite the inevitable La La Land was overrated backlash, the City of Stars -- which has a history of honoring showbiz-related fare -- is virtually certain to make the musical's best-picture dreams come true. ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Casey Affleck in Manchester by the Sea Andrew Garfield in Hacksaw Ridge Ryan Gosling in La La Land Viggo Mortensen in Captain Fantastic Denzel Washington in Fences This ranks as one of the few major categories that's genuinely suspenseful. Affleck seemed like a sure thing early on, but controversy surrounding past sexual-harassment allegations and Washington's showy performance in Fences -- which he also directed -- have pushed him up into serious contention. Neither would be a surprise, but the latter seems like the more likely and sentimental choice. ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Jeff Bridges in Hell or High Water Mahershala Ali in Moonlight Lucas Hedges in Manchester by the Sea Dev Patel in Lion Michael Shannon in Nocturnal Animals Picking one actor from Moonlight is actually no mean feat, but Ali has dominated early awards and had a standout year, with his supporting role in Hidden Figures as well. Plus, he's charmed voters at other awards with his acceptance speeches, which doesn't hurt. ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE Isabelle Huppert in Elle Ruth Negga in Loving Natalie Portman in Jackie Emma Stone in La La Land Meryl Streep in Florence Foster Jenkins There might not be a surer thing this year than Stone's Oscar -- she's already had multiple opportunities to thank everybody -- despite a strong lineup of contenders that includes Huppert's Golden Globe win on the drama side for the controversial Elle. ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE Nicole Kidman in Lion Viola Davis in Fences Naomie Harris in Moonlight Octavia Spencer in Hidden Figures Michelle Williams in Manchester by the Sea Who can deny that Viola Davis has award winning snot? Her crying scene in Fences (complete with the runny nose) had Oscars written all over it. It's not easy to share a spotlight with Denzel Washington, but Davis not only showed up for their scenes, she showed out. The other ladies in this category are extraordinary, but Davis acted her role from the top of her head to the tips of her toes and that's also where audiences felt it. ANIMATED FEATURE FILM Kubo and the Two Strings Moana My Life as a Zucchini The Red Turtle Zootopia It's two little movies against two Disney-released blockbusters, with Zootopia expected to come out on top. Let's just hope they don't let the sloth that works at the DMV accept the award, or the Oscars will run into Tuesday. CINEMATOGRAPHY Arrival La La Land Lion Moonlight Silence La La Land should take this for the opening scene alone. The way the entire film is shot treats the city of Los Angeles as an additional character. As it should. COSTUME DESIGN Allied Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Florence Foster Jenkins Jackie La La Land Fantastic All of the nominees in this category are worthy. But the costumes in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them were magical. DIRECTING Arrival - Denis Villeneuve Hacksaw Ridge - Mel Gibson La La Land - Damien Chazelle Manchester by the Sea - Kenneth Lonergan Moonlight - Barry Jenkins Chazelle has received a lot of love for La La Land -- he's likely to receive more on Sunday. Barry Jenkins, however, could pull an upset with his deft handling of the extremely poignant, heartbreaking and raw Moonlight. DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE) Fire at Sea I Am Not Your Negro Life, Animated O.J.: Made in America 13th O.J. Made in America managed to be as much a statement about celebrity and race relations in the United States as it was about a high profile murder case. It was incredibly compelling and almost literary in its storytelling. The doc deserves an Oscar. DOCUMENTARY (SHORT SUBJECT) Extremis 4.1 Miles Joe's Violin Watani: My Homeland The White Helmets The short doc about the Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White Helmets, has been touted as a frontrunner since almost the beginning. There couldn't be more drama than a story about a group of people who rush in after bombing to try and rescue survivors. FILM EDITING Arrival Hacksaw Ridge Hell or High Water La La Land Moonlight Assuming that La La Land has a big night, it figures to clean up in most of these technical categories, and has already earned honors from the editors' guild. FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM Land of Mine A Man Called Ove The Salesman Tanna Toni Erdmann An interesting category, and potentially one of the night's most political ones. Based on critical praise, Germany's Toni Erdmann would be the odds-on favorite. But President Trump's travel ban has thrust Iran's The Salesman into the news, with the director's decision to boycott the ceremony. MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE) Jackie La La Land Lion Moonlight Passengers As Oscar equations go, a no-brainer: Best picture + musical = best score. MUSIC (ORIGINAL SONG) Audition (The Fools Who Dream) from La La Land Can't Stop The Feeling from Trolls City Of Stars from La La Land The Empty Chair from Jim: The James Foley Story How Far I'll Go from Moana Although there's a way-outside chance that the two nominations from La La Land could split the vote, City of Stars is the odds-on favorite. That said, parents with young kids can testify just how hard it is to get How Far I'll Go out of their heads. But that was history. After Partition, and especially since early 80s, this erstwhile capital of nawabs, increasingly became the epicentre of right-wing Hindutva politics, focussed around the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute. This centre of composite culture became the hotbed of Hindutva politics. It is for the first time that a major political party has given a ticket to a Muslim candidate from this high-profile constituency. The party's state general secretary, Vijay Bahadur Pathak, says, Politics of caste and religion will not work this time. Development is the sole agenda. BJP's slogan of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas is resonating with the voters. Over the decades, Hindu radicalisation had been the strongest in this region as well as eastern UP. Gorakhpur MP Mehant Adityanath's Hindu Yuva Vahini has also made deep inroads in this area of erstwhile Awadh. BJP will hence hope for a counter, Hindu polarisation, says Professor Trivedi. As the first capital of the princely state of Awadh in the early 18th century, the seeds of the famous 'Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb were sown in Faizabad, which was then a small city barely 20 km from the temple town of Ayodhya.This was the time when aazans from the Babri mosque and bells of hundreds of Hindu temples echoed together. The Babri Masjid-Ram Janmabhoomi issue was still far from being even a dispute in the making'.The nearby region, comprising districts of Behraich, Gonda, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Ambedkar Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur, were affected the most. The region emerged as the biggest feeder of Hindu fundamentalists for the movement, which ultimately led to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992.It's this region, including Faizabad, which now goes to the polls on February 27 in phase 5 of the Uttar Pradesh elections.Almost a quarter of a century since the demolition, it's the minority card which has made the contest for 52 Assembly seats in this phase interesting. The BSP and the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance have fielded 32 Muslim candidates. The biggest manifestation of the Muslim card has come from Ayodhya.For the BSP, it is Bazmi Siddiqui. He realises the significance of being a candidate from Ayodhya. A ticket for me from Ayodhya is proof of our leader Mayawati's firm faith in the Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb. Politics of hate will be defeated in Ayodhya this time, he says.The BJP, however, terms this election as a test of the blatant minority card.However, serious doubts are raised over the BJPs claim of shunning politics of religion when leaders like Vinay Katiyar, a party MP, rake up the Ram Temple issue. In an earlier interview to News18 Katiyar had said that the BJP government in UP will help pave the way for Ram Temple in Ayodhya. It was seen as an attempt to polarise voters in this crucial region.The answer to votebank politics and the subtle search for counter-polarisation also probably lies in the demographic realities of the region.Says Professor Prashant Trivedi of the Giri Institute of Development Studies, The Muslim population in the region is around 19%, with the biggest concentration in the districts of Gonda, Shrawasti, Balrampur and Behraich. The BSP and SP-Congress think their core caste votebank and minority card can work in their favour, respectively.In 2012, the Samajwadi Party had won 37 of the 52 seats, Congress and BJP both had won five each; three seats had gone to the BSP and two to others. In 2014, the region saw complete saffron domination. Whose way will the polarisation swing this time? March 11 will tell. Lucknow: With UP elections entering its fifth phase, Mukhtar Ansari's son Abbas Bin Mukhtar Ansari told CNN-News18 that despite seeking their help UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav betrayed them. Abbas Ansari said that Akhilesh sought his father's support to shore up the numbers to present a favourable case in front of Election Commission in the latter's fight to seek control of Samajwadi Party and its election symbol. "Don't know why Akhilesh betrayed us, but the truth is Akhilesh was himself in contact with my father Mukhtar Ansari. The CM met my father for an hour in Vidhan Sabha and assured the political association You can file RTI to see that affidavit of both my father and uncle Sibakatullah was taken by Akhilesh while he was fighting to save the party," said Abbas Ansari. The merger of Ansari's Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED) had stirred a controversy in the ruling Samajwadi Party last year when then party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav okayed Ansari's entry into the party, which Mulayam's Chief Minister son, Akhilesh Yadav, bitterly opposed. The Ansaris have considerable political clout among the weavers in eastern parts of the state and hold sway over more than a dozen Assembly seats. "A false perception has been created around my father...we were targeted but the likes of Gayatri Prajapati, Raja Bhaiya, Pandit Singh continue to be with SP," said the young Ansari. After being dumped by the Samajwadi Party, mafia don turned politician Mukhtar Ansari joined the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) along with his son and brother ahead of the UP polls. While sitting legislator Mukhtar Ansari will contest the Mau seat in eastern Uttar Pradesh, son Abbas will contest from Ghosi and Mukhtar's brother Sibagatullah will be BSP candidate from Mohammadabad. "When Mulayam has said that Akhilesh is against minorities, what have we to say," said Abbas Ansari, casting doubts on the future of Muslims under the SP regime. The young Ansari also dismissed the coming together of Rahul Gandhi and Askhilesh Yadav, saying it will have no impact. Mukhtar was first elected to UP assembly in 1996 on a BSP ticket. However, the controversial politician was elected a member of UP Assembly in 2002 and 2007 as an independent candidate. Ansari joined BSP once again in 2007 and contested the 2009 Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully. In 2010, the Mau MLA was expelled from the party owing to his involvement in criminal activities. After forming his own party, Quami Ekta Dal in the same year, he was elected an MLA from Mau once again in 2012 Assembly elections. The high-decibel campaign for the fifth phase of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which had touched a new low by a free flow of scornful words like "donkey, Kasab and kabootar", came to a close on Saturday evening.A total of 51 constituencies, spread over 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls on February 27 under this phase.The political campaigning in the fifth phase of the state polls was marked by a war of words among rival parties. At his rally in Bahraich, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for his "donkey" remark, asking him if he was afraid of the four-footed creatures of Gujarat.I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night... donkeys are loyal to their master," he had said on Thursday to counter the SP chief's reference to donkeys of Gujarat in a poll meeting earlier in Rae Bareli."It works even if it is ill, hungry or tired and completes the task... Akhileshji these 125 crore countrymen are my masters... I do all the work they ask me to do as I take inspiration from donkeys and take it with full pride," he said.The Prime Minister's reaction came as the UP CM advised megastar Amitabh Bachchan "not to advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat".Akhilesh was referring to an advertisement in which Bachchan, the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, is seen inviting tourists to visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary located in Little Rann of Kutch in the state.As if the "donkey" remark was not enough, BSP supremo Mayawati hit back at BJP president Amit Shah after he used the acronym "KASAB" for Congress, SP and BSP, saying, "there cannot be a bigger Kasab than him." She also dubbed Shah a "terrorist"."Aaj apney desh mein Amit Shah sey bada yehan koi aur Kasab nahin ho sakta hai, arthat atanki nahin ho sakta hai (There cannot be a bigger Kasab, that is a terrorist, than Amit Shah)," she said after Shah coined the acronym matching the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack perpetrator. Akhilesh also hit out at the BJP chief for his 'KASAB' barb, saying "KA" actually stood for "kabootar" (pigeon) and people will set BJP's pigeons free this election.Shah had said, "Until Uttar Pradesh gets rid of K-A-S-A-B, there will be no development in the state. Ka (in Hindi) is for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for BSP." "Hum yahan kheti-baadi karte hain (We do farming here)," says Gareeb Das from Mallah (boatmen) community while standing in front of the confluence of rivers in Allahabads Triveni Sangam. He proceeds to clear the confusion over the description of his profession. The Sangam is our khet (field). We run our oars here like the farmer plough his fields and we earn our daily bread by the river. But that is not all that we want.Engaged in boating and also supporting the Namami Gange Mission, the Mallahs aspire for greener pastures like jobs in government offices and private firms. When Allahabad went to the polls on February 23, the Mallahs shared how unimpressed they were by the Samajwadi Party-Congress alliance.Vishambhar Nishad, who lives by the Yamuna river, says, Earlier, there were doubts over whether the sangam between the two parties will happen. It has taken shape now, but we are with (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi. Look at him, he sweats for the country, we are ready to sweat for him.The members of the community fiercely believe none of the regional parties worked for their benefit neither the SP nor the BSP. The Samajwadi Party works for Yadavs and Muslims, the Bahujan Samaj Party works to uplift the Dalits. But the BJP will work for us, the poor.With notebandi (demonetisation), Modi punished the corrupt and those who amassed black money, adds Nishad.Gathered around the boat by the river, the Mallahs share how they havent forgotten what Mayawati said about them. The BSP leader wanted to deprive our community of benefits that we truly deserved as natives of the riverside. She said that we are not from this country, says another Mallah.The Modi government launched the Namami Gange Mission three years ago with a slew of development projects focused on river clean-up. The tenders floated had one localised condition for the applicant firms: It said that the firms should employ local communities by the river the Mallahs.As part of this project, in January 2017, a private firm that deals with exports and manufacture of waste water treatment equipment hired 12 Mallahs for a three-year contract. The task is being monitored by the Allahabad Nagar Nigam and the company pays the Mallahs Rs 9,000 as the work is manual right now.Speaking to News18, Harsh Dev Singh, a marketing professional from the firm that has started projects in Allahabad, says, "They have knowledge of the water and are best suited for the job of cleaning the Ganga. The tender specified that locals should be hired for the development project. As of now their work is manual, so they are being paid Rs 9,000." The firm will later take these works to Varanasi, Mathura and other regions.Mallahs hired by them monitor the river through the day, checking for those who litter the river with flowers, food offerings, and catch those spotted washing clothes in the river. The task is abound with challenges as traditional habits die hard, says Daroga alias Rajesh Nishad, a member of the batch hired by a private firm."We love Ganga and are ready to give everything for its cleanliness. Sometimes, people dont understand and enter into minor scuffles with us when we stop them (from polluting the river). Many of the visitors feel bad and ask us to mind our own business. They tell us to look away."Giving words to the aspiration of the boatmen community, he lists a number of professional opportunities that can be made available to them apart from boating. We have knowledge of these waters. That is why these firms have hired us. It is on a contract basis and we want to be salaried professionals because jobs dont come to us easily. We can be given jobs in PWD, Navy and other professions that require expertise in water knowledge. He has 11 other volunteers working in the Namami Gange Mission.His colleague in this mission, Pinto Nishad, was trained at ITI but no jobs came his way. There was no interview call or job offer so I returned to the river, says Pinto. He laments that even graduates find it difficult to secure jobs. Naam dekh kar hi hata dete hain (They look at our names and reject us).Rajan Nishad, leader of the Nishads, says, There are many battles we wage even with the traditional occupation of boating. Every time there is a flood in nearby areas, our boats are taken and returned with damages. We do not get compensation on time and our boats lie broken.Pointing at one of the broken boats, he says, Many like this one were taken to Azamgarh, Gorakhpur and Deoria but they came back to us in shambles. We are waiting for its revival, but there is no one to listen to us. Imphal: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that the BJP will develop Manipur in 15 months if voted to power in the state. "After coming to power in 2014, we came out with 'Act East Policy'. Until our eastern part prospers, the country would not develop," Modi said at a election rally in Imphal West district. Modi also attacked the Congress, saying, "It has been 15 years, Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?" "BJP will develop the state in 15 months if voted to power," he said. Campaigning in the state is gaining momentum as it is set to go for a two-phase assembly polls on March 4 and March 8 respectively. Security was beefed up ahead of the rally after a hand grenade and bomb was found in the same district. "Since last 40 years no PM OF the country came to north-east for NEC meeting. After Morarji Desai I am the only one who visited," Modi said. Pitching for the BJP, he said, "Congress doesn't want development in Manipur. We are ready to give subsidised electricity to the state. The will give impetus to development." The venue of the rally was shifted from Kangla Fort to Langjing Achouba after Irom Sharmila's People Resurgence and Justice Alliance (PRJA) raised objections. Promising to find a solution to economic blockades that plague the state, Modi said, "There will never be an economic blockade when BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this." "Those who have looted the country, I assure you that they won't go unpunished. Rights of common citizens would be protected," he said. The Congress and BJP are the two main contenders in the state with the Congress fielding 59 candidates and BJP 60 in the 60-seat State Assembly. Apart from these two parties, Trinamool Congress has fielded 16, NCP 7, CPI 6 and CPI(M) two. Among the regional parties, Naga People's Front has fielded 16 candidates and People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) one. Twenty-three Independents are also in the fray. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi is also visiting Imphal to campaign for the party on the 28th of this month. Earlier Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and North-East Democratic Alliance Convenor Hemanta Biswa Sarma have campaigned for their party candidates in different parts of the state. Allahabad: A FIR was on Saturday lodged against BJP's Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya for allegedly violating the model code of conduct, which is in place in the state in view of the Assembly polls. According to the inspector-in-charge of the Civil Lines police station Arun Kumar Tyagi, "The FIR was lodged under section 130 of the Representation of Peoples Act upon the complaint of Sector Magistrate Sunil Kumar Singh." The FIR followed an inquiry ordered by District Magistrate Sanjay Kumar into allegations of Maurya wearing the party's sticker on the pocket of his jacket while he was casting his vote at a polling booth set up inside an inter college in the city on February 23. Responding to the queries from reporters on Friday, Maurya said: "I did not intentionally go to the polling booth wearing the party sticker. I wear the sticker on my front pocket always and it has become a habit. I just forgot to take it off while going inside. I would, however, respect any action taken by the Election Commission in this regard." The aforesaid section of RPA forbids any person, on the day of polling, to exhibit any notice or sign relating to the election within a distance of 100 metres of the polling station. Contravention of any of the provisions of the section, which places a number of other restrictions enforceable on polling days, is punishable by a fine. Few more Nokia 3310 deets: -runs Series 30+ w color scrn -multiple colors, faceplates poss. swappable - think: mashup of old 3310 & new 150. Evan Blass (@evleaks) February 24, 2017 With Nokia expected to make a major comeback at one of the biggest annual tech shows - the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017, further leaks of the iconic Nokia 3310 hint that the handset will feature a colour screen instead of the monochrome 84 X 84 display on the old Nokia 3310.Don't miss: OnePlus 5 to Launch in April: All You Need to Know of the Waterproof OnePlus Smartphone According to accurate leaker Evan Blass, a revived version of the iconic Nokia 3310 will be launched at Mobile World Congress, which will kick off on February 27 in Barcelona. The 2017 edition of Nokia 3310 will cost around 59 (50), which would be a steal compared to the original Nokia 3310 that cost 119 in 2000.Evan Blass leaked more details of Nokia 3310 and said that it could be a mashup of the old Nokia 3310 and new 150.The screen will not be sharp, in order to avoid sapping battery life, but the splash of colour and return of the iconic Snake game will make it more compelling to buy the phone.Also read: Moto G5, G5 Plus Up for Sale on OLX Before MWC 2017 Launch Watch the video hereThe Nokia 3310 wont run Android OS and will be marketed as a feature phone.Read more: Nokia 3310 Might be Relaunched For Under Rs 5000: Report The device is expected to be available in an array of colours, including green, red and yellow and would be lighter than the original Nokia 3310.The return of Nokia to the handset market had sent people berserk and the relaunch of the revamped Nokia 3310 took the world by storm earlier this month. Washington: The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the "tragic" death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or -- that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the State Department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian Embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US Government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. Washington: Analysts at the Homeland Security Department's intelligence arm found insufficient evidence that citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries included in President Donald Trump's travel ban pose a terror threat to the United States. A draft document obtained by The Associated Press concludes that citizenship is an "unlikely indicator" of terrorism threats to the United States and that few people from the countries Trump listed in his travel ban have carried out attacks or been involved in terrorism-related activities in the US since Syria's civil war started in 2011. Trump cited terrorism concerns as the primary reason he signed the sweeping temporary travel ban in late January, which also halted the US refugee program. A federal judge in Washington state blocked the government from carrying out the order earlier this month. Trump yesterday said a new edict would be announced soon. The administration has been working on a new version that could withstand legal challenges. Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen on Friday did not dispute the report's authenticity, but said it was not a final comprehensive review of the government's intelligence. "While DHS was asked to draft a comprehensive report on this issue, the document you're referencing was commentary from a single intelligence source versus an official, robust document with thorough interagency sourcing," Christensen said. "The ... report does not include data from other intelligence community sources. It is incomplete." The Homeland Security report is based on unclassified information from Justice Department press releases on terrorism-related convictions and attackers killed in the act, State Department visa statistics, the 2016 Worldwide Threat Assessment from the US intelligence community and the State Department Country Reports on Terrorism 2015. The three-page report challenges Trump's core claims. It said that of 82 people the government determined were inspired by a foreign terrorist group to carry out or try to carry out an attack in the United States, just over half were US citizens born in the United States. The others were from 26 countries, led by Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iraq and Uzbekistan. Of these, only Somalia and Iraq were among the seven nations included in the ban. Of the other five nations, one person each from Iran, Sudan and Yemen was also involved in those terrorism cases, but none from Syria. It did not say if any were Libyan. The report also found that terrorist organizations in Iran, Libya, Somalia and Sudan are regionally focused, while groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen do pose a threat to the US. Houston: Family and friends of the Indian engineer who was shot dead at a Kansas city pub in an apparent hate crime held a vigil in his memory as they slowly came to terms with the spine-chilling incident. "Love each other" was the overarching theme as mourners filled the First Baptist Church of Olathe, Kansas. Visitors were greeted with solemn and spirit-filled musical numbers and prayers were offered by the families of 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, another Indian man and an American who were injured after a navy veteran man yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them in an apparent racially-motivated hate crime. Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. Kuchibhotla's Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Srinivas and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. There has been an outpouring of support for the victims of the Austin's Bar & Grill shooting and fundraising too. Volunteers handed out candles as visitors stoically made their way into the church's sanctuary. A group of employees gathered in front of the bar after the vigil to offer a moment of silence. None were ready to speak about the incident. Adam Purinton, 51, of Olathe was charged Thursday with first-degree murder in the death of Kuchibhotla. He was also charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot. Three separate 'gofundme' campaigns were set up for the victims of the shooting. The first fund for Kuchibhotla, has raised approximately USD 402,000 from 11,000 donors in just one day. A joint fund for Kuchibhotla and his colleague, Alok Madasani, who was wounded in the attack has raised USD 60,000. The Council on American-Islamic Relations called on the US government to "consider filing hate crime charges in order to send a strong message that violence targeting religious or ethnic minorities will not be tolerated," the Times reported. Purinton is scheduled to appear in court Monday and the bar is slated to reopen on Saturday. New Delhi: A Pakistan International Airlines flight to Saudi Arabia allegedly allowed seven extra passengers who travelled standing on the aisle. The incident occurred on January 20 on flight from Karachi to Medina. The aircraft, a Boeing 777, carried a total of 416 passengers against a capacity of 409, including staff seats. PIA spokesman Danyal Gilani told the BBC that the airline is investigating how it was allowed to happen. The passengers were allowed on the flight despite every seat being filled, he said. It came to light after being reported by Pakistan's Dawn newspaper. Staff had issued additional handwritten boarding passes, the paper reported. This would have caused problems because in an emergency evacuation and passengers would not have had access to oxygen if it was suddenly required, aviation experts said told the BBC. This is the first time the airline boarded excess passengers on a flight. Dawn accuses Pakistan's Civil Aviation Authority of "not taken punitive action against the airline or its staffers for putting the passengers' lives at risk". The newspaper quoting airline sources accuses PIA ground traffic staff of issuing handwritten boarding passes to the extra passengers. It quoted the flight captain, Anwer Adil, insisting that he was not told about the extra passengers until after take-off. "I... noticed [that] some people were those who were categorically refused jump [staff] seats by me at the check-in counter before the flight", he was quoted by Dawn as saying. "I had already taken off and the senior purser did not inform me about extra passengers before closing the aircraft door. "Therefore after take-off [any] immediate landing back at Karachi was not possible as it required a lot of fuel dumping which was not in the interest of the airline." Gilani said, "The matter is under investigation and appropriate action will be taken once responsibility is fixed." Oxon Hill: US President Donald Trump intensified his verbal attacks on Sweden, France and Germany on Friday, painting swaths of Europe as a jihadist-infested hellscape. Firing-up victory-drunk conservatives at a rally outside Washington, Trump trashed long-time allies as he sought tojustify his own controversial crackdown on immigrants. "Take a look at what's happening in Sweden. Take a look at what's happening in Germany. Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris," he said. Trump trained his sights on Paris in particular, recounting the story of a friend who used to visit every year. "I have a friend, he's a very, very substantial guy. He loves the City of Lights," he said. After not seeing his friend for a few years, Trump asked him "'How is Paris doing?'" The US leader said his friend responded "Paris? I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris. That was four years, four or five years, he hasn't gone there." Trump also defended contentious comments linking immigration and crime in Sweden. He earlier issued bafflingly opaque remarks that suggested the peaceful Scandinavian country was undergoing significant unrest or attack. "I took a lot of heat on Sweden," he said. "Take a look at what happened in Sweden. I love Sweden. Great country. Great people. I love Sweden. But they understand, right, the people over there understand I'm right," he said. United Nations: Russia vowed on Friday to use its veto to block a proposed UN resolution drafted by the United States, France and Britain that would impose sanctions on Syria for the use of chemical weapons. The trio are pushing for a vote early next week on the measure that would slap sanctions on 11 Syrians and 10 entities linked to chemical attacks in the nearly six-year war. "I just explained our position very clearly to our partners. If it is tabled, we will veto it," Russian Deputy Ambassador Vladimir Safronkov told reporters following a closed-door meeting of the Security Council. Safronkov rejected the measure as "one-sided", saying it was based on "insufficient proof" and contradicted "the fundamental principle of presumption of innocence until the investigation is over". Russia has used its veto six times to shield its Damascus ally from any punitive action by the Security Council. The draft resolution follows a UN-led investigation which concluded in October that the Syrian military had carried out at least three chlorine attacks on opposition-held villages in 2014 and 2015. The joint panel of the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) also found that Islamic State jihadists had used mustard gas in an attack in 2015. US Ambassador Nikki Haley said she was not swayed by the Russian arguments. "How much longer is Russia going to continue to babysit and make excuses for the Syrian regime?" she said. "People have died by being suffocated to death. That's barbaric." "You are either for chemical weapons or you are against it," she added. The fresh clash with Russia came as a new round of peace talks in Geneva struggled to get off the ground, with Syrian government and opposition delegations haggling over the format of meetings. The vote expected Monday or Tuesday would mark the first major council action by the new US administration of President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20 seeking warmer ties with Russia. Britain and France had circulated the draft text weeks ago, but held off on action to give the Trump administration time to study it. The vote would see the Trump administration joining old allies France and Britain to confront Russia over its support for Syria. Colombo: UK's main opposition Labour Party will reaffirm its strongest possible support for the Sri Lankan Tamils to express their solidarity with the minority community in both the countries, a media report said on Saturday. Leading figures from the Party, including party leader, Jeremy Corbyn MP, the Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell MP, and the Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry MP will be attending Tamils for Labour event next week to express their solidarity with the Tamil people, both in the UK and in Sri Lanka. The meeting, due to take place in the UK Parliament on February 28th, comes at a particularly opportune time, according to Colombo Gazette newspaper. It will coincide with the opening of the 34th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where the situation in Sri Lanka in particular Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena's Government's unwillingness to support the full implementation of UNHRC Resolution 30/1 on Sri Lanka will be a focus of discussions. The event in Parliament will provide an important forum to hear more about the pressure the Labour Party can bring to bear on the UK Government to ensure the Sri Lankan authorities abide by the commitments they made in Resolution 30/1, the report said. Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, said he was delighted Corbyn and so many Shadow Cabinet members and Labour MPs will be attending the event. Kandiah said Labour has always stood alongside and spoken up for the Tamil people. "With a crucial UNHRC Session about to commence, the Party has a vital role to play in helping to highlight the on-going cases of human rights abuses committed against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and in supporting our people's legitimate demands for truth, justice, accountability and self-determination on the island," he added. In 2009 the then British foreign minister David Miliband of the Labour Party and his French counterpart Bernard Kouchner were accused of trying to influence the Sri Lankan government to stop the military offensive against the LTTE. They toured Sri Lanka in April 2009 a few weeks ahead of the end to the military victory. Update: BEDFORD The trial of a man accused of abducting two girls from a Maryland shopping mall in the 1970s, killing them and disposing of their bodies in Bedford County, has been continued until September. Lloyd Lee Michael Welch Jr. faces two murder charges in connection with the deaths of Sheila and Katherine Lyon, sisters who vanished during a trip to a Wheaton, Maryland, shopping mall in 1975. Sheila was 12 and Katherine, 10. Investigators claim after killing the girls, he disposed of their bodies in Bedford County. On Friday, Welchs defense attorneys asked to extend the April 18 trial date to Sept. 12, citing additional time needed to review materials in the case. In written motions, they said the case involves more than 29,000 electronic files, and preparing for trial has been a monumental task. They also stated prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty if Welch is convicted. Commonwealths Attorney Wes Nance said the investigation into the case has continued past Welchs indictment in 2015, and discovery from recent law enforcement activities has not yet been prepared. Defense attorneys cited a recent additional discovery in a motion dated Feb. 16. Workers were on a Taylors Mountain site earlier this month, digging and panning through dirt at a site thats been probed several times in the past. When asked about the effort on Feb. 9, officials cited a gag order. On a 13-page list of items the prosecution has provided to Welch and his attorneys for the case, the ninth item listed is a photo of recovered tooth from Taylors Mtn. Bedford County Circuit Judge James W. Updike Jr. continued the trial and also signed off on a motion to appoint a DNA analysis expert for the defense. Welchs attorneys are looking to hire J. Thomas McClintock, founder of Lynchburg-based DNA Diagnostics Inc., for the case. The company performs forensic DNA testing and review, according to its website. Documents reveal grisly details of 1975 murders of Lyon sisters in Bedford County Newly unsealed search warrant affidavits offer a glimpse for the first time of how authoriti In a written motion, the defense states prosecutors have identified two DNA experts and will be producing DNA evidence at Welchs trial. The cost of hiring McClintock would be $350 per hour for 60 hours of analysis, coming to $21,000, the motion states. Updike ruled in late January statements Welch made during interviews with investigators could be used against him in court, since he had changed his story and admitted he wasnt being truthful during questioning. Updike also decided the death penalty would not be ruled out in the case. Most recently, Updike has dismissed obstruction of justice charges against two of Welchs female relatives; dropping the charge against Amy Ann Johnson on Jan. 10 and the charge against Gladys Stangee on Feb. 17. Nance had said the women cooperated in investigations. Court records state more motions will be filed in the case. In a Friday afternoon Lynchburg campaign stop, Democratic candidate for governor Tom Perriello met with small business owners and community members to discuss his plans for economic growth in Virginias smaller communities with workforce training programs, investment in clean energy and redistricting reform. As part of the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliances series of town hall events with gubernatorial candidates, Perriello spoke to a group of 10 participants about major challenges he believes Virginia faces and his plans for a more progressive Virginia. Hes facing off against current Lieutenant Gov. Ralph Northam for the Democratic ticket in the June 13 primary. The general election against the Republican candidate will be held Nov. 7. The one-term congressman rode the wave of Democratic support for President Barack Obama to victory in 2008 but lost to former Rep. Robert Hurt in his 2010 re-election campaign. Perriello pointed to his ability to represent the mostly rural and conservative 5th District, to bring people together around the loss of manufacturing jobs and need to spread the economic wealth around the state, not just in the urban centers of Richmond and Northern Virginia. During the Clinton [economic] recovery, almost 70 percent of that recovery was in smaller towns and counties, but during this most recent recovery, almost none of it was, he said. That means significant portions of our state are being left out of the growth opportunities we want to see. In order to foster economic development, Perriello told The News & Advance he plans to invest in wind and solar power and energy efficiency instead of building pipelines, which he said often employ specialized, out-of-state crews to do the work, leaving Virginias workers out in the cold. I think we actually have to decentralize some element of energy and food production, which has increasingly been controlled by a small group of companies, many of them far from our state, especially in our automated economy, he said. We can actually put construction crews and tradesmen to work weatherizing buildings and building wind and solar power for considerably less money than these pipelines that send our jobs out of the state. While he agrees with President Donald Trump on the need to address the loss of manufacturing jobs around the country, he blames automation as the cause instead of globalization. I share Donald Trumps view that it is concerning we lost 5.7 million manufacturing jobs in the last 10 years, but 85 percent of those job losses were not lost to outsourcing overseas but to automation and technology, Perriello said. [Technology] is transforming our lives and [is] a force for good in so many areas, but I believe its disruptive effects are going to be far wider and deeper than many of our public policy leaders have addressed. In order to connect people with jobs in sectors that are hiring, Perriello wants to make community college free for people to learn job skills and connect workers with sectors that are paying living wages. Frankly I think these programs pay for themselves, he said. If you look at what it means for someone to make $25 an hour and paying taxes instead of making $7.25 and collecting public assistance on the side. Investing in young people into a workforce is something that is much more of an investment than it is an expenditure. Superintendent of Bedford Public Schools Dr. Doug Schuch expressed support for the plan and said his district already is partnering more and more with Central Virginia Community College to get students job training and affordable college credits. For us in Bedford, CVCC is our largest strategic partner, Schuch said. Every year, we do more and more with them, and the lines between 11th and 12th grade and community college is blurring more and more. I think if thats part of your platform, youre going to see a lot of support from my colleagues in public education. Aside from the challenges of automation and the need for more job training, Perriello said Virginias aggressive criminal justice policies that result in suspended licenses and high court costs keep people out of work. For all of our progress in Virginia that we can be proud of, we continue to have a very regressive criminal code that often puts people on a school-to-prison pipeline instead of a school-to-workplace pipeline, he said. We have too many people that could become great, tax-paying parts of our workforce or small business owners one day but are not being given that opportunity. Coming up in the next governors term, Virginia will be redrawing the lines of electoral districts based on new population data gathered in the 2020 census. In the often times political process, the party in power redraws the electoral map, giving itself the ability to strategically select their voters, a built-in advantage for future elections. Perriello vowed as governor, he would veto any map favoring one party over another, either Democrat or Republican. Im someone who has worked on promoting the rule of democracy around the world, and were the only ones where the politicians get to pick their voters instead of the voters picking their politicians, he said. That kind of tenure and paralysis in our politics has direct implications on our ability to come together ... Although the Lynchburg area went heavily for Trump in November, Perriello said his record on fighting against job losses will resonate with voters across party lines. I think that what people around here know is that I was challenging both parties 10 years ago to take more seriously the loss of construction and manufacturing jobs and address the loss of local businesses, he said. I hope [I] will connect with voters that understand that both parties have been behind on addressing the real economic challenges of today. Its disappointing that no one in Nebraskas congressional delegation scheduled a town hall meeting during the current weeklong recess. As we have said at various points through the years, town hall meetings are a grand American tradition, a valuable access point at which constituents can meet face-to-face with their representatives. They are particularly important in the current media age in which voters and their elected representatives can all too easily isolate themselves in echo chambers where they hear only those with whom they agree. Admittedly, those town hall meetings can be noisy, confrontational events. The potential was in evidence Tuesday in Lincoln, when protesters left the public sidewalk to enter a building where Sen. Deb Fischer was speaking to the Lincoln Independent Business Association. The protest was organized in part by the local Indivisible Lincoln organization, one of more than 4,000 offshoots across the country inspired by the Indivisible Guide written by former congressional staffers on how to resist the Trump agenda. According to multiple sources, some of the protesters banged on interior windows, stomped in the hallway and created a ruckus that made it difficult for those in the LIBA meeting to hear what Fischer was saying. The senator left through a different door and avoided protesters and the media. When Sen. Ben Nelson was in office, he continued to hold town hall meetings despite repeated noisy confrontations with Tea Party types and other critics while Congress was considering health reform legislation. Rep. Jeff Fortenberry also has braved noisy constituents. In a 2014 town hall meeting in Lincoln it was difficult for those in attendance to hear the questions, and at one point, Fortenberry had to admonish one speaker to stop yelling. Typically, the most common time for town hall meetings is in August, when Congress frequently has a long recess. But this week, with a new occupant in the White House, was a prime opportunity for members of Congress to gauge what their constituents back home think about whats going in Washington. Only 21 Republican and 27 Democratic federal lawmakers scheduled town hall meetings this week, according to the Roll Call news organization. In Iowa, Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst held town hall meetings that attracted big crowds. The Des Moines Register reported that Grassleys appearance in the small town of Garner was civil, though at times heated. When it ended, protesters thanked Grassley for coming and taking their questions, the newspaper reported. The next time Congress has a recess, the Journal Star editorial board hopes members of the Nebraska delegation invite the public to town hall meetings. It also hopes everyone who attends will be civil and allow open dialogue to take place. It May Not Be the Time You Think It Is It's not often an obituary needs a NSFW warning, but not everyone is Jean Oddi, who died Monday in Ohio at the age of 91. Casey Clark tells the Columbus Dispatch that her mom, known as the "Queen of Sass," was "unafraid to offend" and "always got the first and the last word." That comes through in Oddi's obituary, written in her voice by Clark and Clark's daughter, Melissa Falter. Oddi, via Clark and Falter, brags of her "doctorate in Bitchology" and says it's "no surprise" people called her "The Queen." Her obituary also includes advice, such as "the middle finger is sign language" and a suggestion to seek out Clark if "you're looking for random crap" she used to own. Clark tells the Dispatch her mom was a true original. When she was 16, Oddi called up three men and said she would marry the one who got there the fastest. She followed through on that bold promise. Later, she took her new boyfriend to her husband's parents' house to pick up the money her husband was sending home from the war. And there are plenty more stories where that came from. It only makes sense then that Oddi's obituary took up a full column in the Dispatchcosting Clark and Falter a cool $1,250. Oddi's funeral service was to include Krispy Kreme doughnuts, pizza, White Castle burgers, and liquor. Says Falter to ABC News: "She's probably saying, 'See I told you I was funny and everybody loved me!'" (This family destroyed an "evil" man in a totally brutal obituary.) If someone says something mean about you on the internet, most of us have no choice but to let it go. Then again, most of us don't have millions of dollars and years of our life to dedicate to finding and punishing the online offender. The Wall Street Journal takes a deep look at the story of real-estate investor Bradley Cohen, who spent $3 million and four years bringing to justice the man who ruined his good name on the internet. It started in 2012, when a Google alert interrupted Cohen and his wife's European vacation. Someone had created a website with the header "Is Bradley S. Cohen the Next Bernie Madoff?" The website wrongly claimed Cohen had been convicted of fraud and money-laundering and that his company was a Ponzi scheme. At this point, if you're wondering why you care about the plight of someone trolling a rich guy online, know that Cohen's story also includes threats on his life, dead turtles, fetish sex, late-night visits from FBI agents, an Alaskan bush pilot, and an armed federal judge. But it all began with that one website. Cohen started small, spending $100,000 over six months to try to bump it off the first page of Google search results for his name. It didn't work; the site was often the first thing that popped up. Cohen worries the smear cost him millions in investments. His wife says it changed their entire life. Read the full story here to learn how Cohen discovered the perpetrators and why, despite one of the biggest online defamation awards ever, he might never see any money. (Read more defamation stories.) One of the women arrested in the airport slaying of the North Korean leader's half-brother says she thought she was smearing baby oil on her victim's face as part of a reality-show stunt. Siti Aisyah, who is being held in Malaysia, met with officials from her home country of Indonesia Saturday and told them she got paid $90 for what she thought was a harmless prank, reports the BBC. "She only said in general she met with some people who looked Japanese or Korean," says Indonesian Deputy Ambassador Andreano Erwin. "She only said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil." On Friday, Malaysian officials announced that Kim Jong Nam was killed with a deadly nerve agent called VX. Authorities think Aisyah and another woman wiped it on his face in the crowded airport in Kuala Lumpur, perhaps as a kind of one-two punchone woman smeared one compound, the other a second, and they combined to create the nerve agent. For the record, Malaysian officials have said they're not buying Aisyah's story that she was duped, notes the Guardian. One other person is in custody, a North Korean male who lives in Malaysia, and authorities say seven other North Korean suspects are being sought, reports the Wall Street Journal. (Read more North Korea stories.) A new source of friction has emerged between President Trump and US intelligence officials, this time over his travel ban. A report out of an office in the Department of Homeland Security challenges Trump's assertion that blocking travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries will make the nation any safer, reports the AP. The report concludes that "country of citizenship is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity," per the Wall Street Journal. A White House spokesman, however, dismissed the report as shoddy and politically motivated, and said the president is awaiting a more complete one that is "driven by data and intelligence and not politics," says spokesman Michael Short. A spokesman for the DHS acknowledged the authenticity of the report by the Office of Intelligence and Analysis, but characterized it as "commentary," adding, It is clear on its face that it is an incomplete product that fails to find evidence of terrorism by simply refusing to look at all the available evidence." With his initial travel ban blocked by federal courts, Trump has promised to issue a revised order next week. And it does appear that a different intel assessment is in the works: Earlier this week, CNN quoted a senior White House official who said the DHS and the Justice Department "are working on an intelligence report that will demonstrate that the security threat for these seven countries is substantial." The Journal is skeptical. It found that of 180 people charged with "jihadist terrorism-related crimes" in the US, only 11 were from the seven nations in question (Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Sudan, and Somalia). Pope Francis has quietly reduced sanctions against a handful of pedophile priests, applying his vision of a merciful church even to its worst offenders in ways that survivors of abuse and the pope's own advisers question. One case has come back to haunt him: An Italian priest who received the pope's clemency was later convicted by a criminal court for his sex crimes against children as young as 12. The Rev. Mauro Inzoli is now facing a second church trial after new evidence emerged against him, the AP has learned. The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith called for the priest to be defrocked. Francis overruled them and sentenced Inzoli to a lifetime of penance and prayer and removal from public ministry. In some cases, priests or high-ranking friends appealed to Francis for clemency by citing the pope's own words about mercy in their petitions, a church official said. "With all this emphasis on mercy...he is creating the environment for such initiatives," the church official said, adding that clemency petitions were rarely granted by Pope Benedict XVI, who launched a tough crackdown during his 2005-2013 papacy and defrocked some 800 priests who raped and molested children. At the same time, Francis also ordered three longtime staffers at the congregation dismissed, two of whom worked for the discipline section that handles sex abuse cases, lawyers and the church official said. (Read more Pope Francis stories.) Tom Perez was elected as the new chair of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday, replacing interim chair Donna Brazile, Politico reports. Perez, who served as Labor secretary under Barack Obama and is a former civil rights lawyer, won during the second ballot after falling a single vote shy in the first round of voting, according to Yahoo News. Perez's victory ends a four-month race during which he campaigned on returning to organized labor as the central economic message of the Democratic Party. Rep. Keith Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, finished second in the race for DNC chair. Despite having a similar message to Perez, Ellison was backed by Bernie Sanders while Perez was backed by members of the Obama administration and was seen as the establishment choice, the Hill reports. He's now faced with reuniting those two opposing factions of the party. NBC News tweets that Perez's first move as chair was to make Ellison deputy chair. Ellison then told his supporters to "give everything you've got" to help Perez succeed, MSNBC tweets. (Read more Tom Perez stories.) US immigration authorities are barring entry to a 21-year-old Syrian cinematographer who worked on a harrowing film about his nation's civil war, The White Helmets, that has been nominated for an Academy Award, the AP reports. According to internal Trump administration correspondence, the Department of Homeland Security decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb from traveling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khateeb was scheduled to arrive Saturday on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after US officials reported finding "derogatory information" regarding Khateeb. Derogatory information is a broad category that can include anything from terror connections to passport irregularities. Khateeb had been issued a visa to attend the Oscars. But Turkish authorities detained him this week, according to the internal US government correspondence, and he suddenly needed a passport waiver from the US to enter the country. Reached by telephone, Khateeb said he was currently in Istanbul and declined to speak further about his situation The White Helmets has been nominated for Best Documentary Short. The film focuses on the rescue workers who risk their lives to save Syrians affected by civil war. The group was nominated for last year's Nobel Peace Prize. (Read more Oscars stories.) With trouble already brewing around the eventthe Washington Post reports there were calls for news outlets to boycott, and several had already dropped out, according to the HillPresident Trump announced Saturday he wouldn't be attending the annual White House Correspondents' Dinner. "Please wish everyone well and have a great evening!" he tweeted Saturday. The event for the political press is typically headlined by the president. The tension leading up to this year's dinner, to be held on April 29, is not exactly shocking given Trump's ongoing war with the media. The Hollywood Reporter reports both Bloomberg and Vanity Fair had already canceled the afterparty they typically host following the event. (Meanwhile, comedian Samantha Bee is counter-programming the White House Correspondents' Dinner with an epic Trump roast.) Ask Geotripper Is there something about geology that you are curious about? Do you have questions about the scientific aspects of political controversies? I can try to provide a scientist's perspective. Your questions and possible answers could be a springboard to a blog discussion, or they can be private. Anonymity is always assumed. Contact Geotripper at hayesg (at) mjc.edu. Sorry! This content is not available in your region The Trump Administrations turtle-slow start with the Republican-led Congress bodes ill for what it and Republicans said would be a busy legislative year. Tax reform, replacing Obamacare, raising the debt ceiling, and a 2018 budget all await initial action. The GOP chairmen of the House and Senate ag committees, however, arent waiting on any White House signal to begin work. They have a Farm Bill to write and pass before the current law expires in 2018. In fact, the House committee kicked off its Farm Bill work with testimony on the stumbling ag economy Feb. 15 in Washington, D.C. The Senate committee began Feb. 23 with a hearing in the backyard of Chairman Pat Roberts, Manhattan, KS. Their quick 2017 start, however, does not mean a quick 2018 ending. For proof, recall the tortured path traveled by the 2014 Farm Bill, as Sara Wyant suggested to readers in a lengthy Feb. 10 posting at Agri-Pulse.com. In fact, it was to be the 2012 Farm Bill, not 2014, and House hearings for it began on April 10, 2010. On Feb. 7, 2014, when the bill was signed into law, no one celebrated because the brutal, four-year slugfest that delivered it had fractured decades-old political coalitions that had worked together to balance American farm and food interests that protected both farmers and the poor. The biggest hold-up was Tea Party budget hawks whose focus was cost, not policy. Their refusal to support any Farm Bill that didnt slash the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, the former food stamp program, stalled the Farm Bill at almost every turn. Their fiery demands were fueled even more by the ground-shifting, 2010 mid-term election. Caught in the quicksand was Blanche Lincoln, the first woman and first Arkansan ever to chair the Senate Ag Committee. She was clobbered in her 2010 reelection bid just five months after Farm Bill hearings began that year. House Ag Chairman Collin Peterson fared better he was reelected in 2010 but he lost the committees gavel to Oklahomas Frank Lucas when Republicans overwhelmed Democrats to easily retake the House. This Farm Bill fight could be even longer, harder, and costlier. For example, in 2013, the year todays governing bill took its final shape, U.S. net farm income hit an all-time record, $123.7 billion. Two weeks ago, however, the U.S. Department of Agriculture forecasted 2017 net farm income at half that, or $62.3 billion. Will yesterdays farm policy essentially government-subsidized revenue insurance that has no ability whatsoever to lift revenue work for todays falling commodity markets, falling land prices, and falling farm income? Not a chance, says Daryll Ray and Harwood Schaffer in their latest Policy Pennings column from the University of Tennessee. That Farm Bills programs simply backfill low prices with inadequate payments and do nothing to reduce the modest amount of surplus production that is the cause of the low prices. In short, a new Farm Bill that simply updates the insurance-centric 2014 law will doom U.S. farmers and ranchers to more years of financial calamity. Farm lenders, ag suppliers, and budget hawks, you listening? Denying todays farm and ranch reality ensures farm policy failure and, right behind it, farm and ranch failure. Even if ag and Congressional leaders address this evident need, it is not at all evident that the Trump White House will support any Farm Bill let alone much needed changes in the 2014 law. Early indications arent hopeful. Top Trump aide Stephen Miller (who co-authored the Presidents grim inaugural address) helped sink recent immigration reform, a farm and ranch priority, while on the staff of then-Senator, now Attorney General, Jeff Sessions, an Alabama Republican. Also, Paul Winfree, a former Heritage Foundation economist, now serves as Trumps director of budget policy. Its a lofty perch from which to advocate a long-sought Heritage Foundation goal: deep cuts in SNAP spending. If he succeeds, the weakened farm-urban coalition that carried previous Farm Bills over the finish line may be gone for good. In the meantime, the 2018 Farm Bill has left the barn. Where it goes from here is impossible to guess. New Delhi: The fourth phase of Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on Thursday witnessed a voter turnout of sixty-one percent. 53 constituencies in 12 districts, consisting of nearly 2 crore voters went for elections in phase four. The poll percentage was 59.9 percent in the corresponding seats in the 2012 assembly elections and 57.1 percent in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, Deputy Election Commissioner Vijay Dev, in charge of Uttar Pradesh, told reporters at New Delhi. With poll machinery in the state keeping up the pressure on anti-social elements, Rs 13.49 crore in cash and 3.26 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 8.17 crore was seized in run up to this phase. So far, a total of Rs 201 crore has been seized in cash and kind including liquor, drugs and precious metalsall used to influence voters.So far, Rs 112.5 crore in cash, 19.78 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 56.05 crore, Rs 7.41 crore worth of drugs, and Rs 25.15 crore worth of precious metals including gold and silver have been seized by election authorities from across Uttar Pradesh. Also Read: Mayawati says there cannot be a bigger 'Kasab' than Amit Shah He said a pre-poll incident of violence was reported on Wednesday night from Mahoba where SP and BSP workers had clashed, leaving two injured. While two of the accused have been arrested, the two undergoing treatment in hospital will also be placed under arrest. The SHO and chowki in charge of the police station concerned have been suspended. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Ian Grillot, a 'Good Samaritan', who was shot by Kansas shooter while helping Indian victims has become a hero in America. He is being treated in a hospital in Kansas city and recovering well after he was shot at Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe. Grillot intervened after a man was yelling racial slurs at two men he reportedly thought were Middle Eastern but were actually Indians.Talking to media he said, "I am no hero. I did what any human being would have done for another human." Giving details about the incident he said, "When he opened fire, I sat down hiding under a table, I thought I heard 9 shots and his (Shooter's) magazine would be empty so I came out and tried to chase him down but misscounted the shots as he turned towards me and fired." "I was praying for them (victims) to be okay, one of them has a 5 months pragnant wife," said an emotional Ian. Meanwhile, family of the victim who was killed in shooting has accused American president Donald Trump's anti immigration stand. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: The US Embassy in New Delhi on Friday strongly condemned the shooting incident in Kansas resulting in the death of an Indian techie and said American authorities will thoroughly investigate and bring the case to justice. In a statement, US Charged Affairs Mary Kay Carlson said, We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless act. Our deepest sympathies are with the victims and their families. The US is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study, and live. US authorities will investigate thoroughly and prosecute the case, though we recognise that justice is small consolation to families in grief. Maintaining that the authorities have reached out to Indian consular officials to offer full support as they assist the victims, she said, We understand that the alleged shooter is in custody and is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. US Federal authorities are also investigating the case. We have full faith that US legal authorities will bring the case to justice. An Indian engineer was killed and two others were injured after an American navy veteran yelling terrorist and get out of my country opened fire on them in a crowded bar in Kansas City in an apparent racially motivated hate crime, according to the local police. Srinivas Kuchibhotla (32), working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in hospital while his Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old shooter started yelling hurling racial slurs following an altercation on Wednesday night. The embassy also extended condolences to the family and friends of Kuchibhotla and wished a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday expressed grave concern over receding water flow in river Ganga and highlighted the growing silt deposit due to Farakka barrage causing floods in the state every year. Kumar also raised concern over proposed construction of reservoir at Buxar and some others in Uttar Pradesh enroute Allahabad-Haldia National waterway. He was speaking after inaugurating an International Seminar on Ganga in Patna. The two-day seminar organised by states Water Resources department titled Incessant Ganga is attended by a host of people working for environment and water management in the country and also abroad. They include Magsaysay award winner Waterman Rajendra Singh, Environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhat, Punjabs environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay. Some experts from Germany, Nepal and Bangladesh are also participating in the seminar.Kumar highlighted the problems due Farakka barrage which is causing floods in Bihar every year due to heavy silt deposits. Kumar has in the past demanded decommission of Farakka barrage which he said has little utility and responsible for flood in Bihar annually. He, however, made it clear that the present seminar was not meant to push the demand for decommission of Farakka Dam. This seminar is not meant to push demand for decommission of Farakka barrage but to discuss in length how to remove impediments in Ganga to ensure incessant flow of water, Kumar said. Kumar, who is also JD(U) National President, also raised the issue of proposed construction of barrage at Buxar and some others in UP as part of development of Inland Waterways from Allahabad to Haldia in West Bengal and reiterated that the state would not allow any such construction. In an oblique dig at rival BJP leaders who citing some unauthenticated papers of Inland Waterways Authority to say that there is no proposal to construct any barrage between Varanasi to Farakka, he asked do they mean to say that barrage would be built in between Allahabad to Varanasi? Kumar said he has read statement of Union Surface Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on proposed barrage at Buxar and on some locations in UP as part of Inland Waterway I.These (BJP leaders) are quoting a senior official of the Waterways Authority who is spreading confusion through false assertions, he added. Kumar reminded of PM Narendra Modi famous statement during 2014 general elections in Varanasi, Maa Ganga ne mujhe Bulaya hai (Mother Ganga has called me). When I recently visited Varanasi people told me that mother Ganga is searching for her son, he said. Kumar said his concern for Ganga was not political but personal and from Environmental point of view. I have grown in an area (Bakhtiyarpur) on bank of Ganga and studied in Institute (NIT now in Patna) also near Ganga and have grown watching the mighty river and thats why I have been raising concern for it at every platform, he said. Kumar said he has been raising concerns for Ganga and drawing attention of the Centre on problems from Farakka dam to both UPA and present one of BJP-led NDA but to no avail. During UPA rule of Manmohan Singh, the state government had facilitated an aerial survey of the then Water Resources minister Pawan Bansal from Buxar to other parts of Bihar to show him bad in condition of Ganga...but after this he (Bansal) said suggest any other option than doing away with Farakka barrier, he said narrating past experience. After current PM talked to me over flood in Bihar last year I met him later and drew his attention that the Farakka dam is causing heavy siltation in river Ganga which is a major reason for heavy floods every year in Bihar, he said. But, our concerns have not yielded any results so far. We hope the present seminar would pave way for a national debate on Ganga to protect the holy river, he added.Sone river has already lost its water flow and I am afraid that Ganga do not meet the same fate, he said. Kumar laughed away arguments coming from some rival parties that silt deposits in Ganga from Bhagalpur to Farakka was due to banana cultivation on its shore.West Bengal is also affected by Farakka barrier, he said. The West Bengal origin engineer Kapil Bhattacharya involved in construction of Farakka barrage had opposed it and after facing all sorts of abuse like being dubbed a Pakistan agent he left the job, he said adding but today his concerns are found true seeing poor condition of Ganga. He said the Union governments famed Namami Gange programme focuses on cleanliness leaving the question to ensure incessant flow of water in the mighty river. Kumar stressed on national silt management policy without affecting environment and delta basin. Bihar Water Resources minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Lallan drew attention towards ills of silt deposit due to Farakka. Waterman Rajendra Singh opposed construction of barriers enroute Allahabad-Haldia Waterways and urged Kumar not to allow this in Bihar. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Hyderabad: The results of civic polls in Maharashtra should not be considered a referendum on the demonetisation, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said on Friday. He also suggested that as with the sterilisation during the Emergency, peoples anger may manifest itself later. BJP made impressive gains in the civic elections in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra. It only shows that the Indian people are extremely patient and stoic. But that does not mean that there is no anger. During the Emergency there was a widespread belief that sterilisation was forced on the people. There were no street protests... But that does not mean that people have accepted it, the former Finance Minister said. Also Read: BMC poll results: Shiv Sena should avoid insulting PM Modi in Saamna if it wants better ties: Gadkari Assuming that the story (about anger regarding sterilisation) was true and assuming that the anger of the people is justified, they expressed their resentment at an appropriate time. No election is a referendum on any one issue, Chidambaram said at an interactive session. Demonetisation has affected practically every family in India... everyone is nursing a grievance, he said. Due to the note ban decision of Narendra Modi government, the economy will grow at 6 to 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal and the NPAs of banks will rise, he predicted. To a question about Jammu and Kashmir, he said the situation there was grim, and a series of mistakes were made which are almost too late to correct now. He also criticised recent controversial comments of the Army Chief Bipin Rawat. General Rawat said anyone interfering with security operations will be treated as anti-national. Thats, I think, thoughtless, intemperate words, the former Union Home Minister said. About Mukesh Ambanis telecom venture Reliance Jio, he said disruption is good, as it promotes innovation. Disruption is good... advent of Jio has forced the telecom industry to consolidate... that is good for the country. Imagine if the voice becomes totally free, you will never stop talking. Thats is the kind of disruption required in this country, Chidambaram said. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a BJP rally in Imphal, the capital of poll-bound Manipur on Saturday.The state is going to poll in two phases starting from March 4. Strict security measures have been put in place after bombs were recovered from Imphal West district on Friday, where Modi is expected to speak. Here are highlights from PM Modi's speech: # Manipur can contribute immensely to India's development. Tourism sector has a lot potential, youth here are talented: PM # We eliminated interview processes for class 3, 4 jobs. This reduced corruption. We asked Manipur govt to implement it, but they did not: PM # We have reduced stent prices. We want the poor to have access to affordable healthcare and medication: PM # We are giving impetus to infrastructure development in Manipur. We want the state to be directly connected with India's mainstream: PM # BJP would leave no stone unturned for welfare of people of Manipur. We will undertake every possible measure for development of Manipur: PM # Naga accord was signed one and half years ago. Was the Congress asleep that time? And, now they are spreading lies: PM Modi # Sikkim is a small state but is progressing rapidly, but the places where Congress is ruling is not progressing # Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. They made brothers here fight each other: PM Modi # The corruption that took place in Manipur in last 15 years, we will expose everything: PM Modi # Those who have looted the country, I assure that they won't go unpunished. Rights of common citizens would be protected: PM # People here aren't getting jobs on the basis of merits. One has to bribe to secure a job. This will end under the BJP: PM # Today, wherever Congress government is there, the state lacks progress. Every BJP governed state today is progressing at fast pace: PM # Since last 40 years no PM of the country came to NorthEast for NEC Meeting. After Morarji Desai I am the only one who visited: PM # When Atal ji formed Government, he made policies for overall development of Northeast. But Congress did not carry the good work forward: PM # Manipur's youth can do wonders. We want to give them opportunities to shine: PM Modi # Unity of Manipur, welfare of its people and development of the state is our only goal: PM Modi # What they (Congress) did not do in last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months: PM Modi in Imphal # It has been 15 years, Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?: PM in Imphal # Until North-East does not progress, the country's progress will never be complete: PM Modi in Imphal # In 2014 when I was PM candidate, there was a rally at same place, but even half the ground was not occupied. Today its packed with crowd: PM For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Bijbehara: In a rare outpouring of grief for a fallen soldier in strife-torn Kashmir, thousands of civilians on Saturday bid a tearful adieu to Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who was killed in an ambush by militants on Friday. Little did the people know what fate had in store for the valiant soldier when he left his home at Marhama Mohalla in Bijbehara of south Kashmir in January after celebrating the birthday of his son Aahil, who had turned one. On Saturday, when his body, draped in tricolour, was brought for the last rites, a pall of gloom descended on the locality. 34-year-old Rather, who was killed in an ambush by Hizbul Mujahideen militants in Shopian district on Friday, was part of the 4-Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and posted with 44 Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force carved from various army units. Two other soldiers and a civilian woman were also killed in the encounter, which took place barely 25 kilometres from his home. His wailing wife Shahzada Akhter and grieving relatives received the body. The huge turnout of mourners surprised the army officers and jawans who accompanied Rathers mortal remains. His relatives were seen wailing and recollecting the time spent with him. He was a highly motivated and courageous soldier as well as a gentleman who upheld the best traditions of the army, a senior officer said. After the wreath laying ceremony at the Srinagar-based Corps Headquarter, which was attended by Army Chief Bipin Rawat, the mortals remains of Rather were taken to his house in a special vehicle. His body was handed over to the family members for the rituals to be conducted at his house in the presence of a huge assembly of people. The mortal remains were then brought to the graveyard at Asthanpura where special prayers were conducted by the Moulvi as per the religious customs. The bravery and selfless devotion of the martyr towards the nation was also highlighted by the Moulvi while addressing the villagers in the presence of the representatives of the civil administration and the army, the officer said. After the gun salute, as his body was lowered into the grave, some sobbed uncontrollably and others stoically fought back tears, remembering the doughty son of Marhama. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi/Imphal: Prime Minister Narendra Modis remark on economic blockade in Manipur has stirred up a controversy in the North East state. Reacting on PM's statement, state chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh said, Didn't expect that PM Modi will state 'If BJP doesn't come back to power in Manipur, economic blockade will continue'. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday promised to end the crippling economic blockade in Manipur if the BJP comes to power in the state and said what the Congress could not do in 15 years, the BJP will do in 15 months. He also launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, accusing him of running the most corrupt government and taking 10 per cent commission. The remarks did not sit well with state administration. When NDA came to power in 2014, they withdrew UPA's industrial policy of 30 per cent subsidy in North-East; This is NDA's Act East Policy, CM Singh said. Here is what PM Modi said during his election rally in Imphal: Addressing an election meeting in poll-bound Manipur, the Prime Minister said, Manipurs development was stalled under the Congress government. What the Congress government could not do in 15 years our (BJP) government will do it in 15 months, he said, lashing out at the Congress government for failing to provide jobs, infrastructure, and proper drinking water to the people. Modi also accused the Ibobi government of spreading false campaign and misleading the people on the Naga Accord. I assure you that there is no single reference to ditching the Manipur people or its interests in the Naga Accord, he said. Ridiculing the Congress government, Modi said, Naga accord was done one-and-half years back. What were you doing ? Were you in a deep sleep? And all of a sudden you have woken up before elections. You are making false claims to mislead the people, Modi said. On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required. BJP will form the next government in Manipur and no blockade will be allowed then. We will show how a government is run, he said. The Congress wants to reap benefits by letting Manipur burn and by pitting one tribe against another for the sake of the chair, he said. What kind of cheap politics is this where you make brothers fight against each other. Attacking the chief minister, he charged I heard that the state chief minister who has been ruling for the last 15 years is known as 10 per cent chief minister. It is for the people of the state to decide whether they want a 100 per cent honest chief minister or one who takes 10 per cent commission. The prime minister said the Centre had been sending lots of funds to Manipur but most of the money is siphoned off by leaders and ministers of the ruling party. Earlier during Congress regime when funds used to come, Congress leaders and ministers used to siphon off the funds. But now there is a BJP government at the Centre and Manipur government will be held accountable for each and every penny. Modi said unity of the people and development were the focus of the BJP and added that all states in the north eastern region should develop. Referring to demonetisation, Modi said he will not stop until and unless he recovers the black money and said it was Congress which has a problem with the ban. The black money recovered will be used for development of the country and uplift of the poor. But when this decision of note ban was announced Congress had shouted the most, he said. The state goes to polls on March 4 and March 8 to elect its 60-member Assembly. (With Inputs from PTI) For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. SIOUX CITY | A 24-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly had sex with a teenage girl against her will while she was babysitting. Court documents say Colby Mauch committed the crime in the 17-year-old girl's Morningside home on Sept. 3, 2016. Mauch, of Castana, came over to the victim's residence while she was babysitting six children and starting making sexual advances towards her, the documents said. Feeling uncomfortable, she called a friend to come over. The three -- with the children-- watched a movie. The friend then had to leave and the kids went into the backyard. A short time after, the documents said Mauch grabbed her while she was standing up and placed her on the couch. Mauch started to kiss her mouth, neck and stomach and forcibly pulled her pants and underwear down and then had vaginal intercourse with her. After the incident, he asked the victim not to tell anyone and she then went into the bathroom and took a shower because she felt "disgusting," the documents said. The girl told the friend what had happened and the friend notified a school resource officer, who told the victim's mother. The victim then took a sexual assault examination at a local hospital where she recounted the story. On Sept. 12, Mauch texted the mother of the victim and apologized. The mother brought the texts to police and then an officer responded as if he was the mother. A text conversation began where Mauch said he regretted his actions and admitted the victim was telling the truth to the officer who was pretending to be the mother. Mauch was brought into questioning on Oct. 6 and admitted to initiating and having sex with the victim. However, he claims the sexual activity was consensual, the documents said. He was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on Wednesday for third-degree sexual abuse. Alex Boisjolie writes for the Sioux City Journal, another Lee Enterprises newspaper. Reach him at aboisjolie@siouxcityjournal.com. New Delhi: The high-decibel campaign for the fifth phase of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which had touched a new low by a free flow of scornful words like donkey, Kasab and kabootar, came to a close on Saturday evening. A total of 51 constituencies, spread over 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls on February 27 under this phase. The political campaigning in the fifth phase of the state polls was marked by war of words among rival parties. At his rally in Bahraich, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for his donkey remark, asking him if he was afraid of the four-footed creatures of Gujarat. I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night...donkeys are loyal to their master, he had said on Thursday to counter the SP chiefs reference to donkeys of Gujarat in a poll meeting earlier in Rae Bareli. It works even if it is ill, hungry or tired and completes the task...Akhileshji these 125 crore countrymen are my masters...I do all the work they ask me to do as I take inspiration from donkeys and take it with full pride, he said. The Prime Ministers reaction came as the UP CM advised megastar Amitabh Bachchan not to advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat. Akhilesh was referring to an advertisement in which Bachchan, the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, is seen inviting tourists to visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary located in Little Rann of Kutch in the state. As if the donkey remark was not enough, BSP supremo Mayawati hit back at BJP president Amit Shah after he used the acronym KASAB for Congress, SP and BSP, saying, there cannot be a bigger Kasab than him. She also dubbed Shah a terrorist. Aaj apney desh mein Amit Shah sey bada yehan koi aur Kasab nahin ho sakta hai, arthat atanki nahin ho sakta hai (There cannot be a bigger Kasab, that is a terrorist, than Amit Shah), she said after Shah coined the acronym matching the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack perpetrator. Akhilesh also hit out at the BJP chief for his KASAB barb, saying KA actually stood for kabutar (pegion) and people will set BJPs pigeons free this election.Shah had said, Until Uttar Pradesh gets rid of K-A-S-A-B, there will be no development in the state. Ka (in Hindi) is for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for BSP. The districts going to polls in this phase are Balrampur, Gonda, Faizabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Bahraich, Shravasti, Siddharth Nagar, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Amethi and Sultanpur. The Eelction Commission has announced fresh date of voting in Alapur (Ambedkar Nagar constituency) on March 9 due to the death of Samajwadi Party candidate Chandrashekhar Kanaujia. The ruling Samajwadi Party had won 37 seats out of 52 (total seats in this phase, including Alapur) in 2012 while BJP and Congress won five seats each. BSP had won three, while the Peace party won two seats. Shravasti, Balrampur, Sultanpur and Ambedkar Nagar had emerged as strongholds of Samajwadi Party which won all the seats in the previous state polls. In all, 608 candidates are in the fray in this phase with maximum of 24 candidates in Amethi and the minimum of six each in Kapilvastu and Etwa seats of Siddharth Nagar district. Prominent contestants in this phase include controversial minister Gayatri Prasad Prajapati (SP), who will be facing Amita Singh (Congress) and Garima Singh (BJP) in Amethi, the Lok Sabha constituency of Rahul Gandhi. Amita is the wife of Congress leader Sanjay Singh, while Garima is his estranged better half, making it a rani versus rani contest. SP ministers Vinod Kumar Singh alias Pandit Singh from Tarabganj (Gonda), Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey from Ayodhya and BSP state president Ram Achal Rajbhar from Akbarpur are some of the other popular names trying their luck in this phase. A total of 1.84 crore voters, including 96 lakh women, will exercise their franchise in the fifth phase. For all the Latest India News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Berlin: Germany's foreign intelligence service BND long spied on journalists of the BBC, The New York Times, Reuters and other media, a media report said today. Media rights group Reporters Without Borders labelled the alleged surveillance "a monstrous attack on press freedom", voiced fears the eavesdropping was ongoing and said it was planning legal action, according to news weekly Der Spiegel. The magazine, which has extensively worked with US fugitive intelligence contractor Edward Snowden and reported on US and German espionage scandals, only cited documents it had seen. It reported that the BND had listed at least 50 telephone and fax numbers and email addresses of journalists or newsrooms on its list of "selector" keywords for surveillance since 1999. These included several dozen numbers of the British Broadcasting Corporation at its London headquarters and in Afghanistan, as well as of the BBC World Service, it said. A number of The New York Times in Afghanistan was also on the list, as were mobile and satellite phone numbers of news agency Reuters in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria. The BND declined to comment, Der Spiegel said in an early excerpt of an article to be published in full in its weekly edition which hits news stands tomorrow. A BBC spokeswoman said: "We are disappointed to hear these claims. "The BBC's mission is to bring accurate news and information to people around the world and our journalists should be able to operate freely and safely, with full protection for their sources. "We call upon all governments to respect the operation of a free press." For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Houston: The grieving wife of the Indian engineer shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a navy veteran in Kansas City has demanded an answer from the US government what it would do to stop hate crimes against the minorities. Sunayana Dumala, wife of 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was killed by Adam Purinton at a city bar on Wednesday night, said reports of bias against minorities in the US make them afraid and wondered whether do we belong here. At a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin, the company where Srinivas worked, Sunayana asked what the US government of Donald Trump would do to stop hate crimes against minorities such as the one happened to her husband. Although she did not mention Trump by name, Sunayana did say, Not everyone will be harmful to this country. Read | Absurd to correlate Indian techie's murder in Kansas and President's remarks: Trump administration Sunayana was concerned over shooting incidents and doubted whether her family should stay in the US. But, she said, her husband assured her saying good things happen in America. The tragedy has led to fears among immigrants, who feel being targeted by President Trumps plans to ban travellers from some countries and build a wall along the Mexico border to realise his campaign pledge of putting America first. Trumps proposed travel ban against certain countries has been termed divisive by many and provoked criticism from several quarters, including his own Republican Party. Sunayana said Srinivas came to the US in 2005 to pursue a masters degree at the University of Texas at El Paso and worked for six years in Iowa before moving to Kansas City. Read | US lawmakers denounce attack on Indians, say hate crimes unacceptable in country He did not deserve a death like this, Sunayana said. I dont know what to say. Weve read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening somewhere. I was always concerned, Are we doing the right thing staying in the US or America? But he always assured me good things happen in America. Consul-General of India in Houston, Anupam Ray, is monitoring the situation and providing possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment, Ray told PTI. Since the tragedy, they have been with the Srinivas family and have assured Sunayana of all possible help, Ray added. Joshi met shocked community members in Olathe and enquired Alok Madasani, another Indian injured in the shooting, about his health. Alok has now been discharged from hospital. A third man, an American identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at the bar. He, too, is in fair condition, a University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressed shock on Twitter after the incident. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. Witnesses said the shooter, Purinton, reportedly got into a racial argument with the victims and shouted get out of my country and terrorist before opening fire at them. He reportedly provoked them asking about their presence and work in the US, and how they were better than him. Then, Purinton left the bar and returned with a gun and shot the three men, according to police. He was arrested five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the shooter, although police said they were investigating the case with the FBI, which is looking at whether it was a hate crime. The incident happened when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in the US after Trumps inauguration on January 20, following his campaign heavy on anti-immigration rhetoric. According to the company Garmin, Srinivas and Alok worked in the companys aviation systems. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital, it said before Alok was discharged. Srinivas and Alok hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Srinivas posted on LinkedIn in 2014 he managed helicopter programmes. He had a masters degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas. He earned his bachelors degree from Hyderabads Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Alok was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today described the shooting at a Kansas pub in which an Indian was killed as an attack on US' fundamental values and an assault on the sense of security of all persons of colour in the country. "This was an attack not only on the victims, but on the sense of security of Indians, Indian-Americans, and millionsof other people of colour across the nation," Krishnamoorthi said in a statement in response to reports that the shooting in Olathe, Kansas, was specifically motivated by the race of two of the victims. A 32-year-old Indian engineer was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured in the apparent racially motivated hate crime.Srinivas Kuchibhotla, working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries in a hospital. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured.Witnesses of the shooting state that prior to opening fire, the attacker uttered racial slurs and yelled "get out of my country" at the two Indian victims. "Along with so many throughout the world, I have always believed in the American Dream of our country as a place where regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin, or how you pray, you can build a better life. This shooting was a brutal, racial attack on two men, and on the fundamental values of our nation. It follows a spate of hate-motivated attacks on others in this country," Krishnamoorthi said.The first-time Democratic lawmaker from Illinois said the details of this attack have not yet been confirmed by police, but by all accounts, this appears to be an act of hatred. "Yesterday, a man opened fire in a crowded bar, shouting racial slurs and yelling for the two Indian victims to 'get out of my country'. Today, because of one man's hate, another man lies dead and two others gravely wounded," he said. The two Indian victims came to the United States to pursue their educations, to live, and to work, Krishnamoorthi said. "The same reports that have identified this shooting as an act of hate have also stated that the third victim, Ian Grillot, was wounded when he saw what was happening and heroically sought to intervene," Krishnamoorthi said. He urged his colleagues in the Congress, those in the executive branch, and all Americans, to actively work together not only to prevent future attacks, but to directly address the underlying culture and climate which have led to them. Eminent Indian-American from the Republican party in Virginia Puneet Ahluwalia said it was a tragic, upsetting and unacceptable incident. "This kind of demented rage and their perpetrators have to be stopped and prosecuted," he said. "This is a threat to the greatness and hope which America is to so many. Importantly, not on our watch, we are a party of big tent and strong believer in our constitution," Ahluwalia said in a statement. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries at a hospital after he was shot by the navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old veteran opened fire on them. Read | Kansas hate attack: Wife of Indian techie killed by American shooter asks 'do we belong here' A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. "We can't let hatred win," said Indian-American senator from California Kamala Harris. "Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families," the Democratic senator said in a tweet. I strongly condemn the shooting in Kansas. Xenophobia has no place in our communities. My thoughts are with the victims & their families. Kamala Harris (@SenKamalaHarris) February 24, 2017 "My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. I'm heartbroken by this tragedy," said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. Read | Kansas shooting an attack on US values: Indian-American Congressman According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Jayapal said since Donald Trump's election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administration's controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. "This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim-Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration," Jayapal added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. "Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime," Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. "Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America." For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Islamabad: Pakistan has signed 10 agreements with Turkey to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering, hydrocarbon and defence cooperation. The agreements and MoUs were signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs visit to Turkey from February 22-24 during which he co-chaired the 5th Session of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the Foreign office said. At the conclusion of the 5th Session of HLSCC, the two countries signed 10 Agreements/MOUs, in a number of areas of bilateral cooperation, including the Joint Declaration, it said. The agreements and MoUs were signed in the fields of hydrocarbons, environment, forestry, information, exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering and exchange of armed forces personnel. The two countries agreed to prioritise cooperation in the energy sector, increase bilateral trade and investment, enhance collaboration in the banking and finance sectors, benefit from mutual expertise in the area of education and promote cooperation between the higher education institutions; reinforce the ongoing collaboration in the fields of communications and railways and promote culture and tourism. The two sides also agreed to expeditiously complete the work on developing a comprehensive, long-term and forward-looking framework for defence cooperation and enhance partnership between the defence industries of the two countries. They also expressed satisfaction at their existing close cooperation at regional and multi-lateral fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform process and issues pertaining to global non-proliferation agenda. The Joint Declaration on Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Relationship for Peace and Prosperity issued at the end of the meeting condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey; expressed firm resolve to fight the common threats faced by both countries; reaffirmed mutual support on issues of core national interest; and agreed to intensify collaboration in diverse fields. Established in 2009, the HLSCC serves as a framework for consultations at the highest political level between the two sides, and consists of six Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in the areas of energy, trade, banking and finance, education, communications and railways and culture and tourism. So far 60 agreements and MoUs have been signed under the HLSCC framework in various areas. Prime Minister Sharif held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildrim. Sharif reiterated Pakistans strong condemnation of the coup-attempt in Turkey last year, and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, bravery and resilience of the Turkish people in the defence of Turkish democracy and democratic institutions. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beirut: UN efforts to launch a new round of Syria peace talks sputtered today as suicide attacks killed dozens of people, with the death toll from two days of violence nearing 100 and the Damascus regime vowing retaliation. The blasts targeting two security service bases in Homs, Syrias third city, killed a top intelligence chief and close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad, and were claimed by former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in all, 42 people were killed, but the provincial governor put the figure at 30 dead. Bashar al-Jaafari, the regimes envoy to the talks in Geneva, said Syria would retaliate following the deadly assault. The terrorist attacks that targeted Homs today were a clear message from the sponsors of terrorism to Geneva, he said. This message has been received...and we wont allow for it to pass without retaliation. United Nations envoy Staffan de Mistura said todays suicide attacks were designed to spoil the peace talks. The Homs attacks came a day after 77 people, mostly civilians, were killed in a suicide bombing claimed by the Islamic State group in Al-Bab, said the Observatory. The jihadists were ousted from the northern town this week by Turkish-backed rebels. In Geneva, Syrian government and opposition negotiators were to continue meetings with de Mistura through the weekend despite little hope for a breakthrough. After meeting de Mistura yesterday, the Syrian regime envoy Jaafari said he would study a UN paper on the format of the talks, but gave no indication that the negotiations had any momentum. The main opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC) described its meeting with de Mistura as positive, without elaborating on a possible path forward. During three previous rounds of talks in Geneva last year, the rivals never sat down at the same table, instead leaving de Mistura to shuttle between them. The HNC has said it wants to meet the government face-to-face this time. At the end of Fridays negotiations, de Misturas acting chief of staff Michael Contet signalled there was no immediate prospect of direct talks. Saturdays Homs attack saw bombers targeting the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in a spectacular assault that killed General Hassan Daabul, a top military intelligence official. There were at least six attackers and several of them blew themselves up near the headquarters of state security and military intelligence, Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Fateh al-Sham Front said just five militants took part in the assault, the latest atrocity in a six-year war which has killed more than 310,000 people. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Beirut: Twin suicide attacks on security service bases in the heart of Syria's government-held third city of Homs killed 14 people on Saturday, the Observatory forA Human Rights said. "The attacks hit the headquarters of state security andmilitary intelligence in two central districts," Observatory director Rami Abdel Rahman told AFP.A #UPDATE: Twin attacks in Syria's Homs kill 42, reports AFP a ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017 For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Washington: The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the "tragic" death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House press secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or -- that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the state department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. The US government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Iowas public universities and community colleges, already instructed to cut about $21 million by June 30 and raising some ire as they do, are being told to eliminate about $4.5 million more. The latest cuts which affect other state agencies as well are the last round expected in the Legislatures order to clawback $117.8 million statewide to stave off a projected shortfall. Lawmakers left it to the Iowa Department of Management to determine how $11.5 million of that total would be parsed out. Friday evening, the Governors Office publicly released that information: The Board of Regents reductions are the largest dollar amount of any agency. The new cuts mean an extra $1.2 million reduction for the University of Iowa (in addition to $8 million earlier); another nearly $1 million from Iowa State University (in addition to $8 million earlier); and another $522,500 from the University of Northern Iowa (in addition to $2 million earlier). Another nearly $1.8 million will be cut from community colleges, already coping with $3 million reduction. Other areas told to absorb further cuts include $537,000 to the Iowa State Patrol; $400,000 in child care services; and $469,214 in student achievement and teacher quality programs. Including both rounds of cuts, higher education in Iowa is losing nearly $26 million to the base funding it expected. All cuts are hard, but we will manage them the best we can, regents spokesman Josh Lehman said Friday evening. The news comes one day after university presidents reported to the Board of Regents measures being taken to adjust for their shrinking budgets. In addition to delaying deferred maintenance, leaving vacant positions, cutting travel and training and reducing other services, the UI announced this week it was notifying 2,440 scholarship recipients the money they were expecting next school year is being rescinded. By cutting five scholarship programs not based on need or merit, the UI expects to save $4.3 million. Still, President Bruce Harreld said that without significant increases in state support, he sees the need to raise tuition sharply over the next five years. The UIs announcement it was cutting scholarships prompted sharp backlash from students and lawmakers. House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, R-Clear Lake, on Thursday called it politics at its worst. She said the action contradicted statements from regents President Bruce Rastetter that the universities could make the cuts with minimal impact on students. But documents obtained by The Gazette show there should have been no surprises to the state. Weeks earlier, UI administrators warned that a range of cuts could impact scholarships. In a December report to the Department of Management, the UI laid out the potential effects of a wide range of cuts. According to the report, statewide services, academic services and student financial aid would be reduced if state appropriations were cut. So far at least, the UI is the only state university to say it was canceling some scholarships. Those cuts can mean thousands of dollars in unexpected losses to the students affected. You just robbed me of $2,600 I earned for my academic performance, one student wrote on Facebook. Hopefully I can still afford to pay for my last year in school so I can still graduate with honors. Upmeyer said she hopes the university reconsiders its position. But Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, said he thinks the Legislature needs to take some responsibility for defunding higher education. The Legislature has not been very kind to the public universities for the last number of years, he said. They have managed as best they can with the resources they have, but at some point tough decisions have to be made that people are not going to like. Im afraid we are at this point. And yet, Bolkcom said, he also understands the pain felt by students. I have gotten several emails from parents who were depending on this money to cover their college expenses, and theyre madder than heck, he said. I totally appreciate the perspective of those parents and students. Its not right whats going on here. MASON CITY | The Mason City Public Library's solar energy plant has been a sunny success so far, Library Director Mary Markwalter told City Council members Tuesday night. Coupled with two other related activities, the library utility bill was reduced by $27,000 in the past fiscal year, from $68,000 to $41,000. It became operational on July 12, 2016, after three years of planning that resulted in 207 solar panels being installed on three of the flat roofs of the library. "The plant consistently produces 33 percent of the power used daily by the library," said Markwalter, with the only exceptions being cloudy days or when a panel is malfunctioning. Moxie Solar of West Liberty installed the system. Sun Powered Solutions LLC of Cedar Rapids paid for the materials and construction of the plant, she said. Sun Powered Solutions entered into an agreement with the library which states that after 15 years, ownership of the plant transfers to the library. "The plant is expected to be productive for 45 years and is guaranteed for 25 years," said Markwalter. Monthly utility bills are reduced because the library is only billed for power produced and used; there are no taxes or fees or other expenses, she said. She said two other initiatives have helped reduce energy costs installation of LED lighting throughout the building; and installing 23 windows that open, reducing the number of days of use of the HVAC system. Both were paid with capital improvement funds. Markwalter said all of the changes have made the library staff much more aware of energy saving "conscientious consumption," she called it. The first talk of solar power at the library began in 2013, In 2014, the city budgeted $375,000 in its capital improvement budget for it and bids even came in below budget. But there was a catch an 18-year payback on the investment. The City Council decided that was too long to wait and rejected the plan. Markwalter and the Library Board began a diligent search for a way of making solar energy affordable and feasible. They found Moxie Solar of North Liberty, a company that specializes in solar energy projects. The unique aspect of the Moxie plan is that the company, not the city, financed the project through private investors. The company did the installation and will deal with all maintenance for 15 years, after which the city will purchase the system for $15,000 the fair market value, according to Markwalter. The city's expense is the cost per watt used and is comparable to what the library would pay a private utility company. But by using Moxie, Markwalter said, the city avoids having to pay the $300,000-plus for purchasing the solar panels. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued an extensive set of orders on Tuesday that lay out plans to implement President Trump's directive to increase immigration enforcement and deport more undocumented immigrants. Critics of former President Obama noted that he deported enormous numbers of immigrants. The charge is true. During his first five years in office, Obama deported nearly 2 million people the fastest rate of any U.S. president in history. Yet Trump's policies represent a dramatic expansion of the deportation process. The new memos depart from deportation policies of previous presidential administrations in several significant ways. The "expedited removal" process allows Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to deport people nearly as soon as they are apprehended. Under presidents Bush and Obama, the expedited removal process was used only within 100 miles of the border, for people who had been in the country for no more than 14 days. Because expedited removal allows agents to deport immigrants without a full hearing before an immigration judge, it was a process that was used only for a small group of people. Under Trump, expedited removal will be expanded to include immigrants who are found anywhere in the country and have been here for up to two years. The directives also instruct ICE and the Customs and Border protection agency to reinvigorate the 287(g) program, which deputizes local police officers and sheriff's deputies to assist with deportations. This program which was not a priority during the Obama administration is at the heart of Trump's fight with major cities across the country, who would rather have their police departments focus on fighting crime. Some immigration advocates, scrambling for silver linings, noted that the new directives don't mention any changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. But just because the memos don't mention the DACA program doesn't mean it's safe. Trump has gone back and forth about whether to end the program, and the White House is reportedly still identifying different ways to end the young people's protections without creating a firestorm of controversy. But these new memos should set off their own firestorm of controversy. They make it clear that nearly all undocumented immigrants are now at risk, no matter where they live or what their status is. This new approach isn't about public safety; it's overreaching and cruel. This editorial appeared in the Feb. 21 edition of the San Francisco Chronicle. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate NEWTOWN - The debate in Hartford over legislation to recognize mental trauma as a job injury for first responders has sparked a conflict pitting the burden on taxpayers of higher insurance costs against the burden on police and firefighters of untreated stress. Both sides say theyve reached the limit of what they can handle. Officers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder should have access to workers compensation so that they can fully recover and resume their careers, free from stigma and discrimination, said state police Capt. Michael Thomas, president of the State Police Captains and Lieutenants Union, during testimony in support of the legislation. It is not acceptable to tell officers to put their heads down and keep going, nor should the public want that. Municipal leaders said they would gladly agree to recognize PTSD as a new workers compensation category if the state could find a way to pay for it. This is not the time for another unfunded, budget-busting state mandate, said Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton. The state has blown all their money; now they want to blow all our money, too. The goal of the bill is not only to save lives in a police profession where 10 officers commit suicide each month nationwide, but to treat a larger mental health problem, advocates said. For example, for every police suicide, 1,000 police officers suffer from trauma-related stress - or as much as 18 percent of the nations 800,000 police officers, according to the nonprofit group Badge of Life. Police Chiefs including Newtowns James Viadero say investing in proper PTSD treatment saves taxpayers money by reducing sick time, boosting performance and productivity and lessening complaints about job performance. But elected leaders object that the language of the legislation leaves taxpayers vulnerable to large and unpredictable costs. Specifically, towns and cities object because: A single PTSD claim can cost from tens of thousands of dollars to $1 million. Broad, vague and subjective language in the legislation invites fraud. Treatment through town-sponsored Employee Assistance Programs is already widely available. This is a very expensive bill, said state Rep. J.P. Sredzinski, the ranking Republican member on the legislatures Public Safety and Security Committee, where the bill is being reviewed. I dont know if this will pass out of the committee. The bill requires workers compensation benefits for state and local police officers, for paid and volunteer firefighters, and for emergency medical technicians diagnosed with mental or emotional impairment as a result of responding to someones death. The legislation is the latest version of an annual effort in Hartford to compensate first responders for serving the public heroically during lifes most terrible moments. The issue was highlighted in 2010 after a Stamford police officer responded to a horrific mauling of a woman by chimpanzee. The issue was elevated by the devastating scene at Sandy Hook School in 2012, where a gunman massacred 20 first-graders and six educators before turning a handgun on himself. If you wish to join me in these realities, carry a teacher, bloodied from gunshot wounds, into your car the same car that you still drive today and then carry an eight-year-old child to an ambulance that you know will not survive, said state Trooper Chris Kick during testimony in favor of the bill earlier this month. Kick rushed from State Police barracks in Southbury to Sandy Hook on the morning of the massacre to hear the last bullet shot - the one 20-year-old shooter Adam Lanza fired into his head, police said. My doctors want me off the road and out indefinitely, but I cannot retire without risking my benefits and pension, the decorated 19-year veteran testified. And I cant go out on disability because weve been told that injuries that cannot be seen, like my own, are not included under this type of insurance. Despite the distance between the two sides, several state legislators and local leaders expressed hope last week that a compromise can be found similar to the deal reached in 2016 to cover cancers linked to firefighting with a portion of the states 9/11 fund. I would want every individual who finds themselves so impacted by a workplace event such as the tragedy at Sandy Hook to get the full support they need, including salary compensation, said Newtown First Selectman Pat Llodra. But the extraordinary cost of this kind of insurance requires me to manage that cost, so I would go back to the process used by the group that looked at the cancer support fund for firefighters last year and kick it off there. Obstacles and opportunities The federal government and 32 states recognize PTSD as an eligible condition for workers compensation. State lawmakers such as David Arconti think its time for Connecticut to do the same. My father just retired from the police force after 30 years, and my uncle just retired from the fire department after 30 years, so I am inclined to help this move through the process, said Arconti, a three-term Democrat from Danbury and a member of the Public Safety and Security Committee. I know they have seen things most people would never want to see in their lives, and things you would not wish on your enemies to see. Bridgeport police detective Kimberly Biehn agreed in testimony supporting the bill on Feb. 16. At times the pain is unbearable, and I think, How do I make these recurring thoughts and the pain go away? said Biehn. I personally have had police officer friends who have taken their own lives because the pain was just too unbearable. Connecticut lawmakers have limited the scope of this years legislation to police, firefighters and EMTs. Versions of the bill in previous years have included other municipal workers exposed to grave trauma while on the job. Local leaders remain concerned, however that if this years bill passes, there will pressure to add more municipal workers affected by PTSD, such as highway department workers who respond to accident scenes. Towns and cities are also concerned that the PTSD diagnosis be bona fide, said Sredzinski, who represents Monroe and Newtown. If we are able to get this bill to a point where municipalities are comfortable with the language, so that somebody who is truly affected by PTSD and is unable to return to work because of mental health issues gets benefits, I would vote for it, he said. Another obstacle to the legislation from statewide groups such as the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Connecticut Council of Small Towns is the state governments $1.7 billion deficit. As indicated in the governors proposed budget, municipal aid will likely be reduced by a considerable amount in the upcoming fiscal year, said Steve Werbner, the town manager of Tolland, testifying against the bill on behalf of CCM. As a compromise, CCM has proposed that the state bolster the Sandy Hook Workers Assistance Fund to pay PTSD claims. The fund was established three years ago to support volunteers and workers with health issues related to the 2012 killings. Meanwhile, Newtowns Viadero said the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association is making important inroads into officer wellness through an initiative that he co-chairs. We are working on officer wellness programs in departments across the state, and we are training trainers in mental health first aid, Viadero said. So a lot of good things are coming out of what happened at Sandy Hook, because we are recognizing that there is a real issue here. rryser@newstimes.com; 203-731-3342 NEW FAIRFIELD A middle-school teacher who used plastic zip-ties to restrain a student has resigned. The teacher, a seventh-grade math instructor, used the zip-ties a type of fastener sometimes used like handcuffs to confine a student to his desk one day in the fall, officials said. We followed all procedures and investigated and reported this to the appropriate authorities, said Superintendent Alicia Roy. The teacher exercised poor judgment in an attempt to be humorous. A reprimand was written and the teacher regrets her mistake and students were never at risk. The teacher has resigned, Roy said, although she declined to say when the resignation occurred or when it takes effect. Adding that she can only share so much concerning the incident, Roy said no safety risk was substantiated by authorities. As soon as we were aware, we followed the appropriate steps, she said. Were not going to keep anyone in a place where they are unsafe. Several parents said they did not learn about the incident until recently, and they questioned whether the teacher had been sufficiently disciplined. At the school boards Feb. 16 meeting, parent Dawn Lipke strongly criticized the districts handling of the incident. Why, once Dr. Roy and hopefully the Board of Ed, was made aware of the seventh-grader being zip-tied, did that teacher return to our school? Lipke asked board members. Why wasnt she escorted out? That would have been an appropriate measure. Lipke, who has a daughter in the middle school, said in an interview Friday that the teacher should have been fired. What teacher brings zip-ties to school, does that, and tells all the other kids not to tell anyone?" she asked. In a letter to the editor of the Town Tribune, parent Laura Consiglio expressed similiar frustration. This incident occurred in a full classroom, she wrote. This tactic must have not only humiliated that student, but frightened the others. The story was so outrageous that several parents of students in the class commented that their child had said something about it, but they just didn't believe it. Craig David Rosen, who has a son in the teachers class, said the teacher threatened to zip-tie other students, and that his son was afraid. And I just found this out weeks ago, Rosen said. It was kept under wraps for the longest time. He added that his son said the teacher was still at work as of Friday. Consiglio said she was unaware that the teacher had resigned until the News-Times told her. If in fact the teacher has resigned, it is only the result of intense public pressure, not any leadership by our superintendent, she said. The dream of every small business is to grow beyond your own shores, but it comes with many challenges. Not only will you face language barriers and time differences, but your business model can take a different shape when it expands globally. For a business to sustain itself on a global scale, it needs team members that understand the brand. This bottom-up approach enables key developments to stay constant across cultures. For those of you wondering how to take the next step and grow your business globally, follow the four tips below: 1. Develop firm foundations. If you're thinking of expansion, ask yourself if your company has a solid local foundation first. Do you have enough resources and a solid local crew to juggle an overseas venture while maintaining your current customer base? These people are not your typical employees but human assets who have been hired for their ambition and vast entrepreneurial potential. These are your changemakers and social innovators who see what you see, and will be ready to push things forward to accomplish your companys vision. With a solid team, you can then forge a strong vision to ensure you have the financial and structural stability locally and in due time set sights for expansion globally. 2. Expand your vision. In recent years, companies have been looking to emerging markets like Asia. As some of the fastest growing economies, this has opened up many new markets for ventures seeking global expansion. Take Singapore, for example, which has been ranked world's second best business hub in PWC Cities of Opportunities report. According to the report, Singapore was ranked highly because of its economic and social indicators such as technological readiness, ease of doing business, demographics and livability. As such, Singapore has become a hotspot for many companies looking to expand, raising the country's importance as a gateway to Southeast Asia. A simple market study can help you decide whether your business will thrive in specific countries or cities. 3. Consult global experts. Expanding your business globally is hard, and it pays to have specialized consultants. As an example, Pura Vida Concepts, a Singapore-based consultancy focuses on helping small businesses around the world expand into all parts of Asia. The CEO, Nimrod Gabriel, created the company with a vision that would enable small businesses with a global outlook to achieve better opportunities abroad. According to Gabriel, Having a local expert is crucial when it comes to expansion. Not only are we able to provide companies with localized solutions for logistics, marketing and local representation, we also understand the local market and culture to help you adapt your business for a smooth expansion." It is important to note that a product or system that works well locally may not have the same appeal overseas. That is why consulting local experts can help you better determine the demand. 4. Penetrate markets effectively. As a small company, your budget can be a big concern when expanding globally. However, penetrating global markets doesn't always have to come at a hefty cost. For starters, begin to penetrate the market with your brand by using the right technology and marketing strategy to bring about a local brand presence. With the widespread use of technology and social media, you can reach global coverage without actually going through the bureaucratic hassle of incorporation in that country. If budget is a concern, it's good to have a narrow approach when expanding globally. If you are planning to target southeast Asia, then start in one country, not all of them. This helps you develop local brand recognition before spreading yourself too thin. Choosing the right strategies to expand globally depend on the type of business you own. Remember to always do your due diligence when working abroad. Global expansion is a big challenge and decision. It requires time and appropriate business assessment before moving forward. Related: 4 Tips for Expanding Your Business Globally Helping Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Make the Digital Transformation Some Early Clues Signaled these Entrepreneurs to take their Product Global Copyright 2017 Entrepreneur.com Inc., All rights reserved A Chinese company has built a machine that has a creative way of setting girders into place for high speed rail bridges. The SLJ900/32, made by the Beijing Wowjoint Machinery Company, is a 580 ton, 300 foot long and 24 foot wide mega machine that looks more like a train than a crane Instead of using a stationary or crawler crane to lift the girder of a bridge from the ground and drop it into its place, the SLJ900/32 drives the girder onto the previously placed girder, slowly extends its arms to the next support platform, pushes the girder towards the front of the machine and then lowers it into place. Other new heavy construction machines Global construction equipment market The global construction equipment market is expected to grow 5% next year to 690,506 units, according to the latest forecast from Off-Highway Research. Another positive is the anticipated return to growth of the Chinese construction equipment market in 2017. Unit sales this year are expected to come in at 104,840 machines the lowest since 2002 and a less than a quarter of the record high of 435,070 pieces of equipment sold in 2011. However, the recovery is expected to be a gradual one, with 10 per cent growth forecast for 2017, to take the market to 115,450 units. After such a dramatic collapse from 2011 2016, conditions are expected to remain difficult in the Chinese market In World War II, the U.S. Navy made extensive use of small aircraft carriers, ranging from very small carriers escorting convoys (CVEs) to light aircraft carriers (CVLs) that were essentially downsized models of the iconic big carriers (CVs). CVLs could handle post-WWII jets. However, the Navy concluded super carriers made more sense strategically and economically. Nuclear-powered super carriers (CVNs) could carry a wing of multi-mission, high-performance combat aircraft and pack an array of defensive weapons. They could remain at sea for months. Smaller carriers currently are used to carry harrier jump jets and/or helicopters. China has been a leader in long-range anti-carrier missiles. China has deployed the DF-21D anti-ship ballistic missile (ASBM). The DF-21D is clearly designed to target and sink the US Navy large nuclear aircraft carriers. The US US Navy officers is worried that just having big carriers is putting too many eggs in too few baskets. The new plans are for two or three small carriers to go with the large carriers. There would be the addition of drones and F35 jets put onto the small carriers and also stronger drones onto every ship. Arsenal ship missile filled ship controlled by other airplanes and ships Arsenal Ship concept art, via Globalsecurity.org. MITREs future navy plan has a concept called the Magazine Ship. The MGX would carry up to 4 railguns, 1,000 missile silos, or 96 Pershing-III intermediate range ballisticor some mix. Three new navy plans all are focused on more ships, with more missiles, more drones and more planes. Lethality is increased with more missiles, more planes and more drones. The total number of weapons are increased and they are put on more ships. Adding three small carriers would double the number of planes and drones in a carrier group. The current missile destroyers are armed with about 90-100 missiles. A carrier strike group (CSG) is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft. MGX ships could bring 3 to 5 times the number of missiles in a carrier group. Adding railguns and lasers if about being to defend against more enemy missiles. Drones can shoot missiles and anti-missiles. Each of the 100 or so page plans for the future US Navy boil down to being able to shoot a lot more missiles and being able to defend against more missiles. NEW YORK, Feb. 25, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Blake Insomnia Therapeutics Inc. (OTCQB:BKIT) and Sajo Consulting LLC are pleased to announce completion of a joint venture agreement for the development and commercialization of a series of oral drug products to aid in the treatment of insomnia. The joint venture intends to develop products to treat transient insomnia using Blakes proprietary Zleepax formula. Clinical trials are planned for Q2 2017 pending approval of a New Drug Application in Canada with US and International submissions to follow later. Sajo Consulting LLC Sajo designs solutions and strategies in getting products to market faster and smarter. Their research, scientific, regulatory and operational team puts best practice standards to work while building innovative solutions for constantly evolving industries. Blake Insomnia Therapeutics Inc. Blake is a New York-based pharmaceutical company devoted to improving night-time and daytime quality of life for people with insomnia. The companys patent-pending ZLX-1 compound has demonstrated efficacy without producing the side effects identified as the No. 1 problem with current sleep medication. The ZLX-1 compound is marketed under the brand name, Zleepax. Please visit www.blakeinsomnia.com to learn more about the company, management and the ZLX-1 compound. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may 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. Such statements include, but are not limited to, any statements relating to our growth strategy and product development programs and any other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could negatively affect our business, operating results, financial condition and stock price. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those currently anticipated are: risks related to our growth strategy; risks relating to the results of research and development activities; our ability to obtain, perform under and maintain financing and strategic agreements and relationships; uncertainties relating to preclinical and clinical testing; our dependence on third-party suppliers; our ability to attract, integrate, and retain key personnel; the early stage of products under development; our need for substantial additional funds; government regulation; patent and intellectual property matters; competition; as well as other risks described in our SEC filings. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations or any changes in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. According to the Ploughshares Fund, an anti-nuclear group, and the Arms control association, Russia has 7,000 warheads while the United States has 6,800, a situation Trump wants to reverse, in order for the U.S to regain it's military supremacy. I am the first one that would like to see ... nobody have nukes, but were never going to fall behind any country even if its a friendly country, were never going to fall behind on nuclear power.'' Trump said on Thursday in an exclusive interview with Reuters at the Oval office. "It would be wonderful, a dream would be that no country would have nukes, but if countries are going to have nukes, were going to be at the top of the pack," Trump also talked about China and said he supports the E.U while also saying he will like to see Israel and Palestine settle their conflicts with a two-state solution. "There's talks of a lot more than that," Trump said, when asked about the missile defence system. "We'll see what happens. But it's a very dangerous situation, and China can end it very quickly in my opinion." Daryl Kimball, executive director of the independent Arms Control Association non-profit group said: "Russia and the United States have far more weapons than is necessary to deter nuclear attack by the other or by another nuclear-armed country," . Trump also said it was late to have a peaceful meeting with Kim Jong Un, blasting Obama's inability to solve the North Korean headache during his administration. U.S President Donald Trump, has upped the ante on the Chinese government by claiming the Far East nation can deal with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un if they decide to and also revealed he plans to expand the nuclear capability of the United States to be the best in the world and surpass it's closest military rival."It's very late. We're very angry at what he's done, and frankly this should have been taken care of during the Obama administration," he said. Happy New Month Nigeria! Welcome to the month of June. As the world searches for a respite from all its troubles since 2020 began, one can ... Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, is leading an urgent effort by the Federal Government to bailout poultry farmers now confronting various challenges.The poultry industry has had to contend with a number of challenges including an outbreak of Avian Influenza which affected almost 4 million birds in 2015, non-allocation of Foreign Exchange for the importation of needed machinery and other critical inputs, and high production costs in the industry.Prof. Osinbajo who had met with members of the Poultry Association of Nigeria last week Thursday, summoned another meeting today, where relevant ministers and agency heads came together to fashion out how to bail-out the industry.The poultry industry is a local industry that needs to be protected urgently, the Acting President said at the meeting where specific measures were tabled and considered on how the FG can be of help.He said the industry should be a major plank of the agriculture sector and asuch the Buhari administration will ensure that it gets help regarding the challenges being faced by operators of the sub-sector.He added that by supporting the local industry, poultry related importation which is currently a drain on the countrys Foreign Exchange could be a thing of the past.In his remarks, Dr. Ayoola Oduntan, who led the delegation of the Poultry Association of Nigeria to present industry challenges to the meeting, noted that poultry presently contributes 25% of the Agricultural Gross Domestic Product of the Nigerian economy amounting to N1.6Trn. He added that Nigeria is rated as the number one egg-producing nation in Africa, and number 4 poultry meat producer in the continent.The FG is now in the process of concluding decisions on specific lines of action targeted at the challenges facing the industry, a sub-sector that is said to generate over 14 million direct and indirect jobs in the country.Present at the meeting were the Finance Minister, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, Agriculture & Rural Development Minister of State Heineken Lokpobiri, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ali, rtd, and the Central Bank Governor Godwin Emefiele. Last year precisely on 14/12/2016, President Muhammadu Buhari and King Muhammad VI of Morocco signed a deal on fertilizers production, few months ago, the fertilizer is now being sold at N5,500.According to reports, more than two million tonnes of fertilizer are to be sent to Nigeria in the next three years in Lekki area of Lagos before the Dangote plant goes into operation. When that plant goes into operation, there will be local capacity of up to three million tonnes of fertilizer in a year and that will create a lot of jobs and efforts will be made that it is very safe. The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is expressing concern over imminent fuel scarcity in the Southwest un... The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) is expressing concern over imminent fuel scarcity in the Southwest unless the Federal Government steps in to immediately.The association says private depot owners are currently supplying fuel to independent marketers at exorbitant prices, thereby subverting governments effort to make petroleum products available at controlled prices.The IPMAN,in a statement by its Chairman at Mosimi,Ogun State, Mr. Samuel Idowu,recalled that independent marketers in the axis have been buying petroleum products from the depot owners in Apapa at exorbitant prices due to non- availability of same at the NNPC depot at MOSIMI where the products are sold at the government-approved ex-deport prices of N133.28 for petrol.The private owners, he added, are selling petrol for not less than N141 per litre, excluding cost of transportation to our various filling stations which ranges between N4 and N8 depending on the distance or location of the station.Mr. Idowu asked government to arrest the looming fuel scarcity by ensuring the immediate commencement of loading of petroleum products at the NNPC depot, Mosimi where marketers are assured of getting products at government approved ex-depot prices.The Mosimi facility has been out of stock in the last one year owning to incessant pipeline vandalism.The depot was designed to receive and redistribute petroleum products from Atlas Cove to the Southwest states and even up to Kwara State.Idowu named difficulties at transfer and bridging points as another major challenge faced by independent marketers from Mosimi where one truck of product is not loaded earlier than three weeks or more depending on the depot where the transfer or bridging is being done in the Apapa axis of Lagos.He pleaded with government and the various agencies involved in the fight against pipeline vandalism to redouble their effort to make the menace a thing of the past. The leadership crisis tearing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart is now being linked to the failure of the party to field a Northe... The leadership crisis tearing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) apart is now being linked to the failure of the party to field a Northerner as its presidential flag bearer in the 2015 elections.The Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYC), factional leader of the PDP, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former national chairman, Dr. Mohammed Haliru and several other party chieftains believe the story would have been different today for the PDP if it had given its ticket to a Northerner in that election.Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from the Southsouth who completed the first term of the late President Umaru YarAdua and went on to win re-election in 2011 was the partys candidate in 2015 but lost to President Muhammadu Buhari, a northerner.The party has not known peace since then with Makarfi and former Borno State governor Ali Modu Sheriff locked in a fierce battle for the chairmanship.Reviewing the situation in an interview yesterday, Makarfi was confident that the party would have won the 2015 presidential election had it fielded a northern candidate.Makarfi opined that the gang up against the PDP in the North would not have arisen if the party had presented a northern candidate.He said, the party also became too comfortable that it no longer communicated well with the people to know what they wanted, which he said made it easier for propaganda to be used against it.The PDP, he said, would have won the 2015 presidential election straight away with a northern candidate.The reason is that, it would have been impossible to make an issue out of this North, South thing. We would have broken the Norths gang up, so to say, against the PDP.Again, we became too comfortable. A little bit of arrogance sometimes. We were not communicating well with the people. Because we were not communicating well, we failed to get what the people were saying, and of course, that made it easier for propaganda to be used against us. And that propaganda went deep that we couldnt do anything again.A former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Mohammed Haliru is of the same view, insisting the party would have won had it fielded a northerner.He said the party lost because it abandoned its zoning arrangement and adopted the then incumbent Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.Jonathan himself said last week that the PDP is now poised to retake power in 2019.Yes, we lost the presidential election but that doesnt diminish us. Every other party still knows that PDP is a leading party, Jonathan told party leaders who went to present him with the report of the Strategy Review and Inter-Party Affairs Committee of the PDP.Losing the presidency is something temporary. We should be able to get that position back as long as we are able to get our acts together. I am happy that you people are working towards that, he said.However, Haliru told newsmen that the North felt shortchanged in 2015 when the party put Jonathan forward as its candidate for the election.Haliru said that the unfinished first term of the late President Umaru Yar Adua was rightly completed by Dr. Jonathan, as specified by the 1999 Constitution, but since the two terms were meant for the North, the party ought to have fielded a northern candidate to complete the second term (from 2011-2015).He said:Yar Adua was not there to contest for second term, so you cannot say the second term was a Yar Adua/Jonathan ticket. It was only the first term that was YarAdua/ Jonathan, which the constitution provided for.But the election of 2011, which Jonathan contested and won, should have been contested by another candidate from the north.We lost because we left the people behind on zoning and rotation. We said regardless of which part of the country you come from, you should know that you have the chance to contest for the presidency.Out of arrogance, the leadership abandoned principles and the people feeling abandoned, reacted the way they reacted. So, I am not surprised. It was the abandonment of the principle of zoning that led the people to abandon the party.The ex-party chair, who also served as Defence Minister under Jonathan, admitted that part of the contributing factors to Jonathans defeat was nostalgia among majority of Nigerians for what they viewed as the performance of the Buhari military government of 1984.His words: We cannot deny the fact that because President Buharis military government of 1984 was interrupted after a short period of 20 months, people were nostalgic that may be if Buahri was allowed to continue, he would have done better.But they forgot that the times were not the same. The problems of Nigeria in 1984 have not remained static and the people that Buhari is working with have not remained static.For instance, Gen. Tunde Idiagbon is no longer here. He was the backbone of that government and a number of other people that served in that government are either dead or now too old to serve.The nostalgia was for that government of 1984 headed by Buhari but also assisted by others, including Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who had clouts then.It was a period where the Head of State was the Alpha and Omega. Even if Gen. Idiagbon were to be alive and serving in this government, he may not have the same influence he had back then because the powers of the leader of government under the military were different from the powers enjoyed by a president under an elected government.So all these are factors we cannot forget. They felt that if Buhari could come back in 2015, he would correct everything. But the unfortunate thing is that people did not pray aright.Instead of praying to God to right the wrongs, they were saying let Buhari come and right the wrongs. If you take the position of God and give it to a person, God will test that person to make sure that nobody is omnipotent but God Himself.Reminded that he was the one that moved a motion at the partys National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting shortly before the election,that paved the way for Jonathan to contest the 2015 presidential election, Dr. Haliru clarified his position.According to him, the motion he moved was to allow Jonathan contest the election, but not to make him the sole candidate for the election, as decided by the party leadership at the time.That motion was not my motion. I saw the motion on the floor of the house. What people were saying was that Jonathan could not contest. It was not a convention.It was a NEC meeting and we realized that if you rule out a sitting president, it could damage the party. But if you allow him to contest, you could defeat him at the convention.So I moved the motion that he should be allowed to contest, but not as sole candidate. Sule Lamido (immediate past Jigawa State Governor) seconded the motion.If you see the content of that motion, you wont see anything like sole candidate there. Even though I saw the motion on the floor and I was asked to move it.If I had seen sole candidate in it, I would not move the motion. Jonathan was allowed to contest as an aspirant. The people did not deny anyone of the right to contest.There were other people that wanted to contest but the then National Working Committee of the party restricted sale of forms to other aspirants.I was not one of the people who felt that Jonathan should not contest. I did not move the motion for a sole candidate because there is no provision for sole candidate in the PDP constitution.Even when it is zoned to the south, northerners are allowed to contest. Even when zoned to the north, southerners are allowed to contest.Remember our first convention when the presidential ticket was zoned to the south in which Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged, the late Abubakar Rimi also contested and he was allowed. The following one, which was also zoned to the south for Obasanjos second term, Rimi and some other people still contested. So PDP has no provision for sole candidate.Dr. Haliru however, restated Jonathans position that the PDP could win the 2019 presidential election if the party could put its acts together.He said that many PDP members that defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) shortly before the 2015 election are now disappointed by the poor performance of the ruling party in government.The Kebbi State born party chief hinted that majority of the high profile defectors have already been discussing with the PDP, seeking to return to the PDP.He continued: The same people that defected from the PDP and voted for the APC in 2015 to make them win, are now thoroughly disappointed. They have been coming to us.They are not likely to vote for the APC ticket again. And then if you look at the election figures, if you remove the five PDP states where their governors defected to the APC, you find that the APC would not have been anywhere near winning the election.If you remove the two million votes that Buhari got from Kano. He only defeated Jonathan with about two million votes. So remove votes from Kano, Sokoto, Kwara and Adamawa which used to be PDP states from the votes given to Buhari.But now they are all disappointed by the APC. So you can say that its PDP that made Buhari win in 2015 because we alienated our people. Now we are reorganising and we are inviting our people back.Even the claim that APC won because of merger is not true. If you look at the Southwest, it was 50/50 for the PDP and the APC. Jonathan was almost 50/50 with Buhari in the Southwest.And PDP owns the Southsouth and the Southeast. So looking at these figures, one can predict that we will come back to power in 2019.The only thing is that if a third party merges, as some people are talking about a mega party. But we will do our best to ensure that PDP is repositioned to offer credible alternative, rather than forcing people to go for a third party.In a separate interview, Senator Grace Bent, who represented Adamawa South in the Sixth Senate, said: In all fairness, Jonathan should not have had the ticket, especially when you see the need to go by our zoning policy, she said.With adherence to our zoning formula, we would have been able to look around for a credible candidate from the northern part of the county, to contest for that office.Bent said: With the way things are going in the party now, I am afraid that the issue of zoning is going to be rubbished. Everybody now wants to give it a shot; Igbos are beginning to agitate for it, the North is insisting that they must do their own second term and there is so much agitation.For executive office, believe me, I am completely for zoning; it is a must that zoning or rotation must be practiced for executive office.For executive office, it is compulsory that we must maintain zoning policy and adhere strictly to it, especially when we consider the complexity of our mosaic nature our multi-ethnic, multi-religious setting. With such, we do not have a choice.That was one of the reasons why president Obasanjo insisted that a South-South person should have a shot at the presidency and that is why he and other party people supported Goodluck Jonathan so that the Ijaws could feel a sense of belonging.The country belongs to all of us and no particular group can claim its leadership as an exclusive right. No! We must stand by zoning policy always, otherwise, we are going to create unnecessary chaos in the country.The national leader of Arewa Youth Consultative Forum (AYC) Comrade Shetima Yerima, also blamed ex-President Jonathan for the present crisis rocking PDP.Speaking by phone Shetima said: The party wouldnt have been in the crisis it is currently enmeshed in if Jonathan had allowed a northerner to run in 2015.On moral ground, Jonathan should have stepped down and allowed a northern to run based on agreement within the party and other stakeholders. He should have allowed a northerner to contest to respect the agreement. But on constitutional ground that supersedes every other interest, he had the right to contest.What is happening in the party shows that they dont have the love of the people and the country at heart. They are only trying to satisfy some interests in the party. This is what brought us to the state we are today. For me, it is destined that Buhari must be the president of Nigeria. it was destined that Jonathan must disappoint people and go ahead to contest, it was destined that the PDP must make that blunder for Buhari to come in.Mr. Austine Medaiyedu, Special adviser to former Governor Idris Wada of Kogi state said :The truth of the matter is that GEJ was no longer sellable for the Presidential election in 2015.He surrounded himself with sycophants who could not tell him the truth. Dont forget also the accusations of the purported single term agreement he signed and vowed not to run again.More importantly, the parallel campaign organisation floated by his wife was one of his undoings. The climax of his failure was the unresolved internal crisis in PDP. Five sitting governors defected to APC and we went into the election without considering the implications. Zoning was another factor for his failure. The PDP refused to zone presidency to the North as widely requested for.A chieftain of the party in Ondo State and former media aide to Governor Olusegun Mimiko,Mr Sunday Menukuro maintained that former President Goodluck Jonathan committed a blunder by contesting the 2015 presidential election.He noted that the people had been fed up with his administration and should have allowed a Northerner to run for the office.He should have allowed natural justice to take place by not re-contesting the election. It was out of picking the better devil out of two that the eminent academic, Prof Wole Soyinka supported the incumbent President,Muhammadu Buhari because the people had no choice, Menukuro said.Menukuro however expressed optimism that the PDP crisis would soon be over and would get back to power in 2019.Factional chairman of the party in Kwara state Prince Sunday Fagbemi said the Jonathan candidacy in the 2015 election was responsible for the defeat of the party.Prince Fagbemi who is loyal to Ahmed Makarfi PDP said: Candidly speaking the fortune of PDP would have been enhanced if Dr Goodluck Jonathan had not contested the last presidential elections.If PDP had fielded a northern candidate all retired military officers would have voted against Buhari because many of them know his background.The outcome of the elections showed that many northern PDP members, even in states that we had super ministers mobilised for APC or were unconcerned.A former youth leader and state chairmanship aspirant of the PDP in Enugu State, Sir Tony Nwachukwu said the failure of PDP in the 2015 presidential election was caused by making Jonathan the flagbearer.His words: yFormer President Goodluck Jonathan should not have featured as PDP Presidential Candidate in 2015.His resolve to contest destabilized PDP and the divide sustains to date. It is unfortunate and regrettable.Ntufam John Okon, immediate past chairman, PDP, Cross River State, said: Those things are past issues, but we felt that we should give him (Jonathan) an opportunity to run, but like you noticed he was not acceptable to the nation and that is why he lost the election.So it is already a gone matter. I was part of his delegates, to give him opportunity to rule. I believe we would have done better if Jonathan had nominated somebody from the north.But then, what if a candidate came from the North and Jonathan did not support him? It wouldnt have been better too because he was the sitting president. And normally in our experience you give the president a second term to be able to do it. Just like I said, he was not well received by the nation and that is why we lost the election. So we have learnt.However, the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide said that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost the 2015 Presidential election because the partys decisions at the state levels were unpopular and selfish.The foremost Ijaw group said the party breached the principles of internal democracy during their various primaries in states.The President of IYC, Mr. Udengs Eradiri, said the party imposed candidates at various electoral positions in the state including the governorship level compelling its members to vote against the party at the general elections.He insisted that former President Goodluck Jonathan despite his popularity was a victim of protest votes caused by the greed and insensitivity of PDP cabals.He said: The PDP was busy imposing candidates while the opposition, the All Progressives Congress (APC) was getting stronger. When you see that the opposition was getting stronger as a party you should have come up with a strategy of making sure that the will of the people in your primaries prevailed.But almost all their primaries had issues and APC was clever to wait for them. Anywhere the PDP failed, the APC took advantage and that was what happened.If Jonathan breached the partys zoning principle, how come he got over 12 million votes? Jonathan lost narrowly because the party failed to allow internal democracy prevailed when they were carrying out primaries.They were imposing unpopular candidates. In a lot of places the APC won, the candidates didnt even spend money. They benefitted from protest votes.The partys publicity secretary in Bayelsa State,Jonathans home state, Mr. Osom Macbere,is also of the view that the PDP lost the election because its members especially from the North betrayed Jonathan.Macbere, a lawyer, insisted that it would be foolhardy to blame Jonathan for PDPs misfortunes, when it was an open secret that almost all the structures of the party in the north supported President Muhammadu Buhari because of their tribal loyalty.He described the current crisis rocking the party as the Karma resulting from the betrayal against Jonathan and advised the party to deal with its self-inflicted injuries instead trading blames.He said: Overtime, the people of the north have been known to be lacking in real party loyalty. They are only loyal to their tribe and during that period, their loyalty swayed from Jonathan to Buhari because they wanted to support their kith and kin.Their actions were guided by ethnicity and tribalism because Jonathan was not their own. How would they have though that any President would not have to run in an election where he was the first candidate.The man was a sitting President and wouldnt it have been abnormality for a sitting President to have chickened out running to protect his office simply because of any consideration other than his qualification?So, they were just being ethnic, parochial and tribalistic in their thinking that he ought not to have run. If Jonathan were a northerner, that line of reasoning wouldnt have been pertinent.Jonathan was not a northerner of their own extraction that was why they betrayed him. They wanted him to concede his right to run to one of their own and because he didnt do that he was betrayed.So, Jonathan didnt lose because Jonathan was not a popular candidate. He lost by dint of high level betrayal from his own party men and women from the north.The crisis is PDP is still the crisis of the betrayal that they had done to Jonathan and the karma that follows every situation where propriety is never the order of the day.Had they not betrayed Jonathan, all that we are enmeshed in now wouldnt have been there. So, the betrayal, the treachery and the tribalistic and ethnic thinking of the northern cabal was the reason Jonathan failed and remains the reason the party has been in crisis up till now.Their primordial thinking that everything that has to do with political power is the exclusive reserve of the north has not been helping matters in our polity. Two socio-political groups based in northern Nigeria have warned the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, against making further disparaging remar... Two socio-political groups based in northern Nigeria have warned the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, against making further disparaging remarks against a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.The Northern Emancipation Network, NEF, and Adamawa Think Tank, ATT, said the warning was in reaction to remarks credited to the Lagos monarch saying no corrupt persons will rule Nigeria again, in apparent reference to the former vice president.Speaking at the inauguration of the Nigerian Women Against Corruption Initiative in Lagos, on Wednesday, Mr. Akiolu vowed to work against any corrupt individual becoming Nigerias president again.I insist that this is not era for somebody who spent the first three years under the administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo making money and turning public corporations to his own, Thisday newspaper had quoted Mr. Akiolu as saying at the event.He is planning to come back to be the President of this country again. Ill work against his ambition. I mean it and I mean it, by Gods grace, it shall not be so, he said.Also, at an event organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice on January 30, Mr. Akiolu said Mr. Abubakar played a prominent role in convincing then president, Olusegun Obasanjo, to retire him from service.The former vice president denied the claim.However, in two separate statements signed by Abdul-Azeez Suleiman for NEF and Danladi DanAsabe for ATT, the groups said the recent utterances of Mr. Akiolu t amount to a clear breach of the tenets of royalty and nobility.Besides, it is unthinkable how a person who was disgraced out of the police service would have the audacity to unjustly accuse others of corruption, Mr. Suleiman said.We challenge him to provide clear proofs of his allegations otherwise he remains a discredited and lying member of the royal class and a disappointment to nobility and those who hold the institution dear.He said he wondered how a person who ascended the stool through dubious means and surrounds himself with people of doubtful character should speak about integrity.We remind the Lagos monarch that those in glass houses dont throw stones about. We categorically tell the monarch that he lacks the capacity to influence any political event even in Lagos, not to talk of influencing any national event, he said.On his part, Mr. DanAsabe said the Oba was just playing politics, seeing that politicking for 2019 will soon begin.He also said Atiku relies on the support of all Nigerians as he goes about his politics and cannot help those who harbour unnecessary fears.Mr. Suleiman also said that Nigerians are not in a hurry to forget the way the Lagos Oba told the Igbo community in Lagos to go die in the lagoon during the build-up to the 2015 elections.This shows that it is not the first time he will shed the garb of royalty and put on the clothing of motor park tout, he said. The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that its subsidiary, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), was not respons... The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has said that its subsidiary, Integrated Data Services Limited (IDSL), was not responsible for the pipeline explosion which occurred on Thursday in Rivers. A statement by Ndu Ughamadu, NNPC Group General Manager, Public Affairs, said the explosion occurred at the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) pipeline in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers.It said IDSLs crew, engaged in acquiring seismic data for a Shell Oil Mining Lease, observed approved safe distance standards and as such could not be the cause of the blast. Our activities involve the use of seismic explosives of size 2kg and detonators. The drilled and exploded depth is 45 metres. At this depth the effect on the surface cannot affect any structure.The suspected gas leakage on the gas pipeline between Eveku and Rumodogo communities in Mohave Local Government Area of Rivers on Feb. 22 was not caused and cannot be caused by NNPC, IDSL seismic operations. Our closest activity around the incident area on Thursday was 798 metres away from the pipeline. As a responsible corporate body, IDSLs crew on operation in Mohave Local Government Area observed, to the letter, DPRs regulations governing such activities, Ughamadu said.According to him, the regulation says that a minimum distance of 25 metres from tarmac roads and 50 metres from houses should be observed.Apart from this, the minimum requirements of 100 metres away from the pipelines, and a minimum distance of 200 metres from well heads or oil wells were maintained, Ughamadu said. He said that relevant authorities in Rivers have been informed of the incident. Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on Friday described the welfare and unity of Yoruba people as too important for anyone to play... Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, on Friday described the welfare and unity of Yoruba people as too important for anyone to play politics with.The governor, who spoke in Akure, Ondo State, during the inauguration of Chief Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) as the governor of the state, said being a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, should not stop him from attending the inauguration of a governor in the All Progressives Congress.In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, the governor described the occasion as a national event that well-meaning people should identify with.He said, This is a Nigerian affair. When a governor is sworn in, we have to support him. We are talking about regional integration and unity and Akeredolu is one of us; we have to support him. Electioneering has come and gone and a winner has emerged, we have to work together in the spirit of the people of our region.We cannot play politics with the welfare of the people of our region. We have to support Akeredolu to make the difference. This is a matter that concerns the Yoruba nation and after Nigeria, Yoruba nation comes first. We dont need to play politics with the welfare of Yoruba people.On whether he was planning to join the APC, the governor said he no such plan in mind. The court-backed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Senator Ali Modu Sheriff seems to be facing an uphill task in ... The court-backed National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),Senator Ali Modu Sheriff seems to be facing an uphill task in wooing more party members to his side.Key party stakeholders are rebuffing his overtures to join his faction of the party.Already opposed to him are the PDP governors, ministers in the Goodluck Jonathan Administration and the partys Board of Trustees (BoT).Sheriff, in continuation of his consultations to get the needed support, yesterday visited a former PDP BoT Chairman,Chief Antony Anenih in Abuja.As he emerged from Chief Anenihs residence, after a closed door meeting that lasted about 30 minutes, Sheriff was reluctant to talk to reporters.But when the reporters would not take no for an answer, he said he came to see Anenih for advice and guidance as a son does to his father.If there are two founding fathers, Chief Anenih is one. Therefore, as a father, I came to consult with him.I came to tell him that this is the situation we are. He, as a father who formed this party should help us on how to reposition the party to the period of 1999.Baba has given us kind and fatherly advice on all matters, Sheriff said.Anenih on his part merely said: Why should I reveal the advice I gave a son.Sheriff had earlier paid similar visits to former military President, Ibrahim Babangida and former President Goodluck Jonathan.Although the partys secretariat was reopened for Sheriff on Thursday, there were no activities at the premises, as the building remained deserted all through yesterday.But some party bigwigs who spoke with newmen said that they still hold Sheriff responsible for partys loss of the 2016 governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states. They alleged that Sheriff attempted to bait five PDP governors with the partys 2019 vice presidential ticket, having unilaterally allotted the presidential ticket to himself.With the role he played in ensuring that the PDP lost the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states, how can anyone in his right senses associate with Sheriff.We all know his intentions which are to destroy the PDP and make it incapable of presenting credible candidates for the 2019 general elections. We are not going to play into the hands of the enemy, a prominent party chieftain said in a telephone chat.Another party chief who also did not want his name mentioned, dismissed Sheriffs plan to hold a national convention to elect leaders for the party as a ploy to ensnare the party.He said when Sheriff first had the opportunity to organize a convention in 2015, he printed only one nomination form for each of the available offices, including that of chairman, which he had already reserved for himself.The convention, which was slated for Port Harcourt in May 2015, ended in a fiasco, leading to the removal of Sheriff as the chairman and the setting up of Ahmed Makarfi-led Caretaker Committee.The Court of Appeal, by a split decision, recently declared Sherif as the rightful national chairman of the party. It annulled the Makarfi caretaker committee. The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has described the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Alli Modu Sher... The Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike has described the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Alli Modu Sheriff, as a mole in the party.The Governor alleged that Sheriff is planted in the party by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, to decimate the party ahead of the 2019 general elections.He described the loss by Makarfi at the Court of Appeal to Sheriff as a temporary setback.Wike told Thisday, As far as I am concerned, you may say it is complicated but I will rather say it is a temporary setback because I dont like commenting on all these judgments but I know that this is not the final bus stop; the final bus stop is the Supreme Court.Obviously, we reject the judgment. Sheriff is a mole in the party and so if it were a situation you know it is someone who has the interest of the party talking, then you begin to see how you can move from there.Having identified that the mole has been working for APC, it will be difficult for any right-thinking politician to say oh, let us allow him, it will be very, very difficult.We are going on appeal; we will take a major decision after the final appellate court that is, the Supreme Court has given its verdict, so I am not worried.I know that in politics this is the way it goes, you dont expect things to be smooth all the time. Sometimes it is rough; it will threaten you and sometimes it enables you to know that this is the type of human beings you are working with so you can know the kind of characters they are made of.Luckily, it was not a unanimous judgment, it was a split decision of two to one; you can appreciate the fact that there is still hope as we go to the Supreme CourtThere is nothing to reconcile because everybody has seen his actions so you dont need anybody to tell you that he is a mole; even those who are parading him, you can see the characters, you can see how they romance with the ruling party.He is not going to work for the party; rather he wants to see that the party is decimated before 2019. The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has said that Nigeria was under policed because the police was under funded, a devel... The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has said that Nigeria was under policed because the police was under funded, a development, according to him had impeded the improvement of security in the country.He made the statement in Sokoto when Government Secondary School, Farfaru Old Boys Association (FOBA) honoured him and seven others.Idris disclosed that the Force was working with the National Assembly for better allocation. The Police is largely underfunded which is why Nigeria is also under-policed.Aware of the deplorable state of Police quarters, he promised that these would be renovated, adding that we are partnering with private developers to build 25,000 new houses for our personnel across the country. This will include the Shelter Afrique, which is an arm of the African Union.Donating a building to the school on behalf of those honoured, IGP Idris said that government could not do it alone. Private individuals and corporate organisations must must give their widows might in order to augment governments efforts.Honoured along with the IGP were Dr. Mahe Dange; Mallam Muhammadu Zauro; former Director General of NIPS, Prof. Tijani Bande; Dr. Bello Aliyu; Dr. Ahmed Achida; Prof. Faruk Haruna and Alhaji Muhammadu Zagi. There were corn rows on the head of the girl that exploded in Muna Dalti. There was a colourful bead on her wrist too. She probably loved... There were corn rows on the head of the girl that exploded in Muna Dalti. There was a colourful bead on her wrist too. She probably loved to play dress-up and look good. Everybody forgets these bits of her. Folk remember her as the vixen who flicked a switch and blew up, into a puddle of flesh and bone fragments. No one cares if she was ever innocent or raised in virtue. The village is thankful that she took no innocent life, save her teenage accomplices. Their carcass lay strewn about the rustic community in Maiduguri, Borno State. Their innards and blood spatter sully the village even as you read.Lying in the dust few metres from her shredded mate, the girl with the corn rows evoked the dread that wild weeds induce at the base of shoots. Two hours after her sister and agent of terrorist group, Boko Haram, detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the Muna vehicle park, injuring eight people and burning 13 freight trucks, the girl with the corn rows sauntered into Muna Dalti with another sister.Time was 2:00 a.m. and they looked suspicious to the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) patrolling the area. When the latter accosted them, they said they were waiting for their husbands. Of course, their responses were unsatisfactory; having seen eight of their comrades incapacitated by a girl strapped to an IED few hours earlier, around 11.30 pm to be precise, the CJTF suspected foul play.Hence the vigilante group ordered the girls to come with them. But rather than comply, one of the girls fiddled desperately with a device under her dress. Instantly, the CJTF scurried for cover, shooting sporadically in the air.In the ensuing melee, the girl with the corn rows reached under her dress and did what her mate couldnt. She flicked the switch on an IED strapped to her body.In a second, she blew herself to bits and decapitated her mate, who was standing close by.Kaana Hawaye, a CJTF officer in Muna Dalti, said the girls were on a mission to kill. The bomb blast at 11.30 pm put us on red alert. So, when we saw them, we suspected trouble. But we made sure they didnt achieve their aim. They couldnt kill anyone here, he said.Corroborating him, CJTF officer, Muhammadu Idris, stated that after the first bomb was detonated by the girl at Muna park, CJTF officers in the area became more vigilant.However, Baani Aliko, a lieutenant in the group, disclosed that there would have been more casualties had his team not stepped back from the girls in the nick of time.Further findings revealed that officers of the Nigerian Army killed about six members of Boko Haram at the Mafa military checkpoint few kilometres away, barely one hour before the first bomber struck in Muna motor park. They were killed about nine kilometres from the state capital while they tried to storm into town. However, as Muna town heaved a sigh of relief, tragedy struck again as the three teenage girls, who had successfully snuck into town, detonated their explosives. The first girl struck around 11:30 pm, Thursday, February 17, at Muna motor park while the other attack occurred in Muna Dalti around 2:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 18.The Muna bombers apparently succeeded where insurgent mates, Zainab and Amina, failed. Amina, 18, was intercepted while her co-bomber, 15-year-old Zainab, was killed as she tried to ram into motorists queuing to buy fuel and detonate a bomb at the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) mega station along Damboa road in Maiduguri, on Tuesday, February 7.The girls were intercepted by men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps(NSCDC), soon after they arrived in Maiduguri on orders from Boko Haram.As she recounted her experience, Aminas eyes glistened with hope and gratification. She spoke in a crisp, clear tenor, caressing the strands of a severed ribbon from her veil. She fingered the thread and slipped it through her lips with gratifying immersion, all the piteous miseries of her life seemingly summoned in her wiry hands.Her face, hard and weary from strife, provided a soiled, pale background to her gaunt eyes. Her eyes, twitching open and close in rhythm with the groove where her lips met with the frayed strands seemed in search of something; comfort perhaps.Occasionally, she removed the threads from her mouth to answer questions, the words leaping from her lips as if she meant to exhale in one breath, the agony interred in her buried narratives. With submissive firmness, she revealed that she and Zainab were on a mission from Gobarawa, a Boko Haram enclave along Bornos Alagarno axis, to kill people. She said she was abducted by the terrorists in 2015 in Madagali, Adamawa. From there, she was taken to Sambisa where she was held hostage for a while before being transferred to Gobarawa.My younger brother and sisters Umar, Fatima, fauziya, Abbas, Maryam and Faiza, were all held hostage and married off to Boko Haram men in Gambarawa. But my father and mother were all killed when they tried to escape with us from the camp where we were held hostage in Gobarawa.All the people in Gobarawa are Boko Haram. They are many and they all had sophisticated weapons, motorcycles and vehicles which they use to operate, said Amina. The teenager revealed that when life became too hard in Gobarawa, her captors resorted to drastic measures.They usually go out to snatch food from locals and bring us food. We dont have grinders but we relied on stone to grind sorghum. We pounded sorghum with stone to make food, she said.In Gobarawa, Amina, like several child hostages, was married off to a member of the sect. I am also married to a Boko Haram Commander, an Amir, who has killed more than 100 people, including his mother and father, she said.I am also married to a Boko Haram Commander, an Amir, who has killed more than 100 people, including his mother and fatherIt took Amina and Zainab three days to get to Maiduguri, travelling on a motorcycle. She said: We were directed by the sect members to detonate our explosives any where we saw any form of gatheringThey said if we press the button, the bomb would explode and we will automatically go to heaven. I was scared, so, I told them that I could not detonate any explosive. But Zainab said she would do it. So, they said if Zainab detonated her own, it would serve the purpose.However, things didnt go according to plan in Maiduguri. At 6.45 a.m., Amina and Zainab were accosted in the city, after a bean-cake seller alerted NSCDC operatives about their suspicious moves. But while Amina balked from the mission, Zainab decided to go ahead with it. She ignored Aminas counsel that they flee into the city and seek help.I demobilised my own explosive right from when we were about to sleep in a nearby town en route Maiduguri. I had only N200 with me. I told Zainab to come along with me to town instead of blowing the explosive and killing herself for the sake of nothing. I told her that with the N200 they gave us, we can go to town to meet somebody I know.But Zainab rejected Aminas counsel and proceeded with the mission. Initially, she attempted to detonate it at the bean-cake sellers roadside stall but she later decided to attack the NNPC mega station in the area because it contained a greater crowd and the promise of greater casualties.Fortunately, the bean-cake seller noticed their suspicious moves and male accomplices and she alerted NSCDC officers in the vicinity. Promptly, the latter marched up to the girls to interrogate them. But no sooner did they accost them than their male handlers disappear. Instantly, Amina revealed that she was strapped to a bomb. The security operatives scurried backwards and cocked their rifles to shoot. In the scuffle, Amina unstrapped her bomb and tossed it away.I already told them that I will not detonate my bomb; that was why I threw it away and handed myself over to the security. Zainab insisted on detonating her explosive. I dont know why. I couldnt say whether she was in her right senses, said Amina.Zainab ignored the NSCDCs sharp orders that she stood down and proceeded to detonate the bomb. This attracted a warning shot from the NSCDC to her limbs. The shot was meant to demobilise her. But even while she writhed in a blood pool from her bleeding leg, the teenager stubbornly sought to detonate the bomb. This earned her a kill-shot, this time around, from a soldiers rifle. It was either Zainabs life or the lives of several innocent folk citizens.There is no gainsaying that Boko Haram radically changed the landscape of internal security in Nigeria when it launched the first suicide bombing in Nigeria, at the Police Headquarters in Abuja the Federal Capital territory on June 16, 2011. Its 35-year-old male bomber, Mohammed Manga, detonated his explosive-laden car, killing more than five persons and destroying several cars. The group subsequently executed several attacks, involving the fitting of IEDs on its members, widely known as suicide bombers and common means of transportation, including vehicles, motorcycles and tricycles.However, on June 8, 2014, Boko Haram dispatched its first female operative, a teenage girl strapped to a bomb. She attacked the 301 Battalion Barracks of the Nigerian Army in Gombe State. The girl detonated the explosive concealed under her hijab, thus killing herself and a soldier.By January 20, 2015, there have been a total of 17 attempted suicide bombings by underage and teenage girls in Nigeria; 15 of the attacks were successful. By January 2016, the documented attacks increased to 89. With this new experimentation, Boko Haram joined the ranks of terrorist groups that have incorporated women into their organisational profiles. Since the first attack, women and young girls between the ages of seven and 17, have been coerced into targeting civilians at markets, bus depots, fuel stations and mosques. The 89 attacks documented between June 2014 and January 2016, mostly of civilian soft targets, have been responsible for more than 1,200 deaths and an even greater number of injuries.A disturbing trend, however, ensues with the terrorist sects increasing deployment of teenage girls to execute suicide bombings in Maiduguri, Borno State. Rescued girls experience stigmatisation from family and friends when they return home. One such survivor returned to Maiduguri after being freed by soldiers. But on arrival at home, her mother turned her over to the military after finding out that she had been trained as a suicide bomber.The adoption of female suicide bombers is not especially surprising as an operational adaptation to increased state surveillance of the groups activities; it has been a tactic adopted by secular and religious terrorist groups from Sri Lanka to Syria.However, Boko Haram depends on female operatives disproportionately, relative to similar insurgencies; for example, the Tamil Tigers used 46 women over the course of 10 years, whereas Boko Haram has deployed over 151 females including underage girls in a little over a year.Data from Beyond Chibok, a United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF) study, show that 44 children were used in suicide attacks in north-east Nigeria and neighbouring countries in 2015 alone.The figures, released to mark the second anniversary of the abduction of over 270 girls from Chibok, show that children now account for nearly a fifth of all suicide bombers in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. Thus between late 2014 and the end of 2016, the number of such attacks escalated to 151. In 2015, 89 of the attacks were carried out in Nigeria, 39 in Cameroon, 16 in Chad and seven in Niger.Manuel Fontaine, UNICEFs Regional Director for West and Central Africa, said children used in suicide bombings should not be seen as willing combatants. Let us be clear: these children are victims, not perpetrators. Deceiving children and forcing them to carry out deadly acts has been one of the most horrific aspects of the violence in Nigeria and neighbouring countries, he said.In respect of Operation Lafiya Dole, I was appointed here as the Theatre Commander on March 18, 2016. Before then, I resumed here on the 5th of January, 2016 as the then Theatre Commander. Two months later, I was appointed the Theatre Commander. So, I have been heading this operation for one year.The military operation here is asymmetric. It is asymmetric because you really cant tell who the enemy is. In conventional setting, the belligerents are well defined. It is easy to identify them. You dont need to do much to understand who the enemy is. More importantly, the belligerents have respect for the rules governing warfare. They respect the laws of war and the international human rights. But asymmetric wars like we have here in Borno, it becomes difficult to determine who the enemy is.That the war has lasted this long is largely in part, because it is asymmetric in nature. The Nigerian military was not attuned to threats of this nature; a situation whereby the secret police should normally look into, you now get yourself involved in it.But time has passed and we have been able to learn our lessons. And that is why you have been able to see the reversals that are occurring.So far, our findings show that, they are told that if they blow themselves up, they will go to heaven, and so on and so forth. I know that there is more to it. We are carrying out certain investigations and by the time we are done with them, you will know what our findings areAnybody can be a suicide bomber. It all depends on what you assimilate. So, someone that calls himself or herself a suicide bomber, it all depends on what the fellow assimilates. Part of the transformation that we also found in this war is that, it became a war of ideology. So for me, I would say its a war of ideology rather than a religious war. It is situation whereby a group of people are made to believe a certain falsehood. And that falsehood is repeated to them over and over until they begin to see it as the truth.And that is precisely what Boko Haram leadership is trying to do with those in their fold. So, thats why I said anybody can be a suicide bomber depending on what you assimilate.So, who are those that they have engaged as suicide bombers? Those that are illiterate, those that are in their youth. I will not even call them youths. They engage children who cannot tell what life is; children who cannot tell right from wrong. Because theyve been so wrongly indoctrinated, whatever their captors tell them is what they believe. They do their captors bidding. So far, our findings show that, they are told that if they blow themselves up, they will go to heaven, and so on and so forth. I know that there is more to it. We are carrying out certain investigations and by the time we are done with them, you will know what our findings are.Many have also tried to politicise the problem which, of course, is unfortunate. They are of the erroneous notion that the military must be involved in issues of politics. Yes, there is some school of thought that believe that war is politics by other means. But certainly not a war of this nature whereby all the contending forces are all nationals of Nigeria. For me, I believe that issues of war, issues of national security must not be relegated to politics. It is wrong to read meanings into military operations. It is wrong to think soldiers have ulterior motives for engaging in battle.There is no military around the world that will say they are sufficient in all things, no. Rather you build, you learn, you re-align, you re-assess.At some stage, people have also tried to make the war look like some religious crisis, which of course, has now been dispelled. They once attacked structures of a particular religious faith in order to make it seem like a religious crisis. That failed. Then it became an all-faith affair, where any structure that belonged to any faith and every creed were attacked by them. Then it dawned on the populace that, these are mad men. These are people that are deranged. Until it got to that level, the cooperation between the civil society and the military was very poor. So, as the threat transformed and the war transformed, the gaps between the understanding of the civil society and the military began to narrow. And so the narrowing of the gap means that minds at both ends came together.That closing of gap also contributed immeasurably in seeing the establishment of what we now call the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF). It is because they now understand that theyve got a part to play, its not just a military affair. That of course, also accounts for the successes we have recorded.What we call Table of equipment, Table of organisation takes into cognizance, the various factors, one of which is threat. What is the threat perception? Because of that setting, every military officer has at the back of his mind, a desire to honour the oath that he has pledged to. As a result of that, he cannot go against that oath. For those who may have reason to, that is why we have procedures to manage such situations. We have court-martial and so on to address such situations.The minds of the troops are focused. Weve been able to provide them the necessary tools. This is responsible for the success stories. And the military is being more proactive. Right now, I am looking beyond Operation Lafiya Dole. The military leadership is thinking of its aftermath. We are making assessments of what we need to do to prevent things from returning to how they used to be. We must do everything to educate people and sensitise them to their civic responsibilities. Governance is not for a small group of people in public offices. Every citizen is part of government. And when citizens perform their civic responsibilities, they exercise their power as intrinsic part of government. Going to school to learn to read and write is only a part of education. It is not education in totality. Societies are regulated. Every society is regulated and that regulation is brought about by laws. Societies have laws that should be respected. People must understand that.When those who know go to misinform others, then there is a problem. This is where the press comes in. The press shouldnt misinform simply because they believe they have freedom of speech. Freedom of speech comes with great responsibility and the press should always understand and respect that. You cannot infringe on my rights simply because you wish to exercise your freedom of speech. I am an agent of government and that state is working to guarantee the territorial security and integrity of the state but some people are of the wrong impression that they could be an impediment to me.It will be wrong for anyone to think that if he becomes an obstacle in my way, I will be forced to placate him or settle him in order to become more effective. If that happens, then he becomes an obstacle even to his own security.And there are others who are also being used to disrupt activities and our peace-keeping efforts. There is no friend in the world. In reality, there is no friend. What exists around the world is interest. What scholars call enlightened self-interest.The suicide bombers are usually brainwashed. There is nobody who was born hardened. No child is born as a suicide bomber. Situations cause them to harden. There must be a total reorientation of our youths and reestablishment of our good values. Our education system should be overhauled and broadened to produce more progressively literate and responsible citizens. You dont go to school simply because you wish to get a certificate and get a job. That is not what education does for you.Education should help you to think logically and to be able to identify alternatives when you see them. It should empower you to understand issues and perspectives to an issue. It should enable you to discern between good and evil, right and wrong.A well educated youth will be empowered to shun evil and embrace progress. Education helps you to develop your conscience and become a better patriot. A national reorientation of our children, youth and people will conscientise our nation towards a more positive and progressive direction.When we as a people have a commonality of values that are well defined, we wont argue or bicker about it. As the Americans have the American dream, we should also have the Nigerian dream. Its about time we decided on and evolved a sustainable Nigerian dream.Shared values will always unite us. A national reorientation geared towards truly positive objectives will make us better citizens and people.The value underage girls add to terrorism is very clear, according to Mia Bloom, a Professor of Communication at Georgia University and Hilary Matfess, a research analyst at the National Defence Universitys Center for Complex Operations and a member of the Nigeria Social Violence Project (NSVP) at the John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.While Bloom addresses the lure of suicide terrorism in her books, Dying to Kill: The Allure of Suicide Terror and Bombshell: Women and Terrorism, she and Matfess recently took a holistic look at the trend in Northern Nigeria.The incorporation of women into Boko Harams activities, they opine, builds upon a history of tactical experimentation, undertaken in response to cyclical government responses and opportunities posed by regional trends in arms availability. The symbolism of female-led attacks has been a means by whichBoko Haram has distinguished itself from similar movements and local rivals. Understanding Boko Harams use of women is particularly critical, as it is the most lethal insurgency on the continent, having claimed an estimated 29,000 lives since 2002, and shows no signs of abating.The very fact of being female is proven to enjoy several tactical advantages. First, women suicide terrorists capitalise and thrive on the element of surprise. They can take advantage of cultural reluctance toward physical searches to evade detection. Given their seemingly feminine facade, they are categorically perceived as gentle and non-threatening. Further, they constitute a potentially large pool of recruits, a resource that terrorist organisations can draw from and cash in on. Symbolically, the death of women bombers is more likely to evoke a feeling of desperation and sympathy, noted Bloom.Investigations revealed that children and child-widows of slain Boko Haram fighters are also conscripted as suicide bombers. During their conscription, they are allegedly brainwashed and psychologically programmed to die for martyrdom, often as revenge against infidels whom they are made to believe caused the death of their loved ones.The girl bombers are also recruited through female scouts. In June 2014, for instance, troops arrested three suspected female Boko Haram members Hafsat, Zainab and Aisha, have been secretly recruiting girls for Boko Haram.Boko Harams girl bombers are psychologically and physically coerced into carrying out the attacks, according to Milda Okoro-Essiet. The child psychologist argued that the remote detonation of explosives strapped to the sects child victims also suggests that the girls may be unaware of the gravity of their mission or the masterminds did not trust the girls would have sufficient courage to carry out the attacks.While it is possible that the Boko Haram may be selecting those that are too uneducated or naive to recognise that they are actually carrying explosives, the confession of a suspected female suicide bomber, Zaharau Babangida, indicates that the girls are also being coerced. The 13-year-old girl was arrested strapped to a bomb in December 2014 in Kano State.She narrated how she was conscripted by her biological father and transferred to one of Boko Harams radicalisation camps in Bauchi forest. She revealed that an ideologue in the camp tried to brainwash and intimidate them into undertaking a suicide mission.I was not moved by the soul searching preaching of bounties in the heaven and it was at this point, their leader resorted to threat and intimidation to obtain my consent. We were shown a deep hole where the leader of the group threatened to bury us alive at a point if any of us refused to play along, and at another time, he picked a big gun and threatened to shoot anyone who fails to obey his command, she said.Subsequently, Zaharau was taken to a market in Kantin Kwari, Kano, along with two other girls, who detonated their bombs killing six people, including the bombers. The 13-year-old, who was injured in the blasts, said she was too scared to go through with the attack after she saw her mates cadavers barely a second after they detonated their bombs. She made her way to a nearby hospital in Dawanau, where she was arrested.At the backdrop of the dangerous trend, Islamic clerics reiterate that Boko Haram interprets religious texts out of context. They paint the texts in shades of violence and force-feed it to impressionable girls and boys in their captivity. What they teach these kids is at extreme variance with the tenets of Islam, stated Borno-based cleric, Muhammadu Arif.Idowu Bisi-Akinrolatan, a social psychologist, argued that, Most of these girls have experienced untold miseries since the insurgency began. Many have seen their parents, siblings, friends and other loved ones shot to death or decapitated by Boko Haram. The impact of such horror on their psyche is often immeasurable. The future looks bleak to them. Having been forcefully conscripted as suicide bombers, they resign to fate and consider their imminent death a shortcut to escape the hard life that they live. It doesnt hurt them too, to believe the propaganda that they will gain an early access to paradise, she explained.Thus poor, vulnerable girls, are brainwashed into believing that if they succeed in detonating bombs in crowded places, they would be killing infidels who are intent on corrupting the lifestyle that God wants humanity to follow.Theological luminaries consider this thought process, altruistic evil which thrives on the flawed belief that convenient evil is ordained by God. But Sheikh Idris Alogba, an Islamic scholar, argued that evil is never ordained by God. The God that we serve, Allah (S.W.T), has no blood thirst. He does not approve of mindless killing or murder under any guise. Boko Haram, suicide bombing or terrorism by any premise are unapproved in the sight of God. Islam is a religion of peace. Allah is a God of peace. The terrorists are misguided, likewise the suicide bombers, he said.Defeating terrorYahaya Imam, Borno State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), described the spread of terrorism in Nigerias northeast zone as unfortunate but he commended the Nigerian military and leadership for prosecuting a decisive and successful routing of Boko Haram from its strongholds. Yahaya believes a cultural and value reorientation of Nigerian youths will sensitise them to progressive civic responsibility and prevent more youths from falling prey to terrorist sects like Boko Haram. However, the NOA boss lamented the unavailability of funds required by his agency to execute positive youth orientation projects in war-ravaged Borno.According to him, The NOA is taking steps to involve traditional authorities and youth organisations in its reorientation and peace-building drive across Borno. And our efforts are yielding fruits.Abdullahi Ibrahim, the Commander of the Borno State Command of the NSCDC, stated that, his command has taken far-reaching measures to prevent attacks by suicide bombers. We have our officers embedded in various parts of the community across the state. Our intelligence network is ever active and primed to nip any dangerous development in the bud, he said.Ibrahim stated that his commands collaboration with the Nigerian Army in Borno has yielded very positive and encouraging results in the war against terrorism. For instance, Amina and her late mate, Zainab, were intercepted by a combined team of NSCDC and the army before they could wreak havoc in Maiduguri few weeks ago.Fiona Lovatt, a New Zealand teacher, poet and humanitarian-volunteer based in Kano, advocated a departure from the dominant narrative about girl-child agents cum victims of Boko Harams suicide bombing attacks. According to her, the issue of child radicalisation by Boko Haram constitutes a red herring. She lamented that Bornos girl-child bombers are endangered children bearing the brunt of societys inadequacies.She urged the government to protect children of the war-ravaged region. And if they are abducted and taken into savannah grasslands, find them and bring them home. Treat them well when they get back, she said.But who will treat them well when they get back? Adijatu, for instance, was forced to relocate from her native Borno to Sabo, Ogun State, following her one-year ordeal as a captive sex slave and child bride of Boko Haram. The 17-year-old believed her travails were over immediately she was rescued and returned to Bama, her hometown, by the military Joint Task Force (JTF). Unknown to her, her nightmare was just beginning. The teenager fled her home when her best friends aunt and guardian tried to bash in the skull of her infant son, Habibi, because she conceived of him by a Boko Haram fighter. And she was not even a suicide bomber.A worse fate awaits intercepted bombers like Amina and Zaharau. Popular cultural beliefs about bad blood and witchcraft are exacerbated by stories of girls returning from captivity to murder their parents. This explains why a mother invited soldiers to arrest her returnee daughter, after the latter confided in her that she was trained as a suicide bomber. Women and girls who spent time in captivity are often referred to by communities as Boko Haram wives, Sambisa women, Boko Haram blood and Annoba (epidemics).Survivors legitimate concerns about being shunned by their communities are compounded by their fear that the militants will return and track them down. One such survivor said in an interview that she feared that her Boko Haram militant husband would kill her for running away; at the same time, in her community she is considered an outcastthey remind me that I have Boko Haram inside me, she said.Thus rescuing the women from the insurgents is only one part of the solution, according to expert psychological opinion. Providing emotional support, health services, and community reintegration is critical to the success of Nigerias counterterrorism and counterinsurgency strategy.In June 2015, Dr. Fatima Akilu, head of the Countering Violent Extremism Department of the Office of the National Security Advisor, announced that 20 women and girls who had been recruited by Boko Haram had been saved and were undergoing rehabilitation and de-radicalisation, although the details were never released.The support efforts, noted Dr. Abubakar Monguno, should be survivor based. Monguno, working with a team including Dr. Yagana Imam, Yagana Bukar and Bilkisu Lawan Gana from UNIMAID, and in collaboration with the International Organisation on Migration (IOM), the Borno State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, International Alert and UNICEF, authored a report revealing that hostile perceptions place children conceived of rape and violence on Boko Haram terror camps are at risk of rejection, abandonment, discrimination and potential violence.They advocate that support efforts should also integrate social workers into affected communities to identify families at risk of breakdown. The social workers should follow up with home visits together with religious officials, to provide mediation and guidance to husbands and family members.But that is in the long run. In the short run, urgent steps should be taken to assist victims and survivors like Amina and Zaharau to pick the broken pieces of their lives. Every day, the teenagers struggle to forget the act that was meant to end their lives: the righteous murder of innocent folks who committed no wrong against them and their instigators.At the time of their arrest, they were both frightened and sad. But their fear was borne of valor; the courage to say No to mindless carnage of their own people. Zaharau, 13, could not envision paradise by killing herself and innocent people. Amina, 18, couldnt either. They probably dread the scorn of friends and strangers by whose deaths they could become evil.Nonetheless, their fate resonates a tragedy so overpowering that it incites a torrent of feelings. Beyond that, there is guilt that our desire for them is so strong that it sets the society, like a bird of prey, to stalk them, stigmatise them and reignite their buried narratives. In their sad, sorry world, every muted spasm and tragic elocution of pain pricks their hide and sink like claws. There is no clear significance. There is only loss. Despite repeated xenophobic attacks, some Nigerians in South Africa have said they would not return home. Despite repeated xenophobic attacks, some Nigerians in South Africa have said they would not return home.In the recent attacks which started early February 2017, at least 20 shops and homes belonging to foreigners, mostly Nigerians were looted and burned, as stated by the South African police.In spite of the attacks, a Nigerian living in Pretoria, Muyiwa Adebola, said he would not return home.Having worked as an auto-mechanic in the South African city for about five years, he said it would be unwise to leave now.This is where I have my source of livelihood. This is where I have been working for the past five years to take care of my family in Nigeria. I cannot leave now because of the attacks, the 38-year-old said.Seun Komolafe, who has lived in the former apartheid colony for about nine years, said the reason for the attacks is that South Africans see Nigerians as a threat to their survival because of our hardworking nature.He said, The reason why many of us have decided to remain in South Africa is because things have yet to work properly in Nigeria. Getting a job with your academic qualification is easier here than in Nigeria.Over the last few days, I have spoken to many of our people here who would have loved to come back to Nigeria, but cant do so yet because they dont know what to survive on if they return.Mr. Gabriel Eze, a resident of Johannesburg for 10 years, is a luxury store owner in the city. Eze said since he had invested all his life in the business, it would be foolish to leave now.He said, My family is here, so theres nothing to come and do at home. Where you succeed is where you call home. I was struggling in Nigeria before I came here in 2007.If you think of the attacks, you would do nothing. I have insured my business. So if anything happens, Ill not be too sad. I may only think of returning to Nigeria if there is no kidnapping, epileptic power supply and poor infrastructure. To be sincere, these are the things that drove us out of Nigeria.Abdulraman Abubakar, who has lived in Pretoria for 12 years, also cited poor infrastructure as reason for not willing to return to Nigeria.A Nigerian living in Johannesburg Central, Mr. Ade Adesina, also said he was not planning on returning to Nigeria despite the xenophobic attacks.He said, The South African government has not asked us to leave, so I will remain in the country. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given reasons why it chose to open its first embassy in Spain. The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has given reasons why it chose to open its first embassy in Spain.IPOB said it was due to the countrys rich knowledge and history of fighting for freedom.The group said the choice of a country in the Basque Region was because they would not betray Biafra like others did in the past.The disclosure was made by the Head of Directorate of State, DOS, of IPOB, Uchenna Asiegbu.He said the group put into consideration core values, respect and protection of freedom by the country.Asiegbu noted that they were guided by history due to bitter lessons learnt in the struggle for Biafra.Recently, a video of Biafra embassy in Spain was posted on Facebook.In the video, Asiegbu, is seen taking a guest on a tour of the facility.He said, Our Mission in Spain was opened in 2014 by our leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with members of the Directorate of State from all over the world present. Its primary purpose is to serve as the world administrative headquarters of IPOB.As you know IPOB is the largest movement of its kind anywhere in the world today, therefore we have our leadership scattered across every continent. Having our administrative head office in a place like the Basque country is also logistically sensible.The IPOB Director also gave hints on plans to open new embassies in some other major countries.It is on record that the Government of Spain has given us permission to kick-start our global Biafra Genocide Awareness exhibition in Vitoria Basque country, Spain. Their police will be there to protect us, and their media to report the event.We can also confirm that the Indian Government has giving us approval to open another mission in the subcontinent. Our strategy of quiet expansionism will take us to every part of the world. As soon as preparations are finalised, we shall invite world media to attend the opening, if they can overcome their bias by then.As you know, British hostility towards Biafra is well documented but we are encouraged by the fact that our broadcasting studios are still stationed in London where we have not encountered any difficulties till date. We hope to open a regional office there in the not too distant future.United States is key in our determination to be located in every country of the world to counter the lies of the Nigerian government. One of the areas we failed during the war of 1967-70 is that we lacked adequate presence abroad. Having identified this need, our leader quickly put in place a mechanism for the establishment of missions and offices around the world.We have a small office in Inglewood area of Los Angeles California which we hope to expand in the near future. Very soon we will announce the opening of our main office of the head of mission in Washington United States. All hands are on deck to achieve this.We evaluate the criteria of opening an embassy in a country based on their core values, respect and protection of freedom. How they view the issue of the rights of Indigenous people is also a determining factor. HACKENSACK -- Over 300 people gathered in front of the Bergen County Courthouse Saturday to rally against the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Crowds packed the steps of the courthouse to protest President Donald Trump's healthcare agenda which includes the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and the defunding of Planned Parenthood. "Cancer doesn't care about lifetime limits," 69-year-old Elise Winters said at the rally. "I'm very worried about the repeal." Diagnosed with cancer 14 years ago, Winters said she was able to afford expensive but lifesaving medicine due to her insurance. Winters, a Haworth resident, held a sign that read "Without ACA I'd be dead." The Affordable Care Act has provided coverage to roughly 900,000 New Jersey residents: 250,000 who get coverage through the subsidized federal marketplace, and another 650,000 who became eligible for Medicaid when it was expanded under the act. Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Sayreville), a gubernatorial candidate, received roaring applause as he told the crowd he would work to bring a single-payer healthcare system to all Garden State residents. "We know somewhere in this state there is a woman that's having her first child and she doesn't know if she will have health care when the baby is born," Wisniewski said. Yvonne Dallam, a freelance contractor from Jersey City, cried as she spoke about how ACA provided her with insurance coverage during pregnancy. "When the bill comes in and you don't have healthcare, you have to make a choice between a son or the house to raise him in," Dallam said. Dallam, who had to have an emergency C-section and whose son was was incubated for two weeks due to the threat of a collapsed lung, said her medicals bills might cost as much as $5,000 versus $137,000 without insurance. "We pay our premiums, we aren't asking for handouts," Dallum said. The Republican-controlled Congress, backed by Trump, took the first steps toward a repeal of the ACA last month. Last month, Hundreds rallied in Newark to protest the ACA repeal. The Congressional Budget Office said the repeal of the ACA would leave 18 million Americans without insurance coverage. Alexander Mozeika, a 24-year-old medical student at Rutgers University, attended the rally with fellow students. "I'm here to support healthcare for all, it is a basic human right everyone should have," said Mozeika. "It is a travesty for this country that we don't have basic humans rights that other countries have." Fausto Giovanny Pinto may be reached at fpinto@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @FGPreporting. Find NJ.com on Facebook. GLOUCESTER TWP. -- A Sicklerville woman lied to police when she claimed a man tried to abduct her, according to authorities. Madison Garaguso, 28, of Mayapple Road, reported to Gloucester Township Police Department on Feb. 20 that she was assaulted by a man who tried to pull her into his white SUV. A composite drawing released by police after an attempted abduction in Sicklerville. Police reported the abduction attempt -- stating that the man pulled up to her outside her house and tried talking to her before purportedly trying to grab her. Authorities released a description of the man and a composite sketch in hopes of identifying him. The report led to the arrest of Tyler McGuirl, 19, of Edgemere Court, for an outstanding warrant and drug possession. After an investigation, police determined that Garaguso met with McGuirl and the two got into a disagreement. McGuirl then drove away in his white SUV and Garaguso called 911 claiming there was an abduction attempt, police said. Police charged Garaguso with false police reports and loitering to commit a drug offense. She was released on a summons. McGuirl was held in Camden County Correctional Facility for his outstanding warrant. Don E. Woods may be reached at dwoods@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @donewoods1. Find NJ.com on Facebook. CAMDEN-- A married couple who owned a popular pizzeria chain were sentenced Friday on tax evasion-related charges, U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Paul Fishman said. Charles Bangle, 57, of Somers Point, previously pleaded guilty to evading taxes related to his 2010 return and structuring transactions to avoid reporting requirements in 2011. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison. Mary Bangle, 56, was sentenced to three years probation and was fined $3,000 after admitting she lied to IRS agents. In 2011, the couple bought a controlling interest in Manco & Manco Pizza, which had previously been known as Mack & Manco. The chain consists of three stores on the Boardwalk in Ocean City and a location in Somers Point. Charles Bangle ran day-to-day operations and Mary Bangle handled the cash and payroll. Charles Bangle failed to report $263,113 in income, avoiding more than $91,000 in taxes. He also admitted making cash deposits of less than $10,000 in February 2011 to avoid federal reporting requirements. Mary Bangle admitted she lied when she told IRS agents in May 2012 that cash receipts came into the business she only kept enough to meet payroll and other expenses when she was actually using some money for personal expenses. She also lied about the amount of money she deposited into her personal bank account. Charles Bangle must pay restitution of $248,560 in addition to his prison term and also pay a $5,000 fine. He begins his sentence in September. Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook. NEWARK -- The man who struck and killed a Verona artist and longtime business owner was sentenced to three years in prison Friday and could be deported for being in the country illegally. Jose Asencio, 44, a Guatemalan national, admitted he fled the scene after fatally hitting Matthew BeneduceMcGrath, 59, near his shop on Bloomfield Avenue on June 24. Asencio previously pleaded guilty to a second degree charge of leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident that resulted in death. Asencio, who has remained in custody since his July arrest, stood handcuffed and silent in court as Superior Court Judge Siobhan Teare told him she had received several "heartfelt" letters from the community attesting to his good character and deep Christian faith. Jose A. Asencio, 44 (Photo: Essex County Prosecutor's Office) "This is a very tough matter to review," Teare said. "Sometimes a lapse of judgment ... can pay a dear price." Teare said though Asencio had no prior criminal record, "an individual's life has also been taken." She sentenced him to three years in prison; he is eligible for parole after nine months and will receive credit for the 227 days he's spent in jail. Asencio's lawyer, Jonathan Kessous of Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, asked the judge to consider a lower sentence to allow immigration authorities to get involved sooner. Otherwise, Asencio could be "compelled to serve significantly longer than what the sentence calls for," Kessous said, citing the backlog in immigration court and a new federal directive widening the net of those targeted for deportation. "His biggest mistake was not raising his hand and saying he was the man," Kessous said, adding that Asencio returned to the scene to make sure BeneduceMcGrath was receiving help but did not tell authorities he was the driver. Kessous said the whole situation was tragic and an accident. "Everybody lost in this one," he said. Tara Creegan, assistant prosecutor in the case, said Asencio did not call 911 or turn himself into police. "This man did not identify himself, that is where the crime is," Creegan said. Creegen said a three-year sentence was a negotiated plea and one that had been approved by BeneduceMcGrath's family. She read a letter from BeneduceMcGrath's wife, Gloria BeneduceMcGrath, who she said was "too shocked" to come. "The emotional pain lives with me every day," the letter said. "I understand what happened was an accident ... He made a big mistake by leaving another human being to die." Matthew BeneduceMcGrath owned Benegrathic Sign Design on Bloomfield Avenue and was known for creating hand crafted signs used at parks around the area. The Indiana-native was married for 32-years and lived in Verona for nearly 30 years. Asencio, of Newark, worked as a painter for the last 15 years and served as a deacon at Iglesia Mision Cristiana Church in Orange. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued a detainer request to keep Asencio in custody while his immigration case proceeds but he has yet to appear before an immigration judge, his attorney said. "I'm very sorry for these circumstances," Teare told Asencio through a Spanish interpreter. "May you find some peace." Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close 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. Estimados amigos, Les doy cordialmente la bienvenida a este Blog informativo con articulos, analisis y comentarios de publicaciones especializadas y especialmente seleccionadas, principalmente sobre temas economicos, financieros y politicos de actualidad, que esperamos y deseamos, sean de su maximo interes, utilidad y conveniencia. Pensamos que solo comprendiendo cabalmente el presente, es que podemos proyectarnos acertadamente hacia el futuro. Las convicciones son mas peligrosos enemigos de la verdad que las mentiras. There are decades when nothing happens and there are weeks when decades happen. You only find out who is swimming naked when the tide goes out. No soy alguien que sabe, sino alguien que busca. Only Gold is money. Everything else is debt. Las grandes almas tienen voluntades; las debiles tan solo deseos. Quien no lo ha dado todo no ha dado nada. History repeats itself, first as tragedy, second as farce. If you know the other and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. We are travelers on a cosmic journey, stardust, swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. Life is eternal. We have stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share.This is a precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. Emanuel Lutheran Church will host its fourth-annual Mardi Gras Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. on Sunday in the church Fellowship Hall, 2444 N. Broadway in Council Bluffs. The event features New Orleans-inspired food, live music by Da Band, a photo booth and activities for children. There will also be a silent auction with a variety of items available for bid. A Mardi Gras parade will take place at 5:30 p.m. Auction bidding will close at 5:45 p.m., and the winners will be announced by 6 p.m. Guests are welcome to come in Mardi Gras masks and costumes. This event is sponsored in part by Thrivent Action Team members and is open to the public. With the exception of the silent auction, all activities are free. A free-will offering will be accepted for the meal, and proceeds will help to fund scholarships for young people attending church camps, mission trips and the ELCA National Youth Gathering. Attendees can park in the lower (east) parking lot. Ground floor access is available through the east doors. For more information or a reservation, contact the church at (712) 323-9665 or emanuellutherancbia@msn.com. Reservations are not required for attendance but will help with food planning. Reporter Tim Johnson can be reached at (712) 325-5750 or tjohnson@nonpareilonline.com. The murder retrial for a Sioux City man that has been moved to Council Bluffs is set to begin Monday. Elias Wanatee, 48, pleaded not guilty to the February 2016 stabbing death of Vernon Mace in Sioux City. Wanatees first trial ended with a hung jury on Dec. 14 when jurors could not reach a verdict. District Judge Duane Hoffmeyer since granted the defense request for change of venue and ruled the trial will be conducted in Pottawattamie County District Court. Counties in the Des Moines area were also possible sites. Wanatees attorney, Jason Dunn, had requested the retrial be moved. He said local media coverage of the first trial and frequent mentions of Wanatees previous murder conviction would make it even more difficult to seat a second jury in Woodbury County and ensure that Wanatee receive a fair trial. Wanatee was convicted of first-degree murder for the death of Kelton Kelly DeCora outside a Sioux City bar. Wanatee appealed the conviction and had the charge reduced to second-degree murder. He was released from prison in January 2015. Wanatee is currently accused of stabbing Mace, 50, of Sioux City, in the street in the 1900 block of West First Street. Medical evidence during the first trial showed that Mace was stabbed nine times. The fatal wound punctured his diaphragm and sliced his liver, causing massive internal bleeding. There were no eyewitnesses to the stabbing, and police never found a murder weapon. During police interviews, Wanatee denied killing Mace. Dunn had suggested at trial that Wanatee acted in self-defense because Mace had threatened Wanatee with a gun two weeks earlier. The change in venue is the first time a Woodbury County case has been moved since 2013, when Levon Deans retrial for robbery and theft was moved to Algona in Kossuth County. That trial was cancelled when prosecutors dismissed the case after federal prosecutors filed charges against Dean. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Three United Parcel Service Inc. drivers from southwest Iowa were included among those honored for safe driving by the package delivery company this week. UPS announced Monday that 19 drivers from Iowa were among 1,575 newly inducted worldwide members into the companys Circle of Honor, an honorary organization for UPS drivers who have achieved 25 or more years of accident-free driving. John Ingoldsby of Glenwood and Rickie Richardson of Carson, both of whom drive for the UPS facility in Omaha, and Ronald Perdue of Red Oak, who drives for the Red Oak UPS facility, were added to the UPS Circle of Honor organization. Iowa boasts 87 active Circle of Honor drivers with a combined 2,511 years of accident-free driving, according to a release. Cleo Underwood of Des Moines is the states senior-most safe driver, with 41 years of accident-free driving under his belt. There are 952 full-time UPS drivers in Iowa. Globally, 9,349 active UPS drivers are members of the Circle of Honor. As a group, theyve racked up 266,554 years and nearly 14 billion safe miles during their careers, the company noted. Thats enough miles to travel to the moon and back almost 29,000 times. Assistant Managing Editor Scott Stewart can be reached at (712) 325-5748 or by email at sstewart@nonpareilonline.com. Brenda Moran of Honey Creek has used the Council Bluffs Public Library for years, whether it was writing her thesis while pursuing her degree, helping low income parents through her job with the STARS Scholarship program or bringing her children to enjoy story time. Im a frequent user of the library, both here physically, and online, Moran said. And even though there are a number of things you can do online having a physical book, being able to come in and get a video, (other) resources for me, its being able to utilize the resources in a very nice environment. For residents of Honey Creek, Underwood, Treynor, Minden, Crescent and McClelland, though their town doesnt have a library, they still have access to the plethora of resources the Council Bluffs Public Library offers. Walnut, Oakland, Carter Lake and Avoca join Council Bluffs as cities with libraries in Pottawattamie County. Iowa Code stipulates that all citizens have access to libraries. That means towns without a library must pay the nearest location a stipend to allow citizens membership. Rural residents are also able to access their nearest libraries, with the county taking care of the fee. The Legislature passed Iowa Code 256.69 in 1977, which required access for non-residents. This piece of code was put into place to make that every Iowan has access to a library, said Misty Gray, district consultant for the Southwest District of the State Library of Iowa. At the time, the Legislature said 480,256 Iowans were without library service. Having access information is an important part of democracy, Gray said. The code dovetails with Iowas open access law, which also states that anyone with a library card can use it with some stipulations depending on the location at any library in Iowa. Anyone with a library card can use any library in Iowa, Council Bluffs Public Library Director Kathy Rieger said proudly. She noted the law is different in neighboring Nebraska, where rural residents must pay for a library card. Its a good thing for Iowa, said Rieger, whos been on the job more than four years after stints in Connecticut and Kansas. Its an absolute wonderful option, said Jan Ehrens, the deputy city clerk in Underwood who lives outside the town. I grew up in Council Bluffs; I grew up walking to the library. Having that access with living in rural Pottawattamie County, to have that available, its fantastic. Serena Riesgaard, director of the Avoca Public Library, said her facility which has a contract with Neola, Hancock and Shelby. We want people be able to access information through libraries, Riesgaard said. The Avoca location conducted a public awareness campaign about the law about four years ago to make sure surrounding towns knew about the law and the library access. Riesgaard said the law helps both ways residents have access, while the fees help the library continue to operate. The director said shes seen plenty of use by residents outside Avoca. Rieger its hard to fully gauge the amount of usage residents in outlying towns get out of the library, noting we consider service more than people that check a book out at the desk. The director mentioned online services like e-books and documents, while also noting that if those residents come to library programs, thats not necessarily tracked. I hear anecdotally that a lot of people in these towns use the library, she said. I think its a win-win for them, I hope. Were glad we can serve them its a responsibility. Moran said its a service more people should take advantage of. She noted coming to the city from home sometimes means there are breaks in the day. When you live out of town its silly to go home for an hour and a half, in between obligations, she said. If you dont need to do shopping or something else, you just come to the library and read, or pick up a new book, or see whats going on. Having a physical space you can come to, where you can get help, utilize the Wi-Fi should you need it. Its a place you can go between stops. Physically, this is an amazing space, Moran continued. Whats inside is even more exciting. - Photographer Joe Shearer contributed to this story. Police are looking for a man accused of repeatedly touching a woman on a subway car earlier this month in Queens. The incident occurred on February 11th at 5:24 p.m., and the NYPD says the victim, a 46-year-old woman, and the suspect were on a northbound E train between Queens Plaza and Roosevelt Avenue "when the individual touched her thigh. The victim got up from her seat to confront the individual, who then grabbed her buttocks and smiled. The victim detrained at the Roosevelt Avenue subway station and the individual stayed on the train to an unknown direction." The NYPD released an image of the suspect, describing him as about 25 years old, 200 pounds and 5'6" tall with black hair, brown eyes, glasses. He was last seen wearing a black coat and tan pants. Anyone with information in regards to this incident is asked to call the NYPD's Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS or for Spanish 1-888-57-PISTA (74782) The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers Website at WWW.NYPDCRIMESTOPPERS.COM or texting their tips to 274637(CRIMES) then enter TIP577. If you see or experience sexual misconduct in the subway (this includes seeing a masturbator, being groped, being grinded on, etc.), you can report it to the MTA and police on this website. There's also a place for you to upload photos and/or video. Don't let the perverts win. We rely on your support to make local news available to all Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2022. Donate today When the news first came in about the state blowing up the Kosciuszko Bridge, people were pretty excited, both at the prospect of a good old fashioned explosion and the chance to see a hated bridge turned into dust. However, residents who live near the bridge are raising concerns about the consequences that blowing up the bridge could have on their air quality. At a press conference attended by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, leaders from Community Board 1, Representative Carolyn Maloney and environmental groups, Adams and others said that the state was moving too quickly on the implosion plan and that they hadn't been given adequate information about its environmental impact on the surrounding area. Expeditious action should never trump public safety and health quality, Adams said at the presser. The community at large and the local elected officials should not find out from reading in the tabloids any new methods that could potentially damage the cleanup that we have attempted to do in this community and have worked so hard to accomplish." Representative Maloney echoed the charge from Adams that Greenpoint residents hadn't been adequately informed about the impact of the implosion or even that it was being considered. "Any time a significant decision like this is made, the community should be consulted beforehand. This is a community that has been suffering from real environmental hardships poor air quality, water pollution," Maloney said. "We need to understand the potential environmental ramifications, the impact on the neighborhood, on traffic, on small businesses. We need to know what alternatives were considered and why this approach was chosen." Bringing up the specter of the failures to protect residents' water quality in Flint, Michigan and Hoosick Falls, New York, District Leader Nick Rizzo said he didn't trust the government to keep people safe. "Flint and Hoosick Falls teach us the same things. Do you trust the EPA going forward? Weve gone lax keeping New Yorkers safe from toxins," he said Jon Weinstein, a spokesman for the governor's office, rejected the idea that implosion was unsafe and that there hadn't been community input into the decision to get rid of the bridge with that way: The state has had more than 140 meetings to date and we will continue public dialogue with all stakeholders throughout the remainder of this project. Implosion is the safest and the most efficient plan so any theatrics or grandstanding from community leaders is not only unnecessary but entirely misleading. We are surprised that the borough president suddenly has an interest in this project considering he didnt attend a single one of the five briefing meetings or two tours that he has been invited to since he took office. Group puts on Canteen story for retirement village Residents at Centennial Park Retirement Village had the chance to relive one of North Plattes proudest memories Friday, thanks to a production put on by some residents, staff and volunteers. In The North Platte Canteen, more than 15 actors told the story of the Canteen and the men and women that were part of it. One of the men, Johnny Blue, a young soldier from Cheyenne, Wyoming, was presented with a birthday cake before getting back on the train and heading out to war. The production was part of Centennial Parks Lifestyle 360 program, which is designed to keep residents active through a variety of events, including fishing trips and concerts. This months theme was Acting Up. We wanted to do something with the Canteen, said Nickie Schuster, Lifestyle 360 coordinator. Residents seemed to enjoy the production, with many swapping stories about the Canteen. They loved it, Schuster said. The group also enjoyed patriotic music and a poem about the Canteen written and read by Bonnie Erickson. Erickson said she was asked to craft one of her signature poems for the production. I remember the trains going through, Erickson said. They were full of men who were frightened and some whod never been away from home, she said the canteen kept them going. Erickson and other actresses helped serve cake after the play. Put on best Western accent for a who done it at Deadwood Saloon A Deadwood Saloon Murder Mystery fundraiser will be March 4 from 7 to 9:30 p.m., hosted by Jason Tonsfeldt in the Barn at Scouts Rest Ranch. The event will raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is a great organization that helps out families in need, said Tonsfeldt, a candidate for Mr. Habitat. Its more than a handout. Its an organization that provides homes for families and requires them to help put in the hard work it takes to build it. Tonsfeldt is a new volunteer for the organization, but he has already raised about $600 in 2017. He intends to raise $5,000 by the end of the year. At the murder mystery event, everything will have the ambiance of the late 1800s, including the chuckwagon meal of beef brisket, beans, coleslaw and cornbread prepared by Dusty Trails and glass bottles of Sioux City Root Beer and other sodas. There will be a poker tournament, which is the site and cause of the murder. Saloon girls will be at various tables and the (soda) bar, vying for participants attention and money. Tonsfeldt encourages participants to wear costumes of the time period, which will help determine their roles in the murder mystery. Participants should arrive between 6:30 and 7 p.m. Dont be afraid to get into character and put on your best Western accent, because there will be awards. There will be an award for the best costume and best actor, as well as for the person who guesses who done it correctly and the person with the most money at the end of the night. Presale tickets, $35, are available on eventbrite.com by searching Deadwood Murder Mystery or by contacting Tonsfeldt at 402-679-4647. Tickets will be $45 at the door. You can also win a chance to get into the Deadwood Saloon free. Tonsfeldt will play Harry Highstakes, owner of the saloon. Ali Abler, co-organizer of the fundraiser, is raffling off a date with Harry Highstakes. The winner, who will play Harrietta Highstakes, will get into the event free and be seen on the arm of the most important man in the room. Tickets for the raffle are $5 each or $20 for five tickets and are available at the Habitat for Humanity office, 420 N. Cottonwood St., or by contacting Abler at 402-750-4273. The winners name will be drawn at noon Thursday and will be contacted immediately. U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse are refusing to hold town hall meetings despite demands from constituents. It is the job of elected politicians to listen to the public they serve. Fischer has no problem meeting with lobbyists and other special interest groups that give her money. It is unacceptable that she will not visit with the public she serves. During Obamas tenure in the White House, Senate Democrats in other states faced town hall meetings full of angry Republicans. Why cant our senators step up to the plate and engage with the people they serve? Its time to show leadership instead of cowardice if you want to be re-elected. Jasmine Sheetz Lincoln My brother and I own and operate several restaurant franchises in Omaha and Lincoln. As a young business owner, I see the changes from Gov. Pete Ricketts and state Sen. Jim Smiths income tax relief plan as an investment for the future. While many may say that a 1 percent reduction is not much today, over the years that number will continue to grow. With the reduction, that 1 percent that many would be able to save, invest or spend would keep paying dividends year after year. To be competitive, Nebraska has to start reducing taxes now. Most dont realize it, but the top tax bracket in Nebraska kicks in at $29,831 for single Nebraskans and $59,661 for couples. As a small business owner, I have to carefully watch and account for the smallest of details. When talking about a 1 percent reduction, it can mean the difference between growth and stagnation. One percent can be the difference between planning on reducing or adding team members. On behalf of Nebraska small business owners and entrepreneurs, I urge the Legislature to act this session to reduce income tax relief by passing LB 337. Adrian Suarez Omaha Im trying to organize my photos because my computer says Im totally out of memory and need to delete items to make more room. I read somewhere that if youre disorganized in the real world, youre most likely just as equally disorganized in the digital world as well, and that sure fits as far as Im concerned. But in all this deleting and sending to a cloud and whatever, I came across the photos I took at Peggys Cove this last summer. It's an adorable fishing village on the Atlantic just about 40 minutes or so from Halifax, Nova Scotia, in the Atlantic Maritimes, a group of islands east of the Canadian mainland Id been to Halifax once before, and while its a lovely sophisticated city, several other people I know have traveled to Peggys Cove. So with one day in port, we decided to go there. Of course, a lot of people had the same idea, and at first the person selling tickets for the Grayline tour said there wasnt any space left. I must have looked really pathetic because they let us board the bus! The ride through along the rugged shoreline is beautiful and our tour guide, dressed in a kilt (but not carrying bagpipes) was very informative. Peggys Cove has that adorable fishing village thing going on. Dating back more than 150 years, their lighthouse is the most photographed in Canada. The houses and shops strung along the coastline and the bay that cuts through the large smooth boulders are painted bright colors of blue, red and yellow. But it really is a fishing village, and lobster is one of the main catches here. In 2014, our kilted guide told us, some 700 license holders on Nova Scotias South Shore caught nearly 6,000 metric tons, or tonnes as its written up on the island. Thats the most ever recorded going back to the 1800's. Now I did the math so you dont have too, but thats 12,000,000 pounds. Its no wonder theres an abundance of seafood shacks selling lobster rolls for an amazingly cheap price and that lobster in all sorts of formsgrilled cheese and lobster sandwiches, lobster BLTs, lobster mac and cheese and, of course, steamed lobster served with melted butterare served in restaurants And, it turns out, lobsters come in more colors than just brick red. Blue lobsters are rarer but theyve been turning up here, and there are also yellow shelled lobster as well. So since we were in lobster central, our guide gave us a lesson in how to differentiate between a male and female. Here are the basic rules if you decide to do this at home: pick up the lobster with extreme caution, being careful to stay away from the reach of its claws. Flip it over so that the soft side is exposed. The mid-section of the female has two little soft antennae-like features pointing towards the thorax; the males have the same feature only theyre firmer and thicker. Bottom line, females are tastier, he told us, because you get the roe or lobster eggs as a bonus. Now, unfortunately, lobster is not plentiful or cheap in Northwest Indiana. But people at Peggys Cove told me you can substitute other seafood such as shrimp and scallops to make a delicious seafood sandwichkind of a mock lobster roll. Shrimp Roll Recipe courtesy of Taste of Nova Scotia. 1 pound uncooked frozen shrimp, thawed, cleaned and deveined 2-3 tablespoons olive oil Salt Pepper 1/4 cup mayonnaise 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 green onions, chopped 1 stalk celery, finely chopped 1 teaspoon fresh dill, finely chopped 4 hot dog buns or Kaiser rolls, split 1-2 tablespoons of butter, softened 4 Boston or Bibb lettuce leaves Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. In a medium bowl combine the mayo, lemon juice, celery and dill. Set aside. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Place the shrimp on the baking sheets and drizzle with olive oil (making sure all the shrimp are lightly coated). Sprinkle with salt and a small amount of pepper. Bake for 6 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for 2-3 minutes. Lightly butter the insides of the buns or rolls and toast them until golden brown. Then line with lettuce leaves. Set aside. Add the shrimp to the mayo mix and gently fold until all of the shrimp are coated. Stuff the shrimp filling into the buns and serve immediately. Nova Scotia Blueberry Grunt 4 cups Nova Scotia wild blueberries (fresh or frozen) or just good old Michigan blueberries 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice 2 cups flour 1 tablespoons baking powder 1 teaspoon sugar 12 teaspoon salt 12 cup butter 1 egg About 1/2 cup milk Preheat oven to 425F. Pour blueberries into oven-safe deep-dish pie plate and add sugar and lemon or lime juice. Stir well, then place dish in oven and bake berries uncovered. 10 to 15 minutes for fresh berries or 20 minutes for frozen berries. While the berries are in the oven, make the biscuits: in a large bowl whisk flour, baking powder, sugar and salt to mix. Break butter into pieces with hands and add to flour mixture. Cut the butter into flour with a fork until butter and flour are combined in small crumbly pieces. Crack egg into a measuring cup and top with milk to 34 cup. Mix egg and milk with a fork. Add to flour mixture and blend with fork until combined mix in any remaining dry bits with hands. Take hot blueberries out of oven scoop biscuit dough with a 14 cup measuring cup and arrange on top of hot berries (approximately 11 biscuits). Carefully cover dish tightly with aluminum foil and return to oven. Bake, covered, 15 minutes. Remove dish from oven and carefully remove foil. Place dish back in oven and continue to bake, uncovered, for 10 more minutes or until biscuits are lightly golden. Let cool for 10 minutes or so the longer the grunt sits, the more blueberry liquid the biscuits soak up. Serve warm with ice cream or whipped cream. Note: To make it less sweet use 34 cup sugar instead of 1 cup. Lakeshore Public Media, the Merrillville-based National Public Radio and Public Broadcasting Service affiliate, could face the loss of 17 percent of its revenue if sweeping federal cuts come to pass. U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, R-Colorado Springs, has proposed a bill that would cut federal funding to NPR and PBS. The Hill, a newspaper and website covering Congress, and other media outlets reported the Trump administration outlined plans with career White House staff to cut off federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a nonprofit that distributes about $445 million in tax dollars a year to more than 1,500 local public radio and television stations across the country. The administration is seeking dramatic cuts, including termination of agencies like the National Endowment for the Arts, in an effort to trim the budget and cut $10.5 trillion in spending over the next decade. Lakeshore Public Media Chief Executive Officer James Muhammad recently wrote a letter to Lakeshore listeners and viewers about the proposals to slash all federal funding to public broadcasting. About 17 percent nearly one-fifth of Lakeshore Public Medias current operating budget comes from federal tax dollars. I wanted to take a minute and let you know that this has not caught us by surprise and we are fully engaged in conversations with our colleagues in Washington to keep funding at current levels, Muhammad wrote. There is no doubt that public broadcasting is highly valued and beloved by millions of Americans, including many influential Members of Congress." Public broadcasters have cultivated bipartisan support over the last several years, and both the Republican House and Republican Senate fully funded the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in the last two sessions of Congress. Lakeshore Public Media also has established a relationship with Vice President Mike Pence, who was a radio host before he got into politics and was named a "Champion of Public Broadcasting" in 2014, according to Muhammad. Muhammad said that the station might need to call on grassroots support from listeners and viewers since it seems everything has changed these days and we recognize the threats regarding federal funding cannot be taken lightly. "The impact would be significant," Muhammad said. "Those funds go directly to costs, such as content from American Public Television and independent producers." The elimination of federal funding would hurt Lakeshore's ability to buy national programming, put together local shows like "CounterPoint with Garrard McClendon," to help distribute locally made documentaries like "Shifting Sands" and to be involved in the community, such as with its community conversations on race, justice and immigration. "It threatens the business model," Muhammad said. "This is supposed to be independent alternative content that is not commercially viable, whether educational, history, news or public access." Lakeshore provides programming that's accessible to the entire public, whether giving people a chance to see the New York Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera, teaching them about history with Ken Burns documentaries, or informing them about science with shows like "Nova," Muhammad said. "We have the best educational programming, and the model is to provide the content to all children," he said. "When we do parades, the kids in downtown Gary run to Clifford the Big Red Dog the way kids in downtown Crown Point run to Clifford. The point and the mission is that we provide an educational experience that does not discriminate. It's available to all." Other funding sources NPR and PBS affiliates across the nation rely mainly on sources of income other than federal, such as grants from private foundations and individual donations made during pledge drives. NPR estimated in 2013 that only 5 percent of its overall revenue came from state and federal tax dollars. I can tell you that the vast majority of our support comes from our listeners, followed by sponsors and foundations, said Senior Director of Community Engagement and Marketing Communications Haley Carlson with WBEZ in Chicago. Indiana Public Media, which operates the WFIU radio station and WTIU television station in Bloomington gets about 15 percent of its overall budget from the federal government. Public broadcasters in cities with more engaged audiences often get only a fraction of their operating budgets from the federal government, while NPR and PBS affiliates in more rural areas sometimes depend on federal funding for 40 percent to 50 percent of their annual budgets, Station Operations Director John Bailey said. Were probably in a fortunate situation, he said. We believe we would be able to survive in the near term without any programming or staffing cuts. In fact there would probably be somewhat of a spike in individual giving. Bloomington's Indiana Public Media, however, likely would not be able to recoup the entire $1.2 million it would lose if federal funding were cut. Long-term ramifications While stronger stations would survive, weaker stations those carrying a lot of debt or operating close to the bone might go under, Bailey said. Some might hang on through joint operating agreements, but it could have a long-term ripple effect. PBS and NPR would have fewer stations to buy their programs, which could lead them to jack up fees, pinching the finances of the remaining stations, Bailey said. Theyd have to make up the lost fees, and the survivors might then have to tighten their belts, he said. In some ways, it would have chilling effects on innovation. Local stations might respond by playing popular programs like "Morning Edition" and "All Things Considered" for four or five hours to stretch their purchasing dollars, Bailey said. They might run shows for two or three more reruns to cut programming costs. Some might deem national programs too expensive and devote more airtime to locally-made music shows that are relatively cheap to produce. A big return for little Talk of cutting federal funding to public broadcasting has been ongoing for decades, said Andy Klotz, director of marketing and promotion for WFYI in Indianapolis. But studies have shown it yields a return on investment of about $6 or $7 for every $1.35 spent, and 83 percent of people surveyed say they would ask their congressional representatives to look elsewhere to cut funding before eliminating public television, he said. A survey commissioned by PBS found 73 percent opposed ending federal funding for public television. Time after time, theyve understood the importance of public media to the general public, he said. It has strong support across the aisle. WFYI is in the process of putting together a page on its website to explain to listeners whats going on, and encourages them to voice their opinion on www.protectmypublicmedia.org. Everybody understands the educational value of PBS, that its a trusted educational media provider and its free, he said. People understand you cant get something for nothing. VALPARAISO Cooks Corners Elementary School second-grader Carson Kinsey's eyes literally lit up with joy when he thought about the possibility of riding on a bright red fire truck simply for doing something he loves anyway, reading a good book. "I really like fire trucks. I like that they can spray water and I like how weee- doo, weee-doo when they are racing down the street," he said, making the sound of a fire truck. Fifth-grader Katherine Webber was a little more reticent but still excited. "I think it will be pretty cool to be picked up at home, especially for the younger kids," Katherine said with a wide smile. "Just being able to ride on the truck instead of the school bus will be pretty cool." The pair are among the students at Cooks Corners Elementary School who will participate in the "Fired Up for Reading" program announced Thursday by Valparaiso Fire Chief Chad Dutz. The students who read the most books will get an opportunity to ride to school in the fire truck, with the truck picking them up at home. Dutz said he wanted to find a way to connect with school children in a positive manner aside from the department responding to emergency calls in the neighborhood. "I talked to the principal about a way to encourage young people to read and get an opportunity to ride on the truck," he said. "It's a way for us to engage students. Our department will connect with schools and the children and it's important for them to see how important reading is for us." Dutz said if this program, which begins next month, is successful the department would like to expand it to the other elementary schools in Valparaiso. Valparaiso Mayor Jon Costas, who was on hand when the chief and principal Elaina Miller explained the program to children, said he thought it was a great idea and a good way to promote reading. Cooks Corners principal Elaina Miller said the school has 270 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. She said students will have an opportunity to read the books of their choice and at their level. Each student will conference with their respective teachers and set realistic goals on the number of books they'd like to read in a month. Cooks Corners, like several other schools in the Valparaiso Community School Corp., is under construction. Cooks Corner will get eight new classrooms, a new gym and the entire interior will be updated to serve nearly 450 students after redistricting. In May 2015, Valparaiso voters approved two referendums, one for the general fund, the other for construction. The $148 million construction referendum includes building a new elementary school south of U.S. 30; renovating seven of the eight elementary schools; building additions onto Memorial, Cooks Corners and Parkview elementary schools; renovating the high school and building a new high school pool. The general fund referendum will raise $4.4 million per year for seven years. It will fund teacher salaries, technology and mental health workers. CROWN POINT The Lake County E-911 Department Friday released an audio recording of a Feb. 15 police pursuit that ended in the traffic death of a Whiting teenager. The Times requested the audio document in the wake of East Chicago and Hammond investigating whether their police departments violated their policies in continuing the pursuit given the minor nature of the crime and after it reached unsafe speeds in crowded rush-hour traffic. The 18-minute, 40-second file starts at 4:33 p.m. Feb. 15 with police dispatching East Chicago Officer Solorio to an East Chicago grocery store at 4725 Indianapolis Blvd. to investigate a shoplifting incident. Officer Solorio's first name is not audible in the tape, nor is it listed in a probable cause affidavit related to shoplifting. It records conversations of 911 dispatchers as well as police chasing the suspects through East Chicago and Hammond. Mark Swiderski, county E-911 director, said part of the recording had to be electronically redacted. The voices of dispatchers and police go silent as they discuss the defendants following their capture. It records the aftermath of the collision at Gostlin Street and Columbia Avenue between the suspects' vehicle and a second car that killed Julianna Chambers, 13, and severely injured her grandmother, Theresa Paramo, 57, of Whiting, who had to be hospitalized. Her current condition is undisclosed. About a minute before that crash, someone suggested on the tape terminating the chase if this was only a property crime, and another officer responded it was more serious, since suspects had nearly injured a police officer. A man's voice says, "If this is for the stolen beer, we'll terminate." Seconds later, another replies, "Negative central. Advise they also tried to run (unintelligible) over." Police are overheard calling in the collision, reporting the capture of the suspects and repeatedly asking dispatchers to rush medics to the scene. Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said Friday afternoon the city's Pursuit Review Board is investigating the event and awaiting evidence from the E-911 tapes and an Indiana State Police traffic accident reconstruction probe. He said no disciplinary action has been taken against the Hammond officers. McDermott said, "They are both devastated." "It's a horrible situation and a tragedy and unfortunate loss of life for a young, innocent victim," he said, adding an attorney for the family already has contacted the two cities about potential litigation. East Chicago City Attorney Carla Morgan, said, "This matter is still under active investigation. The city, Mayor (Anthony) Copeland, and East Chicago Police Chief Frank Smith continue to express our sincere condolences to the family." Police said the incident that began as a shoplifting theft quickly escalated. Solorio arrived at the grocery to find Jessica S. Pichon, 27, of Danville, Illinois, leaving the store with a case of beer she is accused of stealing. Solorio said he ordered her to stop, but she jumped into a blue Dodge Durango, driven by Donnell Howard Jr., 31, of Highland. Solorio had to maneuver quickly to avoid being hit as the suspects sped away. Police said the suspects' car fled south on Indianapolis Boulevard with Solorio and Officer Godoy in a pursuit that wound for four minutes through East Chicago streets before entering Hammond. Officer Godoy's first name is not listed in the probable cause affidavit. Police said Hammond officers joined the pursuit that continued west on Michigan Street until the suspects made a u-turn near Hohman Avenue and doubled back east on Michigan, north on Calumet and east on Gostlin, according to the document. The suspects survived the accident and are awaiting trial in Lake Criminal Court on charges of reckless homicide, resisting law enforcement and theft, according to police. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy TINLEY PARK, Ill. Authorities say thieves broke into a suburban Chicago car dealership, stole five vehicles and fled to Interstate 57. The theft which led to a police chase occurred after 11 p.m. on Friday night at Bettenhausen Automotive in Tinley Park. Authorities recovered one of the vehicles immediately. Other drivers were last seen on Interstate 57. The vehicles include a 2013 Dodge Charger and 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Dealership owners are working with authorities and reviewing surveillance video of the lot. Several thefts have occurred recently at dealerships in Chicago and its suburbs. BURNS HARBOR A young unlicensed female from Illinois was injured Saturday afternoon after getting into a rollover crash in her mother's car, according to Indiana State Police. The juvenile driver was taken to Porter Hospital in Valparaiso for treatment following the crash at the U.S. 20 exit from Interstate 94 in Burns Harbor. Police said the injuries were not life threatening. At about 1:53 p.m. Saturday, state troopers were notified of an erratic driver heading east on I-94 near Ripley Street. A trooper spotted the vehicle traveling at speeds from 50 to 110 mph and changing lanes without signaling. Police said the trooper activated his signal and siren, but the vehicle failed to yield, according to state police. The vehicle reportedly failed to properly negotiate the U.S. 20 exit ramp at Burns Harbor, went into a ditch, and rolled over several times before coming to rest on its wheels. Police said the juvenile's family has been notified and that charges will be filed through the Porter County Juvenile Court. The vehicle was towed from the scene. INDIANAPOLIS The status of race and gender in Indiana courts is the subject of a community forum Monday in Gary. The Indiana Supreme Court's Commission on Race and Gender Fairness is hosting the public event at 6 p.m. Region time in Anderson Library on the Indiana University Northwest campus, 3400 Broadway. Free parking is available in Lot 2. The meeting will feature small group discussions aimed at encouraging dialogue between the community and the courts. The commission held similar forums in 2001 and 2010 to hear first-hand citizen concerns about race and gender fairness in Indiana's courtrooms. More information about the event is online at courts.in.gov. GARY A Valparaiso University nursing student was killed and three others were injured in a crash early Thursday on southbound Interstate 65 near U.S. 20, police said. Samantha Sable-Salvador, 20, of Hoffman Estates, Illinois, died at Methodist Hospitals Northlake Campus after the crash at about 6:11 a.m., officials said. Fog may have played a role. "Valparaiso University lost a valued member of its community, Samantha Salvador, a sophomore nursing student who touched the lives of many. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Samanthas family and friends, and we ask for the public and media to respect their privacy during this time of mourning," said VU spokesperson Nichole Niemi in an email statement. Niemi confirmed that the four people in the car were College of Nursing and Health Professions' students on their way to a clinical Thursday morning. Sable-Salvador was a passenger in a green 2001 Honda Civic driven by a 19-year-old Hebron woman, according to Indiana State Police. The woman was attempting to make a left turn from I-65 to U.S. 20 when she mistakenly drove into a turn lane and the Honda went airborne after hitting a raised median divider, police said. The Honda hit a beige 2013 Chevrolet Malibu driven by a 26-year-old Chicago Heights man, police said. Besides Sable-Salvador, two other passengers in the Honda were seriously injured, police said. One of them was flown to Loyola Medical Center and another was flown to an Indianapolis hospital for treatment. The drivers of both vehicles had non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Police said drivers should use extra caution when driving in foggy conditions. Police shut down the southbound lanes of I-65 for more than an hour for an investigation. For decades, firefighters have proudly carried the moniker "smoke eaters." The dirtier their bunker gear, the better. The more soot and grime they had on their helmets was a badge of pride. It all meant they were tough, hard-working men and women. That attitude is now changing, however, as studies are showing firefighters are more likely than the general population to be diagnosed with certain kinds of cancer. A five-year study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health looked at some 30,000 firefighters from Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. The study indicated firefighters had a greater number of cancer diagnoses and cancer-related deaths than the general population, including digestive, oral, respiratory, urinary, bladder, prostate, lung, leukemia and mesothelioma cancers. Reports of cancer deaths of firefighters who had been at Ground Zero on 9/11 began the awareness of the connection between the career and disease, said Portage Assistant Chief Tim Sosby. "Firefighters have known of the link for a long time because we never live long enough to get our pensions," said Portage Fire Chief Tom Fieffer. Times have also changed, said both Fieffer and Crown Point Fire Chief Greg DeLor. Up until 40 or 50 years ago, most furniture was wood and natural fibers. Today, they said, everything is made of plastics or other synthetics which can give off some toxic chemicals when burned. "Today a TV is a gallon of gas hanging on the wall," Fieffer said. "Everything is a synthetic. It burns hotter and faster." Fieffer and Sosby took the information from the NIOSH study and decided they needed to do something to help their firefighters live longer lives. The answer was to adopt more stringent requirements to help reduce the risk of cancer. Last fall Portage adopted an eight-step program, including an aggressive decontamination protocol. The steps include continuing to wear their breathing apparatus after the fire is struck and during overhaul when exposure to carcinogens in the atmosphere continue to pose a risk. Firefighters are also required to perform a gross field decontamination at the scene by brushing off all debris and hosing down their boots before entering any apparatus, followed by removing bunker gear, hood and gloves and using specially designed wipes to wipe their heads, face, neck, arms and hands. Firefighters are required to wash their bunker gear and uniforms upon returning to the station, shower as soon as possible and exchange their hoods and gloves for a second set. They must also decontaminate the inside of the cab of the fire apparatus once they return to station. DeLor said his department has also strengthened its policy to help protect its firefighters. A training officer is charged with educating his fellow firefighters on better decontamination procedures. His firefighters are required to hose down at scenes, before returning to the station. They are also provided wipes to clean their exposed skin from contaminants as soon as possible. Inside the stations are signs telling firefighters not to wear their bunker gear into living quarters. While his firefighters don't have a second set of bunker gear, they are required to launder their gear after a fire and, if needed, more often than not will borrow gear from another firefighter who works another turn, DeLor said. They also are required to take off their hoods during overhaul instead of rolling them down around their necks, which increased contaminant-to-skin contact. Michigan City firefighters have annual physicals including a screening for cancers related to firefighters, said Michigan City Fire Department public information officer Tony Drzewiecki. His peers also are required to wash their bunker gear and uniforms after returning from a fire and sometimes use special solutions, depending on the type of exposure. Hobart Fire Chief Brian Kerr said the firefighters union and administration in his city have expressed concerns about results of recent studies. While they don't have an extra set of gear to wash immediately after returning from a structure fire, said Kerr, they have a protocol that the following turn crew would wash the gear and the next turn would dry it so the original crew would have clean gear when they return to work. Kerr said each of their rigs carries decontamination kits, including wipes to cleanse themselves after a fire. HAMMOND A baby dies about once a week in Lake and Porter counties. A local nonprofit organization has received funding to try to change that. Mental Health America of Lake County recently was awarded a Safety PIN (Protecting Indiana's Newborns) grant from the state to try to reduce the rate of infant deaths in the Region. The organization held meetings Friday to discuss how it planned to spend the money and connect with other agencies that aim to keep babies alive. "Every baby deserves to celebrate his or her first birthday," said Renae Vania-Tomczak, president and CEO of Mental Health America of Lake County. Indiana has the eighth-highest infant mortality rate in the nation. The state's alarming number of infant deaths was the subject of a recent Times series, "What's Killing Indiana's Infants." Locally, Northwest Indiana has among the highest infant mortality rates in the state. East Chicago had the highest rate of any Indiana ZIP code between 2010 and 2014, while ZIP codes in Hammond, Merrillville, LaPorte and Michigan City were in the top 25. Late last year, the Indiana State Department of Health awarded $12.9 million in grants to 10 organizations around the state working to reduce infant mortality. Mental Health America is set to receive $1.1 million over the next four years. The organization is guaranteed half of that money and will get the second half if infant mortality falls in Lake and Porter counties by the end of 2018. The money will fund the distribution of baby sleep bundles, the Baby & Me Tobacco Free program and gifts for breastfeeding moms. The sleep bundles are modeled after the baby boxes that are given to new parents in the country of Finland, which has one of the lowest infant mortality rates in the world. The mattress-lined cardboard boxes ensure that infants have a safe sleeping environment. Public health experts say that babies always should sleep alone, on their backs and in cribs (the "ABCs" of safe sleep). Accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed is the third leading cause of death for Indiana infants. The free bundles will be available to any parent or caregiver, regardless of income, who is an Indiana resident and completes an online infant sleep education course. The bundles also contain diapers and other baby supplies. Baby & Me Tobacco Free provides free diapers to women who quit smoking during their pregnancies. Smoking can cause low birth weights and harm a baby's lungs, heart and sleep arousal, potentially leading to sudden infant death syndrome. Participants have to go to four prenatal and 12 postnatal sessions and blow into a carbon monoxide monitor to prove they've quit smoking. They are then eligible for a $25 diaper voucher for each of their baby's first 12 months. The program is open to all pregnant women and their partners, as long as they are Indiana residents. Mental Health America of Lake County also offers free, one-hour safe sleep education classes to all parents and caregivers from Indiana. Upon completion, participants receive a free Pack 'n Play portable crib. "Our goal here is for every pregnant woman in Lake County to be touched by our infant safe sleep program," said Victor Garcia, vice president of operations for Mental Health America of Lake County. "Just because you can afford the Pack 'n Play doesn't mean you understand safe sleep. The important piece of this is the education. If you don't need the Pack 'n Play, send it to grandma's house or an aunt's house." Mental Health America of Lake County also does the Healthy Families, Parents as Teachers and Empowering Teens as Parents home visitation programs. Participants who breastfeed will now receive free breastfeeding covers as an incentive. Research shows that breastfeeding lowers infant mortality because it prevents and reduces the severity of infections, improves respiratory function and causes babies to be more easily aroused from sleep. INDIANAPOLIS Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb will be traveling to Washington, D.C., for the three-day National Governors Association conference that starts on Saturday. The governor's office says Holcomb will take part in governors association sessions all three days, along with meetings at the White House and with the state's congressional delegation. Holcomb and his wife, Janet, plan to attend the annual White House reception and dinner for the governors on Sunday. This will be Holcomb's first trip to a National Governors Association conference since his November election. He was in Washington the week after he took office for the Jan. 20 inauguration of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who was Holcomb's predecessor as governor. SACRAMENTO California Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday proposed spending $437 million on flood control and emergency response in the waterlogged state. The Democratic governor asked state lawmakers to redirect $50 million from the general fund and requested a $387 million appropriation from the voter-approved 2014 Proposition 1 water bond. Weve got to belly up to the bar and start spending money, Brown said in a news conference at the state Capitol. Brown also is seeking updates on flood inundation maps and emergency action plans as well as enhanced dam inspections. Northern California has received more than twice the normal amount of rain and snow this winter, breaking five years of drought. Full rivers and water surging from dam spillways are pouring water into the Central Valley, a 450-mile-long depression running north and south through the heart of California. The region absorbs runoff from coastal mountains and the Sierra Nevada. California has $187 billion in unmet needs for water and transportation infrastructure, Brown said. He suggested it can only be addressed with tax increases but said he wasnt prepared to offer the full answer to raising enough money to shore up infrastructure. This is not an isolated set of problems, Brown said. Its part of a larger picture of a state with 40 million people having to deal with the impacts of a modern civilization. Despite what you hear from many conservatives, there has to be a very healthy public expenditure based on taxes. In letters to officials in President Donald Trumps administration, Brown asked for an expedited environmental review to speed up what he characterized as the states most urgent infrastructure needs. He identified repairs at the damaged Oroville Dam and nine other projects, including high speed rail, major highway improvements in Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area, and demolition of the old Bay Bridge. Brown said he hopes the state will see $12 billion over each of the next 10 years as part of Trumps proposal to generate $1 trillion in infrastructure spending. SANTA ANA The morning after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement notified the city it would terminate its contract at Santa Ana Jail, a small group of immigrants rights activists gathered, Friday, outside the detention facility to celebrate and claim credit. For the past four years, immigrants rights groups and community members have pressured Santa Ana to back off the contract with ICE that the city has been using to repay its jail build debt. We applaud the community for the end of this contract after over a decade of profiting off the backs of the immigrant community, said Roberto Herrera, 25, a community engagement advocate for Resilience OC who was among about 10 activists gathered Friday. On Thursday, the city received a letter from ICE giving a 90-day notice of termination, which under the existing contract, set to expire June 30, 2020, could have been served by either party. Jennicet Gutierrez, a community organizer for the Familia Trans Queer Liberation Movement, pointed to organized actions in 2014 and 2015, and a several-day hunger strike in May 2016 that pushed the city council to vote in favor of phasing out the contract. We were putting pressure on council members to put an end to the contract and give us the respect and dignity we deserve as human beings, Gutierrez said. ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice said in a statement Thursday that 74 immigration detainees remained at the jail, at 62 Civic Center Plaza, and that they would be transferred to housing within the agencys detention system. Santa Ana faces a $24 million debt plus interest through 2024 for building the jail it opened in 1997, and receives about $340,000 in monthly revenue from the ICE contract. Hairo Cortes, program coordinator for Orange County Immigrant Youth United, called on the city to make amends for having participated in the human detention for-profit system by advocating for the detainees release instead of transfer to another facility. For us now, its more about how do we replicate the efforts that happened here in Santa Ana, Cortes said. And how do we use this not as a onetime thing, but actually as a broader argument for why immigrant detention isnt a system that should exist. Contact the writer: 714-796-7762 or jkwong@ocregister.com or on Twitter: @JessicaGKwong SANTA ANA U.S. District Court Judge David O. Carter issued a temporary restraining order Friday that prohibits county workers from seizing the property of homeless people living along the Santa Ana Riverbed near Angel Stadium without giving 24-hour notice. The county also is prevented from destroying any belongings that have not been abandoned and dont present an immediate threat to public health or safety, or is evidence of a crime, or contraband, and must store seized property for at least 90 days. Essential items, such as medication and identification, must be accessible within a 15-minute walk. Carters order is related to one of two lawsuits filed this month on behalf of homeless people displaced from tent encampments by an O.C. Public Works project on the east bank of the river. The county plans to store tons of boulders and sand in an area above a maintenance road running south from Orangewood Avenue in Anaheim to the 22 Freeway in Orange. The judge set March 6 to hear arguments over a preliminary injunction requested in the lawsuit brought by the nonprofit Elder Law and Disability Rights Center on behalf of five homeless people and a ministry that serves them. The suit alleges that county workers illegally destroyed the property of the homeless plaintiffs. The latest court action unfolded in the mid-morning Friday as the last of hundreds of homeless people moved out of the area, earmarked for stockpiling materials for use in flood control. Miles away, about a dozen Chapman University students staged a protest they call Stop the Rocks near the countys Hall of Administration at the Santa Ana Civic Center. A Thursday deadline to move had been set under a settlement in a different lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union. Where a week ago dozens of tents and makeshift dwellings stretched for a mile between Orangewood and Chapman avenues, only about 20 remained Friday. Several tent dwellers continued to stuff belongings into shopping carts and baby carriages or pile things aboard homemade trailers hitched to bicycles as police and sheriffs department cruisers rolled past. Most people relocated across the river, assisted by advocates with trucks and cars who worked into the early morning hours. The scene left behind resembled the scattered upheaval in a tornados wake. Eve Garrow, a homelessness policy analyst with the ACLU in Orange County, observed as county crews bagged and tagged items to be stored, or tossed obvious trash, such as rotting food or mildewed mattresses, into a garbage truck. Theres no deadline for considering everything trash, Garrow said, looking down at an Igloo cooler and two couch cushions nearby on the ground. They need to pack and tag it and store it. Contact the writer: 714-796-7793 or twalker@ocregister.com or on Twitter @TellTheresa How do you thank someone for saving your life? Brian Dunn, 45, an anesthesiologist who got a new kidney on Jan. 30, sat down and wrote an email, the most important email of his life. It needed to convey how his donor had given him the gift of time: Time to be a good dad to his 7-year-old daughter, time to be a good husband, time to be a good doctor with a new sense of compassion for patients who are just as vulnerable as he had been. Colleen Coleman, 51, a surgeon who donated her kidney to Dunn, got emotional when she received Dunns email. They had been friendly for more than a decade, working across the operating table from each other, but never friends. Now, they are forever connected by her kidney. That letter was very touching to me, she said. Then the other letters arrived a letter from Dunns wife, a letter from his mother. When she got back to work at Hoag Hospital Newport Beach, the hallway was lined with streamers. There were flowers, a cake, and so many people calling her a hero. I did not understand how impactful it would be to help someone in this way, Coleman said. There is a benefit to giving. But hero is a very embarrassing word. She almost wasnt a hero at all. Movie music Drs. Dunn and Coleman, who went to Irvine High, met in 2003. He remembers the first time. He brought music into the operating room. If she got to pick, she would love to hear heavy metal Metallica, she said. But Dunn brought in theme songs from movies. He played music from Superman, Batman and Raiders of the Lost Ark. He would ask her to name the film. She knew her movies, Dunn said. That was our connection. What she didnt know was how sick he had been, and how his illness had changed his life. History of trouble When he was 16, Dunn got a stomach ache after a track meet. He grew up in Menlo Park, in Northern California, where, as a teenager, he had been a budding track star. Dunn went to the doctor, who discovered a large tumor in his stomach, and an enlarged testicle. Brian Dunn felt doomed. The doctor told me I had less than a 1 percent chance to live, Dunn said. He told us to consider hospice care. My father cried for the first time I had ever seen him cry, Dunn said. But his parents did research and found him a miracle. They took him to Indianapolis, where he had a new kind of chemotherapy, which had a different mix of drugs than he had been using in Menlo Park. The chemo saved him, but it cost him dearly. It ruined his kidneys. Dunn was the valedictorian of his graduating class. He went to Stanford, then medical school at UC Irvine. He decided to become an anesthesiologist, knowing his immune system had been compromised. He would try to stay away from unknown, communicable diseases. When was 25, he took a physical and found that his kidney was failing. His mother, Judith, stepped up and donated her kidney without hesitation. When your mother does that, you better come home for Christmas, Dunn said. Donated kidneys, Dunn said, can last a couple of decades. 20 years later In October of 2015, Dunn could feel his health slipping away. He had become an anesthesiologist at Hoag, bouncing from hospitals in Newport Beach and Irvine. I started dragging, he said. Holy crap, I felt bad. He and his wife, Dianne, had adopted a daughter (conceiving a child was another cost of chemotherapy), and he was having a tough time keeping up with then 6-year-old Caroline. In April of 2016, he started dialysis, which he called my prison. He had to have his system washed out four times per day. It zapped his time and his strength. He needed another transplant. At first, his chances looked promising. A woman in Ladera Ranch, where he lived with is family, had been tested and was a match for Dunn. But she backed out of the surgery. I thought, its not going to happen, Dunn said. Around that same time, Colleen Coleman had heard that Dunn needed a donor. She had worked, as a young medical student, on the harvest team at UCLA. For three years, she had worked with recipients of organ donations. One day in the operating room, Coleman looked across at Dunn, who was looking sick. She asked him, What blood type are you? He was A-negative. Me too, she said. Second thoughts Coleman went home that night and asked her husband, Dr. William Wallace, an obstetrician-gynecologist, what he would think if she donated a kidney. I wouldnt give up one of my kidneys, he said. Im giving up one of mine, she said. Heres the problem, Coleman wasnt a match for Dunn. At least thats what the testing company told her. She admitted she was relieved. Though she has been a surgeon, the thought of going under the knife scared her. So Dunn kept hoping. He found another match, a patient suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrigs disease). His doctor advised him not to take that kidney. Then, last June, the testing company called back and said it had made a mistake. They re-tested Coleman and found she was a match. Dunn said his first reaction was to feel guilty because he would be putting Coleman through such pain. She could have stopped the process there. She considered backing out. You should have second thoughts, Coleman said. What if I died in the process? But she thought about her grandmother, who died of kidney failure. Colemans mother had been 6 when her mother died. Brian Dunns daughter then was 6. I didnt want his daughter to grow up without a dad, Coleman said. Coleman organized a dinner so her husband and two children could meet Dunn, his wife and his daughter. Her husband changed his attitude after meeting Dunn. You better follow through, he said. Transplant day Dunn gave Coleman a set of Tiffany earrings, each in the shape of a kidney. Coincidentally, Coleman gave Dunn a Tiffany money clip in the shape of a kidney. When the transplant was over, Coleman went to see him. I wanted to make sure my kidney could pee, she said. As it turned out, everything went as planned. Three weeks after the surgery, Dunn said he is feeling as vibrant as he is grateful. So what did he write in that letter? Here is just a part: I am so excited about what a new kidney will mean to my life. First and foremost, it will greatly prolong my life. Ive been told that every year on dialysis takes three years off your life. The transplant list in California is about 15 years long 15 years of dialysis wouldnt leave me much life even if I eventually got one through that route. The most distressing part of this process was thinking of my 7-year-old daughter, Caroline, growing up without a father. Shes a tough kid, but shes also a daddys girl. I need to be there for her. And this kidney will help that be possible Its hard for me to rely on other people. I usually try to get through problems on my own I guess I have some trust issues. Im also a bit of a people-pleaser. I want to be seen as self-sufficient and not a burden to anyone You got retested after they said you werent a match the first time. You got all kinds of medical testing done to prove you could give a kidney. After a 9-month process, the procedure is going to happen. And it is largely due to your hard work and perseverance Monday, January 30th is a day Ill remember forever. Its the day that someone did something truly selfless for me. Colleen, you are an answer to prayer and an amazing example to everyone around you. Thank you for your sacrifice. Contact the writer: ksharon@scng.com WASHINGTON The Trump administration has enlisted senior members of the intelligence community and Congress in efforts to counter news stories about Trump associates ties to Russia, a politically charged issue that has been under investigation by the FBI as well as lawmakers now defending the White House. Acting at the behest of the White House, the officials made calls to news organizations last week in attempts to challenge stories about alleged contacts between members of President Donald Trumps campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives, U.S. officials said. The calls were orchestrated by the White House after unsuccessful attempts by the administration to get senior FBI officials to speak with news organizations and dispute the accuracy of stories on the alleged contacts with Russia. The White House on Friday acknowledged those interactions with the FBI but did not disclose that it then turned to other officials who agreed to do what the FBI would not participate in White House-arranged calls with news organizations, including The Washington Post. Two of those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity a practice President Trump has condemned. The officials broadly dismissed Trump associates contacts with Russia as infrequent and inconsequential. But the officials would not answer substantive questions about the issue, and their comments were not published by The Post and do not appear to have been reported elsewhere. White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed that the White House communicated with officials with the aim of contesting reporting on Russia, but maintained that the administration did nothing improper. When informed by the FBI that the Russia-related reporting was false we told reporters who else they should contact to corroborate the FBIs version of the story. The decision to involve those officials could be perceived as threatening the independence of U.S. spy agencies that are supposed to remain insulated from partisan issues, as well as undercutting the credibility of ongoing congressional probes. Those officials saw their involvement as an attempt to correct coverage they believed to be erroneous. The effort also involved senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees. A spokesman for Nunes said that he had already begun speaking to reporters to challenge the story and then at the request of a White House communications aide, Chairman Nunes then spoke to an additional reporter and delivered the same message. Unlike the others, Nunes spoke on the record and was subsequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal. In an interview, Burr acknowledged that he had conversations about Russia-related news reports with the White House and engaged with news organizations to dispute articles by the New York Times and CNN that alleged repeated or constant contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. Ive had those conversations, Burr said, adding that he regarded the contacts as appropriate provided that I felt I had something to share that didnt breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation. The administrations push against the Russia coverage intensified Sunday when White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said in television interviews that he had been authorized by the top levels of the intelligence community to denounce reports on Trump campaign contacts with Russia as false. Priebuss denunciations ranged from calling the articles overstated to saying they were complete garbage. Administration officials said that Priebuss comments had been cleared by FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. In doing so, the FBIs leadership would appear to have been drawing a distinction between authorizing comments by a White House official and addressing the matter themselves. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement Friday evening saying that if the White House contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavorable news reports, this represents a new and even more grave threat to the independence of the intelligence community. Former intelligence officials expressed concern over the blurring of lines between intelligence and politics, with some recalling Republican accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence in its accounts of the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. I doubt that there was any enthusiasm from the intelligence leadership to get involved in this in the first place, former CIA director Michael Hayden said, noting that it seemed unlikely that Priebuss bluntly worded denials were consistent with the precise language favored by intelligence analysts. Think Benghazi here, Hayden said in an interview by email. This is what happens when the intel guys are leaned on for the narrative of the political speakers. The latter have different rules, words, purposes. Getting intel into that mix always ends unhappily, and it looks like we just did. The Trump administrations actions reflect its level of concern about coverage of its relationship with Russia. Trump has continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin, even after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had interfered in the U.S. presidential race to help Trump win. Trump has also repeatedly disparaged the intelligence agencies that his administration last week turned to for support. Shortly before taking office, Trump accused U.S. spy agencies of a Nazi-style leaks campaign to smear him. The White House statements on the issue Friday came after CNN reported that the FBI had refused administration requests to publicly knock down media reports about ties between Trump associates and Russian intelligence. Administration officials disputed the account, saying that rather than soliciting FBI feedback, Priebus had been pulled aside by McCabe on the morning of Feb. 15 and told, I want you to know that the New York Times story is BS. The FBI declined to discuss the matter. White House officials declined to comment on the administrations subsequent effort to enlist other government officials and would not agree to allow the identification of the intelligence officials who had spoken to The Post last week. In separate calls, those individuals insisted on being identified only as a senior intelligence official in the Trump administration and a senior member of the intelligence community. In a brief interview on the night of Feb. 15, the senior intelligence official said that the suggestion that there was frequent contact between Russians and Trump associates was false, describing any conversations as sporadic, limited and based on Russias interest in building a relationship with the future Trump administration rather than shaping the 2016 presidential race. The senior intelligence official appeared to be referring to contacts between Trumps designated national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump was sworn in as president. Flynn was forced out of his job earlier this month after The Post reported that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak and then misled Trump administration officials about the nature of his contacts. Officials at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on whether senior officials at those agencies had discussed Russia coverage with the White House or been involved in efforts to refute stories on that subject. CIA Director Mike Pompeo is the senior-most intelligence official in the administration, with former senator Dan Coats, R-Ind., still awaiting confirmation as director of national intelligence. As a Republican member of Congress, Pompeo was among the most fiercely partisan figures in the House investigation of Benghazi, which centered on accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence about the attacks for political purposes. It is not unusual for CIA leaders to have contact with news organizations, particularly about global issues such as terrorism or to contest news accounts of CIA operations. But involving the agency on alleged Trump campaign ties to Russia could be problematic. The CIA is not in charge of the investigation. Given the history of domestic espionage abuses in the United States, CIA officials are typically averse to being drawn into matters that involve U.S. citizens or might make the agency vulnerable to charges that it is politicizing intelligence. A U.S. intelligence official declined to discuss any Pompeo involvement except to say that he was not involved in drafting or approving statements for public use by the White House this past weekend on alleged Russian contacts. Whether there were such contacts remains a major point of contention. Beyond Flynn, the investigation has focused on other figures including Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, who had previously served as a paid political adviser to the Putin-backed president of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence reports cite multiple contacts between members of Trumps team and Russians with links to the Kremlin, during the campaign and afterward, according to officials who have seen them. Such reports were based on intercepted Russian communications and other sources, the officials said. Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, has resisted calls for his House committee to investigate alleged contacts between Trump associates and Russia. He said in an interview that after months of investigations, U.S. authorities have turned up no evidence of such contacts. Theyve looked, and its all a dead trail that leads me to believe no contact, not even pizza-delivery-guy contact, Nunes said, appearing to rule out even unwitting contact between Trump officials and Russian agents. Investigators, Nunes said, dont even have a lead. The Washington Posts Philip Rucker, Ellen Nakashima and Julie Tate contributed to this report. CAMP PENDLETON Japanese soldiers and U.S. Marines stormed Red Beach just after dawn Saturday in amphibious assault vehicles deployed from the USS Anchorage, a naval transport ship two miles off shore. The war exercise a culmination of a four-week training exercise known as Iron Fist 2017 was based on a fictional retake of a captured remote Japanese island, with Marines and Japanese light infantrymen storming the beaches. The scenario reflects some of Japans growing concerns over Chinas increasing military might and an ongoing conflict between the two countries over the disputed Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea. In 2012, Japan nationalized the islands, which are near rich fishing grounds and untapped natural gas. Exercises continue this week with Marines and Japanese soldiers moving to the bases interior and retaking key areas from enemy forces. They will conduct operations including route clearance, casualty evacuation drills and conclude the month-long exercise with a live-fire maneuver range on Wednesday. Earlier this month, in his first foreign trip as defense secretary, retired Marine Gen. James Mattis visited Japan, where he reaffirmed U.S. support in defending Japan and the Senkaku Islands. As part of Saturdays exercise, soldiers from the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force took the south end of the beach; Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit seized the north side. The assault vehicles enabled ground forces to secure a village on the beachs north end. At the south, Japanese soldiers waited to move further inland to take over another village. The exercise now in its 12th year is meant to improve U.S. and Japanese collaboration. It trains Japanese soldiers in Marine Corps strategies of operations from the air, land and sea. This years exercise involved 500 Marines from the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force and 350 Japanese solders and eight officers from the Japanese Navy. It also included two naval ships and air support. The month-long training exercise started with planning to simulate the invasion, using combined arms, live-fire, amphibious assault and explosive ordnance training. Training focused on Japanese soldiers learning how to drive and fight with armored amphibious vehicles. The training is especially important because Japan plans to launch its Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade by March 2018. This is indispensable for achieving our objectives, said Major Gen. Shigeo Kaida, of the Western Army Infantry Regiment of the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force, pointing out that Japan is a country of more than 8,000 islands. It is a rare opportunity for us to do this regimental exercise. Our mission is to protect our country and those islands no matter what happens. Saturday was the first time Japanese commanders worked side-by-side with Marine and U.S. Navy commanders in setting up a joint command and control element on board a U.S. Navy ship, said Capt. Brian Villiard, with the 13th MEU. Thats a far cry from how Japanese and U.S. Marines and sailor started training in 2006. Then training exercises focused on a platoon of Japanese soldiers training with Marines in rubber boats off Coronado Island, said James Whitlatch, a retired Marine major who participated in the earlier renditions of Iron fist and now was the training contractor and planner. In the first year, the Japanese didnt want to be photographed next to an AAV (amphibious assault vehicle) because it might look to aggressive to their neighbors, he said. Now theyre buying them. Major Gen. David Coffman, deputy chief of operation for the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, said learning is on both sides and not just the Marines teaching Japanese soldiers. Our capabilities to operate together across the Pacific to defend our democracies is what our operation is about, Coffman said. While most attending the beach assault were military officials, local and international journalists, some Orange County residents also got a chance for a rare opportunity. Representatives from Anaheims 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit Adoption Committee braved the dawn chill to check out the action. This bring back memories of my own training, said Jim Job, 70, a Marine who served in Vietnam. These are the guys we support. Its great to see the stuff they go through. For Roberto Cardenas, of Anaheim, it was a live look at taxpayer dollars in use. I can see what were paying for to defend our country, the 70-year-old said. And I can see how we and our allies will defend the free world. What we do in our organization to support these young men and women, is only a little compared to their sacrifice. Contact the writer: 714-796-2254 or eritchie@scng.com or on Twitter: @lagunaini SANTA ANA The brother of a Placentia killer was sentenced Friday to a year of probation for helping cover up the 1994 murder of Cathy Torrez. Armando Lopez whose brother Sam Lopez stabbed his girlfriend to death and left her body in a cars trunk agreed to a plea deal requiring that he admit to a misdemeanor count of dissuading a witness in return for prosecutors dropping a felony count of being an accessory after the fact. At the time of the murder, Armando Lopez was married to Torrezs sister. Armando Lopez was the last person to face criminal charges in connection to Torrezs slaying, a crime that shocked residents in Placentia and beyond and tore apart the killer and victims families, who grew up together in a tight-knit neighborhood. Sam Lopez, during his 2015 sentencing when he received 26 years to life in prison, made a surprise confession and apology to the family of 20-year-old Torrez. The Torrez family and police had long suspected him. That same year, Sam and Armandos cousin, Xavier Lopez, plead guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a four-year, eight-month prison sentence for his role. Several years after the murder, Daron Wyatt, now an Anaheim sergeant and then a detective in Placentia, revived the investigation. More advanced DNA-comparison techniques led to Xavier Lopezs DNA being found on Torrezs clothes, as well as bloody fingerprints on her car. During Sam Lopezs 2015 trial, Deputy District Attorney Matt Murphy told jurors that Torrez and Lopez had renewed their relationship in the weeks before her death. Murphy said Sam Lopez became enraged when he discovered a hickey another man had given Torrez. Lopez was also angered by Torrez turning down his suggestion that they elope, because she wanted a wedding with her family. The night of her death, Torrez drove to a Placentia ice cream shop to meet Sam Lopez. There, Lopez got into Torrezs car and had her drive to an apartment complex, where an argument broke out, and she was stabbed. Xavier Lopez told authorities he was sitting nearby in his truck when he saw the argument, ran over and tried to pull his cousin off of Torrez, getting his hand sliced in the process, but helped carry her body to the trunk. Contact the writer: semery@ocregister.com SOUTH OF MOSUL, Iraq Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul Saturday amid stiff resistance from entrenched Islamic State fighters, a commander on the scene said. Special forces Lt. Gen. Abdul-Wahab al-Saadi said that his troops are moving very slowly and that IS fighters are responding with car bombs, snipers and dozens of armed drones. Hundreds of civilian have fled the conflict zone, he said. The drones have caused relatively few deaths, but have inflicted dozens of light injuries that have disrupted the pace of ground operations. Al-Saadi said he expects the pace to increase after Iraqi forces retake territory and infrastructure on Mosuls southwestern edge which will allow them to shorten supply lines and link up with forces in the citys east. On the edge of a small village south of Mosul, dozens of families gathered against a crude cinderblock wall. Many said they were from villages outside Mosul and had been forced to march to the city more than four months ago to serve as human shields. Weve been through terrible times, said Juri Fathi, a mother of six who was forced to live in a school in Mosul for three months. I had to burn my childrens clothing just for warmth. Groups of men were screened at the site against a database of IS suspects and two prisoners were dragged past the crowd and into an abandoned building. We brought them directly from inside Mosul, said an Iraqi special forces solider from inside the Humvee that delivered the detainees. He spoke on condition of anonymity in line with regulations. They were shooting at us, I saw them with my own eyes, he said. Iraqi forces declared eastern Mosul fully liberated in January after officially launching the operation to retake the city in October. A former Iraqi army lieutenant colonel and specialist in land-attack missiles, who used the nickname Abu Karim fearing for the safety of his family, spoke to The Associated Press by phone, describing a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation inside western Mosul. Im hiding in my house, and my wife lives in constant fear of Daesh raiding our home, said Abu Karim, using the Arabic acronym for the extremist group. Abu Karim said IS fighters have been setting up checkpoints and storming homes to crack down on informants, meting out punishments for anyone carrying a mobile phone or found with an internet connection that include flogging, jail time, and fines. (IS) tried to recruit me because of my expertise in missiles. But I told them I fought in the war against Iran and the Americans, and couldnt fight anymore. They took me before a judge and he let me go with a $500 dollar fine, said Abu Karim. He added that some IS fighters were fleeing to the north of Mosul, and that the citys residents would welcome the arrival of the counterterrorism force and the federal police. Also Saturday, a Kurdish journalist working for the Rudaw news organization, Shifa Gerdi, was killed covering the Mosul operation. A number of journalists have been since the operation began last year and in October an Iraqi television journalist was killed covering the battle. Meanwhile, the Saudi Foreign Minister was in Baghdad Saturday the first high level visit of a Saudi official to the country since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to meet with his Iraqi counterpart, Ibrahim al-Jaafari, and Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi. In a statement issued by the foreign ministry, al-Jaafari said the visit was to discuss cooperation in combating terrorism, adding, The ties that bind are many, and the visit comes to restore bilateral relations to their correct course. The statement also called on Saudi Arabia to reiterate its position against Turkish ground troops in Iraq. TOKYO At Tsukamoto Kindergarten, an ultraconservative school at the center of a swirling Japanese political scandal, children receive the sort of education their prewar great-grandparents might have recognized. They march in crisp rows to military music. They recite instructions for patriotic behavior laid down by a 19th-century emperor. The intent, the school says, is to nurture patriotism and pride in the children of Japan, the purest nation in the world. Now Tsukamoto and its traditionalist supporters including the wife of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe are under fire. The school has been accused of promoting bigotry against Chinese and Koreans and of receiving illicit financial favors from the government. A growing outcry has put Abes conservative administration on the defensive and drawn attention to the darker side of an increasingly influential right-wing education movement in Japan. Abe said Friday in Parliament that his wife, Akie Abe, had resigned as honorary principal of a new elementary school being built by Tsukamotos owner. The school sits on land that the owner, a private foundation, bought from the government at a steep discount a favorable deal that invited charges of special treatment after details surfaced this month. My wife and I are not involved at all in the schools licensing or land acquisition, Abe told the legislature. If we were, I would resign as a politician. Abe and other Japanese conservatives often accuse the education system of liberal bias, seeing it as a place where left-wing teachers spread masochistic narratives about Japanese war guilt and promote individualism and pacifism over sturdier traditional values. Tsukamoto is at the extreme edge of an effort by rightists to push back, said Manabu Sato, a professor who studies education at Gakushuin University in Tokyo. Its a rejection of the postwar eduction system, whose basic principles are pacifism and democracy, Sato said. At Tsukamoto, displays of old-style patriotism have sometimes shaded into prejudice. The school apologized on its website last week for statements that contained expressions that could invite misunderstanding from foreigners. Parents said complaints about mundane-seeming matters like parent-teacher association fees would be met with chauvinistic diatribes, with school officials accusing Koreans and Chinese with evil ideas of stirring up trouble. They said the schools principal, Yasunori Kagoike, accused parents who challenged the school of having Korean or Chinese ancestors. The problem, Kagoike said in one notice sent to parents, was that people who had inherited the spirit of foreigners exist in our country with the looks of Japanese people. Abe has made overhauling Japanese education a priority throughout his career, championing a similar if softer version of the traditionalism practiced at Tsukamoto. In early publicity pamphlets for its new elementary school obtained by the Japanese news media, Kagoike proposed naming it after Abe. Kagoike later opted for a different name, a change that the prime minister said had been made at his request. Abe has supported a drive to amend history textbooks, toning down depictions of Japans abuses in its onetime Asian empire, and he passed legislation to make moral education including the promotion of patriotism a standard part of the public school curriculum. Tsukamoto has taken the patriotic approach to schooling further. It first gained notoriety a few years ago for having pupils recite the Imperial Rescript on Education, a royal decree issued in 1890 that served as the basis for Japans militaristic prewar school curriculum and that was repudiated after World War II. Conservatives see the rescript as a paean to traditional values; liberals as a throwback to a more authoritarian era. It encourages students to love their families, to extend benevolence to all and to pursue learning and cultivate arts but also to be good and faithful subjects of the emperor and to offer yourselves courageously to the state when called upon to do so. In interviews, five mothers who pulled their children out of Tsukamoto said they had encountered chauvinism at the school or had been attacked by Kagoike or his wife, who serves as vice principal, often in ethnically bigoted terms. They asked for anonymity because they feared social ostracism for speaking out. One mother said her family liked South Korea and often vacationed there, but that when her son told his teacher of a planned trip, the teacher said that Korea was a dirty place and that the family should visit somewhere better in Japan. Another mother said teachers had told her that her son smelled like a dog, and that Kagoike had called her an anti-Japanese foreigner. (She is Japanese.) Attempts to reach Kagoike failed. A woman who answered the telephone at the foundation that operates Tsukamoto, Moritomo Gakuen, said the Japanese news reports about the school and its land deal had been unfair, but she did not elaborate. Multiple follow-up calls went unanswered. In addition to serving as principal of the kindergarten, Kagoike heads Moritomo Gakuen and is a director of the Osaka branch of Nippon Kaigi, a prominent right-wing pressure group that includes Abe and other influential conservative politicians as members. In a message on Moritomo Gakuens website, which the foundation removed Thursday, Abe praised it for nurturing children with strong backbones, who have pride as Japanese, on a basis of superior moral education. Japans defense minister, Tomomi Inada, has also praised the foundation, sending Kagoike a formal letter of appreciation for his work. The land deal that turned Tsukamoto from a subject of raised liberal eyebrows into a full-fledged scandal took place last year, though the details took months to emerge. The Finance Ministry allowed Moritomo Gakuen to have the land a 2-acre vacant lot near an airport in an Osaka suburb for 134 million yen, or about $1.18 million, according to government records and testimony by ministry officials in Parliament. The price, which the ministry initially kept sealed, was surprisingly low. The ministry had previously assessed the lands value at 956 million yen, seven times higher. In comparison, a neighboring plot only slightly larger was bought by the local municipality, Toyonaka City, for 1.4 billion yen in 2010. The ministry says it lowered the price to account for cleanup costs that Moritomo Gakuen would have had to bear. It said the lot contained discarded concrete and other refuse as well as elevated levels of arsenic and lead. Opposition politicians are pressing the ministry to explain its calculations. The national daily Asahi Shimbun, which broke the story, quoted Kagoike as saying Moritomo Gakuen had spent about 100 million yen on cleanup, a fraction of the discount it received. The new elementary school now sits partially built on the lot. Eiichi Kajita, the president of Naragakuen University who also chaired the licensing council that granted Moritomo Gakuen permission for the school, said the council had not been told about the land deal when it made its deliberations. He said Moritomo Gakuens ideology, which includes an emphasis on Shintoism, Japans ancient animist religion, was not a barrier to its opening a school, but that the council was reviewing its decision. If there was something inappropriate, permission could be revoked, he said. Whether theyre Shintoists or rightists, if parents want that, its not our place to object. SANTA ANA Police on Friday asked for the publics help in identifying and locating two men suspected of attempting to stab a Nordstrom security guard on Feb. 16. Police Cpl. Anthony Bertagna said the security guard attempted to stop the men, who he believed were in the process of stealing items from the store, which led to a physical struggle with one. Then, the second suspect drew a knife. The struggle ended when the second suspect attempted to stab the security guard, Bertagna said. Both suspects fled with the stolen merchandise and drove away in an early 2000s-model Ford Mustang. One suspect is a black man, between 20 and 30-years-old. He is between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 tall and approximately 180 pounds. He has a medium build, short black hair and dark-color eyes. He was last seen wearing a black, hooded Pittsburgh Steelers sweatshirt. The knife-wielding man is described as a Hispanic, approximately 20 to 30 years old. Hes between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 tall and approximately 170 pounds. Hes described as having a medium-build, short black hair and dark eyes. Surveillance video shows tattoos on his left and right forearms. Anyone who recognizes these men can contact Santa Ana police Detective A. Silva at 714-245-8545 or via email at asilva@santa-ana.org. Anonymous tips can be submitted to the Orange County Crime Stoppers at 855-847-6227. Contact the writer: 714-796-7802, jsudock@scng.com or via Twitter @jsudock Pull, pull, pull! a person yelled as a baby great white was lifted higher, hitting the concrete pier pillars on its way up toward people armed with cameras, some appearing to inch closer to get a selfie with the 6-foot shark. The cheers rang out as the sharks body was pulled up toward the spectators watching on Huntington Beach Pier. Hey, take a picture fast, one man screamed out. That video of what appears to be anglers catching a great white shark off Huntington Beach is being investigated by authorities, a catch that could result in a stiff fine up to $10,000. Capturing a shark, a protected species, is illegal. My first thought is, the fisherman needs to be informed on what type of fish they are catching and ignorance is no excuse, said Huntington Beach Marine Safety Lt. Claude Panis. You have to be an educated fisherman. The video is the latest in a string of great white sightings and encounters in recent weeks, and the third catch off Huntington Beach Pier this month. In the other two instances, the sharks were released back into the water, so there were no fines imposed. An anglers catch off Sunset Beach earlier this week went viral when an 8-foot great white was caught from shore, but the shark was quickly returned to the ocean after the fisherman realized what he had captured. In the same area Friday, a 12-foot great white was spotted by a police helicopter and a two-mile stretch of ocean was shut down; that stretch of ocean reopened Saturday afternoon. The advisory was lifted at 10:45 a.m. Saturday from Warner Ave. south about half a mile on state beach sides, but the advisory remains along Sunset Beach until Huntington City lifeguards hear word from a police helicopter that theres no sign of the 12-foot shark. This latest encounter, however, has caught the attention of authorities. Panis said he thinks the video was taken last Tuesday, the same day the 8-foot shark was caught off Sunset Beach. Panis said he sent the video to authorities at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, who told him they were investigating. They are aware of the video and they have investigators assigned to it, Panis said. When you catch something, theres a lot of social media and Fish and Game will find out. Judging from the social media post, Panis said it looks like the shark was released but not before being gaffed and injured as people posed for selfies as it flapped on the concrete pier deck. The fisherman should have cut the line when it surfaced, Panis said. Panis said all of the recent shark activity is a concern for lifeguards. Its starting to create a safety issue, he said. Great whites have been protected off Californias coast since 1994, and are not allowed to be caught by recreational or commercial anglers. Panis said a violation a few years ago cost an angler $10,000, but a court could reduce that penalty based on the circumstances. Contact the writer: lconnelly@scng.com WASHINGTON Democrats have invited immigrants and foreigners to President Donald Trumps first address to Congress in an effort to put a face on those who could be hurt by the Republicans policies. Lawmakers typically get one guest ticket apiece for presidential addresses, as they will for Tuesdays prime-time speech, and the invites often go to family, friends or someone from back home. To send a message to Trump, Democrats have invited the Iraqi-American doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who aids people like her family in their quest to come to the United States. I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees, said Rep. Luis Gutirrez, D-Ill., whose guest Tuesday will be Fidaa Rashid, a Chicago immigration attorney. Meanwhile, Democrats Friday also tapped former Gov. Steve Beshear to deliver the partys response to President Trumps address to a joint session of Congress Tuesday night, highlighting the Kentucky Democrats efforts to expand health care coverage under the law Republicans are determined to repeal and replace. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, made the announcement on Friday in which they also turned to immigration activist Astrid Silva to give the Spanish language response to Trumps speech. Silva is a so-called Dreamer who came to the country at the age of five as an illegal immigrant. Silva spoke at the Democratic convention and her selection is a reminder of Trumps initial policies on immigration. While the Trump administration has cracked down on immigrants living in the country illegally, Trump has said he wants to spare the children. Democrats choice of Beshear as Tuesdays counterpoint to Trump underscored their desire to stress their support for former President Barack Obamas health care overhaul, which recent polling suggests is increasingly popular among Americans. It also comes as Republican leaders labor to craft a plan for replacing that law they can push through Congress a problem that may have only intensified after GOP lawmakers held town hall meetings this week attended by boisterous backers of Obamas statute. On the immigration issue, Trump issued an executive order shortly after taking office temporarily banning all entry to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority nations and pausing the entire U.S. refugee program. The order sparked worldwide confusion about who was covered by the edict, with thousands gathering at airports and in other settings to protest. An appeals court blocked the order. Trump has said he will issue another order along similar lines. Trump has also expanded the range of immigrants living in the country illegally who have become a priority for removal. The president has argued that the steps are necessary to protect the nation. One of the people caught up in Trumps executive order was Sara Yarjani, a 35-year-old Iranian graduate student studying in California. She was held at Los Angeles International Airport for nearly 23 hours before being sent back to Vienna, Austria, where she had been visiting family. She was able to resume her studies at the California Institute for Human Sciences after a judge halted implementation of Trumps order. Shell attend Trumps speech as a guest of Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif. Mr. Trump needs to see the people he has hurt, Chu said. The focus on welcoming immigrants will also extend to the response that Democratic leaders plan for Trumps speech. Astrid Silva, who was brought into the United States as a young child, will provide the Spanish-language rebuttal; former Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear will give the standard opposition-party response. Under President Barack Obama, hundreds of thousands of unauthorized youth brought into the country as children were given a reprieve from deportation. While Trump vowed to immediately end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during the campaign, he has kept it in place as president. All will be on high alert for any Joe Wilson moments in Trumps first speech to a joint session of Congress since his inaugural address. Wilson, a longtime Republican congressman from South Carolina, shouted, You lie! as Obama addressed Congress in 2009 about his health care plan. The debate over Obamacare sparked strong emotions on both sides of the aisle, much as Trumps executive order and statements on immigration have done. Trumps comments on immigration play well with his supporters, but unnerve some Republicans who represent congressional districts with quickly growing immigrant populations. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Mich., invited a constituent he describes as a hero for helping to expose the Flint water crisis. He said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha came to the United States with her Iraqi parents, who were fleeing the regime of Saddam Hussein. She has recently questioned whether her family would have been allowed into the country under the policies of the Trump administration. A group of Democratic lawmakers recently wrote a letter to colleagues earlier this month urging them to invite guests who have, despite discrimination, made positive impacts on their communities. One of the leaders of that effort, Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., asked Dr. Ehsun Mirza, the Pakistani-born doctor, to be his guest. I am proud to call Dr. Mirza a friend, and I hope that his presence on February 28th will serve as a reminder to the president that true Americans come in every color and creed and not all are born here, Langevin said. UFCs return to Southern California has been changed again, only this time its earlier. UFC 214, which had been scheduled for Aug. 5 at the Honda Center, has been moved up a week and will take place Saturday, July 29, in Anaheim. The UFC was originally coming back Jan. 21 with UFC 208 at the Honda Center, which just so happened to coincide with Bellator 170 featuring former UFC legends Tito Ortiz and Chael Sonnen at The Forum.Yet on Dec. 1, presumably because few top-quality fighters were available, UFC 208 was moved to Feb. 11 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. The UFC, in sticking with its plan to come back to So Cal, pegged early August for its return.No fights for UFC 214 have been announced. This is the UFCs first return to the Honda Center since UFC 157 in 2013, when then-bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey defeated Liz Carmouche in the first womens fight in UFC history. Agricultural News National Pork Board CEO Bill Even Insists US Pork Industry Growing at a Dramatic Pace Kicking things off at the Oklahoma Pork Congress in Norman Friday, was National Pork Board CEO Bill Even, who gave attendees an update on the NPB's recent activities since the former South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture accepted his new role roughly seven months ago. Radio Oklahoma Ag Network Associate Farm Director Carson Horn was there to speak with Even about some of the changes he's made and his outlook on where the US pork industry is headed. "The National Pork Board has got a strategic plan that really is focused on those three pillars - how do you build consumer trust, how do you grow production sustainably and then how do you grow demand as well," he said. "Those are in line with our statutory obligations." In order to best serve the producers that fund the NPB, Even has taken measures to meet goals guided by those three missions, more efficiently and effectively, by merging and streamlining certain operations within the organization. Part of this effort, entails reviewing and refreshing the NPB's domestic marketing tactics and strategies. "One example of something the Pork Board has done quite well is our emphasis on multicultural marketing, particularly speaking with the Hispanic population in the US," Even reported. According to him, the Caucasian demographic is only projected to increase over the next several decades by about 1 percent. On the other hand, the Hispanic population is expected to grow by nearly 160 percent. "That's really good news for the pork producers and the pork industry because the Hispanic culture is a culture that enjoys pork, enjoys eating it as part of their family culture," he said. "Our opportunity to engage with this very young demographic really bodes well for domestic pork consumption." In fact, since taking the helm at NPB, Even has lead the charge in ramping up promotion efforts focused on the Hispanic community, tripling NPB's investment. He believes this is a wise decision for a quickly developing industry. "Number one takeaway is that the pork industry in the US is growing and growing at a pretty dramatic pace," Even pointed out. "That doesn't mean there aren't going to be growing pains, but you're much better off to be part of a growing industry then one that's on the decline." Listen to Horn's complete interview with National Pork Board CEO Bill Even at the Oklahoma Pork Congress, by clicking or tapping the LISTEN BAR below. Listen to Horn's complete interview with National Pork Board CEO Bill Even at the OK pork Congress WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady NSI Top Agricultural News Some highlights of Chairman and CEO Warren Buffetts 2016 letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders. On the annual meeting Scheduled for May 6 in Omaha, the 2017 annual meeting again will be streamed by Yahoo. Last years production, Buffett wrote, was a success in all respects, registering 1.1 million unique visits in real-time viewing and 11.5 million more in replays. Thank yous came from the elderly who find travel difficult, the thrifty who find it expensive and those who cannot attend a Saturday meeting for religious reasons. The webcast cut attendance at last years meeting to about 37,000 people. Though theres no precise count, thats down about 10 percent. Nevertheless, Berkshires subsidiaries as well as Omaha hotels and restaurants racked up huge sales. Nebraska Furniture Marts sales broke the 2015 record volume by 3 percent, with the Omaha store recording one-week volume of $45.5 million. Geico, at last years meeting, set a record for policy sales, up 21 percent from 2015. News for Dallas- and Kansas City-area shareholders: The local Nebraska Furniture Mart stores this year will offer the same Berkshire shareholder discounts as the Omaha store. On his goals Charlie (Munger) and I have no magic plan to add earnings except to dream big and to be prepared mentally and financially to act fast when opportunities present themselves. Every decade or so, dark clouds will fill the economic skies, and they will briefly rain gold. When downpours of that sort occur, its imperative that we rush outdoors carrying washtubs, not teaspoons. And that we will do. On his mistakes I made one particularly egregious error, acquiring Dexter Shoe for $434 million in 1993. Dexters value promptly went to zero. The story gets worse: I used stock for the purchase, giving the sellers 25,203 shares of Berkshire that at year-end 2016 were worth more than $6 billion. That wreck was followed by three key happenings two positive, one negative that set us firmly on our present course. At the beginning of 1996, we acquired the half of Geico we didnt already own, a cash transaction that changed our holding from a portfolio investment to a wholly-owned operating business. Geico, with its almost unlimited potential, quickly became the centerpiece around which we built what I believe is now the worlds premier property/casualty business. Unfortunately, I followed the Geico purchase by foolishly using Berkshire stock a boatload of stock to buy General Reinsurance in late 1998. After some early problems, General Re has become a fine insurance operation that we prize. It was, nevertheless, a terrible mistake on my part to issue 272,200 shares of Berkshire in buying General Re, an act that increased our outstanding shares by a whopping 21.8 percent. My error caused Berkshire shareholders to give far more than they received (a practice that despite the biblical endorsement is far from blessed when you are buying businesses). Early in 2000, I atoned for that folly by buying 76 percent (since grown to 90 percent) of Mid American Energy, a brilliantly managed utility business that has delivered us many large opportunities to make profitable and socially useful investments. The MidAmerican cash purchase I was learning firmly launched us on our present course of (1) continuing to build our insurance operation; (2) energetically acquiring large and diversified non-insurance businesses; and (3) largely making our deals from internally generated cash. (Today, I would rather prep for a colonoscopy than issue Berkshire shares.) On his favorite book The best book I read last year was Shoe Dog by Nikes Phil Knight. Phil is a very wise, intelligent and competitive fellow who is also a gifted storyteller. (The Bookworm will have piles of that book and several investment classics by Jack Bogle among about 35 books and DVDs it will sell at the annual meeting.) On Americas achievement You need not be an economist to understand how well our system has worked. Just look around you. See the 75 million owner-occupied homes, the bountiful farmland, the 260 million vehicles, the hyper-productive factories, the great medical centers, the talent-filled universities, you name it they all represent a net gain for Americans from the barren lands, primitive structures and meager output of 1776. Starting from scratch, America has amassed wealth totaling $90 trillion. On entitlements Government redirection, through federal, state and local taxation, has determined the distribution of a significant portion of the bounty. America has, for example, decided that those citizens in their productive years should help both the old and the young. Such forms of aid sometimes enshrined as entitlements are generally thought of as applying to the aged. But dont forget that 4 million American babies are born each year with an entitlement to a public education. That societal commitment, largely financed at the local level, costs about $150,000 per baby. The annual cost totals more than $600 billion, which is about 3.5 percent of GDP. On being "planet friendly" Being planet friendly: Both Berkshire Hathaway Energy and BNSF Railway have been leaders in pursuing planet-friendly technology. In wind generation, no state comes close to rivaling Iowa, where last year the megawatt-hours we generated from wind equaled 55 percent of all megawatt-hours sold to our Iowa retail customers. New wind projects that are underway will take that figure to 89 percent by 2020. BNSF, like other Class I railroads, uses only a single gallon of diesel fuel to move a ton of freight almost 500 miles. On companies not cited We have far too many companies in this group to comment on them individually. Moreover, their competitors both current and potential read this report. In a few of our businesses, we might be disadvantaged if outsiders knew our numbers. Therefore, in certain of our operations that are not of a size material to an evaluation of Berkshire, we only disclose what is required.... Be aware that its the growth of the Berkshire forest that counts. It would be foolish to focus over-intently on any single tree. On Berkshire employment The conglomerate in 2016 employed 367,671: 44,330 in insurance businesses, 323,316 in non-insurance businesses and 25 at the Omaha headquarters. On headquarters employees This team efficiently deals with a multitude of SEC and other regulatory requirements, files a 30,450-page federal income tax return, oversees the filing of 3,580 state tax returns, responds to countless shareholder and media inquiries, gets out the annual report, prepares for the countrys largest annual meeting, coordinates the boards activities, fact-checks this letter and the list goes on and on. They handle all of these business tasks cheerfully and with unbelievable efficiency, making my life easy and pleasant. Their efforts go beyond activities strictly related to Berkshire: Last year, for example, they dealt with the 40 universities (selected from 200 applicants) who sent students to Omaha for a Q&A day with me. They also handle all kinds of requests that I receive, arrange my travel, and even get me hamburgers and French fries (smothered in Heinz ketchup, of course) for lunch. The Omaha World-Herald is owned by Berkshire Hathaway Inc. STEAM Night: Skinner Magnet Elementary hosted a Family STEAM Night on Thursday. Each activity focused on the contributions African-Americans made in the areas of STEAM. To conclude the evening, everyone gathered in the gym to watch a performance by the Pear Tree Dance Studio. The Lion King: More than 70 Crestridge Magnet Elementary students will present The Lion King at 2:30 and 5 p.m. Saturday in the multipurpose room for staff, students and parents. The school received a Disney Musicals in Schools grant and the program is sponsored locally by Omaha Performing Arts. The Jungle Book: Harrison Elementary students presented The Jungle Book on Friday in the school gym. The presentation was performed before the entire student body. Thirty Harrison students rehearsed for the past 17 weeks under the direction of four teachers and two teaching artists of Omaha Performing Arts in preparation for the event. The performance was made possible through a Disney Musicals in Schools grant awarded to the school in collaboration with Omaha Performing Arts. Center stage: After 17 weeks of rehearsals and performances at their schools, Omaha Public Schools students from Crestridge, Harrison, Kennedy, Liberty and Wilson Focus will take center stage at the Holland Center to perform their rendition of The Lion King Kids, The Jungle Book Kids or Aladdin Kids. Students will wear costumes created for their school performances. The performance at the Holland Center allows each school to share a production number with other schools, parents and the community. The performances will be at 5:30 p.m. Monday. Omaha Performing Arts sponsors the event. Ag institute: Applications for this years Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute are available from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture. The institute brings together high school juniors and seniors from around the state to explore the ag industry, discover potential ag-related careers and strengthen their appreciation for agriculture. Current high school juniors and seniors interested in attending this summers program in Lincoln have until April 15 to apply. The ag department selects students to attend the institute based on their leadership skills, interest and involvement in agriculture. Applications are available online at nda.nebraska.gov/nayi or by contacting the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at 402-471-6859. History Day contest: The Durham Museum will host the 27th Annual Omaha District History Day Competition on Wednesday (for juniors) and Thursday (for seniors). Students in grades six through 12 will compete in various categories, including exhibits, documentaries, performances, historical papers and websites. This year, in honor of the sesquicentennial celebration of Nebraska statehood, Douglas and Sarpy County fourth-graders will also be participating in the exhibit category. The theme for the 2017 competition is Taking a Stand in History, and more than 300 students from Douglas and Sarpy Counties are expected to compete. Entries placing first, second, third and fourth in their categories are eligible to compete at the state-level contest at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln on April 8. First- and second-place winners at the state level will have the opportunity to compete at the Kenneth E. Berhing National Contest in College Park, Maryland, June 11-15. The contest, held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in various rooms at The Durham, is open to the public for viewing with regular admission. For questions concerning the Omaha History Day Competition, contact Carrie Meyer, director of curatorial and education services, at The Durham Museum at 402-444-5071. Science fair: The 22nd annual Lincoln Public Schools Science Fair for fifth- through eighth-grade students will be held Thursday at the Lancaster Event Center-Pavilion 1. Nearly 600 students are expected to participate. In addition, more than 60 special presenters from the greater Nebraska area will entertain and educate through many hands-on activities. Scholarship winners: The Nebraska Corn Growers Association announced the winners of the inaugural Future Leaders in Agriculture Scholarship Program. The Grower Services Committee decided on five applicants to receive the $2,000 scholarships. The awardees are: Michaela Cunningham of Fullerton; Nathan Lundeen of Minden; Marissa Kegley of Kearney; Victoria Whitmore of Shelby; and Spencer Rohrich of Wood River. To be eligible for this scholarship, students must be a member of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association or the son/daughter of an association member. They must be a senior in high school or college freshman who is continuing their education in an agricultural-related field at an in-state school. For more information about the Nebraska Corn Growers Association for the Future Leaders in Agriculture Scholarship Program, go online to necga.org or call 402-438-6459. Black studies: To make history more relevant to her students, Morton Magnet Middle School teacher Lisa Thompson arranged for her students to attend black studies classes at the University of Nebraska at Omahas Arts and Science Building from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday, Wednesday and March 8. During the classes, students will learn about race relations in Omaha and America from the past to the present. Students will be engaged in critical thinking strategies, developing critical reading skills, and writing and presentation skills. Students will attend a panel discussion and the Malcolm X Festival on April 11. Art honors: Artwork by two Benson High students Meri Davis and Marcia Francisco has been selected for inclusion in this years Annual National K-12 Ceramic Exhibition set to take place in Portland, Oregon, from March 22-24 during the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts conference. Meri Davis Unnatural Disaster and Marcia Franciscos Future Sight, Past Lives were selected from 1,413 entries. Eco-lesson: St. Cecilia Cathedral Middle School students were recent participants in the program The Pachamama Dreamer, which explained environmental stability. Presenter Steve Torneten spoke about his work in the Amazon jungle with an organization call the Pachamama Alliance. The students were introduced to the most biodiverse place on Earth: the headwaters of the Amazon river basin in Ecuador and the Amazon rainforest. They discussed the effects of oil drilling, mining and the deforestation going on in the region and other areas of the world. The students realized how the animals are affected and discussed what they can do about it. Scholarship nominations: The Salvation Army is seeking nominations for the 2017 D.J.s Hero Scholarship Awards. The award, named for the late D.J. Sokol, salutes Nebraska high school seniors for commitment to others and to their community. Other criteria: courage to act independently and ability to overcome challenges/adversity. Nominations must be postmarked by March 6. Honorees receive a $10,000 college scholarship and will be recognized at the D.J.s Hero Awards Luncheon on May 9 at CenturyLink Center Omaha. Proceeds from the luncheon benefit Salvation Army programs for children and families. Forms are available at most Nebraska high school guidance offices, online at SalArmyOmaha.org or by calling 402-898-5909. Childrens author: Bell Field Elementary School in Fremont Nebraska will host My Mouth is Volcano: The Musical at 9 a.m. Monday. The musical is an adaption of the childrens book which was inspired there 11 years ago. Childrens author and parenting expert Julia Cook wrote the book takes an empathetic approach to the habit of interrupting and teaches children techniques to capture their rambunctious thoughts and words for expression at the appropriate time. Youth rally: Hundreds of young people from across the Diocese of Grand Island and the Midwest are signing up for the 19th annual Going Bananas For Jesus Catholic Youth Rally in North Platte, Nebraska, March 17-19. Registration deadline is March 1. The $80 registration price includes the weekends meals and Bananas T-shirt. Out-of-town participants stay with host families. Registration forms are online at youthgidiocese.weebly.com. Families may also contact their local Catholic church, or call John Burke at 308-325-6330. Prayer sessions: First United Methodist Church, 7020 Cass St., will hold nine weekly Centering Prayer sessions beginning March 12 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. Dr. Donald Bredthauer will facilitate the sessions. A guided meditation will lead participants into the practice. Whether a beginner or a seasoned practitioner, all are welcome. Taize service: Taize Worship Service at First United Methodist Church will be held at 5 p.m. March 4 in the churchs Mead Chapel. The service is open to the public. Workshops: The Center for Faith Studies and Countryside Community Church will hold a series of workshops titled Circles: Resistance in the Jewish Ghetto at 4 p.m. Sundays on March 5, 12 and 19 at Countryside Community Church, 8787 Pacific St. The classes will be taught by Scott Littky of Temple Israel. Resistance by Jews during the years of 1933 to 1945 during the Nazi persecution is very complicated. Using material prepared by Yad Vashem, Israels premier Holocaust education center and museum, students will spend three weeks studying the role of Jewish religious celebration and practice mainly in the Ghettos and how it served as a form of Spiritual Resistance. To reserve a space in the class, email kellyk@countrysideucc.org by March 1. Soup and sandwich dinner: Lefler United Methodist Church, 1501 Madison St., will hold a soup and sandwich supper from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Cost is a freewill donation. Takeout will be available. Nonperishable items will be collected for the United Methodist Food Pantry. For more information, call 402-733-7653. Charitable concert: The World Mission Society Church of God will present the Elohim Orchestra for a charitable concert to benefit the victims of the Haiti hurricane. The concert will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sunday at the Arts Center on the campus of Iowa Western Community College in Council Bluffs. A gallery and refreshments will be held before the concert from 3 to 5 p.m. An invitation is required to attend the concert and can be requested by calling 402-606-9658 or online at wmscogomaha.com. Ash Wednesday: Ash Wednesday, March 1, marks the beginning of Lent. There will be a service of Holy Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes at 7 p.m. at St. Albans Episcopal Church, Spirit Lake, Iowa. For more information, call 712-336-1117, or check the churchs website at stalbansepiscopalchurch.org or Facebook page at facebook.com/stalbansspiritlake. AMES, Iowa (AP) Students, parents and legislators are all unhappy about the University of Iowas move to eliminate 2,500 scholarships in response to funding cuts, but there is disagreement about who is to blame. Theres wide disagreement on whether the target of such exasperation should be the state Legislatures Republican leadership, Gov. Terry Branstad or university President Bruce Harreld, the Iowa City Press-Citizen reported. The Legislature last month approved an $18 million mid-year cut to the three public universities that the Iowa Board of Regents oversees. The University of Iowa and Iowa State University both must trim spending by $8 million over the next month, and the remaining $2 million falls on the University of Northern Iowa. To address long-term effects of the cuts, Harreld is ending $4.3 million in non-merit, non-needs-based scholarships that the university began offering before the 2015-16 academic year. Senate Democrats have denounced the cuts as collateral damage from changes to the states commercial property tax that led to lower revenues. Legislators concerns have been echoed and amplified by students and their families who received letters this week informing them of the discontinued scholarships. Republican legislative leaders have said the university should use part of $2 billion its foundation recently raised. Harreld has previously said that donors give money to the foundation for designated purposes, and that university officials cant just slosh money around. Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Omaha Public Schools and City Hall operate separately, but the Omaha mayors race is bringing the politics of the two entities together. For the first time, the union that represents OPS teachers is considering weighing in on the May 9 mayoral election. Union leaders have asked candidates to fill out a survey and come in for an interview. The union will likely make a recommendation to teachers about who they should support. The political action committee of the Omaha Education Association interviewed challenger Heath Mello last week and is scheduled to interview Mayor Jean Stothert today. Meanwhile, Mello, a former state senator, unsuccessfully attempted to broker a deal to break the OPS boards deadlock over electing a new board president in January. Those are unusual levels of involvement for two entities that, for the most part, tend to stay in their own lanes. The city and OPS have their own budgets and elected bodies, and they set their own property tax rates. That differs from some other cities, such as Chicago and New York, where school boards are appointed by the mayor. But OEA President Bridget Donovan said local teachers Republicans and Democrats alike are looking to flex their political muscle. Nebraska teachers have always been pretty quiet and so have Omaha teachers, Donovan said. The whole Nebraska nice thing. Now, its almost like, hey, wait a minute. All these people are saying all these things, and theyre not true. This is the job we love, these are the kids we love, and if nobodys going to stand up for us, I guess well have to do it ourselves. Many teachers have been following politics closely since the presidential election, or called and wrote letters to senators during the confirmation battle over Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, she said. Over the past decade or so, Donovan said theres been a growing awareness of how decisions made on the federal level think sweeping policies like No Child Left Behind trickle down to local classrooms. The union represents roughly 2,800 members, and it has endorsed school board candidates in the past. During the general election in November, the OEAs executive board gave a nod to State Sen. Tony Vargas, a former OPS board member. The union may start recommending legislative candidates whose districts fall within OPS boundaries. The unions questionnaire for the mayoral candidates asks their views on what impact a mayor could have on education, collective bargaining and the three greatest needs of Omahas children. And one question asks the candidates to weigh in on another hot-button topic facing the state: charter schools and vouchers. Nebraska doesnt currently allow for either, but bills introduced in the Nebraska Legislature would authorize both, setting up a heated debate between traditional public school advocates, including teachers unions, and school choice supporters. Nationally, teachers unions have often been heavily involved in politics, doling out campaign dollars and endorsements, typically to Democrats. But this years decision to interview Omaha mayoral candidates is a departure. People feel a strong need to get involved and realize they can make a difference at the local level, Donovan said. Theres kind of a feeling that you cant control the national scene, but in the areas closest to you school board elections, state legislature you can. Donovan acknowledged that education issues dont often bubble up at the city level. But the union is interested in hearing what candidates have to say about working with OPS on issues that overlap. The decisions the city makes impact our students, so were interested to hear how they see their role in relation to the teachers and students of OPS, she said. The union is not planning on endorsing City Council candidates at this point. In the same month the union sent out its questionnaire, the OPS board deadlocked during a vote to select its next president. Board members cast more than 120 ballots at one board meeting, tying over and over again, while trying to decide between Lou Ann Goding and Marque Snow as board president. They eventually decided to delay the decision and at a later meeting elected Lacey Merica to lead the board. In an interview, Mello said he contacted Goding and Snow to try to help facilitate the impasse. Mello said several people in the education, business community, philanthropic communities asked him to step in to help resolve the stalemate, but he declined to identify those who asked him to get involved. He said he contacted both Goding and Snow to offer them options for resolving the deadlock. He declined to say what those suggestions were, but he said the board didnt act on his suggestions. Goding declined to comment. Snow could not be reached for comment. Mello said city leaders should take an interest in things that happen in the city, even if City Hall isnt directly involved. This isnt just not good for children, families, teachers and the district, this isnt good for the city that were not able to find ways to build consensus and move forward, he said. But Stothert questioned Mellos involvement. It seems awfully strange to me that a former state senator and a mayoral candidate is involved in the selection of the president and vice president of the OPS school board, she said. It looks like meddling, she added. And I took the position that Im not going to meddle in OPS business. Stothert said the city and the school districts generally operate separately, and she noted that she has no direct authority over schools. She said she tries to maintain a good relationship with districts and she has an advisory group of local superintendents that she meets with occasionally to work out issues. Merica, who previously worked as Mellos legislative aide, said he has always been a consensus-builder and was one of many people weighing in on the OPS board election. He was not the only one who offered that help, she said. There were other elected officials, general people in the community. They all recognized we needed to find a solution to have our district be successful. Merica said OPS and the City of Omaha have worked together on issues such as economic inclusion; the partnership with Saddlebrook Elementary, which also houses a public library and community center; and promotion of teen employment programs like Step-Up Omaha that can help OPS students. Were so interrelated, in order for the city to be successful, schools have to be successful, and for schools to be successful, you have to have a successful city, she said. I think thats more policy and governance than politics. Gatzemeyer, George L. Age 82 Of Columbus, Nebraska. Died Thursday, February 23, 2017, at Brookstone Acres in Columbus. MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL will be held on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, at 11am, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Columbus with Fr. Joe Miksch celebrating the Mass. VISITATION will be held on Monday from 5-7pm at Gass Haney Funeral Home with a Vigil Service at 7pm. Visitation will continue on Tuesday from 10am until service time at the church. Interment with military honors will be held at a later date in All Saints Catholic Cemetery. Memorials are those of the family choice. Condolences may be sent to www.gasshaney.com. GASS HANEY FUNERAL HOME 2109 14th St., Columbus, NE 402-564-5227 Amid protests, Pinarayi Vijayan visits Mangaluru Health oi-Anusha Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan arrived in Mangaluru to take part in a communal harmony rally on Saturday amid stiff opposition from pro-Hindu organisations. Mangaluru has been witnessing huge protests against Pinarayi Vijayan's visit in the backdrop of political murders in Kerala. The Mangaluru police imposed section 144 to avoid untoward incidents in the city where Vijayan will take part in a CPI-M organised rally. [Mangaluru bandh on Feb 25 to protest Kerala CM's communal harmony rally] Responding to a bandh call given by pro-Hindu organisations, shops and establishments in Mangaluru remained shut on Saturday. Incidents of stone pelting were reported from Konaje. Miscreants pelted stones at a KSRTC bus. Section 144 has been relaxed in three locations in the city where the Pinarayi Vijayan is expected to take part in events. The Kerala chief minister will take part in two private events after which he will address a communal harmony rally in Nehru Stadium of Mangaluru at 4 PM. He is expected to return to Thiruvananthapuram soon after the rally. The Mangaluru police have clamped down on protests with section 144. Speaking to the media, the commissioner of police Mangaluru had claimed that cases under Goonda act will be registered against those who violate the prohibitory orders. Security stepped up: 2,000 police personnel, 600 CCTVs, six drone cameras The police personnel would include six superintendents of police, 10 ASPs, 20 police sub-inspectors, 20 KSRP platoons. Across the district, 2 SPs, 2 additionals SPs, 4 DySPs, 6 KSRP platoons, 20 DAR squads, 2 teams of rapid action force will be deployed. OneIndia News Akhilesh: PM Modi talks about kabristan, shamshaan, we talk about laptop, smartphone India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Lucknow, Feb 25: Continuing his attack against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav at an alection rally on Saturday said that the former talks about Kabristan and Shamshaan. The CM added that the Samajwadi Party talks about laptop and smartphone. With his remark, Akhilesh stresses that his party is pro-development and the Bhartaiya Janata Party is communal. "PM kabristan aur shamshaan ki baat kar rahe hain, hum laptop aur smartphone ki baat kar rahe hain (The PM is talking about kabristan and shamshaan and we are talking about smartphone and laptop)," CM Akhilesh said at an election rally in Sidharthnagar, UP. Recently, the PM created a political stir when he accused the rival SP of indulging in caste and communal politics. "If a graveyard is built in a village, so should there be a cremation ground. If there is electricity in Ramzan, it should also be there on Diwali; there should be no discrimination," the PM said at an election rally in UP. "In Uttar Pradesh, everyone feels that they are being discriminated against and they are being denied their rights. Dalits complain that their share is given to the Other Backward Classes, who in turn point fingers towards Muslims and Yadavs, while Yadavs say that only the family people get the benefits," Modi added. PM Modi urged the voters to elect the BJP in the state, as the central government's schemes don't discriminate people based on their caste and religion. OneIndia News Bengaluru Pre-School horror: Parents to protest on Sunday India oi-Anusha Concerned parents in Bengaluru are all set to make Child safety in the educational institution a people's movement. In the backdrop of sexual assault cases from a pre-school in Bengaluru coming to light recently, citizens, young and old alike have called for a protest gathering on Sunday. Hundreds of young parents, students and senior citizens are expected to take part in the demonstration at public grounds behind HAL police station. More complaints are being filed against the accused, Manjunath, with more children narrating horrifying experiences within the pre-school premises. While he remains in police custody, the cops were accused of booking school management under flimsy sections allowing them to walk free after bail from the court. Demand has been made to book the principal as well others from the management under stringent sections of POCSO for 'deliberate neglect and attempts to brush the incident under the carpet'. Parents have taken to social media to invite people to take part in the demonstration that has been scheduled between 10 am-12 pm on Sunday. A group of parents have been meeting various people including Commissioner of Police Praveen Sood and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar over the issue demanding safety of their children. It may be noted that protests at this very location forced authorities to crackdown on management members of an international school in Bengaluru where a 4-year-old was sexually assaulted in 2014. The pressure built by the people forced the police to issue guidelines to all educational institutions to ensure the safety of children within their premises. Despite the massive push for child safety, incidents of children being victims of sexual assault in school premises continue to be reported posing serious questions on management's will to ensure a safe environment for vulnerable minors. Sunday's protest aims to question this lack of will. OneIndia News BJP accuses Congress of destablising its government in Maharashtra India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Mumbai, Feb 25: The Bharatiya Janata Party on Saturday accused its rival, the Congress, of destablising its government in Maharashtra. Speaking to ANI, union minister Nitin Gadkari rubbished reports of the Congress and the Shiv Sena joining hands to rule over the Mumbai municipal corporation--the country's richest civic body. The elections of local body polls across Maharashtra took place recently. Both the BJP and the Sena have emerged as winners with maximum seats. Currently, both the BJP and the Sena are in an alliance and ruling the state. "The Congress just wants to destabilise Maharashtra government, that is why some of its leaders talking of supporting the Shiv Sena," said Gadkari. Congress just wants to destablize Maharashtra Govt,that is why some of its leaders talking of supporting Shiv Sena: Nitin Gadkari pic.twitter.com/2pLNnl5jBv ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017 A report published by The Indian Express indicated that the Sena on Friday started back-channel talks with the Congress to explore an attempt to checkmate the BJP in the race for control over the Mumbai municipal corporation. In fact, Gadkari hinted that the BJP and the Sena might come together to rule Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. "Both the Sena and the BJP don't need numbers, so I feel they should work together. However, the final decision will be taken by leaders of both the parties and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis," Gadkari added. The recently declared local body poll results had thrown up a hung verdict. The Sena won 84 seats in the 227-member corporation while the BJP was a close second with 82. Earlier, Sena had decided to fight local body polls across the state minus the BJP as its partner. So, for some time now, rumours are rife that the Sena will end its alliance with the BJP in the state assembly too. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 12:22 [IST] BSF raises unprovoked firing at flag meeting with Pak Rangers India pti-PTI Jammu, Feb 25: The Border Security Force (BSF) has raised a strong protest with Pakistan Rangers over unprovoked firing on Indian troops during a flag meeting in Kathua here. It also raised the issue of hunting by Pakistani people close to the border and not responding to the BSF's requests for holding company commander-level meetings. A Commandant-Wing Commander flag Level meeting was held at Border Out Post (BoP) Pansar on BSF's request in Kathua sector along International Border (IB) on Friday. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Wing Commander Lt Col Asmat Ullah Khan and had three other officers, while the Indian delegation was led by Commandant Bhupinder Singh and also included K Ganesh and five other officers, a BSF officer said. After welcoming the delegation, the BSF raised issues like unprovoked firing from Pakistani side and repeated objections raised by Pakistani Rangers on BSF's maintenance work in the border area, the officer said. BSF also strongly objected the firing in BoP Bobiya in October last in which Pakistanis fired with rockets and automatic weapons, he said. "Pakistan Rangers assured that they want to maintain good relations with the BSF and such meetings should be arranged more frequently in the border areas," the officer said. Pakistani Rangers also raised few objections like burning of 'Sarkanda' (elephantine grass), saying the fire spread to their territory and destroyed telephone wires and other things, he said. The meeting held in cordial manner and ended with exchange of sweets from both the sides. The two forces also agreed to maintain peace and tranquillity on the International Border. PTI 10 percent CM or 100 percent development man? Modi asks in Manipur India oi-Vicky By Vicky "We will expose the Congress which ran a corrupt government in Manipur for the past 15 years," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said at an election rally in Imphal, Manipur, on Saturday. "There is a lot of corruption that has taken place here, and we will expose it, Modi said at an election rally held in Imphal. Taking a dig at Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, Modi said that even children on the streets are able to tell that he lying. "Have your heard of a 10 per cent CM ever? Nowhere in the country do people speak about a percentage for the CM. Manipur does not need a 10 per cent CM. It needs a zero per cent CM," Modi said. "Here you have a choice to make. Do you want a 10 per cent CM or a 100 per cent development man?" Modi asked. Speaking about the Naga Peace accord, Modi questioned the Congress's silence. "It was signed one-and-a-half year ago. Were they asleep? Now they are questioning us spreading lies," the PM said. "The Congress made brothers fight with each other. Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern it. The Congress has pitched one community against another for their own political gains. I request you to give BJP a chance to serve Manipur. You gave the Congress 15 years, just give us 5 and we will change Manipur for the better," the PM stated. "Wherever there is a Congress government, there is no development. There is only corruption," he said. Attacking the Congress, Modi said that when he made the announcement on demonetisation, the party leaders got angry. "The country's progress will not be complete, until northeast's progresses," Modi said. "For the past 15 years, the Congress has been in power at Manipur. Can you see any development at all? It has been 15 years and Manipur is ruined. The Congress did not do any work or develop the state. Do they deserve to be here?" the PM asked. Modi pointed to Sikkim and said that there is so much development in that small state. "However where the Congress rules, there can be no development," he also said. While speaking about the economic blockade in Manipur, Modi said when the BJP comes to power, the state would never witness such a scenario. "When I came here the last time as a prime ministerial candidate, I addressed the gathering at the very same place. At that time only half the ground was full. But today it is packed," he said. The PM called on the youth to work hard for the state. "The youth of Manipur can do wonders. We want to give them an opportunity to shine. The unity, development and welfare of the people of Manipur is our only goal," he said. Modi went on to state that for the past 40 years, no PM of the country has come to northeast for the North East Council meeting. "After Morarji Desai, I am the only one," the PM said. He said that youth in Manipur are not getting jobs on the basis of merit. "One has to bribe in order to secure a job. This will end under the BJP rule," Modi assured. Modi said that when A B Vajpayee formed the government, he had made several policies for the North East. "However, the Congress did not carry on the good work," he said. OneIndia News D-Syndicate raises its ugly head again: This time on the target are Hindu leaders Dawood Ibrahim's sharp-shooter nabbed in Gujarat India oi-Vicky Rajkot, Feb 25: A sharp-shooter of the Dawood Ibrahim gang and three others were arrested in Rajkot, Gujarat while they were on their way to eliminate a Jamnagar-based businessman on Saturday. The police learnt that they were instructed to carry out the killing by Dawood Ibrahim's brother Anees. Police said that the shooter Ramdas Rahane was paid Rs 10 lakh for the job. Gujarat: Police arrested four sharp-shooters in Rajkot. 1 pistol, 6 cartridges, 2 knives and mobile phones recovered pic.twitter.com/1qw4DrXfcs ANI (@ANI_news) February 25, 2017 Rahane and his three accomplices were coming to Rajkot in a private bus to kill the businessman, who runs a construction company in Jamnagar, Rajkot city DCP S R Odedara said. While searching the bus, four of them were spotted in a suspicious manner and on searching their luggage, a pistol, six live cartridges, two knives and fake number plates were found. Ramdas is believed to be allegedly involved in many shooting incidents in Mumbai. His name had also cropped up in a firing incident at the office of builder Manish Dholakiya in 2011 in which a guard was killed. OneIndia News Immature Rahul Gandhi is trending: Here is why India oi-Vicky By Vicky 'Immature' Rahul Gandhi has become a trend. A statement made by the former chief minister of Delhi, Sheila Dixit was lapped up by the social media. She had said, "Rahul is immature, give him some time." However she was quick to deny making such a statement later. In the backdrop of all this, Rahul said in Uttar Pradesh that in the state unemployment was a huge problem. Now this has come as an embarrassment she appeared to be attacking the Samajwadi Party which is in power in UP and incidentally the Congress party's alliance partner for the assembly elections 2017. Another comment that Rahul is getting trolled for is the one on China. He took on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India campaign' while stating 'Made in China is readily available.' He further said that even his phone is 'Made in China.' BJP leader, Dharmendra Pradhan told a press conference that he thanked Sheila Dixit for acknowledging Rahul Gandhi was immature. BJP's national president, Amit Shah too asked at an election rally in UP why was the Congress fielding him in the state if he was still immature. Is UP a political laboratory for the Congress, Shah also went on to ask. He also said that men of steel were needed to solve the problem of Uttar Pradesh. OneIndia News Kanpur train derailment: Understanding Modi's 'conspiracy' remark India oi-Vicky By Vicky On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made an important remark when he said that the Kanpur train accident was a conspiracy hatched across the border. The remark came as a surprise since it was made when investigations are still pending. Investigators suspect that the Kanpur train accident was a case of sabotage and the handiwork of the Inter-Services Intelligence. The National Investigation Agency which is probing the case has not yet found any concrete link to term the accident a sabotage. However, the NIA has found a direct link to the ISI in the Ghorasahan case in Bihar where a bomb was found on the track. NIA officials who questioned the main accused Shamshul Huda in Nepal have found that he was linked to the Bihar incident. However Huda denied having anything to do with the Kanpur incident of December in which 150 people were killed. NIA officials say that in the Kanpur case no evidence has been found as yet. However the probe is still on and we have not concluded the same. Intelligence Bureau officials say that Huda is well connected in Delhi, Kanpur and Patna. He runs his network from Nepal and controls these areas through his men, the IB official also said. Modi's remarks are interesting as he announced the Pakistan link before the investigators did. There must be something more the prime minister knows that most of us. One the speech was made in Gonda, Uttar Pradesh which is very close to the Nepal border. In the past there have been several instances of operatives from Nepal landing in Gonda to carry out criminal activities. Intelligence Bureau officials have very often said that there are some leaders in the area who are hand in glove with operatives from Nepal. In this context the PM wanted to send a message across to such persons and also those living across the border. He clearly said in his speech, "If such people, who will help conspirators get elected from here, will Gonda be safe? Will the nation be safe?" OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 12:49 [IST] Karnataka CM's twitter gaffe, again: Compromises POCSO victim's identity India oi-Anusha Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah invited social media wrath on Saturday when his Twitter handle posted the name of a pre-school in Bengaluru where sexual assault cases had come to light recently. The chief minister's office deleted the tweet as soon as it realised the blunder. A fresh tweet was posted but the damage had already been done. The Karnataka chief minister only wanted to convey that stringent action will be taken against those accused in Protection of children from sexual offences cases in a pre-school in Bengaluru but he did the unexpected. He went ahead and mentioned the name of the pre-school in his tweet even as he mentioned that it was a POCSO case. The tweet was later deleted and a fresh tweet was posted. Have asked Police Commissioner to diligently investigate the play school child abuse cases. The guilty will not be spared.@CPBlr CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) February 25, 2017 According to POCSO as well as Juvenile Justice act, disclosing details such as the name of victim, parents, address, school etc amounts to compromising the identity of the victim and hence a punishable offence. POCSO states that a person who reveals the identity of a victim is liable to be sent to jail for six months to one year and fine or both. Siddaramaiah had previously invited social media wrath when his handle tweeted Siachen instead of Sichuan in China. Since Siddaramaiah had also tagged Bengaluru Police Commissioner Praveen Sood in the tweet, we wonder if action will be taken against the chief minister for violating POCSO. OneIndia News Why is the DMK continuing to oppose the imposition of Hindi? - 50 years of struggle and the truth! Man hacked to death while being escorted by police in TN India oi-Anusha A gang of 13 people hacked an accused to death while he was being escorted to court by the police in broad daylight in Tirunelveli of Tamil Nadu. The gang killed T Balasubramanian, 48, a Dalit organisation leader and a history sheeter, after attacking the police with chilli powder-mixed water. A team of five policemen including a driver led by Thoothukudi armed police sub-inspector Veerabagu were escorting the victim in an SUV to the court. As their vehicle reached KTC Nagar in Palyamkottai, two vehicles, a sedan and a mini-truck, blocked the police vehicle, while another SUV occupied by unidentified assailants intercepted the police vehicle. Even before the policemen could realise what was happening, the gang sprayed chilli powder mixed water on their faces, knocked off the rifle carried by a policeman, dragged Balasubramanian out of the vehicle and hacked him with a sickle and fled the spot. The injured victim was taken to the Tirunelveli Medical College Hospital where he succumbed at around 12.30 pm on Friday. Though identity of the attackers is yet to be ascertained, the police suspect caste feud to be the reason for the murder. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 15:24 [IST] Modi's petty talk doesn't suit him: Akhilesh on KASAB remark India oi-PTI Balrampur (UP), Feb 23 : Hitting out at Amit Shah for 'KASAB' remark, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday accused BJP leaders of coining petty acronyms for the fear of defeat in the the assembly polls. The Samajwadi Party leader also took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for attacking him, saying he holds 'such a high position but fights with me' and 'indulges in such a petty talk which does not suit him'. Referring to the acronym 'KASAB' coined by Shah for Congress, SP and BSP on Friday, Akhilesh said, "BJP people have lost the battle on the ground and so their language has changed." Taking a dig at the BJP chief, he said, "We used to study that it was KA se kabutar but these people are teaching something else. This time round, people are going to set your kabutar (pigeons) free." Addressing another rally at Pechpedva, Akhilesh said, "They (BJP leaders) seem to be indulging in petty talk in view of their bad showing in the elections." He wondered on what course BJP wants to take the polls and said the SP only wanted to take it on the path of development. Shah had on Friday used the acronym 'KASAB', saying Ka (in Hindi) stands for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for BSP. He had said that till KASAB is laid to rest, UP will not have development. Kasab was the Pakistani terrorist who was arrested during the 26/11 Mumbai attack and hanged in 2012. Attacking Modi, Akhilesh said, "The prime minister is sitting on such a high post and indulging in such a petty talk which does not suit him." Taking a dig at Modi, he said, "it seems he does not like staying in Delhi and is moving about all over UP...if he so desires, he can swap places with me." He added, "Piqued are only those who are faced with defeat...only those who are left behind talk about the past." On Modi's remark that he is an "adopted son" of UP, the chief minister said, "PMji do not confuse our Uttar Pradesh... if you are the adopted son of UP, then we belong to this place...who is going to adopt us". He said if the prime minister wants a debate, he should not talk about other issues. "I say this openly that if he (PM) wants a debate with me on development issues I am ready for it...we ask what you have done for UP and we will also tell what all we have done," he said. On the foreign trips of prime minister, he said, "The PM has toured so many countries, has he brought anything for the country he should tell?" "We in UP have tried to emulate the policing system in the US and developed UP-100...now policemen cannot misbehave with the public," he said. On the prime minister's allegations that police stations are run by SP people, Akhilesh said he does not know that it is also run through UP-100. "We admit that there had been some shortcomings, but it will improve with UP-100 and the anomalies in the police working will be addressed," he said. Attacking the BJP, he said when SP had decided to distribute laptops they called it jhunjhuna (toy) but later went on to include it in their manifesto. "Why they allege that we discriminated in its distribution...you people can go out and ask whether meritorious students have not got it," he added. PTI Murdered Indian engineer's wife breaks silence, seeks answers from the US India oi-Anusha Sunayana Dumala, wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla who was shot dead in a racial attackin Kansas, on Wednesday, broke her silence, two days after his death. Addressing the media in the United States, Sunayana said he would have turned 33 in two weeks and did not deserve to die like this. [Indian shot dead in Kansas, shooter yelled 'get out of my country'] "I don't know what to say. We had read about shootings happening everywhere in the newspapers and I was always concerned if we were doing the right thing by staying back in the US but he (Srinivas) always assured me that only good things happen to good people. I wanted to move to another country but he loved the US so much that he refused," she told the media. She recalled how he was just enjoying a glass of beer with his friends when the suspect started shouting discriminatory things about Srinivas' race. [Kansas shooting: Over Rs 17 cr raised within 13 hrs in online fund raiser] "My husband should have left but he was sitting there because he was not doing anything wrong. The suspect came back and did what he had to do. He has taken a life. A very lovable soul from everyone. His parents, my parents, our entire family back home is in grief. I do not know what I should tell his mother about why I was not able to save him," she added. She demanded answers from the government on what measures will be taken to stop hate crimes. "I want answers not just for my husband, who lost his battle, but for everyone. For all those people, of any race, who have lost their loved ones," she said. OneIndia News Palanasamy writes to Modi on construction of reservoir across Cauvery India pti-PTI Chennai, Feb 25: The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday protested against Karnataka's "unilateral action" of constructing a reservoir across river Cauvery at Mekedatu and sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention in the matter. Citing media reports, chief minister E K Palaniswami told Modi in a letter that the Karnataka government "has decided to implement Rs 5,912 crore Mekedatu Multipurpose (drinking and power) Project across the river Cauvery, which involves building a balancing reservoir with a capacity of 66 TMC ft." "Further, Karnataka has proposed to approach the Central Water Commission and Supervisory Committee of the Supreme Court and Union Ministry of Environment for getting required clearances," he said. These reports have caused "serious concern" to the people of Tamil Nadu, he said in the letter. Palaniswami recalled Karnataka and Kerala filing civil appeals in the Supreme Court against the 2007 final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, even as Tamil Nadu had also filed a Special Leave petition on certain aspects of the final order of the Tribunal. "Even as hearing is underway in these appeals, Tamil Nadu filed Interlocutory Applications in the apex court against the Karnataka government from proceeding with the Hydro-electric Projects," he said. "These applications are pending before the court and the entire matter is sub judice," he asserted. Last year, the Centre had informed Tamil Nadu that Karnataka had been advised to share their plans for Mekedatu and other projects with the co-basin states as required under the Tribunal order and to bring them on board before taking up their Detailed Project Report/Construction, he pointed out. Further, Karnataka had also assured Tamil Nadu "that it has no plans to proceed with the construction of the project without first informing the Supreme Court," he said. "The unilateral action of the Government of Karnataka to construct a balancing reservoir across the river Cauvery near Mekedatu without obtaining the prior concurrence of the co-basin states and in violation of the order of the Tribunal will be detrimental to the interests of people of Tamil Nadu," the Chief Minister said. PTI Panneerselvam flays Stalin for seeking removal of Jayaalalithaa's pictures India pti-PTI Chennai, Feb 25: Rebel AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam on Saturday lashed out DMK Working President M K Stalin for demanding the removal of portraits of late party supremo Jayalalithaa from government offices, saying it smacked of political indecency. In a hard-hitting statement, he said Jayalalithaa was loved by people for her pro-people welfare measures and they would be outraged if any attempt was made to remove her portraits from government offices. Removal of her portraits would not remove her from people's hearts, he added. Panneerselvam's response came hours after Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and submitted a plea seeking removal of portraits of Jayalalithaa. Stalin said since Jayalalithaa had been convicted in the disproportionate assets case, her portraits should not be kept in government offices and local body establishments among others. Hitting out at Stalin, Panneerselvam said people had repeatedly rejected DMK (in polls) and asked him to do something "worthwhile for the people". Listing out the various pro-people initiatives launched by the late chief minister, he said Jayalalithaa was a popular leader who always remained in the hearts of the people. "The women of Tamil Nadu will be outraged if there are attempts to remove the portraits of Amma. People will not forgive you. Stalin should not indulge in such useless activities and instead come forward to do some worthwhile work for the people. But he will not do anything for the people," Panneerselvam said. He accused Stalin of continuing with the 'indecent remarks' used to be made by his father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi in the past. "People have thrown them (DMK) out for lacking integrity. It is unfortunate that they are making such statements with political vendetta against Amma who did not live for her but for the people. "In the past, DMK had made indecent comments against leaders such as K Kamaraj, Indira Gandhi, C Rajagopalachari and M G Ramachandran whose memories are still etched in the hearts of people," he said. Referring to the electoral victories of Jayalalithaa, including consecutive win in the assembly elections in 2016, Panneerselvam said people had time and again told the DMK that they were "unfit to rule the state". He said Stalin was coming up with such demands because he could not digest the 'ever growing' popularity of Jayalalithaa. "If there are attempts to remove her portraits, the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK supporters will create a situation where there will be no place without a portrait of Amma," he said in an apparent hint that AIADMK will continue to sweep elections at all levels. PTI Shafi Sheikh, the ISI man who gave the train derailment order India oi-Vicky By Vicky On a day when Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the Kanpur train accident was a conspiracy hatched from across the border, the National Investigation Agency learnt that the job to carry out train derailments in India was tasked by Pakistan based Shafi Sheikh. NIA officials who questioned key accused Shamshul Hoda in Nepal learnt that he had been tasked by Sheikh to carry out train derailments in India. While Hoda expressed ignorance over the Kanpur incident, he said that the plot to plant explosives on the railway track at Ghorasahan and Nakardehi in Bihar were hatched by him at the best of his Pakistan contact. [Kanpur train tragedy a conspiracy says PM Modi] A two member team of the NIA which visited Nepal on Friday to question Hoda said that the key accused had denied any links with both the Kanpur and Kuneru incidents. The Kuneru train accident is suspected to the handiwork of the naxalites, NIA officials say. Hoda went on to tell the NIA that he had met with Sheikh at Dubai. During the meeting the two discussed the plot to cause a train derailment. Give me something spectacular, Sheikh told Hoda. Sheikh according to NIA officials is an agent of the ISI. At the meeting, Sheikh told Hoda that there needed to be a spectacular attack in India. Go carry out a big attack and then send me the newspaper clipping, he told Hoda. The Nepal police during its probe learnt that Hoda had met with Sheikh regularly. However the police in Nepal were unsure about India's claim about Hoda being involved in train derailments. Hoda was arrested in Nepal, but not deported to India. OneIndia News Sorry, Modi ji 1st remove economic blockade from Manipur, then discuss development India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Imphal, Feb 25: Finally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Manipur to address an election rally on Saturday. The trouble-torn northeastern state is scheduled to go to polls in two phases on March 4 and 8. The voters of Manipur strongly feel that the Prime Minister took a lot of time to visit their state and assess the ground situation. The voters wonder when Modi ji has been campaigning in poll-bound Uttar Pradesh on a regular basis, then why such a delay to visit Manipur. However, the voters know, Manipur like the rest of northeast India is not important to most of the politicians from Delhi. Perhaps that is why hardly any leader of eminence, other than the local ones, has addressed poll rallies in the state. Economic blockade turns election 'special' Yes, this election is special for the people of Manipur. Not for any good reason, rather the people are going to vote when an economic blockade is underway in the state. In these troubled times, right from petrol to a packet of Britannia biscuit, everything has become inaccessible to Manipuris (as the people of the state are known). Even if they are available, customers have to pay exorbitant prices for fuels and daily essential items. On Saturday, Manipur entered the 116th day of the economic blockade. Since November 1, the United Naga Council-- an umbrella organisation of Naga civil society organisations-- has imposed a blockade on NH-2 (Imphal-Dimapur) and NH-37 (Imphal-Jiribam) highways that serve as lifelines for the landlocked Manipur. Many in Manipur are not in favour of the elections being conducted when the state is facing a crisis. However, voters have no other option, but to exercise their democratic rights during the election days. Similarly, many candidates have been vocal about the impediments they have been facing due to the economic blockade. Politics over economic blockade In his speech PM Modi attacked the ruling Congress over corruption and lack of development in the state. Unfortunately, the PM did not know that in this election people are not concerned about corruption, lack of development, militancy, anti-incumbency or even demonetisation. The main issue plaguing the voters right now is economic blockade. Only once he had mentioned about the controversial word-economic blockade--in his entire election speech addressed in Imphal. The PM said if the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in the state then the party would never allow economic blockade in the state. It is surprising to hear the PM of the country waiting for the assembly election results to end economic blockade in the state. The Centre has failed in its duty to end the crisis in state. Thus the ruling Congress has accused the BJP of instigating the UNC to continue with the blockade and not doing enough for the state. The BJP has levelled counter allegations that Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh government has deliberately bi-furcated the districts to divide the state along ethnic lines and gain out of ethnic frenzy in the Valley arising out of the blockade. "The BJP is covertly supporting the blockade and is hand in glove with the UNC. Whenever we try to take any action against the UNC, they create some problem. Even though a blockade is going on for three months and the supplies are drying up fast, the Centre is silent and is not taking necessary action to restore normalcy in the highways," senior Congress leader KH Joykishan told PTI. As the politics over the economic blockade has been shamefully played out in the open-it is the people of Manipur who are suffering the most. OneIndia News Hate crime: Mourning Indian family blames Donald Trump for murder of Srinivas International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Hyderabad, Feb 25: In a television interview on Friday evening, brother of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in Kansas, US, blamed President Donald Trump for spreading hatred against immigrants, Muslims and non-whites which resulted in the horrific incident. "There is a rise in hate crime since Trump became the President," KP Shastri, brother of Srinivas (32), told NDTV. Recalling his brother's conversation with their father, Shastri added, "Srinivas would chat about Trump win, he said he was a bit worried." On Wednesday evening, Adam W Purinton shot and killed Srinivas in a bar in Kansas. In the same incident, Adam also injured Srinivas' friend Alok Madasani (32) and an American Ian Grillot (24), who came to rescue two Indian-origin men. Both Srinivas and Alok worked as techies in an American firm. They both are from Telangana. The family of Srinivas--based in Hyderabad--is currently mourning and is waiting for his dead body to arrive home to conduct his last rites. Speaking to ANI, Shastri said, "This is the first time it happened to our family. Trump is the primary reason as of now." "A racist person said 'get out of my country' and targeted my brother and his friend. Sushma Swaraj, the local BJP team and the Telangana government are supporting us. We want the body to be here at the earliest," Shastri added. Shastri's remarks are supported by figures also. The Southern Poverty Law Center--a leading monitor of hate crime in the US--recorded a surge in hate crimes across the nation in the 10 days after Trump was elected. Before Trump administration took over the White House, the daily hate crime tally was in single digits. "It surged to over 200 the day after his election and a total of 867 occurred in the nine days that followed. Many of the attackers in these incidents actually invoked Trump's name," stated the SPLC. Even the New York Police Department admits the rise in hate crime in the US. "There is a 115% increase in bias crimes right after Trump's election victory," said chief of detectives of the NYPD, Robert Boyce. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Saturday, February 25, 2017, 8:33 [IST] Warren Buffett tackles Donald Trump in defending value of immigrants International pti-PTI Washington, Feb 26: Billionaire investor Warren Buffett used his annual letter on Saturday to laud immigrants and their contribution to the growth of the US economy amid President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant stance. "Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," he wrote in the letter to shareholders of his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The annual missive from the 86-year-old investor -- the world's third-wealthiest person, according to Forbes magazine -- is pored over for clues to the thinking of the "Oracle of Omaha", who lives and works in the Nebraska city. Buffett steered clear of any mention of Republican President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. He had supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid to win the White House. The letter came as the country grapples with a sharp controversy over Trump's anti-immigrant policies and his crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country. The letter accompanied Berkshire Hathaway's release of 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. The company reported a net profit of USD 6.3 billion in the October-December period, a gain of nearly 15 per cent from a year ago. For all of 2016, net profit came in at USD 24.1 billion, slightly lower than the prior year. Berkshire, which has stakes in Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and a number of other companies, and recently invested in Apple, has benefited from the Wall Street rally after Trump's election. Berkshire gained USD 27.5 billion in net worth during 2016, Buffett said. PTI The county coroner says 25-year-old Samuel Tielking of Helena died in a fiery wreck on Highway 12 earlier this week. Tielking was one of two Helena men who died at the scene of the head-on collision Wednesday night. Tielking's name was released Friday after an autopsy confirmed his identity. The crash occurred when a pickup truck driven by 46-year-old Chester French, traveling on the wrong side of Highway 12 between Helena and East Helena, collided with Tielking's pickup just after 10 p.m. The truck driven by Tielking, which was in the correct lane, burst into flames upon impact, and both drivers died at the scene. The cause of death for both men has not been released. Lewis and Clark County Coroner Bryan Backeberg said he is awaiting results from testing, including toxicology reports. The Montana Highway Patrol said there's a "high probability" alcohol played a part in the wreck. Testing done at the scene indicates Frenchs truck was speeding at the time of the collision, officials said. 2008-2022 One News Page Ltd. All rights reserved. One News is a registered trademark of One News Page Ltd. MISSOULA -- The Missoula Police Department has learned the identities of the suspects involved in a reported downtown assault on a gay couple earlier this month. Sgt. Travis Welsh said he does not believe either man has been arrested, and that charges have not yet been filed. A couple told police they were leaving the Rhino just before midnight on Feb. 11 when two other men passed them on the sidewalk and yelled a homophobic slur. One of the men told the Missoulian that when he turned around he was punched in the face and hit repeatedly. He managed to get back inside the bar to call for help, and said that when he came back, the two were attacking his partner. Welsh said he believed the case will be handled through city court, meaning the whatever charges may be filed would be misdemeanors. Montanas hate crime law is written as a penalty enhancement that can be applied at sentencing, but likely could not be used in this case because the law does not cover sexual orientation as a protected class. Rachel Carroll Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, said while federal hate crime laws cover gay people, its unlikely they would be applied to many of the cases that arise in Montana. Mostly these things come under the purview of the state and local law enforcement and there is a gap, she said. After receiving an abnormally high number of reports of hate crimes in the weeks leading up to Novembers election, Rivas said her organization launched an online tool that people can use to notify the Montana Human Rights Network of situations that happened to them or that they witnessed. These could include everything from hate speech and bigoted statements or graffiti with messages about a particular group, to criminal activity. Since the election, Rivas said 36 reports have been filed. Typically, we get 12 a year, she said. A legislative committee tabled a solar energy bill on Friday that a day earlier drew more than a 150 renewable energy advocates to the Capitol to rally for its passage. The House Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee tied 8-8 on House Bill 504 before voting to the table the measure. The bill made several changes to energy law around net metering, or when solar or other renewable energy generators are connected to the power grid with excess power credited to offset energy costs. In Montana, NorthWestern Energy is typically required to buy the net metered power as a credit on that generators energy bill. During a hearing on Wednesday, HB405 drew support from renewable energy advocates who touted it as a job creator and keeping Montana laws current with industry trends. Opposition came during the hearing from utilities who argued that it overly burdened NorthWestern and ratepayers while lacking enough regulation of the scope of net metered projects. Organized labor also opposed due to concerns about the industrys compliance with labor laws and alleged nonuse of skilled workers. During executive action Friday, supporters of the bill reiterated the job opportunities and desire to see solar and other renewables expand in Montana. Opposition addressed the timing of HB504 with a separate bill to study net metering still in play while others echoed concerns of the opponents. Rep. Derek Skees, R-Kalispell, criticized the bill because it requires another company to burden their assets to work, referencing the transmission and maintenance provided by the utility. Skees said that he supports solar but it is not ready to be mainstream in Montana. The committee tied on a vote to pass HB504 with Republican Adam Hertz voting to support. With a tie vote, the committee then voted to table bill. This story has been edited to remove reference to Denise Hayman, who was incorrectly identified as a Republican. She is a Democrat. 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BILLINGS - Victims of sexual assault will no longer be able to get a forensic exam done at the Sidney Health Center. Sidney Health Center has told local advocacy organizations that the hospital's nurses will no longer perform sexual assault exams, said Helen Schmitt, program director at Richland County Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The hospital will continue to treat victims for any injuries sustained during a sexual assault, but will then refer them to a nearby hospital for a forensic exam, Schmitt said. Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners are trained to gather evidence off a victim following a sexual assault. The evidence may include DNA, pictures of injuries and statements from the victim. The evidence may be used in court to identify possible assailants and corroborate a victim's statement. Representatives from Sidney Health Center said the hospital would not comment on its Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program because of ongoing litigation. Both Glendive Health Center and CHI Mercy Medical Center in Williston, North Dakota have SANE services and are about an hour from Sidney. Victims, especially child victims, may go to Holy Rosary Healthcare in Miles City, Schmitt said. Billings Clinic is also an option since flights out of Sidney to Billings are inexpensive, Schmitt said. Richland County Sheriff John Dynneson said his office will continue to seek out providers who will perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims. Resources are often limited in Eastern Montana, so it isn't unusual to have to find alternatives, Dynneson said. The Sidney Health Center is being sued by a Yellowstone County woman who said hospital staff refused to conduct a forensic examination for her after she was sexually assaulted in November 2015. The lawsuit, filed in Billings U.S. District Court, states that on Nov. 3, 2015, the woman was assaulted by unknown assailants in Sidney. The Sidney Police Department took the woman to the Sidney Health Center so a forensic examination could be done. At the time, the hospital had two trained Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners working at the hospital, according to the lawsuit. Hospital staff did not perform the exam, for unknown reasons, according to the lawsuit. A victim and witness advocate from the local prosecutors office was present. The womans sexual assault exam was performed at another hospital about 250 miles away. The woman is asking for about $75,000 in damages, according to the lawsuit. The hospital filed a response to the woman on Feb. 14. The hospital confirmed the woman was taken there by police on Nov. 3, 2015. The hospital did employ two nurses trained in sexual assault examinations, but neither was available when the victim arrived, according to the response. Schmitt has never had a problem with the Sidney Health Center performing exams, she said. During the peak of the Bakken oil boom in 2012, Schmitt remembers the hospital going above and beyond to examine victims of sexual assault. She hopes the program will return to Sidney. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Learn more Operating Room Equipment Market Report Forecasts Steady Growth by 2022 https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/request-sample.php?id=144 https://www.scalarmarketresearch.com/market-reports/operating-room-equipment-market www.scalarmarketresearch.com According to the report, Operating Room Equipment Market, by Products (Operating Table, Operating Light, Surgical Booms), End-users (Hospital, Ambulatory Surgical Center), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World) - Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2014 - 2022, the market for operating room equipment market will grow at a steady rate during the forecast period.The operating room equipment market provides in-depth information about the growth trends and revenue drivers for the global market. 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According to the report, the key players in the market are expected to witness impressive growth opportunities across the emerging markets. The regions like North America and Asia-Pacific are expected to dominate the global market in terms of market share and growth rate, respectively.Find out more about our services at:About Scalar Market ResearchScalar Market Research Inc. aspires to assist organizations from around the world to achieve their business goal with premium market research reports and consulting services. Our real-time industry tracking with the help of advanced analytics offers a crystal clear view of all the activities in niche markets. Our team, with thorough global understanding, works relentlessly to gather the necessary market insights, including customer analysis, competitions and global forecast.Contact:8770 W Bryn Mawr Ave.,Suite 1300Chicago, IL 60631Tel.: +1-800-213-5170 (U.S./Canada Toll-free)Email: sales@scalarmarketresearch.com Acephate: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) https://www.reportsworldwide.com/report/acephate-global-product-intelligence-2015-2020 https://www.reportsworldwide.com/enquiry?report_id=3710 ReportsWorldwide has announced the addition of a new report title Acephate: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) to its growing collection of premium market research reports.The report Acephate: Global Product Intelligence provides market intelligence on the different market segments, based on type, application, and geography. Market size and forecast (2011-2020) has been provided in the report.The report Acephate: Global Product Intelligence (2015-2020) provides market intelligence on the different segments of the agrochemical, based on type of formulation, crop type, pest, and geography. Market size and forecast (2015-2020) has been provided in terms of both, Value (000 USD) and Volume (000 KG) in the report.A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining growth of the agrochemical and future market opportunities have also been discussed.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT- Abamectin, an insecticide from group Macrocyclic lactone, used for controlling various pests such as Planthoppers, Tetranychus, Nematodes, Nephotettix & Nilaparvata & Thrips, Brevipalpus among others. - Italy, Brazil, USA, Egypt, Spain, and Mexico are the leading country markets among others. - Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) & Flowable Concentrate for Seed Treatment (FS) were the leading formulations in 2015. - Sprout Intelligence agrochemicals expert team estimated global Abamectin market to be more than USD 900 Million.To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. 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A detailed qualitative analysis of the factors responsible for driving and restraining growth of the agrochemical and future market opportunities have also been discussed.To view a detailed description and Table of Contents please visit:KEY FINDINGS FROM THE REPORT- China, Ukraine, France, and Argentina are the leading country markets among others. - Emulsifiable Concentrate (EC) & Liquid (LI) were the leading formulations in 2015. - Sprout Intelligence agrochemicals expert team estimated global Acetochlor market to be more than USD 840 Million..To Get Sample Copy of Report please visit @ReportsWorldwide.com is a leading provider of global market intelligence reports and services. With research reports from top publishers, consulting and advisory firms, ReportsWorldwide.com offers instant online access to a growing database of expert insights on global industries, companies, products, geographies and trends.Press Contact:Abigail CrastoSenior Vice President101, Arch Street Boston, MA 02110 US Phone +1 (617) 398-4994 Fax +1 (617) 398-4995 abigail@reportsworldwide.com By Elizabeth Hovde Now that Betsy DeVos has been confirmed as the new secretary of education, critics should use the time and energy they spent complaining and protesting on something more meaningful - getting more involved in schools to improve children's education. Their misguided battle focused mostly on the woman's billionaire status -- always fun for the left to rally against, however uncompelling -- and the fact she didn't send her kids to public school, as if that matters. For the record, I send my children to, volunteer at and occasionally substitute teach in public schools, and I share some of DeVos' concerns about our education system. But my concerns pre-dated my personal involvement. People can have informed opinions about public schools even if they haven't worked in them or have kids attending them. People can have informed opinions about gun laws even if they don't enjoy or own guns, right? I'm on the fence about DeVos. But the shallow arguments against her and the reflexive opposition inspired this column. She did poorly in confirmation hearings, but let's face it: Even if she answered questions commandingly, she, like every President Trump nominee, was going to face instant dislike in entirely unfair proportions. The angry protest on Feb. 10 that initially kept her from entering a middle school reinforces the fact that critics won't even give her a chance. If you missed it, CNN.com has a video showing the lack of civility shown DeVos. In addition to being physically blocked at a school entrance, she was screamed at, degraded and insulted. Unfortunately, the outcry against DeVos hijacked all of us from having the meaty conversations we need about public schools. DeVos has poured resources into charter schools, which riles well-financed teacher unions and educators under their influence. While I am not against charters, I don't buy that they are the solutions that public schools aren't. The main problem with public schools is that even when they give children great opportunities and quality education six hours a day, they cannot undo the other 18. That's on families and society. The main ingredient for success among the private, charter and public school students I know is the involvement of their families -- even if not at school, at home. That's often what makes charters and private schools attractive: They seem to have more involved families, because families can be or want to be. The PTA meetings I attend each month for my sons' public schools are sparsely attended. Some of the teachers feel lucky if they have even just one parent giving an hour of volunteer time each week. When volunteering, kids have told me stories about family breakdown, moves and boyfriends and girlfriends entering and exiting kids' lives. When substituting, I have sent a child to go get shoes from a clothes closet on site. I have sent children to the nurse or a "recovery room" because they are too tired or sick to be in class. Every time I have subbed, I think each teacher could use a full-time behavior watchdog handling students who disrupt class so the teacher can teach and students can learn. Some of my sons' classmates miss school often. Oregon's 2016 Chronic Absenteeism Report says one in five students is absent at least 10 percent of the time. The problem worsens as kids age, with more than a handful of districts boasting less than 70 percent of regularly attending high-school students. That contributes to 26 percent of students not graduating on time. Oregon has one of the worst absenteeism rates in the nation. Portland Public Schools website gives attendance advice to parents, as "PPS recognizes the importance of attendance and its direct connection to student achievement." Private schools can get rid of students who aren't there regularly ready to learn and who will bring down school scores. Charters and magnets can discourage families away if they don't plan to be involved. The mainstream public schools? Not so much. Actually, not at all. I disagree that charters are unfairly taking money from mainstream schools; Most government dollars are designed to follow students. But they do change the student body in ways that make it harder for all students to succeed. Even if all children were in charters, it wouldn't remove the home-life hurdles schools must navigate. Since the Bush years and the days of No Child Left Behind, I have argued that children are going to be left behind, but it isn't schools leaving them there. The DeVos appointment offered a perfect opportunity to talk about this. Instead, people parroted that the nominee was a billionaire without work experience or kids in public schools. That was easier. Elizabeth Hovde's column appears on the fourth Sunday of the month. Sean Spicer White House press secretary Sean Spicer speaks during a daily press briefing at the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) (Manuel Balce Ceneta/The Associated Press) Officials in Washington state, where recreational marijuana is legal, vow to fight any federal crackdown on the nascent industry after White House spokesman Sean Spicer said they should expect to see stepped-up enforcement of anti-pot laws. Bob Ferguson, attorney general in Washington state, which joined Colorado in 2012 as the first states to legalize recreational use of the drug, said he requested a meeting last week with Attorney General Jeff Sessions about his approach to legal, regulated marijuana. "We will resist any efforts to thwart the will of the voters in Washington," Ferguson said Thursday. The comments came shortly after Spicer offered the Trump administration's strongest indication to date of a looming crackdown on recreational pot, saying "I do believe you'll see greater enforcement" of federal law. But, speaking in response to a question at a news conference, he offered no details about what such enforcement would entail. President Donald Trump does not oppose medical marijuana, Spicer added, but "that's very different than recreational use, which is something the Department of Justice will be further looking into." A renewed focus on recreational marijuana in Oregon, Washington, Colorado and other states that have legalized pot would present a departure from the Trump administration's statements in favor of states' rights. A day earlier, the administration announced that the issue of transgender student bathroom access was best left to states and local communities to decide. Enforcement would also shift away from marijuana policy under the Obama administration, which said in a 2013 memo that it would not intervene in states' marijuana laws as long as they keep the drug from crossing state lines and away from children and drug cartels. But the memo carried no force of law and could be rewritten by Sessions, who has consistently said he opposes legal marijuana but has not indicated what he might do. Eight states and Washington, D.C., have legalized marijuana for recreational use. The Justice Department has several options available should it decide to enforce the law, including filing lawsuits on the grounds that state laws regulating pot are unconstitutional because they are pre-empted by federal law. Enforcement could also be as simple as directing U.S. attorneys to send letters to recreational marijuana businesses letting them know they are breaking the law. Kevin Sabet, head of the anti-marijuana group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, said pot enforcement is a matter of public safety. "The current situation is unsustainable," he said in a statement. "This isn't an issue about states' rights, it's an issue of public health and safety for communities." Washington Gov. Jay Inslee and Ferguson, the state's attorney general, sent a letter last week to Sessions asking to discuss the issue and laying out the state's arguments for keeping its regulated market in place. "Our state's efforts to regulate the sale of marijuana are succeeding," they wrote in the letter, which was released Thursday. "A few years ago, the illegal trafficking of marijuana lined the pockets of criminals everywhere. Now, in our state, illegal trafficking activity is being displaced by a closely regulated marijuana industry that pays hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes. This frees up significant law enforcement resources to protect our communities in other, more pressing ways." In Washington state, sales at licensed pot shops now average nearly $4.4 million per day -- with little evidence of any negative societal effects. That's close to $1 billion in sales so far for the fiscal year that began last July, some $184 million of which is state tax revenue. Spicer's comments came the same day a Quinnipiac poll said 59 percent of Americans think marijuana should be legal and 71 percent would oppose a federal crackdown. States have been flouting the U.S. Controlled Substances Act since at least 1996, when California voters approved marijuana for sick people, a direct conflict with federal guidelines barring the use of marijuana for medical purposes. And presidents since Bill Clinton have said the federal government unequivocally rejects a state's ability to modify federal drug law. However, three presidents over the last 20 years have each concluded that the limited resources of the Justice Department are best spent pursuing large drug cartels, not individual users of marijuana. -- The Associated Press KIMJON.JPG Malaysian youth leaders protest outside the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday. (Rahman Roslan/Getty Images) By the editors of Yomiuri Shimbun It has become more likely that the murder of Kim Jong Nam was a state-sponsored act by North Korea. The incident has served to antagonize even Southeast Asian countries with which it had friendly relations and will thus deepen its isolation from the international community. Malaysian police authorities have requested that North Korea turn three North Koreans in for questioning, including a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and an employee of Air Koryo, who they believe were involved in the killing of Kim Jong Nam. In addition to two women - one Vietnamese and the other Indonesian - who were said to be the direct perpetrators of the attack on Kim Jong Nam, Malaysian police have arrested a man with North Korean citizenship. Believing that four other suspects in the case have returned to North Korea, the Malaysian police have called on Pyongyang to hand them over. Initial investigations have proved successful in grasping the outline of a group of people involved in the killing. Video taken by security cameras at the airport contributed greatly to identifying the perpetrators. It was also found that the perpetrators and others involved had practiced the use of poisonous substances at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. This indicates that the murder of Kim Jong Nam was a premeditated act, prepared deliberately. The toxic substance used in the attack has not been determined. The relevant Malaysian authorities are called on to make all-out efforts to uncover the whole truth of the incident. What cannot be overlooked is that North Korea tried to blatantly obstruct investigations by doing such things as demanding early handover of the body to its embassy. This resulted in sharpening the row with Malaysia. ASEAN must respond North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia criticized the Malaysian investigations, arguing that they were politically motivated. The Malaysian government denounced North Korea's condemnation as an insult and refuted it by contending that the probe was conducted fairly based on domestic law. The antagonism has led to Malaysia recalling its ambassador from Pyongyang. The Korean Central News Agency declared that the accusation of North Korea's responsibility in the murder of Kim Jong Nam is an "intrigue" scripted by South Korea. But the KCNA did not present any objective evidence to prove its assertion. Whenever coming under suspicion, North Korea tries to evade responsibility by blaming other countries. It is a usual tactic of North Korea. Malaysia established diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1973. The country has permitted visa-free travel and accepted North Korean workers sent to earn foreign currency. Such a generous stance backfired with the result that Malaysia has been used as a stronghold of operations by North Korea spy agents. Its policy regarding North Korea must be reviewed urgently. Vietnam and Indonesia, whose citizens were arrested, are traditionally friendly countries for North Korea. Distrust of North Korea will unavoidably prevail among other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Some point out that Southeast Asia, where control of cross-border movements of goods and people is lax, has provided loopholes for sanctions adopted by the U.N. Security Council against North Korea over its nuclear and missile development. Responding to the incident in Malaysia, ASEAN member countries must actively cooperate in an effort to reinforce a coalition against North Korea. (c) 2017, The Japan News Every now and then you happen upon a combination that's irresistible. It happened to my husband and me on a rainy Thursday in O'Fallon, Ill., last month during our stay in the Lebanon-Mascoutah area. Not that I need much of an excuse to go shopping, but nasty weather while exploring a new area almost demands it. Our best find of the day was Luckenbooth Consignment Gallery just a few steps away from Peel Wood Fired Pizza & Brewery at the corner of First and Cherry streets. Luckenbooth is one of those higher-end resale shops I really like, filled with beautiful things attractively arranged and enough of them to satisfy the hard-core treasure hunter. Because jewelry is my thing, I had a blast going through what was out and also opening each and every drawer labeled by color to see what might catch my eye inside. Luckenbooth also features Tyler Candles, designer and mainstream purses and home furnishings and decor galore. I chose a necklace, and Andy found a Robert Ludlum hardback he's looking forward to reading. Our shopping appetites satisfied, we made the short dash to Peel and settled in for a late lunch we tried to keep on the lighter side because of our dinner plans. That was easier said than done. The 22 different wood fired pizzas sounded interesting and wonderful, and we finally settled on Wild Mushroom, which arrived with a generous number of cremeni, shitake and oyster mushrooms. I paired my half of the pizza with a blood orange wheat brew, which was mellow and refreshing with a hint of toasted coriander. Amazing! Peel also has a second location in Edwardsville. Grille at the Mansion, O'Fallon: I can say I've tasted Blue Marlin, a meaty fish set off nicely by a blueberry sauce our waiter recommended. The setting is a restored historic home, and the experience is the epitome of elegance. Second Chance Consignments & Boutique, Red Bud: It's a red-letter day when I find dress slacks long enough for me, and the two pairs of Lane Bryants I took home were well-worth the $15 price for each. The boutique offers a wide selection of sizes in men's clothing, too. Hidden Lake Winery, Aviston: Besides being one of the most beautiful places we've ever seen, Hidden Lake offers a sweet golden mead on tap and a great selection of wines. 1814 Eatery and Drinkery, Lebanon: I loved the feel of dining in an Old West saloon, and Andy said his burger, topped with barbecue sauce, bacon and onion straws, was one of the best he's ever tasted. Pink Elephant Antique Mall, Livingston: One of our favorites, this mall has too many collectibles and treasures for the school gymnasium that is its home. Be sure to check the stage and locker rooms or you might miss something good. SHOBONIER A 62-year-old woman was killed Thursday in Fayette County when her vehicle left the road on U.S. 51, struck a tree and caught fire. Diana Helton of Shobonier was driving a white 2003 Chevrolet van northbound at 12:45 p.m., the Illinois State Police said in a news release. Her vehicle crossed the southbound lane, left the roadway, struck a fence and then struck a tree as it hit the embankment of a small creek. The vehicle then became fully engulfed in flames. The Fayette County Coroner is assisting in the investigation. DECATUR -- A number of states are allowing or considering letting "dental therapists," professionals with a lower level of training, perform extractions and fill cavities. Illinois isn't among them at this point, though Decatur dentist Dr. Larry Osborne said there is pressure from in the Chicago area to explore it. Dental therapists, also sometimes called advanced dental hygiene practitioners, provide services in a handful of states, with the goal of helping fill gaps in access to oral care for low-income, elderly and disabled people, and in rural areas where few dentists practice. Alaska has allowed dental therapists to work in tribal areas since 2004, with Minnesota enacting a statewide program in 2009, and two other states, Maine in 2014 and Vermont in 2016, joining Minnesota in authorizing statewide programs. Proposals also are being considered in Arizona, Connecticut, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio and Texas. Christy Jo Fogarty of Minnesota was a dental hygienist for 13 years before training to become a dental therapist. "We are not a silver bullet for helping access to dental care, but we are a great tool," Fogarty said. Often compared to a nurse practitioner, the therapist can perform more common procedures than dental hygienists, while leaving more complex tasks to licensed dentists. Fogarty said her work includes fillings, temporary crowns and extractions. She regularly provides care in schools, Head Start centers and other community settings without a dentist physically present. "We have kids who don't have to go to an emergency room for a toothache anymore," said Fogarty, one of more than 60 therapists in Minnesota. Dentists have long opposed dental therapists performing extractions and doing restorative work, citing concerns over safety and supervision. Mount Zion dentist Warren Jesek said hes against allowing therapists to perform dentistry. I want to uphold the quality of care that dentistry has provided all these years, Jesek said. Massachusetts dentists broke from the American Dental Association (ADA) by filing a bill in January that would allow limited use of public health dental practitioners as part of a broader approach to improved oral health care. "They could do any procedure that a dental hygienist can do, but if there is anything beyond that scope, it should be under direct supervision, which means a dentist needs to be there at the facility in case they develop a problem with an extraction or something like that," said Raymond Martin, president of the Massachusetts Dental Society. The legislation would require practitioners to have at least two years of post-graduate level training and restrict them to serving only Medicaid patients or residents of "underserved" counties with a documented shortage of dentists. Under a separate bill backed by Pew Charitable Trusts and other advocacy groups, dental therapists would work collaboratively with dentists but would be allowed to perform procedures under "general" rather than direct supervision, meaning a dentist would not have to be physically present. The measure would not specify the level of education for therapists but requires them to meet standards of a national dental accrediting commission. Osborne is past president of the Illinois State Dental Society and past chairman of the Council of Government Affairs for the ADA. He said hes not necessarily against the idea of dental therapists, and said hes even been a part of the fight to allow hygienists to have more responsibility. But he said any expansion of duties should be under the supervision of a dentist. Were getting people out there -- Illinois has one of highest rates of providing sealants (a preventative measure to help fight tooth decay) in the nation, and auxiliary staff in Illinois can now carve amalgams, monitor nitrous oxide theres a whole laundry list, Osborne said. But in the model thats being used in some of these states, someone can graduate from high school and then go through an 18- to 20-month training period to be licensed to do fillings and simple extractions. But theres no such thing as a simple extraction. The ADAs stance is they dont want to have dental therapists with minimal training treating patients. Theyre for expanding what auxiliary staff can do, but with supervision. As dentists, we know what assistants can do with proper training and what they shouldnt. Osborne does acknowledge that there are people who need dental care who arent being treated. In Massachusetts, with a higher rate of dentists per 100,000 residents than any other state, there were more than 36,000 visits to emergency rooms in 2014 for "preventable oral health" issues, costing the health care system as much as $36 million, according to an estimate by the state's Health Policy Commission. One recent North Dakota study found that Medicaid recipients suffered disproportionately from tooth decay and tooth loss, and conditions such as severe gingivitis. "I can't tell you how many times I had to take my kids to an emergency room because of an abscessed tooth," said Maura Sullivan, who works for The Arc of Massachusetts, a group that advocates for people with disabilities and supports dental therapists. She said she struggled for years to find preventative dental care for her two sons, both with autism, in part because many dentists in her area would not accept Medicaid disability benefits. Osborne said theres a reason most dentists dont accept Medicaid -- in 2013, the U.S. average for Medicaid reimbursement were under 50 percent of what was charged, according to data collected by the ADA. But Illinois, with all its budget woes, is an extreme example. According to the ADA data, in 2014 Illinois had the lowest reimbursement in the country on adult dental care services (13.8 percent) and the sixth-lowest (32.5 percent) on pediatric dental care services. Thats the 800-pound gorilla in the room -- Illinois has one of the lowest public health rates in the nation, Osborne said. For a dentist in Illinois, unless youre seeing Medicaid patients in great volume, you cant do it without losing money. In Illinois, we have more licensed dentists than ever before. There are a lot of underserved people in Illinois, and especially in some areas of Chicago, but its not cheap to set up and run a dental office, and the reimbursement rates arent sustainable. "Its no different if youre a dentist or a dental therapist -- the state isnt covering the cost. The Associated Press contributed to this story. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Rep. John Moolenaar met with four representatives from the Women of Michigan Action Network (WOMAN) Friday in his office. The main objective of Carol Arnosky, Antonio Ciolino, Jeff Hopper and Kathy Curell was to request a town hall open meeting with Moolenaar. I feel very pleased with the meeting, because our main objective was to secure a promise for an open, town hall and I think we accomplished that, Curell said. The issue began on Thursday when a group of more than 50 women marched in protest to Moolenaars office to hand deliver a request for the meeting. Just before the march, as the group gathered at the Farmers Market, they received an email from Moolenaars office stating that he would be willing to sit down with them. A spokesperson from Moolenaars office shared with the Daily News that Ashton Bortz, Moolenaars district director, had been in contact with WOMAN since Tuesday when she sent a formal document for requesting a meeting with Moolenaar. A WOMAN representative returned the document on Thursday morning at 10:09 a.m. and Bortz responded with an invitation at 11:03 a.m. to meet with the congressman at noon on Friday. In a Thursday morning meeting with the Daily News, Moolenaar stated that he believes there is much more value in meeting with people one-on-one or in small groups. We reject all violence, threats of violence, intimidation and bullying in all forms, Arnosky said on Friday. Although we stand in stark opposition to many issues, we also recognize the inherent dignity of individuals. Were a very civil group. Curell agreed. We feel bad we got over 850 members that are committed to civil, positive change, she said. Were patriots, we want to do this the right way. We want to say that this is nice, but we want an open forum. The contingent from WOMAN went into Fridays meeting with three objectives: 1. To have Moolenaar commit to a voter forum, town hall meeting, hopefully before the next congressional recess. 2. To learn the best mechanism for members to reach out Moolenaar and actually be heard and get a response, not a form letter. 3. And discussion of a few specific issues. I do many public forums. Ive done 26 since Ive been elected, Moolenaar responded to the first request. That is something Ill continue to do. It is a benefit to sit down in a group where you can actually sit down and have a dialogue. That is why I wanted to sit down with you today to find out the issues you were concerned about and work together in addressing them. Moolenaar responded that he was absolutely in favor of holding an open, town hall meeting. I meet with constituents in all 15 counties and what I would envision is a place central to the 4th Congressional District and have a listening session and have people come from all over the district to participate. Nominations are being sought for the Gerstacker teacher proficiency awards to recognize contributions by exemplary teachers beyond the ordinary level of professional performance. These awards are made possible through the support of the Carl and Esther Gerstacker Donor-Advised Fund at the Midland Area Community Foundation. Four awards will be made to Midland Public Schools teachers this spring for Excellence in Teaching. Two of the awards will be made to teachers in the elementary division (K-5) and two to teachers in the secondary division (6-12). Recipients will receive a cash award to be used for travel, continuing education, research in education or other appropriate purposes, along with an engraved permanent testimonial to their exceptional professional merit. Nominations may be submitted via e-mail by accessing the Midland Public Schools website at www.midlandps.org There are no restrictions on who may make a nomination or on how many nominations a person may submit. Any Midland Public Schools teacher who has served continuously for a period of three or more years is eligible for the award. A personal letter may also be used as a nomination and should be submitted to: Midland Public Schools, Gerstacker Awards Committee, Attn: Patrick Frazee, 600 E. Carpenter St., Midland, Michigan, 48640. Nominations submitted each year expire with the announcement of the honorees for that year. Anyone who submitted a nomination in the past is encouraged to re-submit the nomination this year. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 10. Residents also are invited to attend this years ceremony on Thursday, May 11, at 4:10 p.m. at Northwood University Griswold Lecture Hall. An hors doeuvre reception will follow the awards ceremony in the Griswold Dining Room to honor the recipients and celebrate the educational excellence of Midland Public Schools. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today A mix of clouds and sun. High near 85F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Partly cloudy skies this evening. Thunderstorms likely late. Low 71F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%. It bodes us well to compare the trying times of 1776, during the birth of our nation, with the trying times of 2016, as our nation continues to evolve, allowing the intervening 240 years for reflection. Many parallels can be drawn from the inspiring commentaries of Thomas Paine*, which swell above the dissonance of cantankerous debate amplified by pursuit of trivial news in the instant communications of modern times. Arguments between progressives and realists are replete with whether history is cyclic and crises repeat. (*) Essays I and XIII of The American Crisis, a series of 13 pro-revolutionary essays written between Dec. 23, 1776 to April 19, 1783 by Thomas Paine, political philosopher and writer, expound on his ongoing support for an independent self-governing America through the severe crises of the Revolutionary War. (Whether Paines views were Republican or Democratic is beyond the scope of this humble article.) In his first essay, written when the revolution was viewed as an unsteady prospect, Paine contrasted the conflict between the good American devoted to civic virtue and the selfish Provincial facing the possibility of an ensuing panic. It so inspired General Washington that he had it read to his troops at Valley Forge. Some excerpts from Thomas Paine (The Crisis, Essay I, Dec 23, 1776) (emphases added): THESE are the times that try mens souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. / What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. / Tis surprising to see how rapidly a panic will sometimes run through a country. All nations and ages have been subject to them. / Yet panics, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows through them, and acquires a firmer habit than before. But their peculiar advantage is, that they are the touchstones of sincerity and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might otherwise have lain forever undiscovered. / They sift out the hidden thoughts of man, and hold them up in public to the world. / There is a natural firmness in some minds which cannot be unlocked by trifles, but which, when unlocked, discovers a cabinet of fortitude. / But, before the line of irrecoverable separation be drawn between us, let us reason the matter together. / I thank God, that I fear not. I see no real cause for fear. I know our situation well, and can see the way out of it. / By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils / We are now experiencing trying times redux a repeating cycle of disquiet and turbulence when our collective futures seem uncertain world conflicts, political unrests, economic concerns, immigration issues, and heath and environmental threats. These challenges to our existence are indeed difficult (1) to define and place in context, (2) to interpret and prioritize and (3) to solve expeditiously, This is especially true amidst a background cacophony of prejudgments and affixations of blame for future events yet to transpire before their outcomes are determined to be adverse or beneficial. Present-day events pale by comparison to those from earlier periods in our nations history, like the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and World War I and World War II. Even in the aftermaths of those past conflicts, when our nation was torn asunder and raw memories were fresh, we were still united in the common causes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Civil War; the South v. the North! Families and friends had deep divisions of opinion. Local citizens traveled far away to fight and die, family against family, for a cause. When it ended, times were tough and lives were changed forever. Peace brought prosperity. Our pioneering forefathers saw their futures as bright. The potential for growth and development was endless. The power of the human spirit was repeatedly bent, but never broken! The present national political crisis would seem to rank small compared to past crises, which instigated periods of nation-building. Unlike past crises, the current crisis has been largely self-inflicted from within: ignited by divided opinions, fueled by real and imagined consequences and fanned by public doomsayers into an apparent conflagration. It seemingly can only be quenched by reversals of fortune for the disenfranchised, to avoid leaving us in the ashes of our past greatness. Has this newly created crisis with its divisive internalized polarizations, caused us to regress to a nation of summer soldiers and sunshine patriots, shrinking from service to our country? Are we repeating our past history? The reader of current news is seriously challenged to distinguish between true and false news. The problem is compounded by the blurring of what one thinks is true and what actually is true versus what disingenuous others with ulterior motives want one to believe is true. One might separate local news from the omnipresent onslaught of national news. In small-town America, local news is presumed to be more believable and less threatening, while national news, being more distant, is often reported as breaking (and unfixed), implying bad to impending worsening conditions without proven association, and seldom reported as impossible, incredible and/or irrefutable. No prioritizations are made between false, inconsequential, trivial news and true, substantive, non-trivial news. The naive public is left to transform earth-shaking trivial news from perception into reality. Such a waste of time is a terrible thing to mind. In a free society, citizens are rightly left to voice their opinions regardless of personal experience or expertise and to form conflicting liberal/conservative interpretations of the opinions made by others. This begets a continual onslaught of letters to editors from gruntled and disgruntled readers facing each other across opposite sides of political walls, silently accepting or actively expressing divergent viewpoints and bemoaning respective fates. This continues until another interminable election cycle sweeps the political stage and overwhelms all. Unfortunately, there are few pauses to allow attempts at conflict resolution. Who among us wishes acrimonious debates and divisive protests thrust uninvited into our daily lives? Who cares to read minutiae of crowd sizes, whose bust is in the White House or divers unsubstantiated prognostications of doom and gloom? Accusations abound of fake news generated with audacious claims and misleading statements attributable to undocumented sources. Differences in mutually exclusive past/present/future views lead to conflicts of popular beliefs, desired actions and preferred outcomes. Fake news casts doubts, discredits actions, creates confusion, provokes misunderstandings and generally muddies the waters. Real issues of job creation, the economy, world peace and tolerance of others are lost as trivia prevails. The dictum, When the legend become fact, print the legend appears increasingly in disingenuous ways to promote reactions to popularized trivial issues. We harken to calls to actions without consequences. It is exciting to write about the present once one gets beyond the trivia of the moment. As a time to live in, as a time to think about, the present is intriguing. (Vikram Seth, Indian writer and poet, 2009) Trivia has two interpretations. In the classic sense, trivia (L. trivium, from tri- three + via road) literally describes a place where three roads meet, a crossroads. It is interpreted as an open place, a common or public place. (Trivia was the Roman goddess of crossroads and guardian of roads.) In the modern sense trivia refers to congeries of insignificant details rather than to three of the classical pursuits*. (*) The first three pursuits comprise the Trivium (three roads), the arts of Grammar, Logic and Rhetoric, associated with the communication of information. The second four pursuits comprise the Quadrivium (four roads), the sciences of Arithmetic, Geometry, Astronomy and Music, associated with the application of data. A trivial-minded person in trivial pursuit of trivial news might consider the soft information of the arts easier to digest and regurgitate, and of greater consequence than the hard data of the sciences. Paine speaks only fleetingly of being thankful for the most trivial evasions to the most humble remonstrances (Crisis V): To argue with a man who has renounced the use and authority of reason, and whose philosophy consists in holding humanity in contempt, is like administering medicine to the dead, or endeavoring to convert an atheist by scripture; and of the limits of a dispute, being fixed by the fate of arms, and guaranteed by treaties, are not to be changed or altered by trivial circumstances (Crisis VIII): To prosecute the war with vigor, and to make every exertion in order to compel our enemies to equitable terms of peace and accommodation. Who makes the final judgment between the trivial and the consequential? Who is in control: the individual, the public, the media, the government, all four entities? Is it minds over what matters, or matters that occupy the most minds? The real questions are whos in charge versus whos not, whether those in charge are responsible, who knows what change is needed and who makes best effort for all? Our nation seems now at a crossroads caught between perception and reality ensnared inexorably between the trivial and the consequential. Has the public juxtaposed these two positions to where reality becomes perception that trumps hillarity (sic)? Has balancing our nations risks evolved into extremes of being left (topsy-turvy), or right (rectifiable), depending upon political persuasions? Extremes lead to decided losses to our shared sanities and political parities. We risk rewriting our history by repeating, reinterpreting and reassessing. Two quotations come to mind one familiar: Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. (Santayana, Life of Reason, 1905), and one obscure: When the situation was manageable it was neglected, and now that it is thoroughly out of hand we apply too late the remedies which then might have affected a cure*. (Winston Churchill, House of Commons, May 2, 1935) (*) The quote continues: There is nothing new in the story. It is as old as the Sibylline Books. It falls into that long, dismal catalogue of the fruitlessness of experience and the confirmed unteachability of mankind. Want of foresight, unwillingness to act when action would be simple and effective, lack of clear thinking, confusion of counsel until the emergency comes, until self-preservation strikes its jarring gong these are the features which constitute the endless repetition of history. The Sibyls were oracles consulted in times of momentous crises through the history of the Roman Empire, who predicted the future as inspired by the gods. Their answers depended upon how questions were asked not unlike modern journalists whose questions may be answered with oblique responses. We have truly arrived at a trivium, a crossroads where our political differences intersect. We now must merge in mutually responsible and cooperative ways to insure that our nation moves forward in a positive direction for our common good! O Trivia Goddess, leave these low abodes, And traverse oer the wide ethereal roads; Celestial Queen, put on the robes of light, Now Cynthia (Artemis) named, fair regent of the night. At sight of thee the villain sheaths his sword, Nor scales the wall, to steal the wealthy hoard. O may thy silver lamp from heavns high bowr Direct my footsteps in the midnight hour! John Gay*, Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London, 1706. https://archive.org/details/triviaorartwalk00gaygoog (*) This satirical poem pretends to advise the reader about a congeries of trivial matters how to dress properly, what sorts of boots to wear, how to survive falling masonry, chamber pots being emptied out of windows, overflowing gutters, pickpockets, wig thieves, mud splashes from carriages, etc. Its true intent is directed to the classic interpretation of Trivia offering a liberal education in an urban sociology. In the modern sense, it can be extrapolated to walking the streets of Washington, D.C., and the enduring of the perils of politics by those governing by those being governed. Two additional quotations anticipate the uncertainties posed by the current dilemma: President Lincoln said during a time of extreme tribulation: If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. (A. Lincoln, House Divided, June 16, 1858). Forest Gump immortalized the line: Mama always said life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what youre gonna get. (Forrest Gump, 1994, American comedy-drama film based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom.) Current events may seem uncertain in these trying times. We thrive on new challenges, but we must accept unexpected results. Remember where you are and whether you are tending. This always has, and will continue to be so. It also bodes us well to conclude by reflecting further upon the optimisms described by Thomas Paine. In his 13th essay, written when the Revolution was nearing its successful conclusion, Paine offered thoughts on the coming peace, and its probable advantages as he contemplated the transition from the tumult of war to the tranquility of peace, noting a need for gradual composure of the senses to receive it. Some excerpts from Thomas Paine (Essay No. XIII, April 19, 1783) (emphases added): THESE are times that tried mens souls, and they are over and the greatest and completest revolution the world ever knew, gloriously and happily accomplished. But to pass from the extremes of danger to safety from the tumult of war to the tranquility of peace, though sweet in contemplation, requires a gradual composure of the senses to receive it. Even calmness has the power of stunning, when it opens too instantly upon us. The long and raging hurricane that should cease in a moment, would leave us in a state rather of wonder than enjoyment; and some moments of recollection must pass, before we could be capable of tasting the felicity of repose. There are but few instances, in which the mind is fitted for sudden transitions: it takes in its pleasures by reflection and comparison and those must have time to act, before the relish for new scenes is complete. Independence always appeared to me practicable and probable, provided the sentiment of the country could be formed and held to the object: and there is no instance in the world, where a people so extended, and wedded to former habits of thinking, and under such a variety of circumstances, were so instantly and effectually pervaded, by a turn in politics, as in the case of independence; and who supported their opinion, undiminished, through such a succession of good and ill fortune, till they crowned it with success. / With the blessings of peace, independence, and an universal commerce, the states, individually and collectively, will have leisure and opportunity to regulate and establish their domestic concerns, and to put it beyond the power of calumny to throw the least reflection on their honor. Character is much easier kept than recovered, and that man, if any such there be, who, from sinister views, or littleness of soul, lends unseen his hand to injure it, contrives a wound it will never be in his power to heal. Stacy Leroy Daniels has been a resident of Midland since the mid-1940s. Near the end of World War II, he and a group of third grade classmates were photographed exchanging Valentines cards at a cardboard post office at Sugnet Elementary School. It was a trying time but everyone loved one another, and all were proud to be Americans. He later wrote, The Comedy of Crystal Lake, a true story of an ambitious attempt to build a navigable canal in equaling trying times just after the Civil War. Reassessment of many forgotten nontrivial facts turned an apparent failure into an obvious success, a serendipitous reversal of fortune! STREATOR A Streator woman reportedly abducted last week by her ex-boyfriend has been found and he has been arrested, LaSalle County sheriff's police said Friday. "Kayla Stratton was recovered safely," Sheriff Thomas Templeton said in a prepared statement. The FBI's Violent Crimes Task Force arrested Clarence Merritte, 33, about 6:30 p.m. Friday at a home in Calumet City, police said. He was charged in a warrant with unlawful restraint, aggravated assault, driving while license revoked and domestic battery. He was jailed without bond. The LaSalle County Sheriff's Department, Streator police, FBI, and the Cook County Sheriff's Office Fugitive Unit have been involved in the case. Templeton previously said the incident happened during a custody exchange at 10:30 p.m. Feb. 17 in Streator in which Merritte picked up their 11-month-old son, Paul. During the exchange, there was an apparent altercation between Merritte and Strattons brother. The sheriff said Merritte, with the child in his car, rammed the vehicle the Strattons were in and then forced Kayla Stratton into his car. Merrittes abandoned vehicle was later found several blocks from the crash scene, but Merritte and Kayla Stratton, 24, had disappeared. A day later, the infant was found unharmed outside the Streator home of a friend of the missing woman. He had been turned over to his mother's parents. Merritte also is due in court Feb. 28 on unrelated charges of aggravated battery and driving with a revoked license. He is on parole from the Illinois Department of Corrections on drug charges. NORMAL While the Illinois attorney general's office considers whether Normal City Council's comment policy is legal, a Chicago-area lawmaker hopes to make sure it won't be. State Rep. Steve Andersson, R-Geneva, is sponsoring a bill that would require public bodies to permit comments from any one constituent at least once per meeting. Andersson said in a release the proposal was specifically inspired by Normal's policy, which allows an individual constituent to address the council during a meeting only once every 45 days. What if there (is) more than one issue you want to address, and those issues are being considered at two different meetings during a 45-day period? Do you have to then pick one issue over another and hope for the best when it comes to your other concern?" said Andersson in a release. "Rules like this are arbitrary rules that violate the intent of the Open Meetings Act. When asked how the bill changes Normal's plan to wait for the attorney general's ruling, Mayor Chris Koos said, "Were hopeful the AG will give us a quick decision. If they dont, well probably have to figure something out internally, he said. The bill has been assigned to the House rules committee. "I find it interesting, though not surprising, a state legislator outside our district would propose 'fixing' our 'problem' without consulting anyone from Normal to get the local aspect," said council member Jeff Fritzen. Members were split last month on whether the policy is productive, though they agreed residents should be aware there are many ways to contact their elected officials aside from public comments at meetings. Those include phone calls, email, social media and in-person meetings. Making public comment, if the goal of that is to make your voice heard to the mayor and council, is likely one of the more inefficient ways to do so, said council member Scott Preston. From the town of Normal website, with one click, you can email the mayor and council all at once. Preston added, however, he doesn't "necessarily see a need for a wait time in between comments from the same individual." "I think there are other ways we could continue to approach our public comment that carry on the good spirit the current wait rule carries," he said. Preston is one of four candidates for three council seats on the April 4 ballot. Koos, who was mayor when the rule was implemented, said officials "didnt foresee that people would have something to say every meeting" and "thought that was a prudent rule. Marc Tiritilli, who is opposing Koos in the election, has promised to change the rule if elected. The council also has heard opposition to the practice during recent public comments. Neither Bloomington City Council nor McLean County Board has a similar policy. Bloomington's meetings generally have more public comments than Normal's or the county's, though the city is considering a more limiting comment policy. The bill is HB 3626. Gov. Jim Justice of West Virginia has introduced a bill in the Senate on education reforms. He wants to overhaul the system that will put school boards in control. Justice has made true his promise on education reforms on the day he was inaugurated. His proposal, Senate Bill 420, was entered into the Legislation session on Feb. 23. "Our local school districts and parents have lost control of what's going on in the classroom," the governor wrote in his statement, published at the official site. "My plan will transform our public schools into a world-class education system that gives all of our students a shot at success and allows our teachers the freedom to teach." Among his proposals, the governor wants to remove "rigid regulations" imposed on teachers and reduce over-testing students. He also wants to restructure, if not eliminate, the state's Department of Education, the Regional Education Service Agencies (RESA) and the School Building Authority. RESA, in particular, will impact big changes should the bill get passed. The agency aids public schools in bulk buying resources, as well teachers' training and sharing of specialized staff across the state. Justice also wants an increase in the wages of classroom teachers. He plans to establish a county superintendents' advisory council to oversee public school operations, according to Metro News. State Senate President Mitch Carmichael and Senate Minority Leader Sen. Roman Prezioso has promised to support the governor's bill. "The current system is not working," Carmichael said, per The State Journal, citing the move is in the right direction. Carmichael also said he hasn't fully reviewed the 60-page proposal, particularly regarding teachers' wages. As it is, the state's budget is already $450 million in deficit and other state workers are also deserving of a raise, not just the teachers. The deliberation at the Senate, however, should be able to work out these details in Justice's bill. The article to which I link below may suggest some implications for my own familys history, as well as for the genealogies of more than a few readers of this blog. (It may also have something to suggest about todays refugee situation and the treatment of immigrants.) http://www.realclearscience.com/articles/2017/02/25/why_did_danish_vikings_move_to_england.html My paternal grandfather was from Denmark. He came over to the United States as a baby (or were still not sure about this was born almost immediately after his parents immigrated). My paternal grandmother left Norway when she was eighteen. So Im 50% Scandinavian right there. But my maternal ancestry comes from the very areas of Scotland (Ayrshire) and northeastern England (near York) that seem to have been most heavily impacted by Scandinavian raids and settlements. Which means that I may ultimately be more than 50% Scandinavian. To the extent that weve been able to trace them, my Yorkshire ancestors come from the village of Riccall, which was originally the site of an Anglo-Saxon settlement there is evidence of an original Saxon church on the site of the current St. Marys and a few villages round about it. Riccall sits in the historic East Riding of Yorkshire, about 3.5 miles from Selby, where an important abbey stands, and about 9 miles south of the city of York itself. Riccall was the site of the base camp of Harald Hardrada Harald III, King of Norway in 1066. King Edward the Confessor had died without an heir in January of that year, creating a dispute over the royal succession. Harold Godwinson, usually termed an Anglo-Saxon but also related to King Cnut (or Canute) the Great (d. 1035) who was the king of Denmark, Norway, and England was chosen by the Witenagemot and was crowned at Westminster Abbey. Norways King Harald, however, contested Harold Godwinsons coronation and claimed the English throne for himself. Accordingly, he invaded England. He had sailed up the estuary of the River Humber (from which Northumbria takes its name) and landed on the banks of the River Ouse, which is near Riccall. He set up his camp there before his victory over the northern English earls at the Battle of Fulford on 20 September 1066. Just five days later, though, on 25 September 1066, he was defeated and killed by Harold Godwinson at the Battle of Stamford Bridge. That battle itself, though, proved disastrous for the English King Harold even though he was victorious in it. He had been in southern England, anticipating an invasion from France by William, Duke of Normandy, who was another contender for the English throne. Learning of the Norwegian invasion, though, King Harold headed north at great speed with as many warriors as he could gather, travelling day and night with his best and most dedicated fighters. He made the journey from London to Yorkshire, a distance of about 185 miles, in only four days, which enabled him to take the Norwegians completely by surprise. His army of 5,000 defeated a Norwegian army that is usually put at 6,000 but may have been even larger. However, he suffered heavy casualties (roughly 15% of his soldiers were killed) and the battle distracted him from his necessary defense of Englands south coast at precisely the wrong time, which, thus, left it open to Norman invasion. And the rest, as they say, is history: Force-marching his exhausted and depleted army back down to the south after their victory over the Norwegians at Stamford Bridge, without enough time to recruit more fighters, Harold was defeated by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings on 14 October 1066. And, so, the Normans (who were themselves of Viking origin, the descendants of Norsemen), became the lords of England. Most important historical battles arent really all that decisive or pivotal, except in a narrow political and military context. But the Battle of Hastings was of incalculable importance, politically, militarily, and culturally. The imposition of elite Norman French on the Germanic Anglo-Saxon language of the conquered English, for example, created our English language. Its why English has such a rich and supple vocabulary with such interesting pairings as Germanic handbook and ghost and their more elevated Latinate synonyms manual and spirit and is one of the factors that made Chaucer, Milton, and Shakespeare possible. Patna: Hundreds of thousands of devotees in Patna on Friday observed Mahashivratri by holding fast and offering prayers at several Shiv temples across the state capital. With heavy security around Mahavir Temple outside Patna Junction and other temples in Patna, married women and young girls made a beeline to offer holy water from the Ganges on Lord Shiva's idols to seek His blessings. Equipped with flowers, sweets, and incense sticks, the devotees waited for their turn to be led by temple priests who helped them perform the puja and blessed them by applying 'tika' on their foreheads. As always, the biggest attraction of the day was for men and women actually holding live cobra snakes in their hands as a symbol of blessings directly from Lord Shiva. Despite initial apprehensions, young boys and girls were seen holding snakes in their hands and feeding milk to them to mark the holy occasion. Heavy crowd was also seen at the Panch Shiv Temple in Kankarbagh, Hanuman Temple on Boring Canal road, Khajpura Shiv Temple, Thakurbari Temple in Kadam Kuan, and Shiv Temple on Nala Road, among others. Patna: Sudhir Kumar, senior IAS officer and the Chairperson of the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC), was arrested from his home in Hazaribagh in Jharkhand on Friday for his alleged involvement in the paper leak and job scam that led to the cancellation of the entire recruitment exam earlier this month. Police also arrested four of his relatives who were said to be part of the employment ring allegedly ran by Kumar, a former Home Secretary. Talking to the media on Friday, Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Manu Maharaj said that the arrest was made after a thorough probe by a Special Investigative Team (SIT). "More than 13,000 posts of clerks and other low level jobs in the government have to be filled through the BSSC test. The exams, however, were cancelled in their entirety after the question papers leaked out just hours ahead of the second phase of the test. The SIT has found evidences that suggest that Mr. Kumar was involved in a high-profile job scam that led to his arrest today," he said. Meanwhile, the IAS Officer's Association called Kumar's arrest a witch-hunt and demanded his immediate release and all charges dropped. "Sudhir Kumar has been made scapegoat in this high-profile corruption case involving government officials and crores of rupees. We know Mr. Kumar is a man of unimpeachable character and we will take all necessary actions to ensure his is declared not guilty and is freed immediately from the jail," the Secretary of the Bihar chapter of the IAS Officers' Association Vivek Singh said. He further said that the association has sought a meeting with the Chief Minister to demand for Kumar's release. Mind mapping software solution Bloomfire (which begins at $9 per user per month, when paid annually) emphasizes capturing institutional knowledge and presenting it to an organization's newest members. This is useful whether it's implemented for internal purposes or for a customer support or sales system. Bloomfire's customers include Domino's, the Livestrong Foundation, Whole Foods Market, Metagenics, Elixiter, Dun & Bradstreet, and Genband. Bloomfire is sold per user. Costs are $9 and $17 for the Basic and Plus tiers, respectively. Special pricing is available for enterprise customers with 1,000 or more users and also for on-premises installations. There is also a demonstration(Opens in a new window) subscription. And, as you'll read, though it has many strengths, Bloomfire didn't come out on top as competitor Expert Software Applications Mindomo (36.00 Per User (for a 6-month-long license) at Mindomo)(Opens in a new window) won our Editors' Choice award in this mind mapping software solution review roundup. Setting Up Bloomfire subscribers, as with the similar Front & Main Honey (4.00 Per User Per Month (Billed Annually) at Honey)(Opens in a new window) service, can complete their biographical information such as name, department, expertise, interests, and time zoneor just import your data from LinkedIn. (A similar option to integrate with Google Apps led to an error message from Google but that's probably not Bloomfire's fault.) There is integration to post into Salesforce.com's Chatter product plus a variety of Facebook/Twitter-like notification options. You can create multiple users simultaneously by entering a list of email addresses or copying/pasting from a spreadsheet. A challenge with social mind mapping software may be getting your employees to actually use it. Bloomfire addresses this with a gamification approach. Users can become Aces (for content with many likes and shares), Bookworms (for users who often like or share others' content), or Producers (for those who are prolific posters of content, questions, and answers). It is a similar incentive to achieving mayorship of your favorite locations on Foursquare. To gauge users' production, there are pie charts that display rankings of top users in all categories and related data. Data can be sorted in 7-, 30-, 60-, and 90-day increments. A reporting feature visually clarifies which content most successfully enables collaboration and which is most-viewed. It's interesting to observe that the most useful content and most viewed content is not always the same. Administrators can also see a view showing who answered a question, how long it took, the degree of an answer's helpfulness, and whether the answer was officially accepted. Interface and Usability There are three main elements to the Bloomfire user interface (UI). A main menu with highlighted content stretches across the top. Filters such as Content Type, Groups, Categories, Tags, and Contributors are all in a left-hand side navigation menu. The actual knowledge base is in the middle/right. It feels similar to browsing an e-commerce websitecompany officials said they had a mixture of Amazon.com and Facebook in mind. As such, each piece of content shows an image, poster's name, date, headline, number of views, number of comments, and number of "high fives" which is Bloomfire-speak for likes. Content is sorted by default into a grid, but there is also a list option. Users can also sort by what's bookmarked, popular, or recent. Bloomfire has some interesting options for posting new content. Users get a WordPress-like UI where you can change the formatting, save drafts, or produce content in straight HTML. You can record content directly from a web camera, including for replies; schedule posts to appear later; review a post's history; and publish in a series, which is a way to automatically group your posts based on content similarities. Using a series would be helpful for posts representing a department or a project, rather than one person's independent content. Yet another option is to publish a formal question. Titles for questions are limited to 255 characters, but there doesn't appear to be any limit for the optional description field. There is an option called publish quietly for posting without having everyone receive a notification. There's no formal option to publish loudlya user asked on the Bloomfire community website(Opens in a new window) and was presented with a tolerable work-around. Additional features that stand out in Bloomfire are a trouble ticket creation system and extensive resources such as tutorials and white papers. Other products offer similar resources but to lesser extents. I tried the accompanying Android application and found it very well designed. It opens with a quick video tutorial showing, for example, how to take action on someone's post: You just long-press, hold your finger down, options pop up, slide your fingertip to the desired action, and let go. It is easy to do. There is access to all of the same features as in the primary desktop web UI. Of course, there's also an iOS equivalent. Bloomfire officials said they're developing further customization tools, integration with RSS and Twitter feeds, and features that let you send specific content to outsiders who might not be system users. These features are planned for release in the next few months. Outside of the service itself, the most unique feature is the Bloomfire community website. This is a public installation that serves in many ways as Bloomfire's public relations (PR), with posts about new customers and social learning. But mostly it is mostly where experts post insider tips and tricks about making the most of the product. Browse or search here by typing in your question and liking, commenting, or sharing the results. It is easy to imagine how this type of installation could be useful for almost any midsize or large organization, especially one with a distributed workforce. Conclusion Of the products in this mind mapping review roundup, Bloomfire, Inc.'s namesake product is most similar to the service by Front & Main Honey. However, Bloomfire has several more options than Front & Main Honey, yet is still easy to use. Therefore, it would be hard to rationalize buying the Front & Main Honey service unless low price is the utmost concern. Bloomfire gives you a lot more bang for the buck. Bloomfire 3.5 (Opens in a new window) See It Visit Site at Bloomfire (Opens in a new window) MSRP $9.00 Pros Gamification incentives. Strong analytics. Cons Limited enterprise integration. The Bottom Line Mind mapping software solution Bloomfire is a good choice for visual-centric teams that need performance analytics. Reducing harmful regulations and bringing back blue-collar jobs were major themes of Donald Trumps presidential campaign. Now he is following through on those pledges. President Trump signed legislation repealing an Interior Department rule finalized in the waning days of the Obama administration that restricted the amount of coal mining debris that may be dumped into nearby streams, and required greater remediation of such areas. The regulation was only finalized in December, though it had been in development for seven years. The coal industry claimed that the rule was superfluous and would cost thousands of jobs in an industry already decimated by both government regulation and market forces, including the rise of cheap natural gas and declining demand from China. And Trump had previously argued that the stream rule duplicates existing protections in the Clean Water Act and is unnecessary given the other federal and state regulations already in place. In eliminating this rule, I am continuing to keep my promise to the American people to get rid of wasteful regulations that do nothing absolutely nothing but slow down the economy, hamstring companies [and] push jobs to other countries, Trump said during last Thursdays White House signing ceremony. Compliance with the rule would have cost the coal industry more than $50 million a year, he added. Trumps actions mark a significant departure from the administration of Barack Obama, which seemed to make good on a very different kind of promise regarding the coal industry. So if somebody wants to build a coal-powered plant, they can; its just that it will bankrupt them, because theyre going to be charged a huge sum for all that greenhouse gas thats being emitted, Obama told the San Francisco Chronicle in 2008. An estimated 83,000 coal jobs were lost and hundreds of coal mines were shuttered during his administration, which often imposed costly regulations through the Environmental Protection Agency and others that hurt the industry. Such issues have now put many red-state Democrats in awkward positions. Ten Democratic senators will face re-election fights next year in states where Trump won; of those, five hail from states where he won by double digits, a recent RealClearPolitics article noted. But with their party base screaming for blood, those incumbents could find themselves swimming against the partisan tide in both directions, torn between working with Trump or denouncing him. Joe Manchin, the Democratic senator, and former governor, from coal-rich West Virginia, was at the signing ceremony for the annulling of the so-called Stream Protection Rule. Manchin has chosen to eschew the uncompromising resistance strategy favored by many on the progressive wing of his party in favor of seeking areas of agreement and working with the Trump administration. Ive got more agreement from [Trump] than I got from any other administration in a month, he told RCP. As the Republican Party continues to make good on promises to roll back Obama-era regulations, especially those concerning core Democratic issues like the environment and Obamacare, it will be interesting to see if the progressive resistance movement will strengthen or wither away like the Occupy movement. The Arabic coffee was ready, served black in small porcelain cups, as the extended family of 17 were gathered in the living room watching KVCR, the Inland Empires public television channel. At one point, Mahmoud Ezzeddin, 71, left and came back wearing what he referred to as his Arabic coat, a long and heavy jacket that would keep him warm during winter in Syria. He might not have much use for it here in Southern California, but it was a nice reminder of what used to be home. The Ezzeddins who include Mahmoud and his wife, their three adult children and their spouses, and nine grandchildren are Syrian Muslim refugees who were vetted in Egypt for about two and a half years before immigrating to the United States. RELATED: Muslim leader urges support for Californias Syrian refugees Theyre a family of artists who embellished furniture in Syria. Now, theyre trying to make the best of life in Riverside at a time when immigrants and refugees, particularly those who are Muslim, are being targeted as threats to national security. Citing terrorism concerns, President Donald Trump signed an executive order in late January banning people from seven majority Muslim countries from entering the United States. The order, which was blocked by the courts, directed authorities to single out and reject Syrian refugees when processing new visa applications. Mahmoud Ezzeddin said he envisioned living his late years alongside his neighbors in Homs, a city in western Syria, not spending them as a refugee in a foreign country. In 2011, a government crackdown against dissent sparked a civil war in Syria. Years later, bombs destroyed the family home. My house fell down. It fell down, he said. In one moment you lost everything everything. Here in mostly liberal Southern California, Trumps travel ban was met with strong dissent with thousands of protesters showing support for refugees and immigrants in airports across the state. Refugee advocates celebrated when the courts put Trumps ban on hold. However, the courts left untouched Trumps 50,000-per-year refugee cap, a cut of more than half from the cap under the Obama administration. When the ban was put in place, 32,000 refugees had already been resettled throughout the United States, said Martin Zogg, executive director of International Rescue Committee in Los Angeles, one of nine nonprofit agencies authorized by the U.S. government to resettle refugees. Now, only 18,000 refugees will be allowed into the U.S. for the remainder of the year, Zogg said, causing one resettlement agency, World Relief, to lay off employees and close five of its offices. But there are other severe consequences. More delays and even longer waits are in store for those in line to be processed by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, the International Rescue Committee said. RELATED: Looking to help, Riverside nonprofit is reaching out to refugees The Ezzeddins, however, made it in on time, arriving in California last July. But life here hasnt been easy. MAKING IT IN CALIFORNIA Each year since the civil war began in Syria, more refugees were resettling in the U.S., a trend supported by the Obama administration. In 2016, nearly 15,500 Syrians resettled in the U.S., a huge increase from the 41 in 2012. In 2015, more than 2,100 resettled across the nation. California has led the way in the number of Syrian refugees accepted by the U.S.,when compared with all other states. Most of those who came to Southern California have resettled in San Diego, Anaheim, and Los Angeles. Refugee advocates say one of the biggest challenges in Southern California is finding affordable housing. Some advocates in the Inland area, said theyve seen more refugees settling in the Inland Empire because of cheaper housing. Finding appropriate housing across the region was difficult for the Ezzeddins during their first months here. Soon after arriving at LAX, they stayed at a Glendale hotel for about a month. With nine kids in tow, staying in hotel rooms was difficult. It was pricey, too. They wound up at a house in Anaheim, and thats where Riverside resident Debby Darling, who is now taking the role as their sponsor, met them. Following news of the Syrian crisis, Darling sought to help refugees here. Through her job managing her husband and sons law firm, she worked with a woman from Syria,and asked if she knew of any refugees who needed assistance. The woman led Darling to the Ezzeddins. She met the family,crammed in a house off Cerritos Avenue and Brookhurst Street in Anaheim. When she learned the kids were sleeping on the floor, she decided to help them find a place in the Inland area. She filed rental applications for several houses, only to be refused because the owners were looking for a more traditional American family, Darling said they would tell her. Eventually, she found two apartments and a three-bedroom home for the families. For Darling, helping refugees comes with being a Christian. However, the experience has been eye-opening, especially living so close to San Bernardino, where 14 people were killed in the Dec. 2, 2015, terrorist attack. The attackers were Muslims and one had ties to Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. She was criticized by some of her friends when they found out she was helping Syrian and Muslim refugees. The terror attack, she said, has made people more wary toward refugees. I was naive before this. I thought all my friends would jump in and would want to help. Their first question was, Are they Christian? The terror attack, she said, Gave us a bad mark. I really hate to see that happening to the Inland Empire, she said. Darling has chosen to be cautious when taking out the family to explore the city. Shes taken them bowling, to Johns Incredible Pizza, and to the Mission Inn. But she takes a few family members at a time to attract less attention. She also carries a Taser. Im learning how to word things so that Im able to help some people understand that they are not any different from what we want for our families. SAFE HERE Making it to the United States was a years-long process. When bombs destroyed their home, the Ezzeddins fled to Damascus. They stayed there for about a month and then traveled to Egypt. While in Egypt, the family went through extensive interviews every three or six months, as part of the U.S. vetting process. They were asked about our job what we do in Syria, Ezzeddin said. They wanted to make sure there were no ties with ISIS, said Amjad Ezzeddin, Mahmouds son. Amjad and Mahmoud said theyre not here to talk about Trump or his hard stance on immigrant and refugees. They just want to find a job, provide for their families, and raise their children in a safe environment. The kids dont have to fear for their life here, but Amjad cant help but feel sad when he thinks of his youngest daughter not knowing the Syria that he did. She was about five months old when they fled. She even speaks with an accent she learned from living in Egypt, he said. But he brightens up, realizing she will be multilingual, speaking Arabic and now English. Now, theyre just looking for employment. Its been difficult relying on the help of others, especially when they used to assist those in need, said Mahmoud. Back home, they lived life as artists, running a family business painting furniture and floors. They painted basic furniture and gave it a more vintage feel. Theyve had some odd jobs here, but hope to find something more stable. Their Inland neighborhood is different, people are more likely to stay in their homes, Mahmoud said. In Syria, everyone knew each other. People would invite you for coffee, or tea, he said. You can walk in the street and say Hi to everyone, Mahmoud said. Darling, their sponsor, is hopeful of their life here. She communicates with them using Google translate, and enjoys the Syrian dishes they prepare. We appreciate our new friends and look forward to growing old together, Darling said. I hope America doesnt disappoint them. Hemet police shot and injured an Oceanside homicide suspect at a gas station Friday afternoon, Feb. 24, police say. Hector Galvez, 30, of Hemet, was taken to the hospital before being placed in the custody of the Oceanside Police Department, according to a Hemet police news release that was released 10 hours after the incident occurred. On Friday, the Hemet Police Department was asked to assist Oceanside police in an investigation into the shooting death of 45-year-old Joel Bishop. News sources report that Bishop was found shot about 4:45 a.m. Friday in the 1700 block of South Meyers Street in Oceanside. He was brought to Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, where he died less than an hour later. At 3:16 p.m., Hemet police saw Galvez and, as they were trying to take him into custody, he was shot, according to the release. Hemet officials did not say what prompted the shooting but did note that no officers or bystanders were injured. Once released from the hospital, Galvez was taken to the Vista Detention Facility in San Diego County and booked on suspicion of first-degree murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm, San Diego County booking logs show. He is not eligible for bail. Florida Avenue, also known as Highway 74, was closed at Palm Avenue while police investigated, according to a Twitter message from Caltrans. Hemet police say a second suspect, Jamie Radloff, 27, of Murrieta, was arrested Friday afternoon by Oceanside police in East Hemet in connection with the homicide. Radloff was booked into the same facility as Galvez on suspicion of first-degree murder, booking logs show. She is not eligible for release. News sources report Oceanside police stating that the victim and suspects knew one another and the motive is under investigation. Police are asking anyone with further information about the incident to call 951-765-2400. Galvez and Radloff are scheduled for an arraignment at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Superior Court in Vista, booking logs show. Staff writer John M. Blodgett contributed to this report. Joseph Barragan was eating dinner at the Yard House in Riverside when a patron showed him a picture on a cell phone. Isnt this you? The stranger recognized Barragan, the new Alvord Unified School District trustee, because he came under fire this month when some blasted comments on his Facebook page that they said were racist and insulted undocumented immigrants, blacks and Muslims. Parents, teachers and community members called on Barragan to resign, but he has refused. Weeks earlier, trouble had already been brewing between Barragan and district and teachers union leaders over his allegations of fiscal mismanagement and unethical practices that officials say are unfounded. PREVIOUSLY: Alvord school trustee asked to resign over social media posts Alvord school trustee says he wont resign over post he says arent his With the inaccurate information that hes spreading, its just a complete disruption and a consumes a great deal of time that takes away from the progress of the district, said Leigh Hawkinson, Alvord Educators Association president. Barragan denies writing the Facebook posts and said his account was hacked. Riverside police are investigating the hacking and death threats Barragan said he received. The social media outcry isnt the only controversy surrounding Barragan, the only candidate to file last year for a Trustee Area 2 seat on the board. The seat wasnt on the November ballot and he took office in December to help set policy in the district that serves the western Riverside area and part of Corona. In less than three months, the 21-year-old Riverside native has clashed with Hawkinson as well as Alvord Superintendent Sid Salazar and Board President Art Kaspereen. I feel like public enemy No. 1 right now, Barragan said. RELATED: Jurupa Valley High teachers on leave for social media posts In an acrimonious Feb. 9 board meeting, Kaspereen argued with Barragan after the latter asked him to stifle boos from the audience. Kaspereen said he didnt like being told how to run the meeting. I dont like these distractions, Kaspereen said Friday, Feb. 24. It takes us away from a lot of important issues we need to deal with. We need to be unified and working for our students. Barragans fight with the union started Dec. 8 the day he was sworn in. Hawkinson said that on that day, Barragan refused to be introduced to her by trustee Carolyn Wilson and commented I dont do unions. Hawkinson wrote Barragan a letter, telling him that as a school board member, he is required to interact with employee groups in good faith and without prejudice. RELATED: Moreno Valley trustee criticized for social media posts She warned that efforts to dominate or interfere with her and the union could lead to an unfair labor practice being filed against him. He also could be sued for his actions, the letter said. Barragan later visited several schools, where he said he walked in on teachers sitting at their desks talking on their cell phones rather than instructing. That prompted Hawkinson who called the allegations false to email union members, telling them that unannounced and unescorted visits by trustees could disrupt learning and teachers didnt have to tolerate them. Its absolutely ridiculous, Barragan said. If these teachers are doing their jobs correctly, they dont have to fear anything. In my scope of power, all I can do is report my findings to principals. He posted Feb. 22 on his Facebook page that he plans to visit 10 schools in coming days. Explaining his reason for not speaking to union representatives, Barragan said its district officials job to negotiate contracts, not board members, Barragan said. Barragan said his goals are improved student performance, accountability and transparency. He alleges Hawkinson and the union run the district and control Salazar, whose spending decisions have the district heading toward bankruptcy, Barragan said. Hawkinson rejects Barragans assertion and said the union supports Salazar. I 100 percent will state the accusations hes making are completely false and he has absolutely no basis for what hes saying, said Hawkinson, who hasnt had any contact with Barragan since the initial encounter. I would only do my members harm and our union harm by allowing the district to go bankrupt. We are just as interested in the district staying solvent and programs and positions staying in place as he supposedly is. The districts interim financial report given to the board Dec. 8 shows a positive certification, but there are warning signs. Of concern are anticipated shortfalls of $1.1 million, $2.4 million and $4.6 million in the current and the subsequent two budget years, the report said. Salazar said the deficits are largely the result of reduced state funding, as well as declining enrollment and rising employee pension costs. The district is working on a plan to address the financial situation and the board is set to discuss the matter March 16. In no way are we being negligent, Salazar said. Barragan also criticized Salazar for the decision last year to move out of the districts 56-year-old headquarters on Keller Avenue in Riverside. The district is paying about $135,000 a month to lease most of a three-story building in Corona off the 91 Freeway near the McKinley Street exit. Barragan calls the building Salazars Taj Mahal and the biggest waste of money. He said the superintendent asked to install a private restroom with a shower in his third-floor office. Salazar signed the lease without board approval, Barragan alleges. The board approved the lease May 15, 2014, and Salazar signed the agreement four days later, district records show. Salazar said the buildings owner decided to have a private restroom on the third floor, not him. He said the districts former headquarters was a health and safety hazard and had roof leaks, slanted floors and rodent and insect infestations. Salazar said Barragan is trying to advance a political agenda. The dispute has put the district in a negative light and overshadows accomplishments including higher graduation and lower dropout rates, a dual language immersion program, as well as revived and expanded music classes, he said. Barragan said he doesnt care if hes alone in his fight. What Ive seen the last three months answers the question why our public education system is down the drain, he said. Crowds are expected at the Thursday, March 2, board meeting when community leaders say they will give him one last chance to resign before starting a recall effort. If they recall me, Ill just run again, he said. Im not scared. Im not going to back down. It all started on Thursday, Feb. 23, when Murrieta resident Larry Beach came up with a special birthday surprise that would also celebrate the completion of yearlong chemotherapy treatments for breast cancer. Beach posted a note on a community Facebook page called Murrieta Talk asking local folks to send his wife a birthday card. By mid-afternoon Thursday, almost 200 people had responded saying theyd be happy to send a card as well as gifts ranging from a pair of leggings to free Zumba classes. Beach said in a phone interview that he was surprised by the huge response and vowed to answer each persons posting personally with his mailing address and a thank-you. Maria Beachs 57th birthday is March 25 and it looks like the Beach family letter carrier is going to be busy that day. Its crazy. I was thinking maybe 10 or 15 people or something would respond. Its just birthday cards and now we are getting offers of a free beauty day or a free spa day for her, said Larry Beach, who moved with his wife to Murrieta in 2014 after the couple spent eight years living in Germany. I am a prankster. I was thinking, Wouldnt it be funny if she got all these birthday cards from all these people she doesnt even know. It was a spur-of-the-moment idea, Beach said on Thursday, adding that his wife is unaware (at least, until now) of the online birthday card campaign he started. She is on Facebook too, he said, so he has to be careful to hide it from her because, my phone is blowing up through Facebook. Beach said the couple moved to Murrieta in the summer of 2014 and bought a house in September of that year. His wifes mother passed away about that time following heart surgery. Maria took her moms death hard. A few months later, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer and she had a mastectomy in 2015. After that, for a year, the couple went to a Navy hospital in San Diego weekly so Maria Beach could undergo chemotherapy treatments. She also had a second surgery to remove cancerous lymph nodes, as well as other tests and medical procedures, he said. Maria completed her chemotherapy in December and her once-thick hair has started to grow back, Beach said. Life is getting back to normal for the couple and Maria is able to go to work daily in San Diego, taking a vanpool that leaves Temecula at 4:30 a.m. Larry Beach is studying business management and project management with the University of Phoenix. Shes a strong person, he said of his wife. On the Murrieta Talk Facebook page, which included the basic details about Marias cancer fight, many people not only pledged to send a birthday card but posted messages of hope and prayers for the couple. Some said they, too, had survived breast cancer or a loved one had, and they understood the fight. Your wife is in my prayers!!! Simone Bell Burkeen posted. This is an amazing community what a beautiful gesture. Jane Palmer Mcphee wrote, Ironically, today a memory popped up today on FB. My final day of chemo last year! Breast cancer gone! Your wife has survived a difficult year. Blessings to you both. Celebrate the victory. Community members who would like to drop off a card or gift for Maria Beach at 39520 Murrieta Hot Springs Road, #219, a Murrieta business that Larry Beach has partnered with. A bill that would establish a regulatory framework for legal internet poker in California was amended last week to address some of the longstanding concerns of local tribes, specifically the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians in Temecula and the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians in Palm Springs. A vote is expected soon, possibly as early as Monday. Those tribes have long sought to block or delay access to what is expected to be a lucrative market by bad actors, a term used to describe some of the companies that were offering online poker during the Wild West era of the early 2000s. That era came to an abrupt end in the spring of 2011 on Black Friday, when the federal government shut down numerous sites that were offering online poker. The amendments to AB 2863, which is sponsored by Assemblyman Adam Gray of Merced, would ice the so-called bad actors which include an industry heavyweight in Quebec-based Amaya Inc., owner of the Full Tilt and Poker Stars nameplates in a penalty box for five years. We are working in good-faith with Mr. Gray to resolve this decade-long debate, said Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro in a statement. A five-year penalty box for foreign operators that took illegal bets from 2006 to 2011 is critical. Stakeholders that genuinely care about strong consumer protection and good policy should look favorably at this potential compromise. A provision that would have allowed the sullied operators to buy their way out of the box, for a $20 million fee, has been removed, according to Gambling Compliances Chris Krafcik, who posted analysis of the amendments on his Twitter account. Grays chief of staff, Trent Hager, said Thursday morning the bill will be in its final form and ready for a vote on Monday. A coalition that includes large card clubs, Amaya Inc. and the Morongo and San Manuel Mission Indians has come out against the newly-amended bill, however, saying the amendments target a single company, Amaya, with provisions that would prevent the company from ever securing a license. Rather than creating tribal unity, these drastic amendments have driven tribes further apart, the coalition said in a statement issued Thursday. Despite the coalitions stance, Hager said the Assemblymans office is confident of the bills passage. There have been numerous discussions between the interested parties, that have gone on for months, that have been expedited in the last couple weeks, he said, referring to talks with the coalition that includes the Morongo and the San Manuel tribes. If the bill is approved by both the Assembly and the Senate it would land on the desk of Gov. Jerry Brown, who hasnt said if hes for or against the idea of online poker. Asked if there has been any indication of his support, or lack thereof, for the legislation, Hager said, None whatsoever. Previous attempts to establish a framework for legal online poker were scuttled, in part, by the objections of the states horse racing industry and competing views by the states tribes on how best to address the bad actors. Gray, in a recent statement, said AB 2863 solves both issues. The various attempts to regulate iPoker over the past few years have mainly focused on two key issues: the horse-racing industry as a licensee and the suitability of potential licensee applicants, he wrote. We have taken numerous amendments to address both of these issues. To get the horse racing industry on board, the bill calls for the first $60 million in tax revenue collected each year to be deposited into the California Horse Racing Internet Poker Account, which would be established in the general fund. Krafcik, in a tweet Thursday morning, said that revenue stream/subsidy for the states racing industry does not appear to have been tinkered with. Southern California air-quality officials say they need the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to adopt regulations requiring low-polluting big rig trucks if they hope to have any chance of meeting federal smog standards. In December, the Obama administration promised to adopt federal regulations that would require a new generation of clean-burning diesel trucks. The strict emissions limits were expected to begin in seven years, and experts said they would slash smog-forming emissions from big rig trucks, Southern Californias biggest source of smog. But President Donald Trump has different priorities, and as former Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt takes control of the EPA, its unclear whether the proposed regulations for new trucks remain on track. Some clear-air advocates say they are deeply concerned because Pruitt repeatedly sued the EPA to block federal environmental regulations when he was Oklahomas attorney general. EPA officials this week did not respond to multiple requests seeking information about the status of the big rig truck regulations. Wayne Nastri, the executive officer of the South Coast Air Quality Management District, said his agency plans to push for the new rules because theyre essential to the districts strategy to clean up lung-irritating ozone, the hallmark pollutant summer smog. We are looking to reach out and talk with the (EPA) leadership once it is established, Nastri said in a telephone interview. Nastri is no stranger to the EPA. He served as the agencys southwestern region administrator from November 2001 until 2009 after being appointed to the post by former President George W. Bush. Nastri said hes hopeful that Pruitt will see tremendous health and economic benefits in moving forward with new truck rules. Worst in the nation Southern California has the worst ground-level ozone problem in the nation. Last year, ozone levels within the regions ocean-to-mountains air basin exceeded the federal health standard during 132 days. Ozone aggravates cardiac and respiratory conditions and causes nausea, coughs, burning eyes and runny noses. Its also associated with missed school and work days and increases early deaths, studies have found. It forms when nitrogen oxides react with other pollutants in the atmosphere. Big rig trucks are the regions biggest source of nitrogen oxides, followed by heavy construction equipment and ships, according to air district data. Most big rigs are immune from Californias tougher tailpipe emission standards because they roll in from out of state, Nastri said. The EPA, however, hasnt updated the national heavy duty truck emission standard for 16 years. So in June, the South Coast officials petitioned the EPA for new truck rules that would limit nitrogen oxides to 10 percent of what is allowed in todays new models. They followed up with a trip to Washington, D.C., for meetings with EPA and congressional officials. More than a dozen other state and regional environmental agencies joined them in the petition. Everything seemed to be on track. In the waning days of the Obama administration, the EPA vowed to embark on a years-long rule-making process, although the exact amount of pollution reductions would be determined later, after more analysis. The new rules would start in 2024, and also require carbon emission cuts to help fight climate change, said a Dec. 20 memorandum made public by the EPA. New EPA director The fate of this rule-making is now up to Pruitt, who was confirmed by the Senate on Feb. 17 by a mostly party-line vote of 52-46. Pruitt did not address truck pollution specifically in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. But in his opening statement, he asked rhetorically, What could be more important than protecting our nations waters, improving our air. . . all the while protecting the health and welfare of our people? He also said that we have work to do in reducing the criteria pollutants, which includes ozone. When he was Oklahomas attorney general, Pruitt sued the EPA 14 times to block regulations that were mostly opposed by industry. One suit challenged the federal health standard for ozone pollution, which was imposed by the Obama administration in 2015. This standard of no more than 70 parts per billion averaged over eight hours each day was at the high end of a range of standards recommended by a panel of scientists. The panel had reviewed hundreds of health studies. Pruitt also signed off on other lawsuits that took aim at regulations that reduce mercury pollution, pollution from power plants, and pollution from oil drilling and production sites, and a rule limiting power-plant pollution that crosses state lines, among other complaints in federal court. Jeff Holmstead, an environmental law attorney in Washington, D.C., who oversaw the EPAs air pollution and radiation division during the first term of the Bush administration, was optimistic that Pruitt would follow through with new truck rules. Pruitt has made it clear that he wants to refocus EPA on improving air quality by reducing conventional pollution like NOx (nitrogen oxides), Holmstead said in an email. If there is a cost-effective way for engine makers to further reduce NOx from heavy duty trucks, then I would expect Pruitt to issue new regulations to require it. But Adrian Martinez, Los Angeles attorney for Earthjustice, said the truck rules are in jeopardy. This going to be a dark four years for peoples health, Martinez said. I am deeply concerned Pruitt will not advance regulations need to protect peoples health. Technology available A new generation of clean trucks is technologically doable, Nastri said. Natural-gas bus and garbage truck engines already meet the very low emission standard that was sought by the air district, and such engines could be made larger for heavy- duty trucks, said Wayne Miller, an environmental engineering professor at UC Riverside. While technology is available to cut emissions from diesel engines, its not clear whether the 90 percent reduction sought by the air district can be achieved, but great progress can be made, Miller said. Jed R. Mandel, the president of the Engine Manufacturers Association in Chicago, said reducing nitrogen oxide emissions with pollution controls can hurt fuel efficiency, which results in additional carbon emissions. But his association is ready to work with the EPA to develop cleaner diesel engines. Meanwhile, attorney Ted Hadzi-Antich of the Center for the American Future, said the emission rules sought by the air district are unfair parts of the country that dont have severe ozone pollution problems. The center is the legal arm of the Texas Public Policy Foundation, an Austin, Texas-based conservative think tank that promotes personal responsibility and free enterprise. You really need a local solution, said Hadzi-Antich, who represents trucking companies in California He said he expects tougher emissions rules to increase the price of trucks, which would then force smaller hauling companies out business. This, in turn, would increase shipping costs because there would be less competition among cargo haulers. But Nastri said the regulations would create economic opportunities in the development of the clean engines. And in 2015, the EPA estimated that bringing ozone levels down to healthful levels would save the nation $2.9 billion to $5.9 billion annually from health benefits, including fewer doctor visits and sick days. And only national EPA rules can curb pollution from interstate trucks, Nastri said. We definitely need them to step up, he said. The bill to repair Californias roadways hammered by floods and rockslides in an onslaught of storms this winter has reached nearly $600 million, more than double what the state budgeted for such emergencies, and the costs are mounting for other badly damaged infrastructure just two months into 2017. Recent storms buckled a section of highway in the Sierra Nevada between Sacramento and South Lake Tahoe, causing the shoulder to collapse. Repairs are estimated at $6.5 million. In the scenic Yosemite Valley, only one of three main routes through the national parks major attraction is open because of damage or fear the road could give out from cracks and seeping water, rangers said. On the coast, an entire section of highway running through the Santa Cruz mountains washed out in whats estimated to be one of the states most expensive road projects so far this year, at $15 million. California officials say they have not put a final price tag on damage to other infrastructure this year, including repairs at Oroville Dam, the nations tallest, whose spillways threatened to collapse and flood communities downstream. Early estimates put the fixes at least $200 million. Emergency crews are still busy making repairs statewide and will tally the costs once things dry out. We have so many disasters going on at one time, said Kelly Huston of the California Office of Emergency Services. Were not at a point where we can give a good dollar amount. Several more weeks remain in Californias wet season, which brings the potential for more costly infrastructure damage. Officials at the California Department of Transportation update their tally of needed roadwork each day. The agency responsible for maintaining Californias highways, roads and overpasses has a $250 million reserve fund, far short of the cost to fix damage from recent storms. This is for 2017, Caltrans spokeswoman Vanessa Wiseman said. So, essentially were talking only two months. Storms at both ends of the state have wrecked more than 350 roads, shutting down traffic on at least 35 that await work to rebuild or shore up stretches that washed out, sunk or got covered in mud and rocks, officials said. To cover the shortfall for emergency repairs, Caltrans next month will ask the California Transportation Commission for more money, Wiseman said. Aside from emergency road repairs from storms, Gov. Jerry Browns proposed budget identifies a $6 billion annual backlog of maintenance and repairs for Californias roads, highways and bridges. Lawmakers and the governor have not been able to agree on how to pay for the repairs. Local communities hardest hit by flooding say that rebuilding bridges and roads washed out by storms will cost millions of dollars that they dont have. In San Jose, where storm flooding forced 14,000 residents from their homes this week, officials say they have not yet calculated the cost of the damage. Some people have not returned home yet. Flooding and storm damage in January cost Sonoma County, north of San Francisco, $12.5 million, mostly for road work. Spokeswoman Jennifer Larocque said the county is requesting federal emergency relief funding. Dennis Schmidt, Butte Countys public works director, said storms that led to an emergency at the Oroville Dam tore out two roads and left potholes that will cost more than $1 million to repair. He said that will wipe out the countys emergency budget. Im looking out the window, and its blue skies and sunny, Schmidt said. We need it for a couple days to get out and patch some potholes. Our residents will greatly appreciate that. RELATED Monster storms make a dent in Californias drought The end of Californias drought is much closer after recent rain Should California call off drought emergency? San Bernardino voters took a big step in much-needed political reform when they passed a ballot measure to modernize the citys old, clunky and debilitating charter. City leaders are near another civic milestone: San Bernardino is expected to exit its long bankruptcy in March or April. Now, to maintain San Bernardinos upward momentum, the mayor and City Council should take up another political reform: They should impose campaign contribution limits on those who run for elected office in the city. Heres why: For years, San Bernardinos politics were warped by campaign contributions from the citys powerful safety unions which arguably was a factor that helped drive the city into bankruptcy. Now that the city is recovering and, we hope, ready for a civic renaissance, its politics risk being warped by contributions from special interests like developers and unions. Better to keep big money out of the citys struggle to revive its economic fortunes. San Bernardino wouldnt be the first city in the county to put limits on donations; Grand Terrace, Montclair and Upland have done it. In Riverside County, Murrieta has a cap. Just across the Los Angeles County line, Pomona and Claremont both have limits. San Bernardino County itself has capped contributions to candidates for county office at $4,400 from a person or organization. City council limits are lower, such as $250 for Grand Terrace and Claremont, and around $1,000 for Upland and Murrieta. San Bernardino has a larger population than those cities, but giant cities such as Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco have limits in the $500-$700 range. San Bernardinos council should propose, discuss and pass an ordinance to limit campaign contributions. Council members would be limiting their own future fundraising, but its the right thing to do. Such limits arent a panacea, of course. A city with limits still can have corruption and back-room dealings. But voters can be more assured that candidates arent bought and sold by big-money interests. Many Inland Empire cities could benefit from campaign limits, but San Bernardino is in the most delicate and precarious condition among cities in these parts. It should set an example for the rest. The future of Riversides main library is again up for discussion, now that plans to create a childrens science museum there have been scrapped. The Discovery Science Foundation, which operates Discovery Cubes in Los Angeles and Santa Ana, signed an agreement last year to negotiate taking over the historic library on Mission Inn Avenue. Riverside officials planned to build a new library elsewhere downtown but wanted to save the 1960s building. The one-year agreement expired Wednesday, Feb. 22, two weeks after foundation officials told the city they wont pursue the library project. Foundation President Joe Adams wrote in a Feb. 9 letter to Riverside City Manager John Russo that the organizations 2016 move to merge with ExplorOcean, a Newport Beach marine education center, would make it unable to pursue a Riverside partnership. Over the past two years, Theres just been a lot of growth for us and its happened really quickly, so it was us taking a step back and saying lets make sure that these properties are successful, foundation spokesman Dan Nasitka said Friday. Nasitka said foundation officials see a need for science education in the Inland area and are open to pursuing a project there someday. Russo, who had pitched the science museum for the library site, said he has several replacement ideas that he cant talk about yet. I think it will definitely be something cultural in keeping with the fact that its a major building in the cultural corridor, he said, adding that there are no plans to sell the property or demolish the library building. Some residents may be disappointed not to get a kids museum, said Councilman Mike Gardner, who represents downtown, but I think there will be others who may see an opportunity for something that they would like better. One suggestion thats likely to pop up again is keeping the library in place and renovating it. While not everyone loves the boxy, nearly windowless building, some residents are attached to it and even more think its location in the heart of downtowns historic corridor is ideal. The City Council voted in 2016, against some library lovers wishes, to build a new, modern facility a few blocks away at the bus terminal site on Fairmount Boulevard. Riverside Transit Agency buses stopped using the terminal early this year, and the city is negotiating an exit for Greyhound. Tom Donahue, a downtown resident who opposed replacing the library with a science museum, said the demise of that plan should reopen discussions on the best use of the library property. Maybe theres a way to combine the educational missions of the library and the Riverside Metropolitan Museum across the street, Donahue said. Expanding the museum has also been on the councils priority list for about a decade. We have scarce resources. Why couldnt we look at something uniquely Riverside? Donahue said. But Gardner said the debate should focus on putting an educational, cultural and publicly accessible use in the library building, not on whether the library should move. Weve had the discussion, we made the difficult decision, he said. I dont see a lot of value in revisiting it. LIBRARY IN PLAY? What will happen to Riversides main library building? City officials are about to face the question again. 2007: City officials propose an expanded library with exhibit space for the metropolitan museum, but the community pans the idea. 2009: The City Council votes to build the bigger library, but the costly project is never funded. 2012: Officials agree to a cheaper plan to renovate the library, but it also fails to get funded. 2015: City leaders suggest building a new, modern library at a different site. 2016: Council votes to move the main library to the downtown bus terminal site and use the old library building as a childrens science museum. 2017: The science museum plan falls through as officials prepare to discuss new facilities, with funding from a 2016 sales tax increase. A 33-year-old Hemet man was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Wednesday, Feb. 22, for sex trafficking a 16-year-old girl in 2014, according to officials. Luther Gene Ray, also known as Pumpkin, was found guilty in 2015 of federal charges of sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and committing a felony involving a minor as a registered sex offender, according to a U.S. Attorneys Office news release. U.S. Attorneys Office officials say Rays victim was a runaway girl who had met him at a store in the San Diego area within a month of his release from federal prison. He had previously been convicted for sex trafficking a minor by force in 2007 and had been required to register as a sex offender, according to the release. Evidence presented at the 2015 trial showed that Ray received thousands of dollars from the victim and at least three other women who worked for him as prostitutes, officials say, and that he bragged about that lifestyle on Facebook. The teen testified that Ray assaulted her and other women if they even looked at another man who might be a pimp. The case was investigated by both the San Diego Police Department and FBI. Authorities say they learned about Rays illegal activity when the teen called police. This defendant terrorized and traumatized his 16-year-old victim, and now he will pay a very serious price for his crimes, Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson said in the release. We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to detect and prosecute persons who engage in sex trafficking, a form of modern-day slavery. UPDATE (Thursday, March 2): Attorney General Jeff Sessions will recuse himself from investigation into Russian interference A Republican congressman has called for a special prosecutor to investigate whether Russia interfered in the 2016 presidential election and was in touch with President Donald Trumps team during the campaign. Rep. Darrell Issa of California says it would be improper for Attorney General Jeff Sessions to lead the investigation. Issa made the comments Friday on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher. Issa said: Youre right that you cannot have somebody a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions who was on the campaign and who is an appointee. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office. Its unclear whether Issa would have any influence on Sessions. Issa supported Trump during the election, but barely held onto his own seat in November. A Riverside woman who Riverside County Animal Services officers said sold underage puppies was cited Friday, Feb. 24, after an undercover sting. Kandace Marie Simpson, 21, sold two puppies younger than the legally allowed 8 weeks old to two Animal Services officers, an Animal Services news release said. Lt. James Huffman and a colleague posing as his wife purchased two puppies, each about 4 weeks old, from Simpson at a home on Pleasant Street in Riverside. The two citations are misdemeanors, the release said. Animal Services spokesman John Welsh said puppies are generally considered ready to be on their own after weaning for eight weeks. The age can be determined by examining puppies teeth, Welsh said. Sellers of underage puppies commonly use online advertising websites or social media, Chris Mayer, Animal Services commander, said in the release. But fortunately we have many animal advocates who tip us off to these illegal animal sales, Mayer said. We hope todays action helps curb some of these illegal sales. We also hope to educate would-be buyers that theyre engaging in an unlawful act, and theyre buying a dog that could have many health issues. Officers impounded six underaged puppies, all collie-pit bull mixes about 4 weeks old, as well as the mother, a 5-year-old collie mix. Riverside County Veterinary Services will examine the puppies. Once the puppies finish weaning, they and their mother will be made available for adoption, Welsh said. State Sen. Jeff Stone recently took his former colleagues to task for supporting a state transportation funding package that includes tax increases to fix Californias crumbling roads. SB 1 offered by Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, would raise the state gas tax 12 cents, boost vehicle registration fees by $38 and impose a fee on zero-emission vehicles to raise billions annually for road work and other transportation needs. The bill is currently in the Senate committee pipeline. Stone, R-Temecula, like other Republicans, opposes raising taxes to fund transportation. In a Facebook post, he expressed his frustration with Riverside County and the city of Temecula for supporting SB 1. Its hard enough fighting these taxes only to have my own County and my own home City endorsing them!!!!!!!! Stone wrote. He was a Temecula councilman and a county supervisor before winning election to the Senate in 2014. Temeculas mayor, Maryann Edwards, is on Stones staff. She referred a request for comment to Temecula City Manager Aaron Adams, who did not respond. Stones post led Supervisor Kevin Jeffries, a former GOP assemblyman, to issue a press release declaring his opposition to SB 1 and its companion Assembly bill. Jeffries also criticized a letter the county sent to state lawmakers supporting the bill. There has not been a vote by the Board of Supervisors to support these two multi-billion dollar tax increase bills, Jeffries said. And when I inquired today where the authorization for such a letter came from, I was informed it was based on the vague support for new funding for state and federal transportation obligations contained in our legislative platform, and a vote that occurred two years ago endorsing a similar bill in a previous legislative session. In checking the record of that item, I discovered that the previous vote had been incorrectly recorded as a 4-0 vote, with me abstaining, while the actual video confirms that it was a 3-2 vote, with both myself and Supervisor Chuck Washington voting no. This sort of action to support a $5.5 billion tax increase should not have been made administratively, based on a divided vote that occurred two years ago on a previous bill, Jeffries added. By issuing this statement, Im putting our local legislators and my constituents on notice that the written letter of support from Riverside County of AB 1 and SB 1 was neither recent, nor accurate, nor unanimous, and that I dissented from this tax increase previously, and I oppose this new version today. Board of Supervisors Chairman John Tavaglione said its been a board tradition for the chairman and vice chairman to sign letters to Sacramento that take positions on legislation without the full acknowledgement of the board. Before then-Chairman John Benoits death last December, It wouldnt have been unusual at all for John Benoit as chair to sign a letter and me as vice chairman to sign a letter based on 3-2 vote, Tavaglione said. As supervisor, Jeffries often finds himself on the losing end of 4-1 and 3-2 votes. And Tavaglione has publicly clashed with Jeffries on budget matters. MTN, Ghanas leading Telecommunications Company and Business World, Ghanas foremost business magazine today announced that Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh, Unilever Executive Vice President for Ghana and Nigeria will be speaking at the 19th MTN Business World Executive Breakfast meeting. The much anticipated event is scheduled to take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel on the 1st of March 2017 at 8:30am on the theme: Leadership Conversations in Management. Yaw Nsarkoh has had a long and inspiring career at Unilever having held and excelled in several positions. Yaw Nsarkoh is the Executive Vice president of Unilever Ghana-Nigeria at Unilever Nigeria. Prior to his current position, he was the Managing Director of Unilever Kenya. With over 22 years of experience, Mr. Nsarkoh has contributed immensely to the growth of Unilever businesses in various management positions across Africa, Asia and Europe. This include serving as Managing Director, Unilever East and Sothern Africa, Strategic Assistant to Unilever Executive Member and President of Unilever Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. At various times, he served as Marketing Director of Unilever Ghana, African Regional Brand Manager, Unilever South Africa etc. Over the years, he has gained a deep consumer insight that has enriched his cultural awareness and understanding of diverse markets. Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh is the Director of Changing Lives Endowment Fund (CLEF) in Ghana and a member of Ghana Institution of Engineers. He is also a board member of Kenya Association of Manufacturers. Mr. Nsarkoh, a regular speaker on business issues, specifically Marketing and Leadership, has a special interest in economics development, management and leadership philosophy. Speaking on the upcoming event and choice of the theme and leader, Mr. Asher Khan, Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana said, Leadership conversations in management is an integral part of our business. As leaders in the telecoms industry we are always eager to encourage the sharing of best practice to help grow other businesses. We are excited to feature a great Ghanaian leader who has a lot to of valuable knowledge in this much needed area, he added. The Executive Breakfast series organized by the publishers of Business World Magazine was established six years ago as a platform for Executive leadership discussions, networking for CEOs, senior management, professionals and entrepreneurs in Ghana. It has hosted a number of international and local motivational and business leaders including Brian Tracy, Siya Xuza, Elikem Nutifafa Kuenyehia, Jason Njoku and Sharon Letcher among others. MTN will take the opportunity created by the Breakfast meeting to launch a new service called Mobile Care Insurance. The service is being rolled in partnership with GLICO Insurance. 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 attention of the Bawku Central Npp Youth wing has been drawn to a purported research conducted and published by online portal, Facebook and whatsapp to the effect that the youth of Bawku preferred Mallam Umar as the MCE for Bawku Municipality. The Youth wing wish to state emphatically that no such research whatsoever has been conducted and there's no such common view to that effect. The Youth Wing has conducted it own investigation in Bawku township which the Youth clearly stated that they were not interview regarding to their choice of who should be the MCE for Bawku Central. We therefore wish to humbly appeal to Ghanaians and the Youth of Bawku to treat such imaginative, program and well embellished propaganda so called research with the greatest of contempt it deserved. We call on the Youth to remained calm and continue to trust the judgement and competence of His Excellency the President Nana Akufo Addo Thank You. Signed Jacob Zens 0244034351 (NPP Youth Organizer) Bawku Central 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 Hetqs investigation into the offshore companies owned by Mihran Poghosyan, Armenias former Major General of Justice Mihran Poghosyan, elicited great interest in Armenia and overseas. It was part of the international Panama Papers expose; an investigation encompassing hundreds of reporters and scores of news sites delving into the unprecedented leak of 11.5 million files from the database of the worlds fourth biggest offshore law firm, Mossack Fonesca. The documents show the myriad ways in which the rich can exploit secretive offshore tax regimes. Hetq focused on the offshore dealings of Mihran Poghosyan in a series of articles last April, when fighting broke out along the Artsakh border with Azerbaijan. These revelations led to a wave of social pressure to hold Poghosyan accountable and to tighten the process of monitoring the business activities of government officials in general. To mollify public anger, the government instructed Poghosyan to write a letter of resignation. Poghosyan always maintained his innocence. A criminal case was launched. Months later, it was clear that the investigation was on paper only. Why? Because Armenias Special Investigative Service (SIS) never was serious about obtaining the hundreds of leaked Panama Papers documents on Poghosyan. We all knew it was a smokescreen and that the investigation by Armenian law enforcement would be dropped at one point. When the SIS halted its investigation in January of this year, alleging that the Swiss and Panamanian authorities refused to assist in the probe, we knew Poghosyan would walk away untarnished. Sometime later, Poghosyans name even wound up on the Republican Party of Armenias ticket for the parliamentary election in April. Since the SIS has refused to publish its decision to drop the investigation, we do not know the name of the specific investigator who signed off on the decision. All we can say for sure is that he or she was ordered, from on high, to do so. The SIS doesnt want to publish the decision to drop the investigation, or to make it available to Hetq, because if it did, it would reveal the fact that the investigator in charge never investigated anything. It would reveal that the SIS never even got a hold of the Panama Papers, or even tried to. What we know for a fact is that the Swiss Federal Department of Justice rejected the SIS request for legal assistance only because it hadnt been filed properly. We know this because the OCCRP (Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project), in which Hetq is a member, received the following reply to its request for clarification from Ingrid Ryser, a spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Department of Justice. The Federal Office of Justice (FOJ) refused the request for legal assistance from the Armenian authorities on the 8th November 2106. The examination showed that the requirements werent fulfilled. The Armenian authorities can anytime specify the request. Evidently, the SIS never bothered to refile. Why should it? Here was a convenient excuse for them to hold up and wave. Look we asked for help but were turned down. We tried, was the essence of the SIS attempt to wiggle out of any accountability. Thus, SIS investigator kept drawing a salary for months while shirking the job at hand. This could only be the result of an illegal conspiracy on the part of some in government to squash the investigation. Only the Prosecutor Generals Office knows the price paid for such a nefarious agreement. The SIS is also guilty of squandering taxpayer money on a hollow investigation and basically lying to the public. Given that the government has declared an all war against corruption in Armenia, Hetq has decided to make its own small contribution. Notwithstanding the reply from the Swiss Federal Office of Justice noted above, Hetq has written to the Swiss Ambassador to Armenia for clarification. Were interested to know if the ambassador is aware that the SIS has distorted the facts of the Swiss governments refusal? We have written to the ambassador so that hes not caught off-guard when Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan or Armenian Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan ask him why the Swiss government is hindering their much-vaunted anti-corruption campaign. Knowing the facts, the ambassador can turn around, replying, Who says weve rejected your governments request for legal aid. Were ready to cooperate. Theres no dearth of facts, based on which, the Armenian government can strike a major blow in its anti-corruption campaign. But no one in government seems ready to put on the gloves. Top photo: Prosecutor General of Armenia Artur Davtyan 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. A daughter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Asante Akyem central constituency Kwame Anyimadu-Antwi at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Adwoa Agyarkwa Anyimadu- Antwi has hanged herself to death. The 18 -year old first year chemical engineering student was found dead on Friday morning in her hostel room with a rope hanging her neck. It is unclear what might have triggered the suicide but sources at KNUST campus say she failed one of her courses and couldnt bear the shame hence the suicide. A note the brilliant deceased left behind states am sorry to disappoint you mummy and daddy. According to sources, the school authorities have informed the family about the incident where messengers were sent to Parliament in Accra to also inform the father. Majority of the students are saddened by the situation. The body has been deposited at KNUST hospital in Kumasi. Late Adwoa Agyarka Anyimadu-Antwi Source: Ultimatefmonline.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 Ghanaians living in South Africa claim they are being attacked and beaten mercilessly by South African nationals in the wake of the xenophobic attack that has once again reared its ugly head in that country. According to them, their lives are in real danger as some Ghanaians in Sunnyside, have been hospitalized after being pounded. The situation is in sharp contrast with the assertions by the Government of Ghana. Foreign Affairs Minister, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey on Friday 24th Feb. told Parliament that no Ghanaian has yet been affected in the ongoing xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Our checks in the country indicated that no Ghanaian national or their businesses have been affected in the recent attacks. Our embassy in Pretoria and the foreign ministry will continue to monitor the situation and update the country appropriately, she said. Hon. Ayorkor Botchwey however urged Ghanaians in South Africa to stay indoors in order to ensure their safety. But speaking to Kasapa News Friday evening, Ghanaians in South Africa called for governments intervention immediately to save their lives since the situation is not under control as the Foreign Affairs Minister claims. She [Foreign Affairs Minister] is sitting in Ghana, and Im here in South Africa telling you what is happening to us. Our fellow Ghanaians in Mamelodi have been beaten, weve been to the hospital to visit them, Richard said. Another Ghanaian lady said: I went out hurriedly to buy food stuffs two days ago. I was beaten and nearly killed, my family and I are now sought refuge in the house of a Ghanaian woman I first settled with when I came to South Africa, were all indoors. Our fellow Ghanaians in Sunnyside are in troublethey are being beaten. Just this evening weve been told that one of our Ghanaian brothers has been beaten with wooden planks while he was out to buy food, so the family weve sought refuge has just driven to go and ascertain his condition. So it is not true that no Ghanaian has been attacked as put out by the government in Ghana. Earlier this month, South Africans accusing foreigners of bringing drugs and prostitution to their neighborhood torched the homes of African migrants. They also accused the foreigners of taking over their jobs. Johannesburgs mayor accompanied police on a subsequent raid of the area, apparently making good on an election promise to rid the city of crime and people who are here illegally. That sentiment spread to Pretoria, where foreign-owned shops were looted overnight on Feb. 20. Now, a group of concerned South African citizens are reportedly planning a march on Feb. 24 with xenophobic undertones that have alarmed the African Diaspora Forum. We write to you so that when South Africa experiences a repeat of the 2008 xenophobic violence which left at least 62 people dead, you will not be surprised, the forum said in a letter, urging South Africas president to act. The 2008 wave of attacks left thousands displaced, 342 immigrant-owned shops looted and 213 burned down. The violence and hate was captured with the image of a Mozambican man burned alive. Source: kasapafmonline.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 "Inspector Bediako", a popular detective television series created by Mr Kojo Yankah and produced by Dateline Productions Limited in the 1990's, is coming back to entertain viewers both in Ghana and beyond. "Bediako " in Akan means 'fight against injustice', a Statement signed by Mr Kojo Yankah, Chief Executive, Dateline Marketing Limited and copied to the Ghana News Agency has indicated. The statement said Inspector Bediako is an iconic, intelligent and smart- looking figure, who leads a crack team of investigators- namely, Inspector Bediako, Ayesha and Teiko,- to fight against crime, injustice, bribery, corruption, cyber fraud, among others in Africa. The statement said using rare insights, tip-offs, modern technology, and latest communication gadgets as well as a natural feel for information gathering, Inspector Bediako unravels and resolves mysteries of all kinds that daunt and thrill television viewers. It said the programme is targeted at the public, the youth, male and female, corporate Ghana, civil society organisations, working professionals, students, embassies and the diplomatic corps. "Inspector Bediako took off in the 1990's with much excitement. Fictional detectives like Sherlock Holmes, Hercules Poirot, and Sledge Hammer, an American, were all white. But never before did I see an African man solving crimes. "Inspector Bediako's other partner was a woman. Talk about women empowerment. They worked together very well, and I would love to read and see more of such female detectives. "Inspector Bediako was an iconic figure who all kids look up to. The detective series will be coming to a television channel in Ghana very soon, it said. Source: GNA Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority. Featured Video A number of major mainstream news organisations are absolutely livid after their reporters were blocked from attending todays informal White House press meeting. Media outlets CNN, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, Politico, The Hill, Buzzfeed News, and even the bloody BBC were excluded from the media gaggle. Reporters held out of todays White House briefing. pic.twitter.com/8uqelMjrtp Noah Bierman (@Noahbierman) February 24, 2017 During the meeting, Press Secretary Sean Spicer the bloke so famously impersonated by Melissa McCarthy told reporters who were allowed in that the White House would aggressively push back against so-called false narratives. The extraordinary move came just after U.S. President Donald Trump used his speech at a conservative political conference to, once again, lambaste the dishonest media and fake news. FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesnt tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 Reactions from the excluded organisations was as swift as they were disbelieving. Brooke Baldwin, the CNN anchor charged with delivering the news on live TV could barely comprehend it, and seemed equally stunned as she recounted Trumps message that the media is the enemy of the American people. BuzzFeed News Editor-In-Chief Ben Smith assumed being blocked had something to do with his publications decision to publish an unverified intelligence dossier containing compromising info on Trump. Yknow, like the golden shower stuff: Russia story just eating the White House alive. What are they even doing here? https://t.co/HVjvzVVi8N Ben Smith (@BuzzFeedBen) February 24, 2017 Marty Baron, editor of The New York Times, went a bit further. He said this is an undemocratic path that the administration is traveling There is nothing to be gained from the White House restricting the publics access to information. Similarly, LA Times editor Davan Maharaj said the public has a right to know, and that means being informed by a variety of news sources, not just those filtered by the White House press office in hopes of getting friendly coverage. Oh, yeah, thats right. The list of outlets actually allowed in included Breitbart, the alt-right garbage heap which just accepted a resignation from Milo Yiannopolous, and whose former head honcho Steve Bannon is now Trumps chief political strategist. In light of all this, the White House Correspondents Association has vowed its opposition to todays shitshow: The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how todays gaggle is being handled by the White House. We https://t.co/e6JkOOlwzQ WHCA (@whca) February 24, 2017 For all their derision of safe spaces, it certainly seems the most powerful political entity in America is refusing to handle even an iota of critical reporting. Source: The New York Times. Photo: Aaron P. Bernstein / Getty. John Legend didnt need a hacker to overtake his Twitter account to post some vehemently anti-Donald Trump content, but goddamn, Legend got one anyway. This afternoon, after skewing the Bowling Green massacre debacle, the prodigiously talented muso and Arthur The Aardvark lookalike announced someone had gained access to his profile. Our president is too preoccupied with the crises in Bowling Green and Sweden. He cant speak out against hate crimes by white supremacists. https://t.co/QUC7MJ4QUN John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 Quick fact check on the Liar-In-Chief: These particular news outlets are doing extremely well right now. https://t.co/uZW2TFyCw5 John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 Someone just hacked my account. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 A lil while later, said hacker made their public appearance, advocating a beat-down on Trump and an appreciation of Migos. The NSFW messages have since been deleted obviously but the fine folk over at The Hollywood Reporter had the presence of mind to screenshot em while they were still out in the wild. via The Hollywood Reporter. via The Hollywood Reporter. via The Hollywood Reporter. via The Hollywood Reporter. The so-called @Owen755, whose account has since been nuked from orbit, claimed that was fun in a tweet of their own. Apparently, Legend agreed to an extent. Im back. My hacker was vulgar and kinda hilarious. Ill try to be funnier from now on so he wont feel the need to ghost write for me. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 I would never threaten violence to the President. No matter how much I wish he would go away. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 I wouldnt call him a Cheeto because I enjoy Cheetos. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 I did call him Liar-In-Chief. Then my hacker took over to do the Angrier John version of it all. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 My hackers assessment of my endowment was confusing. Big in the tweet about Hillary. Small in the bio. Make up your mind, hacker. John Legend (@johnlegend) February 25, 2017 Oh, that bio thing? Legends partner and actual Twitter royalty Chrissy Teigen has you covered on that one. Its not the first high-profile Twitter hack in recent months, and look, it probs wont be the last. However, its likely the only time youll ever see Hillary Rodham Clinton inserted into Bad And Boujee. Source: The Hollywood Reporter. Photo: Jason LaVeris / Getty. You can kinda understand why American customs officials would choose to detain a subversive author of extremist materials at Los Angeles Airport, but its a lil harder to conceptualise why theyd hold Australian treasure Mem Fox earlier this month. She obviously thought the exact same thing. Now, Fox has received a written apology from the U.S. embassy staff over that bizarre and frightening fuck-up. Speaking to the ABC, the beloved creator of Possum Magic and Where is the Green Sheep? said she cant imagine going back to the states after being wrongfully detained for two hours due to a (non-existent) problem with her visa. Fox, who was passing through on her way to an event in Milwaukee, called the incident disgraceful, and that never in my life been spoken to with such insolence, treated with such disdain, with so many insults and with so much gratuitous impoliteness. She described being held in a room with a number of other foreign visitors, including a parent with a small child, while someone heavy with weaponry dressed her down over her paperwork. After that public barrage, 70-year-old Fox felt like I had been physically assaulted, and sobbed upon arrival at her hotel room. Let us reiterate: somebody did this to the person who wrote Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes. A post shared by Tania McCartney (@taniamccartney) on Oct 26, 2012 at 8:07pm PDT Fox emailed the U.S. embassy in Canberra, and received an absolutely charming letter from them within hours of my email hitting their desk. You can only assume it took a local staffer who recognised her name to realise how badly customs officials had fucked up. Despite that objectively terrible experience, Fox also had time to recognise how much worse it could have been, saying I am old and white, innocent and educated, and I speak English fluently. Imagine what happened to the others in the room, including an old Iranian woman in her 80s, in a wheelchair. And thats after a U.S. court ruled President Donald Trumps broad scale travel ban on seven majority-Muslim nations should remain suspended. At this point, its worth mentioning that social media users quickly connected the incident with Foxs latest work, which advocates for a more open, diverse, and accepting Australia for newcomers. I reckon US Immigration said Mem Fox Lets do a Google search. She writes verboten literature! Heavy vetting for you, lady pic.twitter.com/CSPNMmDjAr Brendan Jones ?? (@jonesytheteachr) February 25, 2017 Seriously. Possum bloody Magic Source: ABC / The Advertiser. Photo: The Little Bookroom / Instagram. The late 90s were a better time, a more innocent time, when synchronised dance moves, close harmonies and a pervading, low-level sense of sexual confusion ruled the pop charts, and the hardest decision you had to make was between *NSync and The Backstreet Boys. (The Backstreet Boys were better though, sorry bout it). For whatever reason, James Corden and his very funny mates Jordan Peele and Nick Kroll decided to look back to that era and form a boy band of their own. This is look, this is not biting, socially-relevant satire. This is not some kind of poignant insight into the human condition. This is three grown men rewriting 90s boy band hits to make them about butts, choads and three-ways. In other words, its quite amusing. Enjoy responsibly: Source: YouTube. Photo: YouTube. marquis lupton.jpg Marquis Lupton poses for a photo with mayoral candidate Norman Bristol Colon (Submitted photo) Marquis Lupton wasn't endorsed by the Lancaster Democratic Party two weeks ago, but that won't stop his campaign to be a member of the city council. "This is my reintroduction to the Lancaster Democratic Party," Lupton said. "I'm here to help, I'm here to be the face of change, and I'm here to bring the focus back to the constituents." Using the term reintroduction, Lupton said he's always had an interest in public service, referencing his time as the vice president of the Lancaster County Young Democrats as an example. Lupton said his passions for Lancaster include education, civic engagement and transparency in explaining his bid for city council. Lupton said a lack of experience was the main factor hindering him from getting an endorsement, but noted that he didn't expect that support. He added that he remains in the race because he believes he can make a difference for disenfranchised people in the community. Lupton has worked in media for a number of years and has transitioned to independent business ventures while working as a professor at York Technical Institute. The 33-year-old also serves on the board for Philadelphia's public broadcasting station and said he would bring his experience in communication to the council. Praising outgoing Mayor Rick Gray for his vision, Lupton said the administration modernized Lancaster so that it won't be a dead city and can attract outside visitors. He added that the job of the next mayor and city council should be to refocus efforts on the neighborhoods and people who live in the city because tourism has been established. As an example of his service to the city beyond the council bid, Lupton is hosting one of his Spread Love community events Saturday at noon at 515 Hershey Avenue. The goal for Saturday's event is to collect water filters for residents in southeast Lancaster as well as to fundraise for a new water boiler at the Lancaster YWCA. The water benefit concert will feature the Salt N Light band, as well as the event's standard practice of making peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless, Lupton said. He said volunteers make about 250 sandwiches for homeless people across the city and are looking to grow the community service initiative. Lupton noted that he is planning a job fair set for May 18, in addition to next month's Spread Love community event, which will be held the on the typical last Saturday of the month. Lupton said he's working on adding more companies to the career fair, including smaller business, adding that the event will be open to the public. "I just want to bring a servant's heart to Lancaster," Lupton said. There are very few people in the world who do not have a smart phone. There are even fewer people of that number who... The BlackBerry Mercury is shown in this undated handout photo. Fans of BlackBerry's classic physical keyboard will have reason to celebrate when the last product designed in part by the former smartphone leader becomes available in April. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO - BlackBerry *MANDATORY CREDIT* Opposition Senator Leila de Lima is escorted by Senate security to address the media after a warrant for her arrest was issued by a regional trial court Thursday, Feb. 23, 2017, in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine court has issued an arrest warrant on drug charges for the senator and former top human rights official who is one of the most vocal critics of President Rodrigo Duterte and his deadly crackdown on illegal drugs. De Lima has vehemently denied the charges, which she says are part of Duterte's attempt to intimidate critics of his crackdown, which has left more than 7,000 drug suspects dead. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez) A couple recent events helped shares of Eli Lilly and Co (NYSE: LLY) bounce back from a big clinical trial failure that sent the stock tumbling late last year. Despite some ups and downs over the past year, the big pharma stock notched an 12% gain. Lilly's peer across the pond, GlaxoSmithKline plc (NYSE: GSK) hasn't inspired nearly as much enthusiasm lately. Its shares are up just 5% over the past 12 months, but it does offer a tempting 4.8% dividend yield at recent prices. Let's take a closer look at some challenges and opportunities facing both to see which of these big pharma stocks is the better pick right now. Arguments for Eli Lilly and Co Sagging sales for aging drugs have kept Eli Lilly's bottom line from rising for years, raising the stakes for its clinical-stage pipeline. When an expensive third attempt to advance an Alzheimer's disease candidate flopped late last year, the stock took a hit. Luckily, surprising success with a handful of recent launches are reversing the trend. In 2016 earnings per share rose 14% over 2015 results, giving the stock some lift. Leading the charge is a type 2 diabetes treatment called Trulicity. Sales of the once-weekly injection surged 272% last year to $925 million. The condition affects an estimated 28 million Americans, which suggests the Trulicity rocket could fly much higher. More recently, European regulators granted Lilly's highly anticipated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) candidate an approval. Olumiant (formerly baricitinib) is a tablet that showed a significant benefit in a head-to-head trial against the leading RA treatment Humira, which happens to be the world's best-selling drug. Better performance and more convenient dosing (Humira must be injected) could help Olumiant break into this increasingly competitive space. With peak annual sales expectations of around $2 billion, this could be one of the biggest new drug launches this year, but it still needs to earn its first U.S. approval. A busy FDA lengthened its review of the drug by a few months, but it's widely expected to announce a thumbs up soon. Further ahead, success with experimental cancer treatment abemaciclib and pain management candidate tanezumab could help the company return to growth and drive the stock higher in the process. Arguments for GlaxoSmithKline plc Impending generic competition for GlaxoSmithKline's blockbuster asthma medicine Advair in the vital U.S. market will be this big pharma's biggest challenge in the near term. Glaxo recently stated expectations of flat to slightly declining earnings for the full year in the event a generic entrant begins digging into Advair sales later this year. Luckily, Glaxo's recently launched HIV drugs are exceeding expectations. Combined sales of Tivicay and Triumeq shot up 82% to about $3.4 billion last year. Triumeq alone is expected to reach peak annual sales of around $5 billion if it can overcome competition from Gilead Sciences' entrenched and recently launched HIV antivirals. Glaxo has also enjoyed some surprising success from its industry leading vaccines segment. Combined sales of meningitis vaccines Bexsero and Menveo shot up 96% last year to $748 million. The segment as a whole contributed $5.7 billion to the top line, about 14% more than it did in 2015. Looking ahead, a shingles vaccine under FDA review could generate about $800 million in annual sales at its peak, if approved. The Shingrix vaccine was one of four applications Glaxo filed in the last half of 2016. It also boasted the initiation of four late-stage clinical trials. Favorable regulatory decisions, trial data, and another year of Advair exclusivity in the U.S. could make 2017 a comeback year for the troubled company. A look at valuation Fear of impending losses to generic competition for Advair in the U.S. has driven the price of Glaxo shares down to about 14.7 times this year's earnings estimates. That's fairly cheap for company Wall Street analysts expect to grow at an annual rate of 13.7% over the next five years. By the same yardsticks, Eli Lilly's stock looks far less attractive. It's trading at around 19.9 times forward earnings, with a lower annual growth forecast of 12.3% over the next five years. Glaxo isn't just looking better looking in terms of value, its stock also offers a juicy 4.5% dividend yield at recent prices and exchange rates. Again Eli Lilly comes up a short with meager 2.6% yield at recent prices. If their valuations and dividends were equal, a more diverse revenue stream would tip the scales in Lilly's favor. However, at recent prices, I have to call GlaxoSmithKline stock the better buy. 10 stocks we like better than GlaxoSmithKline 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 GlaxoSmithKline wasn't one of them! That's right -- they think these 10 stocks are even better buys. Click here to learn about these picks! *Stock Advisor returns as of February 6, 2017 Cory Renauer owns shares of Gilead Sciences. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Gilead Sciences. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. He declares. He barks. He tries to intimidate opponents. He uses short Anglo-Saxon words (sad, win, weak) and simple verb phrases, and repeats himself to drive his points home (very, very). With 24/7 media, President Trump's voice seems to be everywhere, all the time. On Tuesday, news channels will spend all day chewing over his first formal address to Congress before showing the speech live at 9 p.m. What will he say, and how will he say it? Some linguists and cognitive scientists who have systematically parsed the thousands of words Trump has spoken on the campaign trail and in office have concluded that he uses democratic rhetoric far less than his predecessors. Indeed, the president most often uses the language of crisis and decay. "Trump displays two different characteristics of many authoritarians," said David Beaver, a professor of linguistics and philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. "He's playing for an emotional reaction rather than making a rational appeal. The use of negative words emphasizes that our country is in danger, threatened by enemies, declining economically and morallyand also the need for control and for a strong leader to save us." In his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention last summer, Trump said: "I have visited the laid-off factory workers and the communities crushed by our horrible and unfair trade deals. These are the forgotten men and women of our country, and they are forgotten, but they will not be forgotten long. These are people who work hard but no longer have a voice. I am your voice." Beaver, along with Yale University's Jason Stanley, analyzed transcripts of 62 Trump speeches his inaugural address and campaign speeches going back to 2015. With that database of about 75,000 words, they compared Trump's language with the nation's first 57 inaugural addresses, when a new president typically tries to summon the nation's highest ideals. Among the most common inaugural words are freedom, liberty, rights, and public. In the country's first 57 inaugural addresses, each of those four words occurred on average about once in every 72 words, the analysis found. Trump used freedoms once in his 1,433-word inaugural, in the service of national unity: "We all enjoy the same glorious freedoms and salute the same great American flag." He made no reference to individual rights in the speech. In the entire database of Trump speeches, he uses the four democracy-themed words at about 20 percent of the rate other presidents invoke them in inaugural addresses, the study showed. Only public made the list of the 1,000 words Trump most frequently uses, coming in at 938, according to the database. Trump was the 10th most common word in the speeches studied, excluding what linguists call filler or stop words, such as the or and. The researchers found several fear-tinged words among the most common Trump has used in the speeches studied, such as mentions of China, Mexico, and Iran as dangerous enemies of the U.S. Others include: border(s), military, hell, tough, disaster, horrible, worst, strong, ISIS and immigration. Many have noted that Trump often takes an "us vs. them" stance in his speeches and other pronouncements. He sets himself up as the hero who can save Americans from a variety of enemies and maladies: illegal immigrants; foreign trade agreements that have sent millions of U.S. manufacturing jobs overseas; Islamic terrorism; and the specter of street violence, though the violent crime rate has trended down. "We are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country," Trump said Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, an annual gathering outside Washington. "We will not be deterred from this course. In a matter of days, we will be taking brand-new action to protect our people and keep America safe." George Lakoff, an expert in political speech and imagery, argues that Trump achieves rhetorical power by exploiting people's unconscious thought with tactics such as repetition, framing ("Crooked Hillary"), and citing well-known examples of terror-related attacks such as the San Bernardino and Orlando Pulse shootings. Lakoff, who is director of the Center for the Neural Mind and Society at the University of California, Berkeley, says political orientations are deeply embedded for most people from their experience with family life the strict-father model (conservative) or the nurturing parent (liberal). Trump's language evokes the strict father. "The basic idea is that authority is justified by morality and that, in a well-ordered world, there should be (and traditionally has been) a moral hierarchy in which those who have traditionally dominated should dominate," Lakoff wrote in an essay last year. "The hierarchy is: God above Man, Man above Nature, The Disciplined (Strong) above the Undisciplined (Weak), The Rich above the Poor, Employers above Employees, Adults above Children, Western culture above other cultures, America above other countries." Trump provides reassurance to people buffeted by the economic changes of globalization and social changes, said Beaver, the University of Texas researcher. "People who are scared are looking for control in their lives and safety," he said. Trump is forceful, promising he will defeat ISIS and bring back jobs in manufacturing and coal mining, for instance. What Trump does is much more than doublespeak, according to the scholar who literally wrote the book on that subject, William Lutz, professor emeritus of English at Rutgers-Camden. Doublespeak is spin or euphemism, he said, such as President Ronald Reagan speaking of revenue enhancements instead of tax increases or the military's use of collateral damage to describe civilian casualties. Often, Trump will simply assert what he sees as a reality and does not back down when corrected, Lutz said. For instance, in a recent news conference, the president falsely claimed he had won the biggest electoral vote victory in 40 years. Earlier this month, Trump lashed out at polls showing that voters disapproved of his performance and were not supportive of his proposed border wall and a policy restricting immigration from seven majority-Muslim countries. The practice has even inspired a classic example of doublespeak, courtesy of presidential counselor Kellyanne Conway: "alternative facts." "How do you talk to Trump? There's no basis for an argument or a discussion," Lutz said, likening it to propaganda. "It's a one-way conversation straight out of Orwell's 1984. You could only believe what the party tells you, not the evidence of your own eyes." It's an effective technique for Trump in many ways "you pound, pound, pound your message" Lutz said, but could threaten the nation's health in the long run. "In a sense it undermines the democratic process, which rests on discussion, an exchange of ideas," Lutz said. A new smartphone called the ASUS Zenfone Live is now official. Its main feature is its ability to apply beautification in real-time while livestreaming. Features The ASUS Zenfone Live has a 13 Megapixel camera at the back and a 5 Megapixel front camera. Both cameras can use the pre-installed ASUS BeautyLive app even while using Facebook, YouTube or other livestreaming app. It has a 5-inch HD display and 4G LTE connectivity. Powering the device are a quad core processor, 2GB of RAM, Android 6.0 Marshmallow OS and a 2650mAh battery. Since its targeted for selfie fanatics, the color options include Shimmer Gold and Rose Pink. Price and Freebies Theres no official price for the ASUS Zenfone Live yet. Well update this post once ASUS Philippines releases the SRP. Each purchase of the ASUS Zenfone Live entitles the user to 100GB of free Google Drive storage for two years. Photo: Facebook page Two police officers were wounded and a suspect was killed in a shooting in Northeast Washington D.C. Thursday night. Speaking at a press conference close to midnight, Police Chief Peter Newsham said both officers were shot in the lower part of their bodies. One officer's injuries were serious; he underwent surgery late Thursday. The other was being treated in the hospital, police sources told News4. One had been released by Friday afternoon. D.C. Police Union Treasurer Gregg Pemberton tweeted Friday morning that the officers were in stable condition and in good spirits. The uniformed officers -- who are with MPD's 5th District -- were shot about 10:40 p.m., Newsham said. They had been in the area because there had been sounds of gunfire earlier in the evening. The officers attempted to stop a suspect who then tried to run from them; after they stopped him, a struggle ensued, Newsham said Friday afternoon. During that struggle, shots were fired, he said. It appears that only one of the two officers fired, and that the suspect's gun was also discharged, he said. Police identified the suspect Friday as Timothy Lionel Williams, 47. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Los Angeles' top elected officials are urging federal authorities to stop the practice of immigration officers identifying themselves as "police" in their search for people living in the country illegally, reports KTLA. Citing a practice disclosed this week in the Los Angeles Times, Mayor Eric Garcetti, City Atty. Mike Feuer, and City Council President Herb Wesson cosigned a letter to the directors of the immigration services "to urge in the strongest possible terms that ICE immediately cease this practice in our city." The letter said the practice undermines decades of work by the Los Angeles Police Department to build trust within the city's large immigrant community so that those in the country illegally can report crimes and offer information to police without fear of deportation. Since the late 1970s, the LAPD has followed a policy prohibiting officers from initiating contact with anyone for the purpose of learning that person's immigration status. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print So far at CPAC we have seen nonstop attacks on globalists and globalism and this from a president who makes money from all over the globe. On the whole, this makes as much sense as liberals being cast as the elites when its Trump who uses a golden toilet as his throne. But hey, well give this sort of thinking its due consideration and file it appropriately. Perhaps seeing as how he cant round folks up and march them into death camps yet though getting rid of our health insurance is a good start to the old Republican healthcare plan of hurry up and die Alex Jones, that noted purveyor of Trumpypoo the material Trump ingests before he regurgitates it on Twitter, wants all you globalists to just kill yourselves. In what has come to be one of his classic video horror stories, Jones posted a video to his Facebook page titled Alex Jones Emergency SOS To Donald Trump. In this video he not so cordially invites globalists to end the misery of having to listen to him: All across the world, humanity knows youre the enemy. Were going to get you a$$holes, just know that. It doesnt mean were perfect but were not out to screw women and children and hurt people. You understand that, a$$holes? You hate humanity because you project your own hatred of yourself on us, a$$holes. You want to kill us, how about you die? Kill your fucking selves you fucking globalists! Hes not clear how hes going to get us whether those death camps are coming or not, or if he just means by doing what Bannon calls deconstructing the administrative state. You know, which means no goods and services, no safe air, water or food and no healthcare when our air, water and food poison us. So much anger for a guy who says other people hate. We can file that too. Its funny, however, to hear Jones accuse globalists of screwing women when his hero Trump is the guy who brags about doing just that, even claiming it was his Vietnam. Jones, as PFAWs Brian Tashman notes, may be as famous at the White House as he claims, saying the other day that Politico reported that the presidents aides used alternative media like Breitbart, Washington Examiner, Fox News, Infowars and the Daily Caller to show Trump positive coverage. It would be funny if this sort of lunacy wasnt exactly what is inspiring Trumps tweets and his bizarre speeches, including that at CPAC today. A worldview so twisted both horrifies and fascinates, if only because there is exactly 0 evidence in support of it. It is almost as if the more reason intrudes, the more strongly the deluded like Jones and Trump respond by blaming the world for not being stupid enough to believe their every ranting claim. We cannot cure their disease but we can point and laugh. It wont stop them from being what they are, but it laughter is good for us, and therefore has the added benefit of not only making them angry, but keeping us alive longer to torment them. Most of us would call that a win-win. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print After the Trump White House banned media outlets that reported on its attempt to silence the FBI about its investigations into Trumps Russia connections, CNNs Jake Tapper had had enough. This White House doesnt value an independent press, Tapper said. Theres a word for that line of thinking: The word is Un-American. Watch a clip here, shared by MSNBCs Kyle Griffin: Must-watch @jaketapper moment. 'The W.H. doesn't value an independent press. There's a word for that: Un-American.' pic.twitter.com/PBZB3kpgnG Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 24, 2017 This is how the media should deal with Trumps attempt to shut it down. This is no time for debate which might lend the Trump White House cover. The country is on fire right now, and its vital that the press be allowed to cover the contacts between the Trump campaign and administration and Russian intelligence agents, as well as the Trump White House and their attempt to silence the FBI in what John Dean said bore the hallmarks of a cover-up. What the Trump White House is doing is un-American, and they are doing this un-American thing to silence an investigation into an even more un-American activity. Or, as Republicans call it, Making America Great Again. Image: Jake Tapper screengrab via CNNs The Lead Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print A new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll contained the worst news yet for Trump. By a more than two to one margin (53%-25%), the American people want Congress to investigate Trumps communications with Russia. NBC News reported, The new poll, conducted February 18-22, shows that 53 percent of the American public wants Congress to look into the alleged communications, while 25 percent disagree and 21 percent say they dont have an opinion. A similar share 54 percent believe that Congress should look into Russian interference in the election generally, while 29 percent disagree. The number that should scare the Trump White House is 53%. By more than a two to one margin, the American people want an investigation. To put this in terms that President Trump can understand, if there is an investigation, the television ratings will be huge for the hearings. It is one thing for Trump to be unpopular. Thats never good for any president, but every president goes through periods of unpopularity. It is more serious for the American people to think that their president is dishonest and untrustworthy. However, when a majority of Americans are demanding that Congress investigate the President Of The United States that hints of a brewing constitutional crisis. All of Trumps behavior from his claims of fake news and fake polls to banning journalists from attending press briefings can all be traced back to the Russia scandal. The White House is already showing signs of being completely freaked out about Russia, but this new NBC News poll is proof is horrible news for the Trump administration that should send a wave of terror through 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue because if an investigation happens, impeachment becomes a possibility. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print *The following is an opinion column by R Muse* As this column is wont to do occasionally, it is time to take a break from the 24/7 assault on ones sensibilities as a member of the human race coming from the fascist know-nothing living in the White House. It isnt going to be a complete departure from commenting on the Trump or his administrations attack on Americans though, because a major portion of those attacks, including from Trumps bad Christian cohort in the Republican movement were the target of a world leader with a faithful following of about 1.2 billion people from around the world, and those are just Catholics. What seems to be a recurring theme of Roman Catholic Pope Francis addresses since his installation as the Holy Father is criticizing the number of people who claim to be followers of Christ (Christians) but act contrary to everything the religions namesake preached. The Pope is right, after all, that one of greatest sins is that of hypocrisy and the Holy Father based a sermon around the idea that in his acutely religious mind; it is better to be an atheist than a bad Christian. Remember that the Pope immediately made a name for himself by claiming that atheists are not going to be excluded from Heaven, and setting aside the absurdity of an atheist wanting to go to Heaven, the Pontiff did what he does best and bluntly explained his point without condemning atheists fake Christians like Americas religious right were not so fortunate. Like Jesus Christ preached on more than one or two occasions, Pope Francis said during his Homily at Thursday Mass that if a person says theyre a Christian and exploits other people, leads a double life, or runs a dirty business, that perhaps it is better not to call yourself a Christian; because you are really a hypocrite. The Pontiff said: So many Christians are like this, and these people scandalize others. How many times have we heard all of us, around the neighborhood and elsewhere But to be a Catholic like that, its better to be an atheist. It is that: scandal. But what is scandal? Scandal is saying one thing and doing another. For Catholics, and indeed Christians, causing scandal, like hypocrisy, is a very grave offense. And it is an offense that the Pope wasted little time lashing out at fake Christians over and whom he said would be better off being a non-believer, an atheist, than a bad Christian. According to the Pope, there are a growing number of bad Christians and although he did not cite Americas seriously bad Christians, including in government, by their geographical locale there is little doubt he was describing religious Republicans and their evangelical extremist supporters that any sane person already knows are rank hypocrites. Because he was addressing Catholics, the Pope referred to the Catholic faithful, but he was clearly addressing all of the phony Christians and may as well have called out Americas religious right, and their Republican facilitators, by name. He said that Christians who act rigorously in their ritual observance but dont apply the religions values to their lives are causing scandal, are hypocrites. A totally double life: I am very Catholic [Christian], I always go to Mass [church], I belong to this association and that one; but my life is not Christian, I dont pay my workers a just wage, I exploit people, I am dirty in my business, I launder money. The Holy Father then presented the prospects of any of those bad Christians ever making it to biblical Heaven and he fairly took the words right out of one of Jesus Christs sermons in Matthew. He talked about the scandal of hypocrisy saying: Jesus talks, in the Gospel, about those who commit scandal, without saying the word scandal, but its understood: But you will arrive in heaven and you will knock at the gate: Here I am, Lord! But dont you remember? I went to Church, I was close to you, I belong to this association, I did this Dont you remember all the offerings I made? Yes, I remember. The offerings, I remember them: All dirty. All stolen from the poor. I dont know you. That will be Jesus response to these scandalous people who live a double life. It is a travesty that the Pope isnt afforded the same national spotlight in America as the likes of any number of fake Christian leaders or religious Republican hypocrites. The Popes most recent condemnation of bad Christians, like Americas religious right, is a near reiteration of his harsh criticism barely four months ago where he cited the Wests hypocrisy in claiming Christianity while persecuting different faiths and mistreating the least fortunate among us; refugees. Then, as now, the Pontiff reinforced the concept that according to Jesus teachings, the sin he condemned most was what most in the evangelical fundamentalist movement, including nearly every Republican alive, are guilty of; rank hypocrisy, being bad Christians, or just being inherently inhumane to other people. They may call themselves Christians, but according to the Pope and the mythological Messiah he represents, they are never gaining admission to Heaven. With only one other destination available, they are going straight to the proverbial Hell they deserve for a litany of sins against the American people, not for their ugly hypocrisy which is another sin altogether. **The above article is a report with commentary by R Muse** Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Donald Trump has vehemently denounced Hollywood and celebrities because most of them are to be found among his critics. However, he found somebody who isnt Scott Baio to step up at CPAC and defend him actor/director Robert Davi. You might remember Davi as Agent Johnson in Die Hard, or from Predator 2 or Stargate: Atlantis. At CPAC, however, he presented himself as an expert in Roman jurisprudence and a blind devotee of the cult of Donald Trump. According to Davi, Roman laws made it impossible to spread false rumors or lies against upstanding and virtuous political candidates you know, like Donald Trump. So yes: we have been witness to an actor standing before a right-wing Christian conference appealing to Pagan Roman law to save the right-wing Christian messiah. Who knew Pagan Roman law could save a Christian messiah? Well, it cant. Watch courtesy of Right Wing Watch: In the Roman Republic, there was a law against something called calumniathat law made it impossible to spread false rumors or lies against upstanding and virtuous political candidates. Impossible. This is ancient Rome. Why was this law created? Because good people had stopped running from [certainly he means for] office out of fear of character assassination or even worse. [] Lets go back to Ancient Rome, because if such laws existed today, we would see more men like Donald Trump and Mike Pence running for Congress or the Senate or the presidency and more fake reporters perhaps going to prison for the very lies they make up to commit cruel character assassination against the very best of our American heroes. Davis logic seems to be that anything said in criticism of Donald Trump is by definition calumny and a lie and would, therefore, be covered by the Roman law. What Davi doesnt consider is that such laws would apply equally to Donald Trump and the endless assault of lies and calumny out of his own mouth. And setting aside for a moment the highly questionable claim that Donald Trump is in any way upstanding or virtuous, we run into the problem that much of what Davi claims is false is instead true. However, Davis real problem is that he is wrong about what the Romans called calumnia, which had not to do with simple slander or name-calling but legal transactions. According to Adolf Bergers Encyclopedic Dictionary of Roman Law (1953), calumnia refers to both civil and criminal matters such as bringing lawsuits with the hope for success through a mistake or injustice of the judge (Gai Inst. 4.178) and prosecutors making false accusations (in other words, pursuing a legal action known to be baseless). It should be clear to all that the press Davi condemns are not bringing baseless legal actions against Donald Trump. Thus, according to Roman law, what is being discussed here is not calumnia. And in Roman law, even if Donald Trump were charged and then acquitted on the grounds that the accusation was false, the accuser would not be proven guilty of calumnia without a special proceeding to prove the accuser knew the accused was innocent. A law of 80 BCE required the proceeding to take place before the same tribunal which had found for the accused. Roman law did, however, recognize a delict obligation called injuria. A delict is defined as an obligation to pay a penalty because a wrong had been committed and as injuria included insulting behavior, as well as slander, libelous writings and even lampooning someone, oh, like Donald Trump making fun of a disabled reporter. He says he didnt do it, but there are millions upon millions of witnesses and plentiful video and photographic evidence: Certainly, it is a unique event to see a conservative summon up Pagan Roman law rather than biblical law to support an argument. Unfortunately for Davi, it doesnt apply, and even if it did, while Romans were acutely conscious and protective of their dignity, it is far from clear that Donald Trump, on the other hand, has any dignity to be conscious of. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print In what is kind of a big deal, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA), who supported Trump during the election, said on HBOs Real Time with Bill Maher that a special prosecutor is necessary to investigate Trumps contacts with Russia. Asked by Maher if it were 2012 and it was Romneys campaign that was hacked and Obama who had a lot of contact with Russia if he would let the matter slide Issa said, No. In a breathtaking moment, when Maher asked, So youre not gonna let this slide? Issa again said, No. The moment was captured by Dave Itzkoff (the full interview can be found here): Rep. Darrell Issa appears to tell Bill Maher that Jeff Sessions should recuse himself & special prosecutor statute should be invoked? pic.twitter.com/Gt7zO9AtAV Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) February 25, 2017 Asked how he would proceed, Issa answered, Were gonna ask the intelligence committees of the House and Senate to investigate within their special areas they oversee. An independent prosecutor, Maher interjected to Issas nod of agreement. Issa next told Maher that Jeff Sessions, the newly-appointed Attorney General of the United States, must recuse himself: Maher:And Jeff Sessions must recuse himself, in the same way Loretta Lynch recused herself because he was part of the Trump campaign. Is that correct? Jeff Sessions should recuse himself? Issa: Youre right. You cannot have somebody, a friend of mine Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office to take not just to recuse. You cant just give it to your deputy. Thats another political appointee. Issa went on to say, There may or may not be fault but the American people who are beginning to understands that Putin murders his enemies, sometimes right in front of the Kremlinhes murdered people and taken down using cyber warfare in Georgia and Ukraine. This is a bad guy who murders people. Who runs a gas station with an economy the size of Italy but is screwing up things all over the world, that weve been, quote, working with. Now, we have to work with them. We dont have to trust them. And we need to investigate their activities, and we need to do it because they are bad people. This is in marked contrast to Trumps endless tips of the hat to Vladimir Putin. Infamously, in speaking to Bill OReilly, Trump even defended those murders Issa said were the very reason we must investigate. You got a lot of killers, said Trump. What, you think our countrys so innocent? Trumps history of positive remarks about Putin contain many lies about whether he knows Putin but the consistent message is that he has a great deal of liking and respect for a Russian dictator who murders his political enemies, as Issa said: Trump has said Putin is doing a great job (Larry King, 2007), I respect Putin and Russians (Time to Get Tough, 2011), Will he become my new best friend? (Twitter, 2013), I do have a relationship with him (2013), I think Id get along very well with Vladimir Putin (2015), I think that I would probably get along with him very well (Face the Nation, 2015), I got to know him very well because we were both on 60 Minutes' (2015), It is always a great honor to be so nicely complimented by a man so highly respected within his own country and beyond (Trump statement, 2015), Hes running his country and at least hes a leader (Morning Joe, 2015), I have no relationship with him other than he called me a genius (2016), Im saying that Id possibly have a good relationship. Hes been very nice to me (Bill OReilly, 2016), Issa is right: Only a special prosecutor can be trusted to get to the bottom of Trumps contacts with Russia and Jeff Sessions must recuse himself. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print This is why Democrats are ultimately, in the long game, in a stronger position than Republicans. 2016 Democratic Presidential nominee and popular vote winner Hillary Clinton congratulated a united Tom Perez and Keith Ellison after Perez won as DNC Chair and immediately selected his opponent Ellison as Deputy. Clinton wrote, Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future. Congrats to @DNC chair @TomPerez & deputy @keithellison. Excited for strong, unified party standing for best of our country into the future. Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) February 25, 2017 Former President Barack Obama weighed in with praise for the new DNC leadership team of Tom Perez and Rep. Keith Ellison as well. You remember President Obama, hes the guy whose 8 years of a presidency flew by without a scandal, full of competency and measured, calm responses to all kinds of events, including morally repugnant attempts by elected Republicans to troll him with racist attacks on his family. A reply to Clinton by Jordan Uhl pointed out that the two candidates had switched their buttons (a move that upset Republican strategists who love to push Dems in Disarray to distract from their Putin Trojan Horse): Tom Perez and Keith Ellison showed the spirit that drives the Democratic Party stronger together, united in cooperation to be the best they can be, for the betterment of their party and the country. Republicans are stuck with a President whose inner circle is full of back-stabbing chaos and intrigue, tinged with the rotten stench of the Kremlin. Democrats, on the other hand, are emerging from a lost election to realize that their values were winners inclusiveness, equality, fair living wages, and unity are good messages for their base and the middle. Its not everyone who can or will directly take on on Vladimir Putin, the Koch Brothers, Citizens United, the NRA gun lobby, Republican dark money and Russian tricks, and misogyny. But Hillary Clinton did. And she still managed to win the popular vote by 3 million votes, at a time when money can buy almost anything in politics and Republicans are playing with a hostile, aggressive foreign country during an election just so they can elevate their party. The values Clinton espoused during the 2016 election and indeed walked the talk of during her entire career are the values that will carry the Democratic Party forward, as long as the people in charge remain focused on people first policies. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Former Obama Secretary of Labor Tom Perez has defeated Rep. Keith Ellison to become the new chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The vote on the first ballot was Tom Perez 213.5 to Keith Ellison 200. The threshold for election was 214.5. Sally Boynton Brown withdrew after the first ballot, and her 12 votes were up for grabs. Sam Ronan also withdrew but he had no votes, so it would not alter the outcome and said that he thought Perez or Ellison could do the job. Jehmu Greene also withdrew and endorsed Tom Perez. Greene picked up one-half vote of support. Before the results were announced, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg also dropped out. Here are the results of the first DNC ballot: Peter Peckarsky withdrew and endorsed Keith Ellison. On the second ballot, the vote was 235 for Perez, and 200 for Ellison. In his speech to DNC voters before the voting, Perez said that all Democrats would leave united and that Democrats are the party of inclusion in every zip code. Perez said that a united Democratic Party is not only Democrats best hope, but Donald Trumps worst nightmare. Former Sec. Perez has outlined a strategy of rebuilding the party in every zip code. Perez promised to change the culture of the DNC and redefine the role of the organization to build strong local Democratic parties. In his speech, before the voting, Ellison said that Democrats are the best hope for the American people at this moment. He said that Democrats are going to stand up, rise up, and protect the American people. Rep. Ellison said that the election of the next DNC chair is about winning elections. Rep. Ellison said that organizing is how Democrats are going to win. He promised to raise voter turnout, and raise money from small donations. Ellison said that the party has to go to the grassroots. Perezs victory demonstrated the limitations of progressives and Bernie Sanders supporters within the Democratic Party structure. The progressives thought they had an opening with Ellison, but over the final week of the three-month campaign, it was clear that Perez had the majority of the votes and was closer to victory than Ellison. The difference between the two candidates was subjective. Ellison supporters label Perez as part of the party establishment, which is more of a feeling than a proven fact, and Perez supporters label Ellison as too radical, which is again is moire of an opinion than a fact. The truth that neither partisan side wanted to hear is that the DNC was going to be in better shape no matter who won. Debbie Wasserman Schultz was a part-time chair who was unpopular and seemed more interested in elevating herself than building the party. With either Ellison or Perez in charge, the DNC will now have a full-time chair that will be committed to building the party at the state and local levels. Democrats need to rebuild at the state level before the 2020 census and redistricting that will follow. Both Ellison and Perez will take the party in a needed new direction, and even though, I believed that Ellison would have been the better communicator and messenger for the Democratic Party, Tom Perez will be an upgrade as DNC chair. The election is over, so it is time to come together and fully support new party chairperson Tom Perez. Your Right to Know: Trump raises stakes for press, public Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print Because Trump is accomplishing virtually nothing as president, but his need for praise led him to make a statement that highlighted the fact that his claim that he inherited a mess from Obama is a lie. A cranky Trump tweeted: The media has not reported that the National Debt in my first month went down by $12 billion vs a $200 billion increase in Obama first mo. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2017 The Presidents gripe goes back to an absolutely absurd story that was published by The Gateway Pundit that claimed that Trump had lowered the national debt by $12 billion in his first month. The story looks like something that could have been planted by the White House in conservative media to make Trump feel better. Politico reported that Trumps team plants stories in friendly media in order to make him feel better, The key to keeping Trumps Twitter habit under control, according to six former campaign officials, is to ensure that his personal media consumption includes a steady stream of praise. And when no such praise was to be found, staff would turn to friendly outlets to drum some up and make sure it made its way to Trumps desk. The numbers dont show that Trump lowered the national debt, and Obama increased it in their respective first months in office. What the data reveals is that Donald Trump inherited a growing economy, while Obama inherited an economy on the brink of depression. President Trump doesnt get credit for lucking into a good economy. Trump has no accomplishments of his own. His presidency is going nowhere, so a man whose frail ego needs constant reassurance is trying to take credit for the good work that Obama did. President Trump can complain, whine, and demand, but the numbers dont lie. Trump didnt inherit a mess from Obama, and his obsessive need for praise led him to sabotage his false claims of economic accomplishment. Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print *The following is a column by R Muse* In another case of Donald Trumps inability to think beyond his ego and xenophobia for the good of the nation, as was predicted months ago, his military campaign against Mexican immigrants will do more harm than just wreaking havoc on families; it will seriously impact the nations economy in a very, very bad way. It is absurd enough that he wants to spend taxpayer dollars on a Soviet-era, East Berlin-type wall to keep immigrants out and beleaguered citizens in, but that wasted expense literally pales compared to Trumps war on Mexicans. If Trump was able to only deport about half of the estimated 12 million total undocumented workers in this America, or close 7 million people, it will reduce GDP by 2.6 percent according to research from Ryan Edwards and Francesc Ortega. Just that loss will take a whopping a $4.7 trillion out of the economy. To get an idea of the scope of the economic damage, the entire United States government budget for 2016 was a little over $1.1 trillion. That $4.7 trillion economic loss is roughly the equivalent of the economic devastation from millions of job losses another Republican administration caused as a result of the Bush Republican deregulation and tax cuts sending the economy into a deep recession. Those numbers agree with other recent research from Edwards and Ortega which calculated that undocumented workers contribute 3 percent of GDP or nearly $5 trillion in economic growth. That $5 trillion in growth will completely vanish if Trumps military action against all those Mexican workers is successful. The American Action Forum (AAF) revealed that Trumps xenophobic war against Mexicans, if completely successful, will actually decimate the economy much faster than those other conservative projections. AAF reports Trumps Mexican assault will shrink the economy by 2 percent in just one year, and within 20 years it will slash GDP by 6 percent and virtually double that whopping $4.7 trillion in lost economic growth. His dirty domestic war will have the effect of giving the economy what in vampire culture is known as true death; meaning no possibility of ever recovering. As the managing director of immigration at the Center for American Progress (CAP) noted, the damages to the economy will extend to every state, every business sector, and every industry; not just agriculturally rich states like Texas and California. Philip Wolgin said that every state will lose and they will lose big: Just about every single industry would be affected in a large way. Without a doubt, it would impact the entire country. Mr. Wolgin also noted that besides agriculture, the retail, medical, hospitality, financial services, and even the sector Trump claims he will save, manufacturing, would be drastically affected; or in more blunt terms, they would be seriously harmed. All of those economic projections are not fear-mongering, or not without a historical basis in fact; both recent and past history. Recently, after Arizona passed a series of papers please laws, the states immigrant population dropped by 40 percent that reduced its economy by 2 percent a year and depressed employment by 2.5 percent. When Alabama passed a law similar to Arizonas in 2011, it created a dramatic worker shortage and reduced its economy by an estimated $11 billion in its first year. In the past, like over five decades ago past, the nation attempted another widespread crackdown on Mexican immigrants in an explicit attempt to increase employment opportunities and higher wages for American-born workers. However, recent research revealed that the effects of ending the bracero program had no impact on native workers employment opportunities or higher wages then, and it is no different today. As an example, of all the jobs lost in Arizona to Republican machinations targeting Mexican immigrants, far fewer than 10 percent of those jobs were filled by legal immigrants or low-skilled native-born workers. As a matter of fact, job opportunities for low-skilled, white, native-born Arizonans declined drastically. The American Action Forum estimated that if Trumps military action (war) against immigrants succeeds there will be millions of jobs left empty because there arent enough authorized employees to fill them. No matter how one assesses Trumps military action targeting Mexicans, or what they think about Hispanic immigrants working in America, there is no good outcome in a mass deportation white-power scheme. However, a good outcome was never part of anything both Trump and his Republican facilitators intended for America or its economy. In fact, one almost believes that since the GOP typically kills jobs and retards the economy to help the wealthy elite, maybe the Trumps military action against undocumented immigrants is just a novel way to hurt the economy by killing growth, and jobs; it is the only thing Republicans have done consistently over the past eight years and there is no reason to believe they can stop themselves now. That Republicans now have a xenophobe in the White House who likes the idea of waging a war on non-white people is just an added bonus to crushing growth, killing millions of jobs, and literally costing the economy multiple trillions of dollars; what Trump and Republicans call making America great. **The above article includes a report with commentary by R Muse** H/t BryceCovert/ThinkProgress Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Print The French people know a good thing when they see it. There is a largely tongue-in-cheek if wishful- movement afoot in France to elect Barack Obama president of France. Organizers of Obama17 told CNN, Its totally crazy, but the cool thing is that once you get past that, you start thinking that maybe its possible. Who cares that hes not French? Hes Barack Obama. There is even a website, and 500 posters have gone up all over Paris: There is even an online petition (tr. by Google) asking Obama to run: YES WE CAN ! The French are ready to make radical choices. That is good because we have a radical idea to propose to them. After a phantom quinquennium and faced with the announced failure of the next presidential election, we think it is time to move on to the 6th Republic to get France out of its lethargy. To launch this 6th Republic, we wish to strike a blow by electing a foreign President at the head of our beautiful country. Barack Obama has completed his second term as President of the United States on January 21, why not hire him as President for France? Our goal is simple, to collect before the 15th of March, 1 million voting promises to convince Barack Obama to run for the presidential election of May 2017. Barack Obama has the best resume in the world for the job. Because it is still possible to vote for a President and not against a candidate. Because at a time when France is about to vote massively for the extreme right, we can still give a lesson of democracy to the planet by electing a French President, a foreigner. Many Americans would have liked to have had President Obama run for a third term in the United States. It is hardly a surprise that some in France would want him as their president as well. Obamas accomplishments were always recognized in Europe. Pew Global shows Obamas popularity in France as of 2016 a strong 84, above even that of the UK and just behind Germanys 86. And whereas 77 percent of Europeans had the confidence Obama would do the right thing in foreign affairs, fully 85 percent lacked confidence Trump would. It is a fun scenario to envision, a little harmless wishful thinking and a great compliment to one of the most successful and popular presidents in United States history. And it would be a nice return on Frances investment in helping America gain its independence. Vive la belle France. Pizza has been a constant in Brian Kesslers life, from the time he got a job in a pizzeria as a teenager until the day he met his wife in a pizza joint. Read moreIggy's Pizza Shop is now open in Mount Pleasant Deanna Pan is an enterprise reporter for The Post and Courier, where she writes about education and other issues. She grew up in the suburbs of Cincinnati and graduated with a degree in English from Ohio State University in 2012. With fall in the air, cyclamen start peeking through the leaf litter, giving the woodland garden a splash of color when most plants have finished blooming. As those pink, white or magenta blooms unfurl and appear, it is a memorable sight to see. Read moreFall charmers and winter wonders The Nexx Level Sports Center, planned to be built in Irmo, would host major sports tournaments weekly, and is projected to bring $51 million in spending to the area in the first five years, if developers can line up the financial support needed to build it. Read moreProposed Columbia area sports complex seeking financial commitments from county, state Volumes of research through the ages affirm that animals matter in the equations of the human condition. They always have. They work, they entertain. Pets especially dogs, and yes, cats and birds, etc. are mans best friends. Caring about and for animals is a calling of humanity. Read moreBrinson: Animals need our help. So do the shelters that help care for them. The oft-told story of a frog perishing in a pot as the water slowly warms and then cooks him is not actually based in fact; the metaphor persists because it describes something that is true: We are less aware of change that occurs gradually than when it happens all at once. Read moreEditorial: Referendums based on slow evolution: Berkeley, Dorchester aren't so rural anymore South Carolina voters head to the polls Nov. 8, casting ballots in midterm elections that will not only determine the state's next governor but will also act as the first major referendum on the Biden era. Read moreYour voter guide to top races, key issues in South Carolina's 2022 midterm elections Clyde Stubblefield was the legendary Funky Drummer who influenced musicians since the late 1960s, but he also was remembered as a loving husband, great friend, legendary partier and one of the pillars of Madison as hundreds packed a ballroom during a tribute for him Friday night at the Concourse Hotel. The event to honor Stubblefield, who died Feb. 18 at age 73 after a long battle with kidney failure, was anything but somber as several friends mostly drummers stood at a podium and told stories about how the man who wowed audiences around the world in six decades with his powerful style of drumming always had time for them. Clyde was outrageously gregarious, fantastically funny, politically serious and always thinking about the other person, especially his wife, Jody (Hannon), and the city of Madison, said fellow drummer and close friend, Pauli Ryan. Fred Wesley, who was a bandmate of Stubblefield when he was the drummer for the James Brown Band, flew in from South Carolina to attend the event. Dozens of drummers who Stubblefield mentored in Madison, hundreds of musicians who performed with him on stage, and Dane County Executive Joe Parisi, who first met Stubblefield when he bought a used drum set from him when he was a seventh-grader, were there, too. Drummers usually have big egos, they are very competitive, said Joey B. Banks, one of Stubblefields proteges. But Clyde was very humble, very approachable. He didnt have that rock-star mentality. Stubblefield, who was ranked No. 6 on Rolling Stone magazines list of the top 100 drummers of all time, was as eager to play at a neighbors backyard barbecue or a friends wedding as he was at a big-time gig in front of thousands of people, Banks said. He loved Madisons music scene and told anybody who wanted a lesson to stop by wherever he was playing in town. When he told me I got it (as a drummer), that was very motivating, Banks said. He was a father figure for me. He also was a card-playing buddy and a bandmate. He also had time for some of Madisons best musicians. Clyde played on (Madison-based) Garbages first album. That says it all right there, Banks said. Everything Stubblefield did was larger than life, according to many of his friends. Los Angeles-based drummer Wally Ingram recalled sitting in OKays Corral bar in Madison many years ago on the anniversary of Otis Reddings death from a plane crash in Lake Monona. Ingram said he was looking out the window of the bar and could see lightning strikes on the lake from a bad storm that was brewing outside. Then, all of a sudden, Stubblefield who played drums for Reddings band before he joined the James Brown Band walked through the front door with a hood over his head. How about that for an entrance? Ingram said. Stubblefield created a storm with his drumming, too. Powerful isnt a strong enough word to describe it, Parisi said. There hasnt been another drummer like him. I was always in awe. Parisi, who played in a band called Honor Among Thieves, recalled answering an ad for a used drum set when he was a boy, not knowing that Stubblefield was the owner until he arrived at his house and he opened the door. Their friendship began from there, and Stubblefield played at a fundraiser for Parisi during his first run for county executive. He had no ego but you felt so small because of his talent, Parisi said. Stubblefield grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and first arrived in Madison with the James Brown Band to play a concert at the Coliseum. His brother, Frank, showed him around town and Stubblefield soon called Madison home, Ryan said. It didnt take long after he moved here for the drummer and the city to become synonymous as musicians sought out the man who Spin magazine said was the driving force behind Browns unstoppable funk. A drummer known as Flash recalled how people used to say that Green Bay has the Packers, Madison has Clyde Stubblefield. Banks will host a tribute to Stubblefields music beginning at 6 p.m. Monday at the High Noon Saloon, 701 E. Washington Ave. The Clyde Stubblefield All Stars will play the hits Stubblefield recorded with James Brown as well as some of the late percussionists own original music. Several guests are expected to join the band, Banks said. At a recent livestock auction at Central Livestock in Zumbrota ,fed Holstein steers sold for about $30 less than fed beef steers. This sudden drop is unpleasant and costly for Holstein producers. Frank Sullivan, of Haas Livestock Auction in Cannon Falls, called the immediate cause a "decision that has had monumental and domino ramifications." Tyson Foods, a company which had been processing Holstein carcasses, has stopped doing so. "Basically there were three buyers for the cattle: American Foods, JBS Packer Land and Tyson Foods," said Greg Matzke, owner of Haas Livestock. Tyson decided to pull out of the market around the beginning of the year. The two plants that continue to purchase Holstein steers found it difficult to absorb the extra cattle so Tyson's departure has depressed the market to the point where they're bringing $30 back of the colored cattle live price, Matzke said. ADVERTISEMENT Tyson Food declined to comment, citing it considers its buying practices proprietary. Overall, the change seems to be simply a fluctuation in the market, albeit an unfortunate one. "We can't specifically call out one processing plant when something like this happens," said Ashley Kohls, executive director of the Minnesota State Cattlemen's Association. "With Holsteins, there are a number of challenges that come with processing them. They're larger, so they have to slow down processing plants." Kohls said Holsteins had been doing better in the market because the cattle industry was down. Now that the colored cattle herd population has increased again, Holsteins are less likely to be purchased. "We're encouraging producers to stay current on their marketings," said Jeff Reed, of Central Livestock. "We're doing whatever we can to generate interest in some other packers to see if they have need for Holstein carcasses. We think there's a good chance that someone else will come into the market and see that they are an underpriced product and start buying them. Right now that has not happened." In addition to the extra work that goes into processing Holsteins, the beef market has shown more desire for beef made from colored cattle, according to Matzke. "(Tyson's) meat customers told them that they want a higher grade of beef, Certified Angus and that type of meat," he said. "The reason they were killing Holsteins was that the cattle numbers were down so much. Now they have an adequate amount of colored cattle, and their customers are saying they want the beef meat rather than the Holstein." Unfortunately, there isn't a lot that can be done now. As Reed said, there may be a while yet before another buyer is able to come in and increase competition for Holsteins. He has sympathy for producers. "We're responsible for generating the best price we can on any given day," he said. "We've got these customers we've worked with for many years. We think our customers do a good job feeding these Holstein cattle, and it's an excellent product. They're not being paid full value right now, and we're doing whatever we can to fix that." ADVERTISEMENT Kohls added this could be an opportunity for regional cattle processing plants to fill the void, if they have the ability to process dairy-influenced cattle. "Minnesota and the northwest corner of Iowa feed a pretty high volume of dairy-influenced beef," she said. "The markets have been good for them. The things that cattle producers need to be doing is calling some of these regional plants and asking if they can process Holstein cattle and keeping their relationship open with them and hope that the situation we're in now is pretty short-lived." NEW YORK Another New York Fashion Week has come and gone, but there's still plenty to buzz about. Most shows previewed trends for next fall and winter, although some featured collections that could be purchased immediately. Here's a recap of some of the most-talked about moments. A refreshing amount of diversity: This season, beauty came in all shapes, sizes and colors. Christian Siriano, Michael Kors and Prabal Gurung included plus-size models in their shows, while designers such as Mara Hoffman noted an extra emphasis on casting models of a range of skin tones. Plus, we saw models in hijabs, transgender models and a wide scope of ages from teens to women in their 60s. While there's still work to be done, this was a strong step in the right direction. Philipp Plein's New York Fashion Week debut: Fans of the freshly revamped "America's Next Top Model" will recognize the German-born designer and his edgy-luxe looks from some of the show's challenges. At Fashion Week this season, his show at the New York Public Library was one of the hottest tickets in town, with Madonna, Paris and Nicky Hilton, Kylie Jenner, Tiffany Trump and Tyga among the celebs who scored a front-row seat. For the show, the brand cast Jeremy Meeks (also known as "hot mugshot guy"), who was arrested in 2014 in a gang-related incident and served 27 months in prison. He got out just in time to walk the runway. Pittsburgh's own Matthew Noszka, the former Point Park University student turned mega-model from Scott, was another one of the models. Shows with a message: Several designers stretched fashion beyond its utilitarian sense and used it to make a statement about inclusiveness and the country's political climate. One of the most emotionally stirring moments: Naeem Khan ended his show with a radiant black model in a gilded gold bridal gown with an elaborate flower crown and veil. Her promenade was accompanied to a track of Maya Angelou's poem "Human Family," ending with the line, "We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike." ADVERTISEMENT "It was about diversification because what makes this world a beautiful place is diversification," the designer told The Hollywood Reporter. Meanwhile, he talked politics with the Associated Press, noting that the Trump administration's travel ban on seven Muslim-majority countries inhibits industries such as fashion from doing business around the world and growing the economy at home. Raf Simons' first show for Calvin Klein: The week is filled with make-it-or-break-it moments. Our first glimpse at the new direction for Calvin Klein was one of them. Raf Simons, formerly of Jil Sander and Dior, came on board as chief creative officer last year, tasked with refreshing the nearly 50-year-old company. Working with creative director Pieter Mulier, he delivered with modern gender-crossing separates, inventive outerwear overlayed in clear vinyl and sporty touches applied to more traditional tailored pieces. Oh, that weather: Apparently, it wouldn't be New York Fashion Week's winter shows without a bunch of snow, followed by freezing rain and high winds for good measure. A swift-moving storm buried the city in nearly a foot of snow on the first day of Fashion Week, despite temperatures being in the 60s the day before. But it didn't keep fashionistas from traipsing from show to show in their sharpest street-style looks. Madeline Van Ert, of Rochester, has had quite the year during her reign as Miss Minnesota, with lots of fun memories and experiences. One of them is the trip she took to Paris last month, at the invitation of Lebanese fashion designer of Haute Couture and ready-to-wear clothing Georges Hobeika, who is the designer of the dress she wore to the Miss America Pageant last fall. "I took a very unconventional route to Miss America with my choices, style-wise and personality-wise," she said. "It was really important to stay true to myself and make sure that the things I was choosing were things that I would actually choose, and I wasn't just picking things for Miss America. "This designer, Georges Hobeika, is based out of Lebanon and I've always really admired his designs," Van Ert said, "so we had sent a message to one of his PR people asking if they carried any of his dresses in the U.S., so we could look and see about getting one for Miss America. They got so excited and were very enthusiastic and agreed to help sponsor the dress. "It was a cool connection and super unconventional, which was great, and that enough was super lucky for me that I could wear this super fancy dress at Miss America," she said, "But in December we got an email from the PR department with an invitation to the Paris Fashion Week show. It was such a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, one of those hypothetical bucket-list things. It was never anything I thought I would actually get to go to." ADVERTISEMENT Drawing a line "I was in awe the whole time and kept feeling like it was a dream the whole time I was there," Van Ert said. "I'd never been to Paris before this trip, so that in itself was already super exciting. I don't know the norms of these shows and events, so I showed up and was waiting in a standby line and someone pointed out that I had a VIP card, so I was in the wrong line. "It kept being one lucky encounter after another," she said. "And once we got inside, they ended up moving me to the front row, which if you watch 'Sex and the City,' is a pretty big deal!" The outfits Van Ert wore in Paris were all hers. I personally thought she looked like she could have been one of the models, so I was surprised to find out those were all her clothes. "They were my clothes, but I bought them for that trip," she said. "My personal stylist (my mom) and I went shopping for all of those outfits. It was funny, though, because it was a fun jumpsuit and a couple people from the press asked to take my picture, so then I had to pretend that I really belonged there and that I knew how to pose." Photo op The dresses and clothes on the runway were so beautiful and intricate, Van Ert said, it was an overwhelming experience, but it didn't stop there! "I ended up getting to meet with Georges for a meet-and-greet after the show," she said. "It was fun to chat with him about wearing his dress for Miss America, and then (this was the part that she got tossed into reality) when we were going to have our picture taken, the photographer told me that my lips were chapped, and told me to put chapstick on and come back for the picture. That photographer knew I was an impostor! ADVERTISEMENT "He took our picture for some French fashion magazine. I don't know what it was, but my lips are very moisturized in that photo, wherever it ended up." The dress from Hobeika's line that she wore in the pageant is part of his ready-to-wear line but was custom fit to Van Ert. "It was hard to narrow down because all of these dresses are amazing," she said. "I picked one and then sent them my measurements. All of my measurements, they needed everything, from my pinky to my wrist and my thumb to my wrist and my wrist to my elbow, and my wrist to my shoulder they probably could have built another me with all these measurements, but they custom made the dress to my body so it came and fit perfectly." A few months left Van Ert wore that dress to the Ivey Awards (kind of like the Minnesota Tony's, celebrating Minnesota's professional theater) and has a few more events throughout her reign that she will be able to wear it at. Her reign ends on June 17, when she gives the crown away to the next Miss Minnesota. "Some of the highlights (of the year) obviously were Miss America and this Paris trip, and I really love all of the service work, but it's hard to pick one thing over another because each appearance is so different," she said. "One thing that was really cool, and surprisingly difficult for me, was when I was asked to speak to all of the speech classes at Mayo High School. I graduated from Mayo (in December 2013) and I have had to do a lot of nerve-wracking things, like speaking in front of legislators at a brunch or speaking at at 5K walk for sick children and their families, but going to talk to a bunch of high-schoolers was the scariest thing I've had to do this year. My siblings go there and a lot of those kids know my family, so if I did something embarrassing, it would get back to me." The Rochester Meditation Center is a community rooted in Metta. Metta is the Buddhist term for loving-kindness and refers to a state of awareness rooted in selflessness and connectedness. The center's founding member, Doug McGill, finds Metta to be such a grounding concept that he requested the word be stamped into his personalized license plates. McGill returned to his hometown of Rochester in 2004 after reporting for the New York Times and Bloomberg News. McGill continues to write and also finds a deep sense of purpose in his work at the center. In describing what meditation is all about, McGill described, "Meditation is a way to develop the positive and healthy states of mind." Meditation nurtures awareness, and that awareness is an important component of learning to regulate one's emotions with intention. On Thursday evenings and Sunday mornings, about 12 to 25 people gather at the RMC, a house just a few blocks from Mayo Clinic. Sundays begin with a 30-minute silent meditation in the living room, followed by an hourlong conversation about a reading. Then there's another brief meditation and a coffee hour. Thursday evenings usually include a silent meditation and then an opportunity to listen to a speaker and hear what is referred to as a dharma talk. The RMC seeks to be "a safe space for people to come and to sit in the middle of all their troubles and find a way to deal with them skillfully," McGill said. ADVERTISEMENT For McGill, there is a lot of benefit in having other people with whom to practice meditation. While meditation can be an individual practice, it also can be done in community with others. "Having a group to sit with and practice with is enriching on a lot of levels," he said. "The heart of the practice is always a kind of collaboration with others. It's a discovery that you thought you were alone but you recognize over time that we all share one consciousness. When I work on my consciousness to make it healthy and happy, there's an immediate effect on others and then you start to recognize that you never were alone." A deep sense of connectedness and mutual respect is central not only to the form of Buddhist meditation taught at Rochester Meditation Center but also to the mission of the people who come each week. It isn't just a shared desire to experience the benefits of meditation that connects the people who support the Rochester Meditation Center. It's also an appreciation for service and fellowship. The RMC community gathers for a monthly service time at Channel One. They also enjoy movie nights together and seasonal volunteering opportunities. When asked what he most wants people to know about the Rochester Meditation Center, McGill said, "I want people to know that we're here. So come on down." All programs and classes are free and on a drop-in basis unless otherwise noted on the website. McGill said visitors can expect to "get an opportunity to sit quietly, to enjoy peaceful quiet presence with themselves and others, and they also get the chance to learn a bit of the traditional spiritual wisdom from Buddhism." To learn more about the center, visit its website, mcgillreport.org/rimg.htm . (Editor's note: This is the second and final part of Karmen Reid's worldwide travel adventure. The story began in last week's travel section.) Our first assignment in England was in Sheffield, in the north. Our surrogate home there was a beautifully restored vicarage built in the early 1800s with a backyard full of really old gravestones. There, we took care of three cats, four chickens, and some goldfish. Lovely. From Sheffield, we headed south to Oxford. Our homeowner, a Ph.D. forensic scientist, was off to Google for an "unconference." Knowing that we like pubs, she had kindly researched the city and left us a notebook full of suggested outings. We took care of her two cats in the mornings and evenings, then had the rest of each day to explore the area. After Oxford, we had three more assignments, all around the beautiful Cotswold area. Most were in tiny hamlets, with a church and a pub as their only businesses. One great thing about house-sitting is that many of the assignments are in out-of-the-way places. After staying there for a few weeks, we usually get to know neighbors, publicans, and shop owners. When we have dogs to walk, everyone recognizes us as the temporary pet sitters. The Cotswolds are my favorite part of southern England. We made day trips almost daily to villages with thatched roof houses. I just couldn't get enough of them! While there, we traveled to the filming location of some of my favorite BBC shows, the village scenes of "Downton Abbey," the street shots from "Call the Midwife," and to the "Vicar of Dibley" village and church. ADVERTISEMENT After the Cotswolds, we had a nice change of pace dog-sitting in a suburb of London. For about $8, we could get an all-day pass into London, which included bus and subway rides for the day within the city. We tramped around the big city, along with all the other tourists, then returned to our quiet village in the afternoons. A perfect combination. A 'vacation' While house-sitting in England for three months, I made plans for the next part of our journey. Our daughter from Rochester and her partner came to visit us after our last assignment. We rented a narrow boat (also called long boat or canal boat) and slowly traversed the Oxford Canal for four days, including negotiating about 10 locks per day. It was a great adventure. A typical day included a stop at a pub near the canal for lunch, then mooring at an empty spot along the canal for the night. From there, we spent 10 glorious days in southern Ireland together. A note about budget We realize that this gallivanting around the world sounds expensive. Surprisingly, this lifestyle is cheaper than staying home. We do not have any overhead no mortgage, no utilities, no property tax, no household expenses, no phones or cellular service bill. While house-sitting, our only expenses are food and drink, as well as inexpensive public transportation for day trips. We have been able to find cheap flights and have used frequent flyer points for free flights. When we are not house-sitting, we have stayed in inexpensive Airbnb places and have used Hotels.com for good hotel rates. While house-sitting, I can cook, saving the expense of restaurant meals. Our only real area of splurging is frequenting local pubs. George loves to try different beers. It is a great way to meet people and get a feel of the neighborhood. Reuniting with friends From Ireland, we flew to Nova Scotia to visit friends we had met while camping in 2013-2015. We originally met them in a remote campground in western Newfoundland, then happened upon them at an RV park's laundry in eastern Newfoundland. We struck up a friendship and arranged camping rendezvous in the South Dakota Badlands, the British Columbia wine valley, and in northern Michigan. They hosted us in their home in Nova Scotia, where we enjoyed the peak fall colors with them. ADVERTISEMENT Finalizing our around-the-world trip, we stopped in Michigan to visit one daughter, then arrived in Rochester to visit our other daughter, and for our annual visit, filled with appointments at Mayo, the all-important visit to my favorite hairdresser, and get-togethers with friends and former neighbors. One of the benefits of house-sitting is making friends with our homeowners. Last fall (2015), we had cared for a beautiful home in Portland, Ore., one of our favorite cities. The homeowners contacted us, asking if we would consider returning in November for a second assignment. So here there we were, 10 months later, back on the West Coast where we started this around-the-word sojourn. Next plans From Oregon, we flew to St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, for a house-sitting assignment over Christmas. We had originally planned to house-sit in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, in December, but the homeowners canceled their travel plans. I quickly jumped on the Trusted Housesitters website and snatched this Virgin Islands assignment. After that, we were to retrieve our Airstream and pickup that are now in storage, and planned to drive to North Carolina for a house-sitting assignment and to see family there. We have one assignment lined up for the spring in Brittany, France, and are busy applying for others in Spain and Italy. Contact us I keep a daily blog journaling our experiences. Check it out at www.reidsontheroad.blogspot.com and www.reidsontheroad2.blogspot.com . Or email me at reidkarm@gmail.com. We would be happy to share any helpful hints about this inexpensive and fun lifestyle with others. ADVERTISEMENT AUSTIN An Austin man accused of criminal sexual conduct with a 12-year-old girl pleaded guilty to one charge, while three others were dismissed last week. David Ortiz-Reyes, 27, entered a guilty plea Feb. 17 in Mower County District Court to one charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a significant relationship with someone under 16, which includes multiple acts, a felony charge. Three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct-penetration or sexual contact with a person under 13 were dismissed, The incident with Ortiz-Reyes first came to the attention of the victim's mother when she allegedly found Ortiz-Reyes in her daughter's bedroom on Sept. 26, 2016. The victim's mother called the girl's father, a Green Bay, Wis. resident, to come pick up the girl. The girl's father told her mother not to report the incident because they would take the girl away, and that he would "take care of things." ADVERTISEMENT The mother decided to contact police, and an employee of the Mower County Department of Human Services interviewed the mother. Ortiz-Reyes was still at the residence, and was arrested. On Sept. 27, 2016, the victim was seen at Mayo Clinic Hospital - Saint Marys Campus in Rochester for a medical evaluation, and told the nurse she and Ortiz-Reyes had had sexual contact on more than two occasions, according to the complaint. Ortiz-Reyes is also known as Adrian Betancourt and David Ortiz Reyes. Ortiz-Reyes is due back in court for sentencing on May 18. The second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge carries a maximum 25-year prison sentence and/or a $35,000 fine. An Austin woman facing 23 charges in seven separate cases for check forgery, identity theft and taking an Expedition from a local car dealership was convicted last week on seven of those charges. Melissa Jill King, 32, was convicted Feb. 16 in Olmsted County District Court of one count each of check forgery greater than $250 but not more than $2,500, identity theft, two counts of financial transaction card fraud, as well as check forgery-falsely endorse, all felonies, and all in separate cases. She was also convicted of two other charges in a separate sixth case, taking or driving a motor vehicle without consent and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, both felonies. Three other charges for check forgery and possession of a stolen or counterfeit check, in a seventh case, were dismissed Thursday, according to court documents. Another set of charges from February 2016 were continued for dismissal on Jan. 12. King was sentenced to 19 months in prison at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in Shakopee. ADVERTISEMENT King, also known as Melissa Dexter, Melissa Green and Melissa Kunkel, was arrested in August 2016 , following a rash of thefts of checks from mailboxes and forgery, ranging from July 2015 to July 2016. The first incident began in July 2015 with the theft of a Kwik Trip debit card from a man in Wabasha County; it had been used 23 times at seven different stores in Rochester in four days, with purchases on the stolen card totaling $1,981.79. King was identified as the person making the transactions, and was convicted last week of financial transaction card fraud, a felony. On March 3, 2016, King allegedly stole an Expedition from a car dealership after first test-driving two other vehicles. Later that afternoon, police located the vehicle and tried to pull it over, but it continued through a red light and officers lost sight of it. King was arrested in a separate matter on March 22, 2016, and investigators followed up on the vehicle theft, which she characterized as "accidental." King added she couldn't have stopped because there were "cops behind" her, according to the criminal complaint. She was convicted on two felony charges, one count each, of taking or driving a motor vehicle without consent, and fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle. On March 12, Rochester police received a report of a pickup stolen from a Rochester hotel; a checkbook was inside the truck. According to that complaint, a $450 check had been written, payable to King, endorsed by another woman. King allegedly admitted she'd paid the woman $40 for cashing the check for her. Less than two weeks later, King and a man led law enforcement from Goodhue and Olmsted counties on a vehicle chase. A search of the vehicle they were in turned up several checks in the seat pocket behind the front seat. According to court documents, the checks were in the names of two 25-year-olds. ADVERTISEMENT Checks in King's possession at the time of that arrest were in the name of a 77-year-old woman; the checks and her car had been reported stolen. King appeared in Olmsted County District Court for both cases on June 28 and was released on her own recognizance. She was convicted last week for check forgery-falsely endorsing a check, a felony charge. In the meantime, King allegedly used a credit card that had been reported stolen May 30 from a mailbox in southwest Rochester. Surveillance video revealed King using the card May 29 at two Rochester businesses, court documents say, making purchases totaling $812.77. For that, she was convicted of financial transaction card fraud, a felony. During a June 1 traffic stop, King was arrested on an outstanding warrant. A search of the car she was driving turned up a check in a victim's name made out to "Sally" for $271.88, as well as a driver's license application in the name of another victim, the reports said. The investigators also found membership cards to two Rochester businesses in the name of the victim but with King's picture on them. When officers contacted the victim, she said she'd ordered a box of replacement checks and still was waiting for them in the mail, but bank employees said they'd been sent, and six had been stolen and cashed throughout Olmsted County totaling $1,390.02. Other checks written on the victim's account but hadn't cleared the bank yet totaled $2,344.41. Surveillance video from the transaction sites showed King passing checks as payment, court documents say. King was convicted of identity theft, a felony, following those charges. Finally, on Aug. 2, 2016, a man reported checks were stolen from his mailbox sometime on July 26; a bank employee reported a man had cashed a $400 check from the victim's account July 27. ADVERTISEMENT The investigator learned five more checks from the victim's account were written at Rochester Kwik Trip stores. Surveillance video revealed King had passed four checks totaling $330.39. Another check was written on the male victim's account, this one for $74 on July 28 at a grocery store. A driver's license number written on the top of the check came back to a woman who said she'd applied for a new driver's license but never received it. Video from the store revealed the person who made the transaction was King, the report says. The final check drawn on the man's account was written July 31 at a local drug store in the amount of $88.21. Once again, it was King who allegedly passed the fraudulent check. She was convicted for check forgery, for falsely making, or altering a check with a total value greater than $250, but not more than $2,500, a felony charge. MINNEAPOLIS A Lourdes alumnus was arrested by federal authorities for allegedly trafficking Ecstasy from his dorm room at the University of Minnesota. Spencer Nichols, 18, of Rochester, faces charges of first-degree drug sale of 50 or more grams of a narcotic in a 90-day span and second-degree drug possession, according to the Star Tribune. Nichols, a 2016 Lourdes graduate and a bioscience student, was arrested earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security agents assisted by campus police after a probe into drug sales on a hidden part of the internet known as "the dark web," according to reports. It's still unclear what led authorities to Nichols. The man permitted authorities to search his dorm room at Centennial Hall, and they found $26,950 in cash, a vacuum sealer, vacuum sealer bags and two digital scales. The criminal complaint stated investigators also intercepted a package addressed to his dorm room that contained about 54 grams of Ecstasy, otherwise known as "Molly," according to the report. ADVERTISEMENT Nichols was expected to make his first court appearance on Friday afternoon after being held in lieu of $75,000. AUSTIN An Austin man accused of engaging in a gun battle with an acquaintance had second-degree intentional attempted murder charges dropped after a November scuffle. Roberto Cecelio Aleman, 21, appeared Feb. 17 in Mower County District Court where a charge of second-degree murder-attempt with intent, but not premeditated, a felony, was dismissed. He was convicted of one count each for second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and fifth-degree drug possession, both felony charges. Aleman received a 36-month concurrent sentence at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud and will receive credit for 77 days served. The investigation began on Nov. 13, when Austin police responded to reports of shots fired at the Mandolin Apartments, 203 31st St. SW. The other man involved, 22-year-old Romario Louis Luke, of Rochester, was struck in the chest with a round, court documents say, but credited the body armor he was wearing with preventing serious injury. Luke hasn't been charged in the shooting, but faces felony drug charges from an arrest 10 days later. ADVERTISEMENT Eleven casings were recovered from the area; a parked car was hit with four bullets, and one round struck an apartment building. Based on evidence at the scene, officials believed two different 9 mm weapons were used. Law enforcement wasn't able to locate anyone involved immediately after the shooting, but later tracked the scuffle back to Aleman because of bullet holes found in a car that had been parked at the scene. Police contacted the car's owner, a woman who had been in jail since Nov.1 told police she had left the keys with Aleman. On Nov. 16, investigators spoke with a woman who said Aleman told her he'd been at the Mandolin Apartments when "two guys" started shooting at him. The woman who allegedly told the investigators she thinks Aleman is involved in some type of drug trafficking with Luke said Aleman got away by running into the apartment of a woman he knew. That woman told authorities she'd arrived at the apartment complex Nov. 13 when she saw a man wearing a white hoodie get out of a car and approach a man wearing a black hoodie. The jailed woman's vehicle was parked in the lot, the witness said. The two men in hoodies were arguing in front of one of the apartment buildings, she told detectives, then started shooting at each other. The man in black ran toward a field while firing a pistol at the man in white, who also was firing a pistol. The woman said she was afraid she'd be shot, so she backed her car to the garage area and stayed inside until the man in white got back into the car and left. She believed the man in black to be Aleman, court documents say. He came to her apartment not that night as he'd claimed but three days later. She refused to let him inside but listened as he told her the jailed woman's vehicle was stolen while he had it in Iowa. She knew the car hadn't been hit by the bullets the night of the shooting and was gone from the parking lot the next night. Investigators found bullets in the garbage at Luke's residence in Austin that matched those recovered at the Mandolin, the reports say. ADVERTISEMENT A search warrant executed Nov. 23 at the house recovered 144.27 grams of methamphetamine in various spots; 225 grams of marijuana; a magazine and ammunition for a 7.62-by-39-millimeter rifle; drug paraphernalia; pistol magazines and 9-millimeter ammunition; packaging materials for smuggling narcotics; three handgun holsters and two sets of body armor, among other items, a complaint against him says. Luke allegedly admitted he was at the Mandolin Apartments the night of the shooting and had a confrontation with Aleman, who Luke said pulled a gun, pointed it at his face and squeezed the trigger. The gun didn't fire, and Luke initially denied shooting at Aleman. Court documents say Luke eventually admitted firing three times at Aleman, who fled. Luke said he was shot by Aleman but was wearing body armor that the bullet didn't penetrate. He showed the detective a red injury on his chest that he attributed to the bullet fired by Aleman. Luke pleaded not guilty Monday to one count each of first-degree aggravated controlled substance crime-firearm, first-degree drug possession and being a violent felon in possession of a firearm. All are felonies. He remains in custody in lieu of $250,000 conditional bail and is due back in Mower County District Court Jan. 26. Aleman was arrested Dec. 2 during a traffic stop; a search of his clothing reportedly turned up knives and 0.48 gram of meth. He said he'd heard the gunfire Nov. 13 but denied being involved, claiming again he'd spent the night in the apartment of the female witness. LAKE CITY Lake City native and carpenter Dave Dinsmore always gets the same question. For years now, Dinsmore has handcrafted and donated a chair to A Chair Affair, the Boys and Girls Club of Rochester's biggest fundraiser of the year. Dinsmore, in fact, is the only artisan to have made a chair every year of the gala's 15-year existence. The fact is, Dinsmore, 58, has had a bit of an affair with A Chair Affair. And at this stage, it would take too much energy to stop. "At this point, it's inertia," Dinsmore said. "The week between Christmas and New Year's, I build a chair." Chair Affair is tonight at the Rochester International Event Center. Last year, the event raised $392,000. ADVERTISEMENT Dinsmore's chairs have fetched anywhere from $400 to $1,700 in the event's auction. Most have a distinctive offbeat quality reflective of Dinsmore's personality: chair backs shaped like scorpion tails or sting rays or set at odd angles. Similar to his chairs, Dinsmore has a way of talking that keeps the listeners on the edge of their seats. Dinsmore calls the auction/fundraiser his "yearly dose of external validation." But truth be told, the Lake City carpenter is rarely disappointed in people's reactions. He's tickled when people say they like his work. He's overjoyed when people screw of up their faces and look disgusted. "If you truly disgust somebody, you have done your job," he said. Dinsmore got his gift for woodworking from a long line of family carpenters. The gift for the gab, he says, came from his dad, who was a minister. Dinsmore was a self-employed carpenter doing home remodeling work for 35 years until the housing market went bust in 2009 and forced him into a different line of work. Today, he is a process operator for Federal Mogul and appreciates perks such as walking to work and having health insurance. "I've spent my whole life building boxes and what other people wanted me to build," Dinsmore said. "So when left to my own devices, I don't build boxes. And I don't use a plan." Today he builds only what he wants to build except for what his wife, Kris, wants. His chairs are made of wood from three main sources: old Christmas trees, wood purchased from mills and the stuff found floating and resting along the Zumbro and Mississippi rivers. ADVERTISEMENT His building plan is usually nothing more than an idea in his head. Sometimes, it's less than that. He might scatter the wood on the floor in his workshop and wait for something to happen. "Something always happens," he said. To his favorite creations, Dinsmore has given names, such as "Angular," "The Swing" and "Scorpion." This year's chair is called "Crooked Stool." He can't imagine a year when he won't be building and donating chairs for A Chair Affair. There are more ideas for chairs bouncing around his head than "enough years left to make them all," he said. "I have lots and lots of ideas for chairs I would like to build and things that aren't chairs and things that aren't much of anything but something," he said. Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Urban affairs, investigations, consumer help ("SOS") Follow Chris Rickert | Wisconsin State Journal Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today The town hall meeting Ron Johnson didnt show up for on Wednesday was of course an opportunity to trap the Republican U.S. senator, vent liberal concerns and generally prove that hes wrong and liberals and/or Democrats are right. It was in Madison, after all. It could be nothing else. Still, if youre a member of Congress, you accept that there will be constituents who dont want a dialogue so much as a whipping boy. The money you make and the power you wield should more than make up for occasionally having to take a licking. Here are a few tips for Johnson should he decide to accept any future invitations to hostile town meetings: First, act like youre taking your detractors seriously. Be direct and to the point when answering questions, but dont argue or raise your voice. If you are heckled or booed, stop and allow the interruptions to peter out of their own accord. Smile, but not contemptuously. Nothing looks worse in the attack ad some activist is gathering footage for than a politician who appears to hold his constituents in low regard. Remain civil and organizers will almost certainly call off the worst of the dogs. They know an angry mob doesnt help their cause. Audience questions OK, poorly concealed attacks at the Wednesday gathering were addressed to an empty chair with Johnsons name on it, and touched on issues including health care, immigration, the environment and Donald Trumps mental health. Will you call for an independent investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election? was the substance of a few of them. Johnson has already said he wouldnt. But he missed an opportunity to tell constituents that he was concerned as far back as September about the Russians trying to influence our elections and that he has great confidence in the members of Congress from both parties who will look into these matters. He also could have noted theres no evidence the Russians had any direct effect on election results. Among the most accusatory questions was about whom the senator thought he represented. Your duty is to us, the woman said, and not to the Republican Party or to Donald Trump. Johnsons answer here could have been an easy home run. Youre right, he could have said. I represent everyone in this room, as well as millions of Wisconsinites not in this room. My job is to balance what I think is right for the country with what all of my constituents want. Johnson does not have a history of avoiding the town hall format. Hes conducted 73 in-person town halls in 48 counties since 2013, according to spokesman Ben Voelkel, as well as 55 telephone town halls since 2011. Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwins press office said Baldwin did town hall style meetings when she was in the U.S. House and listed scores of roundtable dialogues and listening sessions focused on specific issues since joining the Senate in 2013. There are good reasons for avoiding a meeting where people just want to vent, but the best politicians rise above that by showing up anyway. Besides, the countrys already got one thin-skinned guy who cant handle criticism. Hes called the president. FARGO, N.D. A federal judge said Friday the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers should be brought back as a defendant in a lawsuit against a Red River diversion project around the Fargo and Moorhead area, although it's not clear how that will affect plans to start construction. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim ruled last year that the Corps couldn't be sued in the case, which diversion supporters have cited to start the project over objections from the state of Minnesota. The Corps said in a release last week that work has begun on stabilizing the ground for a gated inlet structure, considered the first phase of construction. But Tunheim said circumstances have changed, most notably a decision by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to deny a permit for the project and the follow-up announcement by the Corps that it planned to start construction anyway. "The court, therefore, reinstates the Corps as an active defendant in litigation," Tunheim said in his order. The suit was filed in 2013 by a group of upstream opponents who believe there's a better alternative than the $2.2 billion project that would flood land south of the Fargo-Moorhead area during times of serious flooding. ADVERTISEMENT Gerald Van Korff, attorney for the group of upstream residents who filed the suit, said the Fargo-Moorhead Diversion Authority incorrectly interpreted the ruling excusing the Corps from the complaint as a reason to start the project without all the necessary permits. "The federal government is not above the law," Van Korff said. "While major issues remain in this case, it is our hope that the diversion authority will rethink its posture regarding finding a consensus solution that will work for the entire region." Robert Cattanach, a Minneapolis attorney who represents the diversion authority, said the ruling "is not all bad for us" because it will give the Corps a chance to show the country what is happening to a project that has been authorized by Congress. "I think it underscores that if a state, any state, is allowed to frustrate the will of Congress, that's a matter of national significance," Cattanach said. "We think the corps will make that case pretty convincingly." Cattanach said he doesn't think the ruling will affect the timing of the project because the soil still has to sit for 280 days once it's stabilized. "We should have a lot of things sorted out in the next nine months on the litigation itself and kind of getting the MDNR permit back on track," Cattanach said. Years ago, a public figure in the Reagan administration was accused of lying to Congress. Reportedly, he ridiculed the charge by asking whats next, lying to Evans and Novak? Evans and Novak were prominent journalists of the time. They hosted a television show. Thirty years later, a group of leftist law professors is charging Kellyanne Conway with, in effect, lying to Evans and Novak. The Washington Post reports that 15 law professors (a low number, as these things go) have filed a professional misconduct complaint against Conway. They lodged the complaint with the District of Columbia Bar, to which she was admitted in 1995. Conway, who became a pollster not a lawyer (and never looked back), has not kept up her membership. The law professors complaint letter cites Conway for making a false statement during a television interview. She said that President Obama banned Iraqi refugees from coming into the U.S. after a massacre in Bowling Green. There was no ban and no such massacre. With Evans and Novak no longer around, Conway made the misstatement to Chris Matthews. The law professors also point to Conways endorsement (such as it was) of Ivanka Trumps products. I discussed event this here. The professors say the endorsement broke federal ethics rules, which technically it probably did, and purport to deem the violation grounds for discipline by the bar association. The law professors also complain that Conway used the term alternative facts to describe the White House view of the size of the inauguration day crowd. Alternative facts are not facts at all; they are lies, the profs sniff. But an alternative version of the facts is not necessarily a lie, and this, I think, was what Conway meant to say. Marcia Coyle of the National Law Journal says that the professors complaint could go nowhere and take a long time getting there. It certainly deserves that fate. If Conways misstatement of facts about Obamas Iraqi refugee policy is grounds for bar discipline, then I want to know whether the statute of limitations is up for such Obama statements as if you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor. If Conways technical violation of rules in connection with comments about Ivankas product lines is grounds for bar discipline, then I want to know whether the statute of limitations is up for Hillary Clintons violation of government rules on the handling of documents and also for the many misstatements Hillary made about her server as she tried to dissemble her way out of political difficulty. Jonathan Turley, a law professor at George Washington University, is obviously correct when he calls the charges overtly political. As such, they open up a future in which partisans will call for bar investigations every time a political figure misstates a fact an every day occurrence or maybe states a fact someone doesnt agree with. Turley takes the complaint about Ivankas endorsement more seriously than he takes the rest of the professors letter. However, hes dismissive of it too: [T]his is a matter for investigation in the Executive Branch. I assume that there is some discretion in distinguishing between violations that are substantive efforts to endorse a product and a passing statement like Conways. I would expect that such a comment would generate at least a formal reprimand and the Administration has already stated obliquely that Conway was counseled. The question is whether the Bar is the proper forum for such transgressions [by] a staff member who is new to executive service [ed: and by someone who isnt acting in the capacity of a lawyer]. . .Again, I fail to see the basis for a formal ethics charge based solely on the product endorsement and view the other references as bordering on frivolous as the foundation for an ethics complaint. I hope someone is cataloging all of the low tactics employed by the left to impair the Trump administration. Such a catalog will be useful the next time a Democratic president takes office. But many of the tactics will have to be rejected as too idiotic. Filing a bar complaint is one of them. Every time President Trump gives a speech, it seems, the left-wing apparatus goes into overdrive to push back. Todays CPAC speech prompted liberal responses on several fronts, one of which related to Paris. Trump was talking about immigration and national security. This is what he said: At the same time, we fully understand that national security begins with border security; foreign terrorists will not be able to strike America if they cannot get into our country. (APPLAUSE) By the way, take a look at whats happening in Europe, folks, take a look at whats happening in Europe. I took a lot of heat on Sweden. (LAUGHTER) And then a day later, I said has anybody reported whats going on? And it turned out that they didnt not too many of them did. Take a look at what happened in Sweden. I love Sweden, great country, great people, I love Sweden. But they understand. The people over there understand Im right. Take a look at whats happening in Sweden. Take a look at whats happening in Germany. Take a look at whats happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris. I have a friend, hes a very, very substantial guy. He loves the city of lights, he loves Paris. For years, every year during the summer, he would go to Paris, was automatic with his wife and his family. Hadnt seen him in a while. And I said, Jim, let me ask you a question, hows Paris doing? Paris? I dont go there anymore, Paris is no longer Paris. That was four years four or five years hasnt gone there. He wouldnt miss it for anything. Now he doesnt even think in terms of going there. Take a look at whats happening to our world, folks. And we have to be smart. We have to be smart. We cant let it happen to us. (APPLAUSE) So let me state this as clearly as I can, we are going to keep radical Islamic terrorists the hell out of our country. Liberals have become hysterical over this riff, but typically, they dont want to address Trumps point. Do they deny that it is important to keep Islamic terrorists out of the U.S.? Actually, they put no priority on doing so, but they dont want to admit this openly. Instead, we see headlines like this from the Associated Press: Paris mayor, Clooney fire back at Trump for insulting city. This is stupid. Trump didnt insult Paris. The AP reports: Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, Frances foreign minister and an American cinema luminary pushed back at U.S. President Donald Trump for insulting the City of Light on Friday in a speech. *** Hidalgo tweeted a photo of herself alongside Mickey Mouse and Minnie and said: To @readDonaldTrump and his friend Jim, in @LaTour Effel we celebrate the dynamism and spirit of openness of Paris with Mickey and Minnie. In another tweet, with the hashtag #Donald&Jim, Hidalgo said American tourist reservations are up 30 percent in 2017 so far compared to last year. French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault offered his own proof that Americans like not just Paris but all of France: 3.5 million Americans visited France in 2016, he tweeted. They will always be welcome. These French officials responded in an entirely appropriate manner. They want to promote tourism. But such boosterism doesnt make Islamic terrorism go away. The same thing happened when Trump talked about the problems Sweden has had with Islamic refugees. Not terrorism, in this casenot yet, anywaybut rather crime, welfare dependence and a lack of assimilation. The liberal media responded hysterically, as usual, pretending that Trump had erroneously referred to a terrorist attack, while stubbornly refusing to address the point he actually made about immigration. But after the anti-Trump points have been made, liberal news outlets occasionally address reality, as the New York Times did in a reasonably objective piece, published today, headlined Sweden, Nation of Open Arms, Debates Implications of Immigration. Another headline might have been: Donald Trump was right. There is a reason why the Sweden Democrats are rapidly growing into Swedens most popular political party, and in France, Marine Le Pen is one of the front runners for the presidency. Mass immigration from Islamic countries into Europe is not going swimmingly, and everyone knows it. Except, perhaps, liberal news outlets. New Zealand to Host Singaporean F-15SG? Singapore is eying Ohakea air base in Manawatu as a potential base for one of its own Air Force squadrons of F15 fighter jets. Up to 500 people would be stationed in or near the base in the region.Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee confirmed that the Singapore Government in undertaking a feasibility study to determine what the move would entail, including housing and education needs of family. That study needed to be completed before any proposal could be put before the Singapore or New Zealand Governments. Brownlee said that Singapore's position in Southeast Asia so close to Malaysia and near Indoesia meant that air space was very tight. "New Zealand doesn't have the same congestion so the opportunity to fly more freely clearly exists at Ohakea."The Singapore Air Force has other overseas bases, in France, the United States and in Western Australia's Pearce Air Base where a squadron is based.Brownlee suggested the benefits to New Zealand would be strategic and economic. "It would mean there would be up to 500 people based out of Ohakea in the Manawatu region so that has a big economic effect on the local community," he told the Weekend Herald. "But the benefit of strengthening the strategic alliance with Singapore is the most important aspect." Brownlee said there was deadline by which the proposal needed to be considered by but he expected that it was approved, could take a couple of years to establish.Singapore and New Zealand have a longstanding defence relationship. The New Zealand Army stationed a battalion in Singapore for 20 years until 1989. And both are members of the Five Power Defence Arrangement along with Britain, Australia and Malaysia.New Zealand's combat arm of the Air Force was axed in 2001 by the Helen Clark-led Labour Government. Asked if the Singapore proposal might be a way for New Zealand to re-establish a combat arm, Brownlee said "definitely not." "It would be a Singapore operation entirely but based at Ohakea." He did not know how many aircraft would be involved but a squadron is usually between 12 and 24 aircraft...... Przepraszamy! Ogoszenie na stanowisku: Senior Application Architect wygaso z dniem 2017-02-26 Ta propozycja bya zozona przez EY Mozliwe przyczyny wygasniecia oferty to: propozycja zamieszczona przez pracodawce zostaa wycofana z naszej bazy zleceniodawca zakonczy proces rekrutacji uzyskujac odpowiednia ilosc zgoszen zleceniodawca zmodyfikowa tresc zlecenia i jest ono dostepne pod innym adresem WWW dostawca tresci usuna ogoszenie z bazy danych zy adres WWW ogoszenia Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w branzy Ksiegowosc / Audyt, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Ksiegowosc / Audyt Jezeli poszukujesz pracy na stanowisku Senior Application Architect, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Senior Application Architect Jezeli poszukujesz pracy w miescie: Wrocaw, zajrzyj tutaj: Praca Wrocaw Pamietaj, ze mozesz takze rozpoczac poszukiwanie pracy od strony gownej, kliknij tutaj. Inne oferty, ktore mogy byc w kregu Twoich zainteresowan: Mavin Records CEO, Don Jazzy, launched his latest business initiative, a free WiFi service -Flobyt in Lagos on Friday. The unveiling of the initiative was held at Renaissance Hotel in Lagos. Don Jazzy partnered with founder of Tsaboin, Dele Odufuye, to make the dream a reality. The founders say Flobyt is a free WiFi service installed across partner locations in Lagos like eateries, parks, taxis, buses, restaurants, cafes and many other businesses. The service is free for patrons of a business who wish to access the Internet while in the premises of the patron locations. The Internet router itself is a plug-and-play device that, according to the founders, does not require much technical know-how to operate. Speaking at the occasion, Don Jazzy said investing in Flobyt has been a life-long dream of his. He said, I have always wanted to play big in the technology space and I looked for people who were sound and had a beautiful track record in the technology space. This is my first business investment in the technology space that is public while I remain a silent partner in others. I am really interested in driving Flobyts reach beyond Lagos. Our Wi-Fi is the fastest in town and those who stream our music and content as entertainers are from the US and the UK. We believe that if we improve our services the numbers can improve. In addition, Don Jazzy revealed that at specified locations, between 10-30 people can be connected to Flobyt at the same time while in locations with higher traffic, Flobyt Max can provide internet service to 10 80 concurrent users. On his part, Mr. Odufaye said, You simply walk into any of our partner outlets and patronise them. While you are at that, you can log into Flobyts free WiFi service available. Join the Flobyt FREE Wifi. If your browser pops up for authentication, just visit www.mavinrecords.com or click on Free Access button shown to you. We are using state-of-the-art WiFi technology equipment that balances speed, quality of service, security and data consumption. This equipment is lightweight and easier to manage. These are the technological and business edges. Speaking further, Don Jazzy told PREMIUM TIMES that Flobyts will avail Nigerian entertainers an opportunity to begin to eke a living from their craft. He said, If it benefits my own company its going to benefit every other entertainer. Now fellow artistes can now have more people accessing their music and if you are staging an event, they can invite Flobyt to activate the venue. That way, they can reach their core fans that are gathered at the event. Away from Flobyt, PREMIUM TIMES also took the top producer up on some questions pertaining to his his music career and future plans. When asked if he had an album in the works, he said, I am not releasing an album anytime soon because I have other artistes whom I need to promote but filmmaking is definitely in the works. I dont regard myself as an artiste because I am shy and reserved. I dont like talking in public, I can sing in the studio but performing it on stage is the problem, I dont want to be regarded as a fake artiste but I will go into movie making in the near future. Share this: Twitter Facebook South African Police used rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse anti-immigration demonstrators and their opponents in the countrys administrative capital of Pretoria, local media reported on Friday. The presidency called for calm. However, the newspaper Times Live reported that a student caught between police and protesters had been injured. Before the interventions, hundreds of demonstrators had been locked in a stand-off with migrants, both sides armed with rocks and sticks, broadcaster eNCA reported. The rally followed the reported looting of dozens of foreign-owned shops in Pretoria earlier this week. More than 130 people were arrested within 24 hours, police representative Khomotso Phlahlane said in a press conference broadcast live by eNCA. Tensions between migrants and locals have been reported in several communities, the presidency said in a statement, calling for restraint. It is wrong to brandish all non-nationals as drug dealers or human traffickers. Let us isolate those who commit such crimes and work with government to have them arrested, without stereotyping and causing harm to innocent people, the statement quoted President Jacob Zuma as saying. The Nelson Mandela Foundation criticised the growing behaviour of `othering among Africans, adding that the countrys late first democratic president had firmly condemned xenophobia. South Africa, which has an unemployment rate of about 25 per cent, has seen sporadic violence against migrants from other African countries, who are accused of taking jobs. Attacks against migrants claimed nine lives in April 2015. The regional superpower had about 2.4 million migrants in 2013, the largest number in southern Africa, according to the International Organisation for Migration. (dpa/NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook Morocco, a north African country, has officially requested to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as a full member. According to APA, the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation issued a statement on the plan to join the 15-member West African bloc. The kingdom of Morocco has informed Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia who is the current chair of ECOWAS of its interest to join the regional grouping as a full member a statement from the ministry said. This request is in line with provisions of ECOWAS founding treaty and in full satisfaction of its membership criteria, it asserted. According to Morocco, its move comes to crown the strong political, human, historical, religious and economic ties at all levels with ECOWAS member countries. It said these links were reinforced over the last few years, through the kings 23 visits to 11 countries in the region. The statement said these visits were crowned by the signing of several hundred agreements, which gave a strong impetus to bilateral cooperation with the 15 member countries of the regional bloc. Morocco also maintains institutional relations with ECOWAS, through an observer status, which has been in place for several years. Morocco has participated in several meetings of the organization and has contributed to its activities, particularly in areas relating to peace and stability, the statement added. The desire to join ECOWAS is also part of the royal vision for regional integration, as a key to Africas economic take-off, and is in line with the African policy of King Mohammed VI, reflected by the return of the kingdom to the African Union (AU), the statement concluded. The country was recently re-admitted into the African Union (AU) after decades of voluntary withdrawal from the continental body. The country embarked on diplomatic shuttles to many African countries, including Nigeria and Senegal to mend sour relations and to seek support of the countries for its admittance into AU. Share this: Twitter Facebook Wisconsins Republican attorney general filed an appeal Friday with the U.S. Supreme Court challenging a ruling striking down GOP-drawn legislative boundaries as unconstitutional. Brad Schimel had said he would appeal since a panel of judges last month struck down the maps and ordered the Republican-controlled Legislature to draw new boundaries. The judges ordered that new maps be drawn by November so they would be in place for the 2018 election. Democrats who challenged the maps are calling on the Legislature to move quickly to draw new ones. But Schimel and Republicans dont want to do that unless the Supreme Court requires it. Schimel simply filed the notice of appeal on Friday. He did not make any legal arguments and had no comment, spokesman Johnny Koremenos said. An attorney for those challenging the maps, Doug Poland, said Republicans used taxpayer money to draw the maps so they could entrench their power. With this appeal, Wisconsin citizens now look to the United States Supreme Court to finally and permanently remove the cancer of extreme partisan gerrymandering from our democracy, Poland said. Republicans redrew the district lines shortly after they gained complete control of state government in 2011. The new boundaries have helped the GOP maintain control of the state Senate and Assembly in every election since then. Republicans have their largest majority in the state Senate since 1971 and their biggest in the Assembly since 1957. A dozen voters sued in 2015 over the Republican-drawn maps, alleging they unconstitutionally consolidated GOP power and discriminated against Democrats. The three-judge panel agreed. The Supreme Court is split 4-4 between conservatives and liberals. The U.S. Senate is considering whether to confirm President Donald Trumps nominee Neil Gorsuch, a conservative. Schimel is representing the state Elections Commission in the case. Republican legislative leaders hired a pair of law firms to represent them before the Supreme Court. Taxpayers could be on the hook for $175,000 in legal fees to one firm, while another is being paid $300 an hour to work the case. Taxpayers have already spent $2 million for the Republican defense of the maps. Several major U.S. media outlets including the New York Times, CNN and Los Angeles Times were barred from attending Friday White House briefing, indicating a worsening relationship between the media and the controversial Trump administration. Since he was sworn in on 20 January, Mr. Trump has been attacking the US media, deriding them as purveyors of fake news, dishonest media and so on and had disputed several accounts published by the media. Not trusting how they would treat his story, Mr. Trump last week addressed a rally in Florida. Just today, Mr. Trump in Twitter posts blasted the FBI for not tracing the source of a leak of his administrations links to Russia. The story was published by CNN on Thursday. According to a report by the Daily Beast, journalists expressed outrage at todays unusual move by the White House. The Associated Press and Time magazine reportedly boycotted the briefing as a result of the ban of NYT and CNN. White House spokesman, Spicer reportedly allowed sympathetic outlets into the gagglean informal question-and-answer session between a press secretary and journalistsincluding the Washington Times, Breitbart, all Republican and conservative organs and One America News Network. Jeff Mason, the president of the White House Correspondents Association, said the consortium of reporters will strongly protest the move and further discuss it with White House press staffers. This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House, CNN said in a statement. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless. Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, issued a similar statement: Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organisations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest. Earlier today, Mr. Trump said he was against the American media. In a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Mr. Trump said in spite of his criticism of certain U.S. media organisations, he was not against the fourth estate of the realm. Im not against the press; I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them and I tell you, I love good stories, but we wont. I dont get too many of them. They are very dishonest people; in fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people the fake news. They dropped off the word fake and all of the sudden, the story became, the media is the enemy; they take the word fake out, and now Im saying, oh, no, this is no good. But thats the way they are. So Im not against the media. I want you all to know that we are fighting the fake news. Its fake phony, fake. A few days ago, I called the fake news the enemy of the people and they are. They are the enemy of the people. Because they have no sources, they just make them up when there are none. I saw one story recently where they said nine people have confirmed. There are no nine people. I dont believe there was one or two people; nine people. And I said, give me a break because I know the people who they talked to; there were no nine people but they say nine people, and somebody reads it and they think, oh, nine people. They have nine sources; they make up sources. The President claimed that he was only against the fake news media or press adding, media should disclose their sources. Im against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name; let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out. A source says that Donald Trump is a horrible, horrible human being; let them say it to my face. Let there be no more sources. Trump, however, said there are very honourable media men writing very fair stories. There are some great reporters around. Theyre talented, theyre as honest as the day is long. Theyre great. But there are some terrible, dishonest people, and they do a tremendous disservice to our country and to our people; a tremendous disservice. They are very dishonest people, and they shouldnt use sources; they should put the name of the person; you will see stories dry up like youve never seen before, the president said. Mr. Trump, who said most U.S. media got his election polls and subsequent polls since his inauguration wrongly, claimed that he love the First Amendment; nobody loves it better than me; nobody, I mean, who uses it more than I do? But the First Amendment gives all of us it gives it to me, it gives it to you, it gives all Americans the right to speak our minds freely; It gives you the right and me the right to criticise fake news, and criticise it strongly. NAN Share this: Twitter Facebook A non-governmental organization, Good Living Initiative, has accused officials of the Ebonyi State Government of delaying the treatment of an indigent boy diagnosed as having leprosy. The director of the organisation, Stella Chukwuma, stated this in Abakaliki while speaking with PREMIUM TIMES. Mrs. Chukwuma said she picked up the 13- year-old, Peter Nwigwe, while wandering on the streets of Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital. The boy had trekked for over 30 kilometres from his village, Ogbala Izenyi, in Izzi Local Government Area of the state, to Abakaliki, to seek work as a wheel barrow load carrier and fend for his siblings and dumb father. Peter said he was rejected in all the places he asked to rent wheel barrow because he manifested symptoms of a health case suspected to be leprosy on his toes and fingers. According to Mrs. Chukwuma, the boy was loitering along Water Works Road when she approached him for interaction on seeing his deplorable condition. I was attracted by the condition of the boy, he was looking hungry, weak and was not putting on any footwear. I wanted to give him money but people told me he came from a far place and when I interacted with him, I noticed he had a problem, she said. Another member of the NGO, Joseph Agbo, narrated that after the boy was diagnosed as having leprosy at Mile Four Hospital, the organisation made efforts to get him admitted at the hospital. But the authorities of the hospital demanded a Letter of Undertaking from any relevant government agency, especially the Social Welfare Department. When I saw the boy, I noticed blisters and open sore on his hands and legs and I suggested that he be rushed to Mile Four Hospital. On getting to the hospital, he was diagnosed as having leprosy, said Mr. Agbo, an evangelist. However, the hospital authorities told us that he would be treated free of charge but because we are not his parents, we should get a letter from the Social Welfare Department of the Ministry of Women Affairs. Mr. Agbo said all efforts to secure the letter from the Department as well as the Police and Office of the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Welfare Matters were not successful as all of them said it was not their responsibility. I took the boy to the Governors Wifes Office and I saw her Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Donatus Owo, who called the Ministry of Women Affairs to draw their attention to the case. But when we got to the ministry, we met with the Acting Permanent Secretary, Mrs Christiana Ogbu, who told us that we should go to the hospital and get the letter. I called the Senior Special Adviser to the Governor on Welfare Matters, Reverend Father Abraham Nwali, but he said his duty is to facilitate money for the treatment of such cases. When PREMIUM TIMES contacted the Acting Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Women Affairs, Mrs. Ogbu, she said: I am not a doctor to know that the boy has leprosy. It is hospital that should refer them, so there is no way I can write a letter on what I dont know. While the blame game continues, the boys health is deteriorating and requires urgent attention as one of his fingers has already been affected up by the disease which is fast spreading to other fingers and toes. Share this: Twitter Facebook Nigeria is not the worlds second-largest producer of rice as recently claimed by the Buhari administration. Presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, made the claim on February 18 while addressing university students in Abuja. As I speak to you now, Nigeria just achieved the record of the second largest producer of rice in the world. The rice revolution just started a year ago, Mr. Shehu, senior special assistant on media to President Muhammadu Buhari was quoted by The Cable as saying. Mr. Shehu later defended his claim on Twitter, and cited CNN as his source. Coming at a time of severe economic crisis, the comment appeared aimed at reassuring an increasingly disenchanted public. But that claim is entirely false, as Nigeria is not even amongst the worlds top 10 producers of rice, a PREMIUM TIMES examination shows. In November 2016, the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, said Nigerias rice production level stood at 3.5 million metric tonnes, while the countrys consumption stood at seven million metric tons. In calculating Nigerias production output, PREMIUM TIMES will rely on statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organisation, an agency of the United Nations that tackles hunger around the world. In addition, PREMIUM TIMES obtained an unpublished data for rice production from the National Bureau of Statistics. This assessment will also rely on data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, which tracks rice production outputs across the world. The USDA ranking is updated monthly. Global data In its 2016 estimates, the Food and Agriculture Organisation projected that Nigeria will produce 2.9 million metric tonnes, which it described as being up slightly from 2015 figures. The FAO data from 2015 showed that Nigeria produced 4.8 million metric tonnes of rice paddy. This placed Nigeria at number 17 in the top 20 producers ranking. The NBS data exclusively seen by this newspaper showed that Nigeria produced 7.8 million metric tonnes of rice paddy in 2016, up slightly from 7.5 million in 2015. The 2016 data produced by the USDA ranks 78 countries, according to IndexMundi, a website that collates, ranks and republishes statistical data from original sources. Nigeria is missing from the lists top 10 rice-producing countries of 2016. This category has China, with 146.5 million metric tonnes, at the top, and Japan with estimated 7.8 million metric tonnes at the bottom. The second position is occupied by India, which produced 106. 5 million metric tonnes that year. Other Asian countries that dominate the list include Indonesia: 36.6 million; Bangladesh: 34,5 million; Vietnam: 27.8 million; Thailand: 18,6 million; Myanmar: 12.5 million and the Philippines: 12.5 million. Brazil, at number nine, is the only country outside Asia in the top 10 rice producing countries. On this list, Nigeria stands at number 18, with a production output of 2.7 million metric tonnes for 2016. Although this is lower, the bureau of statistics figure7.8 million metric tonnes is still a far cry from what is needed to surpass the Asian countries. Even where the 7.8 million metric tonnes is used for this ranking, Nigeria would at best rank 10th. Mr. Shehu did not respond to PREMIUM TIMES request for clarification. But he said on Twitter on Monday that he based his assertion on a report by CNN. To buttress his point, Mr. Shehu said Nigeria had recently become a major exporter of grains to other African countries. Dont forget that since October last year, Nigeria has been feeding many parts of West Africa, North and Central Africa, Mr. Shehu said. Many of these countries have been shopping in Nigeria for rice, sorghum, sesame and millet. He said the government had started collating figures to establish Nigerias rice production output and will make its conclusion public. It is not clear whether the figure he was referring to is the NBS 7.8 million metric tonnes PREMIUM TIMES obtained. Nigerians react Mr. Shehus claim was roundly rejected on social media, with many users pointing at the irony of Nigerians paying more for a product that should be abundantly available. From a maximum N10,000 barely three years ago, a 50 kilogram bag of rice now sells for above N20,000 across the country, according to Rice.com.ng. Only in January 2016, the rice retailer sold the same quantity for N12,500 or less across the country. At Jumia, a 50 kilogram bag of rice retails for as high as N25,000. Richard-Mark Mbaram, an agricultural economics expert, said Mr. Shehus claim cannot be substantiated in actual fact. Mr. Mbaram, editor of Agro Nigeria, an online-based platform with primary focus on activities in the agricultural sector, also agreed that Nigeria is yet to meet its consumption demands. Were not even producing enough to feed ourselves, Mr. Mbaram said. Saying were number two is dangerous as it could make those tasked with addressing the challenges become complacent. He said the focus should be on improving Nigerias average output per hectare rather than making claims that will only distract us from addressing challenges in the agricultural sector. For example, Mr. Mbaram said budget estimates for agriculture stood at N92 billion, an amount he said could not even fund research in other climes. Were saying we want to diversify from oil because its prices are dwindling, yet we budgeted N92 billion for agriculture which is the sector that everybody agrees the focus must shift to, he said. Social media users also circulated a screengrab that depicted the CNN broadcast Mr. Shehu was probably alluding to. In the broadcast, the station showed Nigerias production output at 2.7 million metric tonnes; consumption placed at five million metric tonnes; import stood at two million. The data was also sourced from USDA/IndexMundi. The USDA/IndexMundi ranking showed Nigeria as the second-largest importer of rice in the world. In 2016, the country imported two million metric tonnes, behind China at five million metric tonnes. It is also unclear whether the presidential spokesperson mistook Nigerias import ranking for production output. Conclusion: Mr. Shehu said: Nigeria just achieved the record of the second largest producer of rice in the world. Available figures show this claim to be incorrect. Share this: Twitter Facebook The three-year-long leadership crisis in the Assemblies of God Church was on Friday laid to rest as the Supreme Court upheld the sack of the General Overseer of the Assemblies of God Church, Paul Emeka, for violating the churchs rules. In a unanimous judgment, the apex court dismissed the appeal filed by Reverend. Emeka against an earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, which equally upheld his sack. The church had been embroiled in a crisis which started when the General Council of the Church suspended Rev. Emeka on March 6, 2014. The council held that Mr. Emeka violated several sections of the churchs constitution and bye laws, particularly, Article 12, which deals with taking or using any other person to initiate proceedings against the church in court for any reason. It noted that Mr. Emeka failed to exhaust the churchs internal mechanism for dispute resolution, as stipulated in its rules. The churchs councils letter conveying Emekas suspension was signed by John Ikoni (General Secretary); Chidi Okoroafor (Acting General Superintendent) and Vincent Alaje (General Treasurer). The church also accused the former General Superintendent of being autocratic, being involved in financial mismanagement, engaging in abuse of power and above all took the church to court, an act tantamount to tarnishing the image of the church and bringing it to public ridicule. Mr. Emekas challenge of the churchs councils decision ended with the Supreme Courts judgment Friday. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, in the lead judgment, upheld the earlier decision of the Court of Appeal, Enugu division, to the effect that Mr. Emekas suspension and dismissal were in order. On Mr. Emekas claim that he was not accorded fair hearing by the churchs council, as guaranteed under the Constitution, Justice Kekere-Ekun held that there was remedy under Chapter 4 of the Constitution if indeed his right to fair hearing was violated. The judge said the provisions of Section 36 (1) of the 1999 Constitution, on which the appellant hinged his appeal, was limited to proceeding in law courts, but not proceedings emanating from domestic meetings and standing adhoc tribunals. Justice Kekere-Ekun held that the right to be a member of a church was not a right recognized under Chapter 4 of the Constitution. The judge noted that there was no proper proof of service on the respondents by the appellant. She set aside the service of court processes on the respondents and dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit. Share this: Twitter Facebook An expert on tobacco-induced diseases, Akin Adebiyi, has warned tobacco farmers of the harmful effects of cultivating the crop. Mr. Adebiyi, a medical doctor at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, said tobacco farmers should form a co-operative and engage the government for alternative means of sustenance in farming. Tobacco cultivation is an intensive process that involves several stages and exposes farmers to tobacco dust. For example there is the Green Leaf syndrome that is well documented that the tobacco farmer is prone to have, said Mr. Adebiyi. But more importantly is when they harvest the tobacco product and they are trying to make it suitable for the tobacco industry to buy from them. During the Curing process, they have to do a lot of work which is highly intensive, and they have to use firewood so they are exposed also to smoke, they are exposed to the tobacco dust that is generated when you are trying to put the products together. And they are not the only ones that are exposed, they also bring in their children to make sure that these are packed well. Sometimes it gets mouldy and they are exposed to mould. So all these are situations where the farmer can actually be exposed to deleterious effects of tobacco, so its not only about smoking, he said. Mr. Adebiyi spoke with journalists during a tour of tobacco farms in Iwere-Ile, Oyo State, on Wednesday. He said the efforts tobacco farmers put into the cultivation of the plant is not commensurate with the financial gains they receive through sales of the finished products. I would say is that if you look at the efforts that tobacco farmers put into the farming, in terms of when the product is at the nursery stage and they have to wet morning and night, spend a lot of time in the farm and you look at what they eventually get at the end of the process, you realise that its not that profitable, he said. And then along the line they are exposed to some deleterious effects of tobacco dust and of the firewood they use during the curing process. Government needs to engage the farmers. They need to know that tobacco farmers have to earn a living. And because they have to earn a living, we must as a matter of necessity look for alternative to tobacco farming. Animals shy away from tobacco, they dont eat tobacco. But man isits so funny that animals that are supposed to be at the lower level than man understand the dangerous effects of tobacco, but man is the one that is cultivating it and eating it. And man is supposed to be at a higher level than animals. The farmers need to be educated and they need to group themselves into a cooperative to approach the government. A tobacco farmer in the community, Michael Falana, said they grow the plant twice a year between March and June and then July and August. I stay at the farm from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the planting season, said Mr. Falana, the head of tobacco growers in the community. Mr. Falana said they receive loans from tobacco companies at the start of every planting season about N400,000 and make a profit of about N150,000 after repaying the loan. I plant cassava in between the planting seasons to support my income, he added. Akinbode Oluwafemi, an environmental activist, said tobacco farmers do not receive adequate protection from government in terms if policy formulation. If my memory serves me right, this is my fifth tour of tobacco farms and, sadly, nothing has changed, said Mr. Oluwafemi, Director of Corporate Accountability at Environemntal Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria. The farms remain a territory for modern slavery. The tobacco farmers are in a cycle of debt with the tobacco companies who treat them like slaves. They farm the crop, they take it to the collection centre and they come and dictate the price. The farmers are still exposed to all manner of risks as a result of chemicals that are used in tobacco farming. There is not enough protection in terms of policy on the side of government. Most importantly, you all saw what it took to even locate one tobacco farm. So you begin to ask yourself where are the tobacco farms? The reality on ground is the same question we have been asking the government to unravel. How many acreage of tobacco farms are in Nigeria? How many tobacco farmers are in Nigeria? How much of tobacco leaves do Philip Morris, BAT import into their factories in Ibadan or Ilorin to produce the volumes that we have? Because from what youve seen today, certainly those leaves are not coming from these farms. What we basically have in Nigeria are farmers that the tobacco companies are using for public relations and for their political agenda. And we are saying that narrative must change. Government must take interest in this, work with civil society, stakeholders, and the farmers to find a way out of this problem. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Management of Early Dew Montessori Academy, Enugu, has tendered an unreserved apology to Enugu State Government for the untoward and unprofessional act displayed by a teacher in the school. A teacher had invited armed police officers to the school premises to threaten some school children between the ages of four and seven for failure to do their assignments. The letter of apology, addressed to Commissioner for Education, Enugu State, was made available to journalists on Friday. We apologise most profusely for the embarrassment to your esteemed office and the Executive Governor of the State whose unfailing support for the education sector seemed to have been sullied, the letter said. The school also tendered our unqualified apologies to all those out there whose sense of decency and civility may have been offended by the unfortunate incident. The unprofessional act was most uncalled for as it was overzealousness by the head teacher taken too far. There was no intention whatsoever to arrest any child as alleged as no child was taken outside the school premises. According to the statement, we promise and undertake that such will never happen again under our watch. We appeal most humbly that the closure of the school be lifted so that our children are not unduly affected negatively by the continued closure of the school, it appealed. The states Commissioner for Education, Uche Eze, had on receiving reports from concerned citizens of the unfortunate incident, visited the school. Mr. Eze, however, withdrew the schools operational licence immediately after confirming that the incident took place. A letter by Mr. Eze, dated February 20, and addressed to the schools proprietress, stated that the act constitutes gross professional misconduct and could leave the children psychologically traumatised. The letter stressed that it also has the potential of diminishing the person of the child and making him or her live in perpetual fear of schooling. The act was greeted with wide condemnation from the public, especially in the social media. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that Tertiary Education Trust Funds special intervention funds given to tertiary institutions across the country be excluded in 2017 due to past abuses. Abdullahi Baffa, the Executive Secretary, TETFund said this on Monday in Abuja while briefing journalists on the intervention funds approved by the federal government for tertiary institutions. Mr. Baffa said the government approved N213.4 billion for the schools for 2016. The releases and utilisation of the funds are to be done in 2017. He said abuses had been so rampant that while the statutory intervention fund given by TETFUND to schools was only N50 billion in 2015, the special intervention fund assigned discretionarily was N200 billion for that year. In 2015, over N200 billion was recklessly disbursed as special interventions to some few beneficiary institutions, while N50 billion only was shared among all institutions as normal interventions, Mr. Baffa said. Mr. Baffa said the N200 billion was disbursed based on discretion which is against the law which says all institutions must be treated equal. He however said the fund was able to recover N74 billion from the N200 billion disbursed as special intervention fund and that investigation into the disbursement will soon commence. Mr. Baffa said that was why President Buhari excluded special interventions while approving 2017 intervention budget. Special interventions was turned into something else, it was recklessly abused and begging to be saved because the priorities were inverted; it was turned upside down, Mr. Baffa said. We cant afford to allow those who are entrusted to the business of keeping the fund to be the very ones abusing the fund mercilessly; We thank God its not going to be buried under the carpet, we are going to pursue that this recklessness be investigated and that any wrongdoing and any misapplication be brought to book. Mr. Baffa added that the allocation of 2015 was the least in the last five to six years because of the abuse. The allocation for 2016 is more than three times what was given in 2015 because we did not allow the old way of doing things to continue. The magic in our ability to triple what beneficiary institutions were given is simple, while the previous board of the trustees took 80 percent in 2015 and allocated it to special interventions and used only 20 percent for normal intervention, we refuse doing that. We used about 80 percent as normal intervention and the remaining 20 percent as what we have to use to pay the Federal Inland Revenue Service, FIRS, what we have to keep in the fund and what we have to keep for high impact interventions we are doing in places. We are appreciative of the president who support our opinion, the president has insisted that the culture of special intervention should be reviewed that is why we are not talking about special interventions. We are concentrating on normal intervention and what impact can we make through it. Special interventions should be meant for special cases like new projects, Victims of fire in school. Mr. Baffa expressed disgust on how some group of people hijacked special interventions and turned it into trade. We are still battling with people who are parading themselves as vendors trying to buy, sell and deal with allocation letters. They now turn special intervention into trade, people running around with allocation letters looking for buyers. We said we are not going to do that. We going to put the institutions first. Our clients are the beneficiary institutions. Share this: Twitter Facebook Additional security measures, including a total deployment of 15, 285 policemen are now being put in place by the Nigeria Police Force in Southern Kaduna, days after Acting President Yemi Osinbajo summoned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to Aso Rock over the violence in the area. People familiar with the matter told PREMIUM TIMES Mr. Osinbajo met with Inspector-General Ibrahim Idris towards the end of the week after the recent resurgence of violence in the area. One presidency source said the acting president asked why despite the security measures put in place and with the level of attention given to the area, the recent resurgence of violence resulting in the deaths of 21 persons still occurred. Acting President Yemi Osinbajo summoned the IGP to the Presidential Villa to find out what the police was doing to arrest the situation and to also issue further directives on restoring law and order to the affected communities, our source said. The immediate outcome of the IGPs meeting with the Acting President was the intensification and adoption of a set of additional security measures that would help contain the situation. Besides, deploying over 15000 cops to the area, the police high command has now concluded arrangements for the establishment of a new Police Squadron in Kafanchan, Kaduna, as part of broad measures adopted to curb the violence. Eighteen Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and a unit of Belarus-trained police Special Forces have been deployed to Southern Kaduna. The police, in addition, have now increased helicopter surveillance in the entire area to prevent a recurrence of violence in the communities. Besides, the police have so far arrested 38 suspects linked to the violence while 29 firearms have been recently recovered. The IGP assured that there will now be stronger police presence and security in Southern Kaduna. Twenty-one persons were killed in the latest attacks on communities in Southern Kaduna. The Army recently announced the formation of a new unit to be stationed in Southern Kaduna, in a bid to contain the attacks. In a similar development it was learnt that the Chief of Army Staff Tukur Buratai, a lieutenant general, has briefed the Acting President on the situation in the Northeast where the Nigerian military is said to now hold effective control, mopping up remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents on a regular and constant basis. Presidency sources also disclosed that plans were underway for a major briefing on the overall security situation of the country for the benefit of the Nigerian public. Share this: Twitter Facebook President Muhammadu Buhari said on Saturday that rumours about his death in London were being peddled by mischief makers. The president said this when he spoke to his media adviser, Femi Adesina, by phone on Saturday. I am still resting. Thank you for holding out against mischief makers, Mr. Adesina quoted Mr. Buhari as saying. The president departed Nigeria on January 19 for a 10-day vacation, during which he would undergo medical treatment. He transmitted a letter to the National Assembly to extend his vacation on February 5, fueling speculation that his health had deteriorated. But top officials of his government maintained the presidents health was sound. Although Mr. Buhari had telephone conversations spread over several days with individuals, including Messrs. Saraki and Dogara as well U.S. President Donald Trump, startling rumours about his health persisted. His call on Saturday to Mr. Adesina, his most senior media adviser, came 36 days after he travelled. Mr President, I have missed you, Mr. Adesina said he told the president. He confirmed he had not spoken to the president in person since he travelled. It was a defining moment for me. For more than a month, I had always spoken with aides who are with the President in London. Not once did I ask them to take the phone to him, deliberately so, because I didnt need to speak with him to validate the fact that he was alive. And since he was on vacation, he had a right to his privacy. Of his own volition, President Buhari spoke with me. It made my day. Even if he hadnt done so, he would have remained my President, my leader, and my man. Any day. Earlier this week, Mr. Adesina said he was comfortable with talking to other aides rather than the president himself. This, he added, was because he had confidence in the fact that the president was doing well. It is a matter of my personal decision and style (that I dont talk directly to the president). All those I spoke with, his personal physician, his CD (chief detail), his domestic aide, I can tell them to take the phone to Mr. President that I want to speak to him. I know Mr. President, he will speak with me. But Ive decided not to talk to him because I do not need that telephone conversation to authenticate the health of Mr. President, The Pulse Nigeria quoted Mr. Adesina as saying during an appearance on Channels Television. Share this: Twitter Facebook The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has commended Zauru community in Zangon Kataf local government for rescuing 30 persons who were attacked by hoodlums. The governors spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Kaduna. The Zauru community in Bajju Chiefdom had on Wednesday resisted a group of hoodlums who stormed their community with intent of attacking some settlements. The community, apart from resisting the hoodlums, also alerted security agencies who were able to evacuate 30 persons, mostly children, women and aged men to Kafanchan. The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Agyole Abeh, on Friday accused some communities in Southern Kaduna of mischief and benefitting from the crisis. He made this known while addressing journalists on Friday at the Area Command headquarters in Kafanchan. Some of the communities are mischief makers, they are beneficiaries of the crisis because for one reason or the other they want to misinform the world, he said. He said the police was not biased in its handling of the crisis between herdsmen and host communities that has caused the death of over 200 people in the past few months. But the statement by Mr. Aruwan on Saturday, however, quoted the governor as saying that the action taken by Zauru community to protect their neighbours was laudable. The governor described their action as a bold step for peace and harmony. It testifies to the fact that there are people who do their utmost for a common humanity. All our communities should emulate Zauru, and uphold each other. This gesture is significant. It reinforces our confidence that ordinary citizens, living together and promoting harmony, are the best guarantee of sustainable peace. I hereby commend the entire Zauru community for this act. Their exemplary conduct has should gladden everyone involved in the quest for peace, Mr El-Rufai added. The Kaduna State Government had earlier this week announced the relocation of the Garrison Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Ismaila Isa, and Mr. Abeh to Southern Kaduna. This, according to the government, is to better coordinate the security situation in the area especially in the two recently attacked local governments. Mr. Abeh said the police would take all lawful action to ensure security of Southern Kaduna and that some of the recent attacks are isolated incidents that are being curtailed. He appealed to the communities on the need to accept peace as the only way to end the crisis. Share this: Twitter Facebook My cohort on the Whadya Know public radio show, announcer Jim Packard, knew drummer Clyde Stubblefield before I did. It was back in Packards Radio Free Madison days on WIBA-FM (101.5) when he welcomed Clyde, fleeing James Brown, on his arrival in the sanctuary city of Madison. So it was just a matter of time before the Funky Drummer came on my show in 1985 and stayed for 30 years. On that first show, Clyde showed us his patented licks, including the Popcorn riff (which I tried to replicate and stuck to the pan) and the chugga-chugga call of the train on the trestle over their Chattanooga valley home. Afterwards, I may have said, casually, that Clyde should play on the show regular, which Clyde took for a verbal contract, and that was that. He was great on all the shows he was on, mostly road shows, since you dont want Clydes kick drum right behind you in a small studio. Clyde played on maybe 150 road shows altogether. He was fun on the run. And he was no prima donna. His only unreasonable demand was lobster tail in Laramie, Wyoming, which last saw a lobster in the Jurassic Period. Yet when we were in Portland, Maine, where lobsters are live, Clyde stayed in his room with a bucket of wings. Dont attempt to predict the man. Clyde, who died last week at the age of 73, may have liked me because, unlike his last boss, the Godfather of Soul James Brown, I always paid him. And I never fined him $5 for missing a beat. Plus he got his choice of gifts or offerings from audience and guests, as well as any props he could smuggle back on the plane. This included a huge dummy wine bottle in San Diego that Clyde somehow got a seat on the plane. He took it home and saved nickels in it. The last time I saw the bottle, it was two-thirds full. With nickels. Had Clyde saved quarters, he would have been well-heeled. Clyde called me Brother Michael. Even my brothers dont do that. I suspect he called everybody brother or sister something. But I think he meant it with me, because a lot of times he added that he was my brother from different mothers. I was a fan, going to more of his Funky Mondays gigs in more funky Madison bars than Clyde did. He sometimes had better things to do. During one such Monday, Clyde said be ready to get up and sing one of these times. I spent a decade, easy, trying to work something up Town Without Pity or World Without Love. (I was big on withouts in those days.) And yet, while he always acknowledged me from the stage, he never ever called me up to do it. Too bad, because, (hit it!) Please lock me away, and dont allow the day, here inside, where I hide, with my loneliness ... . Which is how I feel today, in a world without Clyde. In furtherance of the fight against air pollution in Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike on Friday ordered the arrest of 15 mechanics engaged in the burning of used tyres and condemned engine oil. The governor gave the order when he drove by a premises where the burning was taking place. Mr. Wike, who was returning from Oyigbo where he attended a funeral service, was attracted by a thick black smoke directed into the atmosphere. He directed his motorcade to stop and went into the large workshop where the mechanics were burning the tyres and condemned engine oil on an open field. The governor, who was in the company of the former Acting National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus, the state PDP Chairman, Felix Obuah, and a former Rivers State Governor, Celestine Omehia, directed the State Fire Service to put out the fire. He also directed that immediate steps be taken to ensure that the fire did not spread to neighbouring houses in the area. On the arrest of the mechanics polluting the environment, he said the State Government would liaise with relevant security agencies to ensure they were prosecuted. Governor Wike said his administration was working with all stakeholders to ensure that the black soot polluting the atmosphere is brought under control. He said nobody would be allowed to endanger the lives of the people of the state through harmful environmental practices. The governor assured the people of the State that the Task Force he set up to tackle the black soot menace had been duly empowered to ensure that the states environment is safe for all residents. Share this: Twitter Facebook Ekiti State Governor and Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum, Ayodele Fayose, has condemned the arrest and detention of a former governorship aspirant of the party in Lagos State, Babatunde Gbadamosi, by operatives of State Security Service, SSS, describing the arrest and detention as a continuation of the tyranny and barbarism of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led government. The governor, who decried the unwarranted arrest of Nigerians for merely expressing themselves on social media, warned that nothing must happen to Mr Gbadamosi because up till today, the DSS has not told Nigerians why he (Gbadamosi) was arrested and being kept incommunicado, without access to his wife and doctor. In a statement issued on Saturday by is Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, Governor Fayose said the SSS must begin to act responsibly by desisting from treating Nigerians as if the country was under military dictatorship. It is only in a banana republic that someone will honour invitation of security agency, only for him to be bundled into any available plane and moved from Lagos to Abuja without telling anyone what his offences were, the governor said. He called for immediate release of Mr. Gbadamosi, whom he described as a prominent and law-abiding Nigerian that has contributed immensely to the economy of the country, saying; If they have any issue with him, let the DSS charge him to court. The governor maintained that it was worrisome that the SSS has turned itself to an instrument of oppression that is more interested in bullying any Nigerian who writes on social media against the APC led government than securing the country and its people. Governor Fayose, who called on the international community, especially the Amnesty International to beam its searchlights on activities of the SSS, said; So many Nigerians are languishing in the DSS detention across the country, with many of them being detained for as long as 18 months. For instance, the head of Nigerias Islamic Movement (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, has been in detention since December 2015 despite that the court ruled that he should be released. Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since October 2015 while former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd) has remained in DSS detention since December 2015. This to me is unacceptable under a democratic government and the international community must save Nigeria and its people from this tyranny. Share this: Twitter Facebook Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, on Friday joined other witnesses in rescuing victims of a car accident along Akure-Ondo Highway. Mr. Amosun was returning from the inauguration ceremony of Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, in Akure, on Saturday, when he met victims of the crash. The governor stopped at the scene of the accident and led efforts to rescue the victims. The accident involved a Volkswagen car with registration number, Ondo BDR-223XA, painted in the taxi colour of Ondo State and a MAN Diesel truck, which apparently ran the taxi off the road. Mr. Amosun directed his security team to rush three female victims of the accident who sustained head injuries to the General Hospital in Ondo town. The victims were later transferred to a private hospital after they were rejected at the government hospital where workers have been strike. Share this: Twitter Facebook SAN DIEGO U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Friday that it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April for President Donald Trump's proposed border wall with Mexico, signaling that he is aggressively pursuing plans to erect "a great wall" along the 2,000-mile border. The agency said it will request bids on or around March 6 and that companies would have to submit "concept papers" to design and build prototypes by March 10, according to FedBizOpps.gov, a website for federal contractors. The field of candidates will be narrowed by March 20, and finalists must submit offers with their proposed costs by March 24. The president told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that construction will start "very soon" and is "way, way, way ahead of schedule." The agency's notice gave no details on where the wall would be built first and how many miles would be covered initially. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has sought employees' opinions during border tours of California, Arizona and Texas. It's unclear how soon Congress would provide funding and how much. The Government Accountability Office estimates it would cost on average $6.5 million a mile for a fence to keep out people who try to enter on foot and $1.8 million a mile for vehicle barriers. There are currently 354 miles of pedestrian fencing and 300 miles of vehicle barriers, much of it built during President George W. Bush's second term. Republican leaders in Congress have said Trump's wall would cost between $12 billion and $15 billion. Trump has suggested $12 billion. An internal Homeland Security Department report prepared for Kelly estimates the cost of extending the wall along the entire U.S.-Mexico border at about $21 billion, according to a U.S. government official who is involved in border issues. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because the report has not been made public. The Homeland Security report proposes an initial phase that would extend fences 26 miles and a second wave that would add 151 miles, plus 272 "replacement" miles where fences are already installed, according to the official. Those two phases would cost $5 billion. The price tag will depend largely on the height, materials and other specifications that have not yet been defined. Granite Construction Inc., Vulcan Materials Co. and Martin Marrieta Materials Inc. are seen as potential bidders. Kiewit Corp. built one of the more expensive stretches of fencing so far at a cost of about $16 million a mile, a project in San Diego that involved filling a deep canyon known as Smuggler's Gulch. Cement maker Cemex SAB is also seen as a potential beneficiary even though it is based in Mexico. The head of the National Rifle Association says conservatives should stand up for themselves if the violent left brings their terror into our communities. Wayne LaPierre spoke Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, where he showed videos of violent protesters. He asked the crowd if they were ready to take on the left. LaPierre said: Show them you wont submit. We will not be intimidated. He says members of the NRA helped President Donald Trump win the election, that Americans wanted a fire, and we got one. He also argues the media is a threat, saying, Youre not going to win, and you will not defeat us. Immigration crackdown creating anxiety in N.J.: New Jersey residents affected by the Trump administrations crackdown on people who illegally crossed into the U.S. are feeling tremendous anxiety and becoming the targets of unscrupulous people falsely claiming they can help them gain legal status, an Assembly regulatory panel was told Friday. The regulatory oversight committee heard hours of testimony related to President Donald Trumps guidelines aimed at detaining and deporting immigrants living in the country illegally. Advocates and others recommended public education programs and sanctuary cities address concerns among the states population of immigrants who could be subject to the new policies. The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice estimates that number at about 400,000 people. Dems invite immigrants to Trump address: Democrats have invited immigrants and foreigners to President Donald Trumps first address to Congress in an effort to put a face on those who could be hurt by the Republicans policies. Lawmakers typically get one guest ticket apiece for presidential addresses, as they will for Tuesdays prime-time speech. To send a message to Trump, Democrats have invited the Iraqi-American doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island; and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who aids people like her family in their quest to come to the United States. Marylander front-runner for Democratic leader: As the race for the chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee comes to a close, a former Maryland politician has positioned himself as one of the front-runners. Thomas Perez, former labor secretary under President Barack Obama and a former secretary of the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, emerged as a top contender for the DNC post after he announced his candidacy on Dec. 15. White House bars news outlets from briefing: News organizations including The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on-the-record White House press briefing Friday. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the briefing after White House press secretary Sean Spicer restricted the number of journalists included. Typically, the daily briefing is televised and open to all news organizations credentialed to cover the White House. Trump rails against anonymous sources that First Amendment protects: President Donald Trump railed against the news media Friday, saying reporters shouldnt be allowed to use anonymous sources. He said hes been a target of unrelenting criticism by unnamed people, and he predicted that negative stories would dry up like youve never seen before if anonymous sources were jettisoned. Of course, any effort to limit sources would conflict with the First Amendment. Separately, 39 states and the District of Columbia have reporter shields, which offer various protections from subpoenas and the forced disclosure of sources, according to the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. But there is no shield in federal law, despite past efforts in Congress to pass one. Pence to speak to Jewish group: Vice President Mike Pences scheduled speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition on Friday night will be visual evidence of the fruits of years of the politically active groups labors. Associated Press CAMDEN Almost 100 members of the community came out in support of Charles Bangle on Friday as he was sentenced to 15 months in prison for tax evasion. The owners of Manco and Manco Pizza in Ocean City and Somers Point pleaded guilty in 2015 to tax evasion in 2010, structuring cash transactions in 2011 and lying to the IRS. Charles Bangle, 57, of Somers Point, will serve 15 months incarcerated, followed by three years of supervised release. His wife, Mary Bangle, 56, will serve three years probation. Judge Robert B. Kugler ordered the Bangles to pay $248,560 in restitution. The sentencing was delayed six times in the past two years. Before sentencing, Kugler cited the historical nature of the 60-year-old, cash-only Boardwalk business, describing the procedure of how the Bangles were able to hide their earnings by getting bags full of cash delivered to the house covered in pizza dough. Kugler was critical of the Bangles expansion of the Manco and Manco business on the Ocean City Boardwalk with a 200-seat superstore at Ninth Street currently under construction at the old Strand Theatre. Kugler noted the significant financial investment of such an undertaking, as well as the fact the Bangles are still paying back a loan used to buy the remainder of the business from the Mack family in 2011. So they have the money to pay for this business expansion, but have apparently never paid a penny of debt they owe to the citizens of the United States, Kugler said. The Bangles attorney, Laurence Shtasel, of Philadelphia, said the Bangles plan to repay the government after negotiating a final sum with the IRS. Shtasel described the Bangles as living a modest and charitable life for which they never sought recognition. U.S. Assistant Attorney Jason Richardson called tax evasion a serious crime that affects the common good. He said that while it was easy to be so charitable in public, most tax offenses happen in private. Several people in the courtroom spoke to the Bangles character, asking the judge for leniency in sentencing. Tom Rossi, a general manager at the pizza place, said the Bangles helped him and his wife afford a honeymoon. Justine Beale, a longtime employee and a teacher, said the Bangles paid for a hotel for him when his house was without power after a storm in June 2012. All of the people giving testimony Friday described the Bangles as family and important pillars of Ocean City. Several members of local law enforcement also spoke, including Ocean City Police Detective Robert Koob. Their generosity is overwhelming, Koob said. Mary Bangle also spoke on behalf of her husband, describing how she and her mother, Kay, who also attended the proceeding, relied on Charles for everything. Hes my hero, my angel, my best friend, and he makes me a better person, Mary Bangle said. Charles Bangle also spoke before the sentencing, admitting he had made a mistake. Bangle said he was embarrassed by what he had done. Bangle also described how he and Mary came to own the business and plans for building it up, his contributions to the community and support of his employees. He spoke about his health, having had a stroke in 2015 while at work. Kulger said he was impressed by the outpouring of support from the community but concerned with the lack of realization by Bangles supporters particularly public employees of the seriousness of the crime. Their jobs wouldnt exist if people didnt pay taxes, Kugler said. Because he didnt, the rest of you had to make up for it with your taxes. Kugler said the travesty as some speakers called it is entirely self-inflicted by the Bangles. Mr. Bangle shows very little remorse for what he has done, Kugler said. Charles Bangles prison sentence will begin Sept. 10, he said. He was ordered to pay $5,000 in fines and is not permitted to open any new lines of credit or make any new credit charges without approval. Dear Abby: My father died four years ago, leaving my 69-year-old mother alone. My mother has health and mobility issues. Her house is large and has two stories, and it far exceeds her needs. The problem is that shes extremely sentimental about it. I worry about her being alone because my sister and I live two hours away in opposite directions, and Mother is either unwilling or unable to address the issue of moving closer to me or my sister. Money is not an issue. I talked with my sister, and we agree that Mom should move closer to whomever she wants. Because of her age, I feel guilty that one of us isnt close by to be there for her. Abby, how does one lovingly and gently nudge a parent to move closer for her own well-being? Worried in Indiana Dear Worried: You are good and caring siblings, but you cannot live your mothers life for her. There may be more to her reluctance to leave her home than sentimentality. If she has lived there for decades, she wouldnt just be giving up her house, but also her friends and acquaintances, the places she shops, etc. Aside from you or your sister, she would be like a stranger in a strange land. Because money is not an issue, a caregiver could be hired to provide assistance and companionship for your mother if her health and mobility reach the point that she can no longer live alone. And if her needs become progressively greater, you or your sister should research assisted-living facilities near you and talk to her about moving into one. Dear Abby: I thought I was a pretty good parent, but I am stumped when it comes to my 13-year-old daughter. The latest point of contention is that she has gotten into the habit of telling her father and me to shut up. She does it when we are playing with each other. In spite of the fact that I have corrected her and told her it is disrespectful and unacceptable, she insists there is nothing wrong with it. She says that its just a hang-up that I have and other parents wouldnt care. I dont care if other parents would allow it or not. She has earned consequences for it, and yet turns right around and implies that my scolding her basically earned my being told to shut up. I cant believe her lack of logic when arguing her point. Shes really baffled as to why it is an inappropriate thing to say, and Im baffled at her obstinance. Baffled in Texas Dear Baffled: Explain to your daughter that there are some things teens can say to each other that are inappropriate when said to their parents. Shut up! can be used to express amazement or surprise at hearing something without being meant as disrespectful. That said, if this expression your daughter uses offends you, she should have enough respect for you that she refrains from using it at home. ATLANTIC CITY Police credited a Resorts Casino Hotel employee for helping them arrest a city man wanted in a Jan. 25 shooting. Sharod Taylor, 29, was arrested Saturday morning by Officer Joseph Bereheiko during a motor-vehicle stop after the Resorts worker saw Taylor in the casino and called police as Taylor left, according to a press release from the department. Taylor was charged with aggravated assault, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose and certain person not to possess a weapon stemming from an investigation into gunfire last month in the Venice Park neighborhood, police said. No one was reported injured. Taylor was shot in the hand in 2011 while riding his bicycle near Stanley Holmes Village. In 2013, he was charged in a crackdown on a gang police say controlled the drug trade along the beach block of Tennessee, Ocean and North Carolina avenues and St. James Place, according to Press archives. That outcome was unclear. He was taken to the Atlantic County jail in Mays Landing. Americas Founding Fathers, the political leaders who wrote our Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, were tireless writers. They penned thousands of thoughtful letters to family, friends, political allies and foreign leaders. They dashed off countless essays to newspapers in Boston, New York and Philadelphia. Four of them were engaged in composing 18th century Americas two longest, most learned political works: the Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison, and John Adams Defense of the Constitutions of the United States (both appearing in 1787-88). Of all the Founders, Adams wrote the most and was the most concerned for the future of Americas new republican governments. The difficulties he foresaw bear directly on the current state of American politics. Adams expressed his first disagreement with his revolutionary colleagues even before the Declaration of Independence. He supported the same republican architecture a two-house legislature, an executive branch and an independent judiciary shared by most American leaders, but with an important distinction. He was firmly opposed to the executive councils that several states substituted for the imperial governors whom they had just expelled from office. So committed was Adams to the necessity of a single strong executive that in 1775 he labeled Britains constitutional monarchy a republic, in which the king was simply the first magistrate. He finally got his chance to show Americas new state governments how executive power ought to be expressed by creating a powerful governor, annually elected by all voters and with a veto over all legislation, in his finest creation, the Massachusetts Constitution of 1780. This document, the most similar of the early state constitutions to the U.S. Constitution that followed it, is now the oldest functioning written constitution in the world. Adams second major difference with his countrymen developed more slowly but came to dominate his political writings from the 1780s until his death. Before the Revolution, Adams had given little thought to the political role of Americas provincial aristocracies. But the War for American Independence created unprecedented opportunities for a few men to make fortunes by supplying the war effort. Adams soon became alarmed at the ambition and avarice of many of these wealthy men. This led him to three broad conclusions: Aristocracies of birth, wealth and talent existed in every society. The ambition of many aristocrats threatened the political stability of every republic, and the talents of aristocrats could be safely employed by republics that developed ways to control their natural avarice and ambition. Looking to the future, Adams vacillated between predicting disaster for an American republic that refused to recognize and control its aristocracy and hoping that America could develop this essential control. Most of his revolutionary colleagues, including Jefferson, Madison and even Washington, denied that the new American republic, whose federal constitution forbade the creation of titles of nobility, still had an aristocracy, or that they, no matter how many slaves or acres of land they owned, were aristocrats. Adams knew better, but his constitutional solutions making Americas president stronger to counter aristocratic power, and making the Senate, which he saw as the natural center of aristocratic power, weaker would probably have been unequal to the challenge. Moving to today, one can readily imagine that of all the Founders, Adams would be the least surprised and Jefferson the most to see the citizens of our republic become so vastly unequal in wealth, as men of great fortunes have come to dominate the executive branch, the Senate and even the House of Representatives. This has happened before in America, in the late 1800s and again in the 1920s, and each time political action effectively resisted this development. But since the 1970s Americas aristocracy of wealth has become as powerful as ever. Adams probably would be surprised to see how thoroughly the executive branch, which he hoped would be Americas principal guardian against aristocracy, has become increasingly enmeshed in that same power. But he would still teach us there are only two broad defenses against this perennial threat: as effective and universal a system of public education as we can possibly devise, and eternal vigilance against the powers of an aristocracy whether we call it an oligarchy, a plutocracy, or a power elite that most Americans still refuse to acknowledge. MAYS LANDING Constituents demonstrated Saturday outside the office of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo, the latest in a series of rallies aimed at preserving the Affordable Care Act, which President Donald Trump has asked Congress to repeal and replace. Crowd estimates ranged from 100 to 300 people protesting moves by Trump and other Republicans to eliminate the federal health-insurance program, also known as Obamacare. They are very, very against getting rid of the ACA, said Crystal Harris, of Millville. She said Saturdays was the first protest rally shed ever attended, although she did go to rallies supporting Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders run for president last year. Shoshana Osofskys Statue of Liberty costume drew a lot of attention and beeps from passing cars. Im afraid ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is going to take me away and send me back to France, but I dont want to go. This is my home now, Osofsky said, speaking as Lady Liberty. The rally started about noon and was supposed to go until 3 p.m., but it broke up early. A spokesman for LoBiondo said the congressman wasnt in Mays Landing Saturday. The office was closed. Jason Galanes said there have been weekly protests about health care at LoBiondos office since January. We welcome all constituents from South Jersey to the office and those who would like to meet with the congressman and speak about their concerns. We are happy to schedule a meeting with them, Galanes said. Osofsky, of Fairfield Township in Cumberland County, was one of the last protesters on the scene. She said she made her own Statue of Liberty costume and has played the role before, but only for Halloween parties. Asked why she was staying after fellow protesters left, she said, I might as well squeeze everything out of it I can. New Jersey will not collect billions in taxes this year. But residents should not expect to see their tax rates go down or anticipate any surprise extra cash. Instead, that money will be kept with the taxpayers to promote business and economic growth throughout the state. This is nothing new. In 2017, New Jersey estimates it will not collect nearly $23.5 billion in the form of tax breaks. The amount is almost equal to two-thirds of the value of the annual state budget. The tax breaks among the major sources of revenue for the state income, sales, use and corporation taxes are larger than all categories of spending in the proposed 2017 budget except K-12 education. But the $23.5 billion accounts for only 51 percent of the total tax breaks in the state. The rest is not tracked or monitored by any entity, according to a Stockton University report released last month. The report, released by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at the university, is calling on residents and lawmakers to reflect on the true role and importance of tax breaks in the state. Like an iceberg, a significant amount of the tax expenditure picture remains invisible, the report said. Seven years ago, the Assembly passed a bill that requires the Department of the Treasury to issue a report of tax breaks for the immediate past, current and immediate future fiscal years. But the report is incomplete because it tracks only the total number of tax breaks and how much they are worth. It does not give much insight into the financial effects or public policy impacts of the tax breaks. For example, does the Urban Enterprise Zone special sales tax rate actually improve the health of towns? Do tax breaks designed to help maritime industries actually improve its health? Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, said while he thinks the state could do a better job tracking tax breaks, the idea behind giving them out is still solid. The thing you have to understand with tax incentives is that its really competitive out there, he said, adding tax breaks are helping Comar Inc. expand in Buena Vista Township instead of moving out of state. If we didnt have these, South Jersey Gas and others wouldnt be building in Atlantic City. But tax breaks that help companies in the short term do not expire, said David Carr, a political science professor at Stockton and one of the authors of the report. That could give entities the opportunity to abuse the tax system, he said. In New Jersey, 18,895 nonprofits have lost their federal tax-exempt status, according to the report. Of these, only 12,205 have lost their 501c3 regulations, which is the standard used by New Jersey. The problem is compounded by the lack of evidence the state monitors what the breaks are being used for. There are not a million bad things going on here with the tax breaks, Carr said. But if the state is forgoing all that money that could be collected, you would think that there would be better oversight. Carr added that once the tax break guidelines are set, there is almost no way the state can control how much the savings grow. Mazzeo said he is not against having sunset clauses for certain tax breaks, but he reiterated they do work for economic development. We have to look at each tax break, he said. If theyre not being used the way they should, then they need to be taken off the books. The report lays out several potential actions the Legislature could take to provide better oversight. It uses the state of Oregon as an example, saying the legislature there is required to review and reapprove income-tax credits every few years. It also says tax breaks should contain clear policy objectives whose effectiveness can be assessed in the annual Tax Expenditure Report. Other states use legislative staff, outside experts, independent agencies and citizen commissions to annually review tax breaks. Forgoing this money is basically like spending it, Carr said. The purpose of this is that we hope everyone will reflect and consider what tax expenditures mean to New Jersey in the future. My sister was a great person. There isnt a day that goes by that I dont miss her. Ivonne Walker Judges say no change in Vineland killers sentence Well, Jeffrey Chiesa did what Don Guardian couldnt and saved the city almost $100 million, but people will still complain about his compensation. Joseph Miller via Facebook New Jersey, Borgata casino reach $72 million tax settlement Not a fan of Christie, how-ever, Philly fans do have a reputation. Just saying. Tom Rowe via Facebook Dont let a couple bad seeds speak for the whole fan base. Im sure lots were just cheering. Daniel Smith Phila. mayor: Christie is a loser with nowhere to go after Phillies comments A lot of these positions, especially food and beverage positions, they wont hire you if you are over 35. Monica G. Brown via Facebook Atlantic City casino jobs abound yet some are difficult to fill If we cant keep it for dinner when we catch it, we should not be able to buy it in the supermarket. Cindy Meloy DEP, Pallone in Ocean County to protest flounder cuts What the hell! Ive been cheated by the toll system 100 percent more ... that extra money that we toss in to get a green light. Khayree Nuradeen via Facebook Our view: Crack down on toll cheats for lawful drivers, society, even the scofflaws A tribute to failure. Jeannine Iannuzzi-Wooley via Facebook Bids for Trump sign from Taj Mahal pass $7,500 on eBay It is un-American to be the POTUS and not release your tax records to the people. Sandra Upton Houston We have enough problems in this state beside joining in a left wing witch hunt. Scott Krawiec via Facebook N.J. joins states seeking to require presidential tax returns Im sure the remaining casinos in town have a big back-door say in what happens to this property. Gregory Pedano via Facebook Former Revel still closed Presidents Day Weekend despite Straub claims At least build it with union labor if theyre going through with this. Allan Barnes via Facebook Pinelands Commission official recommends agency approve pipeline I hope all the little animals are OK. Edna Timmons via Facebook State Forest Fire Service controlled burns scheduled Anonymously? Kids would never falsely report to retaliate against a rival in school, right? Albert Waldron via Facebook STOPit app lets students anonymously report problems It would be good for revenue, but they should base it off people who actually are from here not some shoobie wannabes. Ryan Loughney via Facebook Jersey Shore reality show a possiblity for wary N.J. town Joshlee was a friend I met in high school had a lot of classes together. Its a tragedy and they deserve their fate. Brian T. Stiteler via Facebook Two men indicted in shooting of Atlantic City officer Joshlee Vadell I want Atlantic City to succeed but the politicians are gonna ruin it. They just dont get it and sadly never will. David Mandel via Facebook Newly proposed project could overhaul Tennessee Ave. in Atlantic City For the New World Order, a world government is just the beginning. Once in place they can engage their plan to exterminate 80% of the world's population, while enabling the "elites" to live forever with the aid of advanced technology. For the first time, crusading filmmaker ALEX JONES reveals their secret plan for humanity's extermination: Operation ENDGAME. Jones chronicles the history of the global elite's bloody rise to power and reveals how they have funded dictators and financed the bloodiest warscreating order out of chaos to pave the way for the first true world empire. Watch as Jones and his team track the elusive Bilderberg Group to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. to Ottawa and Istanbul to document their secret summits, allowing you to witness global kingpins setting the world's agenda and instigating World War III. Learn about the formation of the North America transportation control grid, which will end U.S. sovereignty forever. Discover how the practitioners of the pseudo-science eugenics have taken control of governments worldwide as a means to carry out depopulation. View the progress of the coming collapse of the United States and the formation of the North American Union. Never before has a documentary assembled all the pieces of the globalists' dark agenda. Endgame's compelling look at past atrocities committed by those attempting to steer the future delivers information that the controlling media has meticulously censored for over 60 years. It fully reveals the elite's program to dominate the earth and carry out the wicked plan in all of human history. Endgame is not conspiracy theory, it is documented fact in the elite's own words. On the day of the show, Tong Dawei made a chic appearance in the show wearing a nut-brown leather jacket and a pair of cool grey jeans. The leather jacket was processed by special technique with an oil painting style. The decal shirt in the same color scheme added a touch of gentleness in his stylish male temperament. The pure Italian style could be reflected in the details of the complete suit, which highly displayed the essence of the brand. Chinese famous fashion blogger Chrison evaluated that what Tong wore was fresh and vogue, being suitable for the fashion show without being overdressed. As a frequenter of various international fashion shows, Tong Dawei has repeatedly been invited to attend different international fashion weeks, such as Paris, Milan etc., however this was the first time for him to attend to the women collection show. He will buy his wife Guan Yue the dresses which are suitable for her by showing her the recording in the show. Tong and Zhang Ziyi had a comfortable casual conversation as they watched. The two stars had acted as lovers in the film The Crossing (2014). Some netizens said that their encounter in the fashion week looked like the reunion of Tong Daqing and Yu Zhen, their two characters from the film. When talking about their recent projects, Tong Dawei praised the brilliant performance of Zhang Ziyi in her new film The Wasted Times (2016) and said that it was powerful. The fashion show coincided with Tod's officially launching of the limited edition collection TIMELESS ICONS all over the world. As Chinese stars included in the book, Tong Dawei, Zhang Ziyi and Liu Wen were invited to attend the brand exhibition and VIP cocktail party. Other international film stars were also in featured into Timeless Icons together include Audrey Hepburn, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney and so on. SOURCE Beijing T & G Entertainment Co., Ltd "Impressively designed to be distinctly different, the BlackBerry KEYone reimagines how we communicate by offering unmatched productivity and the world's most secure Android smartphone experience," said Nicolas Zibell, CEO for TCL Communication. "We're humbled to play such an important role in the future of BlackBerry smartphones, which have been so iconic in our industry, and we're eager to prove to the BlackBerry community that their excitement around this new BlackBerry smartphone is something they can be proud of as well." "We want to congratulate TCL Communications on the launch of KEYone," said Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Solutions for BlackBerry. "We have worked closely with TCL to build security and the BlackBerry experience into every layer of KEYone, so the BlackBerry DNA remains very much in place. We couldn't be more excited to help bring it to market and introduce it to BlackBerry fans." DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT Tucked into an anodized aluminum frame and soft touch textured back, this new BlackBerry smartphone is built to offer the best in durability while still remaining easy on the eyes. Featuring a 4.5-inch display (1620x1080 resolution / 434 PPI 3:2 aspect ratio) with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 that offers greater impact and scratch resistance, the KEYone combines a touch display with a physical keyboard to give users more useable space for typing than a typical 5.5-inch all-touch smartphone. With BlackBerry KEYone, you can forget what you knew about keyboards. The device's Smart Keyboard responds to touch gestures mimicking the heritage of the BlackBerry trackpad making web browsing, reading emails and writing messages with flick typing a much smoother and intuitive experience. This Smart Keyboard can also be easily programmed to launch up to 52 customizable shortcuts, such as pressing "I" for your inbox or "M" to access maps; providing even greater ease of use. In addition, KEYone is the first smartphone to provide the security of a fingerprint sensor built directly into the keyboard spacebar, for added functionality and security. DISTINCTLY BLACKBERRY Beyond the iconic BlackBerry design that's been curated for the modern user, the BlackBerry KEYone comes with a number of features and security enhancements making this smartphone distinctly BlackBerry. Out of the box, the device runs Android 7.1 - giving users access to the entire Google Play store and apps - and will receive Google security patch updates. It comes loaded with BlackBerry Hub, bringing all your messages into one consolidated place; including emails, texts and messages from any social media account. Another benefit of BlackBerry Hub, is the ability to manage multiple email accounts without switching between apps, with support for Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange accounts, and many other IMAP and POP3 email providers. What really sets a BlackBerry smartphone apart from any other Android device are the enhanced security features built into every device right from the start. From a hardened operating system to BlackBerry Limited's proprietary technique for establishing a hardware root of trust adding security keys to the processor, the BlackBerry KEYone is intentionally designed to offer the most secure Android smartphone experience possible. This device comes pre-loaded with DTEK by BlackBerry, offering constant security monitoring and protection of your operating system and apps by letting you know when your privacy could be at risk and how you can take action to improve it. A quick glimpse lets you see the overall security rating for your device and provides simple access allowing you to easily improve your security status. This BlackBerry security application monitors your other apps, alerting you if one is accessing your camera to take a picture or video, turning your microphone on, sending a text message, or accessing your contacts or location. THE BLACKBERRY KEYONE EXPERIENCE Beyond the design and security features making the BlackBerry KEYone so distinct, these additional features truly reinvent mobile communications for the business and enterprise user. At the core of this new BlackBerry smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 mobile platform with the Qualcomm Adreno 506 GPU. This means BlackBerry KEYone users will enjoy long battery life thanks to more efficient battery usage and fast LTE speeds for super-fast file sharing. It includes Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, making it possible for the 3505 mAh battery on the KEYone -- the largest ever in a BlackBerry device, to receive up to 50 percent charge in roughly 36 minutes. And for when you only have a few moments to grab a fast charge, BlackBerry's Boost can turbo charge your battery to get you the most charge with the limited time you have. "We are proud to be working with TCL on the BlackBerry KEYone," said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president and president, Qualcomm EMEA. "The Snapdragon 625 mobile platform with X9 LTE and the Adreno 506 GPU is purpose-built for users who demand superior performance and connectivity coupled with outstanding battery-life." The BlackBerry KEYone experience would not be complete though without a great camera. That's why it includes a 12MP rear camera with the industry leading Sony IMX378 camera sensor. With a large pixel size(1.55m) and Phase Detect Auto Focus, moments captured on the BlackBerry KEYone will be ultra crisp and clear. And for when you have to take a video conference on the go, it includes an 8MP front camera with fixed focus and 84-degree wide angle lens. For more information about the BlackBerry KEYone and to register for pre-order updates, please visit www.BlackBerryMobile.com. About TCL Communication TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile and internet products and services worldwide under three key brands -- TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry. The company's portfolio of products are currently sold in over 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, TCL Communication ranked as a top-10 global smartphone manufacturer by IDC. Headquartered in Hong Kong, TCL Communication operates nine R&D centers worldwide, employing more than 13,500 people across the globe. For more information, please visit www.tclcom.com. TCL is a registered trademark of TCL Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alcatel is a trademark of Alcatel-Lucent used under license by TCL Communication. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, used under license, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Qualcomm, Snapdragon and Adreno are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Quick Charge is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Adreno and Qualcomm Quick Charge are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Media Contacts: Jason Gerdon - North America Email: jason.gerdon@tctusa.com Camille Gere - EMEA Email: camille.gere@tcl.com Linna Yi - Hong Kong Email: linna.yi@tcl.com [i] TCL Communication is the exclusive global manufacturer and distributor for all BlackBerry-branded smartphones with the exception of the following countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia. Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471834/TCL_BlackBerry_KEYone.jpg Logo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/471833/TCL_Logo.jpg Related Links http://tclcom.tcl.com SOURCE TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Aceable, the mobile education platform and creators of the first state-approved driver's ed app, announced today the hire of Ben Carolan as Vice President of Strategic Development to support the firm's expansion into new verticals with business development partnerships. Carolan joins the Austin office with more than 10 years of business development and online management experience. "Ben is a key addition to our executive team and critical to building new partnerships and relationships," said CEO Blake Garrett. "His depth of experience and leadership are exactly what we needed as we look to handle our explosive growth." Carolan was hired after an extensive national search. "We spent months looking for the right person," said Geni Glynn, People Lead at Aceable. "It was incredibly fortunate to end up finding the perfect candidate in our back yard." Most recently, Ben was with TabbedOut, an Austin-based industry leader in the mobile payment space, where he played a pivotal role in developing monetization and growth strategies resulting in both Series B and C rounds. Prior to that, Ben was at TravelZoo, RentPath and a founding member of Community Offers. "Aceable has created an exciting product that appeals to a huge audience," said Carolan. "We have only scratched the surface with Drivers Education and as we move into our next vertical of Real Estate education, people will really see the nearly endless possibilities for this company." Morgan Flager of Silverton Partners, one of Aceable primary investors said, "There isn't another company in a stronger position to be the leader for this new ecosystem and Ben will be a huge asset as Aceable seeks to leverage its growth for partnerships." About Aceable: Aceable is a mobile education platform that focuses on creating affordable, engaging and convenient educational content across all devices. Built by former teachers, NASA engineers and those passionate about education, the Austin-based team is obsessed with helping people with life's certification challenges. After launching its first mobile app to provide accredited driver's ed courses, Aceable is now expanding into other verticals for required education. To date, the company touts more than 300,000 users and counting, as it continues to expand nationwide. For more information about Aceable visit www.aceable.com. SOURCE Aceable Related Links http://www.aceable.com LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Berenji & Associates proudly welcomes its newest associate attorney, Mr. Travis A. Schumer. Attorney Schumer earned his law degree at prestigious University of Southern California School of Law (USC), and achieved a B.A. from the University of California - Davis. Mr. Schumer's extensive legal experience includes working at the Department of Justice, Los Angeles Public Defender's Office, and Alliance for Children's Rights. Family Law Attorney Travis Schumer Mr. Schumer handles all family law matters including child custody and support, spousal support, property division, and more. For more information, please visit Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers. Berenji & Associates 9107 Wilshire Blvd Suite 750 Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (310) 271-6290 Related Links Berenji & Associates About Berenji & Associates This content was issued through the press release distribution service at Newswire.com. For more info visit: http://www.newswire.com SOURCE Berenji & Associates Related Links https://www.berenjifamilylaw.com "Impressively designed to be distinctly different, the BlackBerry KEYone reimagines how we communicate by offering unmatched productivity and the world's most secure Android smartphone experience," said Nicolas Zibell, CEO for TCL Communication. "We're humbled to play such an important role in the future of BlackBerry smartphones, which have been so iconic in our industry, and we're eager to prove to the BlackBerry community that their excitement around this new BlackBerry smartphone is something they can be proud of as well." "We want to congratulate TCL Communications on the launch of KEYone," said Alex Thurber, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Mobility Solutions for BlackBerry. "We have worked closely with TCL to build security and the BlackBerry experience into every layer of KEYone, so the BlackBerry DNA remains very much in place. We couldn't be more excited to help bring it to market and introduce it to BlackBerry fans." DISTINCTLY DIFFERENT Tucked into an anodized aluminum frame and soft touch textured back, this new BlackBerry smartphone is built to offer the best in durability while still remaining easy on the eyes. Featuring a 4.5-inch display (1620x1080 resolution / 434 PPI 3:2 aspect ratio) with Corning Gorilla Glass 4 that offers greater impact and scratch resistance, the KEYone combines a touch display with a physical keyboard to give users more useable space for typing than a typical 5.5-inch all-touch smartphone. With BlackBerry KEYone, you can forget what you knew about keyboards. The device's Smart Keyboard responds to touch gestures mimicking the heritage of the BlackBerry trackpad making web browsing, reading emails and writing messages with flick typing a much smoother and intuitive experience. This Smart Keyboard can also be easily programmed to launch up to 52 customizable shortcuts, such as pressing "I" for your inbox or "M" to access maps; providing even greater ease of use. In addition, KEYone is the first smartphone to provide the security of a fingerprint sensor built directly into the keyboard spacebar, for added functionality and security. DISTINCTLY BLACKBERRY Beyond the iconic BlackBerry design that's been curated for the modern user, the BlackBerry KEYone comes with a number of features and security enhancements making this smartphone distinctly BlackBerry. Out of the box, the device runs Android 7.1 - giving users access to the entire Google Play store and apps - and will receive Google security patch updates. It comes loaded with BlackBerry Hub, bringing all your messages into one consolidated place; including emails, texts and messages from any social media account. Another benefit of BlackBerry Hub, is the ability to manage multiple email accounts without switching between apps, with support for Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Outlook, Microsoft Exchange accounts, and many other IMAP and POP3 email providers. What really sets a BlackBerry smartphone apart from any other Android device are the enhanced security features built into every device right from the start. From a hardened operating system to BlackBerry Limited's proprietary technique for establishing a hardware root of trust adding security keys to the processor, the BlackBerry KEYone is intentionally designed to offer the most secure Android smartphone experience possible. This device comes pre-loaded with DTEK by BlackBerry, offering constant security monitoring and protection of your operating system and apps by letting you know when your privacy could be at risk and how you can take action to improve it. A quick glimpse lets you see the overall security rating for your device and provides simple access allowing you to easily improve your security status. This BlackBerry security application monitors your other apps, alerting you if one is accessing your camera to take a picture or video, turning your microphone on, sending a text message, or accessing your contacts or location. THE BLACKBERRY KEYONE EXPERIENCE Beyond the design and security features making the BlackBerry KEYone so distinct, these additional features truly reinvent mobile communications for the business and enterprise user. At the core of this new BlackBerry smartphone is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 mobile platform with the Qualcomm Adreno 506 GPU. This means BlackBerry KEYone users will enjoy long battery life thanks to more efficient battery usage and fast LTE speeds for super-fast file sharing. It includes Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 technology, making it possible for the 3505 mAh battery on the KEYone -- the largest ever in a BlackBerry device, to receive up to 50 percent charge in roughly 36 minutes. And for when you only have a few moments to grab a fast charge, BlackBerry's Boost can turbo charge your battery to get you the most charge with the limited time you have. "We are proud to be working with TCL on the BlackBerry KEYone," said Enrico Salvatori, senior vice president and president, Qualcomm EMEA. "The Snapdragon 625 mobile platform with X9 LTE and the Adreno 506 GPU is purpose-built for users who demand superior performance and connectivity coupled with outstanding battery-life." The BlackBerry KEYone experience would not be complete though without a great camera. That's why it includes a 12MP rear camera with the industry leading Sony IMX378 camera sensor. With a large pixel size(1.55m) and Phase Detect Auto Focus, moments captured on the BlackBerry KEYone will be ultra crisp and clear. And for when you have to take a video conference on the go, it includes an 8MP front camera with fixed focus and 84-degree wide angle lens. For more information about the BlackBerry KEYone and to register for pre-order updates, please visit www.BlackBerryMobile.com. About TCL Communication TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited (TCL Communication) designs, manufactures and markets an expanding portfolio of mobile and internet products and services worldwide under three key brands -- TCL, Alcatel and BlackBerry. The company's portfolio of products are currently sold in over 160 countries throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, TCL Communication ranked as a top-10 global smartphone manufacturer by IDC. Headquartered in Hong Kong, TCL Communication operates nine R&D centers worldwide, employing more than 13,500 people across the globe. For more information, please visit www.tclcom.com. TCL is a registered trademark of TCL Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Alcatel is a trademark of Alcatel-Lucent used under license by TCL Communication. Trademarks, including but not limited to BLACKBERRY and EMBLEM Design are the trademarks or registered trademarks of BlackBerry Limited, used under license, and the exclusive rights to such trademarks are expressly reserved. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. BlackBerry is not responsible for any third-party products or services. Qualcomm, Snapdragon and Adreno are trademarks of Qualcomm Incorporated, registered in the United States and other countries. Quick Charge is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Qualcomm Snapdragon, Qualcomm Adreno and Qualcomm Quick Charge are products of Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. Media Contacts: Jason Gerdon - North America Email: [email protected] Camille Gere - EMEA Email: [email protected] Linna Yi - Hong Kong Email: [email protected] [i] TCL Communication is the exclusive global manufacturer and distributor for all BlackBerry-branded smartphones with the exception of the following countries: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Indonesia. SOURCE TCL Communication Technology Holdings Limited Related Links http://tclcom.tcl.com BARCELONA, Spain, Feb. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- (Mobile World Congress) -- First Orion today launched First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES), delivering carriers and service providers the highest level of confidence and flexibility in protecting subscribers from scams and other unwanted calls, which are the top consumer complaints, per the Federal Trade Commission. FONES also helps carriers to meet regulatory requirements and generate new revenue, while minimizing the impact on critical resources and network elements. FONES enables carriers to easily and seamlessly deploy settings to protect all customers from identified malicious callers, such as known scammers that use robocalling. FONES also puts protection into the hands of the customers with the ability to block any number or categories of calls from any caller or device, including a variety of mobile phones, VoIP handset or online via a Web portal. "This year consumers will unnecessarily receive over 9 billion calls from known scammers and another 50 billion nuisance calls," said Jeff Stalnaker, President of First Orion. "Carriers can now prevent these unwanted calls from ever reaching their customers. FONES provides the foundation for a comprehensive solution for the protection that consumers deserve with flexibility to meet carrier requirements and the ability to engage with First Orion in an efficient and easy way." FONES includes: FONES Connect delivers a smart connection to the edge of the network, leveraging existing protocols and processes. Anonymous aggregation and accumulation of network traffic combined with advanced heuristics provide carriers with specific and targeted solutions for unwanted and malicious calls. FONES Cloud provides a source of truth and transparency for phone numbers. Proprietary analytics are applied to billions of events in real time, delivering accessible identification, description and categorization of data. FONES Protect offers protection to carriers and customers through the network, mobile applications, APIs and portals. FONES Protect provides a means for consumer consent, notifications, transparency and subscription conversions with a clear path to metrics and analytics. First Orion is a leading provider of call protection solutions, already protecting millions of wireless subscribers with CallerYD, call blocking and Scam/Nuisance identification/protection products that are supported by robust data assets. About First Orion First Orion, provides data and phone call transparency solutions across multiple platforms, world-class data solutions, in-network call control and its PrivacyStar powered application solutions. First Orion Network Enterprise Solutions (FONES) currently provides call control, call blocking, call transparency and call management solutions to millions of mobile handsets. With branded and white-labeled applications as well as in-network solutions, First Orion assists mobile carriers in protecting mobile subscribers from unwanted or unknown calls, including Scammers, robocalls and Telemarketers. First Orion is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas with offices in Seattle, Dallas and London. For more information on First Orion, visit www.FirstOrion.com. PrivacyStar and First Orion are registered trademarks of First Orion Corp. All registered or unregistered trademarks are the sole property of their respective owners. Media Contact: Jackie Eicholz First Orion 831.401.3175 [email protected] SOURCE First Orion Related Links http://www.FirstOrion.com DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, a leading provider of civil and criminal justice technology solutions for public safety, investigation, corrections and monitoring, announces the appointment of a Director of Recidivism and Reentry. "Too often, too many offenders return to jail or prison. State prisons and county jails are trying to tackle this ongoing problem and improve the lives of inmates and friends and family members. While significant steps are underway, Securus continues to invest significant resources to assist our facility customers with solutions," said Richard A. "Rick" Smith, CEO of Securus Technologies. "The appointment of Dawn Freeman as the Director of Recidivism and Reentry will be utilized to partner with the industry to find ways we can help inmates returning to society in a meaningful, productive way thus reducing recidivism rates." So far, Securus has taken these industry-leading steps: Deployed an industry leading 150,000 smart devices, including tablets to bring education, content and technology into the hands of inmates. This represents an investment of over $20 million ; ; Secured exclusive partnership with JobView to provide inmates with job searches; JPay, a Securus company, launched Lantern (2015), a technology driven education platform. Lantern is the gateway to a positive, education-driven outcome. Over 180,000 inmates have access to JPay's education programs with over 3.1 million downloads and growing; Partnered with another leading technology provider that provides customized educational content to offenders; Invested in Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) in 2016 that has a proven long term positive impact on recidivism. "Securus recognizes the various needs of all Agencies so we've been working on a portfolio of solutions that addresses the flexibility our Agencies require," said Smith. Correctional education has never been more important research shows that inmates who received education while in prison were 43% less likely to become repeat offenders. "Securus' new Director of Recidivism and Reentry will collaborate with federal, state and local agencies to combine our technology capabilities with their specific recidivism goals to bring real change - improving the lives of ex-offenders and reducing the cost of incarceration through reduced recidivism rates and new reentry solutions. It will be Ms. Freeman's work to insure that Securus brings the full benefits of PEP, JPay, JobView, and others to benefit inmates and all of society. "Our long term support for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), as an example, is based on their results on recidivism reduction which are spectacular. That is why we are strong advocates of PEP. Over the last three (3) years, PEP has reduced recidivism down to 7% for its graduates, or an 86% reduction versus national averages, and 100% of their graduates have jobs within 90 days after release from prison, with almost 300 businesses started by its graduates! Those are results that speak for themselves. We want to have all of our long-term facilities get those same results. "PEP is a great example of what we stand for and are promoting at Securus," concluded Smith. ABOUT SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serving more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,200,000 inmates across North America, Securus Technologies is committed to serve and connect by providing emergency response, incident management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis, communication, information management, inmate self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make our world a safer place to live. Securus Technologies focuses on connecting what matters. To learn more about our full suite of civil and criminal justice technology solutions, please visit SecurusTechnologies.com. SOURCE Securus Technologies, Inc. Related Links http://www.securustechnologies.com If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New Delhi, Feb 22 : An SBI ATM here dispensed fake Rs 2,000 notes -- with "Children Bank of India" printed in place of Reserve Bank of India and other glaring discrepancies. Police said on Wednesday they have identified the culprits, while the SBI said it suspected the involvement of some miscreants with mischievous intent in the incident. The incident was reported in south Delhi where a State Bank of India ATM dispensed the fake notes on February 6. Besides "Children Bank of India" printed in place of Reserve Bank of India, the notes also had numerous glaring discrepancies including the words "Churan lable", a "PK" logo and "000000" serial number, according to the FIR accessed by IANS. It also read "Guaranteed by the Children's Government" printed in place of "Guaranteed by the Central Government". Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajiv Ranjan Singh told IANS that the vendor who supplied the cash to the ATM and the persons who inserted the fake notes had been identified. The officer put the number of fake notes dispensed by the ATM at three. Asked why no arrest had been made so far, Singh said: "The case is still a matter of investigation. The moment everything is done, arrests shall take place." On Wednesday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the fake currency. "A Prime Minister who can't even print notes properly; how can he run the country? He has reduced the whole nation into a laughing stock," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted. Rohit, a customer care executive who got the notes, reported the matter to the police. In his complaint, Rohit said he tried to withdraw Rs 8,000 at around 7.45 p.m. from the ATM at the T-Point at Tigri in Sangam Vihar but all the four 2,000 rupee notes turned out to be fake. After informing the ATM guard posted there, he made an official complaint to the police which sent a sub-inspector to the ATM. The sub-inspector withdrew another 2,000 rupee note from the ATM which too turned out to be similarly fake, after which the police registered an FIR. A case of cheating and related offences has been filed against unknown persons under sections 489-b, 489-e and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, the police said. Experts say it is possible for an ATM to dispense even a simple sheet of paper if its size is the same as the currency notes. "Technically, yes. ATMs are not equipped to read the security features of notes. Only the size needs to be the same," K. Srinivas, Managing Director BTI Payments, an RBI-licensed firm that operates cash dispensers not owned and managed by banks. The State Bank of India (SBI), however, said "no fake note is likely to be dispensed through its ATMs at any time" as it has state-of-the-art note sorting machines. "As the possibility of fake notes from SBI ATMs is very remote, the bank suspects involvement of some miscreants with mischievous intent. However, further investigations are underway," a bank statement said. The incident triggered sharp criticism of the government and its November 8 demonetisation decision, ostensibly aimed at to curb counterfeit currency notes in India. Congress termed it an "epic disaster of the banking system", saying this destroys its credibility and also reflects operational failure of demonetisation. "The current example is a manifestion of the monumental operational failure that demonetisation has been in this country. Not only are we finding counterfeit currency notes being exported to India from Pakistan, but also finding from domestic ATMs fake currency notes being given to the customers," said Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha. New Delhi, Feb 22 : The culprits behind the fake Rs 2,000 notes being dispensed from an SBI ATM here have been identified, Delhi Police said on Wednesday even as opposition slammed the Narendra Modi government for the lapse. The incident was reported in south Delhi where a State Bank of India ATM dispensed the fake notes on February 6, with "Children Bank of India" printed in place of Reserve Bank of India, according to the FIR accessed by IANS. The notes also had numerous glaring discrepancies including the words "Churan lable", a "PK" logo and "000000" serial number. It also read "Guaranteed by the Children's Government" printed in place of "Guaranteed by the Central Government". Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajiv Ranjan Singh told IANS that the vendor who supplied the cash to the ATM and the persons who inserted the fake notes had been identified. The officer put the number of fake notes dispensed by the ATM at three. Asked why no arrest had been made so far, Singh said: "The case is still a matter of investigation. The moment everything is done, arrests shall take place." Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the fake currency. "A Prime Minister who can't even print notes properly; how can he run the country? He has reduced the whole nation into a laughing stock," the Aam Aadmi Party leader tweeted. Congress, meanwhile, termed it an "epic disaster of the banking system", saying this destroys its credibility and also reflects operational failure of demonetisation. "The current example is a manifestion of the monumental operational failure that demonetisation has been in this country. Not only are we finding counterfeit currency notes being exported to India from Pakistan, but also finding from domestic ATMs fake currency notes being given to the customers," said Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha. "This has to be termed as a disaster on an epic scale as it destroys the credibility of the banking system in which millions deposit their hard-earned savings," he added. Rohit, a customer care executive who got the notes, reported the matter to the police. In his complaint, Rohit said he tried to withdraw Rs 8,000 at around 7.45 p.m. from the ATM at the T-Point at Tigri in Sangam Vihar but all the four 2,000 rupee notes turned out to be fake. After informing the ATM guard posted there, he made an official complaint to the police which sent a Sub Inspector to the ATM. The police officer withdrew another 2,000 rupee note from the ATM which too turned out to be similarly fake, after which the police registered an FIR. A case of cheating and related offences has been filed against unknown persons under Sections 489-b, 489-e and 420 of the Indian Penal Code, the police said. Experts say it is possible for an ATM to dispense even a simple sheet of paper if its size is the same as the currency notes. "Technically, yes. ATMs are not equipped to read the security features of notes. Only the size needs to be the same," K. Srinivas, Managing Director BTI Payments, an RBI-licensed firm that operates cash dispensers not owned and managed by banks. New Delhi, Feb 22 : The State Bank of India (SBI) on Wednesday said "no fake note is likely to be dispensed through its ATMs at any time" as it has state-of-the-art note sorting machines. Reacting to media reports that an SBI ATM here dispensed fake 2,000 rupee notes, an SBI statement from Mumbai said the bank has in place, at all its currency chests, a very robust system for monitoring the quality of notes. "All notes received and dispensed by the bank, either through its ATMs or its branches, are processed through the latest state-of-the-art note sorting machines. These machines are equipped with templates of all legal tender in the country and any note not conforming to security features is separated as 'suspect note' for further manual scrutiny. Thus, no fake note is likely to be dispensed through our ATMs at any time," the bank statement said. The SBI, however, said that the ATM in question has reportedly been sealed by Delhi Police for further investigation. "As the possibility of fake notes from SBI ATMs is very remote, the bank suspects involvement of some miscreants with mischievous intent. However, further investigations are underway," it added. Dispensing of fake 2,000 rupee notes was reported from a SBI ATM in south Delhi on February 6, which had 'Children Bank of India' printed in place of Reserve Bank of India, according to an FIR accessed by IANS. Los Angeles, Feb 25 : Talk show queen Oprah Winfrey believes she "wouldn't have been a good" mother. The 63-year-old has no regrets about not having children because she doesn't "have the patience" for babies, reports people.com. "I didn't want babies. I wouldn't have been a good mom for babies. I don't have the patience. I have the patience for puppies, but that's a quick stage," Winfrey told Good Housekeeping UK magazine. Winfrey gave birth to a son when she was just 14, but he died in hospital a few weeks later. She doesn't think she missed out on being a parent because she is a mother figure to the 172 girls at her Leadership Academy boarding school in Johannesburg, South Africa. "When people were pressuring me to get married and have children, I knew I was not going to be a person that ever regretted not having them, because I feel like I am a mother to the world's children," she said. "Love knows no boundaries. It doesn't matter if a child came from your womb or if you found that person at age 2, 10 or 20. If the love is real, the caring is pure and it comes from a good space, it works," she added. Havana, Feb 25 : At least six persons were killed and 49 wounded when a passenger train collided with a locomotive in central Cuba, a local media report said. The passenger train struck the locomotive carrying sugarcane, about five km from the city of Sancti Spiritus on Friday afternoon, digital newspaper Escambray reported. All the victims were residents of Sancti Spiritus, located 360 km from here. Interior Ministry officials said an investigation was ordered. Accidents are classified as the fifth leading cause of death in Cuba, Efe news reported. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Former Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, in a U-turn on her earlier remark that party Vice President Rahul Gandhi was "still not mature", has clarified that he has "the sensitivity of a mature leader". The party veteran in a newspaper interview on Thursday said Gandhi was "still not mature, his age does not allow him to be mature". Her comments were quickly lapped up by Bharatiya Janata Party President Amit Shah, who ridiculed Gandhi saying "immature Rahul should be kept at home" instead of being sent to Uttar Pradesh. With #Don'ttwistmywords hashtag, Dikshit took to Twitter to clarify her comment. "Rahul has the sensitivity and concern of a mature leader. His words are those of a young, courageous and restless man," the three-time Chief Minister said. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) too on Friday mocked Rahul Gandhi, saying he was "quite mature" and was out to fulfil "Mahatma Gandhi's dream" of making India "Congress-free". Congress spokesperson Shobha Oza said: "What remark she made, or what she did not, she (Dikshit) clarified herself. I needn't comment on that." Reacting on Amit Shah's remark, Oza said: "Rahulji doesn't need a certificate from Amit Shah. He (Gandhi) has been working hard and is in the hearts and minds of the masses, because he fights for every citizen of the country and for their justice. "He is the only leader who fought for the farmers and their rights. He also fought for Rohith Vemula and the downtrodden. They know what he is and his concern for them. Amit Shah need not issue certificate and Rahulji doesn't need it from him." Mumbai, Feb 25 : Megastar Amitabh Bachchan and actress Taapsee Pannu will watch "Pink" with President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday. The actors were invited to watch the film, which is directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi. "...Pranab Mukherjee, watches our film 'PINK' tomorrow in Delhi, ...and so there shall be travel .. just for a few hours," the 74-year-old cine star wrote in his blogpost on Friday night. Big B also added that the President "has always been most generous with his time and desire to accommodate the creative elements of cinema, and we cannot thank him enough for it". Taapsee, who plays an integral part in the film also took to Twitter to share the news with her fans and followers. "Guess who has movie and dinner plans with The Honourable President today?" she tweeted on Saturday morning. "Pink" is a courtroom drama, which also features Kirti Kulhari, Angad Bedi, Andrea Tariang and Piyush Mishra. The film was appreciated by both the public and the critics for its strong socially relevant message about the choices young women of today make and about respecting them. New Delhi : The sweeping victories of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra's local elections mean that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has won his demonetisation gamble. Earlier, too, the BJP had come out on top in a series of civic elections across the country and returned more recently as a major contender in Odisha. But the Maharashtra victories have confirmed that, first, Modi has retained much of his 2014 magic; and, secondly, the people did not consider demonetisation as either "despotic" or "inane", as the two noted Left-leaning economists, Amartya Sen and Prabhat Patnaik, described it. True, the real test of the Prime Minister's risky scrapping of high-denomination currency will be available on March 11 when the results of the assembly elections in five states will be announced, but the signs from Maharashtra should reassure the BJP that it will cross with relative ease that electoral Rubicon as well. If the BJP has faced considerable resistance in Mumbai, the reason is that it was up against a well-entrenched local party which has built its base by exploiting local sentiments. Even then, the BJP cannot but have severely dented the Shiv Sena's confidence by running it close in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections. Now, the Shiv Sena will think twice before breaking away from the BJP since there has obviously been a substantial erosion of its parochial appeal based on aggressive acts such as blackening the faces of those it does not like. Or forcing a Muslim to eat during the period of fasting during Ramzan as the Shiv Sena members did in Delhi's Maharashtra Sadan while protesting against the quality of food served there. Along with the Shiv Sena, the other chauvinistic outfit, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS), which earned notoriety by targeting North Indians earning a living in Mumbai, has also been cut down to size. Its decline began at the time of the 2014 assembly elections when it could win only one seat and is continuing apace. Arguably, therefore, the BJP's success signifies a revival of Mumbai's cosmopolitan culture, which has been under considerable strain ever since Bal Thackeray emerged with this insular agenda in the mid-1960s. It is clear that the political trend which made the BJP the first party in the 288-member assembly with 122 seats hasn't abated. As a result, the other supposedly pan-Indian parties like the Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have suffered a serious decline -- with the NCP being the worst sufferer. Next to Modi, the credit for the BJP's good showing will go to the mild-mannered Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, who proved to be a contrast to the Shiv Sena chief, Uddhav Thackeray, who still tries occasionally to display his father, Bal Thackeray's hallmark belligerence. After the electoral setback, however, when the Shiv Sena has barely been able to keep its nose ahead in the poll outcome, winning 84 seats to the BJP's 82, Uddhav will have to decide whether to remain as a part of the saffron alliance in Maharashtra and at the Centre. Yet, he cannot be unaware that he can no longer afford to throw his weight around since his hopes about emerging as an influential regional player have been dashed. His only consolation will be the virtual decimation of his estranged cousin, Raj Thackeray's MNS. It is not unlikely that Uddhav will now be ruing his summary rejection of Raj's offer of a tie-up before the polls. Uddhav may have read the tea leaves right in the matter of the Shiv Sena's primacy over the MNS. But he will be aware of the clouds over the Shiv Sena's future. As the BJP gloats over its first major post-demonetisation success, its other source of joy will be the discomfiture of the Congress, which has become "a crowd around a fading dynasty", as Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has said. The assembly election results may still breathe life into the dynasty, especially in Punjab. But, for the present, there is little doubt that the somewhat tattered Grand Old Party is in serious trouble. What this means is that the BJP no longer faces a major challenge at the national level. It may come up against major obstacles at local levels, such as in Mumbai or in West Bengal, Bihar and Kerala. These regional parties may chip away at the BJP's overall vote share. But its tenure at the Centre is unlikely to be disturbed any time soon. At the same time, it is clear that the BJP remains as heavily dependent on Modi as before. It was fortunate to have someone like Devendra Fadnavis to keep the flock together in Maharashtra. The party also has successful Chief Ministers in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Haryana. But none of them can match Modi's popularity at the national level. This paucity of leaders is bound to be highlighted, especially in Uttar Pradesh, when the election results are out. But, for the present, the BJP has reason to smile. (Amulya Ganguli is a political analyst. The views expressed are personal. He can be reached at amulyaganguli@gmail.com) Chandigarh, Feb 25 : Forced into exile from power for the past over a dozen years, the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) is virtually trying to manufacture its political revival in Haryana. The INLD's latest stunt, on February 23, in trying to build hysteria over the controversial Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal issue of getting water from neighbouring Punjab, could have dangerous implications for people in both the states as this is a particularly sensitive issue. On the face of it, the INLD protest -- which it calls "Jal Yudh" (Water War) -- was a non-starter from the word go. The Supreme Court is not only seized of the issue but has already given orders favouring Haryana's stand on the water-sharing matter with Punjab. The apex court has made it clear to Punjab that water has to flow into Haryana through the SYL canal. The hyped protest had a rather truncated and muted end on Thursday, with the INLD leaders and few hundred supporters reaching the Punjab border and then offering arrest to the Punjab Police. This was in sharp contrast to the earlier stated position of INLD Secretary General Abhay Chautala that the party will enter Punjab, dig up the canal and get the water for Haryana "at all costs". Chautala, some INLD lawmakers and supporters ended up cooling their heels in the Patiala jail instead. The reasons for Chautala and the INLD getting edgy are not difficult to understand. For one, the party has been out of power in Haryana since March 2005. Om Prakash Chautala, Abhay's father, remained Chief Minister from July 1999 to March 2005. Secondly, the party repeatedly saw defeats in the assembly elections in 2005, 2009 and 2014. While the Congress, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, won in 2005 and 2009, the BJP triumphed, for the first time on its own, in the October 2014 elections. The third reason is that the INLD's top leadership, barring Abhay Chautala, is serving a prison sentence in Delhi's Tihar jail. Former Chief Minister and INLD supremo Om Prakash Chautala and his elder son, Ajay Chautala, along with a few other leaders, were sentenced by a CBI court in Delhi in the JBT (Junior Basic Teacher) recruitment scam for 10 years in January 2013. Abhay Chautala has been trying to keep the INLD flag flying despite the adverse personal and political circumstances. The INLD managed to salvage some points as it edged the Congress to return as the main opposition party in the Haryana assembly elections in 2014. Abhay is now Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly. With Haryana's first BJP government, headed by former Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) pracharak Manohar Lal Khattar, facing governance issues in its first two-and-a-half years in office, and the Congress grappling with serious infighting among top leaders in the state, the INLD is seeing a glimmer of hope for itself in the 2019 assembly polls. The INLD is trying to create political space for itself by raking up the SYL issue and even lending "behind the scenes" support to the Jat agitation in Haryana. Though the party continues to enjoy a strong cadre base, it is yet to be seen how much the rest of the electorate finds the INLD's actions credible. (Jaideep Sarin can be contacted at jaideep.s@ians.in) Hyderabad, Feb 25 : The killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla has come as yet another blow to the Telugu community in the US and has focused attention on a series of tragedies that have struck immigrants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in recent times. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana was injured in a shooting in a bar in Olathe, Kansas. In what is suspected to be the first incident of its nature after Donald Trump assumed office, a former Navy serviceman opened fire as he reportedly yelled "Middle Easterners, get out of my country" in what is seen as a case of mistaken identity. The two engineers were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, a MNC. Kuchibhotla, 32, is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. These are not isolated incidents. More than 30 techies and students from the two Telugu states have died since 2008, victims of crime or accidents. Young dreams were cut short by the disasters that hit one of the largest groups among the Indian community in the US. In December last year, Chunduri Sai Tejaswi, a 23-year-old student from Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh, was killed after she was hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the road in Fremont's Niles District. Earlier, in July, Sankeerth, 25, of Hyderabad was murdered by his roommate, also an Indian, in Austin, Texas. In June 2016, Hyderabad's Namboori Sridatta (25), who was working with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Arizona, drowned while picnicking with friends at a waterfall. Early last year, Shiva Karan, a 23-year-old student from Hyderabad, committed suicide, reportedly due to depression. He was pursuing a master's programme in Raleigh of North Carolina State University. In June 2015, Sai Kiran, 23, of Hyderabad was shot dead by a robber in Florida after he refused to part with his mobile phone. Sai Kiran was pursuing his MS from Atlantic University and had left India only a month and a half back. In a similar case in 2014, Elaprolu Jayachandra, 22, was shot dead during a robbery at a convenience store in Pasadena, Texas, where he was working. The spate of killings between in 2008 and 2009 was attributed by some to the economic meltdown and massive job losses in the US. Indian Americans who have spent considerable time in the US point out that among various ethnic communities in the US, the Indians are doing well and among Indians, Telugus have excelled in various fields. More than 600,000 Telugus are estimated to be living in the US. Many youngsters are pursuing advanced degrees and have become successful software professionals, engineers, doctors and business managers. There is also a feeling that the youth are not taking enough precautions for their safety and thus becoming victims of crimes. While bodies like the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) have drafted safety guidelines, there have been demands that Indian authorities guide the citizens, especially students, on dos and don'ts. Students are more vulnerable to attacks as they take up part-time jobs in areas with high crime rates as they are offered more money than in other areas. While the US mission in India issued 60,000 student visas in 2015, the US consulate general in Hyderabad issued the largest number. According to US officials, the Consulate General in Hyderabad issued the fifth largest number of student visas in the world. (Mohammed Shafeeq can be contacted at m.shafeeq@ians.in) New York, Feb 25 : Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on Saturday condemned the incident where an Indian engineer was killed and another injured by an American who mistook them for "Middle Easterners" and yelled "Get out of my country" before shooting them at a bar. "There's no place for senseless violence and bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims and families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," the Indian-born CEO tweeted. A 51-year-old US Navy veteran opened fire, killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and injuring Alok Madasani, also 32, and an American in a bar in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday night. The attacker identified as Adam Purinton mistook the Indians for "Middle Easterners" and reportedly yelled "get out of my country". Ian Grillot, 24, was injured when he tried to intervene to save the Indians. Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani hails from Warangal town in Telangana. They were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer. The family of Kuchibhotla was shocked over the incident and has sought help from the state and central governments in bringing his body back home. Washington, Feb 25 : The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead at a US bar two days ago, has publicly sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes. "I have a question in my mind: Do we belong here," Sunayana Dumala asked at a news conference on Friday at the headquarters of electronics manufacturer Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening... And we always wondered, how safe we are?" Of the two of them, she said, she was most concerned, asking her reassuring husband: "Are we doing the right thing of staying in the United States of America?" Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad and his wife is returning to India for Kuchibhotla's funeral. She said she wanted to come back to their home in south Olathe, Kansas state, fulfilling her husband's wishes for an American life and "me being successful in any field I choose", Kansas City Star newspaper reported. But before making that decision, "I need an answer," she said. "I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?" Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. Authorities on Thursday charged Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder in Kuchibhotla's death. The incident was being investigated as a possible hate crime. Madasani, who hails from Warangal town in Telangana, was released from a hospital on Thursday, the Star reported. Ian Grillot, an American who tried to save the Indians, remained hospitalized in fair condition. He was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. Madasani was greeted on Friday to a rousing standing ovation at Garmin during a companywide vigil held in honour of co-worker Kuchibhotla. Over 200 Garmin workers attended the programme at the company's Olathe complex, where they listened to Kuchibhotla's wife share stories about they met and their lives together. In the afternoon news conference, company officials, along with Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland, pledged their support for Kuchibhotla's family. Kuchibhotla arrived in the US in 2005 with a visa to attend the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP). His widow said they met online when she was considering attending UTEP. But she instead chose St. Cloud State University in Minnesota after arriving here in 2007. After a six-year courtship, they married in 2012 and bought what Dumala called their "dream house" in a new Olathe subdivision. They were planning on having children when he was murdered, she said. New York, Feb 25 : A powerful class of antibiotics used to bring relief to people with cystic fibrosis (CF) could also increase the risk of permanent hearing loss, besides kidney damage, a study has found. Aminoglycoside antibiotics is used by approximately 70,000 people worldwide who inherited the chronic disease that affects mostly the lungs, but also the pancreas, liver, kidneys and intestine. The findings showed that patients who were administered a high dose of the antibiotics to reduce their respiratory infections were 4.79 times more likely to experience permanent hearing loss. A situation that could further worsen due to isolation, depression and cognitive decline in such patients. Aminoglycosides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis and is necessary to clear life-threatening infections, but it can also degrade auditory function in the inner ear as well as kidney function. "Preventing or ameliorating the effects of permanent (hearing loss) is crucial for patients with CF who already have a significantly compromised quality of life due to the disease," said lead author Angela Garinis, research associate at Oregon Health and Science University in the US. For the study, published in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, the team examined the medical records of 81 CF patients, aged 15 to 63 years, grouping them into four quartiles based on the cumulative dosage of aminoglycoside antibiotics administered intravenously. It is imperative for physicians to routinely monitor hearing in any patient receiving aminoglycosides intravenously, the study said. Further, physicians treating patients with CF should consider alternative strategies for treating the symptoms of respiratory infections associated with the disease, the researchers suggested. Washington, Feb 25 : The allies are upset. Bad hombres are scared. Millions of illegal immigrants, over 300,000 desis among them, have slipped into the shadows. And 'fake media' is hopping mad. But there is no stopping the trundling Trump train. "Now you finally have a President. Finally!" Donald Trump told a raucous crowd of supporters at an annual gathering of conservatives as he ticked off a dizzying list of actions he has taken with his executive pen in the five weeks he has been in office. He has pulled the US out of a major trade deal, rebooted two major oil pipelines, ordered reduction in regulations and initiated a huge "military operation" to get "really bad dudes out of this country at a rate nobody has ever seen before." Now he promised a "brand new action" to ban travel from seven terror prone nations to replace the one derailed by the courts and vowed one of the greatest military build ups in American history" and to "totally obliterate" the Islamic State. Trump also could not resist the temptation of taking a dig at his Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton for calling his supporters "irredeemable deplorables" amid familiar chants of "Lock her up" and railing against the "dishonest" and "fake news" media. Even as he vowed afresh to repeal and replace "the disaster known as Obamacare," as he called former President Barack Obama's signature health care law, Republican lawmakers faced tough questions at town halls about this that and all things Trump. But Trump dismissed "the so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans" as "actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!" His top cabinet picks, however, were singing a slightly different tune abroad. If days after taking over as President, Trump had again lamented not taking the Iraqi oil as "spoils of war," his Defence Secretary James Mattis assured worried Iraqis, "We're not in Iraq to seize anybody's oil." And if the President had called NATO "obsolete," his vice President Mike Pence assured nervous European allies that Washington "strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in its commitment to our trans-Atlantic alliance." And his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly hopped over to Mexico to assure "there will be no use of military forces in immigration. And there will be no mass deportation." As Mexico baulked at reported US plans to deport even OTMs - Other than Mexicans - to Mexico instead of their home countries as previously, they also sought to soothe concerns over Trump's plan to build a wall on the border and make Mexico pay for it. Is the Trump team playing the "good cop, bad cop" routine as a "maniacally focused" President hits "his agenda every single day" as his reclusive strategic advisor Stephen Bannon asserted in a rare public appearance? Calling the press as the "opposition party," Steve Bannon, the controversial "brain" behind the President declared an unending battle with "corporatist media and other globalist forces to deconstruct the administration state" -- a system of taxes, regulations and trade pacts. And escalating his war with what Trump again called "fake news" media and "the enemy of the people", the White House barred several news outlets, including "Clinton News Network" and the "failing New York Times" from an off-camera press briefing. The move came as CNN reported that the FBI had rejected a White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even... find the leakers within the FBI itself," Trump fumed in a tweet. Meanwhile, as Trump detractors chanting "Dump Trump" marked the "Presidents Day" as "Not My Presidents Day" across the country, his die-hard supporters voiced frustration that critics unable to digest his success were too quick to protest. The Office of Special Counsel, an obscure federal watchdog, too has been flooded with inquiries from bureaucrats about what they can and can't do in office. And some others are taking their politics from the streets to the couch as a 'Post-election stress disorder' sweeps the nation, CNN reported citing mental health professionals "especially those working in Democratic strongholds." (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) Kabul, Feb 25 : Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal expressed hope that border points between Pakistan and Afghanistan will partially reopen on Saturday. According to Zakhilwal, Afghan authorities are hopeful that the travel routes will completely reopen in coming three or four days, Khaama Press reported. He said elder men, patients and children would travel on Saturday and those in Pakistan would be able to return to Afghanistan. He urged the Afghan people to travel with full documents including visas once the travel routes are fully reopened. Pakistan closed the Torkham and Chaman crossing point with Afghanistan due to security concerns hours after the February 15 terror attack at the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Sehwan town of Sindh province in which 88 persons died. Pakistan blamed the attack on militants operating from Afghanistan. Pakistani Taliban's Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction claimed responsibility for the attacks. The wave of terror continued in Pakistan despite the routes remained closed for nearly ten days. Pretoria, Feb 25 : Clashes have erupted in an anti-migrant protest rally in the South African capital of Pretoria prompting police to use rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon to disperse the demonstrators, a media report said. A low-flying police helicopter was deployed on Friday to break up a stand-off between local protesters and foreigners, with both groups armed with sticks, bricks and knives, the BBC reported. Earlier this week, angry mobs attacked Nigerians and looted shops belonging to Somalis, Pakistanis and other migrants in townships around Pretoria and parts of Johannesburg. "They (foreigners) should know that this they are a guest in my house. I am treating them with respect. They should treat me with respect," one angry protester told the BBC. Nigerians in South Africa were "notorious" for dealing drugs, he added, calling for greater checks on foreigners coming into the country. Somali and Bangladeshi immigrants in the western part of the capital city told the BBC that their shops had been looted during Friday's protests. Shopkeeper Omar Adawi said it was the third time his business had been targeted: "I am not feeling happy... Now my shop is nothing. They took everything. I have lost everything. I have nothing left in my hands." The main group behind the Pretoria protests, Mamelodi Concerned Residents, has blamed foreign nationals for taking jobs and accused them of being involved in prostitution rings and drug cartels, accusations denied by immigrant communities. However, President Jacob Zuma said the protests were "anti-crime" not "anti-foreigner", adding that many foreign citizens living in South Africa were law-abiding and contributed to the economy. The opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) blamed poor leadership for the unrest. Official government figures said the number of immigrants in South Africa has declined in recent years. Figures released last year said there were 1.6 million foreign-born people in the country, down from 2.2 million in 2011. New Delhi, Feb 25 : The Delhi cabinet on Saturday approved the recommendation of a committee to revise minimum wages in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. A special committee constituted by the Delhi labour department, with approval from the Lt. Governor, submitted its report to the department, Kejriwal said in a press conference. The minimum wages for unskilled labour in Delhi currently stands at Rs 9,724 per month, which has been increased to Rs 13,350, he said. For semi-skilled and skilled persons, the minimum wage would be increased from Rs 10,764 to Rs 14,698 and from Rs 11,830 to 16,182 respectively. It works out to roughly 36-37 per cent increase in minimum wages, Kejriwal said, adding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government made a historic decision to raise minimum wages for labourers. Kejriwal said this is the second attempt by the AAP government within months to revise minimum wages after former Delhi Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung turned down the previous decision to revises wages on procedural grounds. Kejriwal said the cabinet decision would be put before Lt. Governor Anil Baijal on Monday for clearance. Delhi assembly's budget session would be from March 6-10, Kejriwal added. Canberra, Feb 25 : An Australian author has received a written apology from the US after being wrongfully detained and insulted by immigration officials at the Los Angeles Airport, a media report said on Saturday. Mem Fox, who was questioned by Customs and Border Protection officers for two hours earlier this month and agents appeared to have been given "turbocharged power" by an executive order signed by US President Donald Trump to "humiliate and insult" a room full of people they detained to check visas. That executive order was eventually halted by Federal Courts and it was expected a new order would be signed this week, designed to avoid the confusion caused by the original. "I have never in my life been spoken to with such insolence, treated with such disdain, with so many insults and with so much gratuitous impoliteness," Fox told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday. "I felt like I had been physically assaulted...They accused me of coming in on the wrong visa and they were totally wrong about that." Fox, whose books include classics such as Possum Magic and Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes, said she was questioned about her visa status, even though she had travelled to the US 116 times previously. The author lodged a complaint with the Australian embassy in Washington, and later one with the US embassy in Canberra to which she received an emailed letter of apology, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation said. She said the treatment of others in the airport holding room, including Iranians, Taiwanese and a Scandinavian parent with a child, was just as poor, and all appeared to eventually have been released. Hyderabad, Feb 25 : Telangana Minister for NRI Affairs K.T. Rama has expressed shock and anguish over the spate of attacks the US, the latest being the killing of Hyderabad engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla. "Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," he tweeted on Saturday. Rama Rao, who is son of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC. Kuchibhotla is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. Chandigarh, Feb 25 : Even as their protest completed 28 days on Saturday, the Jat community has decided to observe 'Black Day' on February 26 (Sunday). Jat community leaders, under the aegis of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS), have decided to observe 'Black Day' to protest against their demands not being implemented by Haryana's BJP government. Authorities in Haryana said on Saturday they have geared up to face any situation resulting from the ongoing Jat agitation. Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Ram Niwas said: "We have ordered district officials to maintain law and order. They have been directed to ensure that life is not affected and traffic on roads and highways is not disrupted." "Adequate para-military forces have been stationed," he said. He said, if need be, the traffic would be diverted at some places. "DCs (Deputy Commissioners) and SPs (Superintendent of Police) are in touch with Jat leaders to see where traffic has to be diverted," Ram Niwas said. He said that parleys were being held with Jat leaders on the issues raised by them and these were being examined by the government. Talks between the state government and Jat leaders hit a roadblock on Tuesday as the Haryana government made it clear that it has no jurisdiction to withdraw cases being investigated by the CBI against Jat leaders over violence during the agitation last year. Withdrawal of cases, including those on sedition charges, against Jat leaders is one of the eight demands of the Jat community, which has been agitating in Haryana since January 29. The Jat leadership had held its second round of talks with a high-level panel of officers, led by Haryana Chief Secretary D.S. Dhesi, in Panipat on Monday. The talks had remained inconclusive even though the Haryana government led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had agreed to accept some of their demands regarding enhancement of compensation for those injured in the Jat agitation violence last year. Haryana's Advocate General has told the Jat leaders that the cases being investigated by the CBI could not be withdrawn by the Haryana government. The Jat community members have been holding protests across Haryana in support of their demands. Their demands include reservation for Jats, jobs to the next of kin of those killed in violence in the Jat agitation last year, compensation to those injured, withdrawal of cases against them and action against officers who ordered action against the Jats, among others. Violence during the agitation last year left 30 people dead and over 200 injured. Government and private property worth hundreds of crores was damaged during the violence in February 2016. Colombo, Feb 25 : Britains Labour Party is to reaffirm its strongest possible support for the Sri Lankan Tamils at a Parliamentary event next week, a media report said on Saturday. Leading figures from the UK Labour Party, including Leader of OppositionJeremy Corbyn, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and Shadow Foreign Secretary, Emily Thornberry, will attend the "Tamils for Labour" event at the UK Parliament on February 28 to express their solidarity with the Tamil people, both in Britain and in Sri Lanka, the Colombo Gazette daily said in the report. Sen Kandiah, Chair of Tamils for Labour, said he was delighted Corbyn and so many Shadow Cabinet members and Labour MPs will attend the event. Kandiah said Labour has always stood alongside and spoken up for the Tamil people. "With a crucial UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Session about to commence, the Party has a vital role to play in helping to highlight the on-going cases of human rights abuses committed against the Tamil community in Sri Lanka and in supporting our people's legitimate demands for truth, justice, accountability and self-determination on the island," he added. New Delhi, Feb 25 : A Delhi University student and daughter of an army Captain who died in the Kargil war has launched a social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad - #StudentsAgainstABVP - that has gone viral on social media in the wake of the violence in Ramjas College. Gurmehar Kaur in tweets on Saturday clarified that she supports the freedom of speech but not anti-national slogans. Kaur (@mehartweets) tweeted: "Am I fighting for people who support anti-nationals? NO! Who are fighting for? STUDENTS And our right to free speech, safe academic space." "Free of hate. Free to speak. Free to hold opinions. Free to learn. This is my nation. #studentsagainstabvp," she said. Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Capt Mandeep Singh, who died during Kargil war. "Nationalism isn't defined by whoever is in power. Nationalism is a feeling that comes from within. It's love for the nation. It's love for its people and it's people include young students," she tweeted. Criticising the reactions that she is receiving over social media, Kaur in another tweet wrote: "Absolutely disgusted at the reactions in receiving from so called 'nationalists'." The hast tag #studentsagainstabvp started by her has become viral in the social media and is getting wide support from students across India. Earlier in the day, she said: "Don't want my nationalism to be taught to me by some local goons." Kaur, on Wednesday, in a Facebook post wrote: "This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear. If you are a student in any Indian university, in any Indian state and you wish to protest against ABVP, then take a similar selfie and make it your profile picture. Use the hashtag #StudentsAgainstABVP and copy paste this message along with it." She has posted a profile picture holding a placard with a slogan: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP." "The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protestors, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in ever Indian's heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation. The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas," she wrote. Clashes erupted between activists of the leftist All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) outside Ramjas College here on Wednesday, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid, jailed last year for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans. New Delhi, Feb 25 : Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday slammed Delhi Police for showing alleged laxity in handling the clashes at Delhi University's Ramjas College and alleged that the police force has turned into an "agent" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "We strongly criticise the manner in which the Delhi Police has become an agent of the ABVP (Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad) and the BJP," Kejriwal told reporters here. He said that police's duty is to protect the citizens and not allow ABVP "goons" to indulge in violence. "We strongly condemn violence in Delhi University and hope that Prime Minister (Narendra Modi), whose responsibility is to maintain law and order in Delhi as police reports to him, will punish the culprits," Kejriwal said. He also appealed to Modi to not act as a "BJP worker" and perform his duty in an impartial way. "The Delhi Police reports to the Prime Minister. He is not the Prime Minister of the BJP only but of all people, including me, and he should perform his duty," the AAP convener said. The clashes were triggered on Wednesday over an invitation to Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student Umar Khalid, who was jailed last year over sedition charges, for a literary seminar at Ramjas College. Delhi Police on Thursday suspended three policemen on charges of assaulting some students and journalists during a clash between two student groups at Ramjas College. Lucknow, Feb 25 : Campaigning for the fifth phase of assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh drew to a close on Saturday evening. Polling for 51 seats across 11 districts will be held on February 27, in which 1.84 crore voters will cast their votes including 96 lakh women. Among the prominent seats where polling will be held are Amethi, the parliamentary constituency of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi. While the Congress is in an alliance with the ruling Samajwadi Party (SP) for the state polls, both parties have fielded candidates in Amethi. The Congress has fielded Ameeta Singh, wife of Rajya Sabha member Sanjay Singh, while the SP has pinned its hopes on tainted minister Gayatri Prajapati, against whom the Supreme Court recently ordered lodging of FIR in a gang-rape case. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has named Garima Singh, the first wife of Sanjay Singh. Voting will also be held in Bahraich, Shravasti, Basti, Siddharthnagar, Balrampur, Ambedkar Nagar, Gonda, Faizabad, Sant Kabir Nagar and Sultanpur. Sultanpur is the parliamentary constituency of BJP MP Varun Gandhi, who has been conspicuously absence from the campaigning this time. Polling will not be held on a seat in Ambedkar Nagar as the SP candidate from here Chandrashekhar Kannaujia had died during the campaigning. Voting will now be held here on March 9. All political parties tried to put their best in the last round of campaigning, with Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, BSP chief Mayawati and senior BJP leaders seeking votes and support for their respective candidates. Washington/Hyderabad, Feb 25 : The wife of slain Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla has publicly sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes as mourners held a vigil at a local church for the victims of the bar shooting in which her husband died. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured in an apparent hate crime, when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, earlier this week. "I have a question in my mind: Do we belong here," Sunayana Dumala asked at a news conference on Friday at the headquarters of electronics manufacturer Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. "We've read many times in newspapers of some kind of shooting happening... And we always wondered, how safe we are?" Of the two of them, she said, she was most concerned, asking her reassuring husband: "Are we doing the right thing of staying in the United States of America?" The body of Hyderabad engineer will arrive home on Monday. Telangana Minister for NRI Affairs K.T. Rama Rao said the body will arrive by Air India flight at 9.45 p.m. and Dumala and other relatives will accompany the body. Dumala said that she wanted to come back to their home in south Olathe, fulfilling her husband's wishes for an American life and "me being successful in any field I choose", Kansas City Star newspaper reported. But before making that decision, "I need an answer," she said. "I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime?" Dumala said that the couple were planning on having children when he was murdered. She said her husband also would dismiss her own concerns that some people viewed them warily because of their ethnicity. "He would assure me that only good things happen to good people," Dumala said. Mourners filled the First Baptist Church of Olathe in Kansas state on Friday for a vigil for the victims of the shooting. "Love each other" was the overarching theme as visitors were greeted with solemn but spirit-filled musical numbers before prayers were offered for the families of Kuchibhotla, Madasani and Ian Grillot. Grillot, an American who tried to save the Indians, remained hospitalised in fair condition. He was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. Authorities on Thursday charged Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder in Kuchibhotla's death. He also is charged with two counts of attempted first-degree murder in the shootings of Madasani and Grillot. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country" and "terrorist" before shooting them. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer called the shooting tragic, but did not mention it was a hate crime, saying it was too early for the administration to attach such motivations while the investigation was underway. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said as he dismissed that the incident was linked to Trump's stance on immigrants. The Indian embassy in Washington said it is closely monitoring the tragic incident in Kansas and providing all help and assistance to Kuchibhotla's family. In a statement, embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said the Indian Consulate in Houston is in close contact with the family of Kuchibhotla. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India." He said that government officials had also met the injured Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being. The US government while condemning the attack, has assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter, the statement said. In a statement, US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, who represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District, said the shooting incident appeared to be "an act of hatred". "We must address the tide of hate in our nation to prevent more of the attacks we have witnessed, including yesterday's shooting in Kansas," he said. The Indian minister expressed shock over the incident and offered condolences and support to Kuchibhotla's family. "Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," minister K.T. Rama Rao tweeted on Saturday. He said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed. The Minister visited the house of Srinivas in Bachupally here and consoled his parents and other family members. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed grief over the incident. The Trinamool Congress supremo said she does not support the "politics of hate." "Saddened and shocked at the incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA, who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the politics of hate," she said on Twitter. Panaji, Feb 25 : Goa Governor Mridula Sinha on Saturday announced a day-long session of the state assembly to apparently avoid a constitutional crisis arising out of the outgoing house not having met for six months. A spokesperson for the state government said that the Governor has convened the House session at the month-end. "The honourable Governor has convened a day-long session on February 28," he told reporters. The announcement comes a couple of weeks after Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar had insisted that there is no need to convene a session of the outgoing Goa Assembly and ruled out a constitutional crisis, if the House is not convened for more than six months, because of the ongoing electoral process. "The Advocate General has orally informed me that there is no reason to worry if the assembly session is not convened," Parsekar had said. The Opposition had been demanding that the Governor should either dissolve the House or convene a session of the state assembly before March 3, in order to avoid the crisis. In a letter sent to the Governor earlier this month, state Congress President Luizinho Faleiro had warned that the coastal state is heading for a constitutional crisis. He had urged the Governor to either summon the state Legislative Assembly by March 3 -- results to the state assembly elections will be declared on March 11 -- or dissolve the House altogether as per the provisions of Article 174 of the Indian Constitution. March 3 marks the end of the six-month period, during which members of the sixth legislative assembly have not met for a session. "If the government of the day seeks to continue in office without having the sitting within six months, then this will be wholly unconstitutional and the government will be an unconstitutional government," Faleiro had said in his letter to Sinha. A city lawyer-activist Aires Rodrigues had also petitioned the Panaji bench of the Bombay High Court, seeking dissolution of the House on technical grounds. New Delhi : Film: "Rangoon"; Directed by Vishal Bhardwaj; Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Saif Ali Khan; Rating: ****(4 Stars)In art, as in life, consistency is not a quality that is easily obtainable. In the life that is created in Vishal Bhardwaj's art, the characters are so flawed and fractured and so driven down to destruction by their own demoniacal desires that you fear they would collapse under the weight of their own ambitions and longings. This is true as much of the characters as the director himself. Bhardwaj's latest arguably his most ambitious film to date could have ended up being the "Bombay Velvet"/"Mohenjo Daro" of 2017. It is rescued, no, redeemed by an excruciatingly exquisite perception of the wounds and lashes that love pelts down on those who are its victims. "Rangoon" is a simple tale, unnecessarily complicated by its characters' prevarications. It is a story pinned down to a bobbing blueprint of passion and betrayal by a fey feisty whimsical woman, a popular action actress of the 1940s, who is not, repeat not, Fearless Nadia... she is Fearless JuliaA not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeves. And when you have Kangana Ranaut to play 'Fearless Julia' it is easy to show the woman complete stripped of vanity in her lunge towards love. Set in the 1940,for a large part of its narrative, "Rangoon" reads like an over-intellectualised literary excursion replete with educated well-informed arrogant and pompous references to the role of Subhas Chandra Bose's Indian National Army in bringing down the British Raj. The references to the politics of the India's Freedom Movement are drawn out of the commodious plot with a groaning wheezing gravity, as though Bhardwaj, of all the learned elements in Indian cinema, knows that the Indian audience needs to be educated. He is visited the library,you see. Tragically the characters from both the British army and the INA come across as caricatures cloaked in a gravitas that the screenplay is unable to pull out of the circle of intrigue and deceit that the screenwriters create to cheat on destiny. The British Major General Harding(Richard McCabe) sprouts Urdu poetry with an endearing lisp (Ghalib never sounded so glib) but soon begins to behave like the Gora villains in Manoj Kumar's "Kranti" and Manmohan Desai's "Mard". McCabe is Tom.. Altered. The erudition that Bhardwaj and his writing team slap on to the long-winded screenplay go a long way in slackening the story's pace almost to a near-inert place from where it is hard to pull ourselves out even when Shahid Kapoor and Kangana Ranaut's compelling chemistry is an inviting incentive. By the time the plot reaches its third and final act, Bhardwaj gets totally carried away by his librarian's lyricism. He injects massive suffocating doses academia into his narrative with scholarly arrogance, sacrificing narrative evenness for interludes where Time come to a standstill as we see characters enacting scenes from the Freedom Movement on stage. The skits-o-phrenia is distracting. Many of the characters appear to be wasted in the long-legged libretto on nationalism that Bhardwaj insists on playing out while we are meant to watch his paean to patriotic pride in submissive silence. Bhardwaj plays and sings variations of the national anthem so many times during the film that the audience in the theatre (all 25 of them) was confused as to whether they should just continue standing in reverent attention. After all this is not just the Jana gana mana. It is Bhardwaj playing the Jana gana mana. A pity, he sacrifices the opportunity to tell a beautiful and tender love story about three wounded fractured broken characters for the sake of a baggy ode to desh bhakti replete with a climax on top of a precariously compromised wooden bridge that David Lean would have used as a dress rehearsal for "The Bridge On The River Kwai". Aerial shots of WW2 war planes swooping down on the natives are so clumsily done they are proof of how far FX-driven Indian cinema lags behind its Hollywood counterparts, and why. Peel away the layers of self-referential nationalism, and we are left with a luminous love story, a dishy desi version of David Lean's "Ryan's Daughter" and Vijay Anand's "Guide" about a capricious seductress in a committed relationship who strays into a passionate liaison with a near-stranger who is way out of her social league. Indeed the most masterly portions of the narrative are those where Kangana and Shahid are shown slogging through stretches of slush and marsh land accompanied by a Japanese POW. Kagana and Shahid are extraordinarily at-home in expressing the eruption of unpremeditated passion. Their scenes together are magically shot by cinematographer Pankaj Kumar and are elevated further to a level of liberating lyricism by Vishal Bhardwaj's serene background score. A pity Shahid and Kangana's time together is rationed. It ends with the Japanese soldier (played with gratifying earnestness by Soturo Kawaguchi) begging to be freed to go home to his mother. Exactly our feelings. It was a challenging year for Texas land markets, according to leading South Texas broker John Walker. Oil prices were turbulent at best, and the turmoil threatened the overall prosperity of the region. Still, land markets in the state carried on, with small increases in land prices gained. The highlight: a 2.25 percent increase during the second quarter of 2016. Price per acre during the second quarter increased by 2.37 percent from the first quarter of 2016, says Walker, whose firm, Desert Flower Realty, specializes in ranch and residential sales as well as commercial real estate in George West, Three Rivers, and other South Texas areas. However, he adds,the size of properties closed statewide was down by 76 acres from the recorded acreage in the second quarter of 2015and the total dollar volume of sales of $796 million was a definite dip from the third quarter of 2015s $910 million. Although Texas statewide markets are in good shape, generally speaking, some are not as strong as others. Gulf Coast-Brazos Bottom, Far West Texas, and parts of South Texas lagged behind a reflection of the energy price declines. Fortunately, land markets in Austin-Waco-Hill Country, Northeast Texas, and the Panhandle and South Plains were able to offset the situation with annualized price increases. "We've been seeing a lot of caution among buyers recently," says Walker. "Although there were price increases and declines all over the state, data indicates that more buyers are slowly cooling to current prices, postponing land purchases for the mean time. This means that if youre thinking of buying land now, you probably wont have a lot of competition." Aside from oil prices, total personal incomes across the state pose a challenge to the prosperity of the region. "In the short-term, these factors will hardly affect land markets. In the long run, however, there will be a significant impact," Walker says. "For the most part, whenever there is a jump in personal income or oil prices, we can be sure a boost in land prices will follow." In addition to land prices, personal incomes and oil prices also have an effect on the number of acres available in the market. While an increase in personal income can cause long-term gains in the total acreage sold, a raise in oil prices can result in a decline in acreage transferred. "We're lucky with the small gains we've produced in 2016, and we are optimistic the tides will change to pave way for more growth this year," says Walker. For more information about Texas land markets, specifically in Live Oak County and the rest of the South Texas region, contact John Walker of Desert Flower Realty, Inc. at 361-449-2051 or visit the firms office in George West, Texas. Over the last two decades, the company has gone from strength to strength dehum, the dehumidification expert, has launched a brand-new website to help celebrate 21 years of global success. The company designs, installs and services complete humidity control and accelerated drying solutions across a multitude of industries. The website has been designed to mirror both the companys growth and of course its increasing importance, both within the UK and across the world. The new website will provide a stellar first port of call for visitors looking for a specialist approach, be it for a new drying and humidity control process or for improvements to be made to an existing process. Not only is the website visually attractive but it also provides in-depth detail about each service provided, the innovative applications that have been designed and the state of the art products that the company install and service. However, thats not where it ends. The easy to navigate site will also offer visitors something much more accurate and professional advice direct from the experts. Mark Rhodes, Director of dehum, said, Over the last two decades, the company has gone from strength to strength. Working with some of the most high-profile global companies as well as smaller SMEs and enterprises, we have built up an enviable portfolio. This website gives us a new place to showcase our achievements and to shout about our excellent service. We have exciting plans coming throughout the year, and we are confident that our new website will provide us with the perfect outlet to communicate to our existing customers and to potential customers too. As a pioneer in the field, dehum has made a number of innovative advancements across a range of industries. Preventing aircraft and automotive parts from corroding, installing the perfect conditions for lithium battery manufacturing, and accelerating the drying process during the production of foam carpet underlay and jelly based confectionery are just a few examples. Fulfilling precise humidity control standards required within industries such as electronics, healthcare/pharmaceuticals, utilities, and windfarms means dehum is the supplier of choice within these sectors. Ensuring the preservation of museum artefacts, self-storage units and classic cars are some of the other areas that dehum deal with. The new website has been expertly crafted to highlight these areas. The site also demonstrates how the company uses its engineering expertise, experience, and skillset to design unique applications that are based on calculated psychometrics. To find out more about dehum and their impressive solutions, visit the new website: http://www.dehum.com/ "Our new helicopter tours offer a birds-eye view of Costa Rica's mountains, jungles and volcanoes" Alex Khajavi, Owner of Nature Air Nature Air Vacations Announce new Heli Tours of Costa Rica. See volcanoes, beaches, mountains from the air. San Jose, Costa Rica Nature Air was established in 1986 when the small regional airline was purchased by Alex Khajavi and this year celebrated thirty years of service. Now Nature Air Vacations, a division of Nature Air announce new heli tours of Costa Rica. Several options are available, all departing from Tobias Bolanos Airport in San Jose offering a choice to guests. http://www.natureair.com San Jose and Central Valley This flight takes guests around the Central Valley over Heredia City, San Pedro, Curridabat, Escazu, Santa Ana, etc. Also included are Pico Blanco Mountain and the Cross of Alajuelita for a quick, local tour of 30 minutes. Rainforest and Volcano Tour - Fly east over La Palma mountain pass to Braulio Carrillo National Park. This park has a good extension of cloud forest, waterfalls and interesting river basins. Then to Rio Sucio and west over the towns of Cinchona and San Miguel de Sarapiqui up to the Hule Lagoon. This volcanic lagoon looks beautiful from a helicopter. Fly over the Rio Toro basin upstream with its beautiful waterfalls and then over the Poas Volcano where there are views of the crater. Continue over the Botos lagoon, returning over the City of Alajuela and back to the airport. The flight time is approximately 1 hour. Three Volcanoes tour - Departing from Tobias Bolanos Airport head towards the Arenal Volcano with views of the San Carlos plains from the air, Fly around Arenal and Cerro Chato, an extinct volcanic crater and to the Hule lagoon close to San Miguel de Sarapiqui. From there fly upstream the Toro River to the Poas Volcano, Botos lagoon and up to the active crater. From there on to the Barva Volcano (extinct) with its old craters, now natural lagoons. Then descend and land at Doka Estates for a coffee tour, quick snack or just stretch your legs. (see http://www.dokaestate.com) before returning to San Jose. This three hour flight is a magical tour of Costa Rica! Beach and crocodile - fly from San Hose west over La Garita de Alajuela, San Pablo de Turrubares to overfly Carrara Natural Reserve. Fly to the coast starting at Herradura, Playa Escondida, Punta Leona and then to the river mouth of the Tarcoles River and upstream to the bridge where the crocodiles can be seen up close but from the air. The tour is 1 hour. Two Oceans Tour - Fly over lush forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park eastbound to Tortuguero National Park where passengers will board a boat which will provide a tour of the canals, flora and fauna of the area and even take a dip in the Caribbean! Board the helicopter again and head westward to the opposite coast, flying over Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, landing at Las Catalinas for lunch. Enjoy a gourmet lunch at the beach club on the ocean before taking a dip in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The helicopter will return to San Jose and enjoy a freshly made cappuccino upon arrival. This truly unique tour is approximately 6 hours in length and will remain in your memories forever! Nature Air Vacations can also plan your getaway to Costa Rica including romantic honeymoons or getaways, beach vacations or jungle stays. http://www.naturevacations.com. All packages include flights on Nature Air. For more information or to book flights on Nature Air http://www.natureair.com # # # Adventure Media CONTACT : Nancy Harrison TEL: 307-421-4473 EMAIL: nharrison(at)adventuremedianews(dot)com WEB: http://www.adventuremedianews.com EPISCOPAL DIVINITY SCHOOL VOTES TO PURSUE AFFILIATION WITH UNION THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY IN NEW YORK The Board of Trustees of the Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) today voted to pursue an affiliation with Union Theological Seminary that would create an EDS entity to provide Episcopal theological education and other programs at Union's campus in New York. The Board of Trustees of Union Theological Seminary has voted enthusiastically to support Unions leadership in bringing negotiations with EDS to a successful conclusion. We are excited to begin negotiations toward an agreement that will allow EDS to achieve the three goals we set for ourselves when we began the process of assuring the seminarys future, said the Rev. Dr. Gary Hall, 76, chair of the board. EDS will continue to provide theological education within an accredited and degree-granting program, we will carry out our historic mission to place gospel-centered justice at the center of that education, and we will provide financial strength and stability for EDSs future. We are thrilled that EDSs trustees have made this momentous decision and we are excited about all it portends for the future, said the Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president of the faculty and Johnston Family Professor for Religion and Democracy at Union. The mission alignment between our two institutions is clear and strong. You cant miss it! This alignment assures that the deepest commitments of both institutions will be honored and strengthened in the years ahead. The two seminaries will begin negotiations immediately in the hope that both boards can vote on an agreement when they meet in May, before EDSs final commencement at its Cambridge campus. I am optimistic that this proposed affiliation will provide great benefits for both parties, said Bonnie Anderson, Hon. D.D. 06, vice chair of the EDS board. An Episcopal entity at Union would be positioned to leverage resources for mission and attract new partners in New York City and beyond. Spurred by financial challenges that were depleting EDSs endowment, its board voted last July to stop granting degrees at the seminarys Cambridge location after the 2017 commencement in May, and to explore new ways of providing post-secondary theological education that emphasized the centrality of social justice in the Christian tradition. The boards New Directions Committee, chaired by the Rev. Anne Howard 85, reviewed proposals from nine seminaries and divinity schools, and selected three finalists. After making site visits with the Rev. Dr. William C. Nelsen, EDS interim president, and Anthony Ruger, an expert on financial sustainability in theological schools, the committee recommended exploring an agreement to affiliate with Union. The quality and creativity of the proposals we received was gratifying, said Howard. After extensive research, we became clear that Union offers the best fit for EDSs mission and historic commitment to justice. Union already has a strong Episcopal presence. Four of its 22 faculty members are Episcopal priests and five members of its board of trustees are Episcopalians, including the board chair, Wolcott Dunham, senior warden of St. James Episcopal Church in New York City and former trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of New York. I look forward to the amazing possibilities of bringing an affiliation between Union and EDS into reality, said Union Board Chair Dunham. Our work together will surely expand the ways we serve the world and the church. EDS has adopted a generous severance plan for its faculty and staff, and all of its students are being taught out at other seminaries with EDS financial support to avoid additional costs for those students. Seven of the teach-out students are Episcopalians in an ordination process; they come from three dioceses. A number of the students included in the teach-out, which has been approved by the Association of Theological Schools, are international students, and EDS has retained an immigration lawyer to advise the students about maintaining their visas in the transition. The seminarys investments are currently valued at approximately $53 million plus its campus. About Union Theological Seminary Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a seminary and a graduate school of theology established in 1836 by founders deeply impressed by the claims of the world upon the church. Union prepares women and men for committed lives of service to the church, academy and society. A Union education develops practices of mind and body that foster intellectual and academic excellence, social justice, and compassionate wisdom. Grounded in the Christian tradition and responsive to the needs of Gods creation, Unions graduates make a difference wherever they serve. Union believes that a new interreligious spiritualty of radical openness and love is the worlds best hope for peace, justice, and the care of Gods creation. Empowered by groundbreaking inquiry aligned with practical realism and a bias for action, Union is charting a profound new course for enduring social change. Our graduates stand out wherever they serve, practicing their vocations with courage and perseverance, and speaking clearly and acting boldly on behalf of social justice in all of its forms. About Episcopal Divinity School Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts was formed in 1974 by the merger of Philadelphia Divinity School (1857) and Episcopal Theological School (1867). For more than 40 years, EDS has offered a bold and expansive vision of inclusion and social justice in the service of preparing students to lead faith communities. In July 2016, the EDS Board of Trustees voted to cease to granting degrees in May 2017 and to explore options for EDSs future that would carry on the seminarys historic mission, continue accredited degree-granting theological education, and provide financial strength and stability for EDSs future. More information is available at eds.edu/news/transition. ### contact: EDS: Jim Naughton jimatcanticlecommunications.com, 202-288-5125 Union: Ian Rees ianatgzandassociates.com, 215-869-9064 Im excited to be a part of the VIBE conference this year, which is a great event that brings key thought leaders and bar and restaurant owners and executives together to help shape the future of the industry. TapHunter, the complete digital beverage management solution that helps bars and restaurants streamline operations and connect with their customers, today announced that the companys CEO and co-founder Melani Gordon will be speaking on a panel entitled The Bar of Tomorrow at the upcoming VIBE Conference on March 1 at 11:15 AM. The conference takes place in San Diego, California from February 27th through March 1st. Ms. Gordon has grown TapHunter from a start-up into a leading provider of operational software tools to thousands of bars and restaurants across 12 different countries. The TapHunter software suite enables businesses to easily create and manage rotating drink menus across any platform, including print, digital, website and social media, all from one centralized dashboard. The company also offers a powerful yet lightweight inventory tool that improves ordering efficiency and saves time while reducing the risk of employee theft. The mission of the annual VIBE Conference is to provide current, actionable and pertinent education to beverage executives which enables these multi-unit operators to produce a cutting edge beverage program for their concepts. The Bar of Tomorrow panel will present several technology innovators creating apps, solutions and services for bars and restaurants. Additional panelists include representatives from Sponsiv Digital, Free Flow Wines, WineQuest and The Drink Exchange. Im excited to be a part of the VIBE conference this year, which is a great event that brings key thought leaders and bar and restaurant owners and executives together to help shape the future of the industry, said Melani Gordon, co-founder and CEO of TapHunter. I look forward to discussing the myriad ways in which simple, easy-to-use but powerful software tools can dramatically improve operational efficiency and open the door to creating a closer connection between bars and restaurants and their customers. To learn more about the VIBE conference, see http://www.vibeconferene.com. For more information on the TapHunter platform, visit http://www.gettaphunter.com. About TapHunter TapHunter is two things: its an industry tool for bar and restaurant owners & a consumer-facing mobile app for beer, wine and spirit lovers. For the beverage industry, TapHunter provides on- and off-premise accounts with time and money-saving tools that automatically update beverage inventory on social media channels, websites, print menus and digital displays. This exposure empowers TapHunter customers by helping transform beer, wine, and spirit menus into valuable revenue producers. For the consumer, TapHunter.com and the TapHunter mobile app, available in the App Store and Google Play, enables consumers to locate their favorite beer, wine and spirits in markets across the United States and the world. Launching a superhero franchise is a lot of work. The author Shequeta Smith not only created the black female superhero Rayven Choi but also self-published two graphic novels featuring Choi under her Shero Comics imprint, directed a trailer for the series, and launched the second book at Los Angeles Comic Con. Smith was inspired to create her own superhero after a trip to a local comic book store in L.A. I had trouble finding any books with a black woman on the cover, says the North Carolina native. So, she decided to create one. Women make up like 46% of comic book readers, so its a no brainer that we should be creating these stories, Smith says. The learning curve for self-publishing a graphic novel is steep. After writing the first book of her planned six-part series and collaborating with artists, colorists, and letterers, Smith was ready for the publishing process. One of the surprises was learning that the print and digital editions of her book required different types of formatting: color printing requires files in CMYK mode, and digital requires RGB. This meant a last-minute scramble to reformat the digital edition. Choosing how to publish the print edition was another consideration. Publishing in color on CreateSpace was too costly, says Smith. Plus, she felt that the platform catered to black-and-white, text-based publications rather than graphic novels. I wanted to find a company that specialized in printing comics since I felt like they would be able to address any issues that we may have overlooked, Smith says. She opted for Texas-based Litho Ninja, which does just that. Smith then hand-sold the printed books into traditional comic book stores around her home in Los Angeles, as well as more unusual outlets. I have books for sale in pharmacies and newsstands and even in womens beauty supply stores, she says. The first step in her publicity plan was a trailer for the series. Smith already had experience writing and directing; her short The Gestapo vs. Granny was a finalist in HBOs Project Greenlight competition in 2015. She planned to use the trailer to introduce comic book fans to the series. Smith has since expanded that effort into a short 14-minute film. I really thought that having a great trailer would help push book sales, but that hasnt happened, at least so far, she says. The discrepancy between trailer views and book sales is something that Smith hasnt figured out yetalthough she says she often gets inquiries from readers and viewers wondering about a feature-length film. Next came outreach to real comic book enthusiasts, which meant launching the second book at Stan Lees Los Angeles Comic Con in October. Smith says the response was encouraging, particularly from women readers. She recalls meeting a group of girls who were on the hunt for female superhero characters, but who were discouraged to discover the creators were all men. Their question was: where are the women who are creating these strong female characters? Smith says. By the time they arrived at my table, they were both excited and relieved to find a woman who was telling a story about a strong and powerful woman. Smith has also sent copies of her book to authors she admires, as well as to public figures such as Michelle Obama. My strategy for Rayven Choi is to turn her story into a property that is just as big as a Hunger Games or Divergent, Smith says. Jennifer McCartney is a freelance writer, editor, and the author of the novel Afloat. When I first arrived in Cairo at 23, in 2003, I didnt know what it was like to live under an authoritarian regime that took a hard-line approach to censorship. Having grown up in the U.K., I took press freedom for granted. That started to change when I found a job at a local English-language news magazine called the Cairo Times. The magazine was owned by an Egyptian human rights activist, and, because it was published in a language a minority of Egyptians could read, it had a little more latitude than Arabic-language publications to report on issues that strayed close to the red lines laid down by the regime. But, like all print publications in Egypt, the Cairo Times practiced a degree of self-censorship, because to not do so was to court disaster. It was against the law to criticize Hosni Mubarak or a member of his family. It was against the law to publish anything that might damage national unity, public order, or public values. Andto make sure foreign journalists were also caught in the netit was against the law to damage Egypts reputation abroad. I liked working at the magazine. My colleagues were an oddball mixture of Western and Egyptian reporters, most of them in their 20s. The office was in a dusty, high-ceilinged room that had once been part of a gracious townhouse in an old colonialnow crumblingarea of central Cairo. But every morning as we arrived at the office wed pass two stocky men sitting in a car outside, smoking or eating shawarma sandwiches. They always looked bored. These were the representatives of the Amn El Dawla, part of the two-million-person state security force that propped up the Egyptian regime. The apparatus of censorship had been gradually refined since the nationalist coup of 1952 that brought the first of Egypts modern military governments to power. The red lines were not only political but religious and moral, creating scapegoats of unpopular minorities such as Shia Muslims, gay people, liberal activists, and atheists. Not even the countrys most famous writers could escape. In 1959, Nobel Prizewinning author Naguib Mahfouzs allegorical novel Children of Our Alley was banned for offending Islamic sensibilities. In the early 2000s, young people trying to evade the censorship imposed on the largely state-owned press were finding an outlet online, thanks, ironically, to a pro-Internet policy driven by the presidents son Gamal Mubarak. Bloggers were at the heart of antiregime activism, but once the government caught on to their activities, several were arrested and jailed. During the 18 days of protest against Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, the regime went as far as to block Internet access completely in an attempt to silence its opponents. After the 2011 uprising, when I was living in Cairo and researching my book Generation Revolution, I had to register with the ministry of information as a foreign journalist. Following the military coup of July 2013 that brought the then-general Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi to power, the regime attempted to establish an even more extreme monopoly on facts. The governments focus shifted from post hoc censorship to preventing reporters and writers from working in the first place. Public paranoia reached such a level that journalists attempting to report in public could face a beating by a mob of so-called honorable citizens, arrest, or worse. The state had cultivated this paranoia itself, screening advertisements depicting shifty pale-skinned figures eavesdropping on Egyptians in streetside cafes. Journalists who questioned the governments narrative or exposed its grotesque series of human rights abusesincluding the details of the Rabaa massacre of 2013, when security forces killed 1,000 protesters (and three journalists) in the streetfaced arbitrary arrest and detention. Some detainees, such as the Al Jazeera three, arrested at a luxury Cairo hotel in 2013, became international causes celebres. The names of many more are little known outside Egypt. Egypt is now among the top three jailers of journalists in the world. It is a dire example of the disaster that can result when a government seeks to destroy the independence of the press. Rachel Aspden is a London-based journalist who has reported from Egypt, Pakistan, and Yemen. She is the author of Generation Revolution: On the Front Line Between Tradition and Change in the Middle East (Other Press, Feb.). From the Newsletters Tip Sheet Nine essential books by Arab writers, picked by PW reviews director and author of Malafemmena (Sarabande), Louisa Ermelino. Childrens Bookshelf Remembering Dick Bruna, the prolific childrens illustrator and creator of Miffy, who died last week, at age 89. Religion BookLine New books from Buddhist publishers take on social justice. Global Rights Report Among the books picking up multiple rights sales abroad is an expose on life at the Vatican. Sign up for these and other great, free newsletters. The most-read review on publishersweekly.com last week was A Void by Georges Perec, trans. from the French by Gilbert Adair (Harvill). Podcasts Week Ahead PW senior writer Andrew Albanese talks about Simon & Schusters decision to cancel Milo Yiannopouloss book deal. More to Come The More to Come crew discuss Karen Bergers new imprint at Dark Horse and the ComicsPro annual retailers meeting, plus a report on two California comics conventions. PW Radio Brad Stone discusses his new book, The Upstarts: How Uber, Airbnb, and the Killer Companies of the New Silicon Valley Are Changing the World (Little, Brown). Blogs ShelfTalker A bookseller offers her support for #ownvoices as a way to find out about new works of childrens literature written by authors of color. On January 18, during a lunch session at Digital Book World in New York City, the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) convened an open meeting to update interested parties on the progress of the merger of the two groups. The proposed merger caused some controversy, with some stakeholders expressing concern that the ePub standard, which was then managed by IDPF, would get subsumed into the more general Web standards development that W3C overseesand thereby sidelined in favor of those other standards. There was also concern that, because W3C standards (and individual contributions to those standards) are openly licensed and royalty free, this policy would extend to contributions to the ePub standard going forward. Despite these concerns, the merger was easily approved by IDPF members. By giving ePub a home alongside other standards such as HTML and CSS, the opportunity to extend ePubs capabilities in an increasingly Web-enabled world will prevent the unnecessary creation of silos and competition with other W3C standards. Additionally, W3C has vast resources and a much larger platform upon which to advocate for ePub adoption and improvement. The merger seemed inevitable following the formation of W3Cs Digital Publishing Interest Group several years ago, to respond to a need for changes in Web standards such as CSS and HTML to handle a variety of publishing concepts. In my view, it makes sense for ePub to join those standards as a Web standard for portable publications. The developers who participate in W3C meetings bring a depth of experience with creating and maintaining technological standards and formats, an enterprise that tends to get marginalized within any given book publishing house. The cross pollination of so many different perspectives solving bookish problems should lead to exciting developments in e-book reading experiences. Recently, I spoke with Jeff Jaffe, the CEO of W3C, about the merger, with two fundamental questions in mind: Now that the merger has been finalized, whats next? And why are Web developers interested in books? In terms of postmerger events, Jaffe referred to a discussion hosted by the Book Industry Study Group on February 14 in New York City that brought book supply chain stakeholders such as Hachette, Firebrand Technologies, Macmillan, and Penguin Random House into direct discussion with W3C directors. One big takeaway from the gathering was BISGs position as a facilitator. BISG and W3C appear quite committed to continued collaboration and communication with each other so that they can respond to the needs of the publishing industry. But if these standards are to work, its incumbent upon the publishing community to be at the table. In previous public discussions, theres been concern about ePub getting lost among a plethora of other Web standards. That wont happen if enough book publishing stakeholders are represented in W3C. Just as it was critical for publishers to join IDPF to develop the ePub standard, it is equally critical that they join W3C to maintain it. Brian OLeary, executive director of BISG, noted that, with the merger done, members of the publishing community are starting to raise questions about how they fit into the combined organization. OLeary thinks that, because BISG represents the interests of the publishing supply chain in the U.S., it can be helpful in creating an ongoing forum for getting these questions answered. For Jaffe, making IDPF members feel welcomed, not only from a technical point of view but a community point of view, is a priority for W3C. He noted that former IDPF executive director Bill McCoy has joined the W3C team. A lot of his responsibility is to make sure that we are attentive to the publishing community as they come over to W3C, Jaffe said. Jaffe is sure that the involvement of the book publishing community in developing Web standards will provide publishers with more opportunities to create new products for the Web. Reading is a fundamental human activity, he says. But the way we read and consume information will change. Jaffe pointed out that, when the Web was created nearly 30 years ago, it was a publication mechanism, and although it was different from existing publishing models it provided instant global distribution, allowing anyone to become an author, but without the typography and curation that exists in traditional publishing. Now, with standards like CSS, there are tools that allow publishers to publish content in artisanal ways. Technologies are converging, and the W3C sees opportunities in that convergence for how content will be presented. Reading is, as a rule, an engrossing and transportive experience. But what if a book could somehow be made even more immersive? Short story veteran George Saunders and actor and screenwriter Graham Sack may have found one answer: virtual reality. Sack is the director of Lincoln in the Bardo, a VR companion film to Saunderss debut novel of the same name, the top-selling book for the week ended February 19. The film, which received a soft release on the New York Times NYT VR app the week before the book published on February 14, adapts and condenses the novels primary setting and event into a 10-minute short. In it, Abraham Lincoln visits the grave of his youngest son, Willie, at night, in a cemetery filled with ghosts unable to accept their fates and trapped in a sort of purgatorythe titular bardo, which, in Tibetan Buddhist tradition, means a transitional or liminal state. The film was the product of a number of hands. Sack first approached Saunders with the idea last summer, and once the excited author was on board, his publisher, Random House, and parent company Penguin Random House got involved. Traditionally, they dont put a lot of advertising budget in video projects when launching a new novel, Sack said. So we basically made a call to everyone that we worked with in the past to figure out how we could do this at a fraction of the cost. Everyone included former Times reporter (and Lincoln in the Bardo executive producer) Jennifer 8. Lees digital-publishing-oriented literary studio, Plympton; the creative studio Sensorium (whose partners, Matthew Niederhauser and John Fitzgerald, have collaborated with Graham a couple of times), which helped build the VR motion capture for the project; Silvr, a division of Silver Sound, which spearheaded the films audio; and the Molecule, a Brooklyn-based visual effects company that, among other contributions, provided green screens for visual effects shots, and whose CEO, Chris Healer, was on set. And, of course, there was the New York Times, which Sack said provided the bulk of the funding for the project. With NYT VR, were getting to take all sorts of risks and try new experiments in this brand-new medium, NYT virtual reality editor Jenna Pirog said. The project is, with the exception of a few shorts in its Great Performers series, the first fictional VR project the Times has produced, and certainly the most challenging. They filmed it in 360 [degrees], with VR cameras, and showed me, very early on, a first draft, Pirog continued. We went through a number of drafts and learned a lot about spatial audio, which is the process where you sculpt the soundscape so that things sound like theyre happening all around you. This is something weve been attempting to integrate into our NYT VR app for a while. Saunderss work, which often moves into sci-fi territory, was an appropriate choice for a VR film, although this book proved full of hurdles to jump. For one, the entire novel takes place at night in a cemetery, which posed certain cinematic (and budgetary) challenges. For another, unlike the authors more speculative work, its a period piece, meaning Civil Warera costumes were a must. There was also the matter of including more than 100 actors, visually altered to appear as ghosts, in a filmand a 360-degree interactive film with a spatial audio mix, no less. Sacks final product is, as a result, something of a hybrid form from the legal standpoint. Its not a book trailer, nor is it a film adaptation. In fact, rights were something of a convoluted issue. Sack noted that there was no precedent for adapting a book into a VR film, meaning that the legal framework and rights need to be invented more or less from scratch. For PRH, this was uncharted territory. It was just so newits kind of surprising in this business to have something so new come to you, where everyone is on shaky ground where rights are concerned, said Random House deputy publicity director Barbara Fillon. It isnt a feature film, and obviously theyre hoping to option those rights down the road. It wasnt first serial, either. So they just had to hash through what that means. All parties involved, however, agree that the end result was worth getting into the rights-related weeds. Id already read the book, but to see something youve already read and mulled over and thought about depicted in that way was a really powerful thing, Fillon said, adding that she attended an event at the Community Bookstore in Brooklyn where some of the actors from the VR did a dramatic reading, and its different from just being at a [typical] reading or reading [the book]. Sack, while on the way to a second cast reading last week at Harvard Bookstore in Cambridge, Mass., said the cast would be performing at a number of stores countrywide, including Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., and BookPeople in Austin, Tex. He believes that VR has broad potential in the publishing industry. I would be very excited to do this again with other books because its gone so well, he said. That said, he thinks VR book trailers dont make much sense, because scene cutting, in VR, is highly disorienting. Instead, he suggests publishers try something similar to Lincoln in the Bardothe idea, he said, is to craft an experience that draws from the world of the book. Fillon expressed interest in the possibility of a future foray into VR, but was noncommittal, saying PRH may look into it again. She added: I think its interestingevery book is different, and who knows how specific contexts will relate to the VR experience. Although Lee noted that Lincoln in the Bardos budget was comparable to that of a small indie film, Sack believes there are plenty of ways to make VR workable on a publishing industry budget. We specifically made a decision very early in this project to make a standalone piece of art that would accompany the book but not be an advertisement in any sense, he said. It would have been totally feasible to do a much smaller version of this on a marketing budget that PRH could have funded. We chose to do something more. The announcement last Thursday that Family Christian Stores will close all of its 240 outlets did not come as a surprise to publishers, many of whom have had FCS on tight credit terms since it emerged from bankruptcy in June 2015. Indeed, in announcing the decision to close, FCS president Chuck Bengochea said that, in addition to declining sales, we were not able to get the pricing and terms we needed from our vendors to successfully compete in the market. We prepared for this once they filed for bankruptcywed been operating on a pay-as-you-go basis, so hopefully this wont hurt vendors too much, said Jonathan Merkh, v-p and publisher at Howard Books. Still, Merkh and other publishers noted that the loss of 240 stores will make it harder for consumers to discover new titles. These stores have been an important outlet for Christian books, gifts, and Bibles for many decades, and Familys millions of customers now have even fewer options for finding these wonderful, life-giving products, said Mark Taylor, chairman of Tyndale House. A number of publishers compared the closure of FCS to the collapse of Borders in 2011, wondering who will pick up FCSs business. Following Borderss closure, independent bookstores captured some sales, as did Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million. But the biggest winner was Amazon, and one publisher who wished to remain unnamed speculated that, with more shopping moving online, the e-tailer will likely be the biggest beneficiary of FCSs collapse. The options for reaching consumers interested in religious materials through bricks-and-mortar stores have continued to shrink over the years. Independent Christian stores have struggled and may not be in a position to take advantage of FCSs collapse the way ABA stores did with Borderss. CBA president Curtis Riskey said the question of whether indies can gain from the closure of FCS will be addressed in due time. As part of a statement, Riskey said the FSC closure brings to light the importance of adapting to a changing marketplace and changes in consumer behavior, and can be a catalyst that encourages us in the Christian products industry to find new ways to work together. Mark Schoenwald, president and CEO of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, plans to serve Christian readers affected by the closing wherever they choose to shop. Schoenwald added,We have a healthy and broad portfolio of retailers, domestic and international, that we will continue to work alongside and support their growth initiatives. Remaining Christian chain stores include Lifeway, but the Southern Baptist chain has cracked down on books that do not align with its doctrinal guidelines. With Lifeway tightening their belts editorially, it makes things harder for us, said Merkh. Its a tough industry and it makes it that much more difficult for us. Call it an early spring for the publishing industry. The 2017 London Book Fairusually an April affairis a month earlier than normal this year, running March 1416 to avoid a bottleneck of publishing events, with this years Bologna Childrens Book Fair set for April 36. But LBF organizers predict the early dates will not hurt attendance, with some 25,000 once again expected in London. This year, publishers will arrive feeling both optimistic and uncertain. On the positive side, U.S. and U.K. publishers head to London with signs of improving markets. Recent stats from the U.S. Census Bureau show that bookstore sales rose 2.5% in 2016 over 2015, the second year of growth in a row after several years of declineand this despite the lack of blockbusters last year. And in the U.K., Nielsen BookScan data show 2016 print sales up nearly 5%, also a second consecutive year of growth. LBF director Jacks Thomas told attendees at the 2016 fair that, after some tough years, publishers were finally starting to feel the wind at their backs. If you look at a three-year snapshot, 2013 and 2014 didnt make for very happy reading, but we are now going in the right direction, Thomas said, noting that, in addition to rising U.S. and U.K. sales, the European market is stabilizing after a prolonged financial crisis and markets in Asia are booming. And though e-books are in decline for many traditional publishers (although self-published e-books are still on the rise), most dont seem concerned, she added, saying that the overall market is balancing out. But as publishers head to the 2017 London Book Fair there is a wave of political uncertainty. In the U.K., questions about Brexit loom. And in the U.S., Donald Trump has raised concernsnot the least of which stem from his continuous verbal assaults on the media. Whether the topic is a global publishing rebound or a global political meltdown, organizers expect lively conversations at this years LBF. In the fairs Insights Seminar, industry leaders will be on hand to talk trends and best practices. An array of vendors will offer brisk 20-minute presentations on apps, platforms, and innovations in metadata and distribution at the Tech Theatre. And, once again, a strong slate of talks for those interested in self-publishing is set for the Author HQ; there will be a comprehensive academic and scholarly publishing program; and of course, agents and publishers will be on hand to buy and sell foreign rights in the International Rights Center. Read about the big book properties U.S. agents will be selling at the fair. DAVENPORT A judge on Friday ordered the Stanley Liggins murder trial be moved from Davenport to Waterloo, Iowa, because of Quad-Cities media coverage of the case. Chief Judge Marita A. Greve acted on a motion by the defense team for Mr. Liggins, who is accused of killing 9-year-old Jennifer Lewis, of Rock Island, on Sept. 17, 1990. The trial, slated to begin May 22, will be Mr. Liggins' third trial in this case. His previous two convictions were overturned by Iowa appellate courts Jennifers burning body was found on the edge of the playground of Jefferson Elementary School in Davenport. An autopsy found that she had been sexually assaulted, strangled, doused with gasoline and set on fire. Waterloo is the county seat of Black Hawk County, which at 9 percent has the highest percentage of African Americans of any county in Iowa, according to the State Data Center of Iowa. Scott County, by comparison, is 7.6 percent black. Mike Tobey, the attorney who represented Mr. Liggins in his second trial, said Friday, I do feel the more chance Stanley Liggins has for a racially blended jury, the more opportunity he has for a fair trial. He added race has long been an undercurrent in the case because Mr. Liggins is black and Jennifer Lewis was white. (Recent) articles include statements about evidence that may be inadmissible at trial and could be damaging to Defendant, such as polygraph results of several people involved in this case, Judge Greve said in her opinion moving the trial. Judge Greve also cited a 2009 opinion column that ran in the DispatchArgusQCOnline before Mr. Liggins most recent conviction was overturned. The article pointedly describes Defendant as a monster, which clearly rebuts the States argument that not one of the articles is inflammatory in nature, she said in her opinion. Patricia Duffy, president of PMR Research, testified earlier this week that her firm surveyed 400 Scott County residents to determine to what extent members of the community have formed opinions on the case. She said 55 percent of those surveyed were aware of the crime and 27 percent said they have already formed an opinion on whether Mr. Liggins is guilty. The survey was commissioned by Mr. Liggins defense team. One of Mr. Liggins lawyers, Miguel Puentes, noted in a hearing this week that the podcast Suspect Convictions, which launched last month, has further contaminated the potential jury pool by reporting information that the defense does not want jurors to know. Among the facts reported by Suspect Convictions that might not be admitted in court are that Mr. Liggins has prior convictions for armed robbery and aggravated sexual abuse and that he was acquitted of murder in a prison stabbing in Mississippi. Suspect Convictions is a joint endeavor between WVIK-FM public radio and Reeder Reporting LLC. The podcast has been ranked as high as No. 2 on iTunes and has been downloaded about 1.63 million times since it was launched Jan. 9. Podcasts, by their nature, are available globally. Liberated Syndication, a firm that tracks podcast downloads, found that "Suspect Convictions" has been downloaded 8,115 times in the Davenport metropolitan area. The firms data also show it has been downloaded 7,239 times in the Waterloo metropolitan area. Neither defense attorney Derek Jones nor county attorney Mike Walton returned calls seeking comment on the judges order. Mr. Liggins was convicted of murder in 1993 by a Scott County jury. That conviction was overturned by the Iowa Supreme Court on the grounds that testimony regarding Mr. Liggins alleged involvement in the Quad-Cities illegal drug trade prejudiced jurors against him. The high court also was concerned that pretrial news coverage may have made it difficult to find unbiased jurors in the Quad-Cities. In 1995, he was tried again and convicted by a Dubuque County, Iowa, jury after a change of venue was granted. In 2013, the Iowa Appellate Court ruled that Mr. Liggins was denied a fair trial because prosecutors didn't reveal that a key witness was a paid police informant in unrelated cases. The court also found that more than 70 police reports had not been made available to the defense. MOLINE-- Residents will have plenty of choices for their at-large representative in this year's primary election, which has five candidates vying for the position in the non-partisan contest. The top four vote-getters will move on from the primary to the April 4 general election. The candidates are Angie Normoyle, 778 25th Ave. Court; Carol Triebel, 2629 38th Ave., Sonia Berg, 2501 31st Ave. Court; Gregory Swanson, 3322 13th Ave. Court; and Edward Johnson, 1575 29th Ave. Ms. Berg is a write-in candidate. The winner will replace Stephanie Acri, who is running for mayor rather than seeking re-election to Each of the candidates sat down with DispatchArgusQCOnline staff to talk about their goals and qualifications. They also completed questionnaires from the newspapers. Following is the full list of questions and the candidates' full answers What special knowledge or experience do you have that qualifies you for this office? If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us important initiatives you have led. If you are a challenger, what would you bring to the board?: Ms. Berg: With my finance and real estate background I can help the City of Moline continue to expand, grow and be fiscally sound. Mr. Johnson: I will come in with a fresh and open-minded approach to do my best for the citizens of Moline and to keep the citizens more informed and involved in the progress of our city. Ms. Normoyle: Im an active citizen of Moline. I've served on the Moline School Board. I use the library, walk the path by the river, shop for groceries, eat lunch at Cafe Fresh and pop in the post office to ship packages to my son at college. I pay attention to changes as I drive around town and I read the paper every day. I chat with people when I stand in line and I ask a lot of questions everywhere I go. Is that new? How long has that be going on? I would say that my curiosity and desire to learn are two things that would benefit me as an alderman. Im not afraid to ask questions when things arent clear to me and to press for answers. I think the beauty of local government is that we dont need specialized knowledge to contribute, we just need to be willing to work hard, learn and listen to both our fellow citizens and the city staff. Mr. Swanson: I will bring 39+ years of public service experience to the job. I possess broad knowledge & experience in regard to City operations, budgeting, ordinances, and City Council activities. As Utilities GM, I successfully managed two highly regulated utility divisions whose combined budgets equaled about 20% of the City budget. I have well developed leadership and communication skills, which I have used effectively leading the utility teams and interacting with residents, City Council, local, state and federal agencies. I worked hard to cultivate a commitment to high level work performance and service excellence among utility staff, encouraging team members to do their best and grow their hidden talents. I successfully managed numerous large City utility improvement projects from inception through the design, permitting, financing and construction phases. My work allowed the City to secure low interest loans for two projects which saved residents abut $10 million in interest. Other projects, such as the drinking water UV project and water mainlining, reflect my commitment to exploring and implementing innovative & cost effective solutions. I am a recognized as strong competent leader in the water profession throughout the Midwest. I have further honed my leadership and communication skills while serving 8 years on the Board of the Illinois Water Works Association. As Chair, I lead to create a positive and productive group dynamic, which allowed the Board to act a number of initiatives ranging from formation of Diversity & Inclusion committee to development of an annual evaluation process for the Executive Director. I will bring all of this considerable experience to City Council, along with a sincere desire to work with fellow Aldermen to sustain and improve our City. I believe communication, cooperation and accountability are the keys to success in any group endeavor. Ms. Triebel: I was appointed to fill an unexpired term for the Third Ward in 2015. I worked for the City of Rock Island as the Administrative Assistant to the Mayor and City Manager for seven years and served as Deputy City Clerk.. What are the key reasons you decided to run for this office at this time?: Ms. Berg: I believe this is a great time in the life of Moline that I can help the city with my experiences. Our children are grown and my husband agrees that I have the time to devote to the City of Moline. Mr. Johnson: I wanted to run to make sure that our resources are being utilized appropriately. Since I decided to run I have attended and participated in the city council meetings since November. By attending these meetings it has reaffirmed why I wanted to run as I've seen a need for more community involvement. I want to be a voice for the community. Ms. Normoyle :I chose to run for Alderman at Large at this time for several reasons. First, I am disappointed with the behavior of members of both parties at the state and national levels of government. It seems that reasonable people no longer want to participate in government that serves the people. Rather than criticizing and complaining, I decided to participate in the political process. Hopefully, civil discourse and constructive action at the local level will inspire other honorable people to consider serving in politics. The timing of this election cycle was also a factor. My twins will graduate high school this spring and head off to college, freeing up time in schedule to focus on other projects. I was also motivated by the fact that the Alderman at Large seat is open and I think competition for a seat is positive. I anticipated several candidates would run for the position. That means dialogue and debate, which serves the citizens of Moline well. Finally, I enjoyed my time on the Moline School Board and I am looking for another area where I can serve the community. Mr. Swanson: I love Moline, which has been my home for more than 50 years. It is where I went to school, raised my family and spent 2/3 of my working in public service. Now that I have retired, I have heard a calling to give back and serve Moline as an Alderman. I would like to invest my time and expertise to serve the residents of Moline in this capacity. I also believe having an Alderman with my work/life experience and perspective will broaden City Council's viewpoint and enhance its decision-making. Ms. Triebel: I'm running because I want to ensure that the voices of Moline residents are heard. I believe that the most important job of an Alderman is to listen to the people they represent. Moline has historically had a reputation for sound fiscal management and good leadership I believe I can continue that tradition. During my brief service as the appointed Third Ward Alderman I was honored to represent the citizens in my Ward. I have the time, energy and interest to serve the citizens of Moline. What do you believe are the top three priorities facing the city/village and how would you address them?: Ms. Berg:1. Balancing the city budget without raising taxes - By working with the city administrator, mayor and the other council members to look for and eliminate any waste. 2.Expansion on the South side of the Rock River (Case Creek) on land already owned by the City. - By promoting Moline's growth as a way to increase our taxable base to increase revenue with out raising taxes. 3.Continuing on street and alley improvements - All road tax money from gasoline actually goes to street improvement not diverted for other purposes. Mr. Johnson: 1. City Improvements in the buildings and properties the city owns. I feel the city lets the buildings they own get run down and by not keeping up with improvements I feel the city forces these departments to use their own funds that is allocated by the city to do the major upgrades that the city should already have done. A couple examples would be the old library downtown and the fire station downtown. I would address this issue by having better inspections of the building and by listening to the inspector and taking their suggestions before the buildings get in such disarray. 2. Making sure small business and long time local businesses get afforded the same thoughts when funds are needed as it is for new businesses because small businesses help grow the economy. 3. To make sure that development projects are well thought out before they begin so that it does not fall through later. An example would be the project near the Quad City Airport. Ms. Normoyle: Work to increase the property tax base by encouraging both commercial and residential development. Attracting new businesses and families to Moline is critical for the health of our community. Use of incentives, like TIFs, needs to be balanced with fiscal responsibility. Continue to maintain and expand Molines physical capital, such as roads, parks, and city buildings like the library. These are the things that make Moline such a great place to live. As alderman, I would encourage city staff to continue to look for federal and state funds to match Moline's contributions. We will also need to consider strategic partnerships that could benefit both the city and private entities. Highlight Molines strengths as a great community to live and work in. Moline has strong schools, great public transportation, recreation opportunities and fantastic support resources like the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club. I think the city needs to enroll citizens in this effort, working with non-profits, realtors and businesses that are hiring worker who are moving to the area. Mr. Swanson: 1) Serving and Communicating with Residents:I believe listening to the ideas and concerns of Moline residents is a top priority. While it is not possible to do all things for all residents, it is crucial to understand and consider various resident perspectives to act for the common good. I also believe helping residents who have specific concerns to understand City policies and facilitating interactions with City staff is also a high priority. Most residents lead busy lives and such assistance can improve communications and help resolve many concerns in a timely manner. It also important to keep residents improved of City happenings and progress in general. 2) High Quality City Services & Infrastructure: Reliable and efficient City services and infrastructure are essential to maintain the high standard of living, health, and safety in our community. I believe in City policies that allocate the necessary resources for City staff to provide first-rate services to Moline residents. I believe the City must continue renewing and upgrading its infrastructure and facilities. Infrastructure investments stimulate our local economy and are investments in the future of our community. 3) Economic Development: We must continue adapting to the current and evolving economic and business climate. This requires the City to pursue and facilitate new development opportunities, while ensuring our policies support long established Moline business and entrepreneurial upstarts. Economic growth will provide additional revenue to support City goals and expenditures. Ms. Triebel: 1) I believe the City needs to be more transparent concerning finances, spending, contracts, salaries, and other uses of taxpayer funds. City government should represent citizens, not just the political insiders. 2) Assistance for small businesses and local entrepreneurs to expand their businesses is also important. The City needs both big box and small businesses to offer its citizens the best mix of goods and services and grow our local economy. 3) Moline needs a balance in economic development between downtown and residential neighborhoods. Moline is a city of neighborhoods. While downtown development is important for our economic future, I believe we should also use economic development tools to strengthen and improve residential neighborhoods. How should the city/village balance its financial needs with requests from taxpayers to lower assessments?: Ms. Berg: By expanding the tax base and bringing new businesses and expanding existing businesses that we have seen go elsewhere. Mr. Johnson: It's hard for me to say because until you're in the meetings and knowing how the TIFF districts work; I feel the best thing to do is to try and get vacant buildings back on the tax roll as to generate taxes for the city. Ms. Normoyle: Balancing the financial needs of the city with citizens desires for lower taxes is a complicated issue, especially with the states reluctance to overhaul school funding to reduce or eliminate reliance on property taxes. While the city isnt responsible for school funding, certainly the citizens of Moline feel the burden of property taxes. As a alderman, I would strive to maximize the value that taxpayers receive from city services. At the city level, managing pension costs, finding ways to use technology to reduce personnel expenses and collaborating with nearby cities and governmental agencies to eliminate redundancies seem to hold the most promise for cost savings. Mr. Swanson: Economic development is a critical key to meeting the City's financial needs. As I previously mentioned such growth will provide additional revenue from a variety of sources to support City goals and expenditures. I also a strong advocate of exploring innovative initiatives such as, energy cogeneration at our South Slope Wastewater Plant and selling our high quality water and water services to neighboring entities. These particular initiatives would help control utility rates rather than property tax assessments, but could still provide economic benefit to Moline residents. Ms. Triebel: The city budget is a balance of providing services to residents with keeping taxes under control. Property taxes are a significant source of revenue for the City, and almost no one enjoys paying them. This is one reason why it is important to make it easier for taxpayers to understand how their tax dollars are being spent. What is your vision for your community's downtown district and how would you suggest achieving it?: Ms. Berg: My vision is to see an active and busy downtown. Working closely with RENEW Moline ,a public private partnership , and with local downtown business owners to promote the downtown area. We can't forget the Southpark business area and Avenue of the Cities corridor. Mr. Johnson: I think the direction the downtown is going is in the right direction. It's just completing the long awaited projects like the Amtrak station to Chicago. I'm eager to see the other developments in progress get completed. Ms. Normoyle: I think downtown Moline is headed in the right direction. We have an accessible riverfront, restaurants and attractions like John Deere Commons. Soon we'll have the Multi-Modal Station bringing even more traffic and another hotel to the downtown area. I would like to see more retail mixed in with the restaurants and residential development. As traffic increases downtown, there will be demand for additional retail. As an alderman, I would be committed to enforcing codes and requirements that contribute to the overall harmony of the downtown area, such as store front improvements and landscaping. Mr. Swanson: Moline's downtown is currently experiencing an amazing renaissance due to a number of factors such as, the business owners' commitment in creating a downtown special service area, the Main Street program, Renew Moline and the efforts of City Council and City staff. I love seeing Moline's downtown so alive and thriving. The start-up of the Q , rail service and other current projects will further stimulate the growing vitality of our downtown. I support these projects along with the summer music programs and other special events draw people to Moline's downtown. I believe the success of downtown will be a catalyst to broader economic activity and vitality throughout the City. Ms. Triebel: There needs to be a good balance of urban residential, green space and service and retail businesses to attract citizens. The new I-74 Bridge provides opportunities for the City to redevelop properties in that area as they are doing with the Spiegel building. The new bridge will change the landscape of the area and it is important to be prepared to move forward with economic development. What is your philosophy on whether city/village business should be conducted in public or private?: Ms. Berg: The city business should be in public . The city employees and public officials work for the voters of Moline and the voters of Moline have a right to know what is going on. Mr. Johnson: It should be open to the public as much as possible. I do believe there are times where closed door meetings are necessary. When these meetings do happen, I think there needs to be better communication with the public as to the reason of the meetings and if needed put a timeframe as to when it's appropriate to share information with the public. Ms. Normoyle: In all city business, transparency is preferred to private discussion and negotiation. I think citizens have a right to know how decisions are being made. Mr. Swanson: First and foremost, the City should consistently adhere to all statutory requirements of the Open Meetings Act. Secondly, the City should maintain a high degree of transparency in the conduct of City business and associated record keeping. In general, The City does a very good job in this area, given the diversity and volume of City affairs. The City's website contains a wealth of information. Thirdly, the City should be response to resident inquiries regarding City business in prompt and accurate manner. It also is important to recognize the need for confidentiality in areas such as pending litigation and certain personnel matters. Ms. Triebel:One of my main campaign issues is working to increase transparency in city government. Citizens should not need to file a Freedom of Information Act request or complain to the Attorney General about Open Meetings Act violations. More information about City finances should be readily available online. There are obvious, limited exceptions. For instance, it is necessary to discuss legal strategies or set the price for sale of real estate in closed session. But, I believe that transparency and communication should be a culture for the City of Moline. Why should residents vote for you and not your opponent?: Ms. Berg: I was born in Moline, I raised my 3 children, Ashli, Joshua, and Alexis in Moline. I have served on several civic and community organizations in Moline. I have worked in the Moline business community and I am currently working in real estate in the Moline office. My goal is to see Moline become a better city. Mr. Johnson: I have lived in Moline all my life. I have been involved in the community through Dad's Club with my daughter's and feel I have a good feel for what the people want and need. Because of my experience working with Unions and Management negotiating contracts I feel I can be a good middle person between the council and the public. My years working retail with Sherwin Williams gave me a good feel for people and how to handle sometimes difficult customer service situations. Ms. Normoyle: The people of Moline should vote for me if they want an alderman who *listens to points on both sides of an issue *researches issues by talking to city employees, citizens, business people. Ill attend meetings, events and get training to do the job better every day *makes decisions based on data, analysis and research, not emotions or to gain political points Mr. Swanson: I will bring proven experience, enthusiasm, and intelligence to the job. My record of service, dependability and integrity speaks for itself. I started my career at the very bottom, working my way up and have not forgotten all the valuable lessons I learned along the way. I have excellent listening, problem solving, decision-making and teamwork skills. I have assisted countless Moline residents with questions, problems and concerns during my years as City employee and will use the same dedicated approach as an Alderman. Ms. Triebel:I am not a political insider. I am not part of anyone's slate. I am a first time candidate and will work to the best of my ability to make Moline the place where you want to live, work, and explore. What are the key talents and traits you would like to see in the next city administrator?: Ms. Berg: -Experience in budgeting - Experience with personnel relationships - Good communication skills with staff, elected officials and the community. Mr. Johnson: I see the city administrator as someone who runs the negotiations between the city council and other governmental departments. I would be looking for this person to be honest and fair during these negotiations and to use the cities money in a wise manner. Ms. Normoyle: The next city administrator should have strong budgeting and analysis skills. He or she should be a good manager, capable of developing productive relationships across departments. Communication and negotiation skills are a must, as is knowledge of Illinois law and compliance rules. Experience growing retail and residential projects would be a plus, as would the ability to supervise grant writing by city staff. Mr. Swanson: 1) An inspiring team leader with a definitive approach to promote excellence and innovation among City staff. 2) An effective communicator with a commitment to keep residents, City Council, City staff and business leaders informed of City affairs. 3) A visionary leader committed to investigating potential City growth and business development opportunities and the skill set required to pursue/facilitate all those which are prudently possible. 4) A leader who values quality of life assets and who works in concert with the Library and Park Boards to enhance quality of life assets in our community. 5) A leader that promotes civility, respect, and human rights in the conduct of all City affairs Ms. Triebel: A good communicator who will build consensus among diverse interests (including those of elected officials, the business community, and citizens). A person who will build on the heritage of Moline and move the city forward with integrity. A person who has demonstrated the ability to develop solutions to community challenges. A person who will promote and encourage innovation Ulysses S. Grant, we grew up hearing, was the most famous Union general in the Civil War. In February 1862, 155 years ago, Grant cheered up the Union when he captured both Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee. Nevertheless, his theater commander considered replacing him. Maj. Gen. Henry Halleck looked more favorably on Brig. Gen. Charles Ferguson Smith, who many veteran U.S. Army officers considered as the best all-around soldier they knew. At Fort Donelson, Smith had been in command of the 2nd Division. Brig. en. Lewis Lew Wallace was in command of the 3rd Division. (Wallace wrote Ben-Hur: A tale of the Christ in 1880.) Lew Wallace, in his 1902 autobiography, characterized C.F. Smith as by all odds the handsomest, stateliest, most commanding figure I have ever seen. Grants army surgeon, John H. Brinton, described C.F. Smith in his memoirs. He was tall, 6 foot, 3 inches, I should think, slender, well-proportioned, upright, with a remarkably fine face, and a long twisted white moustache. Born in Philadelphia in 1807, Smith had distinguished himself in the Mexican-American War, earning three field promotions. He was the commandant of cadets, the No. 2 position at the United States Military Academy at West Point, when Grant arrived in the late 1830s. Grant was one of the 32 future Union or Confederate generals who learned tactics from Smith. According to Bruce Catton in his book, Grant Moves South, Smith told friends that he remembered Cadet Grant as a modest fellow who was a fine horseman and efficient at solving math problems. Grant confessed to a Galena friend that he was somewhat embarrassed to find himself in command over his former teacher, which dont seem just right to me. Smith had always taught the value of loyalty to superiors. He lived up to his teaching on the afternoon of Feb. 15, 1862, when 40-year-old Grant ordered his 54-year-old former teacher to storm the outer entrenchments at Fort Donelson. Smith promptly obeyed. He mounted his favorite steed, General, and rode to the front of his brigades. Placing himself in the center, he ordered his men to charge at the double-quick with fixed bayonets. Some accounts have Smith riding in front of his troops waving his hat on top of his sword. When some of his men faltered, he rallied them with well-chosen cursing. Grant reported that Smiths charge was brilliantly executed. The Confederates would not last an hour if fighting resumed the next day. Twelve thousand of them surrendered. Halleck never directly complimented Grant on the victory at Fort Donaldson. He did telegraph Gen. McCellan: Brig-Gen. Charles F. Smith, by his coolness and bravery at Fort Donelson when the battle was against him, turned the tide and carried the enemys outworks. Make him a Major-General. You cant get a better one. Honor him for this victory and the country will applaud. Fate upended Hallecks plans. Smith badly skinned his knee on leaving a boat. He refused to have it treated that night saying he had too much business to attend to. The injury got worse, forcing him to relinquish his command. He could neither walk nor ride a horse. His health went downhill. He died in late April 1862, one day after his 55th birthday. Gen. William T. Sherman once said, Had C.F. Smith lived, Grant would have disappeared to history after Donelson. But would the Union cause have fared as well? Grants admirers view him as the first modern general, one who knew how to win wars in the industrial age. Would Smith have been as innovative and successful as Grant? (This column was extensively researched by William Anderson, professor emeritus from sources including, Official Records, The War of the Rebellion, vol. 7; "The Cullum Military Biography of C.F. Smith; Personal Memoirs of John H. Britton.) As weve been reporting and editorializing on for the past couple of weeks, Caltrains electrification project has been jeopardized by a delay of federal funding that is based on the states Republican delegations efforts to shut down the only-loosely connected high-speed rail program. New Jersey-based rail transit advocate and NJ Transit customer advisory board member Jeff Marinoff alerted me to this excellent analysis by Laura Bliss (Twitter @mslaurabliss), who writes for CityLab, an on-line publication from The Atlantic. We reprint this in its entirety. Its well worth a read: In Californias Commuter Rail Drama, Nobodys a Winner Except, ironically, proponents of high-speed rail, the likely target of a major federal grant delay. By Laura Bliss, CityLab Staff Writer, The Atlantic When state governments go to war with Uncle Sam, the direction of contention usually faces one way: conservative states rights versus progressive civil rights, as upheld by the federal government. (immigration enforcement, same-sex marriage, bathroom laws, racial integration, slavery.) But for the next four years, the biggest scuffle in federalism flips that around. Now its California, embattled bastion of progressive ideals, duking it out with President Donald Trump and a Republican-majority Congress. On immigration and climate in particular, the state will be butting heads with the White House, which could have major implications for what its able to achieveespecially given the ambitious infrastructure plans California has been long cooking up. Now, what many are interpreting as an early funding strike against California lands in the transportation sector. The Federal Transit Administration has put the brakes on a $647 million grant destined for Caltrain, the Bay Area commuter rail system in sore need of an upgrade. This might be a White House knock against California, or it may be a Republican knock against the states high-profile rail aspirationscertainly, the two arent mutually exclusive. However, no one is likely to score any points off it. Caltrain is a 50-mile commuter rail line running through San Francisco, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties. The spine connects 19 cities and roughly three million people, including the powerhouse workforce of Silicon Valley. Its estimated that the companies along the tracksamong them Facebook, Google, Tesla, and Adobegenerate 14% of the states GDP. Its also where 43% of the countrys venture capital is invested. Getting this region to work on time doesnt just serve California (which is the sixth-largest economy in the world). Its essential for the U.S. economy in general. As Silicon Valleys population has surged in recent decades, transportation services have failed to keep pace. Highways are increasingly congested, and transit options are limited. Bus ridership has dropped as service has failed to compete with single-passenger cars and a surge of private shuttles. And Caltrain cant keep up with demand. Ridership has doubled since 2005, but its still running on 30-year-old cars. Passengers riding at peak times find standing-room-only conditions, and schedules can be wildly unreliable at other hours of the day. (A report released today by the urban planning think tank SPUR describes Caltrains woes in detail.) Its a familiar story of transit disinvestment. So the deal with this grant is ? Transportation officials have been plotting to overhaul Caltrain since the 1990s, and slowly theyve scraped together the local, regional, and state funds to do so. The biggest planned transformation is to switch most of the train fleet from smoke-spewing diesel to electric power. That would allow the system to run more efficiently and could bump up capacity by as much as 25%. It also means sparkly new trains. All of this costs money: Electrification is pegged at nearly $2 billion. A key chunk of that sum is a $647 million grant from the FTA. Caltrain has worked for two years to meet every requirement, and on January 19one day before President Obama left officethe FTA gave the green light on the big grant, triggering a normal month-long review period. But on the day a decision was due, the FTA said the grants approval would be delayed. A spokesperson explained that this way, the Caltrain project could be reviewed as part of Trumps fiscal considerations for 2018. No timeline was given, but the administrations budget should be arriving sometime in late spring. Trump has made clear that he sees defunding as an appropriate response to the rogue state; perhaps this FTA grant deferral is an early example. But that interpretation assumes the White House is up to speed on the particulars of the states rail modernization plans, which may be generous. More likely, this hold-up may reflect the efforts of one very influential Republican congressman: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who represents the Trump-loving Central Valley city of Bakersfield. Earlier this month, with a delegation of California Republicans, McCarthy sent a letter to the new Secretary of Transportation, Elaine Chao, urging her to delay the FTA grant. But their logic was not informed by any specific concern regarding Caltrain, exactly. Rather, it was related to Californias high-speed rail line, the $64 billion SF-to-LA megaproject that, God bless it, simply refuses to die. According to the L.A. Times, the Republicans wrote: [P]roviding additional funding at this time to the [high-speed rail] authority would be an irresponsible use of taxpayers dollars we request no further monies be granted to the [California High-Speed Rail] Authority or the state of California for high speed rail until a full and complete audit of the project and its finances can be conducted and those finding be presented to the public. But, contrary to the language used in the letter, the FTAs grant would not go towards the high-speed rail authorityit would go directly to Caltrain, which operates independently. Many conservatives see high-speed rail as a textbook boondoggle, offering little value to rural districts and encroaching on taxpayers and local authorities. Governor Jerry Brown, whos pushed the project forward at every turn, would disagree; proponents (which, polls suggest, include 52% of California adults) see it as essential means of support for the states growing population and economy. But McCarthy has been among the projects loudest opponents; as California, and particularly the Central Valley, struggled through the drought, he repeatedly called to transfer high-speed rail funds to water storage projects. Thats a false opposition when it comes to Californias infrastructure priorities, and McCarthys letter demonstrates another wrongheaded conflation. Plans for Caltrain predate high-speed rail, and they are two distinct, though intertwined, projects. Caltrains electrification will help high-speed rail move along more quickly, when HSR construction eventually reaches the Bay Area (which could be as soon as 2025), since the systems are supposed to share the same San Jose-to-San Francisco corridor. Caltrain has also received a chunk of funding from the high-speed rail authority. But Caltrain is much more than a preamble to the bullet train. As a California superior court judge has ruled, the two projects are driven by independent goals, and one could be implemented without the other. Plenty of critics of high-speed rail believe Caltrains electrification should move ahead, because of its clear value to a critical economic region. Who wins and loses here? According to Caltrain, modernizing the system will create over 9,600 total direct and indirect jobs nationwide. (Caltrain) As of now, the FTA grant is deferred, not rejected. If the money is approved before March 1the deadline Caltrain already gave contractors for their notice to proceedthen all should be well. If the funding is accounted for within Trumps budget, then some contracts might be screwed up, and Caltrains timeline may be set back a couple of months. That isnt nothing; as Yonah Freemark, a transit consultant and scholar, points out, the longer projects are delayed, the more expensive they tend to become. But those train-happy outcomes seem unlikely, given the partisan energies thrashing about. If the FTA sides with Republicans in Congress, and ultimately rejects the grant, the Bay Areas future viability as an economic powerhouse, as well as Californias climate goals, could be at risk. If we are not able to receive the grant, then we will not have a Caltrain electrification project moving forward, says Caltrain spokesman Seamus Murphy. Wed continue to operate with diesel, would not be able to accommodate job growth, trains would be overcrowded. Clearly, the growing number of workers who rely on Caltrain stand to lose. As long as the train runs on diesel, local air quality will also suffer, and the states targets for driving down carbon emissions will be harder to meet. And as Murphy points out, Caltrain has already drawn up contracts with equipment manufacturers in Utah, Florida, Virginia, Wisconsin, Colorado, and beyond; all told, nearly 10,000 jobs sprinkled across the U.S. hinge on the FTAs decision. As with so much California-related, big investments here pay dividends to lots of other places. Guess who wont lose? High-speed rail, the likely target of these shenanigans. Setting back the electrification of the Caltrain corridor in HSRs planned 800-mile spine is a frustration, to be sure, but it doesnt halt the project. In fact, theres very little that the federal government can do, right now, to stop high-speed rail construction (which, by the way, has already started, and is transforming Bakersfields neighbor, Fresno). The project is not currently seeking federal funding; state funds are sufficient to shepherd the project through another several years of construction. So by blocking Caltrains money, the FTA would be hurting local commuters, including those working at Silicon Valleys most powerful businesses. It would set back the states environmental aspirations. It would throw into question thousands of manufacturing jobsthe very jobs President Trump is intent on creating. And it would do very little to harm the project that many California Republicans despise. A wealthy state, and especially a wealthy region, could make up a loss of $647 million, either through referendum or paying up local funds. Or perhaps any number of tech oligarchs could jot off a check. But realistically, this would take time. There is no rock that exists that has $647 million hiding underneath, says Murphy. And it wouldnt exactly be fair, so long as other regions are getting the federal funds they qualify for. Which raises the question: What does all this mean for federal transportation funding, writ large? That remains extremely hard to say. There are many confusing dynamics here. In the past, President Trump has stated that he likes high-speed rail in general, and has said more supportive things about transit than most presidents. Republicans, meanwhile, traditionally oppose all things [passenger] railroad-related. And here, Californias GOP leaders either dont know the funding facts about their states rail projects, or are willing to misstate them, to serve a rather muddied goal. In that sense, even if President Trump wasnt personally involved in this round, a Republican attack on Caltrain has one thing in common with his rhetoric on infrastructure, and so much else: It all seems pretty confused. Fresh off a visit to Europe to discuss global hot spots with G-20 partners, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is now attending to another important relationship simmering much closer to home. His meetings this week with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto and his cabinet, alongside U.S. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly, spanned a broad agenda from border security to law enforcement to trade. The latter has certainly galvanized public sentiments on both sides of the border. Feisty rhetoric of walls, tariffs and win-lose trade deals risk driving a wedge in the bilateral relationship. Tillerson was tapped to be Americas top diplomat in large part for his acumen working with foreign governments to advance strategic interests and establish long-term commercial ties experience honed while heading one of the worlds largest energy companies. Those same skills will be needed as the U.S. reevaluates its trade relations with Mexico. Change of some sort is likely and implementing it is bound to be complex. While discussions will necessarily drill down to the brass tacks, it is important to keep in mind a top line message that the U.S. and Mexico have and will continue to gain from their interconnected economies. Fittingly, Tillersons former industry epitomizes the type of deep economic integration between the U.S. and Mexico that businesses in both countries are keen to preserve. If youre searching for common ground to defend economic openness in a future trade agreement, look no further than the mutual gains from the U.S. and Mexicos interconnected energy trade. Energy is indelibly an industry based on trade. The free movement of labor, equipment, and commodities allow for resources in one country to be put to productive use in another. This interaction is firmly embedded between the U.S. and Mexico. Every day, Mexico exports roughly 688,000 barrels of crude oil to the U.S. The U.S., meanwhile, sends a similar volume of refined petroleum products to Mexico each day. Approximately half of Mexicos gasoline imports come from the U.S. The linkages are further entrenched when it comes to natural gas. The U.S. exports about 3 billion cubic feet per day (bcf/d) of natural gas to Mexico. These flows are mainly one-way from the U.S. to Mexico, but absent a southern outlet, the glut of supply would put downward pressure on U.S. natural gas prices and hurt domestic producers. The industry that goes into Mexican bi-lateral energy trade is also a major source of jobs in the U.S. In Texas, the nations top hydrocarbon-producing state, the oil and gas industry is responsible for nearly two million jobs, according to data from the American Petroleum Institute. In Pennsylvania, the second largest natural gas-producing state, the industry accounts for almost 340,000 jobs. But its future planning that reveals just how tightly interdependent the U.S. and Mexico are on the energy front. Mexico is banking on the sustained boom in U.S. shale gas production for its energy infrastructure expansions. Over the past five years, natural gas pipeline capacity between the U.S. and Mexico has nearly doubled from approximately 3.7 bcf/d in 2011 to 7.2 bcf/d in 2016, according to the U.S. Energy Information Agency. That capacity is expected to again double by 2018 to more than 14 bcf/d. In turn, Mexico is expanding its domestic pipeline network to accommodate greater U.S. natural gas based on its energy ministrys current five-year plan. Some 3,300 miles of new gas pipelines are planned or under construction in Mexico, mainly to support its power sector. Likewise, U.S. companies have placed long-term bets on developing natural resources in Mexico. U.S. oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron were among the international investors who paid large sums in December to lease acreage in Mexicos deepwater portion of the Gulf of Mexico. Those investments came despite the sustained slump in oil prices that has tightened budgets across the entire global energy industry. Their long-term commitments are capitalizing on Mexicos historic reforms to liberalize its energy industry and other key sectors of its economy. Mexicos national hydrocarbons agency is currently finalizing rules to auction off unconventional gas blocks, a process that could garner interest from similar mid-sized operators that unleashed the shale revolution in the U.S. Whether deepwater or onshore, the ability to develop energy resources cost-efficiently depends partially on the competitive pricing of goods and services that are traded across the border. The energy industry is uniquely dependent on trade. Investments must be made where the resources are located. Goods and services must then flow to develop them. In this regard, the energy supplies and demands of the U.S. and Mexico have benefitted each other enormously. But the same principles of open economies for efficient resource management can be also applied to any number of industries. Revisions to U.S.-Mexico trade relations will necessarily veer towards the technical if and when they arise. Potential negotiations would be well-served if they are underpinned from the start by visions of integration and opportunities rather than deficits and losses. The energy industry is an obvious pillar for future economic cooperation. Property details: Vacant Land in Dolan Springs, Mohave County, Arizona! Item Id: Arias-Ussa01 Case Name: Arias-Ussa, Douglas E Case Number: 16 14247 Trustee: Description: Estate's interest in 1.25 acres of vacant land in Dolan Springs, Arizona near Kingman. The property is located at 15693 North Ironwood Drive, Dolan Springs, AZ 86441. The status of water, power, sewer and utilities is unknown. The APN# is 316-07-282 and the Account # is R0159149. The legal description is 'Section 1: Township 25N: Range 19W: Lake... 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Price: $ 1,450 Seller State of Residence: Wisconsin Property Address: Belen, NM State/Province: New Mexico City: Belen Type: Homesite, Lot Zoning: Residential Zip/Postal Code: 87002 Location: 535**, Clinton, Wisconsin You will be redirected to eBay Nearby 87002 , We're sorry, this article is not currently available Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. Students were evacuated from the University of Georgias Bolton Dining Commons this afternoon around noon following the sounding of the buildi Lineup includes a family compact car, hybrid, SUV and others. Korean auto major Hyundai is planning to launch eight new cars in the next four years to accelerate its growth. Of these, three will be in new segments and the other five cars will get a facelift. Hyundai Motor India Ltd's (HMILs) Managing Director Y K Koo said that in the next four years, the company will bring at least ten new products to India, including eight new launches. In 2017, Hyundai launched the Grand i10 facelift in India and this will be followed by a car for the compact segment and a sedan for the mid-segment. The year 2018 will see the new Ioniq Hybrid, which will be showcased at AutoServe 2018 and will be placed in the same segment in which the Elantra operates. Select models will be launched in the Hybrid format going forward. While the company is strong in the compact segment, it has a weak mid-segment product. Even though Verna has been addressing the market, the competitors have brought in new technology and features, by which this segment for the company was affected. The company will come back in this segment in future, he said. By the second half of 2018, a family concept and designed car will be launched, said Koo. He ruled out the possibility of tall boy concept. Compact segment constitutes around 51 per cent in the overall passenger car segment in India and Hyundai is very strong with products including Grand i10, i20, Creta and others. The new product will be placed above Eon, which is the entry level car for HMIL in India. In 2019, the company plans to launch a sub 4 meter SUV. Hyundai had showcased Carlino in 2016 and the new SUV will be based on this concept. Hyundai's existing SUV 'Creta' is a key volume driver for the company currently. "We are bullish about the growth in India and globally India is a very important market for Hyundai," said Koo. HMIL's contribution for the overall Hyundai's sales last year was 13.6 per cent and in January this was increased to 15 per cent. However, the company had a tough time in the market during November and December due to demonetisation. It is expecting the condition will improve from April. After China and US, India is the third largest market for Hyundai globally. HMIL's export share has come down to around 25-30 per cent from around 40 per cent due to a slowdown in the Africa and Middle East market. The company is utilising the capacity to cater the domestic demand, said Koo. Last year the company sold little over 5,00,000 units in India, while it produced 6,50,000 units. Koo said that the existing capacity at the facility near Chennai will be sufficient for the next 3-4 years. In 2017, the company expects high single-digit growth over 2016. The company hopes to close with a market share of around 17-18 per cent by end of 2017. The Bharatiya Janata Party will not have a post-poll understanding with the Congress in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and not abandon the transparency agenda, its plank in the civic polls, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said. We will take along those who come with us, but proceed without those who dont come with us, he said, addressing a rally at the state BJP office. The rally was held as part of the BJPs Vijay Diwas celebrations in each district headquarters across the country after victories in recent civic polls in Maharashtra and Odisha. Let those who want to align with the Congress do so. We wont stop them, Fadnavis said, in an apparent reference to reports that the Shiv Sena was toying with the idea of roping in the Congress to bag the Mumbai mayors post. We (BJP) will go as per our path, taking along those who come with us, he said. BJP is a party which fights ideology with ideology. Whether we bag power (in BMC) or not, we will never go with the Congress, the CM said. Though the Shiv Sena has emerged as the single largest party in the BMC polls winning 87 seats, its estranged ally the BJP pocketed 82 seats. With the fractured mandate leaving neither the Sena nor the BJP in a position to install its rule in the countrys richest civic body on its own, both the parties are exploring various options to cobble up numbers to reach the magic figure of 114 seats in the 227-member city hall. The Senas tally rose to 87 on Friday with three Independent corporators extending their support to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. Image: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis and other BJP leaders celebrate at a rally which was part of the BJPs Vijay Diwas celebrations. Photograph: Sahil Salvi The Congress on Saturday said the party would not support the Shiv Sena to capture power at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation or for installing its mayor. Congresss Mumbai unit president Sanjay Nirupam also told reporters that the party was planning to hold discussions with like-minded parties for a common candidate in mayors election. He said the Congress felt that estranged allies Shiv Sena and the Bharatiya Janata Party would come together again in BMC to reclaim power. Congress will not support Shiv Sena for claiming power at BMC, including mayors post. The party has decided against supporting Sena in the BMC, he said after emerging from a meeting of the newly-elected corporators. He said several Sena leaders were in touch with Congress on the issue but his party has decided against backing Sena. We are ready to sit in opposition, he added. The party is planning to discuss (prospects of) formulating a separate alliance with like-minded parties and giving a common candidate in mayors election, Nirupam said. With the bitterly fought elections to BMC resulting in a fractured verdict, thinking was strong in the Maharashtra Congress that it should consider the option of enabling the Shiv Sena to foist its candidate as mayor of the city, as a tactical move to sharpen the rift in the saffron camp. The Congress strategists who mooted the idea were also of the view that this move could push the Devendra Fadnavis government into a deep crisis as the Sena would be forced to break out of the alliance in such a scenario. The mayoral election will be held next month. Though the post is considered ceremonial, it reflects the concerned partys numerical strength in the civic body. The winning candidate requires 114 votes. Earlier, the Congresss former city chief Gurudas Kamat had said he strongly objected to even any discussion of having a tie-up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC. Kamat, who crossed swords with Nirupam ahead of the campaign for the civic polls, had said the party had fought against both the Sena and the BJP all along for their divisive policies and attempts to align with them will backfire. Another Congress leader Mohammed Arif Naseem Khan said they would never support BJP or Sena. In no way will we ever support the BJP or Shiv Sena. Our national leaders have always fought against communalism and we will continue to do so, Khan said. The BMC elections saw Shiv Sena emerging as a single largest party bagging 84 seats (now 87 with three independents joining it), BJP secured 82, Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the Nationalist Congress Part and Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena finished with nine and seven seats respectively. Besides, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen got two seats, Samajwadi Party 6, Akhil Bhartiya Sena 1 and Independents 5 (of which 3 have now joined the Sena). Sunayana Dumala, the wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was killed in an apparent hate crime in Olathe city, has asked what the US government will do to stop hate crimes against minorities. IMAGE: Parents of Srinivas Kuchibhotla are inconsolable after the killing of their son in America. Photograph: PTI Photo The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a Navy veteran at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the United States but was assured by her husband that good things happen in America. Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned do we belong here. She said she now wonders what will the US government do to stop hate crimes against minorities. Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that good things happen in America. Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. Immediately when the incident occurred, the consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment, Ray said. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family, she said in a tweet on Friday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted get out of my country, terrorist before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. According to police, Purinton left the bar after the argument and then returned with a gun and shot the three men. He was arrested on Thursday, five hours after the incident and charged with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder in Johnson County, Kansas, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. Howe, however, declined to elaborate on the motive of the incident, although local police said they were working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate the case. The FBI was looking at whether it was a hate crime. An FBI spokesperson said agents and police canvassed the area on Thursday and the investigation continued till Friday. IMAGE: Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad. Photograph: PTI Photo Some eye-witnesses have said the attack was racially motivated. One bystander told the Kansas City Star that the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Grillot said in a recorded interview on Thursday that the bullet went through his right hand and into his chest, just missing a major artery but fracturing a vertebra in his neck. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. According to Garmin, Kuchibhotla and Madasani worked in the companys aviation systems. Unfortunately, two associates on our Aviation Systems Engineering team, Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani, were shot. We are devastated to inform you that Srinivas passed away and Alok is currently recovering in the hospital, Garmin said. Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a masters degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelors degree from the JawaharlalNehruTechnologicalUniversity in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. Days after Delhi Universitys Ramjas college saw violent clashes, a Lady Sri Ram College student who is a Kargil martyrs daughter has initiated a social media campaign, I am not scared of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, which has gone viral. IMAGE: Gurmehar Kaur began this campaign on Facebook following the ugly clashes at Rajmas College. Photograph: Gurmehar Kaur/Facebook Gurmehar Kaur, daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP. The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protesters, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in every Indians heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation, she said in a Facebook status. IMAGE: A student of DU, Shubham Tomar, joins in the protest. Kaur on her Facebook had written, "The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas. This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear." Photograph: Facebook The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas. This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear, she added. The literature students classmates and peers started sharing the post, prompting students from various universities across the country to change their profile pictures with the same placard, as the initiative went viral. IMAGE: Following Kaur's protest, her classmates and peers started sharing the post. Here's Jaya Singh Kakran's post on the issue. Photograph: Facebook Kaurs Facebook post so far has 2,100 reactions, 3,456 shares and 542 comments. Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of All India Students Association and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad workers. IMAGE: Kaurs Facebook post so far has 2,100 reactions, 3,456 shares and 542 comments. Photograph: Facebook The genesis of the clash was an invite to Jawaharlal Nehru University students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh student wing. IMAGE: Kunal Garg, a student of Ramjas College, shares his post on Facebook IMAGE: Students all over the country, not only Delhi, have begun posting the image as their way of protesting against the ABVP. IMAGE: Meghna Mehra shares her image. READ: The Kargil martyr's daughter who wants peace with Pakistan Hes been nominated for an Oscar, but he might just miss the biggest event in the film industry. The cinematographer behind Netflixs The White Helmets, Khaled Khateeb, nominated for the documentary short award, has been denied entry to the United States for the Academy Awards by the immigration authorities. According to internal Trump administration correspondence seen by Associated Press, homeland security officials decided at the last minute to block Khaled Khateeb from travelling to Los Angeles for the Oscars. Khateeb was scheduled to arrive on Saturday in Los Angeles on a Turkish Airlines flight departing from Istanbul. But his plans have been upended after US officials reported finding derogatory information regarding Khateeb. Syria was one of the seven countries targeted by US President Donald Trump when temporarily blocking Muslims from entering the US. The White Helmets, is a 40-minute documentary short film about The Syrian Civil Defense, better known as the White Helmets, which has been credited with saving more than 60,000 people from the bombed buildings in war-torn Syria, and is being adapted into a feature film by actor George Clooney. Image: Members of the civil defence rescue children after what activists said was an air strike by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in al-Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo. Photograph: Sultan Kitaz/Reuters The war between the media and American President Donald Trump has further intensified after the White House decided not to invite major media outlets for a press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Several top American media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and The Los Angeles Times, which were among those press outlets critical of the Trump Administration, were not invited to Spicers press gaggle. The White House described it as an extended gaggle. A representative of the foreign media and Breitbart News, The Washington Times, NBC News and ABC News were allowed inside for the gaggle. The White House Correspondents Association has lodged a protest with the White House on how the gaggle was being handled. Earlier, in the morning, the White House updated its schedule telling reporters that Spicer would be holding an extended pool gaggle with reporters. Those invited for the gaggle were sent a separate e-mail in this regard. As reporters gathered inside the press briefing room, many of them who had not received the e-mail were asked to go back. The White House correspondents of the Associated Press and Time magazine, who were among the select few invited to attend the gaggle, decided not to attend in protest. The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how todays gaggle is being handled by the White House, White House Correspondents Association said in a statement. We encourage the organisations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff, it said. Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties, New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said in a statement. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organisations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest, he said. This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts that they do not like. We will keep reporting regardless, CNN said. Image: White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer during a press briefing. Photograph: Reuters Azerbaijan and the separatists controlling the breakaway Nagorno-Karabakh region have traded accusations over armed clashes along the heavily militarized line of contact that caused casualties. The separatist military said on February 25 that its troops repelled attacks by Azerbaijani armed forces in the southeastern and eastern sections of the front line. The ethnic Armenian military leadership in Nagorno-Karabakh said its troops timely spotted and repulsed attacks by Azerbaijani forces and that several Azerbaijani soldiers were killed in the fighting, while the Armenian side suffered no casualties. There are several bodies [of Azerbaijani soldiers] in the neutral zone. The Armenian side suffered no dead or wounded, Karabakhs Ministry of Defense said in a statement. Azerbaijans Defense Ministry confirmed the overnight clashes, but insisted that they were triggered by the separatist forces. It also admitted casualties, without specifying a number, and said the Karabakh forces had launched an unsuccessful offensive for the purpose of "improving their positions." It said the ethnic Armenian forces had been rebuffed but continued to shell Azerbaijani positions with heavy artillery. Meanwhile, the Karabakh military leadership quoted reliable data in reporting movements of Azerbaijani troops and materiel in the eastern direction of the line of contact. The Armenian Defense Ministry issued a statement warning Azerbaijan's military and political leadership against further escalation of the situation in the conflict zone. The Armenian military insisted it is committed to the cease-fire regime. Armenia-backed separatists seized control of the mainly ethnic-Armenian Nagorno-Karabakh during a war in the early 1990s that killed some 30,000 people. Diplomatic efforts to settle the conflict have brought little progress. Sporadic Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes have become particularly frequent in recent years. Four days of heavy fighting in April 2016 reportedly killed dozens on both sides. Over the past five years, Iranian officials and state media have touted the "indigenous" ingenuity in the Islamic republic's mass-produced Mohajer-6 combat drone, which Russia has deployed in its war against Ukraine. But a new investigation by Schemes, the investigative unit of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, has found that electronic components underpinning Tehran's production of the Mohajer-6 are far from homegrown. The Mohajer-6 drones contain components produced by companies from the United States and the European Union, both of which have sanctions restricting the export to Iran of such technology that can be used for both civilian and military purposes dual-use technology. The presence of these components in the Mohajer-6 does not mean their producers are in violation of U.S. or EU sanctions, and RFE/RL does not have evidence that this is the case. The investigation also found Mohajer-6 components produced in China, including a real-time mini-camera made by a Hong Kong firm that said it was "very sorry" that its products were being used in war. At least one major foreign-produced component of the Mohajer-6 has previously been identified by reporters in a Mohajer-6 recovered from the battlefield by the Ukrainian military: an engine made by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of the Canadian company Bombardier Recreational Products. But Ukrainian intelligence assesses that the Iranian combat drone contains components from nearly three dozen different technology companies based in North America, the EU, Japan, and Taiwan, the Schemes investigation has found. A majority of these companies are based in the United States. A Schemes reporter who personally inspected the foreign-made drone parts identified components produced by at least 15 of these manufacturers. These include parts made by the U.S. technology firm Texas Instruments, which said in a statement that it does not sell into Russia or Iran and complies with applicable laws and regulations. To identify these components, Schemes reporters examined parts of the Mohajer-6 drone that the Ukrainian military shot down over the Black Sea near the Mykolayiv region coastal town of Ochakiv. They also reviewed Ukrainian intelligence records on the sources of these components. The drone also contains a microchip bearing the logo of a California technology company and a thermal-imaging camera that Ukrainian intelligence says may have been produced by a firm based in Oregon or China. Both Western officials and experts on illicit technology transfers say Iran has built a broad, global procurement network using front companies and other proxies in third countries to obtain dual-use technology from the United States and the EU. "Exporters will look at the request coming from the [United Arab Emirates] or another third country, and they'll think that they're selling to an end user based there, when really the end user is in Iran," Daniel Salisbury, a senior research fellow with the Department of War Studies at King's College London, told RFE/RL. In September, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions specifically targeting Iranian companies that Washington links to the production and transfer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to Russia for deployment in its war on Ukraine. Fighting rages with no sign of an end more than eight months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked invasion on February 24. "Non-Iranian, non-Russian entities should also exercise great caution to avoid supporting either the development of Iranian UAVs or their transfer, or sale of any military equipment to Russia for use against Ukraine," U.S. Undersecretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian Nelson said in a statement announcing the sanctions. Chinese Cameras, California Chips Development of the Mohajer-6, the latest model in a series of drones Tehran has used since the 1980s Iran-Iraq War, began in 2017, while mass production began the following year. During a ceremony commemorating the Islamic Revolution, then-Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami said that the new tactical drone could perform surveillance, reconnaissance, as well as help destroy targets. Hatami extolled what he described as the drones domestic design, a portrayal echoed in later reports by Iranian media. "The homegrown drone was made through cooperation among the army, Defense Ministry, and Quds Aviation Industries," the English-language Tehran Times quoted an Iranian military official as saying in July 2019. The dismantling of the Mohajer-6 drone recovered by the Ukrainian military shows that the UAV is packed with foreign components. One of these parts is a bright-orange real-time mini-camera produced by the Hong Kong-based company RunCam Technology. Documents seen by Schemes show that Ukrainian intelligence has also identified RunCam as the producer of the camera, which likely assists in remote guidance of the drone. Founded in 2013, RunCam is involved in the development and production of so-called "first-person-view" real-time cameras. "Our users are our friends," the company's website states. The site says that RunCam has two authorized Iranian dealers. Reached by Schemes for comment about the use of its camera in the Iranian drone deployed by Russia in its war on Ukraine, RunCam said in an e-mailed response: "We are very sorry to know that RunCam's products were used in warfare. RunCam is specialized in producing products for model aircraft hobby. We never contact any customer related to military." The provenance of the Mohajer-6 drone-s thermal-imaging camera is more difficult to determine. A Ukrainian intelligence assessment reviewed by Schemes indicates it could be the Ventus Hot model produced by Sierra-Olympic Technologies, based in the U.S. state of Oregon, but that it also resembles a cheaper analog available for sale by the Chinese company Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology. Qingdao Thundsea Marine Technology said in an e-mailed statement that the company did not "have any business with Iran," because "it will affect our business." The company said it specializes in marine services and is not involved in manufacturing. It also said that it did not have a single successful order for its online advertisement of the thermal-imaging camera resembling the one recovered from the Iranian drone. Sierra-Olympic Technologies did not respond to a request for comment on the possible use of its thermal-imaging cameras in Iranian combat drones in time for publication. Microchips recovered from the drone also featured the logos of the California-based company Linear Technology Corporation and its parent company, the Massachusetts-based semiconductor company Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). ADI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment on the possible use of its technology in the Iranian combat drone. Schemes reporters also observed among the components of the Iranian drone a voltage step-down converter produced by Texas Instruments. The company said in an e-mailed statement that it "does not sell into Russia, Belarus, or Iran." "TI complies with applicable laws and regulations in the countries where we operate, and does not support or condone the use of our products in applications they weren't designed for," Texas Instruments said. Schemes reporters also saw several components produced by the California-based technology manufacturer Xilinx, whose parent company is the multinational semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), also based in California. According to Ukrainian intelligence, one of these Xilinx components was integrated into a video data-link module located in the wing of the Mohajer-6 that helped carry out attack missions. "This module transmits information from the board to the missile head. That is, guidance for the missile. With the help of this module, it was possible to guide the missile to the target," a Ukrainian military intelligence representative told Schemes. AMD did not respond to a request for comment in time for publication. 'No Authorization' Previous media reports about the components of the Mohajer-6 drone, including by CNN, have shown evidence that its engine was produced by the Austrian manufacturer BRP-Rotax GmbH & Co KG, whose parent company is the Quebec-based Bombardier Recreational Products (BRP). The Canadian company responded to the reports on October 21, saying in a statement that it "has not authorized and has not given any authorization to its distributors to supply military UAV manufacturers in Iran or Russia." "As soon as we were made aware of this situation, we started an investigation to determine the source of the engines," BRP said. . But Schemes reporters found that the authorized Rotax distributor listed on the Austrian manufacturer's website advertised itself as a Rotax aircraft engines distributor for Iran as recently as December 2020. The distributor, the Italian company Luciano Sorlini S.p.a., has posted multiple magazine advertisements on its websites in which it describes itself as a Rotax distributor for numerous countries. Prior to January 2021, Iran was listed among these countries. The Rotax website also lists a Tehran-based company -- MahtaWing -- as an official service center for its engines. The company, known in Persian as Mahtabal, conducts repairs of Rotax engines, including the Rotax 912 iS, the engine that was found in the Mohajer-6 combat drone recovered in Ukraine. BRP said in an e-mailed statement on November 4 that while Luciano Sorlini S.p.a. is the appointed distributor of Rotax aircraft engines in Iran, "since 2019, no Rotax engines have been sold in Iran, and we will not sell any engines to Iran moving forward." The Canadian company said it had "internal controls" that "significantly" restrict the sale of its products for military purposes. "For example, the sale of any BRP product to operators with any military activity in Iran, Turkey, and Russia is strictly prohibited," BRP said. "We conduct our business in compliance with all EU, Canadian, and U.S. applicable regulations." BRP described the Iranian company MahtaWing as a "local service center" that "offers maintenance services for previously sold aircraft engines." Shahriar Siami of RFE/RL's Radio Farda contributed to this report. A reporter working for an Iraqi Kurdish television channel was killed by the explosion of a roadside bomb February 25 during fighting between government troops and Islamic State militants in Mosul. The Rudaw news organization said in a statement that 30-year-old Shifa Gardi, a presenter for Rudaw, was killed in a bomb attack, and cameraman Younis Mustafa was injured on the outskirts of Mosul. Gardi was presenting a daily special program on the Mosul offensive when the explosion occurred. A statement on Rudaw's website described her as one of the organization's "most daring journalists." Several journalists have been injured in the Mosul operation, and an Iraqi television journalist, Ali Raysan, was killed covering the battle in October. Iraq is one of the world's most-dangerous places for journalists. It was ranked 158th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2016 World Press Freedom Index. Based on reporting by AFP and AP Russian and Ukrainian forces exchanged heavy artillery fire in multiple locations, officials in both countries said, as Russian-appointed officials continued evacuating people from the west bank of the Dnieper River amid a mounting Ukrainian counteroffensive. 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. Ukraine's national grid operator, meanwhile, said on November 5 that it would increase rolling blackouts in Kyiv and seven other regions as the countrys national grid remained severely damaged by weeks of Russian air strikes. Electricity consumption is rising across Ukraine as the weather turns colder, and energy providers have raced to do repairs, ordering planned power cuts to avoid overloads. Ukraines General Staff said that its troops thwarted Russian attacks a day earlier in the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk regions. The military also claimed that Ukrainian air defenses shot down multiple Russian and Iranian drones and two Kalibr cruise missiles. The claim could not be immediately verified. The head of the Vynnytsya region, Serhiy Borzov, said the central region was hit overnight by Russian kamikaze drones. Russian troops have been actively using Iranian drones in recent weeks to attack critical civilian and infrastructure objectives. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the fiercest fighting over the last week had taken place around Bakhmut and Soledar in Donetsk and that Ukrainian forces are holding their positions there and elsewhere. He also spoke of "good gains" in the south, praising infantry and artillery brigades for destroying enemy equipment, Russian manpower. The claims of battlefield success could not be independently verified. Ukrainian forces have been mounting a slow, incremental counteroffensive in the southern Kherson region for weeks now, moving closer to directly threatening the Dnieper River port of Kherson, which was captured early after Russias February invasion. In response, Russian authorities have been evacuating civilians and military troops to the opposite bank of the Dnieper. Kirill Stremousov, deputy head of the Russia-installed administration in the Kherson region, announced a 24-hour curfew on November 4, saying it was necessary to defend it from an expected Ukrainian attack. The Russian military said "more than 5,000 civilians" were being evacuated daily to the east bank of the river. And Russian President Vladimir Putin on November 4 called for civilians to be moved out from Kherson. Those who live in Kherson must now be removed from the zone of the most dangerous hostilities, Putin said in remarks broadcast on state television. The civilian population should not suffer from shelling, from the offensive, counteroffensive, and other measures related to military operations. Russias Defense Ministry said on November 5 that troops had repelled Ukrainian attacks in in the Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kherson regions. In the Kherson region, which the Kremlin last month declared had been annexed, authorities reported the heaviest artillery fire in days. Ukrainian officials have likened the departures of Kherson residents to Soviet-style deportations, though its unclear to what extent the departures are forced or voluntary. Russian officials said people were being moved to safety from the path of the Ukrainian advance. Ukraines counteroffensives in Kherson and the northern Kharkiv region have been powered in large part by powerful Western weaponry. On November 4, the U.S. Defense Department announced another $400 million shipment of weapons and other equipment, including refurbished tanks, surface-to-air missiles, new coastal defense boats, and other items. The announcement came around the same time that the U.S. national-security adviser, Jake Sullivan, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv to meet with top Ukrainian officials. At a news conference later, Sullivan sought again to calm Ukrainian jitters about whether U.S. weapons would continue after the upcoming midterm U.S. congressional elections. Polls show that Republicans are poised to take control of one, or possibly both, chambers of Congress, and a small but vocal number of Republicans have voiced misgivings about the amount and duration of U.S. aid for Ukraine. There will be no wavering, Sullivan said at a news conference. Im confident U.S. support for Ukraine will be unwavering and unflinching. Asked about the prospect of peace talks with Russia, Sullivan repeated what U.S. officials have said in the past: "Nothing is discussed about Ukraine without Ukraine." "For me, the main question about these negotiations is what a just peace looks like and how it can be achieved, Sullivan said. If you look at Russian accusations, Russian actions, in particular regarding the annexation of [Ukrainian] territories, it does not really encourage negotiations. With reporting by RFE/RLs Ukrainian Service, Reuters, dpa, and AP MOSCOW -- A brawling businessman who assaulted an attendant and forced his way into the cockpit mid-flight. An intoxicated man from Nizhny Novgorod who terrified passengers by yelling about a bomb on board. A plane delayed 90 minutes because of a drunk lawmaker who refused to get off. These are just a few in a steady stream of stories of alcohol-fueled shenanigans and mayhem involving airline passengers that have emerged in the Russian media, often accompanied by YouTube videos taken by witnesses. Statistics from the International Air Transport Association show that incidents of airborne unruliness are on the rise across the world, but in Russia people's patience has neared the breaking point. "People have finally become fed up being hostage to travelers' drunken antics, and society has started demanding that more radical measures be taken against fans of 'having a few' before a long journey," the government newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta wrote last month. Since the beginning of 2017, new legislative initiatives have been drafted and unveiled seeking to rein in potentially dangerous actions by airline passengers. This week, legislation was touted in the pages of the Kommersant newspaper proposing to create a blacklist for individuals who "threaten flight security" or the "life and health of others." The legislation, drafted by the State Dumas Transportation Committee, would see past offenders banned from flying for three years in all but exceptional circumstances, such as to attend a funeral or for medical treatment. On January 31, influential lawmaker Pavel Krasheninnikov unveiled draft legislation that would increase the punishment for "hooliganism" on planes and other forms of transportation to five years jail, or up to seven years if such actions are carried out by a group. The drive for the new legislation appears to have been prompted by President Vladimir Putin, who last year came out in support of more stringent legislation. Vitaly Savyolov, director of the state-owned airline Aeroflot, suggested during a September meeting with Putin that certain offenses be subject to criminal prosecution and that fines of up to 500,000 rubles ($8,550) be introduced. He also asked for permission to use plastic handcuffs and belts to restrain unruly passengers. He said that cabin crews have to resort to tying up out-of-control passengers with blankets and that they "suffer from this considerably." "I support your suggestion," Putin replied in a transcript of the meeting. "It's long been time to do this." Kommersant notes that, in the past, tough new legislative proposals have often been touted immediately after particularly troubling instances of violence on planes. In 2014, businessman Sergei Kabalov was jailed for 3 1/2 years for assaulting an attendant and breaking into the cockpit by force. Soon after, lawmakers proposed jailing such offenders for 10 years, while the Interior Ministry proposed banning drunk passengers who had to be removed from airliners from flying for five years. Several lawmakers themselves have been involved in the types of in-air incidents they are trying to curb. In October 2013, lawmaker Andrei Isayev was forced to quit his post in the general council of the ruling United Russia party after he and his assistant were removed from a flight for drunken behavior. In June 2014, lawmaker Aleksandr Khinshtein was seen on video badmouthing the cabin crew on a domestic flight. The IATA released figures in September that indicate that 10,854 incidents of unruliness were recorded worldwide in 2015, compared to 9,316 in 2014. Ukrainian lawmaker Nadia Savchenko visited areas of eastern Ukraine held by Russia-backed separatists on February 24 to meet with Ukrainian prisoners there, irking many of her compatriots in Kyiv. Savchenko, a former military navigator who was jailed in Russia for two years before her release last year, visited a prison in Makiivka. She said on Facebook that her goal is to help free Ukrainian prisoners. Following her visit with six prisoners, she told reporters that her goal is to arrange an "all for all" exchange of prisoners held by both sides. Savchenko was given a hero's welcome in Ukraine after being released from Russian prison, but she has since then become a controversial figure due to her criticism of the Ukrainian government and her calls for a dialogue with separatists to end the fighting that has killed more than 9,750 people since April 2014. Following a meeting in December with separatist leaders in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Savchenko was pushed out of her parliamentary faction. Oleksandr Tkachuk, spokesman for Ukraine's domestic security agency, the SBU, said on February 24 that the agency will look into Savchenko's trip, which he said is causing "bewilderment." Based on reporting by AP, TASS, and Interfax The longest-serving U.S. diplomat warned against isolationism and Russian aggression in a speech at his retirement celebration on February 24. Ambassador Dan Fried said the gains for liberty and democracy that came after the West's "improbable victory in the Cold War" are now in danger because of a combination of faltering confidence and unity in the West and Russian aggression. "The West's great institutions, NATO and the EU, grew to embrace 100 million liberated Europeans," said Fried, who served for nearly 40 years, including as ambassador to the Soviet Union and Poland before becoming assistant secretary of state for Europe. "I learned never to underestimate the possibility of change," he said. "Nothing can be taken for granted, and this great achievement is now under assault by Russia." "It is for the present generation to defend and, when the time comes again, extend freedom in Europe." He warned against the United States turning inward and granting Russia and China their wish to dominate their regions of the world. "Spheres of influence...would mean our acquiescence when great powers starting with Russia and China dominated their neighbors through force and fear, while creating closed economic empires," he said. Based on reporting by Reuters and NPR.org Afghan officials say 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander have been killed in an attack in the northern province of Zawzjan. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the provincial governor, said the officers were ambushed on February 24 as they were coming out of a mosque in the Darzab district. A local police commander was among the dead and his wife was also killed when she rushed to the scene, Ghafori added. Brigadier General Rahmatullah Turkistani, the provincial police chief, said four militants were killed and six others wounded in retaliatory firing. Ghafori blamed the attack on Islamic State (IS) militants, but the Taliban claimed responsibility. IS-linked militants have been active in eastern Afghanistan, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. The Taliban frequently target officials and security forces across Afghanistan. Based on reporting by AP, dpa, and Pajhwok The top U.S. military commander in the Middle East made a secret trip to northern Syria on February 24 to meet with allied Syrian forces fighting the Islamic State (IS) group. General Joseph Votel met with leaders of the Syrian Democratic Forces in the first such trip since President Donald Trump took office. An alliance spokeman said the visit was "positive"and Votel confirmed U.S. support for the Kurdish-led coalition, which has been the most effective U.S. ally battling IS in Syria. The alliance has seized swathes of territory from IS across northern Syria, relying on advice and air support from U.S. special operations forces. The Pentagon has been reviewing its strategy in Syria under orders from Trump to expedite the defeat of IS. Votel said more U.S. troops might be needed to speed the effort, although he said the United States would continue to rely on Syrian ground forces. "I am very concerned about maintaining momentum," Votel said. "It could be that we take on a larger burden ourselves." The Syrian forces may not have all the "mobility" and "firepower" needed, he said, "so we have to be prepared to fill in some of those gaps." Based on reporting by AFP and Reuters U.S. congressional Democrats expressed outrage that the White House asked the FBI to refute news reports about contacts between Russian intelligence officials and associates of President Donald Trump. U.S. House of Representatives Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi called on the Justice Department on February 24 to investigate the legality of White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus's request that top FBI officials push back against news stories alleging there were repeated contacts between Russian agents and Trump's campaign last year. "Priebus has committed an outrageous breach of the FBI's independence," Pelosi said. "Priebus has not only damaged his reputation but tainted the impartiality of the FBI." Senator Ron Wyden (Democrat-Oregon), a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, which is investigating alleged Russian interference in the election, called on FBI Director James Comey to testify before the committee. Trump's spokesman, Sean Spicer, said on February 24 that it was Comey and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe who approached the White House to say a New York Times article --alleging that Trump advisers had contacts with Russian intelligence officials -- was wrong. Spicer said Priebus then asked the two FBI officials if they would condemn the story publicly, which they declined to do. Spicer argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comey's assistance in rebutting what the spokesman said were inaccurate reports. Based on reporting by AP, The New York Times, The Hill, and The Washington Examiner A U.S. military judge declined to dismiss a desertion case against Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl despite President Donald Trump's labeling of the former Taliban prisoner as a "traitor." While Trump's criticism was "problematic," the judge ruled on February 24, it hasn't prevented the soldier from getting a fair trial on charges that he endangered comrades by walking off his post in Afghanistan in 2009, an act which led to his capture by the Taliban. Bergdahl's lawyers had argued that Trump tainted the case with bias by repeatedly calling Bergdahl a "traitor" while he was campaigning for office last year. Bergdahl's case is scheduled for trial in April. He could face life in prison if convicted on charges of desertion and misbehavior before the enemy. The Judge, Army Colonel Jeffery Nance, wrote in his ruling that Trump's comments were "disturbing and disappointing," butamounted to campaign-trail rhetoric and shouldn't impair the impartiality of potential jurors. Bergdahl's lead defense attorney, Eugene Fidell, said that he will appeal Nance's ruling. The defense has cited more than 40 instances of Trump criticism at public appearances last year, including saying Berdahl "should be shot" or pushed out of a plane without a parachute. Based on reporting by AP and the Idaho Statesman The Associated Press reported on February 24 that U.S. security analysts have found no clear terror threat from citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries targeted in President Donald Trump's temporary travel ban. According to a draft document obtained by AP, analysts at the Department of Homeland Security's intelligence unit concluded that citizenship in the targeted countries is an "unlikely indicator" of a person's potential to conduct a terror attack and that few people from those countries have carried out attacks or been involved in terrorism-related activities in the United States. The countries listed in the temporary travel ban were Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Trump cited terrorism concerns as his reason for signing the sweeping temporary travel ban on January 27, which also halted the U.S. refugee program. A U.S. district court judge in Washington state blocked the government from carrying out the order earlier this month. Doubts about whether Trump's order appropriately targeted countries which are the source of terrorist threats to the United States was a major issue raised by the U.S. appeals court in San Francisco which upheld the lower court's block on the order. AP said a spokeswoman for Homeland Security did not dispute the authenticity of the draft document but said it was not a final, comprehensive review of information from all the government's intelligence sources. "The document you're referencing was commentary from a single intelligence source versus an official, robust document with thorough interagency sourcing," spokeswoman Gillian Christensen told AP. "The...report does not include data from other intelligence community sources. It is incomplete." AP said the three-page analysis, which Trump reportedly requested after the order was blocked by the courts, was based on publicly available information such as press releases about Justice Department terrorism cases, the State Department's visa statistics and country reports on terrorism, and the 2016 Worldwide Threat Assessment from the U.S. intelligence community. AP said the analysis challenged Trump's core claim that the United States was endangered by visitors from the seven targeted countries. Of 82 people the U.S. government has determined were inspired by a foreign terrorist group to carry out or try to carry out attacks in the United States, it said that just over half were U.S. citizens born in the United States. The others were from 26 countries, led by Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iraq, and Uzbekistan. One person each was from Iran, Sudan, and Yemen, but none from Syria -- the nation restricted most severely in the Trump order, which included an indefinite ban on taking in Syrian refugees. The analysis also found that terrorist organizations in Iran, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan are regionally focused, while groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen do pose a threat to the United States. The White House has said it is in the process of writing a replacement order that will be issued next week, but AP said the revised order is expected to target the same seven countries as the original order. Trump told a gathering of conservatives in Washington on February 24 that "we will not be deterred from this course." He vowed that would "never apologize" for protecting the safety of the American people and promised that "we are going to keep radical Islamic terrorism the hell out of the country." Based on reporting by AP The Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia is looking for a new executive director. Tasha Chambers, museum head since August 2015, has resigned and will leave the museum Feb. 28. Adele Johnson will start as interim executive director March 1. Johnson, who has been a consultant to the museum, will lead a national search for a new executive director while also overseeing the staff and operations. She has more than 25 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, resource development and planning. Marilyn West, chairwoman of the museums board of directors, said the board applauds what she (Chambers) was able to do. ... She came in and did a yeomans job of guiding the museum through its transition from Clay Street to the Leigh Street Armory. The board also saw a tremendous opportunity for us to be in a position to engage Adele as interim director, West added. Adele Johnson ... has a unique and keen grasp of the tremendous opportunities the museum can embrace. Her advice and support have been a vital asset to the museum, and we look forward to her contributions as interim executive director. Johnson is principal consultant of The Inclusive Edge, a management consulting firm. She has previously been executive director of the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, community relations director at Capital One and president of the Virginia Minority Supplier Development Council. Chambers said she was looking for opportunities that would allow more time with her family, including Imani, who was born a month before the museum reopened in May 2016 in its new location in the restored Leigh Street Armory. Richmond Councilwoman Kim Gray is asking the city to delay moving forward with a plan for a pair of bike lanes that would intersect downtown Richmond from the Lee Bridge to Jackson Ward. The project, which would put the lanes on First and Second streets, is one of several bike infrastructure plans in the city recently awarded $2.26 million in federal transportation funding. The City Council was scheduled to vote to accept the money at its meeting Monday, but Gray said they agreed to a one-month delay after a meeting with city traffic engineers Friday. Nobody in the community was aware of the changes that were being proposed, Gray said. So were going to slow it down and try to have a conversation with the community and see where we end up. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoneys press secretary, Jim Nolan, confirmed Stoneys administration had agreed to the delay. At a City Council committee meeting last week, the citys bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, Jakob Helmboldt, said the project came out of the citys bike master plan process, which was completed in 2015. Helmboldt said the project would not reduce parking but could potentially reduce the number of travel lanes for cars from two to one. He said an exact design could not be developed until the city has the grant money, which would pay for planning and traffic studies. He noted the previous council unanimously supported a resolution supporting the decision to seek funding for the project. Bike Walk RVA director Max Hepp-Buchanan spoke in favor of the project and offered his organizations assistance with community meetings. We dont want people to be blindsided by this kind of thing, he said. Marilyn Milio, the president of the Historic Jackson Ward Association, said shes simply seeking more information, though she has doubts about the proposed streets. We certainly want to be able to increase bike traffic in the city, she said. I think were not quite sure First and Second streets are the appropriate streets to be using, so were really looking forward to hearing a more in-depth response from the city. The grant for the downtown bike lanes is $240,000. The council is still scheduled to move forward with an ordinance authorizing the city to accept $250,000 for a bicycle boulevard meant to prioritize bike travel on 29th Street in Church Hill. It would be the citys second. An April 25 execution date was set Friday for Ivan Teleguz, convicted of the 2001 murder-for-hire of his ex-girlfriend in Rockingham County. Last October, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear appeals from Teleguz and another Virginia death-row inmate, Ricky Javon Gray, who was executed last month. Michael F. Williams, one of Teleguzs lawyers, said Friday that he plans to go back to court, this time in light of a ruling by the Supreme Court this week in an ineffective assistance of counsel case, and to seek clemency from Gov. Terry McAuliffe. We still plan on thoroughly litigating the issues and seeking all appropriate stays of relief from the execution date but also focusing our efforts on clemency given the significant amount of doubt that we believe is present in Mr. Teleguzs case, Williams said. Teleguz, 38, was sentenced to death in 2006 for the capital murder-for-hire slaying of his ex-girlfriend, Stephanie Yvonne Sipe, the mother of their 23-month-old son. Sipe was stabbed to death in her Harrisonburg apartment. According to a Virginia Supreme Court summary of the case, Teleguz, who had moved to Pennsylvania, was angry that he had been ordered to pay child support. He hired Edwin Lee Gilkes Jr. and Michael Anthony Hetrick to kill Sipe for $2,000. On July 21, 2001, Teleguz drove the two men from Pennsylvania to Harrisonburg and he told Hetrick he wanted Sipes throat cut. Teleguz waited in the car while the two men bought a fillet knife and then drove them to Sipes apartment, pointed it out to them and dropped them off nearby. Sipe suffered defensive wounds and three other knife wounds. One wound went from the left side of her neck to the right side, and the fatal wound was 2 inches deep into her trachea, larynx and a major artery. The body was discovered July 23, 2001. A neighbor covered Sipes body with a blanket and then found her 23-month-old son, unharmed, in a bathtub full of water. Aleksey Safanov, who was facing federal criminal charges, told a deputy U.S. marshal that Teleguz had hired a man from Lancaster, Pa., to kill Sipe because Teleguz was angry about having to pay child support. Police were led to Gilkes, who led them to Hetrick, who eventually confessed. In a news release Friday, Williams and Elizabeth Peiffer, with the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, said they will seek clemency and ask McAuliffe to stop this execution because significant evidence developed since Teleguzs trial shows his conviction and death sentence are based on lies. Two of the three witnesses who provided the only evidence against Teleguz at his trial have recanted in sworn statements, admitting they lied at trial, they wrote. The third witness is Stephanie Sipes confessed killer, Michael Hetrick, who would be on death row himself if not for a deal he made with the Commonwealth requiring him to testify against Teleguz, they said. More than 100,000 people have signed a Change.org petition asking McAuliffe to prevent Teleguzs execution in light of the critical, conflicting, and unresolved evidence and many unanswered questions that remain in this case, they said. According to his lawyers, no physical or DNA evidence linked Teleguz to the crime. In exchange for their testimony, the state promised that Hetrick would avoid a death sentence and Safanov would benefit from a request to federal authorities that he receive a reduction in the sentence he faced for unrelated federal gun crimes. Among other things, Gilkes and Safanov admitted in sworn statements that they perjured themselves during the trial and had no evidence that Teleguz was involved in Sipes murder, Williams and Pfeiffer said . In 2013, a federal court ruled that a hearing was needed, but by then Safanov had been deported to Kyrgyzstan and shortly before the hearing, Gilkes and Hetrick were told that if they testified differently from their trial testimony, they would violate their plea agreements and face re-prosecution, according to Teleguzs lawyers. As a result, Gilkes refused to testify and Hetrick stuck to the story he told at trial, they contend. They are asking McAuliffe to examine whether Teleguz should be executed in light of evidence that raises doubt about his guilt. The Virginia Department of Corrections said last year, before Grays execution, that they had enough drugs on hand to conduct two lethal injections if required. Virginia death row inmates can choose between lethal injection or the electric chair. Lethal injection is the default means if they refuse to choose. Police are investigating two burglaries that were reported on Catherine Street, according to an alert sent out Friday night by Virginia Commonwealth University. The crimes occurred in the 700 and 800 blocks of Catherine Street where one or more suspects entered residences through open windows, VCU said in its alert. University officials reminded students to lock all doors and windows, even while they're at home. They also said residents should never hide a key outside their home because burglars know all the hiding spots. Richmond Police are investigating and patrols have been increased in the area, according to VCU. CULPEPER Bailey Wilsons sketch detailing diversity could garner her $30,000 toward a college scholarship and a $50,000 Google for Education grant for Culpeper County High School to go toward the establishment and improvement of a computer lab or technology program. Thats if the 16-year-old Culpeper County High junior wins the Doodle for Google national campaign, a contest open to K-12 students across the United States to redesign the online Google logo inspired by the theme What I see for the future. During a Thursday assembly at the school, two Google representatives revealed that Bailey is one of 53 winners from the 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam for the ninth annual competition. Bailey will represent Virginia during the national competition in March. Her image, Stronger Together, represents a future in which all hatred and negativity has ceased to exist. It features nine culturally diverse citizens standing in front of a brick wall with the words Respect, Love, Strength, Unity and Peace, around the word Google. The Os in Google are also filled with a peace sign and a heart. I drew this because I think its really important, especially now, that everyone is included and that theres respect and love for everyone, and Im really happy that I was chosen for this message to be put out there, said Bailey, who shared that it took about six hours to complete the piece. It was selected from thousands of entries received this year. About 125 Culpeper art and graphic design students filled the auditorium to see Baileys recognition. To help select the national finalist, people from across the country may vote for their favorite doodle. Voting is open through March 6. The public vote will determine the five national finalists (one in each grade group). Historical figures are an easy target on college campuses today. If any aspect of their lives offends students 21st century sensibilities, activists demand that they be erased from campus edifices and dialogue. In 2015, during my senior year at Princeton, protesters demanded that our university president remove Woodrow Wilsons name from our school of public policy and from a residential college due to Wilsons support of segregation. This past year, in response to an email quoting Thomas Jefferson, students and professors created a petition demanding that administrators at the University of Virginia a school known as Mr. Jeffersons University because of his fundamental role in its founding refrain from acknowledging Jefferson because he was a slave-owner. It is unfortunate enough that our institutions of higher learning have failed to promote a more nuanced understanding of historical figures among their students. However, recent efforts by city councils to remove monuments to Virginias Civil War past indicate that this practice has now spread from the ivory towers of academia and entered mainstream politics. This month, following similar action by other localities, the Charlottesville City Council voted 3-2 to remove a statue of Robert E. Lee from aptly named Lee Park and to rename that space. Demands either from university activists or from local politicians to remove such monuments are framed as being necessary to avoid offending certain groups. Protesters at Princeton argued that removing Wilsons name was necessary because his presence made some students feel unwelcome. According to the Associated Press, Charlottesville Councilor Wes Bellamy claimed that the Lee statue was culturally offensive to some residents. Nevertheless, shielding students or citizens from things that offend them is not the primary role of universities or governments, especially when, in order to protect feelings, institutions end up censoring speech and shirking concrete responsibilities. Feelings are, by definition, subjective. Principles of free speech and expression demand that public institutions value the feelings or opinions of all citizens equally. Therefore, whether something is offensive to some people is not, by itself, a sufficient justification for eradicating it. While certain citizens may share Bellamys assertion that the statue is offensive, others no doubt view it as a symbol of Virginias heritage and would likely consider its removal to be offensive. In order to represent everyone fairly, institutions should objectively consider the overall contributions of individuals in the context of their historical period rather than arbitrarily prioritizing the current feelings of certain people over others. Even within demographic groups, individuals are not a monolith. As one African-American speaker said, Dont play black folks for a fool. Our parents didnt hate the statue. Unfortunately, soothing the emotions of a small group has superseded pragmatic solutions that could have provided a substantive benefit to Charlottesvilles residents. City staff estimated that removing the statue would cost taxpayers more than $300,000, not including hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Charlottesville could have spent that money refurbishing school buildings, starting a scholarship for disadvantaged youth, or erecting a statue of an African-American icon. Public institutions also have an objective interest in promoting a robust understanding of history. Even the most progressive reformers were still creatures of the times in which they lived, often condoning certain injustices that would not be tolerated today. Condemning historic injustices should not prevent us from also honoring the positive contributions of previous generations. For example, although Woodrow Wilson held reprehensible views on race, as the 13th president of Princeton University he was ahead of his time with regard to religious diversity and hired Princetons first Jewish and Catholic professors. General Lee fought for a cause that included slavery, but he also described slavery as a moral and political evil. Virginians honor Lee for his loyalty to the commonwealth and exceptional skills on the battlefield, not to celebrate barbaric practices of the Confederacy. Regardless of whether these particular figures hold significance for readers, the principles justifying the removal of their monuments could be used against any figure society holds dear. If institutions can praise only historical figures whose actions conform to modern morals, we will not be able to honor anyone from the past, and our cultural identity will suffer. Fortunately, even if historical revisionism wins out, opponents of this trend will have the last laugh. Two hundred years from now, when future generations refuse to honor any figure who does not fit their moral criteria, none of todays campus activists or local politicians will pass muster either. A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind. The Virginia law firm of Wood Rogers PLC will donate $50,000 to the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation in support of the new RAMP technology business accelerator opening in downtown Roanoke. Under a five year agreement, Woods Rogers will contribute $10,000 per year to RAMP beginning in 2017 and concluding in 2021. The Educational Foundation is a nonprofit organization associated with Virginia Western Community College, which will provide business education programming at RAMP, located in the old Gill Memorial Hospital building at 709 S. Jefferson Street in downtown Roanoke. The Educational Foundation is proud to support the RAMP initiative and its mission to create jobs in Roanoke, said Dr. Angela M. Garcia Falconetti, Executive Director of the Educational Foundation and Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Virginia Western Community College. RAMP provides an example of the direct role that institutions of higher education can play in economic development. RAMPs mission is to propel high-potential startups to expand and create jobs in the STEM-H (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Health) fields. Other partners in the initiative include the City of Roanoke, which won a state grant to complete renovations on the historical Gill Memorial site; and the Roanoke-Blacksburg Technology Council, which will recruit RAMP participants and provide them mentorship and networking opportunities. "It is an honor to be part of RAMP from Day One," said Dan Summerlin, President of Woods Rogers. "We firmly believe that entrepreneurs and start-up companies are a vital part of the economic future of Roanoke and of Virginia as well. Woods Rogers and its Emerging Growth practice group are committed to helping this initiative succeed. We look forward to being an active contributor of counsel and ideas to RAMP's participants." RAMP, which stands for Regional Acceleration and Mentoring Program, is accepting applicants for its first participant teams through March 15. Learn more at www.ramprb.tech. The program is expected to start in June 2017. RAMP participants will benefit from a mentoring program, networking opportunities, business education and access to capital. The inaugural program includes an intensive boot camp that culminates in a $5,000 prize for the accelerator company offering the best jobs-creation strategy. The programs model, based on best practices garnered from existing successful business accelerators, will initially focus on accelerating three to five technology- or life science-focused companies in the first cohort. Companies accepted into RAMP will work closely with multiple mentors to focus on building, testing, improving, validating product-market fit, and launching their product for the market. To be considered for RAMP, applicants must: Agree to locate their company, rent-free, inside the accelerator for a six-month residency; Have a minimum viable product, preferably with sales traction; Work full time on their startup during the program; Have a product or service employing workers in the STEM-H field, with scalability potential; Be willing to consider operating their company in the Roanoke-Blacksburg region after graduation. Submitted by Josh Meyer RICHMOND Del. Greg Habeeb stepped to the podium, grabbed the microphone and immediately transitioned from lawmaker to political funnyman with all the swagger of a professional comic. For 15 minutes, he roasted nearly everyone involved in Virginia politics, himself included, at an annual reception earlier this month similar to the White House Correspondents Dinner. The jokes, coming out of his mouth at his typical lightning-fast pace, were off the record. But they had people within the Capitol talking for weeks afterward, some saying he upstaged the events keynote speaker, former Gov. Bob McDonnell. Habeeb, R-Salem, jumped into his stand-up comedy role with the same intensity and wry sense of humor he brings to Virginias House of Delegates. And just like his jokes, many of which he borrowed from fellow legislators, Habeeb has been building on the work of lawmakers before him to reform the process by which felons regain the right to vote and own firearms. Last year, the rights restoration issue became highly politicized after Gov. Terry McAuliffe tried to restore rights to about 206,000 felons in one executive order. Republicans challenged McAuliffe in court, arguing that the governor was required to review each request individually. The Supreme Court of Virginia sided with Republicans but eventually upheld a process McAuliffe now uses in which he quickly restores felons voting rights. Legislators on both sides of the aisle filed felon rights reform plans during the current General Assembly session. None succeeded. But even before last years drama, Habeeb, who has sponsored rights restoration reform measures for six years , was quietly trying to change the status quo. The Youth Governor Habeeb, 40, did not grow up teeming with political aspirations. He insists that despite his deep interest in history and public policy, he never really wanted to be a politician, although he was elected Youth Governor of Virginia as a Christiansburg High School junior. Later, as a politics major at Wake Forest University, Habeeb interned for former Gov. George Allen and former U.S. Sen. John Warner. He then attended law school at Wake Forest. Today, hes a partner at Gentry Locke in Roanoke. As a boy, Habeebs family talked about the rarity of true democracy during visits to Williamsburg and Jamestown. It was then that Habeeb began musing about the countrys founding and the right to vote. Im fascinated by the idea that literally, every qualified voter it doesnt matter their education, their money, their background gets the same say, he said. So, the super sophisticated CEO and the person who cleans the bathrooms at the CEOs office get literally the exact same say in the political process. But it wasnt until voters elected then-House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith of Salem to Congress in 2010 that Habeeb started thinking like a politician. Because many were skeptical Griffith could beat longtime U.S. Rep Rick Boucher for the 9th Congressional District seat, local Republicans hadnt chosen a nominee to fill Griffiths House seat. The conversation immediately turned to who would Republicans run for the 8th District in a special election that would have to be called, said David Suetterlein, now Roanoke Countys state senator. Eyes turned to Habeeb, a former Salem Republican Committee chairman, who had led the party successfully for two years , he said. At the time, Suetterlein worked for Ralph Smith, who held the 19th District Senate seat. Suetterlein lives in Habeebs district. During discussions that followed, some local Republicans argued against nominating Habeeb , Suetterlein said. They thought he was too aggressive, Suetterlein said. Greg is direct, he said. Some folks dont like that, but as a partner working for the region its great to have someone that you can speak with directly and honestly. Then and now, some in the Roanoke Valley confuse Habeeb with his brother, Salem High School Principal Scott Habeeb. In 2010, Smith anticipating Habeeb would win the election requested his aide get a plaque engraved to go with the flag that would be flown over Virginias Capitol on Jan. 11, 2011, the day of the special election. The presumptive plaque read: This flag was flown over the Capitol of Virginia on the day of Greg Habeebs first election to the House of Delegates. Days before the election, when Suetterlein picked up the plaque from an engraver on Williamson Road, the man behind the counter mentioned he lived in Salem, and said he thought Habeeb was one of the best people involved in education at Salem High School. I just responded with, Its a really great family, and I hope youll vote for Greg Habeeb next Tuesday, he said. Habeeb easily won the special election and hasnt had an opponent in three subsequent regular elections. This year, however, two Democrats are seeking their partys nomination to oppose Habeeb in November. Changing the debate When Habeeb lists his reasons for fighting to reform the process by which felons regain the right to vote and carry firearms, he steps into lawyer mode and attacks the problem from multiple angles. He argues the emotional, practical and philosophical sides of changing the current system , which defers to the governor to restore felons rights. Emotional: As a dad to three young children, Habeeb takes his kids with him when he goes to vote. Together, they talk about what it means to be a citizen, and how citizens can improve their communities via voting. Disenfranchisement creates generational harm within society wherein people begin to lose hope that they can change their environment and improve their situation through the electoral process, he said. Habeeb adamantly agrees those who commit felonies deserve punishments. But felons dont deserve to be stigmatized forever, he said. When you take someone like that who has done everything they can to make right, truly make right, then I think not just having a path to those people becoming whole citizens, but to welcome them back in as whole citizens is something we should celebrate, he said. Practical: Access to voting rights should not be subject to a governors whim, because it is bad policy to allow whoever wins an election to set the procedure. The procedure could vary wildly from one governor to the next, Habeeb said. Philosophical: People on the other side of the debate argue that its not hard for felons to fill out the form to petition the governor to regain their rights, but that sets a bad precedent, Habeeb said. Its a philosophical question of should the burden be on society to sort of welcome those people back proactively, or should we put someone through the process or embarrassment of having to ask for that permission, he said. Before Habeeb, former Del. Onzlee Ware fought for automatic restoration of felons rights. The African American Democrat from Roanoke became a mentor and friend to Habeeb. Before Ware stepped down in 2014 to become a juvenile court judge, the two legislators worked in tandem to reform the rights restoration process. As a judge, ethics rules prevented Ware from commenting for this report. This had been for too many years, a partisan, racial urban suburban divide issue, Habeeb said. It was about black versus white, it was about Republican versus Democrat, it was about urban versus suburban. And the debate, I didnt think, was being had at the right level. Habeebs proposal Numerous constitutional amendments reforming rights restoration died in the House Privileges and Elections Committee this year. But that doesnt deter Habeeb who, assuming he seeks and wins re-election, will be back next year with similar legislation. Habeebs amendment would have made rights restoration automatic for nonviolent felons who have completed their sentences, probation and paid all fines and court costs. Violent felons could request the governor restore their rights two years after serving their time and paying their fines. The General Assembly, though, would have had the power to define which offenses are considered violent. Many legislators considered Habeebs amendment to be the best avenue for rights reform proposed this year. But members of the House Privileges and Elections Committee faced more than two dozen constitutional amendments. They had to reduce then to the top few issues, or risk overwhelming voters who would see the questions on their ballots. Del. Jason Miyares, R-Virginia Beach, supported Habeebs now-defunct bill because it shifted more power back to the General Assembly. Miyares sits on the elections committee. By restoring rights en masse shortly after the General Assembly adjourned last year, Miyares said McAuliffe burned the bridge of working with legislators to reform the rights restoration process during his administration. But the assured presence of a new governor in 2018 provides hope for reform. The next governor will come in I dont care if its a Republican or Democrat theyll come in with more credibility, Miyares said. While constitutional amendments bypass the governor, McAuliffe wasnt supportive of the rights restoration reform plans that went to the General Assembly this year , spokesman Brian Coy said. McAuliffe opposed aspects of Habeebs proposed amendment that would have differentiated between violent and nonviolent felons and kept felons from regaining the right to vote until after they pay off their court costs. [McAuliffe] didnt want to see Virginia move backward from the policy we have now, Coy said. Having restored rights to 151,000 felons, 133,000 in the past year, McAuliffe is on track to restore more rights than any other governor, Coy said. Before leaving office, McAuliffe will likely restore rights to most eligible felons in the commonwealth. McAuliffes actions last year brought rights restoration to the forefront, said Del. Nick Rush, R-Christiansburg. While there were multiple opportunities for the General Assembly to change the process, none was good enough to go to the voters, said Rush, who sits on the elections committee. Constitutional amendments require a more rigorous process as they have to pass the General Assembly twice in two separate years before heading to voters. Its an issue that everybody has a lot of ideas on, and its probably going to take a few years to coalesce around a few to get it right, Rush said. Sometimes, good legislation takes time. Rep. Tom Garrett, R-Buckingham, has scheduled two in-person town hall meetings. The first town hall will be held in Charlottesville at 7 p.m. March 13. The second will be held in Moneta at 7 p.m. May 9. According to a news release, specific locations are to be determined. These meetings will be the first in-person town hall events that Garrett has held since taking office in January. He has, however, held two meetings and one town hall specifically for local elected officials via Facebook Live. A recently formed political advocacy group, Indivisible Charlottesville, which describes itself on its Facebook page as dedicated to resisting the Trump agenda, recently invited Garrett to speak at a town hall meeting originally set for Saturday, but now happening at 2 p.m. Sunday at Charlottesville High School. Beginning shortly after Garrett assumed office in January, Indivisible Charlottesville has been pressuring the freshman congressman to hold an in-person town hall in the Charlottesville area. Two CHS students, Kibiriti Majuto and Saad Khaleefa, will moderate the Indivisible Charlottesville event. The students are volunteering their time; this event is not affiliated with Charlottesville High School, a news release from Indivisible Charlottesville said. Andrew Griffin, a representative for Garrett, said Friday that the congressman will not be able to attend. Garrett is in Germany fulfilling his responsibilities to both the House Foreign Affairs and Homeland Security committees, Griffin said. Although Garretts staff said this week that a representative for the congressman would attend the meeting, Griffin said that is no longer the case. According to a news release sent Friday, Indivisible Charlottesville is co-organizing its event with Indivisible chapters from the counties of Nelson, Fluvanna and Madison, as well as several other civil advocacy groups from the region. US-Saudi warplanes continue fierce strikes on citizens in various provinces . SANA'A, Feb. 25 (Saba) - US-Saudi aggression warplanes continued targeting citizens and their properties over the past few hours, leaving dozens of people killed and wounded in several provinces, a military official told Saba on Saturday. Two citizens were killed and nine others wounded, including women and children in Saudi air strikes that hit their houses in Maifan area of Dhamar province. Moreover, the aggression fighter jets waged two strikes on al-Khukhah district of Hodeida province. In Mareb province, the enemy fighter jets hit Serwah district one time. Meanwhile, the warplanes struck Haradh and Medi districts five times in Hajja province. In Sa'ada province, Mandabh Mountain was hit by two Saudi aggression air raids on Baqim district. Moreover, the enemy warplanes waged four strikes on al-Omeri schools in Dhubab district and al-Nar mountain in Mokha district, as well as a raid on Mokha junction, in which the enemy jets dropped cluster bombs in Taiz province. The official said that the Saudi warplanes launched a strike on Quber area of Nehm district and another one on al-Rajw area of Arhab district in Sana'a province. Moreover, the Saudi air forces waged two strikes on Thaya Mountain in al-Rabw'ah area of Asir province, the official added. AA-zak Saba Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter Whatsapp Whatsapp Telegram Telegram Email Email Print Print [25/February/2017] News Story not available This story has been published on: 2022-11-06. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. This story is no longer available on our site. Salina working to make its parks fully accessible As Salina looks to update and improve its parks, it's doing so with ADA in mind as it seeks to make the parks and recreation system more accessible. Dear Editor, Re: Siumu ban The decision by Siumu and Salelologa to ban foreign-owned businesses is a sad state of affairs for our country. We are ignoring the great history of our Island Nation if the government allows this to stand. Our history is defined by mixture of Samoan and Foreigners. Our land and historical sites are of both our own and our foreign ancestors. Progress in Samoa is by both us and our friends from other lands. They provide and assist in building our lands and future. Robert L Stevenson wrote about our people in a manner of love and our indiscriminate ways. He wrote about people of LOVE. He wrote about how we are the Penina of the South Pacific. We adopted Aggie Grey as our own, and she became the Mother of our country. Her contribution to promote our Island has brought so much visibility that enriches our people today. Ah Mau is another of our foreign names that we adopted as our own. There are countless other foreigners who have made sacrifices for our Island Nation. They are part of the fabric of our great nation. I hope the villages and the government can meet to STOP this from getting out of hand. We are tolerant people. This is Not Christian like behavior. We need to ask ourselves why these foreigners are successful and profitable while our own businesses are failing? The answer lies with us as consumers. We tend to mix business with culture. Some foreigner would not let you run up credit (aikalafu). They set credit limits for you, and you must pay it down before they allow you to start a tab again. Samoa business owners will allow you to continue to borrow on credit you dont have. Samoa business owners will continue to loan to those he/she knows they will not pay their aikalafu. There is nothing wrong with a business owner trying to help out his/her community. However, if it impacts the growth of the business, they are quick to blame foreigners. Samoa business owners must learn how to separate business from culture if they wish to grow. I know of people who receive money from families overseas every month. When they collect the money, they will shop at foreigners shops. When that money runs out, they will go to a Samoan own shops to aikalafu. When the Samoan shop owners asked about the outstanding aikalafu, the family claims that the shop owners is acting like a palagi shop owners. Somehow this consumer starts to berate the Samoan business owner by reminding him/her about the Faa Samoa. This is the real reason why our own shops are failing. Our culture cannot be the cause of us banning outsiders from opening up shops in our island. We are using our culture to fail our own people. The foreigners are not the cause of our own business failures. Our own people are failing our own businesses. I hope our people can be hones with themselves before this is escalated to a point of no return. Dallas A better road would make life easier. That is the opinion of 49-year-old, Leulu Faletoi. from the village of Faga Savaii. The Village Voice caught up with Leulu while on his way back home after the village fono. So how is life in the village? Life in the village is great and safe for my family to live with, to be honest there are no challenges here in the village, he said Its not like Apia where people go to nightclubs, party...and thats why we have so many problems to that side of the country, everyone lives in their own world. But back here in the village, we get to spend time with our children, family every day starting from Sunday to Saturday and as a father, I prefer living in Savaii because the village council is very strong here and also our culture and way of life are well-maintained in the village. Our culture and customs are starting to fade away because of all the changes in our lives, but we still have strong cultural values and customs in the villages. And we are grateful to God for providing this beautiful Samoa for us. However he said the only problem that we face is the condition of our access roads (auala galue) Like many other villages in Samoa, people of Faga rely on agriculture to assist their families financially and also for food, says Leulu. Families depend on agriculture for food and money, but its really hard for us to make our way to the Talaloa because of the bad condition of our access roads. Its very narrow and its in a bad condition. But plantation helps with village contributions, church obligations, faalavelave and many others. I know that this problem doesnt happen in just one village in Savaii but almost cover the whole island, and we really need help. We need better access roads...and if access roads are not good then it will be hard for us to make living everyday. He went on to say that their road (with other villages) has been fixed several times but remains the same. Thats the truth, he said. Whats even more sad is the fact that, the government spends millions on roads for Upolu but not us here in Savaii. It doesnt matter if we get a car to go to the Talaloa, the car will be ruined then we have to go back, walking in the hot sun and its not easy walking, especially when you think of that far. We all know that whats good for Upolu is even better for Savaii, so hopefully the government is looking at ways to make better roads for us to this side of the country. Personally, the government should also monitor the construction done on roads to make sure that everything smoothly carried out at where government roads and access roads are located. Despite this, Leulu said all is well for him and his family. As Ive mentioned earlier, my family love the life here in the village, he said. We are grateful for everything, we have enough land for our house, a small plantation for our family. Yes, life is great and we have God to thank for all His blessings and guidance upon us. Leulu is a father to three girls. Kolkata, Feb 25 (IBNS): Haagen Dazs known for its super premium ice creams announced the launch of its flagship lounge recently at Lansdowne in Kolkata in the presence of Tollywood Celebrity Nusrat Jahan along with Chef Anthony David, Head Chef, Haagen Dazs India, Shagun Agarwal, Franchise Director Haagen Dazs, Eastern India, Amit Agarwal , Franchise Group Director, Haagen Dazs Eastern India . This is their first shop in the eastern market after winning the hearts of ice cream connoisseurs in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai & Hyderabad, now it is time for the city of joy, Kolkata to savour Haagen Dazs ice creams and it promises to be more delectable and indulgent than ever! The franchise store was the brainchild of Shagun Agarwal, Franchise Director, Haagen Dazs in Eastern India said As a young boy I have always been a fan of Haagen Dazs ice cream. I have visited so many Haagen Dazs shops in other parts of the country. I have always been fond of the creaminess and quality of the ice cream that I wanted to introduce it to the City of Joy. The House of Haagen Dazs menu offers a variety of choices, a combination of tantalizing flavors and authentic ingredients to tender with the most indulgent and ultimate dessert impression. Its menu is a magnificent amalgamation of scrumptious creations like Eiffel Tower, European Fondue and Brooklyn Bridge. Haagen Dazs 6 exclusive ice cream flavors such as Vanilla, Strawberry, Belgian Chocolate, Coffee, Dulce de Leche and Summer-berries and Cream will now be available at the dessert lounge in Kolkata. Speaking on the occasion, Anthony David, Head Chef, Haagen Dazs India said Since the last few years Kolkata is experiencing a significant shift in demographics. The discerning consumers in Kolkata are well-travelled, knowledgeable and yearning for super premium brands. Our foray into this dynamic market will enable us fulfill the appetite of a growing section of consumers seeking a gourmet dessert experience. With this launch, we continue our journey of giving the Indian consumers seeking a gourmet dessert experience. With this launch we continue our journey of giving the Indian consumer an insight into opulent dessert experience of delectable ice-cream flavors and creations by Haagen Dazs. Police Commissioner; Fuiavailili Egon Keil, did something unheard of when he approached the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiavaasue Falefatu Sapolu, to ask for a warrant of arrest against the Director of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O.), Mauga Precious Chang. But thats not all was unusual about it. He was apparently accompanied by the Attorney General, Lemalu Hermann Retzlaff, during the visit to see the Chief Justice. The allegation was raised by the former Attorney General, Aumua Ming Leung Wai, during the proceedings of a Cabinet appointed Tribunal to determine the future of the National Prosecution Office (N.P.O.). Held at Tuanaimato, the Tribunal is chaired by Sir Robert Grant Hammond, with the other members including Tuiloma Neroni Slade and Alalatoa Rosella Viane-Papalii. Aumua is Mauga Precious Changs lawyer. During the proceedings, Aumua questioned Lemalu if it was correct that he had gone with the Police Commissioner to ask for a warrant to arrest Mauga. Lemalu replied that it was incorrect. Aumua then asked him again if he meant that he didnt go with the Police Commissioner but Lemalu said: No, I went with him." But you can see in my supplementary affidavit that I explained to the Assistant Commissioner, Samoa Mulinuu as to why I went. And I would ask all the members of the Tribunal to refer to my second supplementary affidavit. I had responded to this question and explained why I went. Lemalu told the Tribunal he had advised Fuiavailili against going to Chief Justice. But the Police Commissioner said he has a relationship with the Chief Justice and he would still approach him and speak to him about whether it was possible, Lemalu said. So I had to attend. But Aumua objected. You are the chief (legal) advisor to government, he put it to Lemalu. You were to advise the Police Commissioner that if he were to get a warrant of arrest from the C.J, then that should be the end of the matter. Lemalu agreed. He said he advised the Police Commissioner, but Fuiavailili insisted that he would go and talk to the Chief Justice anyway. And because he wanted to go, I thought I should be there too thats why I was there. At that point, the Chairperson of the Tribunal, Justice Hammond interrupted. He asked defense counsel about the connection of this matter to the purpose of the Tribunal. Aumua replied that there is a conflict of interest there for Ms. Chang. He clarified that the main reason Mauga did not delegate her prosecutorial powers to the Attorney General was because of a conflict of interest. Mr. Attorney General went with the Police Commissioner to try and obtain a warrant of arrest against Ms. Chang. Obviously there is a conflict of interest there for Ms. Chang, Aumua said. Justice Hammond then allowed the questions from the defense counsel. Aumua continued to question Lemalu about why he accompanied the Police Commissioner. Firstly, I was there as an advisor to the government, Lemalu responded. I advised him (the Police Commissioner) that what he was asking for, was never done in Samoa before. I wasnt there asking for a warrant of arrest, I was there as an advisor to the Chief Justice and protector of the Judiciary. But Aumua was not impressed. He said Lemalu was contradicting himself. You first said that you were there as an Advisor to Government and then later on changed to Protector of the Judiciary, asked Aumua. Lemalu responded: I was there as an Advisor to the Chief Justice. He (the Police Commissioner) took my advice and decided to ask the C.J. himself. Aumua asked Lemalu whether he was there asking the Chief Justice for legal advice, to which Lemalu said no. Or were you there allowing the Police Commissioner to ask the Chief Justice for legal advice? asked Aumua. No I was allowing the Police Commissioner to hear affirmation of what I had advised him to do. Because of the unusual nature of the request, I felt like I had to be there, Lemalu said. But Aumua reiterated that a warrant was not necessary at all and it was unusual to carry out such a practice in Samoa. Aumua also asked Lemalu if he was related to the Police Commissioner, to which Lemalu flatly said no. He also denied a claim from Maugas legal team that he offered to withdraw the charges against Mauga if the charges against the Police Commissioner were withdrawn. According to Ms. Muriel Lui, you wanted to withdraw the charges against the Police Commissioner, and in return, you would withdraw the charges against Ms Chang. Is this correct? Aumua asked. To which Lemalu replied, Thats incorrect. I never spoke to anyone about withdrawing the charges. Aumua also asked Lemalu if he had also mentioned to Ms Lui that the Minister also wanted to do the same. Lemalu replied that he never said such a thing. I never said that the Minister wanted the charges withdrawn. The Tribunals work started Monday. Central to the Tribunals work is the investigation of the conduct of the suspended Director of the National Prosecution Office, Mauga Precious Chang, and her associate, Muriel Lui. Ordered by Cabinet last year, the Tribunal is answerable to Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. Mauga was suspended by Cabinet last August following a Police investigation and review by an independent prosecutor of charges filed against her. Her suspension was for an initial period of three months while her case underwent standard judicial process. The charges against her have since been dismissed but the decision is being appealed. In her absence, Acting Director, Muriel Lui assumed the responsibilities and duties of the Director of the National Prosecution Office. However, in October last year, Ms. Lui was also suspended by Cabinet. Cabinet has noted the continued refusal of the suspended Acting Director of N.P.O and suspended Director of N.P.O to properly perform powers and duties to uphold the rule of law and objectivity of the criminal justice system, a statement from Cabinet said at the time. Cabinet acknowledges that the actions of Ms. Lui and Ms. Chang have created unnecessary conflicts between government departments while diminishing public confidence in law enforcement processes and the justice system in Samoa. Furthermore, the validity of the establishment of the National Prosecution Office will also be reviewed to ensure the statutory responsibilities and powers are treated with greater transparency, accountability and respect. The Tribunal will be appointed on the grounds that Ms. Chang and Ms. Lui have not used the statutory powers given to them in an appropriate manner and they have breached Civil Service Values and Code of Conduct under the Public Service Act 2004, as applied to them under section 15 of the N.P.O Act 2015. The Minister of Finance, Sili Epa Tuioti, has called on the government to revisit the question of what type of businesses foreign investors should be encouraged to invest in. Sili made the point in response to questions from the Sunday Samoan about his village of Salelologa banning the establishment of any Chinese-owned business on their customary land. As the Member of Parliament for the constituency, Sili said he was overseas when the decision was made. I havent spoken to Salelologa about the reasons behind their decision but I suspect they are only looking out for the best interest of what they believe are pioneering business people who have been serving the village for years, Sili said. These businesses started off small and they did not have a lot of money the Chinese businesses are big companies with lots of money so the issue is that these small shops cannot compete." So from what Ive gathered, Salelologa is only interested in protecting the business on their customary lands whereas they are not touching businesses located on the governments land. The Minister of Finance said the issue of foreign-owned businesses springing up in the villages is an important matter to consider for the future. You see if the Chinese businesses are allowed to spread out to the villages, in the next 30 years, I dont think we will have any more Samoan-owned businesses. So its something that should be reviewed. I wonder if now is not the time to allocate designated areas for those particular businesses in the town area because everyone can access them. Sili said the government cannot shy away from addressing the issue because it is a threat if its ignored. I think its important that we have to look at this for the long run to avoid any clashes between our people and the Chinese. I think there is also a lot work to be done in talking to the Chinese about running businesses in Samoa." They are used to running their businesses from 6am until midnight but were not like that. I also believe there are issues where we can learn from the Chinese." So its very important to revisit this issue. Asked if he supports his villages decision to ban Chinese businesses, Sili was coy. I cant say if its a good move or not because it has just happened. What I can say is that weve known for a while now that there have been a lot of criticisms about the influx of Chinese businesses." There is also the question what types of businesses do we want investors- Chinese to bring." My personal opinion is that the Chinese should be encouraged to establish businesses that are not being operated by our people. They can set up commercial farms and the like but they shouldnt do the same thing as the people of Samoa because it becomes so hard for our people to compete." The government should really take a look at what kind of businesses foreign investors should start. Last month, Salelologa Village Council confirmed its decision to ban any new Chinese-owned business being set up on the villages customary land. Mayor of Sapulu, Tuilimu Manuele Paletasala, said the decision was supported by the entire Village Council. The ban only covers customary land under the guidance of the Village Council of Salelologa. But we are also mindful that a lot of the lands in Salelologa is under the government and the ban does not cover those lands, he said. But within the whole village of Salelologa (aai o Salelologa), no Chinese owned business is allowed to be set up any more. We want to encourage our own Samoan people to set their businesses up in Salelologa. Last week, Siumu also moved to ban the establishment of foreign-owned businesses on their customary lands. Tuua of the Village, Tuuu Faasee, said the decision is part of a bid to protect the business prospects of their future generations. Asked if he the decision is not harsh given the rising cost of living and how many Samoans are finding refuge in cheap Chinese goods, Tuuu said it is about protecting the future of the village. Its okay for the time being but in the long run and the future of our children its not okay, he said. Our children are growing up and they are being well educated. Some of them have scholarships overseas so in the future when they come back and want to build a business of their own, where will they go?" If we allow foreign businesses now to be set up, our children will not be able to have access to the lands when they grow up because the foreigners have taken them all." So thats why the matai and faipule of the district decided that this is the best time to put a stop to it before it becomes a problem in the future." Not only our children will not be able to get any space to set up their businesses but foreign businesses will take all the money." So what we want is for the people of not only in Siumu but the district to help each other by building their own businesses and helping each other out. Contemplating a mid-life career change after many years in the retail industry, Rebekah Bachnick decided to follow her long-time interest: welding. Its been awesome because I finally get to do a job that I really, really enjoy, she told girls at a career forum Thursday at Escondido High School. Escondido Union High School District has offered the forum, called Step Out, for the past two years to introduce eighth- and ninth-grade girls to careers not typically considered womens work. Advertisement Representing fields ranging from engineering to automotive trades, presenters at 30 booths offered insight into non-traditional career paths. They described their work, gave tips on education and training, and explained how women may be uniquely qualified for jobs previously reserved for men. Welding had always fascinated me, said a Bachnick, now a TIG welder for San Diego-based Quantum Design, which produces biomedical and scientific equipment. She said she earned her professional certification at Palomar College, and was offered a job before shed completed the two-year program. Companies today are looking for more and more women welders, Bachnick said. Thats partly because many government contracts call for women hires, she said, and because women often shine at the kind of precise, small-scale welding needed on scientific instrumentation. Women, because we have better fine motor skills, dexterity, and patience, make excellent welders, she said. Elyse Kellerman, a test engineer for the aerospace giant Northrop Grumman, said shes happy with her job developing unmanned helicopters. I really like the problem-solving aspect, she said. Every day theres something new. Kellerman said she always enjoyed math and science, and wasnt deterred by gender stereotypes about the engineering field. I had always heard it was male-dominated, but I didnt care, she said. But theres a lot of opportunities for women. Other presenters, however, were candid about their sink-or-swim struggles in pools of male co-workers. Cassie Ventura, a mechanic at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, said she had to prove herself as the only female on staff. It was definitely a little harder being the only girl in a male-dominated shop, said Ventura, who started as a mechanics helper at the park 10 years ago. A couple of the guys didnt want me to be there. So I just had to keep my head up and show that I deserved to be there. To do so, she became not only skilled but savvy, devising workarounds for some of the heavier tasks. For instance, she uses massive wrenches to manipulate large equipment, rather than muscling through. Its being a little smarter, rather than just roughing it, she said. The reward for that perseverance is the sense of satisfaction from building engines, crafting specialized gear for vehicles that zoo researchers employ in extreme terrain around the world, and knowing that her efforts are supporting wildlife conservation. The resistance women might face in non-traditional jobs isnt only from co-workers. Parents may be perplexed when their daughter tells them she wants to be an auto mechanic, said Dom Gagliardi, principal of adult education and career technical education for the Escondido district. Some parents think of it as the old grease monkey job, he said. They dont realize how technical it is, and how lucrative. Women in traditionally blue collar positions said their professions are becoming more technically and intellectually demanding. Kait Cole, with Escondido-based Ecolife, told girls about agricultural jobs in aquaponics, which uses filtered systems to simultaneously grow fish and vegetables. Theres a specialized field, Cole said. Its more cutting edge and innovative, and takes someone who wants to push something new. Girls who attended Step Out said they learned to let curiosity guide them in career planning. It gave me some ideas of what options are out there, said Ruqiya Prince, 14, an eighth-grader at Bear Valley Middle School who said she was intrigued by aquaponics and architecture. Bianca Torres, a freshman at Escondido High School, said she sought information about unconventional careers, and decided that detective work would be a good fit for her. Ive always been the person to be nosing around in the family, she said. So I could be nosy, but get paid for it and have fun with it. deborah.brennan@sduniontribune.com Twitter@deborahsbrennan A man stopped on Harbor Drive in Oceanside with $2.1 million worth of cocaine and methamphetamine in his vehicle pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to two counts of possession with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Ricardo Lujan, 44, of San Ysidro admitted in his plea bargain that he drove his vehicle with the drugs from Mexico with the intention to deliver them to another person, states a news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office. Sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. June 5 before U.S. District Judge Roger T. Benitez. Lujan faces up to 20 years in prison. Advertisement An Oceanside police officer was doing random vehicle registration checks when he noticed a Mitsubishi Endeavor SUV with expired tags at 12:40 a.m. Nov. 17, the release states. The driver attempted to leave, but the officer stopped him, and he agreed to a search of the vehicle. A Border Patrol canine handler was called to assist, and the dog alerted to the scent of narcotics. An inspection turned up 99 packages of cocaine and 58 packages of methamphetamine, all sealed in plastic, inside the floorboards, door panels, center console and elsewhere in the vehicle. philip.diehl@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @phildiehl Winter storms that have dented the drought across much of California have also boosted reservoir levels in several San Diego County lakes especially those fed by storm runoff. At Lake Hodges south of Escondido, sparkling blue water is now visible from the Interstate 15 bridge, which for years has only spanned a sad-looking forest. Lake Henshaw near Warner Springs, Loveland Reservoir near Alpine and El Capitan Reservoir near Lakeside have also seen big gains in their water levels over the past few months. Don Smith, director of water resources for the Vista Irrigation District, which owns Lake Henshaw, said the difference is significant. Advertisement In November we were down around 3,000 acre-feet and now weve got just shy of 10,000 acre-feet of storage, he said. Thats all good. In just the past four months, water stores in Lake Hodges went from 11,447 acre-feet to 16,031 acre-feet, a 40 percent increase; Loveland Reservoir went from 7,073 to 12,195 acre-feet, a 72 percent increase; and El Capitan Reservoir went from 23,971 to 32,615 acre-feet, a 36 percent increase. An acre foot equals about 326,000 gallons, or enough to supply the household needs of two four-person families for a year. Officials say the boost has come from a particularly strong rainy season. By Feb. 18, San Diego International Airport had recorded 9.12 inches of precipitation since Oct. 1 2.7 inches above normal. The average for the entire year is 10.34 inches. That doesnt mean there isnt room for more. According to the San Diego County Water Authority, Lake Hodges was at 54 percent capacity as of last week, up from 34 percent capacity in May 2015. The last times Hodges reached capacity and water spilled over the dam was in 2011 and, before that, it was in 2005. Smaller reservoirs in the county havent seen such dramatic increases in water levels this year, primarily because theyre controlled storage lakes filled mostly with imported water they werent designed to capture significant storm runoff. Local water runoff hasnt provided enough water to meet all the countys water-supply needs since 1947, according to the Water Authority. About 50 percent of the regions water is now imported from the Colorado River, about 30 percent comes from the Bay Delta, and about 20 percent comes from local sources like reservoirs, groundwater, recycled water and the Carlsbad Desalination Plant. San Vicente Reservoir, the largest in the county by far, received a huge influx of imported water in 2015, following a project that more than doubled the lakes capacity. The reservoir can now hold 249,358 acre-feet of water and is currently about 74 percent full. But the reservoirs are mostly an insurance policy against emergencies, such as a significant disruption in supply from the north for example if an earthquake were to destroy an aqueduct. According to the Water Authority, seven major stream systems that originate in the mountains of San Diego County and flow to the Pacific Ocean create watersheds that supply 24 reservoirs such as Hodges and Henshaw with a combined capacity of about 746,000 acre-feet. Henshaw, which provides water to Vista and Escondido, also gets water from underground pumps spread out over thousands of acres of nearby watershed land owned by the district. Smith said that last time so much water was in Lake Henshaw was in 2010, before the drought began. Hes hoping Mother Nature has a few more storms in her this season. Despite how the rest of the state feels, we could still use more rain this season, Smith said. Wed like to see some more water in there. Weve been pumping continuously for five years, he added. Were hoping to turn off the well field this year and rely on surface water runoff. Whether we can do that or not really depends on what the next few months brings. RELATED The Director of Public Utilities for the City of San Diego held a brief press conference at Miramar Dam reassuring the public that the 9 dams in the city of San Diego are well-managed and maintained with little chance of spillover. jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones The San Diego Union-Tribune is partnering with KPBS to launch a book festival in San Diego. Scheduled for Aug. 26 at the McMillin Companies Event Center in Liberty Station, The San Diego Book Festival is patterned after similar events that have become fixtures in American cities from coast to coast. They typically feature appearances and signings by authors, food, music, and activities for children. A key part of the San Diego event will be the announcement of this years One Book, One San Diego selection. Now in its 11th year, the program essentially turns the region into a giant book club, where every fall people talk about that years choice at dozens of library and school events in San Diego County and across the border. Advertisement In 2016, the selection was Waiting for Snow in Havana, Carlos Eires National Book Award winning memoir about fleeing Cuba as Fidel Castro came to power. The public is invited to nominate books for this years program, either in person at local libraries or online at kpbs.org/one-book. The deadline is Friday. Last year about 250 books were nominated, with the winner selected by an advisory panel of avid readers librarians, teachers, professors, bookstore employees and community members after months of deliberation. One Book, One San Diego, which is sponsored by KPBS and the city library, will announce the 2017 winner as well as its selections for teen and kids books at the Aug. 26 book festival. Event organizers hope the new festival will be a significant contribution to San Diegos literary offerings. The largest such event here is the San Diego Jewish Book Fair, which in October had its 22nd annual gathering. With at least one event every day, it lasted for more than a week and featured an eclectic mix of authors talking about rock music, terrorism, cyber security, Houdini, Nazi Germany and Broadway musicals. San Diego City College has also had annual book fair for more than a decade. Elsewhere in the country, book fairs are must-go events for readers. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, which started in 1996, now draws about 150,000 people over two days. It bills itself as the largest festival of its kind in the country. It will be April 22 and 23 at the University of Southern California. The National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., started in 2001 by the Library of Congress, also attracts a large crowd and big-name authors for its one-day event. For more information about The San Diego Book Festival, email events@sduniontribune.com. john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com Are you thinking about putting your house on the market this year? If so, you might be looking at ways to make it more marketable. Before getting ready to sell, look for easy, quick fixes that will enhance your homes listing photos and videos while appealing to the widest audience possible, suggests Zillow home design expert Kerrie Kelly. Investing in curb appeal improvements such as basic landscaping, power washing, painting the front door, and adding a few fresh potted plants can go a very long way in boosting your homes first impression on buyers, she notes. These are all quick, affordable solutions, too. Curb appeal is king when it comes to making your house as attractive to buyers as possible, declares Coronado real estate agent Jim Nelson. A recent national study has shown yet again that replacing a front door or a garage door has the highest return on investment of any other improvement you can make on your home. Buyers want to feel good about coming home, and pulling into the driveway of a well-manicured and good-looking property offers that feeling, the Ascent Real Estate pro adds. Advertisement General contractor Sheen Fischer agrees: My opinion is that a good paint job and deep cleaning are the most economical and effective items a seller can do to give their home a facelift. Seller beware The owner of Escondido-based Specialty Home Improvement recommends against taking on big discretionary remodeling projects for prospective buyers, including bathrooms, kitchens, flooring, etc. unless they are needed for repairs. These things tend to include design choices, which are deeply personal, and there is a significant outlay of money and time to achieve them, Fischer advises. We are very careful when making recommendations to our clients when it comes to modifying their home for sale, Nelson points out. The high-end buyer is very selective. We certainly wouldnt want a client spending money on something that will just be changed after sale. To that end, though, neutralizing a homes color palate is usually the best approach, he recommends. In advising a seller on a modestly priced listing, our goal is to simply remove as many obstacles to sale as we can manage within the owners budget. Sometimes its just a matter of rearranging furniture to make a home feel larger. Other times, its best to address things that can be perceived as a problem. As an example, if the carpet is aging, put in new carpet or some vinyl flooring. Countertops and painting cabinets is usually an easy fix, as is changing out old appliances and swapping out old hardware for something more contemporary, the Ascent agent recommends. Notwithstanding obvious eyesores and small fixes, my usual advice to a seller with an out-of-date residence is this: Unless you are willing to update your entire house, dont bother fixing up any one spot in your home, Nelson cautions. It will make the rest of the house look that much more out-of-date and you wont get the return on investment. Just redoing one room leaves buyers with the feeling that they still need to redo the rest of the house. Some selling tools These upgrades may help your home sell faster, and for more, if they work stylistically with your space: Fischer is seeing white-painted cabinets with shaker style or slab doors, quartz countertops and glass tile backsplashes trending in local kitchens. While a full-scale remodel doesnt make sense pre-listing, having your cabinets professionally painted, hardware replaced and a complementary tile backsplash installed can provide a stylish update for a reasonable price. Changing out small things like vanities and light fixtures also helps to modernize a space and give it that cohesion that it may have lacked beforehand, suggests Nelson. Zillow points out these sales boosters: Kitchens painted yellow boost a homes price $1,400 above those painted white, which can look undone; Kitchens with subway tiles, farmhouse sinks and barn-style doors can help a home sell for up to 13 percent more and 60 days faster; Homes mentioning outdoor kitchens in their real estate listings sell 19 days faster and for nearly 4 percent more. The outdoor elements Homes with beautifully designed and functional outdoor patios will certainly grab a buyers eye. While these spaces are growing in popularity around the country, San Diego residents are fortunate to enjoy warm weather all year long and will likely get a lot more regular use out of their outdoor spaces than, say, someone in Seattle, Zillows Kelly observes. Outdoor living spaces increase the homes functionality and can even add to the homes livable square footage which is always appealing. Buyers will be especially wowed by outdoor spaces that have designated areas for food prep, storage, dry pantry and refrigeration elements. This includes outdoor cabinetry that blends interior style with durability to withstand the elements. Ice and trash bins, built-in grills, storage drawers and cabinet components with decorative hardware tee up both small square footage balconies and larger patio scenes for a completely finished look. Stained concrete and stacked stone cladding are surfaces Fischer is seeing do well here, too. Kelly suggests clean, simple and contemporary lines with aquamarine accent colors for accessories like bench cushions and pillows. If youre planning to sell your home this summer, you might want to stay simple with your outdoor living space plans so youre not undertaking a large project just before you move. You can still stage what you have attractively and add the furniture and accents Kelly recommends. Last words While its tempting to want to upgrade your home to maximize its sales potential, Ascent agent Nelson cautions against what he calls remuddles. A cohesive style and floor plan are critical if you want to get the most out of your investment. Otherwise you will leave buyers confused and saying to themselves that this or that needs to be completely redone, says Nelson. Oftentimes, a seller will think that because they invested X dollars, then their house should be worth that much plus. But if you leave buyers with the impression that your hard work just needs to be redone, its not worth anything and would have been better left alone! Unless you have experience with this type of thing, seek professional help, as it will potentially save you thousands of dollars. Gold is an independent designer in San Diego and the author of New Kitchen Ideas That Work and upcoming New Bathroom Idea Book. Under mounting pressure from immigrant rights leaders, Santa Ana officials announced last year their plan to end a contract with Immigration and Customs Enforcement to house immigration detainees. In preparation, they curtailed the number of beds available for federal detention and said they planned to order a jail-reuse study in an attempt to replace the $340,000 a month the city received under the ICE contract. The hope was to completely sever ties by 2020. This week, ICE officials beat them to the punch. Advertisement Federal officials notified the city on Thursday that the immigration agency intends to terminate its detention contract in 90 days. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) values its longstanding relationship with the City of Santa Ana, but recent actions by the city to drastically curtail the number of beds available at the citys jail to house immigration detainees meant the existing detention contract was no longer viable or cost effective, ICE spokeswoman Virginia Kice said in a prepared statement. The jail is one of the smallest detention facilities that contract with ICE in the Los Angeles area. As of Feb. 23, immigration officials housed 74 immigration detainees at the facility, Kice said. Those left at the facility will likely be transferred to other housing facilities. The decision by ICE left immigrant rights activists rejoicing and has forced city officials to accelerate their plans. Councilman Sal Tinajero said he wasnt surprised to hear the news, stating that he knew there was a strong likelihood that ICE would terminate the contract soon after the City Council voted on Dec. 6 to phase out the agreement. Thats when the city voted to reduce the number of beds available in its jail to house immigration detainees from about 200 to a maximum of 128. Scaling back the citys contract with ICE also meant shutting down one housing module. At the same meeting, the city declared itself a sanctuary city for people who are in the country illegally. Tinajero believes that may also have played a role. Its my understanding that they were a bit perturbed with the position the city was taking and the rhetoric that was coming out of the council, and a lot of that had to do with [Donald Trump], Tinajero said. The president has always threatened to take funds away from sanctuary cities. Tinajero said he was fine with federal officials cutting ties with the jail and said the city would find other ways to reuse the facility, perhaps filling up those beds with inmates from other law enforcement agencies. For now, he said, the city has more than $50 million in reserve to make up for the loss in funds. As for the 96 full-time employees who assist in operating the jail, Tinajero said hes certain the city will be able to offer them jobs in other areas, such as code enforcement or parks and recreation. Mayor Pro Tem Michele Martinez, who has for a long time been in favor of doing away with the ICE contract because she said it wasnt a sustainable funding source for the jail, seemed optimistic, too. The city has been committed to expediting the termination of the ICE contract. Going forward, it is imperative that we make decisions that ensure sustainable city operations, including those at the existing jail facility, Martinez said in a prepared statement. Christina M. Fialho, a Costa Mesa attorney and executive director of Community Initiatives for Visiting Immigrants in Confinement, a national group that coordinates jailhouse visits with immigrants in detention, said she was happy about the contracts termination. She noted that her group had been concerned about the treatment of detainees held at the jail and urged ICE to release the remaining people who are detained under the federal governments agreement. If ICE is unwilling to do this, we urge the Office for Civil Rights & Civil Liberties at [the Department of Homeland Security] to intervene and ensure the release of all asylum seekers eligible for parole, Fialho said. CIVIC had filed a federal complaint against Santa Ana and ICE, claiming that immigrant women including transgender women were subject to unlawful and degrading strip searches at the Santa Ana Jail. cindy.carcamo@latimes.com Twitter: @thecindycarcamo ALSO Gripped by fear of ICE raids and deportations, one town tries to separate fact from rumor Suspension lifted for Orange County student who recorded professors anti-Trump comments Why therapists are having such a hard time talking about Trump Patna, Feb 25 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) chairman Sudhir Kumar, who was arrested along with his family members in connection with test paper leak scandal, was sent to jail on late Friday night. Kumar, along with his family members, was produced in the court of additional chief judicial magistrate Khyati Singh after which they sent to jail. Kumar is a senior IAS officer. While Kumar was sent to the Phulwari jail, his relatives were sent to Beur jail in Patna, as per police reports. Police claim to have procured sufficient evidence against all the accused persons. Earlier on Friday, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the question paper leak regarding a clerical exam arrested BSSC chairman Sudhir Kumar from Hazaribag town in Jharkhand along with four other relatives. As per reports, Kumar had been missing since the scam surfaced earlier this month. His family however claimed Kumar is innocent and is being made a scapegoat. This is the second big arrest in the case. Earlier, SIT had arrested BSSC secretary Parmeshwar Ram in connection with the scam. So far more than 20 people have been arrested in connection with the case. Earlier, the state government cancelled the clerical examination conducted by the Bihar Staff Selection Commission (BSSC) after reports of question paper leak. http://thebiharpost.com/IBNS Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz has lodged a complaint with state regulators accusing his opponent of violating a state law that prohibits candidates from working with campaign groups that can take in unlimited campaign contributions. Koretz called this week for the states Fair Political Practices Commission to shut down the Committee To Protect Our Neighborhoods, which has been sending mailers hitting him over traffic congestion and campaign donations. Under state law, the Committee To Protect Our Neighborhoods must be run separately from the campaign of attorney Jesse Creed, who is looking to unseat Koretz in the March 7 election. But Koretz contends that the committee is not truly independent because Creeds aunt is one of its biggest financial backers. Advertisement Its troubling because shes clearly very close to the family, and it certainly raises the prospect, and the likelihood, of coordination with Creeds council campaign, said Koretz, who represents neighborhoods stretching from the Westside to Encino. Creeds aunt, Donna Optican, did not respond to a call seeking comment. But Creed said he has not been involved with the committee and learned of it, and his aunts involvement, only after its activities were revealed on the Ethics Commission website. In an interview, he accused Koretz of attempting to distract voters from his criticism of a different independent expenditure group, the Progressive Growth PAC, which has spent nearly $23,000 promoting Koretz. Progressive Growth PAC is heavily funded by companies affiliated with the developer of the Reef, a $1.2-billion high-rise complex approved by Koretz and his colleagues in November. That project, planned in South L.A, was opposed by residents who fear it will gentrify the neighborhood and result in displacement of low-income renters. One principal in the Progressive Growth PAC is City Hall lobbyist John Ek, who received an $11,000 fine from the Ethics Commission this week. Ek was penalized for inviting council members and others to a lavish rooftop birthday party, in violation of gift rules. These are the people that Koretz deals with, Creed said. These are the insiders. Koretz did not attend the Ek birthday party. He said he knew little about the Reef, since it is in a district represented by Councilman Curren Price. Im told that the Reef was controversial to some degree, but I dont know these guys, Koretz said in an interview. I wouldnt know them if I saw them on the street. I couldnt be less connected or knowledgeable about their project. L.A.s contribution limits prohibit donors from giving more than $700 to each council candidate during an election cycle. Independent expenditure committees, like the ones being debated by Creed and Koretz, can receive contributions of any size as long as they do not coordinate their activities with a particular candidate. FPPC spokesman Jay Wierenga confirmed that his office has received a complaint about the anti-Koretz group. Agency regulations state that a candidate is presumed to be illegally coordinating with an independent expenditure group if that group is principally funded by an immediate family member. However, the states Political Reform Act defines an immediate family member as a spouse, domestic partner or child. Wierenga declined to discuss the specifics of the complaint filed by Koretz. But he told The Times that in general, if an extended family member of a candidate donates heavily to an independent expenditure committee that favors that candidate, the FPPC might open an investigation. Chris Chaffee, who identified himself as an officer with the Committee to Protect Our Neighborhoods, said Creeds aunt lives in Koretzs district and is not the biggest donor to the group. The Committee To Protect Our Neighborhoods has many donors who want to move the city in a new direction, Chaffee wrote in an email. One of those donors happens to be an aunt of another candidate in this race. Times staff writers Dakota Smith and Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report. david.zahniser@latimes.com Twitter: @DavidZahniser For decades, residents of South L.A. felt as though the development boom reshaping parts of Los Angeles was passing them by. As developers erected looming towers in places such as downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood and the Westside, they largely avoided building on the vacant lots south of the 10 Freeway. But in recent years, the area has finally seen something of a resurgence. Advertisement Developers have unveiled plans to build a medical center on a barren lot that has sat vacant for decades, transform a shopping mall into an urban village and erect a skyscraper filled with condos, apartments and almost every imaginable amenity. The Expo Line and Crenshaw/LAX Line light-rail systems are expected to draw even more investment. And that has some residents concerned about Measure S, a slow-growth measure on the March 7 ballot. Measure S would impose a two-year moratorium on building projects that require changes in city rules to allow for re-zoning, more height or more density. It would also impose a permanent ban on projects that dont conform with the General Plan, the citywide blueprint for development. While opponents of Hollywood development crafted the measure, residents of South L.A. are trying to figure out how its passage would affect their growth. Some residents worry that new development will raise rents and push out working-class residents, so the measure has appeal. But among top officials, there is fear that long-awaited projects could suddenly be in jeopardy. It would take a community that suffered from disinvestment for generations and make that problem even worse, City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson said of the ballot measure. It would keep the area stuck in the development rut that weve been in for so many years, continued the councilman, who represents part of South L.A. Workers with the Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters and members of SEIU joined Los Angeles City Councilmen Herb Wesson and Marqueece Harris-Dawson at a Say No to Measure S news conference at the West Angeles Community Development Corporation in South Los Angeles. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times) Creators of the proposal crafted it to curb what they say is rampant overgrowth of big, dense projects in development-rich parts of the city. Those kinds of projects contribute to L.A.s congested streets and erode a neighborhoods character, supporters of the measure say. But those problems can seem foreign to Angelenos in less affluent parts of town, where community advocates must sometimes spend years fighting for a neighborhood Starbucks. South L.A. has long been plagued by an image problems tied to two riots and a history of gang violence and crime. It has struggled for decades to get basic services, such as grocery stores and sit-down restaurants. Dozens of large lots have been vacant since the 1992 riots. And although more chain businesses have moved in recently, the regions shopping options remain limited. Nine years ago, officials even placed a moratorium on new fast-food eateries in the area in hopes of luring healthful eateries, which has had little effect. Measure S could undermine sorely needed new real estate developments in South L.A., the three city officials representing the region said. As examples, they pointed to 140 units of affordable housing in South Park, a development that would house the homeless in the Crenshaw neighborhood and an apartment complex in Baldwin Hills. Harris-Dawson said he believes South L.A. would suffer the worst unintended consequences of Measure S. But similar concerns echo beyond Watts and South-Central into other low-income areas of Los Angeles. In Panorama City and Van Nuys, some buildings have sat vacant since the Northridge earthquake, City Councilwoman Nury Martinez said. Only recently, she added, has she begun to see interest return to those parts of District 6. You cannot compare Van Nuys and Panorama City to Hollywood, Martinez said. If there are issues with overdevelopment in those areas, then that needs to be addressed. But to pass something thats going to further economically devastate communities like mine isnt fair. Supporters of Measure S argue it isnt that simple. Nobody wants to see the Hollywood model replicated in South Los Angeles [with] luxury towers, increased gridlock and thousands of residents displaced. Damien Goodmon, a deputy campaign manager for the Yes on S campaign Carl Morgan, co-chair of a South L.A. neighborhood council, is the first to admit his neighborhood needs investment. Our boulevards are in shambles, he said. But the retired city planner said the type of investment matters. Thirty-story towers dont belong in low-rise residential neighborhoods, he said. So he is voting for Measure S to help protect his community against those kinds of projects. Still, Morgan is not against all growth. In fact, he noted that the community plans that govern land use in West Adams, Baldwin Hills and Leimert Park have recently been updated to allow denser, taller, mixed-use developments near the neighborhoods commercial corridors. If developers stay within the framework of those plans, Morgan thinks the region could prosper. And by steering developers away from Hollywood and the Westside, Measure S might force builders to take a harder look at Crenshaw Boulevard, he said. The potential of South Los Angeles has never been fully realized, Morgan said. We have so much more [room] to grow that if you simply developed our boulevards theres money to be made. Vote Yes on Measure S billboards along Crenshaw Boulevard. (Francine Orr / Los Angeles Times) Damien Goodmon, a deputy campaign manager for the Yes on S campaign, is taking a different tack. He is part of a coalition suing to stop the type of mega-project Morgan abhors: a 30-story building called Cumulus that would rise near La Cienega and Jefferson boulevards. Goodmon is also taking aim at plans to renovate the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. The proposal for the 43-acre project near a rail stop on the Crenshaw/LAX line calls for a 12-story hotel, office space and 961 apartments and condos. Its likely to drastically change the character and fabric of the historic Crenshaw community, he said. Nobody wants to see the Hollywood model replicated in South Los Angeles [with] luxury towers, increased gridlock and thousands of residents displaced. Experts said good policy is often flexible and accountable to the cultural context of specific neighborhoods. Rather than create a blanket ban on development that treats the entire city the same, policymakers need to start by developing a relationship with the public so that they can figure out what makes people feel attached to their neighborhoods, said James Rojas, an urban planner and L.A. native. Then they should ask: How do we use growth as a way to get what we want? Rojas said. Last week, dozens of residents and union members gathered outside West Angeles Villas to speak out against the moratorium. They argued that passing the measure would eliminate construction jobs and prevent senior housing projects like the Villas from being built, because such projects often require a zone change. Annie Brown, 64, detailed her months-long struggle to find a home that fit her budget. The retired special-education specialist was approved for a one-bedroom apartment at the Villas, where said she was happy to find a community of people her age. Still, she worries about how the citys housing shortage will affect other seniors like her, and about the consequences of a moratorium that would stall other projects in the works. We need more housing, she said. This is not the answer. Times staff writer David Zahniser contributed to this report. angel.jennings@latimes.com Twitter: @AngelJennings matt.stevens@latimes.com Twitter: @ByMattStevens ALSO The luxury housing that Measure S would stop doesnt actually require many evictions So why is an AIDS nonprofit suing to halt construction and pushing for Measure S? California officials and the marijuana industry are ready to fight a federal crackdown The Coast Community College District Board of Trustees has directed Orange Coast College to revoke its suspension of a student who secretly video-recorded his human-sexuality professor calling President Trumps election victory an act of terrorism. The student, Caleb ONeil, will continue to attend classes without interruption, according to a statement released Thursday by Orange Coast College. The professor, Olga Perez Stable Cox, will not face any discipline and will teach classes this semester, according to the statement. Advertisement The statement said the decision was reached Wednesday at a special board meeting, where trustees agreed to bring closure to a chain of events that has led to the distress for many, most especially, an OCC teacher and student. ONeils Nov. 15 recording of Cox was prohibited by the districts Student Code of Conduct and the California Education Code because he didnt have Coxs permission. But, the OCC statement said, without condoning the unlawful recording of a lecture, the students desire to voice his displeasure is understandable. The student in this case felt he could not freely share his political views in a classroom, which is why he felt his only recourse was to record a lecture he felt was unfair, according to the statement. The teacher in this case felt she was sharing her views and responding to a student who voiced concerns about the political climate, the statement added. Without condoning what was said, the angst and distress she has felt, as hundreds of hateful and threatening messages were directed at her, is understandable. Its time to move forward with increased empathy and understanding of the differences that have and will exist on a campus filled with individuals from an array of backgrounds who bring them a wide range of political views, religious affiliations and ideals, according to the statement. ONeil, a 19-year-old freshman business student and registered Republican, appealed his suspension last week. He was quoted by the college Thursday as saying: Im so happy. This is what I wanted to continue in school and row for the crew team. I love OCC. In a letter Feb. 9, Victoria Lugo, interim dean of students at OCC, informed ONeil of his suspension for one primary (fall/spring) semester in addition to the summer and other disciplinary actions, including that he submit a written apology to Cox and write a three-page essay on why he recorded Coxs class, how he feels about his footage going viral online and his reaction to its causing damage to Orange Coast College students, faculty and staff. OCC spokesman Juan Gutierrez said Thursday that all the sanctions are lifted. Vega writes for Times Community News. priscella.vega@latimes.com ALSO FBI joins search for Sylmar boy who vanished during powerful storm Sorry, EBay fans. Man who destroyed Trumps Walk of Fame star has returned brass pieces to police L.A. police, investigating child sexual abuse case going back to 1998, ask victims to step forward A San Diego woman admitted Friday to concocting a cover story about her and her husbands whereabouts the weekend that a wealthy Texas man was found stabbed to death in Mexico. Taylor Marie Langston pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court to one count of conspiracy to obstruct justice, less than two months before she was set to go on trial with her husband, David Meza, in connection with the slaying of Jake Merendino. Langston told the FBI that she and her husband went to a friends house in Mexico, and for four hours sat around his dinner table without eating, drinking or watching TV. On Friday, she admitted that was a lie. Advertisement Investigators say Meza advertised gay sex online and met Merendino. Merendino, 51, had decided to move permanently to Mexico and on May 1, 2015, closed on a $300,000 condo at Palacio del Mar, an upscale project between Rosarito and Ensenada. In the early hours of May 2, Meza is suspected of luring Merendino to a bend in the road possibly by saying his motorcycle had broken down, prosecutors say. The attack appears to have started in the drivers seat of the victims Range Rover, and Merendinos body was found outside the vehicle. He was stabbed about 20 times and his throat slashed, according to court records. Records suggest Langston, who was then pregnant with Mezas baby, crossed into Mexico twice that day, the second time going with Meza to the Baja hotel Merendino had checked into, court records say. When investigators searched the hotel room later, they noticed Merendinos laptop, $15,600 diamond-encrusted Rolex watch, iPhone and iPad were missing. Days later Meza presented a handwritten will on hotel stationery that appeared to leave Merendinos fortune to him, replacing another will that had been drawn up by attorneys in 1998, according to court records. Meza later told investigators that he did not kill Merendino but did lure him to the roadside with plans to rob him, investigators say. He said he got cold feet though. He said hed called Langston to help with the robbery, according to a search warrant affidavit. Langston told agents that she thought Meza was working as an accountant and translator for Merendino and that the two men had a father-son relationship, not a romantic relationship, court records state. She also said she was unaware that Meza performed in gay pornography videos. Mezas trial is set to begin April 10. Related Texan slain in Mexico, San Diego lover suspected kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis A former music teacher at a Chula Vista high school was sentenced Friday to a year in jail and placed on probation for three years for having sexual contact with an underage student several years ago. Jason Mangan-Magabilin pleaded guilty in December to two criminal counts: oral copulation of a person under 18 and penetration by a foreign object of a person under 18. He faced up to three years and eight months in prison. At the sentencing in Chula Vista Superior Court, Mangan-Magabilin was ordered to serve 365 days in jail as a condition of probation, said prosecutor Carolyn Matzger. Advertisement He will also have to register as a sex offender for life. Mangan-Magabilin surrendered to investigators at Chula Vista police headquarters in July. He had been band director at Bonita Vista High School since at least 2010. A few weeks earlier, one of his former students now in his early 20s reported to police that Mangan-Magabilin had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with him when he was 15. Their relationship broke off for a while but resumed when he was 17, when he was physically molested. Chula Vista police Capt. Lon Turner said last year that the young man had only recently become aware that school officials are required by law to report suspected abuse of a minor, and that what happened to him was a crime. Mangan-Magabilin was featured in a San Diego Union-Tribune article in 2010 that reported he was one of the winners in a regional Im Thankful for my Teacher contest. He was identified in the article as Jason Mangan. In 2015, he was one of the organizers of the first youth band to march in the annual Pride Parade. The San Diego Pride Youth Marching Band was made up of 100 students from 29 schools, including Bonita Vista High. dana.littlefield@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @danalittlefield You dont know his name, but chances are you know his music if youve watched popular TV in the past 30 years. Jonathan Wolff is known as the Seinfeld Music Guy, but that was just one of 75 primetime television shows that have featured his music. Its an ear-worm that people will instantly recognize and have that sonic brand that will instantly Pavlovian response, he said about the famous theme. Oh, lets go watch that show. That was my main goal for Seinfeld. Advertisement Wolff is scheduled to share some behind-the-scenes stories about his career and perform some of his better-known themes 6 p.m. Tuesday at CSU San Marcos. The event is open to the public, with tickets at $10 and $5 for faculty, staff and alumni. Its free for students, and information on the show is available at https://www.csusm.edu/al/calendar.html. Im just there for fun, he said. There will be no lecture. Its raconteur. Storytelling. The concert is me talking about things they want to know. Celebrity stories, Hollywood behind-the-scenes stuff. Wolff, 58, retired from Hollywood in 2005 and moved to Louisville, Ky., to raise his family. As his children grew up, Wolff said, he looked for ways to share his knowledge and story. He said he meet a delegation from CSUSM a couple of years ago at a convention, which led to his invitation. Wolff usually ties his public presentations in with lectures for master classes at universities with music programs, but in this case made an exception because he happened to in the area for a Wednesday lecture at USC. Wolff said he volunteered for a public show on the San Marcos campus. Last month he performed at Yale and the Juilliard School, and next month his schedule includes stops at Harvard Law School and Berklee College of Music. Wolff, a Kentucky native, began his music career performing five nights a week while still in high school, with another gig Sunday mornings at church. He moved to Los Angeles and only made it through one semester of college before shifting gears to work as a session musician. Tired of jobs that could range from performing a tango one day and a beauty pageant the next, he opened his own studio at 27 and became a composer. I held my breath after that, he said. Calls started coming in, including one from Jerry Seinfeld. He described the opening credits for his show, Jerry standing in front of a group, telling jokes and people laughing, he recalled. Wolff said 1980s theme songs at the time were melodic with a lot of sassy saxophones and silly lyrics, which he admits included some of his own. The Seinfeld theme would be different. I told Jerry, Lets consider your human voice the melody. My job will be to accompany you in a way that does not interfere with the audio and mixes well with the organic nature of your human voice. Wolff will tell more about his writing process and answer questions during his presentation. Everyone has a friend whos a Seinfeld trivia nut, he said. Hopefully theyll show up and heckle me. Of the 75 shows Wolff worked on, he composed themes for 44, including Will & Grace. His credits also include Married With Children, Saved by the Bell, Malcom & Eddie, Reba, The Hughleys, Whos the Boss? Daves World, According to Jim and The New Mickey Mouse Club. In his talks to students, Wolff includes insight into the business side of his career. You dont get those kinds of numbers by being good at music, he said. You get them by being good at business. I was not the best composer in Hollywood. I was the best closer. gary.warth@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @GaryWarthUT 760-529-4939 About 143 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Tijuana River during a period of more than two weeks, said a report released Friday. No other sewage spill in the greater San Diego-Tijuana region has approached this magnitude in years, according to the environmental group Wildcoast. The latest spill started around Feb. 2 and was not contained until Thursday, the U.S. section of the International Boundary and Water Commission said in its report. Advertisement It apparently was caused by a rupture in a sewage collector pipe near the junction of Mexicos Alamar and Tijuana rivers, the second of which drains into the Pacific Ocean on the U.S. side of the border. The author of the report, Steven Smullen, operations manager for the commission, could not be reached Friday evening. Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, who shared the report with the Union-Tribune after receiving a copy of it, criticized federal officials on both sides of the border for not alerting people to the spill. Its a major communication failure, Dedina said. Its obviously something they knew for a very long time, he said. The mayor said he suspected something was wrong when Imperial Beach residents began to notice a foul smell earlier this month. It became pretty bad, Dedina said. So he wrote to the commission to inquire about a possible spill. The mayor said his office will seek an investigation into the spill and its aftermath. South Bay beaches, which typically would be closed by such a spill, already were off-limits to water contact because of sewage runoff as a result of recent storms, Dedina said. Despite hundreds of millions of dollars spent by both governments to capture wastewater and other debris flowing in the Tijuana River, contaminated runoff from Tijuana regularly spills into San Diego County after storms. Over the years, several large sewage spills on both sides of the border have worsened conditions in the Tijuana River, one of the most polluted waterways in the country. Old sewage infrastructure, or the lack of any plumbing in some residences, in Tijuana has repeatedly been blamed for the problem. Email: david.hernandez@sduniontribune.com Phone: (619) 293-1876 Twitter: @D4VIDHernandez While still under fire from legislators and patient advocacy groups, doctors who commit serious transgressions are now also under pressure from their peers. A newly submitted bill supported by the California Medical Association seeks to strip away probation as an option for physicians whose actions harmed patients through drug or alcohol abuse, sexual exploitation or other felony-level misconduct. Instead of going through state regulators administrative disciplinary process, they would instead face judicial scrutiny. Meanwhile, the measure would not require doctors who are placed on probation for other reasons to inform their patients about that disciplinary action. Advertisement Patient notification is a long-standing point of contention between the association, which represents more than 43,000 doctors statewide, and patient advocacy groups. Most recently, the names and violations of about 500 California doctors on probation including 44 in San Diego County were included in a research report that will be used to conduct the state medical boards sunset review. That review, to be conducted by a state Senate committee during a hearing Monday in Sacramento, is required every four years to determine whether the board should continue operating. The probation-doctors list resembles one released in 2015 by the group Consumers Union. It is accompanied by a recommendation from the Senate committees staff for creation of a legal amendment that would ensure that patients receive timely notification of their physicians probationary status. Currently, doctors are often allowed to continue practicing medicine after being placed on probation for a range of violations, including sexually assaulting patients, making serious and repeated medical errors or practicing under the influence of drugs or alcohol. While the medical board does make disciplinary documents available to the public on its website and recently took steps to make those reports easier to find some lawmakers and patient advocates said the burden of discovery should never have been placed on consumers in the first place. The public should not have to learn about the website on its own and then take the additional step of tracking down the disciplinary information on that portal especially when some residents dont have computers, said state Sen. Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, who co-chairs the committee that will conduct Tuesdays review hearing. If (doctors are) on probation, they (currently) have to notify the hospital theyre affiliated with and their malpractice insurance carrier. It just doesnt make sense that they dont have to notify the patient, Hill said. In 2015, the Medical Board of California declined to move forward with a Consumers Union petition that would have required patient notification, saying it could damage the doctor-patient relationship for cases where the violations were minor and did not put patients at significant risk of harm. Physicians groups also said many doctors accept probation only because fighting accusations of wrongdoing through a formal hearing before an administrative law judge is a time-consuming and very expensive process. In a statement last week, the California Medical Association said the new piece of legislation, Assembly Bill 505, is meant to address doctors with the most egregious allegations. The measure would deny those physicians the chance to essentially plead out and go on probation rather than risking a court conviction. This will protect due process but allow the medical board to appropriately discipline bad actors and protect California patients, the association said. But advocates who have long demanded probation notification for patients are not satisfied. Lisa McGiffert, director of the Safe Patient Project at Consumers Union, said the bill does not appear to cover all violation categories. A doctor who has repeatedly been grossly negligent would not have to notify patients, McGiffert said. Another deficiency, she said, is the bills focus on physicians whose drug or alcohol use has directly harmed patients. Presumably the (California Medical Association) thinks that doctors with serious drug problems are OK to continue practicing without patient notice as long as they didnt DIRECTLY harm a patient while on drugs, McGiffert said in an email. The bill was introduced by Assemblywoman Anna Caballero, D-Salinas. She was not available Friday to discuss why her bill does not include patient notification. Legislative assistant Michelle Altawil noted that the legislation is only in its first revision. The issues that Sen. Jerry Hill has raised in his bill last year might become part of the discussion for our bill later on, Altawil said. Hill had introduced Senate Bill 1033 in early 2016, but failed to gain traction amid opposition from the California Medical Association. The senator said he expects significant discussion in the Legislature about the patient-notification issue. Any notification language that advances beyond committee hearings would still require passage by the full Legislature and get the governors signature to become law. After looking at the state medical boards disciplinary documents, especially those involving doctors who committed sexual assault, Hill said he is determined to keep applying the pressure for change. If youve read some of the cases and the clear evidence theyve accumulated, you would see how vulnerable some of these young women have been and how they have been abused and taken advantage of, he said. My daughters and my granddaughters and my wife all see physicians, and I want them to be told if those physicians have been on probation or if they have had a history of behavior that was inappropriate. In the overall picture, it is very rare for a doctor to be placed on probation. At any given time, only a few hundred are in that classification and subject to additional supervision, restrictions on their practice or requirements for retraining. That figure represents less than 1 percent of the nearly 140,000 licensed doctors in California. According to the medical boards most recent annual report, 87 doctors voluntarily surrendered their licenses during the 2015-2016 budget year and the board revoked an additional 49. Gross negligence was the most common reason for discipline Health Playlist On Now Video: Why aren't Americans getting flu shots? 0:37 On Now Video: Leaders urge public to help extinguish hepatitis outbreak On Now San Diego starts cleansing sidewalks, streets to combat hepatitis A On Now Video: Scripps to shutter its hospice service On Now Video: Scripps La Jolla hospitals nab top local spot in annual hospital rankings On Now Video: Does a parent's Alzheimer's doom their children? On Now Video: Vaccine can prevent human papillomavirus, which can cause cancer 0:31 On Now 23 local doctors have already faced state discipline in 2017 0:48 On Now EpiPen recall expands On Now Kids can add years to your life paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1850 Twitter: @paulsisson UPDATES: 8:29 a.m. This article originally stated that the states meeting was Tuesday. It is Monday. Preoccupation with their penis size is one of the more humorous -- or sad -- aspects of male competitiveness. A new study in a British urological journal seeks to put that question in perspective. The study-of-studies examined 17 publications that all told compared the measurements of more than 15,000 men whose phalluses were measured in a standard way by health professionals. It found: -- Average flaccid penis length was 3.6 inches, or 9.16 centimeters. Standard deviation was 0.62 inches or 1.57 centimeters. Advertisement -- Average length of a stretched flaccid penis was 5.21 inches, or 13.24 centimeters. SD was 0.74 inches or 1.89 centimeters. -- Average erect penis length was 5.17 inches, or 13.12 centimeters. SD was 0.65 inches or 1.66 centimeters. As for circumference, the average flaccid girth was 3.67 inches or 9.31 centimeters. SD was 0.35 inches or 0.9 centimeters. Average erect girth was 4.59 inches or 11.66 inches. SD was 0.43 inches or 1.1 centimeters. The study was published Tuesday in BJU International, the official journal of the British Association of Urological Surgeons, the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand, the Hong Kong Urological Association, the Caribbean Urological Association and the Irish Society of Urology. We believe these graphs will help doctors reassure the large majority of men that the size of their penis is in the normal range. We will also use the graphs to examine the discrepancy between what a man believes to be their position on the graph and their actual position or what they think they should be, said study leader David Veale, MD, said in a statement. Veale is affiliated with Kings College London and South London, and with Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The study also found a slight correlation between erect length and height. The study is titled: Am I normal? A systematic review and construction of nomograms for flaccid and erect penis length and circumference in up to 15,521 men. Imphal, Feb 25 (IBNS) : Slamming the Congress for not doing anything in Manipur in its 15 years of rule, Prime Minister Narendra Modi promised that the BJP, if elected to power, will usher in more development in 15 months. "What they (Congress) did not do in last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months," he said while addressing an election rally. " It has been 15 years, Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress did no development,do they deserve to be here now." The PM said Manipur is considered as the Switzerland of East but the state has been "destroyed." Unless development takes place in the north-eastern states, the country's progress will never be complete, Modi said. He thanked the people for attending the rally in great numbers, asserting that the BJP will celebrate its victory very soon. "I urge you to let BJP serve the people of Manipur. Just give us 5 years; you have given them 15 years. In 15 months, we'll do what they haven't," he said. Lt. Muntathar Ghani had been awake for two days straight, engaged in relentless street fighting against Islamic State jihadists. When the adrenaline started to wear off, he sat down in the front yard of a house, desperate for a rest. Thats when he saw the car bomb, a white Chevy pickup sheathed in plates of armor, barreling forward. I fired two rounds at it, but it kept moving. I knew my weapon would have no effect, Ghani said. I shouted, Mufakhakhah! [Car bomb!] and ran to the house for cover. Advertisement Ghani, a 22-year-old member of Iraqs elite Counter-Terrorism Service, was facing what has become Islamic States weapon of choice a poor mans guided missile that militants have found a way to produce on an industrial scale. In Iraq and Syria these days, car bomb, has become a bit of a misnomer these are civilian vehicles outfitted like primitive tanks, assembled in primitive factories. Of 1,112 suicide bombings carried out by Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in 2016, 815 of them used vehicles laden with explosives, according to Amaq, a news agency affiliated with Islamic State. Just this week, 60 Syrian civilians were killed by a car bomb as they assembled to return home to their town liberated from IS the day before. In the fight launched earlier this month to drive the militants from the western part of Mosul, the city that had become the extremists groups de facto capital in Iraq, they are a frequent threat. Its the tactic they use the most, said Staff Lt. Col. Muntadhar Salem, head of the Counter-Terrorism Services Mosul regiment. He recalled the battle for Bartella, a Christian-dominated town east of Mosul recaptured by government forces in October. In Bartella, my group alone faced seven of them, but altogether there were 23 on the first day of our offensive, he said. Vehicles armed with bombs are nothing new. The first arguably dates to 1920, when an anarchist named Mario Buda blew up a horse-drawn wagon on New Yorks Wall Street, killing 40 people and injuring more than 200, according to Mike Davis, author of Budas Wagon: A Brief History of the Car Bomb. In Iraq, after the U.S. invasion in 2003, insurgents attacked military convoys and bases with what became known in U.S. military parlance as Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Devices, or VBIEDs. During the Sunni-Shiite bloodletting that followed, Al Qaeda and later the Islamic State of Iraq (the precursor of todays Islamic State) would often park a car bomb in a busy neighborhood and detonate it later. Some bombs were detonated by the drivers, which gave rise to another abbreviation, the SVBIED, or Suicide Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device. But it wasnt until after 2011, during the crisis ravaging Syria, that the car bomb came into its own. The rebels often lacked the heavy weaponry needed to punch through government defenses. Thats what Ghani was facing recently when he spotted the white Chevy pickup. As he recalled later, he already had survived the harrowing rescue that day of a family trapped in their house in eastern Mosul. Braving Islamic State snipers, Ghani drove his Humvee up to the house, his gunner giving covering fire. Three bullets smacked into the steering wheel, the seat cushion and a window. He stuffed the family into the Humvee, only to have the sniper put a bullet in his gunners right hand. Hours later, he was facing the car bomb. He ran to a house and tried the door. Locked. I gave the door two kicks, and went as far to the back as I could, he said. Moments later, the explosion ripped through the structure, collapsing its front and hurling shrapnel and glass shards into Ghanis face, back and legs. Covering in rubble and bleeding, he crawled to his walkie-talkie 6 feet away. It felt like it was 2 miles away, he said. He called for help just before he lost consciousness. For Islamic State, the car bomb is an ideal weapon. Anyone who can drive can command one. Theyre cheap, using explosives made out of ANFO, a mixture of ammonium nitrate (which is found in fertilizer) and diesel oil. According to the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a standard-sized sedan can deliver 1,000 pounds of explosives, with a lethal range of 125 feet. Meanwhile, Islamic States takeover of Mosul in mid-2014, when the group commandeered billions of dollars worth of U.S.-supplied military hardware, meant it had in its possession thousands of armored vehicles it could use for bombs as well. Islamic State has even created SVBIED battalions, such as the Abu Laith Ansari Battalion (named after the groups Mosul governor). Its designs also evolved, according to Devin Morrow, a technical advisor at Conflict Armament Research, a group thar tracks weapons in contemporary conflicts. We see some really ingenious designs, she said. They learn from past mistakes and adapt. Hulking and huge, many of these vehicles look to be straight out of Mad Max. They boast improvised armor made of pipes or sheet metal welded onto a frame, capable of easily deflecting small arms fire and even the occasional rocket-propelled grenade. Islamic State is now making car bombs on an industrial scale. In the basement of the Great Mosul Mosque (once called the Saddam Mosque, after the former Iraqi strongman), a stones throw from the Tigris River, are the remains of what apparently was a car bomb factory. Car doors are stacked off to the side near a neat pile of hoods. Piping, buckets of metal detritus as well as dozens of metal grilles and gates are arrayed against the wall. They strip the cars right down to the frame, cut [off] all the doors and then replace them with sheet metal, Morrow said. In these shops, we see a division of labor: One cuts off the doors and installs the armored plates, another one places the explosives. Although Islamic State has lost territory in the past year, production appears unaffected. Up until now, they dont seem to lack what they need: big containers, some detonating cord, detonators, fertilizer and aluminum, said Damien Spleeters, Conflict Armament Researchs head of operations in Iraq. And of course people [ready] to blow themselves up. Spleeters added that it would take no more than two days to make such a bomb. For security forces, the crucial factor that determines if they can stop a car bomb is distance. Security forces routinely deploy bulldozers to build earthen berms to slow, if not stop, a car bomber. If they come at you from 1,000 feet, you can get them. But at 300 feet, theyre too close for the missile, said Hassan Attiyah, 30, as he scanned Islamic State positions in western Mosul through the scope of his anti-tank Kornet missile launcher. But the close-quarters combat that troops face against Islamic State in urban areas means they often dont have that luxury. Instead, they rely on the U.S.-led coalitions drones to destroy car bombs before theyre a threat. Even then, Islamic State keep them inside houses or garages. The moment they see us, they go forward and blow themselves up, Col. Refaq Abdul Baqi, an officer with the Iraqi armys 16th Division, said from the government-held eastern bank of the city. Abdul Baqi said residents of western Mosul during the current campaign have been revealing the location of car bombs to security forces so the coalition can destroy them. Lt. Col. Muntadhar Salam said the first thing his men do when they see a car bomb is use one of their vehicles as a barrier. We sacrifice one of our Hummers so it wont go into our convoy, then we start firing RPGs and 50-caliber machine guns, he said. But sometimes, you just have to run. Bulos is a special Los Angeles Times correspondent. Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, said on Friday that a special prosecutor needs to lead an investigation into the alleged ties between President Donald Trumps campaign and Russian leader Vladimir Putins regime. Issa made the comments to talk show host Bill Maher on HBO. Maher asked about allegations of Russian hacking and interference in the 2016 U.S. election. Issa initially said House and Senate committees would investigate, and then Maher asked about the idea of an independent counsel handling the matter instead of Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Advertisement You cannot have somebody a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who is an appointee, Issa said. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office not just to recuse, you cant just give it to your deputy, thats another political appointee you do have to do that. Issa then went on to explain why he believes such an investigation is needed, criticizing Putin. There may or may not be fault, Issa said. But the American people are beginning to understand that Putin murders his enemies, sometimes right in front of the Kremlin, and then suddenly the cameras dont work there. Hes murdered people and taken down using cyber warfare in Georgia and Ukraine. This is a bad guy who murders people who runs a gas station with an economy the size of Italy but is screwing up things all over the world that weve been doing working with. Now we have to work with them. We dont have to trust them, and we need to investigate their activities, and we need to do it because they are bad people. Trump has repeatedly defended Putin. When Fox News Bill OReilly asked Trump about Putin being a killer, the president responded, There are a lot of killers. You think our countrys so innocent? Kremlin spokesman Dmitri S. Peskov later told reporters, We consider such words from a Fox News correspondent to be unacceptable, insulting, according to the the Interfax news agency. Issa was chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform committee from January 2011 to January 2015. Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 Follow me at @RickyWhy ricky.young@sduniontribune.com A suspect in an Oceanside homicide was wounded in an officer-involved shooting Friday as Hemet police tried to take him into custody, police said Saturday. Authorities released very little detail about the shooting, which occurred during the arrest of Hector Samuel Galvez Jr., 30, a Hemet resident suspected in the killing of Joel Bishop earlier that morning, police said. The homicide happened about 4:40 a.m. on Meyers Street near Cassidy Street in Oceanside. Police got several 911 calls reporting a disturbance, the sound of gunshots and a man screaming for help, said Oceanside police Lt. Valerie Saadat. Bishop was found lying in a front yard, and blood and a white powder believed to be drugs were found nearby in the road. Witnesses said they saw a white car drive away. Bishop, 45, died at a hospital shortly after. Advertisement Investigators developed information that led them to Galvez and his companion, Jamie Nichole Radloff, 27. The pair were found in Hemet, and Oceanside police asked Hemet police for help until they could arrive. About 3:15 p.m., Hemet police spotted Galvez and as officers attempted to arrest him on Florida Avenue, the officer-involved shooting occurred. Police did not say what led to the shooting, how many officers fired or what kind of injuries Galvez sustained. Officials said no one else was wounded. Due to the nature of the officer-involved shooting investigation, no further information will be released, Saadat said in a news release. Radloff was arrested a few miles away. Galvez was treated at a hospital and released into the custody of Oceanside detectives. Both were booked into jail on suspicion of murder, and Galvez also faces a charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Authorities said the motive is still under investigation, and that the suspects knew the victim. kristina.davis@sduniontribune.com Twitter: @kristinadavis Mayor Kevin Faulconer has sought and received more than $1 million in contributions for his favorite causes since he was elected in 2014, and the value of the solicitations has been growing by the year. According to financial disclosures at San Diego City Hall, many of the donations came from developers, utilities, retailers and others who do business with the city or are subject to its policies and ordinances. Almost half of the money Faulconer raised has gone to One San Diego, a nonprofit created soon after he was elected to help support the Mayors Office and its initiatives. Advertisement The donations, known under state law as behested payments, came from dozens of companies, political-action committees and individuals, including San Diego Gas & Electric, Cox Communications and Walmart. The contributions must be reported when they exceed $5,000. Under state law, the payments are to be used for educational, legislative or charitable purposes. The mayors staff said the payments were donated in good faith and the proceeds were put to good use. Mayor Faulconer is proud of his efforts to raise money for organizations that give back so much to the community, including One San Diego, the USO San Diego and the United Negro College Fund, spokesman Craig Gustafson said. As you can imagine, given his prominent position, the mayor gets numerous requests from groups asking for his assistance in their fundraising efforts. The Mayors Office said none of the benefactors received favors or special treatment as a result of their contributions. Gavin Baker of the good-government group California Common Cause said elected officials should be careful determining which groups or individuals they seek donations from and for which particular causes. Behested payments can be a powerful tool to raise money for important causes in a community, but you have to ask the question: Why are these donors giving money in these amounts? Baker said. A special interest may seek to curry favor by supporting causes affiliated with the elected official. The contributions reported by Faulconer, a Republican and potential candidate for California governor in 2018, were more extensive than those sought by other elected officials. Records show Councilman Chris Cate sought and received six donations worth $65,000 last year; former Councilman Todd Gloria reported five payments totaling $45,000; and Councilmen Scott Sherman and Mark Kersey disclosed the same pair of donations to the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce worth $40,000 combined. The behested payments Faulconer disclosed in 2014 were valued at approximately $150,000, including about $40,000 worth of donated food and supplies. Those donations helped pay for the mayoral receptions held to celebrate his election victory. The following year, the mayors behested donations reached almost $180,000, all of which went to One San Diego. By 2016, Faulconer reported nearly $790,000 in behested payments, and $328,000 of that went to the charity he helped establish. One San Diego provides resources to some of San Diegos most underserved neighborhoods, including job fairs, laptops for the citys after-school library program, backpacks for schoolchildren, annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaways and planting trees, among other things, Gustafson said. According to its website, One San Diego is dedicated to promoting equal access to economic prosperity, safe and vibrant communities and an enhanced quality of life to ensure every San Diegan has the opportunity to succeed. The site features multiple photos of Faulconer: the mayor addressing an audience, sitting alongside schoolchildren or planting a tree. His staff said the charity is not promoting the mayor for political gain. The mayor doesnt need the publicity, Gustafson said. He does this because he believes in its mission. In its founding documents, the tax-exempt organization stated that one of its main charitable benefits is to support the mayors office. Among other things, the charity said it would spend donations on polling, receptions, furniture for City Hall, search firms to find new employees and employee training and development. The corporation will be closely related to the city of San Diego, insofar as one of the corporations purposes is to relieve the city of the costs and burden of conducting activities on behalf of the Office of the Mayor, the documents state. The One San Diego board president is Lani Lutar, who formerly ran the San Diego County Taxpayers Association. Lutar said it would be wrong to single out those portions of the founding documents that outline the nonprofits plan to pay for polling or furniture as a focus of the One San Diego mission. When putting together articles of incorporation, you want the scope to be broad rather than narrow for any fledgling organization, she said. Lutar said the charitys latest tax filing better describes its purpose. Supporting the interests of neighborhoods citywide and enriching the lives of all San Diegans through efforts to expand opportunities for local youth, inclusive community engagement, empowering local small business and entrepreneurs to grow San Diegos economy, and building an educated and skilled 21st century workforce, the tax return states. One San Diego tax records show the organization raised $112,000 in its first year and ended with almost $57,000. In 2015, the charity raised $260,000 and spent $306,000, leaving about $10,000 in total assets. The charity reported $34,375 in grants awarded to community groups in 2015, with $27,875 of that going to Pacific Arts Movement, a media arts charity that hosts an Asian film festival every year. Lutar is on that organizations advisory board. Former councilman Tony Young served as the One San Diego board president for three years until resigning in December, Lutar said. One of four current board members, Lutar took over as president late last year. Both Young and Lutar work as lobbyists registered with the city. The Mayors Office said most of the $1 million-plus in contributions were not donated through personal appeals. More often, Faulconer is simply listed as an event host or accepted an invitation to speak at an event. For example, the mayor was an honoree at the USO of San Diegos 75th annual Stars & Stripes Gala last May, and his wife served as an event co-chair, so he disclosed the donations as behested payments. If the mayors name is featured on an invitation to a fundraiser he is required to report it, Gustafson said. He wasnt calling up donors to contribute. But he still had to report all the money raised for the event as behested payments. Watchdog Videos On Now Sexual misconduct accusers worry deputy is being protected 6:16 On Now City funded $2-million waterfront bathroom 1:26 On Now Public water district charges customer for legal work, response to records request On Now Video: Tiny homes won't be reused amid housing, homeless crisis On Now Attorney General seeks documentation for Miss Middle East On Now Rep. Hunter probe covers possible fraud On Now Video: SDG&E delaying solar credit for some low-income housing tenants On Now Video: Former San Diego Junior Theatre teacher sentenced for sex with teen girl 0:24 On Now Video: Shelter volunteers believe they were fired for finding a dog a home 0:49 On Now McKamey Manor is leaving San Diego 3:35 jeff.mcdonald@sduniontribune.com (619) 293-1708 @sdutMcDonald Lester Tenney, an Army tank commander who survived one of World War IIs signature horrors, the Bataan Death March, and spent his later years pushing Japanese authorities to apologize for their countrys war atrocities, died Friday. He was 96. Ive learned to forgive, the Carlsbad resident said in 2012, on the 70th anniversary of the march, but Ill never forget. His memories of that eight-day, 73-plus mile trek and of his subsequent three years in a forced-labor coal mine stories he shared with reporters, civic leaders, schoolchildren in the United States and Japan, and in a memoir called My Hitch in Hell eventually wrung apologies from government leaders and from one of the corporate giants that benefited from POW slavery. Advertisement Tenney had been in quite good health until about a week ago, said David Levi, his grandson. He was hospitalized with internal bleeding, which was resolved, and then came home to the nursing facility at La Costa Glen, where he died. He went the way he would have wanted to very, very quickly, his grandson said. Born in Chicago on July 1, 1920, Lester Irwin Tenney joined the Army National Guards 33rd Tank Company out of Maywood, Ill., in 1940, and was sent to the Philippines. In December 1941, in the weeks after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Japanese forces overran other islands in the Pacific, including the Philippines, and Allied forces about 15,000 Americans and 60,000 Filipinos retreated to the Bataan peninsula. They fought for more than three months before they ran out of food, ammunition and room to maneuver. Major Gen. Edward King ordered them to surrender. On the march that followed, they went the first four days without food or water. Temperatures soared past 110 degrees. Stragglers and complainers were stabbed with bayonets, shot or beheaded. If you fell down, you died, Tenney recalled later. If you stopped walking, you died. Lester Tenney in 2015. (K.C. Alfred / San Diego Union-Tribune) About halfway through the march, a Japanese officer on horseback slashed Tenney in the left shoulder with a sword. Two other marchers kept him upright while a medic stitched the wound. Tenney said he survived by setting small goals for himself as he walked. Make it to that stand of trees. Make it to that herd of water buffalo. By the time he and the other survivors staggered into Japanese prison camps, thousands had died. It was awful, Tenney said. It was inhumane. It was barbaric. He briefly escaped from the camp into the jungle, was recaptured, and then put on a ship to Omuta, Japan, where work in a coal mine awaited. He was in the prison camp there, across the bay from Nagasaki, when the U.S. dropped the second atomic bomb in August 1945 and Japan surrendered. Tenney came home with just eight of his teeth the rest had been knocked out by his captors. His wife, believing him dead, had remarried. Tenney was haunted by nightmares in his sleep, and shame when he was awake. I wasnt so proud of being a prisoner of war, he said. But he rebuilt his life. In 1959, he met Betty Levi, and they married a year later. Tenney earned business degrees from San Diego State University and the University of Southern California and became a college professor. In 1966, he and his wife moved to Tempe, where he taught at Arizona State and started a company, University Research Associates, which provided financial and retirement planning for dozens of U.S. companies. He retired in 1993. Two years later, his memoir was published, and Tenney shifted into a role as a prominent thorn-in-the-side of Japanese authorities unwilling or unable to acknowledge what had happened during the war. In 1999, he and other POWs sued five mining companies for reparations. A federal judge dismissed the suit, citing a 1951 peace treaty between Japan and the U.S. Still, Tenney persisted. He traveled to Japan and spoke to schoolchildren whose history books never mentioned the Bataan march. He gave interviews and wrote opinion pieces for major newspapers in the U.S. and Japan, and was on network TV news segments in both countries. In 2009, as national commander of the Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, he welcomed Japanese ambassador Ichiro Fujisaki to the groups annual convention. From the podium, Fujisaki apologized on behalf of his country, a gesture met with applause from only half the survivors. Tenney was among them. If you hate the Japanese, have hatred in your heart, you are still a prisoner of the Japanese, he said. A year later, Tenney went to Tokyo as part of the first-ever American delegation to Japans Peace, Friendship, and Exchange Initiative, a gesture of reconciliation from the Japanese government to its World War II prisoners. In 2015, Tenney was invited to Washington, D.C., to watch Shinzo Abe, Japans prime minister, give a speech to Congress. Tenney and other veterans told reporters they were unimpressed by Abes attempt in his remarks to move beyond the atrocities. But later that day, at a gala outside the Smithsonian Institutions Freer Gallery, which specializes in Asian art, Abe apologized to Tenney in person. The former tank commander had one final mission: Getting an apology from the mining companies. One arrived last month, in a letter from the Mitsubishi Materials Corp. Mitsubishi isnt the company that imprisoned him, but Tenney was grateful. And optimistic that the other companies, including Mitsui, which owned his mine, will eventually apologize, too. That, he said after he received the letter, is all he ever wanted. Tenney is survived by his wife, Betty (their 57th anniversary would have been Tuesday); a son, Glenn Tenney (Susan) of San Mateo; two stepsons, Don Levi (Eileen) of Doylestown, Pa., and Ed Levi (Jan) of Mountain View, Ark; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is planned for family and friends at 1 p.m. Sunday at La Costa Glens Catalina Hall. The family asks that donations be made to the Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas foundation, macular degeneration research at Scripps Research Institute, or Elizabeth Hospice. john.wilkens@sduniontribune.com Many believed that when Barack Obama was elected U.S. president in 2008, the concept of race in our country was magically demolished. That we, as a nation, became post-racial. This is far from the truth. Just because we had a black man in the highest office in the United States does not mean that persons of color stopped experiencing racial discrimination. It does not mean that we suddenly stopped identifying others and ourselves by the color of our skin or the countries our families came from. Advertisement Related: Obama, Trump and the myth of a post-racial America If this nation were a post-racial society, African-American women would make the same as Latina women and as white women. If this nation were a post-racial society, there wouldnt be an overrepresentation of black males incarcerated in for-profit prison systems. If this nation were a post-racial society, we wouldnt know the names of Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Michael Brown Jr., Alton Sterling or Tamir Rice, unless we met them in person. If this nation were a post-racial society, President Donald Trump wouldnt have been elected. President Trumps divisive rhetoric and discriminatory practices are an attempt to undo the progress weve made in civil rights and representation over the past 60 years, and in particular the past eight years under the Obama administration. Among the uncertainty of the effects President Trump will have on this country, there is a collective identity emerging. We, the younger generation, have access to information and technology that our ancestors could never have imagined. We are more informed and more connected than ever before. We acknowledge the different experiences race, gender, religious affiliation and socio-economic status dictate while understanding that all are deserving of respect and safety. We recognize the systems of oppression against minorities in this country; we educate ourselves on histories our primary education neglected in favor of a European perspective. We are learning that our differences are what make us, and this nation, strong. I am the product of many intersecting cultures and identities. My mother is Guamanian and Filipino, my father is black, Native American, French, Polish and German. My experiences with discrimination as a woman of color and my upbringing in an inclusive, albeit unconventional, household have shaped my identity and my view of the world around me. I believe that this generation doesnt want to create a post-racial society but an inclusive society that recognizes race and the other factors that make up our identities. Thats why millions across the United States and the world are organizing, marching and resisting against the Trump administration. So although we are faced with adversity, many of the people I come in contact with are optimistic for the future of this nation. President Trump has inspired a new wave of civil rights activists. We hear the call to action; we see the opportunities to fight for change. Martos grew up in Orange County and is currently a student at San Diego City College. On Nov. 4, 2008, I was among tens of millions of black Americans who celebrated a milestone in American history the election of the first African-American president. What we celebrated that night wasnt just a quantum step forward for African-Americans, but also a reflection of significant progress in American society. Tens of millions of black voters in every part of the country had joined together at the ballot box to help place Barack Obama, a man of African extraction and American heritage, at the helm of the worlds most prosperous country, most powerful military and most diverse industrial nation. Some even suggested that we were a post-racial society where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s dream of each person being judged on the content of their character had been all but fully realized. Then eight years later, Trump happened. Advertisement Related: Why struggle with racism far from over That term post-racial seemed to have come about during the 2008 elections as journalists and pundits looked for a hook to explain the phenomenon of Obama, a black presidential candidate who was having unexpected electoral successes over white primary challengers. Though fairly vague, the definition of post-racial seems to have solidified around describing a state where the historical racial tensions are no longer present. Could Obama be, the thinking went, a reflection of a society achieving genuine colorblindness? Yet the black community, while elated at Obamas success and encouraged by what his election signaled about the progress wed made, was definitely not buying any claim that racism as we knew it and lived it was finally over. In a 2008 speech in Philadelphia, candidate Obama himself refuted the notion that he was a symbol of post-racial America I have never been so naive as to believe that we can get beyond our racial divisions in a single election cycle, or with a single candidacy. What we all knew was that, despite progress in law and in the American heart, there are still fissures in society that prevent African-Americans, as well as other people of color, from fully participating in the countrys civil, social and economic life. While the uglier forms of overt racism have been driven largely underground by the work of people of goodwill and vision, there are persistent expressions of bias that continue to plague communities of color and poison relationships with the larger society: uneven access to quality education, assumptions of criminality, low academic expectations, over-policing of communities of color, over-incarceration of black youths and apparent disregard for the lives of unarmed black men at the hands of police. Some in the larger society felt extraordinarily uncomfortable with critics like Ta-Nehisi Coates and groups like Black Lives Matter suggesting that racism was still at work in American culture. That discomfort and unease was ginned up by right-wing news and exploited by resurgent white supremacists who had rebranded themselves the alt-right. Trumps election is not a reflection of the unexpected breakdown of a nonexistent post-racial America, or President Obamas failure to deliver it, but it is the outcome of a cynical and meticulous far-right political movement that found a way to widen the racial fissures in American society while suppressing voter participation just enough to pull off an electoral success. Despite Trumps election, American society wasnt trending toward more racism. It was definitely making progress in the other direction. We can use electoral politics as one indicator of that progress. Barack Obama was the first president since Eisenhower to win a popular majority in both elections, and surpassed his opponent in 2012 by nearly 6 million votes. The California Legislative Black Caucus now includes several members, including myself, representing constituencies where African-Americans are not the majority. But the courts, constitutional and statutory protections, voting rights, genuinely representative government from the federal level on down, a free press and other American mechanisms of progress are under attack by the Trump administration. Their actions over the last five weeks indicate that they are bent on concentrating power in the presidency and silencing critics. Trumps stump speeches and tweets, though apparently ad-libbed, seem deliberately aimed at painting a society on the brink of destruction one that he alone would rescue. Neither his vision nor his victory are emblematic of the Americas present or its future. Quite contrary, it is in historical terms, a momentary setback to progress that will need the continued energy and vigilance we have seen by ordinary people, the press and public figures over the last few weeks. Moving toward complete colorblindness or a post-racial society shouldnt be our indicator of progress. Continued progress toward a dynamic just multiracial, nation of goodwill, and preserving those imperiled institutions that facilitate progress must be our shared goal. Weber, Ph.D., is a California Assembly member representing San Diego. A world without racism is part of a utopian fantasy. Racism is dying, we figured, as old racists died out. Unfortunately, someone is replacing them. Americas long struggle with racism is far from over and we are seeing that in this election, Hillary Clinton told the National Action Network convention in April. She was right. Advertisement We believed that having a black president meant the country was moving toward a post-racial society. This was not the case. Former President Barack Obama was showered with racism during his campaign and while serving in the White House. Secret Service records show that our first African-American president was the target of more death threats than any previous POTUS. Related: Obama, Trump and the myth of a post-racial America The Christian Science Monitor estimated that there were more than 200 hate-related incidents within the first two weeks of Obamas election in 2008. Many observers at the time said these were the death throes of American racism. That proved optimistic. During Trumps campaign hate incidents swelled as white supremacists felt inspired by his campaign. Even the Ku Klux Klan felt welcomed from the shadows. Obama is right that there has been progress as we become more diverse as a country, but racism is stained into our national fabric like dried blood. After Trump took office, we saw the hate speech spring into action. Trump immediately signed hastily written executive orders that showed minorities they are expected to once again sit quietly at the back of the bus. Muslims were the target of the travel ban, Native Americans were trampled by his approval of the Dakota Access pipeline, bad hombres from Mexico are the villains of the border wall narrative and hellish black communities were threatened with sweeps by federal agents. He called the Black Lives Matter movement a threat. White conservatives had so much fun dismissing and marginalizing people of color and their supporters, they figured they could resume disrespecting women, too. The reprehensible sexist treatment of Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, on the Senate floor by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, is a return to the good ol days for conservatives ready to put women back in their place. Warren attempted to read a letter by civil rights icon Coretta Scott King critical of intolerance. McConnell just underscored the point that intolerance is making a comeback. Post-racial America seemed so close but now seems so distant. Even before Trumps campaign, violence against African-Americans was flaring up again. It is sad that people actually feel they have to plead that black lives matter. These are dangerous times for the U.S. The world is watching and it is aghast by what it sees. Ronald Reagans shining city on the hill is dimming with each attack on Muslims, Latinos, African-Americans, women and Native Americans. Trump has managed to make America hate again. Lopez is editor-in-chief of The Southwestern College Sun. Kohima. Feb 25 (IBNS): Former Nagaland chief minister T R Zeliang, on Saturday, was appointed as Finance Advisor to state government by Governor P B Acharya, according to media sources. As an advisor to the Nagaland government, Zeliang will be equivalent to a Cabinet Minister and will get pay, allowances and all other benefits admissible for the rank. Zeliang resigned as the state chief minister on February 19 conceding to the demand of the Joint Coordination Committee and Nagaland Tribal Action Committee. Image: AIR News Twitter Imagine you are a member of the United States military deployed on the front lines confronting ISIS or other terrorist threats. Suddenly you get a desperate phone call from home Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested your family and theyre facing deportation. Think it cant happen? Think again. Think Trump. The Trump administrations draconian and hastily drafted immigration orders rescind a key protection for military families so that now even military spouses and children can be rounded up and deported. This will weaken our armed forces. It will harm thousands of military families. And its wrong. Advertisement In 2013, the Department of Homeland Security, at the request of the Defense Department, issue a policy memorandum aimed at preventing the deportation of spouses, parents and children of active-duty service members through a program called Parole in Place. Put simply, the program allowed immigration authorities to give the immediate family of military service members a temporary reprieve from enforcement actions based on their immigration status. It specifically barred those with criminal convictions from these protections. This was as much about national security as it was about upholding our commitment to support our troops. The Department of Homeland Security wrote, at the time, that military preparedness can potentially be adversely affected if active members of the U.S. armed forces worry about the immigration status of their spouses, parents and children. We need our service members focused on accomplishing their mission and the safety of each other. RELATED: Trump travel ban is a bad idea that hurts U.S. Trump right to protect nation with travel ban Clarity needed here, there on Trumps Mexico strategy When you deploy to war, your greatest worry is not yourself. You worry about your family left behind. The least we can promise those willing to give their life for our country is that their immediate family members can remain in that same country. By all accounts, the policy has worked well. Yet the Trump administrations new immigration enforcement policy eviscerated Parole in Place protections. It does not continue a policy that reflects a promise made to recruits who joined the United States military in the last four years. The new enforcement directive could have easily maintained the protections of this unique program, as it did a few others. It could have made clear that agents of the U.S. government will not round up and deport the spouses and children of our active duty service members. Instead, it casually dispenses with exercises of executive discretion based on a specified class or category of aliens. The administration either did not know or did not care that one of these specified classes included military families. That may be good politics for the red states, but its terrible national security policy for the United States, and a slap in the face to thousands of deployed troops with immigrant roots. We cannot allow our troops to be consumed with fear and anxiety about their families while deployed on the front lines. We cannot indiscriminately endanger the family members of the citizens who sacrifice the most for our nation. The initial reasoning and effort that created this program was sound. It strengthens our military and our country. It is wrong to go back on our word and our commitment to the very citizens who sacrifice the most. It isnt enough to clap for veterans in airports or once a year on a holiday. We show our true appreciation by keeping our word, in this instance by protecting their families. The Trump administration must immediately and explicitly clarify that the Parole in Place program for military families remains the law of the land. If Trump can turn out sweeping executive orders in a matter of days, surely he can fix this terrible mistake in a matter of minutes. Fletcher is a U.S. Marines combat veteran, a professor of practice in political science at UC San Diego and a former member of the California Assembly representing the 75th District. Twitter: @nathanfletcher The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial Board has for years advocated for criminal justice reform, driven by the belief that our legal system is too ready to give up on people and throw away their lives. Nevertheless, we call on Gov. Jerry Brown to again reject a state Parole Board recommendation that Jesus Salvador Cecena, 55, be released after nearly four decades in prison for the 1978 first-degree murder of San Diego police Officer Archie Buggs. Brown also has his bona fides when it comes to criminal justice reform, having championed two successful state ballot measures that reduce sentences for many crimes and make it easier to win parole. Yet last January, he concluded for a second time that Cecena a 17-year-old gang member when he shot Buggs six times during a traffic stop was not adequately rehabilitated. Advertisement Cecena told a psychologist in 2015 that the murder was the impulsive act of a panicked teenager. But the governor noted that the judge at Cecenas sentencing said Buggs killing was deliberate and calculated. Mr. Cecenas characterization of his actions ... indicates to me that he is minimizing the callousness of the crime, Brown wrote last year. I am not convinced that Mr. Cecena will be able to abstain from violence given the fact that he has yet to confront in an adequate and forthcoming manner the nature of his actions and what led him to gun down a police officer. Thirteen months later, we are aware of no new evidence that challenges Gov. Browns conclusion. Cecena should not be freed. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion Democrats anguish over losing the White House despite winning the popular vote for the second time in 16 years hasnt eased a bit since Donald Trump took office on Jan. 20. This is evident in their turnout at town hall events in which Republican lawmakers face harsh criticism over their partys interest in scrapping the Affordable Care Act and abandoning many Obama administration policies, starting with immigration and climate change. Locally this month, Reps. Darrell Issa, R-Vista, and Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, have declined to hold town halls of their own or to come to such open events sponsored by others. Issa did meet with about 225 constituents, most of them Trump critics, outside his Vista office last week, but Hunters office announced that he would no longer meet with protesters who had refused to follow rules and not film inside his office and who had blocked parking and caused problems for nearby businesses. Advertisement Their constituents deserve better. Thats why Issa and Hunter should follow the lead of Rep. Tom McClintock. The Republican from Elk Grove, a Sacramento suburb, left a rowdy Feb. 4 town hall with a police escort after an hour of hostile questions. No one was happy with the outcome, so McClintock held another event Tuesday that he extended twice to a full two hours to take more questions and patiently explain his positions on issues to a mostly anti-Trump crowd. There is no reason Issa and Hunter cant take a similar approach. After all, they are known as the exact opposite of shrinking violets. While were offering advice, Issas spokesman Calvin Moore has a point when he criticized 200 protesters who gathered outside Issas Vista home on Thursday night. He said everyone has the right to peaceably assemble and make their voices heard, but dragging the congressmans wife and family into this goes beyond the pale. Leave Issas family alone. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion Donald Trumps improbable victory saw him demolish political and societal norms to the delight of tens of millions of Americans fed up with an insular establishment they considered oblivious to their discontent. As a candidate, Trump redefined acceptable behavior for political and public figures. But there remains behavior that is unacceptable. Advertisement As president, Trump has spent five more weeks stomping on norms, even calling certain news outlets the enemy of the American People! Friday, his administration crossed a line by putting his words into action, barring some of those outlets from a press briefing at the White House. Press secretary Sean Spicers decision to hold a private briefing without CNN, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and BuzzFeed instead of the usual briefing open to all accredited media is the sort of a thing a dictatorial government would do. Says who? Says Spicer. At, ironically, a Politico event in December, Spicer was asked if the Trump White House would continue the Trump campaigns practice of banning some reporters and outlets. Look, theres a big difference between a campaign where it is a private venue using private funds and a government entity, Spicer said. I think we have a respect for the press when it comes to the government. That is something you cant ban an entity from. Conservative, liberal or otherwise, thats what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship. Spicer was right then and is wrong now. Alas, Trump and his aides seem unlikely to back down soon. They reacted with fury to a CNN story that the White House had sought to get FBI help to discredit a New York Times report that detailed contacts between Russian intelligence officials and Trumps associates. Top Trump aides speaking off the record said it was grossly unfair to imply there was something unseemly about what the White House had done because FBI officials privately told Chief of Staff Reince Priebus the Times story was inaccurate. The Trump aides say that the FBI officials were asked to share this view publicly but declined. CNN stands by its framing of its report and the Times stands by its story as well. But the White House believes its grievance is valid and real even as new reporting raises fresh doubts about its claims. Flash back to 2009, when the Obama administration attacked Fox News. Were going to treat them the way we would treat an opponent, White House Communications Director Anita Dunn told The New York Times. CNNs Jake Tapper, to his great credit, pushed back strongly, and the Obama administration backed down. Friday, Bret Baier of Fox News replied in kind, saying such White House briefings should be open to all credentialed orgs. Everyone should hope that this contretemps plays out similarly because the stakes are so high. Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion Lindsay Burninghams op-ed Charter schools: Lack of standards hurts students (Feb.23) is so full of alternative facts in an effort to delegitimize charter schools that it warrants a response. First, charter schools in California receive wide bipartisan support because they are accountable and transparent. Charters must apply to an authorizer and then renew every five years and can be denied if they are not successful for students. When was the last time you saw a traditional school closed for poor student progress? More than 99 percent of California charter schools are nonprofits. Advertisement Charter schools are not causing school district deficits a multitude of factors are contributing, including declining enrollment, financial mismanagement and the funding of retirement costs. While districts may be getting less funding, they are serving fewer students. Charter schools serve all students, including those with disabilities. In fact, because they are designed to have flexibility, charters are uniquely situated to provide innovative, high-quality educational services to students with unique learning needs. When Burmingham and her ilk suggest we and other reformers are trying to dismantle public education, they forget, we are part of the public education system. Charter public schools are the choice in the public education system. Durfee is managing regional director, Southern California, of the California Charter Schools Association. 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 Want to see more letters that appear only online? Follow @UTLetters on Twitter and UTOpinion on Facebook. Darrell Issa , R-Vista, appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher Friday night and told the HBO host that Congress needs a special prosecutor to investigate possible Russian influence on the 2016 election. Issa also said Attorney General Jeff Sessions , his friend, should recuse himself to make way for the prosecutor. Notably, Issas comments about Russia and its President Vladimir Putin were vastly different than what Trump has said since he's become president or what he said on the campaign trail, praising and talking about building strong relationships with Putin. There are protesters outside, Maher began his interview. Those are my people, Issa said to laughter. Those are not your people, Maher quipped to more laughter. Theyre always there with me, Issa replied. Maher then asked Issa why he and other congressional leaders are ducking town halls when upset constituents are asking Issa to hold one for them. In 2009, it seems to me that when the shoe was on the other foot, the Democrats showed up at the town hall meetings and took the yelling and it looks like you Republicans, including you sir, are just ducking it, Maher said. Issa said he had over 14 events opened to the public over the last two weeks, including one where a couple hundred people showed up outside his office. Issa said he heard loudest fears about immigration and healthcare reform, moving the discussion toward Obamacare and unwinding the law formally known as the Affordable Care Act. Issa said he wouldnt disagree with his party if it chose to repeal and replace Obamacare, then added, Weve got to start looking at the cost drivers and work on it. Now that wasnt in the Affordable Care Act. Maher then asked Issa about the Russian election interference, beginning with Issas former high-profile role as one of Obamas biggest attack dogs as head of the House Oversight Committee. You looked into Benghazi and Fast and Furious and other... And the IRS . The IRS. And about 2,000 others. Right. Because you said Obama was one of our most corrupt presidents. So now we have this situation where it comes out this week that Reince Priebus was talking to the FBI. Hes the chief of staff. That really is booze. No, its not. Youll wish it was after I finish this question. So anyway, so, all our intelligence agencies, you have great respect for them, you are a veteran, right? They all said that the Russians hacked, one side like a poker game where just one player has the cards up, they just hacked the Democrats, and we know for a fact that people in the Trump administration and dealings, talks with the Russians during the campaign. OK, lets go back to 2012. Lets say the Russians hacked only Mitt Romney, and there was a lot of contact between the Obama administration and Russia. Are you going to let that slide? No. So youre not going to let this slide? No. Oh, so youre going to ask for a subpoena? Were going to ask the intelligence committees of the House and Senate to investigate within the special areas they oversee. We need an independent prosecutor, and Jeff Sessions should recuse himself the same way Loretta Lynch recused herself because he was part of the Trump campaign? Is that correct? Jeff Sessions should recuse himself? As I was saying, No. 2 would be youre right, that you cannot have somebody, a friend of mine, Jeff Sessions, who was on the campaign and who was an appointee. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office to take, not just to recuse, you cant just give it to your deputy, thats another political appointee. You do have to do that. Were going to have to do it. Heres the reason were going to have to do it, Bill. There may or may not be fault, but the American people who are beginning to understand that Putin murders his enemies, sometimes right in front of the Kremlin, and then suddenly the cameras dont work there. Hes murdered people and taken down using cyber warfare in Georgia and Ukraine. This is a bad guy who murders people who runs a gas station with the economy the size of Italy but is screwing up things all over the world that weve been doing quote working with. Now we have to work with em. We dont have to trust them. And we need to investigate their activities and we need to do it because they are bad people. Well, thats certainly not the opinion of the Trump administration. I thank you for saying it publicly. Congressman Darrell Issa, give him credit for that answer. Some people on the internet did just that while others asked questions about what they had just heard on HBO. Some people still gave Issa grief for not meeting with his constituents at town hall meetings, echoing a theme The San Diego Union-Tribune Editorial board raised in an editorial earlier in the day urging Issa and Rep. Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine, to hold just such town halls. What do you think about what Issa told Maher? And what do you think about a town hall? Should Issa (and Hunter) hold one for their constituents in San Diego County? Twitter: @sdutIdeas Facebook: UTOpinion Paint the town purple Sunday Members of 2017 Relay for Life of Ramona teams will kick off this years campaign by tying purple ribbons on trees and poles along Main Street on Sunday, Feb. 26, starting at 10 a.m. An information and sign-up booth will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in front of the Day Promenade building at 850 Main St. Rain tally Ramona received 1.36 inches of rain from Friday through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service at Ramona Airport. Relay for Life teams Teams are forming for the 2017 Relay for Life of Ramona, an annual 24-hour event to support those affected by cancer and to raise money for American Cancer Societys cancer research and education efforts. The event will be held at Wilson Stadium, 720 Ninth St., and will begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday, April 29, with an Opening Ceremony followed by the Survivors Lap at 9:30 a.m. and Survivor/Caregiver Breakfast at 9:45. Individuals may join one of the 15 existing relay teams or form a team of their own. The commitment is to have at least one team member walking or running on the track throughout the 24-hour event. For more information or to join/sign up for a team, contact Tori Barlow at 760-522-0661 or toribarlow@gmail.com. Softball Hit-a-Thon Weather permitting, Ramona Girls Softball (RGS) will hold a Hit-a-Thon fundraiser at the fields in Ramona Community Park off Aqua Lane on Friday, Feb. 24, at 5 p.m. Rain on Feb. 11 canceled the organizations Opening Day ceremonies as well as that weekends games. Even though the sun was out the next day, the fields do not drain well, said Jeff Moody, RGS Board president. The fundraiser Friday will include silent auction baskets. Sabbath services Congregation Etz Chaim will hold Sabbath services on Friday, Feb.24, at 7:30 p.m. Keith Liker from Temple Adat Shalom in Poway will lead services. Because of a calendar conflict for this month, only services will be held in a private residence. For details, call 760-789-2781. Vehicle auction San Diego County has a variety of vehicles on the auction block this week. The vehicles can be seen at 369 Main St. on Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The auction will close at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27. For more information, an auction catalog, and photos of many of the auction items, visit www.tntauction.com. Funk, Nagem on deans list Madison Funk and Alexis Nagem of Ramona are on the Azusa Pacific University Deans List for fall 2016. Students must earn a GPA of 3.5 or better to receive the academic honor. Vantol on chancellors list Megan Vantol, a student at St. Lukes College-UnityPoint Health in Sioux City, Iowa, is on the Chancellors List for fall 2016. In addition to earning a GPA of 3.5 or above, Vantol received a satisfactory clinical attainment for that semester. Vantol is pursuing her Associate of Science degree in nursing. A graduate of Mountain Valley Academy on the Ramona Community Campus, she is the daughter of Judy and Tom Vantol of Ramona. Got news? Email editor@ramonasentinel.com. State Senator Toni Atkins is scheduled to speak at the Rancho Bernardo Community Council meeting that begins at 6:30 Thursday, March 2 in the Rancho Bernardo Librarys second-floor community room, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. Atkins was to speak at the councils February meeting, but had to cancel due to illness. For the meeting agenda, go to RBCommunityCouncil.com. Email: rbnews@pomeradonews.com Guwahati, Feb 25 (IBNS): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday in Manipur that his party promises to end the economic blockade if elected. PM Narendra Modi addressed an election rally in Imphal on Saturday for the upcoming Assembly Election, which is scheduled to take place in two phases, on March 4 and 8, 2017. At the rally, Modi said that the Congress led state government will have to answer for all the sufferings of the people of Manipur due to the three month long blockade. Modi said that Congress let the blockade continue for political reasons and the people of Manipur know these strategies of corrupt Congress and they will be punished. Modi said that, BJP will form the next government in Manipur and no blockade will be allowed in the state. "Congress, that is in power for the last 15 years in Manipur, has not done anything to develop the state," Modi said. Slamming the Congress party for 'ruining' Manipur, Modi said that if BJP is voted to power, his party will do in 15 months what the Congress didn't in the last 15 years. "BJP will bring all rounds of development in Manipur within 15 months," PM Modi said. Terming Manipur as the Switzerland of East, Modi said that the Congress party looted the all development funds in the state in the past one and half decade. "The corruption that took place in Manipur in last 15 years will be exposed by our government. Manipur's unity, Manipur's development is our dream. Our government will never let injustice happen to anyone. Congress wants votes for 10% commission, but BJP wants votes for 100% development. Only state in India where CM is known by a number. Mr.10% [Manipur CM Okram Ibobi Singh] taking his commission for 15 years. Congress siphoned off money from Manipur to run its headquarters. No one can get jobs without bribes. Rates set for all jobs from constables to cooks. This corruption will end under BJP government. Congress has destroyed the peaceful fabric of North East," Modi said. Regarding the Naga framework issue, Modi said, "I have shared details of Framework Agreement with Congress. Thye are shamelessly trying to play politics." (Reporting by Hemanta Kumar Nath) Kolkata, Feb 25 (IBNS): West Bengal; Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday mourned the death of an Indian national in the US. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was shot dead in a US bar. Banerjee tweeted: "The world is one big family. People from different countries live in different nations. We must all understand this 1/2." Banerjee said she does not support politics of hate. "Saddened and shocked at incident of Indian engineer in Kansas USA who was an unfortunate victim. We don't support the politics of hate 2/2," she said. The wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian engineer who was shot dead in a US bar has sought answers from the US Government to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes. I have a question in my mind: Do we belong? said Sunayana Dumala at a press conference on Friday, The Kansas City Star reported. Addressing a press conference at the headquarters of Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer, Dumla said she expressed concern about immigrants being targeted in America, but her husband told her not to worry. "We always wondered how safe it was to stay in the United States of America, but he always assured me that only good things happen to good people," she said, adding "He did not deserve a death like this." And we always wondered, how safe? I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani wounded in Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas on Wednesday night when an American opened fire on them after yelling, "get out of our country." Police said it was a "hate crime." Authorities on Thursday charged Adam W. Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder in Kuchibhotlas death. Mahogany Bay is the largest development that Ambergris Caye has ever seen. Located about 2 miles south of town on relatively newly claimed land and canals, this project is ambitiousand then some. I first visited the village in June of 2014 when they opened their very first public space, Rum + Bean Coffee. Almost three years ago! And I got a taste of the aesthetic (LOVE) and the plan (overwhelming!) To see my posts about MBV, please check below. Now, each time I stop in for one of the numerous openings or events I am nothing short of stunned. The businesses! The speed of construction! The cohesive, gorgeous furnishings. I am a person who might be accused of having too many opinions. But when it comes to Mahogany Bay? Im almost left speechless. Each and every time I head down there I have to stop for a second Are these 200+ Curio by Hilton hotel rooms set to open in the next year these plans for Coastal Living homes beach clubs and numerous restaurants a village unto itselfAm I actually in Belize? Yesterday, I was invited to the Shaken Grand Opening VIP Pre-Party. This has been a perfect week for sunsets and the new Great House at MBV has a great vantage point. The Great House in general makes me feel like I am in the movie out of Africaat the colonial club. Wrap around porches, purposely scuffed mahogany floors, huge wide open shutters. If only Robert Redford, in his prime, came with SIgh. Lets focus. To present day Ambergris Caye! Hand caned table topswhite cushions! Once you step in, to one side, the future inside bar, Stirred and to the other side, the front desk area Now out to the decks and the pool. The wood work is really extraordinary. And the lighting? Not bad at all as the sun sets. Allow me to blind you for just a second. Beautiful Maria, owner of Hostel La Vista and Melody of Melodys Art Studio and Dulce Belize Weddings. And back towards the 22,000 square foot, three story Great House. A gorgeous night for an openingactually a PRE-Opening. The GRAND opening is today! Click here for more information. New Delhi, Feb 25 (IBNS); Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy is visiting United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman on a bilateral visit from Feb 26 to Mar 2. The visit aims to consolidate bilateral naval relations with UAE and Oman, as also to explore new avenues for naval cooperation. The CNS will be commencing his bilateral visit from UAE on 26 February 2017, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Mohammed bin Ahmad Al Bowardi, Minister of State for Defence of UAE, Lieutenant General Hamad Mohammed Thani Al Rumaithi, Chief of Staff, UAE Armed Forces and Rear Admiral Ibrahim Salim Mohammed Al Musharrakh, Commander of UAE Naval Forces. The Admiral will be visiting the Ghantoot Naval Base, where he will briefed on the latest Baynunah Class Corvette. He will also visit the National Defence College of UAE, where he will interact with the Student Officers, and also tour the training facilities at the Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum Naval College of UAE. The Admiral will also lay a wreath at the Wahat Al Karama Memorial. On completion of his visit to UAE, the CNS will be visiting Oman from Mar 1, where he will hold bilateral discussions with Bader Bin Saud Bin Harib Al Busaidi, Minister Responsible for Defence Affairs of Oman, as also the three Service Chiefs. The Admiral will visit the Sultan Qaboos Naval Academy, the Said Bin Naval Base, where he will also visit the Fleet Maintenance Facility and the latest Khareef Class corvette, RNOV Al Shamikh. The Indian Navy cooperates with both the navies of UAE and Oman on many fronts, which include Training, Operational interactions and exchange of White Shipping Information, through the medium of Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks with both countries, as also through Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) with UAE and Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMCC) with Oman. In addition, the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman have been conducting the bilateral Maritime Exercise Naseem Al Bahr since 1993. Ten editions have been held so far, the last being held off Goa in January 16. Weekly Newsletter The best of The Saturday Evening Post in your inbox! Join A few days before the 2012 presidential election, Joe Scarborough, the conservative host of Morning Joe on liberal MSNBC, proclaimed, Anybody that thinks this race is anything but a tossup right now is such an ideologue theyre jokes. He felt reports that put Obama ahead were biased, and he had one particular culprit in mind, Nate Silver, a presumably liberal polling expert who calculated that President Obama had a 79 percent chance of beating Romney. There was just one problem. It turned out to be Scarborough himself whose judgment was clouded by biasas Silver recognized when he offered to bet the anchorman $1,000 on the outcome of the election, a wager Scarborough wouldnt take. Silver turned out to be amazingly accurate in how he called the race. Subscribe and get unlimited access to our online magazine archive. Subscribe Today Thats the problem with media bias. We all know its there, and we all know we need to see it, detect it, and overcome it if were ever going to know the truth, but we also all see it in different places. All too often, we think whoever we agree with is unbiased. Its the other guy, the one we disagree with, who holds the biased opinion. How, then, are we ever to get at the truth, the truth we need, not only just to know whats going on, but to be responsible citizens in a democracy? Its a very old problem, and its not about to go away, though there are definitely things we can do to try to smoke out biased reporting and see the facts more clearly. Well get to that later, but first, a little history. Bias in the media wasnt always considered a negative. In fact, until about 100 years ago, it hardly ever occurred to anyone that media should be unbiased. Everyone agreed that an informed electorate was the basis of a free society, but they didnt take that to mean that the news should be delivered without a point of view. They did agree, however, that in the U.S. the freedom of the press was sacred. That was a founding principle of our nation, and one of the great things that set us apart from every government that had come before. The idea of a truly free press was born in 1735, when a New York newspaperman named John Peter Zenger was put on trial for libel for defaming the royal governor. Zengers lawyer insisted that he was innocent because what he had printed was the truth. No law at the time protected a journalist who told truth that hurt a public official, but the jury set Zenger free anywayand established the notion of a press unafraid to speak truth to power as a cornerstone of liberty. What makes the jurys decision all the more intriguing is that it was quite well known that Zengers paper had been founded expressly to attack the royal governor. Freedom of the press was considered to be quite a separate matter from bias, as indeed it should be. By the time of the American Revolution, the colonies were awash in partisan newspapers and pamphlets. One of the British outrages that led to the Revolution was the Stamp Actwhich put a tax on newspapers. In Europe the press had always been controlled by the ruling aristocracy and bent to serve its purposes; in the colonies, it became the weapon of the people, and publications like Thomas Paines pamphlet Common Sense fired the people to revolt against their overseas overlords. The only kind of media bias anyone really worried about was bias imposed from above, by the king and his men. And so, when the Constitution was written its very first amendment stated Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press With those words, a free press was enshrined along with freedom of speech and religion as one of our most crucial liberties. The government went well beyond mere words in supporting it, too. Where other nations heavily taxed their newspapers, the young United States did the opposite. It subsidized them. The Postal Act of 1792, which established the nations mail service, gave newspapers discounted postage rates, and legislators often provided funding for papers in their districts. With that help the American press flourished so much that by 1835 the U.S. had five times as many daily papers as the British Isles. However, high officials often hated and distrusted what the papers printed. In 1798 President John Adams went so far as to push through the notorious Sedition Act, which made it a crime to publish false, scandalous, and malicious writings about the president or Congress. The law would backfire badly, turning its victims into free-speech martyrs. Thomas Jefferson got rid of the Sedition Act soon after he was elected president. Not all bias is political bias. In the 1830s James Gordon Bennett used sensationalism and colorful embroidering of the truth to build his New York Herald into the biggest newspaper in the world. As but one lurid example, his paper described the corpse of a murdered prostitute in 1836 as follows: The perfect figure, the exquisite limbs, the fine face, the full arms, the beautiful bust, all, all surpassed in every respect the Venus de Medici. Newspapers were, after all, businesses first, and the primary concern was selling papers. By 1871 a British observer would describe the typical American newspaper as a print published by a literary Barnum, whose type, paper, talents, morality, and taste are all equally wretched and inferior; who is certain to give us flippancy for wit, personality for principle, bombast for eloquence, malignity without satire, and news without truth or reliability. How biased was the press in the 19th century? In 1860 Bennetts Herald reported that Abraham Lincoln was a fourth-rate lecturer who cannot speak good grammar. By the end of that century, the United States was a nation of mass-readership newspapers. Joseph Pulitzers New York World led the way, with signs in its city room that read, Accuracy, Accuracy, Accuracy! Who? What? Where? When? How? The FactsThe ColorThe Facts! Despite the noble motto, in the World and in its archrival, William Randolph Hearsts Journal, there was a lot of willful omission and lying, as Brooke Gladstone, media historian and host of the NPR show On the Media, points out in her book, The Influencing Machine. Hearst himself is best remembered for his (possibly apocryphal) 1897 telegram to the artist Frederic Remington, who told him there was no fighting in Cuba to report on: Please remain. You furnish the pictures, and Ill furnish the war. The tide began to turn with the century. Adolph Ochs bought The New York Times in 1896 and announced that it would henceforth give the news impartially, without fear or favor, regardless of party, sect, or interest involved. Lack of bias became a new ideal in the Progressive Era of the early 1900s. In 1904 Joseph Pulitzer endowed one of the first journalism schools, at Columbia University, to raise journalism to the rank of a learned profession, and others soon followed. In 1922 editors founded their first professional association, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and drafted a code of ethics that declared, News reports should be free from opinion or bias of any kind. [MANILA] Stigma and marginalisation of people living with viral hepatitis are among barriers to a global plan to eliminate the disease as a public health threat by 2030, a conference in Shanghai, China, heard this month (1519 February). A highlight of the conference convened by the Asia Pacific Association for Study of the Liver (APASL), the Coalition to Eradicate Viral Hepatitis in Asia Pacific (CEVHAP), the World Hepatitis Alliance and the Chinese Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control was a forum participated by 25 NGOs from 13 Asia Pacific countries. It was a milestone for practitioners to come together vowing to fight hepatitis as part of the Sustainable Development Goals. Dee Lee, Inno Community Development Organisation The NGO sector involved in viral hepatitis provided a unique perspective in representing the needs of other key stakeholders involved in the elimination of viral hepatitis, says Jinlin Hou, president of APASL and chair of the department of infectious diseases at the Southern Medical University in China. They provide the on-the-ground, lived experience and the information that ensures that services provided by clinicians are effective and efficient. Viral hepatitis is a silent epidemic that kills 1.4 million people each year globally. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for a million of those deaths, a toll three times as much from HIV/AIDS. Around the world, 400 million people live with chronic hepatitis, and that number may rise as more people are screened and tested. It was in May 2016 that the WHO released the Global Heath Sector Strategy on Viral Hepatitis and set the goal to eliminate hepatitis. APASL has been providing resources to NGOs engaged in this cause, says Hou, adding that their inclusion in the conference agenda was inevitable. It was a milestone for practitioners to come together vowing to fight hepatitis as part of the Sustainable Development Goals, Dee Lee, CEVHAP member and chief of the Inno Community Development Organisation, tells SciDev.Net. The misunderstanding and dissent between patient advocacy groups and physician institutes can't be dissolved through a single meeting, but it has already established a base for mutual understanding. Lee says partnerships have been formed with participating organisations. For instance, Inno is now talking and engaging with Yellow Warriors from the Philippines and Stanford Asia Liver Center in the US to develop an anti-discrimination strategy for the workplace. If efforts to eliminate the disease are to succeed diagnosis and treatment will need to be scaled up, delegates to the conference concurred. Infrastructure and trained health care workers providing affordable treatment to those living with viral hepatitis were also seen as prerequisites.A comprehensive approach is the only way to tackle the difficulties of ending hepatitis and that was apparent at the meeting, says Lee. The idea will be integrated into our project design to find appropriate stakeholders to bridge the resources and advantages. In an interview with a French website, Nintendo's Yoshiaki Koizumi confirmed that Nintendo Switch will not be supporting Bluetooth headsets. This comes as a shock for all Nintendo lovers, especially after the excitement over an earlier announcement of Nintendo Switch to support Bluetooth headsets. According to The Next Web, it was the French website Melty that broke the disappointing news. Incidentally, it is the same website that had come out with the news of Nintendo Switch supporting Bluetooth headsets earlier this month. The website has since posted a correction to the original article, clarifying that it was an unintentional translation error that led to all the misunderstanding. It now confirms that it is "impossible" to use Bluetooth audio devices with the Nintendo Switch. There has not been any reason cited by either Nintendo or Melty to explain why Bluetooth won't work on Nintendo. Melty says it will be possible to use wired audio on Nintendo Switch even when it is docked. All promotional images though show Nintendo Switch's headphone jack on the screen and not the Joy-Con. If an extension cord is not dragged to the dock, it is hard to say how it is possible to use wired audio on a docked console more than a few inches away. As the news comes in immediately after Yoshiaki Koizumi's interview regarding Nintendo Switch not having the Bluetooth technology, those who have pre-ordered the Switch can't be blamed for feeling a little bit of remorse. The option of a virtual console remains unfulfilled for many Nintendo Switch fans. As reported earlier by Nintendo Today, on 14th February, Yoshiaki Koizumi had confirmed that Nintendo switch will support wireless Bluetooth headsets. It made some gamers to wonder if the 3.5 mm headphone jack would be disabled when the system is docked. To this, Koizumi confirmed that players can use the 3.5 mm headphone jack while docked and undocked for regular headphones. With the advent of technology, Bluetooth headphones have gained a lot of popularity in the last few years. So it would have been really great from a fan's point of view to see Nintendo switch supporting the technology. The HB 39 bill amendment, sponsored by Rep. Justin Fawson (North Ogden), was put on hold for further review. The bill urges that HIV-positive patients who hide about their condition to establish sexual relationships with one or multiple partners will be charged with rape. Although the bill is supposed to discourage unsafe sex among people, both HIV-positive and negative, most of the members of the committee believed that criminalizing such act will most likely discourage people to get tested for HIV. Expert members of the committee gave their opinions on the bill (both for and against), and after considering them all, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously voted to put a hold on the bill. Troy Williams, the executive director of Equality Utah organization, said that the bill is a rather "punitive approach," which will help in denouncing HIV/AIDS patients. According to Utah Political Capitol, while Rep. Karianne Lisonbee (Clearfield) said that the bill is fine the way it is, most others, including Rep. Brian King (Salt Lake City), Rep. Brian Greene (Pleasant Grove) and Ron Gordon, Executive Director, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, testified that the bill needs to be modified. Though all of them agreed that something needs to be done in this regard, the HB 39 bill has taken it too far, which is why if passed, it may lead to more problems than providing solutions to the existing ones. The committee concluded that categorizing sexual act between an HIV-positive person and a negative individual as statutory rape can have dire consequences for the HIV patient, Deseret News Utah reported. Representative Greene advised that the statutory proposed in the bill is itself problematic. Intentionally putting the life of another person under risk by sexually transmitting the virus is justified to be categorized as a criminal act, but it does not mean it is "rape," the committee members remarked. Get a glimpse of the first solar eclipse this year on Sunday morning (Feb. 26). This solar eclipse is an annular eclipse, in which the Moon gets between the Earth and the Sun and the shaving of the Sun's surface will appear around the Moon. This will have an effect referred to as the "Ring of Fire." Fred Espenak, a retired NASA eclipse expert, said that this eclipse's path stretches from the Pacific to the Atlantic and Africa, through Chile, Argentina, Angola, Zambia and Congo. The "greatest duration" of the eclipse will occur at the west of Chile in the South Pacific Ocean at 8:16 a.m. ET. It will last for about 4 minutes and 22 seconds when the eclipse ribbon is 59 miles wide. Meanwhile, the "greatest eclipse" part will appear in the east of Buenos Aires in the Atlantic Ocean at 9:54 a.m. ET. This is when the Moon shadow's axis passes closest to Earth's center and will last about 44 seconds, according to The Washington Post. In the greatest eclipse, the width of the antumbra at this location on Earth will shrink to just 19 miles (31 km). On the other hand, the annular or ring of phase will last just 44 seconds. The shadow will increase to 44 miles (70 km) when it arrives at the west coast of Africa at Lucira, Angola. The ring of phase will then increase to just over a minute. To catch this rare phenomenon, people may watch the live stream at the astronomy website Slooh.com at 7 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, there will be another solar eclipse in the coming months. A total solar eclipse will be visible only in the continental U.S. on Aug. 21, 2017. On the other hand, a partial eclipse will be visible in the entire North America. This will be the first total solar eclipse from the United States since 1979, according to Live Science. Colorado River is on the verge of losing water due to global warming ever since. With this, the residents of the Southwest numbering about 41 million in the U.S. will experience drought. A new study indicates that by mid-century, the water levels in Colorado River will drop by 5 million acre-feet. The study was led by researchers from Colorado State University and the University of Arizona. The team discovered that the river's flow between 2000 and 2014 was about 19 percent lower than the average from 1906 to 1999, which is the equivalent to the amount of water used by 2 million people for more than a year, according to The Independent. The Colorado River supplies water for more than 40 million people in seven U.S. states and more in Mexico. With the shrinking of the Colorado River, the drinking water and the water supply for 6 million acres of farmland will be affected. Bradley Udall, one of the lead authors of the study from Colorado State University, said that the future of Colorado River is far less rosy than other recent assessments have portrayed. He further said that current planning understates the challenge that climate change poses to water supplies in the American Southwest. He urged the water managers to plan for significantly lower river flows. Meanwhile, Jonathan Overpeck, a geoscience and hydrology professor at ASU, explained that warming alone could cause the Colorado River flow declines of 30 percent by mid-century and over 50 percent by the end of the century if greenhouse gas emission continues to be unabated. He further explained that warming temperatures are playing a role in reducing the flows of the Colorado River. The Colorado River Basin has been experiencing drought since 2000. In the previous research, it indicates that there will be a greater risk of megadrought on the said areas as the temperatures rise. This is confirmed in the new study that suggests that Colorado River flows will continue to decline, according to RT. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates talks about fighting a global pandemic or bioterror attack, which involves viruses from natural causes or an engineered virus. He also urges the U.S. military to focus on preparing to fight the bioterror attack. Bill Gates, who leads a foundation focused on global health, said in an interview at the Munich Security Conference that a terrorist-engineered virus could be worse than a nuclear material that could kill a few million people. "These are the things that could kill hundreds of millions---they are probably the only thing that can kill a billion." Bill Gates recommends advances in efforts to monitor disease outbreaks and innovations in technology. These include new vaccines for the disease outbreaks and to produce them in large quantities. Gates further said that to fight global pandemics, they must fight poverty, too, according to Express. "Whether it occurs by a quirk of nature or at the hand of a terrorist, epidemiologists say a fast-moving airborne pathogen could kill more than 30 million people in less than a year," said the billionaire philanthropist. He added that there is a reasonable probability the world will experience such an outbreak in the next 10 to 15 years. Furthermore, Bill Gates said that with nuclear weapons, people think they would probably stop after killing 100 million. He further said that smallpox would not stop. If it goes out and spread, it would be a larger number. Meanwhile, Breaking Israel News reports that the perspective of Bill Gates is similar to plagues prophesied to occur in the end-of-days. The global pandemic that Gates has been discussing is like the last chapter in Zechariah, which states that a plague of sickness will reappear in the end-of-days as divine judgment. The pandemic is also likened to the end-of-days plague that is referred to in the Kabbalistic literature as part of the "birth pangs of Messiah." The much anticipated test launch of the Orion spacecraft has become even more interesting, after NASA proposed the inclusion of a manned crew to fly the deep space mission. The proposal, however, is not accepted as of yet. The safety panel is trying to look into the issue and contemplate the situation, while NASA is trying to calculate the cost of doing the necessary changes in the spacecraft to make it appropriate for a manned deep space mission. Orion spacecraft has been under the scanner due to the possibility that it may be the first spacecraft that may be sent to Mars in the near future. The spacecraft's Exploration Mission-1, which is tentatively scheduled for 2018, may be delayed since NASA wants to add a manned crew to it. This slight change in the plan comes with numerous physical changes that need to be done inside the spacecraft, so that it can accommodate the extra passengers while being launched into the deep space, CTV News reported. Patricia Sander from the safety advisory committee explained that to accommodate astronauts, "several changes would be required, adding complexity, unknowns and almost certainly risk, not to mention cost, schedule and potential opportunity cost implications." In a meeting conducted on Feb. 23, 2017, the safety and budgetary constraints associated with the addition of manned crew to the mission was addressed. The independent Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel of NASA stated that the reason and benefits of including astronauts in the first deep space mission of the Orion spacecraft should be worthy enough to sanction the extra funds required for it, Space.com noted. The safety advisers and NASA scientists agree that the technical issues should be first addressed in great detail. The memory of the losing three Apollo 1 astronauts in the 1967 fire is still fresh among NASA officials. This is why they are extra cautious that any space mission should be given a green signal only after thorough safety checks, followed by the certification by the panel regarding the same -- and the Orion spacecraft deep space mission is no exception. Patna, Feb 25 (TheBiharPost/IBNS): A joint police team of three states has arrested a man believed to be involved 2002 shooting at the American Centre in Kolkata. The team comprising the Gujarat anti-terrorist squad, Jharkhand police and the Bihar police raided Dharmuchak village under Beemchak-Bathani block in Gaya district late Friday night and arrested Mohammad Sarwar, a suspected SIMI operative. The Gujarat anti-terrorist squad had recently nabbed another suspected SIMI operative from Aurangabad district in connection with the attack on the American Centre. Based on his revelation another alleged SIMI operative later nabbed from Gaya district, police said. The man was arrested in a joint operation by the police of three states, Gaya district superintendent of police Garima Malick told the media on Saturday. Two Islamist militants on a motorcycle fired at policemen outside the American Center on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002, killing six people and wounding more than a dozen others. (thebiharpost.com) Most countries focus on industrial output to measure their worth, boasting their high GDPs (Gross Domestic Product). But that's not the case in Bhutan, a tiny Himalayan kingdom tucked between India and China. Bhutan focuses instead on a concept they call GNH, or Gross National Happiness. Often cited at the 'most authentic country in the world,' Bhutan is often seen as "a magic time machine," and it has a long history of isolationism in attempts to preserve its unique identity. After defeating Tibetan forces and feuding warlords in the 16th century, Bhutan's leader unified the country and cultivated a unique culture to differentiate itself from warring powers. A distinct Bhutanese identity emerged which emphasized a communal relationship with nature and a lifestyle centered around Buddhism. Bhutan avoided globalization and preserved its society in isolation for centuries. As the rest of the world modernized, Bhutan still had no currency, telephones, hospitals, or paved roads. It wasn't until the late 1960s that Bhutan cracked open its doors to the outside world and started to focus on development. But instead of hurriedly adopting western reforms, Bhutan's beloved Fourth King Jigme Singye Wangchuck invented Gross National Happiness to guide his country's progress. Learn More: Telegraph: Profile: The King of Bhutan - The prince who brought satellite TV to Shangri-La Aljazeera: My Country is My Family: Resettling Bhutan's Refugees Time: Bhutan: The Last Authentic Place on Earth Image: twitter.com/ParineetiChopra Mumbai, Feb 25 (IBNS) Parineeti Chopra, who took off to Egypt on February 21 for a shoot, has been taking in the sights as her work trip has doubled up as a break too. A source close to the actress says, Parineeti returns to Mumbai on Saturday from Luxor, Aswan and Cairo where she has been shooting in the freezing cold. She stayed on a cruise ship for the first two days. On Wednesday, along with her entourage, she attended the Sun festival in Abu Simbel. The Sun festival is a biannual event in Egypt, held at the temple of Ramesses II which dates back to the 13th century BC. Every year on February 22 and October 22, the first rays of the sun sweep the corridor of the temple, striking a statue of the ruler. It attracts millions of tourists from across the world. Once back in the Bay, the 28-year-old actress will begin prep for the four installment of Rohit Shettys comedy franchise, Golmaal Again, which also features Ajay Devgn and kicks off on March 9. The film will be shot at Hyderabads Ramoji Film City, Ooty, Goa and in Mumbais Film City. Concord Police Department A Concord man was arrested for child molestation after fathering a baby with a young girl he began seeing when she was 12 years old, police said. The girls parents allegedly knew about the relationship, and the Contra Costa County district attorneys office filed felony charges against them for failing to protect their child, according to police. A quick-thinking Concord mother who yanked her 10-month-old son out of the jaws of the family dog Friday may have saved the boys life, police said. The dog, a 16-month-old 80-pound German shepherd mix named Charlie, was in the living room in the home in the 2100 block of Fremont Street around 4 p.m.with the infant and his 7-year-old brother, said Cpl. Chris Blakely, a spokesman for the Concord Police Department. Their mother had left the room to put away laundry when the dog attacked, Blakely said. Police later shot and killed the dog as he threatened officers, Blakely said. With little warning, the dog, who had no history of aggression, attacked the child as the mother put away the laundry, said Steve Burdo, a spokesman for Contra Costa County Animal Services. She returned and saved the infant, Blakely said The family had owned Charlie since he was a puppy, the mother told investigators. The mother extricated her child, whose head was bleeding extensively, as the dog continued to bark and run around the house, Blakely said. The mother was bitten on her hand in the process, he said. Police did not release the names of the mother or the children because no crime was being investigated. A couple seconds longer, and who knows if he would have survived that attack, Blakely said. The biggest challenge for officers was getting to the mother and the child who was injured as the dog barked and growled in the front yard, Blakely said. Police eventually contained the dog, trapping him against the side of the house with a chair and a board, and they grabbed the bleeding boy from his mothers arms, police said. He was transported to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to fully recover, Blakely said. The mother was also taken to the hospital to be treated for her injured hand, he said. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Updated to include drought zones while tracking water shortage status of your area, plus reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. With the child gone, the dog took an aggressive stance toward officers, Blakely said, buckling the makeshift barrier and baring his teeth, threatening to lunge. These things can change in a split second, and thats what happened here, Blakely said. When the dog seemed as if it might lunge, an officer fired several rounds, Blakely said, killing the animal. Though the dog a regular around the neighborhood and at local parks had no indications of disease, Burdo said rabies tests were being taken as a precaution. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley Anne Kirkpatrick doesnt throw around the word reform when discussing Oaklands troubled police department. As much as Kirkpatrick is known in law enforcement circles for her efforts at overhauling police agencies, the term feels too involuntary, too backward-looking, said the woman who will become Oaklands first female police chief Monday. Instead, she wants to lead a transformation. When you are reforming something, you may force me to behave differently, Kirkpatrick, 57, said in a wide-ranging interview with The Chronicle. But transformation is when people say, Oh I get it, we embrace those changes. The Tennessean, who has a law degree from Seattle University, worked for 20 years in Washington as police chief of three departments and as second-in-command of the King County Sheriffs Office before being recruited by an FBI contractor to train other law enforcement officials. Last year, Kirkpatrick moved to Chicago to lead the Police Departments Bureau of Professional Standards as the city worked on reforms after the shooting of Laquan McDonald, a black teen killed by a white officer. Recruited soon afterward by Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf, Kirkpatrick joins the Oakland department at a similarly turbulent time. The transformation she envisions, she said, will come after she injects stability into the scandal-ridden Police Department that cycled through three police chiefs in nine days in June. Its been run by a civilian, City Administrator Sabrina Landreth, ever since. Too much change can destabilize an agency, said Kirkpatrick, the second outsider with Southern roots selected to lead a Bay Area police department in the past two months, after William Scott of Alabama took charge of the San Francisco force. They need to know Im here and Im not going to be gone in a few months. Much of the instability will be easy to fix, she said, such as having too many people in temporary positions. Im either promoting you or Im not promoting you, but Im not going to allow you to be in limbo, she said. The rapid rise and fall of Oaklands recent police chiefs came amid allegations that a group of officers had sexual relations with the teenage daughter of an Oakland dispatcher and that others helped cover up their misconduct. Alameda County prosecutors have filed charges against four current and former Oakland officers for crimes ranging from obstruction of justice to oral copulation with a minor. While Kirkpatrick called the allegations egregious, she chalked them up to individual character issues rather than a problem inherent in the Oakland agency. Do I have to put in the manual, You may not have sex on duty? she said. You say, These are the expectations, and these are the potential consequences. Kirkpatrick said shes dealt with similar allegations of sexual misconduct by officers. Correcting character problems, she said, starts with hiring disciplined people with high emotional intelligence who make the right choices when nobody's watching. We regulate the behavior of other people, so I simply ask that we regulate our own, she said. Just as news outlets began reporting on the sexual misconduct allegations, other bombshells came to light: Some Oakland officers had exchanged racist text messages and emails, and a longtime homicide investigator let his girlfriend write some of his reports, though he was later cleared of criminal wrongdoing. Weeks later, unrelated to the first sex scandal, another officer was arrested and charged with engaging in prostitution and obstruction of justice. The episodes backpedaled on progress the department had made in an attempt to emerge from 14 years of federal court oversight spurred by a landmark civil rights case involving the corruption and abuses of four officers known as the Riders. After the city spent millions on court monitors, audits and equipment as part of the settlement, the police finally reduced the number of excessive-force complaints and officer-involved shootings. Beyond threatening to prolong court oversight, the sex scandal caused morale to plunge, officials say. Kirkpatrick is optimistic, though, and said she sees the city on the precipice of finalizing the list of court-ordered reform tasks. Its not just meeting the checklist required by the tasks, she said. Its sustaining them when the monitor goes away. As the monitor stepped in to investigate the scandal last year, Schaaf halted the departments rapid expansion of its ranks. An audit in December prompted by the fact that nearly all the accused were rookies found weaknesses in its recruitment, training and early warning system meant to identify risks in new officers. Kirkpatrick is no stranger to taking over police departments mired in abuse allegations. Months before she became Spokanes police chief in 2006, officers were accused of beating and hog-tying a janitor during a confrontation inside a convenience store, causing his death. But during her tenure, she often clashed with the police union over her discipline of officers. In one case, she fired an officer for allegedly threatening to kill his wife. The incident prompted a wrongful-termination lawsuit against the city and Kirkpatrick, who resigned in 2012, soon after the litigation concluded. The officer was acquitted and won his suit. In another incident, she fired an officer who was accused of obstructing the investigation of a state Fish and Wildlife officer and who was later acquitted. Years earlier, the same officer had been suspended and reprimanded for excessive uses of force and for lying, according to the Spokesman-Review. Union leaders said Kirkpatrick illegally retaliated against the officers for criticizing her leadership, and in 2010 they passed a vote of no confidence against her. She nonetheless had strong support from the lieutenants, captains and local officials, the newspaper reported. We did not share values, Kirkpatrick said, adding that shes had healthy relationships with every other union shes worked with. Sgt. Barry Donelan, president of the Oakland Police Officers Association, said he welcomed Kirkpatricks hire, though the association wasnt consulted on the choice. Shes my eighth chief as president of the POA, so I just take it as it comes, said Donelan, whos held the post for six years. I dont have any preconceived ideas. I dont have any issues. Well just see how it goes. Terri Wilfong, a former police chief of Greenville, S.C., who worked with Kirkpatrick in the FBI training program, said theres no question that Kirkpatrick will hold officers accountable and do so fairly. Some people kind of mistake her because shes small in stature, Wilfong said of Kirkpatrick, who stands 5 feet 4. Shes a small package, but shes a dynamite leader. 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. Kirkpatrick said that her priority is to reduce violent crime Oakland tallied 85 homicides last year but that her goals are far and wide. She said she has traveled the country picking up successful policing practices, such as how to combat implicit racial biases. What I want is for Oakland to be the model agency in everything we do, whether its record management, dispatch, motorcycle traffic division work, SWAT, day to day patrol, she said. I want it to be the agency that everyone looks to to see how its done right. Kirkpatrick said its vital for officers to have clarity in their duties an issue thrown into the spotlight last week when Assistant Police Chief David Downing sent out new rules on how to report problems with converted warehouses and unpermitted parties, only to see them rescinded hours later by Landreth, the civilian in charge. On Friday, Downing put in place a revised policy after talking to city officials. Schaaf, who not long ago compared the citys police force to a frat house and criticized its toxic, macho culture, now appears positively cheerful about its potential. Kirkpatrick has a demonstrated commitment to mentoring and nurturing leadership from within the ranks, Schaaf told The Chronicle. With the selection of Kirkpatrick, Oakland is now the only large U.S. city to have a female mayor, fire chief and police chief. I sought to hire someone who I felt could lead cultural change and could exemplify the professional standards I want all my officers to exhibit, Schaaf said, shrugging off the gender makeup of her leadership. Yet Kirkpatrick will head a department that, like other police forces, struggles to recruit and keep women. Roughly 12 percent of officers are women in Oakland close to the national average when accounting for all department sizes but far below that of large police forces. Some Oakland observers are more cautious than Schaaf about how much progress one person can make. I think we have to be careful about having too many huge expectations, said Councilman Dan Kalb, who backed a ballot measure approved by city voters last year to create an independent, citizen-led police commission with the authority to fire the chief. Civil-rights attorney John Burris, who represented the plaintiffs in the Riders case, said his concerns about racial bias in traffic stops one of the last hurdles the department must clear to end federal oversight were renewed last week after police shot a white gunman who had fired at officers, neighbors and a news helicopter. Burris said a homeless African American man had tried to warn police about the gunman, who shot up the homeless mans car days earlier. Instead, he said the man was treated as a criminal by police. The department is investigating. The shooting raises questions about the treatment of black and white community members, Burris said. Kirkpatrick has got to get a handle on this. Shes got to make sure theres not two types of policing taking place. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Oaklands assistant police chief ordered officers Friday to immediately begin reporting unpermitted events up the chain of command a policy developed in response to the Ghost Ship warehouse fire in December. Officers must now inform their beats commanders as well as the special events unit of the police department when they come across unauthorized parties. The directive comes a week after Assistant Police Chief David Downing sent out a similar order to the rank and file, only to have it rescinded hours later by City Administrator Sabrina Landreth. Oakland police officers had been called to the Ghost Ship warehouse on many occasions, public records show, before the art collective burned Dec. 2 during a music event, killing 35 guests and one resident. In the wake of the fire, questions arose about why the dangers inside the building no sprinklers or alarms, tangles of electrical wires, a single and perilous exit pathway were not passed along to fire inspectors or city code enforcers. Now, with Fridays order, officers have until the end of their shifts to report the time they observe an unauthorized party, its address, contact information for any manager, a description of what they saw, what warnings or citations resulted from the encounter, and the case number. Downing also wrote in the order that officers should continue to report obvious hazardous conditions observed in the course of their duties to the right authorities. Unlike his order last week, Downings new policy was apparently developed in collaboration with City Hall and does not specifically mention warehouses or raves. The since-retracted rule would have made any unpermitted living structure within a warehouse a reportable offense, whereas Fridays deals only with gatherings. The directive will be canceled once a comprehensive city policy is developed. Anne Kirkpatrick, who will be sworn in Monday as the citys police chief, emphasized to The Chronicle the importance of giving straightforward directions to officers and of clear communication between city departments. Oakland observers criticized the about-face last week, saying it was dangerous and left the police with no clarity or direction on how to carry out their jobs. Greg McConnell, a lobbyist with the nonprofit Jobs and Housing Coalition, said Downings first iteration was perfectly reasonable. To say were just not going to enforce life safety conditions because we dont want to chase struggling artists out of the warehouses is just not right, he said last week. How is it suddenly that you can have people living in properties not zoned for residential use, visibly dangerous, and the police officers are told, Dont even report it to your commanders? It doesnt make sense. 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. San Francisco State University Professor Joe Tuman, who ran unsuccessfully for mayor against Libby Schaaf in 2014, said that if officers have the impulse to report a dangerous living situation, they were doing their jobs correctly. You have to have a solution that balances enough housing for everybody but guarantees public safety, and frankly the public safety has to come first, Tuman said. Oakland political consultant Jim Ross said Schaaf, as the mayor herself had previously suggested, was trying to come up with a more nuanced policy process so that the arts community continues to have a place to thrive. Schaaf previously told The Chronicle she didnt want new policies to inadvertently create public safety risks. A victim of a domestic violence situation, she said as an example, might be afraid to call 911 out of fear of losing her home. Kimberly Veklerov is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kveklerov@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @kveklerov Silicon Valley startups working on payments and peer lending, as well as financial aspects of cybersecurity and data analytics, might soon call banking giants like Wells Fargo, Bank of America and Citigroup industry peers. But do they really want to be? The federal Office of the Comptroller of the Currency recently said it intends to offer financial technology firms special charters, which would allow companies like Mint, Square and Stripe to be recognized as special-purpose banks. The proposed rule is in the public comment phase. Such a charter would enable the companies to offer consumers and businesses debit cards, loans and savings accounts in all 50 states instead of going to each state for permission. At the same time, the companies would be regulated just like any bank, which means they must meet capital and liquidity requirements as well as offer credit to people with low incomes and/or minorities. Silicon Valley has not fared well of late operating in highly regulated industries note the problems of medical device startup Theranos and human resources firm Zenefits. And theres arguably no other industry more regulated than banks: In addition to the Office of the Comptroller, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., the Federal Reserve and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau oversee such institutions. For financial startups, the cost and headache of complying with federal regulations may be too much to bear. A study by the Federal Reserve Bank in St. Louis found that community banks (with assets of less than $10 billion each) collectively spent about $3.5 billion in 2014 on such matters. Yet charters offer benefits to both company and regulator. The startups get recognized as legitimate players in finance, while regulators get to keep a closer eye on a fast-growing industry that has been increasingly encroaching on markets held by traditional banks. From January through September last year, financial technology firms had raised a total of $17.8 billion, according to a report by CB Insights and KPMG. I think the lightbulb has gone on in the minds of regulators, said Walt Mix, head of the financial services practice at Berkeley Research Group and a former commissioner of the California Department of Financial Institutions. There is clearly something afoot on both the state and national levels. Startups in the financial world work on a broad array of products. Some might be good candidates for a charter, while others may be better off without one. Mountain Views Mint, a subsidiary of Intuit, offers consumers free online tools to manage their money. Ant Financial Services Group, an affiliate of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, operates a payment service and credit rating system. Vancouvers Trulioo makes technology that verifies customer identities. A number of startups specialize in digital currencies like Bitcoin. Very few startups actually offer loans and deposits, without which a bank charter would seem unnecessary. But the companies may want to eventually offer those services as they expand. Banks are so backwards in technology, said Bill Harris, the former CEO of PayPal and Intuit who is now head of Personal Capital, a firm with offices in San Francisco and San Carlos. There is so much more that can be done to make banking better. Personal Capital offers people free personal finance software and then sells them investment advice. Harris says he wants to use analytics to help the company manage all aspects of consumers financial portfolios, including loans and deposit accounts. The Internet and mobile devices are transforming the industry, with companies trying to harness the power of connected computer technology, Harris said. The comptrollers plan to grant charters reflects this new reality, he said. Harris actually wanted a charter back in 2010 to start an online bank. But regulators denied his application because the country was still trying to recover from the global financial crisis. At the time, there were too many failing banks, Harris said. They were in a very scared mode. Were less scared today. So far, reactions from traditional banks have been mixed. The American Bankers Association has publicly supported the Office of the Comptrollers charter plan. This is a bank charter for (financial technology) companies that will hold them to the same standards of safety, access and fair treatment, Rob Nichols, the groups president and CEO, said in a statement. Maintaining high standards is the best way to ensure customers have access to the best financial products and services. But some banks are wary of losing customers to technology-focused firms, said Harris, noting that PayPal faced plenty of opposition from banks when the company launched in the late 1990s. Harris says banks will just have to get better at technology. If banks cant do it themselves, they will probably just acquire startups. Capital One, for example, bought San Francisco interactive design firm Adaptive Path in 2014 to help it build online products. A banking charter for financial technology companies might make it easier for bigger banks to go on Silicon Valley shopping sprees. Companies already recognized and regulated by the Office of the Comptroller might make them more attractive to potential buyers, said Jeffrey Alberts, a partner with the law firm Pryor Cashman in New York. A financial technology firm successfully complying with regulations will be considered a good thing, said Alberts, a former federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Southern District of New York. If you cant beat them, regulate them. And then buy them. Thomas Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist. Email: tlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ByTomLee New York, Feb 25 (Just Earth News):Giving voice to people affected by conflict and crises in Africaas Lake Chad Basin, a global United Nations-supported humanitarian conference in Oslo on Friday generated more than $670 million in pledges that will help sustain critical relief operations over the next two years and beyond across four counties where millions are in need of aid. INSIDE THIS NEWS STORY Protection and access need to go hand-in-hand UNHCR Help people return to a dignified life FAO A public health crisis WHO Children deserve a childhood UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom Formally known as the Oslo Humanitarian Conference on Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region, the donors forum also agreed on the need to address longer-term development requirements and to seek durable solutions for the crisis-hit countries in the vast Basin-region: Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Without our increased support, affected communities will face a life of hunger, disease, gender-based violence and continued displacement, said the UN Emergency Relief Coordinator and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Stephen OBrien. But there is another future within grasp: as the international community scales up support, we can stop a further descent into an ever-deepening crisis with unimaginable consequences for millions of people, he added. According to UN estimates, about 17 million people are living in the most affected areas across the four countries. Of them, some 10.7 million people are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance, with 8.5 million in north-eastern Nigeria alone, having been made witness to years of violence as a result of Boko Harams insurgency. The region is also threaded by famine, with children at heighted risk of severe acute malnutrition. The resources pledged at the conference will help scale up responses to reach the most vulnerable people with a special attention focused on the protection needs of women, children and youth, as well as the need for longer-term support and durable solutions for the displaced populations. At the conference, 14 donors pledged $458 million for relief in 2017 and an additional $214 million was announced for 2018 and beyond. Expressing appreciation for the contributions, OBrien said: The UN and our partners are ready and mobilised to further scale up our life-saving response the people in the region have no time to wait. The Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN chief welcomed the donor pledges made on Friday, and stressed the need for sustained support to humanitarian, human rights, development and security needs in the region. The Conference saw the participation of some 170 representatives from 40 countries, UN, regional organizations and civil society organizations. It was co-hosted by Norway, Nigeria, Germany and the UN and followed a civil society meeting with large participation from local organizations working in Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon. Protection and access need to go hand-in-hand UN refugee agency With return movements of internally displaced people some 950,000 since August 2015 and refugee returnees from neighbouring countries under way in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states in north-eastern Nigeria, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) co-presented with the Government of Nigeria, a paper outlining a vision in Oslo for ensuring protection, access and lasting solutions for them. The two strategies of protection and solutions should go hand in hand. To do this we need access [] this is the very big challenge, stressed UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, who also attended the conference. The paper also noted that many protection issues in areas of displacement and potential return can contribute to violence and instability, and advocated for prioritizing measures to ensure physical security, freedom of movement and humanitarian access. The document also proposed strengthened response to sexual and gender-based violence as well as protection of children from violence exploitation and abuse. Help people return to a dignified life UN food security agency UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), one of the UN agencies attending the conference, underscored that the response efforts should focus on providing relief from the looming famine, as well as enabling people to return to a dignified life. Supporting agriculture is the key to both, highlighted Dominique Burgeon, Director of FAO Emergency and Rehabilitation Division, noting that supporting farmers to cultivate food would help freeing many from being trapped in cycles of severe hunger. A public health crisis UN health agency Similarly, the UN World Health Organization (WHO), represented at the conference by Rick Brennan, Director of WHO Emergency Operations, highlighted that the crisis in the region is also a public health crisis with rates of death, malnutrition and disease rarely seen over the past 20 years. Between malnutrition and death, there is always disease, explained the WHO official, adding: Malnutrition lowers the bodys capacity to fight infection [] A malnourished child is far more prone to contract an infectious disease such as pneumonia, diarrhoea and measles and then to die from that disease. Children deserve a childhood UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom, in Niger Meanwhile, the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) Goodwill Ambassador Orlando Bloom, this week travelled to south-east Niger where he highlighted the impacts of the ongoing crisis on hundreds of thousands of children, driven from their homes, out of education and at the risk of malnutrition. As a father, it is hard for me to imagine how many of these children are caught up in this conflict. During my trip I have heard dreadful stories about children fleeing on foot, leaving everything behind, including the safety of their homes and classrooms, said Bloom. During his visit, the renowned actor also visited Bosso (near the Niger-Nigeria border) where he met with families and children displaced by Boko Haram violence. This visit has been extremely moving. Every single child I met is affected by this conflict and in desperate need of basic services such as clean water, psychological care and education to help them recover from the atrocities they have suffered and witnessed. They deserve a childhood, said Bloom. Source: www.justearthnews.com Siana Hristova/The Chronicle Susan Fowler, the former engineer whose detailed recounting of sexual harassment and management infighting at Uber prompted CEO Travis Kalanick to apologize for the rough-edged culture he created at the San Francisco ride-hailing company, said Friday on Twitter that she was the target of a smear campaign. Research for the smear campaign has begun. If you are contacted by anyone asking for personal and intimate info about me, please report ASAP, she wrote on Twitter. I don't know who is doing this or why. If someone contacts you, please send me their contact information immediately. A Mexican soap-opera actor and philanderer gets his comeuppance in Youre Killing Me Susana, a romantic comedy that feels at times like a by-the-numbers exercise, but is partly redeemed by some decent jokes and an appealing performance by Gael Garcia Bernal. Bernals Eligio is a charming rogue who earns his keep in the less elevated echelons of showbiz in Mexico City, and has no scruples about two-timing his wife (Veronica Echegui, who makes quite a fetching couple with Bernal), the Susana of the films title and an aspiring writer. When Eligio wakes up one day to find that shes left without a word, we quickly learn that he has a less affable side (though it never takes over completely). Its the old double standard this macho guy can dish it out but cant take it. Eligio eventually figures out that shes taken off for Iowa, of all places, to attend a writing workshop at a fictitious university. He heads north, where his more playful side gets him into immediate (although modest) trouble with customs. This signals that were in for some fish-out-of-water, culture-clash humor, and writer-director Roberto Sneider serves up plenty of it. Eligio is aghast to find that his wife is hitting the sack with another workshop participant, a large, taciturn Polish poet. She eventually accepts her husbands unasked-for presence allowing him to crash in her dorm room and they engage in some lively exchanges about the nature of their relationship. Ive called this a comedy, but there are some serious undertones as Eligio learns a thing or two about the complexities of love and the reality of his own shortcomings. Toward the end, he is tested by an attractive and flirtatious young American woman (Ashley Grace). Its always fun to watch the charismatic Bernal, and he gets a nice chance to show his comic chops as Eligio struggles to cope with strange American ways. But as attractive as the character is, there isnt a lot of depth to him, and filmmaker Sneider never quite makes us care enough about what happens to the marriage. Eventually it feels like the movie is spinning its wheels. Walter Addiego is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: waddiego@sfchronicle.com. Youre Killing Me Susana Comedy. With Gael Garcia Bernal, Veronica Echegui. Directed by Roberto Sneider. In Spanish and English with English subtitles. (Rated R. 110 minutes.) To see a trailer: http://bit.ly/2m3Jr5L The day after White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer warned states of greater enforcement of federal laws against marijuana use by President Trumps Justice Department, Lt. Gavin Newsom called Spicers comments grossly uninformed. In a letter to Trump Friday, Newsom urged the president to allow California and the seven other states and Washington, D.C. that have legalized recreational marijuana including Oregon and Washington to enforce their own laws governing its use. The government must not strip the legal and publicly-supported industry of its business, and hand it back to drug cartels and criminals, Newsom wrote. Newsom called federal policy on marijuana use draconian and prohibitionist adding that the drug being outlawed has allowed the black market to flourish. Newsom said that Californias legal marijuana marketplace will include a series of protections designed to keep it out of the hands of children and others to keep it safe: rigorous lab testing, seed-to-sale tracking systems and tough packing regulations. We have a shared goal of reducing crime, Newsom wrote of California and the federal government, citing a recent Quinnipiac poll that found 71 percent of voters think the feds shouldnt interfere with state marijuana law. Thursday, Spicer at a news conference told reporters that Attorney General Jeff Sessions would scrutinize recreational use closely. Though Trump during his campaign said he supported marijuana for medical use, Spicer said there was a big difference between medicinal and recreational use. Spicer referenced the increasing problem of opioid addiction and drew a parallel to marijuana use, saying the last thing we should be doing is encouraging people. In his letter, Newsom said that marijuana is nothing like an opioid in deriding Spicers comments. Spicer reiterated that marijuana is still illegal under federal law, despite states like California legalizing its usage within their borders. The Chronicle has reported on stories examining how the Trump administrations stance on marijuana policy could impact California. Here are some links: Spicers comments sent a jolt through the national marijuana industry, which could soon see $7 billion in annual sales. Legalized marijuana has set scores of defendants facing jail time free in California. Earlier this month, Trump hinted that he may let states leeway when it comes to marijuana. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley There are now fewer Republicans in the California congressional delegation than there are players on the roster of the Golden State Warriors. Of the states 14 GOP House members, none represents a district within 100 miles of downtown San Francisco. But even though Republicans now represent less than one-third of our 55 member Capitol Hill contingent, it would be a mistake for even the most progressive of Californians to dismiss the importance of those remaining congressional conservatives. The new president already has gone to war with the judicial branch of government, the federal bureaucracy, the intelligence community, and with state and local elected officials from throughout the country. But his relationship with Congress is still very much of a work in progress. If Donald Trump hopes to accomplish any significant policy goals beyond those that can be achieved by executive order, then he will need Republican majorities on the hill to consistently follow his policy and political lead. And there are fewer more accurate barometers with which to measure Congress comfort level with Trump than the actions of the reddest politicians in this bluest of states. Most of Californias Republican representatives, like most congressional members from both parties in most states, represent absolutely safe districts. They will never lose a re-election campaign to a Democratic opponent: The only way they will ever involuntarily relinquish their seat is to a more ideologically extreme member of their own party. Which means theres little incentive for them to distance themselves from the White House under normal circumstances. But the words normal circumstances and President Trump rarely appear in the same sentence as anything other than antonyms. Half of the 14 California Republicans represent congressional districts that were carried by Hillary Clinton in November: For them, maintaining an unquestioned allegiance to the new president could carry a heavy political price. Two California Republicans in particular, David Valadao, R-Hanford (Kings County), and Jeff Denham, R-Turlock (Stanislaus County), who represent agriculture- and immigrant-heavy Central Valley districts, have navigated the precarious path between party loyalty and local constituent needs for years. Both tiptoed around Trumps proposed travel ban earlier this month, but the new White House directive on deportation policy this past week has shifted their predicament from difficult to near impossible. When Trump officials made it clear that their goal was to target not only undocumented immigrants who had committed violent crimes but also a much broader group that could include almost anyone in this country without legal authorization, they moved from a policy with broad public support to one that is strongly backed by conservative loyalists but opposed by a majority of voters. For Trump, who has achieved his political successes by motivating his GOP base without attempting to reach out to centrist voters, this more aggressive approach is a short-term political winner. For Republicans such as Denham and Valadao, who require a broader foundation of support to survive, it is potentially fatal. In the past, they have carefully and respectfully criticized their partys approach to immigration policy. If they are going to be re-elected next year, then they will need to become much less careful and even less respectful. Otherwise, all their nuanced calibration and positioning will be overwhelmed by the stark scarlet letter R next to their name on the ballot. There are increasing but still isolated signs of Republican restiveness on Capitol Hill. Trumps original choice for secretary of labor was derailed by concerns raised by no fewer than 12 GOP senators. Bipartisan support for an investigation into Trumps ties with Russia is growing as well. Trumps address to Congress on Tuesday night will attempt to unify his party: White House staff have indicated that the speech will highlight the issue of border security, along with taxes, infrastructure and replacement of the Affordable Care Act. If Trump stuck to those four issues, then Denham and Valadao would be just fine. But most Americans see border security and mass deportation as very different things, and the new presidents willingness to blur that distinction is likely to cost him valuable allies in Congress. Most Republicans still fear the Breitbart-induced rage that Trump can direct toward them, but those who face challenging re-election campaigns will be forced into a more difficult calculus. The actions of potentially vulnerable incumbents like Denham and Valadao will be early indicators as to how larger numbers of Republican members of Congress will choose between loyalty to the communities they were elected to represent and a president who hijacked their party to achieve the White House. Dan Schnur, who has worked on four presidential and three gubernatorial campaigns, teaches political communications at the University of Southern California and UC Berkeley. To comment, submit your letter to the editor at http://bit.ly/SFChronicleletters. From the mailbag ... I often see in Chronicle crime pieces the word elderly. As in, the elderly man was robbed ... Joe Blow, age 62, was mugged 62 elderly ? Im 75 and would be insulted if called elderly. Save it for the old folks. Bob Epstein, San Francisco This one hits close to home, Mr. Epstein, for an editor who just turned 62. I went back the past few months and could not find such an offense in The Chronicle, though a quick Google search turned up news reports from other outlets of elderly person robbed at age 62. For the record, heres what The Chronicles stylebook advises reporters and editors on the use of elderly: Use this word carefully and sparingly. Never use it for individuals under 65. It is appropriate in generic phrases that do not refer to specific individuals: concern for the elderly, a home for the elderly, etc. If the intent is to show that an individuals faculties have deteriorated, cite a graphic example and give attribution for it. Carefully and sparingly are the operative words here. As Mr. Epstein reminds, age 65, 75 or even 85 does not necessarily qualify as elderly. It is the last word I would use to describe my dad, a very robust 87, physically and mentally. The clamor over fake news is both interesting and frightening. It is interesting because we are being bombarded with fake news, much of it comes from reliable sources in the news media. A number of people and organizations claim to have solutions. Who gets to determine which news is real and which is fake? However, the solutions they suggest seem to be a form of censorship favoring the very same news media that is giving us fake news. Kevin Filippis, San Jose The definition of fake news has been distorted by some folks none more than President Trump who employ it as a catchall pejorative to discredit independent reporting that undermines the official narrative. Fake news emerged as a significant issue last year with the proliferation of stories that were fabricated by non-journalists for profit (tossing them out as Internet click bait, with a monetary return on each hit) or partisan advantage (such as the myriad stories about Hillary Clinton about to be indicted). Ultimately, the verdict on what is real and what is fake is determined by whether a story holds up under scrutiny. I do think the solution for news consumers is to trust sources that have earned that trust: with a track record of accuracy and fairness, and a willingness to correct mistakes in a timely and forthright manner. Fake news is not an option for any journalist worthy of the title; fabrication is a firing offense in all of the major news organizations the president has been recently slandering on Twitter (often in all capital letters) as FAKE NEWS! Its become a political weapon, losing its currency as a term of art. In your Feb. 19 column, Dont blame the messenger, you repeat the news reports that Michael Flynn lied to Vice President Mike Pence about the phone calls with the Russian ambassador, and that Pence merely stated what he had been told. Considering the volume of lies coming out of this administration, why do we assume that Pence is telling the truth? Ed Glazier, Redwood City Mr. Glazier was not the only one to raise this reasonable point. I took the White House at its word on Pences unawareness of the discussion of sanctions, which may be a mistake with an administration that has made demonstrably false statements about everything from inaugural crowd size to the magnitude of Donald Trumps Electoral College victory to a claim that the U.S. murder rate was at a 47-year high. Hence the problem with the White House credibility gap: Its hard to know what, if anything, to accept at face value. Sometimes I get confused by the choices put in Insights Parting Shots. For example, on Jan. 22, Donald Trump being sworn in as the 45th president being placed in the Good Week column. The majority of your readers (including myself) would probably feel this belongs in Bad Week more like Devastating Week. ... Does this mean The Chronicle supports Trump? Would it be politically incorrect to put this in Bad Week instead? And who at The Chronicle decides what news is good or bad for this weekly feature? Nicole Heslip, San Anselmo I am the regular author of Parting Shots, in consultation with our editorial board. Sometimes we play it absolutely straight (such as the Good Week for Trump example), sometimes with a dash of sarcasm, sometimes we have a little fun in those quick takes. Ms. Heslip isnt the only one to ask about how we come up with the list. After NBCs Peter Alexander was listed in Good Week on Feb. 19 for calling out Trumps inaccurate Electoral College claim at a White House news conference, I received a call from a prominent Bay Area attorney named David Alexander Peters surprised father. Alexander said he woke up to a flurry of congratulatory texts and emails. Alexander was curious about whether the feature was syndicated or produced in-house. Its all ours, and its always a good week when readers respond to offer their own binary scorecards on people and events in the news. John Diaz is The San Francisco Chronicles editorial page editor. Email: jdiaz@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @JohnDiazChron For many of Californias foster children, their school may be the most stable institution in their lives. Yet many of them face special challenges when it comes to attendance that other children dont face. One of those challenges is the most basic one of all: Its hard to get to school if you dont have transportation to get you there. Under President Barack Obama, the U.S. Department of Education tried to address this very problem by creating a new requirement under the Every Student Succeeds Act, a 2015 educational policy overhaul. The law includes a mandate for local educational institutions to create and implement plans for transporting foster children to the school they were attending when they entered foster care. The idea and its a good one was to provide foster children with some educational continuity in young lives that have had little familial continuity. The deadline for local agencies to develop and launch these plans was December 2016. Unfortunately, many school districts in California missed the deadline. California has about 1,000 school districts, and the California Department of Education wont be able to quantify how many of them are out of compliance until later this year. But early reports are that some parts of the state have done better than others the majority of San Diegos school districts, for example, are in compliance, while Los Angeles districts are struggling. Its the very first deadline for a new regulation, so its not surprising that some districts are out of compliance, said Lewis Cohen, communications director for the National Center for Youth Law. The National Center for Youth Law is trying to support the districts that are having challenges by urging them to adopt best practices. We know that keeping kids in their schools of origin is really helpful for their chance to succeed, Cohen said. The key is coming up with plans that really work for the kids. California has specific challenges that may make creating truly effective plans more challenging than it may be for other states. California only requires school districts to provide buses or other transportation under specific circumstances or for certain populations, so most California school districts do not have robust school busing programs. Transportation in sprawling cities like Los Angeles and traffic-congested regions like the Bay Area can also be expensive and difficult. But successfully implementing this requirement will help Californias most vulnerable students succeed. Thats a positive outcome for every California citizen. Failure to fulfill the requirements could also potentially expose California to federal economic penalties. While this potential outcome would be highly unusual under previous federal administrations, President Trump has made it clear that hes seeking ways to deny federal funding to California. The states education department should guide struggling districts to learn from the districts that have succeeded in meeting this requirement. All of Californias foster children will succeed only when all of Californias school districts do. President Trumps pledge to protect average folks from Wall Street abuse is running into an opposing promise to trim regulation. The clash is embodied in the future of a powerful federal consumer protection agency now on political life support. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was born five years ago as part of the sweeping remake of banking rules known as the Dodd Frank Act. While protecting little-guy consumers may be an apple pie matter, the bureaus regulatory fire power and hands-off independence is putting it on the Republican chopping block. With Republicans ruling Congress and the White House, the watchdog agency could easily lose its teeth. The story line also carries a personal edge because its existence is owed largely to Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat and progressive heroine whos feuded loudly and often with a thin-skinned president. That rivalry shouldnt obscure the larger question about consumer protection. Even its critics say the agency is a formidable force in its watch-your-wallet crusades. Its collected $12 billion in fines in policing a financial world that includes bank fees, credit cards, student loans, mortgages and debt collection. Nearly 1 million consumer complaints are in bureau files. The Wells Fargo scandal involving unauthorized accounts and credit cards began with the watchdog bureau and led to a $100 million fine, the exit of the banks top executive and, just last week, the departure of four senior sales managers. This track record sounds like a shining example of worthy regulatory oversight, especially after the mortgage meltdown underscored Washingtons weak stewardship. But the Obama-era agency has never been a favorite of Republicans. In going after the bureau, GOP leaders are taking the high road, saying the rules are structured to give its leaders unchecked power. These critics say the bureaus dictates and enforcement muscle cost businesses too much and chill the innovation needed in the financial world. In specific terms, detractors have zeroed in on the fact that the bureaus director, Richard Cordray, cant be fired by the White House and its budget isnt set by Congress. Its a rogue agency and basically a dictator, according to Rep. Jeb Hensarling, the Texas Republican who heads the House Financial Services Committee. Hensarling, perhaps the bureaus most determined critic, is readying changes that would hamstring the agencys operations and weaken its enforcement powers. Sen. Sherrod Brown, an Ohio Democrat on the Senate Banking Committee, said the obvious by noting the plan would render the bureau a toy poodle. A key court case, brought by an aggrieved financial firm, zeroed in on the bureaus design with a ruling that could substantially limit its independence and allow the president to fire Cordray. A preliminary appeal is temporarily stopping that outcome. For now, Cordray remains, but the future isnt encouraging. White House spokesman Sean Spicer was hardly encouraging, saying no decision has been made at this time about dumping the director. Congress isnt waiting around. Several pending bills would either abolish the agency or set up a presidentially appointed commission overseeing its work. The chief sponsors are Republicans who have repeatedly criticized the bureau. With court challenges, a potentially hostile White House and dug-in foes in Congress, the bureaus foes are lining up. Republicans insist that a toned-down agency would do the job, but putting operations under the thumb of Capitol Hill or the White House would usher in financial lobbyists and deal making. The bureaus structure may insult lawmakers left with no voice in its investigations and rule-making, but its the only way to go in moderating unfair business practices without interference by special interests. The country is in danger of losing a proven and effective check on financial abuse. Tell your congressional representative we need the bureau at full strength. if needed As a noisy crowd of protesters outside chanted resist or retire, Sen. Dianne Feinstein was left to explain Friday how a Democrat can make a difference in a world where President Trump and a Republican Congress hold all the political cards. We can vote no on Trumps programs and nominees, Feinstein told a crowd of about 250 people at the Public Policy Institute of California in San Franciscos Financial District. The problem is, we dont win those battles. With the numbers stacked against congressional Democrats, the senator talked about the need for compromise, to work with Republicans whenever possible. Compromise has become a dirty word, Feinstein admitted, but she argued that in a two-party system, its the only way to get anything done. I know where I want to go and how to get as close to that as possible ... without compromising on anything major, she said. Thats not what the anti-Trump forces, both inside and outside the hall, wanted to hear. Its all major, someone in the audience yelled. For Feinstein, who in her 24 years in the Senate has earned a reputation as a Democrat whos willing to cross the aisle to get things done, its a new era of politics one that doesnt favor her moderate leanings. I used to support Dianne, but now we need someone more progressive to represent California properly, said Warren Messineo of San Francisco, a software analyst for Oracle. About 200 people filled the sidewalk on Washington Street outside, waving signs with slogans like Obstruct Trump and Impeach Traitor Trump. The hour-long, ticketed event, billed as a conversation with Feinstein with mostly preselected questions, wasnt good enough for the protesters, who called on the senator to hold an open town hall meeting and answer questions from all comers. Feinstein backed away from a request for an Oakland town hall Sunday, where protesters plan to represent her with an empty chair, but said shed try to work something out the next time she was in the area. But there were loud chants of Hold town halls as she left after the talk. The senator has been the target of complaints from progressives in recent months, angry that she voted to approve seven Trump appointees, including retired generals John Kelly and Jim Mattis to head homeland security and defense, and former Rep. Mike Pompeo to run the CIA. But with Trump as president, Democratic senators often have to make the best of bad choices. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, I need to work with whoever is director of intelligence and others in the national security community, Feinstein said, so blanket opposition to all Trumps nominees isnt an option. Thats not the way Kitty Chiu, a member of the anti-Trump group Indivisible SF, sees it. An immigrant from Hong Kong, she admitted to being terrified of the administrations attitude toward Muslims and others seeking to enter the United States. Sen. Feinstein has some seniority and could be doing a lot more as the voice of California, she said. Even if they are losing battles, they are fights worth fighting. But Feinstein said she will be doing plenty of fighting against Trump, regardless of the ultimate outcome. She talked about the growing danger of global warming and her doubts that Scott Pruitt, the new director of the Environmental Protection Agency and a nonbeliever in climate change, will do much to fight it. I cant conceive of someone being in charge of the EPA whos opposed to the EPA, she said. Democrats are set to go after Trump for what they see as numerous violations of conflict-of-interest rules by his administration, the senator said. The Senate Intelligence Committee, Republicans and Democrats alike, also is ready to do a serious investigation of allegations of Russian influence on the 2016 presidential election. We have a road map on how this review will take place, she said. We will let the facts come out and fall wherever they may. Feinstein also pushed up against the protesters when she refused to say how she would vote on Neil Gorsuch, Trumps nominee for a seat on the Supreme Court. As the senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, I dont announce what Im going to do before the hearing, she said. I dont believe thats right. But the crowd erupted in boos when she said that she had a good conversation with Gorsuch, with protesters suggesting Feinstein shouldnt even have met with him. The senator said her two biggest concerns with Gorsuch, or any other Supreme Court nominee, are his views on gun control and womens reproductive rights. But politics also will play a role, she admitted. The Republican refusal to hold a hearing on Merrick Garland, President Barack Obamas nominee for the seat Gorsuch is seeking, sticks in our craw, she said. Its hard to forget. But as a member of the congressional minority, Feinstein admitted she faces limits. While she said, for example, that she sees Trump aide Steve Bannon and his friends in the white nationalist movement as a danger to the country, theres not a lot I can do about it. Whats needed, she said, is a push from people outside Congress, writing their legislators, marching in protest and making their concerns known. The 83-year-old Feinstein was hobbled by a knee injury and asked the crowd to forgive my feeble entry. She refused to say whether she planned to run for a new term in 2018, saying only that, When the time comes, Ill have an answer. John Wildermuth is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jwildermuth@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jfwildermuth New York, Feb 25 (Just Earth News): The United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, known as CENCO have called for an immediate end to the spate of violent attacks against Catholic facilities in several parts of the country. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission (MONUSCO) and CENCO, along with the Apostolic Nunciature said they are deeply concerned about recent attacks on parishes and other Catholic facilities. According to the Mission, the attacks were particularly violent in the provinces of Kinshasa, Haut-Katanga, Kasai-Central and Kasai-Oriental. MONUSCO chief Maman Sidikou, Monsignor Marcel Utembi, Archbishop of Kisangani and President of CENCO, and Monsignor Luis Mariano Montemayor, Apostolic Nuncio in the DRC, strongly condemned the violence, which they noted are punishable in Congolese criminal law. They also reiterated that places of worship belong to all, and as such, are supposed to be apolitical; Churches are also places of contemplation for the people and must be respected and protected. By attacking them, their perpetrators and/or sponsors are harming a common good of all Congolese. Urging the immediate cessation of these deplorable acts, MONUSCO, CENCO and the Apostolic Nunciature called on Congolese political actors to condemn them just as firmly, in order to frustrate any attempt to manipulate the implementation of the comprehensive and inclusive political agreement of 31 December 2016, which set out, among others, a timeframe for elections. Photo: MONUSCO Source: www.justearthnews.com Are you here for the baths or do you want to have dinner? asked Caroline Smith as she greeted me at the door at Onsen. Its not a question Ive ever had to consider when dining out. How civilized, I thought, a bath and then dinner. I skipped the bath and headed directly to a table in the 24-seat dining room. I was there purely out of curiosity because the idea of a bath, restaurant and teahouse under one warehouse-size roof was worth exploring, if only for the novelty. What I didnt expect was how good, and how reasonably priced, the food coming out of the tiny kitchen would be. While baths are popular in Japan, theyre uncommon here, so Onsen is a grand experiment by Smith and Sonny Simmons. The pair spent three years converting a former body shop to a bathhouse; in a brilliant example of repurposing, the mechanics pit was turned into the soaking tub Its a bold experience by the husband-and-wife team, and it hasnt been without its challenges, which anyone who tries to build a restaurant knows. But theirs was even more complex, partly because of the location. The idea was to offer massage, but in the Tenderloin massage is equated with prostitution, so new massage parlors were prohibited. Smith and Simmons finally got permission this year and expect to offer massages beginning in March; acupuncture will follow in the spring. Its a treat, Im sure, to have a soak and then head to the restaurant. Diners sit on individual wood benches with brown leather seats to enjoy the tea or dinner. The interiors organic style is reinforced with the open wood ceiling, concrete floors and brick walls. The bar is made from a thick slab of Douglas fir and polished concrete. Wood racks and shelves behind the bar hold 21 kinds of tea that are then carefully brewed and served. The sake selection is modest, but most are well chosen. Onsen even has San Francisco-made Sequoia sake, which unfortunately was my least favorite because of its harsh qualities. The compact food menu includes four bites, five skewers and four larger plates. Chef George Meza, who worked at Oro and Ame, rivals his former boss, Hiro Sone, on the soft custard ($8) topped with crab and shiitake mushrooms. Its part of the bites section along with house-made pickles ($6), which diners can see in jars above the bar. Theres also rice porridge ($7) with kohlrabi, sunchokes and pickled quail egg. Another dish from the bites section is nuggets of spicy shrimp ($8) arranged in a circle alternating with similarly sized chunks of crispy rice topped with ribbons of chives and paper-thin coins of radishes. Its earthy but complex. The four skewers are led by Speckled Hound pumpkin ($5/$9), where the orange chunks are drizzled with shiso verde. Braised lamb ($8/$15) comes marinated in mushroom soy with mustard emulsion. Skirt steak ($8/$15) is fortified with miso, black pepper and coriander, and a whole local sardine is skewered so it looks like its swimming across the plate.($7/$13). John Storey/Special to the Chronicle While the menu changes a bit each night, the mushroom dumplings ($15) are already a staple, for good reason. The six delicate packets are dotted with yam puree and feathery snippets of dill; they come partially submerged in katsuobushi broth along with cabbage. The dish ideal for sharing, and the staff is always accommodating in providing bowls, plates and utensils. I also hope the udon becomes a mainstay. One night the thick noodles in a ginger broth were the nest for a braised duck leg, topped with shavings of raw Brussels sprouts and a soft-cooked egg. Each component makes a critical contribution. Another excellent plate, ideal for vegetarians, is charred carrots ($13). The blackened carrot, as thick as a wrist, is cut in half and arranged on a mat of preserved beans, surrounded by purple radicchio and carrot-top salsa verde. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle Every plate is carefully considered but simply and artfully presented. Thin slices of smoked trout ($17) weave around plump wheat berries, frilly leaves of red kale and a smear of taro butter. Flavors are surprisingly robust but dont drown out the impact of the fish. Two desserts (both $9) are featured. There is a rich black sesame pudding topped with fresh ricotta cake and orange zest, as well as mochi where the house-made square packet is filled with apple cream and presented on cinnamon cream and slices of fresh apples. John Storey/Special to the Chronicle From start to finish, every dish is fully realized. My initial desire to go there may have been motivated by curiosity, but by the third visit I was there because of the integrity and passion displayed in the food. It was the best kind of a happy ending. Onsen Food: Service: Atmosphere: Prices: $$ Noise: Three Bells 466 Eddy St. (between Leavenworth and Hyde), San Francisco; (415) 441-4987 or onsensf.com. Dinner 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Beer, wine and sake. Reservations and credit cards accepted. Difficult street parking. Rallies, protests and town hall events are a part of political life in the Bay Area. Heres a roundup of whats happening in the next few weeks. Sunday Empty chair town hall: Hosted by anti-Trump groups in the Bay Area to discuss concerns with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who will not be attending. Statements will be sent to Feinsteins office. The town hall is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Prep, 1800 98th Ave., Oakland. Tickets are available online. New women activist brunch: Meet and greet for women and members of womens organizations working to elect progressive, pro-abortion-rights women to office. Hosted by Democratic Activists for Women Now, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2302 Zanker Road, San Jose. Anti-Trump planning meeting: Activists organizing to resist the Trump administration will hold a general meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St., Berkeley. Tuesday San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting: Residents are planning to attend the meeting to speak out against a Muslim registry and calling for the board to pass an ordinance divesting city funds from the Dakota Access Pipeline. The meeting is from 2 to 4 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. Wednesday Action meeting: Hosted by San Francisco Berniecrats, featuring a guest speech by Supervisor Jane Kim, to discuss how the grassroots organization can fight for issues they care about. The event is from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library Park Branch, 1833 Page St. March 5 Volunteer workshop: Hosted by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, on how to shape the 2018 election, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. RSVP: (650) 328-3700. March 8 Day Without Women strike: The organizers behind the Womens March on Washington are calling for a general strike to show what a day without women would look like. March 10 Standing Rock march: A march and rally calling for President Trump to meet with tribal leaders before continuing work on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The event is from 5 to 9 p.m. outside the San Francisco Federal Building, 90 Seventh St. Bette Kroening, whose Bettes Oceanview Diner in Berkeley has long exerted a quiet but significant influence on the Bay Area restaurant world, has died at age 71. Born Bette Caminez in New York City in 1945, Ms. Kroening moved to the Bay Area in 1971 after obtaining her bachelors degree in English at the University of Pennsylvania and a masters degree in social work at the University of Southern California. She met future husband Manfred Kroening in 1976, and the couple spent time in his native Germany before returning to the East Bay in 1978. While a social worker, Ms. Kroening had taken cooking classes at Joyce Goldsteins San Francisco school. After her return to the United States, she transitioned into cooking, first under Narsai David, and then for Paul Bertolli as the lunchtime kitchen manager at the Fourth Street Grill in Berkeley. At the time, West Berkeley was an industrial zone being taken over by artists and craftspeople. In the early 1980s, Denny Abrams, who was developing a retail complex on the Fourth Street commercial strip, told the Kroenings hed like to fill a space opposite Fourth Street Grill with an affordably priced restaurant. Ms. Kroening and her husband, along with a Fourth Street Grill co-worker named Sue Conley, partnered up to open Bettes Oceanview Diner on April 5, 1982. While shying from kitschy Americana, the partners decorated the restaurant with pink and maroon tiles reminiscent of the 1950s, a linoleum counter and the requisite jukebox, appealing to young fans of new wave music as well as nostalgic old-timers. Bettes opened at 6:30 a.m. every day, and Conley said its breakfasts attracted builders and Golden Gate Fields jockeys, as well as artists and moneyed food-lovers. At the same time, Ms. Kroening and Conley, who ran the kitchen together, wanted to rethink what a diner could be. We looked back to older recipes, using fresh and local ingredients, Conley said: dishes like corned beef hash, scrapple with grilled tomatoes, chicken salad bound with homemade mayonnaise, and coleslaw with an old-fashioned boiled dressing. Under Ms. Kroenings direction, the cooking was so methodical, and so focused on quality, that customers learned they would have to wait and wait for their food. The restaurants window originally read Good Food. Fast, Friendly Service. Ms. Kroening insisted they scrape off the word fast. Bettes Oceanview Diner opened just as a renaissance of diners and traditional American comfort food was taking hold. By the time The Chronicle discovered the restaurant in 1984, it was already serving 300 meals on weekdays. San Franciscos Fog City Diner opened several years later, and Bettes former employees went on to open Rick and Anns in Berkeley and Haleys in Petaluma. More significantly, Bettes was one of the first restaurants to prove that California cuisine wasnt limited to higher-end bistros like Chez Panisse and the Fourth Street Grill. Ms. Kroening showed the Bay Area that cooks could make Reubens and milkshakes with the same devotion to good ingredients that others did risotto and daubes de boeuf. O'Hara, John/SFC In its 34 years in business, Bettes Oceanview Diner has spawned a bakery, Bettes to Go; a pancake cookbook, still in print; and a line of pancake and scone mixes, recently discontinued. In 1993, Sue Conley left Bettes to start Cowgirl Creamery, a cheese company as iconic as the restaurant she departed. The Kroenings gave birth to daughter Lucie in 1985, who says her parents always joked that the diner was her older sibling. She had this really great smile and warmth, and loved having people around, Lucie Kroening said. We dont have a big family, so the customers and staff were really her family. Even after she stopped cooking on the line, Ms. Kroening would take frequent breaks from the office above the dining room to greet old friends and chat with the staff. That concern for others extended, especially, to employees. She had that social work background, so she was very much a student of human behavior and how to make work better, to make it really a profession as opposed to a job, said Conley. Early on, the restaurant instituted profit-sharing for its employees and abandoned the strict, almost militaristic hierarchy of most professional kitchens. She thought it was stupid that the dishwasher would be paid less than a cook, because if you didnt have a dishwasher, the kitchen wouldnt function, Lucie Kroening said. That respect, demonstrated both professionally and financially, has kept many of the diners staff around for decades. Ms. Kroening was also a vocal proponent of the minimum wage ordinance that Berkeley passed in 2013, which will slowly raise the base wage to $15. Ms. Kroenings presence in the restaurant faded over the past few months as cancer left her increasingly ill. She died Feb. 16 and is survived by her husband, Manfred, who continues to run Bettes; her daughter, Lucie; and her family of workers, customers and friends. The family is planning a memorial service in the spring, and will post details on the restaurants Facebook page and website, www.bettesdiner.com. Jonathan Kauffman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jkauffman@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jonkauffman On the ridge of Knowland Park overlooking five counties and the sparkling waters of the bay, the Oakland Zoos expensive and contentious expansion is beginning to take shape. After 2 decades of planning and years of wrangling with local opponents, construction has sketched the outline of the zoos ambitious California Trail exhibit. The first of 16 eight-person aerial gondolas imported from Switzerland to carry visitors over the exhibit was being mounted onto its wires Thursday. The California Trail attraction, envisioned as a showcase of the states biodiversity, ironically drew the ire of local conservationist groups in its planning stages because of its potential impact on Knowland Parks wildlife, particularly the federally protected Alameda whipsnake and a rare type of chaparral plant. Zoo officials say the expansion will encourage stewardship by offering a unique look at California wildlife past and present, and that building on lower ground would have increased the projects environmental impact, not lessened it. This project is really the only sort of place in California where were talking about Californias biodiversity, past present and future looking at what we have in the state and how can we take care of it, said Nik Dehejia, chief financial officer for the Oakland Zoo. The $80 million expansion will bring the zoos footprint up to 100 acres, making it the same size as the San Diego Zoo, one of the countrys largest. At the Kaiser Permanente Visitor Center, a wall made of windows looks out on the city of Oakland stretched out below and the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance. Those spectacular views come from the expansions use of the ridgeline habitat in Knowland Park, an aspect of the plan that drew criticism in the planning phases from some opponents because the expansion reduced public trail access to one of the parks most beautiful overlooks. California Trail will eventually be populated with some of the most formidable predators to roam California. The exhibit will house grizzlies, black bears, jaguars, mountain lions, bald eagles and condors. Bison will roam a large enclosure by April. Although the viewing area for their exhibit will not be accessible to the public until the expansion opening in summer 2018, they will be visible from the parks existing gondola system. The group of about 20 bison is being provided to the zoo by the Blackfeet Nation tribe of Montana, with the agreement that the offspring the bison might bear at the zoo will be returned to the herd in Montana. A subspecies of grizzly bear, the California grizzly, once roamed the state by the thousands, but was hunted to extinction by the early 20th century. In 2016, the Center for Biological Diversity incidentally, one of the groups that voiced opposition to the zoo expansion in 2014 unsuccessfully petitioned federal wildlife officials to reintroduce grizzly bears to the California wilderness. Now grizzlies will return to Northern California, albeit within the confines of the Oakland Zoos enclosures. Most of the California Trail exhibits will be populated with animals who cannot be released into the wild, like young orphaned bear cubs who are bottle-fed by rescuers and lose their natural aversion to humans, making it dangerous to release them once theyre grown. In the case of the bald eagle, for instance, theyll receive an injury typically a wing injury and they wont really have the full strong flight necessary for them to be able to hunt and feed themselves, said Colleen Kinzley, the zoos director of animal care, conservation and research. In many such cases, animals are euthanized if no facility is available to take them in. Among the most touted aspects of the expansion is the Interpretive Center, which will encourage visitors to consider their place in Californias ecosystems. Its very tactile and hopefully really leads kids and adults to think about what its like for these animals out in the wild, said Kinzley. Theyll go around all the areas that these animals occupy and at the end, the last area is the bay, as a way to say: This is where we live; what are the responsibilities that go with that? Filipa A. Ioannou is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: fioannou@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @obioannoukenobi A quick-thinking Concord mother who yanked her 10-month-old son out of the jaws of the family dog Friday may have saved the boys life, police said. The dog, a 16-month-old 80-pound German shepherd mix named Charlie, was in the living room in the home in the 2100 block of Fremont Street around 4 p.m.with the infant and his 7-year-old brother, said Cpl. Chris Blakely, a spokesman for the Concord Police Department. Their mother had left the room to put away laundry when the dog attacked, Blakely said. Police later shot and killed the dog as he threatened officers, Blakely said. With little warning, the dog, who had no history of aggression, attacked the child as the mother put away the laundry, said Steve Burdo, a spokesman for Contra Costa County Animal Services. She returned and saved the infant, Blakely said The family had owned Charlie since he was a puppy, the mother told investigators. The mother extricated her child, whose head was bleeding extensively, as the dog continued to bark and run around the house, Blakely said. The mother was bitten on her hand in the process, he said. Police did not release the names of the mother or the children because no crime was being investigated. A couple seconds longer, and who knows if he would have survived that attack, Blakely said. The biggest challenge for officers was getting to the mother and the child who was injured as the dog barked and growled in the front yard, Blakely said. Police eventually contained the dog, trapping him against the side of the house with a chair and a board, and they grabbed the bleeding boy from his mothers arms, police said. He was transported to UCSF Benioff Childrens Hospital Oakland to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and was expected to fully recover, Blakely said. The mother was also taken to the hospital to be treated for her injured hand, he said. With the child gone, the dog took an aggressive stance toward officers, Blakely said, buckling the makeshift barrier and baring his teeth, threatening to lunge. These things can change in a split second, and thats what happened here, Blakely said. When the dog seemed as if it might lunge, an officer fired several rounds, Blakely said, killing the animal. Though the dog a regular around the neighborhood and at local parks had no indications of disease, Burdo said rabies tests were being taken as a precaution. Michael Bodley is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mbodley@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @michael_bodley This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate It was May 15, 1930, when a group of young nurses assembled beside an old Boeing transport to make aviation history as the first airline stewardesses in the United States. San Francisco Chronicle archive photos show most of the historic women (seen in the first two photos above), when they reunited in San Francisco in 1965 to celebrate the 35th anniversary of flight stewardess service. The original stewardess team flew a San Francisco to Chicago route on United Airlines. The women were Margaret Arnott, Inez Keller, Cornelia Peterman-Tyson, Harriet Iden, Jessie Carter, Ella Crawford, Ellen Church-Marshall and Alva Johnson. One of the six, Church-Marshall, helped the stewardess role become a reality. Steve Stimpson, a retired United Airlines executive, seized her idea and pushed it into action. Church-Marshall was teaching at San Francisco's French Hospital (now part of Kaiser Permanente) and taking flying lessons when the idea came to her. She mentioned her idea to Stimpson, a one-time executive of United's predecessor, Boeing Air Transport, who then sent a wire to his boss in Cheyenne, Wyoming, suggesting " 'not flapper-type girls' but graduate nurses with some horse sense." An industry profession ensued, and stewardess style has made headlines since. One of the more outlandish examples we found in the Chronicle archives was a Sept. 1, 1967, report of flight attendants wearing disposable paper mini dresses on British airline BOAC's Caribbean flights. The short-sleeved shifts were "splashed with purple and cerise flowers" and were discarded in a bin marked "paper towels" after each flight. The cost of each dress was 28 cents. (You can see one of the dresses in the gallery above.) About 35,000 flight attendants, no longer required to be registered nurses, flew for U.S. domestic airlines by 1970, according to San Francisco Chronicle archives. According to the Justia Law site, Celio Diaz Jr., a man from Miami who wanted to be a flight attendant, challenged the policy of hiring women only in Diaz v. Pan American World Airways. By the time the suit was settled, in 1971, Diaz was then too old to be hired as a flight attendant. But the ruling opened the door for thousands of others. According to the site Femininity in Flight, A History of Flight Attendants, in 1968, the EEOC declared age restrictions on flight attendants' employment to be illegal. Originally female flight attendants were fired if they reached age 32 or 35 depending on the airline, were fired if they exceeded weight regulations, and were required to be single upon hiring and fired if they got married. One of the original eight stewardesses, Peterman-Tyson, survived two serious plane crashes during her career one at Kimball, Nebraska, in 1930, and one at Eugene, Oregon, in 1933. The one in Eugene involved a Ford tri-motor, which crashed on take-off, killing the pilot and co-pilot. The mayor at that time, John F. Shelley, proclaimed the day "Airline Stewardess Day" in their honor. Of the original stewardesses not in attendance at the 1965 San Francisco reunion, Johnson, was killed in a car crash and Crawford, a San Francisco resident, was simply listed as "unable to attend," in Chronicle archives. To see how flight attendant uniforms have transformed over the years, click through the gallery above. Bob Bragman is a producer for SFGATE. His writing reflects his love of the Bay Area, in addition to his passion for vintage pop culture, ephemera and vernacular photographs. To see more of his content, please click here. Yellow Dog Productions/Getty Image A San Jose septuagenarian was sentenced to probation Thursday for embezzling about $350,000 from a popular Sunnyvale pizzeria, officials said Friday. Mario Landino, 74, was a part owner of Giovannis New York Pizzeria and siphoned the six-figure sum from the restaurant over a period of at least six years, Santa Clara County district attorneys office officials said. Rallies, protests and town hall events are a part of political life in the Bay Area. Heres a roundup of whats happening in the next few weeks. Saturday Health care town hall: Hosted by Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena. Starts at 9 a.m. at Piner High School, 1700 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. Town hall: A Conversation About America hosted by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Hillsborough, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Cabrillo Unified School District, 530 Kelly Ave., Half Moon Bay. Environmental protest: Meeting in front of the Environmental Protection Agencys regional offices in San Francisco to protest the new head of the EPA and fight for environmental justice, from 1 to 3 p.m., 75 Hawthorne St. Sunday Empty chair town hall: Hosted by anti-Trump groups in the Bay Area to discuss concerns with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, who will not be attending. Statements will be sent to Feinsteins office. The town hall is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Elmhurst Community Prep, 1800 98th Ave., Oakland. Tickets are available online. New women activist brunch: Meet and greet for women and members of womens organizations working to elect progressive, pro-abortion-rights women to office. Hosted by Democratic Activists for Women Now, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 2302 Zanker Road, San Jose. Anti-Trump planning meeting: Activists organizing to resist the Trump administration will hold a general meeting from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut St., Berkeley. Tuesday San Francisco Board of Supervisors meeting: Residents are planning to attend the meeting to speak out against a Muslim registry and calling for the board to pass an ordinance divesting city funds from the Dakota Access Pipeline. The meeting is from 2 to 4 p.m. at San Francisco City Hall, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place. Wednesday Action meeting: Hosted by San Francisco Berniecrats, featuring a guest speech by Supervisor Jane Kim, to discuss how the grassroots organization can fight for issues they care about. The event is from 6:45 to 8:30 p.m. at the San Francisco Public Library Park Branch, 1833 Page St. March 5 Volunteer workshop: Hosted by Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Palo Alto, on how to shape the 2018 election, from 2 to 4 p.m. Crowne Plaza Cabana, 4290 El Camino Real, Palo Alto. RSVP: (650) 328-3700. March 8 Day Without Women strike: The organizers behind the Womens March on Washington are calling for a general strike to show what a day without women would look like. March 10 Standing Rock march: A march and rally calling for President Trump to meet with tribal leaders before continuing work on the Dakota Access Pipeline. The event is from 5 to 9 p.m. outside the San Francisco Federal Building, 90 Seventh St. SolarCity, the nations leading installer of rooftop solar panels and a renewable energy darling, has pitched its value to investors on a simple premise: Once customers sign up to lease a system, they will make payments to the company month after month for at least 20 years. But even when the customers look good enough on paper, it does not always work out that way. In dozens of cases during the last three years, the New York Times has found, SolarCity has reached long-term lease agreements with homeowners shortly before or even after they defaulted on mortgages. In at least 14 cases, the homeowners were already in default, or had other liens on the property, by the time the San Mateo company filed paperwork about the panels with the government. The cases raise questions about how well the company vets customers. In addition, it is unclear how many foreclosure lawsuits involve the company overall. In September, a lawyer for SolarCity, Mohammed Ahmed Gangat, filed a document in New York state court arguing that the company needed to file another document late because it had in recent months been inundated with hundreds of lawsuits in New York, and thousands across the country, all of which have named SolarCity as a defendant in a residential foreclosure action. But when asked about that filing, SolarCity said that it was currently involved in far fewer cases 139 and that the lawyer had been mistaken. The company said the court filing had been made without the company reviewing or approving it. Gangat is not a SolarCity employee. In either situation, details of the cases identified by the Times raise questions about how well the company, relying on one credit check, vets potential customers. What SolarCity offers its customers is simple in theory: savings on their electricity bills. The company often pays most or all of the bill for the installation, worth $25,000 to $30,000 on average, and charges the customer an agreed-upon rate for the electricity the panels produce, typically 10 to 15 percent less than they would normally pay for power. In return, SolarCity receives steady monthly payments. In the years since the companys founding in 2006, it has lowered the FICO score, the widely used credit score created by Fair Isaac Corp., that it requires of customers to receive its solar panels. It now uses a score of 650, generally considered a fair rating, as the cutoff. But often, the score is assessed several months before a solar panel system is installed and registered plenty of time for financial circumstances to change. For a consumer with a sub-700 score, its likely that there are already some indicators of risk there, but not a severe one to that particular lender, I guess, at that point, said Rod Griffin, director of public education at Experian, a credit reporting agency. SolarCity is not the only company to find itself in the midst of such lawsuits. Sunrun, a competitor, has been named in a small number of cases. The foreclosure lawsuits do not appear to have made much of a dent in SolarCitys bottom line. When a customer loses a home to a bank in foreclosure, the company also risks losing income from its energy system unless it can reach a deal to take the system back or contract with the new homeowners. Company executives say that even after figuring in foreclosures, more than 99 percent of contracts are reassigned, relocated or paid off in advance. Executives at the company have never expressed much worry about the risks of foreclosures, boasting that customers tend to pay their electricity bills even when they are not paying anything else. We have customers that are foreclosed, Lyndon Rive, CEO of SolarCity, said in an interview in 2012. Theyre still paying their electric bill, so they still pay us. When a customer loses a home to a bank, the ownership of the solar panels can become unclear. Banks often consider them part of the overall property as fixtures. SolarCity has argued that the panels are its personal property. Danielle Ivory and Diane Cardwell are New York Times writers. More movies and cheaper options are now online for movie fans wanting to catch up on Oscar-nominated flicks. Of the 62 full-length movies and shorts nominated in any category, 46 are available in some form online. That includes animated and live action shorts on cable channel Shorts HD. Just 16 of the nominees can be seen only in theaters. Watching all 46 online will cost at least $173, assuming you already have subscriptions to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime or HBO Now. Focusing on just best picture and the four acting categories will still cost you nearly $70, not including the monthly subscriptions. The good news is that prices have fallen for a few titles. Best picture and director nominees: None of the nine best picture nominees is available through a subscription service. You can rent Arrival, Hacksaw Ridge, Hell or High Water, Manchester by the Sea and Moonlight through Amazon, Google Play or Apples iTunes. Fences is available for purchase only. Rentals typically cost about $3 or $4, or a dollar more if you want them in high definition. Buying downloads usually cost about $15 for standard definition or $20 for HD. Shop around, as prices arent always the same at the various services. Based on the cheapest options, youll have to spend nearly $40 on the best picture movies. Youll need to visit a theater for Hidden Figures, La La Land and Lion. On the plus side, all five nominees for best director are also up for best picture. Acting nominees: In addition to the best picture flicks, youll need to watch six more movies to catch everyone nominated for the four acting categories. Captain Fantastic, Florence Foster Jenkins, Loving and Nocturnal Animals are available for rent. Jackie is available for purchase online. The cumulative total: nearly $70. To see Elle, youll need to visit a theater. Screenplays: All but two of the nominees in the two writing categories overlap with best picture. The Lobster is available through Amazon Prime, but 20th Century Women isnt online at all. Full-length cartoons: Netflix has Zootopia. Kubo and the Two Strings is available to rent. Moana is available for purchase only. Head to theaters for My Life as a Zucchini and The Red Turtle. Full-length documentaries: Netflix produced 13th and streams it exclusively. Amazon Prime has Life, Animated. Hulu has O.J.: Made in America (as does WatchESPN, though youll need to sign in with a cable or satellite TV account). Fire At Sea can be rented, while I Am Not Your Negro isnt expected online until June. Foreign language films: Rent A Man Called Ove and Tanna. Buy a ticket for the rest. The 15 shorts: Shorts HD has a package with four of the five nominated animated shorts. The cheapest option is through Google Play for about $6. Youll need to buy Pixars Piper separately through Amazon, Google Play or iTunes for about $2. Shorts HD has all five live-action shorts in a package. Again, Google Play was offering the best deal for about $6. The documentaries Extremis and The White Helmets are available through Netflix. The New York Times is streaming 4.1 Miles for free, while the New Yorker magazine hosts Joes Violin. Youll need to head to a theater for Watani: My Homeland. Shorts HD runs screenings at theaters, libraries and museums across the country. And the rest: That leaves 15 movies for lower-profile categories such as music and makeup. Netflix has The Jungle Book, while Hulu and Amazon Prime offer 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi. HBO has Hail, Caesar! and Jim: The James Foley Story. Five other movies can be rented, while two are for purchase only. That means theaters for four if you can still find a screening. These include big releases such as Rogue One and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, so perhaps youve seen them already. The ceremony: The Oscar telecast begins at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. The ceremony will be streamed by the ABC website and on the ABC app. However, youll need to sign in with a cable or satellite account. You also might be able to watch through an online TV subscription with Sling TV, PlayStation Vue or DirecTV Now. Availability depends on where you live; only a handful of ABC stations are offered this way. For the E channels red carpet coverage, youll need a subscription with an online TV service or a traditional cable or satellite provider. The cheapest online plan with both ABC and E is DirecTV Now for $35 a month. Oscar.com will have backstage and red-carpet coverage, starting at 4 p.m. Anick Jesdanun is an Associated Press writer. Al Bab, Feb 25 (IBNS): At least 60 people, including civilians and soldiers, were killed in two separate incidents following the detonation of car bombs by suicide bombers near Al Bab area of Syria, reports said. The incidents took place on Friday. The the first explosion claimed 53 lives. The second killed at least eight people, Al Jazeera quoted Aleppo Media Center and Thiqa News agency as saying. With the decision to add groundwater to San Francisco's water supply comes the worry that local food and drinks will be affected. San Francisco Chronicle writer Tara Duggan looked into the issue to find out how this new water will work with local sourdough bread, beer and coffee. A young Oklahoma dad has gone viral after posting a moving photo to honor his wife for her bravery in carrying their daughter to full term just so they can donate her organs to another infant. The child, a baby girl they are naming Eva, is being born without a brain and because of this, she isn't expected to live past a few days. When her parents found out about their daughter's condition, the 31-year-old mother asked if her organs could be donated if she carried her to full term. Royce Young posted the black-and-white photo of his wife sleeping on Facebook with a moving caption about his wife's bravery and selflessness through the entire pregnancy. "I thought back to the moment where we found out Eva wasn't perfect, and how literally 30 seconds after our doctor told us our baby doesn't have a brain, somehow through full body ugly crying, Keri looked up and asked, 'If I carry her full term, can we donate her organs?" Young writes about his wife Keri. He goes on to say how the doctor told her she didn' have to think about something like that, but his wife was serious. And now, with her belly full and the baby close to being born, the couple looks forward to the day they meet their baby girl, even if it's only for a few days. "Eva is alive and our daughter deserves to meet her mama and daddy, gave us a purpose to continue on," Young writes. "Donating was on Keri's mind from darn near the second we found out and while the experience of holding and kissing our daughter will be something we cherish forever, the gift(s) she's got inside that little body of hers is what really matters." He says he and his wife chose to turn Eva from a dying child into a miracle for another family's baby to survive. Though, if he could change the circumstances, he admits he would in a heartbeat. "A lot of people say things like, 'I wouldn't change anything' after a trying circumstance, but I'm not about to say that. I would definitely change this if I could. I want my daughter to be perfect," Young writes near the end of his post. "I want her to blow out her candles on her first birthday. I want to watch her bang her head on our coffee table trying to learn to walk. I want her to run up a cell phone bill texting boys. I want to walk her down an aisle." In the end, Young praises his wife for her toughness and bravery through such a difficult situation. "She's incredible. She's remarkable. She's cut from a different cloth, combining wit, beauty, courage, silliness, character and integrity into one spectacular woman. And somehow, she's my wife," Young concludes his post. Since sharing their story on Facebook on February 17, the couple has gone viral with over 6,800 shares and have received thousands of messages of support. The couple says they will continue to share their posts about Eva for the public, but ask that people respect their privacy in order to protect their toddler son, Harrison. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate This story originally appeared on Hoodline. Last week, we reported that the Citys Fix-It team had deployed metal barricades in the Castro, to deter homeless individuals from congregating around the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library. However, the barricades that were added to Prosper Street arent compliant with standards set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as confirmed to Hoodline by Bassam Altwal, a certified access specialist who works in San Francisco. According to ADA regulations (and San Francisco policy), there are required minimum widths for sidewalks in order to be compliant. Even when a sidewalk is blocked for temporary construction, it has to be a certain width, have a special permit, or be marked as closed." In the case of Prosper Street, the sidewalk needs to be at least three feet wide, and cleared of obstructions, to be compliant. We measured the distance between Prosper Streets barricades and trees, which is approximately one foot. Because of a childhood bout with polio, Bob Planthold uses braces and crutches to get around the neighborhood. He told us that for him and others, Prosper Streets barricades make it nearly impossiblenot to mention dangerousto travel along the sidewalk. The barricades take away the accessible path of travel, said Planthold. Someone just did something quick and without thought, and theres been no follow up monitoring on the placement. Planthold says that the sidewalk is now too challenging for a mobility-impaired person to navigate. Anybody coming up from 17th Street coming up Prosper wouldnt know that until theyre two-thirds of the way up the block, said Planthold. "Then they'd have to go all the way back down and cross the street, because there are no ramps anywhere, not even a driveway. Barricades say this public institution is not meant to be accessible for you, Jodi Schwartz, the executive director of Castro-based LGBTQ youth center LYRIC, told us via email. Just as was done with the removal of the benches in Harvey Milk Plaza, these decisions are meant to limit community space for the use by only some of our members, rather than all of our members." "This type of discriminatory policy has no place in San Francisco," Schwartz wrote. Planthold would like to see the barricades moved up off of the sidewalk and into the adjacent planter area next to the library. That way, you still have a passable path," he said. He also noted that despite the placement of the barricades, homeless individuals are also still scattered along 16th Streets sidewalks. The barricades seem like theyre meant to prevent somebody from huddling against the back of a building, Planthold said. And yet, as we see farther down the block, there are people huddling against the backs of other buildings." "Its not a solutionits a dispersal. Anna Damiani, a neighbor who gets around San Francisco in a wheelchair, has faith that when accessibility issues like the one along Prosper Street are brought up in the right way, they can be resolved relatively quickly. Generally speaking, said Damiani, in the Castro and some of the places Ive encountered this, if I find the right person, they tend to be willing to work with me. If I take a direct approach, sometimes theyll take care of it right away. "Somebody probably just didnt think it through," Damiani said. Technically, it seems like theyre complying, but I bet that no one got in a wheelchair to try it out when they were setting up the barricades. When we contacted SF Public Works yesterday afternoon, spokesperson Rachel Gordon told us that crews would be dispatched to move the barricades and to make sure they adhere to ADA standards." Once [Hoodline] brought it to our attention, wrote Gordon, we moved to get the problem resolved. I would have done the same if anyone had let us know there was a problem. ADA compliance is a priority. But while trucks arrived to the library shortly after our email yesterday afternoon, the barricades are still in place as of this morning. In fact, additional barricades are now in place on Pond Street, congesting that sidewalk as well. Fix-It Team director Sandra Zuniga and the Mayor's Office on Disability both failed to respond to our request for comment. This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Dr. Nwando Olayiwola of Hercules was trying to nap in the backseat of a Lyft after a cross-country flight on Tuesday night. While crossing the Bay Bridge, she noticed the driver roll down his window. I was like, What are you doing? Its cold, Olayiwola recalled. Then, he asked if I knew of any nearby hospitals. As a doctor, that got my antennae up. The driver, Mir Peerzada, later disclosed he was experiencing chest pain. Meanwhile, the Lyft was speeding along in the far left lane of the highway. I asked him if he thought he should pull over, and he said he would take me home first, said Olayiwola as they continued along the highway nearing Hercules. The doctor continued watching Peerzada become increasingly uncomfortable, thats when she demanded he pull to the side of the road. On the side of the highway, Peerzada began moaning in pain and clutching his chest. Olayiwola sprung sprang into action. She simultaneously called 911 while attempting to keep Peerzada calm. Recording notes in her phone, she asked for his name, date of birth and whatever details she could eke out from him. Olayiwola then called Perzadas wife, Zuhra, to inform her of the situation. After what felt like hours, the Rodeo-Hercules Fire Department arrived and Peerzada was treated for a heart attack at Kaiser in Richmond. At present, Peerzada is resting at home in Modesto with his wife and three young children, but the story doesnt end here. Olayiwola, a general practitioner at San Francisco General Hospital, followed up with Peerzada in the days following the eventful Lyft ride. She found that Peerzada had experienced these symptoms before, but a language breakdown with his physician led to inaction. Peerzada also revealed his past as an interpreter for the U.S. forces in Afghanistan, having arrived in Modesto on special visa with his family just one year ago. Although hes taking a break from work, Peerzada said he would typically drive Lyft four days a week, two of which he spent in San Francisco. He says he would sleep in his car between shifts. Its obvious hes such a hard worker, Olayiwola said. Its so funny because I feel a responsibility to him now. I really connected with his wife and brother too; they feel like my other family now. Tuesday nights events could have ended much differently for every party involved. Olayiwola said she had called a previous Lyft driver, but canceled the ride when he expressed hesitation at driving her to Hercules. I dont know what would have happened if I werent in the car, said Olayiwola. I just want to make sure I can get him a doctor that really understands him. I dont feel like this chapter closes until that happens. Read Michelle Robertsons latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com. Islamabad, Feb 25 (IBNS): A delegation of Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), led by Ambassador Lu Shumin, called on Sartaj Aziz, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, at the Foreign Office. The delegation is one a three day visit to Pakistan at the invitation of Islamabad Council of World Affairs (ICWA), read a Pakistan government statement. The call was followed by lunch hosted by Mr. Syed Zulfiqar Gardezi, Additional Secretary (Asia Pacific) on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Adviser stated that friendship with China is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy. Pakistan and China are time tested friends. "This friendship is based on mutual trust and respect. Our strategic cooperative relationship is an anchor for regional peace and stability. Pakistan adheres to One China Policy and supports China on all issues relating to its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity including Taiwan, Tibet and Hong Kong," read a Pakistan government statement. Major trends in Asian political scene and regional situation were discussed. The Adviser appreciated CPIFA and ICWA's contribution to enhancing better understanding between the two countries. He stated that the exchange of such delegations comprising senior experiences members strengthens people-to-people contacts especially among scholars, diplomats and distinguished citizens of the both countries and contributes to better relations between Pakistan and China. Ambassador Lu Shumin briefed the Adviser on the deliberations held with ICWA. He condemned the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and lauded the sacrifices rendered by Pakistan and its security forces in its fight against terrorism & extremism, which has also helped maintain regional peace and stability. He also praised the peace of projects under CPEC. Image: twitter.com/POTUS Washington, Feb 25 (IBNS): US President Donald Trump's fight with the American media continues as he yet again slammed CNN and NY Times as 'Fake News' while they two media outlets along with some others were blocked from attending a White House press briefing. Accusing them of not telling the truth, his tweet read, "FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesn't tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad!" Out of all American President, Donald Trump, the 45th one, has the highest disapproval rating following his month long tenure at the Oval Office. Some of his tactics, such as the travel ban and the H-1B Visa rule, have been viewed as bizarre, earning his criticism from all corners. Trump has also been mocked by a bunch of American celebrities on TV, with Saturday Night Live (SNL) doing it on a regular basis. Meanwhile, CNN reported that it was blocked with some other media on Friday from attending an off-camera White House press briefing that other reporters were hand-picked to attend, raising alarm among media organizations and First Amendment watchdogs. The decision struck veteran White House journalists as unprecedented in the modern era, and escalated tensions in the already fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the press, CNN reported. "The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian were also among those excluded from the meeting, which was held in White House press secretary Sean Spicer's office. The meeting, which is known as a gaggle, was held in lieu of the daily televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room," the report said. Houston, Feb 25 (IBNS) : The wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, the Indian engineer who was shot dead in a US bar has sought answers from the US Government to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes. I have a question in my mind: Do we belong? said Sunayana Dumala at a press conference on Friday, The Kansas City Star reported. Addressing a press conference at the headquarters of Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer, Dumla said she expressed concern about immigrants being targeted in America, but her husband told her not to worry. "We always wondered how safe it was to stay in the United States of America, but he always assured me that only good things happen to good people," she said, adding "He did not deserve a death like this." And we always wondered, how safe? I need an answer from the government. ...What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani wounded in Austin's Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas on Wednesday night when an American opened fire on them after yelling, "get out of our country." Police said it was a "hate crime." Authorities on Thursday charged Adam W. Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder in Kuchibhotlas death. Image: Facebook By Press Trust of India: From K J M Varma Beijing, Feb 25 (PTI) Thirteen crew members have gone missing while seven others have been rescued after a fishing boat sank off the Zhejiangcoast in eastern China. The local maritime authorities were informed about the sinking last morning and requested the Donghai Fleet of Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Navy to assist them in the rescue operations, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported today. advertisement The steel-hull boat, 42.6 meters-long and 7.6 meters-wide, sank 130 sea miles to the east of Zhoushan City, Zhejiang Province. Three naval frigates were sent to the shipwreck site. Another naval vessel carrying a rescue helicopter later joined the rescue. Forty-one nearby fishing boats were also mobilised, it said. The search continued till late Friday night, the report said. PTI KJV ASV --- ENDS --- Toaster broken? Vacuum cleaner lost its suck? Clock no longer ticking? You could throw away your failing household appliances and add them to the world's growing trash pile, or you could bring them over to the Repair Cafe in Palo Alto. At this quarterly clinic at the Museum of American Heritage Museum, people bring their broken items to be repaired by a team of engineer-minded volunteers who get a thrill out of fixing things. You can get involved in the process or sit back and watch. The cafe, with its next event taking place Feb. 26, accepts anything that you can carry. Coffee makers and microwave ovens are acceptable, while cars, dishwashers, washing machines and clothes dryers are not. The nonprofit event was started by Peter Skinner, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and longtime chief financial officer, who was inspired by an article he read back in 2012 about the Repair Cafe movement in Amsterdam. "I thought, 'Ok, we need something like this in the Bay Area,'" Skinner said. "I contacted them to find out more and figure out how to start one. It took me a number of months to get things going." Skinner considers himself an environmentalist and is concerned about today's throwaway culture in which the mentality is to replace broken items with something new rather than repair and reuse them. It's understandable why people do this: Often buying a new product costs the same or only a little more than what you would pay to have it fixed, if you can even find a shop that will do the repair. As a result of this way of thinking, our country has a serious waste issue. The Repair Cafe website points out: "In 1960, each person in the U.S. generated 2.68 pounds of waste per day. By 2000, the average was 4.65 pounds per day. This is the most in the world." More than half of this wasteabout 220 million tons of it each yearends up in one of the more than 3,500 landfills around the U.S. "Municipal solid waste landfills are the second-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States, accounting for approximately 22 percent of these emissions in 2008," according to the Center for Sustainability and Commerce at Duke University. At each Repair Cafe event, about 30 volunteers and 125 people with a wide assortment of stuff that needs fixingclocks that run backwards, watches that have stopped, DVD players that went dead, lamps that no longer turn on, pants with broken zippers show up. "We get all kinds of odd ball stuff," Skinner said. "Weird things people want to keep alive for sentimental reasons. We recently had an 80-year-old woman bring in a mechanical toy dinosaur that one of her grandsons had. She really wanted to get it fixed and so we fixed it." A local hardware store four blocks away from the museum supplies parts, and one of the volunteers rides on a bicycle to the store for a pickup about every 20 minutes. The volunteers range from a Stanford physics professor to computer engineers working in Silicon Valley. The program partnered with Stanford's Engineering Department to give students an opportunity to work side-by-side with people more experienced with taking things apart. Skinner knows his grass-roots operation isn't going to solve the world's waste problem, but, he said, "We can affect the way people think." Information: Next Repair Cafe, Sunday, Feb. 26, Museum of American Heritage, Palo Alto, repaircafe-paloalto.org A national nonprofit called Fixit Clinic also holds some pop-up events around the Bay Area. Below are upcoming events and you can find a full list at fixitclinic.blogspot.com. Newark Library, Feb. 25 Fremont Public Library, April 1 Truckee, April 19 San Francisco (USF), May 28 By Press Trust of India: Chennai, Feb 25 (PTI) The ruling AIADMK today took strong exception to certain remarks made against late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa by DMK leader M K Stalin and sought an "open apology" from him. Claiming that Stalin had used certain words against Jayalalithaa yesterday, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran said they were completely "false" and showed DMK leaders "uncultured side". advertisement Stalin, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly, had objected to government schemes being named after Jayalalithaa and "taxpayers money being used in her 69th birthday celebrations". Jayalalithaa was loved by Tamils world over and they addressed her affectionately as Amma (Mother) even as she was known for her compassion, Dinakaran, who is VK Sasikalas nephew, said. "When scores of her supporters are in grief following her demise (in December 2016), making such slander and false remarks shows Stalins uncultured side," he said in a statement. Recalling Jayalalithaas efforts to uphold Tamil Nadus rights, Dinakaran said she had done these in issues like the Cauvery water dispute, besides earning the love of people with a series of welfare measures, including the popular free 20 KG rice scheme. "Because of these, she lives in the hearts of crores of people. Therefore, there is no need to uphold her memory by just naming schemes after her," Dinakaran said in an apparent reference to Stalin taking exception to some government schemes named after her. The DMK leader had also wanted such schemes to be renamed. "Stalin should withdraw the brazen slander used against Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and issue a public apology," Dinakaran demanded. Referring to certain gaffe made by Stalin on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Cauvery Management Board, the AIADMK leader ridiculed him and asked the DMK working president to stop making public comments without verifying accompanying notes. PTI SA ROH AQS --- ENDS --- Golden Gate Ferry will begin commute service between Tiburon and San Francisco starting March 6, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District said Friday. It's the first time in 40 years Golden Gate Ferry has expanded its service, the District said. The District's Board of Directors approved a sub-lease agreement with Blue & Gold Fleet Friday morning. There were be eight trips from Tiburon to San Francisco between 5:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m., and eight return trips from San Francisco between 6:05 a.m. and 8:05 p.m. A one-way trip usually takes a half-hour. Discussions between Blue & Gold Fleet and Golden Gate Ferry on the takeover began in 2015. The discussion expanded to include underlying property owners AC Ventures and neighboring Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Company. Golden Gate Ferry service to Tiburon was to begin Jan. 30, but Angel Island Tiburon Ferry Company expressed concerns about Golden Gate Ferry's larger vessels endangering passengers and posing a threat to navigation and to the dock and Zelinsky float in Tiburon. The Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District's Board of Directors withdrew a resolution to approve ferry service to and from Tiburon until both parties met to resolve the issues. District spokeswoman Priya Clemens said various Golden Gate ferries will service the Tiburon-San Francisco route, but the primary vessel will be the M.V. Del Norte, which has a door modified to better suit the landing in Tiburon. One-way fares for adults 19-64 will be $11.50, Clipper fare will be $7, Youth 5-18, seniors 65 and up and disabled riders will pay $5.75 and children four and under ride free. Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District General Manager Denis Mulligan said Golden Gate ferries and buses already reduce traffic congestion 25 percent on the Golden Gate Bridge and U.S. Highway 101 corridor. "Adding this new service area helps us fulfill our mission to keep traffic flowing smoothly across the Bridge by transporting commuters through alternate means across the Bay," Mulligan said. Blue & Gold Fleet will continue operating mid-day and late night service for tourists, Blue & Gold Fleet President Patrick Murphy said in a news release. 3 people had been killed and over 17 others injured in the blast at the Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer on October 11, 2007. By India Today Web Desk: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Jaipur has adjourned the hearing in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case till March 8. The court was earlier expected to deliver its verdict today. Three people had been killed and over 17 others injured in the blast at the Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti Dargah in Ajmer on October 11, 2007. advertisement After only two FIRs were registered in 2007, probe into the blast was transferred to the NIA in 2011. ASEEMANAND ACCUSED OF MASTERMINDING BLAST The NIA subsequently filed the chargesheet and accused Swami Aseemanand of masterminding the blast. Besides Aseemanand, the others who have been chargesheeted are Devendra Gupta, Chandrashekhar Leve, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Mohan Rateshwar, Lokesh Sharma and Harshad Solanki. Among other charges, they have been accused of murder, hatching the conspiracy, planting and exploding bombs and spreading hatred. Also read: Kashmiri man acquitted after 12 years in jail for Delhi blasts says his only crime was being poor Also read: Days before Punjab goes to polls, 3 killed, 15 injured in IED blast in car in Bhatinda --- ENDS --- The bombing had killed three people and injured over 17 at the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) Special Court in Jaipur is expected to deliver its verdict today in the 2007 Ajmer Dargah blast case. Swami Aseemanand along with six others- Devendra Gupta, Chandrashekhar Leve, Mukesh Vasani, Bharat Mohan Rateshwar, Lokesh Sharma and Harshad Solanki have been chargesheeted. They were accused of various charges, including hatching the conspiracy, planting and exploding bombs, murdering and spreading communal hatred. advertisement Investigation of the bombing that took place on 11 October 2007, was transferred to the NIA in 2011 and only two FIRs were registered in 2007. The NIA subsequently filed the chargesheet and accused Aseemanand of masterminding the blast. The bombing had killed three people and injured over 17 at the Dargah of Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer. The case witnessed a twist, when Bhavesh Patel accused several Congress leaders, including former Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Digvijaya Singh of pressurising him to implicate senior RSS leaders- RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat and senior RSS functionary Indresh Kumar in the case. Also read: Kashmiri man acquitted after 12 years in jail for Delhi blasts says his only crime was being poor Also read: 12 killed, 50 injured in blast outside Sufi shrine in Pakistan's Sindh Also read: Days before Punjab goes to polls, 3 killed, 15 injured in IED blast in car in Bhatinda --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: Gaya, Feb 25 (PTI) A suspect in the 2002 terror attack on American Centre in Kolkata was arrested from Bihars Gaya district, police said today. A team of Gujarat Anti-Terrorist Squad, Jharkhand Police and Bihar Police arrested Mohammad Sarwar from Neemchak Bathani police station area late last night, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Magadh, Saurabh Kumar said. advertisement He is also a suspect in an attack on a CBI team and Jharkhand Police in Hazaribagh in the same year. In that incident two attackers were killed but Sarwar had managed to escape. The DIG said the suspect has been taken to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after his arrest. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Center on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002 killing six of them and injuring 14 others. PTI COR SNS KK DIP --- ENDS --- Md. Gulam Sarwar, who is believed to be an operative of SIMI, was involved in the 2002 American Centre terror attack in Kolkata. By Rohit Kumar Singh: In a joint operation carried out by Gujarat Anti-Terror Squad, Jharkhand police and Bihar police, a terrorist involved in the 2002 American Centre terror attack in Kolkata was arrested form Gaya district of Bihar. Md. Gulam Sarwar, who is believed to be an operative of SIMI, is a prized catch for the security agencies as he also played a key role in carrying out several other blasts across the country in the last few years. ALL ABOUT THE TERROR SUSPECT Sarwar was arrested from Dharmuchak village in Nimchak Bathani area of Gaya. Soon after the arrest, he was taken to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand where the security agencies are interrogating him. According to police sources, the Gujarat police recently arrested a terror operative Md. Hasan from Aurangabad and on the basis of information received from him, a team of Gujarat ATS reached Gaya and arrested Sarwar. Sources said that both Md. Sarwar and Md. Hasan are distant relatives. Confirming the arrest of Md. Sarwar, Gaya city SP Avkash Kumar said that he was also wanted in the Hazaribagh terror attack that took place in 2002, in which one Pakistani terrorist was killed. Sarwar, who was involved in all these attacks, had escaped and since then, police was looking out for him. "In a joint operation, Md. Sarwar has been arrested and is presently being interrogated in Hazaribagh", said SP Gaya Avkash Kumar. advertisement --- ENDS --- By Vinayak Chakravorty: Amit Trivedi takes his time before answering a question. It's almost as if he likes letting the query grow on himself for a bit, before deciding the reply. The trait is perhaps in sync with the music he creates. Trivedi's songs are, after all, known to grow on listeners. You tend to grow fond of his creations a bit more with each fresh hearing. advertisement Trivedi candidly admits he never trained in music. Yet, the man who quietly crept into the Bollywood scene from jingles and theatre work, is today regarded the most exciting harbinger of new sounds in Hindi film music since AR Rahman. "I love listening a lot and I listen to all sorts of songs, old and new. But the real inspiration has to come from within," explains Trivedi, about his creative process. "My music is born from instinct. I react to situations a script may provide while creating a song," he adds. He rocked Delhi recently at the Riders Music Festival with a pulsating live gig. The Capital, he says, is a place he loves to return for live shows, although "Pune and Bangalore have the best crowds". "I love everything about Delhi, mostly the fact that people here never fail to react to music. The Capital is a big market for Bollywood music although there is scope for other genres, too. The city has the right sort of energy too, which makes performing here a fun experience every time," he says. Also Read:When Tanmay Bhat cried, and Amit Trivedi could not help laughing Unlike film assignments, he is not choosy about live shows. "I sign up whatever live shows I get simply because every gig is a chance to reach out directly to the audience. When it comes to gigs, I try mixing personal picks with what the audience demands. Songs that never became popular on release get noticed if they are played live in between hits," he says. Trivedi, though, is an extremely private person, which explains his slant towards studio work over live performances. "I would pitch my preference at 70:30 in favour of recording jobs over live gigs. That is because I am basically a studio person. I love the creative process of making a song more than anything else," he says. The six-odd years since Dev.D have been eventful, with exciting offers, awards galore and fame coming his way. Trivedi would insist life has not changed. "I am into this business because I love music. I enjoy my work. Hits and flops are not all-important because they depend on various factors. Things work out at times, at other time they don't." Trivedi, who made a quiet Bollywood debut with Aamir in 2008, shot to the A-league with his National Award for Dev.D a year later. Almost every year since then has seen him get nominated and win at sundry awards nights. He surprises you, therefore, with a cynical stance on awards. advertisement "When I was growing up awards meant a lot. I would be mesmerised watching people walk up to collect trophies. Now there are too many of them. It's a khichdi of sorts. Awards have lost their charm," he feels. Also Read:Shalmali Kholgade's entry into Bollywood was a master stroke of serendipity For Trivedi, the charm is important - whether it is a trophy he steps up to collect, or a film assignment he signs up. He explains his by-now well-known tendency of being uber choosy with projects. "The script of a film matters but the vibes I share with a filmmaker are important," he explains. "I share a certain spirit with Anurag (Kashyap) and Vikram (Motwane)," he adds. Trivedi is happy to be part of an exciting phase in Bollywood's music scene. He disagrees with the line of thought that songs have become less important lately. "Songs will never go away from Hindi films. Bollywood music not being formulaic anymore but even today it is rare to come across a Hindi film that does not have songs," he says. advertisement He does not buy the line either that songs today lack longevity. "It's just that the output has gone up. Out of 500-odd songs that Bollywood churns out every year, at least 10 stay on in minds. People still hum the songs of Roja and Dil Chahta Hai, don't they, just as the classics?" he points out. What does bug him is the growing fad of remixes. Trivedi, who has himself been forced give his nod for remixes in soundtracks such as Queen and Bombay Velvet admits not being too comfortable with the idea. "Remixes reveal a lack of faith on the part of producers on their product as well as music composers, which is not really a happy thing," says Trivedi, who loves listening to AR Rahman among Indian musicians and also counts Pink Floyd, Michael Jackson, Sting and the Beatles among his favourites. The all-encompassing character of Bollywood music is a blessing in disguise, he insists. "Bollywood consumes the entire music market, which is why we never had a proper pop music scene. Unlike the West, in India film and music are fused in one industry. That's one more reason why film music will continue flourishing," he sums up. --- ENDS --- advertisement By Press Trust of India: Ansari also stressed the importance of the East African Ansari also stressed the importance of the East African Community but said the engagement with EAC members would "not be purely bilateral" as it may effect other countries in the regional inter-governmental grouping. "EAC is taking shape as an economic community and to some extent as a political community and so many of our initiatives will not be purely bilateral as it will have effects on other members of the EAC," Ansari said. advertisement The EAC consists of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and Rwanda with its headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania. With a sizeable population, a land area of 1.85 million sq km, and a combined GDP of USD 41 billion, it bears a great strategic and geopolitical significance. Acknowledging Indias trade imbalance with Uganda, Ansari suggested ways to address it. "There are two ways for it. One is from the Ugandan side, and they can bridge the gap by broadening the trade basket for India as they export a lot of thing things to us but their trade basket is limited. "Second is by Indian companies and local investors finishing goods in Uganda rather than sending the finished goods from India," he said. Ansari said there are "enormous possibilities for development cooperation with Africa", consisting 54 countries and home to a population of one billion. During Ansaris visit, Uganda pitched itself as a business destination for India. President Museveni called on the Indian automobile companies to manufacture locally. "The President (Museveni) was particularly emphatic in pointing out that the Indian manufacturers in a wide range of areas can benefit very considerably, and what the Minister (of Trade and Industry, Uganda) said a few minutes back, my factoring in the thought that they are not looking at a modest market in Uganda only, but on a much wider market of the Eastern African Community and surrounding areas," Ansari said at the India-Ugnada Business Forum. "So, you are looking at the market of not just 28 or 30 million people (Uganda) but 350 million people (East Africa)," he said. Museveni has said the bilateral trade between India and Uganda stands at USD 1 billion and USD 57 million respectively, meaning a trade deficit of USD 43 million for Uganda. PTI KND ABH AKJ ABH --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate College is all about studying the books except for those hours when students aren't in the classroom or cramming for exams. Which, if we're being honest, can often be a lot of the time. Some might like to spend that downtime checking out the urban culture and getting acclimated to the social scene. But other students are apt to look to the great outdoors and not the paved kind for their out-of-classroom pursuits. With those nature-loving students in mind, finance website Money recently ranked the best colleges in the US for outdoor adventurers. Two California schools made the list, and both are located in Southern California. California State Polytechnic University-Pomona ranked sixth in the country, and Pomona College was one spot ahead of it at fifth. Both schools are located on the eastern boundary of Los Angeles County. They are close to Angeles National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Cleveland National Forest. If you're wondering how it's possible for two schools in the greater-LA area to rank higher than our excellent Bay Area universities with great access to open space, Money's list is about more than just outdoor access. For the ranking, Money staff looked at the best colleges in the country then selected those in areas with populations over 500,000 people. Then, they only included colleges with an outdoors-minded club as one of the five most popular on campus. Finally, they ordered the colleges based on proximity to national parks. We gathered the full list in the slideshow above. Click through to see where your favorite outdoorsy school placed if it even made the list. BEIJING For decades, North Korea could count on China as a loyal ally despite the erratic behavior of the ruling Kim dynasty, as Beijing held its tongue despite its neighbors saber rattling, nuclear testing and bombastic threats. But last week, things may have gone too far, with North Korea unleashing a tirade in which it deployed some of the most damning insults in its playbook, accusing China of dancing to the tune of the U.S. and styling itself as a big power. Chinese observers of relations between the countries were left in disbelief about how rapidly those ties have deteriorated, particularly after Beijing decided to cut off coal imports that provide badly needed currency for the Norths economy. At first many people thought it was a fake commentary, Cheng Xiaohe, associate professor of international studies at Renmin University, said of the tirade against China, published in the Norths state-run news media Thursday. It is a big surprise that North Korea has launched such a strong attack against China. I expected an angry reaction but not this strong. The diatribe, carried by the Korean Central News Agency, came just before the Malaysian government announced that VX nerve agent had killed Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of the Norths leader, Kim Jong Un. North Korean agents are suspected of masterminding the attack. The disclosure that a chemical weapon banned by international treaty was used in the attack is sure to put more pressure on Chinas relations with North Korea, which some Chinese analysts say are at their lowest point since the founding of the North as a separate country after World War II. The disclosure makes things worse, Cheng said. Its wrong to kill the half brother. Its more wrong to have used banned chemical agents. Earlier this month, the North issued a more indirect takedown of Beijing in its government newspaper Minju Joson, signaling a growing rift. Shortly afterward, China announced the suspension of coal imports. The burst of criticisms from Pyongyang coupled with Beijings coal ban suggested boiling tensions between Chinas president, Xi Jinping, 63, who sees himself as a global leader, and Kim, 33, an eccentric dictator. Xi is said to have low regard for Kim, who has not visited China and is not known to have been invited. Even as the relationship has noticeably worsened in recent weeks, China has maintained public restraint. An editorial in Global Times, a state-run tabloid that sometimes reflects the thinking of senior government officials, noted Friday that the suspension of coal imports was fair and in keeping with United Nations sanctions. The Chinese Foreign Ministry also kept up that facade. China and North Korea are friendly neighbors, and we are willing to work with the North Korean side in joint efforts to develop healthy and stable relations, said Geng Shuang, the ministry spokesman. The exposure of the deepening rift comes as the Trump administration has been pressuring Beijing to use its leverage to curtail the Norths rapidly expanding nuclear weapons program. Jane Perlez is a New York Times writer. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Malaysian police said Saturday that they would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to cooperate with the investigation into the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns exiled half brother. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpurs airport. Fridays revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. Police said Saturday that they would conduct a sweep of the airport terminal where Kim was killed to check for possible traces of VX. Experts say the nerve agent used in the attack was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty. But North Korea never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program. Kim was not an obvious political threat to his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Un. But he may have been seen as a potential rival in North Koreas dynastic dictatorship, even though he had lived in exile for years. North Korea has denied any role in the attack. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities acknowledged at the time that he has diplomatic immunity and that they couldnt compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysias tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat reasonable time to come forward. And if he failed to turn up ... then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest, Abdul Samah said. Malaysia hasnt directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided two women with poison to carry it out. The four men fled Malaysia shortly after the killing, while the women one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese were arrested. Eileen Ng is an Associated Press writer. KABUL At least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by Islamic State militants in northern Zawzjan province, a provincial official said. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. YANGON, Myanmar The assassination of a prominent legal adviser to Myanmars government was the result of a personal political grudge and not part of a bigger conspiracy by the military, senior security officials said Saturday. Police and Home Ministry officials said at a news conference that they have arrested three men for the Jan. 29 shooting of lawyer Ko Ni and are seeking a fourth. Ko Ni had advised Myanmar leader Aung San Suu Kyi on constitutional law, including how to wrest power from the army and put it in the hands of her elected civilian government. His actions raised suspicion of vengeful military involvement in his killing. Military or military-dominated governments ruled Myanmar from 1962 until Suu Kyis National League for Democracy party took power in 2016 after an overwhelming election victory. But a constitution passed during army rule ensures that the military retains great power in government, including a virtual veto over constitutional change. Home Affairs Minister Lt. Gen. Kyaw Swe acknowledged that many aspects of the Ko Ni murder case still need investigation, but authorities now believe personal reasons and extreme nationalism led the suspects to carry out the assassination. Police said the murder plot was hatched around April last year, when its alleged planners were talking at a tea shop. Senior Police Officer Zaw Win said they expressed their personal dissatisfaction with Ko Nis activities, and that the conclusion of the police investigation was that the murder was because of their own personal reasons. They allegedly hired an ex-convict, Kyi Lin, to be the gunman, reportedly paying him almost $60,000. He was captured right after shooting Ko Ni at Yangons airport. Esther Htusan is an Associated Press writer. 1 Landslide: Flooding from a new lake created by a landslide in central Bosnia has shut down one of the countrys main highways. Last week, the slide from huge piles of mine waste at an open pit coal mine blocked a river near the town of Kakanj, creating the lake. The lake then overflowed Saturday after heavy rain, forcing the closure of the highway connecting the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo with the central town of Zenica. On Friday, authorities evacuated more than 150 people from two villages in the path of the landslide. 2 Border clash: Israels military fired tear gas across the border into Lebanon on Saturday, breaking up a small protest against cameras installed there, Lebanons National News agency reported. Israels military said the protesters crossed the international border, prompting the dispersal. The U.N. peacekeeping force said it is investigating the various claims and that the situation later calmed. Residents of Meiss el-Jabal were objecting to Israels installation of security cameras and a solar panel along the U.N. demarcated border. The Israel-Lebanon border has remained mostly quiet since 2006, when Israel and Hezbollah fought for a monthlong war. MANILA Thousands of pro-democracy activists marked the anniversary of the 1986 revolt that ousted Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos with a warning against what they say are the current presidents dictatorial tendencies. The activists gathered Saturday at the people power revolt shrine along the main highway in metropolitan Manila, where millions of Filipinos converged 31 years ago in a largely peaceful uprising to oust Marcos. A much larger rally in support of President Rodrigo Duterte and his crackdown on illegal drugs was held at Manilas Rizal Park, where police estimated the crowd to have surpassed more than 200,000. Many of the demonstrators arrived in buses and jeeps with local officials. This is proof of the real people power, Communications Secretary Andanar told the crowd. The army-backed 1986 revolt ended a presidency marked by massive corruption, abuse of power and human rights violations. Dutertes administration commemorated the anniversary austerely in the main military camp Friday near the people power shrine. The event was not attended by Duterte, who allowed Marcos to be buried in a heroes cemetery in November, sparking an outcry from pro-democracy groups. Reacting to criticism that the government rites reflected Dutertes cordial attitude toward the Marcoses, presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the dictator is not that iconic in the mind of the president. The protesters condemned the thousands of killings of mostly poor drug suspects in a brutal crackdown Duterte ordered shortly after he took office in June and other policy changes, including his call for the re-imposition of the death penalty, preferably by public hanging. Duterte, whose father served in Marcos Cabinet, allowed the burial on grounds that there was no law barring his interment at the Heroes Cemetery, where presidents, soldiers, statesmen and national artists are buried. It was a political risk in a country where democracy advocates still celebrate Marcos ouster each year. The pile of bodies in the Duterte governments war on drugs, arrests and killings of political activists, renewed push for death penalty, and militarization of communities affecting women and children is nothing but a U-turn to full-blown fascism, left-wing Rep. Emmi De Jesus said. Another group, called Block Marcos, warned that Duterte may already be starting to curtail civil liberties. One common parallelism that we see between Duterte and Marcos is the silencing of dissent, said the groups spokesman, Milky Babilonia. Whenever you oppose them, you will be labeled ... as supporter of narco-politics and drugs, he said. Jim Gomez is an Associated Press writer. By Siraj Qureshi: The Samajwadi Party's (SP) already weak stake on the nine Agra assembly seats has suffered a major setback on the Agra (North) seat, where a TV sting has revealed alleged electoral malpractices by the SP candidate Atul Garg. The Agra police has filed an FIR against Garg and is now investigating the matter. According to Agra SSP Dr. Pritinder Singh, a sting operation conducted by a TV channel in Agra allegedly showed SP candidate from Agra (North) seat, Atul Garg, accepting that he had bribed voters to get them to vote in his favour. As these were serious charges, the police has registered an FIR and the video is being sent for a forensic test to ascertain if the video was genuine. advertisement Also read: Uttar Pradesh elections: Busted - fake fingers, real votes On the other hand, Atul Garg, who is also a prominent local businessman and hotelier, claimed that the tape has been fabricated and his comments are being shown out of context after doctoring the tape. He said that the whole sting was a bunch of lies and the forensic test of the tapes will reveal the truth very soon. Agra (North) Assembly area returning officer and Additional City Magistrate (II), Aniruddh Pratap Singh told India Today that the police has been asked to register a case against the SP candidate Atul Garg under Sections 171/B and E of IPC. The video shows Atul Garg saying that he will spend limitless money for winning the elections, which amounts to gratifying or bribing the voters. Also read: Election Commission censures Manohar Parrikar for his bribery remark, asks him to be careful in future Meanwhile, All India Majlis Ittehadul Musalmin district president Mohd. Idrees demanded that both Atul Garg as well as the Peace Party candidate on Agra Cantonment seat Rakesh Valmiki should be given the toughest of punishments for trying to influence voters with money. He demanded that the election commission should immediately nullify the elections held on both these seats and order fresh polling after removing these two candidates. He said that the sting shown on TV was a fact of these elections and strongest possible action was required in such cases to deter such people. Notably, a complaint has also been filed against the Peace Party candidate Rakesh in the Sadar police station. He has also been shown claiming that he is spending money in these elections. SSP Dr. Pritinder Singh confirmed that a case against Rakesh Valmiki has also been registered and inquiry is on in both these cases. As soon as the investigation report arrives, the police will take action against both these candidates. WATCH THE VIDEO: --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 1 of 3 Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Tsvangirayi Mukwazhi/Associated Press Show More Show Less 3 of 3 MATOPO HILLS, Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday Saturday amid granite hills where ancient spirits are said to dwell, defying calls to resign after nearly four decades in power in a region known for opposing the man who says hell run again in 2018 elections. Thousands of government supporters, some wearing clothing adorned with Mugabes image, converged in Matabeleland for a birthday bash and show of strength for the ruling ZANU-PF party, which has been beset by squabbling in the past year. The party is banking on Modi's charisma and a split in the Dalit-Muslim vote to take Uttar Pradesh this spring. The crowd is enthusiastic and hangs on to every word he says. "When you press the button on election day, it will not be to defeat someone or make someone win. You will press the button to change the destiny of Uttar Pradesh after 15 years of corruption and bhai-bhatijavaad (nepotism)," Bharatiya Janata Party national president Amit Shah says to a packed election gathering at Rudauli near Faizabad town on February 18. Repeated endlessly through this campaign, it's a familiar spiel centred around Prime Minister Narendra Modi-"a leader committed to governance" pitted against "a coalition of two corrupt clans". The crowd cheers Shah. It's clearly a friendly cohort. Through his 20-minute address, the BJP president doesn't ask for votes. He demands "a two-third majority in Uttar Pradesh". And, out in Faizabad, he even introduces small doses of Hindutva, albeit couched in issues of law and order and development. Shah speaks of reviving the local dairy industry. And to do this, he promises that a BJP government will "shut down all mechanised slaughterhouses within 12 hours of coming to power". advertisement From distributing tickets to campaigning on the ground, leaders privately acknowledge that the party has employed a three-pronged strategy-religious polarisation in western UP; working caste equations in Purvanchal; and emphasising the contrast in development (with neighbouring Madhya Pradesh) in Bundelkhand. The BJP hopes to gain significant electoral advantage from the open wooing of Muslim voters by the ruling Samajwadi Party as well as the Mayawati-led Bahujan Samaj Party. By carefully calibrating its campaign to project either the SP or the BSP as the main rival in specific areas, the saffron leadership hopes to create circumstances where UP's 19 per cent Muslim votes get split between its rivals. Party insiders say it was part of a strategic course correction to begin projecting BSP as 'the main rival' after the Akhilesh Yadav-Rahul Gandhi alliance. "It's now in our interest that the BSP gains some strength as it will weaken the SP-Congress," says a saffron strategist. Projections seem to suggest that the strategy may be succeeding in seats where Muslims matter. Shah and other BJP leaders are also working hard to drive home the SP's traditional caste bias. "When you go to a police station with a complaint, they first want to know your caste," the BJP chief tells voters, alluding to the predominance of Yadavs and Muslims in the police force. It has been a sore point for other castes in the state, where 70 per cent of the constabulary recruited recently under the SP were Yadavs, and a significant number belonged to villages near the Mulayam Singh clan's home district of Etawah and neighbouring Yadav-dominated districts. Sources in the party also point out that over half the 76 deputy collectors appointed recently belong to the caste. Shah holds up 'Gujarat under the BJP' as a 'shining example' of governance without caste or communal bias. UP, he promises voters, will be similarly transformed. The BJP's central leadership is confident of taking UP, despite the early problems with ticket distribution and the heartburn amid old loyalists after 22 'outsiders' who joined the party ahead of the polls were nominated as candidates. Shah and the others believe that there is yet another 'Modi wave' gaining strength in the state, driven by the pro-poor narrative initiated by the PM with demonetisation last November. The party is also banking on central government schemes, such as the Ujjwala LPG scheme for families below the poverty line, the Mudra loan scheme for artisans and small entrepreneurs and the neem-coated urea supply to farmers, all pushed with great vigour in poll-bound UP. advertisement Saffron strategists claim that two of seven rounds of polling in the state will be "weak" for the BJP, particularly in the Moradabad and Terai areas. Even there, Shah claims a "stark contrast" between Prime Minister Modi's image and the efficient delivery of central schemes, and five years under Samajwadi rule. He dismisses UP Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav's claims of development as belated and empty poll slogans. He insists that 2016, the last year of the SP's term, was the only period when one did not witness violent lathicharges on farmer groups demanding urea. Shah claims that this was because of the Centre's injunction to coat all urea supplied to farmers with neem to prevent the fertiliser from being diverted for use in the chemical industry or as a whitening agent in milk. Besides 'bad governance', the BJP is also targeting the Akhilesh Yadav government for corruption. Party leaders believe that their campaign condemning the SP government as 'loot-khasoot ki sarkar' actually received a boost after Akhilesh opted to go with the Congress. "People want to know how Akhilesh joined hands with the corrupt Congress while talking of good governance and development," says Kirtivardhan Singh, the BJP MP from Gonda. advertisement Om Prakash Mathur, the BJP general secretary in charge of UP, says the party's strategy is working. He points to the huge, euphoric crowds at BJP rallies. "Compare any of our election rallies with those of our rivals and you'll know who's winning," he says. Shah's poll rally at Hasanpur in Amroha district on February 5 saw some 35,000 people stay put and hear him tear the SP and BSP to shreds, despite the pouring rain. Encouraged with the response, Shah even tweeted an image of the "jan sailaab (flood of humankind)" taken from his departing helicopter. BJP strategists, including Shah, claim that the party has emerged as the main contender in a majority of the 400 assembly seats. The party's UP spokesman, Chandramohan, says having conceded more than a hundred constituencies to the Congress, and his uncle Shivpal Yadav playing spoiler in another 100, Akhilesh is effectively in the reckoning in just 200 seats. advertisement Saffron leaders are banking heavily on voter fatigue vis--vis the regional satraps of the SP and BSP. This, they hope, will make more voters buy into PM Modi's promise of transforming "the destiny of Uttar Pradesh" and opt for the BJP as a party that could also drive the change from the Centre. Photo: AP Aside from the dissension over allocation of tickets to 'outsiders', the lack of a chief ministerial face is perhaps the BJP's other big handicap in the UP elections. But a senior party leader admitted that this was the only way to go because the "announcement of a CM would have invited more infighting" amid party ranks. Taking no chances with UP, unlike in the 2015 Bihar assembly polls, the BJP has been careful about including local faces in its campaign in every constituency. And the campaign itself drew lessons from Bihar in crisscrossing the vast state with numerous video vans spreading the message of 'UP ke Mann ki Baat'; and making a note of local concerns and aspirations, Arvind Kejriwal-style, via ballot boxes inviting suggestions from people in every segment. "Unlike Bihar, our campaign in UP does not talk of big-ticket ventures costing thousands of crores. We are talking about what people want," says a party member. Many pre-poll surveys predict that the BJP will emerge as the single largest party but remain shy of the halfway mark. Amit Shah, however, is confident that the voters of Uttar Pradesh will give what he is demanding-a two-thirds majority. --- ENDS --- "We will not ally with Congress because it is the most corrupt party in the world. People have worked towards defeating the grand old party. If any other party wants to affiliate itself with Congress, they are free to do so," said Fadnavis. By Vidya : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today, while applauding the governance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ruled out any possibility of allying with Congress to control India's richest civic body. "We will not ally with Congress because it is the most corrupt party in the world. People have worked towards defeating the grand old party. If any other party wants to affiliate itself with Congress, they are free to do so and will not be stopped," said Fadnavis. advertisement Meanwhile, BJP MLA Ashish Shelar from Mumbai said that the party was not in talks with any other party as of now. When asked about allying with Shiv Sena, Shelar said that the decision will be taken by Maharashtra president of BJP and the chief minister. Also read: Modi congratulates Devendra Fadnavis after BJP hits new high in Maharashtra civic elections "The transparent governance of PM Narendra Modi has not only benefitted Maharashtra, but also the entire nation," said Fadnavis. Fadnavis further said that he sought the blessings of Chhatrapati Shivaji. He said that the PM also sought the blessings in the past and emerged victorious. He asserted that his party's victory was due to people's faith in the party. He also said that earning the faith of the people did not mean that every issue was settled. He added that there are several issues to be dealt with. Also read: Saffron wave sweeps CM Fadnavis' hometown Nagpur, Congress loses big "Our work in the past two years has reinforced the people's faith in us. They strongly believe that we can help them deal with their problems," said Fadnavis. On demonetisation, Fadnavis said that the people of India welcomed it as they felt it was needed for their welfare. The chief minister said that people from every strata of Mumbai voted for us. In the BMC civic polls, BJP emerged second with 82 seats in eight of the 10 municipal corporations. Also read: Shiv Sena gathers steam as growing support takes tally to 88 Meanwhile, Congress president Sanjay Nirupam clarified that the mandate of Mumbai meant that party will be in Opposition. "The Congress party will never be aligning with those who have always played divisive politics based on caste and religion," said Nirupam. "Some leaders of Shiv Sena are in touch with our leaders, but we have categorically said no to them," said Nirupam, when asked about allying with Shiv Sena. He refuted the reports surrounding the coalition by calling them rumours spread by journalists. Congress has 31 corporators while Shiv Sena has 84 and BJP 82. Shiv Sena and BJP had been in alliance for the last 25 years, but had called it off due to seat sharing issues. Nirupam himself has been betting on the fact that both Sena and BJP will come together to form the government in BMC and so says, "We will just sit on the sidelines and watch the drama enfold." advertisement WATCH THE VIDEO --- ENDS --- Shiv Sena's tally in BMC has gone up to 88 with another independent corporator Kiran Landge extending support to the single largest party in the municipal corporation. By India Today Web Desk: The tally of Shiv Sena and its supports in the BMC has grown further with another independent candidate Kiran Landge coming to its side today. Shiv Sena minister Eknath Shinde brought Kiran Landge to Sena Bhavan in Mumbai today to meet party chief Uddhav Thackeray. The Shiv Sena's tally now stands at 88 in the 227-BMC house. The Shiv Sena still needs support of 26 corporators for a simple majority. advertisement READ| BMC election: Rebel candidates return to Shiv Sena, bring tally to 87 Earlier, independent corporator Changez Multani declared support to Shiv Sena yesterday. Before Multani decided his course of action, two other corporators Snehal More from Vikhroli and Tulsidas Shinde from Dindoshi pledged support to Shiv Sena. Both later joined the party. CONGRESS DIVIDED Meanwhile, the Congress is divided over extending support to Shiv Sena in the BMC. While reports suggest that the two parties are in talks to form a working alliance in the BMC house in order to keep the BJP out. But, senior Congress leader Gurudas Kamat strongly objected to alliance dialogue with Shiv Sena. Releasing a letter today Kamat said, "I take strong objection to any discussion even, of having any tie up or indirect support to Shiv Sena in BMC." Letter writen by Congress leader Gurudas Kamat. BJP MUM ON ALLIANCE On the other hand the BJP has maintained a stoic silence over forging an alliance with the Shiv Sena, with which the party has formed government both in Maharashtra and at the Centre. The BMC polls saw the BJP and Shiv Sena parting ways after over 25 years. The BJP put up an emphatic performance in the BMC polls winning about three times the seat it secured in 2012 election. --- ENDS --- The incident took place in the busy Charminar area on Friday where a 26-year-old TB patient died and his dead body remained unattended for over an hour and a half while the police from two police stations argued over the jurisdiction. By Ashish Pandey: The claim of friendly and proactive policing in Hyderabad was busted when the dead body of a man was left unattended because police on the spot were busy fighting over jurisdiction. The incident took place in the busy Charminar area on Friday where a 26-year-old TB patient died and his dead body remained unattended for over an hour and a half while the police from two police stations argued over the jurisdiction. advertisement The man had gone to a local clinic along with his wife and child, but collapsed and later died close to the Charminar Traffic police station. The woman, who noticed her husband lying down on the ground in a bad condition, requested for help and someone from the crowd called an ambulance. Ambulance paramedics declared the youth dead but refused to take the dead body before getting clearance from the police. The Charminar police was immediately informed but the duty cop refused to attend to the dead body claiming that the place doesn't come under their jurisdiction. After one and half hour of argument finally the Mirchowk police came and shifted the body to Osmani General Hospital. The agitated locals criticised the insensitivity of the police as the entire episode took place opposite the historical Charminar, and both the police stations were located close by. --- ENDS --- 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 By AP: North Korea may have found a new use for its large stockpile of chemical and biological weapons, which are meant to attack South Korean and U.S. troops in case of another war. Malaysian police said on Friday that a chemical weapon, the toxic VX nerve agent, was used to kill the estranged half-brother of Pyongyang's absolute leader at the Kuala Lumpur airport on Feb. 13. If North Korea's involvement is confirmed, this would be an unusual and extremely high-profile use of its chemicals in an assassination. advertisement Much like its secretive nuclear program, outsiders struggle to nail down exact details about the North's chemical and biological weapons programs. Here's what is known about North Korean chemical and biological weapons: ONE OF WORLD'S LARGEST STOCKPILES North Korea is not a signatory to the international Chemical Weapons Convention. It has been producing chemical weapons since the 1980s and is now estimated to have as many as 5,000 tons, according to a biennial South Korean defense white paper. Its stockpile, one of the world's largest, reportedly has 25 types of agents, including sarin, mustard, tabun and hydrogen cyanide. It also is thought to have nerve agents, such as the VX allegedly used by two women - one Vietnamese and the other Indonesian - to kill the North Korean leader's half-brother Kim Jong Nam. North Korea also has 12-13 types of biological weapons, said Lee Illwoo, a Seoul-based commentator on military issues. It can likely produce anthrax, smallpox and plague, the South Korean defense paper said. If war breaks out, North Korea would likely target Seoul's defenses with chemical and biological weapons dropped from aircraft or delivered via missiles, artillery and grenades, experts say. NEW LEVEL OF SOPHISTICATION VX, which Malaysian police said was detected on Kim Jong Nam's eyes and face, was used by Saddam Hussein's forces in a 1988 poison gas attack on the Kurdish city of Halabja in northern Iraq that killed thousands. If North Korea really did use VX to assassinate Kim Jong Nam, it would show a new level of sophistication in its handling and use of chemical weapons, said Kim Dae Young, a military expert at South Korea's Korea Defense and Security Forum. "They probably conducted a lot of tests to come up with a perfect amount that would kill Kim Jong Nam, but not harm the assailants or anyone else nearby in a crowded airport," Kim said. It's still unclear how the suspects allegedly handled the VX, but analysts say that North Korea is probably capable of producing VX as a binary agent, where two chemicals that are separately harmless become a nerve agent when mixed together. HEAVY PRODUCTION Making chemical weapons isn't extremely difficult, and the North likely uses chemical fertilizer plants to manufacture its weapons, according to South Korean experts. The military information website GlobalSecurity.org said that North Korea has at least eight industrial facilities that can produce chemical agents. "The biggest weakness of chemical weapons is that their effectiveness expires soon and new supplies need to be made constantly, so North Korea maintaining a stockpile of up to 5,000 tons indicates a very strong production capability," said Kim, the analyst. Some defectors from the North have claimed that the authoritarian country tested chemical agents on political prisoners. The North is also thought to have some 17 microbiological labs and other places to nurture and produce germs to be used as weapons. The North can argue that such places are meant to study how to prevent epidemic diseases. But analyst Lee said the North has already placed those germs in storage facilities in military units, which means Pyongyang intends to use them as weapons. advertisement PAST ASSASSINATIONS Seoul has blamed Pyongyang for using poison in past assassinations or failed assassination attempts. When South Korean officials squashed what they said was a North Korean attempt to kill North Korean defector-turned-anti-Pyongyang activist Park Sang-hak in 2011, they unveiled a pen-liked weapon carried by the would-be assailant that hid a needle dipped in neostigmine bromide, a chemical that attacks the nervous system. South Korea also suspects the North was involved in the killing of Choi Duk-kun, a South Korean diplomat stationed in the Russian city of Vladivostok, who was found dead in front of his apartment in October 1996. Investigators later found neostigmine bromide in Choi's body. advertisement Also read | Kim Jong Un's half-brother was killed by VX nerve agent: Malaysia Also read | What killed Kim Jong Un's half-brother, who did it and why still not known WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- The shocking shooting on late Wednesday (Feb. 22) night of two Indian-born immigrants, one of whom was killed, and a Good Samaritan who attempted to intervene has sent shockwaves around the globe. Garmin today announced that the two men who were targeted were both engineers who worked at their Olathe, KS headquarters. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed by by Adam W. Purinton, who was charged Thursday with pre-meditated murder in the first degree and two counts of attempted murder in the first degree. Alok Madasani, who also works for Garmin, was injured along with Ian Grillot, a Good Samaritan who attempted to come to the aid of one of the men once the shooting began. According to the Reuters, "At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted 'get out of my country' before shooting the Indian victims." The Kansas City Star also reported that, "Witnesses said Purinton was drinking and spouting racial slurs at Kuchibhotla and Madasani. At one point, Purinton is thought to have been kicked out of the bar before coming back and shooting." Garmin, an important and beloved member of the multisport community, issued the following statement on Facebook: "We're devastated by the senseless tragedy that took the life of one of our associates and friends, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, and injured another, Alok Madasani. Our thoughts are also with Ian Grillot, deemed the 'Good Samaritan' for his heroic efforts that fatal evening. Srinivas was a valued member of our engineering team and will be greatly missed. We are working closely with Srinivas's and Alok's families and appreciate the outpouring of support for them. As we grieve this tragedy as a community, our thoughts and prayers are with all involved." According to Garmin's Stephanie Schultz, part of their media relations team, there are GoFundMe pages set up for both Garmin employees where people can make donations: Combined relief fund for both Mr. Kuchibhotla and Mr. Madasani. Dedicated fund for the family of Mr. Kuchibhotla. Ms. Schultz added that people are more than welcome to send cards directly to Garmin and that they will get them to the victims' families. Garmin's address is: Garmin International, Inc. 1200 E. 151st St. Olathe, KS 66062 Garmin was founded in 1989 in Lenexa, KS by first-generation Taiwanese immigrant Min Kao and American Gary Burrell. They currently employ over 10,000 people in the US and abroad. Photo by Garmin media. 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 Trump The Establishment "I enjoyed these poems immensely." - William Peter Blatty, author of The Exorcist Want lies? Hire a regular consultant. Want truth? Hire an asshole. Weather Shop Click to inquire about rates. Dow Jones What They Say About SDA "Smalldeadanimals doesn't speak for the people of Saskatchewan" Former Sask Premier Lorne Calvert "I got so much traffic after your post my web host asked me to buy a larger traffic allowance." Dr.Ross McKitrick Holy hell, woman. When you send someone traffic, you send someone TRAFFIC. My hosting provider thought I was being DDoSed. - Sean McCormick "The New York Times link to me yesterday [...] generated one-fifth of the traffic I normally get from a link from Small Dead Animals." Kathy Shaidle "Thank you for your link. A wave of your Canadian readers came to my blog! Really impressive." Juan Giner - INNOVATION International Media Consulting Group I got links from the Weekly Standard, Hot Air and Instapundit yesterday - but SDA was running at least equal to those in visitors clicking through to my blog. Jeff Dobbs "You may be a nasty right winger, but you're not nasty all the time!" Warren Kinsella "Go back to collecting your welfare livelihood."Michael E. Zilkowsky Intelliweather Seismic Map Comments Policy Read this Best Of SDA Hide The Decline The Bottle Genie (ClimateGate links) You Might Be A Liberal Uncrossing The Line Bob Fife: Knuckledragger A Modest Proposal (NP) Settled Science Series Y2Kyoto Series SDA: Reader Occupation Survey Brett Lamb Sheltered Workshop Flakes On A Plane All Your Weather Are Belong To Us Song Of The Sled The Raise A Flag Debacle (Now on Youtube!) (.mwv Video) Abuse Ruins Life Of Girl Trudeaupiate Kleptocrat Jeans Child Labour I Concede Small Dead Feminist Protein Hoser: THK Interview The Werewolf Extinction Dear Laura (VRWC) We Wait Blogging The Oscars Jackson Converts To Islam Just Shut The HELL Up Manipulating Condi Gay Equality Rights The number of cats captured from Canberra's cat containment suburbs increased last year. RSPCA ACT reported there was a more than 27 per cent jump in the number of cats found in containment suburbs brought into its shelters during 2016. A total of 33 cats and 23 kittens were brought into the RSPCA as strays from containment suburbs last year, compared with 20 cats and 24 kittens presented in 2015. More than half of the cats brought in from containment suburbs came from The Fair at Watson, with 30 cats being presented. Single mother of two Sharon Eurlings says proposed cuts to Sunday penalty rates are an "insult", which treat her Sunday as less important than other people's. She has worked Sunday shifts for more than 20 years to pay the bills and care for her children. Her ex-husband looks after their children aged eight and nine on Sundays which allows her to earn an extra $100 to $200 per week. The Fair Work Commission's decision to reduce penalty rates for hospitality workersfeels "insulting" and will be a big blow to her modest pay packet. The decision will cut Sunday and holiday penalty rates by 25 to 50 per cent for full-time and part-time employees in hospitality, fast food, retail and pharmacy. The fire was first spotted on the second floor of the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in Nanchang, firefighters were quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency. By Indo-Asian News Service: Thousands of people have been feared trapped after a fire broke out at a multi-storey luxury hotel in east China's Jiangxi province on Saturday, authorities said. The fire was first spotted on the second floor of the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in Nanchang, firefighters were quoted as saying by the Xinhua news agency. More than 10 construction workers were working on a decoration project when the fire erupted, said a woman who escaped the flames. advertisement 10 FIRE TENDERS AT THE SPOT About 10 fire tenders were dousing the flames when reports last came in. A man who broke the window to jump from the second floor was injured and rushed to the hospital. The four-storey hotel is connected to a 24-storey apartment building, where people are also found trapped. About 10 fire tenders were dousing the flames when reports last came in. --- ENDS --- 'Symbolic' votes So Senator Seselja has awoken from his slumbers in order to vote for a motion supporting the move of agencies out of Canberra ("Gallagher, Seselja clash over APVMA relocation", canberratimes.com.au, February 19). He defends his actions, which are against the interests of his constituency, by claiming his vote didn't matter as the motion was "symbolic". I'm sure he will therefore understand when I, and I hope all Canberrans, symbolically place him last at the next election. Rob Ey, Weston Seeking justice I had a lot of empathy with Rosie Batty as I read Jenna Price's article ("How much campaigning can one woman do?", February 21, p18). It reminded me of the campaigning my late husband and I have done along with Families and Friends for Drug Law Reform for nearly 25 years in an endeavour to change unjust drug laws. Like Rosie's, our efforts began with the death of our son. And similarly in the beginning we thought if we told our story others would quickly realise that change needed to happen. People were dying unnecessarily. A change in policy could save lives. But alas, like Rosie, the real changes needed, even after 25 years, still have not happened. Hopes have grown, only to be dashed. But those who believe strongly in an issue, who believe in justice, cannot turn their back. The issues we fight for are linked as drugs are often implicated in domestic violence. Improving one could improve the other. We will continue to seek justice. M. McConnell, Giralang Ban plastic bags Plastic bags have been a blight on the world's environment, having significant impact on salt and freshwater fish, birds and other water species. Most are not degradable and can remain in the environment for decades. I must congratulate Kmart for removing plastic bags with paper bags now only provided. This a leading example for all other shops to follow. Paper bags were used many decades ago and they should never have been replaced; they can be recycled and readily break down with no or minimum impact on the environment and ecology. It's time for federal, state and territory governments to ban plastic bags. With the balance of power, it wouldn't be that hard for the ACT Greens to stand up and introduce legislation with a two-year transition period to remove all plastic bags in the ACT. Jack Wiles, Gilmore Powerless poor The powerless poor make easy pickings. It seems strangely discriminatory when you think about it that if the Fair Work Commission was going to cut penalty rates, it did not cut them across the board. After all, the difference in skill level between nurses, doctors, ambulance and other emergency service workers from retail and hospitality workers is already catered for by their base rate of pay. But then, hospitals would not be able to staff their rosters on nights and weekends because nurses would not agree to work without reasonable compensation. The same would go for firefighters, ambulance and other emergency workers. Perhaps the poor and powerless retail and hospitality workers just make easy pickings? Geoff Mander, Hawker Obscene salaries Why has it taken Mr Turnbull so long to do something about Ahmed Fahour's obscene salary when the public has known about this for a very long time? Will the other CEOs of Qantas and the banks be allowed to keep their extravagant salaries while thousands of Australians who work on Sundays have their take-home pay slashed? A. Cooper, Wanniassa Fishy situation I love it when fisherfolk try to paint themselves as caring environmentalists ("Love our lakes: Canberra Fisherman's Club expresses concerns about effects of carp virus", CT, Feb 24). Strolling by Lake Ginninderra I do occasionally see the rotting body of a killed carp but regularly come across discarded tackle packages, sweet corn tins and their jagged tops, tangled line with hooks still attached and emptied beer and premix cans even discarded broken rods and reels. There are a number of bins near the car parks and barbecue areas, which these people would need to go out of their way to avoid. And the only time they express concern for the animals they torture and kill is when there is a possibility that something is going to reduce the number available. Some people just move and leave the family dog behind confused, hiding and miserable under the house unable to answer the cruellest question of all. Nearly all the dogs I know are rescues. Some are mutts, others pedigree. Some deliberately ran away from unhappy homes, casting their furry selves upon the kindness of strangers. Others were walked out on, dumped on a lonely country road or slipped off their leash downtown to dodge traffic. A little dog is tossed out of a car and pelted with rocks. It is rescued, shaved to remove hundreds of ticks and found a home. For every unhappy ending there are many happy ones. The dog rescue societies of the world are up there with Medecins Sans Frontieres, UNICEF and Amnesty International yet their achievements are so rarely sung. Out into the rain these selfless souls go, following up a sighting of a cowering, terrified abandoned pooch. Sitting at a hospital bedside reassuring a dying owner that their precious pet will continue to be loved. Scouring the pounds for dogs who have reached their cut-off date, with only the needle awaiting them. Instead of a cold friendless pound, foster parents will often step in until a permanent home is found. These people have a special corner of heaven reserved for them. It has fields full of wagging tails to greet them and soft noses to kiss them goodnight. Their job is to offer temporary refuge. Sometimes hundreds of animals will come through their door and out the other side. Sometimes a special magic happens and they stay. At Christmas I organised a fundraiser for my local dog rescue. Shout Your Dog a Selfie with Santa was a joyous occasions. Every breed from chihuahuas to Irish wolfhounds bounded through the door. Most surprising was the number of young and not so young single men who fronted with their cherished hounds, most of which had been adopted. The adopters ranged from young, pale and sensitive with a pitbull-cross to big and boofy, plastered in tatts, with a moodle. Some had made them special Christmas outfits that only a bloke could have come up with. None of the archbishops is said to have personally abused children. But all have been involved in managing dioceses long enough that none can claim complete innocence of the Church's multiple failures over the scandal of Church sexual abuse. And too many of them now pretend perfect understanding but were a part of the culture of denial, minimisation and anger at, and abuse of, those who drew attention to the problem. Nor could any say they have been proactive about anticipating the overdue next generation of scandals, involving physical abuse, and critical review of the Church's role with Aboriginal missions, unmarried mothers, forced adoptions and child farming. They have acted either with total passivity, as if they hope that ignoring the legacies will go away, or pretended that these simply fold neatly into a wider historical problem to which the Church made no, or no additionally evil, contribution. The Australian Catholic hierarchy, and the conduit to Rome, has yet to have the reckoning that has already taken place in Ireland. Even the most devout and loyal Catholic has no reason to want to see it avoided. Some of the episcopal witnesses gave well-rehearsed and apparently sincere expressions of contrition and institutional remorse to the royal commissioners during the week. One or two even offered vague criticisms of the Vatican bureaucracy, or their predecessors, or the attitudes and approaches of another era. The nerve of this lawyer a woman at that asking such impertinent questions of an archbishop. With superb if unintended irony, some of this rich font of Australian clericalism, arrogance and overweening ambition, conceded that the Church, in Australia as much as anywhere, had had a governance problem, and perhaps still has. It does. It's them. They pointed to minor organisational changes they recently made to prove it was now entirely different. They talked of better supervision, better "formation" of priests and religious brothers and nuns, and more conscious, active and suspicious environment in which everyone would now work. They have, or are on the way to getting, the situation reformed. What Christopher Prowse the transplanted Victorian archbishop who now rules the archdiocese of Canberra and Goulburn without any legal accountability to check his power has called the "scourge of sexual abuse" now seems to be less likely, more likely to be detected and punished when it happens. Most probably, a good many potential predators have now been weeded out of the system even before they had any opportunity to prey on others. Prowse was recently heavily criticised for his serious error of judgment for declining to attend a healing ceremony for victims of abuse by the Marist Brothers at Pearce. One might not have known this at the royal commission this week, at least until the senior counsel assisting the commission, Gail Furness, SC, thought Prowse to be overdoing it in his efforts to be the modern-day healer. According to Prowse, things are now better in the Canberra archdiocese because "I'm taking greater responsibility. Before it was rather diffuse. I wasn't really sure what was going on ... "There is a determination in me to work with the competent people, mainly laypeople, to be able to change the culture, greater transparency and accountability for what's happening, and to be able to do that in the public forum in this tragic moment, this chilling moment of the Catholic Church, with these statistics coming out, particularly in the past few weeks, which have chilled us to the core, and me personally. "It has been heartbreaking to see these statistics nationally, but at the very same time to be able to say 'well, let us go forward in a completely different way', that is, a way that we can hold our heads up high and be able to say 'we're learning from this'. We have a long way to go, but we are on the way. "When I go back to my archdiocese, I have it in my heart to go around the diocese in regional areas for listening sessions. I want to gather the victims and their families. I mean, it's been like a bushfire going through the Catholic Church, or a tsunami effect, on faith and on people's trust of us. And I don't want to be sort of seen as some bureaucrat behind an office. "So I want to go out and I find the victims I've met over the years I call them 'wounded healers'. I don't think we can go ahead without the wounded healers standing alongside us, walking together, correcting us, directing us, working in with us. That's what I want to do, because there's huge wisdom already there. "Indeed it's part of our Catholic culture to be alongside the periphery, the vulnerable, the children." Furness: "Archbishop, you have given evidence of wanting to, and, indeed, having walked with victims and heard what they've had to say." "Yes." Furness: "But isn't it as recent as last November that you were invited to a healing ceremony at the Marist Brothers college or school and you refused to go?" Prowse: "Well, that was a mistake on my part. I had a perspective of waiting till the royal commission concludes here and then, as the bishop looking after the entire archdiocese, to begin walking with the sex abuse victims and their families, listening to them and then working towards some sort of appropriate liturgy, perhaps a liturgy of lament. But I was then corrected by the victims, and they lamented that I wasn't there. I thought about it, and I agreed with them. I made a public apology and asked for forgiveness for that. It was a mistake on my part. I had more of a diocesan perspective rather than just the local one." Furness: "It was a very recent mistake, if I can suggest that, archbishop." "Yes." Furness: "And somewhat at odds with the evidence you're giving about how you have learnt from the royal commission, which has now been sitting for four years, and are taking a more survivor-oriented approach. What do you say about that?" Prowse: "Yes, I agree with you, it was a mistake and I made a public apology and I regret that and am sorry for it." Furness: "What are you sorry for?" "That I didn't attend. I didn't attend that ceremony." Furness: "Have you since attended something similar?" Prowse: "Well, I have with families, yes, but not in a public not in a public way ..." Furness: "In your archdiocese, since you've been in the position, has there been any public gathering or occasion upon which you've given your comments or thoughts in relation to child sexual abuse?" Prowse: "In written form, yes, and with my Church gatherings, yes, yes, with my priests and with people and in deanery assemblies, yes, I bring it up very often." Furness: "But in terms of a public forum for that purpose?" Prowse: "That to me is the next step which I want to do. I feel the confessing it's still the time for the confessing and the bringing of that out. From that, I would like to think that we can then move to more of a liturgical response. But I have been in public forums, yes, on the ecumenical dimension. Yes, there was a very big public forum at Parliament House there recently on an ecumenical level and I was with ecumenical leaders from Canberra. But it wasn't a Catholic Church one. So the answer to your question is, no, I haven't, on the Catholic Church aspect, in public forum looking forward to doing that. Yes, I have done that in the ecumenical dimension on a public level." The nerve of this lawyer a woman at that asking such impertinent questions of an archbishop. That's not an ordeal Prowse needs to endure, least of all from women, within his jurisdiction. He's not famous for listening to anyone. (Indeed, he has recently decided, and without much in the way of consultation of process, to close down the diocese's (advisory) commission for women and to subsume its functions into the commission into the married life and youth commission. A bishop, or an archbishop, is accountable only to the Pope. Within his diocese, he is an absolute monarch. With some matters involving the interests of priests or the diocese's financial interests, he has an obligation to consult priests or church trustees, but he has no obligation to follow their advice. Parts of the Great Barrier Reef are enduring sustained periods of heat stress worse than at the same time during last year's record-breaking coral bleaching event, raising fears the natural wonder may suffer another hammering. Some 54 checks by the reef's Marine Park Authority off Mission Beach, about midway between Cairns and Townsville, found 60 per cent of sensitive coral species were already bleaching after 12 months of sustained abnormally warm temperatures. "There's enough bleaching there to tell us that it is a significant heat-stress event," Russell Reichelt, the authority's chairman, said on Saturday. "There's the risk there of widespread bleaching leading to further mortality." The World Heritage-listed reef last year suffered its worst bleaching event on record, with northern regions losing as much as 80 per cent of corals. Australia wanted the United Nations to play a bigger role in the reconstruction of Iraq after the 2003 invasion but was rebuffed by the Bush administration, a declassified report reveals. The 572-page report written by a senior scholar at the Directorate of Army Research and Analysis and obtained under freedom of information laws says the then Howard government even discussed limiting Australia's military contribution to the post-invasion phase to positions under the UN. The revelation is significant because the United States' poor post-invasion planning is widely blamed for the downward spiral Iraq plunged into which is still being felt today in the country's sectarian fracturing and the success of the Islamic State terror group. "Australia also had a preference for the United Nations to have a large role in the rehabilitation of post-war Iraq," the report by Dr Albert Palazzo states. Indonesian President Joko Widodo has used his first state visit to Australia to plump for greater connections between businesses in Australia and its northern neighbour. "[International ratings agencies] are raising Indonesia's outlook from stable to positive," he told a forum of business leaders at Sydney's Shangri-la hotel on Saturday afternoon. "Trust in the Indonesian [government] has jumped". Joko Widodo and his Foreign Minister, Retno Marsudi, at the meeting with Australian business leaders. Credit:Reuters/Pool Mr Joko displayed some facility in English (opponents had questioned the proficiency, and so worldliness, of the former furniture salesman from the central Javanese city of Solo during his 2014 election campaign). But reporters were given only a moment's glimpse of discussions before they were ushered out of the room. The President thanked assembled business leaders including those from Blackmores, Macquarie and Bluescope Steel for working on the weekend. Two days after pictures of Karl Stefanovic kissing Jasmine Yarbrough on a super yacht were splashed across the front page of a Sunday tabloid, Nine's golden son was away from his regular seat on the Today show. There are hints that Nine is in damage control by pulling him from the spotlight to manage what's happening in his personal life and how it might impact viewers' attitudes towards him and the network. Other signs indicate the timing of his absence is nothing more than a coincidence. The network's estimated $1.5 million man showed up to co-host alongside Lisa Wilkinson last Monday morning, but he was gone by Tuesday. A Nine spokesperson said Sylvia Jeffreys filled in for him last week, while Tim Gilbert will take his chair next week until he returns they would not specify when that would be. The spokesperson said Stefanovic is filming This Time Next Year and that the schedule "has been set in place for many months". They rejected his no-show as anything untoward, adding TTNY "is a very emotionally draining program" and it means he cannot work on the Today show as well. PS didn't need to worry about missing the gym this week, every event around town was like a scene from Perfect. While John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis weren't there thrusting, the who's who and "who's that?", were forgoing booze for beep tests around town. Ellie Carpenter, Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord of The Matildas were the star attractions for Nike this week. Forget Hollywood celebrities, the biggest drawcard to any event these days is an athlete, and Nike had three of them. Matildas trio Ellie Carpenter, Kyah Simon and Caitlin Foord were recruited not only to mingle, but they conducted a training session with guests and introduced them to the new concept of the NikeWomen Training Journey which encourages women to "stop exercising, start training". While Australian stars shone on the red carpet at the Oscars, "eyebrow artist" Sharon-Lee Hamilton was hard at work behind-the-scenes. Hamilton, who has previously tended to Princess Mary and George Clooney, wouldn't be drawn on her flying visit to the United States, but did confirm she looked after four A-listers for a brow wax and trim. Actors Tobey Maguire and Leonardo DiCaprio. Credit:Neilson Barnard It was rumoured they included Leonardo DiCaprio and his best mate, Tobey Maguire. Hamilton was first introduced to the Titanic star through Maguire's ex-wife, Jennifer Meyer. Can a cashmere sweater make the world a better place? Probably not, but a US e-tailer is hoping its version will open people's eyes to the exploitation and massive mark-ups that happen across the industry. Meet Everlane, the company making $130 cashmere sweaters without the guilt. Credit:Instagram/Everlane You may not have heard of Everlane but it's probably time you did. Its principles of "hyper-transparency", fair pricing and timeless staples are part of a broader movement changing the fashion industry one step at a time. Its chief executive and founder, Michael Preysman, believes in only launching products, not collections, like its cashmere jumper, which sells for $US100 ($130). The fire broke out on Saturday morning at the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in the inland city of Nanchang, the capital of China's Jiangxi province, trapping people inside, including workers who were carrying out renovations on the building. Fire at the at the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel. By Reuters: A fierce blaze at a hotel in southeastern China killed 10 people, the official Xinhua news agency said in a post on its official microblog on Saturday. The fire broke out on Saturday morning at the HNA Platinum Mix Hotel in the inland city of Nanchang, the capital of China's Jiangxi province, trapping people inside, including workers who were carrying out renovations on the building. advertisement Videos and photos on Chinese social media showed thick plumes of smoke coming from the hotel building and dozens of fire trucks and rescue workers on the scene. Xinhua said one person had been injured jumping from a second floor window to escape and had been taken to hospital. RESCUE WORK COMPLETED Rescue work in the building was basically completed, said Xinhua, adding that initial investigation suggested the cause of the fire was tools used to cut construction materials. The news agency added seven people had been detained by police while investigations continued. Deadly fires are not uncommon in China, where safety regulations are lax and fire exits often blocked. --- ENDS --- Indie Ladan's lop ear rabbit Heffie may not purr or wag his tail when she comes home but he still manages to show plenty of affection. "He'll just jump onto the couch and nudge your hand when he wants a pat. Sometimes he'll lick your fingers that means he wants food." Heffie is Ladan's third pet rabbit, an animal the busy Brunswick designer prizes for its affection and relatively low maintenance needs. Those needs will increase from March 1, however, when a new strain of the calicivirus rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) K5 is released in a nationally co-ordinated effort to control Australia's wild rabbit population. Indie Ladan and her lop ear rabbit Heffie. Credit:Pat Scala European rabbits landed in Australia with the First Fleet in 1788. Since then they have multiplied, as the saying goes, and are estimated to cost the nation more than $200 million-a-year in lost agricultural production not to mention the damage to native species growth, regeneration and biodiversity. The various state primary industry departments hope the new K5 virus strain, a variant of the existing RHDV1 virus released into the environment in 1996, will be more effective as a wild rabbit killer, particularly in cooler climates and among young rabbits, known as kittens. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has invited five regional mayors on her trip to India to meet with the mining giant Adani to discuss the $21 billion Carmichael Coal project. Ms Palaszczuk confirmed on Saturday she wants the mayors to accompany her on the visit next month, which would be part of an overseas trade mission to include Singapore for trade meetings and London for 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games activities. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill. Credit:Twitter The mayors invited are Jenny Hill from Townsville, where Adani's regional headquarters and remote operations centre will be based, Andrew Willcox from Whitsunday Regional Council, Greg Williamson from Mackay, Anne Baker from Isaac and Margaret Strelow from Rockhampton. The Premier said the visit would be a good opportunity for local leaders to learn more about the project in the Galilee Basin, which Ms Palaszczuk said would bring job growth to regional areas. Filling up the car will be less confusing under petrol price board reforms being considered by the Queensland government, the state's peak motoring body says. The government plans to ban the display on fuel price boards of cheaper prices that are only available to motorists who have a discount voucher or make an in-store purchase. The Queensland government plans to ban the display on fuel price boards of cheaper prices only available to those who have a discount voucher or who make an in-store purchase. Credit:Ben Rushton The RACQ supports the move, saying it will bring Queensland into line with advertising standards in several other states. "Current price boards displaying discounts are confusing and designed to lure motorists into service stations under the guise of lower prices," RACQ spokesman Paul Turner said. "The cuddle police can go to hell," according to babycare author and toddler tactician Pinky McKay, ahead of her appearance at the Essential Baby & Toddler Show in Brisbane on March 3-5. Ms McKay is the author of Sleeping like a Baby, Parenting by Heart and Toddler Tactics, as well as the creator of Boobie Bikkies, which support and boost a healthy milk supply for mothers. Ms McKay will share some of her secrets to success at the Essential Baby & Toddler Show next weekend. Credit:Leanne Temme Photography She will headline the Bio-Oil seminars at the expo, where professionals discuss the ins and outs of raising children, and take the stage twice a day with her top tips on impulse control, understanding tiny brains, how to manage toddler tantrums, and feeding advice. The toddler tactician is a big fan of cuddles for every toddler, as well as plenty of nurturing and focused attention and promises to discuss what parents need to learn and where to find it. Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman was Brisbane's Liberal lord mayor from 2004 until March 2011 generating a high profile as "Can-Do Campbell" before being tempted fatally to enter state politics. But how did the two former political opponents Campbell Newman and David Hinchliffe play their respective roles in one of Queensland Parliament's most curious premier portraits? David Hinchliffe and his portrait of Campbell Newman. Credit:Facebook David can do. That's who. Who can do Can-Do? Mr Hinchliffe, the man behind the brush, was his deputy mayor from 2004 until 2008 because Brisbane's voters in 2004 had elected a Liberal lord mayor Newman but elected more Labor councillors (17) than Liberal councillors (9). As politics progressed they began to respect each other and became friends. Twelve years later Mr Newman asked Mr Hinchliffe to paint his portrait for Queensland Parliament for their record of Queensland premiers. But what did former political opponents talk about as the painting of the former premier Can-Do Campbell Newman took place? Here is an idea of what might have been part of those conversations. Here's one you haven't heard before. A Melbourne council is taking a property developer to task because its buildings are too short. Yes you read that correctly. The City of Port Philip and government-appointed experts are concerned about the "underdevelopment" of a sprawling block of warehouses in Port Melbourne. An artist's impression of the townhouse development approved for 19 Salmon Street, Port Melbourne. Planning Minister Richard Wynne recently approved 128 townhouses for the block on the corner of Plummer and Salmon Streets, a site that is historically important as a former top-secret experimental war tank depot during World War II and Chrysler car factory. The area has been marked as a future "family-friendly neighbourhood" within Fishermans Bend, the nation's largest urban renewal project, which promises homes for 80,000 people. Police have published a photograph of a man they want to interview over a series of aggravated burglaries. The break-ins happened across a number of Perth's northern suburbs including Banksia Grove, Hocking and Tapping. Police want to interview Adrian Hill over a spate of burglaries. Credit:WA Police The man they want to speak to is 43-year-old Adrian James Hill. He is around 175cm tall, of medium to solid build with brown hair and dark eyes. The chief political aide of Marine Le Pen, the leader of France's far-right National Front party and candidate for the French presidential election, has just been put under investigation by French magistrates. If the charges are correct, the National Front leader has been cheating on European Parliament expenses to pay her bodyguard and her chief political aide for jobs that they didn't do. This may sound strange. The National Front, like other European far-right parties, is virulently hostile to the European Union so why is it able to use European Union resources to build itself up? Yet as we discuss in a new research article for the Review of International Political Economy, the National Front is far from unique. French far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen is no fan of the European Union, but makes use of its funding. Credit:AP Far-right parties hate the European Union yet without it, many of them would have died: Right-wing populists like the National Front advocate radical changes to the European Union or outright withdrawal from it. Yet without the support of the European Union, they almost certainly would have a far weaker voice in national politics. Many far-right parties rely on Europe both for elected positions and for money. Washington: Early Wednesday morning, a ship pulled into port in Quetzal, Guatemala. Depending on whom you ask, it's either a godsend or a "boat of death". The vessel, run by the non-profit Women on Waves, travels the world offering free abortion services in places where the procedure is banned. The group brings women up to 10 weeks pregnant out to international waters, then provides them an abortion pill and a couple of hours of medical attention. (They also once sent abortion pills to Poland by drone.) The abortion ship in San Jose, Guatemala, last week. Credit:Women on Waves The activists say their behaviour was perfectly legal, and that they have the permits to prove it. "We respect religious beliefs but this [abortion] is a fundamental right in a democracy," spokeswoman Leticia Zevich told La Hora. The victim Aman Gupta, a resident of Surya Nagar locality of Ghaziabad, was going to distribute his wedding cards with his father when his car hit a person near Lahori Gate. By Puneet Kumar Sharma: In a brazen incident of lawlessness, a man's nose was bitten off over an argument following a minor car accident. The incident took place near Lahori Gate of Old Delhi on Thursday night. The victim Aman Gupta, a resident of Surya Nagar locality of Ghaziabad, was going to distribute his wedding cards with his father when his car hit a person near Lahori Gate. advertisement Gupta told police that he did not ram his car instead he slightly nudged a person identified as Vishal who was walking on the street with two others identified as Vipin and Dhiraj. Gupta, who alighted from his car immediately, was shocked to see the trio charge at him. Also read: Doctor thrashed with iron rod in Delhi as his wife, kids pleaded for mercy The trio got into a heated argument with Gupta which later turned into a scuffle. Eye witnesses said that outraged over the incident the trio beat up Aman. They said that Vishal in fury bit Aman's nose off. The trio fled from the spot immediately after assaulting Aman. Soon after the scuffle, locals gathered near the spot and rushed Aman to the nearest hospital. Upon reaching the hospital, doctors said that a part of Aman's nose was missing which was required to conduct a surgery. Also read: Man takes road rage to a new level, uses car to attack, kill men Few of the locals went back to the spot to retrieve the fallen part of Aman's nose.They found out the part after an extensive search. Aman's father told the police that the incident took place at around 9 pm. He said that they were distributing the invitations as Aman's wedding is scheduled to take place on March 4. According to the victim's father, the police too were not prompt in their response. He alleged that the accused easily got bail. --- ENDS --- South Korean intelligence officials have said that Kim Jong-un put out a "standing order" for his older half brother's assassination some years ago, but even so, analysts agree that he would have had to give the green light for this attack. "The fact that so many North Korean agents were involved shows that the operation was planned well in advance and was done with Kim Jong-un's blessing," said Sue Mi Terry, a former North Korea analyst at the CIA. It wouldn't be the first time Kim Jong-un has acted in such a ruthless way. The 33-year-old has ordered the purge or execution of several hundred officials during his five years at the helm. These included his uncle, Jang Song-thaek, who had been a mentor to Kim Jong-nam and was accused of amassing too much of his own power. "This fits into the larger narrative of what Kim Jong-un wants to do," said Ken Gause, a North Korea leadership expert at CNA, a Virginia-based consulting firm. "He's getting rid of potential contenders to the throne." North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with army chief of staff Ri Yong-Gil (right) who has reportedly been executed. Credit:KCNA Kim Jong-nam was the product of a secret relationship between North Korea's second generation leader Kim Jong-il and his consort, an actress named Sung Hye-rim. He led a lonely childhood in Pyongyang, "without even one friend", Sung's sister wrote in her memoir. When he was 8, he moved to Moscow with his aunt and grandmother, but hated it. He then moved on to Geneva. There, he seemed to fit in better, although he still lived in a cloud of half-truths. "He introduced himself as the son of the North Korean ambassador," said Anthony Sahakian, a Swiss businessman who went to school with Kim Jong-nam, whom he knew as "Lee." "North Korea, South Korea, we were 13 years old, we didn't know the difference." But some things did make Kim Jong-nam different - he had, for instance, a driver's license that said he was older than he was. "That was strange because he showed up in a Mercedes 600, driving it himself," Sahakian said, referring to the huge sedan that was a favourite among dictators. "At the time, all we wanted to do was drive, so we were very jealous. We'd skip class and go somewhere else during the day to drink coffee." Kim Jong-nam was multilingual as a result of his international childhood. He spoke fluent English and French, and Sahakian said they conversed in Russian. North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, seated, in 1981. First-born son Kim Jong-nam is bottom right. Credit:Getty Images In 1988, when he was almost 18, Kim Jong-nam went back to Pyongyang and to a life of cloistered misery, the polar opposite from his freewheeling youth in Europe. To boot, he found that the affection his father had once showered upon him was now directed at a new family, which included a young boy called Jong-un. Kim Jong-nam had talked about "life in the palace" being oppressive. "He had everything he could possibly desire, but he was in a black depression there," said a school friend who asked not to be named while discussing sensitive details. So Kim Jong-il struck a deal with his son: If he got married and had a child, he could leave, the friend said. Kim Jong-nam married and had a son in 1995, although it's not known exactly when he left North Korea. Certainly, a turning point came in 2001, when the family was caught entering Japan on false Dominican Republic passports. Kim Jong-nam, whose passport name was Chinese for "Fat Bear", told the authorities that they wanted to go to Tokyo Disneyland. After that, the family moved to Macau, where they were under Chinese protection and could live relatively freely, with Kim indulging his passion for gambling. He travelled to Beijing, where he was thought to have another family, and around southeast Asia, popping up in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Singapore. Kim Jong-Nam in Macau. Credit:BBC He also travelled to Europe regularly, sometimes to see his oldest son, who had been studying in France, and sometimes on business, apparently buying wine or property for wealthy Asian clients. He always kept his wits about him, said Sahakian, who had seen his old friend several times in Geneva in recent years. "He wasn't paranoid but he was worried," he said. "When he was out, he was careful and he avoided talking to Asians because he was worried they were spies. He was on his guard but it wouldn't stop him." Although he had been mentioned as a potential leader in dynastic North Korea, friends say he did not have any interest in the prospect. But he appears to have antagonised his younger brother just enough. In 2010, the day before Kim Jong-un was to make his first appearance as heir apparent in North Korea, Kim Jong-nam gave an interview to Japan's TV Asahi in which he said the choice was his father's and that there appeared to be internal reasons for hurrying the process along. "Personally speaking, I am opposed to the third-generation succession," he said, a statement that might be considered anodyne elsewhere but was tantamount to treason in North Korea. Madden, of North Korea Leadership Watch, said that there was always a chance of Kim Jong-nam's being thrust into the leadership. "Jong-nam still had a power base and there was always a remote possibility that he would take power," he said. Terry, the former CIA analyst, agreed. "However improbable, there are always rumours that Kim Jong-nam could replace Kim Jong-un as the head of the regime at the behest of China or the US," she said. There have been reports in South Korea that Kim Jong-nam had acted as a middleman between South Korean President Park Geun-hye and officials in North Korea. Just a couple of days before his death, a South Korean newspaper reported that Kim Jong-nam tried to defect to South Korea several years ago. This would have given the regime ample reason to get rid of him, said Cheong Seong-chang, senior fellow at the Sejong Institute, a South Korean think tank. Indeed, Kim Jong-nam's defection would have been much more catastrophic for the regime than that of Thae Yong-ho, the deputy North Korean ambassador in London who fled to South Korea last year, said one former official in the regime. Former North Korean deputy ambassador to the UK, Thae Yong Ho. Credit:AP "Imagine how detrimental the impact would have been if Kim Jong-un's half brother were to speak out against Kim Jong-un," said the former official, asking not to be identified for his safety. "It would have a much bigger impact than Thae Yong-ho is having now in South Korea." Thae has become an outspoken critic of the regime, calling for a flood of information into North Korea to encourage people there to flee or rise up. The downside for the US and South Korea is that they have lost the opportunity to recruit someone in the family to provide information. They have also lost someone who could be installed as a slightly friendlier leader in North Korea, while still maintaining the Kim family bloodline - an important factor in Korean culture. This is the crux of the debate. How real are the problems in Sweden? Are they worse than anywhere else (say, the US)? Were they caused by immigrants and refugees? Nuanced analysis The documentary that Trump watched brief clips from is deliberately incendiary. "Rape has skyrocketed" in Sweden, Horowitz claimed. There has been a "shocking increase in violent crime in general" which corresponds to a "revolutionary demographic shift taking more refugees from Islamic countries" and the country now has "no-go areas" where police will not dare to tread. Asked to back up these claims, Horowitz pointed Fairfax to Swedish police statistics that track to 2015. They show crime rates fairly steady over the past decade, with a detectable decrease in assault, a rise in harassment and since about 2011 - a sharp uptick in sexual offences. In 2015, 1.7 per cent of people told police they had been exposed to a sexual offence. In 2014 the figure was 1 per cent (though 2014 was down from 2013). Most of the victims were 16-24-year-old women, and in two-thirds of the cases the perpetrator was completely unknown to the victim. Percentage exposed to sex offences: Exposure in the population (16-79 years of age) to sex offences, 2005-2015). Credit:BRA However, even the raw statistics challenge the notion that this is migrants assaulting Swedes (the common perception, based on some widely publicised assaults at music festivals). It was more common that a victim was the child of migrants than the child of natural-born Swedes. Professor Jerry Sarnecki is a leading criminologist from Stockholm University. "The increasing number of immigrants has not led to an increasing number of crimes in this country" is his considered but nuanced view. For decades studies have consistently showed the over-representation of immigrants among those sentenced or suspected of crime. However, "Sweden has more or less stable or even decreasing number of crimes", he says - at the same time that Sweden's migrant population dramatically increased. In other words, migrants tend to arrive in a country as an underclass: poor, unable to find work, often ghettoised. They may turn to crime. But after a generation this trend returns to the societal norm. They become Swedish, in criminal tendencies at least: a population where crime rates are falling. Migrants are over-represented particularly in violent crimes and sexual violence. "There are many reasons," says Professor Sarnecki. "Lower levels of education, problems with the modern, technological society, maybe even some cultural drawbacks." But over the last few years most of the crime increase "has nothing to do with this influx of people from Syria and other countries", Professor Sarnecki says. Offences again individual persons: percentage of the population which fell victim to different types of offences against individuals, Credit:BRA "These people are young, male and maybe even traumatised by war. But the problems which are most acute at the moment are not much related to these people. The biggest criminological problem we have is gang violence in a few particular suburbs to our biggest cities. There was an increase in shootings we didn't have this gun violence at all a few years ago. "Our level of blatant violence is still much lower than other countries the US or even Finland, but still much more than we had. These are people who came here as children or the children of immigrants. This is nothing to do with the influx of new immigrants to this country." Professor Sarnecki says it is "total nonsense" to call Sweden the rape capital of Europe. Statistics are being used misleadingly to attack immigrants, he says. "Our definition of rape is very broad, extremely broad," he says. Others have made the same point. Horowitz's documentary itself pans across a BBC headline "Sweden's rape rate under the spotlight". It fails to note the article was from 2012 (inspired by the Julian Assange extradition case), and below the headline it concluded that Sweden's rape statistics could not easily be compared to other countries. For example, it noted, Australia is the 'kidnapping capital of the world' not because of any particular danger, but because crime statistics in Australia include child custody disputes. Professor Sarnecki says the propensity to report rape in Sweden is much higher than other countries because the strong feminist culture supports victims. And if a wife tells police her husband raped her 100 times, that goes into the statistics as 100 rapes. He does add there is an increase in reports of less serious sexual assaults in the last three years, which is related to immigration. That includes reports of "young [immigrant] newcomers harassing young women", he says. So, the numbers don't exactly lie. There is a nexus between crime and migration in Sweden. Trouble spots In December 2015 a police intelligence report identified a link between crime and "areas of social risk". On their list of "particularly vulnerable areas" was the migrant-heavy suburb of Rinkeby in Stockholm where Horowitz filmed his documentary, and where this week's riot "proved" Trump correct. Also on the list was Rosengard, a majority-immigrant suburb of the city of Malmo on the west coast, just opposite Copenhagen. Police said such areas were characterised by "parallel structures of society" and "violence-promoting religious extremism". Many residents had a "sense of abandonment, that society and its institutions had turned their backs on them". Malmo is the cliched Swedish trouble spot (along with Rinkeby - back in 1998 The New York Times ran a piece on the suburb titled 'A Swedish dilemma: the immigrant ghetto'). When former UKIP leader Nigel Farage defended Trump's comments this week he named Malmo the "rape capital of Europe". Far-right blogger Paul Joseph Watson, editor of Infowars, even offered to pay journalists to "stay in crime ridden migrant suburbs of Malmo" to prove Sweden wasn't safe. A square in Malmo. The city has problems which are not easily solved. Credit:Nick Miller This really ticked off Nils Karlsson, deputy mayor of Malmo. As did Trump's original comment. "It's irritating. I got a bit angry He's not lying, he's just stupid. This is just one more piece of the image of Sweden that is spread across the world. "Of course there is a tiny, tiny bit of truth in it. Sweden is not a paradise But it doesn't really help. The problems we have in Sweden with inequality and child poverty and the high unemployment rates, especially among immigrants, it doesn't get any easier to solve these problems if we also have to compete with an image of Sweden that is just false." He explains that Malmo was a grey, sooty industrial town, producing textiles and cargo ships, until about 1990 when the economy collapsed and the city reinvented itself around creative, IT and design industries. That's part of the problem for migrants they have language and education challenges that make it much harder to get these kinds of jobs. Nils Karlsson, deputy mayor of Malmo, is angry at Donald Trump's comments. Credit:Nick Miller Malmo is a deeply segregated town the western part is predominantly people born in Sweden with a higher income. People in the eastern half, on average, die eight years earlier. The migrants, of course, are on the poor side. One third of the city was born outside of Sweden, and more than two-fifths talk a language other than Swedish in their homes. The unemployment rate among migrants is more than four times as high as natives. "But that also tells us those problems are fixed within one generation," says Karlsson. "We have probably just thought it will fix itself, that people will want to get integrated which I think they actually do by themselves. We have not really had any special programs for doing so. Largely because unemployment didn't used to be a problem in Sweden, which was a booming industrialised country. "Due to automation and the new global economy the number of jobs has lessened. It's easier to get integrated into society if you meet the society. But if you're stuck in unemployment you really don't meet any other people than those in the exact same situation, and that is bad for integration. "So we haven't really done anything, no specific plans for integration, and that maybe was a mistake." They are now trying to push mixed schools from both halves of Malmo. But that doesn't solve the job market problem or the self-fulfilling prophecy of crime. "When you talk to kids living in the poorer areas of Malmo some of them think it's quite cool to be known as the gangster city of the world. "We need to reach out and meet other people. We can't just sit back passively and wait for integration to happen." Michael Booth, author of an affectionately critical book in 2015 The Almost Nearly Perfect People: Behind the Myth of the Scandinavian Utopia, is scathing about the claim of "no-go areas" in Sweden. "Is there anywhere I wouldn't let my wife walk alone at night in Sweden? There are maybe five places like that in Scandinavia, and one of them is because of wolves. "How many are there in the UK, 1005? And the US? Infinite. That American perspective makes it seem so absurd." Uncharted waters But, comparisons aside, he hopes the new spotlight on Sweden's demographic challenges will force them to take their heads out of the sand on real problems. There are "some people who are in complete denial that there are any issues there, and other people who say it's a no-go zone and compare it to Mogadishu. The truth is somewhere in the middle." Integrating non-Western immigrants is a massive challenge and compared to, for example, France or Britain, the country is very early in the process. "No one really knows what's going to happen [or] how Sweden is going to cope with this in the long term. There is a problem in Sweden that was there long before this last refugee crisis of taboo topics and a narrow band of what's permitted to be discussed in polite society "Probably the biggest problem in Sweden is talking about the issues rather than blocking their ears and going 'la la la' and putting their faith in modernity and human nature to carry them through. "The tactic of labelling anyone who even questions immigration policies as racist they haven't really addressed that." Migrant children from Syria sleep outside the Swedish Migration Board, in Marsta, Sweden. Credit:AP Most Swedes recognise immigration is necessary to sustain economic growth, and the recent immigration has been a boon for the economy over the last 10 years. They are "in uncharted waters now", Booth says. "I don't think they know how to deal with it but my hunch is they're Swedes, they're smart, they're modern, they're humane they'll figure it out. That's what I hope." In Malmo, says Booth, the most striking and urgent problem is actually anti-Semitism. "The Jewish community is being hounded out of the city," he's being told. Annika Henroth Rothstein is a political columnist for Israel Hayom and the Washington Examiner, based in Stockholm. She is also the backbone to Horowitz's documentary he interviewed her on the link between migration and crime, which she has been writing on for some time. "[It was] adapted to a specific audience," she said of the film, which she said was too "dystopian". "I would not use that tone. I don't use expression like 'the rape capital of the world'. I don't know that to be true. "There was a lot of hyperbole [from Horowitz] in there. I only stand by what I said I think the discussion we need to have in Europe - that isn't helped by any kind of hyperbole because the issues are grave enough and the situation is dire enough to stand on its own." She sticks by what she told Horowitz. She laments that Trump was not clear in the way he talked about it. "His inability to put together coherent sentences is sometimes a little bit frustrating, however, I'm hoping this will result in something positive." The spotlight is now on something she has been writing on for years, but she says Sweden does not want to talk about: the problems in society caused by migration. As a Jewish writer she has a particular perspective: her children have been the victims of anti-Semitic attacks at school from Muslim students. "The facts on the ground are that we have imported a lot of anti-Semitism, that's how I experienced it firsthand." As she started writing about the issue she realised society was changing more broadly, she said. Economically the level of migration was unsustainable, due to the country's generous welfare benefits. And she saw a "clash of cultures", a very liberal society with "institutionalised' gender equality that had imported people from areas that were not liberal and did not have the same views on gender and equality. "The problem is the culture of silence that exists in this country has made sure that we are afraid to educate the people who arrive here, we are afraid to set certain standards, to make certain demands on what it takes to be Swedish." This was to blame for the level of sexual assaults, she said. Sexual assaults by migrants were covered up and allowed to "fester" she says. "My fear, as I see it all over Europe now is we have far-right parties growing, exponentially. They don't even have to campaign because of this and it scares me half to death. "[Sweden' far-right] party was affiliated with the Nazis during the war but they are now a socially accepted party. I can't blame any of the hundreds of thousands of people who vote for them, who see it as the only alternative because they are desperate and fearful. I recognise that fear in myself because I am fearful when my children are victims of anti-Semitic attacks in their schools and that is not taken as seriously as, for example, someone speaking up against Muslims. "Society is gung-ho about welcoming all refugees, and they are not accepting that it comes with a set of responsibilities and a set of problems. If we are trying to blend these two cultures then we have to do it actively. "It is not about scale. This idea that women are getting raped left, right and centre is just not true. "But I see liberal ideas dying before my eyes because of nervousness, a cowardly attitude towards just dealing openly with affront on human values. That's the problem I'm trying to address." Something went wrong, please try again later. Invalid email Something went wrong, please try again later. So that's it folks. One of the world's most famous rock bands has graced Frome with a two and a half hour secret gig. Not only that it used the town as the location to announce it was headlining the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival 2017. The gig made up part of an elaborate publicity stunt which began when mysterious boarding cards arrived by recorded delivery at some fans' houses and carried the name of a fictional airline, Obelisk Airlines. Many quickly cottoned on that the destination of these cards, which read CAG, stood for the Cheese & Grain in Frome. Somerset Live reporter James Wood was at the venue for most of the day and was even granted access to the gig himself. Here's what he had to say: I headed on down to the Cheese & Grain at around 2pm and already people were hanging around the closed off area of the car park hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the band members. We managed only flickers of the likes of Taylor Hawkins and Chris Shiflett but Pat Smear, former Nirvana band member, came out to treat fans to autographs and selfies. It was all but certain the Foos were to perform . As crowds began to gather it was soon time to head into the venue having received my very own boarding pass and wristband. There was a buzz in the air as people started to gather around the stage waiting to see the expected Foo Fighters performance. Some even had their phones on the Foo Fighters live stream to see when the band would rock up. It wasn't the band that came on first however, it was Michael Eavis that got up on stage first fifteen minutes after the countdown on the Foo Fighters live stream clock had hit zero. It was worth the wait though as the legendary American rock band was confirmed to be headlining the Pyramid Stage of Glastonbury Festival 2017. "Be there or be square" said Eavis, and headed of the stage. Soon after the Eavis announcement the band rocked up on stage jumping straight into some of their hits including These Days, The Pretender and Best of You. Some might have thought the intimate gig wouldn't stretch out too far but the band kept up the pace for around two and a half hours. In between tracks frontman Dave Grohl said how much he loved playing in Frome and even promised to come back without any of the secret tickets instead a future gig would be handed out on a first come first served basis. He really let his hair down towards the end of the gig when he started to take some requests from the crowd included on the request list was Watershed a track the band had not practiced at all beforehand. All were adept at changing and adapting to the fluid nature of the unique gig which Dave said would be longer than their headline performance in Glastonbury. Hawkins was given the opportunity to let loose at points delivering some incredible drum solos in-between Grohl's vocals. The band certainly didn't hold back for such a small performance throwing themselves headlong into each track. It was a performance to rival any of their previous big stage gigs, and now more than a year since they last performed live, they certainly lived up to the hype. Speaking to people after the gig, people describing it as like nothing they'd ever seen before. Some had travelled hundreds of miles to be at the gig, while others were more locally based. Frome based record shop Covers Vinyl were invited to the gig today by members of the Foo's team who came to the store. It's also being followed on Twitter by the Foo Fighters official account. Others who had come to the gig included up and coming bands especially invited by the Foo Fighters team. Was it one of the most memorable moments in the history of Frome? It could well be. It certainly won't be forgotten about in a hurry. Holiday train rides in Indiana for the family to enjoy Panneerselvam had tweeted that when he was Chief Minister he had initiated an enquiry into the death of Jayalalithaa, but it was turned upside down. By India Today Web Desk: The DMK has backed O Panneerselvam in his demand for a probe into the death of late AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa. Panneerselvam had tweeted that when he was Chief Minister he had initiated an enquiry into the death of Jayalalithaa, but it was turned upside down. On Jayalalithaa's 69th birth anniversary, Panneerselvam addressed workers and said, "It is because of Amma's struggle we are here. We want answers about Amma's death." advertisement Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami on Friday asserted that there was no mystery over the death of AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa, as was being made out by some quarters. "Nothing wrong has happened over her death....there is no problem as being made by some persons," he told reporters in Coimbatore when asked about the demands made for an enquiry into her death. Jayalalithaa, who was hospitalised in Chennai for more than two months for various complications, passed away on December 5 last year, after a cardiac arrest. Also Read: DMK observes day-long hunger strike across Tamil Nadu to protest against CM Palaniswami's trust vote --- ENDS --- Trump's public criticism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the country's top intelligence and investigating agency, was a rare one that has not been seen in the past. By Press Trust of India: President Donald Trump on Friday launched an unprecedented attack on the FBI for not being able to stop the leak of classified information and said it could have a "devastating effect" on the US. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time," Trump tweeted. advertisement "They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on US. FIND NOW," Trump said, urging the FBI to act. Trump's public criticism of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the country's top intelligence and investigating agency, was a rare one that has not been seen in the past. WHY THE OUTRAGE? It came after CNN reported that the FBI rejected a recent request by the White House to dispute media reports that Trump campaign officials had regular contacts with Russian intelligence officials before the election. A furious White House has described the report as inaccurate and false. "What you guys have done is indefensible and inaccurate," a senior administration official told reporters. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official gave a time line of the White House Chief of Staff, Reince Priebus, meeting with the FBI Assistant Director Andrew McCabe on February 15. WHAT'S HAPPENING During a one-on-one meeting between the two, after the conclusion of their official discussions, McCabe reportedly said, "I want you to know (the) story" in The New York Times report about FBI investigating contacts between Trump campaign people and Russian intelligence "is BS". According to the account of the senior administration official, Priebus asked "what can we do about this?" McCabe demurred and said he will get back to Priebus. Later on, McCabe called back and told Preibus that the FBI cannot say anything. "We'd love to help but we can't get into the position of making statements on every story," he was quoted as saying. Preibus asked if he could cite "senior intelligence officials" as saying there's nothing to the New York Times story. McCabe said yes. Later on, FBI Director James Comey himself called Preibus and reiterated much the same thing that the "story is BS but can't put out statement". Also read: US charges former Guatemala Vice President with drug trafficking Also read: US embassy condemns Indian engineer's killing in Kansas City bar shooting, promises kin full support Also read: What killed Kim Jong Un's half-brother, who did it and why still not known --- ENDS --- advertisement Addvalue produced the terminal for Inmarsat's Inter-Satellite Data Relay System, which was tested in orbit on the Velox-11 satellite built by Nanyang Technological University's Satellite Research Center in Singapore. SAN FRANCISCO For more than a year, mobile satellite services provider Inmarsat has been working with Addvalue Innovation (AVI), a communications technology company based in Singapore, to conduct secret tests of a service that lets operators maintain continuous contact with small satellites in low Earth orbit. Now, the companies are ready to offer the Inter-satellite Data Relay Service (IDRS) to satellite operators. "We are excited about this opportunity because strategically it opens a new market sector for us," Peter Dingley, Inmarsat vice president for future government technologies, told SpaceNews. "With just three satellites in geosynchronous orbit we can see these small satellites as they are spinning around Earth constantly and communicate with them." Khai Pang Tan, Addvalue Technologies' chief operating officer and chief technologies officer. (Image credit: AVI) Commercial satellite operators typically communicate with satellites in low Earth orbit through ground stations. Often, that means operators gather information and send instructions during a period that lasts from 15 to 20 minutes per orbit. "Our service provides them with the ability to take a quick look at something that might be happening and then act based on the information exchanged," Dingley said. IDRS is the brainchild of Khai Pang Tan, chief operating and technology officer for AVI, a subsidiary of Addvalue Technologies Ltd. In 2012, Tan realized that the problem of communicating with satellites in low Earth orbit could be solved if operators could relay data through the Inmarsat-4 constellation of geosynchronous L-band communications satellites and Inmarsat's Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN). Because AVI was already an authorized developer for Inmarsat BGAN mobile satellite terminals, engineers redesigned the terminals to reduce their size and make them durable enough to survive spaceflight. [Satellite Quiz: What's Up There?] The first IDRS L-band terminal, which fits in a two-unit cubesat and includes a primary and a backup transceiver, was launched in December 2015 on the Velox-2 satellite developed by AVI and Singapore's Nanyang Technological University with funding provided by the Singapore Economic Development Board's Office of Space Technology and Innovation. For more than a year, AVI has sent instructions to the Velox-2 satellite, a 13-kilogram, six-unit cubesat, through the Inmarsat-4 constellation. "We were even able to upload firmware to the IDRS transceiver, which means operators could configure satellites for different missions on the fly," Tan told SpaceNews. "We hope this will have a game-changing effect on low-Earth-orbit operations." Inmarsat and AVI have not discussed the project until now. "This reflects Inmarsat's very conservative approach to the market," Dingley said. "We like to know that when we offer service in the marketplace, we have done a considerable amount of testing and proving to make sure we are able to maintain our reputation as the trusted supplier with very high grade communications. We are now sufficiently confident to take this to full commercial service." AVI is meeting with satellite manufacturers, including Airbus Defence and Space and Surrey Satellite Technologies Ltd., and offering to integrate IDRS terminals with their buses. "We are going to provide the hardware and engineering services," Tan said. Once the new satellites are launched into orbit, Inmarsat will offer commercial and government customers direct access to their satellites through BGAN, which also provides communications links for trucks, ships and aircraft. "It's moving a little faster than some of our platforms, but it looks like another mobile platform that connects to our network," Dingley said. AVI and Inmarsat have signed a memorandum of understanding giving AVI "exclusive rights to distribute airtime for the terminals it provides," Tan said. "We will provide almost a one-stop shop for satellite operators." IDRS customers will purchase communications services for their satellites the same way individuals buy data packages for mobile devices. Fees for the packages vary based on the amount of data operators exchange with their satellites per month, Dingley said. Addvalue's Inter-Satellite Data Relay System payload in vacuum chamber. (Image credit: AVI) Typical IDRS customers will seek communications services for three, five or seven satellites. The new service is not well suited for constellations with hundreds of satellites nor for Earth observation missions due to the extensive volume of communications they require, Dingley said. "We are not trying to replicate the very high capacity links that the surveillance satellites or Earth science satellites need because they download a huge amount of information," Dingley said. "What we can do with our service is provide real-time command and control so that people can actually interrogate and retask the satellites during their orbit." For example, an operator could redirect a satellite's infrared or visible light camera or send instructions to other onboard instruments, Dingley said. Nations that are beginning to develop space programs also are showing keen interest in the IDRS because the ongoing interaction will help operators become more familiar with satellites and onboard instruments, Dingley said. Without this type of service, operators would send instructions and then wait one to two hours before finding out how the satellite executed those instructions. The satellite would then disappear again while people thought about what had happened. An hour to two hours later, they would tell the satellite to do something different, he added. IDRS is not the only new communications service for satellites in low Earth orbit. Spaceflight Industries is installing high-throughput antennas around the world to offer internet access to imagery. Solstar Space Co. of Santa Fe, New Mexico, plans to offer communications links for astronauts and machines in space. Audacy, a Silicon Valley startup, is raising money to establish a commercial constellation of communications relay satellites in medium Earth orbit. As far as Tan knows, Inmarsat and Addvalue are offering the first commercial relay service for satellites in low Earth orbit. "I would say we are the first one," he said. "And we have the head start." Comments: werner.debra@gmail.com This story was provided by SpaceNews, dedicated to covering all aspects of the space industry. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. NASA will take about a month to assess how much extra time, money and risk would be added to the debut flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket if a two-member crew were aboard, officials said today. The launch, called Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1), is currently scheduled to be the first test flight of the SLS booster, which will send an uncrewed Orion capsule into deep space. Under the existing plan, a crew would fly aboard the Orion/SLS system on the EM-2 mission in 2021. The Trump administration has asked NASA to look at either adding crewmembers to the EM-1 flight or advancing the launch of EM-2, Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA's associate administrator for human exploration and operations, told reporters during a news conference today (Feb. 24). [Photos: NASA's Space Launch System for Deep Space Flights] Moving up the date of EM-2 is not feasible because of changes that have to be made to the SLS launch platform to accommodate a taller upper-stage motor that NASA plans to have in place for that mission, NASA officials said during the news conference. Gerstenmaier said he also directed his team to look only at options that would take about one year or less to implement, so that a crewed EM-1 flight could launch in 2019. "I felt that if we went much beyond 2019, then we might as well fly EM-2 and actually do the (plan) we're on," Gerstenmaier said. The Orion spacecraft has not been fully upgraded to support human passengers since its first test flight in December 2014 (atop a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket). Gerstenmaier said he has no estimate on the additional costs of adding life support, an abort system and other hardware that would be needed for EM-1 to fly with a crew. "This study will determine how much additional time is needed to add crew to EM-1," Gerstenmaier said. "We will definitely have a [later launch date]. We also recognize we'll need to add some additional funding." The prospective mission would have a two-member crew fly in an Orion capsule on an eight- to nine-day mission around the moon, similar to the flight of Apollo 8 in 1968. NASA's independent Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said in a meeting Thursday (Feb. 23) that the reasons for having astronauts fly on EM-1 must be compelling enough to override the additional cost, schedule and safety risks. "We are not proposing what the outcome of NASA's assessment should be," Patricia Sanders, chairwoman of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel, said during the meeting. "But in the assessment, we strongly advise that NASA carefully and cautiously weigh the value proposition for flying crew on EM-1." Flying astronauts on a rocket's debut flight would be a departure from NASA precedence. Only one previous spacecraft, the space shuttle, made its first flight with crew aboard. "The space shuttle really wasn't built to be flown unmanned, and we would have had to do an awful lot to make that happen," former astronaut Bob Crippen, the pilot on the first shuttle flight, said in an interview with Space.com. As a winged vehicle re-entering the atmosphere at 25 times the speed of sound, the space shuttle was a far bigger technological leap than the Orion capsule, Gerstenmaier noted. "This is still pushing the envelope in some areas, but it's not as big a step technology-wise as what we actually did in the case of the shuttle," he said. "We will be very cautious about what we go do. We will do the right thing." Editor's Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly stated that the first space shuttle flight was launched with a Saturn V rocket; this was a mistake entered by the editor. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. A montage of images taken during an annular solar eclipse. Unlike a total solar eclipse, during an annular eclipse the sun's disc is not entirely covered by the shadow of the moon, and a thin "ring of fire" remains visible. Update for Sunday, Feb. 26: The "ring of fire" annular solar eclipse amazed observers across South America and Africa. See our full story here: Moon Blocks (Most of) the Sun in 'Ring of Fire' Solar Eclipse. Sunday's annular eclipse will provide a practice run for scientists hoping to gather data during the fleeting moments of the total solar eclipse that will cross the U.S on Aug. 21. During the total solar eclipse that will take place in August, scientists positioned across the U.S. will be scrambling to gather data in the 2 minutes or so that the moon covers the entire disc of the sun. There is a wealth of science that can be done during an eclipse, including studying how the sudden darkening of the sky changes conditions on Earth (such as rapid drops in air temperature). A total eclipse also provides a totally unique view of the sun's outer atmosphere, called the corona. Jay Pasachoff, a professor of astronomy at Williams College in Massachusetts, might be involved in more total-eclipse-related science investigations than anyone else on the planet (not even he can keep track of exactly how many, but this Space.com reporter counts at least seven). Tomorrow, he and some of his collaborators will be in southern Argentina, observing the annular solar eclipse when about 99 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon as a practice run for August's main event. [Total Solar Eclipse 2017: Path, Viewing Maps and Photo Guide] Pasachoff said he figures people ask him to get involved with their solar eclipse experiments because he has a lot of experience observing them. He's personally been to 33 total solar eclipses, 15 partial eclipses and 16 annular eclipses (Sunday will be his 17th. Total solar eclipses happen about once every 18 months, but they are only visible over a relatively small area (as opposed to partial solar eclipses or lunar eclipses, which are usually visible across multiple continents). Jay Pasachoff views an annular solar eclipse in 2016. (Pasachoff is wearing solar viewing glasses, not regular sunglasses). (Image credit: Courtesy of Jay Pasachoff) In 2015, Pasachoff traveled to Svalbard, an island in the northern Norwegian archipelago, to see the total solar eclipse. While there, he and his colleague Marcos Penaloza-Murillo, a research scientist at the University of the Andes in Venezuela, measured the temperature change that took place as the sun began to slip behind the moon. The temperature dropped from about 8 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 7 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 13 degrees to minus 21 degrees Celsius) in less than an hour, with a dramatic drop occurring immediately after the sun's disc became completely obscured. The two colleagues are going to measure the temperature drop from Salem, Oregon, this summer, but the Sunday annular eclipse will serve as a practice run. Conducting experiments during totality can often involve making adjustments to equipment and jotting down notes. If something goes wrong with the data collection, it could be years before the opportunity comes along again. "A lot of the reason for going to the annular eclipse is to get the routine down," Pasachoff said. "There's a lot of juggling, and practice helps. It helps us so we know we'll get it right in August." A montage of images taken during an annular solar eclipse. Unlike a total solar eclipse, during an annular eclipse the sun's disc is not entirely covered by the shadow of the moon, and a thin "ring of fire" remains visible. (Image credit: Courtesy of Jay Pasachoff) How Solar Eclipses Work: When the moon covers up the sun, skywatchers delight in the opportunity to see a rare spectacle. See how solar eclipses occur in this Space.com infographic (Image credit: Karl Tate, SPACE.com Contributor) Movies of the sun One of the most massive undertakings that Pasachoff is involved with is called the Megamovie project, which will involve over 1,000 volunteers and many other citizen scientists in the path of totality. Volunteers across the country will capture footage of the sun when it is entirely obscured by the moon; these volunteers will use high-quality cameras and be trained on how to capture the sun. The footage will be stitched together to create a movie that tracks the view of the eclipse all the way across the country. In addition, the Megamovie project will release an app that anyone can download on their smartphone and use to capture images or footage of the eclipse. That footage will be stitched together into a separate movie. Pasachoff said he and some colleagues will use the annular eclipse to test the Megamovie app. That's not all Pasachoff will be doing this weekend. He'll also be working on something called the Modern Eddington Experiment. "We are trying to recreate the observations that Arthur Eddington made of the eclipse in 1919 that verified Einstein's theory and made Einstein famous," he said. During the 1919 eclipse, Eddington observed the light from background stars that would normally be invisible next to the sun's overwhelming glow. He demonstrated that the sun a very massive object could actually bend starlight around it; the effect is called gravitational lensing. It proved Albert Einstein's ideas about gravity being able to bend space, and turned him into a celebrity overnight. Pasachoff said the annular eclipse provides the opportunity to calibrate the experimental instruments to the changing temperatures and lighting conditions that are expected to occur during the total eclipse. Pasachoff is also involved in outreach efforts, and he strongly encourages people to try and get into the path of totality in August. A total solar eclipse is a sight like none other a sight so beautiful it has compelled so-called "eclipse chasers" like Pasachoff to travel all over the world to see them. The path of totality for the August eclipse extends from Oregon to South Carolina. The duration of totality depends on how close an observer is to the center of the path of totality, so people standing near the edge of the path may only see this amazing sight for a few seconds. Even when 99 percent of the sun's disc is covered by the moon, the sky is still 10,000 times brighter than it is during totality, Pasachoff said. "That's bright enough to hide very interesting phenomena," he said. "You really have to be within totality and not even a few miles off to the side [of the path] to really get the benefit of what we will be able to see on Aug. 21. I hereby appeal to people who think 90 percent or 99 percent coverage is enough. It's not good enough. You have to be within 100 percent." Editor's note: You don't have to be traveling with Jay Pasachoff's solar eclipse team to see Sunday's annular solar eclipse. The online astronomy service Slooh.com will offer a free live webcast of the eclipse here, beginning at 7 a.m. EST (1200 GMT). You can also watch the webcast here, courtesy of Slooh. If you safely take a photo of the "ring of fire" eclipse that you'd like to share with Space.com and our news partners for a possible story or image gallery, send images and comments to: spacephotos@space.com. Editor's Note: This article previously stated that Pasachoff will be observing the total eclipse from Salem, Massachusetts; he will be watching it from of Salem, Oregon. Follow Calla Cofield @callacofield. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. Virgin Galactic's second SpaceShipTwo, the VSS Unity, is carried by its WhiteKnightTwo mothership ahead of Unity's third unpowered glide test over the Mojave Air and Space Port in California on Feb. 24, 2017. Virgin Galactic's SpaceShipTwo aced its third unpowered free flight Friday (Feb. 24), a glide test that marked the first time at the new space plane's controls for one former NASA astronaut. The VSS Unity, as the second SpaceShipTwo is called, took to the sky from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California under the wing of the company's WhiteKnightTwo mothership. At the controls were pilots Dave Mackay and Rick "C.J." Sturckow, a former NASA astronaut who flew on four space shuttle missions, commanding two of them. "Today was CJ's first flight in VSS Unity. But's he's got lots of spaceship experience already," Virgin Galactic representatives wrote in a Twitter post that included photos of Sturckow's shuttle missions. While it was Sturckow's first flight with VSS Unity, he did fly the VSS Enterprise, Unity's sister ship, multiple times prior to that vehicle's loss in a fatal accident in October 2014. See more During Friday's test, the WhiteKnightTwo carried VSS Unity to a target altitude above the Mojave Desert, then released the space plane so it could glide back to Earth and make a runway landing at the Air & Space Port. Founded by the British billionaire Sir Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic aims to build a fleet of SpaceShipTwo vehicles to fly paying passengers on round trips to suborbital space. The company's SpaceShipTwo cannot orbit the Earth. The spacecraft is designed to launch six passengers and two pilots 62 miles (100 kilometers) above the planet, where they will experience several minutes of weightlessness and witness views of Earth from space. Tickets for the flight cost $250,000. Branson was present to watch Friday's test flight. He was joined by his son Sam Branson and British physicist Brian Cox. "Great feeling watching VSS Unity's third flight with @sambranson, @ProfBrianCox & @virgingalactic congrats team!" Branson wrote on Twitter after the flight. See more The test glide marked the third unpowered free flight for VSS Unity, and its seventh overall (the craft remained attached to its mothership for the other four flights). The other glide test flights were in 2016; one on Dec. 3 and the other on Dec. 22. The pilots for the WhiteKnightTwo carrier solo plane during Friday's test flight were Todd Ericson and Kelly Latimer, with Dustin Mosher serving as flight test engineer, Virgin Galactic representatives wrote in a Twitter update. You can see more images from the flight from Virgin Galactic here: See more See more See more Email Tariq Malik at tmalik@space.com or follow him @tariqjmalik and Google+. Follow us @Spacedotcom, Facebook and Google+. Original article on Space.com. By Press Trust of India: New York, Feb 25 (PTI) Scientists, including one of Indian origin, are using artificial intelligence called fuzzy logic to get drones to navigate and land themselves on moving platforms without any help. Researchers from University of Cincinnati in the US applied a concept called fuzzy logic, the kind of reasoning people employ subconsciously every day. advertisement Instead of seeing the world in black and white, fuzzy logic allows for nuance or degrees of truth. "Its the only realistic way that drones will have commercially viable uses such as delivering that roll of toilet paper to customers," said Manish Kumar, associate professor at the University of Cincinnati in the US. Fuzzy logic helps the drone make good navigational decisions amid a sea of statistical noise. It is called "genetic-fuzzy" because the system evolves over time and continuously discards the lesser solutions, Kumar said. The researchers successfully employed fuzzy logic in a simulation to show it is an ideal system for navigating under dynamic conditions and are even putting fuzzy logic to the test in experiments to land quadcopters on robots mounted with landing pads at the university lab. The problem of drones having difficulty in navigating their ever-changing airspace is compounded when the drone tries to land on a moving platform such as a delivery van or even a US Navy warship pitching in high seas, researchers explained. "It has to land within a designated area with a small margin of error. "Landing a drone on a moving platform is a very difficult problem scientifically and from an engineering perspective," Kumar added. PTI APA SAR SAR --- ENDS --- London, Feb 25, 2017 (SPS) - The British organization for human rights defence in Western Sahara, Adala UK, denounced Friday the use of torture by Morocco against Sahrawi civilians who oppose Moroccan colonization of their country, and called for investigations into those complaints. Adala UK wrote on its website that Morocco continues to use "torture" and its "constant" human rights violations in Western Sahara make the situation in which Sahrawi are living "critical." "Morocco does not just maltreat and torture Sahrawi civilians in the occupied Sahrawi territories and Moroccan cities, but also arbitrarily detains (...) and use torture and punishments against them in prisons, without motive, and force them to sign documents that implicate them in acts of which they are totally innocent," said the British NGO. "These documents are used as the only forms of evidence and are confessions obtained under torture," added Adala UK. The NGO cited many testimonies to which it has had access, including through interviews with detainees, current and ex-prisoners of conscience as well as testimonies of family members of victims. Moroccan agents use many instruments of physical and psychological torture against Sahrawi detainees, like denial of family visits, submerging the head in buckets of water, sleep deprivation, restrictions on food and drink, and access to healthcare, said Adala UK "Morocco has gravely infringed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment," added the British NGO. Adala UK recalled the visit of United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez to Morocco and Western Sahara in September 2012. Mendez "signalled that public prosecutors and judges rarely investigate complaints which allege the use of torture to obtain evidence or confessions during the early stages of interrogations," said the NGO. (SPS) 062/090/700 Shaheed El-Hafed (Refugee Camps), Feb 25, 2017 (SPS) - The President of the Republic and Secretary - General of the Polisario Front, Brahim Gali, received a congratulatory message from the President of Panama, Juan Carlos Varela Rodriguez, on the occasion of the 41st Anniversary of the proclamation of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). "On the occasion of the 41 years of the proclamation of the independence of the Saharawi people, I am pleased to present to you, my most cordial and affectionate congratulations," said the Panamanian president in his message to the Saharawi president. The Panamanian leader expressed to President Gali his interest in continuing the friendship and cooperation ties between the two countries. (SPS) 062/090/700 Shaheed El-Hafed, 25 Feb 2017 (SPS) The new UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, received Friday at the UN headquarters in New York, the representative of the Polisario Front, Boukhari Ahmed, who handed him an "urgent" from the President of the Republic, Brahim Ghali, indicated a staement of the Ministry of Information. The message of the President of the Republic related to "the real risk that may result from the persistence of the blockage of the peace process by Morocco and the tense situation on the ground following the Moroccan provocations in the zone of El Guergarat ", Southwestern Western Sahara, according to the statement. Mr. Ghali said in his message to the UN chief that "the responsibility for any escalation of the crisis in El Guergarat is incumbent on Morocco" for its intransigence and its challenge to international legality. (SPS) 062/090/TRA STAMFORD You may see Rabbi Daniel Cohen, who serves at the orthodox synagogue Temple Agudath Sholom, around town more often these days. The 49-year-old city resident, who last month published his first book, What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?: Creating a Life of Legacy, has been making the rounds at places like Beldottis Bakery in Springdale and the Starbucks in Ridgeway Plaza as part of his campaign to carry out small acts of kindness. In this question and answer session, Cohen discusses the concept of personal impact as a focus of his ministry and the book in trying to inspire others to live a more fulfilling life. 1) How did you come to write the book? Was there a personal or professional experience that spurred you to use the idea of mortality to motivate oneself? On a personal level, I confronted mortality at a very young age when my mom passed away suddenly from a brain aneurysm at the age of 44. My world was devastated, and it really gave me pause to think about the fragility of life and that every day is a gift. When I entered my 40s, the genesis of this book happened. I started to think about the legacy I wanted to leave and how do I make the most of every day I related to [my mother] in a whole different way. More Information What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?: Creating a Life of Legacy Author: Rabbi Daniel Cohen Published in 2017 by Health Communications, Inc. Price: $15.95 in paperback at Barnes & Noble See More Collapse 2)What does it mean in the book when you discuss reverse engineering your life to ensure it has more purpose and impact? In life, we often only come to terms with our goals when we have an inner earthquake, when things arent what wed hoped and we ask, Are we really doing what we need to do? In the book I take (people) on a journey based on seven principles gleaned from professional experience, personal experience, wisdom from all faiths, things in the news to help people get practical tools to live with that awareness of their prototype on a regular basis. 3)What is the concept of The Elijah Moment campaign and how did you arrive at the idea of using him as the embodiment for your philosophy of good deeds? I call the phenomena of two souls passing, yet connecting for eternal impact, The Elijah Moment based on an idea in Jewish mysticism. Elijah is a prophet who seems, at least in Jewish mysticism and the Bible, to appear to give you a helping hand and try to extend himself to be the right person at the right place to give you the spiritual boost you need. The idea came from a lot of experiences officiating funerals and rooted in the standing room only phenomenon. You have people in the room who, if you asked the deceased who they were, or the other people there, they couldnt identify who the individual is. Those people are there because of a moment in time when the deceased person reached out and offered some light and love and made an eternal impact on that person. When we realize the impact we can have in somebodys dark corner of the world we can lead a much more fulfilling and significant life. If we have an opportunity to give somebody a boost, a smile, pay for their coffee, buy them groceries or tie their shoe at that moment we are literally serving as Gods ambassadors to bring light to the world. 4) In the book, you talk about meditative moments and their importance to happiness. What are some ways to find the space to get perspective and meditate when youre busy? Im a big proponent of the Sabbath whether youre Jewish or not. Taking 24 or 25 hours to turn off your devices and spend time with those who are closest to you. Inviting people over. Its a great way to turn off the outside world and turn on your inner world. Every human being is endowed with a homing device, a spark that says: I want meaning. I want love. I want to live my life based on the values that are deepest to me. The problem is, we live at such a frantic pace with so many distractions and noise that we dont have the quiet time, or sacred space, to listen to the voice inside us. The only way to lead a life of alignment is to have meditative moments on a daily basis. Either when you wake up in the morning, or when you go to sleep, you create time to reflect on that prototype and who you want to be. Does my schedule reflect where my priorities are? Spend 15 minutes in the morning journaling about what youre grateful for. In the evening, take an accounting of how you spent your time. Whose day did you touch today? But the only way it ever happens is scheduling this into your calendar. By Press Trust of India: ambulances Lucknow, Feb 25 (PTI) The Uttar Pradesh government has covered the word "Samajwadi" written on 1,488 ambulances under its Samajwadi Swasthya Seva initiative as per the directive of the Election Commission. Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pandey said a decision in this regard was taken following a complaint. "The ECI has instructed the CEO office to ensure the implementation of its order. So far, Samajwadi word written on 1,488 ambulances have been covered," he said. advertisement Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa, the free-of-cost and round-the-clock emergency ambulance service, was launched in the state by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. On receiving a call on toll-free number 108, an ambulance reaches the patient within 20 minutes and the patient is provided medical aid before being shifted to a hospital, under the initiative. PTI NAV SRY --- ENDS --- T he world is an increasingly turbulent and divided place. After Brexit, President Trump and the continued rise of populist politics it often seems like there is more that divides than unities us. But, in reality, nothing could be further from the truth. For those of us who believe in community, internationalism, and celebrating our differences, our response to these new challenges has to be a renewed focus and celebration of what unites us. Its up to us to prove that the best answer to economic change is openness rather than isolationism. To prove that community is stronger when we encourage diversity. And to prove that the best way of achieving our ambitions is by working together, in solidarity with people of open hearts and open minds across the world. The Salesman - Trailer And on Sunday, in London, we will be doing just that by hosting a free public screening in Trafalgar Square of the Oscar-nominated film The Salesman, which is in the running to win best foreign language film. Directed and produced by Asghar Farhadi an Academy Award-winner and legend of Iranian cinema the film is being shown the same night as the Oscars ceremony on the other side of the Atlantic. Sadly, Farhadi, who had originally planned to attend the ceremony, will not be there because he was one of those affected by President Trumps attempts to ban citizens of seven Muslim majority counties from entering the US. While Farhadis absence at the Oscars is a great shame, Im proud that we will be staging the UK public premiere of his latest work. This will not only be a celebration of film and the power of great cinema, but a celebration of London - who we are as a city, our culture and our amazing creative industries. Above all, it will be a great opportunity to showcase how London is an international hub of creativity and a global beacon for openness and diversity. Londons culture and creative industries are a crucial part of the capitals economy and identity, and we should remember that our citys success has always relied on talented, creative and innovative people from around the world coming to live and work here. From film to fashion, dance to design, our culture adds so much value to the lives of millions of Londoners and, in many ways, is the embodiment of how London is open to the world. When I speak before the screening in Trafalgar Square, I plan to make clear that, just as everyone can enjoy the beauty of a great film, everyone is welcome in London regardless of their faith, nationality or background. At times like these, it is important that we stand in solidarity with people like Farhadi, as well as with citizens from around the world who are affected by any form of discrimination based solely on their religion, country of origin, or birthplace. History teaches us that countries, societies and economies that are open and outward-looking are not only culturally richer, but perform better economically. No-one would dispute that Londons success over many hundreds of years has been underpinned by its openness to trade and business and its welcoming attitude to pioneering people. While intolerance and division might be on the rise in some parts of the world, unity knows no borders. And in London, Im proud that we are open to those from all corners of the world, regardless of the colour of their skin, the colour of their passports or the colour of their national flags. R are Super 8 footage of Brixton in the sixties and during the aftermath of the 1981 Brixton Riots is to be screened at a gallery in Old Street. Self-taught filmmaker and Pentecostal preacher Clovis Salmon began filming Brixton in 1959, documenting the community's church, activism and struggles with racism. Salmon was among the first generation of migrants from the West Indies to the UK, and arrived in London in November 1954. Having run his own bike shop in Jamaica, he working repairing bicycles at Holdsworth Cycle Co. in London and earned the nickname Sam the Wheels. Brixton in 1981, following the riots / Autograph ABP/Clovis Salmon Armed with a hidden camera, Salmon documented the aftermath of the Brixton Riots on April 10 to 12, 1981. The extraordinary footage provides a unique insider account of the riots and a look into south London life from the sixties to eighties. Aftermath of the Brixton Riots / ABP Autograph/Clovis Salmon Black and white youths were fighting with the police and petrol bombs were being thrown everywhere, said Salmon. No one on Railton Road felt safe in their beds, and my place was evacuated that Friday night when the riots kicked off. Rare footage of Brixton market from 1960s to 1970s Nine films will be screened at the Autograph ABP gallery, including footage of Brixton market, a local wedding, a church choir and preacher, and Brixton Road. Rare footage of Brixton Road 1960s to 1970s Watch the videos above for a sneak preview of the rare footage to be screened at Rivington Place until April 22, 2017. M illions of revellers will take to the streets of Rio de Janeiro today as the worlds biggest carnival gets underway in the Brazilian city. While some party-goers chose last night to relax last night in preparation for the biggest celebrations - which will happen tonight (February 25) - many took advantage of the public holiday by raising an early Caipirinha to a weekend of parades, samba dancing and plenty of beer drinking. These days we associate carnival with its colourful costumes, thousands of sparkles and itsy bitsy bikinis. But has it always been this way? The tradition of Carnival was first introduced by the Portuguese in 1723. Early iterations of the event generally involved people soaking each other in the streets with buckets of water and throwing mud and food, which often ended up in street brawls and riots. Not quite the glamorous event we know today. By the 1850s socialites had cottoned on to the trend, using it as an excuse to dress up in masks and costumes and parade through the town among the commoners. A decade later, street parades with horse drawn floats and military bands were the center of focus of the carnival, setting the tone for future carnivals to come. Fast forward to the 1960s, and the festivity, which this year takes place every February, had evolved into one of the biggest parties in the world. Carnival has long been the place to don an outrageous costume, paint your face and shrug off your inhibitions, and our gallery showcases some of the best costumes from the festivities over the past 60 years - as well as some spectacular floats, bucket loads of feathers and a lot of glitter. In preparation for the party, take a look through a brief history of Rios namesake street party above. H arvey Milk was assassinated in 1978 after becoming the first openly gay person to run and be elected to major public office in the United States. He became a LGBT icon in the 1970s when running for public office as an openly gay man in San Francisco but faced fierce homophobic opposition and received regular death threats. On November 27, 1978, former city Supervisor Dan White snuck into City Hall and killed Milk and Mayor George Moscone, who had supported Milks appointment to public office. Milk predicted his own assassination and recorded a message he wished to be played out upon his death which said: If a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door. Harvey Milk / Getty Images The jury found Dan White non-guilty of first-degree murder and he was instead convicted of voluntary manslaughter, a verdict which sparked the historic White Night riots in San Francisco. Harvey Milks nephew, and gay rights activist, Stuart Milk, told to the Standard about his uncles legacy: Essentially my uncle was the first openly gay person to run and be elected to major public office in the United States. His election really gave hope to people around the world. When he ran, it was illegal to be gay in the United States, and in California, and it was also considered a medical illness. They were still doing electric shock therapy. But here you had someone who wasnt just simply saying Im gay but he said: Im gay and Im asking other people to come out and Im not going to hide it, and you need to know who we are and we need to be visible. His message was that unless we were visible, we would never achieve any success in terms of our equalities. He knew that he was going to be assassinated. He was only in office for 11 months but he knew he was going to be assassinated because he got death threats every single day. In fact, we keep copies of some of these death threats because many of these were not even anonymous they were signed. He didnt know who and he didnt know when but he knew he was going to be killed. Stuart Milk, Harvey's nephew So it wasnt Sean Penn and it wasnt Hollywood that came up with that recording, he actually did record that if he is shot, let this message be played: let the bullets that smash through my brain, smash through every closet door. He was hoping that would be the last violence that would be perpetrated against the LGBT community and that that be a wake-up call that we have to be visible, and that really was it was a turning point in point in the United States. There was an amazing candle lit vigil that was spontaneous the night that he was killed, where 40,000 San Franciscans came out with candles in silence. Complete silence. 'The night of gay rage' / Getty Images It was one of the most eloquent responses to violence that any community has ever done. A year later, the person who assassinated my uncle was found not guilty of murder even though he snuck into City Hall. The jury cried not for my uncle, but for Dan White because he was portrayed as a good Catholic Christian, former policeman, former fireman, who killed a gay person. It was called the night of gay rage. San Francisco lost most of its police cars, City Hall was attacked, people were angry. Harvey Milk / Getty Images My uncle wouldnt have wanted violence to have followed in anything that he did but that was another wake-up call that our justice system was just if you looked a certain way, if you behaved a certain way, or if you were of a certain colour. So that also created tremendous change. A man is fighting for life after a double stabbing on a north London street. Police were called to reports of two stabbings in Upper Street, Islington, at around 12.40am on Saturday. Officers raced to the scene alongside paramedics while Londons Air Ambulance also landed nearby. A man, believed to be 28, was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries, police say. Knife attack: A teenager was also injured Paramedics also treated a 17-year-old boy for stab injuries. His condition is not thought to be life-threatening. Police at the scene in Upper Street / N.Sky Part of Upper Street near Highbury Corner was closed off as police carried out their investigations overnight. Photos showed forensics officers working on a section of road outside the Be At One bar on Upper Street. A neighbour told the Standard: "Apparently the person was stabbed near the town hall and made their way down Upper Street. "They then collapsed near the bar and that's where the medical team worked on them." A spokesman for the Met Police said: Police were called by London Ambulance Service at around 12:40am on Saturday, 25 February, to reports of a stabbing on Upper Street. Shortly after this police were alerted to a second stabbing victim also on Upper Street. He said: There have been no arrests at this time and an investigation into the incidents is ongoing. Anyone with information should call police in Islington via 101 or by tweeting @MetCC. To give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimstoppers-uk.org T wo Londoners, including a man who photographed himself draped in the black flag of Isis, have been jailed for terror offences. Mohammed Mayow, and 21-year-old Mohanned Jasim were arrested at Dover Eastern Docks by police as they were trying to leave the UK. Mayow, 23, had tweeted internet links to material related to Islamic State as well as a message which read: "I can't wait for the day we fight AmeriC***S". Mayow, of Dorset Avenue, Hayes, eventually admitted six counts of distributing a terrorist publication. Jasim, of Montague Street, Southall, pleaded guilty to publishing a statement to encourage others to commit an act of terrorism. Terror: Mohanned Jasim and Mohammed Mayow were caught trying to leave the UK / Thames Valley Police He had also shared tweets encouraging terrorism. On Friday, Mayow was jailed for five years and two months, while Jasim was handed a two-year sentence. Detective Superintendent Ian Hunter, Head of Investigations for the South East Counter Terrorism Unit (SECTU), said: This has been a detailed investigation, which has led to the defendants pleading guilty in light of the weight of evidence against them. These arrests were a direct result of good work by Kent Police officers at the Port of Dover who intervened to stop them leaving the country. Whilst we cannot be certain exactly where Mayow and Jasim were heading or what they intended to do, the subsequent investigation enabled these offences to be identified and todays sentences reflect the seriousness of sharing extremist material. M Ps have given their support to a Londoner who suffers from lyme disease who is campaigning for greater awareness. Rhiannon Collins, 23, of Erith, said she wants doctors to be more aware of the disease after claiming it took them 16 years to diagnose her condition which she said had stripped away her dignity. In recent weeks dozens of MPs from all parties have expressed their support for the government to reassess NHS treatment of Lyme disease, with many calling for an All-Party Parliamentary Group to be formed. The disease, a bacterial infection spread to humans by infected ticks, can be cured if caught early but if left untreated can cause heart problems, as well as swellings in joints leaving some people unable to move. It also on the up with the number of UK cases of Lyme disease quadrupling in the 12 years to 2013, according to NHS data. Michelle Donelan, MP for Chippenham, who suffers from Lyme disease herself, has offered to chair the group saying it needed to raise awareness of what is a hugely complex area of medicine and look at a treatment plan for Lyme disease in the UK. Ms Collins, who contracted Lyme aged four while visiting a deer park in Kent, said at one stage her pain was unbearable to the point she thought she was dying. I wrote my will. Id sort of accepted it. I thought thats it, Im done she said I was screaming, crying, sobbing. It was bone, joint and muscle pain. If anyone touched my skin it was absolute agony. I couldnt get out of bed. I had severe neurological problems. I couldnt remember my name I couldnt remember my friends names. She said her childhood had been relatively normal but the stress and new environment of university triggered her rapid decline. We know stress affects the immune system and I was excited but I was stressed about going to university. I managed to go to one freshers event and then I majorly crashed she said, It was absolute massive pain. I couldnt move and there was pain throughout the whole of my body. Ms Collins spent most of the next two years bedbound unable to do anything for herself. From being independent to not being able to wash myself or go to the toilet alone, they didnt know what was wrong with me so they thought I was dying she said, adding I couldnt swallow, I couldnt eat, my mum had to feed me. No one at that age wants to be fed, no one wants to sit on a commode toilet. It was only aged 20 that doctors finally diagnosed her with Lyme disease and though she is much better than she was three years ago, she says she still struggles to leave the house. Sometimes my friends come and drive me around with them, propped up with lots of pillows. But the last time I went to the pub was last Christmas and I was so ill afterwards for about four months. I completely crashed. Ms Collins, who has spent all her and her mothers savings on treatment, hopes the parliamentary group will make a difference. I just want the cycle to stop. If doctors are trained adequately then Lyme can be caught early and it doesnt have to get to this point. It doesnt have to ruin peoples lives. If I could get help on the NHS if other people could get help on the NHS instead of people having to re-mortgage their homes or set up go-fund me pages, it would just be amazing. G enerous donors have pledged 60,000 to buy another day of life for a young woman who was told by doctors that her cancer treatment had stopped working. Anastasia Leslie, 29, was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer in January 2015 when she was just 27. The real estate worker realised there was something wrong when flights between her native Russia and the UK for work put pressure on a tumour and left her in agony. She was rushed to hospital with her now-husband Stewart by her side suffering severe stomach pains and weeks later received the devastating diagnosis. Wedding day: Anastasia and Stewart Leslie (Anastasia Leslie) / Anastastia Leslie Despite getting the all clear after having her left ovary removed and undergoing a course of chemotherapy, Mrs Leslies cancer returned a year later. And, in January this year she was told by medics at the Royal Marsden in West Brompton that treatment was no longer working. She told the Standard: When they told me it really knocked me back. Its not something you expect to here. I want to live. When you get the news, all your life dreams come crashing down but the hardest of all was the fact that I will never be able to have children of my own. It's like running into a brick wall at 120mph." Young couple: Anastasia and Stewart Leslie with Barley the beagle / Anastasia Leslie Mrs Leslie and her husband married in Turkey in September 2015 after he proposed on a ferris wheel in Nottingham. She added: We were living in Nottingham with Stewarts parents at the time and we had been to see a film. We have a tradition where we go on a ferris wheel in every city we visit and he was asking me to go on but because of the treatment I was tired and didnt want to go. He convinced me and on the second lap he was down on one knee, and I said yes. "I didn't expect to be married so soon but it made sense. Exploring together: Anastasia and Stewart enjoy travelling together / Anastasia Leslie The couple, who live in Earls Court, with beagle Barley, are now battling to save Mrs Leslies life with targeted chemotherapy, available in Germany. The treatment, which pinpoints weak spots in tumours, will cost around 120,000, including travel costs. In a bid to raise the cash Mrs Leslie set up an online gofundme page asking friends and family to buy a day of her life. She wrote: Think about if you were told your life is ending, how much would you pay for another 100 years of life, how much is another decade worth to you? How much would you part with for another year of your life? If you could buy one more month or one more day, what would it be worth to you? A day doesn't seem long but when you don't want to die it's the most priceless thing in the world If you are a billionaire you would pay hundreds of millions or maybe even a billion...or if you are homeless you would give your last penny...if you had nothing you would give your clothes or your hair...your two front teeth... Generous donors have pledged 60,000 in just six days to help Mrs Leslie live. She said: I didnt expect it at all. I am so so grateful, it is overwhelming and so encouraging. The couple will travel to Germany for Mrs Leslie to undergo a biopsy later this month before embarking on potentially life-saving treatment. To donate click here. For more information on ovarian cancer click here. S adiq Khan has said he was not accusing the Scottish National Party of racism after comments he made about nationalism sparked a fierce row. The Mayor of London has tried to calm the outrage ignited by his claim there is no difference between nationalists and people who divide us on the basis of our background, race or religion. His comments, published in a trail of his speech to the Scottish Labour conference in Perth, were branded spectacularly ill-judged by Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon. But the London mayor has since insisted he was "not saying that nationalists are somehow racist or bigoted". The Mayor of London arrives for the second day of the Scottish Labour Party Conference. / PA Shortly before delivering his speech to the Scottish Labour conference on Saturday, Mr Khan told the BBC: "Of course I am not saying that the SNP are racists or bigots. "What I am saying is that the world is increasingly divided by Brexit result and the election of President Trump, with the rise of populist and narrow nationalist parties across the world, now is the time to come together, now is the time for unity, not a time for division or isolation." Mayor of London Sadiq Khan: 'Trump's ban is cruel and shameful" SNP leader Mrs Sturgeon had taken to social media to say although she was a "big admirer" of the London mayor, "today's intervention is spectacularly ill-judged". In an interesting turn of events, an elephant destroyed a railway crossing in Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. Much to the shock of the locals, the pachyderm ran amok destroying two of the barriers at the crossing signal. By Manogya Loiwal : The residents of Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal witnessed a rather unusual incident. An elephant that went astray, trampled on a railway crossing signal. The elephant approached the first barrier which he pulled hard, to cross the railway track, and crush the second barrier on the opposite side of the track. Photo Credits: Rajen Pradhan Eyewitnesses claimed that the elephant rammed into the boom barriers installed at the crossing. Photo Credits: Rajen Pradhan advertisement The locals said the elephant found itself stranded near the crossing. Visibly annoyed, it pulled one of the barriers and was later seen trampling on it. Photo Credits: Rajen Pradhan Train services on the route were not disrupted as the elephant had left the scene soon after trampling over the barriers. Locals, however, said that a train went past soon after the mammal left, thereby averting a major disaster. Photo Credits: Rajen Pradhan The elephant was from Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary area. Estimates say there are over 160 elephants in Gorumara and Chapramari area. The tusk-less male elephants are known as 'Makhnas'. These elephants are known to be wild and are often spotted astray in the woods. --- ENDS --- P olice have insisted they made an appropriate decision when Tasering a blind man after mistaking his cane for a gun. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said the blind man was thought to be "acting in an agitated manner and, in the dark, the folded cane appeared to be a gun". Police were called to reports of a man with a gun on Albert Road, Levenshulme, on Thursday shortly after 6.40pm. Armed response officers attended, a Taser was deployed and a 43-year-old man was detained. Mr Shewan said: "An officer decided that in the circumstances, and to ensure the safety of the man and public, he should deploy a Taser. "An initial review of the incident leads us to believe the experienced firearms officers carried out a suitable risk assessment and, with the information he had available at the time, made what appeared to be an appropriate decision. "The man was uninjured during the incident and today officers have been with him, and have now apologised for what happened. "The man has accepted our apology and does not wish to make a complaint however we will continue to review the situation. "Our officers have explained why a Taser was deployed and the man acknowledged that his behaviour could have led to people being concerned. "We regret that a Taser was used on an unarmed person and will continue to review our training in light of this incident." In 2012, a blind man was tasered in Lancashire after his white stick was mistaken for a Samurai sword. The man was walking in Chorley town centre on the way to meet friends at a pub when he was tasered and then handcuffed. Shopkeeper Tasawar Dar, who runs the Discount Master convenience store on Albert Road in Levenshulme, told the Manchester Evening News he saw armed police arriving at the scene. He said: "I heard the police here and they shouted, 'lie down on the ground', and there was the bark of a dog as well. "I saw a guy sitting on the stairs of the station and a police officer came into the shop asking for a can of Coke. I thought it was for him, they went out and gave it to the guy. "They made him sit on the stairs. He looked to be a reasonable person. "The police were all armed. They had pistols rather than the big guns." Amnesty International UK's head of policy and government affairs, Allan Hogarth, said the incident was "extremely disturbing". He said: "The Taser is a potentially lethal weapon which should be used only in a strictly limited set of circumstances, namely a threat to life or the risk of very serious injury. "We're calling for police officers to undergo rigorous training which takes into account how to respond to people in vulnerable groups, including the visually impaired." Sally Harvey, chief executive of Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB), said: "We were shocked to hear that Greater Manchester Police has tasered a man, said to have sight loss, because of confusion over his folding cane. "Blind and partially sighted people who use canes do so to help them safely navigate their way around and they do not expect to be tasered by the police. "This is not the first such incident and the impact of this type of incident for all blind and partially sighted people cannot be underestimated." A pensioner has died and two others injured after an attacker ploughed a car into pedestrians in a busy square in Germany. The man, who was believed to be carrying a knife, was shot by police after the attack in the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday. Police spokeswoman Anne Baas said one of the three people struck outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon was a pensioner and was seriously hurt. The elderly victim, who was a German 73-year-old man, later died of his injuries. Investigators at the scene in Heidelberg. / AFP/Getty Images The suspect - thought to be a 35-year-old German - reportedly fled before being found by a police patrol. He was then shot by an officer following a short stand-off. Police said the suspect was taken to hospital and underwent an operation. Police vehicle and ambulance stand in front of a business building in Heidelberg. / AFP/Getty Images Two other victims, a 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old Bosnian woman, were also hurt. Another police spokesperson, Norbert Schaetzle, told local TV media a terrorist background is not suspected. Prosecutors and police believe the man appears to have acted alone. A s Hollywood prepared for the Oscars on Sunday celebrities such as Jodie Foster and Michael J Fox rallied in Beverly Hills against the current anti-immigration sentiment" in the United States. Top talent firm United Talent Agency (UTA) organised the rally, which was attended by over a thousand people, instead of holding their annual Oscars party. Ms Foster told the crowd the assaults on freedom of expression and civil liberties was a start of an attack on democracy, saying "this is our time to resist." She said she has never been comfortable using her public face for activism and has always found the small ways to serve, but that this year is different. "It's time to show up. It's a singular time in history. It's time to engage" she said, "and as the very, very dead Frederick Douglass once said `any time is a good time for illumination."' Plea: Jodie Foster / Getty Images Other speakers included Keegan-Michael Key who said the event was intended to "support the creative community's growing concern with anti-immigration sentiment in the United States of America and its potential chilling effect on the global exchange of ideas, not to mention freedom of expression." He welcomed all, including a handful of Trump supporters, because he said "this is America, where you get to believe what you want." One Trump supporter walked through the crowd in a Make America Great Again hat early on saying "you're not going to block me." For the most part, however, the crowd was subdued, civil and attentive to the celebrity speakers. Michael J. Fox, who became a United States citizen some 20 years ago, remembered being annoyed at the 8-year process to citizenship and now wonders what he was complaining about. Turning immigrants away, Mr Fox said, is "an assault on human dignity." The Oscar-nominated Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi also spoke via video from Tehran to praise the show of unity among the cinema community. Mr Farhadi previously said he would boycott Sunday's ceremony as a result of President Donald Trump's Muslim travel ban. "It is comforting to know that at a time when some politicians are trying to promote hate by creating divisions between cultures, religions and nationalities, the cinema community has joined the people in a common show of unity to announce its opposition," Mr Farhadi said. "I hope this unity will continue and spread to fight other injustices." David Miliband, the former British foreign secretary and current head of International Rescue Committee also spoke at the rally. Mr Miliband said: "The executive order that was published in Washington three weeks ago was one story of America. Today, this rally in Hollywood is telling another story. "It's a story of humanity, a story of reason, a story of patriotism." UTA previously announced that it was donating 200,600 to the ACLU and the International Rescue Committee and has set up a crowd funding page to solicit more donations. H ollywood is gearing up for one of the most important nights in showbusiness. The red carpet will be rolled out on Sunday night for the 89th Academy Awards, where some of the biggest names in film will battle it out for the coveted gongs. Despite a focus on who will be crowned Best Actor or Actress, or which film will take home Best Picture, some of the biggest moments to define the ceremony have been stage invasions, statement gowns and hilarious red carpet tomfoolery. Ellen DeGeneres made a history in 2014 when she took an epic selfie which broke Twitter. Say cheese: Ellen DeGeneres broke Twitter with her epic selfie / Ellen DeGeneres Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyong'o, Kevin Spacey, Jared Leto and Channing Tatum joined her in the picture which was retweeted 3.3 million times. Leonardo DiCaprio also sent social media into meltdown when he was finally crowned Best Actor in 2016 after years of failing to pick up the honour. The actor melted the hearts of his fans when he was congratulated on his win by his friend and former Titanic co-star Kate Winslet. Finally: Leonardo DiCaprio won Best Actor in 2016 (Christopher Polk/Getty Images) / Getty Images Elizabeth Taylor was close to being overshadowed at the 1974 ceremony when Robert Opel ran naked across the stage. British star David Niven was building up to introduce the actress ahead of reading out the Best Picture winner, when Opel streaked across the stage leading Niven to quip: Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings? While Opel managed to run on stage, others have struggled with the stairs including Jennifer Lawrence, who famously fell over in 2013, and Cher, who tripped over her sheer gown and lost an earring in 1988. Other actors who made sure to stand out include Ben Stiller, who dressed up as an Avatar to present the Best Make-Up award in 2010, and South Park's Trey Parker and Matt Stone who channelled Jennifer Aniston and Gwenyth Paltrow in glamorous gowns. The 89th Academy Awards are on February 22. The aircraft ET8806, having 245 passengers and 10 crew members on board, landed safely at the airport. By Anindya Banerjee: An Ethiopian Boeing aircraft, en route from Mumbai to Kathmandu, made an emergency landing at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport this morning due to a technical snag in the aircraft. The incident took place a little after 10 am. The aircraft ET8806, having 245 passengers and 10 crew members on board, landed safely at the airport. IGI sources told India Today that the Delhi ATC announced a local standby for ET 8806 around 9 am. The flight made the emergency landing precisely at 10.03 am due to technical snag. advertisement All passengers are known to be safe. --- ENDS --- It operates and has powers similar to a police station. And of late, it has been trying to pull the state out of the abyss when it comes to the menace of female foeticide. By Dev Ankur Wadhawan: That Rajasthan has its own PCPNDT Bureau of Investigation is a fact not known to many. The desert state happens to be the first and only state in the country where the bureau was formed as per a Home ministry notification. It operates and has powers similar to a police station. And of late, it has been trying to pull the state out of the abyss when it comes to the menace of female foeticide, sex selective abortions and sex determination. advertisement "PCPNDT Bureau of Investigation was formed by a notification of the Home department and its main target was to look at integration of reports and the problems that occur in investigation in different stations with regard to offences in connection with the PCPNDT. This was formed as a police station and the chairperson of the state appropriate authority was made the head of this bureau. And it has the same power as does a police station, of IPC and CrPC. And in this along with PCPNDT, MTP and Magical Drugs Remedies Act, they were empowered in connection with that," says Naveen Jain, MD, National Health Mission. Sex selective abortion -- a lucrative business Sex determination and sex selective abortion have been a lucrative business in several parts of Rajasthan for at least the last couple of decades now. Hundreds of registered and unregistered practitioners, touts, midwives, ANMs have allegedly been chipping away at parents only too willing to go to any length in their preference for the male child. As per 2011 figures available with India Today, in 18 districts of Rajasthan, the Child Sex Ratio (CSR) was less than 900. That includes Jaisalmer, Tonk, Jodhpur, Bharatpur, Karauli and even the state capital, Jaipur. In two districts, Sikar and Jhunjhunu, which fall in the red zone as per 2011 figures, the CSR was less than 850. The crisis - like situation in several parts necessitated the formation of such a bureau with powers to conduct investigations and make arrests in any part of the country as a part of its continuous investigations. Also read: Law to curb female foeticide turns into farce "The biggest benefit we have now is that we are not letting the people get out on bail for a long time or when the charge sheets are getting made, they are being formed very well. And we have been able to defend our case very well. And the conviction rate is also very good. Conviction is happening in old cases as well and my belief is in the cases now as well, conviction will be very high. Rajasthan is the only state where this initiative has been taken, where a bureau has been formed, where the entire modalities have been worked out and with the help of judiciary, the way good conviction rate is happening today and we have been successful in keeping people in for a long time, my belief is Rajasthan is unique in itself," adds Jain. advertisement In its initial years, it had very little achievement to boast about. But, in the current financial year, it has taken some good strides in an attempt to curb the menace of sex determination and sex selective abortions. The Bureau, formed as per the notification of Home Department of Rajasthan Government in 2012, has been facing the challenges posed by deceptive touts and an intricate web of doctors and middlemen. It has the authority to carry out investigations, to make arrests in states other than Rajasthan as well. In financial year 2016-17, it carried out 30 successful operations. Out of that, 20 were in Rajasthan whereas the remaining 10 involved inter- state investigations including those in UP, Haryana and Gujarat. The powers vested in the Bureau have allowed it to take good strides recently in the fight against sex selective abortions and sex determination. Also read: SC accuses Google, Microsoft, Yahoo for posting foetal-sex test ads The task of this Bureau is not just to catch hold of doctors, nurses, ANMs, touts, brokers involved in the criminal act of sex determination and sex selective abortion but to also prepare a tight case against them, to produce them in Court and also secure conviction against them. advertisement "See, in Rajasthan, when an informer gives us information that sex determination or sex selective abortion is happening, we slowly approach the person whose reference we get and we convince that person that we are interested in sex determination or sex selective abortion. That person investigates us fully for which we are already prepared. After that, wherever that person calls us, we prepare a decoy pregnant woman. Along with her, an assistant is also sent. After that, as soon as we get the hint that there actually is a machine, there is a registered or unregistered practitioner who is doing this work, our team immediately raids them and arrests them, and the machine is sealed and the entire procedure is carried out as it should happen under an Act or Criminal Act. If we get information that any act is happening outside our state, then we directly inform the people there, that such act is happening at a centre of yours, people keep on sending such information to us through letters. But, where a decoy planted by me or the tout whom my team is chasing, then if our team is chasing that person and if that person goes to another state, then, our team will, with the information of local authority, do this act. And this has benefitted us. In Mathura and Agra in particular, in Gujarat and Haryana, in Narnaul etc., we met some people who are doing this work crossborder," says Naveen Jain, secretary and MD, NHM. advertisement How PCPNDT Bureau of Investigation works However, while the decoy operations are underway, officers of the Bureau are well aware of the risks involved, including that to their lives. On several occasions, those allegedly involved in illegal practices tried attacking those involved in the operations. "After going to other states, the problem that is sometimes faced is, the PCPNDT Bureau of Investigation station has been established in Rajasthan only, its nowhere else. So, there is a situation of confusion amongst people there. There all medical people work, arrests do not happen. Do not arrest. They say, produce before the local magistrate here. There, disagreement happens. Had to face lot of protest at two places in Gujarat. Had to do that in Agra as well. Had to do that in Haryana as well. They say that produce before our magistrate. Whereas, this being a continuous offence, where the offence originated in Rajasthan, we produce there before the magistrate or before the PCPNDT Judge. "In Gujarat, what happened was, they held us and our team for around six hours inside the station. The state government here made efforts and our officials made efforts," says Raghuveer Singh, incharge, State PCPNDT Cell. The creation of the bureau and a robust team on the tail of conniving culprits has been giving sleepless nights to unscrupulous doctors, tours, middlemen and brokers not just in Rajasthan, but also in adjoining states such as Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. Whether it makes a substantial difference in the long run or not is something time can tell. --- ENDS --- A police spokesman said there were no signs that it was a terrorist attack. The suspect was seen getting out of the car with a knife and was later tracked down to near a swimming pool. By AP: A man drove a car into pedestrians in a central square in the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday, injuring three people, then fled and was shot after being tracked down by officers, police said. One of the victims later died. The man, who was driving a rental car, hit three people outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon. A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries in the evening at a local hospital. advertisement A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia were lightly injured. The driver, who is believed to have been carrying a knife, then got out of his car, police said. A short time later, he was intercepted by a police patrol and shot by an officer following a short standoff. The suspect, a 35-year-old German whose identity wasn't released, was taken to a hospital and underwent an operation. There was no immediate word on the man's possible motives, where he came from or his condition in the hospital. Police and prosecutors said that there are no indications of any terrorist background and the man appears to have acted alone. Also read: Kansas City shooting: Wife of killed Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla asks 'do we belong here' Also read: China: 10 killed in fire at a luxury hotel in Nanchang city --- ENDS --- CHADRON Chadron State College will host the first-ever Nebraska Court of Appeals session in the Panhandle when the court convenes at the Student Center Tuesday, April 11. The court is inviting college students and area high school classes to attend the session, beginning at 9:30 a.m. It is also open to the general public and will be broadcast online at chadronstate.tv. A three-judge panel consisting of Chief Judge Frankie Moore and Judges Everett Inbody and Francie Riedmann is expected to hear arguments in three or four cases in the half-day session. (Moore) is hoping to pick two criminal cases, a juvenile case and a civil case, said CSC Justice Studies professor Dr. Lisette Leesch. We hope to have summaries of the cases as something to use with students, so professors and classes can maximize the learning experience, she said. An announcement of the cases to be heard is expected in mid-March, Leesch said. Nebraskas Court of Appeals was created by a constitutional amendment approved in 1990. Its six judges, appointed by the governor, represent the states six judicial districts. The primary courtroom is in Lincoln, but the court, which is divided into three-member panels, sometimes travels to other cities to hear appeals. The court session at CSC resulted from a trip to Chadron in August by judges of the Nebraska Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals, who were visiting county courthouses across the state, Leesch said. Twelfth Judicial District Court Judge Russ Harford and CSCs Justice Studies staff encouraged Moore to consider having a session in Chadron. Everyone was working together saying Its time for you to come out to the Panhandle. Were excited to host you, Leesch said. The Chadron court session fits with goals of public accountability and strengthening citizen communication that are part of the strategic agenda for the states judicial system according to Justice Studies professor Mike Bogner. I often tell my students the courts only have any authority to the extent that they have legitimacy in the eyes of the public, he said. Clearly they recognize that and want to make themselves available. Leesch agreed. When they come here, its going to put a face on them and on our judicial system, she said. Acording to a press release from the Court of Appeals, this college campus initiative is intended to provide Nebraskans the opportunity to learn about the judicial branch, specifically the workings of the appellate level system. The court has previously held arguments in Peru, Lincoln, Kearney, Seward, Fremont and Crete. The appeals court now handles about 1,200 cases per year in which the actions of a lower trial court are challenged, but many are resolved by memorandum decisions and the court releases about 400 written opinions annually, according to Leesch. Cases are appealed based on the belief that some action of the lower court wasnt proper, explained Bogner. Whatever the nature (of the case), the argument is that the trial court did something wrong, he said. Its not just because you lost. The appeals court judges will have reviewed the lower court record of each case, and the written briefs of each side, before they hear arguments from lawyers during the court session at CSC. The lawyers will have a specified amount of time to present their arguments and may be questioned by the judges during the hearing. The court wont make an immediate judgement on the cases, but will deliberate later and assign one member to write the decision reached by a majority vote. Written decisions arent published in all cases, but those that are will be released online. A special feature of the session in Chadron is an open question and answer period for students and members of the public after the court adjourns. This will be refreshing; to find out whats on the publics mind and the students minds, Leesch said. We are very excited to see the openness of the court. Bogner thinks hosting the appeals court on campus provides CSC students an opportunity to get a real-life view of the justice system. Its just academic until you see it in action, he said. I think they will find out that judges are real people too and they will get to listen to lawyers make their arguments, instead of just reading about it. The appeals court session also gives local citizens a chance to see how the judicial system works. Most of us have theoretical knowledge about the working of the court, but its a rare opportunity for people in western Nebraska to see how the appellate court system in Nebraska works, Bogner said. They make civil law and criminal law, just like the legislature does, that governs everybody and it would be nice to see those people in action. In the first case, the AIU intercepted one passenger, Abdul Irshad Chelathadathil, a resident of Mallapuram in Kerala, who was coming from Sharjah by Air Arabia flight. He was hiding 10 gold bars of 10 tolas each totally weighing 1160 grams valued at Rs 35,82,080 lakh. By Virendrasingh Ghunawat: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs on Friday seized gold and currency notes worth Rs 1.77 crore at Chatrapati Shivaji International Airport in five different cases. In the first case, the AIU intercepted one passenger, Abdul Irshad Chelathadathil, a resident of Mallapuram in Kerala, who was coming from Sharjah by Air Arabia flight. He was hiding 10 gold bars of 10 tolas each totally weighing 1160 grams valued at Rs 35,82,080 lakh concealed in his undergarments. advertisement Also read: Bullion trader arrested for running smuggling 7,000 kgs of gold Irshad, who works as a casual labourer in his home town, was carrying the gold bars for a Dubai-based trader and was paid Rs 20,000 for it. In the second case, one Mohammed Iliyas Urmi Mugu, a resident Kasaragod in Kerala, had arrived from Dubai by Indigo flight with five gold bars of 10 tolas each totally weighing 580 grams valued at Rs 17,91,040 lakh concealed inside his rectum. Mohammad, aged 49 years, works as daily wage labourer. He was carrying the seized gold belonging to one Ayub of Dubai to be delivered in Mumbai. In the third gold smuggling case, one Turkish national passenger Gokhan Demir had arrived from Istanbul by Turkish Airlines. During examination, the AIU officials recovered three gold bars weighing 3 kgs valued at Rs 92,64,000 lakh. He had concealed these golds in stitched pouches of specially-made belt worn by him. Later, a woman passenger, Nayana Shantilal Ghaghada Shaikh, holding Kenyan passport was intercepted by AIU officers. Officers recovered seven crude bangles from her weighing 392 grams valued at Rs 12,10,500 lakh from her. In the fifth case, one Haresh Vashdev Kukreja, a resident Ulhasnagar in Mumbai, was held with US dollars 1400 and 95,000 Saudi Riyals equivalent to Rs 18,47,740. He had concealed the currency in his shoes. --- ENDS --- Donald Trumps victory in November came as a surprise to some, but not for his supporters across the heartland. Now those who carried the president to office aim to show the nation that Trump and his agenda still have their enthusiastic support. Main Street Patriots, created by Tea Party co-founder Debbie Dooley, has called for grassroots Trump supporters to host their own Spirit of America rallies in towns and cities across the U.S. on Feb. 27 and March 4. The location of the Scottsbluff rally will be at the northeast corner of the intersection of Avenue I and 27th Street, across from Kentucky Fried Chicken from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. These rallies are inclusive, non-partisan, and open to anyone supporting President Trump in his efforts to bring back manufacturing jobs to America, put the security of our nation ahead of political correctness, improve our infrastructure, revitalize the inner cities and secure our nations borders, Dooley said in a statement. Sara Ali, who is helping organize the Scottsbluff rally, said she heard about the nationwide rallies through Gab, a social media website she said is a conservative alternative to Twitter. She said she felt it would be great to help spread a positive message about the president, so she reached out to Main Street Patriots and had Scottsbluff listed on the website. Kolene Woodward, special assistant to the president of the Scotts Bluff County GOP, said her mom found the listing online and shed reached out to Ali to offer her assistance. Were a really conservative area, and I know a lot of people really support Trump here, Woodward said. I think its awesome when people like Sara take that baton and run with it, Woodward said. Were going to try and get the (WNCC) College Republicans involved, and hopefully, we have a big turn-out. Those interested in participating in the rally can show up at the location, or contact Woodward at kklswoodward@juno.com or Ali at sarailaliyah@gmail.com. Panhandle Equality Chair Jeff Leanna released a statement Thursday condemning the Trump administrations reversal of an Obama-era guidance allowing transgender students to use the bathroom that matches their gender identity. Panhandle Equality stands with our transgender children and strongly admonishes the White House, Department of Justice, and Department of Education decision to reverse the landmark Title IX guidance which protected the human rights of transgender students to use the bathroom which matches their gender identity, Leanna said in the statement. This cruel decision will lead to bullying and violence against our transgender youth. In Nebraska, there are no laws which specifically protect our LGBT children from bullying and violence. Gender identity is not protected by any laws in Nebraska, including hate crime laws. Let me be crystal clear, teen suicides will rise and children will die as a result of this decision. Former President Obama had issued the guidance to public schools last May, threatening to withhold funding for schools that did not comply. As a result, 23 states filed lawsuits, and White House spokesman Sean Spicer said during a press conference Wednesday that the administration was pressured to reverse the decision due to a pending U.S. Supreme Court case. Transgender is defined as a person whose gender identity is different from that typically associated with their assigned sex at birth. Gender identity is defined as each persons deeply felt, internal knowledge of their own gender. In 2015, 54 children and young adults committed suicide in Nebraska, and estimates provided by the Suicide Prevention Resource Center show that 40 percent of LGBT children have attempted suicide a rate four times higher than average for all children. The Nebraska chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union also issued a statement Thursday. Transgender students and their families are supported by many people in Nebraska, said Danielle Conrad, ACLU Nebraska executive director. The ACLU will work shoulder to shoulder with transgender students, their families, teachers, and school leaders to ensure all students have the opportunity to benefit from the great education provided by our Nebraska schools. Bills from Panhandle Senators Steve Erdman (Dist. 47) and Tom Brewer (Dist 43) were heard by the Legislatures Revenue Committee Friday. LB 602 Erdmans LB 602 seeks to change the way agricultural land is assessed in Nebraska. Under the bill, agricultural land valuations would change from a market based system to a productivity based system starting in 2019. Currently, 99 percent of agricultural land in each county is valued by the 1 percent of real-estate sales in that county, and this is wrong. Erdman told the committee. Erdman said the inspiration for the bill came from the protests he heard from farmers when he served as a Morrill County Commissioner. LB 602 would create a board of six people, appointed by the governor, who would then develop a set of information about crops grown in each county, the total acreage of those crops, and total income from those crops. They would use this information to get the average income per county, then divide that by a fixed capitalization rate. Erdman said he didnt want to encourage a devaluation of ag land, and said its not property tax relief The goal is to keep land values steady, Erdman said. But if you change the capitalization rate, it has a chance to fluctuate. Ken Herz testified in favor of LB 602 on behalf of the Nebraska Agriculture Leaders working group, which represents a collection of livestock and crop grower organizations around the state. Herz said that the state shifting to an income capitalization approach will put Nebraska in line with how agricultural land is valued in surrounding states. Dennis Donner, who worked for the Nebraska Department of Revenue for 48 years, also testified in favor of the bill. He said that in his last 20-years of service with the Department of Revenue was devoted to development of a sales file, which gave county assessors assistance when assessing land, but said the way the file is used has since morphed into something different. Donner said selling prices under the sales file had no linear relation to productivity, and that the wealthy buy ag land not because of the propertys potential productivity, but out of a desire to have a piece of the rock, which distorts the actual value of property. Donner said Erdmans methodology takes the subjectivity out of assessing the lands value. John Hansen, president of Nebraska Farmers Union, spoke in opposition to LB 602, and said that while Erdmans proposal and a similar proposal championed by Gov. Pete Ricketts last month were promising, ag land valuations are still going to be too high. Where we lost enthusiasm for LB 338 and LB 602 is if we use an alternative process to end up at the same place, Hansen said. ... Were still too high. LB 498 LB 498 is a small change to Nebraska homestead exemptions, but Brewer said its important. The Nebraska homestead exemption program is a property tax relief program for seven categories of homeowners, including persons over age 65, disabled individuals, and several classes of veterans and their widow(er)s. The state then reimburses counties for the reduction in tax revenue as a result. LB 499 would make homestead exemptions tied to the person who meets the eligibility, rather than their individual piece of property. Brewer said the bill is only five pages long, and seeks to fix arbitrary dates of occupancy for a property that are required under the current homestead law. Currently, the act punishes a person who picks the wrong time of year to sell their home and move, Brewer said. The homestead act is designed to protect individuals in seven categories, its not about the land. Greg Holloway, a Vietnam veteran from Bee, Nebraska, testified with an anecdote of a service connected disabled veteran who needed a home that was handicap accessible, but lost his exemption when he sold his previous dwelling to move into the new residence. Holloway said that LB 498 would also dovetail with LB 12, introduced by District 10 Sen. Bob Krist, which would clean up homestead exemption requirements for income statements and certifications of status. WASHINGTON Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts on Friday touted efforts to cut taxes back home when he appeared at a national conservative conference just outside the nations capital. Ricketts said the state will find a way to reduce taxes while providing essential services, including funding K-12 education, by approaching issues with a businesslike approach. Our mission statement is to create opportunities through more effective, more efficient and more customer-focused government, Ricketts told the Conservative Political Action Conference. Ricketts walked out to the Guns N Roses song Welcome to the Jungle, taking the same stage occupied just hours earlier by President Donald Trump. Ricketts praised Trumps selection of governors for his team, citing Vice President Mike Pence, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley, and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, who has been picked to be the ambassador to China. He also pointed to the pick of Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt to head the Environmental Protection Agency and noted that Nebraska had worked with Pruitt on suing various federal agencies, including the Education Department, Labor Department and EPA. Im so pleased with this administration so far, Ricketts said. Ricketts said that as he travels Nebraska he hears frustration that government isnt working. They see it in the mounting federal debt, the overregulation, the thousands of pages of rules, agencies that dont work, veterans that cant access services, Ricketts said. People want government to work. Thats all they want. And too often it doesnt. He drew parallels between his familys management of the World Series champion Chicago Cubs and efforts to improve operations of Nebraskas state government, such as faster processing of forms and helping the unemployed find new jobs. Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb issued a statement that criticized Ricketts and his tax plan. She said the governors tax proposal does not meet the needs of our students in public school and property owners. When I was a kid I wanted so badly to grow up and become an adult. I revolted, protested and threw plenty of tantrums in my attempt to convince my parents I was an adult. Watching all the protests, hearing the cries against President Donald Trump reminds me of those childhood days. All the protests are constitutional. However, I dont think those leading and taking part understand what will happy if they succeed. Many are protesting saying Donald Trump is not their President. They also are calling for him to resign. Others are calling for him to be impeached and forced out of office. Four years of protest will not return liberals to the White House, instead it will continue to widen our divide and ultimately destroy our country. Somehow, someway there needs to be settling down and an willingness, on all sides, to work together for the betterment of the whole country. In Mark 3:25 Jesus said, If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. The ancient Greek storyteller, Aesop, made a similar statement in his fable The Four Oxen, saying United we will stand, divided we will fall. We are drawing closer and closer to the latter. Many liberals would say, that is why President Trump should resign or be removed from office. Though this will probably never happed, what if they were to succeed and President Trump resigns. Or instead, he is impeached and forced to step down. Imagine with me what might happen if our 45th President walks out of the Oval Office, makes a farewell speech and departs as did our 37th President did on Aug. 9, 1974. Here is where I feel many of those demanding President Trump to resign dont understand what they will get if they succeed. When Richard Nixon was forced from office as a result of the fallout from the Watergate scandal George McGovern, the Democratic presidential candidate who lost to Nixon, did not become our 38th President. Instead, Nixons Vice-President Gerald Ford became the United States 38th President. On Nov. 8, 2016, Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate, lost the Presidential election. She may have won the popular vote, but not the electoral vote. You can blame the Russians, but she lost middle America. If President Trump leaves office before he finishes his four year term, there is no legal constitutional way for Hillary Clinton to succeed him. No matter how many protests there will be no special election. Christian conservative Vice-President Mike Pence will become the United States 46th President. As a true Republican, President Pence will unite the party. As a long time politician he will say and do all the right things, in the eyes of Republicans and many Independences. Americans leaning to the right will love him, rally around him and work together to get him reelected in 2020. Those who lean to left will not like him. He will stand firm against abortion, illegal immigration, entitlements, gun control, the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, and will become very hard to unseat in 2020. In between, unlike a conservative/liberal President Trump, the chances of the solid President Pence meeting liberals in the middle on any topic will be slim. Today, as an adult, with a job, mortgage, car payment, taxes and more on my to do list then I can get to, I wont mind being a kid again. Sometimes what you want, isnt always want it is cracked up to be, even when we think you know what is best. An Indian doctor, who was recently freed from the captivity of the most dreaded terror outfit - ISIS, recounted his harrowing experience to India Today. By Anindya Banerjee: Dr K Ramamurthy, an Indian doctor who was kidnapped in Libya two years ago by world's most dreaded terrorist organisation Islamic State, has been rescued by Indian security agencies. Ramamurthy was reportedly abducted by Islamic State militants in Libya nearly 18 months ago in surge area and was put behind bars. Later he was pressed into medical services. The doctor who hails from a village in Krishna district in Andhra Pradesh spoke exclusively to India Today before flying to Vijayawada to see his family. advertisement "They sent me to Sirte. Later realising my medical education can be put to use, they forced me to operate their soldiers. When I desisted, they shot me," says the doctor showing his hand that still has a bullet inside his left wrist. IndiaToday So was it traumatic? "Yes it was," said the doctor. "There were fighters of ISIS of all age groups -- from 10 years old to 60 . I treated them so I know. Mostly used to come with leg injuries," Dr Ramamurthy added. So were there women among fighters? "Yes," he said. Did you come across suicide bombers? "I have seen people with suicide vests. They were ready to blow themselves up as they considered it holy. But there were also instances when many were forced to blow themselves," reveals Ramamurthy. Indian agencies and External Affairs Ministry's combined efforts ensured Ramamurthy safe travelled from Sirte to New Delhi. "I never thought I will come back alive. I thank Prime Minister and our NSA Mr Ajit Doval for freeing me and getting home safe," he said. The only time K Ramamurthy smiled during the long interview with India Today was when we asked him about his family. He said he can't wait to meet them. --- ENDS --- With one hand holding a bottle of champagne and the other an oversized certificate declaring him the winner of $1 million from Publishers Clearing House, Bruce Saunders stood on the front porch of his western Davie County Monday and rattled off a list of things he plans spend his spend money on medical bills, fixing his lawnmower and helping family members. The United States has benefited for more than 160 years from having a friendly neighbor to its south, Mexico. But that may be about to change. Last week, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly visited Mexico to begin talks on renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement and on President Donald Trump's aggressive new immigration enforcement orders. But Mexico is in no mood to play nice. 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The company reported a net profit attributable to Volkswagen AG shareholders of 5.1 billion euros ($5.4 billion) last year compared with a net loss of almost 1.6 billion euros in 2015. Volkswagen acknowledged in September 2015 that it had been installing engine control software in diesel vehicles to detect when cars were being tested. The software turned the emission controls off during normal driving to improve performance, but also resulted in releasing emissions more than 40 times the U.S. limit for the pollutant nitrogen oxide. The Wolfsburg-based company paid a heavy price for its deceit, agreeing to pay more than $16 billion in buybacks and compensations to owners of VW cars in the U.S. alone. Lawsuits and legal investigations in several other countries are also ongoing. Chief executive Matthias Mueller suggested the company had turned a corner. "While the past fiscal year posed major challenges for us, despite the crisis, the Group's operating business gave its best-ever performance," Mueller said. VW group sales rose 4 billion euros to 217.3 billion euros in 2016. The company said it expects moderate growth in 2017 despite challenges from uncertain global economic conditions, intense competition, volatile currency rates and "the consequences of the diesel issue." VW said its board would propose a dividend of 2 euros ($2.11) per ordinary share this year, up from 0.11 euros for the previous year. Separately, Volkswagen announced a clampdown on executive bonuses, an issue that has aroused political passions in Germany during an election year. The company said annual pay for its CEO will in future be capped at 10 million euros ($10.6 million), while other executive board members will receive a maximum of 5.5 million euros ($5.8 million) in one year. Former VW chief executive Martin Winterkorn, who stepped down in the wake of the diesel scandal, had earned 17.5 million euros in 2011, thanks to large bonus payments. The new limits could reduce VW's maximum outlay on executive pay by up to 40 percent, the company said. Stephen Doss isnt the only St. Louisan who thinks this town has not done enough to honor David R. Francis. And no one is doing more than he is to correct the situation. Thats why Doss is out thumping the tub for the last dollars needed to complete and erect a statue to Francis in (where else?) Francis Park in St. Louis Hills. Its crazy that theres no real memorial to him in St. Louis. There is no statue of him in St. Louis, and I think theres only a bust of him at the University of Missouri, said Doss, a retired corporate personnel manager. Doss also was a city official some years ago. A Republican, he was named as the citys license collector in April 1990. As expected, he lost to a Democrat in November, but the race was closer than many predicted. But Doss is more interested in listing the accomplishments that Francis (1850-1927) forged in his lifetime: Graduated from Washington University at the age of 20. Gave up a lucrative career as a commodities broker and was elected St. Louis mayor in 1885, at age 35. Elected governor of Missouri in 1889. Only 38, he was the youngest governor in the nation. He remains the only person to serve as both St. Louis mayor and Missouri governor. Served as U.S. secretary of the interior from 1896-1897. President of the 1904 Worlds Fair Louisiana Purchase Exposition. (Francis Field at Washington University is named in his honor.) Returned to public life in 1916 as the U.S. ambassador to Russia, serving during the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. He loved seeing new things and different kinds of people, and he had a born politicians delight in wading into crowds, said Harper Barnes, a longtime Post-Dispatch critic who wrote Standing on a Volcano: the Life and Times of David Rowland Francis. And Francis was the rare sort of man who, if he wanted something, he could make it happen on a grand scale, Barnes said. Even Francis Park came about with a grand gesture, Doss said. On Christmas Eve 1916, a man dressed as Santa Claus went into City Hall and presented officials with a gift of 60 acres of land in the southwest section of the city. That plot became Francis Park. Doss said sculptor Harry Weber is putting the finishing touches on the Francis form, which will stand 7 feet tall and weigh about 900 pounds. Weber is known for numerous St. Louis statues, including the athlete likenesses in front of Busch Stadium and Scottrade Center, and the Lewis & Clark memorial on the riverfront. For those who know Francis Park, lets say its going right in front of where the Christmas tree is during the holiday season, Doss said, referring to the Nottingham Avenue side, halfway between Tamm and Donovan avenues. Doss said the statue committee hopes to have the statue erected and ready for dedication by October. At this time, the committee has raised $103,000 of the $130,000 needed, Doss said. On this project, Im the salesman, Doss said. Thats what were trying to do now, raise the money for the surrounding landscaping and the plaza we want to build around it. I just think its something that needs to be done. Along with all the things he did in his public career, he also is responsible for the park that is important to a lot of St. Louisans, he said. I grew up in Francis Park, and I still love it. For more information, go to drfmemorial.org. Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam reached India yesterday, after he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul on February 14. By Ajit Kumar Dubey, Manjeet Negi: It was midnight in Libya's Sirte district, an area overrun by Islamic State. Dr Ramamurthy Kosanam was about to go to bed when there was a knock on the door. As soon as he opened it, Kosanam was captured and put in a car along with a fellow Indian, Shyam. Both were dispatched to a jail near the local airport. This was September 2015, the beginning of the doctor's 18-month oppressive regimes of all times. advertisement "They did not kill or harm us as we are qualified people. Like I was a doctor and they thought that I can be of use to them and that is why I was saved," Kosanam, his left arm in a sling, told MAIL TODAY in an interview. The doctor from Andhra Pradesh was in Libya for the last 18 years and was trying to get back over 10 lakh from health authorities as part of his gratuity when he was put in jail by ISIS. Indian embassy officials met Kosanam frequently after they came to know about him and finally on February 14, he was safely taken out of Libya to Istanbul from where he reached India on Saturday morning, on his way to his family in Andhra Pradesh. "I want to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi, foreign minister Sushma Swaraj and national security adviser Ajit Doval for getting me to back to my family," he said. LOOKING BACK The doctor recalls that the early days in the prison were full of fear and intimidation as they were scared of the brutalities committed by the jihadi fighters and authorities who would speak cruelly with the inmates. "Every day, we were shown the videos of the brutal killings of the Shias, Yazidis and Christians across Iraq and Syria by the ISIS fighters to instill fear amongst us. People from all nationalities like Turks, Filipinos and others were scared that we may also meet the same fate," said the doctor who was in the ISIS jail in Sirte for 10 months. Efforts were also made by the ISIS men to make the inmates follow and convert to Islam but they were not extensively forced. "People from all religions were made to offer Muslim prayers five times a day and they were very particular about people following their religious practices. I was also made to follow the same even though I am a Hindu," he said. ASKED TO SERVE IN FIELD HOSPITALS advertisement After he had spent a couple of months, the ISIS leaders asked the doctor to serve in the field hospitals to treat their fighters who were getting seriously injured in fighting with local government forces on several fronts. "But I expressed my inability to do so as I was seriously ill myself with frequent severe back pains, blood pressure and other ailments. I told them I would not be able to stand for more than 10 minutes at a stretch and they let me be in the jail," Kosanam recalls. He said similar requests were made three to four times but he refused to work in field hospitals. "Once the seniormost ISIS leader in the jail Abdurr Rehman fell seriously ill due to chest infections and I was asked to treat him. I gave him antibiotics which helped him recover in one week and impressed by me, they put me in the nearby field hospital on night duty where I had to provide and suggest medicines for their surgeons treating their fighters," he says. On the horrific stories of treatment with women, Kosanam says he also heard similar tales but since he was in captivity, he did not come across any such victims personally. advertisement However, he recalls some of the foreign-origin females fighting for the ISIS were referred to him for treatment when he was in the Sirte jail. "I could not help them as they had gynaecological problems," he said. "There were a couple of women who were kicked near the stomach deliberately to cause damage to their kidneys for torture but I did not come across any such mass level brutality there." Asked whether he came across any Indians working for the ISIS during his ordeal there, he said, "While discussing the well-being of Indians there, I heard one day that a Muslim boy from Tamil Nadu had committed a suicide bombing against Libyan government forces there while fighting for ISIS. ALSO READ Saw child suicide bombers as young as 10, says Indian doctor freed from ISIS captivity ISIS beheads Iraqi officer; the steely look in his eyes will haunt you for long WATCH VIDEO: Exclusive: Indian doctor abducted by ISIS returns home after 18 months --- ENDS --- The tiny babies typically arrive at Jill Bundschuhs foster home in Rock Hill around her familys dinner time. Social workers bring them on short notice, with maybe some formula and a few diapers. There are no extra onesies. No swaddling blankets. No car seats. The paperwork is usually sparse beyond a name and maybe a few clues about the babys first few days or weeks of life. Bundschuh knows from experience to quickly read the hospital notes before the caseworker leaves with the file. Even when there is no medical history, this relatively new foster parent knows what to expect in the long night ahead. The baby will constantly fidget. There can be sudden tremors in the arms and legs. The buttocks might bleed from open sores caused by runny diarrhea. The sucking reflex is off, so feeding can frustrate the baby. Lullabies and cuddling rarely soothe the child who arches his or her back and cries in a high pitch. So Bundschuh will find a quiet spot away from the bedrooms where her husband and three boys are sleeping. She will rock the baby in her arms with his or her body vertical. Being cradled agitates the baby. Mostly she will pace with the baby through the dark house because in her experience babies withdrawing from heroin or methadone or morphine or other opioids may be consoled by movement. Bundschuh has cared for four babies in opioid withdrawal since she and her husband became licensed foster parents in Missouri two years ago. The most recent arrival came in late January a newborn preemie. The previous baby was agitated for six months, a fairly typical course for full withdrawal. There would be two to three hours every night where he just screamed; he was very hard to calm, she said. Bundschuh made no special request to care for these cases when she signed on to be a foster parent. Nonetheless, she has wound up on the front lines of Missouris opioid epidemic, which is sending children at an alarming rate to a state foster care system that is straining to serve them. Its not just newborns though the system is seeing far more of them. Its also older siblings who need care after Childrens Division investigators find severe neglect in a household disrupted by opioid addiction and the often unsafe parental behaviors that go with it. We are in desperate need of more foster parents for the first time in a decade and a half, said Melanie Scheetz, executive director of the Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition of St. Louis. We need them for both newborns and older children. More coverage Scheetz said foster parents need to be trained about dealing with trauma in these children: We had a case where two kids were found in Fairground Park behind a bridge because their mother was turning tricks for drugs. Its just devastating for these families. Bundschuh received no special training on how to care for babies in drug withdrawal after being exposed to opioids in the womb or given morphine in the hospital to taper the symptoms of their withdrawal. Shes learned on her own. Along with the risk of burnout and frustration with an inconsolable baby, there is constant worry. She knows, for example, that babies in withdrawal are at a higher risk for seizures or sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. If something happens, she could be legally liable. The first week is very exhausting because Im constantly checking their breathing, she said. I didnt go through that with my own. With my own kids, its not so stressful. The numbers climb Last year more than 650 people died from opioid overdoses in the St. Louis region, more than four times the number in 2007. Last week, the Post-Dispatch chronicled the toll those fatalities are taking on the regions families and communities. But the epidemic is also measured in delivery rooms of Missouri hospitals, which have seen more than a fivefold increase in the number of infants born with symptoms of opioid withdrawal in the past 10 years, according to the Missouri Hospital Association. St. Louis stood out with one of the highest rates in the state, surpassed by just two counties in rural south-central Missouri. The number of children going into foster care in Missouri began to climb in 2012, following years of a general decline. Last year 7,505 children entered foster care. That is a leap from 6,432 in 2013. In the past five years, St. Louis County saw a 29 percent jump in the number of children entering foster care, peaking at 521 children last year. In St. Louis city, entries increased by more than a third. Jefferson County saw a 20 percent increase; St. Charles County, 14 percent. The state lacks data to directly tie the spike in foster care to opioids. But data from the St. Louis Family Court show the link. Of the 46 children who have entered foster care in the city this year, 17 or 39 percent were due to drugs, either involving drug exposure to newborns or issues of abuse or neglect because of substance abuse by parents. One of the cases involved the fatal shooting death of a 6-year-old girl by a younger sibling while the mother and her boyfriend slept after smoking drugs, according to court records. The three living siblings, ages 3, 4 and 9, went into foster care. Clinicians at Cardinal Glennon Childrens Medical Centers Fostering Healthy Children medical clinic see nearly all the children who enter foster care in St. Louis and St. Louis County. About a third of some 900 children theyve served since opening two years ago have been opioid addicted. I was totally unprepared, said Donna Erickson, medical coordinator. I am friends with social workers in the NICU, and weve had one or two parents overdose in the bathroom while they are visiting. But I truly had no clue about its prevalence until I started working here. Though foster care is intended to be a haven for a child, the transition into state custody, and the risk of multiple placements or re-entry into foster care when a parent fails to stop using drugs and neglects the child, are considered highly traumatic events. An increasing body of research finds foster children struggle with lifelong health and behavioral issues because of the trauma of the initial abuse and neglect as well as the toxic stress from their years in foster care without adoption or reunification with family. Very often from the time the child leaves the NICU to the time we see them at the clinic, they may have already been moved a couple of times when they have withdrawal issues, said Maggie McVey-Vogt, a clinical nurse at the foster care medical clinic. And the new foster parents have little or no knowledge about what they are looking at with these babies. The Missouri Department of Social Services would not acknowledge or speculate if the increase in foster care placements is due to opioids, citing a lack of statistics. Nor would the department make a Childrens Division official available for an interview about the increase. Yet Gov. Eric Greitens campaigned heavily in rural areas on a platform that pledged to deal aggressively with the opioid crisis. His wife, Sheena, is a well-known advocate for foster parents. The couple chose to host foster parents at their first social event in the governors mansion. The governor has proposed in his preliminary state budget a $2.7 million increase in direct foster care funding to serve the increasing number of children in state custody and another $1.2 million increase for adoption resource centers. Those centers, including Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition in St. Louis, recruit foster parents and run programs to quickly find permanent relative placements for children recently entered in foster care. Making decisions The ultimate decision to separate a child from a parent and place him or her in foster care lies with the presiding family court judge in each of Missouris circuit courts. In St. Louis, thats Robin Vannoy. Between foster care custody cases last week in her courtroom, she said reunification with the parent is almost always the goal with newborns and infants when a parent is facing a substance abuse issue. That means children may stay in the foster care system longer and parental rights will not be terminated as quickly all with the understanding that addicts typically fail several times before they may be able to stop using drugs. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates up to 60 percent of recovering drug addicts will relapse. With heroin, those rates are higher. Many opioid addiction cases involving children never reach Vannoys courtroom or the Childrens Division because grandparents step in. When a child is unexpectedly born drug-addicted, a hospital typically calls the Childrens Division. The baby can go into foster care after discharge with a judges order. But caseworkers can also opt to divert a custody hearing and keep the child with the mother through a system of Team Decision Making meetings. They identify family supports to ensure the childs safety as well as the mothers willingness to get treatment and parenting classes, therapy and other programs. Mothers who seek prenatal treatment for addiction also tend not to lose children to foster care if they show progress in their recovery and a strong support network. But some addicts burn through their safety nets. In those cases, Vannoy, on the recommendation of the Childrens Division, often places the child in foster care. The ideal placement is with a relative. In most cases that relative is a grandparent. Sometimes those grandparents still joyful about the birth of a grandchild abruptly learn that their child is a drug addict. There was no time Donna Beckham Williams, 46, of Florissant, said a day after her grandchild Aarons birth last year, she got a panicked call from her son begging her to take him because Aaron had tested positive for opioids and was being sent to foster care. Not long after, she was shocked to learn both her son and his girlfriend were using heroin. She waited an agonizing week to get foster care custody of her grandchild, who had been placed with a stranger in a foster home. I had to go right into mommy mode because there was no time, she said. Beckham Williams has been caring for Aaron for 10 months. Additionally, she baby-sits her daughters infant twins during the week and cares for her blind, elderly uncle. Her son and his girlfriend have made no effort to regain custody of their child and dont show up for required drug testing and other meetings set up by the Childrens Division, she said. Theyre drug addicts, she said. They stick together, and thats the hard part with getting them help. Many newborns who enter foster care with opioid issues are reunited with parents within several months, Scheetz said. Bundschuh, the foster parent, said all of the babies shes nursed through withdrawal went back to their mothers while still infants. She remains in contact with two of the families and sees one of her former foster babies weekly. She knows, despite the bonds she made with those babies, they need permanent homes. But given the reach of heroin in families and the risk of relapse, she and others in the foster parent community worry some babies are being placed with relatives too quickly. The system is so big on trying to quickly move them to families that a lot of foster parents dont feel are safe or ideal, she said. Sometimes, those babies end up back in foster care, causing them more disruptions. Last Wednesday, though, those worries were not present in one case on Vannoys foster care docket. A n 11-month-old babbled and bounced on her mother's maternal cousins knee while clutching a burp cloth. The infant had been placed with the relative at 2 months after being placed in another foster home after birth. Court testimony said the newborn had tested positive for cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid that is often responsible for fatal overdoses. Various court and caseworkers testified the young mother sitting in the courtroom had tested clean on all of her drug tests. She had taken required therapy and parenting classes, passed a psychological evaluation and obtained housing and employment. The baby had received therapy through day care and been through various developmental screenings. Vannoy ruled the mother could have unsupervised overnight visits with her baby. If all goes well, mother and baby will spend three months together this summer on a trial basis. I have to say that its unusual to get someone so young like you to cooperate and do everything you needed to do, Vannoy told the mother. The mother beamed. After the hearing, the judge held the toddler in the folds of her black robe and spoke to her in a high, delighted voice. UNIVERSITY CITY A University City councilman who volunteered at a Jewish cemetery after more than 150 headstones were vandalized is sponsoring a measure that would create a citywide hate crimes offenders database. Councilman Rod Jennings, Ward 3, said Friday that the ordinance would operate similar to a sex crimes registry, in that a person convicted of a hate crime would appear in a database, including the person's address and offense. The measure comes nearly a week after 154 headstones in the oldest section of Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery, at 7570 Olive Boulevard, were toppled. University City Police, still investigating the act, have not categorized the incident as a hate crime. However, many residents and members of the Jewish community do believe the vandalism was an act of hate and anti-Semitism. Vice President Mike Pence and Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens, who volunteered at the cemetery Wednesday, publicly condemned the act. At an interfaith vigil at the cemetery, University City Mayor Shelley Welsch expressed sorrow about the vandalism and said the act is not representative of the community, one she characterized has having a long history of tolerance. Missouri Highway Patrol hate crime statistics from 2015, the most recent year data is provided, show 102 reported hate crimes against 135 victims, almost double reports from 2014 when 52 hate crimes were reported against 74 victims. Jennings said he was disturbed recently by the number of hate crimes nationally against different racial and religious groups. He said he believes the database of reported hate crimes would create more security in the community and help prevent future hate crimes. "I think people are more comfortable knowing who their neighbors are," he said. His plan would define a hate crime and set guidelines for law enforcement, including requiring University City police to establish training on addressing hate crimes and "implement a standardized system for collecting and analyzing hate crimes." It was unclear Friday whether city police already participate in this kind of training. The bill would also require police to prepare an annual report of the hate crimes committed in the city. "It is my desire that other communities will adopt this so it'll be easier to exchange and share information," Jennings said. A lawmaker in January introduced a measure to establish a statewide hate crimes registry in California. Welsch, who seconds the proposal, applauded Jennings for working on the measure months before the vandalism at the cemetery happened. "Part of being a legislator and a visionary for the community is being proactive," she said. University City councilmen will vote on the hate crime database Monday, Jennings said, along with a second measure that would establish the city as a "welcoming city," setting guidelines for integrating immigrants and others into the community. The "welcoming city" measure would add University City to a cohort of other cities and counties across the country through the initiative Welcoming America, Welsch said. Missouri law bars sanctuary cities. Illinois, in arguably the worst financial condition of any state, will select nominees for governor in less than 13 months. I have to wonder whether the contenders should as my parents generation used to say have their heads examined. I set off to Edwardsville a few days ago to examine one of those heads. It belongs to a familiar Metro East official who seems quite sane but also notably not rich in what may be shaping up as a war of personal wealth. The fastest route put me on Governors Parkway, a relatively new connection between Interstate 55 and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville that was named to reflect the citys pride as home to five governors. (None of those went to prison, if the question occurs to you.) That count, by the way, includes Edward Coles, governor No. 2, and Ninian Edwards, No. 3, for whom Edwardsville is named. It generously includes others born there and moved elsewhere before getting elected, or who touched base along the way. None was as deeply rooted in these parts as Robert Daiber, of the village of Marine, who is the fourth generation to farm his familys land. He recently announced his candidacy for governor, in part, to make it a place where his two sons, both in college, will want to stay for generation five. Daiber, 60, is the antitheses of the modern start-at-the-top political models of rich businessmen (President Donald Trump, Gov. Bruce Rauner). While they were making their millions, Daiber was practicing government from the bottom up as a village trustee, township supervisor and Madison County Board member. The political perch from which he runs, regional school superintendent based in Edwardsville, is as much a progression of his career in education as politics. He is a mix of blue-collar pragmatism, with 28 years of teaching hands-on technology at Triad High School in Troy, Ill., and academic philosophy, with a doctorate in education. His elected post, a mystery to probably most voters, oversees training and programs for local schools, supervises teacher licensing and handles myriad details that cross school district boundaries. The work is largely invisible to the public. While Daiber is well short of a household name, his recent presidency of the regional superintendents association does provide a base of recognition in all 102 counties. He also has strong teacher union connections, having been president of Triads affiliate of the Illinois Education Association. Running as a Democrat from Metro East does not provide the bounce it once did, given the countys rightward shift in the electorate. And although the area has the second-largest concentration of people in Illinois, it rarely provides contenders for governor. It has been 45 years since Dan Walkers surprise defeat of Troys Paul Simon in the 1972 Democratic primary. To Daiber, re-railing the Illinois economic train means using long-term bonds to pay off the debt backlog, passing a balanced budget and fully funding priorities such as education while shedding whats expendable. Businesses, he insists, are looking for a state with a stable government that can provide reliable infrastructure and a skilled workforce. He sees Republican Rauners push for a right-to-work law as ideological union busting with no tangible benefit. Salvation may mean a tax increase, Daiber said, and the budget could get swamped with fresh expenses if an overturn of the Affordable Care Act floods the states Medicaid program with people who can no longer get health insurance. Were broke, he said. Weve got to look at what we can afford and cant afford. Theres a saying, Let the good times roll. Well, the good times have rolled. Although it is daunting that Rauner put $50 million into his campaign fund in December, thats a general election issue. Daibers immediate worry is the March 20, 2018, primary. Chris Kennedy, a Chicago businessman and philanthropist and son of the assassinated presidential contender Robert F. Kennedy also has announced his candidacy for governor as a Democrat. And businessman J.B. Pritzker, worth an estimated $3.4 billion, is among those said to be thinking about it. Daiber, whose salary is something over $110,000, and whose wife, Karen, is a nursing home hairdresser, jump-started his campaign with $20,000 out of pocket. He figures that he may be able to raise up to $3 million for the primary enough, with frugal spending, to put his common sense message across. It seems like a lot of money until you consider that Rauners campaign spent $65 million to get him elected in 2014 to a job that at its current salary wouldnt pay that much in more than 360 years. Maybe we all need to get our heads examined. DECATUR, Ill. Debbie Rohde wants what any parent does for their children: a secure future. Its especially important for Rohde, 58, the mother of a 14-year-old child with Down syndrome. Rohde, of Decatur, stayed home with her daughter Ella for seven years and got by on government assistance. Then, when Rohde returned to the workforce, she lost the aid and lived paycheck to paycheck. When Rohde recently landed a well-paying job, she faced a problem plaguing many Illinois families with disabled family members: If her assets exceeded $2,000, her daughter Ella would lose out on federal assistance. Rohde said there was another option, a special-needs trust, but she couldnt find a local lawyer who would handle it. Last month, Illinois state Treasurer Michael Frerichs announced the establishment of the ABLE Achieving a Better Life Experience Program, a 14-state consortium that allows individuals to invest money on behalf of loved ones with a disability, similar to a 529 college savings plan. Those eligible can sign up for ABLE at www.illinoisable.com. Investment growth is tax-free at the federal level and the money can be used for a variety of qualified expenses. It doesnt require a lawyer and the fee is, on average, about 34 cents per $100 invested. ABLE is designed to help children reach their full potential without plunging a family into poverty, Frerichs said. Ella is high-functioning. But Rohde knows there will come a day when shes not there to care for Ella. (Ella) has two brothers, and I dont want them to have to pay everything to support her when Im gone. Rohde wanted to start putting away some money, but risked losing Ellas Social Security Income (SSI). Caring for a developmentally disabled child is expensive. Not just anyone can baby-sit a child with Down syndrome Rohde employs certified special-education teachers and Rohde also uses a special monitor and numerous other programs to make sure Ella is safe and learning the skills she will need to become a successful adult. Im not trying to say Ella needs some extravagant lifestyle, but I want her to have money to have the things she needs in life, Rohde said. Gov. Bruce Rauner signed SB 1383 in 2015, officially bringing this savings program to Illinois. But when Illinois tried to establish the program, bankers told the state there wasnt enough demand, said Greg Rivara, Frerichs press secretary. But then we thought: If Illinois, the fifth-largest state in the country, doesnt have enough demand, other states wouldnt, either. So we began reaching out. The more states Illinois could get involved, the lower the cost of the program would be. Alaska, Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island joined, and Indiana recently agreed to become the 14th state in the consortium. When Frerichs office began reaching out to residents of Illinois, stories began pouring in. One Illinois family had chosen not to receive food assistance through a state program because the value counted against federal assistance for their child with spina bifida. Rohde knows that Ella will always need someone watching over her at the very least, a case manager to check in. But Rohde has pushed Ella to be as active and independent as possible. At some point, and I dont know what age that will be, shes going to want to move out on her own, Rohde said. My dream would be for her to find two or three friends who are as high-functioning as she is and buy a house for them. The ABLE program can help us have the money to pay for something like that without her losing the benefits shes always going to need. ST. LOUIS Lying in bed at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in May, Amanda Davis was sickened by what she saw pop up on the ultrasound: a babys beating heart. She immediately turned away. I was horrified, she recalled. What if I cant kick? Homeless, with one bag of belongings left on her heroin death march, shed ridden a bus to the hospital to get help in the psychiatric ward because shed relapsed. She had no idea that she was 18 weeks pregnant. I was no longer just hurting myself, said Davis, 35. Now, Id be hurting an infant thats living inside me. But her addiction had hurt others. She had already lost parental rights to her 14-year-old daughter. Her 8-year-old son has been in foster care since running for help from a Schnucks bathroom at Gravois and Hampton avenues. He had seen his mother overdose. He really didnt have any reaction, Davis said. I hate to admit it. Hes seen it several times. The boy also found his grandmother dead from an overdose. She retired from the Veterans Administration in St. Louis, where she worked in an office. She suffered from arthritis and eventually became dependent on pain medications that became less effective. Davis, a former department manager at Walmart in south St. Louis County before she lost everything to drugs, said she had introduced her mother to heroin. The brain thinks of heroin like water. I am dying of thirst, she said. Your brain is screaming for the drug. Davis latest pregnancy calmed that voice. Barnes-Jewish referred her to Queen of Peace Center, a Catholic Charities agency serving women with addiction and their children and families. About 750 indigent women show up each year on the front doorstep at 325 North Newstead Avenue, behind the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis in the Central West End. Some 10 percent of them are pregnant and addicted to heroin. A Post-Dispatch story about the heroin epidemic in St. Louis caused a stir last weekend by showing and telling the story of a pregnant woman shooting up. She had already lost three children to state custody because of her lifestyle. She is one of hundreds of Missouri mothers who are increasingly in a similar situation. Nearly 600 babies were born addicted to opioids in 2016, a 500 percent spike in the past decade, according to the Missouri Hospital Association. Queen of Peace was created in 1985 as an alternative to incarcerating mothers and putting children in state custody during the crack epidemic. Our model is designed to help provide support to the whole family so that the cycle of addiction can be broken, so that those babies who are born to moms who are substance using dont end up having to come back here 20 years later for treatment of their own, said Chief Executive Officer Lara Pennington. She said most of the women havent had access to prenatal care. Or if they do know they are pregnant and continue to use drugs, shame and fear are often barriers to seeking proper health care. The system now is less punitive and more rehabilitative, Pennington said. The nonprofit, which has a $8.5 million budget mainly supported by government contracts, says about 95 percent of the babies in the program are born drug-free not including controlled doses of Subutex, a narcotic used to ease a mother off heroin. Newborn babies are weaned off the medication with morphine. I felt so bad for him knowing that I am putting him through this, Davis said of her youngest son Camden, who was born Oct. 7. But it was better than heroin withdrawals. Today, she and Camden live in a Queen of Peace maternity home in the College Hill neighborhood with about 10 other women. During the day, they go to the central office for group therapy, life skills training and meetings with case managers who ensure they stay on top of requirements with the Division of Family Services and medical appointments. When you are on the street, you dont call doctors and make appointments, said Davis, who also suffers from anxiety, Crohns disease and a chronic inflammatory disease that attacks her bones. Thats just not something you would do. Nor do you typically seek ways to be a better parent. This lady has saved my life, especially with my kids, Davis said of the leader of a parenting class she likes. There is a 6 p.m. curfew at the maternity home. Davis is expected to shop and cook on her own. She hopes to have access to her own apartment soon, one that is in the Queen of Peace network of support. She does mandatory drug testing. I am the master of peeing in a cup, she said. But the more you have, and they are negative, the better it looks. KANSAS CITY A $15 per hour minimum wage plan is officially headed to Kansas City voters in August. The Kansas City Council agreed Thursday to comply with a Missouri Supreme Court order and put a petition initiative for a higher minimum wage on the August 8 ballot. The proposal, which was backed by civil rights activists, urban core ministers and other social justice and low-wage worker advocates, calls for boosting the minimum wage to $10 per hour by Sept. 1 and gradually to $15 per hour by 2022. The current minimum wage is set by the state at $7.70 per hour. The Rev. Sam Mann, who helped lead the citizens petition drive, urged the council Thursday to act. Give this relief to our workers and our laborers as soon as possible, Mann told a council committee before the full council vote. Mann and other petitioners had hoped to have the measure on the April 4 ballot. But the city council didnt have sufficient votes in support of that date back in January, which was the deadline for approving April ballot measures. Mann said that council decision was very disappointing so it was now time to move on to the next available election. Mann said this petitions supporters included Sunday school teachers, pastors, community organizers and people who went house to house gathering signatures in a true grassroots effort. A higher wage campaign this summer could be fiercely contested by the Greater Kansas City Restaurant Association and many other business groups. They have opposed a higher local minimum wage, arguing it would create a patchwork of laws and wage rules throughout the state. Bill Teel, restaurant association executive director, declined to comment Thursday. Boosting the minimum wage has been a hot topic in Kansas City since the summer of 2015, and was originally headed to a November 2015 vote. But the state legislature appeared to prohibit any local government from setting a wage floor higher than the state limit, so a judge ordered Kansas City to remove the ballot proposal from that 2015 ballot. The case went all the way up to the Missouri Supreme Court, which ruled in January that because petitioners had met the signature requirement under the city charter, their measure should be put to Kansas City voters. If it passes, then there could be further consideration of whether it violates state law. So even if Kansas City voters approve, that doesnt necessary mean the higher wage would actually take effect here. A separate case currently before the Missouri Supreme Court, out of St. Louis, deals with the issue of whether cities can set their own minimum wages in conflict with state law. Depending on how the Supreme Court rules, in a decision still pending, it could make Kansas Citys higher minimum wage effort moot. WASHINGTON The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has received a $10 million grant for its proposed education center adjacent to its famous memorial on the Mall in Washington. The fund said the grant from the Lilly Endowment was the largest single cash donation in the funds 37-year history. The fund has been trying since 2003 to raise money to build the underground Education Center at the Wall. With the Lilly donation, the fund said it now had $42.5 million of the $130 million it needs to raise. The center will be a 25,000-square-foot building displaying thousands of artifacts left at the memorial over the years, first-person accounts of veterans and citizens, and a two-story wall showing the faces of the 58,000 people whose names are etched on the memorial. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in 2012, but costs and expenditures have risen and fundraising had been slow. Its incredibly encouraging that an organization like the Lilly Endowment, that is so well known and so well respected in philanthropic circles, sees the value and has confidence in this project, said Jim Knotts, president of the fund. I think that there are a lot of people or corporations that have been interested in this project in the past and they have been sitting on the sidelines. We still have a long way to go, and the project is not certain, he said in a telephone interview last week. But I think receiving this kind of commitment from Lilly really indicates to others that this project is a real project, that were making great progress, that it will happen with the support of others. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the wars landmark Tet Offensive by the North Vietnamese and Viet Cong, Knotts said. In addition, he noted, in September moviemaker Ken Burns is set to release on public television stations a 10-part documentary about the war. Knotts said he had seen six of episodes. I truly believe it will restart a conversation in this country to remember and honor our Vietnam veterans in a way nothing ever has, he said. By Press Trust of India: Chandigarh, Feb 25 (PTI) Jats will organise Black Day in Haryana tomorrow as part of their 28-day-old agitation for quota and some other demands even as the state government set up a high-level committee to look into their grievances. Tomorrow the community members will wear black turbans, caps and ribbons and arm bands to protest the governments policies, said Yashpal Malik, president of the All India Jat Aarakshan Sangharsh Samiti (AIJASS) which is spearheading the agitation. advertisement "From March 1, the protesters will not cooperate with the government. No one will pay power, water bills and instalment of loans that they owe to the government," Malik said. He said Jats from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh will protest in the national capital on March 2 and submit a memorandum on the quota issue to the President. They also plan to gherao Parliament, the date for which will be announced on March 2. Malik said a large number of Jats supported by many other people held peaceful demonstrations at Balla village in Karnal district, Mayyar in Hisar, Jassai in Rohtak, Raswala Chowk in Jhajjar, Ikkas in Jind, Jainpur Jattan in Kurukshetra, Deban in Kaithal and Anaj Mandi in Yamuna Nagar. Besides seeking quota in education and government jobs under Other Backward Classes category, the demands of the Jats include release of those jailed during last years agitation, withdrawal of cases slapped during the protest and government jobs for the kin of those killed and injured while taking part in the stir. Meanwhile, Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Ram Niwas said tonight that a four-member state-level committee comprising ADGP (Law and Order), Additional Advocate General and two representatives of the agitators had been constituted for redressal of grievances of the Jats. He directed the SPs to resolve the grievances raised by the agitators, and urged the Jat leaders to meet the SP concerned along with evidence, if any. Action would be taken against those found guilty, irrespective of caste and investigation in such cases would be carried out within 24 hours, he said, adding the Director General of Police has also directed the SPs in this regard. Ram Niwas said everyone in a democracy has the right to express his opinion in a peaceful manner but any attempt to disturb the law-and-order situation in the state would not be tolerated. He ordered all Deputy Commissioners and SPs to deploy adequate police personnel at vulnerable points in view of the Jat agitation and ensure that normal life is not disrupted and all essential services continue uninterrupted in the state. Duty Magistrates should be deployed at all places and videography carried out to ensure that peace is not disturbed, Ram Niwas ordered while addressing DCs, Commissioners of Police and SPs through video-conferencing today. advertisement Planning has been done to divert traffic wherever required and adequate paramilitary forces are available in the state, he added. To maintain law and order, Sonipat District Magistrate K Makarand Pandurang issued orders to impose ban on all internet services under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code for 24 hours with effect from 5 pm today till 5 pm tomorrow. The District Magistrate said the ban had been imposed to prevent people from misusing these services to spread wrong information and rumours. He said all telecom service providers have been directed to strictly abide by these orders. As many as 30 people were killed and property worth crores of rupees was damaged at many places in Haryana during last years Jat stir which had turned violent. Rohtak and some of its neighbouring districts, including Sonipat and Jhajjar, were the worst hit by the violence. PTI VJ DKS AKK --- ENDS --- Vice President Mike Pence told an invitation-only gathering at Fabick Caterpillar Sales in Fenton on Wednesday, The nightmare of Obamacare is about to end. Nightmare? A greater percentage of Americans have health insurance today than at any point since the government began keeping track. Nightmare? The United States will spend about $2.6 trillion less on health care over a five-year period than was predicted after the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. Nightmare? Americans no longer have to worry about being bankrupted by health care costs. People who were uninsurable arent. Theyre seeing doctors before they get sick, staying out of emergency rooms, keeping health care costs from being passed on to the privately insured. Nightmare? Then why was Pence, as governor of Indiana, so eager to take credit for his Healthy Indiana Plan, a modified Obamacare Medicaid expansion program? If Pence wants a nightmare, let him return to St. Louis in a couple of years if President Donald Trump doesnt keep his promise to replace Obamacare with better insurance at a lower cost. Heres what the nightmare would look like if Obamacare is repealed without a better replacement: About 504,000 Missourians would lose coverage, the Economic Policy Institute estimates. In the 16-county St. Louis metro area, about 200,000 people bought health insurance policies on the federal or Illinois health exchanges, many of them family policies. In St. Louis and five surrounding counties, more than 100,000 people are enrolled for health insurance through the ACA. The effect of repeal would be like revoking insurance, all at once, for the entire workforces of BJC HealthCare, Boeing, Washington University, Scott Air Force Base, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Express Scripts, Monsanto, Wells Fargo Advisers, Edward Jones and Anheuser-Busch InBev. The EPI estimates that repealing Obamacare would cost 14,077 jobs in Missouri. Given the size of the health care sector in the St. Louis economy, its safe to say 6,000 or more jobs would be lost here. The Census Bureau estimates that Missouri gained only 10,000 new jobs in all of 2016. People on Medicare would be on the hook for higher Part B insurance premiums and co-pays. All told, Medicare spending would increase about $80 billion a year ($802 billion over 10 years) without the cost savings built into the ACA. Congress, looking for ways to offset some costs, is eyeing the tax exclusion for private health insurance plans. That would mean higher income taxes for employers and employees alike. With Obamacare repealed, contraceptive coverage would be gone as well as automatic coverage for pregnancy. Before Obamacare, pregnancy was considered a pre-existing condition. The nonpartisan Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that 52 million Americans, including about 1 million in Missouri, have pre-existing conditions including genetic diseases and chronic illnesses that often made them ineligible to buy insurance before Obamacare. Thats 27 percent of the non-Medicare-age adult population. The ACA prohibits insurance companies from charging higher rates for older people or those with pre-existing conditions. That would stop. Before Obamacare, insurance companies often canceled policies when a large claim was filed even if the premiums had been paid. Cast adrift, many people couldnt buy insurance on their own at any price. Obamacare allows parents to cover their children on a family policy up to the age of 26. That allows young adults who are just starting out in life to maintain health coverage until they finish school or establish themselves on their own. Last week, Republican leaders released a 19-page outline of their vision for a replacement. But the document contains no details about the difficult tradeoffs required to achieve the same level of coverage for the 31 million people (20 million on the exchanges and 11 million in Medicaid expansion programs) now insured thanks to Obamacare. The uncertainty has caused at least two insurance companies, Cigna and Humana, to withdraw from exchange markets. That has exacerbated the difficulties of rural Americans accessing care. Trump continues to drop hints that his replacement plan is coming, perhaps as early as mid-March. But Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, whod have to get it through the Senate, says he doesnt think the plan exists. Congressional Republicans hard-core Freedom Caucus wants to repeal Obamacare and not worry about replacing it. More responsible members of the party especially those whove had the courage to face their constituents in town hall meetings are leery. None of Missouris six GOP House members, by the way, has been willing to face constituents. They think their seats are safe, which is all that matters. No one is arguing that Obamacare was perfect. Its what was possible in 2010, and all things considered, it has improved and extended life for 31 million Americans. Its cost affluent Americans a little more in taxes on earnings and investment income over $200,000 a year. It hasnt affected the rest of us much at all, including most of the people who complain about it. Forget compassion if youd like. If nothing else, ending Obamacare would be an economic disaster for St. Louis. Business groups, labor groups, civic groups and responsible citizens must come together and make clear to their representatives in Congress: This is precious. You break it, you own it. What has happened to our powers of discernment and our ability to see these people for what they are, which is that they care nothing for us? AIADMK today demanded an open apology from MK Stalin and DMK for objecting to portraits of Jayalalithaa in government offices. By India Today Web Desk: While Tamil Nadu seems to have been settling with the wave of change in the political system, DMK has yet again kicked the hornet's nest. Following the comments, AIADMK today sought an apology from DMK. The party slammed late chief minister Jayalalithaa for being convicted in the disproportionate case and demanded the removal of her portraits from government offices. advertisement DMK working President MK Stalin expressed his displeasure with naming government schemes after Jayalalithaa. He slammed the AIADMK party for using the taxpayers money for her 69th birthday celebrations. "Jayalalithaa was convicted (in the Rs 66 crore disproportionate assets case). Already there are some schemes in her name and the government should not allow new schemes to be named after her," said Stalin. Stalin also wanted the schemes named after her to be re-named. He said the late Chief Minister's portraits were found at the Secretariat, the ministers' rooms and local body offices and called for their removal. "If this situation remains, the need for us to approach the court will certainly come up. Not just (some) elected representatives but people also are opposing this and it could lead to a law and order problem," he said. Stalin said he took up these matters with Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan who assured that he'll look into them, he said. AIADMK SEEKS APOLOGY Meanwhile, the ruling AIADMK today sought an open apology from DMK for its comments against the late chief minister Jayalalithaa. Claiming that Stalin had used certain words against Jayalalithaa yesterday, AIADMK Deputy General Secretary TTV Dinakaran said they were completely "false" and showed DMK leader's "uncultured side". Jayalalithaa was loved by Tamil world over and they addressed her affectionately as 'Amma' (Mother) even as she was known for her compassion, Dinakaran, who is VK Sasikala's nephew, said. "When scores of her supporters are in grief following her demise (in December 2016), making such slander and false remarks shows Stalin's uncultured side," he said in a statement. Recalling Jayalalithaa's efforts to uphold Tamil Nadu's rights, Dinakaran said she had done these in issues like the Cauvery water dispute, besides earning the love of people with a series of welfare measures, including the popular free 20 KG rice scheme. AMMA CONTINUES TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS "Because of these, she lives in the hearts of crores of people. Therefore, there is no need to uphold her memory by just naming schemes after her," Dinakaran said in an apparent reference to Stalin taking exception to some government schemes named after her. advertisement The DMK leader had also wanted such schemes to be renamed. "Stalin should withdraw the brazen slander used against Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and issue a public apology," Dinakaran demanded. Referring to certain gaffe made by Stalin on Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami and the Cauvery Management Board, the AIADMK leader ridiculed him and asked the DMK working president to stop making public comments without verifying accompanying notes. With inputs from agencies Also read: On Jayalalithaa's 69th birthday, niece opens another anti-Sasikala front, unveils new AIADMK logo Jayalalithaa's 69th birthday : Panneerselvam-Sasikala legacy war returns DMK backs Panneerselvam's demand of enquiry into Jayalalithaa's death --- ENDS --- Stratforward events manager, Ruth Wood, with Paul Atkinson, centre principal, Listers Toyota Stratford. Photo: Gary Ellis, OGmedia) STRATFORD-UPON-AVON-based car dealer Listers has been announced as the sponsor of this year's Stratford Festival of Motoring. The two-day celebration of motoring - now in its fifth year - takes place on the May Bank Holiday weekend, Sunday, 30th April 30th and Monday, 1st May. Last years event attracted 60,000 visitors and this years will follow the same successful formula as the past four years with an organised run out into the Warwickshire and Gloucestershire countryside on both mornings. It will be followed by the spectacular sight of 300 cars parked up on the town centre streets, showcasing some of the worlds finest motor heritage. The 2017 Featured Marque is the Jaguar, with Wood Street filled with exciting cars from the iconic British brand, including Jaguars from the Jaguar Heritage Trust. A spokeswoman for Listers, which will showcase cars from its five dealerships on Waterside and Bridge Street, said: The Stratford Festival of Motoring event is a firm favourite in the Listers annual calendar of events, we are delighted to support the event again this year and look forward to displaying our very own unique brand of horsepower with an incredible range of Audi, Honda, Toyota, Lexus and Volkswagen cars on display on Bridge Street and the Waterside. As well as the cars there will be a treasure hunt, live music, and food stalls. There will also be an appearance from Audrey, the last known surviving of seven custom-built mobile cinemas built by the Government in 1967 to tour engineering companies around the country promoting modern production techniques in an effort to help improve UK productivity. Festival visitors will be able to watch Pathe archive newsreels dating back to the early 1890s in the back of the Bedford SB, as well as material provided by the Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust and hear about the plans for the trailer. There will be awards for the Furthest Travelled, Mayors Choice, Treasure Hunt Winner and a Sponsor Prize. Ruth Wood, manager of the award-winning Stratforward events team, said: We are delighted that the Listers Group are sponsoring the Stratford Festival Of Motoring for the second year running. The festival is one of the highlights of our calendar, drawing people from across the region and beyond. Its also the perfect opportunity for Stratford and its businesses to show a huge audience what we have to offer. In the remote village of Dona Raninagar in northern Bangladesh, an eight-year-old boy named Mehendi Hassan has been hit with a rare skin disease that is turning his entire body to stone. The only normal part of Mehendis body is his head. Due to the strange disease, Mehendi has been completely shunned by the whole community in which he lives. This has forced Mehendi to stay indoors all his life. Community leaders claim Mehendi terrifies other children when he comes into contact with them. Mehendi has been left isolated, with no access to education and social life. While Mehendis face looks normal, the rest of his body is covered in thick, scaly skin, making it difficult for him to walk or touch anything. According to Mehendis mother, even his grandmother detests him, and has been ridiculing the poor boys condition. Mehendi is said to be struggling to even wear clothes, as the slightest of friction to his skin is excruciating. Mehendi was forced out of school due to discrimination and bullying by other pupils. Mehendis mother Jahanara Begum explained the ordeal of her son: Other children detest him. People find him filthy because of his condition. He has been home for eight years because whenever he goes out, villagers get scared and say bad things to him. Everyone hates him, no one likes to see him or eat in front of him. Not even my mother-in-law. I beg government to help my child. It upsets him so I keep him at home. He always cries out in pain. It is devastating to see him suffering. According to Jahanara and her husband Abul Kalam Azad, she gave birth to a very healthy boy. Mehendi reportedly weighed 12 pounds when he was born. But after only 12 days, Jahanara said she and her husband noticed minor rashes on his body. They ignored it, thinking it was mosquito bites, but soon the rashes spread from his heel to his abdomen, and within three months, his fingers, chest and back were beginning to cover in a thick, scaly skin. The concerned parents consulted various local doctors, trying all forms of medicines to heal their son, but nothing could control the outbreak. Frustrated and broke, they eventually stopped his treatment. Mehendis father, Azad, is a van driver who earns a low salary. Mr Azad revealed he has spent what little savings he had to cure his son, but to no avail. According to him, the family has tried many doctors, physicians and skin experts, but none could cure or tell the cause of the strange disease. No doctor could diagnose the disease. They all say he suffers from a rare skin disease but no one has been able to cure him. I have no money left. Whatever little I could earn from driving a van, I spent it on his treatment. Whenever I could save a little, say 10, I would take him to doctors. Eventually, all my savings and earnings were exhausted on his treatment but there was no cure. Frustrated, I stopped taking him to doctors. For last year he has not seen any doctor, Mr Azad said about the situation of his son. Physicians believe Mehendis case is severe, but are still clueless as to what the condition is, what caused it, and if it can be cured. A pediatrician, Dr. Mohammad Emdadul Haque, was quoted by MailOnline as saying: He was brought to us for treatment. The patient is suffering from a rare kind of skin disease. We do not receive such cases normally. It is hard to say what he is suffering from. We have referred him to advanced skin specialists. Mehendis mother is always in tears over the devastating condition of his son. She is appealing to the Bangladeshi government, as well as all philanthropic organizations or individuals to help the family cure their sons strange disease. I beg government to please come forward and help me with his treatment so that he too can live as a normal human. I have been struggling a lot raising him up. Seeing him in pain is unbearable, she said. Mehendi is being tormented by this strange skin disease. We urge philanthropic organizations or individuals who can provide some sort of help to make contact with the family in Bangladesh. Anybody who can provide help should contact Caters News Agency on Facebook or on this number +44 121 616 1100. The news agency has been closely following the disturbing condition of Mehendi. A woman who crossed the Working Boundary on Thursday night was shot dead by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel near Sialkot, police sources said. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, hailing from Sialkot district's Diawara village, crossed the border after losing her way. According to police sources, the woman was mentally ill. A protest erupted in her native village after it emerged that she had been shot dead by BSF personnel. Indian border authorities later handed over her body to her family in the presence of Pakistan Rangers officials. Similar incidents have occurred in the past as well in light of heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan. Last year in August, a Pakistani boy was shot dead after entering Indian territory by mistake. Seventeen-year-old Ijaz, from Kasur sector, was grazing cattle near the border when the incident had taken place. At least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by the militant Deash group in northern Zawzjan province, a provincial official said. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. Deash-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Meanwhile, the Afghan Interior ministry in a statement sent to media said that around 38 militants, including 23 Deash terrorists, were killed in separate operations conducted by Afghan security forces in east and southern regions of the country over the last two days. Eight other militants were wounded and six arrested in the operations, which were conducted in districts in both eastern Nangarhar and southern Helmand provinces, the statement added. In another report form eastern Laghman province, two students were killed when a mortar struck a classroom in a school, a news release from the Education ministry said. The statement added that five other students were wounded inside the classroom in Mihterlam, the capital of the province. It was not clear from which side of the fight the mortar was fired, but there were unconfirmed reports the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces and missed its target and hit the school, the report could not immediately be verified by provincial or government officials. A racist killed an Indian in the US while screaming "get out of my country". This happened under the administration of a president who wants to build a wall along his country's border and ban refugees. But still, President Trump is an honourable man. By Shreya Biswas: Weeks before the US presidential elections, President Donald Trump proclaimed his love for India. He swore he was a "big fan of Hindu". The Hindu Parishad in India loved him right back, performing havans to ensure his victory. Roughly a month after he took over the Oval Office, a drunk racist walked into a bar in Kansas and shot at two Indians who were just sitting there minding their own business. One of them died later that night. advertisement We write this in the memory of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, not to praise Barrack Obama. Hate crimes happened under President Obama's government too. A 21-year-old deranged man who walked into a church on June 17, 2015, and gunned down nine black Americans. There have been several other hate crimes. Racists existed even then. But reports say, racial attacks have been on the rise since Trump came to power. The Southern Poverty Law Center data shows that within 10 days of Trump being elected president, 867 hate crimes took place. Trump, then a president-elect, said he was "so saddened" to hear about the attacks. After all, President Trump is an honourable man. A group named Americans For A Better Way sent letters to mosques in California after Trump became president, warning Muslims that Trump is going to do to them "what Hitler did to the Jews". Swastikas, the Nazi symbol, and words "Go Trump" were painted in a playground at Adam Yauch Park, Brooklyn. It was the 13th reported in the city since Election Day. Hate has no place in Brooklyn, NYC, or America.Join us on Sunday to stand against hate messages.11:30, Adam Yauch Park, Brooklyn, NYC pic.twitter.com/DZXcUyZauP Beastie Boys (@beastieboys) November 19, 2016 Words 'Make America White Again' were painted all over a softball dugout wall in Wellsville, New York, after Trump won. #Wellsville police want to know who painted a swastika and a racist message on a dugout wall.https://t.co/VOlMt5bTdd News 4, WIVB-TV (@news4buffalo) November 11, 2016 All of these incidents that scream racism followed days after Donald Trump became the president of the US. The people behind these attacks praised him, held him as their leader, seemingly inspired by what he had been saying. But he wasn't responsible for these attacks. After all, President Trump is an honourable man. President Obama, during the last days of his term, had finalised a policy that barred people with mental illnesses to own guns. Trump is now set to sign a law that negates this gun control policy. The White House website under Trump administration also promises to protect Americans' Second Amendment right, the right to keep and carry arms. advertisement The right to carry guns, the website says, asserts Americans' safety. What it doesn't say is that it also brings with it people like Adam Purinton, the 51-year-old arrested for shooting Srinivas and two other men at the Kansas bar, the 'right' to carry a loaded gun. But what is wrong with everyone owning a gun? So, yes, President Trump is an honourable man. Also read: More than $1M raised for kin of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, two other men injured in incident Srinivas would turn 33 this March, had Adam Purinton not been a racist. His widow today stood before a press conference and wondered aloud if she "belonged" in the US. "He did not deserve a death like this," said Sunayana Dumala. "I don't know what answer I will have to give his mother of why I was not able to save him." Sunayana said how she always feared about their safety when she read about the "shootings happening everywhere". But her husband assured her that good things happen to good people. In the end of her address, Sunayana asks the US government what they are going to do to stop such hate crimes. advertisement But White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer is unsure about calling Srinivas' death a hate crime. According to him, "it's too early to jump to a conclusion,". The authorities investigating the case think it is a "possible" hate crime. Trump hasn't addressed the media about this shooting yet. He hasn't elaborately spoken about it either. But that doesn't mean anything. He must be very busy. We don't doubt, President Trump is an honourable man. Friends, Indians, Americans, no one should ask you to rise and mutiny. But is it too much to hope that a person doesn't get killed for their race, that a world leader does not inspire discrimination? Srinivas' father blames Trump for his death. His brother, too, thinks Trump is "primary reason" why he was killed. "A racist person said 'get out of my country' and targeted my brother and his friend. This was for the first time that someone hurled racial abuse at my brother. Trump is only the primary reason as of now," said Srinivas's brother. But President Trump, of course, is an honourable man. --- ENDS --- advertisement Sunayana Dumala said that shooting incidents in the US had even earlier made her rethink where they should continue living in that country but she had been assured by her husband that "good things happen in America." By India Today Web Desk: A day after Indian-origin engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was learnt to have been killed in shooting at a bar in Kansas City in the United States in an apparent hate crime, his wife said she had her doubts about staying on in America. Addressing a press conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said while she was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America", she wondered in the wake of the tragic accident whether she actually belonged to that country. advertisement She said that reports of bias in the US made minorities afraid and that she was impelled to question "do we belong here". Dumala said that shooting incidents in America had even earlier made her rethink where they should continue living in that country. "I wonder what the US government will do to stop hate crimes against minorities", Dumala added. CURRENT SITUATION BEING MONITORED Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately after the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Since the time they met Srinivas' family, they have been with him and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help in this hour of grief, he said. Joshi also met the Indian community in Olathe, shocked and frightened following this incident on Wednesday night, and the injured Indian Alok Madasani. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. US GOVT ASSURES INDIAN EMBASSY OF THOROUGH PROBE While condemning the attack on Indian-origin engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla at a Kansas City bar, the US government has assured the Indian Embassy that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. This after the Indian embassy said that the Government of India had taken up the matter with US authorities and demanded a speedy probe. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. THIRD PERSON INJURED WAS AN AMERICAN A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also was injured in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said in a tweet on Thursday, "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family." advertisement WHO WERE KUCHIBHOTLA AND MADANI Kuchibhotla and Madasani hailed from Hyderabad and Warangal respectively. Kuchibhotla posted on LinkedIn in 2014 that he managed helicopter programmes. He had a master's degree in electrical and electronics engineering from the University of Texas at El Paso. He earned his bachelor's degree from the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in Hyderabad. A 2014 post on LinkedIn said Madasani was an aviation programme coordinator manager at Garmin. WATCH VIDEO --- ENDS --- BPPL Holdings to commission 2 energy plants in March By Duruthu Edirimuni Chandrasekera View(s): View(s): Brush manufacturer BPPL Holdings Ltd of the Beira Group which is slated to go public in March says that part of the reason to list is to fund its potential acquisitions.The IPO to be opened to the public on March 7 is the first IPO in seven months at Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE), the last being the Amana Takaful IPO in July 2016. Listing on the (CSE) will make it easier for them raise more cash through the capital market and to buy new firms, Beira Group CEO Dr. Anush Amarasinghe told the Business Times. We are looking actively at other acquisitions but we havent found anything as yet, he added saying that going public will help them expand and secure more acquisitions in related sectors by raising funds. The company whose major market is the US has already cottoned on to some big plans. We will commission a 200 kilo watt (KW) bio-mass plant next month which will be fuelled by the off cuts from the wood supply in our existing operation to power that plant, Dr. Amarasinghe said. A 347 KW solar power plant will also be commissioned next month. The company will be listing 10 per cent of its stock on the second board of the CSE next month with the offering of 30.69 million shares for Rs. 12 per share. Dr. Amarasinghe said that they will set up a Rs. 675 million expansion and also build a factory to make polyester yarn which will be supplied to garment manufacturers. This will help save the country many dollars, he said noting that now the garment exporters import them. Its manufactured with discarded plastic bottles. So, itll help the environment. Itll substitute imports and also help them to be more competitive unlike when importing yarn which will involve longer lead times, higher inventory costs that diminish their competitiveness. The global brush export market is worth US$6.5 billion and the Beira Group is the largest producer in the Southeast Asian region. BPPL will be accessing the South East Asian nations Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore and Philippines by next year. We will be going for retailers and households and were engaging with global offices of retail chains. We feel confident in meeting their demand, given our capacity for expansion and upgraded efficiencies, Dr. Amarasinghe said. The current shareholders are Infinity Capital (Pvt) Ltd., LOLC Investments Ltd and Hirdaramani Investment Holdings with stakes of 50.3 per cent, 26.3 per cent and 13.4 per cent of the shares in Beira Group, respectively. When the IPO is launched, this shareholding will be locked in for a period of one year (meaning no party can sell the stake for a year). This is with the exception of Hirdaramani Investment Holdings which will be divesting 10 per cent of its stake for the IPO as a part of its long-term exit strategy. Cancer-causing glyphosate faces Presidential blocks By Sunimalee Dias View(s): View(s): The removal of the ban on the import of glyphosate, now proven cancerous, sought by the authorities to appease tea estate owners has come against blocks by the Presidents office. Plantation Ministry Secretary Upali Marasinghe told the Business Times on Thursday that they were requesting authorities to lift the ban in a bid to ensure its use on tea estates. This is because the tea industry is (badly) affected and because the manual weeding is not possible and is a very costly matter (to use other herbicides), he explained. As a result they have been requesting the higher authorities to lift the ban on glyphosate imports for only the tea plantations, but no green signal has been forthcoming due to its adverse impacts like the Chronic Kidney Disease rampant in certain parts of the country. The Plantation Ministry, while acknowledging the possibility of the herbicides cancerous properties as proven by the World Health Organisation (WHO), has faced a road block from the Presidents Office to their constant requests to lift the ban on glyphosate. Europe is today campaigning against the most popularly used glyphosate branded products like Roundup which are cheap herbicides due to a WHO report by its International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2005 asserting that glyohosate could be cancerous. As a result the extension on the glyphosate products have not been granted and a decision is expected later this year on the possible ban on the herbicide in Europe. In the meantime, Malta is one of the first European countries to ban glyphosate joining Argentina, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands. The tea industry however, notes that since this has not been banned in other countries like the UK, Australia and the US where glyphosate is increasingly been used they were unaware of any scientific research on its cancerous properties. Moreover, it was noted they used it in a controlled environment and had the substance been considered cancerous it should be proven through empirical data and validated research. Commercial Bank first private bank to cross Rs. 1 trillion in assets in 2016 View(s): The Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC continuing its good performance has reported profit before income tax (PBT) of Rs. 20.051 billion for 2016, marking the end of a spectacular year in which it made history as the first private bank in Sri Lanka to surpass a trillion rupees in assets. In a media release, the bank said Profit before Value Added Tax (VAT) grew by 18.58 per cent to Rs. 23.755 billion. It said, that an increase in the financial VAT rate from 11 per cent to 15 per cent for four of the 12 months reviewed had resulted in the banks VAT expense for the full year increasing by 28.17 per cent to Rs. 3.703 billion, from Rs. 2.889 billion paid for 2015. The 16.96 per cent growth achieved in PBT was bettered by the growth in profit after tax, which improved by 21.92 per cent to Rs. 14.513 billion during the year ending December 31, 2016, the media release added. The bank paid Rs. 9.385 billion in taxes in respect of the year reviewed, an increase of 15.78 per cent even after discounting the Rs. 2.570 billion paid in 2015 as Super Gains Tax. Commenting on these results, Commercial Bank Chairman Dharma Dheerasinghe, was quoted as saying: The bank can take pride in the performance milestones reached in 2016, which reflect its ability to maintain its growth trajectory even in a rapidly changing environment. Doubling key components of our balance sheet in five years is no mean feat, and 2016 contributed significantly to this achievement. Managing Director/CEO Jegan Durairatnam observed that Improvement in asset quality and a stable rating are testimony to balanced growth, while improving Return on Equity (ROE) attest to the direction of growth in our 48th year. The improvement in asset quality was key to improving profitability and reflects strong credit processes and an improved risk culture, particularly in our front lines which are responsible for accepting risk. Gross income of the bank improved by Rs. 15.275 billion or 19.62 per cent to Rs. 93.143 billion helped by a strong contribution from core banking activities with increased business volumes, which boosted interest income to Rs. 80.738 billion, a growth of 22.27 per cent, and Fee income increasing by 29.76 per cent to Rs. 8.143 billion principally through the growth of trade financing and card related business in the year reviewed. Net loans and advances increased at a higher 21.24 per cent to Rs. 616.018 billion due to a reduction in impairment provisions required consequent to rigorous recovery efforts that resulted in a drop in non-performing loans (NPLs) in absolute terms, the bank said. Deposits grew by 18.50 per cent to Rs. 739.563 billion as at December 31 2016. Lanka needs to exceed foreign borrowing limit for debt servicing By Bandula Sirimanna View(s): View(s): Sri Lanka is seeking US$3.9 billion from foreign borrowings for debt servicing (loan installments and interest) this year, more than double that of $1.82 billion in 2016. The country has no option other than to borrow externally for Balance of Payment (BoP) and fiscal support as it had been doing in the recent past, a top Finance ministry official told the Business Times. The Cabinet of Ministers has already given approval to limit the foreign borrowings to $3 billion for the year 2017. But the financial requirement for this year is $4 billion. The Ministry has to seek Cabinet approval again to increase the foreign borrowing limit, he said adding that this will be the highest debt repayment to be made by Sri Lanka within a year. Sri Lanka is entangled in a gigantic debt trap owing to loans obtained by the previous regime for infrastructure development which has not brought any returns on its investments, he disclosed. Further national revenue and export earnings constantly have come down since 2011 up to year 2014, he said. The Government is expected to raise 225 billion rupees ($1.5 billion) during 2017, through development bond issues within the total gross borrowing limit of 1,579 billion rupees approved by Parliament. Sri Lanka will raise up to $1.5 billion from a sovereign bond and another $1 billion from a syndicated loan this year, Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajit Coomaraswamy revealed recently. It is also planning a $1.2 billion sale of Japanese Yen-denominated securities also known as Samurai bonds, according to Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. Apart from this, plans are underway to get $3 billion in sovereign bonds as well as Panda bonds or Renminbi-denominated bonds this year. The total of over $6.7 billion is earmarked for 2017 from bond sales this year while the borrowing ceiling was $3 billion. Therefore without the Cabinet approval these loans cannot be obtained by the government, official sources said. The country has to be prepared to either retire or roll-over as much as $5 billion worth of sovereign bond obligations that it has to fulfil every year for a period of three years, commencing from 2019. PIA still in arrears of A330 deal with SriLankan Airlines View(s): Pakistan Airlines (PIA) still owes SriLankan Airlines around US$3 million as delayed payments and lease installments inclusive of extra flying hours of A 330 Aircraft wet leased to Pakistans national carrier in August last year, an official closely connected to the deal revealed. This last invoice sent to PIA by Sri Lankan Airlines after the conclusion of the lease on February 9 is yet to be settled, he said adding that the aircraft flew more than the contracted number of hours per month incurring additional payments for the national carrier. CEO Suren Ratwatte has sent a letter indicating the total payment outstanding to PIA top management but to no avail so far, he disclosed. The wet lease was signed for six months to start with and during that time PIA agreed to take 2 other A330- 300 Airbus and convert the lease to dry lease. Amid requests to revise the lease agreement and bring down the lease payment for the first aircraft which was in possession of the PIA, entering into a dry lease agreement with other two aircraft at a discount payment has also not materialised. PIA has not taken the remaining 2 A 330s under the deal from Sri Lankan Airlines even though the crew was trained by SriLankan Airlines officers, Pakistan aviation sources said. When contacted via an email, national carrier CEO Suren Ratwatte responded saying, We are unable to disclose any values involved in our commercial transactions. Majority of the funds have been received, the transaction is already very profitable. Some arrears need to be cleared which we are confident will happen soon. Currently PIA is engaged in repainting the aircraft in Karachi which will be returned soon, he revealed. The two A330 aircraft which were to be acquired by PIA under dry lease are being operated by the national carrier at present, he added. (Bandula) Startling revelations emerge at Central Bank bond scam probe By Bandula Sirimanna and Quintus Perera View(s): View(s): Amystery Gazette notification on Central Bank bond issue dated January 1 2015 signed by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa raised some eyebrows on the 3rd day sittings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry probing the controversial Treasury bond issues, in Colombo this week. The Commission comprises Supreme Court judges Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, Justice Prasanna Jayawardena and retired Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Veluppillai. During the afternoon session on Thursday, Commission Chairman Justice Chithrasiri suspended the recording of evidence from Finance Ministry Secretary Dr. R.H.S Samaratunga following the presentation of the Special Gazette notification to the commission. The Commission detected a discrepancy about the actual date on which the special gazette notification dated January 1, 2015 was printed. The date is prior to the new government taking office. When a copy of the said gazette notification was forwarded to the Finance Ministry Secretary by Senior State Counsel Dr. Avanthi Perera and questioned about the veracity of it, Dr. Samaratunga had said he had no knowledge about it. He said that when the gazette notification was issued he was not the Secretary to the Finance Ministry. The Commission ordered to record a statement from the Government Printer before the Commission resumed hearing of evidence of other witnesses. Justice Chitrasiri said the Commission required to rectify on which date the gazette notification dated January 1, 2015 was actually printed. It has been revealed that former Finance Minister (and former President) Mahinda Rajapaksas name was mentioned as a signatory to the gazette notification. This has to be verified, the commission stressed. When Senior State Counsel Dr. Perera told the Finance Ministry Secretary that in the gazette notification dated January 1, 2015 it was mentioned about the issuance of Treasury Bonds of 30 years, worth Rs. 10,058 million at an interest of 12.5 per cent on March 15, 2015. Dr. Samaratunga has said he had no knowledge of it. At this point the commission suspended its sittings and ordered the Finance Ministry Secretary to appear before the Commission tomorrow, February 27. Earlier in his evidence before the commission on Thursday, Dr. Samaratunga said the public debt management function is entrusted to the Central Bank (CB) and its Public Debt Department (PDD) acts as the agent of the Government in handling domestic debt, while several other government institutions deal with activities related to foreign debt. Debt management should be carried out in such a way so as to minimise the direct and indirect cost of public debt on a long-term perspective and avoid volatility in debt service cost and guarantee a balanced distribution as well as prevent an excessive concentration on redemptions. He noted that the Treasurys responsibility is to manage government revenue, expenditure and public debt and the PDD should service government debt on time with 100 per cent accuracy. Presidents Counsel, Additional Solicitor General Yasantha Kodagoda lead the evidence. Dr. Samaratunga told the Commission that the gross borrowing requirement in 2015 in the interim budget was fixed at Rs. 1780 billion and in the Budget 2015 presented in January it was revised to Rs. 1699 billion. In 2015 the government had planned to borrow Rs. 251 billion from foreign sources and Rs. 248 billion from local sources, he said, confirming these figures when documents were produced to the commission as marked items. The Commissions inaugural sittings was on Tuesday, recording a statement by Central Bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy as the first witness. The Governor detailed about the process pertaining to bond issues. He expressed his dismay on the unsystematic manner in which the Treasury bonds had been issued by the Central Bank in previous occasions. He told the Commission that there is no time frame to issue Treasury bonds and the authorities decide the dates as and when such issuance is required. The Central Bank is now taking measures to streamline the process by introducing an annual auction calendar, he disclosed. Presidents Counsel Senior Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera and Senior State Counsel Shaheeda Barrie lead the evidence. Dr. Coomaraswamy noted that he was not holding the post of Governor at the time of the issuance of Treasury bonds which created a controversy. He made this observation when he was cross-examined by the Senior State Counsel Barrie as to who is responsible to decide on a method, direct placement method or otherwise, to issue a Treasury bond. He further stated that he was unaware as to who decided on the method of issuing the bonds now under investigations. He noted that the decision must have been taken by the Domestic Debt Management Committee (DDMC) or the Monetary Board of the Central Bank. Dr. Coomaraswamy categorically stated that a Central Bank Governor normally looks into the exactness of the information regarding an issuance of bonds but does not usually get involved in the process of issuing bonds. At present, there was no involvement of the Governor of the Central Bank in the issuance of treasury bonds, he emphasised. When questioned as to whether the Central Bank monitors the bond trading in secondary market, he noted that from September 2016 the CB is monitoring the secondary market. Before September 2016, there was no way for the CB to gain real-time information on the secondary market, he pointed out. He expressed surprise at the former Governors decision to allow direct placements rather than conducting auctions in the issuance of bonds. It was during former governor Nivard Cabraals tenure that there were private placements. Dr. Coomaraswamy said the DDMC must have taken the decision to issue a higher than previously notified amount of bonds. He also recalled that a meeting held on February 27, 2015 could have been on bond issuances for March 2015. Meanwhile primary dealer, Perpetual Treasuries Ltd, accused of involvement in the bond scam, has been granted permission for its legal counsel to appear before the Commission. Permission was granted at the request of the lawyers appearing on behalf of the company. Presidents Counsel Nihal Fernando sought permission to appear for Perpetual Treasuries when the Commission commenced its hearing at 10 oclock on Wednesday. At this instance, Commissioners recommended obtaining the Attorney Generals advice with regard to the request. Later, the hearing was adjourned for 5 minutes. Having consulted the Attorney General, the Commissioners who recommenced the hearings stated that Perpetual Treasuries had been granted permission to appear before the Commission under Section 16 of the Presidential Commission Act. Permission was also granted for a lawyer to appear on behalf of the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank P. Samarasiri who chaired the Tender Board during the Bond issue. There have been various accusations against Mr. Samarasiri pertaining to the bond scam, which he has vigourously denied. Dr. Coomaraswamy continuing his evidence stated that the Treasury Securities system was in operation earlier, but the Treasury bond system came into operation in 1997. It was to advance the development of the Government Securities market by instituting this system of primary dealers so that they can act as market makers and there is a significant development of that market. He noted that that in a relatively undeveloped market the auction system could be manipulated or which can be determined by market forces. He said that the earlier market from which he w knew had a far simpler modality than the comparative auction or bid auction system. In a relatively undeveloped market, there are hybrid systems that provide benefits. But even the hybrid system may not be appropriate, if there is a very large domestic debt obligation, he disclosed. He said a new bond issuance system has been devised with the assistance of the IMF and the World Bank. There were times when the auctions were conducted under the direct placement without direct reference to auction, he said adding that the hybrid system worked well. Counsels who led evidence were Dappula De Livera, and the Senior Additional Solicitor General; Ms Shaheeda Barie, Senior State Counsel while Nihal Fernando PC, appeared for the Perpetual Treasuries and Harsha Fernando appeared Mr. Samarasiri. And so let us prey! View(s): That master craftsman of the private tuition world, former minister and now the economics guru of the Joint Opposition, Bandula Gunawardena, recently supported vehemently the offering of perks and privileges to our elected and even selected representatives of the people. News reports said that, at a media conference a few days ago, Gunawardena was adamant that low (oops, sorry for that) lawmakers should not be deprived of legitimate perks and privileges endorsed by parliament. That I suppose is the kind of logic that made this Gunawardena aver during the term of the previous government that a family of four could survive on some two thousand rupees a month or some such rubbish. It often reminds one of the garbage disgorged by one side of the yahapalana administration for the constant delay in holding local council elections that seems to surpass the mounds of rubbish gathering in some city and suburban towns . As some say if Minister Faiszer Musthapha cannot deal with the garbage how could he deal with the gathering storm over the local council elections? But that is Musthaphas problem. No wonder he seems so elusive with messages left going unanswered. But, as they say, thats another story. Bandula Gunawardenas attempts to justify the perks and privileges graciously extended by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe are so hilarious that parliamentary colleague Ranjan One shot Ramanayake, very much in the news recently, should consider casting Gunawardena in some comic role so that the people of Sri Lanka constantly let down by promising politicians might at least have a good laugh before retiring to bed still gnawed by pangs of hunger. So what does Bandula Gunawardena have to say about the legitimacy of parliamentarians being served with more perks? Why the redoubtable Gunawardena said with a straight face well sort of one might say that the legitimacy of the largesse derives from the very heart of the lawmaking process. It was parliament that approved of this generous offer by the prime minister. And how did parliament take this bold step of piling more and more perks on parliamentarians? Why that is very simple. The elected representatives of the people showed their approval by hailing this democratic step. Who are the representatives of the people never mind the fact that some of them failed to be elected but fortunately the electoral system had left the backdoor open for the publicly disavowed to creep into the holy of holies? Well that is where we get to the political nitty-gritty as it were. Those who approved the new perk of Rs. 100,000 a month for the 225 worthies in that great assembly of the peoples representatives are the ones who will collect the moola every month. It is the beneficiaries of this gift from the political deity who enthusiastically voted in favour. In your childhood most of you would have played that musical game called Here we go round the mulberry bush. We have no intention of endowing the Hon. Gunawardena with the prowess for turning out such childhood games. But then who knows he might well have an inventive genius like that economic conundrum that produced the real possibility of a family of four living on a sum that was paltry even then. So when one plays mulberry bush with the Gunawardena theory it goes something like this. Prime Minister Wickremesinghe proposes an extra Rs. 100,000 a month for our cash-strapped MPs. They graciously and heartily cheer the prime minister and say yes we will take it but with pangs of conscience eating into their moral being. Then they get together and vote for it. And so it is recorded in that worthy tome called Hansard that parliament approved the resolution or whatever such sleight of hand is officially called. And so the deed is done as Shakespeare might have said in Macbeth. Of course Bandula Gunawardena thinks this is a legitimate perk, all nicely gift wrapped, delivered by parliament and sent registered post though this has not been registered in the public mind as a gift deserving enough for all the public service these representatives have done for the people of Sri Lanka. After all, they say, there are numerous other ways they could have made 100 times that amount or more. Prime Minister Wickremesinghes generous offer of Rs. 100,000 a month might be enough for an additional coordinating secretary to the second additional coordinating to the Minister of Arecanuts and Betel Leaves to run a second home . But it will hardly suffice if Gunawardena wants to play host to Ravi Karunanayake who claimed the other day that Gunawardena once visited his home and had a small drink. The quantity was not specified, nor was the brand but it is hoped that Karunanayake was a good enough host not to pour a thimbleful. When Wickremesinghe announced this additional allowance of Rs. 100,000, sceptics said this was a ruse to win over equivocal MPs to his way of thinking and build himself sufficient parliamentary backing for new policies he had in mind. This is both unfair by the prime minister and the MPs. If Wickremesinghe was intent on winning support he would not have stopped at that frugal amount. After all he has the finance minister seated by him, never mind that Karunanayake is constantly talking of the countrys fiscal deficit and the need to rethink the taxes. At one time he had some input into the Central Bank too, as readers might remember. So to hell with fiscal deficits and all that rubbish which is good for Bandula Gunawardena that economics pundit who has turned out thousands of economics students in his day. Of course I am still to meet a Joseph Stiglitz or a Friedrich Hayek emerging from our tuition masters economics class. But then I could have easily missed these worthies, carefully settled as they might be in some executive suite of a high-paying NGO and drawing salaries and perks that the government cannot afford unless the individuals are imported from Singapore or snapped up when passing through the gates of Harvard. Some say that Wickremesinghe felt sorry for the poor peoples representatives who had to attend the funerals of friends and voters and weddings and at homes at which they had to make substantial monetary contributions to meet the expenses incurred by families and hosts and to show party loyalty. While the intention to help supporters and others in the constituencies seems laudable enough even though the money is coming from people who know neither the MP nor those who are supposedly benefitting from the MPs generosity, there are those who wonder whether the money is going where it is supposed to or other pockets deep enough to fill with more of the same. Some wise guy said that the MPs may need more money to distribute now at funerals see that more are likely to die laughing at MPS giving gifts to constituents instead of family and friends. The public rightly asks why a cash-strapped government should provide more perks and privileges for MPs when they have already been given enough and the people from whose pockets the money goes are regularly burdened with more taxes and ill thought of policies over which parties within the Government fight like dogs over a bone. Meanwhile, the public are watching the disgraceful conduct of GMOA doctors, who, having got their education through the free-education system paid for by the taxpayer, are holding the very same persons who spent for their education to ransom through trade union action in the daytime and making money in private medical institutions at night. And these are the jerks who also demand perks. What a set of avaricious circus clowns. A woman was assaulted in Kerala for riding scooter with a male colleague. A man was beaten to death as he was seen coming out of a woman's home whose husband lived in the Gulf. According to 2011 Census, Kerala has the highest total literacy rate. By India Today Web Desk: Every year on Valentine's Day, a guy and a girl going together become usual suspects for the self-appointed moral police. In Kerala's Kollam, Aneesh and his woman friend became the unsuspecting victim of moral policing. 22-year-old Aneesh was committed suicide after the gang, which assaulted him and his woman friend, circulated a video of their ordeal. advertisement The incident took place when the woman went to shrubby areas of the Azheekel beach to relieve herself as there was no public toilet in the region. A gang of four-five people, reportedly drunk, saw the woman and tried to assault her. She raised alarm and when Aneesh reached the spot, he was confronted by the gang of moral police. READ| Kerala: Victim of moral policing on Valentine's Day found hanging dead outside house in Kollam They assaulted them, filmed the entire incident and plastered it all over social media. Nine days later, Aneesh hanged self failing to bear humiliation and harassment at the hands of moral police. But, this was not the singular incident in Kerala. Moral policing has a history in the state that boasts of its Europe-like literacy rate and high credentials on social indicators. BEFORE ANEESH KILLED SELF: INCIDENTS OF MORAL POLICING Only a few days before the Valentine's Day incident, some police personnel turned into moral police on spotting a couple sitting in a park. The couple was accused by the police personnel of sitting in vulgar position at public place. The man retaliated by going live on Facebook. He said that he had just put his hand on the woman's shoulder. How is merely putting hand on shoulder is vulgar, the man asked. In another case last week, a law student lodged a case against the Muslim League at Nadapuram of Kozhikode district in Kerala. The Muslim League members were accused of bullying her on social media for her dressing and making friends with non-Muslim guys. In June last year, Malappuram district of Kerala was in news for moral policing as a 42-year-old man was beaten to death after a gang of moral police saw him coming out of a woman's home. The woman's husband lived in one of the Gulf countries. The moral police suspected the man of having an illicit affair with the woman. In 2014, the youths of Kerala had revolted against moral police and took out 'Kiss of Love' protest march against vigilantism. But, the November protest was marred by violence as the moral police objected to it vehemently. In 2014, nine people were convicted for killing a man in 2011 in Kozhikode. The man was fatally thrashed by a gang of moral police who were not happy with the man going around with a woman of Kozhikode's Kodiyathur village. The same year, a woman was assaulted by another gang for riding scooter with a male colleague in Malappuram district. The woman fractured her leg in the assault. ALSO READ| --- ENDS --- Cabinet shocked over cockpit deals by bankrupt SriLankan View(s): Subject Minister Hashim sidelined by national carrier, takes damning indictment directly to President; Sirisena and several ministers expressed disbelief Ravi denies clash, PM unhappy over why he was not consulted first; Minister tones down comment after meeting at Temple Trees Sirisena admits corruption charges against his government; insists that probes on major corruption cases will be continued By Our Political Editor In December 2013, when former President Mahinda Rajapaksa chaired a weekly Cabinet meeting, his Civil Aviation Minister Priyankara Jayaratne sought approval for a Treasury guarantee for Srilankan Airlines. It was to obtain a loan of US$ 175 million from the Dubai-based Mashreq Bank for additional financing to fund the fleet replacement programme. He said that 13 aging wide bodied aircraft were being replaced with new ones from Airbus Industrie in France. That included four brand new A 350900 aircraft. What went unnoticed in Jayaratnes Cabinet memorandum then were two important lines. He said, Srilankan Airlines has entered into a purchase agreement with Airbus.. The aircraft deliveries from Airbus are scheduled to commence from October 2014 onwards. These assertions were factually incorrect and totally misleading. The ministers who gave approval, or at least most of them, would have not known the truth. There was no such agreement with the aircraft manufacturer. Nor was the deal a purchase. It was a lease. Hence, the manufacturers were not in a position to give delivery dates to SriLankan Airlines. The ministers were not told the other details which remained shrouded in total secrecy. That cycle of secrecy and mystery over multimillion dollar deals seem to be recurring even now. That too, in the virtually bankrupt SriLankan Airlines and has come as a shock for most Cabinet ministers of the Yahapalana (or good governance) government. SriLankans new management cancelled the aircraft lease in respect of four Airbus A 350-900 on the grounds that it would be uneconomical to operate. Compensation for termination amounting to US$ 17.7 million was paid pronto for one, since delivery was due soon. The fate of the order for three others remained in limbo as talks went on. It was then claimed that the purchase had been done through AerCap, a Dutch company dealing with leasing and financing of aircraft. It received the funds for the first cancellation. In fact, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) had decided to pay compensation to AerCap for the early termination of the order. The payment to AerCap was reportedly on the basis that there had been an agreement with it. Now, in a strange turn of events, set to receive the balance payments, higher than originally negotiated for, is another party. Making it worse is the fact that Kabir Hashim, the Minister in charge of the subject, was not made aware by the SriLankan management about any of this activity. He believes two instalments of the termination compensation had already been made to another party even before the Cabinet of Ministers approved it. That is besides US$ 17.7 million paid to AerCap. Just two weeks ago, the new SriLankan management, which has failed so far to bring about a financial turnaround of the national carrier, sought a Letter of Support from the Government. This is to raise US$ 150 million from a Consortium of West Asian Banks. These banks were not named and the terms of the deal were not given. How it came about is also not clear. The airlines request has been made through the Finance Ministry, the majority owner of SriLankan shares. Moreover, the latest loan sought seemed a repetition of a recurring vicious cycle which spawned Sri Lankan millionaires. The present government vowed to stop it during its election campaign. Yet, it continues. The previous administration had raised US$ 150 million from the Standard Chartered Bank in March 2014 to settle the Mashreq Bank loan of US$ 175 million. After paying the last instalment of the Standard Chartered Bank loan, SriLankan Airlines management was now seeking US$ 150 million. The reason given: The loan facility is needed urgently to fund working capital and operational requirements of the airline as well as for the settlement of payments to AerCap amounting to $ 90.5 million. The request has been channelled to the Cabinet of Ministers through the Ministry of Finance. It is no secret in the banking world that middle men and negotiators end up with fat commissions for putting through loans. Leave alone embarking on a commercially viable programme to prevent the national carrier bleeding the countrys resources, the management has not been able to even identify who was responsible for the Airbus deal. With a seeming closure of the deal at that time, one need hardly say millions of dollars in commission payments would have changed hands. Who received them and how much? A probe into this by investigative agencies to determine how the taxpayers money has been plundered by a few with power and influence has not been possible. There was one SriLankan Airlines director who tabled a board paper seeking the identity of the Airbus agent in Sri Lanka and the role of so-called financiers. Like the findings of the Weliamuna Committee of Inquiry, which highlighted a string of irregularities, a more powerful board member sat on it. According to one well informed source, those involved in the shady transactions had very powerful connections within the directorate itself and received full protection. The shocking goings on at SriLankan have been too much to bear even for the minister in charge, Kabir Hashim. He once told the Sunday Times; A lot of people ask me whether we are selling SriLankan. I tell them No, we have to bury it. Since those remarks almost a year ago in March of 2016, one would have thought things have improved to Hashims liking. That was not to be. Days earlier, he sought a meeting with President Maithripala Sirisena to explain matters over a highly disturbing situation at SriLankan Airlines. In doing so, he was making clear that he was in no way a party to any questionable transactions or arbitrary actions without government approval. Sirisena gave him a patient hearing, sometime reacting in shock and disbelief. He urged Hashim to keep the Cabinet of Ministers informed of all the developments that had taken place so far. This is exactly what he did at last Tuesdays weekly ministerial meeting. He tabled a six-page memorandum which sent shockwaves among ministers. His revelations have raised more damning questions and laid bare the actions of a divided directorate and an inexperienced management. The only way out, it appears, is to raise loans to survive and let the national carrier breathe its last. Here are some of the highlights: The negotiations have been with AerCap, whereas the initial Lease Agreements have been entered into with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC). Neither the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development nor the Cabinet had been advised as to why the negotiations were with AerCap and not with ILFC. The Agreements entered into with ILFC does not provide any requirements to negotiate with AerCap. SriLankan Airlines had on October 4, 2016 entered into three early Termination Agreements without the approval of the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development, the Cabinet of Ministers and the Attorney General. The Public Enterprise Development Ministry Secretary had on October 20, 2016 inquired from SriLankan whether the execution of the Early Termination Lease had Cabinet approval. SriLankan had on October 28, 2016 submitted a Cabinet Paper, (Not through the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development) requesting for approval to enter into an agreement. (This has been done through the Ministry of Finance). By this time, SriLankan had already entered into the agreement (even before Cabinet approval). The paper (to cabinet) presented by SriLankan stated that the early termination compensation cost was US$ 98 million, when in fact it was US$ 154 million. It was only on SriLankan Conditions Precedents, by November 30, 2016 that the compensation amount, if at all, would be reduced from $ 154 million to $ 98 million. The Ministry of Public Enterprise Development has not been informed, to date, whether Conditions Precedents had been met by SriLankan Airlines. (Note: Conditions Precedents means an event which must occur, unless its non-occurrence is excused, before performance under a contract that is due.) SriLankan in its paper to the Cabinet had only stated that it would be leasing a new aircraft and extending the lease of another aircraft, when in fact it was two extensions. The lease agreements have not been entered into with ILFC or AerCap. Neither the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development nor the Cabinet of Ministers had been made aware of the terms and conditions on which SriLankan was to lease the new aircraft and extend the other two, including an aircraft with Mihin (the budget airline begun by the former government and now absorbed to SriLankan). The non-extension would not have required SriLankan to pay any compensation. The Ministry of Public Enterprise Development is not aware whether these arrangements are in keeping with the Cabinet approved re-structuring plan of SriLankan. All previous papers to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) and Cabinet had not been presented by the Ministry of Public Enterprise Development, which is the line Ministry. Hashim has made a damning indictment. He said in his memorandum; I wish to bring to the notice of the Cabinet that the agreement to lease the three aircraft (Airbus A 350900) had been with the ILFC. The paper (from the Ministry of Finance) states that negotiations were held with AerCap. I am unaware of the reason why the negotiations were held with AerCap and not with the IFLC as reasons had not been stated. The initial Lease Agreements entered into with ILFC do not provide any mandate for SriLankan to discuss any matters arising out of these agreements with AerCap. The Minister of Finance had, through a Consultant of the Ministry of Finance, negotiated with AerCap representatives on 1st October, 2016, during which the Finance Ministry had explained the credit limits of IMF. After a detailed discussion, the Finance Ministry had given its concurrence to the envisaged payment schedule as requested by AerCap. Here are edited highlights of a time line Minister Hashim set out in his six page Cabinet memorandum: September 27, 2013 The previous government entered into an aircraft leasing agreement with International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) for four Airbus A 350900. June 24, 2015: Cabinet of Ministers approved restructuring of SriLankan. Since they were not sustainable, four A 350900 aircraft had to be dropped. International consultants had projected a loss of US$ 30 million per year otherwise. April 2016: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM) approved the termination of the lease of four A 350900. US$ 17.7 million was paid as compensation by SriLankan for one aircraft due on November 2016. No Cabinet approval had been obtained for this payment. September 7, 2016: The early termination of lease of the remaining three Airbus A 350900 was discussed at CCEM. The Committee authorised the management of Srilankan to negotiate a termination cost within the range of US$ 75 million to US$ 85 million. Cabinet gave concurrence to this decision on September 27 and asked SriLankan to conduct further negotiations. There was no finality over entering into an early Termination Agreement but was only asked to negotiate. September 21, 2016: SriLankan informed CCEM that it had negotiated a reduced termination fee from the original US$ 154 million to US$ 98 million. CCEM was of the view that the maximum fee should be US$ 75-85 million and the CCEM asked that further negotiations be conducted with AerCap. September 28, 2016: SriLankan informed CCEM that there had been a discussion with the Minister of Finance and the representatives of AerCap. The termination fee has been reduced to US$ 98 million with three conditions. SriLankan would lease another aircraft and would also extend the lease of another aircraft currently under use by it. The Minister of Finance had then instructed AerCap to submit a written proposal to his Ministry. No official of the Public Enterprise Development Ministry was involved in these negotiations. Further instructions were given to SriLankan to first obtain legal advice from the Attorney General, and based on that advice, verify from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whether the proposed payment for termination is on par with its conditions. October 24, 2016: The detailed SriLankan report submitted to the CCEM (20 days after the signing of the early Termination Agreement on October 4, 2016) specifically stated that the termination payment was agreed to at US$ 98 million. The Ministry of Public Enterprise Development, however, was not given a copy despite a request being made. A copy of the Termination Agreement had been received only three months later, i.e. on January 23, 2017. It had shown many discrepancies. According to Hashim, the Agreement had been signed with ILFC for the full termination fees of US$ 146.5 million, together with an extra US$ 7.5 million being the security deposit paid by SriLankan that was forfeited. That is how the total of US$ 154 million has been arrived as termination fee. Even before formal approval has been made, a second instalment (first being the forfeiture of the security deposit) has been paid, asserts Hashim. There has been no Cabinet approval for the second payment. Hashims memorandum was the subject of a heated discussion at Tuesdays ministerial meeting. There were strong exchanges. Ministers called for a ministerial subcommittee to probe the matter. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe intervened to say that it could be discussed at the CCEM meeting, which he chairs, and resolved. The CCEM itself has been under a cloud with President Sirisena deciding to chair an apex meeting every other week to oversee its discussions and decisions complaining that he was kept out-of-the-loop by CCEM decisions. In fact Sirisena chaired the first such meeting of this apex body last Tuesday. An IMF report which included references to six different targets and how they were met or not met by the government was tabled. Also tabled was a report from Premier Wickremesinghe which included some new plans including an aero city. As our front page report reveals, measures to boost the government coffers also came up for discussion. Most ministers were adamant that there should still be a subcommittee. President Sirisena directed that payments be immediately stopped till the matter is fully gone into. He is due to name a ministerial subcommittee. This is a sad indictment on the entire government, declared Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa at the ministerial meeting. Minister Dayasiri Jayasekera noted that for two long years those concerned have not been able to negotiate a compensation deal. They have not even been able to identify the correct party. He said this was a Shokalapayak or a sad story. Also joining him in protest was Minister Sarath Amunugama. Premier Wickremesinghe, quite embarrassed by Minister Hashims disclosures at a ministerial meeting, met him separately on Tuesday evening at Temple Trees, the PMs official residence. He did not hide his feelings when he declared that the matter should have been brought to his attention first before being raised at the Cabinet. After all, Hashim is not only a United National Party (UNP) MP but also its General Secretary whilst Wickremesinghe is the leader. The fact that he chose to go direct to President Sirisena has irked some of his own party colleagues. However, a source close to Hashim said he had no option. SriLankan directorate was openly flouting his instructions and ignoring him though he was the Minister in charge. Even others did not recognise him as minister. This has never happened in post-independence Sri Lanka, he said. Also present at the meeting was Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake. He told the Sunday Times; contrary to claims in some sections of the media, there were no duels. Minister Hashim explained his position. I cannot comment any further. Hashims meeting with Premier Wickremesinghe led to him (Hashim) issuing a public statement on Thursday where he said, Press reports contained certain falsehoods deliberately aimed Tears and meditation are poor substitutes for systemic police reform View(s): When leaving his position as Chairman of the National Police Commission (NPC) to assume an academic appointment overseas last month, Professor Siri Hettiges reported observation that Sri Lankas Independent Police Commission is unable to control the police force and that the Commission has had to seek appropriate powers, attracts a peculiar kind of public scrutiny. The powerlessness of the NPC One may well question as to why the outgoing Chairman woke up to this basic realization at the singular point of leaving the post. Surely should this not have dawned on him soon after taking up the leadership of this vital body? And should not the NPC then have forcefully intervened with the Government in bringing about the required changes to enable those powers to be exercised? Or in the alternative, should not its members have taken the principled stance that there was no point in serving further? What is the point in having a police commission (independent as the case may be) with no powers to accomplish its task? And as I may question further, if so, what is the point of expending public funds on these bodies? This was, after all, the major problem that was supposed to have been addressed by the 19th Amendment to the Constitution. Let us see exactly where the source of this powerlessness lies. As originally envisaged in the 17th Amendment, the NPC was supposed to be a path-breaker in South Asia when created in 2001. Modeled along the lines of independent police complaint commissions elsewhere in the world, it possessed direct power to appoint, promote, transfer, and exercise disciplinary control and dismissal of all officers other than the Inspector General (IGP). After these provisions were repealed by the 18th Amendment, they were restored by the 19th Amendment with the addition that the NPC must consult with the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Political resistance and not the law was the obstacle But the problem with the functioning of the NPC was not so much in the law. Rather, the obstacles were elsewhere. History teaches us this lesson very well. Early on in the tenure of the first NPC headed by noted criminal lawyer Ranjit Abeysuriya, the NPC took notice of extreme public concern regarding the disciplinary control and dismissal of police officers and recalled its delegation of that authority to the Inspector General of Police (IGP). It decided to interdict police officers indicted for torture. Has the current NPC decided on a similar court of action, one may ask? That NPC directly challenged the nexus between the politicians and the police which was the main reason as to why the Rule of Law broke down. It prevented the political transfer of police officers during the pre-election period when elections were declared. At that time and before long, political reactions to the first NPCs interventions were fierce. This was not confined to the Government. Sensing the dangers, politicians across the divide united in one common disgraceful task; to strip the NPC of its powers. Long before the 18th Amendment came into force, this taming of the NPC had been accomplished. This must be clearly recognized by those who are wont to lay the blame only on the crudities of the Rajapaksa phenomenon. This was no feat of a single political administration. Rather it was the ferocious reaction of a highly sophisticated political system trained to bark and bite with terrific impact at any challenge to its authority. What the 18th Amendment did was merely formalize that systemic challenge. And all that we have done now is to plaster over that gaping wound, not to put medicinal salve on it and ensure that the skin eventually heals. This is the uncomfortable reality that continues even now, after the January 2015 yahapalanaya victory. Barking and biting at reforms The NPC was also required (shall) to establish procedures to entertain and investigate public complaints and complaints from members of the public. This was visited with a similar fate. Initially the NPC took every effort to draft such procedures bringing in public interest lawyers to voluntarily aid the Commission (including this columnist) but those procedures could not be gazetted in the first term where the NPC was at its strongest. They were gazetted later but the actual impact of this was again, minimal as the Commission itself was structurally weakened by the 18th Amendment fatally undermining the Commissions powers. This Government has proved itself to be pitifully incapable of addressing these outstanding issues. A case in point is the IGP being captured on national television promising the Minister of Law and Order that action will not be taken against a particular individual linked to the former Rajapaksa regime. It was astounding that the cry by civil society was for the IGP to resign rather than ask the particular Minister to step down as would have been the case in any country with minimum adherence to governance. In any event, both individuals have not been held accountable. It is notable also that the tradition of barking and biting at systemic reform continues. In recent months, exceptionally negative reactions have been evidenced by the police establishment to the National Human Rights Commission (HRCSL)s statistics relating to complaints of torture. These indicate a different picture to that presented by government agencies and are substantially higher in number. Familiar patterns of resistance The HRCSLs considered position taken before the United Nations Committee against Torture (CAT Committee during consideration of Sri Lankas 5th Periodic Report) last year was that torture is routinely used in all parts of the country regardless of the nature of the suspected offence for which the person is arrested. In other respects, the HRCSL has highlighted repressive actions, as for example its order (2015) that the Sri Lanka Police violated international humanitarian law in assaulting a group of students at a demonstration. Put on the defensive, police spokesmen (former and current) have been reacting with anger. These are familiar patterns that we are used to. All in all, it is doubtful if asking police officers to engage in meditation (as the IGP has reportedly directed while astoundingly breaking down in tears at a function recently) will result in an effective solution of these myriad issues. Neither tears nor meditation will replace serious and sustained political will along with national pressure therein to reform what remains a fundamental deficiency in Sri Lankas Rule of Law systems. Win-win solution for migrant worker issues View(s): Last Sundays front page lead story in this newspaper on the risk to foreign employment due to the 2017 Budget by raising the minimum wage for skilled labour seems to have caught the eye of Parliament. The Minister in charge of Foreign Employment confirmed the fact that her ministry was rather perturbed that it had not been consulted, and wanted the proposal reversed. Foreign remittances of workers and others overseas have become the single largest foreign exchange earner and are now the mainstay of successive Budgets of successive Governments which have been unable to generate sufficient finances on their own but go on a spending spree nevertheless. US dollars 7.2 billion (Rs. 1.1 trillion) is what foreign remittances bought in to this country in 2016. The fact that Sri Lanka is facing a debt crisis of huge proportions is an open secret. Desperate for foreign investment that has otherwise dried up, and the rupee on a slippery slope against the US dollar, the Governments predicament is somewhat understandable. In this desperation, however, to try and tap even more from the reservoir of foreign remittances by upping the minimum wage of migratory workers they seem to almost to count the chicks before they are hatched is to kill the goose that lays the golden egg. What the Government must endeavour to do instead is to lobby more aggressively in the manner of collective bargaining with other countries providing expat labour, especially in West Asia so that adventurist exercises like what the Government seeks to do dont come a cropper in the long run by other countries snapping up the jobs Sri Lankans can have. The end aim should be getting a better deal for all concerned. The Government must play the role of a trade union demanding better wages and working conditions from the employer, mindful also that West Asian and Gulf countries are facing their own economic slumps with oil prices dropping in recent times and wars in the region. Only last month did the Abu Dhabi Dialogue an initiative by the United Arab Emirates having stakeholders highlight the potential of contractual labour mobility to benefit workers in West Asia and the host country, meet in Sri Lanka. Known as the Colombo Process, the exercise is a tribute to employer-employee relations and an exemplary milestone in migratory contractual labour mobility. New laws and regulations and transparent recruitment mechanisms were highlighted along with achieving the migration-related target of the UNs 2030 Sustainable Development Goals as part of its work plans. Bangladesh has urged that the deliberations of the Colombo Process be conveyed to the Global Compact on Safe and Orderly Migration Policy in New York. It need not be all horror stories coming from West Asia and the Gulf. There may be commendable moves initiated to dissuade Sri Lankan women from going as housemaids to some of the countries, and promoting skilled workers to go for foreign employment rather than as mere labourers. But without providing the training facilities for those skilled labourers who are in short supply, the Government is putting the cart before the horse in fixing minimum wages. That will only prevent more Sri Lankans from finding jobs abroad triggering a drop, not an increase, in revenue to the state purse. With Sri Lanka now in the chair of the Abu Dhabi Dialogue and the Colombo Process, one would hope for a more enlightened approach on a win-win basis for Sri Lankas golden goose the long suffering migrant workers without whose remittances this country would be in even deeper economic troubles. Talks behind closed doors As if synchronised, visits this week by US Congressmen, a senior Indian diplomat and members of the Chinese Communist Party and the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, are no better a pointer to the geopolitical interest in Sri Lanka. The Government has not thought it necessary to let the people know what these visits were all about. Keeping them below the radar, the Government seems to believe that what the people do not know, is not happening. Or that the plebs need not know what their leaders do. It was only the Presidents Media Unit that at least issued a bare-bones release on some of the visits. The result; widespread speculation, intensifying suspicion, but the Government seems to care little. What the discerning public receive are the official release from the Indian side and reports published in the Indian media (often reproduced locally) on the Indian Foreign Secretarys visit. The Chinese would rather stay below the radar saying the visit was to discuss the entire gamut of Chinas recent investments in Sri Lanka, but the corridors of power are buzzing with the talk that it was another reading of the Riot Act to Sri Lankan leaders to hurry up and sign the controversial agreement for the Hambantota Port Development Project, now stalled by public protests and a pending court case. Even if the Sri Lankan Government maintains a deafening silence, the unusually loquacious Chinese ambassador has recently spoken in public on the status of these negotiations, suggesting what is best for Sri Lanka, when a case is being adjudicated before the countrys Supreme Court. Acting in the manner of a Viceroy, the envoy who is invited to brief Cabinet sub-committees nowadays, is certainly not going to be summoned by the Foreign Ministry to be cautioned about diplomatic conduct. On the other hand, with the new US Administration changing course on two issues that country championed for decades free trade and free speech, it may be China wanting the mantle at least abroad. Recent reports indicate that several countries have begun reviewing rapidly expanding Chinese investments around the world on the basis of national interest. Some projects have been cancelled in Australia and Germany on these grounds. Beijing is also imposing a certain amount of controls on the outflow of its capital. The Hambantota port and Colombos Financial District, which is the port city, may fall into the category of strategic interests to China rather than of commercial value, but what Sri Lanka must guard against is that in its negotiations, secret as they are, dont run counter to our own long-term national interests; and that they are not merely seen from the prism of overcoming an immediate debt problem that the previous Sri Lankan Government foisted on the people. From all accounts, the Indian Foreign Secretary has given a telling message that the 1987 Indo-Lanka Accord is outdated in some aspects and the demand for the North-East merger is now passe. Whether the contentious issue of poaching in Sri Lankan waters by Indian fishermen, causing irreparable harm to the Sri Lankan economy was ever discussed is anybodys guess. With a pro-active disclosure policy under the new Right to Information Law in operation on the one hand, the acute deficiency in letting the citizens know the outcome of all these discussions with these key overseas players on the other, is not just unfortunate, it is not in the public interest. Kids Essays View(s): My trip to Australia During the last school vacation, I went on a trip to Australia with my grandparents. It was a wonderful journey. We flew to Singapore and from there to Australia. Australia is a beautiful, large country. There were many beautiful places to visit. We visited many beautiful places such as the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves. We stayed in Sydney with our relations. We travelled to Queensland by a domestic flight and visited an island by cruise. We stayed there in a hotel for three nights. We went to Canberra to see the Parliament and the War Memorial Museum. In Sydney, we also visited the Opera House. It was really nice. We also saw the Harbour Bridge from there. We enjoyed visiting friends and relations. We visited most of the large malls and we bought many things. We enjoyed tasty food and the delicious fruits. It was a memorable tour. Hiruni Fernando (Grade 5) Musaeus College Our School Walk Our School Walk was held on January 28, 2017. We all were gathered at the Taj Samudra Hotel car park. Our headmaster gave the signal to begin the Walk. Not only children, many people walked such as old boys, teachers and parents. We walked a long way. While we were walking, we sang and we danced. After the Walk we had a Fun Fair. There were many food stalls, games and rides. I went home at 11 p.m. I hope we will have another Walk next year. Senuka Nagodavithana (Grade 6) S. Thomas Preparatory School Trip to Balapitiya On one sunny day we went to Balapitiya. We went in my dads new car on the highway. We had lunch at my aunts place. Next we went to the beach and then we swam. After that we came to my aunts place and had tea. Then we came home. Ahmed Raashid (Grade 2) Zahira College My hobby My hobby is stamp collecting. It is a very useful and interesting hobby. My grandparents advised me to take up this hobby. I started collecting stamps at the age of eight and now I have a lot of stamps. I have no count of them. They are of various countries and are of different colours, shapes and sizes. They carry pictures of famous people and leaders of different countries. There are pictures of different kinds of birds, animals, plants and flowers. Some tell us about famous events in other countries. They also tell us about important inventions. I learn a lot about the world from these stamps. I have a stamp album for my stamps. I also collect first day covers. It is a very useful way of spending my leisure time. I am proud of my hobby. Niroshan Paulraj (11 years) JMC College Int., Colombo 9 Munidasa Kumaratunga Munidasa Kumaratunga was born on July 25, 1887. He was a writer, poet, journalist and grammarian. He wrote many Sinhala storybooks. Heenseraya, Hathpana, Magul Kema and Kiyawana Nuwana are some of them. These books are popular among children even today. Munidasa Kumaratunga founded the Hela Hawula movement to promote the correct usage of the Sinhala language. He wrote Sinhala grammar books and had a wide knowledge of other languages like Tamil, Pali, Sanskrit, Greek and Latin. In his lifetime, he served as a school teacher, principal and school inspector. This eminent scholar passed away on March 2, 1944. Thevindu Dhamsith (11 years) Mahanama College, Colombo 3 My ambition Different people have different goals in their life. There are various professions like being an engineer, teacher, scientist, lecturer, doctor etc. But for achieving our aims, we have to work hard from the very start in a proper way. Without working sincerely, we cant achieve our set targets in life. But for all these things, we have to know our strengths and weaknesses. The strength in a subject must be kept in mind when choosing the right path of success. I have searched the plus and minus sides of my intelligence and know that I have a strong memory power. I also score well in Science subjects. Therefore I have decided to become a doctor. It is because I judged my strength and gave priority to my choice. As I am a boy this profession is quite suited to me. I usually read Science books and it is just like my dream to be a doctor. The second reason is because one day when I was going to the market with my family, I saw a poor man begging for his son. I saw that his son was dying because of a disease. From that day I was determined to become a doctor to help the needy and poor people. S. Abishek (Grade 5) Cambridge Int. School, Colombo 15 Pollution Pollution is a prominent word these days. Pollution makes the vegetation ill. Pollution can happen in many ways, such as air pollution, water pollution and noise pollution. Pollution may directly or indirectly affect us. Water pollution means polluting water by dumping garbage, mixing toxic materials released by industries to rivers and even mixing oil to the sea water. These are the reasons which destroy marine life. The toxic materials which is mixed to the rivers and lakes will affect the life of animals and humans. There is a thin layer named the atmosphere which protects the earth from ultra-violet rays, meteors and heat radiation of the sun. Due to air pollution this layer is becoming thin and one fine day it will be destroyed. Releasing carbon monoxide, harmful gases from vehicle engines, and factories are some reasons for air pollution. Noise pollution also has taken a prominent place. Tooting vehicle horns can be mentioned as an instance. All the types of pollution together is known as environmental pollution. There are many effects of pollution, due to increasing of heat, global warmth goes up, ice bergs will melt and it will influence islands such as Maldives. The sea level goes up. Various kinds of diseases will spread and make people ill due to dumping of garbage. So it is our duty to prevent pollution. Yasasvi Perera (Grade Nakano College, Bandaragama Computers blessed or cursed Computers are very useful devices for everybody. We do a lot of our work with the use of computers. Some computers are wireless. They are called laptops. Sometimes computers give a lot of problems. Children and young adults may get addicted to computers. We do not do sufficient exercises because of computers. Computers do not help us to obtain the entire knowledge we need. We are discouraged to read books because of computers. We should always use computers meaningfully. Methupama Wijerathne (Grade 5) Holy Cross College, Gampaha Rover my puppy Rover my puppy Likes to eat gummy It fills up his tummy And says its yummy. Anuki Hettiarachchi (7 years) The Winchester School - Dubai Neverland They struggle under the stifling weight Of a billion hopes and dreams, Living all their precious lives to satiate Societys absurd whims. All that they expected to be Is not what they want to be, What life does the poor child lead That has never climbed a tree? I cannot find some childish spirit, A beating heart beneath those layers Of robotic submission to masters Who see them only as professors, engineers. So where have their childhoods gone? Laughter in days, halcyon, Did they never sing the songs Of youth, feel nostalgic for days bygone? Haala Marikar Badi-ud-din Mahmud Girls College, Kandy What are fire extinguishers? A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire. Fire extinguishers manufactured with non-cylindrical pressure vessels also exist but are less common. Fathima Musfirah (13 years) Fathima B. Muslim M.V., Kandy My school My school is Sujatha Vidyalaya. It is in Matara district, Southern Province. Its big and very beautiful. There are Grades One to Thirteen classes in my school. There are around 5,000 students and 200 teachers in my school. We have very comfortable classrooms, a big grassy playground, a perfect laboratory and a reading library. School is our second home. In the school we get education and good habits. We have to wear school uniforms when we go to school. Our principal is Mrs. Hemanthimala Wanigasinha. She is very good and kind. We have to be good students in the school. We have to respect teachers and the principal. I love my school very much. Januli Kulathunga (Grade 7) Sujatha Vidyalaya, Matara My new bed My old bed broke. I went and told my mother. She said, Dont worry, it is a very old bed. Then she told she will buy me one. We went to the shop to buy me a new bed. My father told, This is a very comfortable one. I said, My old is better. Oh! Look a beautiful spaceship bed, it is cheap. Ok, We will buy you, told mum and dad. My new bed is very comfortable. Udara Weerasekara (Grade 4) Vidyaloka Model School, Hingurakgoda The officers who served under the Dutch View(s): This article is part of a continuing series on Sri Lankan history There were Mohottalas appointed to serve the Adikaram. The Radala class too assisted them. According to the records maintained by the Mohottalas, the Dutch duly declared the amount of taxes to be levied. Accordingly, work was also taken, based on the Rajakariya system, where land is granted in exchange for services rendered. The Dutch obtained much service from the people of this caste. Because of this, they were given special privileges. Land and money were given to them for their subsistence. The Dutch demarcated a special district for the collection of elephants. That came to be known as Bethma. Furthermore, these records declared the extent of land given to each individual. Going by the traditions respected for long, there were specific rajakariya to be performed by them. The caste they belonged to and even their personal names were written in these records. The peeling and collection of cinnamon, was vested with one particular caste only. The people who were entrusted with the collection of elephants had to give 34 elephants, including four tuskers, annually. In later years they had handed over 70 elephants from the Matara Dissawani. The officers took steps to see that these duties were performed well. They had to see that these people who were working for them were prevented from going to the king. The Dutch saw to it that all the chief officers, who were involved in these duties, were conferred honorary titles and they were always given special privileges too. By Halaliye Karunathilake Edited and translated by Kamala Silva Illustrated by Saman Kalubowila 361 talks about the shallowness of TV View(s): Udayasri Wickremeratnes newest theatrical production 361, a satire on the television industry and programmes they presented to its viewers is now going around the country with its latest show at 3.30 pm and 7 pm at Lionel Wendt theatre, Colombo. With the tagline truth is larger than the small screen, the stage play deals with the people who sit in front of television and plans to change the existing social, political and economic systems. Even though television is a powerful medium today we find that what appears there is cheap, low grade and some of its presentation are even hilarious says playwright Udayasiri Wickremeratne who earlier produced plays like Suddek Oba Amathai (A white man addresses you), Rangapema Ivarai; (Adieu to Acting) and Pem Yuwalak Ona Kara thibe (Wanted a pair of lovers). The play showcases various television programmes and show how shallow and naive they are. The viewers are glued to the TV and hopes that social changes could be done through political talk shows taking place in the TV, he adds. Asked about the peculiar title 361 Udayasiri said that TV channels claims that they cover everything and title programmes 360 degrees. But this play goes beyond 360 degrees and so the play become 361 the director said. Speaking about the Sri Lankan theatre industry, Wickremeratne says if a play can have a long run it would defiantly be a good plays. For example look at Prof. Eidiriweera Sarachchandras Maname, Sinhaba, Kanda Walalu and many more, Henry Jayasenas Hunuwataye Kathawe, Dayananda Gunawardenas Nari Bena, R. R. Samarakones Kelani Palama. Some of these plays have been running for more than 50, 60 years. 361 at Wendt The latest show of Thunsiya Hetaeka (361) will go on the boards at 3.30 pm and 7.00 pm on March 4 at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Colombo 07. The cast includes Gihan Fernando, Umayangana Wickremasinghe, Ruwan Malith Peiris, Chamari Nisansala, Mihiri Priyangani, Rohitha Jayakoday, Kusal Maduranga, Ishara Wickremasinghe, Susanga Kahandawala Arachchi and Nayanthara de Silva. Music by Lalith Wickramarathne, set design, costume design and lighting are done by Luvolin Vanderwall, Nipuni Preksha Mendis, and Mihindu Madhushanka respectively. Stage management is by Sumedha Prasanna and 361 is presented by Jude Srimal. Tickets are available at the Lionel Wendt Theatre Glitzy grad show View(s): British Cosmetics, the hair and beauty care provider held its annual student graduation at the Hilton Residencies earlier this month with a fashion show featuring psychedelic creations by the talented students under the themes of Beach, Fire, Floral, Bird, Sky, and Metal. Former model and Miss. Sri Lanka Rozanne Diasz Leanage, choreographed the show. British Cosmetics, the hair and beauty care provider held its annual student graduation at the Hilton Residencies earlier this month with a fashion show featuring psychedelic creations by the talented students under the themes of Beach, Fire, Floral, Bird, Sky, and Metal. Former model and Miss. Sri Lanka Rozanne Diasz Leanage, choreographed the show. The soiree culminated in a spectacular Evening Wear collection by Ruchira Karunaratne of Rebel and a stunning Bridal Collection by Ruchira and Michael Wijesuriya. Speaking on the occasion, CEO/Technical Director of British Cosmetics Nirosha Jagodaarachchi said that the Academy was proud to empower its graduating students to face the world as fully-fledged professionals. We have imparted to you all our knowledge with passion. Together with our international partners we have exposed you to the highest international standards. Today you showcase your talent on stage and go out into the world, fully empowered and with your heads held up high, she said. Harpos Pizza goes to Mount Lavinia View(s): Popular home grown pizza Harpos Pizza launched its second pizza Parlour on Galle Road, Mount Lavinia. Popular home grown pizza Harpos Pizza launched its second pizza Parlour on Galle Road, Mount Lavinia. As part of its long term expansion plan, Harpos Pizza and Pasta moved to Harpos home town Mount Lavinia, almost two years after its first pizza parlour in Nugegoda. Conveniently located and easily accessible on Galle Road close to popular Templers Road in a prime position of Mount Lavinia, Harpos Pizza and Pasta offers range of wood fired, thin crust pizzas and fresh homemade pastas for customers to dine in, take-away or have delivered to their home through their efficient delivery service. The new restaurant can accommodate 52 diners and the team is headed by Sunil Thanthirige who brings extensive experience in the hotel, restaurant and catering field which he garnered while working in Ravenna Italy. Speaking on the expansion of Harpos Pizza and Pasta, affable MD Harpo Gooneratne said It gives me great pleasure to launch our second pizza parlour within a short span of less than 2 years in Mount Lavinia. Given the residential neighbourhood, the schools and facilities near- by , this makes it an ideal location to offer our range of fresh homemade brand of pizzas and fresh Pasta. It has always been my plan to expand the Harpos Pizza and Pasta brand and I got an ideal location to start with the second such parlour. We have set our standard with the Italian pizzas and I wanted to introduce a home- grown pizza range along with a fresh pasta selection he added. The Restaurant boasts of having its own authentic Italian brick wood fired oven, serving up, and home grown products with the pizza and pasta range, using fresh and healthy ingredients. There are 30 delicious flavours in for sizes which include Colombos largest 19 Pizza with 16 sumptuous slices and the only Square 22 pizza serving 36 slices ideal for entertaining and to share with friends. The Fresh pastas include ravioli, tagliatelle, and of course the dessert range includes dessert pizzas. It also offers fresh homemade beverages. Call on 4327337, 486 9000 or www.harpospizzas.com for more details. Justin Bieber in trouble over court appearance View(s): Justin Bieber failed to appear in court on 8th February as the first hearing into the copyright case of his hit song Sorry was to get underway. His lawyers informed the plaintiffs side that Bieber was ill. Sorry came out in 2015 and became a popular hit in many countries. It topped the chart in Canada. However by December 2015 the indie artist Winter Hinderland wrote to Justin Bieber under her own name Casey Dienal claiming that her hit of 2014 Ring The Bell was sampled on Sorry. She wanted it removed or compensated. Bieber and his co-song writers apparently ignored the claim. However by May 2016, Dienal decided on legal measures. She has cited Bieber and the co writers of Sorry namely Justin Tranter, Sonny Moore (Skrillex) and Michael Tucker (Blood) in her claim. failed to appear in court on 8th February as the first hearing into the copyright case of his hit song Sorry was to get underway. His lawyers informed the plaintiffs side that Bieber was ill. Sorry came out in 2015 and became a popular hit in many countries. It topped the chart in Canada. However by December 2015 the indie artist Winter Hinderland wrote to Justin Bieber under her own name Casey Dienal claiming that her hit of 2014 Ring The Bell was sampled on Sorry. She wanted it removed or compensated. Bieber and his co-song writers apparently ignored the claim. However by May 2016, Dienal decided on legal measures. She has cited Bieber and the co writers of Sorry namely Justin Tranter, Sonny Moore (Skrillex) and Michael Tucker (Blood) in her claim. Harry Styles is close to releasing his debut solo effort. Indications are his work could be released either by April or May. Styles had to take some time off from his singing career as he was acting in the World War II film Dunkirk. He is third member of One Direction to adopt a solo singing career after Liam Payne and Niall Horan. A teenage fan of Bruce Springsteen had his second opportunity in four years to sing on stage with his idol in Australia. Nathan Testa attended Springsteens concert in Brisbane on 16th February holding up a banner which read Missed school Can I play Growing Up with you from the audience. Springsteen called up Testa on stage with the youngsters guitar and then sang Growing Up. Nathan Testa got his first opportunity to sing with The Boss in Brisbane when he was 11 at the time Springsteen was on tour in 2013. Ed Sheeran has just released a new track called How Would You Feel (Paean), the third single from his forthcoming album , The song is a piano driven ballad written and produced by Sheeran himself. Meanwhile for a sixth week Shape Of You has been holding the No:1 spot on the UK singles chart. But his second hit Castle On The Hill has lost ground as it dropped a notch from No: 2. Hence Ed Sheerans long running dominance of the No: 1 and 2 spot of five consecutive weeks has come to an end not before hitting over 1 billion streams for both songs combined. As Rag N Bone Man advanced up the singles chart again with his soul hit Human climbing to No: 2, his album of the same name has debuted at the top of the UK chart. It has moved 117,000 copies making it the fastest debut album for a UK male artist in a decade. Katy Perry debuted on the UK singles chart with her new release Chained To The Rhythm at No: 7. The dancehall/disco track is produced by Max Martin and Ali Payami and features Skip Marley, the grandson of Bob Marley. Also providing uncredited vocals is Sia who coincidently one of the co-writers of Chained To The Rhythm. The song is Perrys 13th UK top 10 hit. UK TOP 10 TW LW 1 1 Shape Of You Ed Sheeran 2 5 Human Rag N Bone Man 3 2 Castle On The Hill Ed Sheeran 4 3 You Dont Know Me Jax Jones ft: Raye 5 9 I Dont Want To Live Forever (from: Fifty Shades Darker) Zayn & Taylor Swift 6 6 Paris Chiansmokers 7 Chained To The Rhythm Katy Perry ft: Skip Marley 8 4 Touch Little Mix 9 10 Be The One Dua Lipa 10 7 Call On Me Starley Bond issue: All JO MPs to testify View(s): The Joint Opposition will call upon all its 51 parliamentarians to testify before the Commission of Inquiry probing the Central Bank bond scam, its leader Dinesh Gunawardena said yesterday. He said they would make representations to the Commission with regard to the matter. Every member of the JO is privy to some aspect of the scam, he added. By Press Trust of India: Los Angeles, Feb 25 (PTI) Celebrity fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld has claimed that Hollywood icon Meryl Streep wanted to be paid to wear one of his Chanel dresses to the 2017 Academy Awards. In an interview to Womens Wear Daily, Lagerfeld, who is the head designer and creative director of Chanel, said he had been working on a design for the 67-year-old actress and according to him she decided to pull out of the agreement over money. advertisement "I made a sketch, and we started to make the dress (but then I get a phone call from her team a few days later which said): Dont continue the dress. We found somebody who will pay us. After we gift her a dress thats 100,000 euros, we found later we had to pay (for her to wear it). We give them dresses, we make the dresses, but we dont pay. "A genius actress, but cheapness also, no?" Lagerfeld said. However, Chanel has issued a statement to Refinery29 backtracking from Lagerfelds comments. The fashion house clarified that "no mention of the reason" for Streeps decision to wear a dress from a different designer was given. "Chanel engaged in conversations with Ms Streeps stylist to design a dress for her to wear to the Academy Awards, with the full understanding that she was considering options from other design houses. "When informed by the stylist that Ms Streep had chosen a dress by another designer there was no mention of the reason. Chanel wishes to express our continued and deep respect for Ms Streep," the statement read. A representative for Streep has said that the designers comments are "completely untrue." "The WWD story is a completely untrue story. Ms. Streep would never wear anything in exchange for payment," the publicist said. PTI SHD JCH --- ENDS --- Dengue cases decrease, but changing weather patterns could bring about hike View(s): In spite of a reduction in the number of dengue cases so far for this month month, the fluctuating weather patterns could see a rise in numbers once again, health officials warned. According to the Epidemiology Unit, 2668 dengue cases were reported in Colombo last month. This is higher than the cases reported in January last year, which stood at 2184. Dengue Control Unit Director Dr. A.R.M. Thowfeek said although there was a peak in December and January the numbers reported so far for this month show a decline. He said, however, clean up programmes along with fogging continue to be carried out in areas identified as potential mosquito breeding places. We advise the public to maintain a clean environment in their premises while public places and government institutions have been warned to be mindful of their surroundings too. He said a National Mosquito Control Week will be observed from March 29 to April 5. This is an annual programme that includes inspection of houses, schools, public places and government institutions, he said. Colombo South Teaching Hospital Director Dr. Asela Gunawardena also said there appeared to be a decrease in the number of cases in the Colombo South area. About 700 cases were reported in January but the numbers so far for this month show a decline. Last month we had up to 100 patients in the ward everyday and the numbers have now reduced to 60, he said. Dengue awareness programme launched at Katana MOH Office By K.L.Richard Walter Perera A Dengue awareness programme is being implemented in the Gampaha district -a result of at least 20 dengue related deaths reported in the district last year. Dr. W.D.C. Suranimala M.O.H. Katana addressing a Public Awareness Programme on dengue launched in conjunction with directives given by the Presidential Secretariat noted that the focus was on private residences. Dr.Suranimala said the area under purview of the MOH Office Katana, covered around 126,000 persons in 37 Grama Seva Niladari Divisions. Twenty-five schools too fell under the MOHs purview she said. Dr. W.M.Tyron Priyanga Asst. M.O.H. Katana who also addressed the programme said the first case of dengue was discovered in 1962. Since then the illness had taken on epidemic proportions. S.A.U.T. Kulathilaka (PHI) said the dengue mosquito laid its eggs in pure water. He added the eggs were active even after 6 months and hence steps should be taken to eradicate mosquito breeding places, which are found mainly in public institutes. Around 60 participants representing various institutes including schools, attended the programme. Attendees were advised to form committees and record the progress of the monitoring programme every week. Drought-hit Gampaha District walks miles, digs deep for water View(s): The Gampaha District, which has been relatively free of the drought, is the latest to be affected by it, with villagers compelled to travel five to 10 km to fetch drinking water or, for bathing and washing clothes. Residents of Mirigama, Millawa, Pasyala, Muruthawela, Kal Eliya and Bolakanda are among those severely affected. Residents complain of having to travel far from their villages, daily spending an additional Rs 300 to collect water. The Jaya Mawatha village in Pasyala near Mirigama, located on a vast rocky outcrop, has the villagers in a dilemma as they are unable to get pipe borne water due to the elevation, and have no water in the wells. They say the rock underneath blocks the water flow from fountains to the wells, making them solely dependent on rainwater. Most of the wells in the village are dry, while whatever water there is in the rest, is muddied. The situation is heartbreaking as children go down into the deep wells at night, to try and break the bedrock with crowbars, in search of water. My son Harshana Dilan is only 14 but, he has to go into the well daily, risking his life to find water to go to school the next day, lamented Thushari Priyadarshani a mother of two, of her sons fate. A villager said at least one bowser is required per week for the 47 families in the village, After consuming contaminated water, children are struck down by various illnesses very often. Last week, a child was admitted to the Wathupitiwala hospital, suffering from vomiting, sore throat and other symptoms. Doctors advised to give only previously-boiled water to the children. None of the villagers are government servants, and have no permanent jobs, and we live in severe economic hardship. So how can we afford to buy purified water at exorbitant rates. The villagers also complained of serpents lurking in the area at night, making it dangerous for nocturnal search for water. A.D.S. Chandrawathi (83) who has been a resident of the area for more than 50 years, said this was the first time she had ever experienced such severe conditions due to a water scarcity. The public wells in the area were always full of water in the past. A few decades back, the main livelihood of the villagers was farming. But now, we have completely given up on cultivation, since two years ago. Only from a single well in the area is water available for daily needs. The proud owner of the well, K.H.Sugathadasa(60) said long queues form from 4 a.m. until about 10 pm. More than 400 people from more than 20 villages, come daily to this well. Some from afar as 10 km. Lochana Jayawardena (32), an Ayurvedic practitioner said he had to stop making Ayurvedic medicines for want of water. Acute damage has been caused to medicinal plant beds. Arista and Kasaya production have been completely stopped, as pure water is key to the preparation of Ayurveda medicines. He said the Idiparape District Ayurveda Hospital in Mirigama had been badly hit and a shortage of Ayurvedic medicines can occur as a result. The hospital management has sunktube wells to ease the situation, he said. There is little opportunity to organise a religious ceremony in the village. Bodhi puja have been limited to conserve water, said Ven. Moragammana Seelavimala Thera, the chief incumbent of Maligathanna Raja Maha Viharaya, Pasyala. The temple has been supplied with pipe-borne water, but we receive water after midnight. So, we use a small tank to store water. Meanwhile, the villagers are planning a Gammdu ceremonial dance to seek divine help to overcome the situation. L.P.A. Samarasiri the village devalayas kapumahattaya said the dance will be held on March 4 and 5. We hope the circumstances will change after the ceremony. We have firsthand experiences in the past of drought conditions ceasing suddenly, soon after the traditional Gammdu ceremony, said some optimistic villagers. The Bataleeya Water Supply Scheme provides water to Pasyala, Wewaldeniya and Mirigama area residents through a limited number of water spouts. However, due to drought, the demand cannot be met by the National Water Supply & Drainage Board, as the maximum capacity from the Water Supply Scheme is distributed to residents of other areas. Hence, they have stopped providing new water connections. The Divisional Engineer of Gampaha in a letter addressed to the Mirigama residents states that a solution cannot be provided to the people due to the insufficient capacity of the Bataleeya Water Supply Scheme, and the decrease in the water pressure, to distribute to a larger area. Hence, they do not have the technology to distribute water to the area residents of Meerigama. An officer of the Gampaha Water Board told the Sunday Times that an optimum capacity of water from the Attanagalu Oya is treated and distributed to the people. However, people use it for other purposes and hence, unable to fulfill their basic needs, he added. He added that, due to tide fluctuations salt content has risen in the Raddolu Oya. Last year, people were provided with drinking water by distributing large tanks in January and March. A maximum capacity of water is treated and distributed through pipelines, while 30 bowsers and tanks were distributed to the Raddolugama residents, he said. He said the Maha Oya, Attanagalu Oya and the Kelani Ganga are the main sources of water supply to the Gampaha District. Though the water levels of Maha Oya and Attanagalu Oya have reduced significantly, it does not have a major impact on the supply, in addition to the Kelani gangas supply which is normal, he said. As a solution to the problem, new tanks should be constructed, while existing tanks should be dredged so that, sufficient water can be stored. People should stop reclaiming land in water catchment areas, while new methods of water management should be introduced, he stated. He stressed that, if the Attanagalla Water Supply Scheme Project is carried out by the authorities, it has the capacity to provide water to a vast area in the Gampaha District, though it would take at least three years to complete. Illegal fishing: The Sunday Times invokes RTI law to get to the bottom View(s): By S. Rubatheesan As many as 641 permits were issued to foreign fishing vessels between 2012 and 2015 despite warnings by the European Union (EU) that many of them were engaged in illegal fishing practices which ultimately cost Sri Lanka a ban on exports, the first application by the Sunday Times under the new Right to Information Act has revealed. The EU eventually banned Sri Lankas fish imports in 2015 costing the country more than 75 million euro (Rs. 12 billion). This information was hitherto not provided by the Fisheries Department despite several requests. The former government had repeatedly declined to disclose details of licences issued to foreign vessels for fishing. The permits were given to fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) a zone beyond the territorial sea of 12 nautical miles (22.2 km) from the shores of Sri Lankan waters. The licences were issued to foreign vessels registered in Indonesia, Taiwan and Malaysia. Imposing the ban on Sri Lanka in 2015, the EU said it was urging Sri Lanka to implement measures to dissuade illegal fishing by Sri Lankan vessels or by foreign vessels using Sri Lankan ports. The Fisheries Department said that since February 2015, with the imposition of a ban on Tuna imports to EU countries, Sri Lanka denied port facilities to foreign vessels. The highest number of licences amounting to 257 were issued to foreign fishing vessels in 2012 followed by 256 in 2013. In 2014 the Department issued 159 licences and nine in 2015 until the scheme was suspended. The Government went on to implement recommendations set out by EU to stop Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in Sri Lanka and eventually the ban on fish exports to the EU countries was lifted in April last year. Though the foreign fishing vessels were allowed to carry out fishing only in the EEZ, local fishermen regularly complained that they also engaged in fishing in Sri Lankan waters disrupting their fishing activities. Local fishermen accused the then Fisheries Minister Rajitha Senaratne of involvement in issuing licences to foreign vessels. The charge was denied by the minister. IMF demands sale of assets View(s): Urgent moves to avert economic crisis; Lagarde here next Sunday Crucial discussions are under way with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on measures needed to stave off an economic crisis the result of issues arising from servicing foreign and local debts. The move comes ahead of an impending visit to Sri Lanka by Christine Lagarde, the head of the IMF. The French lawyer and one-time politician is due to arrive in Colombo next Sunday (March 5). One of the contentious areas where the discussions have centred around is the sale of what the IMF describes as non-strategic assets. This is said to include the Colombo Hilton, Lanka Hospitals, the Hyatt Hotel now under construction and the Waters Edge. The latter, however, cannot be divested from government control in view of a pending court case which has stalled its expansion programme. President Maithripala Sirisena has declared that he is strongly opposed to the sale of any state enterprises that are now making profits. Moreover, it was last week that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa formed a new organisation called The National Assets Protection Centre to protect state assets and prevent them from being sold. On Tuesday, President Sirisena chaired a meeting of the apex review body of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM). An IMF report was tabled at the meeting. Officials estimate that US$ 1.5 billion could be raised by the sale of non-strategic assets. Lawyers as presiding officers at BASL polls BASL constitution unanimously amended to overcome JSA refusal to perform role View(s): View(s): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday amended its constitution to allow lawyers to act as Presiding Officers (PO), consequent to the Judicial Services Associations (JSA) refusal to perform the role this week at scheduled elections, in protest against the recent appointment of an Attorney from the Private Bar as High Court Judge (HCJ), Batticaloa. The poll will now be held on March 15. Three candidates- Anura B. Maddegoda, U.R. de Silva and R. Thangaraja- are contesting the post of BASL President. The BASL constitution had earlier read: The District Judge of the relevant judicial district or, in his absence, any Additional District Judge or, any Magistrate of such judicial district or, any person acting in such office at such time, shall be responsible for the conduct of the election at the respective election centres and for the counting of the ballots cast at the said election. They shall be referred to hereafter as POs. However, the BASL was compelled to postpone its election scheduled for February 21, consequent to the JSAs decision to refrain from acting as POs. Yesterday, the BASL constitution was changed to allow Lawyers to step in as POs, if a judge, for some reason, refuses to take part. The decision was unanimous. R. Kannan was made HCJ, reportedly, on the BASLs recommendation. The JSA has urged the authorities to rescind the appointment on the basis it was done outside accepted norms. Sources were cited as saying the JSA would not cooperate with the BASL, until President Maithripala Sirisena and the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) acted. BASL President Geoffrey Alagaratnam issued a statement this week saying, Lawyers had made representations to both the Bar Council and the Executive Committee about an acute shortage of Tamil-speaking HCJs in the North and East. This was taken up several times at regular Bench and Bar meetings between BASL representatives, the Chief Justice (CJ) and JSC members. At these meetings, it was indicated there was a serious shortage of Tamil-speaking career Judges, sufficiently senior, to be promoted to the HC and that, even the Attorney Generals Dept was unwilling to release its officers conversant in the Tamil language, for such appointments, due to its heavy reliance on its very few Tamil officers, Mr Alagaratnam said. Consequently, it was suggested by His Lordship that, if members of the Unofficial Bar, even from the Northern and Eastern Provinces, were willing to give up their practice and offer themselves for such appointment, the same will be considered, and that, they could be posted outside the Province of their practice, he continued. Mr Alagaratnam confirms that he forwarded Mr Kannans application (as directed by His Lordship the CJ) to President Sirisena who is the appointing authority, for consideration, with copies to the CJ and the Minister of Justice. To the best of my recollection, there was never any concern or reservation communicated to the undersigned by the Presidential Secretariat or, any other party, on the suitability or, otherwise, of Mr Kannan for appointment to the HC, he says. Consequently, there was never any appeal or, the need for an appeal by the undersigned or, a delegation of the BASL, on Mr Kannans application. No amnesty but provision to bring back legitimate foreign money View(s): The Government will allow Sri Lankans holding undeclared funds in foreign banks to repatriate them to Sri Lanka if they have earned them through legitimate channels. The decision to attract such funds was made by the apex body headed by President Maithripala Sirisena. This body now monitors the workings of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Management (CCEM). The President reviews the CCEMs discussions and decisions. At the first meeting chaired by Mr. Sirisena, with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in attendance, the matter was discussed at length. It was noted that the call for Sri Lankans holding funds abroad to bring their monies should not be termed an amnesty. This is on the grounds that such a move would appear as acknowledging the inward remittance of money earned through illegal means such as smuggling, sale of drugs or from terrorist activity. The Government is to make clear its intentions when a formal offer, that will be formulated, is made public. The Legal Draftsmans Department is to be called upon to put this into legal format before it is gazetted. At one point during the discussion, a question was raised over the foreign assets of a leading opposition politician. What happens if he chooses to bring his moneys back, asked one of the participants. Another replied that he or she would have to prove how such funds were earned. The new move is prompted by the adverse financial situation in the country. Already the Government is examining measures recommended by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in this regard. Power crisis: No tax cuts for fuel, but emergency measures View(s): By Damith Wickremesekara The use of furnace oil and diesel for power generation due to the prevailing drought will cause the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) a loss of Rs. 51 billion over the next six months, a senior official said yesterday. Power and Renewable Energy Ministry Secretary B.M.S. Batagoda told the Sunday Times this projection had prompted the CEB to request the Finance Ministry to remove the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the Customs duty on fuel. The request was made formally to Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake at the recent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Disaster Management. This is headed by President Maithripala Sirisena.The Secretary said that at this meeting CEB officials had given a detailed briefing on the current power situation. Dr. Batagoda said the CEB had proposed to the Finance Minister the removal of VAT and the Customs duty on furnace oil and diesel needed to operate power plants. They had had also suggested a removal of VAT and other duties on coal imports. If concessions were not given, the CEB would have no option but to go for a substantial electricity tariff revision, he warned. Minister Karunanayake, however, told the Sunday Times he had ruled out tax concessions. Instead, he has assured to initially release Rs.30 billion to the CEB to manage its losses. Any further funds needed by the CEB, thereafter, would be closely assessed and provided by the Ministry on a monthly basis, he said. The moves came as the rate of hydro-power generation dropped to seven percent with the decision to hold back available water resources for drinking purposes. The Finance Minister has also ruled out an electricity tariff hike, saying the Finance Ministry had sufficient funds to offset the expected losses.The bulk of the countrys electricity needs is now being met by the 900 Megawatt (MW) Norochcholai Lakvijaya Coal Power Plant which is running at full capacity. The plant consists of three 300MW units and its smooth functioning is essential to maintain uninterrupted power supplies. If two of these units were to fail, island-wide power cuts would be inevitable, officials say. Meanwhile, the Government is going ahead with plans to buy more power from the private sector. Dr. Batagoda said 60 MW of emergency power was bought recently at a cost of Rs.28 a unit. While this was cheaper than what the CEB paid to private producers, it would still cost the Board Rs. 1 billion over the next six months, he said. A tender for a 50MW diesel power plant has also been advertised and has attracted 17 bids. He said the Government was also interested in buying a 200MW barge-mounted power plant as current prices for such plants were low. Measures have also been initiated to conserve power. Accordingly, the temperature for air conditioners at state offices has been restricted to 26 degree Celsius while a programme to replace incandescent bulbs with energy saving LED bulbs is now ongoing. Meanwhile, local government authorities have been directed to cut down street lighting by one hour a day. The Government is also offering a discount of 10 percent for consumers who bring down their monthly electricity consumption by 10 percent. SL should be wary of trade agreements: GMOA President View(s): GMOA President Dr Anuruddha Padeniya said Sri Lanka should be wary of entering into Trade Agreements (TA) with other countries, as the world is changing into an era of Economic warfare. He said this at a ceremony organized by the Professionals National Front to mark the inauguration of a Public Commission to formulate a National Policy (NP) on International Trade, held at the Foundation Institute Auditorium. Dr Padeniya, explaining the importance of an NP on International Trade said, most existing TAs had caused severe drawbacks to the country. For example, the 1998 Indo-Sri Lanka Free TA has resulted in a 90% loss to the country. Hedging agreement caused a massive loss too. It is estimated that from the loss of Hedging, a 5-star meal could have been provided to each citizen of this country for 12 years. Therefore, we cannot rely on the recommendations made by Economic consultants, because of these past experiences. He also emphasised that, when entering into TAs, the government should focus on the impacts on our Culture as well, other than the Economic benefits. As doctors, we understand the impacts on the Health sector from various Economic policies. We need the support of all the citizens in this regard. The President of the Commission, Prof W.D. Lakshman, in his address said, some powerful nations in the world now hold a completely different idea about TAs. U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew from international TAs such as North American Free Trade Agreement, Trans Pacific Partnership. The UK left the European Council recently. He said that its imperative to think more about a growth hike in our Production sector, than enter into TAs. When we enter into international TAs, we tend to pay less attention on non-tariff barriers like black money, national security and international tourism. In a neo-liberal government, the Economic policy is to sell government businesses. I think Sri Lanka doesnt have a proper policy to pay its debts. A large proportion of our Economy currently depends on the migrants remittances, but opening the Service sector to foreigners through ETCA, would result in the flow of more remittances out of the country. This could cause adverse impacts on our Economy. He also appreciated the efforts made by the GMOA and the support given by all the other professionals to form the Public Commission. Chancellor of the University of Sri Jayawardhanapura, Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratana said an NP is decisive for Sustainable Development. Nothing has an NP in Sri Lanka. Even Education and Media Policies change according to different governments and politicians who come to power, he said. In addition to the appointment of the Public Commission, a website was also launched by Commission member Dr Anula Wijesundara. A number of politicians including MP Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle and Viduara Wickremanayake, religious leaders and trade union activists also participated in the event. Top CB official, Govt. Printer to testify; vital details emerge View(s): Commission of Inquiry into the issuance of Treasury Bonds Government Printer (GP) Gangani Kalpana Liyanage and Central Bank (CB) Statistics Depts Additional Director Dr M.Z.M. Azim, who was its Debt Depts former Additional Superintendent, will appear before the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena to probe irregularities in the issuance of Treasury Bonds (TB). Ms Liyanage will appear tomorrow while Dr Azim will appear on Tuesday. Dr Azim was among the CB officials who gave detailed evidence before the Parliamentary Committee On Public Enterprises (COPE) on the TB issue. The GP has been summoned to answer queries about the discrepancies in the issue of a Gazette notification dated January 1, 2015, under the Registered Stock & Securities Ordinance, under the name of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa who also was the Minister of Finance & Planning at the time. Finance Ministry Secretary Dr R.H.S. Samaratunga appearing before the CoI on Thursday, was asked about the January 1, 2015, gazette number 1895/19, authorising the issue of TBs for Rs 10 billion, by the then Finance Minister. Dr Samaratunga told the CoI he was not the Finance Ministry Secretary at the time the said gazette was issued and was not aware of it. He said the Ministry Secretary at the time was Dr P.B. Jayasundara. Dr Samaratunga too will appear before the CoI on Monday to continue with his evidence. The CoI headed by Supreme Court Judge (SCJ) K.T. Chitrasiri with SCJ Prasanna Jayawardana, and Retired Deputy Auditor General Kandasamy Velupillai as its members, began sittings on Tuesday (21). The CoI has been mandated to investigate and inquire into and report on the issuance of TBs during the period February 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016. Its first two witnesses were CB Governor Dr Indrajit Coomaraswamy and Finance Ministry Secretary Dr R.H.S. Samaratunga. The Governor gave evidence before the CoI on Tuesday and Wednesday, while Dr Samaratunga appeared before the CoI on Thursday. Senior Additional Solicitor General Dappula de Livera, P.C. who heads the nine-member team from the Attorney Generals Dept, leading evidence on behalf of the CoI, said in his opening statement, The writ of the CoI includes inquiring, investigating and reporting back to the President, if any irregularity has taken place in the issuance of TBs during the period February 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016, and if, there has been a loss to the country, due to flaws in the process. The CoI has also been directed to ascertain, if there was discriminatory award of TBs, whether proper procedures and adequate safeguards were adopted to ensure there was optimum price or benefit for the Government and if so, the person or persons responsible for any act, omission, or conduct, he said. On February 21, Dr Coomaraswamy appearing before the CoI, was questioned at length on the methodology adopted by the CB on the issuance of TBs and in particular, the TB issue of February 2015. The Governor said the TBs in question were issued during the tenure of former Governor Arjun Mahendran and he, Dr Coomaraswamy, was not in the country at the time. He explained that TBs are issued to manage the finances of the countr y and for its economic development, keeping with government requirements, and the scheme was started in 1997. He said the procedure has been to issue the TBs to Primary Dealers (PD) and thereafter, traded in the Secondary markets. Dr Coomaraswamy explained that the CBs Public Debt Dept is in charge of issuing TBs, while its Superintendent is in charge of the procedure. He said that, if necessary, a Technical Evaluation Committee is appointed to decide on the quantum of funds to be raised and the CB Governor is empowered to change the composition of these Committees. Dr Coomaraswamy explained that, while TBs are issued for a long period above two years, while Treasury Bills are issued for a shorter period- usually a year. When asked whether TBs are issued to mature for periods of 40 to 50 years, the Governor said he was not aware of such instances. He said that, an ordinary person cannot purchase TBs and Treasury Bills and they are issued to PDs. He said there were 8 Banks and 7 PDs, and the conditions are laid down by the CB. He said the Governor is not involved in the transactions of TBs, and is informed of its final outcome. He said the CB can remove a PD, but the Governor cannot get involved in the process. Dr Coomarasway said that, it is the Finance Minister who decides on the quantum of loans to be raised and the information conveyed to Parliament through the Appropriation Bill. If the Bill is passed, the decision is conveyed to the CB Governor. He said the decision to issue TBs is thereafter decided by the Treasury Secretary, the Governor and the Finance Board In response to a question as to whether the Direct system or the Auctioning system was better for Sri Lanka, Dr .Coomaraswamy said it is decided on the monetary reserves. Explaining the process, he said the Auction system is fully computerised and there was transparency in the scheme. He said there was a system where the Auction system and the Direct system are combined in addition to other systems, and the CB was looking for the best possible system. In response to a question about the expertise required for the TB transactions, Dr. Coomaraswamy said normal persons cannot engage in such transactions, as it requires specialised knowledge and knowledge on State monetary policies. Dr. Coomaraswamy responding to a question whether undue advantage could be obtained, if prior information is available, he said it could happen. He said, usually, two national newspapers publish the relevant advertisement. Responding to a question by Commissioner Justice Jayawardena, whether audio or video recordings are made during the time of the transactions, he said no such recordings had taken place. He said CCTV facilities too were not available. On queried whether there was a requirement for the CB Governor to visit the location where the TB transactions were taking place, Dr. Coomaraswamy said there was no such requirement. Dr Samaratunga giving evidence, explained the procedure of repaying debts and the policies which govern the decisions. He said that, between 2014 and 2015, there were 3 Budgets presented, and after the election of the new government, there was an interim Budget presented. He said that, in 2015, the loan requirement was Rs 1,780 million. Explaining the governments borrowing ceiling, he said the loans are divided as local and foreign, and the final decision is taken by Parliament and the CB. On a question whether there was a limit to the issuance of TBs, he said there was no such limit. The CoI will recommence sittings tomorrow. (Please see Business Section for related story) USAB tells Colombo Uni: Rethink order, reconsider relief to appellant View(s): The University Services Appeals Board (USAB) has recommended that the Council of the University of Colombo (UoC) reconsider an order and reconsider relief to an official who was sent on compulsory leave on charges of misconduct, the order of the Board said, noting that, Appellant appears to have suffered unduly due to that order, which we agree is wholly unreasonable, The three-member Board headed by Chairman Palitha Fernando P.C., observed that, the order to charge the Appellant on Vacation of Post, does not appear to be proper, and the Board has no jurisdiction to make and order in respect of the vacation of Post served on the Appellant. Senior Lecturer V.I.D.J. Perera, attached to the Institute of Workers Education, now known as the Institute of Human Resource Advancement, under the UoC, had filed an application seeking a writ prohibiting the implementation of the USAB decision. In 2001, Mr Perera applied for one years sabbatical leave from July 2001 to June 2002 to complete a comparative study on Impact of Mechanisation on Labour Relations in the Seaports. The sabbatical leave was approved by the Vice Chancellor (VC) within 12 days. The study was to be carried out at three major seaports, namely port of Newcastle in the UK, port of Kashima in Japan and in the port of Colombo. He indicated to the administration that he would start the survey in the UK, return to Sri Lanka and thereafter, proceed to Japan. Earlier, a Supreme Court verdict directed the USAB to comply with the Court of Appeal (CoA) order within three months, and pay Rs 50,000 as costs to the former Senior Lecturer. The CoA noted in its 2010 verdict that, the application for a second term of sabbatical leave made on June 25, 2004, had not been tabled until August 11. It is blatantly apparent that, there had been an undue delay in tabling the application, and in fact, the UoC Council had called for an explanation from the relevant officers responsible for the delay, the judgment said. After hearing the former Lecturers second appeal, on the basis that it was illegal for the UoC Council to convey the decision of sending him on vacation of Post through the VC, the Board held that the UoC Council has imposed a punishment on the Appellant having followed the disciplinary procedure. It is said that the charge against the Appellant was one of misconduct, Though I am strongly of the view that the decision to send the Appellant on vacation of Post is both unfair and unreasonable, the issue that bothers me is, whether it is within the jurisdiction of this Board to quash that order and direct the Appellant be reinstated in his Post, Mr Fernando noted in the Order. Attorney-at-Law, Senany Dayaratne, with Mrs Nishadi Wickremasinghe, appeared for the Appellant, while Attorney-at-Law, Riyad Ameen and Ms Kaushalya Dissanayake, instructed by Sinnadurai Sundaralingam and Balendra, appeared for Respondent Senior Assistant Registrar, UoC. The Board comprised Chairman Palitha Fernando P.C., Vice Chairman Neville Abeyratne and Dr Mrs Neela Gunasekara. By Hardeep Dugal: Director Kabir Khan lashed out at the Central Board of Film Certification and its chairperson Pahlaj Nihalani over the CBFC's denial of a certificate for Alankrita Srivastava's film, Lipstick Under My Burkha. Ironically, the film has won several awards internationally, including laurels for gender equality. The film was also widely celebrated at the Tokyo Film Festival and MAMI (Mumbai Film Festival) last year. advertisement Speaking exclusively to India Today, Kabir Khan said that his first reaction to the news was, "Oh god, not again! It is becoming a bit of a joke." The man behind blockbusters like Ek Tha Tiger and Bajrangi Bhaijaan said that every two months, the CBFC had made it a habit to do something completely stupid like this. Kabir, whose next Bollywood outing will be Salman Khan-starrer Tubelight, added that the time had come for the film industry to unite and protest for their rights. He took on Pankaj Nihalani and called him an adamant man, saying that it was incorrect for Nihalani or a group of people to dictate what people must see and what they shouldn't. Infact, the director even mocked Nihalani for deciding the duration of James Bond's onscreen kiss on screen. Kabir is of the view that even if the film is not celebrated or directed by a newcomer, it has the right to release. One can always communicate proposed cuts with filmmakers, however a blanket ban on the film's release was absolutely unacceptable and a threat to our freedom of expression. The CBFC's refusal to issue a certificate to Lipstick Under My Burkha, starring Konkona Sen Sharma, Ratna Pathak Shah, Aahana Kumra and Plabita Borthakur, was because "the story is lady oriented, their fantasy above life." Actor Tisca Chopra also slammed the CBFC's decision. An outraged Tisca told India Today, "We have become a laughing stock around the world with this piece of news. I am appalled. This is unacceptable. The reason given for denying the certificate is absolutely absurd. What century are we living in?" Meanwhile, MP Milind Deora tweeted, "#PahlajNihalani certainly isn't aiding the government's cause of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance". Certify #CBFC, don't censor." #PahlajNihalani certainly isn't aiding the government's cause of "Minimum Government, Maximum Governance". Certify #CBFC, don't censor ??? Milind Deora (@milinddeora) February 25, 2017 OPINION: Dear Censor Board, stop shoving sanskaar down our throats OPINION: Got a problem with 'lady-oriented' films? CBFC, please resign ALSO WATCH Lipstick Under My Burkha trailer: A daring, feminist film unafraid of controversies ALSO WATCH: CBFC strikes again, Lipstick Under My Burkha refused certificate --- ENDS --- Victims families hit out as boat tragedy sinks in View(s): 50 people were travelling in a fishing vessel meant for six and operated by an inexperienced skipper Navy spoeksman says incident eye opener to all stakeholders, calls for regulations on boat movements, to prevent such incidents in future By Chrishanthi Christopher Last weeks incident where a fishing boat transporting people to an annual church feast capsized killing 16 and injuring 33 in the high seas of Kalutara has plunged the people of Beruwela into mourning. On Wednesday the Bandarawatte residents of Beruwela buried seven of the victims after a funeral service presided over by Cardinal Malcom Ranjith. The residents were still in shock and disbelief after so many lives were taken away in a flash. When the Sunday Times visited the area death notices, banners, posters expressing the communitys sorrow were seen on every wall, pillar and post of homes and buildings a sense of death pervading the atmosphere. The tragedy that took place on Sunday morning included three children and seven women. Randhi Kalpini Perera (26) was one of them. The only girl in a family of four Randhi was an accounts clerk at the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA). She had wanted to participate in the annual boat procession, sindrathi as the locals called it. Sindrathi is a festival conducted by fisherfolk to obtain blessings for their fishing boats during the annual feast at St Lazarus church in Kalutara. The boat festival is a tradition enjoyed by the fisherfolk for decades but it has now spilled over to the entire community. As before, this year too around 20 fishing boats left the shores of Bandarawatte carrying people towards the church in Kalutara. Tradition requires the boats stop about five kilometres away from the shore and obtain the blessings of the priest, whilst at sea. Lots are cast and the lucky boat gets to carry the saints statue and the procession proceeds in circular pattern for about 50 kilometres in the waters. The procession concludes with the statue being handed back to the church and the people returning home. For Randhi it was her first time and she was determined to participate in the festival. Since none of her family members was free to accompany her she joined a close neighbour. She never returned home. Anton Suresh Perera (34), Randhis brother claims that the tragedy had occurred due to the negligence of the boat operator. He said on that fateful day a man with no experience in operating boats was in charge of operating the ill- fated vessel that was one among about 30 boats carrying pilgrims. He had failed to fill the lower deck of the boat with ice, fuel and water as is the practice. This had created an imbalance in weight causing the boat to topple. Eye witnesses say over 50 people boarding the vessel had changed the equilibrium and the boat started rocking. People had panicked and had rushed to one side of the boat and hung on to the metal railing worsening the listing of the vessel. This particular fishing trawler Little Moonshine had the capacity only to carry a maximum of six passengers and there were no extra life jackets on board. It is learnt that as a practice people would gather in the harbour and jump into any boat and join the festival. Suresh said this practice should stop and the festival needs to be organised properly. The church, the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and organizing committee should co-ordinate and make the arrangements, he said. Murage Chandralal Fernando (51) a fisherman who we spoke to at the harbour described the scene vividy. He said that he was in an adjacent boat when the tragedy happened. He too opined the boat capsised because of the lack of weight in the lower deck. The boat had no water, ice or diesel stored, he said. Despite this shortcoming, he said about four passengers who were on the upper deck were stomping and causing the vessel to rock. He said the the passengers had hung on to the rail of the boat in desperation. The tighter they held the boat got pushed into the waters on one side and turned over. Compounding the situation were the fishing nets stored in the upper deck that fell on the victims in the lower deck. People were caught in the net like fish and were pushed into the waters. Even those who could swim were helpless unable to free themselves. Some who were thrown over board were rescued or swam back to the shore. Chandralal had sprung into action and with a little knife he had started cutting off the plastic floats attached to the net freeing those trapped. The floats he said served as buoyant for some who were rescued. He charged that although the fisherman had informed the Navy as soon as the tragedy occurred they arrived about one and a half hours later. However, Navy Media spokesman Lt. Commander Chandralal Walakulage refuted the charge and said that the Rapid Response Rescue Team were at the scene of the tragedy . We got the message around 11.50 a.m. and our rescue team with 20 sailors were there within 20 minutes. Within 30 minutes two DVORAS (speed boats) with 15 divers joined from Colombo, he said. He said his men were involved with the major part of the operation cutting down entangled nets and rescuing bodies that were trapped beneath. It took three days to right the vessel that had turned turtle. Lt. Commander Walakulage said the incident was an eye opener to all stakeholders and that regulations have to be brought on boat movements, to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. Skipper charged with murder, culpable murder and non-culpable murder Kalutara OIC Indika Bandara said the skipper was taken into custody on Thursday night and was charged under the penal code section 296, 297 and 298 for murder, culpable murder and non-culpable murder. The suspect, a 24 year old man was produced in the Kalutara Magistrate Court and was remanded until March 6. The skipper being led away by police Parents who survived, but lost one son recall harrowing tale The young parents of two children , Chrisham Meril de Alwis and Nadeeka Hettiarachchi who survived the the ordeal said that it was sheer negligence and irresponsible attitude of the boat operator that led to the accident. They were rescued but their older child Gihan(6) died in the waters. Chrisham describing the ordeal said at the beginning he was holding his two children by the collars of their shirts and his wife by her hair. However they were pushed 30 feet down into the deep sea and when he resurfaced he had let go of his wife and Gihan. He saw them a few feet away but was unable to help them. The force of the waters had thrown him back into the boat. He however managed to hold onto his three year old son. When he looked around he was in the lower deck. He could not see his wife and older son. Lifting his son onto his shoulders he waded through the waters that was nose high. Reaching the upper deck he hung on to the bar pole on the side of the boat and waited for help. He urged two other youngsters to hang on to the pole and wait for the rescue team. Later he said he was rescued by those who came in small boats. They were picking up people at random, helping only those who were shouting for help. My pleas to search for my wife and son went unheeded, he said. He found his wife inside the boat feeling quite sick as she had swallowed alot of water. I had to get help to make her vomit. In the end I fainted, he recalled. We were taken to hospital and all the time I thought Gihan would be alive and we would find him. But on Wednesday his body was found and had to buried immediately as he had been too long in the waters, he lamented. Nadeeka says the skipper was to blame. She said that he had not taken his responsibility seriously and was was frolicking with three friends on the upper deck. She alleged that the group were smoking ganja, videoing and having fun. I saw him steer the wheel with his legs a couple of times. Thy are responsible for this mass murder. They should be punished, she hit out. Appreciations View(s): To a wonderful nephew who brought so much sunshine to our lives P. Nilanka Fernando The young life of P. Nilanka Fernando, the second son of late Dudley Nihal Fernando and Nilanthi Fernando was snuffed away a few months ago leaving a permanent void in the hearts of everyone whom he came into contact with. We saw him growing into a fine young man from a curly- haired adorable toddler. A product of S. Thomas College, Mount Lavinia, with pride we witnessed him graduating from APIIT and thereafter at Cardiff University in U.K. As a dutiful son he shouldered much responsibility during the demise of his father and was a pillar of strength to his mother. Never forgetting birthdays he showered his mother with flowers and gifts sent all the way from Australia. He was a devoted brother to Niroshan and his wife Rebecca and a doting uncle to Nefeli and Phoebe. God blessed him with a loving wife Suzette and two adorable kids Dwayne and Tiahna. Once they migrated to Australia, periodical updates were sent to us especially of his adorable son Dwayne. It brought tears to our eyes when he sent us a photograph proudly carrying his newborn baby daughter Tiahna, last year, despite not being in the best of health, then. When he was growing-up he was a source of joy to me and my spouse (his favourite uncle whom he trusted and looked up to and called Lal Bappi) since he filled the void in our lives until our son Sheranga arrived. I remember how he always wanted to travel in our vehicle because my husband used to drive at full speed beating all other vehicles and he wanted to be in the winning car, with shrieks of delight. He had a carefree and fun-loving personality with an infectious smile and managed to get away from many scrapes unscathed due to his sheer innocence. Once my mother-in-law who was trying out a special rice for Christmas from a newspaper recipe, suddenly found to her horror that Nilanka had used the newspaper to light crackers! Another time during a concert at school, after drinking two bottles of Fanta he could not clasp his cummerband round his waist, much to the consternation of his mother. I also remember how my husband had to rescue him from the wrath of his father on the day of his brothers wedding for failing to collect his bestmans suit from the tailors before they closed for the Sinhala New Year. They had to hunt high and low to find an appropriate suit, at the eleventh hour. My son Sheranga looked up to him. Even though there was a 10-year age gap they were thick as thieves with common interests like playing computer games, X box games and the love for music being choristers at S. Thomas College. He gelled very well with all his cousins and had much respect for all his uncles and aunts. He carried out many charitable projects. Not only was he the president of the Leo Club of Moratuwa-Ratmalana but was also at the helm of the entire Leo District by being an outstanding Leo District President of District 306 A1 during the period 2005/2006. His words still reverberate in my mind when he called to express his happiness when my husband paid him a surprise visit at Perth, Australia after getting to know about his illness. He was also overwhelmed by the love, the moral and financial support given by all the family members. How appreciative he was of the loving care of his mother Nilanthi whom we all call Chuti and very specially his aunt (Nandi) Sirima who took wing to Australia to be with him and his family when he most needed her. She held his hand and was with him till the end alongside with his wife Suzette, mother Nilanthi and brother Niroshan who too made a dash to Australia to be with him when he was very ill. Unfortunately my husband was half way through to Australia when he passed away. Even though you are no more, Nilanka, we, the family members will continue to care for your wife and two kids and will always love them, having their best interests at heart. Nilanka was a firm believer in uniting families; and he did just that by getting all his friends, relatives and cousins to pray for him in different groups. We were very much encouraged by his positive attitude and the love of God and we knew that he made valiant attempts to get back on track when the train of his life derailed. So, I will wind up with this thought : God saw him getting tired and a cure was not to be So he put his arms around him and whispered Come with Me With tearful eyes we watched him, slowly fade away Although we loved him dearly, we would not make him stay A golden heart stopped beating; hard working hands at rest God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best Swarnamalie Fernando A mentor, godfather and great scout leader H.Soma Weerakone Lord Baden Powell in his last message said But the real way to get happiness is by giving out happiness to other people. Try and leave this world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best. Soma Weerakone, former Chief Commissioner of Sri Scouts who was called to higher service on February 8, during his lifetime did exactly this. Soma Weerakone joined the scout movement as a Cub Scout at Anuruddha College in Nawalapitiya and moved to St. Marys College Nawalapitiya where he continued as a scout. Thereafter he joined Rock Mount Rover Crew and started his career in the Water Works Department in Nawalapitiya. He later served in Kandy, Avissawella and Chilaw. In Chilaw he served the Scout movement as a Scout Leader. Thereafter he was transferred to Colombo. The late R. Bodinagoda, a former District Commissioner of Colombo who was his guru and knew his capabilities approached him to join the Colombo District Scouts and he was appointed as an Assistant District Commissioner (ADC). He was the Organising Commissioner of the Colombo Camporee in 1978. He continued to serve as an ADC and was appointed District Commissioner of Colombo in 1984. He served in this capacity till 1989 and was elected as the Chairman of the Executive Committee of Colombo. After serving a brief period he was appointed as an Assistant Chief Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Scout Association where he handled many subjects including International affairs. Mr Weerakone was appointed the Deputy Chief Commissioner in 1997 and organized the 5th National Jamboree in Kandy in 1998. In 2002 he was appointed as the Chief Commissioner of SLSA. Under his leadership the National Jamboree was held in Nuwara Eliya together with the SAARC camp and the SAARC Chief Commissioners meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. I came to know Mr Weerakone in 1982 when I was only a junior scout of 14 years. I was absorbed to serve the Camporee souvenir team and Mr Weerakone after the Camporee hosted a dinner to which I too was invited. I was touched by his humbleness and hospitality because I recall him talking to me on a number of occasions during the function to find out how I was he made me feel very special. This is a great quality he had where he was able to relate to both the young and old alike. I had worked with him since then and he always treated me like one of his sons. He would be the first to call and wish me whenever I achieved something either in scouting or my profession. There was one Christmas card which would reach me by post every year, and upto 2016 he did not fail to send this greeting card. As Scout Leaders we had several heated arguments at meetings, sometimes I am sure he may have got hurt to realize that I was arguing with him. Yet he never took anything out of the meeting room nor held any grudge but on the contrary would invite me to join him for a bite at the 80 Club. He never missed a single meeting of the Scout Council if he was in Sri Lanka and would contribute positively at discussions. I have received so many messages of condolence from all scouting nations and leaders of the Asia Pacific Region and they have expressed what a great scout leader and friend he was to all of them and how the Scouting world will miss him. They sent their deepest sympathies and condolences to the family and SLSA. Mr. Weerakone won several awards and medals from the King of Thailand, Prince of Japan and the President of Sri Lanka. Soma Weerakone was a great man, great Scout and a great father. To me he was a mentor, godfather and a respected scout leader. Let me quote from Irvin Berlin The song is ended, but the melody lingers on. Sir, may you attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana and as I believe may your soul Rest in Peace. Janaprith Fernando You showed the way and now your dream is a reality CHANDRA SAMARASINGHE SILVA A few days ago the University of Colombo announced the commencement of a course of studies to produce Graduate Nurses. It is a great pity that Chandra Samarasinghe Silva passed away before the realization of the dream she had worked indefatigably to achieve. Chandra was, from early on, determined to uplift her chosen profession of nursing. Nurses, however highly trained, never earned the respect and status they deserved. Chandra realized that this was due to their lack of a professional qualification. She made it her crusade to lay the foundation of a University course leading to a Degree in Nursing as in the US where she studied at Boston University. Many were the obstacles she had to overcome, but she triumphed in the end. She was an inspiring leader and was strongly supported by the leader of her Trade Union the Ven. Muruttetuwe Ananda. She was a devoted Buddhist. Chandra was fortunate in her husband Newton Silva, a Government Staff OIfficer who capped his career as ambassador to Pakistan.They were a happy family with their two successful daughters.It was a great tragedy that she lost her life due to medical misadventure. May she attain Nirvana. A Friend The rains did not dampen the spirit of the crowd as they came in their weekend best for the Colombo Jazz Festival held at Galle Face Hotel Take a sentimental journey with the Wandering Minstrel View(s): Country Roads 2017 returns on March 19, with new artistes, old favourites and its mission to help childrens charities By Tarini Pilapitiya Originating in the southern states of the US, country music is a genre that warms the heart, encompassing the blues and folk with simple yet powerful harmonies. Revelling in these well-loved sounds and rhythms, the Country Music Foundation (CMF) brings to the local stage renowned artistes from across the world when they present Country Roads 2017 on March 19 from 6.30 p.m. at the Mount Lavinia Hotel. Now in its 29th year, Country Roads is a fixture in the local music scene and this year, the organisers are delighted to present the legendary Wandering Minstrel Keith Potger, one of the original members of the hugely successful Australian quartet The Seekers. The Seekers had a string of hits including Ill Never Find another You and A world of our own, songs which hold great sentimental value for many and Potgers performance will be the biggest draw of the evening. The concert has its firm favourites too artistes who make the journey to Country Roads to sing for the cause. Country Roads 2017 will feature the Maverick duo (Dirk and Wolfgang) from Germany, UKs very own Astrid Brook, and from Sri Lanka the Cosmic Rays. This year the CMF organisers have a special build-up to the concert. On March 17, a special charity dinner at the Mount Lavinia Hotel titled Music, Fireside chats and Dinner will give guests a rare opportunity to engage in a one-on-one chat with the talented musicians. On March 18, at the MJF Centre at Moratuwa, the differently abled children who attend the centre will be entertained by these musicians who will also be joined by much-loved Sunil Perera and Ronnie Leitch. All funds raised by the CMF from the show are donated to childrens charities in Sri Lanka and have been, from its inception. CMF has chosen to support The Horizon Lanka Foundation (HLF) this year. Led by Nanda Wanninayaka, HLF is an educational anchor for village schoolchildren of Mahawilachchiya who benefit from assistance given to them to study English and IT. In order to help sustain this inspiring foundation, CMF is hoping to provide a lending hand, wherever possible. President of CMF, Feizal Samath, speaking on the healing elements of country music chuckles that he can go on about the initiative and country music until the cows come home, but we believe that the environment of the show is something that must be witnessed by all, no words can describe it. CMF is supported in their efforts by sponsors, HNB, Dilmah, Cargills, Dialog, BBDO, LOLC, SriLankan Airlines, CPR, Firefly and, of course, venue host Mount Lavinia Hotel, who express their delight in working closely with CMF and for such a noteworthy cause. Tickets priced at Rs. 3,000, Rs. 2,000 and Rs. 1,000 are available for sale at the Mount Lavinia Hotel and at Cargills Food City outlets at Kirullapone, Majestic City, Mount Lavinia (close to the courts), Staples Street, Rajagiriya (Parliament Road), Kohuwela and Big City Katubedda. For more information please contact 0773823909 or email the organizers at countryroadsforchildren@gmail.com. Women in Sri Lankas workforce: EU hosts panel discussion View(s): In honour of International Womens Day 2017, the European Union (EU) Mission here will host Mind the Gap A conversation on whats holding Sri Lankan women back from greater workforce participation, on Tuesday, March 7, from 4-6 p.m. at the Lionel Wendt Art Centre. The distinguished panel of speakers include Dileni Gunawardena, Professor of Economics at the University of Peradeniya, first Sri Lankan to summit Mount Everest and Womens Rights Ambassador, Ministry of Womens Affairs, Jayanthi Kuru-Utumpala, Ambika Satkunanathan, Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, and Dinesh Weerakkody, Chairman of the National Human Resource Development Council of Sri Lanka. The participation of women in the labour force, absence from senior positions and lack of equal pay continue to be real concerns. In spite of impressive achievements in girls and womens education and health, Sri Lanka is placed a lowly 100th out of 144 countries in the Global Gender Gap Report 2016 due to these issues. Those who wish to attend are requested to email euinsrilanka@gmail.com or call 2674413 ext. 103/108 to register. By Adila Matra: Buttery fruit tarts and chewy crunchy nougats are all Moon of Taj, the brand new Taiwanese sweet outlet in Lajpat Nagar II, offers. But these are enough to make you fall in love with the quaint wooden bakery and its chef-cum-owner, Hugo Wang. Wang came to India in 2011 to pursue management studies from IIM Ahmedabad. He was bowled over by the amount of sweets Indians served during any occasion. After he passed out, he decided to bring the recipes of his grandmother, a breakfast chef in Taiwan to Delhi. Wang describes Moon of Taj as 'Taiwanese sweet, Indian heart', and stands by it. The Taiwanese Fruit Tart follows the Taiwanese recipe but uses variety of Indian pineapples. Wang also imports the best quality almonds from California. He has taken extra care not to make the dessert extra sweet - a phenomenon, he says, that is seen often in India. Since most of the Taiwanese desserts use egg, Wang had to customize some for Delhi's vegetarians. The Latte Butter Tart is delicious, yet has no egg whatsoever. The secret is to mix the latte with a bit of Taiwanese Oolong tea, which by the way is also aplenty at Moon of Taj. Served in elegant and colourful Taiwanese cutlery with traditional motifs such as fish and pineapple which hold cultural significance in Taiwan. advertisement Also Read:This Delhi restaurant weaves magic with Japanese flavours The Moon of Taj Taiwanese Nougat is much lighter compared to the traditional Indian sweets. Wang has tweaked the Nougat to suit the Indian palate while making sure to preserve its Taiwanese heritage. They come in pineapple, guava, orange and chocolate flavours. Wang is also happy to offer customisations. There is a small Taiwanese style seating area and you can also order for parties and marriages. A pack of Fruit Tarts (6 pieces) comes for Rs 500 and a pack of Nougats (20 pcs) come for Rs 500. --- ENDS --- Shurhozelie Neiphiu Rio's hopes were shattered to pieces when NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu was sworn in as Nagaland's 11th chief minister on February 22, highlighting the BJP's role as kingmaker in the state. Shurhozelie Neiphiu Rio, former Nagaland chief minister and sole Lok Sabha member from the Naga People's Front (NPF), had a dream. He wanted to be CM again. He had already served three consecutive terms, quitting in 2014 because he thought he had a shot at becoming a cabinet minister. At the time, NPF leader T.R. Zeliang had eagerly stepped in to fill the vacated post. But though Rio was elected to Parliament, he was overlooked for a cabinet post. advertisement With Zeliang forced to resign in February this year-after Nagaland was riven by protests against his decision to implement 33 per cent reservations for women in civic elections-Rio became the obvious favourite. But in a byzantine turn of events, NPF president Shurhozelie Liezietsu was sworn in as Nagaland's 11th chief minister on February 22 instead, highlighting the BJP's role as kingmaker in the state. The story goes back to at least last year. In May 2016, Rio was suspended from the NPF for 'anti-party activities'; specifically, scheming to become chief minister again, at the expense of Zeliang. That was a significant setback, but when the Nagaland Tribes Action Committee (NTAC) and Joint Coordination Committee shut down the entire state before the February 1 urban local bodies polls, Rio knew he had his chance. The NTAC announced that it would not relent until Zeliang stepped down; it was probably not a coincidence that a key member of the group was closely associated with Rio. That was when the BJP intervened. Though it has only four legislators in the opposition-less Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) coalition government-the NPF is the major constituent with 48 legislators-it wields considerable influence. On February 17, under pressure from NTAC, 39 NPF MLAs had asked Zeliang to step down. He flew to Delhi and had a closed-door meeting with BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav. The BJP had to be careful not to alienate Rio given his rapport with National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) leaders. And so, Madhav arranged a meeting between Rio and Zeliang, and a deal was struck, in which Zeliang would become finance minister in a new Rio government. However, the deal fell through. The NSCN (I-M)'s economic blockade of Manipur had become an insupportable problem for the BJP's brass, hurting the party's chances in state elections beginning March 4. And in the end, it was Rio's earlier suspension that settled matters. Enter Liezietsu, with a rather unceremonious exit for Rio. --- ENDS --- Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a direct attack on Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh accusing him of taking 10 per cent commission for clearing projects. Mod also blamed the Congress government for economic blockade of Manipur and recent violence in the state. By India Today Web Desk: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has accused Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh of indulging in corruption and having failed in ensuring peace in the state. Addressing an election rally at Imphal today, PM Modi said, "Perhaps nowhere in the country, percentage is fixed for the Chief Minister. Have you heard about a 10 per cent CM anywhere in the country?" advertisement "Manipur does not need a 10 per cent Chief Minister. It now needs zero per cent CM," Modi said adding, "On one hand, there are people who take 10 per cent as commission and on the other, there are those who are for 100 per cent development. You have to decide." Blaming the Ibobi Singh government for recent violence over creation of new districts in Naga dominated areas, PM Modi said, "Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. They made brothers here fight each other." WHAT ELSE MODI SAID AT IMPHAL: THINGS TO KNOW Wherever Congress is in power there is no development, there is only corruption. There will never be an economic blockade when BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this. It has been 15 years since the Congress is in power but during this period Manipur has been ruined. Who is responsible? Congress brought no development in Manipur. Do they deserve to be here now? What they (Congress) did not do in last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months. Those who have looted the country, I assure that they won't go unpunished. Rights of common citizens would be protected. We are giving impetus to infrastructure development in Manipur. We want the state to be directly connected with India's mainstream. Naga accord was signed one and half years ago. Was Congress asleep that time? And, now they are spreading lies. I was the first Prime Minister, who came here in North-East to take part in the NEC meeting. It was after 40 years that any Prime Minister came for it. Earlier, the chief ministers from the North-Eastern states would make beeline in Delhi but would not get time from the Prime Minister. But I make it a point to meet them as soon as possible irrespective of the party the chief minister belongs to. It was Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who made a separate ministry for North-East and set aside a separate budget. But when Congress came back to power at Centre, they did not care about it. Their only concern was to get as many MPs as possible from the region. They were not worried about the people in this region. --- ENDS --- Jeffrey Earnhardt, whose racing career began on the dirt tracks at Wythe Raceway, makes his Daytona 500 debut Sunday. He is the son of Rural Retreat native Rene Cline Earnhardt and the grandson of racing icon Dale Earnhardt. The fourth-generation driver will be behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet sponsored by Circle Sport with The Motorsports Group. This marks Earnhardts first time driving in The Great American Race and the first time two Earnhardts have competed in the Daytona 500 since 2001. His uncle, Dale Earnhardt Jr., will also compete. "This is really a dream come true," Jeffrey Earnhardt said. Perhaps the most anticipated motor race of the year, the Daytona 500 is bittersweet for the Earnhardt family. In the 2001 race, Earnhardts grandfather died from injuries he sustained during a last-lap crash. His son and namesake, Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished second that year. Jeffrey Earnhardts mother, Rene Earnhardt, is a native of Rural Retreat who has lived in North Carolina for the past two decades. She is married to Kerry Earnhardt, the oldest son of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt. Rene Earnhardt is the daughter of Richard and Rebecca Cline. On the home page of his website, Jeffrey Earnhardt pays homage to his dirt roots at Wythe Raceway. Jeffrey began his race career piloting a silver 4 cylinder Yugo on the dirt tracks of Wythe Raceway in Rural Retreat, Virginia, the web page says. He won Rookie of the Year at the local track and knew immediately that hed be chasing his dreams to the paved tracks of NASCAR. Jeffrey hasnt depended on his famous last name for opportunity. Creating his own company and working his way thru the ranks like his grandfather did, Jeffrey has competed in Truck, Xfinity and Specialty events including the Rolex Series and NASCAR Europe Series. He is absolutely committed to Earning Earnhardt and 2017 begins his journey to become a champion at the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series level with his Daytona 500 debut. Team owner Joe Falk said in a press release that he looks forward to having Earnhardt has the primary team driver for 2017. We believe he brings a lot of potential to our team, Falk said. I have had success working with young drivers in the past, and we think this is a good fit for growth for Jeffrey and the team. I am very proud that Austin Dillon, Ty Dillon, and now Jeffrey Earnhardt, will all have had their first Daytona 500 start with Circle Sport." The 2017 Daytona 500 will be the first for new series sponsor Monster Energy and the launch of NASCARs new set of stage style racing. The race begins at 2 p.m. and will be televised on FOX. To reach Millie Rothrock, call 228-6611, ext. 35, or email mrothrock@wythenews.com. IMG_7990.JPG The J.C. Penney store at the Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, shown here on Friday evening, is one of six the department store chain has in Central New York. (Rick Moriarty / rmoriarty@syracuse.com) Syracuse, N.Y. -- J.C. Penney shoppers in Central New York will have to wait a few weeks to find out whether any of its six local stores will be among the 130 to 140 the department store chain plans to close over the next few months. Sarah Holland, manager of corporation communications for the Plano, Texas, headquartered department store chain, said Friday the company will not be releasing a full list of store closures until the middle of March. The company did say that, as part of its plan to streamline store support services, it will close a distribution center in Lakeland, Fla., in early June and transfer its operations to the company's logistics facility in Atlanta. The company also said it is in the process of selling its supply chain facility in Buena Park, Calif. J.C. Penney's Central New York stores are at the Destiny USA mall in Syracuse, Oswego Plaza in Oswego, the Fingerlakes Mall in Auburn, Cortlandville Crossing center in Cortland, the Freedom Mall in Rome and the Sangertown Square mall in New Hartford. The company closed its store at the ShoppingTown Mall in DeWitt in 2016. It shut its store at the Camillus Mall in Camillus in 1997. Marvin R. Ellison, chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement that the department store chain will initiate a voluntary early retirement program for approximately 6,000 eligible employees. He said the company expects to see a net increase in hiring because the number of full-time associates expected to take advantage of the early-retirement offer will far exceed the number of full-time positions that will be eliminated by the closings. The company said the closings are part of a strategic move to more effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers. "We believe the future winners in retail will be the companies that can create a frictionless interaction between stores and e-commerce, while leveraging physical locations to minimize the growing operational costs of delivery," Ellison said. The company said the closures represent 13 to 14 percent of the company's portfolio of approximately 1,000 stores, less than 5 percent of its total annual sales and zero percent of its profits. It said the stores identified for closure are below-average performers or require significant capital to achieve the company's new brand standard focusing on personalized beauty offerings, special sizes, private brands and quality home goods and services. It said it expects to see annual cost savings of $200 million from the closings -- primarily occupancy, payroll, home office support, corporate administration and other store-related expenses. Contact Rick Moriarty anytime: Email | Twitter | Facebook | 315-470-3148 Trump Inauguration President Barack Obama speaks with President-elect Donald Trump during the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Friday, Jan 20, 2017. (Saul Loeb/Pool Photo via AP) (Saul Loeb) BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- A New York man who served time in prison for threatening then-President Barack Obama is heading back to prison for a threat against President Donald Trump. Federal prosecutors say 20-year-old Jared Brown was given a two-year sentence Friday for violating the conditions of his supervised release. The Niagara County resident made a 911 call to Lockport City Police in December threatening to kill the president-elect. At the time of the call, Brown was on supervised released after serving a 15-month sentence for threatening Obama when Brown was 18 years old. Medallion.jpg A medallion, like this one, will need to be found by a participant in order to win the treasure hunt. Update: The medallion has been found. Check back for information on the winner and the location. The Post-Standard and syracuse.com have hidden a medallion somewhere in Onondaga County and will publish daily clues pointing treasure hunters to its location. Solve the clues and find the medallion, and you'll win $2,000. The winner will also be enrolled in the Driver's Village VIP Rewards Loyalty program and win a $200 value towards their next vehicle purchase at Driver's Village. To learn more about the Driver's Village Rewards Loyalty program, visit www.dvviprewards.com The 2017 Treasure Hunt is underway. Follow the clues each day ... On syracuse.com at On the pages of The Post-Standard and the ePost-Standard On Twitter On Facebook at On Snapchat at syracusedotcom Clue No. 10 Sat. Feb. 25 "Former presidents Now host residents. Head in a straight line And your day will be fine." This year's Treasure Hunt has been made possible thanks to Driver's Village. Driver's Village is proud to support the 30th Anniversary of this community event, as the Burdick Family celebrates their 80th Anniversary of serving Central New York. NOTE: The medallion is not hidden anywhere on Driver's Village Property. Thunderstorm Clinton NY 8 13 16 (2).JPG A severe thunderstorm moves across central Oneida County in this 2016 file photo. Severe storms are possible across Upstate New York today. (Glenn Coin | gcoin@syracuse.com) Syracuse, N.Y. -- A severe storm more typical of July than February could strike Upstate New York today. As the area nears record-warmth for the fourth day in a row, a cold front will clash with that warm air, bringing the chance for hail, high winds and intense rain. Power outages are possible; so is flooding, especially in Tug Hill, where some wet snow remains on the ground and continues to melt. Severe weather, with high winds and hail, could strike the eastern half of New York this afternoon.n The National Weather Service has issued a variety of weather alerts for Upstate. Western New York is likely to get heavy rain. The worst of the storm is headed toward the eastern side of the state, from Syracuse and Hudson Valley to the lower Adirondacks. The storm could drop brief but heavy rain and hail as big as 1 inch across. It could also generate 50 mph winds. "One of the main concerns with these storms will be the threat for strong to possibly damaging winds,", the weather service said. The storm will reach New York late this morning, with the worst of it moving southwest to northeast from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact Glenn Coin: Email | Twitter | Google + | (315) 470-3251 Manipur is among the last bastions of the Congress party where the BJP has emerged as the top contender. The BJP made debut in the Manipur Assembly in 2015 through by-polls, when it won two seats. Now, the BJP eyes power in Imphal. By Prabhash K Dutta: After victory in Assam on its own, the BJP is hopeful of turning its fortune in another northeastern state, Manipur. The BJP made its debut in Manipur Assembly in the last by-poll winning two seats. With a total of 60 Assembly seats, Manipur has been among the last bastion for the Congress. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, who was first appointed for the post almost the same time when Narendra Modi became CM of Gujarat. advertisement Ibobi Singh has been the Chief Minister of Manipur since 2002 and hoping to beat anti-incumbency for the fourth consecutive term. BJP AS SERIOUS CONTENDER IN MANIPUR Till now, the Congress had to face only the regional parties in Manipur as it held its sway in the beautiful state with rich cultural tradition. But, the BJP has been pushing the barriers very hard in this Assembly election. The BJP is contesting the Manipur poll alone leaving out its allies, the National People's Party (NPP), the Naga People's Front (NPF) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), which already have some presence in the state. READ| Manipur: How elections are being held when petrol is selling @Rs250 per litre The BJP has tried to win over strong candidates from almost all the parties, with Trinamool Congress bearing the brunt with its elected members switching sides. Though, the BJP suffered a sudden loss when Khumukcham Joykishan, who had switched sides some time back, joined Congress party just ahead of the Assembly poll. Joykishan's loss is likely to affect BJP's prospects in Manipur. But, the Manipur BJP chief K Bhabananda Singh is confident that Modi magic will work in the state. Responding to a question as to why the BJP did not declare its CM candidate, K Bhabananda Singh said, "The BJP's face for Manipur election is Narendra Modi and his good governance." K Bhabananda Singh cited the problem of plenty as the possible reason why the 'central leadership' did not put up chief ministerial candidate. "May be there are too many leaders," Singh said. CONGRESS- THE RULING PARTY The Congress has been in power for 15 years. But, as the 2015 by-polls showed the party is facing tough challenge from the BJP in the face of compiling anti-incumbency. The BJP has raised several issues of corruption against the Ibobi Singh government. The BJP has hit out at the Congress government over irregular salaries, land-grabbing, drinking water problem and law and order issues. Economic blockade in Manipur has seen acute shortage of petrol and skyrocketing of fuel prices. Economic blockade in Manipur has seen acute shortage of petrol and skyrocketing of fuel prices. advertisement The recent violence over creation of seven districts that led to a backlash from the Naga tribal groups is also working against the Ibobi Singh government. The United Naga Council has imposed an economic blockade in Manipur since November last year causing spiraling of prices of essential commodities. While the creation of these districts seemed to be an attempt by the Ibobi Singh government to please the Meitei community, the move enraged the Naga community, who viewed it as infringement on their rights. PRJA OF IROM SHARMILA Since 2000, Manipur has been in news mostly for activist Irom Sharmila's hunger strike demanding repeal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). Sharmila has floated the People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance in August last year. She is contesting from two constituencies- Khurai and Thoubal. Khurai is her home constituency while at Thoubal Shamila is challenging CM Ibobi Singh. OTHERS IN FRAY Besides these three parties Trinamool Congress, Naga People's Front, Manipur State Congress Party, Lok Janshakti Party and People's Democratic Alliance (PDA) are also in the contention. The TMC was the second largest party in the last Assembly election in Manipur. But, this time the party is weakened due to defections.The main fight in Manipur seems to be between the ruling Congress and debutante BJP. advertisement MANIPUR FACT-FILE Date of polls March 4 and 8 Number of seats 60 First phase 38 Second phase 22 Total voters About 18 lakhs Average number of voters per constituency is less than one lakh for all Assembly segments. In all constituencies, women voters outnumber male voters in Manipur. PARTY POSITION IN 2012 Party Seats won Vote % Congress 42 42.5 TMC 7 17.0 MSCP 5 8.4 NPF 4 7.5 NCP 1 7.2 LJP 1 0.5 MANIPUR ASSEMBLY ELECTION: CORE ISSUES Ethnic tussle dominates the elections in Manipur, which primarily has three dominant communities- Meiteis, Nagas and Kukis. Meiteis dominate the Imphal Valley and plain areas of the state while Nagas and Kukis are mostly concentrated in the hills. The Valley has five districts Ukhrul, Senapati, Churachandpur, Tamenglong and Chandel. There are four districts in the plains Imphal East, Imphal West, Thoubal, and Bishnupur. About 65 per cent population of Manipur lives in Imphal Valley, which is dominated by the non-tribal Meiteis. Two tribal groups - Naga and Kuki-Zomi- account for the remaining 35 per cent of the population of Manipur. The tribal population is spread across the hills, which make up about 90 per cent of the geographic area of Manipur. The plains have greater share in the Legislative Assembly in Manipur accounting for 40 of the 60. The hills are dominated by the tribal groups have only one-thirds of the seats in the Assembly. The Nagas have been demanding merger of areas dominated by their tribes with that of Nagaland but the Meiteis have opposed it tooth and nail. The BJP senses an opportunity by playing good Samaritan to both sides and blossoming lotus in another frontier state projecting Narendra Modi as their Trump-card. --- ENDS --- advertisement Welcome, DISH customer! Please note that we cannot save your viewing history due to an arrangement with DISH. Watchlist and resume progress features have been disabled. ACCEPT Australia's Great Barrier Reef, already in news for ecological damage from coral bleaching, has upped security requirements for visiting tourists. Wearing of life jackets has been made mandatory for those attempting reef snorkeling. The decision was taken after a meeting of Queensland Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace with snorkeling organizations in Cairns where they decided to improve the industry's code of practice. Tourist Casualties The review of rules and regulations came up after recurring deaths of tourists with as many as 10 tourists losing life in recent times. "Visual identification, things such as flotation devices, medical declarations and identifying at-risk clients as well as mandating automated external defibrillators," Grace said. The minister said causes of deaths, such as heart-attack and jellyfish sting, go unreported. Under the new directive, coroners have to report the cause of death to the family within 24 hours. Also, government departments and the public have to be apprised within 36 to 48 hours. The minister said the spate of deaths on the reef has not sullied Australia's reputation as having the best diving and snorkeling regulations in the world. Commenting on the new changes, Association of Marine Park Tourism Operators spokesman Col McKenzie said adding more rescue helicopters in Cairns is a priority, as multiple rescues are happening in the vast region. He noted the huge revenue generated by the tourism industry and the catchment of the Great Barrier Reef has been an average $800 million a year. Reef Growth Collapsing Meanwhile, warming seawaters triggered by El Nino of 2016 is threatening tropical coral reefs and adversely affecting many reef species and reefs backed communities. This was highlighted by the University of Exeter in a study that showed a surge in surface ocean temperatures triggered by El Nino has been driving major coral die-offs in the Indian Ocean's Maldives. Some reefs species like parrotfish are eroding the reefs at a higher pace. From the University of Exeter, Professor Chris Perry and Kyle Morgan of the Geography Department studied the impact of the 2016 El Nino event at southern Maldives and found out instances of heavy coral bleaching. Coral Bleaching Widens Meanwhile, more coral bleaching is on the anvil for the Great Barrier Reef with areas facing the brunt of last year's event at the risk of death. Images by the Australian Marine Conservation Society showed evidence of more freshly bleached corals near Palm Island. In 2016, the bleaching that lasted eight to nine months has been the worst-ever for the Great Barrier Reef. During this worst phase, nearly 85 percent of coral between Cape York and Lizard Island died with 22 percent of corals in the entire reef going dead. Meanwhile, most parts of the Great Barrier Reef have been put on a red alert for coral bleaching by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for the coming months. Data from satellite thermal maps showed highly warm waters persisting at eastern Australia triggered by heat wave from rising land temperatures that crossed 47 degrees Celsius in many regions of the country. This was endorsed by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority as well, which said sea temperatures stretching from Cape Tribulation to Townsville were up by 2 degrees Celsius than normal. The NOAA Coral Reef alerts for the four weeks have placed more focus on northern and central reef areas as regions with a higher likelihood of mortality. According to Imogen Zethoven, campaign director for the Australian Marine Conservation Society, the projections for the next four weeks on coral bleaching is "extremely concerning." Commenting on the NOAA caution that severe bleaching of the Great Barrier Reef is due by 2043 if preventive actions are not taken, Zethoven doubted such a broad longevity for the reef. "The reef will be gone before annual severe bleaching," she said. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Press Trust of India: Patna, Feb 25 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today expressed grave concern over receding water flow in river Ganga and highlighted the growing silt deposit due to Farakka barrage causing floods in the state every year. Kumar also raised concern over proposed construction of reservoir at Buxar and some others in Uttar Pradesh enroute Allahabad-Haldia National waterway. advertisement He was speaking after inaugurating an International Seminar on Ganga here. The two-day seminar organised by states Water Resources department titled "Incessant Ganga" is attended by a host of people working for environment and water management in the country and also abroad. They include Magsaysay award winner "Waterman" Rajendra Singh, Environmentalist and Chipko Movement leader Vandana Shiva, environmentalist Chandi Prasad Bhat, Punjabs environmentalist Sant Balbir Singh Seechewal, economists Bharat Junjhunwala and Jayant Bandopadhyay. Some experts from Germany, Nepal and Bangladesh are also participating in the seminar. Kumar highlighted the problems due Farakka barrage which is causing floods in Bihar every year due to heavy silt deposits. Kumar has in the past demanded decommission of Farakka barrage which he said has little utility and responsible for flood in Bihar annually. He, however, made it clear that the present seminar was not meant to push the demand for decommission of Farakka Dam. "This seminar is not meant to push demand for decommission of Farakka barrage but to discuss in length how to remove impediments in Ganga to ensure incessant flow of water," Kumar said. Kumar, who is also JD(U) National President, also raised the issue of proposed construction of barrage at Buxar and some others in UP as part of development of Inland Waterways from Allahabad to Haldia in West Bengal and reiterated that the state would not allow any such construction. In an oblique dig at rival BJP leaders who citing some "unauthenticated" papers of Inland Waterways Authority to say that there is no proposal to construct any barrage between Varanasi to Farakka, he asked "do they mean to say that barrage would be built in between Allahabad to Varanasi?" Kumar said he has read statement of Union Surface Transport minister Nitin Gadkari on proposed barrage at Buxar and on some locations in UP as part of Inland Waterway I. "These (BJP leaders) are quoting a senior official of the Waterways Authority who is spreading confusion through false assertions," he added. MORE PTI SNS RG --- ENDS --- advertisement The Mobile World Congress (MWC) is an annual event that takes place in Barcelona, Spain. It is the largest exhibition for smartphones and other devices, where companies from all over the globe launch and showcase their products at the event each year. In 2017, the MWC will kick off on Feb. 27 and come to a close on March 2. With a few days to go before the MWC 2017 starts, excitement surrounding the launch of new devices is palpable. Several OEMs such as LG, Huawei, Sony, BlackBerry, Nokia, Lenovo-owned Motorola and more are expected to debut new smartphones. Here's a look at what the companies have in store for consumers. LG G6 LG is widely expected to unveil the next-gen variant of the LG G5, the LG G6 at the event. The rumored specs of the device point to a 5.7-inch Quad HD+ display with higher than normal aspect ratio of 18:9. The device will probably come with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. It is also likely that it will be powered by a Snapdragon 821 processor and come pre-loaded with Android 7.0 Nougat. The LG press event is slated for Feb. 26, a day before the event officially kicks off in Spain. Huawei P10 The company is all set to launch the Huawei P10 and Huawei P10 Plus smartphones at the the MWC. Reports suggest that the Huawei P10 will feature a 5.2-inch display powered by an Octa core Kirin 960 processor. The device may also house 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage and it is likely that it may come with Android Nougat on board. The company's Honor brand may also take the stage at the event and consumers may be greeted with the Honor 8 Lite The Huwei press event is also slated for Feb. 26. Motorola G5 And Moto G5 Plus One can expect the Moto G5 and the Moto G5 Plus to debut at the MWC this year. The Moto G5 is expected to feature a 5-inch FHD display and will likely be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 430 processor. The device may house 2 GB of RAM. There is also a possibility that it will have 32 GB of storage capacity. The Moto G5 Plus, on the other hand, may have a 5.2-inch FHD display. It will likely be powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor and house 2 GB of RAM. The device may offer 64 GB of storage capacity. Both the devices are expected to come with Android Nougat at launch. The Lenovo press event is slated for Feb. 26 as well. BlackBerry Mercury BlackBerry is also expected to launch a new device into the market this year at the MWC. The rumored handset in question is the 4.5-inch BlackBerry Mercury. The smartphone may be equipped with an octa-core Snapdragon 625 processor and feature 3 GB of RAM, as well as 32 GB of internal storage. There have also been rumors suggesting that the smartphone will come with a QWERTY keypad and Android Nougat on board. BlackBerry has a press event scheduled for Feb. 25. Sony XA2 The company is all set to launch the Sony Xperia XA2 at the MWC event. Very little is known of this device apart from the rumors that it may be powered by a MediaTek Helio P20 64-bit octa-core processor. It may also house 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. Sony is also rumored to be unveiling five more smartphone at the MWC this year. It could also unveil a mysterious device dubbed the Pikachu. The Sony press event is slated for Feb. 27. Nokia Mobile Phones HMD Global will launch numerous devices during the MWC event. However, fans are most excited about the launch of the Nokia 3310 feature phone due to its nostalgic value. Apart from the Nokia 3310, the company is also expected to launch three smartphones, namely the 5.5-inch Nokia 6, the Nokia 3, Nokia P1 and Nokia 5. The press event is slated for Feb. 26. Other Companies It is to be noted that Samsung may not launch any of its smartphones during the MWC. Its press invite hinted at the launch of the Galaxy Tab S3 at the event. However, a teaser video for its flagship, the Galaxy S8 is expected. Asus too is expected to show off some smartphones at the trade show. However, China-based Xiaomi will be missing from the MWC this year. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Samsung is all ready to address the world with a range of new products on Feb. 26 at its Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2017 press event in Barcelona, Spain. With few days to go, one may have expected the rumors pertaining to the launch of Samsung devices to come to a halt. However, the flow doesn't seem to cease at all as another rumor about a Samsung device has popped up. The device in question is the Galaxy Book, a Windows 10-powered tablet. The latest rumor comes from MSpoweruser which chanced upon a new app, which at the launch of a Windows 10-powered Samsung tablet that will come with an S Pen stylus in tow. New App In Windows Store For Samsung Tablet? The publication spotted a new app called Book Settings, which has made its way to the Windows Store. The app made for Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd. revealed the existence of a Samsung tablet which may be called the Galaxy Book. Apart from sparking rumors that Samsung may launch a Windows 10-powered tablet, the app revealed that the tablet may likely come with an S Pen stylus, just like the impending Galaxy Tab S3. The stylus would also be supporting the Air Command functionality. For the unfamiliar, Samsung's Air Command allows a user to access many other features in the tablet with the help of the S Pen stylus. One simply has to hover the stylus over the screen and then tap the S Pen button. Once the Air Command gets activated, the user is presented with various options like Smart Select, Screen Write and Samsung Notes. The app description in the Windows Store specifically states that it has been designed for "Galaxy Book" and "may not function normally on other devices." The rumored Samsung tablet may run on LTE as stated by the app, which weighs approximately 13.32 MB. Samsung Galaxy Book Rumored Features If the Galaxy Book tablet indeed gets launched at MWC, it may well be the third tablet in the lineup given that Samsung may also unveil the Galaxy Tab S3 and Galaxy TabPro S2 at the trade show. The Galaxy TabPro S2 is also rumored to be a Windows 10-powered tablet, albeit bigger in size than the Galaxy Book. Previous rumors hinted that Galaxy Book may rock a 10.2-inch screen and may feature Samsung's Smart Dimming feature. Another Samsung tablet codenamed SM-W627received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification a few weeks ago. It is being guessed that SM-W627 and Galaxy Book are the same device. The FCC listing showed that the tablet dubbed the Galaxy Book may come with 4G LTE connectivity, a keyboard, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth support. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Washington State University conducted tests to study the effects of the chemical substance known as technetium-99. The study was led by John McCloy, an associate professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering along with Jamie Weaver, a chemistry graduate student. They worked in collaboration with researchers from the Office of River Protection and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. What Is Technetium-99? Technetium-99 is the chemical by-product derived as a result of plutonium weapon production. It is being considered a major problem as scientists are trying to find new methods of disposing the nuclear waste. In fact, there exists about 2,000 pounds of technetium-99 which is stored in 177 storage tanks at the Hanford nuclear site in Washington. The element is readily soluble in water and so poses an intense risk. Due to its volatility, it can easily contaminate water streams which would cause major health issues. Nuclear Waste Nuclear wastes are generated from nuclear power plants in significant amounts and thus, it needs to be managed and disposed of properly. The most important issue concerning the nuclear waste is the management of its toxic nature, so that it poses no risk to the workers or the general public. New Methods For Cleanup The Washington State University conducted the study of technetium-99 in PNNL's highly specialized Radiochemical Processing Laboratory. Researchers carried out various tests with the compound. Their aim was to precisely observe technetium-99 and determine how it may be stored. They found that the sodium forms of the element reacts differently in the compound than in any other alkalis, which may go a long way in defining why technetium-99 is so reactive with water. This may also reveal the reason behind its volatility. "The structure and spectral signatures of these compounds will aid in refining the understanding of technetium incorporation into nuclear waste glasses," said McCloy. Other Strategies Currently, U.S. Department of Energy at Hanford is constructing a waste treatment plant. They aim to store threatening nuclear waste in a glass. However, researchers have to find an alternative as the entire technetium-99 cannot be incorporated in a glass. The volatilized gas would also be needed to be recycled back into the system. These innovative ideas may pave the way for a safer future. However, the current threat of nuclear contamination due to the high volume of nuclear waste being produced seems to be looming. It has become essential to come up with a reliable way to dispose these wastes. The study was published in the journal Inorganic Chemistry. Photo: Rodrigo Gomez Sanz | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The Great Barrier Reef is still just currently recovering from the massive coral bleaching event that rendered great damage to 400 miles of its northern regions in 2016. Now experts are saying that the Great Barrier Reef as well as many of the world's reef systems are in serious danger if no stronger action is taken to reduce greenhouse gases. After last year's massive damages to the world's reefs due to coral bleaching, marine biologists warn that the massive death of the world's reefs may not be the last in the next few years. In fact, given the state of things with regards to the battle with the consistently rising temperatures and sea levels, massive coral bleaching events such as the one last year could may well be an annual event by the year 2030 and beyond. This is especially disturbing to experts given the fact that coral reefs take about 10 to 20 years to recover from a bleaching event. Is The Paris Agreement Not Enough? The Paris Agreement aims to significantly cut down greenhouse gasses and lessen the speed of the rising temperatures and other effects of climate change. That alone is an important factor in trying to save the reefs from further and more extreme damage due to coral bleaching, but experts are now saying that even the momentous agreement may not even be enough to save the reefs on time. That's not saying that the Paris Agreement is not useful in tackling the problem of coral bleaching but that stronger and more direct actions especially from the home countries of these reefs are needed to really move forward in the uphill battle. "The Paris agreement is good example of a co-ordinated effort to try and curb greenhouse gas emissions, and if we stick to it, it will reduce greenhouse gases, but even if we adhere to it, it won't buy that much more time for reefs," said Dr. Gareth Williams of Bangor University, co-author of a study that studied the implications of the Paris Agreement on the future of coral reefs. Current Standing As it stands, current coral reefs are facing massive deaths that may continue into the future. Just as 2017 began, the environment ministry of Japan has disclosed that 70 percent of their biggest coral reef is already dead. Not dying or bleached, but dead. Though coral bleaching events are quite common, with a bleaching event occurring somewhere around the globe each year, what worries experts is the frequency, extensiveness, and intensity of the events that are not giving corals much time to recover. Even the corals' natural ability to handle such shocking events cannot keep up with the current temperature rise. As such, experts warn that even though the Paris Agreement is a step toward saving coral reefs, it is but the first step in the worldwide efforts to save the world's coral reefs. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Scientists just stumbled on the three sexual behaviors that could help women achieve orgasm more often. Call it the golden trio of sexual moves. According to a team of U.S. researchers, a mix of genital stimulation, deep kissing, as well as oral sex could boost the likelihood of women reaching orgasm with their sexual partner. What The Numbers Say The orgasm gaps between men and heterosexual women were well known prior to this study, said lead author and Chapman University professor David Frederick in The Guardian. The gaps they sought to probe were not just between the sexes but also between people of different gender preferences. The team analyze data from an online survey, which gathered the responses of over 52,000 individuals from ages 18 to 65 and were in a relationship with a person. More than 2,000 of them were gay, lesbian, and bisexuals, added Frederick. Ninety-five percent of heterosexual males disclosed always or usually orgasming during sex, while just 65 percent of heterosexual females did. The numbers were 89 percent for gay men, 86 percent for lesbian women, 88 percent for bisexual men, and 66 percent for bisexual women. The research further showed that only 35 percent among heterosexual females usually or always orgasmed during vaginal sex. On the other hand, 80 percent of heterosexual females and 91 percent of lesbians reported the same through a mix of genital stimulation, deep kissing, and oral sex, and without vaginal intercourse. What Could Enhance Female Orgasm? In men, very little seemed to affect the orgasm potential. In women, by contrast, 20 percent were more likely to report always or usually orgasming when they did certain things during the last lovemaking. Just what were these things? Women who orgasmed frequently appeared more likely to receive more oral sex, have longer sessions of sex, have greater satisfaction in the relationship, and ask for what they want in bed. They also tended to praise their partner for something, wear sexy underwear, and act out their fantasies. A seeming tragedy, according to co-author and The Case of the Female Orgasm author Elisabeth Lloyd, was that 30 percent of men actually thought of intercourse as the best way for women to achieve orgasm. [T]hat is sort of a tragic figure because it couldnt be more incorrect, she said, deeming it an understatement that there needs to be some education. The results could lend insight into the different techniques to boost the frequency of orgasms, specifically among women, the researchers noted. The findings were discussed in the journal Archives of Sexual Behavior. Previous research have pointed to unstable emotional status and lower libido as factors behind the tendency of some women to fake orgasms. In December 2015, international polling and marketing firm Institute of French Public Opinion showed that French woman were most likely to fake it and that they had the most difficulty reaching climax during sex and having regular orgasms. French women, potentially like other women high up on the list, undergo high stress and fatigue levels, which wreak havoc on their emotion and sex drive and do not create optimal conditions for sex. Heres another interesting finding: masturbation emerged as the top functioning response at 80 percent. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The coral reefs all around the world are facing a crisis. About 90 percent of them are expected to die due to pollution and destructive fishing practices. To save the reefs from extinction, various philanthropists and conservationists have come up with a plan to save the remaining 10 percent of the reefs. The 50 Reefs Project plan, touted to be the first global plan focusing on conservation of coral reefs, was launched earlier this week at the Economist World Ocean Summit in Bali. This initiative has brought together various marine scientists and conservation practitioners with an aim of identifying 50 most endangered coral reefs around the globe that stand a chance of suffering due to climate change. The initial list of the coral reefs is likely to be announced in the later part of 2017. Currently, it has been estimated that 90 percent of the coral reefs are likely to disappear by 2050. 50 Reefs Project Plans The 50 Reefs Project came into being after the Australian government stated that the Great Barrier Reef has been experiencing extensive bleaching since the past four years. The initial budget of the project has been kept at $2 million. The project will be funded by Tiffany & Co. Foundation, Paul G. Allen Family Foundation, and Bloomberg Philanthropies. Strategies To Address The Coral Crisis The 50 Reefs Project plans to utilize three strategies to conserve the coral reefs. Firstly, the project aims at collaborating with scientists from all over the world to help decide the criteria on which the coral reefs will be chosen for conservation. The second strategy is to identify the critical needs and relevant solutions provided by scientists and conservation experts. Lastly, the project will start a campaign to make people aware of the need to conserve coral reefs worldwide. Selection Of Coral Reefs The initial listing of the coral reefs will be prepared by using an algorithm, named "decision algorithm." The algorithm has been developed by the Centre for Excellence in Environmental Decisions at The University of Queensland. Reports suggest that independent panels of scientists will be examining the datasets associated to the project. The datasets would include current reef connectivity, reef biodiversity climate vulnerability, and many more factors. The scientists will be focusing on critical efforts of conservation to ensure that the coral reef domain survives for a longer period. "What we already know about the future of our coral reefs is alarming: Without immediate action, we could lose this crucial ecosystem entirely within a few short decades," said Paul G. Allen, philanthropist and Microsoft cofounder. Photo: Matt Kieffer | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Apple is now looking into video evidence of an iPhone 7 Plus that allegedly blew up, the footage of which was posted Feb. 22 on social media and naturally became viral. The video, around 20 seconds in length, shows an iPhone 7 Plus owned by Brianna Olivas, which she says randomly caught fire while she was sleeping Wednesday morning, with the footage primarily showing fumes dramatically emanating from the handset. An Exploding iPhone 7 Plus "I was asleep with my phone charging next to my head [when] my boyfriend grabbed the phone," Olivas told Mashable. "He went [to] the restroom ... and from the corner of his eye he saw my phone steaming and [heard] a squealing noise." Apple officially said on Friday, Feb. 24 that it was working with the owner to determine the cause of the explosion, Macworld reports. "We are in touch with the customer and looking into it," Apple said in a statement. The video, which has already garnered over 1 million views to date, caused iPhone 7 Plus owners on Twitter to panic, with the original tweet managing to receive hundreds of replies and more than 18,000 retweets. Per usual, armchair sleuths took no time to cough up their own theories: A running speculation supposes the owner's liquid-filled iPhone to have caused the incident, although no evidence can back that up. Other possible causes could be faulty chargers. In the past, other iPhone models caught fire due to knockoff adapters. Olivas, however, confirmed that she didn't use any third-party charger for her iPhone 7 Plus only the original one Apple provided. Olivas says troubles began the day before, when her iPhone 7 Plus purchased from Sprint in January refused to turn on. She then took the phone to Apple Store experts. They performed tests on the device and told her everything was fine. The employee even told her that he had "never seen anything like this." The phone seemed functioning without problems afterward. A Potential Note 7 Situation? While the dramatic fumes emanating from the handset might bring back the infamous maelstrom caused by Samsung's ill-fated Galaxy Note 7, there is still no irrefutable evidence that the iPhone 7 Plus explosion links to a wider, more potentially pernicious problem. As the Note 7 fiasco taught us, high-capacity lithium ion batteries, which are often, if not always used in smartphones are susceptible to catching fire if damaged or have defective components. There's still no absolute evidence why the handset exploded, although it's certainly not the first time an iPhone caught fire. Samsung, on the other hand, faced troubles back in 2016, when reports of exploding Note 7 surfaced aplenty, causing profit losses, a messy recall situation, a federal ban in certain locations, dented consumer loyalty, and above all, threats to safety. The company is gearing up for the successor to that, the Galaxy S8, which will be unveiled and released this year. Any crazy but probable theories in mind regarding the iPhone 7 Plus that exploded? Feel free to cough them up in the comments section below! 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Zenimax, the video game publisher that is the parent company of developers Bethesda Softworks and id Software, is seeking an injunction to prevent Oculus VR from selling the Oculus Rift and all other products that contain copyrighted Zenimax code. Zenimax filed its injunction request in the same federal court in Dallas that ordered Facebook-owned Oculus to pay $500 million early this month. Oculus To Pay $500 Million To Zenimax In early February, the jury of the case between the two companies awarded $500 million to Zenimax, which claims that Oculus stole its technology and used it for the development of the Oculus Rift. The jury found that Palmer Luckey, the cofounder of Oculus, breached the terms of a non-disclosure agreement. The jury also ruled that Oculus was guilty on charges of copyright infringement and false designation with the Oculus Rift, as computer code used in the virtual reality headset was found to be directly infringing on Zenimax copyrights. However, the jury did not find Oculus guilty on the claims by Zenimax that the company stole trade secrets that were utilized in Oculus Rift development. The $500 million awarded to Zenimax was much lower than the amount of $6 billion that the company was originally seeking. The publisher also previously said that it might seek an injunction to halt sales of the Oculus Rift, with the company now following through with the plan. Zenimax Wants To Halt Sales Of Oculus Rift In its filed injunction, Zenimax is asking a federal judge to stop Oculus from using its copyrighted code in products that use them, which would halt the sales of the Oculus Rift and certain virtual reality games. If the injunction is granted, the number of games that will be available to Oculus Rift owners will become limited. Oculus has already made the code involved in the dispute with Zenimax available to game developers as part of the Oculus Rift's software development kit. The code is also embedded in many of the current titles for both the Oculus Rift and Samsung's Gear VR, which is a smartphone-powered virtual reality headset that was developed in partnership with Oculus. Will Facebook Be Forced To Settle With Zenimax? Stopping sales for the Oculus Rift and taking down most of the titles available to the virtual reality headset will be a massive blow to Oculus and Facebook, especially considering how invested Facebook is in virtual reality as a major part of its future. Intellectual property lawyer Mark Romeo said that the disruption that may be caused if the requested injunction by Zenimax is granted might place considerable pressure on Facebook for the company to reach a settlement with the video game publisher. If the court, however, decides not to grant the requested injunction, Zenimax will instead seek for an ongoing royalty that would force Oculus to give up 20 percent of the revenue made from sales of products using Zenimax code for at least the next 10 years. Zenimax is likely pursuing the case with Oculus so aggressively because the $500 million charge given to Oculus might be too small to actually be felt as a penalty by Facebook. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. The question on how people came to settle in the Americas has been a long going debate. However, finally it seems that archaeologists will get their answer to this imminent question through a study that has been conducted recently to share new insights of migration patterns in the Americas. A study has been conducted on some human skulls discovered in Lagoa Santa region of Brazil, which has provided researchers with new information about the complicated history of human migration from the sub-Saharan Africa to the Americas. The research was carried out jointly by Noreen von Cramon-Taubadel, Mark Hubbe and Andre Strauss. Taubadel works as an associate professor of anthropology at University of Buffalo, Hubbe is an associate professor of Anthropology in Ohio State University and Strauss is a researcher associated with University of Tubingen. What Does The Study Suggest? Taubadel, who is also the lead author of the study, states that the analysis led her to believe that people came in multiple waves from Asia, across the Bering Strait. The continued the trail down from North America and settled down in South America. The findings of the study suggest that Paleoamericans share a last common ancestor with modern South Americans. The findings were based on the analysis conducted on the skulls, which indicated many differences in cranial morphology, which is the study of a skull's shape. Taubadel further adds that the contemporary data pertaining to migration in South America states that there may have been one wave of human migration and all South American people are descendants of that one wave. However, Taubadel's research states there may have been no less than two human migratory waves, which came and settled in South America. "Our data is suggesting that there were at least two, if not more, waves of people entering South America," says Taubadel. How Did The Researchers Conduct The Study? The debate of how people came in to the New World and subsequently to South America was fueled due to the contradictory data between morphology and genetics. Taubadel and her team, on the other hand, applied a pioneering method coupled with earlier morphological research to arrive at the conclusions. Taubadel states that to conduct the study, she and her team adopted and customized the pioneering method from ecology. However, it may not have been used in the field of anthropology previously. The latest research, rather than finding connections between the morphology of prehistoric skeletons in America and the living people, focuses on the current population as lineage of many possible branches of a tree of relatedness, which is theoretical in nature. It then uses statistics to determine where in the tree their sample best fits. The study has been published in journal Science Advances on Feb. 22. Photo: Arild Finne Nyb | Flickr 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. A Lady Sri Ram College student who is a Kargil martyr's daughter has initiated a social media campaign, "I am not scared of ABVP," which has gone viral. By Press Trust of India: Days after Delhi University's Ramjas college saw violent clashes, a Lady Sri Ram College student who is a Kargil martyr's daughter has initiated a social media campaign, "I am not scared of ABVP", which has gone viral. Gurmehar Kaur , daughter of Kargil martyr Captain Mandeep Singh, changed her Facebook profile picture holding a placard which read, "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone. Every student of India is with me. #StudentsAgainstABVP". advertisement "The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protesters, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in every Indians heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation," she said in a Facebook status. "The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas. This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear," she added. The literature students classmates and peers started sharing the post, prompting students from various universities across the country to change their profile pictures with the same placard, as the initiative went viral. Kaurs Facebook post so far has 2,100 reactions, 3,456 shares and 542 comments. Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed large-scale violence between members of AISA and ABVP workers. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on Culture of Protests which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the RSS student wing. Here's the post: --- ENDS --- NASA is mulling on the idea of sending astronauts on an untested rocket around the moon following a request from the Trump administration. White House Request For Manned Exploration Mission 1 Flight NASA's associate administrator for human exploration and operations Bill Gerstenmaier said in a news conference on Friday, Feb. 24 that the White House has asked the U.S. space agency to look at either including human crew to the Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) flight or advancing the launch of EM-2. The launch of the crewed EM-1 flight could happen as early as 2019. EM-1 is set to be the first test flight of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will be used to send an uncrewed Orion capsule into deep space. Sending human crew onboard the Orion/SLS rocket is not part of current plans. The schedule is for NASA to send humans aboard the rocket on the EM-2 mission by 2021 but the new administration told NASA to speed up the process and see if it is possible to send humans to the moon on the debut flight of the rocket. The space agency has not sent astronauts beyond low Earth orbit since the final moon missions more than 40 years ago. NASA astronauts currently even have to rely on Russian spacecraft for transportation to and from the International Space Station. Apollo 8 The prospective mission would involve two crew members aboard an Orion capsule on a mission around the moon similar to the Apollo 8 flight in 1968. Apollo 8, which was launched on Dec. 21, 1968, is the second manned mission under the Apollo space program. It was the first manned mission to leave the Earth's orbit, reach the moon, orbit the lunar orb, and return safely to Earth. The three crew members of the mission, Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders were the first to travel beyond the low Earth orbit, the first to directly see the far side of the moon, and the first to see our home planet as a whole. "What I hear being discussed is the potential for sometime within the first Trump term being able to go and do an Apollo 8 mission," said former congressman Bob Walker, who chaired the House Science Committee and an adviser to Trump's transition team. "This would be another precursor to ultimately landing. And I think sometime within a second Trump term, you could think about putting a landing vehicle on the moon," Walker added. Compelling Reasons To Make EM-1 A Manned Flight Despite the request from the White House, NASA's independent Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel said on Thursday, Feb. 23, that there should be compelling reasons to add human crew to the EM-1 mission given the extra cost this would entail and the risk to human life. "If the benefits warrant assumption of additional risk, we expect NASA to clearly and openly articulate their decision-processing rationale," said Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel head Patricia Sanders, who also advised that the space agency carefully and cautiously weigh the value proposition for making EM-1 a manned mission. 2022 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. By Press Trust of India: Los Angeles, Feb 25 (PTI) Actor George Clooney, who received an honour at Caesar Awards, took a dig at President Donald Trump in his acceptance speech, saying "as citizens of the world, were going to have to work harder and harder not to let hate win." The 55-year-old star along with Jean Paul Belmondo, was felicitated with a career award, at the French film ceremony in Paris and he could not resist using the occasion to speak out against the "hate" and "fear" promulgated by Trump, according to The Hollywood Reporter. advertisement Thanking the French Academy and speaking about his "fascination" for the French cinema, Clooney quickly switched to politics, saying, "As we stand here today the world is going through some pretty momentous changes, not all for the best." He added, "love Trumps hate, courage Trumps fear and always right Trumps wrongs." Clooney then addressed his wife Amal, who was seated in the audience, saying how "excited he is about the years, and especially the months, to come," in allusion to the twins they are expecting this June. "To my wife Amal, there isnt a day that goes by that Im not proud to be your husband. And I am excited about the years to come, and particularly the months to come. I love you very much," he said. PTI SSN SSN --- ENDS --- Arce stressed that "this table has a vital importance to continue giving certainties and solutions, above the whims, subway agreements and political calculations". | Read More By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Feb 25 (PTI) Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has asked India to end its "unlawful occupation" of Kashmir in its own interest, warning any delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell "disaster" for regional peace. India should give in to the public sentiment in Kashmir in its own interest and end its unlawful occupation of the territory, Hussain said at a function in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah yesterday. advertisement "The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir," he was quoted as saying by Dawn. The human rights violations and repression in Kashmir were enough to shake the global conscience, he claimed and called on the international community to help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination. "A further delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace," he warned. Hussains speech was part of Pakistans efforts to highlight the issue of Kashmir, which has led to increased hostility between India and Pakistan for more than a year. Last year, after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with Indian security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, Pakistan had described him as a "martyr". PTI SH ABH AKJ ABH --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Feb 25 (PTI) In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan today repatriated two Indian men from Kashmir who had strayed across the Line of Control by mistake. Security officials said 23-year-old Bilal Ahmed and 24-year-old Arfaz Yousuf crossed the LoC in July, 2015, and January, 2014, respectively and were stranded in Pakistan since then. advertisement After the completion of all formalities, they were handed over to the Indian authorities. Pakistani officials presented them with gifts like clothes, sweaters, bags, shoes along with sweets. Ahmeds brother Mohammad Javed and Yousufs father Mohammad Yousuf, who were accompanying Indian officials, were teary-eyed as they hugged and kissed them. The goodwill gesture came even as a female Pakistani intruder was shot dead and another was arrested by the BSF when they tried to infiltrate into Indian territory along the International Border in different sectors of Jammu division. The Pakistani woman was mentally ill, Pakistani media reports said. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, from Sialkot districts Diawara village, was killed as she crossed the border on Thursday night after losing her way, Dawn reported. Bibi was killed in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor tehsil. In April last year, Pakistan repatriated a woman namely Shakeela Bano from Chakothi-Uri crossing point. In July, 2015, two teenaged Kashmiri boys were repatriated from Chilyana-Titwal crossing point, after they had inadvertently strayed into Pakistan. PTI SH ASK ASK --- ENDS --- Journee' Campbell wears a pink helmet adorned with lollipop and party hat stickers, yet she's too young to be riding a tricycle. The 1-year-old wears the helmet to day care and running around her familys apartment, growing attached to her newest accessory. For the girl, the helmet is also key to her recovery from a life-altering incident: a bullet that struck the right side of her face in November. The tiny finger that pulled the trigger that shattered Campbell's skull belonged to her 2-year-old brother, who somehow found the gun inside a car where they were sitting with their mother. Crystal Kinchen, 23, landed in jail for two nights afterward, accused of failing to properly supervise her children. Baton Rouge police arrest mother after toddler shoots 1-year-old sibling The mother of a 1-year-old girl shot in the face by her 2-year-old brother faces a cruelty t Louisiana ranks among the worst nationally for unintentional or accidental shootings of children, many of which are self-inflicted or caused by another child. But the law enforcement response to these tragedies varies sharply by jurisdiction and case. In Louisiana, incidents where children have unintentionally fired guns, shooting themselves or others, adults have not consistently been held responsible by law enforcement. For example, in more than half of the 12 cases across the state where children 8 or younger shot themselves or were shot by another child from 2014 to 2016, nobody was arrested. For Kinchen, whose jailtime overlapped with her daughter's surgery, that feels painfully unfair. She said she had no idea her friend had a gun in his car when he picked up her family. She also notes police have confirmed that it was his gun, and he legally had it. I really didnt know they were going to arrest me, but I had a feeling that they would, Kinchen said in an interview with The Advocate. She said she knows other people who weren't arrested after a child was accidentally shot. A moment's distraction Kinchen and her children ended up in the car with the gun after she had a fight with her boyfriend. Kinchen had asked for a ride from her friend to get some distance because she said she didnt like to fight in front of the children. While the driver stopped to run into a Family Dollar store, Kinchens son found the mans gun. Kinchen admits at that moment she was looking at Facebook on her phone in the front passenger seat and that her children were in the back seat not buckled or in car seats but she also said she didnt know there was a gun in the vehicle. The last time she had glanced at her children, they were playing together in the back seat, she said. If I knew the gun was in the car, then we wouldnt have been with him, Kinchen said. Im scared of guns. Kinchen said she remembers hearing a "pow," but it didnt cross her mind that the sound was a gunshot. To her horror, however, her friend who had only walked a few feet toward the store quickly realized what the noise had been, and they rushed her daughter to the hospital. A Baton Rouge police officer found Kinchen and her friend at the hospital, where they were both taken into custody for questioning, Kinchen said. Seven hours after the shot was fired, Kinchen was booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison on a count of second-degree cruelty to juveniles, a felony. Her friend, who could not be contacted by The Advocate, was not arrested. In Kinchens arrest report, the officer writes that her two children were not secured in child seats or seat belts, and that Kinchen admitted to being preoccupied on her cellphone. Police also noted in the report that during an earlier stop at a gas station, Kinchens 2-year-old son climbed into the drivers seat, began playing with the steering wheel and put the vehicle in gear but the vehicle was not on. The man told police the weapon had been between the drivers side seat and the center console, the report says, meaning that due to the location of the weapon in the car, it was only accessible to the child when he was alone with his mother or the man was outside the vehicle. The outcomes vary in such incidents, according to law enforcement, simply because the facts of investigations differ so significantly from case to case that there is no way to create protocol or predict their criminality. Legal and law enforcement experts agree that they are some of the worst, and most difficult, to handle: Families are grieving, witnesses are often children and communities are horrified. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said it's especially tough in Louisiana, which lacks a statute specifically addressing when children get their hands on a firearm. Often, adults are arrested on negligent homicide or negligent injuring counts, and proving those crimes or determining it was a true accident is a difficult burden for us, Moore said. Louisiana among states without gun owner responsibility laws Journee' Campbell's story is shockingly similar to others across Louisiana. A child is unint Based on the known facts of Kinchen's case, LSU law professor Ken Levy said he thinks a second-degree cruelty to juveniles count is questionable at best. The law states that second-degree cruelty to juveniles is the intentional or criminally negligent mistreatment or neglect by anyone over the age of 17 to any child under the age of 17 which causes serious bodily injury or neurological impairment to that child. What it all boils down to, did she grossly deviate from the ordinary standard of care? Levy asked. Theyre saying just because she was inattentive, she was on her phone, that constitutes a gross deviation, and Im not sure I buy that. To arrest a parent or caretaker after accidental shootings, officers must find probable cause of a crime, a decision that carries a lot of discretion. But for gun safety group Moms Demand Action, that discretion too often perpetuates irresponsibility in incidents it believes are preventable. Regardless of if it's just within Baton Rouge, the state, or the nation, we don't see people always held accountable, said Lori Maraist, a Lafayette member of Moms Demand Action. It's an unintentional shooting, but it's not an accident. Different treatment Campbell is one of 12 children 8 or younger injured or killed in accidental shootings in Louisiana between 2014 and 2016 where a child pulled the trigger, according to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that records gun violence around the U.S., primarily through news reports. Yet how these families tragedies were handled by the criminal justice system is inconsistent across jurisdictions. A dad in New Orleans in July 2015 was arrested after his 5-year-old son found the mans fully loaded .38-caliber weapon in their house and shot himself in the hand. According to New Orleans police, the man hid the gun under the blade of a fan on a window sill behind a chair, but the boy found the weapon. A mother and her friend in Baton Rouge were arrested after the mothers 6-year-old son shot her 3-year-old daughter in the face in May 2015. The children found the loaded gun lying on the floor of their mothers room in their apartment, according to the arrest report. The mother originally told officers a false story about her daughter being shot at a playground, and the mother shared the gun with her friend, police said. In both cases, the adults were arrested on second-degree cruelty to juveniles, the same count as Kinchen. In the Baton Rouge case, the woman and her friend also were booked on counts of obstruction of justice after police said they lied about the circumstances of the shooting. But in many other cases, adults were not arrested or charged, even when they were the ones responsible for the child who was harmed or for the firearm that inflicted the injury. In February 2015, a 3-year-old girl fatally shot herself with a gun her father had left sitting out at their home when he suddenly was called in for work. The girl, Alexis Mercer, found the gun when she came home with her mother. The Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office determined the circumstances did not dictate a crime but also sent the investigation's findings to the District Attorneys Office for further review, said Sheriff Tony Mancuso. The District Attorneys Office did not pursue charges. I believe that was the right call, Mancuso said. There are circumstances where it would be applicable to charge the person with negligent homicide, but in this case, the evidence shows this was just an accident. Eight-year-old Nathan Majors died after he was accidentally shot by his 11-year-old brother while they were home alone in Benton in October 2014. The Bossier Parish Sheriffs Office decided no one should be arrested, calling it an accidental shooting, according to spokesman Lt. Bill Davis. The gun belonged to the children's parents, Davis said. It was already tough enough as it was, Davis said. The Baton Rouge Police Department has declined to comment on its decisions in Kinchens case, citing the fact that it is pending. Awaiting judgment Moore said he plans to bring Kinchen's case to a grand jury, hopefully in early March, a move that he believes is most fair for controversial or sensitive cases. (Accidental shootings) are really difficult decisions to make, and theyre a hot button for the community, Moore said. Although some law enforcement agencies choose to send controversial cases to district attorneys for consultation before deciding to make an arrest, Moore said he understands Baton Rouge police moved forward in Kinchen's case because they believed they had probable cause. We dont sit here and second-guess officers who are making quick decisions based on what they have, Moore said. We have the ability to have lawyers and research." His office simply will present the facts of the case to a group of citizens serving on the grand jury who will decide whether or not to charge Kinchen. If she is charged with the felony, she could face more jail time, more time away from her children. I dont need to be in jail, Kinchen said. I need to be with my children and they need me. Even if Kinchen is not indicted, the whole incident her arrest, the horrific gunshot, her daughter's recovery has flipped her family upside down. Kinchen still will have to request to get the felony arrest expunged from her record, which she needs to get back her job, a job that she was proud to hold. Its kind of hard for me to find a job right now because of that charge, Kinchen said. She was told not to come back to her position cleaning schools after her employer heard about the incident on the news, she said. Its a job that requires a background check, Kinchen said, something that had never been an issue before. Her daughter is now prone to seizures and lost some hearing in her right ear, issues they will deal with for the rest of their lives. Kinchen will still be juggling her daughter's frequent doctors appointments and physical and speech therapy as she tries to understand the girl's new medical needs. Kinchen also was charged with domestic abuse with child endangerment in November after an incident in her daughter's hospital room following her surgery. Kinchen got into an argument with her boyfriend, also her daughter's father. A deputy was called to the scene and found the man had bleeding scratches on his neck, arm and chest, that arrest report says. Kinchen said they were fighting about what had happened the day the gun went off. So while she worries about getting more time and what a grand jury means, Kinchen said she hopes people can see what this incident was: an accident the worst type of accident but just a big, terrible accident. "We didn't know there was a gun, and I was just trying to get to my cousins," Kinchen said, shaking her head. "I'd be going crazy if she didn't make it. She's my baby it was an accident." By Press Trust of India: From Sajjad Hussain Islamabad, Feb 25 (PTI) Pakistan has signed 10 agreements with Turkey to enhance bilateral cooperation in various fields, including exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering, hydrocarbon and defence cooperation. The agreements and MoUs were signed during Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs visit to Turkey from February 22-24 during which he co-chaired the 5th Session of Pakistan-Turkey High Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC), the Foreign office said. advertisement "At the conclusion of the 5th Session of HLSCC, the two countries signed 10 Agreements/MOUs, in a number of areas of bilateral cooperation, including the Joint Declaration," it said. The agreements and MoUs were signed in the fields of hydrocarbons, environment, forestry, information, exchange of financial intelligence relating to money laundering and exchange of armed forces personnel. The two countries agreed to prioritise cooperation in the energy sector, increase bilateral trade and investment, enhance collaboration in the banking and finance sectors, benefit from mutual expertise in the area of education and promote cooperation between the higher education institutions; reinforce the ongoing collaboration in the fields of communications and railways and promote culture and tourism. The two sides also agreed to expeditiously complete the work on developing a comprehensive, long-term and forward- looking framework for defence cooperation and enhance partnership between the defence industries of the two countries. They also expressed satisfaction at their existing close cooperation at regional and multi-lateral fora, including on United Nations Security Council reform process and issues pertaining to global non-proliferation agenda. The Joint Declaration on Turkey-Pakistan Strategic Relationship for Peace and Prosperity issued at the end of the meeting condemned in the strongest possible terms the recent terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Turkey; expressed firm resolve to fight the common threats faced by both countries; reaffirmed mutual support on issues of core national interest; and agreed to intensify collaboration in diverse fields. Established in 2009, the HLSCC serves as a framework for consultations at the highest political level between the two sides, and consists of six Joint Working Groups (JWGs) in the areas of energy, trade, banking and finance, education, communications and railways and culture and tourism. So far 60 agreements and MoUs have been signed under the HLSCC framework in various areas. Prime Minister Sharif held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildrim. Sharif reiterated Pakistans strong condemnation of the coup-attempt in Turkey last year, and paid rich tributes to the sacrifices, bravery and resilience of the Turkish people in the defence of Turkish democracy and democratic institutions. PTI SH PMS --- ENDS --- advertisement Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) With the short-term thinking prevailing in the Louisiana Legislature, even after a special session over a new budget crisis, where will be the fortitude to keep dedicating large sums to coastal restoration? Its the age-old problem of a long-term problem and the desire to shift money around for the legislative crisis du jour. The good news is that many state leaders recognize the difference. Gov. John Bel Edwards promised a summit of leaders involved with coastal restoration that he would not propose any cuts to funding for those projects. But he warned that as the state's budget crisis continues, coastal restoration may nevertheless find itself in the Legislature's cross-hairs. "No dollar is safe," the governor said. Boy, is that ever the case. "My plan for this current special session does not involve any impact on coastal funding," Edwards said. "And there will not be one in April for the regular session." The governor said he agrees with the common notion that too much of Louisiana's budget is tied up in the form of dedicated spending, but he said money to protect and restore the coast should remain off limits to cutbacks. Why is this so different? First, because a raid on coastal money is like any other reduction in the budget, one that is very difficult to put back later if lawmakers remain deadlocked over raising taxes to pay the bills. But the second reason is the long-term nature of the coastal challenges. A master plan sets out a list of projects that the state's Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority would like to see implemented during the next 50 years. The projects, which are projected to cost about $50 billion in all, are divided equally between restoring Louisiana's coastline and protecting existing communities from inundation. The new five-year plan is up for a vote in the Legislature this year, but in terms of funding the projects move on a broad track that cobbles together state and federal funds, some of the former from money like the BP oil spill legal settlement. What cannot be forgotten by policymakers is that Louisiana can spend every dime available for coastal restoration tomorrow and we would still be billions short. Ultimately, greater and long-term federal commitment to Americas wetlands crisis is vital. What federal aid can the state expect if lawmakers play short-term games with the limited funding already available? Congress might well not be in a generous mood. Thus, Edwards statement is welcome, but we urge his listeners to remain ever-vigilant in this cause. When it comes to the Endymion experience, it would be difficult to question the commitment of Michael Shields. U.S. Majority Whip Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, was one of several Republican Congressional leaders who met over lunch with President Donald Tr A man with a history of domestic violence has been released on an interim domestic violence order after allegedly assaulting his ex-wife while she was holding their son. The 31-year-old separated with his partner last year, and was minding their children, aged two and four, at his former partner's home at the time of the alleged offences. Courts. He was charged in the ACT Magistrate's Court on Saturday with three counts of assault, one on January 29, and two on February 21. He did not enter pleas. On January 29, it is alleged the woman was holding their four-year-old son when the man "yanked" her hair downwards. The court heard the women thought her neck was going to break. OPINION That true-blue Australian knight, Prince Philip once remarked that the art of being a good guest is knowing when to leave. However, when it comes to leaving a job, it turns out that art is a very fine one indeed. Put succinctly by the Clash, should I stay or should I go? Prince Philip waves good-bye. Credit:CP There are four factors to consider in the stay/go decision: 1) your current organisation 2) your feelings, well-being, aims and aspirations 3) the labour market and 4) significant others. Conduct an organisational audit. Is it well run? Do you work with competent and passably likeable people? Do you have faith in the leadership team? What about the clients or customers? Are conditions at work better than they were five years ago? If they are not, what are the reasonable prospects that things will improve significantly in the next two years? Would you relish a promotion if it were offered? Does the organisation practice organisational justice. Are you proud to be associated with your employer? The personal audit focuses on your thoughts, feelings and personal circumstances. This is generally the trigger for most people to consider leaving, and is generally the area people have considered the most carefully. Some helpful questions might include: Are you happy in your role, and would you honestly be happier elsewhere in the medium term? Are you moving towards your desired future? Do you feel you get to use your skills in your work? Are you listened to? Does your experience count in your role? Are you respected? Have you learned new knowledge and skills over the last 3 years? Are there opportunities to keep your skills up to date, or to re-train to remain competitive? Can you get sufficient separation of work and non-work time for your needs? Is your remuneration competitive with the market? Is the amount of travel to and from or for work to your liking or not? Have you been overlooked for promotions or opportunities unjustly? It's a truism of politics that arrogance kills governments. It killed the Kennett government in 1999, when country voters decided they'd had enough of the bloke who unkindly referred to them as Victoria's "toenails" after years of closing their schools and hospitals. It helped kill the Brumby government in 2010, when detested projects such as the desalination plant and the north south pipeline became potent symbols of an administration that had lost touch with the broader electorate. And to some extent, it killed off the Napthine government in 2014, thanks in part to its contemptuous decision to rush the contracts for the East West Link, giving Daniel Andrews a fertile battleground on which to fight the state election. Yet, merely two years after taking office, the Andrews government is starting to display early signs of the same kind of arrogance that tarred many of its predecessors. We've seen, for instance, the my-way-or-the-highway approach Andrews adopted in the CFA crisis, and the lack of transparency over the latest sweetheart deal giving additional perks to the firefighters' union. Much will depend on how Pakistan, emboldened by Chinese support, responds to pressures it may face from the Donald Trump administration. The enchanting melody of Dama Dam Mast Qalandar, rendered by musical legends like Noor Jehan, Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, the Sabri brothers and Runa Laila, has kept many of us enthralled for decades. It was based on a poem composed by Amir Khusro and modified by the 13th century Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, whose humanitarian teachings influenced Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs alike, for centuries. Lal Shahbaz is buried in Sehwan in Sindh. As a mark of respect, the last Shah of Iran, Reza Shah Pahlavi, donated a gold-plated main gate for his shrine. advertisement The shrine is visited annually by over a million pilgrims-Hindus and Muslims alike. The evening prayers at the shrine, especially on Thursdays, are marked by Dhamaal, a meditative dance ceremony. It was during the Dhamaal on February 16 that a suicide bomber struck, killing 88 devotees and grievously wounding over 250. The events leading to this attack go back to developments in 1979, when Ayatollah Khomeini's Islamic Revolution in Iran coincided with the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. Pakistan's President Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq and the ISI joined the CIA-sponsored and Saudi Arabia-financed jihad against the Soviets. Saudi money pouring into Pakistan led to the emergence and strengthening of Wahhabi-oriented armed extremists in Pakistan and Afghanistan, which not only challenged the Soviets, but also targeted the Shia and Sufi-oriented groups, including the influential and then dominant Barelvis. The events of 9/11 and the subsequent US intervention in Afghanistan have led to increasing Wahhabi influence in Pakistan. While the ISI supports the Afghan Taliban, the army was forced to crack down on Pakistani extremist Wahhabi groups, such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi and others, for challenging the writ of the government, especially in the Pashtun tribal areas bordering Afghanistan. Periodic attacks against Shias and their places of worship in Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and the Pashtun tribal areas have continued. Pakistani military operations against the TTP have displaced around one million tribals, with large numbers fleeing into Afghanistan. These tribals, many linked to the TTP, have decided to challenge the Pakistan army and government. They have made common cause with extremist Wahhabi outfits and attacked Pakistan army and government installations. As in the past, they have targeted Shias and the so-called heretics, like the Sufis. Pakistan has blamed the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA), said to be an affiliate of the TTP, for the Sehwan attack and called on the Afghan government to act against the group. The Pakistan army has also shelled places within Afghanistan said to be camps of the JuA. Pakistan's army chief has demanded Afghanistan ensure that 76 alleged terrorists, said to be in Afghanistan, be repatriated. advertisement Afghanistan has protested against cross-border shelling by Pakistan and reiterated allegations that the Afghan Taliban uses Pakistani territory to indulge in terrorism on Afghan soil. Pakistan is faced with both Afghanistan and India accusing it of promoting cross-border terrorism. This diplomatic tangle will inevitably take substantial time and effort to resolve. Much will depend on how Pakistan, emboldened by Chinese support, responds to pressures it may face from the Donald Trump administration. Meanwhile, scores of people in Sindh have defied terrorist threats and visited the Sehwan shrine. One looks forward to the day when Indian pilgrims and tourists can visit shrines like Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's, the Sadhu Bela Temple in Sukkur, and the Katasraj temple in Chakwal, while Pakistani pilgrims receive similar access to Sufi shrines in Ajmer and elsewhere in India. The writer is former Indian high commissioner to Pakistan --- ENDS --- Fair dinkum at what point is the youth of Australia going to rise up in a bloody revolution and put the rest of us against the wall? Surely, the moment must be close at hand. Don't get me wrong. As I settle into deep middle-age, I'm as disapproving of the yoof as anyone. I fear their Snapchat loops and their failure to listen to Radio National which I still haven't started calling RN yet because it's only been five years. I didn't get the whole animal onesie thing. My own youth is far enough in the rear-view mirror that I can feasibly begin to convince myself that it was a halcyon time of effort, principle and good works, rather than the dissolute exercise in lavish time-wasting that is probably closer to the truth. (Like all incipient fogeys, I am quietly satisfied that any success I've enjoyed is due to my own talent and application, rather than the good fortune of being born in a time of prosperity when, for instance, young people working in journalism actually got paid.) The royal commission published the fact that in the 60 years to 2010, 15.1 per cent of priests in the Sale Diocese were accused of child sex abuse compared to 7 per cent of priests nationally. In response, the Bishop of Sale distributed a press statement to his parishes seeking to counter the "adverse attention" by fudging the stats. Bishop O'Regan says there were only "20 claims in the past 35 years", and that "Diocesan priests represented 3.1 per cent of the total". This attempt to sanitise the figures contradicts the church's spoken commitment to redress the abuse. People are sick of cover-ups and want a more honest response from church authorities. Charles Fivaz, Langwarrin Little has changed In the four years of the royal commission, little has changed in the church. Secrecy continues to enable cover-ups of clergy sex abuse of children and vulnerable adults. Canon law provides protection to perpetrators. For as long as the church demands Bishops on ordination to take an "oath of strictest secrecy to conceal clergy abuse with threats of excommunication", children and vulnerable adults will not be safe in Catholic institutions. The Vatican continues to direct its bishops to choose canon law where it conflicts with another country's civil law. The onus remains on whistleblowers to expose clergy abuse. Whistleblower protection is required for Catholic employees. Patricia Boylan, Cairns, Queensland THE FORUM All in a sinking ship Australia's economy is at serious and increasing risk of sinking down the global standard of living, productivity and innovation pecking order if we continue to use cuts to penalty rates and low pay as a substitute for a transformative economic strategy. The immediate impact of these wage cuts on a million workers and their families is unfair and morally reprehensible. But the medium and longer term impact of increasingly relying on low wages will push Australia further down global production chains in a vain attempt to compete on ever lower costs and quality. Ultimately we will reach a point of no return and it will become impossible to dig ourselves out of the low-wage, low-living-standard hole. This cut to penalty rates will ultimately penalise us all. Well, perhaps not all, as the worthies on the Fair Work Commission and their ilk will no doubt continue to prosper as the ship sinks. Stewart Sweeney, North Adelaide, SA Paean to perfect past As a member of the throng that danced on hearing the news of Tony Abbott's political demise, I am delighted by his return to political discourse. It is good to be reminded in these times of cynicism that on occasion MPs get some things spectacularly right. Thank you, Tony, for your visionary five-point paean to a perfect past. No accountability for our mercenary blackshirts, to immigration, to spending on anything we might desperately need, to clean air, to diverse representation and of course the big unspoken sixth, no Turnbull. It is classic Dr No, a full-speed astern, bare knuckled, rear vision ride. He is bereft of a single positive idea for the future of this nation and that is why, through the agency of opinion polls and the wisdom of Abbott's own party, we the nation gave him the big No. Thank you for reminding us why you had to go. Peter Rushen, Carnegie Goose step to victory Abbott has laid out two alternatives for the party faithful. Sleepwalk to defeat with his conflicted, flip-flop nemesis and fellow traitors or goose step to victory with him and a new suite of nasty, un-Australian polices, which went down so well when he last ran the show. Whatever. Peta Credlin's expose of the dishonesty of "brutal retail politics" probably means any connection between policy initiatives and implementation would depend largely on the latest focus group results. Worse is the fact that Abbott continues to appeal to the worst in us, treating us as venal, xenophobic fools. And, unhappily, Mr Turnbull has been aping him in some respects. The PM might sympathise with Henry II's dilemma with Becket and his lament "Will no one rid me of this turbulent priest?" Many voters feel the same way and are desperate for honest, courageous leadership. Norman Huon, Port Melbourne Sniping from backbench Tony Abbott MP, former PM, occasional political commentator and the author of Battlelines, has announced the impending publication of his new book, a collaborative effort with, among others, George Christensen. Tony has titled it: Australian Sniper: a handbook on conducting guerilla warfare from the backbench. Harry Kowalski, Ivanhoe Opening in the middle Labor Lite and Liberal Lite is just what we need. Because somewhere in the middle is the leader for voters who desperately want someone to govern for the country, not a leader beholden to the right wing, big business and science deniers or one beholden to the unions. That leader is nowhere in sight. Shirley Videion, Hampton Who's who? I can only guess there are two Martin Fergusons in prominent positions. One who was head of the ACTU advocating for the protection of workers' rights who then got a prominent position in the Labor federal government. The other is a Judas, who has made a name for himself undermining workers' conditions. Ian Anderson, Ascot Vale Poor Jobson is back ... Poor Jobson Growth is now working part time in hospitality, with split shifts, and being underpaid by a dodgy boss who is waiting for a company tax cut to widen the wealth gap. Lindsay Donahoo, Wattle Glen ... with mate Kosta Flivin I found Jobson Growth back from his summer holidays helping his old mate Kosta Flivin at the local greengrocer's. Could be a two-way street with all the bulldust from the butcher's next door. Jenifer Nicholls, Armadale Policies too similar The plight of Rohingya Muslims, considered illegal immigrants in Myanmar, bears some similarity to our government's treatment of asylum seekers imprisoned on Nauru and Manus Island. Julie Bishop's expressed concern for the Rohingya, however, does not translate to Australia's asylum seekers, who are slowly but surely being damaged by the government's inhuman policies. Mark Bennett, Newtown Public mimics private Catherine Manning (Opinion, 19/2), the school uniform wind is blowing in a different direction. As the educational and subsequent societal divide widens, government schools increasingly emulate their private counterparts in areas like uniforms and names (Albert Park College rather than Secondary College). The former John Gardiner High School, for example, once had no uniform. This didn't remove the pressure for students to dress conforming to their gender. But we have come full circle because John Gardiner is now Auburn High and the uniform is very smart, indeed. Much of the student and parent body is OK with it being gendered and where there is a unisex option available, the choice can be left to students. Note that many workplaces have abandoned "casual Friday" because some staff took the casual aspect a little too far and the mindset took hold in other areas of work. The knock-on effect was even noticed in the bottom line. Duncan Cameron, Parkdale Limits of control Donald Trump lies. His supporters believe him. Media outlets including CNN, the New York Times and the BBC are obliged to expose the lies. Trump then denounces the exposes as "fake news". His supporters believe him. And so it spirals. And the Great American Divide deepens. Stuart McArthur, Fitzroy North He who pays the piper ... Amber Harrison's public campaign reportedly "stepped up a notch after the [Seven West] board decided an independent review of Tim Worner's behaviour cleared him of any wrongdoing". Inquiries paid for by corporate and government entities into themselves are, by definition, not independent. Buying an "inquiry" can be the go-to means of securing preferred outcomes. With its potential to derail justice and whitewash irregular conduct, the unregulated "inquiry" industry itself needs strict controls for minimum qualifications, ethical standards and accountability. As it stands, the usual rules can be assumed: he who pays the piper calls the tune and, as per Sir Humphrey Appleby's wisdom in Yes Minister, "Never set up an inquiry unless you know in advance what its findings will be." Barbara Chapman, Hawthorn In the danger zone Almost every day I see a car pass by a tram that is about to unload, or is in the process of unloading, passengers, even when the tram driver is frantically ringing the bell. Many adults are aware of the perils and peek out before dismounting, but children going to and from school are a different matter. Will it take a death or injury of a child to change this? Why not immediately install traffic cameras that are activated as soon as the tram doors open and the stop sign appears? And make sure the fine is suitably promoted and dissuasive. John Silke, Travancore Desex program vital I have worked in cat rescue for more than 10 years including as a volunteer in big shelters and council pounds. A cat can become pregnant from about four months of age and have up to four litters a year. To really tackle the problem of feral cats, the federal government needs to spend money on cheap desexing programs, especially in rural areas. As people are a big part of the problem, there should also be education programs on how to keep pets safe at home (and not dumped on rural property when they become pregnant). Effective programs must be a joint effort by federal, state and local governments, councils and community groups. Any organisation involved in shooting and trapping should be carefully vetted. Finally, removing the tip of the ear of neutered cats makes for easy identification and future targeting animals that have not been desexed. And they should be vaccinated. It's hard to know how many lives Carly Ryan has saved, how many childhoods she has kept intact. At 14, she fell in love with a lie. Carly Ryan thought she was chatting to an 18-year-old called Brandon. Credit:SA Police Gary Francis Newman, a 50-year-old predator, spent more than a year wooing the South Australian teen, posing as "Brandon Kane", an 18-year-old musician who loved all the things Carly loved and just wanted to make her happy. Chatting online, and over the phone, "Brandon" sent his "father", to meet Carly and her family. All of a sudden, Labor went on light duties on Friday morning, right when it was gearing up to hammer Malcolm Turnbull over slashed penalty rates for hospitality and retail workers. Strangely enough, the Fair Work Commission's historic ruling which so bravely cut the remuneration of the least well-off, offered a political payday for Labor. The political significance of the Thursday decision has yet to be appreciated. Minimum wage claims have been rejected or attenuated before, in the interests of the economy and employers' capacity to pay. But actually cutting earnings for poor? Somewhat unwisely, the Coalition had declined to make a submission to the long-running case despite a credible argument that cutting the buying power of the lowest paid might be a bad way to deliver a "high-wage economy", not to mention, being pretty unhelpful in a flat economy. One Nation co-founder-turned-Real Housewives of Sydney star, David Oldfield, does not have an issue with US President Donald Trump but is "not a fan" of him either. What he is a fan of, however, is the controversial leader's travel restrictions from seven Muslim-majority countries (that has been temporarily suspended). "I don't mind banning Muslims ... There's nothing good about the Koran, there is nothing good about people who subscribe to the Koran," Pauline Hanson's former right-hand man told Fairfax Media at the launch of the highly-anticipated RHoS at Otto, Woolloomooloo, this week. "In context, and I hope you'll put this in context, I have no doubt that there are people who are good people who also happen to be Muslim. But Muslims don't add a great deal to the world as far as Islam is concerned. Islam does not really add a great deal that is positive to the world." He continued, echoing his wife Lisa Oldfield's previous sentiments: "I believe Donald Trump will do a great job for America. It's a shame that we do not have a Donald Trump to do a great job for Australia." On the surface, Laticia Gibson appeared to have it all. The former country girl was in her 20s and climbing the ranks fast in the city, working as a national reporter on Channel Seven's Today Tonight. But bubbling beneath the surface were years of undiagnosed trauma, stemming from the fact that she was sexually abused by a family member around the age of four. "I was not coping well," she said. "I had really bad anxiety, insomnia, I contemplated suicide a number of times, several relationships broke down. I was going through a quarter-life crisis because I just hadn't addressed a lot of issues." Authorities have launched a public appeal following the disappearance of a six-year-old girl and her mother who were last seen in Sydney's west on Friday afternoon. Thirty-one-year-old Karina Gage and her daughter Mariella Vittori were sighted at Stockland Merrylands Shopping Centre at around 3.30pm on Friday. Missing mother Karina Gage, 31 and her six-year-old daughter Mariella Vittori. Police conducted an extensive search of the area after the pair were reported missing, but their efforts did not yield any results. New South Wales Police took to social media on Saturday to enlist the help of the public after the investigation passed the 24-hour mark, with authorities holding serious concerns for the young girl's welfare. A teenager has been charged after allegedly biting and hitting a police officer on the northside of Brisbane on Friday evening. Police said about 11pm a car left Church Street in Eatons Hill and hit a tree, with witnesses seeing the male driver fleeing the scene. A police officer was bitten on the arm during a foot chase in Eatons Hills. Credit:Glenn Hunt It will be alleged police ran after the man and when caught he assaulted the officers by biting and hitting them. A 19-year-old Eatons Hill man has been charged with serious assault of police and was due to appear at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Saturday morning. "For a few short years, this vibrant neon strip with an edgy mix of grunge pubs, retro cafes, art galleries, comedy clubs, experimental theatre and bookstores was the hottest ticket in town." This was Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, in its heyday, as described by author Maz Wilson in the foreword to a new book. Nowadays it's a different place altogether. Brunswick Street: Art and Revolution, which she co-authored with Anne Rittman, tells how cashed-up entrepreneurs and fashionistas moving in, and tourists from the suburbs, have quelled the street's bohemian spirit. ''It's where my heart is,'' says Flowers Vasette owner Cherrie Miriklis-Pavlou, about Brunswick Street, Fitzroy. Her family has run shops on the street for 80 years. She features in a sumptuous new book about the street. Credit:Simon Schluter The book is also a celebration of the precinct's glory days, the 1970s to the 1990s, when it had a fabulous transformation from the realm of sleazy pubs, brothels and sweatshops to a booming alternative artistic and cafe hub. More than 130 people were interviewed for the book, including restaurateurs Mario Maccarone and Mario De Pasqualeof Marios cafe, comedian Rod Quantock, sculptor Deborah Halpern, and cabaret artist Tim McKew. By Press Trust of India: Chennai, Feb 25 (PTI) Rebel AIADMK leader and former Tamil Nadu chief minister O Panneerselvam today lashed out DMK Working President M K Stalin for demanding the removal of portraits of late party supremo Jayalalithaa from government offices, saying it smacked of political indecency. In a hard-hitting statement, he said Jayalalithaa was loved by people for her pro-people welfare measures and they would be outraged if any attempt was made to remove her portraits from government offices. advertisement Removal of her portraits would not remove her from peoples hearts, he added. Panneerselvams response came hours after Stalin, also the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, met Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan and submitted a plea seeking removal of portraits of Jayalalithaa. Stalin said since Jayalalithaa had been convicted in the disproportionate assets case, her portraits should not be kept in government offices and local body establishments among others. Hitting out at Stalin, Panneerselvam said people had repeatedly rejected DMK (in polls) and asked him to do something "worthwhile for the people". Listing out the various pro-people initiatives launched by the late chief minister, he said Jayalalithaa was a popular leader who always remained in the hearts of the people. "The women of Tamil Nadu will be outraged if there are attempts to remove the portraits of Amma. People will not forgive you. Stalin should not indulge in such useless activities and instead come forward to do some worthwhile work for the people. But he will not do anything for the people," Panneerselvam said. He accused Stalin of continuing with the indecent remarks used to be made by his father and DMK chief M Karunanidhi in the past. "People have thrown them (DMK) out for lacking integrity. It is unfortunate that they are making such statements with political vendetta against Amma who did not live for her but for the people. "In the past, DMK had made indecent comments against leaders such as K Kamaraj, Indira Gandhi, C Rajagopalachari and M G Ramachandran whose memories are still etched in the hearts of people," he said. Referring to the electoral victories of Jayalalithaa, including consecutive win in the assembly elections in 2016, Panneerselvam said people had time and again told the DMK that they were "unfit to rule the state". He said Stalin was coming up with such demands because he could not digest the ever growing popularity of Jayalalithaa. "If there are attempts to remove her portraits, the people of Tamil Nadu and AIADMK supporters will create a situation where there will be no place without a portrait of Amma," he said in an apparent hint that AIADMK will continue to sweep elections at all levels. PTI SA VS ZMN --- ENDS --- advertisement A grandfather targeted in an apparent random shooting played dead as a man unloaded rounds into his head and chest. Kelvin Tennant, 72, was in sheer disbelief as the gunman opened fire at him as he rode his bike on the Myrtleford-Everton rail trail in Victoria's north-east last Saturday, the Border Mail reports. Kelvin Tennant at The Alfred hospital with his daughter Natalie and granddaughter Imogene. Speaking publicly for the first time since the attack in Everton, the calm and polite retired schoolteacher said it was "beyond comprehension" he would be targeted. While he's feeling "really great" despite his injuries, he said the area "is not a safe place to be at the moment". Telmo Languiller has done the right thing by resigning as speaker. As he acknowledges, staying on would have inflicted further damage on the privileged office he held. Telmo Languiller has agreed to repay about $40,000 he had claimed for living in Queenscliff while representing Tarneit. His "error of judgment" - claiming a "second residence" allowance worth almost $40,000 to live outside his city electorate in Queenscliff was far beyond the bounds of community expectation. Simply repaying the money was never going to be enough. But now that he has also relinquished his position, will this be enough? That depends. He was the love of her life - "best friend and soul mate" - and he was brutally murdered with a pool cue after trying to break up a fight in a South African bar. Melbourne woman Clare Boadle has paid a tearful tribute to her partner Ludi Vink, who was declared brain dead after a vicious attack last Tuesday near Johannesburg. Harrowing CCTV footage of the attack was released by local police at the weekend showing the moment Vink was struck. Backing away in the dark bar with hands raised, Vink appears to be trying to urge calm as the assailant picks up a pool cue from a table and almost casually lashes out. Victorians could end up paying more to remove levels crossings on the Frankston train line, after the Andrews government decided not to build "skyrail" in some of its most marginal suburbs in the hope of avoiding an electoral backlash. The Sunday Age can reveal that bayside communities in Edithvale and Bonbeach will get their wish to not have elevated rail near their homes, with the government set to announce that those key sections of the track will be lowered under the road. However, a "hybrid" version of skyrail will be built in Seaford where the government insists it is not feasible to lower the line due to the impact a trench would have on the Kananook creek and nearby wetlands while an elevated bridge will also be built on a semi-industrial section of the line at Skye Road, towards the end of the train line. The move to limit skyrail on certain parts of the Frankston line is likely be welcomed by some residents, and give an element of comfort to marginal seat Labor MPs Tim Richardson (Mordialloc), Sonya Kilkenny (Carrum) and Paul Edbrooke (Frankston). Police are searching for the culprits behind the repeated fire-bombing of an Islamic community centre in Melbourne's north, which was tagged with the words "Islamic State" in December. Detectives from the arson and explosives squad are trying to identify three men believed to be behind fires at the Imam Islamic Centre in Fawkner on May 15, November 25 and December 11 last year. The first two deliberately lit fires caused minor damage. The most recent fire, carried out using accelerant and car tyres in December, gutted the building. Before the fire was started, closed circuit footage shows three men wearing dark clothing and hooded jumpers scrawl "The Islamic State" in English and "The State the Islam" in Arabic on the outside of the building. It's 7 o'clock in the morning when the beat kicks in. I'm in a warehouse in the middle of the CBD, dancing like it's the last day of disco, surrounded by a sea of completely sober party-goers. Some of them are on their way to work their glitter and neon outfits belying the fact that in a few short hours they'll be sitting in an office, or looking after patients, or poring over spreadsheets. Others are simply here for the exercise and the natural high: instead of hitting the gym or going for a run, they've opted to stomp their feet and pump their fists on a dance floor filled with disco balls and rainbow-coloured love hearts. Six people, including a small boy, have been injured in a four-vehicle smash on the Great Ocean Road on Saturday. The crash happened at the corner of Evans Track at Glenaire about 4.15pm. Major delays on the Great Ocean Road after a four-vehicle crash. Credit:VicRoads The Great Ocean Road, north and south of Evans Track, was closed for more than two hours after the collision. Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen said three helicopters were sent to the scene to fly a man, a woman and the boy to hospital. A small plane carrying three occupants has landed safely on French Island, just north of Phillip Island, in Western Port Bay. No occupants have been injured, Ambulance Victoria spokesman John Mullen has confirmed. Police are hunting for a cab driver after a suspected hit and run in Brunswick. Credit:Rob Gunstone Victoria Police are currently on the island inspecting the plane, which was damaged during what is described as an "intentional landing" on the shore, Leading Senior Constable Lee Thomson said. Ms Thomson said the plane's propeller was damaged on landing. A spectacular glass-bottomed "sky-walk" allowing tourists to walk above the Mount Buffalo Gorge has been proposed as part of a wide-ranging plan to reopen the Mount Buffalo Chalet and lure more visitors to the mountain in the state's north east. The proposed sky-walk would be similar to the Grand Canyon Skywalk in the United States. The historic Mount Buffalo Chalet (pictured here in June 2010) would be revived and reopened under a new tourism plan for the mountain. Credit:Joe Armao The sky-walk is a key part of the "Vision for Mount Buffalo", a community-driven concept plan for the mountain which proposes the restoration of the iconic chalet, a new 47-room Mount Buffalo Spa Hotel near the chalet, an ice and roller skating rink, the creation of a "Mount Buffalo Village" behind the chalet with a bar and function centre, retail outlets and a performance stage. The push to revive and reopen the chalet, which has been closed since 2007, comes from the Mount Buffalo Destination Advisory Group. Their proposal was presented to the chief executive and board of Parks Victoria last week. The Yarra River will be subject to tougher planning rules and a new council will be created to oversee it under the latest state government plan to protect the waterway from inappropriate development. After years of encroachment, the Andrews government is set to announce mandatory height restrictions on new properties, minimum setbacks for buildings, and tighter controls designed to reduce overshadowing. The Yarra River along the Eastern Freeway. Credit:Eddie Jim A new Birrarung Council comprising traditional owners and representatives from environmental, farming and community bodies will also be established to advise the government and act as an "independent voice" for the river. "We're delivering on our commitment to protect the Yarra River for decades to come," said Planning Minister Richard Wynne. "Tougher planning controls will ensure developments don't compromise the beauty of our iconic natural treasure." In comes the name favored by President Donald Trump- the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. In Iraq and other Arab countries opposed to IS the group is usually called Daesh. By AP: The change of US administration has produced a change of terminology in the war against the Islamic State group. Out goes the name preferred by the Obama administration- the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. In comes the name favored by President Donald Trump- the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS. WHY THE CHANGE? advertisement A Feburary 13 memo from the office of Defense Secretary Jim Mattis says the switch to "ISIS" makes the Pentagon "consistent with" Trump's language in a January 28 directive in which he called for a new plan to defeat the extremist group. When the Islamic State group swept east from Syria to grab large swaths of Iraqi territory in 2014, the world was divided over how to refer to the extremist group, which traces its roots to al-Qaida in Iraq, which declared an Islamic State of Iraq in 2006. In 2013 the leader of the Islamic State of Iraq, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, renamed it the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. Al-Sham is an archaic word for a vaguely defined territory that includes what is now Syria, Lebanon, Israel, the Palestinian territories and Jordan. It is most often translated as either Syria - in the sense of a greater Syria that no longer exists - or as the Levant, the closest English term for the territory it describes and the term preferred by the Obama administration. Al-Baghdadi later shortened the name to Islamic State, declaring that the territory under his control would be a caliphate, or Islamic state. In English, the group's name was most commonly translated as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) or the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Associated Press refers to it as the Islamic State group - to distinguish it from an internationally recognized state - or IS for short. In Iraq and other Arab countries opposed to IS the group is usually called Daesh, an Arabic acronym corresponding to ISIS. The term has a mocking tone and is insulting to IS because it diminishes its claim to have revived the Islamic caliphate. It is also close to the words "dahesh" and "da'es," meaning "one who tramples," making it fodder for puns. Also read: Indian killed in Kansas bar shooting: Donald Trump behind murder, says Srinivas Kuchibhotla's family Also read: US President Donald Trump took numerous actions to boost job creation, says White House Also read: Donald Trump's immigration plans could impact 3 lakh Indian-Americans --- ENDS --- A man has been charged with a string of offences after a low speed police chase along the Graham Farmer freeway. Traffic police spotted a Holden Commodore driving on the wrong side of the road on Southport Street in Leederville in the early hours of this morning and followed it onto the freeway. A man has been arrested after a low speed chase along the Graham Farmer Freeway. Credit:Marina Neil/Fairfax Media The driver refused to stop and drove towards Burswood before doing a u-turn and driving back towards the city. Police managed to stop the Holden by blocking it with patrol vehicles. Two of them were damaged in the process. Seeing the chaos of two London terror attacks first hand has prompted a couple to open an emergency preparedness store in Mandurah. Richard and Jillane Wilkinson survived the London bombings in 2005 and another terrorist attack on the city in 2007 before moving to Australia in 2008. Jillane and Richard Wilkinson have opened up an emergency supplies store in Mandurah named Survival Preppers. Credit:Justin Rake The couple, who have just opened an emergency supplies store in Dolphin Quay, said the attacks showed them how unprepared people were for an emergency situation. "After the London bombings phone lines were completely down and no one really knew what to do. I remember just being so worried because Richard was using London public transport that day," Mrs Wilkinson said. Pauline Hanson has ousted two One Nation Western Australian election candidates from her party just weeks out from poll day. North West Central candidate Dane Sorensen and Thornlie candidate Sandy Baraiolo have been disendorsed after criticising the party's preference swap deal with the Liberal Party. Pauline Hanson has dumped two One Nation candidates in WA for criticising a preference deal with the Liberals. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen One Nation's WA leader Colin Tincknell said Senator Hanson had made it clear to candidates they weren't allowed to run their campaigns independently. "We unfortunately had to disendorse both of these candidates as they did not meet the standards that are required to be a Pauline Hanson One Nation candidate," he told AAP. Bangkok: Victorian man Thomas Keating will be unable to leave Thailand for months pending a Thai court hearing on a charge of reckless driving causing the death of his partner Emily Collie in a jet-ski crash. Phuket provincial court has directed that Mr Keating present himself in court on June 23, crushing hopes his return to Australia was imminent, the Phuket News reported. Mr Keating, 22, has surrendered his passport and pleaded guilty to the charge, saying he is feeling "unbelievable sorrow" over the crash in waters off Phuket's Kata beach on February 5. Twenty-year-old Ms Collie, from the northern Victorian town of Kyabram, was riding a jet-ski when it crashed with another being ridden by Mr Keating. Monday 05 September, 2016 Reliable information reaching Biafra writers desk has it that the life of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indi... The actor recently welcomed his fourth child to the world. By India Today Web Desk: Quantico actor Jake McLaughlin, who plays Priyanka Chopra's love interest on the show, recently welcomed his fourth child to the world. Also read: Have you seen Priyanka Chopra's hilarious new teaser of Quantico yet? The Bollywood star wished her co-star on social media site Twitter. PC wrote, "Congrats Jake and Stephanie Mclaughlin for the new addition to your family. Freya is beautiful. Welcome baby girl. #rowen#reagan #logan." advertisement The lovely actress posted a picture of the entire family (minus Jake) on Twitter to celebrate the new addition to her co-star's family. Have a look: Congrats Jake and Stephanie Mclaughlin for the new addition to your family..Freya is beautiful. Welcome baby girl. #rowen #reagan #logan pic.twitter.com/kxbYXrV9gj PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) February 23, 2017 Sweet, isn't it? Jake and Stephanie have been married for thirteen years now. Jake, who currently plays Booth on the political-thriller show, has also starred in shows like Criminal Minds and The Mentalist. --- ENDS --- On Saturday, 447 members of the Democratic National Committee will gather to cast their votes for DNC chair. Its the first actby party insidersin shaping the battle for both the soul and image of the party whose sole mission has become fighting Donald Trump tooth and nail on behalf of those vulnerable to his cruel, Bannonite program. The contestants for party leadership mostly agree on the issues. What they each offer matters mostly in terms of demography; and in what brand the party will carry into the war with Trump and the GOP. The Democrats dont have much time to adjust. Trumpismwhat Foreign Affairs dubs nostalgic nationalism (or Bannonism, as darkly articulated by Trumps Rasputin at CPAC on Thursday when he proposed deconstructing the liberal state)is already under way. Pushed by the alt-right coven of Bannon, Stephen Miller, Michael Publius Anton, and Sebastian Gorka in the West Wing to a willing president, as they ply him with Rasmussen polls, printouts of good coverage in Infowars and rapturous rallies with his fans, it can be summed up as: persecuting Muslims and non-European migrants, mass expulsion of the latter or detention in newly revived private prisons, permissiveness toward environmental degradation, direct presidential pressure on CEOs and high tariffs as a means of forced re-industrialization (also called economic nationalism). Also, the superimposition of Christian fundamentalism on public policy including in public schools, often at the expense of LGBT people, deep tax cuts and Wall Street deregulation as a sop to the rich and widespread disenfranchisement of non-white voters to seal it all in. For Democrats, its not a matter of if they should fight it all, but how. And they cant count on the continued ineptitude and bumbling arrogance of the Trump White House to ensure it all falls apart. Throw in the ongoing and metastasizing Russiagate scandal, and the escalating war to preserve healthcare access from the voucherizing impulses of Paul Ryan and his friends in Congress and the Democratic plate will be full indeed. The odds inform against the party retaking either house of Congress barring a historic wave election that washes into reddish states. But that doesnt mean theres nothing that can be done. Democrats will have to win back state houses and governorships little by little, clawing back power inch by inch, in order to build the resistance from the ground up, and strengthen it with the power of federalism. States can and have fought Trump in ways congressional Democrats cannot. They could use more reinforcements. If Democrats can regain control of even the secretary of state offices in places like Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, they can head off the voter suppression schemes already baking in GOP-led state capitols. If they can win state attorneys general offices, they can mount legal challenges to LGBT discrimination, immigrant seizures, police abuses and voter disenfranchisement without the need of a traditional Justice Department, or its likely soon-to-be-gutted civil rights division. So who can message that fight, organize it, inspire the already widespread resistance to focus itself on electoral politics, and heal the still festering wounds of the 2016 primary? Each of the would-be party chairs makes a compelling claim. Tom Perez presents as a perfectly reasonable choice and one who most cheers the Obama and Clinton wings. He worked for the most popular Democratic president in generations as Barack Obamas labor secretary. He has the endorsement of the equally beloved Joe Biden. He has a background as a civil rights lawyer and fighter on voting rights. And as a Latino, he represents a rising and crucial demographic in the nations lone multicultural party. Perez would enter the job blessed with the Obama mantle. On the downside, Perez has no experience as a political leader. And what the party needs more than anything is some damned good political organizing. Beyond that, Perez, through no fault of his own, has been cast as the dreaded establishment figure in a party begging for insurgency. He is, in the end, a conventional choice, weighed down as much by Hillary Clintons shadow as bolstered by it. Pete Buttigieg has emerged as the Howard Dean pick to lead the party, with all the fighting, restorative spirit that entails. He is young and white and gay; a war veteran and the progressive mayor of a blueish town in a red state (South Bend, Indiana). For Democrats worried that the party cannot survive, starved of working class white voter oxygen, he seems like the perfect choice: the guy who can bring back the swing states. Theres an argument, of course, that the party isnt anywhere near the stage where it can afford to spend human capital on persuasion. A party that failed to get out enough black and brown voters in Philly, Detroit (or Flint), Milwaukee, Miami and Cleveland doesnt seem to have a persuasion problembut rather an organizing problem and a passion problem. Trump is effectively taking care of the latter. And some party members have argued that a white guy whose staff and volunteer social media photos look approximately like Paul Ryans, may not be best positioned to do the work of mobilizing the multiracial Obama coalition in the midterms, when its the drop off among black and brown young voters that perennially dooms the party. Buttigieg will have to answer that charge. If the universe were fair, Jehmu Greene would stand a chance of being DNC chair. The former Rock the Vote chief has done time as a Fox News talker, and specialized in mobilizing the young electorate. She could handle the TV give and take that will inevitably be a big part of the chairmans job as they become the de facto face of the party. And as a black woman, she represents the partys most loyal base. She could build out from there better than any of the guys. And she has a penchant for speaking truth to power that is as refreshing as it is needed in a party that has been too staid, too cautious and too stodgy for too long. But the universe isnt fair, and Greene doesnt appear to have the votes. That brings us to Keith Ellison, who has become the fulcrum around which the lingering Bernie versus Hillary agonistes turns. Hillary Dems sneer at the idea of pandering to the self-righteous and self-centered Sandernistas, who assert an entitlement to rule a party that many, like their leader, refuse to formally join. And indeed, a chairman Ellison has been presented in some quarters as the price of future loyalty (or short of that: mere acquiescence) by those who believe Sanders was robbed of the Democratic nomination by the intransigence of DNC staff and leadership. The argument for Ellison centers around the idea that the party would be well advised to swallow hard and pay that price. As this argument goes, it isnt even much of a price. Ellison is no ones man, his supporters say. He endorsed Sanders to be sure, but is a staunch Democrat who also stumped hard for Hillary Clinton (she won his district). He is a politician, so he is conversant with the ways of fundraising, and winning elections, including in a district populated by white and black working- and middle-class voters. Furthermore, as a Muslim, and a person of color, Ellison represents, bodily, a core community the party is fighting for. Of course Perez, Greene and Buttigieg can make that same claim, since the communities they represent are just as much in the Bannon/Trump crosshairs. Still, one could argue that there is symbolic power in placing an American Muslim at the head of the opposition; a formal embrace by the party of the group that today stands as the most demonized and feared of all of Trumpisms would-be victims. Ellison is also in a unique position to deliver something the party must have in order to defeat Trumpism at the ballot box: peace among themselves. Millennial Democrats are, in the end, demanding nothing more than a seat at the head table and a say in how a party they stand to inherit one day will be run. Their numbers and passion suggest the party should perhaps give it to them, if for no other reason than to acknowledge the very real anger felt by those who felt rejected by a party that had decided in advance who should be president. No, the DNC didnt somehow maniacally deliver the nomination to Hilary Clinton. There is no mechanism for it to have done so. Sanderss own failure to attract sufficient votes from African-Americans and registered Democrats doomed his chances. But only the truly disingenuous deny that DNC members viewed Sanders as an unwanted interloper, and they were not shy about treating him, and thus his supporters, as such. Healing that breach has to happen for the party to move on. Whether or not Ellison is chosen, Democrats will need to get that done. The partys decision this weekend could either help the party heal or usher it toward civil war. On the downside, Ellisons faith would likely become a battering ram against him for the far right, which may yet blink with a Hispanic, gay or black woman chair. That doesnt go for his attendance at the Million Man March, unless Republicans want to fight virtually every black member of Generation X. But its a factor that cant be ignored. With Ellison, the party would also burn precious time and capitol battling specious claims of anti-Semitism on Ellisons part (including from some Democrats), in part because he shares Sanderss view on compassion for the Palestinian cause. Such accusations would require an extra lift from party leaders like Chuck Schumer (who has already endorsed Ellison). Its an unpleasant reality, but one the party would have to face, particularly with an administration thats fighting its own charges of harboring anti-Semites in their midst. The Trump team would be eager to make a pin cushion of Ellison as chair, and he and the party would need to be ready with an answer. On the bright side, whoever Democrats choose this weekend (including the diverse candidates for support positions in the DNC) they stand in good stead to make a powerful case for the Western values Democrats, by dint of the compulsion of history, are sworn to defend against the creeping Putinism and ethnonationalism on the other side. If the party can emerge from the chairmans vote unitedand make no mistake, they must if they are to succeedthey can present a picture of the America that so many fear was lost last November: One that is tolerant and multiracial and pluralistic and compassionate, and most important, unafraid to fight until they win. Donald Trump presides as he once campaigned: by anecdote. Hard facts, which are hard to digest, do not work well for him. Ive seen that information around, is his typical refrain. Or he saw something on TV or heard it from somebody, like, you know that thing that didnt happen in Sweden last night. And every time he draws on these spectral anecdoteswhich is almost dailyhe looks like the weak-minded tool of these nameless sources and their tweets. Or, to be more precise, like a witless rich guy in thrall to a smart, unprincipled intellectual con man like, say, Steve Bannon. But surely we are used to that by now. So, when Trump talked at CPAC on Friday and made this statement in the midst of his usual onanistic oratory, one might have been inclined to shrug: I have a friend, hes a very, very substantial guy. He loves the city of lights, he loves Paris. For years, every year during the summer, he would go to Paris, was automatic with his wife and his family. Hadnt seen him in a while. And I said, Jim, let me ask you a question, Hows Paris doing? Paris? I dont go there anymore, Paris is no longer Paris. That was four yearsfour or five years hasnt gone there. He wouldnt miss it for anything. Now he doesnt even think in terms of going there. Take a look at whats happening to our world, folks. And we have to be smart. We have to be smart. We cant let it happen to us. Was Trump thinking about the terrorist attacks of 2015? Guess not. Those were long after Jim Whatshisname supposedly quit going to Paris. Was it taxes? One can imagine that would be the case if Jim were not just a visitor but a resident, but, no, thats not what it sounds like. Was it a heat wave in the summer? Air conditionings not great in France, and the world is getting warmer. But, no, probably that wasnt it either. So what was it? We wont get an answer because there probably isnt one. Anecdotes are like that. As the ironic old adage of the news business goes, theyre too good to check. And Trump, who has the attention span of a restless eight year old, but without as much curiosity, wouldnt see a need to verify the information in any case. Theres something more at play here, however. Because Trump, who knows fuck all about France, is pushing an agenda and promoting politicians there, thanks to Bannon, who will be hugely destructive to France and to the future of the European Union as a peaceful, cooperative enterprise. Bannons favored Le Pen women, one of whom may be the countrys next president, are quite clear about that. Bannons public utterances and occasional appearances on stage, as at CPAC on Thursday, are reminders that hes playing what he figures is a great intellectual game with this orange-haired Barnum as a front man. And a big part of that game, for Bannon, is to destroy the social contracts that have developed in Europe over centuries of blood, sweat, tears, and more bloodsocial compacts and compromises that have been admired and to some extent emulated by American liberals, especially when it comes to questions like health care and human rights. Bannon likes to posit the press as the enemy of the people and himself as the enemy of the state, especially that European kind of polity and policy. Thus when Bannon talks about the Trump revolution, he says its about the deconstruction of the administrative state. Interesting turn of phrase that, using the term deconstruction popularized by the late French philosopher Jacques Derrida and banalized by academia ever since. What Bannon meant by it, one presumes, is not just dismantling (which would be the usual American word) but a whole new and fluid conception of what the state is and what it does. This would be amusing if we were bullshitting in a bar. Bannons very smart. But these conversations are ones hes able to have in the White House with a man who may think deconstruction is what happened to the elegant old Bonwit Teller building before he built Trump Tower on top of the rubble on Fifth Avenue. As for Jim and his alienation from Paris, let me say as someone who has lived in that city for almost 30 years: it does have its problems. Its not as pristine as it once was. And it was shocked by the terror attacks of 2015, sure, just as New York and Paris were shocked in 2001. But Paris is still the city of lights, not only because its brilliant at night, but in the sense of the Enlightenment. If that makes Jim uncomfortable, the city can get along quite well without him. And if Bannon wants to come spend drunken evenings in the Latin Quarter telling us about deconstruction, thats okay, too. In fact, wed much rather have him there than in the White House. By Charles B. Strozier, Professor of History, City University of New York In the spring of 1837, a long, gawky, ugly, shapeless man walked into Joshua Speeds dry goods store in Springfield, Illinois, requesting supplies for a bed. Speed said the cost would be US$17, which ended up being too pricey for the visitor, who asked instead for credit until Christmas. The 23-year-old Speed was nonetheless taken with this stranger; he threw such charm around him and betrayed a perfect naturalness. The stranger was none other than a 28-year-old Abraham Lincoln, a quarter-century before he would take the oath as the 16th U.S. president. Speed spontaneously came up with an alternative plan. He said he had a large room upstairs above the store and a double bed he was happy to share. Without a word, Lincoln picked up saddlebags that contained his lifes possessions and walked upstairs. He came back down and said, with a big smile, Well, Speed, Im moved. So began what would become one of the most important friendships in American history. It was a friendship that proved redemptive for Lincoln, helping him through two serious, suicidal bouts of depression that threatened his relationship with his future wife and his political ambitions. It is a story I tell in my new book, Your Friend Forever, A. Lincoln: The Enduring Friendship of Abraham Lincoln and Joshua Speed. Love and loss After Lincoln moved in, the two men became inseparable, sharing stories, feelings, fears, hopes and dreams. Speed intensely idealized the impressive, articulate and very funny Lincoln, who in turn felt safe opening up to his younger friend. They shared that common bed for nearly four years, though all the evidence suggests their relationship was not sexual. It was, instead, a paradigmatic 19th-century male friendship: close, even loving, as each young man sought solace in their anxious, confused attempts at wooing women. Lincoln especially struggled with intimacy. His first love, Ann Rutledge, had died suddenly in 1835, leaving him distraught. When he moved to Springfield, Lincoln was not in a good place. But he was still hopeful for love. In late 1839, 21-year-old Mary Todd moved to Springfield from Lexington, Kentucky (likely to escape the stepmother she despised). Mary moved in with her older sister, Elizabeth Edwards, and her husband, Ninian, in their imposing mansion. A sprightly, appealing woman, Mary was fluent in French, could cite long passages of poetry from memory, had an excellent sense of humor and closely followed politics. Lincoln met her at a soiree in the Edwards mansionhe often attended these events with Speedand became immediately enchanted with Mary. That winter Lincoln seriously courted her. By the following summer, the two were engaged to be married, with a date set for Jan. 1, 1841. But in a move that has baffled historians, Lincoln broke off the engagement in late December 1840 and fell into a suicidal depression. Bedridden, he was prone to hallucinations, and his friends were worried enough to hide his razor. He was, in the words of his friend, future law partner, and eventual biographer William H. Herndon, crazy as a loon. What historians havent notedand what I was able to discover in the course of my researchis that Speed, whose father had died in the spring of 1840, had been planning to return to Louisville, Kentucky, to straighten out the affairs of the familys large plantation. In August and September, Speed began to post notices in the local paper, calling in his debts as he prepared to sell his store and return to Louisville. Speed ended up not leaving until the spring of 1841. But in the fall of 1840, as his marriage to Mary Todd approached, Lincoln lived with the prospect of losing his best friend. My argument is that Lincoln became confusedeven panickedat the looming loss of Speed coupled with the fast-approaching wedding date. He spiraled and, without warning, suddenly broke off his engagement with Mary. A brief reunion Late in the summer of 1841, Lincoln visited Speeds Louisville plantation. Reunited, the friends took long walks together, and Speeds mother, Lucy, doted on Lincoln. Around this time, Speed met and quickly became engaged to Fanny Henningat which point he also got depressed, just as Lincoln had earlier in the year. Speeds fears of intimacy, as he later wrote in a letter to Herndon, mirrored those of Lincoln. He even feared being separated again from his friend and ended up returning to Springfield for the rest of the fall to be with Lincoln. But by the end of the year, Speed felt he needed to go back to Kentucky to prepare for his marriage in February. (There was no way, given the distance and his work obligations, for Lincoln to travel to Louisville for the wedding.) It was wrenching for both men to be separated again. During those first two months of 1842, Lincoln wrote a remarkable series of letters to Speed leading up to the marriage on Feb. 15. (Unfortunately, we dont have Speeds replies.) This most interior of menshut-mouthed, as Herndon called himbared his deepest feelings to his best friend. You know my desire to befriend you is everlasting, Lincoln wrote in one of these letters, that I will never cease, while I know how to do any thing. Lincolns special knowledge of Speeds inner life pervades the very fabric of the letters. Feeling, as I know you do, begins the very first sentence of the first letter. In another letter, Lincoln notes, You well know that I do not feel my own sorrows much more keenly than I do yours. You will feel verry badly, he says knowingly of Speeds fears about consummating the marriage. And later: it is the peculiar misfortune of both you and me, to dream dreams of Elysium [paradise in classical mythology] far exceeding all that any thing earthly can realize. In other words, what Speed feels, Lincoln feels. What Speed knows, Lincoln knows. What Speed does, so does Lincoln. Lincoln inserts himself into Speeds self, which he experiences as a dimension of his own. Testing the waters of intimacy As Speeds marriage approached, Lincoln projected his own confused fantasies onto his friend to vicariously test the waters of intimacy. (Lincoln and Mary Todd, at that point, werent in contact.) It seems Speed barely tumbled out of his wedding bed on the morning of Feb. 16 to write his friend of his successful consummationand how the roof didnt fall inwhich elicited a fervid response from Lincoln: I received yours of the 12th written the day you went down to Williams place, some days since; but delayed answering it, till I should receive the promised one, of the 16th, which came last night. I opened that latter, with intense anxiety and trepidationso much, that although it turned out better than I expected, I have hardly yet, at the distance of ten hours, become calm. Its remarkable to think that the 33-year-old Abraham Lincoln was still feeling anxious a full 10 hours after reading the news of Speeds successful wedding. Was this an emotional turning point for Lincoln? Its as if his fears of intimacy were suddenly allayed: If Joshua could do it, so could he. Within a few months, he resumed his courtship of Mary Todd, who had graciously waited for him. They married on Nov. 4, 1842, in the parlor of the Edwards home. Some 10 days later, Lincoln ended an otherwise innocuous letter to a business partner, Samuel D. Marshall, by noting, Nothing new here, except my marrying, which to me is a matter of profound wonder. Lincoln would remain often sad and melancholy, but he was never again clinically depressed and suicidal. His friendship with Speed proved therapeutic, even redemptive. Joshua Speed certainly helped guide him emotionally toward intimacy and love. As one old friend put it, Lincoln allways thanked Josh for his Mary. This story was originally published on The Conversation. Read it here. AMSTERDAMIn the aftermath of a disaster its the little things that people recover from the wreckage of their lives that define their tragedy. We see the stories play out on the news in the United States all the time after what some would call acts of Godtornadoes, hurricanes, forest fires, earthquakes. From splintered homes we see a battered toy extracted or a water-soaked family album recovered, and the image touches us as we think of our own children, our own families. Yet when the disaster is war or relentless repression, the work of men in some other country, the people and their suffering are reduced to numbers, to ethnicities, to faiths: abstractions that conceal their humanity. Here in Amsterdam right now there is a small, elegant exhibit that focuses not on statistics but on some very human details about a handful of people who have survived the terrors of modern conflicts. Each of their stories is built around something that they broughtor tried to bringwith them on their exodus from lands at war and oppression. Curated by Ozkan Golpinar and Nadette De Visser (a frequent contributor to The Daily Beast), Emerging Histories brings very special accounts of survival in Syria, but also in Yemen, in Iran, and in Zimbabwe. That the exhibit is in the Castrum Peregrini house, which served as a refuge for Jews, intellectuals, and artists hiding from the Nazis in World War II gives the experience even more of an edge. One story, for instance, is of Fourat, a 7-year-old girl fleeing Mosul after its conquest by the so-called Islamic State. All she took with her from her home was her toy bunny. But it was raining as the procession of exhausted refugees made their way across the countryside toward Mount Sinjar, and the rain went on into the night. The wet bunny grew heavier and heavier, hour after hour, until by the next morning it was so bloated, so waterlogged, that Fourat simply couldnt carry it anymore, and she had to leave it behind with the rest of everything and everybody she had known. Nasser Fakhteh is 57 now, and much of his life was spent in Iranian prisons. When he was 17 he was jailed for political activism under the shah and for months his parents had no idea where he was. That was when his father bought a little shortwave radio to listen to news of the rest of the world on the BBC and the Voice of Americato listen to anything but the propaganda of the shah. Just before the ayatollahs took power in 1979, Nasser was released from prison, but four years later the new regime imprisoned him. Under the shah, things were predictable, he recalled, but the jailors of the Islamic Republic used uncertainty as a tool of psychological torture. The cell door would just swing open, Nasser remembers. You could be killed at any time. Randomness ruled. One person would be shot dead on the spot and the next could be set free. In 1988, as everyone knew, some 5,000 political prisoners were summarily executed on the orders of Ayatollah Khomeini. Nasser survived and went into exile, only returning to what was left of his home, briefly, 30 years later. His parents had died, the world hed known was mostly gone. When I saw my little sister again after all those years, she brought a little box with some of my fathers belongings. The radio was in that box. When I held it in my hands, it felt like I could embrace my father once more. Raqqah, a small Syrian city that ISIS conquered and made the capital of its would-be caliphate, is where 34-year-old Reem comes from. People have been living there for generations in old sandstone buildings, and neighbors are friends, she said. It was as though a cloud of soot was thrown over my beloved city when the army of Daesh [ISIS] marched in. A shadow was cast over life in Raqqah I no longer wanted to be outside in that world where you had to wear the niqab, the full-face veil. A woman could be arrested by the religious police at any moment for showing a sliver of black pants underneath your black gown. In time, Reem told the curators of Emerging Histories, I stopped leaving the house altogether I stayed at home. Studies stopped. Working stopped. Life stopped. In the summer of 2015, something snapped, she said. She managed to put up a post on Facebook: The dogs of the Caliphate should piss off. Days later, she was nearly arrested, but somehow convinced the ISIS squad that appeared at her door and put a gun to her head that she was not who they thought she was. When they finally left, my mother looked deeply into my eyes and said, very calmly, If you dont leave now, you will not be my daughter anymore. At her apartment in Turkey, Reem held up what looked like a thin shawl. That black cloth, the one you wear over your niqab, I kept it because I wanted to go back to Raqqah to visit my sickly mother. Now she is no longer here, so you can take it. I wont go back. Rojda, 32, a music teacher from Aleppo whose school was destroyed, carries in her mind Beethovens Ode to Joy, but cannot bear to listen to it. I only remember the sound of people in fear, the horrible sounds of crashing and screaming coming from the streets, the buildings Only silence can dampen the horrible sounds of tragedy. And on that specific day two years ago everything stopped. The music stopped. Darkness took over. Havin, 34, is Kurdish from the much-fought-over town of Afrin in Syria. We had our bags already packed in case we had to flee again suddenly. But one can never be fully prepared. When the bombs started to hit our house, we had to leave the backpacks in the hallway. It was destruction in the middle of the night My brother died in that explosion. The family was able to take his body away. We buried him in a graveyard surrounded by pine trees. I used to gather the pine cones to put on his grave when I went to visit. Now, Havin takes three pine cones with her wherever she goes. I miss the scent. If I could go back, the first thing I would do is visit my brothers grave. There in the forest, I take a deep breath. That smell, I cant describe it. Every step a new scent. Its like walking in heaven. Jean Eduard, 25, is from Africa, his blood a mix of Egyptian, Zanzibari, Congolese and Belgian ancestors. It was his misfortune to grow up in a family that fled from one war to another in what are now the nations of Zambia and Zimbabwe, and finally wound up in South Africa, and his fathers journals about all these conflicts, and about the family, are what he holds on to now, along with an important lesson: Victimization is dangerous, he says. If everyone feels victimized, people become violent. It becomes an excuse to do whatever you want with impunity, because my violence stems from my upbringing or apartheid or whatever historic argument applies best. Now I have the right to have what is yours, so I will take it from you. Golpinar and De Visser are only too aware of the American factor and the European politics that surround these issues. Our societies are in crisis, democracy is in crisis, and on top of it all the U.S., the worlds leading democracy, elected a con artist as its president, said Golpinar at the opening of the exhibit, which runs until March 10. We are witnessing dictatorships in progress in several countries around the globe. De Visser put it another way. This may be a good time for you to think about what your own story would be, she said. What spells out your family history? Where did it migrate from? Or, what did it take to stay, survive, and flourish? By Press Trust of India: Colombo, Feb 25 (PTI) Former Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa today threatened to sue the Finance Ministry and Central Bank over the alleged Bond scam, saying someone committed a "major fraud" using his name. His comments came as the Special Presidential panel to investigate the Bond scam suspended its sittings on Thursday to verify the issue date of a government gazette dated January 1, 2015 just a week before Rajapaksa was defeated by President Maithripala Sirisena. advertisement Sirisenas victory ended a nearly decade-long rule of Rajapaksa in 2015. "I am not the finance minister after January 8. Those in that position after January 8 have done a major fraud using my name," Rajapaksa said at Colombo easts Horana town. The February 27, 2015 Bond issue raged controversy when 10 billion rupees worth Bonds were put on sale even though the public notice was for just one million. It was alleged that a firm associated with then Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendrans son was benefited from the deal through insider information. Mahendran was a handpick of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe and the premiers defence of the Governor led to a parliamentary probe on the Bond issues. Mahendran was later removed by Sirisena apparently due to public pressure. PTI CORR CPS AKJ CPS --- ENDS --- A vengeful bully who plays by nobodys rules but his own has taken over the town. He is supported by a band of hired thugs and cheered on by a large and vocal minority of the community who nurse a set of grievances against the established order. Meanwhile, the majority of citizens are anxious and deeply divided over how to withstand the despot and his mob. Its not an exact analogy, but I cant help thinking about High Noon, the classic 1952 Western starring Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, as America gets used to life under Donald Trump. Ive spent the last three years researching and writing a book about the movie and the turbulent political era that helped inspire it. And Ive come to realize that the plot, characters, and context all reflect our own troubled age. High Noon was created in another time of high anxiety and pitiless personal politics: the blacklist era. The spirit of national unity and international cooperation after the triumph of World War II had given way to the Cold War with the Soviet Union, a brutal conflict on the Korean peninsula, and a nuclear arms race that would last half a century. The progressive coalition forged by Franklin Roosevelt that had ruled the country for a generation was under siege from a coalition of traditional conservatives, embattled working-class populists who felt excluded from their fair share of prosperity, and self-styled Americanists who believed outsiders were plotting to subvert our culture and our values. Together, they constituted a classic backlash movement against the usurpersliberals, Jews, and Communists in those days; gays, Muslims, and undocumented immigrants todaywho had stolen our country. The self-appointed guardians of American values were determined to claw it backand Make America Great Again. For many Americans, Communism posed an existential threat even more frightening than that posed by Islamic extremists today. Communists, after all, could be anyoneneighbors, relatives, close friends. They looked and sounded exactly like us, yet they were agents who marched zombie-like in the ranks of a ruthless, god-less foreign power, They were the enemy withinthe masters of deceit, in J. Edgar Hoovers chilling phrase. Hoovers FBI joined forces with the House Un-American Activities Committee, citizens groups like the American Legion, and Hollywood personalities like John Wayne and Hedda Hopper. The rhetoric was as ugly and the witch-hunt as fierce and unforgiving as anything heard today. Those who refused to betray their principles and their friends were humiliated in public and stripped of their livelihoods without due process. HUAC, whose members took upon themselves the extra-legal role of judge, jury, and executioner, was at the vanguard of the inquisition. Newt Gingrich has seen and embraced the parallel: last June he called for the revival of HUAC to investigate alleged American supporters of the Islamic State and strip them of their citizenship. High Noons screenwriter, Carl Foremanhimself a Jew, a liberal, and an ex-Communistwas called to testify in September 1951 in the midst of the film shoot, and he turned High Noon into a blacklist allegory, with himself as the brave marshal standing up to the evil gunmen of HUAC and its allies. But his allegory was also deeply cynical about bourgeois democracyin Foremans screenplay, the good folks of Hadleyville turn their backs on the marshal out of cowardice and complacency. Rejected and outnumbered, he is left to face the evil by himself. This mirrored Foremans own experience: friends and business partners shunned him out of fear of being accused of Communist sympathies. We love Westerns because they tell us we are a good people who defied overwhelming odds, built a good country in an untamed wilderness, and triumphed over evil. This is our foundational myththe national fairy tale we tell ourselves about ourselves. In it, we are all Gary Cooper, proud, dignified, vulnerable, but fundamentally decent as we confront and defeat the bad guys. Its no surprise that presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to Bill Clinton have loved High Noon, nor that a Wall Street Journal editorial cited Cooper when it praised the intuitive courage and selflessness of three young Americans who thwarted a terrorist attack on a train going from Amsterdam to Paris in August 2015. The editorials headline: Gary Cooper in Europe. Donald Trump surely nurses fantasies of himself as the lone marshal standing between decent folk and the rapacious gang of corrupt politicians and self-interested bureaucrats who seek to destroy the country. Faced with what he sees as an imminent threat, Trump has quickly embraced an even more dubious American tradition: shoot first and ask questions later. Cowed by the fear of Communism and its invisible tentacles, Americans during the Red Scare era were willing to stand by while a few demagogues and hucksters trampled on civil liberties in the name of national security. Liberal institutions that should have acted as a counter-force to protect American valuessuch as the courts, the press, and the opposition Democratslargely failed to coalesce until the abuses became so blatant that they were shamed into action. Many of us have faith in Americas fundamental decency. Sooner or later, we believe, the ship of state rights itself. It did so eventually during the Red Scare when the courts and the politicians eventually took a stand. President Eisenhower quietly pushed for the censure of Joseph McCarthy after the Commie-hunting senator impugned the integrity of the Army and more than two-thirds of the U.S. Senate voted for censure. But this time the ship may be out of control. After all, Joe McCarthy never got to be president. Perhaps the most important lesson of the Red Scare is that the lone hero, standing defiantly on the edge of the frontier, is an empty and dangerous romantic notion. Whats needed to save our country, history teaches us, is a collective response by a majority prepared to insist that democratic values must prevail no matter whos sitting in the marshals chair. Glenn Frankel is author of High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic, published by Bloomsbury on Feb. 21. LONDONNothing can now reverse the act of self-harm called Brexit. Like the steely headmistress of a Dickensian school, Prime Minister Theresa May is brooking no dissent and pressing on with pulling the country out of Europe. But the more she applies the stick the more obvious it becomes that London is not with her. This calamity was willed in another place, out there in another England (Scotland wants no part of it, either). Even though there is evidence that a sizeable part of the 52 percent who voted for Brexit is now unnerved by the bleak reality and wouldif given the chancereverse the vote, there is no going back. This leaves London as the center of resistance, a capital apart from the nationor, as I am now beginning to appreciate, a city nation in its own right. The laws may require it to surrender to the majoritys will, but London is in no mood to yield. London is everything Little England is nota marvel of multi-ethnic energy, an irreverent creative force, a great city that virtually reinvents itself every day. President Donald Trump recently claimed that his administration is a fine-tuned machine. So far, on LGBT issues, its behaved more like an old jalopy spewing smoke, inefficient and dangerous. The only question now: Whos driving? Twice now in the first month and change of the Trump presidency, LGBT advocates have endured days-long periods of anxiety while rumors of possible anti-LGBT actions leak from the White House. The first rumorthat Trump would rescind President Obamas 2014 executive order protecting LGBT federal contractors or institute a religious freedom executive order of his ownnever materialized, with the White House stating that Trump is respectful and supportive of LGBTQ rights. The secondthat Trump would roll back Obamas 2016 guidance instructing schools that transgender students should be permitted to use restrooms matching their genderturned out to be true, with potentially disastrous effect. Both times, there have been reports of people within the administration undermining or resisting the anti-LGBT plans. First, Politico reported that Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner worked to protect the Obama 2014 executive order. More recently, The New York Times cited three Republican operatives who claimed that Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos only agreed to withdraw Obamas 2016 guidance at the threat of her job, under pressure from new Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose confirmation was broadly opposed by civil rights organizations. Even by the standards of the Trump administration, these have been messy periods, full of leaks to the press and rumors of infighting. But two sources with knowledge of the Trump administrations inner workings during these periodsspeaking on condition of anonymitytold The Daily Beast not to mistake the mess for an even split on LGBT issues within the White House. Despite LGBT advocates fears that Vice President Mike Pence would lead an attack on their rights, it is Sessions, they say, who has had the most influence on LGBT issuesand on a president who seems personally agnostic on many of these questions. The influence of Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner on LGBT rights, these sources say, has been dramatically exaggeratedand other LGBT allies within the administration are at risk of getting steamrolled by the Sessions camp, as the DeVos dustup proved. In response to questions about the Trump administrations reported infighting on LGBT issues and its rescinding of the guidance for transgender students, White House spokesperson Kelly Love told The Daily Beast: The Presidents promise to be supportive and respectful of LGBTQ rights remains the same. The action yesterday returns power to the states and encourages an open and inclusive process to take place at the local level, which the Dear Colleague Letter failed to do. (Press Secretary Sean Spicer has previously downplayed reports of infighting, claiming that DeVos was 100 percent on board with rescinding the guidance.) David Dinielli, deputy legal director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, an Alabama-based organization which tracks political groups with extreme anti-LGBT views, is not at all shocked by Sessionss reported role in this latest incident. Those groups have been pressuring the Trump administration to take action on what they perceive as an Obama-era overreach on social issues and Sessions has long enjoyed their support. It certainly is not a surprise that some of themincluding the Family Research Council, Liberty Counsel, [and the] American Family Associationhave expressed such glee at this turn of events, Dinielli told The Daily Beast, adding, Theres no doubt that the pressure is coming from these groups, that its organized by these groups, and that people like Jeff Sessions respond to it. Dinielli worries that the public is still underestimating the damage that the Trump administration can do to LGBT rightsand overestimating the power of the few rumored allies in his circles. People have been bamboozled by this notion that, for example, Ivanka is some sort of maiden in shining armoror in a glamorous gownwho along with her mild-looking husband is somehow going to protect us from whats going on, he said. We know thats not the case. Indeed, Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner have been silent on President Trump sending the transgender restroom debate to the state level, as Politico pointed out on Thursday. Even DeVos, who reportedly resisted the move and released a lengthy statement pledging her support for LGBTQ students, told a cheering crowd at the Conservative Political Action Conference the next day that the transgender guidance was a very huge example of the Obama administrations overreach. And if DeVos did indeed oppose the rescinding of the guidance, thats cold comfort to LGBT rights groups. She signed it, Susan Sommer, associate legal director and director of constitutional litigation for Lambda Legal told The Daily Beast. At the end of the day, she has to live with the fact that she signed itand unfortunately, so do thousands of children. To find vocal critics of Trumps latest move on transgender students, one would have to look outside of his inner circle at merely Trump-adjacent figuresand even then, its clear they dont hold much sway. Caitlyn Jenner, who received an invite to the inauguration, sent the president a video message, calling his rescinding of the guidance a disaster and asking him to call [her.] And Jackie Evancho, who sang at the inauguration, asked Trump on Twitter to meet with her and her transgender sister Juliet. Spicer said during Thursdays briefing, Yeah, I think the president would be welcome to meet with her. There are some hints that Trump might beas Spicer claimedpersonally sympathetic to the situation of transgender children like Juliet Evancho. Trump once invited Caitlyn Jenner to use the Trump Tower ladies room and said that North Carolina should leave it the way it is right now instead of clinging to its anti-transgender law HB 2. But he quickly shifted to his current states rights position during the campaign. And in the absence of stronger personal convictions on LGBT issues, Trump may feel bound to pay back social conservatives for his electoral victory, as the Associated Press reported, and he could be more inclined to align with an influential early supporter like Sessions over someone like DeVos, as sources indicated to The Daily Beast. Gregory T. Angelo, president of Log Cabin Republicans, remains optimistic about the Trump administrations future on LGBT issuesand even about Jeff Sessions. (Log Cabin supported the Obama transgender student guidance and opposed it being rescinded.) Angelo reminded The Daily Beast that the Trump administration team invited the LGBT conservative organization to draft a white paper in January on Obamas 2014 executive order protecting LGBT federal contractors. But when the decision to rescind the transgender student guidance came around, Angelo says that Log Cabin was only informed that day. I was given several hours notice, he said. Asked if it worried him that Log Cabin was not as far inside the loop this time around, Angelo conceded that its definitely a concern but said, If I am being an optimist, Im seeing that Trump in some ways, I think, is trying to balanceat times in a clumsy wayan affinity for the LGBT community that he clearly has and placating an evangelical Christian constituency that largely propelled him to the White House. Many LGBT advocates feared that it would be Mike Pence who would champion that anti-LGBT evangelical viewpoint in the early days of a Trump presidency. But the claim that the former governor of Indiana has kept a low profile during internal White House conversations on LGBT issuesas The Daily Beasts sources indicatedwould not be news to Angelo. After facing widespread boycotts over Indianas infamous 2015 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, Pence has been burned by LGBT people and their allies before and he may not be eager to hop back in the fire. He knows firsthand the uproar that is unleashed when attacks against the LGBT community are committed, legislative or otherwise, said Angelo. It wouldnt surprise me if theres a reluctance he would have to reliving those controversies on a far greater scale as the countrys vice president. Where the Trump administration moves on LGBT issues from here remains to be seen. With Jeff Sessions at the head of the Justice Department, many advocates remain fearful of his approach to LGBT civil rights. And because President Trump made a campaign promise to sign the First Amendment Defense Actessentially a stronger, nationwide version of Indianas 2015 RFRALGBT people could still face discrimination by way of legislation. Asked if Trump has any more executive orders in the works that would impact LGBT people, Love told the Associated Press this week that he does not. But several early decisions in the Trump administration have been made by the president and a small groups of advisers with allegiances that can shift at any moment. And when its not even clear whos driving, its hard to say where the car is going. NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland Nigel Farage and Dog the Bounty Hunter walk onto a boat with Republican officials and Breitbart staffers to celebrate President Donald Trump, eat a dead pig, and party with scantily clad hula dancers. This isnt the setup for a bad joke. Its American political reality today. On Friday evening at National Harbor, following the penultimate day at the 2017 Conservative Political Action Conference, Breitbart threw a dockside Luau on the Potomac party aboard a three-story boat. Hawaiian attire optional but encouraged. Mahalo! the friendly invitation read. A large pig roast was the main course. The complimentary Mai Tais flowed liberally. A drug-sniffing dog stood guard, and security was reliably tight. For instance, a camera crew for Samantha Bees news/comedy show Full Frontal were not allowed onto the boat, and a young DC Booz Allen Hamilton employee who failed to RSVP was told to fuck off when he tried to get in by saying he was with CNN, which President Trump regularly brands a purveyor of fake news. The live Hawaiian music and smiling, shimmying dancers were the latest Breitbart News party gimmick for CPAC. Blowout parties in years past have included a bootleg theme, and one featuring a 17-piece swing band that The Daily Caller described as having a horny, orgy vibe. This year, the Breitbart party crowd was much like any of those other Breitbart partiesdrunk Republican politicos, intoxicated activists, tipsy think tank dwellers, inebriated consultants, and similarly bombed journalists. People like Steve Guest, the Republican National Committees deputy press secretary, and Tim Carney of the Washington Examiner made the rounds to talk Trump and populism. The only real difference was that this year the Breitbart crew returned to CPAC as victors. Steve Bannon, the former Breitbart honcho now serving as one of the most powerful people working in Trumps inner circle, had spoken on the CPAC stage the day prior. (Bannon skipped the party.) Now more than ever, the GOP was starting to reflect and promote Breitbarts nationalist, alt-right-friendly vision of how the party, subsumed into Trumpism, should be remade. Guests of honor included your average happy-to-be-there right-wing celebrities and self-identifying revolutionaries of an energized nationalist right. Nigel Farage, the former leader for the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and prominent Brexit campaigner who was recently hired by Fox News, hopped aboard the boat with his entourage, and mingled, drank, smoked, and joked with huddles of admirers and American fellow travelers. Its a revolution, is what it is, Farage, wearing a suit and tie and a lei, told The Daily Beast, referring to international backlash to globalization and internationalism that helped pave the way for Brexit in the U.K. and a Trump administration in the U.S. He entertained partygoers with stories of how it took him considerable balls to do what he did in U.K. politics, having been branded a racist and a bigot in political and media circles. He did his standard riffing on the globalist left and the failure of conservative leaders in the West, between taking iPhone selfies with excited Republican, #MAGA-hat-sporting millennials. Farage claimed he is still in contact with the Trump White House, serving as an informal political adviser. When asked by The Daily Beast who he regularly talks to in the Trump administration and about what, Farage paused, smiled, and replied, thats for me to know. Other celeb (if we can call it that) sightings were few and far between. James OKeefe made his usual appearance. Breitbart political editor Matt Boyle, who has become arguably the most powerful journalist in the country piggy-backing on Trumps rise to power, greeted and thanked reporters, many of whom are harshly, regularly critical of him and his publications pro-Trump propaganda. (Boyle has slammed The Daily Beast as FAKE NEWS, for instance.) Duane "Dog" Chapman (a.k.a., Dog the Bounty Hunter, who much like the current leader of the free world was a reality-TV star) made the rounds on the Breitbart boat to push the case for why Sheriff David Clarke should be drafted into a Senate run. I got a quick back rub from Dog the Bounty Hunter, one conservative journalist remarked. The luau was winding down around 11 oclock on Friday night, with Farage and others closing down the celebration. Much of the party broke off to head to an after-party a few blocks away hosted at a local bar by the Trump-boosting Great America PAC. The American country-music act Big & Rich headlined the event, as young Republicans and libertarians danced, threw back shots, and dabbled in early-aughts nostalgia. The country duo covered Sir Mix-a-Lot and Smash Mouth as a photo of Donald Trumps face was brightly displayed on a screen hanging above the band. This is a metaphor for something I just dont know what, one GOP operative in attendance commented. The soundtrack for Trumps decidedly bloody revolution is only starting to be curated. MARLOW: So here it goes: our final very public Academy Awards tete-a-tete. Weve already covered the years biggest awards controversies, why the great Viola Davis better get a goddamn Oscar, and the skeletons in Oscar frontrunner Casey Afflecks closet. Now its time for the final two major categories in this glitzy gauntlet, Best Director and Best Picture. At the risk of repeating ourselves, it is worth mentioning once again how bananas it is that Mel Gibson, Hollywoods version of an alt-right fellow traveler, is nominated for Best Director. Gibson is a talent, for sure, but not only is this an awards show voted on by his peerswith the nod signaling forgiveness for the unrepentant Gibsons string of heinous misdeedsthe movie hes being recognized for, Hacksaw Ridge, is sappy Hallmark card dreck. I loved Apocalypto. This is not in the same league. KEVIN: I will say that Im maybe not surprised that it was nominated, specifically because Academy voters salivate over exactly that kind of sappiness, especially when it is being poured all over a testosterone-filled, hoo-rah war movie. I will also sayalbeit quietly, and hiding my head from blunt objects you might throw at methat I kind of liked Hacksaw Ridge. Sure, the hokey religious stuff in the beginning would veer on camp, if Gibson were capable of thinking of religion in such terms, but I thought the war footage was masterful. The scenes were terrifying and bloody, and at times strangely beautiful. Gibson, for better or worse, knows how to shoot a muscular, artful, pulse-racing action sequence. Clearly, though, you do not think this should be in the Best Picture race. What would you have included instead? MARLOW: He does know how to film a war scene, but I far preferred the up-close, intimate feel of Bravehearts combat sequences versus the chorus of exploding limbs in Hacksaw, which became pretty repetitive. Also, theres a sequence where Andrew Garfield is dragging Vince Vaughn across the battlefield as hes mowing people down that is so preposterous it made me chuckle. Some directorial efforts that were overlooked this year include: Andrea Arnold for American Honey, a spellbinding road saga that captures the aimlessness, unbridled passion, and entrepreneurial spirit of millennials; Park Chan-wooks elegant psychosexual thriller The Handmaiden, a showcase for Parks visually sumptuous images; and Jeremy Saulniers Green Room, a muscular grindhouse flick that had my ass firmly planted on the edge of my seat. KEVIN: I would add Pablo Larrain to that list for capturing some of the years most beautiful and unusual camera shots in Jackie, and for pulling off the impressive feat of somehow simultaneously making Jackie Kennedy seem like an alien who has arrived from the moon but also more human and achingly relatable then shes ever been in cinema. But Id rather reserve my grief over who didnt land a Best Director nod so that I can unload it instead on who will not win. Kill me now, because Moonlights Barry Jenkins is going to lose the award to La La Lands Damien Chazelle. I know I need to just surrender myself to the La La Land sweep. But I just cant do it. MARLOW: It is pretty ridiculous. Look, I enjoyed La La Land and found some of its choreographed dance sequences to be stunningparticularly the beginning and endbut the direction in Moonlight, with its striking, pale blue hue and expert POV camerawork, elevated an intimate coming-of-age tale into a transcendent, galvanizing, utterly devastating work of art. And Chazelle, the handful of awe-inspiring scenes in La La notwithstanding, isnt that great of a director. The orange-tinted Whiplash was sloppily done, and there are way, way too many shot reverse shots in La La (though its an understandable fall back option, given how well Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone give the look, brooding vs. hopeful). The inevitable Chazelle over Jenkins scenario reminds me of the time Alejandro Inarritu won for Birdmanreally a triumph of editing technique blended with Chivo Lubezkis ace cameraworkagainst Wes Anderson for The Grand Budapest Hotel and Boyhoods Richard Linklater. KEVIN: Before I finish screaming into a pillow about the awards La La Land is going to win instead of Moonlight, should we acknowledge the movies that should be in the race that arent? LIKE ZOOTOPIA!? Im one bender shy of booking a flight to Nepal, climbing Everest, and shouting from the highest mountain top that Zootopia was the best movie of the year and it is goddamn insane that its not getting its due credit just because its main characters are animated and its crucial message also happens to be adorable. While Im there, Ill take out the still of Annette Bening in 20th Century Women I keep folded in my jacket pocket next to my heart and solemnly hold it up in the air, in remembrance of one of the most interesting portraits of feminine intelligence and its role in male coming-of-age Ive ever seen in on film. MARLOW: A big YES to Zootopia, the most nuanced and intellectually curious movie of the year. That the filmmakers pulled off such a pointed cinematic commentary on diversity via family friendly animation is something that we should be justly rewarding. Ive already mentioned them, but Id include the thrilling Green Room, seductive, labyrinthine The Handmaiden, and the dynamic American Honey in the conversation as well. I was also a big fan of Anna Rose Holmers stellar debut feature, The Fitsa surreal meditation on identity, puberty, and assimilation. But #NoDisrespectToOtherMovies, the best film of the year is Moonlight. KEVIN: Allow me to dust off my snazzy soapbox that I keep for occasions just like this and explain why Moonlight matters, why award shows matter, and why Moonlight winning an award at this award show matters. Cultural progress and change moves in fits and starts, and it requires thrusts of effort from all avenuesespecially cinemato keep it moving forward up the hill. Arts and cinema have always had the power to reflect angst, fear, desperation, and, out of that, possibility; to provoke and inspire, to spark debate, to tell stories that illuminate and change hearts, and then minds, and then maybe even policy. But for any of that to happen, people need to see themselvesor in the case of much of the Academy, see people not like themselvesin these stories. Moonlight is a story about gay black masculine identity, something so specific but which winds up universally relatable. But it takes a movie this beautifully made, with performances this audacious and real, to have that impact. And it takes rewarding those movies to give more platforms to artists like Barry Jenkins to get more like them made, and for the people watching them to feel like maybe they could one day make them. If we dont need this now, then when? Or, you know, just give the award for the so-so musical about Emma Stones struggle to be taken seriously in Hollywood as a pretty white girl. MARLOW: It reminds me of this great Junot Diaz quote, If you want to make a human being into a monster, deny them, at the cultural level, any reflection of themselves. If Hollywood truly sees itself as a thought/change leader, then it should give the Best Picture Oscar to its rightful recipient: Moonlight. This week, CNN broke the news that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus requested to FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe that the Bureau publicly dismiss numerous media reports concerning communications between Trumps inner circle and Russia during the U.S. presidential race. The direct communications between the White House and the FBI were unusual because of decade-old restrictions on such contacts. Such a request from the White House is a violation of procedures that limit communications with the FBI on pending investigations, reported CNN. So, on Friday nights edition of Real Time with Bill Maher, the titular hostwhen he wasnt busy espousing casual transphobiabrought Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Ca.) on the program to discuss the big news. Issa served as Chairman of the House Oversight Committee from 2011 to 2015, and currently chairs the House Judiciary Committee and serves on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. You were head of the House Oversight Committee. Now, we have this situation where it comes out this week that Reince Preibus was talking to the FBIhes the chief of staff, said Maher. All of our intelligence agenciesyou have great respect for them, youre a veteranthey all said that the Russians hacked one side, like a poker game where one player has the cards up, they just hacked the Democrats. And we know for a fact that people in the Trump administration had dealings and talks with the Russians during the campaign. OK, so lets go back to 2012. Say the Russians hacked only Mitt Romney and there was a lot of contact between the Obama administration and Russia. You gonna let that slide? No, Issa replied. So youre not gonna let this slide? fired back Maher. No, said Issa. Were gonna ask the intelligence committees of the House and Senate to investigate within the special areas they oversee. No. We need an independent prosecutor, continued Maher. And Jeff Sessions should recuse himself the same way Loretta Lynch recused herself, because he was part of the Trump campaign. Then Issa, one of the more anti-Obama Republican congressmen in the House, said something surprising concerning Attorney General Jeff Sessions. As I was saying, number two would be, youre right that you cannot have somebodya friend of mine, Jeff Sessionswho was on the campaign and who was an appointee. Youre going to need to use the special prosecutors statute and office not just to recuse, you cant just give it to your deputythats another political appointeeyou do have to do that. Heres the reason were going to have to do it, Bill, added Issa. There may or may not be fault, but the American people who are beginning to understand that Putin murders his enemies, sometimes right in front of the Kremlin, and then the cameras dont work there hes murdered people and taken down using cyberwarfare in Georgia and the Ukraine. This is a bad guy who murders people, who runs a gas station with an economy the size of Italy but is screwing up things all over the world [who] weve been working with. Now, we have to work with themwe dont have to trust them. And we need to investigate their activities, and we need to do it because they are bad people. My old friend David Horowitz is having another moment in the sun. The one-time stalwart of the 1960s New Left is raising his hand to retroactively claim credit as a founding father of the Trump revolution. Here he is at Breitbart, boasting about his long friendship with Steven Bannon and about grooming a young Stephen Miller, who Horowitz calls a general in the White House battle tank and his personal conduit to (then Senator, now Attorney General Jeff) Sessions. At his own Frontpage Magazine, Horowitz pays tribute to its man of the year, Bannon the unsung hero. His new book, Big Agenda: President Trumps Plan to Save America, a guide to fighting the opponents of the conservative restoration, has been on Amazons best-seller list for weeks. Among its singular contributions to our current political culture is that a prominent conservative intellectual now proposes Republicans take lessons in electoral strategy from Mike Tyson: Everybody has a game plan until you punch them in the mouth. From this bon mot Horowitz concludes that in order to win the struggle for Americas future, conservatives must begin every confrontation by punching progressives in the mouth. Elsewhere in the book, Horowitz writes: Republicans must adhere to a strategy that begins with a punch in the mouth. Of course, of course, I understand whats going on here. I have known David Horowitz for more than 50 years and will testify that hes a gentle soul, a man of the mind without any personal lust for violence. Still, common readers cant avoid being, err, struck by his endless references to violent combat (the strategy is to go for the jugular; its time to take the gloves off; take no prisoners; stay on the attack, and on and on and on) in this first major manifesto for the month-old Trump administration already reveling in whacking its perceived enemies in the mouth (metaphorically of course). Horowitzs fighting words serve his overall narrative that up to now (that is before the glorious Trump victory and coming conservative restoration) only the Democrats understood that politics is a form of warfare, while mainstream Republicans weresadlytoo squeamish to fight fire with fire. Or, as Trump would say, those Republican officeholders are a bunch of low-energy wimps and losers. Among all the Republican candidates it was Trumps willingness to take up the tools of war, to hit Hillary where it hurt, that turned Horowitz into an early and fervent supporter of the politically inexperienced, vulgar billionaire. Before Trumps entry into the presidential primaries, Horowitz writes, there was not a single Republican figure with a national platform who would have called Hillary Clinton a crook or a liar to her face. According to Horowitz, conservative intellectuals were also too gentlemanly, too attached to civil discourse and respect for truth, to fight back against the Democrats, the party of the radical left now hellbent on destroying our country. For those spineless never Trump conservatives, no-holds-barred, in-your-face brawling [was] problematic to begin with, Horowitz laments. So Horowitz delivered his own proverbial punches in the mouth, as when he attacked William Kristol, the neoconservative editor of The Weekly Standard as a renegade Jew. According to Horowitz, Kristol betrayed the Jewish people when he sought a candidate other than Trump for Republicans to rally around, thus giving aid and comfort to that known enemy of Israel, Hillary Clinton. The truth is that Horowitz is a Johnny-come-lately to the pro-Israel ranks and has never even visited the Jewish state. But that didnt deter him from delivering a rabbit punch to a life-long Zionist and supporter of Israel. As a never Trump conservative myself, I hereby plead guilty to Horowitzs charge of insufficient enthusiasm for the Mike Tyson school of politics. From the beginning I abhorred the in-your-face, brawling presidential election Horowitz cheered. I blamed candidate Trump almost exclusively for turning the election, our most hallowed republican institution, into a clown show. I did not think there was anything conservative about Trumps habit of leading his howling supporters in chants of lock her up. Nor did I regard it as an expression of American patriotism when Trump stirred up his campaign rallies with an exceptionally disgusting lie about General John Pershing executing 50 captured Muslim insurgents in the Philippines with bullets dipped in pigs bloodsuggesting that such war crimes might be a useful tactic in Americas current war against Islamic terrorism. In those instances, at least, there was nothing metaphorical about the blood lust erupting at Trumps rallies. Certainly this was not the conservatism I had in mind when I made my political journey out of the Left starting in the mid-1970s. Nor could I have imagined that this might be the brand of conservatism that my friend David Horowitz would eventually embrace when he embarked on the same political journey all those years ago. *** David and I first met as graduate students at the University of California at Berkeley in 1962. We were both radical New York Jews whose parents were part of the old, pro-Soviet left whod found our separate ways to the Berkeley campus in part because of its reputation as a seedbed of student protest. With our friend Robert Scheer, a third New York Jewish radical and Berkeley grad student, we founded one of the first New Left student magazines. We called it Root and Branch (the name taken from the writings of the 18th century English revolutionary thinker Gerrard Winstanly) and put the first issue together with a stapler and a mimeograph machine in the home of one of our editors. Our little magazine survived for all of three issues, but it briefly captured the youthful idealism and naivete of the early 60s New Left. In the first issue, I wrote an article critical of George F. Kennans Cold War containment policy and David wrote a precocious philosophical essay about the theme of alienation in the works of Martin Buber and Karl Marx. Scheer wrote about San Franciscos beat poets. This was not the street fighting New Left that would soon emerge on the campuses. In our first editorial statement we promised to steer an ideological course rejecting both free world capitalism and repressive Soviet communism. We were well schooled in the influential anti-totalitarian works produced by the great writers of the 1930s and 40s who had tragically been lured to Stalinism by the false dream of world revolution. Among our favorite texts were The Captive Mind, by the dissident Czech philosopher Czeslaw Milosz and The God That Failed, containing essays about the corruptions of communism by writers such as Arthur Koestler, Richard Wright, and Stephen Spender. We pledged that our new generation of radical intellectuals would never succumb to the totalitarian temptation. Yet we enthusiastically supported the Cuban Revolution, believing it was a great leap forward for the democratic socialist cause. In this we followed the lead of one of our intellectual heroes, Columbia University sociologist C. Wright Mills, who claimed in his best-selling book, Listen, Yankee, that Fidel Castro was a new breed of revolutionary leadermore humanist, more open and more hip than old-style bureaucratic Communists. We even imagined Fidel and Che as fellow New Leftists. After the demise of Root and Branch, Scheer, Horowitz and I, plus another Berkeley grad student named Peter Collier, moved on to the big stage of radical journalism by joining Ramparts magazine. Under the leadership of our flamboyant editor, Warren Hinckle, Ramparts was soon breaking major national stories, including one I wrote about the CIAs penetration of the National Student Association. Our circulation reached 200,000, an unheard of figure for a leftist publication at the time. For Ramparts, the mission was part sensational journalism, part radical activism. Student rebellions and antiwar protests were sweeping campuses around the country, and the Black Panthers were stirring up inner-city ghettos. To this day I hold myself responsible for helping to create the myth of the Black Panthers as righteous rebels fighting off brutal police oppression. In 1967, I wrote a hagiographic profile for Ramparts of Huey Newton, the Panthers minister of defense, and then published essentially the same article in The New York Times Magazine. It soon became clear to anyone who cared to investigate that Newton and the Panthers were clever street thugs who spouted revolutionary rhetoric to avoid accountability for their crimes. By 1970, Horowitz and Collier had taken over the helm at Ramparts, but continued to drink the Kool-Aid served by the New Lefts most destructive elements. They published Tom Haydens dangerous drivel proclaiming the Black Panthers as Americas internal Viet Cong, along with his exhortation for radical white youth to create liberated zones as sanctuaries for their Panther allies. Ramparts new editors then doubled down on this foolishness with their own, proclaiming Hayden one of the countrys most serious revolutionaries. To me, the indelible image of Horowitz and Colliers Ramparts was the May, 1970 Ecology Special issue, with a cover showing a burning Bank of America branch and text saying the students who firebombed the bank may have done more for saving the environment than all the teach-ins put together. It seemed that the idealistic New Left was now reproducing all the disasters and lies of the Old Left. I was living and reporting in Israel in 1975 when I learned that Ramparts had finally closed its doors. By then, I no longer considered myself a leftistin no small measure because of the New Lefts growing hostility to Israel. Soon, Horowitz and Collier had their own The God That Failed moment and broke sharply with the left (PDF). After Ramparts, both men had brilliant second lives and careers (F. Scott Fitzgerald was wrong about this) as award-winning journalists and historians. The pair co-authored three best-selling books about the Kennedy, Rockefeller, and Ford dynasties. Horowitz then wrote his political memoir, Radical Son, exposing with admirable honesty the catastrophic consequences for the possibility of a decent left that resulted from Ramparts misalliance with the Panthers and Tom Hayden. In the early 1980s, the former Ramparts editors had their much-publicized Second Thoughts conference and became prominent conservative activists. I too thought of myself as a member of the second thoughts movement of ex-leftists turned conservative and I contributed articles to Front Page, the new web magazine launched by Horowitz and Collier. Front Page and the non-profit organization they created (with the rather awkward name of The Center for the Study of Popular Culture) did pioneering work, in my view, in exposing the spread of oppressive political correctness in the universities and in the culture. One of the most prolific writers I have ever known, Horowitz turned out a steady stream of books and pamphlets, using his own experiences as a radical to warn about the dangerous leftward turn of the Democratic Party. In recent years, though, I began fretting about the political direction that Horowitz was moving in, one more radical right and mean spirited than conservative. I thought it somewhat tasteless when he changed the name of his organization to The David Horowitz Freedom Center. It made me recall the cult of personality that disfigured the old pro Soviet left. And I blanched when I noticed the slogan now appearing permanently at the top of the Front Page website: Inside Every Progressive Is a Totalitarian Screaming to Get Out. Really David? Every progressive is a totalitarian? This seemed like a throwback to Tom Haydens rhetoric from the 60s about how every American liberal is actually a war criminal, only in reverse. As for totalitarian minds, there was now the steady, monotonous beat of war drums and the demonization of all liberals and moderates by the writers at Front Page. So many mouths to be punched. Of course, Horowitz would likely respond that it was the liberals and Democrats who started the war and who still practice politics as warfare by other means. Still, it seemed to me that my old friend had forgotten one of the most important lessons we took away from our experiences on the radical left. Anathematizing your political adversaries as the source of all evil, turning politics into mortal combat, is one of the surest paths to totalitarian thinking and, eventually, civil unrest. Horowitz must know that words matter. When the New Left adopted the slogan bring the war back home, people died on Americas streets. *** The emergence of Donald Trump has given this political lesson from the 20th century an altogether contemporary dimension. Horowitzs new book is precisely an illustration of that political conundrum. After reading the short volume I was reminded of Ramparts adoration for the Black Panthers and Hayden. In Horowitzs blind celebration of all things Trump, a gifted writer has been led to produce a truly deplorable book, a melange of agitprop and false accusations against both Democrats and moderate, conscientious Republicans. Like Trump himself, Horowitz portrays a down-and-out, all-but crippled America, a nation virtually at the precipice. He repeats canards straight out of Trumps fact-challenged campaign speeches, including the preposterous claim that ninety-four million Americans have left the workforce and that under Democratic rule the U.S. has seen a dramatic spike in homicides and other violent crimes. (According to the FBI, murders and other violent crimes are down by almost one half since the early 90s.) Horowitz claims that but for the miraculous advent of Trump, an American patriot distressed by the state of corruption and decline into which his country had fallen, America was doomed. Until that saving moment when Trump came down the escalator in Trump Tower, Republicans were losing the political and culture wars with the left because they do not understand what their adversaries are up to what drives them and shapes their means and ends what deceptions will they employ, what laws will they break. In other words, Republicans are dumb and Donald Trump is a political genius. Another undercurrent in this book is that only David Horowitz, because of his unique experiences on the Left, can teach the clueless Republicans about the awful hatred for the country that came from the Democrats and their 2016 standard bearer Hillary Clinton. Here is how our self-styled expert on the left describes the political agenda of the Democratic Party and of progressives generally: ... they are zealots of what can only be described as a crypto-religion modeled on the Christian narrative of the Fall and Redemptionthe difference being that they see themselves as the redeemers instead of the divinity. To progressives, the world is a fallen placebeset by racism, sexism, homophobia, and the restthat must be transformed and made right. This redemption was once called communism and is now called socialism or social justice. Yes, I appreciate that Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democrats and de facto leader of the party after Hillarys defeat, isnt right on many issues facing America today. But a zealot of a crypto-religion modeled on the Christian narrative of the Fall and Redemption? This is not only unhinged in itself, but when coupled with Horowitzs hero worship of Donald Trump (much like his celebration of Huey Newton almost a half century ago) it renders my old friend unqualified as a serious analyst of American politics. Horowitz is now just as silent on Donald Trumps dangerous character traits and serial lies as his old left forbearers were in judgement of the most notorious totalitarian regimes of the 20th century. There is not one acknowledgement in this book about the hatred and cruelty generated by candidate Trump during his campaign ralliesthe mocking of a handicapped reporter, the made-up story of Muslim prisoners being executed by General Pershing. As for the indisputable evidencethrough Trumps recorded words, plus countless credible witness testimoniesthat the candidate was a serial sexual assaulter, Horowitz dismisses it all as a baseless slander organized by the Clinton camp. In the last section of the book, Horowitz presents a battle plan for the first 100 days of the Trump presidency. Many of the items are cribbed from proposals on Trumps website. Still, it isnt that any of the 15 or so policy proposals offered by Horowitz couldnt be supported by conservatives like myself. But theres no reason to take any of it seriously, since neither I nor David Horowitz has the slightest idea if Trump will carry them out or is even interested in carrying them out. The far bigger danger that Horowitz and other pro-Trump conservative intellectuals are in denial about is our new presidents uniquely flawed character, his ignorance of the world and his evident incompetence to organize an American government now facing acute and unprecedented worldwide challenges. In his 1953 anti-totalitarian classic, The Captive Mind, the Czech writer Czeslaw Milosz described how European intellectuals betrayed their commitment to thought and truth for the illusion that their utopian hopes for change might be satisfied by real communism in power. In the early days of the New Left, Horowitz recognized that this age-old dream of a better world could easily be corrupted when it was attached to state power and a demagogic party leader using the big lie technique. A half century later, in the strange case of Donald Trump, Horowitz has fallen for the same illusion he once warned against. I am convinced this will end badly for our country, but its almost as disturbing that it will end badly for the once idealistic conservative movement in America. This time, when the dreams of radical change fall apart, there will be no redemptive moment as in The God That Failed for Horowitz and his fellow Trump intellectuals. It will, instead, be transparently pathetic and shameful that men and women of intellect and ideas served as a bodyguard of lies for a low-life con man who managed to disgrace the American presidency. Jonathan Swifts Essay upon the Art of Political Lying tells us that post-truth statements are nothing new. As the vilest writer hath his readers, so the greatest liar hath his believers: and it often happens, that if a lie be believed only for an hour, it hath done its work. He was writing in 1710, but his words have been borne out by much that has happened in the last year. Swift also begged a question that many are asking now: Will there be any room left in politics for those who arent prepared to lie? Swifts hatred of falsehood sat oddly, in fact, with his love of a good fib. Some of his most celebrated works were elaborate hoaxes: His best known book, Gullivers Travels, was presented to the public as a voyagers genuine memoir, and large numbers of readers were apparently taken in. Swift is generally regarded as the foremost satirist in English. Its mentioned less often, though, that he was also a master of the primary art of getting facts in order and checking sources. By the time Gulliver emerged into the world, Swift had already made a formidable name for himself as a journalist as well as a satirist. Satirists of course have license to exaggerate and distort; but Swift insisted that there was an absolute link between verifiable fact and moral truth. He had a devastating way of letting figures speak for themselves. In one of his first publishing sensations, an anti-war work called The Conduct of the Allies (1711), he used secret information provided by friends within government. The Conduct was an epoch-shattering critique of the corrupt means being used to prolong Britains war against France. Swift exposed a political and financial elite set on warfare for the sake of profit, and demonstrated that Shock Doctrine tactics were in use long before 20th century economists figured them out. His astounding book, staggering for its deployment of research and privileged information as well as lethally brilliant writing, helped end a long and largely senseless campaign. Swift often wrote of satire as holding up a mirror or magnifying glass to reality. Before Swift, the word satire was often synonymous for libel, the idea being that satirical writers could say more or less anything they wanted about someone they hated. Swift was not at all timid when it came to voicing his dislikes, but sought to restore a higher purpose to his chosen mode of writing. For it to carry weight, satirical mockery had to be based on solid claims. And it was important, then as now, that satire scored the points it needed: for by making people of influence seem ridiculous when they acted wrongly, it made them seem a little less frightening, and opened a space in which there could be meaningful free speech about what such people were doing. As a protest writer in the 1720s and 30s, Swift laid bare the injustice of British rule in Ireland. He was an Irishman himself, born in Dublin in 1667, but to English parents. To give his writing substance he went to inordinate lengths in checking the situation in the Irish countryside, where people were starving as a result of exploitative land practices and repressive legislation. He made sure that he was fully up to date with the most reliable trade figures and consulted widely with well-placed sources in business and administration. His subsequent approach to writing itself was a dangerous one, namely to take a post-truth mentality as far as it could go. He fought hypocrisy by creating a series of masks. The most memorable specimen in his portfolio was his Modest Proposal, a short essay of 1729. In this he assumed the voice of an entirely sincere and indeed socially concerned psychopath. Swifts proposer argues calmly that poor Irish children could be sold as delicacies for wealthy tables. The essays power comes partly from Swifts vision of where callousness might lead, but also from a ruthlessly detached observation of reality. He described scenes of deprivation that all his readers could recognize. Many of the great satirical hits in Gullivers Travels also take their strength from Swifts honesty about facts that his fellow Britons and Europeans preferred to ignore or view differently. One such moment comes when Gulliver explains to the gigantic king of Brobdingnag how politics and war work in Europe. Nothing he says is very sensational; Swifts readers could deny none of it. And so the king of Brobdingnag concludes that most of them must belong to a really horrible species of vermin. A large part of Swifts cultural legacy is his way of showing how even morally developed people can be brought to accept horrifying practices. The secret is tied up with what those people assume to be the truth. In the Travels, a morally superior race of horse-beingsSwift loved horsesshare their land with rather brutal, dishonest and undeniably filthy humans, the Yahoos. The horses decide they have no choice but to exterminate their two-legged neighbors. This final solution is arguably the punishment Swift is saying we humans will ultimately deservefor our violence to each other and contempt for the environment. But he leaves a less than inspiring image of those killer horses, which had recognizable counterparts in Swifts actual world. The scale and daring of post-truth politics might lead some to think that lies can only be fought with lies. The work of Jonathan Swift should make us pause at such a moment: the moral case, Swift urged, is undeniable when the empirical case has clear validity. This unparalleled creator of satirical fiction demonstrated that those concerned with truth should keep faith with it. John Stubbs studied English at Oxford and Renaissance literature at Cambridge, where he completed a doctorate. His new biography, Jonathan Swift: The Reluctant Rebel, will be released from W.W. Norton on February 28. He lives in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted disease that causes head, neck, anal, and genital cancers. Currently, about 79 million Americans, most in their late teens and early twenties, are infected with the virus. The annual statistics are grim. Every year in the United States: 14 million people are newly infected with HPV. 19,000 women and 8,000 men develop HPV-associated cancers. 5,000 people die from cancers caused by HPV. Thats the bad news. The good news is that a vaccine is available to prevent it. In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) licensed an HPV vaccine that will prevent about 70 percent of the cancers caused by this virus; in 2016, the vaccine was replaced by another HPV vaccine that will prevent about 85 percent. The HPV vaccine is now recommended for all girls and boys between 11 and 13 years of age. Unfortunately, although the vaccine has been around for more than 10 years, most teenagers dont get it. Only about 45 percent of girls and 25 percent of boys have completed the recommended series. Given current immunization rates, every year in the United States about 2,000 boys and girls are condemned to die from cancer because they havent received an HPV vaccinea remarkable public health failure. The HPV vaccine isnt the only vaccine recommended for teenagers in the United States. Vaccines to prevent tetanus, diphtheria, whooping cough, and meningococcus (a cause of meningitis and bloodstream infections) are also part of the routine schedule. Unlike the HPV vaccine, however, the uptake of these other vaccines is excellent, in the 80 to 90 percent range. Given that the HPV vaccine will prevent more suffering and death than all four of these other vaccines combined, why are immunization rates for HPV so low? The answer: sex. The HPV vaccine prevents but doesnt treat HPV infections. Therefore, in order for the vaccine to be effective, it has to be given before children have sex. For some clinicians, this makes for an uncomfortable conversation in front of young teenagers and their parents. But theres another more subtle force at work. After the FDA licenses a vaccine, the company that makes it can sell it. Usually, however, the manufacturer and insurance companies wait to see what the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommend. The committee that advises the CDC on these recommendations is called the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), which consists of experts in the fields of immunology, virology, vaccinology, epidemiology, microbiology, statistics, and infectious diseases. I was a member of the ACIP and later of ACIP working groups when the issue of the HPV vaccine first arose. ACIP meetings are open to the public. Anyone can step up to the microphone and comment. One group that I had never heard of, but that made its voice loud and clear during the committee hearings, was Focus on the Family. Focus on the Family, like several evangelical organizations, rose to prominence in the 1980s. Its stated mission is nurturing and defending the God-ordained institution of the family and promoting biblical truths worldwide. Focus on the Family promotes creationism, school prayer, and traditional gender roles. Relevant to its appearance at the ACIP meetings, Focus on the Family also opposes pre-marital sex and supports abstinence-only sex education. The logic is clear. If people dont have sex before they are married and are faithful to their spouse throughout their marriage, then neither partner will ever contract a sexually transmitted disease. While true, this situation describes a very small percentage of the American public. Representatives from Focus on the Family who testified at the ACIP hearings feared that if the HPV vaccine were universally recommended, adolescents would be encouraged to be sexually promiscuous. For several reasons, this didnt make much sense. First, the HPV vaccine doesnt prevent other sexually transmitted diseases, like chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and syphilis. Second, the HPV vaccine doesnt prevent all strains of HPV, just the ones that are most likely to cause cancer. Third, the HPV vaccine, like all vaccines, isnt 100 percent effective; preventing about 95 percent of infections caused by the strains contained in the vaccine. This means that about 5 percent of vaccine recipients wont be protected. Frankly, the logic argued by Focus on the Family was akin to believing that after receiving their tetanus vaccine, teenagers would feel free to run across a bed of rusty nails with impunity. Nonetheless, the fear of promiscuity raised by Focus on the Family was sufficient to cause researchers to study it. In November 2012, Robert Bednarczyk and coworkers at Emory University in Atlanta examined 1,400 girls who either had or hadnt received the HPV vaccine. They found that sexual activity-related outcomeslike pregnancy testing, contraceptive counseling, and testing for or diagnosing sexually transmitted infectionswas the same in both groups. Despite the concern raised by Focus on the Family, the HPV vaccine hadnt freed teenagers to engage in promiscuous sex. I hadnt heard about Focus on the Family again until recently. It was during the confirmation hearings for Betsy DeVos, Donald Trumps pick to head the Department of Education. According to watchdog groups, the Edgar and Elsa Prince Foundation gave at least $5 million to Focus on the Family. Edgar and Elsa Prince are Betsy DeVoss parents. For 17 years, DeVos has been listed as a vice president of her parents foundation. Because Focus on the Family also opposes the rights of the LGBT community, DeVos was asked about this association during her confirmation hearing. She claimed that the tax forms listing her as a vice president were a clerical errora 17-year clerical error. One can only hope that DeVoss personal beliefs will not affect how the Department of Education approaches sex education in public schools, especially regarding a common cancer-causing disease and a vaccine that could prevent it. 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). Arizona Poll Workers Face Violent Threats Ahead of Midterms YOU ALL WILL BE EXECUTED Election workers in the battleground state are finding it more and more difficult to do the job, according to one county information security officer. By Press Trust of India: Ramgarh (Jharkhand), Feb 25 (PTI) Rajrappa and its Chinnamastika temple would become a major tourist spot in the next couple of years, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghuvar Das said today. Das paid obeisance at the temple as the two-day Rajrappa Mahoshav began. The Rajrappa temple is dedicated to headless deity of goddess Chinnamastika who holds a scimitar in one hand and her severed head in the other. The temple is referred as a Shakti Peeth in ancient Hindu scriptures. advertisement Das said the state government is developing adventure, mining, religious and cultural tourism in the state. Religious festivals were being held in all cultural and religious places so that people of the world could be aware of Jharkhands tourist places, an official release quoted Das said. Several proposals in the tourism sector has come during the Momentum Jharkhand, he said and urged investors of the state to invest in tourism sector. The government would provide residential facilities on the pattern of Tirupati at Rajarappa and Deoghar, he added. Das today laid foundation to 41 schemes worth Rs 126 crore in Ramgarh district on-line. PTI PVR NN --- ENDS --- Tension prevails in the Pune University campus even as ABVP and SFI activists clashes left five students injured. Both groups have lodged complaints against each other. By India Today Web Desk: The Ramjas bug has hit Pune University campus as the activists of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) clashed with those of the Students Federation of India (SFI) at Savitribai Phule Pune University. The clashes erupted last night after some SFI activists put up posters on the Delhi University's Ramjas College controversy. Five students are said to have received minor injuries in the clashes between the two groups. advertisement ABVP VERSUS SFI AT PUNE UNIVERSITY: THINGS TO KNOW Tension still prevails in the Pune University campus even as police deployment has been increased there. Five students sustained minor injuries in the incident, and both groups have lodged complaints against each other. Police are recording their statements. Reports suggest that ABVP activists burnt an effigy of JNU student Umar Khalid yesterday in the Pune University. The SFI activists responded by putting out some posters and banners slamming Maharashtra education minister Vinod Tawde. The SFI alleged that Tawde had threatened their colleagues at Solapur Polytechnic College. The ABVP objected to the SFI's act and matter escalated thereafter. A duty officer at the Chaturshringi police station, near the university campus, said that both groups of students came to register complaints. The ABVP alleged that while putting up posters condemning the education minister and also the Delhi's Ramjas College incident, the SFI shouted 'ABVP Murdabad' on the campus. The ABVP further said that when their members objected to it, the SFI started intimidating and later attacked them. On the other hand, the SFI said that they condemned the statement of Solapur MLC Prashant Parichark, who made insulting comments about the wives of soldiers who fight on the borders. The SFI also said that they had organised a protest to condemn violence in the Ramjas College of Delhi. When the protest was going on, all of a sudden activists of ABVP arrived and attacked SFI activists, the SFI said. --- ENDS --- More counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 were dispensed from SBI ATM. The fake Rs 2,000 notes were dispensed from ATM in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur this time. By India Today Web Desk: The mystery of fake notes being dispensed from SBI ATM in Delhi is yet to be solved and it has returned to haunt the authorities. More counterfeit notes of Rs 2,000 were dispensed from SBI ATM. The fake Rs 2,000 notes were dispensed from ATM in Uttar Pradesh's Shahjahanpur this time. According to reports, a person received scanned copies of Rs 2,000 notes from the SBI ATM in Shahjahanpur on Thursday. The man, identified as Puneet Gupta, withdrew Rs 10,000 from the ATM. FAKE Rs 2,000 NOTES: 10 THINGS TO KNOW The SBI ATM threw five notes of Rs 2,000 but one of them was a scanned copy of the original note. The incident turned into a ruckus at the adjacent branch of the SBI as the bank officials reportedly refused to take back the note. A crowd gathered at the branch with people accusing the bank officials of being involved in the 'fake note conspiracy'. Police was called in to control the crowd. Puneet Gupta later filed complaint against the SBI with the police. Earlier, an SBI ATM in Delhi dispensed counterfeit Rs 2,000 notes. The notes had several variations from the original as it was issued in the name of "Children Bank of India". The Reserve Bank of India had been replaced with wordings the "Entertainment Bank of India". The fake note had a little box at the place of official mark saying "Churan Lable". The fake note promised to "barer" (bearer) two thousand "coupens" instead of two thousand rupees. The note replaced the Central government with "Bachchon Ki Sarkar" (Children's government). In the place of RBI stamp on the note, there was an inscription saying "PK". The bank later tried to play down the incident saying that the chances of fake notes passing to its ATMs were remote as "SBI has in place at all its Currency Chests a very robust system for monitoring the quality of notes." The person who had refilled the cash tray in the south Delhi ATM was arrested yesterday. Investigation is going on in the matter. advertisement Also read More Rs 2,000 notes in fake seized, 1 held in West Bengal's Malda at India-Bangladesh border Rs 2000 notes from Children Bank of India: Row over SBI ATM dispensing fake cash --- ENDS --- By Press Trust of India: From Lalit K Jha Washington, Feb 24 (PTI) Reporters of at least two major US media outlets have decided against attending an off-camera press gaggle by White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer to protest the administrations decision to invite only selected sections of the press. White House correspondents of the Associated Press and Time magazine, who were among the select few invited to attend the gaggle, decided not to attend in protest. advertisement Several top American media outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and The Los Angeles Times, which were among those press outlets critical of the Trump Administration, were not invited to Spicers press gaggle. The White House described it as an "extended gaggle". A representative of the foreign media was allowed inside for the gaggle. The White House Correspondents Association has lodged a protest with the White House on how the gaggle was being handled. Among those allowed in for the gaggle were Breitbart News, The Washington Times, NBC News and ABC News. Earlier, in the morning, the White House updated its schedule telling reporters that Spicer would be holding an "extended pool" gaggle with reporters. Those invited for the gaggle were sent a separate email in this regard. As reporters gathered inside the press briefing room, many of them who had not received the email were asked to go back. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how todays gaggle is being handled by the White House," White House Correspondents Association said in a statement. "We encourage the organisations that were allowed in to share the material with others in the press corps who were not. The board will be discussing this further with White House staff," it said. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organisations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest," he said. "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts that they do not like. We will keep reporting regardless," CNN said. PTI LKJ ASK ASK --- ENDS --- September 20, 1931 - February 22, 2017 Vincent was born September 20, 1931 to Charley & Mary (Cemino) Palazzo in the Cameron Ranch area of Bryan. Shortly after his birth they moved to Houston. The first Palazzo's Grocery Store was in the Third Ward on Elgin and Burkette St. Then they moved to the Heights and opened a store at 1021 West 8th St. They were in the grocery and rental business for thirty-five years. Vincent worked side-by-side with his parents in the store and seeing to the needs of the rent houses. He could fix anything, and in every way. He would come to Bryan by car or train in the summer months as a youth to visit relatives. He would stay at his grandparents' houses. Grandmaw & Grandpaw Palazzo (Charley & Francis), as well as Grandmaw & Grandpaw Cemino (Luke & Benadetta). He recalls riding the wagon to town with them a pretty neat experience for a little city boy. He would also help with the farming and had all kinds of neat experiences on his visits. When Vincent was young, he got Polio, leaving him paralyzed for about a year. He had a dream that St. Joseph gave him communion. With continual fervent prayer of family, and the healing hand of God, Vincent was miraculously healed two weeks after his dream. Vincent left for the Marine Corps in 1951. After boot camp in San Diego, he was stationed at Whidbey Island, Washington. His parents missed him dearly (he was an only child). When he came home from the Marines, he returned to help his parents in the store up until the time he married. He married Gloria Valenti in 1958. Having three children close in age, he then took a job with the city of Houston and had several other jobs after that. Houston is where he was raised, but he had a tugging at his heart to move to Bryan-College Station, so in 1971, he packed it all up & moved with the help of his uncle Joe Cemino. His uncle, Charlie Cemino was developing land on the South end of College Station and he bought a home from him AHHHH, country living at its finest! Away as last from the fast pace of the big city. College Station was a small city at that time and he saw the entire Highway 6 By-Pass built. Little did he know, he was starting a trend because shortly after moving, his cousins, Cindi & Charles Cemino left Houston & moved to their ranch house in College Station. Also following, was uncle Charlie Cemino and then his parents, Charley & Mary Palazzo. It was wonderful having everyone together. Vincent loved to play cards at Uncle Charlie's house on the weekend. He also loved a good Domino Game out on the patio with Mr. Pat Ponzio. One of his hobbies was putting model planes together and had planes always hanging in the house. He loved telling stories of the old grocery store days & Marine stories. His listeners would never get tired of the stories, because it was as if he were telling it for the first time every time. Another love of his was Italian music and his Italian heritage, but the biggest love of his was for his family. He then opened up a small liquor store on Texas Avenue, Palazzo's Liquor. He was in that business for approximately ten years. One of the last jobs he worked was for the Brazos Transit System, where he drove a city bus he loved it and everyone loved him, making them laugh with his jokes. Vincent did not like to miss Mass, he was a very faithful attendee and participant, he was there at every opportunity given at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. He was also a former member at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in downtown Houston, St. Teresa's Catholic Church, Memorial Park, and All Saints Catholic Church in the Heights, both in Houston. Vincent is preceded in death by his parents, Charley & Mary Palazzo. Survivors include his children, Vincent Joseph Palazzo Jr, Mary Ann (Palazzo) Boscarino & husband, Bob Boscarino, and Sammy Charles Palazzo, all of Bryan, Texas; grandchildren, Gentry Lea Ridgeway & husband, Robert of Bryan, Justin Palazzo & wife, Brittiny of The Woodlands, Texas; great-grandchildren, Ryder Ridgeway and Athan Palazzo; and numerous cousins. A visitation will be held from 5-7 PM with a Rosary at 6 PM on Sunday, February 26th at Hillier Funeral Home of Bryan. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 PM on Monday, February 27th at St. Anthony's Catholic Church with interment to follow at Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Please visit Vincent's tribute page at www.hillierfuneralhome.com to share memories and stories. Rep. Bill Flores ginned up false claims against Muslims Thursday night, U.S. Rep. Bill Flores retweeted video that showed overhead footage of a roadside altercation. The original Twitter user, "America First!", had captioned it: "Muslim refugees in France carjack, beat up woman, kidnap her and shoot at onlookers trying to save her. Corrupt media will never show this." When I saw the tweet, my first thought was that you can find members of all faiths and of none committing crimes, so obviously you can find Muslims committing crimes, too. That's not evidence of anything. Flores was using this obscure crime to excuse his party's panic about refugees. Then I noticed that the footage lacked any source or context. After less than a minute with Google, I found that the video was from 2015 and didn't have anything to do with Muslim refugees. It was footage of undercover plainclothes French police arresting a suspected drug dealer. Barely local news. No carjacking. No kidnapping. No refugees. No Muslims. So Flores didn't just gin up fear and hatred to justify the cowardly refugee policies that he supports -- he didn't even care whether what he was saying was true. Like many of Flores's other constituents, I replied to his retweet, and a little while later, it was gone. But while it was up, other followers replied that the footage proves that Muslims are savages and animals who should be exterminated. It looks like they got the message. Flores has refrained from explaining this ... oversight. But then how do you explain why you repeated a lie told by a nihilistic America-hating thug? BRIAN REGISTER Austin A good conservative plan to reduce carbon emissions A panel of conservative policy veterans, led by James Baker III, former secretary of State under George H.W. Bush, arrived at the White House on Feb. 8 recommending that conservatives move beyond climate change debates to construct plans that reduce carbon emissions through free market mechanisms to tap into the economic growth that such a policy would bring. The group advocated a market shift toward clean energy by pricing carbon through a fee levied at the point of extraction or port of entry into the U.S. The fee would rise over time, allowing companies incrementally to adapt their business models. All revenues generated would be returned to consumers as dividends, yielding an estimated $2,000 for a family of four the first year, with payouts growing each year as fees increased. Border adjustments applied to fossil fuel products leaving or entering the U.S. would be formulated to protect U.S. businesses and consumers from any nations not adopting a similar carbon fee program. This tripartite plan of carbon pricing, dividends to consumers and border adjustments would stimulate positive market pressures toward new jobs in a clean energy economy. Such a market-based solution would reduce the need for governmental CO2 regulations, thereby shrinking the size of government. Baker and his colleagues view this plan as an effective insurance policy to incentivize the emergence of a vibrant and stable energy economy, offsetting the uncertainties otherwise linked to volatile U.S. geopolitical entanglements with troublesome petroleum-exporting countries. A 2016 survey by the Yale Program on Climate Change Communications revealed that 66 percent of registered U.S. voters support a fee and dividend policy to lower CO2 emissions, an approach now supported by U.S. corporations such as Exxon Mobil and Walmart. The plan would unleash considerable opportunities in Texas to thrive in the new energy economy. RAYMOND TARPLEY College Station This gave a slight push to Uddhav Thackeray's efforts to cobble up numbers but reaching the magic figure of 114 seats needed to rule the cash-rich civic body is still a far cry. By Press Trust of India: A day after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls threw up a hung verdict, Shiv Sena's tally of corporators rose to 87 today with three party rebels who won as Independent nominees returning to its fold. This gave a slight push to Uddhav Thackeray's efforts to cobble up numbers but reaching the magic figure of 114 seats needed to rule the cash-rich civic body is still a far cry. advertisement The development came at a time when both the Sena and its estranged ally BJP which has won 82 seats, are keeping cards close to their chest on the prospects of coming together again to attain power or otherwise. While Snehal More (Vikhroli) and Tulsiram Shinde (Dindoshi) arrived at Matoshree, the Bandra residence of Thackeray, in morning where they were reinducted, Changez Multani (Andheri) extended his support in evening. SENA EYEING ANOTHER TERM The Sena, which has been in power in the BMC for last 20 years with the BJP being a junior partner, is looking forward for another term. It contested the BMC polls separately by dumping the BJP. Sena is a junior partner of the BJP in Centre and Maharashtra government. However, the resurgent BJP breached the Sena citadel of Mumbai and bagged 82 seats, just two less than Sena's Friday tally of 84. It remains unclear whether the saffron siblings will join the hands again or new combinations will emerge to secure 114 seats. BJP spokesperson Madhav Bhandari on Friday said the final decision pertaining to the BMC will be taken by core committee of the party, which is meeting here in the evening. WORKING ON NUMBERS FOR MAYORAL ELECTION With the fractured verdict restricting their options, Sena and BJP are trying hard to enlist support of as many corporators as possible to stack up numbers ahead of the Mayoral election scheduled next month. Meanwhile, Thackeray reiterated that Sena will install the next Mayor and said he has not yet thought about alliance. According to sources in the Sena, Thackeray will hold a meeting of all senior party leaders and newly-elected corporators at the Shiv Sena Bhavan to decide on the future course of action. BJP'S CLAIM Meanwhile, a BJP leader has claimed three Independent corporators are willing to give support to BJP in the coming days. The BJP's core committee meeting is currently underway in the city to decide its future strategy. In the counting of votes held on Thursday, Sena won 84 seats, BJP 82, Congress 31, NCP 9, MNS 7, AIMIM 3, Samajwadi Party 6, Akhil Bhartiya Sena 1 and Independents 4. advertisement ALSO READ | BMC election results: BJP-Shiv Sena have no option but to come together, says Nitin Gadkari BMC election results: What's next for Raj Thackeray's MNS after the big debacle WATCH | BMC election 2017: Is it victory or defeat for BJP with party losing Mumbai? --- ENDS --- Many argue that after being forced to live under the shadow of the gun for close to three decades, young Kashmiris protest with good reason. But Gen Rawat suggests otherwise. February 17 was the first Friday in many weeks when Kashmir's Hurriyat separatists called for a shutdown. In a relative state of hibernation since the Durbar move (bi-annual relocation of the state government between Srinagar and Jammu) in October, after the violent summer of 2016, the Kashmir Valley may have just been primed for an even more frenzied 2017 by a comment from new army chief Gen. Bipin Rawat. advertisement The Friday prayers in Nowhata in downtown Srinagar and other parts of the Valley were followed by stone-pelting protests. Youngsters, some with faces masked, defied security personnel to open fire, daring the General to execute his threat. Two days earlier, angered by the death of four soldiers, including Rashtriya Rifles officer Maj. Satish Dahiya, Gen. Rawat had threatened reprisals after stone-throwing village youth tried to interfere during an encounter with armed militants. "People who have picked up arms and they are the local boys, if they want to continue with the acts of terrorism-displaying flags of ISIS and Pakistan-we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today, but we will get them tomorrow," he said after paying his respects to the fallen soldiers alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. Not only did the army chief threaten to treat protesting civilians like terrorists, he unwittingly articulated the first official acknowledgement that Kashmiris were alienated from India. "We find that the local population is somehow not supportive of the actions of the security forces," Gen. Rawat said. "While our aim has been to conduct people-friendly operations, the manner in which the local population is preventing us from conducting the operations, at times even supporting the terrorists to escape?" Predictably, the outburst kicked up a storm in the Valley. While the ruling dispensation sheepishly attempted to contain the ruckus, National Conference spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said "threatening youth rather than engaging them politically" will cause further alienation and only fuel militancy. Moderate Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said Gen. Rawat's words reflected "the tyrannical mindset towards the people of Kashmir". Delhi did little to allay such assertions. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, on February 17, stressed the army's local commanders had complete freedom to decide how to act against insurgents and terrorists in J&K. MoS Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju endorsed the army chief's position in calling for action against stone-throwers. And that very afternoon, Jitendra Singh, junior minister in the Prime Minister's Office, stood up to back the army chief. "He (Gen. Rawat) is worried that innocent people may end up as collateral damage," Singh said. advertisement Many would argue that after being forced to live under the shadow of the gun for close to three decades, young Kashmiris protest with good reason. And Gen. Rawat, by suggesting they'll be taken down like jihadists, is lending a further edge to that sense of alienation. --- ENDS --- Get to know the candidates for Iowa House District 99 Incumbent Rep. Dennis Cohoon and challenger Matthew Rinker weigh in on the issues ahead of Election Day in the race for Iowa House District 99. By Press Trust of India: Ferozepur, Feb 25 (PTI) A clash broke out between radical Sikh outfits and Premis - the followers of Sirsa based Dera Sacha Sauda - over holding of Naam Charcha (religious congregation) at Mallanwala block of this border district today. Timely intervention of the police, deployed in heavy numbers, prevented the situation from taking an ugly turn, yet certain unidentified youths pelted stones and damaged one vehicle belonging to a Premi. advertisement Earlier, the administration had deployed heavy police force in Mallanwala, where Naam Charcha was to take place at a residence of one of the Dera follower around 10 AM today. However, simultaneously, in a nearby Gurudwara, hundreds of persons owing allegiance to various Sikh outfits, including Baba Dilbagh Singh of Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj, Giani Maluk Singh of Raj Karega Khalsa Forum, Baba Hardeep Singh of Dal Panth, Baba Sarwan Singh of Taksal Mehta, Gursewak Singh of Punjab Youth Organisation, besides president Karaj Singh and other office bearers of the local Gurudwara started congregating to protest against the same. Several Sikh youths, armed with sticks and sharp edged weapons, even took positions at the rooftops of the houses leading to the area where the Naam Charcha was to take place, police said. The moment the religious ceremony of Premis began, the Sikhs started raising slogans against the Dera and the administration for allowing the same, they said. The Premis, who were coming from nearby villages and other areas, were prevented from reaching the designated house which triggered panic as the markets were shut down anticipating violence. Senior civil and police officials, including Deputy Commissioner S Dhaliwal, SSP Gaurav Garg, SP (Detective) Dharamvir Singh, reached the spot and brought the situation under control. The SSP also held meeting with Dilbagh Singh of Ek Noor Khalsa Fauj besides other radical Sikh leaders exhorting them to maintain peace. Meanwhile, following the complaint lodged by Dera followers, the police registered a case against Baba Dilbagh Singh besides 35-40 unidentified persons under various sections of the IPC. On February 19, the police had booked 37 persons, including 16 by name, on similar charges for disrupting Naam Charcha being held in canal colony village in Makhu block under this district. PTI CORR VJ DKS AQS AQS --- ENDS --- Garmin, a billion-dollar tech giant launched in Kansas as a startup by two men nearly three decades ago, is trying to digest Srinivas Kuchibhotla's death at the hands of a shooter at a tavern just a mile down the road from work. Alok Madasani was wounded, along with a stranger who tried to help. By AP: GPS device-maker Garmin long has revered diversity in its workforce, even when the locale of its ever-sprawling operational headquarters - a largely white Kansas City suburb - didn't reflect it. It's the place 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla came to work a few years ago. By his wife's account Friday he willingly spent long hours on an aviation systems engineering team alongside Alok Madasani, a friend and colleague also 32 and from India. advertisement Kuchibhotla's trek led him to have a kinship with his boss, Lebanese native Didier Popadopoulos, who says he moved to America at Kuchibhotla's age and once held the same Garmin job. But Garmin - a billion-dollar tech giant launched in Kansas as a startup by two men nearly three decades ago - now is reeling, trying to digest Kuchibhotla's shooting death Wednesday at a tavern just a mile down the road from work. Madasani was wounded, along with a stranger who tried to help. GET OUT OF MY COUNTRY Witnesses say the gunman, Adam Purinton, yelled at the two Indian men to "get out of my country" and opened fire. Purinton, who was arrested hours later at a bar in Missouri, remains jailed on murder and attempted murder charges. The shooting happened at a time when many have concerns about the treatment of immigrants in the US, some of whom feel targeted by the current administration. President Donald Trump has promised to ban certain travelers and been especially vocal about the threat posed by Islamic terrorist groups. In this undated photo provided by Kranti Shalia, Srinivas Kuchibhotla, right, poses for photo with his wife Sunayana Dumala. Photo: AP On Friday, Garmin tried to comfort grieving employees at a closed-door vigil inside the auditorium on its campus in Olathe, Kansas. Kuchibhotla's widow, Sunayana Dumala, addressed the group of about 200 workers that included Madasani, who was released from the hospital Thursday. Laurie Minard, Garmin's vice president of human resources, doesn't believe the shooting will jeopardize its recruitment of workers from overseas. "We tend to be a family here," she said at the Garmin campus, which is waging a $200 million expansion, with plans announced last August for a new manufacturing and distribution center. "We want people to feel safe. We embrace it. We encourage it. We support it. It's extremely important to us about acceptance." WORKERS ON H-1B VISA At any given time, she said, more than 100 Garmin employees are in the H-1B program, which lets American companies bring foreigners with technical skills to the US for three to six years. In an eight-year period until fiscal year 2016, Garmin on average obtained 49 certifications for foreign labor - a prerequisite for hiring with an H-1B visa - for an average of 70 positions, according to the US Department of Labor. During that time, 81 percent of the certified positions were in Olathe, the Labor Department says. advertisement Olathe, whose name means "beautiful" in the Shawnee language, is a well-to-do Kansas City suburb where the median household income is above $77,000 a year. Worldwide, Switzerland-based Garmin Ltd. - the Kansas operation's corporate parent - has more than 11,400 workers in 60 offices and last year logged $3.02 billion in revenue. Roughly 2,800 workers are at the Kansas headquarters, which Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Pam Whiting cast as regionally "one of our entrepreneurial success stories" and biggest employers. Recruiting from overseas isn't at all unusual in the tech industry, which contends there aren't enough Americans with specialized skills the companies need. Indian immigrants in the US has spiked from about 200,000 in the 1980s to more than 2 million today, as Indian-born scientists and engineers fueled the American tech boom. India received more H-1B visas in the US for its temporary high-skilled workers, about 70 percent, than any other country in 2014. IS IT TIME TO LEAVE? Stunned by Kuchibhotla's death, Popadopoulos, the Lebanese native who was the man's boss, said he plans to stay the course. "When this happened, one of the things I started to think about with my wife (was) 'Is it time to leave?'" he said. advertisement Then he thought: "Leave where? I'm from here. I really think Srinivas would want us to stick together and stand up for what's right." US Senator Jerry Moran said he left a message with Olathe's mayor, offering to help assure people from India who live in Kansas that the actions leading to Kuchibhotla's death are "not the norm." "This is not the nature of Kansas, and we welcome people to the United States, particularly a company like Garmin and many others," the Kansas Republican said. --- ENDS --- This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate The Coalition of Norwalk Neighborhood Associations will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. Monday in Room 101 of City Hall. This months meeting will feature discussion on potential revisions to the associations mission statement and bylaws, as well as an update on the citys Plan of Conservation and Development and the importance of neighborhood input to the 10-year plan. Attendees will also review the associations pursuit of a larger role in any upcoming Charter revision. Discussion will revolve around key areas of focus, such as the size of the Common Council, mayoral terms, and the city form of government. All residents and member associations are encouraged to attend. More information on the meeting can be found at www.norwalkneighborhoods.com. EAST NORWALK While George Washington, Paul Revere, the Marquis de Lafayette are all names taught in school as having been heroes of the American War for Independence, names like Molly Pitcher have been all but lost to history. Pitchers name may be seen at a remote rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike, but who was she? Was she one person or a composite of two or even three women who performed similar acts of courage? Whether one, two or three, Molly was not the only example of women who served the cause of independence between 1775 and 1783. With Womens History Month right around the corner, the Norwalk Historical Society will examine the work of woman like Pitcher with a new lecture entitled Women in the American Revolution: Putting the Her in Heroics, led by local researcher and Norwalk Historical Commissioner, Eric Chandler, at 1 p.m. March 4 at the Norwalk Historical Society Museum. The lecture will introduce some of the women who risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to lift the yoke of British control of the 13 colonies. Women who are missing from our history books and their stories as soldiers and spies left untold. Admission is $5, payable at the door. An RSVP is required as seating is limited. RSVP to: info@norwalkhistoricalsociety.org. If there is inclement weather, the lecture will be rescheduled for 1 p.m. March 5. For more information, visit www.norwalkhistoricalsociety.org, e-mail info@norwalkhistoricalsociety.org or call 203-846-0525. Freese Park is set to undergo some cosmetic changes in the near future, but before ground is broken, developers would like to hear what residents would like to see should added. The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency will hold a public outreach forum on Monday, Feb. 27 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Room 128 at City Hall in order to hear the publics say on the park. The Freese Park Master Plan, which will be discussed at the forum, hopes that the community and stakeholders will weigh in on park improvements and enhancements that will allow Norwalkers to take advantage of Freese Parks location as a riverfront vista and the largest green space in the burgeoning Wall Street area. To learn more about the forum, contact Tami Strauss at 203-854-7810, ext. 46787, or email her at tstrauss@norwalkct.org. STRAWBERRY HILL Do you want to see the latest fashions that local clothing stores have to offer? If so, the 2017 Norwalk High Fashion Show might be right up your alley. The annual Norwalk High School Senior Fashion Show will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, March 3 in the school auditorium (with a March 5 snow date). All proceeds benefit the graduation activities of the class of 2017. All fashions displayed in the show are donated directly by local merchants. So if any style catches your eye, the product could be easily procured. The night will also include refreshments, raffles and live auctions. Share your neighborhood news To share your community and neighborhood news with The Hour, contact Pat Tomlinson at 203-354-1046, or at ptomlinson@hearstmediact.com. WILTON The Wilton Library will hold the latest iteration in its Finding Our Place: Evolving American Identity lecture series in their most recent collaboration with the Wilton Historical Society. The lecture, which will take place on Sunday, Feb. 26 from 4-5:30 p.m., is entitled Connecticut and the Federal Art Project: Idealism and Identity During the 1930s. Bik gayi hai gormint to yellow journalism, this is all went viral this week. It used to be that two world-class heavyweights colliding in the ring was the acme of sporting achievement. In our impoverished age, it's Subramanian Swamy picking targets with the precision of a blunderbuss. Despite being the petitioner in the case that led to Sasikala's imprisonment, Swamy supported her as CM of Tamil Nadu; Kamal Haasan did not. Squabbling on Twitter since the furore over jallikattu, they upped the ante this week. advertisement Asked about Haasan as a possible Tamil Nadu CM, Swamy called him a "boneless wonder and pompous idiot". Haasan fired back: Swamy "called Tamils porikis (good for nothings). Glad I wont have 2 oppose him (sic). People will." Swamy moved on, taking a wild swing at Karti Chidambaram instead. While many might have laughed, many more will have cheered at a video doing the rounds of an elderly Pakistani woman reduced to rapidfire swearing when asked her opinion of the government. "Yeh bik gayi hai gormint (The government has sold us out)" was her pithy analysis. A sentiment that her neighbours across the border, also plagued by poverty, will understand. The Indian media has long been-rightly-accused of gross insensitivity in its coverage of sexual assault. Reporters appear happy to broadcast salacious details and baseless speculation. Rima Kallingal, a former Miss Kerala runner-up and actress in Malayalam films, took furious issue with the coverage of the assault on an actress in Kerala last week. "I spit on your third rate yellow journalism", was how her justifiably angry Facebook post ended. Any journalist worth their salt would agree. --- ENDS --- DANNEBROG Fastelavn, a Danish celebration, will be hosted by Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Dannebrog on Sunday. Fastelavn, also known as Pork Sunday, was previously celebrated at St. Peders Evangelical Lutheran Church in Nysted around the 1950s. The celebration will consist of a large Danish meal, traditional costumes and kids activities. Fastelavn is historically on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday. The Danish meal includes traditional fixings, which Harriett Nielsen will help prepare. Nielsen, who is turning 90 years old in April, used to own a Danish restaurant in Dannebrog. The menu is long, as the meal includes roast pork, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy, creamed peas, red cabbage, pickled herring, deviled eggs, party rye sandwiches with cucumber and baked apples. If you werent hungry before, the most traditional food of the celebration just may make you drool: the Fastelavnsboller. The Fastelavnsboller is a filled Danish sweet roll. The celebration will also feature a Danish barrel, similar to a pinata, filled with treats. Sunday school children at the church learned a special Fastelavn song and made Fastelavnsris branches for Sundays attendees. Fastelavnsris are decorated branches children use to wake up their parents each Fastelavn morning. Facepainting, photos, tattoos and donut bobbing for kids will follow the meal. A middle school masquerade dance will end the celebration. The Fastelavn meal will be 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a free-will donation. The kids activities will begin after the meal and the dance will be from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Lola Christensen at 308-226-2444. Lola Christensen, who is on the Our Saviors Lutheran Church council, is helping to organize the event. She said she brought up the idea of having a Fat Tuesday event through the church. When she told her sister-in-law in Grand Island about it, she said, Oh, thats Fastelavn! Shes the one who gave us the idea of it, Christensen said of her sister-in-law. Christensen said she never heard of Fastelavn before, but her sister-in-law told her about her days attending the one held in Nysted. Christensen brought that idea to the council and said the people really took a hold of it. This is the first time Dannebrog will have Fastelavn. It just took off from there, Christensen said. Nielsen is helping Christensen head up the event. In a press release, Nielsen said traditions such as this one should be continued so they arent lost. Since Dannebrog is Nebraskas Danish capital, Fastelavn is a great fit. I hope that is is something we can continue, Christensen said of the celebration. The moment of truth is finally here. The Oscars will be presented Sunday, and by 11 p.m., we should know who the big winners are and who got robbed. Along the way, there will be laughter and tears and a chance to remember all the movie stars and behind-the-scenes masters who died during the past year. Nine movies were nominated this year for Best Picture. If it was up to me, I would have added a 10th nominee, Silence. But heres my take on the nominees, all of which I enjoyed immensely. Hacksaw Ridge When I saw this movie, I was impressed by director Mel Gibsons ability to make the battle scenes look so beautiful. War is ugly, and Gibson would never shy away from blood and guts. But his use of music and staging and his emphasis on the amazing story of Desmond Doss make it beautiful, even uplifting. Even though Doss religious beliefs kept him from carrying a gun, he went into battle alongside his fellow soldiers and was able to save the lives of 75 of them, ultimately receiving the Medal of Honor. Its a story that deserved a movie, and Gibson did a great job with it. Fences Denzel Washington took a Pulitzer Prize-winning play in which he and Viola Davis had starred on Broadway and brought it to the screen. Its obvious that its based on a play. Most of the movie takes place in the main characters backyard or their house. But that means that the camera is able to get close to each of the characters, and having such a great cast means that we, the viewers, are able to clearly understand what each of them is going through. Lion When I read that many of the cast members of this movie didnt speak English when they began to make this movie, I discovered just how great an accomplishment Lion is. Sunny Pawar, the 5-year-old boy who plays the main character in the first half of the movie, does an amazing job, and he did it without an understanding of the English language spoken by the director and the lead actors. The director, Garth Davis, and the cast brought such an upflifting, true story to the English-speaking public and, in the process, helped us understand the living conditions of most of the people in India. Hell or High Water This is such a great movie. Its a western, but its totally up to date, showing the predicament of families in danger of losing their homes to the bank when they cant afford their mortgage payments. Chris Pine and Ben Foster play brothers whose mother has died, and now theyre in danger of losing their family home to the bank, so they begin robbing small-town banks that are satellites of the bank that holds their mortgage in order to get enough money to pay off the loan. Manchester by the Sea This movies as heartbreaking as it is realistic. Along with the amazing acting job done by Casey Affleck, its strongest point is the way the revelation of why Afflecks character is so unable to move on with life grabs the audience and makes us understand the impact of not being able to forgive yourself for something you cant possibly make up for. Moonlight Moonlight was expected to be a strong contender for Best Picture when it was released in October. With the emphasis in the Academy on diversity this year, the story of a black child with a drug-addicted mother growing up in Miami had a lot going for it. Its message is powerful, and the screenplay could get an Oscar, plus Mahershala Ali is a favorite to win the Best Supporting Actor award. Hidden Figures Ive been reading that, if any of the competition has a chance to pull out an upset and steal Best Picture from La La Land, its Hidden Figures. Its a powerful movie with a very interesting story, a great cast, both drama and humor, plus it has historical significance. Its a feel-good movie people will watch repeatedly over the years. But Best Picture is a stretch. Arrival When I reviewed Arrival several months ago, I went so far as to say that it was so special it could be seen as one of the best movies of all time. I believe it will stand the test of time, and Im putting it higher on my list than most film critics have. It is very different from all the other nominees for Best Picture. But nothing will stand in the way of the La La Land landslide. La La Land I see little to argue about here. La La Land is unlike any other movie made last year or even in the last 10 years. Plus, it had superb acting, beautiful cinematography, a great soundtrack, a strong story and a terrific ending. Director Damien Chazelle had a clear vision of what he wanted to do in making this movie, and he put together a cast and a behind-the-scenes crew who could pull it off. Senior Editor Bette Pore spends her weekdays at The Independent, but if shes not at work or home, chances are youll find her at the movies. Email her at bette.pore@theindependent.com. By Chayyanika Nigam: Don't be surprised if your boyfriend or spouse takes you to Tihar food court for a lunch or dinner date soon as the new look of Tihar food court may attract you with its fresh menu soon. Top Tihar officials confirmed that the work to revive the food court has started already and the court will be open to public within a couple of weeks. The food court was opened in June 2014, however it was struggling to attract enough customers due to lack of management and a varied menu. advertisement Authorities are trying to overhaul on the lines of leading cafs and restaurants that are making fast buck in the Capital. Following that, the food menu, interiors and overall presentation of the food court is being changed. According to sources, the Tihar Food court will be revived with a theme-based arena with better lighting and interesting menu. ABOUT THE TIHAR FOOD COURT At the moment, barely a customer visits the food court on Jail Road, which is located half a kilometer away from the prisoners' dormitories. Initially, the food court kicked off with decent number of customers visiting the place when it was run by the prisoners of semi-jail of Tihar. The initiative was started as a rehabilitation effort to employee the prisoners where they were given special training in cooking food and hospitality. A Tihar official said, the authorities have recently visited many restaurants to get an idea of the latest trends. "Within a couple of weeks, renovation will be completed. To add more glamour inside the food court, paintings made by the prisoners will be adorned. Also, a wall dedicated to the art has been proposed. This wall will be focusing on the handicraft work, painting," the official, requesting anonymity, said. A senior official further said that certain sections will be created where the customers can click pictures which will help them in promotions. Sources said that apart from training given at the hotel management school, the authorities are also giving special training to the prisoners to platter the dishes and the footages of several reality shows like Masterchef India along with other cookery shows are being shown to the inmates. Also, the dishes will be re-named in an innovative manner to attract the customers. The food court is lined with wooden tables with a capacity of 50 seats. The authorities are also considering home delivery options as well. Also read: Siwan strongman Shahabuddin's transfer to Tihar jail begins amid tight security cover Also read: Sahara chief Subrata Roy is going back to Tihar jail, says Supreme Court advertisement Also read: Finance Ministry slaps COFEPOSA against gold smuggling racket kingpin lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail --- ENDS --- The association sponsors free, interactive pipeline safety awareness programs to local emergency responders and public officials in 18 separate meetings statewide. The meetings emphasize pipeline information and provide awareness training to prepare attendees in the unlikely event of a pipeline incident. In 2016, approximately 650 attendees from 250 agencies across the state were engaged in these meetings, which strengthened the interaction and information exchange between pipeline operators and local officials and responders. Those unable to attend have options to receive the materials online or in the mail. Additional outreach included special awareness sessions for 911 operators and the continued support with the Common Ground Nebraska and Nebraska 811 at the annual damage prevention and safety summit. Through the Nebraska Pipeline Association, pipeline operators are honored to be a part of the outreach efforts that occurred over the past decade in Nebraska and continue to improve each year. The public should know that the safety of pipeline operations and participation of emergency responders and public officials across the state is being managed in a positive and proactive fashion. Pipeline operators live and work in Nebraska communities and take pride in operating safely at all times. Find more information at: www.nebraskapipeline.com. About 50 people attended a workshop Wednesday in Edwardsville designed to acquaint themselves with the various services and resources available to those suffering from mental illness. It was the sixth in a series of Lunch and Learn workshops, which are a partnership between Edwardsville Township and the Ed/Glen Ministerial Alliance. Edwardsville Township Supervisor Frank Miles recognized some of the local leaders who helped support the event, including John Roberts, the senior pastor at Eden Church; Robin Black-Rubenstein, pastoral associate at St. Boniface Catholic Church. James Brooks, senior pastor at First Christian Church, and Pastor Jackie Havis-Shear, from Immanuel United Methodist Church. Guest speakers included Edwardsville Police Officer Andrew Feller; Jennifer Roth, executive director of the Madison County Mental Health Board; Jessica Gruneich, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Southwestern Illinois; and Victoria Gonzalez, a national board member for NAMI. The idea for these workshops came from feedback we received following our first Social Services Safety Net Forum, which was held last year at First Christian Church, Miles told the gathering. At this forum, we heard from more than 40 social services organizations and learned what obstacles they face in assisting their clients and connecting them with other resources in our community. The township is involved, he added, because one of its duties is to assist residents who are in need. Residents reach out to the Township Office for assistance with utility bills, rent payments, and even food and personal items, he said. We have a few programs in our office to help with those needs but realize that as these needs grow in our community, we cannot meet them alone, Miles said. The first Lunch and Learn, in August of 2015, provided information to serve the homeless. Three months later, the focus was on resources for victims of domestic violence. The Lunch and Learn in May focused on transportation resources and featured speakers from Madison County Transit, Faith in Action, and Main Street Community Center. An October 2015 Lunch and Learn provided information on substance abuse resources, and the most recent workshop, in January of 2017, featured organizations that provided services to veterans, Miles said. The next Lunch and Learn workshop Ride N Learn - will be held from 11:30 am to 1:10 pm on March 15 at the Madison County Transit Districts Edwardsville Station, across from the Madison County Administration Building, at 158 N. Main St. Attendance is limited, so another workshop has been scheduled for the same time on March 22. It will be held at the same location. The event is free. Participants can learn the essentials of riding a Madison County Transit bus, including: reading a schedule; how to properly board and exit the bus; using fare media; transferring between routes; the importance of planning ahead; safety considerations; and what to do if you miss a bus. RSVP by March 13 at www.edwardsvilletownship.com. The Ride N Learn workshop is a partnership between Edwardsville Township, the Ed/Glen Ministerial Alliance, and Madison County Transit. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin EDITORIAL (The Jakarta Post) Sat, February 25, 2017 After floods of promises during three months of gubernatorial campaigning, Jakarta citizens this week were caught off guard by waves of deluge that should be taken as a reality check. Floods struck not just once, but in cycles and in an upward intensity. Heavy rains lasting for a few hours buffeted by downpours upstream in Bogor, south of the capital, on the evening of Feb. 15, triggered floods that swamped nearly 3,400 houses along the banks of the Ciliwung River with Cawang and Cililitan in East Jakarta the hardest hit areas. A week later the disaster returned on a bigger scale, affecting thousands of residents and killing five people. Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama and his team were too prompt and way too confident when the first incident came last week, belittling it as merely inundation as the floodwater receded within less than four hours. Only after it became too late, where Ahok conveyed his apology after seeing 54 areas throughout the capital trapped in 1.5-meter-deep water, disrupting traffic and operation of public transportation. Afterwards came along the litany of excuses from the authorities, ranging from the unavailability of proper early warning systems being installed on the 13 rivers in Jakarta to the unfinished river normalization program. Floods have become a cyclical if not annual occurrence in the capital. The fact that many early warning devices dot the citys rivers and tributaries shows that Jakartas preparedness for the disaster should be unquestionable. Both the apparatuses and system had been in place to cushion such blows. With the system in place the three-month hiatus of Ahok and his running mate Deputy Governor Djarot Saiful Hidayat should not give City Hall an excuse for the flooding. Or, should it be a pretext for the administration to explain why the early warning system did not work and therefore the entire system, as well as its supporting apparatuses, is subject to evaluation. Casualties and victims could have been minimized had the early warning system worked properly even when the flood mitigation system was not yet perfect. Alerting the residents of possible flooding helps them prepare measures to ease the devastation. Failure to warn people in advance of the risks amounts to putting them in a vulnerable state to disaster as the recent floods showed. This weeks flooding is a wake-up call for the administration to immediately fix its early warning system amid forecast that rainy season has yet to peak and therefore the worse has yet to come. Changes to weather patterns, which is a global phenomenon, underline the need for a better disaster early warning mechanism. Ahoks apology might be taken and yes, as Ahok said, the long shot of the river normalization program should proceed to spare the city from future disasters. However, in this point in time, the administration had better focus on relief efforts to help flood victims and launch contingency measures to shun another flood. That may include intensifying coordination with authorities upstream and the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) with emphasis on improving the early warning system. The US President said his administration will stop punishing companies for doing business in the United States. US President Donald Trump is surrounded by business leaders as he signs an executive order on regulatory reform at his desk in the Oval Office at the White House on February 24, 2017. Photo: Reuters By Press Trust of India: US President Donald Trump today signed an executive order directing various wings of his administration to establish a regulatory reform task force in a bid to remove "job-killing regulations" and "unleash economic opportunity". "Today, this executive order directs each agency to establish a regulatory reform task force which will insure that every agency has a team of dedicated people to research all regulations that are unnecessary burdens and harmful to the economy and therefore harmful to the creation of jobs and business. Each task force will make recommendations to repeal and or simplify existing regulations," Trump said. advertisement Noting that the current regulations make it tough for the companies to do business, Trump assured companies of resolving this issue quickly. He signed a series of executive orders to make the US a business-friendly destination. "This executive order is one of many ways we are going to get real results when it comes to removing job-killing regulations and unleashing economic opportunity," he said. Trump has already issued an order which says that for every one new regulation, two old regulations must be eliminated. "So that in itself is going to be tremendous, but what we are doing is much more than even that. Every regulation should have to pass a simple test; does it make life better or safer for American workers or consumers? If the answer is no, we will be getting rid of it and getting rid of it quickly," he said. The US President said his administration will stop punishing companies for doing business in the United States. "It's going to be absolutely just the opposite. They are gonna be incentivised for doing business in the United States," he said. "We're working very hard to roll back the regulatory burden so that coal miners, factory workers, small business owners and so many others can grow their businesses and thrive. "We cannot allow government to be an obstacle to government opportunity. We are going to bring back jobs and create more opportunities to prosper maybe more than ever before in our country," Trump said. --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 12:14 2080 a291276806121264c0bd211cde1ce299 1 Science & Tech Disney,Disney-Research,wireless,wireless-technology,Wireless-charging-room,Science,research,#Disney,technology,#technology,Wi-Fi,charging Free Disney Research, a network of research labs that support The Walt Disney Company, has created a prototype wireless charging room that allows users to charge electronic devices without having to connect them to power outlets. Ars Technica UK reported that the living room prototype was built out of aluminum panels. The researchers placed a long copper pipe, discrete capacitors and drive coil inside the room, while on the outside they installed a signal generator and power amplifier. During the experiment, they managed to charge 10 different objects, including a smartphone, a lamp and a fan, without having to use any cables. Read also: Sources say Nokia 3310 to be revived The wireless charging room is said to use a method called quasistatic cavity resonance (QSCR), which generates magnetic waves to fill the interior of a room with electrical power. The QSCR method works similarly to Wi-Fi and can pump around 1900 watts into the room at an efficiency of between 40 to 95 percent, depending on the receivers position. Disney Researchs associate lab director and principal research scientist Alanson Sample told phys.org that the innovative method would make it possible for electricity to be as ubiquitous as Wi-Fi. "This in turn could enable new applications for robots and other small mobile devices by eliminating the need to replace batteries and wires for charging, said Sample. (jes/kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Nyoman Wira (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 15:52 2080 a291276806121264c0bd211cde1d217f 1 Art & Culture Teater-Koma,opera-ikan-asin,Opera,jakarta,play,#play,theater,#theater Free Celebrating its 40th anniversary, renowned theater troupe Teater Koma is set to revive one of their legendary plays, Opera Ikan Asin (Salted Fish Opera), on March 2-5 at the Ciputra Artpreneur in Lotte Shopping Avenue, South Jakarta. The almost 3-hour play is an adaptation of The Threepennny Opera by Bertolt Brecht with music composed by Kurt Weill. Set in London in the 19th century, the opera was first performed at the Theater am Schiffbauerdam, Berlin, on August 1928. Director N. Riantiarno transforms the setting of Opera Ikan Asin into Batavia in the 20th century and narrates the story of Mekhit, aka Mat Piso, the King of Batavia Bandits, who gets married to Poli, a daughter of the Beggar King in Betawi, Natasasmita Picum. The wedding angers Picum as it is held without his consent. He then asks his wife, Amalia, to come up with a scheme so that Mekhit is sent to jail, but Mekhit manages to break free as the chief of police, Kartamarma, alias the Brown Tiger, is his friend. Picum later threatens Kartamarma, saying that he will mobilize his army of beggars to hold a protest. Following this, Mekhit is then captured and sentenced to death. However, as he is being brought to the hangmans noose, a letter that comes from the general governor totally changes his fate. Read also: Teater Koma's Opera Kecoa returns to stage after 13 years Adi Pardianto from Bakti Budaya Djarum Foundation (From left to right), Teater Koma production head Ratna Riantiarno, the troupe's music arranger Fero Aldiansya Stefanus and the play's director N. Riantiarno.(Teater Koma/File) Teater Koma has performed the play twice; the first was in 1983 with the late Harry Roesli as composer and the second was in 1999. Riantiarno has said that he did not change anything for this years performance. The script will be the same as the original, he said. The music is also the same, but this time it has been re-arranged by Fero. Teater Koma plans to launch a book, Membaca Teater Koma (Reading Teater Koma), about the troupes journey, from Rumah Kertas to Opera Ikan Asin, in late February. Tickets for the play are available with a starting price of Rp 150,000 (US$11). (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Desy Nurhayati (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Sat, February 25 2017 The government and three international NGOs Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy and the World Wildlife Fund on Friday announced their commitment to contribute a combined US$23 million to the Blue Abadi Fund, the worlds largest marine conservation trust. The fund is uniquely designed to support local community stewardship of protected areas of the worlds most biodiverse reefs found in Birds Head Seascape, West Papua. This area encompasses more than 2,500 islands and reefs, and supports thousands of species including 70 that can be found nowhere else on earth. Once the fund is fully capitalized, the seascape will contain the countrys first sustainably financed marine protected area (MPA) network. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Sat, February 25, 2017 The Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) plans to create one-size-fits-all standards to better serve potential investors across the country, in response to complaints about different registration forms and procedures in various regional administrations. BKPM head Thomas Tom Lembong told 531 representatives of regional investment agencies (DPM PTSP) during the BKPM National Coordination Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, that the boards reform watchword this year was Kis, an abbreviation of Coordination, Integration and Standardization in Indonesian. Investors who plan to invest in several regions are frustrated dealing with all of the different standards [...] We need to coordinate more to have one vision; integrate all data from all agencies on one database and standardize every different format of forms and procedures, he said on Friday. (Read also: Indonesia seeks back up' of US investment: BKPM) Under the current administration, thousands of business regulations have been annulled to simplify the registration, construction and running of businesses. The reforms have largely worked well at the central government level, but not at the regional level where businesspeople report dozens of different forms and licenses to be completed before starting business. President Joko Jokowi Widodo, who attended the event, urged the regional investment agencies to report bothersome bylaws to the BKPM, so that the central government could revoke them faster. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Panca Nugraha (The Jakarta Post) Gili Trawangan Sat, February 25 2017 A cleaner beach with increased public access is on the way in Gili Trawangan, West Nusa Tenggara, as local authorities start dismantling bars and restaurants to uphold a local ordinance on a more orderly shoreline. Around 400 personnel from the Navy, the West Nusa Tenggara Water Police, the polices Mobile Brigade and North Lombok regencys public order officers began demolishing the buildings with heavy equipment on Friday. 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 Viriya P. Singgih (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 Local energy firm PT Energi Nusantara Merah Putih will team up with a Chinese engineering contractor to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) receiving terminal and a combined-cycle power plant (PLTGU) in Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, with total investment value of US$980 million. Sinland Development, a subsidiary of project engineering giant China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), is expected to develop the facilities under an engineering, procurement and construction contract. The power plant, with a capacity of 600 megawatts (MW) of electricity, is deemed crucial to support the development of Bantaeng Industrial Park (KIBA), measuring about 3,000 hectares. Various smelters, especially for nickel, will be built within the industrial park in line with the governments efforts to strengthen the countrys processing industry. The investment for these projects is huge. Hence, we need a guaranteed offtaker for the next 20 or 30 years. The collaboration with the CMEC will ensure demand from Chinese steel manufacturers in the long run, in addition to demand from nickel smelters in Bantaeng, Energi Nusantara president director Westana H. Wiraatmadja said after signing a memorandum of understanding with CMEC in Jakarta on Friday. The financial closures for the two facilities are expected to be reached by year-end, or February 2018 at the latest. Meanwhile, the commercial operations date is slated for the end of 2020 or beginning of 2021, as Energi Nusantara expects the construction will be completed within 36 months. The power plant will need around 600,000 to 650,000 tons of LNG a year. However, Energi Nusantara has yet to decide whether it will import the LNG or buy it from a domestic supplier. Indeed, the availability factor for gas is crucial for us to reach financial closure. Nonetheless, we still need more time to negotiate with the gas suppliers as its going to cost us big money, around $10 billion for a minimum 20 year-supply, Westana said. He estimated that the electricity price from the new plant would be around 9.8 US cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) if there was no significant jump in LNG prices. According to the Upstream Oil and Gas Regulatory Special Task Force (SKKMigas), the weighted average price of LNG in the upstream sector was at $4.36 per million British thermal units (mmbtu) in 2016, with other costs including shipping, regasification and transmission reaching $4 to $6 per mmbtu. At present, there are two nickel smelters in KIBA that plan to start operations before year-end. Moreover, the Bantaeng administration is currently negotiating with another investor to build a new smelter in the near future. Hence, the 600-MW PLTGU will play an important role in supporting the operation of smelters in KIBA, as currently there is only one hydroelectric power plant with a capacity of 4 MW in Bantaeng. The development of KIBA will increase the local economy in Bantaeng and its neighboring regions, as it will absorb [...] hundreds of workers and increase the land value around the industrial park, said Bantaeng administration secretary Abdul Wahab. (Read also: Mandatory low LNG price far from reality) The Bantaeng administration has calculated that it can generate at least Rp 1 trillion (US$75 million) of income from KIBA when it is fully developed in the future. Through the presence of a new power plant, for instance, we can get additional income from the street lighting tax, said Abdul. Meanwhile, CMEC chairman Sun Bai expected the collaboration with Energi Nusantara to pave the way for the company to undertake more infrastructure projects in Indonesia in the long run. We will take a very aggressive step for the Indonesian market as it is a very important market for CMECs strategic plan, Sun Bai said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Words Sudibyo M. Wiradji Photo Wienda Parwitasari (The Jakarta Post) Sat, February 25 2017 Back to more than a decade ago, collaborative work displayed at the Biennial Exhibition titled Pink Swing Park in Jakarta caused an uproar as it showcased half-naked models. Even though the images of nudes in the controversial 2005 installation were self-censored, with large white circles hiding the genitals of all figures, protesters from a hard-line Muslim organization interpreted them differently, especially following a live TV broadcast, which led to the exhibition being closed earlier than scheduled. 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 Syamsul Huda M. Suhari (The Jakarta Post) Gorontalo Sat, February 25 2017 Asrin Towalu, 49, also known as Ka Asi, recalled how elders in his coastal village of Inengo in Bone Bolango, Gorontalo, used to perform a traditional ritual every time they saw a whale in the ocean as it was believed to be a sign of good fortune. Whales are believed to bring a lot of blessings to fishermen. When a whale passes by, it is a sign there are plenty of fish around, Ka Asi told The Jakarta Post. Local people would spread five colors of rice grains on the seashore as well as betel quid, areca nuts and cigarettes as offerings. 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 Sat, February 25 2017 The Jakarta administration plans to develop an IT-based system for supervising child-friendly integrated public spaces (RPTRAs) in response to a lack of human resources. Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama said city officials were currently preparing an app to supervise and control all activities carried out in RPTRAs across the capital. Supervision of all RPTRAs in the future will be conducted by an IT-based system, like an app, said Ahok on Friday. 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 Sat, February 25 2017 Filmmaker Riri Riza has revealed his plan to create a film on the life story of renowned Indonesian poet Chairil Anwar. Actually, we have a plan [to make a movie about ] Chairil Anwar, he said as quoted by kompas.com on the sidelines of the premier of Malaysian film Interchange at the XXI Epicentrum cinema in South Jakarta on Thursday. Riri refused to describe the film as a biopic, saying that he preferred to call it a film that told the life story of the poet. 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 BSP believes there is a gap it can exploit, that its coalition of Dalits and Muslims has genuine appeal and that it can attack the SP on its failure to deliver on its promises to Muslims. With an eye on the fourth phase of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections on February 23, Nasimuddin Siddiqui, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) general secretary and a campaigner second only to party chief Mayawati, set up camp in Bundelkhand. He was indefatigable, speaking at rallies in every assembly constituency. On February 20, three days before the voting in 12 districts, Siddiqui was in the Fatehpur Sadar constituency, one of the six in Fatehpur district. At noon, he arrived at a bus station where a rally would soon get under way. He gave a speech, wielding the Justice R.D. Nimesh Commission report that showed discrepancies in the arrests and evidence against suspected Muslim 'terrorists'. advertisement Siddiqui said the Samajwadi Party government accepted the report's recommendations in 2013, but failed to act on them. "Have any innocent Muslim youths been released from jail by the SP?" he asked. "No," roared the crowd. The report, he continued, called for punishing officers who'd conspired to send innocent Muslim youth to jail on fake charges. "Has the government punished a single officer?" - Nasimuddin delivered the same charged address at rallies in other constituencies in the district. UP demographics - whatever the Election Commission or Supreme Court might define it as - means it invariably comes down to parties appealing to prejudice to cobble together majorities. The BSP believes there is a gap it can exploit, that its coalition of Dalits and Muslims has genuine appeal and that it can attack the SP on its failure to deliver on its promises to Muslims. "In the first three phases," Siddiqui asserts, "the BSP received huge support, particularly from Muslims." Mayawati has placed considerable faith in Siddiqui, making him responsible for the campaign in Bundelkhand, following which he will move east. Other party stalwarts like Satish Misra, Dinesh Chandra, and state president Ram Achal Rajbhar too have specific community-based responsibilities. "In eastern UP," Rajbhar claims, "all the constituencies have 50,000 to 1 lakh supporters from the Dalit and OBC communities. Now, with the Muslims on our side, our chances are bright in the east." Pasmanda Muslims, the so-called 'backward' Muslims, are crucial to the BSP's strategy. Mohammad Sajjad, a professor at Aligarh Muslim University, says, "Pasmanda Muslims are devout followers of the maulanas. So it was a strategic masterstroke for the BSP to secure the support of Syed Ahmad Bukhari, Shahi Imam of the Jama Masjid in Delhi." Then there is the faith Mayawati has shown in alleged gangster Mukhtar Ansari, whose Quami Ekta Dal, now merged with the BSP, enjoys significant support in areas in which the party won only six out of a possible 40 seats in the last assembly polls. With several opinion polls suggesting a dead heat, a triangular race, Mayawati knows she needs eastern UP more than ever to make a return to the chief minister's chair. advertisement --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fachrul Sidiq (The Jakarta Post) Sat, February 25, 2017 The constantly under fire followers of the Ahmadiyah religious sect are facing yet another round of persecution. This time the administration of Depok, West Java, has shut down their last remaining mosque following intense pressure from a mob demanding the disbandment of the congregation. A sign has been erected in front of the Al-Hidayah Mosque, declaring illegal all the sects activities in the precinct. Seven Ahmadis were forced to perform their obligatory Friday prayers in the mosques yard. The mosque has been shuttered six times since 2011, when an influential Islamic group in Depok, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), declared the sect heretical. Ahmadi beliefs are regarded as deviant by most Indonesian Muslims, who are mainly Sunnis, because Ahmadis do not regard Muhammad as the last prophet. Hundreds of Islamic hard-liners, including members of the notorious Islam Defenders Front (FPI), staged a rally on Friday in front of the mosque and threatened to take harsh measures should the authorities fail to expel the Ahmadis from the city as well as to demolish the sealed mosque. We reject the presence of Ahmadis in Depok. They have been declared heretical yet they still practice their beliefs here. Dont blame us if we take tough action, cleric Ahmad Daman Huri said in his speech. The rally participants claimed they were ready to die to defend what they described as an attempt to protect Islamic values. As many as 400 personnel from the police, the Army and the local Public Order Agency stood guard in front of the mosque, aiming to prevent the crowd from either entering or damaging the house of worship, which was built in 1999. The mosque, which obtained a permit as a house of worship in 2007, is a sacred place for nearly 400 Ahmadis who had practised their faith uninterrupted until 2011 when persecution of the Ahmadis commenced nationwide. Farid Mahmud Ahmad, an Ahmadiyah cleric, questioned the closure, saying the move lacked transparency and legal backing. We never received any notification before the closure. They say that our activities are illegal, but what activities? The term is not clear and is open to multiple interpretations, he said. He added that members of the sect had been there since the late 1980s and lived in harmony with the rest of the community. However, things turned sour when the sect was declared heretical. We used to socialize well and were accepted by society. We even organized an annual sporting event, said Farid. We started to face some trouble early in 2011, when a seminar was held by the MUI in Depok declaring us heretical, he said, adding that the growing negative perception had forced the sect to refrain from public activity in 2014. The administration did not seek a court decision before deciding to shutter the Al-Hidayah Mosque. The step was taken on the basis of a 2008 joint ministerial decree and a 2011 Depok city bylaw concerning the Ahmadiyah. The regulations prohibited Ahmadiyah followers from spreading their faith, said Depok Public Order Agency head Dudi Miraz. National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) chairman Imdadun Rahmat slammed the closure, saying the city administration should instead protect its citizens in carrying out their activities regardless of their beliefs. The closure is baseless. The joint ministerial decree never touched on banning their activities, he said, adding that the commission would send a letter to the administration, urging them and the police to ensure the safety of the Ahmadis. The administration should instead educate the citizens about tolerance and take firm action against intolerant groups, he added. Depok Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Herry Heryawan insisted the police would continue to protect any lawful activity carried out by residents in the city, including the Ahmadis. Indonesia has seen an increase in violations against religious freedom. The Wahid Institute recorded 190 violations against religious freedom in 2015, a 23 percent increase from the 154 in 2014. The violations were mostly in the form of sealing places of worship and the prohibition of their construction, as well as obstructing celebrations or rituals of certain faiths. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 President Joko Jokowi Widodo touched down in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday morning local time for a two-day visit aimed at boosting bilateral relations between Indonesia and its southern neighbor. The President will start his day in Australia with a courtesy call on New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejklian, followed by a meeting with a number of Australian business people. Later in the evening, Jokowi will have a private dinner with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the latters residence. Jokowi was forced to postpone his visit to Sydney and Canberra in November last year after a major rally by hundreds of thousands of conservative Muslims against the Jakarta governor in the capital turned violent. The Presidents visit to Sydney on Saturday came after a military spat between the two countries over allegations that the Australian military insulted the Indonesian state ideology of Pancasila. Military officials from both countries have said that the spat has been resolved. (ary) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Haeril Halim (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 For President Joko Jokowi Widodo, attending and opening a national meeting of Muhammadiyah is not usually included in his presidential commitments. While Muhammadiyah is a politically influential religious organization in the country, there is no need for a president to attend one of its national meetings. However, he did it anyway. On Friday, Jokowi flew all the way from Jakarta to Ambon to attend Muhammadiyahs tanwir (enlightenment) meeting. He was en route to Australia for a two-day state visit on Feb. 25-26. Although the invitation to attend the meeting was only submitted to the State Palace on Feb. 13, Jokowi immediately accepted and inked it into his presidential agenda. The President agreed to go to Maluku for Muhammadiyah despite the fact that the President had visited the city for a working visit just weeks ago. In his opening speech, Jokowi admitted that some people questioned his decision to fly to Ambon from Jakarta just to attend the tanwir meeting as he had already visited Muhammadiyahs congress in Makassar in August 2015. So, I am here again in Ambon after being here two weeks ago. The first reason is because I love Maluku. And the second reason is because I love Muhammadiyah, Jokowi said, which was met with applause. Some whispered to me you have attended Muktamar [congress], so why are you attending tanwir, too? I replied that I wanted to come. I wanted to come. I attended Muktamar, and I am also attending tanwir, Jokowi added. The conciliatory gestures that the President showed on Friday came after what appeared to be a rocky relationship between Jokowi and the organization, which sometimes behaves as a thorn in the Presidents side. In July 2016, Jokowi appointed a Muhammadiyah executive Muhadjir Effendy as Education and Culture Minister in an apparent attempt to embrace members of the organization in order to garner support for his presidency. The move proved to be futile. (Read also: Muhammadiyah pushes Jokowi to suspend Ahok) Only a few weeks after the appointment of Muhadjir, Muhammadiyah threatened to challenge Jokowis tax amnesty at the Constitutional Court in August. It later canceled its plan after Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati went to its headquarters to further explain Jokowis signature program. A few months later, relations between Jokowi and the group seemed to have soured again after Jokowis ally, Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnama, was accused of blasphemy when he cited a Quranic verse. The youth wing of Muhammadiyah was one of the first groups to report Ahok to the police for alleged blasphemy. A member of Muhammadiyahs majlis tarjih (legislative division), Bachtiar Nasir, has been a leading figure in a series of anti-Ahok rallies, including the Nov. 4 rally which was exploited by Jokowis political enemies in an effort to undermine his administration. The rally forced Jokowi to visit the headquarters of Islamic organizations, including Muhammadiyah, and the armed forces to maintain political stability. As Jokowi faced an inquiry initiated by the opposition parties for his decision not to suspend Ahok after being indicted for blasphemy, Muhammadiyah failed to give him public support by asking him to do exactly what the opposition parties wanted. In the short term, what Jokowi did in Ambon was meant to ease the rising sectarian tension in the country following Ahoks blasphemy case, political observer Arya Fernandez of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said. In the long run, Arya said, it is important for the President to stay close to Muslim voters ahead of the 2019 presidential election. The message that the President wants to deliver is that he wants to maintain relationships with Muslim organizations, Arya said. As the second largest Muslim organization after Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Muhammadiyah, with more than 40 million followers, is a culturally and politically significant organization. The group has long been considered as the voice of religious moderation in the country. However, as Jokowi tried to win the hearts of the Muhammadiyah elite, many of whom are progressive Muslims, questions linger over whether the elites within the group could help Jokowi win the support of the grassroots. Bachtiar, who secretary-general Abdul Muti said was no longer active in majlis tarjih, may represent a more conservative faction within Muhammadiyah, which the organizations central board no longer controls. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ina Parlina (The Jakarta Post) Sydney Sat, February 25, 2017 President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo kicked off his two-day trip to Sydney on Saturday noon by meeting with CEOs of Australian multinational companies, during which he assured them about Indonesias supportive investment climate despite global and domestic challenges. At the beginning of the meeting, Jokowi cracked a joke to break the ice, saying "I don't know how it is in Australia. But, in Indonesia, we sometimes work at weekends". Citing upgraded outlooks recently released by various international rating agencies such as Moody's Investor Services, Jokowi assured the top executives, such as those from mining private equity firm EMR Capital, Marina Industrial Development and livestock exporter Austrex, that Indonesia is currently "enjoying very good investor sentiment. (Read also: Jokowi to visit Australia to boost trade after spat) Earlier this month, Moody's revised the outlook on its ratings of Indonesian government debt from "stable" to "positive". Indonesia has also climbed 15 places to 91 in the World Bank's 2017 Ease of Doing Business index, from the previous rank of 106. But, Jokowi also told the participants that the conditions related to the recent regional elections posed a challenge to the economy, particularly when a religion-driven massive rally occurred late last year against the backdrop of the Jakarta gubernatorial poll. The rally turned violent, forcing Jokowi to postpone his visit to Australia initially scheduled for November. In the meeting, which later continued behind closed doors, the Australian businesspeople expressed confidence in continuing their expansion in Indonesia", said Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. Australias investment in Indonesia reached US$168 million in 2015, with most going to mining and tourism sectors. Retno also played down any concerns about domestic politics, saying that having regional elections run peacefully in 101 regions was an achievement for Indonesian democracy. "So, there is nothing to worry [about]," she added. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is set to welcome Jokowi and First Lady Iriana in a private dinner at his residence on Saturday evening. (hwa) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Stefani Ribka (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Sat, February 25, 2017 President Joko Jokowi Widodo has warned investment agencies not to lose against other countries in luring global investments, amid tight competition in the globalization era. The former businessman repeated the message five times in his speech in front of Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) and 531 regional investment agencies (DPM PTSP) representatives during BKPM national coordination meeting in Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center on Friday. We live in a very tight regional and global competition era, when investors have many choices. Its true were one an ASEAN member nation, and we hold hands when we meet, but I also think they are our rivals. If we dont have that kind of [rivalry] sense, we may lose out, he said. (Read also: BKPM to standardize investment procedures, forms) Besides the need to maintain a rivalry mindset, the President also warned them to optimize technology to accelerate the investment process. Unifying vision, standards and good coordination with the central government are also essential, according to Jokowi. If we are not quick enough to adapt with the ever-changing technology, and if you dont immediately adopt a unifying vision, standards and regulations with the central government, we could lose out, he said. Today, its not big countries beating the small ones or the strong beating the weak. Its the fast beating the slow ones, he remarked. (ags) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Mario Rustan (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Sat, February 25 2017 These days, buzzwords from the United States travel fast to Indonesia. Recently, news reports and columns have adopted several terms that are common in the English-speaking world terms like fake news, post-truth and identity politics. And it seems that the whole world shares the same troubles. We are as concerned about fake news as Indians and the British are. We become irritated when family members and old school friends share news from dubious websites on an impending riot or on the pope converting to Islam. We are as concerned about the post-truth world as Australians and Koreans are. Some taxi drivers insist that our President is a communist; a friends mother is worried that the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) is making a comeback. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 Gufron Sakaril, chairman of the Indonesian People with Disabilities Association (PPDI), has said he hopes revisions to the nations electoral laws will include the right of representation for people with disabilities. He hoped that the amendments would regulate the representation of people with disabilities in the House of Representatives and Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). Gufron suggested a 15 percent quota of legislative candidates from every political party to be allocated for people with disabilities in the 2019 general election. (Read also: Organizers vow disability-friendly elections) "[We want] a legislative candidates' quota of 15 percent. The number is lower than the quota for women's representation [in the House] of 30 percent, because more than 50 percent of the population is women," said Gufron on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com. He also asked for the same commitment to be shown in the executive branch of the government. He said the capabilities of people with disabilities were equal to any other candidates. "Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln could become president, the same as Gus Dur. So there is no problem with the capabilities [of disabled people]. It is a matter of opportunity," he added. (mrc/ary) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Hans Nicholas Jong (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 The government will carry out another round of executions but it has not yet decided on the timing, Attorney General Muhaammad Prasetyo has said. There are lots of things that we are considering, including the fact that the country is concentrating on economic improvement. We are building a better political life, he said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com. Previously, Prasetyo said the fourth round of executions under President Joko Jokowi Widodos administration had not been scheduled this year because the government was seeking international support for its bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. But Prasetyo made clear on Friday that the death row inmates would still be executed. [The execution] is still on. Its just the timing that hasnt been decided yet, he said. The Jokowi government has carried out three batches of execution since the President took office in late 2014. In January 2015, six convicts were executed, while another eight were executed in April 2015. The latest round of executions was in July 2016, when four convicts were executed. (ary) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Callistasia Anggun Wijaya (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 The absence of a flood early-warning system in Cipinang Melayu, East Jakarta, has forced the residents to rely on their own instincts to prepare for floods, a fact that called into question incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki Ahok Tjahaja Purnamas claim that the warning system for the citys 13 rivers functions well. A community head in Cipinang Melayu, Irwan Kurniadi, said that after living for 30 years in the area, which is prone to flooding, the residents were trained to read the natural signs that indicated that flooding from the Sunter reservoir would hit the village. If the residents see that the river is flowing swiftly and starts filling the ditches, they will know that a flood is on the way. We have nothing to warn us about flooding except our instincts and experience, Irwan told The Jakarta Post on Friday. Last week, Irwan said, the residents were aware of the potential flood that later inundated the area, as the torrential downpour continuously hit the village. We just didnt expect that the flood would be so bad. We werent prepared for that . The residents didnt have time to rescue their goods, Irwan told the Post on Friday. (Read also: 54 areas in Jakarta hit by floods) The Jakarta Disaster Mitigation Agency (BPBD) currently uses a text message-based system, called SMS blast, to alert people living along riverbanks of a possible flood. Unfortunately, no warning text was received by the residents, Irwan said. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Desy Nurhayati (The Jakarta Post) Nusa Dua, Bali Sat, February 25 2017 Indonesia has called for the United Nations and European Commission (EC) to push for stronger law enforcement at the international level against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said Friday during the World Ocean Summit in Bali that IUU fishing was one of the biggest threats to the worlds fish stocks. Therefore, she pushed the UN and EC to classify it as a transnational crime. What we see as the problem in the ocean [threatening sustainability] is not only pollution from plastic waste, but also IUU fishing. The worlds commitment to sustainability should also come with strong international law enforcement. We should not let other people destroy what we have preserved. 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 Tension escalates after several major news outlets including The New York Times, CNN and BBC were barred from attending an off-camera White House briefing. By Press Trust of India: Several major news outlets including The New York Times, CNN and BBC were barred from attending an off-camera White House briefing, an unprecedented move that escalated tensions in the already fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the media. Hours after President Donald Trump blasted the media at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, declaring that much of the press was "the enemy of the American people", the White House yesterday invited only a select group of conservative news organisations for the "extended press gaggle". advertisement The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian were among those excluded from the meeting, which was held in White House press secretary Sean Spicers office. The off-camera briefing was held in lieu of the daily televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. When reporters from these news organisations tried to enter Spicers office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees. Defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders in a statement rejected that this was the case of denying access to media and said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today." "We invited the pool so everyone was represented. We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool for an expanded pool. Nothing more than that," the Deputy Press Secretary said. During the gaggle, Spicer told reporters that the Trump Administration will aggressively push back on the inaccurate stories that comes from media. "I think were going to aggressively push back. Were just not going to sit back and let false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there," he said as he defended his decision to leave out The New York Times and the CNN out of the expanded pool gaggle. Earlier in the day, Trump continued his assault on press in a speech before the nations largest gathering of conservative activists, for using anonymous sources. Trump said unethical reporters "make up stories and make up sources" and asserted that he is only against fake news media and not press freedom. "I'm not against the media, I'm not against the press. I don't mind bad stories if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories, but...I don't get too many of them. But I am only against the fake news, media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word," Trump said. "I'm against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out," Trump said as he vented out his anger and frustration with the news coverage that his presidency has been receiving. advertisement Later on Twitter Trump said the media not telling the truth is a great danger to the country. "FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesn't tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad!," said the US President who has adopted Twitter as a medium to communicate with his supporters. --- ENDS --- Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25 2017 An international human rights organization has accused President Joko Jokowi Widodo of scapegoating democracy for his failure to reform government policies it claims have empowered militant groups and fueled sectarianism in Indonesia. Phelim Kine, the deputy director of the Asia division of New York-based Human Rights Watch, said in a statement that Jokowi should stop blaming democracy for rising religious intolerance in Indonesia and instead attempt to eliminate all regulations that are deemed discriminatory. Indonesias President Joko Jokowi Widodo has an unlikely scapegoat for the countrys rise in religious intolerance and sectarianism: democracy, Kine said on his organizations website on Thursday. 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 Liza Yosephine (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25 2017 President Joko Jokowi Widodos suggestion that Australia take part in joint patrols in the South China Sea has sparked concerns on the eve of his two-day visit Down Under. In an interview published on Friday with The Australian, Jokowi said he saw joint Indo-Australia patrols in the South China Sea, potentially around Natuna Islands at the southern edge of the waters, as very important as long as they did not raise tensions in the region. Jokowi said he would discuss the issue with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. It depends. If there is tension like last year its difficult to decide [on] this program, he said as quoted by The Australian. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,500/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sat, February 25, 2017 High school students from 30 schools in Bekasi, South Tangerang and Bogor, held a rally on Jl. Merdeka Barat, Central Jakarta, on Saturday to protest against tobacco advertisements around their schools. The rally was part of the #TolakJadiTarget (#resistbecomingatarget) campaign by the Lentera Anak Foundation (YLA), which was launched simultaneously in 90 schools from Padang, Mataram, Bekasi, Bogor and South Tangerang in September last year. The campaign aims to reject tobacco companies who deliberately put their products advertisements near schools, said Lisda Sundari, the chairwoman of the YLA. Lisda also claimed that over the course of the campaign, which is still ongoing, at least 61 cigarette brands placed their advertisements near participating schools. Iyan Tardiana, a teacher in SMK 1 vocational high school in Cibinong, expressed his concerns about the tobaccos ads apparently targeting students. The tobacco companies bombarded our school with many forms of advertisements, aiming to target potential customers. [] The government should make a regulation to ban this, he told The Jakarta Post. The students also held a theatrical act with the theme of Upacara Inisiasi Pengikut Serigala Berbulu Domba (Initiation ceremony of the followers of a wolf in sheeps clothing), portraying the tobacco companies as a wolf in sheeps clothing armed with various tactics to persuade young people to buy their products. (mrc/ary) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Depok, West Java Sat, February 25, 2017 After being hunted by the police for nearly a month for alleged drug possession, former member of Depok Legislative Council (DPRD) Ervan Teladan was arrested on Friday. Suspect Ervan Teladan was arrested on Friday evening in Jatimulya subdistrict, Depok Police spokesperson Adj. Comr. Firdaus said on Saturday as quoted by Antara news agency. The police arrested Ervan as the Golkar party politician rode his motorcycle. The motorbike was confiscated along with cigarettes and a cellphone. The police, Fridaus said, were currently intensifying their efforts to catch any individual who had helped Ervan evade arrest. Ervan had been on the polices wanted list since Feb. 4, as he was accused of possession of crystal methamphetamine. During a raid on his house, the police arrested Siti Ummu Kulsum, an alleged meth supplier. When we raided his house, Ervan escaped by a backdoor of the house, Depok Police antidrug unit head Comr. Putu Cholis said. (Read also: Indonesian police say drug dealing increasing on Malaysian border) Putu said that in the raid police found two packs of meth wrapped in small plastic bags hidden in Ervans wardrobe. The police also found an inhaling pipe in Ervans car, which was parked in his garage. The police had been tipped off that drug transactions often took place in Ervans house. (fac) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (Associated Press) Kuala Lumpur Sat, February 25, 2017 The Latest on Malaysia's investigation into the apparent assassination of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (all times local): 8:30 p.m. Malaysian police say they will conduct a sweep of the terminal at Kuala Lumpur's airport where North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half brother was killed to check for possible traces of the toxic chemical suspected to have been used in the attack. A police statement Saturday said the operation will start at 1 a.m. Sunday. The sweep will involve officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the hazardous materials unit under the fire department and the atomic energy board. Since the Feb. 13 attack, tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpur's airport. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken, though officials announced Friday that the facility would be decontaminated. A police officer checks on a van outside the forensic department at Kuala Lumpur Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017. According to police Friday, forensics stated that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim Jong Nam, the North Korean ruler's outcast half brother who was poisoned last week at the airport. (AP/Daniel Chan) 7:55 p.m. Malaysia says it will issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to cooperate with the investigation into the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half brother. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. On Friday, Malaysian police said the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities at the time acknowledged that he has diplomatic immunity and that they couldn't compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysia's tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat "reasonable" time to come forward. If he doesn't, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so, though diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. The car of ambassador of North Korea to Malaysia leaves the forensic department at the hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017. Kim Jong Nam, the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed Monday in Malaysia in what appeared to be an assassination carried out by female agents possibly armed with a poisoned needle. (AP/Vincent Thian) 5 p.m. Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia says the Indonesian suspect in the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother was paid $90 to help carry out the attack involving VX nerve agent. But Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin repeated Siti Aisyah's previous claim that she was duped into the plot, thinking she was taking part in a prank. Erwin met Aisyah on Saturday in Malaysia, where the 25-year-old is in custody. Another alleged attacker, a Vietnamese woman, also has been arrested. According to police, Aisyah rubbed VX nerve agent on the face of Kim Jong Nam amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpur's airport on Feb. 13. Kim was the older half brother of North Korea's ruler. (dan) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Matt O'Brien (Associated Press) Warwick, Rhode Island, United States Sat, February 25, 2017 Low-cost carrier Norwegian Air Shuttle is promising to boost traffic at smaller airports on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean when it starts service to Europe this summer from Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York. Norwegian Air announced Thursday that it's opening new flight crew bases and plans to hire pilots and flight attendants at Rhode Island's T.F. Green Airport and Stewart International Airport in Newburgh, New York, about 60 miles north of New York City. Year-round flights from those airports to Edinburgh, Scotland, begin in June, and to four airports in Ireland and Northern Ireland in July. There also will be flights to Edinburgh from Connecticut's Bradley International Airport, near Hartford. Officials who represent the three Northeast airports and their counterparts in Ireland celebrated the move as a boon for family vacationers, business travelers, and local jobs and tourism. "Everyone would rather fly out of here than schlep to Boston," said Rhode Island Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo, speaking Thursday morning during a news conference at the airport in Warwick, just south of Providence and about an hour's drive from Logan Airport in Boston. Norwegian Air's move creates the first year-round international flights for the Rhode Island airport after years of expanding runways, building hotels and making a commuter-train connection. "People thought we were a little far-reaching, and finally all the pieces are starting to come together," said Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, a Republican. (Read also: List of most despised airline behaviors revealed) One-way flights bound for Europe started at $65 for the first 10,000 seats, but were already selling out Thursday morning. Once the introductory phase is over, flights will start at $99. Some Europe-bound flights were on sale for more than $300 on the airline's website Thursday. The service includes flights to Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports in Ireland, and to Belfast in Northern Ireland. The company won permission from the Obama administration in December for its disputed plan to expand flights to the United States, but did not receive approval from the Federal Aviation Administration until Friday evening, spokesman Anders Lindstrom said. Several large U.S. airlines and their labor unions opposed the expansion, arguing it would threaten U.S. jobs. They have accused Norwegian Air of getting around Norway's labor and tax laws by operating new flights with a subsidiary based in Ireland called Norwegian Air International. (Read also: Annual travel fair lures travelers with discounts, new routes) The Transportation Department approved a foreign air-carrier permit for the subsidiary in December, but pilot unions and other opponents are pushing Republican President Donald Trump to overturn the decision. White House press secretary Sean Spicer suggested earlier this month that the country would benefit from the arrangement because U.S. workers would build the planes and serve them. Rhode Island state officials say they expect Norwegian Air to seek money from a $1.5 million state incentive fund designed to attract new commercial routes to the airport. The Department of Buildings issued a partial vacate order today for 159 Stanton St., a building owned by notorious landlord Steve Croman. Now the residents of two apartments are having to relocate until unsafe conditions in the tenement are rectified. The Red Cross was on the scene this morning to help tenants find temporary housing. A notice pasted to the front door reads, Do Not Enter The Department of Buildings has determined that conditions in this premises are immediately perilous to life. In the buildings online file, a DOB inspector added, Construction activity in third floor apartments has caused the ceilings in apartment 1 and 2 on (the) second floor to become dislodged and in danger of further collapse. This past December, the tenants sued Croman in housing court, saying he was subjecting them to unsafe conditions and harassment. They were back in court for a hearing this past Thursday. We were alerted to todays developments by the Cooper Square Committee and City Council member Margaret Chin. This afternoon we spoke with Francis Di Donato, who has lived in the building for 25 years, and has now been forced from his home, at least temporarily. The Red Cross has found accommodations for him tonight at a YMCA facility on 47th Street, but hell have to find longer-term housing after the weekend. Croman follows the same script in all of his buildings, said Di Donato. He makes everyones lives so miserable that they want to give up. Di Donato has a 12-year-old son who goes to school in the neighborhood. Hes obviously unhappy about having to uproot him. Another tenant, who asked not to be identified, said she noticed cracks in the ceiling Thursday afternoon. The tenant was so concerned that she didnt stay in the apartment last night. In this weeks hearing, the judge declined to take action that would have forced Croman to make immediate repairs. I feel very resentful, said the tenant, that the judge didnt listen on Thursday and there was no adequate tenant protection plan I was left unprotected. On the scene this afternoon was Sherief Gaber, an attorney with the Urban Justice Center. Hes representing the tenants in housing court. He noted that DOB inspectors singled out Cromans construction crews for working without a permit and performing illegal electrical work. The inspectors observed sagging ceilings, which were being supported by a temporary joist. While a loose schedule was established for the repairs, the judge refused to issue an order which would have held Croman to a tighter timeline, said Gaber. As for the displaced tenants, Gaber asserted, I believe the landlord should bear the cost of relocation. Last May, Croman was arrested and charged in criminal court with multiple felonies, including grand larceny, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records. Hes being prosecuted by the State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, who is also suing Croman in civil court. Just four days ago, local elected officials sent a letter to Croman about deplorable housing conditions at 159 Stanton St. They demanded that he, address all repair and safety issues right away. In a statement this afternoon, Chin said, I am saddened and angered by the plight of these families who have been forced to vacate their homes today as a result of the irresponsible actions of their landlord. I am calling on that landlord, Steve Croman, to stop using construction to harass and victimize his hardworking tenants. Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou added in a separate statement, It is unacceptable and infuriating that Steve Croman continues to push tenants out of their homes here on the Lower East Side The pattern of tenant harassment at 159 Stanton is clear, and we now have tenants being ordered to vacate their homes due to unsafe conditions. We have contacted Cromans press representatives for comment. This story will be updated if and when they respond. UPDATE 2/26: A spokesperson for Cromans company, 9300 Realty, responded with the following statement: After we rejected a tenant-requested buyout of $300,000 per apartment, these tenants chose to call the Department of Buildings and media to complain about repairs before calling the landlord. The Department of Buildings inspection of the entire building on February 17th did not note any issues in these apartments and both tenants have blocked access both in and out of court to complete routine maintenance. If the tenants are genuinely motivated to get these repairs done and grant us access to these apartments, we are happy to assess and fix these issues as soon as possible. Residents, in turn, came out with a statement of their own late last night: (front page) SWP candidate for LA mayor: Join protests! LOS ANGELES A centerpiece of the SWP campaign is the demand for amnesty for all undocumented workers, Dennis Richter, Socialist Workers Party candidate for mayor here, told a crowd of 125 people at a Feb. 15 candidates debate sponsored by the Greater Hollywood Area Neighborhood Councils. Mayor Eric Garcetti says that immigrants play an important role in the economy here and brags about L.A. being a sanctuary city. But sanctuary without rights doesnt cut it. Amnesty means that immigrants can join without fear with workers born here to struggle to defend our jobs, our working conditions and our rights. Tomorrow is a national day without immigrants and I urge everyone to join me at the protest, he said. Working people in Los Angeles and beyond are facing economic carnage in our lives, Richter said. In face of these economic hardships we need to build a movement of the working class to fight for what we need, he said. I participated in the protests at the airport against Trumps anti-Muslim executive order, and at a rally in Van Nuys against the arrest by ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] of hundreds of workers without papers. The protests had an impact on the judges, who suspended Trumps executive order. We need to understand that the root of all these problems we are facing is the crisis-ridden capitalist system, he said. Richter was asked what he would do about the citys housing crisis. The majority of people need low-income housing. The working class is being forced out of their neighborhoods because here and across the U.S. rents have more than doubled since 2000. Most of the jobs created since 2008 have been part-time, temporary or minimum-wage jobs, he said. There has been no recovery for the working class. We need a massive government-funded public works program to put everyone back to work at union-scale wages, building housing, infrastructure, hospitals, schools all the basic things working people need. A worker in the citys film industry asked Richter if amnesty wouldnt cause more unemployment. Bringing into the labor movement the millions of workers who are superexploited because they dont have papers acceptable to the government would immediately strengthen the fight of all working people for jobs, higher wages and safer conditions on the job. This is a life and death question for our unions, Richter said. Richter also spoke at a Northridge Community Council meeting held the same day. He was asked what the Socialist Workers Party had to say about shootings and other worker-on-worker crimes. Hiring more cops is not the way to fight crime. The cops exist to protect the private property of the employing class and to keep working people in their place, he said. We have to tackle anti-working-class violence in our neighborhoods by rooting out the source of it capitalism. Under the depression conditions the working class faces today, some families dont have the resources to raise and care for their children. The schools have little to offer. So some of our youth get raised in the streets or in the gangs and theyre shaped by the dog-eat-dog mentality at the heart of social relations under capitalism, Richter said. When young people and others get involved in the struggle to change society, crime goes way down. This was true during the civil rights movement in the 1960s and the fight for industrial unions in the 1930s. Thats where people learn their humanity and life gets a purpose. Richter joined a rally of several hundred Feb. 19 against new federal executive orders targeting immigrants from majority-Muslim countries. It was held at the Islamic Center of Southern California. The action drew Christians, Jews, Muslims and others. We need to talk to one another. I cant believe we hate each other. I cant believe that half the country that supported Trump hates us, Hedab Tarifi, chairwoman of the centers board of directors, told the crowd. We need to talk to those who voted for the president. What you spoke about is important, Richter told Tarifi following the rally. Millions of working people who voted for Trump and millions of others who did not vote are not enemies of Muslims, theyre looking for ways to change the economic catastrophe working people face. Trump says hes for the working people, but he demagogically tries to turn us against each other. We have to reject anti-Muslim prejudice, Jew-hatred and attacks on immigrants, and fight together for our common interests. SWP candidates and members joined tens of thousands across the country who took to the street to protest Washingtons new anti-working-class moves against people without papers. They demanded, Amnesty! Stop the raids! No immigration tests based on religion, nationality or political views! Omari Musa, a leader of the SWP from Washington, D.C., was invited to speak when some 500 people rallied and marched Feb. 16 in the Day Without Immigrants in Highlandtown, a working-class neighborhood in southeast Baltimore. We need to unite and fight our common enemy. We need to fight and build unions to fight the bosses on the job, he told the youthful crowd in Spanish. Our enemy is the capitalist system. Lets demand amnesty for immigrants to unite us in battle. Si se puede, The crowd chanted back. Socialist campaigners going door to door in the town of Lake Worth, an hour north of Miami, met a number of Guatemalans who work on area farms, in nurseries and in construction. We talked to a number of construction workers, Cindy Jaquith, SWP candidate for mayor of Miami, told the Militant. A couple of them told us how they took the lead in organizing workers at the dry wall company where they work to stay home on the Day Without Immigrants. They met with the boss who said he accepted what they were doing. They also kept their kids out of school that day. In Seattle, Sandi Kamuf stopped by a busy street-corner campaign table where SWP mayoral candidate Mary Martin was introducing the party to fellow workers Feb. 16. Signs on the table read: Mary Martin for mayor, Amnesty now, and Stop the raids. My husband and I lost our home through foreclosure, Kamuf said. I never thought at this point in our lives wed have to be fighting and going to meetings. Id like to come to your Militant Labor Forum Saturday night. I like your campaign ideas. Kamuf picked up a subscription to the Militant and six Pathfinder books the party distributes on the SWPs revolutionary program and the lessons of working-class struggles from the history of the labor movement to the example of the Cuban Revolution. (front page) Illinois prison censors Militant articles on free-speech fight in NY Authorities at the Illinois River Correction Center in Canton, Illinois, have impounded for review and denied a long-term subscriber there three issues of the. The reason? Each contains articles reporting on thes fight against censorship at the Attica Correctional Facility in New York. The censorship and disapproval by Illinois River would violate the First Amendment rights of The Militant and its subscribers, The Militants Due Process rights, and the applicable regulations by which literature to inmates is reviewed, attorney David Goldstein wrote in an objection sent to the prisons publication review officer Feb. 16. Goldstein represents the Militant for the prominent civil liberties firm Rabinowitz, Boudin, Standard, Krinsky & Lieberman. Illinois River prison authorities claim Militant issues no. 41, 45 and 46, dated Oct. 31, Nov. 28, and Dec. 12, 2016, are detrimental to security, good order, rehabilitation, or discipline or it might facilitate criminal activity or be detrimental to mental health. For issue no. 41, the review notice adds, work stoppage and prison rebellion, with no further explanation. The notices impounding the paper were dated Dec. 10, 2016, but not sent to the Militant until Jan. 27 48 days later, in violation of Illinois state law. The Oct. 31 issue (no. 41) reported the papers intent to challenge Atticas impoundment of the Oct. 3 Militant, which had featured coverage on the 45th anniversary of the 1971 Attica prison rebellion. It also ran an article reporting on several protest actions that took place in prisons in the U.S. demanding higher wages and better conditions. Illinois River (correctly) found no reason to reject or censor the Oct. 3 issue, noted Goldstein, and provided no explanation why No. 41 reporting on censorship is objectionable. Illinois River officials withheld two further issues of the paper reporting on Atticas censorship. These articles included statements of support from the New York Civil Liberties Union, PEN America, National Lawyers Guild and other groups. Given that these articles are merely reporting on a legal challenge to the censorship of another correctional facility, it is difficult to conclude that the censoring of these three issues is anything other than a blanket ban on any mention of prisoners constitutional rights, Goldstein said. However, prison authorities have no license either to single out The Militant for censorship because of disagreement with its viewpoint, or to ban any mention of prisoners constitutional rights. The Militant is mailed to 140 subscribers in some 72 prisons in the U.S., and is read by many others. The constitutional rights to free speech and freedom of the press do not stop at the prison gates, said Militant editor John Studer. Workers behind bars have the right to read different political views and form their own opinions. And like weve done with the Attica fight, well be seeking statements of support from individuals and groups demanding an end to censorship at Illinois River, he said. To send a statement of support or make a financial contribution to the Militants fight against censorship, contact themilitant@mac.com or write the paper at 306 W. 37th Street, 13th floor, New York, N.Y. 10018. Front page (for this issue) | Home | Text-version home (special feature) Carnage, deplorables: 2 words explain workers openness to talk politics Below are the remarks by Mary-Alice Waters at a Feb. 10 presentation of three new books on the U.S. class struggle at the Havana International Book Fair (see accompanying article). Waters is a member of the National Committee of the Socialist Workers Party and president of Pathfinder Press. Copyright 2017 by Pathfinder Press. Reprinted by permission. First of all, on behalf of Pathfinder, a warm welcome to all. Special thanks goes to our chairperson, Javier [Duenas], the director of Casa Editora Abril, who helped us put this panel together. And above all I want to express our appreciation to Fernando [Gonzalez], Enrique [Ubieta], and Elier [Ramirez]. Its an honor to have such a well-qualified panel to speak on the questions at the center of these three new books questions involving the political consequences in the United States of the inexorable advance of capitalisms global crisis. Its a crisis unlike any weve known in our lifetimes. I want to emphasize one point above all. If you had read these three books a year ago, nothing happening today in US politics would be a surprise to you. Nothing. But its not too late. If you want to be prepared for whats coming, please get them today. And read them. Were making a special offer. Three for the price of two, so theres no excuse not to read all three. American carnage In his inaugural address three weeks ago, President Trump used the phrase this American carnage to describe the conditions of life faced by broad layers of US working people today, both rural and urban. That word was singled out by the hysterical anti-Trump media as an example of the presidents twisted refusal to acknowledge what those whove benefited so greatly from the Obama years portray as an economic recovery. It was a dark speech, these commentators said. It failed to recognize that America Is Already Great, echoing the imperialist sloganeering of Hillary Clintons liberal Democratic Party campaign. But carnage it is. Thats exactly the right word. Its the word youll find in the pages of The Clintons Anti-Working-Class Record, published months before the changing of the guard in Washington. Its accuracy is backed up by massive documentation in the pages of these three books. Each of them recounts the consequences for US working people of the social policies put in place, with bipartisan support, over the quarter century ago since the inauguration of Bill Clinton, policies supported and continued by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Youll find here the machinations used to conceal the true level of joblessness, as well as workers declining real wages. Youll find the consequences of slashing social welfare programs for women and children. Youll find facts on the soaring prison population, the record numbers of deportations and prosecutions of immigrants, and the large increase in federal crimes for which a judge can impose the death penalty. Youll find the growing suicide rate among young adults, and the epidemic of narcotics addiction in small cities, towns, and devastated farming and mining areas. Youll find the toll on the working class of Washingtons endless wars and its repeated deployments of workers and farmers to Afghanistan, Iraq, and elsewhere. And much more. More important than charts and statistics, however, is the visual evidence available to anyone willing to look as they drive across vast areas of the United States. I hope Fernando will speak about what he saw, with his own eyes, when the US Bureau of Prisons gave him the opportunity to drive through the rural Southwest in a prison bus transporting him to Safford, Arizona. Growing class inequalities Its not only the social inequities that have accelerated in the last quarter century. Its theinequalities. Its not just the wealth of the multibillionaires, including Trump and family, or multi-multimillionaires like their rival Democratic Party family, the Clintons. Its also the steady expansion of high-earning professional and upper middle-class layers who dominate the media and populate the universities, administrative and intelligence agencies of the federal government, Silicon Valley, and tens of thousands of charitable foundations and other nonprofit institutions that promote worldwide the capitalist and imperialist interests of their financial backers. Are They Rich Because Theyre Smart? one of two books by Jack Barnes, National Secretary of the Socialist Workers Party that were presenting here today, deals with the growing significance of this social layer. In these privileged circles, its common to hear someone remark that they cant understand how Trump won the election I dont know a single person who intended to vote for him. This class isolation was captured by a Washington Post columnist a few months ago who was voicing his fear of the rising anger of millions of working people in the US. Never have so many people with so little knowledge made so many consequential decisions for the rest of us, he wrote. We must weed out ignorant Americans from the electorate. For him, this ignorant electorate clearly includes the overwhelming majority of the working class in the United States. It is not Trumps crude insults, his vulgar misogyny, or anti-immigrant demagogy that this well-remunerated social layer finds most unsettling. What they fear is something different. They fear the millions of men and women Black and white, immigrant and native born, religious and nonreligious who recognize their own lives, and the lives of their neighbors, in that word carnage. When Hillary Clinton announced during the election campaign that those who werent going to vote for her those who werent going to vote to continue the carnage were nothing but a basket of irredeemable deplorables, at that moment she was finished. Opportunities and responsibilities The election was a protest vote in the framework of bourgeois politics, the only framework that exists today for the millions. It registered the blows dealt since the 2008 world financial crisis to the stability of the two-party system through which the US capitalist class has long governed. Neither party will emerge intact. Trumps inauguration boast This American carnage stops now will not come to be, of course. There are no capitalist policies that can achieve that, and there is no imperialist politician who can change what is going to happen. The law of value is stronger than any of them, or all of them together. Until we, the working class and our allies, are strong enough to put an end to their system, their crises will continue to be paid for by working people the world over in our flesh and blood, in the misery of hundreds of millions. As a result of these conditions and the disrespectful response by the rulers and their political servants to the victims among working people there is today greater openness in the US working class than at any moment in our lifetimes to discuss the broadest social questions and political issues. For communists that means growing opportunities along with enormous responsibilities. Contrary to the picture painted by the liberal media and across the left, there is less racism and less anti-immigrant chauvinism today among working people than ever before in US history. Ultraright fringe groups are more marginalized than ever following Trumps victory. There is more space, not less, to fight to organize the unorganized, demand amnesty for foreign-born workers, mobilize against police brutality, advance the struggle for womens rights, and oppose Washingtons imperialist wars. There is more space to rebuild our unions as instruments of solidarity and struggle. Most important, there are more opportunities than weve known in decades to win young workers and other youth to the need to build a party, a communist party, within the vanguard of the working class. It is along that road that the men and women capable of making a socialist revolution in the US will be forged, as they were here in Cuba. That is what the books we are presenting here today are about. In the name of my party, the Socialist Workers Party, I want to say to you, however, that until that battle is won, we will continue to act on Fidels words to the Federation of University Students two years ago: Philip Seargeant, The Open University The writer Anthony Burgess is most famous for his novel, A Clockwork Orange. This month marks the centenary of the writers birth and his dystopian vision still casts a long shadow over popular culture. But what is perhaps more intriguing is how the book was once drawn into a world of Russian espionage, fake news and paranoia. During his lifetime, Burgess wrote over 30 novels, 25 non-fiction books, three symphonies and countless other musical works. But 55 years after its publication, its still A Clockwork Orange which has the most enduring influence. One of the more unusual examples of this influence was the novels appropriation by the espionage community. During the 1970s, the title supposedly became the codename for an alleged campaign to undermine the prime minister, Harold Wilson. Prompted, apparently, by fears that Wilson was a Soviet agent and that hed been placed in office after the KGB had poisoned the previous Labour leader Hugh Gaitskell. Elements within the British secret service are alleged to have bugged his staffs phones, burgled their houses and instigated a campaign to spread false rumours about him through the media. All of this was intended as a precursor to a coup which would see the army seize Heathrow airport and Buckingham Palace and put an interim prime minster in place. The symbolism of the use of this title of a novel about state brainwashing and civil disorder is inventive, to say the least. It also has a strange resonance today, where again theres rampant speculation about the way fake news and the use of kompromat (compromising material) is being used to manipulate Donald Trump who some fear is under the control of the Russian secret service. This story may appear as something of an outlier in the influence the book has had. But politics and culture have rubbed shoulders throughout its history. In the Britain of that time, with its food shortages, power cuts and IRA bombings, an artistic fascination with these ideas isnt that surprising. The bleakness of the social landscape shared much of the mood and outlook of the post-war period in which Orwell was writing. But the world that Bowie ended up imagining arguably has as much to do with Burgesss world of adolescent violence and governmental retribution depicted in A Clockwork Orange. Coincidentally, Sonia Orwell also played a bit part in an incident which was formative in the inception of the novel. In 1944, when Burgess was stationed with the army in Gibraltar, it was Sonia Orwell who sent the letter informing him that his wife, Lynne, had been attacked in London by four GIs. Lynne suffered a miscarriage and it seems likely that the incident contributed to her later ill-health and early death. Violence and catharsis Not only does A Clockwork Orange explore a society overrun by random acts of recreational violence but Burgess also includes a scene in which an unnamed writer is attacked and forced to watch while his wife is raped. In his introduction to the novel, Blake Morrison suggests that writing this was a form of catharsis for Burgess although later in his life Burgess spoke of the dejection he felt at the accusations that his artwork was some sort of promo glamorising violence. In 1973 around the same time as the Wilson plot was first being hatched Kubrick withdrew his film version of the novel from British cinemas, following several high-profile cases of supposed copycat violence. For Burgess, the film had always been a mixed blessing. When the novel came out in America, his publishers decided to cut the final chapter, which shows the protagonist grown up and wishing to settle down and start a family. Instead, it ends with him unrepentant and returned to the psychotic mindset that hed had prior to his brainwashing treatment. It was this version that Kubrick filmed. I have something of an obsession with travelling north it is largely what took me to Norway. The area at the top of this very long country is one of the few areas of land in the world that far north which is hospitable for humans. It is deep in the Arctic Circle, running parallel to Siberia and the craggy tips of Canada. In the 1997 film Insomnia, a Swedish detective played by Stellan Skarsgard (Doctor Selvig from the Marvel superhero films) is sent up to Troms, Norway's most northerly city, to investigate the brutal murder of a young woman. The investigation runs into problems when the trigger-happy detective accidentally shoots his partner, and is driven slowly mad by a mixture of guilt and the constant daylight - the 'Midnight Sun' - which prevents him from sleeping. You may have seen the Hollywood remake of Insomnia, which was released a few years later with Al Pacino in the starring role. This version, a lot easier to find on Netflix, replaced Norway with Alaska, but the story was the same. I doubt the inhabitants of either place were grateful that their homes were portrayed in such a negative light, but Troms seems so remote that they might not know who Al Pacino is. The guidebook I picked up at the airport plays into such prejudice, calling this place 'The Outpost of Civilisation.' Although you may think you have reached the end of the world, there is still a fair bit of it to go: further north again you have Svalbard, a large island belonging to Norway, which with its NASA bases and legendary seed vault , sounds like the ideal hideout for the heroes of an apocalyptic blockbuster. Svalbard is halfway between the tip of mainland Norway and the North Pole, which only the most dedicated explorers have ever managed to reach. In other ways, however, Edge of Civilisation might be accurate. With our smartphones, WiFi and high speed transport, humans today tend to believe we are independent beings who can survive in any conditions. But in our smugness we often forget that we are still at the mercy of the ancient rhythms of our climate, our geography, and the sunlight or lack of it. This is why the majority of us live within the central band of earth, the so-called Goldilocks Zone, where it is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right, for life. The same cannot be said for somewhere such as the Lyngen Alps, a range of mountains immediately to the east of Troms where I stayed for a few days in between classes. Here the climate is extremely fierce, the geography is daunting and the sun, as the wretched Skarsgard learned all too painfully, plays a cruel twist on the Goldilocks routine by appearing either far too much or never at all. Not that there are no reasons to come here. The guidebook pointed out that this was the best place in the world to see the Northern Lights, or the Aurora Borealis, a magical natural light show brought about by the collision of particles over 100km in the sky. Its not something those living in just right conditions ever get to experience. I was lucky enough to catch them last year , in Lofoten, an archipelago not far from Troms, but I dearly wanted to see them a second time. Though on the first two nights we had no luck, the third time was a charm. We had to stand for half an hour in a freezing field as an Arctic wind tried to blow us away, but we knew the wait was worth it as soon as the shimmering green started to appear from behind the mountains. The rest of the small town in which we stayed didnt bother to leave their houses, but they likely see the Aurora countless times every winter. You cannot see them at all in summer, of course, as the Midnight Sun never falls below the horizon. 24-hour daylight does have its advantages, however, especially for climbers who want to attempt one of the many challenging mountains which characterise the area. We tried one, Rundfjellnasen, which the guidebook insisted was manageable in two hours. After nearly four we were nowhere near the top, but again the endurance paid off, as we were far enough up to enjoy incredible views of the surrounding glacier, and snow so soft you could fall deep within it and not feel the cold. One of the few groups in the world to shun conventional living are the Sami people, natives of the northern parts of Scandinavia. Better known internationally as Laplanders, the Samis still live as independently as their ancestors did, continuing with semi-nomadic lives comprised of gruelling routines or reindeer herding and coastal fishing. Changing times have dragged them into the modern world a little, and the Sami people now have their own parliament and flag, but in other ways they remain very remote. Troms itself serves as a base not just for sleep-deprived detectives, but for hikers and light-spotters and every other kind of tourist. There is a direct flight here from London Gatwick, which is likely why I heard so many English accents while searching for a place to eat. By local standards this town is a megacity, and has a fair amount to offer for its modest size: the worlds most northerly brewery and university , many museums and plenty of fine restaurants. It is also the seat of the Arctic Council, where representatives of the worlds most northerly countries come together to discuss pressing issues relating to the governance of hundreds of thousands of square miles of ice. Sneering aside, this is a wonderful part of the world. But you need a reason to come, be it the lights or the mountains, and choosing a good time is essential. We visited at the end of the winter, where the whole region is engulfed in 24-hour darkness, the polar opposite of summers of endless daylight. Late spring and early autumn is best, or just right, because even this far out of the Goldilocks Zone, it is still wise to avoid the extremes. Unfortunately, The Content Is Not Here You have arrived at this page because the page or post you were looking for no longer exists. 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Dismissed were three deputy investigative chiefs: Capt Suphat Prajonghat, Capt Nitithorn Pholboon and Lt Weeraphol Khamdee; and three junior detectives: Sen Sgt Maj Parinya Jithan, Sgt Maj Phunat Netsawang and L Cpl Ruangyos Samboonrua. Officers from Metropolitan Police Division 7 arrested Pol Capt Suphat at his station and found 13,000 speed pills, 100 grammes of crystal methamphetamine or "ice" and an amount of ketamine in a locker of the investigative section. The arrest followed the apprehension of two people with 1,400 speed pills and 100 grammes of "ice" in a housing estate on Charan Sanitwong Soi 35. They reportedly told police they had bought the drugs from Capt Suphat. The six officers were said to have seized narcotics in an earlier raid at a condominium on Charan Sanitwong Soi 95/1 but had not charged anyone. Lt Gen Sanit said police would check if the group had connections with any narcotics networks. Apart from Capt Suphat, the other officers except Lt Weeraphol turned themselves in. They denied the drugs belonged to them. The investigative chief of the station said the locker was a public one, said Lt Gen Sanit, who questioned the suspects at Division 7. The Bangkok police chief said he would object to their temporary release. He also transferred their two superiors to inactive posts for 30 days. They are Col Wiradol Thapthimdee, chief of the Bowon Mongkol station, and Lt Col Suphap Phetcharat, the investigative chief. The two will be investigated to determine if they were involved in the illicit business or failed to oversee their subordinates properly, Lt Gen Sanit said. Read original story here. Hair salon? Library? Novel time for Ivory Coast women IVORY COAST: As many African women spend much of their spare time in hair salons, Ivory Coasts chief librarian, also a woman, came up with a brainwave scheme to help them read and learn to read. culture By AFP Saturday 25 February 2017, 01:00PM Women sitting under hair steamers read books from a mini-library at a hairdressers in Abidjan. Photo: Sia Kambou/AFP Crammed on shelves between hair extensions, untangling creams and straightening lotions, a total 23 hair salons now offer customers a range of books on loan from the National Library. Libraries are practically non-existent in our suburbs and the ones that do exist get very few visitors, and rarely women, said chief librarian Chantal Adjiman, who launched the project in 2012. With little time on their hands between work and childcare, most women simply do not have the opportunity to seek out books. So the library decided it was best to take books to one of their regular meeting-places. Ivorian women are charmers, said Adjiman. They can spend more than an hour and a half in a hair salon. At the National Library building, where 1,750 books have been set aside for the hair salons, staff pack novels, childrens books and also essays about womens or childrens rights into boxes. Outside one of the hair salons, located in a market, a young woman sits reading on a bench oblivious to the noise or the banter of the traders nearby. Ive got no money to buy books so I often come here just to read, she said. Inside the salon, where a woman under a hood hair dryer thumbs a novel, owner Benedicte Ouguehi says the presence of the books has attracted new customers. Even hairdressers working out in the open come by the salon to borrow books for their clients, she adds. In Abidjans well-heeled district of Cocody, 66-year-old salon owner Justine Inagohi says she immediately agreed to sign onto the scheme. Women gossip under the dryers, Id rather they did something more educational, she said. Inagohi has even set up a reading corner for children, used both by children accompanying their mothers and those who live in her own building. The presence of the books, whether they be for children or for adults, gives women who cannot read and write the incentive to learn, and even men are beginning to turn up in womens hair salons to borrow them, said librarian Adjiman. Ivorians love reading but have no access to books, she said. Officials move to reclaim 42 rai of Phuket mangroves PHUKET: Officials from the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (DMCR) inspected an illegal shrimp farm in Pa Khlok earlier today (Feb 25) after receiving reports about land encroachment. Saturday 25 February 2017, 06:16PM A team of 85 officials led by Sopon Thongdee, Bangkok-based Deputy Director-General of DMCR, went to inspect a mangrove forest in Baan Bang Rong on Phuket's Eastern coast. Having arrived at the designated location on Bang Rong Ao Por Rd in Pa Khlok, official found solid proof of land encroachment: an abandoned shrimp farm with five ponds and two buildings. The sign on one of the building said Srisoonthorn farm, but there was nobody at the scene to provide any other information about the farm or its owner. So Mr Sopon's team collected all possible evidence and filed a report with Thalang police for them to proceed with further actions. Now we are searching for the suspects. If there is nobody [to claim the farm], DMCR will rehabilitate this mangrove forest. This area is the first out of hundreds of thousands to rehabilitate, Mr Sopon said. As there is no title deed for this land plot, it will be easy to reclaim it, he added. The crackdown on land encroachment was ordered by the national government. Last year we took action on 20,000 rai and have over 5000 rai this year, Mr Sopon said Sleeping Phuket taxi driver legal, official confirms PHUKET: Officials have confirmed that the driver of a Phuket taxi who fell asleep at the wheel and crashed into the pillar of a pedestrian footbridge on Thepkrasattri Rd on Monday morning, injuring himself and his two Chinese tourist passengers, was not the registered owner of the vehicle but was legally driving the vehicle. tourismtransportaccidentsChinesepolice By Yutthawat Lekmak Saturday 25 February 2017, 09:00AM Taxi driver Theerapol Seewan, 31, slammed into the footbridge pillar after falling asleep at the wheel. Photo: Eakkapop Thongtub Lt Sunan Petchnoo of the Thalang Police was informed of the accident, in front of Muang Thalang School on Thepkrasattri Rd northbound, at 4am on Monday. Police arrived at the scene with Kusoldharm rescue workers to find a gold-coloured green-plate* Toyota Altis taxi smashed into the base of a footbridge pillar. Three injured people were still at the scene when police arrived. They were named as taxi driver Theerapol Seewan, 31, from Prachinburi, and his two passengers, Chinese tourists Mr Ruan Huiqiang, 22, who had suffered injures to his chest and Miss Ying Leyan, 22, who suffered injuries to her head. All three were taken to Thalang Hospital for treatment. (See story here.) However, the driver named in the police report, Mr Theerapol, was not the same person named on the registered taxi, as required by law. The name on the taxi was Tammarong Chuwyoaksr. As per laws introduced in 2012, the name of the registered owner of the vehicle must be shown on the vehicle. The name must be shown along with the complaints hotline number 1584. The registered owner of the taxi should not lend the vehicle to other people unless the other driver has a Type 4 Drivers Licence. This is because if they do not have a Type 4 licence any insurance on that vehicle will be invalid, Chutinan Jindachoue, chief of the Driving Licence Department at the Phuket Land Transport Office (PLTO), told The Phuket News this week. However, it is fine for the registered owner to lend the car to someone with the necessary Type 4 licence, she added. Having brought this to our attention, we have checked the details of Mr Theerapols drivers licence and we confirm that it is Type 4, Ms Chutinan added. Meanwhile, Lt Sunan of the Thalang Police confirmed to The Phuket News that the insurance on the vehicle covered all medical costs incurred by Mr Ruan and Miss Ying. The insurance on the vehicle has covered the treatment costs of Mr Theerapol and the two passengers he was carrying at the time of the accident, he said. Lt Sunan also confirmed that Mr Theerapol had been charged with reckless driving causing injury. *A registered commercial passenger vehicle. The birth of Thai tourism A new book detailing the history of the tourism industry in Thailand and the pioneers behind its early development has been released and is also available as a free e-book. Thailand Tourism: The Early Days was written by Thailand-based journalist and lecturer Steve Van Beek, and edited by Roy Howard, the original Advertising Manager of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. tourismculture By The Phuket News Saturday 25 February 2017, 10:00AM Mr Chanin Donavanik of Dusit International. The book charts the rise of the industry since the 1950s and examines the people, places, institutions, hotels and agencies which have transformed Bangkok from the Venice of the East to a dynamic gateway to all the attractions the country now has to offer. The book is published by Dusit International, in partnership with Bangkok Bank, Boon Rawd Brewery, Central Group, Chiva-Som International Health Resort, Jim Thompson, Siam Piwat, Thai Airways and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The book proposed to honour the early pioneers of tourism-development, before they and their memories are gone, Van Beek recently told the Bangkok Post. The book examines in rich detail the challenges faced by these early pioneers and, through profiles, anecdotes and quotes, underscores the need to preserve their stories. Among the key figures profiled in the full-colour gloss book are His Serene Highness Prince Bhisadej Rajani, President of the Royal Project Foundation; General Prem Tinsulanonda, former Prime Minister of Thailand; Lt Gen Chalermchai Charuvastra, founder of the Tourist Organisation of Thailand. Other key figures whose testimonials and recollections are included are Niels Lumholdt, former Executive Vice President of Thai Airways International; Dr Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, founder of Bangkok Airways; Kusa Panyarachun, founder of Thailands first travel agency; Chin Sophonpanich, founder of Bangkok Bank; Samrit Chirathivat, founder of Central Group; and Thanpuying Chanut Piyaoui, founder of Dusit International. A special section dedicated to Thailands royal family highlights how projects initiated by His Majesty the late King, Bhumibol Adulyadej, have had a positive effect on tourism. Chanin Donavanik, Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Executive Committee of Dusit International, hopes the book will not only help to preserve the stories of the early pioneers, but also inspire a new generation of hospitality workers to follow in their footsteps. The travel industry is one of the most important industries in Thailand and today employs almost 15% of the population and contributes 17% GDP to the Thai economy, said Mr Chanin. I think its vitally important that the new generation understands what happened in the past, and how the risks and opportunities taken by the early pioneers ultimately shaped the industry as we know it today. In producing the book, we hoped to preserve the inspiring stories and wisdom of our forebears by featuring as many influencers from 60 years ago as possible. While we could not include everyone we originally planned to, either due to time or budgetary constraints, or lack of information available in cases where people have either moved or passed away, we still managed to include most of the key players, resulting in a comprehensive, well-balanced overview which we hope will inspire readers and encourage hospitality students to discover more inspiring stories from the past. Author Van Beek told the Bangkok Post that increasing the focus on quantity over quality in the tourism industry is unsustainable and could have dire effects for its future. The challenge is to create a sustainable balance. The commodification of culture has been beneficial in preserving areas which might have otherwise have disappeared. The emphasis on sheer headcounts, however, has had a deleterious effect that shows no signs of abating, and threatens the future viability of tourism, he said. In keeping with Dusits aim to help boost hospitality education in Thailand, copies of the book will be distributed for free to schools, colleges and universities offering tourism, hotel management and culinary programs in Thailand. In remembrance of His Majesty the late King, all proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to the Royal Project Foundation, which helps to improve the living conditions of Thailands rural communities. From this month onwards, the book will also be available at Asia Books and all Dusit hotels in Thailand, priced at B1,500. A free e-book, available in English and Thai, is also available at: thailandtourismtheearlydaysbook.com Two motorists face charges for road rage incident in Phuket PHUKET: Police summoned two men to be charged with reckless driving following a road rage incident in Kamala yesterday (Feb 24). transportaccidents By Eakkapop Thongtub Saturday 25 February 2017, 11:30AM Picture: Facebook.com/youlikededded The incident was recorded by a witness and posted online on YouLike Facebook page. The video went viral and reached over 24,000 views and 110 shares in just one day. The video shows a conflict between two teenagers on a Honda Scoopi motorbike and a driver of a blue Honda Jazz hatchback. First the drivers exchange gestures and words, then the car forces the bike to move into an opposing lane, and in the culmination the biker hits the car several times with his foot. According to the witness the incident took place while both vehicles were heading from Bang Tao (where the conflict allegedly started) to Kamala, but the initial phase of the conflict was not filmed and it is yet to be found what sparked the argument. Commenting on the video, the witness several time said farang, presuming that the car driver could be a foreigner. However Col Sermphan Sirikong of Phuket Provincial Police later informed The Phuket News that this guess was wrong and all the involved motorists were Thai. The car driver filed a police report following the incident, Col Sermphan added. I contacted local police in Kamala where the incident happened, and according to their report the Honda Jazz driver is a Thai national, not a foreigner as mentioned in the video clip, Col Sermphan said. They drove cross-cutting each other from Bang Tao in Cherng Talay and at some stage the motorcycle rider hit the drivers door of the car with his foot damaging the vehicle. The car driver reported this case to Kamala police, and we already know who the Scoopy rider is. We contacted him to come to Kamala Police Station today as well as the car driver, he added Col Sermphan didn't disclose any names, but confirmed that both motorists will face charges following the incident. They can reconcile with each other, but still both will be charged with reckless driving, Col Sermphan said. China's bad loans totalled a whopping USD 220 billion last year and its rising trend was a major worry for Chinese bankers last year, an industry report said on Saturday. About 90 per cent of 1,794 bankers surveyed regarded risk management from bad loan pressure as the biggest challenge last year, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted a report by the China Banking Association and PwC as saying. Bad loans by commercial banks totalled 1.5 trillion yuan (USD 220 billion) at the end of last year, 18.3 billion yuan more at the end of quarter three (Q3). Accordingly, about 78 per cent of the bankers put improving risk management as key task, with about 61 per cent choosing to adjust business pattern, the report said. The biggest borrower is urban infrastructure projects, followed by the medical sector, it said. Most of the bad loans were reported to have been caused by provincial governments who in the past went for infrastructure overdrive to showcase their progress while sitting on bad loans. Chinese banks also conduct off-balance-sheet businesses such as asset management and investment banking. High net worth individuals, small businesses and government departments are the top three client groups, the report said. Last year, a top official of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) asked China to take immediate steps to tackle rising corporate debt to avoid new "debt bubble". "Corporate debt remains a serious and growing problem that must be addressed immediately and with a commitment to serious reforms," IMF's first deputy managing director David Lipton had said at a conference in Shenzhen in June last year. He had estimated the total debt at 225 per cent of GDP and corporate debt at 145 per cent of GDP, "which is very high by any measure". China's corporate debt was a serious and growing problem, Lipton had said. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said democracy is liberal enough in the UK to permit defaulters to stay here and that "normal" needs to be cracked, in an apparent reference to liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is wanted in India for loan default and other cases. Referring to loan default as a major problem that needs to be addressed, Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs said India was no longer willing to let defaulters escape the law. "Many thought that when you take loan from the banks, the money need not be re-paid and you can come to London and stay out hereand democracy is liberal enough to permit defaulters to stay here. That normal needs to be cracked," he said during a session on 'Transforming India: Vision for the Next Decade' organised by the London School of Economics' (LSE) South Asia Centre. "It is the first time that you have strong action being taken. In fact, it has never happened that defaulters are on the run. The fact that they are on the run and their properties are being attached, is a signal that India as a country is sending for the first time. Otherwise, we had learned to live with defaulters," he said during his ongoing visit to the UK. Mallya, the chief of the now defunct Kingfisher Airlines, had moved to Britain in March last year after banks sued him to recover around USD 1.4 billion owed by the airline. Earlier this month, the Indian government formally requested Britain to extradite him to India for standing trial for alleged loan default and money laundering. India and the UK have an extradition treaty since 1993, under which only one extradition from the UK to India has ever taken place, that of Samirbhai Vinubhai Patel in October, 2016, to stand trial for his alleged role in the 2002 riots in Gujarat. Jaitley refused to confirm if the issue of Mallya's extradition would feature in his talks with senior British ministers, UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson on Monday and UK Chancellor Philip Hammond on Tuesday. However, senior officials in London had indicated earlier that the issue is likely to be on the agenda. German car giant Volkswagen on Saturday said it was capping its chief executive's pay package at 10 million euros as it moved to rein in top brass salaries in the wake of the "dieselgate" scandal that has cost the company billions. Other members of the board will see their annual remuneration capped at 5.5 million euros. "This reduces the maximum remuneration theoretically possible by up to 40 per cent compared with the previous system," the group said in a statement after a meeting of the supervisory board at its Wolfsburg headquarters. VW's generous pay and bonus system has come under increasing scrutiny since the group admitted in September 2015 to having installed software in 11 million diesel engines worldwide to cheat emissions tests. The resulting fallout has already cost VW more than $22 billion (20 billion euros) in fines and compensation to drivers, dealers and authorities in the United States alone. With the company still facing a string of legal claims around the world, experts say the final bill could be far higher. VW's pay packages have also threatened to become a political hot potato as Germany heads for a tight general election in September. The German state of Lower Saxony, where VW is based, is a major shareholder and holds two seats on the group's supervisory board. The state is led by the centre-left Social Democrats, who have made clamping down on executive pay a key plank of their campaign. VW has long vowed to come up with a new pay system but the issue was given fresh urgency last month when compliance chief Christine Hohmann-Dennhardt left the company with a 12- million-euro golden parachute after just a year in the job. Before that, former chief executive Martin Winterkorn, who quit over the dieselgate scandal and remains under investigation over his role, regularly came under fire for his high payouts. He controversially pocketed 17 million euros in 2011, a record for a chief executive running a firm listed on the Dax index of leading German shares. In its statement, VW said the new pay system included a higher fixed salary while the variable part would be more closely linked to the group's financial performance. VW stressed that under the new rules, the maximum payouts "can only be achieved if the group performs exceptionally well". Tension prevailed on the campus of Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) here this evening after activists of Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad and Students' Federation of India clashed. "Both the groups came to the police station and registration of cross-complaints was underway," said a duty officer at Chatushringi police station. Pradip Gavade, an ABVP activist, alleged that SFI members were putting up posters which said `ABVP Murdabad' in the campus. "When our members objected, they started intimidating us and attacked us," said Gavade, speaking to PTI. "In the morning, ABVP had staged a protest on the campus to condemn the invitation to JNU student Umar Khalid at Ramjas College in Delhi. To counter that the activists from SFI were putting up posters," he added. "We did not beat them, we were beaten up by SFI activists," he alleged. However, SFI activist Mao Chavan, who was not a part of the melee, said that to protest against Solapur MLC Prashant Paricharak's insulting remarks about soldiers and the violence at Rajmas College in Delhi, SFI had organised a protest on the SPPU campus this evening. "When the protest was going on, all of a sudden activists of ABVP arrived and attacked SFI activists," Chavan alleged. In view of the prevailing low prices of potato in the state, the Punjab government has directed the Punjab Agro and Markfed to effectively intervene in the market on 'no profit, no loss' basis to bail out the potato growers from the current crisis besides realising better prices for them. Chairing an emergent meeting to take stock of the prevailing situation here at the Chief Minister's residence, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal decided to reduce the market fee and rural development fee (RDF) on potatoes from two per cent each to 0.25 per cent. In addition, Badal also decided to slash the rates of commission charged by the commission agents from five per cent to one per cent with immediate effect. Badal also asked the Punjab Agro and Markfed to explore the feasibility of export potential of potatoes to Russia, Dubai, Iran, Sri Lanka and other countries for which the state government would subsidise the freight. Apart from this Agriculture department had also been directed to undertake distant marketing of potatoes in the other parts of the country to ensure better prices to the growers. The CM also asked the Agriculture Department to ensure rational utilisation of storing capacity of cold stores across the state to curb the malpractices of hoarding in cold storage space. It was also decided in the meeting to issue an advisory to the department of education and jails beside for other government institutions for optimum utilisation of potato in the mid day meal scheme and for the consumption of jail inmates for rich nourishment, which would also boost the sale of potato in the state. Differences emerged on Saturday in the Congress party over the issue of extending support to the Shiv Sena for the post of Mayor after a hung house was thrown up in elections to the Brihan Mumbai Municipal Corporation, the country's richest civic body. AICC General Secretary and seniormost Congress leader Gurudas Kamat raised "strong objections" to even any discussion of a tie-up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC. "We have fought against both saffron parties all along for their divisive policies and people will not spare us if we attempt to align with them," Kamat said in a strongly-worded statement. "I have also informed Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi of my (this) opinion. I take strong objection to any discussion, even of having any tie-up or indirect support to the Shiv Sena in the BMC," the former Union Minister added. He said it should left to the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party to sort out their problems and in the process "expose themselves and their lust for power". Kamat's bombshell came a day after back-end efforts were believed to be underway in Maharashtra Congress to prop up the Shiv Sena for bagging the crucial post of Mayor if its tie-up with the BJP failed to materialize. The Delhi cabinet on Saturday approved the recommendation of a committee to revise minimum wages in the national capital, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said. A special committee constituted by the Delhi labour department, with approval from the Lt Governor, submitted its report to the department, Kejriwal said in a press conference. The minimum wages for unskilled labour in Delhi currently stands at Rs.9,724 per month, which has been increased to Rs.13,350, he said. For semi-skilled and skilled persons, the minimum wage would be increased from Rs.10,764 to Rs.14,698 and from Rs.11,830 to 16,182 respectively. It works out to roughly 36-37 per cent increase in minimum wages, Kejriwal said, adding the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government made a historic decision to raise minimum wages for labourers. Kejriwal said this is the second attempt by the AAP government within months to revise minimum wages after former Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung turned down the previous decision to revises wages on procedural grounds. Kejriwal said the cabinet decision would be put before Lt. Governor Anil Baijal on Monday for clearance. Delhi assembly's budget session would be from March 6-10, Kejriwal added. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday criticised the Delhi Police over its handling of clashes at DU's Ramjas college and alleged that the force has become an "agent" of the BJP. He also appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to not act as a "BJP worker" and hold police accountable for the February 22 violence. "I strongly condemn the manner in which the Delhi Police has become an agent of the ABVP and the BJP. It is the duty of police to protect the people of Delhi and not allow the ABVP and the BJP to engage in goondaism (sic)," he told reporters. "I hope the Prime Minister will perform his duty in an impartial way and not work like a BJP worker. The Delhi Police reports to the PM. He is not the prime minister of the BJP only but of all people, including me, and he should perform his duty," the AAP chief said. Ramjas College had on Wednesday witnessed clashes between members of the Left-affiliated AISA and the RSS-backed ABVP. The genesis of the clash was an invite to JNU students Umar Khalid and Shehla Rashid to address a seminar on 'Culture of Protests' which was withdrawn by the college authorities following opposition by the ABVP. The Delhi Police has acknowledged "unprofessional" conduct on the part of some of its personnel during the clash and suspended three policemen. Six cartons of liquor were seized from near a boundary wall connecting a school and gurdwara in Vivek Vihar in Shahdara area here, police said on Saturday. Police suspected that the liquor had been kept there to spoil the prospects of one of the candidates contesting in the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Managing Committee (DSGMC) polls on Sunday. The area is a secluded one and police do not have much video evidence to nail the accused, a senior police officer said. However, there is a bank situated nearby and police will scan the CCTV footage from that bank to gain any clues that might lead them to the accused, said the officer. Police has stepped up security in the area to ensure peace. A Delhi University student and daughter of an Army Captain who died in the Kargil war has launched a social media campaign against the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad #StudentsAgainstABVP that has gone viral on social media in the wake of the violence in Ramjas College. Gurmehar Kaur in tweets on Saturday clarified that she supports the freedom of speech but not anti-national slogans. Kaur (@mehartweets) tweeted: "Am I fighting for people who support anti-nationals? NO! Who are fighting for? STUDENTS And our right to free speech, safe academic space." "Free of hate. Free to speak. Free to hold opinions. Free to learn. This is my nation. #studentsagainstabvp," she said. Kaur, a student of Lady Shri Ram college, is the daughter of late Capt Mandeep Singh, who died during Kargil war. "Nationalism isn't defined by whoever is in power. Nationalism is a feeling that comes from within. It's love for the nation. It's love for its people and it's people include young students," she tweeted. Criticising the reactions that she is receiving over social media, Kaur in another tweet wrote: "Absolutely disgusted at the reactions in receiving from so called 'nationalists'." The hast tag #studentsagainstabvp started by her has become viral in the social media and is getting wide support from students across India. Earlier in the day, she said: "Don't want my nationalism to be taught to me by some local goons." Kaur, on Wednesday, in a Facebook post wrote: "This profile picture is my way of protesting against the tyranny of fear. If you are a student in any Indian university, in any Indian state and you wish to protest against ABVP, then take a similar selfie and make it your profile picture. Use the hashtag #StudentsAgainstABVP and copy paste this message along with it." She has posted a profile picture holding a placard with a slogan: "I am a student from Delhi University. I am not afraid of ABVP." "The brutal attack on innocent students by ABVP is very disturbing and should be stopped. It was not an attack on protestors, but an attack on every notion of democracy that is held dear in ever Indian's heart. It is an attack on ideals, morals, freedom and rights of every person born to this nation. The stones that you pelt hit our bodies, but fail to bruise our ideas," she wrote. Clashes erupted between activists of the leftist All India Students Association (AISA) and the RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) outside Ramjas College here on Wednesday, a day after the ABVP forced suspension of an event to be addressed by JNU student Umar Khalid, jailed last year for allegedly shouting anti-national slogans. A high alert has been sounded and security has been beefed up in Manipur as Prime Minister Narendra Modi visits the state to launch election campaign on Saturday amid a shutdown call. The state is set for its 60-member Assembly election in two phases on March 4 and 8, and Modi is expected to hold a massive rally in the state capital. Tight security cordon has been thrown in and around the city, especially at the Langjing Achouba ground, the venue of Modis campaign. A statewide shutdown call has been given by a group of militant outfits protesting against Modi's visit. The rebel group, which calls itself Coordination Committee or CorCom comprises major rebel outfits, has given the shutdown call from 6 am till Modi's departure. A high alert in the state has been sounded in view of security inputs about likely attempts by NSCN (I-M) cadres and others to disrupt Modis public address. Meanwhile, a total of 280 companies of central paramilitary forces will be deployed for election duty in the state, which has been under three-month-long economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council along the state highways. The Centre will deploy an additional 30 companies of Central paramilitary forces in the state for the smooth conduct of the state assembly election, according to Manipur Chief Secretary O Nabakishore. Being the first and only one to go paperless in the country over two years ago, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly in Shimla roughly saves 6,000 trees (from felling) and Rs.15 crore annually by switching to online system, as per officials. The e-Vidhan initiative by the septuagenarian state Assembly Speaker Brij Bihari Lal Butail has seen the young and old MLAs in the hill state keenly take to the modern technology for legislative functioning. After a series of trainings by IT experts, however, the MLAs in HP has adapted to the use of touch screen based e-books installed on their tables to view the business, replies of questions, bills, the budget and to lay papers in the house. The HP assembly has 68 members, including the Speaker. While the MLAs are now supposed to submit their questions online to the Vidhan Sabha secretariat, the replies from various government departments also are received online. The e-Vidhan project of Rs.8.12 crore for the state Assembly was sanctioned by the Department of Electronics and IT, Government of India and its first instalment was received in September 2013. The technical support for the project was offered by National Informatics Centre. As per calculation by the Vidhan Sabha secretariat in 2013, the number of papers used between the Vidhan Sabha and state government in a year were 5.08 crore. Saving such a huge number of papers would mean preventing 6,000 trees from felling. Initially there was a hitch to shift to the new system. With time, most of the MLAs found it convenient and they have now started submitting questions on-line. It takes lesser time, energy and money, apart from saving the greens, state assembly Speaker, Brij Bihari Lal Butail told The Statesman. Not only youngsters, but an octogenarian MLA of BJP, ID Dhiman (who died some months ago) was keenly switching to the new system, Butail said. The Speaker shared that the Himachal assembly was now dealing on-line at district level, saving hassle at the end of officials and finally, it will start on-line system for details at sub-divisional level. The state assembly, which celebrated its golden jubilee a couple of years ago, is also in the process of digitalising of the records since the inception. We have already keyed in records of assembly proceedings for some years. Once done, they would be loaded on the site of Himachal Vidhan Sabha and would serve as a ready reference for the legislators, sitting anywhere, he said. Butail said the Himachal government led by Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has supported and appreciated the paperless functioning of the state assembly. Many states assemblies, including those in Northeast, have come here for an exposure visit on functioning of e-Vidhan and have since shown interest to adopt it in their states, he said. Grappled by the wave of state assembly elections? Heres all you need to know about the Manipur Assembly elections 2017 and a little bit more: With the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress fighting the main battle in the state, elections to the 60-seat assembly are set to be held in two phaseson March 4 and March 8 and results will be declared on March 11. The term of current Legislative Assembly ends on 18 March 2017. While, the BJP is set to contest from all the 60 seats, the Congress will contest from 59 seats. National Peoples Party (NPP), the Naga Peoples Front (NPF) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) are contesting from 21, 15 and 11 seats respectively. Called the 'Jewel of India by Jawaharlal Nehru, the state became a part of India on September 21, 1949. Core agenda of the state assembly will revolve around the implementation of Inner Line Permit System in the state to save the indigenous peoples rights and to check the influx of non-locals. The big question is Will the Congress party that has been holding the rein for many years retain power? The Congress has been in power for 15 consecutive years. In the 2012 assembly polls, the party won 42 of the 60 seats and the party had won both seats in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls as well. The state has 18,07,843 voters. Opposition BJP and some other parties have assured of a "blockade-free Manipur" if voted to power. The state has been badly hit by economic blockade imposed by the United Naga Council (UNC) since November 1, 2016 in protest against the creation of seven new districts. Addressing a public rally in Imphal ahead of the assembly elections on February 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that opposition parties were spreading lies against the Centre. I promise you that nothing in the Naga accord has anything that is detrimental to the people of Manipur. Opposition is lying. Theres not a single word against the interests of Manipuri people, he said. The Centre had signed a framework agreement with NSCN-IM in August 2015. Modi further said that if the BJP came to power in the state, there will be no more economic blockades. In the 15 years on Congress rule, Manipur has been ruined as Congress did no development. What Congress did not do in the last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months. There wont be any economic blockades when BJP comes to power, I assure you this, Modi added. The first phase will have 168 candidates in the fray in 38 assembly constituencies. Of the 60, 38 hill and 22 valley constituencies will go to polls on March 4 in the state. Eleven independent candidates will contest in the first phase. Taking the challenge to fight against Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh, Iron Lady' Irom Sharmila filed her nomination papers to contest from Thoubal constituency on February 16. Sharmila announced her party People's Resurgence and Justice Alliance in October 2016. The state will go to polls in the second phase on March 8 for 22 constituencies. A man suspected to be involved in the 2002 terror attack on the American Centre in Kolkata has been arrested in Bihar's Gaya district, police said on Saturday. Gaya Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Garima Malik said Mohammad Sarwar, the suspect, was arrested late Friday night by the joint team of Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) of Gujarat, Jharkhand and local police. "Sarwar was taken by the ATS team to Gujarat after arresting," she said. According to police officials, ATS Gujarat along with Jharkhand and local police raided a house in Neemchak Bathani area following information provided about the suspect by another arrested terror suspect during questioning. Sarwar is considered an operative of the banned group Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI). Sarwar is also an accused in the 2002 Hazaribagh terror attack, in which one Pakistani terrorist was killed. "ATS Gujarat and Jharkhand police will question him separately," police said. Two motorcycle-borne men had indiscriminately fired with an AK-47 assault rifle at policemen outside the American Centre on Jawaharlal Nehru Road in Kolkata on January 22, 2002, killing six of them and injuring 14 others. With elections to BMC throwing up a fractured verdict, thinking is strong in Maharashtra Congress that it should consider the option of enabling the Shiv Sena to foist its candidate as mayor of the civic body. The Congress, which managed to secure only 31 seats in the 227-member House, however, is unlikely to rush to a decision, preferring to wait till the crucial elections to the five states are over. The tally of Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after the counting on Thursday, has risen to 87 corporators with three party rebels who won as Independent nominees returning to its fold on Friday. This gave a slight push to Uddhav Thackeray's efforts to cobble up numbers but reaching the magic figure of 114 seats needed to rule the crucial civic body is still a far cry. He however, continued to maintain that the coveted Mayor's post will be held by Sena only. "Party workers feel Sena is a lesser evil than the BJP," said a Congress state office-bearer, who did not wish to be identified. The party, however, would refrain from any open discussion or statement about this until the results of UP and other state Assembly polls are out, considering the political implications of such a move could have a bearing on its prospects. Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde said the party is yet to take a decision on the issue, while MPCC chief Ashok Chavan chose to remain non-committal on making any open statement. Even the proponents of the idea of backing Sena, said a final call will be taken by the party's central leadership after considering the pros and cons of entering into overt or covert trucks with a saffron party, known for its aggressive stand on certain issues, which is diametrically opposed to the secular plank of the Congress. On the other hand, BJP which notched up 82 seats in the Mumbai civic polls after fighting separately under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has said it won't compromise on the issue of transparency in BMC administration, which was the party's poll plank. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, who met Fadnavis with city unit functionaries and people's representatives before the BJP core committee meet held at the CM's official residence 'Varsha' yesterday ruled out any tie up with Congress in BMC, to reach the figure needed for majority. In the bitterly fought BMC elections, Shiv Sena had won 84 seats (now 87), BJP secured 82, Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the NCP and Raj Thackeray-led MNS finished with nine and seven seats respectively. Besides, AIMIM got two seats, Samajwadi Party 6, Akhil Bhartiya Sena 1 and Independents 5 (of which 3 have now joined the Sena). Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Saturday alleged that the Congress was trying to topple the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-Shiv-Sena alliance government in Maharashtra by extending outside support to Sena. Congress wants to topple the government. It is ready to support the Shiv Sena from outside and remain absent from the assembly, Gadkari said. They (Congress) think that once the government is toppled, fresh elections will take place, which they will win and form a new government in the state, he added. The BJP-SS has an alliance in Maharashtra with BJP winning 122 of the total 288 seats in the 2014 Assembly polls and the Shiv Sena bagging 63 seats. In the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls, the BJP improved its 2012 performance by winning 82 seats, just two less than Shiv Sena. Both the parties are short of the of 114 needed to control the civic body. Reports suggested that Sena had on Friday started back-channel talks with the Congress, which won 31 seats to form an alliance and take control over the BMC. However, the proposal was turned down by the Congress. But Gadkari rubbished the reports and instead hinted that the BJP and Sena might come together to rule the civic body. Amidst rising opposition chorus demanding details of the Naga Peace Accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured the people of Manipur that nothing in the pact was against their interests. Addressing a public rally in Imphal, Manipur ahead of assembly elections, Modi said the opposition parties were spreading lies against the Centre. I promise you that nothing in the Naga accord has anything that is detrimental to the people of Manipur. Opposition is lying. Theres not a single word against the interests of Manipuri people, he said. He also questioned the oppositions intent behind raising the issue one and a half years after the pact was signed. Naga accord was signed one and half years ago. Was the Congress asleep that time? And, now those who have looted the state for 15 years are spreading lies, said Modi. In August 2015, the BJP government signed a framework agreement for the peace accord with NSCN(IM). Modi further said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) came to power in the state, there will be no more economic blockades. In the 15 years on Congress rule, Manipur has been ruined as Congress did no development. What Congress did not do in the last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months. There wont be any economic blockades when BJP comes to power, I assure you this, he said. Those who cannot ensure peace in Manipur have no right to govern it, he added. The insurgent groups in Manipur had called for a shutdown in the state on Saturday ahead of Modis arrival in the state. However, a massive crowd turned up at the venue to listen to the PM. Elections for the 60-seat assembly in the state will be held in two phases on March 4 and 8. Not to be confused with... Odysseus' dog when it signed up to Google's advertising service, Argos had expressly and unequivocally consented to ASI's use of ARGOS in its domain plus adverts for Argos' goods and services. Therefore any claim founded on adverts for Argos appearing on argos.com was 'doomed to fail' because the Claimant had consented to this use. The clear terms in the AdWords terms, the judge noted that it had been open to Argos to block its ads from appearing on argos.com but had declined to use this feature. Even if Argos did not have direct knowledge of where its ads were appearing this knowledge was available to its advertising agency and was attributed to Argos under ordinary agency principles. The judge was careful to point out this decision did not mean that by agreeing to the AdWords terms, advertisers were consenting to the display of other people's adverts on any third party website. If Argos had been able to establish that the Google adverts concerned Argos' competitors it might have been a different result. However, the only evidence of competitor adverts appearing from Argos.com occurred following deliberate manipulation of the cookies (i.e. deleting browser history and searching for competitor websites). Why was ASI not targeting the UK? or the Ben Affleck film Argos accepted that without the display of Google adverts it had no case on targeting. The question of targeting was objective rather than subjective. It was assessed from the perspective of the average consumer. The judge considered there to be two types of average UK Internet user (i) enquiring and (ii) unenquiring. The first would assume some connection with their browsing history if they saw a third party advert on a website. The second would not worry about the reason for the ad being there. The Judge noted that the majority of the visitors to ASI's website did so in error - UK consumers assuming that argos.com would be owned by Argos. ASI obtained traffic to its site due to the domain name which they had lawfully registered. The adverts which appeared on Argos.com could be divided into: those for Argos which Argos had consented to when it signed up for Google AdWords; those clearly not aimed at UK consumers (e.g. because the price was in dollars); those which may be aimed at UK consumers; those which were definitely aimed at UK consumers but were obtained as a result of cookie manipulation. First there was metadata, then there was Google AdWords, the latest High Court dispute concerns the question: can the adverts which are displayed on a website constitute trade mark infringement?Back in 1992, Argos Systems Inc (ASI), an American company specialising in CAD systems for the design and construction of buildings, registered the domain argos.com. Several years later in 1996, Argos Limited, a well known UK retailer registered argos.co.uk. Argos owned various EU and UK trade marks for ARGOS but was too late to the domain name party to secure the .com.Between December 2008 and January 2012, ASI's website included Google AdSense ads to all visitors. From January 2012 to December 2014, the website settings were reconfigured so that only visitors from outside the Americas saw the Google ads. The vast majority of visitors to argos.com came from the UK and Ireland with the majority of these visitors (83%) immediately leaving the site. Argos was understandably suspicious that the Google ads were left on for visitors outside the Americas with the intention of generating advertising revenue from Argos' name. They were particularly peeved that some of the adverts which appeared on argos.com were for Argos itself and its competitors. Argos alleged free riding and damage to the distinctive character and reputation of its trade marks.ASI relied heavily on an indemnity in the contract between Google and Argos which conferred third party rights on ASI.Argos argued that the combination of the domain name argos.com plus Google ads (some of which included ads for Argos or Argos' competitors) amounted to trade mark infringement. This allegation failed for two main reasons: (1) Argos had consented to the use when it signed Google's terms and (2) in any event there was no targeting of UK consumers.It was common ground that the use of the domain alone was insufficient to establish trade mark infringement (or passing off). In order to succeed in its claim, Argos needed the domain name plus something else.The judge found that: Microsoft's India-born chief Satya Nadella on Saturday asserted that there is no place for "senseless violence" and bigotry in the society as he condemned the killing of an Indian techie in a shooting incident in the US. "There's no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella tweeted. 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, was killed after he was shot by a navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. Kuchibhotla's Indian colleague Alok Madasani was injured when the 51-year-old shooter opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. Earlier this month, Hyderabad-born Nadella during an interaction with students here had underlined the importance of "diversity and inclusion" amid an environment of divisiveness. Also during an employee Q&A on January 30, Nadella had addressed President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration, saying there is no place for bias or bigotry in any society. Nadella's comments come against the backdrop of a divisive and anti-immigrant rhetoric engulfing the US under the presidency of Trump. Officials of the Indian Consulate General in Houston are in touch with the wife of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an Indian engineer who was killed in a shooting incident in US' Kansas state, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said on Friday. "I have received a report from Mr Anupam Ray CGI Houston," Sushma Swaraj tweeted late Friday evening. "Our mission staff hv met with Sunayna Kuchibhotla. Indian Government is with her in this hour of grief. We assure her of all our support," she said. The Minister also said that Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna was also in touch with her and was her keeping her updated. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. Purinton, according to reports, provoked them into argument asking their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. To avoid unwanted scuffle, the bar management asked him to leave the place, only to find him back at the bar later with gun when he fired at the Indians. Ian Grillot, 24, an American who tried to save the Indians, was also shot at, media reports quoted police as saying. Grillot was recovering in a hospital while Madasani was discharged. The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) called it a hate crime. Police said Purinton, 51, fired multiple rounds and fled the bar. He was arrested on Thursday morning in Clinton city in neighbouring Missouri state when a bartender told police that he had bragged about killing "two Middle Eastern men", The Kansas City Star reported. The US "strongly" condemned the shooting and said it has reached out to Indian consular officials to offer support. The US Embassy in New Delhi expressed full faith in the US authorities investigating the matter. "We have full faith that US legal authorities will bring the case to justice," the statement said. Purinton has been charged with first-degree murder. "It was a tragic and senseless act of violence," Olathe Police Chief Steven Menke said. Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad while Madasani is from Warangal town in Telangana. They were aviation programme managers at Garmin, an electronics manufacturer. Despite a statewide shutdown call by militant outfits, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday began his election campaign in Manipur. PM Modi has reached Imphal, reports stated. Many groups of militant outfits were protesting against the prime ministers visit in the state. Meanwhile, taking the militant outfits threat seriously, tight security cordon has been thrown in and around the city and high alert has been sounded. The Special Protection Group (SPG) responsible for the Prime Minister's security on Friday carried out a combing operation of the meeting venue ahead of Modis visit, according to reports. PM Modi will be travelling in a bullet-proof vehicle and his address will be made from a podium secured by bullet-proof glass, sources said. Polling for the 60-member Manipur assembly will take place on March 4 and March 8 and results will be declared on March 11. Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday accused Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav of shattering the dreams of his father Mulayam Singh Yadav by forging a poll alliance with the Congress. "Akhilesh has shattered the dreams of his father by entering into a pre-poll alliance with the Congress, against whom his father fought throughout his life," he said addressing an election rally here. Taking a jibe at Rahul Gandhi, Rajnath said the Congress vice president used to deliver speeches through Khaat Sabhas "but the moment he got an opportunity, he jumped and sat on the bicycle". "Now, Mulayam has punctured the bicycle, while (Akhilesh's uncle) Shivpal Singh Yadav has broken the chain of the bicycle," the Union Minister said. On the BSP, he claimed, "The health of the elephant (BSP's poll symbol) has deteriorated. The main fodder of the elephant is sugarcane but it's health has gone down, as it has been fed with currency notes." He claimed that the SP, the BSP and the Congress have created muddy ponds throughout the state. "And it is on these muddy ponds that the lotus would eventually bloom. Goddess Lakshmi visits the household of her devotees while sitting on a lotus itself," he said. The Home Minister also mentioned the surgical strikes by carried out by India and said people from Pakistan want a good relationship with the country but Pakistani terrorists are the enemy of humanity. The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead in an apparent hate crime by a Navy veteran at a bar in Olathe city, has said that she had her doubts about staying in the US but was assured by her husband that "good things happen in America". Speaking at a news conference organised by GPS-maker Garmin where Srinivas worked, Sunayana Dumala said reports of bias in the US make minorities afraid as she questioned "do we belong here". She said she now wonders what will the US government do to stop hate crimes against minorities. Dumala said she was concerned about shootings incidents in America and had doubted whether they should stay in the country, but her husband said that assured her saying that "good things happen in America." Consul General of India in Houston Anupam Ray is supervising the current situation and providing all possible help for the grieving family and the community in Olathe area of Kansas. "Immediately when the incident occurred, Consulate rushed Deputy Consul R D Joshi and Vice Consul H Singh to Kansas to be with the family of Srinivas at this trying moment," Ray told PTI. Ever since, they have been with the family of Srinivas and have assured Sunayna of all possible support and help at this grieving moment, he said. Consul Joshi also met the shocked and frightened Indian community in Olathe and Alok Madasani injured in the shooting on Wednesday night. Madasani is now stable and has been discharged from the hospital. A third person, an American man identified as Ian Grillot, 24, who tried to intervene also received injuries in the firing at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe in Kansas City in the US state of Missouri. A University of Kansas Hospital spokeswoman said he is in fair condition. The incident evoked outrage from in the US and India with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj expressing shock over the incident. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family," she said in a tweet yesterday. The shooter, Adam Purinton, reportedly got into an argument with the victims in the terms of racism, and shouted "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. He reportedly provoked them into an argument asking about their presence and work in his country, and how they are better than him. Senior AIADMK leader and Deputy Speaker in the Lok Sabha, Munisamy Thambi Durai, has squarely blamed the DMK for the chaos in the Tamil Nadu Assembly during the recent confidence vote for newly sworn-in state chief minister Eddapaddi Palaniswamy. Seventy-year-old Thambi Durai, a fifth-term member of the Lok Sabha representing Karur, was Deputy Speaker for the first time in 1984 when the late Rajiv Gandhi was Prime Minister. He was Union Minister for Law, Justice and Company Affairs and Minister of State of Surface Transport from March 1998 to April 1999. Thambi Durai began his political career at 18 as a youth activist of the erstwhile united DMK in 1965, during his first year as a student of Madras Christian College. He participated in the anti-Hindi agitation of 1965 and courted arrest. He worked his way up in the party starting as a worker at the booth level for municipal and legislative assembly polls in 1967 and 1971 for the DMK, and also as an agitprop coordinator in universities and colleges. He was among the founding-members of the AIADMK under M G Ramachandran. He became an MLA from Erode in 1977, and was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1984 from Dharmapuri. He was also elected to the 9th, 12th, 15th and 16th Lok Sabhas. He has been serving as leader of the AIADMK in the House since 2009. In an interview, Thambi Durai spoke on the prevailing situation in Tamil Nadu. Excerpts: Q: How do you foresee politics in Tamil Nadu after the confidence vote won by E Palaniswamy? A: As far as Tamil Nadu politics is concerned, the legacy of Amma (Jayalalitha) is going to continue and there will be no change. We are going to provide a good and stable government. The people of the state have voted for Amma and her party is in power. We are going to take up Ammas programmes. I am sure people would appreciate our stand and the support will continue. We are going to carry forward the people-oriented schemes that she had envisaged and implemented. They are all going to continue. It may take some time but we will implement them. Q: Is any action contemplated against those MPs who came out openly in support of O Panneerselvam and were against Sasikala Natarajan? A: There is no split in the party, we are all together though there may have been some differences which is only natural. Therefore there is no necessity of action against any of them. We are all members of the AIADMK. Our effort in the coming days would be to establish the supremacy of the party which was created by Puratchi Thalaivar M G Ramachandran and Puratchi Thalaivai Amma (Jayalalitha). We are united and are going in the direction given by our leaders. Q: Who do you think could have been behind this action by Pannerseelvam ? A: You know very well that it is DMK and its leader Stalin. You would have seen what happened in the Assembly. You know that confidence vote means open voting and there is no rule which says that there should be secret ballot. If there is secret ballot than what is the necessity of having an anti-defection law that has been enacted by Parliament. It is open voting that is the practice even in Parliament. The anti-defection law was brought in Parliament to ensure a stable government and for development of the country. In this case Pannerseelvam sought a secret ballot with the support of DMK. If you recall, even in 1989 the DMK voted to dislodge an elected government so that Presidents rule could be imposed in the State. This time, too, the DMK wanted to dislodge the government established by Amma, so they colluded with Panneerseelvam. They sought to get Presidents rule promulgated in the State. But the AIADMK MLAs remained true to Ammas legacy and followed the rules properly. Many DMK leaders say democracy is followed only in their party but what happened in the Assembly shows what kind of democracy the DMK is following. The party sought to derail democracy by indulging in the kind of action that they did. They occupied the Speakers chair and misbehaved. You saw the violence that erupted inside the Assembly where mikes were pulled out and papers torn and thrown allegedly by DMK MLAs. The AIADMK followed the path shown by the late Annadurai and our leaders M G Ramachandran and J Jayalalitha. The party MLAs behaved politely. It was the DMK which even though it claims the legacy of Annadurai did not follow his ideals and supported Pannerseelvam. It was there for all to see. Pannerseelvam was encouraged by Stalin to press for secret ballot as they felt that this would enable the DMK to get the support of his group. They enacted this drama inside the Assembly forcing the House to be adjourned but later it functioned smoothly and we got the confidence vote and the government was in place. Q: What do you have to say to the charge that MLAs were forcibly taken away to the Golden Beach resort by Sasikala and kept locked up till the assembly met? A: The MLAs were not forcibly taken away to the resort. Even the police came and saw where they stayed. The MLAs also gave a statement that they were staying at the resort willingly and wanted to discuss certain things concerning party affairs and how to proceed in the Assembly. Therefore to say that they were staying there forcibly is not true. At that time Pannerseelvam was the Chief Minister and he too had sent the police but the police said the MLAs were staying at the resort of their own free will. I dont know why eminent persons are saying such things. Whatever allegations are being made concerning the MLAs and their stay at the resort are not correct. Q: Now that a government is in place, what would be the stand regarding Jallikattu? A: A law allowing Jallikattu has already been enacted with the help of the Central Government, so there is no need for any further action in this regard. The Central government has also removed the word bull from the list of performing animals and there is no problem. Q: How do you foresee relations with the Centre after the recent developments? A: The policy of the Tamil Nadu government, be it under MGR or Amma, has always been to have good relations with the Central government. This will continue in the interests of the state. We hope the Centre would ensure that the elected government which still has about four-and-a-half years to go would last its full term. It is only the DMK which is attempting to destabilise the government and they will fail in this move. Even at the time Amma was in hospital, the DMK attempted to topple the duly elected AIADMK government and made all attempts to capture power trying short cut methods. But we are all united and therefore Ammas legacy would continue. Q: What is your governments stand regarding GST? A: Our government even during the time of Amma had made clear its stand on GST. There will be no change under the present government in Chennai. Liberal democracy is based on the primacy of the individual; yet in the context of representative democracies, there is no alternative to group affiliation for meaningful expression of individual needs, aspirations and fulfillment. In the post-World War II period, the democratic pluralist view asserts that in the context of advanced capitalism, the basic contradictions of the industrial revolution have been resolved and that an overwhelming number of people through group affiliations satisfactorily take part in the decision-making process. Inequality and size are taken care of by a rough parity and special attributes of groups. The advantages and disadvantages are balanced by various attributes of society and government by what is called Whitehall Pluralism. A radical critique of this democratic pluralist view emerges in C Wright Mills Power Elite (1956) and Herbert Marcuses One Dimensional Man (1964). Accepting the fact that there is no better alternative to liberal democracy, the American Left is trying to plug the loopholes of democracy and actualise it for those in the margins or are unrepresented. The objectives of the new social movements are participatory democracy and identity politics. These lack the social democratic experience of Western Europe, and their primary concern is Americas capitalist democracy. The central issues that the Leftists of the US champion are wrong politically, such as reproductive rights, equal pay, affordable health care, abolition of patriarchy, and action on climate change. The basic problem with identity politics is that its constituency is restricted to the upper middle class both in terms of membership and appeal. It is delinked from serious and immediate economic and structural issues thrown up by globalisation and the rapid technological changes in the manufacturing and mining sectors. This has rendered hundreds of thousands out of employment, disturbed their social status, family life, and the future of the next generation. Helen Lewis states that instead of attributing Trumps victory to identity politics, it needs to be stressed that the tokenism of contemporary feminism that Hillary Clinton champions was less mindful of white Americans and male Americans. There was an explicit identification with Afro-Americans, and a sizeable number of white Americans and Hispanics preferred to vote Trump rather than Clinton. In her reckoning, identity politics like neo-liberalism has become a bogeyman, as dumpster for anything that people dont like but dont care to articulate more fully. Politics in the US is dominated by identity politics. Clintons campaign for women is overstressed and her other planks for blue-collar workers, jobs, plans for education have not been effective because of her gender-centric campaign and publicity. Lewis significantly mentions that identity politics has been evident in the US for quite some time, and Trump cannot be blamed for its revival. David Brooks blames identity politics for not really analysing the cause of the rise of ethnic populism one that is totally ignored by proponents of identity politics. The crucial problems are: (1) disappearance and decimation of jobs as a consequence of phenomenal leaps in technology, automation and globalisation; (2) tearing of the social fabric; (3) redefinition of the nation-states by mass migration; and (4) rejection of the post-World War II order as a means to ensure peace. Identity politics views these problems casually and is incapable of providing an answer. In the heyday of post-materialism, these postures were accepted uncritically; but now when even in advanced capitalism contradictions and cracks are visible, such politics is increasingly losing its relevance. As Lewis remarks, both the planks of Trump (a) building a wall between Mexico and USA to stop illegal migration; and (b) making America great again are not part of identity politics. She has argued that the selling a candidate as an unreconstructed alpha male is not identity politics. Prof Mark Lilla of Columbia University is categorical that identity politics is detrimental to progressive ideas, the reason being that such politics detaches progressives from the larger nation. He writes: The fixation on diversity in our schools and not in the press has produced a generation of liberals and progressives narcissistically unaware of conditions outside their self-defined groups and indifferent to the task of reaching out to Americans in every walk of life. The proponents of identity politics cannot provide a coherent view of action to meet the multiple challenges in such a situation. The suspicion of average Americans towards the Washington establishment and the accessories is understandable. John Gray thinks that Trump has been able to demolish the dynastic politics of the Clintons and Bushs. His victory is appreciable because he won against the well-established media and spending much less money than his opponents both in his own party and the democrats. Gray writes that the popular rejection of the established elite is because of their collective incompetence both in domestic and international politics. He adds: Those who talk of a triumph of racism and misogyny point to aspects of Trumps campaign that were real enough. Yet it is impossible to imagine these familiar disorders propelling him to power without the decades of neglect and disdain displayed in both main parties for those Americans who have been consistent losers from globalisation. In such a situation voting for Trump is not an irrational act of the voters. Gray has pointed out that the hysteria that surrounds Trumps victory stems in large part from a refusal by his opponents to admit their part in bring it about. Making the contrast between the two upsets, he comments that for the US presidency, economic deprivation and despair trumped the politics of gender, culture and race. The traditional political vocabulary fails to address the issues of bread and butter, concentrating on gender and the like which, without incorporating the masses, appear suspicious and divisive. Trump has demonstrated that his appeal for American nationalism resonates much louder than Clintons phony planks of gender and other equalities, as her background of privileges lacks the needed sincerity of an authentic American voice. In a way, Trumps victory reassures the return of programmatic politics in a society which is essentially apolitical and individualistic. But even in such an order the desirable change can only crystallize politically as the fragmented social movements today lack the grassroot support that the civil rights movement had. As Brooks writes, the central challenge is to rebuild a functioning polity and to modernize a binding American idea. The basic problem with identity politics is that substantive change can only be brought about by the political process, spearheaded by a leader or a political party. The turning points in contemporary American history have been initiated by political parties. And the examples are the New Deal, the Great Society programme, the containment theory and practice and the Reagan revolution. In spite of the inherent weaknesses of the American political parties, they are better organised and disciplined, qualities that the fragmented social movements cannot match. The major weakness of identity politics is that it is spearheaded by a small group of people with similar outlook and without accepting the basic fact that in the present-day cosmopolitanism, every single individual has multiple identities within a defined nation-state. This calls for a new national agenda, acceptance of what Habermas called constitutional citizenship with a brand of capitalism that has a humane face and which incorporates but is not divisive. The myth that the American economic heritage is built on economic liberty and laissez faire internationalism is broken by the fact that Alexander Hamilton is the first major theorist of American protectionism which the US follows. The Trump victory vindicates what Montesquieu had said long ago, specifically that there are no accidents in history but only cause and effect. The writer is former Professor of Political Science, University of Delhi. The 13th edition of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) summit, an inter-governmental regional grouping of 10 countries to be held in Islamabad on March 1, will focus on regional connectivity, Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Adviser Sartaj Aziz said on Saturday. He said the $46 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor would help boost the transit and energy corridors in the ECO region. The forum would help in deciding ways to increase cooperation in areas such as trade, energy, tourism, economic growth and productivity. "Connectivity for regional prosperity is the theme of the summit," Geo Tv quoted Aziz as saying. Most member states have confirmed participation in the summit. The adviser said initiatives for educational, scientific exchange and cultural exchange within the ECO will also be discussed. "China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is an outstanding example of the summit's theme of connectivity. It will augment the existing and planned transit and energy corridors in ECO region for greater progress and prosperity for the people of the area," Aziz said. The ECO Vision 2025 is expected to be formulated and adopted during the summit. It is aimed at reviewing the ECO's state of affairs, in the light of changing global and regional circumstances. The ECO was formed in 1985 by Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. It now also includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan. The Trump administration has dismissed as "absurd" any correlation between US President Donald Trump's controversial remarks on immigrants and the Kansas shooting incident that resulted in the "tragic" death of an Indian engineer. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, told reporters. Spicer was responding to a question on the shooting incident in Kansas on Wednesday night in which 32-year-old Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed and another Indian man and an American were injured after an American Navy veteran yelling "get out of my country" and "terrorist" opened fire on them at a bar in an apparent racially motivated hate crime. "What the President's response to it was, but also if there's any concern that some of the rhetoric that the President or that generally has been out here recently could have contributed in any way to that or stepped up violence?" he was asked. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in the US has issued a demarche to the State Department on the killing of an Indian engineer and called for a speedier investigation. The Indian Embassy also asked that it be kept informed on the investigation. "Government of India has taken up the matter with the US authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. US Government while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter," Indian Embassy spokesman Pratik Mathur said in a separate statement earlier in the day. The Indian Consulate in Houston is also in close contact with the family of the deceased. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," he said. "Government officials have also met with the injured victim- Alok Madasani and are ensuring his well-being," Mathur said in his statement. The shooting incident comes at a time when hate crimes and acts of bigotry have risen notably in America after President Donald Trump came to power. Trump had previously issued an executive order to suspend the arrival of all refugees for at least 120 days, Syrian refugees indefinitely, and barring citizens from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days. Far from releasing prominent political prisoners, the regime apparently remains committed to a crackdown that is swelling their ranks, sometimes by means that are as illegal or nearly as illegal as those utilized in the cases of Mousavi and Karroubi, who were confined to their homes without trial or charge. As one recent example of the judiciary and security agencies flaunting the law, the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran reported that Ahmad Montazeri, the son of the late ayatollah who opposed the mass execution of political prisoners in 1988, had effectively been kidnapped to serve his sentence, instead of being summoned by legal means. Montazeris wife indicates that he received no formal notice from the judiciary and was in fact still awaiting a verdict on his appeal. Officials asked him to visit the court for unspecified reasons, as they had done before, but when he arrived they simply detained him and ordered him to begin serving six years in prison. She also suggested that repetitive, unsubstantiated accusations against Montazeri demonstrate that the court has been getting orders from a higher authority and the verdict was dictated to the judge. The younger Montazeri, a religious cleric like his father, was initially sentenced to 21 years in prison on charges of acting against national security, disclosing state secrets, and spreading propaganda. The propaganda and states secrets in his case was an audio recording of his father criticizing then-colleagues in the clerical regime for committing the greatest crime of the Islamic Republic through their participation in the 1988 massacre, which primarily targeted the leading opposition group, the Peoples Mojahedin Organization of Iran. As well as lifting a veil of silence that had been kept over the massacre, the recording helped to clarify that leading regime officials including founding cleric Ruhollah Khomeini had conspired for years in an attempt to destroy the PMOI. Notably, in spite of 30,000 people being put to death in the summer of 1988, the organization was not destroyed but continues to thrive to this day, now as the chief constituent of the National Council of Resistance of Iran. An article published on Tuesday suggests that this outcome would come as no surprise to many of those people who were tortured for their political or revolutionary activities under the Shahs regime, prior to the 1979 Iranian Revolution. The article acknowledged that torture and political violence were somewhat effective during that era in the sense that they helped to ferret out political networks working toward the Shahs overthrow. But it also explained that the brutality of that torture only served to galvanize the opposition and make the survivors of Iranian prisons more resolute. The same article points out that while the Shahs harsh interrogation methods are comparable to those utilized today by the Islamic Republic, the torture generally ended after the sentencing of a prisoner. This is decidedly not the case under todays system, where Iranian prisons are notorious for their inhumane conditions, exacerbated by routine beatings and degrading treatment, particularly directed against political prisoners. Numerous recent reports attest to this fact, among them the International Campaigns report on the case of Robin Shahini, a dual national and prospective American graduate student who was arrested last summer while visiting family in Iran and subsequently sentenced to a staggering 18 years in prison on charges including acting against national security. The reasons for his arrest were never made clear, and the judiciary built their case against him largely on the basis of his casual political commentary on social media, and the simple fact that he had lived in the United States for over 15 years. The International Campaign points out that Shahinis dual-national identity has also led to him being singled out by prison guards and by hardened criminals, both of which have regularly harassed him since his arrest. This situation, together with the overall injustice of his case, prompted Shahini to initiate a hunger strike on February 15, thereby joining a variety of other political prisoners who have used this means to bring attention to their cases and in some cases to win small concessions from the judiciary. But in so doing, he has also further singled himself out in the eyes of regime authorities who are keen to crack down on these displays of dissent and to reiterate Supreme Leader Khameneis rejection of national (and international) reconciliation. Amidst the recent surge of hunger strikes and the popular protests that emerged in support of those efforts, authorities moved some hunger strikers and would-be protestors into solitary confinement, both as protest against those actions and in order to halt outside access to information about their conditions and protests. The International Campaign pointed out in another report that this is now the case with Ahmadreza Jalili, an Iranian-born physician who had been living in Sweden but was arrested while attending a conference in his homeland. Jalali ended a previous hunger strike after receiving assurances that his case would be reviewed and that he would be granted a speedy trial. But not only did this not come to pass, authorities began to threaten him with a predetermined death sentence. Subsequently, the judge in his case dismissed Jalalis lawyer without explanation and refused to accept any chosen replacements, after which Jalali initiated a hunger strike on the same day as Robin Shahini. Judiciary officials quickly responded with further punitive measures, placing the Iranian-Swedish dual national in solitary confinement. The International Campaign notes, The Judiciarys ongoing imprisonment of dual nationals contradicts Rouhanis repeated calls for expatriates to return to Iran. The growing number of arrests also reflects hardliners efforts to prevent the engagement with the West that the Rouhani administration has sought to encourage. There is reason to believe that these trends are still accelerating. The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that for reasons that are unclear, the Iranian regime had undertaken new efforts to discredit and demonize one of the several dual nationals currently serving prison terms in Iran. The commander of the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps recently claimed that Nizar Zakka, a Lebanese national with American permanent resident status, had confessed to encouraging decadence in Iranian society. Like many dual nationals and other political prisoners, the exact nature of the charges against Zakka was not clear. His advocates have taken strong issue with the fact that he was arrested after traveling to the country for a cyber security conference upon the invitation of the Iranian government. But his speech to that conference dealt with the role of women in the technology field, a fact that might be a clue to the motives of the regime or the IRGC, especially in light of the fact that the IRGC specifically accused him of trying to corrupt women and families. Zakkas Washington-based lawyer, Jason Poblete vigorously denied any notion of his client having confessed to wrongdoing, according to Naharnet. Furthermore, with language reminiscent of Ahmad Montazeris wife and other defenders of political prisoners, Poblete declared that Zakka was more a hostage than a prisoner. Zakkas possible entrapment and Montazeris illegal detention might both be seen as being indicative of the Iranian regimes fear of missing opportunities to demonstrate effortless control over Iranian society. The efforts to suppress and conceal hunger strikes can be seen in the same light. And all of these things are in turn indicative of the regimes awareness of growing resistance to official commands. In its report on Montazeris arrest, the International Campaign suggests that officials might have been worried that he would attempt to escape the country or evade a summons if he was not detained surreptitiously. Meanwhile, in yet another report, the same organization indicates that labor rights activist Reza Shahabi, for one, has resolved to simply refusing to comply with a summons ordering him to return to prison. The summons arrived after a long period outside of prison, after having been granted medical furlough. Shahabi maintains that his sentence expired during that release and that he has no legal responsibility to respond to an arbitrary summons apparently intended to subject him to an additional three-month sentence, after he already served four years. This single act of defiance might not be very effective in its own right, but the International Campaign notes that Irans largest trade union has written to Supreme Leader Khamenei, in support of Shahabis position. Meanwhile, the leaders of other groups likely to be targeted in the regimes crackdowns have also seen fit to reach out directly to the supreme leader. For instance, the International Campaign notes that Irans leading Sunni cleric has written to Khamenei over reports that the judiciary is accelerating the implementation of death penalties for dozens of Sunni prisoners who have been sentenced for non-violent drug offences. In light of Khameneis rejection of national reconciliation, there is little reason to suppose that such efforts will earn a meaningful response, but they do function as a further indicator of coordinated resistance against the hardline positions that are being advanced by Khamenei and are not being contradicted by Rouhani. In fact, it may be the case that some groups that were waiting for progressive action by the Rouhani administration are now taking matters into their own hands once again. Of course, those groups stand to suffer as a result, at least over the short term. As an example, the International Campaign pointed out on Thursday that four Azerbaijani rights activists had been sentenced to 10 and 15 year prison terms on the basis of a peaceful protest in defense of their Turkish language. The Rouhani campaign promised to lift national restrictions on this and other non-Persian languages, but this proved to be another area in which Rouhani effected no meaningful change. Suicide assaults on Saturday in Syria's third city of Homs, which left dozens dead, were designed to "spoil" peace talks underway in Geneva, the UN's envoy said. Asked if the attacks would affect the UN-sponsored talks, Staffan de Mistura said: "I hope not, but it was tragic." He added "every time we are having talks or negotiations there is always someone who tries to spoil. We were expecting that." The suicide assaults on two security service bases in Syria's third city of Homs killed dozens of people, including a top intelligence chief, overshadowing the Geneva talks. Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front claimed the spectacular attack which targeted and killed General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 42 people were killed when the bombers targeted the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Provincial governor Talal Barazi said 30 people were killed and 24 wounded. The UN envoy was speaking as he prepared for more separate meetings with Syrian regime and opposition negotiators in Geneva, seeking to kickstart a new round of peace talks. At the last such UN-sponsored talks the two sides did not meet for face-to-face negotiations, with de Mistura shuttling between them as a mediator. The veteran UN diplomat said yesterday that he would ideally like to get them to talk directly, but acknowledged that there were difficulties in achieving that. Iraqi forces backed by jets and helicopters battled jihadists inside west Mosul on Saturday but still faced a tough and potentially protracted battle to retake the Islamic State group's bastion. Almost a week into a major push on the city's west bank, they were gaining significant ground, taking on IS on several fronts in one of the most intense phases of the four-month-old operation to retake Mosul. Elite forces from the interior ministry's Rapid Response units that retook Mosul airport pressed north towards the city centre but their advance was expected to slow as they moved deeper. "Right now we're heading towards the Mosul governorate building, we're now about one kilometre from the fourth bridge," the city's southernmost bridge across the Tigris River, Lieutenant Colonel Abdulamir al-Mohammadawi told AFP on the front line. "We're heading towards the centre and also the Turkish consulate, which we're about 500 metres from," he said, as attack helicopters fired rockets at targets in the Jawsaq neighbourhood. As they pushed deeper from the outer edges of the city into more densely populated areas, resistance appeared to stiffen. "Daesh is using houses full of residents as human shields," Mohammadawi said, as tanks and troops rained fire on suspected IS snipers. Moments later, Rapid Response fighters helped two wounded comrades back to the rear for treatment. They moaned in pain and one wore a tourniquet above his knee after being shot in the leg by a sniper. An Iraqi female reporter, Shifa Gardi, was killed today when a roadside bomb exploded as she was covering the clashes in west Mosul, her channel said. The 30-year-old journalist for Kurdish network Rudaw became the second reporter to die since the Mosul offensive began four months ago. In areas now rid of the jihadists, residents told of their lives under IS rule and celebrated their recovered freedom. "They made us wear short trousers and beards, cigarettes were forbidden. The women had to cover even their eyes, it was forbidden even for their eyes to appear," said 20-year-old Othman Raad outside his home in Jawsaq. "Now we feel relaxed, our children are safe, we are safe," he said, even as fighting raged blocks away. Iraqi forces launched a fresh push from the south on February 19, nearly a month after the eastern side of Mosul was declared "fully liberated". The west bank of Mosul is where Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi made his only public appearance as IS leader in July 2014 and proclaimed a "caliphate" straddling Iraq and Syria. Mexico has warned the US against imposing a unilateral tax on Mexican imports to finance a border wall, saying it could respond in kind. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said the government could place tariffs on selected goods from US states reliant on exports to Mexico, BBC reported on Saturday. Earlier, US President Donald Trump vowed to start building the wall "soon, way ahead of schedule". The US government said it will start accepting design proposals in March. The US Customs and Border Protection Agency said it will ask companies to submit proposals "for the design and build of several prototype wall structures" on or around March 6. A shortlist of the best designs will be drawn up by March 20, after which bidders will be asked to cost their ideas, the report said. Addressing the Conservative Political Action Congress (CPAC) in Maryland on Friday, Trump vowed to always put American citizens first and build a "great, great border wall". "We're building the wall," he said. "In fact it's going to start very soon. Way ahead of schedule. It's way, way, way ahead of schedule." Trump had pledged that Mexico will pay for the wall, which could cost up to $21.5 billion, according to media reports citing a Department of Homeland Security internal report. Trump had also proposed to levy a 20 per cent tax on Mexican imports to pay for a border wall. In a radio interview on Friday, the Mexican Foreign Minister said that "Mexico believes in free trade", but "would have to respond" if the US tried to fund a border wall by imposing a tax on Mexican imports. "What we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," he said. "Mexico will face this as a reality and not just as a rhetorical threat because we have realised that rhetorical threats come and go." According to reports, the foreign minister had previously identified US states including Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as possible targets for retaliatory tariffs. Pakistan has returned 252 Afghan nationals to their home country in a goodwill gesture even as it kept the border entry points with Afghanistan shut for the ninth day for security reasons in the wake of a series of bombings. The Afghan nationals, who were returned on Friday, spent a week under the open sky as the Torkham border crossing point between two nations remained closed for nearly 10 days, Geo Tv reported. Trade between Islamabad and Kabul has come to a halt as Pakistani authorities closed the Torkham and Chaman crossing points with Afghanistan due to security concerns in the wake of series of terror attacks across the country. People with valid travel documents are allowed to cross the border on foot, a Pakistani official said. However, Afghan Ambassador to Pakistan Omar Zakhilwal said the border crossings will partially be opened on Saturday. He said elderly persons, patients and children would be allowed to travel and those in Pakistan would be able to return to Afghanistan on Saturday. The border crossings were closed following a terror attack at the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar shrine in Sehwan town of Sindh province which left 88 persons dead earlier this month. Pakistan has blamed militants operating in Afghanistan for the attacks. The Islamic State affiliated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Pakistan Army last week pounded militant hideouts across the border in Afghanistan and killed militants belonging to the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The Indonesian woman suspect in the murder of Kim Jong-nam said she was "hired" by two men to carry out a "prank" on the North Korean and was paid 400 Malaysian ringgits ($90) for it. Siti Aisyah claimed that the men, whom she named as James and Chan, "looked like Korean or Japanese", Indonesian deputy ambassador to Malaysia Andreano Erwin said. Andreano, who was allowed to meet the Indonesian for half an hour at the lockup in Cyberjaya police station on Saturday, said she was paid 400 Malaysian ringgits ($90) to carry out the prank for a reality show in Malaysia, reported the Star newspaper reported. Siti claimed she did not know that the liquid she was given to swab on face of the half-brother of the North Korean leader was poisonous as she thought it was baby oil, said Andreano. Tests showed that Kim was killed with the highly-toxic nerve agent VX, which is classified as a weapon of mass destruction by the UN. On her connection to Vietnamese suspect Doan Thi Huong in the case, Andreano said that Siti did not know her. "Siti Aisyah is in healthy condition," Andreano told reporters, adding that they were waiting for developments in the police investigations. Officials from the Vietnam embassy were also seen at the police station. However, they did not make any comments. Kim Jong-nam was killed last week after a suspected poisoning while on his way to catch a flight to Macau from the Kuala Lumpur Airport. 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. Following up on the strategic partnership signed during the UAE crown prince's Republic Day visit to Delhi, India is now sending its Navy chief, Admiral Sunil Lanba, to the UAE to find ways of joining hands on maritime security. The admiral will leave tomorrow for the UAE and from there fly to Oman on Wednesday. In the UAE, he will meet Minister of State for Defence Mohammed bin Ahmad al Bowardi; Lt.-Gen Hamad Mohammed al Rumathi, the chief of staff of the UAE armed forces; and Rear Adm. Ibrahim Salim Mohamed al Musharrakh, commander of the UAE Navy. There will also be visits to naval stations and academies. In Oman, the admiral will meet Minister Bader bin Saud al Busaidi, and also the chiefs of the three services. The strategic reachout to the Gulf countries has been one of the Narendra Modi government's boldest diplomatic initiatives which matured a year ago when the two countries agreed to cooperate in defence training and exercises. Within about four months, a 10-day air exercise, called Desert Eagle II, was held, and then began the cooperation on the maritime front. Both countries have been comparing notes on their approaches towards terrorism . Just about two weeks prior to the crown prince's visit as India's Republic Day guest, five UAE diplomats were assassinated in Kandahar, Afghanistan. That was the first instance of the UAE diplomats becoming terrorist targets on foreign soil, and naturally the suspicion fell on Pakistan-sponsored groups. Pakistan has been viewing India's growing strategic ties with the Islamic countries of the Gulf with much discomfiture. Yet the UAE agreed to continue with the strategic dialogue which was held within days of the attack. Oman is an older strategic friend, which Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar visited in May last year. India has even been exploring ways to export military ware to Oman, and also set up military production facilities. In fact, Parrikar was accompanied during that visit by Lanba, who was then chief of the Navy's Mumbai-based western command. Oman has given berthing rights to Indian Navy vessels, which have been used for anti-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. In addition the Indian Air Force has been holding joint exercises with Omani Air Force. A First Information Report has been lodged against Bharatiya Janata Party's Uttar Pradesh unit chief Keshav Prasad Maurya for allegedly violating the model code of conduct. The FIR was registered on Saturday at Civil Lines police station in Allahabad under Peoples Representative Act 1951. Maurya is accused of wearing party's 'lotus' symbol on his jacket while casting his vote at a polling booth in the city on Thursday. The case has been lodged on the application of sector magistrate Sunil Singh. According to sources, the Election Commission has taken a serious note on the incident. The Allahabad district magistrate asked the SDM, Phoolpur, to investigate the matter after the opposition raised the issue. Though Maurya later admitted his mistake and apologised, the damage had already been done. It happened by mistake. Everyday, while campaigning, I tie this badge which has a lotus flower. But while voting, I forgot to remove it. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on the Sangh Parivar, saying he was not a 'parachute CM' and that he reached that post after years of struggle. "People who threatened me against attending the rally in Mangaluru today should recall who I was. I have walked amid the lathis and daggers of the RSS, and they could not touch me then," Vijayan said addressing the Unity rally organised by the district unit of the CPI(M) in Mangaluru on Saturday. While pro-Hindu groups had called for a bandh in the district on Saturday to oppose Pinarayi visit, alleging he and his political party were responsible for the politically motivated murders of Hindu activists in Kerala, the rally was conducted under tight police security. I have grown up seeing these Sangh Parivar activists carrying lethal weapons and indulging in wrongdoings. Even today I am not afraid of any threat posed by the RSS and the Sangh Parivar, said Pinarayi, who arrived by train to address the rally held at Nehru Maidan. Accusing the RSS of trying to divide the nation, he said, RSS never fought for India's Independence. Instead they favoured the British viceroy saying their ideologies matched each other. RSS idolised fascist forces like Hitler and Mussolini and used it to frequently harass the dalits and minorities. RSS is known to cause communal disturbance. RSS never wanted India to be united and they keep on creating friction. Gandhiji's assasination was a conspiracy hatched by the RSS, and they used Godse to execute their plan. They distributed sweets when Gandhi died. Dubbing the RSS as intolerant", Pinarayi said, Brutal killing of rationalists like Kalburgi, Dabholkar and Pansare, and the Dadri incident point to this fact. RSS eliminates people who are opposed to its ideology. Today Sangh Parivar groups are killing each other, which is clear in Pratap Poojary murder case, killing of Praveen Poojary by cow vigilantes or murder of RTI activist Vinayak Baliga by NaMo Brigade founder Naresh Shenoy. (Writer) U.R. Ananthmurthy also endured a lot of intolerance and he was asked to relocate to Pakistan by right-wing outfits. Actors Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan faced similar situations. This country is not the property of the RSS and every citizen deserves to live in this country," the CM said. Media are pro-capitalists Vijayan alleged that a majority of Indian media were pro-capitalists. Nearly, 95% of the media in India are pro-capitalists or are run by capitalists. Unfortunately, there is a race among the media to protect capitalists. But there are more number of poor people in this country than the rich capitalists. So, the media should be in favour of the majority, the poor," urged Pinarayi, who launched the Media Centre of Vartha Bharati, a local daily in Mangaluru. Alleging that a majority of the media claimed that they were secular, but had communal inclinations, Pinarayi said, This is a dangerous development. Media's duty is to uphold secular principles of this country, but several media are polarising the country. The results of civic polls in Maharashtra should not be considered a referendum on the demonetisation, senior Congress leader P.Chidambaram said. He also suggested that, as with the sterilisation during the Emergency, people's anger may manifest itself later. BJP made impressive gains in the civic elections in Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra. "It only shows that the Indian people are extremely patient and stoic. But that does not mean that there is no anger. During the Emergency there was a widespread belief that sterilisation was forced on the people. There were no street protests... But that does not mean that people have accepted it," the former Finance Minister said here. "Assuming that the story (about anger regarding sterilisation) was true and assuming that the anger of the people is justified, they expressed their resentment at an appropriate time. No election is a referendum on any one issue," Chidambaram said at an interactive session here. "Demonetisation has affected practically every family in India... everyone is nursing a grievance," he said. Due to the note ban decision of Narendra Modi government, the economy will grow at 6 to 6.5 per cent in the current fiscal and the NPAs of banks will rise, he predicted. To a question about Jammu and Kashmir, he said the situation there was grim, and a series of mistakes were made which are "almost too late" to correct now. He also criticised recent controversial comments of the Army Chief Bipin Rawat. "General Rawat said anyone interfering with security operations will be treated as anti-national. That's, I think, thoughtless, intemperate words," the former Union Home Minister said. About Mukesh Ambani's telecom venture Reliance Jio, he said 'disruption' is good, as it promotes innovation. "Disruption is good... advent of Jio has forced the telecom industry to consolidate... that is good for the country. Imagine if the voice becomes totally free, you will never stop talking. That is the kind of disruption required in this country," Chidambaram said. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has condemned the senseless violence in Kansas that claimed life of an Indian engineer and wounded another. Theres no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas, Nadella, who was born in India and later moved to the US, tweeted on Saturday. Two Indian engineers Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. The accused, Adam W.Purinton, a Navy veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his America first agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administrations sharp language about immigration. Earlier, Nadella was also vocal against the controversial executive order on immigration and travel ban by President Trump The Congress on Saturday condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported comment at an election rally in Uttar Pradesh that the railway accident in Kanpur was a conspiracy hatched across the border and that it had the local support. Congress said Modi was communalising the campaign for the ongoing assembly polls in the state. AICC general secretary C.P. Joshi said in Delhi that Modi, in his election rally in Gonda made an explicit attempt to divide the electorate on communal lines. He said the prime minister had not only brought down the dignity of the post of the PM, but also insulted the oath of allegiance to the Constitution of India. He said the conspiracy of the Kanpur railway accident was hatched across the border and the conspirators were here and hand in glove with his political opponents, Joshi said, adding that Modi had made no bones about flaunting the polarisation card in the UP elections. The Congress leader said such sensitive matters should not be discussed in election rallies and that it did not befit the PM to comment on an ongoing investigation and influence it, while speaking in an election rally. By making this a political tool to attack his opponents, Shri Modi has again stooped to extremely low level of politicking, he said. Joshi said if the train accident was indeed a terrorist attack, it would be the second biggest such incident after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack, since 150 people lost their lives in it. The then Home Minister of India, Shri Shivraj Patil had resigned accepting responsibility. Will the PM ensure the accountability and responsibility of the present home minister, Shri Rajnath Singh and railway minister, Shri Suresh Prabhu by making them resign?, Joshi asked. The people of Uttar Pradesh will not take such language lying down and will give a united and a befitting reply to the BJP, he said. The Congress and the Samajwadi Party have accused Modi of trying to polarise the election with his Kabristan-Shamshan comment as well as his statement that the Akhilesh Yadav government provided proper electricity supply during Eid and that the same should be done at the time of Diwali. Amid rising concerns over the Naga accord, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday assured Manipur that there was not "a single word" in the 2015 agreement that would compromise the territory of the north-eastern state. He also said a BJP government would accomplish works in 15 months that the Congress "took 15 years to do". Speaking at an election meeting at Lanjing Achiuba in Imphal West district, Modi said: "The Congress government in Manipur has been sleeping since 2015. The framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 and now the state government is raking up the issue with the election in view. Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh and others have been spreading lies to the people on the issue." "The Congress government has not done anything for the youth," he said during his 53-minute speech. The Corcom, the apex body of the six insurgent groups, had imposed a total shutdown from 6 a.m. against the Prime Minister's meeting. Normal life was thrown out of gear and attendance at the rally was thin even by Manipur's standard. Modi held the state government responsible for the continuing economic blockade and assured that once a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is formed in Manipur, there will be no more blockade. He also said the state government was not taking up effective steps to end the blockade. "The Centre is ready to give all assistance to end the blockade. The Congress government which has caused hardships to the people does not have the right to stick to power." "Unity of Manipur, welfare of its people and development of the state is our only goal. You gave them (Congress) 15 years, give us five years. I assure you we'll complete the pending work in 15 months," he said. "Manipur has been ruined in 15 years. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?" Modi asked. He added: "The corruption that took place in Manipur in last the 15 years will be exposed by our government." It was one of the darkest moments in the history of Malayalam cinema. A well-known actor was abducted in Kochi and was molested for nearly two hours inside a vehicle, much to the shock of the entire state. The incident gained national attention as it once again exposed the appalling state of affairs around women safety. Now, the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA), has claimed that it has got assurance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Centre will step in if the Kerala police mismanages the case or is unable to solve it. PM has assured all support in case the state police is unable to solve the case, said AMMA secretary Edavela Babu. Meanwhile, the unfortunate incident, it seems, is becoming a turning point in Mollywood, which is deeply patriarchal and misogynist like every other film industry in the world. While the actor, who dared to report the incident despite the threat of assault visuals being leaked, has got back to shooting, the incident has also forced many from the film world, especially young actors, to introspect the inherent misogyny in their films. Leading the way is actor Prithviraj one of the top-notch actor in Malayalam filmdom who has publicly apologised for mouthing misogynistic dialogues in his movies. He took to Facebook on Saturday morning to promise that never again will he allow women to be disrespected in his films. I have been part of films that celebrated misogyny... I have mouthed lines that vilified regard for your self respect and I have taken a bow to the claps that ensued, Prithviraj wrote. NEVER AGAIN... never again will I let disrespect for women be celebrated in my movies! Yes... I'm an actor and this is my craft! I will whole-heartedly trudge the grey and black with characters that possess unhinged moral compasses... but I will never let these men be glorified or their actions justified on screen (sic), he added. Paying tribute to the molested actor in the Facebook post titled Courage, he said, "I once again bear witness to an extraordinary moment of courage from an extraordinary woman in my life! Today... she makes a statement... a statement that will echo through time, space and gender... that no one or no incident has control over your life but YOU! The progressive move taken by Prithviraj stands out in the Malyalam film industry that took its own sweet time to take a firm stand on the attack. AMMA, despite its vocal support to the survivor, had passed a resolution asking the actors not to travel alone at night effectively, putting the blame squarely on women. Prithviraj's strong post comes amidst this warning from AMMA. The saner voices in the Malayalam film world has welcomed the actor's stand. I am so happy that a young leading actor like Prithvi (Prithviraj) has taken such a position. It gives hope about the future of Malayalam cinema, state-award winning actor Sajitha Madathil, who had dared to openly criticize this patriarchal attitude of AMMA, told THE WEEK. According to her, older generations in the industry is so steeped in patriarchy that one cannot expect anything from them. When an organisation like AMMA, who is the last refuge of all actors, takes regressive position, it sends out a wrong message, she said. Babu, however, has no qualms on such steps. AMMA does not believe in FB posts or sloganeering. We do things in our own way, he said. When asked whether one can expect progressive steps like that of Prithviraj, he said, AMMA does not differentiate between actors. He maintained silence when asked about the complaint the actor had made to AMMA against a leading actor who was allegedly blocking her films due to his personal animosity with her. Meanwhile, the abductors, who were nabbed by police dramatically from the court where they had come to surrender, is being interrogated by the state police. As details of the criminal background of the accused surfaced, questions are being raised regarding the underworld connections of the Malayalam film industry. US President Donald Trump intensified his verbal attacks on Sweden, France and Germany today, painting swaths of Europe as a jihadist-infested hellscape. Firing-up victory-drunk conservatives at a rally outside Washington, Trump trashed long-time allies as he sought to justify his own controversial crackdown on immigrants. "Take a look at what's happening in Sweden. Take a look at what's happening in Germany. Take a look at what's happened in France. Take a look at Nice and Paris," he said. Trump trained his sights on Paris in particular, recounting the story of a friend who used to visit every year. "I have a friend, he's a very, very substantial guy. He loves the city of lights," he said. After not seeing his friend for a few years, Trump asked him "'How is Paris doing?'" The US leader said his friend responded, "Paris? I don't go there anymore. Paris is no longer Paris." Trump also defended contentious comments linking immigration and crime in Sweden. He earlier issued bafflingly opaque remarks that suggested the peaceful Scandinavian country was undergoing significant unrest or attack. "I took a lot of heat on Sweden," he said. "Take a look at what happened in Sweden. I love Sweden. Great country. Great people. I love Sweden. But they understand, right, the people over there understand I'm right," he said. New Hampshire this week passed a law allowing residents to carry a concealed handgun without a permit, joining a growing number of states that are allowing residents to carry weapons out of sight without a license. At least 11 states have passed laws allowing the concealed carry of guns without a permit, and 16 states have introduced legislation this year to do the same, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the National Rifle Association. Gun rights advocates see the laws as the next frontier in Second Amendment rights. But the legislation has been controversial in many places where it has been introduced, with some in law enforcement, politicians and gun proponents arguing that the bills go too far. Thats kind of the next step in expanding law-abiding gun owners constitutional right to self-protection, said Jennifer Baker, a spokeswoman for the NRAs Institute for Legislative Action. Its where a lot of states are moving. Nationwide, the legislation has been contentious and has failed in states that are traditional bastions of gun rights. The legislation has been dubbed permitless carry or Constitutional carry, as proponents believe that people have a constitutional right to carry a gun with as few restrictions as possible. Legislation is pending in states including Kentucky where gun rights advocates expect it to pass and in Texas, Colorado and Indiana. Idaho, Mississippi and West Virginia passed laws last year that do away with concealed carry permits, allowing people to carry weapons without them. In New Hampshire, Gov. Chris Sununu, R, signed a law Wednesday that allows anyone who has purchased a licensed pistol or revolver to carry it, loaded or unloaded, on him or herself or in a vehicle. Sununus predecessor, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D, twice vetoed the legislation. We have historically allowed people to openly carry a pistol. I dont see why you have to get a second permit if youre a law-abiding citizen and legally entitled to own a gun, Jeb Bradley, R, the majority leader of the state senate, said in an interview. Bradley and Sununu also said the law puts New Hampshire on equal footing with neighboring Vermont and Maine, which also do not require permits for the concealed carry of handguns. The legislation went into effect immediately. Previously, gun owners had to apply for a concealed carry permit with the local police chief, who granted or denied the request. Bradley said that numerous people were unfairly denied permits, but police chiefs testified during hearings that few applications were turned down. This bill will eliminate the states long-standing permitting system and prevent local law enforcement from making important determinations that help keep guns out of dangerous hands, Portsmouth Police Commissioner Joseph Plaia said in a statement. He is a member of Granite State Coalition for Common Sense, an offshoot of Americans for Responsible Solutions, a gun control group founded by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, said the passage of such laws are an anomaly and occur in legislatures that have been doing the NRAs bidding. Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, D, vetoed a bill allowing for the carrying of concealed guns without a permit on Thursday. Bullock said in a veto letter that the states sheriffs may require safety training before granting a concealed carry permit and can deny permits to people struggling with mental illness. He equated the bill to allowing people to drive cars, fly planes or erect buildings without determining if they are eligible and able to do so. While I will fiercely defend the 2nd Amendment rights of our citizens, I cannot support an absurd concept that threatens the safety of our communities by not providing for the basic fundamentals of gun safety or mental health screening, Bullock wrote. South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard, R, who said he is a lifetime member of the NRA, has vowed to veto a bill that would establish permitless carry in the state. South Dakota does not require a permit to purchase a gun and a concealed carry permit costs $10 and requires a background check. In an op-ed in the Rapid City Journal, Daugaard wrote that he would not sign bad legislation that could have many unintended consequences. In Missouri, lawmakers last year overrode Gov. Jay Nixons, R, veto and passed a package of gun legislation that established a stand your ground law and allowed people to carry concealed handguns without a permit. The basis of this whole bill is that it allows law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families, state Sen. Brian Munzlinger, R, the bills sponsor, said at the time. His office declined to comment on Thursday. Concealed carry permits were no longer necessary in the state starting Jan. 1. The legislation sparked an outcry, with many concerned that it could put residents at risk and some public safety officials, including St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, D, and the citys police chief, Sam Dotson, said it would make neighborhoods less safe and make it more difficult for police to do their jobs. (c) 2017, The Washington Post Katie Zezima If the Government finally got shot of its stakes in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, it is hard to know who would be more pleased. The taxpayer and Treasury who could finally feel free of these burdensome stakes, or the banks themselves who could operate as commercial entities without the presence of angry taxpayers in the background and the hand of the Chancellor on their shoulder? Lloyds is to all intents and purposes free and, as we report this week, the Treasury can regard its stake as having made a profit. It's time: If the Government finally got shot of its stakes in Royal Bank of Scotland and Lloyds Banking Group, it is hard to know who would be more pleased In the case of RBS, freedom for both the taxpayer and the bank are still somewhat distant and it still looks unlikely the taxpayer will show a profit on the 45billion piled into the bank during the crisis. We should not care. Or at least not too much. The likely profit on Lloyds is welcome. It is a fillip to the Chancellor and to the squeezed public finances. But the time for agonising over RBS is over. The bailout was an essential piece of public spending. Without it the UK could have faced a truly horrific crisis. Making a profit should now be a secondary concern. The last piece of this jigsaw is RBSs settlement with the US Department of Justice over dodgy activities in the pre-crisis past. It would be best to have that dealt with before a sale. But once settled there should be no obstacle to selling down the taxpayers stake in the bank. Critics will harp on if the early sales let alone the final tally show a loss. The taxpayer will be free of Lloyds within a couple of months. When we start to sell off the RBS stake, I will be pleased if we make a profit. But if the Government sells at a loss, I will not join the chorus of complainers. Freedom: Critics will harp on if the early sales let alone the final tally show a loss. The taxpayer will be free of Lloyds within a couple of months The failed takeover bid for Unilever by voracious US group Kraft Heinz has put a rocket under the Marmite to Dove soap group. A for sale sign is now likely to be raised over some of its brands as it seeks to show shareholders the core value of the business. This is, in part, one of the beneficial effects of the market a challenge forces the target to raise its game. The risk is that it also leads to a touch of short-termism. The last thing Unilever needs to carry out is a fire sale of assets. The group will need to strike a careful path between delivering faster returns for investors without damaging its long-term prospects. The management of the group led by chief executive Paul Polman have been steady stewards for several years. While they must be sensitive to shareholder demands, they must not abandon that careful stewardship to make a quick buck in the short term. Experience: Colin Morton has spent over 22 years managing money for investors Colin Morton has spent more than 22 years managing money for investors. But unusually for a fund boss, he has kept well away from the City, preferring instead to take a more detached view of equity markets from the Northern boltholes of Huddersfield and Leeds. The 51 year old has experienced it all crashes, bull runs, the bursting of the tech bubble in 2000 and the 2008 financial crisis. Throughout, he has stayed calm and loyal, even when his employers have changed as a result of takeovers and mergers. Morton still runs the unit trust he took over in 1995, when it had assets of no more than 500,000. The name has changed several times but the fund, now called Franklin UK Equity Income, has assets in excess of 300million and has acquired a record for delivering a steady combination of capital and income return. Since taking over, Morton has generated an annual overall return of 9.4 per cent. It is a record he is proud of, as is the fact that he has helped build a six-strong investment team responsible for managing 2billion of investments for US asset management giant Franklin Templeton. The team is based in Leeds, with Morton commuting from Harrogate. He says: Between us we invest in some 150 stocks across six funds. We invest only in UK equities, dont buy derivatives and will not short stocks in the hope of making money from falling share prices. We have stuck to our knitting throughout. Were UK through and through. The Franklin UK Equity Income fund is conservatively run. Morton has stakes in about 50 firms committed to paying dividends. No holding makes up more than five per cent of the fund, so protecting investors from stock-specific risk. The fund is built heavily around dividend-friendly shares in the FTSE 100 Index, such as tobacco giant BAT and consumer goods group Unilever. Morton likes utilities and pharmaceuticals. Though income is an overriding objective he will not invest if a firm does not pay a dividend he is always looking for investment opportunities. For example, firms whose shares have been pounded but which remain strong businesses. The Brexit vote provided lots of opportunity, says Morton. Shares in some companies fell sharply in the wake of the vote, such as plastics specialist Victrex, landscape products group Marshalls and engineer Bodycote. We bought into them because they remained fundamentally good businesses. He has sold out of Marshalls, but continues to hold Victrex and Bodycote. He says some consumer stocks, in particular retail and pubs, now look cheap, though he will not reveal which purchases he has made. Morton and his team were bought from Investec six years ago after the wealth manager decided to shed its Rensburg funds arm. As is its way, Franklin has adopted a hands-off approach, allowing Morton and his team to carry on as normal while providing marketing back- up and access to research when needed. Assets managed by the Leeds team have more than doubled since Franklin took over. The best fund from the Leeds stable has been Franklin UK Managers Focus. Over the past five years, it has produced an overall return of 95 per cent, against 70 per cent from UK Equity Income. Innovation: Trifast is run by Malcolm Diamond Nuts and bolts specialist Trifast is proof of just how well a business can do when the management knows what it is doing, the company has a clear strategy and there is a real determination to succeed. In February 2009, as the financial crisis hit home, Trifast shares sank to below 10p. Former chief executive Malcolm Diamond came out of retirement to become executive chairman and, with the help of then finance director Mark Belton, restored the business to health. Midas last recommended the stock almost three years ago, in March 2014, when the shares had recovered to 80p. They have risen by 150 per cent to 200p since then and should deliver further growth over the next few years. To many outside observers, one group of nuts and bolts is very much like another. However, Trifast is different. The group derives more than 70 per cent of sales from three sectors: automotive, electronics and domestic appliances. In each area, Trifast will often work with its customers car makers, computer manufacturers, white goods firms to create products that solve specific problems. One car maker was having issues with a fold-back seat on a people carrier. Trifast designed a widget that enabled the seat to recline properly. And a washing machine needs fasteners inside the drum to make sure it stays in place en route from the factory to the home. Trifast created a single product to fix the drum in place, rather than several fiddly fasteners. Skill: The firm uses skilled labour and technology to create bespoke products for clients The company is headquartered in Uckfield, East Sussex, but it works in more than 60 countries, delivering 150 million components every day to customers ranging from individual workshops to large multinationals. Having disappointed shareholders so brutally after the financial crisis, Trifast does not want to repeat the same mistakes, so it is known for taking a cautious stance over the future. Nonetheless, Diamond admitted earlier this month that results for the year to March 31 are likely to be ahead of expectations and that the company is well positioned for long-term growth. In 2014, Trifast profits were 9.16million. This year, the company is expected to produce about 19.5million, so the figures will have more than doubled in the past three years. Sterling weakness will have boosted the results by about 1million, but even stripping out currency effects, the increase is impressive. A dividend of 3.15p is forecast for 2017, an increase of 12.5 per cent over last year. Steady increases in both profits and dividends are expected in 2018 and beyond. Lessons learnt: Having disappointed shareholders so brutally after the financial crisis, Trifast does not want to repeat the same mistakes Diamond, now 68, spent 18 years as chief executive of Trifast, retired in 2002 and has now spent a further eight years as executive chairman. In April, he is stepping down to non-executive chairman not relinquishing the reins entirely, but taking a more part-time role. There are no concerns about succession planning, however. Belton, another Trifast lifer, was promoted to chief executive in 2015 and has proved himself eminently capable. Midas verdict: Trifast has gone from strength to strength over the past three years, growing organically and through well-placed acquisitions. The next three years should produce more of the same. Economic worries are growing in the UK but less than 30 per cent of Trifast sales are generated in this country. Existing shareholders should hold. Long-term investors could also derive value from this stock. A clampdown on store thefts helped the British arm of Whole Foods Market make a profit for its second consecutive year. Directors of the upmarket American health food supermarket said profit increased in relation to turnover primarily reflecting improved shrink the term retailers use for shoplifting and theft by employees. Whole Foods which has nine stores in Britain including branches in London, Cheltenham and Glasgow launched in the UK ten years ago and made a loss for the first eight years. Clampdown: A clampdown on store thefts helped the British arm of Whole Foods Market make a profit for its second consecutive year However, pre-tax profits remained steady at 1.2million for the year ending September 25, 2016, while sales grew from 114million to 117million. Whole Foods was founded in Austin, Texas, in 1980 and now has more than 430 stores across the US, Canada and Britain. It bought the Fresh & Wild chain in 2004 and opened its first British Whole Foods Market in Kensington, West London, in 2007. Famous shoppers at its branches include Prince Harry and former Prime Minister David Cameron. Dermot King's company owns the three Butlins seaside resorts, Warner Leisure Hotels and Haven holiday parks The boss of Bourne Leisure has called on Ministers to reduce VAT for the tourism industry during school holidays to test the effect of a tax cut. Dermot King, whose company owns the three Butlins seaside resorts, Warner Leisure Hotels and Haven holiday parks, said Britains hospitality industry couldnt compete with foreign destinations due to the tax burden, adding: If you stay at a hotel in Clacton you are charged VAT at 20 per cent for the privilege. But in a Barcelona hotel youre charged just 10 per cent. The 127billion-a-year tourism sector is Britains fourth largest industry and employs 10 per cent of the UK workforce. King said: If you want to rebalance the economy then tourism is the easiest industry to grow. 'It can create jobs fast, especially for young people, and that growth wouldnt be sucked out of another part of the economy. 'You are persuading more British families to stay at home and more overseas families to holiday here. He said of a zero rate of VAT for the hospitality industry: It would create 100,000 jobs and give a return in just three years. For those reasons I urge the Government to think about its tax strategy. King admitted that so far Ministers had been reluctant to cut VAT, but said: If the Government finds a full VAT cut too expensive, one thing it could do to test whether it works is to reduce VAT for school holidays. That would be a great message for families and it could measure the effect. People would see the difference. Wed cut our prices that day. Tax-dodger: The Chancellor is set to ignore calls from the worlds richest man for a tax on robots The Chancellor is set to ignore calls from the worlds richest man for a tax on robots when he presents next weeks Budget, according to a Treasury Minister. Microsoft founder Bill Gates has proposed a levy on robots to make up for the income tax lost from the jobs they replace. He said: Right now, for the human who does $50,000 of work in a factory, that is taxed and you get income tax, social security, all those things. If a robot comes to do the same thing, you would think we would tax the robot at a similar level. But Treasury Minister David Gauke has already said the UK is opposed to a robot levy. Speaking earlier this month at a meeting of think-tank Politeia, he said: We shouldnt regard such advances with the hostility of 21st Century Luddites, nor seek to stifle them in a misguided attempt to protect jobs. 'Dont expect the Chancellor to announce a new tax on robots any time soon. The role of Government is to back and enable the science, research and innovation of the next generation. Lord Kerslake is a real Sir Humphrey. Until recently he headed the UK civil service and was also chief mandarin at the Department for Communities and Local Government the department at the centre of the business rates row. Now a member of the House of Lords and free from his civil service constraints he is free to voice his worries. And he has a few. Can the civil service cope with the workload of Brexit? Can local government cope with the care crisis? And what can the Government do to ease the burden on businesses facing huge business rate hikes? Speaking out: As a member of the House of Lords, Lord Kerslake is free to voice his worries On social care he is blunt. I think there is a funding crisis now because carrying on the cuts we started in 2010, it is reaching the point where in my view it is unsustainable, he declares. He should know. Since leaving Whitehall, Robert Kerslake, 61, has joined the Lords but he also holds a plethora of other jobs. As President of the Local Government Association he has a clear view on the funding crisis in local Government, and the hike in business rates. He is also chairman of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South London and feels how a shortage of care home services puts a burden on the NHS. We are squeezing care and putting pressure on places like this hospital, he says. The entrance to the site was a knot of cars and ambulances. Kerslakes office is an oasis of calm away from the sirens blare. It is also a fair way from the hubbub of Kerslakes old stomping ground in Westminster which is abuzz with talk about how Chancellor Philip Hammond may act in his Budget on March 8 to help boost social care where the companies that own most of the UK care homes are feeling a squeeze from rising wage bills and, of course, in some cases, rising business rates. Cuts: On social care he is blunt: I think there is a funding crisis now because carrying on the cuts we started in 2010' And this is clearly the burning issue of the day. Amid a wave of protest that companies face big hikes in their rates bills, the politician in charge, Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid, last week rubbished criticism as distortions and half-truths. Kerslake regards the confrontational approach as a mistake. Where the Government might have done it differently is in acknowledging that there was an issue here for smaller businesses in high-value areas rather than, if you like, dismissing the whole campaign, he says. The message is clear. Very courageous, Minister, as Sir Humphrey might have put it. In fact Kerslake demurs from the comparisons with TVs most famous civil servant. By the time Yes, Minister was produced it was already out of date and has steadily got more out of date, he says. Meanwhile, on business rates, the Government is backing down and Javid has promised that the Chancellor will announce measures in the Budget to help those who the Government now admits will be hit hard. Kerslake thinks small firms that fall just outside the current relief measures need assistance. This means firms with a rateable value of just over 15,000 who are in some of Britains most expensive neighbourhoods, but are offered no relief under the current plans. Role: Lord Kerkslake is also chairman of Kings College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in South London They should definitely look to help there, says Kerslake. But having said this he in no way thinks he Government should do a U-turn on the whole recent rates re-assessment. I would be very concerned if they, in effect, felt the need to stand back from the whole plan of revaluation, he says. Part of the reason for the shock of recent rate rises faced by some was the delay in revaluing commercial property. A revaluation was due in 2015 but was put off for two years. The coalition decision to delay was for political reasons so increased bills did not drop on shop owners mats just before the 2015 General Election. Surely the failure to consider the vertiginous rises caused by waiting a little longer shows how out of touch the Whitehall machine is with small businesses? I get that point, says Kerslake. Maybe the lesson for the future is about more frequent rather than less frequent valuations. The longer you leave it the more difficult it is. Thats certainly true with council tax, which is still charged according to 26-year-old property valuations. That makes business rates look like a relatively up-to-date thing, he says dryly. While Kerslake is critical of the way the rates issue has been handled, he does not believe it should be abandoned or that rates should be replaced with a different type of tax such as one levied on profits or sales rather than property. The rates changes may be hitting firms in affluent areas, but they are long overdue relief for those in less prosperous regions. Business rate changes: Lord Kerslake thinks small firms that fall just outside the current relief measures need assistance That two-year delay has saved London businesses about 1.6 billion, while it is estimated to have cost companies in the North and Midlands an extra 2.3 billion, according to calculations by property agency GVA. Kerslake has long understood the concerns of local Government. His first senior role was as chief executive of the London Borough of Hounslow, before he headed north in 1997 to become chief executive of Sheffield City Council. Though born in Bath a West Country accent is still clearly discernible Kerslake has adopted Sheffield as his family home and when he was ennobled in 2015 he took the title Baron Kerslake of Endcliffe in the City of Sheffield. His cufflinks bear the White Rose insignia of Yorkshire. But his other key Northern credential is as chairman of the UK Northern Powerhouse advisory board. The private company runs events promoting the economic renaissance of the North, a pet project of former Chancellor George Osborne. The gap continues to widen between the North and South but there are some really positive moves, he says, reeling off HS2 and the fact that inward investment to the North rose 25 per cent last year. Devolution including financial devolution has to happen, Kerslake declares. As somebody who has spent a number of years at the centre of Government, this will be a better country if it has less centralised power. Definitely not what a Sir Humphrey would say. [February 24, 2017] CompuCom Survey: Risk of Data Breaches and Malware Injections Top Cloud Security Concerns According to a new survey from CompuCom Systems, Inc. ("CompuCom"), a leading technology infrastructure services company, the majority of IT professionals surveyed (36 percent) believe data breaches or malware injections pose the greatest risk to cloud security, more than account hijacking, insider threat or a number of other hazards. The online poll collected responses from 533 IT professionals across multiple industries from January 12 - February 23, 2017. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005638/en/ CompuCom's online poll about cloud security collected responses from 533 IT professionals across multiple industries from January 12-February 23, 2017. (Photo: Business Wire) The cloud computing market is susceptible to multiple threats including data breaches, data loss and insecure application programming interfaces (APIs). The world cloud security market is expected to reach $8.9 billion by 2020, according to a report by Allied Market Research, with a CAGR of 23.5 percent from 2015 to 2020.1 "With an increasing number of organizations reaping the benefits of the cloud and more joining those ranks every day, security remains far and away IT's biggest concern," said Chris Opat, SVP of Cloud Technology Services at CompuCom. "While IT departments understand the importance of cloud security in fending off breaches and malware attacks, many don't know where to begin in building a strong security infrastructure. It's critical that they make it a priority before they - or their customers - fall victim to a breach or malware attack." Respondents to the CompuCom poll answered the question, "What is your biggest concern around cloud security?" Data breaches/malware - 36% Hijacking of accounts - 24% Lack of end-user education - 20% Insider threat - 6% Insecure application programming interfaces (APIs) - 6% Abuse of cloud services - 4% Inadequate diligence - 4% Total votes: 533 "CompuCom offers leading-edge solutions in security event monitoring to help enterprises identify and halt threats before they become a breach," noted Opat. "CompuCom's Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) services - based on McAfee (News - Alert) Enterprise Security Manager - offers enterprise, commercial and small- and medium-sized businesses with industry-leading security event management, correlation and advanced analytics. CompuCom delivers an exclusive, comprehensive managed IT service that is smarter, safer and more affordable." About CompuCom CompuCom Systems, Inc., a global company headquartered in North America, provides IT managed services, infrastructure solutions, consulting and products to Fortune 1000 companies committed to enhancing their end users' experience. Founded in 1987, privately held CompuCom employs approximately 11,500 associates. For more information, visit www.compucom.com. Copyright 2017 CompuCom Systems, Inc. All Rights reserved. CompuCom is a registered trademark of CompuCom Systems, Inc. All articles used in this press release are quoted with permission. McAfee is a registered trademark of Intel (News - Alert) Corporation. 1 Allied Market Research, "Cloud Security Market," https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cloud-security-market View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005638/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Entrepreneurs starting new firms should be given special treatment with a three-year business rates holiday, according to a list of demands published by Richard Bransons Virgin StartUp. The organisation, a not-for-profit arm of the Virgin Group, also wants the Government to consider introducing exemptions for firms turning over less than 300,000 a year. Such a scheme would mark a big departure from the current system, by linking the size of a firms rates bill to its sales, rather than the value of the building it occupies. Give them a break: Entrepreneurs starting new firms should be given special treatment with a three-year business rates holiday, Branson's Virgin StartUp group said The intervention from Virgin StartUp, which provides Government-backed loans to new companies, comes as the Government is thought to be preparing reforms to the latest round of rates bills. The recent rates revaluation has stirred up a major political row, as many firms have complained that steep rises in bills bear little relation to their ability to pay. The biggest concerns have been over a two-year delay in the recalculation of bills, which means many face wild swings in charges in areas where property values have soared. Virgin StartUp managing director Mei Shui said: Britain has a proud history of supporting innovators. This Government is in danger of losing sight of that with its proposals for business rate rises. If this country is going to prosper following Brexit, entrepreneurs are going to be the cornerstone of our economy which is why were calling on the Government to introduce a number of rate-relief options. The body wants a higher revenue threshold to protect firms in the capital, where property values have soared, and is calling on the Government to boost funding to the Valuation Office Agency to deal with appeals. Last August, The Mail on Sunday told of a meltdown at the VOA amid a huge appeals backlog. Concerns over this were heightened last week when it emerged that more than 250,000 were outstanding. The VOA deals with around 10,000 appeals a month, and some date from 2010. Last week, Conservative Party vice-chairman Mark Field urged Chancellor Philip Hammond to back down from the looming nightmare of higher business rates. The Government had at first tried to ride out the growing pressure to provide concessions describing the furore as scaremongering but on Tuesday began stepping back from its hard line. Sign up for our amNY Sports email newsletter to get insights and game coverage for your favorite teams By Patrick Donachie JAMAICA A woman who was punched in the head and fell to the ground outside a Jamaica deli in October has died. Her death has been reclassified as a homicide, police said. Eve Gentillion, 69, was outside the deli at 107-60 Jamaica Ave. at 8:10 p.m. on Oct. 15, when police allege Richard Springer, 29, exited the location, approaching Gentillion and striking her in the head with a closed fist. She fell to the ground, sustaining a serious injury on her head and was taken to a local hospital. Police announced Springer had been arrested Oct. 31, and police charged him with robbery in the first degree and assault in the second degree. Springer was still in the neighborhood where the attack occurred when he was apprehended by the Regional Fugitive Task Force, according to police. With Gentillions death stemming from her injuries, it is possible the charges against him will be amended. Washington State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, sole trustee of the state public employee pension fund, is again pushing for energy giant ExxonMobil to disclose how efforts to mitigate global warming will impact its corporate bottom line. On behalf of the million-plus state workers and retirees who form the nucleus of the New York State Common Retirement Fund, DiNapoli said the resolution submitted Thursday "aims to ensure that ExxonMobil fully evaluates and discloses to investors risks to the viability of its assets as a result of the transition to a low carbon economy." The Church of England joined DiNapoli's resolution. "As investors, we are concerned that, unlike many of its peers, Exxon has not taken the steps necessary to demonstrate its resilience in a lower carbon future," DiNapoli said in a statement. The state pension fund's investment in ExxonMobil is currently valued at $973.6 million. There was no immediate response from ExxonMobil, but the company has said that it believes climate change is real and is taking it seriously. Rex Tillerson, Exxon's former CEO-turned-President Donald Trump's secretary of state, once suggested climate change is "an engineering problem." DiNapoli and the Church of England submitted a similar resolution to ExxonMobil last year. It received support from 38 percent of voting shareholders, which DiNapoli's office termed "a record for a climate change resolution at the company." But it ultimately was defeated. The $186 billion retirement fund, the nation's third largest, is not the only battle line drawn between New York and ExxonMobil. State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has engaged in a protracted legal battle with the company in a fraud investigation aimed at uncovering whether ExxonMobil covered up what it knew about climate change and fossil fuels in order to safeguard its business. Schneiderman's tactics engendered the wrath of Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, who last month issued a second subpoena to collect records from Schneiderman, Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, and eight environmental groups. Smith has argued that the attorneys general and the groups conspired to deny the free-speech rights of company employees who may question the legitimacy of climate-change science. Schneiderman's office has countered that Smith's effort is a smokescreen for fending off the attorneys general's legal inquires. "Attorney General Schneiderman's investigation will not be deterred," spokeswoman Amy Spitalnick said. Environmental groups expressed disappointment with DiNapoli's resolution, saying the state pension fund should pull its money out of ExxonMobil. "Instead of negotiating with rogue oil corporations, DiNapoli should be protecting New Yorkers," said Betamia Coronel of 350.org, one of the environmental advocacy groups supporting Schneiderman through #ExxonKnew. "Exxon has proved time and time again it will never change its stripes. With Trump and his oil cronies putting profit before people and planet, New York has the potential to be a true beacon of safety and security, yet it continues to invest billions in the likes of Exxon. How many more Superstorm Sandy's must New Yorkers endure before we finally take bold action?" A spokeswoman for DiNapoli responded that divestment is not a practical or desirable option. "The fund has a fiduciary duty to members, retirees and beneficiaries of state retirement system to maximize the long-term value of the fund through sustainable investments," said the spokeswoman, Jennifer Freeman. "Rather than give up its seat at the table by divesting, the fund leverages its role as a large institutional investor to push for improved corporate behavior and accountability." dan@hearstdc.com SULLIVAN Audrey Crocker is only 28 years old, but she knows about the 1970s. Her mom was a child during the era and passed on the culture to her daughter. I grew up with the Bee Gees playing in the car, she said. She was a roller skating disco queen. I grew up with that kind of music around and the culture. Crocker will be using her knowledge as a cast member of Little Theatre-On the Square's spring show 8-Track: The Sounds of the 70's. The show will be on stage March 3 through 12. Tickets are $25. The cast will have a reception after the Saturday, March 4, show at the Sullivan VFW, 1132 Illinois Route 32. Tickets are $10. Participants will celebrate the 70s with a live band, snacks, cash bar and costume and dance contests. The show is broken up into categories addressing various subjects important to the decade, including War and Peace, Love, Parties and Road Trips. According to Little Theatre executive director John Stephens, the music is from the Top 40 rock songs of the decade. From the Bee Gees, Queen, Elton John, Sonny and Cher, he said. Also 'One Toke Over the Line' and 'Afternoon Delight' and 'Brickhouse'. We have about 47 songs in the show. Vignettes are used to tell true stories and trivia of the time through specific songs. For example, the War and Peace songs of the show tell of the turmoil during the country's history. Songs like 'War' and 'Tie a Yellow Ribbon,' those numbers tell a story, choreographer Jordan Cyphert said. Before preparing for the Little Theatre show, Crocker thought the show would focus on disco and dance. Preparing for her role, she was reminded of the political events throughout the era. The show is a beautiful journey through all of things you think about as the 70s, she said. We take a look at the entire decade, not just the fun, easy things. Many movements and events helped form the generation and the decade. The changes are reflected in the music of 8-Track. Naturally an audience member will make a connection with many events happening now, Crocker said. Stephens has been surprised by the attention the show has received so far. The theater has received calls requesting bulk tickets for class reunions. For a lot of our patrons, this is when they graduated high school, he said. Cyphert enjoyed researching the culture, especially the dances of the era. He views the dance styles as free expressions of movement. He said he believes the audience will recognize many of the dances, including the YMCA , the Hustle and the Bus Stop. I'm sure people will be dancing in their seats, he said. It is such a fun genre of dance. Little Theatre's summer season, which marks its 60th anniversary, is Beauty and the Beast on June 7. Past performers will be returning to honor the popular stage. Among those set to return is Anna McNeely, who earned her Actors' Equity Association union card during the 1970s while performing on the Little Theatre stage. Originally from Tower Hill, McNeely went on to perform on Broadway in Cats, Little Johnny Jones, Gypsy and as Mrs. Potts in Beauty and the Beast, a part she will reprise during Little Theatre's summer show. This season's Little Theatre shows include Beauty and Beast, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Smokey Joe's Cafe, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Mamma Mia!, and Steel Magnolias. Hoosick Falls Two Ohio attorneys who led groundbreaking court cases involving the toxic chemical PFOA said Hoosick Falls' officials may be misleading the public into thinking they reviewed or endorsed a proposed settlement between the village and two companies blamed for polluting the community's water supply. Hoosick Falls Deputy Mayor Ric DiDonato, in a Facebook post attributed to him this week, said the village's "legal team" spoke with the two Cincinnati attorneys, D. David Altman and Robert A. Bilott, "and many other legal experts to get their opinions on the development of this agreement throughout the process." But Altman and Bilott both said the deputy mayor's claims are false. In an email earlier this week to David Engel, an attorney for a grassroots group, Healthy Hoosick Water, Altman denied weighing in on the agreement, which the village board is scheduled to vote on Monday. Altman said he was contacted by Hoosick Falls residents "who tell me that some officials and others are saying or implying that I have reviewed and voiced support (and/or approval) of a possible PFOA settlement involving the village. I have done no such thing. Anyone claiming this or implying it is either misinformed or engaging in deceptive conduct." Altman is widely known for negotiating a confidential settlement with DuPont corporation on behalf of a privately owned water system, the Little Hocking Water Association, that was polluted with PFOA from DuPont's Washington Works plant just across the Ohio river from the association's well fields. "When I was called by private counsel for the village in mid-January, I refused to even review the settlement," Altman said in the email to Engel. Bilott is a lead attorney on a separate class-action lawsuit that was settled recently when DuPont agreed to pay more than $670 million to more than 3,500 people who were injured including contracting serious diseases such as cancer from their exposure to PFOA in the Ohio Valley. Bilott told Engel that he has "not reviewed the revised Hoosick (Falls) settlement and certainly have not approved it or expressed any opinion on it to anyone in any way. Any representations being made that I have reviewed and commented upon or 'approved' any part of the agreement in any way are simply false." The $1.04 million proposed agreement is the result of negotiations between the village and two companies Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics and Honeywell International that have operated a manufacturing plant blamed for polluting the village's well fields. Last month the Times Union contacted Thomas Ulasewicz, a Glens Falls attorney who has handled the negotiations for the village, because of a statement posted on the village's website defending the agreement that also said the village's attorneys "conferred with several private and public sector attorneys with experience in environmental and land use laws, as well as tort litigation, including attorneys involved in litigation related to remedial sites in the Ohio Valley." Ulasewicz declined to identify the Ohio attorneys he consulted and would only say that his law firm "spoke to a number of attorneys about the agreement." He added: "We did not inform these individuals that the discussions would be made public, so I do not feel comfortable identifying them or disclosing details." Mayor David Borge and DiDonato, both of whom said they will not seek re-election next month, could not be reached late Friday. Borge said earlier this week the "board and village attorneys worked very hard with the companies on this unprecedented agreement and we appreciate their effort to work with us and resolve outstanding issues," Engel has asked the village for an explanation of DiDonato's statement. "The community has a right to know what's going on and whether the village board intends to listen to them, or whether it's the intention of the village board to stonewall its own residents." Village officials said the settlement would cover the costs of the small community's expenses for engineering, water sampling, and legal and public relations advice since the contamination was discovered in 2014. But residents and others have urged the village board to reject the agreement because it includes a provision that the village would give up its ability to recover future unforeseen damages related to the pollution of its well fields. The new agreement, which will go before the village board at a special meeting Monday, was reworked after earlier concerns from residents. The latest draft increased the settlement amount from $850,000 and added language stating the village will not be prohibited from bringing future claims related to new wells, alternative water sources, additions to the current water system that may be needed, contamination associated with pollutants other than PFOA or damages for diminished property values. Judith Enck, who recently stepped down as administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Region 2, which includes New York, wrote a letter to Borge Wednesday urging the village not to adopt the agreement and calling it "an illustration of two experienced companies taking advantage of a small community." Enck, who is from Rensselaer County, characterized the draft agreement as "deeply flawed" and the product of negotiations with two companies "very experienced in negotiating pollution settlements." PFOA, or perfluorooctanoic acid, was used in manufacturing in the village for decades. Since 1956 at least five companies including Saint-Gobain and a predecessor corporation of Honeywell called Allied Signal owned and operated a McCaffrey Street plant that is a focus of the water pollution. blyons@timesunion.com 518-454-5547 @brendan_lyonstu This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate New York From Montana to West Virginia, the nation's most vulnerable Senate Democrats are avoiding town hall meetings as their Republican counterparts get pummeled by an energized electorate frustrated with President Donald Trump's early agenda. Some Democrats prefer to connect with constituents over the telephone or using social media. Others are meeting voters in controlled environments with limited opportunities to ask questions. But few of the 10 Democratic senators facing re-election next year in states carried by Trump have scheduled in-person town hall meetings during this week's congressional recess. Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill declined an invitation to attend a town hall organized by a group called Kansas City Indivisible this weekend, deciding to send a staff member in her place. The two-term senator, up for re-election next year in a state Trump won by nearly 19 percentage points, is scheduled to chat with voters next week on Facebook Live. "Seems to me that all these members of Congress are afraid to face their constituents," said Hillary Shields, a volunteer organizer with the Kansas City group. The cautious approach comes as Senate Democrats work to limit risks ahead of a challenging 2018 election season. After claiming the Senate majority in 2014, Republicans could win a filibuster-proof 60-vote Senate majority next year in an election in which Democrats are defending 25 seats (23 held by Democrats, two by independents), 10 of them in states carried by Trump. The GOP has a 52-48 edge in the Senate. There are no easy answers for Democrats like McCaskill, pushed to stand up to the Republican president by their liberal base and pulled to cooperate with the GOP by independents and moderates. McCaskill's office noted she spent part of this week touring the U.S.-Mexico border and planned to host town halls later in the year. The political pressure is particularly intense for West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin and North Dakota Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Democrats whose states backed Trump by an average of 39 percentage points in the fall. Both avoided formal town halls this week, but Heitkamp's office said she participated in a discussion about flood issues with constituents in northeastern North Dakota and attended a subsequent ribbon-cutting on Thursday. She planned to tour a local National Weather Service office on Friday. Manchin's office reported an equally busy schedule, but his constituents said he's been hard to find this week. They've scheduled a protest outside the Democratic senator's Charleston office Friday to demand more access, according to Cathy Kunkel, an energy consultant and protest planner. "Here we are, and we'd like a town hall meeting," Kunkel said. "His constituents have a lot of questions." For now, protesters' angst is largely focused on Republicans. But only a few weeks ago, Democrats including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts faced a sharp rebuke for backing one of Trump's Cabinet picks. [February 24, 2017] Raytheon awarded contract to provide the State of Qatar with Early Warning Radar System TEWKSBURY, Mass., Feb. 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon Co., Woburn, Massachusetts, has been awarded a $1,066,297,129 fixed-price, incentive-firm letter contract for a Qatar early warning radar system. Contractor will provide an early warning radar system that will be integrated into the Qatar integrated air and missile defense enterprise. Work will be performed at Woburn, Massachusetts, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2021. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, is the contracting activity (FA8730-1-C-0010). About Raytheon Raytheon Company, with 2016 sales of $24 billion and 63,000 employees, is a technology and innovation leader specializing in defense, civil government and cybersecurity solutions. With a history of innovation spanning 95 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 @Raytheon. Media Contact Ian Davis +1.978.858.4135 [email protected] To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/raytheon-awarded-contract-to-provide-the-state-of-qatar-with-early-warning-radar-system-300413508.html SOURCE Raytheon Company NHI to Attend the Wells Fargo Real Estate Securities Conference National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE: NHI) announced that Eric Mendelsohn, President and CEO, and Roger Hopkins, Chief Accounting Officer, will attend the Wells Fargo (News - Alert) 20th Annual Real Estate Securities Conference. The conference is to be held March 1st and 2nd at The Plaza Hotel in New York, NY. About NHI Incorporated in 1991, National Health Investors, Inc. (NYSE: NHI) is a real estate investment trust specializing in sale-leaseback, jointventure, mortgage and mezzanine financing of need-driven and discretionary senior housing and medical investments. NHI's portfolio consists of independent, assisted and memory care communities, entrance-fee retirement communities, skilled nursing facilities, medical office buildings and specialty hospitals. For more information, visit www.nhireit.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005803/en/ [February 24, 2017] Scott+Scott Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Financial Institutions Harmed by Arby's Data Breach Scott+Scott, Attorneys at Law, LLP ("Scott+Scott"), announces that it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a putative class of financial institutions that suffered damages as a result of the recently-announced data breach at nationwide locations of Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Arby's"). In or around October 2016, computer hackers began using malicious software, known as malware, to access point-of-sale systems at Arby's locations throughout the United States. This data breach lasted through at least January 2017 (and possibly later) when Arby's first learned of the data breach only after being notified of the breach by industry partners. Arby's did not publicly acknowledge the breach until February 16, 2017, approximately four months after hackers first gained entry into Arby's data systems. Hackers were able to gain entry into Arby's data systems by exposing substantial weaknesses and vulnerabilities in Arby's computer and point-of-sale systems by installing malware to extract payment card data from customers' credit and data cards. In the breach, hackers stole Track 1 and Track 2 data, which normally includes the accountholder's name, primary account number, expiration date, service code, and verification code. On behalf of a financial institution, Scott+Scott has fild a class action lawsuit in the Northern District of Georgia, First Choice Federal Credit Union v. Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc., to recover damages incurred as a result of the data breach at Arby's. The complaint alleges that the breach was the inevitable result of Arby's inadequate data security measures and approach to data security. Arby's data security deficiencies are alleged to have been so significant that hackers were able to install the malware and remain undetected for several months, until outside parties notified Arby's that its computer and point-of-sale systems had been breached. To aid consumers whose data may have been stolen, financial institutions have been forced to reissue potentially millions of credit and debit cards. This process, which costs several dollars per card, imposes substantial costs on such financial institutions, who also incur many administrative expenses and overhead charges dealing with monitoring and preventing fraud. These financial institutions must also reimburse fraudulent charges and lose interest and transaction fees. WHAT YOU CAN DO: If you are a financial institution and are interested in learning more about or joining this litigation, please contact attorney Joseph Guglielmo at: (212) 223-6444 or at: [email protected]. ABOUT SCOTT+SCOTT, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, LLP Scott+Scott has significant experience in prosecuting major competition, consumer, securities, and antitrust actions throughout the United States. The firm represents pension funds, foundations, individuals, and other entities worldwide. Scott+Scott has represented financial institutions in other data breach class actions, including those against Target (News - Alert), Home Depot, Wendy's, K-Mart, and MAPCO. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005816/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 24, 2017] Alteryx Files Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering Alteryx, Inc., a leading provider of self-service data analytics software, today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC (News - Alert)) relating to a proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Alteryx intends to list its Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "AYX." Goldman, Sachs & Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the proposed offering. Pacific Crest Securities, a division of KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc., William Blair & Company, L.L.C., JMP Securities (News - Alert) LLC, Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Cowen and Company, LLC are acting as co-managers. he proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the preliminary prospectus, when available, may be obtained from Goldman, Sachs & Co., Attention: Prospectus Department, 200 West Street, New York, NY 10282, or by telephone at (866) 471-2526, or by facsimile at (212) 902-9316, or by email at [email protected]; or from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at (866) 803-9204, or by email at [email protected]. A registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005832/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 24, 2017] Robbins Arroyo LLP: Acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Inc. (DGI) by MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd. (MDA) May Not Be in Shareholders' Best Interests Shareholder rights attorneys at Robbins Arroyo LLP are investigating the proposed acquisition of DigitalGlobe, Inc. (NYSE: DGI) by MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates Ltd. ("MDA (News - Alert)") (Toronto: MDA). On February 24, 2017, the two companies announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which MacDonald Dettwiler & Associates will acquire DigitalGlobe (News - Alert). Under the terms of the agreement DigitalGlobe shareholders will receive $17.50 in cash and 0.3132 MDA common shares with a value of $17.50 per share based on MDA's last unaffected closing price on February 16, 2017, the combined value of which is equivalent to $35.00 for each share of DigitalGlobe common stock. View this information on the law firm's Shareholder Rights Blog: www.robbinsarroyo.com/shareholders-rights-blog/digitalglobe-inc-feb-2017 Is the Proposed Acquisition Best for DigitalGlobe and Its Shareholders? Robbins Arroyo LLP's investigation focuses on whether the board of directrs at DigitalGlobe is undertaking a fair process to obtain maximum value and adequately compensate its shareholders. As an initial matter, the $35.00 merger consideration is significantly below the target price of $44.00 set by an analyst at Jefferies on November 15, 2016, and the target price of $39.00 set by an analyst at Piper Jaffray on November 29, 2016. Additionally, in the last three years DigitalGlobe traded as high as $42.73 on February 25, 2014, and most recently traded above the merger consideration - at $35.02 - on April 9, 2015. On October 25, 2016, DigitalGlobe reported strong earnings results for its third quarter 2016. DigitalGlobe reported net income of $15 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016, a 56.3% increase over the same period of the prior year. DigitalGlobe has also beaten analyst estimates for adjusted net income, revenue, and adjusted earnings per share for the past four consecutive quarters. In commenting on these results, DigitalGlobe Chief Executive Officer Jeffrey R. Tarr remarked, "We are pleased to report that solid execution of our strategy is delivering better than expected results. With the upcoming launch of WorldView-4 and our acquisition of Radiant Group, we will be even better positioned to support our customers as the leading commercial source of earth imagery and geospatial analytics." In light of these facts, Robbins Arroyo LLP is examining DigitalGlobe's board of directors' decision to sell the company now rather than allow shareholders to continue to participate in the company's continued success and future growth prospects. DigitalGlobe shareholders have the option to file a class action lawsuit to ensure the board of directors obtains the best possible price for shareholders and the disclosure of material information. DigitalGlobe shareholders interested in information about their rights and potential remedies can contact attorney Darnell R. Donahue at (800) 350-6003, [email protected], or via the shareholder information form on the firm's website. Robbins Arroyo LLP is a nationally recognized leader in securities litigation and shareholder rights law. The law firm represents individual and institutional investors in shareholder derivative and securities class action lawsuits, and has helped its clients realize more than $1 billion of value for themselves and the companies in which they have invested. Attorney Advertising. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005835/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] 1. Comments must not be racist, misogynistic, homophobic, or otherwise bigoted. 2. Comments must not involve little more than name-calling and insulting remarks. 3. Comments must not be made by "anonymous" or "unknown". 4. Comments must not try to sneak in some free advertising for themselves (like spam). I invite anyone who wishes to comment on this blog to do so. I enjoy the comments, whether you agree with what I have said or not. But some people want to abuse the right to comment, and since this is my blog, I have decided to lay down the following rules. If your comment violates these rules, it will not be published. SHAREHOLDER ALERT: Goldberg Law PC Announces an Investigation of Grana y Montero SAA and Advises Investors with Losses to Contact the Firm Goldberg Law PC announces that it is investigating Grana y Montero SAA ("Grana" or the "Company") (NYSE: GRAM) concerning possible violations of federal securities laws. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Grana shares and would like more information regarding the investigation, we encourage you to click here, or contact Michael Goldberg or Brian Schall, of Goldberg Law PC, 1999 Avenueof the Stars Suite 1100, Los Angeles, CA (News - Alert) 90067, at 800-977-7401, to discuss your rights without cost to you. You can also reach us through the firm's website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or by email at [email protected]. On February 24, 2017, it was revealed that Grana was aware of $20 million in bribes conferred to former President Alejandro Toledo by Brazilian firm Odebrecht SA. Grana y Montero worked with Odebrecht on two parts of a project to pave a road extending from the Peruvian Amazon to Brazil. When this information was revealed to the public, Grana stock dropped, causing investors harm. If you have any questions concerning your legal rights, please immediately contact Goldberg Law PC at 800-977-7401, or visit our website at http://www.Goldberglawpc.com, or email us at [email protected]. Goldberg Law PC represents shareholders around the world and specializes in securities class actions and shareholder rights litigation. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005851/en/ [February 24, 2017] CNMMA Applauds Government on Extensive Marijuana Consultation During Cross-Country Tour The Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association (CNMMA) is pleased to see the government continuing with consultation prior to the adoption of legislation that legalizes marijuana. "We applaud the government for its openness in the comprehensive consultation process and for such a high level of engagement," said Deepak Anand, Executive Director of the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association. "We praise and support Parliamentary Secretary Bill Blair for embarking upon a cross-country tour to meet with police chiefs and putting communities first." Blair, formerly Toronto's police chief, is touring Canada to speak to communities to hear concerns prior to the adoption of legislation legalizing marijuana, which the government has committed to introducing this spring. The CNMMA remains a proud partner in the consultation process and applauds the federal government's task force its recommendations - which include selling marijuana through the mail or in storefronts to people aged 18 and older - but urges that certain considerations be kept in mind throughout the implementation procss. Some of those considerations are as follows: Though CNMMA originally sought the recommended age restricts to be 21 years old, it believes the task force's recommendation of 18 strikes a necessary balance between protecting youth and reducing the demand for black-market products. Though CNMMA still encourages provincial governments, as they develop distribution framework, to consider on a case-by-case basis whether their current minimum ages for alcohol would serve to reduce both harm to young people and the impacts of restrictions that drive willing consumers out of the regulated market and into the illicit one Public safety is of utmost concern when developing this legislation. The CNMMA is satisfied with the task force's recommendations in this area, specifically those that make reference to graduated sanctions for impaired driving. CNMMA suggests that if all laws surrounding marijuana use are addressed via a dedicated legislative act including those for impaired driving, that medical users be held to the same expectation of responsible use. Quality of product is important to ensure in the new legislation. The federal task force report refers to a system of supply management with the intent of controlling price. The CNMMA is concerned that a licensing model based on limiting supply would reduce market diversity and draw the focus away from rewarding producers that innovate and consistently produce high-quality products. The purpose of the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association is to ensure all Canadian patients who benefit from medical marijuana in Canada, have access to the highest quality of product and services, to meet their specific health care needs in a safe, well-regulated environment. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170224005863/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2017] GEICO names Troy Penry assistant vice president of claims The GEICO board of directors announced this week the election of Troy Penry to assistant vice president of the company's national claims operations. He will take on responsibility for leading GEICO's auto damage operations across the country. This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170225005001/en/ GEICO names Troy Penry assistant vice president of claims (Photo: Business Wire) "Troy's depth of experience will serve him and GEICO well as he takes on his new responsibilities," said Bill Roberts, GEICO's president and chief operating officer. "We rely on our auto damage adjusters to take excellent care of our policyholders. It will be a big job, but Troy is clearly capable of helping them achieve that." Penry joined GEICO in 1995 as a service counselor in the company's Dallas regional office and transferred to auto damage in 1998. In 2001 he was selected for the supervisor-in-training program in Dallas. Later he serving as an analyst/auditor and went on to become a supervisor in the Killeen and Austin areas. He was promoted to manager in auto damage in 2010, with responsibilities for Dallas, northeast Texas and Kansas. He was named auto damage director for GEICO's Tucson regional office last year. Penry's wife, Ashley, and son, Aiden, will be making their new home in Chevy Chase, Md. For his workand that of his team's efforts, Penry was among those who earned a Corporate Quality Award for their performance after Hurricane Sandy. Penry holds a bachelor's degree in network and communications management from DeVry University. GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 15 million private passenger customers, insuring more than 24 million vehicles (auto & cycle). Using GEICO's online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through the GEICO App, reach a representative over the phone or visit a GEICO local agent. GEICO also provides insurance quotes on motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), boats, travel trailers and motorhomes (RVs). Coverage for life, homes and apartments is written by non-affiliated insurance companies and is secured through the GEICO Insurance Agency, Inc. Commercial auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also available. For more information, go to www.geico.com. View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170225005001/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] [February 25, 2017] Securus Announces the Appointment of a Director of Recidivism and Reentry DALLAS, Feb. 25, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Securus Technologies, a leading provider of civil and criminal justice technology solutions for public safety, investigation, corrections and monitoring, announces the appointment of a Director of Recidivism and Reentry. "Too often, too many offenders return to jail or prison. State prisons and county jails are trying to tackle this ongoing problem and improve the lives of inmates and friends and family members. While significant steps are underway, Securus continues to invest significant resources to assist our facility customers with solutions," said Richard A. "Rick" Smith, CEO of Securus Technologies. "The appointment of Dawn Freeman as the Director of Recidivism and Reentry will be utilized to partner with the industry to find ways we can help inmates returning to society in a meaningful, productive way thus reducing recidivism rates." So far, Securus has taken these industry-leading steps: Deployed an industry leading 150,000 smart devices, including tablets to bring education, content and technology into the hands of inmates. This represents an investment of over $20 million ; ; Secured exclusive partnership with JobView to provide inmates with job searches; JPay, a Securus company, launched Lantern (2015), a technology driven education platform. Lantern is the gateway to a positive, education-driven utcome. Over 180,000 inmates have access to JPay's education programs with over 3.1 million downloads and growing; Partnered with another leading technology provider that provides customized educational content to offenders; Invested in Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP) in 2016 that has a proven long term positive impact on recidivism. Correctional education has never been more important research shows that inmates who received education while in prison were 43% less likely to become repeat offenders. "Securus' new Director of Recidivism and Reentry will collaborate with federal, state and local agencies to combine our technology capabilities with their specific recidivism goals to bring real change - improving the lives of ex-offenders and reducing the cost of incarceration through reduced recidivism rates and new reentry solutions. It will be Ms. Freeman's work to insure that Securus brings the full benefits of PEP, JPay, JobView, and others to benefit inmates and all of society. "Our long term support for the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), as an example, is based on their results on recidivism reduction which are spectacular. That is why we are strong advocates of PEP. Over the last three (3) years, PEP has reduced recidivism down to 7% for its graduates, or an 86% reduction versus national averages, and 100% of their graduates have jobs within 90 days after release from prison, with almost 300 businesses started by its graduates! Those are results that speak for themselves. We want to have all of our long-term facilities get those same results. "PEP is a great example of what we stand for and are promoting at Securus," concluded Smith. ABOUT SECURUS TECHNOLOGIES Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and serving more than 3,450 public safety, law enforcement and corrections agencies and over 1,200,000 inmates across North America, Securus Technologies is committed to serve and connect by providing emergency response, incident management, public information, investigation, biometric analysis, communication, information management, inmate self-service, and monitoring products and services in order to make our world a safer place to live. Securus Technologies focuses on connecting what matters. To learn more about our full suite of civil and criminal justice technology solutions, please visit SecurusTechnologies.com. To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/securus-announces-the-appointment-of-a-director-of-recidivism-and-reentry-300413613.html SOURCE Securus Technologies, Inc. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] Fact check: What's true, what's not in Indiana candidates' election ads IndyStar fact checked claims in some of the latest TV ads so voters know which claims are based in truth ahead of election day Phone makers are descending upon Barcelona next week to reveal the latest mobile devices. And even if you can't grab a front-row seat in Spain, you can still get a live look-in at all the new smartphones that will soon be heading your way, thanks to live streaming of the major press events at Mobile World Congress 2017. (Image credit: GSM Association) Here's a quick rundown of the major announcements slated for MWC, along with information on how you can watch live streams of the news as it happens. You can also follow along at Tom's Guide, where we'll have Mobile World Congress coverage all throughout the week. Blackberry When: Saturday, Feb. 25, 7 p.m. CET/1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: TCL Communication, which now owns the global rights to the BlackBerry brand, has made no secret of what it plans to unveil at Mobile World Congress it's a new Android-based BlackBerry device with a physical keyboard. The new phone is code-named BlackBerry Mercury, and we had a preview of what it looks like during CES last month; now it's just a matter of finding out more about the phone's features, including its price tag. How to Watch It: CrackBerry will host the BlackBerry Mercury launch event on Saturday. You can watch the live stream directly at CrackBerry. MORE: MWC Preview: What to Expect at Biggest Mobile Event LG When: Sunday, Feb. 26, Noon CET/6 a.m. EST/3 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: LG's plans for MWC aren't exactly a state secret. The company plans to announce its successor to the LG G5. LG has already confirmed that the G6 will have a 5.7-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, with the screen taking up the bulk of the phone's front. It's less clear whether LG will retain the modular design of the G5, but the rumor mill suggests that the G6 will likely go in a different direction. How to Watch It: LG's YouTube channel is already teasing the G6 unveiling. Best to check the main LG channel on Sunday to see if there's a live stream. Huawei When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 2 p.m. CET/8 a.m. EST/5 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: Huawei's Honor lineup got the spotlight at CES, so Huawei might turn its attention to a successor to the Huawei P9, which came out about a year ago. A new smartwatch powered by the recently released Android Wear 2 could also be on the agenda, according to leaker Evan Blass. How to Watch It: Huawei doesn't always live stream its events, but if its Mobile World Congress announcements do get live coverage, you'll likely find it on the company's YouTube press site. Nokia When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m. CET/10:30 a.m. EST/7:30 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: Nokia is working on a comeback story involving Android phones. The first models have already started shipping in China, but we're likely to hear more about Nokia's plans at MWC and hopefully that includes more details about when U.S. consumers might see these phones. How to Watch It: Nokia plans to live stream its MWC event, both on its YouTube channel as well as on Facebook. Motorola When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 4:30 p.m. CET/10:30 a.m. EST/7:30 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: Honestly, Moto could have a number of announcements up its sleeve. But based on rumors popping up on assorted tech sites, the Moto G5 the latest addition to the attractively priced Moto G lineup seems likely to be the center of attention. How to Watch It: Like the other phone makers, Moto has its very own YouTube channel, and if a stream of Sunday's press event it going to wind up anywhere, it's likely to be there. Samsung Samsung's teaser of its MWC announcement. When: Sunday, Feb. 26, 7 p.m. CET/1 p.m. EST/10 a.m. PST What They're Talking About: Despite all the rumors surrounding the Galaxy S8, Samsung has already indicated it won't unveil the new phone at MWC. (That doesn't rule out a teaser announcement, however.) Instead, Samsung' focus is likely to be on tablets the rumored Galaxy S3 Tab, specifically, and maybe a Windows 10 tablet, too. How to Watch It: Samsung's Galaxy site (opens in new tab) is currently promising a live stream of the event. Sony When: Monday, Feb. 27, 8:30 a.m. CET/2:30 a.m. EST/11:30 p.m. PST (Feb. 26) What They're Talking About: Last year's MWC saw Sony introduce its Xperia X lineup while teasing several accessories aimed at supporting its phones. Look for Sony to have more to say about its mobile plans this year. How to Watch It: Sony hasn't posted its live stream plans yet, but the company will likely broadcast the event from its own website. "Nick Haines, Steve Kraske, Eric Wesson, Mike Ferguson and Dave Helling discuss the latest developments in the budget battle in Kansas, the official start to the 2018 Kansas gubernatorial race as former Wichita mayor Carl Brewer announces his campaign, Freedom Inc.'s opposition to the infrastructure bond, Mayor James' struggle to get facetime with Governor Greitens & the President's Day protests." Top journalists in Kansas City discuss repeat the headlines this week and offer some perspective of their own.Check the description . . .Developing . . . On Saturday, leaders in India's Hindu community urged male Indian nationals abroad to wear "tika," a mark on the forehead that identifies them as Hindu. Hindu women were encouraged to wear the red dot on their foreheads known as "bindi." Along with typical criticism of the TV reality show Prez . . . Here's a brief cultural passage that's exceptionally interesting beyond all the political hype . .. THE $800,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND APPROVAL POLLS POORLY IN THE NORTHLAND!!! "These are Trump voters in the Northland and they've shown their willingness to contradict conventional political wisdom. They're not going to support another tax on their homes for infrastructure promises from Mayor James. The Northland Trump voter is anti-tax and, really, anti-government. Convincing these folks will be the biggest challenge this campaign faces." "With Freedom, Inc. against the GO Bonds as well . . . Where does the GO BOND support come from??? Right now you have the midtown corridor that Mayor Sly can rely upon, but that's about it." The latest data floating around Kansas City civic circles creates panic as the April election moves closer.To wit . . .There are a great many reasons for this but first and foremost we'd like to reemphasize that Mayor Sly James hasbeen popular on the nice side of the bridge and even in his election victory he failed to win support.Sadly, even his beautiful smile has yet to convince voters from this part of town . . .Moreover, the latest OFF-RECORD polling data focuses on likely voters who have now been emboldened by the current political climate . . .In regard to voter sentiment and with this new hint about bad numbers from across the bridge. One of the very best Kansas City Insiders offers insight . . .In more bad news for the "123 GO Bonds" campaign . . . Data about the Northland and East Side opposition to the bond plan reveals thatbehind the scenes.Insider insight on this trend . . .As usual, whenever a new tax is on the table . . . Mayor Sly usually relies upon low voter turnout to win the day and that trend might hold true despite increasing challenges to the tax.But for now . . . We advise locals to ask Councilmembers about the data they've recently received showing Northland anti-tax dissent and see how willing they are to share it.Developing . . . The first Borrowers' Advice Bureau, which will serve as a pilot for some 120 similar centres planned in the future, is to open on March 1 The first Borrowers' Advice Bureau, which will serve as a pilot for some 120 similar centres planned in the future, is to open on March 1 within the Special Secretariat for the Management of Private Debt in the old Keranis factory building in Athens. The bureau will be officially inaugurated next Wednesday and its phone line will be 2132125730. According to Special Secretary for the Management of Private Debt Fotis Kourmousis, the aim of these bureaus is to assist in the settlement of some 20 billion euros in mortgage and consumer loans owed by private citizens in Greece. They are initially expected to process approximately 40,000 debtors each year and, once the relevant electronic platform is fully operational, the 250 employees in such centres can serve up to 1.8 million citizens. The finance ministry's planning envisages that the next two bureaus will open in Athens and Pireaus in March, and then following 12 in the other regional capitals of the country. The aim is to have 120 such centres operating in the first half of 2017, of which 30 will then become upgraded to Borrowers' Advice and Support Centres in the second half of the year. These advice and support centres will be in a position to provide loan takers with every type of information or assistance needed in connection with their loans, in order to make it possible for them to keep abreast of payments due under the settlements reached with banks and to service their loans without delays. In the meantime, the Special Secretariat for Private Debt Management intends to have its website www.keyd.gov.gr running by Easter in order to provide information to borrowers on the options the legal framework makes available to overindebted households and businesses and to help them find solutions for their individual case. 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 Source: ANA-MPA Prospects of a more flexible IMF participation in the Greek bailout, due to whatever policy changes in Washington by the Trump administration, more-or-less fell by the wayside on Thursday with high-profile statements by new US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who said the country's economic crisis is "principally Europes problem." The former Goldman Sachs executive banker was quoted by the WSJ, which also projected that the Trump administration will advocate a strict stance by the Fund vis-a-vis the Greek program. This is primarily a European issue. Were speaking to our European counterparts and the IMF on this, but this is obviously being led by our European counterparts. Mnuchin said on Wednesday. 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 Greek justice will decide on the two Turkish military officers based on laws and international treaties, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos on Friday said The Greek justice will decide on the two Turkish military officers based on laws and international treaties, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos on Friday said in an interview with ANT1 TV. Referring to Turkish provocations, he said that Turkey lacks composure. "Turkey has decided to escalate the crisis," he underlined adding that at the same time an unprecedented media war is carried out. Regarding the cooperation with SYRIZA, he said that nothing will change until 2019 and perhaps 2023. On the negotiations, he said that the outcome of the recent Eurogroup was a victory of the Greek government as no measure that will hurt the Greek people was taken while at the same time the austerity policy and Europe's stance have changed. 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 Source: ANA-MPA Nina Christidi could have never guessed that her misunderstanding of a question on a visa form five years ago could result in the deportation of her family from Australia Nina Christidi could have never guessed that her misunderstanding of a question on a visa form five years ago could result in the deportation of her family from Australia, according to greekreporter.com. Christina and Stefanos Stefanoglou moved from Greece to Australia five years ago with their two children, who were 11-months and 4-years-old at the time. They have recently found out that Christidi filled out a question in error on a visa form when she answered no to whether she or anyone in her family would be studying in Australia. It was an honest mistake, I genuinely thought the question referred to whether I intended to study or not, Christidi told News Limited. She never thought of the fact that her children would indeed be attending school in Melbourne, where the couple settled their family. Now the Department of Immigration in Australia says that Christidi provided misleading information and is considering canceling the visas, unless they spend up to $7,500 US dollars on an application re-lodgement. I cant afford to spend the money on another applicationI just wanted to fix my mistake, Christidi said. To complicate matters further, her son, Erotokriti, has Global Developmental Delay (GDD) and attends a special school in Melbourne. My children have never been to school in Greece. Melbourne is our home, adding Until hes ready for a mainstream school, Erotokriti goes to a special school to help and guide himHe wouldnt stand a chance in Athens. The family says that they love Australia and view the country as their home. My husband and I work very hard and want to give back to this beautiful country, Christidi said. For now, they will have to wait and see if they will be allowed to continue living their dreams in Australia. 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 Digital Policy and Media Minister Nikos Pappas on Friday said that Greece was now entering a new era with regard to policy for using space and space applications Visiting the Thales Alenia plant in Cannes to inspect the progress of the new Greek satellite Hellas Sat 3 - currently under construction - Digital Policy and Media Minister Nikos Pappas on Friday said that Greece was now entering a new era with regard to policy for using space and space applications. "With the formation of the National Space Agency we are in a position to have a strategic plan for space, to once again attract bright Greek minds now working, doing research and producing abroad, and to give our country what it deserves and is entitled to," Pappas said. He highlighted the variety of potential applications opened up by the new satellite, through to its ability to combine the signal from surveillance cameras, such as aspects of defence, advanced weather forecasting, flood prevention, surveillance of borders and monitoring wildfires. The Greek satellite will also offer an important new service to travellers, since it will be the only satellite providing internet access to airplanes in Europe, while the minister also showed keen interest in the potential applications to support agriculture. Pappas visited to inspect the progress in assembling the new Greek satellite, which is in the final stages of production, and was able to see the parts before it was boxed up to be sent to French Guiana for its launch into space on June 28. The minister expressed satisfaction that the work was progressing according to schedule. The satellite has been built jointly with the London-based satellite phone company Immarsat but it will be controlled at Hellas Sat's centre in Koropi, Attica. As Hellas Sat CEO Christodoulos Protopapas explained to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency (ANA), the satellite will complement Immarsat's network on the ground. "With the new satellite, Greece's orbital position is strengthened because there will be more antennas around the world that are pointed toward the 39 degrees position and, therefore, more services can be offered from this orbital position. As a result of the attention the government is giving to this sector, Greece is repositioning itself on the global space applications map, while also cultivating international recognition," he said. According to sources, the Hellas Sat centre in Koropi is also expected to soon expand its activities and undertake the control of other satellites, in addition to the Hellas Sat 3. The first such contract, the sources said, is due to be signed in Barcelona in the near future. 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 Qatar-based Al Sawari Holding has awarded a key contract to its subsidiary Gettco Construction for the development of a mixed-use tower, comprising residential and hotel apartments, in the heart of West Bay at capital Doha. Al Seeliya Tower, which will come up on a 40,000 sq m area, boasts a residential hotel serviced apartment tower in the heart of West Bay. We are pleased to sign this agreement with Gettco Construction, which I am confident will deliver this project to meet the highest standards of quality and agreed delivery date, said Sheikh Turki bin Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, chairman of Al Sawari Holding Company. Located in the most prominent business district of Doha, the 33 storey tower, will encompass 180 luxury apartment rooms on completion. With an exclusive design, the project will transmit a local authentic atmosphere, innovative lifestyle and intuitive service. The tower has its completion date set for the end of this year. Commenting on the achievement, Hesham Ibrahim, the acting general manager of Gettco Construction: "We are extremely honoured to be awarded Al Seeliya Tower project. We believe that our proven track record, and Gettco Constructions team being involved in the successful completion of several prestigious projects, was an essential factor to our nomination." "Gettco Construction is committed to exceed Al Sawari Hotels and Resorts expectations," stated Ibrahim. The contract win is an illustration of Gettco Constructions dynamic growth and determination in playing a key role in building the future, he added.-TradeArabia News Service The Lebanese government is set to continue the first round of oil and gas tenders and award the contracts to the winning companies based on transparent standards, said a report, citing a senior minister. Minister of Energy and Water Cesar Abi Khalil was speaking at a workshop attended by international petroleum companies interested in taking part in the first bidding round, reported The Daily Star. The last date for submitting the offers is March 31. "Lebanon has adopted transparent criteria in order to outsource its marine blocks," stated Abi Khalil. "The cabinet has announced its intention to join Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative to guarantee the transparency of the process," he added. The EITI is a global standard that pushes for accountability in projects involving the extraction of natural resources. The minister had announced in January that three partially disputed offshore blocks bordering Israel will be among the five initially up for bidding in Lebanons first oil and gas licensing round. The assigned blocks are 1, 4, 8, 9 and 10, said the report. A prequalification round started on February 2 and will continue until March 31. Companies will be able to submit their bids on the open blocks before September 15. Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) recently organised Arab Tourism Day, under the theme Tourism & the Development of Local Communities in capital Manama. The event was held at the Arcapita Building under the patronage of Zayed bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Industry, Commerce, and Tourism. The celebration falls under the umbrella of the Arab Tourism Organization (ATO), a part of the Arab League. The event kicked-off with the screening of a video produced by the ATO demonstrating the voyage of renowned scholar Ibn Battuta and his significant historic role during his travels and excursions around the world which enriched the Arab culture. This celebration is also significant in that it coincides with the birth date of the scholar, said the event organisers. The event was attended by representatives from the hospitality industry, touristic restaurants, national carrier Gulf Air, and other industry representatives. It gives me great pleasure to commemorate this significant initiative that aims to strengthen the role of the tourism sector as a contributing element to the economy in the Arab region. This initiative supports the Kingdoms vision to diversify the economy and revitalize the non-oil sector. Moreover, it aims to showcase Bahrain as a regional and international touristic hub, remarked Al Zayani. "The kingdom, represented by BTEA, has always stressed on the importance of shifting the tourism sector to be one of the main contributors to the economy. It has also implemented measures that aim to increase the sectors current contribution to the GDP to reach 7 per cent by year 2018, he added. Following the video, there was a presentation by Shaikh Khaled bin Humood Al Khalifa, the chief executive of BTEA, who revealed the latest statistics released by the ATO about the tourism industry in the Arab countries and the importance of the development of this vibrant industry in the journey of sustainable economic development. We are delighted to celebrate the Arab Tourism Day, an initiative that supports BTEAs objectives of simulating intra-regional tourism and fostering industry activity that will serve to further economic opportunities, noted Shaikh Khaled. Shaikh Khaled also highlighted the annual growth rate of the key tourism sector development indicators for the year 2015 to 2016. According to him, there was a sharp increase in the number of visitors to the kingdom which hit 12.3 million in 2016 compared to 11.6 million visitors the previous year, thus registering an annual growth rate of six per cent. He also pointed out the increase in the ratio of the number of hotel guests, which rose from 1.2 million guests to 1.3 million guests, recording an increase of 5 per cent. Shaikh Khaled said the rise in the key indicators had a positive impact on the rate of tourist residency, recording an annual rise of 21.7 per cent to reach 2.8 days from its previously recorded 2.3 days. "This directly impacted the rate of tourism's contribution to the annual non-oil GDP of the Kingdom by 37 per cent, which contributed to 4.6 per cent of the non-oil GDP for the year 2015, increasing to the rate of 6.3 per cent in the year 2016," he added.-TradeArabia News Service A trip to Bavaria, Germany wouldn't be complete without visiting a nearby Bavarian Church that has saintly jewel-encrusted skeletons on display. The Furstenfeld Abbey has dressed two Catholic saints in gold and jewels as they lie encased in a lavish glass case. The remains of Saint Hyacinth of Caesarea and Saint Clemens now served as a tourist destination where travelers can see the skeletons well preserved and heavily ornate with golden crowns, gloves, bracelets, boots and attire. The two remains are considered as sacred full-body Christian relics and have survived for hundreds of years. St. Hyacinth was imprisoned for being a Christian and for not worship Roman gods. In his cell, he was served with meat banned by Christian faith. However, the boy did not eat it and thus, starved himself to death at the age of 12 years old. St. Clemens was beheaded for being a Christian. The abbey for them was built during the 1200s by Louis II, Duke of Bavaria, ordered by Pope Alexander IV as penance for killing his wife. The whole church is decorated with elaborate carvings, paintings, and tapestries. It serves daily masses and is open for visitors. A tour of the abbey and a gaze of the jewel-encrusted skeletons cost only 2.50. What's more the whole abbey seems to have a story of its own and is considered as the residence of King Henry VIII's first wife, Catherine of Aragon. After 438 years after the tragedy of Catherine, the abbey has been listed in the market for takers. It has 12 bedrooms and more decorative features inside the rooms. To get to the abbey, and see the decorative skeletons yourself, head to Munich and find a nearby town about 25km northwest called Furstenfeldbruck and ask for a location of the Furstenfeld Abbey. One can expect seminars, conferences, and theater performances at the church upon visit as well. See Now: The U.S. had the highest number of Most Wanted properties, dominating the Hotels.com Loved By Guests Awards 2018 It's not the first time Noemi Martinez has spoken up on a bill that would help ensure the man who sexually assaulted her has no parental rights to the child conceived during that crime. And, frankly, if this bill doesn't advance for debate or get passed by the Nebraska Legislature, she'll keep telling her story until it does, she said in a letter to the Judiciary Committee. The snowy weather Friday kept her from testifying in person. The bill (LB188) introduced by Omaha Sen. Sara Howard would ensure victims of sexual assault have a pathway to protect their parental rights and the best interests of children conceived as a result of the crimes. A co-worker in Norfolk sexually assaulted Martinez after she went to his apartment on his invitation when she was 18. She doesn't have clear memories of the night, but she does remember telling him she did not want to have sex. The rape ended in a pregnancy. She pressed charges, and the man pleaded down from first-degree to third-degree sexual assault, spent 16 days in jail and was sentenced to 18 months of probation. When Martinez' daughter was born, she applied for Medicaid benefits and the state contacted the father to request child support payments. He, in turn, requested visitation. Because he is the biological father, and there are no protections in Nebraska law, the court ordered Martinez to allow him visits, which he retains today. "I was told it is in the best interest of my child to have a father in her life," she said. But what makes a rapist safe to be a father, she asked. How can he be trusted with a child? He has never apologized and has been a bully, she said, like he was when she was pregnant and he told her to punch herself in the stomach or fall down a flight of stairs. The bill would allow a victim to ask a court to terminate parental rights of a perpetrator, if it is in the best interest of the child. If the person is convicted of sexual assault, he or she would not be considered part of the family for reunification purposes or granted custody or visits without the consent of a custodian or guardian. Twenty-two states allow for termination of parental rights in such cases. Emma Eaton, a high school senior, also testified in favor of the bill. She said it is an injustice that a person must maintain contact, even form a relationship with her rapist. "Like so many others, I was a victim of sexual assault," Eaton said. "What happened to me in middle school has now empowered me through my recovery to be a vigilant survivor and not to allow my perpetrator to victimize me, although I continue to see him in my community." She decided to use her experience to fight for justice for others and to join the fight against sexual assault. "We must stop allowing perpetrators to win," Eaton said. "The actions and behaviors of these people are repeatable. After committing this action once, what will stop them from terrorizing their victim again or, worse, harming the child?" No one testified in opposition to the bill. Workplace discrimination bill advances The Judiciary Committee voted 5-1 to advance a bill for debate that would prohibit discrimination in the workplace. Sen. Steve Halloran of Hastings voted no; Sen. Laura Ebke of Crete was present not voting and Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers was absent from the executive session of the committee. The bill (LB173) relates only to employment, Sen. Adam Morfeld said at its hearing this week, and would prohibit discrimination based upon sexual orientation and gender identity by employers with 15 or more workers or with state contracts. It also covers employment agencies and labor organizations. Coming Monday Senators will continue debate on the Choose Life license plate bill (LB46), which requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to make the plates available. Senators have filed 26 amendments on the bill, which could tie up debate for hours. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Obituaries Newsletter Sign up to get the most recent local obituaries delivered to your inbox. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Kurukshetra, February 25 Nearly four months after it made the announcement, the Haryana government on Saturday released Rs 50 lakh financial assistance to martyr Mandeep Singhs family in the district. A cheque for Rs 25 lakh has been issued in the name of martyr sepoys widow Prerna and Rs 12.50 lakh each in the names of deceaseds parents Phool Singh and Nirmala. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Mandeep was martyred during an anti-terrorist operation near the Line of Control (LoC) in Machil sector in Kupwara on October 28 last. Later, his body was found mutilated along the LoC. Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced Rs 50 lakh and a job to next of the kin of the martyr. On January 26, The Tribune had reported the delay in awarding the compensation to the family living at Anteri village near here. The state authorities blame the Armys procedural delay for stepping forward in fulfilling announcements made by the CM for the aggrieved family on October 30. Sources denied reports that there was any official assurance on granting a petrol pump to the family or promotion of Prerna, a constable in Haryana Police, as a DSP. Yesterday, she along with her family members tried to meet the Prime Minister to complain about delay in getting promised compensation. Prerna today said she refused to accept the compensation in the absence of male members in the family. My father-in-law and brother-in-law will reach home late tonight. I have requested the administration to hand over the amount tomorrow morning in the presence of all family members. Since the compensation has been sanctioned I have no grouse but want a martyrs should be treated with all respect, said Prerna. It was painful to see that the promise made by the CM himself took long time to materialise. Job promise to Mandeeps younger brother should also be fulfilled soon, she said. Meanwhile, the Kurukshetra DC said a mandatory report by the Army was awaited by the state to release the ex gratia and other benefits. Battle casualty report by the army authorities reached the district administration on February 5 and the same day it was sent to the Sainik Board headquarters for the release the funds. Following official procedures, the cheques were released today, said the DC. An affidavit was furnished by Prerna last month for grant of job to Mandeeps brother and the administration said the decision was under process at the government level. Tribune News Service Shimla, February 25 Former Union minister and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Anand Sharma today said the election manifesto of the Congress, prepared and released before the 2012 Assembly elections in the state, was not that of any individual but of the party. The manifesto was prepared by the election manifesto committee, headed by me. It was released in Peterhoff in the presence of Virbhadra Singh, Kaul Singh Thakur, Vidya Stokes and other senior leaders, so it is a document of the Congress and not of any individual, remarked Sharma during a media interaction here. He said he would discuss the issue with the Chief Minister and talks would be held at the party level to assess how all promises made in the manifesto could be fulfilled. Sharma even went to the extent of stating that the Congress wanted to create job avenues for more youth and would like to fulfil the promise of granting unemployment allowance to the youth. The Congress, in its election manifesto in Punjab and Uttarakhand where the polls were held recently, has promised unemployment allowance to the educated jobless youth, he stated. Adopting a very cautious approach while giving his views on the unemployment allowance, Sharma said this was an issue which would be decided within the party forum and not on a public platform. However, his remarks have made it more than obvious that he too is not happy about the decision of the state government of not honouring the commitment made at the time of elections. I agree that we need to improve the coordination between the government and the party and we will sit together work towards making it better, he said when his attention was drawn towards the remarks made by the CM on the HPCC appointees and their stature. The HPCC has convened a meeting on February 27 where discussions will be held on the issue of unemployment allowance. Depending on the feedback that the party gets from its leaders and workers, the issue will be raised with the Chief Minister. Bali will hold a youth and women rally at Dharamsala on March 25 to highlight the plight of the educated unemployed youth. The issue of non-fulfilment of the election promise of unemployment allowance seems to have divided the Congress leadership with Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Transport Minister GS Bali openly differing with Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh. The CM had stated that no state government was in a position to bear the burden of granting the allowance to the jobless youth and his regime had devised a better mechanism of providing a Skill Development Allowance which would make them employable. Tribune News Service Jalandhar, February 23 The Punjab Students Union today condemned Delhi University for preventing Jawaharlal Nehru University student Umar Khalid from speaking at an event at Ramjas College, scheduled to be held by its literary society and English Department. Khalid was to speak on the topic, War in Adivasi areas. In a statement released to the press, Punjab Student Union state leader Mangaljit Pandori and Doaba zone leader Jaskaran Azad said outfits like the ABVP, associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) in the country, which are intent upon implementing a fascist agenda, are preventing intellectuals from raising serious issues like Kashmir, conflict in tribal areas, Dalit and minority issues, thereby hampering freedom of expression. According to the activists, the fascist powers were crushing the freedom of speech and expression through their actions. They said in the past, such incidents had occurred frequently in many educational institutions of the country in the past. They warned students of being wary of such outfits and to uphold the freedom they were constitutionally entitled to. Tribune News Service Jammu, February 24 The Border Security Force (BSF) last night shot dead a woman intruder in Pargwal sector on the International Border (IB). Sources said despite being challenged a number of times, the intruder did not stop heading towards the IB, forcing the BSF to open fire. It was only after retrieving the body that her gender was known. This is for the first time that a woman intruder has been shot dead on the IB. On February 21, the BSF had shot dead a terrorist in the Keri area of Rajouri sector. The BSF also apprehended a Pakistani national while crossing the IB near the Paharpur border outpost in Hiranagar sector. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) On the intervening night of February 23 and 24, BSF troops of 97 battalion observed suspicious movement close to the Paharpur border outpost. They challenged the intruder, but he did not pay heed to the warnings and kept heading forward. The troops then apprehended the youth, who was later identified as Azhar (21) of Nallian village in Narowal district. He seemed to be mentally unsound. Meanwhile, the BSF and Pakistani Rangers today held a Commandant and Wing Commander-level flag meeting at the Border Post No. 15 on Indian request in the Kathua sector. The Pakistani delegation was headed by Wing Commander Lt Col Asmat Ullah Khan, while the Indian delegation comprised Commandants Bhupinder Singh and K Ganesh and five others. The Indian team raised issues like firing on BSF troops from the Pakistan side, repeated objections raised by Pak Rangers as regards maintenance work on the Indian side, and hunting by Pakistani nationals close to the border area. the BSF PRO said. Pak Rangers reportedly assured the Indian side that they wanted to maintain good relations with the counterpart border guarding forces and such meetings should be arranged more frequently in bordering areas. The Pakistan Rangers also raised objections such as burning of sarkanda which, they said, spread to their side and damaged telephone wires, etc. he added. Jammu, February 25 Only one-way traffic was allowed on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway on Saturday because of bad condition of the road. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "Traffic will move from Srinagar to Jammu but no vehicle will be allowed in the opposite direction," a traffic department official said here. "These restrictions will also apply to army convoys and paramilitary forces." Due to multiple landslides and snowfall, the strategic highway has remained close off and on during this winter causing inconvenience to travellers. Closures of the only road link that is used for carrying supplies to the landlocked Kashmir Valley often results in skyrocketing prices of essential commodities. Air travel also became exceptionally costly between the valley and the rest of the country during periods the highway remained closed. IANS Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 25 Separatist leader and Ummat-e-Islami chief, Mirwaiz Qazi Yasir, was detained by the police here today as he attempted to hold a token day-long hunger strike in solidarity with political prisoners. Yasir was detained from the citys Press Colony, immediately after he had sat on the hunger strike along with several separatist activists. Policemen detained Yasir and several other demonstrators and lodged them at the nearby Kothibagh police station. Yasir, who heads Ummat-e-Islami and is a preacher in south Kashmirs Anantnag district, had called for a token hunger strike to express solidarity with political prisoners. The hunger strike was aimed at drawing attention to political prisoners in a peaceful manner but the police arrived on the spot to sabotage the strike, Ummat-e-Islami said in a statement. The party identified the detained activists as Mohammad Yusuf Mir of DFP, Mohammad Yaseen Attai of Peoples League, Ramzan Khan of Peoples Freedom, and Ummat-e-Islami members Waheed Khan, Moulana Nissar Nayeemi, Moulana Irshad Attari, Moulana Riyaz Qadri, Mohammad Sidiq and Moulana Ajaz Ahmad. The party said Yasir continued the hunger strike while in detention at the police station. Prisoners are heroes of this nation and inheritors of the struggle which has been founded by half a million martyrs of Kashmir. We cant let our people rot in jail and stay silent, Yasir was quoted in the statement issued by his party. We have set our ultra-vision binoculars at the Oscars where foreign film Oscar nominees have united to decry fanaticism in US. The six directors, whose movies have been nominated for best foreign-language film at this years Oscars, have condemned the climate of fanaticism and nationalism in the US and other countries. The group includes Asghar Farhadi, the Iranian director of The Salesman, who in the wake of President Donald Trumps executive order attempting to enforce a travel ban from seven predominantly Muslim countries, said he would boycott the Academy Awards ceremony in protest. Rebels for a cause The collective statement was signed by Farhadi along with Martin Zandvliet (Land of Mine), Hannes Holm (A Man Called Ove), Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann) and Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Tanna). However, this is not the first time that The Academy Awards had a tryst with political protests. In several acceptance speeches, the reference to political issues have stirred a storm in the cup since 1973, when Marlon Brando was nominated for Best Actor for his performance in The Godfather. But Brando famously boycotted the Oscars, and in his place sent Native American activist Sacheen Littlefeather. She refused the award on Brandos behalf, as a statement against the stereotypical portrayal of Native Americans in film and television, as well as the federal governments long-standing failure to honor the treaties it had made with Native American nations. Then in 1978, actress Vanessa Redgrave had been dealing with public outcry for The Palestinian, a documentary she produced and narrated, which presented a sympathetic portrayal of the Palestinian Liberation Organisation. And in 2003, filmmaker Michael Moores documentary Bowling For Columbine won, it was just days after the United States had commenced its invasion of Iraq. Moore, a rather vociferous critic of then-President George W. Bush, said, We live in fictitious timesWe live in a time where we have fictitious election results that elect a fictitious presidentWe live in a time where we have a man sending us to war for fictitious reasons. Catching the viral fever? Taking a cue from #oscarssowhite, this year, #oscarssosgeist has gone viral. Not to miss, Ellen DeGeneres Oscars Selfie! 2014 Oscars host, Ellen DeGeneres, gathered some of the top stars in the room that night to take one ridiculously star-studded selfie. If only Bradleys arm was longer. Best photo ever, DeGeneres tweeted. #oscars. The post, including Bradley Cooper, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Julia Roberts, Jennifer Lawrence, Lupita Nyongo (and her brother) went viral immediately, and has 3.3 million-plus retweets, and 2.1 million-plus likes to date. Also, Jennifer Lawrence had a trip to remember at the Oscars in 2013 when she tripped and fell while accepting her first-ever Best Actress Oscar (for The Silver Linings Playbook). And since we are in love with the idea of love, were punctuating it with a kiss! Heres to Adrien Brody who made making a history back in 2003 while accepting his Academy Award for Best Actor. The Pianist star casually made his way to the stage and shockingly planted one on presenter Halle Berry. A radical fashion statement They didnt give two hoots to the conventional notion of what looks good to the fashion police. Sometimes, it is not about looking pretty. So, heres to Barbara Streisand in Arnold Scaasi, 1969, for her revolutionary black dress. Then theres Bjork in Marjan Pejoski, who 2001 wore a white swan dress. And, who could forget Diane Keaton turning heads in full coattails and a coordinating bowler hat, recalling a fedora-wearing Celine Dion, who for one of her own Oscar moments was outfitted in a white tuxedo with jacket worn back to front. Before that, Demi Moore walked the red carpet in spandex bike shorts with a metallic brocade train behind her. And wed give it to Gwyneth Paltrow, who in 2002 did her part to free the nipple in a see-through Alexander McQueen. Also, Angelina Jolie, in 2012, sent struck a pose in a strapless Atelier Versace gown that put a slit cut up to there on full display. Compiled by Amarjot Kaur Washington, February 25 The wife of Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla, who was shot dead at a US bar two days ago, has publicly sought answers to what she perceived was a spread in American hate crimes. I have a question in my mind: Do we belong here? Sunayana Dumala asked in a news conference at the headquarters of electronics manufacturer Garmin, where Kuchibhotla worked as an aviation systems engineer. Weve read many times of some kind of shooting happening... and we always wondered, how safe we are? Of the two of them, she said, she was most concerned, asking her reassuring husband: Are we doing the right thing of staying in the United States of America? (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Kuchibhotla hailed from Hyderabad and his wife is returning to India for the funeral. She said she wanted to come back to their home in south Olathe, Kansas state, fulfilling her husbands wishes for an American life and me being successful in any field I choose, Kansas City Star newspaper reported. But before making that decision, I need an answer, she said. I need an answer from the government. What are they going to do to stop this hate crime? Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white who earlier served in the US navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled get out of my country and terrorist before shooting them. Authorities on Thursday charged Purinton, 51, with first-degree murder. The incident was being investigated as a possible hate crime. Madasani, who hails from Warangal town in Telangana, was released from a hospital on Thursday. Ian Grillot, an American who tried to save the Indians, remained hospitalised. He was hit by a bullet that pierced his hand and then lodged in his chest. Madasani was greeted on Friday to a rousing standing ovation at Garmin during a companywide vigil held in honour of co-worker Kuchibhotla. Over 200 Garmin workers attended the programme, where they listened to Kuchibhotlas wife share stories about how they met and their lives together. Company officials, along with Olathe Mayor Michael Copeland, pledged their support for Kuchibhotlas family. Kuchibhotla arrived in the US in 2005 with a visa to attend the University of Texas-El Paso (UTEP). His widow said they met online when she was considering attending UTEP. But she instead chose St. Cloud State University in Minnesota after arriving here in 2007. After a six-year courtship, they married in 2012 and bought what Dumala called their dream house in a new Olathe subdivision. They were planning on having children when he was murdered, she said. IANS Vishal Joshi Tribune News Service Kurukshetra, February 25 Nearly four months after its announcement, the Haryana Government today released Rs 50 lakh for martyr Mandeep Singhs family. A cheque for Rs 25 lakh was issued in the name of the sepoys widow, Prerna, and Rs 12.5 lakh each in the name of his parents, Phool Singh and Nirmala. Mandeep died during an anti-terror operation near the LoC in the Machil sector of Kupwara in Kashmir on October 28. His mutilated body was found along the LoC. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had announced Rs 50 lakh and a job to the next of kin. The delay in awarding compensation to the family, living at Anteri village was blamed on the Army. Sources denied reports that there was an official assurance on allotting a fuel station or promoting Prerna, a Haryana Police constable, to DSP. She and other members of the family tried to meet the Prime Minister on Friday to complain about the delay in compensation. She said she refused to accept the compensation in the absence of male members of the family. I only want a martyr to be treated with respect, she said. The promise of a job for Mandeeps younger brother should be met soon. Bijay Sankar Bora Tribune News Service Guwahati, February 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi today promised to turn around the fortunes of backward and problem-plagued Manipur, if the BJP was voted to power in the coming Assembly election. Addressing an election rally in Imphal in the presence of senior BJP leaders, including Prakash Javadekar, Jitendra Singh, Ram Madhav, Kiren Rijiju, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the PM said, You have given 15 years to the Congress which has failed to bring about development and succeeded in dividing Manipur people for political gains. Now, you elect the BJP and I promise to turn around the fortunes of Manipur in 15 months. What the Congress government could not do in 15 years, our (BJP) government will do it in 15 months. Lambasting the ruling Congress in Manipur for spreading canard about the framework of agreement signed with Naga rebel group NSCN-IM, Modi said, There is no mention in the agreement about disturbing the territorial integrity of Manipur. I can assure you that the pact has nothing that will go against the interests of Manipur. The agreement was signed over 18 months ago and I had written to Congress leaders about the content of the agreement. Why the Congress government in Manipur has been silent all along, Modi said. He flayed the Ibobi Singh government for inciting one community against another for narrow political gains and allowing the highway blockade called by Nagas to continue to derive mileage. On the one hand, the Congress government is inciting people of Manipur against Nagas for the blockade, which has caused immense misery to common people, and on the other, they have been paying those calling the blockade to continue with it, Modi alleged and promised to wipe out the culture of blockade in Manipur if the BJP was voted to power. Choose the party (BJP) for 100 per cent development instead of the 10 per cent Chief Minister, Modi said, taking a dig at CM Ibobi Singh. Besides promising all-round development, uninterrupted power, better healthcare and education facilities, the PM promised to strive for promoting organic farming in the state, which he described as Switzerland of the East. Mumbai, February 25 The suspense over alignment of parties for controlling the Mumbai civic body continued on Saturday, with the Congress ruling out support to the Shiv Sena which said it had not approached the party either while the BJP refusing to accept the Congress' backing. Earlier, some Congress sources said thinking was strong in the party's state unit that it should consider the option of enabling the Shiv Sena to have its Mayor, as a tactical move to sharpen the rift between the Sena and the BJP. Final decision would be taken by the Congress' central leadership, they said. Neither the Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after February 21 election to 227-member Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation by winning 84 seats, nor the BJP which won 82 seats can come to power on its own in the cash-rich civic body with the `magic number' being 114. Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam said the party will not back the Shiv Sena, contrary to the speculation. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis today said BJP will not have any post-poll understanding with Congress (which is in the third position with 31 seats), and also not abandon the transparency agenda on which it had targeted the Sena during the bitterly-fought election. "Let those who want to align with Congress do so. The BJP is a party which fights ideology with ideology. Whether we bag power (in BMC) or not, we will never go with Congress," he said. The Sena today claimed it had 89 corporators, with some independents extending support to the Uddhav Thackeray-led party. "I can say that we have secured the maximum number of corporators and the Mayor will be only from the Shiv Sena. The reports that we sought support from the Congress are not true," Sena leader Sanjay Raut said. PTI Mumbai, February 25 With elections to the BMC throwing up a fractured verdict, thinking is strong in the Maharashtra Congress that it should consider the option of enabling the Shiv Sena to foist its candidate as Mayor of the civic body. The Congress, which managed to secure only 31 seats in the 227-member House, however, is unlikely to rush to a decision, preferring to wait till the crucial elections to the five states are over. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The tally of Shiv Sena, which emerged as the single largest party after the counting on Thursday, has risen to 87 corporators, with three party rebels, who won as Independent nominees, returning to its fold on Friday. This gave a slight push to Uddhav Thackerays efforts to cobble up numbers but reaching the magic figure of 114 seats needed to rule the crucial civic body is still a far cry. He however, continued to maintain that the coveted Mayors post will be held by the Sena only. Party workers feel the Sena is a lesser evil than the BJP, said a Congress state office-bearer, who did not wish to be identified. The party, however, would refrain from any open discussion or statement about this until the results of UP and other state Assembly polls are out, considering the political implications of such a move could have a bearing on its prospects. Senior Congress leader Sushil Kumar Shinde said the party is yet to take a decision on the issue, while MPCC chief Ashok Chavan chose to remain non-committal on making any open statement. Even the proponents of the idea of backing the Sena, said a final call will be taken by the partys Central leadership after considering the pros and cons of entering into overt or covert trucks with a saffron party, known for its aggressive stand on certain issues, which is diametrically opposed to the secular plank of the Congress. On the other hand, the BJP which notched up 82 seats in the Mumbai civic polls after fighting separately under the leadership of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, has said it wont compromise on the issue of transparency in the BMC administration, which was the partys poll plank. Mumbai BJP president Ashish Shelar, who met Fadnavis with city unit functionaries and peoples representatives before the BJP core committee meet held at the CMs official residence Varsha on Friday ruled out any tie-up with the Congress in the BMC, to reach the figure needed for majority. In the bitterly-fought BMC elections, the Sena had won 84 seats (now 87), the BJP secured 82, the Congress was relegated to the third position with 31 seats, whereas the NCP and the Raj Thackeray-led MNS finished with nine and seven seats, respectively. Besides, the AIMIM got two seats, the Samajwadi Party six, the Akhil Bhartiya Sena one and Independents five (of which three have now joined the Sena). PTI Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, February 25 A day after Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee chief Ashok Chavan told mediapersons that his party would consider supporting the Shiv Sena in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), his party colleagues of come out strongly against the move. In a statement released to the media, AICC general secretary Gurudas Kamat objected to even holding discussions with the Shiv Sena. We have fought against both saffron parties all along for their divisive policies. The people will not spare us if we attempt to align with them, Kamat said. He further claimed to have briefed party vice-president Rahul Gandhi against tying up with the Shiv Sena. Kamat said it should be left to the Shiv Sena and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to sort out their problems and in the process expose themselves and their lust for power. On Friday, Chavan and senior Congress leader Narayan Rane had suggested a tie-up with the Shiv Sena to isolate the BJP in the Mumbai municipal corporation. Chavan went on to suggest that the Shiv Sena should move away from the BJP at the state and central levels to forge a tie-up with the Congress. The elections to the BMC have thrown up a hung house with the Shiv Sena bagging 84 seats while the BJP came close behind with 82 seats in a House of 227. The Congress with 31 could emerge as kingmaker if it allies with the Shiv Sena. On Friday, the Shiv Sena scored a minor coup with four Independent corporators joining the party. Meanwhile, leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party, which suffered humiliating defeats in its former strongholds of Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad and the zila parishads of western Maharashtra have mooted an alliance with the Shiv Sena and Congress to pull down the Devendra Fadnavis government in the state. Imphal, February 25 Slamming the Congress party for "ruining" Manipur, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said if the BJP comes to power in the state it will "do in 15 months what the Congress did not in the last 15 years". He also assured there will be no economic blockade in the state. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "What the Congress did not do in the last 15 years, I assure we will do it in 15 months. Wherever the Congress is in power there is no development, there is only corruption," said Modi at a public rally here. "There will never be an economic blockade when the BJP comes to power in Manipur, I assure you this," he added. The Manipur Assembly elections will be held in two phases - March 4 and 8 - to elect 60 members of the state legislative Assembly. "Unity of Manipur, welfare of its people and development of the state is our only goal. You gave them (Congress) 15 years, give us five years. I assure you we'll complete the pending work in 15 months," said Modi. "Manipur has been ruined in 15 years. Who is responsible? Congress did no development, do they deserve to be here now?" Modi asked. He added: "The corruption that took place in Manipur in last the 15 years will be exposed by our government." "If northeast India does not progress, the country's progress will not be complete. When Atalji formed the government, he made policies for overall development of the region. But Congress did not carry forward the good work," said Modi. "Those who cannot ensure peace in the state have no right to govern Manipur. They made brothers fight each other in the state," he added. IANS Ajay Banerjee Tribune News Service New Delhi, February 25 India has set a target of 2020 to ensure that its dominance cannot be challenged in the Indian Ocean, a region where China has been making repeated forays, including sending nuclear-powered submarines. The target has been discussed and agreed upon in the top echelons of New Delhis security architecture. We will be impregnable to ward off any threat in the Indian Ocean by 2020, explained a top source, adding that control over Andaman Nicobar Islands would be crucial. The islands in Bay of Bengal sit on the western edge of Malacca straits through which ships carrying oil and other goods to India, China, Japan and Korea transit. An Indian control over these straits during any aggression will force China to opt for an alternative route through the straits of Sunda, some 1,000 km further east. Sources said the ramping up of capabilities to secure the ocean includes buying newer warships, especially those capable of anti-submarine warfare, helicopters, string of additional radar, surveillance planes and drones, besides submarines. Even as India secures its waters, it has been regularly engaging China through military exchanges. In fact, a delegation of Chinas Peoples Liberation Army is currently on a five-day started on February 21 visit to India. In May 2015, the India-China joint statement at Beijing after a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping had spoken about the need to expand exchanges between border commanders. More than 200 supporters of the Affordable Care Act gathered in front of Sen. Deb Fischer's office in Lincoln on Saturday, urging Congress to hold off health-insurance reforms before devising a replacement plan. Organized by local activist groups, the rally began at noon at Fischer's district office, 440 N. Eighth Street. Many demonstrators carried signs calling out Fischer for her public absence during a congressional recess over the past two weeks. If Deb Fischer and (Sen.) Ben Sasse refuse to have town hall meetings, well have to hold our own town hall meetings here, said Cathy Lohmeier, a rally organizer. Whenever a public official hides herself, that doesnt bode well for the government. Activist efforts protesting Republicans' attempt to repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, include writing postcards to both Nebraska senators detailing concerns about a repeal. At the rally, some protesters chanted: We live here, we work here, we dont like what theyre doing." Adrian Sanchez, who suffers from a genetic disorder known as Wilsons disease, came to the rally to show his support for Obamacare. Im someone with a disability that requires very expensive medication in order to sustain my life. Sanchez said. So without it (Obamacare), I would either be bankrupt, on disability or not here. Lohmeier said Obamacare is necessary for the well-being of many Americans and that repealing it would be devastating. There is no replacing the ACA the scope and dimension of that law is so important in so many different areas from covering pre-existing conditions to wellness checks for seniors, Lohmeier said. There is no way Congress can replace this in one day, two days or even one month of discussion. Hundreds of similar rallies and town halls concerning health-care changes have greeted Republican politicians in the past couple of weeks. Saturdays demonstration comes days after protesters rallied outside a Lincoln Independent Business Association meeting at the Grand Manse that Fischer was attending, demanding Fischer hold town halls for constituents. Anna Silliman, who has had a chronic illness for 10 years, came to Saturday's rally from Crete. Health care is a human right, Silliman said. Nobody deserves to have their lives ruined just because theyre sick. Silliman believes Fischer needs to stop hiding from the public. Thats the duty of elected officials to serve their constituents and to at least listen, she said. We dont have to agree. Saturdays demonstration was in conjunction with rallies around the nation sparked by a Feb. 11 call to action in support of Obamacare from Sens. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. Demonstrators held a similar protest at Rep. Don Bacon's office in Omaha on Saturday. Jerry Vogt, a 71-year-old who relies on Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, said people will not back down if Obamacare is repealed. People are going to stand up and do what they have to do, Vogt said. Were not a weak people, were an exploited people. For Lohmeier, the demonstration was the culmination of partisan meddling. When you play politics with peoples lives, there is going to be an accountable moment, and this is it, she said. Tribune News Service Lucknow, February 25 Kannauj MP Dimple Yadav on Saturday gave a new reading to KASAB in the context of Uttar Pradesh elections. She said ka was for computer, sa for smart phone and ba for behenon ke karyakram or the many tailor-made schemes for women. Addressing an election rally in Siddharthnagar, she said that if a desperate BJP introduces the Kasab discourse in the UP elections, the Samajwadi Party would give it a progressive twist. It was on February 22 that BJP national president Amit Shah had declared that Uttar Pradesh needed to get rid of a disease called Kasab in the UP elections. Spelling out the abbreviation at election rallies in Gorakhpur and Azamgarh Shah, he said: By Kasab, I mean: Ka for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for Bahujan Samaj Party. Retaliating to Shahs Kasab comment, BSP national president Mayawati today described Amit Shah as the Kasab of the BJP. He is a dangerous terrorist. Just check his antecedents in Gujarat, she said at an election rally in Deoria today. Alerting the people of Uttar Pradesh against the guru and chela (master and disciple) who were determined to destroy UP, Mayawati said that they should be taught a harsher lesson than Bihar. Reiterating the demand for a separate Purvanchal state for the rapid development of eastern UP, Mayawati said that a proposal to this effect had been sent by her to both the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre and the Congress-led UPA government, but without any response. At an election rally in Siddharthnagar, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav charged PM Narendra Modi with cheating from the Samajwadi Party manifesto. He was reacting to PM Narendra Modis attack on his government in Gonda on Friday claiming that there were tenders for cheating. The campaigning for the fifth phase of the seven-phase Uttar Pradesh elections came to an end on Saturday. Lucknow, February 25 The high-decibel campaign for the fifth phase of the crucial Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections, which had touched a new low by a free flow of scornful words like "donkey, Kasab and kabootar", came to a close this evening. A total of 51 constituencies, spread over 11 districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, will go to polls on February 27 under this phase. The political campaigning in the fifth phase of the state polls was marked by 'war of words' among rival parties. At his rally in Bahraich, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hit back at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav for his "donkey" remark, asking him if he was afraid of the four-footed creatures of Gujarat. "I take inspiration from the donkey because I work for people day and night...donkeys are loyal to their master," he had said on Thursday to counter the SP chief's reference to donkeys of Gujarat in a poll meeting earlier in Rae Bareli. "It works even if it is ill, hungry or tired and completes the task...Akhileshji these 125 crore countrymen are my masters...I do all the work they ask me to do as I take inspiration from donkeys and take it with full pride," he said. The Prime Minister's reaction came as the UP CM advised megastar Amitabh Bachchan "not to advertise for the donkeys of Gujarat". Akhilesh was referring to an advertisement in which Bachchan, the brand ambassador of Gujarat Tourism, is seen inviting tourists to visit the Wild Ass Sanctuary located in Little Rann of Kutch in the state. As if the "donkey" remark was not enough, BSP supremo Mayawati hit back at BJP president Amit Shah after he used the acronym "KASAB" for Congress, SP and BSP, saying, "there cannot be a bigger Kasab than him." She also dubbed Shah a "terrorist". "Aaj apney desh mein Amit Shah sey bada yehan koi aur Kasab nahin ho sakta hai, arthat atanki nahin ho sakta hai (There cannot be a bigger Kasab, that is a terrorist, than Amit Shah)," she said after Shah coined the acronym matching the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack perpetrator. Akhilesh also hit out at the BJP chief for his 'KASAB' barb, saying "KA" actually stood for "kabutar" (pegion) and people will set BJP's pigeons free this election. Shah had said, "Until Uttar Pradesh gets rid of K-A-S-A-B, there will be no development in the state. Ka (in Hindi) is for Congress, Sa for Samajwadi Party and Ba for BSP." PTI Hyderabad, February 25 The killing of Srinivas Kuchibhotla has come as yet another blow to the Telugu community in the US and has focused attention on a series of tragedies that have struck immigrants from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh in recent times. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad was killed and his colleague Alok Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana was injured in a shooting in a bar in Olathe, Kansas. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The two engineers were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, a MNC. Kuchibhotla, 32, is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. These are not isolated incidents. More than 30 techies and students from the two Telugu states have died since 2008, victims of crime or accidents. Young dreams were cut short by the disasters that hit one of the largest groups among the Indian community in the US. Early last year, Shiva Karan, a 23-year-old student from Hyderabad, committed suicide, reportedly due to depression. He was pursuing a masters programme in Raleigh of North Carolina State University. In June 2015, Sai Kiran, 23, of Hyderabad was shot dead by a robber in Florida after he refused to part with his mobile phone. Sai Kiran was pursuing his MS from Atlantic University and had left India only a month and a half back. In a similar case in 2014, Elaprolu Jayachandra, 22, was shot dead during a robbery at a convenience store in Pasadena, Texas, where he was working. Indian Americans who have spent considerable time in the US point out that among various ethnic communities in the US, the Indians are doing well and among Indians, Telugus have excelled in various fields. More than 600,000 Telugus are estimated to be living in the US. Many youngsters are pursuing advanced degrees and have become successful software professionals, engineers, doctors and business managers. IANS Kansas City/New Delhi, February 25 A white US Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victims home country. The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that US President Donald Trumps America First position on immigration and jobs has fueled a climate of intolerance. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trumps rhetoric. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed our deep concern over the incident to the US government and requested a thorough and speedy investigation. Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunmans motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said. Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted get out of my country before shooting the Indian victims. Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene. People call me a hero, Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being. Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone. Kuchibhotla received a masters in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself Srinu, said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc . Flags at Garmins offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was devastated by the senseless tragedy. Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebees restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer. I dont want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because thats not who he is, Adele Mathews, Purintons niece, said in a statement released to local media. Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 1,34,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said on Friday. Be angry! At Kuchibhotlas family home near the Indian tech hub of Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States. The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there, the victims brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. Many Indians initially welcomed Trumps election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both Indias $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modis government. Dont be shocked! Be angry! Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla. Reuters Majid Jahangir Tribune News Service Srinagar, February 25 Amid growing concerns among the security establishment of a hot summer ahead, the controversial pellet guns in Kashmir are being fitted with deflectors to avoid casualties and injuries to vital organs, especially eyes. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Jammu and Kashmir Police faced huge criticism during last years unrest over the use of pellet guns, which resulted in eye injuries to over 1,100 youths, with many losing their sight. There was a demand for a blanket ban on the guns as even deaths were reported due to the pellets during the five-month unrest following the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Inspector General, CRPF, Ravideep Singh Sahi said the force had begun installing deflectors on pellet guns and the technology would ensure that vital organs were not hit during any law and order problem. We have been always ensuring that vital organs are not targeted These deflectors will further ensure that only the lower part of the body is hit, Sahi told The Tribune. In Kashmir, 47 CRPF battalions are deployed and are involved in both anti-militancy operations and restoring law and order. In central Kashmir districts alone, which include Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal, 23 battalions are deployed, which possess around 400 pellet guns. This means around 700-800 pellets guns have to be fitted with deflectors. After the injuries during the 2016 unrest, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had set up a committee to review the use of pellet guns. The panel had advised that these be used only in pressing circumstances. The forces had even experimented with Pawa (chilli-filled) guns, but these were not found effective for controlling the crowd. Islamabad, February 25 Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain has asked India to end its unlawful occupation of Kashmir in its own interest, warning any delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace. India should give in to the public sentiment in Kashmir in its own interest and end its unlawful occupation of the territory, Hussain said at a function in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in connection with the birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on Friday. The (Indian) occupation forces have employed every brute tactic to suppress the Kashmiris...so much so that the pellet guns meant for hunting wild animals have also been ceaselessly used by them on the innocent and unarmed people of Kashmir, he was quoted as saying by Dawn. The human rights violations and repression in Kashmir were enough to shake the global conscience, he claimed, and called on the international community to help Kashmiris exercise their right to self-determination. A further delay in the settlement of the lingering dispute could spell disaster for regional peace, he warned. Hussains speech was part of Pakistans efforts to highlight the issue of Kashmir, which has led to increased hostility between India and Pakistan for more than a year. Last year, after Hizbul commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with Indian security forces in south Kashmir on July 8, Pakistan had described him as a martyr. PTI Rajkot, February 25 A paid assassin and three other people from Mumbai gangster Dawood Ibrahims gang were arrested on Saturday while they were on their way to kill a businessman from Gujarats Jamnagar on the underworld dons brother Anees Ibrahims orders. Anees Ibrahim, who has been looking after Dawood Ibrahims illegal business interests since his flight from the country after the Mumbai serial blasts of 1993, is believed to have offered Rs 10 lakh to Ramdas Rahane and the others to murder the businessman, Ashfaq Khatri, who owns a construction company and also had stake in a shipping business. "Rahane and his three accomplices were coming to Rajkot in a private bus to kill the businessman," Rajkot city Deputy Commissioner of Police SR Odedara said. "We kept a close vigil near Kuvadava town on Rajkot-Ahmedabad national highway, as we had received inputs that four suspicious persons are travelling in a private bus from Maharashtra. Police searched the three and found a pistol; six live cartridges; two knives; and fake number plates bearing registration numbers of Gujarat and Maharashtra in their luggage. "It was also revealed during interrogation that they had planned to steal a vehicle after reaching Jamnagar, change the number plates with fake ones which they were carrying and execute the crime, before returning to Maharashtra," Rajkot police commissioner Anupamsinh Gehlot. The assignment is believed to have come from Pakistan, where Dawood Ibrahim who has been accused of having engineered the 12 serial blasts that tore through several places in Mumbai in 1993, killing 257 people is believed to have fled. Rahane faces several criminal charges in Mumbai and is believed to be involved in several shooting incidents in Mumbai, including the murder of a builder Manish Dholakiya at his office in 2011. A guard was also killed in the incident. Rahane has also spent some time in prison. Police however have not disclosed the names of others involved in the latest planned murder. Ruchika M. Khanna Tribune News Service Chandigarh, February 25 Vacationing over after the high-intensity February 4 Punjab election and with results just 13 days away, its back to the political arena for most of the top leaders of Congress, Akali-BJP coalition and Aam Aadmi Party. And though jittery, each is putting up a brave face. AAP, a favourite in the satta market, is regrouping its cadres and leaders, beginning tomorrow, while Akalis, who moved lock, stock and barrel to Delhi for the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) polls are expected back here on Monday, a day after the elections. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, who returned from USA earlier this week, told The Tribune, Akali Dal workers and leaders did not rest like the maharajas (taking a dig at Capt Amarinder Singh). I went to USA for my fathers medical check-up, but since my arrival, we are holding fort for the DSGMC polls. After polling, I will be back in Chandigarh, meeting our party workers and leaders." Seeming confident, leaders of the Congress that has been given an edge by Intelligence agencies are busy with their personal and social engagements. Capt Amarinder, who suffered a twisted tendon in the foot during the last days of campaigning, says he is recuperating well. I have been meeting all party leaders. After a successful launch of my biography, I am moving to Delhi on Sunday to participate in the wedding celebrations of my grandson, Nirvan, he said. AAP leaders, including star campaigner Bhagwant Mann, Sanjay Singh, Durgesh Pathak and office-bearers, are meeting in Nakodar tomorrow. The idea, says chief ministerial aspirant and Sangrur MP Mann, is to make an assessment of the polls. I will also launch a programme Jazbe Nu Salaam to honour our volunteers who are watching over the strongrooms where the EVMs are kept. Barely two or three days after the polls, almost all leaders and candidates went for a brief hiatus. While the Badal clan flew to the US, Capt Amarinder took a break in Himachal Pradesh. Mann joined his party supremo Arvind Kejriwal for a detoxification (gut detoxification) programme in Bengaluru, while AAPs Punjab convener Gurpreet Singh Waraich is back to the studios, shooting for the films he has signed for. While the top leaders exude confidence of a win, many other candidates are taking the satta route, to recover the money they have spent on the election. In spite of a limit of Rs 28 lakh fixed by the Election Commission, the candidates in private admit to spending 10 to 15 times more. To recover this, many, cutting across party lines, have reportedly placed their bets on which party is winning or losing on March 11. Islamabad, February 25 A Pakistani woman, who was shot dead when she allegedly tried to infiltrate into Indian territory along the International Border, was mentally ill, a media report said on Saturday. Rasheeda Bibi, 53, from Sialkot districts Diawara village, was killed as she crossed the border on Thursday night after losing her way, Dawn reported. Bibi was killed in the Pargwal sector of Akhnoor tehsil. Citing police sources, the paper said the woman was mentally ill. Indian border authorities later handed over the body to her family in the presence of officials of Pakistan Rangers. A protest erupted in Bibis native village after it emerged that she had been shot dead by BSF personnel, the paper said. Similar incidents have occurred in the past as well in light of heightened border tensions between India and Pakistan. In August, a 17-year-old Pakistani boy was shot dead after entering Indian territory by mistake, the paper said. Ijaz, from Kasur sector, was grazing cattle near the border when the incident had taken place. PTI Shiv Kumar Tribune News Service Mumbai, February 25 Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray is under pressure from party workers to act against several ministers who failed to deliver in the recently-concluded civic and zilla parishad elections in Maharashtra. According to sources here party workers are making a beeline to Matoshree, the residence of Thackeray, to complain against several Shiv Sena ministers in the Devendra Fadnavis government. Even senior party leaders like Subash Desai, Diwakar Raote and Ramdas Kadam are under fire from the rank and file of the Shiv Sena as the BJP and even the Congress performed well in the constituencies they represent, say sources. At least two Shiv Sena ministers are believed to sent in their resignations to Thackeray for delivering in the areas allocated to them, say sources. Some leaders also warned the party leadership that some of the ministers may resign from the party and contest on BJP tickets as they have been working against the official Shiv Sena candidates. Apart from Mumbai, resentment among the Shiv Sainiks is rampant in the Konkan and Northern Maharashtra where the party traditionally had a strong support base. Meanwhile Shiv Sena sources said Uddhav Thackeray was looking to revamp the Shiv Sena organisation in the light of the party's performance in the civic and local body elections. Mahesh Sharma Mandi Ahmedgarh, February 25 A Dera Sacha Sauda follower and his son of local Bali Ram Mohalla were shot dead by unidentified assailants at a canteen run by them at Naam Charcha Ghar at Jagera village on the Ludhiana-Malerkotla road this evening. The deceased were identified as Sat Pal Sharma (72) and his son Ramesh Kumar Sharma (40). The Khanna district police have initiated a probe into the incident. Preliminary investigations revealed that unidentified persons shot the premis when they were about to close the canteen, which is located in the front part of the dera premises around 7.30 pm. Though the investigation team led by Satnam Singh, SP (D), is yet to scan the footage of the CCTV installed at the dera premises, it is suspected that the assailants attacked the "premis" shortly after other devotees and attendants left the dera. Dera officials said the deceased had taken a contract to run the canteen only a fortnight ago and they had no enmity with anyone. They denied having received any threat in the recent past. While the police declined to divulge any details, sources said the CCTV footage suggested that assailants were two in number and their faces were covered. Meanwhile, the administration is keeping a watch on the situation. Islamabad, February 25 The well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib in Pakistan has been made functional and the government has allowed its holy water to be exported. The water from this well is like what Aab-i-Zamzam is to Muslims. Now, the well has been shaped and a filtration plant has been set up over it so that Sikh devotees can drink the water, The Dawn quoted Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) Chairman Siddiqul Farooq, as saying to a Senate committee on Friday. Farooq said three ancient gurdwaras visited by the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak Dev, had also been reopened. The doors of these gurdwaras one in Peshawar and two in the Nankana Sahib district were closed after partition, and now they have been handed over to the Sikh community after renovation, he said, adding, The most considerable achievement is the opening of the holy well at Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib. Its water is called Amrit Jal by the Sikhs, and the government has allowed for the water to be exported all over the world. ANI Rajnish Wattas The age of personal statues is gone, wrote Le Corbusier, the Swiss-born French architect, in his edict for the city of Chandigarh. And he followed it up by designing an abstract symbol of Open Hand as an emblem for the city instead of glorifying any national hero or icon. Though, the race to build the highest statue of a leader or a historic icon is very much on in the country to fulfil political agendas. Notwithstanding bursts of nationalist fervour, a huge movement is visible, especially in the developed world, to embellish public spaces in cities with impactful art forms, whether through a temporary installation, a sculpture, a mural or just plain street art, including graffiti. Such forms of creative expression extend a connect to the architectural context, bring identity to the space and get etched in the collective memory of the city. Though in our country, the usual art forms adorning the cities are statues of national leaders or local netas; barring a few exceptions of a modern art installation sighted in a new development. The typical small town artistry is the cliched Gandhi chowk or a Nehru chowk adorned with a crude bust of the icon or some garish flourish by the local artist. Could we not brighten up our usually dismal urban skylines with some high quality art work that would become an attraction by itself and beautify the public space? Imagine if Sector 17s Plaza in Chandigarh had an Anish Kapoor or an Alexander Calder sculpture? How much public curiosity and engagement it would evoke? One of the most beautiful cities known for its public art is Chicago. Almost every major piazza, park or public space; especially in the downtown area defined by magnificent sky-soaring skyscrapers, is replete with world-class urban art. While the city is home of iconic masters of modern architecture like Mies Vander Rohe and Frank Llyod Wright, it also has the distinction of being the only city having a Picasso sculpture in a public space. And then there is one by Anish Kapoor too. The Cloud Gate, popularly called the Bean, by Kapoor is a reflective steel sculpture shaped like a bean inspired by liquid mercury. Its convex and concave surface playfully reflect and distort the citys high-rise skyline. Another monumental sculpture is The Picasso, an untitled work of art by Pablo Picasso. The sculpture is 50-feet tall and weighs 162 tons. The master never explained the enigmatic Cubist sculpture and left it to individual interpretations. It is rumoured to have been inspired by a young woman close to the artist. It is the only instance of a sculpture by Picasso installed in a public space. In the 1990s, there grew a global trend towards anti-monuments and memorial practices in the art world. A differentiation of these new practices from previous forms of artistic presence in the public space called for alternative definitions, some of them more specific such as: contextual art, relational art, participatory art, dialogic art, community-based art, activist art under the banner of new genre public art. In this way, public art functioned as a social intervention and artists became socially engaged with audiences that typically did not participate in traditional art museums. Another outstanding example of interactive art besides the Cloud Gate is of the Crown Fountain in the Millennium Park of Chicago, a fascinating interactive work of public art and video sculpture that opened in July 2004. It comprises of a reflecting pool placed between a pair of transparent 50-feet-high glass brick towers, with light-emitting diodes behind the bricks to show evocative changing digital displays. Huge crowds come to watch it, especially in summers. Then there is the exciting trend of putting up temporary installations at key public spaces for a limited period. In such endeavours artists get a unique opportunity to make a social or political comment or commemorate an occasion. In London sometimes back, to mark the centenary of the outbreak of the World War-I, a hugely daring installation of placing millions of ceramic poppies, signifying blood-soaked fields, was put up. Titled, Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red it was installed in the moat around the Tower of London. Created by artists Paul Cummins and Tom Piper, 8,88,246 ceramic poppies progressively filled the Towers famous moat between July and November 2014. The stupendous sea of poppies looked so realistic that one almost thought that these had been actually planted and were blooming in the English summer. Another very impactful place for temporary city art is the Pioneer Court in Chicago. It is close to the river and the Michigan Avenue where top ranking artists put up exquisite large-scale sculptures on varying themes from time to time. Among the most memorable is titled God Bless America put up by sculptor Seward Johnson in 2009, based on a famous painting on American history by Grant Wood, symbolising the spirit of thrift, hard work by the pioneering Americans. Many cities across the world actively encourage the creation of public art, by having budget for artworks in new buildings by implementing a Percent for Art policy, under which one to two per cent of the total cost of city improvement projects is allocated specifically for artwork. The majority of European countries, Australia, several countries in Africa and many cities and states in the US, have such art programmes. Alas, India, one of the most rapidly urbanising countries in the world today, attaches little value to urban aesthetics at the public spaces. While our elite metropolitan cities or vibrant global IT hubs invest lavish funds on opulent malls, multiplexes or razzmatazz night spots and the old historic cities have their religious statutory of gods or goddess modern art is conspicuous by its absence. Cities are the matrix of a civilisation. Will our coming generations grow up only in the neon-lit concrete and glass jungles sans a soul? Legacy of urban art Le Corbusier, the architect-planner of Chandigarh, was a noted painter, sculptor and designer who had an abiding commitment to public art for the city. Besides his well-known art works in the Capitol Complex such as the landmark Open Hand sculpture, he also painted the huge 24 X 24 feet enamelled door of the Assembly and created other art forms like bas-reliefs and murals such as the 24 Solar Hours on the Geometric Hill. Besides these, he designed numerous tapestries for the Assembly and the High Court interiors. Carrying forward the torch of city art, Pierre Jeanerette, his local associate, also went on to design many beautiful simple brickwork murals on the walls of the MLAs hostel building and schools. Among the Indian architects, numerous water sculptures designed by M N Sharma exist in Sector 17 piazzas. There is also a fascinating cluster of sculptures in the Leisure Valley, near Sector 10. Plans are afoot for a major sculpture park soon to be established close to it. Jasmine Singh From fashion to weddings, Bollywood is the only place India looks up to. And it can be single-handedly blamed for selling the charms of a Big Fat Wedding to every Indian household. Exotic flowers imported from Europe, A-list Bollywood actors dancing to Mehndi laga ke rakhna, multi-cuisine buffet spread over the vast expanse of a resort, bride in her crores plus lehenga and jewellery the opulence and lavishness of Indian weddings has only grown with time, sometimes leaving a middle-class person under debt to fulfil his aspirations. But this could all be a thing of the past soon with a Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan introducing a Bill in Lok Sabha to trim down the Big Fat Indian Wedding. The Bill is a move to check extravagant and wasteful expenditure on marriages and to enforce their simpler solemnisation. According to the Bill, if a family spends above Rs 5 lakh on a wedding, it has to contribute 10 per cent of the amount on marriage of girls from poor families. The Bill will also put a limit on the number of guests invited and the dishes to be served. So, now what happens to the opulent shamianas or the destination weddings, the expensive trousseau, or gold wedding invites? Passing of this Bill is sure to affect various other satellite professions related to weddings. But are we ready to make our weddings any less extravagant? And what will happen to the Big Fat Punjabi Wedding and industries dependent on it? A humble start Many may remember that during the period of Punjab insurgency, the Khalistan Commando Force had passed an order wherein only 11 family members were allowed to attend any marriage celebration. Of course, we are well past that dark period but alas we have also surpassed that number many times over. In fact, the number of invitees crosses the 500 mark quite often. Social anthropologist Reema Sodhi from New York attributes this change to the pride involved in the display of wealth, matching the standards and expectations set by society, and also lavish portrayal of weddings in Hindi films. In todays scenario, who can imagine a wedding within Rs 5-lakh budget? Weddings no longer signify meeting of two persons in love. Now, it is all about parents showing their kids how much they love them by showering money. Marriage has just become an equation where happiness is directly proportional to the display of wealth, she adds. The after-effects Trimming the wedding budget is going to have a direct impact on many small industries (if we may call them so) associated with this big event. Wedding trousseau apparently would be the first section to come under the scissor! The bride and the groom usually spend crores on dresses for various functions, usually by Indias top fashion designers who only dole out wedding trousseau each season. Wedding planner and fashion designer Harmeet Bakshi from Sangrur, Punjab, calls the Bill absolutely unfeasible. A Rs 5-lakh wedding, are you kidding me! A wedding where the brides family want their daughter to reach the venue on a chopper, a wedding where the family of the groom or bride wants Bollywood actors Salman Khan or Varun Dhawan to perform on mehndi, a wedding where groom wants his guests to be served worlds most expensive wines, and where baratiyon ka swagat is done with a gold coin....how will you organise a wedding in just Rs 5 lakh, asks Harmeet. She also feels that most people are inspired Bollywood films to have lavish weddings. They want to look like stars, wear what they wear, dance like them. They just want their weddings to be surreal not real. Dont pass the buck But passing the blame for having a Big Fat Wedding to the film or fashion industry does not serve any purpose. These are merely some of the factors that lead to this expensive event. It would be interesting to see whether after passing of the Bill would still leave marriage ceremonies as a happy occasion? Will the trimming of expenditure also trim the joyous mood of the families and friends? One thing is sure that with the passing of the Bill, many associate sectors like wedding designers, caterers, decorators, wedding planners, photographers and celebrity performers will be affected in a big way. But arent these things that we can do without in weddings? Chennai-based social worker Mukesh Datta organises mass weddings for girls and boys from marginalised families across the state and elsewhere he is asked to do so. Datta wants people to look at a marriage ceremony as a beautiful moment in the life of two people and two families, which should be shared with other family members and friends, It is certainly not the time to display your bank balance and jewellery. Besides, where is it written or who can guarantee that a wedding solemnised in a Rs 5 or Rs 10 crore budget will last longer than one organised in a few thousands or lakhs? Marriages, as we have all heard, are made in heaven. But nowadays these are solemnised at lavish and opulent foreign destinations with hi-end gourmet spreads, reverberating with the songs by highly-paid celebrities. Though happily ever after is still no guarantee. Deepti Verma in Chandigarh Writing a book is one thing and making it to the bookstore shelf is another. These days an aspiring writer usually requires the help of a literary/publishing agent. So, what's the deal? An agent keeps his percentage in terms of royalty, and assists in writer's pitch and proposal (things such as what can sell and who can buy). Kanishka Gupta, 34, is a Delhi-based agent, who is determined to make it big in the writing world. But when he began sometime back, he had no support and background in the field. Penning and shelving one book after another, he realised it was no cake walk. "Seeing my hard work go down the drain every time I tried reaching a publisher, I got to know that it's a close-knit community where everyone could not foray. As an 'outsider' I was never entertained. So I picked up an editor's job at a men's lifestyle magazine but books were my calling. So what if not as a writer but as someone who can bridge the gap between a novice writer and the publisher," he says. How does he help? "We send a manuscript out to see who would like to bid on it for publication. Since we are more aware of the editors and publishers than most, we know who is on the lookout for the next big historical novel, whose lists are full, who is looking for a new romantic writer. This helps us target our submissions," he said. But why should an author take the agent route? "Selling a book is a different proposition. It's the job of a professional to negotiate the best contract for it. Publishing is not the sole aspect to be focussed on. Intricate aspects such as high-volume discounts, territorial rights, duration of the contract and the tricky area of electronic rights should be best left to someone who fully understands them." Gupta is probably the youngest literary agent in the country. The founder and CEO of Writer's Side, he said a nervous breakdown in school as a victim of performance blues and his introvert behaviour that never let him vent out his feelings introduced him to writing. "My failed writing career convinced me to do something for those sailing in the same boat. After BBA from Indraprastha University, I built my business in May 2010 just on the basis of the word of mouth," he said. He has helped publish around 500 books and has renowned authors on his list. Any misconception about agents? "Some perceive us as sharks. But with just 10-15 per cent of royalty advance, I don't think an agent earns much," he said. For a book to hit the right track, he says, the agent-author bonding is essential. "It is based on mutual understanding. Agents can't call the shots. They are there to facilitate the process. They can't eliminate the problem, but have to advocate the author's cause." On his future plans, Gupta said: "I am in talks with producers for deal negotiations and looking forward to working on novel-based films too." By K. Natwar Singh In my study, apart from several thousand books, there are six invaluable works of art. One is a pencil sketch of Gandhiji, done in London during the Second Round Table conference in 1931. It carries the Mahatmas signature in English. Next is the original of Nandlal Boses lithograph of Gandhi, staff in hand, commencing the Dandi March in 1930. It is signed by Nandlal Bose. The third is a signed photograph of Rabindranath Tagore, taken in Boston in 1930 and signed by him. Below it is the original ink sketch of the face of a lady by the poet. The other two paintings are by the greatest Chinese painter of the 20th century: Chi Pai Sheh. I bought these from him in the then Peking in 1957. He was then ninety-three years old. Now his paintings cannot be taken out of China. One is a 3-ft ink drawing of a hawk. The second, Six Baby Chickens absolutely adorable. When I was living in Peking, the three non-political personalities were Chi Pai Sheh, Mei Lang Fang, the greatest classical dancer, who always played a womans role. During the Sino-Japanese war, he grew a moustache. Mei Lang Fang was a friend of Uday Shankar. The two were meeting in Peking after 26 years. The third was the novelist Lao Sheh. His, Rickshaw Boy became a world best seller. He committed suicide during the Cultural Revolution. I met all three. Great, good fortune. During the 1930s, there were three very famous journalists. One was William Shirer, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. In 1920s he was posted in India. He got to know Gandhiji well. His book, Gandhi a Memoir, is a gripping account of an extraordinary era in history. The second was John Gunther. His Inside Europe and Inside Asia were world best sellers. His chapter on the Mahatma begins thus: Mr Gandhi is an incredible combination of Jesus Christ, Tammany Hall and your father, is the greatest Indian since Buddha. I first heard of him in 1943 when his book, A week with Gandhi came out. I was then in school. I met him at Princeton in 1964. The third was Vincent Sheean. The Lead Kindly Light his book on Gandhi came out in 1950. The title is derived from Gandhis favourite Christian hymn. I met Sheean in New York in October 1962. He came to meet Rajaji who was staying in my apartment. As soon as he entered the apartment he said to Rajaji, You should have come to Washington as ambassador of India. Rajaji said he was not cut out to be an ambassador. Many years later I found in the selected works of Jawaharlal Nehrus, his correspondence with Rajaji on this subject. His name was seriously considered for the Washington Post. Mercifully this did not happen. He would have been an utter failure. Last week I wrote about the famous and infamous political leaders of the 20th century. I forgot to mention Deng Xiao Ping (1904-1993). He remade Maos China. His policy was Marxist politics and capitalist economics. The two have worked wonders. Now I come to the leaders of the century. These could be classed as B-Plus: Lloyd George (1863-1945). British Prime Minister (1916-1922). Many consider him a greater statesman than Winston Churchill. Leon Trotsky (1879-1940). Established the Red Army. Greatest Soviet intellectual after Lenin, after whose death he fell out with Stalin, who expelled him from the Communist Party, exiled him from the Soviet Union and had him murdered in Mexico City in 1940. My Life, his autobiography, published in 1930 is a unique political and human document. Ho Chi Minh (1890-1969). Saintly communist, founder of modern Vietnam. Friend of Jawaharlal Nehru, who met him in Hanoi in 1954 and New Delhi in 1958. I saw him being received by Mao Tse Tung at the Peking airport in 1958. It was summer and he wore a white coat and chappals. No airs, genuine humanity. He spent many years in French jails. Like Gandhi, he forgave his tormentors. Gamal Abdel Nasser (1918-1970). Undoubtedly an outstanding Arab of the 20th century. Best known for nationalising the Suez Canal. Lost war to UK, France and Israel. Announced his resignation. A million people filled the streets of Cairo and asked him to withdraw his resignation. He admired Nehru and looked up to him. One of the founders of Non Aligned Movement. During a visit to India when Indira Gandhi was Prime Minister, an amusing incident took place. In those days reception was held at Red Fort for presidents and prime ministers. The Egyptian national anthem was played. Every one stood up. When the anthem was over, Nasser whispered to Indira Gandhi that our band had played King Farouks anthem whom Nasser had forced to abdicate. I was sitting behind the PM. She said: Natwar, make sure we play the right anthem, not King Farouks. Kemal Ataturk (1881-1938). Greatest Turk of the 20th century. Father of modern Turkey. Made the country secular. Tribune News Service Dehradun, February 25 Chief Minister Harish Rawat today said the Congress would return to power in Uttarakhand with a clear majority. Rawat was addressing a gathering of State Womens Congress members at the party office in Dehradun. The Chief Minister said March 11, the day of counting, would be a big day as the Congress would get a clear majority. Rawat recalled the contribution of women in the statehood agitation. He said it was due to the determination of women agitators that Uttarakhand came into being. He expressed gratitude to women party workers for sincerely working for the Congress candidates in various Assembly constituencies in the state. Earlier, Mahanagar Dehradun Women Congress president Kamlesh Raman welcomed the Chief Minister. She expressed gratitude to him for addressing women Congress workers after the elections. Nazma Khan, Chandrakala Negi and Anuradha Tiwari also addressed the gathering. Tribune News Service Haridwar, February 25 The BJP today alleged that the election returning officer of the Haridwar City Assembly constituency is working under the pressure of the state government with regard to Prime Minister Narendra Modis rally here on February 10. BJP Assembly election in charge Vikas Tiwari today said he had applied for permission for the rally of the Prime Minister at the Rishikul ground. All administration officials were aware of the rally and the police had conducted a mock drill on February 9 to take stock of security preparations. Now, the returning officer and some administration officials are saying that no permission was sought for the rally. But then how all arrangements were made or allowed to be made. We had applied for permission for the rally and it seems under the Congress pressure these officials are now making false statements due to which the Election Commission has registered a complaint against us. Permission for all election campaign rallies were sought in advance and we followed the model code of conduct in letter and in spirit, said Tiwari. The party is filing a complaint with the Central Election Commissioner to urge him to intervene in the matter as the image of the BJP and the Prime Minister is being maligned, said Kamani Sadana, women city wing leader. Nouakchott, February 25 Salimata was always told she should be proud to come from a family of wife beaters. Youre the daughter of a woman whose husband broke her hands. Your grandmothers legs were fractured by her husband. "You must be loved, Salimata said, citing her mothers words. The 19-year-old woman from Mauritanias Soninke ethnic group, married to a man who also beats her, said she taught herself to believe what her mother told her. I felt like an animal that had to be disciplined, she said. As time passed, I came to believe that my husband beats me only when he is at the peak of his love for me. Mauritania, a poor, mainly Muslim nation, has deep social and racial divides, each group with its unique marriage norms. While divorce is widely accepted among the majority Moors, it is almost impossible among the Mauritanians of African descent such as the Soninke and Fulani. And while domestic violence is frowned upon among the Moors, of Arab and Berber descent, its seen as an act of love and a accepted practice for Soninkes, said social researcher Sidi Boyada, an advisor at the ministry of social affairs. Tradition Aichetou Samba is a 60-year-old Fulani grandmother who lives in a modest house in a Nouakchott neighbourhood. In the past, our girls used to get married at eight years of age, and they usually married their cousins, she said, coddling one of her grandchildren. Mauritanian law stipulates sanity and marriageable age as preconditions for getting married, leaving the door open for early marriage by giving parents the right to decide. Wearing a colourful scarf that shows her Fulani heritage, Samba smiled and said: A Fulani woman always takes pride in being beaten by her husband, and often shares her experiences with other women to show off his love for her. This is one of our traditions, she said. We see wife-beating as a common and normal practice, which sometimes includes pouring cold water on the wifes body. My legs were broken Sociology professor Ousmane Wague at the University of Nouakchott, also a Fulani, said Mauritanian women of African descent accept being beaten to avoid divorce, convincing themselves their husbands violence is a sign of love. As the popular song goes: My legs were broken and I stayed home, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Mariem Jallo, a 25-year-old Fulani woman, is an exception. She has been divorced for five years. My husband used to constantly beat me. He passionately loved me but this didnt stop him from hitting me for very trivial reasons, she said. Jallo, who is fond of soap operas, said her husband came home one day while she was watching television and hit her. Minutes later, he tried to make it up to her, saying he couldnt bear to see her preoccupied with something other than him. Her husband tried to block the divorce and her family blamed her for the failed marriage, she said. Alyoun Idi, a 27-year-old Fulani man, said he had beaten his wife many times because she disobeys him, adding that this never affected their relationship. I love my wife so much and I cant live without her but we inherited this from our ancestors, which is part of our traditions, Alyoun said. is also a great resolution for many family disputes. Criminalised Domestic violence against women was criminalised in 2001, and under Mauritanian law, wife-beating is a crime punishable with up to five years in prison. Ahmed Bezeid ould Almamy, a lawyer who works with womens rights groups, said he receives an average of five complaints every month of women reporting abuse by their husbands. But prosecutions are rare as women often drop charges for fear of sending their husbands to jail or getting divorced, he said. However, lengthening queues outside the offices of womens rights organisations suggest a waning tolerance for violence against women, campaigners say. The Household Womens Association recorded more than 2,000 complaints in the first half of 2016, compared to 1,700 complaints in 2014, according to Aminetou mint Al Mokhtar, head of the association. Ministry of Justice official Haimouda Ramdhane said the Mauritanian legal system provides women victims with free services, including lawyers, medical and psychological support. New legislation is underway blocking the way for the withdrawal of complaints against violent husbands to protect the public interest and punish anyone who is also involved in covering up for crimes against women, Ramdhane told the Thomson Reuters Foundation, without giving a timeframe. Despite efforts to pursue and prosecute violent husbands, some Mauritanian women continue to endure battering. When apathy afflicts our relationship, he wont care anymore for what I do even if I burnt down the house, said Salimata. Its at that moment that I will miss being beaten. Thomson Reuters Foundation Rome, February 25 Over 7 million people are starving in Cameroon, Chad, Niger and Nigeria as a result of violence by the Boko Haram terror group, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported. Coinciding with a humanitarian conference in Oslo to mobilize funds for that region, the FAO on Friday noted that the situation has deteriorated "drastically" in the Lake Chad basin as instability persists, Efe news reported. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) The number of people affected by severe food insecurity has doubled to more than seven million, compared with 3.4 million in June 2015. Among them are 515,000 children suffering from acute malnutrition, which if left untreated, can pose serious problems for their development and even lead to death. FAO called for "swift and decisive" action by the international community to protect the lives of millions of families dependent on agriculture, livestock and fisheries. "Our collective efforts cannot be limited to merely avoiding massive famine -- they need to allow people to return to a dignified life. And supporting agriculture is the key to both," said FAO emergency director Dominique Burgeon. IANS Kuala Lumpur, February 25 The Indonesian woman who is one of the suspects in the killing of North Korean ruler Kim Jong-Uns half brother said she was paid $90 for what she believed was a prank, an Indonesian official said today. Siti Aisyah also told authorities she did not want her parents to see her in custody, said Andriano Erwin, Indonesias deputy ambassador to Malaysia, one day after Malaysia revealed that VX nerve agent was used in the bizarre killing at Kuala Lumpurs airport. She doesnt want her family get sad to see her condition, Erwin said after a 30-minute meeting with Aisyah. She only delivered a message through us to her father and mother not to be worried and take care of their health. The public poisoning of Kim Jong-Nam, which took place February 13 amid crowds of travelers at the airport, appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim was dead within hours of the attack, in which two women went up behind him and appeared to smear something onto his face. Aisyah, 25, has said previously that she was duped into the attack, but the Malaysian Police say she and the other suspect, a Vietnamese woman who also is in custody, knew what they were doing. The revelation that VX nerve agent killed Kim has boosted speculation that North Korea had dispatched a hit squad to Malaysia to kill Kim, whose younger half brother is Kim Jong Un. The thick, oily poison was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory, experts say, and is banned under international treaties. North Korea, a prime suspect in the case, never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons programme. Though Kim Jong Nam was not an obvious political threat to his sibling, he may have been seen as a potential rival in the countrys dynastic dictatorship. Malaysian officials have said four North Korean men provided the two women with poison. The four fled Malaysia shortly after the killing. AP Mosul, February 25 US-backed Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul on Saturday, advancing in several populated southern districts after punching through the defences of Islamic States last major urban stronghold in Iraq a day earlier. About 1,000 civilians also walked across the frontlines, the largest movement since the new offensive launched last week to deal the ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim group a decisive blow. In Baghdad, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Saturday in the first such visit in more than a decade between Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shiite-led Iraq. The new push in Mosul comes after government forces and their allies finished clearing IS from the east of the northern Iraqi city last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector on the other side of the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle in western Mosul to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armoured vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts there. But Iraqi forces have so far made quick advances on multiple fronts, capturing the northern citys airport on Thursday, which they plan to use as a support zone, and breaching a 3-m-high berm and trench set up by the IS. The forces are less than 3 km from the mosque in the old city where IS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria in 2014. Reuters Washington, February 25 US lawmakers publicly denounced the killing of an Indian engineer by an American navy veteran in an apparent hate crime in Kansas City, saying there is no place for these senseless acts of violence in the country. Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a 32-year-old working at GPS-maker Garmin headquarters in Olathe, died of bullet injuries at a hospital after he was shot by the navy veteran yelling get out of my country and terrorist at a bar on Wednesday night in Kansas City in the state of Missouri. His Indian colleague Alok Madasani was critically injured when the 51-year-old veteran opened fire on them. A third person, an American who tried to intervene, was also injured. We cant let hatred win, said Indian-American Senator from California Kamala Harris. Extremely saddened to hear the news out of Kansas. My sympathies go out to the victims and their families, the Democratic Senator said in a tweet. My thoughts are with the victims and families shaken by the shooting in Kansas. Senseless acts of violence have no place in our country. Im heartbroken by this tragedy, said Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. Jayapal is the first Indian-American woman ever elected to the US House of Representatives. The incident has reignited fears of hate crimes among the immigrant Indian community. According to eyewitnesses, the shooter believed the victims were from the Middle East. Jayapal said since Donald Trumps election as the US president in November, hate crimes have risen as a result of his administrations controversial ideas against immigrants. In the Seattle suburb of Redmond, a Muslim Association of Puget Sound mosque was twice vandalised since the election. This is not normal. We must declare our entire country a hate-free zone and fight to protect it as such. During this moment of tragedy, I stand with Indian-Americans, Muslim- Americans, and all groups impacted by the dangerous rhetoric coming out of the Trump administration, Jayapal added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna in a statement said his condolences go out to the families of the men involved in this senseless act of violence in Kansas City. Any act of violence fuelled by hatred and xenophobia and prejudice cannot be tolerated. I have faith in local and federal law enforcement to justly investigate this shooting as a hate crime, Khanna said. Democratic Congressman from California Brad Sherman said the victims and their families were in his thoughts and prayers. Xenophobia and hatred do not belong in America. Republican Congressman Scott Perry from Pennsylvania said: This kind of violence has no place in our society. My heart and prayers are with the entire Kansas City metro area and all those impacted by this horrific incident. This was an attack not only on the victims, but on the sense of security of Indians, Indian-Americans, and millions of other people of colour across the nation, Indian-American Democratic Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi from Illinois said. Along with so many throughout the world, I have always believed in the American Dream of our country as a place where regardless of where you come from, the colour of your skin, or how you pray, you can build a better life. This shooting was a brutal, racial attack on two men, and on the fundamental values of our nation. It follows a spate of hate-motivated attacks on others in this country, he said. He urged his colleagues in Congress, those in the executive branch, and all Americans, to actively work together not only to prevent future attacks, but to directly address the underlying culture and climate which have led to them. The South Asian Bar Association said reports and witnesses indicate the motivation for these crimes was rooted in anti- Muslim hate, xenophobia and racism. While details continue to emerge, if true, we expect the governmental authorities to prosecute this act for what it is a hate crime, SABA said. Governments must protect the rights of minorities and ensure the safety of all of its citizens. Yet, in the face of senseless violence and apparent hate crimes, the calls for support, solidarity and protection by our government remain faint, said SABA president Vichal Kumar. South Asian-Americans Leading Together (SAALT), a national advocacy body, said it was deeply disturbed by the incident. This incident is the latest in a rising tide of hate violence against South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Middle Eastern and Arab communities, electrified by the presidents anti-immigrant policies, stated Suman Raghunathan, executive director of SAALT. When our so-called leaders attempt to govern from an angle of xenophobia, these sentiments embolden deadly violence against our communities, she said. PTI Manila, February 25 Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs had until three weeks ago driven the trade in crystal methamphetamine underground, according to residents and drug users in some of the slum areas of the nations capital city. As thousands of users and dealers were shot dead by police and vigilantes in the first seven months after Duterte came to power last June, open dealing in the drug, known here by its street name shabu, largely stopped. Instead, deals were done on the quiet between people who knew each other, maybe with a text message first. But since Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stand down from the drugs war last month, after declaring the force rotten to the core, the drugs trade has come back out of the shadows, more than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manilas toughest areas said in interviews. Many spoke on condition that only their first names be used in this story. Beside one of the less-used railroad tracks in Manila - a grassy area scattered with human excrement only a few miles from the gleaming high-rises of the Makati business district - shabu was easily available last week, costing just a few pesos (cents) per hit. Residents said that when they travelled on the illegal trolleys that ferry people for a few pesos along the track when there are no trains in sight, a fellow passenger will often offer them a sachet of the drug. Eusebio, 52, who pushes a wood and bamboo trolley on the track for a living, said dealers sometimes walk alongside calling out: How much are you going to buy? Now that the operations have been suspended, drugs have become rampant again, he said. Those who were hiding have resurfaced. Another trolley-pusher, Boyser, 59, told two Reuters journalists: If you werent reporters, they would offer you drugs. Drug den In a dark cinderblock room that serves as a drug den in another part of Manila, there were similar stories from users. We have more freedom now, Jason, a 39-year-old bartender told a visiting reporter as he inhaled shabu smoke. All the users are still users, except those who have been killed, he said, adding that he has used shabu for almost two decades. More than 8,000 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in almost eight months ago, about 2,500 of whom were killed in official police anti-narcotics operations. Human rights groups believe many of the others were extra-judicial executions committed as part of the war on drugs, and in cooperation with the police a claim the Duterte administration has vehemently denied. The presidents office did not respond to a list of emailed questions about the drugs war and whether dealers were now openly back on the streets. Duterte has repeatedly said he will hunt down drug lords and other high value targets and to date, there have been a handful of large-scale seizures and raids on shabu laboratories. But most of those killed in the war on drugs have been small-time dealers and users in some of the countrys poorest neighborhoods. The PNP stopped publishing an official tally of drug war killings from police operations on Jan. 31 when Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the campaign. Fewer killings According to reporters and photographers from Reuters and Philippine news organizations working the crime beat on the night shift, vigilante-style killings of drug suspects have continued, but at a much slower pace. Police data shows 398 people were killed nationwide in the first 20 days of February. Details of the killings were not provided and it was unclear how many were drug-related. Some anti-narcotics experts say they will not be surprised if it turns out that the drugs war has been ineffective. They say that ruthless operations against drugs, like Dutertes, have failed elsewhere in the world. Colombias former president, Cesar Gaviria, said in a New York Times column earlier this month that his countrys long war on drugs not only failed to eradicate drug production, trafficking and consumption but also pushed drugs and crime into neighboring countries, while tens of thousands of people were slaughtered. Thailand launched a war on drugs in 2003 that killed about 2,800 people in three months. But figures show it had no lasting impact on meth supply or demand in Thailand. The world has lost the war on drugs, not only Thailand, the countrys then Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya told Reuters last July. When an aggressive anti-drugs campaign begins, supplies may be tight for a while, street prices may spike, but ultimately drug usage does not drop, say those who have studied the results. We dont know of any examples from around the world where very hardline approaches have worked effectively, said Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. They can temporarily disrupt street business, but they dont disrupt demand. Lost momentum Some police officers told Reuters that they had received reports of increased street-level drug activity since they were ordered to stand down. Manila Police Commander Olivia Sagaysay, who oversees four precincts in the city, said the war on drugs had lost momentum and morale among her officers had suffered since they were ordered to stand down. Its depressing, she said. But who are we not to follow the higher-ups? She said she expected the trade to increase but maybe not return to its previous levels because networks were disrupted and pushers were killed. In a written response to questions from Reuters about the impact of Dutertes campaign on the street-level shabu trade, the PDEA said that based on reports gathered, the supply of illegal drugs in some areas are still considerably abundant. The PDEA attributed low street prices for shabu - prices overall have risen only minimally since the war on drugs began and in some areas have fallen - to a lack of customers or drug traffickers trying to get rid of their supply in order to avoid arrest. It said drugs were being hoarded and that it was difficult for users to transact directly with traffickers. The PDEA did not provide evidence for any of its assessments. PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said drugs would return to the streets because it was a billion peso business and money talks. In his view, though, the drug war had not failed. We hit the target and now it goes back to PDEA. As far as the PNP is concerned we did our part in the past 7 months. I hope PDEA will be able to do their part. The PDEA has just about 1,800 people on its rolls compared with the national police force of 160,000. Of the existing PDEA personnel, only about half are field operatives. PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said his agency will add staff and that the president would soon be issuing an executive order to set up an anti-illegal drugs inter-agency council and task force that would also draw from the military, the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP. The task force will be charged with pursuing the war on drugs. There is a temporary vacuum of warm bodies but it wont be long, Carreon said, adding that those involved in the drug trade would be wrong to think they were safe. If thats their perception, it wont last long, he said. They will find out in the hardest way that they are terribly wrong. Go after cookers Still, Jason, the bartender who is a shabu user, said Dutertes campaign was not successful because he targeted the wrong people. If authorities had gone after the cookers, the people manufacturing the drugs, instead of users and small dealers, people like him would be unable to buy and would move on. As it is, Jason said, shabu is always in plentiful supply, adding he was addicted and the drug eliminated any fear he may have had of being shot by police or vigilantes. As he spoke, Jason poured white crystals into a long strip of aluminum foil folded into a trough, tilted it slightly and held a flame below. Almost immediately, it produced a thick white smoke, which he sucked up through a narrow aluminum foil straw. He then began speaking again, more animatedly. I buy drugs every day! he said. Reuters Washington, February 25 Several major news outlets, including The New York Times, CNN and BBC, were barred from attending an off-camera White House briefing, an unprecedented move that escalated tensions in the already fraught relationship between the Trump administration and the media. Hours after President Donald Trump blasted the media at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, declaring that much of the press was the enemy of the American people, the White House yesterday invited only a select group of conservative news organisations for the extended press gaggle. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico, BuzzFeed, the BBC and the Guardian were among those excluded from the meeting, which was held in White House press secretary Sean Spicers office. The off-camera briefing was held in lieu of the daily televised Q-and-A session in the White House briefing room. When reporters from these news organisations tried to enter Spicers office for the gaggle, they were told they could not attend because they were not on the list of attendees. Defending the move, administration spokeswoman Sarah Sanders in a statement rejected that this was the case of denying access to media and said the White House had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today. We invited the pool so everyone was represented. We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool for an expanded pool. Nothing more than that, the Deputy Press Secretary said. During the gaggle, Spicer told reporters the Trump administration would aggressively push back on the inaccurate stories that come from media. I think were going to aggressively push back. Were just not going to sit back and let false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there, he said as he backed his decision to leave out The New York Times and the CNN out of the expanded pool gaggle. Earlier in the day, Trump continued his assault on press in a speech before the nations largest gathering of conservative activists, for using anonymous sources. Trump said unethical reporters make up stories and make up sources and asserted that he is only against fake news media and not press freedom. Im not against the media, Im not against the press. I dont mind bad stories, if I deserve them. And I tell ya, I love good stories, but...I dont get too many of them. But I am only against the fake news, media or press. Fake, fake. They have to leave that word, Trump said. Im against the people that make up stories and make up sources. They shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. Let their name be put out there. Let their name be put out, Trump said as he vented out his anger and frustration with the news coverage that his presidency has been receiving. Later on Twitter, Trump said the media not telling the truth is a great danger to the country. FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesnt tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad!, said the US President who has adopted Twitter as a medium to communicate with his supporters. The decision to block several news organisations from the briefing was decried by several White House journalists as unprecedented in the modern era. This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House, CNN said in a statement. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless. In a strong editorial, The New York Times said the move was an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals. PTI Mexico City, February 25 An emboldened Mexico hardened its opposition to President Donald Trump on Friday by saying it would retaliate if the United States imposed a border tax and that it can afford to lose financial aid that might be pulled to pay for a border wall. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Mexico could respond to any tax the United States were to unilaterally impose on imports from its southern neighbour to finance the wall with levies on select goods, aimed at US regions most dependent on exports south of the border. Without a doubt, we have that possibility, and what we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed, Videgaray said in a radio interview. The Mexican government would have to respond. The statements by Videgaray and Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who minimised the potential impact of the rumoured loss of US security aid, toughened the defiant tone from Mexico since President Enrique Pena Nieto last month canceled a trip to meet Trump over the wall dispute. Mexicans are angry at Trumps calls for US firms not to invest south of the border, insults to immigrants and threats to make Mexico finance the border wall. The peso currency has weakened on concerns he will hurt Latin Americas No. 2 economy. Pena Nieto had faced criticism he was too accommodating with Trump but got a much needed ratings boost after cancelling the summit. A plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico fueled outrage this week. Mexican officials were publicly blunt with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security John Kelly over Trumps immigration and trade proposals in a visit to Mexico on Thursday. Osorio Chong told local radio that Mexican officials rejection of Trumps bid to send non-Mexican illegal migrants from the United States to Mexico was very clear. They asked us if (non-Mexican illegal immigrants) could be here while they are going through the legal process there. We said that there was...absolutely no way. Videgaray said the trade strategy would replicate a 2009 campaign of retaliatory tariffs that helped Mexico win a dispute with the United States. On Wednesday, the minister mentioned Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as states that could be targeted in a conversation with lawmakers leaked to two newspapers. This is not our preference, he said. Mexico believes in free trade. No handouts please A US executive order on Jan. 25 that mandated the construction of a border wall also required government agencies to report the financial assistance they gave Mexico in the past five years, leading to speculation Trump wants to redirect the aid to pay for its construction. Osorio Chong said on Friday that Mexico had no need for such financial aid from the United States, signaling that it would not come close to paying for the estimated $21.6 billion cost of the wall. Like in other middle-income emerging economies, many in Mexico consider it humiliating to take aid from wealthy countries. A large part of US aid to Mexico comes through the Plan Merida program, under which the US Congress allocated $2.6 billion to security assistance between 2008 and 2016. Of that, $1.6 billion had been disbursed by November 2016, according to the US Congressional Research Service. When they realize whats left of Merida, they will understand that its not even that significant, Osorio Chong told local radio. We dont object to them moving these resources... Mexico now has its own capabilities, he said. The US Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of Trumps wall, a first step in picking vendors. Videgaray said a meeting of Tillerson, Kelly and Pena Nieto in Mexico City was a short courtesy visit. He said in a more substantial meeting of the ministers, Kelly told him that deportations of undocumented immigrants from the United States would not be militarized, after Trump characterized the process as a military operation. Reuters Seoul, February 25 Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans held rival protests in Seoul today over the impeachment of President Park Geun-Hye on the fourth anniversary of her swearing into office. Park was impeached by Parliament in December over a corruption scandal that has brought millions of people onto the streets in mass protests. Around 17,000 riot police were mobilised, setting up barricades with their buses at the centre of the capital to separate Parks supporters from those opposing her. Anti-Park protesters, carrying yellow ballons and waving banners, marched in three directions. One column proceeded towards the presidential Blue House as another group headed to the Constitutional Court, which has to decide whether to endorse or reject Parks impeachment. A third group passed by the headquarters of powerful family-run business groupsknown as chaebolsincluding SK, Lotte and Hanwha. The de-facto head of Samsung Group Lee Jae-Yong was arrested last week, a first among business tycoons engulfed in the scandal surrounding the President and her close friend Choi Soon-Sil. The chaebols funnelled millions of dollars into two dubious foundations controlled by Choi. They all denied providing funds in return for favours. The Constitutional Court will Monday hold its final hearing on Parks impeachment. It is expected the verdict will be handed down before March 13. AFP San Diego, February 25 The US Customs and Border Protection has said it plans to start awarding contracts by mid-April for President Donald Trumps proposed border wall with Mexico, signaling that he is aggressively pursuing plans to erect a great wall along the 2,000-mile border. The agency said it would request bids on or around March 6 and that companies would have to submit concept papers to design and build prototypes by March 10, according to a website for federal contractors. The field of candidates will be narrowed by March 20 and finalists must submit offers with their proposed costs by March 24. The President told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that construction would start very soon and is way, way, way ahead of schedule. The agencys notice gave no details on where the wall would be built first and how many miles would be covered initially. Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly has sought employees opinions during border tours of California, Arizona and Texas. Its unclear how soon Congress would provide funding and how much. Republican leaders in Congress have said Trumps wall would cost between $12-15 billion. Trump has suggested $12 billion. AP Kuala Lumpur, February 25 Malaysia said on Saturday it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesn't voluntarily cooperate with the police. (Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter @thetribunechd) "Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state. On Wednesday, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, "compelling" them to appear before the investigation team. "And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian Police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two others are still in Malaysia. Kim Jong Nam was murdered on February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport by VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday. Two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have also been detained. Police had said on Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb on Wednesday in connection with the killing. Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added. Reuters International Education Week kicks off Sunday, Nov. 13 and features a week full of activities at TROY. When International Education Week begins on Sunday, Nov. 13., Troy University students will kick off a weeklong celebration. The University, known as Alabamas International University with more than 1,000 international students, places a premium on TROY student becoming globally competitive. [Diversity] helps students prepare for being a global citizen and have an open mind after Read More State regulators released another round of disposal well restrictions Friday as they try to guard against the potential for a sudden jump in saltwater rates linked to man-made earthquakes. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission in a news release states that without its latest action some operators in the earthquake-prone part of the state could have increased the overall disposal volume in their deepest wells by about 1.75 million barrels per day. The depressed energy market and Corporation Commission regulations have combined to lower deep-well disposal volumes in the 15,000-square-mile area of interest by about 1 million barrels a day from the record input in 2014. That year, oil and gas companies reported injecting 1.044 billion barrels, according to a Tulsa World analysis of OCC data. The latest directive includes a few potentially high-volume wells among 71 that are in the area of interest but have not been subject to prior volume reductions because no seismicity has been recorded near them, said Tim Baker, director of the OCCs Oil and Gas Division. Those few that Baker referenced could ramp up to injecting 100,000 barrels per day without implementation of the directive, according to the release. They are currently operating at a fraction of their permitted volume, and the new cap will be based on the much lower last 30-day average of their disposal volumes, Baker said in a written statement. Other wells are already operating under a reduction directive with volumes that are lower than even those allowed. We dont want to see them jump drastically in one day, even if they are within their directive limits. So they will have a cap to limit how much they can increase volume at once. Chad Warmington, president of the Oklahoma Oil & Gas Association, said the directive could have an impact on its members future economic contributions to the state. While this is the reality we face, our members stand by state regulations when based on sound science and available data, Warmington wrote in a statement. The Commissions recent announcement is consistent with this practice. The 71 wells were looped into an expansion of the Corporation Commissions area of interest in March under the yellow light system, meaning they had to begin recording volumes daily to report to regulators on a weekly basis. OCC spokesman Matt Skinner said 22 of the 71 wells have injected zero saltwater since March. Initially, there were 118 wells included in the expansion. Skinner said many operators afterward either shut-in their wells or plugged back to a shallower formation not under scrutiny as the cause of induced seismicity. The news release indicates there now are 654 wells in the area of interest, down from the 700-plus figure used in the past because of the shut-ins and plug backs. While clamping down on potential future increases, the directive offers some flexibility in saltwater management to operators that own multiple disposal wells. The Corporation Commission is implementing an allowance system in which an operator can bump up saltwater injection in certain wells and offset that with less disposal in others to remain below the operators overall volume cap. It is important to note that all directives remain in effect, and all wells currently shut-in by directive will remain that way, Baker said. The Tulsa World on Sunday reported three companies account for nearly half of 4.2 billion barrels of saltwater injected into deep disposal wells from 2011 through 2016 in an area of Oklahoma that has been shaken by a record number of man-made earthquakes. The top seven companies make up 70 percent of that total volume. Scientists say Oklahomas induced seismicity is caused by tremendous volumes of saltwater from oil and gas production that is injected into the states deepest geologic formation the Arbuckle. The Arbuckle is in hydraulic communication with the basement rock that has an unknown number of faults that are critically stressed by natural tectonic forces. Following the downward trend in wastewater disposal, the frequency of quakes has declined since early 2016. There were 623 quakes of 3.0 or greater magnitude in 2016, a 31 percent reduction from the top year, in 2015, of 903. Disposal volumes by the close of 2016 had dropped to near 2012 levels, according to Corporation Commission data analyzed by the Tulsa World. The 90-day moving average of quakes of at least magnitude 3.0 now is at about 0.7 per day, according to Oklahoma Geological Survey Director Jeremy Boak. That is substantially down from a peak of 3.0 a day in January 2016. New US drama Doubt, starring Katherine Heigl has been dropped by CBS after just two episodes. The plot sees Heigl as a brilliant attorney who falls for her client, an altruistic pediatric surgeon (Steven Pasquale), accused of murdering his girlfriend. The series debuted to 5.31 million total viewers, in live-plus-same day numbers, before falling to 4.03 million viewers a weeks later but that was a drop of 45% from its Criminal Minds lead-in. Its not good news for the former Greys Anatomy star whose previous series, State of Affairs, also ended at 13 episodes. Nor is it good news for TEN, which announced the series for Australian viewers as part of its 2017 line-up. Whether it will now be shafted to a multichannel remains to be seen. Source: Variety Choosing a college or university is never becoming an easy decision. There are just so many factors to consider, not to mention the unstoppable increase in the college costs. Choosing the right college is one of the most important decisions you will ever make in your life, which is why it is crucial. A lot of information and factors can influence high school seniors when making this choice and with hundreds and thousands of choices, these teenagers are strongly encouraged to get the best deal, which means that before committing to any college, they gave to make sure they have all the information they need to pretty much have an idea about what awaits the graduates of a particular college after graduation, according to The Virginia Gazette. These students should find out their chances of landing a promising job that will require the skills they have learned in college. And if they have applied for some loans, they should figure out the percentage that they will be able to repay them in a certain period of time. These are just but some of the most important considerations. Also, when making a decision, it is not enough that you choose a college because it is cheap because the low price does not guarantee a wise and best decision in the long run. Similarly, you should also not rule out a college simply because it is costly, according to School Guides. What you can do is look for financial aids to cover the difference between the cost of that particular college and how much you can afford to pay. At the end of the day, the most important thing is that parents and students alike should be able to get the answers to these important considerations before making a final decision. Once high school is over, you might be rejoicing at the fact that you will no longer be at the mercy of a pre-determined bedtime, and that your parents will no longer have complete control over you. You look forward to having that sense of freedom you have been longing for. But be wary. College life is not just all about having fun and living the life. It is more about becoming more responsible, independent and mature to handle new challenges and situations. It is going to be far different from high school in so many ways but here are some valuable pieces of advice to help you get through college life. Extend yourself According to The New York Times, if your goal is to be successful as a freshman, you should learn how to figure things out on your own. Go out of your comfort zone, and be willing to learn as you go along. Do something that you have never done in high school. Be open to everything Starting out in college is your chance to be open to everything, according to The Huffington Posts. This is the time when you will have a lot of self-discoveries, and you will learn what you really want to do and whatever attracts you. You will be surprised at how these things can work together for your success. Do your work As a college student, your top responsibility is to attend your classes and pass your subjects. You are not being pressured to graduate with flying colors. The most important thing is that you learn the things you need to learn to prepare you for your future career. Just be yourself Do not ever compare yourself with others. In college, you will meet hundreds or thousands of people and it is easy to feel a little lost, but remember that each one of us is unique. You have your own strengths and weaknesses and you have your entire four years to leverage on your strengths while you overcome the weakness. Sentiment against government regulation must run deep and strong in Butler County. Its one of only four counties in Nebraska without a comprehensive plan or zoning regulations. The county may be free of government interference, but it definitely is not free from squabbles over land use. Perhaps the latest controversy over its giant landfill will stir interest in using a comprehensive plan or zoning to manage such conflicts. Garbage is trucked in from miles around, including Omaha, to the Butler County landfill. The mountain of trash is growing so tall that if it gets much taller the company that owns will be required to put a light on top to warn aircraft. Seriously. The landfill started out as a family operation, but its been owned for years now by Waste Connections. The company wants to add 160 acres to the existing site, which would mean it could continue hauling garbage from all over Southeast Nebraska for another 30 years. Since Butler County has no zoning or comprehensive plan, the only regulatory hoop the company needs to jump through is held by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. When Waste Connections filed its expansion application with the state, residents commented vigorously, both pro and con, during the public input period in October and November 2015. A month later, the Butler County Board voted 7-0 to recommend that the state deny the permit. The county got hauled into court by Waste Connections. The county lost. In a ruling handed down earlier this month, Saunders County District Judge Mary Gilbride said the boards denial of the siting application was not based on competent evidence in the record, was contrary to law and was arbitrary and capricious. The County Board wanted to define the area to be served as Butler County. It should have considered the area to be served to be the area historically served by the applicant. In other words, in a legal sense it apparently is Butler Countys fate to be the dumping ground for much of Southeast Nebraska. Theres no assurance that a comprehensive plan or zoning regulations might have made a difference in this particular case, but there should be no dispute that planning and zoning can help protect rural lifestyles and, in fact, preserve agricultural land uses. Limited government is often held up as a desirable thing. But in the latest land use squabble, the Butler County Board looked like the original 98-pound weakling. Planning and zoning could help the county stand up for itself. Bethesda, the company behind the widely popular "The Elder Scrolls" series and first-person shooter game "Fallout 4," are reportedly working on three massive titles. Bethesda recently told Glixel about the three massive projects in the works. One of them is a mobile game, the upcoming Nintendo Switch port of Skyrim, and the works on Fallout 4 VR. According to Mic, which is well-known for tracking Bethesda story, the developer's new projects are bigger than anything before, something much bigger than the previous one.The revelation came from a recently conducted interview by Glixel with Bethesda executive producer Todd Howard. Howard told Glixel that aside from Fallout 4 VR and the upcoming Nintendo Switch port of Skyrim, Bethesda is also working on a new mobile game, and also confirmed game developer Machine Games is working on something new, possibly an iteration of the previously launched mobile hit "Fallout Shelter." Bethesda To Focus More On Fallout 4 VR, TES 6 IS Not On Bethesda's List In a recent interview with Glixel, the Bethesda's Todd Howard said that works on "Fallout 4" VR is "going great and as planned. Howard also dropped some details on the challenges of creating a VR version of Fallout 4, suggesting that the interface is working well but there is still some issues left in the locomotion side. Howard even talked and discussed more the locomotion issues, which currently one of the largest issues to deal with when it comes to VR development games. The Bethesda director has also acknowledged the locomotion issue, which currently plagued all VR development games today. Howard said that this issue is no different with the other technical issues the company faced, but the Bethesda team is working round the clock on a number of possible solutions.Bethesda first announced the plans for "Fallout 4" VR during lats year's big E3 event. Although at that time, Howard hasn't not much information about it, it appears that the planned VR variant is going well. The Rockville, Maryland-based game studio recently announced plans to launch a "Fallout 4" VR for HTC Vive. While the "Fallout 4 VR" news was indeed exciting many Bethesda fans were worried that it would not be worth it, and with some speculating that Bethesda might cease works after a few months. However, in a recent interview with Glixel, Bethesda's Todd Howard, has assured the audience and gaming world that the upcoming Fallout 4 VR will be a complete gaming experience that will be comprised of the entire "Fallout 4" game, SegmentNext reported. Unfortunately, the much-awaited sequel to the Elder Scrolls series, "The Elder Scrolls 6" has not yet entered the active development stage, which also means that TES 6 would not be a priority for now for Bethesda. Bethesda made no further comment about TES 6 release date, not even a hint. Bethesda is yet to announce the release date for "Fallout 4 VR," which is expected to arrive this year, possibly at the E3 2017 event. Oprah Winfrey is known for being one of the most influential television personalities of all time. She is also a producer and philanthropist. This coming spring, she is going to be visiting a Northampton college to speak in front of a group of graduates. This year's commencement address at Smith College is going to be led by Oprah Winfrey in May. For several years, she is considered to be one of the most powerful women because of her views on human rights and her charity works. She is applauded for her initiative, the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. She is described to be an accomplished woman as well. She is an actress, nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "The Color Purple," and she owns her own program called OWN - The Oprah Winfrey Network. This is not the first time she is going to deliver a commencement address. Previously she told Duke graduates to help others move to a higher ground. In 2014, she received an honorary degree from Harvard and challenges the graduates to max out their humanity. Smith College graduates are excited to hear Oprah Winfrey's message. She joins a long list of accomplished authorities, such as Gloria Steinem, Jane Lynch, Rachel Maddow and Arianna Huffington, as reported by Western Mass News. Oprah Winfrey is going to deliver the commencement address at Smith College on May 21. But this is not the only college she is going to attend to this year. She is also going to address another college in New York. In Saratoga Springs, New York, Skidmore College is going to receive her address this year as well. According to The Daily Astorian, Oprah Winfrey is going to speak on May 20 at Skidmore College. A day earlier than Smith College. She is reportedly going to receive an honorary degree from both colleges as well. Watch Oprah Winfrey's commencement address to Harvard University below: NASA's quest to answer the question - if humans are alone in the universe - is still being researched. Now, scientists are getting ready to take the biggest leap in that research. With the help of Georgia Tech researchers, NASA is getting ready to search for life in Jupiter. Scientists are now focused on Jupiter's cold moon, Europa. This is their next phase to seriously look for life in the solar system. After gathering samples from Mars, NASA and institute researchers are eager to find out more about Jupiter and its moons. Which is why the director of NASA's Planetary Sciences Division, James Green, has promised that they are excited to see if Europa has life. And such an endeavor can only be possible if the space agency works with other teams. Green directs his attention during the announcement to the Georgia Tech University team for helping NASA move forward when it comes to biology, chemistry and everything related to planetary science, as reported by Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech's partnership with NASA has reportedly yielded findings like the discovery of flowing water on Mars. Now, since their focus is on the frigid temperatures of Europa, they are eager to take samples during the 2021 mission to study if there are organisms that are able to survive in frozen or near-frozen temperatures. The Georgia Tech-NASA connection is essential to this study as the quest for finding life in the solar system continues. Currently, the Jupiter mission plans include a flyby across Europa, as reported by I4U News. The moon's icy ocean is tempting researchers to find out more. Both NASA scientists and Georgia Tech researchers agree that life may exist on Europa. Measurements indicate that the ocean's depth is quite deep and has signs of salt which may have rock. They are hoping that a 2020 spacecraft launch can help shed some more light on the study. Watch the NASA Goddard clip below for images of Europa: Many students who start at community colleges are unable to earn a bachelor's degree and finish a four-year course. This may be because of several factors including poor financial aid, lower student expectations, focus on vocational courses and many others. A 2014 study suggests that the biggest obstacle to community college students in trying to earn a bachelor's degree is lost college credits, according to CBS News. However, a recent research states that something else causes the community college students to withdraw from their institutions. The report from the Center for Community College Student Engagement released during the 2017 Achieving the Dream conference today revealed that the reason why many community college students do not finish higher education is because of their lack of finances, according to Inside Higher Ed. Evelyn Waiwaiole, director of the center, said that all of the academic supports can be put in place but it will not be enough especially for those having issues with financial insecurity. The report surveyed nearly 100,000 community college students from 177 schools. The survey found that 4 out of 10 are recipients of federal Pell Grants, and 61 percent of them live below the poverty line. Because of this, many of them were found to have difficulty to make both ends meet, especially when they have dependent children. Katharine Broton, a researcher at the Wisconsin HOPE Lab and doctoral candidate in sociology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said that the results were not really surprising and it still boils down to the issue of college affordability. She also said that college students have very limited access to publicly-funded safety net because they have to be qualified to be eligible. The end result is that students tend to sacrifice other important things in order to pursue their goals. Waiwaiole concluded that it is not just the constant rise in the tuition and fees that makes it more difficult for students to finish their degree; but it is also about the increasing costs of transportation, child care costs and other things that have been increasing tremendously. NASA is now weighing the risk of adding its first flight crew to the megarocket bound for deep space. Initially, the space agency is planning to send an unmanned rocket but changed its mind in the past few weeks. Now, as NASA is thinking of adding astronauts to Orion, scientists leading the development are looking at the hardware and software aspects of the journey. Lead experts want to know if the Orion is capable of supporting life through a long-duration space travel to Mars. Robert Lightfoot, NASA's acting administrator, has asked Bill Gerstenmaier, the associate administrator for the Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate to lead the feasibility study of adding a human crew to Exploration Mission-1. Gerstenmaier is a Purdue School of Aeronautics and Astronautics graduate who has a great interest in space. NASA expects Gerstenmaier's study to be completed in early spring, as announced by NASA. The goal is to find out if their plans are going to be safe and effective for the mission. Gerstenmaier stresses that this is an assessment only and not a decision for the mission. The primary mission for the EM-1 still remains as an uncrewed flight. Aside from making sure the goal of the mission is met, the rocket is able to support life and the flight crew is safe during the travel, NASA is also looking at how it can advance the national economy because of the investments placed in the mission. But many are wondering why NASA suddenly changed its mind and wants to add astronauts in the megarocket. The reason behind this change is because of current United States President Donald Trump's administration asking NASA to explore the idea of putting humans in the first inaugural mission, as reported by Vocativ. The pressure is on as the space agency only has a year or two to make the changes but the future of space exploration, according to the publication, is under the Trump administration and its goals are still uncertain. Watch NASA's clip below of Orion's first test run: Fairfield University has opened its doors to celebrate one of the most anticipated weeks of the academic year. It is National Engineering Week and everybody is celebrating engineers and the difference they make in the world. At Fairfield University, tons of activities are in place. Such as a free IMAX screening this Saturday for the Discover E's engineering documentary film, "Dream Big." It is set to happen at the IMAX theater at the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk, Conn. More than a hundred local students, from middle and high schools, will also be attending the free IMAX screening. Fairfield University's School of Engineering hopes that, aside from celebrating National Engineering Week, these students will take interest in the field of engineering. Everybody who wishes to attend the IMAX viewing will get to see the discovery of the world's tallest building to the solar car race in Australia, as reported by The Fairfield Sun. But Fairfield's National Engineering is not only featuring an IMAX viewing. This week included talks on artificial intelligence and more lectures. Engineers Without Borders also stepped up during the week, as featured by Fairfield. Engineers Without Borders students held a two-part event and features their mission to provide clean water to developing countries. The group encourages students to learn how they can help. It is not all serious talk, students also joined the Bannow Grand Prix, a remote controlled car race and a fun event with the Society of Women Engineers. And the whole week is now drawing to a close. The IMAX movie "Dream Big" is the conclusion to the whole Fairfield Engineering Week. The free IMAX event is scheduled at 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The publication reports that it includes transportation to and from the Maritime Aquarium, all activities and admission fees but one has to be registered in the school's official website. Watch the video below of Fairfield's own engineering school working on a great project: Some of the greatest decisions ever made are made by leaders of nations. And to continue celebrating President's Day, here are some of what many consider to be the best career advice from former presidents of the United States. When faced with challenges in life, one can look to the words of wisdom from these former presidents: 1. George Washington once told his niece that "it is better to offer no excuse than offer a bad one." Only make honest excuses. 2. Franklin Roosevelt once said that if people "treat people right, then they will treat you right" as well. But mostly, he adds, 90 percent of the time. The Roanoke Times calls this a golden rule. 3. Thomas Jefferson knows what he means when he advices to never put off until tomorrow, the things you can do today. This great man was an inventor and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence. 4. George W. Bush once told students who received honors and awards a hearty congratulations. However, when he turned his attention to the "C" students, he tells them that they, too, can be the next President of the United States and urges them on by telling them to work hard. 5. Barack Obama also has an advice for the future leaders of America. And this can be applicable to today's generation. Always remember that "sometimes it is not about being famous or important." According to the former president, it is about choosing something you believe in and devoting your life and career to it. Barack Obama has always been a huge promoter of health care, education and science. And in the kernel of wisdom and science, on-screen scientist and actress Mayim Bialik also has an advice to offer. Although she is not a former president of the United States, her advice can be illuminating for some. When Mayim Bialik was asked what advice she would give her 22 year old self, "The Big Bang Theory" actress says that your gut instinct is always right. "Trust your gut!" cites Pop. In the BBC clip below, Barack Obama offers his own advice to at the time president-elect Donald Trump: The story of the Oscar-nominated movie, "Hidden Figures," revolves around the female African-American mathematicians and the 'ancient' mathematical method which made NASA's space missions successful. Katherine Johnson, Mary Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were working as human computers at NASA calculating complex mathematical equations by hand. Despite their brilliance, these women were looked down because of their gender and color. But as fate would have it, they would go down in history as one of the heroes that made America's space dream a reality. That brilliance became evident when scientists at NASA kept getting stumped from finding the right equation to a successful trajectory. In one scene of the movie, the engineers were discussing about the problem until Johnson stepped in and suggest they try the Euler's method. However, the other scientists were wary about using it and referred to it as being 'ancient.' What is Euler's method and was it really used to successfully made John Glenn the first man to orbit the Earth? Euler'e method can be considered 'ancient' since Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler developed it a long time ago before his death in 1783. It's an approximation technique used to solve a differential equation. When using the method, three things should be present - the starting point, information to the step size or information how to find the step size, and the differential equation. It uses the concept of local linearity to put together a series of small line segments so that an approximation of the actual curve can be made. Therefore, every time this method is used, one point is created to form another line segment. Euler's method becomes much more effective if the points are closer to each other and the changes in the solution is slow and smooth because there are errors that can occur in each step of the process. Now, did Johnson really use this method? In a technical report Johnson co-authored with NASA engineer Ted Skopinski, they described the the calculations they did as they analyzed the trajectories. However, they did not solely used Euler's method to calculate these differential equations but drew upon a number of branches of math. Even then, this 'ancient' method is indeed beautiful and not ancient at all. Caitlyn Jenner has spoken up against President Trump's retraction of the transgender bathroom protections in public schools. The policy was a guidance approved and implemented by the Obama administration. It was previously reported that the Trump administration sent letters through the Department of Education and Department of Justice on Wednesday. The letters made the reversal of the administration's position on the issue to the Supreme Court as well as public schools across the nation. The letter notified the court that the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division will not rely on the guidance anymore but instead will focus on the legal issues involved. The issue on transgender bathroom protections has caused tension within the Trump administration. Attorney General Jeff Sessions is adamant in revoking the civil rights put forth by former President Obama while Education Secretary Betsy DeVos initially refused to relent because she was thinking about the potential harm that will be done to transgender students if the protections were retracted. She dropped her opposition when President Trump stepped in. On Thursday, Caitlyn Jenner addressed the issue and sent a message to President Trump, the Los Angeles Times reported. She took to Twitter to post a video and described the retraction as "a disaster." Jenner also urged the president to protect the LGBTQ community and to call her. According to CNN, Jenner has long been a supporter of Trump. She said that Trump would be better for women than Hillary Clinton after he became the presumptive GOP nominee last June. She noted that Trump appears to be "very much for women" and seem to be supportive of the LGBTQ community. Last month, she tweeted that Republicans can contact her to help understand the issues surrounding the LGBTQ community. Jenner came out as transgender back in 2015 in a piece for Vanity Fair magazine. She also had a docuseries with E! entitled "I Am Cait," which featured her life after she transitioned. University of Michigan students are demanding to have "No Whites Spaces," which seem to be reverse segregation. This comes after minority students are disappointed over the institution's response to bias incidents that continue to happen in campus. A student activist group, "Students4Justice," at the University of Michigan is urging school officials to provide a space on central campus for Black students as well as other students of color. The demand was issued with the intent to organize and do social justice work, The College Fix reported. The demands come even after the university has already begun constructing a $10 million center for Black students and other students of color in the center of the campus. The center is expected to be "multicultural" and open to all students. Liberty News Now noted on the growing hate against white students on campuses across the nation. Claremont McKenna College developed a safe space last year where white people were banned. Another incident involved a campus employee who assaulted a white student for cultural appropriation because of his dreadlocks. The group also launched an online petition to criticize University of Michigan president Mark Schlissel for his "lackluster leadership." Schlissel was slammed for allegedly not doing his utmost to enact change as well as not putting the needed work and effort to improving the campus. The student activist group claimed that the UM president's statements on commitment to diversity and to helping race relations are not aligned with his "dismissiveness" of their demands. They described how frustrating it is for activists not to be acknowledged. According to The Michigan Daily, bias incidents continue to occur across the University of Michigan campus. These still came despite the school denouncing these hateful actions. It was noted that students have begun to question the effectiveness of the administration's response. Several students have also spoken up against Schlissel for not adequately supporting minority groups in campus. I believe in common sense state leadership that is flexible enough to meet the needs of all Nebraskans, both rural and urban. Our forefathers were wise enough to create a bipartisan unicameral Legislature to make sure our state senators focus on solutions and not political partisanship. Gov. Pete Ricketts has contributed thousands of dollars to political campaigns in order to create a unicameral this year that is highly politicized. Now, the same kind of ideological rigidity that has tied up Congress for so many years has come to Nebraska. Two freshman senators have been appointed as committee chairs over more experienced colleagues simply on the basis of their party affiliation. The legislative session is almost a third over and nothing has been accomplished but bickering over rule changes. Our governor and state senators need to put aside their party ties and work together to solve the important problems facing Nebraskans. They cannot do this by digging in their heels and arguing, they need to focus on reasonable compromises and solutions. Kristine McVea, Omaha RIO DE JANEIRORevellers all over Brazil were getting Carnival celebrations started Friday, taking to the streets to dance samba, drink beer and other spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal. In Rio, home to the worlds most famous Carnival bash, several so-called block parties were underway by the afternoon. Thousands of revelers danced amid 32 C heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the Camelitas block party, revellers dressed up as nuns in Rios bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Many carried signs with statements ranging from insults against politicians to calls for the legalization of drugs. The lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds, read one banner. Carnival is a very nice and democratic party, said partygoer Nilse Azevedo. Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has Imajbet fun. At the sambadrome, where top league samba schools begin competing on Sunday, thousands poured in expecting the traditional handing over of the citys key to Rei Momo, or the king of carnal delights. This was always done with great fanfare by former Mayor Eduardo Paes. However, Marcelo Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop who took power Jan. 1, has been coy in recent weeks about whether he would participate in Carnival, or how he might do so. His office didnt answer the phone or return emails on Friday. Holding the symbolic key was Maria Cristina, who appeared like somebody who had been stood up. I would also like to know what is going on, she said when asked by an Associated Press reporter about what she would do with the key. Cristina said the mayors office had told her and the symbolic key-holding group to come, but hadnt said more about the plans. The mayor should separate religion from politics at our Carnival, said Marisol Portela, a homemaker who had come to the sambadrome. He will not be missed. We will throw our party anyway. In Sao Paulo, where samba school competitions get started Friday night, there was heavy rain and thunder. Some streets in the eastern part of the megacity were flooding. Images on Globo Television show cars fully submerged and floating. The annual Carnival celebrations come at a difficult time for many Brazilians. The economy is mired in recession, leading to daily announcements of job cuts and much angst about the future. Many states, including Rio de Janeiro, are so broke that thousands of public workers are being paid months late, if at all. Latin Americas largest nation is also recovering from a brutal impeachment fight last year that led to the removal of president Dilma Rousseff for illegal mismanagement of the budget. The man who replaced her, Michel Temer, is deeply unpopular. Temer and several others in both chambers of Congress have been caught up, either through formal charges or in plea bargains, in a massive corruption probe that has jailed dozens of politicians and businessmen in the last few years. Temer denies wrongdoing. One of Rios big block parties is dedicated to the president. Its theme: Out with Temer! The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIAMalaysian police said Saturday that they would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to co-operate with the investigation into the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns exiled half brother. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpurs airport. Fridays revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. Police said Saturday that they would conduct a sweep of the airport terminal where Kim was killed to check for possible traces of VX. Read more: Kim Jong Uns half-brother was attacked with VX nerve agent, officials say North Korea denies it was behind death of Kim Jong Uns half-brother in Malaysia Malaysia decontaminating airport after VX nerve agent killed Kim Jong Uns half-brother: police Experts say the nerve agent used in the attack was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty. But North Korea never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program. Kim was not an obvious political threat to his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Un. But he may have been seen as a potential rival in North Koreas dynastic dictatorship, even though he had lived in exile for years. North Korea has denied any role in the attack. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities acknowledged at the time that he has diplomatic immunity and that they couldnt compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysias tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat reasonable time to come forward. If he doesnt, he said, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so. And if he failed to turn up ... then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court, Abdul Samah told reporters. Lawyer Sankara Nair, however, noted that diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. If he is a Korean diplomat with a diplomatic passport, then he has immunity no matter a criminal case or otherwise, he said. Police can apply for a warrant, but it can easily be set aside by the embassy. Malaysia hasnt directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided two women with poison to carry it out. The four men fled Malaysia shortly after the killing, while the women one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese were arrested. On Saturday, the Indonesian suspect, Siti Aisyah, met with her countrys deputy ambassador to Malaysia, saying she had been paid the equivalent of $90 for what she believed was a harmless prank. Aisyah, 25, said she had been introduced to people who looked like Japanese or Koreans who asked her to play a prank for a reality show, Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin said. Asked about whether she knew what was on her hands at the time of the attack, Erwin said: She didnt tell us about that. She only said that its a kind of oil, baby oil, something like that. The Vietnamese woman who was arrested, Doan Thi Huong, also thought she was taking part in a prank, Vietnams foreign ministry said Saturday, after a representative from the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia met with Huong. An odourless chemical with the consistency of motor oil, VX is an extremely powerful poison, with an amount no larger than a few grains of salt enough to kill. It can be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Then, in anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, it can cause a range of symptoms, from blurred vision to a headache. Enough exposure leads to convulsions, paralysis, respiratory failure and death. The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travellers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within hours of the attack. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to smear something onto Kims face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said the attackers had been trained to go immediately to the bathroom and clean their hands. Aisyah has said previously that she was duped into the attack, but Malaysian police say the suspects knew what they were doing. Experts say the women must have taken precautions so the nerve agent wouldnt kill them. An antidote, atropine, can be injected after exposure and is carried by medics in war zones where weapons of mass destruction are suspected. Tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpurs airport since the apparent assassination was carried out. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken. Late Saturday, however, police said they would begin a sweep of the budget terminal where Kim was attacked to check for traces of VX. The sweep was scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Sunday and was to involve officers from the polices chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the fire departments hazardous materials unit and the governments atomic energy board. Although VX is not radioactive, police said the radiological team and the atomic energy board would be involved as a precaution. Also Saturday, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Abdul Samah, the police official, did not specify what authorities found there, but said the items were being tested for traces of any chemicals. The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th Floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. You can unsubscribe at any time. Please contact us or see our privacy policy for more information. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. WASHINGTON (AP) -- White House chief of staff Reince Priebus asked top FBI officials to dispute media reports that President Donald Trump's campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election, according to three White House officials. Democrats accused Priebus of interfering in a pending investigation. The officials said that Priebus' Feb. 15 request to FBI Director James Comey and deputy director Andrew McCabe came as the White House sought to discredit a New York Times report about contacts between Russian intelligence officials and members of Trump's 2016 campaign team. As of Friday, the FBI had not commented publicly on the veracity of the report and there was no indication it planned to, despite the White House's request. White House officials said it was the FBI that first raised concerns about the reporting, but told Priebus the bureau could not weigh in publicly on the matter. The officials said McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI had not confirmed as of Friday morning. CNN first reported that Priebus had asked the FBI for help and a White House official confirmed the matter to The Associated Press Thursday night. On Friday morning, two other senior White House officials summoned reporters to a hastily arranged briefing to expand on the timeline of events. The officials said Priebus had a previously scheduled meeting with McCabe the morning after the New York Times story was published. Priebus and Comey then spoke later in the day. The officials would only discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity, despite the fact that Priebus has complained publicly that the initial stories about Trump advisers' Russia contacts relied on anonymous sources. Trump himself, however, complained early Friday that the "FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time." "They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW," Trump tweeted. Priebus' discussions sparked outrage among some Democrats, who said that the chief of staff was violating policies intended to limit communications between the law enforcement agency and the White House on pending investigations. "The White House is simply not permitted to pressure the FBI to make public statements about a pending investigation of the president and his advisers," said Michigan Rep. John Conyers, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee. A 2009 memo from then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department is to advise the White House on pending criminal or civil investigations "only when it is important for the performance of the president's duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective." When communication has to occur, the memo said, it should involve only the highest-level officials from the White House and the Justice Department. Trump has been shadowed by questions about potential ties to Russia since winning the election. U.S. intelligence agencies have also concluded that Russia meddled in the campaign to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Last week, Trump fired national security adviser Michael Flynn because he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Flynn, who was interviewed by the FBI about his contacts, is said to have talked with the ambassador multiple times during the transition, including a discussion about U.S. sanctions policy. Still, Trump and his advisers have denied having had contacts with Russian officials during the election. Last week, Trump said "nobody that I know of" spoke with Russian intelligence agents during the campaign. Priebus alluded to his contacts with the FBI over the weekend, telling Fox News that "the top levels of the intelligence community" have assured him that the allegations of campaign contacts with Russia were "not only grossly overstated, but also wrong." Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Priebus' comments opened the door for FBI Director James Comey to discuss the bureau's investigation publicly. "If the White House chief of staff can make public claims about the supposed conclusions of an FBI investigation, then Director Comey can come clean with the American people," Wyden said. Justin Shur, a former Justice Department public corruption prosecutor, said it was imperative that Justice Department investigations not be swayed by political considerations. "As a general matter, investigations and prosecutions should be about gathering the facts and the evidence and applying the law," Shur said. During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans vigorously criticized a meeting between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, husband of Trump's general election opponent. The meeting came as the FBI -- which is overseen by the Justice Department -- was investigating Hillary Clinton's use of a private email address and personal internet server. ___ Associated Press writers Vivian Salama, Eric Tucker and Eileen Sullivan contributed to this report. ___ Follow Julie Pace at http://twitter.com/jpaceDC Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Officials say two Panama-flagged cargo ships have been detained on the Willamette and Columbia rivers because of safety issues. The U.S. Coast Guard said in a news release that the Atlantic Ruby in Portland and Amber L in Kalama, Washington were detained Thursday after routine inspections. The Coast Guard says a fire extinguishing system on the Atlantic Ruby was improperly Betcup serviced with disconnected time delays which if connected allow personnel to escape before a fire extinguishing agent is released. On the Amber L, inspectors found cooling water leaking from the main engine and multiple issues with the steering system. Through the Port State Control program, the Coast Guard verifies that foreign flagged vessels operating in U.S. waters comply with laws and regulations. The vessels will remain in place until the discrepancies are corrected. -- The Associated Press Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa stated a particular prosecutor is needed to investigate into Russia's alleged meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Bill Maher asked Issa in the course of an interview on his show "Real Time" about reports that members of President Trump's campaign had make contact with with Russian officials. Maher presented the Republican representative with a hypothetical situation -- if Russians had hacked the campaign of GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney in 2012 and if there had also been contacts between the Obama administration and the Russians. "You're going to let that slide?" Maher asked Issa. "No," Issa mentioned. "So you are not going to let this slide?" Maher followed up, referring to Russia and the Trump campaign. "No," Issa stated again. When Maher then pushed Issa on the need to have for an independent investigation, the California Republican agreed that a unique prosecutor is needed. The investigation shouldn't be overseen by U.S. Lawyer General Jeff Sessions, who was appointed by the president and was active in Trump's campaign, Issa said. "You can't have somebody -- a pal of mine, Jeff Sessions -- who was on the campaign and who is an appointee," Issa said. "You happen to be going to need to have to use the specific prosecutor's statute and workplace." "There may well or may not be fault," Issa mentioned. But he stated, "The American people today are beginning to understand that Putin ... is a terrible guy ... We will need to investigate [the Russian leader's] activities and we require to do it for the reason that they are undesirable people today." Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Malaysia said Saturday that it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to cooperate with the investigation into the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half brother. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. Friday's revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. Experts say the nerve agent used in the attack was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty. But North Korea never signed that treaty, and has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program. Kim was not an obvious political threat to his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Un. But he may have been seen as a potential rival in North Korea's dynastic dictatorship, even though he had lived in exile for years. North Korea has denied any role in the attack. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities at the time acknowledged that he has diplomatic immunity and that they couldn't compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysia's tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat "reasonable" time to come forward. If he doesn't, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so. "And if he failed to turn up ... then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," Abdul Samah told reporters. The tale of Kim Jong Un's brother and a lurid North Korean family feud Anna Fifield Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport was convulsing with its usual Monday morning chaos. Passengers were crowding around self-check-in kiosks for no-frills flights to Bali and Cebu and Da Nang, cramming belongings into their carry-ons. One of those navigating the cavernous white terminal... Terminal 2 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport was convulsing with its usual Monday morning chaos. Passengers were crowding around self-check-in kiosks for no-frills flights to Bali and Cebu and Da Nang, cramming belongings into their carry-ons. One of those navigating the cavernous white terminal... (Anna Fifield) Lawyer Sankara Nair, however, said diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. "If he is a Korean diplomat with a diplomatic passport, then he has immunity no matter a criminal case or otherwise," he said. "Police can apply for a warrant, but it can easily be set aside by the embassy." Malaysia hasn't directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided two women with poison to carry it out. The four men fled Malaysia shortly after the killing, while the women one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese were arrested. On Saturday, the Indonesian suspect, Siti Aisyah, met with her country's deputy ambassador to Malaysia, saying she had been paid the equivalent of $90 for what she believed was a harmless prank. Aisyah, 25, said she had been introduced to people who looked like Japanese or Koreans who asked her to play a prank for a reality show, Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin said. Kim Jong Nam's reported poisoning caught on surveillance video Kim Jong Nam's reported poisoning caught on surveillance video (CBS Miami) Kim Jong Nam's reported poisoning caught on surveillance video (CBS Miami) See more videos Asked about whether she knew what was on her hands at the time of the attack, Erwin said: "She didn't tell us about that. She only said that it's a kind of oil, baby oil, something like that." An odorless chemical with the consistency of motor oil, VX is an extremely powerful poison, with an amount no larger than a few grains of salt enough to kill. It can be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Then, in anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, it can cause a range of symptoms, from blurred vision to a headache. Enough exposure leads to convulsions, paralysis, respiratory failure and death. The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpur's airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within hours of the attack. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to smear something onto Kim's face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said the attackers had been trained to go immediately to the bathroom and clean their hands. Aisyah has said previously that she was duped into the attack, but Malaysian police say the suspects knew what they were doing. Experts say the women must have taken precautions so the nerve agent wouldn't kill them. An antidote, atropine, can be injected after exposure and is carried by medics in war zones where weapons of mass destruction are suspected. Tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpur's airport since the apparent assassination was carried out. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken, though officials announced Friday that the facility would be decontaminated. Aisyah said Saturday that she did not want her parents to see her in custody. "She doesn't want her family (to) get sad to see her condition," Erwin said. "She only delivered a message through us to her father and mother not to be worried and take care of their health." Also Saturday, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Abdul Samah, the police official, did not specify what authorities found there, but said the items were being tested for traces of any chemicals. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. President Donald Trumps travel ban hit another hurdle Friday as new evidence raised doubts over the executive orders necessity. A report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), first obtained by the Associated Press, concluded that a persons country of citizenship is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity. The paper relied on visa statistics from the Department of State, unclassified information from the Department of Justice, data on terrorism-related convictions from the 2016 Worldwide Threat Assessment from the intelligence community and the State Department Country Reports on Terrorism 2015. The Homeland Security Department's Intelligence and Analysis branch prepared the three-page report. The DHS study found that since the Syrian conflict in 2011, at least 82 individuals were convicted of terror-linked offenses. Of these, over 50 percent were native-born U.S. citizens, while foreign-born individuals came from over 20 different countries, with the top seven being Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iraq and Uzbekistan. Trump, after assuming office Jan. 20, imposed a temporary ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. He also indefinitely suspended the Syrian refugee program, citing terrorism as the primary concern. However, his executive order was challenged in court and effectively blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump, through his tweets, expressed concerns several times over the courts order, and reiterated his claims on terrorism. The report, which comes amid the court's order, did point out that terror groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen pose a threat to the U.S., but it noted that groups in Iran, Libya, Somalia and Sudan are regionally focused. Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen said Friday the document was a work in progress, and not the final review of the governments intelligence. "While DHS was asked to draft a comprehensive report on this issue, the document you're referencing was commentary from a single intelligence source versus an official, robust document with thorough interagency sourcing," Christensen said, the bahisol AP reported. "The ... report does not include data from other intelligence community sources. It is incomplete." Defending Trumps executive order, Christensen said the seven countries were initially deemed a concern by former President Barack Obamas administration. The seven countries were identified by the previous administration as being countries of concern for foreign terrorist travel to the Unites States. Consequently, these countries were the focus of this administrations initial efforts to enhance vetting for foreign travel to the United States, she said, the Washington Post reported. It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States; and to prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes. The draft intelligence document can be accessed here. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. New Orleans is a city that knows how to eat, drink and be merry, and the best display of the city's bacchanalian expertise is Mardi Gras. True to form for a city that allows bars to stay open around the clock, the New Orleans Mardi Gras festival officially lasts for more than seven weeks. But the party really picks up this weekend and culminates on Feb. 28, or Fat Tuesday, which is the final day before Lent begins on Wednesday, March 1. Below is a list of parades scheduled for the final, and most exciting, days of the festival. Saturday, Feb. 25 NOMTOC (New Orleans's Most Talked About Club) Parade Start Time: 10:45 a.m. Route: Krewe of NOMTOC's parade starts on Fiesta Street and Holiday Drive in Algiers. The parade will then head northwest on General Meyer Avenue before heading west on Newton Street. Iris Start Time: 11:00 a.m. Route: The Krewe of Isis have scheduled their parade to begin at Carondelet Street and Napoleon Avenue in Milan. The parade is then scheduled to head south to St. Charles Avenue, and follow it to Canal Street. Tucks Start Time: Noon Route: The Krewe of Tucks has set a parade route that starts in Touro at Magazine Street and Napoleon Avenue, and is scheduled to head north to St. Charles Avenue, before heading northeast to Canal Street. Endymion Start Time: 4:15 p.m. Route: The Krewe of Endymion has been named one of three "super krewes" for the stunning visual displays it has produced over the years. The Krewe of Endymion has set the starting point for their parade at City Park Avenue. The parade is scheduled to then head south along Orleans Avenue and turning to the southwest down South Carrollton Avenue before heading south down Canal Street. Isis Start Time: 6:30 p.m. Route: The Krewe of Isis has planned its parade to begin on Trenton Avenue in Metaire near the Clearview Mall. The parade route then heads north to Veterans Memorial Boulevard, where it heads east to Martin Behrman Avenue. Sunday, Feb. 26 Okeanos Start Time: 11:00 a.m. Route: The Krewe of Okeanos has planned its parade to begin at Jefferson Avenue and head east down Magazine Street before moving north up Napoleon Avenue to St. Charles Avenue. The parade is then scheduled to head northwest to Canal Street. Mid-City Start Time: 11:45 a.m. Route: The Krewe of Mid-City has scheduled its parade to begin at Jefferson Avenue and Magazine Street, move North up Napoleon Avenue, then turn east along St. Charles before ending at Canal Street. Thoth Start Time: Noon Route: The Krewe of Thoth has planned its parade to start at State Street and Tchoupitoulas Street and head west, before turning north on Henry Clay Avenue, and then turning right on Magazine Street. The parade is scheduled to then head east to Napoleon Avenue before then turning east on St. Charles Avenue and traveling northeast to Canal Street. Napoleon Start Time: 5 p.m. Route: Corps de Napoleon has planned its parade to start on Trenton Street in front of the Clearview Mall, turn north up Houma Boulevard to Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The parade is then scheduled to head east down Veterans Memorial Boulevard, with two detours up and down Severn Avenue and Bonnabel Boulevard, before ending at Martin Behrmann Avenue. A member of the Krewe of Box of Wine makes her way down St. Charles Avenue in between Mardi Gras parades in New Orleans, Louisiana Feb. 15, 2015. Photo: Reuters Bacchus Start Time: 5:15 p.m. Route: The Krewe of Bacchus, another "super krewe," has planned its parade to start at Tchoupitoulas Street and move north up Napoleon Avenue, before taking the familiar route along northeast along St. Charles Avenue toward Canal Street. New Orleans kicks off its famous Mardi Gras festival on Fat Tuesday, which this year falls on Feb. 28. Monday, Feb. 27 Proteus Start Time: 5:15 p.m. Route: The Krewe of Proteus has planned its parade to start at Perrier Street and move north up Napoleon Avenue, before traveling down St. Charles Avenue toward Canal Street. Orpheus Start Time: 6:00 p.m. Route: The Krewe of Orpheus, the third "super krewe," has planned its parade for Mandeville, which is across Lake Pontchartrain from New Orleans. The parade is set to start on Emerald Road west of St. Joseph Drive, turn south on West Causeway Approach, hop onto a parallel service road, and then move east down Monroe Street before traveling east down East Causeway Approach and ending at Galvez Street. Tuesday, Feb. 28 Zulu Start Time: 8:00 a.m. Route: The Krewe of Zulu's parade is set to start at South Claiborne Avenue, travel south down Jackson Avenue to St. Charles Avenue, head northeast to Canal Street, turn north along Canal to Basin Street, then follow Basin Street, which becomes Orleans Avenue, to North Broad Street. Rex Start Time: 10:00 a.m. Route: The Rex Organization has planned its parade to start to travel south down Napoleon Avenue between South Claiborne Avenue and St. Charles Avenue. The parade is then scheduled to travel northeast along St. Charles Street to Canal Street. Elks Orleans Start Time: Follows Rex Route: The Elks Orleans parade is scheduled to follow the same route as the Rex parade, will turn northwest at Canal Street, before turning southeast down South Robertson Street and ending at Tulane Avenue. Crescent City Start time: Follows Elks Orleans Route: The Crescent City parade is scheduled to begin after the Elks Orleans parade and follow the same route. Argus Start Time: 10:00 a.m. Route: The Krewe of Argus has planned its parade to start on Trenton Street in front of the Clearview Mall, turn north up Houma Boulevard to Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The parade is then scheduled to head east down Veterans Memorial Boulevard, with two detours up and down Severn Avenue and Bonnabel Boulevard, before ending at Martin Behrmann Avenue. Krewe of Elks Jefferson Start Time: Follows Argus Route: The Krewe of Elks Jefferson parade has planned its parade to start on Trenton Street in front of the Clearview Mall, turn north up Houma Boulevard to Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The parade is then scheduled to head east down Veterans Memorial Boulevard, with two detours up and down Severn Avenue and Bonnabel Boulevard, before ending at Martin Behrmann Avenue. Krewe of Jefferson Start Time: Follows Krewe of Elks Jefferson Route: The Krewe of Elks Jefferson parade has planned its parade to start on Trenton Street in front of the Clearview Mall, turn north up Houma Boulevard to Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The parade is then scheduled to head east down Veterans Memorial Boulevard, with two detours up and down Severn Avenue and Bonnabel Boulevard, before ending at Martin Behrmann Avenue. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Im pleased that there was enough historical information about Andy Pudzer to derail his nomination for Secretary of Labor. It sounds like he was a poor choice according to the facts laid out in the press. Republicans could not support him because he opposed unions and the living wage, disrespected his employees, hired many individuals who may have immigrated illegally and was accused of abusing his wife. However, Republicans fully supported Jeff Sessions for Attorney General even though black colleagues gave first-person reports that he referred to them as boy and during a trial for a brutal murder of a young black man by KKK members, joked that the KKK was, OK until I found out they smoked pot. Millions of constituents contacted their senators opposing the confirmation. Despite a congressional record of racial insensitivity and failing to support laws to protect civil and voting rights, they voted to confirm him. Then, theres Betsy DeVos. Certainly she does not have the egregious history of Sessions or Pudzer, but she clearly had no experience in the most important role of Secretary of Education, guarding the educational welfare of the majority of American children who depend on public schools. Again, millions of constituents spoke out against her confirmation. Is it possible Republican senators are more afraid of displeasing the Trump administration than their constituents? Mickey Seefeld, Lincoln By the editors of Yomiuri Shimbun It has become more likely that the murder of Kim Jong Nam was a state-sponsored act by North Korea. The incident has served to antagonize even Southeast Asian countries with which it had friendly relations and will thus deepen its isolation from the international community. Malaysian police authorities have requested that North Korea turn three North Koreans in for questioning, including a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and an employee of Air Koryo, who they believe were involved in the killing of Kim Jong Nam. In addition to two women - one Vietnamese and the other Indonesian - who were said to be the direct perpetrators of the attack on Kim Jong Nam, Malaysian police have arrested a man with North Korean citizenship. Believing that four other suspects in the case have returned to North Korea, the Malaysian police have called on Pyongyang to hand them over. Initial investigations have proved successful in grasping the outline of a group of people involved in the killing. Video taken by security cameras at the airport contributed greatly to identifying the perpetrators. It was also found that the perpetrators and others involved had practiced the use of poisonous substances at a shopping mall in Kuala Lumpur. This indicates that the murder of Kim Jong Nam was a premeditated act, prepared deliberately. The toxic substance used in the attack has not been determined. The relevant Malaysian authorities are called on to make all-out efforts to uncover the whole truth of the incident. What cannot be overlooked is that North Korea tried to blatantly obstruct investigations by doing such things as demanding early handover of the body to its embassy. This resulted in sharpening the row with Malaysia. ASEAN must respond North Korea's ambassador to Malaysia criticized the Malaysian investigations, arguing that they were politically motivated. The Malaysian government denounced North Korea's condemnation as an insult and refuted it by contending that the probe was conducted fairly based on domestic law. The antagonism has led to Malaysia recalling its ambassador from Pyongyang. The Korean Central News Agency declared that the accusation of North Korea's responsibility in the murder of Kim Jong Nam is an "intrigue" scripted by South Korea. But the KCNA did not present any objective evidence to prove its assertion. Whenever coming under suspicion, North Korea tries to evade responsibility by blaming other countries. It is a usual tactic of North Korea. Malaysia established diplomatic relations with North Korea in 1973. The country has permitted visa-free travel and accepted North Korean workers sent to earn foreign currency. Such a generous stance backfired with the result that Malaysia has been used as a stronghold of operations by North Korea spy agents. Its policy regarding North Korea must be reviewed urgently. Vietnam and Indonesia, whose citizens were arrested, are traditionally friendly countries for North Korea. Distrust of North Korea will unavoidably prevail among other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Some point out that Southeast Asia, where control of cross-border movements of goods and people is lax, has provided loopholes for sanctions adopted by the U.N. Security Council against North Korea over its nuclear and missile development. Responding to the incident in Malaysia, ASEAN member countries must actively cooperate in an effort to reinforce a coalition against North Korea. (c) 2017, The Japan News Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. WASHINGTON White House chief of staff Reince Priebus asked top FBI officials to dispute media reports that Donald Trumps campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election, according to three White House officials who confirmed the unusual contact with law enforcement involved in a pending investigation. The officials said that Priebus Feb. 15 request to FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe came as the White House sought to discredit a New York Times report about calls between Russian intelligence officials and people involved with Trumps presidential run. As of Friday, the FBI had not commented publicly on the veracity of the report and there was no indication it planned to, despite the White Houses request. The White House officials would only discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity. Two hours later, Trump panned news stories that rely on anonymous sources, telling a conservative conference that reporters shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. White House officials said it was the FBI that first raised concerns about the Times reporting but told Priebus the bureau could not weigh in publicly on the matter. The officials said McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Priebus of committing an outrageous breach of the FBIs independence. She called on the Justice Departments inspector general to open a new investigation into all conversations Priebus and other White House officials have held with the FBI on ongoing investigations. A 2009 memo from then-Attorney General Eric Holder said the Justice Department is to advise the White House on pending criminal or civil investigations only when it is important for the performance of the presidents duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective. When communication has to occur, the memo said, it should involve only the highest-level officials from the White House and the Justice Department. CNN first reported that Priebus had asked the FBI for help, and a White House official confirmed the matter to The Associated Press Thursday night. On Friday morning, two other senior White House officials summoned reporters to a hastily arranged briefing to expand on the timeline of events. The officials said Priebus had a previously scheduled meeting with McCabe the morning after the Times story was published. Priebus and Comey then spoke later in the day, the officials said in a highly unusual accounting of the White Houses discussions with FBI officials. Earlier Friday, Trump accused the FBI of being totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time. They cant even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW, Trump tweeted. Trump has been shadowed by questions about potential ties to Russia since winning the election. U.S. intelligence agencies have also concluded that Russia meddled in the campaign to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. Last week, Trump fired national security adviser Michael Flynn because he misled Vice President Mike Pence and other White House officials about his contacts with the Russian ambassador to the U.S. Flynn, who was interviewed by the FBI about his contacts, is said to have talked with the ambassador multiple times during the transition, including a discussion about U.S. sanctions policy. Still, Trump and his advisers have denied having had contacts with Russian officials during the election. Last week, Trump said nobody that I know of spoke with Russian intelligence agents during the campaign. Priebus alluded to his contacts with the FBI over the weekend, telling Fox News that the top levels of the intelligence community have assured him that the allegations of campaign contacts with Russia were not only grossly overstated, but also wrong. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Priebus comments opened the door for FBI Director Comey to discuss the bureaus investigation publicly. If the White House chief of staff can make public claims about the supposed conclusions of an FBI investigation, then Director Comey can come clean with the American people, Wyden said. Justin Shur, a former Justice Department public corruption prosecutor, said it was imperative that Justice Department investigations not be swayed by political considerations. As a general matter, investigations and prosecutions should be about gathering the facts and the evidence and applying the law, Shur said. During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans vigorously criticized a meeting between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former President Bill Clinton, husband of Trumps general election opponent. The meeting came as the FBI which is overseen by the Justice Sekabet Department was investigating Hillary Clintons use of a private email address and personal internet server. Associated Press writers Vivian Salama, Eric Tucker and Eileen Sullivan contributed to this report. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Some of the world's best surfers are calling on the French government to kill sharks near Reunion Island after an eighth person was killed there in six years. Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion, and Jeremy Flores, a surfer who grew up on the island, said French officials must do more to curb attacks from aggressive bull sharks, the Guardian reported Friday. I wont be popular for saying this, but there needs to be a serious cull on Reunion and it should happen every day, said Slater. There is a clear imbalance happening in the ocean there. If the whole world had these rates of attack nobody would use the ocean and millions of people would be dying like this. The French government needs to figure this out ASAP. Sharks represent a major crisis for Reunion, located east of Madagascar and home to about 850,000 people. Surfing is banned across the island except for on two beaches guarded by anti-shark nets. But because the island's waves are known as the best in the world, surfers still brave the local waters. In all, 22 people have been the victim of sharks attacks near the island since 2001. The animals are known by local surfers as Holiganbet war machines. Part of the problem, critics argue, is that hunting sharks on Reunion for food is banned because their flesh is containated with a toxin that can cause death. That policy has allowed the animals to thrive, locals say. To be sure, shark attacks are a growing global problem. In 2015, there were 98 attacks, including six deaths, a world record. In 2014, there were only 72 attacks. The uptick was driven in part by warm water from El Nino and global warming, according to officials. For Reunion Island surfers, the recent call to cull sharks came after Alexandre Naussac, a 26-year-old body boarder, was killed this week by a shark attack. The animal bit through a major artery in his leg. He was surfing in a zone where water activities were banned. Things are getting really serious and we are tired of crying [for] our brothers, said Flores. People are dying one after another and for some this sounds normal, but it really isnt. French officials already catch and kill about 100 sharks a year near the island. And conservationists argue killing more sharks would hurt the local environment. Its insane, said Ken Collins, senior research fellow at the United Kingdom's National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. There is a hierarchy in the natural world for a reason. If you kill all the sharks and the lions, the world would be a poorer place. Who has a God-given right to be in the ocean the sharks or the surfers? I side with the sharks. But surfers still want the sharks gone. There are so many sharks in the water, it is traumatic, said Gilbert Pouzet, 55, who has surfed in Reunion for 30 years. Sometimes, I go down to the waves and I am not sure whether to go in the water or not; 80 percent of the time I go back home. Most of the time they strike from the side and take your hip and leg. They sever the femoral artery so you bleed to death in two minutes. The tiger shark will sometimes take an arm or a piece of leg and go away. But the bull shark becomes mad and finishes you off. When the bull sharks attack, they come to kill. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. A meeting between officials from the North Korean and U.S. goverment was called off Friday after the State Department revoked visa approvals for Pyongyangs top diplomants to Washington, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. The meeting would have marked the first gathering between the two sides on U.S. soil in nearly six years and the first one under the rule of Kim Jong Un, who has threatened to start a new global war with his nuclear weapons program. But then the U.S. decided not to provide a visa to Choe Son Hui, the director-general of the American affairs bureau in the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's unclear why her visa was denied. North Korea had requested the meeting after President Donald Trump won the presidential election in November. The meeting had been scheduled to take place in New York City near the United Nations in March. But Pyongyangs decision to test-fire a missile during a recent meeting between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington earlier this month might have further soured relations between the White House and Kim's regime. Trump has called Kim a madman and urged China to stop Pyongyang for carrying out nuclear missile tests. Were very angry at what hes done, and frankly this should have been taken care of during the Obama administration, Trump said Thursday in an interview with Reuters. The scuttled North Korea meeting was supposed to be an opportunity for U.S. officials to request the release of two American prisoners being held in Pyongyang. Robert Gallucci, who represented Washington during the North Korean nuclear crisis of 1994, and Victor Cha, George W. Bush's former National Security Councils director for Asian affairs, had been tapped to attend the meeting on behalf of the president. The U.S. has held talks with North Korea in recent years on foreign soil. Officials from both nations have met in Beijing, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other locations to little success. "The United States supports the peaceful reunification of Korea on terms acceptable to the Korean people and recognizes that the future of the Korean Peninsula is primarily a matter for them to decide. The United States believes that a constructive and serious dialogue between deneme bonusu veren siteler North and South Korea is necessary to improve inter-Korean relations and to resolve outstanding problems, including the North's attempts to develop a nuclear program and its human rights abuses," a State Department fact sheet published in October concluded. "The United States and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations... North Korea has no embassy in Washington, D.C., but it is represented in the United States through its mission to the United Nations." Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Humanitys life insurance policy just got upgraded. The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, tucked away in the Arctic Circle between Norway and the North Pole, has received a new intake of 50,000 seeds from all over the world. The building houses an immense number of plant seeds to ensure Earths ongoing food security, and as such holds the key to human survival in a potentially post-apocalyptic world. The incredible building is buried 425 feet inside a mountain and is designed to protect crop seeds such as beans, rice, and wheat from nuclear war or disease. For obvious reasons, the underground concrete structure is popularly known as the Doomsday Vault. The new batch of 50,000 seeds is one of the largest single deposits made to the vault since scientists built the structure in 2008. Despite being funded by Norway, the Cratosslot vault is managed by international organization Crop Trust and has designated places for every nation on the planet to provide seedlings of native species. The countries that contributed to the latest addition include Benin, India, Pakistan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Netherlands, the United States, Mexico, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Belarus, and the United Kingdom. Todays seed deposit at Svalbard supported by The Crop Trust shows that despite political and economic differences in other arenas, collective efforts to conserve crop diversity and produce a global food supply for tomorrow continue to be strong, said Marie Haga, executive director of the Crop Trust. Nearly every country has agreed on the importance of conserving crop diversity through Target 2.5 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to conserve agricultural diversity in seed collections, she added. The vault currently holds nearly a million different varieties of seeds originating from almost every country in the world including North Korea. Seed samples for some of the worlds most vital food sources like the potato, sorghum, rice, barley, chickpea, lentil, and wheat will be deposited at Svalbard in the coming days, bringing the total number of seed samples at the facility to 930,821. Despite this large collection, the vault is far from capacity. The Seed Vault has the capacity to store 4.5 million varieties of crops. Each variety will contain on average of 500 seeds, so a maximum of 2.5 billion seeds may be stored, the Crop Trust website says. In order to prevent contamination, seed samples are shipped to the island in large boxes, where they are scanned with X-rays to ensure the contents are safe. To protect its assets, the vault comes equipped with five doors with coded locks, which are accessible by only a few people in the world. To further ensure security, the vault is only unlocked for deposits three or four times a year. For optimal storage, the seeds are sealed in custom-made three-ply foil packages and are kept near zero degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, the location of the vault works as a failsafe for these conditions. Permafrost and thick rock ensure that the seed samples will remain frozen even without power, the website reads. This article originally appeared on News.com.au. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Unknown stranger appeared out of the darkness on a Scottish island. She knew she had to be there for him The apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother this month is a bizarre, unfolding story that has sparked media frenzies and diplomatic tensions across Asia. The saga began two weeks ago with a brazen public attack, caught on closed-circuit television, inside a major international airport in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Police said Friday that VX nerve agent, a chemical classified as a weapon of mass destruction, was found on the face of the dead man, Kim Jong Nam. Two women, apparently aided by North Korean agents, are the suspected assassins, according to Malaysian police. Some of the suspects are hiding behind diplomatic immunity to avoid investigators. In another development, someone this week apparently tried to burglarize the hospital mortuary where Kims body is awaiting positive identification. Each day brings new revelations and new questions. Heres what we know so far: Kim, 45 or 46, is the half brother of Kim Jong Un, the current North Korean leader and grandson of Kim Il Sung, the patriarch of communist North Korea. Kim Jong Nam was believed to be the first son of Kim Jong Il the former North Korean dictator who died in December 2011 which he had with one of his mistresses, the late North Korean actress Song Hye Rim. In recent years he lived in the Chinese region of Macau. He has children there and in Beijing. Its unclear whether he had ever even met his younger half brother, now a ruthless dictator who has purged dozens of officials while angering the international community by pursuing nuclear weapons and long-range missiles. The Western-educated Kim was once seen as a dynastic successor for Kim Jong Il, but he fell out of favor in 2001 after being detained trying to enter Japan with falsified travel documents. He said he wanted to take his 4-year-old son, Kim Han Sol, to Tokyo Disneyland. Kim Jong Nams death, which intelligence officials in South Korea have blamed on their enemies in the North, eliminates any future dynastic claim to the leadership role now held by Kim Jong Un. There are few if any indicators that, at the time of his death, Kim Jong Nam was a threat to the North Korean government or that he had any future ambitions about ascending to leadership. He was known to travel often, frequenting casinos. According to some intelligence reports, North Koreas leader had a standing order for years to assassinate his half brother, who once wrote to Kim Jong Un asking that his life be spared. But the brutal government has a history of purging potential rivals. And historically Korean royals have purged generations of their rivals families to prevent challenges. Its still not completely clear this was an assassination, or that it was ordered by the North Korean leadership. But Malaysian police are seeking four North Korean men who entered the country last year as tourists. They apparently flew back to Pyongyang after the incident. The police have arrested four people. The two women were carrying Vietnamese and Indonesian travel documents. A third suspect, the local boyfriend of one of the women, was also held but released this week. A North Korean scientist working in Malaysia was also taken into custody. Malaysian police also released names and pictures of three other North Korean men who remain in the country. One works for North Koreas state-run Air Koryo. Another is apparently a high-ranking diplomat in the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysian police still hope to learn more from the North Korean suspects. We hope that the [North] Korean Embassy will cooperate with us, Malaysian Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said this week. Those who are involved are the North Koreans. Malaysian police have few tools to compel the men to talk because of diplomatic protocol. Until the incident, Malaysia and North Korea maintained a relatively healthy relationship. That seems to be fraying in recent days, however. The South Korean Unification Ministry called the killing a reckless and brutal case and an act of terror. North Korea shares its northern border with China, an ally on many issues even before its military assistance during the Korean War. The two countries are historically as close and as different as lips and teeth, John Delury, a Pinbahis professor in South Korea, has said. China has said it is monitoring the case closely. But officials there cant be pleased with North Koreas potential involvement in such a brazen, public act against a man who essentially had asylum in its country. Pyongyang in recent years also hasnt heeded Beijing's warnings about the rapid advancement of its nuclear program and ballistic missile systems. The incident is likely to increase the diplomatic tension between the countries. Police are holding two women: Doan Thi Huong, 28, who had Vietnamese travel documents, and Siti Aishah, 25, whose papers listed her as Indonesian. Police asked a court this week to hold them at least an additional week. Police said that both women touched Kim Jong Nam in the terminal first the Indonesian, then the Vietnamese. Police said that they have evidence that the women practiced their approach in other crowded spaces beforehand and that the four North Korean suspects in Pyongyang gave them the liquid, now identified as a deadly nerve agent. Abu Bakar rejected media reports that the women were duped in what they thought was a reality television show or prank. He raised his arms to demonstrate how the women carefully walked away from the scene. She knew, very well, that it is toxic, and that she needs to watch her hands, he said of one of the women. We strongly believe it is a planned thing, and that they are being trained to do that. This is not something, just shooting movies or a play thing. No. Basic details about incident remain unclear including whether the victim was really Kim. He was said to be traveling with official North Korean documents naming him as Kim Chol, a identity akin to John Smith in the West. None of his family members have arrived to identify him, and the North Koreans havent released a DNA sample from a family member perhaps the half brother himself to prove a relationship. Police also wont say much about the apparent break-in attempt at the building housing Kims body. Abu Bakar told a reporter that the investigation could last years. Wait until the trial then you listen, he said. San Jose officials are mopping up their worst flooding in recent history. President Trump raises strong feelings. Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? A Hollywood-based nonprofit is under fire for political spending. San Jose officials are mopping up their worst flooding in recent history. President Trump raises strong feelings. Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? A Hollywood-based nonprofit is under fire for political spending. San Jose officials are mopping up their worst flooding in recent history. President Trump raises strong feelings. Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? A Hollywood-based nonprofit is under fire for political spending. San Jose officials are mopping up their worst flooding in recent history. President Trump raises strong feelings. Did you know the red carpet at the Academy Awards isn't truly red? A Hollywood-based nonprofit is under fire for political spending. President Trump shows up at conservatives' most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP. President Trump shows up at conservatives' most prominent gathering and defines a new GOP. Every year, the Girl Scouts sell cookies to raise money. Our Curiosity Correspondent, Benjamin Crutcher, wanted to know what the money goes to and what it takes to make a great cookie salesperson. Every year, the Girl Scouts sell cookies to raise money. Our Curiosity Correspondent, Benjamin Crutcher, wanted to know what the money goes to and what it takes to make a great cookie salesperson. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings. Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away. Weird Al Yankovics latest album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart. President Trump has withdrawn protections for transgender students. Lawmakers are getting grilled at raucous town-hall meetings. Scientists have found a seven-planet solar system 39 light-years away. Weird Al Yankovics latest album debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. pop chart. Police say suspect accused in Whittier officer killing is a poster boy for criminal justice reform, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security chief John Kelly fly to Mexico, Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers, and the Iraqi government's drive to retake Mosul from Islamic State continues. Police say suspect accused in Whittier officer killing is a poster boy for criminal justice reform, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security chief John Kelly fly to Mexico, Magic Johnson is now in charge of the Lakers, and the Iraqi government's drive to retake Mosul from Islamic State continues. Stiles is a special correspondent. Our editors found this article on this site using Google and regenerated it for our readers. Nebraskas admittedly bumpy road to statehood began in 1864 when the U.S. Congress directed the territorial governor Alvin Saunders to form a constitution. The constitution passed both houses of the Nebraska legislature and, after a vote filled with questions, was ratified by the voters. With the statehood constitution approved locally, it traveled to Washington, D.C., where it passed both houses only to be pocket-vetoed by President Andrew Johnson. Massachusetts Republican Sen. Charles Sumner became famous when Congressman Preston Brooks became incensed by Sumners attacks on Stephen Douglas and Andrew Butlers pro-slavery stands in which Sumner called Butler a pimp for slavery. After the days session ended, Brooks entered the senate chambers and beat Sumner unconscious and nearly killed him. Congress reconvened in December 1866 and Nebraskas proposed constitution was revisited. Sumner vigorously and vociferously opposed the document which forbade blacks from voting, inciting him to charge that the territory was creating white mans government. Both legislative houses agreed with Sumners accusations and demanded changes. In January 1867, Vermont Sen. George Edmunds inserted as an amendment there shall be no abridgement or denial of the exercise of the elective franchise, or any other right, to any other person by reason of race or color excepting Indians not taxed. President Johnson vetoed the new bill saying it inserted new language into the original enabling act; Congress cannot dictate a states suffrage requirements and Nebraskas population was too small for statehood. The amended Public Bill 21 was sent to the floor of the Senate where it passed over the Presidents veto 30 to 9 then also carried the House 120 to 44. On Feb. 14, Saunders called the legislature to meet at the capitol in Omaha on Feb. 20. Proving that nothing about statehood was to go smoothly, one Republican senator was too ill to attend leaving Republicans one vote short of the number needed to pass the bill over Democrat opposition. For reasons never fully explained, Democrat Isaac Hascall of Omaha crossed the political aisle to vote with the Republicans and the offending Section 3 of the constitution passed as amended. Saunders apologized for the legislatures having to make the decision rather than submitting the question directly to the voters. The bill subsequently passed in the Senate 7 to 3 and the House 20 to 6. It was immediately signed by the governor with the results sent to the president. On March 1, 1867, a Proclamation By the President of the United States declared Nebraska to be the 37th state. When established as a U.S. territory in 1854, Nebraska claimed 351,558 square miles of area and a population of about 2,000. In 1861, Colorado Territory removed 16,035 square miles and the Dakota Territory subtracted 228,907 square miles. In 1863, Idaho Territory, which included Montana and Wyoming, claimed 45,999 square miles from Nebraska so that by 1867 Nebraska had been reduced to about 77,000 square miles but had a population estimated at 50,000, plus 10,000 Natives. On April 4, 1867, state Gov. David Butler issued a call for a special legislative session to be held in May for the purpose of discussing 45 subjects. Number 19 in this list brought up the location of the capital and the erection of suitable buildings. The area south of the Platte River, always outvoted by the north even though by every measure the south was larger, was suddenly in the drivers seat. The special session opened in Omaha on May 16, 1867, with Lancaster County, along with Cass, Saline and Seward counties, represented by J. E. Doom in the Senate and by John Cadman and E.L. Clark in the House. Senate Bill 544 provided that the location of the capital was to be announced no later than July 16, 1867, but amended to Sept. 1, 1867. The site selected was to contain no less than 640 acres owned by the state in either Seward, Butler, Saunders or Lancaster County, and a suitable capitol building was to be completed by Nov. 1, 1868. The bill passed the Nebraska Senate 8 to 5 on June 10, 1867, and the House on June 13, 25 to 14. It was signed by the governor on June 14, 1867. On July 29 the city of Lancaster was chosen by the three-member Capital Commission as the first capital of the state of Nebraska and on Aug. 14, 1867, the name Lancaster was changed to Lincoln. And the rest was history with Nebraska, which will celebrate its sesquicentennial in a few days on March 1, becoming the only state to be born over a presidential veto. UW Town-Hall Meeting on WyoCloud Thursday University of Wyoming Provost Kate Miller will host a town-hall meeting for the UW community Thursday, March 2, to discuss WyoCloud, the universitys new cloud-based finance, administrative, research support and reporting system. The meeting will take place in the Wyoming Union West Ballroom from 9-11 a.m., and it will be streamed live via the WyoCast system at https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/c54ce89e0bb84f4aae4e6278b90d5c471d. UW President Laurie Nichols has approved two hours of release time for UW employees to attend. The scheduling of release time should be a collaborative discussion between employee and supervisor to ensure the effective and efficient operation of the unit. Miller will speak about what the WyoCloud project means to UW and the groundbreaking work in higher education that the university is leading. WyoCloud team leaders will explain how the new system will affect everyone on campus in some way, and they will answer questions. Team leaders also will talk about the new Business Intelligence Student Reporting dashboards going live March 6 and how these dashboards contribute to UWs academic mission. Changes to travel and expense, procurement and grants will be shown to begin to prepare campus for the new WyoCloud finance system that will be released in July. Additionally, the new budgeting model will be discussed. For more information on the WyoCloud project, visit www.uwyo.edu/wyocloud/, which has detailed information about the systems that are changing; the project timeline; the universitys implementation partners; and other communications resources, including ways to communicate with the WyoCloud team. For more immediate updates on the system, the team also will regularly update the projects Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds. Those with questions are asked to email the WyoCloud team at wyocloud@uwyo.edu. OMAHA Police say a man shot in the face Saturday at a northeast Omaha intersection walked about eight blocks for help. Omaha police say 54-year-old Terry Hudson was outdoors just after midnight when he was shot. Police Sgt. Owen Gregg says Hudson walked to a house a block to the west, and a person there called 911, but Hudson continued on. A trail of blood marked his path. Officials say Hudson was taken in critical condition to CHI Creighton University Medical Center. Police say his injuries were not believed to be life-threatening. Gregg says it was not clear whether the assailant fired while he was standing or from a vehicle. Police had not announced an arrest by midday Saturday. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry and state labor leaders have teamed up to support state approval of the Keystone XLs route through Nebraska. The chamber, Omaha and Southwest Iowa Building and Construction Trades and Omaha Federation of Labor released a joint statement Friday in support of TransCanadas recently filed application to the Nebraska Public Service Commission, a five-member, independent elected board. The pipeline manufacturer based in Calgary, Alberta, needs the commissions approval before it can begin construction on the Nebraska section of the $8 billion project. TransCanada wants to build a 1,179-mile crude oil pipeline from Hardisty, Alberta, to Steele City along the Nebraska-Kansas border, where it would meet up with an existing Keystone pipeline network leading to refineries along the Texas Gulf Coast. State approval also is required before TransCanada can use eminent domain to get easements from a group of landowners who are refusing to voluntarily allow the pipeline to cross their property. The commission has 210 days to make a decision on the application, although it can extend the deadline by five months for just cause. The chamber and union groups said the pipeline would bring property tax dollars and thousands of temporary construction jobs to Nebraska. We deal in construction. That is where our people make their money, said Jim Waugh, president of the Omaha and Southwest Iowa Building and Construction Trades, AFL-CIO, which represents more than 3,000 area workers. Those construction workers spend their salaries at local restaurants and hotels, supporting the states working families and economy, Chamber President Barry Kennedy said. We consider this to be an economic development issue. The Nebraska Chamber of Commerce & Industry is led by a board of state businesspeople. According to a U.S. State Department review, the pipeline would create about 35 permanent jobs nationally. Opponents of the Keystone XL argue it is not in the public interest and that the route should follow the existing Keystone pipeline that's been in use since June 2010 as a way to minimize the impact to landowners and the environment. Environmentalists also say the 830,000 gallons of oil the pipeline would transport each day is better left in the ground rather than be processed and add to global warming emissions. The Keystone XL already has the approval it needs in Montana and South Dakota. President Donald Trump revived the project last month and invited TransCanada to reapply for the permit that will let it cross the United States-Canadian border. Former President Barack Obama denied the permit. More than 45,000 children and their parents visited Kangamoo Indoor Playground in its first year of business, and 21 new jobs were created by the small business since February 2016. To celebrate Kangamoos first anniversary and its resounding success during the past 12 months, the Las Vegas Metro and Henderson Chambers of Commerce hosted two separate events at the indoor playground: The Las Vegas Metro Chamber event and the Henderson Chamber event. The husband-wife team of Shawn and Mimi Wachter created Kangamoo Indoor Playground to appeal to both children and their parents. The innovative playground comprises 9,500 square feet of supervised active and creative play spaces for kids ages 1 through 10. For parents, there is an indoor track, do-it-yourself beauty stations, massage chairs, free Wi-Fi with charging stations, and ample spaces to kick up your feet and relax with fellow parents while the kids play. A cafe serves healthy food and beverages, with complimentary water, tea and coffee. We opened Kangamoo to give residents of Las Vegas and Henderson a safe and fun place to bring their kids, and theyve made Kangamoo so much more than that, said Mimi. Our business is a community now, where friendships and memories are made, and we couldnt be more grateful to the thousands of families who have embraced us this past year. The thousands of guests that Kangamoo has hosted since February 2016 have added another important benefit for the community: jobs. 21 full-time, part-time and seasonal jobs have been created by this small business, and employees enjoy a fun and familial work atmosphere. Our staffing needs exceeded d our expectations for our first year of business, said Shawn. We have been thrilled to employ so many great team members this year. They work hard to exceed guest expectations, and help foster the fun and safe culture weve created at at Kangamoo. The name Kangamoo was inspired by Shawn and Mimis daughter MaiLee, who had a a hard time saying kangaroo when hen she started talking. Now in Kindergarten, MaiLee still loves playing at Kangamoo when shes not in school and helping her parents run the business. We are so fortunate to have a business that t gives us ample time to spend with our daughter, said Mimi. She was the inspiration for Kangamoo, and we love that the business demonstrates to her that hard work and creativity can lead to immense success. With this award the central city reasserts its position as a key coastal city of Vietnamese tourism and it suggests long-term profitable investment opportunities for clients investing there. In this context, Luxury Apartment in the central city developed by Alphanam Group is a project worthy a closer look. Integrated benefits Being the only 5-star luxury apartment project on My Khe Beach, Luxury Apartment is considered an emerald of Danangs crown, offering many advantages not commonly seen at other condotel projects. The project shares the complex with 5-star hotel Four Points by Sheraton and Starwood, therefore it offers a substantial number of benefits for both residents as well as for investors. The coastal city of Danang, filled with natural wonders and a very comfortable climate, is a must-go destination for both domestic and international tourists in Vietnam. The city is a gateway for many tourists because of its access to three UNESCO world heritage sites, Hoi An Ancient Town (often called the Venice of Asia), Hue (the old capital of Vietnam), and My Son Sanctuary. Due to this, the resort real estate market is dynamic and offers diverse products and prices. Although there are many choices on offer for investors purchasing resort properties in Danang, Luxury Apartments relaxation and investment package is not an option to miss. 10 days a year apartment owners can stay in their apartments, while the remaining days of the year you will produce income as Alphanam rents out the property. Luxury Apartment promises to bring a long-lasting source of income to customers who invest and desire to experience life in the most liveable city in Vietnam. The project is a beacon for the bright future of Danang. Unparalleled incentives Vijay Verghese, chief editor of Smart Travel Asia, awarded Danang for its spectacular natural landscape, vibrant festivals, wonderful local cuisine, and its safe tourism environment. These attributes are key factors in attracting tourists from all over the world to Danang and improving investors long-term investment opportunities if they own resort properties in this city. Located on the beach-side Vo Nguyen Giap Street, Luxury Apartment is built on a golden location. All 33 floors of the project offer a spectacular view to admire the romantic beach during the day and the lively city at night. The view from the rooftop infinity pool is even more breath-taking. Luxury Apartments location allows you to easily reach the surrounding sites, with Danang International Airport and Danang CBD only a few minutes away. If you would like to visit Danangs famous landmarks, like Linh Ung Pagoda and Son Tra Peninsula, they are right around the corner. Luxury Apartment is a top choice for tourists who want to experience the city. The 5-star apartments of Luxury Apartment will give you dual profit. Not only will you have a constant rate of return (8-10 per cent on your investment for the first five years, 85 per cent of rental profit for the years after) but you will also see the value of your apartment appreciate as Danang becomes an increasingly prominant hub of business and tourism in Vietnam. Regarding ownership, Vietnamese citizens can own apartments for freehold and foreigners have access to a 50-year leasehold with an ability to extend upon expiry. Especially, from February 20 to April 16, clients who officially sign a Luxury Apartment sales contract will be gifted a special five-day and four-night trip for two to the Maldives. Besides, Alphanam will provide free management fee for house owners for the first five years. Alphanam will also include clients in its limited apartment fund, giving them a discount of VND100 million on the total apartment value (VAT and maintenance fees included). Alphanam is proud to provide this rather hefty incentive package to clients looking to enjoy Luxury Apartment, the only 5-star apartment on My Khe Beach. With these benefits, it is not difficult to see why Luxury Apartment has been getting widespread international attention. As planned, Alphanam will start handing over finished apartments in the second quarter of 2017 (fully equipped with furniture and state-of-the-art electronic amenities). Contact information: Luxury Apartment Project in Danang Location: Vo Nguyen Giap Street Tran Huu Tuoc, Phuoc My, Son Tra, Danang City Owner: Alphanam Real Estate Joint Stock Company Official distributor: Nha Vuong Real Estate Joint Stock Company Hotline: 0916 20 7979 or 0913 378 158 Website: luxuryapartment.com.vn Going to temples and pagodas at the beginning of the new year is a cherished tradition of Vietnamese people, however, public servants are absolutely banned from visiting religious places during work hours. -VNA/VNS Photo Specifically, Bui Quang Hung, Director of the Export Supporting Centre (under the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency), will have his salary scale and coefficient cut back a notch. Seven other officials of the centre will receive disciplinary warnings, while two other employees will receive official reprimands. The five-member councils decision came after a meeting held three days ago, chaired by MoITs Deputy Minister Tran Quoc Khanh, in which, in-the-wrong civil servants and officials had a chance to report in detail their misconducts and express regret. The council, established earlier this month, is unanimous in its condemnation of the head of the centre for serious violation of labour discipline, law on cadres and civil servants, and other related directives and regulations. However, the council also recognised the sincerity and repentance of Hung, who had not made excuses for his wrongdoings and had been willing to accept more stringent disciplinary actions than recommended. The incident was reported by the local media on February 7 five days after Tet (Lunar New Year) holidays ended and people started getting to work. The temple confirmed that a group of officials from the Export Supporting Centre had visited the place of worship. At the same time, about 10am, phone calls made to departments in the centre went unanswered. The MoIT ordered agencies involved to verify the report, and the Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency then confirmed its veracity. Earlier, on February 2, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc issued a document requesting ministries and localities to work hard and avoid post-Tet indulgences and slacking off following the holiday, which has been a long-standing malaise affecting State agencies, drawing the ire of the public. As per the PMs instruction, public servants are not allowed to attend festivals or visit pagodas during working hours or use public cars for such activity, except when performing legitimate duties. They are also banned from holding parties during work hours. RACINE Development Director Amy Connolly said Friday the citys Intergovernmental Revenue Sharing Fund, proposed to cover up to $600,000 for further study of the Downtown arena/event center project, has a healthy fund balance. She did not elaborate on what the balance is, but said additional information would be released at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. In an agenda item released Friday, city officials confirmed they are looking at using intergovernmental revenue for funding for activities related to Phase I of the Downtown Hotel Events Center Project at a cost not to exceed $600,000.00. Phase I will involve selecting a firm to serve as an owners representative and paying the firm to develop a more accurate cost estimate and more deeply examine the projects financial and environmental feasibility. The citys $4.5 million loan for the now-defaulted Machinery Row project came from the same fund. According to Connolly, the fund was created in 2002 as part of the area Sewer Service Agreement between Racine and four surrounding municipalities, Mount Pleasant, Caledonia, Sturtevant and Wind Point. The agreement stipulated that payments from surrounding municipalities would be made to the Intergovernmental Revenue Sharing Fund within the City of Racine to be used for capital improvement projects that increases the Citys total property value, Connolly wrote in an email. Thirteenth District Alderman Jim Morgenroth said that these sorts of projects are the purpose of the fund. Its money that is earmarked specifically for that kind of thing, Morgenroth said. Its not being made up at the 11th hour. Sixth District Alderman Sandy Weidner agreed with the general function of the fund, but added that the city needs to use the money carefully. From that money, we are supposed to take on responsible development projects to grow our tax base to match that of surrounding communities, Weidner said. Its almost halfway through its shelf life, so we have to use it responsibly. Mondays meeting The joint meeting of the Committee of the Whole and Redevelopment Authority will take place Monday at 6 p.m. in the City Council chambers, City Hall, 730 Washington Ave., Room 205. The central banks decision was made based on the banking system restructuring plan in the period 2011-15, and the restructuring plan for Sacombank, which aims to terminate the cross-ownership status in the banking system and improve the health of the financial market. The decision was made after Tram Be and his son, Tram Khai Hoa, sent proposals to the SBV volunteering to remove themselves from the Sacombank management board. The two former members will have to settle remaining problems at Sacombank in compliance with current regulations. SBV will ask Sacombank to organise its annual general shareholder meeting in April to complete the banks management and administration structure and continue implementing its restructuring solutions to assure the rights and benefits of depositors, stabilise the banks operation and make sure the financial system is secure. During the bad debt restructuring and settlement process of the post-merger bank, Tram Be also committed to supplement his other assets if the value of guaranteed assets at Sacombank and Southern Bank are not enough to make compensation for his debts. Tram Be and his son, Tram Khai Hoa, used to be the members of management board at Sacombank and Phuong Nam Joint Stock Commercial Bank (Southern Bank) before Sacombank acquired Southern Bank in October 2015. The post-merger bank was named Sacombank. After the merger of the two banks, Tram Be and Tram Khai Hoa gave up their authority, including shares and voting rights in the new Sacombank, to the SBV. Forfeiting their power has remained a mystery for the finance-banking circle, but the two persons no longer ran the bank operation. Before the merger, Southern Bank was one of the banks that were required by the SBV to be restructured. A SBV report said that Southern Bank had a bad-debt ratio of 45.6 per cent on June 30, 2012; the figure increased to 55.3 per cent at the end of November 2013. After the merger, Sacombank has performed worse; the bank has to bear the bad debts transferred from Southern Bank. In 2016, the bank earned VND531 billion (US$23.6 million) in pre-tax profit, a year-on-year decline of 64 per cent from 2015s results. John Fortier, Director of the Democracy Project at the Bi-Partisan Policy Center and Beatriz Lopes, Communications Director at the Center for American Progress Action Fund, discuss the latest developments in the Trump administration with host Carol Castiel including the fallout from the resignation of former National Security Adviser, Michael Flynn, adjustments to immigration policy, and relations with Congress. Music Time in Africa is VOAs longest running English language program. Since 1965, this award-winning program has featured pan African music that spans all genres and generations. Ethnomusicologist and Host Heather Maxwell keeps you up to date on whats happening in African music with exclusive interviews, cultural information, and of course, great music -- including rare recordings from the Leo Sarkisian Library of African Music. Bitter Harvest is a historical drama that weaves a love story around the Holodomor a devastating famine in Ukraine that killed millions in the 1930s when the country was part of the Soviet Union. The movie sheds light on a tragedy that Soviet authorities concealed and is still little known outside of Ukraine. Tatiana Vorozhko and Iryna Matviichuk of VOAs Ukraine Service discussed the challenges of filming and producing the film with its creators. Like other Afghan immigrants, Faisal Razmal thought he was leaving violence behind for a new life in the United States, considered the land of opportunity. After all, he survived an IED (improvised explosive device) blast in Kabul during five years as an interpreter for U.S. forces. Threats to his life were worth it, in his opinion, because fighting the enemies was the best way to serve his country - and because his dream was to move to the U.S. with a Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). After his visa was approved, Razmal recalls how excited he was to arrive in Austin with his family and see the gleaming skyscrapers and busy highways of the Texas capital. It looked very beautiful, he said. What followed, he said, was a steady descent into a nightmare. While in California, where he took a job, he was shot in the left eye with a flare gun during an altercation with a 16-year-old youth. He has not been able to work due to the physical and psychological impact. Jaded by his experiences, he appears ready to give up on building a new life. Things started well. I was thinking, 'This is United States. No one can hurt you, this is a country where law rules; there is good government, good security; people are educated; there is the FBI and CIA.' I trusted America, Razmal said. SIV program Several throusand Afghan interpreters and their family members have immigrated to the U.S. under the SIV program, since it was established in 2008, because their work for U.S. forces put them in danger. I dont believe that Afghans who come through the SIV get the necessary support to resettle, said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. David Granillo, who worked with Razmal in Kabul. My sincere belief is that our translators provided an invaluable service to our mission and should be treated as veterans, Granillo said. I wish they could receive the same VA (veterans) benefits and educational benefits that the service members they worked hand in hand with receive. Granillo still strongly believes that the U.S. really is the land of opportunity, but says the new wave of immigrants must bear hardships to pave the way for future generations. Certainly, not all suffer as badly as Razmal has. Some overcome the culture shock, the challenges of getting a job or an education and even the homesickness that accompanies being in a strange new land. Some thrive. The U.S. and refugee-support organizations try to prepare new immigrants for what they will face. There is initial financial support and counseling aimed at getting Americas new residents settled and helping those who run into trouble as they try to adjust. Sometimes, however, the toughest lesson is that freedom also brings the freedom to fail, even if a person does nothing wrong or just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or underestimates a threat very different than those he or she left behind. A State Department letter that is sent to those about to move to the U.S. outlines a bare-bones support package that they will receive. The resettlement agency to which you are assigned receives $1,875 per person in U.S. Government funds, of which a minimum of $925 must be spent directly on your behalf, the letter reads. These funds will be used to pay for your rent and/or basic necessities. Hard work Word of higher payouts, however, spread. Razmal says he arrived with just $50 in his pocket after hearing from other interpreters already living in the U.S. that he would get $3,000 in welcome money - $1,000 for each of his family members - along with a few months rent and food stamps for a while. Instead, he found himself in a rough neighborhood, where drunks played loud music in front of the apartment that the caseworker for the International Rescue Committee found for his family, along with a mattress, a sofa and some other basic household goods. Seeing such a situation scared my wife, Razmal said. It was a very, very, very poor place. The rent was only paid for a month, so he struggled to find work, finally landing a minimum-wage job in a taco restaurant. I was working in everything: cleaning the restaurant, washing the glasses, washing dishes, cooking food, making tacos, every work from A to Z, said Razmal. After two months, he added a second job as a security guard, then a third delivering pizzas to help pay the bills. It was hard work, but he said he accepted it as a newcomer to the U.S., and he slowly became financially stable. Then he got a call from his brother-in-law, an Afghan-American living in Washington state, who said he was returning to Afghanistan to work for the U.S. Army and wanted Razmal to move into his home to help take care of his wife. He told me that I was the only person in the U.S. who he could trust, because I am the brother of his wife, Razmal said. He agreed and got a job as a security guard. For the first couple weeks, they welcomed us. But after that, my sister began to find fault, arguing with my wife and so on until tensions boiled over, Razmal said. My sister wanted to call the police, and I decided to leave her home at 2 a.m. because it was impossible for me to continue living with her. Sacramento move Ramzal then moved to Sacramento, California, where he took a job with the same company. He said he was happy - for two months. Then, in August of 2015, Razmal met in his apartment complexs parking lot with some former colleagues, trying to help two Afghan friends find jobs in the neighborhood. There was another Afghan fellow who said he can find them a job. So, I introduced them to each other, Razmal said. A group of youths approached, and the 16-year-old suspect demanded $1, then their cellphones. Both Razmal and his friends rejected his demands. Later, one of his friends left, then called within minutes to say the same kids had stopped him, but he didnt understand what they wanted. I rushed to them, and this young man was screaming at my Afghan fellow. I asked the young boy, `Why you are screaming and what do you want? The youth, identified as Renardo Dejour Williams, pulled a flare gun from his pocket. I began laughing and told him, 'You want to scare me with this baby gun?' Razmal said. And he pulled the trigger and shot me in the face. I felt as if my face was on fire. I did not even think that such a baby gun is so powerful. Razmal lost the vision in his eye, then his job. Financial issues followed. His psychotherapist, Homeyra Ghaffari Sorooshian, said he has been diagnosed with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, has lost hope and wants to give up. The California Victim Compensation Program supported him for a year, but that assistance ran out last September. The program asked Razmal to bring a letter from his doctor saying how long he will be unable to work. It is very disappointing. When it comes to mental state, no doctor can guarantee how long it takes for a person to recover. There are so many elements involved, Sorooshian said. Razmal managed to get a letter from another doctor to cover a six-month period, but his payments were cut from $1,600 per month to $900. It is not enough to support a family, Razmal said. A trial for the alleged assailant has been postponed several times, but for Ramzal, the real pain is his loss of independence. I want to work and feel ashamed to ask for help, he said. Malaysias health minister says the dose of poison given to North Korean ruler Kim Jong Uns half brother was so high that it killed him within 15-20 minutes. Kim Jong Nam died February 13 at Kuala Lumpurs airport. Fridays revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in the case. Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said Sunday that the dose of VX given to Kim was so high that it would have affected his heart, it would have affected his lungs, it would have affected everything. Subramaniam said it required only 10 milligram of VX for it to be lethal so I presume that the amount of dose that went in is more than that. The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpur's airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within hours of the attack. Tens of thousands of passengers have passed through the airport since the apparent assassination was carried out. No areas were cordoned off, and protective measures were not taken. Subramaniam said there had been no reports so far of anyone else being sickened by the toxin. Late Saturday, however, police said they would begin a sweep of the terminal where Kim was attacked. It started around 2 a.m. Sunday and involved officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the fire department's hazardous materials unit and the government's atomic energy board. Although VX is not radioactive, police said the radiological team and the atomic energy board were involved as a precaution. 'Safe zone' Abdul Samah Mat, the police official leading the investigations, said a two-hour sweep by more than a dozen officers in protective gear detected no hazardous material. He declared the terminal a "safe zone." Earlier Saturday, police warned they would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refused to cooperate with the investigation into the attack. Experts say the nerve agent used to kill Kim, banned under an international treaty that North Korea didn't sign, was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory. North Korea has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program. Kim was not an obvious political threat to his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Un. But he may have been seen as a potential rival in North Korea's dynastic dictatorship, even though he had lived in exile for years. North Korea has denied any role in the attack. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities acknowledged at the time that he had diplomatic immunity and they couldn't compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysia's tone changed. Abdul Samah, the police official, said authorities would give the diplomat reasonable time to come forward. "And if he failed to turn up ... then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. Embassy action Lawyer Sankara Nair, however, noted that diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. "Police can apply for a warrant, but it can easily be set aside by the embassy," he said. Malaysia hasn't directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided two women with poison to carry it out. The four men fled Malaysia shortly after the killing, while the women one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese were arrested. On Saturday, representatives from the Indonesian and Vietnamese embassies in Malaysia met with the two women. Indonesia's deputy ambassador, Andriano Erwin, told reporters later that Siti Aisyah said she had been paid the equivalent of $90 for what she believed was a harmless prank. Aisyah, 25, said she had been introduced to people who looked like Japanese or Koreans who asked her to play a prank for a reality show, according to Erwin. Asked if she knew what was on her hands at the time of the attack, Erwin said: "She didn't tell us about that. She only said that it's a kind of oil, baby oil, something like that." An odorless chemical with the consistency of motor oil, VX is an extremely powerful poison; an amount no larger than a few grains of salt is enough to kill. It can be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Then, in anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, it can cause a range of symptoms, from blurred vision to a headache. Enough exposure leads to convulsions, paralysis, respiratory failure and death. The Vietnamese woman who was arrested, Doan Thi Huong, also thought she was taking part in a prank, Vietnam's Foreign Ministry said Saturday. Possible precautions In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to smear something on Kim's face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said the attackers knew what they were doing and had been trained to go immediately to the bathroom and clean their hands. Experts say the women must have taken precautions so the nerve agent wouldn't kill them. An antidote, atropine, can be injected after exposure and is carried by medics in war zones where weapons of mass destruction are suspected. Also Saturday, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Abdul Samah, the police official, did not specify what authorities found there, but said the items were being tested for traces of any chemicals. A military judge has allowed a criminal case against Army Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl to continue, despite repeated negative comments about the soldier by President Donald Trump during campaign speeches before last year's election. Colonel Jeffery Nance ruled Friday that Trump's comments repeatedly calling Bergdahl a traitor and saying he should be shot had not tainted the case. He also rejected claims that Trump's discussion of the young soldier's case amounted to unlawful command influence a well-known concept in the military judicial system, where a person holding command authority appears to put pressure on a court proceeding. Bergdahl is accused of endangering fellow troops by abandoning his post in Afghanistan in 2009, and his trial has been tentatively set to begin in mid-April. Defense attorneys asked for the case to be thrown out, saying their client could no longer get a fair trial following Trump's comments. No effort to taint trial Nance said Trump's comments were troubling but were not made to prevent Bergdahl from getting a fair trial. "No reasonable member of the public, apprised of all the facts and circumstances and seeing campaign rhetoric for what it is, would believe that because candidate Trump said those troubling things and is now President Trump, the accused has been or will be denied a fair trial," Nance wrote in his decision. 'Whack job' Trump has directed an array of insults at Bergdahl in the past, ranging from "a whack job" to "a very bad person" to someone who should be pushed out of an airplane without a parachute. Bergdahl's civilian defense attorney, Eugene Fidell, said he would appeal Nance's ruling Monday before the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals. "President Trump's long vilification of Sergeant Bergdahl raises profound questions for the integrity of the military justice system and, more broadly, the rule of law in our country," Fidell said. Nance said he would allow the defense wide leeway in questioning potential jurors about Trump's comments. He further advised the defense could again request charges be dropped after a jury was selected. Bergdahl was stationed in Afghanistan's Paktia province when he left his post without permission in 2009. He was subsequently captured by allies of the Taliban and held captive for five years. Prisoner swap The Obama administration secured his release in a prisoner swap that touched off a firestorm of criticism from Republicans in Congress. Some lawmakers accused the administration of aiding a deserter and complained that Congress did not receive a required 30-day warning about the transfer of foreign prisoners in U.S. custody. Bergdahl's lawyers said their client walked away from his post to warn officers at another base about problems in his unit. Summing up his ruling Friday, Nance said he "recognizes that this is an unusual case, perhaps unique in all the annals of military justice." He pledged "to vigilantly ensure a fair trial," and ordered both prosecution and defense attorneys to prepare a list of questions for prospective jurors about unlawful command influence and other issues in the Bergdahl case, which all could discuss before jury selection began. A look at notable assassinations or attempted assassinations involving poison or chemicals: Kim Jong Nam Kim Jong Nam, the outcast half brother of North Koreas leader, was poisoned amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpurs airport, February 14, 2017. He died the same day on the way to a hospital after telling medical workers that he had been attacked with a chemical spray. Malaysian police said that his two female assailants had used the powerful toxin VX, a chemical warfare agent. Though not an obvious political threat to Kim Jong Un, Kim Jong Nam may have been seen as a potential rival in North Koreas dynastic dictatorship. Malaysia hasnt directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the poisoning, but officials said that four North Korean men provided the women with poison. Alexander Litvinenko Litvinenko, a former Russian intelligence agent, was given tea laced with a fatal dose of polonium-210 at a London hotel, November 1, 2006. He died three weeks later of acute radiation syndrome. In January 2016, a British judge said Russian President Vladimir Putin probably approved a plan by Russias FSB security service to kill Litvinenko, who had become a Britain-based critic of the Kremlin. Litvinenko made a deathbed statement that he was poisoned on orders from Putin. No one has ever stood trial for the killing, which soured Russian-British relations for years. Victor Yushchenko Then a Ukrainian presidential candidate, Yushchenko fell ill from a massive dioxin poisoning in September 2004 that knocked him off the campaign trail for weeks and left his face severely pockmarked. Despite the near-fatal illness and several contested runoffs, Yushchenko won the presidency on a wave of popular support that was dubbed the Orange Revolution. In October 2005, the incident was declared to be an assassination attempt by Ukraines Prosecutor General Svyatoslav Piskun. Khaled Mashaal Agents from Israels secret intelligence service, Mossad, sprayed a substance believed to be a fentanyl analog into the Hamas leaders ear as he walked down a street in Amman, Jordan, in a botched 1997 assassination attempt. Jordans King Hussein threatened to hang the captured Mossad agents in a downtown square unless Israel provided an antidote, which it did. Israels relations with Jordan were shaken by the botched assassination, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was forced to free a number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the agents. After the agents were released, then-Infrastructure Minister Ariel Sharon declared on Israeli television that Israel would try again. Georgi Markov Markov, a Bulgarian dissident, was waiting for a bus at Waterloo Bridge in London in September 1978 when he was jabbed in the thigh with a poisoned umbrella tip in one of the most sensational assassinations of the Cold War. The journalist and harsh critic of Bulgarias communist regime died four days later. After his death, British government scientists discovered the umbrella had been used to inject a pinhead-sized pellet of the poison ricin into Markovs leg. Though no one has ever been charged with the killing, many suspected the KGB and Bulgarian secret police of involvement. Bolivias Senate passed a bill Friday to nearly double the amount of land that can legally be planted with coca, bringing the South American nations expected production to 30,000 tons of leaves. The bill, which was approved by the Andean nations lower house Thursday, will allow farmers to plant up to 22,000 hectares with coca, the main ingredient in cocaine, compared to 12,000 hectares under a previous law enacted in 1988. Leftist President Evo Morales, a former coca grower, is expected to sign the bill into law. Sacred and medicinal People in the Andes have for centuries chewed coca leaves to ward off the effects of high altitude. Coca is also brewed into tea and considered sacred by many indigenous people, including Morales. The important thing has been to stop demonizing the coca leaf, to decriminalize it, to release it, Bolivian Senate President Alberto Gonzales said. We are talking about a noble, sacred leaf that did not deserve to be stigmatized in the way it was for almost 30 years. Bolivia needs about 25,000 tons of coca for traditional and religious rituals, said Cesar Cocarico, the minister of rural development and land. He said about 6,000 ton could be industrialized and legally exported to countries including Ecuador and Argentina. Farmers want no limits Opposition lawmaker Wilson Santamaria said it was not necessary to increase the area planted for coca, noting that studies showed 14,000 hectares was sufficient to meet the demand for legal and cultural usage. Coca farmers who would like to abolish limits on coca planting altogether threw rocks in protests in La Paz earlier this week, causing the police to release tear gas. Revelers all over Brazil were getting Carnival celebrations started Friday, taking to the streets to dance samba, drink beer and other spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal. In Rio, home to the world's most famous Carnival bash, several so-called block parties were underway by the afternoon. Thousands of revelers danced amid 90-degree (32 Celsius) heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the Camelitas block party, revelers dressed up as nuns in Rio's bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Many carried signs with statements ranging from insults against politicians to calls for the legalization of drugs. The lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds, read one banner. Carnival is a very nice and democratic party, said partygoer Nilse Azevedo. Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has fun. Key questions At the sambadrome, where top league samba schools begin competing on Sunday, thousands poured in expecting the traditional handing over of the city's key to Rei Momo, or the king of carnal delights. This was always done with great fanfare by former Mayor Eduardo Paes. However, Marcelo Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop who took power Jan. 1, has been coy in recent weeks about whether he would participate in Carnival, or how he might do so. His office didn't answer the phone or return emails Friday. Holding the symbolic key was Maria Cristina, who appeared like somebody who had been stood up. I would also like to know what is going on, she said when asked by an Associated Press reporter about what she would do with the key. Cristina said the mayor's office had told her and the symbolic key-holding group to come, but hadn't said more about the plans. Difficult time in Brazil The mayor should separate religion from politics at our Carnival, said Marisol Portela, a homemaker who had come to the sambadrome. He will not be missed. We will throw our party anyway. In Sao Paulo, where samba school competitions get started Friday night, there was heavy rain and thunder. Some streets in the eastern part of the megacity were flooding. Images on Globo Television show cars fully submerged and floating. The annual Carnival celebrations come at a difficult time for many Brazilians. The economy is mired in recession, leading to daily announcements of job cuts and much angst about the future. Many states, including Rio de Janeiro, are so broke that thousands of public workers are being paid months late, if at all. Temer's troubles provide theme Latin America's largest nation is also recovering from a brutal impeachment fight last year that led to the removal of President Dilma Rousseff for illegal mismanagement of the budget. The man who replaced her, Michel Temer, is deeply unpopular. Temer and several others in both chambers of Congress have been caught up, either through formal charges or in plea bargains, in a massive corruption probe that has jailed dozens of politicians and businessmen in the last few years. Temer denies wrongdoing. One of Rio's big block parties is dedicated to the president. It's theme: Out with Temer! The government of the Central African Republic shut down the displaced persons' camp at the airport in its capital and sent the camp's 30,000 remaining residents packing. Many have returned to their old neighborhoods, but say they do not feel safe. Djiedune Kupato returned home with his wife and eight children late last month. Now his children walk five kilometers to get to school. Kupato worries about their safety, with militias still active in the area. Kupato says if the government had prepared better for them to return, they would have water near their house. He says they do not have a good house to live in, as it has been destroyed. Instead, the family sleeps under a tarp. Meanwhile, bulldozers have leveled what remained of the camp at Bangui M'poko International Airport. At its height in 2014, the camp was home to more than 130,000 people, many Christian. Central African Republic descended into chaos after mostly Muslim Seleka rebels seized power in March 2013. Efforts to oust Seleka in December of that year kicked off deadly communal violence in the capital and other parts of the country. The C.A.R. president visited the camp at the end of 2016 and told the remaining residents it was time to go home. Authorities said it was unsafe for so many people to be living right next to an airstrip. The government gave each family about $85 to leave, which covers about three months' rent in Bangui. The Oxfam advocacy manager in C.A.R., Isidore Ngueuleu, says the government had no broader strategy to support returnees. "Basically in these neighborhoods, there is no home," Ngueuleu said. "Everything has been destroyed in this neighborhood. So people have decided to return there and start back from zero." In the Fondo area of PK5, some residents use UNHCR tents to sleep in while they rebuild their homes. Newly-made bricks are stacked neatly outside many burned out and demolished homes in the area. PK5 was once at the epicenter of the violence in Bangui, and tensions are still high. Therese Ngalema, 67, came back in mid-January. She says there is no security or even a government checkpoint in the neighborhood. Ngalema says she wants more patrols by U.N. troops. Officials from a U.N. peacekeeping operation known as MINUSCA told VOA that troops do reinforce their presence when there is a threat. An Oxfam study found that reports of violence, like assaults and rape, have increased nearly 50 percent in PK5 since October. In early February, a Muslim gang leader called Big Man was killed in an operation by state security forces. His supporters burned down houses and killed several people, including a pastor. To reach schools and health services, some residents have to go through areas controlled by Muslim militias. Access to water and food is also severely limited. The government says it will follow up with the returnees in the coming months to determine their needs, and will work with humanitarian organizations to coordinate additional services. The experience of these recent returnees to PK5 may be just a taste of the challenges ahead. At the peak of the crisis in the C.A.R., nearly one million people were internally displaced and another half million fled to neighboring countries. Today, more than 400,000 internally displaced persons have not returned home. Democratic senators are protesting the Trump Organization's acceptance of a valuable trademark from the Chinese government without asking Congress first if doing so is constitutional. A group of 13 senators warned President Donald Trump in a letter Thursday that they intended to hold him accountable to his oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Additional Democrats signed a letter Friday to Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that complained about Trump getting special treatment from China. "A president must not have two masters," said Thursday's letter, led by Connecticut Democrat Richard Blumenthal. "If you continue to refuse to request and receive congressional approval before accepting favors from foreign governments, we will be unable to serve our constitutional role. Such a situation is unacceptable." The letters came in response to China's February 14 registration of a trademark for construction services to Trump. He secured the mark only after fighting for 10 grinding years in China's courts to win back rights from a man named Dong Wei. A bureaucratic about-face after Trump declared his candidacy has raised questions about whether his political rise is benefiting his family business. These concerns are particularly sharp in China, where the courts and bureaucracy reflect the will of the ruling Communist Party. Emoluments clause Critics say the trademark award violates the emoluments clause of the U.S. Constitution, which bars public servants from accepting anything of value from foreign states unless approved by Congress. While the actual value of Trump's China trademarks is unclear, Trump himself has said he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars defending them. Trump has significant intellectual property interests abroad, including 49 pending and 77 registered trademarks in China alone. Most come up for renewal during his term. Alan Garten, chief legal officer of the Trump Organization, did not immediately respond Friday to a request for comment. He has previously said that Trump's trademark activity in China predates his election. Garten has also noted that Trump turned management of his company over to his children and a team of executives in order to remove himself from his business and its trademark portfolio. Last week, Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California called the China trademark registration "a clear conflict of interest and deeply troubling." Feinstein is a signatory to both of this week's letters, too. "At a time when the United States has pressing economic, diplomatic and security concerns at play in our relationship with the People's Republic of China, the possibility that the government of China is seeking to win President Trump's favor by granting him special treatment for his businesses is disturbing," said the letter to Tillerson, also signed by Senators Ben Cardin of Maryland and Jack Reed of Rhode Island. Former Labor Secretary Tom Perez was elected head of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday, charged with overseeing the formidable task of rebuilding a party left shattered by the presidential win of Republican Donald Trump. Perez, who served under former President Barack Obama, and U.S. Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota were the front-runners in the race. Perez, the first Latino to hold the post, won on a second ballot by a margin of 235-200, in a contest widely seen as a proxy fight between defeated Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her chief party rival, Bernie Sanders. Immediately after the vote count, Perez moved to make Ellison the deputy party chairman, and DNC members ratified his choice. "We are all in this together," Perez said, calling on Democrats to fight what he called "the worst president in the history of the United States." Earlier Saturday, Perez told the 474 DNC members that the party was "suffering from a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance." He also sought to define the tasks ahead as Democratic stalwarts push to regain the party's stature in the aftermath of Clinton's defeat. "We need to make house calls, we need to listen to people. We need to get back to basics," he said. Perez, considered the establishment pick and a political moderate, is the son of Dominican immigrants. Ellison, a progressive, was the first Muslim elected to Congress. Ellison, endorsed by Sanders and his progressive followers, said the Democrats were in "this mess because we lost not one election, but a thousand elections" at all levels of government, from local councils to the White House in November. The new DNC chairman will oversee a party financially drained by the 2016 election, but one that has been energized this year by grass-roots protests against Trump and his policies. Notable among the protests was the nationwide Women's March on Washington on January 21, the day after Trump's inauguration, that produced one of the largest turnouts ever seen in the United States. Perez will also face the challenge of restoring party fortunes after heavy losses in the 2010 and 2014 midterm elections that produced the Republicans' current majority in both houses of Congress. He must also coordinate the development of potential candidates to challenge Republicans for the White House in 2020. FBI Director James Comey is again in a familiar spot these days the middle of political tumult. As a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, he clashed with the White House over a secret surveillance program. Years later as head of the FBI, he incurred the ire of Hillary Clinton supporters for public statements on an investigation into her emails. Now, Comey is facing new political pressure as White House officials are encouraging him to follow their lead by publicly recounting private FBI conversations in an attempt to dispute reports about connections between the Trump administration and Russia. It's an unusual position for a crime-fighting organization with a vaunted reputation for independence and political neutrality. Yet Comey, the former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan who later became deputy attorney general of the United States, is known for an unshaken faith in his own moral compass. "I'm not detecting a loss of confidence in him, a loss of confidence in him by him," said retired FBI assistant director Ron Hosko, noting the broad recognition that "these are very tumultuous, polarized, angry, angry times." Comey refuses to comment The latest flare up occurred Friday, when White House officials told reporters that chief of staff Reince Priebus had asked top FBI officials to dispute media reports that Donald Trump's campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election. The officials said the FBI first raised concerns about New York Times reporting but told Priebus the bureau could not weigh in publicly on the matter. The officials said Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. As the FBI declined to discuss the matter, pressure mounted on Comey to either counter or affirm the White House's account. Even the Trump administration urged him to come forward, which as of Friday was not happening. "Politicized assertions by White House chief of staff Priebus about what may or may not be the findings of an FBI investigation are exactly the wrong way for the public to hear about an issue that is of grave consequence to our democracy," Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. "The American people deserve real transparency, which means Director Comey needs to come forward, in an open hearing, and answer questions." The push on Comey to publicly discuss the bureau's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is especially acute given his statements in the run-up to November 8 that many Democrats believe cost Clinton the election. He detailed the results of the FBI's investigation at an unusual July news conference, testified on it for hours on Capitol Hill and alerted Congress less than two weeks before Election Day that the FBI would be reviewing new emails potentially connected to the case. Fourth year as FBI boss But it's not clear that Comey, now in the fourth year of a 10-year term, will be swayed by any public hand-wringing. People who have worked with the FBI director describe him as holding strong personal convictions. As deputy attorney general, he confronted White House officials in the hospital room of then-Attorney General John Ashcroft in an effort to quash the reauthorization of a counterterrorism surveillance program. When nominating Comey for FBI director in 2013, President Barack Obama praised him for his "fierce independence and deep integrity." Comey stood apart from the administration on a few occasions after that, including when he floated the possibility that police concerns over being recorded on video were causing officers to pull back and contributing to an uptick in homicides, a viewpoint the White House refused to endorse. A hard job, even when its an easy day His decision to announce the FBI's recommendation against criminal charges in the Clinton email case was made without any notice to the Justice Department, and his notification to Congress about the new emails was not supported by department leaders, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Decisions that reach the desk of the top leadership of the FBI are generally not easy, said Robert Anderson, a retired FBI executive assistant director. "The director of the FBI is a hard job, even when it's an easy day or nothing's in the newspaper," Anderson said. "By the time it makes it up to Jim, it's all hard at that point." FBI Director James Comey is again in a familiar spot these days - the middle of political tumult. As a high-ranking Justice Department official in the George W. Bush administration, he clashed with the White House over a secret surveillance program. Years later as head of the FBI, he incurred the ire of Hillary Clinton supporters for public statements on an investigation into her emails. Now, Comey is facing new political pressure as White House officials are encouraging him to follow their lead by publicly recounting private FBI conversations in an attempt to dispute reports about connections between the Trump administration and Russia. It's an unusual position for a crime-fighting organization with a vaunted reputation for independence and political neutrality. Yet Comey, the former top federal prosecutor in Manhattan who later became deputy attorney general of the United States, is known for an unshaking faith in his own moral compass. I'm not detecting a loss of confidence in him, a loss of confidence in him by him, said retired FBI assistant director Ron Hosko, noting the broad recognition that these are very tumultuous, polarized, angry, angry times. The latest flare up occurred Friday, when White House officials told reporters that chief of staff Reince Priebus had asked top FBI officials to dispute media reports that Donald Trump's campaign advisers were frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents during the election. The officials said the FBI first raised concerns about New York Times reporting but told Priebus the bureau could not weigh in publicly on the matter. The officials said Deputy Director Andrew McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. Call for hearing As the FBI declined to discuss the matter, pressure mounted on Comey to either counter or affirm the White House's account. Even the Trump administration urged him to come forward, which as of Friday was not happening. Politicized assertions by White House chief of staff Priebus about what may or may not be the findings of an FBI investigation are exactly the wrong way for the public to hear about an issue that is of grave consequence to our democracy, Senator Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said in a statement. The American people deserve real transparency, which means Director Comey needs to come forward, in an open hearing, and answer questions. The push on Comey to publicly discuss the bureau's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election is especially acute given his statements in the run-up to November 8 that many Democrats believe cost Clinton the election. He detailed the results of the FBI's investigation at an unusual July news conference, testified on it for hours on Capitol Hill and alerted Congress less than two weeks before Election Day that the FBI would be reviewing new emails potentially connected to the case. But it's not clear that Comey, now in the fourth year of a 10-year term, will be swayed by any public hand-wringing. People who have worked with the FBI director describe him as holding strong personal convictions. As deputy attorney general, he confronted White House officials in the hospital room of then-attorney general John Ashcroft in an effort to quash the reauthorization of a counterterrorism surveillance program. When nominating Comey for FBI director in 2013, President Barack Obama praised him for his fierce independence and deep integrity. Comey stood apart from the administration on a few occasions after that, including when he floated the possibility that police concerns over being recorded on video were causing officers to pull back and contributing to an uptick in homicides, a viewpoint the White House refused to endorse. His decision to announce the FBI's recommendation against criminal charges in the Clinton email case was made without any notice to the Justice Department, and his notification to Congress about the new emails was not supported by department leaders, including Attorney General Loretta Lynch. Decisions that reach the desk of the top leadership of the FBI are generally not easy, said Robert Anderson, a retired FBI executive assistant director. The director of the FBI is a hard job, even when it's an easy day or nothing's in the newspaper, Anderson said. By the time it makes it up to Jim, it's all hard at that point. Launching a startup is no easy feat. Launching one outside your native country is even harder. But for certain French startups, the French government is there to help. A government-sponsored competition that began last year offers startups marketing and promotional assistance. The Creative Next Challenge is a series of competitions sponsored by Business France, the nations international business development agency. Each competition offers French entrepreneurs working abroad the chance at official endorsement and international exposure. French startup founders who have set up shop outside of France (prior winners include entrepreneurs in India, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates) become global ambassadors for the Creative France marketing campaign. Winners are profiled on the Creative France website and their startups are featured in exclusive advertising campaigns. The free marketing and promotion also extends to public relations events, press reports and press releases. Raising profiles and cash The competition aims to raise the profile of French-founded startups and encourage outside investment. In France, the startup scene represents a cultural shift, according to Henri Baissas, executive director of Business France in North America. Twenty years ago, for the young generation, the ultimate goal was to be a civil servant and now its to be an entrepreneur, Baissas said. At a recent event in New York City, a mix of French startup founders, venture capitalists and media gathered to honor the first U.S. winner of the Creative Next Challenge. Among the contenders were augmented reality advertising startup Augment, personal robot manufacturer Blue Frog Robotics and sports-centric crowdfunding platform, Sponsorise.Me. To qualify, startups had to have registered their company in the U.S. and have at least one founder of French nationality. The competition also included a social media component, with entrants taking to Twitter and Facebook to make a case for their startups inventiveness and ingenuity. In the end, biotech startup Hemarina claimed the prize. The company, which started in France in 2007, develops hemoglobin-based oxygen carrier products that aid in medical efforts such as organ transplants and wound treatments. Hemarina CEO and president Dr. Franck Zal told VOA a combination of government initiatives had helped his company through the years. We have a very good thing we call credit d'impot recherche, noted Zal, referring to the tax credit French businesses receive for research and development initiatives. We invented it in France and [President] Obama brought this idea [to] America. The Creative Next victory was significant for the startups efforts to build global brand awareness, Hemarina is well known in Europe, and we want to be more known in U.S., Zal added. Investment booster Overall, French startups have experienced a significant increase in investments that have allowed them to expand. French tech companies captured $2.88 billion in investments in 2016, up 80 percent from $1.6 billion the prior year, according to a report by Tech.eu, an online publication covering the European tech industry. Among the top five countries, France ranked third in investment volume, trailing only Britain and Israel. What you have experienced in Silicon Valley with the third or fourth generation of entrepreneurs, we are at the stage of experiencing in France with the second generation of entrepreneurs, and so the ecosystem is going to grow, Baissas said. Station F will add to that growth. Billed as the worlds largest startup campus, the 34,000-square meter tech incubator will soon open in Paris. When it does, it will house over 1,000 startups. Additionally, apartments for 600 entrepreneurs are planned for 2018. Still, global ambitions mean startup founders will venture beyond their borders. A study commissioned by online payments processor Stripe and market intelligence platform VB Profiles found that 98 percent of the 329 French startups in operation since 2014 have customers outside of France. The Creative France global ad campaign gives entrepreneurs and their businesses a presence outside of France. Baissas stressed the importance of effective marketing, especially for French companies entering the U.S. market, Its a big challenge. The U.S. companies are very good at that. Its really inspirational for us. Police in Heidelberg, Germany, shot and seriously wounded a man Saturday after the man hit three people with a car, killing one of them. The 35-year-old German man drove his car into the people in a central square while they were standing in a pedestrian area. A brief stand-off ensued before police shot the man, whom they said was armed with a knife. Police say they dont believe the attack to be terrorism-related, but do not know of any possible motive. An investigation is under way. A 73-year-old German mad died of his injuries. A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia-Herzegovina were hospitalized and released with minor injuries. The Rhein-Neckar-Zeitung newspaper said the suspect had stopped at a traffic light and when it turned green put his foot down before hitting the group of people at high speed and smashing into a pillar. A similar attack took place in Germany this past December, when a terrorist drove a truck through a crowded Berlin Christmas market, killing 12 people and injuring 50 more. Democrats have invited immigrants and foreigners to President Donald Trump's first address to Congress in an effort to put a face on those who could be hurt by the Republican's policies. Lawmakers typically get one guest ticket apiece for presidential addresses, as they will for Tuesday's prime-time speech, and the invitations often go to family, friends or someone from back home. To send a message to Trump, Democrats have invited the Iraqi-American doctor who discovered elevated levels of lead in the blood of many children living in Flint, Michigan; a Pakistani-born doctor who delivers critical care to patients in Rhode Island; and an American-born daughter of Palestinian refugees who aids people like her family in their quest to come to the United States. "I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees," said Representative Luis Gutierrez, an Illinois Democrat. His guest Tuesday will be Fidaa Rashid, a Chicago immigration attorney. Entry ban Soon after taking office, Trump issued an executive order temporarily banning all entry to the U.S. from seven Muslim-majority nations and pausing the entire U.S. refugee program. The order sparked worldwide confusion about who was covered by the edict, with thousands gathering at airports and in other settings to protest. An appeals court blocked the order. Trump has said he will issue another order along similar lines. He has also expanded the range of immigrants living in the country illegally who have become a priority for removal. The president has argued that the steps are necessary to protect the nation. One of the people caught up in Trump's executive order was Sara Yarjani, 35, an an Iranian graduate student in California. She was held at Los Angeles International Airport for nearly 23 hours before being sent back to Vienna, Austria, where she had been visiting family. She was able to resume her studies at the California Institute for Human Sciences after a judge halted implementation of Trump's order. She'll attend Trump's speech as a guest of Representative Judy Chu, a California Democrat. "Mr. Trump needs to see the people he has hurt," Chu said. Democratic responses The focus on welcoming immigrants will also extend to the response that Democratic leaders plan for Trump's speech. Astrid Silva, who was brought into the United States as a young child, will provide the Spanish-language rebuttal; former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear will give the standard opposition-party response. Under President Barack Obama, hundreds of thousands of unauthorized youth brought into the country as children were given a reprieve from deportation. While Trump vowed to immediately end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program during the campaign, he has kept it in place as president. All will be on high alert for any Joe Wilson moments in Trump's first speech to a joint session of Congress since his inaugural address. Wilson, a longtime Republican congressman from South Carolina, shouted, "You lie!" as Obama addressed Congress in 2009 about his health care plan. The debate over what came to be known as Obamacare sparked strong emotions on both sides of the aisle, much as Trump's executive order and statements on immigration have done. Trump's comments on immigration play well with his supporters, but unnerve some Republicans who represent congressional districts with quickly growing immigrant populations. Flint hero Representative Dan Kildee, a Michigan Democrat, invited a constituent he describes as a hero for helping to expose the Flint water crisis. He said Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha came to the United States with her Iraqi parents, who were fleeing the regime of Saddam Hussein. She has recently questioned whether her family would have been allowed into the country under the policies of the Trump administration. A group of Democratic lawmakers wrote a letter to colleagues this month urging them to invite guests who have, despite discrimination, made positive impacts on their communities. One of the leaders of that effort, Representative Jim Langevin, a Rhode Island Democrat, asked Dr. Ehsun Mirza, the Pakistani-born doctor, to be his guest. "I am proud to call Dr. Mirza a friend, and I hope that his presence on February 28th will serve as a reminder to the president that true Americans come in every color and creed and not all are born here," Langevin said. Indonesian President Joko Widodo is making his first visit to Australia Saturday, in a sign that tensions early this year have eased and relations between the two Asia-Pacific neighbors are stable. Australias relationship with its heavily populated northern neighbor is often turbulent. It soured when Australia supported East Timorese independence from Indonesia in 2002. More recently in 2015, diplomatic tension rose when Jakarta executed two members of an Australian drug trafficking gang despite pleas for mercy from Canberra. In January, Indonesia briefly suspended bilateral military ties after a dispute at an Australian Special Forces base in Perth. Optimism for trade progress Those anxieties have soothed, and there is optimism that Widodos visit will see meaningful progress on a free trade agreement. Aaron Connelly, an analyst at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based think tank, says ties between the two countries are in good shape. The remarkable thing here is that despite that background of irritation that we see on occasion, relations between the two are actually pretty good, Connelly said. Ministers on both sides have good relationships with their counterparts, and you also have Australian feelings towards Indonesia at a high. In our Lowy Institute poll last year we asked Australians to rank countries on a thermometer from zero to 100, and Indonesia ranked at 56 degrees, which is the highest result we have ever seen in 11 years of polling, he added. South China Sea also on agenda Widodo and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull are also expected to discuss the dangers posed by radicalized fighters returning home from the conflict in Iraq and Syria. Tensions over the South China Sea are an additional topic on the agenda, along with the possibility of joint navy patrols in the area. While significant, the Indonesian leaders visit to Sydney will be brief. He arrives Saturday and flies home after lunch Sunday. He was forced to cancel an earlier state trip to Australia last November because of violent disturbances in Jakarta. A senior commander says Iraqi militarized police have captured a neighborhood on the western side of Mosul amid fierce clashes with Islamic State militants. Major General Haider al-Maturi of the Federal Police Commandos Division told The Associated Press that his troops entered the Tayaran neighborhood Sunday morning and it is now under their full control. Al-Maturi said Islamic State militants deployed at least 10 suicide car bombs, but nine of them were blown up before reaching their targets. The 10th killed two policemen and wounded five. Iraqi forces, backed by aerial support from the U.S.-led international coalition, already control eastern Mosul. Iraqs second largest city is split roughly in half by the Tigris River. Earlier, Iraqi military officials said U.S.-backed forces are facing a stiffer resistance as soldiers push deeper into the western half of the city, the last refuge of IS in Iraq. Lieutenant Colonel Abdulamir al-Mohammadawi told the French news agency several elite units that previously recaptured the Mosul airport were moving north toward the center of the city, where they planned to retake the Turkish consulate and other government buildings. He said the troops are facing increasingly heavy resistance as they move further into the IS-held city. Daesh [Islamic State] is using houses full of residents as human shields, al-Mohammadawi told AFP. WATCH: Fighting is Fierce on the Edge of Western Mosul Retaking the airport The advances come after counter-terrorism troops regained control late last week of the airport in Mosul that had been controlled by IS since 2014. The takeover of the airport gives Iraqi troops access to Mosul from the southwest and for the first time control of an area along the west bank of the Tigris River. IS insurgents were pushed out of eastern Mosul in January, but the militant group still controls the western section of the city. Little was left inside the airport, and what was once a runway was littered with dirt and debris. Other buildings in the airport complex had been leveled by Islamic State forces. The Iraqi forces also seized an Islamic State weapons storage warehouse, as well its one-time headquarters and barracks. Slow advance The advance to retake the remainder of western Mosul may take some time. It took three months for Iraqi forces to seize control of the eastern part of the city. International relations professor Houchang Hassan-Yari of the Royal Military College of Canada told VOAs Persian service the concentration of civilians in western Mosul will make it harder for Iraqi government forces and their coalition allies to retake that part of the city. Comparing this situation to the recent battle for the Syrian city of Aleppo, Syrian government forces and their Russian allies directly attacked civilians [as they retook the city last November and December], said Hassan-Yari on VOA Persians NewsHour program. In Mosul, Iraqi government forces and their U.S.-led coalition partners have significantly restricted themselves in terms of the firepower they are using, in order to save the lives of civilians, he noted. Damascus and Moscow have denied targeting civilians in Aleppo. U.S. forces have played a key role in the advance of Baghdads troops, launching airstrikes and providing advisers on the ground. On Thursday, U.S. forces were seen in the front lines of the attack. The American forces are not supposed to be engaged in the fighting under Washingtons terms of the U.S. involvement in Iraq. But a coalition spokesman, Air Force Colonel John Dorrian, said Wednesday that in recent weeks they have gotten so close to the front that they have come under attack near Mosul and returned fire. Many of those civilians in western Mosul were forced out of the eastern part of the city during heavy fighting there last month. Meanwhile, aid agencies are worried and preparing for the possibility that up to 250,000 people might flee Mosul in the coming days or weeks. The U.N. refugee agency has said it is focusing its efforts on building new camps to house the displaced. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has completed eight camps and says it is planning to start work at another site south of Mosul. Parisa Farhadi, Babak Azma and Sara Dehghan of VOA's Persian Service contributed to this report. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made a historic visit to Baghdad Saturday, marking the highest level visit by a Saudi official to Iraq since 1990. Jubeir met for several hours with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi as well as with Foreign Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari. Jubeirs visit took many observers by surprise, amid lingering tensions between the two neighbors. It comes as Iraqi government forces advance further into the mostly Sunni city of Mosul. The announcement that Saudi Arabia would name a new ambassador to Iraq appears to mark a fresh effort to improve ties between Iraqs Shiite-dominated government and its large Sunni neighbor to the south. Both sides vowed to redouble efforts to fight the Islamic State group and other forms of militant Islam. Saudi Arabia also pledged to donate $9 million to help Iraqi refugees who have fled from mostly Sunni regions of Anbar province and Mosul. Jubeir vowed to step up cooperation with Baghdad and insisted that Saudi Arabia would remain even-handed in its relations with Iraqis of all religious sects. He said that Riyadh will remain equidistant to Iraqis of all religious persuasions and he condemned the killings of all Iraqis by other Iraqis. He added that Saudi Arabia will work with Baghdad to combat terrorism of all stripes, including the Islamic State or al-Qaida. Iraqi Foreign Minister Jaafari welcomed the strengthening of ties between Baghdad and Riyadh, on both the political and the economic levels, noting that each side will work to improve trade and other economic cooperation. He also welcomed moves that will benefit both countries, including the reopening of the Jumaima border post between the neighbors and other types of economic cooperation. Iraqi state TV reported that Jubeir and Abadi met for over two hours, but gave no details of the substance of their conversations. Iraqi officials have attempted to improve ties with the Saudi Kingdom in recent years, starting with a visit by former Iraqi president Jalal Talabani to Riyadh in 2010 and a follow-up visit by his successor President Fouad Mahsoum in 2014. Saudi Arabia appointed an ambassador to Baghdad last year, but withdrew him quickly following friction over remarks he made about Iran and its support for Shiite militia groups. Christian families and students fled Egypt's North Sinai province in droves Friday after Islamic State killed the seventh member of their community in just three weeks. A Reuters reporter saw 25 families gathered with their belongings in a church in the Suez Canal city of Ismailia, and church officials said 100 families, out of about 160 in North Sinai, were fleeing. More than 200 students studying in Arish, the province's capital, have also left. Seven Christians have been killed in Arish between January 30 and Thursday. IS, which is waging an insurgency there, claimed responsibility for the killings, five of which were shootings. One man was beheaded and another set on fire. "I am not going to wait for death," Rami Mina, who left Arish on Friday morning, said by telephone. "I shut down my restaurant and got out of there. These people are ruthless." Sectarian attacks occur often in Egypt but are usually confined to home burning, crop razing, attacks on churches and forced displacement. Death lists Arish residents said militants circulated death lists online and on the streets, warning Christians to leave or die. "My father is the second name on their list; anyone Christian they put on the list," Munir Adel, a vegetable seller who fled Friday, said as he huddled with four family members at the Evangelical Church, waiting for church officials to find them a place to stay. Adel's parents did not leave Arish because of their old age, he said. "They could be killed at any moment." IS released a video Sunday threatening Egypt's Christians and vowing to escalate a campaign against them after it bombed a chapel adjoining Cairo's St Mark's Cathedral, the seat of the Coptic papacy, in December, killing 28 people. "Oh, crusaders in Egypt, this attack that struck you in your temple is just the first, with many more to come, God willing," said a masked man in battle dress who the group said blew himself up in the chapel. 10 percent of Egyptians Orthodox Copts, who make up about 10 percent of Egypt's 90 million people, are the Middle East's largest Christian community. They have long complained of persecution. The Coptic Orthodox Church denounced "the recurring terrorist incidents in North Sinai targeting Christian citizens" in a statement Friday. President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi told military and police chiefs "to completely eradicate terrorism in northern Sinai and defeat any attempts to target civilians or to undermine the unity of the national fabric," in reference to the killings, his office said Thursday. Egypt is battling an insurgency that gained pace in 2013 after its military, led by Sissi, overthrew President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood. Hundreds of soldiers and police have been killed. Major General Mostafa al-Razaz, North Sinai's deputy police chief, said security forces were capable of handling the "crisis" and that they had added more patrols and checkpoints. But Sinai's Christians say security forces on the ground are unable to protect them and are overwhelmed by the militants. "The government does nothing. There is no security in Sinai. They can't even protect themselves," said Adel. "It was an officer who told us to leave." When toymaker Estrela decided to move manufacturing capacity back to Latin America from China, it sank $2 million into a new factory not in its native Brazil - the region's largest economy - but in its tiny southern neighbor Paraguay. The plant, which opened this month in the border town of Hernandarias, stands near a 4,500-hectare (11,000-acre) industrial park filled with Brazilian companies making everything from autoparts to clothing. The dark-blue electric scooters assembled by 20 workers at the Estrela factory, known as a maquila, will be shipped across the border to Paraguay's giant northern neighbor under a Paraguayan system that allows hefty tax breaks for exporters. An easy decision For Carlos Tilkian, chief executive of Manufatura de Brinquedos Estrela SA, it was an easy decision to open the assembly plant in the landlocked nation of just 6.8 million people sandwiched between Brazil and Argentina. Paraguay has important competitive advantages: cheap energy, labor flexibility and low social charges on wages, he said in an interview before the factory's inauguration. In Brazil, this would be much more expensive. Brazilian companies increasingly have been flocking to Paraguay since the election of former-businessman turned President Horacio Cartes in 2013, when he steered his nation to the right after the impeachment of leftist Fernando Lugo. In a bid to create jobs, Cartes built on a 1997 reform that allowed foreign exporters to pay taxes in the low single figures and excluded them from customs tariffs with additional pro-business measures. Though more than 90 percent of its manufactured goods go to Brazil, Paraguay's Mercosur trade bloc membership also gives exporters easy access to Argentina and Uruguay. Since Cartes's election, the number of foreign manufacturers in Paraguay has nearly tripled, according to government figures, also spurred by Brazil's worst recession on record. The economic downturn has forced manufacturers to cut costs to remain afloat amid onerous taxes and bureaucracy. Of the 126 foreign manufacturers now in Paraguay, four-fifths are Brazilian. The move by Brazilian companies southward is sparking outrage among Brazilian unions. Anthony Lisboa, secretary for international relations at Brazil's umbrella union federation, denounced the maquila system, saying it relied on slave labor. He said he was trying to galvanize opposition in Paraguay which lacks Brazil's tradition of organized labor. The U.S. auto industry has the same issue with Mexico: they are simply moving production to a country where laws permit worse working conditions, Lisboa said. Brazilian businesses and economists say jobs created in Paraguay are replacing jobs in China, not Brazil, and that Brazil benefits from a more prosperous neighbor. As China gets more expensive, it becomes viable for some industries to produce closer to home and Paraguay is close to home, said Thomaz Zanotto, foreign trade director for Sao Paulo's powerful business chamber FIESP. This is not going to rob Brazilian industry Paraguay is not big enough for that but ... it shows we could be more cost competitive in Brazil if we had better economic policies. 'Better quality of line' Hernandarias' residents are overwhelmingly in favor of the Brazilian factories. The town of 80,000 has long been overshadowed by its neighbor Ciudad del Este, the second-largest city in Paraguay and home to a giant street market hawking everything from contraband perfume to televisions and assault weapons. Convenience store worker Fabiola Vargas, 22, said the factories offer an option to residents who relied on part-time or informal jobs in Ciudad del Este as Paraguay tries to shed its reputation as a hub for illicit trade and finance. We won't have to travel so much and will have a better quality of life, she said. Brazilians invested $101 million in Paraguay in 2015, according to the most recent Paraguayan central bank data, more than one-third of the total foreign investment of $260 million. After posting China-paced growth as recently as 2010 amid a commodities boom, Brazil now has the highest unemployment ever among its 207 million inhabitants. By contrast, Paraguay saw GDP growth of at least 4 percent last year, helped by the manufacturing boom. Eduardo Almeida, the Inter-American Development Bank representative in Paraguay, said a 2015 law guaranteeing foreign companies investing more than $100 million a stable tax rate for 20 years had provided vital stability. Brazilian meat packer JBS SA, the world's largest, said Paraguay's stability was important to its decision to double output there this year and lift national revenues to $550 million. Paraguay is an economy that grows, has clear policies, and stable monetary policy, its local director Felipe Azarias told Reuters. In Brazil, ranked among the world's most expensive nations to do business, benefits and taxes inflate workers' salaries by 40 to 60 percent, according to Rio de Janeiro-based think tank FGV. Labor costs are on average 45 percent less in Paraguay than in Brazil, while companies pay average taxes of around 3.5 percent in Paraguay, compared to 36 percent in Brazil, Almeida said. Cartes' government says it created 21,333 manufacturing jobs between August of 2013 and December of 2016, generating $900 million in exports. Discontent In Paraguay, some academics say Cartes' policies are depriving the government of revenue for long-term development, particularly in infrastructure. The more exceptions and exemptions we have on manufacturing, the more we deprive the treasury of something foreign investors themselves need financing for infrastructure, said Fernando Masi, director of the Asuncion-based Center of Analysis of the Paraguayan Economy. A source at a large Brazilian infrastructure company said Brazilian builders had mostly left Paraguay due to concerns the government did not have the money to provide support for private investment in bridges, dams, airports and other projects. Paraguay's Commerce and Trade Minister Gustavo Leite told Reuters that Cartes is committed to the low-tax policy and has no plans to seek more revenue from Brazilian companies. If jobs are so important, why wouldn't we take care of employers, Cartes said at the Estrela factory opening. This is the Paraguay I believe in: we take care of those who provide jobs. Malaysia said Saturday it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning in the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesnt voluntarily cooperate with the police. Reasonable time will be given for 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state. It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity. Eight North Koreans Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia. Police are trying to locate the eight suspect, another North Korean, Ri Ji U, whose whereabouts are unknown, Samah said Saturday. Kim Jong Nam was murdered February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday. One of attackers is ill Two women, one Indonesian and one Vietnamese, have also been detained. Police said Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. Indonesian embassy officials met with their national Siti Aishah on Saturday and said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in what she believed was a prank. No charges have been brought against her yet. Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterward. Apartment raid Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing. Investigators were looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added. Authorities are also sweeping locations that the suspects may have visited for chemicals, Samah said The U.S. administrations new national security adviser has reportedly told his staff that Muslims who carry out terrorist acts are corrupting Islam, a departure from an ideological position held by other senior advisers to President Donald Trump. Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster told members of the National Security Council that the use of the term "radical Islamic terrorism" was counterproductive because the actions of terrorists are "un-Islamic," according to the New York Times newspaper. McMaster's remarks were reportedly made Thursday at his first "all hands" staff meeting, according to people who attended the meeting. His comments contradict language frequently used by the president and McMaster's predecessor, Michael Flynn, who stepped down after misleading administration officials about contacts with a Russian diplomat. The remarks may be an early sign McMaster could distance the council from the ideological views of Flynn. McMaster's language is more consistent with the positions of former U.S. presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush. Both were careful to disassociate terrorist acts from the Islamic faith out of concern, in part, that the U.S. needed Muslim allies to help combat terrorism. The extent of McMaster's influence on this issue remains to be seen in a White House where several top presidential advisers have a different perception of Islam. Chief strategist Stephen Bannon, for example, has warned of an impending battle between the Judeo-Christian world and Islam. The differences in positions held by White House advisers could be exposed publicly if the Senate Armed Services Committee decides to hold a confirmation hearing for McMaster. The national security adviser does not require Senate confirmation, but it must vote to approve McMaster's three-star rank in a new position. Committee Chairman John McCain has not said if he will hold a hearing. A Michigan congressman is embracing the town halls that many of his Republican counterparts have avoided as people lash out at President Donald Trumps early actions and the planned repeal of the federal health care law. Its my duty to be here, Rep. Justin Amash, 36, said Thursday after taking pointed questions for 90 minutes during a raucous session inside a gymnasium in Battle Creek, 110 miles west of Detroit. He will host another town hall Saturday, his fourth in nearly six weeks, and promises more in the future. Respect earned The events are earning Amash, one of Trumps most prominent GOP critics, some respect from angry Democrats who vehemently oppose many of the congressmans stances but credit him for listening to his constituents rather than ducking them. Others dont have the guts to come and take the heat like Justin Amash just did, said Deborah Look, 60, a retired special education teacher from Battle Creek who participated in the town meeting. She said when Amash tweeted Dude, just stop last month after Trumps criticism of legendary civil rights activist John Lewis, it gave me hope. Known for libertarian views that put him at odds with the Republican establishment, the fourth-term congressman also has encountered criticism from Trump loyalists. Reggie Dickson, 80, a retired principal from Battle Creek who voted for Trump to drain the swamp in Washington, said after the town hall that he likes Amashs adherence to the Constitution but is disappointed Amash never endorsed Trump, even after he won the GOP nomination. Trump won the district by more than 9 percentage points over Democrat Hillary Clinton, better than Mitt Romneys margin in 2012. Son of immigrants Amash, who explains all his votes on social media, has made wide-ranging town halls a staple in western Michigans 3rd Congressional District since 2011, when he took office amid the national tea party wave. He navigates the jeers, applause and interruptions that have become common in this years unruly events by staying calm but also sticking with his positions. He urges people at odds in the crowds to be respectful to each other and says his job is to defend the Constitution, not the president, regardless of his political affiliation. The son of a Palestinian refugee father and a Syrian immigrant mother, Amash said both of his parents would have been banned from the U.S. under Trumps travel ban that he has deemed unlawful. He was the only House Republican to vote against the one-time exemption for retired Marine Gen. James Mattis to become secretary of defense. When a man warned that his small business would close if the health law is repealed, Amash said he knows the insurance expansion has helped many people but a lot of other people in the community have been hurt by it as well. The comment elicited boos and then more groans when Amash said those impacted negatively included audience members neighbors. Amash was blunt when electrician Scott Markham of Kalamazoo criticized him for voting recently to block an Obama-era regulation that would prevent an estimated 75,000 people with mental disorders from being able to purchase a firearm. Urging Amash to stand for common-sense gun controls and against the National Rifle Association, Markham said he was afraid for his two young sons in an age of mass shootings and decried how no policy changes were made after the Orlando nightclub massacre. Amash called the requirement an overreach. I dont believe we should have additional regulations at the federal level, he said. Disagree, but glad he's there Markham, 40, said afterward that he was wholly unsatisfied with Amashs response but was pleased he had the town meeting. He said his congressman, Rep. Fred Upton in the adjacent 2nd District in the states southwestern corner, seems to be avoiding in-person blowback. Any time they have an opportunity to hear what the people who put them in office have to say I think is probably a good thing, Markham said. An Upton spokesman said he is doing telephone town halls because political discourse has coarsened so much that traditional ones have become circus atmospheres. So far, Amash, who considered a Senate bid in 2014 and might eventually look at it again as his profile grows, is the only one of Michigans nine Republican House members to have hosted town halls this year. Fourth-term Rep. Bill Huizenga has scheduled an event for Saturday. Others are having tele-town halls that allow some of the thousands of participants who call in to ask questions. Im comfortable with it, Amash said, describing his town meetings as heated occasionally but generally civil. I know that at times people will be get upset and disagree, and thats OK. The Syrian governments negotiator says he believes Saturdays deadly attack in Homs was meant to disrupt peace talks under way in Geneva. The terrorist explosions that hit Homs city are a message to Geneva from sponsors of terrorism, and we tell everyone that the message is received and this crime wont pass unnoticed, Bashar al-Jaafari said. Jaafari met Saturday with U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura in Geneva. De Mistura told reporters before the meeting he hopes the attacks will not affect the peace process, calling them spoilers to peace. Every time we are having talks or negotiations there is always someone who tries to spoil. We were expecting that, he said. Following the meeting, Jaafari demanded that opposition group negotiators denounce the attacks as a testament to their commitment to the peace process. Any party who refuses to condemn these attacks today we will consider that party to be an accomplice of terrorism, he said. For its part, the opposition vowed to continue with the talks, but accused the government of trying to sabotage them by making demands on the opposition. Some opposition delegates condemned terrorism in general but also hinted that Saturdays attacks in Homs may have been the work of government forces. Homs, al-Bab attacks Twin suicide attacks Saturday in the western city of Homs killed at least 42 people, including a senior intelligence officer. The city has been under full government control for nearly three years. One day earlier in northern Syria, two suicide car bombings killed at least 65 people, including many civilians, rebel fighters and at least two Turkish soldiers. The attacks near al-Bab came one day after Turkish forces and their rebel allies took much of the strategic town from Islamic State (IS) fighters. With al-Bab under Turkish control, questions are being raised as to what the next move for Turkish forces would be. Turkish officials have said their next objective after al-Bab is to go after IS in their de facto capital of Raqqa. Ankara has also said that it wants to dislodge the Kurdish fighters from the town of Manbij. Those moves may face opposition in Washington, analysts say. Joint strategy Washington and Ankara have held discussions in the past week over a joint strategy to fight IS, American and Turkish officials said. On the issue of fighting (Islamic State), we -- that is Turkey and Saudi Arabia -- will be cooperating with the United States, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said last week. We believe that the fight from now on will be more effective and that we will be able to clear both Syria and Iraq of IS. U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a Kurdish-led coalition, has made significant advances on IS near Raqqa, seizing tens of towns and villages in the northern and western parts of the province. The SDF has also cut off a supply line that connects Raqqa to Deir Ezzor, another IS stronghold in eastern Syria. The Kurdish YPG is the backbone of the SDF. But Turkey views it as a terror group and has vowed to combat them in parts of northern Syria. Kurdish military officials, however, say that Turkish military is incapable of leading the offensive toward Raqqa. It took Turkey and its allies more than two months to reach al-Bab, said Nasir Hajj Mansur, a Kurdish commander with the SDF. So Raqqa is going to be even harder for them if they decided to head there. NASA is weighing the risk of adding astronauts to the first flight of its new megarocket, designed to eventually send crews to Mars. The space agency's human exploration chief said Friday that his boss and the Trump administration asked for the feasibility study. The objective is to see what it would take to speed up a manned mission; under the current plan, astronauts wouldn't climb aboard until 2021 at best. The Space Launch System, known as SLS, will be the most powerful rocket when it flies. Adding crew would delay mission NASA is shooting for an unmanned test flight late next year. Putting people on board would delay the mission and require extra money. The space agency's William Gerstenmaier said if adding astronauts postpones the first flight beyond 2019, it would probably be better to stick with the original plan. Under that plan, Gerstenmaier said, nearly three years are needed between an unmanned flight test and a crewed mission to make launch platform changes at Kennedy Space Center. We recognize this will be an increased risk to put astronauts on the initial flight, Gerstenmaier said. Astronauts are taking part in the study, which will weigh the extra risk against the benefits. Risk to astronauts an important consideration On Thursday, an independent safety panel cautioned that NASA needs a compelling reason to put astronauts on the initial flight, given the risk. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel was formed in the wake of the Apollo 1 fire that killed three astronauts in a countdown test 50 years ago last month. The capsule that will carry the astronauts NASA's new Orion already has flown on a space demo. Containing memorabilia and toys but no people, the capsule was launched into an extremely long orbit of Earth in 2014 by a Delta IV rocket, and splashed down into the Pacific. NASA normally prefers testing rockets without people, although for the inaugural space shuttle flight in 1981, two pilots were on board. A small crew of two also is planned for the 2021 SLS mission, which could fly to the vicinity of the moon. 'Pros and cons' An inaugural flight with astronauts would grab more attention. But Gerstenmaier said the public aspect won't be taken into consideration. There are pros and cons both ways, and it's hard to judge that [public] aspect, he told reporters. But I look at it more kind of matter-of-factly. What do I gain technically by putting crew on? NASA expects to issue its report in about a month. When Afghan intelligence officials, assisted by international investigators, probed a terror attack last month that killed five Emirati diplomats in Kandahar, they traced the suspects to a conservative religious seminary in Pakistan. "The attack was planned in Mawlawi Ahmad Madrassa in Chaman, Quetta," said Sediq Seddiqi, a spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Interior. The investigation shed light on the increasing links of some madrassas Islamic seminaries in Pakistan with Afghan Taliban who are fighting the Afghan government and U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan. Thirty thousand madrassas operate across Pakistan, most of them legal and adhering strictly to religious teaching. But thousands of them are not registered with the government and are teaching grounds and recruiting points for militants and Taliban, according to Pakistan and Afghan intelligence officials. Much of the militant activity is centered in Balochistan, where 5,500 madrassas operate as boarding schools. Many of them are kept from government scrutiny and are breeding points for terror. "There are many seminaries where Afghan Taliban are studying, and many are owned by the Afghan Taliban group," Balochistan's minister for home and tribal affairs, Sarfaraz Bugti, told VOA's Deewa service. Unregistered madrassas Experts say the abundance of unregistered madrassas across the country has led to an increase in militancy in the Afghan-Pakistan region. The schools nurture militants' ideology and provide foot soldiers for the Taliban, who have been engaged in a bloody insurgency with the U.S.-backed Afghan government for more than a decade. "You can see madrassas in every street, and they are spreading extremism to every house, community and village of Pakistan," Khadim Hussain, a Pakistani security analyst, told VOA. According to Balochistan provincial government estimates, more than 5,000 Afghans are studying at madrassas in the province. The Taliban's supreme leader, Mullah Haibatullah, reportedly operated a madrassa in Kuchlak, near the provincial capital, Quetta. The Afghan Taliban's influence over the unregulated madrassa network is most visible in the Pashto-speaking belt of Baluchistan, where Afghan militants can easily travel between Afghanistan and Pakistan, officials say. "There are 191 madrassas in my district, 21 of them unregistered, and some 20 percent of the enrolled students are Afghans," said Qaisar Khan Nasir, a provincial official in Qilla Abdullah district, which has a Pashtun majority population and borders Afghanistan's Kandahar province. Washington and Kabul accuse Pakistan of harboring armed opponents of the Afghan government, including the Taliban's Quetta Council, which is composed of Taliban leadership and the Haqqani Network a U.S.-designated terror organization. Extremist groups who support militancy in Afghanistan and are U.S.-designated terrorist groups run countrywide networks of madrassas, according to American intelligence reports. Though banned in Pakistan, the groups operate under different names while supporting the Afghan Taliban. Last year, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government was scathingly criticized for a $3 million grant it allocated to the Darul Uloom Haqqania madrassa, a controversial Islamic seminary that some critics call the "University of Jihad." Headed by former senator Samiul Haq, the madrassa houses about 4,000 students and is widely known for links to, and has publicly expressed sympathies for, the Taliban fighting in Afghanistan. That association has won the Islamic cleric the title of "Father of the Taliban." Funding connections Both Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani founders of Afghanistan's Taliban and the lethal Haqqani Network, respectively are believed to have studied in the Haqqania madrassa. Taliban leader Mullah Akthar Mansoor, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in May, also may have been a former student. Pakistani officials say they are investigating funding connections of madrassas associated with the Taliban. "The funding these madrassas receive usually originates from Arab and some other countries, and we're aware of it," Amin-ul-Hasnat Shah, Pakistan's state minister for religious affairs, told VOA. "The government is monitoring the money trail and how this money is spent and utilized by the madrassas. We want to ensure that these funds are not used for any suspicious activity or to promote extremism through Islamic seminaries in Pakistan." The Pakistani government says a new national counterextremism policy is being formed, which includes reforming the madrassa system, according to Ihsan Ghani, chief of the National Counter Terrorism Authority. The government vows to register all unregistered madrassas. "The government has pledged to reform these madrassas through registration, change of syllabus, and to keep an eye on any extremism-related activities or links in these madrassas," Shah said. Muhammad Mir, a madrassa principal and member of a madrassa committee in Baluchistan, said he hoped the government would keep its promise to clean up radical religious schools. "We're in touch with the government and have requested them to look into the matter on urgent basis," he told VOA. "If there are extremist elements within any madrassas in Baluchistan, the government should take strict action against it." VOA's Noor Zahid and Madeeha Anwar contributed to this report. Pakistan disclosed Saturday that it is engaged in negotiations with Afghanistan on developing a joint mechanism to address mutual cross-border terrorism concerns, and both sides could formalize a deal next week. Sartaj Aziz, the prime ministers adviser on foreign policy, told reporters in Islamabad that he will hold further talks on the subject when he meets with Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani on the sidelines of a regional summit opening in Islamabad on Sunday. He said that Rabbani has confirmed his participation in the 10-nation Economic Cooperation Organization, or ECO, along with other senior Afghan officials. Aziz went on to say that both sides see terrorism as a common enemy and have agreed that there is a need for cooperation. For this purpose, we are holding discussions on developing a mechanism at various levels such as ground level, higher military level, intelligence level, political level, foreign office level. We [Pakistan] have already sent them our proposals and if they [Afghanistan] agree to it, I am hopeful it [the agreement] will be formalized during the [ECO] summit, the adviser said. Mutual accusations Bilateral relations have plunged to new lows in recent months with Islamabad and Kabul accusing each other of harboring anti-state militant groups and sponsoring terrorist attacks on their respective soils. Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,600 kilometer, largely porous border. Tensions worsened this month when Pakistani leaders blamed militants sheltering on the Afghan side for a series of suicide bombings and other attacks across the country that killed scores of people. The military also handed over a list of 76 militant leaders to the Afghan government following the bloodshed and demanded swift action against them and their extradition to Pakistan. Kabul rejected the charges and instead provided Islamabad with its own list of 85 militant leaders as well as 32 terrorist training centers that the Afghan government alleged are based in Pakistan and plotting violence against Afghanistan. The Afghan Foreign Ministry, while responding to a Pakistani list of suspected fugitive terrorists, has said that it was ready to look into it and expected Islamabad to also go after militants wanted by Kabul. Pakistan has also sealed all its border crossings with Afghanistan since the wave of terrorist attacks hit the country two weeks ago. Foreign policy adviser Aziz, while speaking on Saturday, expressed hope the border would be reopened soon. The apparent assassination of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's estranged half brother reflects "instability" and "uncertainty" in the North Korean leadership, former U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said. "It really confirms our worst suspicions about the regime in North Korea," Panetta told VOA on Thursday, when asked what conclusions he would draw if Pyongyang was confirmed as being responsible. "He clearly is somebody who will not hesitate to kill anyone who either displeases him or if he suspects that individual of having opinions that are not in line with the leader," said the former Pentagon chief, referring to a series of purges the North Korean leader has carried out. Kim Jong Nam, 45, died February 13 after allegedly being poisoned by two women at Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur International Airport. Malaysian police said Friday that the poison used to kill Kim was the VX nerve agent, which is banned under the Chemical Weapons Convention, which North Korea never signed. In an email sent Friday, a U.S. State Department official told VOA the U.S. is "always willing to help partners with law enforcement cooperation in the context of our efforts to combat transnational crime and support the rule of law." While the investigation is still underway, police have arrested the women and one North Korean national. They are seeking seven other North Koreans, including one diplomat in the Malaysian capital, for questioning. South Korea believes Kim Jong Un ordered the killing of his half brother. North Korea has denied responsibility, accusing South Korea and Malaysia of plotting to have it blamed for the death. Sign of instability Kim Jong Un has executed or deposed of senior officials and close aides, including his uncle, in what has often been described as a "reign of terror." According to Panetta, Kim Jong Nam's death is another reminder that the North Korean leader is "unpredictable and vicious." "If this is ultimately proven true, I think it only confirms the intelligence we have on the leader of North Korea," said Panetta, who also served as the head of CIA. Once deemed the legitimate heir to North Korea's ruling regime, Kim Jong Nam was known to be favored by China. Christine Wormuth, former undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Defense Department, said Kim's death could be seen as a snub to Beijing. "One could read [it] as a sign that Kim Jong Un is basically showing the Chinese that he can reach all the way to Malaysia and take out the potential successor that China might have preferred," Wormuth told VOA. China's reaction Several days after Kim's assassination, China announced it would suspend imports of North Korean coal for the rest of 2017. The North's coal exports account for about one-third of the country's total export income, generating an estimated $1 billion a year for the regime, according to U.S. officials. In an apparent protest against China's ban, North Korea's state media on Thursday harshly criticized China without mentioning its name. It accused China of "dancing to the tune" of the United States. Panetta said he thought Chinese leaders had long been concerned about Kim Jong Un's behavior and that the incident in Malaysia would further isolate his country. "So for that reason, I think it's very important for us to continue to work with China," the former intelligence chief said. Jon Wolfsthal, senior director at the National Security Council for arms control and nonproliferation in the Obama administration, told VOA this week that the Chinese move against the North could be a "sign that China is less comfortable than it used to be with North Korean behavior," which creates room for the U.S. to put more pressure on the North. The news of the killing came amid heightened tensions over the North's recent missile test, which took place a day before Kim died. Reinstatement of sanctions Some U.S. lawmakers are calling for returning North Korea to the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism. Washington removed Pyongyang from the list in October 2008 as part of a nuclear deal in which the communist state agreed to disable a plutonium plant and allow some inspections. "Removing North Korea from the state sponsor of terrorism list was a mistake," Representative Ed Royce, a California Republican who is chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement released to VOA by his office. "That's why I am working on legislation that calls for North Korea to be relisted as a state sponsor of terrorism." U.S. Senator Cory Gardner, a Republican from Colorado, is also calling for the reinstatement of the North to the list. "The murder of Kim Jong Un's half brother is yet another reminder of North Korea's brutality," he said. VOA's Cho Eunjung contributed to this report. I wanted something that looked like a fairy tale, says German-born Canadian filmmaker George Mendeluk, describing what compelled him to tackle one of the darkest chapters in Ukrainian-Russian relations. Opening with a picturesque scene of a Ukrainian village in the 1930s, the historical juxtaposition is stark: Bitter Harvest, a historical drama that weaves a love story around cataclysmic events surrounding the Holodomor the devastating state-sponsored famine in Ukraine that killed millions cant help but draw comparisons with todays news coverage of nearby regions. Released worldwide Friday, Mendeluks first full-length film sheds light on a tragedy that, concealed by Soviet authorities for decades, remains little-known outside of Ukraine today. Watch: Past, Present Collide on Set of 'Bitter Harvest' Anchored by the fairy-tale romance of rural teens Yuriy and Natalka, played by Britains Max Irons and Samantha Barks, the script rapidly interweaves cruelties of a Soviet regime steamrolling the Ukrainian peasantry, leaving millions dead in its wake. Striving for historical accuracy Toronto-based producer and financier Ian Ihnatowycz says the film, shot on location in parts of Kyiv and in London on a budget of $20 million, aims for unflinching attention to historical detail. When [Canadian actor] Richard Bachynsky brought this script in 2011, I immediately was interested because of my background and knowledge of the Holodomor, Ihnatowycz told VOAs Ukraine Service. I felt it was important to present a film with international stars in a style that would appeal to Western audiences. We focused a lot of effort on making sure that the film was historically accurate, he added. It was verified by many historians. The weight of coming to terms with finer details of the Holodomor wasnt lost on the cast. We were quite embarrassed that we didnt really know too much about it, said British actor Tamer Hassan, who plays Sergei, a Soviet commissar who terrorizes Ukrainian peasants. You know, people say Stalin, Stalin! Horrible! We all know something was there, that there was some kind of a tragedy, but to the extent of how bad it was, we really didnt know. Current events echo the past When you read the script, you understand that there is a reason you dont know about it, Barks said. There is a reason that so many people dont know about it. In a seemingly ominous turn of events, anti-government protests broke out as filmmakers were finishing portions of the film shot on location in Kyiv. When we were filming in Ukraine, we were obviously going through this really sad part of history, and then a couple of weeks later revolution started, Barks said. Historical events that gave rise to the film, its creators say, seemed to collide with current affairs, in a way that they hope can help Western audiences better understand the deeper context of tensions left in the wake of a Russian invasion. Although the films first reviews are not all positive, director Mendeluk says such an epic undertaking would challenge even the most seasoned cinematographers. There is such a huge, huge canvas, he told VOA. We had a love story. We had Holodomor. We began with Bolshevik Revolution. We had so many things that we needed to explain, and we had to edit it down. This report was produced in collaboration with VOAs Ukrainian Service. Vice President Mike Pence assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work tirelessly on foreign and domestic issues important to the group, such as enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel, Pence told the group Friday night. The Republican administration is assessing whether to move the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, he said, and has put Iran on notice. The groups annual conference at billionaire donor Sheldon Adelsons casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip has become a de facto campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates over the past few years. The RJC also drew the entire GOP presidential field to its December 2015 forum in Washington. US-Israel ties stronger Now, with the first Republican White House in eight years, the group of Republican donors and Jewish leaders was among the first to hear from the new vice president. Former Vice President Dick Cheney introduced Pence. The roughly 500 attendees also are expected to hear from Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina this weekend. Pence told the RJC that Americas bonds with Israel had grown stronger under the young administration. President Barack Obama did not have a close relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many Republican Jews saw the Obama administration as insufficiently supportive of Israel. Pence also ticked through Trumps domestic agenda, saying the president had already brought back American jobs. This White House is in the promise-keeping business, he said. Praise for Adelsons The vice president shared stories from his trip to Germany last weekend his first abroad as vice president. Hed paid a visit to the former Dachau concentration camp, where thousands of Austrian and German Jews were among those imprisoned and killed. He was joined on the tour by a survivor of the Holocaust who was at Dachau when it was liberated by American soldiers at the end of World War II. Pence also talked about his surprise visit this week to a Jewish cemetery in Missouri, where more than 150 gravestones had been toppled and vandalized. Speaking through a bullhorn at the site, he said there was no place in America for hatred or acts of prejudice or violence or anti-Semitism and then picked up a rake and helped clean up the cemetery. In Las Vegas, the vice president effusively praised the Adelsons from the stage, saying that they in so many ways have given America a second chance through their political work in the U.S. and Israel. Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave more than $20 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, making them among Trumps most generous benefactors, campaign records show. Rest assured were going to keep our end of the bargain, too, Pence said, thanking the Adelsons and RJC for steadfast support throughout the campaign. Adelson, who helps finance the RJC, didnt openly support Trump until the final weeks of the presidential campaign. The wariness was mutual. Trump had called his GOP rivals puppets of Adelson and prompted major heartburn among Republican Jews with his freewheeling comments at the 2015 RJC forum. Trump has been appreciative. At one of his final campaign stops, in Las Vegas, he called the couple really incredible people who have been so supportive. The Adelsons also were front and center for Trumps swearing-in last month, and Sheldon Adelson was one of Trumps first dinner guests at the White House. The first Latin American leader to visit U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House said on Friday that he told Trump he prefers bridges to walls and favors the free movement of people across borders. However, Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski declined to comment specifically on Trump's proposal to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexican border to curb illegal immigration and drug trafficking in a press conference following the meeting. "I don't want to get into the wall," Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investment banker said in a video distributed by his office. "We're interested in the free movement of people ... I emphasized that to President Trump and we prefer bridges to walls." Kuczynski has previously likened Trump's wall proposal to the Berlin Wall and once joked that he would cut off ties with the United States if Trump were elected president. Kuczynski later congratulated Trump on his surprise electoral victory and described their talk on Friday as "cordial and constructive." Trump called Peru, a country of 30 million in South America, "a fantastic neighbor" and said it was an honor to have Kuczynski in the White House, according to video showing the two posing for pictures after the meeting. Kuczynski said the two leaders only briefly discussed Peru's fugitive former President Alejandro Toledo, whom Peru had asked Trump to deport from the United States under a provision of migratory law that allows for deportations to preserve diplomatic ties. "This is a matter of the judiciary that was not discussed for more than a few seconds," Kuczynski said of Toledo. Up until a week ago, Kuczynski's centrist government had seen deporting Toledo as a better alternative to a potentially lengthy process of Peru's judiciary seeking his arrest and eventual extradition. Toledo is wanted in connection with a far-reaching graft probe and has denied prosecutors' allegations that he took $20 million in bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht SA. In discussing migration, Kuczynski said he emphasized to Trump that only 70 Peruvians out of 1 million living in the United States are in jail, 200,000 of whom are there illegally. "Peru has not exported criminals to the United States," Kuczynski said. "They're nurses, they're doctors, they're all sorts of people." Thousands of protesters gathered Saturday in the Philippines capital of Manila to mark the anniversary of the People Power revolution that unseated dictator Ferdinand Marcos 31 years ago. Protesters marched through the streets to the People Power democracy shrine in Manila, which marks the spot where millions of Filipinos gathered in 1986 in a mostly peaceful uprising to remove Marcos from power. The uprising served as a model for later peaceful revolts throughout the world and brought an end to a 20-year rule marked by corruption, scandals and human rights abuses. The event is celebrated annually in the Philippines, though this year the government commemoration ceremony was relatively modest. President Rodrigo Duterte did not attend the event. He instead chose to spend the weekend at his southern home in Davao. Duterte, last year, allowed Marcoss body to be buried in a heroes cemetery, which led to massive outcry among Filipinos who opposed the dictator. Supporters of Duterte held their own rally in Manila on Saturday, praying for the success of Dutertes war against drugs, which has led to the reported killing of at least 2,555 suspected drug dealers since he took office last year. Another 4,000 people have been killed during the crackdown under unexplained circumstances. Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes war on drugs had until three weeks ago driven the trade in crystal methamphetamine underground, according to residents and drug users in some of the slum areas of the nations capital city. As thousands of users and dealers were shot dead by police and vigilantes in the first seven months after Duterte came to power last June, open dealing in the drug, known here by its street name shabu, largely stopped. Instead, deals were done on the quiet between people who knew each other, maybe with a text message first. But since Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stand down from the drugs war last month, after declaring the force rotten to the core, the drugs trade has come back out of the shadows, more than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manilas toughest areas said in interviews. Many spoke on condition that only their first names be used in this story. How much are you going to buy? Beside one of the less-used railroad tracks in Manila, a grassy area scattered with human excrement only a few miles from the gleaming high-rises of the Makati business district, shabu was easily available last week, costing just a few pesos (cents) per hit. Residents said that when they traveled on the illegal trolleys that ferry people for a few pesos along the track when there are no trains in sight, a fellow passenger will often offer them a sachet of the drug. Eusebio, 52, who pushes a wood and bamboo trolley on the track for a living, said dealers sometimes walk alongside calling out: How much are you going to buy? Now that the operations have been suspended, drugs have become rampant again, he said. Those who were hiding have resurfaced. Another trolley-pusher, Boyser, 59, told two Reuters journalists: If you werent reporters, they would offer you drugs. Users are still users In a dark cinderblock room that serves as a drug den in another part of Manila, there were similar stories from users. We have more freedom now, Jason, a 39-year-old bartender told a visiting reporter as he inhaled shabu smoke. All the users are still users, except those who have been killed, he said, adding that he has used shabu for almost two decades. More than 8,000 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in almost eight months ago, about 2,500 of whom were killed in official police anti-narcotics operations. Human rights groups believe many of the others were extra-judicial executions committed as part of the war on drugs, and in cooperation with the police, a claim the Duterte administration has vehemently denied. The presidents office did not respond to a list of emailed questions about the drug war and whether dealers were now openly back on the streets. Duterte has repeatedly said he will hunt down drug lords and other high value targets and there have been a handful of large-scale seizures and raids on shabu laboratories. But most of those killed in the war on drugs have been small-time dealers and users in some of the countrys poorest neighborhoods. The PNP stopped publishing an official tally of drug war killings from police operations on January 31 when Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the campaign. Fewer killings According to reporters and photographers from Reuters and Philippine news organizations working the night shift, vigilante-style killings of drug suspects have continued, but at a much slower pace. Police data shows 398 people were killed nationwide in the first 20 days of February. Details of the killings were not provided and it was unclear how many were drug-related. Some anti-narcotics experts say they would not be surprised if it turns out that the drug war has been ineffective. They say that ruthless operations against drugs, like Dutertes, have failed elsewhere in the world. When an aggressive anti-drugs campaign begins, supplies may be tight for a while, street prices may spike, but ultimately drug usage does not drop, say those who have studied the results. We dont know of any examples from around the world where very hard-line approaches have worked effectively, said Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. They can temporarily disrupt street business, but they dont disrupt demand. Lost momentum Some police officers told Reuters that they had received reports of increased street-level drug activity since they were ordered to stand down. Manila Police Commander Olivia Sagaysay, who oversees four precincts in the city, said the war on drugs had lost momentum and morale among her officers had suffered since they were ordered to stand down. Its depressing, she said. But who are we not to follow the higher-ups? She said she expected the trade to increase but maybe not return to its previous levels because networks were disrupted and pushers were killed. In a written response to questions from Reuters about the impact of Dutertes campaign on the street-level shabu trade, the PDEA said that based on reports gathered, the supply of illegal drugs in some areas are still considerably abundant. The PDEA attributed low street prices for shabu prices overall have risen only minimally since the war on drugs began and in some areas have fallen to a lack of customers or drug traffickers trying to get rid of their supply in order to avoid arrest. It said drugs were being hoarded and that it was difficult for users to transact directly with traffickers. The PDEA did not provide evidence for any of its assessments. PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said drugs would return to the streets because it was a billion peso business and money talks. In his view, though, the drug war had not failed. We hit the target and now it goes back to PDEA. As far as the PNP is concerned we did our part in the past seven months. I hope PDEA will be able to do their part, he said. The PDEA has just about 1,800 people compared with the national police force of 160,000. Of the existing PDEA personnel, only about half are field operatives. PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said his agency will add staff and that the president would soon be issuing an executive order to set up an anti-illegal drugs inter-agency council and task force that would also draw from the military, the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP. The task force will be charged with pursuing the war on drugs. There is a temporary vacuum of warm bodies but it wont be long, Carreon said, adding that those involved in the drug trade would be wrong to think they were safe. If thats their perception, it wont last long, he said. They will find out in the hardest way that they are terribly wrong. Go after cookers Still, Jason, the bartender who is a shabu user, said Dutertes campaign was not successful because he targeted the wrong people. If authorities had gone after the cookers, the people manufacturing the drugs, instead of users and small dealers, people like him would be unable to buy and would move on. As it is, Jason said, shabu is always in plentiful supply, adding he was addicted and the drug eliminated any fear he may have had of being shot by police or vigilantes. As he spoke, Jason poured white crystals into a long strip of aluminum foil folded into a trough, tilted it slightly and held a flame below. Almost immediately, it produced a thick white smoke, which he sucked up through a narrow aluminum foil straw. He then began speaking again, more animatedly. I buy drugs every day! he said. An apparent anti-Trump prankster handed out Russian flags with the word "Trump" emblazoned on them prior to President Donald Trump's speech Friday to a meeting of political conservatives near Washington. Organizers of the Conservative Political Action Conference confiscated the red-white-and-blue flags once they realized what they signified, but not before several reporters posted notes on social media about the incident. Trump and several of his top aides have addressed the CPAC group's annual meeting. Organizers of the event sent people through the large hall to collect the Trump-branded Russian flags, and accounts from the scene said anyone who refused to hand over the tokens was threatened with expulsion. A comment on Trump's relationship with Putin The fake flags apparently were intended to satirize Trump's friendly relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The president spoke out in favor of Putin's leadership of his country many times during the U.S. election campaign, and since last month has said he hopes that relations between Moscow and Washington can improve. U.S. intelligence officials have reported that Russia interfered in America's presidential election campaign, by computer hacking attacks and other means, in an attempt to disrupt American democratic processes. That effort eventually morphed into a campaign to help Trump become president, the intelligence community concluded. 'Man in a suit' handed out flags The website Mediaite described the person who distributed the Russian flags at the CPAC meeting as a young man in a suit, and no further details of his identity have emerged. At the conservative political conference, Tyler Dever, a member of the audience, told a reporter for the Los Angeles Times that the man handed him flags and asked Dever to start passing them down to others in his row of seats. Someone tried to victimize me, Dever said. Referring to the security agents present at any presidential appearance, he added: You have Secret Service out here, and I'd expect [the meeting hall] to be fully screened. ... Thank God someone noticed. A VOA reporter covering the CPAC meeting at a convention center just outside the nation's capital managed to obtain and keep one of the flags, which were embossed with "TRUMP" in large gold letters. Republicans in the U.S. Congress are working to overhaul the nation's health care laws in their effort to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, considered by some to be one of former President Barack Obama's most significant legislative achievements. U.S. media outlets reported details Friday of potential replacements for the health care law, frequently referred to as Obamacare. The details were obtained from draft legislation circulating among lobbyists and congressional staff. One proposal would cap the amount of money the federal government gives to states for Medicaid, the government health insurance program for the poor, which was expanded under Obama. The Washington Post reported that another idea gaining traction would allow those who gained access to Medicaid when the program was expanded to keep their benefits, while additional enrollees would be excluded. End to subsidies The Republicans' draft would end income-based tax subsidies to help individuals purchase health insurance. It also calls for tax credits of up to $4,000 for people 60 years or older, but would allow insurers to increase the rates they charge older people. The Associated Press reported that Republican governors from seven states want Medicaid to change from an open-ended federal entitlement to a program designed by each state, within a financial limit. Ohio Governor John Kasich leads the group, which is said to be concerned that a new law could shift high health care costs from Washington to the states. Public opinion surveys indicate a broad majority of Americans oppose repealing the health care law unless lawmakers can come up with an acceptable substitute plan. President Donald Trump, along with many Republicans in Congress, campaigned on a pledge to repeal Obamacare, but the party's lawmakers have since faced complaints that simply abandoning Obamacare would leave millions of Americans without any protection against high-cost medical emergencies. Republicans say they expect to decide on a replacement for the present law in the coming weeks. Vice President Mike Pence, painting the legislative situation in dramatic terms, said Friday that "America's Obamacare nightmare is about to end." Pledge, but no details "President Trump and I want every American to have access to quality and affordable health insurance," Pence said, "which is why we're designing a better law that lowers the cost of health insurance without growing the size of government." He did not, however, give details of the "better law." Congressional committees are still working on the new bills under consideration, and the proposals will still face a period of debate in the full Congress. Democratic lawmakers argue the existing law has helped slow the rise in Americans' health care spending and brought coverage to the poor. They also note the current plan guarantees insurance for people with long-standing health problems, to whom insurers often had denied coverage in the past. Democrats passed the Affordable Care Act in 2010, when they had majority control of both houses of Congress. Republicans have opposed the law since its passage, and they tried more than 50 times unsuccessfully to repeal it during the Obama administration. Trump's party argues that prices are too high for Affordable Care Act insurance coverage, and that individual states should have more control than the federal government over the issue. The health care law has enabled 20 million previously uninsured Americans to obtain coverage, but it has been plagued by difficulties, including rising premiums and some large private insurers' decisions to leave the system. China is almost finished building military structures on its artificial islands in the South China Sea (SCS), Reuters reports, in a development that is sure to test the new Trump administration. Unnamed U.S. officials told the news service construction is almost complete on nearly two dozen structures with retractable roofs designed to house long-range surface-to-air missiles on the Spratly Island chain. The new development could be considered a military escalation on Chinas part, several experts told VOA, and could serve as an early test for President Donald Trump, who took a hard line against China throughout his campaign. This is part of their effort to eventually control that first island chain in the SCS and assert their claim, even though they have been completely repudiated by the International Court of Appeals, The Hague, based on the Law of the Sea Treaty, of which they are a member, Robert Manning, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, told VOA. Brad Glosserman, executive director of the Hawaii-based security think tank Pacific Forum, told VOA this was another step in Chinas recent attempts to further militarize the islands. Clearly, they are intending to build facilities that allow them to permanently store or deploy equipment of a military nature to these islands, he said. A report released by the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative (AMTI) in December shows China has been building airstrips and anti-aircraft systems on the artificial islands since at least June of 2016. Mainly for civilian use, China claims China's Defense Ministry issued a statement at the time, saying the construction was "mainly for civilian use." The Trump administration has taken a strong stance against the militarization of the islands, with Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in January suggesting the United States block China from accessing the islands. 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," he said during his confirmation hearing before the U.S. Senate. White House Spokesman Sean Spicer backed Tillerson up when asked about the comments, saying the United States needed to protect our interests in the South China Sea. It's a question of if those islands are in fact in international waters and not part of China proper, then we're going to make sure that we defend international territories from being taken over by one country," Spicer said during a press briefing last month. While the artificial islands could become a serious test of the Trump administrations foreign policy, the islands werent designed with that intention, Glosserman said. It constitutes a test for this president, just as it constitutes a test for any president, but this was not done specifically to challenge Mr. Trump, he said. This was a determination that the Chinese had made about what they wanted to do, and that therefore they are going to proceed. It becomes a challenge, but it was not designed as such. U.S. companies led by tech firms Yahoo, Apple and Microsoft have criticized the Trump administration's decision to revoke Obama administration guidance that allowed transgender public school students to use the bathroom of their choice. Their statements evoked the opposition expressed by many businesses last year when North Carolina passed a law forcing transgenders to use public restrooms matching their gender assigned at birth. The resulting boycotts have cost North Carolina more than $560 million in economic activity, according to the online magazine Facing South. Role for business Companies lacked the same opportunity to protest with their dollars in this instance, since the Trump administration action pertains to schools, but still signaled they stood with the Obama policy of using the federal government to expand transgender civil rights. "It's ultimately going to come down to the business community to stop it because it's so bad for business," said Christopher Gergen, chief executive of Forward Impact, an entrepreneurial organization in Raleigh, North Carolina. In unveiling the new direction Wednesday, Trump administration officials argued that transgender policies should be an issue for the states to decide. "The action taken by the administration is troubling and goes against all that we believe in," Yahoo said in a statement. Social conservatives have hailed the decision by the Justice and Education departments to defer transgender bathroom policies to the states, calling it a victory for privacy and traditional values. But companies have tried to persuade state and local governments to side with transgender people. "We support efforts toward greater acceptance, not less, and we strongly believe that transgender students should be treated as equals," Apple said in a statement. Microsoft President Brad Smith looked to history as a guide, referencing the date that the Emancipation Proclamation took effect, when President Abraham Lincoln declared freedom for slaves. "Since Jan. 1, 1863, the federal government has played a vital role in protecting the rights of all Americans. Let's not stop now," Smith said on Twitter. Rights rollback 'is wrong' Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey joined other tech firms criticizing the Trump administration's position. "Rolling back rights for transgender students is wrong," Dorsey said in a tweet Thursday. "Twitter and Square stand with the LGBTQ community, always." In response to the North Carolina law, companies such as Deutsche Bank and PayPal canceled expansion plans, costing the state jobs. By invoking states' rights, the Trump administration is potentially emboldening legislatures in other states that are considering laws similar to North Carolina's HB2. The United States government will seek the extradition of former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti and ex-Interior Minister Hector Mauricio Lopez Bonilla on drug trafficking charges, the U.S. embassy said in a statement Friday. Baldetti and Lopez Bonilla were indicted in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on Wednesday, according to the statement. Each faces a charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and knowing that it would be imported to the United States. Baldetti's attorney, Gustavo Juarez, said they had not been notified of the U.S. allegations. "The legal [process] is that she finishes her cases in Guatemala and later if approved she is extradited, even though she could also decide to be extradited and not fight it," Juarez said. He said he would immediately visit Baldetti in prison to advise her of the new charges. According to the indictment, Baldetti and others conspired between 2010 and 2015 to import cocaine to the U.S. The embassy was awaiting the formal extradition request from the U.S. Justice Department. Baldetti was the right hand and Lopez Bonilla was the strong man in the administration of ex-President Otto Perez Molina. A member of the Patriot Party, he held office from 2012 to his resignation in 2015. Baldetti resigned in 2015 as well and was formally charged for corruption last year. She has been in custody on charges of allowing and benefiting from an alleged customs graft scheme that defrauded the country of millions of dollars. Perez Molina has also remained in custody. In that scheme, companies paid bribes to avoid customs duties. Another corruption scheme ensnared dozens of people with prosecutors alleging that kickbacks from government contracts were used to buy goods and services for Baldetti, including real estate and luxury vehicles, as well as $4.3 million in gifts. Baldetti was accused of receiving $38 million in kickbacks between 2009 and 2015 for at least 70 public works projects. On one trip to Miami, she allegedly spent $27,000 on designer shoes and clothing. The former vice president had denied all of those accusations. She had not faced drug charges in Guatemala. The U.S. government plans to start awarding preliminary contracts by April for construction of a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, to fulfill one of President Donald Trumps principal campaign promises. U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it will accept "concept papers" for the walls design beginning next week and will choose the best ones by March 20. The agency will then ask vendors for construction cost estimates and, after reviewing their bids, begin granting contracts by mid-April a remarkably quick schedule for a government construction project. Trump told the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday that the border-wall project was "way ahead of schedule." "Were going to build a wall, dont worry about it," Trump told a cheering crowd of his supporters. "Were building a wall. Were building the wall. In fact, its going to start soon." Cost estimates vary The Customs and Border Protection agency, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, did not indicate where the initial phase of construction will begin. Trump has said the wall will cost $12 billion, while Republican leaders in Congress have pegged its cost 20 percent higher than that. An internal Homeland Security report forecast the total cost could be as much as $21.6 billion. Since the earliest stages of his presidential campaign in 2015, Trump has vowed to build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico as a way to stop illegal immigration and drug trafficking. He has assured Americans that Mexico would pay for the wall a claim denied repeatedly by Mexicos elected leaders and the issue has soured relations between the two countries. Relations with Mexico sour The White House has said Trump has a "buffet of options" to make Mexico to pay for the wall, including imposing a 20 percent tax on all imports from Mexico. Critics have said that scenario would mean American consumers actually would be paying for the wall. The border barrier primarily would be aimed at stopping illegal immigrants from entering the United States. However, many Mexicans regard the idea of a wall as an insult, and authorities on both sides of the international border have predicted that rough terrain and large stretches of private property straddling the border could make building the wall a long, complicated project. The White House came under sharp criticism Friday after blocking a number of news organizations from a daily question-and-answer session with Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Several news groups that have been critical of President Donald Trump, including CNN and The New York Times, were among those excluded from the briefing. Some outlets seen as more sympathetic to Trump, including Breitbart News, the One America News Network and the Washington Times, were allowed in or invited to join the briefing. Other mainstream outlets were allowed to participate, including the ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox broadcast networks. Some news organizations, including The Associated Press, refused to participate in solidarity with those excluded. A VOA correspondent at the White House Friday was not invited to join the briefing and did not attend the meeting with Spicer. Meeting in Spicers office The off-camera briefing the type of meeting White House reporters call a gaggle was held in Spicers office in place of the daily on-camera press briefing, a more formal session that all credentialed news outlets are entitled to attend. The White House Correspondents Association, an organization of journalists who cover the president, sharply rebuked the White House for Fridays move and said it would be discussed further. The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how todays gaggle is being handled by the White House, said Jeff Mason, the WHCA president, who works for Reuters. Deputy press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the briefing Friday was organized according to standard White House practice. We were trying to do an informal gaggle, she told VOA by telephone. We had the pool (reporters) come in so that everyone would be represented and get the information. And we had a little extra room (in Spicers office), so a few others were invited. Objections from Times, AP There was quick criticism from news organizations. New York Times executive editor Dean Baquet said: Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. A statement from The Associated Press said: The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible. The Trump administration has been criticized in the past for attempting to sideline certain media outlets it sees as unfriendly. In a tweet last week, Trump included The New York Times, NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN in a list of news media that he described as purveyors of fake news and enemies of the American people. A number of both current and former White House reporters also weighed in on Twitter. The unusual ban came just hours after Trump repeated his recent attacks on the news media during a speech Friday morning before a cheering audience of thousands at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Trump said no journalists should use anonymous sources in their reporting. Trump derides sources The president claimed reporters have invented anonymous sources to amplify their critical stories about him, in order to make him look bad. He did not mention a similar custom long practiced by information officers throughout the U.S. government, who disclose information to reporters on an anonymous basis, or on deep background, or attributed to an unnamed senior U.S. official. Im against the people that make up stories and make up sources, Trump said of the press corps that covers him. They shouldnt be allowed to [quote] sources unless they use [the sources] names, Trump said. If his conditions were met, he said, There would be no more sources. Watch: Trump: 'We are Fighting the Fake News' American reporters frequently quote anonymous sources in news stories that deal with confidential or highly compartmentalized information. Such arrangements are usually insisted upon by the sources, so they can avoid repercussions. Trump specifically referred to a Washington Post story this month that reported nine current or former intelligence officials had said Trumps former national security adviser, Michael Flynn, misrepresented or minimized his conversations with a senior Russian diplomat regarding U.S. sanctions levied against Moscow. They make up sources Trump claimed all nine sources were invented by the reporter who wrote the story. They make up sources, he said. They are very dishonest people. The president claimed reporters hide behind the protections of the U.S. Constitution specifically, the First Amendment, which guarantees Americans free speech rights and a free press to publish lies about him. Many of these groups are part of the large media corporations and they have their own agenda and its not your agenda, Trump told those at the conference. It doesnt represent the people, it will never represent the people, and were going to do something about it. Washington Post executive editor Marty Baron responded to Trumps comments almost immediately in a statement, standing behind the report and saying it has since been proved true by on-the-record reporting. The story led directly to [Flynns] dismissal as national security adviser. Calling press reports fake doesnt make them so, Barron wrote. Watch: Trump Receives Rapturous Welcome at CPAC Trump supporters Trump supporters who cheered his remarks said afterward they agreed with the presidents contention that reporters make up fake sources to hurt him. Hunter Dworksy, a former state director for Trumps campaign in Delaware, told VOA the presidents words and actions are routinely misrepresented by corporate media outlets such as CNN and NBC. Trump criticizes those outlets because they undermine his biggest asset, his ability to connect with people, Dworksy said: He is a guy that is talking to you. He hits you right in the heart and thats how he gets his message across. Ariel Kohane, a Republican Party worker from New York City and member of the group Jews for Trump, said he is glad to have a leader who is willing to criticize reporters when he feels they have misrepresented the truth. We have to get the facts, and we have to call the media out on it, Kohane said. Trump did specify that the enemy of the people label he aimed at reporters a week earlier did not apply to the entire press corps, but only to the fake news media, which he defined as a smaller group of reporters who actively misconstrue his words. In fact, in covering my comments, the dishonest media did not explain that I called the fake news the enemy of the people the fake news, Trump said. They dropped off the word fake. And all of a sudden the story became the media is the enemy. Watch: Trump: 'I'm Here Fighting For You' In another portion of his speech to the conservative audience, Trump laid out his vision for that political group, and his idea that we are a nation that put, and will put, its own citizens first. The crowd answered him with repeated chants, of USA! USA! USA! He also spoke briefly about his immigration policies, which Trump said are aimed at deporting bad people such as drug dealers and murderers from the U.S. Trumps speech was the highlight of this years CPAC and gave the event a newly energized spirit, with Republicans in control of the White House and Congress for the first time in 10 years. Past appearances His speech Friday was Trumps fifth appearance at the annual conservative conference, and he was received by the crowd much more enthusiastically than in past years. In his first appearance at CPAC in 2011, Trump, then a well-known reality television star, floated the idea of launching a presidential campaign. However, the crowd turned against him when he disparaged former Texas Congressman Ron Pauls presidential hopes that year. I like Ron Paul, hes a good guy, but honestly he has zero chance of getting elected you have to win an election, Trump said. And I tell you, if I run and if I win, this country will be respected again. Trump did not run for president in 2012, and he skipped CPAC that year as well. He returned to the conservative group in 2013 to criticize failed 2012 Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney for not running a more aggressive campaign. In 2014 and 2015, Trumps speeches previewed several familiar themes seen throughout his presidential campaign: attacks on Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton and pledges to make America great again. An international team of astronomers, using an array of ground and space telescopes, has discovered an astonishing seven Earth-sized planets in a system just 40 light years away. Water, water everywhere The seven planets, according to a press release, "all have masses less than or similar to the Earth." According to scientists, the temperatures on the planets "are low enough to make possible liquid water on the surfaces..." as the planets are in that perfect habitable or "goldilocks zone," Michael Gillon, of the STAR Institute at the University of Liege in Belgium, is the study's lead author. Gillon says he is delighted by the findings. "This is an amazing planetary system -- not only because we have found so many planets, but because they are all surprisingly similar in size to the Earth!" The new findings are outlined in today's journal Nature. Dwarf stars - who knew? The planets were discovered orbiting around a small, ultracool (as in temperature) star called TRAPPIST-1. It is similar to another dwarf star, Proxima Centauri, that's just 4.2 light years away from Earth. It also made news last year when scientists discovered an Earth-like planet, dubbed Proxima b, in its orbit that is also in the goldilocks zone. These Earth-like planets are no surprise to Alan Boss, an astrophysicist who spoke to VOA about Proxima b a few months ago. Back then he said there may be as many as "1.2 habitable Earths per star." Finding the planets was an international effort. Astronomers had already discovered three Earth-sized planets orbiting the star last year. Those were discovered by monitoring so-called 'transits,' when planets cross in front of the star, dimming their light. So researchers decided to take a closer look and monitored the star "for months with different telescopes in Chile, Morocco, Hawaii, La Palma and South Africa, and in September 2016, NASAs Spitzer Space Telescope monitored TRAPPIST-1 for 20 days." Their work discovered four more planets, all of which "could potentially have liquid water on their surfaces." The researchers say all of the planets are about the same sizes as Earth or Venus, but any resemblance to our solar system ends there. For one, everything is smaller on TRAPPIST-1, beginning with the star itself, which is only about 8 percent the size of our sun, making it just a bit larger than our largest planet, Jupiter. That puts all seven of these planets "in far closer orbits than we see in the solar system." And more information is on the way. The James Webb Space Telescope will be launched in 2018 and will be able to take an even closer look at the planets around TRAPPIST-1. Brice-Olivier Demory, one of the authors and a professor at the University of Berns Center for Space and Habitability, says adding the Webb Telescope into the mix will allow us to move beyond looking for planets, and instead start looking for life. The James Webb Space Telescope," he says, "Hubbles successor, will have the possibility to detect the signature of ozone if this molecule is present in the atmosphere of one of these planets...This could be an indicator for biological activity on the planet. He says that making definitive statements concerning life beyond Earth will never be simple, but like Boss told VOA last year," I expect to still be alive when it happens." The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says it is concerned about the latest anti-immigrant violence in South Africa and warns of a further escalation if the root causes of the xenophobic riots are not tackled. IOM condemns the spate of anti-immigrant violence organized by individual citizens and community associations in Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg, and in the South African capital of Pretoria. It is calling for calm and for an end to the attacks, looting and burning of property owned by foreign nationals earlier this week. South African protesters accuse the African migrants of taking their jobs and being responsible for a rise in crime. IOM spokesman Itayi Viriri says those who have grievances against the migrants should not take the law into their own hands. Instead, they should air their complaints with the local authorities. There is no real tangible evidence that there is an increase in crime because of migrants. On the contrary, research shows that immigrants who go to South Africa do not harm the long-term employment prospects and wages of native-born workers. In fact, quite a lot of them create small businesses. And, in fact, most of those who are being targeted now are small-business owners, he said. Viriri told VOA that IOM fears the violence could get worse because migrants say they plan to mobilize themselves for their own protection. Right now, what is happening is that we have also a situation whereby some of the migrants, unlike last time, say they are going to protect themselves and by that virtue sort of escalate the whole situation. Before, we did not have maybe a situation whereby the migrants said they were going to stand up for themselves or not wait for police protection. Obviously, that is very worrisome because it escalates the whole situation far more than it is, Viriri said. Indeed, a standoff between anti-immigrant protesters and migrants Friday during a march organized by the Mamelodi Concerned Residents in Pretoria turned violent. Police had to use tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon to try to disperse the groups. Drug Arrest at Airport A Spanish national has been arrested by HM Customs at the Gibraltar International Airport as a result of a detection by Borders & Coastguard officers conducting routine security checks on outbound passengers at the Central Search Facilities. The individual was found to have what was suspected to be drugs pellets strapped around his body with elastic bandages. Customs officers were subsequently alerted and a full body search was conducted revealing approximately 3kg of cannabis resin. The individual, a Spanish National from Seville was arrested and remanded in custody overnight and has been charged with possession, importation and exportation with intent to supply. He appeared at the Magistrates Court yesterday. This detection highlights the effectiveness of the aviation security measures in place and the close cooperation between all agencies at the airport and HM Customs. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer has been hazed pretty hard since taking over his role in Donald Trumps administration. His combative, impatient behavior with the media makes him seem prone to tantrums, which resulted in the damning send-up of him on Saturday Night Live by Melissa McCarthy, and now hes got a book publisher relentlessly trolling him on Twitter. Lately, things have escalated toward the absurd. Below, a selection of the book publishers comments: .@seanspicer the fuck is the matter with you Melville House (@melvillehouse) February 24, 2017 .@seanspicer seriously what the fuck is the matter with you Melville House (@melvillehouse) February 24, 2017 .@seanspicer T G I Fuck is the matter with you? Melville House (@melvillehouse) February 24, 2017 .@seanspicer hey....... u got dippin dot on your face pic.twitter.com/xVQ0RyJ4rI Melville House (@melvillehouse) February 24, 2017 sorry sorry we're a book publisher. okay okay um @seanspicer wow look what i found in the slush pile pic.twitter.com/a0gYz5MjWG Melville House (@melvillehouse) February 24, 2017 Melville House is known for being feisty online. In 2014, Zeljka Marosevic was one of the people running the companys official Twitter, and she told Believer magazine in an interview that Its a corporate account but I felt like I was being encouraged to be myself on it. When asked about whether or not she ever feels compelled to censor herself, Marosevic replied, We pick our fights, and I dont think were ever mean or spiteful. Sometimes I pause before I send out a tweet full of expletives and then think what the hell because I cant resist the retweets. Marosevic may or may not still be at the controls of Melvilles Twitter, but its clear that the publisher has an established freewheeling history on Twitter. Beware the dreaded Dippin Dots Photoshop, all ye that would offend them. The upcoming season of Doctor Who will double as a farewell tour for Peter Capaldis Doctor and showrunner Steven Moffat, but try to be a stone-cold Dalek with your emotions for a second, because theres one thing we can look forward to before the duos time disintegrates a la Bad Wolf: The arrival of a new companion. (Also, Nardole is sticking around!) Besides Capaldi strutting around and being a general badass with his sonic screwdriver, the trailer for Whos tenth season gives us a look at his new companion, Bill (played by Pearl Mackie), and she seems right at home next to the Doctors crazy TARDIS shenanigans. Atta girl! Its back on April 15. Photo: Tibrina Hobson/WireImage Moonlight star Mahershala Ali and his wife, Amatus Sami-Karim, welcomed their first kiddo into the world earlier this week. Ali announced the birth with an adorable photo of Sami-Karim and newborn, Bari Najma Ali, on Instagram. Ali is doing double Oscars duty this weekend with Hidden Figures, which is nominated for three Oscars, and Moonlight, which is up for eight Oscars. Ali is nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight. Congrats to the happy couple! Magic Castle. Photo: The Academy of Magical Arts A man was found dead Friday night at Hollywoods Magic Castle with an employee discovering the body in a closet of the invite-only club. According to NBC4, the man was identified as a well-respected magician scheduled to perform at Magic Castle that evening. He was found wearing only underwear and a bag over his head, according to TMZ. The situation is being investigated as a possible suicide by the Los Angeles police. Magic Castle is a decades-old private club known for its exclusivity, strict dress code, and patronage by famous magic enthusiasts such as Steve Martin and Neil Patrick Harris. In a statement, the secretive establishment said, A beloved illusionist, who was performing at the Magic Castle this week, was found dead on the clubs premises The magic community mourns the loss of one of our most beloved and talented performers. Update: Per Variety, the Los Angeles county coroner has confirmed that the deceased man is magician Daryl Easton. Easton was known as The Magicians Magician and was a regular at Magic Castle, as both a visitor and a performer. On Thursday, the Taschen bookstore in Beverly Hills hosted a Mad Men reunion. The cast including Jon Hamm, January Jones, Christina Hendricks, Kiernan Shipka, Jessica Pare, Kevin Rahm, and Ben Feldman along with writers and designers came out to fete the shows creator, Matthew Weiner, for the launch of the commemorative, two-volume Mad Men book set. As Hamm joked, Both of my wives are here, so its a little awkward for me. Conceived during a party at publisher Benedikt Taschens house after season two, the books document Mad Men in photos, notes from the writers room, and interviews with Weiner, Hamm, and costume designer Janie Bryant. Vulture caught up with Weiner during the party to discuss his early career, why he wrote a novel, and if hell ever get tired of talking about Mad Men. Below is an edited transcript of the conversation, which began shortly after Shipka stopped by to chat. I have such a girl crush on Kiernan. Shes totally okay. She has good parents. I have four sons and no daughters, and I have a sort of paternal pride in making sure that she does okay, makes good choices. Meanwhile, I have an 18-year-old son. I found out that they had a party at my house. Kiernan did? No, my son had it. [Weiners son, Marten, played Glen Bishop on Mad Men.] Kiernan was at it. The police shut it down, and I didnt know about it. Where were you? We were out town. It was a Risky Business thing. Oh, he got in trouble, believe me, but she told me she was there. I was like, great, I was hoping nobody knew about that. [Laughs.] I thought the Emmys would be the last conversation about Mad Men. We actually talked about this book that night. We did, and I remember you said it was porn. I totally remember that. I absolutely remember that. I did! Was it true? This party does look a little bacchanalian. Its a gorgeous book, too. There are so many people I could give it to Well, do it. Actually considering how gigantic it is, its a pretty good deal. I was kind of shocked. Its cheaper than the DVDs, I think. So is this the last conversation about Mad Men? I hope theres never a last Mad Men thing. I had someone come up to me the other day, and theyre like, I want to ask you a question about Mad Men, and Im sure youre tired of talking about it. If you dont want to talk about it, thats fine. We just wont talk about it. I said, I will never be tired of talking about it. How could I not acknowledge that this is a huge chunk of my life? I miss all the people. Thats one of the great things. I miss all the people that I did it with. It sounds like most of them are here tonight. I love that, but also it is great to have this record. The funny thing about the book is it is not the same as the show, and I dont know how to make a book. So Benedikt Taschen made the book. Josh Baker was the designer on it, and he knows Mad Men better than I do. They really decided what represented the show. I had the right to say yes and no to things, but for the most part I loved it. I was like, let them do whatever they want. Is there anything left unsaid or untouched about Mad Men? Honestly, despite all the conversation around it, I said everything I had to say in the show. Its fun for me to see it distilled like this, for people who are interested in creative process. What I really love is that you can see the hundreds of peoples lives that are in the show. You can really see it. And so you have one volume thats kind of a different experience than watching the show. Its slowed down. Its sort of fetishized. You could not even know the show and enjoy flipping through the book just for the aesthetics of it. And then theres this other book, which, theres nothing like it anywhere. I mean, my notes are in there from 1992. What sort of notes? Notes about how I have this idea, and how badly my career is going, and how I dont want to disappoint my wife, and also the entire story of the entire series. Was there ever less money in your bank account than what this book set costs? I will tell you something that nobody knows. [Flips through one of the books.] Ill show you one thing. It might be in the beginning of that book. Here, see that? [Points to notes in the book.] Everyone asks me what that is. Theres the date. These are my hours at my job. That was me figuring out how much money I had made for the month. It was actually more than a month. A passage from the Mad Men commemorative book. Two-hundred-and-seventy hours? Two-hundred-and-seventy hours was for the month. This was at Becker? No, no. I didnt have a job at all. This is 1992. I had just graduated from film school. I was out of work for five years after film school. On Sunday nights, I would go to Norms Diner on La Cienega and I would write. I would go to Book Soup and read in the store because I had no money to buy books. For that entire month, I worked 270 hours for the whole job. I was figuring out my salary everywhere, because my wife was supporting us. Would you have ever guessed itd turn into this? No, no. The whole thing is incredible. Just to get a chance to express yourself and to be heard, I cant believe that. I met amazing people and I learned a ton. After Mad Men, did you have a sophomore slump? When it was over, you said you were going to get up the next morning and write. I did, but I didnt. I actually took time off. I stopped working until the show went off the air, and then I found that I really couldnt do anything and didnt want to do anything. Then I went to an artist retreat, a residency called Yaddo. Oh, you did Yaddo? Yeah. I started writing there by myself no staff, no writers assistants and it was while I was there that I started writing what became my novel. How long were you there? I dont know, like close to three weeks. It was a full year before I really wrote anything. I stopped taking notes. You know, I take notes all the time on these little pieces of paper. I didnt do anything, and I thought, Well, Ill clear the pipes. Ill figure it out. At a certain point, I was like, Will I ever write again? I think thats how I got to Yaddo. I said that to the right person. So you didnt have to apply like the rest of us? I did have to fill out the form, but A.M. Homes is on the board there. Shes like, You will write again because youre going to Yaddo. And I was like, I cant do it. I cant be away from home. They need me here. My wifes like, We need you for what, to keep your bathrobe warm? Photo: Twentieth Century Fox Jackie leading lady Natalie Portman will not attend the Oscars ceremony on Sunday or the Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday, citing her pregnancy, which is in its final weeks. I feel so lucky to be honored among my fellow nominees and wish them the most beautiful of weekends, she said in a statement. Portman is nominated for Best Actress at both award ceremonies for her work in the biographical drama Jackie, where she intimately portrayed First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy during her final days in the White House following the assassination of her husband, John F. Kennedy. (We loved it.) This will be the second child for Portman and her French choreographer husband Benjamin Millepied. Their first son, Aleph, is 5 years old. Neal Brennan Photo: Vulture and Getty Images Neal Brennan is a white comedian who often works with comedians of color. Its a fact that shouldnt be noteworthy, but since such working relationships continue to be a rarity, it is. Brennan found that lane by trying to work with the funniest comics he knew and while some people might assume that such a career would be filled with awkwardness when Brennan discusses using the N-word in a joke, for example he says there has been none. Hes so comfortable talking about such subjects, in fact, that when invited to discuss his work on Vultures new comedy podcast Good One: A Podcast About Jokes, he picked a joke he wrote with Dave Chappelle for Half Baked that has the N-word in it. The conversation that followed focused on how he navigated using the word when working with Chappelle or Chris Rock; we also got into what it was like going from writing with Chappelle to writing material for his solo career. Listen to the episode and read a condensed transcript of our talk below. Tune in to Good One every Monday on iTunes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Im here with Neal Brennan, the man behind that joke. Let me preface this whole thing by saying, I wrote Half Baked with Dave Chappelle. He and I have an agreement not to divide jokes up from a long time ago. So he may have written that. I just was like, I like that joke. He may have written it. Its not important. The important thing is that I like that joke. Itll be like Rashomon with jokes sometimes, where Ill be like, You wrote that, and hell be like, No, you wrote that. Youve had a long, very good career and youve said you dont like Half Baked, so what made you think of that joke? There are parts of Half Baked where you go, Oh, the people who wrote this wrote Chappelles Show, and then there are parts that you are not. The people who wrote that joke, wrote Chappelles Show. In what way? Its a dumb entrance joke. Its literally just a misunderstanding, sitcom joke, but a black woman calls a white guy the N-word. Did you ever feel weird having jokes that you wrote have the N-word in it? I dont. I mean, there are people that do, about me. Like in my Comedy Central special that was from a few years ago, I say it and I talk about it and there are lots of people who take umbrage. Its all the arguments: intent, its like a term of endearment, Im being called it all the time, you pick up the culture youre around. But Im not running around advocating white people say it. In your first special, Women and Black Dudes, you say that your friends had a meeting about when you can use it. Even before that, I imagine when youre giving people jokes it mightve included it. Yeah. Yeah. It made me think of how I believe Mel Brooks said he partly wanted to get Richard Pryor to help write Blazing Saddles, so they could use the N-word. Or like when Quentin Tarantino writes himself to play a character that says the N-word? What was your relation to it as a word to put in jokes at that point? I wrote that when I was 23, so pretty early on were talking about. Another joke that Im partially responsible for is the joke in Chappelles Show where Clayton Bigsby calls white kids the N-word and then theyre excited about it. Its never as simple as like, You can, you cant, end of discussion. Its like, What if Im hypothetically writing for Dave Chappelle, or whomever Im writing for. And Dave never cared? No. Weve never talked about it. Literally never talked about it. Im an adult. Hes like, You know, if you get your ass whooped Ive never talked to Chris [Rock] about it. Im not saying it other than, Hey, you should say da da da. Interestingly though, in Top Five, theres that scene with DMX. I was there that day. I was there for like a week working with Chris. I was pitching that DMX say it in a line. I didnt say it to DMX, just because I dont know him like that. So, I said to Chris, Sort of maybe he should say da da da. You dont say it in Three Mics. People get too upset. And I get it. I dont want the special to be about that. In terms of saying it onstage, Ive said my piece. To a bigger point, its something that Ive talked to [SNL co-head writer, former Chappelles Show and Chris Rock Show writer] Brian Tucker about. What do you think it is that makes you able to write comedy about black people, about black issues, and specifically be able to write for black comedic voices? This is an aside, but Tucker and I went to the Knicks game the other day and we were sitting next to the rapper Jadakiss. I invited Michael Che to go, but he couldnt go. Then we were on the Knicks Instagram Me, Tucker, and Jadakiss and Che looked at it and goes, Three historic black men. Trevor Noah pointed this out about me. Its like, Dummies, why would you not try to write for black people in comedy? Like why would you not make a concerted effort? I say, Its like not working with gay people in fashion. Dude, theyre the best. Why would you not? Then, I can speak for myself, its just an empathy level. I dont know, I just like the whole vibe with black people. And black people just like will seek me out at this point. The irony is, as a result of writing for black people, white people see me as other. Honestly, theres this thing of like, Can he write for white people? Thats crazy. You also have worked with very white people Tons of white people. Seth Meyers Seth is quite white. Amy [Schumer], Ive worked with. Mike Schur. Ive worked with some of the whitest. Yeah, Schur went to Harvard. Schur got a perfect score on his SATs. What could be whiter than that? I want to get back to how this joke was written insomuch as how you and Dave worked together? You once joked that people just assumed you wrote the structure of Half Baked and then Dave would come in and make it funny. But on a practical level, how did you actually write the movie? He pitched a weed movie without telling me, and then we had to work backward from there. There was a book called The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler, based on Joseph Campbells classic mythic structure. I was like, Dude, read this. He read it, and when you read it, its really simple. Its very clear. Then we had the pitch on Monday and we were screwing around for a month before, so Sunday all day I brought in index cards and we laid it out. I remember when he saw the index cards something in him was like, Oh! We laid out the structure together and then when we wrote that, we would sit in a room, Id type, turn the computer to him, hed type, turn the computer You basically try to make the other person laugh and/or improve on what they wrote. That was similar on Chappelles Show. I had an index card that I would write premises down on or he would go, Hey, put that on the card. When we had a block where we would have to write like ten sketches, wed just take the card out and go like, Alright, lets write that, that, that, that. Are you talking it out? We are, for sure. Its not like dead silence. Like, Ssshh, no, no, no, on the page. We would definitely pitch jokes and the specific writing of it. Were you constantly rewriting? Especially when you started directing on Chappelles Show? We would never really rewrite. We would do a read-through and then wed get on set and just go. That was the challenge of doing SNL with Dave. The Walking Dead sketch we did the Chappelles Show way. Me, him, and Tucker wrote it. We got on set and improvised. On Chappelles Show, wed just go like, Yeah, say this, Say this, Say this. You can see it on the DVD us pitching jokes. Ive heard that you guys would screen things a few times and then re-edit it? Yeah, we would go to Carolines. It was like a trick. The audience would actually get mad before the show was popular. Dave would go, Im doing stand-up at Carolines. Sell tickets and then do ten minutes and be like, You guys want to watch some videos? You could get a sense of how they would play there, and then wed shave them down. When Dave hosted SNL, you wrote both the Walking Dead sketch and the Election Night one. On a practical level, theyre different-feeling sketches. Compared to your past experiences, how different is it writing an SNL-style sketch? When we first started Chappelles Show, people thought the blind white supremacist was too long. They were like, You know, we dont want to be like SNL, where the sketches are too long. The difference between these sketches and those sketches is when youre shooting a pretaped short film, you can go from location to location. The thing with the SNL Election Night is its in a room. We did do time-elapse where we would just cut to an exterior, change the time, cut back but its just dialogue. If you want somebody else in the sketch, Ding dong! Im a huge fan of Saturday Night Live, so I always wondered, Could I write a multi-cam sketch? Did you go through the same pitch like a regular writer on the show does? I didnt. I was there for the pitch, but I stood outside and let them all pitch. Two got on the air. I heard you wrote a Rick James thing. Did you try anything else at the table read? No, Rick James was at table. Election Night was at table. Walking Dead, we didnt table it. The cool thing was I was in the sketch pick. Lorne really trusted me that week; he kind of let me pick a sketch on the air. As a fan of the show, it was great. Life can be really amazing sometimes in that way. When I was like 8 or something, when Eddie Murphy was on Saturday Night Live, I would watch it. I would stay up and watch it, and then my parents would pull into the driveway, and Id hear them, and I would have to run up like two flights of stairs and hide in bed. Finally, I said to my mom, Hey, can you let me watch Saturday Night Live? Its important. And both sketches were hits. Yeah, that was great, too. Election Night wasnt even that good. Chris fucked a line up and Dave screwed a line up. It certainly wasnt flawless, but it was a good idea. Thats part of doing an SNL sketch it isnt perfect, but still hits. Yeah, thats the fun of it. The fun live part. As an audience youre thinking, Oh yeah, they mustve only read that line maybe once before or They mustve changed it between dress rehearsal and the show. For sure. Chris added a couple jokes. Thats the thing, I was like, Dude, you cant screw up your own joke. You cant force us to write this joke and then you screw it up. To jump back to Half Baked Dave had the initial pitch for the movie. At that point, did you feel like your job was partly in service of Dave? Thats always my first priority. Whoever is saying the joke is my biggest priority. Its like Seth said, from writing on Saturday Night Live, If a host doesnt want to do it, dont. You cant force em. I know from doing stand-up, I dont want to do a joke that I dont trust. So, Im grateful. I texted Dave two days ago because Im getting a lot of praise for 3 Mics: Thank you for believing in me literally 25 years ago. He was like, You were always funny! ALWAYS was in all caps because I wrote LITERALLY 25 YEARS AGO in all caps. I wanted the show to be good. I wanted him to do well. Theyre tandem worries. Like in the Walking Dead sketch thing, the ending was Tyrone gets his head knocked off, and I was like, I dont know. I kept saying, I dont think thats good. We need a coda. It was a little tense between us. I was like, Dude, Im telling you. Thats not a good enough ending. He had a line and I was like, We could do a whole speech based around that. It was a little tense between us, so I told Tucker to write it. I was like, Tucker has a great ending. So, it all worked out. Its not even that funny an ending. Its just rounder. Its been over ten years since you first started working on Chappelles Show together. Was that conflict the same conflict? Yeah, a lot of sketches came from arguments. In some ways, its like Ill put the straitjacket on him, and then hell be like, Blah! [try to get out]. Ill be like the counterargument. The best example, and this is our favorite sketch now, is this sketch we did on Chappelles Show, which was Jury Selection where hes on all these juries. There was a Vanity Fair Michael Jackson article in like 04. I was like, Well, here you go! Fucking case closed. Its all here. Then we argued. Shadow of a doubt for black people is so huge that you cant convict anyone. I was like, Alright, weve gotta do this. Then it became that sketch, and it was awesome. What was it like then afterward to write for your own voice fully?It wasnt so much figuring out my voice comedically, because that was always pretty clear. It was more about performing and being a good, watchable performer. I took a voice class just completely started from scratch. Im not one of these like I just go up there and Im magnetic. Like Dave or Chris, though even Chris has to be very premeditated. But Dave, you watch that SNL monologue Rock and I are watching it and Rock the whole time is going, Dont look down. Dont look down. Stop looking down. Chris is worried about looking down. If Chris looks down, its death. If Dave looks down, its not. Daves whole thing is like public melancholy or thats a big part of it. Ive seen Dave talk for an hour and a half, smoking a cigarette on top of the piano at the Comedy Cellar. And you think, Oh, hes just kind of working through a thing. Even if hes not, thats his gift. Daves gift is that last two minutes from the SNL monologue. I dont even agree with what he said. It was leading to giving a Trump a chance. But it was beautifully said. With me, it was more a matter of, What am I good at? Part of the origin of 3 Mics is like there are people that watch me who think I come across as a smug dickhead. I was like, How can I mitigate that? And its like, Heres what Im actually like, if you want to know. The rest of it is basically a smokescreen. Now people are like, Ohhh, now I like you, from what I can tell on Twitter. Someone wrote, Now I just want to see you win. Im like great because you wanted Kevin Hart to win just automatically. Dave you want to see win just when you see him walk onstage. But me, you need a backstory. Its a bit of an origin-story thing. Heres who I am. Heres where I came from. Heres how I came to this place of performing. My dad didnt love me [laughs]. Do you think itll now be easier? Its why origin stories exist. Yeah, people will see me in that context. I would assume thats what itll be. Now my worry is that Im going to do shows and people are gonna go like, I saw Neal, wasnt that sad. Hopefully itll be easier, but now Im all out of sad stories. I dont know what Im going to do on the next one. This interview has been edited and condensed. This story has been updated with the correct spelling of Seth Meyerss last name. President Donald Trump has made it clear that the U.S. has fallen behind on nukes and wants us to be at the top of the pack once again, but Stephen Colbert isnt fulllllly convinced. First of all, does Trump mean top dog or leader of the pack with nuclear production here? Grammar is important! And while were at it, Colbert also wants clarification on this little Trumpian sentence: I am the first one that would like to see everybody nobody have nukes. Huh?! Its like the Cold War all over again, but this time around, everyone is on Russias side. Zachary Quinto speaks onstage during the 12th Annual US-Ireland Aliiances Oscar Wilde Awards event. Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for US-Ireland Alli Zachary Quinto isnt wild about the Trump administrations recent rescinding of transgender bathroom protections in public schools in fact, hes adamantly opposed to it. As he revealed while accepting an award at the U.S. Ireland Alliances 12th Annual Oscar Wilde Awards, it was the 19th-century authors own struggles with his sexuality that inspired the openly gay Star Trek actor to speak out on behalf of those deemed to be different. I discovered Oscar Wilde at a time in my life when I was discovering myself, and hes someone who has, to me, represented authenticity of truth, and never backing down from who he was, and how he saw the world, and how he moved through it, Quinto told the crowd, which included his partner, model and painter Miles McMillan. And much to his demise, ultimately, Quinto added. As we all remember Oscar Wilde for his zippy quotes, and witticisms, and insights, his life was actually quite tragic, and part of that was because of his homosexuality, and because of trying to live in a world that not only persecuted, but also prosecuted him for it. He spent two years in prison and was bankrupted, and ruined, and died miserable because of that. Quinto added that being inspired by Wilde has applications to the current political climate, not just his own journey as a gay man in Hollywood. As far as weve come in the last 10-20 years, there are protests going on tonight about the reversal of protections for transgender children in this country, and I believe it is all of our responsibilities to stand up and be authentic and be visible and fight for people who are striving to find a way in this world, even if they are not reflected back in the same way as everybody else. Oscar Wilde is someone who taught me that before I even knew it, and hes someone who I think unconsciously Ive carried with me through my whole journey, Quinto concluded. And its been an incredible one, and Ive benefited greatly from the way that weve all evolved, and I just think to continue that evolution is up to all of us. Prithvi Man Shrestha is a political reporter for The Kathmandu Post, covering the governance-related issues including corruption and irregularities in the government machinery. Before joining The Kathmandu Post in 2009, he worked at nepalnews.com and Rising Nepal primarily covering the issues of political and economic affairs for three years. Central United Methodist Church, 5740 Bagby Ave., will host a book discussion about Strangers in Their Own Land by Arlie Russell Hochschild at 3 p.m. Sunday. Ashley Bean Thornton will moderate the discussion geared to promote dialogue about exploring climbing over the empathy wall after a difficult election year. The public is welcome to participate even if they have not read the book. For more information, call Nan Holmes at 420-2862. NUBody fitness benefit NUBody Bootcamp, located in HighPower Fitness, 6807 Woodway Drive, will host a #teamchefkiddy Battle Up Battle Ropes Class from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday. The free fitness event is being held to assist Ben Kiddy, a local chef, who is taking part in H-E-Bs Slimdown Showdown. As part of the competition, Kiddy is required to set up a couple of healthy lifestyle events. Participants will receive a free full-body workout. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/conquerit4U. Tuna Does Vegas Lake Whitney Arts will present Tuna Does Vegas at 7 p.m. Saturday at 500 S. Bosque St. (Highway 22) in Whitney. A matinee will be presented at 2 p.m. Sunday. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For ticket information, call 694-5105 or visit www.lakewhitneyarts.org. Bunco benefit tourney Merak No. 104 Daughters of the Nile is sponsoring a Let the Good Times Roll for the Children Central Texas Bunco Tournament on March 4 at the Lee Lockwood Library, 2801 W. Waco Drive. Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with play to start at 2 p.m. Prizes will be awarded to first through third places. The event also will include a silent auction, a 50/50 pot, raffle items and more. Registration fee is $35, which includes a snack and two raffle tickets. Proceeds will benefit the Daughters of the Nile whose only benefactors are the children in Shriners Hospitals. For registration information, call Carylon Orum at 644-9679 or email carylonorum@yahoo.com. Baylor faculty recital Kent Eshelman, associate professor of tuba and euphonium at Baylor University, will present a faculty recital at 5 p.m. Sunday in Baylors Roxy Grove Hall. Eshelmans wife, pianist In-Ja Song Eshelman, will provide accompaniment. For more information, visit www.baylor.edu/music or call 710-3991. Sometimes a free, hot-off-the-grill steak is the best way to say thank you, especially in Texas. For the past three decades, a group of community leaders has set up the grill, tended to the steaks, salad, green beans and mashed potatoes and treated employees of companies in the McLennan County area. The idea for the Partners: Friends of McLennan County Inc. group is to take a moment to show appreciation for companies operating and thriving in the general area. We just try to touch all of them to say: They are important to us. Thank you for being here and what you do, said Ray Meadows, a former county commissioner who served for 24 years. Meadows recalled the first cookout at Lake Waco where members were met with skepticism about the intentions behind the meal. We said, Were not up to anything. We just appreciate the business, Meadows said with a laugh. 4 to 6 firms per year The group is now 50 members strong, and $150 in membership dues covers the costs of meals for four to six companies a year. Meadows said the group has cooked for Lochridge-Priest Inc., Hobbs Bonded Fibers, Central Texas Iron Works and HEB, among others. Companies new to the area are often eligible for incentives from local government agencies, but existing companies arent eligible for many of those benefits, he said. This is not a big deal, but it does show some type of appreciation for them, Meadows said. Most of the time, the people that get to go out to eat are the president, vice president. . . . Here we honor the workers. Meadows said the group initially focused on industrial businesses, and for almost all three decades has cooked for the livestock buyers during auctions at the McLennan County Junior Livestock Show. For a while, the group even traveled to Austin on Waco Day to feed legislators and their staff, he said. Over the years, the group has cooked chicken breasts and pork tenderloins as well. Our signature is the beautiful rib-eyes that we cook, said Yost Zakhary, city of Woodway city manager and police chief. Zakhary, who has been a member for 10 to 15 years, said he as a couple of 12-foot pits and a 16-foot smoker he contributes to the cause. He said the crew can cook 500 rib-eyes an hour. One of my hobbies is cooking, and I have several large barbecue pits, and for me its the best of both worlds: cooking on a barbecue pit and supporting businesses that support us in the county, he said. Its our way of saying, thank you for being in McLennan County. Because they care Zakhary said members of the group do the work out of the kindness of their hearts. Everybody, Im probably the least important person in that group, but everyone is on a first-name basis. Its not Mr. Smith. These are people that have been in here, in the community, supporting the community, he said. Some of them have been mayors. Some of them are very, very successful business owners and they just do it because they care. The groups executive committee selects which companies it serves each year, said former McLennan County Judge Jim Lewis, who launched the program with Meadows. Members have become much more efficient about managing the events over the years, he said. There are crews assigned to nothing but cooking, serving, setup and cleanup, he said. Closings and rumors of closings are dominating the business scene, with familiar names including J.C. Penney, Gander Mountain, Family Christian Stores and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory creating news: Family Christian, which has sold inspiration-themed merchandise for 85 years, has announced it is closing its 240 retail locations, including Wacos in Central Texas Marketplace. The store has had a presence in Waco since 1980, moving to Central Texas Marketplace two years ago. We had two very difficult years post-bankruptcy, President Chuck Bengochea said in a press release. Despite improvements in product assortment and the store experience, sales continued to decline. In addition, we were not able to get the pricing and terms we needed from our vendors to successfully compete in the market. No word yet when a liquidation sale will begin at the Waco shop. Gander Mountain, which operates 162 stores specializing in outdoors merchandise, including one at South Valley Mills Drive and Interstate 35, has been the target of speculation in recent days that it is preparing to file for bankruptcy protection. The reports have created concern among some of our customers, employees and trade partners, according to a company press release. While not specifically addressing the question of whether it is considering a bankruptcy filing, it acknowledged it has undertaken a best-practices approach to review our strategic options specific to positioning the company for long-term success. It has retained the services of investment banking company Houlihan Lokey to provide independent advice. Iconic retailer J.C. Penney announced Friday it is closing up to 140 stores, about one of every seven in its chain, and offering early retirement to 6,000 employees. The company released a statement saying the moves are meant to effectively compete against the growing threat of online retailers. Penneys said it continues to prepare its closing list, which it will reveal in March. Reports have surfaced that it is looking most closely at smaller, underperforming locations. The Penneys store in Waco serves as an anchor for Richland Mall. The Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory ended its seven-year run at Richland Mall on Friday, closing to make room for an expansion by Bath & Body Works, mall manager Kandace Menning said. Central Freight Waco-based Central Freight Lines is poised to buy Virginia-based Wilson Trucking, a 91-year-old carrier with 29 terminals in the southeastern United States, the company reports. This expansion to the entire southeastern U.S. and Puerto Rico improves our long-term competitive position in the less-than-truckload and distribution markets and allows us to give our customers the extended coverage theyve been asking for, Central Freight President and CEO Don Orr said. Orr said Central Freight has received 42 highway safety awards from national and state industry groups in the past 12 years and looks forward to providing similar service in the Southeast. Texas Roadhouse Jose Olvera, a butcher at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant near Wacos traffic circle, is one of 112 professional meat cutters around the country vying for the title Texas Roadhouse Meat Cutter of the Year, which carries with it a grand prize of $20,000. The competition starts March 7 with three regional contests. The final and semifinal rounds take place March 8 at The Ice Factory skating rink in Kissimmee, Florida, where the frigid conditions and large venue make it the perfect place to test the skills of master meat cutters, according to a press release from Texas Roadhouse. Each participant receives 25 to 30 pounds of beef, consisting of one sirloin, one tenderloin and one rib-eye to cut. The winner is the cutter who yields the most steaks, with the highest quality cut in the least amount of time. All cutting is done at a chilly 38 degrees. Meat cutting is truly a lost art, said Jason Mennie with Texas Roadhouse. These talented men and women are some of the most valued members of our restaurant teams. They take great pride in every steak we serve our guests. The precision and skill that goes into this job is one we dont take for granted, so we recognize and reward our meat cutters with this national competition. Texas Roadhouse operates more than 490 locations in 49 states and six countries. Gas prices Gas prices are falling, though the plunge could reverse course quickly as refineries start maintenance associated with converting to the production of summer-blend gasoline. The statewide average for regular unleaded slipped by 2 cents to $2.08 this past week, according to AAA Texas. Wacos average stood at $2.05 on Friday, according to GasBuddy.com. Motorists in El Paso were paying the most in the state at $2.13 a gallon, while those in Corpus Christi and San Antonio were paying the least, at $2.02. A 21-year-old woman was arrested Thursday after a 12-year-old boy suffered a bite wound on his arm in late November, an arrest affidavit states. Sabrina Alexandria Giacobbi, of Waco, was arrested after McLennan County Sheriff's Office authorities received a report about a 12-year-old boy who was reportedly bitten by Giacobbi at a China Spring-area home. According to an arrest affidavit, the 12-year-old boy was playing with a 3-year-old child when Giacobbi bit the boy. "The report states that the 12-year-old boy said he was playing with Giacobbi's 3-year-old child and the two were acting like they were biting each other," the arrest affidavit said. "He stated that Sabrina saw this was going on and came up and bit him on the arm causing a large bruise." Child Protective Services investigated the original claim and photographed the injuries, the arrest affidavit states. Giacobbi also told an investigator she bit the boy, according to the affidavit. Officers arrested Giacobbi on a third-degree felony charge of injury to a child. She was released from McLennan County Jail by Friday evening on a $3,000 surety bond. Attendance has declined over the years at a local church for Ash Wednesday, so the minister is trying a new approach this year to mark the start of the holy season of Lent. Throughout the day Wednesday, the Rev. Charley Garrison, of Central Texas Metropolitan Community Church, will be on Austin Avenue between Fifth Street and Sixth Street in downtown Waco offering Ashes to Go. Garrison said he suspects much of the attendance decline is simply because people dont have time to attend the days worship services. I just wanted to make that available for anyone that isnt able to make it to the church, he said. Garrison said he cant take credit for the Ashes to Go idea. It is a nationwide movement that puts clergy on the streets to offer to mark interested individuals foreheads with a cross of ashes and invite them to a time of renewal. Ash Wednesday in the Christian tradition marks the start of a time for reflection and repentance in preparation for the celebration of Easter, Garrison said. A cross of ashes serves as a reminder of a persons mortality and an invitation to receive Gods blessing. Ashes to Go is about bringing the important traditions of our faith out from behind church walls and into the places we need them every day, he said. As people get busier and busier, we need the church in new and nontraditional ways. We especially need reminders of Gods inclusive love in the tough places of our working lives. . . . I think that needs to happen more often, not only in our church but in many others. Garrison will be downtown from 7:45 to 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. For more information on the national movement, go to ashestogo.org. Federal investigators will meet with Baylor University faculty, staff and students next week as the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights continues to determine if the school has violated Title IX . Representatives from the Office for Civil Rights will hold open office hours from 9 a.m. to noon Thursday on the second floor of the Bill Daniel Student Center, according to a campuswide email circulating last week. The federal investigation opened in October was sparked by a complaint filed by former Baylor Title IX Coordinator Patty Crawford. Crawford resigned in October, saying she never had the authority, resources or independence to do her job. The school has disputed her claims. The next step in the process provides an opportunity for interested students, faculty and staff to meet directly with OCR representatives to share their experiences and perspective regarding Baylors efforts to prevent and address sex- and gender-based harassment and violence, the email states. We encourage interested community members to take advantage of this opportunity. Visits with representatives are one-on-one sessions on a voluntary and confidential basis with no appointment required. The Office for Civil Rights will not share personally identifiable information with the university or general public, and no other university employees or media are invited, according to the email. Title IX investigations by the Office for Civil Rights may include reviewing documentary evidence submitted by both parties, conducting interviews with the complainant, recipients personnel, and other witnesses, and/or site visits, according to the Department of Education website. Investigators also will visit Cornell University next week, USA Today reported. The school in Ithaca, New York, is under six Title IX investigations, the most of any university, according to USA Today. Baylor is under one of 310 active investigations at 227 colleges and universities. Interim President David Garland has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, which could last years. Some Title IX investigations are dropped for insufficient evidence, and others end when institutions promise to adjust certain policies. Institutions are subject to fines if a Title IX violation is found, but the Office for Civil Rights has never taken the step of pulling all federal funding because of a violation. Two Truett Seminary students who attend Lake Shore Baptist Church will lose much of their scholarship money in the wake of the Baptist General Convention of Texas removing the church because it allows LGBT members. The two Baylor University George W. Truett Theological Seminary students and a Baylor undergraduate student who attends Lake Shore will lose BGCT-funded scholarships in the fall, but the church and another Baptist group plan to step in to cover some of the loss. The convention voted this week to remove Lake Shore Baptist and two other churches that accept LGBT members, saying the churches are outside of harmonious cooperation with the convention. The BGCT covers at least 70 percent of tuition for all Truett students who attend a BGCT-affiliated church, Lake Shore senior pastor Kyndall Rothaus said. Their church is their family, and they dont want to have to choose between their education and their church family, which I understand, Rothaus said. For Chris Williamson, 23, a Truett student who will lose money that covers his full tuition, the needs of his church family are a key factor. He intends to remain at Truett and Lake Shore Baptist. The people that we were thinking of when we were making this vote and making this decision (to accept LGBT people), what theyre going through is much greater, in my mind, than me losing funding, Williamson said. So it was a fear. It was a risk that was possible, but I in no way wanted my situation to stop us from being true to ourselves and being there for those in my community who just want somewhere to feel welcome. The conventions decision to remove the church was not a surprise after the churchs vote in December to formally state its acceptance of LGBT members. Wilshire Baptist Church in Dallas and First Baptist Church in Austin were also removed this week because of their acceptance of LGBT people. Truett students seeking a master of divinity or a doctor of ministry degree receive a $150 per semester-hour scholarship from the BGCT, Truett Dean Todd Still said in a statement. Students seeking a master of arts in Christian ministry or a master of theological studies receive a $100 per semester-hour scholarship from the BGCT. All other scholarships and tuition discounts are provided by the university and Truett donors, Still said. Truett Seminary will work with students impacted to address their needs and concerns, Still said in the statement. Williamson said he also expects a second, smaller scholarship he gets from BGCT to disappear this fall. Lake Shore students will continue receiving BGCT funds this school year, but they will be ineligible in the fall, BGCT spokesman Joshua Minatrea said. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship will provide scholarship relief to the students, Rothaus said. Lake Shore Baptist will also give scholarships of up to $1,000 per academic year, depending on fund availability, and Baylor will match those, making it $2,000 per student, she said. She said donations to the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship scholarship fund and Lake Shores scholarship fund are encouraged. Williamson, a second-year student who aspires to be a minister, said his main goal is to remain a committed member of Lake Shore. But I also love Truett, he said. There are professors I admire, mentors Ive met, friends Ive made, and ministry opportunities Ive gotten to be a part of. I didnt want to give up attending this place that I love and worshiping with the people Ive come to be friends with, and I feel like theyre family to me. Rothaus said BGCTs vote to exclude the churches has hurtful consequences, though BGCT officials have no intention of hurting anyone. I dont think they will change course anytime soon, but I think this is the movement of the church, she said. And eventually, just like it took the church a long time to figure out women could be ministers, or it took a long time to embrace other races, I think eventually this will be a non-issue and most people will be embarrassed that we ever sort of had this debate. Minister Mahat to attend UNHRC session in Geneva Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat is leaving for Geneva on Saturday to participate in the High Level Segment of the thirty-fourth session of the United Nations Human Rights Council to be held from 27 February to 3 March, 2017. The 90th Missile Wing has won the 2016 Omaha Trophy as the best ICBM wing in U.S. Strategic Command for the ninth time. I would like to congratulate each of you on your contributions to this prestigious honor, said Col. Stephen Kravtisky, 90th Missile Wing commander. I encourage you to reflect on your outstanding performance, dedication to duty, daily excellence and commitment to the mission. The Omaha Trophy was created in 1971 and is awarded to USSTRATCOMs top performing units in five categories. From 1971 to 1991, the award was awarded to the most distinguished command in SAC, eventually expanding to recognize more commands per year based on their specific mission. Selections for the Omaha Trophy are based on formal evaluations, meritorious achievement, safety and factors such as community involvement and humanitarian actions. The 90th MW previously won the award in 1983, 1997, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Some of Wyomings elected officials took note of the bases achievements. Senator John Barrasso took time to congratulate the members of the 90th MW for their accomplishments. Congratulations to the Mighty Ninety on winning the 2016 Omaha Trophy. Its a great addition to your trophy case that is already filled with the distinguished Blanchard and Best ICBM Operations trophies, said Senator Barrasso. From our missileers to maintainers and security forces, the 90th Missile Wing has consistently provided our country with the most effective nuclear deterrent. Your outstanding accomplishments continue to make the entire Cowboy State proud. Senator Mike Enzi also sent his regards, saying, Congratulations to the 90th Missile Wing personnel on being awarded this prestigious honor. It goes without saying that the Mighty Ninety is the best ICBM wing in the Air Force. Its great to see these men and women recognized for their hard work and dedication to our country." The 90th MW operates 150 Minuteman III ICBMs deployed at launch facilities across Wyoming, Colorado and Nebraska on full alert, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Gathabandhan warns of severing ties with govt Accusing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of betraying them, the Sanghiya Gathabandhan has decided to launch stern protests after withdrawing support to the government if it fails to endorse the constitution amendment proposal before the polls. The strange relationship between Caitlyn Jenner and President Trump is now officially strained. Jenner, a Republican who was one of the relatively few celebrities to attend Trump's inauguration and who backed him against Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, is none too happy with the president she has long defended. Jenner, an Olympic legend and reality TV star who documented her life after her gender transition in the series I Am Cait, took to Twitter on Thursday night to chide Trump for revoking an Obama-era order requiring states to allow trans students to use the school bathroom of their choosing: Caitlyn Jenner supported Trump during his campaign. Credit:Getty Images "I have a message for President Trump from well, one Republican to another," she said. "This is a disaster. And you can still fix it. You made a promise to protect the LGBTQ community." She ends with a plea to the president: "Call me." Remember how the Australian tax payers shelled out about $3 million to bring Oprah to Australia in 2010? Well our Kiwi cousins have lured her to NZ for free. Oprah, Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling in New Zealand. Credit:Instagram/@oprah Not only does New Zealand do equality and company tax better than us, it also charms more celebrities. While we got Oprah cuddling koalas in a Camilla kaftan, the reigning queen of daytime TV, and actual monarch for many, is in New Zealand making margaritas, horse riding and dancing at a late night joint called Gin and Raspberry with Reese Witherspoon and Mindy Kaling. Vicious infighting threatens to tear apart the congregation of one of Melbourne's largest mosques, amid claims that millions of dollars of donations have disappeared and accusations that a sheikh had behaved inappropriately with women. The conflict came to a head last week when Sheikh Mohamad Abou Eid who had been banned from Preston Mosque told hundreds of worshippers on the street outside that he feared management of the mosque had misappropriated donations, and fees paid for burial and school services. Sheikh Mohamad Abou Eid wears dark glasses as he walks to Preston Mosque before Friday prayers. Credit:Jason South The Islamic Society of Victoria, which manages the mosque, reported allegations of inappropriate behaviour by the sheikh to the Board of Imams. He was suspended, and, despite later being told the claims could not be proven, resigned from his position on Friday. Over-hunting sharks is detrimental for fish at every level of the food chain, West Australian scientists have found. The study by marine biologists from The University of Western Australia and the Australian Institute of Marine Science concluded sharks influence the number, kind and size of fish on coral reefs and should be protected from overfishing. A new WA study says over-hunting sharks is detrimental for fish at every level of the food chain. Credit:Michael Jones Fish schools at the protected Rowley Shoals on WA's northwest coast were compared to fish at nearby Scott Reef, where Indonesian shark hunters have legally reduced the animals' population. Shanta Barley from UWA said the results suggested having fewer sharks in coral reefs changed fish communities at every level, rather than a series of knock- down effects from the top of the food web. Go local! Our incompetent government has already announced the date for local elections and we are all excited that we will finally have our own folks representing us in the villages, wards and municipalities. Himalaya Airliens launches Yangon flights Himalaya Airlines on Friday launched scheduled commercial flights to Yangon, Myanmar, its fourth destination since the operations started last year. India FinMin to attend Investment Summit Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has assured his participation in the Nepal Investment Summit, which will take place in Kathmandu on March 2-3. It takes a village Ramesh Rajak was unknowingly acquainted with the night. The 33-year-old resident of Dhobighat would often wake up in the dead of the night and go out for strolls, disappearing for hours, or worse, days on end. When he was home, he would sit on his concrete terrace for hours, his eyes vacant and staring into the distance. By Eric A. Roberts Feb. 24, 2017 | 07:01 PM | Paducah, KY One year anniversary at work and still smiling! Kim Robinson started working with manager Janet Phelps over a year ago at the 4th and Deli snack counter in the U.S. Bank building in downtown Paducah. I asked Kim what she liked best about her job and she said it was inventory. She also likes going to the bank for change, stocking and being a hard worker. She started working 3 days a week but chose to work 5 days a week. She went to 5 days a week because she said she loves working hard and the moolah. Robinson works during the lunch rush and her smile and enthusiasm are contagious. For the Superbowl, Janet and Kim came up with the idea of Kim dressing as a referee. Every order of the special was whistled a good call by referee Kim. 4th and Deli is run by Four Rivers Behavioral Health and is in the US Bank building lobby. In 2015 US Bank went looking for a new partner to operate the deli and snack counter. Four Rivers Behavioral Health decided it was something that the company could do to provide real world experience for people in the Creative Enterprises Day Training Program. Janice Jones the Adult Day Training Supervisor for Four Rivers says the Deli allows their consumers to gain training and experience to help them move toward their goals of employment and moving into the community. In addition to the Creative Enterprises Day Training Program, Four Rivers Behavioral Health runs a Supported Employment program where consumers are aided in navigating through interview, hiring, and learning the job skills they need to be successful. The program continues for 6 to 12 months of work. There are tax incentives and financial incentives for employers who hire employees with intellectual or developmental disability. More information on these programs is available from Four Rivers Behavioral Health at 270-442-7121 or online at www.4rbh.org. If you stop by 4th and Deli to eat lunch you get good food and good service. Every order comes with a big smile for free even during the lunch rush. A smile and enthusiasm that is contagious, I might add, so dont be surprised if you find your day a little better after meeting Kim - I did! On the Net: By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 24, 2017 | 04:47 PM | PADUCAH, KY The Baptist Heart Center was renamed the Carson-Myre Heart Center Thursday in a dedication ceremony.The event honored the late Jane Carson Myre, daughter of local Coca-Cola founder Luther F. Carson, and her husband, the late Louis Myre, MD, a Baptist Health Paducah heart care pioneer.The Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation, started by the couple, has provided the lead gift for heart services in the Celebrating Miracles, Transforming Lives capital campaign recently launched by Baptist Health Foundation Paducah.The foundation has supported cardiac care at Baptist Health Paducah since before the heart center opened in 2007. Their gifts have funded cardiac rehabilitation and various new technology, including last years enhancement of the regions first electrophysiology lab to diagnose and treat irregular heartbeat, or problems with the electrical system of the heart.Dr. Myre was on staff at Baptist approximately 30 years before retiring in the mid-1980s. In the 1960s, he, along with Drs. C. Pittman Orr and W.P. (Pete) Hall, set up the hospitals first cardiac ward with five beds. The hospitals historic cardiac program grew to offer the areas first open-heart surgery in 1985 and first nationally-accredited chest pain center in 2008.Dr. Myre was an essential part of Baptist Health becoming the regions heart hospital, said Judge William Howerton, chairman of the Carson-Myer Charitable Foundation. We know Dr. Myer and Jane would be very honored to see their names on the hospital they loved so much.William A. Brown, hospital president, said the hospital is grateful for the legacy of Dr. Louis and Jane Carson Myre. Our continued relationship with their Carson-Myre Charitable Foundation has helped us become one of the most respected hospitals in the state for cardiovascular care, he said.Baptist announced a $10 million campaign in January to support cancer, cardiac and maternity care, as well as outreach programs to improve the health of the community. Celebrating Miracles, Transforming Lives, the first-ever comprehensive capital campaign in the 64-year history of Baptist Health Paducah, has already raised $7.6 million.For more information or to make a donation, contact the Foundation at 270.575.2871 or visit SupportBaptistHealth.org/Paducah. Astros take World Series title over Phillies in six games Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 24, 2017 | PADUCAH, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 24, 2017 | 01:46 PM | PADUCAH, KY Kentucky Main Street, a program of the Kentucky Heritage Council, has notified Paducah Main Street that it has been reaccredited as a Nationally Certified Kentucky Main Street Community. In the February letter to Paducah, State Main Street Coordinator Kitty Dougoud said the organization has met or exceeded the highest standards for the National Main Street Center, which works to advance the preservation-based revitalization of commercial districts throughout the country. The letter was sent to the city because Paducah Main Street is a division of the City of Paducah Planning Department. Downtown Development Specialist - Paducah Main Street Director Melinda Winchester said she was thrilled to receive the news, and it is a credit to all of the volunteers, stakeholders, board members, and committees who work to revitalize and promote downtown, and develop events that encourage people to come to the area. Winchester said, Im also so proud of the 2016 accomplishments for Paducahs historic downtown. Seven new businesses opened. Also in 2016, numerous businesses used the revitalization programs that the City has put in place to assist the businesses in the district. We had four receive facade and beautification grants, eight are receiving roof stabilization assistance, and two locations qualified for upper story residential grants. Im also excited to see several building rehabilitations underway. Paducahs downtown continues to grow and change. I encourage people who havent visited to come downtown. Youll be thrilled with the variety of businesses and all of the activity. Also this month at the Kentucky Main Street Programs Winter Meeting in Frankfort, main street directors from across the state displayed exhibits about their programs and met with legislators. Rep. Chad McCoy of Bardstown and Sen. Robin Webb of Grayson introduced House and Senate floor resolutions, respectively, to honor the success of the Kentucky Main Street program, which has 39 participating communities. Those communities reported cumulative public and private investment of nearly $110 million in their commercial downtown districts in 2016, and increase of $34 million compared to 2015. Furthermore, for 2016, Kentucky Main Street communities reported: 1,452 new jobs created in Main Street districts 234 new businesses created 81 new housing units in downtowns 198 building rehabilitation projects completed $51,433,241 invested in historic building rehabilitation For more information about Paducah Main Street, contact Winchester at mwinchester@paducahky.gov or at 270-444-8690. By WestKyStar & CVB Staff Feb. 21, 2017 | 08:36 PM | PADUCAH, KY This free event will feature videos produced by Mountain Workshops participants when Paducah hosted the week-long training for visual storytellers in October 2016. The public is invited to attend, particularly those locals who were story subjects. The Mountain Workshops week in Paducah produced dozens of videos that creatively weave threads of local life into stories that captivate, says Fowler Black, Paducah CVB Sales Director. This showcase will celebrate the spirit of the community and delivers an opportunity to see ourselves in authentic moments. The internationally-recognized Mountain Workshops is presented by Western Kentucky University (WKU) School of Journalism. Since 1976, the Mountain Workshops have drawn a team of dedicated teachers and determined participants to a Kentucky community, where they explore the richness of the community and the possibilities and challenges of visual storytelling. An exhibition of photographs and video clips from Mountain Workshops interviews in Paducah will be on display at the Yeiser Art Center from February 25 to April 15 with an opening reception on February 25. The Paducah Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) is the official Destination Marketing Organization for Paducah and McCracken County. The CVB exists to create new economic opportunities through destination marketing, management and tourism development. For more information, visit www.Paducah.Travel. The Paducah Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) will present a Mountain Workshops showcase at Maiden Alley Cinema on Thursday, March 2 at 7 pm. Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 16, 2017 | MURRAY, KY By West Kentucky Star Staff Feb. 16, 2017 | 02:47 PM | MURRAY, KY More than 400 TRiO students from all over the state of Kentucky will be coming to Murray State University to participate in TRiO Day on Saturday, February 25. Participants at TRiO Day will have the opportunity to hear guest speakers such as Kenny Imes, State Representative and Dr. Anton Reese, President of West Kentucky Community &Technical College. Students will participate in scholarly competitions and attend academic workshops as well. TRiO alumni are invited to attend. This is a day of celebration and recognition for the difference TRiO has made in the lives of so many students. TRiO programs are federal student service programs designed to assist students from low-income and/or first generation families. Over 1200 post-secondary institutions and community agencies offer TRiO Programs nationwide. Murray State houses five TRiO programs: Educational Opportunity Center, Talent Search, Ron McNair Program, Student Support Services, and Upward Bound Math Science. TRiO day is an annual event celebrated by programs across the nation. This is the first time since 2010 that Murray State has hosted a statewide TRiO day. Local level election on stipulated date - NC President Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has affirmed that the local level election would be held in the stated date. By Sen. Danny Carroll Feb. 25, 2017 | 09:37 AM | PADUCAH, KY SB 8 SB 21 SB 31 SB 107 SB 120 SB 122 SB 150 SB 153 SB 159 Visits from advocacy groups, a ceremonial bill signing, and rallies in the Capitol Rotunda, along with the bipartisan passage of bills, marked a busy Week Four of the 2017 Legislative Session. We were excited to welcome the children of Kentucky National Guard members from across the state for the First Annual Kentucky Military Kids Day. It was an honor to host these families who have sacrificed so much to serve our state and our country.On February 20 we observed President's Day, also celebrated as President George Washington's birthday. Governor Matt Bevin ceremonially signed Senate Bill (SB) 3 this week. The bill, which easily passed both chambers during the first week of January, provides transparency for taxpayers by making legislative pensions public.In addition to all these events, we spent a significant amount of time in committees and passing bills on the floor. Friday marked day 18 of 30 of the 2017 Session, so the window of time to pass legislation is closing.We passed quite a few important bills through the Senate, including:defunds organizations that fund abortions, such as Planned Parenthood;allows for the use of experimental treatments not yet approved by the FDA if the patient is diagnosed with a terminal illness;, a bill I sponsored, makes permanent the increase in the training stipend given to police and professional firefighters approved in last year's budget. The bill also increases the allocation to volunteer fire departments from $8,500 to $11,000;gives the General Assembly a check-and-balance means of ensuring balanced boards of postsecondary institutions. This is another step to ensure the leadership at our state universities follow the law and act in the best interest of the students., the Criminal Justice Reform bill, address various areas of the criminal justice system. It is designed to further efforts to rehabilitate and reduce recidivism rates. This is the bill I have struggled with the most this session, and although I was not initially in support of the bill, I voted "yes" after changes were made to the bill at my request.establishes a Gold Star Sons and Gold Star Daughters special license plate for children of the armed forces who were killed overseas;, another bill I sponsored, would require law firms to publish complete information related to governmental surveys of long-term care facilities when publishing ads that include survey information. This bill does in no way restrict civil recourse or lessen accountability for long-term care facilities. It simply relates to truth in advertising;establishes a comprehensive funding model for the allocation of state funds to public universities based on student success, course completion, and other components. This bill encourages universities to focus on the long-term success and preparedness of their students;requires all public high school students to pass a civics test in order to receive a regular diploma. This passing score would be a minimum of 60 percent and the questions would be pulled from the test required of all people seeking to become U.S. citizens. I was surprised to learn that a few folks had concerns about this bill. The information students would be tested on is basic civics that, as citizens of this country, we should all know.This week I had the honor of celebrating the life of Ms. Betty Ormes with a Resolution heard on the Senate floor. Betty was a beloved member of the Paducah community and will be missed by many. I want to thank her son and my friend, Michael Ormes, for making the trip to Frankfort for this occasion.I was very pleased to introduce the "Sunny Page" Program on the Senate floor this week. This program is a bipartisan effort Senator Dennis Parrett, LRC staff, Senate staff, and I initiated in the State Senate. The program encourages special needs students from across the state to page in the Senate and be a part of the legislative process. We chose the name "Sunny Pages" simply because these kids brighten up everyone's day by their presence. We will be promoting the program throughout the state and, in time, we hope to expand it to the State House. Senator Parrett and I created this program in honor of our daughters who have special needs.Finally, I want to thank all of you who traveled from our region this week to visit with me and share your concerns related to various issues. I especially want to thank the group of teachers who came up from Marshall and McCracken Counties to discuss charter schools and education issues. I also want to thank McCracken County High School student Bailynn Peeler who served as my page on Thursday.As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with questions, concerns, and your ideas for the future of our commonwealth. It is an honor to represent you in the State Senate.If you have any questions or comments about these issues or any other public policy issue, please call me toll-free at 1-800-372-7181 or email me at danny.carroll@lrc.ky.gov. You can also review the Legislature's work online at www.lrc.ky.gov. Solar power is revolutionizing peoples lives all over the world, especially in remote areas. In some parts of the world, it is the only possible source of power.In Mongolia, about 800,000 of the countrys 2.8 million inhabitants still live the traditional nomadic lifestyle without the most basic of modern conveniences such as electricity and running water.Mongolias government is exploring its vast potential for solar energy. The National 100,000 Solar Ger Electrification Program, a government sponsored initiative, equips nomads traditional homes called Gers (tents made of felt and yaks wool) with portable solar home systems. These portable solar home systems (SHS) are easy to set up and can easily be dismantled when residents relocate.electricity they can refrigerate their food.the weather forecast from the television, which is vital in the life of a shepherd.solar energy, they can charge their phones and keep in touch with one another and their children as most of the nomads children stay in dorms for education.call for help for health and safety reasons.Not only are they environmentally friendly, the portable solar panel allows farmers to carry it with them all the time. Families can now purchase electric lights that are recharged by solar energy. These panels also help to keep food through solar refrigeration. Malaysia says will issue arrest warrant for N.Korean diplomat in Kim Jong Nam murder Malaysia said on Saturday it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he d NAC in turbulence as disputed figure enters boardroom A number of aviation experts and government officials have questioned the Tourism Ministrys commitment to good governance at Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC) following the decision to appoint a controversial figure at the boardroom of the national flag carrier. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Michael Flynns resignation as U.S. national security adviser is one more lightning bolt from the miasmic cloud hanging over the presidency of Donald Trump. Its name is Vladimir Putin. Flynns disclosure of future U.S. policy to the Russian ambassador hardly surprises after intelligence reports that Russia hacked the election to favour Trump were eclipsed by intelligence reports that Russia had blackmail material on him. Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via The Associated Press As Russian president, Vladimir Putin engineered control of the Duma, the Russian parliament, through a series of alliances and betrayals early in his march to power. Through it all, Trump and Putin have sent bromance notes to each other through the media, while Trump promised to weaken NATO, a key Putin objective. All the Kremlins Men paints a clear, detailed and timely picture of Putin and how he has shaped the grim reality of post-Soviet Russia and its neighbours. Canadians who are exposed to Russia only through brief news reports will find this book fills an important void in their knowledge of this world power. Russian journalist Mikhail Zygar has interviewed many of the central figures of the Putin era. He brings us behind the scenes to learn about the networking that really counts in such a political environment who stayed at Putins dacha by the Black Sea, who worked with him at the secret police, who studied judo with him. Even his childhood friends are among the group of confidantes that have benefited by having positions of power sometimes entire state-owned companies, handed to them with the proviso that their first loyalty is to the man who gave them the job. Nowhere is the cronyism more evident than in the Russian oil and natural gas business, tightly controlled and used as a foreign policy weapon by Putin. Trumps secretary of state, Rex Tillerson, was CEO of ExxonMobil when it won a big slice of that pie. Tillerson was awarded the Medal of Friendship by Putin, a rare honour. Russia is still nominally a democracy. Zygar demonstrates how a supposed democracy can devolve quickly into one-man authoritarian rule. Control of the media is one of the first goals. Pro-Putin TV news organizations are allowed to operate freely; stations that present a balanced view, especially if they try to investigate official wrongdoing, are shut down. Some liberal newspapers are allowed to operate. But a Putin appointee who wrote a frank opinion piece about security matters was publicly demoted. As president, Putin engineered control of the Duma, the Russian parliament, through a series of alliances and betrayals early in his march to power. When faced with the same two-term limit as a U.S. president, Putin simply promoted a yes-man to president and made himself prime minister. In the late 1990s, outgoing Russian president Boris Yeltsin chose Putin to be his successor. At first Putin, the former agent of the KGB secret police and head of its successor, the FSB, hewed a moderate line. He courted former British prime minister Tony Blair and U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. After 9/11, he was the first foreign leader to call Bush. He allowed the U.S. to use bases in Kyrgyzstan to fight the Taliban in Afghanistan. But when Blair supported Bushs invasion of Iraq, Putin became disillusioned with the West destabilizing Iraq did not serve Russias interests. The American and British misadventures in Iraq emboldened Putin to the point he seized Crimea from Ukraine in 2012, facing sanctions in return, but no armed intervention by the West. When a leading opposition figure, Boris Nemtsov, was gunned down near the Kremlin a few years ago, many suspected Putin was behind it. Mikhail Klimentyev / The Associated Press files Vladimir Putin (left) meets with Rex Tillerson in 2012 when the U.S. secretary of state was the chief executive officer of ExxonMobil. Zygar concludes that Putin probably did not know about the planned assassination in advance, but that it was likely ordered by a Putin loyalist. Putin obligingly appointed a chief investigator known for previous murder cases in which he declined to pursue who ordered the hit. The book was written before Donald Trumps ascent to power in the U.S. As a chronicle of what happened to Russia, All the Kremlins Men is disturbing enough. As a foreshadowing of what could happen now that the United States appears to be run by some of the Kremlins men, this book is truly frightening. Donald Benham is manager of hunger and poverty awareness at Winnipeg Harvest. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/02/2017 (2081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Concerns that asylum seekers streaming across the border into Canada could represent a security threat to the country might be understandable, but are not valid, says a law professor who has studied the results of refugee claimants. That stereotype only serves to create racial tension, said Sean Rehaag, associate professor at Osgoode Hall Law School at York University in Toronto. You need to be very cautious about assertions that particular groups are more of a risk of security or criminality than other groups, Rehaag said in an interview. Almost any study suggests that criminality is less of a concern among recent newcomers than the settled population. Besides, Rehaag said, the first act of those who would threaten harm to the country or its citizens upon setting foot on Canadian soil would probably not be volunteering to be arrested and questioned by immigration authorities. They are neither trying to sneak in or remain undetected. If Im a terrorist and I want to come into Canada to cause trouble, I dont come in this way, he said. Im exposing myself to screening. There are lots of very easy ways to get into the country if youve got a little money, enough to purchase most documents, that would allow you to escape scrutiny entirely. Results of the claims for refugee status suggest that walking across the border is not a free pass for permanent residency in Canada. In 2015, 63 per cent of all claims by Somali asylum seekers who represent the majority who have been crossing into Canada near Emerson recently were successful (187 approved of 315), statistics published for the Canadian Council for Refugees show. That figure is slightly less than the overall average (64.7 per cent) for claims. Rehaag said the reasons for negative application results include, among others: Failed to establish identity or nationality. Lack of credibility. Fear of persecution not well-founded. State protection against persecution is available. Excluded from refugee protection due to serious criminality. Winnipeg immigration lawyer Alastair Clarke also disputed the notion the countrys security is being put at risk by allowing asylum seekers whether they enter the country legally or not. Theres no evidence of that at all, Clarke said. As far as Im concerned, the rhetoric that the refugee claimants who are crossing the border pose security risk or national risk is unfounded. And generally speaking, any reports that point fingers of potential security risks turn out to be unfounded or grossly exaggerated. Cole Garside / Ottawa Citizen files York University assistant professor of law Sean Rehaag is researching issues on immigration and refugees through the Federal Court. Another immigration and refugee lawyer said he understands how some Canadians might be unnerved by migrants walking across the border and appearing to be accepted. I think its a natural human emotion to be afraid of something you dont know, if youve got people walking in under the cover of darkness at night, said Bashir Khan, who has dealt with more than 100 cases of asylum seekers during the last five years. But, Khan noted, its equally common for societies to single out minorities as targets in times of anxiety over safety, such as putting Canadian citizens of Japanese descent in internment camps during the Second World War. Doesnt every society pick on its most weak and marginalized? he asked. Its very easy to pick on refugee claimants and have this fear that these are all criminals and Canadas national security is under threat. Look, a prisoner at Stony Mountain or Headingley is more enfranchised and has more rights than a refugee claimant who is already battered and spent nine months or 22 months in a U.S. detention facility for no crime, other than they were escaping persecution in their country. And they didnt get a fair hearing (in the U.S.) and now theyre coming to Canada for protection. And there are some people who just like to scapegoat and pick on them. But I dont think the majority of people feel that way. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Immigration lawyer Alastair Clarke thinks the idea that refugee claimants who cross the border are a security risk is unfounded. Rehaag said one solution that would address the safety concerns of both Canadian citizens and the asylum seekers would be to immediately suspend the Safe Third Country Agreement. That would allow refugee claimants to simply present themselves at the Canadian border. The agreement, signed in 2002, requires refugees to make an asylum claim in the first possible country they reach. Under the agreement, Canada is unable to consider asylum for anyone who enters from the U.S., which is deemed a safe country in which to apply for asylum. Hence trespassing the border, which triggers a claim process unless an asylum seeker is rejected at the border by Canadian Border Agency officers upon initial screening. Rehaag is one of 240 Canadian law professors who have signed a petition calling for the federal government to suspend the agreement, arguing the United States is no longer a safe place for refugees under the current chaos of the immigration file under the Trump administration. Its a really bad idea for asylum seekers to enter Canada irregularly if they cant be punished, Rehaag said, noting it puts the health and safety of the migrants at risk. Its bad for the refugees, but its also bad for border security, he said. I think its encouraging the creation of human smuggling networks to help people get to and across the border. And the experience in other countries is that once those networks become entrenched it may start with refugee claimants but eventually those networks begin to move other things. Other things, such as guns and drugs. Rehaag said there is a provision that allows the federal government to suspend the agreement for three months. However, Immigration Minister Amhed Hussen said this week the Trudeau government has no plans to amend or suspend the agreement. But Rehaag said the reality is that word is getting out to a large number of possible asylum seekers news of the Emerson crossings have been broadcast globally that there is a back door along the worlds longest undefended border. Canada doesnt have a lawful means of stopping people from coming into the country, he said. The question is not whether we want people to come here, the question is how do we want them to come here. Do we want them to come where its safe, that allows for orderly processing, or do we want them to be traipsing across farmers fields? Rehaag understands anxiety created by an influx of migrants, by legal or illegal means. But he called for perspective. Canadians should remember the number of claimants is lower than recent historical averages from fewer than 25,000 in 2016 to more than 40,000 in the 1990s. Canadas numbers are only a fraction compared with countries such as Germany, Jordan, Turkey and Greece. Theyre hosting hundreds and hundreds of thousands of refugees (mostly Syrians), he said. randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @randyturner15 RUTH BONNEVILLE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg lawyer Bashir Khan. One held for murdering priest in Mahottari Police on Saturday arrested a man for his alleged involvement in killing a priest of the Raimandal Indreshwor Mahadev Temple in Bardibas-5 of Mahottari district. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/02/2017 (2081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Xplornet Communications Inc., billed as Canadas leading rural broadband Internet provider, was at the right place at the right time to be able to inject itself into the Manitoba market in the soon-to-be completed acquisition of MTS by BCE. In its mandate to ensure adequate competition remains in the Manitoba market, the Competition Bureau agreed to approve the deal only if Bell MTS sells to Xplornet close to 25,000 wireless subscribers, a coveted piece of wireless spectrum and six stores. It must also provide all sorts of access to the network for up to five years. It gives Xplornet a solid boost in establishing itself as a fourth competitor in the market alongside Bell MTS, Rogers and Telus. Considering the number of failed attempts to launch a competitive mobile wireless business in Canada, its fair to wonder if this will be a blessing or a curse for Xplornet. XPLORNET COMMUNICATIONS INC. Xplornet CEO Allison Lenehan says the Internet provider is committed to making a go of its Manitoba operations. Xplornet CEO Allison Lenehan has no doubt its a blessing. While some critics have said other players would have made more sense in the role of the fourth competitor in Manitoba such as Shaw, for example, which recently acquired Wind Mobile and has a strong business presence in Manitoba Xplornet made its interests known early in the process that took about 10 months to get done. (In addition to the Xplornet divestiture, Bell MTS is selling off about 25 per cent of its wireless subscribers along with 13 stores to Telus.) Lenehan is keen to make the case that in fact, Xplornet is a uniquely suited to do the job. Xplornet has been in business since 2004 and has more than 330,000 fixed wireless broadband customers in every province and territory in the country. Since it is privately owned headquartered in New Brunswick with executive offices in Markham, Ont. and plays outside the high-profile competitive urban markets, it has flown below the radar. But there is no doubt Xplornet is a substantial commercial enterprise. It has raised more than $1 billion over the years in the private equity markets (at least 50 per cent of the company is owned by Canadian investors). It provides high-speed Internet service mostly to rural Canadians in a network that uses satellite service as well as the same kind of wireless network cellphone companies use. But its customers receive the connection through receivers on the home (or business) rather than smartphone handsets. We are interested in building a broadband business and this is right smack on strategy for us, Lenehan said in a rare interview. But to be frank, Im not sure we would have done this now unless this unique opportunity presented itself to do it sooner than we had originally contemplated. XPLORNET COMMUNICATIONS INC. A new satellite before it was launched in December at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The company has been growing its infrastructure since 2004. It has about 1,500 cell towers or locations across the country more than MTS had in Manitoba and about 800 employees. Late last year, it launched a new satellite and has another queued up to launch early this year, spending hundreds of millions of dollars in the process. Lenehan said the company is fully funded for whatever its entrance into the Manitoba market will take. If you think about what is required to be successful I think we had most of the ingredients in place, Lenehan said. But we were missing a couple of things that this transaction provides us with. In addition to the network access and spectrum, Bell will provide Xplornet with access to handset suppliers, much coveted by new entrants, as well as marketing support. Lenehan is under no misconceptions about the rules of engagement. Bell is our competitor, he said. Unless they were required to do it (grant Xplornet concessions), I dont know what motive they would have to help us out. We do not count on them at all. Lenehans point is that far from a naive upstart, Xplornet has the chops to pull this off. As one industry veteran who asked that his name not be used said, since Xplornet is already in the wireless business, it will be easier to get up and running than for another company to start from scratch XPLORNET COMMUNICATIONS INC. The EchoStar XIX before it was blasted into space. Clearly, there is lots of work for them to do but they already own more radio towers across Canada than MTS has in Manitoba, they wont have the learning curve to hire people who know how towers work, and Bell has reserved space for them on all the towers they want, the industry official said. Not everyone is prepared to anoint Xplornet as a presumptive success. Iain Grant, a telecommunications industry consultant with the SeaBoard Group, is not sure Xplornet has what it takes. Im not a fan of the decision itself (Bells acquisition of MTS), and Im also not impressed with the trade-offs negotiated to close the deal, he said. Among other things, Grant points out the history of service complaints that has dogged Xplornet. But others say the company has addressed the clogged pipes caused by the exponential growth in broadband data usage with the recent investment in new satellite coverage. Lenehan refuses to discuss any future plans Xplornet may have to grow a mobile wireless business outside of Manitoba. The only plan for the foreseeable future is in Manitoba, he said. First things first. We have to do what we said wed do and do it well. If we do it well and opportunities present itself well look at it. But that, for me, is not imminent. He said Xplornet has eyed Manitoba for some time for various reasons. In the 2015 Industry Canada wireless spectrum auction, Xplornet acquired wireless spectrum in Manitoba that could be used both for its legacy fixed wireless and for the mobile wireless business. XPLORNET COMMUNICATIONS INC. A close-up look at the satellite on the launch pad. The transaction does not close until March 17, and there will be at least a few months after that before Xplornet is able to more fully articulate the details of its offering. Lenehan would not say what sort of staffing requirements it will have or how much the company will be investing in Manitoba, but it is safe to say it will be substantial. We are fully committed to investing in Manitoba, he said. martin.cash@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. By the time she reached out to share her hospital diary, she had been at her elderly fathers bedside for 30 days and 30 nights. Sleeping, when she could, next to him in a chair. The handwritten fax the woman I will call Marie was sent to the Free Press from the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) and arrived on Jan. 30. Briefly, she described how she had flown to Winnipeg from her home in Vancouver on New Years Day and taken a cab directly to HSC. GORDON SINCLAIR JR / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS A woman, 'Marie,' discusses the things she witnessed while staying at her father's bedside in the Health Sciences Centre for more than a month. Hours earlier, an emergency doctor had found her phone number in her fathers wallet and called her. Maries nearly 87-year-old father had been close to her even though she was five when her parents split. She told the doctor to tell her father that she was on her way and that he should take the blood transfusion. In her fax, she offered an explanation for why he had initially refused. Because hes 87 years old and albeit hes competent, he is totally incompetent when it comes to anything medical; coupled with an innate fear of doctors and hospitals. Marie offered another reason: because he was alone. Which suggests why she hadnt left his side for the past month. And ever since she had been taking notes about what she had witnessed and experienced at the HSC trying to navigate the system while trying look out for other patients along the way. Marie said she could write a book, but in the meantime she wanted to tell one familys story. Because I know Im not alone in this experience. I talk to other families and my story is their story, too. We met on Day 31 at the Starbucks at the hospital. By the time I got there, Marie had her handwritten diary notes and other papers spread out on the table. Her chronicles included a range of issues. The issues ranged in severity, from the very smallest thing like asking for a cup of water from a nurses aide and having to wait six minutes while my father is choking and she is looking for someone else who works there to find out if she could use the Styrofoam cups in the units kitchen area or if those cups are just for staff. There were also bigger things, such as a call bell that wasnt working for the 90-year-old woman in the bed next to her father and how, even after Marie brought it to the attention of a nurses aide, it took an entire shift for it to be replaced. Or the wheelchair she had to search for because no one was interested in helping and all of the cafeteria food she purchased because her dad wasnt eating the meals on his tray. Then there was spiritual care she sourced on her own for both of them. And the indifference from the staff who saw her sleeping awkwardly in the chair beside her fathers bed. All, that is, except for the one angel of a nurse who gave her a blanket and helped make her more comfortable. But the biggest issue was the battle to have her fathers medical condition shared with her so she could help with his comfort, care and safety. Marie said her fathers first doctor resisted that, even when her dad gave the doctor permission. He started telling him very scary things, Marie said of the doctors conversation with her dad. He told him alone, that any one of his conditions could cause him these are the words cause him to pass away at any time. And using, not plain laymans language, but medical jargon. Marie said when she asked the doctor if she could speak to him alone, away from her fathers bed, he refused. Within days, her father would try to close the distance between the doctor and his daughter. Marie read directly from her notes. My Dad: Im sorry to bother you. I dont want to know anything anymore. Just my daughter could know. Doctor: So you wont want me to tell you anything about your medical condition or procedures only your daughter? GORDON SINCLAIR JR / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety's patient advocate agreement has been available for hospitals to use since 2008, but has yet to be approved for use within the system. My Dad said, Exactly. I asked Marie if her fathers request was honoured. No, she said. That icy bedside relationship only thawed when Dr. Kiraninder Lamba took over. Hes the first doctor who is soft-spoken and gentle with my father. Not only that, he came up with a compromise solution. He suggested sharing the medical information with father and daughter. Ill talk to both of you, she recalled Lamba saying, but Ill be careful what I say. Which took a lot of weight off me, too, Marie said. Because when I get told things I have to figure out how to tell it to my dad. There was a bonus. Instead of her father seeing a new physician when the shifts changed every two weeks, Lamba volunteered to see her dad as long as he was in the hospital. Thats the best thing thats ever happened to him since he was admitted. My father has gone from hopeless to determined to get better. Hes gone from being terrified of the doctor approaching to asking me if Dr. Lamba is coming by. That prompted Marie to take a felt marker and write something next to the doctors name on the white board in her dads hospital room: Thank God. Marie spent more than 40 days and 40 nights with her father before Dr. Lamba released him and she took him home. But the story doesnt end there. Among the notes and papers Marie spread out on the Starbucks table was a clipping from Senior Scope. The article had been supplied by a relatively low-profile organization called the Manitoba Institute for Patient Safety and concerned the availability of something the institute created a patient advocate agreement. Marie had chanced upon the article a few weeks into her time sleeping over at the hospital. No one at HSC had told Marie that her father could give formal, binding permission for his daughter to be his official advocate which meant, in part, that she would be legally allowed to view his medical information. Perhaps no one told her about it because of something I learned late this week. Since 2008, the patient advocate agreement has been available to the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA) and hence the HSC, to share with patients and families. And yet, a spokesperson for the WRHA said, The patient advocate agreement is on the agenda for approval at next Tuesdays regional executive committee meeting. We expect it to be approved at that time, and once it is, wed add our name to the list of regional health authorities that have endorsed the program. What took them so long? The WHRA didnt say. But in the end, Marie had another question: What if there wasnt a (person such as) me for my dad? What would happen to an 87-year-old man alone in the medical system? I know what would happen. gordon.sinclair@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/02/2017 (2081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. wfpvideo:kqxqyQQ0:wfpvideo The 2004 concept album American Idiot from the band Green Day was conceived, in part, as an agonized response to the presidency of George W. Bush around the time of the war waged in Iraq. Yet it is Donald Trumps angry face, superimposed on an Uncle Sam figure, on the poster of the Winnipeg Studio Theatre production of American Idiot, the musical adaptation of the album. It was an apt choice, says the shows director Simon Miron. It was also a bit of a fluke. When we started on this little journey in May last year, we made a joke, Miron says in the Warehouse Theatre lobby during a rehearsal break of the show, describing a pitch to WST producer Kayla Gordon. We said, Lets set it in the future during a Trump presidency.' A few months later, a Trump presidency happened, Miron says. The whole artistic team was just gobsmacked. But then, it didnt really change anything but it just fortified the beliefs that we were putting forward. Hence, this iteration of American Idiot, different from the Tony-nominated Broadway musical of 2010, is set in 2020-21 in a small conservative burg called Jingletown at a time when Trump has won a second term. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Will played by Toby Hughes (left) and Johnny played by Michael Cox in Green Days American Idiot at the MTS Warehouse. That, Miron says, is background for a story of three small-town friends who plan to leave the stultifying confinement of small-town America, but end up taking vastly different trajectories through life. The material speaks to Miron especially, he admits. Green Days first album Dookie was the first cassette tape I ever owned, he says, recalling a bus trip he took to Toronto with the Winnipeg Youth Choir (so not rock n roll) a couple of decades ago. I listened to that thing for hours and hours and hours, flipping from side to side on my Walkman, he says, laughing. It was really one of the big musical influences in my life. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Johnny, played by Michael Cox There may be a temptation to label American Idiot as just another jukebox musical in which a repertoire of a bands songs are pigeonholed into a separate story, in the vein of the Abba musical Mamma Mia! This is not that, Miron says, although he allows: Its mostly just a bunch of Green Day songs. I have nothing against the jukebox musicals, he says. But this was a concept album, which allows more of a connection to the narrative, which is a blessing when youre doing this kind of show. It can be a challenge to have a clear journey in a show where theres very little dialogue, he says. WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS This iteration of American Idiot is different from the Tony-nominated Broadway musical of 2010; it is set in 2020-21 in a small conservative burg called Jingletown at a time when Trump has won a second term. The musicals punk-rock idiom and its spirit of rebelliousness may be tailored for millennials having a hard time with the extreme political tremors happening south of the border and in the rest of the world, says Miron, 34. Were at these great crossroads, socially and politically, and were seeing these huge trends on the other end of the political spectrum, and its quite shocking to people, he says. It made us want to redouble our efforts to make sure were doing this for all the right reasons. What we have to say is important because a lot of people are feeling like this right now. randall.king@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @FreepKing If you value coverage of Manitobas arts scene, help us do more. Your contribution of $10, $25 or more will allow the Free Press to deepen our reporting on theatre, dance, music and galleries while also ensuring the broadest possible audience can access our arts journalism. BECOME AN ARTS JOURNALISM SUPPORTER Click here to learn more about the project. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. It could be a mining bonanza for southeastern Manitoba. An incognito Alberta companys colossal mineral claim suggests a huge area surrounding Steinbach could be sitting atop something valuable. If its there. Whatever it is. The speculation is theyre looking for lithium in the brines (underground saltwater), said Ruth Bezys, president of Manitoba Prospectors and Developers. Chris Keane / Bloomberg photo A Tesla Motors battery is seen before installation in Hickory, North Carolina, in 2014. Lithium is providing a rare bright spot for miners, amid cratering prices of raw materials tied to heavy industry such as iron ore to coal. The element is used in the manufacturing of rechargeable batteries and also as a drug prescribed to treat some psychiatric disorders. The company, registered as 1993502 Alberta Ltd., has filed 452 claims covering more than 1,200 square kilometres in five rural municipalities Ste. Anne, Hanover, La Broquerie, Springfield and Tache surrounding Steinbach in the past 12 months. For comparison purposes, the metropolitan area of London, England occupies about 1,600 sq. km. The Manitoba government wont divulge details about the company to protect its proprietary rights. A corporate search in Alberta failed to produce another company name. Any information leading to the companys identification could invite speculators to rush in and stake nearby land before the company has performed physical exploration. The province says it doesnt know what the company is hoping or expecting to find. There have been all kinds of rumours, said Lewis Weiss, reeve of the RM of La Broquerie, offering silica, nickel and even oil as some of the suggestions hes heard. The speculation has been all over the place. Bezys said the geology beneath the staked land is where limestone and Precambrian rock meet at relatively shallow depth. The company could be operating with the belief there is lithium in the seam where the two types of rock come in contact, she said, adding if lithium is the prize, it would represent a new interpretation of the geology. Of course, companies explore all kinds of terrain but typically dont find enough of a mineral to make it economically viable for mining. Bezys said the same area, mostly livestock farms, was staked for diamonds about 20 years ago. Its the size of the overall claim that makes it noteworthy. Its a hefty amount of claims, Bezys said. Typically, it takes a year or two after staking a claim for a company to raise funds and determine targets before physical exploration begins, if it ever does. The first year of a mineral claim is free, but in the second year the company has to start paying the province either $12.50 per hectare in this case $1.5 million or spend an equivalent amount or more on exploration. Or, the company could let the claims expire. The five rural municipalities found out about the stake last fall when a father and son, wanting to develop housing lots west of Marchand, hit a roadblock in the form of the claims. The provincial mining department told them they had to get approval from the numbered Alberta company before they could proceed. They couldnt find out the identity of the company, either. We were only able to make contact through their lawyers, and were unable to determine anything from them, said Ronald Felnhofer, who works with his father Franz. They had already developed four lots on part of their property, and were looking to develop four more. The mining claim stopped at least one other development. Its preposterous, said Felnhofer. Our development has nothing to do with whats going on underground. The matter was straightened out last month, allowing the developments to proceed. Even so, municipalities are antsy about what the stake might mean for them. Resource Development assistant deputy minister Tim Friesen said landowners control only surface rights; mineral rights beneath the surface belong to the province. Certainly, a (mining) company couldnt stop a (development) project cold. They are entitled to voice their concern and have the province consider those concerns, Friesen said. We just had to work out a system for various parties to communicate with each other. That has been worked out, with people at government that will steer through any future requests. I want to emphasize this is good news for Manitoba. Mineral projects operate on an economic scale pretty much unlike any other industry. When a mineral project gets going, they can have an incredible economic impact. Were thrilled to see this. In addition to tax and royalty revenue for the province, mining operations provide jobs and work for professionals, such as engineers. Once the firm starts exploration drilling, it will have to file its assessments. That will tell the province what minerals the company is looking for. bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 24/02/2017 (2081 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Manitobas defence lawyers are outraged by what they believe was an ambush by the provinces chief judges and provincial justice minister in unilaterally asking for the federal government to scrap preliminary inquiries in a four-year pilot project. And the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association of Manitoba has sent its own letter to federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybauld asking her to dismiss the request. Scott Newman, the associations spokesman, said they believe scrapping preliminary inquiries will lead to even longer trials and more wrongful convictions. JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Manitoba Law Court buildings in Winnipeg. Were exceptionally unhappy with how this was done and what its about, Newman said on Friday. In a seven-page letter to the justice minister, the association said it is exceptionally concerned about the proposal and said something like that should be done in the light of day, with input from all parties who would be affected by such changes. Newman said that association president Jody Ostapiw only learned of the proposal Thursday from the media. Its unfortunate these things come up without the perspective of defence lawyers, he said. If anything, it will make delays worse. Veteran criminal defence counsel Greg Brodsky, who has represented almost 900 people charged with homicide in his career the vast majority of which have had preliminary inquiries before the trial said he sees more bad than good with the proposal. People will not be pleading guilty as much as before because they havent been able to test the strength of the evidence, Brodsky said. The Crown wont attempt to resolve cases because it will be easier to go to trial. Preliminaries do help. From my experience I can test the evidence and see what evidence can come forward without them every trial will be longer. David Ireland, an assistant professor of law at the University of Manitoba who has practiced as both a Crown and a defence counsel, said hes surprised at the request by the provincial government and the chief judges. Thats a fairly hefty ask just for Manitoba, Ireland said. And its obviously a really sensitive area. They are getting into the zone of wrongful convictions. Ireland said he doesnt know how the federal government can allow Manitoba not to allow preliminary inquiries for four years while every other province still will be running them. This would be a Charter challenge for sure, he said. They would say if I go to Ontario I can have one, but not here. Wouldnt you challenge that if you were defence counsel? The whole idea of the Criminal Code is the laws are the same across the country. You dont have, based on where you are, to have more or less rights. Ireland said there are other ways to speed people through to trial by beefing up the entire court system including having more courtrooms, judges, Crowns and Legal Aid. But Ireland said, as an academic, the statistics which would come out of the pilot project would be interesting. Would convictions go up, go down, do direct indictments go up or down, and would we see more people being wrongfully convicted? I can see it being an exciting time for academia. Newman said preliminary hearings allow the crown and defence to streamline what will happen at trial. Some charges may be reduced or stayed, the number of charges may be cut, witness lists may be trimmed, an accused may even decide to change a plea to guilty. A trial, you might go in for (the first) four weeks just to know what youre fighting about, Newman said. Most homicide preliminary hearings are done in two weeks or less. Newman said he has two murder preliminaries on his calendar, both of which are scheduled for a week. He said the hearings protect the rights of the accused and are a deterrent to wrongful convictions. One of Manitobas most infamous wrongful convictions came when James Driskell was originally found guilty of murder after the Crown proceeded straight to trial through direct indictment, Newman said. Brodsky agrees. Ive had more convictions overturned through a public inquiry than anyone else, he said. Weve had enough trouble with wrongful convictions in the present system. To take away another safeguard is a travesty and a horrid thing. kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca nick.martin@freepress.mb.ca Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Sometimes its hard to be patient. When a problem has been identified and years of studying and analyzing possible options for action have resulted in repeated definition of a clear solution, examination needs to end. When perspectives have been analyzed thoroughly, research and best practices have been investigated and there is a commitment to improve, then decisive action must occur. The No. 1 thing our office has been waiting for patiently is stronger legislation. After more than six years of discussions with government, countless briefing documents, multiple meetings, detailed analyses, government consultants, a massive public inquiry and multiple separate drafts of new legislation, young Manitobans still cannot access strong advocacy support in most public systems. The governments lack of movement is frustrating, as this has been the central subject of multiple discussions over many years. The exact changes needed are well known. The Phoenix Sinclair inquirys final report provided a detailed roadmap to ensure fewer children would fall through the cracks. Thirteen of the inquirys 62 recommendations called on the government to strengthen and expand the scope of the childrens advocate. In three years, none of those 13 recommendations has been implemented. A stronger mandate to serve children and youth works to ensure public systems are held accountable for the services they provide. Too many children who need our support cannot access it under the current legislation. These include children prevented, through red tape, from registering in school; youth healing from extreme abuse who lose services when their trauma histories trigger an outburst; and babies with complex medical needs who cannot access treatment without being separated from their families and communities. All citizens navigating complex public systems benefit when they have a knowledgeable advocate, and this is especially true for children and youth. Under current legislation, the only way we can help a child or youth is if that young person is involved with the child welfare system. If CFS is involved, the childrens advocate can also assist them in those other systems to some degree. If CFS does not have an open file on a child, they are prevented from accessing our help. We are trapped inside a tiny box, forced to deny support to children who ask us for help. Its an outdated legislative wall that needs to be changed. Another current gap is that only the child welfare system is compelled by legislation to respond to our queries and recommendations. In practical terms, what that means is that even if we discover gaps and have concerns about how young people are being treated, systems outside of child welfare do not need to take action on recommendations we may make to improve public systems. We believe most Manitobans agree that if the childrens advocate uncovers gaps, public systems should be required to address the concerns and respond to recommendations. The province should take an immediate position that all public services must stand up to review and measures of accountability. When systems are allowed to operate without independent review, repeated tragedy can occur. A new legislative session is set to begin next week and we are hopeful that the government finally will help those citizens who are too young to vote. We are hopeful that after so many years of waiting, studying, and consulting on the issue, real and meaningful change will happen. The government has committed publicly to making the changes, and last year invited our office to consult on new legislation that will address many of the outstanding recommendations from the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry. But at this point, we are still waiting. We are hopeful that this government will pass legislation to strengthen the role of the childrens advocate as soon as the spring session gets underway, and improve accountability within public systems. My second and final term comes to a close this April, so although I will not likely be in this role when these changes are made, it is important that the next childrens advocate for Manitoba be empowered with a stronger mandate that reflects the best interests of children and youth. The recommendations to expand and strengthen the Manitoba Childrens Advocate that emerged from the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry have the ability to improve public systems and the experiences of children who rely on those services. Prior to overseeing the Phoenix Sinclair inquiry, commissioner Ted Hughes reviewed public systems in British Columbia in 2006 and made similar recommendations there. B.C., working across party lines, passed legislation creating the B.C. child and youth advocates office less than three weeks after Hughes issued his report. Here in Manitoba, we are at 160 weeks and counting. Children and youth in Manitoba have waited long enough. Darlene MacDonald is Manitobas childrens advocate. Opinion Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 25/02/2017 (2080 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has driven a stake through the heart of electoral reform in Canada. After first an election promise and then different forms of public consultation, the prime minister walked away from his pledge, instructing his new minister of democratic institutions to drop the idea of electoral reform because no consensus about what should replace the current system had been revealed through consultations as though a consensus on such a divisive topic ever was likely to be found. Trudeaus decision is regrettable from a democratic perspective. Every broken promise is a broken bond with the citizens who cast their ballots for the party in power. Governments should be held accountable whenever they discard their election promises, no matter how fanciful or poorly thought out those are. Many Canadians particularly younger Canadians who were invested in electoral reform seem intent on doing just that in the next election. But from a substantive perspective, its possible to breathe a sigh of relief. Our current electoral system has much to commend it, and we will continue to enjoy the advantages of this system. ADRIAN WYLD / THE CANADIAN PRESS Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has instructed his minister of democratic institutions to drop the idea of electoral reform. Yet, even here, Trudeau managed to step on several rakes while justifying his decision to jettison his previous promise, citing the absolute worst justification possible for our current electoral system. If you have a party that represents the fringe voices or the periphery of our perspectives and they hold 10, 15, 20 seats in the House, they end up holding the balance of power, Trudeau argued, conjuring up his dystopian view of what would happen following the introduction of a proportional electoral systems in Canada. Do you think that Kellie Leitch should have her own party? Trudeau, in essence, defended the tendency of our current first-past-the-post (FPTP) system to create seat bonuses for big parties such as the Conservatives and especially the Liberals but punish smaller parties. The system is designed to do this, and it has rewarded the Liberal party handsomely throughout the 20th century. In every election in Canada, a number of smaller parties will run and amass a relatively small percentage of votes, yet receive no seats. People who might think of starting or joining a small party see how the electoral system grinds through such parties and give up hope before even trying. By the way, FPTP does help some small parties: regionally concentrated, divisive parties such as the Bloc Quebecois. So, theres that. In contrast, proportional electoral systems do not by definition create such distortions, awarding parties shares of seats that are roughly proportionate to their shares of the vote. Accordingly, parties that represent the periphery of our perspectives, to use Trudeaus phrase, might win 10 per cent of the vote, and be rewarded with 10 per cent of the seats in the House of Commons. One caveat: most proportional electoral systems include some type of election threshold that filters out the smallest parties by requiring them to win a certain percentage of the popular vote (such as five per cent) before being eligible to win seats. Such thresholds obviate the worst examples of extremist parties that might bedevil our prime ministers dreams. But even if such thresholds didnt exist, Trudeaus hand-wringing raises the question: if a small party wins votes, why shouldnt it then win seats? If Leitch formed her own party and ran on a strident platform favouring screening potential immigrants for Canadian values, and a large enough number of Canadians then cast their ballots for her, why should their votes not count toward the election of MPs? Ultimately, in a democracy, we should not be afraid to confront bad ideas. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the best way to deal with bad ideas in politics is to give them a proper airing and to hold those who espouse them to full account for those views. Driving bad ideas underground provides opportunities for them to fester and grow. There are many examples of small parties in developed democracies that espouse bad ideas and which, after electing a handful of MPs, are shunned by other parties and whither under the glare of public scrutiny. Why would we expect anything different to occur in Canada? Trudeau frets that politicians representing the periphery of our perspectives might benefit under alternate electoral systems. But why shouldnt Canadians with views that some of us might think are odd or eccentric have those views represented in Parliament? Many people I meet strike me as a little weird, but it hasnt yet occurred to me that we should cancel their votes as a result. It is also important to note that not all ideas outside the mainstream are bad ideas; quite the opposite. Surely there was a point in Canadian history when the idea of universal medical care was thought to be radical, on Trudeaus dreaded periphery of perspectives. Yet the idea is now almost entirely accepted, and former Saskatchewan premier Tommy Douglas was named the Greatest Canadian in a CBC poll in large part due to his role as Canadas father of medicare. In a mature democracy such as Canada, the proper response to bad ideas should be to debate and convince others they are in fact bad ideas, not to prevent them from coming to light through the use of institutional checks. Royce Koop is an associate professor and head of the department of political studies at the University of Manitoba. Pak bursary to 200 Nepali students The Pakistan government has offered scholarships to 200 Nepali students from nursery to grade 12. CHICAGO Alarmed by President Donald Trumps campaign proposals to crack down on immigration and subsequent executive orders that called for barring refugees and expediting deportations, hundreds of churches, synagogues and mosques nationwide are considering the bold move to provide sanctuary to immigrants who are living in the United States illegally. When Trump was elected, it turned into an immediate priority situation, said the Rev. Beth Brown, pastor of Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, the first Chicago house of worship since the election to offer immigrants who are facing deportation a place to stay. (There are now about two dozen in the Chicago area considering becoming part of the sanctuary movement.) As the political climate shifts, immigration activists say the nature of the sanctuary movement could change. Though federal authorities say they will continue to avoid raiding hospitals, schools and houses of worship, activists fear that sacred spaces could become targets under the new administration. Historically aimed at changing policies through public campaigns and protest, the sanctuary movement could be forced underground. Last week, a mother of four with two misdemeanor convictions sought sanctuary in the basement of a Denver church after authorities denied her request for a stay of deportation. How her case plays out could determine how congregations play a role going forward. Its about people committing to trying to keep the person safe and out of custody, Brown said. If its under the radar, if thats what people are saying is going to save somebodys life or keep someone from being separated from their family, wed follow that guidance. The idea of sanctuary goes back centuries. Greeks and Romans offered limited protections to criminals who sought shelter in temples. From the fourth to 17th centuries, English law granted immunity to fugitives as long as they were inside a church. The more contemporary approach to sanctuary as a political movement in the United States first unfolded in the 1980s. Drawing from sacred texts that teach loving thy neighbor and welcoming the stranger, churches and synagogues opened their doors to immigrants fleeing civil wars in El Salvador and Guatemala. In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld conspiracy convictions of several sanctuary ministers. But the same court also cleared the way for many of the Central American immigrants who were living in churches to seek asylum, which was hailed as a victory. The movement resurfaced when deportations began to rise dramatically during the Bush and Obama administrations. In 2006, Elvira Arellano, a former maintenance worker at OHare International Airport, took refuge with her 7-year-old son inside Adalberto United Methodist Church in Chicagos Humboldt Park neighborhood. Arrested four years earlier as part of a post-9/11 sweep of immigrants who were in the U.S. illegally and working at airports, Arellano became the face of the new sanctuary movement. The targeted immigration enforcement tactics go against the grain of what our faith traditions teach us, said the Rev. Noel Andersen of the New York-based Church World Service, which tracks the sanctuary movement. We believe that we have a higher calling and that we should respond to a higher law. A 2011 memo from the director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement further empowered the sanctuary movement. Federal agents were instructed to avoid sensitive locations including hospitals, schools and houses of worship unless there is an imminent risk. According to Andersen, 250 congregations nationwide signed up to help shield immigrants after raids in 2014. Roundups in 2016 prompted more than 100 more to support the sanctuary movement. Now 800 congregations have stepped up to provide relief, he said. Certainly theres more risk involved, and the fact that people are still so interested says a lot, he added. Gail Montenegro, a spokeswoman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Department of Homeland Security, said agents are still expected to abide by the 2011 directive. DHS is committed to ensuring that people seeking to participate in activities or utilize services provided at any sensitive location are free to do so without fear or hesitation, she said in a statement. Andersen said people arent just afraid of immigration enforcement. They also worry that political rhetoric might make legal immigrants more susceptible to discrimination, hate crimes or profiling by law enforcement. What we understand sanctuary to be is expanding, and it is expanding beyond the world of just undocumented immigrants, Andersen said. We want to be a safe space or refuge for anybody who is vulnerable or targeted under this administration. Andersen said most of the congregations that sign up for the movement agree to offer support for individuals in sanctuary providing security, preparing meals, distributing fliers or organizing prayer vigils. Only 13 churches in the U.S. have housed individuals, including University Church in Hyde Park. Of the 20 deportation cases that relied on sanctuary since 2014, five are still pending in the courts, Andersen said, including the case of a Bolingbrook father of five who sought sanctuary at University Church in April. For most cases, invoking sanctuary is a public declaration. But some sanctuary seekers negotiate with authorities privately while residing within the walls of the church. Leaders at Lake Street Church in Evanston said the congregation has elected to become a sanctuary church, but citing uncertainty about the political climate, declined to say whether anyone ever moved in. This is part of what were trying to figure out, said Shanti Elliott, the churchs immigration justice leader. The public nature is very important to sanctuary. On the other hand, a decision to declare sanctuary in solidarity with immigrants, who are very vulnerable and may be at risk, carries with that a commitment to protect them. After invoking sanctuary in April, the Rev. Julian DeShazier, pastor of University Church, said he started spotting unmarked cars parked on the streets around the church. Volunteers accompany a person living inside the church 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Its a security measure for him traveling from one room to the next, DeShazier said. Its not to watch him but to watch those who are watching him. That said, the protocol at University Church when there is someone in sanctuary is to not stand in the way if authorities show up and present the proper warrants. That becomes obstruction of justice, he said. Were trying to obstruct what we believe is injustice. We want to follow the legal process and allow the opportunity to have due process in the same mode of resistance as civil rights or suffrage. Its about people committing to trying to keep the person safe and out of custody. If its under the radar, if thats what people are saying is going to save somebodys life or keep someone from being separated from their family, wed follow that guidance. Rev. Beth Brown The leaders of a new grassroots organization in Winona are seeking to limit the power of corporations and bolster the power of people to repair at a local level what they are calling a broken democracy. A response to corporate activity that is harmful to people and the environment, they say, Community Rights of Winona is intended to safeguard local communities by giving people the authority to make decisions that will affect their daily lives. The biggest core value that we have is democracy, the role of citizens in local communities to determine their own future, said Jim Gurley, the groups co-founder and a resident of Hillsdale Township in Winona County. We, the people, should be the ones with constitutional rights. Corporate entities are legal fictions. They only exist in a charter or on a piece of paper, but theyve been given our constitutional rights freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, you name it." For a corporate entity to have more rights than we do as citizens to me, thats outrageous. Gurley and Sarah Miles, the groups other co-founder and a resident of Utica Township in Winona COunty, have each protested against frac sand mining in the past several years. Its the best example, they say, of corporations attempting to further their interests at the expense of people who live here. But Gurley said the benefit of advocating for community rights as opposed to advocating for or against a singular issue like fracking is that it allows him to address many issues at once. Community rights looks beyond the everyday and down into the systemic problems that exist in our democracy, he said. Frac sand mining itself isnt the problem. Our problem is with our democracy. Communities across the country have convinced their local governments to adopt community rights ordinances that Gurley likened to a miniature Bill of Rights. These ordinances often begin with a list of a communitys values health and safety, clean water and clean air and then declare that local government will block all proposed ordinances that come into conflict with those values. Its not like were saying nobody should drive a car, or use a disposable diaper, or use a piece of plastic, Miles said. In our lifestyles, its impossible to live without emitting some kind of waste. What were saying is we need to allow people to have their freedoms, to protect their locality in a manner they deem best. Were not against corporations doing their thing and doing it successfully, Gurley said. But the strengthening of corporate rights, which occurred in federal courts over many decades, too often weakened human rights, he said. In the early years of the United States, corporations were heavily restricted by the federal government. Corporate charters were good for a limited amount of time, and could be revoked if a corporation violated laws or exceeded its authority. Corporations also were barred from making political contributions; they were given the right to make unlimited political contributions through the Supreme Courts Citizens United ruling in 2010. Gurley said history lessons are perhaps the best way to rally people behind his cause. Community Rights of Winona held an introductory workshop last weekend as part of the Frozen River Film Festival, and will hold a more in-depth workshop March 3-5. Hosted at Ridgeway Community School in Ridgeway, this second workshop will be led by Paul Cienfuegos, a community rights activist based in Portland, Oregon. He is expected to cover the history of corporate rights in the United States, and to facilitate a discussion about solutions to local issues. People interested in attending should contact Gurley at 507-523-3113 or jgurley@hbci.com. They are asked to make a donation, he said, depending on what they can afford. Gurley said the community rights movement has a strong base of support in Winona, but that his goal isnt to mobilize the entire city. Change, he said, is often achieved by a small group of people who assemble behind a shared purpose. This is the kind of thing that can cut across partisan lines, he said. Whether youre right-wing or left-wing, thats not so germane to this. Its about Americans and our rights and our freedoms. MIDDLETON Baraboo News Republic Reporter Tim Damos won three first-place awards and the publications staff took third place overall in awards handed out Friday by the Wisconsin Newspaper Association at its annual conference. Damos won first-place awards in the categories of ongoing/extended coverage for his articles examining a fatal drunken driving case, enterprise/interpretive reporting for his story about a local parochial schools use of federal funding while excluding gay and transgender students, and he joined former News Republic Reporter Rhonda Siebecker and Editor Todd Krysiak in receiving an award for breaking news coverage related to articles about a fatal stabbing. Columnist Ben Bromley also won a first-place award for his local column, Its a Funny Thing. Krysiak said he was pleased with the papers performance. These awards are indicative of the kind of work our staff does every day, he said. Baraboo and Sauk County are very lucky to have quality people like these who devote their time and energy to keeping them informed. The staff overall earned a third-place award for general excellence in the category of daily newspapers with circulations under 10,000, and an honorable mention for all-around newspaper photography. The paper also earned an honorable mention for the community service award with its 53913: Gettin Rid of the Blues series. Other awards earned by the News Republic on Friday include: Tim Damos, third place, investigative reporting Tim Damos, third place, enterprise/interpretive reporting Dusty Drew, third place, best in-paper niche publication Dusty Drew, third place, best out-of-paper niche publication Chris Flores, honorable mention, sports news story The News Republics sister papers also were recognized Friday. The Sauk Prairie Eagle staff won a first-place award for all-around newspaper photography in the weeklies category as well as second place for general excellence. Juneau County Star-Times reporter Kevin Damask also took home a first-place award in the weeklies category for reporting on local education. Three Wisconsin subcontractors seeking payment for work done on a Baraboo campus dorm have asked a judge to intervene on their behalf. The firms have filed a lawsuit in Sauk County against the Iowa-based company that constructed and now manages the dorm on the University of Wisconsin-Baraboo/Sauk County campus. The city of Baraboo, Sauk County, the UW-BSC Campus Commission and Consolidated Construction Co. Inc., of Appleton, are also named as defendants. A city official said Friday that the Iowa firm, Bluffstone, which operates the dorms, has assured local government entities they will not be on the hook for any losses related to the lawsuit. They have already indicated they are going to cover for any legal expenses arising out of this, Baraboo City Administrator Ed Geick said. The city and county jointly own and operate the Baraboo campus through the campus commission. In 2013, they entered a contract in which Bluffstone would construct and manage the student housing complex, and lease the property. The dorms opened to students in September 2014. The three subcontractors, KNZ Electric of Marshfield, Zimmerman Plumbing of Portage and A. Glewen & Sons Excavating of Waupun, are collectively seeking more than $360,000 in construction liens, plus other costs to be determined, according to court documents. If the firms do not receive payment, they have asked the judge to order the foreclosure and sale of the dorms in order to recoup what they are allegedly owed. Bluffstone has claimed a Kentucky firm that it contracted with was responsible for stiffing the subcontractors. That firm, Wallmasters, has also denied responsibility. Law enforcement agencies previously announced investigations into the matter, but have not said whether those inquiries have concluded. A representative of the Baraboo Police Department could not be reached for comment Friday. KNZ Electric also has filed a lawsuit against Bluffstone in Wood County in relation to the construction of dorms at the University of Wisconsin-Marshfield/Wood County. That case is scheduled for a jury trial in November. There has been a change in ownership at Beaver Dam Hearing Care, 705 S. University Ave., Suite 170, but some things are staying the same. Dr. Candy McGinnis has been a private practice owner in the Fox Valley for the past seven years. I think it is important that these small private practices stay in hands of audiologists and not be absorbed by the big corporations or chain stores. Patient care suffers when the big companies come in, and that isnt right, McGinnis said. With almost 25 years of experience, much of it in a large multi-disciplinary clinic, McGinnis said it is nice to have more time with the patient. So when the opportunity arose to purchase Beaver Dam Hearing Care, she welcomed the chance to work with Jess, Natalie and new staff member Jennifer Estness. Estness has a master of science degree in audiology and has been practicing clinical audiology since 2001 in southeast Wisconsin. She is experienced in diagnosing hearing conditions and fitting a variety of styles and manufacturers of hearing devices for all ages and lifestyles. Both she and her husband are natives of the greater Madison area and Estness said they appreciate the opportunity to work at Beaver Dam Hearing Care because of its location as well her opportunity to form relationships with her patients and their families. The flexibility to spend more time with my patients when needed is a perfect fit to my philosophy of patient care, Estness said. The office has increased patient care hours to four full days a week. JUNEAU A 19-year-old Juneau man could face up to 50 years in prison for possessing sexually explicit images of a 15-year-old girl. Brandon L. Loomis is charged with two counts of possession of child pornography and scheduled to make his initial appearance in court on March 6. According to the criminal complaint, the mother of the 15-year-old girl contacted police on Oct. 21, 2015.The woman reported that she had discovered her daughter, who was a student at Cumberland High School, was talking to men over the Internet and had sent images and videos over Skype. Police learned that the girl was communicating with Loomis and a 20-year-old Cumberland man. The girl admitted to investigators that she had sent images to Loomis and the two had exchanged photos. However at the time she talked with police, she was unable to contact him on the Internet. The girl said she used her school laptop computer in order to send the images. The girl identified Loomis and said he lived in the Madison area. She said she originally met Loomis on hotornot.com and continued to communicate with him online. The girl said the two had sent about four photos to each other. Special Agents for the Division of Criminal Investigations for the Wisconsin Department of Justice spoke with Loomis in July 2016 and he told officers that he use to use several social media accounts in the past and sent provocative pictures over the Internet, but had deleted the accounts after he started seeing his girlfriend. Loomis allegedly admitted to sending provocative photos to the 15-year-old girl when he was 18. The Cumberland man in the complaint has been found guilty of three counts of fourth degree sexual assault. He was placed on probation for three years. Do you ever hear someone speaking with an accent and catch yourself mimicking them? Unless you do it intentionally, it may be what psychologists call the chameleon effect. Its a natural tendency to copy anothers speech inflections or even physical expressions (mirroring their body language, for example) in a subconscious effort to make them like us better. Our brains give us the urge to empathize and affiliate with others. In high school, I called a friend and reached his mother. Originally from the South, she had a slow and soft drawl. While leaving a message for my friend, I noticed that I was speaking with her accent. She graciously did not call me out on it, but it left me stricken with embarrassment and worried that she thought I was mocking her. I still catch myself picking up accents. While watching a movie from the Harry Potter series, my son told me knock off the English accent I started using. While growing up in Michigans Upper Peninsula, in the years before cable TV arrived, I did not understand that I had an accent a Yooper accent. It was not until my family moved to Western Colorado while I was in fourth grade that I discovered I sounded different. Younger students would come up to me on the playground, ask me to say mountain lion, and then run away laughing when I did. I now wish I had a recording of how I said it, so I could try to understand what was so funny about my pronunciation. My accent softened after many years of living in Colorado. While there, I picked up yall from school friends from Texas. The accent came back after we returned to the U.P., and gets thick again after I spend any length of time up north. My alma mater once had a professor studying linguistics, with an interest in capturing what makes the Yooper accent unique. I now wish Id taken a few more of her classes. My understanding of linguistics is limited to the difference between an accent and dialect. An accent is the sounds (pronunciation), while dialect includes vocabulary and grammar. A Yoopers tendency to use a D sound instead of th can be traced to the influence of Finnish immigrants. I still pepper my sentences with eh and the occasional youse. My vocabulary includes pank, swampers, snow scoop, choppers and bug dope. I confess to cringing when I overhear someone mispronounce sauna. Some people have asked if I am from Canada. I find it a puzzling generalization, as Canada has its own dialects and two official languages- English and French. There are several quizzes online that attempt to identify your dialect by asking what words you use or how you pronounce words. Try it by visiting http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/12/20/sunday-review/dialect-quiz-map.html Wikipedia offers a map of the different dialect regions in the United States, and links to explain what makes those dialects unique. Learning that my home state of Michigan now offers a pronunciation guide made me smile, and the news release announcing it came out shortly after a friend on Facebook shared a list of words Michiganders pronounce wrong. You can find Michigans guide online at http://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-28313_54234-401841,00.html There is an unofficial guide for Wisconsin at http://misspronouncer.com/. The website offers pronunciations for Wisconsin cities, counties, state parks and more. Listening to it reminded me of a video shared during the Green Bay Packers last Super Bowl appearance, with people from Dallas attempting to say Wisconsin city names. Rae for taking all forces on board for polls Outgoing Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae has suggested that the Nepal government take all the parties into confidence before holding the scheduled local level elections. Take a good look at all 45 presidents so far. Regardless of party, they all have one thing in common. From George Washington to Ronald Reagan to Bill Clinton to Donald Trump, they all had their problems with the media. Indeed, they all complained about their press coverage. But none of them hated yes, hated the media like Trump. For Trump, its an obsession. His ego has no bounds. Any story that does not talk about how wonderful he is sets him off. Its just more proof, in his mind that the very, very dishonest media are out to get him, advancing their own political agenda and actually working for the opposition party. Not only that. If media companies dont unabashedly praise Trump, they might even be anti-American. On Feb. 17, he told his 25 million Twitter followers, The FAKE NEWS media (failing @nytimes, @NBCNews, @ABC, @CBS, @CNN) is not my enemy, it is the enemy of the American People! Enemy of the people? Really? We all understand he doesnt like the media, but isnt that loaded phrase notoriously used in the past by Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse-tung and other tyrants a little over the top? Not at all, insisted White House press secretary Sean Spicer, who argued Trumps use of the phrase is totally justified, I think the president has been very clear that certain outlets have gone out of their way to not represent his record accurately, and it is a concern to him. The problem, of course, is that, in the demented world of Trump, the only way to represent his record accurately is to report that he actually won the popular vote, if you subtract the 4 to 5 million who voted for Hillary Clinton illegally; that he would have won New Hampshire, if only Democrats had not bussed voters in from Massachusetts; that he got the biggest electoral vote total of any candidate since Ronald Reagan; and that his inauguration drew the biggest crowd ever to the Washington Mall. None of which is true. Now, it would be easy to dismiss the charge enemy of the people as nothing more than the ranting of an egomaniac. And thats what a lot of people suggest the media should do. But I think thats a mistake for at least two reasons. The first is that Trumps nonstop, baseless attacks on the media undermine one of our most important and most revered public institutions: a free and independent press, which is so fundamental to the workings of democracy that the founders enshrined it in the very first amendment to the Constitution. Of course, nobody likes reading critical stories. But other presidents have learned that it not only goes with the territory, it actually helps them do their job. In December 1962, President John F. Kennedy, who had his own run-ins with the press, called the media an invaluable arm of the presidency. He told reporters, Even though we never like it, even though we wish they didnt write it, even though we disapprove, there isnt any doubt at all that we couldnt do the job at all in a free society without a very active press. Secondly, Trumps attacks on the media embolden dictators in other countries like Turkey, Saudi Arabia, China and Russia to continue their suppression of the media because, after all, if its good enough for the United States, its good enough for them. Who are we to criticize them for not recognizing freedom of the press when we dont, either? As depressing as Trumps war on the media is, however, its not all bad news. Ironically, Trump has sparked some of the best investigative reporting weve seen in this county since Watergate on the Russian connection, on Trumps financial conflicts, and on his lies from the failing New York Times and the Washington Post, which just adopted a new slogan, Democracy dies in darkness. Its also clear that the majority of the American people arent buying his assault on the press. Asked in the latest Quinnipiac University poll whom they trust more to tell you the truth about important issues, 52 percent chose the media over the president. Only his hardcore base of 37 percent chose Trump. Even the cartoon character Pogo offers a glimmer of hope. Yes, his most famous line is We have met the enemy, and he is us. But his second most famous is, Dont take life so serious, son. It aint no how permanent. No, and neither is Trump. We in the media will continue to tell the truth. Rara area sees jump in real estate investment Shankar Khanal of Kathmandu purchased two ropanies of apple orchard for Rs4.2 million in the Rara region recently. Royal Bank of Canada operates as a diversified financial service company worldwide. The company's Personal & Commercial Banking segment offers checking and savings accounts, home equity financing, personal lending, private banking, indirect lending, including auto financing, mutual funds and self-directed brokerage accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, credit cards, and payment products and solutions; and lending, leasing, deposit, investment, foreign exchange, cash management, auto dealer financing, trade products, and services to small and medium-sized commercial businesses. This segment offers financial products and services through branches, automated teller machines, and mobile sales network. Its Wealth Management segment provides a suite of advice-based solutions and strategies to high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, and institutional clients. The company's Insurance segment offers life, health, home, auto, travel, wealth, annuities, and reinsurance advice and solutions; and business insurance services to individual, business, and group clients through its advice centers, RBC insurance stores, and mobile advisors; digital, mobile, and social platforms; independent brokers; and travel partners. Its Investor & Treasury Services segment provides asset servicing, custody, payments, and treasury services to financial and other investors; and fund and investment administration, shareholder, private capital, performance measurement and compliance monitoring, distribution, transaction banking, cash and liquidity management, foreign exchange, and global securities finance services. The company's Capital Markets segment offers corporate and investment banking, as well as equity and debt origination, distribution, advisory services, sale, and trading services for corporations, institutional investors, asset managers, private equity firms, and governments. The company was founded in 1864 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Rival student unions clash in RR Campus Injuries have been reported when two rival student organisations clashed in Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus at Exhibition Road in Kathmandu on Saturday. 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 What we do in the shadows If youve been at all on the fence about whether the new Moonlight will be worth your while, Im here to tell you to quit your wavering and dive right in. 11. Leshan Giant Buddha The Leshan Giant Buddha is a splendid and awe-inspiring 233 feet tall statue depicting Maitreya, a form of future Buddha. The statue is carved out of a cliff face, and lies at the confluence of three rivers in Chinas Sichuan province. The Leshan Giant Buddha was built between the years 713 and 803 and continues to draw tourists to this date. It has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and archeological significance. Legend says that the construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha was initiated by Chine monk, Hai Tong who believed that the Buddha would calm the turbulent waters of the river and thus protect the vessels traveling down it. It is even claimed that to ensure funding for the project, he even gouged out his own eyes to exhibit his dedication to the Buddha. However, the construction was still stalled due to a paucity of funds till 7- years later, the project was completed by one of Hai Tongs disciples. The construction of the Leshan Giant Buddha actually did help achieve Hai Tong's original goals as so much stone was removed from the cliff face and deposited in the river during the construction of the statue that the currents of the river were curbed and the movement of vessels on the river became safer. 10. Gifu Great Buddha The Gifu Great Buddha is a monumental statue of Buddha located in Shoho-ji in Gifu City, Japan. The idea of constructing the statue was conceived in 1790 by the Kinpouzan, Shoho temples 11th head priest. He believed it would help avert famine and earthquakes common in the region. However, the statue was not completed in his lifetime and the project was completed by his successor on April 1832. Ginkgo tree wood, bamboo lattices, clay, lacquer, and gold leaf were some of the raw materials used to build the Gifu Great Buddha. 9. Spring Temple Buddha The Spring Temple Buddha is a statue of the Vairocana Buddha that is located in Chinas Zhaocun township, Lushan County. The statue is based near the National Freeway no. 311 within the boundaries of the Fodushan Scenic Area. The statue was built between 1997 and 2008. The 420 feet statue (including the 66 feet lotus throne) is the worlds second tallest statue. A Buddhist monastery lies beneath the statue of the Spring Temple Buddha. The execution of the project cost around $55 million USD. 8. Buddha Park Of Ravangla Also known as the Tathagata Tsal, the Buddha Park of Ravangla is located in the Indian state of Sikkim. The 130-foot high statue is the central feature of the park and was constructed between 2006 and 2013. The site of Buddha Park is within the periphery of a centuries-old Buddhist pilgrimage site, the Rabong Gompa (Monastery). The 14th Dalai Lama himself consecrated the statue of March 25, 2013. 7. Buduruwagala The Buduruwagala is an ancient Sri Lankan Buddhist temple that houses seven statues dating back to the 10th century. The largest among these statues still exhibits the traces of its original stuccoed robe. The fact that the statue was once painted bright orange can be easily figured out by a long streak of orange on the body. The largest statue is 51 feet tall. A mystery surrounds the Buduruwagala rock sculpture complex. The same rock where the statues are carved also hosts a flame-shaped carving that is always wet of an oil with no explainable source. 6. Maligawila Buddha Statue The Maligawila Buddha statue is a standing Buddha figure carved out of a massive limestone rock. The statue was commissioned during the 7th century by prince Aggabodhi and is located in Sri Lanka. The statue was discovered in 1951 in several broken pieces and was reconstructed and raised again in 1980. The 37 feet tall Maligawila Buddha statue is Sri Lankas tallest ancient free-standing statue. 5. The Avukana Statue The Avukana Statue is a majestic Buddha statue near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The over 40 feet tall statue was carved out of a massive granite rock face during the 5th century. The statue now serves as a tourist magnet in Sri Lanka. The architecture of the Avukana statue represents a unique blend of the Amaravati school of art and the Gandhara school of art. 4. Buddhas of Bamiyan The Buddhas of Bamiyan were monumental standing Buddha statues carved into a cliff-side in central Afghanistans Bamyan Valley. The smaller statue was built in 507 CE and the larger one in 554 CE. The two statues were 35 and 53 meters tall, respectively. The main bodies of the sculptures were carved directly into the sandstone cliffs while a mixture of mud and straw coated with stucco was used to fill in the details. Unfortunately, the Taliban dynamited and destroyed the statues on March 2001 amidst widespread international protest. However, the future rebuilding of the statues is a possibility. 3. The Grand Buddha At Ling Shan The Grand Buddha is located south of the Longshan Mountain in Chinas Jiangsu Province. The Buddha statue at the site is one of the largest Buddha statues in the country and also in the world. The 88 meters tall and 700 tons heavy statue is a bronze Amitabha standing Buddha which was constructed by late 1996. To the east of the statue lies a Brahma Palace and a "Five-signets" Palace. 2. Tian Tan Buddha Also known as the Big Buddha, the Tian Tan Buddha is a gigantic bronze statue of Buddha Shakyamuni located in Hong Kongs Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. The statue was completed in 1993 and represents the harmonious connection between man and nature, and people and their faith. The Tian Tan Buddha is a popular tourist attraction in the region. The statue of the Buddha rests atop a lotus on a three-tiered platform serving as the altar. Six smaller statues surround the larger one and are depicted offering the Buddha flowers, ointment, music, fruit, lamp, and incense. All these objects have their own symbolism in Buddhism and are categorized as the Six Perfections. The main statue itself is 112 feet tall, weighs more than 250 metric tons, and is made of 202 bronze pieces. Visitors to the Tian Tan Buddha need to climb 268 steps to reach the statue. Nearby attractions include the Po Lin Monastery, Lantau South Country Park, Ngong Ping 360, the Lantau Trail, and several others. 1. Great Buddha Dordenma The Great Buddha Dordenma is a colossal statue of Shakyamuni Buddha nestled in the mountains of Bhutan. The statue was built to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Jigme Singye Wangchuck, the fourth king of Bhutan. Over one hundred thousand smaller Buddha statues made of bronze and gilded in gold are located inside the colossal statue. The Great Buddha Dordenma is housed within the ruins of the former palatial building of Kuensel Phodrang. The construction of the giant statue was initialized in October 2010. However, construction was completed only on September 25, 2015. The statue, one of the most gigantic in the world, is 169 feet tall. A cost of US$47 million was incurred during the construction of the statue. The statue is surrounded by the Kuensel Phodrang nature park which conserves 943.4 acres of forest area and includes two public outdoor gymnasiums within its limits. Wheat workshop begins 2017 Saarc Wheat Rust Surveillance and Monitoring workshop started in Kathmandu bringing scientists from South Asia to foster regional collaboration and equip a new generation of scientists with the tools and knowledge to manage the threat of wheat rusts. Workers at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly Plant are watching the clock tick down toward a scheduled March 3 date for the elimination of the second shift at the facility, impacting some 1,300 jobs. The company announced the job cuts in December, claiming it needs to reduce inventories. The factory builds Cadillac CT6, Chevrolet Impala and the Buick LaCrosse sedans. The cuts will affect full-time GM employees, part-time workers and contract workers for GM Manufacturing Subsystems LLC. The layoffs at the Detroit-Hamtramck facility follow 2,000 layoffs last month at the Lordstown, Ohio plant, outside Warren, and the Lansing Grand River factory in Michigan. They are the first job cuts by GM since 2010 and point to a slowing of the sales boom over the last six years. The layoffs will add to an already high official unemployment rate of nearly 10 percent in Detroit, the poorest big city in America. The Detroit-Hamtramck plant is the only GM facility remaining in the city. The World Socialist Web Site Autoworker Newsletter spoke to several workers who stopped by a pizzeria down the street from GM. Toya, a young worker at the GM Detroit-Hamtramck factory, said the layoff announcement initially came as a shock to her. They basically promised us job security, she said. They made it seem we would be hired in after a certain amount of months, but it wasnt anything like that. We get 20 weeks unemployment benefits, thats all. In 2011, Michigan reduced the maximum eligibility period for unemployment benefits from 26 to 20 weeks, one of the shortest benefit periods in the US. The state recently settled a lawsuit involving a scandal in which the state falsely accused tens of thousands of claimants of fraud, forcing struggling workers to unjustly repay of millions of dollars in benefits and penalties. The United Auto Workers (UAW) was involved in the sweetheart settlement, under terms of which not a single state official will be prosecuted or subject to sanctions. GM timed the layoffs at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant so that workers hired in to staff the second shift, which started up in April 2016, will not have a full year of seniority and therefore will not be eligible for Supplemental Unemployment Benefits. The United Auto Workers 2015 sellout contract agreement with GM helped facilitate the layoffs by allowing the company to expand the number of part-time workers it employs. Detroit-Hamtramck workers have told the Autoworker Newsletter that perhaps 120 workers were being transferred to a GM engine plant in the city of Romulus, outside Detroit. However, most of those laid off are being told nothing by the UAW about their future status. Toya said, The union has been dodging us ever since. All they are providing is help with resumes and unemployment. Now I have to start over, start from scratch once again; filling out applications. They are leaving us basically to fend for ourselves. The layoffs at GM come following reports of record profits and sales in 2016. Yet a large portion of the workers being laid off next week are not eligible for profit-sharing checks. John, a longtime veteran worker at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, said, I feel like GM cars are overpriced and I am overworked. They are making billions, and we have lights in the factory that dont work. When they added the new shift last year they rushed to get it operational, so there were a lot of problems. They build a lot of different cars in this plant and it takes time to train people adequately. As for the UAW, the diplomatic way to say it is they seem more and more complacent. When you get up to their high officers, all they are doing is sitting on their butts collecting a paycheck. They are dividing us by saying, If you dont give concessions we will move jobs to another plant. The UAW is letting them get away with this. They dont want to do anything that upsets management. Tammy, who works at AT&T, also stopped by the pizzeria near Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly. She told the Autoworker Newsletter that this was the first she had heard about the layoffs at GM, even though her husband was an autoworker at Ford. She agreed with John, Our union, the CWA [Communications Workers of America], is in their pocket just like the UAW. All of them are. The layoffs at the DetroitHamtramck plant follow the announcement by the UAW of a reactionary Buy American campaign in line with Trumps right-wing program of America First nationalism. Over the past few days Trump has announced a policy of mass deportations of immigrant workers. Asked what he thought about the Trump administration, John said, I do not like Donald Trump. He lied too much. I think the deportations are totally wrong. He claims he wants to make good on his campaign promises, but he is sitting there grabbing his pen and writing all these executive orders. Referring to Trump, Tammy said, Look at the people he is appointing. They are against the things they are supposed to be in charge of. Tammy spoke about the fact that many of the workers at Ford and GM work under a two-tier wage scale, with new hires making significantly less than senior workers. Even making $18 or $19 dollar an hour is not enough, she said. I have watched Ford break my husband. They are getting away with murder with the pay they give. Where I work everything is for the needs of the business. They offer us flextime, but never when we need it. Its all for their needs. They wont even give us medical time when we need it. It is not paid, so I dont see what the big deal is. Heavy rains hit Northern California early this week, leading to floods, mudslides, and the evacuations of as many as 50,000 people. At least eight people have died as a result, exposing the inadequacy of Californias infrastructure. There is another heavy storm expected this weekend. The Coyote Creek in San Jose reached a 100-year high following the recent storms. 14,000 people living nearby were placed under an emergency evacuation order and were unable to return to their homes Wednesday. An additional 36,000 people were issued an evacuation advisory. As floodwaters receded the number of mandatory evacuations dropped to 3,800 on Friday. Emergency shelters have been opened for people while firefighters had to go door-to-door to warn residents to leave, as there are no warning sirens or other methods of contacting people. As floodwaters rose rapidly, rescue workers had to transport people on inflatable rafts. At least 300 homes have been damaged and total damages are estimated at several million dollars. Despite last weeks near-disaster at Oroville Dam, the local governments in major cities like San Jose, the third largest in California, remained unprepared, giving residents little to no warning. The San Jose evacuation orders were enacted only after floodwaters were already chest-high in some areas. Mayor Sam Liccardo, stated, As I sit here today and I look out at a neighborhood thats completely inundated with water ... theres no question in my mind there was a failure of some kind. As with the recent evacuations of residents living near the Oroville Dam, those most affected are largely workers or people living in poverty. One hundred families living in mobile homes in Lake County were also ordered to leave. Its very serious, Lake County Sheriff Brian Martin stated Monday night. Theres going to be widespread property damage. .. our grounds been saturated. Some areas of North California received as much as eight inches of rain. Recalling the recent experience at Oroville, the nearby Don Pedro Dam opened its spillway for the first time in twenty years. This could triple the flow of the Tuolumne River going through Stanislaus and Modesto counties where authorities were again forced to go door-to-door to warn residents of potential flooding. While Lake Oroville appeared capable of handling the additional water and runoff, infrastructure in other parts of the state failed. A levee broke along the San Joaquin River Monday, forcing the evacuation of 500 people near Manteca in San Joaquin County. Work crews have made impressive progress on filling in the levee gap, and reducing the flow of water, said the countys Office of Emergency Services. Crews will stay on the scene to further stabilize the levee to completely seal the opening. However, the release of water from the Don Pedro reservoir will put further strain on the levees in the area. The San Joaquin River peaked on Thursday, but the reservoir will continue releasing water for at least a week. Were just barely hanging on by a thread down here, said Chris Neudeck, a levee engineer. He went on to state that the additional water would put further strain on other levees, threatening to collapse rather than overflow them. As was highlighted last week, dam conditions around the country are dangerously deficient, earning a D grade from the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) in 2013. California has 833 high-hazard potential dams, those whose collapse would threaten lives. The average percentage of high-hazard dams is 17 percent nationally, but for California it is 52 percent. A full 300 of Californias high-hazard dams have no emergency action plan. Levees, to which the ASCE gave a D minus grade in 2013, are in a similar state. There are 100,000 miles of levees running throughout all 50 states in the United States. The ASCE report stated that the reliability of many of those levees is unknown. Many of them were built in the 19th century and were designed to protect farmland, not towns and cities. They also decay over time. The ASCE estimate that $100 billion would be needed to repair all the levees around the country, less than a sixth of the Pentagons budget this year. The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported in July 2016 that the US Army Corps of Engineers and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had made little progress on implementing important levee safety activities required by the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2014, only beginning to put together a national levee inventory. However, the GAO states, the agencies have no plan for implementing the remaining activities required by the act. These include multifaceted levee safety initiatives and reconvening the national committee on levee safety. Within Californias Central Valley, there are 1,600 miles of levees, but fewer than half of them qualify for repairs through the US Army Corps of Engineers. Most are privately maintained by farmers. While it is unclear how many people live near and are protected by levees, FEMA estimates that 43 percent of the US population lives in counties with levees. The issue of levee safety and the destruction that can be wrought when they fail was driven into peoples minds following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, when 1,836 people were killed, mostly as a result of failing levees. Even when catastrophe is averted, the impact on workers lives is immense. Few can afford to uproot their lives at a moments notice, sacrificing wages or even their jobs when they are forced to evacuate. Each natural disaster is dealt with under capitalism as it comes, with little planning or foresight by government officials. Seven people were shot and killed Wednesday in Chicago, in what has so far been the deadliest day of 2017. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the city has recorded this many murders 21 times in the past 16 years, a rare butappallinglynot unheard of occurrence. The last time it happened was Christmas Day of the past year. According to counts by the Sun-Times and Chicago Tribune, there have been just under 100 murders in the first eight weeks of the year, an increase over the first eight weeks of 2016. The past year saw more murders than the city has seen in nearly two decades, with the number increasing over 50 percent from 2015, from 496 to 762. As with most of the citys shooting deaths, the murders were concentrated in just a few of the most impoverished neighborhoods, in which gang violence is rampant. Six of seven were killed on the South Side, one of whom was a 20-year-old pregnant woman, while one, a 60-year-old man, was killed in the Little Village neighborhood on the West Side. Reports of the violence led President Donald Trump to tweet: Seven people shot and killed yesterday in Chicago. What is going on there - totally out of control. Chicago needs help! Since his campaign for president, Trump has made it a point to regularly comment on the violence in Chicago as part of a campaign to remove all constraints on police violence against the working class. During an interview last August on the OReilly Factor, Trump claimed to have met with a top police officer in Chicago and claimed that the violence could be solved by the police being very much tougher than they are right now. At a campaign rally in September, he suggested that an increase in stop-and-frisk tactics, in other words, unconstitutional police harassment of the citys working class population, might save thousands of lives. In January, in response to reports about the 2016 homicide numbers, Trump threatened, again via Twitter, If Chicago doesnt fix the horrible carnage going on I will send in the Feds! Later, in an interview with ABC News, Trump expanded on what he meant by this, saying Now, if they want help, I would love to help them. I will send in what we have to send in. Maybe theyre not gonna have to be so politically correct. Maybe theyre being overly political correct. In other words, what Trump wants to unleash is no less than a violent and ruthless crackdown on working class and impoverished communities, along with a clampdown on protests against police violence, untrammeled by legal restraints. Trumps support of increased police violence won him significant numbers of votes among Chicago police officers. In neighborhoods where large numbers of Chicago police officers live, Trump did much better than he did in the city as a whole. He won one, Mount Greenwood, outright, with 59 percent of the vote. The suggestion, however, that Chicago Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel has been restraining the police or preventing them from doing their job is absurd on its face. The notoriously corrupt and violent Chicago Police Department (CPD) has continued its campaign of terror, while Emanuel has boasted about the high volume of recent applicants to the police force in his campaign to build up CPD numbers. Emanuel has, in fact, offered to work closely with Trump, and personally met the president-elect in December in New York. On February 13, Emanuel visited the White House and met with senior members of the administration including Attorney General Jeff Sessions, who oversees federal law enforcement agencies. According to a Justice Department spokesman, Emanuel and Sessions discussed what might be done to combat the shootings and bring back proactive community policing. One of the main responses of the Emanuel administration to Trumps comments about Chicago violence has been to request that more agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) be sent to help with investigations and prosecutions. In fact, two weeks after Trumps January tweet, 20 ATF agents were reassigned to Chicago. Emanuel has, however, opposed the deployment of National Guard troops in the city. This is not, however, out of any principled opposition to such a flagrant violation of democratic rights, but out of a political calculation that social opposition to such an occupation might explode, as it did after the videos of Laquan McDonalds murder at the hands of a Chicago police officer were released to the public. Little more than nine weeks before the first round of the French presidential election on April 23, neo-fascist Front National (FN) candidate Marine Le Pen is consolidating her lead over her main rivals. According to recent surveys, she will easily qualify for the May 7 runoff, most likely facing either Emmanuel Macron of En Marche or right-wing The Republicans (LR) candidate Francois Fillon. Just as Donald Trump emerged as a viable and ultimately victorious candidate in the United States despite broad popular hostility, Le Pen could also win the 2017 elections due to explosive social anger against her opponents, particularly the Socialist Party (PS) government. An Elabe poll for BFMTV on Wednesday found that on the first round, she would get 27 percent of the vote, well ahead of Fillon (20 percent) and Macron (17 percent). Even after Francois Bayrou, the president of the right-wing Mouvement Democrate (MoDem), announced Wednesday that he would not run for president and endorsed Macron, Le Pen still led in polls. According to an Ifop-Fiducial poll held after Bayrous endorsement, Macron would receive 22 percent of the vote. The same poll found that he would win the second round, 61 percent to Le Pens 39 percentmore than double her father Jean-Maries score of 18 percent in the 2002 presidential elections, the only other time the FN advanced to the runoff. Though Le Pen would currently lose the presidency, she is steadily increasing her score in polls on the runoff, having risen between 1.5 and 2 percent since the last poll. With 53 percent of voters still undecided, a last-minute shift in favor of Le Pen cannot be ruled out. Amid broad anger at PS austerity policies, the FN is surging among manual workers: 44 percent intend to vote for Le Pen, compared to Left Front candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon (17 percent), Macron (15 percent), PS candidate Benoit Hamon (12 percent) and Fillon (7 percent). The New Anti-Capitalist Party (NPA) and Workers Struggle (LO)which received nearly 10 percent of the total vote in 2002would get only 3 and 2 percent of manual workers vote, respectively, according to the polls. The FNs rise as a serious contender for power is part of an international collapse of the post-World War II, US-dominated world order. After Britain voted last year to exit the European Union (EU), Trump took office having dismissed the NATO alliance as obsolete, signaled sympathy for Russia and attacked the EU as a tool of Germany. The international framework of European capitalist politics is disintegrating. If Le Pen has been granted media access and treated as a respectable candidate, this is due to deep divisions in the French financial aristocracy over how to now assert its interests. The Socialist Party and the campaign of Macron, the former PS economy minister, back NATOs war drive against Russia and EU austerity led by Berlin. They were hostile to Trump during the US presidential campaign. The FN, however, speaks for a faction that feels threatened by the euro, German rearmament and German economic hegemony in the EU, and seeks to partially revive Frances traditional alliance with Moscow against Berlin. Le Pen, whose nationalist foreign policy echoes that of Trump, hailed the latters election as the beginning of a new world. She also praised Brexit and called for France to leave the EU and the euro, returning to a French national currency, the franc. The euro is a major obstacle to the development of our economy, she said. She has pledged several shock proposals, including organizing a European summit to renegotiate all EU treaties. She has repeatedly said she wants to devalue the currency to revitalize French industry, and that in the case of the failure of such talks, she would propose a referendum on Frances exit from the euro currency. Should it take power, the FN would lead a regime of war and deep social reaction that would vastly accelerate the political disintegration of bourgeois Europe. Besides trying to slash workers purchasing power with a policy of competitive devaluation aimed above all at Germany, its stated policies include slashing attacks on basic social and democratic rights. It would rely on broad support for the FN in the police, which has been given virtually arbitrary powers by the PSs state of emergency, to try to crush popular opposition. In line with far-right parties across Europe, the FN plans to stir up anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim hysteria to divide the working class and cultivate a militarist atmosphere. It plans to expel undocumented immigrants, limit immigration and impose harsh conditions for obtaining French nationality. Le Pen has vowed to end free education for foreign children, declaring: If you come to our country, dont expect to be taken care of, treated, that your kids will be educated for free, thats ended, game over! There is deep opposition in the population, above all in the working class, to the FNs agenda. Opposition to Trump in France, at over 80 percent, gives an idea of the underlying unpopularity of the FNs far-right nationalist program. A columnist in Britains right-wing Spectator recently gave voice to the bourgeoisies fears of opposition a FN regime could provoke in the working class, writing: If she did become president, France would face a genuine crisis, the worst for half a century. There would certainly be strikes and violent demonstrations by those who would see themselves as defending the Republic against fascism. How she could form a viable government or win a majority in parliament is unclear. The working class cannot ward off the threats posed by the FN by supporting Macron, the PS, or the PSs various satellitesthe Left Front, the NPA or LO. All helped pave the way for the neo-fascists emergence. They defended the PS as it tried to fashion a social base for its austerity policies, wars and attacks on democratic rights, imposing a perpetually renewed state of emergency and inviting Le Pen to the Elysee presidential palace as a mark of respectability. More fundamentally, they are discredited by the failure of the PS and the global capitalist order. Macron, who laid out his economic proposals in the financial daily Les Echos yesterday, called for drastic spending cuts of 60 billion [$US63.5 billion], including 25 billion in public spending and cutting 125,000 public sector jobs. At the same time, he threatened Berlin with frank and demanding negotiations to obtain more favorable policies. Reports suggest that inside the PS, where utter demoralization prevails, the idea of the inevitability of a Le Pen victory is gaining ground. In a February 16 article headlined, Why the PS believes in a Marine Le Pen victory, Le Point cited top PS officials including PS National Secretary Jean-Christophe Cambadelis, who said: The alignment of planets was never so favorable to Marine Le Pen. It listed 10 reasonsincluding Brexit, Trumps election and the impact of potential new terrorist attacks in Francewhy Le Pen could win. Remarkably, one of the reasons given was that the neo-fascists and allied pro-FN intellectuals, like journalist Eric Zemmour and writer Michel Onfray, had won the cultural battle of ideas. This comment, from a leading liberal publication in France, amounts to a devastating self-indictment by the ruling class of its own historical bankruptcy. The Pentagon has prepared recommendations to be submitted to President Donald Trump at the beginning of next week for a major escalation of the US military intervention in Iraq and Syria. According to unnamed US officials cited Friday by the Wall Street Journal, the proposal is expected to include sending additional troops to Iraq and Syria and loosening battlefield restrictions to ease rules designed to minimize civilian casualties. The new battle plans stem from an executive order signed by Trump on January 28 giving the Pentagon 30 days to a deliver a preliminary draft of the Plan to defeat ISIS [Islamic State] in Iraq and Syria. According to independent estimates, as many as 8,000 civilians have already died in air strikes carried out by US and allied warplanes against targets in both Syria and Iraq, even as the Pentagon routinely denies the vast majority of reported deaths of unarmed men, women and children resulting from US bombings. The new policy to be rolled out next week, which the Journal reports is aimed at increasing the number and rate of operations, will inevitably entail a horrific intensification of this bloodletting. Speaking before the Center for 21st Century Security and Intelligence at the Brookings Institution in Washington on Thursday, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Marine General Joseph Dunford, said that the Pentagon would be presenting Trump with a political-military plan to deal not only with ISIS in Iraq and Syria, but to advance our long-term interests in the region. Referring to the intense contradictions besetting the US intervention in the region, which has relied on the use of Kurdish militias as proxy ground troops in Syria, even as Washingtons NATO ally, Turkey, has intervened to militarily counter their influence, Dunford insisted that Washington cant be paralyzed by tough choices. Pointing to the regional scope of the planned US military escalation, Dunford echoed earlier bellicose rhetoric from the administration against Iran, listing it alongside Russia, China, North Korea and transnational violent extremism as the major targets of the US military. The US military commander stated that the major export of Iran is actually malign influence across the region. He said that the US military buildup against Iran was designed to make sure we have freedom of navigation through the Straits of Hormuz, and that we deter conflict and crisis in the region, and that we advance our interest to include our interest in dealing with violent extremism of all forms. All of these alleged aims are pretexts for continuous US provocations aimed at countering Irans regional influence and furthering the drive for US hegemony in the Middle East. In relation to Iraq, Dunford signaled US intentions to maintain a US military occupation long after the campaign against ISIS is completed. He referred to a dialog about a long-term commitment to grow the capacity, maintain the capacity of the Iraqi security forces, adding that Iraqs Prime Minister Haider Abadi had spoken of the international community continuing to support defense capacity building. Dunfords comments echoed those of Secretary of Defense James Mad Dog Mattis during a trip earlier this week to Baghdad. While disavowing Trumps crude comments last monthWere not in Iraq to seize anybodys oil, Mattis saidhe also suggested that plans are being developed for a permanent US military presence in the country. The Iraqi people, the Iraqi military and the Iraqi political leadership recognizes what theyre up against and the value of the coalition and the partnership in particular with the United States, Mattis told reporters Monday. I imagine well be in this fight for a while and well stand by each other. Currently, Washington has more than 5,000 US troops in Iraq and another 500 Special Forces troops operating inside Syria. These forces are backed by tens of thousands of military contractors as well as other military units that are rotated in and out of the region. The plan to be presented next week will likely involve the deployment of thousands more US combat forces. Trump has repeatedly indicated his support for establishing safe zones in Syria, an intervention that would require large numbers of US soldiers backed by air power to seize and control swathes of Syrian territory. It would also entail threats of military confrontation with Russian warplanes operating in support of the Syrian government. As the Pentagon prepares its plans for military escalation in the region, US ground forces have reportedly entered Mosul, operating on the front lines with Iraqi forces in the bloody offensive to retake Iraqs second-largest city from ISIS. American Special Forces advisers joined Iraqi troops Thursday in the first incursion into western Mosul, with the retaking of the Mosul International Airport as well as a nearby military base. The operation was conducted with close air support from US warplanes. The airport and the base, located in the southern part of western Mosul, are to be used as the launching pad for a major assault into the most densely populated area of the city, where an estimated three quarters of a million civilians are trapped with no means of escape. The International Rescue Committee warned that this stage of the offensive would represent the most dangerous phase for civilians. This will be a terrifying moment for the 750,000 people still in the west of the city, and there is a real danger that the battle will be raging around them for weeks and possibly months to come, said Jason Kajer, the Iraq acting country director for the humanitarian group. Referring to the increasingly desperate plight of civilians in western Mosul, the International Committee of the Red Crosss field coordinator in Erbil, Dany Merhy, said: Supply routes have been cut from that side of the city and people have been facing shortages of food, water, fuel and medicine. We can only imagine the state people will be in. As in previous US-backed offensives against Fallujah and Ramadi, Mosul faces the prospect of being reduced to rubble. It is in this city where the proposed changes in the rules of engagement will find their first expression in the elevated slaughter of Iraqi civilians. A shooting in an Olathe, Kansas bar on Wednesday night killed one man and left two others injured. According to witnesses, the shooter harassed two Indian men with racial slurs, shouting, Get out of my country! before killing 32-year-old Srinivas Kuchibhotla and injuring 32-year-old Alok Madasani. Also injured was 24-year-old Ian Grillot, who had attempted to intervene in defense of the two men. Adam Purinton, a 51 year old Navy veteran, was arrested and charged with first degree murder in the case. Witnesses say he fled the bar on foot as police arrived. A bartender in Clinton, Missouri reported that Purinton told him that he had killed two Middle Eastern men. The FBI is investigating whether the shooting was racially motivated. The FBI found that hate crimes escalated sharply in 2016. According to other sources, including the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), they have spiked even more since Trump was elected, with crimes against immigrants outnumbering other bias-motivated crimes. Madasani and Kuchibhotla worked together at Garmin as engineers; both had emigrated over ten years ago from India. Kuchibhotlas wife, Damala, told reporters that she had feared that such a thing would occur, and that she had asked her husband many times in the year prior to his murder to consider leaving the United States. The shooting has not taken place in isolation. Hours after Trump issued an Executive Order banning travelers from seven Muslim-majority countries, a mosque in Victoria, Texas was torched. On February 18, a Birmingham, Alabama mosque received an email declaring that Muslims, Mexicans, and Blacks would be driven out of the country, or else hunted down and killed. Ashfaq Taufique, the President of the Birmingham Islamic Society (BIS), told the WSWS that, while the mosque has received hateful emails in the past, this one stood out for the explicitness of the threats. Plan to run or die, the email said, This is a kindness that we give you warning, take it and go. Taufique says that, while the community has received messages of hate against Islam in the past, This one contained words like die, death, so its a little more alarming. The BIS notified the FBI, the Department of Justice, and the local police of the threat. Mosques in Huntsville, Alabama and Atlanta, Georgia received similar threats on the same day. Taufique said that many members of the BIS have had individual encounters with anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant bias. He recounted how, earlier this year, a local high school girl, who was waiting for her mother after school was dismissed, heard a young man shout, Be careful, they have bombs! The girl confronted the young man and requested that he be made to do community service at the BIS in lieu of detention. In a separate incident, a young Muslim woman reported that while walking to class at the University of Alabama in Birmingham she was stopped by a driver as she attempted to cross the street and asked if she was carrying a bomb along with her books. Taufique pointed out the almost casual nature of such confrontations; to him it bespeaks that a segment of the population is much more comfortable with harassing Muslims. Recently we have seen a lot of people reporting hate incidents, Khaula Hadeed, Executive Director of Council for American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) of Alabama told the WSWS. She says that while these incidents occurred more frequently over the past year, since Trumps travel ban, there has been a steady incoming of hate incidents. Hadeed remarks that there is unrest in this society, in our communities, that wasnt there before. Like Taufique, she reported incidents where Muslim womendistinguished by their hijabs, or headscarveshave been singled out in public places and told to go home or leave the country. These incidents, along with the travel ban, have made the Muslim community apprehensive. She felt that there were many more incidents that people do not report. She said that most of the time, people do not report xenophobic encounters because they fear retaliation or increased hostility in their neighborhoods or workplaces. My assessment is that it has steadily grown and it does not seem to be going down, Hadeed said of anti-Muslim and attacks. Other sources bear her assessment out. The SPLC reported over 1000 different hate-related crimes, most of them targeting Muslims and immigrants, in the month following Trumps election. Mosques throughout the United States have been the target of threatening emails and phone calls. On Friday, February 24, two days after Adam Purinton killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, a Tampa mosque was set afire by arsonists. Sean Spicer, the White House spokesperson, has stated that it was too early to assign a reason to the Olathe shooting, and that it was absurd to link it to Trumps position on immigration. Trump is well known for tweeting emphatically after terror attacks, both real and imagined; yet in this incident, which, by all accounts was driven by anti-Arab, anti-immigrant bias, he has said nothing. The SPLC reports that, alongside the increases in anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant attacks, there has been a proportional uptick in membership in white nationalist movements. Trump has surrounded himself with high-profile figures linked to white nationalists. Steve Bannon, former editor of alt-right rag Breitbart, not only acts as Trumps chief strategist, but sits on the National Security Council as well. Michael Anton, director of strategic communications for the National Security Council, has written, behind the safety of a pseudonym, reactionary, anti-immigrant screeds in which he portrays Trump as the last hope for traditional American values and my people, shorthand for white Americans. Trumps executive order was for 7 countries, said CAIRs Hadeed, but it affects the entire Muslim community. She mentioned that there have been other instances like the Olathe shooting, in which non-Muslims have been targeted by Islamophobes. Trumps policy, Hadeed said, somehow is translated that if you are perceived to be a Muslim, if your skin color is brown, you are told you dont belong. We think it has a direct correlation between our national policies that are anti-Muslim. These policies, Hadeed said, are dehumanizing and demonizing a section in our society. On its face, it appears that the shooting in Olathe amounts to more evidence of this dehumanization. Malaysian police stated yesterday that Kim Jong-nam, the older half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, was killed by a potent nerve poison, VX, when he was attacked at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on February 13. The American press immediately seized on the unsubstantiated claim to ramp up its demonisation of the North Korean regime over its alleged use of a banned chemical weapon and to suggest that the Trump administration take action against Pyongyang. The New York Times, for instance, entitled its story In Kim Jong-nams death, North Korea lets loose a weapon of mass destruction. The Wall Street Journal headline declared, Role of VX nerve agent in Kim Jong-nams death raises global alarm. What is publicly known about the murder is limited. The Malaysian police investigation is still underway. Three people have been detainedtwo young women, one from Indonesia and the other from Malaysia, along with a North Korean man. Malaysian authorities have named seven other North Koreans, including a diplomat, they are seeking in relation to the murder. Kim Jong-nam was attacked by the two women, who allegedly smeared chemicals on his face then fled. Kim sought medical help, quickly collapsed and died on the way to hospital. Two autopsies have been performed but details have not been released. No one has come forward to claim the body or make a positive identification. Relations between Malaysia and North Korea deteriorated sharply after Pyongyang demanded the release of the body without an autopsy and publicly criticised the Malaysian investigation. North Koreas ambassador to Kuala Lumpur, Kang Chol, told reporters last week that we cannot trust the investigation and accused Malaysia of colluding with hostile forcesclaims that Malaysian authorities have dismissed. Kim Jong-nam lived much of his life abroad and had a reputation as a playboy, living in the Chinese territory of Macau. He was publicly critical of the North Korean regime headed by his half-brother and called for pro-market reform, but made no indication he would make a bid for power in Pyongyang. Despite the lack of detailed evidence or formal police findings, a mountain of media speculation continues to grow as to how and why Kim Jong-nam was killed, all pointing to North Korea. Whether or not Pyongyang carried out the assassination, the incident is being exploited to the hilt to further a reactionary political agenda. An editorial in yesterdays Wall Street Journal entitled North Korean Terror Notice blamed the murder on Pyongyang and declared: This is one more reason the US should redesignate North Korea a state sponsor of terror, a status it never should have lost in 2008. The editorial is part of the mounting clamour in US foreign policy and military circles for diplomatic, economic and/or military action against Pyongyang as a high priority. The Obama administration reportedly recommended to Trump and his advisers that Pyongyang be placed at the top of its foreign policy agenda because of the alleged threat that it would have a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the next few years. When the North Korean leader Kim Jong-un announced on New Years Day that his country would soon test an ICBM, Trump, as president-elect, tweeted that it wont happen, implying the use of military action to prevent it. His administration is reviewing US policy toward North Korea, having been critical of the failure of the Obama administration to force Pyongyang to dismantle its nuclear and missile programs. The call for North Korea to be redesignated a state sponsor of terrorism only highlights the cynical character of US policy. The Wall Street Journal editorial claims that the Bush administration delisted Pyongyang in exchange for denuclearisation promises that Pyongyang broke as always. In reality, as part of a deal struck in 2007, the Bush administration only belatedly and reluctantly took North Korea off the US State Department list after Pyongyang had shut down and begun to dismantle its nuclear facilities and readmitted UN inspectors. The deal broke down after the US insisted on additional, more intrusive inspection protocols. As the editorial admitted, branding North Korea a state sponsor of terrorism would have little practical effect. It would, however, effectively sabotage Chinas attempts to restart the six-party talks that led to the 2007 agreement and end any prospect of direct US negotiation with North Korea, which has been urged by a few US commentators. The editorial also made clear that the chief target is not North Korea, but its neighbour and ally China, which the Trump administration has already threatened with trade war measures and military action to block access to its South China Sea islets. Relisting North Korea, it declared, especially if followed by long-overdue sanctions on the Chinese firms that sustain the Pyongyang regime would put Kim Jong-un and his Chinese patrons on notice. Trump has previously lashed out at Beijing for allegedly failing to use Pyongyangs dependence on China to force North Korea to submit to US demands. Under pressure from Washington, Beijing, which has already imposed heavy UN sanctions on Pyongyang, announced this week that it would suspend all coal imports from North Korea for the rest of the year, compounding its economic crisis. Coal exports have been the countrys single largest foreign currency earner. China has opposed North Koreas nuclear and missile program, as it provides the US with a pretext for expanding its military presence in North East Asia and could trigger a nuclear arms race involving Japan and South Korea. At the same time, Beijing fears an implosion of the North Korean regime that could result in a unified Korea allied to the United States. Relations between Beijing and Pyongyang deteriorated further this week when the North Korean state-run KCNA news agency castigated a neighbouring country, which often calls itself a friendly neighboura reference that can only mean Chinafor dancing to the tune of the US. Such explicit public criticism of China is unprecedented and will likely produce a reaction from Beijing. The mounting media campaign against North Korea over Kim Jong-nams murder recalls the propaganda about the war on terror and weapons of mass destruction that was used as the pretext for the US-led illegal wars of intervention in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria. Any US action to destabilise or take military action against the crisis-ridden North Korean regime threatens to rapidly draw in other powers, including China, and plunge the entire region into conflict. We are not celebrating revolution here I dont think there is much to celebrate. Quite the contrary as you will see from the exhibition Natalia Murray, co-curator, on the eve of the opening of the Royal Academys Revolution: Russian Art 19171932 exhibition. Such a comment is fair warning to anyone planning to visit the current exhibition at the Royal Academy in London. Prior to the opening of Revolution: Russian Art 1917-1932, Guardian art critic Jonathan Jones expressed concern that the exhibitions curators would fail to portray art under Bolshevism as brutal propaganda, equivalent to that of the Nazis. He need not have worried. (For our reply to Joness article see here) Murrays aim as curator of the Royal Academy exhibition is to pour scorn on and discredit the 1917 October Revolution and to combat the contemporary impact of the works it inspired, such as the depiction of liberation in Boris Kustodievs Demonstration on Uritsky Square on the day of the opening of the Second Comintern Congress in July 1920. To that end, Murray serves up bitter doses of anti-communism and relentless denunciations of everything Bolshevik. Her essay in the catalogue, Cultural Heroes, is a rant against supposedly disenchanted and jaded artists, while a final sentence grudgingly admits that the Revolution produced some of the most remarkably talented people in the history of Russia, or indeed of Europe. Murrays premise is that art was flourishing in Russia before the Bolshevik coup in 1917her characterisation of the revolution is telling in itself, denying the mass popular support for the Bolsheviks during 1917 and its aftermath. Under the new regime, according to Murray, most artists were forced to flee or became disillusioned, whilst othersMalevich, El Lissitzky, Tatlin and Rodchenko et alfoolishly embraced the revolution or allowed themselves to be coerced by the all-powerful Bolsheviks. As a result, they became mere propaganda tools and dupes. For Murray, there is a direct line from the immediate post-revolutionary period under the ruthless and supposedly culturally backward Lenin, to the dictatorship of Stalin and the Gulagexpressed in the mug shots of Stalins victims displayed in a small cinema in the Room of Memory, which concludes the exhibition. Thankfully, Murray tells us, the values of Eternal Russia survived. Her dishonest narrative will be music to the ears of the contemporary billionairesLen Blavatnik, Dr Leonard Polonsky, Mikhail Fridman and Petr Avenwho sponsored the exhibition and wrote the preface to the catalogue. They made their fortunes largely from the carve-up of the state assets of the former Soviet Union. Blavatnik pocketed $7 billion from the sale of Russian oil company TNK-BPsomewhat more than Fridman who used his proceeds to set up Russias largest commercial bank, Alfa-Bank, now headed by Aven. Fridmans latest venture, LetterOne Group investment business, operates from the tax haven of Luxembourg and Polonskys Hansard Global PLC exploits the low tax regime on the Isle of Man. Should anyone be terribly surprised that an institution such as the Royal Academy and a gang of tycoons have pronounced an unfavorable verdict on the greatest and most progressive event in modern times? How could it be otherwise? In order to establish a historical continuity between the revolution led by Lenin and the political counterrevolution that resulted in the ascendency of the bureaucracy under Stalin, the curators had to perform one crucial task: the omission, or rather excision, of virtually any reference to Leon Trotsky. Just a handful of throwaway lines about Trotsky are to be found in the exhibitions catalogue. This of the man who led the October insurrection, formed the Red Army and founded the Left Opposition and subsequently the Fourth International against Stalinism. In the exhibition one is lucky to spot two small imageson a tea-cup by Mikhail Adamovich and in Kliment Redkos 1925 painting Insurrectionand one non-imagea handkerchief in which Trotskys face has been cut out. The curators offer no examination of what Trotsky did or said. There is not a single reference to Literature and Revolution , Class and Art , Problems of Everyday Life , Art and Politics in Our Epoch or any other of his incisive writings published during the period under review. Trotskys public interventions and polemics of the time provide an indispensable aid to understanding the cultural problems the fledgling workers state encounteredthe uneasy relationship between a workers government and a bohemian avant garde; the need to safeguard the art of the past and reject efforts by artistic and petty bourgeois groups to proclaim their work the officially sanctioned Communist art; and the impossibility of creating a distinct proletarian culture. The new human culture would be classless, Trotsky insisted, and all attempts to create it prematurely by artificial, laboratory means, particularly in the conditions of backward, isolated Russia, were bound to fail. These conceptions were elaborated in the Manifesto for an Independent Revolutionary Art, again ignored in the exhibition, written by Trotsky, Andre Breton and Diego Rivera in 1938. In it the authors opposed the totalitarian regime of the USSR, which had spread over the entire world a deep twilight hostile to every sort of spiritual value. They continued, If, for the better development of the forces of material production, the revolution must build a socialist regime with centralized control, to develop intellectual creation an anarchist regime of individual liberty should from the first be established. No authority, no dictation, not the least trace of orders from above! Only on a base of friendly cooperation, without constraint from outside, will it be possible for scholars and artists to carry out their tasks. In their attempt to blame the all powerful Bolsheviks for the difficulties that befell the new workers state, the curators all but ignore the fact that the revolution took place in the midst of the mass slaughter of the imperialist First World War, which resulted in 17 million deaths, a third of them in Russia. A civil war, which, according to Murray, was all the fault of the Bolsheviks, then devastated the country. No mention is made of the great powers that invaded the Soviet Union, rebuilding the remnants of the tsarist armies in order to install a military dictatorship. The poverty and backwardness of tsarist Russia, which the first workers state inherited, are likewise brushed aside. These factors first brought to the fore a privileged bureaucratic caste personified and led by Stalin. It was the misleadership of the Comintern by the Stalinist faction that led to a series of defeated revolutionary struggles internationally, ensuring the isolation of the Soviet Union and the terrible bureaucratic degeneration this produced. Stalin proclaimed that the task at hand was to build socialism in one country, rejecting the fundamental programme of socialist internationalism and world revolution that led the Bolsheviks to power under the leadership of Lenin and Trotsky. Decades later the bureaucracy ultimately liquidated the USSR in the interests of global capitalism. To promulgate its own Leninism led to Stalinism narrative, the exhibition imitates, in much reduced form, a 1932 exhibition held in Russia to commemorate 15 years of the revolution. That exhibition displayed 2,640 works by 423 artists in 35 galleries. The first gallery was arranged to bestow Lenins supposed seal of approval on the Stalinist regime and the last one to glorify Stalin himself and the Socialist Realist art that dominated under his dictatorship. The 1932 exhibition was organised by a government committee headed by Commissar of Enlightenment Andrei Bubnov. Its main political function was to pave the way for the closing down of the plethora of independent artistic groups and state institutions, which Anatoly Lunacharsky, first Soviet Peoples Commissar of Education had nurtured, replacing them with a monolithic Union of Artists. The 1932 exhibition committee cut out the proposed War Communism gallery, effectively excluding abstract and Constructivist Art, with curator Nikolai Punin declaring it was better to look ahead rather than to pedantically count every step of our historical past. (Bubnov, who had flirted with the Left Opposition in 1923, was shot in 1938; Punin died in a Stalinist labor camp in 1953.) Only two galleries in the 1932 exhibition were set aside for those regarded as leftistKazimir Malevich, reproduced at the Royal Academy, and Pavel Filonovbut these were presented in such a way as to show them as a deviation. In fact, Bubnovs committee only allowed their inclusion at the last minute, with Malevich describing how, [t]he arts administrators attitude towards me took a very malicious form. They isolated our brothers like enemies. The current exhibitions first gallery, Salute the Leader, is used to excoriate the philistine Lenin. Isaak Brodskys 1919 small painting, Vladimir Lenin and a Demonstration, which simply and subtly expresses Lenins role in opening the way for the masses, is reinterpreted as the work of a court painter paying homage to the new monarch. The Philosophers Ships episode, in which some 160 religious and intellectual figures, including the Russian Orthodox Christian theologian Sergei Bulgakov (whose picture is hung in the exhibition), were deported from Russia in 1922, just prior to the official end of the Civil War, is produced as evidence of Lenins burgeoning dictatorship. Nothing is said of the hostility of these idealist mystical charlatans towards the new workers state and their support for its overthrow. As Trotsky explained, These elements we send away and will send away in future are nothing in a political sense. But they are a potential weapon in the hands of our enemies. In case of new military conflicts, that cannot be excluded in spite of our peaceful policies, these irreconcilable dissident elements will be military-political agents of the enemy. In that case, we will have to shoot them in accordance with the rules of war. This is why we prefer to deport them now, beforehand in the quiet period. I hope you will not refuse to recognise our prudent humanity. It is clear the sympathies of the Royal Academy organisers lie with such characters. A rehabilitation of certain figurative artists, who were in the background in the early days of the revolution and found a new life and lucrative posts under the Stalinist regime, is taking place. A whole room is devoted to the works of Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, whose earlier pro-Bolshevik works have something to them, but who ended up as the head of Stalins Union of Artists in Leningrad in 1932. The catalogue lavishes praise on him for his art, untrammelled by overt political propaganda and didactic message. Stalin himself would be proud of the Royal Academys efforts. An Ontario Superior Court judge issued an injunction Tuesday reinstating Bob Kinnear as president of Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113, the collective bargaining representative of some 10,500 Toronto-area transit workers. Kinnear and the entire Local 113 Executive Board had been deposed on February 2, when the local was suddenly placed under trusteeship by the international unions US-based central office. At issue was the ATUs charge that Kinnear had been secretly exploring the possibility of disaffiliating his local from the ATU and joining up with Unifor, Canadas largest private sector union. Just prior to the imposition of trusteeship, Kinnear had approached the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC), behind the backs of the Local 113 membership, to initiate the disaffiliation process. Shortly after placing the local in trusteeship, the ATU reinstated most of the 17 Local 113 executive board members after they pledged to support the international union. Late Tuesday night, just hours after the court had issued its order, the Local 113 executive board passed a motion of non-confidence in its reinstated president. On Thursday Kinnear returned to court seeking a contempt of court ruling against the locals executive board. As of Friday, the court had yet to make a decision. This entire sordid affair has nothing to do with advancing the interests of York and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bus drivers, subway operators, and maintenance workers, who have seen their wages, benefits and working conditions steadily eroded during the more than 13 years that Kinnear has been at the helm of Local 113. Rather, it is an exposure of the venal dues-grubbing manoeuvres and careerism of all the parties involved. Both of the rival factions have been complicit in imposing concession contracts, blocking any genuine struggle against austerity, and politically subordinating the working class to big business politicians. What is at issue in the bitter wrangle is which faction of union bureaucrats will control the millions of dollars the ATU generates from Toronto-area transit workers each year and the substantial assets of what is the largest local in the 185,000-member ATU. Five days after Kinnears initial February 2 ouster, he and Unifor President Jerry Dias held a press conference at which they vehemently denounced the ATU trusteeship as an undemocratic putsch by a meddling American union. Dias spluttered that he was sick and tired of the heavy-handed arm of the United States determining our bargaining strategy and determining how we operate. In this nationalist outburst, Dias was joined by the right-wing Toronto Sun which devoted much of its front-page the next day to a screaming headline denouncing a Yankee Invasion. For his part, Kinnear has floated the notion that his secret manoeuvres were motivated by a desire to break from a union that has refused to back his local in fighting the numerous attacks launched against the membership by TTC management and the provincial Liberal government, including a 2011 Liberal law that stripped TTC workers of the right to strike. But Kinnear doth protest too much. He imposed one concessions contract after another and took the threat of strike action off the table in TTC contract negotiations that occurred before the adoption of the anti-strike law. Moreover, when it was initially proposed he claimed, erroneously, that such legislation might not be an entirely bad thing as an essential service designation would result, due to the threat of compulsory arbitration, in better contracts. The reality is Kinnear has consistently sought to block any genuine mobilization of TTC workers. He has resorted to the occasional angry sound bite for local television, ad campaigns, and appeals to the courts, whenever workers have pressed for the union to take a stand against contracting out, speed-up or mandatory drug testing. As for Unifor, the union Kinnear now touts as TTC workers salvation, it is a close ally of the Liberalsthe party that criminalized job action by transit workers. Unifor has repeatedly endorsed big business Liberal Party provincial and federal candidates and spearheaded pro-Liberal Anybody but Conservative campaigns. Both Kinnear and Unifors Dias have also lent support to right-wing populists. Kinnear endorsed the right-wing Conservative and backer of US-style, anti-worker right to work laws Doug Ford in the 2014 Toronto mayoral election after his brother, Rob Ford, was forced to withdraw due to ill health. Unifor president Dias notoriously sent a campaign donation to the immigrant bashing, Trump wannabe Kellie Leitch in her quest for the federal Conservative Party leadership. Kinnears attitude to rank-and-file workers was exemplified in comments he made to the Globe and Mail in 2011, after ramming through, in separate disputes, three concessions agreements that Local 113 members had initially rejected in defiance of his recommendation. Speaking like the quintessential union bureaucrat, Kinnear declared, There are going to be decisions and positions that may not be popular with the rank-and-file, but theyre going to be decisions that are going to be made in the best interests of the organization. As for Kinnears democratic credentials, the 2015 local union election, which he narrowly won, was ruled invalid because Kinnear had violated the election rules. A second election was then held in 2016 which Kinnear won after his 2015 opponent had taken retirement. Kinnear, the son of recently retired International ATU vice president Larry Kinnear, has been accused by his opponents of seeking decertification from the ATU because he lost a bid to fill that lucrative executive position at the last ATU convention. There is certainly much evidence of careerism and union political jockeying in all of this. Manny Sforza, the man who defeated him for the position with the International union, and himself a former member of Local 113, was named by the ATU to act as its trustee when it took over the local. Sfrorza has not missed an opportunity to lambast his rival. As for Jerry Dias squawking about defending democracy, autoworkers will not soon forget his arrogant performance during last autumns contract negotiations at the Canadian operations of Ford, GM and Fiat-Chrysler. Dias denounced rank-and-file opponents of his sellout deals from the podiums of the ratification meetings, left the halls before questions from the floor had been completed, and refused to allow members to even see the phony framework agreements before they voted. Workers should reject the Canadian nationalism spewed by Dias and Kinnear. It only serves to divide workers and undermine class consciousness and class struggle. Unifors predecessorthe Canadian Auto Workers (CAW)broke away from the continent-wide United Auto Workers (UAW) in 1985, as part of a bureaucratic manoeuvre aimed at protecting the union apparatus from mounting rank-and-file anger over the UAWs reopening of acceptance of contracts and imposition of concessions. The Canadian UAW/CAW leadership insisted that the problem with the UAW was that it was an American union headquartered in Detroit, not that it was saddled with a right-wing, pro-capitalist leadership. The split led workers into a blind alley. It has facilitated the automakers efforts to pit workers against each other in a race to the bottom, with the rival Canadian and US unions competing as to which bureaucratic apparatus can provide them the lowest labour costs. As for the ATU International, its record in the US, as in Canada, is one of collaborating in the increased exploitation of transit workers. For decades, the ATU has supported big business Democratic Party politicians that have slashed transit jobs, reduced wages and benefits and presided over skyrocketing fare hikes and service reductions. Last month, the union sabotaged a strike of bus drivers in Dayton, Ohio, forcing members of ATU Local 1385 to accept wage and health care cuts. In December, ATU Local 589 in Boston offered to negotiate concessions on pay even before the current contract has expired. In 2015, ATU Local 26 in Detroit agreed to a new contract that continued poverty wages for Detroit bus drivers, with starting pay of just $12 an hour. The author also recommends: The lessons of the Canadian autoworkers contract struggle [19 November 2016] President Donald Trump delivered a violent, ultra-right speech to the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) on Friday, attacking the media and reprising many of the America First themes outlined in his inauguration address one month ago. The annual CPAC conference was a festival of political reaction. Trump boycotted the event during the election campaign last year, amidst sharp divisions within the Republican Party over his candidacy. But this years gathering of fascistic-minded activists and college Republicans greeted him with rapturous applause, repeatedly interrupting his speech with chants of USA! USA! Among those addressing the meeting, held this year in National Harbor, Maryland, just south of Washington, DC, was Trumps chief strategist Stephen Bannon, who spoke alongside White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus on Thursday. In his remarks, Bannon said the administration would press forward aggressively with what he called the deconstruction of the administrative statethat is, the dismantling of social programs and government regulationsalong with an expansion of police state measures and the implementation of a nationalist trade war economic policy. There was more than a whiff of fascism in the air when Bannon, the former head of the ultra-right Breitbart News, denounced the corporatist globalist media. Trumps remarks focused on two main themes. He began with a rambling diatribe against his critics in the media, repeating his previous statement that the fake newsare the enemy of the people. Because they have no sources, they just make them up when there are none. The large media corporations, he added, have their own agenda it doesnt represent the people, it never will represent the people, and were going to do something about it. Apparently following up on this threat, the White House took the unprecedented step later on Friday of barring major media organizations from a briefing held by Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Among the journalists who were prevented from attending the press gaggle in Spicers office were those from the New York Times, CNN, the BBC and the Los Angeles Times. Other establishment news outlets, as well as right-wing journalists from Breitbart News, the Washington Times and One America News Network, were allowed to attend. The media responded with typical cowardice. The White House Correspondents Association issued a statement of protest lamely declaring that it would be discussing this further with White House staff. Trump is seeking to capitalize on widespread hostility to the corporate media to advance a right-wing, authoritarian policy, using the power of the state to attack the media as a whole and individual journalists. This is aimed at creating the conditions for an ever more violent attack on democratic rights as the Trump administration prepares an escalation of war abroad and social counterrevolution at home. After denouncing the media, Trump reviewed the right-wing measures his administration has carried out in its first month, including a crackdown on immigrants that has provoked protests throughout the country and internationally. Referring to the US border with Mexico, he declared, Were going to build a wall, dont worry about it. He said of the thousands of people being deported, These are bad dudes if you watch these people, its like, oh, gee, thats so sad. We were getting bad people out of this country. Of the anti-Muslim travel ban that has been held up by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, Trump said his administration will not be deterred from this course, and in a matter of days we will be taking brand new action to protect our people and keep America safe. While presenting his domestic program as aimed at creating jobs to benefit the American worker, he outlined a series of pro-corporate measures, including authorization of the Keystone and Dakota Access pipelines, bold action to lift the restrictions on American energy, moves to put the regulation industry out of work and out of business, and a reduction in corporate taxes. As for social programs, Trump proclaimed, to much applause from his audience, Its time for all Americans to get off of welfare and get back to work. Youre going to love it. The fascistic tenor of the Trump administration is anchored in its ultra-nationalism, aimed at diverting social tensions outward and forcing Washingtons rivals to pay for the crisis of American capitalism. Both Trump and Bannon doubled down on promises to pursue aggressive trade war measures. The corollary of this America First economic policy is world war. Were also putting in a massive budget request for our beloved military, Trump said. And we will be substantially upgrading all of our military, all of our military, offensive, defensive, everything. It will be one of the greatest military buildups in American history, he added. Nobody will question our military might again. The military, Trump said, will be directed to develop a plan to totally obliterate ISIS, that is, organize a major escalation of the US war drive in the Middle East. Trumps speech Friday came one day after he gave an interview to Reuters pledging a buildup of the US nuclear weapons arsenal. If countries are going to have nukes, he said, were going to be at the top of the pack. Putting an exclamation mark on his jingoistic nationalism, Trump declared, Theres one allegiance that unites us all, and that is America No matter our background or income or geography, were all citizens of this blessed land, and no matter our color or the blood, color of the blood we bleed, its the same red blood of great, great patriots. Trumps speech before CPAC makes clear that his administration has no intention of retreating from its efforts to witch-hunt immigrants, escalate war abroad and dismantle democratic rights at home. As for the Democratic Party, it has spent the past month spreading complacency about the incoming administration, pledging to work with it on economic nationalist measures while seeking to divert popular opposition to Trump behind its own campaign for war with Russia. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A ribbon cutting has begun the partnership between Florida A&M University and the Black Television News Channel that will bring close to 100 jobs and $30 million in economic stimulus to Tallahassee. BTNC is a 24 hour multi-platform news network, and its newest location is inside the "School of Journalism and Graphic Communication". The studio space will house the opportunity for students to work side by side with professionals, bringing the black television news channel into the homes of up to 33 million people. FAMU will work to collaborate with other historically black colleges and universities to set up bureau stations. Former Mayor John Marks says, the new station will be a point of pride not only for the university, but for the city. "It means a lot to me because I want this city to be a great city. Realize that we could have put this television network in New York, or Washington D.C. or Atlanta, Georgia. They came to me and they selected Tallahassee, Florida, my city," said Marks. "When they came to me with this vision it really hit me hard, and I knew at that time that I would work as hard as I could to make this vision a reality. According to interim president Larry Robinson, the news operation will be a game changer for the FAMU journalism program. "To be here at a time when we are talking about an endeavor of this scope and this vision not only does it make me feel good about the decision I made to come, but it makes me feel good about the future of Florida A&M University and the future opportunities that we're going to create for our students," said Robinson. The network will bring close to 100 jobs to Tallahassee, providing close to $30 million in annual economic stimulus for the 11-year agreement term. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Over the past few days, Florida A&M University has been hosting its 9th annual "Spring Literacy Forum." This year's theme for the annual event is "Song of the Afro-South: Intersections and Connections." The theme shows that the ideas of identity, religion, and even history within southern communities and how they're connected to the students and everyone around them. During the event, speakers from all walks of life, including FAMU alums, have shared their stories and how they've gone from student to success. The hope is inspire others to go after their dreams. Even though this spring literacy forum ends tonight, it will be back next year on the last Thursday and Friday of February. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - A measure introduced in the Florida senate this month would make it harder for voters to change the Florida constitution. The proposal is identical to one that passed its first house committee on Thursday. It would require ballot measures to receive the support of two-thirds of voters before they could go into the constitution. That would be tougher than the current 60-percent voter requirement to sign off on constitutional amendments. Voters raised the threshold to 60 percent, from 50 percent, in 2006. State senator Dennis Baxley is pushing the two thirds plan in the senate. He says it's too common for groups to use the constitutional amendment process, when they don't get the answers they want from lawmakers. If the higher standard had been used in the past, a 2012 amendment giving a "homestead property tax exemption" to the surviving spouses of military veterans and first responders, would have failed. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) -- Weather has highlighted the lesson plans lately at Buck Lake Elementary in Tallahassee, and our own chief meteorologist added some of his own knowledge to the mix. Casanova Nurse visited the entire second-grade wing of the school Thursday to discuss certain weather concepts to the students. He explained to the kids how the water cycle was created, touched upon types of severe weather and safety tips, reviewed the four seasons, and gave insight into his role as a broadcast meteorologist in a multi-platform digital media world. The presentation followed the annual school-wide launching of a series of weather balloons from the school property last week. Balloon launch coordinator Monique Eick reported the three balloons landed in parts of northeast Florida after traveling to an estimated height of 100,000 feet. YAKIMA, Wssh. -- "Neither Wolf Nor Dog," an independent film that debuted a year ago at four theaters, including the Yakama Nation Heritage Th Scenes from the Holocaust museum at Toppenish Middle School in Toppenish, Wash., Friday, Feb. 24, 2017. Last year 8th grade reading students s If You Go What: Informational presentation for Community SEEDS on social enterprise for disability in Yakima County. The nonprofit wants program guidance and feedback on its plans to build a Pets & People Campus in Zillah, the first of its kind in Washington state. It will include a cafe, bakery, pet spa, Lower Valley pet adoption center, doggie day care and dog park, which will create new jobs, training and therapy-rich activities and foster deeper connections to community life. When: 6:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: Best Western Plus, 911 Vintage Valley Parkway, Zillah RSVP: Seating is limited; call 509-731-7761. Information: seeds.yv@gmail.com, http://seedsyv.wix.com/communityseeds. Contact SEEDS to schedule a presentation at a different date and location. Hannah Meister is a sophomore at Davis High School and is a member of the Yakima Herald-Republics Unleashed program for teen journalists. 1. Yes. Taxpayers are funding its operation; they should have a voice in the naming process. 2. Yes. The city should operate with a spirit of inclusivity. Residents will be responsive. 3. No. Public input can be problematic; rejection of suggestions can be divisive for residents. 4. No. Residents elect council members to make decisions on their behalf. No input is needed. 5. Unsure. Its hard to say whether public input would be more of a benefit or a hindrance. Vote View Results Two years ago the City Security Patrol (CSP) unit was founded to assist Tel Aviv police in their fight against everyday crimes and misdemeanors. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter According to its director, Avinoam Erez, the CSP was adapted from a New York model. Aside from easing the police's workload, the unit's clear purpose is to maintain public order and present authority in the more downtrodden parts of Tel Aviv. Patrolmen assisting a sex worker after she was assaulted (Photo: Motti Kimchi) Today, the CSP has 30 patrol cars and 200 patrolmen at their disposal, and they are being used frequently: In 2015 there were 41,620 incidents recorded by CSP. In 2016 that number grew to 54,627a 31% increase. That number is comprised of 22,202 incidents of noise and damage to quality of life, 17,735 incidents of bullying and violence, 9,037 public disorder incidents and 5,653 other incidents. Neve Sha'anan is one of the neighborhoods most assisted by the CSP. In 2016 there was a 60% rise in incidents in this crime-stricken part of Tel Aviv, 4,888 recorded incidents compared to 3,057 incidents in 2015. A patrol car drivies by every few minutes, making sure that the assembled myriads are not violating the public order. "We are patrolling by car and foot to show authority and maintain peace," said Erez. CSP Director Avinoam Erez (Photo: Motti Kimchi) According to the unit's patrolmen, the change it's making is already clearly showing. Notorious parks have been clear of people at nights, the price of illegal substances such as cocaine quadrupled and whole communities of illegal residents switched their beers for coffee. "People here would drink 30 beers a person, then go outside and fight," said patrolman Roi Yehuda. "Since we came into the picture they switched their alcohol with coffee and hukas because they realized that there is an authority in their neighborhood. We also managed to shut down the stolen bicycle market that's been active here for years." No more Muslim women in the Metro wearing the latest in headscarf attire. No more young Jewish boys in kippot dashing into the bakery for the family's dinner baquette. These depictions are part of a larger vision expressed by leading right-wing presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, who plans to plan to ban "ostentatious" religious symbols from French streets. Such a ban would dramatically alter everyday French reality, and it has leading members within the country's Jewish community reacting with criticism and trepidation. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Le Pen gave a real-life demonstration of her far-reaching but little-noticed proposal during a trip this week to Lebanon, refusing to don a head covering for a visit with a Muslim religious leader. She lost out on the meeting but won new publicity just as she is topping polls. Le Pen (Photo: AP) The ban would stigmatize France's large Muslim population anew and force Europe's largest Jewish community to give up thelong-held custom of wearing a kippah. For the Representative Council of Jewish Institutions of France, or CRIF, Le Pen and her party remain taboo. She was the only leading presidential candidate not invited to CRIF's annual dinner Wednesday. "They are the defenders of xenophobia, populism, racism and, of course, anti-Semitism in French society today," CRIF Vice-President Yonathan Arfi said. Richard Abitbol, head of the Confederation of Jews of France and Friends of Israel, said Le Pen's proposal is less dramatic than some think, in part because many Jews have already exchanged the kippah for a hat out of fear of becoming a target of anti-Semitic attacks. His group, unlike CRIF, has not put the National Front on a black list. However, he added, "The day they forbid circumcision in France there will be no more Jews in France." The far-right leader's bold plans to pull France out of the European Union and exit the euro currency have obscured some elements of the 144 "commitments" in her platform. Tucked within the list is point 95. It calls for extending a 2004 law banning headscarves and other "ostentatious" religious symbols from the nation's classrooms to all public spaces, including the streets. Only religious workers such as nuns, imams and rabbis would enjoy exceptions. Le Pen, leader of the anti-immigration National Front party, holds up this measure as her contribution to French secularism, the foundational value behind the 2004 law. A ban on face-covering veils in public followed in 2010. In both instances, it was well-known that the government was also targeting Muslim fundamentalism, seen as a gateway to violent extremismjust as Le Pen appears to be doing. Current polls suggest Le Pen could come out on top in the first-round election in April 23 but would lose in the May 7 runoff. "I consider the headscarf a symbol of a woman's submission," Le Pen told reporters Tuesday at the end of her stay in Beirut, after refusing to cover her head to meet Lebanon's grand mufti, Sheikh Abdel-Latif Derian. "I will not put on the veil." Enlarging the space where headscarves would be forbidden is an ongoing debate in France. But Le Pen's plan to ban from public spaces even widely worn Muslim headscarvesand Jewish kippotmay be seen as a step too far. "I know we are asking some of our fellow citizens (for) some sacrifices," said Jean Messiha, a top Le Pen adviser, referring to French Jews. "But I am sure everybody will understand the utility of this sacrifice (...) to promote French unity and French peaceful relations in the public space." Not so fast. Le Pen has been courting Jews, trying to undo the pariah status her party gained under her father and party founder Jean-Marie Le Pen, who has been repeatedly convicted of anti-Semitism and racism. Last month, Marine Le Pen even sent a top official on a private visit to Israel where he met discreetly with a government minister. Her proposal amounts to an attack on expressing individual identity, said Arfi. "It is to tell the French that with us, you will no longer see in the streets foreigners, all those you feel are disturbing your vision of French society." French Muslims fear their estimated 5 million-strong population could face an escalation of Islamophobia even if many don't cover their heads. The streets are "the most fundamental area of freedom," said Marwan Muhammad, head of the Collective against Islamophobia in France, which helped Muslim women mount successful legal battles last summer against bans on burkini swimsuits on numerous municipal beaches. "Islamophobia doesn't only impact Muslims. It impacts society at large because it destroys something fundamentalliberty," he said. Critics note there has been no mention of Christian signs in the ban proposal. "Big crosses don't exist. Christian religions don't have ostentatious signs," Le Pen said on a recent television program. "In reality it is we who invented secularism." France's principle of secularism was established in 1905 to bring peace between powerful Roman Catholic clerics and the state. It is now written into the constitution. News organizations including the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN and Politico were blocked from joining an informal, on the record White House press briefing on Friday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Several news organizations were allowed in, including the conservative website Breitbart News. The site's former executive chairman, Steve Bannon, is chief strategist to President Donald Trump. The Associated Press and Time chose not to participate in the gaggle following the move by White House press secretary Sean Spicer. The White House press briefing (Photo: AFP) The White House defended the decision not to include some news organizations. "We invited the pool so everyone was represented. We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool. Nothing more than that," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. Photo: AFP Earlier Friday in a speech before the Conservative Political Action Conference, President Trump railed against the media. Unleashing a line of attack that energized an enthusiastic crowd at the nation's largest gathering of conservative activists, Trump said unethical reporters "make up stories and make up sources." Photo: AFP "They shouldn't be allowed to use sources unless they use somebody's name," he declared. "Let their name be put out there." Trump told the Conservative Policy Action Conference that while not all reporters are bad, the "fake news" crowd "doesn't represent the people. It will never represent the people and we're going to do something about it." Trump didn't expand on what he had in mind or which news organizations he was talking about. But his broadsides represented an escalation of his running battle against the press, which he has taken to calling "the opposition party." Trump has also specifically called out CNN and the New York Times by name, accusing them of being "fake news" and of spreading lies aimed to discredit him. Trump (Photo: Reuters) Reaction from barred media outlets was swift. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest," Dean Baquet, the Times' executive editor, said in a statement. "The AP believes the public should have as much access to the president as possible," Lauren Easton, the AP's director of media relations, said in a statement. "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they don't like. We'll keep reporting regardless," CNN said in a statement. Vice President Mike Pence assured the Republican Jewish Coalition that he and President Donald Trump will work tirelessly on foreign and domestic issues important to the group, such as enacting business-friendly policies at home and supporting Israel abroad. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "If the world knows nothing else, the world will know this: America stands with Israel," Pence told the group Friday night. The Republican administration is "assessing" whether to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem, he said, and has put Iran "on notice." Vice President Mike Pence speaking at the Republican Jewish Coalition (Photo: AFP) Pence's words served as evidence of the fruits of years of the politically active group's labors. Its annual conference at billionaire donor Sheldon Adelson's casino resort on the Las Vegas Strip has become a de facto campaign stop for Republican presidential candidates over the past few years. The RJC also drew the entire GOP presidential field to its December 2015 forum in Washington. Now, with the first Republican White House in eight years, the group of Republican donors and Jewish leaders was among the first to hear from the new vice president. Former Vice President Dick Cheney introduced Pence. The roughly 500 attendees also are expected to hear from Sens. Cory Gardner of Colorado, Joni Ernst of Iowa and Lindsay Graham of South Carolina this weekend. Mike Pence and former Vice President Dick Cheney (Photo: AFP) Pence told the RJC that America's bonds with Israel had already grown stronger under the young administration. President Barack Obama did not have a close relationship with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and many Republican Jews saw the Obama administration as insufficiently supportive of Israel. Pence also ticked through Trump's domestic agenda, saying the president had already brought back American jobs. "This White House is in the promise-keeping business," he said. Vice President Pence and German Chancellor Angela Merkel (Photo: AFP) The vice president shared stories from his trip to Germany last weekendhis first abroad as vice president. He'd paid a visit to the former Dachau concentration camp, where thousands of Austrian and German Jews were among those imprisoned and killed. He was joined on the tour by a survivor of the Holocaust who was at Dachau when it was liberated by American soldiers at the end of World War II. Vice President Pence aiding in cleaning up vandalized St. Louis Jewish cemetary Pence also talked about how this week he had made a surprise visit to a Jewish cemetery in Missouri where more than 150 gravestones had been toppled and vandalized. Speaking through a bullhorn at the site, he said there was "no place in America for hatred or acts of prejudice or violence or anti-Semitism" and then picked up a rake and helped clean up the cemetery. In Las Vegas, the vice president effusively praised the Adelsons from the stage, saying that they "in so many ways have given America a second chance" through their political work in the US and Israel. Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson (Photo: AFP) Adelson and his wife, Miriam, gave more than $20 million to a pro-Trump super PAC, making them among Trump's most generous benefactors, campaign records show. "Rest assured we're going to keep our end of the bargain, too," Pence said, thanking the Adelsons and RJC for "steadfast support" throughout the campaign. Yet, like so many staples of party politicsincluding the conservative activist conference taking place this week near Washingtonthe RJC has fit uneasily with Trump. Photo: AFP Adelson, who helps finance the RJC, didn't openly support Trump until the final weeks of the presidential campaign. The wariness was mutual. Trump had called his GOP rivals "puppets" of Adelson and prompted major heartburn among Republican Jews with his freewheeling comments at the 2015 RJC forum. Trump has been appreciative. At one of his final campaign stops, in Las Vegas, he called the couple "really incredible people" who have been "so supportive." The Adelsons also were front and center for Trump's swearing-in last month, and Sheldon Adelson was one of Trump's first dinner guests at the White House. Additionally, Trump picked the leader of the super PAC that landed Adelson's money, Chicago businessman Todd Ricketts, as deputy commerce secretary. According to reports from the Israeli embassy in Ottawa, Canada, one Israeli has been killed and eight others lightly-to-moderately injured in a minibus accident in Ciego de Avila, Cuba on Friday night. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The group was traveling in the central Cuban city of Moron when poor road conditions caused the driver to lose control of the minibus and crash. The minibus rolled several times before coming to a stop. Ciego de Avila (Photo: Shutterstock) The injured passengers were evacuated to the Antonio Luaces Iarola hospital in Ciego de Avila. Israel and Cuba have no direct diplomatic relations and all information related to the accident is coming to the Israeli Foreign Ministry by way of the Canadian embassy in Cuba, which is providing the Israeli consulate in Ottawa with details. Outgoing French President Francois Hollande added his voice Thursday to an international chorus pledging allegiance to a two-state solution in the Middle East. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Speaking to the Representative Council of the Jewish Institutions of France (CRIF) during his last address to that body as president, Hollande said, We all know the solution for peace in the Middle East: two states living peacefully side by side...Without a Palestinian state, there will be no peace, and the solution will never be imposed by the international community," said Hollande. French President Francois Hollande (Photo: AFP) Criticism of Israel is legitimate, but anti-Zionism isnt. It is anti-Semitism in disguise," stated Hollande. Hollandes comments join a list of global leaders who have reiterated their support for a Palestinian state in the wake of US President Donald Trump apparent backtracking from traditional American policy last week during a joint press conference with Prime Miniser Binyamin Netanyahu. Despite Frances continued support for the two-state solution, Sammy Revel, Head of Bureau of the European Division in the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised Hollande for sending a clear message against boycott and against anti-Israel incitement." Netanyahu and Hollande in Paris (Photo: AFP) These statements follow on the heels of diplomatic tension between Israel and France last month over theParis Peace Conference, convened by Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, while Israel promoted direct negotiations with the Palestinians. At the same time, Deputy Foreign Minister Tzipi Hotovelys slammed Hollandes statement during the conference that Palestinian terrorists and Israeli settlements equally threatened the two-state solution. Hollandes also spoke about far-right leader Marine Le Pen, who according to latest polls appears to be making a strong run at the premiership in May. France will not permit obscurantism and will never give in to extremism," said Hollande. Hollande and Abbas (Photo: AFP) Le Pen was criticized several weeks ago after she said that if elected president she would move to prohibit extra-European dual citizenship." Asked by journalist Lea Salame about Israel, currently home to more than 200,000 French immigrants with dual citizenship, Le Pen said Israel is not a European country and doesnt consider itself as such." Hollande also emphasized the importance of the relationship between French Jewry and Israel, and vowed that France would know how to make choices worthy of her greatness." BEIRUT -- Militants attacked two Syrian security offices in the western city of Homs on Saturday with guns and suicide bombers, killing at least 42 people including a senior officer, a war monitor said. The attackers killed the head of military security and 29 others at one of its headquarters in the city and 12 more people at a branch of state security in attacks that began early in the morning, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Syrian state television reported that clashes had rocked the districts of al-Ghouta and al-Mohata, where the two targets were located, before three suicide bombers detonated their explosives at each place. It did not give a death toll. A worldwide effort has saved the life of a two-year-old Afghan toddler named Yakub, who was secretly brought to Israel after suffering from a heart defect from birth. The child was rushed to an operating room immediately upon landing at Ben Gurion Airport, where doctors saved his life. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Yakub was born in a remote village in Baghlan, where soon after his birth, his parents noticed the child did not eat, cried often and did not grow and develop like other children. Yakub After seeking out doctor after doctor, a family friend put the parents in touch with a man named Farhad, who dedicated his life to helping sick children in Afghanistan. Farhad made contact with the organization Save A Child's Heart (SACH), based out of Wolfson Medical Center, where doctors analyzed Yakub's tests and decided to operate in an attempt to save his life. Doctors were initially worried that Yakub would not survive the journey to Israel due to low oxygen levels in his blood. However, doctors arranged for Yakub to travel with oxygen and a complicated diplomatic endeavor was undertaken. Passports for the child and his father were secured along with exit and entrance visas from both Afghanistan and Israel. Yakub and his father flew to Israel via Turkey from Afghanistan, where they were met at the airport by Dr. Ilan Cohen, who noticed the child was exhausted and blue. After arriving at the hospital, doctors performed emergency surgery and succeeded in saving Yakub's life. Yakub is currently recovering in the pediatric intensive care unit at Wolfson Medical Center. Yakub's father does not speak English or Arabic and communication is handled by a group of Afghani Jews who live in Israel and speak with Pashtu. "Yakub came to us at the very last minute. He arrived in poor condition, was extremely underweight and we had to revive him twice before getting into the operating room," said Dr. Rachaeli Sion Sarid. "He suffers from a congenital heart defect that prevents blood flow to the lungs and reduces oxygen in the blood. He underwent emergency surgery and his condition is stable. He is breathing alone and he even shook our hands and is eating alone." Several dozen protesters crossed the Lebanese international border near the village of Meiss El-Jabal. The IDF is working to disperse them and threw tear gas at the crowd. No injuries were reported. Hezbollah's media arm reported that protesters gathered there "to protest the spying and photography in the area by Israel", and that members of the Lebanese Parliament took part in the demonstration. MOSCOW -- Azerbaijan says several of its soldiers have been killed during fighting in the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region as Armenia and Azerbaijan blame each other for an outbreak of violence. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said in a statement Saturday that its forces had "suffered losses" when its positions were assaulted by Armenian troops early Saturday. The Nagorno-Karabakh Defense Ministry said in a statement that Armenian forces did not suffer any casualties in the clashes and that the Azerbaijani soldiers were killed when they launched an attack. Dozens of demonstrators from Lebanon crossed the international border Saturday to protest amid reports of Israel installing spy installations and photography equipment in Lebanese territory. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The protestors attempted to cross the border near the area of Kibbutz Manara and were eventually dispersed by IDF forces firing tear gas. IDF soldiers on the border X Lebanese protestors attempt to cross into Israel X Lebanese villagers during the protest Protestors from the village of Meiss Ej Jabal became agitated over reports of IDF forces installing spying equipment, apparently, in the village. The IDF confirmed that several dozen Lebanese citizens managed to cross the border and were pushed back. Lebanese villagers during the protest Photo of alleged Israeli "spying equipment" circulated in Lebanon prior to the protest The protest comes amid the backdrop of diplomatic spat between Lebanese President Michel Aoun and Israel over a letter sent by Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, to the UN Security Council and Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres. The letter was sent following an interview with Aoun in which he said that Hezbollah should be armed in order to compliment the Lebanese Army's ability to confront Israel. Aoun attacked Israel, saying, "Every Israeli attempt to harm Lebanese sovereignty or endanger the Lebanese peoplewill be answered with the appropriate response," said Aoun. "What was sent in the letter by the Israeli ambassador poses a threat to Lebanon. The international community should be wary of Israel's aggressive intentions toward Lebanon." President Reuven Rivlin said Thursday that rising numbers of ultra-Orthodox men who are joining the work force is a "special blessing" for the State of Israel and called on employers not to discriminate against Haredi men seeking employment. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The president said that the integration of Haredi men into the workforce "is a national priority of the highest level." Speaking at the ceremonial opening of the Bizmax Business Center for Innovation, a co-working hub near the Jerusalem central bus station, Rivlin joined Interior Minister Rabbi Aryeh Deri, Governor of the Bank of Israel Dr. Karnit Flug, Chief Rabbi David Lau and a slew of Haredi business leaders and local politicians who toured the center and celebrated what some called a "landmark achievement" for the community. President Rivlin (C) with Interior Minister Deri at his left at the center (Photo: Mark Neiman/GPO) There is an unmistakable sense of enthusiasm and pride, both amongst individuals who use the center and financial and political backers. CEO Yitzik Crombie balked when asked how much the center cost to build, but it is clearly a lot. With funding from the Kemach Foundation for Haredi profesional development and Achim Global, non-profit that provides business loans, professional and mentoring for Haredi entrepreneurs, the center is impressive and modern, with 15-20 small and mid-sized offices, conference rooms with mounted computer screens, a 200-seat theater, open-plan co-working space and a sitting room for informal conversations. In an obvious nod to the target audience, the sitting room is decked with religious texts, and the motivational posters on the walls include rabbinic legends about the value of dedication and hard work and phrases like "God is the source of all success". Dr. Gilad Malach, head of IDI's research program on the ultra-Orthodox community in Israel and co-author of the Mat Plan for Ultra-Orthodox Employment, told Tazpit Press Service (TPS) that the center is an important indication of an ongoing process of integration for Haredi society. "This issue is far bigger than the workplace itself," Malach said. "You see what happened when the president got up to speak, when the Bank of Israel governor spoke. There's a process happening on a social/sociological level, there's something happening here between Haredi society and general Israeli society. Rivlin talks with Haredi businessmen. (Photo: Mark Neiman/GPO) "Part of the reason that the Haredi community has been so distanced from Israeli society has been practicalbecause they were largely not part of the workforce they really were separated. Their entry into the workforce creates a sense of connection and belonging to Israeli society." Although many Haredim oppose that process, it appears that the community as a whole has reconciled itself to the realities of finance and economics. Although the current government has rolled back cuts to Kollel (advanced seminaries for married men) students and reinstituted payments, Malach believes that is a blip in time that will eventually be reversed once again. That, in concert with economic and social realities, creates a clear sense of change to many in the community. "Of course, the Haredi world recognizes and values Torah study as a supreme value and we admire and respect the people who dedicate their lives to study, said Chanoch Hirshovitz, a finance and insurance advisor from the Jerusalem neighborhood of Har Nof. "At the same time, however, you can't ignore financial needs. Yes, there are some people who devote themselves to study, with great dedication and at great personal sacrifice. "But others want to keep the commandments on one hand, and want to make sure that Torah study is a regular part of their lives, but they have to support their families, many of which are very large." At the end of the day, the entry of Haredim into the work force is gaining recognition, and not only in Israel. David Quarrey, Britain's ambassador to Israel, attended the launch, praising Israel's technology sector and adding that the Haredi sector is a growing segment of the Israel-Britain economic relationship. "We have an interest in the strongest possible economic interests between the UK and Israel and we want to be doing business with all sectors of society in Israel," Quarrey told TPS. "After a year and a half here I feel there is great economic potential in the Haredi community here and I think we should be part of that story." Article reprinted with permission from TPS "Hezbollah village," whence dozens of Lebanese went to demonstrate along the border with Israel, hosted an "Exhibition of Martyrdom and Victory." Visitors were able to review the organization's weapons, including antitank and antiaircraft missiles, and according to reports in Lebanon, even watch IDF soldiers live across the border. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter A few days later, Hezbollah media published images documenting the so-called "spyware facilities, broadcasting and photography," employed by the IDF. The exhibition is in Meiss Ej Jabal in southern Lebanon. Part of the exhibit showing live footage of IDF oupost From the exhibit Intelligence researcher Ronen Solomon, who runs the Intel Times blog that covers Hezbollah, has investigated the village, which, according to Lebanese media, recently attracted much attention from Israel. According Solmon, Meiss Ej Jebel is a decidedly Hezbollah-aligned village. On February 16, Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah addressed the annual rally in memory of the leaders of the organization, including Imad Mughniyeh. Nasrallah threatened to attack the ammonia tank in Haifa and Dimona's nuclear reactor. A few days later, the exhibition opened. It displays weapons and military equipment that the organization used during its conflicts with Israel. Visitors to the exhibit The exhibition took place at a Shiite house of worship that simulated the environment in which the organizations' personnel operate during clashes with Israel. In one corner of the exhibition, according to the report, live footage was broadcast showing Israeli outposts on the border between the Jewish state and Lebanon. Many organized visits to the exhibition came from villages and towns in the region, including students. The two-day Sixth International Conference in Support of the Palestinian Intifada held on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Iranian capital of Tehran was a great opportunity to spout anti-Israel rhetoric for opponents to the Jewish state, including for a select few ultra-Orthodox Jews. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Among the 80 delegations participating in the pro-Palestinian conference held every four years were representatives of Neturei Karta, a radical Haredi group that opposes Zionism and call for a dismantling of the State of Israel, believing that Jews are forbidden to have their own state until the coming of the Jewish messiah, therefore regarding the existence of Israel as provocation and rebellion against God. Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weis at the conference (Photo: AFP) Among the suits and the keffiyehs, as an anti-Zionist among equals, was Neturei Karta Spokesman Rabbi Yisroel Dovid Weiss, wearing traditional Haredi clothing and a scarf adorned with the Palestinian flag. A scion of a famous family in anti-Zionist circles, Weiss listened intently to one of the most vitriolic speeches heard lately against Israel by Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who called the Jewish state "a fake country" and a "dirty chapter" in history, claiming it is a "cancerous tumor" that must be dealt with "step by step" until "the full liberation of Palestine." In the past , Weiss and other followers of the Neturei Karta group have met with Iran's former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad after his denunciation of Israel in his speech to the UN. At the time, Weiss claimed, "We know that he (Ahmadinejad) is not the enemy of the Jews and that he has a Jewish community in his country that he respect, defends and even supports." On the criticism against him that followed the publication of his photographs with people widely known to defame Israel, Weiss explained that "Iran's leader is not against the Jews, but against the Zionist regime," even accusing that "for centuries, God has told us that the Bible is our protection and that the Zionist leadership, for its heresy and deviation from the ways of God, ignores the warnings written in it, which could bring catastrophe on the Jewish people as we can even see today. That is what we are against." The movement's roots Centered in New York and London, the Neturei Karta group is comprised of only several hundred across the globe, yet, even so manages to be split in its members' opinion of Weiss and his faction. His objectors believe that one should not cross the line between a conceptual objection to Israel's existence and an open support (albeit vicarious) in the armed fight against it and the killing of Jews. Neturei Karta in pro-Palestinian demonstration (Photo: EPA) The dispersed group's roots are planted deep in the anti-Zionist ideology of the Satmer Hasidic sect, which openly opposes the state of Israel. This ideology is based in the opinion of its founder, Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, that according to the Bible, one should not rebel against the nations of the world or force the salvation of the Jewish people. His conclusion was that the Zionist movement and the establishment of the Jewish state was a violation of the Jewish people's oath to God. Neturei Karta is not alone The standard-bearers of this ideology are the Orthodox Council of Jerusalem, a radical anti-Zionist group and a minority in the Haredi community. Its people do not acknowledge the state of Israel, refuse to receive any state funding from the Israeli authorities or to endorse voting in the elections, and don't use state services. Its members often engage in violent demonstrations against Sabbath desecration, autopsies, or archaeological excavations, which they all regard as sins, and are noted for their poverty and extreme religious strictness and strong opposition to the state, which they see as "fake" and causing ideological and educational confusion and as an entity that must be eliminated. Some of the group's members even show sympathy towards radical Islamists, who they believe have similar interests to theirs. In their eyes, Israel's international standing, the threats to its existence and its many enemies are all proof that the oath to God should not have been broken and that Israel should not have been established. They see that as the reason for the world's aggression towards the Jews, not anti-Semitism. Even reached Qatar in their anti-Zionist activism (Photo: AFP) Naturally then, they believe that the Holocaust is the proof that the establishment of Israel was a rebellion, one the UN surrendered to following the results of the war. A belief clearly showed in the graffiti they sprayed at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in 2012 , which called the Holocaust a "Zionist interest." Even though the Satmers' interpretation is widely disputed, their anti-Zionist outlook has also influenced the main Haredi movement and all its factions. This main movement's dissimilation is mainly from the state's symbols: It doesnt recognize the state's national holidays, and its representatives in the Knesset (United Torah Judaism) had kept from taking ministerial positions for years and acted as deputy minister with ministerial authorities until the High Court invalidated this practice. Hostility manifested as indifference Another resemblance between the different Haredi factions is their contempt for the Religious Zionist movement, which praise the State of Israel and see it as a fundamental step towards salvation and the coming of the messiah. The consensus within the Haredi public, among both the anti-Zionists and the moderates, is that the Religious Zionists' worldview made them lose their minds, to the point that they can't even see the state's faults. Today, the Haredi movement expresses their beliefs not with aggression towards the state, but by an indifference towards it: Patriotism is nonexistent, IDF recruitment rates are extremely low and if they are abroad they most likely will not immigrate to Israel. Minister Ayoob Kara spoke Saturday at a Be'er Sheva cultural event about a "robot that will eliminate the heads of Hamas and (Hamas leader) Hassan Nasrallah" without endangering soldiers in hostile territories. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter "After what happened in Lebanon and Gaza I don't want to send soldirs," Kara said. "There are technological surprises on the way. Among other things, I can send a robot to Gaza that will fight all the heads of Hamas. It will identify them from afar and fight them from within." Ayoob Kara being interviewed about terminator robots To answer the interviewer what did he mean by that, he requested, "Don't ask me where I get my information from," adding, "I'm talking about a robot that is operated beyond the border and locates people with long distance radar targets. It cannot be destroyed, it can only destroy." Intrigued, the interviewer asked what happened if it was shot. "It doesnt damage it because it (the robot) is made from special material," the minister responded. "It can then go down tunnels and chase after those rats and eliminate them. It doesnt go back without eliminating them." Surprised to hear all of that, the interviewer asked Kara "Isn't that science fiction?" to which Kara responded "If we would have asked about drones several years ago, would we have believed that it was possible?" After that Kara elaborated, "Shimon Peres was a fan of mine. He spoke to me before he passed we spoke about this subject. Since he was an extraordinary man and a confidant, he told me where it was being made in the US. Its a matter of two to three years (before it's ready). The robot to eliminate Nasrallah and the heads of Hamas is on its way. No need to send soldiers there." An 18-year-old Israeli tourist was arrested Thursday in New York after jumping a fence to access the Brooklyn Bridge to take a selfie, the New York Post reported on Friday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The man, Shivel Dikstein, was taken in for investigation and reportedly charged with criminal trespass. An eyewitnesses told the New York Post, "He jumped up to get a selfie with the skyline behind him." Brooklyn Bridge, New York (Photo: AP) Over the years there have been many cases where people were injured or killed trying to photograph themselves in challenging and dangerous places. Last week several teenagers fell into freezing water in New York's Central Park after the surface ice they were standing on in an attempt to take a selfie cracked and broke apart. India Air's Chairman and Managing Director, Ashwani Lohani, will be in Israel in a fortnight to finalize details after having announced in October that Israel was on the map of new destinations for his airline. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter Lohani will be leading a delegation of senior employees in his company, and they are to be the hosts of the Ministry of Tourism. Until now, only El Al has offered direct flights to the subcontinent. (Photo: Air India) Ashwani Lohani (Photo: Air India) Negotiations between the ministry and Air India have been going on for a long time as part of the former's goal to increase tourism from eastern Asia, specifically China and India. As part of this policy, the Chinese Hainan Airlines began its BeijingTel Aviv line in May , breaking El Al's monopoly on that route. Hainan intends to expand its list of direct Chinese destinations for Israeli customers in the near future. According to figures from the Ministry of Tourism, 45,000 Indian tourists visited Israel in 2016, which was a 13 percent increase from the preceding year. Air India, its country flag airline, has a fleet of 118 planes, and it currently flies to about 50 destinations across the world. A deadly terrorist attack in central Syria on Saturday threatened to thwart efforts to wrest a political solution at peace talks in Geneva, with the UN mediator decrying "spoilers" who try to derail the efforts to end the country's disastrous six-year war. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook and Twitter The government's envoy demanded a firm condemnation from all opposition groups of the synchronized attacks by insurgents on security offices in Homs that left dozens dead, while the opposition retorted that it has long denounced terrorism even suggesting it may have been an inside job. Photo: AFP, Al Ekhbariya Al Soriyah TV Any party that refuses to condemn these attacks today, we will consider that party to be an accomplice of terrorism," Syria's UN ambassador, Bashar al-Ja'afari, told reporters after meeting UN envoy Staffan De Mistura in the third day of renewed peace talks with the sides meeting separately with him so far. The talks are the first under UN mediation in nearly 10 months and build upon a fragile, repeatedly violated cease-fire that was wrested by Russia and Turkey. Moscow has been a powerful military and political backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, and Turkey has been a supporter of key rebel groups. They also come after Syria's Russia- and Iran-backed troops regained control of the key northern city of Aleppo in December. Al-Ja'afari stopped short of suspending the government's participation outright, but said a condemnation of the attacks was a "test" for the fragmented opposition. He said his side would return to meet with the UN envoy again on Tuesday, and said its only condition for face-to-face talks with a "unified, patriotic opposition." An al-Qaida-linked group, known now as the Levant Liberation Committee, claimed responsibility for the twin attacks against government security offices in Homs, killing at least 32 including a senior officer of the feared Military Intelligence Services. The Syrian senior officer killed in the attack Ja'afari described the attack as a bid by states sponsoring terrorism to derail the talks and fell short of formally from suspending the government's delegation. He singled out Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the two main backers of an array of opposition groups, as states lending support to terrorist groups. Syria's top opposition delegates said they condemned terrorism but not specifically the Homs attack, all but suggesting it may have been carried out by Assad's own supporters. Nasr al-Hariri, head of the main opposition negotiating team, condemned terrorism by the so-called ISIS and al-Qaida's affiliates, but said the Damascus government was the primary "sponsor of terrorism." "If the Homs attack specifically was a terrorist attack carried by any of these terrorist groups, it is clear what I say," he said. Photo: AFP, Al Ekhbariya Al Soriyah TV Col. Faleh Hassoun, another member of the delegation, alleged that only people with security clearances could access the government's security office in Homs. He suggested it was aimed to rid the government's ranks of possible war criminals. "What really happened today, we can call it liquidation by the regime of those who are wanted for international courts," he told reporters at a Geneva hotel. Hassoun also alleged that military intelligence services chief Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturday's attack, had been implicated in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut in 2005. Syria's government is widely believed to have played a role in the killing. Photo: AFP, Al Ekhbariya Al Soriyah TV De Mistura, in a statement from his office, said he "strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Homs today," calling it "an attempt to derail the current intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. "Spoilers were always expected, and should continue to be expected, to try to influence the proceedings of the talks," the statement said. "It is in the interest of all parties who are against terrorism and are committed to a political process in Syria not to allow these attempts to succeed." In addition to cease-fire talks in Astana, Kazakhstan shepherded by Turkey and Russia in recent weeks, the UN-mediated discussions are seen as the best chance in months to put an end to Syria's nearly six-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more both within Syria and abroad. Gov. Pete Ricketts is attempting to take the states tax policy in the right direction, however, how to accomplish his goals is a challenge. Ricketts is right to seek to lower the states income tax rate and to lower property taxes. Hes also limiting the growth of the state budget, which is particularly needed since state tax revenue is falling short of projections. Ricketts proposal would lower the states top income tax rate from 6.84 percent to 5.99 percent. This would be done in eight steps. A step would only kick in during years when projected state revenue goes up by more than 3.5 percent. The governor is right to try to lower income taxes to make Nebraska more competitive as Wyoming and South Dakota have no income tax and Kansas and Missouri have lower rates. Iowa in the only bordering state that has a higher rate. There are concerns, though, with the automatic method of reducing rates by tying it to state revenue. What would be preferable would be for state senators to assess the states situation each year and then decide whether to adjust the rate. With the automatic reduction, the states tax rate could be going down when there are some pressing needs as is being seen in the states Department of Corrections this year. In addition, the states economic situation could change dramatically during a year and a rate cut might not be the wisest move at the time. One option to consider is to raise the income level where Nebraskas top tax rate kicks in. Now those levels are $29,800 for a single taxpayer and $59,700 for married couples. Those income levels are way lower than they should be for the top tax rate. The governor also has a promising proposal that would lower property taxes on agricultural land. Under the plan, the states property tax valuation system would be switched from one based on land sales to how much income land could produce. This would take into account drops in commodity prices. This would give a much more accurate picture of the lands value. Ricketts said in a recent column, Income potential is a much fairer measure, and will slow the growth of ag land valuation increases. If this system were in place for 2017, it would have reduced ag land valuations by about $2.2 billion. The governor said similar income-potential valuation systems are being used in North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. As the governor says, its time for Nebraska to join these other ag states and have a more realistic way of assessing the value of ag land. The lingering question in all the tax debate, though, is how lost revenue would be made up for school districts and other entities. Theres a lot to sort through in adjusting tax policy, but Ricketts has the discussion moving in the right direction. MONDAY 2/27 >> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Monday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. >> OB Enrollment is Monday, Feb. 13 at 8 a.m. in the Lower Level of the Medical Office Building. Please attend class as soon as possible after your positive pregnancy test. For more information or to enroll in the online Childbirth Preparation class, contact OB Director Nancy Hengelfelt, RNC, at 402.362.04573. TUESDAY 2/28 >> Sexaholics Anonymous, a 12 Step recovery group for those dealing with addiction to pornography, sex, and other forms of lust, meets Tuesday nights at 5:45 p.m. For more information please call our toll free number 1-877-889-8071 or visit sanebraska.org. >> Parkinsons Support Group will meet Tuesday, Feb. 21 at 2 p.m. in the Willow Brook AL Gathering Room. For more information, contact Rita Maloley at 402.362.0440. >> La Leche League of York will meet Tuesday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. in the Lower Level of the York Medical Clinic Building, 2222 North Lincoln Avenue.No pre-registration or fee. Pregnancy is the ideal time to seek birth and breastfeeding education. All women and babies are welcome. Contact accredited leader, Gloria at 402-362-6875 or turnbull@inebraska.com WEDNESDAY 3/1 >> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Wednesday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. THURSDAY 3/2 >> Weight Watchers meets in the basement of the York Towne House, 5th & Grant Ave., each Thursday. Weigh in 5:15 - 5:45 p.m.; Member meeting 5:45 - 6:15 p.m. >> AL-ANON meets Thursday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. >> Narcotics Anonymous meets Thursday at 8 p.m. at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in the Annex building. FRIDAY 3/3 >> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Friday at 12 noon at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. >> Alcoholics Anonymous - AWOL Group meets Friday at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. SATURDAY 3/4 >> Alcoholics Anonymous - Fresh Start Group meets Saturday at 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church located at 414 Delaware Ave. in York. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer of both men and women in the United States. Lifestyle factors that may increase your risk of getting colorectal cancer include: Lack of regular exercise A diet low in fruits and vegetables A low-fiber and high-fat diet Being overweight Excessive alcohol use Tobacco use Living a healthy lifestyle can help lower your risk of colorectal cancer. But regular screening is also important. Testing can often find colon cancer early, when its most treatable. Ninety percent of colon cancer begins when polyps become cancerous. A polyp is a small growth that attaches itself to the inner wall of the colon. Anyone can get colon polyps, but certain people are more likely to get them than others. You may have a greater chance of getting polyps if: youre 50 years of age or older youve had polyps before someone in your family has had polyps someone in your family has had cancer of the large intestine, also called colon cancer youve had uterine or ovarian cancer before age 50 The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is used as a screening tool to check for early colon cancer. Blood in the stool may be the only signs of early cancer. And, if found early, treatment can start right away, improving the chance of a cure. Four Corners Health Department encourages you to get screened for colon cancer. This simple test can be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home. FOBT test kits are available for people age 50 74 years at no charge from Four Corners Health Department. During the month of March, you can also pick up a FOBT kit at Walgreens in York, Surgical Associates in York, and Pac-n-Save in Seward, if you fall within those ages. If you think you may be at a higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier. If you are over the age of 75 and feel you need to be screened, contact your doctor. Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable! If you have questions or need more information, please contact Four Corners Health Department @ 1-877-337-3573 or inquire at: info@fourcorners.ne.gov. Imphal: Addressing a massive rally here on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi asked people to vote for his party and said that BJP will do in 15 months, what Congress did not in 15 years. The Congress ruined the state during its 15 years of misrule, Modi said launching a scathing attack on the Ibobi Singh-led government. He accused the chief minister of "running the most corrupt government" and "taking 10 percent commission" for the contracts. Modi vowed to end the crippling economic blockade in the state if BJP comes to power, saying "Manipur's development was stalled under the Congress government". Also Read: PM Narendra Modi blasts Congress in Imphal rally: As it happened He lashed out at the Congress government for "failing" to provide jobs, infrastructure and proper drinking water to the people. Modi also accused the Ibobi government of spreading "false campaign and misleading the people" on the Naga Accord. "I assure you that there is no single reference to ditching the Manipur people or its interests in the Naga Accord", he said. Ridiculing the Congress government, Modi said, "Naga accord was done one-and-half years back. What were you doing ? Were you in a deep sleep? And all of a sudden you have woken up before elections. You are making false claims to mislead the people," Modi said. Also Read: Congress spreading lies about Naga Accord: PM Narendra Modi On the indefinite economic blockade launched by United Naga Council (UNC) in November last year, the prime minister said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to make available essential commodities. But the people here are not getting medicines and other commodities. "There is a blockade on the national highways for so many months, but no action has been taken. Congress is hand-in-glove with those who have resorted to the blockade. I told the state government that the Centre is ready to extend whatever help it required. "BJP will form the next government in Manipur and no blockade will be allowed then. We will show how a government is run," he said. The Congress wants to reap benefits by letting Manipur "burn" and by "pitting one tribe against another for the sake of the chair," he said. Also Read: FULL SPEECH: PM Narendra Modi's fiery address in Manipur's Imphal - WATCH "What kind of cheap politics is this where you make brothers fight against each other". Attacking the chief minister, he charged "I heard that the state chief minister who has been ruling for the last 15 years is known as 10 per cent chief minister. It is for the people of the state to decide whether they want a 100 per cent honest chief minister or one who takes 10 per cent commission." The prime minister said the Centre had been sending lots of funds to Manipur but most of the money is siphoned off by leaders and ministers of the ruling party. "Earlier during Congress regime when funds used to come, Congress leaders and ministers used to siphon off the funds. But now there is a BJP government at the Centre and Manipur government will be held accountable for each and every penny." Also Read: Manipur Assembly Elections 2017: PM Narendra Modi to address rally in Imphal; preparations in full swing Modi said unity of the people and development were the focus of the BJP and added that all states in the north eastern region should develop. Referring to demonetisation, Modi said he will not stop until and unless he recovers the black money and said it was Congress which has a problem with the ban. "The black money recovered will be used for development of the country and uplift of the poor. But when this decision of note ban was announced Congress had shouted the most," he said. The state goes to polls on March 4 and March 8 to elect its 60-member Assembly. (With agency inputs) Hurray! The torture has finally ended after 8 long years- a little too late I would say but better late than never. Its time to rejoice So here is raising a toast to the unnatural death of Ekta Kapoors flagship rona dhona, maha drama Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. May the dreaded K never return to haunt us again

Wonder why I am being so cynical? Kyunki it drove us to the wall, Kyunki it tested our patience and intelligence, Kyunki it portrayed us (women) in the most stereotypical fashion, Kyunki it did not come with a warning of watching at ones own risk and Kyunki one did not need a reason to detest this show or cast suspicious glances at those who did like the show.

So in case you are a Kyunki fan then please leave or forever hold your peace for this write up; its not meant for the faint hearted or weak willed. Readers discretion is advised as we are going to dive in some serious whipping and no holds barred bashing of this soggy saga.

But just like any other Balaji serial which begins on a chirpy note with the birds singing and the temple bells tolling; Kyunki wasnt all that bad initially. So I would like to venture into un-chartered waters and risk appreciating this k katha just a bit. For, like it or not, the show had the potential of being met with a different fate had many aspects been handled differently.

The Good

Family ties: A joint family in the confused 21st century was one of the major USPs that got the viewers hooked on to the show. When most of the soaps were busy celebrating nuclear family freedom, Kyunki came as a refreshing break. A show about an affluent Gujarati family that had a modern outlook yet traditional values immediately clicked with the audience and garnered the highest TRPs.

Widow re-marriage: Everything said and done, the show did break a lot of taboos. The soap, time and again, took up the cause of widow re-marriage. Tulsi, her daughter Shobha and daughter-in-law Nandini were urged to remarry once their spouses passed away.

Marital rape: The prima donnas of TV serials Kyunki once again took the lead in bringing the harsh reality to the fore. The loveless marriage of Nandini and Ansh served the plot to present this brutal truth. Nandini is raped by her husband Ansh, who was subsequently dragged to court by Nandini on the behest of guess who??? Anshs mother Tulsi.

Mother India Tulsis killing of own son: Not that I want to promote domestic violence but Tulsi killing her own son Ansh to protect her bebas bahu was one of the few eye popping, unbelievable, exaggerated sequences. Nevertheless, it was the right thing to do. May be killing was a little to much for anyones taste but the idea was well conveyed.

Baa-the 84 yr old (or was she 400?) fashionista: This was one of the few crowning moments of the show. Just when critics were breathing fire down Ektas neck to send Baa to the grave, she sends her to the school of fashion design. Once again the point was taken well. The aged cant be just nudged away, they have a life too.

Even a Kyunki basher like me feels that the show did have the potential had it not slipped from good to bad to downright ugly.

The Bad

Blah blah blah about sanskaars: Anyone watching the show could easily give religious channels like 'Sanskaar' and 'Aastha' a miss. The characters of the show had loads of faltoo gyaan to pass on to its poor moral defunct viewers any given day.

Privacy went for a toss: From bedroom talk to kitchen politics, everybody overheard everybody. Whether is was a husband and wife doing coochie coo or a saas bitching about the new bride, someone would always overhear and pass on the golden words. The motto being: if informed then better misinform.

Drama queens galore: Who needs dialogues, when your body language speaks volumes? Cunning smirks, weird eye moves, and look east talk west actions, exaggerated reactions reduced the dialogues to mere lip service. In fact, put the show on mute and you are as good as someone whos heard all the wailing, screeching and thundering.

Sleeping beauties: They smiled in make-up, they wept in make-up (water proof of course), they even slept in make-up; the characters were good enough to enter a beauty pageant on any given moment. Being glamorous is good, but did no one tell these saas bahus that sleeping with make-up on was a beauty disaster. Quiet literally the characters hid their true colours behind the glossy exteriors.

The Ugly

Reverse ageing process: Generations leaps had a different connotation here. The most bugging factor was the characters getting younger and sassier with each passing year. Instead of getting sober with age, they just got lousy make up jobs done and the beauticians had a ball. Getting older here meant extra coats of foundations, oodles and oodles of mascara, and even more glam accessories.

Arise from the dead: Grrr grrr even Ramsay Brothers would have bowed to Ekta Kapoor when she pulled Mihir out of the coffin. The day Mihir returned from the dead, the show was fated to be doomed. For the tacky scheme was used time and again as the characters deemed dead would suddenly appear and instead of going BOOM, the audience went Yawn

In-law incest: Being accommodating is one thing but marrying your brothers ex-wife is simply tacky. Every now and then a wife would leave her husband and go and marry her devar. What kind of a sick minded plot was the show promoting?

Saaziish and more saazish: Mindless conspiracies ruled and misunderstandings were the order of the day. Just when something good would happen; the bad immediately followed leaving room for ample of drama.

It will always remain a mystery as to how a serial so banal and plot-dead, where the characters always remained dressed as if they were attending a barat or a Halloween party, could become so popular.

But like it or not Kyunki was one the most popular shows the telly has ever known. But with the channel the tying a goose around its neck and finally sending it to the dungeons, all I am left is with a list of if only that could have saved it from its unprecedented death

If only Mihir had not died or brought back from the dead on popular demand, if only the characters looked their part, if only Baa bid adieu before she turned 400, if only the family members understood the term privacy, if only Ekta Kapoor gave some credit to the viewers intelligence and did not take them for a ride, if only Tulsi did not have to be such a goody two shoes. The show could have been bearable! MicroSynbiotiX, a startup creating a novel oral delivery process for fish, has won the Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge. The award is a commitment from the global animal feed company to undertake commercial trials to validate the technology further. MicroSynbiotiX is using genetically modified microalgae as the vaccine delivery vehicle for farmed fish. This potentially removes the need for producers to inject fish with vaccines, the most common but labor-intensive method currently . We effectively lock the vaccine inside the algae, which is then freeze-dried to enable it to be fed to the fish, said Antonio Lamb, MicroSynbiotiXs co-founder, along with Simon Porphy. From then on, the natural digestion process of the fish unlocks the vaccine, making its qualities available to the species. Making the Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge top 10 MicroSynbiotiX topped an original list of 44 contenders for the Feed Tech award, and was one of 10 finalists. The company spent two days this week at Nutrecos research location in Boxmeer in the Netherlands pitching and explaining their product. They can now look forward to their process being exposed to the full power of Nutrecos exhaustive product testing regime. Were delighted to win, of course, said Lamb, who led the companys presentation with chief scientific officer, Kwang-ChulKwon, especially as the trials commitment from Nutreco is a reward which would be too costly for us to buy at this stage in our development, even if such a paid-for offer was available, which of course it isnt. Joint runners-up were US-based KnipBio and EKO GEA from Slovenia. KnipBios proposal featured the development of a series of microbes that they say will convert low-cost feedstock into premium, nutritious, single-cell proteins laden with pigment-enhancing carotenoids to produce healthier, more vibrant fish. EKO GEAs submission centered on Biocomplex, a prebiotic biostimulant which is derived from the seaweed, Ascophyllum nodosum. The products inventor, Goran oric, says the seaweed is capable of enhancing human and animal health, promoting crop and plant growth, while also helping to clean the environment. Beating the odds Making the top 10 was impressive as Nutrecos innovation specialists screened out 70%-90% of entrants within little more than half a day of serious examination. This is the harsh reality of pitching to a major company, especially for startups convinced theyve created a product, process or service which is capable of solving the worlds future food security. Professor Leo den Hartog, R&D director for Nutrecos animal nutrition division, Trouw Nutrition, told the innovators that the path to commercial success for the next sparkling new idea is always going to be pretty tough. Although he also made it clear that his innovation team was constantly watching and listening for a breakthrough idea, adding that Nutreco gives every such idea a genuine chance. So, how do you make it into the top 10%-30% that secure more in-depth consideration or even the 1%-2% that make it into the marketplace? Where Nutreco finds new innovation It is not that we lack new ideas, he told AgFunderNews. We get a lot of ideas from our own people, both in Boxmeer and in our research centers around the world, and also from other companies; established businesses and start-ups. We also have a very close network of universities in many countries with whom we work, looking at their research results and ideas for the future. The beauty of the current Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge is that it builds a bridge between these two worlds. On the one hand, there is the world of a large corporation like Nutreco, with our global network and market knowledge. However, by nature, we have limited possibilities to develop disruptive innovations on our own. On the other hand, there is the world of young, creative thinkers that have a completely new look on the challenges of today. Linking these two is a very promising recipe for success. Developmental challenges While adding that working through ideas from such a long list of potential sources isnt easy, Prof. den Hartog agreed there were issues to be faced whether the new product answer was yes or no. If we say yes too quickly, for example, we risk spending a lot of testing and development money over, say two years, and then decide its not for us, he said. On the other hand, if we say no, or dont do anything at all, we risk missing developments which are out there that would really be good to have as part of our business. Nutrecos solution has been to build a multi-functional business team consisting of people from its R&D fish and R&D animal nutrition departments, working alongside the companys specialists in product procurement, marketing, and IP. Sometimes, of course, our technical people are really excited by what they see while the marketing guys say its nice but too expensive and will never compete with an existing product, he said. That is why we are offering an on-farm validation to the Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge winner. The true value of this prize is the chance to test, demonstrate and experience the technology. It is a means to help overcome and solve different problems. Validation offers the winner a true test in a farm environment and it helps speed up development. The other seven Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge finalists: eFishery (Indonesia) has created an integrated feeding solution for fish and shrimp farming, based on an internet-connected machine that the company says can feed the fish automatically, sense the fishs appetite and adjust the amount of feed given for that appetite. Metabolic Robots (Israel) has developed a system to optimize poultry house feed distribution enabling real-time monitoring and management to significantly improve broiler house efficiency and profits. FarmControl (Portugal) has created a solution that allows farmers to monitor and control remotely in real-time, any type of equipment on their farm. Fodjan (Germany) has built a web platform for feed management for the livestock sector connecting the different stakeholders in feeding strategies (i.e. farmer, consultant, trader, and veterinarian), plus laboratories and feeding machinery. Hexafly (Ireland) has developed a technology to produce Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) while limiting waste to zero and developing high-value coproducts for the plant nutrition and biopolymer industry. LifeBioencapsulation (Spain) has developed solutions to microencapsulate functional molecules and microorganisms in order to increase their efficacy in case of oral administration. Ten Kate (The Netherlands) has created protein modifications with antimicrobial and growth enhancing properties, resulting in a healthier (young) livestock population with better growth perspectives and reduced use of antibiotics. Image: Nutreco Feed Tech Challenge jury members with the winning team. (Left to Right) Adam Anders, managing partner at Anterra Capital; Viggo Halseth, Chief Innovation Officer at Nutreco; Kwang-Chul Kwon, MicroSynbiotiX; Antonio Lamb, MicroSynbiotiX; Prof. Daniel Berckmans of KU Leuven; Prof. Johan Verreth, Wageningen University & Research, and Dr. Jason Clay, senior vice president market transformation at WWF. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. The representatives of Armenias Government will discuss the issue of finding alternative routes to Upper Lars with their Georgian partners, Minister of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies Vahan Martirosyan said after the Cabinet session, reports Armenpress. The Armenian delegation led by Prime Minister Karen Karapetyan will visit Georgia on February 23. We all have positive expectations from our Georgia visit. The issue on finding an alternative route to Upper Lars and suggesting it to our businessmen is being discussed in the media for more than a month. Of course, we will discuss this issue with our Georgian partners, the Minister said. Asked what proposals will the Armenian side make to Georgia, the Minister promised to present the results after the upcoming meetings. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Defense Ministry of Azerbaijan issued a statement on their casualties on February 25 in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact, the Azerbaijani APA reports. As a result of the military clash, our armed forces suffered losses, the statement says, without mentioning the exact number of killed soldiers. The Defense Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh Republic) issued a statement which says that on February 25, as of 03:00 and 04:00, the Azerbaijani side conducted an attack attempt at two south-eastern (Martuni) and eastern (Akna) directions by using respective mine clearance equipment and special measures. The NKR Defense Army forces prevented the advance of the Azerbaijani forces on time at both directions due to video devices and threw them back by causing losses. As a result of the countermeasures taken by the Defense Army, the Azerbaijani side suffered losses and has wounded. Several bodies are in the neutral zone. The Armenian side has no casualties and wounded. At the same time, according to the information by the respective structures of the Defense Army, in the eastern direction movement of troops and military equipment of the Azerbaijani side is being realized. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin, who was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan, is still not allowed to make calls, his wife Yekaterina said, reports Armenpress. Whatever the Azerbaijani media write that Alexanders rights are fully protected, he is still not allowed to make calls. Perhaps, the prosecutor generals office thinks that the contacts with relatives are not in the interests of the investigation. Of course, since the support of relatives gives him strength. Thanks God, that they allow his mother to visit him once a week, Lapshins wife said. Alexander Lapshin, the Russian-Israeli blogger who was extradited from Belarus to Azerbaijan on February 7, has been placed in the isolation cell in Azerbaijans state security service. Lapshin was flown to Baku from Minsk on a special flight, escorted by state security agents. A group of reporters were waiting for Lapshin in Bakus airport, but Lapshin didnt give any comment to them. A news correspondent reported from the airport that Lapshin is in a serious mental condition and he didnt respond to the questions of journalists. The Belarus Supreme Court denied Lapshins appeal on the extradition verdict issued by the General Prosecutor of Belarus. Lapshin faces up to 5 years imprisonment in Azerbaijan, under charges of public calls against the state, and unauthorized crossing of borders. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan on February 25 sent a congratulatory letter to the Peoples Artist of Armenia, performer Raisa Mkrtchyan on the occasion of her 75th birthday, press service of the Presidents office told Armenpress. Stating that Raisa Mkrtchyan is one of the prominent and unique representatives of the Armenian popular art whose graceful performances were a new word in the Armenian musical culture, the President wished her excellent health, happiness, and new achievements. Your sincere and heartfelt art symbolizes an entire era and has long ago won the love and admiration of the audiences in Armenia and abroad. Your contribution to the pedagogical work is also considerable, especially in the gratifying work of educating a new generation of art workers in the traditions of the Armenian vocal art, the Presidents letter reads. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Armenias Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries about the Azerbaijani attack attempt launched in the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact overnight February 25, reports Armenpress. The OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries have been informed on the Azerbaijani attack attempt, the MFA writes on Twitter. On February 25, as of 03:00 and 04:00, the Azerbaijani side conducted an attack attempt at two south-eastern (Martuni) and eastern (Akna) directions by using respective mine clearance equipment and special measures. The NKR Defense Army forces prevented the advance of the Azerbaijani forces on time at both directions due to video devices and pushed them back by causing losses. As a result of the countermeasures taken by the Defense Army, the Azerbaijani side suffered losses and has wounded. Several bodies are in the neutral zone. The Armenian side has no casualties and wounded. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Transport, Communication and Information Technologies told Armenpress that on February 25, as of 14:30, Berd-Chambarak highway is closed due to a snowstorm. Foggy conditions hit the roads of Baghramyan region. The Vardenyats Pass is partly covered with clear ice. Clearing operations are underway. All the remaining roads are open. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. The Azerbaijani side made provocations also in the Armenian-Azerbaijani border by causing material damage to the civilians of the village of Baghanis. The Azerbaijani forces fired shots towards the pastures near the Armenian positions in the village of Baghanis, Artsrun Hovhannisyan Spokesman of the Defense Ministry, told Armenpress, stating that two cows were killed as a result of the shooting. The military positions were not damaged, he said. On February 25, as of 03:00 and 04:00, the Azerbaijani side conducted an attack attempt at two south-eastern (Martuni) and eastern (Akna) directions of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact by using respective mine clearance equipment and special measures. The NKR Defense Army forces prevented the advance of the Azerbaijani forces on time at both directions due to video devices and pushed them back by causing losses. As a result of the countermeasures taken by the Defense Army, the Azerbaijani side suffered losses and has wounded. Several bodies are in the neutral zone. The Armenian side has no casualties and wounded. YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 25, ARMENPRESS. Artak Zakaryan Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, calls on the international community to take tougher measures for restraining Azerbaijan since otherwise the region can be turned into a serious center of clashes. Commenting on the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt in the Nagorno Karabakh line of contact overnight February 25, Artak Zakaryan told Armenpress that this is due to the fact that the international community fails to exert pressure on Azerbaijan to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements. The international community must more strongly react to this and just speak with Azerbaijan with a compulsion language in order to implement the Vienna and St. Petersburg agreements, and the investigative mechanisms on ceasefire violations to be installed in the line of contact, he said. The MP stated that Azerbaijans such behavior is also due to balanced and unaddressed statements of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs, their undefined calls to the sides. All this allows Azerbaijan to continue its unconstructive policy, to completely reverse the events and present them in the way it wants, Zakaryan said. He said escalating the situation in the line of contact is also related with the domestic problems existing in Azerbaijan, and Azerbaijanis consider escalation of the situation in the border as an effective tool to divert the attention from those problems. On February 25, around 03:00 and 04:00, the Azerbaijani side conducted an attack attempt at two south-eastern (Martuni) and eastern (Akna) directions of the Nagorno Karabakh-Azerbaijan line of contact by using respective mine clearance equipment and special measures. The NKR Defense Army forces prevented the advance of the Azerbaijani forces on time at both directions due to video devices and pushed them back by causing losses. As a result of the countermeasures taken by the Defense Army, the Azerbaijani side suffered losses and has wounded. Several bodies are in the neutral zone. The Armenian side has no casualties and wounded. By Nia Williams CALGARY, Alberta (Reuters) - Canada's energy sector has fallen out of favor with international oil majors, who are scaling back ambitions and walking away from reserves in the ground there to focus on lower-cost and higher-margin opportunities elsewhere. Billion-dollar bets on Canada's oil sands went sour this week for Exxon Mobil Corp (NYSE:XOM - News) and Conoco Phillips (NYSE:COP - News). Between them, the two companies erased from their books nearly 5 billion barrels of bitumen, the heavy, viscous oil found under Alberta's boreal forest. This has wiped about $250 billion worth of oil from their reserves. Conoco has put $2 billion of Canadian natural gas assets on the block. The companies joined the list of foreign players to take a hit in a Canadian energy patch where a two-year slump in global oil prices has discouraged the high investments needed to get projects off the ground. While crude prices have recovered to above $50 a barrel from a low of $26 a year ago, that is not enough to make Canada's oil sands profitable. Even some of Canada's conventional energy plays are expensive at current crude prices. Canadian producer Husky Energy Inc (Toronto:HSE.TO - News), owned by Hong Kong billionaire Li Ka-shing, is weighing the sale of some Eastern Canadian offshore crude assets, people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The oil sands have caused energy companies the most pain. Devon Energy Corp (NYSE:DVN - News) Chief Executive Officer Dave Hager summed up the problem this month when discussing the Pike oil sands project, which awaits a company decision later this year. "We like the project a lot, but ... it's a little bit lower return than our well-oriented programs here in the U.S.," Hager told analysts on an earnings call. Hager cited capital costs and uncertain future prices as factors behind the wariness of sinking funds into projects that take four years to build. Shale plays need less investment, produce cheaper oil and often provide a fatter return within months. Story continues President Donald Trump is also expected to loosen U.S. regulations for oil and gas companies, while the Canadian government has been planning a carbon tax. Statoil ASA (Oslo:STL.OL - News) sold its oil sands project and leases to Calgary-based Athabasca Oil Corp (Toronto:ATH.TO - News). CNOOC-owned (HKSE:0883.HK - News) Nexen shut down its oil sands upgrader. Royal Dutch Shell (RDsa.L) abandoned its 80,000 barrel per day Carmon Creek project, taking a $2 billion write-down. "The oil sands are not as sexy as they used to be," said GMP FirstEnergy analyst Martin King. "The focus is on the United States - there are more immediate returns and lower drilling costs." In the days of $100 a barrel crude, and before the U.S. shale revolution, the oil sands were a red-hot play for investors, offering huge reserves, low decline rates and a stable political climate. Between 2005 and 2015 foreign direct investment in Canada's oil industry more than doubled to C$130 billion ($99.19 billion) from C$50 billion, according to Statistics Canada data. That slowed in 2015 as the crude price rout deepened. "You would assume it's still slowing down based on lower prices," said economist Carlos Murillo of the Conference Board of Canada. RS Energy Group analyst Rob Bedin noted that Suncor Energy's (Toronto:SU.TO - News) Fort Hills, the last of the oil sands mega-projects, needs U.S. crude prices around $100 a barrel to break even, compared with $40-$45 a barrel for shale plays in the Midland Basin, Texas. While oil sands growth is expected to slow dramatically, production is not expected to drop. Projects there, once built, are viewed as a useful addition to companies' portfolios. Day-to-day operating costs are reasonably low and they produce for decades. Two years ago, producer forecasts of 2026 oil sands production totaled 6 million bpd, according to RS Energy research, up from 2.5 million bpd currently. Last year producers dropped that 2026 forecast to 5 million bpd, but RS Energy analysis suggests 3.5 billion bpd is more realistic once company finances are taken into account. BACK-YARD RESOURCE The fate of growth in the oil sands is primarily in the hands of the domestic Canadian producers like Suncor Energy and MEG Energy (Toronto:MEG.TO - News), which are still intent on developing their back-yard crude resource through improved technology and carefully planned small-scale expansions. Canadian reserve reporting rules, which allow the use of price forecasts from reserve evaluation firms, help domestic oil sands producers maintain a more positive outlook. The United States requires producers to report reserves based on last year's prices. Still, there are concerns even for oil sands specialists. These include low crude prices, environmental opposition to building new pipelines and government carbon emissions caps. Lack of pipeline capacity has in the past left crude bottlenecked in Alberta, but now that three major projects are finally moving forward there are doubts about whether there will be enough volume to fill them. Enbridge Inc (Toronto:ENB.TO - News) CEO Al Monaco said two pipelines should suffice based on the current supply outlook, and the latest cuts in reserves may make it harder for projects like TransCanada Corp's (Toronto:TRP.TO - News) Keystone XL to find enough shippers. "One pipeline is within (oil sands) projects already under construction," said University of Alberta energy economist Andrew Leach. "Where it gets more speculative is if you get beyond one pipeline then your case starts to depend on some incremental growth into the next decade, which is not sanctioned and would not be on anyone's reserve books at this point." ($1 = 1.3106 Canadian dollars) (Editing by Simon Webb and David Gregorio) By Allison Lampert MONTREAL (Reuters) - The real estate arm of Canada's second-largest pension fund manager is looking at India's logistics sector following the announcement this week of its first investment in the country for more than six years, President Daniel Fournier said on Friday. Ivanhoe Cambridge, the real estate unit of Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec, announced a $250 million residential investment in India on Thursday, the first in the country since Fournier was put in charge of the division in 2010. "We're starting with multi-residential opportunities, so let's see where it takes us," Fournier said in an interview on the sidelines of a media conference at the Caisse in Montreal. "Logistics ... could be the next one." India's real estate logistics sector, which includes warehouses, distribution centres and other services, is being fueled by the production of automotive components, textiles and pharmaceuticals, according to a research report by the real estate investment firm JLL. Export and import cargo is expected to grow to 2,800 million metric tonnes by 2020, the report said. Services like warehousing are also in demand to support the country's fast-growing e-commerce sector. Bank of America Merrill Lynch has forecast Indian e-commerce will surge to $220 billion in value of goods sold by 2025 from about $11 billion in 2015, outpacing growth in bricks-and-mortar retail. Fournier said he wanted to take time to learn the Indian market and find the right partner before making large investments in the country. "For us it's going to be a very important market," he said. Ivanhoe Cambridge, which has C$56 billion ($42.76 billion) in assets, last year bought into LOGOS Property Group, an Australian logistics real estate specialist. Ivanhoe Cambridge plans to work with LOGOS on investments across Asia, he said. (Reporting By Allison Lampert; Editing by Bill Rigby) A Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) logo is seen on Bay Street in the heart of the financial district in Toronto, January 22, 2015. REUTERS/Mark Blinch/File Photo By Sumeet Chatterjee and John Tilak HONG KONG/TORONTO (Reuters) - Royal Bank of Canada, the country's biggest lender, has put its Asian wealth management business under review, which could lead to its sale, four people familiar with the matter told Reuters. The Canadian bank's move comes after several Western firms have withdrawn from private banking in Asia, hit by increasing pressure to reduce costs at home, slowing growth in the region and rising compliance costs. Most recently, Dutch lender ABN Amro Group agreed in December to sell its private banking operations in Asia and the Middle East, which has $20 billion in assets, to LGT, a business run by the Princely Family of Liechtenstein. The RBC review was prompted because the bank's global head of wealth management feels the Asian business, with less than $10 billion in assets, lacks the scale to generate adequate profit, the people added. There is, however, no certainty that the review will result in a sale, one of the people said. RBC's main wealth management markets in Asia are Hong Kong and Singapore, the region's two biggest wealth hubs. "There will definitely be a question mark over profitability of this kind of a business that lacks scale," said a person with knowledge of the development. "Is it a core business for RBC in Asia? The answer is, probably not." All the people Reuters spoke to declined to be named as the review is confidential. RBC Chief Executive Dave McKay confirmed the business was under strategic review but said no decision had yet been made about a sale. "We go through periodic strategic reviews. Its a normal cycle of strategy," McKay said in an interview with Reuters. In fiscal year 2016, RBC's revenue from international wealth management, including Asia, was C$430 million ($330 million), down from C$639 million in 2015 and C$722 million in 2014. The bank does not separately disclose the figures for Asia. That compares with C$2.45 billion in revenue from its wealth management business in Canada and C$4.12 billion from the United States. Story continues While some smaller Western wealth managers have left the region, Asia is emerging as a key battleground for global heavyweights such as UBS and Credit Suisse as their traditional markets show slower growth and as countries like China and India produce more millionaires. With nearly 5 million individuals with $1 million in liquid assets, Asia Pacific is the fastest growing wealth region in the world. Last year, Barclays agreed to sell its wealth and investment management business in Hong Kong and Singapore to a unit of Singapore's Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp (OCBC). A crackdown on money laundering by Asia's main private banking centres is forcing wealth managers to spend more on compliance procedures, which industry executives say may prove too onerous for smaller players. For smaller wealth managers, the extra spending on technology and compliance can erode profit margins and distract attention from the core business of growing assets. Wealth managers with assets under management of less than $25 billion will struggle to invest in systems and people necessary to stop the flow of bad money at private banks, private bankers have said. While a valuation for RBCs Asian wealth management business was not immediately clear, similar deals in the last couple of years in the region have been pegged at 1.5 percent to 2 percent of assets under management. A sale of RBC's wealth management business in Asia, if launched, could draw interest mainly from regional players including Singapore-based lenders DBS Group Holding and OCBC, which have been looking to bulk up their wealth management business, two M&A bankers said. DBS acquired the Asian private bank of Societe Generale in 2014. DBS had also bid for the Barclays assets. DBS and OCBC did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reporting by Sumeet Chatterjee in Hong Kong, John Tilak and Matt Scuffham in Toronto; Additional reporting by Denny Thomas in Toronto; editing by Will Waterman and Meredith Mazzilli) Speaker Paul Ryan and Secretary of Health and Human Services Tom Price walk together. Source: AP Goldman Sachs (GS) may be bearish on an Obamacare repeal, but a Republican House draft for a repeal bill obtained by Politico provides new detail on what to expect if Congress does end up killing the Affordable Care Act. There are no major surprises here, as the plan is similar to Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Prices previous ideas. Here are some highlights: A different type of individual mandate First off, the bill would kill the unpopular individual mandate, which ensured that not just people with pre-existing conditions would sign up. Instead, under the new bill, people who didnt have continuous coverage would see a 30% increase in premiums for a year. As Bloombergs Steven Dennis noted on Twitter, that means youd pay a penalty later instead of at tax time. In other words, its a mandate by another nameone that gives the illusion of choice as theres still a penalty for people who choose not to have insurance. Subsidies based on age The next big change would be in subsidies (in the form of tax credits), which in 2020 would switch from being income-based to age-based, a move that would make, for instance, Bill Gates eligible for a bigger subsidy than a poorer, younger person. However, the GOPs plan would cut almost all the taxes that paid for Obamacareexcept a tax thats similar to Obamacares Cadillac tax, which would begin taxing generous employer healthcare plans in 2020. This leaves a large question mark in terms of any new laws ability to be revenue neutral. Analysis from the Congressional Budget Office has yet to be released. Cut back Medicaid expansion Another big change in 2020: No more Medicaid expansion, and states would have federal funds capped by their populations, which would likely reduce the number of Americans receiving the benefit by 7 million, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Since Obamacare was implemented, around 15 million more people have gotten insurance through the laws expansion of Medicaid, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. A recent poll by the Kaiser Family Foundation found strong bipartisan support for Medicaid, which has expanded in 16 states with Republican governors. This is much more favorable than Obamacare, though the law is now currently more favorable than not by a slim margin. Story continues Essential benefits In 2019, the essential health benefits requirement that made certain treatments and preventative care covered in full would be sunset. One of the most politically explosive pieces in the draft of legislation, which is currently unnamed, is defunding Planned Parenthood, a move that some Republicans see as too dangerous. According to the draft, no federal funds could go to a prohibited entity. The bill includes abortion provider in its definition of prohibited entity. Source: Politico For older people, regulations that limit differences between insurance premiums of young and elderly were capped under the ACA at three-to-one. Under this new bill, they would be increased to five-to-one, meaning premiums for the elderly could skyrocket by 66%. Its important to note that this is still a draft, unnamed, numbered, analyzed, or reviewed by the Senate. The biggest takeaway, however, is that the bill will likely not live up to President Donald Trumps promise of insurance for everybody. Ethan Wolff-Mann is a writer at Yahoo Finance focusing on consumer issues, tech, and personal finance. Follow him on Twitter @ewolffmann. Got a tip? Send it to tips@yahoo-inc.com. Read more: Chases Sapphire Reserve is very worth it, even with its slashed bonus President Trumps predecessors learned about tariffs the hard way 51% of all job tasks could be automated by todays technology Johnny Depp proves why we need a fiduciary rule The IRS pays whistleblowers to turn in tax-evaders Peruvian police have arrested Christopher Franz, the common-law husband of Kimberlee Kasatkin, who has been missing in Peru since November. Franz, a Peruvian citizen, was initially detained for 72 hours in connection to Kasatkin's disappearance. His detention has now been extended by four days as police search his property, though no charges have been laid. Kasatkin, originally from Abbotsford, had been living in Lima with Franz and their two children a three-year-old daughter and six-year-old son for more than three years. Kasatkin was last heard from on November 26, 2016, when she spoke to her sisters via video call. Her brother, Roger Grafstrom, said that at the time of her disappearance, Franz told Peruvian police she had left the home voluntary. The case is now being treated as a femicide defined as the murder of a woman under Peruvian law. Family assisted with investigation Grafstrom said that because the disappearance was not initially classified as a missing person case, it was not thoroughly investigated. "With so many people going missing in Peru, police just don't look into it," he said. "We were told if we hadn't gone down there, nothing would have ever happened." Frustrated by the language barrier and the lack of answers, Kasatkin's family traveled to Peru in January to advocate for their daughter's case and assist with the investigation. Upon arrival, they also hired a Peruvian lawyer. Grafstrom said his parents watched "endless" hours of video surveillance. "It's been a long, arduous process." He said the Peruvian police handling the case have been "fantastic," working long hours with few resources. "They don't have computers at the police station, so officers have been bringing their own laptops in to help," he said. Interpol and the Abbotsford Police Department have also assisted with the case. In January, Const. Ian MacDonald told CBC News that Kasatkin was a "very well known individual in the Fraser Valley," who regularly returned to Canada to visit and stay in touch with friends. Story continues Grafstrom said the process has put enormous strain on his family. "It's been very difficult in so many aspects. I talk to my parents daily. I can visually see the toll it's taken on them." His family is now advocating for the couple's two children, now staying with Franz's mother, be returned to Canada. "We want them back. We don't think it's a safe environment for them," he said. 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 On 3-5 October 2017 Kyiv is going to host the Space and Future Forum to network international experts and youth, many of whom will also participate at the first CosmoHack in the world. Joinfo provides media coverage of the Forum, and some of its topics were already discussed ... President Trump has just suggested we look into Chuck Schumer's ties to Russia, tweeting a pic of Schumer and Putin. So, here we are. Hope you brought your bag of questions. I've got my briefcase of answers. Let's do it! (HealthDay)Large-scale skin cancer screening, including full-body skin examination (FBSE) is feasible and increases diagnosis of melanoma and thinner invasive melanoma, according to a study published online Feb. 23 in JAMA Oncology. Laura K. Ferris, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Pittsburgh, and colleagues describe a skin cancer screening initiative implemented in a large health care system among adults seen during an office visit with a University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-employed primary care physician. The intervention included implementation of a campaign promoting annual skin cancer screening by FBSE. The researchers found that 15.9 percent of the screen-eligible population of 333,735 adult patients received FBSE. Overall, 50 and 104 melanomas were diagnosed in screened and unscreened patients, respectively. Compared with unscreened patients, screened patients were more likely to be diagnosed with a melanoma (adjusted risk ratio, 2.4; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.7 to 3.4; P < 0.001) and to have a thinner invasive melanoma (median thickness, 0.37 versus 0.65 mm; P < 0.001). Screened and unscreened patients had similar incidence of melanoma lesions 1 mm or thicker (adjusted risk ratio, 0.7; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.2 to 2.2; P = 0.52). "Large-scale screening for melanoma within a U.S. health care system is feasible and can result in increased detection of thinner melanomas," the authors write. Several authors disclosed financial ties to the pharmaceutical industry. Copyright 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved. A computer system at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford allows medical images to be viewed and manipulated in three dimensions. Credit: Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford When Gina Milner needed a new heart valve, she was surprised to learn that a virtual-reality tool could help her get one. Milner's doctors at the Adult Congenital Heart Program, a joint program of Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford and Stanford Health Care, hoped to perform her valve replacement through a much smaller incision than usual. To figure out if this approach would be safe, surgeon Katsuhide Maeda, MD, used a new computer program that transformed Milner's CT scans into a three-dimensional image of her heart, lungs and chest cavity. He then donned a pair of 3-D glasses and stood in front of a special computer monitor that let him rotate and examine every layer of her cardiothoracic anatomy from any angle. The technology, called True 3-D, helped Maeda anticipate what anatomic structures he would see behind a small surgical opening at each stage of Milner's surgery. "For patients with very complex anatomy and a lot of variation from the normal cardiac structure, 3-D technologies are really helpful," said Maeda, a clinical associate professor of cardiothoracic surgery at the School of Medicine. Milner, 46, was born with a heart defect called tetralogy of Fallot that was repaired in childhood, placing her in the group of patients for whom standard 2-D imaging may not give surgeons the information they want. "It can sometimes be very hard to understand how to put a path through the heart," Maeda said. Milner's successful Dec. 2 surgery, the first at Packard Children's to use the new imaging technology, is one of many examples of how virtual-reality techniques are now helping patients. Her surgery is also one of many recent successes for the Adult Congenital Heart Program, which recently became one of the first in the country to receive formal accreditation from the Adult Congenital Heart Association as a comprehensive care center. Big view through a small window Last fall, Milner had difficulty breathing. Testing revealed that she had a leaky pulmonary valve. Blood was backwashing into the pumping chamber on the right side of her heart, making it work too hard. Milner's heart became dangerously enlarged, and her heart and lungs couldn't deliver enough oxygen to the rest of her body. Most patients in this situation need an open-heart procedure to get a new heart valve, and Maeda wasn't sure if the minimally invasive surgery he wanted to perform instead was feasible. The 3-D technology helped him figure it out before he made a single incision. "By looking at her CT scans in three dimensions, we were able to tell that we would have enough space to work with," Maeda said. The technology can also create 3-D images from MRI scans. Some adult congenital heart disease patients have a lot of scar tissue inside their chests from prior surgeries; with the 3-D image, Maeda could see that Milner did not. "We could prepare in our minds, if we cut the bone this much, we can get access to this or that blood vessel," Maeda said. His team also consulted the 3-D images during surgery, taking brief breaks in the operating room to double-check the virtual-reality monitor. Instead of the usual 6-inch incision, Maeda was able to perform Milner's operation through a 2.5-inch incision, enabling her to recover more quickly, causing less post-surgery pain and lowering her risk for complications such as infection. Many uses The 3-D innovation will help many of the hospital's surgical patients, according to pediatric radiologist Frandics Chan, MD, who worked with the Mountain View-based company EchoPixel to develop the new virtual-reality tool using the HP Zvr Virtual Reality Display. (Chan has no financial relationship with either company.) "In any situation with unexpected anatomyeither anatomical differences the patient was born with, those associated with tumors or those created by a prior surgerythis will be very helpful for both pediatric and adult patients," said Chan, an associate professor of radiology at the School of Medicine. The team that separated conjoined twins Erika and Eva Sandoval at Packard Children's in early December used the same virtual-reality technology to help navigate complex steps in the separation, Chan said. The technique complements 3-D printed physical models of patients' anatomy, which the Stanford 3-D and Quantitative Imaging Laboratory produces for surgical planning. The virtual-reality approach has some distinctive advantages. "When you print an anatomical model, you can cut it open once and that's it," Chan said. "In virtual reality, you can put it back together, cut it again in a different place and magnify it with the flick of your hand." The virtual reality tools will also help train radiologists and surgeons in the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases, allowing trainees to use an electronic library of 3-D disease images to perform virtual dissections. Breathing easier At home in Clovis, California, Milner's recovery is progressing. She's grateful that the new technology spared her a much larger incision. "For them to have not had to do that is just wonderful," she said. She can already feel the benefits of her new heart valve, she added. "My breathing is so much better." "We're going to use 3-D and other virtual-reality technologies more and more," Maeda said. "They have big advantages for our patients." Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday, President Trump took his anti-media rhetoric to a new level, doubling down on his description of journalists as the enemy of the people and calling for an end to the use of anonymous sources. This on a day when his press secretary Sean Spicer barred reporters from The New York Times, BBC, BuzzFeed News, CNN, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and The Huffington Post from his daily White House press briefing. The unrelenting attacks on the news media damage American democracy. They appear to be part of a deliberate strategy to undermine public confidence and trust by sowing confusion and uncertainty about what is true. But they do even greater damage outside the United States, where Americas standing as a global beacon of press freedom is being drastically eroded. This is not just a matter of United States prestige. At a time when journalists around the world are being killed and imprisoned in record numbers, Mr. Trumps relentless tirades against fake news are emboldening autocrats and depriving threatened and endangered journalists of one of their strongest supporters the United States government. Of course the United States record on press freedom is far from perfect. During the Obama administration, aggressive leak investigations including a record number of prosecutions under the 1917 Espionage Act regularly ensnared the press. But the United States has had tremendous moral influence when it spoke out about press freedom violations, and not just because of the commitment to the First Amendment. The fact that United States political leaders regularly withstood relentless criticism in the press gave them legitimacy when they called for the protection of critical voices in repressive societies. Advertise Here Be seen advertise here. Contact us. On the International Mother Language Day marked on February 21, the Hamshen Armenians of Turkey held a concert in Istanbul, during which they sang songs in the Homshetsi dialect of the Armenian language. According to Akunq.net, Hamsheni Vova band had organized a song evening in one of the clubs in Istanbul. CNNTurk referred to the event in a program, which mentions that the Hamsheni language, that is the Homshetsi dialect of the Armenian language, has appeared among the endangered languages and that a concert was organized in Istanbul, during which Hamsheni songs were performed. According to the program, the number of people speaking the Hamsheni language is 30-40,000. Urbanization is mentioned among the reasons of the disappearance of the Hamsheni language. Scientifically proven: EU is inscrutable Turkmenistan becomes regional energy center Kishida pledges to strengthen Japan's naval and military capabilities Germany and eight other EU member states plan to expand sanctions against Iran NYT: Kyiv plans total evacuation in case of power outage Iran reveals new air defense missile IRGC neutralizes terrorist group in southwestern Iran Bahrain to continue building relations with Israel after Netanyahu's victory Iran says it confiscated a large batch of U.S.-made munitions Iran successfully launches Ghaem 100 rocket, making the US nervous U.S. sends warplanes to Iran Washington Post: US privately urges Ukraine to show willingness to negotiate with Russia Parisien: French man wins 160 million in European lottery U.S. decides to block number of seats on planes because of the increase in passenger weight BMW M4 turned into a pickup truck Blinken calls on Israel and Palestine to urgently de-escalate tensions Romania signs deal with Norway for purchase of over 30 F-16 fighters Stoltenberg: The alliance has no plans to change nuclear positions and deployments Tagesschau: Nearly 200,000 people took part in strikes at industrial enterprises of Germany Teenagers hacks Uzbekistan senate website Artsakh Ombudsman: Azerbaijanis fired at tractor in Khramort village of Artsakh Rally participants' statement: Artsakh can't be a part of Azerbaijan Person accused of arson in Russia cafe confesses Fars: Iranian Foreign Ministry reported UAV deliveries to Russia a few months before the start of the UAS Bayramov: Azerbaijan, Armenia leaders next meeting will take place in Brussels this month Unity rally of participants start march in downtown Yerevan North Korea launches 4 ballistic missiles Council of Border Guard Troops commanders discusses situation at CIS external borders Armenia ex-President Kocharyan joins rally in downtown Yerevan Russia oil, natural gas companies plan to collaborate with Iraq Armenia army intelligence troops 30th anniversary is solemnly celebrated (PHOTOS) Rally of unity in support of Karabakh kicks off in downtown Yerevan Pentagon announces sending 8 NASAMS air defense systems to Ukraine Armenian Apostolic Church Supreme Spiritual Council meeting ends, Armenia and Artsakh security discussed Tropical Storm Nalgae death toll climbs to 155 in Philippines Artak Beglaryan is appointed advisor to Artsakh Minister of State (PHOTOS) US House committee extends deadline for Trump to produce documents on Capitol attack Over 200 elephants die in Kenya amid drought 13 dead in cafe fire in Russia Armenia Security Council chief to head for Poland, Netherlands, Lithuania Rishi Sunak: State cannot fix all problems Newspaper: To what extent Armenia adheres to sanctions on Russia? Biden accuses Twitter of spewing lies Newspaper: There are active political processes in Karabakh Qatar FM slams hypocrisy of calls to boycott World Cup France, Singapore and Switzerland begin joint testing of experimental digital currencies Oil war is Biden's biggest mistake Japan considers possible deployment of hypersonic missiles by 2030 Germany to install better air defense system over Defense Ministry buildings Erdogan and Stoltenberg discuss war in Ukraine Armenian MOD: Azerbaijani Armed Forces open fire in direction of Armenian positions True cost of Europe's rejection of Russian gas White House tries to explain Biden's statement about freeing Iran Former Pakistani Prime Minister: Either we will have a peaceful revolution or a bloody one Aramyan: Why are police officers' salaries increasing, while defense officers' are not? Pentagon and U.S. weapons manufacturers to discuss Russia, human resources and supply chain Ankara says U.S. may approve sale of F-16s to Turkey within few months IMF: Turkey should tighten monetary policy and give the Central Bank more independence Pope urges religious leaders to keep the world from brink of abyss Putin awards Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II with Order of Honor U.S. says G7 countries realize need for coordinated response to China Round-the-clock curfew is introduced in Kherson 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 Political technologist explains why Pashinyan was elected chairman of board of ruling party in Armenia Erdogan signs up for TikTok China's army is constantly preparing for war amid provocative U.S. actions 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 STEPANAKERT. Azerbaijani side made two attempts to attack at 3a.m. and 4 a.m. on February 25 in the south-eastern (Martakert) and eastern (Akna) directions of the line of contact by using demining and special equipment. Vanguard units of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army, however, detected the advancement and drove them back their starting positions while causing them casualties. The Azerbaijani side suffered losses, the bodies are in the neutral zone. The Defense Army has not suffered casualties. According to Karabakh army, movement of troops and equipment was noticed in the eastern direction of the line of contact. The vanguard units of the Karabakh army are mobilized for defense and are ready to respond adequately to any provocations. YEREVAN. The world community is being informed about the aggression of Azerbaijan, spokesperson for the Karabakh president Davit Babayan told Armenian News-NEWS.am. His comment came following Karabakh armys statement about Azerbaijans attempts to attack at night. There are media releases, the office of the personal representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office has been informed. The OSCE Minsk Group is being informed via diplomatic and open channels, Babayan said. Speaking about the reasons, spokesperson for Artsakh president said first Azerbaijan is a terrorist country and cannot act in other way. However, there other factors encouraging the country's authorities to commit terrorist acts. On Sunday Azerbaijan marks the anniversary of tragic events of Khojalu. In fact, the crime committed by representatives of the Azerbaijani state is used for anti-Armenian propaganda. Another reason is the appointment of Mehriban Aliyeva [presidents wife ed.] as a Vice-President. It is no secret that a large part of the population of Azerbaijan, being indignant and disappointed by the actions of the authorities, are not willing to participate in the processes. To deter the other part - especially the army - Ilham Aliyev needs to demonstrate that the commander in chief is not a henpecked husband but a great conqueror. The result is aggression and terrorism, Babayan said. YEREVAN. Almost all large and small world companies representing the area of telecommunications will meet in Barcelona to participate in Mobile World Congress, one of the largest events in the field of IT. Companies providing audiovisual and Internet services, will gather in Barcelona to establish business relationships A delegation from Armenia, Minister of Transport and IT Vahan Martirosyan included, will for the first time participate in the event. Armenia-produce Zangi application will be presented in a separate pavilion. The founder of the company Vahram Martirosian noted that it was created in 2013, and in subsequent years, the application is constantly developing. Zangi is a modern courier which you can use to call, send messages and make video calls on iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. The company has over 1 mln subscribers, and that number is increasing. YEREVAN. Water from the territory of Vanadzor chempical plant is pouring on the streets of the city, local residents told Armenian News-NEWS.am. The locals say the water from the plant flooded several streets. According to them, it may be dangerous to health. The rescuers and utility workers are at the scene. Representative of the plant Karen Asatryan told the agency that burst pipe with process water was the reason of the accident. He assured that process water is not dangerous. However, reporters were banned from visiting the plant. YEREVAN. Armenia has informed OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairing countries on Azerbaijan offensive attempt, the Armenian Foreign Ministry tweeted. Earlier Karabakh Defense Army said Azerbaijani side made two attempts to attack at 3 a.m. and 4 a.m. in the south-eastern (Martakert) and eastern (Akna) directions of the line of contact by using demining and special equipment. Vanguard units of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army, however, detected the advancement and drove them back their starting positions while causing them casualties. The Azerbaijani side suffered at least two losses, the bodies are in the neutral zone. The Defense Army has not suffered casualties. According to Karabakh army, movement of troops and equipment was noticed in the eastern direction of the line of contact. YEREVAN. Azerbaijans attempted attack is Bakus another blow to the efforts by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries exerted towards the peaceful settlement, Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement. In defiance to the calls of the international community, the demands of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries to strictly adhere to the 1994-1995 ceasefire agreements and to refrain from the use of force and threat of use of force, last night the incursion attempt by the Azerbaijani side on the Line of Contact between Azerbaijan and Artsakh, is Bakus another blow to the efforts by Armenia and the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries exerted towards the peaceful settlement, the statement reads. While continuing the attempts to undermine the agreements reached in Vienna and St. Petersburg on creation conducive conditions for the advancement of the negotiation process, Baku intentionally escalates situation, initiates new provocations. We once again draw the attention of the international community, and first and foremost, the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries to the strict necessity to sober up Baku and to bring it to the reality. The Defense Ministry of Artsakh has published a phone call recording between Azeris, where the situation on the Azerbaijani side is described. In the recording, in particular, a womans voice says the following: Hello, I have talked to Gyuna. She said there are many wounded. The situation in the positions is bad. Her son was not allowed to come to engagement. War is going on: they have been gathered and taken to Agdam. The commander didnt allow. He said the situation is very bad. What happened in April is resuming today. But how on earth do I know why they have started? They said the hospital is full of wounded. The entire land is rumbling from blasts. Hes lying: he wasnt alone, there were many of them. Hes concealing. STEPANAKERT. - The policy of xenophobia conducted by Azerbaijan against Armenians for years has these days been supplemented by threats and intolerance towards the international community, specifically people of good will. The Artsakh Republic-European Parliamentfriendship group stated the aforementioned in a call-announcement disseminated on Saturday. The statement reads, in part: After recording seeming success in Lapshins case, the attitude of Azerbaijan has become more impudent and unruly, this time targeting the European Parliament, deputies of different states, as well as public and political figures. The Azerbaijani Prosecutors Officer has this time made a statement on launching a criminal case against MEPs Frank Engel, Eleni Theocharous, and Jaromir Stetina in connection with their visiting Artsakh and conducting observation mission. We attach great importance to the actions carried out by the political figures for defending human rights in different countries of the world and reconfirm our support to their efforts. We value the determination of the MEPs not to succumb to the provocations of Azerbaijan and state that their conduct is the best manifestation of being true to the European values. We, the deputies of the National Assembly Artsakh Republic-European Parliamentfriendship group urge the international organizations, public and political figures to take adequate steps to suppress the illegal and anti-human actions of Azerbaijan, which make an impression of impunity on Baku authorities, greatly harming the settlement of the Karabakh issue. YEREVAN. - Prime Minister of Armenia Karen Karapetyan on Saturday chaired a consultation during which the implementation process of the Armenian Government program was discussed. The heads of state administration authorities reported on the actions implemented in their respective spheres, as well as the reasons for non-implementation or improper implementation of certain points stipulated by the program. The Premier referred to the terms and quality of the performance of the state administration bodies, instructing them to observe the work discipline. During the consultation, the participants also touched on the implementation process of investment programs submitted to the agencies. Karapetyan instructed to continue the consistent work in this direction and keep this issue under constant control. Afterwards, the ministers of Agriculture, Sport and Youth Affairs, as well as Labor and Social Affairs of Armenia reported on the implementation process of priority issues and actions. The priority issues and programs of each agency for 2017 should be specificwith precise terms, responsible persons and results,the Premier noted, adding that during consultations in such a format the priority issues and programs of several agencies will be discussed so that all the Government members are aware of each others activity. Karapetyan was also briefed on the public awareness work in respect of the programs and actions implemented by state agencies. He once again underscored the importance of Government-public link, urging to be active. YEREVAN. - The recurrence of the last-year escalation in the Karabakh conflict zone is possible, especially considering that Armenia is in a pre-election stage. Head of the Modus Vivendi Analytical Center, expert Ara Papian told the aforementioned to Armenian News NEWS.am. In his words, such a complex phenomenon as war is not conditioned by only one factor. There are several of such factors. Of course, there is also the impact of the April escalation, since Azerbaijan perceives and presents this as a victory and attempts to repeat it once again. The lives of its own servicemen are of no value to Baku, but they think they may manage to seize certain territories and present this as an achievement greater by dozens of times, Papain noted. However, according to the expert, it is necessary to consider the fact that as compared to last year, the Azerbaijani economy is suffering setback due to the drop in oil prices. Thus, Azerbaijan realizes that this is its last chance and tries to take advantage of it. Apart from this, Baku must try to distract the attention from the appointment of Ms Aliyeva to the post of the First Vice President of Azerbaijan, since this was perceived with certain irony even within the country, Papian stressed. Azerbaijani side made two offensive attempts at 3 am and 4 am on Saturday in the southeastern (Martakert) and eastern (Akna) directions of the line of contact by using demining and special equipment. The vanguard units of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) Defense Army, however, detected the advancement and drove them back to their starting positions, causing them casualties. Consequently, the Azerbaijani side suffered losses. Several bodies are in the neutral zone. The Defense Army has not suffered casualties. Lent is quickly approaching. And that means a host of Milwaukee bakeries are battening down their hatches and baking up a storm in preparation for "Paczki Day," which takes place on Tuesday, March 1 (Fat Tuesday). The Polish holiday has long provided a mechanism for folks to clear out their larders before beginning the traditional 40-day Lenten fast (in fact, in the Middle Ages, precursors to the sweet treats were actually filled with pork and fried in lard). As a result, paczki are a particularly indulgent treat that's set aside for one special day each year. It's important to note that paczki aren't your average jelly-filled doughnuts. In fact, what sets them apart is their dough, which is a richer, often sweeter yeast dough incorporating eggs, butter and often milk. With that in mind, its never too early to start thinking about paczki. After all, if we were in Poland, where they celebrate Tlusty Czwartek (Fat Thursday), wed be even closer to indulging in celebratory deep-fried deliciousness. Before you say the word Now that you know the difference between paczki and doughnuts, it's time to respect the word paczki and use it properly. So, before you venture out into the world and start throwing around the term paczki (or even worse, paczkis), heres a quick lesson in how to really pronounce it. Paczki is pronounced PAWNCH-key and is the plural form of the word (really the only one you need, since you cant eat just one, right?). Paczek, on the other hand is pronounced PAWN-check and refers to just one lonely Polish-style confection. If youd prefer, heres a video that illustrates the point quite well. Where to get paczki So yeah, you can just grab a few jelly doughnuts at the grocery store (because these days, almost every one will have them; and they'll call them paczki to boot). However, since youve got time to think about it, here are some spots you might want to check out for your paczki fix. Keep in mind: there is a superstition that if you don't eat at least one paczki on Shrove Tuesday, bad luck will follow you for the rest of the year. So, we'd advise erring on the side of caution and eating at least one. Hankering for a king cake? We've got you there too! X 1. Aggie's Bakery 7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288 aggiesbakery.com [Read more] Handmade paczki are a specialty at Aggie's Bakery, which offers flavors including apple with cinnamon sugar, blueberry with sugar, buttercream with powdered sugar, custard with white sugar glaze, lemon with powdered sugar, prune with sugar, raspberry with sugar and strawberry with glaze. Paczki are sold in six-packs for $7.95 or by the dozen for $15.95. Pre-order online at aggiesbakery.com for pick-up on March 1. X 2. The Bake Sale 6923 W Becher St, West Allis, (414) 543-4230 bakesalewestallis.com The Bake Sale will be stocking a large selection of paczki in various flavors from Cranky Als for Paczki Day. They will be sold for $2.25 each on March 1, in store only. 3. Cranky's 6901 W. North Ave., (414) 258-5282 crankyals.com [Read more] The folks at Cranky's aren't really cranky, although they will get cranky if you mistake a regular old bismarck (jelly doughnut) for a paczek. This year, they'll have raspberry, prune, Bavarian cream, lemon and a very special strawberry lemon paczek made through a collaboration with Hatched. Paczki are $2.25 each or $25 per assorted dozen (does not include prune). Cranky's will also be offering paczki kitts featuring six unfilled sugared paczki and three two-ounce syringes filled with customers' choice of three fillings ($17). Pre-orders are recommended and can be placed online through Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. for pick-up on March 1. Cranky's will be open 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fat Tuesday. X 4. Donut Monster 5169 N Elkhart Ave., Whitefish Bay 316 N. Milwaukee St. Donutmonstermke.com [Read more] Donut monster will be rolling out three flavors of paczki for pick-up at both their Third Ward and Whitefish Bay locations. Options include sugar coated blueberry mascarpone, sugar coated orange curd and strawberry sugar coated strawberry. Pricing is $19 for six (two of each flavor) or $35 for a dozen (four of each) Preorders can be made online through Feb. 26 for pick-up on March 1. X 5. Grebes Bakery 5132 W. Lincoln Ave., (414) 543-7000 grebesbakery.com [Read more] Grebe's has the goods every year, and this year will be no exception. Flavors will include cinnamon sugar coated apple, chocolate-iced buttercream, chocolate-iced custard, white-iced raspberry, sugar-coated raspberry, glazed blueberry, glazed sweet cheese, powdered sugar lemon and glazed prune. Pricing is $2 each; $12 for a half dozen; or $17 per baker's dozen. Customers can pick up at the bakery on Monday, Feb. 28 or Tuesday, March 1 between 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. As always, pre-orders are highly recommended. Grebes paczki are also available at participating Speedway, Sentry Foods, Woodmans and Piggly Wiggly stores, as well as at all Sendiks locations Feb. 23 through March 1. Note: Grebes will not be carrying king cakes in 2022. X 6. Kurt Schulz Deli 8752 N. Deerwood Dr., Brown Deer, (414) 354-1004 kurtschulzdeli.com Delicious paczki are waiting at this North Side deli, which will be offering the traditional filled doughnut in flavors including cheese, raspberry, lemon, prune and cinnamon raisin. Paczek are $2 each or $22 per dozen. Preorders are highly recommended and can be made by phone through Saturday, Feb. 26 with pick up on March 1. 7. La Tarte 6742 W. Wells St., Wauwatosa, (414) 456-0995 latarte.com La Tarte offers a lovely selection of paczki in flavors including custard dipped in chocolate, cherry with icing and raspberry, apple and lemon custard dusted in powdered sugar. A limited number of traditional prune filled paczki are also available. Pricing is $1.75 each or six for $9. Preorders are highly recommended and can be placed by calling the bakery. Pick-up is available beginning Feb. 25 (through Fat Tuesday). X 8. Lakeside Bakery 1100 E. Oklahoma Ave., (414) 486-7747 lakesidebakerymke.com [Read more] Lakeside Bakery (formerly Canfora Bakery) offers a nice selection of delicious paczki in flavors including raspberry, lemon, apple, prune, custard and blueberry for $1.35 each or $16 per dozen. Place pre-orders by phone for pick-up on Fat Tuesday. 9. National Bakery & Deli 3200 S. 16th St., (414) 672-1620 13820 W. Greenfield Ave., Brookfield (262) 827-4097 5637 Broad St., Greendale (414) 423-4620 nationalbakery.com [Read more] National Bakery locations will be celebrating Paczki Day on March 1 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a variety of festivities from a live polka band in the morning to the sale of Paczki Day t-shirts. And yes, they'll also be offering traditional paczki (made with a butter based dough) in prune, raspberry or raisin. Pricing is $1.19 each or $14.50 per dozen. All locations will have paczki available on Fat Tuesday; but pre-orders are recommended and can be made online (or by phone) for pick-up as early as Feb. 28. X 10. North Shore Boulangerie Pop-up at Nehring's Sendik's 2643 N. Downer Ave. North Shore Boulangerie, 4401 N. Oakland Ave., has partnered with Nehring's on Downer to bring freshly fried curbside paczkis to area residents on Fat Tuesday, March 1. Flavors will include plain ($2.90 each), raspberry ($3) and prune ($3.10). Coffee will also be available for purchase at $2.50 per cup. The paczki will be available curbside from 8 a.m. until sold out. To purchase, just pull up in the parking lane in front of Sendik's to make your purchase. 11. Old World Polish Deli 7630 W. Grange Ave., Greendale, (414) 855-0470 [Read more] You can't get more traditional than the paczki from the Old World Polish Deli. They come in flavors including prune, raspberry and rosehip for $1.50 each. Pre-ordering by phone is highly recommended. 12. The Polish Center of Wisconsin 6941 S. 68th St., Franklin, (414) 529-2140 polishcenterofwisconsin.org [Read more] The Polish Center is offering celebratory paczki (in flavors including prune, raspberry, custard, lemon and chocolate custard) for pre-order online with pick-up at the Polish Center on March 1 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. Paczki are $15 per dozen and can be ordered online. The ordering deadline is Feb. 22. Delivery for orders of five (5) dozen or more is available for a $10 fee within a ten-mile radius of the Polish Center (exact delivery time not guaranteed). X 13. Sweet Perfections Bake Shop 1501 Paramount Dr., Suite C, Waukesha, (262) 446-2253 sweetperfections.com If youre looking for something a bit different, Sweet Perfections Bake Shop offers up "top shelf paczki" in flavors like Bailey's Cherry Bombshell, Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet, Kahlua'n Mudslide, Raspberry Vodka Shooter, Rumchata Crunch and Spiced Bananas Foster ($3.75 each). Traditional flavors including Bavarian cream, prune and raspberry ($2.50 each or four for $10) are also available. Pre-orders will be accepted online or by phone through Tuesday, Feb. 22 at midnight and are highly recommended. Sweet Perfections is open for pickup only Monday, February 28, from 3 to 6 pm. and on Fat Tuesday, March 1, from 7 am to 4 pm for in-store purchases and pickup. War is hell. It was General William Tecumseh Sherman who said this famed phrase during the Civil War, and his words were never more eloquently or pointedly dramatized than in "Grounded," the George Brant play that opened at The Rep's Stiemke Studio. This is a story of war, both the intensely personal exhilaration and the equally personal fear and loathing that are part of the DNA of the warriors who do our fighting. It's not a tale of the evils and joys of fighting but a tale of one woman who flies and fights in the skies above us. There are perhaps no more fierce and devoted warriors than the fighter and bomber pilots in the Air Force. Brants play, directed here by Laura Braza, is focused on a woman pilot for whom nothing in her life has, or ever shall, match her moments "in the blue." When first we meet the pilot, she is full of herself in a marvelously accurate portrait of the men and women who fly the fastest and kill the most. A number of years ago, I spoke at the Air Force War School in Las Vegas and had visits from a squadron of pilots who flew both fighters and B-1 bombers. They drank in Milwaukee, slept on my front porch, awoke some still drunk and some hung over and climbed into their jets to fly off to a distant land. There is virtually nothing in my life as vivid as the fulsome bravado that seemed almost a birthright once they each got wings on their chests. Fear was never uttered, uncertainty kept at bay and weakness neither admitted nor tolerated. That is our pilot. She does shots, shoots pool and hangs with the boys. She knows she is a threat to any other man, any regular man. Until she meets Eric and is stunned to find her inner woman in this unique man. "Most guys dont like what I do. They feel theyre less of a guy around me. I take the guy spot, and they dont know where they belong. But not this one. This ones eyes light up. This one thinks its cool. This one kisses me in the parking lot like the rock star I am. Hes not afraid to kiss me. Hes Eric." They spend the last three days of her leave together and then separate. But she is pregnant, and as she well knows, the Air Force doesnt allow pregnant pilots to fly. And so, she is grounded, "the pilots nightmare." Eric is happy about it. They marry and soon have Samantha, "Sam." And while building one world, her other world the special world comes crashing down around her. There are no more flights "into the blue." No more letting the missiles fly and leaving before they land. No more hanging with "the boys" and reliving the moments only they have shared. Now she and her family move to Las Vegas where she will sit behind a screen, use a joystick, be part of a team that includes a 19-year-old who chews gum and unseen voices in her headset. She is a pilot, flying a drone thousands of miles away. She can see the enemy on her screen, all in shades of gray, and when the time comes, when all the pieces fit together, she pushes the button and boom! the bad guys disappear in a cloud of smoke and flying body parts. She is not in the Air Force anymore. She is in the "Chair Force." Getting used to this is hard on the pilot. "First day on the job. The war. Whatever. Eric makes me French toast for our extra-special breakfast. He hands me my lunch in a brown paper bag, and Im off to the desert to be a pilot. To be of use. I park in my spot, and I put on my flight suit and enter a trailer. One of many trailers in a parking lot. An air-conditioned trailer that seals me off completely from all sky, all blue." Chicago actor Jessie Fisher makes her Rep debut as the pilot in this one woman show. She creates a memorable character with an amazing depth and variety of worlds. There is no mistaking the warrior nor the woman inside this pilot, and the battle that each is fighting with the other. The production is marked by a marvelous cooperative effort of sound, scene and light that creates a world few of us ever get to see. Whether its a jet in the air, a bar full of boys, a drive through a Nevada desert or a view of "military age males" being blown up thousands of miles away, the sights and sounds are emotional tugs that grow and grow until the end. Scott Davis designed the set, Noele Stollmack the lights, Hillary Leben the video and projection design, and Megan B. Henninger the sound. The way these elements combine to create a world for Fisher is breathtaking. And she inhabits every corner of this world, for better or for worse. She battles her best and worst instincts, hoping to battle to a draw. Fisher is a woman telling a story, not acting the story. We in the audience feel as if we are confidants with this daring and brave fighter. I dont want to spoil the ending of how this battle ends, but its an 85-minute flight where the best seat on the plane is inside the Stiemke Studio. War is hell, but this story of war is heaven. "Grounded" runs through April 2; information on showtimes and tickets is available here. The latest Distinctive Guitar shifts high-end axe boutique from Chicago to Bay View It's not every day a business pulls up stakes in Chicago and replants them in Milwaukee, but that's just what's happening this week as Distinctive Guitar Boutique Guitar Gallery opens in Bay View this weekend at 2505 S. Howell Ave. By Felix Warom & Clement Aluma The State Minister for Internal Affairs, Mario Obiga Kania, yesterday blocked a regional meeting that was to discuss the continued influx of South Sudanese refugees in the West Nile sub-region. The meeting, that attracted security personnel, MPs from the region, civil society members, politicians and land lords who offered the land, aborted when the Minister said it was not cleared by the security team and that they ministry was not aware of the source of funds to organize the regional meeting. The coordinator for the meeting, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, said it was unfortunate that the minister had let politics override the intentions for development in the region. About 150 participants who had had traveled from the eight districts to discuss the complex issues regarding refugees, were left stranded after the Ministers directive. West Nile Sub-region is currently hosting about 500,000 South Sudanese refugees who continue to flock the region escaping hunger, continued fighting and break down in social services. News Google and Dutch Researchers Demonstrate Broken SHA-1 Web Security Google this week announced that Shell Hashing Algorithm-1 (SHA-1) has been broken. SHA-1 is a 20-year-old cryptographic approach that's long been used to protect Web traffic. Its use was officially deprecated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology back in 2011, but industry has been slow to respond to a threat that seemed somewhat theoretical. The feat of breaking SHA-1, carried out by researchers, is viewed as proof that earlier theoretical claims are correct that the hashing algorithm is compromised and exposed to attacks, enabling phishing, man-in-the-middle attacks and content spoofing. The research was carried out using two PDF files in a "collision attack," which generated an SHA-1 hash that could be used for fraudulent purposes. Google's example of the kind of fraud enabled was the ability to change the terms of transmitted contract documents. The breaking of SHA-1 was conducted by researchers at the Cryptology Group at Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) in the Netherlands and the Google Research Security, Privacy and Anti-abuse Group. It's the first time that SHA-1 has been broken, according to Google's announcement. The researchers don't believe the exploit is widely known, but it'll soon be published in accordance with Google's 90-day vulnerability disclosure policy. A Google document explaining the problem indicated that "any application that relies on SHA-1 for digital signatures, file integrity, or file identification is potentially vulnerable." The flaw particularly affects GitHub and Subversion software repositories, which are heavily dependent on SHA-1 use, according to Google. The attack on SHA-1 carried out by the researchers was faster than a typical brute-force attack, even though the researchers had to run more than 9 quintillion SHA-1 computations to complete the attack, Google explained. Browser makers such as Apple, Google, Microsoft and Mozilla have worked in recent years to fully block the use of SHA-1. Nonetheless, SHA-1 is still "widely used in 2017 for document and TLS certificate signatures," according to a paper on the topic (PDF) by the researchers. A switch to using cryptographic hashes such as SHA-256 and SHA-3 is recommended, but industry torpor has persisted, perhaps because the attacks weren't seen as practical. The researchers are hoping that their efforts will now change that mindset. "We hope our practical attack on SHA-1 will cement that the protocol should no longer be considered secure," Google's announcement stated. Users of the Google Chrome browser are "automatically protected from insecure TLS/SSL certificates," Google indicated. Chrome version 56 removes support of SHA-1 certificates. Mozilla announced this week that support for SHA-1 in Firefox will come to an end on Feb. 24 in version 52 of the browser. Microsoft has described a more gradual phase-out plan for the use of SHA-1 in its browsers. In December, it published a guide for organizations, which outlined those phases. According to that plan, Microsoft was to have implemented a warning procedure for Internet Explorer and Edge users that was supposed to take effect after Feb. 14 with its "update Tuesday" software patch release, but since those February updates got deferred to March, it's unclear if that approach is in effect. Under this scheme, users are supposed to see a warning in their browsers when SHA-1 use is encountered. Later this year, another phase of Microsoft's plan will take effect. At that point, SHA-1 use will be distrusted by Windows systems. In an update to a Nov. 18 Edge blog post, Microsoft announced a mid-year target for this total SHA-1 deprecation: We are updating our timelines to deprecate SHA-1 by mid-2017 to ensure compliance in all configurations and scenarios for Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11. At that time, these browsers will prevent sites that are protected with a SHA-1 certificate from loading and will display an invalid certificate warning. Additionally, the next release of Windows 10 will block SHA-1 by-default in the browser. Some credit goes to Microsoft in the recent SHA-1 research by CWI and Google. Microsoft produced a tool that can be used to test files to see if they've been subject to a collision attack. Ironically, the tool is available on GitHub, which is one of the code repositories described as being heavily dependent on SHA-1. In related news, Google's Project-Zero has once again surfaced an unpatched vulnerability in Microsoft's products after Google's 90-day grace period to get a fix expired. (Earlier this week, an information disclosure problem also surfaced via Project-Zero.) This time, the flaw applies to 64-bit Microsoft Edge and IE 11 browsers on Windows Server 2012 R2, although the Google researcher's post at Project-Zero suggested that 32-bit versions of the browsers likely would be affected, too. The proof-of-concept description suggested that the browsers could get crashed from the exploit, which leverages a type confusion flaw. Israel's army dispersed dozens of Lebanese demonstrators Saturday after they crossed the border protesting against the alleged installation of spying equipment in their village, the Israeli army and media said. "Dozens of people gathered at the border between Lebanon and Israel," a military spokeswoman said. "Upon the group crossing of the international border, IDF forces fired dispersal means in order to disperse the gathering and prevent further infiltration into Israeli territory," she said, adding there were no casualties. Israeli news website Ynet and the Lebanese national news agency said the soldiers used tear gas. Israeli media said the Lebanese protesters were demonstrating after information that the Israeli army had installed spying equipment in their village near the border. The Lebanese news agency said the protesters gathered near a "surveillance camera, a communications device and a solar panel" east of the village of Mays al-Jabal. Lebanon is still officially at war with the Jewish state, and around 1,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed in the country's south. The UN resolution that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah provided that the Lebanese army deploy in the south of the country, including in areas previously controlled by the Shiite movement. Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River had to disarm, but the area has continued to be a bastion of the group. A decade after the conflict, Israel is still weary of Hezbollah's arsenal. Israel has carried out air strikes against Hezbollah targets in neighbouring Syria, where the group has sent thousands of fighters to back the Damascus regime. Francois Fillon, the conservative candidate in France's presidential election, will face a probe by investigating magistrates into claims he gave members of his family fake jobs, prosecutors said. Fillon, one of the frontrunners in the presidential race, will be investigated for alleged embezzlement of public funds and misappropriation of corporate assets, prosecutors said in a statement. The 62-year-old former prime minister has not been charged at this point, but under French law investigating magistrates can decide to bring charges. With the first round of the election just two months away, on April 23, the timing of the decision could have a crucial bearing on the race. Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen has been bolstered by the scandal and was leading in polls Friday. Fillon has been fighting claims first made a month ago by Le Canard Enchaine newspaper that he used allowances to pay his British-born wife Penelope at least 680,000 euros ($720,000) over some 15 years as a parliamentary aide. She is accused of having barely worked for the salary. Two of Fillon's children were also put on the parliamentary payroll for brief periods. The Canard Enchaine also alleged that Penelope Fillon was also paid tens of thousands of euros by a literary review, the Revue des Deux Mondes, owned by billionaire Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere, a friend of her husband. Magistrates will investigate whether this amounts to misappropriation of corporate assets. Prosecutors said the three investigating magistrates named to handle the case will also look at whether Fillon failed to declare the necessary information to parliamentary authorities. Lawyers for the couple said they were confident the magistrates would find them innocent. The Fillons have argued that Penelope was legitimately employed as a parliamentary aide and their lawyers say they have given investigators proof of the work she did. But after the allegations emerged, French TV broadcast an interview that Penelope gave to a British journalist in 2007 in which she said she had never been her husband's assistant. - Hecklers - Fillon has dismissed the claims as politically motivated but he acknowledged last weekend that his presidential bid had become "difficult", with hecklers often massing at his campaign stops. He was giving a campaign speech in Maisons-Alfort, to the east of Paris, when it was announced he would face investigation by magistrates. The claims had taken a toll on Fillon's standings in the polls, but this week surveys showed he had regained ground and was neck-and-neck with 39-year-old centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron as they fight for second place. Macron, a former economy minister, has surged from outsider to a frontrunner but faces constant criticism from rivals that his policy platform is too vague. While Le Pen is forecast to win the most votes in the first round, polls currently show she would be beaten by either Fillon or Macron in the all-important runoff on May 7. The National Front leader is facing her own fake jobs scandal. Her personal assistant was charged this week over allegations she was unlawfully paid from funds that 48-year-old Le Pen receives from the European Parliament, where she represents France. Le Pen on Friday refused to attend questioning by anti-corruption investigators over the accusations, saying she would only answer their questions after the election. The race remains highly uncertain, with analysts cautioning against predictions after a series of surprises in France and abroad that have wrong-footed observers. The unstable international background -- from Donald Trump and Brexit to the surge of rightwing nationalism -- is mirrored by an anti-establishment and angry mood in France. AFP News The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. An alarming UN report said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt, heatwaves and other climate indicators. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement, calling the report a "chronicle of climate chaos". Just in the past few months, floods devastated Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh also comes against the backdrop of Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid-19 pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late 19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said, noting that only 29 of 194 nations have presented improved plans as called for at COP26 in Glasgow last year. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and the Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. Britain's Alok Sharma, who handed the COP presidency to Egypt, said that while world leaders have faced "competing priorities" this year, "inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe." "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?" he said. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. After two days of intense pre-summit negotiations, delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step towards what are sure to be difficult discussions. Stiell said inclusion of loss and damage on the agenda after three decades of debate on the issue showed progress. "The fact that it is there as a substantive agenda item I believe bodes well," he told reporters. COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt said it would be unproductive to speculate on what outcome the negotiations will lead to, "but certainly everybody is hopeful." "Anything that we do effectively has to be on the basis of our common efforts and that we leave no one behind," he said. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said. - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, some 110 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/mh/lg AFP News The UN's COP27 climate summit kicked off Sunday in Egypt with warnings against backsliding on efforts to cut emissions and calls for rich nations to compensate poor countries after a year of extreme weather disasters. Just in the past few months, climate-induced catastrophes have killed thousands, displaced millions and cost billions in damages across the world. Massive floods devastated swaths of Pakistan and Nigeria, droughts worsened in Africa and the western United States, cyclones whipped the Caribbean, and unprecedented heatwaves seared three continents. The conference in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh comes in a fraught year marked by Russia's war on Ukraine, an energy crunch, soaring inflation and the lingering effects from the Covid pandemic. But Simon Stiell, the UN's climate change executive secretary, said he would not be a "custodian of backsliding" on the goal of slashing greenhouse emissions 45 percent by 2030 to cap global warming at 1.5 degrees Celsius above late-19th-century levels. "We will be holding people to account, be they presidents, prime ministers, CEOs," Stiell said as the 13-day summit opened. "The heart of implementation is everybody everywhere in the world every single day doing everything they possibly can to address the climate crisis," he said. Current trends would see carbon pollution increase 10 percent by the end of the decade and Earth's surface heat up 2.8C, according to findings unveiled last week. Promises made under the 2015 Paris Agreement would, if kept, only shave off a few tenths of a degree. "Whilst I do understand that leaders around the world have faced competing priorities this year, we must be clear: as challenging as our current moment is, inaction is myopic and can only defer climate catastrophe," said Alok Sharma, British president of the previous COP26 as he handed over the chairmanship to Egypt. "How many more wake-up calls does the world -- and world leaders -- actually need?", he said. In a dire warning, the UN's World Meteorological Organization said the past eight years are on track to be the eight warmest on record, with an acceleration in sea level rise, glacier melt and heatwaves. "As COP27 gets underway, our planet is sending a distress signal," UN chief Antonio Guterres said in a statement. - 'Loss and damage' - The COP27 summit will focus like never before on money -- a major sticking point that has soured relations between countries that got rich burning fossil fuels and the poorer ones suffering from the worst consequences of climate change. The United States and the European Union -- fearful of creating an open-ended reparations framework -- have dragged their feet and challenged the need for a separate funding stream. Delegates agreed on Sunday to put the "loss and damage" issue on the COP27 agenda, a first step toward what are sure to be fraught discussions. Inclusion of the agenda item "reflects a sense of solidarity and empathy for the suffering of the victims of climate induced disasters," said COP27 president Sameh Shoukry of Egypt. "We all owe a debt of gratitude to activists and civil society organisations who have persistently demanded the space to discuss funding for loss and damage," he said to applause. Shoukry also noted that rich nations have not fulfilled a separate pledge to deliver $100 billion per year to help developing countries green their economies and build resilience against future climate change. He also lamented that most climate financing is based on loans. "We do not have the luxury to continue this way. We have to change our approaches to this existential threat," he said, calling for solutions that "prove we are serious about not leaving anyone behind". - US-China tensions - After the first day of talks, more than 120 world leaders will join the summit on Monday and Tuesday. The most conspicuous no-show will be China's Xi Jinping, whose leadership was renewed last month at a Communist Party Congress. US President Joe Biden has said he will come, but only after legislative elections on Tuesday that could see either or both houses of Congress fall into the hands of Republicans hostile to international action on climate change. Cooperation between the United States and China -- the world's two largest economies and carbon polluters -- has been crucial to rare breakthroughs in the nearly 30-year saga of UN climate talks, including the 2015 Paris Agreement. But Sino-US relations have sunk to a 40-year low after a visit to Taiwan by House leader Nancy Pelosi and a US ban on the sale of high-level chip technology to China, leaving the outcome of COP27 in doubt. A meeting between Xi and Biden at the G20 summit in Bali days before the UN climate meeting ends, if it happens, could be decisive. One bright spot at COP27 will be the arrival of Brazilian president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, whose campaign vowed to protect the Amazon and reverse the extractive policies of outgoing President Jair Bolsonaro. bur-lth/fz When running a small business, it can be easy to overlook some things. Little things like social media profiles, customer insights and even your own happiness can make a big difference, even though they might not always be your main focus. Gain some valuable tips and insights by following the advice below from members of our small business community. Avoid These Overused Buzzwords on Your Social Media Profiles When creating your social media profiles, its important that you accurately describe yourself and your business. But there are some overused buzzwords that can make your profile fade into the background, like the ones listed in this Prepare 1 post by Blair Evan Ball. Boost Conversions With the Right Customer Insights Having insights about your customers can be incredibly helpful when it comes to increasing your sales and conversions. But you need the right insights in order to make those positive changes. This Kissmetrics post by Shayla Price includes some insights about finding the right customer data. Access the Ultimate Productivity Hack Happiness You cant hope to get much done in your business if youre constantly stressed and unhappy. Thats why this Fundera Ledger post by Eric Goldschein suggests that the ultimate productivity hack may just be happiness. BizSugar members also discuss the post here. Repurpose Your Content Like a Champion Once you create content, you dont have to let it just disappear into the archives after a week or so. You can actually repurpose it later to get even more of a benefit. This Search Engine Journal post by Danny Goodwin outlines how you can repurpose your old content. Create Effective Calls to Action Creating great content and marketing materials is a great start for gaining customers. But if you dont have effective calls to action, your marketing isnt likely to be as effective as possible. In this MyBlogU post, Ann Smarty discusses some methods you can use for creating effective calls to action. Show Yourself Some Love as a Business Owner You cant hope to grow a successful business if you dont take care of yourself. To show yourself some love and help your business in the process, check out the tips in this CorpNet post by Nellie Akalp. Write Blog Posts Your Audience Will Love When blogging for your business, its important to always keep your audience in mind. If your audience doesnt love your posts, then blogging isnt likely to do your business much good. So this Blogging Wizard post by Elna Cain includes tips for writing posts your audience will love. And you can also see commentary about the post over on BizSugar. Use These Smart Investment Strategies for Entrepreneurs If youre going to invest in your business, you need to make sure that you have a smart strategy for doing so. This GetEntrepreneurial.com post by Ethan Theo outlines some smart investment strategies that entrepreneurs can use to better their businesses. Create an Invoice That Will Get Paid The last thing you want as an entrepreneur is to provide a service or fill an order and then just not get paid. For that reason, you need to make sure your invoices are optimized to ensure payment. In this Noobpreneur post, Tara Miller shares some tips for creating invoices that will actually get paid. Dont Deter Customers With Incomplete Content Great content can give your business a boost. But bad or incomplete content can actually have the opposite effect. This Target Marketing post by Heather Fletcher details how incomplete content can turn shoppers away, and what your business can do about it. If youd like to suggest your favorite small business content to be considered for an upcoming community roundup, please send your news tips to: sbtips@gmail.com. GAO (Reuters) - Armed groups in northern Mali have agreed on the return of interim authorities to towns there next week, a government statement said, overcoming a stumbling block in the implementation of a 2015 peace deal. Most government posts in northern Mali have been empty since desert jihadists usurped them in 2012 before being chased out themselves by a French military intervention. However, an attempt by authorities from the southern capital Bamako to visit the Tuareg rebel bastion of Kidal in 2014 led to heavy fighting between the army and local fighters who were formerly allied with the jihadists. The army had to retreat. The government statement said the agreement between rival armed groups with the government was reached on Friday and that the interim authorities would be instated in Kidal on Feb. 28 followed by Gao on March 2 and Timbuktu on March 3. The agreement ends months of squabbling between pro and anti-government Tuareg-dominated armed groups in the north as well as the Bamako-based government over the composure of the authorities, foreseen by a U.N.-brokered July 2015 peace deal. They are expected to remain in place until regional elections and are set to oversee disarmament and the return of fighters to barracks. "We will not let the terrorists succeed. Your common actions are now bearing fruit," said French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, who oversaw the 2013 French intervention, in a speech during a visit to Gao on Saturday. Mali's former colonial master has sent troops to Mali and neighbouring Sahel states in the aftermath of the intervention to pursue jihadists who have stepped up attacks in recent months and spread further south into neighbouring Burkina Faso. In another sign of progress, Malian soldiers staged their first joint patrol on Thursday with rival armed groups in the town of Gao, where Islamist militants killed more than 77 people last month in the deadliest such attack in the country's history. (Reporting by Souleymane Ag Anara and Adama Diarra, Writing by Emma Farge, Editing by Angus MacSwan) RABAT (Reuters) - Morocco's King Mohammed VI has called on the United Nations to take "urgent measures" following months of tensions with the Polisario independence movement in the disputed Western Sahara region. The king talked with U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres, denouncing the Polisario Front, which for decades has sought self-determination for the desert region, according to a royal cabinet statement on MAP state news agency late Friday. During a telephone call, King Mohammed pointed to the "repeated incursion of armed Polisario elements and their acts of provocation" in Guerguerat, an area in disputed Western Sahara near Mauritania. Polisario declared an independent republic in the disputed desert land in the 1970s and fought a guerrilla war with Morocco until a 1991 ceasefire. The group accuses Rabat of breaking the terms of the ceasefire last year by trying to build a road in the U.N. buffer zone. Morocco says it was just a road clearing operation that broke no terms of the ceasefire. The standoff in Guerguerat last year forced U.N. troops to step in after Moroccan gendarmerie crossed past an earthen wall marking Moroccan-controlled areas and the Polisario responded in kind. Their units remain facing each other less than a kilometer apart. During the call with Guterres, the king described the situation as "seriously threatening the ceasefire and putting regional stability at risk". For the Polisario Front, Morocco is to blame for what they describe as a "critical and dangerous situation". "Morocco wants to construct this road in Guerguerat that involves the annexation of territory that is beyond the Moroccan wall," the Polisario Front Coordinator with the U.N., M'hamed Khadad, told Reuters. "It is Morocco that should take entire responsibility for this crisis." Rich in phosphate, Western Sahara has been contested since 1975 when Spanish colonial powers left. Morocco claimed the territory and fought the 16-year war with Polisario before signing the U.N. ceasefire that foresaw a referendum on self-determination. But that vote has never happened. (Reporting by Samia Errazzouki; editing by Patrick Markey and Angus MacSwan) By Andrei Khalip LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal is likely to extradite former CIA officer Sabrina de Sousa next week to Italy, where she was convicted in absentia for the kidnapping of an Egyptian cleric, on condition she is retried, her lawyer said on Thursday. De Sousa, who is a dual U.S.-Portuguese citizen and denies involvement in the abduction, was detained by Portuguese police on Monday and is awaiting extradition in a prison in Porto. Italian prosecutors want her to serve a six-year sentence. She is one of 26 people convicted in absentia on charges of snatching Hassan Mustafa Osama Nasr from a street in Milan in 2003 and taking him to be questioned in Egypt under the U.S. "extraordinary rendition" programme. The programme was one of Washington's most controversial responses to the Sept. 11, 2001, al Qaeda attacks in the United States. Nasr, who was on a U.S. list of militant suspects, said he was tortured under interrogation after being transferred to Egypt. "Over the course of next week, Sabrina should be moved to Italy," said her Portuguese lawyer, Manuel de Magalhaes e Silva. He said it was not clear whether she would serve time in jail, but her Italian lawyer Dario Bolognesi said she was likely go to prison for a time when she arrives, probably around the middle of next week, in the northern city of Milan. De Sousa's husband, David Ciummo, told Reuters the Interpol extradition warrant had to be fulfilled within 10 days of her arrest, hence the expected timing of the transfer. De Magalhaes e Silva said her case would pose a dilemma for the Italian judiciary. "What will an Italian judge do when he faces a detainee who has been extradited after a Portuguese court authorised it under the condition that there will be a second trial, while under Italian law that will be difficult to have?" he asked. The Portuguese and Italian justice ministries declined to comment. GOOD SPIRITS Bolognesi said he would ask a Milan appeals court to defer de Sousa's sentence, in the hope she would get a pardon like the ones Italy's president extended last year to two other officials convicted in the case. "I don't see why she should not get this pardon as well," Bolognesi said, adding it was also possible the Italian court could convert the jail sentence into a community service term. Ciummo said in a telephone interview that his wife was being kept in solitary confinement in comfortable conditions, and that he is allowed to see her every day for an hour. "Her spirits are pretty good," he said. The 65-year-old retired civilian U.S. Army employee said de Sousa was detained on Monday while visiting the coastal town of Cascais near Lisbon. "She was able to call me and said for me to bring some clothes. I went to the police station and left a suitcase with some clothes," Ciummo said. He said he understood that the Portuguese authorities had initiated the Interpol warrant and that "the Italians were completely taken by surprise" by his wife's arrest. A White House official said that Washington was "deeply disappointed in Ms. de Sousa's conviction and sentence, and we are following her case closely ... The U.S. government takes its obligation to assist U.S. citizens overseas seriously." "We appreciate the efforts of the Italian government to challenge the prosecution before the Italian Constitutional Court," said the official, adding that the State Department has been in touch with de Sousa. The CIA declined to comment on the case. De Sousa's lawyer told the RTP television channel that "the very least that is expected from the U.S. diplomacy is that it works with the criminal (authorities in Italy) for the situation to be resolved swiftly, at least via a presidential pardon". De Sousa, who left the CIA in 2009, was briefly arrested in Portugal in October 2015 at the request of Italian prosecutors. Her passports were confiscated, but she was quickly released. She says she was outside of Milan in the mountains on the day of the kidnapping, Bolognesi said. Several of her appeals to Portuguese authorities against the extradition failed last year. (Reporting by Andrei Khalip, Mark Hosenball, Jonathan Landay and Isla Binnie; Editing by Tom Heneghan and Catherine Evans) One person has died after a man drove a car into people in a central square in the German city of Heidelberg. Two other people were injured in the incident that police said was not terror-related. The driver was tracked down by police and shot. "There are no indications of a terrorist background," spokesman David Faulhaber said. The man who died was a 73-year-old German, police said. He died of his injuries in hospital. A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia were lightly injured. The suspect, who was driving a rental car, hit three people outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon. He was seen getting out of the car with a knife, and was later tracked down near a swimming pool. He was shot and arrested after a brief stand-off. The suspect, a 35-year-old German, was taken to a hospital, where he was reported in a serious condition. He was operated on, but nothing further is known about the state of his health. Germany has been on high alert since last December, when a lorry ploughed into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin killing 12 people. Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson has told supporters the party "has to change" but stressed "this is not the time for a leadership election". Mr Watson was speaking at the Scottish Labour Party conference in Perth as leader Jeremy Corbyn faced calls to step down after the humiliating defeat in the Copeland by-election. The Tory victory in the Cumbrian seat was the first gain for a governing party in a parliamentary by-election since 1982. The area had previously been held by Labour since 1935. Scotland was once Labour heartland but has now slipped behind the SNP north of the border, with the Conservatives the second largest party at Holyrood. Mr Watson admitted the party needed to change, but moved to end calls for Mr Corbyn to quit. He told Scottish members: "You've seen what happens when Labour's long term supporters stop voting Labour - we can't afford to have that happen in England too. "I've said it a lot recently but this is not the time for a leadership election - that issue was settled last year. "But we have to do better. "We cannot sustain this level of distance from our electorate, our natural supporters, so things do have to change." He added: "We have to make it clear that we're on the side of the people who create prosperity as well as those who need the security of good jobs; and we have to find a way to deal with the issues that divide us." Mr Corbyn is due to address the conference on Sunday and Sky's Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig said delegates will be eager to hear what he has to say. Craig said: "All eyes will be on him to see how he addresses the challenge Tom Watson has set down where he says 'we have to adapt, get back in touch with our members'. "Of course Theresa May, when she went to Copeland, said Labour has lost touch with the public and the voters and that's why they won such a spectacular victory there." Story continues Mr Watson was speaking after former Labour foreign secretary David Miliband told The Times the party was the weakest it had been in 50 years. Mr Miliband, who was narrowly defeated by his brother Ed in the 2010 Labour leadership election, is still seen as a leader in exile and potential saviour of the party by some MPs still loyal to Tony Blair. The 51-year-old said: "I'm obviously deeply concerned that Labour is further from power than at any stage in my lifetime." Asked about his own future and a possible comeback, the former South Shields MP who quit to become a New York-based charity boss in 2013, said: "I honestly don't know what I'm going to do. "It's hard to see, but what is the point of saying never." But Mr Watson defended Mr Corbyn's position, telling the audience: "I know not everyone agrees with me on this but I strongly believe that when someone has so recently defied the bookmakers and romped home to an historic and unexpected victory, they have the right to see their vision through. "You shouldn't just get rid of them just because results aren't going their way." "But you're not here to listen to me talk about Claudio Ranieri," he joked, in reference to the recent shock sacking of the Leicester City manager. CHARLESTON, W.Va. A federal appeals court has refused to rehear the case of former Massey Energy CEO Don Blankenship in the deadliest U.S. mine disaster in four decades. The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals handed down the order Friday. In January, a three-judge panel of the court found no error in trial rulings. Those judges rejected his argument that jury instructions made it too easy to conclude that he willfully violated safety rules at West Virginias Upper Big Branch mine before the 2010 explosion that killed 29 men. He was convicted in 2015 of a misdemeanor charge of conspiring to willfully violate safety standards. The 66-year-old Blankenship is scheduled for release May 10 from a California federal prison where hes serving a one-year sentence. ___ Information from: The Charleston Gazette-Mail, http://wvgazettemail.com. BEIRUT The Latest on the developments in the Syrian conflict (all times local): 3:05 p.m. Syrias ambassador to the United Nations says his delegation is considering the details of an unspecified paper presented by the U.N. envoy for Syria, as peace talks resumed in Geneva aimed at ending the countrys nearly six-year. Ambassador Bashar Jaafari emerged from a meeting with U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura saying that their discussion on Friday focused mainly on the format of future meetings. Jaafari did not take questions from a throng of reporters as he left the U.N. compound in Geneva. He said his delegation would study the document and would reply at the next meeting. He did not say when that next meeting would be. In brief comments to reporters, de Mistura said the discussions had been about the future of Syria, about peace. ___ 3 p.m. Syrian opposition activists say a second car bomb has exploded in a town just captured from Islamic State group militants by Turkish troops and Syrian fighters, leaving at least eight people dead. The Aleppo Media Center and Thiqa News agency, media platforms operated by activists, reported the second explosion Friday in Sousian village, about eight kilometers (five miles) north of al-Bab. An earlier explosion in the same village killed at least 60, most of them civilians lining up to return to the town after IS retreated. Al-Bab was captured by the Turkish troops and Syrian fighters backed by Ankara on Thursday, after more than two months of intense fighting. A Turkish military statement Friday says the Turkish troops and Syrian forces it backs are now in control of all neighborhoods of al-Bab but that efforts to clear it of mines and explosives are continuing. Earlier on Friday, two Turkish soldiers were killed in an explosion near the IS-held town of Tadif, south of al-Bab. ___ 2:20 p.m. The U.N. envoy for Syria has kicked off his second day of meetings in Geneva aimed at reaching a political solution to end the countrys devastating civil war. Staffan de Mistura on Friday hosted a delegation from the government of President Bashar Assad and is hammering out a procedure for the talks that could go on for days. De Mistura is meeting with the sides separately and is to hold talks with an opposition delegation on Friday afternoon. U.N. spokeswoman Alessandra Vellucci is cautioning that this process is in its very early days and not to expect fast results. She says de Mistura is seeking to facilitate a process, and this requires some delicate handling. On Thursday, the two sides met face-to-face for the first time in three years under U.N. mediation. ___ 1:55 p.m. Turkeys state news agency Andadolu says the death toll from a car bomb near the town of al-Bab, just captured from Islamic State militants in northern Syria, has risen to 60. Most of the victims were civilians. Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, meanwhile, says a separate attack south al-Bab killed two Turkish soldiers. Fridays attacks come a day after the town was taken by Turkish forces and Syrian opposition fighters from Islamic State militants. IS militants withdrew from the town, but they still control areas around it. In the first attack, a suicide car bomb struck outside a security office in Sousian village, north of al-Bab, killing civilians lining up seeking permits to return home. Yildrim says at least six Turkey-backed fighters were killed in that bombing. The second attack took place near Tadif, a town still controlled by IS south of al-Bab. The Turkish military said the soldiers were killed when an improvised explosive device went off but Yildrim called it a suicide attack that happened as the soldiers were on a road patrol. Three other Turkish soldiers were wounded. The deaths raise the death toll of Turkish soldiers in northern Syria since August to 70. ___ 10:50 a.m. Turkeys news agency says a car bomb north of a town just captured by Turkish forces and Syrian opposition fighters from Islamic State militants has killed at least 35 people. Anadolu news agency says the explosion on Friday killed civilians and Syrian opposition fighters in Sousian village, north of the town of al-Bab. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says the bombing struck near a security post in the village. The Syrian opposition-run Qasioun news agency put the death toll at 45. The report says the car bomb hit outside a security office where civilians had gathered seeking permission to return to al-Bab. Al-Bab was captured on Thursday, after more than two months of fighting with IS militants who withdrew from the town but still control areas around it. PHOENIX A man has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his wife on a Mesa street last year along with a Good Samaritan who stopped to help the woman. Maricopa County prosecutors say 39-year-old Christopher Glen Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. Hes scheduled to be sentenced on April 28. Nasbah Laverne Wriqht called Mesa police during a May 31 dispute with her husband near a freeway interchange. Christopher Wright told police he had been fighting with his 41-year-old wife and decided to crash the SUV in an attempt to kill her. After the crash, Nasbah Wright ran to a parked pickup truck and asked driver Tomas Olivas Orneals for help. Police say Christopher Wright walked up to the truck and fatally shot his wife and the 49-year-old Orneals. EL PASO, Texas The Latest on the controversy over the arrest on immigration charges of a transgender woman at an El Paso courthouse (all times local): 5:10 p.m. The Border Patrol has asked for an internal investigation of the circumstances leading up to the arrest of a transgender woman in an El Paso courthouse. Irvin Gonzalez was as she was seeking court-ordered protection from an abusive boyfriend. The arrest has led to questions about what lengths authorities will go to apprehend people under newly stepped-up immigration policies. Advocates say Gonzalezs abuser tipped off authorities about her Feb. 9 court hearing on a requested protective order. Gonzalez was taken into custody by a task force composed of Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who surrounded the exits of the courthouse until she was detained. In a statement Friday, Customs and Border Protection spokesman Douglas Mosier said the case has been referred to the Office of Inspector General. ___ 12:10 p.m. The arrest by federal authorities in El Paso of a transgender woman who was seeking protection from an abusive boyfriend has led to questions about what lengths authorities will go to apprehend people under newly stepped-up immigration policies. Advocates say Irvin Gonzalezs abuser tipped off authorities about her court hearing, resulting in her Feb. 9 arrest by a task force composed of Border Patrol agents and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers who surrounded the exits of the courthouse until she was detained. Her federal public defender on Wednesday filed a petition for her immediate release, saying in court documents that a Border Patrol agent perjured himself when he wrote in an affidavit that Gonzalez was arrested outside the building when surveillance shows agents conducting the arrest inside. Gonzalez, 33, is transgender and began transitioning two years ago, according to one of her attorneys, Melissa Untereker. Gonzalez is distraught and suffering from the side effects of stopping her hormone therapy, which she hasnt been able to get in jail, she said. Gonzalez is in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service while she faces a federal charge of illegal re-entry into the United States. WASHINGTON The Trump administration has enlisted senior members of the intelligence community and Congress in efforts to counter news stories about Trump associates ties to Russia, a politically charged issue that has been under investigation by the FBI as well as lawmakers now defending the White House. Acting at the behest of the White House, the officials made calls to news organizations last week in attempts to challenge stories about alleged contacts between members of President Donald Trumps campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives, U.S. officials said. The calls were orchestrated by the White House after unsuccessful attempts by the administration to get senior FBI officials to speak with news organizations and dispute the accuracy of stories on the alleged contacts with Russia. The White House on Friday acknowledged those interactions with the FBI but did not disclose that it then turned to other officials who agreed to do what the FBI would not participate in White House-arranged calls with news organizations, including The Washington Post. Two of those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity a practice President Trump has condemned. The officials broadly dismissed Trump associates contacts with Russia as infrequent and inconsequential. But the officials would not answer substantive questions about the issue, and their comments were not published by The Post and do not appear to have been reported elsewhere. White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed that the White House communicated with officials with the aim of contesting reporting on Russia, but maintained that the administration did nothing improper. When informed by the FBI that [the Russia-related reporting] was false we told reporters who else they should contact to corroborate the FBIs version of the story. The decision to involve those officials could be perceived as threatening the independence of U.S. spy agencies that are supposed to remain insulated from partisan issues, as well as undercutting the credibility of ongoing congressional probes. Those officials saw their involvement as an attempt to correct coverage they believed to be erroneous. The effort also involved senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees. A spokesman for Nunes said that he had already begun speaking to reporters to challenge the story and then at the request of a White House communications aide, Chairman Nunes then spoke to an additional reporter and delivered the same message. Unlike the others, Nunes spoke on the record and was subsequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal. In an interview, Burr acknowledged that he had conversations about Russia-related news reports with the White House and engaged with news organizations to dispute articles by the New York Times and CNN that alleged repeated or constant contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. Ive had those conversations, Burr said, adding that he regarded the contacts as appropriate provided that I felt I had something to share that didnt breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation. The administrations push against the Russia coverage intensified Sunday when White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said in television interviews that he had been authorized by the top levels of the intelligence community to denounce reports on Trump campaign contacts with Russia as false. Priebuss denunciations ranged from calling the articles overstated to saying they were complete garbage. Administration officials said that Priebuss comments had been cleared by FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. In doing so, the FBIs leadership would appear to have been drawing a distinction between authorizing comments by a White House official and addressing the matter themselves. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement Friday evening saying that if the White House contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavorable news reports, this represents a new and even more grave threat to the independence of the intelligence community. Former intelligence officials expressed concern over the blurring of lines between intelligence and politics, with some recalling Republican accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence in its accounts of the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. I doubt that there was any enthusiasm from the intelligence leadership to get involved in this in the first place, former CIA director Michael Hayden said, noting that it seemed unlikely that Priebuss bluntly worded denials were consistent with the precise language favored by intelligence analysts. Think Benghazi here, Hayden said in an interview by email. This is what happens when the intel guys are leaned on for the narrative of the political speakers. The latter have different rules, words, purposes. Getting intel into that mix always ends unhappily, [and] it looks like we just did. The Trump administrations actions reflect its level of concern about coverage of its relationship with Russia. Trump has continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin, even after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had interfered in the U.S. presidential race to help Trump win. Trump has also repeatedly disparaged the intelligence agencies that his administration last week turned to for support. Shortly before taking office, Trump accused U.S. spy agencies of a Nazi-style leaks campaign to smear him. The White House statements on the issue Friday came after CNN reported that the FBI had refused administration requests to publicly knock down media reports about ties between Trump associates and Russian intelligence. Administration officials disputed the account, saying that rather than soliciting FBI feedback, Priebus had been pulled aside by McCabe on the morning of Feb. 15 and told, I want you to know that the New York Times story is BS. The FBI declined to discuss the matter. White House officials declined to comment on the administrations subsequent effort to enlist other government officials and would not agree to allow the identification of the intelligence officials who had spoken to The Post last week. In separate calls, those individuals insisted on being identified only as a senior intelligence official in the Trump administration and a senior member of the intelligence community. In a brief interview on the night of Feb. 15, the senior intelligence official said that the suggestion that there was frequent contact between Russians and Trump associates was false, describing any conversations as sporadic, limited and based on Russias interest in building a relationship with the future Trump administration rather than shaping the 2016 presidential race. The senior intelligence official appeared to be referring to contacts between Trumps designated national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump was sworn in as president. Flynn was forced out of his job earlier this month after The Post reported that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak and then misled Trump administration officials about the nature of his contacts. Officials at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on whether senior officials at those agencies had discussed Russia coverage with the White House or been involved in efforts to refute stories on that subject. CIA Director Mike Pompeo is the senior-most intelligence official in the administration, with former senator Dan Coats, R-Ind., still awaiting confirmation as director of national intelligence. As a Republican member of Congress, Pompeo was among the most fiercely partisan figures in the House investigation of Benghazi, which centered on accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence about the attacks for political purposes. It is not unusual for CIA leaders to have contact with news organizations, particularly about global issues such as terrorism or to contest news accounts of CIA operations. But involving the agency on alleged Trump campaign ties to Russia could be problematic. The CIA is not in charge of the investigation. Given the history of domestic espionage abuses in the United States, CIA officials are typically averse to being drawn into matters that involve U.S. citizens or might make the agency vulnerable to charges that it is politicizing intelligence. A U.S. intelligence official declined to discuss any Pompeo involvement except to say that he was not involved in drafting or approving statements for public use by the White House this past weekend on alleged Russian contacts. Whether there were such contacts remains a major point of contention. Beyond Flynn, the investigation has focused on other figures including Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, who had previously served as a paid political adviser to the Putin-backed president of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence reports cite multiple contacts between members of Trumps team and Russians with links to the Kremlin, during the campaign and afterward, according to officials who have seen them. Such reports were based on intercepted Russian communications and other sources, the officials said. Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, has resisted calls for his House committee to investigate alleged contacts between Trump associates and Russia. He said in an interview that after months of investigations, U.S. authorities have turned up no evidence of such contacts. Theyve looked, and its all a dead trail that leads me to believe no contact, not even pizza-delivery-guy contact, Nunes said, appearing to rule out even unwitting contact between Trump officials and Russian agents. Investigators, Nunes said, dont even have a lead. The Washington Posts Philip Rucker, Ellen Nakashima and Julie Tate contributed to this report. Video: White House uses members of intelligence community, Congress to counter Russia stories National Security reporter Greg Miller reports that the Trump administration is enlisting extra help to dispute stories alleging Trump-Russia contacts. (Jorge Ribas, Ashleigh Joplin / The Washington Post) Short URL: http://wapo.st/2lOOw4Y MOSCOW A Ukrainian lawmaker visited the rebel-held east on Friday to meet with Ukrainian prisoners there, a trip that irked many in Ukraine. Nadiya Savchenko, a pilot who spent two years in a Russian prison before her release last year, visited a prison in the rebel-held city of Makiivka. Savchenko said on Facebook that her goal is to help free Ukrainian prisoners. Following the visit, she told reporters that her goal is to arrange an all for all exchange of prisoners held by both sides. Savchenko, who won a heros status while in the Russian prison, has become a polarizing figure recently due to her criticism of the Ukrainian government and her calls for a dialogue with the Russia-backed rebels to end the fighting in eastern Ukraine. The violence has killed more than 9,800 people since April 2014. Following her meeting in December with the rebel leaders in the Belarusian capital of Minsk, Savchenkos parliamentary faction dropped her from its ranks. Ukraines domestic security agency, the SBU, said Friday it will look into Savchenkos trip. Agency spokesman Oleksandr Tkachuk says Savchenkos trip is causing bewilderment, according to the Interfax news agency. A 2015 peace deal signed in Minsk has helped reduce fighting in eastern Ukraine, but a political settlement has stalled and clashes have continued. Ertugrul Apakan, the chief of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europes monitoring mission, criticized the rebels for seizing a drone Friday at gunpoint that monitors were attempting to launch in Yasynuvata, north of the main rebel stronghold of Donetsk. He said the rebels pointed their guns at the OSCE monitors, and one fired shots that landed near them Firing at unarmed civilian monitors is not only a direct threat to the lives of brave men and women doing their best to bring peace to Ukraine, Apakan said. It is a direct challenge to the collective will of the 57 OSCE participating states, and to the Minsk agreements. A Corrales-based technology company has been named 2016 Business of the Year by the Sandoval Economic Alliance. Ideum, a company that develops museum exhibit designs and multi-touch hardware and software, was recognized for the honor during SEAs quarterly luncheon on Tuesday. The event, held at Santa Ana Star Center, was attended by more than 130 people. Previous recipients of the award include Cable ONE in 2015 and DHF Technical Products in 2014. Ideum producer Cyndi Wood accepted the award on the behalf of the companys founder and CEO, Jim Spadaccini, and thanked the companys employees that had attended the event. Last year, according to a short video Wood presented after accepting the award, Ideum provided touch-screen panels and displays for exhibits at Santa Fes Institute of American Indian Art, Hamline University, the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Mystic Seaport: The Museum of America and the Sea in Mystic, Ct., and the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Ideum also made interactive displays for Roy Street Cafe in Seattle and last years Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, providing an educational game that taught kids about hot-air balloons by allowing them to pilot a virtual balloon. In other matters, Grant Taylor, director of communications and marketing for the New Mexico Association of Commerce and Industry, spoke about a few bills introduced during this years ongoing legislative session. Taylor said of the 425 pieces of legislation ACI has kept its attention on, they formally support 65 bills and are against 83 bills. Also, ACI considers 22 bills to be a high priority. Taylor said ACI was against any bill proposed to raise the states minimum wage. Also, the organization was actively working to stop more than 20 bills that proposed raising taxes, he said. House Bill 60, Broadband Infrastructure Development sponsored by Rep. Carl Trujillo, D-Santa Fe, and Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, was considered to be among the organizations top priorities for the year. The broadband bill is the belle of the ball, Taylor said. If approved, the bill would amend the states Local Economic Development Act to include broadband infrastructure development as a type of project eligible for LEDA funding. A time-honored tradition took place in the Village of Los Ranchos on Wednesday and with it came a new fire engine for the community. The Bernalillo County Fire Department and Los Ranchos unveiled the new equipment at county fire Station 30 with whats known as a push-in ceremony. Doing this honors the history of the fire service, its old and former members, but it is also intended to display unity among the current members, while bringing public safety to the forefront for our community, Bernalillo County Fire Chief Christopher Celaya said in an event news release. The county explained that part of the traditional housing ceremony for a new fire engine includes having the firefighters push the new engine into the firehouse. The practice originated during the time when horse-drawn fire equipment was used and could not be easily backed into the building by the horses. Each time the equipment was used, the horses were washed down and the firefighting apparatus was pushed back into the station. And so it was on Wednesday afternoon that a new 2016 Pierce Velocity engine was pushed into place, replacing the old engine. The new fire truck cost $559,469. The funding and sources were: $330,000 from Los Ranchos; $227,469 from the Bernalillo County general fund; and $2,000 from county fire funds, the county said. Los Ranchos and Bernalillo County in 2009 signed an agreement whereby the county fire department provides staffing and service and the village provides equipment and the facility, according to the news release. As part of that arrangement, Station 30 at 6697 Fourth NW, just north of Osuna, was built to replace the old village fire station by the village administrative offices on Rio Grande Boulevard. The whole village is served by the county fire department, though its also covered by the Albuquerque Fire Department under a closest-unit response agreement. The purchase of this new fire engine is yet one more demonstration of the fine stewardship by the county and the village of our taxpayer resources, Los Ranchos Mayor Larry Abraham said in a statement. He said the village is proud of its partnership with the fire department and feels it reflects the best delivery of essential services. When government entities work together in a regional effort, Abraham said, the residents ultimately benefit. New Mexicos educational system is still ranked 49th in the nation. Is the answer more money? No! Some states spending less per student rank higher for educational quality. More money is not the answer, but how we spend it is. If we invested in competitive teachers salaries that support quality personnel and instructional material, we might see a difference. We desperately need accountability for our educational investment. While weve increased funding significantly, many of our children are failing to meet minimum standards. Weve seen improvement by our Public Education Department, but there is a siphoning of funds from state education to nonprofit groups that provide virtually no benefit to our children. In fact, much of what these nonprofit groups do equates to no more than babysitting. Special interest groups focused on educational funding are always on a quest for more money, and the Land Grant Permanent Fund is the easiest target. Many people think its a rainy day fund; it is not. The LGPF was established with New Mexicos statehood in 1912 and is held in trust as an educational endowment for our public schools. While enrollment in New Mexicos schools has been relatively consistent, the education budget has increased over $900 million in the last 12 years. Over one-third of that increase came from the permanent fund. It is estimated that by 2025, the Land Grant Permanent Fund will produce $1 billion annually at the current 5 percent distribution rate. If special interest groups are successful and increase the distribution rate by 1 to 2 percent, does it matter? Yes! Economists and responsible fund managers have proven that a 5 percent distribution rate allows for fund growth through up and down market cycles. Distributions greater than 5 percent, however, risk destroying the fund. New Mexico has already destroyed other permanent funds by being irresponsible in their management. We dont need to experiment with New Mexicos last healthy fund. Gary King, former attorney general, reviewed the federal constitutional requirements for the Land Grant Permanent Fund and determined that: the state Constitution directly prohibits using Land Grant Permanent Fund money for private entities and distributions from the fund must be limited to learning programs provided by public schools. Currently we have several non-profits providing services for our underserved populations. This is accomplished by land grant funds flowing to the Children, Youth and Families Division and then to the non-profits. This practice begs the following questions: 1. Where is the accountability for the money these non-profits are receiving compared to the dismal results they are producing? 2. Who or what state agency is responsible for ensuring that Land Grant Permanent Fund use is in compliance with the federal standards that govern it? Despite numerous policy proposals and actions, New Mexicos expenditures on its educational challenges have not yielded adequate results. The answer is not an increased rate of Land Grant Permanent Fund disbursements, but instead a focus on direct learning programs that yield beneficial outcomes without violating federal requirements. That could be accomplished if the state would put the money into quality educators and education not enhanced babysitting or other services that continue to fail our children. The New Mexico Business Coalition is a statewide nonpartisan, pro-market organization that works to improve the business environment for companies and the quality of life for all New Mexicans. For more information, visit www.nmbizcoalition.org. Advocates for a new class of drugs called biosimilars say they could save consumers billions of dollars by offering cheaper substitutes for some of the most expensive products on the pharmacy shelf. State lawmakers are considering a pair of bills that would allow New Mexico pharmacists to substitute biosimilar drugs for brand-name products, much as they now can with generic drugs. The Senate voted 39-0 on Thursday to approve Senate Bill 180. A House version, House Bill 260, remains in the House Business and Industry Committee. Advocates say biosimilars mimic the therapeutic effects of biologic drugs, which are manufactured from living systems, such as the cells of plants or animals. Biologics include blockbusters such as Humira and Embrel, which are used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved four biosimilars, including three rheumatoid arthritis drugs and one cancer drug. Two mimic the effects of Humira and Embrel. Biologics are key drivers of rising drug costs for New Mexicos Medicaid program and other state-funded insurance plans, according to a state Legislative Finance Committee report issued in September. From 2014 to 2016, state-funded insurance plan members using Humira and Embril increased by 5 percent, but plan costs for those drugs increased by 52 percent, the report found. The cost of those and other anti-inflammatory drugs cost state-funded insurance plans $13.3 million in 2015, up 20 percent from 2014, the report said. Biological drugs have helped drive up prescription drug costs by 54 percent in two years, to $680 million in 2016, for the 10 state agencies that buy them, it said. Lawmakers will consider a change to state law that would allow pharmacists to substitute biosimilar drugs for biological drugs, if the substitution results in a lower cost for the consumer, according to an LFC analysis. It would also require pharmacies to notify prescribers of the substitution. Prescribers can prohibit a substitution by writing no substitution on the prescription. Dale Tinker, executive director of the New Mexico Pharmacists Association, said he is unaware of any opposition to the measures, which his group supports. Biosimilar drugs are fairly well-used around the world, but not much is the U.S. yet, Tinker said. But they will be. Anne Frank would be 87 years old had she not perished in Bergen-Belsen, a Nazi concentration camp in Germany. What words of wisdom might she offer the Trump administration as it crafts its latest iteration of its Muslim and refugee ban? Anne Frank is known for her famous diary, written while she and her family hid from the Gestapo in a secret annex of a house in Amsterdam from 1942 to 1944. Long before the family went into hiding, Annes father, Otto Frank, desperately sought visas to bring his family to the United States. Like tens of thousands of other European Jews at the time, they were repeatedly denied. Anne Frank and her family were betrayed and sent to the concentration camps. Only her father, Otto Frank, survived. He went on to publish her writing as The Diary of a Young Girl, which has entered the canon of resistance literature. It should be required reading as Donald Trump and his coterie of xenophobes attempt to ban Muslims and refugees from gaining the same safe haven that the Frank family was denied 75 years ago. Anne Frank was denied immigration at least twice. Otto Frank, her father, appealed to the Franklin Roosevelt administration, roughly between the periods of 1939 to 1941, Stephen Goldstein told us on the Democracy Now! news hour. He is the executive director of the Anne Frank Center for Mutual Respect. Otto Frank was able to get communications very high up in the Roosevelt administration, saying, Please, save my family. Save the Frank family. It didnt work. FDR refused refugee Anne Frank. This aspect of Anne Franks story was unknown until papers were discovered decades later and made public in 2007. The 81 pages document Otto Franks attempts to gain visas for his family for travel to the United States. Fanning flames of fear that Nazi Germany would be sending agents and saboteurs amidst the potential flood of refugees, anti-Semites in the State Department blocked as many refugees as they could, condemning tens of thousands to their deaths at the hands of the Nazis. Whether this kind of evil prejudice against refugees was perpetrated by a Democrat like Franklin Roosevelt or a Republican like Donald Trump, it is an unconscionable blot on the American national conscience, Goldstein added. Thats why, in the name of Anne Frank, we have an obligation to stand with Muslim refugees and to stand with all refugees to help them come into this nation. Since President Trump took office, there has been a surge in threats and attacks against both Jews and Muslims. At least 69 bomb threats have been directed at 54 Jewish Community Centers across the United States since the inauguration. On Wednesday morning, the Anti-Defamation League, which tracks these threats, received a bomb threat at its New York City offices. In University Hills, Mo., just outside of St. Louis, more than 100 headstones at a Jewish cemetery were overturned. As images of the anti-Semitic vandalism emerged, two Muslim activists Linda Sarsour, co-chair of the Womens March on Washington, and Tarek El-Messidi launched a crowdsourced campaign to raise funds to repair the damage. They hoped to raise $20,000. Within 24 hours, they had raised more than $90,000. Any remaining funds after the cemetery is restored, they wrote, will be allocated to repair any other vandalized Jewish centers. Two weeks earlier, on Saturday, Jan. 28, the Islamic Center in Victoria, Texas, was burned to the ground. The local Jewish community gave the Muslim worshippers the keys to their synagogue, saying there was room for them all to pray there. An online campaign was launched to rebuild the mosque. Within weeks, more than $1.1 million was raised. Construction is already underway. We all would benefit in these times of resurgent right-wing nationalism and xenophobia to heed the words of Anne Frank, What is done cannot be undone, but one can prevent it happening again. When Josette Durans 15-year-old son Dylan came home from school a few months ago and asked his mom to start packing him a second lunch, she did what any good parent would do: She worried. I asked him, Are you getting enough to eat? Is it not enough? said Josette. But it wasnt Dylan who was hungry. It was his friend, whose mother had lost her job and was unable to pay for her sons lunch. The Durans are no strangers to hardship. Four years ago, they abruptly found themselves without a home and spent several months living in cars, hotels, and the houses of their friends. With that experience in mind, Josette and Dylan supplied lunch to Dylans friend for the next three months. We knew what it was like to need help, said Josette. Mayor Richard Berry awarded both Josette and Dylan with the citys Good Samaritan award. Berry also asked Dylan to take a leadership role in the mayors ABQKindness initiative, which uses a mobile app to track and promote acts of kindness in Albuquerque. Weve got a group of leaders growing up in our community who are exceptional, said Berry. Dylan is one of them. The Durans story has attracted international coverage from media organizations as far away as New Zealand. Multiple organizations have awarded money to the family in an attempt to reimburse them for their actions, and each time they have donated the money to charitable causes. At the ceremony, Dylan said he had not expected to be acknowledged for his actions. I did the stuff I did because I wanted to help my friend, not because I wanted awards and stuff, he said. At the same event, Berry also commended Iris Goddard, now a kennel supervisor at the Animal Welfare Department. Goddard improved the curriculum for the departments Pet School class, a court-ordered program for citizens who have violated the citys Humane and Ethical Animal Rules and Treatment ordinance. Additionally, she was the lead officer in investigations involving cockfighting and dog fighting, and has spent hundreds of hours educating children and adults in animal care topics. For her efforts, Berry named Goddard the citys Employee of the Week. We welcome suggestions for the daily Bright Spot. Send to newsroom@abqjournal.com. SANTA FE In an attempt to save money and improve efficiency, Gov. Susana Martinez has ordered that all personnel functions within New Mexico executive branch agencies be consolidated within a single agency. The executive order, signed this week, will do away with a disjointed human resources system and save millions of dollars, the two-term Republican governor said. It will shift all human resource functions to the State Personnel Office, which already oversees hiring and disciplinary matters for the roughly 18,000 rank-and-file state employees. Ive made my commitment clear: Its up to state government to tighten our belts, not our families, Martinez said Friday in a statement. By streamlining and centralizing state governments human resources, we are going to save millions in taxpayer dollars. However, a spokesman for a prominent New Mexico labor union, expressed concern Friday about the order, saying it could lead to more protracted employee grievances. Miles Conway, communications director for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union in New Mexico, said unions are often able to quickly resolve employee disputes with management under the current setup. This is going to make it more difficult for unions to resolve things at the lowest level possible, Conway said Friday. The state has 23 Cabinet-level departments and more than 40 administrative agencies, and many of them have their own human resources offices to handle internal policies, rules and personnel directives. Thats led to a fragmented system with rules and polices that vary from agency to agency, according to the executive order. The centralization of personnel duties within the State Personnel Office will allow the agencies to better focus on their missions, the governors order says. The reorganization will be carried out by State Personnel Director Justin Najaka, General Services Secretary Ed Burckle, and Finance and Administration Secretary Duffy Rodriguez. Their task will include figuring out how to absorb current employees, budgets, contracts and even furniture into the State Personnel Office. It was unclear Friday whether the order might lead to any layoffs or staff reductions. Although the governor does not have authority over legislative and judicial branch agencies, her order also recommended they adopt similar policies. The governor does have the authority to authorize changes in administrative functions, although any agency mergers or eliminations have to be authorized by the Legislature. Martinez has also proposed merging some state agencies, but those proposals have gotten little support from the Legislature and generated concern within some industries. SANTA FE Dozens of New Mexico superintendents, school board members and other public school leaders stood in a bone-chilling wind outside the Roundhouse on Friday to say schools have already lost too much from budget cuts and called on the Legislature and Gov. Susana Martinez to raise new revenue for public education. Do what we teach our children every day to do, and that is to compromise, and that is to find a solution, said Las Cruces Superintendent Greg Ewing. A budget solvency package approved by the Legislature early in the current session included a $46 million funding reduction that affected most school districts statewide. That came after a cut to school funding last year. Crit Caton, Artesia public schools superintendent, said, If someone tells you that its not going to affect the classroom, that it hasnt affected the classroom, Im not going to stand here and call him a bald-faced liar. But they dont know what theyre talking about. Moriarty-Edgewood Superintendent Tom Sullivan said his districts cash balances are wiped out and the district literally cannot open its doors for the start of the next fiscal year July 1 without more money. Albuquerque Public Schools Superintendent Raquel Reedy said her district is down $25 million from the Legislatures budget-balancing actions. The fact is that weve been asked to cut and we have cut, and weve been asked to cut again, and we have cut again, she said. We cannot cut any more without impacting the future of the state that we love, New Mexico. Veronica Garcia, the Santa Fe Public Schools superintendent, said, Our kids are not Republican and theyre not Democrats, theyre schoolchildren, and districts do not have party lines. We need to have the executive and the Legislature to work together on behalf of our children. Because next year when our kids come back to school, the school buildings will look the same but the programs will not. In a troubling case of were from the government and were here to help, Sen. Jacob Candelaria, D-Albuquerque, wants to shield significant portions of police reports for six serious crimes from public view. Considering how too many of New Mexicos law enforcement, prosecutorial and court systems are struggling to take predators of all kinds off the street and how concerned residents are with crime how can eliminating the sunshine of public oversight be a remotely good idea? Especially when it comes to cases of sexual assault and rape, which have proved to be a major embarrassment to the University of New Mexico exactly because this information was not secret? The latest version of the legislation Candelaria is proposing would amend the states Inspection of Public Records Act to allow law enforcement agencies to keep secret anything in the reports that would reveal the identity of victims or non-law enforcement witnesses to six crimes, including rape and stalking even after charges are filed. Candelarias Senate Bill 149 preys on the desire of all New Mexicans to protect crime victims, yet as written is instead a dangerous assault on public oversight of our criminal justice system and even as amended would destroy the ability to not only report on but follow through the system allegations of assault with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, assault against a household member with intent to commit criminal sexual penetration, stalking, aggravated stalking, criminal sexual penetration and criminal sexual contact. (Candelarias original bill included aggravated assault, assault with intent to commit a violent felony, assault against a household member with intent to commit a violent felony and harassment and would have hidden entire reports from public view.) There wont be much public outrage or pressure to solve crimes or keep people safe when the public essentially is kept in the dark. Indeed, a strong case could be made that it is the kind of secrecy promoted by Candelarias bill that kept so many in the dark about long-lived problems at Penn State and Baylor before details of repeated assaults finally emerged. State law has confusing language that seems to exempt the identification of persons accused of but not charged with a crime from disclosure. Candelaria therefore reasons that alleged victims and certain witnesses should be afforded the same anonymity. But there is a compelling argument that the provision cited by Candelaria doesnt apply to hiding the accuseds identity in initial police reports (which are treated as original records of entry and are always public). And, in fact, the general practice followed by law enforcement agencies is not to shield the identity of individuals who are accused of crimes. Among the arguments regarding the bill: This legislation would protect victims from further harm. The names of sexual assault and domestic violence victims are already known by their accusers, so how does withholding their names make them safer? And the bills sponsor has provided little or no evidence that the inclusion of victims and witnesses names has resulted in harassment or further victimization of either. Concerns that the names of victims and witnesses would be splashed all over the media. Currently, the names of sexual assault victims are rarely reported by the media, including the Journal. And typically they are only reported when accusers/victims enter the civil arena seeking damages. The dean of students at the University of New Mexico, a leading proponent of the bill, testified UNM was concerned about student victims facing retaliation. But increased secrecy serves to benefit college administrators and law enforcement who carry out shoddy or incomplete investigative work on campuses, which have already come under scrutiny for years of failing to take sexual assaults and harassment seriously. Just last year, a Department of Justice investigation found UNM had serious problems in its handling of sexual assault cases. Expanding the limited exceptions to the open records law to include victims meaning accusers and witnesses as well as any information that could possibly hint at their identities would render public versions of police reports virtually void of meaningful information. Without that transparency, it is more difficult to tell whether a subsequent investigation and prosecution is thorough and fair or not. And that has the potential to damage the fight against sexual assault by shielding important law enforcement work from public scrutiny. In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Gregory P. Williams, president of the New Mexico Foundation for Open Governments board, says the bill would significantly harm the ability of the media to report on violent crime in New Mexico, which in turn keeps the public less informed on issues of law enforcement and crime in our communities. No one wants to add to the pain endured by rape victims. But there are ways for the Legislature to help rather than hurt victims pursuit of justice such as finally tackling the terrible backlog in untested evidence kits, which at more than 5,000 is the worst per capita rate in the nation. When the largest police force in the state, as well as the states flagship university, are under DOJ oversight to improve accountability to and communication with the public, scrutiny is essential to victims and the accused alike. And the public that pays the bills deserves to have the tools it needs to track what kind of job its law enforcement officers are doing. Both the Senate Public Affairs and Judiciary committees passed SB 149 unanimously; members, like supporters of the bill, have been sold a bill of goods and believe they are protecting victims. No matter how well-meaning Candelaria and his bills supporters might be, its imperative not only for the public right to know but for public safety that police reports comply with the overall intent of the Inspection of Public Records Act which is to provide the greatest possible access to the public. SB 149 does the opposite. In reality, it protects institutions more than any individuals. 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. Last spring, your governing body the mayor and six city councilors made the decision that a 2017 priority would be updating its strategic plan. This decision was not only timely due to the fact the previous plan was in need of an update, but it also demonstrated a commitment by these particular elected officials to participate in collaborative discussions in order to help guide the city into the future. This example of leadership is something all communities need but many struggle to possess. Much like in the private sector and business world, a strategic plan in the local government realm is essentially an agreed-upon set of priorities that guides decision-making. A strategic plan is a catalyst for allocating precious and limited taxpayer resources toward stated goals. The best and most effective local government strategic plans are ones that are a reflection of input collected from a variety of different sources: residents, the elected representatives of the people, staff who carry out public service delivery, different organizations that operate within the city and entities that have chosen to invest in the community. Establishing a vested interest and a sense of ownership from Rio Rancho community members is important to ensuring that the strategic plan is utilized in the coming years. Therefore, your local government greatly appreciates and needs your input. Feedback to questions such as What are the greatest strengths, or things that have contributed to the success, of the city of Rio Rancho? and What services offered by Rio Rancho would you like to see more of? can be submitted via the city website (rrnm.gov/2017sp) or city Facebook and Twitter pages now through the first week in March. In-person input will also be collected at a public meeting at 6 p.m. March 7 at the Loma Colorado Main Library. As key components and a draft version of the plan are developed this spring, additional public input, primarily through online mediums, will be sought. Our goal is to have the final version of the strategic plan considered and adopted by the mayor and city council this summer. We ask you to take an active interest in this plan by participating in the public forums to ensure the plan truly reflects the desires of our citizens. This is in regards to the reluctance of our government leaders to at least investigate/research the herb marijuana before denouncing it any further, holding onto a stigma. This appears to be the missing step in the debate(s)/concern(s) of the use of it. Education is powerful; it is knowledge. I am trying to understand how it has come to pass that with our state being one of the highest-rated for drunken driving, our communities are still willing to allow so many bars, so many new fad microbreweries to exist. It is a known fact the damage alcohol has on ones body and mind as well as the damage it causes to relationships accidents, domestic violence/abuse, liver and brain damage. Yet society accepts this and promotes alcohol. The effects of alcohol strongly indicate it can have very severe negative consequences. People die from alcohol poisoning. Do we know how many people have died from marijuana use? And to those who fear that marijuana is a gateway to harder drugs, could it be that alcohol is the gateway to cigarettes/nicotine or vice versa? Yet the marijuana plant, which has written history longer than crops such as hops, potatoes, corn, sugar and tobacco, is made out to be the demon of plants. My understanding is that marijuana has been found written about in Chinese text dating back as far as 2737 BC. It was used both for a euphoric experience as well as medicine. It reached Europe around AD 500 or earlier. In the United States, from 1850 to 1942, marijuana was listed in our United States Pharmacopeia as a prescription for several ailments. So, we might need to ask ourselves, then how did this become so stigmatized? How and who took control to instill such fear into our society over this herb? How did marijuana become listed as a Schedule I drug which is in the same category as LSD and heroin? Isnt it time to take marijuana off the list and perhaps replace it with alcoholic beverages? Whether for recreation or medicine, it seems preferable to the use of alcohol and perhaps some pharmaceuticals. And as far as I know, alcoholic drinks do not have medicinal properties as does the marijuana plant. And when it comes to the fear that has been instilled with the use of this plant and its accessibility to our youth, do you not think that the youth arent and havent experimented with alcohol? That said, the same is likely to be true of marijuana use. The difference being that I do not think marijuana would cause the harm that alcohol can and does. I do not know that marijuana would cause any long-term illnesses that our society would end up paying into for insurance and medical assistance as we do now for alcohol users. Not to mention the court costs. Instead of microbreweries being the latest and greatest moneymaker, our society could make a switch to some less damaging commodity such as federal and state legalized marijuana in forms of edibles, tinctures, sprays, drinks/teas, vaporizing. Legal marijuana would be one less profit for any cartel business, plus how many lives would this alone save like the mules that die while trying to transport or dont succeed and are killed by the cartel? And if we could bring back the growing of hemp plants for its many uses we could help our economy. It was within the law to grow hemp once upon a time. To purchase any hemp or hemp-made product now it has to come from Canada. Just think how it could help our country if we grew hemp and sold our own hemp seeds and products. Friday morning, former Albuquerque police officer Dominique Perez was facing the possibility of a second trial in the 2014 on-duty shooting death of a homeless camper. Today, hes preparing to return to his job as a police officer. Luis Robles, Perezs attorney, said Friday that his client and the city are completing the terms of his return to the Albuquerque Police Department. Its not a question of if; its a question of when, Robles said. But Celina Espinoza, an APD spokeswoman, said the department is still evaluating Perezs return. Police Chief Gorden Eden issued a statement after the district attorney announced that Perez and former detective Keith Sandy will not be retried in connection with the killing of James Boyd, but he didnt say whether Perez could return to the department. But Robles said Perez and the city are negotiating the terms of Perezs return, which would include completing all of the new training required for officers after a Department of Justice investigation found that APD had a pattern of excessive force, which included police shootings. He wants to be put in the field, Robles said. Perez and Sandy were charged with murder for the fatal shooting of Boyd, a homeless man, in the Sandia foothills in March 2014. Late last year, they went to trial, which ended in a hung jury. Second Judicial District Attorney Raul Torrez announced Friday that the case will not be retried. Sandy retired from the department after the shooting and is collecting a $37,700 annual pension. Perez, who had been with the department for nine years at the time of the shooting, worked on administrative assignment until a judge ruled there was enough evidence that the officers stand trial for murder. In October 2015, Perez was fired for violating city and police policies. An Albuquerque police operating procedure calls for officers to be disciplined up to termination if they are formally charged with a crime. Perez had appealed his termination to the citys personnel board, but no decision had been made. Before joining APD, Perez was a Marine who served in Iraq and was injured in battle. As a result of his lost job and legal fees, Perez went broke and at one point was on the verge of losing his home, Robles said. What an awful place to be in after you spent your entire adult life in public service, both to the city of Albuquerque and to your nation as a Marine, Robles said. Following months of meetings and deliberation, the final report and recommendation from the city of Rio Ranchos impact fee committee was approved by the governing body this week. Mayor Gregg Hull, who was the chairman of the special committee, presented the groups recommendation during Wednesdays regular governing body meeting. The approved recommendation includes an increase to residential impact fees and a decrease in commercial, industrial and business impact fees. Following the governing bodys decision, city staff will present the rate changes as an ordinance at a future meeting. Impact fees are charges developers pay to the city to cover the cost of major system-level improvements to handle the growth their developments will bring. Rio Rancho has seven impact fee categories: public safety, parks, bikeways and trails, drainage, water, wastewater and roadways. Last fall, councilors voted to create a special committee to discuss and recommend new impact fee rates within 90 days. The committee included Hull, councilors Dawnn Robinson and Cheryl Everett, Anthony Caravella of the citys development services department, and Donald Martinez of the citys financial services department. Brian Patterson of Titan Development and David Newell of RayLee Homes served as the boards public representatives. If the ordinance is approved by the governing body, the changed rates would begin July 1, with noted annual changes occurring each year until July 1, 2021. The city would then conduct a five-year review of the impact fee rates in 2022. The new rates are based on recommended impact fee increases from a 2015 consulted impact fee study. According to the rate recommendation, all but one of the citys residential impact fees will begin at 5 percent of the studys recommended rates. Those discounted rates will then increase by 5 percent each year until they reach 25 percent of the recommended rate by 2021. Public safety rates for commercial impact fees would similarly begin at 5 percent this year and 10 percent in 2018, but would then be 100 percent of the recommended rate in 2019. By 2021, residential impact fees for a single-family dwelling unit will increase from its current rate of $9,882 to $10,441. Similar to the recommended changes to residential fees, new rates for commercial, industrial and office impact fees are based on the consulted fee study. Water fees would be set at 5 percent of the recommended rate this year and would increase in annual 5 percent increments, while drainage, roads, and bikeways and trails fees would be set at 20 percent until 2021. Sewer and public safety fees would be 100 percent of the recommended rates. Rates would decrease by 30 percent for commercial, industrial and office impact fees by 2021, with impact fees for a 10,000-square-foot building for commercial fees dropping to $47,667.50, industrial fees to $32,907.50 and office fees to $42,223.50. Several members of the citys development community spoke out in favor of the recommended fee changes. Lynne Andersen, president of the New Mexico NAIOP chapter, praised the new rates, saying the committees decision was based off of a method of positive collaboration. I think what you guys did was take a data-driven study and turned it into a document that can benefit the city and be a win-win for business and developers involved and the city itself, Andersen said. I think its a good mix in terms of coming up with something that works. John Garcia, executive vice president of the Home Builders Association of Central New Mexico, was only one in attendance wary of the new fees. Garcia said he was concerned the raised impact fees for residential development would lose prospective homebuyers from settling in the city. You need rooftops for retail and other commercial developments, Garcia said. The homebuilding community is looking at these changes with some caution. In other news, the governing body: Approved a site plan for RAM Motors; and Approved a zoning designation amendment to property in the Rio Rancho Estates area. Meeting on election resolution Rio Ranchos Governing Body during its Wednesday meeting approved a proposal by Mayor Gregg Hull to schedule a special meeting to discuss and renounce a House bill introduced at the Roundhouse during this years ongoing legislative session. House Bill 174, known as the Local Election Act and sponsored by Rep. James Smith, R-Sandia Park, and Sen. Daniel Ivey-Soto, D-Albuquerque, proposes having a single election day in the fall. Hull said the bill was not recommended by the New Mexico Municipal League and would be taking elections out of the local hands of a home-ruled community. While the Governing Body supports any effort to increase voter turnout, the Governing Body does not believe that House Bill 174 will accomplish its purported objectives and instead will significantly harm and infringe upon the administration of local elections, reads the resolution to be discussed during the special meeting to be held Monday. The meeting will take place at 4 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall, 3200 Civic Center Circle NE. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia Malaysias health minister said Sunday autopsy results suggested a nerve agent caused very serious paralysis that killed the exiled half brother of North Koreas leader, as police completed a sweep of the budget terminal where he was poisoned and declared it safe of any toxin. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpurs airport. Fridays revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. Health Minister Subramaniam Sathasivam said the state chemistry departments finding of the VX toxin confirmed the hospitals autopsy result that suggested a chemical agent caused very serious paralysis that led to death in a very short period of time. The VX agent can lead to death very quickly in high doses, he said. The killing of Kim Jong Nam took place amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpurs airport and appeared to be a well-planned hit. Kim died on the way to a hospital, within hours of the attack. Tens of thousands of passengers have passed through the airport since the apparent assassination was carried out. No areas were cordoned off, and protective measures were not taken. Subramaniam said there have been no reports so far of anyone else being sickened by the toxin. Late Saturday, however, police said they would begin a sweep of the budget terminal where Kim was attacked to check for traces of VX. The sweep started around 2 a.m. Sunday involving officers from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the fire departments hazardous materials unit and the governments atomic energy board. Although VX is not radioactive, police said the radiological team and the atomic energy board were involved as a precaution. Abdul Samah Mat, the police official leading the investigations, said a two-hour sweep by more than a dozen officers in protective gear detected no hazardous material. He said the budget terminal is free from any form of contamination of hazardous material and declared it a safe zone. Earlier Saturday, police warned they would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to cooperate with the investigation. Experts say the nerve agent used to kill Kim was almost certainly produced in a sophisticated state weapons laboratory and is banned under an international treaty. But North Korea never signed the treaty, and it has spent decades developing a complex chemical weapons program. Kim was not an obvious political threat to his estranged half brother, Kim Jong Un. But he may have been seen as a potential rival in North Koreas dynastic dictatorship, even though he had lived in exile for years. North Korea has denied any role in the attack. Malaysia said earlier that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities acknowledged at the time he has diplomatic immunity and they couldnt compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysias tone changed. Abdul Samah, the police official, said authorities would give the diplomat reasonable time to come forward. And if he failed to turn up then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court, he told reporters. Lawyer Sankara Nair, however, noted that diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. Police can apply for a warrant, but it can easily be set aside by the embassy, he said. Malaysia hasnt directly accused the North Korean government of being behind the attack, but officials have said four North Korean men provided two women with poison to carry it out. The four men fled Malaysia on the same day as the killing, while the women one from Indonesia and the other Vietnamese were arrested. Abdul Samah said that the Indonesian woman, Siti Aisyah, vomited in a taxi on the way from the airport after the attack but was fine now. He said that more tests were needed to determine if the two suspects were given antidotes so the nerve agent wouldnt kill them. On Saturday, representatives from the Indonesian and Vietnamese embassies in Malaysia met with the two women. Indonesias deputy ambassador Andriano Erwin told reporters that Aisyah said she had been paid the equivalent of $90 for what she believed was a harmless prank. Aisyah, 25, said she had been introduced to people who looked like Japanese or Koreans who asked her to play a prank for a reality show, according to Erwin. Asked if she knew what was on her hands at the time of the attack, Erwin said: She didnt tell us about that. She only said that its a kind of oil, baby oil, something like that. An odorless chemical with the consistency of motor oil, VX is an extremely powerful poison, with an amount no larger than a few grains of salt enough to kill. It can be inhaled, swallowed or absorbed through the skin. Then, in anywhere from a few seconds to a few hours, it can cause a range of symptoms, from blurred vision to a headache. Enough exposure leads to convulsions, paralysis, respiratory failure and death. The Vietnamese woman, Doan Thi Huong, also thought she was taking part in a prank, Vietnams foreign ministry said Saturday. In grainy surveillance footage, the women appear to smear something onto Kims face before walking away in separate directions. Malaysian police said the attackers knew what they were doing and had been trained to go immediately to the bathroom and clean their hands. Experts say the women must have taken precautions so the nerve agent wouldnt kill them. An antidote, atropine, can be injected after exposure and is carried by medics in war zones where weapons of mass destruction are suspected. Also Saturday, police confirmed that a raid earlier in the week on a condominium on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur was part of the investigation. Abdul Samah said the condo was rented by the four North Korean suspects who had left the country. He said police were still testing a seized substance for traces of any chemicals. SANTA FE A Republican-backed attempt to make New Mexico the nations 29th state with a right-to-work law fizzled Saturday in a House panel and appears dead for this years 60-day legislative session. The House Labor and Economic Development Committee voted 6-5 along party lines with Democrats voting in the affirmative to table the measure, which was aimed at allowing New Mexico workers to avoid paying fees at union workplaces. Dozens of union members from around the state testified against the legislation Saturday, with some accusing backers of union-busting, a charge they denied. All this bill is trying to do is tear down what the unions have built up, said Ronald Moore of Melrose, who identified himself as a Republican. Recent attempts to pass right-to-work legislation have stalled in the Democratic-controlled Senate, though the House passed a right-to-work bill in 2015. But with Democrats winning back control of the House in last Novembers general election, even backers of the legislation acknowledged long odds during this years session. Rep. James Townsend, R-Artesia, one of the bills sponsors, indicated after Saturdays vote the eventual passage of a right-to-work law could hinge on the outcome of future elections. Its pretty simple two years from now you better be prepared to make changes if you want change, said Townsend, referring to the 2018 election cycle, in which all 70 House seats will be up for election. Well be back. He and other backers insisted the bill would bolster New Mexicos struggling economy, while also giving workers more choice about whether to support unions. This bill is the cure for what ails New Mexico, Townsend said. Critics of the right-to-work legislation, House Bill 432, however, described it as a politically driven measure that would lead to lower wages for New Mexico workers. Several Democratic lawmakers said the bill would exacerbate New Mexico income inequality issues, and questioned whether its passage would lead to any companies relocating in the state. Our workers are better off in New Mexico with better wages, said House Majority Leader Sheryl Williams Stapleton, D-Albuquerque. Formally titled the Employee Preference Act, the proposed law would mean nonunion employees in both the private and public sectors would not have to pay union fees as a condition of employment. Though union membership cannot be required under federal law, such fees can be mandated under contracts in unionized workplaces. The bill tabled Saturday would also require state and local prosecutors to look into violations of the act, which could impose an additional burden on already cash-strapped agencies, a legislative analysis noted. Gov. Susana Martinez has previously indicated she supports right-to-work legislation and would likely sign it into law if it made it to her desk. New Mexico union membership has risen in recent years, though the state is still less unionized than the national average. There were about 49,000 union members in 2016, or about 6.3 percent of the states total workforce, both in private and public sectors, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Meanwhile, a total of roughly 63,000 workers were represented by unions or about 8.2 percent of the states workforce. Since January, not much has changed in terms of our top 10 lineup for tablets, Chromebooks and 2-in-1s, mainly considering manufacturers were not all that active when it comes to launching new devices which belong in this category of products. That will almost certainly going to change during the upcoming Mobile World Congress (MWC), but until then, lets take a look at our top 10 list for February 2017, shall we. 10. Chuwi HiBook Pro 2-in-1 Ultrabook Advertisement Many of you probably havent heard of Chuwi just yet, and thats completely normal considering this isnt a particularly big Chinese company. Chuwi sells their products through various China-based resellers, and ship them all over the world, and the same goes for the Chuwi HiBook Pro 2-in-1 Ultrabook. This device features a 10.1-inch touchscreen display, 4GB of RAM and comes pre-installed with both Windows and Android, while it is fueled by Intels Atom SoC. This tablet is now available for around $250 from GearBest, while you can also get it from Amazon, though its currently not in stock, but can be purchased from third-party sellers. Buy the CHUWI HiBook Pro Buy the CHUWI HiBook Pro Advertisement Read more: Chuwi HiBook Pro Review 9. Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) Advertisement The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is Samsungs mid-range tablet which comes with an S Pen stylus (though a variant without it is also available), and is more affordable than the companys Galaxy Tab S2. This tablet features a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 display, along with 2GB / 3GB of RAM and it is fueled by the companys Exynos 7870 64-bit octa-core SoC. Do keep in mind that the S Pen stylus comes only with the 3GB RAM variant of this tablet. The Galaxy Tab A 10.1 (2016) is now available for $299.00 from Amazon without the S Pen, if youd like it to ship with the S Pen, youll need to splash out $349.99. Buy the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 2016 - With S Pen 8. Acer Chromebook R 13 Advertisement The Acer Chromebook R13 is a very capable Chromebook, not to mention that it has the ability to run Android applications, which is an extremely handy feature to have considering how many options the Play Store gives you. This Chromebook is fueled by the MediaTek MT8173C Core Pilot quad-core processor, and it comes with a 4,670mAh battery. This Chromebook features a 13-inch fullHD (1920 x 1080) display, and it comes with 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM. This tablet can be purchased from $363 from Amazon as we speak. Buy the Acer Chromebook R13 Advertisement Read more: Acer Chromebook R 13 Review 7. NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 Advertisement NVIDIA had introduced this tablet back in November 2015, and its still quite relevant in the tablet world. The NVIDIA Shield K1 features an 8-inch display, while it is fueled by the Tegra K1 quad-core processor, and packs in 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable internal storage. A 5-megapixel shooter is placed on the back of this tablet, and the device comes with Android 5.0 Lollipop, but it is upgradable to Android 7.0 Nougat. The NVIDIA Shield K1 is available for $199, just in case youre interested. NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet K1 Read more: NVIDIA Shield Tablet K1 Review Advertisement 6. Google Pixel C The Google Pixel C is still quite pricey, unfortunately, though its one of the better offerings out there if youre looking for an Android tablet. This device was announced back in October 2015, and it features a 10.2-inch 2560 x 1800 display, 3GB of RAM and 32GB / 64GB of native storage. NVIDIAs Tegra X1 64-bit quad-core processor fuels this tablet, and Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow comes pre-installed on it, though Google had already started pushing out Android 7.0 Nougat for this tablet, which makes it one of the very few tablets out there to run Android 7.0 Nougat at this point. The Google Pixel C can be purchased from Amazon for $647.99, if youre interested, follow the source link down below. Buy the Google Pixel C Read more: Google Pixel C Review 5. Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet Despite the fact the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet was announced back in March 2015, its still one of the more powerful Android tablets out there. This tablet comes with IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, while it features a 10.1-inch 2560 x 1600 display. The Xperia Z4 Tablet packs in 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable native storage, while it ships with Android 5.0 Lollipop. This tablet is already upgradable to Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and it is expected to get Android 7.0 Nougat as well in the near future. The Xperia Z4 Tablet is currently out of stock, at least as far as its availability from Sony goes, but it can be purchased from third-party sellers on Amazon, follow the links down below for more info. Buy the Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet (Wi-Fi variant) Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet (4G LTE + Wi-Fi variant) Read more: Sony Xperia Z4 Tablet Review 4. ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 had been introduced back in January this year, and it comes with a touchscreen. Not, not only do you get Chrome OS here, but this tablet can also run Android apps, just like the Acer Chromebook R 13 that weve already mentioned. This tablet features a 12.5-inch 1080p (1920 x 1080) display, 4GB of RAM and 32GB of native storage. Intels Core m3 processor fuels this device, and this tablet is also quite thin. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 now costs $499, and you can purchase it from Amazon. Buy the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 3. Samsung Chromebook Plus & Pro The Samsung Chromebook Plus & Pro are the two newest additions to this list, as they were both launched during this years CES back in January. Both devices come with a rotatable display (up to 360 degrees), and both are able to run Android applications out of the box. The Samsung Chromebook Pro is the more powerful of the two Chromebooks, as it ships with Intels Core m3 processor. The Samsung Chromebook Pro is still not available, but you can get the Plus variant for $449. Buy the Samsung Chromebook Plus (2017) Read more: Hands-On With The Samsung Chromebook Pro & Plus 2. Lenovo Yoga Book The Lenovo Yoga Book is not only a nice-looking, but also a very versatile device. It comes with a 10.1-inch 1920 x 1200 display, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. Intels Atom X5-Z8550 processor fuels this device and it is clocked at 2.4GHz. Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes pre-installed on this device, and youre also getting Lenovos Halo Keyboard which is essentially a multifunctional touchscreen keyboard which offers haptic feedback. Those of you who would like to purchase the Lenovo Yoga Book, can do so via the link down below, and the tablet is priced at $489.50 at the moment. Buy the Lenovo Yoga Book Read more: Lenovo Yoga Book Review 1. Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 is right around the corner, as Samsung will announce it later this month, while its predecessor is still our number one pick in this category. The Galaxy Tab S2 comes in both 8-inch and 9.7-inch variants, and was originally announced back in 2015, but Samsung re-announced a refreshed version of this tablet last year. This tablet packs in 3GB of RAM and 32GB / 64GB of native storage, while it comes with Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, but is upgradable to Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow. There are several variants of this tablet available on Amazon, both 4G LTE and Wi-Fi models for both Galaxy S2 size variants are available, follow the links down below for more info. Buy the Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 (Wi-Fi variant) Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 (Wi-Fi variant) Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0 Review No Yes, a light case Yes, two or more light cases One serious case Two or more serious bouts Vote View Results Google Assistant recently started predicting its favorites for the upcoming 89th Academy Awards, commonly referred to as the Oscars. The annual awards ceremony organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is taking place tomorrow, and the Mountain View-based tech giant apparently decided to have some fun by updating its digital assistant with a number of answers to questions about wholl win the latest iteration of the most prestigious filmmaking awards on the planet. When asked, Google Assistant says that its hoping Arrival will win the Best Picture award because the assistant apparently loved those aliens. Likewise, Googles AI companion is impressed with the energy Denzel Washington displayed in his drama Fences, which is why its hoping that the 62-year-old will win this years Academy Award for the Best Actor. Google Assistant also seems to be rooting for Ruth Negga to win the Best Actress award because it believes her performance in the romantic drama Loving was inspiring. However, the assistant says that whoever wins the Best Actress award this year will deserve it. Regarding the Best Supporting Actor award, Google Assistant would prefer Mahershala Ali gets it for his role in Moonlight as it deems his performance small but impactful, jokingly adding how being small and impactful is exactly what its trying to become and can therefore relate to Alis character. Finally, Googles digital helper is rooting for Naomie Harris to win the Best Supporting Actress award because it apparently admires her work ethic seeing how Harris successfully shot all of her scenes for Moonlight in only three days. Coincidentally or not, Google Assistant has no specific answer when asked about the Best Animated Short Film category in which Googles very own Spotlight Story Pearl received a nomination and became the first VR film ever to be nominated for an Oscar. Instead, the assistant only offers to search the Internet for your query, like it usually does when it isnt sure how to answer your question. You can experience this Easter egg for yourself regardless of whether youre communicating with Google Assistant through the Google Home smart speaker, Google Pixel phones, or the Allo messenger. Amazons Alexa is also currently predicting winners of this years Oscars but doesnt seem to agree with Google Assistants picks. Peugeot has begun posting images and a short video to its various social media streams, hinting that the French automaker has got something to show at the Mobile World Conference (MWC) this year. Although the imagery does provide some clues with which to speculate, the specifics of something remains more of mystery. The company will be unmasking their latest creation at the event on February 27. The event will also be streamed by YouTuber TheiCollection and on Facebook Live at 11:00 am GMT. Questions will be fielded after the reveal by Peugeots Director of Design, Gilles Vidal. Unlike many other manufacturers that will be taking part in MWC this year, Peugeot has remained almost completely silent up until this point with no leaks. It bears mentioning that speculation is really all that can be had at this point. However, the imagery released thus far hints at a mobile device that centers around augmentation and personalization and the short video contains the message Most Autonomous Mobile Device Ever. A statement made in correspondence with the company also includes the interesting phrase, new interconnected liberty. Peugeots previous efforts into the mobile space consist mostly of virtual reality test drives, automobile management, and a foray into augmenting the feel of driving one of their cars using haptic feedback and tied to an advertisement. The company is also a part of a conglomerate seeking to disrupt media aspects of the auto industry, by resisting allowing Android Auto becoming the only name in vehicle connectivity. That lends to the idea that the company may be using the word mobile not to describe a phone, but what could be a media hub and connectivity technology associated with that hub. After all, whats more mobile than a car? The companys autonomous message may hint at a new advancement in their self-driving car efforts that may, in turn, be tied to such a personalizable hub. Perhaps interconnected liberty refers to the ability to sync to whatever this new device is with any mobile device, across the available platforms. On the other hand, the mysterious teasers may point to any of those things or any number of other things without having anything to do with any of the other guesses made here. Although possibly not the most likely scenario, when considering all of the bits of information that are available it is also not completely unreasonable to think that Peugeot is working on an actual mobile device. Other automakers have tried their hands at it in the past, whether through partnerships or one-off internal efforts. It may be best to not guess at all. Whatever the announcement is alluding to, it will be revealed soon enough. The fourth largest wireless carrier in the United States announced the Sprint Getaway Giveaway, its latest sweepstakes boasting a grand prize of 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles. The Overland Park-based company said that its new contest was organized to reward its customers for their loyalty. While the Sprint Getaway Giveaway only has a single grand prize, 20 less fortunate but still somewhat fortunate Sprint customers will win Samsungs Galaxy J3 Emerge handset. In addition to the free American Airlines AAdvantage miles mentioned above, the winner of the grand prize will also receive one Galaxy J3 Emerge, as well as $2,000 in cash. Those interested in participating in the Sprint Getaway Giveaway can do so by visiting sprint.com/getaway where theyll be able to enter the competition once per day until Friday, March 10. In addition to those daily entries, participants can earn extra entries by following @Sprint or @SprintLatino on Twitter and tweeting about the contest using the #SprintGetawaySweepstakes hashtag. The company said that the tweets should revolve around the countries in which participants would like to travel to using their free American Airlines AAdvantage miles. As expected, the giveaway is open to all existing Sprint customers and doesnt require them to make any purchases. The winners will be drawn on March 15 while the company will attempt to contact them to claim their prizes around March 22, Sprint revealed. Overall, the rules of the competition are similar to all of the recent sweepstakes organized by the company like the Snow Place Like Home giveaway that took place in December. You can find out more details about the contest by following the link below. Regarding the secondary prize, the Galaxy J3 Emerge is a new addition to Samsung and Sprints offerings that was designed to be an affordable, entry-level smartphone. The device ships with a 5-inch 720p display and is powered by Qualcomms Snapdragon 430 and 1.5GB of RAM. Additionally, the phone features a 5-megapixel rear camera and a 2-megapixel front one, as well as 16GB of internal storage thats expandable by up to 256GB thanks to its microSD card slot. Finally, the Galaxy J3 Emerge is fueled by a 2,600mAh battery and ships with Android 6.0 Marshmallow. ZeniMax Media is seeking an injunction to stop Oculus from unauthorized use of its copyrighted code in a move that could prevent sales of a significant number of games for the Rift and the Gear VR headset. The company filed an injunction request with a Dallas federal court earlier this week, not long after the same court ruled against the Facebook-owned Oculus and ordered it to pay $500 million in damages to ZeniMax for infringing its copyrights. Oculus already announced its plans to appeal the decision while ZeniMax continues to consider further legal actions it can take against the company. If granted, the injunction would likely do significant damage to Oculus whose product is still far from mainstream adoption and its adoption rates are heavily reliant on the sales of new games. Likewise, the disputed code has already been utilized by Oculus on many occasions, which is why this latest turn of events could also hurt Samsung Electronics and the Gear VR headset that was developed with Oculus. Experts in intellectual property law claim that a potential injunction would be so devastating for Oculus that Facebook would be put under immense pressure to initiate an out-of-court settlement, which is something that seemed improbable until now. The initial case was based on the fact that Oculus hired former ZeniMax employee John Carmack as its Chief Technology Officer who helped develop the technology powering the Rift. However, ZeniMax claims that the technology in question was developed by Carmack while he was still working for its subsidiary and even accused the founder of Oculus Palmer Luckey of breaching a non-disclosure agreement while recruiting Carmack. While the jury dismissed the accusations of Oculus stealing trade secrets that ZeniMax also laid out, Oculus was found guilty of unauthorized use of the disputed code and Luckey was deemed liable for breaching a non-disclosure agreement while he was communicating with Carmack in 2012. It remains to be seen whether the federal court will agree to grant an injunction against Oculus, but that scenario seems likely given how ZeniMax already managed to prove that the Facebook-owned VR company is using its copyrighted code without permission. Churches around the country are gearing up to shelter immigrants imperiled by raids and in what BuzzFeed calls a "modern-day underground railroad" also work to spirit people to Canada. Members of churches are also signing up to volunteer spaces in their homes to hide immigrants. BuzzFeed says more than 800 churches have signed up with the National Sanctuary Movement to support the effort. Bloomberg L.P., host of the premier afterparty for the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, will not host an event this year, Axios has learned. Planners for events surrounding the April 29 scholarship dinner, Washington's equivalent of Oscars night, have been beset with uncertainty because of Trump administration attacks on the press. But news organizations' strong interest in tickets for the 103rd annual dinner suggests that the night will remain sold out, as always. A Bloomberg spokesperson told us: "We surveyed some of the past attendees and didn't get as much interest in a party this year as we've had in the past, so we decided to focus on the dinner and the WHCA." The backstory : Vanity Fair Bloomberg's longtime partner in throwing the party, one of the town's toughest invites of the year had earlier said it would not participate this year. The New Yorker, host of one of the top traditional parties on the eve the banquet, also told The New York Times that it wouldn't participate. : Vanity Fair Bloomberg's longtime partner in throwing the party, one of the town's toughest invites of the year had earlier said it would not participate this year. The New Yorker, host of one of the top traditional parties on the eve the banquet, also told The New York Times that it wouldn't participate. CNN is considering sitting out the dinner, BuzzFeed News reported on Thursday. METAIRIE, La. Sen. Bill Cassidy's town hall meeting this afternoon began with protesters arriving hours beforehand, many with their questions about Obamacare repeal and replacement prepped and ready to go. Then, they turned their backs on him as he tried to explain his Obamacare replacement plan with a PowerPoint. That's pretty much how the whole meeting went. Read on for the highlights. D.C. context: Cassidy is one of the only GOP members who has put forward an actual bill replacing Obamacare in addition to repealing it, making his town hall particularly interesting on the health care front. He told the town hall audience that his plan could actually result in fewer uninsured people. He's also been one of the most vocal members about the need to be thoughtful about the process and is a former doctor. But in the video below, a woman yells at Cassidy that her child is "uninsurable" under his plan. One man shouted at Cassidy as he presented his replacement plan: "Will you repeal Obamacare without this in place?" Another woman protested: "This is hypothetical, we want real." Before Cassidy even arrived (late), the crowds began chanting "Where is he?" Some attendees then took the microphone themselves to ask questions about whether they'd still be able to get health coverage under a new GOP system. "Are you going to stand aside when the bills become too highand let me die?" one woman asked. Another woman, becoming emotional, said her daughter has cancer and "she believes no one cares" whether she lives or dies, including Cassidy. "She wants assurance that's not going to happen," the woman said. What Cassidy told reporters afterwards about the health care fears: "The unfortunate thing is there was so much common ground that they would not listen to. If you actually look at the bill that I and Susan Collins and others have put forward to replace the Affordable Care Act, it actually would cover that young child. It would take care of those with pre-existing conditions. It would lower costs. Now unfortunately, people came in with their prejudices, and with their prejudice, they would not listen." ANGOLA A Fremont woman who stole at least $25,000 from a local dentist was sentenced to serve time through Northeast Indiana Community Corrections Monday afternoon in Steuben Circuit Court. Heather M. German admitted to a Class D felony count of theft, allowing three other counts of theft pending against her to be dismissed. A plea agreement called for a three-year sentence with a cap of one year served. After hearing from the victim, German, her public defender James McEntarfer and Prosecutor Jeremy Musser, Judge Allen Wheat sentenced German to six months on community corrections. She will be on probation for two years and was ordered to repay $25,000 to her former employer. A case filed by the dentists insurance company against German is pending in the Marion County courts. The amount of restitution held the case up for a period of time, said Musser, and the victim accepted the $25,000 to bring resolution to the criminal matter. The victim stood in court and explained how he had put German in a managerial position, and how she had betrayed his trust. After the theft came to light in 2014, he said the situation was exacerbated with rumors. He asked Wheat to give her the maximum sentence. She has been convicted of stealing before, said Musser, referring to a 1997 shoplifting conviction. That misdemeanor is her only prior brush with the law, noted Wheat, in explaining his sentencing decision. A number of letters in Germans behalf were provided to the court. Ultimately, said McEntarfer, German is paying a price for her actions with financial hardship that has caused the foreclosure of her house and loss of vehicles. She received credit for one day already served in jail and was ordered to begin serving her sentence on Sept. 2. Hello I have partly followed this tutorial: Sending email with an embedded image through ASP.NET[^] and, though the user receives his email, when I test my SMTP locally, the plain background image (600px x 600px) does not appear. In Visual Studio (2013), I don't get any errors. The image, emailBG.jpg, is in my Images folder in Solution Explorer, and the code I am using to send plain and HTML emails, and for the background image, is as follows: HTML Dim PlainMessage As AlternateView = AlternateView.CreateAlternateViewFromString("Hello. To reset your password....Nothing, "text/plain") Dim mimeType As ContentType = New ContentType("text/html") Dim HtmlMessage As AlternateView = AlternateView.CreateAlternateViewFromString(" < p style ......Nothing, " text/html " ) Dim Logo As New LinkedResource(Server.MapPath( " ~/Images/emailBG.jpg " ), " image/jpeg " ) ' embedded image Logo.ContentId = " emailBG" myMessage.AlternateViews.Add(PlainMessage) myMessage.AlternateViews.Add(HtmlMessage) pre> Thanks for any advice. Thanks for your reply. The article is 10 years old - not sure if the author will even see it. Thanks again. And remember, if you're setting a background image for a

tag, it will be cropped to the site of that paragraph of text. You probably want to specify the tag, and put the background image there: C# Dim HtmlMessage As AlternateView = AlternateView.CreateAlternateViewFromString( " ..." , Nothing, " text/html" ) "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer VB ( "

Hello " & strEmailValue & "

To reset your password....etc

" , Nothing , " text/html" ) I will take on board what you suggest about 'body' as opposed to 'p' and use your 'cid:email.BG'. Would I still need these two lines that follow the above line I have posted above: VB Dim Logo As New LinkedResource(Server.MapPath( " ~/Images/emailBG.jpg" ), " image/jpeg" ) Logo.ContentId = " emailBG" Isn't 'Logo.ContentId = "emailBG"' a repetition of your 'cid:emailBG'? Thanks. Can you see this message though it is not in 'Preview'? The cid: is the protocol which lets the mail client know that the image should be loaded from the linked resources in the message, rather than trying to load it from a file or a website. So cid:emailBG in the HTML is a URL that points to the embedded resource with the content ID set to emailBG . How do I embed images in an email?[^] "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer I am familiar with that link - been hours on this! I will give it all a go and fingers crossed! Many thanks again for your help. Hi,I want to use Skype for develop virtual classroom i.e. Online classroom In The Asp.net web application project with C#.So that when the time comes classes start Skype for all student in this class. I will be grateful to you if you provide any solution. Thanks in Advance modified 25-Feb-17 4:05am. Hi, I have developed audio recording facility to my website.. But it is giving wav formatted base64string.. Can we convert wav to mp3 format or if possible can we reduce base64String size? Because internet explorer is supporting only mp3 files to play.. Is there any way to solve my issue? Any suggestion will be useful for me.. Thanks in advance.. Thanks for your valuable reply and solution link.. I will go through on it once.. Is there any way to reduce size of the base64String..I am uploading mp3 file as base64String..It is taking too much time to upload.. I would be very grateful for any feedback you could might be able to give me. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer Respected Sir, I saw your code regarding "A New Task Scheduler Class Library for .NET" My question is, I want to create task on XP and later, Server 2000 and later with BootTrigger,LogonTrigger,DailyTrigger,TimeTrigger triggers. I am not able to create it on windows 10 using above code. Will you please suggest me required dll or required changes? Regards Member 10579375 wrote: I saw your code ... Then please post your question in the forum below the code. i searched google a lot still got no good explanation with example. mostly all write up is saying put is idempotent and post is not but i need a sample code which discuss or show idempotency of put method. so my request anyone can explain the put idempotency with example code or redirect me to right article link which discuss the same with example code. thanks tbhattacharjee I want to redirect to Home.aspx page but I am getting this error message:"System.Web.HttpException: Response is not available in this context" in the line of Response.Redirect("Home.aspx"); Any idea on solving this? C# if ((strbuffer[11].ToString() == strCard1[11])) { UserID = " 0000" ; Send_Beep(); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(( " UserId: " + UserID)); comRFID.Close(); Response.Redirect( " Home.aspx" ); } else { Response.Write( " " ); } modified 20-Feb-17 8:58am. "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer private void comRFID_DataReceived(object sender, System.IO.Ports.SerialDataReceivedEventArgs e) { System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("comRFID_DataReceived"); comRFID.Read(hex, 0, hex.Length); //Send_Beep(); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[0].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[1].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[2].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[3].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[4].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[5].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[6].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[7].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[8].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[9].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[10].ToString()"); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine("hex[11].ToString()"); string[] strCard1 = { "2", "12", "18", "128", "4", "0", "149", "124", "243", "50", "224", "243" }; //byte[] bytes = { hex[0], hex[1], hex[2], hex[3], hex[4], hex[5], hex[6], hex[7], hex[8], hex[9], hex[10], hex[11] }; string[] strbuffer = { hex[0].ToString(), hex[1].ToString(), hex[2].ToString(), hex[3].ToString(), hex[4].ToString(), hex[5].ToString(), hex[6].ToString(), hex[7].ToString(), hex[8].ToString(), hex[9].ToString(), hex[10].ToString(), hex[11].ToString() }; if ((strbuffer[11].ToString() == strCard1[11])) { UserID = "0000"; Send_Beep(); System.Diagnostics.Debug.WriteLine(("UserId: " + UserID)); comRFID.Close(); Response.Redirect("Home.aspx"); //Server.Execute("Home.aspx"); //HttpContext.Current.Response.Redirect("Home.aspx"); //Server.Transfer("Home.aspx", true); } else { Response.Write("alert('Card Undefined, Please Register Your Card.');"); Send_cmd(); } modified 20-Feb-17 22:40pm. after the page has finished executing and returned the response to the user. The user is not still connected to the page, and there is no "response" to alter. You need to read up on how ASP.NET works: Understanding ASP.NET Application and Page Life Cycle - A Beginner's Tutorial[^] "These people looked deep within my soul and assigned me a number based on the order in which I joined." - Homer Hello, I'm building a web application which involves using Google Translation. The goal is to have the user enter the text into a text-box on my form, and then my code should take that string and enter it into Google Translate and retrieve translation. Any ideas how I can do that? Google Translator doesn't affect URL in any way when a query is entered or when a result is returned. It's completely in-page and URL independent, so I can't do anything there. Any ideas?? I'm using VB.NEt Thanks Study to be published in Journal of Cystic Fibrosis for the first time measures cumulative dosage over a patient's lifetime A powerful class of antibiotics provides life-saving relief for people with cystic fibrosis; however, a new study for the first time reveals the levels at which high cumulative dosages over time significantly increases the risk of permanent hearing loss in these patients. Cystic fibrosis, or CF, is an inherited chronic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. Approximately 30,000 people in the United States and 70,000 worldwide are living with the disease. The study, to be published Feb. 23 in the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis, suggests physicians who treat patients with cystic fibrosis may be able to consider alternative strategies for treating the symptoms of respiratory infections associated with CF, especially if patients are responsive to different classes of antibiotics. New medications are emerging that have shown a reduced toxic effect on both the kidneys and ears of these patients, while effectively treating infections. "Preventing or ameliorating the effects of permanent [hearing loss] is crucial for patients with CF who already have a significantly compromised quality of life due to the disease," the authors concluded. The study examined the medical records of 81 CF patients, aged 15 to 63 years, grouping them into four quartiles based on the cumulative dosage of aminoglycoside antibiotics administered intravenously. Researchers found that the two highest dosage groups were 4.79 times more likely to experience permanent hearing loss than the two quartiles with the lowest cumulative dosage exposure. "This is an early step toward developing a model for predicting hearing loss in these patients," said lead author Angela Garinis, Ph.D., a senior research associate in the Oregon Hearing Research Center at OHSU and research audiologist with the VA Portland Health Care System. Aminoglycosides inhibit bacterial protein synthesis, and they are often necessary to clear life-threatening respiratory infections. However, these medications can degrade auditory function in the inner ear as well as kidney function. Previous research had demonstrated a greater risk of hearing loss from aminoglycoside antibiotics, but the new study is the first to factor in cumulative exposure over a patient's lifetime while also weighting the daily dosing schedule used by patients. The findings suggest it is imperative for physicians to routinely monitor hearing in any patient receiving aminoglycosides intravenously. "This information will allow both the patient and the physician to discuss possible modifications to the treatment regimen, particularly if an alternative approach is or becomes available," according to the study. Patients with cystic fibrosis are living longer, raising the importance of maintaining their quality of life over a longer period of time. "People don't realize the trauma of hearing loss until after they've lost it," said senior author Peter Steyger, Ph.D., a professor of otolaryngology/head and neck surgery in the OHSU School of Medicine who lost hearing as a child after being treated with antibiotics for a case of meningitis at age 14 months. "Helen Keller said, 'Blindness separates people from things; deafness separates people from people.' It can lead to isolation, depression and cognitive decline." ### In addition to Garinis and Steyger, authors include Campbell P. Cross, Priya Srikanth, Kelly Carroll, M. Patrick Feeney, Ph.D., Daniel B. Putterman, Au.D., David M. Cohen, M.D., and Jeffrey A. Gold, M.D., of OHSU; Douglas H. Keefe, Ph.D., of Boys Town National Research Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska; and Lisa L. Hunter, Ph.D., of Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Garinis, Feeney and Putterman have joint appointments at the National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research at the VA Portland Health Care System in Portland. The research was supported by the National Institutes of Health CTSA grant (UL1TR000128) to the Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute and NIH-NIDCD Grant Awards: R01 DC004555, R01 DC012588, and R01 DC10202. Saturday, February 25, 2017 Remember- All Movies Start with the Written Word All of Them By Scott Lorenz Westwind Book Marketing Movies, like books, sometimes have humble beginnings. Remember the movie The Elephant Man? It was a true story about a nineteenth-century sideshow freak who was saved by a doctor portrayed in the movie by Anthony Hopkins. THE ELEPHANT MAN, portrayed by the late John Hurt, continues to be a gold standard for artful cinematic creativity today. The movie is from Academy Award-winning film producer Jonathan Sanger. How did this movie come about? Was it an agents pitch? No. Was it an award winning script? No. Did experienced screenwriters create this masterpiece? No. Was it adopted from a book? No. I recently met up with Jonathan Sanger in Hollywood when my firm Westwind Book Marketing arranged a book signing and special big screen showing of The Elephant Man at the Egyptian Theatre. Mr. Sanger introduced the movie to several hundred people where he retold the incredible story of how this movie came about. Where did the script come from? His babysitter handed it to him to read! Thats right, his babysitter. Sanger took the script and said hed read it and promptly set it aside for about a year. Then one day he came back from a trip opened his desk drawer and there it was staring at him like an obligation. What did he do? He read it and he loved it! His book Making the Elephant Man: A Producers Memoir gives us an insiders look at the creation of one of the first ever indie films and a box-office smash, as well as a peek into the early careers of movie greats David Lynch, Mel Brooks and Anthony Hopkins. MAKING THE ELEPHANT MAN A PRODUCERS MEMOIR, in Paperback and Kindle is available on Amazon or on the authors website www.JonathanSangerProductions.com View the book trailer here: http://bit.ly/MakingTheElephantManTrailer Few members of a film audience appreciate the intricacies of the myriad aspects of making a film. Sanger takes his experience as the producer of THE ELEPHANT MAN and opens a powerful discussion on the evolution of cinema, how he discovered a script written by unknowns Christopher DeVore and Eric Bergren finding it was exactly the kind of story I would want to make, a historical biography about a wretched soul who had nonetheless lived an extraordinary life the true story of 19th century grossly deformed John Merrick, known as the Elephant Man working in a sideshow in London who was treated by a kind Dr. Treves. When I wrote this, I was teaching a course in independent film and using my experience with this film to teach, says Sanger. I realized that it would be great to get these stories down and put them in a book. For every movie he makes, Sanger keeps a notebook about the crew, the schedules, what they ordered for lunch, and other details. He was able to tap into notes from 30 years ago that brought the whole process up fresh in his mind, including the strong emotions that gripped him upon first reading the script.. Human stories have always moved me, says Sanger. I like movies about people who are outliers, who are not in the mainstream for one reason or another, even if they are famous. Its not something Im actually seeking, its just a trend Ive noticed over the years, about myself as a producer. Sangers latest two movies, both follow similar themes. In Chapter and Verse, a reformed gang leader returns to Harlem where he gets a job delivering meals. Marshall is based on a true incident in the life of Thurgood Marshall, when he was a young lawyer, long before his appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Written with passion, Sangers memoir takes us with elegant prose and many black and white photographs through the presentation to Mel Brooks who helped propel the young Sangers project into the hands of neophyte director David Lynch, the details of finding the proper crew, the cast (John Hurt, Anthony Hopkins, Sir John Gielgud, Wendy Hiller, Anne Bancroft), the location, the anxieties of meeting deadlines, the technical hurdles of creating a film about such a character facing struggles at every turn. Even the final showing of the completed film to an audience of professionals, whose silence terrified Jonathan, until he learned the silence was due to the emotional impact of the story an unspoken Bravo! Brooklyn-born Jonathan Sanger is a highly respected producer and director of major films, television series, and theatrical productions, having earned twenty Academy Award nominations, and winning three. In 1976, Sanger moved to Los Angeles, where he worked for Lorimar Television on network television series The Blue Knight and Eight Is Enough. In 1978 he was Mel Brooks Assistant Director on High Anxiety, which led to a long professional association. For Brooks wife, Anne Bancrofts feature directorial debut film Fatso, Sanger served as Associate Producer. During this period Sanger had acquired the rights to the script of The Elephant Man his first production which led to a successful career in both producing and directing films films such as Frances, Without Limits, Vanilla Sky, Flight of the Navigator, The Producers, and Code Name: Emerald. The Bottom Line: A good story well written delivered to the right person can be the ticket to incredible success. Remember- all movies start with the written word. All of them. Check out this New York Post article about Making The Elephant Man http://nypost.com/2017/02/19/how-the-inner-pain-of-a-circus-freak-became-a-surprise-hit/ About Book Publicist Scott Lorenz Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more. Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether its their first book or their 15th book. Hes handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Womans World, & Howard Stern to name a few. Learn more about Westwind Communications book marketing approach at http://www.book-marketing-expert.com or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist Conceptualism Intersectional Readings, International Framings: Black Artists & Modernism in Europe after 1968 Presented by Black Artists & Modernism in collaboration with Van Abbemuseum Convenors: Dr Sophie Orlando, Dr susan pui san lok and Nick Aikens Friday 8th and Saturday 9th December 2017 Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, Netherlands Call for Papers DEADLINE: 31st March 2017 The Black Artists & Modernism research project is pleased to announce the forthcoming conference, Conceptualism Intersectional Readings, International Framings, in collaboration with Van Abbemuseum. The conference will take place from Friday 8th December to Saturday 9th December 2017 at the Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven. Conceptualism - Intersectional Readings, International Framings is a collaboration with Van Abbemuseum, Eindhoven, as part of the three-year AHRC-funded research project Black Artists & Modernism (BAM), led by University of the Arts London (UAL) in partnership with Middlesex University. The 2017 conference at the Van Abbemuseum will elaborate on the dialogues that were initiated at BAMs 2016 symposia The Work Between Us (Bluecoat, Liverpool, January 2016) and Now & Then, Here & There (Chelsea College of Art & Design, UAL and Tate Britain, October 2016), particularly those relating to close-readings of artworks, displays, and the exploration of exhibition histories and museum collections. Across continental Europe, the term Black has not coalesced in the way that it has operated in Britain: belonging to a range of post-colonial identities; without a specific artistic style; nor an agreed space within modernism. Black artists (descendants of post-colonial or migrational communities i.e. how the term black might be applied in a continental European context), and their aesthetic choices have tended to be excluded from canonical art history within high modernism because their work is typically framed within the conditions of production and reception. The Conceptualism Intersectional Readings, International Framings conference seeks to address this with a focus on Conceptualism, which is all too often associated with resisting identity politics. Intersectionalism, however, is associated with a feminist approach (Combahee River Collective, 1978) that acknowledges differences between universalist feminism developed within the context of the USA (Kimberle W. Crenshaw 1989, Patricia Hill Collins 1990), and the British context in which numerous individuals have been quick to debate the inter-relation between race, class, gender and sexuality, understanding power differentials as co-constituted and co-constitutive (Lutz, Vivar and Supik, 2014). Feminist art historians (Pollock, Robinson, Deepwell, Kokoli, Tawadros and Cheddie) have also been negotiating these situated positions within the UK since the mid-1980s, through links to New Art History, Cultural Studies and Black feminism. This conference will open up new understandings of Conceptualism produced in Europe after the political and social upheavals of 1968, especially across the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Spain and Portugal to question how artworks can be read beyond biographical and sociological context of the artist, and instead return to the materiality of the work, its conditions of display, interpretation and consumption. The focus on Conceptualism in Europe after 1968 aims to highlight the limits of discourses on Blackness and Conceptualism, through a shift in perspective beyond British and transatlantic frames. To that end, the conference adopts Luis Camnitzers definition of Conceptualism as a wide array of works and practices which, in radically reducing the role of the art object, reimagined the possibilities vis-a-vis the social, political, and economic realities within which it was being made (1999). In the ground-breaking exhibition, Global Conceptualism: Points of Origins 1950-1980s (1999), Camnitzer, Rachel Weiss and Jane Farver established a new framework for thinking about the development and mobilisation of an international consciousness that gave rise to specific artistic practices around the world between two periods, from 1950 to 1973, and from the mid-1970s to the end of the 1980s. Looking particularly to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, the conference objectives are two-fold. Firstly, to open up debates around intersectional readings of artists practices and artworks that shift the interpretative paradigm from the question of how they represent identity politics, to how they arguably produce identity politics. Secondly, by acknowledging the way that art history has been revised and become contingent on diverse perspectives (see Iris Dressler and Hans D. Christ (2009) or Helen Molesworth (2012)), the conference seeks to question how we might begin to differently situate Conceptual artistic practices in Europe in terms of intersectionality. Research Methods and Questions The Conceptualism Intersectional Readings, International Framings conference will be preceded by a series of closed seminars focused on specific artworks in public collections that have been developed in partnership with various museums and organisations in the UK (Iniva), France (Frac Lorraine, Mac Val) and the Netherlands (Stedelijk). The seminars will inform commissioned case studies, comprising close-readings of artworks by artists including Nil Yalter, Stanley Brouwn and David Medalla, and reflections on their curatorial and museological framings within European collections. These case studies will be presented at the conference as key focus points. We invite proposals from artists, academics and curators that focus on a specific artwork or artistic practice, to address the indicative themes and questions below: How do artists like Nil Yalter, David Medalla, and Stanley Brouwn, amongst others, approach and engage with Conceptualism? How are formations of race, class, gender and sexuality addressed through Conceptualist art practices in Europe after 1968 and among emerging contemporary artists such as Mathieu Kleyebe Abonnenc? How can Conceptualism be understood anew through intersectional readings and international framings? How have public collections contested mainstream white male-dominated definitions of Conceptualism in Europe? How does the term Black resonate, if at all, within discourses of Conceptualism and modernism across specific European regions and contexts? SUBMISSIONS Please submit proposals by email as a single Word document, comprising an abstract (max 500 words) and a short biography (300 words) by Friday 31st March 2017. Proposals should be sent to: blackartistsandmodernism@gmail.com Key Dates Submit proposal by Friday 31 st March 2017 March 2017 Successful applicants will be notified by 31st May 2017 If you have any queries, please contact Sophie Orlando at blackartistsandmodernism@gmail.com For more information about the Black Artists and Modernism project, please visit http://www.blackartistsmodernism.co.uk/ For more information about the Van Abbemuseum, please visit https://vanabbemuseum.nl/en/ Power-generation and utilities holding company Exelon Corporation (EXC 0.59%) is no stranger to income investors. The stock pays out an above-average dividend yielding over 3.6%, which is supported by a strong and predictable operating cash flow year-in and year-out. And thanks to the nature of its business -- regulated utilities and an expansive portfolio of competitive power-generation -- the dividend is relatively safe. In fact, shareholders have received a payout each quarter for several decades. But the dividend is not the company's chief concern. Despite a 27% gain in 2016 -- 32% with dividends included -- Exelon Corporation stock has struggled to return value to shareholders outside of its quarterly payout. The stock has lost 43% in the last decade, which improves to a loss of just 14% when dividends are included -- far below the returns of the S&P 500 in that period. That means investors not persuaded by the dividend may not bother to consider buying Exelon Corporation. However, while a recent history of lackluster performance is indisputable, a closer look at management's long-term strategy and diversification initiatives provides a strong case for all investors to consider buying the stock. Reversing an ugly trend One of the chief reasons for the stock's ho-hum performance in the last 10 years is simple: Growing revenue is not resulting in gains in net income. In 2006, each dollar of revenue resulted in $0.25 of net income, but that slipped to just $0.036 in 2016. The trend has resulted in the largest gap between revenue growth and net income growth in the company's history. Regulations and competition have been significant factors in this trend, but investors have worried that the company wasn't doing enough to combat industry headwinds. That forced management to act, and full-year 2016 financial results and future guidance demonstrate important signs of progress against long-term goals. Two factors are expected to lead to improving operations. First, Exelon Corporation will spend substantially less on utilities operations and generate significantly more revenue in the next four years. After a large push to improve reliability in recent years (which lowers long-term costs), total capital expenditures for utilities are expected to fall 8.6% from 2017 to 2020. Meanwhile, rate base growth is expected to result in a 29% increase in revenue during the period. Management expects full-year 2017 EPS from utilities in the range of $1.40 to $1.70, which is easily above the $1.12 achieved last year. Current expectations call for GAAP EPS from utilities to steadily increase to $1.70 in 2018, $1.80 in 2019, and $1.90 in 2020 (using the midpoint for each yearly range). The exact numbers are almost guaranteed to change, but nonetheless demonstrate confidence that the business will change for the better. Second, the generation business is expected to perform substantially better than previously thought. That's almost entirely due to the quickly changing fortunes of the company's nuclear fleet. Exelon Corporation tried in vain to convince the state of Illinois to include carbon-free nuclear operations in its Clean Energy Standard, which would have provided a small subsidy for atomic energy. After the company held firm on its plan to close two power plants in the state in 2017 and 2018, the Illinois State Legislature agreed to provide a Zero Emission Credit (ZEC) of $0.01 per kWh from nuclear generation. There are strings attached to the ZEC, but when combined with a similar incentive in the state of New York, it provides quite a bit more breathing room. Exelon Corporation updated its guidance through 2019 to include an additional $2.8 billion in gross profit compared to earlier scenarios that factored in the closing of the two nuclear power plants. It's important to note that even with the ZEC in Illinois and New York, the generation business will see its gross profit decline from 2017 to 2019 -- it will simply decline less than previously expected. That said, an earnings benefit will be derived from a planned decrease in capital expenditures. Management expects to spend $2.85 billion on generation this year, but just $1.85 billion in 2020. A combination of decreasing capital expenditures, increasing reliability, and improved gross margin will lead to an expected $6.8 billion in free cash flow generation between this year and 2020. Roughly half will be dedicated to debt reduction for generation and holding companies, which shouldn't be overlooked. Exelon Corporation spent $1.5 billion on interest expenses alone in 2016 -- a more than $500 million increase from the prior year. The other half of the $6.8 billion in free cash flow will be invested in growth opportunities and the continued improvement of utilities. What does it mean for investors? Successful execution of management's plan for healthier, more robust operations outlined above should provide plenty of reasons for Exelon Corporation stock to rise in the next several years. That certainly would be welcomed by shareholders that have struggled with dismal stock performance over the last decade. It also builds a strong case for any investor with a long-term mindset to consider buying shares. Named to mark the team's 40th anniversary, the car was revealed two days ahead of the start of 2017 pre-season testing at Barcelona. The team had previously revealed computer-generated renders of the car last week. Williams have officially pulled the covers of their 2017 Formula One racing car, the Mercedes-powered FW40. The physical car shows subtle changes to those computerised images, including a more aggressive shark fin similar to the designs unveiled by Sauber, Renault, Force India and McLaren. The sidepods also appear to have been subtle remodelled, although much of the rest of the detailing remains similar to that of the render. Mercedes are the only team to have not incorporated a bold shark fin into their opening 2017 designs - although the team admit that every surface of their car will change before the teams arrive in Australia for the 2017 season-opener. At the wheel of the FW40 will be Felipe Massa, who rejoined Williams following his brief retirement after Valtteri Bottas left for Mercedes, and Canadian Lance Stroll, who is set to be the only rookie on the starting grid in Melbourne on 26 March. The team are looking to fight their way back up the constructors' standings this year after falling two places to fifth in 2016. Williams' reveal leaves Haas, Red Bull and Toro Rosso as the only three teams yet to show their hand in 2017. All three are due to pull the covers off their respective challengers on Sunday, the day before all 10 cars take to the track for the first official test of the year. A once-thriving delivery company with Madison roots, which at one time had a fleet of 230 vehicles and 11 warehouse locations serving a six-state market, has closed its doors. Dunham Express, which was founded in Madison in 1951, ceased operations on Feb. 10. What led to the companys fall is not known, but in an order establishing a receivership and appointing a receiver filed in Minneapolis on Jan. 18, its revealed the company owed nearly $8 million to lenders and creditors it was unable to pay. James McTevia, whose Bingham Farms, Michigan-based turnaround management firm McTevia & Associates was appointed by the court to serve as the receiver, said it didnt take long to determine Dunham Express could not be saved. He wouldnt elaborate on what led to the companys financial demise. The company was in very poor financial condition, McTevia said. When I was appointed as receiver, I went in for a few days, took a look at everything and concluded, if the company were to continue operating, the creditors would get in worse shape, the employees would get in worse shape and the independent contractors were getting in worse shape. Dunham Express was out of money. It was a no-brainer to stop operating and just shut everything down, McTevia said. On Friday, Dunham Express website still was operating, although attempts to contact the company through the website resulted in an automated email reply noting the company was no longer in business. McTevia said the shutdown happened so rapidly there wasnt time to inform Dunhams customers or file layoff notices with state workforce offices in Minnesota, where the company was headquartered, or in Wisconsin where it had a major presence. The company, which employed about 200 people, had operations in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana and also served clients in Iowa and Michigans Upper Peninsula. John Dipko, spokesman for the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, said his office had not received any notification from Dunham Express and said he hoped affected workers would use the states job-seeking resources. Shane Delaney, spokesman for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, said his office also had not received notification of Dunham Express closure. Though hes only been with his department a few months, Delaney said he is unaware of a situation where his office did not know about a business closure or layoff. When we do hear about a possible layoff or closure either through the employer themselves or via a media report, we immediately start looking into it to see if theres any validity to it, Delaney said. We just want to make sure impacted employees know how to access the resources they need to find work. McTevia said he wished Dunham could have stayed open long enough to give everyone affected time either to secure other jobs or find other delivery services. (Dunham was) out of money, he said. We couldnt meet payroll, we couldnt pay our utilities. The receiver notice was filed by Spectrum Commercial Services of Bloomington, Minnesota, which was owed nearly $2 million by Dunham, according to the court filing. Other defendants named in the filing included some of Dunhams creditors and lenders, including Western Bank of St. Paul, Minnesota, which was owed just over $1 million, and ExMarq Capital Partners of Minnetonka, Minnesota, owed in excess of $5 million. Equipment and assets held by Dunham were seized and any proceeds will be sent to the secured creditors. Spectrum also is working to collect any of Dunhams remaining open invoices. McTevia said its unlikely all the debt owed by Dunham Express will be repaid. The company is gone, the creditors will never be paid and I assume by now, customers have found other delivery places, he said. Thats what happens when a company is done. Dunham Express had enjoyed more prosperous times. The company reported revenue of $22.5 million in 2003. A 1997 Wisconsin State Journal article reported the company employed about 350 people and operated a fleet of 230 vehicles. The company found its niche making same-day and next-day deliveries to points around Wisconsin and neighboring states. It was started in 1951 by Art Dunham, who operated the business until 1984, when he sold it to Jon DiPiazza, who was president of the company at that time. DiPiazza owned the business until 1997, when he sold it to Mark McDonald and Mark Helmke. The two in September 2012 sold the business to a holding company, Passe Inc. of St. Paul, Minnesota, which was formed by Scott Passe, who was Dunhams chief operating officer when he joined the business in 2005. This is a Remington Model 700 Stainless AWR (Alaskan Wilderness Rifle) KS (Kevlar Stock) Custom Shop rifle like new in 375 Holland & Holland caliber with a 24 inch barrel and smooth custom shop trigger. It was special order made for me by Remingtons In-House Custom Shop in 1998. Only a rare few in this caliber were ever made in stainless. Kept in my safe since, and only shot 20 times. It was never carried in the field and has never been scratched or damaged in any way. Straight stock with thick high quality recoil pad keeps recoil at a low level for 375. Has professionally mounted custom built Conetrol Stainless scope mounts which allow a short tube scope like a Leupold 1.75x5 VariXIII to be used without the front ring being too far forward on the scope due to the long action, which without these special bases will stress the scope tube from recoil. Works equally well with long scopes too, especially if they have a long objective bell that shortens the tube. It also comes with a set of Conetrol Huntur stainless rings in low height, as light and high quality as can be bought. With scope bases and rings it only weighs 6.6 pounds on my digital bathroom scale. Holds 3 rounds in mag, one in chamber. The beauty of this gun is that the Kevlar stock makes it much lighter in weight than most 375 H&Hs, which is great whether you are after big game on foot or horseback in Alaska and Canada or trailing game in Africa and is also needed for flying with two guns and gear in a heavy case without going over airline and bush plane weight limits. The stainless is perfect for hunts in the back country or coastal hunts near salt water because it requires no care to protect the finish or the bore as blued guns do. The bore is like new. 375 is the minimum legal caliber for the big game five animals in most of Africa and is often ranked as the guides favorite for bears and moose. This light weight rifle is great for elk too, most 30/06 weigh more. Ammo is commonly available in stores at a reasonable price, unlike other dangerous game calibers. I am only selling it because I really need the money for my family right now. No one who knows big game rifles will regret buying. Ships USPS or Fedex ground in an ABS hard case. No sales to people under 21, or to anyone or anywhere that this sale is not legal, check before bidding! I ship only to FFL dealers after I receive cleared funds and a signed FFL. 3 day returns allowed with insured shipping at your expense. Electronic transfers to bank account, checks or money orders only. Good luck bidding and thanks for your interest. Read More Haiti - Carnivals : Half of the country's police force mobilized... Inspector Garry Desrosiers, deputy spokesperson for the National Police of Haiti (PNH) announced at a press conference that nearly 6,500 police officers will be deployed during the 3 fat days (26/27 and 28 February) to ensure security of Carnavaliers and the population during the National Carnival in Les Cayes (1,500 police officers + 1,500 young people of the city https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20139-haiti-national-carnival-2017-d-8-follow-up-of-preparations.html ) and that of Port-au-Prince (5,000 police oficers). All police officers hired to secure the courses will be identified with vests, caps and bracelets, even those accompanying the VIPs will have to be identified according to these measures. Several special forces including the Tourist Police (POLITOUR), the agents of the Operation and Intervention Departmental Brigade (BOID), the CIMO, the SWAT, the Motorized Intervention Brigade (BIM) will be available to reinforce the route of the two carnivals. Note that this police force represents almost half of all the police forces available in Haiti... According to Inspector Garry Desrosiers, all arrangements have been made at the level of the PNH, so that the carnavaliers can have fun in complete peace, adding that the General Inspectorate of the PNH will also make checks of the police officers, to ensure of their good behavior during the festivities. Regarding the prohibition measures, merchants of all kinds of products will have to circulate in the course with their goods. The sale of alcohol and beverages in glass containers will be strictly forbidden on the site of the festivities and more particularly near the parade route. All weapons licenses are suspended (including for plainclothes police officers who are not in service), on carnival routes in all the departments of the country, in particular the West and the South. Possession of weapons and other sharp or blunt objects that may cause injury to others is prohibited in the areas where the festivities will be held, adding that body checks will be made on suspect individuals. These measures come into force on Saturday 25 February 2017 at midnight until Wednesday 1 March 2017 at 6:00 a.m. Moreover, Garry Desrosiers, in order to avoid cases of rape, suggests to the women participating to the carnivalto be always in group to return to their home. He pointed out that those who do not have this option can go to the nearest police station for get help. Emergency numbers if needed: 3804 3333, 3805 3333, 3820 3377 and 4182 6161. If you are a victim of violence during Carnival 2017, call 100 or 114 for assistance. SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping politics... Case Jovenel Moise : Danton postpones his conclusions Jean-Danton Leger, the Commissioner of the Government of Port-au-Prince, on Monday promised to produce this week his final conclusions in the case of Jovenel Moise https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20175-haiti-news-zapping-politics.html ,announces now that this will not be possible. He considers that the work of investigating judge Bredy Fabien is incomplete and asks Dean Bernard Saint-Vil that there is another complementary investigation. To be continued... New PM no obstacles but... Concerning the appointment of Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant as Prime Minister https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20176-haiti-flash-jovenel-moise-chosen-dr-jack-guy-lafontant-as-prime-minister.html , deputy Gary Bodeau said, "No barrier will be made to his appointment once he has met all the requirements that the law requires and that he willbe able to be convincing." D-3, National Carnival ready at 90% On Thursday, February 23, 2017, the Vice-president of the Carnival Committee said that preparations are ready to more than 90% in terms of infrastructure. By Saturday, February 25, he says he believes everything will be ready. Follow, as every year, the Carnival activities on HaitiLibre.com during the 3 fat days. Youri Latortue reserved about the PM "He's an unknown person https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20187-haiti-politics-pm-nominated-is-not-a-profane-in-politics.html I do not think it meets all the criteria we have defined with the President of the Republic," reacted Senator Latortue to the appointment of Dr. Jack Guy Lafontant as Prime Minister, specifying that it will be up to the Assembly to decide... PAP Carnival budget greatly reduced Preparations are well under way to ensure the smooth running of the Carnival of Port-au-Prince (26, 27 and 28 February). 7 musical groups have confirmed their participation in the parade (Baricad Crew, Nouvo, Chale, Vwadezil, RAM, Brothers Posse and Roudy Roodboy). The initial budget, which was 200 million gourdes, has been revised downwards to 80 million gourdes, explained Mayor Youry Chevry, what does not have allowed to respond favorably to the requests of other musical groups. Publication of the decree appointing the PM Thursday, February 23rd, the decree appointing Citizen Jack Guy Lafontant, as Prime Minister https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-20176-haiti-flash-jovenel-moise-chosen-dr-jack-guy-lafontant-as-prime-minister.html was published in the Official Journal "Le Moniteur" N28. Carnival : Consulate closures The Consulate of the Republic of Haiti of Orlando and Miami inform the Haitian community that on the occasion of the festivities of the National Carnival of Haiti, the Consular offices will be closed on Monday 27 February 2017, from midday, on Tuesday, 28 February and Wednesday, 1 March 2017 in their entirety. Services will resume on Thursday, March 2, 2017. HL/ HaitiLibre Appeals court upholds event barn on N.C. 191 A state appeals court upheld a county zoning decision to allow an event venue at Tall Oaks farm on N.C. 191 at Bradley Road. The fight may not over yet even though a North Carolina appeals court has upheld a Henderson County Zoning Board of Adjustment decision that granted a permit for couple to rent their residential-zoned property for weddings, receptions, birthday parties and other gatherings. The Zoning Board of Adjustment in October 2015 granted an application from William and Tamra Crane to use a 3,000-square-foot barn for the social events for up to 150 people. The events would be mostly on weekends, the Cranes said, and would go no later than 10 p.m. The property is on N.C. 191 across from Rugby Middle School and between the Historic Johnson Farm and West Henderson High School. Elizabeth and Stan Shelley and other neighbors opposed the commercialization of property in the neighborhood. The Shelleys appealed the Zoning Board of Adjustment decision to the Henderson County Superior Court, which upheld the zoning board decision. They then took the case to the N.C. Court of Appeals, which ruled in favor of the county and the Cranes on Dec. 20. Neighbors raised concerns about parking lot lighting and traffic on Bradley and Country roads and said that the use of alcohol and live music, both permitted uses at the event space, would devalue their property and turn off buyers. While he has no plans to appeal the appellate decision, Shelley said the effort to stop the commercial use in a residential area may not be over. Theres an awful lot of neighbors getting very riled about it, he said. We did a sound test and found that 120 homes are going to be affected by it. Real estate law says if you live within hearing distance of anything like that then if you sell your house you have to disclose that. Theres definitely a lot of neighbors moving to try to do something to stop it. Shelley blames Henderson County as much as he does the applicants. Theres been so many things thrown on the table but I better not say because some might happen and some might not happen, he said. But somehow Henderson County is going to hear from the neighbors and be asked to do something about this thing. Its almost unbelievable how this was handled. So far it has cost me $24,000 and I totally 100 percent abided by the ordinance of Henderson County. The same cannot be said of Henderson County. In harmony with current use Although appraiser Mark White, appearing for the opponents, testified that an event venue in the neighborhood would have a significant negative impact on property values and would make it harder to sell their homes, he presented no data on the actual effect on property values, the appeals court said, quoting the Cranes case. Our barn will be in harmony with the surrounding area due to the current use of our property, the Cranes said in their original permit application. Theres plenty of other public activity, they noted, including events at the Historic Johnson Farm next door and daytime school traffic and nighttime games at Rugby Middle School and West Henderson High School. The zoning board found that the project would not endanger public health or safety nor lower property values because the area is already home to Rugby Middle School, West Henderson High School and Johnson Farm. The zoning boards approval of the application also required a 50-foot setback from the Cranes property line where no parking is allowed and a landscaping or fence buffer around parking. The permit also bars events between 10 at night and 10 in the morning and caps attendance at 150 people. Generalized fears highly speculative Its not going to just be weddings, said Tamra Crane. You could have a birthday party or an office party. Theres just no place to have something like that. Its not going to create a huge amount of traffic. They talked about all the school traffic. The times were going to having things are not going to be school hours. Arguing for the Shelleys, attorneys said that the zoning boards decision was unsupported by evidence presented at the hearing, inconsistent with procedures under the law and arbitrary and capricious. The plaintiffs argued that the Cranes offered no evidence to the zoning board other than they do not feel like there will be a problem with these issues raised by opponents. The appeals court ruled that the blessing of the countys Technical Review Committee and testimony by Zoning Administrator Toby Linville constituted competent, material and substantial evidence required for issuing a special use permit. Examining whether the opponents offered competent, material and substantial evidence against the permit, the judges said neighbors comments consisted entirely of speculative opinions, unsupported by any documentary or testimonial evidence. The expression of generalized fears from surrounding property owners is incompetent as opinion testimony and highly speculative in nature. The three-judge appellate panel ruled unanimously that both the Zoning Board of Adjustment and Superior Court Judge Richard L. Doughton, who is from Sparta, had followed the county ordinance and state law in their decisions. Christopher S. Stepp represented the Cranes. B.B. Buddy Massagee III, Sharon Alexander and Sarah Renee Massagee represented the Shelleys. Crane and said she and her husband, a building contractor, were surprised when their neighbors sued to overturn the permit. The Cranes didnt bother to hire a lawyer when they appeared before the Zoning Board of Adjustment. When they were named as a respondent, along with Henderson County, in the Shelleys appeal, they hired Stepp. Were doing everything we can to make it nice, Crane said of the event space. Its going to be a 3.500-square-foot rustic barn. Its going to be very tasteful. Were putting up a privacy fence and hopefully that will help. Were planting trees. Were just doing everything we can to be good neighbors because we live here, too. The couple has received a building permit and expects to start construction soon. Our youngest son is getting married on Oct. 15 so our goal is to get it ready for that, Crane said. A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is in Nepal to interrogate ISI operator Shamsul Hoda, the mastermind of the recent train derailments in Kanpur and East Champaran. Hoda, who was deported recently from Dubai, is now in the Nepal police custody. The probe agencies have found he financed people in Bihar for causing trains derailment and is in regular touch with Karachi-based ISI operator Saifi Shaik. The two-member NIA team will question Hoda for three days, said sources. Bihar Police and Intelligence Bureau had unearthed the role of Hoda and the ISI behind a series of trains accidents in India on the basis of confessional statement made by one Motilal Paswan an accused in the derailment of Patan-Indore Express at Kanpur. The agencies have also zeroed in on one Brij Kishore, another Nepal based ISI operator, for planning and executing the train derailments. Hoda and Brij Kishore will help us corroborate the disclosure by Indian accused Motilal Paswan regarding a sabotage angle in the November 2016 derailment of Patna-Indore Express at Kanpur. Also, Hoda may throw light on ISIs suspected plot to blast tracks to trigger train accidents here, starting with a failed attempt at Ghorasan and followed by high-casualty derailments at Kanpur and, more recently, Koneru in Vizianagaram, said an officer of the NIA. According to details that have emerged from initial probe by the NIA into the abortive attempt to blow up railway tracks near Ghorasan in Champaran last October, before he shifted to Dubai, Hoda was hosted by Pakistans ISI at a Karachi Rs safe house around a year ago.. It was also revealed that Hodas gang had kidnapped two persons from Paswans gang for not implementing the Ghorashan train sabotage after receiving huge money. The two persons were beheaded by Hodas gang in in the ISIS style killing. Source : Daily Pioneer The worlds of tax law and labor law are complex, ever-changing and closely intertwined. That means that South African organizations need to consider what legislation in each of these fields says about concepts such as remuneration, employees, and bonuses. In other words, your finance team needs to know something about labor law as it handles your taxes, while your human resources team needs to understand where labor and tax regulation intersect. We see this interaction at work when we determine who exactly should be treated as an employee by your organization rather than as a contractor or an independent service provider. For its part, SARS has expanded the definition of an employee over the years in an effort to cast the PAYE (personal income tax) net wider. This has some important implications for how you manage your payroll. With that in mind, I'd like to break down how you should handle your relationships with personal service providers - small &medium businesses that SARS effectively sees as disguised employees of your business - and labor brokers, who have come under more and more scrutiny in recent years. Defining Personal Service Providers In days gone by, employees would resign and then continue to do the same job as before - except they would bill for their services through a company. Employees, especially those in higher tax brackets, could thus pay a lower company tax rate on their gross income and reduce their personal income tax... Business Business Roundup (February 25) Men take photos in front of a Rangoon high-rise. IMF says the government must collect more business tax revenue. / Reuters Burma Must Double Tax Collections: IMF The IMF has said that Burma must double its tax revenue collections from 7.5 percent of GDP to 15 percent of GDP to fund measures to sustain economic growth, according to Tax News. Burma has one of the lowest effective tax burdens in the world. It has boosted revenue collection through efforts to improve administration, including by establishing a large taxpayer office in 2014, the IMF said in its Article IV report. But Burma must continue to tackle its tax system at a deeper level, the IMF added. It recommended that authorities update tax legislation and in particular the income tax law, introduce anti-corruption measures, streamline tax exemptions and incentives, and further improve on tax administration, including by passing the draft Tax Administration Procedure Law. China-Burma Tourism Event Set for Naypyidaw More than 300 delegates from China will attend the First China-Burma Tourism Cooperation Forum to be held on March 1 in Naypyidaw. The forum will be co-hosted by Burmas Ministry of Hotels and Tourism, the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA), the Chinese Embassy in Burma and the Peoples Government of Yunnan Province. Delegates from China will include participants from the CNTA, the China Tourism Association, local tourism administrations of Yunnan Province as well as tourism enterprises. The event will include roundtable discussions, meetings between tourism enterprises from China and Burma, and promotion events for tourism products. Organizers hope to deepen cooperation between the two countries tourism industries and to facilitate greater border tourism and people-to-people exchanges. Property Ad Site Raises Investment A property ad website, ShweProperty.com, has raised a six-figure sum from institutional investors to expand its team and its marketing efforts, Dealstreet Asia reported. The investors have substantial experience in developing online classifieds and property portals worldwide, it said. ShweProperty.com, which is led by chief executive Justin Sway, gained a first round of seed funding in May 2015, which it reported was also a six-figure sum. The portal said it has over 60,000 up-to-date premium property listings, connecting buyers and renters to sellers. The funds will be used to bolster the leadership team, drive sales and marketing efforts, build strong relationships with developers and agents, and increase product development to deliver more visibility and productivity services, Sway said in an interaction with Dealstreet Asia. Sway is also the CEO of JobNet.com.mm, and the two portals come under the venture umbrella of MMOne Online Co Ltd. Yoma Mixed-Use Project Powers Ahead on Iconic Thoroughfare The transformation of a key part of Rangoons Bogyoke Aung San Road is gathering pace with the recent groundbreaking ceremony for Yoma Centrals mixed-use hotel and development space on a 10-acre site at the intersection of Sule Pagoda Street. Yoma Centrals $718 million project is led by two companies, the Singapore-listed Yoma Strategic Holdings and YSX-listed First Myanmar Investment Co. The project, which was formerly known as Landmark Development, is located on the former headquarters of the Burma Railway Company. Yoma Central will help shape the face of new international Yangon, and that is ready and open for business, Serge Pun, executive chairman of Yoma Strategic and FMI told Dealstreet Asia. Yoma Central will no doubt play a pivotal role in the city transformation into an international city, he said during the groundbreaking ceremony in mid-February. The project marks the largest foreign direct investment approved in the real estate sector in Burma, Dealstreet reported. It will feature a tower of luxury residences, two office towers, a Peninsula hotel and serviced residences approved for an investment of $574 million. Yoma Strategic will hold a 48 percent stake; Mitsubishi companies will own 30 percent; FMI will own 12 percent; and the IFC and Asian Development Bank will control 5 percent each. Regional Chinese Chamber of Commerce Opens in Naypyidaw The De Hong Chamber of Commerce from De Hong county of Chinas Yunnan province has opened a representative office in Naypyidaw aimed at boosting friendship, trade, cooperation in agriculture and livestock, and the transportation sectors, Xinhua reported. The office will play a role as a bridge providing services to business people from both countries, Chinese Embassy councilor Chen Chen told the inaugural ceremony on Feb. 20. China has a desire to work for the development of its neighbor Burma, Chen Chen said. The De Hong Chamber of Commerce also operates offices in Mandalay, Myitkyina, and Lashio in northern Burma. Japanese Firms Launch Agricultural Machinery Business Japanese diesel engine manufacturer Yanmar and Mitsui Operating announced the launch of a joint venture importing and selling agricultural machinery at the Thilawa Special Economic Zone this week. Yanmar Myanmar, the wholly foreign-owned joint venture by the two Japanese giants was founded in March 2016. It currently employs 20 staff and has plans to add another 80 in the near future, according to a company statement. Burma is experiencing a steady increase in demand for agricultural mechanization as well as strong economic development, according to the statement. The new company has fully equipped service facilities, a large-scale parts center, education and training facilities for farmers and service workers, and a display room with enhanced hospitality features. It will be Burmas first multifunctional agriculture solutions center, according to the report. Phandeeyar Events Bolster Tech Entrepreneurs The tech hub Phandeeyar has a number of events coming up in Rangoon. On March 3, graduates of its #accelerateMM program, local firms Demo Day, Chate Sat, GoP, EzStay and White Marek will pitch their products to Phandeeyars network of venture capital firms and angel investors. The event will be shared live on the e27 Facebook Page. On Tuesday, March 7 at 6 p.m., Phandeeyar will organize a talk on how to make the jump from being a developer to an entrepreneur. Swan Htet Aung, CEO of MyanZen; Htoo Myint Naung, CEO of Technomation; and Shwe Yee, CTO of Chate Sat will talk about the skills, knowledge, and mindset needed to become a full-fledged entrepreneur. Visit phandeeyar.org for more information. In Person Dateline Irrawaddy: The Government Deliberately Imposed a News Blackout so People Could Not Make Heads or Tails of What Was Happening This week, we discuss and analyze official statements regarding the assassination of lawyer U Ko Ni, which have attracted public attention. Ye Ni: Welcome to Dateline Irrawaddy! This week, well discuss and analyze official statements regarding the assassination of lawyer U Ko Ni, which have attracted public attention. U Swe Win, chief reporter of the Myanmar Now news agency and writer and journalist Daw Mon Mon Myat will join me for the discussion. Im Irrawaddy Burmese editor Ye Ni. As you know, it has now been more than three weeks since U Ko Ni was assassinated. The Presidents Office has so far released three statements. According to the latest statement, former lieutenant colonel [of the Burma Army] Aung Win Khaing paid his brother Aung Win Zaw and assassin Kyi Lin to kill the lawyer. Local media outlets have continued to report on the case in response to queries by the members of the public. People, however, are not satisfied with the governments statements and speculate that there is a mastermind behind the assassination. Ma Mon Mon Myat, are you satisfied with the governments handling of the case? Mon Mon Myat: Frankly speaking, Im quite disappointed that the government didnt release sufficient information three weeks after the assassination. The first statement from the Presidents Office stated that the case was specifically related to the stability of the country. Because we felt that the assassination was carried out with the intention of disrupting the stability of the country, there was a need for members of the public to be informed. We expected more detailed statements or a press conference. The government released the first statement one day after the assassination, the second statement a week later and the third statement about two weeks later. The information in the statements was not sufficient to satisfy the public. Im quite disappointed with it. [Patron] U Tin Oo of the National League for Democracy [NLD] also expressed his disappointment. We feel like [the government] is buying time. There were similar cases under the military regime. This has aroused suspicion that the government is trying to sell a story and stall so the mastermind can get away. Journalists and reporters have tried to gather as much information as possible from any possible sources because we can no longer expect that the ministry related to security can handle it alone. People cannot wait to be informed about the assassination plot. The media and the public are searching for more information both on social media and from other sources in order to assist the concerned ministry. YN: The governments handling of the case has been incompetent from the very beginning. Only because of taxi drivers was Kyi Lin arrested, and the involvement of Aung Win Khaing was not thoroughly exposed. According to the latest statement from the Presidents Office, Aung Win Khaing has become the main suspect. But he has already escaped. And the statement only said that police were in hot pursuit of the fugitive, but did not issue a wanted notice against him. So, there have been many questions about the governments treatment of the case. The statement suggests that the case ends with Aung Win Khaing. If Aun Win Khaing is not found, then the case has to be closed. It seems that we have to accept the governments theory about the case and the consequential trial. Ko Swe Win, as you have been investigating the case and found out about Ko Aung Soe [who rejected the job to kill U Ko Ni], do you think the governments theory and handling of the case are acceptable? Swe Win: We dont fully understand the police and investigation procedures so we cannot point out their shortcomings scientifically. But as an ordinary citizen who is closely monitoring the case, we are not at all satisfied with the governments handling of it. Firstly, regarding the [Rangoon] airport CCTV records, there were other suspicious people apart from Aung Win Khaing. The government did not release information about them and still has not. And it released the statement about Aung Win Khaing too late. It was released 17 days after the assassination. I also found it interesting that Aung Win Zaw, who is Aung Win Khaings elderly brother, was arrested the morning of Jan. 30, 12 hours after the assassination. But it then took 16 days to release information about his younger brother. The police already had clear CCTV images. So why did it take so long to get information from Aung Win Zaw about his brother? The government has a responsibility to explain this to the public. I find no reason for the government to keep it a secret. Considering things like the government not releasing the complete CCTV footage, I think the government and authorities were not so honest in handling the case. Regarding the release of information, it was more than a habitual reluctance to publish the news. I would say they deliberately imposed a news blackout so that people could not make heads or tails of what was happening. For example, regarding Aung Win Zaw, there have been many rumors about his characterpeople say that he was imprisoned for extramarital affairs and is a former military officer. Others say that drugs and gems were seized from his house. Dont people have the right to know about his background? If he is a former military officer, we should be informed. But the government did not disclose this. And we know nothing about the police chase or how Aung Win Khaing escaped from the airport. Four or five days before the government released the third statement, we already had pictures of the car that supposedly took Aung Win Zaw away from the airport. The license plate number of the car in our pictures matches that of the car in CCTV records. People were not informed about how Aung Win Khaing escaped from the airport. And how many more suspects are wanted by the police? There should at least be a number. Two? Four? How many? Police say nothing about the number of suspects. The way the government has presented the case to the public suggests that if Aung Win Khaing is not arrested, no more suspects can be identified. This is totally unacceptable. Aung Win Khaing and Aung Win Zaw are not strangers, but blood brothers. Aung Win Zaw is the elder brother and suppose both of them served in the military, Aung Win Zaw should be senior to him. It is quite unlikely that a man would work as a contract killer for his younger brother. It is nonsense and totally unacceptable to people with common sense. So, what did they find out from Aung Win Zaw and why didnt they make public? Why didnt they release the pictures of other suspects from the CCTV cameras? I would ask if the government is afraid that those suspects will be arrested if the pictures are released. YN: It has been nearly a month now [since the assassination]. But the government still has not held a press conference and has not provided the information that people want to know. People have questioned the motive behind the assassination. Lawyer U Ko Ni was a strong advocate for reforming the 2008 Constitution, and he was a Muslim. People speculate that he was targeted for both reasons. But this is just speculation. We have not yet heard anything from the government about the motive behind the assassination. What is your assessment, Ma Mon Mon Myat? MMM: There have bitter attacks against U Ko Ni for years, stemming either from personal hatred or religious intolerance against U Ko Ni. According Ko Aung Soes investigation, the crime was organized and the assassination was plotted last year. A group had been plotting to kill U Ko Ni, but we do not know who was involved in that group. I am sure there is a group that harbored a grudge against U Ko Ni. Why did they harbor grudge against him? The answer is simple. As Ko Ye Ni has said, killing U Ko Ni was like killing three birds with one stone. It could disrupt the stability of the country, trigger racial and religious conflict, and tarnish the image of the government. His death was also a serious loss for the NLD as he was a tower of strength for them. Killing such a person can create a lot of consequences. I think that is why he was killed. YN: If there is a group like the one mentioned by Ma Mon Myat, cant the police identify and arrest that group? How can police arrest them? Ko Swe Win, as you are close to the police, what do you think? SW: Im not close to the police. We do our own business. I think those who would commit such a secret and serious crime would only cooperate with three specific groups. The first group is those who have committed big crimes together [ex-accomplices]; the second group is trusted relatives; and the third group is close childhood friends and trusted partners. Only people belonging to these three groups would commit crimes together. Therefore, the police should investigate thoroughly and rigorously the people belonging to these three groups. But, as far as I know, police are not conducting such an investigation. YN: Ko Swe Win, Ma Mon Myat, thank you for your contributions! News Have Burma Army Operations in Northern Arakan State Really Ended? A Burma Army soldier in Maungdaw Township in October 2016. / Hein Htet / The Irrawaddy RANGOON After Burmas newly appointed National Security Advisor, U Thaung Tun, told diplomats last week that the Burma Army had ceased four months of clearance operations in northern Arakan State, the situation in Maungdaw Township is back to normal, according to local people. Abdu Raman of Maungdaw said Muslim residents of the town are now enjoying the freedom of movement and there is no more security checks in nearby villages a situation that was quite unlikely until last month. We can freely travel in Maungdaw Township, both in northern and southern parts, he said, adding that trip to the Bangladesh border town of Teknaf is now possible with official documents from Maungdaw authorities. Aung Soe Moe, a villager of Aung Thaya village in northern Maungdaw Township in the heart of the rampant Burma Army manhunt, said there was now no security restrictions in the area. You can now travel through Muslim villages therethe situation is stable, he told The Irrawaddy on Friday. Despite the National Security Advisors statement that military operations had ceased in northern Arakan State, this was not accepted by the military command so easily. The situation in northern Rakhine [Arakan] has now stabilized. The clearance operations undertaken by the military have ceased, the curfew has been eased and there remains only a police presence to maintain the peace, U Thaung Tun said, according in an official statement about the meeting last week. The Burma Army itself has been noticeably silent on the security operationsthe announcement that they had ceased came from the State Counselors Office. In fact, Gen. Aung Ye Winthe spokesperson of the militarypainted a very different picture of the situation when he spoke to The Irrawaddy the day after the security advisor meeting. We will not stop clearance operations. There will be regular security operations. Ceasing military operations [in northern Arakan State] is information I am not aware of, he said. U Thaung Tuns first appearance with diplomats indicated that the State Counselors Officeheaded by de facto leader Daw Aung San Suu Kyitried to take over the security issue, which has been the core territory of the Home Affairs Ministry and Defense Ministry under the command of Commander-in-Chief of Burmas armed forces. Some observers fear that U Thaung Tuns appointment puts him on a collision course with the powerful military. At the briefing, U Thaung Tun was accompanied by U Kyaw Tint Swe, a former diplomat and now minister for the State Counselors Office and Dr Tin Myo Win, Daw Aung San Suu Kyis personal physician who was appointed as peace envoy. No military personnel were present. The Burma Army has been accused of extensive human rights abuses in northern Arakan State as it hunted for those responsible for armed attacks on border guard posts in October last year. The military clashed with armed attackers on a number of occasions in the four-month operation and at one point fired from a helicopter as it evacuated troops. In response to the UNs Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Feb. 3 report of mass killings, gang rape, and arson against Rohingya Muslims, the Burma Army formed its own investigation team tasked with ascertaining whether security forces committed unlawful acts. Students Seek to Boost Self-Esteem Jasmine White '20 gleefully smashed a scale to symbolize it longer has a hold on her thinking. Feb. 24, 2017 BLOOMINGTON, Ill.Students at Illinois Wesleyan University got a boost this week by participating in a variety of activities designed to enhance their self-esteem. Organized by S.O.C.A. (Students Organizing Campus Awareness), a peer group devoted to promoting health education across campus, BOOST Week is an annual event designed to spread awareness of the importance of high self-esteem and positive body image. Self-esteem protects you from stress and anxiety, said Christina Armstrong, staff counselor/outreach coordinator at Counseling and Consultation Services (CCS) at Illinois Wesleyan. Working with students, I find that self-esteem is a huge part of their mental health and overall well being. BOOST Week is organized in conjunction with National Eating Disorder Awareness (NEDA) Week. Through playful activities such as smashing bathroom scales and eating guilt-free Confidence Cookies, organizers hoped to spread a serious message. Im hoping that we can educate more students about BOOST week and the dangers of eating disorders, said Quinn Darby 20, a member of S.O.C.A. I want to let students know that if they suffer from an eating disorder themselves, or think their friend is, there is someone they can talk to, and they dont have to go through it alone. Jasmine White 20, a participant in Thursdays scale-smashing event, said it was a relief to smash the scale. White said that she had recently been looking for a scale to weigh herself because she has always worried about her weight, but after swinging the mallet more than 10 times, she said she no longer felt the need to weigh herself. People cannot be held down by a simple number, noted Darby. A number cant define them. Allie Torres '13 told students their bodies "are already perfect when they can do things like walk, breathe and cry." BOOST Weeks featured speaker, Allie Torres 13 is a community educator for the National Eating Disorders Association and a recovery mentor and community educator with the Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. In a Thursday night presentation at Hansen Student Center, Torres told students she has struggled with an eating disorder since she was 15. One in 200 women in the United States has an eating disorder, said Torres. Noting that eating disorders are complex conditions arising from a combination of long-standing behavioral, biological, emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social factors, Torres noted there is no magic bullet for eating disorder recovery. I honestly wish I could tell you the answer in how to be better overnight, said Torres, who described her own journey to recovery as up and down and sideways and all over the place. She is also the creator of Skin Deep, an initiative seeking to combat and create awareness for people with eating disorders. Torres suggested the first step to recovery is to talk to someone about a problem you think you have or that a friend or loved one may be suffering from. She noted there are two support groups in the Bloomington-Normal area; in addition, counseling and services for disordered eating is one of the many areas of concern for which students may seek assistance at IWUs Counseling and Consultation Services. Lets also change the way we think about our bodies, Torres said. Less as something to be looked at or photographed so we can hang a picture in the hallway, and more as something that can walk, that can breathe, that can blink, that can cry. Take stock of all the things your body can do and that youre grateful for, and think less of it as something to be changed or made perfect. It is already perfect when it can do things for you. By Vi Kakares 20 TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Feb. 24, 2017) - Banro Corporation ("Banro" or the "Company") (NYSE MKT:BAA)(TSX:BAA) is pleased to provide an update on the progression of the Company's recapitalization (the "Recapitalization") announced in the Company's January 31, 2017 press release. Banro reports that, as contemplated by the terms of the Recapitalization, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice has issued the interim order (the "Interim Order") which, among other things, authorizes the Company to convene meetings of holders of its US$175 million senior secured notes ("Existing Notes") and Banro's series A preference shares and series B preference shares to approve, among other things, the previously announced corporate plan of arrangement (the "Plan of Arrangement") under the Canada Business Corporations Act (the "CBCA") to implement the Recapitalization. The Company also intends to hold a meeting of holders of its common shares to approve, among other things, the Recapitalization. The meetings are scheduled to be held on March 31, 2017. As set out in the January 31, 2017 press release, the Recapitalization contemplates (a) the refinancing of the maturing Existing Notes and US$22.5 million loan with new US$197.5 million senior secured notes with a 4-year maturity and new common shares of the Company, (b) the conversion of the outstanding exchangeable preferred shares and gold-linked preferred shares of Banro and certain of its subsidiaries into common shares of the Company, (c) the execution of a gold forward sale agreement to raise US$45 million to be used by the Company for working capital and general corporate purposes, including to fund transaction costs and repay a US$6.5 million interim loan facility recently obtained by the Company, and (d) the extension of the maturity dates on an existing US$10 million loan from July 15, 2018 and September 1, 2018 to March 1, 2020. The Recapitalization is expected to reduce debt, improve liquidity, and position the Company to optimize operations and enhance its substantial gold mining assets in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Implementation of the Recapitalization is subject to successfully obtaining all required approvals, including the approval of holders of Existing Notes (which is expected to be received as holders of Existing Notes in excess of the required threshold have signed a support agreement (the "Support Agreement") and committed to vote in favour of the Recapitalization, as previously reported), shareholder approval, court approval of the Plan under the CBCA, Toronto Stock Exchange and NYSE MKT approvals and other regulatory approvals. As the Existing Notes are contemplated to be exchanged pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Arrangement as described above, it is not intended to make the principal repayment on the Existing Notes on March 1, 2017 and the Existing Notes are expected to remain outstanding until the implementation of the Recapitalization, which implementation is expected to occur in early to mid-April 2017. The Interim Order also provides a stay whereby, until the earlier of April 30, 2017 and the date the Recapitalization is implemented, any person, including the holders of the Existing Notes, is stayed from exercising certain rights or remedies, including rights or remedies arising as a result of the commencement of proceedings under the CBCA or any default or cross default under the Existing Notes, against or in respect of the Company or any of its material subsidiaries or any of their respective properties or assets. A management information circular of the Company setting out the details of the Recapitalization and the matters to be considered by holders of the Company's Existing Notes, series A and series B preference shares, and common shares, will be mailed in early March to such security holders and posted on SEDAR prior to the meetings. Banro Corporation is a Canadian gold mining company focused on production from the Twangiza mine, which began commercial production September 1, 2012, and on production at its second gold mine at Namoya, where commercial production was declared effective January 1, 2016. The Company's longer term objectives include the development of two additional major, wholly-owned gold projects, Lugushwa and Kamituga. The four projects, each of which has a mining license, are located along the 210 kilometre long Twangiza-Namoya gold belt in the South Kivu and Maniema provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. All business activities are followed in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. MILWAUKEE Milwaukees sheriff does not have to release information on people at his jail suspected of being in the country illegally because the federal government prohibits it, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Friday. The 4-2 decision from the courts conservative majority reverses lower-court decisions that ordered Milwaukee County Sheriff David Clarke to disclose the information under the states open records law, following a request from an immigrant advocacy group. The ruling is a victory for Milwaukees sheriff, who has pledged to follow President Donald Trumps directive to crack down on illegal immigration and expand the number of people prioritized for deportation. Milwaukee-based Voces de La Frontera filed the request in February 2015, asking for records identifying who the sheriff had held at the request of immigration authorities for the prior two months. The group said it wanted to know who the sheriff was detaining and whether they had a criminal record to meet the narrower guidelines former President Barack Obama previously set for deportation. The immigrant advocacy said it also wanted to monitor whether any U.S. citizens were being mistakenly detained because theyre aware of one case where that happened. It wasnt immediately clear whether the group would appeal. In its ruling, the Wisconsin Supreme Court said a federal regulation makes the jail records the group seeks exempt from disclosure. The regulation is meant to protect sensitive information pertaining to government criminal or immigration-related investigations, said Justice Patience Drake Roggensack, who wrote the opinion for the majority. But dissenting justices argued the majority misinterpreted the regulation. The dissenting justices said it applied only to individuals currently in federal custody, not people held on state or local charges after the expiration of the 48-hour hold immigration authorities request when someone is suspected of being in the country illegally. Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, who wrote the dissent, noted that throughout the legal proceedings it was uncontested that the individuals at the center of the records request were not in federal custody. Bradley said wasnt until the case was appealed to the state Supreme Court that Clarke argued some of the inmates were in federal custody and their information should remain private even after the 48-hour hold expired. Reneging on previously uncontested facts and relying on a belatedly cited obscure federal regulation never before applied to state or local detainees Sheriff Clarke tosses a hail mary pass to the Wisconsin Supreme Court, Bradley wrote. The majority catches the pass and runs with it, but unfortunately makes no forward progress for the people of this state. The matter of 48-hour immigration holds has come under legal scrutiny in recent years. Courts in Oregon and Pennsylvania ruled in 2014 that detainer requests from Immigration and Customs Enforcement are merely requests and not commands that local jurisdictions are required to follow. The courts said sheriffs could be liable for constitutional violations for holding people past the time when they would otherwise be released after the 48 hours expired. The following companies are subsidiares of American International Group: AGC Life Insurance Company, AIG APAC HOLDINGS PTE. LTD., AIG Aerospace Insurance Services Inc., AIG Asia Pacific Insurance Pte. Ltd., AIG Asset Management (Europe) Limited, AIG Asset Management (U.S.) LLC, AIG Assurance Company, AIG Australia Limited, AIG Brazil Holding I LLC, AIG CIS Investments LLC, AIG Canada Holdings Inc., AIG Capital Corporation, AIG Capital Services Inc., AIG Claims Inc., AIG Credit Management LLC, AIG Egypt Insurance Company S.A.E., AIG Employee Services Inc., AIG Europe Holdings S.a.r.l, AIG Europe S.A., AIG Federal Savings Bank, AIG Financial Products Corp., AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd., AIG Global Asset Management Holdings Corp., AIG Global Operations Inc., AIG Global Real Estate Investment Corp., AIG Global Reinsurance Operations, AIG Holdings Europe Limited, AIG Insurance (Thailand) Public Company Limited, AIG Insurance Company China Limited, AIG Insurance Company JSC, AIG Insurance Company of Canada, AIG Insurance Company-Puerto Rico, AIG Insurance Hong Kong Limited, AIG Insurance Management Services Inc., AIG Insurance New Zealand Limited, AIG International Holdings GmbH, AIG Investments UK Limited, AIG Israel Insurance Company Ltd, AIG Japan Holdings Kabushiki Kaisha, AIG Kenya Insurance Company Limited, AIG Korea Inc., AIG Latin America I.I., AIG Latin America Investments S.L., AIG Lebanon SAL, AIG Life Holdings Inc., AIG Life Limited, AIG Life South Africa Limited, AIG Life of Bermuda Ltd., AIG MEA Holdings Limited, AIG MEA Limited, AIG Malaysia Insurance Berhad, AIG Markets Inc., AIG Matched Funding Corp., AIG PC Global Services Inc., AIG Philippines Insurance Inc., AIG Property Casualty Company, AIG Property Casualty Inc., AIG Property Casualty International LLC, AIG Property Casualty U.S. Inc., AIG Re-Takaful (L) Berhad, AIG Resseguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Brasil S.A., AIG Seguros Mexico S.A. de C.V., AIG South Africa Limited, AIG Specialty Insurance Company, AIG Technologies Inc., AIG Travel Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., AIG Travel Assist Inc., AIG Travel Assist Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., AIG Travel EMEA Limited, AIG Travel Inc., AIG Uganda Limited, AIG Vietnam Insurance Company Limited, AIG WarrantyGuard Inc., AIG-FP Pinestead Holdings Corp., AIG-Metropolitana Cia. de Seguros y Reaseguros S.A., AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund I GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE Europe Real Estate Fund II GP S.a r.l., AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund I GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund II GP LLC, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund III GP LP, AIGGRE U.S. Real Estate Fund IV GP LLC, AIU Insurance Company, AM Holdings LLC, Ageas Protect, AlphaCat Managers Ltd., American General Corporation, American General Life Insurance Company, American Home Assurance Co. Ltd., American Home Assurance Company, American International Group UK Limited, American International Realty LLC, American International Reinsurance Company Ltd., American International Underwriters del Ecuador-Holding S.A. en Liquidacion S.A., Arthur J. Glatfelter Agency Inc., Blackboard Insurance Company, Blackboard Specialty Insurance Company, Blackboard U.S. Holdings Inc., C.A. de Seguros American International, Commerce and Industry Insurance Company, Crop Risk Services Inc., Eaglestone Reinsurance Company, Ellipse, Franklin Life Insurance Company, Fuji Fire and Marine, Glatfelter Insurance Group, Glatfelter Underwriting Services Inc., Globe and Rutgers Insurance Group, Grand Isle SAC Limited, Granite State Insurance Company, Illinois National Insurance Co., Inversiones Segucasai C.A., Johannesburg Insurance Holdings (Proprietary) Limited, Laya Healthcare Limited, Lexington Insurance Company, Lexington Specialty Insurance Agency Inc., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Pittsburgh Pa., National Union Fire Insurance Company of Vermont, New Hampshire Insurance Company, PCG 2019 Corporate Member Limited, PT AIG Insurance Indonesia, Pine Street Real Estate Holdings Corp., Risk Specialists Companies Insurance Agency Inc., SAFG Capital LLC, SAFG Retirement Services Inc., Service Net Warranty LLC, Stratford Insurance Company, SunAmerica Asset Management LLC, Talbot Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Holdings Ltd., Talbot Underwriting Ltd., The Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, The United States Life Insurance Company in the City of New York, The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, Travel Guard, Travel Guard Group Canada Inc./Groupe Garde Voyage du Canada Inc., Travel Guard Group Inc., Tudor Insurance Company, VALIC Financial Advisors Inc., Valic Retirement Services Company, Validus Holdings, Validus Holdings (UK) Ltd., Validus Holdings Ltd., Validus Reinsurance (Switzerland) Ltd, Validus Reinsurance Ltd., Validus Ventures Ltd., Volunteer Firemen's Insurance Services Inc., and Western World Insurance Company. Read More The Pirates, due to a fairly strong group of young players and to a long string of multi-year contracts for their core hitters (including Andrew McCutchen, Starling Marte, Gregory Polanco, Francisco Cervelli, Chris Stewart, John Jaso, David Freese, Josh Harrison and Jung Ho Kang) have a limited number of jobs available in camp this year. It makes sense, then, that the Bucs signed only a few veterans to minor-league deals this year, and that none of the veterans they did sign appear to have much chance of making the team. There are, however, a few spots open. Lets take a look. FIRST BASE Josh Bell Age: 24 Bats: B Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 2 John Jaso Age: 33 Bats: L Contract status: One year, $4MM remaining on two-year contract Options remaining: 0 The first base job appears to be Bells to lose, but there are a couple of wrinkles here. Bell did not move from the outfield to first base until fall of 2014, and his defense at first still rates as well below average. Also, he recently had knee surgery, although he has already been cleared to do everything but run. Assuming hes healthy, hell likely get the job, with Jaso moving to a bench role. In that scenario, Bell could also see time in the outfield, with Jaso or Freese taking over first base when the Bucs wish to give one of their outfielders a rest. Prediction: Bell wins the job. THIRD BASE / BACKUP INFIELD Philip Gosselin Age: 28 Bats: R Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2020-21 offseason Options remaining: 2 Alen Hanson Age: 24 Bats: B Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 0 The Pirates group of position players appears mostly set, but there appears to be at least one job open, and a number of moving parts will factor into the Pirates choice. One is the status of Kang, who appeared in court in South Korea last week to answer for a DUI charge. Its unknown when Kang will be able to report to camp. If he cant be ready by Opening Day, Freese would likely take most of the playing time at third base, but a player like Gosselins chances of making the team would also increase. Assuming Kang is ready, though, the team will likely have a bench of Stewart, Freese, Jaso and Adam Frazier, with one spot open. Super-utilityman Frazier played middle infield in the minors, but the bench is otherwise short on middle infield talent. The problem with both Gosselin and Hanson is that both are more second basemen than shortstops, but the Pirates also dont really have a pure shortstop bench candidate unless they go somewhat off the beaten path and take someone like light-hitting minor-leaguer Gift Ngoepe north. Between Gosselin and Hanson, Gosselin has much more big-league experience, having amassed 501 career big-league plate appearances over four years with the Braves and Diamondbacks. He also appears, generally, to be a better player than Hanson, who batted a disappointing .266/.318/.389 for Triple-A Indianapolis last year. But there is at least something to be said for Hansons candidacy hes a former top prospect whos out of options, and his base-stealing ability would at least give Clint Hurdle an interesting tactical option off the bench. There is perhaps also a possibility the team could keep both Kang could get stuck in Korea, and there might be a chance the Pirates could option Frazier, although that appears unlikely after his solid 2016 rookie season. Prediction: Assuming Kang is ready, Gosselin makes the team, and the Pirates lose Hanson off waivers. FIFTH STARTER Tyler Glasnow Age: 23 Throws: R Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 2 Drew Hutchison Age: 26 Throws: R Contract status: One year, $2.3MM; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2019-20 offseason Options remaining: 1 Steven Brault Age: 24 Throws: L Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 2 Trevor Williams Age: 24 Throws: R Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 2 The pitcher to watch here is the 6-foot-8 Glasnow, who towers over the other three pitchers both literally and in terms of upside. Glasnow, though, has had trouble with his control and is still working on a third pitch he arrived in camp this season throwing a new changeup after rarely using a change last season. The Pirates might feel hes better off continuing to work out the kinks in the minors. If thats what they decide, the other three pitchers would battle for the final rotation spot, with the choice perhaps coming down to Hutchison and Brault. Hutchison arrived in the controversial Francisco Liriano trade last season and did not perform well in the Pirates organization down the stretch, either in the minors or the Majors. The Pirates decision to tender him, though, suggests that they see something in him. Hutchison also has plenty of bigleague experience, unlike the other three candidates. Brault fared well in the minors last season and would give the Bucs a left-handed option to fill out what otherwise figures to be an all-righty rotation, but he looks like a back-of-the-rotation type. Williams did good work for Triple-A Indianapolis but received fewer opportunities in the big leagues than Brault last season; he looks like a long shot. Prediction: Hutchison wins the job over the howls of Pirates fans, but Brault pressures him early on. BULLPEN (ONE SPOT) Wade LeBlanc Age: 32 Throws: L Contract status: Signed to a one-year, $750K deal with a team option for $1.25MM or a $50K buyout in 2018 Options remaining: 0 A.J. Schugel Age: 27 Throws: R Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2021-2022 offseason Options remaining: 1 Tyler Webb Age: 26 Throws: L Contract status: Pre-arbitration; cannot become a free agent until at least the 2022-23 offseason Options remaining: 3, but cannot be optioned as a Rule 5 pick I assume here that Tony Watson, Daniel Hudson, Felipe Rivero, Juan Nicasio, Jared Hughes and Antonio Bastardo are assured jobs. The complication is that Watson, Rivero and Bastardo are all left-handed, as are LeBlanc and Webb. Bastardos name came up in trade rumors over the offseason, but the Pirates did not deal him, perhaps hindered by the late-breaking lefty relief market. He could be a logical trade candidate late in Spring Training as teams finalize their rosters, especially if a lefty reliever on another club suffers an injury. If Bastardo were to be dealt, LeBlanc and Webbs chances of making the team would increase. Its perhaps also worth noting that Hughes has an option and looked like a non-tender candidate following a mediocre 2016 season, but the Bucs did tender him and have shown few indications of tiring of his contact- and grounder-inducing ways. Assuming Bastardo stays, that leaves one bullpen spot. On talent, Schugel looks like the best choice he was quietly effective in the Bucs bullpen last year, and hes right-handed to boot. He is, however, optionable. The teams decision to extend LeBlanc last winter might indicate that he has the inside track, even though hes left-handed. Webb, who the Pirates selected in the Rule 5 Draft last winter, is another possibility after he posted a solid 3.59 ERA, 10.2 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 with Triple-A Scranton in the Yankees system in 2016. Its been years since the Pirates have kept a Rule 5 pick on their roster for any significant period of time, but Webb could have a real shot if he impresses in camp. Otherwise, LeBlanc could get the job, with the team continuing to look for opportunities to deal Bastardo. Prediction: LeBlanc makes the team, loading the Pirates bullpen with lefties. Schugel heads to Indianapolis, and the Pirates offer Webb back to the Yankees. [RELATED: Pittsburgh Pirates Depth Chart] 25.02.2017 LISTEN Epixode Releases New Dancehall Single "Gyal Dem Sugar"Ghanaian energetic reggae and dancehall sensation Epixode has finally unveiled the long awaited single which created some buzz on social media few weeks ago. The song captioned Gyal Dem Sugar is a stunning dancehall tune recorded on the Braii November Riddim produced by Justa Dementor in Zimbabwe and mixed by Ghanaian producer Fresh Gyniux. The choice of lyrics,flow and delivery on the riddim is very appealing to both the local Ghanaian music market and international as well. Epixode is a Jack of all trades when we talk of music and hence not surprising to hear how he made the song a perfection with his implausible creativity and lyrical ingenuity. 25.02.2017 LISTEN Every year, there are several concerns that are raised when nominations are announced. This year hasn't been different. Several concerns are cropping up less than a day after the announcement. Springing from several categories, producer of the year has been marred. Willis Beatz, one producer who produced songs after songs has expressed dissatisfaction on the nominations for this year's producer of the year announced by the VGMA board. In a post on his Facebook ball, the young producer mentioned in addition to himself some producers he feels deserved nomination. He named in addition to himself, Kindee, Mix Masta Garzy and Bright Kwame Appiah. This adds to the many calls by many Ghanaians calling on the VGMA to do more to increase its credibility before more people begin discrediting the award scheme. SOURCE : http://www.ghanasongs.com/ It is emerging that former President John Dramani Mahama outlawed the buying of state properties, including houses and cars, by his appointees when he was in power, yet he turned around to put in a request to be allowed to keep his official residence. He specifically ordered his appointees not to attempt to buy any state property; and the directive reminding government officials of the order was signed by then Chief of Staff Julius Debrah on April 14, 2015. Official Directive The letter, addressed to all ministers of state, regional ministers and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) with copies to the secretaries to both the former president and the vice president, all chief directors, regional coordinating directors as well as all heads of departments and agencies, indicated that the president was following up on his 2014 State of the Nation address when he promised to stop the sale of state property. In the 2014 State of the Nation address delivered in parliament on 25th February, 2014, H.E. the President directed that the schemes on the purchase of houses and saloon cars by government officials at the end of their tenure should be stopped, the letter said, adding, Implementation of the directive took immediate effect. This letter is formally to inform all Ministries, Departments and Agencies about the enforcement of the directive and to advise them to cease sending applications to this office. The system where government officials are allowed to buy state property at ridiculous rates is fast becoming unpopular among some Ghanaians, with many pushing for the law to be scrapped totally. Mahama's Request President Mahama appeared to have gone contrary to his own directive when he put in a request to keep his No. 3 Prestige Link, Cantonments, Accra, residence reserved for sitting vice presidents, as part of his retirement package. It is suggested that Mr. Mahama wanted the residence as part of his retirement package the moment he stepped into that facility as then vice president; and that's why he ordered the construction of a new one to house the current and future vice presidents at a whopping cost of $14 million. After public pressure had reached a crescendo, the former president, who lost miserably to the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during last year's crucial election, said he was no longer interested in keeping the property. Luxurious Cars According to sources, there were about 17 luxurious Toyota Avalon saloon cars, Land Cruisers and BMW were in the residence, but after the ex-president had packed out, only one Avalon was said to have been left for the new government as contained in the handing over notes. During the transition, it emerged that former President Mahama was demanding five saloon cars and five four-wheel drive vehicles as part of the end-of-service package, but it was unclear if the unaccounted-for Toyota Avalons were part of the demand. A statement from ex-President Mahama's office had maintained that he found it important to move out of the building to avoid 'marring' the spirit of cooperation between the two sides of the Transition Team, but even after coming public to say he had changed his mind, it took him almost a month to pack out. Emoluments Committee The former president's request to keep the bungalow appeared contrary even to the approved recommendations by the Prof. Dora Francisca Edu-Buandoh Committee on Emoluments and Conditions of Service for Article 71 office holders. The committee reportedly did not recommend a house for him but rather agreed on 40 percent of his salary in lieu of accommodation. Apparently, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government, after realizing that there was no legal basis to appropriate the house, allegedly used its majority in parliament to secretly amend the Prof. Edu-Buandoh Committee's report to include housing settlement for outgoing President Mahama. However, even after the amendment, the immediate-past NDC government did not say that then President Mahama's abode should be given to him. 271 Cars Recently, it emerged that the Mahama-led administration auctioned many luxurious state vehicles to its appointees at ridiculous prices before leaving office. For instance, a two-year-old Toyota Camry was reportedly valued at GH4,000 and all these happened after December 7 last year when the NDC had lost miserably in the crucial general election. The bombshell was dropped by former presidential staffer, Sam Nettey George who is currently the NDC MP for Ningo Prampram when he said that 271 out of 641 vehicles were auctioned to the staffers at the presidency, confirming the earlier reports that some of the state vehicles were missing. Cars For Boys Mr Sam George told Citi FM in Accra that Now, of this 370, there is a disparity of between 370 and 641. This is because 271 saloon cars were purchased by staffers who had put in a request to purchase their vehicles which were two years and above. Post-Election Sale Mr. George admitted that the NDC government sold the vehicles after the December 7, 2016 general elections, saying, You cannot sell the vehicles to the people before the elections. You will only sell after the elections are done and dusted and you know that people are leaving office. I can bet you in 2012 very few vehicles were sold between the Mills/Mahama switching into the Mahama administration because it was basically the same party. By William Yaw Owusu 25.02.2017 LISTEN Oh yes, we are gradually sliding back down into the hellhole of the feral state of animal civilization. We had wished this haunting story were never true. That a suspected female thief could be subjected to such a degree of agonizing jungle brutality, allegedly for stealing some cash, approximately US$250, chills us to the bone. There is, however, some evidence pointing to lack of unanimity or consensus on what exactly this lady was alleged to have stolen. Some media outlets even claim she is a Nigerian? Does it really matter? This is really sad! Ghana, a jungle democracy! Ghana, an open-defecation democracy! Ghana, a stinking banana republic ruled by lawless Dung Beetles! When Akufo-Addo reportedly says All-Die-Be-Die! When Collins Daudas brother, Naaba Abdulai reportedly declares I kill people every day! When Kennedy Agyapong reportedly asks Akans, Asantes primarily, to genocidally massacre Ewes and Gas! When Kennedy Agyapong alleged that Madam Charlotte Osei traded her womanhood for the leadership of the Electoral Commission (EC)! Kennedy Agyapong, a lover and hater of Eve Enslers The Vagina Monologues. When Montie 3 reportedly threaten to kill and rape judges! When Akufo-Addo reportedly brings in Serbian and South African mercenaries to train political terrorists, like members of the Invisible Forces, like members of the newly constituted Assets Retrieval Task Force, who have been going after suspected political car thieves without so much as the benefit of warrants, of due process, of the rule of law, this kind of jungle lawlessness is bound happen. Yes, jungle lawlessness is bound to happen when Eugene Arhin plagiarized portions of speeches by dyslexic George Bush and Monica Lewinskys political philanderer and playboy, Bill Clinton, possibly without ever anticipating his being caught. And when judges barter justice for salon massage, sex, tubers of yam, cash, and goat meat. And also, as we probably all know too well, when the courts let off the hook politicians who steal millions of dollars but hand down stiff verdicts and sentences in the case of petty thieves. Where are societys positive models, male and female? Still, it beggars belief why some will descend so low, so low to the extent of not seeing anything wrong or morally objectionable with inserting their dirty toes in a womans vagina, a woman stripped naked as part of the jungle justice meted out to her, a woman whose forbidden nakedness and intimate parts are made the toast of, or the center of mockery on, social media amongst mostly crude male voyeuristic barbarians. These dirty toes are like the mouth of parliamentarian Kennedy Agyapongs, a man who was not birthed by a woman, a man who is also an incorrigible enemy of women including this lady suspected of thievery. Yet: She could be anyones sister. She could be anyones mother. She could be anyones niece. She could be anyones aunt. She could be anyones girlfriend. She could be anyones wife. She could be anyones sister-in-law. She could be a goddess. She could even be an angel, a saint. And what if she were any of the above to the males who allegedly inserted their dirty toes in her vagina? Does it even matter at all if she were, indeed, any of the above to the men who allegedly inserted their dirty toes in her vagina? It really does not matter for lack of a better expression. The mens failure to allow the law and the courts to take their natural course in this matter is deeply regrettable, unfortunate. As a people can we say with any degree of moral certainty whether we are going or coming, as far as the rule of law is concerned? In many an instance such as this barbaric act, the answer is eloquently, resoundingly yet simply no. The ghastly underpinnings of our animal nature are being laid bare, naked, by such bold but cowardly, condemnable acts of inhumane barbarity and outright betrayal of human decency and moral intelligence. As a largely phallocentric society, we are not doing enough in protecting the girl child and women in general. This is not to imply we condone her shameful act of alleged thievery, even if true. Far from it. Yet popular frustration and hopelessness and desperation, and mass poverty cannot sufficiently account for this damning act of barbaric rawness and cowardly intimidation of femininity. Is this troubling example of instance justice what the countrys inventory of legal codes stands for? Cant we protect our women anymore? What happened to our cultural respect for and sense of matrifocality and matriarchy? And to learn of the incident taking place in Chairman Wontumis Kumasi, Chairman Wontumi, a pockmarked face of political barbarism, is deeply though ironically disappointing, because the Asante Region is expected to be one of the major cultural centers of matriarchy where, for purposes of recollection, we recently observed the funeral pomp that accompanied Asanteheemaa Nana Afia Kobi Serwaa Ampem the Second. Well, the very act of this kind of jungle justice is not unlike a typical case of gang rape. It really is, like gang rape, no doubt. And the perpetrators belong in prison. It is an act that must be absolutely condemned by all without reservation, without hesitation, without notions of gender bias, in no uncertain terms, unfortunately an act that is also a national disaster, a blot on the national conscience. Thus, the anonymous perpetrators behind this barbaric depersonalizing of the lady in question must be hunted down like animals and brought to justice. They must be made to face the full rigor of the law in all fairness. Then the lady in question should submit to a thorough medical examination, after which the perpetrators must be forced to foot her medical bill. Must we cut off the perpetrators toes? Or amputate their lower limbs? Will Sharia decrees and laws apply in this disgraceful, objectionable act of cowardly barbarity? Must we castrate the perpetrators for their cold barbarity? Must we not prevent the male ego from imposing gender-based violence upon the public? Must we guillotine them? Must we sjambok them? Must we parade them through the streets naked? This is a good case for the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) to tackle. Or, rather, it is the case that the BNI and the CID expect Kwesi Kyei Darkwa (KKD) to go after the perpetrators? In any case where are Otiko Afisa Djaba and the leadership of the Ministry for Gender, Children and Social Protection? Where is the leadership of Martin Amidu? Where is the leadership of Akufo-Addo? Where is the leadership of Akoto Ampaw? Where is the leadership of Nana Oye Lithur? Where is the leadership of Nana Asante Bediatuo? Where is the leadership of Kweku Baako, Jr? Where is the leadership of Kwesi Pratt, Jr? Where is the leadership of Mike Oquaye? Where are the leaderships of our religious organizations? Where are the leaderships of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)? Missing in action? Oh yes, but not when Akufo-Addos Invisible Forces is terrorizing Ghanaian citizens, his subjects, including members of the security services, police and military. And, certainly, not when the same Akufo-Addo is the new celebrity face on the partisan billboard of political gangstarism. Ask his Invisible Forces? Or, if we may also add, his chameleonic Invincible Forces! FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SOME CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES A nation that cannot protect the girl child and women is not worth living in, worth dying for, and such a nation puts its development and growth on a pedestal of critical jeopardy, on the basis of the fact that it overlooks women as a major contributory factor to the engine of productive power. That is to say, the productive activities of women constitute an interesting soundtrack to the progressive national narrative on our re-based GDP. Women are the backbone of both the traditional and national economies. They provide one of the key elements of capitallabor or human beings. Women, not men, are the pillars, shapers and movers of human society. At the end of the day the quality of the relationship between men and women in our society should look more like the optimal inviting sound, that a professional hand manages to produce via its superior tactile perception, by masterly bringing together the white and black keys of a piano or an organ in a perfect, creative dimension of harmonious integration. CONCLUDING THOUGHTS A nation that does not respect and protect its women from the abuses of the male egomothers, sisters, nieces, wives, grandmothers, sisters-in-law, mothers-in-law, and so onis unreservedly ungodly. Ghana is gradually inching toward that cesspit of ungodliness, and all people of conscience must therefore rise up and condemn this act of cowardly barbarity, since the least the purveyors of mob justice could have done in this case was to take her, together with the stolen items or material evidence, to a police station. Therefore this brazen-like but cowardly administration of this barbaric form of jungle justice must not be accommodated in our open-defecation democracy, not in a million years to come. This is what Ghanaian men know how to do best, beating and terrorizing the weak in society while foreigners pollute their country and steal their mineral and gas/oil wealth, and their politicians plunder the public purse with reckless abandon, even while these Ghanaian men look away. And while we are still at it, let us encourage our traumatized sister to fully cooperate with the police by taking the medical forms she was given to a hospital for a proper, thorough medical check-up and by turning the forms in to aid in the investigation. We will also encourage citizens with any intimate knowledge of the incident and of persons involved in the act to go to the police with this information. We know our sister is heavily traumatized by this sad experience and probably, being also stigmatized and disgraced by this singular act of shameful barbarity, coming out in full glare of the facts will require a formidable presence of mind and an unpretentious display of decisive bravery, both of which might be far from her reach at this moment, hence her grudging failure to cooperate with the authorities. But it is for her own good, the good of women and of the girl child, and the good of the larger society that she does not shy away from cooperating with the police. She must surely do this. Of course, some dozen men involved in the act have reportedly been arrested by the police but this must not end there. Again, to our Dear and Beloved Sister, wherever you are, please listen up! Here is Bob Marleys No Woman, No Cry for you: No, woman, no cry No woman, no cry No, woman, no cry No, woman, no cry Woman, little darling, say dont shed no tears Little sister, dont shed no tears! Dear Sister, take consolation in Shaggys Strength of a Woman. It shall definitely be well. We shall return Ottawa (AFP) - Photographers, poachers and eco-tour operators are in the crosshairs of a Canadian conservationist who warns that tracking tags are being hacked and misused to harass and hunt endangered animals. Steven Cooke, a biology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, says that the very tools used by scientists to study and protect animals and fish are being hijacked to do just the opposite. Cooke, the Canada research chair of environmental science and biology, is the lead author of a paper published this week in the journal Conservation Biology. The research paper cites the example of anglers in the US state of Minnesota who petitioned for access to data on northern pike movements, arguing that it should be publicly available because the research was publicly funded. Australian authorities have used tags to locate and cull sharks while in India, attempts were made to hack the global positioning system (GPS) collars on endangered Bengal tigers in a case of "cyber poaching." Cooke said that it is a new phenomenon and there is no data available to quantify this "troubling and unanticipated" problem. But he provides a broad range of anecdotal evidence in his scholarly article. In India, attempts have been made to hack the GPS collars on endangered Bengal tigers in a case of "cyber poaching" Scientists are scheduled to meet in June in Australia to discuss the problem as well as potential fixes. In the meantime, Cooke is calling for encryption and strict rules to secure data and limit the use of telemetry tools for non-research activities. In an interview with AFP, Cooke noted that natural history, ecology, conservation and resource management have all benefited from the use of electronic tagging technology. But if left unchecked, abuses could not only cause harm to animals, it could significantly hamper research. "Just think about all the weird ways that people might try to exploit this technology," Cooke said. The idea for this research came during a family vacation last summer to Banff National Park in Canada. It was then that he learned that the park authority had imposed a public ban on VHF radio receivers after photographers used telemetry to track tagged animals. Canadian officials were concerned that the animals may be spooked, stressed or habituated to human interaction, which can alter their behavior and thus influence research findings, or lead to human-wildlife conflicts. Follow the ping The tags, Cooke explained, send out pings that can be tracked with a cheap handheld radio receiver. "So you can stalk these animals in their natural environment, instead of waiting for them to wander over to you," he said. Following one tagged animal could also lead poachers to others in its group. US ranchers have been accused of trying to interfere with the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park Convincing scientists to restrict access to their data may prove problematic, Cooke acknowledged. "It runs counter to the open data movement," he said, describing the widespread use of social media and other outreach to share findings. In some cases, researchers who receive government grants may be obligated to disseminate the information. Citing cases of US ranchers accused of trying to interfere with the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park, and divers in the Bahamas who removed satellite tags from sharks, Cooke also warned about so-called "telemetry terrorism." There is potential for this if people oppose tagging. For example, some Canadian Inuit fear acoustic transmitters will scare away culturally important marine wildlife, and some park visitors have complained that tags distract from the "wilderness experience." Where commercial interests conflict with conservation goals or where they overlap, there is also a risk. After the publication of his article Monday, Cooke said he received a call about a safari company that has been tagging animals in order to find them to show guests, rather than waiting patiently near watering holes hoping for wildlife to show up. Many eco-tour operators offer discounts if no wildlife is seen during a trip. "There's a pretty strong financial motivation for them to consistently find animals," Cooke commented. Destiny Ugorji A Civil Society organisation, Media Initiative against Injustice, Violence and Corruption-MIIVOC, says it plans a one hundred thousand man-march in Owerri, Imo State capital against the proposed bill to gag the media in the state by the State Assembly, describing it as anti-masses. MIIVOC Executive Director, Dr. Walter Duru disclosed this in a Statement issued in Owerri, Imo State Friday. Duru described the state Assemblys move as irresponsible and aimed at consolidating fraud and misrule in the state, even as he urged people of the state to resist it. The bill seeks to regulate the publication and distribution of newspapers and to register newspapers and news agents in Imo State. It is titled: a law to repeal and re-enact the newspaper law of eastern region of Nigeria, law number 24 of 1955 and newspaper law Edict no 3 of 1984 and other matters connected thereto. The bill contradicts the provisions of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as the Freedom of Information Act, 2011. It simply shows that some members of the state legislature are self-serving in their endeavours and exposes the bad intentions of the sponsors. What exactly are our leaders hiding and why do they want to gag the press at all cost. I have read through the bill and every page shows the obvious bad intention of the sponsors of the bill. This development is an excellent entry point for scrutiny and public outcry over the ineptitude and wanton corruption of the present administration in the state. Continuing, Duru disclosed that mobilization is ongoing to shut down the state in the coming days in protest against the unpopular bill, even as he urged the leadership of the State House of Assembly to withdraw the bill in the interest of the state. We are mobilizing citizens against this draconian bill. The state will not believe what will happen in the coming days; members of the state Assembly will realise that they are representatives of the people and not mere self-serving individuals and stooges of the executive arm. I hold strongly and nobody can convince me to the contrary, that whoever that does not want to be discussed should stay away from public offices. Imo people are hungry and there is no semblance of good governance in the state. How does this bill put food on the table of Imo people? How does it entrench transparency and accountability in governance? The focus now should be on legislation that will improve the socio-economic well-being of the people, enhance security and check corruption in the state, and not this evil ploy. The bill should be discarded in its totality. It belongs to the dust bin and should be thrown away without delay. Duru, who is also the Chairman, Board of Governors, Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria, vowed that everything necessary shall be done to stop the bill, even as he urged the Nwangele state constituents of the chief sponsor of the bill and Deputy Speaker of the state Assembly, Hon. Ugonna Ozurigbo, to commence the process of his recall, in the interest of the state, describing his action as disgraceful. On reports of Hon. Ozurigbos alleged promise to withdraw the bill, Duru argued: until a formal move is made at the floor of the State Assembly and the bill withdrawn, the action(s) will continue. Politicians cannot be trusted in this part of the world. We believed them in the past and they failed us. Nothing other than an immediate withdrawal of the Bill is acceptable. After running down Nana Akufo-Addo, then New Patriotic Party (NPP) flag bearer for the 2016 elections, a former Chief Executive Officer of the Volta River Authority (VRA) Charles Wereko-Brobby, is now craving for a position in the new administration. Dr Wereko-Brobby said he's ready and willing to serve, should he be appointed by President Akufo-Addo. According to the tough-talking politician, although he feels he has outgrown a ministerial position, he would consider other critical roles directed by the president. Speaking on Starr Chat Wednesday, Tarzan, as he is popularly known, urged Ghanaians to avoid stampeding the president in his appointments. I believe I have contributed my part to the development of this country, he underscored. I have served under every conceivable government since the 4th Republic, and I gave off my best in all the cases as an engineer. I was the one who introduced the gas cylinder in this country and also started the rural electrification project with Ato Ahwoi. As an engineer, I have given my best to my country and I have lived a fulfilled life, he said. He continued, I don't think I want to be a minister now; I am beyond that. I have served in different positions, so I think others must be given the opportunity to also play their part but I am willing to serve in other roles. I will say I am ready to serve. Dr Wereko-Brobby and other disgruntled members of the NPP like Nyaho Nyaho-Tamakloe, virtually wrote off Nana Akufo-Addo as becoming president by constantly attacking his leadership of the party in the media as if they were on the pay roll of the NDC. With the table now turning, Wereko-Brobby, who at a point regretted his association with the NPP claiming to be a CPP sympathiser, is now looking for an appointment under Akufo-Addo's presidency. Charles Wereko Brobby also revealed that he was not religious, saying the structures of organised religions are too rigid. According to him, he was raised religious in the Catholic Church, but has since left since he's not comfortable with the church claiming that it is the only way to God. You can serve God in many ways. We were hoodwinked into believing that 'Nyankopon' was some alien being. In fact, as a Catholic, you were made to believe there was only one Christian path to God. If you were not a Catholic you were not considered, he told Bola, host of the programme. My point of departure was when I asked the priest, So what happens to my grandmother who didn't know any Christianity before the white man came? Do they also go to hell? And he said 'yes.' I said I don't think I want to be part of this. Wereko Brobbey also said he was an altar boy for ten years, but that he only did that because he wanted to get some wine and that was the only way he could have access to it back then. He added, I am comfortable with people having faith but I do not want to subscribe to any faith because at the end of the day it's all about the triumph of good over evil. The darkest human right abuse of the immediate post-independence period was arguably the arbitrary application of the Preventive Detention Act (PDA). It saw many arrests and detentions of Ghanaians some of whom suffered their fates on mere suspicions of plotting to assassinate the President. It is also an issue which expectedly is subject to varied interpretations. For Kwame Nkrumah's apologists, it was a necessary path; not so to others in the opposition who thought differently. Be it as it may, many Ghanaians languished in especially the Nsawam Prison, most of them dying under worrying circumstances. In subsequent editions I would attempt, based on extracts from the treason trials of 1963 and other sources, present important portions of the developments in a form devoid of confusing legalese. The report from the National Liberation Council (NLC) commissioned, Commission of Enquiry into the treatment of prisoners before the 24th February 1966 coup provide an important insight into this sordid period in our post-independence history which claimed the lives of, among others, the late Dr. JB Danquah, a man described as the doyen of Ghanaian politics and a star political prisoner of Kwame Nkrumah. A portion of the introduction of the report which I find exciting reads the publication highlights the case of the detention and death in Nsawam Prison of Dr. J.B. Danquah. It is hoped that, presented in this form, the people of Ghana would have, in this publication, a readable account of this tragic episode which marks one of the darkest periods of the operation of the Preventive Detention Act. Dr. J.B. Danquah's death on 4th February, 1965 aged 69 in the Nsawam Prison, attracted international opprobrium and caused the outside world to study more the political situation in the country. He was arrested and detained on 8th January 1964. Expectedly, his death received prominence in the local media he being the most important and popular political prisoner. Ghana had, under Kwame Nkrumah, abundant political prisoners especially in the condemned row; one of them being Obetsebi-Lamptey, the father of the late Jake Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey. It made interesting observation the following segment of the extract from the report it was elicited first of all that Dr. J.B. Danquah, as in the case of Mr. E. Obetsebi-Lamptey and a small group of others of the more prominent detainees, was confined in the Condemned Cells, on the upper landing in this case, together with condemned prisoners. The report had it that he was admitted to Nsawam Prison and lodged in the Condemned Section (Special Block) in cell No. 9 on the upper landing. The cell is approximately 9 feet by 6 feet in area, secured by a solid door with a small open grille in the top half of the door and a barred window high up in the rear wall. The cell contained no bed or other furniture other than a chamber pot. One wonders whether Kwame Nkrumah knew the conditions under which his one-time colleague was being held. Was it that the ultimate, death, was what he wanted to visit Dr. J.B. Danquah? If that was the case then every reader is free to make their own judgment. Even more intriguing was the order said to have been issued to the Prison authorities regarding handling of inmates especially special prisoners. For three months after admission Dr. Danquah was not issued with a bed, but first of all with only a blanket to cover the bare concrete floor. Evidence reveals that there was an order that detainees in the Condemned Cells, for a period of several months, were not allowed to stand up in their cells having to lie down or sit on the floor. The purpose of this order appears to have been to prevent each of the detainees knowing who were the others detained. This order appears to have been effective, as the evidence reveals that it was only after many months had passed before some of the detainees discovered who were the others detained. It is felt also that the prison officers must have labored under some fear for all of them to have remained for so long. An elaborate plan, the report stated, was put in place to ensure that detainees did not build any friendship with prison officials. Detainees from the same tribe as such officials were not allowed to have any direct contact and this was amply evidenced in the duty roster of warders and others. Tribes of detainees and prison officers were particularly observed so inmates do not have direct contact with persons coming from their ethnic groups. Dr. J.B. Danquah's life in the condemned cell was no different from others on death row. It was regimented, the report pointed out and even more rigorous than his colleagues'. His eventual death was unsurprising considering the rather harsh conditions in which he was held coupled with the mental torture he endured. On the few occasions when he was permitted to use the lavatory at the end of the corridor, he was escorted there and back; he was supervised while he had a bath; he was issued with a toothpaste and toothbrush, supervised while he cleaned his teeth; the paste and brush were then withdrawn; his cell was subjected to frequent rigid searches; during the early part of his period of detention he was given no exercise and, later, apparently only 15 minutes every week, although the records show this was somewhat irregular; during the early part of his detention he was allowed no visitor nor allowed to write letters but later he was permitted a visit from his wife approximately once a month. The mental torture to which J.B. Danquah was subjected was beyond description. As a condemned block executions continued as a matter of routine, a practice which, it would appear, was intended to break down the special inmates such as J.B. Danquah and others. Mr. E.R.T. Madjitey, one-time head of the Police, himself an inmate was captured as wondering when it was going to be his turn. The report also had Tawiah Adamafio former Information and Broadcasting Minister and a close friend of Nkrumah saying in evidence when asked were any executions carried out when you were in the Condemned Cells? to which question he answered Yes, everything going on in that apartment could be heard by every inmate there. We could hear the preachers saying prayers. Holy Communion being served, and prisoners screaming. What impression did all that have on you? to which he said I kept wondering when it would be my turn. By A.R.Gomda I got my headline for this feature from the remark by Abubakar Sidick Ahmed, Station Manager of Radio Universe, University of Ghana, Legon when we went to the countryside on a serious yet relaxing expedition. We had been invited to visit a farm, a modern one of course, that feeds an insatiable market in Europe. A rather sandy and appalling access road leads to the state-of-the-art farming venture situated off the Aburi-Nsawam Road. When we eventually reached the farm I was amazed at its modernity and the seriousness those associated with it performed their roles. From the agronomists to the farmhands, there was no sign of idleness. As soon I set my eyes on a dam to the right side of the farm, I remembered President Nana Akufo-Addo's flagship One Village One Dam mantra and juxtaposed it, if you like, with the rather lame efforts of his political opponents who sought to denigrate it and create the impression that it was but a pipedream. Allen Jubin, our host, was to later pass a remark which those who want to go into farming but are scared to do so would find an important fillip. The dam provided the water requirements of the farm and standing next to it is an array of modern farming equipment such as the famous Massey Fergusson tractors, well known to me when I was a school boy in Tamale. There were other equipment I had not seen before. A couple of Spanish agronomists were standing by them. The farm itself was a picture of lines of whitish materials covering young plants which I was to learn later protected the shoots from pests until they were strong to withstand such attacks. As we proceeded deep into the bowels of the farm I spotted yellowish fruits obviously from the melon family, a name I have never come across before. The network of water pipes conveying water to the plants was amazing. The dam, as the reservoir of the water, was linked to an elaborate maze of pipes and it just looked awesome. A Spanish agronomist plucked one of the yellowish fruits and with a sharp knife cut what we were told was cantaloupe melon. It has an assortment of flavours wrapped in one fruit. The fruits are destined for European markets. At the time of our visit, the order book of the company running the farm was full and they were unable to meet further demands, a symptom of success. Perhaps that was why Sidick said we must be serious in Ghana. In a country where there are many pessimists, especially among politicians, he could not have been more blunt and incensed. In our company was the freshly minted Upper East Regional Minister Rockson Bukari, whose interest in having the cantaloupe farm replicated in his part of the country knew no bounds. His curiosity was satisfied when the Spaniard agronomist told him that the climatic conditions in the North were favourable for the production of the Cantaloupe melon, which we learnt takes some 75 days from planting the seed to harvest, with some fruits being ready for harvest in 65 days. This compares favourable to Spain, the world's largest exporter of melon which takes 90 days. As we went round Allen Jubin and I talked about the how the project all started. SG Safari Farm is the product of an earlier proof of concept conducted two years ago. The success story which we beheld is young but already making inroads in markets in Spain, France and UK. We used this farm to conduct the proof of concept about two years ago. The history of this project started with my strategic partners in the UK, a company called Hain Daniels the largest food processor in the UK, he said. Our partners used to buy pineapple from Ghana and continue to do so at significantly reduced volumes due to the limited quantities now produced in Ghana today. As part of their strategy to diversify their sourcing arrangements, Hain Daniels asked that we try something else in Ghana, he said. Continuing, he said, They asked what else they could source/produce from Ghana in commercial quantities. At the time of this discussion there was a shortage of melons in Europe, the only country producing was Brazil, which had failed to meet the market demand, so you can imagine what had happened to prices. With this backdrop, we agreed to produce melons on a trial basis in Ghana. We quickly agreed the terms of reference, funding, critical success factors and embarked on a proof of concept to find out which melon varieties grew well in Ghana. At the start of the project we knew watermelons grew well in Ghana but we were not sure of the other varieties. According to him, The proof of concept focused on three varieties of melon, the cantaloupe, yellow honeydew and piel de sapoas, known as the santaclaus melon. These varieties proved successful. The post-harvest handling was also not too onerous. We exported the fruits from the pilot to Hain Daniel in the UK. This I believe was Ghana's first in cultivating these varieties for export. The next question for the team, he said, was how do we leverage this proof of concept to produce significant volumes and transfer the knowledge to other farms. We approached the Sea-freight Pineapple Exporters of Ghana (SPEG), who had all along maintained a keen interest of the outcomes to join us in commercializing the project. He said on the back of this understanding SPEG approached the Export Development and Industrial Fund (EDIF). EDIF agreed to fund the infrastructure requirements. Hain Daniels was the anchor customer, with this backing we started developing a market for the Ghana melon in the UK, France and Spain. We sourced the technical knowhow and other inputs from Spain, the world's largest exporter of melon and the project commenced. When I asked do you recommend it to other business men? his response was reassuring Absolutely! as far as I'm concerned there is a market out there for Ghana. I believe anybody can do it, for the period that we are talking about, which is from September to April, prices of melons are high in Europe. The major producer country during this period is Brazil. In middle of February, the Brazil season ends, then comes the sweet spot for Ghana between February and April, when demand in Europe completely outstrips supply, an excellent window of opportunity for Ghana. Senegal has taken advantage of the situation and is producing melons for Europe. Of course, other South American countries like Costa Rica, Honduras are getting in on the act though not with significant volumes. If we cultivate the melons in the North then maybe we can produce from September right to April too. Apart from all the pluses I have talked about, we have a pricing advantage in Europe, unlike the South American countries, Ghana's produce is exempt of any duties or taxes. As to the challenges, he said, Most of our farmers rely on nature and nature is very forgiving if the crop you are planting follows nature very closely. Growing the melon is basically a sprint with an engineering discipline, so you need to make sure that you are applying all the things that need to be applied and you are disciplined in your approach. He said, To change attitudes from being laissez-faire to disciplined and managed, a process which forces farmers to irrigate by hours, apply fertilizer and other plant nutrients at specified intervals, and apply pesticides of measured quantities has been a little bit of a challenge. It's has been cultural shock. However, as you witnessed on this farm the desire to succeed is a good motivator for change. You see the farm employs the right agronomic practices and discipline at par with any successful melon farm. Our order book is full and closed for this season. We still have people knocking on our door every day enquiring, 'Allen don't you have a spare container anywhere'. The minimum order size we send to Europe is a 40ft reefer container. As to what he thinks about the President's one village one dam initiative, he said, We have done it, and if we have done it on a farm why can't the government do it for a village. I am still to be convinced why it cannot be done. We created 13 dams on 13 farm sites within a short space of time, in two different regions; so if you say to me it is not possible I don't understand. We have 120 hectares for the first phase of this project and it took us about three months to completely set up dams and install irrigation each site. To make agriculture an all-year round revenue and employment opportunity you need a dam that allows you to rotate crops, and also leverage the dam for other purposes. In Ghana we have sunshine all year round, what we don't have is rainfall all year round, so if we solve the rainfall problem through irrigation, and also solve the post-harvest challenges through storage and processing factories, think about the possibilities! They also have another concept up their sleeves to keep the land busy all the time. When the land is not ideal for the cultivation of cantaloupe, it can be used for vegetables also for export. By A.R. Gomda Authorities at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology have begun special counseling for distraught roommates of a first-year female student suspected to have committed suicide. Acting Assistant Registrar at the University Relations Office, Kwame Yeboah Jr., says the death of Chemical Engineering student, Adwoa Ayimadu- Antwi has left her three colleagues devastated. She was found hanging on a rope tied to a ceiling fan in the room she shared with three others. A fruitless effort was made by a roommate and other students to save Adwoas life but she was pronounced dead on arrival at the University Hospital on Friday. Authorities fear the situation could have a psychological effect on them, hence the counseling. Mr. Yeboah Jr. says immediately it was found Adwoa had passed, the schools counsel centre, hall counsel unit and executive members of the hall met over the issue. Authorities later met with resident students to console and assure them of the managements resolve to make their stay comfortable. The Counseling teams were all in the hall to interact with the students, particularly, the roommates who have been so close to the young lady who just passed on. At the time of our visit, the counselors were with them [roommates] trying to keep them relaxed. Mr. Yeboah Jnr. who doubles as Hall Tutor for Independence Hall, where the incident occurred, tells Luv News the exercise will be extended to other students in order to forestall a recurrence. Possibly, as an institution, we might have to keep on extending the help we give them, the counseling the students need. We are doing so much, but I think the work is enormous, and we need to ensure that we do more so that such incident doesnt happen, Mr. Yeboah explained. Matobo (Zimbabwe) (AFP) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday with a lavish party on Saturday attended by thousands of loyalists outside the second city of Bulawayo. The ruling ZANU-PF party hosted the event for Mugabe, who has held power since 1980 during a reign marked by repression of dissent, vote-rigging and the country's economic collapse. Now the world's oldest national leader, his actual birthday on Tuesday has been honoured in a week-long extravaganza with state media filled with tributes and praise. The party -- held in a large marquee decorated with portraits of a younger Mugabe -- included a feast and several vast birthday cakes, angering some Zimbabweans as the country endures severe food shortages. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe blows out candles during a private birthday ceremony which is to be followed by a lavish party attended by thousands of loyalists One of cakes was shaped like Mugabe's official Mercedes Benz limousine. Holding the event at a school in Matobo has also riled locals as it is close to where many victims of Mugabe's deadly crackdown on dissidents in the early 1980s are thought to be buried. At least 20,000 people are believed to have been killed in the massacres by North Korean-trained Zimbabwean troops, according to rights groups. "This should not be a place for celebration," Mbuso Fuzwayo, spokesman for the Bulawayo-based campaign group Ibhetshu Likazulu, told AFP. "The whole area is a crime scene where the bones of victims of the massacres are buried." Increasingly frail Mugabe gave a faltering television interview this week, vowing to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty. During the pre-recorded birthday broadcast, Mugabe paused at length between sentences and spoke with his eyes barely open. "The call to step down must come from my party," he said. "If I feel that I can't do it any more, I will say so to my party so that they relieve me. But for now, I think I can't say so." The state-owned Herald newspaper on Tuesday published a 24-page supplement of congratulatory messages from government departments and regime loyalists. "It's written on earth and in heaven that our leader is RG Mugabe,"ZANU-PF national youth leader Kudzai Chipanga told guests at the party. "We find it hard and impossible to talk about any other leader except yourself." Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe gave a faltering television interview this week, vowing to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty ZANU-PF has endorsed Mugabe as its candidate for general elections next year, and he remains widely respected as a liberation hero by other African leaders. Party guests -- some dressed in clothing that showed Mugabe's image -- chanted "Long live the African icon" before the president's speech expected later in the afternoon. He has avoided naming a successor, but his wife, Grace, 51, is seen as a possible candidate along with vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa. A coalition of opposition activism group said in statement that the party was "a mockery and a direct insult to the concerns of the citizens", alleging that poor farmers had been forced to donate cattle to feed guests. Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe trained as a teacher and taught in what was then Rhodesia and Ghana before returning home to join the guerrilla war against white-minority rule. He became prime minister on Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980 and then president in 1987. All schools around Bulawayo were closed on Thursday and Friday to prepare for the celebrations. "Our children were told their classrooms have been turned into boarding facilities, and they are being frogmarched to join the birthday party," local poet and opposition activist Desire Moyo told AFP. The Convention Peoples Party (CPP) has condemned the mob incidence that saw a young lady assaulted and stripped naked in the Ashanti Regional capital, Kumasi for allegedly stealing. According to the party, the police must handle the case with seriousness and bring the perpetrators of the crime to book. The first Vice Chairperson of the party, Hajia Hamdatu Ibrahim in an interview with Citi News said justice must be served for the victim. She said, I think the law must take its course to the fullest, adding that punishment for perpetrators of the acts must be such that it deters others from carrying out such crime. She stressed that advocacy against mob justice must be increased to sensitise Ghanaians against the act. Earlier last week, a young lady was attacked and paraded on the streets in Kumasi for allegedly stealing GH1,100. Following the release of a video footage of the unfortunate incident, many civil society groups have condemned the act and called the police to deal with the culprits. The Gender Minister, Otiko Afisa Djaba also condemned the act and asked the Police to deal with the culprits. The Ashanti Regional Police Command recently announced it had arrested 24 suspects in connection with the incident but the suspects were subsequently granted bail. Meanwhile Citi FMs Ashanti Regional correspondent, Lauretta Temah speaking on the whereabout of the victim said as at the day she made the formal complaint, she was given medical forms to fill and since then, the Police say she has not yet returned so as at now; we don't know her whereabouts. Police also said that she was directed to go the Komfo Anokye Hospital, and no case of theft has been reported. The police say they will not do anything if the victim does not turn upThey will decide on whether to follow up on the case or not. By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana Follow @jnyabor TERTIARY EDUCATION: THE KEY ISSUES Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Personalities assembled here Friends of the Media, Ladies and gentlemen, It gives me great joy to be part of this important discussion, a subject that has been core to my career for the past three decades. There is certainly no need to overemphasize the role of education in nation building and development. However, for Africa, the key issue is not merely about prioritizing education but rather the type of education. For long, tertiary education was relegated to the background with the then Millennium Development Goals that focused more on primary and secondary education to the neglect of Tertiary education mostly perpetuating semiilliteracy in our part of the world. It is instructive to note that Tertiary Education is strategic for national development, it is the head of the education enterprise and therefore should not be treated as the tail, if Ghana is to entrench its gains as a middle-income country. Mr. Chairman, permit me to reflect on some historical narratives, which occurred prior to the establishment of the first post-secondary education system in Ghana. Mr. Chairman, Baker the first Headmaster of the Accra Government Training College for Teachers founded in 1909, the first post secondary level college in Ghana, recount a conversation he had with his Excellency, Sir John Rogers the Governor of the then Gold Coast Colony. Baker recalls that during the discussion, the conversation turned at once, not to the immediate question of the College but to the general problems of an awakening and capable people. Baker adds His Excellency envisaged a West African University with constituent colleges in Sierra Leone, The Gold Coast and Nigeria. Baker further notes that, the College at Accra was but a small beginning in the mind of Sir John Rogers of a great educational scheme which would give Africans a full and adequate place in the scholarship of the world[1]. Prior to that conversation between Baker and the Governor, Baker had maintained that Concerning education of the African, the best attempt of the white man to educate the negro would only be a makeshift until some BOOKER .T. WASHINGTON arises, who having a grasp of the fundamental principles underlying the growth of education in Europe, is able to adapt them to the needs of the people1. The question is, have we been able to adapt Ghanas tertiary education to the needs of its people? Why and Why not? First and foremost our tertiary education is stranded around the tight ropes of its colonial roots. Ghanas education system is not distinctly Ghanaian in a global context. From curriculum, to requirements for teaching in the tertiary sector, to textbooks, cases and examples to mention a few. Our tertiary education system is wound around what we have been made to aspire to be and not who we are and what we should be. Mr. Chairman with this little historical background, I will like to be very practical and focus on the three thematic areas, I consider critical to this presentation. These are: Inclusiveness or Access Quality Funding Inclusiveness or Access I will like to crave your indulgence to limit inclusiveness to access, otherwise I will have to consider how inclusive, Ghanas tertiary education is, at the regional and global levels. As well as the strategies we have as a country to be regionally inclusive and globally competitive, which I believe will be a subject for another occasion. However, in discussing access, which is the key issue of inclusiveness at the national level , I may touch on one or two concerns at the international level. Ladies and Gentlemen, Access to Tertiary Education is a Right. I believe that Tertiary Education must be accessible to all who desire to have it and are willing and able to cope with tertiary level education because it is a right. After all basic and secondary education are not and should not be ends in themselves. Ideally, everybody should have access to some form of tertiary education. It at the point of tertiary education that many people discover their destinies and develop their abilities to contribute meaningfully to society. So why should anyone be prevented from finding true meaning in life? Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen, I do not think I will be here sharing my thoughts on how to create opportunities for others, if I had been shortchanged of tertiary education. Only God knows what would have become of me without tertiary education, if my educational journey were truncated at the secondary level. As I grew up , I came to appreciate more the unmatched difference between the outcomes of tertiary and secondary education, much less primary education. I therefore came to the conclusion that it should be considered proscribed to deprive anyone of tertiary education unless the person chooses to deprive himself or herself. The lack of access to tertiary education is an unfortunate loss of talent and valuable contribution to nation building. Ironically, in Ghana, it is reported that we have a Tertiary Gross Enrollment Ratio of 12% against a global average of about 30% and 70-80% for developed countries. This means only about 12% of those willing and qualified to access tertiary education have access to tertiary education in Ghana. So Why is it so? First and foremost, it is instructive to note that there are many selfimposed barriers that contribute to the restricted accessibility to tertiary education in Ghana. Entry Requirement to the tertiary institutions are among the strictest in Africa according to Prof. Golam Mohhamedbhai a former Secretary General of the AAU as stated in his book Effects of Massification on Higher Education, (2008). Mohamedbnai, notes that Ghana is an example of another Anglophone country, with the phenomenon of rigorous selection process which restricts access to the higher institutions of learning. However, Ghanas rigorous entry requirements can best be described as specifications and not standards as it is not clear what forms the basis of our entry requirement into tertiary institutions as we have it now. Specifications are specific requirements that are developed either by an individual or group for a particular product. Standards on the other hand are generally accepted specifications accepted by the stakeholders affected by it Mr. chairman it is very sad to note that applicants with D grade or lower in any core subject cannot enter a university in Ghana irrespective of their performance in other areas. However, other countries even the UK that introduced Ghana to tertiary education accepts them. Do we have substantial evidence to suggest that those with at least one D grade in any of the core subjects are not capable of tertiary education in Ghana? On the contrary, Prof. Mohamedhai (2008) notes that international universities are generally lowering the entry requirements to enhance access. Lomas (2001), reports that, in the United Kingdom for example, many students were admitted without the usual minimum standard requirement of two GCE Advance Level subjects for undergraduate courses. Indeed, Rust (1997) gives the example of Liverpool John Moores University where the proportion of non-standard entrants was nearly 75%. According to Trows typology (2000), countries in North America and Western Europe had reached almost universal higher education, while those in Central and Eastern Europe had mass higher education. Some countries in East Asia and the Pacific, for example Australia and Singapore, have also reached mass or even universal higher education. However, it is important to note that, for Sub-Saharan Africa, not only has the increase in the enrollment ratio been insignificant from 1991 to 2005 but also the ratio is by far the lowest than any other region of the world (Mohamedbhai, 2008). Do we in Ghana want to suggest that those who go through tertiary education in for example the UK with the same grades we reject here are not good enough when they graduate? For example, while a student in the then Soviet Union, we realized after sometime that Ghanaian students in the universities in the then Soviet Union had entered with GCE A-levels while our counterparts from Nigeria had entered with GCE O levels. The Ghanaian students decided to enquirer from the management of the university why this was so. The Dean for foreign students who met with us ( the Ghanaian) in response to our question asked a very simple question. This was the question. "What is the entry requirement to the university in Ghana"?With confidence , we replied "A Level". Then he added "in the protocol agreement between USSR and Ghana , we agreed on A level .You are right but in the chase of Nigeria we agreed on O level". We kept quiet and with some disappointment we moved out of his office. Interestingly , we all graduated and are serving our various countries at the moment. When I was Chairman of the chairmen of polytechnic Councils in Ghana, there were times that reports indicated that some polytechnic could not get students to the extent that the requirements had to be adjusted to make the polytechnics viable. Why should we come up with requirements that we are forced to change to keep public institutions viable? Obviously, there is an urgent need for a re-consideration of the entry requirements to our tertiary institutions in Ghana, which restricts access. The second key issue that restricts access to tertiary education in Ghana, is inadequate infrastructure and resources, which limits space. As a result the public institutions are not able to take more qualified students. Many of the public universities turn away students not because they are not qualified but because of the lack of space and resources. We definitely need to prioritize tertiary education to provide more resources to enhance access. Mr Chairman, we cannot build more and more brick and mortar Universities to expand access. So Open and Distance education is one sustainable option. The Education Sector Report (ESPR 2015) emphasizes the use of the Open University System to address access in the tertiary education sector. This should be pursued vigorously as it is one of the ways to enhance both access and quality if done well. In this respect, a national draft policy on the Open and Distance Learning (ODL) should be developed, properly communicated at the national level and implemented. This will require the support of a National Qualifications Framework for mapping and recognition of Prior Learning as described in the Education Sector Performance Report (ESPR) pg. 40. Which says that Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process to help people get formal recognition for what they learnt through their experiences and for what they can do, know and understand. The RPL process enables a person to gain qualifications and credits. RPL is an assessment process that takes place against nationally registered Unit standards and qualifications outcomes. The contexts within which RPL are practiced are as varied as the learners seeking credits for learning achieved. RPL can be used across the formal and informal sector as well as from pre-tertiary, workplace-based education to tertiary levels. It is an important strategy to address access to technical and vocational education and training for those previously excluded (ESPR 2015, PG.40). It worthy of note that the ESPR 2015, indicate that this development has resulted in the development of a Manual on RPL. I wish to recommend that follow-ups should be done to ensure that this is rolled out. I will like to call on the BPI to become watchdogs for accountability on tertiary education initiatives and policies in Ghana as many of the worthwhile policies on tertiary education do not get to see the light of day because there is no serious accountability in these areas. Mr. Chairman , the dynamics of tertiary education has changed globally and Ghana needs to flow with the tide. Another issue of access is the Lack of a National Qualifications Framework already mentioned. This makes it difficult to use other routes, like the TVET system for progression. Making TVET unattractive. Though TVET system under COTVET has developed a qualifications framework, it is not sufficient to allow for the needed progression. There is need for a comprehensive national qualifications framework and this has been on the drawing board for unduly too long. I wish to call on the NCTE and the Ministry to expedite action on this very important tool for quality and equitable education. Though the introduction of Technical Universities can partly address progression of the TVET system it not sufficient because without the requisite policy recognizing the TVET as a normal route for progression to higher levels, there may still be gate keeping as usual. I wish to make a call for a national comprehensive qualification framework for recognition of qualifications and establishment of equivalences of other qualifications to allow for progression. Mr. Chairman, another issue that restricts access to the poor is ability to pay. Though contribution of students have proven to enhance both access and quality, like the case of UPSA. I must say that it is sad, really heart breaking to see some students struggle to pay fees. I therefore recommend a national mechanism to support the needy to access tertiary education in the form of scholarships and grants. In this respect, there is the need to look again at GETFUNDs role in this process. We would have look at the operations of GETFUND vis-a-vis the law establishing it. Such an assessment is most timely and recommended. Now to the Issue of Quality What does quality education mean in Ghana? Do we know it? If we do, do we have quality in Ghanas tertiary education? If we have, is it working for us? Quality I have maintained is what you want and what works for you. If you want it and it does not work for you it is not quality. So the question is what does Ghana want from its tertiary education and what works for it? Do we want: Employable graduates or graduate with employability skills Graduates with critical thinking skills that may not necessarily have an immediate use or Graduates with initiative and the drive to create and deliver value for national prosperity or Research that gather dust on the shelves, those only targeted at promotion or Research that results in innovation and advancement and can solve immediate problems Again, Is quality = Standards? or Is Quality = Accreditation? or Is Quality = Number of years a school is under tutelage? Who judges quality of graduates? Is Quality = Number of years students stay in school Is it industry that judges the quality of graduates, the university or the regulatory bodies or the students themselves? Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, "A good quality education has been described as one that provides all learners with capabilities they require to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies and enhance individual well-being[2]. According to UNICEF, quality education is defined by five elements: The learner's outside experiences, Learning environment, Content of education, Learning processes, and the Education outcomes. . Currently the quality issues in the tertiary sector include but not limited to the following: Learning environment Infrastructure and resource issues particularly human resource issues (Staff - Students Ratio), why the Staff Students Ratio is low even with only 12% Gross Enrolment Ratio and funding of research. Content of education Here, is the curricula we have generally, suited to our labour needs? Do we have Programmative Benchmarks, if we, are the programmatic learning outcomes responsive to labour market needs? Obviously, there is urgent need for tuning of our various curricula to the needs of the labour market Learning processes - Instructional Approaches, training and retooling of staff needed. This does not imply that we do not have quality in our learning processes but for continual improvement. Currently, there is over emphasis on research competence over teaching and learning competences as teaching and learning competence is not required for teaching in the tertiary institutions in Ghana. The Assumption is that once you can research well then you can teach. The learner's outside experiences internships for both staff and students, industry linkages and international exchanges and exposure Education outcomes what are the outcomes expected, are they linked to national human resource needs? Are there any sound linkages between National Development Agenda and tertiary education outcomes? How do we improve upon this? Generally, how can we make Tertiary Education Work for Us? Do we have the relevant labour market data that informs us about the relevant skills and competences that are required over the strategic planning horizon? The ESPR 2015 stresses the following actions as interventions to enhance quality Industry linkages and incubators through operationalization of a well- functioning Work-place Experience Learning (WEL) Policy as stated in the EPSR 2015 Review and revision of tertiary curriculum and instructional design and methodologies to make them more learning centered, learning oriented and needs based Though these interventions will go a long way to improve quality of tertiary education in Ghana, we require a transformation of teaching strategies for quality to improve. This will require a complete paradigm shift that will require training and retooling of academic staff to make teaching at the tertiary level more practical and suited to the needs of society. It should also be problem and competency based. Many academics will also need to learn how to facilitate learning not lecturing. A policy requirement that call for teaching and learning competencies will be required, to equip academics with skills in facilitating learning. At the moment the requirement for teaching in the university is a research master or PhD. The assumption is that once you can research well you can teach. However at the secondary and primary levels teaching competences is recognized for differentiated salaries. Last but not the least is Funding Mr. Chairman, as we talk about quality and access, we should be guided by the fact that quality and access are not free. They cost money. So where should the money come from? The current situation is limited by: Inadequate funding from government to support effective tertiary education in Ghana Currently the main areas of funding covers personal emoluments though not 100% and to a lesser extent infrastructure Main operations of the public universities are really not funded So public universities are to find alternative sources of funding to fill the gap. This is where a lot of public universities have resorted to massification and cost sharing, which has its own quality and access implications. To address the funding gaps, government intervention will be greatly required. Here, more transparent policy directives on funding and cost cutting mechanisms is very timely. Sharing of resources among the tertiary institutions is another strategy. Unfortunately in Ghana, the tertiary institutions see competition and not collaboration. Private universities are unfortunately saddled with unnecessary fees charged by public universities, in the name of affiliation, making it very difficult for most of them to focus resources on essential quality issues. However, my candid opinion is that affiliation was a colonial concept at a time when there were no accreditation systems in place. With accreditation systems now firmly in place, one wonders the real value of affiliation. This is an area that should be critically revisited and I call on the NCTE to pay attention to the feed back from the private universities . Obviously, because of the income many public universities are making, contention is expected. Eventually the cost is passed on to the poor students in the private universities who have no subsidy from the state in the form of government support to the public universities. Students are generally, over burdened with too much contribution towards their tertiary education and there is need for a strong national financial intervention to alleviate, this stressful burden. One key strategy that many countries are using to cut cost and enhance their international presence and performance on global ranking is merging of smaller universities to make them bigger to raise their performance. Quality of university education is now equal to performance in rankings. For institutions to attract international students and become self sustaining and globally competitive they have to look good on global rankings. The ESPR 2015 does not paint a progressive picture in this respect. The reports notes The new University ranking compiled by Thompson Reuters has ranked the University of Ghana, Legon as the 10th Tertiary Institution on the African Continent. The report looked specifically at University reputation, which reflects a University ability to recruit highquality staff, and students, establish valuable international partnerships, and connect with greater funding prospects. One would have expected to see a more promising picture of how Ghanaian universities are featuring on the global rankings with plans for improvement in the report. Many countries have developed national strategies for internationalization and ranking because irrespective of how we feel about these rankings, they are the new reality for universities across the world, and Ghana cannot be left out. Many countries are resorting to the merging of institutions to cut down on overhead cost and to improve their performance on global ranking and international visibility. Ghana can do the same. For example we should be thinking of merging institutions like Ghana Institute of Languages, Institute of Local Government, Ghana Institute of Journalism, NAFTI and University of Professional Studies into one big professional University, with satellite campuses all over. This will not only cut down on overhead cost but also enhance global ranking because of potential increase in research output. The question is Do we have a planned national strategy to enhance our inclusiveness? Tertiary education the world over has been commoditized under GATTS-WTO and therefore requires well-planned marketing and strong promotional strategies. In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, tertiary education should result in an economically productive workforce, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies and enhance individual well-being. But this cannot happen with an elitist tertiary education system, a system where only few can have access to tertiary education either because of entry restrictions, lack of space to accommodate all who qualify or ability to pay. I will like to advocate for a critical look into how we can improve both access and quality of Ghanas tertiary education system. We should not look far. We should not think of a revolution but a radical evolution that can build on the existing systems to enhance both quality and access in a distinctly Ghanaian fashion. In this respect I beleive the reccomendation made in this presentation are worth considering. We have to start the debate. Thank You very much and God bless our homeland Ghana. BIBLIOGRAPHY Adu K, Orivel F (2006). Financing Strategy for Tertiary Education in Ghana, Final report submitted to the National Council on Tertiary Education. Boateng K, Ofori-Sarpong (2002). An Analytical Study Of The Labour Market For Tertiary Graduates In Ghana, A World Bank/National Council For Tertiary Education & The National Accreditation Board Project, Accra. Education Sector Performance Report (ESPR) (2015). Ghana MOE (Ministry of Education), Accra Gondwe M, Walenkamp J (2011). Alignment of higher professional education with the needs of the local labour market: The case of Ghana, Nertherlands Organization for Cooperation in higher education, NUFFICTHE Hague University of Applied Science, the Hague. Lomas L (2001). Does the Development of Mass Education necessarily mean the end of Quality? The Sixth QHE Seminar, The End ofQuality? Birmingham, May 25-26 Mohamedbhai G (2008), Effects of Massification on Higher Education, Mauritius OECD (2008). Tertiary Education For The Knowledge Society Volume1 ISBN 978-92- 64-04652-8. Trow M (2000). From Mass Higher Education to Universal Access: The American Advantage. Research and Occasional Paper Series, Center for Studies in Higher Education. UC Berkeleywww.http:// ghana.usembassy.gov/education-of-ghana.html (as at 30.01.12) Yang R (2002). Lost Opportunities in the Massification of Higher Education in China, International Higher Education, Summer 2002. Retrieved in 2007 from http://www.bc.edu/bc_org/avp/soe/cihe/ newsletter [1] Baker 1959, Address to the 50th Anniversary of the Accra College of Education, Anniversary Brochure [2] http://www.voicesofyouth.org/en/connect/our-debates/about-the-quality-ofeducation. Retrieved 04/02/2017 25.02.2017 LISTEN History does have a way of mocking humanity, doesn't it? Think of this: 21 February 2017 Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo delivers his first State of the Nation Address to Parliament. The Address contains so many positive ideas that some MPs mainly from the majority side interrupt the President with yells of: Yeah! Yeah! That's it! and Hear Hear! Other MPs, mainly from the Minority benches, jeer at him. But the President is unperturbed. At one stage, he humorously remarks that the Minority have a problem with facts! This is greeted with an uproar, of course, but it's all done in good humour. Indeed, someone with a shrewd perspective of history would have observed that the atmosphere was reminiscent of the first Parliament of independent Ghana. Our President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, had been an MP before becoming Leader of Government Business (1951) and later Prime Minister (1952). So he was used to 'Parliamentary cut-and-thrust'. President Akufo Addo had also been an MP for 12 years. He too knows the Parliamentary game back-to-front. Watching him joust merrily with the Minority, as they heckle him, one's heart is gladdened: this is truly the only system of government that is suited to the Ghanaian spirit. Ah? [history's mocking voice breaks in] if the Ghanaian spirit loves democratic disputation so much, why did that spirit disappear after 1958? Why did Prime Minister's Questions cease to exist after 1958? What caused the muting of democracy that led to our eventually becoming a one-party state? History answers with its reproachful tone: You pretended to love democracy. At heart, you were all autocrats! (DISCUSS!) Yes! And one fine morning, exactly 51 years ago, the gun boomed to teach us that if you don't play the democratic game sincerely, you are doomed to obey what The Man-On-Horseback says (no matter how nonsensical it may turn out to be). It is my prayer that the tribulations we have endured as a nation since 1966 will reinforce our desire to prioritise and meet the real needs of our people. For too many Ghanaians are -- once again -- becoming extremely disenchanted with, if not cynical, about the role being played by some of our politicians. All Ghanaians hear about are stolen/retrieved cars; expensive houses for elected officials; bad contracts that were awarded solely so that commissions from them could be banked at Dubai and other places; who has got what appointment and so on -- with very little said about what actually concerns the-man-in-the-street. Well-fed and well-appointed politicians are invited by well-fed and well-appointed media hosts to talk endlessly on the electronic media about so-called "current events", where lies and more lies are peddled to the public, with no attempt by the media hosts to "fact-check" what is being said. Almost every discussion on the eletornic media ends with a deadlock of "he-said-I-said". It is as if our media owners have never heard of competent journalists who can ensure a "rounded" discussion of contentious events, carried out in a rational manner. Instead of being apologetic about their past misdeeds, some of our politicians choose to go on the offensive and abuse our intelligence. How could ex-President John Mahama, for instance, summon the sheer gall to ask the NPP Government to chase the C51 million dashed by the NDC to Woyome, when Mahama's ownAttorney-General had pussy-footed endlessly -- and with little concern for public opinion -- about retrieving the money? What made Martin Amidu a national "crusader" (if not a super-hero!) all of a sudden? In his speech, President Akufo Addo made some startling disclosures that should make us sleep less soundly at night. The President said: QUOTE: To give a fair account of the state of our nation, I have to give an account of the state of our economy....Mr. Speaker, I say nothing new or dramatic, when I tell this Honourable House that the economy of our country is in a bad way. ... Some six weeks after taking over the reins of government, it gives me no pleasure to have to say that our worst fears have been confirmed, plus a few additional, unpleasant surprises as well.UNQUOTE Awirade ei! [Good Lord!] Worst fears confirmed! Worst fears? And additional unpleasant surprises? What could these be? The President didn't leave us in any doubt: QUOTE: Mr Speaker" he expatiated) "Notwithstanding the fact that the previous government had ten times [more] financial resources than any other government since independence, its management of our economy in the run-up to the 2012 . elections resulted in a quagmire that necessitated the urgent intervention of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in 2014. The IMF programme negotiated was ostensibly to restore fiscal discipline, debt sustainability and increase economic growth. ...[However] fiscal indiscipline, once again, reared its head in the 2016 election year. Total projected expenditure for 2016 was GH43.9 billion (26% of GDP), but actual expenditure amounted to GH50.3 billion (30.2% of GDP). .... It appears, from what we are finding out, that some GH7 billion of arrears and outstanding payments circumvented the very public financial management system that was put in place to prevent such occurrences. ...Revenue performance for the year was poor. The total revenue target for our country was GH37.9 billion (22.7% of GDP), but the actual revenue came in at GH33.2 billion (19.9% of GDP).... "The combination of higher expenditures and lower revenues than projected resulted in a significant increase in the budget deficit for 2016. As compared to a target of 5.3% under the IMF programme, the fiscal deficit for 2016 was 9% of GDP on a cash basis and 10.2% of GDP on a commitment basis (that is on the basis of expenditures undertaken but not yet paid for).... Mr. Speaker, the increasing fiscal deficits were financed by increased borrowing. As at the beginning of 2009, Ghanas total debt stock was GH9.5 billion. By the end of 2016, the debt stock had ballooned to GH122 billion. Ghanas debt stock now stands at 74% of GDP. UNQUOTE Agya ei! Me Maame ei! [My father! My mother!] President Akufo Addo added: QUOTE: More debt was accumulated by the previous government in the last eight years than all other governments put together since independence!... "92% of Ghanas total debt stock was incurred in the last eight years under the previous government. The interest costs on this debt have also increased and will amount to an estimated GH14.1 billion in 2017. UNQUOTE One more quote: According to the President, Ghanas total revenue is consumed by three main budgetary lines: wages and salaries, interest payments and amortization and statutory payments. These three items alone account for 99.6% of government revenue. UNQUOTE That being the case, where is the Government going to find the money to finance, for instance, the enormously imaginative Takoradi-Paga Railway project and the other lofty projects envisaged by the President? Most important: Are we going to be able to develop and finance as an urgent priority a realistic programme to end galamsey so that our children and their children can continue to find good water to drink? Or are we going to doom them to say goodbye to Mother Ghana and trek to Libya and elsewhere to join the dangerous flow of immigrants to areas whose people have preserved their natural heritage better than we have protected ours? Ghana's survival, no less, is at stake. The NPP Government must prove equal to the task, or we are up for the high jump. Political correctness has evolved quite interestingly, into a common media practice and a cardinal feature of journalistic writing/urban verbal expression. In recent times, you call into a radio or TV program to air your view on certain issues of interest, and you're confined to a restricted freedom of expression. Your choice of words are monitored and streamlined by policies like: "Be mild and polite" or "Be objective, not offensive" regardless of how pained or aggrieved your concerns are. You pen down expository journals that seem blunt but are truthful and incisive, and of course you don't get published! A media person will shrug a bit at this point, reiterating in his/her mind how political correctness is very essential for peaceful coexistence, stability and world peace. But a lot of times, we've adulterated our linguistic construction, using subtle words to express our dissatisfaction on issues we're discomforted with, yet: Citizens continue at loggerheads with each other Black people (mostly African-Americans) continue to be mad at Caucasians, no matter the upgrade of terms used in addressing their skin color The continuous hankering for the blood of Christians persist in Northern Nigeria, despite the tolerant and sometimes, cowardly nature of the Christians Capitalist churches continue to hold back remuneration of taxes to the government, yet amass so much wealth for themselves under the shade of religion. (If Jesus paid his tax, why shouldn't the church?). In disguise of civil liberty, humans are gradually on the verge of outgrowing the desire for gay rights, to begin the struggle for lawful recognition of animal/human sexual partnership. I think it's about time we became 'politically incorrect!' Almost half the population of the world at this time, breed so much disgust and contempt for President Trump because of his blunt but most of the time, truthful approach to issues. Regardless of the flattering quantity of hatred he enjoys, his 'political incorrectness' surprisingly won him the American presidency! Famous American preacher Joel Osteen of the Lakewood church, got rattled by a journalist on TV while addressing issues concerning gay marriage. In a bid to be 'politically correct,' he eventually succumbed to pressure, accepting the possibility of attending a gay wedding if the opportunity presents itself, without considering his office as a clergy who logically should be bound by the precepts of the Bible he preaches. We shouldn't be bullied by the insatiable desires of society to accept or speak mildly against what we don't believe in. If it isn't black, it simply isn't black! And cannot be replaced with shades of grey! Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone provided by Airtel Nigeria. In the framework of the technical assistance that the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) provides to Member States, especially in their development of sound statistical systems, the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria has hosted the 1st Workshop on Regional Statistics of the Tourism Sector (13-15 February 2017). The program aims to enable the development of tourism statistics according to the United Nations standards at the national level and to implement the Tourism Satellite Account project over time. This three-year programme, which was launched this year and is to be concluded in 2019, consists of a series of capacity-building workshops for officials from national tourism administrations, national statistical offices, central banks and Immigration Offices. On the occasion, UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, praised the efforts done by the Ministry of Tourism of Algeria to place the sector at the core of the economic development policies and recalled the importance of tourism statistics for tourism development. Statistics are essential as they are the basis to shape efficient tourism policies, very needed in a region where the sector has so immense potentials, said Mr. Rifai. Measuring the impact of the tourism sector through statistical data has been one of the key areas of work of UNWTO in the last decades. The Tourism Satellite Account is one of the pillars of this approach. In parallel to the workshop, the Secretary General held bilateral meetings with government authorities including H.E. Abdelmalek Sellal, Prime Minister of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria. The discussions were focused on tourisms potential in Algeria and the necessity to develop human capital. The Prime Minister acknowledged the declaration by the United Nations of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and confirmed that his country shares the same vision, especially in the development of sustainable tourism which can guarantee each nation the realization of common objectives on the economic, environmental and cultural sustainability. Mr Rifai discussed at length with H.E. Abdelouahab Nouri, Minister of Land Management, Tourism and Handicrafts the strong potential that the country has in tourism and the technical assistance that UNWTO may provide to Algeria. Algeria is truly committed to creating a more competitive and sustainable tourism, a sector that can become one of the pillars of Algerias economy and a tool for diversification and inclusive growth, he said. The improvement of air connectivity of the country was praised by the Secretary General who also commended the support of the Algeria to Tunisia. We hugely acknowledge the support that Algeria has provided not only through long-stay tourists in Tunisia, but through significant tourism expenditure in Tunisia as well. Standing together is the best thing we can do in the face of crisis to help recovery, he mentioned. The ride-sharing revolution has come to the La Crosse region. Lyft announced La Crosse as one of 54 cities the ride-sharing company expanded into on Thursday, along with Rochester, Minn., and Eau Claire, Janesville and Fond du Lac in Wisconsin. The company, which pairs people with local drivers through a smartphone app, and its competitor Uber have made waves as the two carve out market share from traditional cab services. I was able to catch a ride from one of the newly-minted Lyft drivers in La Crosse for lunch on Friday, getting a ride from the Tribune offices to China Inn in Onalaska. I caught a ride back to the office with one of the local cab companies for comparison, and both experiences were enjoyable. The Lyft app is a 20 MB download on a smartphone; after installing it, I spent only a few minutes setting up a profile with my phone number, email and personal information such as my name and a photo. When you want to hail a ride, the app can automatically detect your location or you can put in one of your own. Then you add your destination, as well as any stops you want to make along the way. The service requires a credit or debit card before you can hail a ride: All of the transactions go through Lyft, not the driver. But the app does include some handy features such as an estimate of the cost of your trip as well as a breakdown of how a fare is calculated. After I finished putting in all the information and playing around with the features, I asked the app to find me a ride. It took two tries late Friday morning to locate an available Lyft driver. That didnt stop the app from providing me status bar updates, regularly switching between a message about searching for a driver, optimizing the route and then finalizing details before giving up after about five minutes the first time. Just another example that Lyft, like a lot of websites and apps, uses baked in progress bars to make you feel like something is being done. When the app did connect me with a driver, it provided me with his name, the car he was driving, a photo and a map I could follow showing where he was and an estimate of when he would pick me up. In case I wasnt paying attention to the app, the service sent me a friendly text message when my driver, Scott, arrived, with his name as well as the make and color of the car he was driving in this case, a spiffy white Ford Taurus. I was the first passenger my driver had ever picked up after signing up to be a driver earlier this week, and as he drove me to my destination I sat in the front seat and chatted with him about the service and his thoughts. Scott thought Lyft would be a neat way to add a part-time gig. He likes the flexibility of the system: He could turn it on and pick me up, and then stop being a driver when he had to get to another appointment later that afternoon. Scott had to provide the company his drivers license, insurance and vehicle registration information. Lyft requires photos of both driver and vehicle, and Lyfts background check can take as little as a few hours. Along with pairing drivers with fares, the system provides GPS information to the drivers so they can take the most efficient route between stops. I started downloading the Lyft app around 11 a.m. and was eating my lunch of beef and broccoli over lo mein noodles just after 11:30. The prices were affordable as well, with my trip with Lyft costing $14, with the option of tipping. My ride back with Bee Cab, which had a slightly longer wait for a vehicle but just as pleasant a riding experience, was just under $12 before tip. When we parted company, I gave Scott a healthy tip as well a rating out of five stars. Both drivers and passengers get ratings through the app, and according to another driver I spoke to, Nick Bjerke, Lyft drivers who receive consistently poor ratings can have their driving privileges suspended, which promotes good customer service. On the compensation end, he said drivers get to keep about 75 percent of every fare, as well as any tip, with Lyft getting the remainder. There is definitely a profit margin there, he told me. Extra money is never bad. While Scott was on the lookout for a part-time gig, Bjerke said he was interested in the concept of the gig economy and the options that are out there for members of the community to share their time and talents. For him, it was about using resources wisely, and he was looking forward to using some of his free time to provide a service to his neighbors. Its a service Ive been interested in for a while, he said. I was just waiting for it to be in our area. With a service area that includes much of La Crosse County, including Holmen, Onalaska and West Salem, as well as extending as far east as Tomah, the ride-sharing service isnt just for those looking for a late-night ride home from the downtown scene. But the availability and success of Lyft services will depend on the number of drivers available near those looking for a ride, as well as how the private drivers comport themselves as ambassadors of the company. I hope it grows, Scott told me as we were chatting about the services La Crosse launch. I think its great for the community. Asomah Cheremeh (B/A Minister) 25.02.2017 LISTEN Hon.Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh, the new Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, arrived in Sunyani on Friday to a rousing welcome. Regional executives,supporters of the New Patriotic Party, members of Regional Co-ordinating Council (RCC),security agencies, heads of departments and scores of people were at Bechem to meet the minister who arrived from Accra by road. Massive supporters toting of car horns and chanting of party slogans, says change has come oooooooooo. It ended at the Residency where Lawyer Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh addressed the massive crowd. He expressed sincere gratitude to H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo,the NPP fraternity and his lovely family for the opportunity to serve the people in the region in a capacity as regional minister. "Let me use this opportunity to assure Nananom,workers and all the citizens of this region that I shall be a regional minister for all in the Brong Ahafo region and not to any one entity,organization or individual " he added. "I would operate an open door policy where everyone no matter your ethnicity, religion, colour or political affiliation will be welcomed to my office" according to the new minister. Lawyer Kwaku Asomah Cheremeh also expressed gratitude to party activists and the people of the Brong Ahafo Region for the warm welcome accorded him. He urged the people of the region to rally behind his administration to bring more development to the region. Meanwhile on his way to Sunyani the minister paid a courtesy call on Bechem Traditional Council,Omanhene of Bechem,Nana Fosu Gyeabour Akoto II. Nana urged the Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, to work with dedication to help the President achieve his goals. He again added that "Nananon are ever ready to assist Him in developing the region in harmony". His second visit was at Duayaw Nkwanta Traditional Council,were Omanhene of Duayaw Nkwanta,Nana Boakye Tromo I,also advised him to fight with all his strength, knowledge and with humility as a Regional Minister,to fulfill their vision and mission and the promises they made to Ghanaians. By Nana Antwi Boasiako-Metro 90.5FM,Sunyani Img 20170224 105838 Img 20170224 105954 Img 20170224 113725 The real estate industry is the fastest growing sector of our economy driving high investments and opportunities in the country inspite of the worrying trend due to lack of data accessibility. It is for this and many other reason that the first seminar series was held by the Ghana Property and Planning Forum (GPPF) which brought together the various industry players to discuss and find ways to address the pertinent issues that have become a major obstacle to the growth and development of the building and planning sector. The speaker for the seminar, Dr. Frank Gyamfi-Yeboah, Senior Lecturer, Department of Land Economy at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) made a presentation on the topic "Real Estate as an Asset Class: Nature and implications for investment in Ghana". He noted that the motivation for investing in the real estate is stable income returns adding that the estimated investment in the country is 40billion dollars in the next few years which is very significant to the growth of the industry. Dr. Gyamfi-Yeboah, who also has over 10-years of experience as a real estate investment consultant, lecturer, researcher and practitioner indicated that the real estate sector provides opportunities for improving connectivity of local capital market with international market and an expected growth in the economy that will lead to an increase in demand for space for different purpose. Meanwhile, he noted that the challenges which also poses as a threat to the industry is an insufficient institutional and regulatory mechanisms that are required to remove the obstacles in order to allow businesses to operate freely and responsively. According to him, lack of proper adherence to planning standards can negatively affect investment performance in the country. He emphasised that lack of data impedes comparison of real estate with other assets making it difficult to assess performance and determine optimal allocation for portfolio managers. Dr. Gyamfi-Yeboah urged government to put in incentives in investment in real estate and democratize ownership of real estate to ensure that the ordinary Ghanaian becomes part of the investment opportunity in the country. Mr. Rockson Kwesi Dogbegah, the Chairman of the Property and Planning Institute of Technology (PPIT) said the forum is to sensitize stakeholders on the need to value impact research that are required to make decisions and formulate good policies. He stated that any country that fails to plan, plans to fail. We need to chart new ways and path to bring the development that we require for the sector. Mr. Dogbegah, who is also the Founder and Executive Chairman of Berock Ventures Limited added that there is very limited platform to voice out their sentiments about the issues in the sector adding that this forum will provide the opportunity for them to design ideas and solutions that will influence policy decisions at the national level. According to him, there will be a monthly engagement with researchers to discuss issues about planning and construction in the country and provide evidence base in-depth analysis on issues relating to the sector. Pauline Anaman, a founding member of the Forum indicated that after acquiring 4 years of undergraduate education in Bsc. Land Economy, followed by postgraduate courses in diverse fields, my friends and I have seen the need to address certain challenges in Ghana's real estate, spatial planning and construction industry. She said they established the Property and Planning Institute of Technology (PPIT) to respond to the expanding national and international evidence-based research agenda in the multidisciplinary built environment to bridge the gap between academic theory and practice within the broader sense of sustainable development. Miss Pauline noted that their work focuses on real estate, planning, construction and infrastructure development with a combination of perspectives from related disciplines notably finance, economics, public policy, environmental policy and spatial analysis. We want to work together with key players to make sure that in the near future, among other things, haphazard development will be a thing of the past in Ghana and Africa. Decent housing will gain grounds as a strong indicator for decent living, and infrastructure will be developed cheaper, better and faster to support our economic growth agenda, she stated. At GPPF, according to her, one of their anchor strategies, is a monthly seminar series that will take them to their goal of sanitizing the built environment in Ghana and Africa. Pauline Anaman posited that the next GPPF seminar series will be held on 29th March 2017 on the (tentative) topic: "Regenerating Inner Cities and Zongos: Principles and Evidence for Policy Making" in Accra. 25.02.2017 LISTEN No doubt many of the current MPs, especially on the then opposition NPP side, rode on the coattails of Nana Akufo Addos landslide victory in last years general elections. The NDC, which was then the ruling majority party, as we all know, sustained serious electoral wounds culminating in the loss of many of its veteran members in parliament. In other words, the net gain of inexperienced or new MPs for the NPPs camp is relatively high compared to the NDCs in the recent parliamentary elections. With this comparatively vast repertoire of long-serving NDCs MPs, it would be fair to conclude that theyre well-seasoned and, more important, understand and embrace basic parliamentary decorum, especially, during the presidential state of the nation (SONA) address. The State of the Nation or Union addresses in every country attracts increased worldwide attention and special media coverage; and, the one delivered by President Akufo Addo was no exception. It was not exactly clear what the minority MPs on the NDCs bench was trying to accomplish regarding their classless, constant interruptions and boos of the president of the republic when delivering the SONA in parliament some days ago. What was clear to millions of reasonable people watching this years SONA was that most of the opposition members of parliament acted exactly like the juvenile characters captured in Jane Taylors century-old poem Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Stars. The previous NDC-led government had created the rosy impression that they were leaving behind Ghanaian economy that is Up the world so high that seems like the diamond in the sky. But there was no true diamond in the sky except counterfeit ones. So, the NDC legislators did not like the idea that President Akufo Addo was telling the whole world about the true state of the countrys messy economy his administration inherited on January 7, 2017. Hence the strategy by the opposition members of the NDC was to interrupt the president as much as they could to deafen the ears of Ghanaians and worldwide audience from hearing the key subtexts of President Akuffo Addos message. It was embarrassing, watching the SONA for the first time with my American-born wife who happens to be a middle school social studies teacher trying to learn more about Ghana she has come to love and respect. For the most part, it wasnt classy and sophisticated experience because of the infantile behavior displayed by many of the MPs from the opposition NDCs side. It is one thing for MPs to burst into momentary uproar as well as spontaneous laughter/applause that has become part of many parliamentary cultures. However, it is entirely another thing for some grown-up MPs to behave like immaturely uncontrollable, noisy kids left in the room screaming for attention whilst an adult is delivering a life-saving message. True, some of us have never been MPs before, but quintessential civility or parliamentary etiquettes strongly demand that when someone has the floor to speak, all the other members must comport themselves as honorable ladies and gentlemen. Indeed, the preceding code of conduct is the basis for why almost every Member of Parliament in the world is addressed as honorable member. It is within human norms for audience to show agreement, and also voice some disagreements or concerns, where necessary, about some aspects of a body of speeches. But equally most significant is allowing whoever the speaker is, particularly, in the floor of parliament finish speaking before coming out with rebuttals and responses. Cutting off a guest speakerno less the president of the whole nationfrom delivering his/her major speech by making incessant catcalls and other orchestrated jeers in the halls of legislature, portrays the perpetrators as sophomoric bunch of political lawmakers still harboring bitterness emanating from their electoral defeat they wouldnt let go. In this case Nana Akuffo Addo was not just any ordinary guest speaker, but the head of state of Ghana required by the constitution to explain to all Ghanaians, including the MPs, the pulse of the nation at certain point in time. Doing this comprehensive assessment effectively and accurately, entails contextualization of how Ghana gets to the point in which it finds itself in at the moment. If the SONAs delivery is constitutional expectations, then the president may have no choice but to revisit the socioeconomic history of the previous year prior to taking office on January 7, 2017. Clearly, it was this necessary errand to the recent past years by President Akuffo Addo that unsettled many of the NDC MPs to start behaving as spoiled children running amok because they did not have their way from their stepdaddy. One remarkable practice common to the numerous Ghanaian subcultures is that the people/hosts accord special respect and treat their guests nobly irrespective of the circumstances. The MPs can interrupt each other on the chambers floor all day if that is what they want to do, but they should also be cognizant of the notable exceptions. According to Ghanas present constitution, the president of the republic isnt a member of parliament, so he/she becomes a guest in the legislative chamber anytime he is over there. It is about time the obstructionist politics of whataboutism or equivalence makes way for matured and progressive ways of conducting peoples business in parliament. Hopefully, going forward all the MPs will learn to recognize that the SONA is not an occasion for Q&A or parliamentary back and forth debates. Rather, the SONA is the time the president as a special guest speaker comes, with large entourage of people from all walks of life including foreigners, to parliament to address the nation on its political, cultural, and socioeconomic orbital pathways. The MPs have constitutional rights to agree or rebut the presidents remarks delivered in parliament, but this must be after the speech is over. That is what parliamentary politeness and maturity is all about. Parliament is not for juveniles, folks! The writer is United States-based social critic; he can be reached at: [email protected] Where is world outrage? Africa, weary, sick and tired of creating wealth in rich countries while Africas children are impoverished! This is not about preaching ancient history. It is happening right now. Every continent laughs to the bank with trillions of dollars generated from Africa while returning fraction as generous foreign aids. Out of that foreign aid comes payment for stipulated export: food, water, military gears to contractors, farmers, banks and corporations. African countries do not want charity in form of foreign aids; Africa needs fair trade and justice against capital flight of over $13.4 trillions plus $4.2 trillions in odious interest paid to banks in London and New York since 1980. These are aided and abetted by government manipulation and turning blind eye to $700bn mis-invoicing. How can super powers with conscience define chicanery as aid aware that for every $1 received developing countries lost $24 in net outflows? Yet, these same donors of so called aids satisfy their bleeding hearts while blaming Africans as lazy, corrupt and unproductive? Even Africans agree on corruption and blame vultures within carrying pails for their masters, at Africans expense. After all, Africans cannot go on blaming others when they have traitors among them that have been compromised by their indulgence, taste and flavor in foreign toys, goods and services. From remnants Africans fight over and loot. No African country is wealthy enough to cater for its own people, not to mention refugees from other African countries. Xenophobia has gained ground in many countries against their fellow Africans. If they do not have enough to make a difference to poverty at home, they cannot accommodate their fellow neighboring brothers. Ghana had kicked Nigerians out as Nigeria retaliated. Even S. Africans that had enjoyed immunity in African countries has turned red eye! The power behind one trillion dollars they sent back as foreign aids out of more than 3 trillion dollars they suck out of Africa in 2012 alone, force African countries into perpetual submission. Any African country that refused to play along, would find itself in the same place as Nyereres Ujama in Tanzania, Sekou Toures Guinea after the French left, Mugabes Zimbabwe as postal or Lumumbas Congo. Powers showcase them as leaders that refused to play along to get along! If Africa fails to deliver to their banks, corporations and foreign portfolio investors they have the big sticks of their government to whip any into compliance. The story of Enron Corporation in Africa where both liberal and conservative Governments acted as advocate facilitating loans at home and abroad is still fresh in our minds. Even when Enron was going under at home, they had support from their Government to conduct business overseas especially in Africa and Asia. Blame victims while bleeding in trillion dollars! Vestiges of slavery, even abolished slave trade still remains. Free labor or starving wages to make corporate bodies rich is a strong economic principle that is still alive and well but disguised hospitality today. The days of importing slaves are gone; we now sell everything Africa has at home including our best to pay for expensive visa and plane tickets to the promised land after undergoing through thorough vetting process. We are all trying to escape poverty at home created by massah that delivered Africas trillions outside to their promised lands. They are not only wicked as the old slave massah in the plantations, these modern massah are highly educated in the economic principles of outside continent they know has never worked in Africa. The more classic economic theory is applied as learned from Wharton, Harvard, Oxford or London School of Economics, the poorer Africa gets. African countries are depleted of foreign cash received from selling natural resources cheap by devaluation (or Structural Adjustment). By design they hardly have enough to satisfy their needs and wants from rich countries. The only way to get foreign cashistics is to compete for foreign reserves by hook or crook, so that looters families can live abroad lavishly. Unfortunately, individual African countries are running out of middleclass and their very rich are well protected from the angry poor, some of whom turn to criminal behavior to make ends meet. As they run out of people to rob with dangerous weapons, criminals turn on fellow poor folks around them. Neighborhoods become unsafe for lower middleclass and those abroad are fearful of returning home unless they can live in high class areas where protection is adequate. If African countries relatively wealthy in gold, diamond, uranium, cobalt, oil etc. cannot provide infrastructure, jobs and school for their buoyant youths; impoverished African countries can barely survive; sending their young generation across the ocean and desert at the risk of their lives. They will rather starve to death outside than die shamefully at home. Misinvoicing of African natural resources has been going on for ages. The US-based Global Financial Integrity (GFI) estimated that developing countries have lost more than $13.4tn through unrecorded capital flight since 1980. They used to pay royalties to themselves after profit made by their corporate explorers. After Political Independence, no African country knows how much cobalt, gold, diamond or oil is going out or how much is sold in the markets. The disparities in economic realities are inherently designed to benefit western countries at the expense of the poor countries and their people leaving desolation and poverty in their land. If these poor people try to cross to greener pastures in the land of those that benefit from their misfortunes, they are labeled as economic refugees less deserving of accommodation. The reason they fled is the trillion dollars drain from their countries! Reasonable minds may agree to disagree. However it beats the minds of fair minded people why this excessive daylight robbery in trillions of dollars are not the main point of contention among world leaders instead of the consequences that create war/economic refugees in poor developing countries of Africa and Asia. There is no permanent solution when the real cause of fire around the world is not addressed. As long as the beneficiaries are left off the hook and not confronted with the consequences of their trillion dollars avarice, there would be no solution. Having indicated all this, lip service by our leaders without action is not enough. Indeed, many of them are overwhelmed play along or remain poor like the rest of your people. Sadly, even if the trillions dollars are given back to these leaders they will loot all dry! More income in their hands does not necessarily lead to better living condition for their people. Just look at oil become a curse to producing countries and how they rob their treasuries. Where and what can be done if some of the money is returned? Asking foreign powers to monitor and police certain projects in individual deserving countries may sound patronizing. However, after all the promises of starting new and separate projects with Hail Selassie, Abacha and Mobutus stolen money in foreign banks have not produced the desired effect. We cannot trust foreign intention either. They must form world transparent agency to watch one another. Following calls by the government to corporate Ghana to support the 60th Independence Celebrations, UMB has donated an amount of GHS 100,000 to the Ghana: 60 Years on Celebrations. The amount will be given to the ultimate winner of the Jubilee Innovation Challenge which was launched by the Minister of Information, Honourable Mustapha Abdul-Hamid on 22nd February, 2017. The Jubilee Innovation Challenge is a competition for 18 to 35 year olds and its objective is to challenge Ghanaian youth to develop apps that could be used effectively in areas such as health, science, education, transportation, land management, poverty alleviation and industry. The competition will last from the 22nd February, 2017 to 19th May, 2017 with an awards ceremony on the 19th July, 2017 to reward the winners. Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Information, Honourable Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, stated that engaging the creativity of young people as part of the Ghana: 60 Years on Celebrations is absolutely essential since the youth have a critical role to play in shaping the future of Ghana. He also applauded the organizers of the competition and lauded UMB for its visionary support of youth innovation in Ghana. According to the Chief Executive Officer of UMB, Mr. John Awuah, UMB is proud to be associated with a competition that provides a platform for Ghanaian youth to demonstrate to the world how innovative they can be. The competition brings together two of the critical ingredients needed to develop this country youth and innovation. That is why we did not hesitate to partner with the committee to reward the deserving winner of the Jubilee Innovation Challenge. I am looking forward to the gems of innovation that are going to spring forth through this competition, Mr. Awuah added. The Coordinator of the competition, Abyna Ansaa Adjei encouraged the youth to actively participate in the competition and to show the world what the youth in Ghana can do. Universal Merchant Bank (UMB) is a full-service financial institution specializing in customized banking products and service recognized for its entrepreneurial approach, innovative use of technology, and distinctive banking solutions. The most cherished and trusted telecommunications brand in Ghana, MTN has confirmed hosting Unilever Executive Vice President for Ghana and Nigeria [Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh] at the upcoming 19th MTN Business World Executive Breakfast meeting. Scheduled to take place at the Movenpick Ambassador Hotel in Accra, Ghana on March 1, 2017 on the theme, Leadership Conversations in Management, the MTN Business World Executive Breakfast meeting is organized by the publishers of Business World Magazine as a platform for Executive leadership discussions, networking for CEOs, senior management, professionals and entrepreneurs in Ghana. Mr. Nsarkoh has contributed immensely to the growth of Unilever businesses in various management positions across Africa, Asia and Europe. This includes serving as Managing Director, Unilever East and Sothern Africa, Strategic Assistant to Unilever Executive Member and President of Unilever Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. Currently, he [Mr. Yaw Nsarkoh] is the Executive Vice president of Unilever Ghana-Nigeria at Unilever Nigeria. Prior to his current position, he was the Managing Director of Unilever Kenya. He has also held key positions such as; Managing Director, Unilever East and Sothern Africa, Strategic Assistant to Unilever Executive Member and President of Unilever Asia, Africa, Central and Eastern Europe. Meanwhile, touching on the reason behind the theme for the event, Mr. Asher Khan [Chief Marketing Officer of MTN Ghana] said: As leaders in the telecoms industry we are always eager to encourage the sharing of best practice to help grow other businesses. Mr. Asher Khan, however, expressed his delight in the chosen speaker [Mr. Nsarkoh] of the event. We are excited to feature a great Ghanaian leader who has a lot to of valuable knowledge in this much needed area, he said. According to the telecommunication giants [MTN], it is going to use the platform created by the 19th MTN Business World Executive Breakfast meeting to launch a new service called Mobile Care Insurance. Follow Amisty on twitter @ElAmistyNobo Email: [email protected] Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation has asked traders to stop using formalin to preserve food items since it was dangerous to human health. He said formalin was being used particularly to preserve koobi, dried tilapia, and that was a recipe to cause cancer in people when consumed. Formalin in fish would make it stiff, have rubbery meat, hard scales, red gills, clear eyes, and take away it fishy smell. This chemical, is usually used to stop dead bodies from rotting, he said. This chemical, is usually used to stop dead bodies from rotting, Prof. Frimpong-Boateng said. Formalin is a colourless strong-smelling chemical substance usually used in the textiles, plastics, papers, paint, and construction industries as well as a well-known chemical used to preserve human corpse. Speaking to journalists during a working visit to the Food Research Institute (FRI) and the Industrial Research Institute (IRR) of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on Friday [February 24, 2016], Prof Frimpong-Boateng said, hitherto, opening the gills of Koobi exposed the salt placed there. Koobi was a little softer and when you put it somewhere flies will be attracted to it. These days you put koobi there and even flies will not go there. So we want the few people who are destroying that industry to stop. Don't preserve koobi with formalin, it is dangerous, it can cause cancer and it is dangerous everywhere, he said. Tell the traders to stop using formalin but instead use salt to preserve koobi, Prof Frimpong-Boateng said. The visit was part of his familiarisation tour to various research institutions under CSIR that play a strategic role in developing scientific research that would feed industry and propel economic growth. Prof Frimpong-Boateng together with Dr Victor Agyeman, Director-General of CSIR interacted with the staff of the two institutes and urged them to work hard and come out with scientific research programmes that would help boost industry, agriculture and education. The Minister assured the staff of government's commitment to resource the research centres with funds as it prepared to increase research fund from 0.2 per cent to 2.5 per cent of the nations budget. He also commended the staff at the Food Research Institute for the various products they had come up with but urged them to work to link up with industry to take up the innovation and sell them. He however expressed regret at the level of deterioration at the Institute of Industrial Research despite the fact that there were scientists ready to work but were faced with obsolete equipment and tools. I think we as a people have failed the CSIR, which was created to play a critical role in building the economy the Minister noted. GNA 25.02.2017 LISTEN Indigenous Oil Marketing Company, GOIL has dismissed reports indicating that Presdent Akufo-Addo has appointed one Mr. Osei Prempeh as its new CEO. According to a press statement signed by GOIL's Board Chairman, Prof. William Asumaning, the company is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange(GSE), hence has procedures in appointing its head, which must comply with regulations set by the GSE. The Regulations state the process through which a CEO can be appointed or removed. The Board would like to state emphatically that it is not aware of the observance of such processes as stated in the regulations leading to the appointment of any CEO and that we as a Board have not made any such appointment, the statement explained. It therefore assured shareholders that, the report, which is widely circulated on the internet should be disregarded since the board has not taken such a decision. Below is the Press Statement PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE STATEMENT BY GOIL BOARD ON APPOINTMENT OF A NEW CEO Information available to the GOIL Board per a publication on Ghanaweb on Friday, the 24th of February, 2017 captioned Nana Addo Picks New Heads for Forestry Commission, Ghana Health Service and GOIL indicates that the new CEO appointed for GOIL is one Mr. Osei Prempeh. The Board would like to draw the attention of the SHAREHOLDERS and the public to the fact that GOIL is a public listed company on the Ghana Stock Exchange with its own Regulations. The Regulations state the process through which a CEO can be appointed or removed. The Board would like to state emphatically that it is not aware of the observance of such processes as stated in the regulations leading to the appointment of any CEO and that we as a Board have not made any such appointment. SIGNED. Prof. William Asumaning (Board Chairman) 24th February, 2017. By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana In my recent article on the 2017 election in Liberia, I advised that the Liberian media be neutral and to give fair and balanced reporting of the news. The media should not be biased, covering one side to achieve a political objective. Biased and misleading reporting is unhealthy, dangerous and detrimental to democracy. Since the article, I have observed to my dismay the continual exercise of misleading news coverage by some media outlets, particularly FrontPage Africa, a leading newspaper in Liberia. In its February 14, 2017 edition, FrontPage Africas article entitled, Weahs Continuous Absence at ECOWAS Parliament Sets in New Regulation, reported that ECOWAS secretariat has enacted a new regulation sparked by the continuous absence from sessions and other wrongful behavior of Senator George Weah; and that such behavior has drawn the attention of other members of the body. In fact, the paper wrote, Senator George Weahs continuous absence and short stay at the ECOWAS Parliament sessions (have) begun raising eye brow among members of the parliament and (have) sparked a new set of regulations to govern sessions, meetings and missions. FrontPage said that it has in its possession a letter by ECOWAS Speaker of Parliament Moustapha Cisso Lo to member delegates stating to them of the problem, including the behavior of some members coming to parliament, taking stipends but leaving without attending sessions. Front Page however indicated that the letter did not mention by name the person or people responsible, but pointed out that it was Senator George Weah. What evidence did the paper base its assertion on? After the story publication, Senator Prince Johnson, a member of Liberian delegation to ECOWAS Parliament, complained on state radio station in Liberia that Senator George Weah had abandoned him at Lagos airport upon arrival at the airport to attend ECOWAS meeting. Senator Johnson also said that George Weah was the person whom the letter referred to. Certainly Rodney Sieh, editor-publisher of FrontPage Africa, wrote in defense of the story; Everything we reported this week has been validated by Senator Prince Johnson, one of several Liberian lawmakers appointed to the ECOWAS Parliament. The above expression by the paper was unfortunate. FrontPage knows that Senator Johnson, like Senator Weah and others, is a presidential candidate in the coming election in Liberia. The two senators are competitors for the presidency. The validation, Johnsons statement, could have been political. Moreover, the paper should have known that the accusation was made after a complaint of alleged abandonment. Hence, the accusation could have been motivated by the abandonment complaint as alleged. Secondly, if the senator felt abandoned by a colleague, why did not he make known of his complaint privately to Weah at ECOWAS? But he had to return to Liberia to air his complaint on public radio station. This could mean he had an intention and motive to embarrass the accused to public disrepute and dislike. Thirdly, for journalistic fairness and credibility, Senator Johnson was not the only available source. As indicated, there were and are several Liberian lawmakers appointed to the ECOWAS Parliament. The paper could have asked two or three of the five appointed lawmakers for verification. FrontPage could have also inquired directly from member attendance record from ECOWAS secretariat. Instead, the paper based its story on a questionable source considered in Liberia to be unreliable and inconsistent. Subsequent to the above story, FrontPage on the following day came with another story entitled, Come, Grab & Go? The title contains a photo of Weah. In this story, the paper reported that Weah would come to ECOWAS, picks up his allotted allowance and leave without attending sessions. Again, the papers source was Senator Prince Johnson, quoted saying, only George Weah signs for stipends and & leaves. Here once more, FrontPage did not do due diligence by fact checking the allegation, as it appears to tarnish the character of a fellow citizen, especially a lawmaker who is running for the highest office of the country. Finally, FrontPage failed to get Weahs side of the story, a must for balanced reporting. DID MISLEADING INFORMATION CONTRIBUTE TO THE CIVIL WAR? Misleading and biased reporting must stop. It does not help in maintaining peace and stability. I stated also in my previous article how such reporting affected particularly the 2005 presidential election in Liberia. So I do not have to repeat it here. But I need to say how it impacted the civil war. Yes, biased, faked and misleading information helped cause the civil war in Liberia. Here is an example: In 1985, President Samuel Doe and Brigadier General Thomas Quiwonpka, two friends who led the 1980 Revolution, fell out and not speaking to each other. The General, called then Strongman, left the military barrack and moved temporally to a hotel in Monrovia. Liberia was to receive an urgent and needed international aid but with condition requiring the cooperation of the General. The president decided to meet the General to discuss the situation. The news of the intended visit reached the General, but his key supporters/aides advised him not to meet Doe, telling him that Does intention was to kill him. Doe could not see the General when arrived at the hotel. He left disappointed. General Quiwonpka felt in secured in Liberia and left for exile in America. In the US, he decided to further his education at a community college, putting the Liberian issue on the back burner. But because of his popularity in Liberia and with the military, a Liberian group in America approached him to lead an invasion in Liberia to remove Doe from power. The General refused. The group returned later but this time with a faked photo of his mother being raped by Does soldiers. The General was intensely angry when he saw the picture and agreed to lead the invasion. But the invasion failed; the General died. Unfortunately and sadly after his death, the group abandoned his family, just as the group forgot about him letting him standing alone with a gun and a malfunctioned walkie- talkie, wandering and confused on Friday of the invasion. On November 15, 1985, a newly enlisted soldier of the government forces saw him walking and shot him dead. The nation, particularly his supporters, friends and family, was saddened by his death. The General was a quiet man, a gentleman, a family man, a good man. I knew him; he married to a family member. And the civil war came in December 1989, four years after the invasion. To avenge the Generals death, his kinsmen from Nimba, Senator Prince Johnsons birthplace, joined rebel leader Charles Taylor in the war to topple the Doe government. A full civil war emerged in later years, causing the deaths of thousands of innocent people. Here faked and misleading information helped create and maintain a rift between two best friends, causing animosity and conflict between their once friendly tribal groups and creating a national war. Misleading information is dangerous! The group that misinformed and misled the General emerged in the 2005 election and disseminated faked and misinformation aimed to recreate tribal and regional conflict for political gain. Now and apparently, the media is being used to influence this election. The media has a responsible role in this years election in Liberia. Journalists must carry and report the news fairly and must balance both sides. As said before, they are the watchdogs of the society. They must verify information and report accurately. AM I FOR WEAH AND AGAINST FRONTPAGE? Certainly not; in fact, I am not a member of a political party. I enjoy reading and listening to the news and being informed. FrontPage Africa is one of my favorite papers. I do not know majority of the Liberian presidential candidates and never saw them in person. I know VP Joseph Boakai and Dr. Mills Jones. I do not personally know Senator George Weah and never saw him in person. I saw recently candidate Benoni Urey at a funeral. We do not know each other, though he married to a Nyanfore, Mai Bright Urey, daughter of Mary Sarah Nyanfore from Grandcess. Mai and I have communicated on the phone and on social media but never met. I am saying this to indicate that I am not advocating for any particular candidate and not against FrontPage Africa. I have many friends in government or people with political connections and who are considered to be rich. But their wealth and power do not move and control me. I am my own person. I am content with what God has given me so far. I do not support any one of them if he/she is wrong or is found to engage in a wrongful behavior. Supporting and defending bad people because of personal relations or interest is to encourage wrongdoing and corrupt society. My conscience would trouble me and I would be sad and unhappy if I do that. I would be an opportunist and guilty by omission, meaning exploiting and benefitting from the position of my friends and legally, seeing or knowing of the wrongdoings of friends and others but failing to act or failing to say something. WHERE DO I STAND! I stand for fairness and justice. I am against misinformation and the blatant use of it without regard of its consequence. I think it is sometime used with the belief or philosophy that people are stupid, that they are poor and can be fooled and that the truth will not come out; and even if it does, the people will do nothing anyway. This is a repressive way of thinking. I am against mistreatment and the oppression of people, especially poor, powerless and defenseless people. I strongly believe in God and uphold the consistency of personal principles, honesty and integrity. I believe that the media is a security guard of the community, standing against wrongdoings and standing for justice and truth. The press must stand for the right of all citizens. There is an opinion that Weah is not well educated, and factually he was born poor and grew up in the slums. But he, like all Liberian citizens, has the human and constitutional right to be treated fairly and to want to become president of Liberia. It is not me personally, the media or any other institutions to decide, but the Liberian people, through the ballot box, to decide who should become the next president. Moreover, my advocacy for fairness and against misleading reporting has been for over forty years: while in high school, I published against the unjust condition of African Americans in the US in the 60s, when I came to America as a teenager. I published against the misinformation of a Washington Post editorial on Liberia in 1980 and against a biased report by the now defunct Washington Afro-American newspaper that year. I protested by publication the imprisonment of FrontPage Editor Rodney Sieh and the subsequent shutdown of the paper by the Liberian court in 2013. Although the imprisonment was due to a case of an alleged failure to authenticate a story, I felt that the amount charged for the libel verdict and fees was unfair and was intended to silent him and close down the paper for good. My research revealed that the Liberian court system, the Supreme Court, has historically disfavored press freedom. I called for his release, and so were many concerned individuals and international institutions advocating for him and for freedom of the press. As stated earlier, I like the paper; it has faced the challenges of the press in Africa, and it was one of the reasons I recommended it for an international opportunity in 2013. I have no regrets for my effort and action. I hope that FrontPage Africa and other media in Liberia will act responsibly and desist from biased and misleading reportage, particularly in this election year. I urge also that Liberians of voting age would register to vote this year. It is a constitutional obligation and right for change. I have registered and planned to return to Liberia to vote. I will vote my conscience! The northern regional minister, honorable Salifu Saeed has promised to see to it that, the Ambariya Muslim community has its own education unit from the Ghana education service (GES) to enhance the development of the Arabic education in the country especially, the northern region. According to Mr Saeed, the Ambariya Education Institute was doing grate in developing education in the region and therefore the need to support it to expand their coverage to other parts of the country. Honorable saeed made the promised when he visited the Ambariya Muslim community on Friday as part of his five-day familiarization tour of the region. The minister Salifu Saeed on Friday visited the leadership of the various religious communities in the Tamale metropolis to thank them for their prayers towards peace in the 2016 Presidential and parliamentary elections and also introduce himself to them. He was accompanied by the regional chairman of the party, Abdul-Fatawu Bugri Naabu, the regional organizer Alhaji Hindu, regional members of the party's council of elders, friends, family members and some constituency and regional executives. The minister and his team also called on the Ahmadiyya Muslim community where they were received by the regional president of the Admadiyya mission, Alhaji Nurideen Abdul mumin who assured the minister of their support in both development and peace in the region. Mr. Salifu Saeed also promised them of government's collaboration to ensure that they have peaceful environment to operate. He also appealed to them to partner with the other religious bodies and traditional rulers to ensure coexistence in the region. The convoy also visited the Masjidul Bayaan, the Tamale Central Mosque which is the office of the regional chief Imam, the Christian council and the regional Zongo chief. The minister has also been scheduled to pay a courtesy call on some eminent chiefs in the region. On Sunday, the team heads to the overlord of the Gonja traditional area, Yagbonwura Tuntumba Boresa. And on Monday, a courtesy call on the overlord of the Mampurigu traditional area, Naayiri Sheriga Bohagu. Final journey of the minister and his team is on Tuesday where the minister's convoy will pay a courtesy call on the regent of Dagbon, Kampakuya-naa Abdulai Andani and that of the regent of the Nanumba traditional area, the overlord of Wulensi and return home on the same day. The La Crosse-Bantry Friendship Association will host the second annual Coulee Hoolie Ceili (pronounced KAY-lee) from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday at the Concordia Ball Room, 1129 La Crosse St., La Crosse This Irish celebration will include music, dance, food and fun. Coulee Hooligans will provide traditional Irish music while caller Tim Jenkins calls a variety of Irish contra dances, complete with instruction so everyone can join. In addition, there will be a cash bar and silent auction. This years event will benefit the La Crosse Area Suicide Prevention Initiative and Lisheens House in our sister city, Bantry Ireland. Silent auction items to include Young Irelanders concert tickets, guitar, Brewers tickets, YMCA gift certificates, Nicklaus Martial Arts America gift certificates, hotel stays, local dining certificates, gift baskets and more. The cost is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors/students/military and $20 for a family. The newly sworn in northern regional minister, honorable Salifu Saeed has appealed to the traditional rulers in the region to support government on maintaining peace in the region to help bring development to the people. According to the regional minister, before any region can get developed, peaceful environment must prevail. Honorable Salifu Saeed said this when he paid a courtesy call on the five major chiefs in the Tamale on Thursday as part of his five-day familiarization tour of the region. The minister who was accompanied by the regional chairman of the party (Abdul-Fatawu Bugri-Naabu), the regional chairman of the party's council of elders, the regional coordinating director, the regional chief coordinating director, some constituency and regional executives called on the Paramount chief of Tamale ( Gulkpe-Naa, Alhaji Abdulai Alhassan), the Dakpema ( Naa Alhassan Mohammed Dasana). The convoy also called on the Paramount chief of Sagnarigu (ambassador Yakubu Abdulai), the Banvum-lana ( Mahamadu Abdulai) and the Lamashe-Naa to ask for their blessings and also introduce himself to them Interacting with the chiefs and their elders at their various palaces, honorable S.S Saeed promised to turn Tamale into a business center where investors across the glob can come and invest their moneys. He said the government of Nana Addo has the intention to developing the northern region. But added that, peace must be the leader of the development. He also used the opportunity to thank chiefs and people of the region for the peaceful nature in which the 2016 general elections were conducted through to the transition period, calling for it to continue. The chiefs in their part, also thanked the minister for recognizing their role in the governance system and appealed to him to use his office to develop the region. They also called on him to be a father for all and not only party supporters, saying they will be disappointed if he chooses one side of people leaving the others. The Nanima,(collective name of chiefs in Dagbani) also appealed to the minister to create jobs for the energetic but unemployed youth in the area to help solve the unemployment issues which as a result of youth engaging in social vices in the region. The chiefs also urged him to ensure that, the numerous chieftaincy disputes that engulfed the region found lasting solutions. One of the chiefs, Naa ambassador Yakubu Abdulai ( paramount chief of the Sagnarigu traditional area said the chieftaincy disputes that has been disturbing peace in the Dagbon kingdom has brought an untold hardship to the people in the area. He said government was to be blamed partly for the start of those conflict and called on the regional minister to use legitimate means to resolve the issue In responding to their demand, honorable Saeed assured the chiefs he will work together with them to resolve all outstanding chieftaincy matters peacefully in the region. . 25.02.2017 LISTEN It is widely said; "When I become a leader, I will do the best". But it is widely known; "When I become a leader, I do the worst". What is this syndrome plaguing African leaders? I hate having to constantly write on problems in African societies, but as long as bad always outweighs the good in these societies and not vice versa, my writings on problems would not end anytime soon. It is left to the society to recognize these hindrances as espoused, and make something meaningful out of the solutions offered. The role of citizens in a society should never be underrated. A literal definition of a citizen is a recognised member of a nation. A normative definition describes a citizen as a willing member of a nation who contributes his effort to national development. The role of citizens in African societies are 'privileges'- a continent where individuals expect from government but are conveniently blind to society's expectations of them. The social orientation of individuals in a society influences their actions should they become leaders. The idea of shifting all responsibilities to government never leaves even when these individuals themselves become government. Never in my earthly existence have I seen an African political leader accepting blame for poverty within a society. Instead, they shift the blame to their predecessors, and in cases where there are no predecessors, the prevailing environment becomes a 'victim' of political blame - a condition where wrong decisions are deemed the results of prior wrong decisions. In Ghana, party colours justify flaws with equalisation. As long as the opposition did it, it is no big deal when 'I' do same. Orienting citizens to be responsible makes them responsible leaders. Although power has been handed over to government, it does not make citizens handicapped to better their lives-to surrender does not mean to be disabled. When President Nana Akuffo Addo in his inaugural speech made the statement to Ghanaians; "be citizens and not spectators...",he was not far from the truth. The root cause of irresponsible leaders is irresponsibility as a citizen. Negligence and blame games, if stopped on the individual level would be stopped on the national level. Citizens should recognise their roles with regard to state growth and act in accordance to the fulfillment of these roles. #Responsible Citizens Become Responsible Leaders Rachael Omeife (Department if Political Studies) KNUST [email protected] 25.02.2017 LISTEN By Maxwell Ofori The Planning Committee of the Ghana @ 60 celebrations has indicated that individuals who wish to use the logo for the celebration, or for any money-making purpose, could do so without any charges. As had been the practice, if you intended to use such logos for commercial gains, you would have to see the committee in order to arrange to pay some royalties. Fortunately for such people, this year's logo could be used for any purpose without paying any royalties, Lord Commey, a Member of the Planning Committee, announced what President Nana Akufo-Addo had directed the committee to do. There are no royalties to be paid. Use the logo; print whatever you want; sell them and make money into your pocket, Lord Commey said at a press conference in Accra yesterday. There are rumours going on that an invitation has been extended to foreign artistes to come and perform in Ghana as part of the celebration. Whereas some believe it is just to spice up the celebration, others, especially the lead opposition party, think otherwise. Meanwhile, Lord Commey debunked the rumours and said that the committee would not pay a pesewa to bring any artiste to perform, adding that it was the initiative of event planners who wish to hold the said concert. The committee has not invested one Ghana cedi in Don Moen concert. They (organisers of the concert) will only get the stage that would be used for the independence parade, PA system and Protocol. Rev. Josh Laryea and his committee, if they want to tell you where they got their money from fine. The issue is settled. Let the propaganda stop for us to live as one people, he remarked. We are organising this for any party that would come to power. I don't think there could be an arrangement after 7th December till now for Don Moen to come to Ghana, We organised the [email protected] Gospel Concert and we had started the arrangement long ago this [email protected], he cleared the issue. Rev. Josh Laryea of International Central Gospel Church (ICGC), who was a member of the committee that planned the Ghana @ 50 international gospel concert, stated that it takes a lot of time to arrange for a foreign artiste to come down and perform. He said his committee had already arranged for Don Moen to participate in this celebration far before the Nana Addo-led government came to power. Also, the cloth for the anniversary was out-doored at the press conference with a variety of colours, including white, yellow, blue and green, with the GH60 years logo used to design the cloth depicting the true heritage of Ghana. The committee also told the media that it had no intention of getting involved in the sale of the cloth, therefore, one has to go to Makola to purchase 12 yards at a recommended wholesale price of GH220 and retail at GH240. The committee has measures in place to set up 60 electronic libraries (E-Libraries) at 60 deprived communities in the country to commemorate the anniversary. Also, a Head of State Museum would be commissioned at the old Castle, somewhere next month, though [email protected] Tech Challenge had been launched to fish out talented Ghanaian youth who could use technology to develop an app to help in the development of the nation, for which a prize has been set aside for the winner. On 28th February, there will be a wreath laying by the President to commemorate the 28th February Street Crossroads shooting, while the Ghana Actors Guild would put up a performance on the said incident. Furthermore, 1st March has been set aside to celebrate the flag of Ghana, where the country is expected to wave the flag on that day to celebrate the uniqueness of the country, and to celebrate Theodosia Oke for such art work. On March 3, a national day for prayer and thanksgiving would be led by the Muslims, with the Vice President, H.E. Dr Bawumia, representing the country at the Central Mosque. Later the same day, there will be a choral festival and a documentary of the history of Ghana, put together by Paul Adom Otchere 4th March, the Veep would lead a nationwide health walk in Accra, which the various regions and district are to observe and take part at their respective jurisdictions. For some time now, Nestle Ghana had been awarding 20 school children as part of the independence celebration. But, the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has extended it to 60 students to award them on the 5th of March. The Catholic Bishops Conference would also lead a Christian prayer and thanksgiving on the same day, while the President commissions the Head of State Museum. However, on the 6th of March, the previous troop of colour would also be witnessed, as well fireworks by the Ghana Armed Forces. The President, after lighting the perpetual flame, would also light a torch for the anniversary. The torch would be sent to all the regions within the year. March 7th is the International Gospel Concert, where about eight and 40 international and local gospel artistes have been billed to perform respectively. That notwithstanding, a lot of activities have also been lined up to ensure a year-long celebration, which will end on 6th March 2018. A delegation from Bollore Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and Meridian Port Services Limited, shareholders of the $1.5 billion Tema Port Expansion Project, on Thursday, February 23, 2017, paid a courtesy call on President Akufo-Addo to congratulate him on his election to the high office of President. The delegation, which was led by Cyrille Bollore, Chairman of Bollore Transport & Logistics, indicated that the shareholders of the project have been buoyed up by the vision and determination of President Akufo-Addo to ensure that the private sector regains its pride of place in Ghana's economic setup. Mr. Bollore, thus, applauded President Akufo-Addo for taking Ghana into a new era of business development. He told the President that Bollore Ports, a subsidiary of Bollore Transport & Logistics, is the number one port infrastructure operator in Africa, and is also the leading container terminal management company on the continent. Together with APM Terminals and Meridian Port Services Limited, he indicated that the financing required to execute the Tema Port Expansion Project had been secured, and the project is currently ongoing. He noted that the expansion of the Tema Port will improve Ghana's trade competitiveness, facilitate trade growth, and improve revenue mobilisation. The project, he added, will allow Tema Port to accommodate some of the world's largest container ships, and improve cargo handling services and capacity. Upon its completion, Cyrille Bollore added that project will enhance the position of the Tema Port as the leading maritime hub in the region. Mohammed Samara, CEO of Meridian Port Services, the executing contractors of the project, told the President that the Port Expansion Project falls within the GPHA Master Plan for the development of the Tema Port, under the Concession Agreement granted in 2004. In addition to the expansion project, Mohammed Samara indicated that, together with Bollore Transport and Logistics and APM Terminals, a project to upgrade the Accra-Tema Motorway into a six-lane, modern highway, along with improved, connecting arterial roads, would be undertaken. This project, he added, will be financed solely with funds from the shareholders. On his part, President Akufo-Addo thanked the group for the courtesy of the visit, and stated that the major preoccupation of his government is the creation of a good business climate for businesses to thrive. He was, thus, pleased that companies like Bollore Transport & Logistics, APM Terminals and Meridian Port Services Limited have thought of Ghana as the place to do business and invest. With the Port Expansion Project having commenced in the last few months of the tenure of the previous government, President Akufo-Addo gave the assurance that his government, having convinced itself of its viability and immense benefits of the project for the economy, will not abrogate the contract. If we can convince more and more companies like yours to invest in our country, then we can thrive as a nation. Be assured that the presence of a new government does not mean the abrogation of genuine contracts entered into by the previous government. You have my support to proceed, he added. 25.02.2017 LISTEN Pursuant to Article 76(3) of the Constitution, the President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has appointed Ambassador Mercy Yvonne Debrah-Karikari as Secretary to the Cabinet, effective February 14, 2017. She becomes the first woman in Ghana's history to hold this position. A statement issued in Accra yesterday, and signed by the Acting Director of Communication at the Presidency, Eugene Arhin, said Ambassador Mercy Yvonne Debrah-Karikari is a career diplomat, and, was until her appointment, Ghana's High Commissioner to Australia, with concurrent accreditation to New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea and other countries in the Pacific region. 25.02.2017 LISTEN When the Minister of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, Mr Kofi Dzamesi, was nominated, vetted by Parliament, and approved by consensus, he had one thing in mind to transform the chieftaincy institution in the country. But what he did not know is that the Acting Director at the ministry, who is to help him prosecute the agenda, Constant Gladzah, is an ex-convict, having been found guilty of stealing tyres in 2015. The Civil Service Law 1993, PNDC Law 327 Section 76 (2), under general misconduct states, For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that the conviction of a Civil Servant for any offence involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude, tends to bring the Civil Service into disrepute. The Chronicle is, however, unable to determine whether, after being found guilty of stealing, but was spared a custodial sentence, Constant Gladzah still qualifies to work as the Acting Director at the ministry. Gladzah, according to The Chronicle sources, was working at the Ministry of Information, and after departmental transfers, was sent to the Chieftaincy Ministry to act as Director. Soon after his transfer, it emerged that some tyres had gone missing. He was subsequently arrested and charged before court, where he pleaded guilty to the offence. On May 22, 2015, an Accra High Court, presided over by Alhaji Justice Adbullah Iddrisu, found Constant Gladzah guilty of the offence, based on his own plea. The judgement reads: the accused person was convicted on the 19th of May, 2015 on his own plea of guilty, and the sentencing was deferred to 21st May 2015, but the court did not sit due to the industrial strike by JUSAG. Counsel for the convict, in praying for mitigation, stated that the defence and prosecution have agreed to come under section 35 of the Courts Act, so as to avoid custodial sentence, and prayed for restitution, or for the damage that has been caused to the state. That the accused is a first offender who is not known to the court. The prosecution, on the other hand, is not opposed to the prayer of the convict that this matter should be treated under section 35 of the Courts Act of 1993, this is so, because the funds involved are public funds, and since the convict has not wasted the courts time, the court could consider the convicts prayer. Section 35 of Act 459, that is the Courts Act, provides (1) where a person is charged with an offence before the High Court or Regional Tribunal, the commission of which has caused economic loss, harm or damage to the state or state agency, the accused may inform the prosecutor whether the accused admits the offence and is willing to offer compensation, or make restitution and reparation for the loss, harm or damage caused. (2) where the accused makes an offer of compensation or restitution and reparation, the prosecutor shall consider if the offer is acceptable to the prosecution. (3) If the offer is acceptable to the prosecution, the prosecution shall, in the presence of the accused, inform the court, which shall consider if the offer of compensation or restitution and reparation is satisfactory. In the instant case, the prosecution submits that the 44 tyres that were taken away by the accused convict have been returned and are in the custody of EOCO. In effect, the damage done to the state has been repaired. The convict is a first-time offender who is not known to the court, he showed remorse when he appeared before the court, the prosecution has also accepted his offer, and has not shown any dissatisfaction of the offer, the punishment should, therefore, not be retributive in nature. In the circumstances, therefore, the accused/convict is sentenced to a fine of 200 penalty units or in default 2 years imprisonment. He shall pay to the state the sum of GH800 as compensation. The tyres, which are in the custody of EOCO, should be released to the beneficiary state agencies involved. From John Bediako, Tema 25.02.2017 LISTEN A suspected motorbike thief, believed to be in his 20s, escaped a near death situation, following attempts by an angry mob to unleash instant justice on him. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday February 22 at Tindonmolgo, a suburb of Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, after the suspect allegedly stole a motorbike. But for the timely intervention of two police officers, who chanced upon the situation, the suspect would have been lynched. Eyewitnesses told The Chronicle the mob stoned the suspect, tore his attire, kicked and hit him with all manner of objects, until he became weak with deep cuts and bruises all over his body. The suspect, who was reeling in pain with blood all over his body, was whisked away by the two police officers. Meanwhile, a young man, who spoke to The Chronicle on condition of anonymity, said he rushed to the Regional Headquarters of the Ghana Police Service and reported the action of the mob, after the suspect was trapped in a store in the area. According to him, the police told him they would rush to the scene, but never showed up, until those two officers chanced on the scene and rescued the suspect. From William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Bolgatanga 25.02.2017 LISTEN Rockson Ayine Bukari has announced his resolution to strictly demand loyalty and positive work ethics and attitude from all people of the Upper East Region, especially public office holders, as he takes over the administration of the Regional Coordinating Council. The one-time Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, received a stimulating welcome into the region by elders, supporters, sympathisers and executives of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP) on Wednesday February 22, 2017, as the Regional Minister. Addressing a cheering gathering at the forecourt of his official residence in Bolgatanga, Mr. Bukari said: As already admonished by President Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, we need drastic changes in attitudes and practices as citizens to be able to realise the desired conditions for ourselves and our people. Discipline must permeate all sectors of our national life, and define a suitable code of conduct for us, as a people. According to him, the period of party campaigns must end, so as to get everybody on board to work towards uniting Ghanaians, and for that matter, the people of the region, to tackle real challenges such as illiteracy, poverty, deprivation, diseases and unemployment. He said these challenges do not have party colouration, and, therefore, it is only natural and fair that the people leave all forms of divisiveness and rally round the government to prosecute its manifesto promises. Mr. Bukari disclosed his immediate plan to hold a series of interactive encounters with identifiable stakeholders in the region, to learn at first hand, their plans and programmes, and also solicit support for the implementation of the manifesto of the government. He will also use the encounters to discuss further details about priority areas of his administration, and at large, the government's. He paid glowing tributes all his predecessors for their contributions, which have laid a strong foundation on which he will build. He also recognised the enormous contributions of traditional rulers and the Regional Security Council in keeping the region together, especially during the electiona and through the transition period. Murtala Mohammed, Upper East Regional Chairman of the NPP, and his executives, were also commended for leading the party in the region to achieve victory. Otherwise known as The Action Man, the Regional Minister pledged to operate an open-door administration, where every good idea or input towards the development of the region will be welcomed. I shall be a father, and treat all with dignity and fairness, he further pledged. Prior to the address of Mr. Bukari, Regional Chairman Murtala Mohammed requested a minute's silence for the late Adam Mahama, former Regional Chairman who died in May 2015 from an acid attack. He assured the Minister that he and his executives will support him to succeed. From William Nlanjerbor Jalulah, Bolgatanga 25.02.2017 LISTEN Mantrac Ghana Limited, authorised dealers of Caterpillar products and services in Ghana, has announced the graduation of the first batch of eight students for the Caterpillar Technicians for Africa Project Ghana Edition. This comes at a time Mantrac Ghana is celebrating its 80 years of dealership in the country. Technicians for Africa Project is a free online programme for Africans seeking a new and exciting career as service technicians. It is sponsored by Caterpillar, the global leader in construction and mining equipment, in collaboration with its dealers across Africa, as part of its corporate social responsibility. In Ghana, the programme was launched in November 2016, and currently has over 350 students enrolled, with the first set of eight students receiving certification to begin their career as Service Technicians. In a matter of three to six months, trainees can achieve Foundational Certification and begin an exciting journey towards a possible career, as a well-paid and highly valued service technician in the automotive, trucking or heavy equipment industry. According to Mantrac Ghana's Product Support Manager, Graham Dickinson, the training is an opportunity for technicians who wish to work with Mantrac Ghana to go through this process to equip them for the delivery satisfactory services. Behind every car, truck or heavy equipment is a service technician who keeps that vehicle running. Service technicians work inside mechanic shops, auto dealerships, heavy equipment dealerships and other garages to diagnose and repair equipment, he said. Since the Caterpillar dealership in Ghana was formed in 1937, we have developed the skills of thousands of technicians. The technicians who graduated from our training school have strengthened the overall technical knowledge within the Ghanaian power generation, construction and mining industries, he added. Mr Dickinson indicated that the construction and mining industries continue to grow throughout Africa, with its attendant opportunities, and urged people to avail themselves of the opportunity presented by Mantrac Ghana to enhance their skills, to make themselves marketable. He said it was also an opportunity for the Ministry of Education to empower the newly-upgraded technical universities to better prepare graduates for the job market. Newmont Ghana Women and Allies Network has donated GH45,742 to lead an anti-breast cancer campaigner, Breast Care International (BCI), at a short, but impressive ceremony at the Peace and Love Hospital, Baatsona, on the Spintex Road, Accra. The cash donation is to boost BCI's countrywide outreach programmes, aimed at educating and creating awareness about breast cancer, through free breast screening. Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai, President of BCI, and CEO of Peace and Love Hospitals, said the amount would bolster the campaign, and was highly appreciative of Newmont, because the humanitarian gesture was both at the instance and volition of the multinational company. The Chairperson of the Accra Chapter of Women and Allies, Newmont Ghana, Neringa Berzinkaskaite, and the Chairperson of the Akyem Chapter, Elizabeth Hazel, were unanimous the donation was in line with their corporate social responsibility in reaching out to human centered organisations, whose core objects were in line with those of Newmont, and commended BCI for the sustained campaign against breast cancer, which, they believed, had impacted positively on the public. MTN/ Arko Foundation Elsewhere in the Ashanti Region, a delegation of Telecom giant MTN, led by the Manager of the Northern sector, Mrs. Afrakoma Baah Obeng, has paid a courtesy call on Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai at the head office of BCI in Kumasi, to familiarise themselves with operations of the facility, and to explore ways of corporation between the two. The BCI team, led by Dr. Wiafe, walked them through the various stages of breast cancer treatment, and reiterated the urgent need to intensify the public education drive, in a bid to reduce the incidence of the disease, while fighting off ignorance and stigmatisation . She charged corporate Ghana to assist BCI in whatever way possible, to intensify the awareness creation exercise, as poverty and ignorance combine to claim the lives of some afflicted women. A co-sponsored free breast screening programme by BCI and the Arko Foundation (an offshoot of BCI) , at the Africa Hall of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), followed the visit, and was at the instance of the Ladies Wing of the Harvest Chapel International, where Mrs. Baah Obeng doubles as the leader. Dr. Beatrice Wiafe Addai noted that the primary consideration is to connect with schools and communities across the country for breast abnormalities. The BCI outreach team encouraged the student population and the faithful to periodically examine their own breasts, and report any abnormality to health facilities for further examination. Dr. Wiafe charged them to be ambassadors of the breast cancer public education programme, and help spread the news that breast cancer is both treatable and survivable, if detected early. The La Crosse-Dubna Friendship Association will celebrate Maslenitsa the traditional pre-Lenten folk and religious holiday celebrated in Russia during the last week before Lent from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the undercroft of Christ Episcopal Church, 111 N. Ninth St. Much like Mardi Gras, the celebration involves feasting before the Lenten fast. The food of choice is blini, a Russian pancake. There also will be Russian music and a presentation about Yuri Oganessian, a nuclear physicist from Dubna and longtime friend of La Crosse, for whom the Periodic Table element No. 118, Oganesson, is named. Matobo (Zimbabwe) (AFP) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe celebrated his 93rd birthday with a lavish party on Saturday, addressing his own mortality in a speech, but showing no signs of stepping down. Wearing a black cowboy hat, Mugabe, who is increasingly frail, paused for lengthy periods and mumbled at times as he spoke for more than an hour. "It's not always easy to predict that, although you are alive this year, you will be alive next year," he said. "It does not matter how healthy you might feel. The decision that you continue to live and enjoy life is that of one personality we call the Almighty God. Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe blows out candles during a private birthday ceremony which is to be followed by a lavish party attended by thousands of loyalists "We should thank the Almighty God that I was able to live from 92 years last year to 93, but much more than that I was able to live from childhood to this day -- that's a long, long journey." The birthday party, held in a large marquee outside Zimbabwe's second city Bulawayo, was attended by thousands of officials and ZANU-PF party supporters. Mugabe has held power since 1980 during a reign marked by repression of dissent, vote-rigging and the country's sharp economic decline. Now the world's oldest national leader, his actual birthday on Tuesday has been honoured in a week-long extravaganza with state media filled with tributes and praise. Local criticism Saturday's party included a feast and several vast birthday cakes, angering some Zimbabweans as the country endures severe food shortages. One of the cakes was shaped like Mugabe's official Mercedes-Benz limousine. Holding the event at a school in Matobo has also riled locals as it is close to where many victims of Mugabe's crackdown on dissidents in the early 1980s are thought to be buried. At least 20,000 people are believed to have been killed in the massacres by North Korean-trained Zimbabwean troops, according to rights groups. "This should not be a place for celebration," Mbuso Fuzwayo, spokesman for the Bulawayo-based campaign group Ibhetshu Likazulu, told AFP. "The whole area is a crime scene where the bones of victims of the massacres are buried." The state-owned Herald newspaper on Tuesday published a 24-page supplement of gushing congratulatory messages from government departments and regime loyalists. Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe gave a faltering television interview this week, vowing to remain in power despite growing signs of frailty "It's written on earth and in heaven that our leader is R.G. Mugabe," ZANU-PF national youth leader Kudzai Chipanga told the president in his speech. "We find it hard and impossible to talk about any other leader except yourself." ZANU-PF has endorsed Mugabe as its candidate for general elections next year, and he remains widely respected as a liberation hero by other African leaders. 'Mugabe must go'? Party guests -- many dressed in clothing printed with Mugabe's image -- chanted "Long live the African icon". "Some in their little groups are saying 'Mugabe must go' and I ask 'where must I go?'" Mugabe said, wearing dark glasses and a colourful jacket with a picture of himself on it. "If ZANU-PF says 'you should step down', I will step down," He has avoided naming a successor, but his wife, Grace, 51, is seen as a possible candidate along with vice-president Emmerson Mnangagwa. A coalition of opposition activist groups said the event was "a mockery and a direct insult to the concerns of the citizens", alleging that poor farmers were forced to donate cattle to feed guests. Mugabe cut the cakes with the help of Grace as the crowd sang Happy Birthday. Born on February 21, 1924, Mugabe trained as a teacher and taught in what was then Rhodesia and Ghana before returning home to join the guerrilla war against white-minority rule. He became prime minister on Zimbabwe's independence from Britain in 1980 and then president in 1987. All schools around Bulawayo were closed on Thursday and Friday to prepare for the celebration, which was attended by some ambassadors and foreign dignitaries. "Our children were told their classrooms have been turned into boarding facilities, and they (were) frogmarched to join the birthday party," local poet and opposition activist Desire Moyo told AFP. Cairo (AFP) - British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday finalised a $150 million loan guarantee agreement tied to crucial IMF financing for Egypt. In Johnson's first visit as foreign secretary to Egypt, he also discussed boosting trade, with UK company investments having reached $30 billion in 2016, according to Britain's Foreign Office. Johnson and Sisi "finalised a joint declaration agreement on a $150 million loan guarantee to Egypt," the British embassy said in a statement. The British loan guarantee was part of up to $6 billion pledged in bilateral funding Egypt needed to secure to qualify for a $12 billion IMF loan linked with tough economic reforms. The visit came as Egypt pushes for a resumption of British flights to Sharm el-Sheikh, which were suspended following a jihadist bombing that killed 224 holidaymakers on board a Russian airliner departing the resort. "The two sides emphasised they would continue working on resuming flights from British airports to Sharm el-Sheikh," the presidency said in a statement. Russia had suspended all flights to Egypt after the October 2015 bombing claimed by the Islamic State group. In the meeting Johnson said his country "looked forward to boosting economic and trade cooperation with Egypt," the statement said. Earlier in February, the UK prime minister's trade envoy Sir Jeffrey Donaldson visited Egypt with an economic delegation. My admiration for farmers increased exponentially when I read Kofi Adams farming exploits about how he has been feeding Ghanaians and at the same time reaping tremendous benefits from his farm proceeds. Apparently, Ghanaian farmers work extremely hard, yet they do not normally receive the befitting rewards from their seemingly hectic schedules. Disappointingly, unlike their counterparts in the developed countries, Ghanaian farmers do not reap satisfactory benefits from their farming business. Take, for example, in 2012, agricultural subsidies totalled an estimated $486 billion in the top 21 food-producing countries in the world (Worldwatch Institute, 2014). Interestingly, these countriesthe members of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and seven other countries (Brazil, China, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Russia, South Africa, and Ukraine)are responsible for almost 80 percent of global agricultural value added in the world (Potter, 2014). However, agricultural subsidies are not equally distributed around the globe. In fact, Asia spends more than the rest of the world combined. China pays farmers an unparalleled $165 billion (Worldwatch 2014). Also, significant subsidies are provided by Japan ($65 billion), Indonesia ($28 billion), and South Korea ($20 billion) (Potter 2014). Moreover, Europe contributes a great deal towards agricultural subsidies due in large part to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU). At over $50 billion, CAP subsidies accounted for roughly 44 percent of the entire budget of the EU in 2011. And this figure does not include EU price supports, in which governments keep domestic crop prices artificially high to give farmers a further incentive at the expense of the consumer. Including these price supports, the EU spent over $106 billion on agricultural subsidies in total (Worldwatch 2014). Furthermore, North America provides almost $45 billion in subsidies, with the United States spending just over $30 billion and Canada and Mexico spending $7.5 billion and $7 billion respectively (Potter 2014). Juxtaposing the huge incentives the farmers in the developed countries receive with their counterparts in Ghana, one would not be mistaken for suggesting that Ghanaian farmers are only carrying out penal servitude. Given the circumstances, it would take only an exceptional farmer like Kofi Adams to be able to afford umpteen luxurious cars. Thus, it leaves many observers with unalterable puzzled countenance when the hitherto unbeknownst farmer, Kofi Adams passionately ascribes his wealth to his farming proceeds. I must admit, however, Kofi Adams farming experience has rekindled my long-held interest to go into full-time farming. Somehow, the hitherto hand-to-mouth venture has become so lucrative according to Kofi Adams. My heartfelt gratitude, though, should go to the firebrand NPPs Sunyani Youth Organiser, Kwame Baffoe, alias Aboronye DC, for igniting the flame. It all started when the NPP government took over the presidency and the news spiralled around that some officials of the erstwhile NDC government are unlawfully taking possession of the national assets. Consequently, the intrepid and patriotic individuals like Kwame Baffoe took it upon themselves and carried out citizens arrest by seizing the alleged stolen national assets from the suspects. Kofi Adams subsequently came into the scene when Kwame Baffoe and his patriotic team seized a number of national assets including about five luxurious cars from the NDC Party Organiser. As it was expected, Aboronye DC and his team actions received mixed reactions from the general public. There were those who admired Aboronye DC and his compatriots show of patriotism and vigilantism, while other people viewed their actions as disgusting and unlawful. Apparently, there were accusations and counter accusations from the accusers and the suspect. The police subsequently took on the case, albeit their investigations tilted in Kofi Adams favour. Upon the police exoneration, we hear that Kofi Adams has instructed his lawyers to sue his accusers for what he anticipates as slander. According to Kofi Adamss legal representative, his client has not done anything wrong as he acquired all the numerous luxurious cars through the proceeds from his farming business and other blissful ventures. Well, elsewhere, the issue would have been laid to rest easily by now. Obviously it would only take a simple tracking of Kofi Adams sources of income. This could be done by examining his bank accounts, tax records and pay cheques. Further still, the investigations could focus on the car sellers, including the mode of payments arrangements or how the payments were made. In any case, the law enforcers must not and cannot continue to disappoint us with their shoddy work. They should, as a matter of urgency, carry out proper investigations to ascertain whether if, indeed, farming business now pays well. K. Badu, UK. NPP-Canada is saddened by the unfortunate and barbaric assault on a woman by an unruly male mob at Kejetia in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. The unfortunate incident was said to have taken place on February 14, 2017. The poor victim is rumoured to have stolen GHC 1,100. What happened is a sad reflection of the level of depravity humans can sink to. If the perpetrators are not apprehended and made to face the full rigours of the law, others may be emboldened to carry out even worse atrocities elsewhere. It is such levels of depravity that all too often give rise to incidents of vicious ethnic wars and armed robberies in Ghana and terrorism elsewhere. The dignity of womanhood is the dignity of a nation . The dignity of womanhood is the pride of a nation. It is in acknowledgement of this truism that the Kufuor Administration established the Ministry of Women and Children to put the issues of women and children front and center for quick national redress. It is this truism that caused the NDC governments that followed the Kufuor Administration to enhance the activities of the Ministry of Women and Children. Again, it is for this truism that the Akufo-Addo administration has promised an affirmative action that will seek to have at least 30% of public service positions going to women. NPP-Canada joins with other well-meaning voices to urge the Ghana Police to leave no stone unturned in apprehending the perpetrators of the above-mentioned dastardly act. There is a silver lining in every cloud. Perhaps on the back of this unfortunate incident (and as Ghana turns 60), Ghanaians would re-dedicate themselves to the ideals of Ghana as her founders envisaged: a Ghana that exists in dignity. And there can be no dignity for Ghana if the dignity of Ghanaian womanhood is debased. Gilbert Adu Gyimah Director of Communications, NPP/Canada [email protected] www.nppcanada.org Tel: 587-708-9915 / 289-627-7557 A crowd of Deltans, on Friday, thronged the burial ceremony of late Senator Francis Okpozo, who died on December 26, 2016 after a brief illness. The Octogenarian, who hailed from Ozoro in Isoko North local government area of the state, was a leading voice in the All Progressives Congress in the south south region of Nigeria. A multitude of people from the two political divides attended the burial ceremony, held at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in the Ozoro community. In the event, the state governor, who is a staunch member of the opposition PDP, told the people of Delta and others to use the privilege they have to make Nigeria a great nation. According to him: "From this day, going forward, we should think of a better society, Delta state, better Nigeria and teach our children to do things right because, then and only then, we can have a better future." READ ALSO: Delta speaker showers encomium on late senator Okpozo as Assembly holds valedictory session (Photos) He paid glowing tribute to late Okpozo describing him as "an astute politician, a true family man who trained his children and lived a worthy life, I am convinced to say so. "It is important for those of us who are alive to do the right thing; what will you be remembered for? Most times, we live our lives as if we have control of our lives," he said, rhetorically asking, "What will our children, those who are dear for us, remember us for?" Earlier in a sermon, Rev. Fr. Cletus Ewhefa called on Nigerians to put God first in their actions bearing in mind that one day, they will join their maker. Below are more photos from the ceremony: From left: Solomon Ogba; Monday Igbuya, Speaker state house of assembly and James Manager, Senator representing Delta South A cross section of attendees Uniformed church women Traditional rulers in Isoko land Church choir members Source: Legit.ng White House defends contacts with FBI over Russia reports: WASHINGTON The White House on Friday defended chief of staff Reince Priebus against accusations he breached a government firewall when he asked FBI Director James Comey to publicly dispute media reports that Trump campaign advisers had been frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents. President Donald Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comeys assistance in rebutting what Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last years presidential campaign. The FBI did not issue the statement requested by Priebus and has given no sign one is forthcoming. Witnesses say bar gunman shouted get out of my country: OLATHE, Kan. In the middle of a crowded bar, Adam Purinton yelled at two Indian men to get out of my country, witnesses said, then opened fire in an attack that killed one of the men and wounded the other, as well as a third man who tried to help. In India, the father of one of the wounded men called Wednesdays attack in the Kansas City suburbs a hate crime, but authorities on Friday declined to discuss a motive as they investigated. The slain man was identified as Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32. Storm-lashed California roads, dams could cost $1B to fix: FRESNO, Calif. The bill to repair Californias crumbling roads, dams and other critical infrastructure hammered by an onslaught of storms this winter could top $1 billion, including nearly $600 million alone for damaged roadways that more than doubles what the state budgeted for road repair emergencies, officials said Friday. Adding to the problems, many communities have drained their emergency budgets and are looking to the state and federal government for help. Attacks near Syria town captured from IS kill 60: BEIRUT At least two attacks Friday near a Syrian town just captured by Turkish forces and Syrian opposition fighters from the Islamic State group killed more than 60, mostly civilians and including two Turkish soldiers, as the group retreats from one of its last remaining strongholds in northern Syria. In a hallmark IS attack, a suicide car bomb went off outside a security office. operated by the Syrian opposition in a village five miles north of al-Bab, killing 60 people. Most of those killed in Sousian were civilians who had gathered seeking permits and escorts to return to al-Bab, a day after it was liberated from the extremist group. Far-right candidate seeks to ban religious head coverings: PARIS No more Muslim women in the Metro wearing the latest in headscarf attire. No more young Jewish boys in kippas dashing into the bakery for the familys dinner baquette. Far-right leader Marine Le Pens plan to ban religious symbols from French streets if elected president this spring would dramatically alter the countrys urban landscape. The ban would stigmatize Frances large Muslim population anew and force Europes largest Jewish community to give up a cherished custom. Le Pen, leader of the anti-immigration National Front party, holds up the measure as her contribution to French secularism. - The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari's led administration has laid a solid foundation for Nigerians - Lawal said the present administration is working round the clock to fix the economy - He also urged Nigerians to remain patient the administration for great development in Nigeria The Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has said that the President Muhammadu Buhari's led administration has laid a solid foundation for Nigerians since assuming duty. Lawal who spoke at the fifth convocation ceremony of the Imo state Polytechnic, Umuaghor said the present administration is working round the clock to fix the economy. He also urged Nigerians to remain patient the administration for great development in Nigeria. READ ALSO: Controversy as presidency allegedly plants N60m in budget for grass cutting in Boko Haram-ravaged areas Lawal who was conferred with the award of Fellow of the Polytechnic, said Buharis administration has recorded huge success. "We have laid a solid foundation for the future and everybody must be ready to move the nation further. We have recovered billions of naira through the anti-corruption fight of the present administration," Lawal said. Lawal also said the Nigerian economy ought to have been one of the strongest in the world but for bad administration in the past. READ ALSO: While Buhari is away, BBOG comes for Osinbajo with STRONG demand Corruption has eaten deep into our system, especially in the education and health care delivery," he said. Nigerians have no option than to support us through our whistle-blower policy to expose all corrupt leaders and public servants. "The 2017 budget will settle some of these challenges because more money was allocated to capital development which will help in job creation, he added. READ ALSO: Babachir Lawal is undermining President Buhari? North-east group address rumours Also speaking, the Imo state governor Rochas Okorocha called on Nigerians to desist from blaming the current administration for the challenges its facing. What we are facing today is a problem caused by our leaders and it is good that those who caused the problems are still facing the wrath of the problem they caused. President Buhari is a God send and we should all support him now that he is with us because there are just few Nigerians like him," Okorocha said. I tell all of you graduands today that there is no vacancy anywhere in the ministry, but there are vacancies in the agricultural sector. So the youths should go back to agriculture, he said. Source: Legit.ng Integrated energy group, Aiteo Friday announced its sponsorship of the 16th Nigeria Oil and Gas (NOG) Conference and Exhibition and Nigeria Power Forum which starts February 27, 2017. The Nigeria Energy Week will feature discussions from senior stakeholders in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. Speaking on the sponsorship agreement, Aiteo Group CEO and Vice Chairman,Benedict Peters saID: We are delighted to be an official sponsor of the series of events making up this years Nigeria Energy Week. Our groups vision of creating the most sustainable energy solutions to power growth on the African continent aligns strongly with NOGs vision. By working together we inspire people and communities across Africa to have a collective vision; Aiteo is showing its commitment to encouraging a transformed energy sector, which creates health and wellness as well as resilient economic prosperity across its stakeholders. We have shown by our story that indigenous oil companies are competent enough to participate along with international oil majors in the exploration and development of Nigerias hydrocarbon resources, beyond the provisions of the 2010 local content act. Also Managing Director of Aiteo Production and Development Company Limited, Mr. Chike Onyejekwe also commenting said The NOG International Exhibition is the largest gathering of energy industry decision makers in Sub-Saharan Africa. Our decision to support this vision is to support an efficient and foremost Nigerian Oil and Gas sector with indigenous companies leading the forte as Nigerias sure way out of dwindling oil price regimes and recessionary pressure. Aiteo is poised to tackle the power challenges in the country head-on through its legacy investments in the gas-to-power value chain. This is a testament to the companys commitment to the transformation of the entire oil & gas value chain into a world-class landscape. Aiteos sponsorship is a ringing endorsement of the new era in local content leadership of Nigerias oil industry. Aiteo looks forward to building strong and mutually beneficial relationships within the communities in which it operates and cordially invites industry stakeholders and the general public to its exhibition stand from February 27 March 2 at D12, International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja. [Sponsored] Source: Legit.ng Senator Ben Murray Bruce, representing Bayelsa East in the National Assembly, has commended Acting President Yemi Osinbajo over the recent appreciation of the Nigerian Naira at parallel market. According to Bruce, whatever Osinbajo is doing to increase the value of the Naira is working. Ben Bruce begs Osinbajo to teach Buhari his magic as Naira continues to strengthen He wrote on his Twitter handle: Whatever the acting President is doing to increase the value of the Naira is working. We appeal to him to teach his boss this magic he has. Get the Latest Nigerian News Anywhere 24/7. Spend less on the Internet Recall that the Naira closed on Friday, February 24, appreciated 8.9 per cent to close at 460 to a dollar at the parallel market, fourth continuous days since the Central Bank of Nigeria relaxed the Forex policy. The local currency also gained heavily against Pound sterling and Euro to close at 575 and 480 respectively. Source: Legit.ng - The publisher of the Ovation International Dele Momodu has showered praises on the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo - Momodu said Osinbajo is effectively steering the nation to positive changes - The publisher said Osinbajo is re-navigating the country in the right direction and should be encouraged to do more by President Buhari The publisher of the Ovation International Dele Momodu has showered praises on the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo. Momodu said Osinbajo is effectively steering the nation to positive changes He also said that the acting president is doing all that President Muhammadu Buhari failed to since assuming office. Osinbajo assumed office as the acting president of Nigeria after his principal traveled to London on a medical vacation. READ ALSO: It was 20 months the first time and it is 20 months the second, Fani-Kayode mocks Buhari However, since then, Osinbajo has visited several states in Nigeria including the Niger Delta region which the president had failed to visit. Again, the naira which fast depreciating against the United States dollars has quickly gained value. Subsequently, in an article published on Saturady, February 25, Momodu said: The good news is that the Acting President has started doing some of the things we expected and advised President Buhari to do." PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App I do not want to over-excite anyone yet but this is smelling good, like the Americans would put it. We must enter special prayers and intercede with serious fasting so that President Buhari can continue along this path of progress when he returns to office, hopefully very shortly, by the grace of God. READ ALSO: Buhari is ashamed to disclose the true nature of his ailment Dele Momodu I had suggested in my memos to him that what he was looking for in Sokoto (the city) is actually in his sokoto (pocket). He has got a powerful joker in the pack and that is his Vice President. Professor Osinbajo is not your typical politician. He is a technocrat with the diligence, astuteness and thoroughness of the smart lawyer that he is. He has a passion for Nigeria and its great development that is uncanny and worthy of emulation, he wrote. READ ALSO: I support him, but his cabinet is weak and scared - Dele Momodu fires at Buhari Momodu also said Osinbajo is re-navigating the country in the right direction and should be encouraged to do more by President Buhari. He said: "If a man discovers a snake and a woman kills it, it doesnt matter who did what. The glory ultimately goes to President Buhari for having the wisdom of entrusting Nigeria to such a loyal and dependable ally. Baba should ignore the demons of power who may wish to drive a wedge between them. Any parent or sibling would be proud of a child making the family great. This is what Osinbajo is doing and he should be commended and applauded for it," the publisher said. Source: Legit.ng The cartoon map of North America began appearing after the bitter "hanging chads" election of 2000, when the U.S. Supreme Court put Republican George W. Bush in the White House. In most internet variations, part of the map is blue, combining Canada and the states along America's left coast, plus the urban Northeast and Midwest, into "The United States of Liberty and Education." The rest is red, with America's Southern and Heartland states united into the "Republic of Jesusland" or tagged with a nasty name beginning with "dumb" and ending with "istan" that cannot be used in a family newspaper. Variations on the "Jesusland" map have been relevant after nearly every national election in the past two decades. The map's basic shape can also be seen in the latest Gallup survey probing "religiosity" levels in all 50 states. Once again, Gallup found that Mississippi was No. 1, with 59 percent of its people claiming "very religious" status, in terms of faith intensity and worship attendance. Vermont was the least religious state, even in the secular New England region, with 21 percent of the population choosing the "very religious" label. "You can see the 'R&R' connection, which means that among white Americans the more actively people practice their religion, the more likely they are to vote Republican," said Frank Newport, editor in chief at Gallup. After Mississippi, the rest of the Top 10 "most religious" states were Alabama, Utah, South Dakota, South Carolina, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia. After Vermont, the next nine least religious states were Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Nevada, Alaska, Oregon, Connecticut, Hawaii and New Hampshire. "Religion isn't always a perfect guide to politics at the state level," said Newport. "After all, New Hampshire is a swing state, and Alaska is just its own thing." Nevertheless, a reporter with decades of religion-beat experience took these Gallup numbers to the next level, overlapping them with state results in the hard-fought 2016 campaign. In terms of the "pew gap" phenomenon, there are few surprises. "President Trump won 23 of the 25 most religious states, the exceptions being No. 19 Virginia, whose pious Sen. Tim Kaine was on the Democratic ticket, and heavily Hispanic New Mexico at No. 21," noted Richard Ostling, best known for his work with Time and the Associated Press. "Hillary Clinton carried nine of the 10 most 'nonreligious' states. Tops was Bernie Sanders' Vermont," he noted. Meanwhile, Trump did take Alaska, while New Hampshire was "closely fought." Two other highly secular states, New York and California, "accounted for Clinton's popular vote margin." All of this, Ostling explained, leads to an obvious Electoral College question: "Where and how might the troubled Democrats improve their prospects?" Any search for answers starts with Catholics in pivotal Rust Belt states. Take Wisconsin, where the "citizenry identifies as 25 percent Catholic (and 22 percent evangelical Protestant) but is a modest No. 27 on Gallup's state religiosity ranking, which by conventional rule of thumb should help Democrats," noted Ostling. Similar trends exist in Pennsylvania, where the "population identifies as 24 percent Catholic (and only 19 percent evangelical), with a middling No. 25 on religiosity" and Michigan, where the "population is only 18 percent Catholic but 25 percent evangelical, with a rather weak No. 29 on religiosity." Newport stressed that researchers are very familiar with all of these religiosity patterns, in part because they have changed so little in recent decades. While media coverage in recent years has stressed the rapidly rising number of "religiously unaffiliated" Americans the so-called "nones" it is also important, especially at the state level, to note how little has changed on the other side of the faith spectrum. The history and culture of these highly religious states will not change quickly or easily. "In Mississippi, everybody goes to church more often than in Vermont," said Newport. "It's not just that there are more Baptists there or more African-American churchgoers there. More people go to church because there are more churches and more people there go to church. ... "You go to Vermont and it's hard to find churches and hard to find people who go to church. We are talking about very different kinds of cultures." - Speakers of the 36 Houses of Assembly have said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo are a perfect combination - The speakers also commended President Buhari for handing over power to Osinabjo before leaving for the United Kingdom Speakers of the 36 Houses of Assembly have said that President Muhammadu Buhari and the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo are a perfect combination. The speakers also commended President Buhari for handing over power to Osinabjo before leaving for the United Kingdom. They said Buhari's action was in strict adherence to the provisions of the countrys constitution. READ ALSO: What Buhari was looking for in Sokoto is actually in his 'sokoto', Dele Momodu showers praise on Osinbajo They also hailed Osinbajo for his leadership strides since taken over leadership as acting president. Reading a communique issued by the speakers on Friday, February 24, the chairman and speaker of the Kebbi state House of Assembly Ismaila Kamba told journalists that the forum was happy on how the Acting President had performed the functions of the number one office so far. While urging Nigerians to live in peace, Kamba condemned the killings and destruction of lives and property in Southern Kaduna. READ ALSO: My biggest regret is not being able to pay salaries as governor - Mimiko The conference has taken cognizance of the concerted efforts made by the security agents throughout the federation with particular reference to the North East geo-political zone in restoring peace and therefore commends their heroism, professionalism and sense of patriotism in all their endeavours, the speakers said. They also admitted that they have been briefed on the progress made in the ongoing constitutional amendment. They further urged stakeholders involved in the process to ensure that the amendment was concluded within a reasonable time. Source: Legit.ng A married man identified as Iniabasi Bassey Asuquo, has been called out by three different ladies who accused him of lying that he was single, just to date several women. Iniabasi Bassey Asuquo was accused by three different ladies of lying about his marriage According to a developing story, a man identified as Iniabasi Bassey Asuquo, was called out by three ladies who claim he has been dating single ladies who have no idea that he is actually married. One of the ladies identified as Natalie Ewaen, said Bassey not only dated several women, but duped them as well. Exposing him she wrote: "Let me tell you my story. I dated one guy who also doubles as a family friend; we kinda grew up together. While we were in the relationship, bros was planning a wedding to an ex he denied vehemently. Because we were in different countries, it was very convenient. Smh. PAY ATTENTION: Get all the latest gossips on NAIJ Gossip App I thought I went through betrayal, but that's nothing compared to the new trend on social media. MARRIED MEN POSING AS SINGLE MEN and not ending there, THEY ARE ACTUALLY PROPOSING TO THE WOMEN THEY'RE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH. The evil some of you do amazes satan!!! Like the case of this man Iniabasi Bassey Asuquo. He actually dates multiple women at the same time, visits them in their different locations, goes down on one knee and pops the question, duped some very unfortunate ones and then moves onto the next girl. Is this a generational curse or something? You people should help me answer? What kind of wickedness will make a man go around denying his wife and children, and proposing to different women across Nigeria? READ ALSO: Watch married BBNaija housemate, Thin Tall Tony tell Bisola that he is a single man Mr Iniabasi, your game is up! You and the many men who troll women on social media, doing the work of Satan. You are not worthy enough to have a family, people like you should be dumped in a psychiatric home and not allowed visitors till the day they die. I hate callous, conscienceless people. I detest deceit with all my life. Tell me you're married let me choose to date you "at owner's risk". Tell me you're tired of a relationship (or marriage) let me choose to walk or stay and don't be living parallel lives. Sorry to say this to his wife....Madam, you don't have a husband: you have a f*ckboy living in your home. Women be careful, there are many devils on Social media. Sometime you cannot do enough research, some dudes are very smart as they even allow you visit or stay with them for sometime. I don't know how they manage this though....#evilhearts. Please share so his next victim (and others like him) will be warned. #godlesshumans." In his defence, Bassey said he's being put under the spotlight because one man Ubong Kingsley-Udoh, had earlier accused him of snatching his girlfriend. See screenshots below: However, two other ladies identified as Clever Preye and Ozoemena Eudora, confirmed Natalie's story, claiming that he had done the same thing to them and even shared their conversations below. See the drama unfold below: READ ALSO: Girl exposes married man who disturbs her on facebook His chat with Preye: Following the exposures from the ladies, Bassey went to message them privately, begging them to take down their posts. The ladies went ahead to share screenshots as well: Screenshots of Bassey's wife showing off her man on Facebook Na wa o! Source: Legit.ng The Nigerian Air Force said Boko Haram terrorists vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft gun was yesterday February 24 destroyed in Borno state. The Air Force made this known in a press release on Saturday, February 25. The statement read: The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets yesterday successfully intercepted a group of Boko Haram Terrorists (BHT) moving in an Hilux vehicle mounted with anti-aircraft gun. The armed vehicle was sighted at Talala in Northern Borno by an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) aircraft on patrol, which then called for strike by combat platform. PAY ATTENTION: Get the latest News on Legit.ng News App Following the alert, two Alpha Jets were immediately scrambled to the location. Whereas the insurgents, on sighting the attacking aircraft, fled for cover under nearby trees, the vehicles were attacked and were completely engulfed in an inferno. READ ALSO: President Buhari laying foundation for secured nation- SGF Follow-up battle damage assessment (BDA) by NAF ISR aircraft revealed that the air strike was successful as the vehicles were completely destroyed as shown by the footage of the operation. Recall that the NAF has intensified ISR missions over the entire theatre of operation in the North East, especially around Northern Borno. The objective is to prevent the remnants of the BHT from regrouping with a view to launching attack on own troops on clearance operations as well as people within the host communities, it added. Source: Legit.ng WASHINGTON President Trump keeps firing verbal broadsides at Mexico and China, but so far his new administration has not acted to keep specific campaign promises about trade policy. Mr. Trump did not declare China a currency manipulator on his first day in office, as he had vowed, nor has he after his first month. Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, said on Thursday that his department was conducting a standard biannual review of the currency practices of China and other trading partners. Mr. Trump also has not initiated the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement with Mexico and Canada, something he promised to immediately pursue. Theres definitely a huge gap between rhetoric and reality, said Chad P. Bown, a senior fellow and specialist on trade policy at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. The statement was signed by Mr. Farhadi along with Martin Zandvliet (director of Land of Mine, Denmarks nominee), Hannes Holm (A Man Called Ove, Sweden), Maren Ade (Toni Erdmann, Germany) and Martin Butler and Bentley Dean (Tanna, Australia). Their letter lamented that fear-based nationalism had imperiled the chance to be enriched by something seemingly foreign and the belief that human encounters can change us for the better. The filmmakers said they recognized the limitations of movies, but noted that cinema had the power to soften fear of the other. We do believe that no other medium can offer such deep insight into other peoples circumstances and transform feelings of unfamiliarity into curiosity, empathy and compassion even for those we have been told are our enemies, the letter said. It was unclear how the letter came about, but a publicist for several of the films said all five filmmakers had been in contact. Ms. Stewart sought an early release from prison while serving a 10-year sentence for smuggling messages from the imprisoned Mr. Abdel Rahman, known as the blind sheikh, to his followers in Egypt. She had been found to have breast cancer, and in 2012, doctors at the Federal Medical Center, Carswell, in Fort Worth, said that the cancer had spread to her lungs, lymph system and bones, according to court papers filed by her lawyer. Ms. Stewart said in a 12-page handwritten letter to the judge in 2013: Isolated, in hospital, as I now am, I have time to contemplate life and death. I do not intend to go gently into that good night, as Dylan Thomas wrote. There is much to be done in this world. I do know that I do not want to die here in prison a strange and loveless place. I want to be where all is familiar in a word, home. The judge, John G. Koeltl of Federal District Court in Manhattan, ultimately granted Ms. Stewart a compassionate release after a request by the government, which said that she qualified for such release because she had a terminal, incurable illness with a life expectancy of less than 18 months, and because of the relatively limited risk, if she were released, of recidivism and danger to the community. A month after President Trumps executive order barring people from seven majority-Muslim nations from entering the United States caused tumult around the country, the governments accounting of how many travelers the ban affected remains unclear. A total of 746 people were detained and processed in a 26-hour period immediately after a federal judge in Brooklyn blocked part of Mr. Trumps Jan. 27 order, according to a list released by the government on Thursday. The figure was nearly seven times greater than the 109 people that Mr. Trump said in a Jan. 30 message on Twitter had been held for questioning and Sean M. Spicer, the White House press secretary, said had been inconvenienced. But, according to lawyers for some of those who were detained, 746 may be an incomplete figure. At a hearing before Judge Carol B. Amon of Federal District Court in Brooklyn on Friday, those lawyers challenged the veracity of the governments list, saying they knew of at least 10 people who had been detained who were not included in the tally. Its tempting to take Fridays petty decision by the Trump White House to bar certain news organizations from a briefing something no administration of either party has ever done as a backhanded compliment to the reporters whose honest work provoked the presidents latest foot-stamping tantrum. It is certainly that. And in itself it is no huge blow to the republic. Sean Spicer, the White House press secretary, chose to bar The New York Times, CNN, Politico, Buzzfeed News and The Los Angeles Times, but other trustworthy news organizations were nevertheless in the room, and they can be relied upon to accurately report what they learned. Yet the move was also an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals. Dont just take our word for it take Mr. Spicers. In December, he told Politico that the Trump White House would never ban a news outlet. Conservative, liberal or otherwise, I think thats what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship, he said. Huh. Not during Watergate, Iran-contra, the Monica Lewinsky affair or any number of other scandals or crises has a president of either party ever barred an accredited news organization from a White House briefing. Some presidents may have longed to punish particular news organizations or reporters, but aides have generally found ways to protect their bosses from such self-defeating moves, fearing that such vindictiveness would just make their bosses look small. When Rex Tillerson showed up for his first day of work at the State Department earlier this month, he moved quickly to allay the concerns of diplomats and others alarmed by President Trumps security policies and his disparaging comments about allies and partners. Addressing a crowd in the department lobby, the new secretary of state spoke of his high regard for the public servants he was appointed to manage, extolled the importance of teamwork and pledged to depend on the expertise of this institution. Mr. Tillerson generated good will that day, but there have since been worrying signs that the man many hoped would provide thoughtful balance to Mr. Trumps more impetuous, hard-line advisers has in fact been marginalized, along with the department he runs, with potentially unfortunate consequences for the country and a world facing multiple crises. Mr. Tillerson has largely been absent from White House meetings with foreign leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, and reportedly was excluded from such major decisions as Mr. Trumps withdrawal of support for a Palestinian state and his declaration that Iran is now on notice for testing ballistic missiles. Mr. Trumps rejection of Mr. Tillersons choice for deputy secretary of state was a public rebuke that undermined the secretary within his department and raised further doubts about his standing with the president. For now at least, Mr. Tillerson, a former CEO of Exxon Mobil who has no foreign policy or government experience, has been eclipsed by Jim Mattis, the defense secretary; Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, the national security adviser; and John Kelly, the secretary of homeland security. All three men are generals, and while they are respected experts in their fields, their backgrounds could lead to an overly militaristic approach to foreign policy. That makes the voice of the State Department, with its focus on diplomacy, more important than ever. But too often this voice has seemed muffled. In government, thats radical. A quick caveat here: Helping governmental agencies treat their constituents like customers they hope to retain should in no way be translated as advocacy for the privatization of those functions (as seems to be the desire of the current administration). Rather, government can benefit from public-private partnerships that bring some private best practices into public sector work. Brooks said: Trust is our share price. We dont have market pressure, but we do have to deliver on our promise to care for veterans. Were trying to measure how were doing with our customers just as the private sector has been doing, so we can quickly make improvements where people are getting stuck. Amber Schleuning, deputy director of the V.A. Center for Innovation and a fourth-generation veteran, never thought shed work at the V.A. But she began to hear from others she served with, her dad (also a veteran) and his friends about the problems they were having interacting with the system. We decided we had to do something, she told me. I had this idea of talking to veterans and learning what their issues were. I began to learn about things like human-centered design and started with this smushy idea that we didnt know enough, so lets just start talking to people and build some qualitative data to better understand whats going on here. This endeavor took human-centered design as its starting point, and Schleunings use of smushy is appropriate. Human-centered design means designing for people by first understanding what they actually need. In the case of the V.A., not having the input of staff members and the veterans themselves would have made this project untenable. Among the first projects was a tool to improve the V.A.s benefits claims process. Few of us, veterans or not, would report many satisfactory experiences filing claims anywhere, but trying to do that at the V.A. was on another level. Tens of thousands of veterans already wait longer than five years for a final appeals decision, and the V.A. continues to face rapid growth in its appeals workload. Some 80,000 veterans have appeals older than five years; 5,000 have appeals older than 10. The number of pending appeals climbed by 35 percent to more than 450,000 between 2012 and 2015 and is projected to soar to more than 2.2 million by the end of 2027 if theres no significant reform. The real work is shifting the employees perspective and the users experience. In the case of the claims project, the form used to look like this: His willingness can be explained partly by the man, and partly by his times. Unlike his Democratic Cold War predecessors, Harry S. Truman and Kennedy, Johnson was not so much a student of history as he was of human nature. There he paid attention, picking up on the weaknesses and frailties of those around him in the corridors of power the way a dog senses fear, often exploiting them for political advantage. Since arriving in Washington in 1934, Johnson had drawn lessons from the world-changing mistakes made by heads of state, especially those that he believed stemmed from weakness. During Johnsons first term as a congressman, in 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Britain appeased Hitler in the belief that he was offering his countrymen peace for our time, while instead allowing for the German occupation of Czechoslovakia, the unchecked invasion of Poland and the beginning of World War II. As the war wound down, Franklin D. Roosevelt, in not taking a firmer hand with Stalin at the Yalta Conference where Allied leaders met to discuss the fate of the postwar world opened the door for the Soviet domination of Eastern Europe and the Soviets attempts to spread their influence across the globe. Truman, Roosevelts successor, while drawing bold lines in the Cold War through a strict policy of containment, sent troops into battle in Korea without being fully prepared for what lay ahead as American support slipped. For the first time an American war ended in a draw. At the same time, Republicans harshly criticized Truman when the Communist revolutionaries led by Mao took over China as America turned a blind eye. The Who Lost China? debate that swept through Washington afterward was less a question than a Republican indictment of Truman and the Democratic Party. During Eisenhowers eight White House years, while Johnson was Senate minority and then majority leader, the country was defined by its geopolitical position versus the Soviets. Any Soviet gain a country falling to Communist rule, an American citizen yielding to Communist sympathies was evidence that the Red Menace was knocking at Americas door, giving rise to the domino theory abroad and McCarthyism at home. Fear was the great motivator. In 1957, when the Soviets showed the world their superiority in space exploration with Sputnik, a satellite no larger than a beach ball, Johnson was a catalyst for improving the countrys shoddy space efforts. As he asked rhetorically, What American wants to go to bed by the light of a Communist moon? The new point man for the Trump administrations counter-jihadist team is Sebastian Gorka, an itinerant instructor in the doctrine of irregular warfare and former national security editor at Breitbart. Stephen K. Bannon and Stephen Miller, the chief commissars of the Trump White House, have framed Islam as an enemy ideology and predicted a historic clash of civilizations. Mr. Gorka, who has been appointed deputy assistant to the president, is the expert they have empowered to translate their prediction into national strategy. Mr. Gorka was born and raised in Britain, the son of Hungarian emigres. As a political consultant in post-Communist Hungary, he acquired a doctorate and involved himself with ultranationalist politics. He later moved to the United States and became a citizen five years ago, while building a career moderating military seminars and establishing a reputation as an ill-informed Islamophobe. (He has responded to such claims by stating that he has read the Quran in translation.) In 2015, he caught Donald Trumps eye, perhaps appealing to someone who had no government experience by declaring everything done by the government to be idiotic. Most notably, Mr. Gorka derides the notion that Islamic militancy might reflect worldly grievances, like poor governance, repression, poverty and war. This is the famous approach that says it is all so nuanced and complicated, Mr. Gorka recently told The Washington Post. This is what I completely jettison. For him, the violence emanates from the martial language of the Quran, which has hard-wired aggression into Islam. Like the recently fired national security adviser Michael T. Flynn and Mr. Bannon and Mr. Miller, the architects of the ill-conceived executive order barring the entry of citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, Mr. Gorka sees Islam as the problem, rather than the uses to which Islam has been put by violent extremists. The contrast between them and the policy makers of the previous three presidential administrations could not be clearer: For their predecessors, the key has been to fight terrorists, not assault an Abrahamic religion. Few profited more immediately from Donald Trumps election than the private-prison industry. On Nov. 9, the day after Mr. Trump won, the Corrections Corporation of America (now CoreCivic), the nations biggest operator of private prisons, saw its stock price jump 43 percent; its leading competitor, the GEO Group, rose 21 percent. Stocks in those companies are up more than 100 percent since Election Day. There was good reason for the optimism. During the campaign, Mr. Trump spun tales of crime-wracked cities and uncontrolled violence that, even though mostly divorced from reality, appealed to public fears. He also called the nations prison system a disaster and said: I do think we can do a lot of privatizations and private prisons. It seems to work a lot better. The industry responded by giving hundreds of thousands of dollars in support of Mr. Trumps candidacy. On Thursday, Attorney General Jeff Sessions scrapped an order issued last August by President Barack Obamas Justice Department to phase out the governments use of private prisons, which increased substantially as exploding prison populations strained the capacity of state and federal facilities in the 1980s. At their peak, privately run prisons housed 30,000 federal inmates, or about 15 percent of the total federal prison population; by this May, they will hold around 14,000. This policy reversal is indefensible given the track record of private prisons. Like a parasite, the industry fed off harsh and shortsighted sentencing policies, such as mandatory minimums and three-strikes laws, that resulted in the largest prison population in the world. By 2014, the top two companies had revenues of $3.3 billion, nearly double what they made in 2006. They promised to provide incarceration at a lower price, but it didnt work out that way. He arrested me, and while searching my bag found documents that bore my real name and date of birth but a made-up Social Security number. I needed these to apply for a third job on top of the two, as a house cleaner and a janitor, I was already doing. I pleaded guilty to a third-degree misdemeanor for attempted possession of a forged instrument. To many, this sounds like a serious charge, but what some might call criminal is a question of survival for most of the people who build your homes and keep them clean. You accept our labor but wont provide the piece of paper that recognizes our equal humanity. I decided not to hide my battle against deportation but to fight publicly to draw attention to the unfairness of the system. I wanted to inspire my community to step out of the shadows and raise its voices. In 2011, a judge denied my application for cancellation of removal, saying that my familys suffering if I was deported would be neither extreme nor unusual. I appealed the ruling. My three younger children, aged 6, 10 and 12, are all citizens (I also have an adult daughter who has Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status); my husband is a noncitizen. What would become of them if I was deported? What I see is that when my children are with me they feel safe, and their grades and self-esteem improve. But because of the fear of separation, they have also received treatment for depression and anxiety. There are millions of children like them in the United States. While I was waiting for my appeal proceedings, in September 2012 I received news that my mother was gravely ill. After so many years, I had to say goodbye or something inside me would die. Leaving my children with their father, I made the journey to Mexico. A military judge in North Carolina ruled on Friday that while President Trumps campaign-trail calls for the execution of Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl were troubling, his statements had not prejudiced the Armys case against the sergeant, and that he saw no reason to dismiss the serious charges against him. Sergeant Bergdahl, 30, faces a court-martial as soon as April on charges of desertion, which carries a potential five-year sentence, and endangering troops sent to search for him, which carries a potential life sentence. The charges came after he walked off his remote Army outpost in Afghanistan in 2009 and was held captive by the Taliban for five years, until President Obama approved a deal to swap him for five detainees from Guantanamo Bay prison. While campaigning last year, Mr. Trump repeatedly denounced Sergeant Bergdahl as a dirty rotten traitor, and even mimicked the sound of a rifle as he pantomimed a firing squad executing him. After Mr. Trump was sworn in as president, Sergeant Bergdahls lawyers asked the military judge handling the case, Col. Jeffery R. Nance of the Army, to dismiss the charges. They said a fair trial was now impossible given such inflammatory comments from the man who is now the militarys commander in chief. Each year they seem to grow in numbers at CPAC: young conservatives who are more tolerant of differing social views. This year several transgender activists joined, spurred by President Trumps decision this week to rescind protections for transgender students that allowed them to use bathrooms corresponding with their gender identity. Mark Gage, a libertarian from San Antonio, attended the conference dressed in a blue gown and tiara on Thursday. He said younger conservatives tended to be more accepting of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. They want the government to get out of their lives and their marriages, he said. WASHINGTON President Trumps newly appointed national security adviser has told his staff that Muslims who commit terrorist acts are perverting their religion, rejecting a key ideological view of other senior Trump advisers and signaling a potentially more moderate approach to the Islamic world. The adviser, Lt. Gen. H. R. McMaster, told the staff of the National Security Council on Thursday, in his first all hands staff meeting, that the label radical Islamic terrorism was not helpful because terrorists are un-Islamic, according to people who were in the meeting. That is a repudiation of the language regularly used by both the president and General McMasters predecessor, Michael T. Flynn, who resigned last week after admitting that he had misled Vice President Mike Pence and other officials about a phone call with a Russian diplomat. It is also a sign that General McMaster, a veteran of the Iraq war known for his sense of history and independent streak, might move the council away from the ideologically charged views of Mr. Flynn, who was also a three-star Army general before retiring. WASHINGTON In just a few comments during a question-and-answer session this week at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Stephen K. Bannon named many of the concepts that, though unfamiliar to many Americans, have animated his tenure as the presidents chief strategist. Ideas like economic nationalism and corporatist media have become central to the ideology that Mr. Bannon has carried to the White House from his time running Breitbart News. Daniel Kreiss, a University of North Carolina professor who studies political language, said Mr. Bannons phrases emerge from a very defined cultural and ideological movement that has grown out of populist online communities like Breitbart. That vernacular, he said, is used to articulate a very coherent story about what America is, and what it should be, that is not reducible to a set of policy positions but only if you know how to hear it. The people who accused her never saw her face, Ms. Kaing Rin said. Everyone who sees her face and knows her really loves her. Still, when asked where Ms. Im Chaem could be found, Ms. Kaing Rin claimed her mother was on a long journey and would not return for days. In fact, Ms. Im Chaem was just down the road in a second home. Tipped off by a neighbor, journalists found her listening to Buddhist talk radio. She said she spent most of her time at the compound, cultivating cucumbers and melons, contemplating the scriptures and waiting to die. I just learn the Buddhas advice and keep the holiness within myself for my own sake, she said. Having the holiness in myself makes me good, not killing anyone or criticizing anyone. That is the holiness in myself: to make myself good. Did she know all the crimes she was accused of: the murder, the slavery, the extermination? You dont need to ask me. You know it, she shot back. If you know it, you know it. At that moment, her husband arrived. Nob Nhem, 78, still wears the all-black uniform and red checked scarf of the Khmer Rouge, for whom he was also a district chief. He rarely speaks, but every time he appears, his family grows silent. I need to tend to my cows, Grandma Chaem said, and slipped away. Officials in Chinas largest prefecture, in the far-western region of Xinjiang, are requiring all drivers there to install a Chinese-made satellite navigation system in their vehicles, according to an official news report this week. Police officials say drivers must install the navigation system by June 30. The installation rate will reach 100 percent, said a report on Monday on the website of The Korla Evening Post, a newspaper in the prefectures capital, Korla. The report was also posted on the government-managed website of Beidou, the Chinese satellite navigation system. Beidou is Chinas version of the Global Positioning System, or GPS. The new requirement is intended to help the authorities track people in a region where violence sometimes erupts because of ethnic tensions. Parts of Xinjiang are home to ethnic Uighurs, a Turkic-speaking people who mostly practice Sunni Islam and often resent policies made by the ethnic Han, the dominant group in China. The most notable burst of violence occurred in 2009, when ethnic rioting convulsed Urumqi, the regional capital, resulting in about 200 deaths, most of them ethnic Han, according to official reports. Officials responded with a harsh security crackdown. Other episodes have resembled domestic terrorism, and some officials say the attackers have connections to groups engaged in global jihadist activities, but they have not offered any evidence to buttress that claim. But those planks were overtaken last month when Le Canard Enchaine, a leading investigative and satirical newspaper, published articles suggesting that Mr. Fillons wife, Penelope, had for years been paid out of public funds as her husbands parliamentary assistant without having done any work. His children were also reported to have been on the payroll. Altogether, hundreds of thousands of dollars are suspected to have been embezzled sums that staggered the French. Prosecutors said at the time that they would take a preliminary look at the allegations, and Mr. Fillons standing in the polls immediately plunged. The prosecutors office said on Friday that it would hand over the case to investigating magistrates, who would look into Mr. Fillons suspected misuse of public funds. The investigative judges have the power to summon Mr. Fillon and others for questioning. His lawyers will now have access to the case files and will have more opportunities to file procedural appeals, which could likely delay the filing of formal charges until after the election. Still, the full investigation is expected to further damage Mr. Fillons appeal among the conservative, often middle-class voters who had supported his victory in the primary. His decline in popularity in rural areas where his focus on integrity was his strongest appeal has been amply documented in the French news media. Mr. Fillon has angrily denied wrongdoing in speeches, news conferences and television appearances, and he has largely blamed the news media for his problems. His combative stance and his vow to stay in the race and the lack of an alternative for center-right voters have enabled him to rally his core supporters and to partly claw his way back in the polls. CAIRO Dozens of Egyptian Christian families fled their homes in the northern Sinai Peninsula on Friday, driven by a targeted campaign of Islamist violence that has killed at least seven people in recent weeks. People flooded into a church compound in the city of Ismailia, on the Suez Canal. Many had fled hurriedly with little more than their clothes and their children. Their flight had been prompted by the release of an Islamic State video on Sunday that vowed to step up attacks on the embattled Christian minority in Sinai. The video was followed, in recent days, by a series of attacks by gunmen in El Arish, the main town in northern Sinai. On Thursday, a plumber in the city was shot dead in front of his wife and children at their home, according to aid workers and Christian leaders. A day earlier, gunmen killed another man before his pregnant wife, then calmly drank a bottle of Pepsi before taking off, witnesses told aid workers in Ismailia. SANAA, SYRIA A crowd of young Syrian fighters lined up behind a pickup truck to receive their equipment: an AK-47 and a load of ammunition. The battlefield gear was their reward for completing a 20-day course led by American Special Forces in northern Syria in how to fight the Islamic State. They will need much heavier weapons, however, if they want to evict the militants from Raqqa, the self-styled capital of the Islamic State. And facing objections from Turkey, the Trump administration has yet to say when and whether it would provide them. This is a critical moment for the Syrian Democratic Forces, which the American military says is 50,000 strong and which it has nurtured to roll back the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL. LONDON LD50, an art gallery on a quiet street in the shabby-but-hip Dalston section of East London, would seem to be an improbable forum for debates about American politics in the era of President Trump. But the gallery drew dozens of protesters on Saturday chanting slogans like Make racists afraid again! and No to the Nazis! The protest was organized in the aftermath of the gallerys postelection exhibition on the so-called alt-right, the white nationalist movement that has become famous for its online provocations and, critics say, its associations with anti-Semitism, racism and Islamophobia. The exhibition opened two days after Mr. Trump was elected, and closed in January. It featured printouts of Tweets from far-right groups; engraved statuettes featuring images of Pepe the Frog, a cartoon that has been linked to anti-Semitism; and a diagram tracing the emergence of and connections among online far-right movements. Public controversy did not boil over, however, until this month, when the London artist Sophie Jung shared on Facebook a message from the gallerys founder, Lucia Diego, expressing sympathy with what she called President Trumps Muslim ban. The interaction quickly got noticed in Londons large but cliquish art world, and the controversy attracted attention in the tabloids. An expletive along with a hammer-and-sickle symbol and a pink swastika was scrawled outside the gallery, which sits above an architecture firm in a neighborhood dotted with Turkish restaurants and Afro-Caribbean markets. MIKE AND DAVE NEED WEDDING DATES (2016) 8 p.m. on HBO. Beware the perils of Craigslist: Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza, real-life BFFs, play wild things who give up their wanton ways to fulfill the ad requirements of troublemaking brothers ordered to bring nice girls to their sisters Hawaiian nuptials. But buyers remorse quickly sets in. Witless, soulless, often amateurish and filled with product placements (nice going, Coors), the movie has nothing going for it other than some wasted talent, Manohla Dargis wrote in The Times. 48 HOURS: STALKED 9 p.m. on CBS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say there are more than 7.5 million cases of stalking reported each year. Here, Pauley Perrette of NCIS talks about her own experiences and her fight to change laws that she says are ineffective. Warren E. Buffett, the billionaire investor, on Saturday lauded the miraculous qualities of the United States economy in highlighting another stellar year for his company, Berkshire Hathaway. Mr. Buffett, whose record of beating the stock market over the past 50 years is unparalleled, is known for being persistently optimistic about the prospects of the American economy. But his usual hymn to the dynamism of the American economy in his annual letter to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders that was released on Saturday morning reached new heights. Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers, Mr. Buffett wrote. He was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clinton during last years presidential campaign and he did not mention President Trump in his letter. But his celebration of the American economys ability to deliver growth stands in stark contrast to President Trumps darker descriptions of the countrys economic prospects. In the latest twist, the boycott has drawn Ms. Coulter, a self-described progressive liberal, into a growing debate over whether targeting Ms. Trump is sexist. And she said she worries that people will think she is profiting from the venture. Ms. Coulter was particularly upset when a knockoff Grab Your Wallet group sold clothing and other merchandise on Facebook. We dont even have a T-shirt, we dont have stickers, nothing, she said, adding that she does not accept compensation from companies, or donations. I dont think either of us envisioned that some of the things that have happened would happen, said Sue Atencio, who helped Ms. Coulter get the site started. In many ways, Ms. Coulter has embraced her new position. She answers emails at all hours and scours Twitter for tips on companies to add, or remove, from the boycott list. Then there are the phone calls lots and lots of phone calls from angry Trump supporters or journalists or the companies that want to get off her list. There is no doubt that it has changed her life. She doesnt sleep or socialize as often as she used to. Most of her work on Grab Your Wallet is done after she eats dinner with her husband, taking up what free time she has. She went underground, basically, said Amie Penwell, a fellow San Francisco resident who hasnt seen much of her friend of seven years recently. The negative attention has made Ms. Coulter careful about her privacy. She insisted on meeting at the work space for an interview, to avoid having a reporter at her home, out of fear that it could be targeted. She would not let her husband, whom she met online in 2010, be interviewed. Volkswagen pleaded guilty in January to criminal charges in the United States related to the emissions cheating, but the prosecution of individuals is just beginning. Mr. Schmidt is one of six current of former Volkswagen employees indicted in the United States, and the only one in custody; the others are in Germany. He is the first of nearly 37 people under investigation in Germany to give his side of the story in court documents. Federal prosecutors in the United States have accused Mr. Schmidt, a 48-year-old German, of knowingly providing false information to American regulators after they became suspicious about the emissions of Volkswagen diesel vehicles in early 2014. The campaign of obfuscation and delay continued until September 2015, the indictment says, when Volkswagen confessed that engine computers in its diesel cars had been programmed to cover up emissions that were worse than those of long-haul trucks. Mr. Schmidt details a much different version of events in documents filed by his lawyers in a bid to persuade a judge to release him from a federal detention center in Detroit. Mr. Schmidt has been held without bail since January, when he was arrested in Miami after spending Christmas with friends in the United States. Mr. Schmidts legal motion does not dispute that he acted as Volkswagens liaison with regulators from the Environmental Protection Agency and the California Air Resources Board, the state agency known as C.A.R.B. that took the lead in exposing the emissions cheating. Alberto Ayala, deputy executive officer of C.A.R.B., said in an interview last year that Mr. Schmidt had presented him with binders filled with bogus technical information to try to keep the agency from discovering the fraud. Dr. Katherine Elizabeth Schwartz and Dr. Daniel Samson Eison were married Feb. 25 at the New York Academy of Medicine. Dr. Catherine DeVoe, a friend of the couple who was ordained by the Church of Spiritual Humanism for the event, officiated. The couple met at Columbia, from which each received a medical degree, and where the groom received a master of science in narrative medicine. They are pediatric residents in New York, she in her third year at Mount Sinai Hospital and he in his second year at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center Childrens Hospital. Dr. Schwartz, 29, will be keeping her name. She graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She is a daughter of Elizabeth Kopcienski Schwartz and Joseph Schwartz of Mount Sinai, N.Y. The brides father is a New York-based pilot with American Airlines. He is also retired as a major from the United States Air Force. Her mother is a music therapist at Alternatives for Children in East Setauket, N.Y., and an adjunct instructor of music therapy at Molloy College in Rockville Centre, N.Y. It was Mr. Hutchinsons Democratic predecessor, Mike Beebe, who got the states Republican-controlled legislature to expand Medicaid by using federal funds to buy private insurance for the poor. Mr. Hutchinson said in the interview that he wanted to continue the expansion here, but that if the federal government stopped paying most of the cost as the health law requires, well just have to look at it again. He said he would either seek the Trump administrations permission to impose a work requirement or seek a block grant and, with it, leeway to create new rules to cover those who newly qualified for Medicaid under the health law. As a rough model, Mr. Hutchinson pointed to a work requirement for certain food stamp recipients a federal policy that was part of the landmark 1996 welfare overhaul that Arkansas reinstated last year. Under that rule, able-bodied adults without dependents cannot receive food stamps for longer than three months unless they are working, volunteering or getting job training for 20 hours a week. States were allowed to suspend the requirement during the recession, but most have brought it back as unemployment has dropped. It generally applies to adults ages 18 to 49 unless they are pregnant, have dependent children or are medically certified as unfit for employment. Since Arkansas reimposed the work requirement last year, its food stamp rolls have lost about 36,000 people, according to the State Department of Human Services. Mr. Hutchinson said the drop was partly explained because people had found jobs, but advocates for the poor said many appeared to have been cut off. For now, Arkansas is sending letters to Medicaid enrollees to let them know they are eligible for free job search assistance, including career counseling and help writing resumes. The state is putting together a system to keep track of those who take advantage of the offer and whether they end up finding jobs. Many Medicaid recipients here already have low-paying jobs, but roughly 40 percent report having no income, according to the state. 2. I transitioned, and it was that hardest and loneliest thing Ive ever done. It taught me that most people think they have a handle on gender, and they are filled with anger and terror to discover the limits of their knowledge. I wish I could say to these fearful people, guess what? You might not understand this, but that doesnt mean you have to make our lives unlivable. What we do in the bathroom should have nothing to do with you. Michael W. in New York, reacting to an article about Gavin Grimm, the lead plaintiff in a case headed to the Supreme Court, regarding the rights of transgender students to use school bathrooms corresponding to their gender identity. This comment received more than 100 reader recommendations. 3. These transgender children are not being disenfranchised, nor being left unprotected. This ruling means that local school districts can decide the best ways to protect transgender students, and their classmates, by devising the restroom/locker room accommodations at an individual level, as needed. No federal guidelines needed. Respect, education and awareness are best undertaken on a local level. Midway in the Midwest This comment received over 300 reader recommendations and more than 180 reader responses, the most responses of any comment on nytimes.com this week. New Rules to Result in More Deportations Insulting his moderate conservative supporters only increases their defensiveness. To the Editor: Re Are Liberals Helping Trump? (news analysis, Sunday Review, Feb. 19): Liberals are not to blame for the movement of moderate conservatives into the Trump camp. Rather, it is these moderate conservatives defensiveness that keeps them from acknowledging that the Trump administration is basing its policies on lies, misinformation, xenophobia, anti-Muslim sentiment and racism, and seems to accept ethical and legal lapses and ignorance by cabinet nominees and advisers. Conservatives appear to condone these lapses and to adopt the morally questionable attitude that the means justify the ends. All I want as a liberal is an honest, fact-based government with humanistic values. The Trump administration does not fit that description. When it does, liberals and conservatives can have an honest and respectful conversation about policy. ELIZABETH WOLF New Orleans To the Editor: I hear the concerns and complaints from people who voted for Donald Trump and dont want to be branded as horrible human beings. What I understand is that they voted for him because they agree with him on certain issues. What I dont understand is how they can overlook and accept his behavior: his deprecation of women and the disabled, his pathological lying just for a start. Whether I agree with President Trump on issues is not the point I am trying to make (and I dont agree with most of what he says). Its that I find his moral compass so lacking, so disturbing and so distressing. Thats the reason I view Trump supporters with disdain: not because they supported his positions on some issues, but because they were willing either to accept or overlook his serious character flaws and vote for him anyway. NINE MILE FALLS, Wash. I enjoy a poker room. The stakes for which I play are so low, often as not everyone at the table cashes out within $10 of his buy-in. The players tend to be older men, retired, on fixed incomes, widowers or divorced and nowhere near getting on that horse again. The dealers call them by name; the waiters deliver their drinks without the bother of an order. I hail from a small town and have lived much of my life in others, and these card games remind me of such places. Players scoot for wheelchairs and switch seats with those in walkers who cant get up and down for the restroom otherwise. Recently, visiting my daughter in Las Vegas, I ventured into a poker room near our hotel. It was before noon, and four older fellows three white guys, one African-American and a dealer were waiting for enough players to make a game. One wore a cap that indicated he was a Korean War veteran. I thanked him for his service; its a small, maybe stale habit, but military people tell me it is meaningful, so I continue. Anyway, Korea thanked me and asked if I was a vet. I told him no but that my dad served between World War II and Korea. Korea said they dragged him back in when it all started again and he figured they wouldnt let him go until it was over, so he went ahead and won the war. It took a couple of years, though, and he had good help. MEXICO CITY A year ago, at least eight gunmen in military fatigues stormed the home of the crime reporter Anabel Flores near the city of Orizaba and dragged her away from her pleading family. The next day her body was found on a road; she was dead at 32, just a few weeks after giving birth to her second child. In May and August, police arrested two suspected members of the Zetas drug cartel for the killing, but havent released their names or more details, leading the Committee to Protect Journalists to report that the case remained opaque like the homicides of so many of her colleagues here. Last year was one of the most deadly for Mexican reporters in recent history. Even the total number of victims is hard to pin down, thanks to botched investigations and confusion about how many of the dead officially worked as journalists. But most press groups count at least nine slain here in 2016, some as many 16. Reporters Without Borders said Mexico was the third most perilous country in the world for journalists, after Syria and Afghanistan in other words, the most perilous outside a declared war zone. When these annual numbers were released in December, they didnt make much of a splash. People have become accustomed to grisly stories of Mexican gangsters dragging reporters from their homes, ambushing them in their cars or leaving severed heads outside their newsrooms. Since 2000, the total journalist body count here has reached 100, according to the press freedom group Article 19. The murder of Mexican journalists is old news. Smuggling fees will escalate. When that happens, smugglers often collect half in the home country and require children to work off the other half as indentured servants. Experts expect to see more cases like the one in 2014, when federal agents rescued eight Guatemalan teenagers from a trailer park in Ohio, where theyd been held captive by smugglers and forced to work at an egg farm. Children will be afraid to admit they have parents here, as they were in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the government often told parents to retrieve apprehended children, only to deport the whole family when they showed up. As a result children languished in detention centers. Eighteen years ago, I spent a week in a jail in Liberty, Tex., where unaccompanied children who had been kept there for months had tried to slit their wrists or hang themselves. Finally, advocates worry that Central American children will tell Border Patrol agents that they are Mexican, so they wont be deported so far away. This was common a decade ago, and resulted in Central American children being preyed upon in lawless, cartel-controlled Mexican border towns. Today, 18,000 Central Americans are still kidnapped and ransomed each year while migrating through Mexico. Children whose families cannot pay are enslaved, raped, killed. Each year, a caravan of Central American mothers walk through Mexico, searching for missing children. Why would immigrants parents and children take these risks? El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have among the highest homicide rates in the world. Boys are forced to join gangs; girls are forced to sleep with gangsters. The proof children are fleeing real danger: 73 percent of unaccompanied minors who go to immigration court with a lawyer win the right to stay here legally. Kendra and Robertos mother, Doris Cruz Garcia, 34, fled El Salvador in 2013 after repeated beatings and death threats by Kendras father, a gang member. When Ms. Cruz became pregnant with Kendra, he kicked and punched her, trying to abort the baby. Ms. Cruz curled her body into a ball to protect her daughter, who was born two months early, weighing 3.5 pounds. Ms. Cruz moved with the children constantly to hide from her ex. When Kendra was 3, he broke into the place where they were staying and attacked Ms. Cruz. When she came to the next day, she was covered in blood. Her ex had said he would kill her, that she would end up in a trash bag. She now believed him. She had to escape. She had just enough money to get herself to the United States, so she planned to save up and send for Kendra and Roberto when she had the money. She thought they would be safe with her brother. But her brother was murdered a year later, probably by members of her exs gang. Financially pressed news organizations are not being shy about seizing the moment to celebrate and cash in on their aggressive independence. They are responding with a missionary zeal to being treated as the opposition party that should keep its mouth shut, as Trump enforcer Steve Bannon put it. The Washington Post has added a dramatic Batman-style motto online: Democracy Dies in Darkness. The New York Times bought a pricey ad for the Oscars with the tag line, The truth is more important now than ever. The Los Angeles Times made new multilingual T-shirts declaring, We will not shut up. President Trump is constantly berating the press because the accounts of his chaotic, careering first month in the job do not sync up with the glossy, self-regarding image he has in the fun-house mirror of his head and in the reflection from his circle of sycophants. Kellyanne Conway calls him President Action and President Impact and Bannon compares him to William Jennings Bryan. (Trump would definitely want a cross of gold to match his new Oval Office drapes.) Back in the 70s and 80s, with a shameless talent for self-aggrandizement untethered to fact, Trump was able to turn himself into a celebrity. Like his mentor Roy Cohn, Trump learned to manipulate his coverage in the New York tabloids. He even came up with two alter egos, John Barron and John Miller, so he could masquerade as his own p.r. agent and spin tall tales about Madonna and Carla Bruni craving him. Posing as John Miller, he used to ask to go on and off the record when talking about girls lusting after Donald, recalls Sue Carswell, who dealt with both Trump and his fake spinmeister when she was at People during laffaire Marla Maples. It doesnt seem to have sunk in with Trump that he cant manipulate the press as easily today. Hes the president. When he exaggerates and makes things up now, it has global consequences and subverts American values. It is not like whispering lies about which famous women are panting for him. In his pouty speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, he reiterated his sour denunciation of journalists as the enemy of the people. The man who made his flashy reputation by being an anonymous and pseudonymous source and who still spews a constant stream of wild assertions based on anonymous sources blustered that the press shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. At this point the consonants are so tightly fused its as if they were always and inevitably so: L.G.B.T. But just a decade ago, the T teetered. It wobbled. It was eliminated from a federal bill to protect lesbians, gays and bisexuals from discrimination in employment. The 2007 legislations principal backers including Barney Frank, an openly gay congressman decided that pressing fellow lawmakers to cover transgender people as well was a bridge too far. That bill failed anyway. But the tinkering reflected broader apprehensions. If not publicly then privately, many gays and lesbians wondered not only about the political costs of an alliance with transgender people but also whether the alliance made any real sense. A few still wonder. Mara Keisling, the executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, told me that at a recent banquet for an L.G.B.T. health organization, a wealthy gay donor said to her: Can you walk me through why were all one big community? I just dont get it. Which wont stop the flow of money out of Washington. One example: The Homeland Security inspector general reported in 2014 that the Border Patrol had spent $360 million over eight years on drones but found little or no evidence that the drones made the border more secure. Although facts are of little interest to this White House, all this budget-busting border mania is essentially for nothing. Illegal immigration from Mexico has trailed off in the last decade. And according to the Pew Hispanic Center, the net flow across the border is now less than zero. Wait, theres more. All the people Mr. Kelly rounds up will have to be detained and deported at taxpayer expense. Congress requires the Homeland Security Department to maintain about 34,000 immigration detention beds, at an estimated annual cost of $2 billion, or $5.5 million a day. Adding thousands more cells and beds will surely send that bill like the profits of the private-prison contractors who have been cashing in on all this misery through the roof. Now lets examine the cost to the economy. If you do back-of-the-envelope calculations, youre gonna need a big envelope. The American Action Forum last year estimated that expelling all unauthorized immigrants, and keeping them out, would cost $400 billion to $600 billion, and reduce the gross domestic product by $1 trillion. Mr. Trump describes immigrants as rapist-murderer-terrorists, but what they really are is a pillar of the American economy, producing a net benefit of about $50 billion since 1990. Farms and restaurants, hotels, manufacturers, retail businesses all sectors of the economy benefit directly or indirectly from immigrant labor. As for taxes, unauthorized immigrants pay them, and if they work off the books, they pay into the system without taking out. They dont collect Social Security and dont qualify for food stamps or other benefit programs. They pay sales and property taxes, and since they are generally younger and healthier than the native-born population, they strengthen the safety net. The Social Security Administration estimates that unauthorized immigrations pay about $13 billion a year into Social Security and get only about $1 billion back. Its ridiculous to have to explain this to the president, but: If you take a population of 11 million people out of the country, or force them deeper underground, the economy will not be healthier. If you have to find foster parents for millions of abandoned American children of deported immigrants, society will not be stronger. Shrink our immigrant-rich economic sectors, send all that entrepreneurial energy to Canada and Mexico America will not be better off. State legislatures are where the coming generation of national leaders learn the ropes and get ahead. Still, for all the political energy from a record number of women candidates last year, they failed to crack an important barrier in statehouse politics. Greater success had been predicted by experts in the year of Hillary Clintons landmark candidacy. Women candidates failed to win even 25 percent of the nations 7,383 legislative seats. The percentage of women legislators is stuck at 24.8 not much more than it has been across this decade. The total number of women winning in 2016 rose to 1,830, which is 22 more than the record set in 2010, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. But this is nowhere near the surge that was anticipated. These are really just blips in what looks like a flat line, Jennifer Lawless, director of the Women and Politics Institute at American University, told The Hill. Ms. Lawless, who has been tracking political ambition in women and men for 17 years, wasnt optimistic when asked about the number of women at the recent Trump protest marches vowing to run for office. Each Saturday, Farhad Manjoo and Mike Isaac, technology reporters at The New York Times, review the weeks news, offering analysis and maybe a joke or two about the most important developments in the tech industry. This week, Brian X. Chen, the Timess personal technology writer, filled in for Mike. Farhad: Hello, Brian! Youre stepping in for Mike this week because he has again locked himself out of the office. You really cant count on that guy. So thank you for filling in. Anyway, I wanted to start with some real talk: Science news is very cool right now. You must have seen how astronomers discovered seven Earth-size planets orbiting a star just 40 light years away. Meanwhile, physicists are puzzling over how quickly the universe is expanding; it seems to be going faster than physics predicts it should, which could be a clue that our understanding of the universe is missing something. I dont have any jokes here. I just think this stuff is awesome. Brian: Forty light years is pretty far away. I was hoping I could find another planet to live on for the next four to eight years. I guess Ill have to settle for Vancouver. ATLANTA Former Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez was elected chairman of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday, narrowly defeating Representative Keith Ellison of Minnesota to take the helm of a still-divided party stunned by President Trumps victory but hopeful that it can ride the backlash against his presidency to revival. The balloting, which carried a measure of suspense not seen in the party in decades, revealed that Democrats have yet to heal the wounds from last years presidential primary campaign. Mr. Perez, buoyed by activists most loyal to former President Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, won with 235 votes out of 435 cast on the second ballot. Mr. Ellison, who was lifted primarily by the liberal enthusiasts of Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, captured the remaining 200 votes. But that was only after he had pushed the voting to a second round after Mr. Perez fell a single vote short of winning on the first ballot. After Mr. Perezs victory was announced, Mr. Ellisons supporters exploded in anger and drowned out the interim chairwoman, Donna Brazile, with a chant of Party for the people, not big money! When Mr. Perez was able to speak, he immediately called for Mr. Ellison to be named deputy chairman, delighting Mr. Ellisons supporters. WASHINGTON As commander of an armored cavalry troop, H. R. McMaster fought in the largest tank battle of the Persian Gulf war, earning a Silver Star in the process. Afterward, the young captain reflected on how different his experience had been from the accounts he had read about Vietnam. So when he arrived at the University of North Carolina for graduate studies in fall 1992, questions swirled through his head: How had Vietnam become an American war? Why did American troops die without a clear idea of their mission? I began to seek answers to those questions, he later wrote. The result was a dissertation that turned into a book that would become, for a whole generation of military officers, a must-read autopsy of a war gone wrong. Now, as a three-star general and President Trumps national security adviser, General McMaster will have the opportunity to put the lessons of that book to the test inside the White House as he serves a mercurial commander in chief with neither political nor military experience. The book, Dereliction of Duty, published in 1997, highlighted the consequences of the military not giving candid advice to a president. General McMaster concluded that during Vietnam, officers on the Joint Chiefs of Staff failed to confront the president with their objections to a strategy they thought would fail. Twenty years later, the book serves as a guidepost to how he views his role as the coordinator of the presidents foreign policy team. Mr. Walden grew up on a cherry orchard, worked at radio stations owned by his family, and followed his father into the State Legislature. The political shifts that have turned all three Pacific Coast states reliably Democratic have begun to creep into a few of the conservative inland parts of Oregon. Hood River County, long known for fruit farming, windsurfing and the spectacular scenery of the Columbia River Gorge, has lately become a center for the production of surveillance drones, leading to an influx of software engineers, technology entrepreneurs and other young professionals. Mr. Waldens margin of victory in November in the county where he lives was just five votes out of more than 10,590 cast. Its just a little left-leaning, Mr. Walden allowed. It didnt used to be that way. Unlike many Republicans in Congress, Mr. Walden has worked productively with Democrats. Im a problem solver, he said in an interview after a town hall-style meeting here near the Idaho border. Im not an ideologue. I want to fix things. And in Oregon, some Democrats and health-law supporters are glad Mr. Walden is in his position. Ive known Greg a long time, said Andrew S. Davidson, the president and chief executive of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. He is not interested in upending the progress we have made in this state. Representative Kurt Schrader, a Democrat whose district includes the southern suburbs of Portland and the capital, Salem, predicted Mr. Walden will be mindful of the implications of any legislation for our state, which is leading the nation in the transformation of health care. Unlike Mr. Walden, Oregon has embraced the Affordable Care Act. State officials say many of the changes proposed by congressional Republicans, including a rollback of federal funds for the expansion of Medicaid, would reverse much of the progress they have made. Describe how you felt when you were assigned to President Clintons detail. I was filled with joy, I was filled with excitement, I was filled with a sense of fulfillment, because going to the presidents protective detail meant that you were going to be a part of the A team, the best of the best. The number of agents assigned to the detail is classified. At the time, when I initially reported to P.P.D., there may have been less than 10 African-American agents. What was the job like? How were your performance reviews? Every trip presented logistical and protective challenges, and the fun part was overcoming those obstacles and have a successful mission. I was receiving outstanding performance reviews. In fact, while I was on the detail, I got perfect performance reviews from my supervisors and had the highest promotion score of any African-American agent in the Secret Service. Were you aware of acts of discrimination in the agency? During my assignment in Miami, I noticed that there was great excitement when we would have cases with minority defendants. There appeared to be less zeal when the potential defendants were Caucasians. There were numerous instances where nonminority colleagues would get choice assignments, preferred training, performance awards, better performance scores and promotions. A lot of these appeared to be based on race and not on knowledge, skill or ability. At the time of the lawsuit, what was your position? My duties were to manage the security operations of the White House, the Treasury Building, the Old Executive Office Building and the New Executive Office Building. Can you share the thinking behind the lawsuit? I was very confident that I would get a promotion because every other P.P.D. agent who had been assigned to work in the capacity that I did was promoted. The difference in me and them was race. I was black, and they were white. When I decided to file the lawsuit, many thoughts and images came into my head. It was the thought and image of the expression on my then five-months pregnant wifes face when I told her that I did not get promoted, and that we were being forced to transfer to Dallas. It was the thought and image of the expression on my then 8-year-old daughters face when she realized that she would be leaving all her friends and the only home that she had known. It was the thought and image of my grandmother who had been a part of the civil rights movement, and the sage advice that she always provided advising me to always be fair, to do the right thing, to treat people as you wanted to be treated, and to stand up for what you believe is right. I knew that I had to fight against this injustice, so that my kids would not have to. I knew that it would have an adverse impact on my career and on my life. KABUL, Afghanistan At least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by Islamic State militants in the northern province of Zawzjan, a provincial official said on Saturday. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, a spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they left a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. Militants linked to the Islamic State, also known as ISIS or ISIL, have been active in Afghanistans eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. The Interior Ministry said in a statement that around 38 militants, including 23 Islamic State fighters, were killed in separate operations conducted by Afghan security forces in the eastern and southern regions of the country over the past two days. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia An Indonesian woman arrested in the murder of the half brother of North Koreas leader said on Saturday that she was paid just $90 to smear what she thought was a harmless liquid on the face of an unsuspecting man. The woman, Siti Aisyah, 25, told Indonesian Embassy officials that she was paid by foreign men for what she thought was a prank for a television show and did not know that anyone would be harmed. She only said in general that someone asked her to carry out this activity, said Andreano Erwin, Indonesias deputy ambassador to Malaysia, after meeting with Ms. Siti for about a half-hour. She said that she met with people who looked Japanese or Korean. Kim Jong-nam, 46, the estranged half brother of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, died minutes after two women smeared liquid on his face on Feb. 13 at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. The Malaysian police arrested Ms. Siti and another woman, Doan Thi Houng of Vietnam, within days. BEIJING After approving plans on Friday for informal talks in New York between a North Korean delegation and former American officials, the Trump administration reversed course hours later, withdrawing approval for the North Koreans visas, two people who were to take part in the planned talks said. The schedule called for the two sides to meet in early March, and arrangements were underway for the six-member North Korean group, led by Choe Son-hui, who runs the American affairs bureau of the Norths Foreign Ministry, to travel to New York. The organizer of the talks, the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, led by Donald S. Zagoria, was told by the State Department on Friday morning that the visas would be granted. But the decision was reversed in the afternoon when someone overruled State, said one person who planned to participate in the talks. Both of the people on the participants list spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the delicacy of the matter. PARIS The usually mild-mannered president of France pointedly reproached President Trump on Saturday after Mr. Trump commented on the dangers of terrorism in Paris, reminding the American leader of a cardinal rule in diplomacy: If you want to keep your friends, dont criticize them in public. I think its never a good idea to show the least disapproval with respect to an ally, said Francois Hollande, the French president, at the opening of an agriculture exposition in Paris. I wouldnt do that to an ally and I would ask that the American president not do that with regard to France. Mr. Hollande was responding to remarks Mr. Trump made on Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, in which he implied that Europes open borders had led to the terrorist attacks there. Mr. Trump pinned his assertions on a friend named Jim, who he said had stopped going to Paris because Paris is no longer Paris. Mr. Trump said his friend had stopped traveling to the French capital four or five years ago, which was before the terrorist attacks there occurred. BERLIN Germanys foreign intelligence service apparently spied on the phones, faxes or emails of several foreign news organizations, including The New York Times, the British Broadcasting Corporation and Reuters, the German newsmagazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday. Der Spiegel said that it saw a list that indicated that the German intelligence service, the BND, had monitored at least 50 phone numbers, fax numbers and email addresses beginning in 1999. One number was listed for The New York Times in Afghanistan. Others monitored by the BND included Reuters offices in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria, as well as the BBC World Service in London, Der Spiegel reported. The surveillance targets also included The Daily News of Zimbabwe, unnamed news agencies in Kuwait, Lebanon and India, and journalists organizations in Nepal and Indonesia, the article said. TUNIS Tunisia has sent more fighters abroad to join the ranks of the Islamic State than any other country. And now, as the Islamic State takes a battering on the battlefields of Syria and Iraq, the country is at odds over what to do if and when they come home. Tunisians have been dealing with a frenzied polemic in recent weeks, as secularists have raised fears that a returning wave will bring further mayhem to this fragile state and Islamists have been forced to condemn the jihadists. How can we accept those people who are professionals in war, in the use of arms and have a culture of being terrorists? asked Badra Gaaloul, a civil-military analyst who heads the International Center of Strategic, Security and Military Studies. We in Tunisia are in crisis, and we cannot accept these people. It is a nightmare for Tunisia, she added. We are not ready for that. The concern is not academic. Ms. Gaaloul, among others, points to the experience of Algeria, which suffered through a decade-long insurgency in the 1990s when jihadists returned from Afghanistan set on establishing Islamic law, and the army led a brutal war to crush them. Image Credit... Rukmini Callimachi/The New York Times Im in northern Iraq and spent the day traveling to the front lines of western Mosul, where Iraqi government forces are battling the Islamic State for complete control of this city. Along the way, my colleagues and I met a villager who had just escaped. The villager, Lahib Muhammed Ali, lived on a dairy farm. He said that because the Islamic State had placed a mortar position in one of his fields, his farm was targeted in an airstrike. With tears in his eyes, he explained how the devastating blow killed 50 of his 60 cows. This cow is one of the survivors. Image Credit... Rukmini Callimachi/The New York Times Further down the road we passed a large sugar factory that had been seized by the Islamic State and is now under Iraqi control. Fake news has become a great problem in our life. The more so, questionable news and lack of clarity can seriously influence society and bring chaos to the minds of ordinary people. Last week a typical event happened in Lithuania. A couple of local Lithuanian media outlets published news report claimed German soldiers raped a Lithuanian girl. The Lithuanian officials were quick to say that it was a false report. The incident was described in all popular world news sources and commented by Lithuania's and NATO's high-ranking officials. The speed of spreading the news strikes. That is why Lithuanians took the news more than seriously, despite the fact that the government has declared its false nature. People thought: if it was a false report why then it had caused a stir on all national and even international levels? Such wide coverage of false (or not false) news is also understandable because Lithuania really faces the problem of child abuse almost every day. By the way last week Lithuanian Parliament at least banned all sorts of violence against children, including corporal punishments, psychological, sexual, physical violence, as well as care neglect. This law was really long hoped-for and even belated. If it is adopted earlier, perhaps a small Lithuanian boy Matas by name would not have been severely beaten and wouldn't die in January. No doubt, the new law is a great success for our society, and the indicator of existence of democratic values in Lithuania. At the same time on that particular day, February, 14, Seimas adopted another law that diminishes the value of the previous one. Lithuanian Parliament ratified the Defense Cooperation Agreement with the USA. According to Siemas press-release, the Agreement stipulates in detail the status of US troops, civil component, and contractors in the Republic of Lithuania, including arrival, departure, access to military infrastructure for military-cooperation purposes, taxes, jurisdiction, military mail, recognition of driving licenses, registration of vehicles, and movement. The more so, this law stipulates that in case of committing a crime US military wouldn't be brought to justice in Lithuania. It means that if US soldiers abuse a Lithuanian child they would remain unpunished in Lithuania. It is clear that Lithuanian government tries to make the foreign troops' deployment more comfortable. But such cases as report of child rape by foreign soldiers make Lithuanian society think about the incorrectness of some political decisions and feel defenseless. True or fake that news was but Lithuanians' attitude towards foreign troops at home is mixed. Another case of inappropriate behaviour of foreign soldiers added fuel to the fire. In the night of February 19, the police of the port city of Klaipeda detained five Czech NATO soldiers near the nightclub. As noted, the soldiers refused to obey to the law-enforcement officers, as well as tried to resist. Police used tasers. According to the data, the punishment for troublemakers will determine the Czech command. (http://www.15min.lt/naujiena/aktualu/nusikaltimaiirnelaimes/i-naktini-kluba-neileistas-cekijos-kariu-penketas-susigrume-su-klaipedos-policija-59-757268). This news report is not questioned by Lithuanian authorities. Interesting, but it was not wildly covered in media outlets in comparison with similar case of inappropriate behaviour of NATO soldiers who probably raped the girl. It is quite clear that Lithuanians have been confused by news. One day a citizen sees the news report, believes it, changes his behaviour, discusses it with relatives, and tries to prevent children from getting into trouble and so on. The other day all official sources want to persuade him that the news was a fake. Society wants to believe officials, but seed of doubt is difficult to kill with one word. Especially it is impossible to change one's mind when next day you read another news report of the same nature and it is true. At least nobody said it is false. Facts speak for themselves. People want to be respected at home. It turned down that false news is more attractive than true report. It is strange that Lithuanian government pays so much attention to the false news but neglect true one. Azaria: .I shot the terrorist. (Image by ynetnews.com) Details DMCA I BELIEVE I was the first to recommend that the soldier Elor Azaria, the killer of Hebron, be granted a pardon. But this recommendation was conditional on several requirements: first, that the soldier openly and unconditionally confess his crime, that he apologize and that he be sentenced to many years in prison. Without these conditions, any request for a pardon by the soldier would mean an approval of his act and an invitation for more war crimes. Sergeant Azaria, a medic in a combat unit, appeared on the scene after an incident in the center of the Jewish enclave in the ancient town of Hebron. Two young Palestinians had attacked an army control point with knives and been shot. We don't know how the first one died, but the second was filmed by a camera provided to the locals by the wonderful Israeli anti-occupation organization B'Tselem. The camera shows the assailant lying on the ground, heavily wounded, motionless and bleeding. Then, some 12 minutes later, Azaria, who had not been present, appears on the screen. He stands less than a meter from the wounded Arab and shoots him point-blank in the head, killing him outright. The photographic evidence, made public at once on Israeli TV (a fact not to be forgotten), left the army no choice. Killing a helpless enemy is a crime in any civilized military. Azaria was accused of manslaughter -- not murder. All over the right wing, he at once became a national hero. Politicians, including Binyamin Netanyahu and the present Minister of Defense, Avigdor Lieberman, hastened to adopt him. Azaria was found guilty. In a sharply worded judgment, the military court stated that his testimony consisted of sheer lies. The judgment aroused a storm of protest all over the right wing. The court was cursed and became the real accused. Facing this storm, the court buckled and this week sentenced Azaria to a ridiculous prison term of 18 months, the usual penalty for an Arab juvenile stone-thrower who has not hit anybody. Azaria has not apologized. Far from it. Instead, he, his family and his admirers stood up in the courtroom and broke into the national anthem. THIS COURTROOM scene became the picture of the day. It was clearly a demonstration against the military court, against the high command of the Israeli army and against the entire democratic structure of the state. But for me it was much, much more. It was the Declaration of Independence of another Israeli people. It was the breaking up of Israeli society into two parts, the tensions between which have been growing more acute from year to year. The two parts have less and less in common. They have entirely different attitudes toward the state, its moral foundations, its ideology, its structure. But until now, it was accepted that at least one almost sacred institution stood above the fray, beyond any controversy: the Israeli army. The Azaria affair demonstrates that this last bond of unity has now been broken. 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). From Counterpunch The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict... (Image by danfrank.ca) Details DMCA Israel has created a terrible problem which it is incapable of solving. That is why it has always been the case that the United States must pretty much dictate a solution, but it is unable to do so, paralyzed as it is by the heavy influence of Israel and America's own apologists and lobbyists. Trump's suggestion of a one-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict is welcomed by some because Israel's settler policy is said to have made two states impossible, as it was most certainly intended to do. However, a little reflection on hard facts makes it clear that a one-state solution is just as impossible. A single-state solution would be acceptable to all reasonable minds, but you only have to follow the news to know that Israel contains a good many unreasonable minds. Its early advocates and founders were, quite simply, fanatics, and its policies and attitudes were shaped by that fanaticism. The Israeli establishment could simply not accept a Palestinian population with equal rights and the franchise as part of Israel. They could not do so because they have embraced an almost mystical concept of Israel as "the Jewish state." Of course, the de facto reality of today's combined population of Israel and its occupied territories is that Palestinians, who importantly include not just Muslims but many Christians, are already about half of the total. And there are physical realities forming huge barriers against a single state, things of which many people are not aware. Very importantly, fertility rates in Arab populations are considerably higher than in the European Ashkenazi population which forms Israel's elite. That has nothing to do with ethnic characteristics. It is a result of much lower levels of affluence influencing the behavior of people having children. It is a universal reality we see. That's why Arabic populations are such relatively young populations with a high proportion of children. When Israel bombs a place like Gaza or Lebanon, as it does periodically, it always kills many hundreds of children because they make a big share of the population. An advanced country like Japan has low fertility and traditionally is averse to much migration. It faces a future with an aging and declining population. All older European and North American countries have fertility rates too low to replace their otherwise declining populations. America or France or Israel or similar states simply do not have enough babies to replace their populations. That's a fundamental reality of advanced, affluent society. People with rich, demanding lives do not have large numbers of children, anywhere, knowing, as they do, that the few they do have will almost certainly survive and will better thrive with more concentrated resources. That's the real reason behind most countries' immigration policies, not generosity or kindness. But, of course, Israel has a serious problem with immigration, too. As the "Jewish state," it is open to only one category of migrant, and that category of people makes a tiny fraction of the world's population. Further, most of that tiny fraction live in comfortable, affluent places, far more desirable to live in than Israel -- places like America, Canada, Australia, Britain, France, etc. A single-state Israel would combine low fertility Europeans with higher fertility Arabic people, thus creating a long-term trajectory for a minority-Jewish state, a reality which would be repellent to all conservative Jews and many others, in light of the founding notion of Israel as a refuge from believed widespread anti-Semitism, plus the vaguely-defined but emotionally-loaded notion of a "Jewish state," and, still further, the biblical myths of God's having given the land exclusively to Jews. You simply cannot make rational sense out of that bundle of attitudes and prejudices, yet you cannot get a rational solution to a massive problem otherwise, a problem, it should be noted, of Israel's own deliberate making in the Six Day War. Likely, when Israel's leadership started that war, they calculated that Palestinians would come to feel so miserable under occupation that they'd just pick up and leave over time. Moshe Dayan, one of the architects of the war, actually spoke along those very lines of keeping the Palestinians miserable so they would leave. But their calculations were wrong. Most people, anywhere, do not pick-up and leave their native place. Otherwise the world would a constant whirlwind of migrations. Although Israel does not discuss the relative population growth rate situation in public, authorities and experts there are keenly aware of the reality. It is difficult to imagine them ever embracing a single state for this reason. When you found a state on ideology and myths, as Israel was founded, you very soon bump up against some unhappy realities. So, if there is not to be a Palestinian state, what are Israel's other options? There seem to be only two. One is to deport all or most Palestinians, an ugly idea which is probably also unworkable, although it has very much seriously been discussed among educated Israelis periodically. Apart from the Nazi-like connotations around such an act, who, on earth, is going to take literally millions of people from Israel? In the past, Israeli ideologues have seriously suggested both the country of Jordan and parts of Egypt contiguous with Israel as possibilities. Can any realistic person believe those states stand ready to take millions of people in? No, of course not, but that hasn't stopped the ideologues of Israel from going back to the idea again and again. Of course, there is the pure ethical problem of moving millions against their wills and seizing all their property, but ethics have not never featured large in Israel's policies from the beginning. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). The advantage of these plans is that workers could keep the same account as they changed jobs. Also, the fees would be much lower, with state managed plans likely averaging fees in the range of 0.2-0.3 percent annually. This compares to fees averaging close to 1.0 percent in privately run 401(K)s, with some charging over 1.5 percent. This may seem like a small difference, but it adds up over a worker's career. Imagine a person earning $60,000 a year and putting 6 percent of their pay, or $3,600 a year, into a 401(k) for 30 years. At the end of 30 years, the difference between a plan with annual administrative costs of 0.3 percent and a plan with costs of 1.0 percent would be almost $30,000. (This calculation assumes a 5.0 percent average annual nominal return.) The difference would be even larger if we factored in that private accounts are likely to charge between 10 to 20 percent of savings to convert the sum into an annuity when workers retire. A public plan would charge considerably less. The Republicans route for nixing the state plans is by overturning a ruling by Labor Department that employers who send checks into the public plan are not subject to the requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or ERISA. The ERISA rules are to ensure that pension plans being managed by employers are done so properly and to reduce the risk of fraud. In the case of these state sponsored plans, the employer is not running a plan, they are just sending in a check for their employee, so it makes sense the ERISA rules would not apply to them. If they were applied, it would make it far more burdensome for small employers to participate, likely making the publicly managed plan impractical. Incredibly, the rationale for applying ERISA rules is that Republicans claim workers need government protection. These are the same people who are trying to gut the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and working to eliminate the fiduciary rule, requiring investment advisers to act on behalf of their clients. The only common principle in these actions is giving more money to the banks. Paul Ryan and Company already gave the green light to the small savers tax. The Senate will vote on it when they return from recess. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. Progressive Content Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their progressive content after publishing. To see if the progressive content was renamed or re-published, please click here. First, I note that I wrote this piece seven years ago and it is still relevant. I re-submit it here to compliment and support my last OP-ED NEWS piece 'The Vietnam Wall Memorial'--profoundly incomplete. Last, you may find it interesting to know that at the time this piece was written your government, the pentagon, the Veterans Administration and all media reported Iraq and Afghan vet suicides at about one hundred and fifty each year. I write many commentary pieces critical of war-making and sometimes I conclude by stating that I am a vet who served in the U.S. Special Forces. Invariably, those who chose to respond thank me for my service before trashing my opinion. It is clear no one cares what that service comprised. It matters not whether I saved a buddy's life or rolled a hand grenade into a hut killing women and children--always the knee-jerk "thank you". Within most of our living history, Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan are the nations we've invaded and killed their citizens, and we receive 'thanks' for that service. MSNBC's Chris Matthews calls Senator McCain a war hero even though the service he provided was dropping bombs on men women and children from 20,000 feet. Does Matthews think McCain was defending America from a tiny war-ravaged nation with no planes, ships or missiles capable of threatening us? Does he care? The point is that we have been trained not to question what those who serve in war were actually doing. Matthews and his ilk don't ask. However, the 12,000 American vets who attempt suicide each year because they cannot live with the behavior their service required of them do ask. The robotic 'thank you' from the American citizenry matters naught to the 6,000 vets who actually commit suicide every year because they know their service betrayed their sense of decency, and they experience this final, fatal pain alone--another betrayal. Do we really not know Vietnam was not about Communist dominoes, nor Iraq about weapons of mass destruction? What insidious rationales represent the true motives for these wars? If we spoke these reasons loudly and clearly, would we still thank our vets for their service to those unstated goals? The best worst reason given for these military assaults on the citizens of other nations is that it will make us safer. Dr. Ira Katz, the Veterans Administration's head of mental health, acknowledges that 12,000 vets attempt suicide each year and half of those succeed . Many more return home and live destructive lives impacted by drugs, violence and divorce imparting pain to families and communities and making clear that the violence incurred 'over there' cycles home. If we sacrifice our children in this uniquely depraved way to make ourselves feel safe, what then is the value of safety? It is difficult to draw a clear straight line between a simple ' thank you for your service' and a young vet driving his motorcycle into a tree. The light from 300 million candles will illuminate those connective threads. Does anyone hear me? Don Scotten Scotten6@gmail.com What WERE the Framers thinking as they adopted the Second Amendment? (Image by John Trumbull, 1818 (derivative)) Details DMCA So far we've examined the concept of constitutional originalism [1], and how it's been hijacked by the radical right. Then we explored the Electoral College [2] in disturbing detail, and saw how it has been used to marginalize minorities and disenfranchise the majority. Then we considered free speech [3] and how the concept slowly evolved - then abruptly morphed to a new and insidious form in 2010. Now let's examine the Second Amendment, which was itself made possible by Article V. It simply states, "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." What were they thinking? LITERAL CONTEXT Look first at context - a "Militia" in the absence of a standing federal army, provided for internal and external security. A "free State" clarified that a Militia is a creature of each of the thirteen States as constituted at the time, together with any admitted in the future as provided by Article IV Section 3. State Militias were explicitly placed under the ultimate authority of the President of the United States elsewhere in the Constitution - Article II, Section 2. Within the context of militias and states, the word "arms" clearly refers to weapons of war rather than hunting or sporting arms. HISTORICAL CONTEXT The internal threats in 1789 included insurrections by slaves, natives, and enemies of the state such as Daniel Shays. Shays' Rebellion [4] was fresh in the memories of the framers - having been organized against economic injustices and culminating in a failed attempt to obtain the weapons at the armory in Springfield, Massachusetts. The framers could not have intended Daniel Shays and his gang to have easy access to weapons of war! The greatest external threats were France and England, but the United States was not in a state of war. The Continental army was disbanded after the Revolutionary War, and standing army of the federal government was seen by the states to be a threat to liberty in times of peace. New Hampshire proposed in 1789 "That no standing Army shall be Kept up in time of Peace unless with the consent of three fourths of the Members of each branch of Congress".." [5] Militias organized and regulated under the authority of each state were seen as the first and quickest defense pending the organization of a federal army. Virginia proposed in 1789 "That each State respectively shall have the power to provide for organizing, arming and disciplining it's own Militia, whensoever Congress shall omit or neglect to provide for the same. That the Militia shall not be subject to Martial Law, except when in actual service in time of war, invasion, or rebellion; and when not in the actual service of the United States, shall be subject only to such fines, penalties and punishments as shall be directed or inflicted by the laws of its own State." [5] The Militia Acts of 1792 [6] provided uniform requirements for state militias, including mandatory conscription of recruits who were required to supply their own small arms and ammunition. They also certified the authority of the President to call out state militias to put down insurrections - an authority exercised by President Washington to suppress the Whiskey Rebellion. The Militia Act of 1903 created the United States National Guard as a formal successor to state militias. LIMITATIONS OF THE FRAMERS What about the limitation of the framers? They clearly did not envision a time when "arms" would evolve into the terrifying weapons of mass destruction at our disposal today, and certainly would not have placed them in the hands of "the people" without controls. Had they imagined such weapons, they would have reconsidered the application of the term "infringed." Perhaps most importantly, the entire Bill of Rights was less a creature of the framers, and more a product of the States that demanded it and conditioned their ratification upon its acceptance by the constitutional convention. Although they ultimately compromised on the text, George Mason and John Madison were always divided in their views. Beginning in the twentieth century, militias gained an entirely different identity. Today they consist of loosely organized, well-armed bands of men and women. The Southern Poverty Law Center tracks up to 300 such bands [7], keeping an eye on them because of their orientation and activities. Although they claim constitutional roots, these bands have no charter or any such authority from their states, even in the South. The Ku Klux Klan is typical of such bands at the local level, but is unique in its participation in the network with other units elsewhere. Occasionally these bands erupt in violence, as at Ruby Ridge and Waco, Texas. Such organizations were decidedly not envisioned by the Framers of the U.S. Constitution except with respect to their similarities to those involved in Shays' Rebellion. So, what was the original intent of the Second Amendment? A thoughtful interpretation of the literal context, the historical context, and the framers' limitations inevitably leads us to the knowledge that it had nothing to do with hunting or sport, but rather weapons of war for organized defense in the hands of responsible authorities. And we can spot an internal contradiction when we realize the conflict between "shall not be infringed" and the rush to keep weapons away from Daniel Shays. Conservatives - self-identified constitutional originalists - claim that the Second Amendment applies to individuals and represents a guarantee that no regulation shall apply. Does this claim stand up to careful scrutiny, critical thinking, and common sense? WINNERS AND LOSERS Gun owners who claim that the Constitution guarantees their unlimited right benefit from the current interpretation of the Second Amendment. But does an analysis of the literal context, the historical context, and the limitations of the Framers support that interpretation? A purely originalist interpretation of the Second Amendment would guarantee the armaments of State militias, and they would not be limited in scope or power. But because state militias were displaced by the Militia Act of 1903, the protections of the Second Amendment clearly passed at that moment to the United States National Guard. That said, private unregulated gun ownership is promoted by the interpretation of the Second Amendment by self-identified constitutional originalists and their benefactors. If there is justification for the unregulated right of gun ownership it lies outside of any constitutional guarantee. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Counterpunch The war party is back in power and the odds of normal relations with Russia have dropped to zero. The appointment of Army Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster to the position of national security adviser indicates that Trump has done an about-face on his most critical foreign policy issue, normalizing relations with Russia. General Michael Flynn -- who recently stepped down from the post following allegations of lying to Vice President Mike Pence -- was the main proponent of easing tensions with Moscow which is a position that had been enthusiastically embraced by President Donald Trump. But McMaster does not support normalizing relations with Russia, in fact, McMaster sees Russia as a "hostile revisionist power" that "annex(es) territory, intimidates our allies, develops nuclear weapons, and uses proxies under the cover of modernized conventional militaries." So, what's going on? Why has Trump put a Moscow-hating hawk like McMaster in a position where he'll be able to intensify the pressure on Russia, increase the provocations and, very likely, trigger a conflagration between the two nuclear-armed superpowers? The appointment of McMaster is an attempt by Trump to placate his enemies in the Intel agencies and foreign policy establishment. Trump is signaling to his adversaries that he will cooperate in carrying out their strategic agenda provided they allow him to finish his term. Trump doesn't want to end up like Flynn nor does he want to do battle with the all-powerful deep state operatives who can launch one demeaning propaganda blitz after the other followed by years of excruciating investigations leading inevitably to a lengthy and humiliating impeachment that leaves Trump a broken, discredited shambles. That's not how Trump wants to end his career in politics. He wants to end it on a high note, riding a wave of burgeoning affection and love. That's why he picked McMaster. The neocons love him, the liberal interventionists love him, the media loves him and the entire political establishment loves him. Everyone loves him. He's the "warrior-scholar" who "speaks truth to power" and writes futuristic books on "generation warfare," "information superiority" and "predictive battlespace awareness" all of which delight his devoted admirers. The downside of McMaster is that he is a hard-boiled militarist with a driving animus towards Russia. Judging by his writing on the topic, I would expect a broader and more lethal conflict to flare up in either Syria or Ukraine as soon as he gets settled in his new job. Bottom line: The removal of Flynn has convinced Trump that powerful elements within the national security state have him in their cross-hairs. As a result, Trump has relinquished control of foreign policy and handed the whole mess over to gladiator McMaster who will coordinate with Sec-Def General James Mattis on a new strategy to deploy US troops to East Syria and West Iraq to establish a permanent military presence in "occupied" Sunnistan. (The area will also be used for natural gas pipeline corridors connecting Qatar to the EU) The strategy in Ukraine will focus primarily on luring Russia into a long and resource-draining war that will further depress the ailing Russian economy precipitating political instability, social unrest and regime change. That is the hope at least, that Russia's wars abroad will lead to the ousting of Vladimir Putin. Here's a few clips from a presentation McMaster gave at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on May 4, 2016. They help to clarify the man's ominous world view: "...what I'd really like to talk to you about is (the) period we're in right now, a period of increasing risks...risks to our nation, to our allies, and really all of humanity... "globally -- the situation in connection with U.S. vital interests and security -- is changing really in a direction that's going to raise additional challenges to the U.S. and U.S. national security... what we're seeing is a shift in geopolitics in a way that imposes great dangers and has elevated the risk of a major international military crisis to the highest level in the last 70 years. A number of scholars are writing about this -- Jakub Grygiel and Wess Mitchell in particular in their great recent book 'Unquiet Frontier,' where they describe revisionist powers, Russia and China in particular on the Eurasian landmass, that are surrounded by weak states which are now becoming battlegrounds, areas of competition at the far reaches of American power." ("Harbingers of Future War: Implications for the Army with Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster," The Center for Strategic and International Studies) We have discussed the "pivot to Asia" ad nauseam in this column. McMaster's comments help to underscore the fact that the struggle to control the "Eurasian landmass," the center of economic growth for the next century, is at the heart of the US imperial crusade which is now entering a new and more dangerous phase. McMaster: "I also think Margaret MacMillan's great essay written in 2014 making the analogy between 2014 and 1914, and really making the point that geopolitics is back; maybe our -- what we might call our holiday from history in the post-Cold War period is over." So in McMaster's mind, another global conflagration on a par with World War 1 is now in the making. Unlike most people, he sees this as a challenge rather than an apocalyptic event that should be avoided at all cost. McMaster: "I think what might have punctuated the end of the post-Cold War period is Russia's invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Now, this was -- this was not really a new development in terms of Russian aggression. I think you can go back to the denial-of-service attacks on the Baltic states in 2007, certainly the invasion of Georgia in 2008." McMaster is extremely well read and follows the news closely. He knows that Georgia attacked South Ossetia and that Putin -- who was at the Olympics at the time -- merely responded. Why is McMaster deliberately misleading his audience about the details? And why doesn't he explain how the elected government of Ukraine was toppled in a CIA-State Department coup? Those facts are readily available to anyone who has seriously researched the incident. It seems obvious that McMaster is twisting the truth to make his case against Russia. McMaster: "...even though it may have been apparent at least since 2008 that Russia was changing its geostrategic behavior ... what we're seeing now is we've awakened to, obviously, this threat from Russia, who is waging limited war for limited objectives -- annexing Crimea, invading Ukraine -- at zero cost, consolidating gains over that territory, and portraying the reaction by us and allies and partners as escalatory." Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Publisher offers book free for five days starting March 1 When the Republicans stole the White House for at least the second time in 16 years in 2016, many more people rose up against this latest injustice than in 2000. They hit the streets in protests and rallies, organized social media opposition campaigns, wrote guides on how to effectively oppose Republicans at town hall meetings, and took similar actions. Not Our President: The Movement against the Agenda of Tricky Don & Wingman Mike covers their story. The roughly 55,000-word book written by progressive journalist Jack Thor is being offered by Amazon Digital Services at .amazon.com/dp/B06WWJLCWK for just $2.99. It will also be free for five days starting March 1. The book details what people such as former congressional staffer Ezra Levin and librarian Rebecca McCorkindale are doing to oppose the harmful policies of Donald Trump and Michael Pence, and make a difference to restore confidence and integrity to the U.S. political system. It spins the story forward with recommendations on how readers can aid in this movement, including a list of about 300 resources to obtain more information. "The development of a grassroots movement to oppose the Trump administration is a very important story," said Jack Thor, 57, a journalist, photographer, and activist for more than three decades. "Many people who were not really involved in politics before have become involved, largely through social media. I know I stepped up my involvement again after the Republicans stole another election. "This is just too much," continued Thor. "I was mad as hell about how Bush and the Republicans stole the White House in 2000, but for them to do this again is really a travesty. This is not a petty burglary we're talking about. This is the theft of one of the most cherished institutions our country has, done right before all of our own eyes once again. And we just let them get away with it. Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, Tom Paine, and others are probably still rolling over in their graves. If you can fix an election like this, you can fix almost anything." Backed up with hundreds of footnotes and sources that are linked to Internet pages, Not Our President starts by outlining how Trump and the Republicans employed questionable actions to win key swing states. Those included purging legal voters from the rolls, using state offices for political purposes, giving voters misleading instructions, approving confusing ballots, questionable decisions that favored Republicans by partisan judges, hacking into Democrats' email systems by Russians, the conspiracy by the FBI to release the "October Surprise," and more. The book goes on to detail what organizations like the ACLU, social media activists, and politicians like U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., are doing to restore confidence in the White House and U.S. electoral system. It includes recommendations for further action from people like Michael Moore, Robert Reich, Angela Davis, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Barbra Streisand, and U.S. Rep. John Conyers Jr. Jack Thor's past books include Born to Cheat: How Bush, Cheney, Rove & Co. Broke the Rules - From the Sandlot to the White House [2007], The Strange Death of the Woman Who Filed a Rape Lawsuit Against Bush & Other Things the Bush Administration Doesn't Want You to Know [2004], and We Will Not Get Over It: Restoring a Legitimate White House [2002]. His essays and columns have appeared in numerous ezines and blogs, including Oped News, Daily Kos, Smirking Chimp, Democrats.com, American Politics Journal, Online Journal, Buzzflash, AlterNet, BushWatch, Liberal Slant, MikeHersh.com, Information Clearinghouse, Znet, Dream Forge, Moderate Independent, IndyMedia, America Held Hostile, Global Free Press, and Democratic Underground. Conservative talk show host Rush "Fat Bastard" Limbaugh once called him a "liar" on his show, probably in reference to Thor calling Limbaugh "the biggest lying, Dominican Republic-underaged-girl-screwing sack of sh*t that ever got on the air." Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry once said he should suffer and initiated an investigation of him after he wrote about alleged homosexual activity of Trump's energy czar. Thor once debated G. Gordon Liddy about the First Amendment and other issues on the Watergate crook's radio show while driving his car 80 miles an hour through rural Tennessee. Some stories he has broken include Dick Cheney continuing to live in his Texas home after he claimed to have moved to Wyoming and selling the home to a big Republican donor who already had a mansion in the same neighborhood. He was the last writer to interview Margie Schoedinger, a Texas woman who filed a sexual assault lawsuit against George W. Bush and died via a gunshot wound that was ruled a suicide a few months later. When conservatives claimed that not even liberal types would defend actor Chevy Chase calling Bush a "dumb f*ck" in public, Thor did just that, showing how Bush and Cheney had used profanity in public repeatedly. His reports on Arnold Schwarznegger -- who he has come to actually admire in an odd way ' and others were so revealing that the Los Angeles Times, CNN, and others called to follow up. Thor has also strayed into political activism at times. In 2003, he organized a petition drive to oust former hard right-winger Tom DeLay from office and presented copies of the petition signed by several thousand fellow Americans to the offices of leaders of the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Others did likewise, and the efforts helped lead to DeLay's ouster and conviction. In addition, Thor has had photographs and poetry published. After the latest Republican theft, he shortened his name from "Jackson Thoreau" to "Jack Thor" to make it flashier and more pointed. The name is a pseudonym taken from a combination of a late dog and one of his favorite writers. 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). Very Gradual Change We Can Believe In (Image by mikecogh) Details DMCA I would like people understand that I believe this country needs an opposition to right-wing/conservative politicians that work for the Corporations. Unfortunately, these politicians can be found in both the Democratic and Republican parties. It would be naive of anyone to think that all Republicans are bad, and all Democrats are good. This is simply not the case. But what we do have... are dinosaurs that need to be put to pasture. When I talk about "dinosaurs" I'm not talking about people who are old.I'm old. When I talk about dinosaurs, I'm talking about those politicians who believe that the that the way things have been done in the past, are the the way things should done the future. I can name a few Democrats in the Senate who fit that bill, including Sen. Chuck Schumer and Sen. Diane Feinstein. Maybe when they first entered politics they were political firebrands... I really don't remember. I do know however, they were very silent when George Bush passed the Patriot Act and started clamping down on civil liberties by expanding the NSA and the CIA. They were also silent when Pres. Obama crackdown on the occupy movement with his "fusion" centers throughout the country and started knocking heads of of those people in the occupy movement. Also, I didn't see them rise to the defense of Chelsea Manning for Edward Snowden or any other whistle blower that Pres. Barack Obama through bright up on federal charges. People like that give citizens a bad taste in their mouth and that is the way they view the Democratic Party. Sen. Bernie Sanders who was described by the mainstream press as a "radical socialist" was really no more "radical" than FDR. There is nothing "radical" about Bernie Sanders. The only thing radical about him, was that he went against the ruling establishment of the Democratic Party. That was radical. I was a Democrat from the time I was old enough to understand about politics. Like many people my age, my hero was JFK and after he was assassinated I looked at RFK to finish but his brother's job but the "Deep State" took him too. I was also a big supporter of George McGovern and other Democrats that stood against the war in Vietnam. I blame the changes took place in the Democratic Party and William Jefferson Clinton as so many other writers and commentators do. Clinton's presidency was probably the worst thing that ever happened to the Democratic Party in long-run. He might've helped it gain popularity when he was first elected, but by the time he left office he had changed the face of what Democrats stood for by trying to emulate the Republican Party. Now, because Donald J Trump is sitting in the Oval Office, we are being led to believe that the Democrats have changed their stripes and on the side of left-leaning progresses. This is what the Democratic Party would like you to believe and what the mainstream media would like you believe. Regardless of whether representative Keith Ellison becomes a chair the DNC are not, the Democratic Party is not going to change until they get rid of the super delegates and until they get rid of their corporate sponsors. As long as the Democrats are being funded by Goldman Sachs ,Morgan Stanley and Chase, Citibank and all the other banks and brokerage houses on Wall Street, nothing is going to change with the Democrats. They also needed change in the congressional leadership along with the leadership at the DNC. They need stop taking donations from Big Pharma and the fossil fuel industries. Another thing they also must do that is of paramount importance... is the field progressive candidates in all 50 states. They need to stop sending conservatives to conservative districts for Congress. They need to trust the American people sound judgment. They need to understand that people don't care about the terms conservative or liberal or left-wing or right-wing. They care about who will represent their state and work in the state's best interest and who is not controlled by the corporate state. Until Democratic Party respects the intelligence of the American people, their destined for the dustbin of history. There will be a new party to take their place. In reality, the Democrats have nothing to lose, you can't be a more terrible political party than a party that was beaten by a human being that is more comparable to a cartoon character than Donald Trump. In my mind, Donald Trump is standing over the Democratic party, screaming at them and telling them that them "you're fired!" Of course, I would like to see the Democratic Party grow a spine and become the party of the middle class again. I would like to see them move away from worshiping capitalism. I would like to see them strive for inclusiveness, regardless of how much money people have in their bank account. To be honest, this is a pretty tall order and will take a real political revolution. The Democrats must understand that they can't be just like the Republicans and maintain a role in American politics, the American people don't want that, and will not tolerate that. Until they understand this, they can look forward to losing more congressional and senatorial seats and watching the corporations assume total power and destroying the last vestiges of anything close to democracy. (Article changed on February 25, 2017 at 01:41) WARRENSWelcome to Generation Z. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Small Business Development director Anne Hlavacka discussed the next generation of workers during the Monroe County Economic Development Conference Thursday at Three Bears Resort. Her presentation, Wheres My Workforce Coming from in the Future, was an overview of Generation Z people born between 1996 and 2012. Theyre the people youll be hiring in the next few years, Hlavacka told a group of business people and educators. Generation Z is only starting impact the workforce; the oldest are sophomores in college. However, Hlavacka said theyre already starting to trickle into the workforce via teen-age employment and internships. She described the generation, which Hlavacka pegged at 60 million, as digital natives. She said its the first cohort born after the start of the internet/digital age. They grew up with technology and are comfortable using it, she said. Theyre very comfortable with using it in many aspects of their lives. Hlavacka said its also a group that has been profoundly impacted by history, especially the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and the 2008 financial collapse that led to the Great Recession. She compared Generation Z to those who came of age in the 1930s and watched their parents endure economic setbacks. She said the result is a generation thats plugged in, self-reliant, connected and frugal. Theyre socially responsible, she said. They actually care why you do things ... it creates opportunities for us. She said the challenge over the next several years will be to harness their abilities to create a workforce that supports innovation and moves business forward. Hlavacka said it starts with education, both K-12 and post-secondary. She said education will need to be more flexible, cost-effective and emphasize experiential learning. She said programs such as dual enrollment, in which students can earn college credit while still in high school, will appeal to Generation Z students and their parents as the cost of college continues to rise. She touted changes in Wisconsin that make it easier for students to transfer technical college credits, which opens opportunities for students to take college courses in their own communities and save room-and-board costs. Theres talk about graduating from college on-time or sooner, Hlavacka said. Its going to change some of the dynamics ... of how long people are going to be in school and how they look at school. She said thats consistent with a generation that tend(s) to define at a much earlier age what they want to do. Several employers in the audience expressed frustration with the pool of job applicants. Their criticisms included workers who lack basic people skills, dont know how to prepare a resume or dress for a job interview and dont show up to work on time. Hlavacka said employers will be confronted with more first generation employees who are the first in their family to fill jobs that require post-secondary training. She said its important for schools to invest in more than just education and training and teach basic life skills at an earlier age. Some of (Generation Z) is in kindergarten, she said. They have a lot of opportunities to be influenced. The time starts now, not when they enter the workforce. We always have to view the next generation with hope. Hlavackas presentation wrapped up the conference, which was expanded to two days for the first time. Monroe County Economic Development Coordinator Steve Peterson said the two-day format was a success. He said it drew 280 people from 21 different counties and four states. We have definitely hit on being a regional event, and the feedback from attendees on content and speakers has been outstanding, Peterson said. Other sessions covered downtown development strategies, digital game plans for business, complying with government regulations, human capital and transportation funding. From Truthdig The four-decade-long assault on our democratic institutions by corporations has left them weak and largely dysfunctional. These institutions, which surrendered their efficacy and credibility to serve corporate interests, should have been our firewall. Instead, they are tottering under the onslaught. Labor unions are a spent force. The press is corporatized and distrusted. Universities have been purged of dissidents and independent scholars who criticize neoliberalism and decry the decay of democratic institutions and political parties. Public broadcasting and the arts have been defunded and left on life support. The courts have been stacked with judges whose legal careers were spent serving corporate power, a trend in appointments that continued under Barack Obama. Money has replaced the vote, which is how someone as unqualified as Betsy DeVos can buy herself a Cabinet seat. And the Democratic Party, rather than sever its ties to Wall Street and corporations, is naively waiting in the wings to profit from a Trump debacle. "The biggest asset Trump has is the decadent, clueless, narcissistic, corporate-indentured, war-mongering Democratic Party," Ralph Nader said when I reached him by phone in Washington. "If the Democratic strategy is waiting for Godot, waiting for Trump to implode, we are in trouble. And just about everything you say about the Democrats you can say about the AFL-CIO. They don't control the train." The loss of credibility by democratic institutions has thrust the country into an existential as well as economic crisis. The courts, universities and press are no longer trusted by tens of millions of Americans who correctly see them as organs of the corporate elites. These institutions are traditionally the mechanisms by which a society is able to unmask the lies of the powerful, critique ruling ideologies and promote justice. Because Americans have been bitterly betrayed by their institutions, the Trump regime can attack the press as the "opposition party," threaten to cut off university funding, taunt a federal jurist as a "so-called judge" and denounce a court order as "outrageous." The decay of democratic institutions is the prerequisite for the rise of authoritarian or fascist regimes. This decay has given credibility to a pathological liar. The Trump administration, according to an Emerson College poll, is considered by 49 percent of registered voters to be truthful while the media are considered truthful by only 39 percent of registered voters. Once American democratic institutions no longer function, reality becomes whatever absurdity the White House issues. Most of the rules of democracy are unwritten. These rules determine public comportment and ensure respect for democratic norms, procedures and institutions. President Trump has, to the delight of his supporters, rejected this political and cultural etiquette. Hannah Arendt in "The Origins of Totalitarianism" noted that when democratic institutions collapse it is "easier to accept patently absurd propositions than the old truths which have become pious banalities." The chatter of the liberal ruling elites about our democracy is itself an absurdity. "Vulgarity with its cynical dismissal of respected standards and accepted theories," she wrote, infects political discourse. This vulgarity is "mistaken for courage and a new style of life." "He is destroying one code of behavior after another," Nader said of Trump. "He is so far getting away with it and not paying a price. He is breaking standards of behavior -- what he says about women, commercializing the White House, I am the law." Nader said he does not think the Republican Party will turn against Trump or consider impeachment unless his presidency appears to threaten its chances of retaining power in the 2018 elections. Nader sees the Democratic Party as too "decadent and incompetent" to mount a serious challenge to Trump. Hope, he said, comes from the numerous protests that have been mounted in the streets, at town halls held by members of Congress and at flash points such as Standing Rock. It may also come from the 2.5 million civil servants within the federal government if a significant number refuse to cooperate with Trump's authoritarianism. "The new president is clearly aware of the power wielded by civil servants, who swear an oath of allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, not to any president or administration," Maria J. Stephan, the co-author of "Why Civil Resistance Works," writes in The Washington Post. "One of Trump's first acts as president was a sweeping federal hiring freeze affecting all new and existing positions except those related to the military, national security and public safety. Even before Trump's inauguration, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives reinstated an obscure 1876 rule that would allow Congress to slash the salaries of individual federal workers. This was a clear warning to those serving in government to keep their heads down. Trump's high-profile firing of acting attorney general Sally Yates, who refused to follow the president's immigration ban, sent shock waves through the bureaucracy." A sustained, nationwide popular uprising of nonviolent obstruction and noncooperation is the only weapon left to save the republic. The elites will respond once they become afraid. If we do not make them afraid we will fail. "The resiliency of democratic institutions has been encouraging -- the courts, the protests," Nader said. "Trump boomerangs himself. He personally outrages people around the country based on race, gender, class, geography, his lies, his false statements, his narcissism, his lack of knowledge, his flippancy and his morbid desire to respond to slurs with tweets. He is not a smart autocrat. He weakens himself daily. He allows the opposition to have more effect than it ordinarily would." "Most dictatorial heads of state deal with abstract ideologies -- the fatherland and so forth," Nader went on. "He doesn't do much of that. He attacks personally, low on the sensuality ladder. You are a fake. You are a loser. You are a crook. You are a liar. This arouses people more, especially when he does this based on gender, race and religion. The best thing going for the democratic awakening is Donald Trump." Nader said that Trump will, however, be able to consolidate power if we suffer another catastrophic terrorist attack or there is a financial meltdown. Dictatorial regimes need a crisis, either real or manufactured, to justify total suspension of civil liberties and assuming uncontested control. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Once upon a time, a group of oppressed, mostly European settlers managed to cross a vast ocean in wooden sailing vessels, emigrating to a strange and exciting new continent. Though many of them were deists, men and women who believed in an ethical god, with no official religion, they all agreed that they would generally abide by precepts in a "book" called the "Bible," most likely a version named after "King James." The book was divided into two "testaments", the first or "old" testament authored and dedicated by a people called "Jews" or "Israelites." The second or "new" testament was dedicated to a later prophet called "Jesus," whom many followers considered a "messiah," or literally "the anointed one" and eventually a form of god. In Greek, "messiah" is "Christ" and so most of Jesus' "followers" were eventually called "Christians." Initially, as with all new religions, early "believers" in "Christianity" had to convert from their previous religion to the new one. Inherent in the "conversion" to the new religion were various words and vows, essentially agreeing to accept certain miraculous or hard-to-believe principles as facts. In addition, a looser contract was supposed to be executed, one in which the "believer" was to follow the moral precepts detailed in the two testaments, deferring to the newer one if there were any disagreements. In this sense, the new religion was not that different from many other religions. Most people eagerly accepted and participated in the new or borrowed rituals while the leaders of the "faith" polished and embellished the religious facade to an extent never before achieved. Unfortunately, as with most religions, converts found it extremely difficult to follow the precepts of a "perfect" man or god and successive generations began to fail even more miserably to do so. Thus our European immigrants, despite their best efforts to include the moral precepts of the two testaments, encountered serious disagreements within both texts. Issues such as possession of slaves, murder by the state, feeding and tending to the poor, imperialism, giving succor and shelter to those fleeing affliction, soon became a major headache to these "patriots" in their attempt to create the perfect democratic republic. In time, despite their admirable attempts at a "perfect union," their efforts resulted, instead, in what was probably the most perfect union possibly attainable by imperfect, however well-meaning, people. In a way, nothing has changed. Today, Vice President Mike Pence, a truly gentle soul and a practicing Christian, asked his audience to pray ostensibly for the success of his administration and the ultimate good of the country. He would have us pray that his locally empowered immigration enforcers would be able to separate as many illegally working mothers as possible from their children and to prevent as many of their fathers as possible from supporting them. I can guarantee that Mr. Pence, like so many otherwise sincere Christians, has had to constantly train himself to ignore his religious teachings and substitute rituals and tithes for Jesus' compassion. How long do Republican stalwarts really think it would take Jesus to solve this monumental, "fake" problem of illegal immigrants currently in this country? I do not believe it would take the Christian Messiah long to peruse the poorly detailed and biased statistics pro and con regarding the overall impact of illegal aliens on our economy. Conservative think tanks downplay the need in so many states for unskilled workers who perform tasks that would not be filled by legal workers. They also ignore taxes collected by government agencies, including Medicare and Social Security payments that these people will never collect. They point to welfare checks that so many "so-called" recipients don't really receive and to Medicaid that so many do not actually receive unless they are pregnant. Liberals ignore the fact that if the majority of illegals are automatically made "legal," all of a sudden they would be eligible for billions of dollars in welfare. They ignore the billions of dollars sent by workers out of the country to Mexico. They ignore the fact that so many illegals use our emergency rooms for their primary physician, though by a lower percentage than our legal citizens. What neither side can effectively calculate is how much these illegal, but mostly working inhabitants, contribute to the gross national product. I would guess that the figure runs into the multiple hundreds of billions of dollars. No, I don't think it would take Jesus very long, with compassion and superior intelligence, to suggest some standing for some ten or eleven million people to be able to stay in this country if their records are relatively clean, to give them some sort of intermediate status, fines and applications for citizenship. The country won't collapse because of a bunch of hard-working family-oriented inhabitants. As usual, the problem with Congress is not something new. Both parties are abjectly ignorant, bordering on stupid at times, and unable to write coherent laws. And, Mr. Pence, do I need to remind you, who profess to be a devout Christian, that the families your party is proudly destroying are almost all your own Christian brethren? Al Finkelstein, 2/23/17 Theres no denying it: Millennials are changing the way we do businessforever. And for an older Gen X-er like myself, I cant wait to see what they come up with next! But, I may be a minority in my thinking, when it comes to the admiration I have for this younger generation and how they view the workplace. Many Baby Boomers and Generation X employers are struggling to connect with the employees half their age. This older workforce believes strongly in loyalty and commitment to a jobno matter whatand for Millennials, sticking with something they dont believe in is not one of their core values. A new study just released out of the University of Missouri-Columbia reveals that the one reason why young workers choose to leave a firm is that they find a disconnect between their beliefs and the culture they observe in the workplace. We were interested in workers values regarding sustainability and corporate sustainability practices and whether a gap existed, said Rachel LoMonaco-Benzing, a doctoral student in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences. Not only did we find a gap, but we also found that workers were much more likely to leave a job if they felt their values were not reflected in the workplace. For the study, LoMonaco-Benzing and Jung Ha-Brookshire, an associate professor of textile and apparel management, and associate dean of research and graduate studies in the MU College of Human Environmental Sciences, respectively, interviewed employees in the textile and apparel industry involved in corporate supply chains. They found that workers expressed the most frustration if their employers touted a commitment to environmental sustainability publicly but did not follow through. Fewer people of this generation are just looking for a paycheck, Ha-Brookshire said. They have been raised with a sense of pro-social, pro-environment values, and they are looking to be engaged. If they find that a company doesnt honor these values and contributions, many either will try to change the culture or find employment elsewhere. How This Affects the Workplace This sense of pro-social/pro-environment values they have is empowering many Millennials to take risks and be bold. They are seeing the world through a different lens and want to change it. Their passions and inspirations define what they do for a career and consequently drive many of their workplace decisions. And for a generation that is committed to doing good, they are changing the way we all view the workplace and how we interact with it. There is an obvious need for businesses to rethink and reshape the way they appeal to this newer generation. According to the study, to attract and retain the best employees, the researchers encourage companies to understand that the new generation of workers has high ethical and social expectations. And in case the Baby Boomers and Gen X-ers of my generation need some actual proof that these younger employees are brilliant, creative, and worth hiring, you dont have to look much further than the hugely successful Millennial companies which have perfected the business of doing good. Chris Bledsoe, co-founder of Ollie, a start-up devoted to all inclusive living, shared with me that his company has a set of core values they always stick to. What we are doing is meaningful, and we have a mission and conviction to see that this product exists, he says. The size of the problem we are solving feels like we are doing something purposeful and that is what matters. For Ty Collins, one of the founders of Rad Power Bikes, a direct to consumer electric bike company, the love for what they do is evident in the passion and drive they put forward each and every day. We get to come to work every day and are surrounded by like-minded people who are just as passionate about ebikes as we are, says Collins. Then we get to design, market, and share our passion with the world, he added. Claire Coder, founder of Aunt Flow, a buy-one-give-one subscription service box for 100% cotton tampons, has a unique mission: to create a sustainable solution that provides menstrual hygiene products to people in need. Her core belief: business is about what you are passionate about and believe in. I understand that tampons wont solve poverty, but ensuring that women have access to their basic needs is a start, Claire says. And then theres the core belief in sustainability and equality that drives every decision the owners of Jaswig, a stand-up desk company, uses in their business model. Co-founder Mathias Ellegiers says there is one central theme that drives everything they do: Our philosophy reflects in every aspect of our company, resulting in a durable, human-centered and environmentally-conscious business, products, and relationships. And its no coincidence this business philosophy directly matches the employees personal views of health and sustainability. Everyone working at Jaswig is an equal human being and has a voice, says Ellegiers. A philosophy that Im sure can be echoed by many in this generation. Pre-race riders meeting The pizza at the pre-race riders meeting was world class. An unknown rider launches out of the house for the first time during practice. Bernard Kerr launching out of the house, low in the saddle to scrub the gap and then brake to make the dirt corner back onto the street below. Looks easy right?. Bernard Kerr, full style and pop out of the container on his final run. Getting the rhythm of the stair sections was crucial for keeping speed. Some sets could be doubled up, it was just a matter of remembering which was which in your race run! Crushing in the rhythm of the stairs. Chilean rider Ignacio Rojo is the only competitor that has competed in every single one of the 15 Cerro Abajo Urban DH races in Valparaiso. Here he gets full moto over the 40+ foot bus gap. Felipe Argurto is one of the fastest riders in Chile right now. He's young and on top of his game. He had the biggest air and best style by far on the bus gap. Here he sends his way into the top ten. Holding it together over the bus with the harbour of Valparaiso below. Argentina's Mauricio Flores jumps over the massive bus gap with style. Mauricio Acuna, high off the wall ride, on his way to 4th place. Logan Binggeli charging the urban jungle of Valparaiso to a 7th place finish this year. In general, everything was bigger this year. This drop off the wall has been in earlier editions of the race but this year it was bigger and it seemed to me that the run in was nastier. Full speed off of the street, a flat take-off on broken concrete and loose dead grass. The drop off the Plaza Bismark. Bernard Kerr styles on the wall ride to gap. Most riders avoided the gap but others found a way to make it flow perfectly. And the crowds go wild! Chilean Pedro Ferreira hitting the wall ride gap high, heading towards his third place podium spot. As you can see in this photo, the gap from the wall ride to the landing is not small. Tucking the cobblestone. Tomas Slavik sends it over the wall ride gap as the kids look on with awe. Bernardo Cruz Frenchman Hebert Ambroise keeping his speed around the corner in prep for the giant bus gap. Full crack off the wall ride. This is how it's done. Getting high on the wall ride Bamn, out of the sea can. Tomas Slavik blasts over the container gap on his final run. Tomas Slavik jumps on stage for an interview seconds after taking the win. Results It is always a good time to travel to Chile and be a part of the Red Bull Cerro Abajo. This year was an extra special year for the race and I managed to track down head race organizer, Victor Heresmann to give me the low down on the race. Here is what he had to say:2017 marks the 15th anniversary of a race that started out as a publicity stunt for a Bike magazine and then took on a life of its own, and what a life it has been. We realized it was fitting we do something special for this anniversary, but what? The answer was very simple, just improve; the course, the spectator experience, the impact for the neighbors, and of course, the grin on the racers faces. And so, down that rabbit hole, we went. Boy did it take us to some weird places, from talking to the police commander into fielding undercover agents to stop drugs and booze being sold on the course, something that the neighbors were understandably very upset about, to slightly modifying two houses in order to check off the "riders on roof" and "through a house" items on our to-do list.We also measured fire engines in order to besure our ramps wouldnt be in the way in an eventual emergency, as wildfires were raging all over the country during the months prior to the race and put us in severe jeopardy of being shut down completely. Then we learned that the container jump feature is the lowest safe point in case of a tsunami, who knew?For the course, we decided to go with a faster-is-better approach. We modified stairs to increase doubling of sets, took out some guard rails, increased the size of some lips here and there, and made some of the landings a lot bigger to allow for higher speed and distance. We held an undercover training session on Saturday to avoid crowds, this was very appreciated by the riders who got to familiarize themselves with the stairs and the house feature.The features that used to be the big ones of the course were now definitely not as we had two features that spanned over 10 meters.On race day, riders take off from inside a house into the very steep streets of the upper slopes of the Cerro Alegre. This is a course that we try to keep as similar to a dirt course as possible, with around 250m of drop and 1.8km in length, and an average speed that mimics a regular course.We had a killer day with huge crowds and bright sun, thankfully no ambulance riders or dog incidents this year and when the dust settled, Tomas Slavik had bested the competition after coming really close years prior, second was Bernard Kerr with a huge debut here, and third was Pedro Ferreira who was a very welcome sight back on the podium. Sadly this course takes its prisoners and we had a few crack riders lose their shot at glory due to bike failures such as Bernardo Cruz and Brage Vestavik, all of them we hope will be back for another shot at the crown of Red Bull Valparaiso Cerro Abajo in 2018 when they will have to deal with not only the reigning champion but also with the previous one, Johannes Fischbach who had to sit out this time due to a bad collarbone. 1st: Tomas Slavik 00:02:48.480 2nd: Bernard Kerr 00:02:50.560 3rd: Pedro Ferreira 00:02:52.520See you on the stairs next year! Victor HeresmannWords: Victor HeresmannPhotos: John Wellburn The second and final starting day of the Unibet Open London 2017 Main Event is done. With 265 players on Day 1b, the total field consists of 419 entries. After ten hours of play, the 41 survivors of Day 1a were joined by 81 players from Day 1b. End-of-the-day chipleader is Terry Jordon (356,000), who surpassed Day 1a chipleader Giulio Mascolo to claim the overall chiplead. 122 hopefuls will return tomorrow at noon to battle it out for a share of the total prize pool of 377,100. 62 of them will be going home with at least 1,700, but all eyes will be on the first place price of 71,950 awarded to the winner on Sunday night. The top five after two starting days is as followed: # Player Country Chip Count 1 Terry Jordon United Kingdom 356,000 2 Giulio Mascolo United Kingdom 327,600 3 [Removed:158] Belgium 305,800 4 Jerome Brion France 296,500 5 Robert Haigh Germany 274,000 The day started off with several stars jumping in the tournament. Most eyes were on darts legend Michael van Gerwen, who likes to play poker from time to time to relax. The cards didn't favor Van Gerwen today and the Dutch juggernaut eventually lost a coin flip with ace-queen to pocket sixes to bust. Unibet Ambassadors Ian Simpson, Dana O'Kearney and David Lappin also failed to advance to Day 2, as did eSports player Thijs "Thijs" Molendijk. Charlotte Van Brabander, who advanced on Day 1a, will be representing the Unibet brand by herself for the remainder of the tournament. A lot of eyes up front were on Will Kassouf and Griffin Benger. It was the first time for the two to play together since their infamous verbal clash at the WSOP, but both players quickly busted before they got near each others table. However, in true glamour fashion, PokerNews captured the exact moment the two met each other for the first time since last Summer, which was all in good fun. With a lot of notables busting out in the early stages, it was time for new faces to rise to the occasion. Robert Haigh, who has already amassed over $1,000,000 in lifetime winnings, quickly climbed to the top of the leaderboard and never surrendered it during the day. The German ended his strong showing on Day 1b in second place with 274,000 in chips. Only one man topped Haigh: Terry Jordon. The Englishman made an incredible hero call that soared him towards the top. Jordon never looked back after the amazing call and ended the day with 356,000 in chips. When asked about the hand, Jordan said his opponent's line didn't make sense. "We both checked on the flop. On the turn I thought ace-high was good. Then he ships the river. It just didn't make sense to me. It took me four minutes, but eventually I called. It was the turning point of my tournament", the Brit told PokerNews. The field will combine at noon tomorrow local time and 122 remaining players will play down until the final table is set. PokerNews will be on the floor throughout the weekend to provide all the updates from this exciting first Unibet Open stop of the tenth season! Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Friday granted Yoruba filmmaker, Seun Egbegbe, and Oyekan Ayomide, bail of N5 million with two sureties each in a sum of N2.5 million. They were arrested for allegedly defrauding some Bureau De Change operatives of over N40 million, between 2016 and February 2017. Justice Oguntoyinbo ruled that Mr. Egbegbe be granted bail once he meets his bail requirements. One of the sureties must be a civil servant who has attained level 16 while the other surety must be a land owner in any part of Lagos metropolis. The landowner must submit Certificate of Ownership of the landed property and while the civil servant must submit his international passport to the court. The sureties must swear to an affidavit while the house and office addresses and telephone number will be verified by the court, the judge ruled. Meanwhile Mr. Egbegbe will be in prison custody pending fulfilment of bail conditions. Mr. Egbegbe, a controversial figure in the Yoruba film industry was caught allegedly attempting to defraud a bureau de change operator of $9,000 and 3,000 (about N4 million) on February 2. The event occurred at the Gbagada General Hospital in Lagos. The accused allegedly disguised as the Managing Director of Gbagada general hospital while his accomplice, a certain Mr. Ayomide, came disguised as a patient. The incident marked the fourth time Mr. Egbegbe would be embroiled in a theft mess. Share this: Twitter Facebook Katarina Line, Voted 'Best Croatian DMC for 2016', Announces New Travel Trade Shows in the U.S. By: Katarina Line Katarina Line Will Attend U.S. Trade Shows Contact Mario Almonte ***@herman-almontepr.com Mario Almonte End -- Katarina Line, voted the "Best Croatian DMC for 2016" and a premier small-ship cruise company, announced that it will be attending a series of upcomingon the East Coast, and thein California. Company representatives will participate in round-table discussions and educational seminars as they continue to connect with and educate travel agents on how best to market and sell Croatia.The company will attend thein the following cities:Monday, February 27 Atlanta, GeorgiaTuesday, February 28 Greenville, South CarolinaWednesday, March 1 Charlotte, North CarolinaThursday, March 2 Greensboro, North CarolinaKatarina Line will also be at thein San Diego, California, on March 4 5, at the San Diego Convention Center, booth #1115.The company said it is excited to attend these shows, where its representatives can meet one-on-one with many of the United States' top travel professions to discuss the benefits of partnering with Katarina Line. Representatives will also be happy to prearrange meetings with participants to explore the company's rich and varied portfolio of in-land tours and small ship cruises to some of Croatia's most popular ports and attractions. Meetings can be scheduled at any time before, during and after the trade shows. Representatives can also visit agents' office for a private presentation, as well as to meet and train their staff.For more information, call toll-free 1-800-485-3121 or visit www.katarina- line.com Voted "Best Croatian DMC for 2016" by leading travel industry professionals, Katarina Line is an award-winning DMC in Croatia and a premier small ship cruise company with weekly guaranteed departures from the end of April to mid-October, operating out of the major tourist centers of Opatija, Split and Dubrovnik. With a growing fleet of more than 50 ships in four different categories, the company serves more than 90,000 clients that include 26,000 cruise guests of all ages and budgets. Katarina Line itineraries give travelers the chance to explore the stunning natural environment and picturesque Mediterranean towns of Croatia while hopping from one island to another, offering guest the unique opportunity to experience the true Croatia.Katarina Line enjoys an exceptional relationship with travel agents, which account for more than 95% of all its bookings worldwide. Katarina line is a member of many different travel associations, including USTOA, ASTA, NTA, ACTA, RDA, and ETOA. For more information, call toll-free 1-800-485-3121 or visit www.katarina-line.com. End -- Wahsega Labs recently explained in more detail why it made the choice to manufacture in the United States instead of China. Company officials stated that the decision is a pragmatic one designed to benefit their customer base. Wahsega Labs insists that while pride in American ingenuity and productivity played a factor, their firm commitment to their customers and strict quality control requirements were the primary motivation.Although traditionally US companies have gravitated toward offshoring their manufacturing in China, Wahsega Labs found that they needed much quicker change cycles and higher quality than they could find in Asia. By using strong domestic business relationships fostered over years of experience in the industry, Wahsega created a home-grown manufacturing complex that sources materials, labor and manufacturing efficiency expertise to produce products more cost-effectively than they could by offshoring. Their success reinforces their belief that labor costs are not too high in the US and the benefits far outweigh the risks.As one official remarked, "You can have your cake and eat it too."The complete story is available at Wahsega Labs Company Blog Wahsega Labs is the designer and manufacturer of the highest quality VoIP products in the market. Our team is made up of industry veterans with experience in design, manufacturing, software development, sales and support. From the very beginning, we have designed our products, support and culture specifically for installers. Growing up in a small town in rural Wisconsin I had access to a great education, I was able to work several jobs to help support my education and I didnt have to worry about traveling for miles to see a doctor. Growing up in rural Wisconsin provided me with great opportunities, and I knew that I would look for someplace similar to live after I graduated from UW-Stevens Point. Thats why I chose to live in the Town of Hull here in Central Wisconsin. I appreciate the pace, the values, and most importantly, the people. Its where I plan to raise my family. I want every child in Wisconsin to have the same opportunities that I did. Thats why I stepped out last week in support of the Rural Wisconsin Initiative. Ive heard too many stories about students who graduate from a university like UW-Stevens Point, but believe they have to move to Milwaukee, Chicago, or Minneapolis to succeed. Thats a misconception that we have to work to change. The Rural Wisconsin Initiative is a growing package of legislation that focuses on improving access to health care, technology, education, and workforce opportunities in the rural parts of our state. It was developed last year by Reps. Ed Brooks (R-Reedsburg), Romaine Quinn (R-Rice Lake), and Travis Tranel (R-Cuba City). It grew to be embraced by 26 state Representatives, and four Senate partners including me. The package strives to provide equality of opportunity to all Wisconsin residents, whether someone lives in Milladore or Madison, Sparta or Sun Prairie. One of our principal focuses is rural broadband expansion. In the last few weeks, Ive met with school superintendents, business owners, and health care providers who all spoke about the importance of having reliable rural internet access. Educators use the internet as a teaching tool, and children who go home to a limited connection or no connection are at a serious disadvantage. Businesses use the internet to communicate with customers and vendors, and slow internet hurts their efficiency and their bottom line. Ambulances need to be able to transmit data quickly and securely as they transport emergency patients to the hospital. I am proud to be a co-author on the broadband opportunity bill that will make a major investment in Wisconsins broadband infrastructure. We aim to put $23 million into broadband expansion, including $7.5 million more to the Technology for Educational Achievement Program which will directly benefit rural children. We cant talk about workforce development and the future of the economy, but then fail to provide the tools the next generation of workers will need to thrive. We must prioritize investment in our rural communities, to keep them strong and to keep our state strong. By connecting the state with broadband infrastructure we can retain our way of life while simultaneously ensuring that the best jobs and opportunities are available to all Wisconsinites not just those who choose to live in urban centers. Republican Pat Testin, Stevens Point, represents the 24th state Senate District. Couple wins funds to launch their new innovative business in the Shoals. Southern Swaddle Presented with $26,000 Contact Miriah Brink ***@southernswaddle.com Miriah Brink End -- Southern Swaddle, a husband and wife infant products startup based out of the Shoals, is proud to announce that they are winners of the inaugural Shoals Alabama Launchpad Competition. This is a competition where small businesses have several minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel of judges made up of business leaders around the area. They were one of five winners to receive a share of $100,000 provided by state, local, and private donors. "We are thrilled to get a chance to launch our business properly," said Miriah, the mom and owner of Southern Swaddle. "We plan on using the funds to purchase our first batch of inventory, and attend three trade shows later this year." The competition is part of a larger statewide competition put on by the EDPA.Southern Swaddle seeks to create an innovative brand around the infant sleep experience. The husband and wife team behind the brand hope to use their parenting experience, along with the feedback of other moms and dads, to create useful, quality products to help infants sleep safely and soundly. They currently offer their swaddles for sale at https://www.southernswaddle.com Read more about the Alabama Launchpad Competition at http://alabamalaunchpad.com/ Contact Tile Factory Outlet ***@tfo.com.au Tile Factory Outlet End -- At Tile Factory Outlet, also known as TFO, we are proud of our selection of quality tiles, pavers and natural stone. Also on hand are our stunning mosaics, which include glass mosaic pool tiles. TFO has one of the biggest ranges of tiles and pavers which we import from top manufacturers around the world, including Spain, Italy and Asia and then we bring these fabulous products to the Australian market at incredibly low prices. We have a tile to suit your every need!Do you own your own swimming pool or are thinking of getting one? Why not create a 'splash' by using stunning silicone joined glass mosaic pool tiles! Here at TFO, our range newly includes some of these stunning tiles from Spain. Reviglass, a leading glass mosaic pool tile manufacturer produces these mosaics with 100% recycled materials.But why 'silicone joined' mosaics you say? This is where each piece of tile has been stuck together with silicone. This helps in preventing the individual mosaic pieces from popping off the wall of the pool, thereby adding to the beauty of your property. The installing of these tiles is also very easy thanks to this innovative technology.Glass mosaic pool tiles, having so many colours to choose from, which is best for you? At TFO, we would like to assist you in your project. Below are some photos which will help you envision what 'look' you are after.So, come in and see for yourself our great range, you won't be disappointed. Or check out our online tile store to start shopping now. But hurry, stock runs out fast. College Loan Relief Relocates headquarters to Henderson, NV From California. CLF is experience tremendous growth. City of Henderson offers a great opportunity for CLF to help more & more students with their student loan debt. Contact I.J. Maha College Loan Freedom ***@collegeloanfreedom.com I.J. MahaCollege Loan Freedom End -- College Loan Freedom has moved their home office from La Jolla, CA to Henderson, NV. College Loan Freedom is experienced amazing growth since they opened the doors in early 2016. College Loan Freedom is committed to helping people who have the burden of student loan debt. They are looking at every aspect of their business to deliver that service to student loan borrowers; through their products & services, the customer service they deliver, to fulfillment, and pricing.CLF decided to relocate their headquarters from California to a different state. The primary reason was to lower costs of doing business which then in return they could pass these cost savings to their clients. The prime candidates were Utah, Arizona, and Nevada. Through extensive research, interviews, and comparisons to each other; College Loan Freedom choose Nevada and the City of Henderson to relocate CLF.Each month since CLF started they have grown their sales. Each month they have seen growth in their clientele base as well. This is the major factor of why the choose to relocate. They plan on building to scale. Meaning they are planning to help more and more people with student loan debt. By using economies of scale and by cutting business expenses they strive to keep the cost of their products & services very reasonable to their clients.About College Loan FreedomLess than 90% of Americans with student loan debt have taken advantage of all the programs available to them. They are student loan experts unmatched at lowering payments, consolidation, and getting student debt forgiven.They take a unique approach to this debt to give people more options than they thought they had. They take away all the guessing and pressure through the entire process because they handle all the forms, the phone calls, and the follow-up. They can settle student debt for a portion of the balance. You can learn more about them at www.CollegeLoanFreedom.comVisit http://CollegeLoanFreedom.com A hospital-wide communication training program, outlining best practices for doctors to follow in interactions with patients, improved patients' perception of doctor communication by 9 percent, according to new research. Out in the American Journal of Medical Quality (SAGE Publishing journal), the study details the largest known experiment of its kind and describes training that can easily be implemented at other hospitals and institutions. In the study, doctors at a major academic medical center created and reviewed standardized communication practices that were aimed at improving communication with their patients. Each month, the doctors reviewed patients' perception of doctor communication as measured by the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Provider Systems (HCAHPS) survey. Examining survey responses from 7,043 patients over one year, study authors Horton et al. found that the percentage of patients who 'always' felt that the doctors carefully listened to them, treated them with respect and courtesy, and explained things in a way they could understand improved by 9 percent. "A major strength of this study is its generalizability to other institutions or hospitalist groups as establishing specific communication standards is neither costly nor time intensive," wrote the study authors. "While the importance of consistent processes in healthcare is widely accepted, this study is notable in highlighting the effectiveness of standardization in an area that has sometimes been considered more art than science." The communication practices provided to the doctors include: Basic courtesies, such as knocking prior to entering examination rooms, closing door/curtain to ensure privacy, washing hands after entering the room, muting the TV, shaking hands with patients, sitting at eye level with patients, introducing team members to the patient and family members, asking open-ended questions, and more. Format for bedside discussions including getting observations from the patients (e.g., pain levels, symptoms), checking patients' vital signs and reporting relevant results of any exams or tests taken, and summarizing the patients' major health problems, their statuses (stable/improving/worsening), and treatment plans. Summarizing findings and treatment plan in simple language, including the reason for their hospital admission, the plan for the day, and when the patient will come in again. Scripted questions to ensure that the patients don't have any questions or concerns about managing their condition or following their treatment plans. "This study adds a great deal to our understanding of the importance of doctor-patient communication," commented Dr. David Nash, Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Medical Quality. Intensive treatment to lower systolic (top number) blood pressure to below 120 would prevent 107,500 deaths per year in the United States, according to a study by researchers at Loyola University Chicago and other centers. Two thirds of the lives saved would be men and two thirds would be aged 75 or older, according to the study, published in the journal Circulation. Senior author of the study is Richard S. Cooper, MD, chair of Loyola's Department of Public Health Sciences. First author is Adam P. Bress, PharmD, MS, of the University of Utah. Current guidelines recommend keeping systolic blood pressure below 140 mm Hg. When the treatment goal was lowered to a maximum of 120 mmHG, there was a major reduction in mortality, the study found. To determine whether intensive treatment to lower systolic blood pressure could alter mortality, researchers applied findings from a multicenter study called SPRINT to the U.S. adult population. (SPRINT stands for Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial.) Loyola University Medical Center was among the centers that enrolled patients in the SPRINT trial, which included more than 9,350 adults ages 50 and older who had high blood pressure and were at high risk for cardiovascular disease. The SPRINT trial found there was a 27 percent reduction in mortality from all causes when systolic blood pressure was lowered to below 120 mm Hg, compared to the standard treatment of lowering blood pressure to below 140 mm Hg. While saving lives, an intensive blood pressure regimen also would cause serious side effects. The new study in Circulation estimated that approximately 56,100 more episodes of low blood pressure, 34,400 more episodes of fainting and 43,400 additional electrolyte disorders would occur annually with implementation of intensive systolic blood pressure lowering in U.S. adults who meet SPRINT criteria. Most of these effects do not have lasting consequences and are reversible by lowering blood pressure medications. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a leading risk factor for heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and other health problems. An estimated 1 in 3 people in the United States has high blood pressure. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). Systolic blood pressure refers to the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. The bottom number, diastolic, refers to the pressure between beats. In the SPRINT study, patients who were treated to achieve a standard target of less than 140 mm Hg received an average of two different blood pressure medications. The group intensively treated to achieve a target of less than 120 mm Hg received an average of three medications. (The study excluded certain patients, including diabetics and smokers.) Using data from the National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, researchers determined that more than 18.1 million American adults met the criteria of patients enrolled in the SPRINT trial. Researchers estimated that, among these 18.1 million adults, fully implementing an intensive regimen to lower systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg would prevent 107,500 deaths per year. The study is titled, "Potential Deaths Averted and Serious Adverse Events Incurred from Adoption of the SPRINT Intensive Blood Pressure Regimen in the U.S.: Projections from NHANES." In addition to Dr. Cooper, other Loyola co-authors are Holly Kramer, MD, MPH, Rasha Khatib, PhD, Vinod K. Bansal, MD, Guichan Cao, MS, and Ramon Durazo-Arvizu, PhD. Other co-authors are from Henry Ford Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Findings from the study initially were presented at the American Heart Association's Council on Hypertension 2016 Scientific Sessions. An international research team led by the Universitat Jaume I (UJI) has shown that the cerebellum, contrary to what was thought, fulfils functions that go beyond the motor sphere and can be co-responsible for the brain alterations associated with addictive consumption of drugs. The findings, which are shown in two recent reviews published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews and Journal of Neuroscience -- with an image taken at the UJI laboratories -- , would represent a step forward towards the design of new therapies for the future. These studies are based on a series of works published over the last two years by the research group Addiction and Neuroplasticity at the Universitat Jaume I, directed by the lecturer of the Area of Psychobiology at the UJI, which has had the collaboration of researchers from European, Mexican and North American universities. The most relevant, according to Miquel, is that the studies show that changes in the cerebellum "only occur in those subjects who appear to be especially vulnerable to the effect of drugs." For a long time, "we have verified that the cerebellum responds in a very potent way to the effect of cocaine, to the point of changing the mechanisms of plasticity," states Miquel, who is also coordinator of the master's degree in Research in Brain and Behaviour. Consequently, the cerebellum is a region of the brain relevant to understanding and designing future treatments for drug addiction. "There is progress in describing the neuronal circuits affected by drug addiction, a chronic brain disorder that is difficult to treat because it affects the basic processes of acquiring and storing the information whose description is still incomplete," explains the teacher, who acknowledges that, in this way, "the path to new therapies will be accelerated." Addiction involves alterations in the neuronal mechanisms of plasticity that allow the brain to store information, regenerate itself and recover from possible disorders or injuries. In an addicted person, the brain's mechanisms of learning and memory that allow you to make decisions and carry out acts of will are sick. Addictive drugs force the brain to store harmful data about where, when and how to consume the substance. In fact, the drug is the predominant information in the brains of people affected by addiction. The Effects of Cocaine On this occasion, the reviewed investigations address the function of the cerebellum in these storage processes involved in the addictive disorder. Specifically, "experimental work shows that these effects of cocaine on cerebellar function only occur in those individuals dominated by stimuli that predict drug availability and suggest that the cerebellum may be crucial to understanding mechanisms of vulnerability to addiction," explains Marta Miquel. Science has corroborated that certain regions of the brain, such as the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus, and basal ganglia, may be relevant for addiction. However, the cerebellum had traditionally been excluded from this circuit because it was considered a structure exclusively dedicated to motor control, especially motor coordination. "Today we know that this is a very partial view on the complexity of the cerebellum, and a growing volume of data suggests its involvement in many of the brain functions affected in addicted subjects," refers Marta Miquel. "The cerebellum comprises 80% of all neurons in the brain; it contains 60 billion neurons packaged in only 10% of the brain mass and is a fundamental structure in the consolidation and automation of learned behavioural repertoires," concludes the lecturer. In addition to the UJI team, scientists from the University of Kentucky (USA), University of Turin (Italy), Universidad Veracruzana (Mexico), Washington State University (USA), University of Cambridge, University of Leeds (United Kingdom), McLean Hospital Translational Neuroscience Laboratory and Mailman Research Center (USA) also participate in the research works. After presenting the papers at the last congress of the International Society for Neuroscience (San Diego, USA), the work will be discussed soon at the Albert Einstein Institute in New York. The priority line of the research group Addiction and Neuroplasticity from the Universitat Jaume I, directed by the lecturer Marta Miquel, is the brain's function in drug addiction. Despite living in strong and supportive families for over 20 years, many children exposed to severe early deprivation in Romanian institutions aged 0-3 experience a range of mental health problems in early adulthood. Experiencing severe deprivation and neglect in childhood can have a lasting psychological impact into early adulthood, according to a unique study which has followed the mental health of a group of children adopted from Romanian institutions to UK families in the 1990s. Published in The Lancet, this is the first large-scale study to follow a group of children who were subjected to extreme deprivation into adulthood, tracking how their mental health and cognition has developed as a result. The English and Romanian Adoptees study began shortly after the fall of the communist regime in Romania. Children living in institutions were subjected to extremely poor hygiene, insufficient food, little personalised care and no social or cognitive stimulation. The study, running since 1990, analyses the mental health of 165 children who spent time in Romanian institutions and who were adopted by families in the UK between the ages of two weeks and 43 months. In the UK, they joined socioeconomically advantaged, stable, caring and supportive families. Comparing against 52 children adopted within the UK, the study has followed them throughout their childhood using questionnaires, IQ tests and interviews with the children and their parents to analyse social, emotional and cognitive outcomes at ages 6, 11 and 15. The latest part of the study followed the adoptees to ages 22 to 25 years old. It includes around three-quarters of the original adoptees -- 39 UK adoptees, 50 Romanian adoptees who had spent less than six months in an institution as children and 72 who had spent over six months. advertisement The researchers found that the amount of time spent in a Romanian institution was an important marker of children's future mental health. Romanian adoptees who had spent less than six months had similar rates of mental health symptoms as UK adoptees. However, adoptees who had spent more time in the institutions had higher rates of social, emotional and cognitive problems throughout their lives. People who had lived in Romanian institutions for more than six months as children had higher rates of social problems including autistic features, difficulties engaging with others, inattention and overactivity which persisted from childhood into adulthood. They were also three to four times more likely to experience emotional problems as adults, and had lower educational attainment and employment rates than the other UK and Romanian adoptees. This all despite living in strong and supportive families for over 20 years. As children, more adoptees who lived in Romanian institutions for over six months had an IQ of less than 80, but this recovered within normal levels (an IQ of 90 or above) by early adulthood, suggesting developmental delays but no permanent impact on general cognitive abilities. Additionally, one in five (21%, 15 children) adoptees who spent over six months in Romanian institutions did not experience any mental health problems throughout their lives. The next steps of the research will involve an in-depth genetic analysis of the most exposed adoptees who did not develop mental health problems to distinguish whether genetic and epigenetic differences contribute to resilience. "Being exposed to very severe conditions in childhood can be associated with lasting and deep-seated social, emotional and cognitive problems, which are complex and vary over time," said lead author Professor Edmund Sonuga-Barke, King's College London, UK, who conducted the follow-up study while at the University of Southampton. "This highlights the importance of assessing patients from deprived backgrounds when providing mental health support and carefully planning care when these patients transfer from child to adult mental health care. Although focussed on children adopted from Romanian institutions in the early 1990s, our findings may also be relevant to large numbers of children who are still exposed to abusive or neglectful conditions around the world." Because the children were different ages when they entered institutions and lived there for different amounts of time, the study could not determine whether there is a window during childhood development when children may be more or less likely to be affected by deprivation. In addition, it cannot control for other early risk factors affecting the child's mental health, such as maternal smoking or substance abuse during pregnancy, but the authors argue that there are unlikely to be significant differences among the two groups of Romanian adoptees. Writing in a linked Comment, Professor Frank Verhulst, Erasmus University Medical Centre, The Netherlands, said: "Whatever the underlying mechanisms, the findings of Sonuga-Barke and colleagues' study elegantly support the rule of the earlier the better for improving the caregiving environment for young children whose basic needs are profoundly violated. This finding is true for millions of children around the world who are exposed to war, terrorism, violence, or mass migration. As a consequence, many young children face trauma, displacement, homelessness, or family disruption." Asian Horned frogs account for approximately half of the ancient family of frogs called Megophryidae. This group was previously estimated to have originated 100-126 million years ago (mya). Frogs of this family hopped alongside the famed Velociraptors and other dinosaurs during the Cretaceous period (145-66 mya). Despite the fact that these animals have been around for a long time, little is known about their evolutionary history. Furthermore, unlike their dinosaur contemporaries, these frogs did not leave behind any known fossils. Methods using information from DNA sequences exist for estimating the age of origin for such groups of animals but these methods rely heavily on fossils of related animal groups, which could prove unreliable for these species. New research recently published in the scientific journal, Molecular Biology and Evolution, by a team of scientists from Ireland and India resolved a 195-year old confusion regarding relationships between the species of Asian Horned Frogs, an enigmatic group of frogs often with horn-like projections over their eyes. Using DNA sequences, they discovered many potentially new species in this group previously unknown to science. They also estimated the ages of species and groups of species using a method that had previously not been tried on amphibians and inadvertently discovered that until now scientists may have been overestimating the age of many frog families. Their discovery may open a new chapter on how scientists interpret the evolutionary history of many animals that currently have no known fossil record. "While this research particularly focused on frogs, many other animal groups also lack a fossil record, and so its very difficult to decipher their evolutionary histories. Our hope is that methods used here will prove beneficial for understanding how the distant ancestors of living animals may have coexisted in prehistoric times," explains lead author Dr. Stephen Mahony. The research team was led by Ireland's leading herpetologist, Dr. Stephen Mahony (previously of University College Dublin [UCD], Ireland and University of Delhi [DU], India), and a prominent mammal molecular evolutionary biologist, Prof. Emma Teeling (UCD). A PhD student of Prof. Teeling, Nicole Foley (UCD), and the "Frogman of India," Prof. SD Biju (DU) were co-authors on this research publication. The scientists demonstrated that a recently developed method called RelTime, that does not require fossil information, provided comparatively better age estimates for frogs. Their results correlate well with current knowledge on prehistoric biogeography -- distribution of animals in space and time, considering tectonic plate movements, the rise of mountain ranges and palaeoclimatic changes -- that may have influenced the evolutionary history of Asian Horned Frogs. This research project was envisaged by Dr. Mahony in 2006 after he discovered that one widely distributed 'species' appeared to represent several similar but scientifically 'new' distinct species. Six of these species from Thailand, Cambodia and India, were formally described as new to science between 2009 and 2013 from his (and his colleagues) previous research. Since then, Stephen embarked on the most extensive research to have ever been carried out on this group of frogs. He did so by examining and measuring hundreds of specimens from museums in Asia, Europe and the US, and used DNA gene sequences to determine how these species are related. Major discoveries: These new results indicate that the Asian Horned Frogs family may have originated as recently as 77 million years ago in contrast to 100-126 mya as previously estimated, and suggest that scientists might have been also overestimating the age of many other families of frogs by up to 35%. The results have completely changed our understanding of how the different Asian Horned Frog species and their species groups are related. Many of the species that look similar, and so were considered to be closely related, were found to be distant relatives of each other, and those that look different were found to be closely related. Finally, the results of this research have identified numerous species in India, Vietnam and Laos that are very likely new to science, several of which may be restricted to small distributions in vulnerable habitats. This raises concerns for their continued survival as "having a name" is the bedrock for conservation. "It is well known that Amphibians are one of the most endangered animal groups. Our research further demonstrates that many species remain undiscovered. Sadly, with climate change and continuing habitat destruction, we are losing many species before we can learn anything about them, but the use of molecular techniques is dramatically speeding up the learning process." says Mahony. A two-dimensional material developed by Bayreuth physicist Prof. Dr. Axel Enders together with international partners could revolutionize electronics. Semiconductors that are as thin as an atom are no longer the stuff of science fiction. Bayreuth physicist Prof. Dr. Axel Enders, together with partners in Poland and the US, has developed a two-dimensional material that could revolutionize electronics. Thanks to its semiconductor properties, this material could be much better suited for high tech applications than graphene, the discovery of which in 2004 was celebrated worldwide as a scientific breakthrough. This new material contains carbon, boron, and nitrogen, and its chemical name is "Hexagonal Boron-Carbon-Nitrogen (h-BCN)." The new development was published in the journal ACS Nano. "Our findings could be the starting point for a new generation of electronic transistors, circuits, and sensors that are much smaller and more bendable than the electronic elements used to date. They are likely to enable a considerable decrease in power consumption," Prof. Enders predicts, citing the CMOS technology that currently dominates the electronics industry. This technology has clear limits with regard to further miniaturization. "h-BCN is much better suited than graphene when it comes to pushing these limits," according to Enders. Graphene is a two-dimensional lattice made up entirely of carbon atoms. It is thus just as thin as a single atom. Once scientists began investigating these structures more closely, their remarkable properties were greeted with enthusiasm across the world. Graphene is 100 to 300 times stronger than steel and is, at the same time, an excellent conductor of heat and electricity. However, electrons are able to flow through unhindered at any applied voltage such that there is no defined on-position or off-position. "For this reason, graphene is not well suited for most electronic devices. Semiconductors are required, since only they can ensure switchable on and off states," Prof. Enders explained. He had the idea of replacing individual carbon atoms in graphene with boron and nitrogen, resulting in a two-dimensional grid with the properties of a semiconductor. He has now been able to turn this idea into reality with his team of scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Research partners at the University of Cracow, the State University of New York, Boston College, and Tufts University also contributed to this achievement. Sysadmin trashes his employers network before quitting, says he was authorized to do so according to company policies An employee taking revenge on his/her employer is getting quite common nowadays. Yesterday we had reported how a sys admin used VPN to hack into his employers web server after being fired. The sys admin proceeded to cause a loss of $1.1 million loss to the paper making factory before being caught. What Michael Thomas did is more or less similar to what the above sys admin did to the paper factory. Actually, Thomas did what many sys admins secretly dream of doing: he trashed his employers network and left a note saying he quit. The Register reports that way back in December 2011 Thomas completely trashed his employer ClickMotives entire network. Not only that, Thomas proceeded to delete ClickMotives backups and notification systems for network problems leaving them high and dry. He also cut their VPN access and deleted internal wiki pages, and removed contact details for the organizations outside tech support. Thomas revenge left ClckMotive stranded and without any means to troubleshoot the chaos that Thomas caused. After doing all of above, Thomas left his keys, laptop, and access card with a letter stating that he quit. Sensing that ClickMotive would be helpless after the mayhem he had caused, Thomas tongue in cheek also offered to stay on as a consultant to sort out his own created chaos. While what Thomas did may endear him with other like-minded sysadmins, he did break the law and authorities charged him with a felony count of intentionally causing damage without authorization, to a protected computer. The judge and the jury also agreed with the authorities and sentenced Thomas to time served plus three years of supervised release. He was also penalized a hefty fine of $130,000 to recoup ClickMotives losses. Thomas has filed an appeal against the sentence in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans. In his appeal, Thomas says that while he did intentionally cause damage it wasnt without authorization. In fact, he was expressly authorized to access all the systems he accessed, and he was expressly authorized to carry out the deletions he did every sysadmin in the world deletes backups, edits notification systems and adjusts email systems. Thomas says that he did what he was paid to do and none of his actions were forbidden by ClickMotive under its own policies. Here is Thomas version of what went down at ClickMotive: Thomas was hired to ClickMotive by a friend of his Andrew Cain. It so happens that before Thomas, Cain was the only IT employee of ClickMotive and also the companys first employee. One fine day, ClickMotive fired Cain without assigning any reason. Cain suspected the reason for his firing was the founders were looking to sell the company and didnt want to pass on the benefits eligible to Cain. On the other hand, ClickMotive offered a hefty bonus to Thomas to stay on and look after Cains work. Cain informed Thomas that he would be suing the company for wrongful dismissal and proceeded to launch DDoS attacks against ClickMotive website. Thomas says that he did what a normal sysadmin would do after such attacks. While Thomas alibi for deleting the backup looks solid on paper, the appeals court has to agree to it. The Register says that if the Appeals court goes on to agree with Thomas, it may have severe implications for sysadmins across the entire United States and in some degrees, around the world. Banana is a dog with a lot of energy. Whenever it's time to play outside at the boarding facility where he lives, the 4-year-old Chihuahua mix races around the yard as fast he can, teases the other dogs and steals leashes and ropes out of his caretakers' pockets. Lollipop Kennels "He's always moving around," Shilah Remsburg, the lead kennel tech at Lollipop Kennels, a boarding facility in Texas that houses rescue dogs, told The Dodo. "You can't get him still for a minute to get a normal picture of him. He's just really goofy and has a lot of energy." Banana also has an extra long and lanky body for a Chihuahua, which allows him to strike the most unusual poses, including one that made him look like a crab. Dodo Shows Dodo Heroes Woman Devotes Her Life To The Stray Dogs Of Bali "He was actually crouching down to jump up on me when I took that photo," Remsburg said. "His arms and legs are just so long - it looks hilarious." Lollipop Kennels But life wasn't always fun for Banana. Last October, police seized Banana, his two siblings, Pear and Peaches, their mom Apple and several other dogs from a house in Lubbock, Texas. The owner had neglected the dogs, and they weren't getting enough food or water, according to Remsburg. "Banana was part of a nine dog group that got taken during a police raid," Remsburg said. A family member of the homeowner who was raided took in a few of the dogs, and Lollipop Kennels took in Banana, Pear, Peaches and Apple. Banana and his mom, Apple, at Lollipop Kennels | Lollipop Kennels Unfortunately, Peaches died shortly after arriving at the kennel. "They all came in with upper respiratory infections," Remsburg said. "They were malnourished and Peaches was too weak and didn't make it." Thankfully, the others managed to recover. Last December, Pear was adopted, but Banana and Apple are still looking for their forever families. Banana and his mom, Apple | Lollipop Kennels Based on Banana's rambunctious personality, Remsburg thinks he'd suit someone with an active lifestyle. "He doesn't like to be held much," Remsburg. "He just likes to run around. He's not the type of dog who would just sit and chill. He'll be a handful for sure. He's going to need someone to throw him a toy or ball and give him some exercise." Lollipop Kennels Remsburg hopes Banana is adopted soon, but she'll certainly miss him. Lollipop Kennels "I love his goofy personality," she said. "He's fun and he makes me laugh. He's definitely a cool pup." If you're interested in adopting Banana, Pear or another dog at Lollipop Kennel, contact the facility through its Facebook page. To say that Sebnem Ilhan is a cat lover would be something of an understatement. Not only has she opened her heart to stray cats living around the neighborhood she's opened her home as well. And she even devised an adorable way to invite them on in. Sebnem Ilhan Ilhan works as a dentist in the town of Tekirdag, Turkey, where winter has been particularly chilly this year. Fearing that homeless cats would suffer being stuck out in the cold, she decided to make it easy for them to find refuge through her window. But how would they make it up there? Ilhan had that part covered. "I made the ladder so the cats can come into my comfortable house," she told The Dodo. Dodo Shows Odd Couples Dog And Wild Dolphin Play Whenever They See Each Other Sebnem Ilhan Sebnem Ilhan Ilhan said that she was a little worried at first that her neighbors might not take kindly to the little stairway for cats leading in to her home, so she added some extra ornamentation. "I thought if I put some flower pots there, it wouldn't bother anyone," she said. But the reception has been overwhelmingly positive especially among the countless kitties who have taken advantage of her offer of a warm place to rest. Sebnem Ilhan Sebnem Ilhan The 'cat ladder' is just one of the ways Ilhan has worked to make a difference for needy pets. She also volunteers her time to see that stray dogs and cats throughout her city are cared for as well. "I wish no animal is hungry or thirsty, just happy," she said. "This world is not just for people." Nordstrom Inc., coping with the Ivanka Trump controversy and a persistent department-store slump, is turning to cost cuts and e-commerce to keep investors happy. The stock rose the most in more than three months after Nordstrom posted profit of $1.37 (U.S.) a share last quarter, excluding some items. That was well ahead of the $1.15 estimated by analysts, despite slower sales in the period. The results signaled that Nordstrom is making faster progress streamlining its operations than expected. The Seattle-based retailer faces an industrywide decline, which also has hurt Macys Inc. and J.C. Penney Co., prompting Nordstrom to scale back capital spending and reduce inventory. It also helps that Nordstrom is stocking popular brands and bringing products to market quickly, said Credit Suisse Group AG analyst Christian Buss. We continue to expect Nordstrom to prove a share gainer in the department-store space, he said in a research note. We also expect Nordstrom to be the first to leverage aggressive investments in e-commerce, positioning the company for earnings growth. The company is coming off a highly public split with Ivanka Trumps brand, which prompted criticism from the president himself. Donald Trump upbraided Nordstrom for dropping the first daughters products, saying the company had treated her unfairly. But Nordstrom said it had a good relationship with Ivanka Trumps business and that the decision was made purely due to declining sales. Investors brushed off the incident, sending the shares up 4.1 per cent when it happened earlier this month. The company said on Thursday that there was no discernible impact from Trumps tweet. Nordstrom, the largest upscale department-store chain in the U.S., also is trying to boost sales by adding new brands and offering curb-side pickup and other services to customers. Last year, the company added a J. Crew assortment to its website and some stores. To offset declining foot traffic in malls, Nordstrom is investing in e-commerce and off-price offerings. Nordstroms website now accounts for 25 per cent of full-price sales, up from 20 per cent. The company also benefited from a legal settlement of $22 million. Still, same-store salesa closely watched benchmarkremain weak. They declined 0.9 per cent last quarter. Analysts had estimated a 0.3 per cent gain. The company expects sales to be flat this year on that basis. And earnings are forecast to be $2.75 to $3 a share, excluding some items, a bit shy of the $3.06 predicted by analysts. Read more about: SHARE: If the prime minister is interested in taking a second crack at Rona Ambroses question, he would do well to call up Stephen Schwarzman. Schwarzman, you may recall, is the CEO of the Blackstone Group, a Godzilla-sized private equity firm in New York with $100 billion (U.S.) in assets under management. Hes also economic adviser to Donald Trump through the presidents strategic and policy forum. In January, Schwarzman flew to Calgary, apparently to reassure Trudeau et al., about future U.S.-Canada economic relations. Wearing his Blackstone hat, Schwarzman and his group sold their Strategic Hotels & Resorts Inc. to Chinas Anbang Insurance Group last September, a reported $6.5-billion deal. Blackstones further discussions with Anbang have included the potential sale of Japanese apartment buildings and Dutch office holdings. So perhaps Schwarzmans due diligence could assist the prime minister the next time Trudeau is called upon to throw some light on Anbang, which has been given the governments blessing to acquire Retirement Concepts, a Vancouver-based chain of retirement homes. For the purposes of this transaction, Anbang is using the corporate moniker Cedar Tree Investment Canada Inc. Read more: Dont let seniors care become a private equity money maker As it was, when Ambrose asked the PM who, exactly, owns Anbang, Trudeau responded in boilerplate speak. Canada is a trading nation that relies on engagement with countries around the world to create good jobs in Canada and to create economic growth, the PM offered, unhelpfully. We have a policy that allows us to draw-in global investments to create jobs and opportunities for Canadians while at the same time ensuring that they are in Canadians interests, and to the benefit of our country as we move forward in a thoughtful and responsible way. That is exactly what we did in this case. The interim Conservative leader, undaunted, asked how many more of these deals the PM is going to make with China. In response, Trudeau said this: The government continues to be open to investments that create middle class jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity for Canadians. Cedar Tree has confirmed a strong commitment to the ongoing quality of operations of Canadian retirement residences and to its health care workers. Theres a lot to unpack. And its important, both because of Trudeaus pledge to reset the countrys relationship with China and his commitment to openness and transparency where foreign investment is concerned. On the latter point, approval of the takeover under the Investment Canada Act offers the public nothing by way of disclosure. This deal is thick with fog in regards to the net benefit to Canada. We shouldnt have to go begging to Ottawa to understand what promises and pledges have been made to meet what has, since its inception in 1985, been an inadequate test. Disclosure should be automatic and specific. When queried, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada offers up a few general statements. The acquirer pledges to maintain the current levels of full-time and part-time employees, though wage retention is not mentioned. This is interesting: Anbang must maintain a significant level of unleveraged equity here in Canada. How the government is going to benchmark this significant level is unknown. What it telegraphs is that the Liberals are alert to the red flags that have been waving over Anbang regarding risk concerns. In September 2015, Anbang, through Maple Tree (Freehold) Inc., purchased the HSBC building at 70 York St. for $110 million. The directors of Maple Tree cross reference to the directors of Maple Red Financial Management Canada Inc., Maple Red being the acquiring name Anbang used to purchase Vancouvers Bentall Centre. Searching the disclosure required under the Canada Business Corporations Act is about as useful as that of the Investment Canada Act. Which is to say, not. Presumably the government of the day is aware of the full scope of the Anbang real estate empire in Canada and how leveraged it is? What we do know is that in a scant dozen years Anbang has come from nowhere to build a conglomerate that reaches beyond insurance (personal, property, casualty) into asset management, finance, leasing and more. China Daily reports that the company was founded in 2004 by a group of state-owned companies, including Shanghai Automotive Industry Group and Sinopec Group (China Petrochemical Corp.) The company came sharply to the attention of American business media when it purchased the Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York for $1.95 billion in October 2014. The move into hospitality, including the deal with Blackstone, seemed sudden and surprising for an insurance company. Anbang appears to have no investments in retirement care prior to its bid for Retirement Concepts. The public face of Anbang is chairman and CEO Wu Xiaohui, who was married to Deng Xiaopings granddaughter. Two years ago, a south China weekly apologized for suggesting that the growth of the company was spurred by political connections, including a tie to Chen Xiaolu, son of one of the founders of the Peoples Republic of China. Chen told a financial news outlet that while he is a long time business partner of Wus, he is only a consultant to Anbang and owns no shares. Who does? It isnt just the corporate construction of Anbang thats opaque. Its the Canadian system. And here we thought Justin Trudeau was going to let the sunshine in. jenwells@thestar.ca SHARE: Apple doesnt want to see it scrapped. Neither does Intel or Tiffany & Co. But the U.S. conflict-minerals law which requires American public companies to avoid using minerals that fund war and human rights abuses in the Congo region is widely seen today as facing its most serious threat since its passage in 2010. The White House is considering a suspension of the law, part of U.S. President Donald Trumps pledge to cut government regulations and a long-held goal of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. If that does not happen, congressional Republicans are expected to try defunding it, which they attempted last year. At the same time, federal regulators recently announced that they plan to reconsider the laws scope. The acting head of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the agency that oversees the regulation, called it a misguided rule. Read more Little guy stands to lose when Trump targets banking law: Wells Mining the Congo: Golden opportunity Tech companies pledge to keep kids out of the cobalt mines that power your smartphone But in a surprising move, several major companies say they will not abandon the standard even if the law is gutted. While corporations normally cheer in unison when regulations are cut, this controversial rule has prompted a different reaction. That is because something interesting has happened since the law took effect: Companies say the conflict-minerals law has created an expectation both inside their corporate headquarters and among consumers that their products will be conflict-free. They do not want to back away from that now. But they worry their efforts will be undermined without the law to support them. We do this because its the right thing to do, Apple said in a statement about its conflict-minerals compliance. The tech giant said it plans to keep those protections regardless of whether or not the law requires it. Apple said it is pleading its case behind the scenes to White House and SEC officials. Intel said it, too, was committed to responsible sourcing of minerals regardless of regulatory changes. We do actually believe in doing the right thing, Intel spokesperson William Moss said. Richline, a major jewelry company, said it would remain committed to the standard because the cause is worthy of these efforts. Richline added that it was against weakening or repealing a process that has already been set in motion and is just beginning to affect meaningful change. Such descriptions of a securities regulation are unusual, illustrating how this law, formally known as Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank financial restructuring act, has changed corporate thinking in some quarters. Human rights groups, too, have noted the laws threats. The fact that all of this is happening right now is incredibly worrying, said Carly Oboth, policy adviser at human rights group Global Witness. The law relates to the trade in tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold from mines in and around Congo, which have historically been run by militias. The conflict-minerals standard was proposed by former U.S. senator Sam Brownback (R-Kan.), one of the most conservative voices in Congress. He saw the 2010 law as a way to strip the militias of an important funding source. The law requires U.S. companies to attempt to verify that their suppliers did not buy conflict minerals. Companies then must report annually on their due diligence efforts to the SEC. The law took effect just as companies were confronting increasing pressure to take responsibility for the actions of even their most far-flung suppliers. This fed a push for supply-chain transparency, helping firms root out potential abuses and avoid damaging headlines. The diamond business knows this topic well. In the 1990s, jewellers faced intense criticism for blood diamonds, which were mined in harsh conditions to fund civil wars, mostly in West Africa. Consumers wanted no part of it. That led to an industry certification plan aimed at halting the trade. Today, the issue is conflict minerals. To fight the problem, a complex monitoring system was set up in Congo. Inspectors visit mines to certify they are conflict-free. Minerals are traced as they pass through the supply chain. The entire process is audited. From the start, the law was assailed as too burdensome and expensive by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers, among others. They say it is a misuse of U.S. securities law. They also say the law is ineffective. A 2015 Government Accountability Office report found that no companies could determine whether their minerals financed or benefited armed groups in the Congo region. But supporters of the law say that is not unexpected companies are reluctant to state unequivocally that they do not use conflict minerals, even as they try to avoid them and that the compliance efforts have had an effect. More than 200 mines and smelters in the Congo region have been certified as conflict-free. We have seen real change on the ground, said Karen Hayes, senior director at Pact, a non-governmental group that co-ordinates verification efforts in Congo. Compliance costs have been a fraction of original estimates. And Congos exports of the four minerals covered by U.S. law have grown in recent years, indicating there is a market for certified minerals. To stop now would be to greatly undermine the peace and security in Congo, said Sasha Lezhnev, associate director of policy at the Enough Project, an advocacy group. Several African groups, including the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region and a collection of 41 Congolese civil society organizations, recently announced their support for the conflict-minerals law. What worries the laws supporters is that the White House is reportedly considering gutting the measure. Groups on both sides of the issue say Trumps administration is looking at a two-year suspension of the law. This comes after the president signed a law repealing anti-corruption rules instituted last year requiring energy companies to disclose certain payments to foreign governments. Separately, the SEC announced Jan. 31 that it wants to see whether the conflict-minerals rule is still appropriate and whether companies need more relief from the rules obligations. In announcing the move, Michael Piwowar, appointed by Trump as acting SEC chairperson, expressed doubts about whether the law has reduced militia conflicts or eased the human suffering of many innocent, men, women and children in the Congo and surrounding areas. The SEC is accepting public comments on the rule through mid-March. While some companies are willing to take a public stand against cutting the law, others are more hesitant. Boeing, for example, told the Washington Post that it has not yet taken a position. Representatives from several manufacturing firms have written to the SEC to express their support for changing or repealing the law. A supplier risk manager at ArvinMeritor, which makes auto parts, wrote that compliance was difficult because the firm is so far removed from the source of the minerals. A vice-president at Neotech, which makes electronics, wrote to say the laws value does not justify the additional cost of doing business. But even as the fate of the law is debated, the idea of regulating conflict minerals has spread. Last year, the European Union adopted its own version of the conflict minerals law. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, a group of many of the worlds richest countries, unveiled voluntary guidelines. And a leading Chinese industry group is developing its own standard. But companies such as Apple and Intel fear that enforcing a conflict-free standard may be impossible without U.S. law. Tiffany & Co. argued against the laws repeal because it is an important framework for industry, laying the foundation for protection of human rights and responsible sourcing efforts in (Congo) and beyond. If theres no legal backbone to this, said Lezhnev of the Enough Project, that would open up some pretty significant loopholes. Read more about: SHARE: Celebrities will gather in Hollywood on Sunday to protest Donald Trump. Welcome to the Academy Awards, an erstwhile celebration of the film industry that this year promises to be a political evisceration. Make no mistake: the mood is set to scorched earth. If you were to poll the stars arriving at the Dolby Theatre, youd find Trump now has a lower approval rating than Satan. Hosted by late night rascal Jimmy Kimmel, and beamed into more than 200 countries, the 2017 Oscars might as well be called the Donalds. Who wins will take a back seat to what the winner says about the perceived loser in the White House. There will be sermons on inclusion. There will be reprimands on hate and pointed reminders about what really makes America great. This will be the first year the orchestra is forced to pack extra rosin so its ready to play off endless speeches about freedom and democracy. The red carpet festivities, which normally drag on longer than the Greco-Persian Wars, will serve as the amuse-bouche to this entree of glamorous censure. At this moment, Ryan Seacrest is holed up in a penthouse and flanked by E! producers who are prepping him on recent executive orders: OK, but should I ask about federal bathroom protections before or after Emma Stone tells me who shes wearing? This is what happens when The Trump Show rides roughshod over award season. From Meryl Streeps withering speech at the Golden Globes to A Tribe Called Quests blistering performance at the Grammys, from Katy Perry at the Brit Awards to everyone within spitting distance of a mic at the SAG Awards, the boldface is now in rally mode, locked into #resist, lit and woke, as galas that once simmered with self-flattery descend into scalding presidential roasts. There is such a strong desire to harangue the bully-in-chief that it may be time for leaders in film, television, music, theatre and publishing to join forces and actually create the Donalds: a new award show in which mocking orange trophies are bestowed upon the liars, enablers, charlatans, traitors, conspirators, haters, hypocrites, swindlers and dilettantes in and around the Trump regime. Broadcast live from the Statue of Liberty, the Donalds would feature A-list talent going to town on D-List government. This probably couldnt be an annual event, since you never can predict impeachment or the precise moment someone decides to hightail it to Moscow to host a new hidden camera show. So, fine, the Donalds will air monthly. This might even prove cathartic: Please welcome J.K. Rowling and Alec Baldwin, here to present Best Costume Design ... And the Donald goes to ... Steve Bannon! Stealing every scene by looking like a hobo who just climbed out of a dumpster after a nine hour bender at T.G.I. Fridays, the denim-and-fleece ensembles allow this veteran moon-faced misanthrope to connect with hypnotized audiences while waxing apocalyptically about The Fourth Turning and vowing to dismantle all global institutions, save for the ones that funnel Seinfeld royalties into his offshore accounts. Take a bow, Steve! The danger right now, without the Donalds, is that award shows are getting perilously close to becoming strident. The act of persuasion loses an amp or two of voltage each time a political statement is muffled between shout-outs to agents and spouses. Remember, its only the second month of this presidency. Thats why its best to keep awards and politics separate. Theres less chance of cross-contamination between the frivolous and the serious. So the Donalds would serve twin purposes: 1. They would give Hollywood an exclusive platform in which to excoriate Washington without the nagging distraction of self-congratulation. 2. They would allow established celebrations to return to a primary function as an escape from politics. Imagine the heft of rotating monologues from Stephen Colbert, John Oliver, Seth Meyers and Samantha Bee. Think about the musical performances, everyone from John Legend to Bruce Springsteen. Who knows, maybe broadcast stars fronted by Joe Scarborough could form a group Enemy of The People and be the house band: Man, that Jake Tapper is just killing it on the bongos tonight. Plus, thered never be a shortage of luminaries eager to hand out the Donalds each month. This would be a chance to unburden in an optimal setting. Jennifer Lawrence: The Donald for Best Original Score goes to Sean Spicer and the involuntary grunts he makes while dodging questions in tortured doublespeak at his daily press briefings. Stephen King: The Donald for Best Visual Effects goes to Stephen Millers dreamscape each night as he fantasizes about berating immigrant toddlers while dressed as a cross between Goebbels and Droopy the Dog. Louis CK: The Donald for Best Actress goes to Melania Trump for her powerful performance in The First Lady Cant Take Much More of This, which is sure to lead to next years blockbuster sequel, The First Lady Has Escaped And Is Believed To Be Living Under An Assumed Identity In Ljubljana. Sponsored by Nordstrom and the CIA, the Donalds is exactly what we need right now: an award show that is powered, and not derailed, by politics. Read more about: SHARE: VANCOUVERWith all hands on deck on Parliament Hill to keep Canada/U.S. relations on as even a keel as possible, the last thing Justin Trudeau needs is a political storm in British Columbia. With the province heading to the polls this spring, there are clouds on the horizon. Donald Trumps presidential victory has already forced the Liberal government to tweak to use a word that is currently in fashion in political circles its agenda. The aftershocks of the American election will continue to be felt on Parliament Hill for the balance of the Liberal mandate. Unexpected uncertainty on the trade and refugee fronts to name just those two has propelled the Canada/U.S. file to the top of the pile. It is testimony to the amount of political energy that has been diverted to dealing with the new Washington reality that there is still no date officially set for the federal budget. Somewhat lost in the Trump brouhaha is the upcoming first real test of Trudeaus high-wire act on climate change and energy development. A Liberal government in Ottawa would not usually be adverse to the election of a New Democrat government in B.C. Premier Christy Clarks Liberals and their federal counterparts are ultimately little more than cousins twice removed. With some notable Prairie exceptions, the federal Liberals have tended to be the net beneficiaries of the rise and subsequent decline in popularity of provincial NDP governments. After Bob Raes tenure at Queens Park, the federal NDP was shut out of Ontario. More recently, the fall of Nova Scotias one-term New Democrat government was soon followed by the loss of the partys federal seats in that province. After a historical breakthrough in Alberta, heartbreak at the national level ensued. But Trudeau has gambled an uncommon amount of political capital on premier Clark. A Liberal defeat on May 9 in B.C. would come at a significant loss to his federal government. The federal approval of controversial Clark-supported energy developments such as the Site C hydro dam and Petronas LNG project has alienated many of Trudeaus 2015 B.C. supporters. More than a few feel betrayed by the prime minister. Those moves did help secure the provinces approval of Kinder-Morgans pipeline expansion plan. Trudeau could count on no such support from an NDP government. It would align with the many constituencies that are still determined to block the pipeline. That could have a domino effect on the already shaky fortunes of Albertas New Democrat government. Premier Rachel Notley needs the Kinder-Morgan project to be on track to at least have a shot at re-election in 2019. Trudeau, in turn, needs Notley to have that shot or else risk having his carbon-pricing policy turn into a national apple of discord on the eve of his own re-election campaign. With a bit more than two months to go to the provincial vote, a Mainstreet poll published a few days ago showed the NDP and the Liberals tied at 37 per cent in voting intentions. Clark has beaten longer odds. The New Democrats had a double-digit lead on her party at the start of the last election campaign. She has an approval rating that her Ontario colleague Kathleen Wynne who routinely finishes last on the provincial popularity scoreboard can only envy. Her NDP rival has to worry about bleeding support to the Green party. But large swings in voting intentions over the short period of a campaign have become familiar features of Canadas electoral dynamics with the chips not always falling where they were expected. As Trudeaus victory demonstrated, it is a foolish incumbent that counts on a split in the opposition vote to prevail. The B.C. Liberals are asking for a fifth consecutive mandate. Two decades is a long time for a party to be in power even under two leaders. This week, Clark brought in the latest of a series of balanced budgets. But if balanced budgets were key to re-election, Stephen Harper would still be prime minister. If you ask B.C. insiders who are otherwise sympathetic to Clarks Liberals whether they are confident of her re-election, the answer is universally equivocal. Harpers uninspiring last campaign is still fresh in many of their minds. It was a textbook example of the perils of running on an unambitious platform. Not all provincial elections are must-watch events nationally. Most of British Columbias past campaigns have not fallen in that category. This one will. Chantal Hebert is a national affairs writer. Her column appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Read more about: SHARE: 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 During the 2015 television season, four female directors helmed broadcast drama pilots (and two of them were women of color). In the 2016 season, only two of the over 40 drama pilots were directed by women. For the current season, the number has dropped to one. Of the 41 broadcast drama pilots set to air during the 2017 season, only ABC's Las Reinas will find a female director (Liz Friedlander, in this case) behind the camera. In August, John Landgraf, CEO of FX, spoke with Variety about the lack of diversity at his two networks' (FX and FXX), and his attempt to hire more minority directors. I hadnt been really focused on directors, I had been more focused on this question of storytellers in the broad sense, and how do we get everyones story told not just white males, Landgraf said. How do we get the right shows, the right executive producers? Because ultimately that changes the composition of the way a story is told and presented and it does ultimately change the composition of the employee base. He added that the lack of minority directors resulted because we just happened to all be working in a system that was racially biased, and werent taking responsibility for stepping up and acknowledging that and saying, OK, we will be the change,. Yet, despite FX's (and other networks') efforts, women's representation among TV directors has been decreasing. According to the Directors Guild of America, "during 2015-2016 season, 17% of episodic directors were women, 19% minority," reports Deadline. Comedic pilots fared slightly better. The 2017 season will see five comedy pilots directed by women, and a sixth is currently in negotiation. There is so much original television production, said Darnell Hunt, director of the Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies at UCLA, notes the L.A. Times. His department studies diversity in Hollywood. It used to be the big four networks, then you got the smaller networks, then the 60-plus cable networks. Now there are all the digital networks. We looked at 1,206 shows, most of them reality, but there is a ton of scripted television out there too. And on some level, the industry has to fill the space, so they cant go back to the same 15 white guys. Its created opportunities. Our industry needs deliberate, decisive efforts now to get to gender balance, inclusion, and true belonging for a diverse talent pool, said Katherine Sarafian, a producer and vice president at Pixar, notes Variety. A clear goal like Women in Animation's 50-50 by 2025 is a fantastic step. Muhammad Alis son, who bears the boxing greats name, was detained by immigration officials at a Florida airport and questioned about his ancestry and religion in what amounted to profiling, a family friend said Saturday. Returning from a Black History Month event in Jamaica, Muhammad Ali Jr. and his mother, Khalilah Camacho Ali, were pulled aside and separated from each other while going through the immigration checkpoint on Feb. 7 at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, said Chris Mancini, a family friend and attorney. Camacho Ali was released a short time later after showing a photo of herself with her ex-husband, the former heavyweight boxing champion, Mancini said. But Ali Jr. was not carrying a photo of his world-famous father a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Ali Jr., 44, who confirmed his Muslim faith, was detained about two hours, despite telling officials that hes Alis son and a native-born U.S. citizen, Mancini said. It was the first time Ali Jr. and his mother have ever been asked if theyre Muslim when re-entering the United States, he said. From the way they were treated, from what was said to them, they can come up with no other rational explanation except they fell into a profiling program run by customs, which is designed to obtain information from anyone who says theyre a Muslim, Mancini said in a phone interview. Its quite clear that what triggered his detention was his Arabic name and his religion. Reached for comment Friday, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman said in an email: Due to the restrictions of the Privacy Act, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot discuss individual travellers; however, all international travellers arriving in the U.S. are subject to CBP inspection, according to The Courier-Journals report about the detention. An airport spokesman referred questions on Saturday to customs and border protection officials. During his detention, Ali Jr. was asked repeatedly about his lineage and his name, as if that was a pre-programmed question that was part of a profile, Mancini said. Ali Jr. and his mother have been frequent global travellers. The family connects their treatment to President Donald Trumps efforts to restrict immigration after calling during his campaign for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump This has never happened to them before, Mancini said. Theyre asked specifically about their Arabic names. Where they got their names from and whether theyre Muslims. It doesnt take much to connect those dots to what Trump is doing. Camacho Ali and Ali Jr. live in Florida. They have not travelled abroad since, and are considering filing a federal lawsuit, he said. Ali, the three-time heavyweight champion and humanitarian, died last June at age 74 after a long battle with Parkinsons disease. People lined the streets of Louisville, Kentucky, to say goodbye to the citys most celebrated son before a star-studded memorial service watched worldwide. Read more about: SHARE: A Toronto man has been sentenced to five years in prison after he was charged in relation to underage prostitution offences in 2015. Devante Williams, 24, pled guilty in court on Thursday to charges of procuring, making child pornography and sexual interference. Peel Regional Police launched an investigation in December 2015, when they identified a 15-year-old girl who they say was being controlled and influenced in the sex trade in the Peel region. Williams was arrested on Dec. 23, 2015. He pleaded guilty to the charges at a preliminary hearing. SHARE: You cant open a restaurant in Toronto without a licence. You need a licence in Ontario to go fishing. And dog and cat owners in most cities require one. So why does Queens Park still allow people to run home daycare businesses looking after our youngest and most vulnerable residents without a licence? It is a question Marni Flaherty, president of the Home Child Care Association of Ontario, is asking in the wake of secrecy surrounding child abuse investigations in unlicensed home daycares and the case of an unlicensed caregiver who was convicted of using a forged vulnerable sector police reference check. Childrens aid workers are legally prevented from telling parents anything when a daycare is under investigation for child abuse and even when the case is complete. And a vulnerable sector check is the only way parents can know if a prospective unlicensed operator has had any contact with police. It is 2017. Children are our most precious resource. Why arent we licensing these businesses so there is accountability and people who are making sure our children are safe? said Flaherty. Her association represents about 70 licensed home daycare agencies across the province which oversee about 3,000 homes. As Ontario rolls out its five-year plan to add 100,000 licensed child care spaces for children under age 4, it should do more to encourage home daycare providers to join the licensed system and put questionable operators out of business, Flaherty added. Ontarios minister responsible for early years and child care says the province has tightened the rules for unlicensed home daycare businesses, but has no plan to stop parents from using a neighbour or a friend to care for their kids. Parents have the right to choose whats best for their children while government has an obligation to enforce safety standards and encourage greater quality, affordability and access in the system, Indira Naidoo-Harris said in a statement. Flaherty agrees parents should be able to use family members and people they know to care for their children. But when people are running a business out of their home looking after children they have no relationship with, there should be more oversight, she said. Most new parents who are often sleep-deprived, cash-strapped and anxious about returning to work after maternity leave, struggle to find child care they can afford and trust. In licensed child care settings, Ontarios Early Years and Child Care Act prescribes everything from staff training and physical safety to nutrition and program goals. But there are licensed spots for barely 20 per cent of children under age 4 in the province. And in cities like Toronto, the average monthly cost is about $1,400 for one child. It means parents who cant find or afford licensed care are forced to rely on what childrens aid workers call the grey area of unlicensed home daycares. Ontarios child welfare laws cloak unlicensed home daycares in secrecy by preventing parents from knowing if an operator has been investigated for possible child abuse even when an allegation is verified by childrens aid workers. Only if there is enough evidence for police to lay criminal charges are parents notified. The Stars recent story about a group of west-end Toronto parents and their troubling experience with an unlicensed home daycare operator highlights the challenges to both (childrens aid) workers and parents, said a retired supervisor with the Childrens Aid Society of Toronto. Terry Standish set up the specialized unit that investigates suspected child abuse in daycares, schools, camps and other community programs for the Childrens Aid Society of Toronto in 2006. There would be a huge backlash if the province tried to ban unlicensed (home daycare) providers because in many cases, thats all parents can find, said Standish, who worked for the agency for 30 years and supervised the Community Caregiver Investigation Unit until he retired in March 2015. Of the 392 cases of suspected child abuse the unit handled in 2016, about 19 involved unlicensed home daycares, according to a Toronto childrens aid spokesman. There were 47 cases related to people working in licensed centres and homes. Supervisors in licensed centres and homes are notified when a case of abuse is verified, said Standish. But in unlicensed home daycares there are no supervisors to notify. In unlicensed settings, no one checks to see if the home is safe. There is no requirement for caregivers to have a vulnerable sector check, first aid or infant CPR training. There are no educational standards and no supports for parents or caregivers if something goes wrong. At a minimum, parents using an unlicensed home daycare should insist the caregiver provide proof of a current vulnerable sector check and up-to-date first aid and infant CPR training, Standish said. Childrens aid has no legal authority to close a home daycare when abuse is suspected and investigators cannot compel a caregiver to provide a complete list of parents and children using the service, Standish noted. As a result, childrens aid investigators cant warn other parents, even when they have determined abuse occurred based on a balance of probabilities, he added. Police, who are usually involved during these investigations, have these powers if there is enough evidence or witnesses to lay charges. But with pre-verbal children and no witnesses, it is often difficult for police to lay charges, Standish said. Childrens aid protocol requires an investigator who has verified a case of abuse to notify the childrens ministry so the abusers name can be placed on the provincial child abuse register, he said. Although the register is available only to childrens aid workers, any police contact, including an unsubstantiated investigation for child abuse, would show up on a vulnerable sector check, Standish said. And this is why parents should insist on one from any unlicensed daycare provider. Staff in all licensed home daycares and child care centres as well as anyone working or volunteering for any government or non-profit agency caring for children, seniors or disabled people are required to obtain a vulnerable sector check, he noted. Under the provinces new child care legislation, enacted in 2015, anyone operating an unlicensed home daycare is allowed to care for a maximum of five children under age 13, including the caregivers own children. Only two of those children can be under 2. By law, these businesses can operate out of only one place and parents must sign a disclosure confirming they are aware the caregiver is not licensed. Both unlicensed and licensed daycares must provide access to parents during operating hours. The education ministry has created a dedicated enforcement team to investigate complaints against unlicensed providers suspected of breaking the rules. And it has introduced an online database of validated complaints, Minister Naidoo-Harris said. But Flaherty and her licensed home child care agency want the government to do more to encourage unlicensed caregivers to join the licensed system. Changing provincial regulations so unlicensed home daycares are allowed to care for just three children under age 6, would be more incentive for them to become licensed, said Flaherty who also runs Todays Family, a home child care agency serving Hamilton and Halton Region. The association would also like to see municipalities pay home child care agencies directly for their oversight and support role. Currently, agencies take a percentage of parent fees and subsidies, which is a sticking point for many unlicensed operators, she said. Unlicensed operators have also said they dont like some of the program advice they receive from agencies and they dont like having to bill parents for statutory holidays or when they take family vacations. Direct funding may solve some of the billing issues, Flaherty said. But she has no sympathy for caregivers who oppose any oversight. These women are running businesses that are often very lucrative, she said. Most businesses have to follow rules. Home daycare providers should not be exempt, especially when the health and safety of our children is at stake. SHARE: Dear Honourable Preston Manning, Last Monday you wrote an opinion piece for the Globe and Mail called Getting to the roots of populist uprisings, and opened with a reference to my new book, Frontier City: Toronto on the Verge of Greatness. The book, you wrote, identifies and analyzes the populist sentiments that led to the election of Rob Ford in 2010 as mayor of Toronto Canadas largest and most diverse city. I must say, I was flattered that the former Leader of Her Majestys Loyal Opposition had taken an interest in the book, and it brought me back to my days as a political science student in the 1990s when we admired your own upstart populist rise from Alberta to Ottawa, even if we may not have shared the same politics. That took some gumption and vision. You made Canadian politics interesting, just as Rob Ford did for Toronto politics. You correctly state that people are feeling alienated from their governments, parties and, as you call it, so-called expert advice. You also say we should look to the underlying causes of populist uprisings, like Trumps, and not just denounce their repugnant aspects. Thats a good idea, and one I tried to do in the book, because what happened in Toronto could happen here again, or in any other Canadian city. Populism is a tricky thing for politicians to play with. Some are naturals at it and can connect emotionally to many people, as Rob Ford did, while others arent as deft. In the run-up to this years Toronto budget, Olympic swimming champion Penny Oleksiak tweeted her concern about possible funding cuts that would close pools across Toronto. Soon after, Mayor John Tory tweeted Gold medal message received, promising to try to keep them open, gaining a considerable amount of political capital from jumping on Oleksiaks Canadian hero coattails. Yet the next month Tory himself voted against providing funding to keep those same pools open. You are right, Mr. Manning, this kind of thing is how cynicism is brewed by the barrel and where the distrust comes from, greasing the way for the next populist to sweep into power. You also write about the promise of prosperity and dashed hopes and dreams that populists tap into. Indeed, Rob Ford found an incredibly rich vein of discontent: Toronto is a visibly rich city, with cranes in the sky, conspicuous wealth flowing through the streets and many people living an urban version of what Aristotle might call the good life. But an awful lot of people dont get to participate in that prosperity. Rob Ford connected with those voters and told them they did, in fact, matter. Whether he and other populists had and have the solutions is another debate, but what is clear is the inequality between wealthy Toronto and those who are struggling just to live here continues to grow. Thats a powder keg for a populist with a match. Whats also true is that municipal politics hinges on service delivery and when that doesnt happen the way it should, whether it be pothole filling, garbage collection or dog park distribution, the door is open to grievance-based politics. A city must sweat the small stuff. Right now, wealthy Toronto continues to chip away at its services with budgets cuts while spending billions on big-ticket items of dubious value. This too is a tricky game: all it takes is for somebody to personally feel affected by a service cut to make a populists rage appealing. You also take aim at lofty political ideas as a cause of populism. While elections tend to be won on service delivery and other issues closer to the sidewalk, Canadian cities often take policy leads on public health, infrastructure building, sanctuary and climate change that higher levels of government often follow later. Perhaps thats the politics talking, and taking a shot at climate change policy certainly can rile up a base, but your own biography is called Think big: My Adventures in Life and Democracy, suggesting you are a so-called expert heck, you even run a think tank now and you invented a kind of revolutionary Canadian politics. Big thinking, indeed. Other big ideas you say are a cause of populism are the effect of multiculturalism on national identity and vacuous speeches and statements lauding shared values. You dont define national identity or shared values, perhaps because its impossible to easily do so, but youre right that these lead to populism when leaders use them as distracting scapegoats to whip up more distress instead of getting to the root of the economic anxiety and inequality people are feeling and seeing. The vacuous statements are everywhere: here in Toronto Mayor Tory often speaks eloquently of multiculturalism and tolerance, but when given every chance, he could not cut ties with an adviser who attacked those same values. Maybe this vacuousness wont be the issue a populist hooks their talons into, but it sure breeds more cynicism. As you read in my book, I walked Toronto with city council candidates from a multicultural mosaic who so believed in this place, its institutions and its people they put a year of their lives and livelihood on hold in an attempt to make it better. Perhaps those are the shared values you alluded to, the kind of values that destroy cynicism and are ready to do battle with the populism that worries you. Shawn Micallef writes every Saturday about where and how we live in the GTA. Wander the streets with him on Twitter @shawnmicallef SHARE: U.S. President Donald Trump is not known for his subtlety. But even by this standard, his tweet last week night was extreme. Trump called the news media the enemy of the American People. Where did the expression come from? In its original incarnation, enemy of the people wasnt code for enemy of my regime. In one of its earliest uses, the phrase was used to describe a leader himself Nero. The Roman ruler was a disastrous emperor, and a careless one to boot. As his country fell into ruin, strained by construction costs and a massive devaluation of the imperial currency, Nero vacationed in Greece. He enjoyed musical performances and theatre. When he got back home, the political class was angry. The Senate grew so infuriated that they declared Nero an enemy of the people and drew up plans for his arrest and execution. Nero took his own life after a failed attempt to flee. Read the latest on U.S. President Donald Trump END The term fell out of fashion among the political class, though it popped up in literature and art. Most famously, Henrik Ibsen wrote an 1882 play called An Enemy of the People. It features a doctor who is almost run out of town because of an article hes written bashing the government. Adolf Hitler was allegedly an Ibsen fan. His administration deployed this rhetoric to describe Hitlers main enemy: the Jews. Each Jew is a sworn enemy of the German people, Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels wrote in 1941. . . . If someone wears the Jewish star, he is an enemy of the people. Anyone who deals with him is the same as a Jew and must be treated accordingly. Around the same time, leaders of the Soviet Union were transforming enemy of the people into a major tool for oppression and silencing enemies. Vladimir Lenin, founder of the Bolsheviks, used the peoples enemies as a label to stigmatize anyone who didnt fall into line when the revolution happened. For foes of Joseph Stalin, being branded an enemy of the people was a death sentence. The Soviet leader deployed that language against politicians and artists he didnt like. Once branded, the accused were sent to labour camps or killed. It is one of the most controversial phrases in Soviet history, Mitchell Orenstein, professor of Russian and East European studies at the University of Pennsylvania, told Voice of America. Read more: Donald Trump just called the media the enemy of the American people Today, enemy of the people is still deployed. But mostly, you hear it from dictators. Its never before been uttered by the leader of the free world. One more way in which Trumps presidency truly is unprecedented in U.S. history. SHARE: Riding my steeds across the Rio Negro, I finally entered Patagonia, the mythical land of vast deserts, bountiful grasslands and rugged mountains. Patagonia is the farthest place to which man walked from his place of origin, Bruce Chatwin wrote in his book, In Patagonia, published in 1977. At more than 20,000 kilometres from where I was raised in the Great White North, I couldnt agree more. Both Chatwin and I made it to the end of the earth not just by determination but by kindness. During both of our journeys, we slept in strangers sheds and homes. The people who welcomed me from the city of Rio Colorado southward were simple folk, living in dirt-floor homes in the middle of the desert. The little they had they shared with me. Filipe, we have butchered a lamb to welcome you, I heard from my hosts night after night. In the small town of Chimpay, the birthplace of Ceferino Namuncura, South Americas first indigenous saint, beatified by Pope Benedict in 2007, I made a friend for life: Ramon Bastias, a 58-year-old secretary of employment in the province of Neuquen, not only hosted me like family, but, two days after I rode away from his home, he surprised me with some amazing news. Filipe, he said over the phone, I have been losing sleep worrying about you and your horses all alone out there. Im going to drive the support vehicle for you. Clearly, Chimpay has the edge on saintly people. This selfless Argentine took his vacation days early, and together we travelled more than 400 kilometres to San Carlos de Bariloche. Every morning, we drank warm mate an Argentine tea made from dried yerba leaves while the horses grazed on alfalfa. In the evenings, when I rode into camp, it was already set up with a place to tie the horses, water waiting in buckets and sizzling meat atop a neatly made fire. Ramon was the best Boy Scout in the world. At night we discussed politics, philosophy and women. Obviously we never arrived at any answers. But during our two weeks in the heart of Patagonia, we became brothers. In Villa el Chocon, we took an afternoon to visit the Ernesto Bachmann Museum, where I discovered that I was riding through a land of giants. This part of Patagonia is one of the worlds richest areas for finding dinosaur bones and fossils. The skeleton of one of the largest carnivorous dinosaurs ever, Giganotosaurus carolinii, was discovered here. Later, on the shores of Lake Ezequiel Ramos Mexia, we saw the actual tracks left by dinosaurs on their own journeys millions of years ago. Inspiring. From Piedra de Aguila southward for 200 kilometres, the Andes precordillera sprang up around us and the vegetation transitioned from burned grass and sand to green fields and pine trees. The droughts of northern Patagonia and Argentina came to an abrupt end as bright blue glacial rivers and lakes emerged on both sides of the road. A true gift. But the mountains brought new danger in the blind turns and twisty narrow roads sandwiched between rivers and jagged rock faces. Trucks and buses roared past the horses at 120 kilometres an hour. Yet my sturdy steeds kept trekking without missing a beat. Picasso and Sapo have matured from fearful ponies to brave horses in these past three months. As Ramon and I entered Bariloche one of the most beautiful cities in the world the Andes glowed under the midday sun and Nahuel Huapi Lake gave everything a sparkling blue glow. It was the perfect end to our time together. I will never forget this beautiful adventure, Ramon said to me, wrapping his right arm around my shoulder. I smiled at him. Only 2,100 kilometres from my destination, Ushuaia the literal end of the world. I feel better than ever. Filipe Masetti Leite is a filmmaker, Ryerson University journalism graduate and cowboy en route to Tierra del Fuego. He is filing monthly reports to the Star from the trail. Dispatches from both this yearlong trip and his 2012 journey from Calgary to Brazil can be found at outwildtv.com/expeditions. SHARE: If you have a voice and you advocate for your children in the educational system, you are penalized. Sonia Mills-Minster who runs a counselling service helping black parents navigate the childrens aid and education systems Lisa, a federal civil servant, is raising David, her 7-year-old son, on her own but with the involvement of his father and the support of family. She never had any reason to think the childrens aid society would show up at her north Toronto house. But over the course of a school year, administrators at her sons Toronto public school made, by Lisas count, five calls to the Childrens Aid Society of Toronto, alleging maltreatment. Each time, the society found no protection concerns. Lisa has filed an application with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario alleging she was discriminated againstbecause she was a single black mother. Lisa claims unfounded allegations were passed to the CAS as payback for her advocacy over her sons education plan and for questioning staff behaviour. Last May, the school sent a 24-page cease-and-desist letter to Lisa chronicling contact between her and the school, describing her as having unreasonable expectations, and strongly recommending placing David in a special program usually reserved for suspended and expelled students. Lisa, 41, alleges she was coerced into agreeing to place her son in the program. She also alleges the experience has caused pain and suffering and lasting effects on her sons well-being. She is seeking $1 million in compensation. (One of the tribunals largest awards ever was $150,000.) None of the allegations in Lisas application, filed in November, have yet been proven before the tribunal. In responses filed with the tribunal last month, both the school board and CAS deny any discrimination. The board, in its response, said every concern Lisa brought forward was addressed in a timely and appropriate manner and specifically denied making false reports to CAS and any reprisals on the basis of being a black mother. Lisa writes in her complaint: The schools use agencies such as the CAS and the police as a weapon to discriminate, intimidate, harass, threaten and belittle black parents, children and families. In 2015, educators were the top source of referrals to Toronto childrens aid, accounting for 28 per cent of calls. Lisas allegations come as Ontario childrens aid societies and the ministry that oversees them are taking steps to reduce the disproportionate number of black children in care. A Star investigation into Ontarios child protection system revealed 41 per cent of those in care of the Toronto society were black, while only 8.2 per cent of Torontos population under 18 was black. In addition to her application and board and CAS responses, Lisa shared emails, school letters and other paperwork with the Star. The Star, as per the Family and Children Services Act, is not identifying Lisa or David, or the school. The schools former principal, the acting principal and Mary Jane McNamara, the schools former superintendent, described Lisa and her family as vexatious and harassers of staff in the cease-and-desist letter. The letter says that between September 2015 and May 2016, school staff received well over 100 emails, telephone calls and/or face to face interactions, the vast majority of which reflect your inappropriate behaviour, unfounded allegations as well as unreasonable expectations. Lisa maintains she was only looking out for her sons best interests, and told the Star the school board is trying to paint me as a serial complainer. If you have a voice and you advocate for your children in the educational system, you are penalized, says Sonia Mills-Minster, who runs a counselling service helping black parents navigate the childrens aid and education systems and who assisted Lisa, pro bono, in her interactions with the school. Friction between Lisa and the school dates to September 2013, Davids first month of junior kindergarten. According to the cease-and-desist letter, he was given a timeout for inappropriate behaviour. Lisa complained and asked that she be contacted immediately over any issues. Rather than deal only with the teacher, Lisa copied senior school staff and the superintendent and trustee on emails and made inappropriate remarks, the school said in its letter. In one email, Lisa accused staff of covert discrimination. David told his mother he was being teased and called a bad boy by students. By the end of October 2013, Lisa told the school David was terrified to return. Lisa pulled David from the school and had her mother, a retired teacher, home school him for the rest of JK. For kindergarten, she enrolled him in another school, where, the board says in its response, David engaged in inappropriate behaviour. Lisa said the relationship with that school soured and David finished off the year at another school, where no problems were reported. In September 2015, David entered Grade 1, returning to the school he attended for JK, the closest to his home. According to the school letter, staff had concerns about Davids behaviour, which included kicking students in private parts, screaming in class, biting and aggressive play. On Oct. 29, 2015, a meeting was held to discuss placing David, short-term, in the Caring and Safe Schools program to improve his behaviour. Lisa asked that David have more time in his classroom to ensure that his teacher was taking the initiative to help him. On Nov. 16, 2015, according to the application, Lisa complained to the school after her son told her his teacher, four days earlier, pushed him. Lisa was told by the school superintendent that normal procedure was to call police and the CAS; Lisa said that was fine. The school letter said a full investigation took place and Lisas allegation against the teacher was not substantiated. On Nov. 17, according to the boards response, David was sent to the vice-principals office for counselling after an incident in gym in which David pushed another student and called him inappropriate names. The board said David appeared very anxious in the office and said he was afraid that his mother or grandmother might arrive. David, according to the boards response, said his grandmother has slapped him on his knee, bum or hand. Lisa told the Star her family does not use corporal punishment. The CAS would find nothing of concern in this regard. On the morning of Nov. 18, Lisa alleges in her application, David was asked by the principal and vice-principal if he was beaten, abused, sexually assaulted and mistreated at home. David, according to his mothers complaint, told them he was treated well. He shared this with his mom at lunchtime, prompting a visit to school that afternoon from Lisa and her mother, worried hed been inappropriately questioned. Staff said no such questions had been asked. The schools letter to Lisa says only that it followed requirements in the Child and Family Services Act. A TDSB document spells out when teachers should and must report. Ontario law requires all individuals to report abuse or neglect witnessed, disclosed or suspected, the guide reads. The board, in its response, denies that David was questioned about alleged abuse that day, but confirmed school administrators called the CAS that day, as well as on Nov. 16. (It is unclear how many times the school called the CAS: board and CAS documents suggest three times; Lisa believes five.) When Lisa got home Nov. 18, a phone message from the CAS said she should contact them to discuss her sons well-being, Lisas complaint alleges. Within a couple of weeks, Lisa, her then-lawyer Anthony Morgan, David and Lisas mothermet a CAS worker at the offices of the African Canadian Legal Clinic. Lisa, according to her complaint, explained Davids problems with his teacher and how the school wanted him in the special program. David had never been suspended or expelled, and had not been diagnosed with any behavioural or mental health problems. She worried David would miss his academics and being in this program would create stigma. As a result of my decision to not place my son in the program, the principal and vice-principal contacted CAS to report that I was neglecting my sons needs, Lisa wrote in her complaint. The worker also visited the family home. Lisa alleges the CAS told her they would close the file on her if she agreed to put her son in the program. Feeling coerced, she said in her complaint, she agreed. In its response, the CAS said that after Lisa willingly consented to place David in the program and, since there were no other significant protection concerns identified, the file was closed. Lisa, the CAS said, was a hands-on mother who strongly advocated for her son. In February 2016, after consulting a behavioural therapist, psychologist, social workers and pediatricians, Lisa changed her mind. The experts determined David didnt need the program, her complaint says. The complaint alleges school superintendent McNamara then called CAS three more times once because Lisa would not consent to release health information and two more times because David was not attending class. (Lisa says the school knew he was kept home in fear of staff and more calls to CAS. McNamara did not respond to a Star request for an interview.) In its response to Lisas application, the board itemized three calls total to the CAS by the school, the last of which was on May 17. That call, the board says, was made in part over concerns about Lisas and her mothers emotional stability. Lisa told the Star school staff had never expressed concerns of that nature to her. In fact, in one email, the principal told Lisa her son will be successful in life. How could he not be? Theres so much love surrounding him. The CAS response said it recognized that there were ongoing issues between Lisa and the school. Some concerns reported by the school were not even investigated, said the CAS. Rob Thompson, a Toronto CAS spokesperson, said he would not discuss specifics but noted they found no child protection concerns. In general, Thompson said, the society would expect that our community partners would use their responsibility to call us thoughtfully and not to ... use us as leverage to coerce a parent. In her rights complaint, Lisa notes the former principal and McNamara are white, while the new principal and superintendent are black. (Board spokesperson Ryan Bird said McNamara was reassigned in a system-wide reorganization and the principal retired. The board response said the race of staff and administrators had nothing to do with decisions made.) Lisa successfully had all of the CAS calls removed from her sons Ontario Student Record. She also convinced the school to end an education plan that had a child and youth worker assigned, full-time, to babysit David. Lisa, who is preparing a formal reply to the school board and CAS responses, says David has a good teacher at the school and a good report card. I will continue to be involved in my sons life, Lisa told the Star. They say black parents are not there. Here I am. Im that active single black mother whos basically not fitting their stereotype but yet Im being punished for advocating for my child. SHARE: RIO DE JANEIRORevellers all over Brazil were getting Carnival celebrations started Friday, taking to the streets to dance samba, drink beer and other spirits, and blow off steam at a time of economic angst and fury with politicians over a sprawling corruption scandal. In Rio, home to the worlds most famous Carnival bash, several so-called block parties were underway by the afternoon. Thousands of revelers danced amid 32 C heat with high humidity, standard during the Southern Hemisphere summer. At the Camelitas block party, revellers dressed up as nuns in Rios bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. Many carried signs with statements ranging from insults against politicians to calls for the legalization of drugs. The lord says: you will try all the herbs that came from the seeds, read one banner. Carnival is a very nice and democratic party, said partygoer Nilse Azevedo. Whoever wants to pray, prays. Whoever wants to have fun in the street has fun. At the sambadrome, where top league samba schools begin competing on Sunday, thousands poured in expecting the traditional handing over of the citys key to Rei Momo, or the king of carnal delights. This was always done with great fanfare by former Mayor Eduardo Paes. However, Marcelo Crivella, a retired Pentecostal bishop who took power Jan. 1, has been coy in recent weeks about whether he would participate in Carnival, or how he might do so. His office didnt answer the phone or return emails on Friday. Holding the symbolic key was Maria Cristina, who appeared like somebody who had been stood up. I would also like to know what is going on, she said when asked by an Associated Press reporter about what she would do with the key. Cristina said the mayors office had told her and the symbolic key-holding group to come, but hadnt said more about the plans. The mayor should separate religion from politics at our Carnival, said Marisol Portela, a homemaker who had come to the sambadrome. He will not be missed. We will throw our party anyway. In Sao Paulo, where samba school competitions get started Friday night, there was heavy rain and thunder. Some streets in the eastern part of the megacity were flooding. Images on Globo Television show cars fully submerged and floating. The annual Carnival celebrations come at a difficult time for many Brazilians. The economy is mired in recession, leading to daily announcements of job cuts and much angst about the future. Many states, including Rio de Janeiro, are so broke that thousands of public workers are being paid months late, if at all. Latin Americas largest nation is also recovering from a brutal impeachment fight last year that led to the removal of president Dilma Rousseff for illegal mismanagement of the budget. The man who replaced her, Michel Temer, is deeply unpopular. Temer and several others in both chambers of Congress have been caught up, either through formal charges or in plea bargains, in a massive corruption probe that has jailed dozens of politicians and businessmen in the last few years. Temer denies wrongdoing. One of Rios big block parties is dedicated to the president. Its theme: Out with Temer! Read more about: SHARE: WASHINGTONThe White House on Friday defended chief of staff Reince Priebus against accusations he breached a government firewall when he asked FBI Director James Comey to publicly dispute media reports that Trump campaign advisers had been frequently in touch with Russian intelligence agents. U.S. President Donald Trumps press secretary, Sean Spicer, argued Priebus had little choice but to seek Comeys assistance in rebutting what Spicer said were inaccurate reports about contacts during last years presidential campaign. The FBI did not issue the statement requested by Priebus and has given no sign one is forthcoming. I dont know what else we were supposed to do, Spicer said. Read more: Trump scolds media over anonymous sources after White House uses them White House blocks major news organizations from briefing, escalating Trumps war on the press White House adviser asked FBI to dispute Russia reports The Justice Department has policies in place to limit communications between the White House and the FBI about pending investigations. Trump officials on Friday not only confirmed contacts between Priebus and the FBI, but engaged in an extraordinary public airing of those private conversations. Spicer said it was the FBI that first approached the White House about the veracity of a New York Times story asserting that Trump advisers had contacts with Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. Spicer said Priebus then asked both FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe if they would condemn the story publicly, which they declined to do. The chief of staff said, well, youve put us in a very difficult situation, Spicer said. Youve told us that a story that made some fairly significant accusations was not true. And now you want us to just sit out there. The FBI would not comment on the matter or verify the White House account. Fridays revelations were the latest wrinkle in Trumps already complicated relationship with the FBI and other intelligence agencies. Hes accused intelligence officials of releasing classified information about him to the media, declaring in a tweet Friday morning that the FBI was totally unable to stop the national security leakers that have permeated our government for a long time. House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi accused Priebus of an outrageous breach of the FBIs independence and called on the Justice Departments inspector general to look into all conversations Priebus and other White House officials have held with the FBI on ongoing investigations. The rule of law depends on the FBIs complete independence, free from political pressure from the targets of its investigations, Pelosi said. A 2009 memo from then-attorney general Eric Holder said the Justice Department is to advise the White House on pending criminal or civil investigations only when it is important for the performance of the presidents duties and appropriate from a law enforcement perspective. Ron Hosko, a retired FBI assistant director who oversaw criminal investigations, said the discussions between the FBI and the Trump White House were inadvisable. It is a very slippery slope, Hosko said. Do I get in the position of where Im updating the White House on my priority criminal cases? The answer is no, I should not be doing that. Other FBI veterans said the interactions between Priebus and the FBI were not unprecedented. Robert Anderson, a retired executive assistant director who served under Comey and oversaw counter-intelligence investigations, said contacts between the bureau and White House are usually very-well documented in order to avoid the perception of inappropriate contacts. CNN first reported that Priebus had asked the FBI for help, and a White House official confirmed the matter to The Associated Press Thursday night. On Friday morning, two other senior White House officials summoned reporters to a briefing to expand on the timeline of events. The White House officials would only discuss the matter on the condition of anonymity. Two hours later, Trump panned news stories that rely on anonymous sources, telling a conservative conference that reporters shouldnt be allowed to use sources unless they use somebodys name. Spicer later briefed some reporters on the record. The Associated Press declined to participate in that briefing because some major news organizations were not invited, but an account was posted by a reporter who was present. Trump has been shadowed by questions about potential ties to Russia since winning the election. U.S. intelligence agencies have concluded that Russia meddled in the campaign in an effort to help Trump defeat Democrat Hillary Clinton. On Feb. 14, the New York Times reported that intelligence agencies had collected phone records and call intercepts showing frequent communication between Trump advisers and Russian intelligence agents during the campaign. Trump has said he is not aware of such contacts. The White House says Priebus was holding a previously scheduled meeting with McCabe the morning after the New York Times story was published. According to Spicer, McCabe told Priebus in very colourful terms that the report was inaccurate, prompting the chief of staff to ask if the FBI would make its view known publicly. Spicer said McCabe told the White House the bureau did not want to be in the practice of rebutting news stories. A similar message was conveyed to Priebus later in the day by Comey, according to the White House press secretary. The White House said McCabe and Comey instead gave Priebus the go-ahead to discredit the story publicly, something the FBI has not confirmed. Priebus alluded to his contacts with the FBI over the weekend, telling Fox News that the top levels of the intelligence community had assured him that the allegations of campaign contacts with Russia were not only grossly overstated but also wrong. During the campaign, Trump and other Republicans strongly criticized a meeting between Attorney General Loretta Lynch and former president Bill Clinton, husband of Trumps general election opponent. The meeting came as the FBI which is overseen by the Justice Department was investigating Hillary Clintons use of a private email address and personal Internet server. Spicer said he was not aware of an FBI investigation into Trump campaign advisers contacts with Russia. Administration officials have acknowledged that the FBI interviewed ousted national security adviser Michael Flynn about his communications with Russias ambassador to the U.S. during the transition. Flynn was fired after it was revealed that he misled Vice-President Mike Pence and other White House officials about the content of those conversations. Read more about: SHARE: BEIRUTIn synchronized attacks, insurgents stormed into heavily guarded security offices in Syrias central Homs city, clashed with troops and then blew themselves up, killing a senior officer and at least 31 others, state media and officials reported. The swift, high-profile attacks against the Military Intelligence and State Security offices, among Syrias most powerful, were claimed by an al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee. A Syrian lawmaker on a state-affiliated TV station called it a heavy blow to Syrias security apparatuses. The attacks came as Syrian government and opposition delegates meet in Geneva in U.N. -mediated talks aimed at building momentum toward peace despite low expectations of a breakthrough. The U.N. envoy to Syria Staffan de Mistura called the attacks tragic. Every time we had talks or a negotiation, there was always someone who was trying to spoil it. We were expecting that, he said. Syrias ambassador to the United Nations, Bashar al-Jaafari, who leads Damascus delegation to the peace talks in Geneva, said the attacks were a message from the sponsors of terrorism to the peace talks. Al-Jaafari said the attacks will not go unanswered. No footage or pictures emerged from the usually tightly secured scene of the attacks in the Homs city centre. Activists said the city was on high alert after the attacks, with government troops blocking roads and forcing shops to close. The government responded with an intense airstrike campaign against the only neighbourhood on the citys outskirts still under opposition control and other parts of rural Homs. In 2015, the government regained control of the city of Homs, which was one of the first to rise against President Bashar Assad. But the al-Waer neighbourhood remained in the hands of rebels and settlement negotiations to evacuate it have repeatedly faltered. The attack early Saturday was the most high-profile in a city that has been the scene of repeated suicide attacks since the government regained control. The head of Military Intelligence services Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturdays attack, had been transferred from the capital to Homs last year to address security failures in the city, according to local media reports at the time. Syrian State News Agency SANA said Daeboul was killed by one of the suicide bombers. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, told The Associated Press there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometres (1.2 miles) apart, and according to activists from the city they are heavily guarded, including security cameras. According to state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs adjacent al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighbourhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The head of the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights Rami Abdurrahman said the synchronized attacks killed at least 42 security officers and personnel. The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled and are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Abdurrahman said the attacks started with clashes at the checkpoints. Then, three suicide bombers blew themselves up consecutively inside the courtyard of the Military Intelligence Services building as troops gathered. The attack briefly undermined the troops control of the building, said Abdurrahman. That attack killed at least 30, the Observatory said. In the meantime, a similar scenario was playing out at the State Security branch, where at least 12 were killed. Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the agency, was also critically wounded, according to al-Ikhbariya. An Al Qaeda-linked insurgent coalition, the Levant Liberation Committee, said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties, according to a statement on their Telegram channel. A Homs-based opposition activist Bebars al-Talawy said the attackers used gun-silencers in their initial attack, enabling them to enter the premise and surprise their target. This is the biggest breach of security agencies in Homs, al-Talawy said, speaking in a Skype interview. They were almost inside the offices. Al-Talawy said Daeboul was in charge of negotiating surrender deals with the rebel holdouts in al-Waer and other rebel-held areas in rural Homs. The co-ordinated attacks, using a combination of armed assault and suicide bombing, are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year old conflict. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top regime officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defence minister. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great power and operates with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the militarys Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the states four main security branches, including Military Intelligence. After the attacks, Syrian opposition activists took to social media to recount stories of torture and abuse for which Daeboul was allegedly responsible when he managed a military intelligence unit believed responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses. Meanwhile, government supporters hailed him as one of the countrys best security officers, who broke the back of the terrorists, a pro-government Facebook page posted. The government refers to all opposition as terrorists. Read more about: SHARE: KABULAt least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by Daesh militants in northern Zawzjan province, a provincial official said. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. Daesh-linked militants have been active in Afghanistans eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said in a statement that around 38 militants, including 23 Daesh fighters, were killed in separate operations conducted by Afghan security forces in the eastern and southern regions of the country over the past two days. Eight other militants were wounded and six arrested in the operations, which were conducted in districts across the Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, the statement added. In another report form eastern Laghman province, two students were killed when a mortar struck a schools classroom, a news release from the Education ministry said. The statement added that five other students were wounded inside the classroom in Mihterlam, the provinces capital. There were unconfirmed reports the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces and missed its target and hit the school. The report could not immediately be verified by provincial or government officials. In a separate report form northern Faryab province at least one police officer was killed when a remotely controlled bomb went off inside a bazaar, said Karim Yuresh, the spokesman for the provincial police chief. He said that 16 others including 15 innocent civilians and a policeman were wounded in the blast. The blast took place inside a market where innocent civilians were busy with their daily businesses, said Yuresh. He added that the intended target were the two policemen in the market. No group has claimed responsibility for the Faryab attack, but Taliban insurgents usually use roadside bombs and suicide attacks to target Afghan security forces as well as government officials across the country. Read more about: SHARE: ATLANTADemocrats elected Tom Perez, a former labour secretary, as their new national chairman on Saturday over a liberal Minnesota congressman after a divisive campaign that reflected the depths of the partys electoral failures as well as the energy from resistance to President Donald Trump. Perez, the first Latino to hold the post, edged Rep. Keith Ellison in the second round of voting by Democratic National Committee members gathered in Atlanta. The new chairman must rebuild a party that in the last decade has lost about 1,000 elected posts from the White House to Congress to the 50 statehouses, a power deficit Democrats have not seen nationally in 90 years. In a nod to his winning margin of 35 votes out of 435 cast, to say nothing of the lingering friction between old-guard Democrats and outspoken liberal upstarts, Perez tapped Ellison to serve as deputy chair. We are all in this together, Perez said, calling on Democrats to fight the worst president in the history of the United States. Read the latest news on U.S. President Donald Trump Ellison, who had backing from many liberals, including 2016 presidential candidate Bernie Sanders, added his own call for unity and noted that both men had promised to rebuild state and local Democratic parties across the country. We don't have the luxury of walking out of this room divided, he said, as the two men stood together on stage as some young Ellison supporters jeered from the gallery. Republicans control the White House, Congress and 33 governorships, while the GOP is one Senate confirmation from a conservative majority on the Supreme Court. Despite President Barack Obama's personal electoral successes, the party suffered crushing defeats, losing the House majority in 2010 and the Senate in 2014. Trump said via Twitter: Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party! Perez had told party activists earlier in the day that Democrats face a crisis of confidence and a crisis of relevance. Perez first entered the race upon urging from Obama and his inner circle, and the former president released a statement praising both men after the vote. I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, Obama said, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much. The son of Dominican immigrants, Perez comes to the job with a demonstrably liberal record as a civil rights attorney and backer of organized labour, but he carried the establishment label as a Maryland resident who's spent years in the Washington orbit, working in the Justice Department and ultimately as an Obama Cabinet officer. Former Vice-President Joe Biden endorsed him; one of Obama's closest aides, Valerie Jarrett, made calls to DNC members on Perez's behalf as late as Friday night. The new chairman will not be the undisputed leader of the party, even with Democrats out of power. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California will remain the highest ranking Democrats in Washington. But Perez must now join with Schumer and Pelosi as part cheerleader, part fundraiser, part organizer and recruiter, part public messenger, helping frame the party's arguments and identity, while charting a strategy to turn energy into votes in upcoming elections. Perez and Ellison appeared together for a joint news conference afterward in a session that was originally planned to be the winner's opportunity to address reporters. Perez said they are going to put our values in action for a country he described as fearful over Trump's priorities. Ellison had the endorsement of Sanders, who challenged Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination, but also from Schumer. Liberal groups that backed Ellison ranged from guarded to despondent with the outcome. Sanders released a statement congratulating Perez but warning that it is imperative that Tom understands that the same-old, same-old is not working. Jim Dean, chair of Democracy for America, called Perez's election incredibly disappointing and said the resistance will persist ... with or without the leadership of the Democratic National Committee. Jeff Weaver, who managed Sanders' presidential campaign and now runs the offshoot Our Revolution group, said Perez and Ellison have to prove themselves now. Do they really invest in 50 state parties? Are they really going to engage with people in the streets? Weaver asked. Are they really going to bring those people into the party, so that you have a much broader cross-section of Democratically aligned voters represented? Ellison told reporters that he trusts Perez, and he encouraged other liberal activists to do the same. Perez succeeds Chairwoman Donna Brazile, who led the party as interim chief in the fallout from disclosure of the DNC hacking. Brazile said the party has worked with cybersecurity experts to address vulnerabilities. She chided Trump for his mockery of DNC cybersecurity and his doubts that Russians are at fault. No, Donald Trump, she said, you can't go to Staples and buy anti-Russian hacking software. Read more about: SHARE: Step right up and see it before its over. Americas Shrinking Superpower: the greatest show on earth. Watch it as the 20th centurys towering global leader magically transforms itself into a self-serving, shrinking pipsqueak. All brought to you by the scary folks at Trumpworld. For Europeans, Donald Trumps chaotic circus finally came to town. Last weekend, senior members of the Trump administration spoke at the annual Munich security conference where, for the past five decades, Europes political and military establishment have met to review the worlds most threatening security challenges. The visit happened in an atmosphere of high anxiety. If the aftershocks from the Trump political earthquake are now evident worldwide, nowhere are the tremors more intensely felt than throughout Europe. After decades of dealing with Russian schemes to sabotage the Europe-America alliance, Europeans now fear the unpredictable new U.S. government is following the Russian lead. In Munich, Mike Pence, Trumps vice-president, tried to reassure the Europeans. The U.S. supports NATO and the European Union, he promised, and it opposes Russias efforts to threaten Europe. But Pences audience knew that these assurances were bogus. His boss was already on the record as ridiculing the EU and calling for its breakup, for applauding the Brexit vote in Britain and insulting German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and for expressing his apparent puppy love again and again and again for Russias despised Vladimir Putin. European leaders have every reason to be worried. After all, Trumps hostility and Putins aggression are a toxic mix. But it may actually be the voting booths of Europe far from the heartland of America that will provide Trump with his first big electoral rebuke. In the United States, we now know how the majority of voters are responding to the chaos of Trumps first weeks in office. His approval rating among Americans at this stage of his presidency is the lowest by far compared with previous U.S. presidents. But unless he is impeached or dies, Trump will remain with us like a throbbing headache. However, we will soon know how Europeans are responding. Crucial national elections will be held in the Netherlands, France and Germany over the next few months that should give us a good sense of where Europe is heading. These votes will determine whether a dangerous drift to far-right authoritarian rule is indeed underway, or whether Europeans repulsed at the often racist and raw emotions unleashed by Trump are seeking more moderate options. In Europe, there is widely held suspicion about where Trump stands on this question. In his inaugural address, Trump defended his America First approach by asserting the right of all nations to put their own interests first. But he has defined American self-interest in the most selfish of ways. In doing so, Trump is turning his back on 70 years of a bipartisan U.S. foreign policy that has had the U.S. at the centre of a closely knit international order with Americas economic and military security actually being richly enhanced. Initially, Trumps victory gave a boost to Europes extreme right political parties. His aggressive, anti-immigrant message seemed to resonate among many Europeans who resented the recent influx of refugees, and there was some talk of these parties achieving power. But Trumps erratic first weeks as U.S. president have apparently appalled many Europeans. In the Netherlands, with an election March 15, Geert Wilders, the far right leader, has been leading the polls, but the race appears to be tightening. A similar movement against the extremist National Front leader Marine Le Pen seems to taking shape in France. In other years, these elections might not loom as important, but these are no ordinary times. Trumps victory in November had a lot to do with dissatisfaction. There is more unhappiness with todays system as it relates to the economy, immigration and trade than previously acknowledged. And this has also been driving the election campaigns in Europe. As this is happening, academic researchers are beginning to detect something perhaps even more important. There has been an erosion of democratic values in both the United States and Europe. Increasing numbers, particularly of young people, seem to feel critical about their political leaders and cynical about the value of democracy as a political system. Authoritarian alternatives no longer seem outlandish. As Europeans prepare to vote, and Americans continue to brood, this is a reminder that, in this 21st century, we can no longer take anything for granted. Tony Burman is former head of Al Jazeera English and CBC News. Reach him @TonyBurman or at tony.burman@gmail.com . Read more about: SHARE: Re: Queens Park unites for anti-Islamophobia motion, Feb. 24 Queens Park unites for anti-Islamophobia motion, Feb. 24 MPP Nathalie Des Rosiers offers a comprehensive list ranging from hatred, prejudice, intolerance, racism and more. Phobia is an extreme, irrational fear or aversion toward something. Fear or aversion does not include violent acts, committing hate crimes, personal attacks, destruction of property, arson, murder, willful breaking of the laws of our land. These actions do not stem from fear but from a need to destroy, harm, intimidate or worse. It is a positive sign that Queens Park can show unified action. But I wonder if phobia is the best choice of descriptor? Does the word Islam accurately describe the hatred and violence currently making news? Hatred toward our Jewish communities or Canadas native nations, for example? Unity at Queens Park is almost as rare as shorts and runners in February. Why not make the most of this enlightened moment by creating a moniker that truly describes what MPP Des Rosiers is acting upon physical, verbal, threatening and illegal demonstrations of hatred and intolerance. Lets call it what it really is. Don Graves, Burlington SHARE: Demographics may be destiny after all. At least, that's the approach of one Swedish lawmaker who has proposed a fairly inventive version of work-life balance: weekly, hour-long sex breaks. Yes, Erik Muskos would like to codify the nooner. Muskos is a councilman from Overtornea, a town of about 4,500 residents. According to reporting from both the New York Times and local outlets, he has proposed giving the town's 550 municipal employees the right to use their existing hour-per-week fitness break to go home and procreate. (Warning: this link to the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet is not safe for work.) "I think many people find it embarrassing," he said to the Aftonbladet, "and I think that's a pity." In his motion, Muskos also urged that the town consider Sweden's demographic needs. "Childbirth should be encouraged," he said in his motion. "When sex is also an excellent form of exercise with documented positive effects on well-being, the municipality should kill two birds with one stone and encourage employees to use their fitness hour to go home and have sex with their partner." Muskos's proposal has already received international attention after making waves across Sweden, but it isn't entirely out of place. Sweden is well known for having one of the most populist and worker-friendly states in the world. In addition to its generous welfare system and reform-based prisons, the country also has very strict workers' rights laws. Everyone gets 480 days of parental leave, guaranteed health care, five weeks of annual vacation and a daily break for coffee and pastries (the fika). In this environment, perhaps its small wonder that one councilman would suggest that employees get a chance to duck out for some extremely personal time. And, titillation aside, Muskos's idea might actually have practical merit. Like most European countries, Sweden increasingly faces a dismal demographic reality. Although stronger than much of Europe, the nation's fertility rate has fallen below the numbers it needs to replace its own population (1.89 when, for a country of its status, it would need a fertility rate of 2.08). The government expects that to continue falling, and that "every fourth person [will] become a pensioner in the next 50 years." As seedy as it may seem to have state-sponsored sex breaks, the opportunity for couples to sneak off for a semi-illicit lunch hour might actually have some impact. At the very least, for a country searching for ways to encourage new parents, it can't hurt. And then there's productivity. Research suggests that not only would vigorous afternoon "us time" be good for boosting the birth rate, it may also actually help the bottom line. Maybe. One study, published in 2013 by the German Institute for the Study of Labor, found a correlation between sexual activity and worker's wages. "Those employees having sex more than four times a week receive statistically significant highest wages," the authors wrote. "Moreover, the outcomes suggested that wage returns to sexual activity are statistically significant [sic] higher for those between 26 and 50 years of age [and] higher for those health-impaired employees who are sexually active." The authors linked this to the connection between sexual activity and overall personal well-being, which indeed can have a profound impact on productivity. Numerous studies have found that, in general, happier and more fulfilled people tend to have better careers and earn more money. Does that mean that Muskos is necessarily on to something? Maybe, maybe not. It's true that Sweden, like much of Europe, needs to boost its fertility rate, and better sex lives might help that happen. Although in an age of effective contraception, it's worth asking just how much more the amount of sex really matters to procreation. What's more, productivity and wages might well get a boost if everyone started walking around at 3 p.m. with that extra spring in his step. Then again, if the question is, "How can everyone start having better sex lives?" are government sanctioned breaks really the answer? After all, it's hard to think of anything less sexy than a permission slip from the boss. Recent administration comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, D.C., have led some to believe the administration will go to war with states over legalization. Federal intrusion into state management of cannabis laws could affect cannabis users and ancillary marijuana industry companies. "In the short term, it is likely that these comments will have a chilling effect on many in the marijuana industry, particularly those entrepreneurs and businesses in states where voters have only recently decided in favor of marijuana legalization," National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws deputy director Paul Armentano told TheStreet. Comments made by White House press secretary Sean Spicer during CPAC have suggested the federal government may clash with states over cannabis legalization. Spicer also appeared to make an erroneous correlation between marijuana use and opioid addiction. Spicer's remarks indicated that President Trump is supportive of medical marijuana use. But Spicer also said the Department of Justice is likely to become more involved in enforcing marijuana laws. This suggests federal involvement in state lawmaking and enforcement. That would be contrary to the administration's avowed goal of cutting down the federal government and turning over more decision making to the states -- as Trump did by rescinding the former administration's edict on LGBT bathroom regulations. "It is hard to believe that lawmakers in these jurisdictions will seek to enthusiastically implement these regulations, or that would-be businesses will expend the time and venture capital to abide by them, at the same time that the federal government is threatening to target and take punitive action against them," Armentano said. To some extent, Spicer's comments may have been influenced by the heady atmosphere of CPAC. Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) director of communications communications director Mason Tvert told TheStreet that Spicer's remarks were responses to questions, not statements of official policy. "The administration has not actually adopted a policy," Tvert said, "and we'll wait and see until it does." Tvert also noted that current regulations prohibit the DOJ from getting involved in state regulation of medicinal use. MPP also issued a news release with results from a Quinnipiac poll indicating the 71% of U.S. voters are opposed to federal regulation of marijuana use for medical or adult use in general. These numbers break down into anti-regulation majorities for Democrats, Republicans, independents and all age groups. Numerous political and business figures joined cannabis activists in decrying increased federal enforcement, and Terra Tech (TRTC) chairman, CEO and president Derek Peterson, told TheStreet that actual implementation of enforcement would bring harsh political and economic consequences. "The administration will be profoundly stunned if it goes forward with this," Peterson said. Terra Tech focuses on cannabis cultivation and technology. The company has raised $28.76 million in nine private-investment-in-public-equity offerings according to PrivateRaise, TheStreet Inc.'s private placement data service. Peterson noted that federal intervention would have an effect on tens of thousands of jobs in the cannabis industry. Terra Tech's employees receive at least $13 per hour and full health benefits according to Peterson, who said employees would not appreciate the actions of an administration that cost them both jobs and healthcare insurance. Peterson said federal intervention would go against the grain of voters. "Most of the legalization efforts started with ballot measures," Peterson said, "and even some of the legislated measures were picked up from grassroots campaigns and modified." NORML's Armentano also sees increased federal involvement as retrograde in terms of politics, economics and the public will. "The Trump administration's proposed crackdown not only defies longstanding principles of small government and populism, it's also bad politics," Armentano said. "Contrary to claims made by this administration, marijuana regulations in these states are largely working as intended. There has been no increase in crime or youth use in these jurisdictions, and tax revenues from the marijuana market have greatly exceeded expectations." Spicer's claim that marijuana use is linked to opioid abuse has received criticism from a variety of angles. Some evidence points to a reverse correlation. "In states where it is legal to use medical marijuana to manage chronic pain and other conditions, the annual number of deaths from prescription drug overdose is 25 percent lower than in states where medical marijuana remains illegal, new research suggests," according to a study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center. FLEETCOR Technologies, Inc. provides digital payment solutions for businesses to control purchases and make payments. It offers corporate payments solutions, such as accounts payable automation; Virtual Card, which provides a single-use card number for a specific amount usable within a defined timeframe; Cross-Border that is used by its customers to pay international vendors, foreign office and personnel expenses, capital expenditures, and profit repatriation and dividends; and purchasing cards and travel and entertainment cards for its customers to analyze and manage their corporate spending. The company also provides employee expense management solutions, including fuel solutions to businesses and government entities that operate vehicle fleets, as well as to oil and leasing companies, and fuel marketers; lodging solutions to businesses that have employees who travel overnight for work purposes, as well as to airlines and cruise lines to accommodate traveling crews and stranded passengers; and electronic toll payments solutions to businesses and consumers in the form of radio frequency identification tags affixed to vehicles' windshields. In addition, it offers gift card program management and processing services in plastic and digital forms that include card design, production and packaging, delivery and fulfillment, card and account management, transaction processing, promotion development and management, website design and hosting, program analytics, and card distribution channel management. Further, it provides other products consisting of payroll cards, vehicle maintenance service solution, long-haul transportation solution, prepaid food vouchers or cards, and prepaid transportation cards and vouchers. The company serves business, merchant, consumer, and payment network customers in North America, Brazil, and Internationally. The company was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion and Hungarian National Development Minister Miklos Sestak have discussed cooperation in the infrastructure development on Ukraine-Hungary border. This is reported by the Government portal. "Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Volodymyr Kistion has met with Hungarian National Development Minister Miklos Sestak. The parties discussed issues of development of border infrastructure, cross-border and customs cooperation," the statement reads. Volodymyr Kistion informed the Hungarian side about the results of implementation of the projects in these areas by the Ukrainian government. In addition, the sides discussed prospects for cooperation in other the rail and aviation sectors. ol Ukraine will return Russian-annexed Crimea in a peaceful way through the international judicial structures. Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine Kostiantyn Yeliseyev said this on the air of 112 Ukraine TV channel. "We will use solely political and diplomatic means, returning Crimea in a peaceful way. Sooner or later it will happen, and we will do everything possible, particularly, using the tools of the international judicial structures. We have submitted the relevant claims for the Russian side to feel responsibility for its aggressive policy towards Crimea and Donbas," Yeliseyev said. The Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of Ukraine added that the plan for Crimea return should be based on the strategy of reforms and the fight against corruption, the strategy of Ukraines rapprochement with the best European standards of human rights, economy and development. ol The issue of de-occupation of the temporarily occupied territories should be discussed more actively inside Ukraine. Turkish Ambassador to Ukraine Yonet Can Tezel said this at the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world", an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "There should be internal debates and the internal studies in Ukraine," the diplomat said. According to him, Ukraine needs a "fundamental plan related to Crimea, as well as other components of the conflict, including Donbas." As reported, February 25-26, Kyiv hosts the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world." February 26, Ukraine will mark the Day of Resistance to Occupation of Crimea. ol The Allies called on Russia to reverse its illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula. Head of the NATO Representation to Ukraine Alexander Vinnikov said this at the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world", an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "[At the Warsaw Summit] Allies called on Russia to reverse its illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula, which NATO member-states do not and will not recognize," Vinnikov said. He added that it was important for the NATO Representation to Ukraine to provide support for this forum. As reported, February 25-26, Kyiv hosts the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world." February 26, Ukraine will mark the Day of Resistance to Occupation of Crimea. ol The Euro-Atlantic security is a top priority for Canada and the occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea is a step towards destabilization of the world security system. Ambassador of Canada to Ukraine Roman Waschuk said this at the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world", an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "We all feel the seismic tremors of this aggressive encroachment on the territory of Ukraine... This creates pressure, certain stress in the international system and hidden fear," the Ambassador said. That is why, he said, Canada supports Ukraine and its territorial integrity on all international platforms. As reported, February 25-26, Kyiv hosts the international forum "Crimea under occupation: Consequences for Ukraine and the world." February 26, Ukraine will mark the Day of Resistance to Occupation of Crimea. ol Rachel Veazey of Cleveland, Tenn., is showing her support for President Trump by returning clothes to, and refusing to shop at TJ Maxx though its hard to resist the allure of its deals. (Shawn Poynter/For The Washington Post) Mary Carson picks up her leopard-print tote bag and tugs on her leopard-print scarf. Im just going to do a little bit of business, the 77-year-old says as she walks into Neiman Marcus at the Tysons Galleria in Northern Virginia and asks for the manager. He appears in a pinstripe suit and shakes her hand. Im very disappointed in whats happened with the Trump line, she tells him. I hate to do this Im not a real activist but I learned a long, long time ago that you cannot mix business and politics. The manager listens patiently. Carson, who worked in marketing before she retired, pulls out her Neiman Marcus credit card and prepares to give it back. It was the obvious thing to do, she says, once the retailer stopped carrying Ivanka Trumps jewelry line on its website a few weeks ago. If the company feels like they can hurt the daughter of a president by doing something like this, thats mean, said Carson, who voted for Trump. I feel very strongly about that. A week earlier, Carson had driven to the nearby Nordstrom and returned her store credit card. Shed had that card since 1988, she told the manager, and had used it to buy at least one St. John suit a year price tag, roughly $1,400 for decades. I said to her, You all really are the best store in the area, recalled Carson, who lives in Vienna, Va. Its a shame you couldnt keep your mouths shut about our president. Some companies have announced in recent weeks that they would be culling Ivanka Trumps brand. Others have faced pressure from left-leaning groups to drop other Trump-family products. In response, conservative voters who say they are tired of the negativity surrounding the new president are staging their own boycotts against mainstream retailers. Its difficult to gauge how widespread these efforts are, or whether they will inspire real change, but stories about them are bubbling up. The movement gained steam this month when Nordstrom dropped Ivanka Trumps clothing and shoes from its stores after a period of declining sales. Soon after that, Kmart and Sears, also citing slow sales, announced they would be removing some Trump-branded products from their websites. There were reports that Marshalls and TJ Maxx had instructed employees to remove Ivanka Trump signs from store racks, although her clothing is still on sale there. The first five weeks of Trumps presidency have been marked by political polarization that has only deepened in the aftermath of a historic, contentious election. It has stirred a spirit of activism for Americans who say they are trying to make a difference where they can and that increasingly means making deliberate choices about where they shop and what they buy. Boycotts are nothing new theyve literally been around forever but were seeing retail become more of a bully pulpit, said Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia Business School. How are consumers showing their disappointment? Some are demonstrating, others are spending a fair amount of time complaining. Many are voting with their wallets. When TJ Maxx tries to make a statement against the presidents family, that to me is just unnecessary, Rachel Veazey says. (Shawn Poynter/For The Washington Post) Back at Neiman Marcus, Carson is telling the manager that she intends to do just that. It didnt bother her so much when Macys dropped President Trumps suits, shirts and ties two summers ago after he called Mexican immigrants killers and rapists. But something about this recent round of cancellations, she says, struck a chord. There is just so much negativity in the country right now, she says. Everything has become political. The manager assures Carson that a few Neiman Marcus stores still carry Ivanka Trump jewelry, so she decides to hold onto her credit card for now. But if that changes, Ill be back to ask more questions, she says. Im going to keep my eye on this. There are a lot of us A few days later, Carson is back at the mall. Its Sunday afternoon, just after church, and she sees something that startles her: a T-shirt that says F*** America prominently displayed in a store entrance. She walks in and asks the manager to remove it. Its not appropriate, she says. When he refuses its his opinion against hers, he tells her she enlists the malls management. The shirt is removed. These bursts of negativity and displays of hatred, as she sees them, have been mounting since before the election. Then came Trumps victory and with it, swift backlash from the left. Take, for instance, the Womens March on Washington the day after the inauguration. Carson read up on it online. I could not believe the reasons they were doing this, she said. It was like, you know, pro-abortion and Im sorry, Im Catholic, Im a little religious and old-fashioned. When her longtime yoga teacher sent an email offering $5 classes before the march, Carson wrote back and told her she would no longer attend the studio. I was very nice, very congenial, she said. But what did she think: If she gives me $10 off one yoga lesson, Im going to go and march with her in the Womens March? Im sorry, but that, to me, isnt doing business. The way she sees it, retailers are only listening to one side when they shed Trump-branded products. The Grab Your Wallet campaign, which encourages widespread boycotts of companies that carry Trump brands, has dominated the news, she says. Her hope is her counteractions credit card cancellations and store boycotts will show retailers that conservative shoppers have spending power, too. [The woman behind the boycott that is pressuring retailers to dump the Trumps] And she isnt alone. A number of Trump voters mostly longtime Republicans said they had taken similar actions in recent weeks. Many had never been politically active before but said they felt a sense of urgency now. They werent represented in the mainstream media, they said, and increasingly felt their influence in other areas slipping, too. It felt important to band together. Business women, educated women like me, we voted for Trump, said a 51-year-old Iranian immigrant who lives in Los Angeles. Thats what these stores dont understand. There are a lot of us, and we like to shop. The woman, a registered Democrat, spoke on the condition of anonymity because she feared backlash at her financial services job. When Nordstrom announced they were getting rid of Ivankas brand, that was a deal-breaker for me, she said, adding that she owns about 25 pieces of clothing and at least eight pairs of shoes from Ivanka Trumps line. If management is going to be so narrow-minded, Im just not going to shop there anymore. Nordstrom says its decision to drop the brand was based on plummeting sales, not politics. Company documents obtained by the Wall Street Journal showed that sales of Ivanka Trump clothing and shoes fell more than 70 percent in the weeks before the presidential election. Each year we cut about 10 percent [of brands] and refresh our assortment with about the same amount, the company said. In this case, based on the brands performance, weve decided not to buy it for this season. [Nordstrom drops Ivanka Trump-branded clothing and shoes] There are small signs that the campaign is working. Ivanka Trumps perfume skyrocketed to the top of Amazon.coms best-selling fragrances as the presidents supporters looked to make their mark. (Jeffrey P. Bezos, the chief executive of Amazon, owns The Washington Post.) I bought this perfume in support of Ivanka Trump, a user named D. Watts wrote in an Amazon review. I had no idea how it smelled. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised and I LOVE it!! The fact is that the conservative woman also has a huge, huge influence on spending, said Tammy Witt OConnor of Oxford, Mich., who put her Nordstrom Rewards card through the shredder after she heard the company had dropped Ivanka Trumps line. For these retail brands to not realize that is shocking to me. I want retailers to be aware that there are consequences on both sides. Rachel Veazey does, too. She used to shop at TJ Maxx at least three times a week. In a typical month, she spent $1,000 buying clothing, furniture and home wares at the store. No longer. When TJ Maxx tries to make a statement against the presidents family, that to me is just unnecessary, said Veazey, a registered Republican from Cleveland, Tenn., who backed President Trump from the beginning. Its really cramped my style, she said last week, but youve got to stand by your principles. Ive resisted the temptation to go. But a few days later, she wrote on Facebook, TJ Maxx had lured her back. The mother ship called and I had a moment of weakness, she posted online, alongside a selfie of herself outside her favorite store. I broke down and went in, she said. I mean, $24 for a nice dress? I just couldnt resist. Gosh, Im not a very good boycotter. But, she added, Im trying. Polarized consumption In terms of large-scale influence, analysts say its unlikely boycotts will make or break mainstream retailers. Its too soon to tell, for example, whether Nordstroms earnings will be affected by the political firestorm. Nordstroms president on Thursday said its not really discernible one way or the other whether a tweet by President Trump chastizing Nordstrom for treating his daughter so unfairly had affected sales. Hobby Lobby, Chick-fil-A and Target have been the subject of protests in recent years, but all three are still in business, said Paula Rosenblum, managing partner of Retail Systems Research in Miami. Were in such a hyper-polarized environment Ive never seen the country this polarized, ever, she said. But even those who intend to make a stand may not stick with it. In the end, convenience overrides everything else, Rosenblum said. [Where does the Ivanka Trump brand go from here?] Mary Carson is not about convenience. Four years ago, after shed overcome cancer and endured four rounds of chemotherapy, Carson found she had lost all feeling in her hands and feet. For three years, doctors told her the sensation would come back. And then one day, a doctor told her to suck it up and accept that it wouldnt. I looked at him and I thought, thats rude, Carson recalled. But you know what? That turned out to be the best lesson I ever had. I sucked it up and accepted it. Im alive. If the nation would suck it up this is our president now, just accept it we would all be in a better place today. Carson, who once was a Democrat, says its important to note that she bristles at the presidents style. (She declined to discuss his policies.) When the Trump campaign called asking for money during the election, Carson said she wanted to offer a message to the nominee instead: Tell him if I was his mother, Id wash his mouth out with soap. He has to learn to stop lashing out. But still, she says, the media are focusing only on the bad. She is toying with canceling her 50-year subscription to The Washington Post, which she reads each morning, along with USA Today and the Fredericksburg (Va.) Free Lance-Star. Everyone seems to be against the president, Carson says. There have been leaders she hasnt agreed with, but shes never made a fuss. (Jhaan Elker/The Washington Post) But now she says shes holding companies accountable and rallying her friends, too. A couple of weeks ago, after returning her credit card at Nordstrom, Carson posted to her Facebook page: Feel like a load is off my back!!!! Twenty-five friends liked her update. Many wrote back saying that they had done the same, or that they planned to. Read more: This beloved grocery chain is the latest company to face Trump-related boycotts French manicures, Bud Light and fly-fishing: How Trump staffers are changing Washington An uneasy union: Couples are getting cold feet about weddings at Trumps hotel On a flat stretch of road on the southeast edge of Little Rock sits the sand-colored Sri Radha Madhav Welspun Temple, a place of Hindu worship by the Arkansas River. The temples Facebook page shows a room behind heavy brown front doors where visitors can offer prayers to a pair of small figures draped in flowers. Now it seems as though President Trump might answer those prayers. Trump has pledged to give a green light to new oil and gas pipeline projects such as the Keystone XL as long as they use U.S.-made steel pipelines. And down the road from the temple sits row upon row of steel pipe stacked on the grounds of Welspun Tubular, whose name is on the temple and which is a subsidiary of an Indian company that is one of only half a dozen manufacturers of large-diameter steel pipe in the United States. I said, Who makes the pipes for the pipeline? Trump recounted Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference in National Harbor. Well, sir, it comes from all over the world; isnt that wonderful? I said, Nope, comes from the United States, or were not building it. American steel. If they want a pipeline in the United States, theyre going to use pipe thats made in the United States. Yet people in the steel and pipeline industries are confused about what Trump means when he says he wants to favor U.S. steel. Raw steel and steel pipelines are different things. Take Welspun Tubular. Is it on Trumps good list or bad? It invested during the depths of the recession and at one point employed as many as 600 people in Little Rock. In May 2010, both Arkansas senators, then-Gov. Mike Beebe and Welspuns top execs gathered to announce yet another investment. (The Washington Post) But Welspun uses steel that comes largely from India, according to industry sources. Last year, with oil and gas prices sagging, it laid off more than 100 people. Welspun did not answer phone calls on Friday. Trump has said he wants to drive a tough bargain with Trans-Canada, the Calgary-based owner of the Keystone pipeline network. Yet TransCanada said in 2013 that it had already purchased all of the steel pipe it needed for the Keystone XL, including half from Welspuns Arkansas plant, 24 percent from a Russian-owned plant in Canada, 16 percent from Italy and 10 percent from India. Its unlikely that Welspun would face much competition. It makes pipes that are 24 to 60 inches in diameter. Most other companies make only smaller steel pipes, used for drilling beneath the waters of the Gulf of Mexico or in the rich shale rock of Pennsylvania. Industry executives said it would require major new capital investments to make new larger-diameter products. And such an investment could be a gamble if an election in four years were to change the pipeline landscape. Still, many makers of raw steel say that Trump could come up with rules that would boost the industry, which is operating at about 72 percent of capacity. Moreover, the United States is currently a net importer of 26 percent of its steel consumption, near-record highs. Supporting domestic steel supports free trade, because we are the lowest-cost producer to our home market, said Michelle Applebaum, a consultant to the steel industry and corporate board member. Others see Trumps vow to erect new barriers as something that will hurt global trade, and some American products. As it is, the United States levies tariffs of 20 to 40 percent on many imported steel products. This may save steel industry jobs, but this may cause very big harm to the steel consuming industry, said Tadaaki Yamaguchi, the president of JFE Steel America, a Japanese company that supplies steel to its sister company in California, which turns that into small-diameter oil industry pipe. Even though the company employs roughly 1,000 U.S. workers, it may not qualify under Trumps plan. Yamaguchi fears that if Trump can impose limits on even private sector projects, he could do the same for other products and industries. I am very afraid of the impact, Yamaguchi said. Bryan Riley, a senior analyst in trade policy at the Heritage Foundation and an advocate for free trade, agreed. Theres certainly a risk that, if the U.S. were to restrict steel imports, then that could make it harder for companies that use steel to be competitive internationally, he said. And others doubt the steel industry will ever return to what it was. Steel is a sector that has been shedding jobs for many decades, and primarily on the back of technology, on the development of new steel furnaces, which are increasingly efficient and automated, said Joshua Meltzer, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution. Meltzer said of Trumps plans: The problem is if you start identifying particular industries that the U.S. should have more of, even though market forces have been trending in the opposite direction for decades, youre basically saying that you want the U.S. economy to incur significant costs to bring back an industry that shouldnt be the equivalent size as it was decades ago. An earlier version of this story incorrectly said Welspun Tubular was the only manufacturer of large-diameter pipes in the United States. There are actually a half dozen or so. The story has been updated. Neil Howe is the author, along with William Strauss, of Generations, The Fourth Turning and Millennials Rising. The headlines this month have been alarming. Steve Bannons obsession with a dark theory of history should be worrisome (Business Insider). Steve Bannon Believes The Apocalypse Is Coming And War Is Inevitable (the Huffington Post). Steve Bannon Wants To Start World War III (the Nation). A common thread in these media reports is that President Trumps chief strategist is an avid reader and that the book that most inspires his worldview is The Fourth Turning: An American Prophecy. I wrote that book with William Strauss back in 1997. It is true that Bannon is enthralled by it. In 2010, he released a documentary, Generation Zero, that is structured around our theory that history in America (and by extension, most other modern societies) unfolds in a recurring cycle of four-generation-long eras. While this cycle does include a time of civic and political crisis a Fourth Turning, in our parlance the reporting on the book has been absurdly apocalyptic. I dont know Bannon well. I have worked with him on several film projects, including Generation Zero, over the years. Ive been impressed by his cultural savvy. His politics, while unusual, never struck me as offensive. I was surprised when he took over the leadership of Breitbart and promoted the views espoused on that site. Like many people, I first learned about the alt-right (a far-right movement with links to Breitbart and a loosely defined white-nationalist agenda) from the mainstream media. Strauss, who died in 2007, and I never told Bannon what to say or think. But we did perhaps provide him with an insight that populism, nationalism and state-run authoritarianism would soon be on the rise, not just in America but around the world. Because we never attempted to write a political manifesto, we were surprised by the books popularity among certain crusaders on both the left and the right. When The Fourth Turning came out, our biggest partisan fans were Democrats, who saw in our description of an emerging Millennial generation (a term we coined) the sort of community-minded optimists who would pull America toward progressive ideals. Yet weve also had conservative fans, who were drawn to another lesson: that the new era would probably see the successful joining of left-wing economics with right-wing social values. (The Washington Post) Beyond ideology, I think theres another reason for the rising interest in our book. We reject the deep premise of modern Western historians that social time is either linear (continuous progress or decline) or chaotic (too complex to reveal any direction). Instead we adopt the insight of nearly all traditional societies: that social time is a recurring cycle in which events become meaningful only to the extent that they are what philosopher Mircea Eliade calls reenactments. In cyclical space, once you strip away the extraneous accidents and technology, you are left with only a limited number of social moods, which tend to recur in a fixed order. Along this cycle, we can identify four turnings that each last about 20 years the length of a generation. Think of these as recurring seasons, starting with spring and ending with winter. In every turning, a new generation is born and each older generation ages into its next phase of life. The cycle begins with the First Turning, a High which comes after a crisis era. In a High, institutions are strong and individualism is weak. Society is confident about where it wants to go collectively, even if many feel stifled by the prevailing conformity. Many Americans alive today can recall the post-World War II American High (historian William ONeills term), coinciding with the Truman, Eisenhower and Kennedy presidencies. Earlier examples are the post-Civil War Victorian High of industrial growth and stable families, and the post-Constitution High of Democratic Republicanism and Era of Good Feelings. The Second Turning is an Awakening, when institutions are attacked in the name of higher principles and deeper values. Just when society is hitting its high tide of public progress, people suddenly tire of all the social discipline and want to recapture a sense of personal authenticity. Salvation by faith, not works, is the youth rallying cry. One such era was the Consciousness Revolution of the late 1960s and 1970s. Some historians call this Americas Fourth or Fifth Great Awakening, depending on whether they start the count in the 17th century with John Winthrop or the 18th century with Jonathan Edwards. The Third Turning is an Unraveling, in many ways the opposite of the High. Institutions are weak and distrusted, while individualism is strong and flourishing. Third Turning decades such as the 1990s, the 1920s and the 1850s are notorious for their cynicism, bad manners and weak civic authority. Government typically shrinks, and speculative manias, when they occur, are delirious. Finally, the Fourth Turning is a Crisis period. This is when our institutional life is reconstructed from the ground up, always in response to a perceived threat to the nations very survival. If history does not produce such an urgent threat, Fourth Turning leaders will invariably find one and may even fabricate one to mobilize collective action. Civic authority revives, and people and groups begin to pitch in as participants in a larger community. As these Promethean bursts of civic effort reach their resolution, Fourth Turnings refresh and redefine our national identity. The years 1945, 1865 and 1794 all capped eras constituting new founding moments in American history. Just as a Second Turning reshapes our inner world (of values, culture and religion), a Fourth Turning reshapes our outer world (of politics, economy and empire). In our paradigm, one can look ahead and suggest that a coming time period say, a certain decade will resemble, in its essential human dynamic, a time period in the past. In The Fourth Turning, we predicted that, starting around 2005, America would probably experience a Great Devaluation in financial markets, a catalyst that would mark Americas entry into an era whose first decade would likely parallel the 1930s. Reflecting on the decade weve just lived through, we can probably agree that the 1930s parallel works well. In the economy, both decades played out in the shadow of a global financial crash, and were characterized by slow and disappointing economic growth and chronic underemployment of labor and capital. Both saw tepid investment, deflation fears, growing inequality and the inability of central bankers to rekindle consumption. In geopolitics, weve witnessed the rise of isolationism, nationalism and right-wing populism across the globe. Geostrategist Ian Bremmer says we now live in a G-Zero world, where its every nation for itself. This story echoes the 1930s, which witnessed the waning authority of great-power alliances and a new willingness by authoritarian regimes to act with terrifying impunity. In social trends, the two decades also show parallels: falling rates of fertility and homeownership, the rise of multi-generational households, the spread of localism and community identification, a dramatic decline in youth violence (a fact that apparently has eluded the president), and a blanding of pop youth culture. Above all, we sense a growing desire among voters around the world for leaders to assert greater authority and deliver deeds rather than process, results rather than abstractions. We live in an increasingly volatile and primal era, in which history is speeding up and liberal democracy is weakening. As Vladimir Lenin wrote, In some decades, nothing happens; in some weeks, decades happen. Get ready for the creative destruction of public institutions, something every society periodically requires to clear out what is obsolete, ossified and dysfunctional and to tilt the playing field of wealth and power away from the old and back to the young. Forests need periodic fires; rivers need periodic floods. Societies, too. Thats the price we must pay for a new golden age. If we look at the broader rhythms of history, we have reason to be heartened, not discouraged, by these trends. Anglo-American history over the past several centuries has experienced civic crises in a fairly regular cycle, about every 80 or 90 years, or roughly the length of a long human life. This pattern reveals itself in the intervals separating the colonial Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, the Civil War, and the Great Depression and World War II. Fast-forward the length of a long human life from the 1930s, and we end up where we are today. America entered a new Fourth Turning in 2008. It is likely to last until around 2030. Our paradigm suggests that current trends will deepen as we move toward the halfway point. Further adverse events, possibly another financial crisis or a major armed conflict, will galvanize public opinion and mobilize leaders to take more decisive action. Rising regionalism and nationalism around the world could lead to the fragmentation of major political entities (perhaps the European Union) and the outbreak of hostilities (perhaps in the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, the Baltic states or the Persian Gulf). Despite a new tilt toward isolationism, the United States could find itself at war. I certainly do not hope for war. I simply make a sobering observation: Every total war in U.S. history has occurred during a Fourth Turning, and no Fourth Turning has yet unfolded without one. Americas objectives in such a war are likely to be defined very broadly. At the end of the 2020s, the Fourth Turning crisis era will climax and draw to a close. Settlements will be negotiated, treaties will be signed, new borders will be drawn, and perhaps (as in the late 1940s) a new durable world order will be created. Perhaps as well, by the early 2030s, we will enter a new First Turning: Young families will rejoice, fertility will rebound, economic equality will rise, a new middle class will emerge, public investment will grow into a new 21st-century infrastructure, and ordered prosperity will recommence. During the next First Turning, potentially the next American High, millennials will move into national leadership and showcase their optimism, smarts, credentials and confidence. Sometime in the late 2030s, the first millennial will be voted into the White House, prompting talk of a new Camelot moment. Let a few more years pass, and those organization-minded millennials may face a passionate and utterly unexpected onslaught from a new crop of youth. Welcome to the next Awakening. The cycle of history keeps turning, inexorably. Neil Howe is the author, along with William Strauss, of Generations, The Fourth Turning and Millennials Rising. Philip Glass is being feted with Glass@80 celebrations all over the world this year. (Fernando Aceves) Philip Glass, the most famous and among the most-performed of living composers, turned 80 in January, and the year is being feted with Glass@80 celebrations all over the world. And yet, Glass remains a maverick; much of his music remains little-known, and many serious music lovers are convinced they dont like it. And few of those birthday celebrations are at the major cultural institutions in the country of his birth. The Kennedy Center? The National Symphony Orchestra? The Boston Symphony Orchestra or the New York Philharmonic? Look again. Theres a lot of people that think they dont like that, says the conductor Dennis Russell Davies, without knowing what that is. [Music of our time: Washington Chorus offers monumental Glass symphony.] Davies, 72, knows well what that is. He is the conductor who knows Glasss work better than anyone. Indeed, he is in no small part responsible for Glasss evolution, over the second half of his career, as a composer of symphonic music and operas. He conducted the world premiere of Glasss first symphony in 1992, when the composer was already in his 50s, and commissioned and premiered many of the next ones, up to and including the 11th, which had its premiere at Carnegie Hall on Jan. 31, the day of Glasss birth. Dennis Russell Davies. (Reinhard Winkler) And like Glass, Davies who is coming to Washington Sunday with his wife for a duo piano recital at the Phillips Collection under the Glass@80 rubric is perhaps not well understood by U.S. audiences. Hes thought of as a chamber music conductor, and a new-music guy not least because he founded the American Composers Orchestra in the 1970s. Yet he has also done outstanding work with the traditional canon. Take his recorded symphonic cycles. Ive now recorded all of the Haydns, he says, all of the Bruckners, in every version were the only orchestra and Im the only conductor thats ever done that Honegger, Schubert, and Philip Glass. He adds, with a smile, I probably have a fairly unique recording background. A rep for repetition How can someone as famous and prolific as Glass be so misunderstood? Its not just a question of whether you like the music, or think you like it; its a question of knowing that it exists. Although Glass has written 11 symphonies, Davies says that when a major American orchestra was recently approached about performing Glass, the response was, But he doesnt write symphonies. Theres no question that Glasss symphonic music has undergone a considerable evolution since the first, Low Symphony, based on the David Bowie album of the same name. When Philip started writing orchestral music, he wasnt as skilled as he is now by a long shot, Davies observes. He had the sound, but practical things, like how to help instrumentalists get through long stretches of doing similar things, took longer to emerge. But, he says, Starting with the 2nd symphony, its a unique sound; he has his language. Theres a nice saying, similar to what used to be said about Mozart: Its too easy for the amateur and too difficult for the professional, Davies adds. With Philip, [its] being able to play in tune accurately [and] be expressive with a minimum of virtuosic intention. [Appomattox: a superb night at the opera.] Philip Glass. (Raymond Meier) The rap on Glass, particularly from those who dont know his music well, is that it simply repeats over and over, and verges on the banal and is very hard to play. One musician has recently expressed how even the repetitions of the earlier work, approached with seriousness, can become revelatory. In her compelling, biting, and often painful memoir The Skin Above My Knee, published this month, the oboist Marcia Butler writes about her experience playing the opera White Raven in 1991. It makes you start to think about how the whole world is one enormous repeat, she writes. And you begin to develop a fascination with fractals and perfect proportions and certain colors like red and the golden mean and even the universal elements of the solar system that seem to hold the whole earth up and simultaneously keep it spinning. And repeating feels fundamental and natural and a God-given right. In a memoir that pulls no punches when it comes to unflattering portraits of musical figures, Butler reserves high praise for Davies, although she does not name him. This maestro is Gods gift to musicians, she writes. He uses his body parts to guide you and the world through this music. . . . His fingers tell you one thing, and later his elbows tell you something else. And when he uses his whole arm, it shows you something completely different. And he can change it up at will. Somehow, you know just what he wants. She adds, And when people do mess up their repeats, he just smiles. You want to play perfectly for him, because he is such a gentleman about the mistakes. So why isnt Davies better known? In part because he left for Europe in the 1980s. Pigeonholing was an American sport, he says, and I wasnt interested. And in part, perhaps, because hes been more interested in focusing on developing his own orchestras than in playing the guest-conductor game of going around to U.S. orchestras leading the traditional repertory. And, work conditions in Europe have had a significant influence on the music hes commissioned from Glass. Take Symphony No. 11. We didnt put limits on the instrumentation or length of the piece, Davies says, all those things American composers [for American orchestras] are forced to deal with. Europe has some issues, but I still live on Treasure Island over there. . . . We have enough rehearsals to deal with the program were doing. Its a shoe box [in the United States]: a certain number of rehearsals, and then the concert. Its understandable, but it gets in the way of the creative process sometimes. So, when Glass came over to work with the orchestra on the symphony in early January, he decided, after three days of rehearsals, that he needed to rewrite the ending. He was right; it paid off, Davies says. It suddenly became much more difficult to play and conduct, but it ripped the audience right out of their seats. That rewrite wouldnt have been possible on a U.S. orchestras rehearsal schedule. [Contemporary classical: a primer.] Davies has had significant input on a lot of Glasss work over the decades. I know theres a real substance to what hes going to bring, he says, and he knows Im going to bring a critical point of view to it that he can trust. Were able to talk right down to the structure of the piece itself. Maki Namekawa. (Wolfgang Winkler ) Its audible in the symphonic music like the 5th Symphony, dedicated to Davies, which the Washington Chorus recently performed in the District. Its also audible in the piano music. Glass wrote the first six of his 20 piano etudes for Davies, 20 years ago. That language has developed, Davies observes. The last 10 etudes were written for Maki Namekawa, Daviess wife, a former student of Pierre-Laurent Aimard, who has made something of a calling card of performing the whole cycle. Glass told me this is the way he really loves to present to the audience, Namekawa says. To talk to the audience. Like reading poems. His pieces are very strong sentences. Im feeling like Im reading a poem for the audience. Its a beautiful moment; its really special. And you can hear it in Four Movements for Two Pianos, which Glass wrote for the couple whose duo concerts have been acclaimed by aficionados for many years in 2008, and which they will play at the culmination of their Phillips recital. Its [Glasss] instrument, Davies says of the piano. But as he says, now that hes been involved with Maki and myself, his piano writing has become more difficult. He doesnt have the ambition to play it himself; he wants to challenge us. He cant do any more to promote Glasss music than hes already done. But as to gaining wider recognition for what Glass is really about, he can only be hopeful. There are signs that some orchestras are beginning to take note: The New York Philharmonic, for instance, is offering Glasss concerto for two pianos next season. Theyre important American pieces, Davies says of Glasss symphonic work. I hope people will take a look at them. Dennis Russell Davies and Maki Namekawa will play Shostakovichs Concertino for Two Pianos in A Minor, Stravinskys Le Sacre du Printemps, Schwertsiks Incidental Music to Macbeth and Glasss Four Movements for Two Pianos on Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Phillips Collection. The spareribs at Federalist Pig, a new joint in Adams Morgan. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) A roll of butcher paper hangs next to the touch-screen register at Federalist Pig. The thick, porous paper, frequently used to wrap briskets during the final hours of their smoke bath, serves a more thankless task at pitmaster Rob Sondermans new barbecue joint: It lists the meats and sides that have sold out for the night. Some days, the list reads like an obit page, in which a few of your dearest friends have made the transition to the big smokehouse in the sky. One Sunday, I walked into Federalist Pig and was confronted by the evenings casualties: brisket, chicken, coleslaw, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Did the Huns just storm Adams Morgan? As disheartening as this death watch may be, the 86d list is evidence that Federalist Pig is that rare D.C. barbecue emporium that favors quality over quantity. The place serves smoked meats till theyre gone, even if theyre gone by 8 p.m., the dinner hour for many in this hard-working town. Its an approach that acknowledges the limitations of low-and-slow barbecue, with its inherent scarcity. A pitmaster of Sondermans skill can do a lot to generate demand for his product, but he cant defy the laws of food chemistry. He cant smoke a 16-pound brisket to order just because someone demands a platter of fatty-end beef at any hour of the day. In short, if you want to sample some of the finest barbecue in Washington, you better get to Federalist Pig early, before the place turns off its jaundiced yellow lights for the evening. Adjust your dinner schedules accordingly. [At DCity Smokehouse, the finest barbecue in town, from a chefs hands] Rob Sonderman, center, who left DCity Smokehouse when it was the best barbecue joint in Washington, is a partner at Federalist Pig. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) Federalist Pig is a different animal from Sondermans last pit stop, DCity Smokehouse, that former shoe box on Florida Avenue NW, where the pitmaster and his crew were burning only hardwoods to produce barbecue of often exceptional quality. At Federalist Pig a joint project with Sonderman; Steve Salis, co-founder and former chief executive of &pizza; and Steven Thornton, former chief operating officer for Nandos Peri-Peri the partners were forced to install a gas-enhanced Southern Pride smoker when their insurance company wouldnt allow an all-wood unit. Sonderman accepted the change of smokers as more of a challenge than a setback, even if, in the small, obsessive world of serious barbecue, these gas-assist ovens will mark you as a traitor to the pitmaster tradition. Sonderman decided to adapt the machine into a wood-burning smoker, a modification that one local pitmaster privately told me couldnt be done. The machine, I was informed, cant reach the temperatures needed when burning only wood. This turned out to be #fakenews. Sondermans machine burns plenty hot, even when he and overnight pitmaster Desmon Demar pack it with briskets and whole pork shoulders. Which isnt to say Sonderman hasnt battled his new oven. He initially tried to burn fruit woods in the smoker, but the more exotic logs, including persimmon and honey locust, didnt produce the quality of smoke necessary to perfume the meats. Sonderman now relies on red oak, white oak and pecan woods for his cooks. An overflowing "Texas Ranger" sandwich of sliced brisket and crispy onions. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) So what does all of this geekery say about Sonderman? It says this is a pitmaster decidedly not interested in the convenience of a gas-assist oven. Sonderman is deploying every trick he knows to produce barbecue at the same level he achieved at DCity more than a year ago, when I considered him the Districts finest pitman. Hes not there yet, but his dedication to the craft still places him near the top of the local pitmaster pecking order, especially now that Matt Lang has left Texas Jacks. Sonderman has changed every recipe from his DCity days, playing up the spicier side of his personality in the process. His brisket growls with two different grinds of black pepper. His chicken wings and spareribs crank up the chili powders, but with enough sweet counterpoints to ensure the meats remain on this side of the Jamaican jerk dividing line. Sonderman puts a spicy edge on numerous items, whether his pickle chips or his special side of Mexican-style hominy, which comes spiked with green chiles. Even his faux cue sandwich (an ever-changing stack of smoky vegetables, crispy onions and more) pushes a nuclear agenda. If theres a recurring issue at Federalist Pig, its this disconnect between what you see and what you smell and taste. Piled onto a jellyroll pan, Sondermans barbecue tantalizes the eye with glistening slices of jiggly brisket; with dark and lacquered rib bones; with chopped pork stacked high on a seeded bun and topped with a sprinkling of crispy pig skin. Yet time and again, these plates come up short on the sniff test: The meats regularly lack the deep smoky flavor that their sultry, almost cinematic glamour would suggest. It seems clear that, even when burning only hardwoods, Sondermans Southern Pride unit has trouble perfuming meat to the pitmasters previous standards. People line up to order at Federalist Pig. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) The vegetarian sandwich includes double-stacked smoked mushrooms, spicy pickles, crispy onions, melted cheese, aioli and barbecue sauce, served here with potato salad. (Dayna Smith/For The Washington Post) Smoke penetration aside, there is much to admire about Federalist Pig. The chopped pork, prepared from a whole bone-in shoulder and topped with pigskin croutons, may be the closest thing Washington has to North Carolina-style whole-hog barbecue. The succulent turkey breast, smoked and held in warmed butter, almost begs for reclassification: Confit barbecue? The spareribs borrow from Memphis traditions but are uniquely Sondermans: After their initial smoke, the bones are glazed with sugar and apple cider vinegar, then popped under a broiler until crusty before a final shake of seasoning. Right now, the ribs are superior to Sondermans brisket, which remains a work in progress. The sandwich menu at Federalist Pig is more focused than Sondermans old one at DCity, although it is just as committed to pushing the limits of human anatomy and our ability to wrap our jaws around these big, bread-based bites. Two sandwiches, the Club and the Jive Turkey, deserve special mention for their ability to surround the smoked meats with enough decadent flavors to make ordering turkey not an act of defiance. Add a side of smoked cheddar mac-and-cheese or crisp, salty fries, and you no longer look like the nutritional nerd who orders turkey at a smokehouse. (Although your beer chaser will have to wait until next month, when the restaurant expects to get its liquor license.) Theres one other benefit to taking a chance on turkey at Federalist Pig: It never seems to appear on the list of barbecue casualties. Remember when restaurant wine by-the-glass selections were limited to red, white and pink? If you were born in the 1950s, you probably do. Then we became a wine-loving nation that craved variety, and restaurants responded by offering more wines by the glass. It was a great way to try something new without committing to an entire bottle. We could drink something interesting with our appetizers before enjoying a main-event bottle with the entrees, or improvise a flight of different wines to match dishes throughout the meal. Star Wavra, co-owner of Field & Main in Marshall, Va., draws a glass of the house red blended at Early Mountain Vineyards. (Neal Wavra) Of course, we kvetched about the cost. Twenty dollars or more for a glass of wine? Well, yes, if its a top-flight Burgundy or California cabernet. But still, that adds up. Once again, restaurants responded, by offering more wines on tap. I first wrote about tap wines six years ago when they began to appear in Washington-area restaurants. Today, the tap wine market keeps expanding, with more high-quality wines being marketed exclusively in this format for restaurant sales. Heres why you should care, and why you should seek out tap wines when you dine out. The primary reasons are cost and freshness. A standard bottle (750 milliliters, or 24.5 ounces) holds about five 5-ounce glasses, or four 6-ounce pours. Restaurants typically price a glass of wine at just under the wholesale cost of the bottle. That way, if they only sell one glass and have to pour the rest out, they pretty much break even. The rest is profit. But you dont know whether the bottle theyre pouring from was opened two minutes or two days ago. A 20-liter keg, on the other hand, cuts the cost of production by eliminating 26 bottles, the labels, foils and corks. Shipping is also cheaper, because kegs are lighter than the total weight of all those bottles. The kegs are either stainless steel, which are returned to the winery for reuse, or recyclable plastic with a collapsible aluminum bag inside to protect the wine. The packaging keeps the last glass of the keg as fresh as the first. I became convinced recently when I tasted a pinot noir from Peregrine Ranch, a Sonoma County winery that sells wines exclusively in kegs for restaurants. The wine, grown on Sonoma Mountain, was delicious and velvety, with cherry and raspberry flavors accented by smoke. It was easily the equal of other California pinots costing $30 or more a bottle. Yet at $265 a keg, it costs a restaurant the equivalent of about $10 a bottle or $15 or so at retail. At Roofers Union in Adams Morgan, you can buy a glass of the Peregrine Ranch pinot for $12, a half-liter carafe for $24, a 750-milliliter bottle for $40 or a half-gallon jug for $85 (or half price for jugs on Wednesdays). General Manager Dave Delaplaine keeps eight wines on tap. One of his current favorites is a Tocai from Millbrook winery in New Yorks Hudson Valley. These are not wines for cellaring. The idea is to find wines that are true to type, but since they are for by-the-glass, they should be easy drinking, says Jocelyn Cambier, a French-born importer specializing in wines in kegs for restaurants and bag-in-box for retail. In France we say they are easy to digest: You finish a glass and you want another, or else you get hungry and start ordering food. Cambiers company, Tapwines.com, works through an Ashland, Va., distributor called Tap 26. It carries Peregrine Ranch. When keg wines started, people were taking bulk wine, putting it in kegs and slapping any label on it, says Jeff Meyer, owner of Vintap-Peregrine Ranch, a company that farms nearly 400 acres of grapes in Sonoma County. Meyer decided to enter the keg market five years ago so he wouldnt be competing directly against wineries that purchase his fruit. Plus, he saw an opening for a market niche. If I took bottles into Fog City Diner in San Francisco, Id be up against an awful lot of competition, Meyer said in a telephone interview. But there were not a lot of people offering Sonoma Mountain pinot noir in kegs. The keg market offers an opportunity for local wineries to enter the restaurant market as well. Winemaker Michael Shaps sells several wines on tap through his Virginia Wineworks label. Marylands Old Westminster winery sells wine in kegs to Parts & Labor in Baltimore, Aida Bistro in Columbia, Market Tavern in Sykesville and Eno wine bar in Georgetown. When Neal and Star Wavra opened Field & Main in Marshall, Va., last fall, they offered three wines on tap that Neal Wavra helped blend at Virginias Early Mountain Vineyards. So far, those house wines on tap account for 10 percent of their by-the-glass sales. Better variety, better value and environmentally friendly. Three more reasons to enjoy wine by the glass or carafe on your next evening out. The painting A Cook for George Washington might be of Hercules, but he is not named. (Gilbert Stuart/Copyright Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, Madrid) Portrait of Geroge Washington by Charles Willson Peale. (Mount Vernon Ladies' Association) The following is an excerpt from The Presidents Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, From the Washingtons to the Obamas (University of North Carolina Press, 2017). You know, the White House is really modeled after a plantation big house. Former White House executive chef Walter Scheib startled me when he said this in 2010. It wasnt because of concerns over the accuracy and clarity of his statement, but because he said it to someone he really didnt know. Thats just one of the reasons why, since his tragic death, I really miss the chance to delve more deeply with him into the complicated racial history of the presidential kitchen. Just like the white paint that is periodically applied to the White House exterior to cover up the scorch marks left when the British set the building afire in late August 1814, the retelling of White House history frequently masks the stain of slavery. This is maddening stuff given how deeply the legacy of slavery permeates the building, its grounds and the entire city. Washington was carved out of swampland from two slaving states (Maryland and Virginia), the land was donated by planters who were enriched by tobacco slave labor, slave labor was used to construct the building, and slaveholding presidents and enslaved people lived and worked there. [Got questions about African American cooks in the White House? Join author Adrian Miller for our live chat with readers on Wednesday at noon.] Black hands enslaved and free wove the fabric of social life in the nations capital, and black people, widely considered by whites as inherently bred for servitude, were integral to cementing a white familys social status as an elite household. Our presidential families were no exception, which means that slave labor powered the White House kitchen and nourished our presidents. That power might have been strongest with Hercules (nicknamed Uncle Harkles), the enslaved cook for President George Washington and the first example of what I have dubbed the presidents Kitchen Cabinet, a series of African Americans who have worked in food service for every First Family since. After experimenting with a couple of white cooks, President Washington summoned Hercules from Mount Vernon and installed him as his presidential cook in Philadelphia. George Washingtons stepgrandson, George Washington Parke Custis, did history a great service by paying some attention to Herculess culinary skill, professionalism, resourcefulness and personality at a time when enslaved people were generally ignored. Some researchers and writers, most recently and notably food critic Craig LaBan of the Philadelphia Inquirer, use Custiss historical sketch as a starting point and have provided additional details to paint a more complete picture of Herculess life. East Front of Mount Vernon, a painting attributed to Edward Savage, ca. 1787-1792. (George Washington's Mount Vernon) Hercules, because of his name, may have been a big child when he was born circa 1753. Custis wrote of Hercules in his memoirs, He was a dark brown man, little, if any, above the usual size, yet possessed of such great muscular power as to entitle him to be compared with his namesake of fabulous history. Being named after the strong man in the center of Greek and Roman mythology wasnt unusual for the times because American elites were going through a deep wave of neoclassical nostalgia for ancient Rome and Athens. Theres another interesting cultural confluence. As slavery historian Peter H. Wood explains, The most frequent biblical and classical names accepted among slaves will reveal that they often resemble African words. . . . One reason that the name Hercules often pronounced and spelled Hekles was applied to strong slaves may well be the fact that heke in Sierra Leone was the Mende noun meaning a large wild animal. Thus, the Uncle Harkles nickname could have been less a bad pronunciation of the name Hercules and more about the appropriation of an African word. Adrian Millers book. (The University of North Carolina Press) Washington purchased a teenage Hercules in 1767 while the latter worked as a ferryman. When Hercules arrived at Mount Vernon, Washington had several home improvement projects underway. Washington added Hercules to his workforce that included slaves he had inherited from his father, slaves he had acquired when he married Martha Dandridge, slaves he had purchased and slaves loaned to him from neighboring slave owners. At some point, Washington transferred Hercules from ferrying boats to cooking in the Mount Vernon kitchen under the direction of Old Doll, the plantations chief cook, a slave he had acquired when he married Martha. Its not clear when he got promoted, but Hercules eventually took Old Dolls place in the kitchen. By the time that Hercules took over, the kitchen had been fully renovated and updated. Using what appeared to be the latest cooking equipment and technology and an abundant larder from the surrounding countryside, Hercules honed his culinary skills and unwittingly prepared for his presidential moment. Hercules was 36 when he arrived in Philadelphia to cook in the Executive Mansion. He worked with a team of eight people: presidential steward Samuel Fraunces, some assistant cooks (including his own enslaved teenage son Richmond), and several waiters. He cooked in a large hearth, a fireplace filled with cooking equipment. That involved starting and tending a fire, operating equipment that was either suspended over the fire or on the floor in front of the fire, or sometimes cooking food in the ashes. Such cooking is difficult and dangerous, but, according to Custis, Hercules excelled at it. He was, at the period of the first presidency, as highly accomplished a proficient in the culinary art as could be found in the United States, Custis wrote. No recipes known to be attributable to Hercules survive, and there are few descriptions of the meals that he made for Washington during his time in Philadelphia from 1791 to 1797 a curious fact given Washingtons celebrity status. Fortunately, one Washington biographer found this reference to one of those meals: Bradbury gives the menu of a dinner at which he was, where there was an elegant variety of roast beef, veal, turkey, ducks, fowls, hams, &c.; puddings, jellies, oranges, apples, nuts, almonds, figs, raisins, and a variety of wines and punches. A statue of George Washington in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. (Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images) If one needs further evidence of culinary prowess, note that President Washington allowed Hercules a unique opportunity to earn additional income. As LaBan notes, Most telling . . . was allowing Hercules the right to sell the kitchen slops the remaining animal skins, used tea leaves, and rendered tallow that would have been compost on the plantation. In the city, these were lucrative leftovers, an income-producing perk traditionally bestowed on top chefs. . . . For Hercules that meant annual earnings of up to $200, if Custis is accurate, as much as the Washingtons paid hired chefs. That would be about $5,000 in todays dollars. Hercules used some of the money to acquire a spectacular wardrobe, and almost every day he walked the Philadelphia streets wearing a blue coat with a velvet collar, a pair of fancy knee-breeches, and shoes with extravagant silver buckles. Thus attired, with a cocked hat upon his head and a gold-headed cane in his hand, he strutted up and down among the beaux and belles until the stroke of the clock reminded him that he must hurry off to the kitchen and prepare the evening meal. Those who watch cooking competition shows and reality shows about restaurants on television probably think of a professional kitchen as a place where arrogant, self-absorbed chefs terrorize line cooks with abusive language and impossible demands. It appears that Hercules was that kind of chef. Custis observed, The chief cook gloried in the cleanliness and nicety of his kitchen. Under his discipline, wo [sic] to his underlings if a speck or spot could be discovered on the tables or dressers, or if the utensils did not shine like polished silver. With the luckless wights who had offended in these particulars there was no arrest of punishment, for judgment and execution went hand in hand. Evidently, Hercules ran a very tight ship: His underlings flew in all directions to execute his orders, while he, the great master-spirit, seemed to possess the power of ubiquity, and to be everywhere at the same time. What made Hercules so demanding? Was it his natural temperament? Was he reacting to a stressful environment? Perhaps it was just learned behavior from Washington, who had a very bad temper, or a combination of all of the above. Whatever the reason, Hercules had the perfect personality to be a demanding chef. Though the Washingtons were pleased with Herculess cooking, having an enslaved chef in Pennsylvania created political and logistical headaches as well as a potential public relations nightmare for them. Annoyingly for Washington, prior to him taking residence in Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania state legislature had enacted the Gradual Abolition Act of 1780. This law freed any enslaved person who stayed on Pennsylvania soil for longer than six continuous months. To skirt the law, Washington decided to send all of his slaves back to Mount Vernon every time the six-month deadline was about to toll. They would stay at the plantation for a few weeks and then return to Philadelphia to restart the freedom clock. Washington surmised that his slaves, especially Hercules, were well aware of the law, and at one point late in his second presidential term, he accused Hercules of plotting to escape. According to Tobias Lear, Hercules was visibly upset that Washington would even suspect him of such betrayal. George Washington retired to Mount Vernon. When his chef, Hercules, dashed for freedom, Washington seethed. (Jeffrey MacMillan/For The Washington Post) Its puzzling that Washington would be concerned about Herculess possible flight, since he had previously granted him some limited freedoms. In addition to Herculess off-the-clock excursions, the presidents expense reports also show that Hercules and other slaves were allowed to go to the circus and the theater by themselves. Hercules certainly could have attempted to get away at any point during these activities but chose not to. Perhaps he refrained because he was aware that the president had signed the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793, which would have forced his return if he escaped and was recaptured anywhere on American soil. Hercules knew he would have only one chance to abscond, if he decided to do so, and he had to make it count. As Washingtons second term came to a close, he prepared for permanent retirement at Mount Vernon. Hercules was growing more desirous for freedom and must have known that the window to escape was closing. He may have been buoyed by the successful flight of Martha Washingtons longtime enslaved maid Oney Judge in April 1796 as well as of a couple of other of Washingtons slaves. However, the fact that some slaves had successfully made their getaway meant that Hercules was being more closely watched. In fact, Washington sought to minimize the risk of Herculess escape by moving him back to Mount Vernon ahead of schedule. As LaBan wrote, The once-trusted chef, also noted for the fine silk clothes of his evening promenades in Philadelphia, suddenly found himself that November in the coarse linens and woolens of a field slave. Hercules was relegated to hard labor alongside others, digging clay for 100,000 bricks, spreading dung, grubbing bushes, and smashing stones into sand to coat the houses on the property, according to farm reports and a November memo from Washington to his farm manager. In early 1797, Hercules dashed for freedom. The conventional wisdom held that he had escaped in Philadelphia before Washington left the city and returned to private life at Mount Vernon. However, some recent historical detective work has caused researchers to reassess that timeline. In reality, Hercules made the gutsy move to leave on Washingtons birthday! Hercules must have shrewdly calculated that all of the activity surrounding the birthday festivities at Mount Vernon would distract others from noticing his absence. The presidents reaction to Herculess escape played out for nearly a year, and he refused to accept that this master-slave relationship had ended. In November 1797, nine months after Hercules had absconded, a still-seething Washington fired off a letter to George Lewis. He wrote, The running off of my Cook, has been a most inconvenient thing to this family; and what renders it more disagreeable, is, that I had resolved never to become the Master of another Slave by purchase; but this resolution I fear I must break. I have endeavored to hire, a black or white, but am not yet supplied. This letter makes Hercules sound indispensable to the Mount Vernon kitchen, but clearly the Washingtons had gone without his cooking before. Recall that Washington had Hercules working in the fields in the weeks prior to his flight. This suggests that the hard labor was temporary punishment to teach Hercules a lesson for thinking about escape while in Philadelphia. In addition, Washington had numerous slaves that he could have forced to cook. Apparently, spite motivated the man whose presidency was a fading memory; running a slave-operated plantation was apparently now his primary occupation. Visitors pose for photos with reenactors dressed as George and Martha Washington at Mount Vernon in 2014. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images) Where did Hercules go? One thing we know for certain is that Hercules never came back to Mount Vernon. Louis-Philippe, a French nobleman and future king of France, visited Mount Vernon a few months after the former chefs flight. Upon meeting Herculess daughter Delia, he wrote in his travel diary, The generals cook ran away, being now in Philadelphia, and left a little daughter of six at Mount Vernon. Beaudoin [Louis-Philippes valet] ventured that the little girl must be deeply upset that she would never see her father again; she answered, Oh! sir, I am very glad, because he is free now. Herculess heart must have ached from being separated from the four children he left behind especially given that we know that his wife had died 10 years earlier but the risk of recapture was greater for an entire family than it was for one person. Perhaps Hercules didnt go that far after all. In 1801, New York Citys mayor, Col. Richard Varick, who happened to be Washingtons former recording secretary, is on record as having spotted Hercules walking around town. Perhaps Hercules, who had not worked for Washington during his time in New York City, thought living there was much safer than hanging out in Philadelphia, where he would more likely be recognized. Varick immediately wrote to Martha Washington to apprise her of his discovery. The Fugitive Slave Act was still the law of the land, and Mrs. Washington could easily have forced Herculess return. But she declined because, by this point, she had already freed his slaves. Hercules had likely gotten news of President Washingtons death and, like the other Mount Vernon slaves, knew that Washington had desired to free them once he died. Varicks report is the last eyewitness account that exists of Hercules. Yet the chefs memory lived on in those who ate his food. In 1850, Margaret Conkling wrote in her memoirs of the Washington dinners that she attended: Hercules, the colored cook, was one of the most finished and renowned dandies of the age in which he flourished, as well as a highly accomplished adept in the mysteries of the important art he so long and so diligently practiced. I like to imagine that Hercules vanished while at the top of his game to acquire something he desired more than fame his freedom. Correction: An earlier version of this story said that Martha Washington had freed her slaves by the time George Washington died. She had freed his slaves upon his death. Miller is the James Beard award-winning author of Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time. He lives in Denver. He will speak about Kitchen Cabinet at Politics and Prose, 5015 Connecticut Ave NW, on Feb. 25 at 3:30 p.m. The White House blocked a number of news organizations from attending an informal briefing Friday, a rare and surprising move that came amid President Trumps escalating war against the media. White House press secretary Sean Spicer banned reporters from CNN, the New York Times, Politico, the Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed from attending a gaggle, a non-televised briefing, but gave access to a number of other reporters, including those representing conservative outlets. The White House said the decision was not made to exclude journalists from organizations that have been the most critical of Trump in their reporting in favor of those who are more favorable. Although the invited included Fox News, Breitbart and the Washington Times all considered sympathetic to the administration the approved list also included CBS, NBC, ABC, the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Time and the Associated Press. However, reporters from AP and Time decided against attending the briefing in protest of the exclusion of other news outlets. The unusual ban came the same day that Trump, appearing at an annual gathering of conservatives, launched another round of complaints about the news media. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Trump called reporters dishonest and fake and denounced the use of anonymous sources in reports about his administration. (C-SPAN) Trump himself has served as an anonymous source on occasion and in the early 1990s occasionally posed as a fake anonymous source to promote himself. His blast about anonymous sourcing came a few hours after senior White House officials demanded anonymity from reporters in a briefing to criticize a CNN report that Chief of Staff Reince Priebus had asked FBI officials to publicly disavow stories about Trump campaign aides contacts with Russian sources. While Trump made lambasting the media a regular feature of his presidential campaign and banned about a dozen news organizations from covering his rallies he seemed to ratchet up his rhetoric last week by tweeting that various news outlets were the enemy of the American people. He repeated that description on Friday in his speech at CPAC. And Late Friday night, Trump kept up his Twitter attack, writing: FAKE NEWS media knowingly doesnt tell the truth. A great danger to our country. The failing @nytimes has become a joke. Likewise @CNN. Sad! By late afternoon, amid widespread outrage among news organizations over the banning of reporters, the White Houses press office suggested that its action wasnt exclusionary. We invited the pool so everyone was represented, deputy press secretary Sarah Sanders wrote in an email. We decided to add a couple of additional people beyond the pool for an expanded pool. Nothing more than that. The pool is a small group of reporters that provides notes and transcripts of meetings with officials to a wider group of journalists. Reporters representing radio, TV, print and wire-service outlets serve in the pool on a rotating basis. Its not unusual for the White House to handpick groups of reporters for some meetings. President Obama, for example, invited select columnists to the White House for off-the-record conversations. It is unusual, if not unprecedented, to have a pool of reporters cover a publicly announced White House briefing. But when Spicer and his deputies decided to expand the pool to include several hand-picked outlets, reporters from outside the group sought inclusion, too and were denied. Sanders did not explain why the White House picked the outlets it did and rejected the others. The selected group included One America News Network, a small, conservative cable network that was founded in 2013 and has given favorable coverage to Trump. Among those excluded was CNN, which on Thursday broke the story of Priebuss contacts with the FBI, and the New York Times, which first reported last week on alleged contacts between Trumps campaign advisers and Russian officials. BuzzFeed, another excluded outlet, was the sole publisher of a 35-page dossier containing unproven allegations about Trump, including supposed compromising personal information. Spicers move was almost immediately denounced by news organizations as unfair and a step toward throttling the press. Its not acceptable, CNN anchor Jake Tapper said on his afternoon program. In fact, its petulant This White House doesnt seem to value a free press. Theres a word for this. The word is un-American. Dean Baquet, editor of the New York Times, protested the decision in a statement that read in part, Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties. . . . Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest. The Washington Post did not have a reporter present at the time of the gaggle. However, Executive Editor Martin Baron said it was appalling that other journalists were blocked. This is an undemocratic path that the administration is traveling, Baron said. There is nothing to be gained from the White House restricting the publics access to information. We are currently evaluating what our response will be if this sort of thing happens again. National Press Club President Jeffrey Ballou said it was deeply disturbing and completely unacceptable that the White House is actively running a campaign against a constitutionally enshrined free and independent press The action harks back to the darkest chapters of U.S. history and reeks of undemocratic, un-American and unconstitutional censorship. But Ari Fleischer, who served as George W. Bushs press secretary, said the media was overreacting. Trump, he said during an interview on CNN, has been highly accessible to reporters even as he has criticized them. My point here is that the press has this tendency to think everythings about themselves, to hyperventilate [that] the First Amendments under threat because of the things he says, Fleischer said. But then they ignore all the things he does that are tremendous for the media. He is making journalism interesting and great again. The D.C. Forensic Sciences Departments new glass-and-steel facility has been home to a pair of high-profile testing issues in recent years, including those on DNA and for the Zika virus. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) When Anthony Tran took over the Districts public health lab late last year, he had a feeling something was wrong with its testing for the Zika virus. He had just come from the public health lab in New York City, where technicians had been finding markers for Zika in the blood of arriving travelers almost every day. In the smaller, but still international, city of Washington, the same test was negative every time. Soon, U.S. health officials joined in Trans concern: Samples supplied by the federal government of the frightening, mosquito-borne virus that were tested in the lab as a control were appearing as if they contained no virus. I knew then that something was tremendously wrong, Tran said late last week in an interview. He halted testing, and with help from analysts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, traced the problem to a mistake that any high school chemistry student could understand. There were two types of solution the District could have purchased to conduct a phase of the test. One bottle came marked with a D, for diluted, and the other with a U, for undiluted. D.C. lab workers had purchased the diluted version, Tran said, and then mistakenly watered it down as if it was the more concentrated one, weakening the ability to detect for Zika. For a public health lab to commit such an error once would be an embarrassment in the high-stakes testing of Zika, which has potentially devastating consequences for pregnant women, scientists and federal health officials say. That the District lab which is also a first line of defense in screening bioterrorism threats repeated the mistake daily, and without anyone catching it for more than six months, amounts to a more systemic and worrisome failure, experts said. Jenifer Smith, director of the D.C. Forensic Sciences Department. (Sarah L. Voisin/The Washington Post) [D.C. lab mishandled Zika tests for 300 pregnant women] Interviews and public documents show that the debacle unfolded over a period of months last year in which the District lab was in a state of turmoil understaffed, lacking permanent leadership, spread thin on competing projects, and relying on new employees to test for the emerging public health threat in Zika. A relatively inexperienced staff and a lack of leadership thats a bad combination, said Kelly Wroblewski, director of infectious diseases for the Association of Public Health Laboratories, which works to safeguard the integrity of public health labs nationwide. The positive here is that the lab does have new leadership and he caught the error quickly, even though the situation is already really, very unfortunate. Since D.C. officials announced the error on Feb. 9, public health officials in a network of nearly 50 labs studying Zika have questioned how it could have gone so wrong. It was the only jurisdiction in the country to have mishandled the testing. In the District, the mishap has shaken public confidence in Zika testing and, attorneys say, could result in millions of dollars in legal claims. And all of that may pale in comparison to the effects that the botched tests may have on a handful of D.C. families. At least nine pregnant women in the nations capital were caught in the faulty testing between July and December of last year, D.C. officials said Thursday. The women were told they did not have Zika when in fact new testing by a CDC lab in Colorado shows that the women did have antibodies that could signal the presence of the virus. Follow-up tests on eight have been inconclusive and one has been confirmed as having a Zika infection. District officials say they do not know how far along any of the women were in their pregnancies when they were wrongly told they were healthy. The District also does not know if any of the women have since given birth. Zika is primarily transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito but it can also be passed through sex, even if the infected person shows no symptoms. [Number of pregnant women who may have Zika rises to nine] Public health officials say they have relayed the new test results to the womens health care providers, and they are girding for the number of new Zika patients to rise as retesting is completed for the final third of the 300 pregnant women the District says were inaccurately tested. According to a study in December, about 6 percent of pregnant women believed to be infected with Zika in the United States had a baby or fetus with at least one birth defect related to the viral infection last year. Most suffered from severe microcephaly, characterized by abnormally small head size and, often, an underdeveloped brain. But babies infected with Zika are not always obvious. Some problems stemming from infection may not show up until a year after birth or longer and can include hearing loss, irritability, difficulty swallowing, and cognitive, sensory and motor-skill difficulties. That means the fallout in the District may not be felt for some time. A mad scramble [Lifelong care, heartache for babies born with Zika] Tucked away in the Districts new glass-and-steel forensic sciences building, a couple of blocks south of the National Air and Space Museum, are a group of scientists who quietly toil away on some vitally important work. At inauguration time, they test the food served at high-dollar balls for food-borne illnesses and contamination. When a suspicious, white powder is found in the District, the lab is one of the first to test the substances for biological weapons. And on more mundane days, the staff of the Public Health Laboratory Division tests water pollution in the Potomac and helps to identify influenza strains that should be included in the next years vaccines. As a division of the Districts Forensic Sciences Department, the lab was rarely in the news. By comparison, the labs sister division, the crime lab, had to halt DNA testing in 2015, after questions surfaced about the accuracy of its work. The scandal forced out the departments former director and D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) brought in Jenifer Smith, a former FBI forensics expert, to clean house and restore the labs reputation. [D.C. crime lab resumes limited DNA testing] According to two officials familiar with Smiths rebuilding plan, as well as public budget documents from the agency, Smiths top priority early last year was restarting DNA testing at the crime lab. In the year before it confronted Zika, the public health lab was shedding its most experienced staff for a variety of reasons. Former director Alpha Diallo, a native of Guinea, left to fight Ebola in Africa. The labs head of virology, Anicet Dahourou, and its head of microbiology, Morris Blaylock, also resigned and took jobs with the CDC in Atlanta. In March 2016, with Zika as a looming threat, three of the labs six quality assurance jobs were vacant. Maurice Knuckles, who had directed the office a decade earlier, was brought back from semiretirement by Smith to run things on an interim basis, officials said. Blaylock, reached in Atlanta, said preparing for Zika in the early months of last year with a thin staff was a mad scramble. The District wanted to join dozens of states that were applying to the CDC for the authority to conduct their own Zika tests instead of shipping them off to the federal agency. To apply, the lab was sent a panel of blind tests by the CDC and had to replicate positive and negative results achieved at a federal lab. The D.C. health lab successfully did so and got permission in late May to begin its own Zika testing program, Tran said. Smith said the lab hired four people to conduct the tests and trained them for weeks before Zika testing was launched on July 14. Part of the preparation process involved setting up quality controls, testing procedures and what Tran described as a small manufacturing plant of solutions and coatings to conduct the tests. In an interview, Smith and Tran said it was unclear if the lab employees had used the appropriate dilution in the spring when the lab passed the CDC test. But Tran said that it is now clear that by July, workers had begun the labs Zika testing with an over-diluted solution. It was not caught earlier, Tran said, because even with a weakened solution, daily control tests still showed positive results, at least, until a final batch was mixed late last year. Blaylock said the loss of the labs virology director was a major gap, and any sustained campaign of virus testing would have exposed weaknesses in the teams staffing. We could deal with an emergency response, we could manage it for a short time, but anything long-term, it was going to wear down that team because it was so short-staffed, he said. I know they were trying to get personnel on board, I do know that was the primary challenge. Smith dismissed the idea that the botched tests were the result of a newly hired staff or lack of seasoned leaders in key positions. This is not an issue of staffing, she said. Somethings wrong The faulty solution wasnt the failure point that Tran noticed in the Districts Zika testing procedures when he joined the lab late last fall. Concerned about the high number of negative results, Tran began double-checking the teams math and found an error, he said. Lab workers had fumbled a formula to calculate test results, skewing some inconclusive ones toward negative results. I started to investigate and the first thing I found was a really, a quite basic arithmetic error, he said. That discovery led Tran to stop the testing and recalculate the score for the tests done since July. None of the recalculations resulted in a shift to a clearly positive result, he said. Tran was prepared to resume testing in the lab when a new problem developed with the daily control tests: Now, we were getting no reaction through the plates and I said, Somethings wrong. . . . We need to do a deep dig and figure out whats wrong. On a conference call with the CDCs Zika experts in December, Tran was stumped. The analysts had gone over all the other complicated calibrations and procedures and everything seemed right. Then one asked a basic question. What type of solution had the District purchased? Tran had never thought to check. That was huge, he said. The dilution factor was a problem since the day we began. Smith said that no one involved in the mistake still works at the lab, but she declined to say how many employees were affected or if they resigned under pressure. Bowser last week said no one had been fired. Smith said she thought the Districts trouble would someday be held up as an example of something more than a mistake. We are going to learn from this; the field of science will advance, Smith said. This is a situation where you had positive controls working, but the test is at a level where it gave a different result. . . . Its a great example in the grayness of the world we work in. . . . This is not the instant pregnancy test, these are more complicated tests. Tran said he knew the lab would attract intense scrutiny over the mistake but never hesitated to go public. I knew what was going to be happening, but there was no other decision for me to make, he said. You need to give the best care because theres no cure for this. Staff writer Lena H. Sun and researcher Jennifer Jenkins contributed to this report. Volunteer researchers answer questions as residents hold a town hall meeting in Sterling, Va., despite the decision of Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) not to attend. (Amanda Voisard/for the Washington Post) A single silent microphone awaited a congresswoman who never materialized Friday night as dozens of her constituents vented their frustration at her absence, analyzed her voting record and dissected her campaign promises. Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) was 15 miles away, attending the annual Catholic Charities Ball. Activists from the Indivisible VA District 10 Facebook group hosted the citizens town hall at the Sterling Community Center and set up the mic in case she decided to join them. That woman would show up to an opening of an envelope, so the fact that she would not show up tonight is incredibly insulting to me and to all of us, said Kona Gallagher, 36, from Ashburn. A crowd of about 150 applauded but left the pithy signs and heated rhetoric at home. Residents participate in a town hall meeting in Sterling, Va. (Amanda Voisard/for the Washington Post) The sedate forum unfolded in the battleground county of Loudoun as voters elsewhere in Virginia and across the country planned similar events to seek answers from their elected representatives about the agenda of the GOP-controlled Congress and President Trump. Some members, like Comstock, have eschewed the public forums out of fear that angry residents will shout them down and create a circuslike atmosphere, as happened Tuesday to Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) in Southside Virginia. In Rep. Bob Goodlattes district in southwest Virginia, residents addressed their questions to a cardboard cutout of the Republican at a Peoples Town Hall on Wednesday night outside Roanoke. Goodlatte, who is chairman of the Judiciary Committee and traveled to India this past week with House colleagues, prefers to hold town halls via telephone where thousands can listen in but only a handful get to ask questions. After repeated calls and emails from constituents, Rep. Thomas Garrett, a freshman who represents central Virginia, announced Friday that he would hold a town hall on March 13. Indivisible Charlottesville and like-minded groups are planning to hold one of their own Garrett town halls Sunday. Two high school students will serve as volunteer moderators. In Maryland, a chair with a sign that read reserved for [Rep.] Andy Harris, a Republican, sat empty Tuesday evening at a meeting about the possible ramifications of the repeal of the Affordable Care Act. Two days later, Harris announced details for a March 31 brick-and-mortar town hall at a middle school. Back in Sterling, the crowd eschewed the cardboard doppelganger and recruited author and culture critic Todd Kliman to serve as moderator. Kliman hosted a five-event conversation series in Washington called WTF Now?! after the election that featured economists, policy experts, historians and others discussing the Trump presidency. At times, the event on Comstocks turf seemed more like a policy seminar than a protest. Russia was involved in the 2016 election, said Sue Reilly, a 67-year-old Ashburn resident. How are you going to make sure that the issue is investigated independently? A volunteer researcher and constituent, Guy Potucek, read from a slide projected on the cinder block wall that listed Comstocks earlier statements about the subject, as well as her tweets saying that she supports investigations by the House and Senate Intelligence committees. Asked if that answered her question, Reilly, silently raised a small sign that read Boo. Matthew Zelman, a 35-year-old Centreville resident, teared up as he talked about his 5-year-old sons friend, a so-called anchor baby who was born in the United States to parents who are undocumented. They are about as American as anybody I ever met in my life, he said. He would ask Comstock, Do you consider those people to be criminals? Theyve never had a speeding ticket in their lives. Thomas M. Davis III, a moderate Republican and former congressman from Northern Virginia, said he understands why members in reliably red districts would avoid contentious confrontations with voters. But, he said, swing districts like Comstocks are different. You need to talk to everyone, said Davis, who also represented a swing district. For me it was survival. Comstock has held telephone town halls, which bothers some activists who say the format is overly controlled. That frustration was clear among some of the participants Tuesday night, when Comstock held her second call in recent weeks. A caller told Comstock she spent a lot of time talking in circles and not answering the question. People are reasonable, the caller said, according to a recording. I dont think that you would be attacked by disrespectful people or protesters. I think people really just want an open back-and-forth dialogue with people face to face. Comstock said she cannot effectively address voters concerns at a large town hall, and especially not one featuring Kliman, whom she referred to as a food critic from Maryland. She would rather have small meetings for back-and-forth dialogue, she said, and ran through a gantlet of 30 of them Friday at her Capitol Hill office. It was very informative to hear specific individuals personal stories, concerns and health care situations and it reinforced my conviction that we need to do health care reform in a methodical way that respects these life and death situations, she said in a statement. Activists continue to flood Comstocks office with phone calls and meeting requests. Images of her photo superimposed on milk cartons proliferate online, and a Wheres Comstock website attempts to track her movements. They urge her to release her public schedule in advance, as many elected officials do as a matter of policy; Comstock has declined. Instead, her staff uses social media to share details about her events after they happen. In Sterling, Mike Turner, a retired Air Force colonel who ran for the Democratic nomination for the seat Comstock now holds in 2008, raised a pocket-size copy of the Constitution similar to the actions of Khizr Khan, the father of an Army captain killed in Iraq, at the Democratic National Convention last year. Turner, 65, of Ashburn, said he never imagined that the chief enemy to this document would be the president of the United States. The audience stood and clapped. When the impeachment comes and its coming Representative Comstock, will you vote with your constituents, for the people who pay your salary, or not? he said. Before the forum, Virginia GOP Chairman John Whitbeck, who is a former head of the party committee in Comstocks district, called such antics faux outrage. Just because she wont have a town hall with a bunch of liberals who despise her doesnt mean shes cut off from her constituents, he said. The proof is in the election results, he said. Despite projections from independent analysts that her race would be a nail-biter, Comstock won reelection to a second term in November by six percentage points. Trump lost the district by 10. A teacher at a high-performing D.C. charter school was arrested Friday on charges of child sex abuse, according to police and school officials. Police said Saturday that Manuel Garcia Fernandez, 35, had sexual contact on multiple occasions with two female victims and one male victim from Aug. 17 to Feb. 6. He was charged with three counts of second-degree child sexual abuse. Fernandez taught at a Northeast Washington campus of the Latin American Montessori Bilingual (LAMB) Public Charter School, according to an email to parents from the schools executive director, Diane Cottman. The schools website listed him as an elementary teacher. Fernandez has been banned from LAMBs premises, Cottman wrote Friday. She said the school had communicated with parents in the impacted community, but could not disclose further details. We know that this will raise many questions which we are currently not at liberty to answer and or may not be able to answer, she wrote. These allegations have deeply affected the entire LAMB community the board, teachers, parents and students alike. LAMB is committed to its families, and the safety and well-being of our students is our paramount concern. Cottman did not respond to a request for comment. LAMB, which also has a campus in Northwest, enrolled a total of about 375 students in preschool through fifth grade last school year. It is one of the most highly regarded charter schools in the city. Fairfax County police chief Edwin C. Roessler Jr. intends to release the name of an officer involved in a fatal shooting in January in the Herndon area, the police said. The county Board of Supervisors has required police to release the names of officers involved in deadly force incidents within 10 days, absent a credible threat to an officers safety. However, the officer involved in the Jan. 16 shooting has sued to prevent being identified, arguing that it could create a risk to personal safety. Roessler said Feb. 14 that police were still determining whether it was safe to release the name. The police said Roessler learned late Friday afternoon from the FBI that its portion of the risk assessment was complete. No credible threat was found, the police said. They said the chief intended to release the name after meeting with the officer and after complying with a federal court order requiring him to notify the judge involved. Three armed robberies were reported late Friday night in Upper Northwest Washington and a fourth in nearby Montgomery County, and D.C. police said they think that the same robbers carried out all of them. The four holdups occurred within a two hour period, with the first around 10:30 p.m. in Montgomery, and the fourth just before midnight in the 3500 block of Connecticut Avenue NW in the District, D.C. police said. All occurred at spots regarded as among the safer places in the area. No injuries were reported said Capt. Kelvin M. Cusick, of the second police district, which encompasses the area west of Rock Creek Park where the three robberies in the District occurred. About 20 minutes after the Montgomery robbery, a holdup attempt was reported in the 4600 block of 43rd St NW. A few minutes later, around 11 p.m., another robbery was reported less than a mile away, in the 4900 block of Brandywine Street NW. Three robbers were described in both of those two incidents. Police were told five were involved in the Connecticut Avenue robbery, which occurred near Ordway Street in the Cleveland Park area. All available resources were enlisted in an effort to find the robbers, Cusick said. He said that included a police helicopter as well as dogs. From descriptions included in early accounts, the robbers were male and Hispanic or black, and Cusick said police thought they were using a dark- colored sedan with custom wheels. About 15 minutes before the first of the robberies, a black sedan was reported carjacked at gunpoint in Southeast Washington. Three people were involved in the carjacking, according to a preliminary police account. It was not possible to determine whether the carjacking and the robberies were connected. At least once before in recent weeks, several holdups were carried out in Northwest Washington, involving robbers who used a car to travel between the holdup sites. Metro filed a federal lawsuit Friday challenging its employees union in an ongoing dispute about overtime. [Metro cracking down on worker absenteeism with new extended-leave policy] Metro employees who work on a day off are paid at time-and-a-half, and employees who work on a second, consecutive day off what is called the seventh day are paid double time. An arbitrator ruled last year that employees with seniority can choose to work seven days and earn double time pay. The ruling found they are entitled to do so under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement with the transit agency. But Metro is arguing that the provision of the contract makes no concession to potential fatigue. The agency has been paying certain employees not to work on their seventh day in the name of safety. Now, Metros lawsuit seeks to vacate the arbitrators ruling, which would free it from the obligation to accommodate employees who want to work seven days in a row. The [Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority] has a compelling public policy interest underlying its decision to promote the interests of safety for its riders and its employees, according to the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Eastern Virginia. In spite of this compelling public policy interest, the Arbitrator impermissibly ordered WMATA to require employees who are otherwise eligible for overtime to work on a seventh consecutive day. In a statement, Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld defended the legal action. Metro must be in a position to enforce safety policies for its employees, he wrote, adding that the agency has an obligation to protect employees and passengers. However, the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689, which represents Metro employees, said Metros fatigue policies are not consistently applied. Esker Bilger, the unions financial secretary-treasurer, said Metro recently forced employees to work during the inauguration of President Trump. If they do that, they have to pay the seventh day, Bilger said. A D.C. police officer and a man he was pursuing exchanged gunfire Thursday night during a violent struggle in the Trinidad neighborhood, police said Friday, leaving the man dead and two officers wounded. Precise details of the altercation remain murky, including who shot who about 10:40 p.m. in the Northeast Washington neighborhood near Gallaudet University. Police identified the man who was killed as Timothy Lionel Williams, 47. Peter Newsham, who was named the Districts permanent police chief just hours before the shooting, said Williams fled from officers. Police did not say why Williams initially came to the attention of police, but he refused commands to stop. Asked whether Williams shot both officers, Newsham said: Thats what were trying to determine right now. D.C. police said this gun was recovered from a man killed during a Thursday-night shooting in which two police officers were wounded. (D.C. police) Authorities declined to identify the wounded officers but said both were admitted to an area hospital after being driven there by fellow officers moments after being shot. One has been released; the other was still undergoing treatment Friday afternoon. The prognosis for both of them is excellent, Newsham said. Both officers were wearing body cameras, and police said they were reviewing the recordings. It is up to Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D), with consultations from police and prosecutors, whether to make the video public, as she has done in several past shootings involving police. Little could be learned about Williams on Friday. He was convicted of robbery and using a gun in the commission of a felony in 1995 in Prince Georges County, and sentenced to 15 years in prison. At the time of the trial, he was serving prison time for a robbery conviction in the District, court records show. Police said Williams had no fixed address, but relatives live a few blocks from where he was shot, in the Carver Langston neighborhood. Relatives reached at that address said they were too grief-stricken to comment. The officers involved in the shooting had been sent to Trinidad as part of a Crime Suppression Team groups of officers assembled to combat crime problems specific to certain neighborhoods or areas. Newsham, noting several other shootings across the District Thursday night, including three separate attacks that wounded four people along four blocks of Wheeler Road in Congress Heights, said officers had seized seven guns in the city that day in addition to the one that Williams carried. Its hard to say how many other shootings our officers prevented with their good work, the chief said, describing the operations as high-risk. Theyre the types of things were going to keep doing. Authorities said the Crime Suppression Team officers involved in Thursdays shooting were in Trinidad because of reports of gunfire there earlier. They were wearing uniforms and traveling in an unmarked car. Police said the officers attempted to stop Williams, but he ran. Darren S. Watson, 33, a truck driver who recorded part of the altercation on his cellphone, said Williams ran by the car he was sitting in and glanced back as officers pursued. Watson said the man eluded officers for about a block, then doubled back and ran into the back of the unmarked police car, falling to the ground. Watson said two officers piled on top of Williams, who at this point was on his back. He was fighting back, Watson said. Watson said he heard one officer yell several times, Stop resisting, stop resisting, before he heard gunshots. He said he began to record just as an officer yelled, shots fired. Three more gunshots can be heard on the video, and one officer can be seen grabbing his stomach and falling to the ground. It appears that those shots were fired when at least one officer and Williams were on the ground. Watson, who lives in Temple Hills, Md., said he did not see Williamss gun but did say he was fighting the officers. I was just shocked, Watson said. I looked this man in the face one second, and then a second later hes dead. Watson said that as of Friday afternoon, he had not spoken with detectives. Newsham said investigators would reach out to him. He also said that police have other witnesses, in addition to the body-camera footage. Newsham stressed that Watsons video begins midway through the incident. He said it would be irresponsible to judge the incident based solely on that video. Hopefully anyone looking at one small piece of evidence doesnt draw any conclusions, he said. Trinidad, which was so violent in 2009 that then-Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier established military checkpoints to curtail shootings, is slowly emerging as a more stable neighborhood, where house prices range widely but some command prices in excess of a half-million dollars. It is located north of Capitol Hill and near bustling H Street. Kathy Henderson, an Advisory Neighborhood Commission member from Trinidad, said residents are more concerned with crime intruding on their community from the outside. She said the community is good about pressuring police for extra patrols and that people understand that were not tolerating chaos and lawlessness. The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is lined largely with rowhouses and some two-story apartment buildings. It is in sight of the busy five-way intersection called Starburst, crossed by roads that include Florida Avenue, Bladensburg Road and H Street. New condos are rising nearby. One woman, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said a bullet had hit the lamp on her front porch, scattering glass. Pop, pop, pop, she said of the sounds. Another resident said she heard roughly 15 shots fired in quick succession. Dolly McCary, a lifelong resident, spent part of Friday cleaning up discarded police tape. You might get a purse-snatching around here, but not a shooting like this, she said. Jennifer Jenkins and Clarence Williams contributed to this report A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy waiting for a bus at the Naylor Road Metro station in Prince Georges County, Md. were shot early Saturday morning and remain in stable condition, police said. Richard Jordan, a Metro spokesman, said the double shooting occurred shortly after 2 a.m. on Saturday, and the teenagers were sent to Prince Georges Hospital Center. Police said they dont have many details on the motive or the male shooter. No arrests have been made. Virginia Lt. Gov Ralph Northam (D) responds to comments by a member of the Senate at the start of the session at the state Capitol in Richmond. (Timothy C. Wright/For The Washington Post) His big, wooden gavel temporarily stolen, Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam (D) resorted to tap-tap-tapping the Virginia Senate into session with a tiny plastic mallet Saturday, when lawmakers passed a state budget with near-unanimous support. It was a fitting start to the final day of an understated General Assembly session, in which most hot-button bills died early and differences over the states spending plan were relatively minor. With just one no vote between the House and Senate, the two chambers voted for a budget that covers a $1.2 billion shortfall, provides long-sought raises for state employees, troopers and teachers, and boosts funding for K-12 education. The final stretch of Virginias legislative session is usually a frenzied affair, with lawmakers and the governor trying to strike last-minute deals, sometimes on hefty legislation, such as the sweeping 2013 transportation plan that Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) wrangled out of the General Assembly as the session drew to a close. Just last year, Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) and the GOP-controlled legislature battled down to the wire over a state Supreme Court appointment. [McAuliffe seeks minor changes in state budget] This year one in which all 100 House seats and three statewide offices are up for election the legislature spent its last day on work that was important but notably lacking in drama. Among the bills pushed through Saturday were those aimed at reforming the states economic-development arm and getting the city of Alexandria to stop flushing raw sewage into the Potomac River by 2025. It was devoid of anything truly death-defyingly contentious, said Sen. Dave W. Marsden (D-Fairfax). Even the final moment was anticlimactic. By long-standing tradition, the House and Senate send a delegation up to the third floor of the historic Capitol, where the governor has a ceremonial office, to inform him that they have adjourned. Not this time. McAuliffe was in Washington, leading a meeting as chairman of the National Governors Association. We were not able to ascertain that hes in the commonwealth, said Sen. Ryan T. McDougle (R-Hanover). McAuliffe spokesman Brian Coy said the governors whereabouts should have been no mystery. I think we made it very clear to them where he was and what he was doing, Coy said. As the legislature gaveled out, Coy said, McAuliffe was presiding over a panel discussion on early-childhood education. The governor later issued a written statement saying that the session was marked by bipartisan cooperation on issues that are important to the people of Virginia. But McAuliffe also made note of several measures that failed against his wishes, including universal background checks for gun purchases and raising the felony threshold from $200 to $500. The budget makes adjustments to the two-year, $105 billion spending plan passed last year. The legislature provided more money for raises and K-12 education than the proposal McAuliffe had made in December, when the states finances looked bleaker. The plan approved Saturday includes a 3 percent raise for state employees and an even bigger boost to state police, who have been leaving the agency in droves. It also provides the states share of a 2 percent raise for teachers. House Appropriations Committee Chairman S. Chris Jones (R-Suffolk) became emotional as he discussed the spending plan, noting to Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), This is our last budget together. Howell, who has led the chamber for 15 sessions, announced Monday that he would not seek reelection. I want to thank you for the trust you placed in me, Jones said of being appointed the chairmanship, his voice breaking. I will be forever grateful for your confidence. [Cox chosen by GOP as pick for next Va. House speaker] The lone holdout on the budget was Del. Kaye Kory (D- Fairfax). Even she had high praise for the spending plan. I honestly think this is one of the better budgets if not the best budget I have seen since Ive been here, she said, noting the money devoted to addressing opioid addiction, mental health and schools. Her beef was with the elimination of $6 million for long-acting, reversible contraception coverage for low-income women. She also objected to plans to develop systems for detecting fraud among food-stamp recipients. Del. J. Randall Minchew (R-Loudoun) expressed disappointment that there was no funding provided to fill a vacant Loudoun County Circuit Court judicial slot. Defunding our judiciary is not a good idea, said Minchew, who nevertheless voted for the budget. The legislature will reconvene April 5 to consider any amendments or vetoes from the governor. McAuliffe has already vetoed a number of bills, including one that would have cut off state funding to Planned Parenthood. That action brought the partisan flash point of abortion briefly to the House floor Saturday, as Del. C. Matthew Fariss (R-Campbell), seeking to override the veto, raised the possibility that someone would kill an unborn child because of its race. The House failed to override the veto, a move cheered by Northam, who is running to succeed McAuliffe. As the session began, Northam found that his gavel had been removed from the dais a trick typically played on the Senates presiding officer on the last day. It turned up in the desk of freshman Sen. Mark J. Peake (R-Lynchburg). MARYLAND Woman found dead in Prince Georges Prince Georges County police are investigating a homicide after finding a woman dead from a gunshot wound at Ardwick Ardmore Road and Yellowwood Lane, south of Route 50 in the eastern side of the county. According to police, officers responded to a call about 2:40 a.m. Saturday and found the victim, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police are trying to determine a suspect and motive, according to Lamar Robinson, a spokesman. Susan Svrluga Two teenagers shot while waiting for bus A 16-year-old girl and a 15-year-old boy waiting for a bus at the Naylor Road Metro station in Prince Georges County were shot early Saturday and remain in stable condition, police said. Richard Jordan, a Metro spokesman, said that the double shooting occurred shortly after 2 a.m. and that the teenagers were sent to Prince Georges Hospital Center. Police said they dont have many details on the motive or the male shooter. No arrests have been made. Ian Shapira CNN REPORTED Thursday that White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus asked a top FBI official to publicly knock down stories about the Trump campaigns contacts with Russia, raising concerns that procedures meant to isolate FBI investigations from political influence had been violated. The White House responded by releasing its own narrative but even its version of events contains ample reason for alarm. The story begins with a Feb. 14 New York Times report that federal investigators had evidence of repeated contact between associates of Donald Trump and senior Russian intelligence officials during the presidential campaign. The following Sunday, Mr. Priebus called the article garbage, blasted the medias use of anonymous sources and insisted that the top levels of the intelligence community told him that the reporting was wrong. According to this weeks revelations, those top-level sources were FBI Director James B. Comey and FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. Per White House accounts, as detailed by NBC and CNN, Mr. McCabe approached Mr. Priebus after the Times article emerged, telling him that it was overblown. Mr. Priebus then asked Mr. McCabe if the FBI would say so. Following that, both Mr. McCabe and Mr. Comey separately called Mr. Priebus and declined to undermine the Times article, because, according to the White House, the FBI did not want to get in the business of calling balls and strikes on reporting. Instead, Mr. Priebus took to the airwaves on his own, citing Mr. Comey and Mr. McCabe anonymously. According to a Post report that broke Friday evening, the White House also persuaded key intelligence officials to call news organizations in order to counter the Times article after the FBI expressed reluctance to get involved. NBC cited federal officials who say that the Times article may have been wrong in its assertion that Trump associates had been in contact with people known to be Russian intelligence officers but not in the core finding that Trump associates had been in touch with Russians not confirmed to be spies. Whether the McCabe-Priebus interaction was merely an episode of a senior FBI official attempting to ingratiate himself with the new administration, or of an embattled White House chief of staff asking the FBI to help him with a public relations problem, it looks bad. The Justice Department issued guidelines in 2007 and 2009 limiting contact between the White House and federal investigative entities, based on the uncontroversial notion that justice should be administered free of political interference. The principle of separation that these rules represent should be honored with particular care when communications might relate to an investigation of the president or his circle. Mr. Priebus and Mr. McCabe were not merely discussing a news article they thought to be dubious they were in effect discussing what kind of evidence the FBI may or may not have and how senior FBI officials feel about some aspects of the case. Particularly with anxiety running high about Russian interference in U.S. politics, both Mr. McCabe and Mr. Priebus should have known better. Going forward, Attorney General Jeff Sessions should show more sensitivity, as well. Given that Mr. Sessions was so close to the Trump campaign, he should immediately recuse himself from any decision-making relating to any investigation of the election and Russia. I wish Carlos Lozada had included in his Feb. 12 Book World essay, How to read Trumps America, pertinent research by Jonathan Haidt, a New York University professor who has addressed this topic in many ways through his research and in his book The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion. I would love to see Haidts take on these new issues surrounding President Trump. Margie Bell, Arlington Carlos Lozada identified J.D. Vances Hillbilly Elegy and other books that deal with unrest among the body politic concerning the present administration. However, the essay missed citing one of the best books written recently on the causes of much civil unrest, namely Thomas Friedmans Thank You for Being Late: An Optimists Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations. Among other features, this book offers 18 proposals for making government work better. It is one of the most stimulating and thought-provoking books written in this decade. Randall Torgerson, Alexandria I recommend Archie Browns 2014 book, The Myth of the Strong Leader: Political Leadership in the Modern Age , as an essential read for the Trump era. The author, an emeritus professor from the University of Oxford, writes of redefining leaders, such as Franklin D. Roosevelt and Margaret Thatcher, who expanded the limits of what was politically possible during their time in power, and transformational leaders, who played a decisive role in bringing about systemic change, such as Charles de Gaulle, Mikhail Gorbachev and Nelson Mandela. The book also summarizes how we should choose and evaluate those we expect to provide effective leadership in the future. This is a major work on leadership in the modern world, which stresses how we too often fail to recognize the traits that make a successful leader. Carolyn Mateer, Ellicott City I enjoyed Allan Sloans Feb. 19 Deals column, The working-class job that Trump could actually save [Business], about New Jerseys required use of gas station attendants. He neglected to mention that despite the extra personnel, gas costs less in New Jersey than in surrounding states. When heading northeast, my family always stops at the last station before New York to fill up on cheap gas. Ernie Levy, Clifton Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington speaks with students about Black History Month alongside a statue of Rosa Parks. (Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse via Getty Images) Making lemonade out of lemons can still leave a sour taste. This year my alma mater, Howard University, and my church, St. Marys Episcopal in Foggy Bottom, will celebrate their sesquicentennials. Both celebrations mark the founding of institutions compelled by our countrys ugly racial history. Had there been no slavery, or no 19th-century nations capital burdened by chaotic conditions engulfing a growing population of freed slaves, there would have been no need to train preachers, teachers and other leaders to address those problems and no need for Howard University. Similar circumstances led to the founding of other African American schools of higher learning. No American slavery, no American black colleges. St. Marys Church wasnt an inspiration born out of diocesan polity. It became the first African American Episcopal congregation in the nations capital for much the same reason other black churches were created in this city more than two centuries ago. Simply put: White churches solemnly committed to the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God werent all that accommodating to black Christians. Tuesday marks the end of Black History Month, an annual commemoration created in 1926 as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. As with the founding of Howard and St. Marys, the raison detre for a Black History observance rests less upon aspirational yearnings and more upon a need for remediation of racial ugliness. The 1920s were a time in the District when my mother and father, and their siblings and friends, had to walk past white schools on the way to the one school set aside for kids of their color. It was a time when black people kept their chins up and moved past department stores, and movie theaters, and restaurants that wouldnt serve people who looked like them. Those were days when, among all the people who made laws, and all the people who enforced laws, and all the people who judged laws, not one black face could be found. That was not only my parents world, but it was also the world in which I was raised. It was a world that taught us, through history books and popular culture, that black people had no history worth knowing; that we were barely part of Americas past; that we had no traditions, no literature, no intellect. It was a world that told us we deserved to be ignored. If education were equated with indoor plumbing, we were relegated to the outhouse. Negro History Week/Black History Month sought to teach otherwise. The annual celebration still does. And that is a good thing. The sesquicentennial and annual Black History Month celebrations give us moments to pause to remember the giants who came before us, to learn about their struggles and to pay tribute to their achievements. There is much to celebrate. But those commemorations dont blot out the bad things in our past, take away the painful memories or make up for the losses that those bad things caused. Nor do they mask the changes taking place before our very eyes: The displacement of black and brown neighborhoods with younger, better-educated, more affluent white millennials. The socioeconomic disparities more than $60 million allocated to renovate Murch Elementary School in the prosperous upper Northwest Van Ness neighborhood, while Savoy Elementary School in poverty-stricken Southeast was shut and its students parceled out to other schools because it was overrun with rodents and bedbugs. The radical changes in priorities a family leave program costing tens of millions of dollars and primarily benefiting non-D.C. residents; a city commitment to keep operating, for at least the next four years, a no-fare streetcar line along gentrifying H Street NE at $8 million annually. Closing out observance of Black History Month, and surveying the evolving D.C. landscape and the drift of things, the sour taste lingers. Read more from Colbert Kings archive. Jonathan Hennessey is author of The U.S. Constitution: A Graphic Adaptation and The Gettysburg Address: A Graphic Adaptation. The Charlottesville City Council narrowly voted this month to remove a nearly century-old statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from an eponymous city park. This was predictably met with a geyser of outrage. Commenters have excoriated the decision as a naked maneuver to rewrite history, militate against Southern heritage and unfairly malign an honorable and God-fearing military genius and patriot who never defended slavery but instead was only standing up for American principles of states rights, liberty and self-government. The City Council made the right move. Regardless of his position on slavery, the Civil War-era career of Lee nevertheless amounts to the constitutional definition of treason. And no right-minded government within the United States should lionize a traitor. After all, a monument placed in a public city park is expressive conduct by that city government the small government local representative of The People. To paraphrase the Supreme Court in Pleasant Grove City, Utah, et al. v. Summum and Walker v. Texas Div., Sons of Confederate Veterans, Inc., public monuments are meant to convey and have the effect of conveying a government message, an official endorsement. The particular statue in Charlottesville does not function as a simple reminder or acknowledgment of the history of the commonwealth of Virginia or the Confederacy. The aesthetics of the statue which place Lee in a lofty position above the viewer and, through the design of the base on which the equestrian figure sits, associate him with the time-honored patriotic symbol of the eagle express a glorification of Lee as a symbol of American values. It is a clear statement that the city government approves of Lee, not just acknowledges his existence. Lee was a military officer of exceptional genius, charisma and temperament. It is true that he was no fire-eater when it came to defending slavery. As an officer in the U.S. Army since 1829, Lee had solemnly sworn to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to serve them honestly and faithfully, against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever, and to observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States of America, and the orders of the officers appointed over [him]. The Confederacys justification for secession, no matter what pretext slavery or the extremely dubious case of tariffs, etc. cannot be compared with the American Revolution. The pre-1776 American colonists had no representation in Parliament. The Confederate states had always had not only ample but also excessive representation because of the three-fifths compromise. The South had nearly always controlled the presidency, the legislature and the judiciary. By 1860, there had been eight Southern presidents and only seven Northern ones, several of whom, such as Franklin Pierce, Millard Fillmore and James Buchanan, did not substantively speak against or lift a finger to oppose slavery. There can be no doubt: The Confederate states possessed status, clout and equitability of which the American colonists could only dream. Any concept of a War of Northern Aggression is further rendered a fallacy when one considers that even months before Fort Sumter was fired upon, federal property such as the U.S. Mint in New Orleans and the post office in Charleston, S.C., were seized by local and state forces. The capture of a nations territory and assets has long been held as a justifiable crime of aggression and provocation for war. The Constitutions silence on the subject of secession still leaves certain grounds for the act: e.g., with a constitutional amendment and with the inherent right of revolution referred to in the Declaration of Independence (but not justifiable in the case of 1861, given the previously noted and long-established Southern influence in the federal government). Even if secession in Virginias case had been justifiable, Lee would have been on solid ground to protect the people of his state and conduct a defensive war. However, as soon as he accepted the command position of the Confederacys Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, he was effectually fighting an aggressive war against the United States. Regardless of Lees position on slavery, any community preserving transparently worshipful and unqualified statues of him in public spaces is validating and celebrating a cause antithetical to the foundational American ideas of republicanism and popular sovereignty. From left, John Adams, Gouverneur Morris, Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson around a table, circa 1894. (Augustus Tholey/Courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division) Before dueling with pistols in Weehawken, N.J., Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr used newspapers to refute arguments. It is only appropriate to use the same medium to refute statements made in the Feb. 4 Free for All letter Defending the reputation of Aaron Burr by Stuart Fisk Johnson, president general of the Aaron Burr Association. Johnson claimed that Burr was not a villain based on his accomplishments and listed founding the Manhattan Co. to bring clean water to lower Manhattan as a chief accomplishment. The Manhattan Co. was essentially a front for Burr to enter the lucrative banking industry. He used excess funds from the company to fund a bank, then diverted capital from water projects. Hamiltons resume shows that he is worthy of admiration. Using just Johnsons own examples, Hamilton outshines Burr when directly compared. They say Burr was a military patriot, and he was. However, Hamilton led the charge to take Redoubt 10 to win the Battle of Yorktown, the decisive victory leading to the end of the Revolutionary War. After the war, he was appointed major general and aided in reestablishing the Army and Navy, in addition to creating what would later be the Coast Guard. They say Burr was a brilliant lawyer, and he was. However, Hamilton established enduring precedents during his legal career, including the concepts of judicial review and truth as a defense against libel. His writings in the Federalist Papers are still cited in Supreme Court rulings. They say Burr championed equal rights by joining the New York Manumission Society, and he did. However, Hamilton was a founding member of that society and went one step further by never owning a slave. Listing Hamiltons accomplishments proves he is worthy of admiration, whereas listing Burrs does not absolve him of being a villain. Marti Londal, Herndon The writer is president of the Virginia chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Awareness Society. Ronald A. Klain served as a senior White House aide to both Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and was a senior adviser to Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign. As Democrats engage in soul-searching about their future, heres an idea: Progressives should claim one of the oldest ideas in American thought the concept of American exceptionalism for their own. American exceptionalism, the view that the United States revolutionary founding, devotion to liberty and natural resources make it a country with a unique role in the world, has traditionally been the province of conservatives, who have tended to add a religious dimension to the mix. Ronald Reagans invocation of the shining city upon a hill exemplified this conservative embrace. Liberals have more often shied away from such rhetoric. When President Barack Obama was asked about exceptionalism at a 2009 news conference, he replied dismissively, I believe in American exceptionalism, just as I suspect that the Brits believe in British exceptionalism and the Greeks believe in Greek exceptionalism. Then, in one of the least-appreciated intellectual dimensions of his presidency, Obama redefined the exceptionalist idea during his second term and set forth a new vision of exceptionalism based not on Americas founding or divine designation but on the extraordinary acts that Americans perform to help others in need, not just in the United States, but throughout the world. I witnessed this evolution as White House Ebola response coordinator, when Obama offered a compelling articulation of this concept of American exceptionalism after an emotional meeting with health-care workers who had been battling Ebola in West Africa. He described an America defined by courage and passion and hope and selflessness and sacrifice and a willingness to take on challenges that other nations cannot, or will not, tackle. This is America, Obama said. We do things differently. Obamas vision of an American exceptionalism fostered by each generations sacrifice at home and abroad is idealistic and progressive. Whether it is peacekeepers ending slaughter in the Balkans, Peace Corps workers toiling away in a remote village in South America, a SEAL team rescuing hostages in the Middle East, or a church group welcoming a refugee family into a small town in Ohio, this concept of American exceptionalism was captured well by Hillary Clintons 2016 phrase, America is great because America is good. As Obama took his journey toward an embrace of a new American exceptionalism, Donald Trump was tugging the Republican Party in the opposite direction, away from its historical devotion to the exceptionalist ideal. In 2013, before his presidential campaign, Trump joined Russian President Vladimir Putin in criticizing Obamas call for a more interventionist approach to the crisis in Syria. Obama, citing the need for humanitarian intervention, argued, Thats what makes America different. Thats what makes us exceptional. Trump took offense, asserting that Obamas attitude that the United States is exceptional is very insulting to other countries. Now, the core idea of Trumps America First, Art of the Deal presidency that America should look out only for America and should not take on any risk, sacrifice or concession not in its immediate self-interest represents a fundamental rejection of exceptionalism. It explains why Trumps reaction to criticism of Putins murderous regime was not to deny Putins wrongdoing but to posit moral equivalency between the United States and Russia: You think our countrys so innocent? So much for America as that city on the hill. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) And of course, this rejection of an exceptional role for the United States in the world undergirds Trumps views on refugees. It is why Trump called the Obama administrations agreement to resettle 1,200 refugees from a remote island near Australia the worst deal ever. Trump cannot imagine the United States undertaking the resettlement because it is compassionate or offers a unique beacon of hope to people seeking freedom; for him, this is a deal for suckers and should be rejected. But he is wrong, and Obama was right: The United States is better than this. That is why now is the time for the left to throw off its historical skepticism of, even antagonism toward, American exceptionalism and unabashedly challenge Trump with a progressive formulation of this ideal. The Resistance is writing a new chapter of grass-roots activism. That protest has so far been mostly defined by what it is against: Trumps executive orders, repeal of Obamacare, the intolerance spewed by the alt-right. But the people filling the streets are not merely opposed to Trump: Most are drawn to the idea of standing for something larger than themselves. Embracing a progressive concept of American exceptionalism of a national mission and determination to, as Obama said, build a better world not just for ourselves but for people in every corner of the Earth, as only the United States can would add a noble and affirmative message to the new movement, and accelerate its development into something more than a left-leaning version of the tea partys nihilism. Democrats are struggling to get past the blame game over 2016 and their divisive party chair election. If they want to harness the energy of the streets, demonstrate that they are a party of principle and ideas, and create a home for todays idealistic young activists, they should step into the void created by Trumpism, turn the tables on decades of positioning in American politics and become the party of American exceptionalism. Charlottesville is again roiled over the modern extension of the Civil War [Battle over Old South rises again in Virginia, Metro, Feb. 9]. Admirers of that conflicts losers want to retain a statue and park honoring the leader of the defeated cause. Those offended by such reminders want them erased. Its part of a growing standoff nationwide. Writing about the often impolite debate, The Post, by using South or Southerners instead of white, erases the millions of African Americans of the former Confederacy. I, a Virginian, am as Southern as Jefferson Davis and arguably more entitled to the label because my ancestors (at least those my family acknowledges) worked to build the region that fought to keep my kind in slavery and, later, virtual bondage. We own the territory in ways the oppressors never can. Every misuse of Southerners denies our truth and the losers. It seems to endorse those who want to keep Robert E. Lee and his fellow Confederates on their pedestals, so elevated because they lost. Vice Mayor Wes Bellamy had it right when he hosted a picnic in a park named for Lee. That was precisely the antidote for what ails neo-Confederates. We should boldly face down the myths. Integrating places of misguided tribute leads toward purposeful reclamation. By calling a rebel a rebel, we can bury the myths that keep the hurtful alternative history alive. Alice Bonner, Silver Spring Kim Jong Nam, left, shown in 2001, was the exiled half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Nam was killed this month in Malaysia with a nerve agent that can cause death within minutes. (Shizuo Kambayashi, left; Wong Maye-E, right/Associated Press) IF SPREAD on a battlefield or used against a population, the nerve agent VX would be terrifyingly deadly. A liter of the substance contains enough lethal doses, theoretically, to kill 1 million people. Less than 10 milligrams a small drop on the skin can kill a grown man. It has no other purpose than being an instrument of death. This is one reason most of the world has banned what is truly a weapon of mass destruction. This is also one reason it is so monstrous that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his coterie of brutalists may have used VX to murder his half-brother Kim Jong Nam, while he was waiting to board a plane in an international airport in Malaysia. The killing, captured on surveillance video, displays the coldblooded mentality of Pyongyangs young dictator, who has cut down relatives, colleagues and anyone else who might threaten him, while confining hundreds of thousands of people in bleak prison camps and building nuclear and missile forces to threaten the world. North Korea often offers a bullys proposition: just recognize the government and provide it with economic favors, and, perhaps, just maybe, it will not carry out the latest ugly threat it has manufactured. In truth, a deal with North Korea that ensures denuclearization once and for all would be desirable, if it could be achieved. But right now, Kim Jong Un needs to be shown there are penalties and no rewards for such gross violation of international norms. The assassination by poison is reminiscent of how former KGB officer and dissident Alexander Litvinenko was silenced in London with radioactive polonium put into his tea. A British investigation found that the Russian security service and President Vladimir Putin probably approved it, although there was no direct proof, just a telltale radioactive trace left by the Russians who carried it out. In the same way, the killing of Kim Jong Nam may not have carried Kim Jong Uns personal signature, but seems likely to be the result of his orders. North Korea has had a chemical weapons program since the 1980s. It is one of the few nations that have not signed the Chemical Weapons Convention, which bans VX. Aside from the bucking of international norms, the assassination underlines grave questions about how Mr. Kim might behave in moments of crisis with the regimes nuclear weapons. He is impetuous, irrational, bullying and armed. North Korea ought to be placed back on the U.S. list of nations that sponsor terrorism, from which it was removed almost a decade ago. China made a positive move recently in curtailing coal imports from North Korea , but sanctions could be intensified still further against Pyongyangs financial system and the Chinese companies that do business there. There must be no ambiguity in the message from the United States and its allies: This was outlaw behavior. White House press secretary Sean Spicer might owe Melissa McCarthy a thank-you note. The actress, who mocked Spicer in her Saturday Night Live caricatures of his angry, anti-media persona, seems to have breathed new life into the man as only a woman could do? To his credit, Spicer didnt curl up in a fetal ball, as one might have expected after McCarthys hilarious takedowns of him as a humorless human meltdown. Nor has he been fired, as many predicted after a shaky start. Rather, he seems to have reinvented himself more confident, better versed, more likable and even at times jocular. No longer the lectern-driving avenger, he seems to be enjoying himself as reporters find humor in the occasional riposte. (Note to Sean: Riposting is good.) Sure, he still tries to dodge or finesse questions. And hes still a scold, telling reporters Thursday to raise their hands like big boys and girls, if they want to be recognized. A little rubbing alcohol with that paper cut? The highlight, however, was when Spicer tried to interpret President Trumps remarks about recent immigration raids, which the president referred to as a military operation. Except, not really. Homeland Security Secretary John F. Kelly told reporters in Mexico City that no military forces would be used to deport illegal immigrants. Then it was Spicers turn. Actually, he said, the president was using the word military as an adjective to mean with military precision. He was speaking adjectively, not noun-ly. In the annals of spin, this one merits top billing. Might we expect more such adjustments in tweaking Trumps unique speech patterns? Such as: Spicer: The president didnt mean that ALL undocumented workers are bad dudes. He was speaking, um, well, diabolically, I mean, hyperbolically. He meant that bad dudes, where and to the extent they exist, will be exported to Mexico, where bad dudes obviously belong. Reporter: Even if theyre not Mexican? Spicer: Yes, were working with Mexico on that and will have a plan soon. Reporter: Soon? Spicer: Ish. Suffix-ly. Whatever Trump may have meant by military operation, thus far the raids and arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents certainly have had the look and feel of a military op by any other name. Spicer is also correct that these detentions and deportations appear to have been performed with military precision. To a fault, one might observe. While a majority of Americans support greater immigration enforcement, as well as major reforms aimed at greater security, the visual effect of raids that dont always target bad dudes is discomfiting. President Barack Obama, who deported more than 2.5 million people during his term, was no slouch but also no showman. Therein lies a key distinction. Whereas Obama made concessions to people who werent bad dudes, Trumps net is wider and has fewer holes. In one Arizona case, a woman who faked her identity more than a decade ago to get a job as an amusement-park janitor was allowed to stay under Obama. When she showed up recently for her usual ICE review, she was put on a bus to Mexico. Not exactly a bad dude, though some drug dealers and gang members have also reportedly been rounded up since Trump took office. Military operation or something else? If youre a Trump supporter, you dont care. If youre an immigration advocate, you see Gestapo tactics and human rights violations. And then there are the rest people who simply want straight talk, honest answers and law enforcement with compassion, especially toward undocumented workers who are here in good faith. One might even concede that this discussion about words and meaning is much ado about nothing, a distraction for the sake of distraction. To give Spicer the benefit of the doubt, his job must be the hardest in the history of press secretaries. Explaining Trump is a relentless, thankless task for which he will be punished one way or the other. Unlike most press secretaries, who typically come from the reporting world, Spicer is a veteran flack with a flacks contempt for the media. Whats missing and also a missed opportunity is the camaraderie and mutual respect that often develop in the media briefing room. Spicer would do well and would be well served if hed treat all reporters with the same respect he wishes for himself. Theyre a loathsome bunch, to be sure (she said proudly). But theyre also suckers for pros who are self-aware enough to not take themselves or this business too seriously. Adjectively speaking. Read more from Kathleen Parkers archive, follow her on Twitter or find her on Facebook. The Trump administrations move to rescind bathroom access protections for transgender students rests on the idea that school bathroom policies are a states rights issue, as White House press secretary Sean Spicer has explained, and that, in any event, it is preposterous on its face that the authors of the federal law barring sex discrimination in schools imagined it would cover transgender students. On the states rights question, the administration is both wrong and offensive. On the issue of what the authors of Title IX contemplated in 1972, it is correct but irrelevant. The issue isnt what the authors intended but what discrimination on the basis of sex means. For Gavin Grimm, the 17-year-old high school student whose case is now before the Supreme Court, it means that he is a boy he has an amended birth certificate saying so who, alone among the boys at his rural Virginia school, is barred from using the boys restroom. Tell him thats not discriminating on the basis of sex. The states rights argument, redolent of 1960s resistance to civil rights protections for African Americans is, to repeat Spicers language, preposterous on its face. Of course, education is traditionally a state and local issue. But the federal government provides billions of dollars every year to local schools and attaches a host of conditions to the receipt of that funding. Among those conditions: that they not discriminate on the basis of sex. It was the authors of Title IX the very legislators whose intentions Spicer is so solicitous of who determined that sex discrimination in educational institutions was not a states rights issue but a matter of federal concern. If treating transgender students differently is discriminating on the basis of sex, the Trump administrations argument is with Title IX itself. Why should a transgender student in Gloucester County, Va., where Grimm lives, be treated differently, and enjoy fewer protections, than a transgender student elsewhere? So the relevant question remains: Are transgender students protected under Title IX? Here, Spicer is undoubtedly correct when he says that the authors of Title IX didnt have transgender students in mind. Thats not the point, nor is it the way that the court interprets statutes. Back in 1972, no one imagined that sexual harassment was a form of sex discrimination. The legal theory didnt exist. That has not stopped the Supreme Court from recognizing that sexual harassment constitutes impermissible discrimination, including under Title IX. Dismissing legislative intent in interpreting statutory meaning in favor of focusing on the language of the statute itself is not some rogue liberal method of judging its what the late Justice Antonin Scalia advocated. Thus Grimms lawyers, in their just-filed brief at the Supreme Court, cite Scalia from 1998: Statutory prohibitions often go beyond the principal evil to cover reasonably comparable evils, and it is ultimately the provisions of our laws rather than the principal concerns of our legislators by which we are governed. That case involved male-on-male sexual harassment in the workplace, clearly not what the authors of the 1964 Civil Rights Act had in mind when they made it illegal to discriminate in employment on the basis of sex. Similarly, as the Justice Department under President Barack Obama argued in a lower court brief in Grimms case, Treating a student differently from other students because his birth-assigned sex diverges from his gender identity constitutes differential treatment on the basis of sex under Title IX. Forcing Grimm, and Grimm alone, to use a separate, single-stall restroom, the Justice Department said, singles him out in a way that is humiliating and stigmatizing. This, the Trump administration notwithstanding, is not a wacky legal interpretation. The majority of lower courts that have considered the issue have agreed that discriminating against a transgender individual is sex discrimination under federal civil rights laws and the equal protection clause. The Trump administration is making a big fuss over the Obama administrations decision to express its position through a guidance letter to school districts rather than by issuing a new regulation. Dont let that distract you. What really matters is whether transgender students are protected by the law and the Constitution. On that question, it might help to consider what Gavin Grimm had to tell the Gloucester County School Board when his legal odyssey began three years ago: All I want to do is be a normal child and use the restroom in peace, and I have had no problems from students to do that only from adults. Read more from Ruth Marcuss archive, follow her on Twitter or subscribe to her updates on Facebook. President Trump, addressing the annual Conservative Political Action Conference on Friday, reminisced about the very exciting moment several years ago when he had his coming out as a conservative. I was there when Trump spoke at that 2011 CPAC gathering, at its former site in the Marriott ballroom in Washingtons Woodley Park neighborhood. Then, as now, Trump was angry. But he didnt utter a peep that day about immigration or the border wall, terrorism, or Iran or Iraq the issues that motivate him now. What made him mad then was gas prices. He had just seen gas selling for $4.54 a gallon. Its going to go much higher, he said, predicting prices of $7 to $9 a gallon. Believe me, in a year or two from now youre going to be paying that, as sure as youre sitting there. A year and two later, average gas prices were, respectively, $3.55 and $3.65, on the way down to $1.70 in 2016. Trump his dire forecasts proved wrong dropped that crusade. Rewatching the 2011 CPAC video was instructive. Trump already had fragments of what would become campaign lines: The United States is the laughingstock of the world. Other countries are screwing us. Our country will be great again. But other than issues such as China, he was animated by different subjects (Somali pirates!). Trump had little interest in conservative ideology then or now, instead exploiting the public passion of the moment. Whats changed is not Trump but the conservative movement. When he spoke at CPAC in 2011, conservatism was an ideology. By this years conference, conservatism had become a collection of grievances. It had become Trumpism. In 2011, the Reagan principles still held sway: free trade, limited government, U.S. leadership overseas, and plans to reform entitlement programs at home to balance the governments finances. Now, to judge from the adulation for Trump and his agenda at CPAC this week, conservatism is about: ripping up trade deals, expanding executive police powers, retreating from foreign engagement, and declaring Medicare and Social Security inviolate. How did this happen? At CPAC this week, Trump employed his usual knack for alternative facts when he said he had very little notes at his 2011 speech, yet everybody was thrilled. In fact, he read closely from his speech. And, though most did swoon for the reality-TV star, he was booed lustily by the Ron Paul supporters, while many laughed at his now-characteristic boasts (I graduated from . . . the best business school) while some social conservatives were wary. He was invited by a gay Republican group, and he had previously favored abortion rights and universal health care. When he returned to the conference in 2013, he positioned himself against conservatives. The Republican Party is in serious trouble, he told them, and the going is going to be a little bit tougher, and especially as you get more and more conservative. They get nasty. They dont like to hear what we have to say. . . . We have to get the momentum back. By then, he had discovered immigration as an issue, but not because he was worried about Mexican rapists and killers. If illegal immigrants were made citizens, he said, every one of those 11 million people will be voting Democratic. Republicans were on a suicide mission, he said. Why arent we letting people in from Europe? As recently as last year, the CPAC crowd was still resisting Trump, who canceled his appearance and was mocked by Ted Cruz for it. Cruz speculated that Trump canceled because he was told there were conservatives that were going to be here. Some conservative thinkers remain never-Trump, but as this weeks gathering shows, they are no longer a visible part of the conservative movement. Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway correctly told the crowd CPAC was becoming TPAC. Matt Schlapp, chairman of the group that hosts CPAC, predicted that Trump will be one of the greatest presidents that ever served this country. CPAC even winked at the unsavory element of conservatism that rose with Trump. Although it officially denounces the racist alt-right and evicted a white-nationalist from the conference, the group gave a prominent speaking role to Trump senior strategist Stephen K. Bannon, who had boasted that the company he ran, Breitbart News, was the platform for the alt-right. Breitbart in years past held a counter-conference outside of CPAC called The Uninvited for those CPAC shunned because of their views. I want to thank you for finally inviting me to CPAC, Bannon said onstage, noting there were many alumni of The Uninvited in the house. They were. And they applauded Trumps denunciation of the fake news media as the enemy of the people, his condemnation of free-trade deals and his talk about deporting bad dudes and building a wall. The Uninvited are now on the dais at CPAC and in Trumps America. May conservatism rest in peace. Twitter: @Milbank Read more from Dana Milbanks archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. Cary Gross is a professor of medicine and cancer researcher at Yale University School of Medicine. When my 80-year-old father was diagnosed with Hodgkins disease, he was so weak that he could no longer walk, and his oncologist worried that chemotherapy might do more harm than good. But there was a new drug available, a targeted therapy that uses antibodies to destroy cancer cells while apparently leaving the rest of the patients cells alone. My father understood that signing on for a treatment that hadnt been available for very long was risky. How do we know if the new drug is really better than the chemotherapy? he asked me one day on the phone. Isnt this the kind of research that you do? Indeed it is. Im a cancer outcomes researcher. I study whether new cancer treatments that succeed in initial small studies actually help people once adopted into routine clinical practice. With no large, reliable studies of this particular treatment to guide his decision, I told him to go with his gut. Looking back, I wonder whether my father would have chosen the new therapy if he had known more about the possible side effects. Initially, the tumors shrank and he regained some strength, even allowing him to walk across the room on his own. But after a few months, he noted some mild pain in his feet. Soon, severe pain shot through his legs. His doctor explained that this nerve pain was a side effect from the therapy, preventing him from walking and once again making him bed-bound. This time, it wasnt the disease that was debilitating him; it was the treatment. Like many people in his shoes, my father opted to try the new drug because he thought it might help. It was expensive, but his insurance would cover it, and the high price seemed to suggest it was special. It was also better than doing nothing. The Food and Drug Administration had approved the treatment based only on a small study of about 100 patients, one-third of whom demonstrated complete remission. Although side effects were rare, the average age of patients in the study was 31. This is typical of cancer-treatment studies, which most often test new drugs in younger and healthier people not older people with lots of medical conditions. New cancer treatments often represent important scientific advances, but the actual impact on patients is almost always far from a slam-dunk. The absence of data oversimplifies complex new treatments as shiny black boxes. There appear to be no trade-offs to consider. The default for many patients looking for treatment is yes cost be damned. Unfortunately, our governments commitment to evaluating new drugs is about to take a step backward. At a recent meeting with pharmaceutical company executives, President Trump announced he would be cutting regulations at a level nobodys ever seen before. His candidates for FDA commissioner share the view that new drugs need to reach the market more quickly and with fewer required studies. The 21st Century Cures Act has already created a pathway for companies to obtain FDA approvals with less rigorous evidence. At the same time, large funders of research that study the safety and effectiveness of drugs, such as the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, face uncertain futures in the current Congress. To be sure, patients deserve prompt access to effective, cutting-edge treatments. But what if a treatment turns out to do more harm than good? This is why we need to double down on our efforts to evaluate new treatments in the real world. We need more evidence, not less. The FDA shouldnt shy away from requiring thorough evaluation of new drugs. The same level of enthusiasm and funding that goes into developing new treatments should be invested in testing whether they are safe and effective in patients outside of the initial small trials. Undertested drugs with unclear safety profiles and efficacy should not be given to broad swaths of the population. During one of the last conversations I had with my father before he died, he asked, Shouldnt you be studying this in people like me? A rhetorical question of sorts, but I still answered: Yes, Dad, we should. One hundred and fifty years ago this weekend, African American men voted for the first time in the District of Columbia. As we confront these challenging times, we should be mindful of not just the victories of our modern civil rights movement but also the deep roots of our tragic history of race and the role that ballot access has played in the effort to overcome. We finally have a museum dedicated to that history in the heart of our nations capital. And former president Barack Obama created a national monument to Reconstruction as one of his last acts as president. But monuments are not enough. As our new president and his advisers shamelessly perpetuate myths of voter fraud calculated to justify efforts to deny access to the suffrage to populations they suspect will not support them, we need determination to move forward. Times change, but, sadly, some patterns endure. And rollback is one pattern. One hundred and fifty years ago, dog-whistles and otherwise coded language were not the practice. One Democratic candidate for the mayor of Georgetown ran on The White Mans Ticket. The country grappled with whether formerly enslaved African Americans, 1 in 7 of the population, would be truly free or just not slaves in name. While the North ultimately united to cast off slavery, there was no consensus that translated into living together in equality. Indeed, even Lincolns first instinct was to try to find a new home for African Americans in another land. The Radical Republicans in Congress made the historic 1867 vote possible. Given Congresss powers over the District, they set out to make the capital, in Sen. Charles Sumners words, an example for all the land, a place of true justice and equality. (Today a different Republican Congress has the same power and may also wish to make an example of the District, but for a very different set of reasons.) In 1866, Congress passed a law authorizing African American men to vote (no women could vote at the time) in the District. President Andrew Johnson fumed in his veto that Congress was trampling the will of the citizens of the District (the white ones, at least) who did not wish to empower their African American neighbors. In January 1867, Congress overrode Johnsons veto. The first election under the new law was on Feb. 25, 1867. Republican Charles Welch won the mayoralty of Georgetown with African American votes putting him over the top. It would be three more years before the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the vote nationwide, would be ratified. And this period, known as Congressional Reconstruction, would bring a series of progressive firsts to our nation for which we are beginning to celebrate 150-year anniversaries. But it was not long before the experiment in fairness, opportunity and empowerment began to be challenged. In 1871, Congress consolidated what were then three separate municipalities Georgetown, Washington City and Washington County into a single jurisdiction within the District of Columbia, presided over by a federally appointed governor and powerful Board of Public Works. African American men retained the vote, but its significance was severely diluted one of the goals of the consolidation. By the mid-1870s, the District lost all meaningful voting rights, and through the Compromise of 1877 the national effort to build a more just order was shelved. It would be nearly 100 years before District residents reclaimed meaningful voting rights on local matters, and the country was plunged into the terrorism of Jim Crow and generations of racial oppression. The Districts tangible first steps toward justice and equality showed that progress is not inevitable. Retrenchment is all too common. If we are to truly make ourselves into an example for all the land, it will take a concerted, sustained effort. It is a shame that we must fight for our rights, but it is heartening in the coming era of 150th anniversaries of the first, fragile dramatic breakthroughs, District citizens of every background and District leaders across the spectrum are standing together to insist, at long last, on liberty and justice for all. Catalina Sanchez, holding her son Gustavo, and Cirilo Perez pose for a portrait with their daughter Miriam, 9, on their bed in the main room of their trailer in Wimauma, Fla. Perez works in the local tomato fields, while Sanchez raises 3-month-old Gustavo. (Zack Wittman/For The Washington Post) Rumors about deportation raids started to circulate around the fields again, so Catalina Sanchez and her husband began to calculate the consequences of everything they did. Cirilo Perez, 36, had to go to work because the tomato crop was getting low, and he needed to pick as much as he could as fast as he could. Sanchezs medical checkup would have to wait going to a clinic was too risky. What they fretted most about was what to do with their daughter Miriam a natural-born citizen in the third grade who they worried would come home one day to an empty trailer. When she leaves, I wonder if it will be the last time I see her, Sanchez, 26, said on a recent evening. As President Trump moves to turn the full force of the federal government toward deporting undocumented immigrants, a newfound fear of the future has already cast a pall over the tomato farms and strawberry fields in the largely undocumented migrant communities east of Tampa. (Bastien Inzaurralde/The Washington Post) Any day could be when deportations ramp up; that, to them, seemed certain. No one knew when or where. And so the community here is in a state of suspension. Children have stopped playing in parks and the streets and businesses have grown quieter, as many have receded into the background, where they feel safe. Its all gringos here, said Maria Pimentel, owner of the community staple Taqueria El Sol, who said she had never heard so much English in her restaurant in her life. Business had plummeted, she said, because her Spanish-speaking customers were scared to come out of their house. Trump has repeatedly cast undocumented workers from Mexico as bad hombres and lower-skilled workers with less education who compete directly against vulnerable American workers. Trump made clear during his campaign that those here illegally today, who are seeking legal status, they will have one route and one route only: to return home and apply for reentry like everybody else. Heleodora Jose Jose stands in the doorway of her trailer in Dover, Fla. She works in the local fields, picking seasonal fruit and preparing the fields for harvest, but there is typically no fieldwork in the area in July and August. She is afraid to travel to find work for fear of being picked up by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. (Zack Wittman/For The Washington Post) In the early days of his administration, Trump has begun to follow through on those promises. Earlier this month, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency arrested 680 people across the country. The agency has also become aggressive about attempting to detain undocumented migrants who have been jailed by local authorities. As of Friday, it has issued more than 42,000 detainer requests this year, 35 percent higher than the year before. ICE described its actions as routine and lambasted those who labeled them as raids because nearly 1 in 4 of those arrested had no criminal records. Activists and residents here said they saw at least six people taken away on Feb. 2 during a search for someone accused of selling fake Social Security cards in nearby Plant City, the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World. The next day, the number of migrant children who stayed home from school surged by 40 percent, according to statistics from the local school district. There were crackdowns under President Obama, as well, but local activist Norma Rosalez said people generally trusted him to target only criminals and potential terrorists. Obama also offered protection to dreamers undocumented immigrants who were brought to the country at a young age but teenagers were now afraid to apply to the program, Rosalez said, over fears that an application would lead an immigration officer straight to their door. The changed environment made many wonder what would happen to the north this spring and summer, when workers normally move on to Georgia to pick peaches or to Michigan to pick peppers. Many thought they would now stay put. It was safer that way. We look at it like this: The country can either import its workforce or import its food, said Dale Moore, executive director of policy for the Farm Bureau, which lobbies for easing restrictions to get foreign workers for agriculture. Weve been fighting for this for years, but immigration has a different flavor with Donald Trump, Moore said. Growers here rejected Trumps notion that farmworkers were competing with American workers, and hoped he would see more nuance to the issue. You can actually make a good living $15, $20 an hour if youre good at this but the truth is Americans dont want to do this work, said one prominent Florida farmer, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he feared Trumps administration would target him for speaking out. One recent night, Sanchez got a Facebook message saying that raids were going to happen either that day or the next. Another friend told them about a police car checking vehicles in a nearby town. Someone else talked about seeing an ICE officer shopping at Walmart. There was a meeting for concerned parents in a nearby subdivision, but they wondered whether it was a trap. Is it safe? Sanchez asked Maristela Hinojosa, a community coordinator for the Hispanic Services Council who organized the meeting. She had received so many similar calls that she considered canceling. Hinojosa held the meeting and, not long after Sanchez and Perez took their seats in the back, she locked the doors to make people feel safer. When there was a knock, she responded with, Quien es? before opening the door. This was the sort of lesson Hinojosa emphasized to the attendants. Dont just open the door. If there is an ICE agent on the other side, dont open it at all. She told them about their right to remain silent. She handed out tiny cards that were to be handed over to anyone who stopped them, explaining that they did not speak English and would like a lawyer. Perez immediately put the card in his wallet. I feel like this is something I could do, he said with a rare touch of empowerment. He had met Sanchez working in the fields and together they had young Miriam and, now, a baby named Gustavo. They tried to avoid the topic with their children. I dont like what Im doing, but I do it to make a living, and I find joy in that, Perez said after the meeting. It was the choice between a full life for my children or a life of empty stomachs. The couple began to cry. Miriam walked up to hug her father. Perez pulled out his cellphone and tried to change the subject. Do you want to see videos of working on the farm? he asked his daughter. *** Miriam Sanchez Perez is shown outside her home in Wimauma, Fla. Her family rents a trailer in the back yard of a large house that has three other trailers. (Zack Wittman/For The Washington Post) There were similar sessions going on throughout the county, with community leaders focusing on helping families with American children. Lourdes Villanueva, director of programs for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association, which runs Head Start programs for migrant families throughout Florida, said she was surprised how popular they were and how unpopular school had become. Usually, there were waiting lists for migrant children to get into preschool, but after the election enrollment dropped by 43 percent. Staff at the Head Start center in nearby Dover began stacking cabbages and bananas on flatbeds outside so the farmworkers had food to take home when they picked up their children, since many of their parents were afraid to go to the grocery store. Now Villanueva watched lawyer Diana Castro drill some of those parents on how to stay safe. Can I see your purse? Castro asked a woman in the front row. When she opened it, Castro said, No. Nunca consienta en nada. Dont consent to anything. Also, dont run. Dont carry false IDs. Practice the phrase, Am I free to go? Dont try to get pity from them, because they are not trying to help you, Castro said. They are just trying to do their jobs. Villanueva handed out a stack of documents that asked parents to name an emergency contact who would have authority to take custody of their children in case they were sent back to Mexico. No matter what, we should be prepared, Villanueva said. The next day, Irene Lara and Paulina Martinez put on red shirts and climbed into a white van for a different kind of search. As migrant recruiters for the school system, their job was to look for farmworker families who had not sent their children to school. They never inquired about their immigration status. The recruiters helped to double the number of migrant children attending public school within two years, according to Carol Mayo, who supervises a program serving 4,000 students. Nowadays, families were less likely to ask about school lunch and more likely to ask how they could get a lawyer or get in touch with the Mexican Consulate. One of her newest staffers even caused a scare when he drove to a trailer park wearing sunglasses. The dwellers began screaming as they ran inside and as laundry flew off clotheslines. Im not immigration! the new recruiter recalled screaming to calm them down. Lara thought she had mastered how to find migrant workers. She would glance at peoples knees to look for clumps of dirt or under their cuticles for stains from strawberries. She would demurely speak with them in Spanish, then try to impress them by telling them about the day she picked 81 flats of strawberries when she worked on the farms herself. But, on this day, she and Martinez set out for a strip mall that farmworkers frequent and saw no one. They drove to a nearby strawberry field, where typically she could spot the silhouettes of bent-over strawberry pickers in the distance. The grove was relatively empty. Lara looked at Martinez and said: I dont think were going to find anyone today. They traveled next to a trailer park near one of the biggest strawberry fields in Plant City. As they drove into the lot, men jumped into cars with tinted windows and license plates from Tennessee, Wisconsin and Michigan. One driver wore a mask over his face. Its Day Without Immigrants protests, its the talk about raids, its the fear of strangers, its everything, Lara said. People are scared, but their children still need help. Its better for them to be in school. They made one final stop at St. Clement Catholic Church, where more and more migrants had been showing up for Mass on Sundays. Pulling in, she saw something she had not seen all day: a man walking out of a building on the church campus with dirt caked on his jeans. Que paso? she asked. The man explained that representatives from the Mexican Consulate had set up in a recreation area of the church. The consulate had come to help undocumented migrants fill out paperwork for their American children so they could apply for dual citizenship. It was a last, desperate move for those who might get deported. I dont want to leave her with strangers, the man said to Lara. Inside, parents sat in plastic chairs waiting to meet representatives who sat with a stack of paperwork on foldout tables. Some families came with bags filled with documents. Some had no proof of origin at all. Kayla Gonzalez, 10, sat on the floor as her mother watched her baby brother. I think Trump is bullying people by the color of their skin and he should show love to people more and make better life choices, Kayla said. I love my parents, and I dont understand why the government would want to take them away. Heleodora Jose Joses daughter, Melissa, sits on the couch in her familys trailer in Dover, Fla. (Zack Wittman/For The Washington Post) Kaylas mother, Perla Ocampo, 34, sells Mary Kay products; her father sells fruit. When Kayla raised her fears about Trump with her mother, Ocampo said she had no good answers. I am a woman of faith, Ocampo recalled telling her daughter about Trumps plans. We just have to trust that there is a reason we are living through this, and hope that this moment would open his heart and see the truth. If not faith, then the law. Ocampo tried to remain calm. But Trumps America had so unsettled her, she felt forced to seek help from the country she ran away from 16 years ago. It was an America in which her American daughter was now looking to also become a Mexican citizen, so she could join her family if she came home from school one day to find an empty home. They prayed it would never happen. Maybe it never would. But if it did, they wanted to be ready. Conservative donor Rebekah Mercer has directed her familys resources into an array of groups on the right. (Photo courtesy of the Media Research Center/Photo courtesy of the Media Research Center) Breitbart News Network, the far-right media outlet that heralded President Trumps rise and was once led by his top White House strategist, is owned in part by a wealthy conservative family that poured millions into propelling Trump into office, the companys chief executive acknowledged Friday. The sites financial backing from the Mercers further cements the familys status as some of the most influential financiers of the Trump era. The news comes as Breitbart has enjoyed a higher profile within the White House press corps. The Mercers investment in Breitbart has been previously reported by The Washington Post and other news outlets, but the familys role as partial owners of the organization has never been officially confirmed. Larry Solov, Breitbarts president and CEO, shared the companys ownership information with a panel of congressional journalists as part of a process to get Capitol Hill press credentials for Breitbart reporters. Solov said that he is also an owner of the company. The largest share is owned by Susannah Breitbart, the widow of site founder Andrew Breitbart, who died in 2012. Solov would not reveal which members of the Mercer family were investors. I cant say more than the Mercer family, Solov told the Standing Committee of Correspondents, the group tasked with approving credentials that grant reporters access to certain areas in the Capitol restricted to the general public. Thats all I can specify right now. Solov also said that the sites former executive chairman, White House senior strategist Stephen K. Bannon, resigned from the company in a phone call after the election. But Solov said he could not provide documentation of Bannons separation from Breitbart. Neither White House officials nor a spokeswoman for Breitbart and the Mercers returned requests for comment. The Los Angeles-based Breitbart News, founded in 2007, has been criticized for airing inflammatory stories about immigrants and refugees and promoting nationalist views. Bannon once touted it as a platform for the alt-right, a small, far-right movement that seeks a whites-only state and whose adherents are known for espousing racist, anti-Semitic and sexist points of view. Breitbart is one of many projects that the Mercers undertook with Bannon in the past six years as they expanded their political influence on the right. The familys profile started to rise in 2010, when Robert Mercer became co-chief executive of the Renaissance Technologies hedge fund and began directing his wealth into Republican campaigns. Last year, he and his wife, Diana, gave nearly $3.4 million to Trumps campaign, the Republican Party and a family super PAC that backed the businessmans presidential bid and was run by Kellyanne Conway, now a top White House adviser. Much of the familys political investment strategy is driven by their middle daughter, Rebekah, who has quietly directed millions into an array of conservative groups and causes. Under her leadership, the Mercer family foundation gave nearly $35 million to Washington think tanks and state policy groups between 2009 and 2014, according to records compiled by The Washington Post and GuideStar USA. Among the major beneficiaries have been the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog group, and the Heritage Foundation. The family also financed a production company that produced films such as Clinton Cash, a documentary based on the book by conservative author Peter Schweizer, as well as a data science company, Cambridge Analytica, that worked for Trumps campaign. Cambridges British parent company, SCL Group, is now ramping up its efforts to secure government contracts. Before joining Trumps campaign, Bannon effectively served as Rebekah Mercers political adviser, according to people familiar with his role. He was also executive chairman of Breitbart, where he hosted a regular satellite radio show where his guests included Trump and others who have become officials in the administration. Rebekah Mercer played a role in his hiring by Trump, whom she urged last summer to shake up his campaign leadership. [The rise of GOP mega-donor Rebekah Mercer] When Bannon joined Trumps campaign, Breitbart announced that he was taking a temporary leave of absence and would rejoin the company after the election. On Friday, Solov said Bannon currently has no editorial or financial relationship with Breitbart. But the committee asked Solov to provide a document or statement from Bannon attesting to his separation from the company. Were trying to help get you credentials, said Billy House of Bloomberg News, chairman of the committee. But House added: Were just a little concerned and Im not saying this is the case but what youre telling us could also be a way to evade actually having Mr. Bannon state that he is no longer with Breitbart. Solov said he could not agree to the committees request. I can only do what I can do. I dont have control over Mr. Bannon, Solov said. Since Trump took office, Breitbart has enjoyed favorable access to the administration at a time when the president has been denouncing the media as the enemy of the American people. But the outlet has also run stories critical of Trump, including pieces that hammered him for not cracking down on undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children. On Friday, Solov told the congressional credentialing panel that Breitbart correspondents deserve official passes that will give them regular access to Capitol Hill. The Standing Committee has awarded credentials to both liberal and conservative news organizations, as well as mainstream outlets, but members said Friday that they have concerns about Breitbart given the lack of public knowledge about its finances and management structure. matea.gold@washpost.com Attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the 44th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Feb. 24, 2017 Attendees recite the Pledge of Allegiance at the 44th Annual Conservative Political Action Conference at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Md. Shawn Thew/European Pressphoto Agency We cannot escape our destiny, nor should we try to do so, Ronald Reagan told one of the first CPAC gatherings in January 1974. The leadership of the free world was thrust upon us two centuries ago in that little hall of Philadelphia. Quoting Pope Pius XII after World War II, Reagan said, Into the hands of America, God has placed the destinies of an afflicted mankind. Contrast that with what President Trump said Friday when he addressed the Conservative Political Action Conference. Trumps speech, coupled with the appearance a day earlier by White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon, provided the most definitive articulation of the America First philosophy that carried Trump to victory in November and that is redefining conservatism and, with it, the Republican Party. We need to define what this great, great unprecedented movement is and what it actually represents, Trump said. The core conviction of our movement is that we are a nation that put and will put its own citizens first. For too long, weve traded away our jobs to other countries. So terrible. Weve defended other nations borders while leaving ours wide open. Reagans speech in 1974, along with his frequent later appearances at CPAC, was an evocation of his vision of America as a shining city on a hill and the last best hope of man on Earth. His vision called for an outward-looking America, a nation whose unique power and position carried with it obligations to the rest of the world. Those themes animated his conservatism throughout his political career. Trump, the economic nationalist, cast things differently. Among the most arresting lines in his speech were these: There is no such thing as a global anthem, a global currency or a global flag, he said. This is the United States of America that Im representing. Im not representing the globe. Im representing your country. (Sarah Parnass/The Washington Post) Reagan might have agreed with the literal words spoken by the 45th president. He was an American president who traced his philosophy to the Founding Fathers and patriots. He was not a believer in global government or handing powers to international bodies such as the United Nations. Still, the contrast between Trumps and Reagans visions cannot be overstated. Reagan espoused American exceptionalism and a nation seeking to defend freedom around the world. Trump looks inward and appears to begrudge the responsibilities of leading the world that previous presidents, Republican or Democrat, have embraced. [Bannon vows daily fight to change the country] It is commonly asserted that Trump and Trumpism have buried Reagan and Reaganism, that the conservatism of the past few decades is rapidly being replaced by a mixture of policies that range across the ideological spectrum, some of which are contrary to what conservatives have long espoused. That assertion of the takeover is mostly true. The speed with which the transformation of the Republican Party is taking place is breathtaking, at least on the surface. Many conservative intellectuals remain holdouts. But rank-and-file Republicans so far are enthusiastic, and Trumps hardcore supporters are ecstatic. Last year, Trump was a no-show at CPAC, a candidate who threatened the old conservative order. This year he arrived as a conquering hero. Trump is still a work in progress. His speech at CPAC sounded much like the campaign speeches he gave last fall, replete with promises yet to be fulfilled. His supporters give him credit for keeping those promises, as the first weeks of his administration have been a projection of his intention to do just that. The details of his promises remain sketchy. Trumps Tuesday night speech to a joint session of Congress could begin to fill in some of those blank spots. Supporters listen as President Trump addresses the crowd during CPAC on Feb. 24 in Maryland. (Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post) Some of his agenda is conventional conservatism as it has been defined since and even before Reagan. Domestically, Trump is for lower taxes and less regulation to spur business activity and economic growth. Bannon used a phrase that perhaps sounded ominous to describe the struggle to enact this agenda. He called it the deconstruction of the administrative state. In less grandiose language, it represents an effort to pare back the federal government. Republicans have long advocated exactly that. Reagan tried and was partially successful in taming the federal behemoth but not the deficit. Trumps advocacy of these policies is one big reason so many traditional conservatives, and particularly Republican elected officials, are making their peace with a president whose candidacy they opposed and whose language and style repelled them throughout the 2016 election. [Trump at CPAC says his voters are the future of the GOP] Trump and Reagan shared something else: Each sought to redefine the Republican Party as one that was open and welcoming to working-class Americans, many of them longtime Democratic voters. Reagan battled the Republican establishment on his way to the presidency, and he sought to create a new coalition of voters for the party. The New Republican Party that I envision will not be and cannot be one limited to the country club, big-business image that, for reasons both fair and unfair, it is burdened with today, Reagan told CPAC in 1977. The New Republican Party I am speaking about is going to have room for the man and the woman in the factories, for the farmer, for the cop on the beat. Like Reagan, who brought many white ethnic, working-class voters to his side during the 1980s, Trump owes his victory in part to his success in attracting more support than previous GOP candidates from that same constituency. On Friday, Trump said: The GOP will be, from now on, the party of the American worker. . . . We will not answer to donors or lobbyists or special interests. (That, even though his Cabinet is populated by billionaires and Wall Street veterans.) Trump and Bannon see a world of entangling alliances and multinational trade agreements that they seem to believe have ill served the United States and the American worker. They cast themselves as part of a right-wing populist movement challenging governments throughout Europe over immigration, refugees and other policies. For Trump, the Islamic State and radical Islamists represent the greatest threat to security and stability. Trump and Bannon would argue that the world is far different than it was when Reagan came to power. The Soviet Union, with which Reagan battled, no longer exists. Trump sees Russia as a potential ally against the Islamic State. But Russias interference in the election casts a shadow over Trumps presidency, and Trumps gentleness toward an aggressive Russian President Vladimir Putin is anathema to Reaganites. Trump opened his speech Friday with another screed at the media as dishonest, repeating his claim that news organizations are the enemy of the American people. When Reagan appeared before CPAC in 1981 shortly after his inauguration, he said this: During our political efforts, we were the subject of much indifference and often times intolerance, and thats why I hope our political victory will be remembered as a generous one and our time in power will be recalled for the tolerance we showed for those with whom we disagree. . . . We must hold out this exciting prospect of an orderly, compassionate, pluralistic society, an archipelago of prospering communities and divergent institutions. That too is a contrast between the 40th president and the 45th. Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) turns to hear the reading of a question submitted in writing during a town hall meeting in Blackstone, Va., on Feb. 21, 2017. Brat had been criticized since President Trumps inauguration as avoiding face-to-face meetings with his constituents. (Timothy C. Wright/For The Washington Post) These days, Tip ONeill must be rolling over in his grave. The late House speaker famously declared that all politics is local, but that adage has been put to the test over the past decade by an increased level of national news consumption by an electorate watching cable TV and reading the Facebook pages of friends across the country. In the age of President Trump, surging seas of activists on the left and the right are drowning out local issues and forcing senators and representatives to answer locally for every national controversy. Never has that new environment been so perfectly captured than over the past week, when lawmakers returned home to their congressional districts. They discovered, if they didnt know already, that most voters were no longer paying much attention to core issues in their own communities. From a high school in Grand Rapids, Mich., to the cornfields of Iowa to a Muslim center outside Washington, thousands of voters headed to events hoping to ask their members of Congress a question or two. Again and again, rather than mimic a local civics class, the meetings took on the tone of a national news show. Reporters for The Washington Post attended at least 10 meetings involving members of the House and Senate and spanning more than 14 hours. The lawmakers faced more than 160 questions from the public or local moderators. The questions were often thoughtful and knowledgable. Only 11 focused on issues of purely local concern. More than 93 percent of the questions these lawmakers faced dealt with some national or international issue, including Trumps personal and financial ties to Russia and the level of support for repealing the Affordable Care Act. Some lawmakers were asked to define what fake news meant to them. [Republicans distance themselves from Trumps agenda at rowdy town halls] In Blackstone, Va., more than 60 miles southwest of Richmond, Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) faced a barrage of questions Tuesday about the health law and whether millions would lose insurance if it was repealed. According to The Posts Jenna Portnoy, Brat fielded three dozen questions in a 70-minute session. Just two constituents focused on local topics. One question dealt with how Brat could help rural hospitals. The other question came on a piece of paper that didnt include a constituent name, simply reading: Rural. Internet. Help. More than 110 miles east in Yorktown, Va., at the same time Tuesday, Rep. Scott W. Taylor (R-Va.) faced hostile questions about Trumps attack on national news organizations as the enemy. The regions local shipbuilding industry as well as its many military bases are remarkably reliant on federal funding. Just one constituent asked Taylor who serves on the subcommittee that funds military construction projects about what he could do to boost the local economy with military ship projects. At 37, Taylor said he is not surprised by the lack of focus on local concerns. He won his first race in 2013, for state delegate. In a campaign in which he knocked on nearly 10,000 doors, he found that the focus was overwhelmingly national. Thats whats in the news, thats whats on the social media, Taylor said in an interview after the second of three town hall meetings he held over the week. Theres definitely local issues as well, too, but to me they seem to be a minority, and they have been ever since Ive been involved in politics. Republican critics might contend that these citizens are merely mouthing the questions that national liberal advocacy groups encourage them to ask. In one instance, before a Grand Rapids town hall event held by Rep. Justin Amash (R), a freelancer for The Post, Steve Friess, came across fliers distributed by the group Indivisible, explaining to the public how they should address the congressman and the issues. But, overwhelmingly, these were residents of the local district, real constituents angered by the early days of Trumps presidency. In many ways, they are mirroring the heavy focus on national issues that conservative activists, under the tea party banner, focused on over the past seven years. Still, the whole scene of the past week turns upside down the original purpose of town hall meetings. [In N.J., a record town hall crowd presses Leonard Lance to get tough on Trump] The point of scheduling congressional recesses formally known as district work periods is for senators and representatives to go home and talk to real people to discover what their constituents really care about. ONeill, who was speaker from 1977 to 1987, encouraged his caucus to focus on local bread-and-butter issues, helping to maintain large Democratic majorities even as Ronald Reagans Republican presidency remained very popular. Town halls had become mandatory for presidential candidates in the early-voting states of Iowa and New Hampshire, whose leaders have long asserted that their constituents had unique issues that would test the candidates. But Alex Conant, an adviser to Tim Pawlentys and Sen. Marco Rubios 2012 and 2016 Republican presidential campaigns, respectively, said that by 2011, he could see the tone of voters in Iowa and New Hampshire growing angrier and shifting on national issues. In 2016, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) rejected decades of precedent and opposed federal support for ethanol, a critical issue to Iowas corn growers that had previously been seen as a crucial position for presidential contenders. He won the states Republican presidential caucus anyway. Trump barely did any town halls and won the New Hampshire GOP primary in a blowout. Now, seemingly, that sentiment has taken hold with members of the House, each of whom, on average, represents just 750,000 people. Lawmakers used to be able to dole out millions of dollars worth of earmarked funds each year for local projects, but that practice was prohibited six years ago after many federal corruption investigations. That leaves rank-and-file lawmakers with less to talk about now in terms of their own achievements. At the same time, as local media budgets have collapsed, the public increasingly has turned to national venues for news, whether the 24/7 cable channels, websites or social media. The result is that, at a town hall before 900 people, Rep. Leonard Lance (R-N.J.), a moderate whose focus is on health issues, faced four questions about Trumps ties to Russia and three more about the presidents financial investments and potential conflicts of interest and just two questions about the ACA. It is happening at Democratic town halls, too. Reps. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) and Anthony G. Brown (D-Md.) spent three hours with constituents at the Diyanet Center of America, a mosque and cultural center in Lanham, Md., with just two questions relating to local concerns. Even those issues how could Maryland retain parts of the ACA, and what could be done about drawing congressional districts? had a national undertone. The Posts Arelis Hernandez summed up her report this way: One by one, Marylanders posed the same question in their own words: How can they stop Trump? Read more from Paul Kanes archive, follow him on Twitter or subscribe to his updates on Facebook. After a string of televised debates, four party-sponsored future forums and three months of person-to-person lobbying, the race to lead the Democratic National Committee is coming to an end with a vote on Saturday that might leave Democrats with new divisions. According to multiple campaigns, former labor secretary Thomas Perez has the largest share of the DNCs 447 voting members ready to support him. Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) was running behind him. In the last week, both were endorsed by rivals who were seen to have a few dozen votes between them; before that, Perez claimed to be just 44 votes away from victory. Were bringing that black and brown coalition together, yall, said South Carolina Democratic Party chairman Jaime Harrison Friday morning during a Black History Month breakfast event where he reiterated his endorsement of Perez. The next DNC chairman will take over a party financially drained by the 2016 election but cheered by protests galvanized on a near-daily basis by an unpopular Republican president. The chairman needs to rebuild a bench that was decimated by the 2010 and 2014 midterms, with races in 2017 and 2018 giving the party its last chance, for a decade, to take power in states where gerrymandering of House district boundaries has built a powerful House GOP majority. There is also, of course, the 2020 presidential election and the lack of a clear field to challenge Trump. Some Democrats, who increasingly see Perez as the next chairman, are bracing for protests no matter who wins. Progressive news outlets have attacked Perez as a stalking horse for the partys establishment; some prominent donors have said that Ellison, who would be the first Muslim chairman of a major political party, has been too critical of Israel. 1 of 24 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from the DNC winter meeting in Atlanta View Photos During the three-day meeting in Georgia, Democratic activists will select a new party chair to head the national committee. Caption During the three-day meeting in Georgia, Democrats selected Thomas Perez as the new chairman of the partys national committee. The former Obama Cabinet official becomes the first Latino to lead the Democratic National Committee. Feb. 25, 2017 People attend the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Atlanta. The three-day meeting includes the election of a new DNC chair. Erik S. Lesser/European Pressphoto Agency Wait 1 second to continue. Sen. Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), one of Ellisons earliest backers, said in a letter distributed by the Ellison campaign that he trusts the congressman on Israel and as a fighter against anti-Semitism. But a race that began with multiple Democratic leaders endorsing Ellison, who was encouraged to run by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt), has revealed the limits of Berniecrats inside the party structure. Supporters of Ellison and Perez have acknowledged that a victory for Perez would come with a backlash from the left. It would be a challenge, especially in states where Bernie did well, said Brandon Dillon, the chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party and an Ellison supporter. It would definitely lead to some conversations with people who are just now getting involved with the party, said Deborah Langhoff, a DNC member from Louisiana who endorsed Perez. On policy and on their prescriptions for the party, Perez and Ellison have few substantive differences. Ellison has taken pains in public forums to say that Perez was an ally in the Obama administration; both men have promised to pour resources into state and territorial Democratic parties, reversing what was seen as a trend toward centralization during the Obama years. But outside of the DNC, progressive writers and organizers have begun to ring alarms about an Ellison defeat. On Friday morning, a number of groups that had endorsed Ellison, including MoveOn.org, 350 Action and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, asked DNC members to be heroes and back the congressmans campaign. If Keith Ellison is DNC Chair, we can hit the ground running and because of the pre-existing trust that exists between Keith and the grassroots, every state party would have a head start harnessing the power of the resistance, they wrote. On Thursday and Friday, The New Republic and The Intercept published long pieces asking why Perez needed to run in the first place, highlighting the criticism of Ellison from donors. If the plan to sink Ellison succeeds, the message that will be heard fairly or not is that the Democratic Party continues to venerate loyalty to its oligarchical donors above all else, wrote The Intercepts Glenn Greenwald. Ellison himself has avoided that tone and has discouraged supporters from lobbying DNC members. In 2016, many DNC members, who enjoyed superdelegate status at the partys convention, were deluged by Sanders supporters. While Sanders has called some DNC members on Ellisons behalf, the senator has warned supporters sometimes in vain not to repeat the unsuccessful email and phone-call lobbying of 2016. When I see some of the emails, I just ignore them, Tony Coelho, a former California congressman who was one of the partys best high-dollar fundraisers, and who is now a Perez-supporting DNC member. When they call, you know who it is, because they dont leave voice mail. While Sanders supporters have won party leadership positions since the senators campaign ended, most of the DNCs membership backed Hillary Clinton for president. There were cheers on Friday morning when the former secretary of state appeared in a video message, saying that ideas we championed are now inspiring leaders and activists across our country. Whoever wins and I really hope its Keith will have a huge responsibility of healing, motivating and activating people, said American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, who backed Clinton for president. A third DNC candidate, South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, spent Friday hoping that Democrats would dodge a backlash by deadlocking and then giving him a chance. At a lunch for supporters, Buttigieg estimated that he had around 30 votes, and told reporters that scores of DNC members have told him he was their second choice if the race dragged on. That assessment was echoed by Buttigiegs highest-profile supporter former presidential candidate and DNC chairman Howard Dean. At the lunch, Dean described Buttigieg as the candidate who could lead a 50-year strategy for the party (a contrast with Deans own 50-state strategy), and went further than any candidate in criticizing party leadership. I dont want to say anything bad about the other candidates, because I like them all, but I think Chuck Schumers endorsement is the kiss of death, Dean said. I had to say no to Chuck Schumer when he demanded $5 million. I said, Chuck, youre not getting it for the [Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee] Im putting it into local races in Maryland, and South Carolina, and Michigan! Dean shouted the last words, making a joke out of the infamous speech he gave after losing the 2004 Iowa caucuses. Asked about the remarks, spokesmen for Schumer and Ellison declined to comment. And in the hallway outside of the lunch, Deans brother Jim, who led the progressive group Democracy for America, was offering green Keith for DNC shirts to anyone who walked by. Read more at PowerPost Former labor secretary Thomas Perez was elected the first Latino chair of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday, narrowly defeating Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) at the end of a contentious battle over the fate of the beleaguered party in the age of President Trump. Perezs victory concluded the first contested race for the DNC leadership since 1985, a contest the party had extended by a month to allow more debate. It put in place the Democratic leadership that will navigate thousands of state and local elections where the party hopes to reverse the losses of the past six years and a 2020 presidential race that could divide the party again. Ellisons defeat was a blow to the partys liberal wing, personified by activists, labor leaders and organizers, many of whom had supported the presidential bid of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and had come to Atlanta to cheer Ellison on. Many of them warned that by picking Perez, the party was alienating the growing resistance that has organized against Trump. The race was close enough that it required a second round of balloting, with Perez winning 235 of 435 votes cast. With tensions still high as the result was announced, nine Ellison supporters chanted Party for the people, not big money! and stormed out of the room. Someday, theyre going to study this era of American history, Perez said after his win. Theyre going to ask the question of all of us: Where were you in 2017 when we had the worst president in the history of the United States? We will be able to say that the Democratic Party led the resistance and made sure this was a one-term president. (Alice Li/The Washington Post) [Winners and losers from the Democratic National Committee chairmans race] Onstage, Perez gave Ellison the symbolic role of deputy party chair, and the Minnesota congressman gave a short speech asking his supporters to stay with the party and avoid recriminations. We dont have the luxury to walk out of this room divided, Ellison said. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, tweeted her support for both Perez and Ellison as representatives of a unified party, while former president Barack Obama congratulated my friend Perez in a statement. I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much, Obama said. Sanders, who had supported Ellison, said in a statement that it was imperative that Tom understands that the same-old, same-old is not working and that we must open the doors of the party to working people and young people in a way that has never been done before. Trump, in classic fashion, responded to the election by simultaneously congratulating and belittling Perez in a tweet: I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party! 1 of 24 Full Screen Autoplay Close Skip Ad Photos from the DNC winter meeting in Atlanta View Photos During the three-day meeting in Georgia, Democrats selected Tom Perez as the new chairman of the partys national committee. The Obama Cabinet official becomes the first Latino to lead the Democratic National Committee. Caption During the three-day meeting in Georgia, Democrats selected Thomas Perez as the new chairman of the partys national committee. The former Obama Cabinet official becomes the first Latino to lead the Democratic National Committee. Feb. 25, 2017 People attend the Democratic National Committee winter meeting in Atlanta. The three-day meeting includes the election of a new DNC chair. Erik S. Lesser/European Pressphoto Agency Wait 1 second to continue. [DNC chair candidates try to move past primary, adopt resistance] The vote itself was tense. On Friday night, Democrats gathered at a downtown Westin hotel here in Atlanta to meet, drink and lobby for votes, and the Ellison campaign along with allies of South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg, a third candidate battled rumors that Perez might already have locked up the votes he needed. But by Saturday morning, it was clear that the race was up for grabs. Buttigieg used his nomination speech to quit the race, endorsing no candidate. As most of the 439 DNC members present cast their votes eight eligible members did not attend several DNC members got a text from the Ellison camp saying the congressman was grateful to have the support of Mayor Buttigieg, an endorsement that the mayor denied. In the first round of balloting, Perez won 213.5 votes to 200 for Ellison, 12 for Idaho Democratic Party Executive Director Sally Boynton Brown, 0.5 for Democratic strategist Jehmu Greene and one for Buttigieg in the first round of balloting. Greene endorsed Perez, while two fringe candidates who had won no votes backed Ellison. Members who are abroad get half a vote. Perezs victory did not represent a Democratic shift to the right. On key issues, Perezs platform mostly resembled Ellisons. Perez promised to refocus on small donors and online fundraising; Ellison set a goal for low-dollar contributions from everyday Americans [to] account for 33 percent of revenue. Ellison called for an Innovation Hub in Silicon Valley; Perez promoted DNC fellowships to encourage developers, programmers, data scientists, [and] engineers. While Perez and Ellison praised each other personally, the race was defined for outsiders by Sanderss support of the Minnesota lawmaker. Ellison was one of the few members of Congress who had backed Sanders for president. He billed himself as the unity candidate who would keep Sanderss restive supporters in the party while embracing those who had backed Clinton. In the first weeks after Ellison declared his candidacy, the strategy seemed to be working, despite some hiccups. Labor unions that had endorsed Clinton, such as the American Federation of Teachers and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, got behind Ellison. [Howard Dean endorses dark-horse DNC candidate Pete Buttigieg] Howard Dean, the most successful DNC chair in modern party history, dropped his plans to run again when Ellison said he would resign from Congress if elected to the full-time job. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.), who had frequently clashed with Dean over strategy and investments, endorsed Ellison and defended the first Muslim member of Congress against charges of anti-Semitism. But veterans of the Obama administration, where Perez had been a popular liberal force, encouraged the former labor secretary to run and starting Dec. 15, he did. In progressive media, the race was frequently covered as a clash between the establishment and the revolution that had been proved right by the 2016 election. That was not how most DNC members chose to see it. In public forums, including the final one broadcast on CNN, Ellison and Perez declined to criticize each other. While progressive media outlets accused Perez of protecting the partys consultant class, DNC members who broke for Perez said that he had convinced them that he knew what state parties needed. Tom seemed to have a better handle on the job, said Kathy Sullivan, a former chair of New Hampshires Democratic Party, who endorsed Perez after current New Hampshire state chair Ray Buckley quit the race. Perez was also helped by a string of endorsements from Obama administration veterans although, as Ellison backers noticed, he did not win any high-profile supporters of Sanderss to compete with Ellisons endorsements from Clintonites. The Feb. 1 endorsement of Perez by former vice president Joe Biden, one of the partys most beloved figures, prompted Sanders to criticize Perez for the first time. Do we stay with a failed status-quo approach or do we go forward with a fundamental restructuring of the Democratic Party? Sanders asked in a statement after Bidens endorsement. I say we go forward and create a grassroots party which speaks for working people and is prepared to stand up to the top one percent. [Ellison tells DNC members that DNC chair rival is trying to skew race] Most of the DNCs membership just 39 of whom had backed Sanders for president in 2016 did not view the contest as a stark ideological clash. Sanders supporters, including Ellison, had largely succeeded in moving the partys platform to the left. In interviews, some acknowledged that there would be walkouts by Sanders die-hards in their states, but they argued that the daily outrages around Trump might bring them back into the process. That confidence was on display Saturday before the vote for chairman. DNC members debated whether to strike language from Californias Christine Pelosi, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosis daughter, that would have restored a ban on corporate donations to the DNC. The prohibition was quietly rolled back during the controversial tenure of the previous elected DNC chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) This resolution has nothing to do with nonprofit organizations, said Larry Cohen, a former president of the Communications Workers of America who backed Sanders in 2016. This is to send a message, loud and clear, that the DNC itself not candidates, not state parties will restore the ban that President Obama put into effect. When the language was struck, a few of the activists who had come to cheer Ellison including members of National Nurses United, Progressive Democrats of America and Democratic Socialists of America started a brief chant. Money out of politics! Money out of politics! Read more at PowerPost An image taken from a video broadcasted by the Al-Ikhbariya Al-Souriya TV channel Saturday shows rescue services at the site of a suicide attack targeting two security service headquarters in Homs, Syria. (AFP photo/Ho/Al-Ikhbariyah al-Souriyah TV) At least 42 people were killed Saturday in the western Syrian city of Homs after al-Qaeda-linked militants attacked two heavily guarded security facilities. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitoring network, said suicide bombers blew themselves up and gunmen opened fire outside the headquarters of general and military intelligence, two of the most fortified complexes in the area. An al-Qaeda-linked alliance of rebel groups known as Tahrir al-Sham said it was responsible for the attacks, which took place as Syrian government and opposition delegates met in Geneva for the latest round of a stuttering peace process. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the bombings had killed at least 42 people, all of them security personnel, in the districts of Ghouta and Mahatta. Among the dead was Gen. Hassan Daeboul, one of the provinces most senior security officials and the former head of one of Damascuss most notorious detention facilities. In tributes on Syrian state television, the dead were described as martyrs. Much of Homs has been badly damaged in the vicious fighting that accompanied the escalation of Syrias mostly peaceful uprising into all-out war. By the end of a two-year siege on rebel forces hunkered down in the Old City, an estimated 200,000 people had fled, and more than 70 percent of the buildings in the area were destroyed. On Saturday, activists in the final rebel-held neighborhood, al-Waer, reported intense aerial bombardment, apparently by government war planes. Besieged by Syrian soldiers and militiamen, al-Waer has gone four months without a United Nations aid delivery. The violence took place as Syrian government and opposition delegates met in Geneva for the latest round of talks aimed at bringing Syrias six-year-old crisis to an end. Hopes of a breakthrough are low, and the very existence of a peace process has caused rebel forces in northwestern Syria to descend into infighting. Factions within the al-Qaeda-linked Tahrir al-Sham alliance have attacked groups that backed a separate set of negotiations in the Kazakh capital of Astana earlier this year. Read more: Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news The Trump administration has enlisted senior members of the intelligence community and Congress in efforts to counter news stories about Trump associates ties to Russia, a politically charged issue that has been under investigation by the FBI as well as lawmakers now defending the White House. Acting at the behest of the White House, the officials made calls to news organizations last week in attempts to challenge stories about alleged contacts between members of President Trumps campaign team and Russian intelligence operatives, U.S. officials said. The calls were orchestrated by the White House after unsuccessful attempts by the administration to get senior FBI officials to speak with news organizations and dispute the accuracy of stories on the alleged contacts with Russia. The White House on Friday acknowledged those interactions with the FBI but did not disclose that it then turned to other officials who agreed to do what the FBI would not participate in White House-arranged calls with news organizations, including The Washington Post. Two of those officials spoke on the condition of anonymity a practice President Trump has condemned. The officials broadly dismissed Trump associates contacts with Russia as infrequent and inconsequential. But the officials would not answer substantive questions about the issue, and their comments were not published by The Post and do not appear to have been reported elsewhere. White House spokesman Sean Spicer confirmed that the White House communicated with officials with the aim of contesting reporting on Russia, but maintained that the administration did nothing improper. When informed by the FBI that [the Russia-related reporting] was false, we told reporters who else they should contact to corroborate the FBIs version of the story, he said. The decision to involve those officials could be perceived as threatening the independence of U.S. spy agencies that are supposed to remain insulated from partisan issues, as well as undercutting the credibility of ongoing congressional probes. Those officials saw their involvement as an attempt to correct coverage they believed to be erroneous. The effort also involved senior lawmakers with access to classified intelligence about Russia, including Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.), the chairmen of the Senate and House intelligence committees. A spokesman for Nunes said that he had already begun speaking to reporters to challenge the story and that, at the request of a White House communications aide, Chairman Nunes then spoke to an additional reporter and delivered the same message. Unlike the others, Nunes spoke on the record and was subsequently quoted in the Wall Street Journal. In an interview, Burr acknowledged that he had conversations about Russia-related news reports with the White House and engaged with news organizations to dispute articles by the New York Times and CNN that alleged repeated or constant contact between Trump campaign members and Russian intelligence operatives. [5 times Donald Trumps team denied contact with Russia] Chief White House Strategist Steve Bannon walks with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus to Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post) Ive had those conversations, Burr said, adding that he regarded the contacts as appropriate provided that I felt I had something to share that didnt breach my responsibilities to the committee in an ongoing investigation. The administrations push against the Russia coverage intensified Sunday when White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus said in television interviews that he had been authorized by the top levels of the intelligence community to denounce reports on Trump campaign contacts with Russia as false. Priebuss denunciations ranged from calling the articles overstated to saying they were complete garbage. Administration officials said that Priebuss comments had been cleared by FBI Director James B. Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe. In doing so, the FBIs leadership would appear to have been drawing a distinction between authorizing comments by a White House official and addressing the matter themselves. Mark Warner, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, said he called CIA Director Mike Pompeo and Burr to express his grave concerns about what this means for the independence of the investigation. I am consulting with members of the Intelligence Committee to determine an appropriate course of action so we can ensure that the American people get the thorough, impartial investigation that they deserve, free from White House interference, Warner said in a statement Friday night. Rep. Adam B. Schiff (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, issued a statement Friday evening saying that if the White House contrived to have intelligence officials contradict unfavorable news reports, this represents a new and even more grave threat to the independence of the intelligence community. Former intelligence officials expressed concern over the blurring of lines between intelligence and politics, with some recalling Republican accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence in its accounts of the 2012 attacks on U.S. facilities in Benghazi, Libya. I doubt that there was any enthusiasm from the intelligence leadership to get involved in this in the first place, former CIA director Michael Hayden said, noting that it seemed unlikely that Priebuss bluntly worded denials were consistent with the precise language favored by intelligence analysts. Think Benghazi here, Hayden said in an interview by email. This is what happens when the intel guys are leaned on for the narrative of the political speakers. The latter have different rules, words, purposes. Getting intel into that mix always ends unhappily, [and] it looks like we just did. The Trump administrations actions reflect its level of concern about coverage of its relationship with Russia. Trump has continued to praise Russian President Vladimir Putin, even after U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that Russia had interfered in the U.S. presidential race to help Trump win. Trump has also repeatedly disparaged the intelligence agencies that his administration last week turned to for support. Shortly before taking office, Trump accused U.S. spy agencies of a Nazi-style leaks campaign to smear him. The White House statements on the issue Friday came after CNN reported that the FBI had refused administration requests to publicly knock down media reports about ties between Trump associates and Russian intelligence. Administration officials disputed the account, saying that rather than soliciting FBI feedback, Priebus had been pulled aside by McCabe on the morning of Feb. 15 and told, I want you to know that the New York Times story is BS. The FBI declined to discuss the matter. White House officials declined to comment on the administrations subsequent effort to enlist other government officials and would not agree to allow the identification of the intelligence officials who had spoken to The Post last week. In separate calls, those individuals insisted on being identified only as a senior intelligence official in the Trump administration and a senior member of the intelligence community. In a brief interview on the night of Feb. 15, the senior intelligence official said that the suggestion that there was frequent contact between Russians and Trump associates was false, describing any conversations as sporadic, limited and based on Russias interest in building a relationship with the future Trump administration rather than shaping the 2016 presidential race. The senior intelligence official appeared to be referring to contacts between Trumps designated national security adviser, Michael Flynn, and Russian Ambassador Sergey Kislyak before Trump was sworn in as president. Flynn was forced out of his job earlier this month after The Post reported that Flynn had discussed U.S. sanctions against Russia with Kislyak and then misled Trump administration officials about the nature of his contacts. Officials at the CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence declined to comment on whether senior officials at those agencies had discussed Russia coverage with the White House or been involved in efforts to refute stories on that subject. CIA Director Mike Pompeo is the senior-most intelligence official in the administration, with former senator Dan Coats (R-Ind.) still awaiting confirmation as director of national intelligence. As a Republican member of Congress, Pompeo was among the most fiercely partisan figures in the House investigation of Benghazi, which centered on accusations that the Obama administration had twisted intelligence about the attacks for political purposes. It is not unusual for CIA leaders to have contact with news organizations, particularly about global issues such as terrorism or to contest news accounts of CIA operations. But involving the agency on alleged Trump campaign ties to Russia could be problematic. The CIA is not in charge of the investigation. Given the history of domestic espionage abuses in the United States, CIA officials are typically averse to being drawn into matters that involve U.S. citizens or might make the agency vulnerable to charges that it is politicizing intelligence. A U.S. intelligence official declined to discuss any Pompeo involvement except to say that he was not involved in drafting or approving statements for public use by the White House this past weekend on alleged Russian contacts. Whether there were such contacts remains a major point of contention. Beyond Flynn, the investigation has focused on other figures including Paul Manafort, Trumps former campaign chairman, who had previously served as a paid political adviser to the Putin-backed president of Ukraine. U.S. intelligence reports cite multiple contacts between members of Trumps team and Russians with links to the Kremlin, during the campaign and afterward, according to officials who have seen them. Such reports were based on intercepted Russian communications and other sources, the officials said. Nunes, who served as a member of Trumps transition team, has resisted calls for his House committee to investigate alleged contacts between Trump associates and Russia. He said in an interview that after months of investigations, U.S. authorities have turned up no evidence of such contacts. Theyve looked, and its all a dead trail that leads me to believe no contact, not even pizza- delivery-guy contact, Nunes said, appearing to rule out even unwitting contact between Trump officials and Russian agents. Investigators, Nunes said, dont even have a lead. Philip Rucker, Ellen Nakashima and Julie Tate contributed to this report. Read more: Flynns swift downfall: From a phone call to a forced resignation Amid Russia scrutiny, Trump associates received informal Ukraine proposal Inside Trumps financial ties to Russia and his unusual flattery of Vladimir Putin North Korean nuclear envoy Kim Kye Kwan, center, and his aides uring the closing ceremony of the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear programme on February 13, 2007 in Beijing. (Andrew Wong/Getty Images) TOKYO -- Talks between North Korean diplomats and former American officials, scheduled to be held in New York next week, have been canceled following allegations that the Pyongyang regime planned the attack that used a chemical weapon to kill leader Kim Jong Un's half brother. The plans for the Track 1.5 talks were already hanging in the balance after North Korea launched a ballistic missile earlier this month and then found itself accused of assassinating Kim Jong Nam, the leaders estranged half brother, in a busy Kuala Lumpur airport terminal on Feb. 13. But Malaysias announcement Friday that his death was caused by VX, a lethal nerve agent banned under the international Chemical Weapons Convention, proved the final straw. The State Department decided not to issue the visas to the North Korean diplomats due to travel from Pyongyang to New York for the talks, according to three people with knowledge of the decision. [The sad end of the lonely life of Kim Jong Uns half brother] A State Department spokesperson declined to comment. We do not discuss the details of individual visa cases, she said. The talks were being organized by Donald S. Zagoria of the National Committee on American Foreign Policy, who served as a consultant on Asia during the Carter administration and has organized previous rounds of negotiations . The talks were set to include Robert Gallucci, the chief U.S. negotiator during the 1994 Agreed Framework denuclearization deal struck with North Korea. On the North Korean side, Choe Son Hui, the director of the U.S. affairs department in North Koreas Foreign Ministry, was slated to lead the delegation from Pyongyang. She is well known to American officials, having participated in official meetings including the six-party talks on denuclearization that took place from 2003 to 2007, as well as other Track 1.5 talks. Talks have taken place sporadically in recent years, with former American officials sounding out the North Koreans on prospects for making progress on the intractable problem that is Pyongyang's nuclear ambition. But they have been held in neutral locations like Berlin, Geneva and Kuala Lumpur. This time they were planned for New York, where North Korea has a mission to the United Nations for the first time in more than five years. But the Trump administration decided not to allow the talks to place amid widespread suspicion that Pyongyang ordered the attack on Kim Jong Nam. The North Koreans, who have strongly denied any involvement in the attack, have accused South Korea of convincing Malaysia to make up the incident to besmirch the Kim regime's reputation. Read more Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news A woman carries an effigy of President Trump during a march in Mexico City on Feb. 12 to protest his proposed border wall and to call for national unity. (Jose Luis Gonzalez/Reuters) Confrontation with the United States is so central to Mexican history theres an institution dedicated to the trauma. Its called the Museum of Interventions. Remember the Alamo? They do here as the prelude to a string of defeats, invasions and territorial losses that left Mexico wounded and diminished, its national identity forged by grievance. The museum is housed in a former convent where Mexican troops were overrun by U.S. soldiers in the 1847 Battle of Churubusco. And for most of the three decades since the museum opened, its faded battle flags seemed like the stuff of buried history, an anachronism in an age of galloping North American Free Trade Agreement integration. But President Trumps wall-building, great-again nationalism is reviving the old Mexican version, too. His characterization of tougher border enforcement and immigration raids as a military operation hit the nerve that runs through this legacy, undermining his aides trip to Mexico City this week and the message that relations with the United States remain strong. Instead, the public outrage at Trump has sunk those relations to their lowest point in decades. It has inspired a campaign to boycott U.S. chains such as Starbucks and buy Made in Mexico products. Protesters marched in a dozen cities this month, carrying grotesque effigies of the American president. And Trumps taunts have buoyed the poll numbers of 2018 presidential contender Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, the left-wing populist Mexicans see as the figure most likely to fight back. Thousands of Mexicans take part in an anti-Trump march in Mexico City on Feb. 12. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP/Getty Images) [A Mexican populist rises to face Trumps America] For Mexicans, the problem is not merely the wall. They know their country is poorer, more violent and less law-abiding than the United States. If Trump had announced plans for tougher border security, many Mexicans would have understood, even as they criticized him. But when they hear Trump boasting he will make Mexico pay for the wall, and the wild cheering in response, they recognize an unmistakable attempt to humiliate them. It is American nationalism at Mexicos expense, and it stings in a deep, atavistic way, like a childhood bully coming back to beat you up again. Im proud of Mexico, and I love my country, said Sergio Pacheco, 56, a mechanic who works for American Airlines. He can have his wall if hell give us our territory back. Pacheco was touring the Museum of Interventions for the first time. There were giant 1840s maps showing Mexicos borders reaching into the Pacific Northwest. President James K. Polk wanted that land. Mexico wasnt selling, and fighting broke out. The United States declared war in 1846. U.S. troops sailed down from New Orleans a year later, then marched up the old conquistadors trail and brought Mexico to its knees. They stayed a year, forcing the country to sign away half its territory. Later came the occupation of Veracruz by the U.S. Navy in 1914, and the 1916 invasion by thousands of U.S. soldiers chasing Francisco Pancho Villa, the prototypical bad hombre, who had raided the border town of Columbus, N.M. The result of these encounters, according to Mexican historian Lorenzo Meyer, is that the two countries developed vastly different forms of nationalism. Mexicos is a defensive one, he said, steeped in a sense of injustice and indignity, unlike the more belligerent northern version, of American exceptionalism and militarized Manifest Destiny. Pacheco never thought about this history much. But the diplomatic clashes of the past few weeks have left him shocked. He is a fan of American music and movies and the Super Bowl. For most of his lifetime, the two countries have been steadily growing closer. Weve always looked up to the United States, he said. Now, after all this time, were realizing that you dont really like us. New reality President Enrique Pena Nieto has mostly tried to accommodate the new reality, challenging Trumps proposals in restrained, diplomatic language. He has offered a more forceful response only when he felt he had no choice, such as when he canceled a trip to Washington after Trump tweeted that the Mexican leader should stay home if he wouldnt pay for the wall. Mexicans, too, are divided about what to do. This month, protesters held two marches in the capital. Both were anti-Trump, but one was also a demonstration against the deeply unpopular Pena Nieto, whom organizers view as a Trump-enabler. Others, including tycoon Carlos Slim, are calling on Mexicans to close ranks behind their president, because the country is under attack. An irony of the spat with Pena Nieto is that he has already paid a steep political cost for enacting controversial energy changes favored by American companies. He has opened Mexican oil and gas development to greater foreign investment, but that has only led to higher prices for angry Mexican consumers and lower poll numbers for him. The last time the country was so open to U.S. investment, during the Gilded Age dictatorship of Gen. Porfirio Diaz, Mexican resentment of the government boiled over into revolution. The country eventually adopted steep tariffs that limited trade for decades. Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas nationalized the holdings of Standard Oil and other foreign companies in 1938, infuriating the firms but delighting Mexicans. In a show of patriotism, thousands of Mexican women came to a central square in Mexico City offering money, wedding rings and livestock to pay the companies back. I grew up in a country where you were taught in obligatory history textbooks that the United States was the enemy, the country that stole half our land and the country of the Ugly American, said Denise Dresser, a prominent Mexican political scientist whose father was a U.S. citizen. She helped organize the march this month that was also against Pena Nieto and his Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI), which ruled the country from 1929 to 2000 and cast itself as the heroic defender of Mexican dignity. Mexico was a relatively closed, insular society for most of those years, but as more and more Mexicans came into contact with the world through television and mass migration to the United States, nationalism was transformed. Mexican workers returning home also broke down the old divisions. They brought back a view of the United States as a tolerant, upwardly mobile place, and began to demand rights back home that they saw in the United States, Dresser said. That created a virtuous cycle, and a new sense of identity constructed not in opposition to the U.S., but in favor of North America, she said. But in Trumps taunts many Mexicans hear confirmation of their deep-seated suspicion that Americans still dont value and respect them. Trumps comments are forcing a re-examination of Mexicos relationship with the United States, from its intricate commercial and industrial ties to deepening cooperation with U.S. law enforcement. New legislation in Mexicos senate would halt imports of American corn, which have grown from $390 million to $2.4 billion annually since the advent of NAFTA, in 1994. [Trumps fight against Made-in-Mexico could carry price on both sides of the border] NAFTA is not the natural, default setting of U.S.-Mexico relations. It is an attempt to transcend the mistrust and bitterness of the past. The agreement took an aspirational view of U.S.-Mexico ties. It recognized the two countries were significantly different. But it treated Mexico essentially as an equal partner, along with Canada, in creating a prosperous, democratic and collaborative place called North America, quieting the skeptics who insisted Mexico didnt belong there. Since NAFTA took effect, annual U.S.-Mexico commerce has increased from $80 billion to $550 billion. And as trade barriers fell, Mexicos defensive nationalism did, too. But as American factory jobs moved south, NAFTA dealt a blow to the latent notions of U.S. nationalism built on postwar-era industrial pride. Trumps America First worldview restores the idea of industrial products as vessels of patriotism. But it has left Mexicans baffled by the claim their country is taking advantage of the United States through NAFTA. Mexican workers earn a small fraction of what their American counterparts make, and the trade partnership is overwhelmingly driven by U.S.-based Fortune 500 companies. Mexican cities have filled with U.S. chain stores and restaurants, not the other way around. In the chants of Build the Wall!, Antonio Garza, a former U.S. ambassador to Mexico, sees the return of the animal spirits that once soured relations between the two countries. But Garza, who served from 2002 to 2009 under President George W. Bush and now works as an attorney in Mexico City, said hes seen something different in the resurgent nationalism on Mexicos streets. This time, it has a singular focus. Its directed at Trump, he said, not the United States. Read more In fight with Trump, Mexico has plenty of ways to punch back Fearing Trumps wall, Central Americans rush to cross the U.S. border Jared Kushner proves to be a shadow diplomat on U.S.-Mexico talks Todays coverage from Post correspondents around the world Like Washington Post World on Facebook and stay updated on foreign news Ohio Woman Admits to Beheading Her Infant Daughter But Still Claims She Loved Her A 22-year-old Ohio woman was sentenced this week to 15 years to life in prison after admitting she decapitated her 3-month-old daughter, PEOPLE confirms. Deasia Watkins appeared before a Hamilton County, Ohio, judge on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of murder in the 2015 death of her infant daughter, Jayniah. Watkins fractured the girls arm before stabbing her repeatedly and severing her head from her body in March 2015, court records show. The child had reportedly been placed with Watkins aunt and prosecutors said Watkins killed her in her aunts home, as her aunt slept, and then put the knife in Jayniahs hand. She later told police she did that so people would think the child did it not her, Hamilton County Assistant Prosecutor David Prem said in court. Watkins plea this week comes after she had rejected an earlier deal. For more than a year, she had been mounting an insanity defense: Court documents obtained by PEOPLE said Watkins had been diagnosed with postpartum psychosis, for which she is still receiving treatment. 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. Watkins addressed the court at her hearing Thursday, expressing remorse for her crime. I love my daughter very much, she said, according to a prosecution source. I loved her, she said, regardless of what anybody says. Authorities previously described Jayniahs death in stark terms. It was pretty horrific, the county coroner said in 2015. These are images that will be indelibly marked in my memory. Court officials say Watkins could be released from custody when shes 35, given shes received credit for time already served. PEOPLE was unable to reach Watkins attorney for comment. Attempts to reach her relatives on Friday were unsuccessful. By Alex Bregman Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is pushing back against President Trumps decision to roll back guidance put in place by the Obama administration that said schools have to let students use the bathroom corresponding to their preferred gender identity. The directive, at the time, was in response to so-called bathroom bills passed by states and local school districts that had prevented transgender students from using the bathroom that corresponds to their sexual identity rather than their assigned sex at birth. White House press secretary Sean Spicer has said, The president has maintained for a long time that this is a states rights issue and not one for the federal government. Yahoo News and Finance Anchor Bianna Golodryga spoke to Healey about her states reaction to the Trump administration on transgender protections. Healeys response to the states rights argument on transgender rights in schools: They can claim its not a federal law issue, but it is, and in fact, Title IX, which is a federal statute, we believe is correctly interpreted and was correctly interpreted by the Obama administration to include protection against discrimination based on gender identities. She continued, Im glad that Im in a state where there are protections for transgender students in education, but my heart breaks, Bianna, for the many, many kids and families across this country who saw the first act of a United States attorney general to be a cruel one to actually take away rights and protections and to say to them, Youre not worthy of equal treatment. Youre not worthy of dignity and respect like all other students and young people out there. I think thats just wrong. Healey also told Golodryga, I think that Donald Trump and Jeff Sessions ought to start picking on someone their own size and not like they did yesterday, which was to pick on and target already vulnerable children. Healey was also among the state attorneys general that had sued the White House over the recent immigration travel ban that has been put on hold by a federal court. The administration has said it will be replacing it with a new order in the future. When Healey was asked whether she plans to challenge that pending order, she told Golodryga: We will have to wait and see what that executive order is, but the first one presented all sorts of not just unconstitutional concerns but also, think about the chaos that he created. As a member of law enforcement who is in Boston, Mass., and very concerned about issues of security, I will tell you that what he did was counterproductive and harmful to security. Story continues Finally, when asked about President Trumps inner circle, Healey took particular aim at White House senior adviser Stephen Miller. She said, There are people there around him that have absolutely no business being anywhere near the Oval Office. Somebody like a Stephen Miller just has no business being in the White House, let alone offering advice to the president of the United States. He doesnt know what hes talking about. He doesnt know what hes doing. As for President Trumps chief strategist, Steve Bannon, Healey said: I think that Steve Bannon his record, his actions speak for themselves. I think it is deeply unfortunate that the president has not sought the advice and the counsel of a broader array of individuals with actual experience and knowledge and know-how. I think, frankly, thats why you see such a chaotic and dysfunctional administration. Read more from Yahoo News: The Croatian government will continue its production incentives for filmmakers despite a crisis at the national film center that administers the 20 percent tax rebate scheme. Production incentives in the European Union member state, where Lionsgate's retelling of British folklore story Robin Hood: Origins, starring Taron Egerton and Jamie Foxx is currently shooting, have attracted a raft of projects since they were launched in 2011. Projects that have shot in the country include HBO's Game of Thrones, and the country's popular filming locations include the Adriatic medieval port city of Dubrovnik. The financial incentives are not under threat, Croatia's Minister of Culture Nina Obuljen Korzinek tells The Hollywood Reporter amid recent debate about their future. "The government is committed to maintaining and further strengthening the system of tax incentives for foreign film productions," she says. "The Croatian government is determined to continue to support the functioning of the Croatian Audiovisual Center [HAVC] as the main body in charge of audiovisual production in Croatia." Korzinek adds: "The Ministry has this year doubled the sum earmarked for financing incentives for foreign productions, and we can confirm that the government will respect all commitments and will ensure return of the investment for those productions that are underway." The ministry also plans to "soon launch public consultations" on Croatia's Audiovisual Law "to confirm" HAVC's independent role "with regard to grant-giving procedures," according to Korzinek. HAVC was plunged into crisis earlier this month when its head, Hrvoje Hribar, resigned following a damning State Audit Office report that revealed financial irregularities. Hribar insisted Friday that all the money earmarked for 2017 incentives, around 2.2 million euros ($2.3 million), was already committed. He tells THR: "It is enough to fulfill the requirements of the last installments owed to productions from 2015/2016; in addition there is 700,000 [Croatian] kuna ($100,000) left for 2017 productions." Story continues He adds that following the public consultation that the ministry of culture is launching, he believes that "some fresh money" could be injected into the rebate scheme by the middle of the year. "The prime minister and several members of the government are fully aware of the importance of the problem and they feel obliged to find a solution," he tells THR. Last week, Daniel Rafaelic was appointed new acting director of HAVC when Hribar formally stepped down after attending the Berlin Film Festival, where Croatia was represented at the European Film Market. Read more: Jamie Foxx Targeted With Racial Slur During 'Robin Hood: Origins' Shoot in Croatia Richard Spencer, a white supremacist and the director of the National Policy Institute, has made quite a few headlines in the past few months. He was kicked out of the Conservative Political Action Conference Thursday. He tweeted his disdain about the fact that there was a mosque in in Quebec, which he called one of North Americas most beautiful cities, after a January attack on the mosque that left six dead. And he was punched in the face while being interviewed in Washington, D.C., on President Donald Trumps Inauguration Day. But Spencer has been speaking about his ideas on race long before last year, and in 2008 he coined the term alternative right a phrase that has been shortened to alt-right and has become a catch-all for extremist conservative ideologies. Listed here are quotes from Spencer where he explains his views on race, immigration, Trump and other topics in his own words. On his ideal society: "Our dream is a new society, an ethno-state that would be a gathering point for all Europeans. It would be a new society based on very different ideals than, say, the Declaration of Independence." quoted in Vice, October 2013 How can we build a White society, one that reflects the values and traditions of our people? In the context of a world informed by multiculturalism, anti-discrimination legislation, and White guilt, such a task is daunting to say the least Though there are certainly obstacles in our path, European-American communities can be organized in ways that are legal, moral, and, most important, effective. description of video that has now been deleted, April 2013 On race: A race is genetically coherent, a race is something you can study, a race is about genes and DNA, but its not just about genes and DNA. The most important thing about it is the people and the spirit. Thats what a race is about. speech at Texas A&M, December 2016 Racist isnt a descriptive word. Its a pejorative word. It is the equivalent of saying, I dont like you. Racist is just a slur word. I think race is real, and I think race is important. And those two principles do not mean I want to harm someone or hate someone. But the notion that these people can be equal is not a scientific way of looking at it. quoted in the Flathead Beacon, November 2014 Story continues On white people in America: This country does belong to white people, culturally, politically, socially, everything. We defined what America is." speech at Texas A&M, December 2016 On Islam: Islam at its full flourishing isnt some peaceful denomination like Methodism or religion like Buddhism; Islam is a black flag. It is an expansive, domineering ideology, and one that is directed against Europe. In this way, Islam give non-Europeans a fighting spirit and integrates them into something much greater than themselves. interview with Europa Maxima, February 2017 On immigration: "Immigration is a kind a proxy war and maybe a last stand for White Americans, who are undergoing a painful recognition that, unless dramatic action is taken, their grandchildren will live in a country that is alien and hostile." National Press Insitute column, February 2014 In thinking about immigration and migration, I could not care less whether someone filled out the paperwork correctly or passed a civics exam. I oppose the immigration of an African who waits his turn and genuinely wants to be an American; conversely, I would gladly accept thousands of Swedish boat people who wash up on the shores. Radix Journal blog post, November 2015 On Martin Luther King, Jr.: Martin Luther King Jr., a fraud and degenerate in his life, has become the symbol and cynosure of White Dispossession and the deconstruction of Occidental civilization. We must overcome! Radix Journal blog post, January 2014 On marriage: I don't support gay marriage; indeed, I find it to be unnatural in the deepest sense of that word. Marriage must, indeed, be re-founded on a much more radical level than that imagined by the egalitarian Religious Right and Constitutionalists; marriage must not merely be between a man and woman; the family must become an integral part of the health of our race of our charge to birth a strong, intelligent, beautiful, and productive people. National Policy Institute column, June 2013 On Trump: The alt-right is deeply connected to Trumpian populism in intellectual, spiritual, and visceral ways for, as everyone agrees, Trumps victory was, at its root, a victory of identity politics. Radix Journal blog post, November 2016 Trump has opened the door to nationalism in this country not American nationalism but the white race. Once that door has fully swung open, you cant close it. interview with Time Magazine, April 2016 Related Articles The Daily Beast GettyIt only took a few hours after Russias Vladimir Putin hailed his mobilization as a sparkling success Friday for a torrent of humiliating reports to emerge that suggest the war effort has been more successful in turning the country against him than defeating mythical Nazis in Ukraine.The most staggering contradiction to the Russian presidents boastful claims came perhaps in Kazan, where dozens of drafted troops were captured on video late Friday berating military leadership outside a colle BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) A former Louisiana day care owner will serve three years in prison after pleading guilty to a negligent homicide charge arising from the death of a toddler left in a hot van. State District Judge Lou Daniel on Friday sentenced 49-year-old Shelia Newman of Baton Rouge to five years in prison with two of those years suspended for the death of 22-month-old Angel Green in June 2015. East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore says Daniel also ordered Newman to pay more than $6,000 in restitution, perform 300 hours of community service and pay for grief counseling for the victim's mother. Police say Newman, who was the owner of an unlicensed daycare, left Green in a hot van after returning with a group of children from lunch. Judah Friedlander attends the premiere of the documentary Michael Moore In TrumpLand at the IFC Center on Oct. 18, 2016, in New York City. (Photo: Jemal Countess/Getty Images) In the weeks since last months inauguration, critics of President Trump have turned out by the thousands to protest his policies in cities across the country. Among them is comedian and former 30 Rock star Judah Friedlander, whose signature trucker hat, messy hair and oversize glasses have become a fixture at recent rallies in New York City. I think protesting is one of the most democratic things you can do, Friedlander told Yahoo News following a small Valentines Day gathering of immigrants rights supporters in Manhattans Foley Square. The front of his trucker hat, a space typically reserved for irreverent slogans like World Champion, has been covered with a strip of duct tape that reads #NoBanNoWall. In his hand is Friedlanders rally-going partner in crime: a blond-haired, blue-eyed Barbie doll. For the past few months, Friedlander has been running the @activistbarbie account on Instagram, where he posts photos of his smiley plastic sidekick waving handmade signs with slogans like Protesting > Brunching and I think Mexican guys and Muslim guys are cute, amid the crowds at protests and rallies around the city. So many people in this country dont want to get involved in political stuff; they just want to stay out of it, Friedlander told Yahoo News. But staying out of it is part of why we have problems. Friedlanders own history with activism dates back to his early childhood when, at about 5 years old, he recalls going with his mother to protest a neo-Nazi rally. As an adult, hes given his support to a variety of causes over the years, including the comedian-led movement to demand better pay from New York City comedy clubs in 2005. Story continues Eventually, Friedlander started going to Occupy Wall Street gatherings and, later, Black Lives Matter protests. Onstage, he began satirizing American exceptionalism, taking on a boastful, ethnocentric persona and delivering deadpan declarations about some of our countrys less-flattering accomplishments. The world-record rate of gun deaths in the U.S., for example, is simply proof that our country has superior aim, Friedlander says in one bit. Were better marksmen. He is modestly optimistic about comedys role in the current political climate, but hopes that by at least getting people to think differently about things, comedy can be a small ingredient in getting policy changed. In the meantime, he continues to do his part onstage and in the streets with Barbie often in tow for his Instagram posts. A lot of people think democracy is voting every four years, but its not, he said. Get out there, go to a protest. See it for yourself. It might actually be fun. STORRS, Conn. (AP) Six University of Connecticut students were charged Friday with alcohol-related offenses connected to the death of a student who was run over by a fire department vehicle after leaving a party last fall. The students had been hosting an off-campus party at a fraternity-affiliated house Oct. 16 during homecoming weekend. One of the attendees was Jeffny Pally, a 19-year-old sophomore from West Hartford. Police say Pally had been sitting with her back against a garage door of the UConn Public Safety Complex at around 1 a.m. when she was run over by a fire vehicle responding to a call that turned out to be a false alarm. Two other students have been charged in connection with the false alarm. Pally's body wasn't found until about 30 minutes later when firefighters returned. She died from injuries to her head and torso, the medical examiner's office determined. The driver of the vehicle hasn't been charged, and the death was ruled an accident. The charged students are Patrick Callahan, Matthew Moll, Dylan Morose, Austin Custodio, Dominic Godi and Jonathan Polansky, who range in age from 21 to 22 and are from Connecticut, New York and Massachusetts. Some were charged with permitting a minor to illegally possess alcohol. They were all released pending their arraignment in Superior Court in Rockville on March 8. It couldn't be immediately determined if they had lawyers. A university spokeswoman confirmed the students are still enrolled at UConn but said federal student privacy law prevents the university from saying whether any of them face discipline by the school. The university noted the Kappa Sigma fraternity recently lost its recognition and housing due to off-campus incidents in September and October unrelated to Pally's death. The fraternity's national office also has revoked the local group's charter. "Jeffny Pally was a talented, ambitious, promising young woman and her death was a terrible tragedy," the university said. "The entire university community joins her family and friends in continuing to mourn her loss." KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) At least 10 police officers and the wife of a police commander were killed in an ambush by Islamic States group militants in northern Zawzjan province, a provincial official said. Mohammad Reza Ghafori, spokesman for the Zawzjan provincial governor, said Saturday that the police officers were ambushed Friday as they were coming out of a mosque. The wife of the police commander heard about her husband being shot and rushed to the scene, where she was also killed. IS-linked militants have been active in Afghanistan's eastern regions, but have recently begun operating in the north of the country as well. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said in a statement that around 38 militants, including 23 IS fighters, were killed in separate operations conducted by Afghan security forces in the eastern and southern regions of the country over the past two days. Eight other militants were wounded and six arrested in the operations, which were conducted in districts across the Nangarhar and Helmand provinces, the statement added. In another report form eastern Laghman province, two students were killed when a mortar struck a school's classroom, a news release from the Education ministry said. The statement added that five other students were wounded inside the classroom in Mihterlam, the province's capital. There were unconfirmed reports the mortar was fired by Afghan security forces and missed its target and hit the school. The report could not immediately be verified by provincial or government officials. In a separate report form northern Faryab province at least one police officer was killed when a remotely controlled bomb went off inside a bazaar, said Karim Yuresh, the spokesman for the provincial police chief. He said that 16 others including 15 innocent civilians and a policeman were wounded in the blast. "The blast took place inside a market where innocent civilians were busy with their daily businesses," said Yuresh. He added that the intended target were the two policemen in the market. No group has claimed responsibility for the Faryab attackn, but Taliban insurgents usually use roadside bombs and suicide attacks to target Afghan security forces as well as government officials across the country. Tirana (AFP) - Albania's opposition leader was charged by police on Saturday for inciting public violence after leading sweeping anti-government protests. Lulzim Basha, leader of the centre-right Democratic Party, "on Friday called on citizens to react violently against state institutions," a police statement said, after he was charged. If convicted, he faces up to three years in jail. Police cited Basha as allegedly calling on his supporters to "puncture car tires, break the glass ... to war." For the past week, hundreds of people protest in Tirana seeking resignation of socialist Prime Minister Edi Rama ahead elections set for June. The protesters have occupied a tent in front of the main government offices in the capital. Basha said the opposition would continue to protest until forming of a caretaker government "that would organise free and fair elections." On Thursday he said he would boycott parliament, a move which would jeopardise the implementation of judicial overhauls that are required before Albania can begin talks for joining the European Union. The prime minister had proposed that the opposition send lawmakers only to assure the adoption of measures needed for the judicial reforms while continuing the protest but Basha, who accuses Rama's government of deepening poverty and corruption in Albania, dismissed it. Last year, the Balkan country adopted a key judicial reform sought by EU to fight widespread corruption and organised crime. Albania obtained EU candidate status in 2014 and hopes to open talks for joining the bloc by the end of the year. TIRANA, Albania (AP) Albanian police have sued the leader of the country's opposition Democratic Party for allegedly inciting calls for violence. A police statement Saturday said Democratic Party leader Lulzim Basha on Friday urged "citizens to violently react against state institutions," a crime that, if proven, carries up to a three-year jail sentence. For a week, hundreds of Democrats have blocked the main boulevard in Tirana, the capital, saying they don't trust the left-wing government to hold the June 18 parliamentary election in a fair manner. They want a caretaker cabinet instead. Police quoted Basha as saying "You want a fight? A fight it will be. Puncture the car tires, break the glasses. Time will come to drag (officials) at this square." Basha told supporters on Saturday that he had been misunderstood, insisting that the party's protest was "grandiose, popular, democratic, total and peaceful" and not a "call for war" as police are suggesting. He warned, however, that if provoked party members would "not stay like sheep but hit back strongly." The opposition is also boycotting parliament, blocking the start of judicial reforms that will allow Albania to launch membership talks with the European Union. The reforms seek to root out bribery and ensure that judges and prosecutors are independent from politics. Judicial corruption has plagued post-communist Albania, hampering its democratic processes. Even though EU and U.S. experts were involved in drafting the judicial reforms, the Democrats fear the government will corrupt the bodies that will vet some 800 judges and prosecutors on their professional and personal integrity. The Democrats have so far rejected calls to stop their boycott from the international community. Almost half of Americans believe that President Donald Trump has already violated the Constitution, a new survey has indicated. Responding to a poll from the Public Religion Research Institute released Friday, 47 percent said that Trump has acted in a way that contravenes the supreme law of the United States. Just 46 percent said they thought Trump had so far acted in accordance with the Constitution. Discussions about Trumps possible Constitution violations have existed since before he was even sworn into the White House last month. His efforts to divest himself from his business interests have been widely decried as insufficient. Particular controversy has centered on the emoluments clause of the Constitution which prevents the president from taking payments from foreign governments. A group of constitutional scholars, Supreme Court litigators and former White House ethics lawyers filed a lawsuit last month claiming that Trump is acting in violation of that clause based on the fact that his hotels and other business interests accepted payments from foreign governments. Trumps lawyers have claimed that the clause does not apply to fair-market payments. The businessman has also faced repeated scrutiny over his possible ties to Russia. Michael Flynn was asked to resign as national security adviser last week over the subject of his discussions with Russias ambassador. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said a Senate Intelligence Committee investigation was highly likely. And the Democratic National Committee released a statement claiming that the affair was already bigger than Watergate, which brought down the presidency of Richard Nixon in 1974. Trump Photo: Reuters However, the PRRI survey indicated that only 30 percent of Americans would support impeaching Trump. That figure is similar to the number that supported impeaching Barack Obama and George W. Bush, although those polls were taken at much later stages of their presidencies. Story continues To little surprise, the numbers for Trump were vastly different based on party affiliation. While 58 percent of Democrats supported impeaching Trump, the figure dropped to just 4 percent for Republicans. On the question of whether Trump had violated the Constitution, there was also a significant split based on gender. Thirty-nine percent of males said they believed the president had violated the document, compared to 55 percent of females. Related Articles An arrest has been reported in the disappearance of a Georgia beauty queen, the latest development in a cold case that has left authorities baffled for more than a decade. Read: Did Murdered Indiana Teens Capture the Voice of Their Killer? Ryan Alexander Duke, 33, was taken into custody this week and charged with the slaying of pageant winner Tara Grinstead, who vanished without a trace from her home in the small town of Ocilla. Authorities said Duke was arrested Wednesday after getting a tip from a citizen with information. Grinstead was 30 at the time of her disappearance and was the three-time winner of a local beauty contest. She was also a contestant in the 1999 Miss Georgia Pageant and a high school history teacher. Osjha Domenicone won the Miss Georgia Pageant the year Grinstead competed. "She was just a beautiful person inside and out," Domenicone told Inside Edition. "She was a wonderful friend. We would go shopping together and pick out talent dresses." Grinstead's 2015 disappearance triggered a massive search and national interest. The mystery held particular interest for Georgia native Nancy Grace, who told Inside Edition: "This is a case that has haunted not only me but a whole town." Grinstead was declared legally dead in 2010, but her body has never been found. "We still don't know where her body is," Grace told Inside Edition. "We still don't know exactly what happened to her." Read: Citizen Sleuths Spring Into Action in Indiana Murder Mystery as Reward Reaches $50G An individual came forward and reported that they had information into Taras disappearance, authorities said Thursday. Speaking at a press conference Thursday, Grinsteads mother, Connie, said: We always knew it would be solved, we just did not know when." Duke graduated from the high school where Grinstead taught. It's not clear whether they knew each other. Story continues He is being held without bond. Watch: How a Social Media Photo May Have Tipped Off Predator That Killed Girls on Hike Related Articles: Today in 5 Lines During his address at the Conservative Political Action Conference, Donald Trump touted his efforts to uphold campaign promises and doubled down on his attacks against the press. The president also signed an executive order that requires federal departments to appoint regulatory reform officers in an effort to remove job-killing regulations. The White House blocked a number of major news outlets from attending a press briefing, including CNN, The New York Times, Politico and The Los Angeles Times. The State Department, which has gone a month without holding its daily press briefings, announced that it will resume regular briefings in early March. The Department of Homeland Security posted a memo stating that it will start collecting proposals in March for the design and build of several prototype wall structures in the vicinity of the United States border with Mexico. Recommended: I Was a Muslim in the Trump White Houseand I Lasted Eight Days Today on The Atlantic Behind Frenemy Lines: Kansas Governor Sam Brownbacks economic legacy is going down in flames, says one GOP lawmaker. The Republican governor, who once suggested that Trump take up his tax plan, is facing backlash from his own partyand it extends far beyond tax policy. (Russell Berman) The Big, BAT Tax: Donald Trump appears to be considering a border adjustment tax proposal by House Speaker Paul Ryan that would broadly tax imports but remove taxes on exports. Trump said the policy will lead to domestic job growth, but economists argue he may be expecting the economically impossible. (Andrew McGill) Cant Hold Us Down: Financial investors were fearful of a Trump presidency during the campaign season, but the U.S. stock market has seen record highs in the months after his election. Whats going on? (Derek Thompson) Follow stories throughout the day with our Politics & Policy portal. Story continues Snapshot Supporters shout down a protester as President Trump speaks at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Maryland. Alex Brandon / AP Recommended: An Actual False-Flag Operation What Were Reading A Little Help?: CNN reports that the FBI refused a request from the White House to knock down media reports about the Trump teams communications with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign. That request may be in violation of agency guidelines. How Do You Solve a Problem Like Ivanka?: After the 2016 election, womens magazines are coming to terms with a new reality: They cannot continue to cover Ivanka as if she is solely a fashion mogul, or even a glamorous nonpolitical member of the first family. (Marin Cogan, Politico) The New Cold War: The New Yorker takes a look back at U.S.-Russian relations and the geopolitical climate leading to Russias interference with the 2016 presidential election. Where do we go from here? (Evan Osnos, David Remnick, and Joshua Yaffa) Meet Michael Anton: The former George W. Bush-era speechwriter and Machiavelli enthusiast penned a controversial essay in September detailing why Trump needed to be president. Now as a member of the National Security Council, Anton is in a unique position of power. (Tina Nguyen, Vanity Fair) Conflicted: Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner has expressed intentions to mitigate conflicts between his White House work and his business interests. But its still not clear how he will recuse himself from government matters that could affect his own bank account. (Justin Elliott and Al Shaw, ProPublica) Recommended: When Does Contact Between the FBI and the White House Cross the Line? Visualized Unpresidented: In this short video, Molly Ball explains the similarities between the Tea Party movement in 2009 and the current wave of anti-Trump resistance. (Dan Lombroso and Alice Roth, The Atlantic) Question of the Week This week, we asked you to share what efforts you think could help heal a polarized nation. Here are a few of the responses: James Johnston emailed to say that education should be Americas first priority because we are more segregated by education than race. Until we close that gap the condition will prevail. Richard Winchell had two suggestions: 1. Term limits 2. Non-partisan Electoral districts. David Deufel suggested that personal encounters with others unlike us are best for growth. Dolores Pap isnt so hopeful: I dont want anything to do with Trump supporters! Lost cause, in other words! Maybe the next generation will do better. Thanks for responding, and stay tuned for next weeks Question of the Week contest. -Written by Elaine Godfrey (@elainejgodfrey) and Candice Norwood (@cjnorwoodwrites) Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. The iconic Magic Castle in Los Angeles was shrouded in mystery Friday night after a body was found inside a closet. While police suspected the incident to be an apparent suicide case, a Hollywood police spokesman told the New York Daily News that foul play could not be ruled out immediately. Police arrived at the exclusive Hollywood magician's club and fine dining restaurant and found the man's body with only his underwear and a bag over his head, TMZ reported, adding that it appeared the man, who is believed to be a magician, had hung himself. The identity of the victim was not disclosed, and Hollywood landmark did not officially address the incident. The Magic Castle, which opened in 1963, identifies itself as the most extraordinary private club in the world where history, art, and elegance combine to make miracles, according to its website. The club only allows members or those who are either accompanied or invited by members. The club also follows a strict dress code that everyone has to adhere to. One of the guests, Kelsey Peterjohn of Studio City, told the Los Angeles Times that she was looking forward to her first visit Friday to the castle but instead she was a witness to such an incident. There was a line kind of out the door of people waiting outside, and they were turned away, she said. Peterjohn said she had planned to watch her friend, who was a magician, perform at a show but a worker at the building said the castle would be closed for "quite a while." Several social media users reacted to the incident on Twitter. In 2015, the Magic Castle found itself in legal trouble when the founder Milt Larsen and his niece Erika Larsen, the current president of the Academy of Magical Arts, got into a feud over the 5.5 percent royalty from annual food and beverage sales at the club. Related Articles Ankara (AFP) - Prime Minister Binali Yildirim urged Turks to approve constitutional changes to boost President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers on Saturday, saying it would make Turkey stronger. Yildirim spoke at the ruling party's first rally ahead of a key April 16 referendum, when the public will vote on whether to approve the changes creating an executive presidency. "For a strong Turkey, lasting stability, our choice is 'yes'. This is our wish, it will come," Yildirim told the gathering in Ankara of party members and supporters from the country's 81 provinces. In the boisterous, packed arena, campaign songs floated over the flag-waving crowd with lyrics endorsing a "yes" vote as a tribute to the "July martyrs" killed during last year's failed coup. The coup featured heavily in another video screened ahead of his speech, with images of the victims also appearing on banners held by the audience. Yildirim, upon arrival, handed out red carnations to supporters. In his speech he insisted no one would be forced to back the changes, which the government says are necessary for political harmony but which critics fear will create one-man rule under Erdogan. Under the new constitution, the president will have strengthened executive powers to directly appoint top public officials including ministers. The post of prime minister would be replaced with one or more vice presidents. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu said the changes amounted to "regime change". "We are living through a process where all authority is being gathered in one person," he said, quoted by Dogan news agency. But the government argues the changes would reduce bureaucracy and respect parliament's powers. - 'Grand master' Erdogan - "There is no creating fear," Yildirim told the excited crowds. "We want a willing 'yes'." Story continues Some 6,500 police officers were deployed in and around the arena where heavy security was in evidence, state-run news agency Anadolu reported. In the arena, there were thousands of people, including many young women, most of whom were waving Turkish flags -- noticeably there were no AKP flags -- or carrying banners, including one praising "grand master" Erdogan. There were also balloons of Turkish flags and some with the word yes while the area around the arena was covered in orange, blue and white AKP flags. Audience member Ayse Cakmak said she was voting for the presidential system for "more democracy, for a stable country, for our people to live in security". The heavy focus on encouraging young people to vote "yes" could be seen everywhere in the arena, with one large banner saying: "Turkey's issues are young people's issues." The premier's granddaughter, Ecemsu, appeared on stage with him briefly after featuring in a "yes" promotion video. Part of the changes proposed include lowering the minimum age of MPs to 18 from the current 25. - Uncertain poll predictions - Ahead of the referendum, "we will go square-to-square, street-by-street, door-by-door, and we know what we will say for change, don't we?" Yildirim said. "Yes" roared the crowd, whose loudest cheers were reserved for Erdogan. The result of the referendum has proven difficult to predict with polls showing varied results. One pollster this month had the "no" side edging ahead with 51.1 percent, while another survey said the changes would be approved by 55 percent of the public. By Giulia Segreti MILAN (Reuters) - Italian fashion house Bottega Veneta composed an ode to sharp, rigorous yet elegant shapes on its Milan catwalk on Saturday, in its first true combined men and women's show. The brand, part of luxury group Kering, has decided, like peer Gucci, to unveil both collections at once, in a move aimed at giving buyers and customers a more complete idea of their designs. It had tested the format during the last Milan fashion week, in September, to celebrate its 50th anniversary. "The men's and the women's complement each other. They were designed at the same time and speak the same language," said Creative Director Tomas Maier in a statement. The collection rotated around very strong shoulder lines, fitted waists and round hips, with some designs recalling the glamor of the 1940s. The show, set in Milan's Brera Academy of Arts, opened with famed model Eva Herzigova wearing a black ribbed turtleneck sweater with wide shoulders over riding trousers, in tall wedged boots. Models followed in sharp designs of long coats, cashmere jackets, capes, masculine double breasted suits, wide knee-length trousers and woollen skirts. In some creations, the exaggerated shoulder lines were accentuated further by goat hair fur, velvet details, embroidery and studs. "It's like this silhouette has been drawn, starting from a precise shoulder line... and you can see the pencil mark on a sketch," Maier added. Black was worn alongside warmer tones such as terracotta, ochra and brown as well as burgundy and blue. For the evening Maier designed long dresses that appeared like liquid metal, skirts and long capes embellished with studs. Men wore various interpretations of tuxedos, from more traditional and tailored shapes to more casual fitting ones. The collection was dotted with big bags, bucket shaped ones in the group's signature intrecciato, woven leather, design and the well-known "Olimpia" knot clutch and "Lauren" bag. (Reporting by Giulia Segreti; Editing by Ros Russell) As a community reels from the news of a 9-year-old boy allegedly left to starve to death in his own Indiana home, the doctor who examined his emaciated body has revealed his own impression of the horrific neglect. Dr. Roland Kohr, a forensic pathologist at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, examined the body of Cameron Hoopingarner. Blind, suffering from cerebral palsy and unable to speak, the boy weighed less than 15 pounds when he was pronounced dead this week. Read: Infant Fighting for His Life After Dad Allegedly Punched Him in the Head: Cops "Ive done over 6,000 autopsies in my career and this is one of the most disturbing Ive ever done," Dr. Kohr told WTHI. Dr. Kohr performed the autopsy on Cameron's body and compared his skeletal form to those in photos from the Holocaust. The boy's cause of death: Homicide. "Try to imagine a 9-year-old that obviously has some developmental problems and is not a normal height for a 9-year-old. Nevertheless, this child is so severely malnourished that the closest thing I can think of are the pictures from World War II concentration camps liberation. "The bodies which were stacked like wood, that were literally skin and bones. This child looked like that," Kohr said. Four people have been charged in connection with the boy's death. None are the boy's biological relatives but two of them, Hubert and Robin Kraemer of Vigo County, had been his legal guardians since just after his birth. On Thursday, Hubert Kraemer and Robin Kramer were seen outside an Indiana court along with Chad Kraemer and Sarah Travioli, who also face charges related to Cameron's death. Officials arrested Chad Kraemer, 33, Hubert Kraemer, 56, Robin Kraemer, 53, and Travioli, 30, for neglect resulting in death after paramedics were called to a Vigo County home Tuesday morning. "Literally skin on a skeleton," Vigo County Sheriff Greg Ewing told InsideEdition.com. "Worst thing I've seen in my 26 years... I have a 9 year old. Trying to choke back tears." Story continues Ewing said the boy required round-the-clock care. According to court documents obtained by myWabashValley.com, Robin Kraemer told sheriff's deputies that Cameron had suffered from pneumonia for the past week and the flu for the past several days. Kraemer told police Cameron hadn't been to see doctors in more than a year, according to the probable cause affidavit. Kraemer reportedly also told detectives that Cameron ate baby food, which detectives reported finding very little of in the home. As all four suspects walked by news crews Thursday, Chad Kraemer insisted they did not intentionally let the boy die. Read: Parents Charged in Death of Teen Who Died From Emaciation, Allegedly Abused Two Other Children "Do your jobs and find out the real reason Kraemer said. Because he was sick. All four suspects are jailed with bond set at $250,000. Watch: Grandmother Faces Charges After 4-Year-Old Accidentally Shoots Brother: Cops Related Articles: By Venus Wu and Greg Torode HONG KONG (Reuters) - Developments in Hong Kong have affected confidence in a system of government intended to ensure the Chinese-ruled city's autonomy, though its rule of law remained robust "despite challenges", former colonial power Britain said on Friday. Britain handed Hong Kong back to China in 1997 with guarantees it would retain extensive autonomy, an independent legal system and broad personal and commercial freedoms under a deal known as "one country, two systems". The international financial hub has seen tumultuous times over the past couple of years, with pro-democracy protests quelled in what many residents see as creeping interference by Beijing and the rise of a small but vocal movement pushing for independence. Britain monitors developments in Hong Kong, as the agreement it struck with China for the territory's return stipulated the continuation of its capitalist way of life for 50 years. In its latest report to its parliament, covering the six months to the end of last year, the British government said the formula setting out how the city is ruled "continued to function well in the vast majority of areas". "Nevertheless, during the reporting period a number of developments caused concern in Hong Kong and internationally, affecting confidence in 'one country, two systems,'" it said. "We believe that, despite challenges, Hong Kong's rule of law remains robust overall, thanks in large part to a world-class, independent judiciary," it added. Late last year thousands of lawyers marched through the heart of Hong Kong to condemn legal intervention by Beijing that effectively barred two elected pro-independence lawmakers from taking their seats in the city's legislature. The intervention fueled concern about the independence of the city's judiciary. China rejects outright any talk of independence and Britain reaffirmed in its report that it did not see independence as an option for the city. Britain urged both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments, as well as elected Hong Kong politicians, to take steps to maintain confidence in "one country, two systems", which Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called "the best system for Hong Kong's long-term future". While the city's capitalist ways are guaranteed for 50 years, no specific time frame has been agreed for the "one country, two systems" formula. But Johnson said he was "encouraged" by indications from Hong Kong authorities that the arrangement would not cease in 2047. Hong Kong's government, which is close to Beijing, said the formula was implemented fully and successfully, and outsiders should stay out of Hong Kong's affairs. "Foreign governments should not interfere in any form," it said. China's Foreign Ministry said Hong Kong was an internal matter that no country had a right to interfere in, and that it opposed these regular reports from Britain. "We demand the British side stop issuing these reports, and stop interfering in Hong Kong's affairs," it said in a statement late on Friday. Britain also reiterated concern over the case of five Hong Kong booksellers who published material critical of Beijing and disappeared in late 2015 to re-emerge in Chinese custody months later. Four have been released but one remains in detention. (Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Beijing; Editing by Robert Birsel and Kim Coghill) By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Warren Buffett said on Saturday he plans to stick with the shrewd bet that his Berkshire Hathaway Inc made on Bank of America Corp , but might eventually swap the preferred stock that Berkshire owns into common stock. Berkshire bought $5 billion of Bank of America preferred stock carrying a 6 percent dividend, or $300 million annually, in August 2011, when many investors worried about the second-largest U.S. bank's capital needs. More importantly, Buffett also received warrants to buy 700 million Bank of America common shares at $7.14 each, roughly where the stock traded, by September 2021. Many analysts thought the terms agreed to by Buffett and Bank of America Chief Executive Brian Moynihan were generous to Berkshire. And so far, they have been proven right. Berkshire is now sitting on a $12 billion gain on the warrants because Bank of America's stock price has more than tripled, to $24.23. That includes a more than 42 percent increase in the 3-1/2 months since Donald Trump won the U.S. presidential election. In his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders, Buffett said if Bank of America's current 30 cents per share annual dividend rose above 44 cents before 2019, "we would anticipate making a cashless exchange of our preferred into common." On the other hand, Buffett said that if the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank's dividend stayed below 44 cents, "it is highly probable that we will exercise the warrant immediately before it expires." Bank of America spokesman Larry Di Rita declined to comment. Many U.S. banks, including Bank of America, were forced to slash their dividends because of the 2008 financial crisis. Some have since boosted payouts after getting seals of approval through annual U.S. Federal Reserve "stress tests" that examine their ability to withstand major market shocks. Bank of America last boosted its dividend 50 percent after passing its most recent stress test in June. The preferred investment was among several totaling more than $25 billion that Berkshire made from 2008 to 2011 in Dow Chemical Co , General Electric Co , Goldman Sachs Group Inc and other companies, when Berkshire was often seen as a lender of last resort. Most have since been redeemed, and Buffett has lamented the loss of their mid- to high- single-digit or double-digit income streams. The Goldman investment also included cashless warrants to buy common stock. Berkshire ended 2016 with 11.39 million Goldman shares, and assuming it still owns them is sitting on a nearly $2.2 billion gain. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by David Gregorio) Washington (AFP) - Billionaire investor Warren Buffett used his annual letter Saturday to laud immigrants and their contribution to the growth of the US economy amid President Donald Trump's anti-immigrant stance. "Americans have combined human ingenuity, a market system, a tide of talented and ambitious immigrants, and the rule of law to deliver abundance beyond any dreams of our forefathers," he wrote in the letter to shareholders of his massive Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate. The annual missive from the 86-year-old investor -- the world's third-wealthiest person, according to Forbes magazine -- is pored over for clues to the thinking of the "Oracle of Omaha," who lives and works in the Nebraska city. Buffett steered clear of any mention of Republican President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20. He had supported Democrat Hillary Clinton in her bid to win the White House. The letter came as the country grapples with a sharp controversy over Trump's anti-immigrant policies and his crackdown on the estimated 11 million undocumented people living in the country. The letter accompanied Berkshire Hathaway's release of 2016 fourth-quarter and full-year earnings. The company reported net profit of $6.3 billion in the October-December period, a gain of nearly 15 percent from a year ago. For all of 2016, net profit came in at $24.1 billion, slightly lower than the prior year. Berkshire, which has stakes in Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola and a number of other companies, and recently invested in Apple, has benefited from the Wall Street rally after Trump's election. Berkshire gained $27.5 billion in net worth during 2016, Buffett said. Photographers, poachers and eco-tour operators are in the crosshairs of a Canadian conservationist who warns that tracking tags are being hacked and misused to harass and hunt endangered animals. Steven Cooke, a biology professor at Carleton University in Ottawa, says that the very tools used by scientists to study and protect animals and fish are being hijacked to do just the opposite. Cooke, the Canada research chair of environmental science and biology, is the lead author of a paper published this week in the journal Conservation Biology. The research paper cites the example of anglers in the US state of Minnesota who petitioned for access to data on northern pike movements, arguing that it should be publicly available because the research was publicly funded. Australian authorities have used tags to locate and cull sharks while in India, attempts were made to hack the global positioning system (GPS) collars on endangered Bengal tigers in a case of "cyber poaching." Cooke said that it is a new phenomenon and there is no data available to quantify this "troubling and unanticipated" problem. But he provides a broad range of anecdotal evidence in his scholarly article. Scientists are scheduled to meet in June in Australia to discuss the problem as well as potential fixes. In the meantime, Cooke is calling for encryption and strict rules to secure data and limit the use of telemetry tools for non-research activities. In an interview with AFP, Cooke noted that natural history, ecology, conservation and resource management have all benefited from the use of electronic tagging technology. But if left unchecked, abuses could not only cause harm to animals, it could significantly hamper research. "Just think about all the weird ways that people might try to exploit this technology," Cooke said. The idea for this research came during a family vacation last summer to Banff National Park in Canada. It was then that he learned that the park authority had imposed a public ban on VHF radio receivers after photographers used telemetry to track tagged animals. Story continues Canadian officials were concerned that the animals may be spooked, stressed or habituated to human interaction, which can alter their behavior and thus influence research findings, or lead to human-wildlife conflicts. - Follow the ping - The tags, Cooke explained, send out pings that can be tracked with a cheap handheld radio receiver. "So you can stalk these animals in their natural environment, instead of waiting for them to wander over to you," he said. Following one tagged animal could also lead poachers to others in its group. Convincing scientists to restrict access to their data may prove problematic, Cooke acknowledged. "It runs counter to the open data movement," he said, describing the widespread use of social media and other outreach to share findings. In some cases, researchers who receive government grants may be obligated to disseminate the information. Citing cases of US ranchers accused of trying to interfere with the reintroduction of wolves in Yellowstone National Park, and divers in the Bahamas who removed satellite tags from sharks, Cooke also warned about so-called "telemetry terrorism." There is potential for this if people oppose tagging. For example, some Canadian Inuit fear acoustic transmitters will scare away culturally important marine wildlife, and some park visitors have complained that tags distract from the "wilderness experience." Where commercial interests conflict with conservation goals or where they overlap, there is also a risk. After the publication of his article Monday, Cooke said he received a call about a safari company that has been tagging animals in order to find them to show guests, rather than waiting patiently near watering holes hoping for wildlife to show up. Many eco-tour operators offer discounts if no wildlife is seen during a trip. "There's a pretty strong financial motivation for them to consistently find animals," Cooke commented. Frankfurt am Main (AFP) - One person was killed and two injured Saturday when a man rammed a car into pedestrians in the southern German city of Heidelberg, said police, adding that it did not appear to be a terror attack. After the crash, the driver, a 35-year-old German man, fled on foot armed with a knife on a busy city centre street but was shot and wounded by police. Police said a 73-three-year-old German man who suffered serious injuries died later in hospital. A statement said a 32-year-old Austrian and a Bosnian woman aged 29 were injured by the car. "At the current stage of the investigation there is nothing to suggest that it was a terrorist" act, the police said. Officers had tracked down the driver with help from witnesses and opened fire on the suspect who was "seriously wounded", police said. They said there was "no additional information on the state of health" of the driver. German daily Bild reported that the suspect was suffering from psychiatric troubles, but authorities have made no comment on that claim. The police cordoned off the area and a helicopter hovered overhead on Saturday evening. Germany has been on high alert since a Tunisian allegedly rammed a truck into a crowded Christmas market in Berlin in December, killing 12 people, before being shot dead days later by police in Italy. The Berlin carnage evoked memories of the July truck assault in the French Riviera city of Nice, where 86 people were killed by a Tunisian Islamic State group-sympathiser. According to German security services, there are about 10,000 radical Islamists in the country of whom 1,600 have suspected links to terror groups. Christian Louboutin's beauty empire is expanding to include eye makeup. The luxury French brand is set to launch a series of four eye products this March, WWD reports. The range will comprise a "Lash Amplifying Lacquer" mascara designed to offer a luminous effect, a "Luminous Ink Eyeliner" that includes a vivid shade of red, a "Velvet Eye Definer" eyeliner pencil and a "Brow Definer" eyebrow pencil. The mascara and eyeliners will come in shades of black and brown, with the eyeliner pencil also available in teal. General Manager of Christian Louboutin Beaute Catherine Roggero told the site that the new eye collection was about "taking ownership," explaining that "the way you do that in eye makeup is through eyebrows, liners and lashes." Louboutin, known for his blood red stilettoes, first broke into the beauty industry in 2014 with a nail polish collection, but cemented his influence on the market in 2015 when he released his first lipstick line. A trio of fragrances followed last fall, although the brand has continued to focus on lip colors, and now carries Velvet Matte, Sheer Voile, and Silky Satin finishes, as well as a range of 'Loubilaque' glosses. The collection will launch on March 23, priced between $40 and $75. It may be about to get tougher for Americans to file class-action lawsuits, as a bill limiting the practice has made its way through the House of Representatives, passing in the Judiciary Committee in mid-February. The 2017 Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act, sponsored by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), mandates that federal courts cant certify class action lawsuits unless each proposed class member suffered the same type and scope of injury as the named class representative, a vague but high standard for litigants, who also cannot be past clients of the attorney in question under the proposed law. In the case of multi-district litigation, in which a broad swath of consumers, patients or employees enter a legal fight against a large corporation or organization, plaintiffs have 45 days to submit their evidence at the risk, and if they dont, their suit will be dismissed. As Reuters legal editor Alison Frankel wrote in a recent column on H.R. 985, If Congress adopts Goodlattes bill in anything like its current form, class actions and [multidistrict litigations] will be a shadow of what we know today. The main beneficiaries of the bill, Robert Stern, a partner at the multinational Orrick law firm, told the Wall Street Journal, will be large companies. It has the backing of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Most companies will view this as a very good thing, Stern said in an interview with the Journal. The typical issuer, publicly-traded manufacturers of consumer goods or financial services companies, will welcome this. Despite its limits on Americans abilities to file class-actionssuch as the April 2016 suit by Uber drivers against the ride-sharing company seeking classification as employees, or the suit by Volkswagen drivers against the automaker for its use of marketing fraud in February of the same yearthe bill does have some upsides. Federal courts, for example, wouldnt be able to certify class actions in which the plaintiffs are related to or have ever been employed by the lawyer presiding over the case. H.R. 985 also would reduce the case load on federal courts by requiring them to only grant certification if there is no other reliable and administratively feasible way for a substantial majority of the plaintiffs to win money for the issue at the root of the lawsuit. It would limit attorneys fees to a reasonable percentage of the fine paid to plaintiffs and would require counselors to submit their payment amounts to the federal court system and the information of any third party also receiving payment from the suit. Story continues The 2017 bill is one of several iterations attempting to reform class-action litigation and with a Republican-dominated House, Senate and White House, Stern told the Journal, its likely to pass. Related Articles GENEVA (AP) A deadly terrorist attack in central Syria on Saturday threatened to thwart efforts to wrest a political solution at peace talks in Geneva, with the U.N. mediator decrying "spoilers" who try to derail the efforts to end the country's disastrous six-year war. The government's envoy demanded a firm condemnation from all opposition groups of the synchronized attacks by insurgents on security offices in Homs that left dozens dead, while the opposition retorted that it has long denounced terrorism even suggesting it may have been an inside job. "Any party that refuses to condemn these attacks today, we will consider that party to be an accomplice of terrorism," Syria's U.N. ambassador, Bashar al-Ja'afari, told reporters after meeting U.N. envoy Staffan de Mistura in the third day of renewed peace talks with the sides meeting separately with him so far. The talks are the first under U.N. mediation in nearly 10 months and build upon a fragile, repeatedly violated cease-fire that was wrested by Russia and Turkey. Moscow has been a powerful military and political backer of Syrian President Bashar Assad's government, and Turkey has been a supporter of key rebel groups. They also come after Syria's Russia- and Iran-backed troops regained control of the key northern city of Aleppo in December. Al-Ja'afari stopped short of suspending the government's participation outright, but said a condemnation of the attacks was a "test" for the fragmented opposition. He said his side would return to meet with the U.N. envoy again on Tuesday, and said its only condition for face-to-face talks with a "unified, patriotic opposition." An al-Qaida-linked group, known now as the Levant Liberation Committee, claimed responsibility for the twin attacks against government security offices in Homs, killing at least 32 including a senior officer of the feared Military Intelligence Services. Story continues Al-Ja'afari described the attack as a bid by states sponsoring terrorism to derail the talks. He singled out Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the two main backers of an array of opposition groups, as states lending support to terrorist groups. Syria's top opposition delegates said they condemned terrorism but not specifically the Homs attack, all but suggesting it may have been carried out by Assad's own supporters. Nasr al-Hariri, head of the main opposition negotiating team, condemnation terrorism by the so-called Islamic State group and al-Qaida's affiliates, but said the Damascus government was the primary "sponsor of terrorism." "If the Homs attack specifically was a terrorist attack carried by any of these terrorist groups, it is clear what I say," he said. Col. Faleh Hassoun, another member of the delegation, alleged that only people with security clearances could access the government's security office in Homs. He suggested it was aimed to rid the government's ranks of possible war criminals. "What really happened today, we can call it liquidation by the regime of those who are wanted for international courts," he told reporters at a Geneva hotel. Hassoun also alleged that military intelligence services chief Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, who was killed in Saturday's attack, had been implicated in the assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri in Beirut in 2005. Syria's government is widely believed to have played a role in the killing. De Mistura, in a statement from his office, said he "strongly condemns the horrific terrorist attack that took place in Homs today," calling it "an attempt to derail the current intra-Syrian talks in Geneva. "Spoilers were always expected, and should continue to be expected, to try to influence the proceedings of the talks," the statement said. "It is in the interest of all parties who are against terrorism and are committed to a political process in Syria not to allow these attempts to succeed." In addition to cease-fire talks in Astana, Kazakhstan shepherded by Turkey and Russia in recent weeks, the U.N.-mediated discussions are seen as the best chance in months to put an end to Syria's nearly six-year war that has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more both within Syria and abroad. ___ Sarah El Deeb contributed from Beirut. It's Mardi Gras and that means it's time to stuff your face with the best Fat Tuesday recipes New Orleans has to offer. The city has is globally renowned for its carnival celebrations featuring revelers dressed in purple, green and gold and beads thrown from parade floats. "There's a thing I've dreamed of all my life, and I'll be damned if it don't look like it's about to come true to be King of the Zulu's parade. After that, I'll be ready to die," musician Louis Armstrong once said about New Orleans' famous Mardi Gras parades. Want to join the fun? Here are 12 recipes representing Louisiana traditions to help you widen your waist before the solemn Christian celebration of Lent begins Wednesday. King Cake Recipes: This ring-shaped treat is coated in the royal colors of purple (justice), green (faith), and gold (power) to pay tribute to the three kings who visited baby Jesus on Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. Southern Living has a traditional recipe that will keep southerners happy, or try a modern take from theKitchn.com. Make a more upscale version with help from this Epicurious recipe. Gumbo Recipes: This savory stew made from shrimp, crab, chicken, duck and/or sausage is a hearty addition to any Mardi Gras fest. Southern Living recommends this chicken and sausage version, but Emeril's classic seafood gumbo is also sure to fill you up. Really want to impress your friends? Try this ultra-silky version from Saveur. Jambalaya Recipes: This BuzzFeed recipe has pictures and easy instructions if you're a novice. Rachel Ray also is known for her approachable style, but if you crave sophistication, this New York Times recipe will help you get the Mardi Gras party started. Other Recipes To Try: This muffuleta from the Palm Beach Post has plenty of cold cuts and olives. Or try this tempting shrimp etouffee with plenty of trimmings. If you are not a king cake fan, these beignets will satisfy your sweet tooth. Want to really get your hands dirty? These crawfish boil tips are essential reading before you start cooking. Related Articles CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt expressed frustration on Saturday at Britain's refusal to lift a suspension of flights from the United Kingdom to the Red Sea resort of Sharm al-Sheikh, imposed after Islamic State brought down a Russian airliner in 2015. The issue of airline security came up in talks involving visiting British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Foreign Minister Sameh Hassan Shoukry. Johnson praised Egypt as a longstanding friend of Britain and said they were strong allies against terrorism and extremist ideas, according to a British statement. But Shoukry said Britain's continued suspension of flights to Sharm al-Sheikh, once a popular destination for British holidaymakers, was unjustified. Britain and Germany both imposed bans on flights to certain places in Egypt following the downing of the Russian airliner over the Sinai Peninsula in which all 224 people on board were killed. Russia suspended all flights to Egypt and has yet to restore them. "The continuation of the halt of the British airline to the Egyptian tourist destinations despite the progress that has been made in securing airports is completely not understandable and unjustified," an Egyptian foreign ministry statement said. More than six years of political turmoil in Egypt since the overthrow of Hosni Mubarak in 2011 have scared off investors and tourists. The flight suspension was hitting Egypt's economy hard and was "inconsistent with Britain's repeated promises to support Egypt", the statement said. The British statement did not mention when flights would resume. During Johnson's visit, Britain and Egypt completed a $150 million loan guarantee agreement to help Egypt complete its program of economic reforms, the British embassy said. (Reporting by Amina Ismail and Mostafa Hashim) CAIRO (Reuters) - A Cairo court acquitted one of deposed Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak's closest aides in a retrial in a corruption case, state news agency MENA reported on Saturday. While courts have absolved several Mubarak-era officials, they have been handing down lengthy sentences to liberal and Islamist activists in cases ranging from protesting to committing acts of violence. Zakaria Azmi, Mubarak's former chief of staff, was sentenced to seven years in prison in 2012 and fined 36.4 million Egyptian pounds ($6 million) on charges of making illegal gains. But in 2013, the appeals court ordered a retrial in that case in , and a separate criminal court ordered his release. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Angus MacSwan; Writing by Amina Ismail) Estonia is standing up to Russia by building new military barracks and expanding training ranges in preparation for a massive NATO build-up in the region. Dozens of German army tanks arrived Friday as part of the military alliances deployment and hundreds more are expected to arrive at the central Lithuanian military base of Rukla later this year. "We want our allies to feel at home in Estonia. The Estonian government has carried out the necessary preparations for this. We have built barracks and expanded training ranges. But it is most important for Estonian people to accept our allies, as this is the way to get closer to the aim for the sake of which Estonia is in NATO and NATO is in Estonia. This aim is for us to have better defense," Lt. General Riho Terras, head of the Estonian Defense Forces, said during an independence day speech this week marking the nation's 99th anniversary from Russia. The general added that Estonian forces remain close to other NATO members after serving alongside U.K. troops in Afghanistan, French troops in the Central African Republic and Danish troops in Balkan peacekeeping missions. NATO plans to send four multinational battalions to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland this spring from more than a dozen nations. The 1,200-strong battalion in Estonia will be led by the U.K and more troops are expected to start arriving in April. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said the battalions will be ready for action if necessary by June. Estonia and other Baltic states have been preparing for a potential Russian invasion since Moscow's 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine. The international community's inability to protect Kiev from the Kremlin coupled with Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning that he will defend Russians wherever they live has also spooked Eastern European nations. In Lithuania, where Russia has invaded before, civilians have spent their weekends learning counterinsurgency tactics such as filtering dirty water and recognizing Russian weaponry. The best way to prevent war is to demonstrate to the aggressor that we are ready to fight for our freedom, for every centimeter of our land, Defense Minister Juozas Olekas has said. Story continues Estonia, home to 1.3 million people, has seen a jump in military enrollment and has spent recent months courting world leaders in Europe and Washington to ensure its protection. Its living proof that history never ends, said Juri Luik, a former Estonian foreign and defense minister. We have to explain who we are all over again. Related Articles By Jessica DiNapoli (Reuters) - BCBG Max Azria Group LLC, whose form-fitting party dresses have been worn by celebrities Selena Gomez, Drew Barrymore and others, is making preparations to file for bankruptcy as soon as next week, people familiar with the matter said on Friday. The fashion house is the latest casualty in the struggling U.S. retail sector, as shoppers abandon malls in favour of internet shopping. BCBG has already informed mall owners of its plans to shutter most of its approximately 200 U.S. stores. BCBG is working with its financial and legal advisers to prepare the bankruptcy filing, the people said, asking not to be identified because the plans are confidential. It is possible that some companies, including brand licensing firms, may seek to buy BCBG's assets in bankruptcy, the people added. BCBG declined comment. Its owner, investment firm Guggenheim Partners, did not respond to requests for comment. Competing specialty retailers, including The Limited and American Apparel, have also filed for bankruptcy in recent months and are closing down their stores. In a call with landlords in January, a recording of which was heard by Reuters, BCBG said it preferred an alternative to bankruptcy as it looked to slash its secured debt load of $485 million. However, BCBG is behind on its rent, and bankruptcy would have the advantage of shielding it from legal action by landlords, which have been put under pressure by a wave of retail bankruptcies and shuttered stores. The upcoming bankruptcy is a fall from grace for BCBG, an acronym for the French phrase "bon chic, bon genre," which means good style, good attitude, and originally referred to stylish, well-to-do Parisians. Reuters reported in 2013 that it was exploring a potential sale that could have fetched as much as $1 billion. In 2015, BCBG restructured its debt and received a $135 million cash infusion from investors including affiliates of Guggenheim. BCBG was founded by Tunisian fashion designer Max Azria in 1989 and grew through its retail shops and distribution in department stores including Saks Fifth Avenue and Bloomingdale's. It also acquired Herve Leger, maker of skin-tight dresses, and started a lower-cost line called BCBGeneration. Azria is no longer at the helm of the company. In the call with landlords last month, one of BCBG's advisers said the company's retail store business declined by 20 percent over the past three years. The company reported consolidated net sales of just over $600 million in the 12 months to December, according to the call. Retail accounted for 71 percent of its revenue, while wholesale accounted for 18 percent, according to the call. The percentage share for licensing and e-commerce sales were in the single digits. (Reporting by Jessica DiNapoli in New York; Editing by Bill Rigby) FBI Director James Comey and Deputy Director Andrew McCabe may have violated multiple existing Justice Department rules controlling contacts between the bureau and White House officials when they spoke earlier this month with White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus about their ongoing investigation into Russias influence operation against the 2016 U.S. presidential election, according to several former senior Justice Department officials. The first questionable contact came when McCabe spoke with Priebus for five minutes after a 7:30 a.m. meeting at the White House on Feb. 15 on an unrelated intelligence issue. The day before, the New York Times had reported that Trumps campaign and other Trump associates had multiple contacts with known agents of Russian intelligence in the year before the election. At the White House meeting, McCabe told Priebus, I want you to know story in NYT is BS, according to senior Administration officials who briefed reporters on Feb. 24. Priebus asked McCabe what could be done to push back, saying the White House was getting crushed on the story. McCabe demurred, and then later called back to say, Wed love to help but we cant get into the position of making statements on every story. FBI Director James Comey later called Priebus himself and repeated McCabes statements about the New York Times story. Comey also said he was unwilling to speak publicly about the piece but agreed to let Priebus cite senior intelligence officials in his pushback, the officials said. The back-and-forth may have broken internal rules in place for decades, according to former officials. After President Nixons scandals in the early 1970s, the Carter Administration imposed rules designed to prevent the FBI from meddling in politics, and to keep politicians from meddling in criminal investigations. In Bill Clintons first term, Attorney General Janet Reno limited contacts between the White House and law enforcement regarding criminal investigations to the top three officials at the Justice Department on the one hand and the President, Vice President and the top two White House lawyers on the other. George W. Bush loosened those limits after 9/11, but after a series of scandals, his last Attorney General, Michael Mukasey reimposed them. Those limits were again adopted by the Obama Administration in a 2009 memo by then-Attorney General Eric Holder. Story continues Matt Miller, a Holder aide, says that memo directs that contacts between the White House and the Justice Department be funneled through the White House counsels office to the AG or Deputy Attorney Generals office precisely so there can be no inappropriate tampering with investigations. If McCabe and Comey told Priebus about what was happening in an ongoing investigation into the presidents associates, they clearly violated that guidance and crossed a major line. Those limits arent the only rules Comey and McCabe may have violated. There are also longstanding written controls, based on authority given to the Attorney General under an executive order issued by Ronald Reagan in 1981 and on several statutes, that require the Attorney Generals approval for most contacts between the FBI and the White House regarding foreign intelligence matters that involve domestic political activities. Those rules say that, Compromising information concerning domestic officials or political organizations, or information concerning activities of United States persons intended to affect the political process in the United States, may be disseminated to the White House only with the approval of the Attorney General, based on a determination that such dissemination is needed for foreign intelligence purposes, for the purpose of protecting against international terrorism or other threats to the national security, or for the conduct of foreign affairs. Neither the Justice Department nor the FBI would comment on whether the Attorney General approved the contacts between the FBIs leaders and the White House. White House spokesman Sean Spicer told reporters on Feb. 24 that there was a carve-out for public affairs communications. The Holder memo does exempt officials in the communications, public affairs, or press offices of the White House and the Department of Justice from communicating with each other to coordinate efforts. But the Holder rules also explicitly say that pending adversary cases in litigation that may have national security implications are not exempt from the rules. Several former Justice Department officials from both political parties, speaking anonymously, said they believed the contacts violated those rules, but none would speak on the record. Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi called Friday for an investigation by the Justice Departments Office of the Inspector General into the contacts between the FBI and the White House. The DOJs Inspector General, Michael Horowitz, has already launched a broad investigation of the FBI and the Justice Departments actions during the 2016 election. That investigation includes Comeys handling the FBI probe of Hillary Clintons emails, and the meeting held between then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch and Bill Clinton during that investigation in July, Horowitz told Congress on Feb. 1. SEOUL (Reuters) - Plans for the first contact between North Korea and the United States after President Donald Trump took office were canceled after the U.S. State Department denied a visa for the top envoy from Pyongyang, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday. The talks, between senior North Korean foreign ministry envoy Choe Son Hui and former U.S. officials, were scheduled to take place on March 1 and 2 in New York but were called off after Choe was denied a visa, the Journal said. It was not clear what led the State Department to deny the visa but North Korea's test-firing of a ballistic missile on Feb. 12 and the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother in Malaysia may have played a role, the report said. South Korean and U.S. officials have said they believe North Korean agents assassinated Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half brother of Kim Jong Un, on Feb. 13. A U.S. State Department official denied so-called track two discussions had been scheduled. "The U.S government had no plans to engage in track 2 talks in New York," the official said, declining comment on individual visa cases. A South Korean foreign ministry official declined to comment on the report of the canceled meeting in New York, saying the reported plan did not involve the U.S. or South Korean government. The meeting in New York would have been the first time a senior North Korean envoy would visit the United States since 2011 and the first contact between U.S. and North Korean representatives since Trump took office. Choe, director general for North American affairs at the North's foreign ministry, has previously met former U.s. officials and academics, the last time in November in Geneva for informal discussions. Trump said in a Reuters interview on Thursday that he was concerned about North Korea's ballistic missile tests and "it's a very dangerous situation". Trump did not ruling out meeting Kim at some point in the future under certain circumstances but suggested it might be too late. (Reporting by Jack Kim and Tony Munroe in SEOUL; Additional reporting by David Brunnstrom in WASHINGTON; Editing by Lincoln Feast) ATLANTA Tom Perez was elected the next chair of the Democratic National Committee on Saturday afternoon, putting an end to a contentious four-month election that divided the battered partys liberal and centrist wings along similar lines as last years presidential primary race. Perez, seen as the more establishment choice, immediately tapped his chief rival, Rep. Keith Ellison, D-Minn., as his deputy. After Perezs win was announced, a handful of hardcore Ellison supporters chanted Party to the people in protest, drowning out the party leaders. Perezs first act as chair appeased them, as he motioned to make Ellison his deputy. Ellison then spoke, urging the party to stay unified. We dont have the luxury, folks, to walk out of this room divided, he said. We dont have that luxury. We are united by our love for the Democratic Party, Perez said after Ellisons speech, saying that the partys diversity was its strength. The election took two rounds of voting after Perez missed the threshold by just one vote in the first round, with Ellison trailing him by more than 13 votes. Several candidates then dropped out, propelling Perez to victory. Perez is the first Latino DNC chair in the organizations history. At a press conference after the vote, Ellison wore a Team Tom button and Perez wore an Ellison button, to encourage their supporters to unify. From how the DNC treated Bernie, we were still healing. Keith was our hope, OK? And once again the DNC did not consider that, said Wanda Cunningham, a volunteer for Ellisons campaign from Atlanta. She said the good news was that Ellison would be able to keep his House seat and had a seat at the table at the DNC as deputy. It shows unity, said Perez supporter Arthur Morrell, a Louisiana delegate, of making Ellison deputy. He said he was surprised but thought it was a good move. Rep. Keith Ellison addresses the crowd. (Photo: Chris Berry/Reuters) Perez, the labor secretary under former President Barack Obama, ran on a platform of taking the Democratic Party back to its roots of organized labor and a primarily economic message of opportunity for all. Ellison had a similar message, but he was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and was seen as a more grassroots, outsider choice who would break from the DNCs past. Story continues As the DNC members cast their first votes, there was late-breaking drama as Ellisons team texted delegates to say that he had earned South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigiegs support. Buttigieg, who was believed to be running in third place, dropped out right before the first ballot but declined to endorse. The mayor tweeted that he had not endorsed anyone, and Ellisons staff texted a correction. Here is the screenshot of the text dnc delegates got falsely claiming a Mayor Pete endorsement of Ellison pic.twitter.com/941524vWG7 Liz Goodwin (@lizcgoodwin) February 25, 2017 Ellison was dogged by his past associations with the Nation of Islam and his past defense of its founder, Louis Farrakhan, who had made anti-Semitic comments. Ellison, the first Muslim elected to Congress, disavowed his association with the group in 2006. His supporters pointed to his long history of winning elections in Minnesota and ability to bring together different coalitions of voters through grassroots organizing. One of Perezs campaign slogans was a DNC for every Democrat, and the former civil rights attorney aims to bring Sanders young supporters, many of whom were independents, into the fold, as well as establishment liberals. But Sanders former campaign manager, Jeff Weaver, told MSNBC this week that if Ellison were not elected, it would send a horrible message to millions of Democrats who wanted more direct control over their party. Sanders group, Our Revolution, sent a message to supporters after Ellisons loss saying that the party needed to focus on electing progressives even if some were locked in complacency. In his nominating speech, Perez said there was a crisis of confidence, a crisis of relevance facing the party that he would reverse through a leadership style that would focus on listening. You will always have my ear and I always have your back. You will not be underutilized, Perez said. Ahead of the vote, Ellisons supporters, wearing green shirts, chanted Keith! and were more vocal than Perezs subtler Team Tom supporters. The candidates pleaded with the DNCs nearly 450 voting delegates to be a unified party no matter what the outcome of the election. Weve got to come out of here hand in hand, brothers and sisters, because Trump is right outside that door, Ellison said during his nominating speech. Supporters of Rep. Keith Ellison and former Secretary of Labor Tom Perez speak to each other during a Democratic National Committee forum in Baltimore. (Photo: Joshua Roberts/Reuters) Perez told Yahoo News earlier this month that Democrats had trouble distilling a message in a bumper-sticker world. But the DNC chair has not historically been the partys chief messenger, instead focusing on fundraising and providing support and infrastructure to the local parties. This last point will be a formidable challenge, given the fact that Democrats have lost more than 1,000 state legislative seats to Republicans since 2008. The DNCs reputation also suffered during the presidential primary after its emails were hacked and published on WikiLeaks, showing some staffers appearing to push for Hillary Clintons victory over Sanders. The U.S. government later accused the Kremlin of spearheading the cyberattack against the DNC. Perez has said that he considers being chair a turnaround job and vowed to remain neutral in any Democratic primaries. At a party for Perez on Friday night, South Carolina Democratic Party Chair Jaime Harrison, who had dropped out of the chair race a few days earlier, warned delegates that the media would portray the party as in disarray after Saturdays election. We need to step out of tomorrow as a unified party, Harrison said. We know that some of the media is ready to write the article they already have the headlines. Democrats still divided. That is not going to be the case. It remains to be seen whether the party will come together as its leaders urge, though the appointment of Ellison as deputy may do much to quell the fight. Earlier Saturday, Ellisons supporters had shouted Shame! after other DNC delegates voted down a resolution that would have reinstated an Obama-era ban on accepting donations from corporations and lobbyists that was quietly phased out a year ago. The resolutions failure appears to be a direct rebuke of Democrats who want to get corporate money out of politics, and it will likely remain a flashpoint between the partys liberal and centrist wings. Washington (AFP) - Opposition Democrats chose Tom Perez as their new leader, tapping an establishment figure to lead the fight against President Donald Trump and the Republican Congress. Perez, a labor secretary under former president Barack Obama and the party's first Hispanic-American leader, immediately named the contest's runner-up, leftist lawmaker Keith Ellison, as the party's deputy chairman. "Someday, they're going to study this era in American history... and ask the question, of all of us, where were you in 2017 when we had the worst president in the history of the United States?" said Perez, 55. "And we will all be able to say, the united Democratic party led the resistance, ensured this president was a one-term president and elected Democrats across this country." Ellison, an 53-year-old African American who is the first Muslim elected to the US Congress, warned that "we don't have the luxury to walk out of this room divided." The fight over who would chair the Democratic National Committee (DNC) appeared at times to be a proxy battle between the supporters of defeated 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and her leftist primary rival Bernie Sanders. Perez, who won 235 votes against 200 for Ellison - a strong Sanders supporter - was seen as the establishment pick. A third candidate, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg -- a gay, 35-year-old Rhodes Scholar and military veteran -- dropped out of the race before the vote, which was held in Atlanta, Georgia. Unlike in other democracies the leaders of the two main US parties wield little influence on policy, with leading party lawmakers holding far more clout. But this backstage role is taking on greater significance following Clinton's surprise 2016 defeat, and as Democrats prepare for next year's midterm elections and the 2020 presidential vote. - Perez 'will unite us' - Perez succeeds interim chair Donna Brazile, who took over after Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz was ousted in mid-2016 when leaked emails showed that some DNC members, who are pledged to be neutral in presidential primaries, favored Clinton over Sanders. Story continues The progressive group Democracy for America was upset with the "incredibly disappointing" vote result. Choosing Perez "is another missed opportunity for a Democratic Party desperately trying to regain relevance, and proves... how out of touch party insiders are with the grassroots movement currently in the streets," said the group's chair Jim Dean, an Ellison supporter. But Obama, who has largely been silent since leaving office in January, called for mending rifts. "What unites our party is a belief in opportunity -- the idea that however you started out, whatever you look like, or whomever you love, America is the place where you can make it if you try," he said. "I know that Tom Perez will unite us under that banner of opportunity, and lay the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leadership for this big, bold, inclusive, dynamic America we love so much." - Crisis of confidence - After the vote Trump offered what appeared to be tongue-in-cheek congratulations on Twitter. "Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!" he wrote. Perez's response: "Call me Tom. And don't get too happy. @keithellison and I, and Democrats united across the country, will be your worst nightmare." According to Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, by choosing Perez Democrats "only create deeper divisions within their own party by pushing a far left agenda that rejects a majority of their base outside Washington." During a televised DNC candidate debate late Wednesday, Perez said Democrats need to "get back to basics" by making house calls in all 50 states and reminding workers that the party represents their values and interests. "When we lead with our message, our message of economic opportunity, that's how we win," he said. Perez also warned that Democrats must reform their party's presidential primary system, which he said has created "a crisis of confidence" because of its lack of transparency. Some of the world's best surfers are calling on the French government to kill sharks near Reunion Island after an eighth person was killed there in six years. Kelly Slater, an 11-time world champion, and Jeremy Flores, a surfer who grew up on the island, said French officials must do more to curb attacks from aggressive bull sharks, the Guardian reported Friday. I wont be popular for saying this, but there needs to be a serious cull on Reunion and it should happen every day, said Slater. There is a clear imbalance happening in the ocean there. If the whole world had these rates of attack nobody would use the ocean and millions of people would be dying like this. The French government needs to figure this out ASAP. Sharks represent a major crisis for Reunion, located east of Madagascar and home to about 850,000 people. Surfing is banned across the island except for on two beaches guarded by anti-shark nets. But because the island's waves are known as the best in the world, surfers still brave the local waters. In all, 22 people have been the victim of sharks attacks near the island since 2001. The animals are known by local surfers as war machines. Part of the problem, critics argue, is that hunting sharks on Reunion for food is banned because their flesh is containated with a toxin that can cause death. That policy has allowed the animals to thrive, locals say. To be sure, shark attacks are a growing global problem. In 2015, there were 98 attacks, including six deaths, a world record. In 2014, there were only 72 attacks. The uptick was driven in part by warm water from El Nino and global warming, according to officials. For Reunion Island surfers, the recent call to cull sharks came after Alexandre Naussac, a 26-year-old body boarder, was killed this week by a shark attack. The animal bit through a major artery in his leg. He was surfing in a zone where water activities were banned. Things are getting really serious and we are tired of crying [for] our brothers, said Flores. People are dying one after another and for some this sounds normal, but it really isnt. Story continues French officials already catch and kill about 100 sharks a year near the island. And conservationists argue killing more sharks would hurt the local environment. Its insane, said Ken Collins, senior research fellow at the United Kingdom's National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. There is a hierarchy in the natural world for a reason. If you kill all the sharks and the lions, the world would be a poorer place. Who has a God-given right to be in the ocean the sharks or the surfers? I side with the sharks. But surfers still want the sharks gone. There are so many sharks in the water, it is traumatic, said Gilbert Pouzet, 55, who has surfed in Reunion for 30 years. Sometimes, I go down to the waves and I am not sure whether to go in the water or not; 80 percent of the time I go back home. Most of the time they strike from the side and take your hip and leg. They sever the femoral artery so you bleed to death in two minutes. The tiger shark will sometimes take an arm or a piece of leg and go away. But the bull shark becomes mad and finishes you off. When the bull sharks attack, they come to kill. Related Articles Paris (AFP) - A French prosecutors' decision to launch a full judicial inquiry into claims that presidential candidate Francois Fillon paid his family for fake jobs leaves him facing a fraught two months before elections, media commentators said Saturday. Rightwing standardbearer Fillon, who was previously leading the race, will be investigated over allegations of embezzlement for putting his wife Penelope on the public payroll, prosecutors said Friday. With the first round of the presidential vote less than two months away, on April 23, the 62-year-old former prime minister faces a "perilous period, both legally and politically", the left-wing Liberation daily said in an editorial. The Paris daily Le Parisien said the decision unleashed a "surge in the pressure" on Fillon. At the International Farm Fair -- a must for presidential candidates' calendars that opened Saturday in Paris -- farmers and artisans voiced their dismay over the scandal dubbed "Penelopegate". "If they wanted to disgust us, the French, they've outdone themselves," said Marianne Roussille, 57, who intended to vote for Fillon before the scandal broke last month. At a stand showcasing cheeses from Normandy, another vendor said he too was no longer prepared to vote for Fillon, who had campaigned as a "clean" candidate. "All our politicians are hooligans, mafiosi," the 45-year-old said, giving his name only as Ghislain. - Problems for Le Pen - Far-right National Front leader Marine Le Pen has been bolstered by the scandal, overtaking Fillon in the opinion polls over the past month. But Le Pen is facing her own expenses scandal, and on Saturday news broke that a close confidant had been charged in a separate matter with making an illegal loan to her party. And her personal assistant was charged Wednesday over allegations she was unlawfully paid from funds that Le Pen receives from the European Parliament, where she has a seat. Story continues The latest surveys before the prosecutors' decision on Fillon showed he had regained ground and was neck-and-neck with 39-year-old centrist candidate Emmanuel Macron in second place. Fillon denies wrongdoing but has said he would drop out of the race if he is charged, although he later appeared to backtrack and said he would put his fate in the hands of voters. The devout Catholic won the conservative nomination by campaigning as a "clean" candidate unsullied by the scandals of his rivals. But since January he has been fighting claims by Le Canard Enchaine newspaper that he used allowances to pay his British-born wife Penelope at least 680,000 euros ($720,000) over some 15 years as a parliamentary aide. Although French lawmakers are allowed to employ family members, it is unclear what work Penelope actually did. Lawyers for the couple said they were confident the investigators would find them "innocent, at last". - From outsider to frontrunner - The Canard Enchaine has also alleged Fillon's wife was also paid tens of thousands of euros by a literary review, the Revue des Deux Mondes, owned by her husband's billionaire friend, Marc Ladreit de Lacharriere. Magistrates will investigate whether this amounted to misappropriation of corporate assets. The paper also reported that two of Fillon's children were paid as parliamentary advisors for brief periods. The Fillons have argued that Penelope was legitimately employed and the couple's lawyers say they have provided proof of the work she did. Macron, a former economy minister, has surged from outsider to a frontrunner but faces constant criticism from rivals that his policy platform is too vague. While Le Pen is forecast to win the most votes in the first round, polls currently show she would be beaten by either Fillon or Macron in the decisive runoff on May 7. Le Pen on Friday refused to attend questioning by anti-corruption investigators, saying she would speak to them only after the election. Then on Saturday news broke of criminal charges for Le Pen confidant Frederic Chatillon, who heads a company called Riwal that did communications work for party candidates. Prosecutors allege that Chatillon used Riwal to make a loan to FN satellite group Jeanne, which would be illegal because companies are forbidden from contributing to political parties in France. The presidential race remains highly uncertain with the unstable international picture -- from Donald Trump and Brexit to the surge of rightwing nationalism in countries such as the Netherlands -- being mirrored by an anti-establishment mood in France. French President Francois Hollande took issue with Donald Trumps Friday comments about Paris, in which the American President claimed he had a friend who felt Paris is no longer Paris in the wake of recent terrorist attacks. Hollande called for Trump to support U.S. allies. There is terrorism and we must fight it together, Hollande said on Saturday during a visit at the Paris Agric fair, according to Reuters. I think that it is never good to show the smallest defiance toward an allied country. I wouldnt do it with the United States and Im urging the U.S. president not to do it with France. I wont make comparisons but here, people dont have access to guns, the French president added. Here, you dont have people with guns opening fire on the crowd simply for the satisfaction of causing drama and tragedy. Trumps initial remarks came during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference. The president criticized Europes handling of recent Islamist terrorist attacks, saying his friend Jim no longer wants to take his family to the French capital. Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo and French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault additionally responded to Trumps comments via Twitter on Friday. Paris (AFP) - France's centrist presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron will meet with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in March, his team said Saturday. The exact date has not yet been fixed, they said. The 39-year-old former economy minister, who has surged from outsider to a frontrunner ahead of elections in April and May, visited Berlin in early January but did not meet Merkel. This will be the latest in a long line of meetings in the past few months Macron has had with foreign leaders. On Tuesday, he met with British Prime Minister Theresa May in London. The German chancellor received Macron's rival, former prime minister Francois Fillon, in late January, just before a French newspaper alleged that he paid his family for fake jobs while in parliament. In 2012, Merkel had not met with then-presidential candidate Francois Hollande, now France's president, instead putting her support behind his rival Nicolas Sarkozy. BERLIN (AP) A man drove a car into pedestrians in a central square in the German city of Heidelberg on Saturday, injuring three people, then fled and was shot after being tracked down by officers, police said. One of the victims later died. The man, who was driving a rental car, hit three people outside a bakery on Saturday afternoon. A 73-year-old German man died of his injuries in the evening at a local hospital. A 32-year-old Austrian man and a 29-year-old woman from Bosnia were lightly injured. The driver, who is believed to have been carrying a knife, then got out of his car, police said. A short time later, he was intercepted by a police patrol and shot by an officer following a short standoff. The suspect, a 35-year-old German whose identity wasn't released, was taken to a hospital and underwent an operation. There was no immediate word on the man's possible motives, where he came from or his condition in the hospital. Police and prosecutors said that there are no indications of any terrorist background and the man appears to have acted alone. The case tugs at the heartstrings: A popular Kansas State University professor battles breast cancer, then leukemia. The school won't extend her six-month sick leave, she loses her job and she cannot get rehired. She sues for discrimination based on disability. Grace Hwang's lawsuit was one of many employee cases heard by federal appeals court Judge Neil Gorsuch, President Donald Trump's pick for the Supreme Court. The majority opinion he wrote siding with Kansas State is illustrative. His worker's rights opinions are often sympathetic but coldly pragmatic, and they're usually in the employer's favor. "Hwang's is a terrible problem, one in no way of her own making," Gorsuch's 2014 opinion said about the former professor and attorney, who died last year. Federal law "seeks to prevent employers from callously denying reasonable accommodations that permit otherwise qualified disabled persons to work not to turn employers into safety net providers for those who cannot work." A review of dozens of employment cases he heard in his decade on the U.S. 10th Circuit Court of Appeals reveals a focus on texts and a fondness for scrutinizing definitions of words in legislation and the Constitution. Conservatives herald his strict approach. Many liberals say it too often results in workers losing out. The 49-year-old Gorsuch was a corporate law firm attorney and Justice Department associate attorney general before Republican President George W. Bush appointed him to the bench in 2006. If confirmed to the Supreme Court, he is likely to hear major workers' rights cases. They could include whether companies can require that employees sign away rights to pursue class-action suits and whether the 1964 Civil Rights Act bars workplace discrimination against LGBTQ employees. One 2016 case illustrates how Gorsuch's fidelity to literal texts can lead to findings that appear to defy common sense and fairness. Story continues TransAm Trucking driver Alphonse Maddin stopped on a wintry night after the trailer's brakes froze. His torso went numb after waiting three hours in an unheated cabin for roadside assistance. A boss ordered him to not abandon the cargo. But Maddin, but fearing for his health, unhitched the trailer and drove off. TransAm promptly fired him for disobeying an order. In a dissent, Gorsuch said the Surface Transportation Assistance Act, which bars companies from firing a driver who "refuses to operate" an unsafe truck, didn't apply to Maddin. Why? Because, he wrote, Maddin was operating the truck by driving off, not refusing to operate it. "There's simply no law anyone has pointed us to giving employees the right to operate their vehicles in ways their employers forbid," he said. If one's needed, he added, Congress should create it. Writing for the majority, Judge Michael Murphy conceded some imprecise language. But he said the law could easily be seen as applying to drivers, such as Maddin, who are at risk by staying put. Murphy also directly challenged Gorsuch's narrow, literal meaning of "operate." "The dissent believes Congress' intent can be easily determined by simply choosing a favorite dictionary definition of the word," Murphy wrote. But he added there was no doubt the law's purpose was to keep drivers safe, so it was reasonable to find "a refusal to operate" encompassed a refusal to sit in a freezing truck. Gorsuch's judicial history, to some, suggests he isn't employee friendly. He has sided with employers 21 out of 23 times in disputes over the U.S. pensions and benefits law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, or ERISA. One case involved employees of Solvay Chemicals, Inc., who accused Solvay of slashing early-retirement benefits without the proper notice required by ERISA. But writing for the majority in 2013, Gorsuch said the workers could only prevail if they showed the company's lack of notice was "egregious." "What qualifies as 'egregious'?" he asked. "Happily, the statute defines the term for us." Solvay, Gorsuch added, had plausibly blamed accidental oversight. But that record doesn't necessarily prove he's anti-labor or outside the mainstream. In all 21 ERISA cases in which he sided with employers, Gorsuch was with the majority, including often Democrat-appointed judges. Workers who sue lose "far more often than not" in most courts, sometimes because they underestimate the evidence needed to win, said Stuart Gerson, an acting U.S. attorney general in 1993 and now a health industry attorney. Discerning judges' personal views on issues by examining their rulings can be perilous because judges are usually bound by precedent to rule as they do. That was true in a case Gorsuch heard in 2006. Everett Young, who is black, alleged racial discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act after Dillon's King Soopers in Colorado fired him as a grocery store investigator. Young accused one boss of calling him "a monkey." Gorsuch, writing the unanimous ruling, said the boss's alleged statements "evince a deep and repugnant racial animus." But the court was obliged, he said, by Title VII and precedent to determine if Young proved racism had led directly to his dismissal. Gorsuch concluded Young had not made the case and that the store had ample reason to dismiss him for misrepresenting his working hours. Gorsuch has occasionally been less strict about adhering to texts. He was on a three-judge panel that heard a complex 2009 case in which Payless ShoeSource sued its insurer, Travelers, to recover costs of a $2.4 million settlement over working hours. All three judges found for Travelers, rejecting arguments that misplaced modifiers and inexact punctuation in a liability policy put it on the hook for the settlement costs. Writing for the panel, Gorsuch quoted comedian Groucho Marx in the movie "Animal Crackers": "'One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.'" No one, Gorsuch wrote, thought Marx was saying he actually had an elephant in his pajamas because of imprecise grammar. "We must," he wrote about the Payless dispute, "acknowledge the parties' plain meaning without being strait-jacketed by a grammatical rule into reaching a patently unintended result." ___ Tarm reported from Chicago and Lavoie from Boston. Associated Press Researcher Rhonda Shafner also contributed to this report. ___ Find AP's reporting on Neil Gorsuch here: http://apne.ws/2mfXk4V __ The AP National Investigative Team can be reached at investigate@ap.org EDITOR'S NOTE _ One in a series of stories examining the judicial record of Neil Gorsuch, nominated to the Supreme Court by President Donald Trump (Reuters) - Highlights of the day for U.S. President Donald Trump's administration on Friday: MILITARY BUILDUP Trump says he will make a massive budget request for one of the "greatest military buildups in American history" in a feisty, campaign-style speech extolling robust nationalism to eager conservative activists. REGULATION Trump signs an executive order aimed at repealing or simplifying federal regulations. TRUMP AND FBI Trump criticizes the FBI for failing to stop leaks of national security information to the media and directs the agency to find those who pass on classified information. RUSSIA Russian politicians close to the Kremlin say Trump's declared aim of putting the U.S. nuclear arsenal "at the top of the pack" risks starting a new Cold War-style arms race between Washington and Moscow. CHINA China dismisses renewed pressure from Trump over its role in North Korea, saying the crux of the matter is a dispute between Washington and Pyongyang. China says it has no intention of using currency devaluation to its advantage in trade, responding to Trump's description of China as the "grand champions" of currency manipulation. MEXICO Mexico does not need U.S. financial aid, Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong says, after Trump ordered a report on such assistance given by the United States to its southern neighbor over the last five years. ANTI-TRUMP MOVEMENT Raucous town hall meetings held by Republican Congress members are the latest outburst in a relentless series of rallies, marches and protests that shows no signs of abating more than 30 days into the Trump administration. GERMANY Germany does not yet have a full picture of the approach Trump's administration is taking on foreign, security and trade policy but is keen to engage with Washington on these issues, a Foreign Ministry spokesman says. PERU Peru's Trade Minister Eduardo Ferreyros says he does not think Trump would want to renegotiate the trade agreement between the two countries because it has been beneficial to the United States. (Compiled by Jonathan Oatis; editing by Grant McCool) On this day in 1870, an African-American politician was seated in the United States Senate for the first time, but only after Republican leaders rebuffed a challenge based on the infamous Dred Scott decision. Hiram Rhodes Revelss path to the Senate floor took him through numerous states as a freed black man born in North Carolina, school in Indiana and Ohio, and as a preacher and educator in Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Revels also served in the Civil War as a chaplain and he was at the battles of Vicksburg and Jackson in Mississippi. After the war, he settled in Natchez, Mississippi, continuing his educational and religious works. But Revels slowly became in politics, first as a local alderman in 1868, and then as a member of the Mississippi state senate in the states Reconstruction-era government in 1869. Revels caught the attention of the state senates leaders after he gave an inspirational prayer to open a session in January 1870. That session soon turned to the serious business of electing two U.S. Senators from Mississippi, to be sent to Washington after Mississippi was readmitted as a state in the Union. (In that era, state legislatures elected U.S. Senators.) Seen as a moderate and as an educated man, Revels was put up for nomination and elected to the U.S. Senate by a 81 to 15 vote. He would fill the unexpired term of a Senator who quit in 1861, which ended in March 1871. However, when Revels arrived in Washington in late January 1870, it was clear he would have opposition from people who objected to a black man serving in the U.S. Senate. There were still a handful of Southern Democrats in Congress and they raised several barriers. The first argument was that a Senate candidate had to be a United States citizen for at least nine years before assuming office. This logic pointed to the Supreme Courts controversial Dred Scott decision from 1857, which was interpreted to state that blacks of African-American ancestry werent American citizens, and that Revels had only been a citizen since the 14th Amendment was ratified in 1868. Story continues Another argument was that Mississippi was still under military rule and a civilian government needed to confirm Revels election. The issue came to a head on February 23, 1871, when Mississippi was officially admitted back into the Union, and a floor vote came up to seat Revels in the Senate. After two days of debate, the vote came to seat Revels. In an account from the New York Times, the historic nature of the moment was apparent. Mr. Revels, the colored Senator from Mississippi, was sworn in and admitted to his seat this afternoon at 4:40 oclock. There was not an inch of standing or sitting room in the galleries, so densely were they packed; and to say that the interest was intense gives but a faint idea of the feeling which prevailed throughout the entire proceeding, the Times said. Republicans cut off objections from the southern Democrats, and the vote was 48-8 to let Revels take his Senate seat. The ceremony was short. Mr. Revels showed no embarrassment whatever, and his demeanor was as dignified as could be expected under the circumstances. The abuse which had been poured upon him and on his race during the last two days might well have shaken the nerves of any one, the Times said. Three weeks later, Revels gave his first speech to a packed Senate gallery about fears that Georgia would forbid blacks from holding public office using language that was part of its deal to gain admittance back to the Union. I remarked that I rose to plead for protection for the defenseless race that now sends their delegation to the seat of Government to sue for that which this Congress alone can secure to them. And here let me say further, that the people of the North owe to the colored race a deep obligation that is no easy matter to fulfill, he said. In his brief Senate career, Revels was seen as a moderate who opposed segregation and supported civil rights, but he also wanted amnesty for former Confederate soldiers. Revels chose not to seek more time in the Senate, and he left Washington in March 1871 to become the first president of what became Alcorn University, the first land grant school for African-Americans in the United States. Revels remained active in the religious and educational communities for the rest of his life. He died on January 16, 1901, as he was attending a religious conference. In 1875, Blanche Kelso Bruce, also of Mississippi and of African-American descent, was elected to the Senate and served a full six-year term. It would be another 92 years until Edmund Brooke of Massachusetts became the third black to win a seat in the U.S. Senate. Thousands of supporters and foes of President Rodrigo Duterte joined large rallies in Manila on Saturday, highlighting how his brutal drug war has polarised the Philippines. A prayer rally for Duterte's eight months-long anti-narcotics crackdown drew the biggest turnout, estimated by police at up to 200,000 although AFP reporters said it looked a lot less. "Your presence here showcases the strong support that your president continues to enjoy," Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre told the crowd at the prayer rally, who lit candles and sang religious songs. The 71-year-old president, who spent the weekend in his southern home city of Davao, won the election last year after promising during the campaign to eradicate drugs in society by killing tens of thousands of people. He launched the crackdown after taking office in June and police have reported killing 2,555 drug suspects since then, with about 4,000 other people murdered in unexplained circumstances. Duterte critics including ex-leader Benigno Aquino and Vice President Leni Robredo, who was elected separately from the president, joined one of the other rallies held near the national police headquarters in Manila. This gathering marked the 31st anniversary of the victory of a pro-democracy movement that culminated in a bloodless "People Power" revolution that ended the Ferdinand Marcos dictatorship. Some at this rally criticised the drug killings, many of which have been described by international foreign monitors as state-sanctioned murder. The protesters warned they foreshadowed another dictatorship. By nightfall some sections of the protesters were openly calling for Duterte's removal from office, chanting "Down with Duterte". "We are warning our people about the threat of rising fascism," protest leader Bonifacio Ilagan told AFP after leading more than 1,000 protesters at another rally earlier Saturday. Ilagan, a playwright who was tortured over two years in a police prison under Marcos' martial rule in the 1970s, cited the "culture of impunity" arising from Duterte's crackdown. Story continues Duterte, who ranks Marcos as one of the country's best-ever presidents, has not ruled out using martial law himself to prevent what he describes as the country's slide to narco-state status. - Senator arrest - Last year Duterte stoked large street protests when he allowed the Marcos family to bury the former leader's remains at Manila's Cemetery for Heroes. Wearing a black shirt, Aquino marched alongside political allies and around 2,000 other protesters. He denounced the government's treatment of Senator Leila de Lima, the top critic of the Duterte drug war, who was arrested on Friday and faces life in prison if convicted of drugs charges. De Lima, Aquino's former justice minister, said the arrest was an act of revenge for her decade-long efforts to expose Duterte as the leader of death squads during his time as mayor of Davao. "By arresting Senator Leila de Lima on politically motivated drug charges, President Duterte is effectively expanding his 'drug war'," Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phelim Kine said in a statement. "Not only Congress, but other pillars of Philippine democracy should be deeply worried," the official from the US-based rights monitor added. At one point during the rally attended by Aquino, tempers rose as several protesters confronted a dozen young people who raised clenched fists while holding up a pro-Duterte banner nearby. "Why did you sell your soul?" a white-haired man in a black shirt said, jabbing his finger at one of the Duterte supporters and telling him the president was "responsible" for drug-related murders. "They (deaths) are still being investigated," the young man replied calmly. Television footage showed police hosing down a group of at least 100 people protesting the drug killings, though no one was seriously injured. In a separate demonstration Saturday, around 150 anti-Marcos protesters chanting "Exhume him" marched on the cemetery where he is buried, but riot police stopped them near the gate, an AFP photographer saw. Paris (AFP) - Isabelle Huppert and her hit thriller "Elle" were the big winners late Friday at the "French Oscars" -- the Cesars -- in a highly political ceremony marked by Hollywood star George Clooney warning that freedom had to be defended in the face of Donald Trump's US presidency. "Courage trumps fear. Right always trumps might," the American actor said before quoting war reporter Edward F Morrow's famous condemnation of the McCarthyite Communist witch-hunts of the 1950s. "Let's not confuse dissent with disloyalty. We must not walk in fear of one another, we must not be driven by fear into an age of unreason," he said. Watched by his wife, the human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, who is pregnant with twins, the actor said, "We cannot defend freedom abroad by deserting it at home. "We have to work harder not to let hate win," insisted Clooney, who was a supporter of Democratic Party candidate Hillary Clinton, as he received an honorary Cesar. "Elle", a subversive thriller about a woman who not only takes revenge on her rapist but holds him in her power, won best film and Huppert, 63, the best actress award. Her mesmerising performance in such a slippery and morally complex story has won her some of the best reviews of her career, and made her one of the favourites for the best actress Oscar on Sunday. Another French Oscar contender, "My Life as a Zucchini" ("Ma Vie de Courgette"), won best animated film. - Troubled estates - With France's troubled suburban estates again rising up in protest after two high-profile police brutality cases, "Divines", a stirring story of the friendship between two young girls from immigrant families, also triumphed. Deborah Lukumuena won best actor in a supporting role while co-star Oulaya Amamra wept as she dedicated her best newcomer award to her late father. Her sister, director Houda Benyamina, took the prize for best first film, after winning the equivalent prize at Cannes. Story continues The highly-political winner of that festival's Palme d'Or top prize, "I, Daniel Blake", also got the Cesar for best foreign film. Its veteran British director Ken Loach used the occasion to again accuse his country's Conservative government of "deliberate brutality" towards the poor. The moving drama tells of a carpenter's Kafkaesque struggle to get benefits after suffering a heart attack and being told by doctors he can no longer work. And the young director of the best documentary prize, Francois Ruffin, also used his speech to excoriate French politicians for allowing manufacturing jobs to be delocalised to low-wage countries. His fiercely comic film "Merci Patron" ("Thanks Boss") skewered France's richest man, Bernard Arnault, the owner of the LVMH luxury goods empire, and was one of year's surprise hits. The night's other big winner was Canadian wunderkind Xavier Dolan's hot-tempered family drama "It's Only the End of the World", which featured an A-list cast of French stars. It won the 27-year-old best director, best editing and its star Gaspard Ulliel best actor. SYDNEY (AP) Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo arrived in Sydney on Saturday on his first visit to Australia as his nation's leader. Jokowi and first lady Iriana Widodo landed in rain and clutched umbrellas as they greeted Australian officials on the Sydney Airport tarmac. Improving trade and investment will be a key focus of Jokowi's two-day state visit with plans to finalize a free trade agreement this year. Jokowi will meet with business leaders Saturday afternoon before a private dinner at Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's harbor-side mansion. "Our relationship with Indonesia is growing deeper by the day but it has not yet reached its full potential," Turnbull wrote in an opinion piece in The Sydney Morning Herald newspaper, adding that Australia trades more with Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand than with Indonesia. Indonesia has a population of 250 million and is Australia's nearest neighbor after Papua New Guinea. Australia has 24 million people. DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran plans to buy 950 tonnes of uranium ore from Kazakhstan over three years and expects to get Russian help in producing nuclear fuel, its top nuclear official said in remarks published on Saturday. The acquisition would not violate Iran's landmark 2015 deal with world powers over its disputed nuclear program as the deal did not set limits on the Islamic Republic's supplies of uranium ore. The report by the Iranian Students' News Agency ISNA comes a day after the U.N. atomic watchdog said Iran's official stock of enriched uranium had fallen by half after large amounts stuck in pipes was recategorised as unrecoverable under a process agreed with the major powers. "About 650 tonnes is to be delivered in two shipments over two years and 300 tonnes during the third year and this shipment is to be returned to Kazakhstan (after enrichment)," Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, told ISNA in an interview. Iran has asked a body overseeing its 2015 nuclear accord with world powers to approve the purchase of uranium ore and was still awaiting Britain's agreement, Salehi said. "Five of the members of the committee overseeing the (nuclear deal) have given their written approval, but Britain changed its mind at the last moment, considering the U.S. elections and Middle East problems," Salehi said, without elaborating. There was no immediate reaction from Britain to the report. "In nuclear talks ... we reached a final agreement on jointly producing nuclear fuel with Russia," Salehi said. "We asked for their help in this regard... and it was agreed for the Russians to give us advisory help." The nuclear agreement brokered by Britain, France, Germany, China, Russia and the United States lifted sanctions against Iran in return for curbs on Tehran's nuclear program. (Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Hugh Lawson) Tehran (AFP) - Iran's nuclear chief said Saturday that the country had asked to buy 950 tonnes of uranium concentrate from Kazakhstan over the next three years to help develop its civil reactor programme. The request has been made to the body that oversees the nuclear deal signed between Iran and world powers in 2015. Ali Akbar Salehi, head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation, told the ISNA news agency that the purchase was supposed to happen "within three years". "650 tonnes will enter the country in two consignments and 300 tonnes will enter Iran in the third year," he said. Salehi said the final shipment of concentrate, known as yellow cake, would be turned into uranium hexafluoride gas and sold back to Kazakhstan -- its first international sale of the compound which is used in the uranium enrichment process. Under the nuclear deal, many of Iran's centrifuges were mothballed but it has the right to enrich uranium to a level of 3.5 percent and sell it abroad. Nuclear weapons require uranium enriched to 80 percent or more. Salehi said Iran has already received around 382 tonnes of yellow cake, primarily from Russia, since the nuclear deal came into force in January last year. Under the deal, Iran is allowed to run around 5,000 "IR-1" centrifuges and has been testing more advanced models that can produce greater quantities of enriched uranium -- all under the strict supervision of the UN atomic agency. By Isabel Coles MOSUL, Iraq (Reuters) - U.S.-backed Iraqi forces pushed deeper into western Mosul on Saturday, advancing in several populated southern districts after punching through the defenses of Islamic State's last major urban stronghold in Iraq a day earlier. About 1,000 civilians walked across the frontlines, the largest movement since the new offensive launched last week to deal the ultra-hardline Sunni Muslim group a decisive blow. In the capital Baghdad, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir met Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi in the first such visit in more than a decade between Sunni Muslim-ruled Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite-led Iraq. The new push in Mosul comes after government forces finished clearing Islamic State from the east of the city last month, confining the insurgents to the western sector across the Tigris river. Commanders expect the battle there to be more difficult, in part because tanks and armored vehicles cannot pass through the narrow alleyways that crisscross ancient districts. But Iraqi forces have so far made quick advances on multiple fronts, capturing the northern city's airport on Thursday, which they plan to use as a support zone, and breaching a three-meter high berm and trench set up by Islamic State. The advancing forces are less than three kilometers (two miles) from the mosque where Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi declared a caliphate spanning Iraq and Syria in 2014, sparking an international military campaign to defeat the group. Losing Mosul would likely deal a hammer blow to the militants' dream of statehood, but they still control territory in Syria and patches of northern and western Iraq from where they could fight a guerrilla-style insurgency in Iraq, and plot attacks on the West. Federal police and an elite Interior Ministry unit known as Rapid Response have recaptured Hawi al-Josaq along the river and begun clearing the Tayyaran district north of the airport, said Brigadier General Hisham Abdul Kadhim. Islamic State resisted with snipers and roadside bombs, he said. A Reuters correspondent saw two militants' corpses outside a mosque in Josaq. FOREIGN FIGHTERS Counter-terrorism forces also pushed on two fronts toward Wadi Hajr and Mamoun districts, said Lieutenant General Abdelwahab al-Saadi, a senior commander. "Clearing operations are ongoing and our forces have entered those areas," he told Reuters on a hill overlooking the battle. Saadi said a suicide car bomb had been destroyed before reaching its target. The militants also launched mortars. A Mamoun resident reached by phone said militant fighters had flooded the area in recent days while moving their families to relative safety in other districts. Islamic State broadcast messages via mosque loudspeakers in some areas encouraging locals to resist the "infidels' attack" while elsewhere they threatened to kill anyone who refused to retreat deeper into the city, according to several residents. A woman forced to leave Wadi Hajr district said the militants had climbed to her roof and knocked holes in the walls in order to move undetected. Several thousand militants, including many who traveled from Western countries to join up, are believed to be holed up in the city with practically nowhere to go, which could lead to a fierce standoff amid a population of 750,000. Ziyad, a 16-year-old living in Hawi al-Josaq, told a Reuters correspondent he had seen foreign IS militants withdraw as Iraqi forces advanced, leaving only local fighters behind. "They were really scared," he said. "They were calling to each other and saying, 'Let's go'." Abu Laith, 49, said he overheard disagreements between local and foreign fighters. "(The locals) said, 'Tomorrow you will withdraw and we will be under the hammer'. (The foreigners) said, 'That's your problem. We are not in charge, the order is from the caliph'." Iraq's counter-terrorism service put a statement online last week offering leniency to local fighters who killed foreigners, though the legal framework for such a deal was unclear. A police spokesman said a Russian member of Islamic State had been captured on Wednesday near Mosul airport. The Iraqi campaign involves a 100,000-strong force of Iraqi troops, Shi'ite militias and Sunni tribal fighters backed by a U.S.-led coalition that provides vital air support as well as on-the-ground guidance and training. Western advisors are increasingly present close to the frontline, helping coordinate air strikes and advising Iraqi forces as the battle unfolds. Kurdish journalist Shifa Gardi was killed by a roadside bomb on Saturday while covering the battle. CIVILIANS START TO FLEE About a thousand civilians, mostly women and children, walked out of southwestern parts of Mosul on Saturday and climbed into military trucks taking them to camps further south. The United Nations says up to 400,000 people may have to leave their homes during the new offensive as food and fuel runs out in western Mosul. Aid groups warned on Friday that the most dangerous phase of the offensive was about to begin. Some of the people fleeing Mamoun said they were originally from Hammam al-Alil, south of Mosul, but were forced to move as Islamic State retreated north into the city four months ago. "They began shelling us arbitrarily, so we hid in the bathrooms. When the security forces came, they yelled to us so we fled to them," said civilian Mahmoud Nawwaf. The government is encouraging residents to stay in their homes whenever possible, as they did in eastern Mosul where fewer people fled than expected. A Reuters correspondent near the airport saw nine families living in a house where residents with full beards served trays of tea to security forces. Some said Islamic State had forced them to move from Samarra, 250 km (160 miles) south of Mosul. Abu Naba, 37, said he was surprised how quickly the militants had been driven out. "We could hear their voices outside and 15 minutes later they were gone," he said. A woman with a baby wrapped in a blanket on her lap said she had given birth in the house 22 days ago because it was too dangerous to reach a hospital. (Additional reporting by Reuters TV south of Mosul; writing by Stephen Kalin; editing by David Clarke and Ros Russell) President Donald Trump and the Islamic State group are in agreement when it comes to an immigration ban against travelers from seven predominantly Muslim countries. Or at least that's the way one prominent scholar on terrorism tells it. "ISIS, at official levels, has ignored the Trump executive order banning refugees from seven Muslim-majority countries, in spite of the widely voiced claim that it has been a propaganda victory for the group," Simon Cottee, a contributing writer for The Atlantic and a visiting senior fellow with the Freedom Project at Wellesley College in Massachusetts who specializes in terrorism, wrote in an op-ed Thursday in the New York Daily News. "There are several possible reasons for ISIS seeming reluctance to engage with Trump and the travel ban. First, ISIS has far more pressing matters to contend with and to propagandize about right now like trying to show the world that it isnt losing its strongholds of Mosul and Raqqa. Second, ISIS doesnt need to propagandize about what it sees as the 'true' thuggish and fascistic face of America, because Trump himself is doing such an effective job at disseminating this image... On the issue of the travel ban, ISIS and Trump are seemingly in alignment: Both are adamant that Muslims should not migrate to the west, least of all America. Whereas Trump and his advisors think that Muslim migrants are a potential threat to U.S. national security, ISIS demonizes the same group as apostates and deserters." While ISIS supporters did discuss the ban online, generally praising it as a recruiting tool to turn Muslims against Washington, it's true that Islamic State group leaders have stayed mum about it so far. That's because ISIS in general seems to pay little attention to Trump, Cottee said. "Trump is the personification of everything the jihadists hate: He is materialistic, arrogant and anti-Muslim. He is also the president of the United States, which makes him the ideal poster boy (if this is the right expression for a coiffed, orange-hued 70-year-old) for the jihadists claim that America is a corrupt and sinful society at war with Islam," he wrote. "So its curious that Trump has thus far featured so little in ISIS propaganda just twice, in fact. The first time was in March last year, when the pro-ISIS al-Battar Media Foundation released a video in which the then Republican presidential nominee, in an audio clip, referred to Brussels as an 'absolute horror show,' in response to the terrorist attacks there. His second and last cameo was in June, when he appeared briefly as a talking-head in a video celebrating the Orlando attack." Rita Katz, director of SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist websites, has also pointed out ISIS' silence when it comes to the Trump administration in recent weeks. "At the official level, there have been no direct mentions of the travel ban by ISIS, Al Qaeda, or any other major jihadi terrorist organization," she told the factchecking site PolitiFact earlier this month. "Even the sixth issue of ISIS monthly Rumiyah magazine, which was released this past Saturday, did not mention it." Trump signed an executive order in January temporarily banning travelers from Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen from entering the U.S. He also banned Syrian refugees from indefinitely coming to the U.S. The order was soon challenged in courts and then essentially shut down by federal judges with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. The Trump administration has said it will unveil a new travel ban to ensure national security, but that hasn't happened yet and it's unclear what restrictions will be enacted by the new executive order. Related Articles Jerusalem (AFP) - Israel's army dispersed dozens of Lebanese demonstrators Saturday after they crossed the border protesting against the alleged installation of spying equipment in their village, the Israeli army and media said. "Dozens of people gathered at the border between Lebanon and Israel," a military spokeswoman said. "Upon the group crossing of the international border, IDF forces fired dispersal means in order to disperse the gathering and prevent further infiltration into Israeli territory," she said, adding there were no casualties. Israeli news website Ynet and the Lebanese national news agency said the soldiers used tear gas. Israeli media said the Lebanese protesters were demonstrating after information that the Israeli army had installed spying equipment in their village near the border. The Lebanese news agency said the protesters gathered near a "surveillance camera, a communications device and a solar panel" east of the village of Mays al-Jabal. Lebanon is still officially at war with the Jewish state, and around 1,000 UN peacekeepers are deployed in the country's south. The UN resolution that ended a 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon's Hezbollah provided that the Lebanese army deploy in the south of the country, including in areas previously controlled by the Shiite movement. Hezbollah fighters south of the Litani River had to disarm, but the area has continued to be a bastion of the group. A decade after the conflict, Israel is still weary of Hezbollah's arsenal. Israel has carried out air strikes against Hezbollah targets in neighbouring Syria, where the group has sent thousands of fighters to back the Damascus regime. Rome (AFP) - Rebels from Italy's ruling party, who quit in defiance of former prime minister Matteo Renzi, struck out on their own on Saturday founding a movement they hailed as a "renewal" for left-wing politics. The Progressive and Democratic Movement (DP) has emerged as the union of left-wing defectors from the ruling Democratic Party (PD) and part of the Sinistra Italiana (the Italian Left, I). "We want to build an open movement... that is also the beginning of a centre-left renewal", the party said in its founding manifesto. In a sharp jab at Renzi's leadership, the DP said it would "get back on track and abandon the tack" to the political right undertaken since he became prime minister in February 2014. The DP said it aimed to restore a centre-left party of alliances "which will not suffocate under the ambitions of its leader and the arrogant pretension of self-sufficiency that would inevitably lead our adversaries to victory". The party creators cited The Olive Tree, the left-wing coalition led by Romano Prodi which won legislative elections in 1996 and 2006, as a model for a multi-faceted alliance for the political left. The leftwing rebels who had been sparring with Renzi accused him of stifling debate within the ruling Democratic Party. The new movement is headed by the ruling party's former leader in parliament, Roberto Speranza and Enrico Rossi, the head of the Tuscany region. Former PD boss Pier Luigi Bersani and another former prime minister, Massimo D'Alema, are also among the supporters. "We are all here because we have an adversary -- the right and its populist offshoot -- and we can only beat them by building a left", Rossi said. The new DP party is likely to throw its support behind current Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni, pushing for him to remain in place until the scheduled end of the legislative term, in February 2018. Renzi, meanwhile, has pushed for earlier elections and may seek a vote as early as September. Italy's biggest opposition party, the Five Stars Movement, is also keen for early elections, as is the anti-immigrant Northern League, while the centre-right wants to wait. Renzi, 42, is accused of failing to reboot the country's flagging economy -- which has barely grown since 2000 -- or tackle the jobless rate, which had hovered around 11.5 percent for over a year when he quit in December. MOORE, Okla. (AP) A federal judge has dismissed a request to impose a stiff fine against a widow who called police "pigs" on Facebook as she vented her frustrations over the death of her husband in a scuffle. U.S. District Court Judge Timothy DeGiusti declined to sanction Nair Rodriguez for the 18-minute Facebook Live video she made in December, pleading for justice for her husband, Luis Rodriguez. Nair Rodriguez is suing the city of Moore, its police department and the theater in whose parking lot her husband died after officers intervened in a family argument. She claims authorities violated her husband's civil rights by using excessive force during the altercation in the Oklahoma City suburb. The defendants asked the judge to sanction Rodriguez for disrupting the case by live-streaming her frustrations from outside a room where an officer was being deposed. They accused her of inciting violence against police with the "pigs" label, and sought a penalty of about $4,000 to recoup legal fees and other expenses. But DeGiusti called the request "not appropriate" in a six-page ruling, The Oklahoman reported (http://bit.ly/2mi3fGT ). Rodriguez, 51, called the ruling "fair." "They were trying to discredit me and my case," she told the newspaper. "It's good that at least one thing has finally happened in my favor." Nair Rodriguez has accused officers and theater security guards of used excessive force that caused her husband's death. In a cellphone video she recorded that night in 2014, Luis Rodriguez can be heard saying, "I can't breathe" while police held him down. The police said Luis Rodriguez didn't cooperate and took a "fighting stance," appearing as if he was going to hit an officer. ___ Information from: The Oklahoman, http://www.newsok.com By Dave Kaup and Aditya Kalra KANSAS CITY/NEW DELHI (Reuters) - A white U.S. Navy veteran has been charged with killing an engineer from India and wounding two other men when he opened fire in a Kansas bar in what federal authorities were investigating on Friday as a possible hate crime that shocked the victim's home country. The shooting on Wednesday night led news bulletins in India and triggered outrage on social media, where people voiced concern that U.S. President Donald Trump's "America First" position on immigration and jobs has fueled a climate of intolerance. White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Friday that any loss of life was tragic, but it would be absurd to link the killing to Trump's rhetoric. Pratik Mathur, spokesman for the Indian embassy in Washington, said India had expressed "our deep concern over the incident" to the U.S. government and requested a "thorough and speedy investigation." Adam Purinton, 51, was charged on Thursday in Johnson County, Kansas, with one count of premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder, District Attorney Stephen Howe told reporters. He declined to elaborate on the details of the incident or the gunman's motive. Local media reports said Purinton often complained about his ill health and was mourning the death of his father. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was looking at whether it was a hate crime, the official term for crimes motivated by bias or prejudice. If convicted of the state murder charges, Purinton faces a life sentence without eligibility for parole for 50 years, Howe said. Purinton is accused of killing Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and wounding Alok Madasani, also 32, in Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe, Kansas, on Wednesday evening, police said. At least one bystander told the Kansas City Star the gunman shouted "get out of my country" before shooting the Indian victims. Story continues Purinton is also accused of wounding American Ian Grillot, 24, who was shot as he tried to intervene. "People call me a hero," Grillot said in a video released by the hospital where he was undergoing treatment for gunshot wounds to the hand and chest. "I was just doing what anyone should have done for any other human being." Kuchibhotla was married but had no children. His wife, identified by media as Sunayana Dumala, told reporters on Friday that the gunman "has taken a life, a very lovable soul, from everyone." Kuchibhotla received a master's in electronics from the University of Texas in El Paso in 2007, according to LinkedIn. His Facebook page, where he called himself "Srinu," said that in 2014 he joined the Kansas office of Switzerland-based navigation device maker Garmin Ltd from Rockwell Collins Inc. Flags at Garmin's offices flew at half-staff on Friday. The company said it was "devastated by the senseless tragedy." Dozens of people attended a candle-light vigil Friday evening at the First Baptist Church of Olathe, across the road from the bar. Hundreds of thousands of dollars has been raised through crowdfunding sites for the three victims. The suspect fled on foot and was arrested five hours after the shooting at an Applebee's restaurant in Clinton, Missouri. He reportedly told an employee there he needed a place to hide because he had killed two Middle Eastern men, the Star reported. Purinton, a former Federal Aviation Administration employee, was transferred back to Kansas on Friday and was being held with bond set at $2 million, according to jail records. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday. It was not immediately known whether he had hired a lawyer. "I don't want people to think of him as a monster or racist man because that's not who he is," Adele Mathews, Purinton's niece, said in a statement released to local media. Police did not say whether Purinton has faced charges in the past. However, he was not generally known to police in Olathe, a city of 134,000 people about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Kansas City, Sergeant Logan Bonney said Friday. 'BE ANGRY!' At Kuchibhotla's family home near the Indian tech hub of Hyderabad, relatives backed government calls to ensure the safety of Indians living in the United States. "The government should voice out this strongly because our brothers, sisters and our relatives are there," the victim's brother, Venu Madhav, told Reuters Television. Many Indians initially welcomed Trump's election, seeing his calls to restrict Muslim immigration as support for their Hindu-majority country. India has been at odds for decades with Pakistan, its mainly Muslim neighbor. But the Trump administration may also have skilled Indian workers like Kuchibhotla in mind as it considers curbing the H-1B visa program, worrying both India's $150 billion IT services industry and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. "Don't be shocked! Be angry!" Siddharth, a well-known South Indian actor who uses one name, tweeted to his 2.6 million followers in remarks echoed across social media. "Trump is spreading hate. This is a hate crime! RIP #SrinivasKuchibhotla." (Reporting by Dave Kaup in Kansas City and Aditya Kalra in New Delhi; Additional reporting by David Ingram in New York, Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee and Ayesha Rascoe and David Brunnstrom in Washington, Alex Dobuzinskis in Los Angeles and Timothy McLaughlin in Chicago; Editing by Grant McCool and Lisa Shumaker) Nearly two weeks after North Korean leader Kim Jong-uns half-brother was fatally poisoned in a public airport by two women, authorities have determined that he was killed by VX nerve agent a rare and incredibly lethal chemical weapon. The assassination of Kim Jong-nam has sparked worldwide intrigue with each new development seemingly ripped from the storyline of a spy novel. It is widely believed that Kim Jong-un orchestrated the killing the culmination of a rivalry that began when the 33-year-old dictator was still a child. Jong-nam, 45, was reportedly assassinated by two women as he waited for his flight to Macau at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia on Feb. 13. Malaysian police alleged that the women rubbed Jong-nams face with a liquid substance, ultimately leading to his death as he was transported to the hospital after feeling dizzy, said CNN. The liquid now preliminarily identified as the banned VX nerve agent can work in minutes, according to The New York Times, and causes muscles to clench and, ultimately, block breathing. The substance is colorless, odorless and tasteless and its one of the fastest and most lethal chemical weapons in existence. Governments around the world including the U.S. have destroyed their stockpiles. North Korea is not a signatory to the Chemical Weapons Convention that bans VX. Over the weekend, Malaysian authorities arrested a North Korean man in connection with the murder the fourth suspect in custody according to Hong Kongs South China Morning Post. The SCMP reports that many believe the man may have orchestrated the attack, which was carried out by one woman carrying a Vietnamese passport and one woman carrying an Indonesian passport (one of whom was seen on CCTV wearing an LOL sweatshirt after the incident). Since the attack, the Indonesian womans family has claimed she thought she was participating in a prank show, The Wall Street Journal reports. Story continues Despite the completion of an autopsy by Malaysian authorities, North Korea has yet to acknowledge that the deceased is Jong-nam. The North Korean Jurists Committee did, however, deny any responsibility in his death. A statement obtained by the Journal further blamed Malaysia for the murder, saying that the responsibility lies with their government as he died there. The rebuttal is a likely response to claims by South Koreas acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn that Jong-un must have ordered his half-brothers murder. The relationship between Jong-un and Jong-nam has, put simply, long been tumultuous and volatile. In 2001, Jong-nam the oldest son of Kim Jong-il was the most likely successor to his father. That year, however, Jong-nam was deported to China after trying, unsuccessfully, to visit Tokyo Disneyland in Japan with his son on a fake visa, reported the Times. Kim Jong-un rose to power in part because Kim Jong-nam was caught entering Japan on fake passports from the Dominican Republic in 2001. He and his family were reportedly trying to take a trip to Tokyo Disneyland and were deported causing international embarrassment, according to the Washington Post. When Jong-un finally took power at age 27 after their fathers death in 2011, Jong-nam was living in relative exile in Macau, said CNN. Though he rarely spoke to press, when he did, Jong-nam was openly critical of his brother and the North Korean government. He urged for reform of Pyongyang, with Chinas influence. According to Yoji Gomi, the author of My Father, Kim Jong Il, and Me a book about Jong-nam though, there was never a relationship between the two brothers. In fact, Gomi alleged they never even met, as the elder brother was studying abroad when Jong-un was born. Still, it is thought that a rivalry between the brothers centered around the deceased connection with the Chinese government lead to numerous attempts on Jong-nams life. CNN reported that a North Korean man said he was sent to South Korea in 2012 on orders to kill Jong-nam, and another South Korean official claimed there had been a total of five attempts made on his life. Since taking over power of the country in 2011, Jong-un has allegedly ordered the execution of 100 senior officials including his uncle, with whom Jong-nam had a close relationship according to South Korean authorities, reported the Journal. KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) The Latest on Malaysia's investigation into the apparent assassination of the half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (all times local): 4:45 a.m. Malaysian police have completed a sweep of the airport terminal where the exiled half-brother of North Korea's leader was attacked and say they found no trace of the nerve agent that was suspected to have been used to kill him. Senior police official Abdul Samah Mat, who is leading the investigation, declared the budget terminal at Kuala Lumpur's airport a "safe zone" after the sweep detected no hazardous material. More than a dozen officers in protective gear conducted the two-hour sweep early Sunday. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam. Friday's revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. The sweep involved officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the fire department's hazardous materials unit and the government's atomic energy board. Abdul Samah says the budget terminal is "free from any form of contamination of hazardous material." ___ 3:30 am Malaysia's Health Minister S. Subramaniam says autopsy results suggest a nerve agent caused serious paralysis that led to the death of North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother. Police revealed Friday that the chemistry department detected the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent on the eyes and face of Kim Jong Nam, who was poisoned Feb. 13 at the Kuala Lumpur airport. Police have said two women, currently in custody, coated their hands with the chemical and wiped Kim's face with it. Subramaniam said Sunday the chemistry department's finding confirmed the hospital's autopsy result, which suggested a chemical agent caused "very serious paralysis" that led to death "in a very short period of time." He said the VX agent can lead to death very quickly in high doses. Story continues Subramaniam says there have been no reports of anyone else being sickened by the toxin since the attack. ___ 2:30 a.m. Malaysian authorities have begun sweeping the airport terminal where North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother was killed to check for possible traces of the nerve agent that was suspected to have been used in the attack. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. Friday's revelation by Malaysian police that the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim raised the stakes significantly in a case that has broad geopolitical implications. The sweep started around 2 a.m. Sunday with parts of the departure hall of the budget terminal, where Kim was killed, cordoned off. It involved officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the fire department's hazardous materials unit and the government's atomic energy board. Police officials say no flights are scheduled at the terminal during the sweep. ___ 9:45 p.m. Vietnam says the Vietnamese woman under arrest in Malaysia for allegedly helping to carry out the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's half brother thought she was taking part in a prank. Doan Thi Huong is among two women arrested for the Feb. 13 airport attack on Kim Jong Nam, which Malaysian police say was carried out with the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent. Vietnam's foreign ministry said in a statement posted on its website that a representative from the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia met with Huong on Saturday and confirmed that she is Vietnamese citizen. She is in stable health. According to the statement, Huong said she was tricked and thought she was playing a prank. The other woman arrested over the attack, an Indonesian, also says she thought she was taking part in a prank. ___ 8:30 p.m. Malaysian police say they will conduct a sweep of the terminal at Kuala Lumpur's airport where North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half brother was killed to check for possible traces of the toxic chemical suspected to have been used in the attack. A police statement Saturday said the operation will start at 1 a.m. Sunday. The sweep will involve officers from the police's chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear teams, as well as the hazardous materials unit under the fire department and the atomic energy board. Since the Feb. 13 attack, tens of thousands of passengers have passed through Kuala Lumpur's airport. No areas were cordoned off and protective measures were not taken, though officials announced Friday that the facility would be decontaminated. ___ 7:55 p.m. Malaysia says it will issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat if he refuses to cooperate with the investigation into the deadly attack on North Korean ruler Kim Jong Un's exiled half brother. The investigation has unleashed a serious diplomatic fight between Malaysia and North Korea, a prime suspect in the Feb. 13 killing of Kim Jong Nam at Kuala Lumpur's airport. On Friday, Malaysian police said the banned chemical weapon VX nerve agent was used to kill Kim. Malaysia said earlier in the week that Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning. But authorities at the time acknowledged that he has diplomatic immunity and that they couldn't compel him to appear. On Saturday, Malaysia's tone changed. Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief leading the investigation, said authorities would give the diplomat "reasonable" time to come forward. If he doesn't, police will issue a notice compelling him to do so, though diplomats have immunity privileges even in criminal cases. ___ 5 p.m. Indonesia's deputy ambassador to Malaysia says the Indonesian suspect in the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's half brother was paid $90 to help carry out the attack involving VX nerve agent. But Deputy Ambassador Andriano Erwin repeated Siti Aisyah's previous claim that she was duped into the plot, thinking she was taking part in a prank. Erwin met Aisyah on Saturday in Malaysia, where the 25-year-old is in custody. Another alleged attacker, a Vietnamese woman, also has been arrested. According to police, Aisyah rubbed VX nerve agent on the face of Kim Jong Nam amid crowds of travelers at Kuala Lumpur's airport on Feb. 13. Kim was the older half brother of North Korea's ruler. UNITED NATIONS (AP) The Latest on a proposal to impose U.N. sanctions on Syria over chemical weapons attacks (all times local): 8 p.m. Nations urging the U.N. to sanction Syria over chemical weapons attacks are seeking a vote next week. But Russia is vowing a veto. A Security Council diplomat says Friday night that the vote was requested for the coming week. The diplomat spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because discussions about the proposal were private. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador, Peter Wilson, said earlier Friday that a vote would come "as soon as possible." Britain, France and the United States are seeking sanctions. A draft resolution seen by The Associated Press would ban helicopter sales to Syria, among other measures. An investigation by the United Nations and an international chemical weapons watchdog determined the Syrian government was behind at least three attacks involving chlorine gas. Russia has questioned the findings. Deputy ambassador Vladimir Safronkov calls the resolution "a provocation" and says Russia will veto it. By Jennifer Peltz ___ 12:30 p.m. Nations urging the U.N. to sanction Syria over chemical weapons attacks are aiming toward a vote shortly. But Russia is vowing a veto. Britain's deputy U.N. ambassador, Peter Wilson, said after a closed-door Security Council meeting Friday that a vote will come "as soon as possible." He'd said earlier that diplomats aim to advance the measure "in the coming days." Britain, France and the United States are seeking sanctions. A draft resolution seen by The Associated Press would ban helicopter sales to Syria, among other measures. An investigation by the United Nations and an international chemical weapons watchdog determined the Syrian government was behind at least three attacks involving chlorine gas. Russia has questioned the findings. Deputy ambassador Vladimir Safronkov calls the resolution "a provocation" and says Russia will veto. As the fun of Mardi Gras celebrations wind down, Christians around the world are gearing up for Ash Wednesday, which marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent. This 40-day spiritual period of solemn reflection begins on March 1 this year. Its exact date changes every year according to when Easter falls. GettyImages-476764627 Photo: Getty Images What is Lent? Lent is a period of time between Ash Wednesday and Easter where Christians try to imitate Jesus Christ's actions with the help of spiritual purification, meditation and penance. It lasts around 40 days, excluding Sundays, drawing from the 40 days Jesus fasted in the desert before his crucifixion. The English word Lent is a shortened form of the Old English word "Lenten," which means spring. Traditionally, before Ash Wednesday and the 40-day fast season of Lent begins, people eat pancakes to use up rich, indulgent foods like eggs and milk. Easter falls on Sunday, April 16, this year. Roman Catholics and other western Christian groups including Methodists, Lutherans, Presbyterians and Anglicans observe Lent. GettyImages-463778274 Photo: Getty Images What do people give up for Lent and how is it observed? Lent traditionally comprises prayer, fasting and abstinence. Most believers tend to give up something during Lent to "purify" their bodies. Children could give up something like chocolates, sweets, watching television or certain toys they liked playing with, while adults tend to give up things such as coffee, alcohol or smoking. Some households also tend to give up eggs, meat and dairy products. Many believers consider this period to be auspicious and use it to volunteer at a charity or donate money to a good cause. When this Christian holiday was first observed in the fourth century, fasting was mandatory throughout the process and Christians would only focus on self-denial and self-examination for Easter. However, restricting oneself from consuming red meat has become the primary goal in recent years. Story continues GettyImages-509386298 Photo: Getty Images Major days in Lent: Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the holy season of Lent. Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter that commemorates Jesus' successful entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday or the Holy Thursday commemorates the last supper Jesus had with his disciples, before he was arrested. Good Friday commemorates the crucifixion and Jesus's death. Easter Sunday is the day that recognizes the resurrection of Jesus Christ. GettyImages-161626073 Photo: Getty Images Related Articles The owner of technology company Google has reported progress in its plan to offer Internet service to rural areas around the world. Googles parent company, Alphabet, calls the plan Project Loon. Its goal is to increase access to the billions of people currently without internet connectivity. Alphabet has no plans to use traditional wiring, which can be costly. Instead the idea is to float huge balloons about 20 kilometers above the surface of the Earth. The balloons would act like telecommunications satellites, providing internet service to the rural areas. The huge objects would ride air currents to either stay in place or move to another position high in the skies. At first, the idea was to have a large number of balloons circling the planet. One balloon would move away from an area while another arrived to guarantee service in the affected areas. But Alphabet announced it has found a way to make balloons float over one area for an extended period. In a statement released online, the company said its software can now send small teams of balloons to form a cluster over a specific region where people need internet access. This is a shift from our original modelin which we planned to create rings of balloons sailing around the globe, and balloons would take turns moving through a region to provide service. The company said the discovery was made during tests of balloons launched from the island of Puerto Rico to float in Peruvian airspace. The company said some of the balloons stayed in the same area for as long as three months. The company said the discovery should speed up the project and reduce costs: Well reduce the number of balloons we need and get greater value out of each one. But Project Loon workers must still find ways to increase the life of the balloons. A British Broadcasting Corporation report says the longest service for a single balloon was 190 days. Google has also explored the idea of providing internet service to rural areas using solar-powered drone aircraft. But it cancelled that project because of technological barriers and high costs. Im Bryan Lynn. VOANews.com reported on this story. Christopher Jones-Cruise adapted the story for Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section, or visit our Facebook page. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story access n. permission or ability to enter or pass through a place; ability to communicate with a person or thing cluster n. a group of similar things specific region n. a given area shift n. a move or change solar adj. of or related to the sun aircraft n. something that flies; a vehicle for traveling through the air The idea of tenure has long been important to American higher education. In the 1700s, religious groups operated most colleges in the United States and, before that, Britains North American colonies. Often, college officials would remove employees who spoke about subjects that were in conflict with the schools teachings. By the late 1800s, it became common for individuals who gave large amounts of money to a college to have powers similar to those officials. Then, at the start of the 20th century, the presidents of three private universities decided their professors needed more protection. The three universities were Harvard University, Columbia University and the University of Chicago. The presidents felt professors needed the freedom to explore difficult issues, which would, in turn, help better educate students. So they created a system to reduce the ability of donors to influence the removal of professors. This system is called tenure. After World War II, most U.S. colleges and universities established tenured teaching positions. A tenured position was meant to last as long as a professor chose to teach at the school that offered it. But during the 1950s and 1960s, some American professors were dismissed for expressing their political beliefs. Then in 1972, the U.S. Supreme Court decided a case involving tenure. The court ruled that a tenured position must be based on a written contract between a professor and a school. It also decided that any school wishing to end a professors tenure had to do so through a process similar to a trial. Critics say tenure is 'guaranteed job for life' But some people call tenure a guaranteed job for life for professors, and, in some cases, a waste of money. One of tenures critics is Rick Brattin, a member of Missouris State House of Representatives. Last month, he proposed a measure that, in part, bans tenure for anyone who starts teaching at a public university in Missouri after January 1, 2018. Brattin says he proposed his bill because the costs of higher education have risen too high. He calls tenure at public universities un-American and an unnecessary cost to taxpayers. Tax money helps pay for operating costs at public universities, including professors wages. Brattin argues that once professors earn tenure, they often care less and less about how well they teach. "You cannot tell me that every tenured professor is absolutely doing everything to the fullest extent, thats not even possible. So to have a system in place that protects that person with a guaranteed lifetime employment, it works against itself. Because then we have no ability to shed those who just shouldnt have made the cut, but they slid in and now they have this protection." Brattin is not alone in his opposition to tenure. Iowa Senator Brad Zaun has proposed banning it in his state. And Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker weakened tenure protection laws for the University of Wisconsin in 2015. Not every professor receives tenure. When a university offers a position to a teacher, that teacher is first called an assistant professor. This means they are on the path to tenure, and must spend the next 7 or more years proving themselves. It means they must prove their teaching abilities and the value of their research. After that period, school administrators and other tenured professors in the same field decide if the candidate should receive tenure. Then, if approved, that person becomes an associate professor. Others support tenure track In 2013, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) reported that the number of tenured positions at U.S. schools has dropped since 1975. Beginning in 1915, the AAUP was one of the first organizations of college professors to fight for academic freedom. Brattin claims some professors seek tenured positions so they can enjoy employment for life. He adds that giving tenured professors power to judge tenure candidates makes no sense. In no other industry do members of that industry police each other, he says. And no other business guarantees a job for as long as an employee wants it. Yet at least one other part of American society makes this promise: U.S. federal judges can hold their position for life. Also, it is possible for colleges and universities to dismiss tenured professors. Hans-Joerg Tiede is the top official dealing with academic freedom and tenure for the AAUP. He says some schools have removed tenured professors by closing down their academic study programs completely. Also, schools facing extreme financial problems have canceled tenure contracts. And schools have removed tenured professors for legal and ethical violations, Tiede adds. Banning tenure would work if every university administrator was completely interested in protecting their professors, he says. But that is not always the case. For example, the AAUP criticized Louisiana State University last year after the school removed a tenured professor of 14 years for making inappropriate statements. Tiede argues it is the job of professors to challenge, and sometimes even shock students to get them to think differently. Banning tenure at a given university will only weaken that school in the end, he says. "If you remove tenure, youre moving your institutions of higher education outside of the mainstream of higher education in the United States. And you will have a very difficult time attracting faculty members, because faculty members want to have the freedom to be able to be able to engage in research and to teach." And, Tiede says, once a professor earns tenure and becomes an associate, their work is not over. They can still work to earn the higher position of full professor and beyond. Also, professors are not the main reason costs have gone up, Tiede says. The real reason, he argues, is the growing number of school administrators and their salaries. However not all professors want a guarantee of life-time employment. James Wetherbe is a professor of information technology at Texas Tech University. He has also earned tenure from four different schools, and rejected it every time. Wetherbe agrees with Brattin that the current tenure system can lead to professors caring less about the quality of their teaching. He also notes the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech. Public university professors who feel they have been punished for what they say or do can take legal action. This is true with or without tenure. Wetherbe suggests a new system in which associate professors apply for a new, unbreakable contract every three years. Full professors would do the same every five years. "If youre doing a good job, then youre in good shape. Now, can you get caught in a political situation? Can you get caught up in a freedom of speech or academic freedom issue? Yes, you can. But most faculty can deal with an administration thats out of line within a five-year period." Wetherbe says that schools will want to avoid any damage to their public image. For example, Mount St. Marys University removed a tenured professor for comments he made against an administrator in February 2016. The university then removed that administrator and renewed the professors position a short time later. Im Pete Musto. Pete Musto wrote this report for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Is tenure a common practice at universities in your country? How do you think tenure might be changed to operate better? Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page. ____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story tenure n. the right to keep a job, especially the job of being a professor at a college or university, for as long as you want to have it donor(s) n. a person or group that gives something such as money, food, or clothes in order to help a person or organization contract n. a legal agreement between people, companies or organizations extent n. the point or limit to which something extends or reaches shed v. to get rid of something academic adj. of or relating to schools and education make(s) no sense idm. to be unfair, hard to understand, or have bad judgment society n. people in general thought of as living together in organized communities with shared laws, traditions, and values inappropriate adj. not right or suited for some purpose or situation challenge v. to test the ability, skill, or strength of someone or something salaries n. amounts of money that employees are paid each year apply v. to ask formally for something such as a job, admission to a school, or a loan out of line idm. behaving in a way that breaks the rules or is considered inappropriate renew(ed) v. to cause something to continue to be effective or valid for an additional period of time Skopje (AFP) - Macedonia's Social Democrats on Saturday officially nominated their leader Zoran Zaev as candidate for prime minister, after gathering enough support to form a new government. The announcement came after the ethnic Albanian party, a parliamentary kingmaker, decided to back the Social Democrats (SDSM) in forming a government following weeks of horsetrading since an inconclusive early election in December. However, a spokesman for the Democratic Union for Integration (DUI) said that the main ethnic Albanian party had yet to decide whether it would join a ruling coalition, leaving the possibility for a fragile minority cabinet. "All options remain open ... It is not in our interest to take part in the government at any price," spokesman Bujar Osmani said. After the DUI's decision, the SDSM said its top body unanimously confirmed Zaev as candidate for forming a new government. Zaev now has to be officially named prime minister-designate by President Gjorge Ivanov. "It is an honour, both mine and SDSM's, to get as soon as possible an opportunity to form a new democratic Macedonian government after 11 years of a regime," a party statement quoted Zaev as saying. He was referring to former premier Nikola Gruevski, who stepped down a year ago after a decade in power to pave the way for new elections. Macedonia's crisis erupted in February 2015 when a mass wiretapping scandal incited huge street demonstrations for and against the government, forcing the European Union to step in. In the December vote Gruevski's conservative VMRO-DPMNE party secured 51 seats in the 120-seat parliament -- two more than the SDSM. However, Gruevski has failed to reach a deal with ethnic Albanian parties. Ivanov subsequently told Zaev that he would be appointed prime minister-designate once he secured the support of 61 MPs. Two smaller ethnic Albanian parties, with eight MPs between 5them, have said they will back the SDSM, and with the support of 10 DUI deputies the party would have a majority. Story continues EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn hailed the developments. In a statement he called on Skopje to "enable a swift formation of a government that will address overdue reforms." Ethnic Albanians make up around a quarter of Macedonia's population of 2.1 million. Macedonia aspires to join both the EU and NATO. But accession has been blocked by Athens owing to a dispute over the country's name, as Greece has a northern region also called Macedonia. By Emily Chow and Christophe Van Der Perre KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia will sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur international airport for toxic chemicals after Kim Jong Nam was murdered there with a nerve agent last week, as authorities said they would issue an arrest warrant if a North Korean diplomat wanted over the death did not come forward. Kim Jong Nam was murdered on Feb. 13 at the budget terminal of Kuala Lumpur's main airport with VX nerve agent, a chemical classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction. The police forensic team, fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board will be conducting the sweep at the airport, Malaysian cops said in a statement on Saturday. The sweep will be conducted from 1 a.m. on Feb. 26 (1700 GMT on Feb. 25), the police said. The airport terminal will not be closed, but the search areas would be cordoned off, a police official told Reuters. VX is one of the deadliest chemical weapons created by man: just 10 milligrams of the nerve agent or a single drop is enough to kill in minutes, experts have said. Kim Jong Nam was waiting at the departure hall when he was attacked by two women who splashed his face with the liquid. He died en route to hospital. Malaysian police on Friday said one of the women had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting. The two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have been detained, along with a North Korean man. Seven other North Koreans have been named as suspects or are wanted for questioning. Malaysian police are also sweeping other locations in Kuala Lumpur the suspects may have visited. Selangor state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said earlier on Saturday authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb earlier this week in connection with the killing, and were checking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment. DIPLOMAT WANTED Samah also said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, wanted for questioning in the murder has yet to come forward. He is one of the seven North Koreans wanted in connection with the case. "Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, Samah said, adding that if the diplomat did not cooperate, the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, compelling him to appear before the investigation team. "And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters. It was unclear if the embassy official can be detained since police have said he has diplomatic immunity. Four others are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two are still in Malaysia. The whereabouts of another North Korean, Ri Ji U, are unknown, Samah said. "PRANK WITH BABY OIL" Meanwhile, Indonesian embassy officials on Saturday met with their national Siti Aishah - one of the suspects detained in connection with the murder - for the first time since her arrest. Aishah told embassy officials that she believed she was part of a reality television show when she lunged at Kim Jong Nam at the airport with what she believed was baby oil. She said she had been paid 400 Malaysian ringgit ($90.15) to participate in the act. "She only said in general that somebody asked her to do this activity... She said she was given a kind of oil, like baby oil," Indonesian deputy ambassador Andreano Erwin told reporters after meeting Aishah. She will be detained until March 1, after which police will decide whether to prosecute or release her, Erwin said. Vietnamese officials also met with their national but declined to comment. Malaysian police have said the two women had rehearsed the attack before carrying it out and had been instructed to wash their hands afterwards. (Additional reporting by Rozanna Latiff and Ebrahim Harris; Writing by A. Ananthalakshmi and Kanupriya Kapoor; Editing by Kim Coghill, Shri Navaratnam and Ros Russell) Malaysian police Saturday told the public they would do everything possible to ensure there was no risk from the lethal VX nerve agent used to assassinate Kim Jong-Nam. People were worried about the use of the highly toxic agent developed for chemical warfare, state police chief Abdul Samah Mat said, after the audacious February 13 attack by two assassins at Kuala Lumpur airport. Authorities revealed Friday the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was killed by the odourless, tasteless and highly toxic VX, listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction. "We are taking action on this to be really sure," Abdul Samah said. "We are working closely with our counterparts from our chemistry department, forensics and the team from the nuclear atomic agency in Malaysia." He added: "We want to make it clear to the public if there is any effects ... which could affect the health of the people." National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Friday experts would sweep the airport terminal where the attack took place for traces of the toxin as well as other locations the two female suspects now in custody had visited. Detectives are also holding a North Korean man but want to speak to seven other North Koreans, four of whom are thought to have fled to Pyongyang. One man wanted for questioning, who is believed to still be in Malaysia, is senior North Korean embassy official Hyon Kwang Song, who enjoys diplomatic immunity. However, Abdul Samah insisted under Malaysian law "we have the right to call anybody for statements for our investigations". He added if wanted people do not co-operate, police would issue a notice "compelling" them to come forward. The next step would be to obtain an arrest warrant, Abdul Samah said. He also told reporters an investigation in connection to the murder was ongoing at an apartment complex in Kuala Lumpur but declined to comment on local media reports chemicals has been seized from the address. Story continues No next-of-kin have yet come forward to formally identify the body of the 45-year-old victim or provide a DNA sample, but Abdul Samah said authorities would give relatives a "reasonable" amount of time to do so. Jakarta was given consular access Saturday to Siti Aisyah, the Indonesian woman suspect. The Indonesian foreign ministry said staff would "check her condition" and "obtain initial information from Siti Aisyah in order (to provide) further legal assistance". KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) - Malaysia plans to sweep one of the terminals at Kuala Lumpur international airport for toxic chemicals after Kim Jong Nam was murdered there with a nerve agent last week. The teams involved include the police forensic team, the fire department and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, the Malaysian police said in a statement on Saturday. The sweep will be conducted from 1 a.m. (1700 GMT) on Feb. 26, the police said. Kim Jong Nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, was killed on Feb. 13 at the airport by VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday. (Reporting by Emily Chow; editing by David Clarke) By Frank Jack Daniel MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - An emboldened Mexico hardened its opposition to President Donald Trump on Friday by saying it would retaliate if the United States imposed a border tax and that it can afford to lose financial aid that might be pulled to pay for a border wall. Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Mexico could respond to any tax the United States were to unilaterally impose on imports from its southern neighbor to finance the wall with levies on select goods, aimed at U.S. regions most dependent on exports south of the border. "Without a doubt, we have that possibility, and what we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," Videgaray said in a radio interview. "The Mexican government would have to respond." The statements by Videgaray and Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who minimized the potential impact of the rumored loss of U.S. security aid, toughened the defiant tone from Mexico since President Enrique Pena Nieto last month canceled a trip to meet Trump over the wall dispute. Mexicans are angry at Trump's calls for U.S. firms not to invest south of the border, insults to immigrants and threats to make Mexico finance the border wall. The peso currency has weakened on concerns he will hurt Latin America's No. 2 economy. Pena Nieto had faced criticism he was too accommodating with Trump but got a much needed ratings boost after cancelling the summit. A plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico fueled outrage this week. Mexican officials were publicly blunt with U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security John Kelly over Trump's immigration and trade proposals in a visit to Mexico on Thursday. Osorio Chong told local radio that Mexican officials' rejection of Trump's bid to send non-Mexican illegal migrants from the United States to Mexico was "very clear." "They asked us if (non-Mexican illegal immigrants) could be here while they are going through the legal process there. We said that there was...absolutely no way." Videgaray said the trade strategy would replicate a 2009 campaign of retaliatory tariffs that helped Mexico win a dispute with the United States. On Wednesday, the minister mentioned Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as states that could be targeted in a conversation with lawmakers leaked to two newspapers. "This is not our preference," he said. "Mexico believes in free trade." NO HANDOUTS PLEASE A U.S. executive order on Jan. 25 that mandated the construction of a border wall also required government agencies to report the financial assistance they gave Mexico in the past five years, leading to speculation Trump wants to redirect the aid to pay for its construction. Osorio Chong said on Friday that Mexico had no need for such financial aid from the United States, signaling that it would not come close to paying for the estimated $21.6 billion cost of the wall. Like in other middle-income emerging economies, many in Mexico consider it humiliating to take aid from wealthy countries. A large part of U.S. aid to Mexico comes through the Plan Merida program, under which the U.S. Congress allocated $2.6 billion to security assistance between 2008 and 2016. Of that, $1.6 billion had been disbursed by November 2016, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service. "When they realize what's left of Merida, they will understand that it's not even that significant," Osorio Chong told local radio. "We don't object to them moving these resources... Mexico now has its own capabilities," he said. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of Trump's wall, a first step in picking vendors. Videgaray said a meeting of Tillerson, Kelly and Pena Nieto in Mexico City was a short courtesy visit. He said in a more substantial meeting of the ministers, Kelly told him that deportations of undocumented immigrants from the United States would not be militarized, after Trump characterized the process as a "military operation." (Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel, Alexandra Alper and Christine Murray; Editing by Dan Grebler and Cynthia Osterman) Mike Pence is here to support Israel, so he's...throwing up that Nicaraguan flag? As the veep began his speech for the Republican Jewish Coalition on Friday, the @VP social media team decided to reiterate his pro-Israel stance by tweeting out its flag. Unfortunately, they tweeted the Nicaraguan flag instead: not once, but twice. SEE ALSO: J.K. Rowling slams Mike Pence with 1 biblical tweet Someone please tell the Pence social media team that's the flag of Nicaragua, not Israel pic.twitter.com/6KpfsCOCV6 Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) February 25, 2017 As much as we'd like to find a "to be fair" caveat here, there really isn't one. The flags both have blue stripes, we guess, but let's face it: They just aren't that similar. Still fooled by those little emoji? Okay. Here is the Israeli flag. Look at that star. Image: ShutterStock Here's the Nicaraguan flag. No star here. Instead, a triangle! Image: Shutterstock And although the Twitter gaffe was deleted quickly, people online still noticed, because, well, of course they did. @mike_pence the Israeli flag is easy to recognize. It's the one with the big Jewish star on it. Sad! Iyal B. (@eloceanoazul14) February 25, 2017 Betsy Devos must've taught Mike Pence about geography bc that's definitely the flag for Nicaragua, not Israel. pic.twitter.com/gKvAyXyKHN nani (@pettyblackgirI) February 25, 2017 Mike Pence used the Nicaraguan flag instead of the Israeli one. Even the VP doesn't believe Israel exists. #IStandWithNicaragua pic.twitter.com/rErqJ5SK63 NANA JIBRIL (@girlswithtoys) February 25, 2017 Moral of this harrowing tale: look before you emoji, friends. Especially if you're repping the Vice President of the United States of America. Story continues Related Video: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The leaders of a Minnesota nonprofit that works to improve the lives of young Somalis knew the stakes were high when they rejected $500,000 in federal funding earlier this month. Eighty students who were expected to go through a career mentoring and job placement program over the next two years now might not get the chance. Workshops designed to help hundreds of Somali parents might have to be cancelled. And plays meant to get people talking about difficult topics may have to be scaled back. Still, Ka Joog is proud of its decision. The group was among several U.S. nonprofits that rejected federal grant money designed to counter violent extremism, citing actions and statements made by President Donald Trump that they view as anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant, including the ban on travel from seven predominantly Muslim countries that he tried to impose. Ka Joog is planning an April fundraising event to try to make up for the half-million dollars it turned down, in hopes that it can expand its programs as planned to help as many young people as possible. "This money would have impacted Ka Joog and the community and young people in so many ways," said executive director Mohamed Farah. "But it's not about the money, to be honest. It's about the principle and about what we stand for, and that's priceless." The name Ka Joog is Somali for "stay away" and is symbolic of the group's message: Stay away from negative influences of drugs, violence and radicalism and keep your life on a positive track by attaining higher education and serving your community. The group hosts fun activities, such as arts events, barbeques and wilderness experiences, as well as serious forums that give young Somalis a platform to share their opinions. Though the group wasn't started specifically to combat terrorism, its programming to keep kids engaged has been welcome in Minnesota, which has the largest Somali population in the U.S. and has been a target for terror recruiters. Since 2007, roughly three dozen young Somalis have left the state to join militant groups in Somalia or Syria. Story continues Farah said Ka Joog served about 500 young Somalis last fiscal year, up from about 330 the year before. Most were between the ages of 12 and 24, though it serves younger children as well. Ka Joog relies on donations, and aside from a handful of paid staffers, most of its workers are volunteers. The federal grant $250,000 in each of the next two years would have comprised a large part of its operating budget, which was $423,260 for the fiscal year that ended July 31, Farah said. Jon Pratt, executive director of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, said it's rare for groups to turn down grants. In most cases, groups simply don't apply for grants that might pose a conflict. But in this case, a change of national leadership came in the middle of the funding process, he said. "When it comes to government funding, there's an old saying, 'If you take the king's shillings, you do the king's billing.' Sometimes there are conditions attached to something that organizations do not want to accept," he said. "It's a lost financial opportunity, but probably the right decision in terms of serving their community." Farah said there were no conditions attached to this money, which was part of $10 million awarded nationwide from the Department of Homeland Security to counter violent extremism. The money was awarded shortly before President Barack Obama left office, but had not been distributed. Farah said his group had planned to use the money to expand programs it already operates and to reach even more people in need. The funds were destined for three programs: a career mentoring program, which helps place students in jobs; a parent-engagement program designed to strengthen families, and the arts. Farah said that last year, 25 students applied to participate in the career mentoring program, but Ka Joog only had funding for 18. Because of the increasing need, Ka Joog planned to use the federal money to expand the program to help 80 students overall 40 in each of the next two years. Nearly 30 have already applied for this year, and Farah said unless money can be raised, Ka Joog will have to tell them that the money isn't there for them to participate. Still, he's confident, and said donations have been coming in from around the country since the group announced it would reject the federal funding. "We are going to get that 500,000 back one way or the other," he said. "We believe that this White House is really against everything that we stand for. We thought it was best for us to really stay away." ___ Follow Amy Forliti on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/amyforliti . More of her work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/amy-forliti . Republican Party activists and Republican voters mostly approve of Donald Trumps first actions as president of the United States. But the new president has low approval ratings among Democratic Party supporters and independent voters. After a month in office, Trump, a Republican, leads a nation that remains divided on many issues after a divisive election. He defeated Hillary Clinton, the Democratic candidate for president, in November. He replaced Barack Obama, another Democrat, as president on January 20. Trumps supporters say he is doing what they hoped he would when they voted for him. But others, mainly Democrats and independents, disapprove of the immigration and environmental policies his supporters praise. Trump may have his best chance of his early presidency to appeal to people other than his supporters when he speaks to Congress on Tuesday. Trumps spokesman, Sean Spicer, said the president will talk about his busy and productive start of his presidency. But Spicer said he will also talk about his efforts to be a president that brings people together, that unites them. Public approval ratings for the president range from 38 percent to 52 percent, based on recent opinion surveys. The average ratings show 44 percent of Americans approve of the job Trump is doing and 50 percent disapprove, according to RealClearPolitics.com Trump has had a busy first month as president. He has launched a new effort to remove undocumented immigrants from the United States. He ordered a travel ban aimed at people from seven Muslim majority nations. Trump is moving to reduce federal rules of the environment and banking industry. He also wants to repeal and replace a national health care program, known as Obamacare. The travel ban is now on a court-ordered hold. And efforts to repeal Obamacare have been slowed by disputes among Republicans on how to replace it and growing support for the health law, according to recent polls. Still active on social media Trump has been active on Twitter, attacking news stories critical of his administration and those protesting his policies. On Twitter, Trump called some media organizations the enemy of the American People. He said classified information is being given to the news media like candy. He also tweeted that if there is a terrorist attack on America, the blame goes to the judge who suspended enforcement of his travel ban. John Feehery is a Republican political adviser. He said that Trumps strongest supporters during the 2016 election campaign are very happy with what he is doing. He has basically been taking the status quo and throwing it on the ground and smashing it up, Feehery said. But there are danger signs, with record low approval ratings so early in his presidency. While Feehery said it is good that Trump enjoys strong support from his political base, he needs to expand that support. Hes got to figure out, OK, how do I do things that make the rest of the country comfortable in my leadership, Feehery said. Doing what he promised Gene Humber is a Trump supporter. He was called on to speak during a recent Trump event in Florida. When President Trump during the election promised all these things that he was going to do for us, I knew he was going to do this for us, Humber said. John Bonifaz is president of a group called Free Speech for People. He recently gave a petition to Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin, a Democrat. The document called on Congress to remove Trump from office. Bonifaz said the president is not following the rule of law or the U.S. Constitution. With Republicans in control of both houses of Congress, removal efforts appear unlikely to succeed. But Democrats say more people are coming forward to compete as candidates against Republican office holders. Some political experts suggest Democrats are following the example of opponents of President Obama. Conservative Americans formed what was known as the Tea Party in 2009, the first year of the Obama presidency. They showed up at meetings with congressional members to demand that they oppose the Democratic president. Trump is expected to discuss his early actions as president when he speaks to Congress. He talked a little about his speech Friday during a visit to the Conservative Political Action Conference. Trump said he is removing undocumented immigrants who carried out crimes. He also said he is ending rules against coal use, and approving a long-delayed oil pipeline to help expand the American economy. Basically, all Ive done is kept my promise, Trump said. Im Alice Bryant. And I'm Bruce Alpert. Jim Malone reported on this story for VOANews.com. Bruce Alpert adapted his report and did additional reporting. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section and share your views on our Facebook Page. ______________________________________________________________ Words in This Story range - n. a series of numbers that includes the highest and lowest possible amounts poll - n. an activity in which several or many people are asked a question or a series of questions in order to get information about what most people think about something repeal - v. to make a law no longer valid candy n. a sweet treat status quo - n. keep things the same smash - v. to break something into many pieces base - n. strongest supporters basically - adv. what sometimes comes down to in its simplest form classified adj. of or related to something kept secret, often for reasons of national security HELENA, Mont. (AP) Spurred in part by a spate of controversies over anti-Semitism in one of the state's towns, Montana lawmakers advanced a bill Saturday that pledges solidarity with Israel by refusing to do business with firms boycotting the Middle Eastern country. Republican House Speaker Austin Knudsen of Culbertson said his bill allows Montana to stand in solidarity with Israel. His bill "sends the message that we will not send our taxpayer dollars to companies which chose to participate in the boycotting and sanctioning of one of our nation's strongest allies," Knudson said. The bill would direct the Montana Board of Investments to sever ties with companies supporting a pro-Palestinian movement to boycott Israel. It would also bar public agencies including counties, cities and towns from doing businesses with companies that don't agree to certify in writing that they are not engaged in a boycott of Israel. Opponents said the bill is well-intentioned but a potential infringement on free speech. Some argued Montana should stay out of global politics. Nevertheless, the House endorsed the measure 59-41 on preliminary vote. In doing so, Montana is seeking to join other states that have passed similar bills. Knudsen said his interest in Israel predates the recent focus on hate groups in Whitefish. In recent weeks, a Jewish center in the tiny Montana community was the target of bomb threats. The town garnered widespread scrutiny in December when a neo-Nazi group began urging followers to "take action" against Whitefish residents who it believed were Jews. "We're all aware of what happened in Whitefish late last year. Some of that controversy is still going on. We have white supremacists who want to march in Whitefish, Montana, in our own home state," Knudsen told members of the House chamber. He saw the bill as an opportunity, he said, to stand up for Israel and the Jewish people. Story continues Rep. Denise Hayman, a Democrat from Bozeman, said the bill would create a political and ideological test for Montana's investments. She said her husband and children are Jewish, and that her in-laws escaped Germany's Nazi regime to move to the United States. The proposal takes aim at the so-called BDS movement Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions that is seeking international support against Israel for its treatment of Palestinians. "BDS is nothing less than modern-day anti-Semitism," said Rabbi Chaim Bruk, in a statement released by Knudsen's office. Bruk applauded the Montana House for "standing with the Jewish people in Montana and their eternal bond with Israel." But not all Jewish leaders supported the proposal. Laurie Franklin, the congregational leader of Har Shalom in Missoula, acknowledged that the bill "was well-intentioned" but would place "unacceptable restraints on free trade and free speech." Franklin, who advocates improving relations between Israelis and Palestinians, said the bill is an unnecessary foray by the state into global politics. Ismailia (Egypt) (AFP) - Egyptian Coptic Christians fled the Sinai for a second day Saturday following a string of apparent jihadist attacks, as President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi instructed his government to help shelter them. A church official said more families arrived in the Suez canal city of Ismailiya, a day after about 250 Copts sought shelter in one church alone there. Three Christians have been shot dead over the past week in the city of El-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, where Islamic State group jihadists are waging an insurgency. Christians have been attacked before in the Sinai, but there has been an uptick since IS released a video on Sunday calling for violence against the minority. The video included an anti-Christian speech by a militant who later detonated an explosive vest in a Coptic church in Cairo on December 11, killing 29 people. On Saturday, Sisi emphasised at a meeting with ministers "the importance of confronting all efforts to disturb security and stability in Egypt", a presidency statement said. He ordered the authorities to help provide accommodation for the Copts fleeing Sinai, the statement added. The son of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali was detained for about four hours by immigration officials earlier this month at Fort LauderdaleHollywood International Airport, Florida, and continuously asked about his religion, a family friend and lawyer Chris Mancini told local media Friday. Muhammad Ali Jr., 44, and his mother, Khalilah Camacho-Ali, the first wife of Muhammad Ali, were returning after speaking at a Black History Month event in Montego Bay, Jamaica. They arrived at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Feb. 7. Mancini told the Courier-Journal they were pulled aside while passing through customs because their names sounded Arabic. Camancho-Ali was released after she provided the immigration officials a photo of herself with her ex-husband. However, the officials questioned Ali Jr. for more than two hours and went on asking him, "Where did you get your name from?" and "Are you Muslim?" Even after Ali Jr. acknowledged that he was a Muslim and was born in Philadelphia and showed his American passport, the officers kept on harassing him and asking him questions about his religion, Mancini said. "Imagine walking into an airport and being asked about your religion," Mancini said. "This is classic customs profiling." His detention was also condemned by common people on social media. Mancini said that he has been trying to find out how many other people have been subjected to a similar treatment and that the family has been considering filing a lawsuit. When USA Today asked for comment from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection via email Friday, a spokesman replied, "Due to the restrictions of the Privacy Act, U.S. Customs and Border Protection cannot discuss individual travelers; however, all international travelers arriving in the U.S. are subject to CBP inspection." Story continues Mancini told the Courier-Journal, while referring to President Donald Trump's executive order last month, "To the Ali family, it's crystal clear that this is directly linked to Trump's efforts to ban Muslims from the United States." Trump's executive order signed Jan. 27 imposed a 120-day suspension on the refugee program and temporarily banned citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. The ban is currently on hold as a federal judge ruled it was illegal, but it appears that people are still facing problems. Just this week, several passengers flying domestically from San Francisco to John F. Kennedy International Airport were asked to produce their IDs upon landing in New York. Related Articles Miami (AFP) - The US space agency said it is considering putting astronauts on an upcoming test flight of the deep space capsule Orion as it aims to orbit the Moon. Orion is being built with an eye to one day ferrying astronauts to Earth's neighboring planet, Mars, perhaps by the 2030s. Until now, the Orion test flight known as Exploration Mission 1 (EM-1) was scheduled for 2018 and was expected to be unmanned. But NASA's acting administrator Robert Lightfoot asked on February 15 for the space agency to study the feasibility of putting people on board, and the findings of that study are expected in the coming months. "Our priority is to ensure the safe and effective execution of all our planned exploration missions with the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System rocket," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for NASA's human exploration and operations mission directorate. The capsule will be propelled to space atop a rocket called the Space Launch System (SLS), which is currently being developed. NASA has described it as the "most powerful rocket in the world." Orion will "fly farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown," NASA added. The space capsule also aims to "stay in space longer than any ship for astronauts has done without docking to a space station and return home faster and hotter than ever before." The study is evaluating the pros and cons of adding two crew members, and could possibly delay the EM-1 mission until mid-2019. The current plan is to send astronauts on Orion's second flight, EM-2, an eight-day mission in 2021. Neural networks systems patterned after the arrangement and operation of neurons in the human brain have driven some of the greatest breakthroughs in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years. AI powered by neural nets have not only excelled at tasks that require pattern recognition, they have also succeeded in performing tasks that require basic logic and reasoning areas that have conventionally been computers Achilles' heel. In this backdrop, the question is, can neural networks be exploited to usher in an era of data-driven astronomy and create some of the sharpest ever images of celestial objects? The answer, according to a new study published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, is yes. In the paper, a group of researchers from the Swiss university ETH Zurich describe a neural net-enabled system that can recognize and reconstruct astronomical features that telescopes could not resolve, including star-forming regions, bars and streams of dust in galaxies. In order to create this system, the researchers used an adversarial learning technique, wherein two neural networks compete and try to outsmart each other. By doing so, and by checking the images created by the neural nets against the original high-resolution image, the teaching program was able to drastically improve images captured in the early years of the Hubble Space Telescope. Galaxy Photo: K. Schawinski / C. Zhang / ETH Zurich A similar approach has, in the past, been used by researchers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to create a deep-learning algorithm that can, given a still image from a scene, create a video that simulates the most likely future of that scene. Story continues The massive amount of astronomical data is always fascinating to computer scientists, study co-author Ce Zhang said in a statement released Wednesday. But, when techniques such as machine learning emerge, astrophysics also provides a great test bed for tackling a fundamental computational question - how do we integrate and take advantage of the knowledge that humans have accumulated over thousands of years, using a machine learning system? Currently, the resolving power and sensitivity of telescopes is limited by the size of their primary mirror (Hubble has a 2.4 meter primary mirror, while the James Webb telescope, scheduled for launch in 2018, would have a 6.5 meter diameter mirror). This is where the neural network described in the study is likely to play a crucial role. We can start by going back to sky surveys made with telescopes over many years, see more detail than ever before, and for example learn more about the structure of galaxies, lead author Kevin Schawinski said. There is no reason why we can't then apply this technique to the deepest images from Hubble, and the coming James Webb Space Telescope, to learn more about the earliest structures in the Universe. Related Articles Nigel Farage, the fiery advocate of the Brexit campaign in the United Kingdom, tells Yahoo News he is expecting to play quite a useful role for the Trump administration as a salesman for the White House agenda to British and European audiences. Farage also elaborated on his hard-right, anti-immigrant agenda, saying that many of those seeking to enter Europe and the United States, like the immigrants to Germany allowed in by Chancellor Angela Merkel, are not legitimate refugees at all, but young males, effectively economic migrants. When ISIS says they will use the refugee crisis to flood our country with their terrorists, we ought to take that seriously, Farage said. Farage made those comments to Yahoo News shortly after he spoke to a wildly appreciative audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Oxon Hill, Md., where he celebrated last years passage of Brexit and Trumps election as the twin signs of a global political revolution. We did it! 2016! We did it! Farage shouted from the stage, to loud cheers. With a Churchillian flourish, he said that when, in years to come, the generations that follow us there is one year that every school child will know. That year, he said was 2016, because of its political significance. Later, in the interview, Farage expanded on his analysis that 2016 was a pivot point in Western history. Nigel Farage, former leader of the United Kingdom Independence Party, addresses CPAC on Feb. 24, 2017, in Oxon Hill, Md. (Photo: Alex Brandon/AP) What 2016 showed was that the nation states made a comeback, Farage said. This is a fight back against supernationalism globalism, as many people call it. Its a fight back against the idea that we should give away powers to forces outside our own countries, beyond our electoral fingertips. I think a lot of this is about identity, he added. Its about the feeling that immigration levels, certainly in some European countries, have been too high and have completely changed the way neighborhoods look and feel. And what electorates were saying in Britain and America, and will say in Europe this year, is: Enough. Story continues Farage, the former leader of the right-wing United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and a member of the European Parliament, was asked what he would do about the 4.6 million Syrian refugees who have fled that countrys civil war and are now living in tents in settlement centers in Jordan, Lebanon and Turkey. Farage said at first that they are only the tip of the iceberg of as many as 60 million displaced people around the world. He then added, when pressed about what he would say to Syrian refugees in particular: We will help you. We will in a Christian way, we will support you. We will make sure youre fed. We will make sure youre warm, but we cant do more than that. Farage acknowledged that he has met with President Trump, adding: But hes a busy man. He went on to describe a role for himself as an informal ambassador for Trump in Britain and Europe. Im also there in the U.K. trying to explain to people that hes not the monster that people make him out to be, he said. Beyond that, he is pushing for a fair trade deal between the United States and Britain, and trying to make sure NATO members in Europe get the message that the Trump administration expects them to pay their fair share. I will do everything I can to be helpful, Farage said. Read more from Yahoo News: NEW YORK (AP) A New York congresswoman has voiced outrage over the White House decision to block The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Politico and others from a press briefing. Rep. Carolyn Maloney said Saturday outside The New York Times offices in Manhattan that she wants the Trump administration to commit to a policy of press access for all. The Democrat says standards should apply evenly to all news organizations. The decision Friday by White House press secretary Sean Spicer to limit access has sparked an outcry among journalists and others. The Associated Press chose not to participate in the briefing after Spicer's decision. The White House said it felt "everyone was represented" by those that participated. Maloney plans to attend a rally Sunday outside The Times' offices. KINGSTON, Jamaica (AP) Police in Jamaica say one of their sergeants was shot and killed while off duty outside a party. Officials say 55-year-old Sgt. Neville Bryan was parked in his car with two females outside a party southwest of Kingston at about 2:30 a.m. Friday when two gunmen approached. They ordered the women to get out of the car and then shot Bryan several times in different areas of his body. The police report issued Friday night says Bryan was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The females were unharmed and fled the scene. Bryan was assigned to police department's emergency communications center. Emerging Georgian label Situationist, which counts American model Bella Hadid among its fans, landed its first catwalk show at Milan's prestigious fashion week late Friday. Designer Irakli Rusadze, 25, is part of a group of Eastern European designers now grabbing the fashion spotlight -- in his case thanks to cult items like a T-shirt with a Georgian flag print that went viral last year. Hadid's decision to sport two Situationist outfits during Paris fashion week in January got style bibles like Vogue talking. Most fashion gurus who think of Georgia will think Demna Gvasalia, who rose through the ranks at Louis Vuitton to found Vetements and is now the creative director at Parisian label Balenciaga. Rusadze, who began his label in 2015, has a lot to compete with -- but stands out for his subversion of classic silhouettes and his riffs on staples of the post-Soviet uniform such as ill-fitting jackets. "I grew up surrounded by Georgian women, who were facing the same challenges of a post-soviet Georgia on a daily basis, so the concept of femininity is strictly connected to women's inner strength," he said in the notes to the show. "This is the reason why my clothes aren't about the shape of the body -- it is the shape of the personality I'd like to show." His debut in the north Italian city as star guest of White Milano featured suits with oversized jackets in grey or beige and long coats with double lapels and small chains. The catchiest items were overalls in green leather, beige neoprene and burgundy wool, worn with knee-high white boots. Suit trousers were high-waisted, others were all-in-ones cut off at the knee and bare-backed. Black trousers worn under a long trench featured a vertical white strip down each leg -- a play on piping and visible seams seen elsewhere this week at the shows of Italy's top fashion houses. The collection was made in Georgia and Rusadze follows the process through from conception to cut on clothes and footwear. Story continues His fans may say the daring creativity which has made his items popular so far was toned down for what was his first Milan appearance. Rusadze is just pleased to have got here from a post-Soviet country where materials can be hard to find and being a designer is not an easy career path. Georgia may be coming into its own on the international fashion scene, but he says elderly people in the suburbs of Tbilisi still threaten lazy school-children that if they don't knuckle down and study they will "end up like a tailor". Under its new administration, the United States has abandoned any claim to climate leadership. Whether or not Donald Trump reneges on his now-infamous 2012 tweet claiming climate change was a hoax, the presidency is in the hands of a man who puts ego and profit far before science. The House of Representatives, Senate, and judiciary are all controlled by Republicans who see continuing to tap into new fossil fuels as vital and desirable, and the incoming secretary of state is the former CEO of ExxonMobil, a company whose founding family, the Rockefellers, has described it as morally reprehensible for its efforts to conceal information about climate change. Even if Trump choked to death tomorrow, little short of a coup could cause the Republican-led government to heed its own militarys view that climate change poses significant risk to U.S. national security and international security. At my offices in Shanghai, which I share with the publishers of a prominent international scientific journal, the mood wavers between gloominess and a hope that, somehow, something will save us. But the threat feels personal now, to our families and futures. Scientists talk about pre-traumatic stress disorder, the difficulty of seeing a tragedy that is still preventable accelerating in slow motion. With the United States out, whos left to take up the reins of global leadership and push forward measures like last years breakthrough Paris climate agreement? Theres only one possible answer: China. Bullshit, as a senior corporate consultant based in Beijing, and Trump voter, told me. China is the biggest carbon dioxide emitter, with nearly 30 percent of the global total, and that is only set to increase. True, Chinas per capita contribution is still far lower than the Wests. But who cares? There are lots of Chinese people, and they are only going to want more cars, meat, and electricity as time goes on. Beijing has been experiencing an unprecedented air crisis for a decade, but the government barely has been able to shift the needle on the air quality index. And will the government be able to tackle vested interests in the coal and iron industries, ones with profound ties to the Communist Party and its leaders? Well, in fact, it might. It would be a superhuman feat, but theres clear interest among some of Chinas most powerful to entirely transform the country within a generation on environmental policy, just as its economy was previously transformed from communism to a dynamic free market. There are plenty of indications that China is already thinking big on climate change. The government is plowing its reserves into renewable energy investments and showing the political will to push back against the countrys powerful coal industry. Theres also an insistence on building transportation and electricity infrastructures that can kick-start Chinas economy into another era of growth and hold emissions where they are in time for new solutions to be developed. Recently, the government announced the immediate cancellation of some 100 coal-related power plants across 13 provinces and metropolises; some had been under construction when the work stoppage orders came. Polluting industries from steel to cement are closing down, as the economic base of the country transforms from manufacturing to the service economy: In Shenzhen, the former manufacturing head, the China Merchants Group, and the local city government have teamed up to transform the economy into a design-driven one, rather than a landscape of factories; and in Shanghai, one of the last big factories, run by Baosteel, is shutting its doors, headed into new (and more fuel-efficient) digs in Wuhan, even as city officials struggle to make the Huangpu River, notoriously full of dead pigs a few years ago, drinkable again. All across the country, dramatic remedial action is taking place to transform the nations industrial base. And a Green Leap Forward might be just what China needs. China has been facing an economic slowdown, a lack of soft power, an increasingly hollow national ideology, and a growing chorus of intellectuals and members of civil society asking what the point of the system is in private. A holy war for the environment, one that catalyzes ancient Chinese ideas about harmony with nature, with the engineering so beloved by Chinese leaders, could be the magic bullet to let China not only survive the 21st century but also redeem its political model in the process. China could offer a new sort of harmonious hegemony and a model that mixes stability, growth, and ecological responsibility to countries and cities on the front lines of climate change, from Ethiopia to Bangladesh, from Singapore to Miami. As Yihui Shi of the Carbon Trust told me: I believe China is in a unique position to lead climate change efforts and the transition into low-carbon economy, because of its political system, where governments and [state-owned enterprises] drive the mass deployment of cleaner technologies and development by default, while also facing multiple problems on the ground, however. The One Belt, One Road investment scheme, which seeks to tie together the regions on Chinas peripheries, from the South China Sea to Central Asia, could be a starting place. In the empty expanses of Central Asia and Siberia, carbon-cap forests could be planted; any given factory in Guangdong or Jiangsu could rent hundreds of acres and repopulate them with trees. The high-speed rail network in China has been so successful that Indonesia is building one, the Philippiness Rodrigo Duterte has called for one, and Indias New Delhi to Mumbai line seems to be inspired by well, um, Japans Shinkansen, of course. The hydraulic technologies seen in megaprojects like the South-to-North water diversion project could be exported alongside Chinas increasingly successful and ecologically friendly high-speed rail programs (even if the kinks havent been totally worked out yet). The infrastructural boom in China has been a conscious attempt to create a country networked by mass transit and affordable alternatives to car ownership. Chinas private sector is ready to bring its expertise to the developing nations around the world that have received so much Chinese outbound capital in recent years; the savings in energy and materials in planned infrastructure and real estate developments will be good for the environment, as well as the bottom line. The construction companies and engineers responsible for building some of Chinas tightly packed and dense cities could bring their inexpensive, rapidly constructed style of apartments to Chinas neighbors. Shenzhen and Shanghai are among the worlds densest megacities yet are far more livable than cities such as Kolkata or Lagoss littered shantytowns. They wont be winning any design awards but could provide a model for livable and modern spaces to populations across the global south who might be living in favelas otherwise. Whether it is Chinas State Grid investing $4.5 billion in Brazil, a Chinese state-owned railway company engaging in projects in Indonesia and Ethiopia, or government-funded research in the Arctic, there is real and significant investment and exploration being made by Chinese-owned entities around the world, not just in China proper. From electricity to water to housing and transportation, Chinas post-1989 modernization wasnt only economic but also urban and technological, making China the go-to reference for anyone trying to understand how vast populations can rapidly, inexpensively, and efficiently be entered into global networks of supply and demand without built-in wastage of the kind engendered by Americas highways. For Chinese companies, faced with shrinking domestic demand but vast research and development capital provided by the state, and for developing nations from Brazil to Iran in search of the technologies needed to sustainably house swelling populations, Chinas rise can be, as officials so love to say, win-win. If we also count the health of the earth, thats win-win-win. To be sure, all this is more than a little idealistic. China has seen its carbon dioxide emissions grow every year and has deeply entrenched incentives for ongoing use of coal and other fossil fuels. Even as China suspends 104 coal plants per day, carbon dioxide levels still rise inexorably even optimists in the government see 2025 as the peak, with the years to come witnessing more, more, and more. Easy as it might be to dream of top-down leadership directing environmental change on a big scale, Chinas politics and its political economy are far more complicated than either its boosters or its critics seem to know. Shut down the factories around Beijing and the air gets cleaner, but what are the workers in those factories supposed to do? Found internet start-ups? Build a new green and sustainable housing compound, and youve eaten away at arable farmland, which already makes up just over 10 percent of Chinas territory, compared with 17 percent in the United States (and with a population four times larger). The recent debates about corruption in China conceal factional warfare between groups based in different regions and different industries and there are definitely vested interests in protecting powerful, polluting state-owned industries. Still, China faces existential realities in a way that the United States does not: Of the top three cities set to be damaged by rising tides, two Shanghai and Guangzhou are among Chinas three largest cities. Beijings ongoing air crisis threatens the middle class, which is the bedrock of the regime. And Chinas high population density is both the source of high emissions and the reason why the government needs to slow them down. As global leaders discussed in the World Economic Forum, not just China but specifically the Chinese government stands to lose tremendously; since Chinas infrastructure is state-owned, derailing trains, flooded cities, or abandoned ports hit the government in its own bottom line. From my office on the 42nd floor in a LEED-certified building in downtown Shanghai, I morbidly look down through fog at the streets below; British novelist and native Shanghailander J.G. Ballards 1962 apocalyptic novel about climate change, The Drowned World, was written with precisely these streets in mind and by 2050, unless we do something, 76 percent of downtown Shanghai is predicted to be submerged. (Unlike Manhattan or Amsterdam, we cant build a wall; Shanghai is built on mud and sandstone, and our skyscrapers sink inches every year under their own weight.) For the good of our world, we can only hope that Chinas policymakers will be able to create a heroic second act to the story of Chinas growth and, in the process, just maybe save the world. Photo Credit: VCG / Stringer Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, the first Latin-American leader to visit President Donald Trump at the White House, told the latter Friday that he prefers "bridges to walls" and favors the free movement of people across borders, hinting at Trump's proposal to build a wall along the border with Mexico. However, Kuczynski did not comment directly on Trump's border wall proposal in a press conference following the meeting. "I don't want to get into the wall," said Kuczynski, a former Wall Street investment banker. "We're interested in the free movement of people ... I emphasized that to President Trump and we prefer bridges to walls," Reuters reported. Kuczynski, 78, described his meeting with the U.S. president as "cordial and constructive" and said he told Trump he was interested in the free legal movement of people and that they also talked about trade and economic development. Kuczynski joked, during the U.S. presidential campaign, that he would cut diplomatic relations with the U.S. "with a saw" if Trump decided to follow through on his pledge to build a wall with Mexico, which he compared to the Berlin Wall, according to the Associated Press. Leaders of other countries including staunch critics of the U.S. like Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro have avoided commenting on the border wall issue and also taking Mexico's side because they feared that their own relations with the Trump administration would be hampered by that. Kuczynski declined U.S. citizenship to run for Peru's presidency, he speaks English quite well and he has been a successful businessman with significant influence in the power circles of New York, where he has lived and worked for years. In the Oval Office, before their meeting, Trump made remarks about how they both have known each other for sometime and that it was an honor to welcome him to Washington, the AP reported. "Peru has been a fantastic neighbor," Trump said. "We've had great relationships, better now than ever before." Story continues Trump also announced authorization of the sale of U.S. military vehicles to Peru. However, Kuczynski said his priority was to provide Peruvians with clean water and then they could think of purchasing military weapons. While discussing migration, Kuczynski told Trump that of the 1 million Peruvians residing in the U.S., only 70 are in jail, and that 200,000 of the total Peruvians in the U.S. are there illegally. "Peru has not exported criminals to the United States," Kuczynski said. "They're nurses, they're doctors, they're all sorts of people." Before the bilateral meeting, both the presidents commented on their relationship and the purpose of the Peruvian president's visit to the U.S. According to a White House statement, Trump said: "Its a great honor to have President Kuczynski with us from Peru. Peru has been a fantastic neighbor. Weve had great relationships better now than ever before. And I have known him for quite a while through reading about the work that hes done, and I believe hes here to get an award at Princeton. An award for what? Explain, please." To that, the Peruvian president replied: "For being an alumnus who did okay, I guess," and he laughed. Related Articles Wormerveer (Netherlands) (AFP) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte took his bid for a third term to voters Saturday, mingling with shoppers in a small market town ahead of closely-watched March elections. "The VVD makes the best coffee," Rutte sang out, as he gathered people around a food truck handing out hot drinks to talk politics and promote his Liberal party's policies. After six years in power at the head of two coalition governments, Rutte is fending off a biting challenge from his far-right rival Geert Wilders in the March 15 elections. His party is running neck-and-neck with Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) in the race for control of the 150-seat lower house of parliament. Amid the rise of populist and far-right parties in Europe, the Dutch polls are being seen as a litmus test ahead of other elections this year, notably in France and Germany. Dressed casually in jeans and a blue weatherproof jacket against the penetrating cold drizzle, Rutte patiently answered questions from curious shoppers in the tiny central town of Wormerveer and posed for selfies. Some 28 parties are running in the elections. And amid the country's fractured political landscape, all eyes are on who will emerge in the pole position to form the next coalition -- which analysts predict could include up to five parties. - 'Very unstable times' - "We are living in very unstable and insecure times. My main task as prime minister is to keep this country safe and stable," Rutte told AFP, among a small knot of journalists. "That means that we have to reorganise the European Union, make NATO work better for all of us, invest in our defence." But amid a polarising debate over immigration, he also argued the country's 17 million people wanted to see The Netherlands defend its values. "For example on immigration, for refugees we will always have a warm welcome, but not too many please. We have to keep the numbers limited," he said. Story continues There would always be a place for those fleeing war "but we have to be very clear about what kind of country we are." Wilders has vowed to close Dutch borders to Muslim refugees, to ban sales of the Koran and to close mosques -- a message which has found favour with growing number of voters on the back of Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II. In recent weeks Rutte has toughened his tone on immigrants, urging all citizens to adapt to Dutch values or leave. The latest aggregate polling survey showed Wilders' Freedom Party would garner 24 to 28 seats with Rutte's VVD set to capture between 23 to 27 seats. Wormerveer (Netherlands) (AFP) - Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte hit the campaign trail Saturday vowing to defend Dutch values as he seeks to drain support from his far-right rival Geert Wilders amid a polarising debate over immigration. "The VVD makes the best coffee," Rutte sang out, as he gathered people around a food truck handing out hot drinks to talk politics and promote his Liberal party's policies. After six years in power at the head of two coalition governments, Rutte is fending off a biting challenge from Dutch anti-Islam MP Wilders in the March 15 elections. His party is running neck-and-neck with Wilders's Freedom Party (PVV) in the race for control of the 150-seat lower house of parliament. After Brexit and Donald Trump's election victory in the United States, the Dutch polls are seen as a litmus test of the rise of populism ahead of other European elections this year, notably in France and Germany. Dressed in jeans and a blue weatherproof jacket against the penetrating cold drizzle, Rutte patiently answered questions from curious shoppers in the tiny left-leaning central town of Wormerveer. He posed for selfies, shook hands with young and old and even helped a woman load her shopping into the trunk of her car. Some 28 parties are running in the elections. And amid the country's fractured political landscape, all eyes are on who will emerge in pole position to form the next coalition -- which analysts predict could include up to five parties. - 'Very unstable times' - "We are living in very unstable and insecure times. My main task as prime minister is to keep this country safe and stable," Rutte told AFP, among a small knot of journalists. "That means that we have to reorganise the European Union, make NATO work better for all of us, invest in our defence." But amid a polarising debate over immigration, he also argued that the country's 17 million people wanted to see The Netherlands defend its values. Story continues "For example on immigration, for refugees we will always have a warm welcome, but not too many please. We have to keep the numbers limited," he said. There would always be a place for those fleeing war "but we have to be very clear about what kind of country we are." Wilders has vowed to close Dutch borders to Muslim refugees, to ban sales of the Koran and to close mosques -- a message which has found favour with a growing number of voters on the back of Europe's worst refugee crisis since World War II. In recent weeks, taking a line from Wilders, Rutte has toughened his tone on immigrants, urging all citizens to integrate and adapt to Dutch values or leave. The latest aggregate polling survey showed Wilders's Freedom Party would garner 24 to 28 seats with Rutte's VVD set to capture between 23 to 27 seats. But forming a government after the elections could prove tricky as many of the parties have refused to work with Wilders. - 'Tense moment' - "The distance between the government and people .. with weak social background is enormous," said retired businessman Wim Verhoeven, 70, adding that the elections were a "tense moment" in the country's history. There is "a lot of polarisation," he told AFP, warning "we can look back in history and we can see the same developments." Wilders had been due to campaign in his nearby stronghold of Volendam on Saturday, but was forced to cancel amid security fears. His views have seen Wilders receive death threats including from the Islamic State group and Al-Qaeda, and he is guarded at all times. Immigration was also an important issue for Selma van Kleef, 57, who with her daughter Sara, 28, also quizzed Rutte about health care, especially for her elderly parents. She admitted she still remained on the fence, but acknowledged she was concerned about Wilders's rising popularity. "He splits the people," she said. MARION, Ala. (AP) Here, in what's left of the Old South's plantation region, the descendants of slaves who picked cotton and worked the dark soil are praying differently since Donald Trump moved into the White House. During Barack Obama's eight years in office, folks who gathered for Bible studies or Sunday worship worried that someone would try to kill the nation's first black president, and they asked God to protect him. Today, those worshippers are asking the Almighty to instill Trump with a kind heart and give him understanding for people far outside the world of Manhattan real estate or reality TV. "We're asking for him to be compassionate," said Frances Ford, 60, a nurse who leads a nonprofit program that works with needy people in Marion, the seat of Perry County, one of the poorest places in the impoverished 11-state region known as the Black Belt originally for the dark color of its soil and later for its high percentage of African-American residents. With more than 600 counties stretching from southern Virginia to east Texas, the Black Belt was wealthy when cotton was king. However, as a study from the University of Georgia and North Carolina State University found, it eventually became the nation's largest contiguous pocket of poverty. High unemployment, poor education, declining population and persistent health problems are the norm. Black residents here were energized by hope when Obama was elected Perry County went so far as to declare an annual holiday in his honor but the start of Trump's term has been marked by skepticism, anxiety and fear, feelings that are growing for many black Americans nationwide as they struggle to connect with the president. Trump promised his policies would benefit African-Americans and predicted he'd win the black vote. He didn't: About 8 percent of black voters nationwide supported him. And Trump hasn't done anything since to make blacks feel more comfortable about his time in the White House, said Camille Charles, a sociologist at the University of Pennsylvania. Story continues Trump tangled on Twitter with civil rights icon Rep. John Lewis of Georgia. He later threatened to "send in the feds" to address Chicago's gun violence a nod to his classification of "inner cities" that many blasted as racist during the campaign. On the first day of February, Black History Month, Trump was slammed for praising abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who died in 1895, as someone "who's done an amazing job and is being recognized more and more." Two weeks later, he asked a black journalist to help arrange a meeting with black lawmakers, and many balked at his suggestion that the parties must know each other because of their shared race. Trump's nomination of Jeff Sessions for attorney general created waves especially in Alabama. Opponents attacked Sessions, the state's junior senator and once its top prosecutor, over allegations that he'd joked about the Ku Klux Klan and addressed a black U.S. attorney as "boy," and they railed against his record on civil rights and policing. But Sessions was confirmed. So the prayers of the people in Marion and the concerns of the Black Belt are "broadly held," sociologist Charles said. They worry Trump will slash health care and disability-compensation programs that help keep people afloat in areas where thriving businesses and good jobs are few. The Black Belt has yet to recover from the end of the plantation economy antebellum mansions stand as relics of the wealth the region once celebrated. "When your whole city or your whole economy is based on surviving on the backs of someone else, then it's going to eventually give out," said native Mary Cosby Moore, 58, who serves as the circuit court clerk in Marion. "So, you look at other ways of trying to fill those gaps. We're still trying to fill that gap." For all the excitement of Obama's election, his tenure didn't bring much real change to the region. More people have health insurance than they used to, and unemployment is down, just like in other parts of the country. But winding highways are still lined with abandoned homes and failed businesses. Standing outside a long-closed store in Perry County, Percy Walker said the whole region feels left behind. "The only reason people come to town now is for funerals, and they leave as soon as they're over 'cause there's nothing to do and nowhere to stay," said Walker, 64, the son of sharecroppers. County residents credit Obama with trying to help, particularly through his trademark federal law to expand health insurance coverage. But the county still lacks a hospital and has Alabama's highest poverty rate. With jobs so scarce, the population fell by nearly 9 percent in the last five years. Residents who remain love the slow pace and beautiful countryside, but they say part of the problem is an exodus of young people seeking jobs elsewhere. Moore, the clerk, has seen it in her own two children: Her son is an attorney in New York; her daughter commutes to Selma to work in a Social Security office. And residents don't yet know whether they can trust Trump to change anything. "He's a little too hot for the position. He puts his mouth in motion before his mind is in gear," said store owner Homer King, 58, whose ancestors belonged to white plantation owners. Few blacks here voted for Trump Perry County is 70 percent black, 30 percent white, and the president received 26 percent of the total vote. Still, in spite of Trump's win, the county held its annual Obama holiday just after the election. King grins at the memory of the parade and says the holiday brings a feeling of shared accomplishment for electing the nation's first black president. But King, like others, is still praying for Trump. "Really, what else can we do?" he said. ___ This story corrects population statistics in 3rd paragraph from the end. A spectacular "ring of fire" solar eclipse Sunday will regale skygazers in South America and southern Africa, with seafarers in the nearby Atlantic getting a front-row view too, astronomers say. The eclipse -- during which the Sun will all but disappear as the Moon crosses its path -- will be most visible in a 100-kilometre (62-mile) band cutting through Chile, Argentina, Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. A so-called annular solar eclipse occurs when the Earth, Moon and Sun line up. But even when perfectly aligned, the Moon is too far from Earth to completely block out the Sun, creating instead the impression of a fiery ring. At first, it will look as if a "bite" has been taken out of the Sun, said Terry Moseley of the Irish Astronomical Association, stressing that viewers should not observe the eclipse unfold with the naked eye. "This 'bite' gradually gets bigger and bigger as the Moon -- which is itself invisible -- moves further and further in front of the Sun," he told AFP. "As about 90 percent of the Sun is covered, you'll notice a distinct drop in temperature and brightness, and a change in the quality of the light which is hard to describe." As the day darkens, birds and animals may enter a night-time routine, thinking sunset is nigh. At the height of the eclipse the Moon will be right in the middle of the Sun, leaving "a perfect, beautiful, symmetrical ring" of light around the edge before exiting on the other side, said Moseley. For people just outside the band of optimal viewing, the phenomenon will appear as a ring thicker on one side than the other, said Moseley -- "not symmetrical, but still an amazing sight." - Cloud-free? Anyone further afield will see little or nothing. It will take about two hours for the Moon to move across the face of the Sun, but the "ring of fire" peak will last a mere minute. Starting in the southeast Pacific Ocean at sunrise, the eclipse will hit solid land at 1221 GMT in southern Chile, near the town of Coyhaique, then cut through Argentina -- near Camarones Bay on the eastern coast -- before hitting the South Atlantic. Story continues At sea, the eclipse peak will last 44 seconds and "only be visible to any ships that happen to be in the right place at the right time," said Moseley. It will reach Angola south of the town of Benguela around 1515 GMT, then move to Zambia and DR Congo just before the Sun sets and the light show ends. According to the Astronomical Society of Southern Africa (ASSA), the eclipse can be safely observed using a basic pinhole projector. Punch a tiny hole in a piece of paper with a sharp pencil, hold it into the Sun, and project the image onto a second sheet. The gaps between tree leaves make for a similar effect on the ground, says the ASSA website, calling this "the coolest and safest way to watch a solar eclipse". To look at the Sun directly, one would need special glasses. Weather is the only potential spoiler. NASA's eclipse website recommends watching the weather forecast a day or two before the eclipse, and picking somewhere with a cloud-free prediction. "Good weather is the key to successful eclipse viewing -- better to see a shorter eclipse from clear sky that a longer eclipse under clouds," it says. Rio de Janeiro (AFP) - The decision by Rio de Janeiro's deeply religious new mayor to skip the traditional opening of the world's most famous carnival overshadowed the party on its opening night. Carnival organizers resplendent in white samba dancing outfits, stilt walkers and the Rio municipal brass band stood waiting for two and a half hours in the Sambodromo stadium where the mayor was meant to give the carnival king, known as Rei Momo, the ceremonial key to the city. Crivella -- a bishop in the evangelical Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, founded by his billionaire uncle -- never came. Finally, the city culture secretary arrived to do the ceremony, officially starting Rio's biggest annual event, drawing one million tourists to wild dancing, drinking and a panoply of exotic, often barely there costumes. There had been rumors for days that Crivella would stay away, but no explanation or even confirmation from officials. Besieged by journalists asking about Crivella, the culture chief, Nilcemar Nogueira, now explained: "His wife is sick." "She has a very bad flu," the city tourism boss, Marcelo Alves, added at Nogueira's side. Rei Momo gave no reaction when asked how he felt about receiving the key from a lesser official, as security hustled him away. - Bad mix? - Crivella was elected in October on a conservative wave sweeping Brazil, where the long dominant Roman Catholic Church is rapidly giving up ground to well funded and politically active evangelical churches. His standoffish attitude to Rio's pre-Lenten bash is in especially marked contrast to that of his predecessor Eduardo Paes, who frequently joined street parties and paid Rei Momo full respect. The new mayor's absence -- widely thought to be due to the evangelical church's vision of carnival as a den of sin -- cast a chill. "Where's Crivella?" several people shouted at the City Hall officials from the stands. Story continues "I think that because of the Universal Church he doesn't like carnival," said Sueli, 59, who was watching from the cheapest seats in the Sambodromo. "He just doesn't like it, but he's mixing things. We're the people and he should share the joy of the people, he should be with us," said Sueli, who only gave her first name. The family that guards the carnival key during the rest of the year tried to hide its disappointment during the long wait. But frustration spilled over: "If he doesn't like carnivals, then all he has to do is come here, give the key to Rei Momo, and say 'right, from now on any problems are for him to solve,' and then he can leave!" family member Mauricio George de Jesus, 57, told AFP. - Time to stop worrying - The first samba parades were getting underway Friday at the Sambodromo and were to climax in the elite contests running through Sunday and Monday nights in front of 70,000 cheering and singing fans. The chance to have fun can't come soon enough for Rio, which is reeling from a cocktail of crises that make the glory days of hosting South America's first Olympic Games six months ago feel light years away. Crime is on the rise and 9,000 troops were deployed on the streets in the runup to the carnival after relatives of police officers angry at late payment of salaries tried to blockade police stations. Add in Brazil's two-year recession, record unemployment and brutal battles between Rio riot police and anti-austerity protesters in the city center earlier this month, and Cariocas -- as city residents are called -- need a break. "The carnival looks like a party and it is one, but it's much more than that," said writer Gregorio Duvivier, a prominent carnival participant. "It often serves to help us put aside our problems for a few days." Baghdad (AFP) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir held talks in Baghdad with Iraq's leadership Saturday, the first such visit by a chief diplomat from the kingdom since 2003. Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi received Jubeir and his accompanying delegation, a statement from his office said, a key step in efforts to normalise frosty ties. Both sides "discussed cooperation in various fields, including the fight against the Daesh gangs," it said, referring to the Islamic State group Iraqi forces are currently battling in the northern city of Mosul. The Saudi minister also met his counterpart Ibrahim al-Jaafari, who said in a statement the visit was "the first by a Saudi foreign minister since 2003." "This visit is to reestablish relations in a more stable way than previously," a senior government official said told AFP on condition of anonymity. "It's the first visit of its kind." Abadi, who has been at the helm since 2014, has supported efforts to improve strained ties but the road to normalisation has been rocky. Thamer al-Sabhan, whose credentials were received in January 2016, became the first Saudi ambassador to Iraq in a quarter century, after relations were cut following ex-president Saddam Hussein's 1990 invasion of Kuwait. He left the same year after Baghdad demanded he be removed following remarks he made to the press about an alleged plot to assassinate him and criticism he voiced of the Hashed al-Shaabi. Hashed al-Shaabi (Popular Mobilisation) forces, which have played a key role in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, are a paramilitary umbrella dominated by Shiite militia and seen by Riyadh as a proxy for arch-rival Iran. Jaafari was one of the most vocal critics of Saudi Arabia at the time and issued several strongly-worded statements against the kingdom and Jubeir himself. He told him directly on the sidelines of a global conference on the anti-IS war last year and in a statement expressing Iraq's "annoyance" over what he called "unacceptable interference." Story continues - Iran-Saudi thaw? - Saudi Arabia is very unpopular among Iraq's Shiite majority and often accused of direct support to the IS jihadists that took over a third of the country in 2014. Saudi Arabia nominally supports the fight against IS but Iraq and other partners have argued it needs to do more to help durably defeat IS and its ideology. As evidenced in recent attacks, IS has retained its ability to sow chaos and undermine the Iraqi government's authority even after it lost fixed positions in various regions. Several of them have occurred in Iraq's vast Anbar province, which has long and porous borders with Saudi Arabia, Jordan and Syria. "Jubeir congratulated Iraq on the victories achieved against Daesh and pledged Saudi Arabia's support to Iraq in fighting terrorism," the statement from Abadi's office said. It said the minister had also "expressed Saudi Arabia's willingness to back the stability of liberated areas." While Iraq has often suffered from being turned into a battlefield where the rivalry of its neighbours Iran and Saudi Arabia -- the region's Shiite and Sunni Muslim powerhouses -- played out, the Iraqi government official said there was an opportunity for Baghdad. "The whole region is heading towards compromise and Saudi Arabia sees Iraq as an important player to have on its side," he said. "Iraq's neutrality could make it a ground for Iranian-Saudi rapprochement." He stressed that despite intense pressure from the street to take a strong stand against Saudi Arabia, Abadi -- who belongs to Iraq's largest Shiite political bloc -- had "never indulged in aggressive rhetoric against Saudi Arabia." As the March for Science in Washington, D.C., grows, so does its criticism. This should be expected. Scientists are encouraged to look at even the most widely accepted statistic or finding and question it. So of course, as soon as the march, scheduled for April 22, was announced, people began to critically examine its message, mission and goals. SEE ALSO: The D.C. march for science will be the most wonderfully nerdy demonstration ever This critical examination has led to a better, more inclusive diversity statement and a clearer focus for the organizers who have seen their grassroots mission explode on social media. But other critiques of the march which asks scientists and those who support science to stand up and say that scientific facts aren't partisan and that science should be considered when enacting policy haven't been so constructive. The main argument against the march hinges on the idea that "science isn't political." These naysayers argue that science needs to be seen as objective, so marching at a pro-science rally that is, effectively, opposing a presidential administration known for "alternative facts" runs counter the scientific hunt for objective evidence and truth. A sign at the Women's March in New York City. Image: miriam kramer/mashable After all, the critics ask, how can scientists purport to be "objective" if they are actively involved in a march supporting something which is seemingly politicized? That argument sounds great, but it's also bullshit. Science is and has always been political Building the atomic bomb? That was a political decision, implemented by scientists. Going to the moon? That too was a political decision that involved scientists at every step of the way. Where NASA goes next will also be a decision born of a mix between science and politics. Why do you think there are such extremely skewed gender and racial balances in the physical sciences? Is it because women and people of color are somehow worse at math or physics? Of course not. It's because of institutionalized racism and sexism, and you know what that goes back to? That's right, you guessed it: politics. Story continues Sure, the scientific process itself is meant to be separated from politics, but it isn't, and can't ever be, given the implications of scientific findings and ways that politics works its way into education and research funding. Anyone who denies that fact is sticking their head in the sand, refusing to face up to reality. Shouting down arguments by simply saying that "science isn't political" will help no one combat the anti-science Trump administration in office now. Instead, scientists must look out with clear eyes on a political situation that demands attention every day. Science is conducted by people of all different gender identities, races, abilities, nationalities, sexual orientations and backgrounds, so protecting science also means protecting the people that do it. Ostensibly, that is what the March for Science stands for. If science weren't politicized, we would have implemented measures to combat climate change back in the 1990s, or perhaps even earlier. If science weren't already politicized, we would have kept on flying to the moon through at least the 1970s. So yeah, it's all well and good to say that science shouldn't be political, but the reality of the situation is that it is. Here's the deal: If you're a scientist who doesn't want to go to the march in April because you think science shouldn't be political, then fine, don't go. But also, don't pretend this means that science is somehow safe. Sure, scientific inquiry should be immune from the whims of politicians. It just isn't. March for your damn job If nothing else, under the Trump administration, those whims are going to threaten the jobs of scientists around the country. Today, much of the science done in this country is conducted using taxpayer dollars given to organizations by the government. That money can evaporate and jobs along with it when administrations change their minds about what kind of science they think needs to be done in the country they govern. Science faces an existential threat under the current administration. While science isn't necessarily partisan in the best of times, the truth is looking more and more like a partisan issue these days. President Trump has claimed that climate change is a hoax perpetuated by China and his recently confirmed administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency is a known climate denier. Trump has also perpetuated the myth that vaccines cause autism, a claim that has been debunked multiple times by peer-reviewed research. While President Trump likes to make a fuss about all the great jobs he's going to bring back to industrial towns, he certainly isn't losing any sleep over the numerous scientists he will put out of work if his administration slashes funding to science agencies in the U.S. The administration is reportedly planning to cut hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of funding at the Environmental Protection Agency, which would surely get rid of grants that keep scientists of all kinds employed. Trump's immigration ban also threatens research in the United States, as many international scientists are barred from entering the country and the risk of brain drain grows. The administration is also rumored to be planning cuts at the Department of Energy, a hub of scientific activity not just centered on climate change but involved in physics research, supercomputing and a number of other scientific pursuits that employ thousands of people around the nation. Although the March for Science may not change anything about what the Trump administration plans to do in the next four to eight years, it will at least show that scientists and those who support them are a sizable group that should not be invisible to those running our country. Now is the time, if ever there was one, to stand up fight for science. If that doesn't mean marching on Washington in April, don't say it's because science isn't political. That ship has sailed. Three senior Myanmar police officers have been jailed for failing to block deadly raids on border posts in October that threw northern Rakhine state into crisis, a police spokesman said Saturday. The attacks left nine officers dead and unleashed a four-month military crackdown as soldiers swooped in to help police hunt for Rohingya militants blamed for the raids. More than 70,000 of the Muslim minority have fled the area for neighbouring Bangladesh, bringing with them harrowing accounts of systematic rape, killings and torture at the hands of security officers. UN investigators who interviewed escapees said the violence was so severe it "very likely" amounted to crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing. On Saturday a police spokesman told AFP that three senior officers were handed between two and three years in jail for allowing the raids to happen under their watch. "Police were informed by villagers in advance before the attack. But police commanders failed to take action and rejected the information, assuming it was impossible," said Police Colonel Myo Thu Soe. The International Crisis Group think-tank described the October raids as the start of a new Rohingya insurgency in a region rife with tension between the stateless group and Myanmar's Buddhist population. The group said the attackers were recruited by a Saudi-backed network focused on advancing the political rights of the Rohingya, who have suffered under years of discrimination from a government that denies them citizenship. After months of waving off allegations that soldiers were carrying out grave rights abuses in the recent crackdown, Myanmar's government has recently pledged to investigate the claims. Yet there has been little fallout for security forces so far. Five police officers were sentenced to two months detention by an internal police tribunal over a video showing them abusing Rohingya civilians, according to police spokesman Myo Thu Soe. Three senior police including a major were also demoted and their service terms were reduced for failing to enforce discipline. By Clare Baldwin and Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs had until three weeks ago driven the trade in crystal methamphetamine underground, according to residents and drug users in some of the slum areas of the nation's capital city. As thousands of users and dealers were shot dead by police and vigilantes in the first seven months after Duterte came to power last June, open dealing in the drug, known here by its street name shabu, largely stopped. Instead, deals were done on the quiet between people who knew each other, maybe with a text message first. But since Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police(PNP) to stand down from the drugs war last month, after declaring the force "rotten to the core", the drugs trade has come back out of the shadows, more than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manila's toughest areas said in interviews. Many spoke on condition that only their first names be used in this story. Beside one of the less-used railroad tracks in Manila - a grassy area scattered with human excrement only a few miles from the gleaming high-rises of the Makati business district - shabu was easily available last week, costing just a few pesos (cents) per hit. Residents said that when they traveled on the illegal trolleys that ferry people for a few pesos along the track when there are no trains in sight, a fellow passenger will often offer them a sachet of the drug. Eusebio, 52, who pushes a wood and bamboo trolley on the track for a living, said dealers sometimes walk alongside calling out: "How much are you going to buy?" "Now that the operations have been suspended, drugs have become rampant again," he said. "Those who were hiding have resurfaced."Another trolley-pusher, Boyser, 59, told two Reuters journalists: "If you weren't reporters, they would offer you drugs." DRUG DEN In a dark cinderblock room that serves as a drug den in another part of Manila, there were similar stories from users. "We have more freedom now," Jason, a 39-year-old bartender told a visiting reporter as he inhaled shabu smoke. "All the users are still users, except those who have been killed," he said, adding that he has used shabu for almost two decades. More than 8,000 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in almost eight months ago, about 2,500 of whom were killed in official police anti-narcotics operations. Human rights groups believe many of the others were extra-judicial executions committed as part of the war on drugs, and in cooperation with the police a claim the Duterte administration has vehemently denied. The president's office did not respond to a list of emailed questions about the drugs war and whether dealers were now openly back on the streets. Duterte has repeatedly said he will hunt down drug lords and other "high value" targets and to date, there have been a handful of large-scale seizures and raids on shabu laboratories. But most of those killed in the war on drugs have been small-time dealers and users in some of the country's poorest neighborhoods. The PNP stopped publishing an official tally of drug war killings from police operations on Jan. 31 when Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the campaign. FEWER KILLINGS According to reporters and photographers from Reuters and Philippine news organizations working the crime beat on the night shift, "vigilante-style" killings of drug suspects have continued, but at a much slower pace. Police data shows 398 people were killed nationwide in the first 20 days of February. Details of the killings were not provided and it was unclear how many were drug-related. Some anti-narcotics experts say they will not be surprised if it turns out that the drugs war has been ineffective. They say that ruthless operations against drugs, like Duterte's, have failed elsewhere in the world. Colombia's former president, Cesar Gaviria, said in a New York Times column earlier this month that his country's long war on drugs not only failed to eradicate drug production, trafficking and consumption but also pushed drugs and crime into neighboring countries, while "tens of thousands of people were slaughtered." Thailand launched a "war on drugs" in 2003 that killed about 2,800 people in three months. But figures show it had no lasting impact on meth supply or demand in Thailand. "The world has lost the war on drugs, not only Thailand," the country's then Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya told Reuters last July. When an aggressive anti-drugs campaign begins, supplies may be tight for a while, street prices may spike, but ultimately drug usage does not drop, say those who have studied the results. "We don't know of any examples from around the world where very hardline approaches have worked effectively," said Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. "They can temporarily disrupt street business, but they don't disrupt demand." LOST MOMENTUM Some police officers told Reuters that they had received reports of increased street-level drug activity since they were ordered to stand down. Manila Police Commander Olivia Sagaysay, who oversees four precincts in the city, said the war on drugs had lost momentum and morale among her officers had suffered since they were ordered to stand down. "It's depressing," she said. "But who are we not to follow the higher-ups?" She said she expected the trade to increase but maybe not return to its previous levels because "networks were disrupted" and "pushers were killed." In a written response to questions from Reuters about the impact of Duterte's campaign on the street-level shabu trade, the PDEA said that "based on reports gathered, the supply of illegal drugs in some areas are still considerably abundant." The PDEA attributed low street prices for shabu - prices overall have risen only minimally since the war on drugs began and in some areas have fallen - to a "lack of customers" or drug traffickers trying to get rid of their supply "in order to avoid arrest." It said drugs were being hoarded and that it was difficult for users to transact directly with traffickers. The PDEA did not provide evidence for any of its assessments. PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said drugs would return to the streets because it was "a billion peso business" and "money talks". In his view, though, the drug war had not failed. "We hit the target and now it goes back to PDEA. As far as the PNP is concerned we did our part in the past 7 months. I hope PDEA will be able to do their part." The PDEA has just about 1,800 people on its rolls compared with the national police force of 160,000. Of the existing PDEA personnel, only about half are field operatives. PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said his agency will add staff and that the president would soon be issuing an executive order to set up an anti-illegal drugs inter-agency council and task force that would also draw from the military, the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP. The task force will be charged with pursuing the war on drugs. "There is a temporary vacuum of warm bodies but it won't be long," Carreon said, adding that those involved in the drug trade would be wrong to think they were safe. "If that's their perception, it won't last long," he said. "They will find out in the hardest way that they are terribly wrong." "GO AFTER COOKERS"Still, Jason, the bartender who is a shabu user, said Duterte's campaign was not successful because he targeted the wrong people. If authorities had gone after the "cookers", the people manufacturing the drugs, instead of users and small dealers, people like him would be unable to buy and would move on. As it is, Jason said, shabu is always in plentiful supply, adding he was addicted and the drug eliminated any fear he may have had of being shot by police or vigilantes. As he spoke, Jason poured white crystals into a long strip of aluminum foil folded into a trough, tilted it slightly and held a flame below. Almost immediately, it produced a thick white smoke, which he sucked up through a narrow aluminum foil straw. He then began speaking again, more animatedly. "I buy drugs every day!" he said. (Reporting by Clare Baldwin and Neil Jerome Morales; Additional reporting by Andrew R.C. Marshall and Erik De Castro; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Martin Howell) Vatican City (AFP) - The famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo, can now be examined in minute detail thanks to an unprecedented photographic venture, the Vatican Museums have said. By combining innovative digital technology and special LED lamps which aimed to reproduce daylight, photographers were able to make images measuring 43 centimetres (17 inches) tall by 1.2 metres (four feet) wide. The work includes 220 life-sized images from the chapel, including elements of The Last Judgement as well as frescoes painted on the walls by Perugino and Botticelli. The three works, of which 1,999 copies have been made and will be sent to the world's most important libraries, all give a perfect rendition of the colours used by the Renaissance masters, said Italian art publisher Scripta Maneant. "The project took place over five years," said the publisher's head of graphics Gianni Grandi as he unveiled the images inside the chapel late on Friday. "The photographs let us understand Michelangelo's work, for example his use of striation or pointillism," he said, referring to various painting techniques. For mere mortals whose budget is unlikely to stretch to the 12,000 euros ($12,700) needed to buy the images, they can still visit the chapel itself which averages some 20,000 visitors per day. The frescoes were given a new lease of life in 2014 when they were illuminated with a revolutionary new lighting system. Potential new clues are emerging in the hunt for the killer of two teenage girls in Indiana. Read: Did Murdered Indiana Teens Capture the Voice of Their Killer? The clues come following the grainy image of the suspect which was recorded by 14-year-old Liberty German on her cell phone before she was murdered along with her best friend, 13-year-old Abigail Williams. She also captured haunting audio of their killer's voice, saying, "Down the hill. Down the hill." But there is concern that the still image of the suspect cannot be digitally enhanced to get a clearer picture of his face, facial recognition expert Tom Joyce told Inside Edition. "The investigators will still go over the image in quite detail to identify shoe type, shoe brand, the jeans, pants, the jacket, any logos, any brand," he said. "And the surrounding areas if there is anything in that image that might generate itself or present itself for the investigation." Veteran New York Homicide Detective Sergeant Joe Giacalone has studied the photo and determined the suspect is about six feet tall and weighs between 190-210 pounds. He's got a lot of brown hair, it looks like," Giacalone told Inside Edition. "He may even have a mullet. You can see over on the side here. He might have a goatee or a beard and mustache. He's got that thick blue jacket on and blue jeans and his brown walking boots or trail boots." There also appears to be a bulge in the suspect's right hand jacket pocket where he may have been hiding some kind of weapon. "I think he's armed with a weapon because he is able to control two people and it's very difficult to control two people without a weapon," Giacalone said. Read: Citizen Sleuths Spring Into Action in Indiana Murder Mystery as Reward Reaches $50G In addition, could there be a tantalizing clue in the poignant last photograph taken of Abigail Williams by Liberty German? In the distance, a shadowy figure that may be the suspect can be seen. Story continues Investigators are still combing through wooded areas around the trails in Indiana looking for any clues that could lead them to the girls' killer. The general public is also doing their part, with nearly 4,000 calls and emails to the national tip line. Watch: How a Social Media Photo May Have Tipped Off Predator That Killed Girls on Hike Related Articles: The Film Independent Spirit Awards are this Saturday and while many wont be able to attend the event, you can still watch on television or stream it online. The Spirit Awards will air live on TV on IFC and can also be live streamed on the Sundance Now website and app on Feb. 25 at 2:00 p.m. PST. Following the live airing, an archived version of the awards will be made available to Sundance Now members. If youre not a Sundance Now subscriber, you can sign up for a free seven-day trial at sundance.com or use our promo code IBTIMES for a free month. Following the end of your trial, membership cost $6.99 a month. 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards Photo: Film Independent Spirit Awards Hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, the awards will take place in Santa Monica, California. Nominees for the awards include American Honey and Moonlight, which both have six nominations. Other nominees include Manchester by the Sea, Other People and O.J.: Made in America. While films such as La La Land and Nocturnal Animals will be present at the 2017 Oscars, you wont see those films at the Spirit Awards due to their ineligibility to be nominated for various reasons. Apart from the usual awards such as best picture and best actress, the Film Independent Spirit Awards also includes special categories such as the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award. The award is presented to the creative team of a film with a budget under $500,000. The Piaget Producers Award honors producers who were able to create independent films with limited resources. The award also comes with a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Nominees for the award include Lisa Kjerulff, Melody C. Roscher and Craig Shilowich and Jordana Mollick. A full list of nominees can be seen here. Related Articles CRANS MONTANA, Switzerland (AP) Suddenly the overall title is not looking so certain for Mikaela Shiffrin after Ilka Stuhec won a super-G race on Saturday. There was also a worrying crash for Lindsey Vonn on a disappointing day for American skiers. Entering this weekend's races in Crans Montana, Shiffrin held more than a 400-point lead in the standings over her next active challenger, Sofia Goggia of Italy. Defending overall champion Lara Gut, in second place, is out for the rest of the season after injuring her knee while training between runs of the combined event at the world championships in St. Moritz two weeks ago. However, Stuhec was second in Friday's Alpine combined race to leapfrog Goggia into third place overall. The Slovenian went one better on Saturday to cut Shiffrin's lead to 258 points with nine races remaining including another combined on Sunday. Stuhec, the recently crowned downhill world champion, leads the downhill standings and moved to within 16 points of Tina Weirather in the super-G. Stuhec, who was fastest in the super-G part of the combined on Friday, finished 0.5 seconds ahead of Elena Curtoni as the Italian achieved a best ever finish in a World Cup race. Stephanie Venier of Austria was third. "I try not to think about the globe any of them," Stuhec said. "I just try to focus on every race, do my best and then we will see what comes in the end. I'm just having a lot of fun and I don't want it to end. "Combined is always challenging. It's two totally different disciplines and you have to ski both very well. I'm looking forward to it because apparently super-G works well for me. I know where I went wrong yesterday in the slalom so I'll try to improve tomorrow." Shiffrin finished 13th, more than two seconds behind Stuhec. "I didn't quite handle the peeling snow as well as I could have and I was a bit conservative in sections that I didn't want to be but I'm happy to get a run on this hill," Shiffrin said. "I'll get the video, I'll watch a lot and compare with Ilka who's been really skiing well and see sections where I can charge a lot harder. I know there are a lot of sections where I need to attack more." Story continues There was more misery for Lindsey Vonn as she was one of a number of skiers who crashed as the snow began to soften. Goggia also didn't finish, for the second successive day. Vonn had pulled out of Friday's race, along with Shiffrin and their American teammate Laurenne Ross, because of dangerous conditions on the course. She had also posted on social media that she was feeling unwell Friday evening and had not fully recovered. The announcement of Vonn's name prompted a smattering of boos among spectators but that turned into loud gasps as the 32-year-old lost control and fell, sliding several feet before crashing into the safety netting. There was an anxious wait as Vonn remained down and Stuhec and other skiers were clearly concerned for their rival. However, the four-time World Cup overall champion was able to ski down to the finish area, where she was greeted with loud cheers. Vonn, who only returned to competition last month after nearly a year out with knee and arm injuries, was visibly upset and appeared to be crying as she was comforted by teammate Julia Mancuso. The former Olympic champion also missed nearly two seasons of competition after injuring her right knee in Austria in 2013 and hurting the same knee in her comeback. Beirut (AFP) - A suicide assault on two security service bases in Syria's third city of Homs killed dozens of people, including a top intelligence chief, on Saturday, overshadowing peace talks in Geneva. Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate Fateh al-Sham Front claimed the spectacular attack which targeted and killed General Hassan Daabul, a close confidant of President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 42 people were killed when the bombers targeted the headquarters of state security and military intelligence in the heavily guarded Ghouta and Mahatta neighbourhoods. Provincial governor Talal Barazi said 30 people were killed and 24 wounded. State television confirmed Daabul's death, saying that the general had been specifically targeted by one of the suicide bombers. The bombers engaged in prolonged gun battles with intelligence officers before blowing themselves up. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman said they lasted two hours. Fateh al-Sham said five of its militants took part in the assault. State television and the Observatory spoke of six bombers. Homs has been under the full control of the government since May 2014 when rebels withdrew from the centre under a UN-brokered truce deal. But it has seen repeated bombings since then. Twin attacks killed 64 people early last year. Like its jihadist rival, the Islamic State group, Fateh al-Sham is not party to a ceasefire between government forces and rebel groups taking part in the Geneva talks. Despite renouncing links with Al-Qaeda last year, it remains blacklisted as a "terrorist" group by the United Nations and Western governments. The group overran almost all of the northwestern province of Idlib in 2015 in alliance with Islamist rebels. But relations have since frayed as its allies have joined peace negotiations with the government, first in Kazakhstan earlier this year and then in Geneva. Fateh al-Sham has meanwhile been targeted by intensifying air strikes, not just by the government but also by its ally Russia and by the US-led coalition fighting IS. Story continues Scores of its fighters have been killed since the start of the year. The tensions have triggered deadly clashes between the jihadists and their erstwhile allies in Ahrar al-Sham -- the largest Islamist rebel faction. - Peace talks - Saturday's attack comes as the UN is struggling to get the new round of peace talks in Geneva off the ground aimed at ending the six-year civil war which has killed more than 310,000 people. UN envoy Staffan de Mistura said that despite government and rebel delegations being present for the talks there had been little discussion of substance between the rival parties. "We discussed issues relating to the format of the talks exclusively," said Syrian regime delegation chief Bashar al-Jaafari after meeting de Mistura on Friday. The Homs attack came after IS claimed a Friday suicide bombing that the Observatory said killed 83 people including 45 civilians outside the northern town of Al-Bab, which Turkish-backed rebels said this week they had taken from the jihadists. The Observatory said that a car bomb targeted twin command posts at a rebel base in Susian, about eight kilometres (five miles) from Al-Bab, which was one of IS's last remaining strongholds in Aleppo province. Separately, two Turkish soldiers were killed in a suicide attack in Al-Bab on Friday as they were carrying out road checks. CASSELBERRY, Fla. (AP) Police have identified a suspect who died during a shootout with central Florida police officers. Casselberry Police Chief Larry Krantz says 65-year-old James Lee Parran called officers early Saturday to say he had battered his wife. Krantz says that when four officers arrived, Parran came out of his house firing a shotgun. The officers returned fire and Parran went back inside. He was later found dead. He said it is unclear if the officers shot Parran or if he killed himself. Two officers were treated at a hospital for pellet wounds and released. Neighbor Billy Raye Carson Jr. told the Orlando Sentinel that Parran had never caused problems, saying he often spent time on his front porch listening to country music. By Tom Miles and Yara Abi Nader GENEVA (Reuters) - Syria's opposition is impatient for face-to-face peace talks in Geneva, but things could fall apart if Russia does not pressure President Bashar al-Assad on holding talks and push it to abide by a ceasefire, an opposition member said on Saturday. The United Nations opened the peace talks with a symbolic ceremony on Thursday, attended by representatives of the warring sides, but there has been no further direct contact, with U.N. mediator Staffan de Mistura still trying to get agreement on how the talks should be arranged. "It's off to a very slow start. We would like to make things happen fairly quickly," Basma Kodmani, a negotiator from the opposition High Negotiations Committee (HNC), said in an interview. "We have options, concrete operational options and we believe that direct negotiations are what should happen." De Mistura met both sides on Friday and gave them a paper with different options that need to be agreed in the next two or three days, Kodmani said. The launch of direct talks has been held up, at least in part, by several dissident groups, also invited to the talks, demanding to be part of the opposition negotiating team. Kodmani said they had each been offered a place on the team, and claims that the HNC, which is backed by Turkey, Western nations and Gulf Arab states, was not sufficiently representative were an attempt to undermine the talks. "You cannot continue discussing individuals who should be in or out," she said. "This platform is ready to negotiate in the name of all the opposition groups and it is ready to negotiate a solution for all Syrians." Whether the talks are direct or indirect, or are split into different tracks, Kodmani said the HNC had done a huge amount of work on all aspects of Syria's political transition, which is what it wants to discuss. But the Syrian government negotiator Bashar al-Ja'afari may try to avoid specific talk of "political transition", which the opposition understand to mean the end of Assad's absolute power. "We need to hear from Mr Ja'afari that he is serious about negotiations about political transition, about an agenda that will take us into the real issues, about how we resolve the problems and the conflict and how we respond to the concerns and fears of all Syrians," Kodmani said. "When Mr de Mistura says we are here for transition, I dont see how the regime can still turn away from that and say it is here with a serious intention of engaging." She said the best hope for the talks was the interest of Assad's ally, Russia, in pushing for a deal. Russia has already put its weight behind a ceasefire deal, backed jointly with Turkey and Iran. The ceasefire is shaky, but it and the political talks are mutually reinforcing, Kodmani said, and Russia needs to support both. "Why did Russia deploy so much energy into getting the groups to agree on a ceasefire and not seek to make it sustainable by doing the necessary pressure as well in Geneva for the politics to happen?" (Editing by John Irish, Greg Mahlich) Beirut (AFP) - Rescue workers from Syria's White Helmets group - the subject of an Oscar-nominated documentary - will not attend this weekend's Academy Awards ceremony because of intensified regime bombing and a rejected passport. Raed Saleh and fellow White Helmet member Khaled Khatib had been set to attend Sunday's ceremony in Hollywood, where "The White Helmets" is shortlisted for best short documentary. "After 3days at airport, not allowed to travel to #oscars2017 - had US visa - but passport not accepted. Sad, but important work to do here," Khatib tweeted Saturday from Istanbul. US Customs and Border Protection spokesman Michael Friel said that "individuals need valid documents to travel to the United States," declining to comment further. Earlier, Saleh told AFP he wasn't going because of a heavy workload "due to intensified regime strikes on the provinces of Damascus, Daraa and Homs." "There are many things that have to be done on the ground, such as managing operations and providing emergency vehicles," he added. Khatib, who shot much of the footage, had obtained a US visa but cited the same reasons earlier for not traveling. "I won't travel to OSCAR due to intensity of work, our priority is helping our people," he tweeted in English. "I was going to leave on Tuesday, but there was too much work because of the bombing," Khatib told AFP by telephone. "I'm also working on producing another film about the White Helmets that has to be ready in two weeks. I will not go." The two rescuers had feared they could be barred from attending the ceremony because of US President Donald Trump's late January executive order imposing a 90-day entry ban for citizens of seven Muslim majority countries, including Syria. The ban has since been lifted by a US federal court, and on February 18 the pair received their visas. More than 310,000 people have died since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011, and more than half of the country's citizens have been forced to flee their homes. Since the White Helmets group was created in 2013, it has hired more than 3,000 volunteers and claims to have saved more than 78,000 lives. It takes its name from the protective headgear worn by its members. Civil defence personnel in hazmat suits sealed off the scene of the airport assassination of Kim Jong-Nam early Sunday to sweep the site for toxins -- almost two weeks after he was killed with a lethal nerve agent. Teams equipped with gas masks and specialised detection machinery descended on Kuala Lumpur international airport's terminal two, accompanied by forensic experts and officials from Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board. The half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un was assassinated on February 13 at the airport, with Malaysia revealing on Friday that the lethal VX nerve agent -- manufactured for chemical warfare and listed by the UN as a weapon of mass destruction -- was used to kill him. Two women are seen shoving something into Kim's face in leaked CCTV airport footage. The 45-year-old later suffered a seizure and died before he reached hospital. Large sections of the terminal's departures hall were cordoned off with police tape in preparation for a 75-minute sweep for traces of the highly potent toxin as a few curious onlookers watched. Authorities said two female toilets and other relevant areas were checked in the terminal. Student Hariz Syafiq, 21, who was due to take a domestic flight later, told AFP: "Yes, I'm worried a bit. Why didn't they quarantine the airport?" "It's a bit strange." State police chief Abdul Samah Mat told reporters after the screening that authorities found nothing harmful, adding that the terminal was found to be "free from any hazardous materials." National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said Friday experts would sweep the airport terminal as well as other locations the two female suspects visited to ensure that there would be no risk to the public from the toxic agent. Watch out, Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is predicting the Supreme Court will have another vacancy later this year, giving President Donald Trump further opportunity to shape the nation's most important and influential judicial body for at least a generation. Cruz said this week while addressing the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that the nation's high court could have an open set before the end of September, according to media reports Friday. "This summer, I think we'll have another Supreme Court vacancy," he said. Cruz was speaking on stage with conservative commentator Mark Levin, who did not ask a follow-up question, so it wasn't immediately clear of Cruz had some sort of inside information about a justice's health or retirement plans. Trump recently nominated federal Judge Neil Gorsuch to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia after his death last year. The court would already lean conservative if the Senate confirms Gorsuch to the bench. A new vacancy, perhaps because of a liberal judge like Ginsburg or swing vote Justice Anthony Kennedy exiting the court, would give Trump another a seat to fill, tipping the balance of the bench further on the conservative side. For what it's worth, Cruz also called Democratic voters "bat crap crazy." But back to Trump. The Republican president is expected to appoint an unusually high number of judges to federal courts over the next four years, in part because the Republican-led Congress did such a good job of refusing to confirm former President Barack Obama's judicial nominees. Trump could fill more than 103 judicial vacancies, nearly double the 54 openings Obama faced in 2009 after the George W. Bush administration. At stake are cases that could decide issues such as gun control laws, abortion restrictions, voter laws, anti-discrimination measures and immigrant rights. Some legal scholars have argued that Supreme Court and other federal judicial appointments should not be politicized, but, of course, they are. Story continues "Since the U.S. Supreme Court exercises greater power than the highest court of virtually any other nation and its judges are appointed for life, it makes perfect sense that democratically elected politicians (i.e., the president and the senators) should control the appointments. But we should not forget that a judges highest duties are to be impartial and independent, and a politician who has some sense of his or her own place in history will therefore look for candidates who exhibit those qualities," wrote Jed S. Rakoff, a United States district judge on senior status for the Southern District of New York, in Slate this week. "Since, however, most politicians are more concerned with their immediate agendas, the result has been that there have been more than a few mediocrities appointed to our highest court over its long history." Related Articles SHANGHAI (Reuters) - A fierce blaze at a hotel in southeastern China killed 10 people, the official Xinhua news agency said in a post on its official microblog on Saturday. The fire broke out on Saturday morning at the hotel in the inland city of Nanchang, the capital of China's Jiangxi province, trapping people inside, including workers who were carrying out renovations on the building. Videos and photos on Chinese social media showed thick plumes of smoke coming from the hotel building and dozens of fire trucks and rescue workers on the scene. Xinhua said one person had been injured jumping from a second floor window to escape and had been taken to hospital. Rescue work in the building was basically completed, said Xinhua, adding that initial probes suggested the cause of the fire was tools used to cut construction materials. The news agency added seven people had been detained by police while investigations continued. Deadly fires are not uncommon in China, where safety regulations are lax and fire exits often blocked. (Reporting by Adam Jourdan; Editing by Kim Coghill) Lome (AFP) - Police fired tear gas at hundreds of people Saturday as they marched through Togo's capital to protest the shutdown of two private media channels. Television station La Chaine du Futur and City FM radio were ordered to stop broadcasting three weeks ago after a decade on air for breaching licensing rules. According to the country's regulator, they had not fulfilled "the prerequisite permission formalities". After a call by a dozen rights groups, hundreds of people marched through the seaside city for two hours but were dispersed by police in just 15 minutes as they tried to break through a police barrier to reach the regulatory body's headquarters. It was the fourth such protest in Lome in less than two weeks, but those went off without incident. The broadcast ban "is an obstruction of press freedom," said Celestin Agbogan, president of the Togolese League of Human Rights. "It is an illegal" decision, Agbogan said. "We are simply asking for the re-opening of the two media." Mathias Ayena, from the regulator, had told AFP earlier that neither channel obtained the proper authorisation before they started broadcasting in 2007. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked Togo 88th in its press freedom index last year and said the government controlled information through a dominant state media. Amnesty International called the sanction disproportionate and "an attack against freedom of speech". The Trump administration is seeking to loosen some security requirements for hiring Border Patrol agents in order to meet a dramatic surge in immigration enforcement, according to internal memos obtained by Foreign Policy and analyzed by five current and former officials in the Department of Homeland Security. Customs and Border Protection, part of DHS, is seeking approval to relax some stringent standards that have made it difficult for the agency to meet recruitment targets in recent years. That includes a request to potentially loosen congressionally-mandated requirements such as a polygraph, as well as an entrance exam and background check. According to the five-page, Feb. 17 memo from CBP Acting Commissioner Kevin McAleenan, changes to hiring standards are urgently needed if the agency is to expand as now planned from 19,627 Border Patrol agents to about 26,370. One former DHS official said the current requirements, especially the lie-detector test, are insanely cumbersome, and a big reason the agency has trouble recruiting compared with other law-enforcement agencies and even other immigration bodies within DHS, such as Immigration and Customs Enforcement. We do face headwinds, McAleenan allowed, in an interview with Foreign Policy on Saturday. While declining to discuss internal planning documents, he emphasized, Secretary Kelly has made it absolutely clear we are not going to lower standards to speed up our hiring. The memo estimates that even with the measures to accelerate hiring, it will take five years and cost about $2.2 billion to help fill out CBPs ranks to meet President Trumps quota. The taxpayer demonstrated in the November election very clearly that border security is a very important issue for them, McAleenan told FP. The investments are justified to protect our communities. But some former officials said the plan, despite bland bureaucratic language, clearly suggests loosening requirements in order to ramp up hiring. Story continues Most of the measures are worded in terms that look neutral on their face, Stephen Legomsky, former senior counsel to the Secretary of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under President Barack Obama, told FP after reviewing the memos. But because all of that is prefaced with how they need to make changes for the express purpose of enhancing their hiring ability, then obviously these things are meant to loosen those standards, not to tighten them, he said. And some current and former DHS officials and outside experts are concerned that lowering standards could allow the influx of less-qualified candidates who may be susceptible to corruption. CBP is uniquely targeted by drug-trafficking and other transnational organizations seeking out agents they can bribe with money or sexual favors to allow drugs, undocumented immigrants, or other contraband across the U.S.-Mexico border. We actually lived through this, said Jay Ahern, a deputy CBP commissioner under George W. Bush, when the agency doubled in size. When reviewing tens of thousands of applicants, he said, mistakes are inevitable. If you start lowering standards, the organization pays for it for the next decade, two, or three, Ahern said. (He did not review the memos.) McAleenans memo is part of CBPs effort to figure out how to meet the Trump administrations increased immigration enforcement. In one of his first acts as president, Trump issued an executive order that mandated building a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and beefing up enforcement by adding 5,000 additional Border Patrol agents, and 10,000 additional ICE officers, tripling their number. DHS Secretary John Kelly expanded upon the executive order with directives released on Feb. 21 that dramatically expand the pool of immigrants subject to deportation. CBP has insufficient agents/officers to effectively detect, track, and apprehend all aliens illegally entering the United States, Kelly wrote in the directives, released three days after the internal CBP memo was stamped. He directed DHS department heads, such as McAleenan, to immediately begin the process of hiring, while ensuring consistency in training and standards and subject to the availability of resources. In the memo, McAleenan described some of the changes CBP is considering waiving the polygraph for some applicants such as police in good standing, making background investigations less stringent, and easing the entrance exam as making CBP more competitive. Some officials said the steps outlined are long overdue to reduce unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and meet the staffing shortfalls at CBP; it is still 1,600 agents shy of its authorized strength, and turnover is prevalent. In the last budget cycle, CBP requested funding for 300 fewer officers than the prior year, preferring to upgrade old equipment than chase unrealistic hiring expectations. In addition to the lie-detector test, CBP applicants undergo cognitive, fitness, and medical exams, as well as fingerprinting, financial disclosure, drug testing and background checks. Even veterans with security clearances have to undergo an additional security screening to be hired at CBP, the former DHS official pointed out. McAleenan said Saturday CBP is also looking at better pay equity, incentivizing remote locations, opening up more opportunities for veterans, and continuing to streamline the hiring process. In the last two years, McAleenan said, CBP has reduced its hiring timeline from 400 days to 170. But social changes, he added, have added to the hiring difficulty. Were dealing with an environment around law enforcement thats challenging in our society right now, he said. And marijuana legalization in some states makes it challenging for young people to meet our standards. Yet the polygraph has become the biggest hurdle, officials and experts say. Two out of three CBP applicants fail more than double the average rate for eight other law enforcement agencies, according to the Associated Press. McAleenan observed in the memo that the lie-detector test has been identified as both a significant deterrent and point of failure. ICE, he noted, does not require a polygraph test, and that agencys own drive to hire 10,000 more agents will greatly hinder CBPs own staffing. The polygraph helps us insure our integrity, and has helped identify cartel lackeys trying to infiltrate CBP, McAleenan said Saturday. But hes looking for ways to ensure its not being used as an investigative tool, and to allow some applicants such as former members of the military or other law enforcement agencies to skip it. Wed like to have the flexibility to make those decisions, instead of having every single person who applies be subject to the polygraph, McAleenan said. But were going to make those decisions very carefully in balancing the risk against the benefits. Yet those tough standards, including a mandatory polygraph, were put into place by Congress in 2010, after Customs and Border Protection suffered acute growing pains during the Bush administration, when CBP doubled in size. Some Border Patrol agents didnt complete background checks before they deployed to the frontlines, officials reported, and the agency saw an increase in cases of internal corruption, and questions over its use-of-force training following a spate of deadly incidents. And problems have persisted. According to rights group Southern Border Communities Coalition, between 2010 and 2015, media reported 40 deadly incidents involving CBP, and only one agent was prosecuted. The former head of internal affairs at CBP, James Tomsheck, who declined to comment for this story, claims he was pushed out in 2014 because he fought against a paramilitary mindset and a culture of evading accountability for abuses. This week, the Supreme Court is hearing a case to determine whether parents of a Mexican teenager shot and killed by a CBP agent can sue. The administrations rush to beef up border security comes as illegal crossings into the United States from Mexico have sunk to their lowest levels in four decades; among Mexican immigrants, the flow has in fact reversed since 2009. Still, we have not reached the level where we have more people than we need for the crossings, McAleenan said. The additional agents would primarily be placed in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where the bulk of border traffic is today, as well as the Tucson and Yuma sectors in Arizona, but also at the northern border with Canada. In many ways, you know, the border is more secure than its ever been, we have fewer people trying to cross, McAleenan said of the southern line. But we still have significant risks, and we need to address them across the entire border. The moves, especially the staffing plans, have made Mexico nervous, even beyond the public pronouncements of President Enrique Pena Nieto and other officials, who rejected the new directives as unilateral and inappropriate. The Mexican government reached out to CBP immediately after Trumps Jan. 25 executive order with a number of questions over how carefully the agency selects, recruits, and trains agents, according to a separate series of emails obtained by FP. While some former officials said Mexican and American counterparts frequently communicate over new directives, others described the correspondence as atypical, and indicative of increased tensions between the U.S. and Mexico over Trumps rhetoric. Its a bit unusual, but its a really unusual transition, said David Martin, a former counsel for DHS and the Departments of State and Justice, and now a professor emeritus at the University of Virginia law school. Particularly with the focus on immigration so early and so vehemently in the new administration. Photo Credit: John Moore / Staff The Islamic State group will be called ISIS under President Donald Trump's administration, rejecting former President Barack Obama's preference for referring to the militants as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or ISIL. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said in a Feb. 12 memo that using the term ISIS to refer to the terrorist group, which has occupied large swathes of areas in Iraq and Syria, will create consistency, the Washington Post reported Friday. While addressing the nation in his speech on terrorism in late 2016, Obama referred to the group as ISIL rather than the more commonly used ISIS. At the time, Trump said Obama should not have referred to the extremist group as ISIL. The reason behind Obama using ISIL to refer to the terrorist group was believed to be partly geographical and partly grammatical. In 2013, the group's leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced the group was called the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham. The groups name in Arabic is al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham, and Levant is sometimes argued to be the more accurate translation for al-Sham. The name was later shortened to Islamic State by Baghdadi, who declared that the territory under his control would be a caliphate a state ruled by a caliph, which is Arabic for "successor," meaning successor to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad. After the Islamic State group took control of large territories in Iraq in 2014, the world debated over how to refer to the group. The term ISIS stands for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, while ISIL stands for Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, which means the whole eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea, including Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel and Jordan. Obama reportedly preferred ISIL to avoiding referring to Syria. Several Arab and European countries refer to the group as Daesh, an Arabic acronym for al-Dawla al-Islamiya fi al-Iraq wa al-Sham. It can sometimes be spelled DAIISH , Da'esh or Daech , a popular French version. French President Francois Hollande began using the term since the November 2015 deadly attacks in Paris. Story continues Some U.S. military officials also use Daesh in support of foreign allies. Related Articles Amid a new controversy involving leaks and the FBI, President Donald Trump was scheduled to speak Friday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in National Harbor, Maryland. Trump's speech was expected to attempt to inspire the conservatives in the convention center, some of whom may remain skeptical of the president after he blustered his way past more traditional Republicans such as former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during the party's primary election. In fact, Trump's talk might look to echo a memorable speech from former President Ronald Reagan, who energized his fellow conservatives at CPAC nearly 40 years ago, CNN reported. "Our time is now. Our moment has arrived," Reagan said at the time. "We stand together shoulder-to-shoulder in the thickest of the fight." Trump's speech might not sound exactly like Reagan's, but people close to him have expressed they hope it be a similarly important moment in the conservative movement. "We conservatives have an opportunity that only comes around every few generations," Vice President Mike Pence said at CPAC Thursday. My friends, this is our time." But the remarks at CPAC could be overshadowed by the latest Trump administration scandal. The White House requested the FBI publicly squelch reports that suggested Trump's campaign had been in regular contact with Russian officials, ABC News reported early Friday. The White House has rejected that characterization. "We didn't try to knock the story down. We asked them to tell the truth," Press Secretary Sean Spicer told CNN. Trump himself went on a Twitter tirade against leaks early Friday, appearing to respond to the report. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even find the leakers within the FBI itself. Classified information is being given to media that could have a devastating effect on U.S. FIND NOW," he wrote in a series of tweets. Soon after, he tweeted he was "going to CPAC." Story continues The president's Friday speech was scheduled to begin at about 10 a.m. EST. You can watch it online here or simply see the embedded feed below. < iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ Bm3d72GnX9w " frameborder ="0" allowfullscreen > Related Articles President Donald Trump is pleased with the progress of his "big, beautiful wall" along the U.S.-Mexico border. He was sure to tell the nation about it during a speech delivered to the Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, in National Harbor, Maryland. The process of constructing the wall is both getting started and ahead of schedule, according to the president. He launched into talking about the wall after he told the crowd, "we've defended other nations' borders while leaving ours wide open, anybody can come in," a line that prompted the conference attendees to chant "build the wall." "Oh, we're going to build a wall, don't worry about it. We're building the wall. We're building the wall," Trump said in response. "In fact, it's going to start soon. Way ahead of schedule. Way ahead of schedule. Way, way, way ahead of schedule. It's going to start very soon." During the campaign, the president promised a massive wall along the entire southern border of the U.S., which would span nearly 2,000 miles. Trump's campaign has regularly said it will cost about $10 billion to make the wall, an estimate that was formed by the National Precast Concrete Association. Other estimates had suggested the cost could nearly double that, without even taking into account the cost of purchasing land along the border. "We're pretty confident in that figure," Ty Gable, president of the National Precast Concrete Association, told CNN Money. "But there are a lot of variables. It depends on factors like terrain, how level the land is, whether you can get a crane in there." There are a number of natural barriers, such as mountains and rivers, which will get in the way of building a massive wall, not to mention private property. "In Texas, most of the private property that we have in the southwest border is in the state of Texas," Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) told CNN. "There will be lawsuits that will delay the building of any fence. Story continues Meanwhile, Bernstein Research estimated the wall would take two years to plan and two years to construct, which means the chances of the wall being built by the end of Trump's first term could be in jeopardy. Related Articles Berlin (AFP) - US President Donald Trump's demand for NATO allies to boost defence spending is driving an election-year dispute between Chancellor Angela Merkel's conservatives and their centre-left challengers led by Martin Schulz. It is a sensitive debate in Germany, where guilt over World War II and the Holocaust has created a strong pacifist tradition, but which has been under pressure, and increasingly committed to, playing a greater security role matching its economic strength. Washington has long urged NATO allies to spend more on collective defence, but Trump sharpened the tone when he branded the alliance "obsolete" and accused European members of getting a free ride while the US provides 70 percent of spending. US Vice President Mike Pence stressed this week in Brussels that "the president expects real progress by the end of 2017". Firmly in the crosshairs of Trump's challenge is Germany, the top EU economy, which runs a trade surplus with the United States and just reported a public budget surplus of 24 billion euros ($25 billion) for last year. Merkel has reiterated that Germany remains committed to raising military spending from 1.2 percent of gross domestic product now to two percent by 2024, in line with commitments made at a 2014 NATO summit in Wales. But while this remains the agreed goal of both Merkel's centre-right CDU and the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), there is discord about how quickly Germany must rush to achieve the target and heed Trump's stern demand. - 'Arms spending spiral' - "Even in an election period, we must remain realistic," said new Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel of the SPD, adding that meeting the goal now would cost Germany 25-30 billion euros a year. Gabriel warned against an "arms spending spiral" and cautioned that more weapons do not necessarily equal more security. So far, of the 28 NATO members, only the United States, Britain, Poland, Greece and Estonia meet the two percent target. Story continues At last week's Munich Security Conference, Gabriel questioned whether it was a good idea for debt-stricken Greece to reach the target "when they can't pay pensions" and asked whether this really will "improve stability in Greece". Such comments put the SPD at odds, at least in tone, with Merkel's party, to which it still serves as junior partner in a coalition government. On Tuesday, Merkel's government announced it would boost the armed forces' troop strength to almost 200,000 by 2024, the first increase since the end of the Cold War. "The Bundeswehr has rarely been as necessary as it is now," said Defence Minister Ursula von der Leyen. "Be it in the fight against IS terrorism, the stabilisation of Mali, the ongoing support of Afghanistan and against people smugglers in the Mediterranean and the Aegean, or with our increased presence for NATO in the Baltics." Von der Leyen has been a chief proponent for Germany to evolve from "political dwarf" traumatised by the Second World War, to an increasingly central military player in Europe. Germany has been willing to send troops abroad under two conditions -- that the mission is approved by parliament and takes place within a multinational alliance such as the UN, NATO or the anti-IS coalition. - Defence vs aid - The SPD's top candidate, Martin Schulz -- who has pledged to unseat Merkel in September elections and has narrowly beaten her in three recent major opinion polls -- has so far remained rather silent on the question of defence spending. But Gabriel's comments, and Schulz's previous speeches, signal the SPD will push social welfare over unpopular military spending, an approach that could help it claw back its traditional left-leaning voters. Conservative daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung characterised such an approach as irresponsible, saying in an editorial that "building kindergartens is more popular, but our army needs to grow". Merkel, as chancellor and candidate, has characteristically stuck to her "middle path" approach. While she has reiterated the pledge to reach two percent by 2014, she replied to a journalist's question on boosting spending now: "You are talking about the defence budget, let's talk about the aid budget." BERLIN (Reuters) - Europe should impose punitive tariffs on imports from the United States if President Donald Trump acts to shield U.S. industries from foreign competitors, a senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a newspaper interview. Trump has already formally withdrawn the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, distancing America from its Asian allies, and vowed to renegotiate the U.S. free-trade deal with Canada and Mexico. The tycoon-turned-president has also threatened German carmakers with a border tax of 35 percent on vehicles imported into the U.S. market, saying such a levy would help create more jobs on American soil. "If Donald Trump imposes punitive tariffs on German and European products, then Europe should also impose punitive tariffs on U.S. products," Volker Kauder, parliamentary floor leader of Merkel's conservatives, told the Funke media group in an interview published on Saturday. "We cannot accept everything," Kauder added. He said German officials would have to remind "our friends in Washington" that trade wars in the past had already shown that both sides only lost from such measures. "We just have to say calmly and with self-confidence: If Trump carries out what he said, then Europe must react," Kauder said. The German government has vowed to protect global free trade after Trump threatened protectionist measures and his top adviser on trade accused Germany of exploiting a weak euro to boost exports. German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has suggested that the European Union should refocus its economic policy toward Asia, should the Trump administration pursue protectionism. In a sign of already shifting trade flows, China became Germany's most important trading partner for the first time in 2016, overtaking the United States, which fell back to third place behind France, data showed on Friday. (Reporting by Michael Nienaber; editing by Richard Lough) By David Shepardson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign a measure as early as Tuesday aimed at rescinding a major Obama administration water regulation and direct an end to the government's defense of the rule, a Trump official briefed on the plan said late Friday. Trump is expected to direct the Environmental Protection Agency to withdraw the Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule, which expands the number of waterways that are federally protected under the Clean Water Act. The rule was finalized by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in May 2015, and was blocked by a federal appeals court pending further court challenges. The rule has faced intense opposition from Republicans in Congress, farmers and energy companies. Critics contend the rule vastly expands the federal government's authority and could apply to ditches and small isolated bodies of water. The EPA under President Barack Obama said the rule protects waters that are next to rivers and lakes and their tributaries "because science shows that they impact downstream waters." A White House spokeswoman did not comment on Friday. Trump is also expected to issue other environmental executive orders as early as next week, including a reversal of the Obama administration's clean power plant rule and instructing the Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management to lift a ban on new coal mining leases on federal lands. EPA administrator Scott Pruitt told The Wall Street Journal last week that he planned to quickly withdraw the clean power plant and WOTUS rules. "Theres a very simple reason why this needs to happen: Because the courts have seriously called into question the legality of those rules," Pruitt told the newspaper. Withdrawing the water and power plant rules will take time to meet regulatory requirements and will likely face court challenges from some Democratic state attorneys general and environmental groups. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to resolve a dispute over what court should handle challenges of the water regulation. The justices said they would hear an appeal by the National Association of Manufacturers of a Cincinnati-based federal appeals court's ruling that gave itself jurisdiction to review challenges to the Clean Water Act regulation. The industry group wants challenges to the rule to be heard in district courts. Dozens of agricultural groups, states and municipalities had sued to block the rule. The challengers contend the agencies' change improperly expanded federal regulatory power. (Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Leslie Adler) President Donald Trumps travel ban hit another hurdle Friday as new evidence raised doubts over the executive orders necessity. A report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), first obtained by the Associated Press, concluded that a persons country of citizenship is unlikely to be a reliable indicator of potential terrorist activity. The paper relied on visa statistics from the Department of State, unclassified information from the Department of Justice, data on terrorism-related convictions from the 2016 Worldwide Threat Assessment from the intelligence community and the State Department Country Reports on Terrorism 2015. The Homeland Security Department's Intelligence and Analysis branch prepared the three-page report. The DHS study found that since the Syrian conflict in 2011, at least 82 individuals were convicted of terror-linked offenses. Of these, over 50 percent were native-born U.S. citizens, while foreign-born individuals came from over 20 different countries, with the top seven being Pakistan, Somalia, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Iraq and Uzbekistan. Trump, after assuming office Jan. 20, imposed a temporary ban on people from seven Muslim-majority nations Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. He also indefinitely suspended the Syrian refugee program, citing terrorism as the primary concern. However, his executive order was challenged in court and effectively blocked by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Trump, through his tweets, expressed concerns several times over the courts order, and reiterated his claims on terrorism. The report, which comes amid the court's order, did point out that terror groups in Iraq, Syria and Yemen pose a threat to the U.S., but it noted that groups in Iran, Libya, Somalia and Sudan are regionally focused. Story continues Homeland Security spokeswoman Gillian Christensen said Friday the document was a work in progress, and not the final review of the governments intelligence. "While DHS was asked to draft a comprehensive report on this issue, the document you're referencing was commentary from a single intelligence source versus an official, robust document with thorough interagency sourcing," Christensen said, the AP reported. "The ... report does not include data from other intelligence community sources. It is incomplete." Defending Trumps executive order, Christensen said the seven countries were initially deemed a concern by former President Barack Obamas administration. The seven countries were identified by the previous administration as being countries of concern for foreign terrorist travel to the Unites States. Consequently, these countries were the focus of this administrations initial efforts to enhance vetting for foreign travel to the United States, she said, the Washington Post reported. It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from foreign nationals who intend to commit terrorist attacks in the United States; and to prevent the admission of foreign nationals who intend to exploit United States immigration laws for malevolent purposes. The draft intelligence document can be accessed here. Related Articles President Donald Trump spent roughly 13 minutes talking about the media during a 48-minute CPAC speech on Friday, but it surely felt like longer for journalism watchdogs monitoring the presidents near-constant attacks on the press. Trump called the media dishonest less than three minutes into his speech, when he mentioned that the press would report that he didnt get a standing ovation unless the crowd eventually sat down. They are the worst, he said, referring to the press, as chants of USA, USA, USA broke out. Also Read: President Trump Continues Assault on Media at CPAC: 'They Make Up Sources' (Video) Trump used the word media 11 times, while he said fake news and dishonest seven times each, according to a transcript of the speech provided by Vox. He went after CNN, calling it the Clinton News Network, and also specifically mentioned CBS, ABC and NBC during the speech. On Thursday, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon mocked the media for how it portrayed the campaign, how they portrayed the transition and now theyre portraying the administration, saying, its always wrong, when speaking at the conference. At CPAC, Trump continued his habit of echoing Bannons rhetoric when it comes to dealing with the media, which Bannon calls the opposition party on a regular basis. A few days ago I called the fake news the enemy of the people, and they are. They are the enemy of the people because they have no sources, they just make them up when there are none, Trump said before bashing a recent story that he said cited nine sources. Also Read: CPAC Attendees Wave Donald Trump Flags That Look Suspiciously Russian (Photos) Story continues Trump then explained that the media dropped the word fake when he recently called fake news the enemy of the people, in an attempt, he said, to falsely portray the president as referring to all media as the enemy of the people. All of the sudden, the story became the media is the enemy, they take the word fake out, Trump said. But thats the way they are I dont mind bad stories if I deserve them. The president failed to note that he included such major organizations as the New York Times, NBC News, ABC, CBS and CNN as part of the FAKE NEWS media. Several prominent journalists have responded to Trumps speech on Twitter: "They always bring up the First Amendment," President Trump says of the media. Yes, we do. And we always will. Robert Costa (@costareports) February 24, 2017 Wow. Trump is *still* maintaining an imaginary attack in Sweden actually occurred and that media refuses to cover it. pic.twitter.com/g740bPfLl5 Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) February 24, 2017 Trump's attacks on the media don't just reflect his annoyance. He's trying to weaken the greatest institutional check on his illegal acts. Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 24, 2017 After calling media "enemy of the people" Trump says a few moments later: "I'm not against the media. I'm not against the press." Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 24, 2017 Im not against the media, Im not against the press, Trump said, as he criticized the press Michael Tackett (@tackettdc) February 24, 2017 President Trump on the media: "They have no sources, they just make 'em up when there are none." Can't have people making up sources. pic.twitter.com/SgQfpPTHPM Mark Berman (@markberman) February 24, 2017 Trump is doing a classic Trump turn claiming the media misquoted him on his "Fake News" blast when they didn't. Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) February 24, 2017 Trump: Media-critic-in-chief Shane Goldmacher (@ShaneGoldmacher) February 24, 2017 Decrying "media bias" is one thing. Dismissing real reporting as "fake news" is wholly different. It's hazardous. https://t.co/Iggy1QXofR Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) February 24, 2017 Related stories from TheWrap: CPAC Attendees Wave Donald Trump Flags That Look Suspiciously Russian (Photos) President Trump Continues Assault on Media at CPAC: 'They Make Up Sources' (Video) 'Fake News' Media More Trusted Than President Trump, Poll Says President Donald Trump said the United States needs more nuclear weapons to stay safe from other nations. He said he wants the U.S. nuclear arsenal to remain at the "top of the pack," because it has fallen behind, Reuters reported exclusively Thursday. "I am the first one that would like to see everybody nobody have nukes, but were never going to fall behind any country even if its a friendly country. ... were going to be at the top of the pack," he told Reuters. Trump expressed his concern that the U.S had "fallen behind on nuclear weapon capacity." Trump also said China could stop North Korea from threatening the world with nuclear weapons "very easily if they want to." His remarks came after he tweeted in December that the U.S should strengthen and expand its nuclear capacity "until such time as the world comes to its senses regarding nukes." When asked Thursday about the Reuters interview during a press briefing, White House spokesman Sean Spicer clarified: "The question that was asked was about other people growing their stockpiles. And I think what he has been clear on is that our goal is to make sure that we maintain Americas dominance around the world, and that if other countries cloud it, we don't sit back and allow them to grow theirs." The U.S already has 6,800 warheads and Russia possesses 7,000 warheads, according to the latest data from Federation of American Scientists, a nonprofit aimed at making the world more secure. "Russia and the United States have far more weapons than is necessary to deter nuclear attack by the other or by another nuclear-armed country," Daryl Kimball, executive director of the independent Arms Control Association non-profit group, told Reuters. Within the U.S., Trump has the sole authority to start a nuclear war, according to Mark Fitzpatrick, a nuclear non-proliferation expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Washington. "There are no checks and balances on the president's authority to launch a nuclear strike," he told BBC News in January. Story continues nuclear2017 Photo: Federation of American Scientists Related Articles President Donald Trump was sworn in as the 45th president of the United States with some big goals huge, some might say for stopping crime and illegal immigration along the U.S.-Mexico border. They included building a sprawling wall across 1,900 miles of land, increasing immigrant detention center populations across the country and deporting as many as three million undocumented immigrants immediately upon taking office. The only problem for Trump, however, was the U.S.-Mexico border is already in a state of crisis: authorities in states like Arizona and California said jails and immigrant detention centers were already nearing capacity, while the presidents policies stand to create a rift between border towns and their local police forces. RTSXKLD (1) Photo: Reuters Mark Napier, a sheriff in Tucson, Arizona said his largely Democratic community could see their trust in authorities worsen under Trump. As deportations along the border increase, the Republican said residents may avoid phone calls to the police while authorities carry out new Department of Homeland security guidelines surrounding immigration. "We have our plate full," Napier said about his police department, which covers at least 9,000 square miles on the border. If the local community widely opposes the implementation of Trumps immigration policies, the sheriff told CBS News Friday his department "wouldnt get a lot of the calls we get where people witness crimes or are victims of crimeout of fear that would lead to deportation." John Kelly, secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, issued two memos Tuesday detailing how his department would begin enforcing the president's illegal immigration policies. The memos intended to ease the process of increasing deportations across the country by expanding qualifications for detainment and sending all undocumented immigrants who cross the southern border back into Mexico, regardless of their native-nation. Story continues Activists and nonpartisan civil rights organizations have condemned the president's plans to dramatically increase detention and deportations, saying the expansion could become a human rights crisis under Trump. "This is immigration enforcement under Trump: due process, human decency, and common sense are treated as inconvenient obstacles on the path to mass deportation," The American Civil Liberties Union said in a statement emailed to International Business Times Saturday. "Virtually every immigrant is now a priority for detention and deportation State and local law enforcement agencies, including those with records of racial profiling and police brutality, are encouraged to become immigration agents." Related Articles Following his remarks at the Conservative Political Action Conference Friday morning, President Donald Trump planned to sign a new executive order creating a regulatory reform task force within each federal agency to recommend ways to modify or simply discard regulations, Bloomberg first reported Thursday night, citing a senior White House official. The order, called Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda, would force agencies to each create both a task force and a designated officer to handle regulatory issues. It would also , and would give the agencies the authority to not only define their deregulation objectives, but execute those goals as well, the unnamed source told the Bloomberg. As of Friday morning it remained unclear how much the hiring of new regulatory reform officials would cost the administration. Trumps latest action would also lean on a Jan. 30 order that mandated the elimination of two regulations for every new one proposed by non-independent federal agencies, along with a requirement that all new rules entail zero costs a virtually impossible standard. The day before the new executive orders slated release, Trump met with two dozen corporate executives from major American companies, such as Caterpillar Inc. and General Electric. They discussed taxes and the regulations the executives would like repealed or modified, dedicating an entire working group to the latter subject, according to the Wall Street Journal. According to a CNBC reporter covering the meetings, Trump asked the corporate chiefs present to each identify 10 regulations they'd like to be slashed. The meeting and the expected executive order appeared likely to please a trade group of CEOs from large American firms known as the Business Roundtable, which counts JPMorgan Chase & Co. CEO Jamie Dimon and Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson among its leading members. Story continues The group sent a letter to Trumps director of the National Economic Council, Gary Cohn, outlining 16 federal regulations and six rule-making processes or guidelines theyd like changed or done away with. Three of the regulations listed were part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, a 2010 law intended to curb the financial industry abuses that led to the 2008 financial crisis. Related Articles Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump came to the White House promising a radical reset of US-Russia relations after years of rising tensions under his predecessor. But barely one month into office, that plan appears to be on hold, and Trump's White House team has taken on an increasingly Russophobic face. After he repeatedly pledged to reach "a deal" with Vladimir Putin while hinting at downgraded relations with NATO and the European Union, Trump has yet to set a meeting with the Russian leader. Meanwhile Vice President Mike Pence and top cabinet security and defense officials have gone to great lengths to reassure European leaders that Washington is not giving up on its allies. While Trump still holds out the idea of striking up an amicable relationship with Putin, the administration took a distinct turn away from that stance last week with the replacement of pro-Moscow national security advisor Michael Flynn with Lieutenant General HR McMaster, a hawkish army veteran who sees Russia as the primary threat to US interests and global stability. And next week the Senate is expected to approve the appointment of Senator Dan Coats as Director of National Intelligence, adding another Putin skeptic to the president's defense and national security team. "There has been a major shift," said Bruce Jones, vice president and director for foreign policy at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington. "My sense is at least we've seen an evolution to an approach that is more sensitive to the threat Russia poses to Europe and the US." Jake Sullivan, the former national security advisor to vice president Joe Biden, said the White House policy situation is "still unsettled." However, he said, McMaster's arrival in Flynn's place "could tip the balance." - Allaying European worries - Trump has long expressed admiration for Putin and other hard-as-nails Russian autocrats. Story continues But his hope of launching into the presidency with a new approach to Russia has been set back by scandals that have allowed critics to paint him as suspiciously soft on Moscow: the intelligence conclusion that Russia interfered in the US election to hurt Trump's rival Hillary Clinton; alleged links between some of his campaign advisors and Russian intelligence; and the need to fire Flynn over his private discussions on sanctions with Russia's ambassador. The seeming slowdown or shift in his stance was most noteworthy, Jones said, with efforts in the past two weeks to assuage nervous European leaders over the new Washington administration's intentions. During the campaign Trump had repeatedly criticized NATO and suggested the core Atlantic Alliance may have passed its expiration date. But last week Pence declared at a high-level Munich security conference, with German leader Angela Merkel in the audience, that the administration remains committed to strong transatlantic ties. "The United States is and will always be your greatest ally. Be assured that President Trump and our people are truly devoted to our transatlantic union," he said. Days earlier new Pentagon chief James Mattis told officials in Brussels that the NATO alliance was a "fundamental bedrock" for the United States. - Trump still wants 'deal' with Putin - Trump's efforts to strike a new footing with Moscow have not gone away, and he and his close advisor Steve Bannon still set the agenda. They have suggested a readiness to lighten tough sanctions placed on Russia by the previous administration over its seizure of Crimea in exchange for cooperation elsewhere, particularly in fighting Islamic extremism. "If we could get along, it would be a positive thing, not a negative thing," Trump reiterated in a press conference on February 16. "It would be much easier for me to be tough on Russia, but then we're not going to make a deal." Taking on anti-Moscow hardliners could help Trump pursue overtures with Putin from a position of strength, analysts say. But Sullivan said that, even with the buildup of hawkish conservatives in the White House, "There is still not a consensus inside the administration." "Trump can still get on the phone with Putin from time to time and do deals." (BEIRUT) Twin attacks on two Syrian security offices in the central city of Homs Saturday killed at least 32 people, including a senior security official who heads the feared Military Intelligence services, state media and officials reported. An al-Qaida-linked insurgent coalition known as the Levant Liberation Committee claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also left another high-ranking officer seriously wounded. In a statement on their Telegram channel, the group said five attackers stormed the two different security offices. The group said bombs were also detonated at checkpoints outside the buildings just as rescuers were arriving, leading to more casualties. The governor of Homs Province, Talal Barzani, told The Associated Press there were three blasts in total, killing more than 32 people. He said the attackers were wearing suicide belts, which they detonated in the security offices. The two agencies are two kilometers (1.2 miles) apart. Syrian State News Agency SANA said Maj. Gen Hassan Daeboul, head of the local Military Intelligence branch, was killed by one of the suicide bombers. According to state TV and state-affiliated al-Ikhbariya TV, Brigadier Ibrahim Darwish, head of the State Security Branch, was also critically wounded in the attacks. According to Ikhbariya, at least six assailants attacked the two security compounds in Homs al-Ghouta and al-Mahata neighborhoods, clashing with security officers before at least two of them detonated explosive vests, killing 32 people. It was not clear if there are any civilians among the casualties. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said at least 42 security officers were killed in the attacks on the offices of the State Security and the Military Intelligence services. The differing casualty estimates could not be immediately reconciled. Such discrepancies are not uncommon in the immediate aftermath of violence in Syria. Story continues Homs is Syrias third-largest city and largely in the control of the government. The attacks are among the most spectacular perpetrated against security agencies in the six-year old conflict a coordinated operation against two heavily secured government buildings using a combination of armed assault and suicide bombing. In early days of the conflict, bombings targeting state security institutions were frequent, usually against military intelligence branches in Damascus and other cities. One of the most dramatic attacks came in July 2012, when insurgents detonated explosives inside a high-level crisis meeting in Damascus, killing four top regime officials, including the brother-in-law of President Bashar Assad and the then-defense minister. The Syrian security forces run a vast intelligence network that enjoys great powers and operates independently of the military and with little judicial oversight. Rights groups and Syria monitors hold the various branches responsible for some of the more shadowy crimes committed during the conflict, including mass arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings and firing on protesters. In a February report, the human rights watchdog Amnesty International reported that between 5,000 and 13,000 people were killed in mass hangings in the militarys Saydnaya prison in Damascus between 2011 and 2015. It said the detainees were sent to the prison from around the country by the states four main security branches, including the Military Intelligence. ___ Associated Press writers Albert Aji in Damascus, Syria and Sarah El Deeb in Beirut contributed to this report. Paris (AFP) - Two Britons were charged in northwest France Saturday of participating in an illegal drug network that advertised and sold unlicensed medicines advertised as able to heal cancer and other medical conditions, legal sources said. The suspects a man and woman aged 51 and 42, were arrested Monday in Normandy, The man was placed in temporary detention while the woman was freed under a judicial supervision order. "The illicit trade dealt mainly with very lucrative sales online to individuals in some 50 countries," with over 5,400 packages delivered over 18 months, French police said in a statement Friday.The contents were advertised as having preventive and even healing qualities for serious ailments such as cancer, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease and autism. Cosmetics products were also sold. Police uncovered numerous illegal laboratories in the region and seized criminal assets worth 320,000 euros ($338,000). Paris (AFP) - Two men who had been arrested on suspicion of planning a terror attack in France were charged on Saturday, legal sources said. The suspects, one 19-year-old and the other a 27-year-old, were arrested Tuesday in the coastal city of Marseille and the central city of Clermont-Ferrand. Both men, known to intelligence services for belonging to the jihadist Salafist community, were indicted on charges of criminal association in connection with a criminal terrorist enterprise, as well as for possession of firearms. During raids, police recovered a Kalashnikov rifle and a shotgun, one grenade, a knife, and two bulletproof vests. They also found documents of jihadist propaganda. Authorities however are still investigating the exact nature of their plans. France remains on high alert after a wave of attacks that began two years ago, claiming more than 200 lives. On February 3, a soldier shot and wounded a machete-wielding attacker who lunged at him outside the Louvre museum in Paris while shouting "Allahu Akbar" (God is greatest). One of the most active members of the US-led coalition fighting IS, France has been the worst hit among European countries targeted by attacks claimed or inspired by the Sunni extremist group. NAIROBI (Reuters) - The United Nations has called on political parties in Burundi to commit fully to peace talks to resolve a two-year old political crisis in the east African nation. Burundi President Pierre Nkurunziza's government said earlier this month it would not attend the talks led by the East African Community (EAC) aimed at ending the crisis sparked by his decision to run for a third term in office. "I urge all Burundian stakeholders to place their country's interests above their own and to commit in good faith and without preconditions to a truly inclusive and credible EAC-led dialogue," U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a report to the U.N. Security Council. The government, which has repeatedly accused the U.N. of bias, said it objected to the presence of senior U.N. adviser Benomar Jamal at the talks, which are being held in neighboring Tanzania. The main opposition grouping CNARED said it would attend the talks, which are being mediated by Benjamin Mkapa, a former president of Tanzania. In the report, Guterres said the U.N. would keep supporting the efforts to peacefully resolve the impasse, in order to secure stability in the region. "The fact that the crisis in Burundi has not escalated into a full-blown armed conflict so far is not an indicator that the worst has been averted," he said. (Writing by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Hugh Lawson) GUATEMALA CITY (Reuters) - The United States will request the extradition of former Guatemalan Vice President Roxana Baldetti and a former cabinet minister on drug trafficking charges, the U.S. Embassy in Guatemala said on Friday. Baldetti has been imprisoned in Guatemala since 2015 on charges of leading a network that defrauded the government of the Central American country along with former president Otto Perez Molina, who has also been arrested and is awaiting trial. In a statement, the U.S. Embassy said the former vice president and another former official were charged in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for conspiring to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine. Related Video: For more news videos visit Yahoo View, available now on iOS and Android. The U.S. court also indicted former Interior Minister Mauricio Lopez, a close associate of Baldetti on trafficking charges. The embassy said it was awaiting formal extradition requests from the U.S. Department of Justice for both individuals. A lawyer for Lopez could not be reached for comment. But a lawyer for Baldetti said she never committed the actions she stands accused of. Corruption has been a key objection among some politicians in Washington to approve new aid for Central America, one of the world's poorest and most violent regions and a key source of illegal migrants to the United States. (Reporting by Sofia Menchu; editing by G Crosse) MOSCOW (AP) There "simply may not be sufficient evidence" to secure bans for many of the Russian athletes implicated in an alleged state-backed doping scheme, the World Anti-Doping Agency said on Saturday. WADA investigator Richard McLaren reported in December that more than 1,000 Russian athletes may have benefited from a cover-up which allegedly included tampering with samples given by 12 medalists at the Sochi Olympics. It's proving hard to turn McLaren's report, much of it based on records leaked by a former Russian drug-test laboratory head, into watertight cases against individuals. WADA said in a statement that the destruction of more than 1,000 samples in a Moscow laboratory and a lack of Russian co-operation mean "there simply may not be sufficient evidence required to sanction ... some of the individual athletes identified in the report." WADA didn't say how many cases are affected. Some winter sports have allowed Russians who were implicated in McLaren's report to keep competing pending investigations. In January, the International Biathlon Union cleared 22 of 29 Russians who had been implicated in its sport. McLaren's investigation wasn't originally intended to build cases against individuals, but to focus on whether there was a wider conspiracy in Russian sports. There's little clear precedent for banning athletes whose samples were tampered with, especially if they argue samples could have been swapped without their knowledge. However, WADA says McLaren's report has already helped to catch Russian drug cheats in a different way, as intelligence for Olympic officials running their own program of retesting samples from past Olympics, launched last year. "Information from the McLaren report helped the IOC target its reanalysis program of samples from the 2008, 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games, which has so far resulted in sanctions against 38 Russian athletes," WADA said. More than 100 athletes from various countries have been disqualified from the 2008 and 2012 Olympics. By Ayesha Rascoe WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House excluded several major U.S. news organizations, including some it has criticized, from an off-camera briefing held by the White House press secretary on Friday. Reporters for CNN, The New York Times, Politico, The Los Angeles Times and BuzzFeed were not allowed into the session in the office of press secretary Sean Spicer. Spicer's off-camera briefing, or "gaggle," replaced the usual televised daily news briefing in the White House briefing room. He did not say why those particular news organizations were excluded, a decision which drew strong protests. Reuters was included in the session, along with about 10 other news organizations, including Bloomberg and CBS. President Donald Trump has regularly attacked the media and at a gathering of conservative activists on Friday he criticized news organizations that he said provide "fake news", calling them the "enemy" of the American people. Spicer said his team decided to have a gaggle in his office on Friday instead of a full briefing in the larger White House briefing room and argued that we don't need to do everything on camera every day. Reporters at the Associated Press and Time magazine walked out of the briefing when hearing that others had been barred from the session. Off-camera gaggles are not unusual. The White House often invites handpicked outlets in for briefings, typically for specific topics. But briefings and gaggles in the White House are usually open to all outlets and they are free to ask anything. A pool reporter from Hearst Newspapers was included in the gaggle on Friday and gave full details to the entire press corps. Media outlets allowed into the gaggle also shared their audio with others. PROTESTS Spicer's decision drew a sharp response from some of the media outlets that were excluded. "Nothing like this has ever happened at the White House in our long history of covering multiple administrations of different parties," Dean Baquet, executive editor of The New York Times, said in a statement. "We strongly protest the exclusion of The New York Times and the other news organizations. Free media access to a transparent government is obviously of crucial national interest." The White House Correspondents Association, or WHCA, also protested. "The WHCA board is protesting strongly against how today's gaggle is being handled by the White House," said Jeff Mason, president of the association and a Reuters reporter. During the election campaign last year, Trump's team banned a few news organizations, including The Washington Post and BuzzFeed, from covering his campaign rallies for a period of time to protest their coverage. CNN posted a Twitter message on Friday afternoon saying: "This is an unacceptable development by the Trump White House. Apparently this is how they retaliate when you report facts they dont like. Well keep reporting regardless. Ben Smith, editor-in-chief of BuzzFeed News, said in a statement: "While we strongly object to the White House's apparent attempt to punish news outlets whose coverage it does not like, we won't let these latest antics distract us from continuing to cover this administration fairly and aggressively." On Friday, Spicer said the White House plans to fight against what it says is unfair coverage. "I think were going to aggressively push back," he said. "Were just not going to sit back and let false narratives, false stories, inaccurate facts get out there." (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Kieran Murray and Mary Milliken) A meeting between officials from the North Korean and U.S. goverment was called off Friday after the State Department revoked visa approvals for Pyongyangs top diplomants to Washington, the Wall Street Journal reported Saturday. The meeting would have marked the first gathering between the two sides on U.S. soil in nearly six years and the first one under the rule of Kim Jong Un, who has threatened to start a new global war with his nuclear weapons program. But then the U.S. decided not to provide a visa to Choe Son Hui, the director-general of the American affairs bureau in the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's unclear why her visa was denied. North Korea had requested the meeting after President Donald Trump won the presidential election in November. The meeting had been scheduled to take place in New York City near the United Nations in March. But Pyongyangs decision to test-fire a missile during a recent meeting between Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Washington earlier this month might have further soured relations between the White House and Kim's regime. Trump has called Kim a madman and urged China to stop Pyongyang for carrying out nuclear missile tests. Were very angry at what hes done, and frankly this should have been taken care of during the Obama administration, Trump said Thursday in an interview with Reuters. The scuttled North Korea meeting was supposed to be an opportunity for U.S. officials to request the release of two American prisoners being held in Pyongyang. Robert Gallucci, who represented Washington during the North Korean nuclear crisis of 1994, and Victor Cha, George W. Bush's former National Security Councils director for Asian affairs, had been tapped to attend the meeting on behalf of the president. The U.S. has held talks with North Korea in recent years on foreign soil. Officials from both nations have met in Beijing, Berlin, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore and other locations to little success. Story continues "The United States supports the peaceful reunification of Korea on terms acceptable to the Korean people and recognizes that the future of the Korean Peninsula is primarily a matter for them to decide. The United States believes that a constructive and serious dialogue between North and South Korea is necessary to improve inter-Korean relations and to resolve outstanding problems, including the North's attempts to develop a nuclear program and its human rights abuses," a State Department fact sheet published in October concluded. "The United States and North Korea do not have diplomatic relations... North Korea has no embassy in Washington, D.C., but it is represented in the United States through its mission to the United Nations." Related Articles Washington (AFP) - On the campaign trail and in office, Donald Trump has made attacking the press one of his political trademarks. But by restricting the access of certain media, his White House took things one step further, triggering an outcry. The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, CNN, Politico -- a string of major US media were denied access Friday to the daily White House briefing, while smaller outlets that have provided favorable coverage of the Trump administration, such as Breitbart and One America News, received a green light to attend. For once, the event was not held on-camera in the main White House briefing room, but instead in the office of the president's spokesman Sean Spicer -- and for a select group of handpicked media. The White House Correspondents Association said it was "protesting strongly" against the decision, and would bring it up with the administration, while several of the media affected have pushed back hard against the administration's move. The New York Times described the White House decision as "an unmistakable insult to democratic ideals," while a CNN statement called it "an unacceptable development." In an editorial, the Los Angeles Times warned that the incident had "ratcheted up the White House's war on the free press" to a new level. "Trump has betrayed some alarmingly authoritarian notions of the presidency over the past two years, and punishing organizations that run stories critical of the president falls right into that category," the paper wrote. Friday's incident took on a particular resonance coming just hours after the Republican leader renewed his assault on the "fake" media, accusing major news outlets of fabricating sources and stories, and branding them "the enemy of the people." "They say that we can't criticize their dishonest coverage because of the First Amendment, you know, they always bring up the First Amendment," he told Republican supporters during a keynote speech. Story continues Trump built his campaign on criticizing the mainstream US press -- many outlets endorsed his rival Hillary Clinton -- as biased, and has intensified his rhetoric since taking office, routinely accusing the media of overstating his setbacks and downplaying his accomplishments. A week ago, at his first solo news conference, the 70-year-old launched a long diatribe at the dozens of journalists present, blaming their "dishonesty" for the troubles of his month-old administration. Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon, a former head of the right-wing news site Breitbart, predicted Thursday that relations with the media -- which he dubs "the opposition" -- would only get worse as the president rolls out his agenda. - 'Unwise' - It is not uncommon for Republican and Democratic administrations to brief a limited number of select reporters on specific themes. However, Friday's event was initially billed as a regular briefing open to credentialed media before it was reconfigured as a closed briefing for the cherry-picked group of participants. A number of outlets that regularly cover the White House, including newswires Reuters and Bloomberg, attended. They are part of what is known as the "pool," a small group of journalists who have access to certain events and share the contents with other media. The Associated Press boycotted the event in protest at the exclusion of certain colleagues. AFP was not included despite being part of the "pool." Its journalist protested, and attended the briefing uninvited. During the off-camera briefing, Spicer said that the White House has shown an "abundance of accessibility... making ourselves, our team and our briefing room more accessible than probably any previous administration." He did not give an explanation for the selection made on Friday. As protests erupted over the incident, a December interview re-emerged in which Spicer told Politico that the Trump White House would never ban a news outlet. "Conservative, liberal or otherwise, I think that's what makes a democracy a democracy versus a dictatorship," he said. Ari Fleischer, a former spokesman for George W. Bush, said he viewed the White House's stance as "unwise and counterproductive," but also argued for the incident to be kept in perspective -- pushing back against the suggestion that it threatened the constitutional First Amendment on press freedom. "Press secretaries need to meet with whole press," he told CNN. "But beyond that, there is nothing unusual about presidents meeting with selected reporters, and White House staffs do it all the time too." Last week, the House Science, Space and Technology committee invited four witnesses from NASAs past to discuss the agencys future endeavors, including a human mission to Mars, a possible return to the moon, and the commercial space sector. NASA consistently polls as Americans favorite federal agency, and its popularity cuts across party lines. The hearing could have been a brief respite from the bickering that has seized Washington of late. And it almost was. Near the end, Ellen Stofan, NASAs chief science officer under President Barack Obama, gave Mars enthusiasts some reason for hope. Americans can expect a lunar habitat by the 2020s and humans in Mars orbit in 2032, she said. Thats the clearest timeline on NASAs Journey to Mars in some time. Many space enthusiasts were, well, enthused. But then last Friday, Stofan shared this picture: Ummm something is missing.... https://t.co/vb7jWdZ3HY Ellen Stofan (@EllenStofan) February 17, 2017 Where was she? Missing from more than the photo, it turned out. The House committees Twitter accountthe same one that has shared false climate-change information from Breitbart Newsdidnt mention her at all in its tweets covering the hearing. Recommended: I Was a Muslim in the Trump White Houseand I Lasted Eight Days The account posted 10 tweets total about the hearing, including a link to a video feed of the testimony. It shared sound bites from each of the panels other three witnesses: Harrison Schmitt, an Apollo 17 astronaut and former U.S. senator from New Mexico; Lt. Gen. Thomas Stafford, an astronaut on Apollo 10 and two Gemini missions; and A. Thomas Young, who was the mission director for the Viking Mars program and a former director of Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Story continues There must be a permanent public and political commitment to deep-space exploration and development, the account quoted Schmitt saying. "There must be a permanent public & political commitment to deep space exploration & development"- Hon. Harrison Schmitt Sci,Space,&Tech Cmte (@HouseScience) February 16, 2017 It also quoted Representative Lamar Smith of Texas, the committees chair, and Representative Brian Babin of Texas, whose district includes NASAs Johnson Space Center, talking about American leadership in space. If youd read that feed for coverage of the two-and-a-half-hour hearing, youd be forgiven for thinking Stofan didnt show up at all. But she testified at length. She gave detailed answers to numerous questions about the space agencys Earth science mission, about NASAs Mars trajectory, about human space exploration, and plenty of other topics, many of intense public interest. It was curious that she didnt appear at all in the committees Twitter feed. Recommended: An Actual False-Flag Operation I called the committees offices to ask about this omission. The person who answered the phone Friday paused and said, thats a good question, before referring me to the communications staff. At the time of publication, I had not heard back. Stofan was nonplussed, both on Twitter and on the phone from her vacation home in North Carolina last weekend. I understand that its probably mostly because they are the Republican witnesses. I was invited by the minority party, the Democrats. But the optics of being the only woman, she trailed off, with a rueful laugh. You know, I understand, thats the way the system works. I hope were turning away from that system. Stofan was referring to the systemic mistreatment of women in science, as supported by a wealth of scientific papers in academic journals, which speak to the persistence of sexism, ossified gender roles, the prevalence and endurance of bias, and the underrepresentation of women (especially women of color). This body of research demonstrates the detrimental effect of these biases on Ph.D.s, salaries and careers and the importance of representatives and role models. For these reasons and others, Stofans omission prompted an outcry. Dont ask questions about encouraging young people to get into STEM and then make it look like it's only for old white guys, one woman wrote to Stofan. As a woman seeking a STEM career, for that matter a human who cares about science ... this bewilders me, said another. Recommended: An Epidemic of Unnecessary Treatment In this context, its worth noting the last tweet posted prior to the committee hearing. It highlighted the INSPIRE Act, a one-page bill that authorizes the NASA administrator to facilitate and support early-career female astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators to engage with K12 female STEM students and inspire the next generation of women. This is an admirable goal, and worthy of the committees support. Of course, its possible that Stofans omission was unintentional, and an honest mistake. In our conversation, Stofan took great pains to praise the committee staff, saying they were all pleasant and welcoming, and she stressed that the questions from members of Congress were friendly and curious. But its also worth noting that Stofan was the only witness who has worked at NASA recently. After leaving Goddard many years ago, Young spent two decades as the CEO of Martin Marietta and later Lockheed Martin. After losing his reelection in the Senate, Schmitt worked as a consultant and led an effort to encourage private companies to mine the moon. In 2008, he abruptly quit the Planetary Society because of disagreements over its Mars advocacy and its statements about a scientific consensus on climate change, which he said was ridiculous. As for Stafford, he worked for President Ronald Reagan as a defense advisor and later chaired a committee to carry out President George H.W. Bushs ambitious but short-lived Mars plan, before chairing the International Space Station Advisory Committee. Stofan, on the other hand, served as chief scientist from 2013 until the inauguration. Previously, she spent 13 years as a planetary-geology professor and worked in the private sector as a research scientist. Before that, she spent a decade at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Stofan is the only witness to have worked at NASA since the 1980s. It was a little frustrating to me that they were people who hadnt been involved in the agency in a long time, and in some cases werent entirely up to date on whats going on, Stofan said. When youre talking about the future of NASA, youd want to hear someone who was more recently involved. In discussing her disappointment, Stofan quoted Sally Ride, the first American woman in space and a personal hero to many children of the space age, who said shortly before she died in 2012, You cant be what you cant see. If we turn a blind eye, or dont show that women are there, what are we telling people about how women are valued? Stofan told me. What are we telling girls about their ability to go into different careers? The message it sends to women is not a great one. Read more from The Atlantic: This article was originally published on The Atlantic. By Brendan O'Brien MILWAUKEE (Reuters) - A Wisconsin man was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison on Friday for cutting off a woman's pinky finger with a machete and trying to close the wound with a blow torch during a ceremony for a fellow fan of a hip hop band, media reported. In August, Jonathan Schrap, 25, and three other people held a "ritualistic memorial" at his home for a fellow fan of hip hop duo Insane Clown Posse who died in 2015, a local ABC affiliate reported, citing a criminal compliant filed by the state. Schrap pleaded no contest earlier this week to a felony charge of second degree reckless injury charge, according to online court records. To honor the deceased fan, Schrap made a deep cut into an unidentified woman's arm and drank her blood from a shot glass. He then amputated her right pinky finger up to the palm of her hand, ABC affiliate WBAY reported. "Jon then placed the finger in his freezer where he said he would cook it and eat it later," the complaint filed by the state said, according to the news station. The woman told police she volunteered to have her arm cut and finger cut off. She was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the incident occurred, the station reported. The group attempted to close the wound, which was bleeding profusely, with a car cigarette lighter and then a blow torch. The woman was eventually taken to hospital, where staff called the police, according to the station. A second man, Preston Hyde known as "Bloody Ruckus" also faces charges stemming from the incident. Members of the Michigan-based Insane Clown Posse paint their faces to look like clowns and are known for their "controversial, rebellious and provocative" music that often uses harsh themes and language. Many of the duo's estimated one million fans, who call themselves Juggalos, also paint their faces to look like clowns and display a logo of a hatchet man on their clothes and jewelry. (Reporting by Brendan O'Brien in Milwaukee; editing by David Clarke) CHONBURI, Thailand (AP) Amy Yang of South Korea had 10 birdies and an eagle in 31 holes on Saturday after round three of LPGA Thailand was suspended due to bad light. With five holes left, 17-under Yang had a four-shot advantage over 2011 US Women's Open champion Ryu So Yeon, whose completed third-round 68 gave her the clubhouse lead of 13-under 203. The tournament was already behind schedule after rain and unplayable course conditions saw the unfinished second round postponed to Saturday at the Siam Country Club Pattaya Old Course. The 2015 champion and 11th-ranked Yang was among five players to start their second round in the morning, including second-ranked Ariya Jutanugarn. Yang shot six birdies and a bogey for a second-round 67 and overall 11-under 133, heading into the third round with a one-shot lead over Jutanugarn (68) and Chinese Shanshan Feng (67). In less than an hour, Yang went back for the third round and had two birdies and an eagle on the seventh for 15 under after eight holes. Play was stopped again due to lightning for more than an hour and Yang sank more birdies on Nos. 10 and 11 on resumption before bad light forced suspension. Jutanugarn is 10 under overall with five holes to complete. Feng is also 10 under with four holes left from the third round. Play resumes at 7 a.m. local time on Sunday. By Philimon Bulawayo MATOBO, Zimbabwe (Reuters) - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe said on Saturday he would not impose his successor and that if the ruling ZANU-PF party felt he should retire, it would hold an extraordinary congress to choose a new leader. The world's oldest leader, who turned 93 this week, has maintained a tight grip on power in Zimbabwe since independence from Britain in 1980. He is due to stand for re-election next year and says ZANU-PF has no viable alternative candidates. Mugabe was joined by thousands of supporters to celebrate his birthday at a school in Matobo just outside the second biggest city Bulawayo, and a short distance from the grave of colonialist Cecil John Rhodes. Rhodes was an imperialist, businessman and politician who played a dominant role in Southern Africa in the late 19th century, driving the annexation of vast swathes of land. "Others are saying 'President, choose a successor before you retire'. Is that not imposition? Me imposing someone on the party? No, I don't want that," Mugabe said. "This is an issue for the congress to choose. We can have an extraordinary congress if the president retires but you said I should be your candidate in the next election." Matobo is one of the areas that suffered heavy casualties during the 1980s crackdown by an elite North Korean-trained brigade against rebels loyal to Joshua Nkomo, Mugabe's then rival. Rights groups say 20,000 civilians died during the so-called Gukurahundi offensive. Critics say Mugabe's policies, like the seizure of white-owned farms for blacks and his black economic empowerment drive have ruined the once promising country. Mugabe, a pariah in the West, said he agreed with U.S. President Donald Trump's "America for Americans" approach and criticized Zimbabweans seeking jobs in America. Mugabe attributed his long life to what he said was God's mission to "fulfill the needs and demands" of Zimbabweans. "I thank the Lord and say I accept the mission my Lord," said Mugabe, who wore a black cowboy hat with national colors and a print shirt designed by his wife Grace. Mugabe said he only had one sister left and missed his siblings, adding that "when I look back I say aah, oh Lord, why were these taken before me and why have I remained so long, alone and alive. I cannot answer that." A local bakery donated a 96 kg cake designed in the shape of the Zimbabwean map, while party officials jostled to give Mugabe gifts ranging from sculptures to cattle. (Writing by MacDonald Dzirutwe; Editing by Ros Russell) Credit: JOHN STILLWELL/AFP/Getty Images Naomie Harris is nominated for a best supporting actress Oscar for her role in Moonlight, but we have a feeling her most recent honor takes the cake: Harris is now an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE). The English star stood before Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday, as Her Majesty awarded the actress an OBE for services to drama--a prestigious honor in the United Kingdom that has previously gone to the likes of Kate Winslet and Eddie Redmayne--in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. The actress looked gorgeous in a red and black patterned short-sleeve dress, complete with a pearl necklace, and black kitten-heeled pumps. Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire/PA Images The queen stuck with her classic monochromatic style and donned a minty sleeved dress and black heels as she presented Harris with a medal. VIDEO: The Best Oscars Fashion of All Time 5334392326001 Harris previously spoke of the honor in an interview with the BBC. "As a black actress from the background I came from... I think it's incredibly important," she said. "I'm absolutely thrilled to have my work recognized in this way." RELATED: Naomie Harris's Red Carpet Style Catch Harris on the Oscars red carpet this Sunday: Watch the pre-show from 7 p.m. ET and the ceremony from 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. (Photo: Getty Images) Jet-setting doesnt stop for Amal Clooney in pregnancy! The international human-rights attorney, 39, was on hand Friday in Paris to support her husband George Clooney at the 42nd Cesar Awards, where the actor was presented with a career award as the most charismatic actor of his generation. The annual ceremony is held to honor top achievements in Frances film industry, comparable to the Oscars in the United States. Amals growing baby bump was visible under a white strapless fitted sheath dress featuring a flirty, ombre feathered bottom. She accessorized with a white shrug, a matching clutch, dangling earrings and a bold red lip, letting her hair fall in soft curls down her back. The man of the hour, 55, looked dashing in a traditional black tux. The worldly spouses (Amal speaks fluent French) are gearing up to be first-time parents to twins later this year. Want all the latest pregnancy and birth announcements, plus celebrity mom blogs? Click here to get those and more in the PEOPLE Babies newsletter. This is the second time the mama-to-be has been spotted out and about since her pregnancy news went public. On Tuesday, Amal was seen in London, wearing an ankle-length red overcoat, minidress, black tights and motorcycle boots, the winter-friendly ensemble hiding any hint of a baby belly. And while the couple is down for quick jaunts to close-by places like Paris, they wont be visiting any dangerous countries anytime soon. We decided to be much more responsible, to avoid the danger, George told French outlet Paris Match recently. I wont go to South Sudan any more or the Congo, Amal will no longer go to Iraq and shell avoid places where she knows she isnt welcome. RELATED VIDEO: See Amal Clooneys Growing Baby Bump Around the World and Her Incredible Maternity Style But that doesnt mean Amal wont have a chance to show off her flawless maternity looks elsewhere. We have the chance to live between three countries: Italy, America and England, added the actor, who owns homes in all three places and recently had his mansion in the English countryside renovated to make way for his twins. But as soon as the children go to school, itll be necessary to choose where to settle. In the meantime, we will continue to move according to our respective schedules. Credit: Courtesy of UNICEF With his latest humanitarian trip as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, Orlando Bloom has provided yet another reason to name him your ultimate celebrity crush. The British actor traveled to the Diffa Region in southeast Niger to shine a spotlight on children and families in an area where Boko Haram violence has threatened countless people's access to education, a safe home, and healthcare. Credit: Courtesy of UNICEF The dad of one spoke to UNICEF about how being a father made it even harder to witness the atrocities in West Africa's Lake Chad Basin area, now host to one of the fastest growing refugee and displacement movements in the continent, according to the U.N. Bloom, who visited with displaced children during his trip, said, "As a father, it is hard for me to imagine how many of these children are caught up in this conflict. During my trip I have heard dreadful stories about children fleeing on foot, leaving everything behind, including the safety of their homes and classrooms." Credit: Courtesy of UNICEF Credit: Courtesy of UNICEF "This visit has been extremely moving," he continued. "Every single child I met is affected by this conflict and in desperate need of basic services such as clean water, psychological care, and education to help them recover from the atrocities they have suffered and witnessed. They deserve a childhood." Credit: orlandobloom/Instagram The Pirates of the Caribbean star, who has been on numerous missions with the organization since 2007, took to social media to share videos and photos from his visit. "The real challenges these communities face are far graver ... witnessing yet again the amazing work UNICEF does in the field to save lives," he wrote in one caption. RELATED: 6 Times We Wanted to Be Orlando Bloom and Katy Perry's Third Wheel Head to UNICEF's website for more images and details from Bloom's humanitarian mission. By Alexandria Sage SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - Alphabet Inc's Waymo self-driving car unit sued Uber Technologies [UBER.UL] and its autonomous trucking subsidiary Otto on Thursday over allegations of theft of its confidential and proprietary sensor technology. Waymo accused Uber and Otto, acquired by the ride services company in August, with stealing confidential information on Waymo's Lidar sensor technology to help speed its own efforts in autonomous technology. "Uber's LiDAR technology is actually Waymo's LiDAR technology," said Waymo's complaint in the Northern District of California. Uber said it took "the allegations made against Otto and Uber employees seriously and we will review this matter carefully." Lidar, which uses light pulses reflected off objects to gauge their position on or near the road, is a crucial component of autonomous driving systems. Previous systems have been prohibitively expensive and Waymo sought to design one over 90 percent cheaper, making its Lidar technology among the company's "most valuable assets," Waymo said. Waymo is seeking an unspecified amount of damages and a court order preventing Uber from using its proprietary information. Otto launched with much fanfare in May, due in part to the high profile of one of its co-founders, Anthony Levandowski, who had been an executive on Google's self-driving project. Uber acquired the company in August for what Waymo said in the lawsuit was $680 million. Waymo said that before Levandowski's resignation in January 2016 from Google, whose self-driving unit was renamed Waymo in December, he downloaded over 14,000 confidential files, including Lidar circuit board designs, thereby allowing Uber and Otto to fast-track its self-driving technology. Waymo accused Levandowski of attempting to "erase any forensic fingerprints" via a reformat of his laptop. "While Waymo developed its custom LiDAR systems with sustained effort over many years, defendants leveraged stolen information to shortcut the process and purportedly build a comparable LiDAR system in only nine months," the complaint said. Story continues Last month, Tesla Inc electric car company sued the former head of its Autopilot system. It said he tried to recruit Tesla engineers for his new venture with the former head of Google's self-driving programme while still working there, and said he stole proprietary data belonging to Tesla. Waymo's lawsuit said it learned of this use of trade secrets and patent infringement after it was inadvertently copied on an email from a component vendor that included a design of Uber's Lidar circuit board, which bore a "striking resemblance" to Waymo's design. Waymo noted that Google devoted over seven years to self-driving cars and said Uber's forays into the technology through a partnership with Carnegie Mellon University had stalled by early 2016. (Reporting by Alexandria Sage; editing by Grant McCool) TCL Communcation's CEO Nicolas Zibell presents the new BlackBerry KEYone phone at the Mobile World Congress centre in Barcelona on February 25, 2017, before the start of the world's biggest mobile fair (AFP Photo/JOSEP LAGO) (AFP) Barcelona (AFP) - Chinese electronics company TCL unveiled Saturday its first BlackBerry-licensed smartphone which brings back the device's signature physical keyboard as it seeks to revive the once mighty brand. The KEYone phone has a larger screen than previous BlackBerry devices and a fast charging battery as TCL sets its sights on businesses and tries to rekindle BlackBerry's strong reputation for productivity and security. TCL reached the brand-licensing deal in December after the Canadian company announced that it would halt in-house production of smartphones, marking the end of an era for the once-dominant tech firm. Under the agreement, BlackBerry will remain in control of software and security on smartphones, while TCL will handle creating handsets powered by Google Android software. Officials from both firms unvailed the KEYone in Barcelona in northeastern Spain ahead of the start on Monday of the four-day Mobile World Congress, the world's largest annual phone expo. BlackBerry worked closely with TCL to build security into the new device, said Alex Thurber, the general manager of BlackBerry's mobility solutions unit. "At BlackBerry we live and breathe security. Security has been engineered into the entire manufacturing process, throughout the hardware and of course the software," he said. BlackBerry's physical keyboard was one of the drivers of the popularity of its earlier phones but it was dropped once touch screens became popular. The company in 2014 launched a "Classic" smartphone that brought back the keyboard but the device was discontinued in July. In the new Blackberry phone the keyboard can be used for more than just typing. The spacebar on the keyboard also doubles as a fingerprint sensor while individual letter keys can be programmed as shortcuts to open speficic apps. The KEYone will go on sale around the globe in April at a cost of 599 euros ($549). "The new BlackBerry portfolio has a chance of success, because few companies now offer BlackBerry-style design and features, and the productivity-focused smartphone segment is underserved," said Ian Fogg, head of mobile at research firm IHS. Story continues "Even if BlackBerry's smartphone share remains so low it is hard to quantify, the vast scale of the smartphone market -- over 1.5 billion units will ship in 2017 -- means even a tiny share would represent significant unit volumes and revenues," he added. TCL said it would be coming out with new BlackBerry products later this year. "What we are unveiling today is just the beginning of a new story," said TCL chief executive Nicolas Zibell. BlackBerry once dominated the smartphone market but its luster faded after the introduction in 2007 of the Apple iPhone and the large number of low-cost Android devices that followed. A composite image shows enhanced-color views of Pluto (lower right) and Charon (upper left). Credit: NASA / JHUAPL / SwRI Its taken a year and a half, but the International Astronomical Union and the science team behind NASAs New Horizons mission have finally struck a deal for naming the features on Pluto and its moons. The agreement, announced today, will open the way for the already well-known informal names for places on Pluto, such as Tombaugh Regio and Sputnik Planum, to become formal. It also allows for features on Charon, Plutos biggest moon, to be officially associated with fictional characters and locales including Mordor from Lord of the Rings, Mr. Spock from Star Trek and Princess Leia from Star Wars. The scheme is mostly based on names that were suggested even before New Horizons flew past Pluto on July 14, 2015, as part of the SETI Institutes Our Pluto campaign. The IAU and the New Horizons team agreed on a few tweaks to the categories for Pluto and Charon. For example, the revised scheme allows for naming places on Pluto after pioneering space missions and spacecraft, and naming features on Charon after authors and artists associated with space exploration. Back in 2015, the IAU wasnt willing to go along with those themes, because they were similar to themes used for Mercury, Venus and Mars. The revised scheme means that Sputnik Planum the informal name for the bright left half of Plutos heart and Kubrick Mons on Charon are more likely to be OKd. Now the New Horizons team will go ahead and submit its dozens of informal names for the IAUs approval, in accordance with the international bodys longstanding procedures. Annotatd Pluto map Some of the scientists on the New Horizons mission, including principal investigator Alan Stern, havent always gotten along with the IAU, which engineered the reclassification of Pluto as a dwarf planet in 2006. But today, both sides had good things to say about each other. Story continues Im very happy with both the process and partnership that New Horizons and the IAU undertook that led to wonderful, inspiring and engaging naming themes for surface features on Pluto and its moons, Stern said in todays announcement. The IAUs Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature will work with Stern and his colleagues to sign off on the formal names. I am very pleased that the close collaboration of the WGPSN with the New Horizons Team led to these beautiful, inspirational categories for naming the features on Pluto and its satellites, said Rita Schulz, whos in charge of the working group. We are ready now for receiving the proposals for names. Good things take time, but it will be worth it. Here are the naming themes that have been approved for Pluto and its moons: Pluto Gods, goddesses and other beings associated with the underworld from mythology, folklore and literature Names for the underworld and for underworld locales from mythology, folklore and literature Heroes and other explorers of the underworld Scientists and engineers associated with Pluto and the Kuiper Belt Pioneering space missions and spacecraft Historic pioneers who crossed new horizons in the exploration of the Earth, sea and sky Charon Destinations and milestones of fictional space and other exploration Fictional and mythological vessels of space and other exploration Fictional and mythological voyagers, travelers and explorers Authors and artists associated with space exploration, especially Pluto and the Kuiper Belt Themes for Plutos smaller moons are: Styx : River gods Nix : Deities of the night Kerberos : Dogs from literature, mythology and history Hydra: Legendary serpents and dragons The agreement means that some of the thousands of names that were suggested and voted on during the Our Pluto campaign could soon start appearing on official planetary maps. Imagine the thrill of seeing your name suggestion on a future map of Pluto and its moons, said Jim Green, director of NASAs Planetary Science Division. Months after the Pluto flyby, the New Horizons mission continues to engage and inspire. New Horizons is now on its way to an encounter in 2019 with yet another icy object in the Kuiper Belt, currently known as 2014 MU69. Someday, that mini-world and its features will have to be given official names as well. Any suggestions? More from GeekWire: TUCSON The next generation of space telescopes will launch next year, and two Arizona scientists helped create critical instruments attached to the telescope that they hope will detect the beginnings of the universe. The James Webb Space Telescope will launch from French Guinea, the culmination of a joint venture between NASA, the European Space Agency, the Canadian Space Agency, various private space exploration companies and University of Arizona scientists. The telescope is ambitious in its design, its goals and its launch. It will go farther into space and capture more information than any other space telescope so far. Workers will have to fold it up to fit in the rocket because its 18 beryllium-gold mirrors are larger than its rocket. Marcia Rieke, one of the key scientists, describes the goals of the launch: (We want to find) the first universes to form after the Big Bang, and if we should be so lucky, to prove an exoplanet is Earth-like. Essentially, they want to see whether theres the potential for life on other planets. Marcia Rieke and her husband, George Rieke, are regents professors of astronomy at the University of Arizona, and they have spent the past decade of their lives on this project. The two have led separate teams that built cameras on the Webb. Marcia Rieke was the first of the two to submit a bid for a contract. George Rieke laughed when he described how he wrote his proposal back in 2002: I figured, well, they certainly wont pick both of us, but maybe as insurance, Ill just turn this thing in. It turns out NASA did want both projects, but they had a caveat for him: If funding dried up, they would have to drop his instrument. George Rieke said that just made him and his partner, Gillian Wright, work harder. My theory, is that because we were under such threat, we bonded as a team, he said. And it really helped bring us together. Not that I recommend this kind of stress. Thats why we take a lot of pride in being the first instrument delivered. George has built infrared telescopes since 1976, but the Earths ambient heat hindered his work. With the Webb launching into an orbit farther than other infrared space telescopes, it will nearly eliminate that interference, he said. The University of Arizona is one of the leading universities in space contracts with NASA, having created four research instruments for the space agency. Theres no other university thats been responsible for more than one, George Rieke said. We became the world center for infrared astronomy, before it really had gotten started. Originally called The Next Generation Space Telescope, the Webb has been likened to the Hubble, the worlds most recognizable space telescope. However, experts said there are key differences. The Hubble and the Webb are engineered to perceive different ends of the light spectrum: The Hubble sees purple light, and the Webb will see red light. The Hubble also resides in low-Earth orbit, which means scientists periodically lose contact with it as it moves around the Earth. The Webb is set to orbit the sun instead, so it remains in constant contact. Scientists believe that light from the far reaches of the universe eventually stretch out and move into the infrared end of the spectrum that red-light area because of the constant expansion of the universe. That means the Webb will see farther out into space. Marcia Riekes instrument, the Near-Infrared Camera, will be able to take pictures the Hubble never could. A good analogy is: Say that you dont feel good, (and) you go to the doctor. Is the doctor only going to take your temperature? No. He may do some other things. Hell take your temperature. Hell measure your pulse. He might take a sample of blood. He might take an X-ray, Rieke said. To diagnose someone, whats going on somewhere, you need a whole range of information. The Webb will provide that extra information. George Riekes instrument, the Mid-Infrared Instrument, reaches a range past his wifes camera. This opens up the possibility for MIRI to capture even more, such as stars being born in gaseous clouds of dust and hydrogen. MIRI can detect the building blocks of life through spectral imaging. All of the organic materials that go into making life, the very first steps, have spectral characteristics in the MIRI waveband, George Rieke said. We wont be able to see DNA or anything like that. Well see methane, the basic starting points for building up life. The Riekes said the Webb also utilizes a unique cooling system that will allow the telescope to reach a similar temperature as open space. Thats important because these cameras will pick up ambient heat from Earth, the sun and itself and that clouds the readings. You need to be sure that its seeing (infrared) light from dim, distant objects, not from itself, Marcia Rieke said. The University of Arizona is looking to learn about the universe, she said. It provides a wonderful basis for people to further their own research programs but the fact that some of us here worked on the instruments, we know how best to use them. And of course, my team here is getting funding to pay salaries from now til 2022. The project not only boosts the university, it also helps the aerospace industry, they said. Several other companies provided parts for this project, ranging from lenses, chips, bearings and exotic metals such as beryllium. The number of companies that we have bought stuff from is large. Ten big companies, and at least a hundred little ones, she said. Her team used companies from across the country, including Arizona companies and the University of Arizona machinist shop. Currently, both Marcia and George Riekes instruments are attached to the Webb telescope at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. Theyre going through vibration testing to simulate rocket launches. Later, it will be delivered to the Johnsons Space Center in Houston, Texas, for further testing. The telescope is set to launch in October 2018. Five lhasa apsos found horribly matted and malnourished earlier this week are showing signs of recovery. Dogs rescued Feb 19 All five face long term health issues Authorities believe convicted felon responsible for dogs' condition The five dogs were first rescued on Feb. 19. Suncoast Animal League staff and volunteers worked for hours this week just to get the dogs comfortable and able to rest. On Friday, Suncoast Animal League executive director Rick Chaboudy told us the dogs are walking better now and have very healthy appetites. However, examinations by the veterinarian uncovered some troubling health issues. We were told that they're going to lose all of their teeth," said Chaboudy. "When they're ready for some surgery, those will be extracted. But when we found out they're pretty much totally blind -- all of them -- that was disappointing. Officials are still working to find out who is responsible for let these dogs suffer in such a deplorable condition. So far, they believe it was a St. Petersburg man who is a convicted felon. Despite the sobering news, Chaboudy said the outpouring of support for these dogs has been tremendous. League officials plan to put the dogs up for adoption as soon as theyre healthier. We're getting calls all the time from (people who want to adopt them)," said Chaboudy. "They found out. They don't care. They want to move forward and help these guys. Six Winn Dixie stores have received a big honor for their positive work with people with disabilities. Winn Dixie stores honored for positive work with the disabled Winn Dixie works with non-profit Placement Works Organization helps people with disabilities find jobs St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman recognized the stores Friday for making a difference in the lives of people with disabilities. "We talk in St. Pete a lot about being a city of opportunity where the sun shines on all and that means everyone whether they have a disability or not," said Mayor Kriseman. The six stores work with a non-profit called Placement Works. The organization believes there's a job for everyone. Christy Brown, the Placement Works founder said, "Everyone deserves an opportunity to work and our folks are extremely competent, their attitudes are incredible and its' inclusion. It's giving people an opportunity to come out to the workforce and show what they can really do." Employees from St. Pete, Kenneth City, and Pasadena were recognized. GET OUR APP Our Spectrum News app is the most convenient way to get the stories that matter to you. Download it here. TWIN FALLS Amalgamated Sugar is the latest victim of a cyber phishing scam that has affected other Idaho organizations and businesses. A data breach happened Wednesday, resulting in unauthorized disclosure of employees personal information, the company announced Friday. A scammer impersonated the companys chief executive officer and send an email to a corporate employee requesting information, the company said in a statement. We deeply regret this incident and want to extend our apologies and express our concern to everyone affected by this incident, Amalgamateds President and CEO John McCreedy said in a statement. We take the security of our employees personal information very seriously and we are examining our existing protocols and putting controls in place to prevent this from happening again. We also want other businesses to be aware of the urgent need to heighten cyber-attack prevention measures. Amalgamated learned about the breach within hours after it happened. Amalgamated has notified employees by email and through workplace meetings. Letters are also being sent to affected employees. The company will provide free credit monitoring and identity theft protection services through Lifelock to employees. Attorney General Lawrence Wasden warned Idahoans earlier this month of a particularly dangerous phishing scam that could compromise sensitive employee data. The IRS notified Wasdens office. According to the IRS, cybercriminals use various spoofing techniques to make an email look like its from an organization executive. The email is sent to someone in the payroll or human resources department and requests a list of all employees and their W-2 forms. Earlier this month, the College of Southern Idaho also reported a significant phishing scam after an employee inadvertently released W-2 tax information. SHOSHONE Manure water appears to be flowing from faucets in homes northwest of town, and investigators are probing whether a nearby dairy is to blame. Tap water from 20 homes within the area of concern is being tested for contaminants. Officials are awaiting results. But one agency has received a positive test result for E-coli bacteria and coliform. The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality, Idaho State Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency are investigating reports that 4 Bros. Dairy, owned by brothers Andrew, Jerome, Clement and Louie Fitzgerald, pumped manure mixed with floodwater into the Milner-Gooding Canal. The dairy had a large influx of runoff that flowed into the canal. That runoff was incidental (to the flooding), said Lynn Harmon, manager of the canal system that runs from the Milner Dam to Gooding. But there was material (intentionally) pumped into the canal (by the dairy). Harmon said he ordered the dairy to stop pumping into the canal and then notified the Department of Agriculture and the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office. Sheriff Rene Rodriguez sent deputies to the dairy, then notified county emergency coordinator Payson Reese, DEQ and South Central Public Health Department. Apparently, this wastewater has found its way into the drinking water, Harmon said. Residents say their water is now discolored and has a bad odor. On Wednesday, the health district issued a water-boiling order for homes within a 20-mile diameter northwest of the dairy. Residents were later warned not to drink the water. Some 40 domestic wells fall within the area of concern, which extends into eastern Gooding County, said Lincoln County Commissioner Rebecca Wood. The possible contamination of groundwater by a dairy is a serious matter, said Michael Brown, DEQ drinking water and engineering manager in Twin Falls. Brown was meeting Friday afternoon with officials from the health district, agriculture department, Idaho Dairy Association and Southern Idaho Regional Communications Center, when he stepped out to return a call from the Times-News. Were all here, he said, all but the dairy owners. Andrew Fitzgerald, principal owner of the 10,000-cow dairy, did not immediately return a call from the Times-News. Fire Chief Casey Kelley with the Shoshone City Rural Fire Protection District said he took water samples Wednesday at the districts second fire station in the area of concern. It came out positive for e-coli bacteria and coliform, Kelley said Friday. The water has a definite light green color and a definite smell. Weve never had the smell or color before. The Twin Falls Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution has announced the winners in several contests for local students. Award winners were honored in an awards reception Feb. 11 at the Twin Falls Reformed Church. The DAR Good Citizens scholarship program recognizes high school seniors who exemplify the qualities of dependability, service, leadership and patriotism. Each high school selects its own winner, who then competes in the chapter contest. Students are judged on the basis of a timed essay on a patriotic theme as well as their academic achievements, school activities, community service and letters of recommendation. The chapter winners were: first place, Sarah Flick, Wendell High School; second place, Lindsey Barnhill, Kimberly High School; and third place, Danya Harris, Hansen High School. Other school winners were Kathryn Clark, Twin Falls High School, and Gabriela Hernandez, Glenns Ferry High School. At the awards reception, it was announced that Flicks application had been forwarded to the state-level contest, where she received first place in the state. Her application is now being judged in the six-state Northwest Division. DAR also honored winners in two essay contests. In the American history essay contest, the first-place award for grade 8 was presented to Charlotte Brockman of Gooding Middle School. This years essay topic was Celebrating a Century: Americas National Parks. In the Christopher Columbus essay contest for grades 9-12, the first-place award was presented to Joey Greene, grade 11, Xavier Charter School. The topic was Technologys Impact on the Voyage of Christopher Columbus. In the Junior American Citizens postage stamp design contest, with the theme Our National Parks: 100 Years of Service to America, the first-place award was given to Jordan Williams, grade 11, Lighthouse Christian School. These award programs were supported by a grant from the Rotary Club of Twin Falls. DAR is a national organization promoting patriotism, education and historic preservation. For more information about DAR, email dgreene@northrim.net or call 208-308-1810. BOISE A resolution calling for a states convention to draft a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution is heading to the floor of the state Senate. The Senate State Affairs Committee approved the resolution 5-4 after presentations from sponsor Sen. Marv Hagedorn, R-Meridian, and other supporters, including former U.S. Sen. Larry Craig. More than 20 members of the public all spoke in opposition. Republicans Bart Davis and Chuck Winder joined the panels two Democrats Michelle Stennett and Cherie Buckner-Webb to vote against. Twenty-eight states have already passed similar resolutions, and Hagedorn said Arizona and Wyoming are likely to pass them this year as well. If these two states plus Idaho pass them this year, that means only three more states would be needed to call a convention under Article V of the U.S. Constitution. Hagedorn said the states need to act to rein in federal spending because Congress wont, arguing the almost $20 trillion national debt is a threat to Americas economic stability and national security. They have no interest in reining themselves in, he said. Its obvious. We are addicted to our federal programs. We are living beyond our means. Last year, we borrowed $600 billion to live beyond our means. We cant continue to go down this road. The hearing was held in the Lincoln Auditorium rather than the usual, smaller committee room, and it was filled with opponents of the idea who occasionally clapped when they agreed with someone or objected when Committee Chairman Sen. Jeff Siddoway, R-Terreton, would cut someone off when their three minutes were up. After the final vote, the audience sighed and then began to hiss and shout Shame! prompting Buckner-Webb to ask them to stop. Ladies and gentlemen, please respect the body, she said. Please respect the body and we can work some more. The opponents reasons varied. Some were against the idea of a balanced budget amendment, worried it would force deep cuts in programs many people use. Craig, who supported a balanced budget amendment when he was in Congress and who testified in favor of Hagedorns resolution, said the federal budget would have to be balanced via cuts in entitlement programs like Social Security, at least for future recipients. A balanced budget should not come on the backs of vulnerable Americans (such as) women, students, and working families, said opponent Julie Custer. Others worried about the risk of a runaway convention that would draft amendments on topics other than what they were sent for, especially given how polarized the country is politically. This resolution is a threat to our way of life, said Hawk Stone. Its a bait-and-switch. No matter how attractive the bait and a balanced budget is pretty attractive its a trick. Please dont take the bait. The U.S. Constitution has been amended many times over history, but always via an amendment that was approved by Congress and then ratified by the states. States have never called for a convention before. With no precedent for it, many opponents fear there would be no way to control a convention once it started. Supporters of a convention say there are enough checks to make sure a runaway convention wont happen, or that even if it does Congress or the states can block any bad amendments that result from entering the Constitution. David Guldensuch, a lawyer from Georgia who is a leader in the national push for a convention of states, said Congress could decline to set up a ratification procedure for any rogue amendments. Thirty-three state legislatures are under complete Republican control, 13 completely Democratic and four split. This, he said, would ensure that anything that gets ratified is broadly supported. No rogue amendment could ever get 38 states, he said. Hagedorns measure isnt the only one in the Legislature this year calling to amend the Constitution. Rep. Tom Loertscher, R-Iona, introduced a more expansive resolution Thursday calling for a convention of states to consider constitutional amendments having to do with restraining federal spending or power. Hazel Elverta Plott TWIN FALLS Hazel Elverta Plott of Twin Falls, funeral at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25 at the Twin Falls West Stake Center, 667 Harrison St. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 24 at the church and from 1 until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. Dora Crowser WASHINGTON Dora Crowser of Spokane Valley, Washington, funeral services at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at Thornhill Valley Chapel, 1400 S Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, Washington. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. prior to the service. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 18 at Sunset Memorial Park, Twin Falls. Karen Busch OREGON Karen Busch of Ontario, Oregon, memorial service at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25 at Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Ontario. Joseph Lambert BURLEY Joseph Lambert of Burley, funeral at 1 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at the Burley LDS West Stake Center, 2420 Parke Ave., in Burley. Visitation is from 6-8 p.m. Friday, February 24, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 12 noon until 12:45 p.m. Saturday at the church. Terry Moffett BOISE Terry Moffett of Boise, Celebration of Life at 2 pm, Saturday, February 25, at The Owyhee, 1109 W Main St, Boise, Idaho 83702. Allen Eldredge JEROME Allen Eldredge of Jerome, services at 11 a.m. Saturday, February 25, at Rosenau Funeral Home. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, February 24 at the funeral home. Jennie Charpentier TWIN FALLS Jennie Charpentier of Twin Falls, graveside services at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 25, at the Twin Falls Cemetery. (White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park) Betty Adams DECLO Betty Adams of Declo, viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, February 26, at Hansen Mortuary. Arrangements are under the direction of Joel Heward Hansen Mortuary. Margaret Schmidt TWIN FALLS Margaret Frances Schmidt of Twin Falls, funeral at 2 pm Tuesday, February 28, at First United Methodist Church 360 Shoshone St., Twin Falls; visitation from 6-8 pm Monday, February 27 at White Mortuary, Chapel by the Park, 136 4th Ave E., Twin Falls. Rhea K. Saxton Smith BURLEY Rhea K. Saxton Smith of Burley, funeral at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 4, at the View LDS Church, 490 E. 550 S. of Burley. A viewing will be held from 6 until 8 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. Saturday, preceding the service at the church. Thanks for a successful crab feed The Magic Valley Republican Women would like to express our sincere thanks to all who had a hand in the success of our Crab Feed. Thanks to the members with their family, friends and youth who helped set up, serve and clean up and Tony Avelar and his crew who prepared the food. Thanks to Kurts Pharmacy and Buhl Chamber of Commerce for selling tickets; Action Printing, Buhl Herald and the Times-News for advertising the event; local businesses Dons Thriftway Market, Coke-a-Cola, Kiwi Loco Yogurt and Gem State Paper for food, drink and supplies; Reds Trading Post for providing the gun for the raffle. Thanks also goes to all of our members, associates and friends who helped sell tickets and especially to all who purchased those tickets in support of the fundraiser. The profits of the meal will be going to The Salvation Army of Magic Valley who has been helping our community with many faith-based programs for around a century. Marie Silver, president Magic Valley Republican Women Senior Center says thanks The Minidoka County Senior Center wants to send out a big thank you to PBarS Dairy and Doug Martin. These generous people both donated a cow to be made into meat to be used in the preparation of Meals on Wheels and meals served daily at the center in Rupert. There are no words to tell you how much a donation such as this helps the Senior Center to provide nutritious meals to our seniors. Thanks so much for thinking of a way to help us out. Shirley Hess Rupert Thank you for the grant On behalf of the board of directors, site manager, Bonnie Peter, the kitchen staff and the many community members who visit the Center daily, the Ageless Senior Center extends its gratitude to the Twin Falls Health Initiative Trust for the recent grant award. In the face of funding cuts and rising food costs, it becomes difficult to make the books balance each month. This generous gift will support the continued mission of the Ageless Senior Center of nourishing body and soul in the Kimberly-Hansen Service area. Again, many thanks. Nancy Duncan Board President The Letters of Thanks column will publish letters of up to 200 words from: Organizations thanking contributors or supporters. Individuals thanking public agencies and businesses for extraordinaryservice. Send letters to letters@magicvalley.com. If you would like to purchase a classified ad to express gratitude of a personal rather than public nature, call The Times-News Customer Service department. As'ad's Bio As'ad AbuKhalil, born March 16, 1960. From Tyre, Lebanon, grew up in Beirut. Received his BA and MA from American University of Beirut in pol sc. Came to US in 1983 and received his PhD in comparative government from Georgetown University. Taught at Tufts University, Georgetown University, George Washington University, Colorado College, and Randolph-Macon Woman's College. Served as a Scholar-in-Residence at Middle East Institute in Washington DC. He served as free-lance Middle East consultant for NBC News and ABC News, an experience that only served to increase his disdain for maintream US media. He is now professor of political science at California State University, Stanislaus. His favorite food is fried eggplants. Our advertising solutions help brands engage with deeply immersed audiences wherever they are, and however theyre listening. Its the ROI you want for your marketing investment. THE TRUE COST OF ALL THAT 'CHEAP' LAOR THAT DESTROYED AMERICA THE BIG SECRET DEMOCRATS DO NOT WANT YOU TO KNOW: Heather Mac Donald of the Manhattan Institute has testified before a Congressional committee that in 2004, 95% of all outstanding warrants for murder in Los Angeles were for illegal aliens; in 2000, 23% of all Los Angeles County jail inmates were illegal aliens and that in 1995, 60% of Los Angeless largest street gang, the 18th Street gang, were illegal aliens. AP Photo @JeremySWallace Gov. Rick Scott will be second-in-command of a Republican organization that played a huge financial role in his re-election. On Friday the Republican Governor's Association named Scott its vice chairman, replacing South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who resigned and was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, the chairman of the group, made the announced in a statement to the media. I am honored to serve in this new role for the RGA and help build upon our momentum that led to todays near-century high of 33 Republican governors," Scott said. "The RGA has proved time and again that it is the most effective political organization in the country and I look forward to helping the RGA continue that tradition. The RGA has also proven to be a big supporter of Scott in the past. In 2014, the RGA spent over $18 million to help Scott win his re-election over Democrat Charlie Crist. "Governor Rick Scotts leadership and electoral experience will be a tremendous asset to the RGA as we recruit candidates, fundraise, and continue to build a solid foundation of resources for 38 gubernatorial elections over the next two years," Walker said. FRESNO, Calif. Thalia Arenas of Fresno sometimes is asked, How are you Muslim if youre Mexican? I dont understand. Its a perplexing question to the 28-year-old Fresno woman, but one she answers willingly. Islam is for everybody, she says. Matter of fact, only 20 percent of Muslims in the world are Arab. Most of them are actually from other countries. Arenas is in an unusual position in the wake of recent executive orders by President Donald Trump calling for travel bans from seven predominantly Muslim countries, more deportations, and a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico a country that many of her family members immigrated from. As a woman, as a Muslim, as a Latina in all of these ways I feel like anything he (President Trump) does is going to affect me. She is concerned that Trump eventually may extend his ban to include green card holders from Mexico, which would include some of her immediate family members. Arenas shared these concerns during a MEChA club meeting at Fresno State earlier this month, where she also told the group that the Muslim Hispanic community is growing. She personally knows around 15 Muslim Hispanics and says mosques in cities such as Los Angeles now hold services in Spanish. She wants people to know that followers of Islam are a larger and more diverse group than they are often perceived. She has overheard offensive conversations about Muslims by people who dont realize she is a follower of Islam because she doesnt wear a hijab, a headscarf worn by some Muslim women as a tenet of their faith to dress modestly. She says she doesnt wear a hijab for functional reasons she works at an animal shelter, and doesnt want to get the garment dirty but also because she is afraid. I think people might say something might look at me differently, she said. These concerns were highlighted in an October story in the Bee about a Hijab Challenge at Fresno State sponsored by the Muslim Student Association. Arenas is a spokeswoman for the club. The Hijab Challenge which encouraged students to wear a headscarf for a day to help them better understand how it feels to be a Muslim in America today came under attack by a Clovis veteran who denounced the event in a follow-up story, stating it violated the First Amendment. Theres a lot of Christian groups that come and they use the Free Speech Area (at Fresno State), Arenas counters, and they literally shout at you and promote Christian values. So, I just felt that it was hypocritical or one-sided for them not to see or be open-minded about what the purpose of the event was. Arenas also considers herself a Catholic Muslim. She was raised Catholic and started researching different religions as a young woman. Once I got into college I realized I was my own independent person my mom wasnt going to take me to church anymore. If I wanted to have a relationship with God, I had to look for it, and I did. While searching for her spirituality, she joined three clubs that represented Catholic, Christian and Muslim students. She found similarities between the religions and liked what she learned. She decided to become Catholic and Muslim. She goes to Catholic Church one weekend and a mosque the next. Her belief system reminds one Fresno State assistant professor of how peace activist and political leader Mahatma Gandhi once said he identified as a follower of many religions. He was looking at the shared teachings of all religions rather than dogmatic differences, says Veena Howard, director of Fresno States peace and conflict studies, who teaches Asian traditions and comparative religion. Howard applauds Arenas decision to explore different faiths as a great step in interfaith understanding. She sees many similarities between Christianity and Islam including the belief in one God, and shared prophets and beliefs but points out the doctrine particularly differs in how Muslims pray directly to God, and Christians pray to God through their belief in his son, Jesus Christ. In Howards experience, Arenas identification as both Catholic and Muslim is something rather new and more rare. She has heard of more people mixing faiths such as Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Sikhism. Arenas mother didnt take the news well that her daughter identifies as both Catholic and Muslim, but her husband also Catholic and Mexican has been supportive. The number of couples who are able to work through religious differences appears to be on the rise in the United States. The Pew Research Center in 2015 shared survey data showing that 39 percent of Americans married since 2010 have a spouse with a different faith or who identifies as religiously unaffiliated, compared with 19 percent of those married before 1960. Arenas doesnt feel like she has to pick between Catholicism and Islam. I dont want to compromise my marriage or my relationship with my parents when I already believe in it (Catholicism) and grew up in it, so why would I have to leave it? I feel like its easier to accept both, she says. Arenas says she doesnt follow either religion by the book, citing her decision not to wear a headscarf and her support of friends in same-sex relationships as two examples. These are all ideas that come through the society that I currently live in but that would be something that wouldnt be accepted by Catholicism or Islam, she says. During her presentation at Fresno State, Arenas also addressed a number of misconceptions about Islam, including some peoples view that Islam is a violent religion. She says most Muslims dont agree with terrorism any more than most Christians agree with the views of the Ku Klux Klan. Another misconception: That Allah which means God in Arabic is a different God than the one Christians worship. We dont pray to any new God. Its the same God as the Jewish God or the Christian God its the same being. As we approach Ash Wednesday this week and, after celebrating more Lenten seasons than I care to admit, Im asking myself the great question of the Passover: Why is this Lent different from all others? In many Christian churches, we remember that the fundamental purpose for Lent in the tradition is to prepare for baptism. In Catholic churches, we enter with the elect (those preparing for baptism) an intense period of focus, providing those to be baptized a place and space to reflect on their own conversion, leading to the commitment to faith and community that they will make at Easter. The community makes this journey to baptism with the elect and reflects on its own commitment to faith and mission, and to the elect: Will we truly welcome these persons? Will we support them in their continued growth in faith and mission? Will we maintain our presence to them in good times and in bad? How have we lived out the promises of our own baptisms? The traditional three-fold disciplines, or practices, of Lent, prayer, fasting and almsgiving, grew from this ancient practice of baptismal reflection. I would suggest that the signs of the times lead us to see this Lent, 2017, very differently than the Lents of previous years. It seems that a pre-eminent challenge in these days is one of hospitality: How will we welcome the stranger? How will we practice this welcome? Might we be invited to practice the discipline of almsgiving as welcoming? Openness to sensing our own emotional movements to empathy feeling with the other is the beginning of conversion. Missoulas Soft Landing, which began with one womans movement to activism because of a televised picture of an abandoned child on the beaches of the Mediterranean, is a very important example for all of us. Mary Pooles experience is a great example of a heart open to examining her own feelings and allowing them to lead her to positive action. Consequently, in Missoula we are gifted with the presence of so many who are truly welcoming the immigrant. Participating in and supporting these efforts is, of course, to be desired. But beginning at this world level is not the only way to participate. Practicing the discipline of welcoming might be as simple as greeting a stranger in the grocery store line, of complimenting a server in a restaurant, of thanking a clerk in a clothing store. Choosing to spend some Lenten time in learning of the challenges of immigration through reading or visiting with someone who once was an immigrant, or hearing the story of other congregation members whose ancestors may have immigrated to the U.S., or reading the story of the Holocaust or of the World War II internment of Japanese-Americans and Italian-Americans can all pave the way for better understanding and care for the other. Practicing the discipline of welcoming can only lead to a more open heart, to a greater spirit of welcome and to a more caring society. A bill that would allow a school employee with a concealed weapons permit to carry a concealed firearm at school moved forward in a Montana House committee Friday. The House Judiciary Committee took executive action, voting 10-9 to move forward House Bill 385, dubbed the Montana School Safety Act. All Democrats on the committee voted against the bill, joined by Rep. Lola Sheldon-Galloway, R-Great Falls, who said her constituents urged her to vote against it. The decision is best left up to local school districts, she said, pointing to statute already in place that says trustees can give people "advance permission to possess, carry, or store a weapon in a school building." "It's a local choice and it should be a local choice," she said. "My school is 20 minutes away from any deputy, and I hope they have a plan." It now moves to the full House for consideration. The bill is sponsored by Rep. Seth Berglee, R-Joliet. At a hearing earlier this month, parents and educators argued guns on campus could lead to tragedies. "It's too easy to make a mistake when it comes to guns in schools. ... It only takes one mistake," said John Moffatt, who was shot in 1986 when a student opened fire at Fergus High School in Lewistown, where Moffatt was the vice principal. A substitute teacher was killed. Berglee brought amendments to the bill Friday, which he said would "alleviate some of the concerns" he's heard. One restates the statute that Sheldon-Galloway referenced, allowing a person to carry after petitioning the school board. The amendment didn't alleviate Democrats' concerns. Rep. Virginia Court, D-Billings, asked if a school district would be able to say it did not want guns in schools, should this bill pass. "It's on the individual wishing to carry, so this doesn't allow a school district to opt out as such," Berglee said. Rep. Ellie Hill Smith, D-Missoula, said the bill will likely be vetoed by Democratic Gov. Steve Bullock should it make it to his desk. On Thursday, Bullock vetoed two gun bills one to allow concealed carry on federal property, the other to allow concealed carry without a permit. "What is really offensive to me about this bill (HB 385) is because I have a 12-year-old boy and an 8-year-old boy and a 3-year-old boy," Hill Smith said, beginning to cry. "And this political theater, which is what this bill is, because we know it's not going anywhere, it scared them. "When the teachers are afraid of our legislation, they came in here and said they did not want this bill, our school board said they did not want this bill. It's reckless and it's irresponsible for us as legislators to put political theater out on a stage that had our kids back home afraid." At a Missoula County Public Schools school board meeting Feb. 14, Superintendent Mark Thane spoke against the bill, pointing to the Gun-Free School Zones Act of 1990 and district policy. "I feel very strongly that we should advocate this bill be killed," Thane said. Berglee said he did not understand the notion that a school employee having a firearm in a school would be scarier than a school resource officer. Opponents argue the danger lies in if the firearm would be mishandled, or ended up in a student's hands. "If you want to play it strictly by numbers, it's more dangerous to not have a gun in a school to prevent a mass shooting than to have a concealed," Berglee said. Rep. Barry Usher, R-Billings, said this bill is necessary in Montana, due to the state's rural schools. "The cops can't get there quick enough and people are going to die one day," he said. He argued that a "gun-free zone" sign at a school "says they are killing zones," and that they don't deter gun violence at schools, or other areas. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The city showed off a new option Friday that allows people who park downtown, for an additional fee, to pay for it directly from their smartphone. Tiffany Brander, administration services manager with the Missoula Parking Commission, said the city sees the Passport Parking app as an added convenience. People can avoid waiting in lines at parking kiosks, and they can add time from their phones while they're shopping or at work so they don't have to run out to change it when time expires. Weve heard from Missoula downtown parkers that they want more options, she said. Conor Buckley, client success manager at Passport, said users can download the Passport Parking app on their iPhone or Android phone, then make an account that is tied to a phone number, email address or Facebook profile. They can then store their license plate number and credit card information in the app so they wont need to enter it again every time they park. Buckley said all personal information is anonymous by Passport and stored in separate databases. Parking Commission Director Rod Austin said three companies were interviewed as potential choices for the app, and Passports information security was one of the primary reasons why the city chose it in the end. Missoula is the second Montana city, after Great Falls, that the North Carolina-based Passport is working with. The company also has contracts with the cities of Chicago, Toronto, Boston and Vancouver, Buckley said. He said adding the phone app capability in Missoula was paid for by Passport, but each transaction using the system will add an additional 25-cent fee. After buying time in the app, users can ask for text alerts and buy additional time from their phone if their paid time is about the expire. Unlike the meters, the app also allows people to buy time in half-hour increments, Brander said. She said the city is estimating the downtown parking meters will generate roughly $800,000 in revenue during its 2017 fiscal year, which runs through the end of June. For the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which included six months of the new meters being active and a rate increase being put in place, meter revenue was $668,158. In the fiscal year that ran from the middle of 2014 to June 2015, meters generated $485,718. Brander said those figures do not include other revenue like parking tickets. The Missoula Police Department has learned the identities of the suspects involved in a reported downtown assault on a gay couple earlier this month. Sgt. Travis Welsh said he does not believe either man has been arrested, and that charges have not yet been filed. A couple told police they were leaving the Rhino just before midnight on Feb. 11 when two other men passed them on the sidewalk and yelled a homophobic slur. One of the men told the Missoulian that when he turned around he was punched in the face and hit repeatedly. He managed to get back inside the bar to call for help, and said that when he came back, the two were attacking his partner. Welsh said he believed the case will be handled through city court, meaning the whatever charges may be filed would be misdemeanors. Montanas hate crime law is written as a penalty enhancement that can be applied at sentencing, but likely could not be used in this case because the law does not cover sexual orientation as a protected class. Rachel Carroll Rivas, co-director of the Montana Human Rights Network, said while federal hate crime laws cover gay people, its unlikely they would be applied to many of the cases that arise in Montana. Mostly these things come under the purview of the state and local law enforcement and there is a gap, she said. After receiving an abnormally high number of reports of hate crimes in the weeks leading up to Novembers election, Rivas said her organization launched an online tool that people can use to notify the Montana Human Rights Network of situations that happened to them or that they witnessed. These could include everything from hate speech and bigoted statements or graffiti with messages about a particular group, to criminal activity. Since the election, Rivas said 36 reports have been filed. Typically, we get 12 a year, she said. The Missoula Police Department has joined the investigation of a fire that torched a mobile home on Wednesday morning. Sgt. Travis Welsh, public information officer, said detectives are looking at the fire as a potential arson. The Missoula Fire Department responded to the 1700 block of Cooley Street in the Hollywood Trailer Park around 8 a.m. on Wednesday to find smoke and flames coming from inside the trailer. The home was destroyed in the fire but no injuries were reported. Police investigators are typically called in to help when fire investigators suspect a blaze was the result of a crime. Welsh declined to discuss details of the mobile home fire, citing the ongoing investigation. Hellgate High students could easily answer "what is the role of media?" But "what is journalism?" was a little tougher to define. Joe Eaton, University of Montana assistant professor of journalism, spoke to Hellgate students on Friday morning as part of the Flagship Program's Diversity Week at Missoula high schools. His talk, "Ethics in Journalism," tackled critical thinking, media literacy and the growing controversy around "fake news." Eaton is an investigative reporter who covered health care, particularly the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act, in Washington, D.C. He's been teaching at UM for four years. The media's role, fundamentally, is to inform the public, the students said. It's necessary in order for the public to understand everything from the everyday happenings in Missoula to making an informed decision in electing the president, they said. But what is journalism, and who qualifies as a journalist? Whereas a doctor would need a medical license, there's no certificate for a journalist. And the definition of a journalist depends on whom you ask. Eaton said when he was growing up, it was easier to define. The New York Times? Journalism. The Weekly World News? Not journalism. Today, however, media from Breitbart News to ThinkProgress have muddied the waters. The high-schoolers were confident that the NYT was journalism. What about Breitbart? "It's an ultra right-wing, conservative news outlet that oftentimes doesn't use factual information," said Hellgate senior Branden Campbell. *** Some say the same thing about ThinkProgress, Eaton said, though on the liberal end of the spectrum. Far more Hellgate students believed ThinkProgress was journalism than Breitbart. "Now the environment we're in it's much more difficult to determine what is real and what's fake," Eaton said. Why is fake news a problem? he asked. It misinforms and misleads the public, the students said. Only a few said they read the print version of the Missoulian. Most said they're consumers of news, with different students saying they get their news from the BBC, Al Jazeera, Vox, Democracy Now! and CNN. A Pew Research Center survey last year found that 62 percent of U.S. adults get news from social media, with Facebook dominating. The problem with that, one girl said, is those stories can get "lost in translation" as some people tend to seek out news that tells them what they want to hear. "I grew up in rural Michigan, and my parents and my friends back home are very conservative," Eaton said. "They shared a story that said the Pope was supporting Trump. ... It was fake news." Every person has their own biases, Eaton said, and journalists are no exception. The difference, he said, is understanding your biases and not letting them influence your reporting. "I think journalism changes over time," he said. "A lot of old-school journalists will say you can't work for ThinkProgress or Breitbart. But a lot of my students, they're not interested in old-school journalism. They want to change the world, they say they want to take down Donald Trump." Eaton eyed his students' water bottles. Many were covered with political stickers. That in and of itself could "disqualify" them from being a political journalist, or harm their credibility. It's the same reason Eaton says he cannot protest at immigration rallies (his wife is an immigrant). Journalism ethics are changing, he said. What ThinkProgress reports may be factual, but it's the stories they choose to write about that show their left-leaning slant, he said. "Each generation of journalists sets their own set of ethics," he said. *** Eaton pointed to the Society of Professional Journalists' Code of Ethics, a document that most if not all reporters learned about in college. To some, that code is seen as "old school" when so many newer news organizations today have an obvious slant one way or the other. Eaton describes himself as a moderate Democrat, and said that personally, he believes everyone should have health insurance. "I covered the expansion of Obamacare ... and there were many things that didn't work as intended (in the roll-out)," he said. But his job was not to inject his bias into the story. "My job is not to work as a shill for Obama, or Trump. That's called public relations and it's higher-paying than journalism," he said, laughing. Eaton doesn't believe the notion that we live in a "post-truth society," as some described the presidential campaign and election. In fact, he agreed with one audience member who said the country is not as divided as the news media often portrays it and that they want the truth. He described what happened to Washington Post reporter David Fahrenthold, who last year did "shoe-leather" reporting to find out that Donald Trump had not told the truth about his donations to charities. He called up more than 420 charitable organizations, asking if Trump had donated since 2008. One said yes. The story led to Trump calling Fahrenthold "a nasty guy." "But he didn't say Fahrenthold was wrong," Eaton pointed out. "This is not about Donald Trump. It's about checking people in power." Fahrenthold is coming to UM next month, speaking at 7 p.m. March 13 at the University Center Theater. Campbell said talks like the one Eaton gave are important "given the climate we're in." "It's really important to ask yourself about your own doubts," Campbell said. "Everyone critiques other people's opinions, but they're not willing to critically think about their own." In a recent opinion (Feb. 10), GOP state Sen. Doug Kary berated U.S. Sen. Jon Tester for supporting a conservation rule that prevents coal companies from dumping waste into streams. Perhaps Kary should criticize U.S. Sen. Steve Daines instead, for voting to allow such pollution. More Trump baloney for small businesses, by Rhonda Abrams, recently appeared in USA Today (www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/abrams/2017/02/08/abrams-trumps-regulation-trims-not-big-help-entrepreneurs/97620472). Abrams writes, Trumps executive order to eliminate two existing regulations for every new regulation is a nice gesture, but, in the end, almost meaningless. The big beneficiaries of regulation cuts and lax enforcement? Big corporations, not small businesses. She says Trump invented an alternative fact by declaring its almost impossible to start a small business and virtually impossible to expand existing business because of regulations. Abrams observes: In reality, about 679,000 entrepreneurs started employer businesses between March 2014 and March 2015, and more than 800,000 nonemployer businesses or sole proprietors started between 2013 and 2014. Then she lists constructive ways in which government really could help small businesses. Recently Congress began overturning sound rules that conserve energy, reduce waste and protect public health. Such actions allow oil companies to waste natural gas by flaring, pollute the air with methane and, yes, allow coal companies to dump waste into streams, which Kary and Daines apparently like. Thats not how to help viable small businesses. Remind your congressional delegation that the American people did not vote to weaken common-sense rules that protect public health and the environment. Gene Sentz, Choteau HELENA Montana breweries might soon be allowed to produce millions more pints without having to close their taprooms or use third-party licenses to work around current limits. The Montana House on Saturday gave preliminary approval to House Bill 541 with an 84-16 vote. Currently under state law, breweries have two options. They can produce as much as they want but then are banned from selling pints in taprooms. Or, they can keep production under 10,000 barrels per year and sell up to 48 ounces per customer during limited hours. The measure cosponsored by a Democrat and a Republican of Missoula would raise the barrel limit to 60,000, the cut-off point for a lower federal excise tax rate. To put it in more familiar terms, the current cap is at about 1.4 million pints of beer and the new proposed limit would be about 8.4 million cold ones. This isnt about alcohol. This is about manufacturing freedom. This is about removing barriers that are stifling Montana businesses, Rep. Adam Hertz, a Republican, said just before the vote on his bill. Lets open the tap and let the free market flow. The Montana Brewers Association said their members created 702 direct jobs and 342 indirect jobs in 2015, as well as agricultural purchases of $1.6 million. That resulted in $103 million of economic output. Like other opponents, Rep. Barry Usher, R-Billings, called the proposal a shotgun bill that took aim at a long existing alliance between The Montana Brewers Association, The Montana Tavern Association and The Montana Beer and Wine Distributors Association. In 1999, the three trade groups agreed to a compromise that set the barrel limit and created taproom rules. But with at least five breweries pushing the current limit or finding ways around it with third-party licensing as Missoulas KettleHouse does negotiations to create an industry-wide compromise grew tense over the last two years. In the end, the Montana Brewers Association decided to advance its own proposal. The Montana Tavern Association has opposed HB 541 because they say it gives breweries special treatment rather than requiring everyone to play by the same rules. Under current law, taverns arent allowed to open brewpubs unless they use a complicated third-party system to purchase a separate brewers license. Breweries arent allowed to be open past 8 p.m., cannot serve more than 48 ounces, and cannot own a beer and wine license unless they find a third-party workaround. CNN's Jake Tapper said there's one word to describe the White House's decision to block several news organizations from a press briefing: "un-American." CNN, The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Politico and Buzzfeed were blocked from an off-camera press briefing Friday held by White House press secretary Sean Spicer just hours after President Donald Trump again said much of the press represents "the enemy of the people," this time during a speech at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington. On Thursday, CNN reported that the FBI refused a request from the White House to knock down recent reports that President Donald Trump's campaign had been in contact with Russians known to US intelligence. "The Trump White House thinks it can punish reporters for sharing with you facts that they do not like," Tapper said. "Make no mistake about what's happening here," Tapper continued. "A White House that has had some difficulty telling the truth and has seemed to have trouble getting up to speed on the competent functioning of government and a President who seems particularly averse to any criticism and has called the press the 'enemies of the American people,' they're taking the next step in avoiding checks and balances and accountability." It is "indicative of a lack of basic understanding of how an adult White House functions," he added. Tapper noted that in December, Spicer said the White House would not ban media organizations as the Trump campaign had done. CNN anchor Brooke Baldwin also responded on air Friday after learning the White House had blocked the news outlets from press gaggle, saying the move was unacceptable. "This is not OK," the "Newsroom" host said, speaking with CNN's Sara Murray. When Baldwin asked Murray why CNN wasn't at the briefing, the White House correspondent detailed the chain of events that led to the exclusion of the news organizations. The White House was "handpicking the outlets they wanted in for this briefing, so Breitbart, The Washington Times, One America News Network, news outlets that maybe the White House feels are more favorable, were all allowed in," Murray said. Murray and Baldwin also surmised that the White House likely was responding to recent CNN reporting on the conversation between the White House and FBI and the previous stories on Trump campaign contact with Russians. "The White House is clearly incensed over this excellent CNN reporting about conversations between the White House chief of staff [Reince Priebus] and senior officials in the FBI," Murray said. Following news of the White House's move to block the news organizations, CNN's public relations department expressed dissatisfaction via Twitter, also calling the maneuver "unacceptable." In a brief statement defending the move, Trump spokeswoman Sarah Sanders said the White House "had the pool there so everyone would be represented and get an update from us today." The pool usually includes a representative from one television network and one print outlet. In this case, four of the five major television networks -- NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox News -- were invited and attended the meeting, while only CNN was blocked. Dylan Byers, Sara Murray and Kevin Liptak contributed to this report. MUSCATINE Mary Leona (Kenney) Luth, 85, of Muscatine, passed away peacefully Feb. 18, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimers disease. A celebration of Marys life will be over Mothers Day weekend in Wilton, Iowa, with more information to follow closer to that time. Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Local Weather Get the daily forecast and severe weather alerts in your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy 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 [] Q. I have worked in the same field successfully for 11 years. I have a great background, and am highly regarded at my company, I thought. I recently learned that a male colleague in the same role earns more than I do. He is not more experienced nor does he have better credentials. I dont think he is a more highly valued employee. I love it here, but now I dont think I want to stay. I really believed this company was a fair workplace. Whats the advice you have for me and for other women who need to get out of this pay situation? A. Many women find themselves in the position you are in, and they are at all levels and in all types of organizations. Compensation is fluid and there are always ranges, but the pay and gender issue has not made the progress The Equal Pay Act of 1963 was supposed to address. Today, on average, women earn 78 cents for every dollar a man earns. Regardless of job, industry or age, its imperative that women are paid based on their skills and not gender, or their lack of knowledge on negotiating compensation. Former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor, Evelyn Murphy, PhD., is now President of The WAGE Project, Inc., a grassroots activist national organization to end wage discrimination against working women. She has been a tireless advocate for ensuring women learn how to maximize their ability to negotiate for pay. I consulted with Dr. Murphy, who noted that in 2005, I needed to understand the problem so that I could develop methodical steps to successfully change the situation. That is when I wrote Getting Even: Why Women Dont Get Paid Like Men and What To Do About It , by Simon & Schuster. With her commitment to close the gender wage gap, she created a workshop to teach women the skills to establish their market worth, use persuasive language, and develop and implement a strategy regarding maximizing their compensation. As she conducted her course across the country, she wasnt satisfied with volume of women she was reaching and wanted to be able to dramatically impact the number of women she helped to negotiate better earnings. To be able to scale, she offered the program to the American Association of University Women. This program, The WAGE Project, is now offered on 49 campuses across the country. Any women in a job, or in a job search, needs to master the skills involved in negotiation compensation, which does not start in a meeting with your boss, or the hiring manager. This process begins with knowing your market worth, which can be researched on Salary.com, Glassdoor, and through government publications such as the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Identify your target compensation and benefits, develop a strategy to achieve that compensation, and practice lots! It builds confidence. Locally, Mayor Martin Walsh announced that the City of Boston will spend the next five years offering The WAGE Project curriculum to 85,000 women employed in Boston. The wage gap can be frustrating and women, as a talent pool, will solve this problem and many more. -Elaine Varelas, Managing Partner, Keystone Partners Sonoma State Universitys Wine Business Institute has launched a program to help children and families of vineyard and winery workers attend and succeed in college. The Wine Industry Scholars Program is a pioneering initiative with a starting gift of $100,000 over four years, including ten $10,000 individual grants to offset tuition and other educational expenses associated with attending Sonoma State, said a news release from the university. In addition to financial support, the new program includes a summer transition program, academic and career advising, cohort-based classes, co-curricular programming as part of the Rodney Strong Pathways Program, and student work experiences. School of Business and Economics Dean Bill Silver said it was important to consider more than just financial assistance to help students in this program succeed. For decades, weve recruited and supported first generation college students, and learned that scholarships alone dont always foster success toward a degree, he said. This new program provides students the resources and support system to forge a path to success. The Wine Industry Scholars Program begins with a preparation period for students and parents before they arrive on campus, to speak with them about the college experience and ensure that students have adequate academic training. Students will also participate in Summer Bridge Week, an on-campus residential experience designed to introduce students to resources and services available to them while building supportive relationships with student counselors and faculty advisors. During their first year, students will take prerequisite courses as part of a learning community and peer support group called the Wine Industry Scholars Academy. Students will be paired with mentors from the business community beginning in their second year as part of the leadership development and career pathway component of the program. In their third year, students will be placed in an internship where they can apply their classroom knowledge in a supportive work environment and consider opportunities upon graduation. Founding program contributors include George Hamel III of Hamel Family Wines; Gary Heck of Korbel; Walt and Sylvia Klenz of VinCraft; Mel and Craig Mannion; Carol OHara of Burr Pilger Mayer; Ron Rubin of The Rubin Family of Wines; Barbara Talbott and John Riley; Gould Evans; Douglas Thornley and Susan Lundquist; and an anonymous member of the WBI Board of Directors. Were grateful to our founding group of wine industry leaders for their vision and compassion in helping guide the next generation of leaders toward academic, career, and life success, said Silver. If you just look at the numbers, the growth of the wine industry is right on track with the road map set out in a 2008 master plan that charts a course for wine country growth through 2030. But some observers question whether these numbers tell the full story when it comes to gauging wine countrys health. The general plan is Napa Countys North Star. It begins with a statement of purposeand an audacious boastthat remains uncontroversial almost a decade later. Welcome to Napa County! the document says. This general plan is intended to ensure the preservation of the qualities and features that make the county a world-renowned place. The debate is over whether Napa County, with its 450-plus wineries, could drown in its own success. Some residents fear reaching a tipping point when winery glitz and events overshadow the countys dirt-encrusted agricultural roots. Under state law, California counties and cities are required to create long term general plans. Napa Countys zoning, projects and laws must be consistent with its general plan. Growth numbers released at the Napa Valley Registers request by county Planning, Building and Environmental Services Director David Morrison show the county isnt out of line with the numbers envisioned by planners and lawmakers 10 years ago. The general plan environmental impact report anticipated that the county would approve about 225 new wineries between 2006 and 2030. The county by Feb. 1 had approved 101 new wineries 45 percent of the projected total with 44 percent of the general plan time frame having elapsed. The county is almost exactly on target with the forecast, Morrison said. In addition, the report predicted that at least half of the new wineries would be small and produce less than 50,000 gallons of wine annually. Seventy-five percent of those approved so far are what the county considers to be small wineries. New vineyard development, meanwhile, is, if anything, lagging behind the pace the general plan set out. The report anticipated the county would approve 10,000 to 12,500 acres of new vineyards by 2030. The county has so far approved 4,315 acres. If it were keeping pace with the general plan, it would have approved 5,538 acres to date. When it comes to rural home development, the county is lagging even farther behind the general plan forecasts. Thats not necessarily a negative in a county that prizes agriculture and wants housing in the cities. The county since January 2006 has approved 348 new homes in the unincorporated area. It would have approved 1,300 homes at this point if it was keeping pace with the general plan, on the way to 2,935 by 2030. Rex Stults of Napa Valley Vintners said the general plan vision was created over several years with the help of a diverse group of community members. To him, the numbers released by Morrison dont paint a picture of a runaway wine industry. It does cause one to scratch ones head and say, Whats the big deal? Stults said. He doesnt see more wineries as meaning more people will visit Napa County. The county has an estimated 3.3 million visitors annually. I think it just divvies up the same number of people among more wineries, he said. Yet the San Francisco-based Greenbelt Alliance in its recent At Risk report concluded that wine industry success may pose a farmland development risk. It mentioned the threat of large-scale event center and resort construction as being acute. Locally, Napa Vision 2050 has voiced similar fears. The group is a coalition of 14 groups ranging from the Napa Sierra Club to Get a Grip on Growth to Save Rural Angwin. Vision 2050 President Dan Mufson didnt dispute Morrisons numbers about new winery growth being within the general plan vision. But, he said, the general plan didnt predict how many existing wineries would expand. Look at how many of those come by, Mufson said. They are increasing the vineyard size, their infrastructure, the marketing and tasting rooms that add to the traffic, the number of jobs, the creation of wastewater. The Napa County Planning Commission from 2008 through 2016 granted 155 winery approvals, of which 70 were for new wineries and 85 for changes to existing wineries. For example, the Planning Commission on Feb. 22 voted to allow remote Black Sears winery on Howell Mountain to have a small number of tasting visitors and marketing events. The winerys original 1988 approval allowed for none. Visitation and marketing is a real important factor in making a winery work today, Jon Webb of New Albion Surveys told the commission on behalf of the winery. The direct-to-consumer sales make a huge difference, especially for a small, family-run operation. The general plan foresaw this. It stated changes within the industry, such as consolidation for a limited number of distributors, necessitate an increasing focus on marketing and direct sales by many wineries. But Eve Kahn of Vision 2050 doesnt recall big debates over rising direct-to-consumer marketing and winery expansions a decade ago during the general plan discussions. Hot issues at the time included American Canyon borders. It (direct-to-consumer marketing) wasnt a big deal, she said. People were very content. And then the market shifted, the economics of the whole business shifted. To Kahn, the other thing the general plan numbers dont address is winery location. She sees winery growth moving from the Napa Valley along main roads to remote areas such as Soda Canyon. Its the location that becomes problematic, she said. Napa County could have adopted a different, more restrictive growth vision with its 2008 general plan. One rejected idea would have limited new wineries to properties of at least 40 acres instead of 10 acres. The general plan isnt frozen in time. The Napa County Board of Supervisors remains in control. Periodic review and possible amendment of the general plan to adjust to changing conditions and county priorities is required, the general plan stated. Two years ago, community concerns prompted the Board of Supervisors to convene the March 10, 2015 growth summit. About 400 people crowded into the Napa Valley Unified School District auditorium and dozens spoke. In the wake of the growth summit, the Board appointed the 17-person Agricultural Advisory Protection Commission. This group with representatives from the wine industry, neighborhood groups, the agricultural, business and environmental communities and cities spent four months tackling wine country growth issues. When the dust had cleared, the county decided to take such steps as crack down on county rules violators and require every winery to submit proof that it is within its annual wine production limits. The main vision and policies of the general plan, however, remained intact. It really is a sharpening, Morrison said. Its not a course correction. Q. What do employees want for the holidays? What about bosses? A. Well its that time of year again. Holiday music is ringing through the air, shopping malls are packed to the brim, and professionals are gearing up for the annual holiday party. In reality employees want money and time off, managers want money and time off, and business owners want more business. In the spirit of the holiday season, meaning there must be more, lets see what employers and employees have on their wish lists. Employers want : Employees to stay sober at the holiday party. Holiday parties should be a joyous celebration of the firms hard work and success, not a sloppy flashback to college keggers. Recent college grads to wear something other than skinny jeans and infinity scarves. Millennials have a different idea of what it means to dress professionally, and thats OK; But lose the skinny jeans for slacks. And guys, yes people will notice that you wore those pants yesterday and the day before. Professionals to stop using selfies as LinkedIn profile pictures No one should see your nostrils from that angle. To read and respond to information about benefits within the deadline provided. Human resources sent them for a reason! They also included specific deadlines for a reason. For employees to stop doing questionable things on social media. Employers are tired of seeing statuses such as, My boss is such a Grinch!, so make it stop. Casual Friday attire that doesnt include yoga pants. There is a website called Tights are Not Pants that features people trying to use tights, yoga pants and leggings as professional attire. And guys, wear T-shirts under that too small sweater if you must wear it Yes you have them, not just your dad. Employees want: Holiday parties that dont include Karaoke. No one wants to run into their coworkers at the watercooler after they reinterpreted Journeys Dont Stop Believing in broken falsetto. No matter how much fun you think it will be, your employees will quietly hate you for it. Senior management to refrain from dancing at the holiday party. As much as you may be convinced you have the moves, odds are you dont. Your dance moves will be burned into the brains of your staff and Its challenging to take anyone seriously after youve seen them dance to Mambo Number 5. Early release before a holiday that isnt 30 minutes earlier than normal quitting time. Either make it an early release by a few hours or dont do it at all. Free coffee that doesnt taste like free coffee. Coffee is the life blood of any company and employees look forward to it every day. Drinking bad coffee gets old faster than Here Comes Santa Clause on the radio. So in 2016, splurge a little on some decent coffee for your staff. It doesnt have to be fresh lattes from your local cafe, but it shouldnt be the generic brand sold by your office supply store either. Casual Friday policy that isnt limited to taking off your tie for the day. Friday has been a thing for about 30 years now. Lay down some parameters for how your organization defines it and trust your staff to make good choices. We promise we wont wear ugly holiday sweaters. -Elaine Varelas, Managing Partner, Keystone Partners A NATO expert team visited the National Staff College (Ecole nationale detat-major de la Mauritanie - ENEM) in Nouakchott, in February 2017, to chart progress and plans for the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) in Mauritania. The occasion marked four years of cooperation through DEEP between NATO and Mauritania, where particularly France has performed a leading academic role with the support of the United States. Since 2015, ENEM educators have received support to develop an operational planning and design course in accordance with NATO planning standards. DEEP has substantially increased the impulse for reform and self-renewal within the Mauritanian professional military education system. Through continuous multi-year engagement with NATO experts, ENEM has adapted exercises to the regional context and revised its course programme to emulate the structure of the NATO Generic Officer Reference Curriculum. The Mauritanian faculty has developed course modules in multiple languages of instruction on crisis management, counterterrorism and counterinsurgency. In 2011, Mauritania was the first member of NATOs Mediterranean Dialogue partnership to refer to modernisation and transformation within the armed forces in its Individual Partnership and Cooperation Programme with NATO. The Chief of General Army Staff of Mauritania formally requested DEEP in 2012, in support of the transformation of Mauritanias professional military education. After the first three-year phase was completed in 2015, Nouakchott requested the continuation of the programme for an additional three years. As a result of these efforts, Mauritania has become a member of international educator networks coordinated by NATO institutions. (Natural News) When President Donald Trump signed an executive order reinstating Mexico City Policy defunding international abortion efforts, like those of Planned Parenthood it garnered quite a lot of approval and many Americans were excited by the turning of the tide. When former president Barack Obama took office, he swiftly took action to overturn the policy, ensuring that international abortion businesses could receive federal funding. Obamas choice to repeal Mexico City Policy was not favorable among most Americans: a mere 35 percent approved of the action. That means a sound majority did not approve of it being revoked. And yet, our new president has been awash with criticism from the Left for his choice to support what most Americans believe in. One of these critics is none other than Bill Gates, famous for Microsoft, infamous for his advocacy of global depopulation. According to Gates, reinstating Mexico City Policy will have catastrophic effects that will endanger the lives of millions of women and unborn children. Of course, given his penchant for reducing the worlds population, one must wonder if his intent is truly as altruistic as he tries to make it seem. Life News suggests that millions more women and children are harmed or killed during abortion procedures, and notes that Gates concerns for these people are nothing short of ironic. The executive order to revive Mexico City Policy merely prevents taxpayer dollars from being used to fund abortion procedures and promotion overseas. The order does not, however, stop international aid for other health care and humanitarian causes. It simply stops the money from subsidizing abortions in other countries. Gates and his wife Melinda have openly complained that the policy puts a stop to money flowing to the international division of Planned Parenthood and Marie Stopes International. He has even told The Guardian that the cessation of funds to these organizations could create a void that even a foundation like ours cant fill. Were concerned that this shift could impact millions of women and girls around the world. Its likely to have a negative effect on a broad range of health programs that provide lifesaving treatment and prevention options to those most in need, Melinda Gates commented. Melinda Gates went on to describe a host of health conditions not related to abortion that she believes will somehow be impacted by the cessation of government funds being given to abortion businesses. However, this assumption seems to neglect the fact that Planned Parenthood rarely provides anything other than abortions. In a fine case of fear-mongering, Melinda Gates alleges that defunding international abortion will also put a stop to treatment and prevention of HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis which is simply untrue. Planned Parenthood does not offer standard medical care: they deal only with abortion-related care and provide contraceptives, according to the Planned Parenthood Global website. Marie Stopes International also strictly provides abortions, post-abortion care and contraception. These are not healthcare organizations they are abortion outlets. Melinda Gates does not outright say that these organizations provide actual health care, but she certainly alluded to it. And perpetuating a myth, such as the idea that abortion facilities will provide medical care for infectious diseases like malaria, shows how far they will go to push their agenda. Sources: LifeNews.com TheGuardian.com LifeNews.com TrueActivist.com (Natural News) Uncharacteristically higher levels of radiation have been registering all over western Europe since January, leaving many to suspect that Russian President Vladimir Putin has conducted a secret nuclear weapons test, which would be a violation of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty the Russian Federation ratified in 2000. As reported by The Sun, a British tabloid, the spike in radiation levels has been detected in several countries, including Finland, Norway, Poland, Germany, France, Spain and parts of Italy. The spikes are significant enough that the Pentagon dispatched a special nuke sniffer aircraft, a WC-135 Constant Phoenix bristling with electronic monitoring equipment designed to detect and locate nuclear radiation, to the United Kingdom. WC-135s have also been used to monitor North Korean nuclear tests in recent years, as well as to monitor the spread of radiation from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in the former Soviet Union in 1996. One of the planes was also used to monitor nuclear fallout from the Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster in northern Japan in 2011. (RELATED: Russia Is In The Process Of Building A Global Nuclear Empire And No One Seems To Be Taking Notice) The planes do occasionally cross into European airspace, but The Sun reported that the deployment of one aircraft to the UK is rare. The publication said the U.S. military had not given a specific reason as to why the aircraft was flown to RAF Mildenhall, a British air force base The Aviationist, in its own report regarding the spike in radiation levels across Europe and the deployment of the nuke sniffer aircraft to Britain, said two WC-135s, military versions of Boeings C-135 transport and support plane, are in operation today. At one point in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, 10 such aircraft were in operation. The site reported further that the EC-135 in Britain is attached to the U.S Air Forces 45th Reconnaissance Squadron located at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, Nebraska. Critics of the nuclear weapons test theory by Russia claim that there are other means of detecting such tests, via satellite and seismic detectors. And there have been no reports claiming that U.S. or European seismologists have detected any atomic detonations in recent weeks. (RELATED: Russia completes dry run of nuclear bombing attack on America) But that doesnt clear up the mystery of why there is a definite spike in radiation, nor does it fully explain the rare deployment to Britain of an American radiation detection aircraft. Iodine-131 (131I), a radionuclide of anthropogenic origin, has recently been detected in tiny amounts in the ground-level atmosphere in Europe, The Aviationist reported. However, no one seems to know the reason behind the released Iodine-131. Along with nuclear power plants, the isotope is also widely used in medicine and its presence in the air could be the effect of several different incidents. Russia has reportedly been upgrading its nuclear arsenal, which includes improving its ballistic missile force and developing drone mini-submarines that can penetrate undersea detection and defensive systems to deliver large nuclear warheads to major port cities. In addition, the Russian military is also developing a hypersonic missile that can travel at seven to 12 times the speed of sound and is fast enough to evade current missile defense systems. While the U.S. and China are also racing to develop hypersonic missiles, NationalSecurity.news reported in August that Moscow hoped to have its systems fielded by 2020. (RELATED: Russia wont import GMOs, prime minister says) According to the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, the treaty bans any nuclear weapon test explosion or any other nuclear explosion anywhere in the world. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in September 1996. However, if Russia did violate the ban, its unclear what the ramifications would be from a Europe largely dependent upon Russian energy oil and natural gas. Its also unclear how a banned nuclear test would affect President Donald J. Trumps efforts to build better relations with Moscow. J.D. Heyes is a senior writer for NaturalNews.com and NewsTarget.com, as well as editor of The National Sentinel. Sources: TheSun.co.uk TheAviationist.com NationalSecurity.news Evil.news NationalSecurity.news NationalSecurity.news Wednesday, February 22, 2017 by: Ethan Huff Tags: Europe , nuclear , radiation This article may contain statements that reflect the opinion of the author (Natural News) Mysterious plumes of radioactive iodine-131, the same nuclear isotope seen during the Fukushima disaster, have suddenly started appearing all over Europe. And according to reports, nobody seems to know where theyre coming from that, or authorities are choosing to deliberately keep the undisclosed source(s) out of public view. Trace amounts of the highly damaging form of radiation, which is known to destroy the thyroid gland, have been found in at least seven European countries, including in Norway, Finland, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, and Spain. Such radiation typically comes from either nuclear energy plants or atomic bombs and the latter presumably havent been set off anywhere recently. According to The Sun, the source of the toxic particles appears to be somewhere in Eastern Europe, despite the majority of them having been identified in countries to the West and North. The only other source from which such particles could be emerging are certain medical devices, though for their spread to be so wide across so many different regions is highly unlikely. Finlands Radiation Safety Authority (STUK) says it also identified trace amounts of the radioactive isotopes cobalt-60, niobium-95, and cesium-134, all of which are also directly associated with nuclear processes. Investigations into the source of these particles are ongoing, and experts are insistent that the levels are so low that they do not pose a significant health risk to the public. The preliminary report states it (iodine-131) was first found during the week 2 of January 2017 in northern Norway, reads a press release issued by the France-based Institute de Radioprotection et de Surete Nucleaire (IRSN). Norwegian nuclear officials claim informing public right away about radiation wasnt necessary because levels were low Whats strange about this radioactive presence throughout Europe is that its levels are seemingly so low as to be almost impossibly dispersed. One would think that having the same type of radiation detected in so many places at once would indicate much higher amounts of it, but experts insist that the levels are low enough as to be harmless. The world heard plenty of this same narrative during and after the Fukushima disaster and it is still the official story today, despite ongoing problems at the stricken plant that continue to harm Japan, the worlds oceans, and possibly even the West Coast of the U.S. a majority of the world, essentially. According to officials in Finland, the levels of radiation detected there were less than one-millionth of a Becquerel per cubic meter of air not very much in terms of serious safety concerns. But as many Natural News readers are well aware, any amount of radiation is a health threat, and its source a pertinent area of concern. We do measure small amounts of radioactivity in air from time to time because we have very sensitive measuring equipment, the head of Norways Radiation Protection Authority, Astrid Liland, told reporters when asked why it took so long to inform the public about the potential looming threat. The measurements at Svanhovd in January were very, very low. So were the measurements made in neighboring countries, like Finland. The levels raise no concern for humans or the environment. Therefore, we believe this had no news value. Ironically, Norways radiation levels were higher than in Finland, and yet Finnish nuclear officials were quick to issue a public statement out of precaution. Like Norway and France, however, Finland insists that radiation levels are far lower than what can have any effect on human health. There are nuclear plants located in Finland, Sweden, and Russia where the nuclear particles in question could have emerged. Investigators are working to trace where they came from as quickly as possible. Sources: TheSun.co.uk YLE.fi TheBarentsObserver.com (Natural News) A young man from the U.K. who was seriously injured after being vaccinated for swine flu during the fake pandemic of 2009 has finally received the payout he was due from the British government. For years the government tried to cover up the truth about the deadly vaccine, known as Pandemrix, which caused thousands of young people including young children to develop narcolepsy. As you may recall, more than 30 million people across Europe and roughly six million in the U.K. were vaccinated with Pandemrix, a product of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) that was rushed through safety trials and brought to market because of the emergency at hand. Not long after people started getting the jab was it discovered that many of them were developing serious adverse reactions to the vaccine. Rather than pull Pandemrix from the market, the British government made a deal with GSK to basically just compensate those who developed the most serious health conditions from the jab, setting up a $92 million fund from which victims could receive payouts. $92 million is nothing compared to the billions of dollars in profits GSK was able to rake in from the manufactured crisis. This allotment basically served as hush money for those who would make the most ruckus about developing injuries from Pandemrix, of which there are now reportedly more than 1,500 cases. Despite its paltry sum, this $92 million still represents something for the families of those who were injured, helping them to receive the medical care they need while regaining some level of quality of life that is, if they actually receive any of the money. According to reports, many victims are being denied their respective payouts as the government hems and haws about how to distribute it. So far, only two sufferers in the U.K. have been compensated after developing narcolepsy as a result of receiving Pandemrix: Josh Hadfield, 10 years old, and Katie Clark, 23 years old, who was awarded her compensation posthumously after she committed suicide as a result of the condition, writes Francois Lubbe for The Daily Health. A third claimant only known as John was denied compensation by the UKs Department for Work and Pensions, because it was of the opinion that Johns disabilities are not severe enough to pass the 60 per cent threshold to trigger a pay-out Thats despite the fact that a 2015 Upper Tribunal ruling had already awarded him 120,000. Courts rule that government owes Pandemrix victims speedy compensation For John, though, the situation recently took a turn for the better after a Court of Appeal heard the case and decided that Johns injuries were severe enough to warrant a cash payout. And because of his win, it sets a new precedent for other victims like him who have also been waiting to receive their cash payouts for Pandemrix injuries. Johns lawyers told the media that his served as a test case for how the courts will handle Pandemrix injuries moving forward. Based on the decision of the Court of Appeals, in other words, compensation payouts to others should move much more smoothly, and hopefully this type of situation will never happen again. (RELATED: Learn more about vaccine company immunity in the legal system by visiting VaccineCourtNews.com) Whats even better is the fact that this case has now opened the door to civil claims against GlaxoSmithKline the manufacturer of Pandemrix who was previously indemnified by the UK government against any claims at the time the vaccine was released, Lubbe adds. Sources: TheDailyHealth.co.uk TheGuardian.com (Natural News) A Massachusetts coalition of doctors and law enforcement is starting a program to encourage physicians to start asking patients whether they own guns. Backers say the program is a public health screening program designed to make sure patients have access to good safety information, similar to asking patients whether they are smokers or have a swimming pool. But gun rights groups such as the National Rifle Association have criticized such programs as an infringement of the privacy implied by the Second Amendment, and say it exceeds the bounds of responsible medicine. Patients are not legally required to answer such questions, nor are doctors legally required to ask them. According to Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, the new program is intended to help cut rates of gun accidents, violence and self-harm. While the vast majority of gun owners are responsible and deeply committed to gun safety, this remains a public health issue, and conversations between patients and health care providers are critically important to preventing gun-related injury and death, Healey said. Two separate groups representing state police chiefs have endorsed the program. Many households in our country have guns, but they can cause harm if not handled properly, said Chief James DiGianvittorio, president of the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. We require the bearer of a license to carry a permit, to take required safety courses, however, many times other family members have no formal training. This program will at the very least open the door to conversations between physicians and patients on the risk factors associated with firearms-related injuries. Program backers emphasized that firearm owners identified through screening will not be reported to law enforcement, but will instead receive gun safety counseling. The first step of the program is simply distributing pamphlets to doctors to educate them about good gun safety practices. The next step will be an education program to teach doctors how to talk to patients about safe handling and storage of firearms. The Massachussetts program is part of a larger trend in the medical profession toward viewing gun safety as a public health concern. The American Medical Association has long advised that doctors ask patients about gun ownership, comparing the issue to swimming pool safety or lead paint. A 2016 article in the Annals of Internal Medicine recommended that all doctors ask during routine screening if patients own guns, then follow up by asking if the patient personally owns the gun, and how it is stored. For doctors reluctant to screen all patients, the article instead recommends focusing on high risk patients such as those with a history of violence, suicidal thoughts, or substance abuse. Supporters of such programs point to studies like a 2005 survey published in the journal Pediatric Nursing, which found that only 15 percent of parents who owned guns stored them safely, even though 100 percent said they believed in the importance of safe storage. The authors of this study noted that parents falsely believed that talking to young children about gun safety reduced childrens risk of being injured in gun accidents. In fact, safe storage is the only thing proven to reduce childrens risk. The flip side to this argument is the fact that counseling by doctors has not been proven to change patients behaviors in regard to gun storage. Gun privacy advocates also worry that whatever the stated intention of such programs, information collected could find its way into the hands of the government. Indeed, while the Privacy Rule of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) does prohibit doctors from releasing information collected from patients, it contains several conditions under which information sharing with law enforcement is permitted: 1) in compliance with court orders, warrants and subpoenas; 2) to identify or locate a suspect, fugitive, witness, or missing person; 3) in response to a law enforcement request for information about a victim; 4) to inform law enforcement when criminal activity is a suspected cause of a persons death; 5) as evidence of a crime committed on facility premises; and 6) during a medical emergency to inform law enforcement about a crime, its victims, or its perpetrators. Sources for this article include: OffTheGridNews.com HHS.gov USNews.com "The two Gepard-3.9 frigates are in trials in the Black Sea, one undergoing her official tests and the other the manufacturers ones. Their shipment to Vietnam is scheduled for the middle of the year," Mistakhov said. According to him, the training of their crews will commence in the late first quarter this year. "In the late first quarter, the crews are coming for training designed for completion in the middle of the year. The crews will go to the ships for practical training in the second quarter," the director general added. He noted that the Gepard-3.9 frigate was a promising product as far as the Asia-Pacific market is concerned. "The first two ships in this class have done well to date," Mistakhov said. The Vietnamese Navy took delivery of its first two Gepard-3.9s in 2011 and ordered two more in 2012. The second pair was laid down in the fall of 2013. Vietnam is reportedly intent on ordering two more frigates of the class. The Zelenodolsk Shipyard has built Project 11661 frigates since 1990. The ships in the class displace 1,500 tons and carry artillery, antiaircraft and antisubmarine weaponry and antiship missiles as well. The frigates are designed to seek for and destroy submarines, surface ships and aircraft, conduct patrolling and convoy escorting and protect maritime exclusive economic zones. Copyright 2017 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Posted by Mark Williams | February 25, 2017 At a time when there are plenty of political shenanigans that are seemingly designed to distract us from more important issues, there are two auto-related stories that are driving me crazy. The first is when and how, as well as whether or not, Mercedes-Benz is going to bring its new mid-size pickup truck, the X-Class (check out our latest spy shots here), to the U.S. The segment has really heated up during the last few years, with Honda redoing the Ridgeline for model year 2017, Ford bringing back the Ranger in two years and GM kick-starting the mid-size revival with the all-new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon in model year 2015. In all likelihood, the X-Class will not come to the U.S. as a luxury pickup, which seems to be what most automotive journalists are assuming based on the illustrations I've seen in other publications. These graphics make the Canyon Denali destroyer look like an S-Class sedan or GL-Class SUV. It's as if these media outlets are desperate for Mercedes to make a premium-priced, top-quality German competitor to fight the Japanese and American players. And I'm not sure that makes any sense. I'm not calling this "fake news," but there does seem to be an uncomfortable, gentle push by the media for a luxury mid-size Mercedes pickup. For instance, stories from Automotive News continue to play up what we already know: that Mercedes is considering bringing the X-Class here, but it's taking a wait-and-see approach. Ultimately, I think it's unlikely Mercedes will bring us a luxury mid-size pickup. Instead, I expect a commercial work truck along the lines of Mercedes' mid-size Metris Worker van. MB is partnering with Nissan/Renault for the platform of the X-Class, and I have no doubt it will make some significant changes to meet its own standards, but this pickup will be coming from Mercedes' commercial production arm, just like the Metris. Mercedes has fueled this foolishness by releasing concept vehicle images that show some personal-use possibilities for the X-Class. It's important to remember that concept vehicles can be more about fantasy than reality. Then there's the Ford Bronco saga. Ford announced at the 2017 North American International Auto Show in Detroit that a new Bronco SUV will go on sale for model year 2020, and it likely will be configured off a version of the new Ford Ranger platform. That makes sense since they're both being built at the newly reconstructed Michigan Assembly Plant (formerly the Michigan Truck Plant) in Wayne. All we've seen since the announcement are several variations of simulated photos (we will call this fake news) of what the next Bronco will look like. And it was at this point that we painfully decided to go ahead and provide a photo of the abomination at the risk of further muddying the already murky waters. Our only hope is that our readers, excluding the ones who already know these photos are fake, will recognize these images for the pretend news that they are. Of course, there's nothing new about illustrations meant to suggest what the new vehicle might look like, but based on the number of people contacting us to comment on the looks of the new Bronco, that message is not getting out there. Real photos of the next-generation Ford Bronco will not be available for quite a while, and when they are available they more than likely will be out-of-focus or long-distance spy shot at some remote proving ground. When those images of the new Bronco are available (we already have spy shots of the new Ranger), we'll be ready to pass them along. In the meantime, we're hoping to get more information about the changes happening to the new Ranger/Bronco plant once that's figured out. More to come. Manufacturer image above; Fourwheeler.com image below Extending her support to the LGBTQ students, Queen Bey shared a link of GLSEN.org, an organisation that advocates for LBGTQ students, on her official Facenook page. She wrote alongside, "#LGBTQ students need to know we support them. Share your support to #protecttransyouth at glsen.org/100days & put #KindnessInAction GLSEN." According to a report in the New York Times, acting against the wishes of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, Attorney General Jeff Sessions pushed for Trump to rescind the bathroom rules put in place during the Obama administration. Ketty Perry, who recently slammed Trump during her performance at the BRITS 2017, too came up in support of the students and tweeted, "Trans friend, if you are struggling tonight, please reach out to @TrevorProject and @Translifeline. Equality for all! #ISTANDWITHGAVIN." (ANI) Putting the onus back on Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the Kanpur Train accident, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday said it is the Indian government's duty to take cognisance of the matter and take required steps. Terming it as a way of gaining votes, Samajwadi Party leader Naresh Agarwal said the Prime Minister is doing nothing about the everyday attack taking place in the Valley. "The action will have to be taken by the Central Government. The UP Government cannot take action against Nepal. The Prime Minister should tell if the answers for everyday attacks in Kashmir and terrorists sheltering in Nepal should be given by the Central Government or UP Government. This is a way of gaining votes by giving false assurances to people," Agarwal told ANI. Questioning Prime Minister Modi's prime ministerial responsibilities, Agarwal said the way the former has been campaigning it looked as if he was only fighting Uttar Pradesh elections. "The way the Prime Minister has been holding rallies, it looks as if he is not fighting country elections, but only Uttar Pradesh elections. The Prime Minister is doing nothing about the bravehearts losing their lives on the border but he is very concerned for Uttar Pradesh. What can you expect from such a Prime Minister?" he said. Meanwhile, applauding the Bihar Police for vigilance in the case, the Janata Dal (United) seconded the Prime Minister's thought. "Some Nepal-located ISIS people have been caught in the same. This lead has been a success for the Bihar Police. That there was a conspiracy behind this is correct," JD (U) leader K.C. Tyagi told ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi yesterday blamed conspirators sitting in Nepal for the November 2016 train derailment in Kanpur that claimed lives of 149 people. "Kanpur rail accident in which hundreds were killed was a conspiracy and the conspirators carried it out sitting across the border (Nepal)," said the Prime Minister while addressing a rally in Uttar Pradesh's Gonda. He urged the people of Gonda to elect those who are patriotic. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) had in February confirmed that Dubai-based Shamshul Huda was the "mastermind" for the sabotage behind the Indore-Patna Express train accident in Kanpur on November 16, 2016. (ANI) Slamming Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah's comment over increased crimes in Uttar Pradesh, the Samajwadi Party on Saturday asked the former to check his own ministers' actions first and then comment on any state. "What would Amit Shah say on Gujarat sex scandal? What would he say on his MP shooting his own wife? What would he say on Sangeet Som, Sanjay Baliyan? Amit Shah should answer all these questions and only then raise a question on Uttar Pradesh," Samajwadi Party leader Juhi Singh told ANI. Refuting Shah's claim of increase in the crime rate in Uttar Pradesh, Singh said the former should stop defaming the state and its people. "He wants to make government in Uttar Pradesh and he is saying that the people here have turned it place full of crimes. He has taken the responsibility of defaming the people of Uttar Pradesh. If he is planning to become the Chief Minister, then he should stop defaming the state," she said. Launching an attack on the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), BJP president Amit Shah has said the two parties have destroyed the state, adding that the number in the cases of murders, thefts, loot and incidents of kidnappings have risen under their governance. (ANI) A day after former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah remarked that the youth of the valley was picking up ammunition not to become legislators, but to fight for the freedom the valley, defence experts on Saturday said the former was speaking the language of separatists. Defence Expert Sunil Deshpande said the National Conference president made such an 'irrelevant' comment to mark his presence. "Farooq Abdullah has again spoken the language of separatists. He has not made up his mind. When he is in power, the National Conference (NC) speaks something else and when they are out of power, they speak something else. Farooq Abdullah wants to show his presence. In fact, he is irrelevant but he wants to show he is relevant and that is why he makes such statements," Deshpande told ANI. Deshpande further extended his support towards the Indian Army, saying that the forces should not be perturbed by such kind of statements and should continue doing their operations. "The Indian Army should not be disturbed by such kind of statements. They should carry out their operations in the way the Chief of the Army Staff has said," he said. Another defence expert, Shivali Deshpande reverberated the opinion, saying Abdullah's statement was uncalled for. All the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir follow the same pattern only to create unrest, Shivali told ANI. "The statement made by Farooq Abdullah is absolutely irrelevant and uncalled for. In fact, he is speaking the lines of separatists. If you see history, this has been the line of all political parties of Kashmir which are not in power. When the NC was in power, they spoke differently. When they are not in power, they are siding with the separatists. Same was the case with the PDP and same is the case with any government in Jammu and Kashmir," she said. "After the Chief of the Army Staff, there has been a bit of unrest in Jammu and Kashmir. So, such kinds of statements are made by the political leaders to instigate people, to make them protest. This statement should be ignored. The Indian Army should not be perturbed by this," she added. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah said the youth were sacrificing their lives to solve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir. Addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar, Abdullah said, "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners." Abdullah's statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir. General Rawat had, earlier this month, said, "People who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue." (ANI) The Embassy of India in the United States has assured that it is closely monitoring the tragic incident, wherein an Indian engineer was shot dead and another was injured in Kansas. The Indian Consulate in Houston, in a statement, on Saturday also said that it was in close contact with the family of the deceased - Srinivas Kuchibhotla. "In their hour of grief, we are providing all help and assistance to the bereaved family. Arrangements are being made to transport his mortal remains to India," it added. The government officials have also met with the injured victim - Alok Madasani. The statement added, "The Government of India has also taken up the matter with the U.S. authorities to express our deep concern and have asked for speedy investigation. The U.S. Government, while condemning the attack, have assured us that they are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter." The United States Embassy had also strongly condemned the shooting in Kansas and assured that justice will be delivered and the federal authorities are investigating the case. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Kuchibhotla. We share their grief, and wish a full and speedy recovery to those who were injured. We have reached out to Indian consular officials to offer full support as they assist the victims," the Embassy said in a statement. Expressing full faith in the U.S. legal authorities for bringing the case to justice, the Embassy further informed that the shooter is expected to be prosecuted for the crime. According to the local U.S. media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51, who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after he allegedly blasted off several rounds of fire on Thursday. The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. At least one witness has claimed that Purtinton yelled 'get out of my country' and also heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire. (ANI) A cross-cultural exchange programme between contemporary artists in India and Sri Lanka will be held here from March 10-31 at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The programme called ''A Tale of Two Cities'', brings together the diverse practices of 11 leading contemporary artists from South Asia. An art project committed to developing dialogues between artists in the region, ''A Tale of Two Cities'' is supported by a unique partnership between a commercial gallery space and two non-profit organisations. The project, conceptualised by Renu Modi, is presented by Gallery Espace and Serendipity Arts Trust and is supported by the Theertha Artists Collective. The project began with research visits to the historical cities of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka and Varanasi in India. A diverse group of artists engaged with the project, each with an established, critically acclaimed practice of their own. Over the course of a year, a dynamic dialogue developed and has been extensively archived. In addition to the travelling exhibition, the project resulted in an archive of video and photographs documenting an extended investigation and collective dialogue between leading artists into the complex socio-cultural dynamics of two highly symbolic sites in South Asian history: Varanasi (India) and Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka).Curatorial Adviser Ruhanie Perera, in the catalogue note, said Varanasi and Anuradhapura form the site, the stage, the place of artistic interpretation and intervention in this cross-cultural artistic exchange. It is a place of meeting that brings into focus, while interrogating, narratives of archaeological 'truths,' of complex, contested ideologies juxtaposed with the metaphysical and the poetic. These are cities of ritual: sacred and secular, intrinsically interwoven into the life of the people that populate these complex geographies. These are also cities of growing urban trends, with the workings of globalisation seeping into the sense of community, rhythm and way of life here. Sites of heritage, of myth, of history and memory, that have over time, acquired many meanings, they are also 'living' cities and so, 'A Tale of Two Cities' seeks to ask what informs the approach to the idea of the city; these cities in particular, in terms of their positioning as sacred living sites and their contemporary political present. Located in states of transit much like the two cities that sit between the terrains of history and religion, sacredness and modernity, life and death, war and peace, violence and healing the traveling artist becomes provocateur, sifting through versions of truths, signifying frames and the many ideological claims on the two cities. UNI NY SNU1042 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0099-1164330.Xml Elements of love, betrayal and intrigue have been underlying theme ofmost of Bollywood filmamker Vishal Bhardwaj's movies like 'Maqbool', 'Omkara', '7 Khoon Maaf' and 'Haider'.In his new film 'Rangoon', Bhardwaj as tried to weave in elements of love and betrayal into a story set in the backdrop of the World War II and the Indian freedom struggle.Like his earlier films, 'Rangoon' too displays Bhardwaj's mastery in dealing with themes of love and betrayal. Emotions like love, jealousy and heartbreak comes across beautifully in Bhardwaj's film, which has narratives of the love triangle and the happenings in the war running parallel to each other . Though the act of balancing the two narratives does give a jarring feeling in some parts of the film, on the overall level, 'Rangoon' comes across as an intriguing drama.Set in 1940, 'Rangoon' deals with a love triangle between Russi Billimoria (Saif Ali Khan), action star Julia (Kangana Ranaut) and Jamadar Nawab Mallik (Shahid Kapoor).Russi Billimoria, a former action star who is now a producer, is the man behind Julia's stardom. After buying her from an orphanage, Russi makes her an action star and is madly in love with her.Julia too wants to become Ms Billimoria at the earliest.On a direction by General Hardings ( Richard McCabe), Russi promises that Julia will perform for his Army men in Burma.As Julia sets out on her journey, protected by Jamadar Nawab Mallik, she comes under attack. After Jamadar Nawab Mallik, now assigned as a bodyguard for her, saves her from the attackers, love blossoms between the two. Julia is now stuck between her passionate love and her dream to become Ms Billimoria.The rest of the film is about whom she chooses as the love of her life and the events thereafter.The film begins on a slow note with the first half showing the build up of the romance between Julia and Jamadar Mallik. In fact, the romance between the two takes up most of the first half. Watching the romance between the two is like a 'poetry in motion', an effect enhanced by the songs , with lyrics penned by noted lyricist-writer Gulzar. The film suddenly gathers pace in the second half which sees the thriller element of the film taking over with the story dealing with the happenings during world War II and the Indian Freedom Struggle. However, the tale of love and betrayal runs parallel to the narrative. Overall, the filmmaker manages to maintain an element of intrigue throughout the film. Bharadwaj has managed to make the film look visually appealing . The director has beautifully recreated the pre-Independence era with the shots of 1940s Bombay and Burma lending a visual appeal to the film. The film also has a brilliant production design which captures the grandeur of the era.After 'Tanu weds Manu' and 'Queen', Kangana Ranaut comes up with another standout performance as the stuntwoman Julia. She is brilliant as the 'bindaas' girl who is fiercely protective about her desires. Kangna also excellently brings out the vulnerabilities and insecurities in the character of Julia as she oscillates between her desire to be Ms Billimoria and her love for Jamadar mallik. It is another award winning act by her.As Russi Billimoria, the film producer who is madly in love with Julia and is extremely jealous about her liaison with Jamadar Mallik, he puts in an effortless performance. He is particularly brilliant in the scenes where he comes to know about Julia's affair.Shahid Kapoor comes across as extremely charming as Jamadar Mallik. His chemistry with Kangana is excellent. The rest of the cast has provided able support.The lyrics of the film by Gulzar are beautiful and apt. The songs blend with the flow of the film.Rating : 4/5: One for direction by Vishal Bhardwaj,one for performances by Kangana, Saif and Shahid, one for the excellent production design and cinematography and one for the film's music).UNI AR SV SNU 1025 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164646.Xml Brazil is likely to suffer nearly a lost decade of economic development with living standards not returning to pre-crisis levels until around 2022, economists said today.Brazil's slow recovery from its worst-ever recession means it will be another five years until per-capita gross domestic product - a measure of a country's living standards - returns to where it stood in 2013 before the crisis hit, said economist Bruno Lavieri."It's almost a lost decade," said Lavieri of consultancy firm 4E.Latin America's largest economy probably contracted more than 3 per cent for a second straight year in 2016, according to a Reuters poll on expectations for official growth figures due out on March 7.Prospects of a lost decade raise the stakes for President Michel Temer and his ambitious agenda of economic reforms, seen by many analysts as the only way for Brazil to boost productivity and grow at a sustainable rate in the future.The economy is expected to resume growth this year at a slow pace of around 0.5 per cent after being pummeled by weak commodities prices and political fallout from the graft scandal at state oil firm Petrobras.Since the recession began in 2014, GDP per capita has fallen 9.6 percent, said Julio Mereb, an economist with think tank Getulio Vargas Foundation. Economists like Alessandra Ribeiro, a partner with consultancy firm Tendencias, do not expect the indicator to return to its record 2013 level of 30,800 reais ($9,903) until 2023.Office clerk Andria Zanetti, 34, is among Brazilians who have felt a dramatic fall in income. She spent seven months looking for a job and agreed to earn about half of what she used to before unemployment."I had to change shopping habits, stopped having lunch and dinner out and canceled my landline phone," she told Reuters. "I've even switched my son's milk to a cheaper brand."REUTERS PS 0423 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1164568.Xml Europe should impose punitive tariffs on imports from the United States if President Donald Trump acts to shield US industries from foreign competitors, a senior ally of German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a newspaper interview.Trump has already formally withdrawn the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, distancing America from its Asian allies, and vowed to renegotiate the US free-trade deal with Canada and Mexico.The tycoon-turned-president has also threatened German carmakers with a border tax of 35 per cent on vehicles imported into the U.S. market, saying such a levy would help create more jobs on American soil."If Donald Trump imposes punitive tariffs on German and European products, then Europe should also impose punitive tariffs on US products," Volker Kauder, parliamentary floor leader of Merkel's conservatives, told the Funke media group in an interview published today."We cannot accept everything," Kauder added.He said German officials would have to remind "our friends in Washington" that trade wars in the past had already shown that both sides only lost from such measures."We just have to say calmly and with self-confidence: If Trump carries out what he said, then Europe must react," Kauder said.The German government has vowed to protect global free trade after Trump threatened protectionist measures and his top adviser on trade accused Germany of exploiting a weak euro to boost exports.German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel has suggested that the European Union should refocus its economic policy toward Asia, should the Trump administration pursue protectionism.In a sign of already shifting trade flows, China became Germany's most important trading partner for the first time in 2016, overtaking the United States, which fell back to third place behind France, data showed on Friday. REUTERS PS 0528 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1164573.Xml More than 250 activists of tribal based opposition IndigenousPeoples' Front of Twipraland (IPFT) left for New Delhi today by TripureswariExpress from Agartala to hold 100 hrs hunger strike in Jantar Mantar onFebruary 27 protesting the amendment of Citizenship Bill 2016. IPFT General Secretary Mebar Kumar Jamatia said the strike will also be attended bythe indigenous people of Tripura residing in Delhi. The hunger strike isorganised to put pressure on Central Government in support of separate Twipralandand proposed move to amended Citizenship Act. He said a delegation will try to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister for Home AffairsRajnath Singh and Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijju todiscuss about their demand for separate Twipraland. In early this week, another tribal based opposition INPT also held demonstration inJantar Mantar opposing the Citizenship amendment bill and more autonomy toTripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (ADC) and put memorandum tocentre.UNI BB KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1164691.Xml In yet another violence as many as 11 persons were injured seriously on yesterday at Panisagar under North Tripura District after a clashbroke down due to dispute over expansion of a village road. Police said incident took place at Padmabil village after some local people engaged toa clash over land issue in which 11 people sustained injuries. The Panchayat chief of the village started road expansion work without consulting the villagers that instigated the local residents. "The situation is under control now and an adequate number of Police forces aredeployed at the village to restrict any further untoward incidents. peacemeeting held yesterday with the civil administration, police and villagers andsecond round of talks began this morning," said District Magistrate(North) Dr Sandeep M Mahatme.UNI BB KK -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0212-1164699.Xml Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday alleged that the Congress party is dividing people by spreading lies about the Centre compromising the territorial integrity of Manipur by signing an accord with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland -- Isak-Muivah (NSCN-IM) insurgent group. "People have been talking about the accord with the Nagas. I want to ask the CM, were you sleeping for 1.5 years? You never wrote a letter to Centre seeking details. I alone revealed everything about the accord to the Congress. They are dividing the people of Manipur by spreading lies," Prime Minister Modi said at a rally in Imphal. He said the Congress has made Manipur their political battle ground where they have been pitting one community against another for personal gain. "In order to win elections and they are making people fight against each other. They pitted one brother ageist another. They don't care about the people of Manipur, all they care about grabbing power. They don't deserve to be in the government," Prime Minister Modi said. The Prime Minster assured the people that the Naga accord would not jeopardise the territorial integrity of the state. "Whom would you believe, the Chief Minister who has been spreading lies for the last 15 years or Prime Minister who has been working diligently for 2.5 years, I leave that to you. I want to assure you that we are not jeopardizing the territorial integrity of the Manipur," he said. The Prime Minister also said that if the BJP comes to power the people would not have to face the brunt of month long economic blockade. "I urge you to let the BJP serve the people of Manipur. Just give us 5 years. You gave Congress 15 years. In 15 months, we'll do what they haven't achieved," he said. (ANI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) today demanded that the Indian government immediately take up the issue of the attack on two Indians in a hate crime with the US government, ensure that the guilty are punished and seek an assurance that such incidents did not recur. ''This attack has shaken the Indian community residing in the US,'' the party Polit Bureau said in a press statement and expressed outrage at the killing of a young Indian and injury to another in a hate crime in the United States. Srinivas Kuchibhotla was killed while his friend Alok Madsani was injured in the shoot out in Olathe city in Kanas of the US. Both of them were legally staying in the country and working there. The Polit Bureau, while conveying its heartfelt condolences to the parents and family of Srinivas, noted that ''this crime comes in the background of the increasing venom that is being spewed against migrants who are working in the United States after the Trump administration assumed office. The curbs imposed on travel from several countries to the US is only contributing to the targeting of all those who are now deemed to be "outsiders". UNI SD SHK 1457 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-1164925.Xml Former Home Minister P Chidambaram's statement that Kashmir was nearly lost for India, today evoked a sharp response from the Government which described the statement as ''shocking and unfortunate'' . ''This is not expected from a person who is a former Home Minister. It is all the more shocking as it comes from a person who is well acquainted with the complexities involved in tackling insurgency,'' Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu said here. Mr Naidu said Mr Chidambaram's irresponsible statement was tantamount to promoting separatism and encouraging terrorism.'' ''His statement was also a music to the ears of Pakistan which was aiding, abetting and funding terrorism,'' he said. Mr Chidambaram had last evening, while speaking at a programme organised by 'Manthan' said that he had a sinking feeling that Kashmir was nearly lost for India because the Central Government was using brute force to suppress dissent there. He said he also feared that the situation in the valley would worsen if the Central Government did not do a course correction. In a sharp reaction to Mr Chidambaram's views, Mr Naidu said that the former home minister's views would embolden Pakistan which was fuelling unrest in Kashmir and was doing all to internationalise the Kashmir issue.UNI NAZ SV RSA 1354 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0091-1164816.Xml Budget session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly will be held from March 6 to 10.A decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal."The Cabinet has recommended to the Lieutenant Governor the summoning of the Budget session from March 6 to 10,'' Mr Kejriwal told reporters after the Cabinet meeting here.The session will begin with the address by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.UNI DS/AR SW SHK 1434 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0092-1164891.Xml "Shocked & anguished by the spate of attacks in US. Vamshi last month, Srinivas & Alok now," he tweeted on Saturday. Rama Rao, who is son of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, said the state government will work with the Ministry of External Affairs to offer support to the distressed. Kuchibhotla, 32, was killed and Alok Madasani was injured when Adam W. Purinton, a white man who earlier served in the US Navy, shot them at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas state, on Wednesday night. Purinton reportedly got into an argument with the victims and hurled racial slurs. He yelled "get out of my country", "terrorist" before shooting them. Kuchibhotla of Hyderabad and his colleague Madasani from Warangal district in Telangana were working as aviation programme managers at Garmin, an MNC. Kuchibhotla is the second man from Telangana to die in a shootout in the US this month. Software engineer Vamshi Reddy Mamidala was shot dead in Milpitas, California, on February 10, by an offender in the garage of his apartment building. The 27-year-old, who hailed from Warangal district, died when the assailant opened fire while fleeing after robbing a woman. --IANS ms/pgh/vm ( 235 Words) 2017-02-25-16:57:51 (IANS) Vice-President M Hamid Ansari has said the Indian, Ugandan and Rwandan leadership were unequivocal in condemning terrorism in all shapes and forms.Describing the similarities of opinion on the scourge of terrorism, he said ''there was a total meeting of minds in condemning terrorism in all shapes and forms''. The Vice-President, who has just returned from a five-day visit to the two African countries, addressing the Media Onboard Air India One aircraft, said ''the East African Community is taking shape as an economical and political community and many of our programmes and initiatives in the region will no longer be purely bilateral but will have to be adapted to work for the entire community''. He was accompanied by Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Vijay Sampla and other dignitaries. He said India's approach, as long standing friends, has been to give our African partners assistance in their developmental programmes in those areas where they want and it is them to convert that into specific requests. Reacting to a question on India sustaining engagements with Africa, the Vice-President said it was a part of Government's policy and that the India-Africa summit and various other initiatives make this evident. ''The sheer size of Africa with 54 countries and one billion people, create enormous chances of cooperation and of sharing our experience and skills which are useful to them. Africa also has enormous resources which can be useful as India's development requirements come up,'' he added. Admitting there had been a gap in high level visits to both of these countries and his just-concluded visit filled that gap, Dr Ansari said the level of discussions in both the countries were extremely warm and cordial, and his meetings went beyond pro-forma. The meeting with the President of Uganda was substantive and productive and reinforced long standing ties, he said. Replying to a question on trade imbalance, the Vice-President said there was trade imbalance with Uganda as India exports a lot of things to them and their export basket to India was at present limited. He further said that there are two ways to address this; one by increasing the products in their export basket and two; instead of exporting finished goods from India to Uganda, some Indian manufacturers could set up their manufacturing units in Uganda. To a question on Parliamentary cooperation with both countries, the Vice-President said there was a need for having more Parliamentary interactions. ''A Parliamentary visit from Rwanda and Uganda will expose them to what is happening in India and witness our developmental programmes,'' he noted. The Vice-President further said his visit of Kigali Genocide Memorial was a tribute to the determination of the people of Rwanda and that he was glad that they were able to overcome that heart-rending disaster and re-build their country.UNI SD RSA SHK 1605 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0005-1165012.Xml On the first leg, Admiral Lanba is scheduled to have discussions with top brass of the UAE's defence establishment, including Defence Minister Mohammed Bin Ahmad Bowardi and commanders of country's naval and land forces. The Navy Chief will visiting Ghantoot naval base where he will be briefed on the UAE's latest Baynunah Class Corvette. He will also be visiting National Defence College and some other military installations, a press statement said here. On the second leg of his visit, the Navy Chief will reach Oman on March 1, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the military leadership of the country. UNI MK SHK 1718 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0090-1165174.Xml The Rayalaseema Students Association today burnt the effigy, symbolising US President Donald Trump, in protest against the killing of Indian software engineer K Srinivas in America, at Koti Reddy circle here.The agitators, while burning the effigy raised slogans against the policies of Mr Trump. Addressing the gathering, the Association state general secretary Subba Rayudu condemned the brutal killing of Indian engineer by a racist in America. The student leader alleged that the comments of Mr Trump are inciting the racists and aggravating the situation.He slammed Narendra Modi led Centre for its failure in negotiating with the US government to provide protection to the Indians, who are living in the US. UNI DP PY ADG 2054 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1165615.Xml Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das inaugurated the two day long Rajrappa Mahotsav and also laid foundation stone via onlines for 41 schemes involving an investment ofRs 126 crore. Addressing the people at CCL Grounds here after formally inaugurating the two day event he said Rajrappa which is home to 'Maa Chinmastika' and is situated on the confluence of Bhiravi andDamodar rivers is a 'source of energy' and in the next 1-2 years it would emerge as one of the top religious destination of the country.Earlier he also offered his obeisance at the temple. He said the religious and natural beauties of the state are an attraction for the tourists from across the globe.The state government was working to develop adventure tourism, mining tourism,religious and cultural tourism in the state keeping in mind their hue attraction for the visitors. Mr Das said through out the year such events are organised at the religious spots of the state so that people get to know about these places and also generate employment for the local youths andbring foreign exchange. The Chief minister said by skill development the local youth would be trained as tourists guide. He said during the Momentum Jharkhand several proposals were received in the tourism sector which would be reflected on the ground and urged the investors to come forward to invest in the state.He announced that on the likes of Tirupati the state government would provide residential facility for spiritual tourism in Rajrappa and Deoghar. Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Jayant Sinha said progress was being made in the state in the area of social, economic and cultural sectors. For the development of the cultural heritage a series of such events are being organised in the state and often new programmes are being held. He pointed to events such as Global Investors Summit which was followed by foundation laying for three medical colleges in the state. State's Water Resources Minister C P Chowdhary, Tourism Minister Amar Bauri and Ramgarh DC Rajeshwari B also addressed the function.UNI AK RN 2010 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0311-1165574.Xml After dumping Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "Mr Negative Dalit Man" to brand him anti-Dalit, and terming BJP chief Amit Shah as the ''real Kasab'' of politics, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati further hit at Mr Modi and Mr Shah and termed them as "guru-chela" whom she claimed of "dreaming of harming" Uttar Pradesh."Guru and chela have together harmed the country... 'guru' means Modi and 'chela' means Shah... now, they together are dreaming of harming the state," she alleged at an election rally in Maharajganj and Deoira today. BJP leaders have been referring to Mayawati and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, as 'bua-bhatija' (aunt and nephew) during campaigning.Referring to Shah's 'KASAB' acronym for the Congress, SP and BSP, Mayawati reiterated, "There is no other Kasab (meaning terrorist) bigger than the BJP president... Gujarat is an example before you to see and ensure that this Kasab does not come (to power) here".She said, "Muslims need to vote en masse for the BSP, whose Dalit vote is intact and is ready to defeat the BJP... if Muslims vote for the BSP, the BJP will get a setback and it will not be able to come to power in the state." Alleging that minorities, especially Muslims, are being given "step-motherly treatment" she cautioned Muslims against voting for the SP, saying it would "directly benefit the BJP".She also alleged that BJP will "end reservation by following the RSS agenda" or will make it ineffective. Mayawati had already attacked Modi for his `Bahenji Sampatti Part (BSP)' remarks claiming him as `Mr Negative Dalit Man', just to brand him as anti-Dalit. On BJP's promise that the party would bring prosperity on coming to power in the state, Mayawati said, "After playing petty politics of graveyard-cremation ground, Kasab, slaughter houses and donkeys of Gujarat they are now promising 'doodh aur ghee ki nadi'.""They can make any promise they want like the ones made during the Lok Sabha polls, but people will not fall for it," she said. ''Because of the wrong policies of the BJP-led government at the Centre and the SP government in Uttar Pradesh, 22 crore people of the state are angry and frustrated,'' Mayawati claimed. On the SP-Congress alliance, the BSP chief said, "The Samajwadi Party is considered symbolic to crime, corruption and 'jungle raj'. People have to decide whether they will vote for the tainted face of SP-Congress or the clean one of BSP which has shown how the rule of law is imposed." UNI MB ADG 2156 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1165624.Xml After two Samajwadi Party (SP) leaders, cabinet minister Gayatri Prajapati and Arun Kumar Verma, were accused of rape and one even later orchestrating to kill the victim, another senior leader faces sexual exploitation and murder charges. The president of the Peace Party of India, Dr Mohamed Ayub, has been booked for allegedly sexually exploiting a girl, who died at the King George Medical College, here yesterday. Surprisingly all the three victims alleged to be exploited in the name of better future.Reports said the victim, who was in early twenties, was admitted at Medical College in serious condition on Friday She later died in the night due to reported damaged liver and kidneys, the doctors claimed.The girl's brother lodged an FIR against Ayub alleging he had sexually exploited his sister and administered medicines, which damaged her liver and kidneys, Inspector, Madiaon police station Nagesh Kumar Mishra revealed.As per the complaint, Ayub had brought the girl to Lucknow five years ago from Khalilabad, in Sant Kabir Nagar, on the pretext of providing her better education. A case has been registered under Sections 376 (punishment for rape), 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation) of IPC, police said. The body was also sent for post-mortem examination. Ayub, who owns a number of hospitals in the state, is currently a sitting MLA from Khalilabad Assembly constituency, and is contesting this election from the same seat.It may be mentioned that about a fortnight back, SP MLA in Sultanpur, Arun Kumar Verma, was charged with rape and murder of a girl. The victim lodged rape charges against Verma in 2013 and now after her body was recovered near her house few days back, the SP MLA was accused of orchestrating her murder. Another SP MLA from Amethi, Gyatri Prajapati, also a minister in Akhilesh's cabinet was also accused of rape of a woman, and a case against him was registered on orders of the Supreme Court. So far, in all the cases the local police claimed to be making investigation and had not arrested the accused. All the three, Verma, Prajapati, and Ayub, all three will face electorate when polling in their respective constituencies will take place in fifth phase on coming Monday.UNI MB PY 2121 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1165640.Xml Four sharp-shooters allegedly belonging to the Dawood Ibrahim gang were today arrested by the Gujarat police from the outskirts of Rajkot city. According to police, the gangsters were contracted by Dawood's brother Anees Ibrahim to kill a Jamnagar businessman Ashfaq Khatri, who is into shipping trade. Rajkot Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) SR Odedara said one Ramdas Rahane and three others were to be paid Rs 10 lakh for the killing.He said Rahane and his accomplices were coming to Rajkot in a private bus on their way to Jamnagar when they were intercepted. "We kept a close vigil near Kuvadava town on Rajkot-Ahmedabad national highway, as we had received inputs that four suspicious persons are travelling in a private bus from Maharashtra," he told reporters here. The police found them in the bus behaving in a suspicious manner. On searching their bags, a pistol, six live cartridges, two knives and fake number plates bearing vehicle registration numbers of GJ (Gujarat) and MH (Maharashtra) series were found."During the initial interrogation we learnt that Anees Ibrahim had given a contract to kill the businessman to Ramdas for a payment of Rs 10 lakh," Odedara said, adding that Rahane was a contract killer of the Dawood gang and facing several criminal charges in Maharashtra. "It was also revealed during interrogation that they had planned to steal a vehicle after reaching Jamnagar, change the number plates with fake ones which they were carrying and execute the crime, before returning to Maharashtra," Rajkot Police Commissioner Anupamsinh Gehlot, who oversaw the entire operation, said. UNI ND PY ADG 2210 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1165642.Xml Jammu and Kashmir National Conference today pitched for intra-state dialogue between the three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh to preserve singular entity of the state and also to bridge the fault-lines being created by divisive forces on the basis of region and religion. "The dialogue should be wide ranging; between the three regions and within the regions and their sub-regions; between religious and ethnic groups and between different shades of opinion,'' Devender Singh Rana, Provincial President here said while paying homage to Sheikh Nazir Ahmed at a function. He said intra-regional broad-based dialogue has assumed added significance in the wake of mistrust being created by vested interests over a period of time in the recent past, which is not in consonance of the idea of Jammu and Kashmir. "A collective effort is needed to find out the genesis of fault-lines and suggesting corrective measures to revive and sustain the glorious ethos for which the state was known the world over'', he added. The Provincial President said idea of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be bartered at the hands of any consideration, political, regional, ethnic or otherwise because if the composite pluralistic character of the state is not preserved, it will not only defeat the idea of Jammu and Kashmir but foil the idea of India as wellUNI VBH PY ADG 2233 -- (UNI) -- C-1-1-DL0298-1165663.Xml According to Sputnik News, Erdogan said the government has been seeking to bring back capital punishment since the July 2015 coup attempt. The death penalty was banned in Turkey in 2004. The European Union officials, however, slammed the possible move, citing it would undermine Turkey's accession bid to the union. (ANI) Following the backlash over the murder of an Indian engineer in Kansas, which is being touted as a hate crime, the White House has attempted to downplay notions that there was any correlation between the incident and President Donald Trump's stance on immigrants. Noting that the incident was tragic indeed, White House spokesperson Sean Spicer asserted that it was "absurd" to draw parallels between with the President's rhetoric. "Obviously, any loss of life is tragic, but I'm not going to get into, like, to suggest that there's any correlation I think is a bit absurd. So I'm not going to go any further than that," Spicer said. However, the relatives of Kuchibhotla held the recent election of Trump as President as the reason for this incident. Trump in his run-up to election had made many speeches against immigrants taking jobs of Americans. "This is first time it happened to (my) family; Trump is only the primary reason as of now. A racist person said 'get out of my country' and targeted my brother and his friend," Kuchibhotla's kin told ANI. According to the local U.S. media, the gunman, Adam Purinton, 51, who is a Navy veteran, was arrested after he allegedly blasted off several rounds of fire on Thursday. The Police say Purinton shot and killed Srinivas Kuchibhotla, an engineer at GPS maker Garmin International and wounded his colleague Alok Madasani. At least one witness has claimed that Purtinton yelled 'get out of my country' and also heard him screaming racial slurs before opening fire. Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj has assured that India would undertake all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of the former to Hyderabad. "We will make all arrangements to transport the mortal remains of Srinivas Kuchibhotla to Hyderbad, she said in a tweet. Swaraj spoke to the father and brother of Kuchibhotla and conveyed her condolences to the bereaved family. "I am shocked at the shooting incident in Kansas in which Srinivas Kuchibhotla has been killed. My heartfelt condolences to bereaved family. We will provide all help and assistance to the bereaved family." Sushma tweeted. The US Embassy in India has condemned this incident in a statement, "The United States is a nation of immigrants and welcomes people from across the world to visit, work, study, and live," US Charge d'Affaires MaryKay Carlson said in a statement. (ANI) An emboldened Mexico hardened its opposition to President Donald Trump by saying it would retaliate if the United States imposed a border tax and that it can afford to lose financial aid that might be pulled to pay for a border wall.Foreign Minister Luis Videgaray said Mexico could respond to any tax the United States were to unilaterally impose on imports from its southern neighbor to finance the wall with levies on select goods, aimed at US regions most dependent on exports south of the border."Without a doubt, we have that possibility, and what we cannot do is remain with our arms crossed," Videgaray said in a radio interview. "The Mexican government would have to respond."The statements by Videgaray and Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong, who minimized the potential impact of the rumored loss of US security aid, toughened the defiant tone from Mexico since President Enrique Pena Nieto last month canceled a trip to meet Trump over the wall dispute.Mexicans are angry at Trump's calls for US firms not to invest south of the border, insults to immigrants and threats to make Mexico finance the border wall. The peso currency has weakened on concerns he will hurt Latin America's No. 2 economy.Pena Nieto had faced criticism he was too accommodating with Trump but got a much needed ratings boost after cancelling the summit. A plan to deport third-country nationals to Mexico fueled outrage this week.Mexican officials were publicly blunt with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security John Kelly over Trump's immigration and trade proposals in a visit to Mexico on Thursday.Osorio Chong told local radio that Mexican officials' rejection of Trump's bid to send non-Mexican illegal migrants from the United States to Mexico was "very clear.""They asked us if (non-Mexican illegal immigrants) could be here while they are going through the legal process there. We said that there was...absolutely no way."Videgaray said the trade strategy would replicate a 2009 campaign of retaliatory tariffs that helped Mexico win a dispute with the United States. On Wednesday, the minister mentioned Iowa, Texas and Wisconsin as states that could be targeted in a conversation with lawmakers leaked to two newspapers."This is not our preference," he said. "Mexico believes in free trade."NO HANDOUTS PLEASEA US executive order on January 25 that mandated the construction of a border wall also required government agencies to report the financial assistance they gave Mexico in the past five years, leading to speculation Trump wants to redirect the aid to pay for its construction.Osorio Chong said on Friday that Mexico had no need for such financial aid from the United States, signaling that it would not come close to paying for the estimated 21.6 billion dollar cost of the wall.Like in other middle-income emerging economies, many in Mexico consider it humiliating to take aid from wealthy countries.A large part of US aid to Mexico comes through the Plan Merida program, under which the US Congress allocated 2.6 billion dollars to security assistance between 2008 and 2016.Of that,1.6 billion dollars had been disbursed by November 2016, according to the US Congressional Research Service."When they realize what's left of Merida, they will understand that it's not even that significant," Osorio Chong told local radio."We don't object to them moving these resources... Mexico now has its own capabilities," he said.The US Customs and Border Protection agency said on Friday it will accept proposals next month for the design of Trump's wall, a first step in picking vendors.Videgaray said a meeting of Tillerson, Kelly and Pena Nieto in Mexico City was a short courtesy visit.He said in a more substantial meeting of the ministers, Kelly told him that deportations of undocumented immigrants from the United States would not be militarized, after Trump characterized the process as a "military operation." REUTERS SV PR0937 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164627.Xml The shooting death of an Indian engineer and the wounding of another man in a possible hate crime at a Kansas bar has raised fears among members of the area's fast-growing Indian-American community.The suspected gunman, US Navy veteran Adam Purinton, 51, has been charged with the premeditated murder in Olathe, just outside Kansas City, of Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and the attempted murder of Alok Madasani, also 32, as well as an American who tried to intervene.Before opening fire, Purinton is accused of shouting "get out of my country," a bystander told the Kansas City Star.Several members of the Kansas City area's Indian-American community said the attack had forced them to think about their safety."The main reaction is shock, because this is home," said Samarpita Bajpai, 45, who lives in suburban Overland Park and runs a non-profit Indian dance company.Going forward, Bajpai said that for the first time in her nearly 20 years living in the Kansas City area she will try to refrain from being out late at night.She said the local area had always been very welcoming. Through her Gurukul Dance Company, Bajpai tours US cities with a troupe of 10 dancers, all of whom except her are white people with an affinity for Indian culture, she said.The shooting comes as some members of US minority groups have expressed unease with the political and social climate in the United States. The Southern Poverty Law Center said in a report this month hate groups proliferated in 2016 as Donald Trump's bid for the US presidency energized the radical right.A number of Jewish leaders called on Trump to speak out against anti-Semitism following a spate of bomb threats to Jewish community centers. Trump this week called the threats horrible and he has said he rejects violence and harassment.The greater Kansas City area, which straddles the border between the states of Missouri and Kansas, is home to about 2 million people with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 Indian-Americans, although exact figures are not available, said Vijay Ainapurapu, 45, the former president of the India Association of Kansas City.Ainapurapu, who works in software at Sprint Corp, said by telephone that the local Indian-American community has grown about tenfold since he arrived in the Kansas City area in 2001.Due to the shooting, he added, safety precautions are a major talking point for his group.Ainapurapu, who came to the United States in 1998 and previously lived in Texas and California, said Kansas City had been "as welcoming as any other place in America."Akshay Anand, 34, the owner of the Karats jewelry store in Overland Park who is involved with the India Association of Kansas City, said he will avoid areas where he might feel at risk, including what he called neighborhoods with low education levels."Everybody's going to be extremely cautious," said Anand, who lives a short drive from where the shooting occurred. "I think it's going to take time for this to settle in."Kansas City resident Ajay Sood, 50, who teaches courses in Indian culture and ran as a write-in candidate for US president last year, said he often finds native-born Americans are ignorant of his background.Mistaking the ethnicity of Indian Americans was a hot topic after the Kansas City Star reported that the suspect said after fleeing that he had shot two Middle Eastern men."Most of the Americans who have never traveled outside the US, they cannot identify who's a Pakistani, who's an Indian, who's an Afghani and who's a Sikh," Sood said by phone.REUTERS PS 0407 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1164567.Xml US President Donald Trump's push against Islamic State in Syria could present him with an unenviable choice: Alienate NATO ally Turkey by relying on Kurdish fighters or adopt a plan that may slow the assault and require many more US combat forces.The objective of the coming US-backed offensive is the city of Raqqa, Islamic State's de facto capital, which US officials think the hardline group has been using as a hub to hatch plots against the West.Despite months of US efforts to allay Turkish concerns, Ankara is insisting the offensive be carried out by local Arab fighters with support from Turkish troops, as opposed to the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, which in addition to Arabs includes Kurdish fighters who Turkey considers a threat.As Ankara warns of a major rupture in ties if its concerns are ignored, US and Turkish military officials have been reviewing Turkish proposals for the Raqqa campaign in recent days, one US official said. No decision has been reached, officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity.A senior Turkish official, also speaking on condition of anonymity, estimated that as many as 10,000 fighters could be made available for the Raqqa campaign, in addition to Turkish and any US forces backing them.US officials, however, have questioned whether the Turkish-backed forces are up to the job, at least anytime soon, noting the difficulty Turkish-backed rebels had this week driving Islamic State from the town of al-Bab, which is a significantly smaller and easier target than Raqqa.In a reminder of the threat, even after al Bab was seized on Thursday, an Islamic State car bomb killed more than 50 people in a nearby Syrian village on Friday.It is also unclear how Turkish forces would get to Raqqa, perhaps by carving a path through Syrian-government-held or Kurdish-held territory. A US intelligence official also noted that Turkey might want to clear the town of Manbij of Kurds before going to Raqqa.Turkish-backed forces still may need to be trained and, potentially, supplemented by a far larger number of American troops than the 500 special operations forces in Syria now - all factors that could slow and complicate the Raqqa campaign."To the extent that President Trump has expressed a desire to take Raqqa as quickly and forcibly as possible, the only force that's poised to do that is the SDF," said Blaise Misztal, the director of the national security program at the Bipartisan Policy Center.MORE U.S. TROOPS?The SDF, on the other hand, is far larger than Turkey's proposed force.The Arab component of the SDF that would aid the Raqqa operation is estimated at around 27,000, US officials say, but US intelligence officials say it remains disorganized and unevenly trained and requires support from Kurdish forces that are the alliance's best local fighters.Even if the United States supports the SDF in the assault, US military officers hint that more US troops might be needed.CBS News quoted US General Joseph Votel, the head of the Central Command, who visited Syria yeaterday, saying earlier this week that the forces the United States is backing "don't have as good mobility; they don't have as much firepower."So we have to be prepared to fill in some of those gaps for them," he said.A decision to go with the SDF could create logistical hurdles for the United States because Turkey would likely oppose allowing US troops to deploy on its border to provide close air support and long-range rocket artillery fire for the operation, said an adviser to the US military.Turkish ire also could complicate the flow of supplies to the front lines, the adviser added."More would come through Iraq, and it goes a bit slower and you get protests and consternation from the Turks," the adviser said, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the discussionsWho would hold Raqqa after Islamic State is expelled is a factor in Syria's long-term stability. Misztal questioned whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad would let Turkish forces hold the city. Turkey has warned that any Kurdish-dominated force could trigger a backlash by the city's mostly Sunni population.Marine Corps General Joseph Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, acknowledged the challenges in Syria during a forum in Washington on Thursday."When we provide (Trump) options, we'll talk about the importance of our Turkish ally and making sure that our plans are consistent with maintaining a strong alliance with Turkey," Dunford said, listing other factors the president will have to consider, including the role of the Kurds.He did not discuss specific options before the completion of a draft plan for combating Islamic militants, which is due by Monday.REUTERS PS 0527 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0421-1164571.Xml Adam W Purinton was charged with murder for shooting Srinivas Kuchibhotla, 32, and his friend Alok Madasani, 32, at the Austins Bar & Grill in Olathe, Kansas. Kuchibhotla died in the hospital from his injuries, and Madasani has been released from the hospital. At least one witness told the Kansas City Star that the gunman yelled "go back to your country" before opening fire. Police apprehended Purinton at an Applebee's about 80 miles away in Clinton, Missouri, after being tipped off by a bartender at the restaurant, who said Purinton told them he had been involved in the shooting. The entire development, which has raised a massive outage in India, has questioned the White House's rhetoric around immigration, which has promoted Donald Trump's "America First" position on allowing people into the country. However, White House press secretary, Sean Spicer categorically stated that it would be absurd to link the shooting to Trump's rhetoric and that it was too early to determine the motive. (ANI) North Korea is evading international sanctions with a sophisticated network of overseas companies, enabled partly by its continued access to the international banking system, says a forthcoming United Nations report seen by Reuters.North Korea is under heavy UN sanctions and a strict arms embargo designed to impede the development of its banned nuclear and missile programmes. The UN panel of experts, which produced the 100-page draft report, was created to investigate reported infringements of those sanctions."Designated entities and banks have continued to operate in the sanctioned environment by using agents who are highly experienced and well trained in moving money, people and goods, including arms and related materiel, across borders," the report says.UN member states should "exercise heightened vigilance" over North Korean diplomats engaged in commercial activities, it says, because some may be providing financial support to illegal networks.North Korea "is flouting sanctions through trade in prohibited goods, with evasion techniques that are increasing in scale, scope and sophistication," the report says.It details a previously unknown interdiction of North Korean-made military communications equipment destined for Eritrea in July last year.The interdiction was the second time North Korean military equipment bound for Eritrea had been intercepted, indicating an ongoing arms trade between the two countries, the report said.The seized equipment, part of an air shipment, included 45 boxes of battlefield radios and accessories, the report says.The radios were manufactured by a Malaysia-based front company called "Glocom", which is controlled by the Reconnaissance General Bureau, the sanctioned North Korean intelligence agency tasked with overseas operations and weapons procurement, the report says.INTELLIGENCE AGENCYThe report identifies two North Korean trading companies which, according to an unidentified UN member state, are linked to sanctioned entities, including the Reconnaissance General Bureau.The report also outlines North Korea's use of the financial system to pay for its sanctioned operations."Behind these illicit activities is the continued access of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to the international banking system," the report says, using North Korea's official title."Despite strengthened financial sanctions in 2016, the country's networks are adapting by using greater ingenuity in accessing formal banking channels," the report said.In cases where financial access is more restricted, North Korean agents use bulk cash and gold to circumvent the financial system entirely, and at times use foreign citizens as middlemen and facilitators.The report says North Korea continues to export banned minerals despite last year's sanctions putting a cap on coal exports, a key source of hard currency for the state's nuclear and missile programmes.China has said it would ban coal imports from North Korea until the end of the year. On Thursday, North Korea issued a rare reproach of China, its main diplomatic backer, over the ban.The UN report says enforcement of sanctions against North Korea "remains insufficient and highly inconsistent" and calls for additional measures to address shortcomings. REUTERS SV PR1141 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164680.Xml "China understands and supports Pakistan in taking necessary measures to cement its counter-terrorism achievements, maintain domestic security and stability, and protect people's life and property. We believe that with the joint efforts of the Pakistani government, military and people, Pakistan will surely claim the final victory in its counter-terrorism endeavour," said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuang at a regular press conference on Friday. Pakistan Army on Wednesday launched its anti-terrorist offensive following a surge in recent terror attacks in the country, the latest being the the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine suicide attack that claimed the lives of more than 100 people. According to the Army, the operation aims at indiscriminately eliminating residual and latent threat of terrorism, consolidating gains of operations made thus far and further ensuring security of the borders. (ANI) Malaysia said today it would issue an arrest warrant for a North Korean diplomat wanted for questioning over the murder of Kim Jong Nam if he doesn't voluntarily cooperate with the police."Reasonable" time will be given for the diplomat to come forward before police take further action, said Abdul Samah Mat, the police chief for Selangor state.On Wednesday, Malaysia said 44-year-old Hyon Kwang Song, a second secretary at the North Korean embassy in Kuala Lumpur, was wanted for questioning over the death of the estranged half brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.Samah said if the person concerned did not cooperate the police would issue a notice under Malaysian law, "compelling" them to appear before the investigation team."And if he failed to turn up upon given this notice, then we will go to the next step by getting a warrant of arrest from the court," he told reporters.Eight North Koreans are wanted in connection with the case, including the diplomat. One has been detained by the Malaysian police, four are believed to have fled to North Korea, while two others are still in Malaysia.Kim Jong Nam was murdered on February 13 at the Kuala Lumpur international airport by VX nerve agent, classified by the United Nations as a weapon of mass destruction, Malaysian police said on Friday.Two women - one Indonesian and one Vietnamese - have also been detained. Police had said on Friday that one of them had suffered from the effects of VX and had been vomiting.Samah also confirmed that authorities raided an apartment in an upscale Kuala Lumpur suburb on Wednesday in connection with the killing.Investigators were still looking for any traces of chemicals in the apartment, he added.REUTERS SV PR1215 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164705.Xml "There's no place for senseless violence & bigotry in our society. My heart is with the victims & families of the horrific shooting in Kansas," Nadella, who was born in India and later moved to the US, tweeted on Saturday. Two Indian engineers- Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani- were shot in a Kansas bar after the shooter hurled racial slurs at them. Kuchibhotla was killed, and Madasani was wounded, along with a 24-year-old man who had tried to apprehend the gunman, who fled. The accused, Adam W. Purinton, a Navy Veteran has been charged with premeditated first-degree murder and two counts of attempted premeditated first-degree murder. The possible hate crime has raised new alarms about a climate of hostility toward foreigners in the United States, where President Donald Trump has made clamping down on immigration a central plank of his "America first" agenda. Meanwhile, the White House strongly rejected the notion that there might be any connection between the shooting and the new administration's sharp language about immigration. Earlier, Nadella was also vocal against the controversial executive order on immigration and travel ban by President Trump. (ANI) The allies are upset. Bad hombres are scared. Millions of illegal immigrants, over 300,000 desis among them, have slipped into the shadows. And 'fake media' is hopping mad. But there is no stopping the trundling Trump train. "Now you finally have a President. Finally!" Donald Trump told a raucous crowd of supporters at an annual gathering of conservatives as he ticked off a dizzying list of actions he has taken with his executive pen in the five weeks he has been in office. He has pulled the US out of a major trade deal, rebooted two major oil pipelines, ordered reduction in regulations and initiated a huge "military operation" to get "really bad dudes out of this country at a rate nobody has ever seen before." Now he promised a "brand new action" to ban travel from seven terror prone nations to replace the one derailed by the courts and vowed one of the greatest military build ups in American history" and to "totally obliterate" the Islamic State. Trump also could not resist the temptation of taking a dig at his Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton for calling his supporters "irredeemable deplorables" amid familiar chants of "Lock her up" and railing against the "dishonest" and "fake news" media. Even as he vowed afresh to repeal and replace "the disaster known as Obamacare," as he called former President Barack Obama's signature health care law, Republican lawmakers faced tough questions at town halls about this that and all things Trump. But Trump dismissed "the so-called angry crowds in home districts of some Republicans" as "actually, in numerous cases, planned out by liberal activists. Sad!" His top cabinet picks, however, were singing a slightly different tune abroad. If days after taking over as President, Trump had again lamented not taking the Iraqi oil as "spoils of war," his Defence Secretary James Mattis assured worried Iraqis, "We're not in Iraq to seize anybody's oil." And if the President had called NATO "obsolete," his vice President Mike Pence assured nervous European allies that Washington "strongly supports NATO and will be unwavering in its commitment to our trans-Atlantic alliance." And his Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly hopped over to Mexico to assure "there will be no use of military forces in immigration. And there will be no mass deportation." As Mexico baulked at reported US plans to deport even OTMs - Other than Mexicans - to Mexico instead of their home countries as previously, they also sought to soothe concerns over Trump's plan to build a wall on the border and make Mexico pay for it. Is the Trump team playing the "good cop, bad cop" routine as a "maniacally focused" President hits "his agenda every single day" as his reclusive strategic advisor Stephen Bannon asserted in a rare public appearance? Calling the press as the "opposition party," Steve Bannon, the controversial "brain" behind the President declared an unending battle with "corporatist media and other globalist forces to deconstruct the administration state" -- a system of taxes, regulations and trade pacts. And escalating his war with what Trump again called "fake news" media and "the enemy of the people", the White House barred several news outlets, including "Clinton News Network" and the "failing New York Times" from an off-camera press briefing. The move came as CNN reported that the FBI had rejected a White House request to publicly knock down media reports about communications between Trump's associates and Russians known to US intelligence during the 2016 presidential campaign. "The FBI is totally unable to stop the national security 'leakers' that have permeated our government for a long time. They can't even... find the leakers within the FBI itself," Trump fumed in a tweet. Meanwhile, as Trump detractors chanting "Dump Trump" marked the "Presidents Day" as "Not My Presidents Day" across the country, his die-hard supporters voiced frustration that critics unable to digest his success were too quick to protest. The Office of Special Counsel, an obscure federal watchdog, too has been flooded with inquiries from bureaucrats about what they can and can't do in office. And some others are taking their politics from the streets to the couch as a 'Post-election stress disorder' sweeps the nation, CNN reported citing mental health professionals "especially those working in Democratic strongholds." (Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in) --IANS ak/tb ( 740 Words) 2017-02-25-13:47:52 (IANS) Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs had until three weeks ago driven the trade in crystal methamphetamine underground, according to residents and drug users in some of the slum areas of the nation's capital city.As thousands of users and dealers were shot dead by police and vigilantes in the first seven months after Duterte came to power last June, open dealing in the drug, known here by its street name shabu, largely stopped. Instead, deals were done on the quiet between people who knew each other, maybe with a text message first.But since Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to stand down from the drugs war last month, after declaring the force "rotten to the core", the drugs trade has come back out of the shadows, more than half a dozen drug users and dealers in some of Manila's toughest areas said in interviews. Many spoke on condition that only their first names be used in this story.Beside one of the less-used railroad tracks in Manila - a grassy area scattered with human excrement only a few miles from the gleaming high-rises of the Makati business district - shabu was easily available last week, costing just a few pesos (cents) per hit. Residents said that when they travelled on the illegal trolleys that ferry people for a few pesos along the track when there are no trains in sight, a fellow passenger will often offer them a sachet of the drug.Eusebio, 52, who pushes a wood and bamboo trolley on the track for a living, said dealers sometimes walk alongside calling out: "How much are you going to buy?""Now that the operations have been suspended, drugs have become rampant again," he said. "Those who were hiding have resurfaced."Another trolley-pusher, Boyser, 59, told two Reuters journalists: "If you weren't reporters, they would offer you drugs."DRUG DENIn a dark cinderblock room that serves as a drug den in another part of Manila, there were similar stories from users."We have more freedom now," Jason, a 39-year-old bartender told a visiting reporter as he inhaled shabu smoke. "All the users are still users, except those who have been killed," he said, adding that he has used shabu for almost two decades.More than 8,000 people have been killed since Duterte was sworn in almost eight months ago, about 2,500 of whom were killed in official police anti-narcotics operations. Human rights groups believe many of the others were extra-judicial executions committed as part of the war on drugs, and in cooperation with the police a claim the Duterte administration has vehemently denied.The president's office did not respond to a list of emailed questions about the drugs war and whether dealers were now openly back on the streets.Duterte has repeatedly said he will hunt down drug lords and other "high value" targets and to date, there have been a handful of large-scale seizures and raids on shabu laboratories. But most of those killed in the war on drugs have been small-time dealers and users in some of the country's poorest neighborhoods.The PNP stopped publishing an official tally of drug war killings from police operations on Jan. 31 when Duterte ordered the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to take over the campaign.FEWER KILLINGSAccording to reporters and photographers from Reuters and Philippine news organizations working the crime beat on the night shift, "vigilante-style" killings of drug suspects have continued, but at a much slower pace. Police data shows 398 people were killed nationwide in the first 20 days of February. Details of the killings were not provided and it was unclear how many were drug-related.Some anti-narcotics experts say they will not be surprised if it turns out that the drugs war has been ineffective. They say that ruthless operations against drugs, like Duterte's, have failed elsewhere in the world.Colombia's former president, Csar Gaviria, said in a New York Times column earlier this month that his country's long war on drugs not only failed to eradicate drug production, trafficking and consumption but also pushed drugs and crime into neighboring countries, while "tens of thousands of people were slaughtered."Thailand launched a "war on drugs" in 2003 that killed about 2,800 people in three months. But figures show it had no lasting impact on meth supply or demand in Thailand. "The world has lost the war on drugs, not only Thailand," the country's then Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya told Reuters last July.When an aggressive anti-drugs campaign begins, supplies may be tight for a while, street prices may spike, but ultimately drug usage does not drop, say those who have studied the results."We don't know of any examples from around the world where very hardline approaches have worked effectively," said Jeremy Douglas, the regional representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. "They can temporarily disrupt street business, but they don't disrupt demand."LOST MOMENTUMSome police officers told Reuters that they had received reports of increased street-level drug activity since they were ordered to stand down.Manila Police Commander Olivia Sagaysay, who oversees four precincts in the city, said the war on drugs had lost momentum and morale among her officers had suffered since they were ordered to stand down."It's depressing," she said. "But who are we not to follow the higher-ups?"She said she expected the trade to increase but maybe not return to its previous levels because "networks were disrupted" and "pushers were killed."In a written response to questions from Reuters about the impact of Duterte's campaign on the street-level shabu trade, the PDEA said that "based on reports gathered, the supply of illegal drugs in some areas are still considerably abundant."The PDEA attributed low street prices for shabu - prices overall have risen only minimally since the war on drugs began and in some areas have fallen - to a "lack of customers" or drug traffickers trying to get rid of their supply "in order to avoid arrest." It said drugs were being hoarded and that it was difficult for users to transact directly with traffickers. The PDEA did not provide evidence for any of its assessments.PNP spokesman Dionardo Carlos said drugs would return to the streets because it was "a billion peso business" and "money talks".In his view, though, the drug war had not failed. "We hit the target and now it goes back to PDEA. As far as the PNP is concerned we did our part in the past 7 months. I hope PDEA will be able to do their part."The PDEA has just about 1,800 people on its rolls compared with the national police force of 160,000. Of the existing PDEA personnel, only about half are field operatives.PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon said his agency will add staff and that the president would soon be issuing an executive order to set up an anti-illegal drugs inter-agency council and task force that would also draw from the military, the National Bureau of Investigation and the PNP. The task force will be charged with pursuing the war on drugs."There is a temporary vacuum of warm bodies but it won't be long," Carreon said, adding that those involved in the drug trade would be wrong to think they were safe."If that's their perception, it won't last long," he said. "They will find out in the hardest way that they are terribly wrong.""GO AFTER COOKERS"Still, Jason, the bartender who is a shabu user, said Duterte's campaign was not successful because he targeted the wrong people.If authorities had gone after the "cookers", the people manufacturing the drugs, instead of users and small dealers, people like him would be unable to buy and would move on. As it is, Jason said, shabu is always in plentiful supply, adding he was addicted and the drug eliminated any fear he may have had of being shot by police or vigilantes.As he spoke, Jason poured white crystals into a long strip of aluminum foil folded into a trough, tilted it slightly and held a flame below. Almost immediately, it produced a thick white smoke, which he sucked up through a narrow aluminum foil straw.He then began speaking again, more animatedly."I buy drugs every day!" he said.REUTERS SV PR1313 -- (Reuters) -- C-1-1-DL0103-1164774.Xml